thousands of human beings--and
all lit up by the camp-fires, presents a weird, spectral scene. The march
of death!

Shortly before daylight, and when we were some three or four miles from
Crab Orchard, we came to a halt in the middle of the road. Several large
fires were built, around which we all gathered. At daylight we got a cup
of coffee and some "hard-tack," then away on the road again. An
occasional report of a gun could be heard. About 9 o'clock, A. M., we
entered the town of Crab Orchard, and were here informed that the rear
guard of the enemy had passed through only an hour before. The firing
which we had heard was caused by a slight skirmish between them and our
advance. Several prisoners had been taken.

After a few moment's halt we pushed on through the town, and once more
were on the road to Wild Cat, the place where we had fought our first
battle, nearly one year previous. The weather was fine, and the roads were
in far better condition than when we first traveled them.

Proceeding four miles beyond Crab Orchard, our brigade left the main body,
and turned off on a road leading to the left. Just before dark, and after
having gone some six or eight miles, we were obliged to turn back, to find
a suitable camping ground, as there were several high hills which we could
not ascend at night. The road being very narrow, with a thick growth of
trees and underbrush on either side, it was fully two hours ere we got
fairly turned about. We then went one half a mile, and camped in a
cornfield, near a small creek.

October 16th, resumed our march. Nothing worthy of note occurred during
the day. About 3 P. M. passed through Mount Vernon. Did not make any halt.
At night camped three miles from the crossing of Rock Castle River.

The next morning, early, moved forward, a part of the battery in advance.
Captain Standart acted as a guide, from his previous knowledge of the
country. He, with the advance, consisting of some cavalry and the
Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry, proceeded on some distance beyond Wild Cat,
and on the road to London. When three miles beyond the old battle ground,
they suddenly encountered quite a force of the enemy, when a brisk
skirmish took place. In a short time our forces succeeded in driving the
Rebels, killing and wounding several of their number, and taking a few
prisoners. Our loss was six or eight killed and wounded. Captain Standart
had a very narrow escape, as one of the Thirty sixth India