DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | Andrew F. Davis papers, 1862

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14_1862-02-21-Page 02

and proceeding South, and by Wednesday morning the Scow was ready to ferry us across, but the 17th Ind commenced crossing first and during the day it rained verry hard consequently it took them all day to get over and on yesterday (Thursday) morning the river had risen so much that it was impossible for us to cross. So we ware ordered to prepare to march anyway. So by 11 Oclock we ware on our way to this place. The roads ware so bad that the Col. ordered 10 more teams from another Reg. to help haul our baggage.  We come 5 or 6 miles and encamped and today by noon we had arrived here and crossed the river and are now in Dixies land or South of Green River, a feat which some months since would have been attended with considerable danger as the Rebels ware then in full possession and Swore that South of the river our forces could never come, but events lately transpireing show them that where there is a will there is a way. And I guess the transctions lately taken place at Fort Henry, Mill Springs, Roanoke Iland and Fort Donelson begin to make them think that we have a will as well as a way to teach traitors that the United States Still have a goverment and all the brave spirits she needs to maintain that Goverment. 

The news of the glorious victories above named was received with Shouts of joy by the boys here and soon the bands was out making the hills of Old Kentucky re-echo with the heart of Stiring and patriotic Strains of Hail Collumbia, Yankee Doodle, The Star Spangled Banner &c.  Since we arrived here we have heard that Collumbus was evacuated by the Rebels and that Tennisee, Alabama and Georgia had all taken the initiatory steps towards sueing for peace.  If these rumors prove to be true the end of the war is not far distant. God speed the time is the prayer of all honest men and to which I say Amen. Some think that they will make one more Strong and obstinate Stand at Memphis. If they do it will only be one more victory for our arms to gain for I am satisfied that we are now in such

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and proceeding South, and by Wednesday morning the Scow was ready to ferry us across, but the 17th Ind commenced crossing first and during the day it rained verry hard consequently it took them all day to get over and on yesterday (Thursday) morning the river had risen so much that it was impossible for us to cross. So we ware ordered to prepare to march anyway. So by 11 Oclock we ware on our way to this place. The roads ware so bad that the Col. ordered 10 more teams from another Reg. to help haul our baggage. We come 5 or 6 miles and encamped and today by noon we had arrived here and crossed the river and are now in Dixies land or South of Green River, a feat which some months since would have been attended with considerable danger as the Rebels ware then in full possession and Swore that South of the river our forces could never come, but events lately transpireing show them that where there is a will there is a way. And I guess the transctions lately taken place at Fort Henry, Mill Springs, Roanoke Iland and Fort Donelson begin to make them think that we have a will as well as a way to teach traitors that the United States Still have a goverment and all the brave spirits she needs to maintain that Goverment. The news of the glorious victories above named was received with Shouts of joy by the boys here and soon the bands was out making the hills of Old Kentucky re-echo with the heart of Stiring and patriotic Strains of Hail Collumbia, Yankee Doodle, The Star Spangled Banner &c. Since we arrived here we have heard that Collumbus was evacuated by the Rebels and that Tennisee, Alabama and Georgia had all taken the initiatory steps towards sueing for peace. If these rumors prove to be true the end of the war is not far distant. God speed the time is the prayer of all honest men and to which I say Amen. Some think that they will make one more Strong and obstinate Stand at Memphis. If they do it will only be one more victory for our arms to gain for I am satisfied that we are now in such