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With the exception of an alarm, caused by some of the cavalry firing their guns just outside the lines, a few days after our return from the above expedition, nothing of note occurred until September 3rd. On the morning of September 3d being just one month from our arrival we took our departure from McMinnville. After the usual delay, we were on the move, and headed for Murfreesboro.
We were not allowed to wait for breakfast, or to feed the horses. What this movement was for, or where we were going, none, save the officers in command, knew. A march of twenty miles brought us to Tullahoma, which is south of Wartrace, and on the same railroad. It is also at the junction of the Manchester and McMinnville road. On arriving there, we encamped in an orchard near the depot.
At 11 o'clock arrived at McMinnville, a small town of some five hundred inhabitants, and situated on the Manchester and McMinnville Railroad. The place is strongly "secesh." There was an M. D. along with us, who had lately been driven out of the town on account of strong Union sentiments. He was acting as our guide.
Finally, about noon, were ordered to unharness horses, but to hold ourselves in readiness to move at any moment. Here was a piece of great military strategy displayed. Finally, on the morning of August 1st, we succeeded in making a start. At 5 o'clock were on the road leading to McMinnville, over which a part of our battery had before traveled.
At McMinnville we camped in an open field near the town the Tennessee and Kentucky Batteries being camped near by. The remainder of the force were camped at different places.
At 6 P. M. of the second day, August 2d, we entered McMinnville, but instead of finding a large Rebel force, we found only the residents. As near as could be ascertained, there had been some three hundred Rebel Cavalry in the place, who had said "good-bye" on our approach. We pitched tents near our former camping ground. The next day, which was Sunday, we were allowed to rest.
On the 23d of June Bragg was covering his position north of Duck River with a front extending from McMinnville, where his cavalry rested, through Wartrace and Shelbyville to Columbia, his depot being at Tullahoma.
About the time of this move, the rebel cavalry, under Wheeler, attempted to cut his communications in the rear, but was repulsed at Dalton, and driven into East Tennessee, whence it proceeded west to McMinnville, Murfreesboro, and Franklin, and was finally driven south of the Tennessee. The damage done by this raid was repaired in a few days.
Spending two or three days more with my kind friends on the farm, I saddled my remaining horse, and telling the family I might not return for some time, I rode through McMinnville, and then direct for Murfreesboro, at that time in possession of the Union forces. When hailed by the pickets, a mile from the town, I told them I wished to see the officer in command.
About noon, passed through the small village of Liberty a strong Union place. Going two miles further, we turned off on the road leading to Murfreesboro, and went into camp on the banks of Clear creek. Remained here until 4 o'clock of the next afternoon, when we once more formed in line for the march. On getting on the old road, we were faced towards McMinnville.
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