Marching In Late 1864 The 12th Kentucky Cavalry Goes On A Raid

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017

War-date account, 4pp. folio, written by Bugler Josephus W. Pell, 12th Kentucky Cavalry, entitled: "Military Journey through the Mountains," reading, in part: "On dismal night in Nov. 1864 we found ourselves at Camp Nelson KY with orders to march at daylight…had to be up all night preparing for a long journey…we moved out on the pike…in the direction of Cumberland Gap…marched three days & three nights…the same wearisome chain of rocky mountains on either side…the roads up to this time were unusually good…but…it rained and snowed for 2 days…we were in charge of a battery which we had to dismount & pull up every hill…from Wild Cat Mountain ( well known in history as the battlefield of Gen. Nelson & Zollicoffer) to the town of Barboursville keeping us up both nights trying to keep up with the command…most of the time down in the mud prying at some gun or pulling at it…we arrived at Cumberland Gap about 9 o'clock at night all wet & nearly froze. Moved through and camped in Tenn…we moved out next day about 10…on a road leading to the village of Taswell, Tenn. which we passed through & camped near the Clinch river…skirmished some that night with the enemy. Next day swam the river, got over safe with the exception of one man & some horses which were drowned. Advanced on the road leading to VA. Arrived at Clinch Gap but had to fight some as there was a battalion of Rebels posted there. We succeeded in capturing some of them…camped in the Gap. This Gap is a pass in a long range of mountains known by the name of Clinch Mountains & is about 40 miles from Knoxville, Tenn…we proceeded to Bean Station & camped..several days awaiting Gen. Stoneman. I will tell you in my next more about [our] journey." Signed on the back panel "J. W. Pell". Minor spotting with several modern tape repairs, else VG

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