THE CIVIL WAR DIARY OF JOHN G. MORRISON 1861-1865

dismounted, the sorest and most tired that I ever was in my
life. About 10 P.M. we made some coffee, which went good.
About 11 P.M., Snyder and I spread our blankets on the
hillside and lay down for a snooze.
Nov. 8th, Tuesday. Did not sleep much through the night as
I ached all over. About 9 A.M., was detailed to go on a
scout, but a I had lent my saddle, I could not go, for
which I was mighty glad. Whilst striving to rest myself,
"boots and saddles" sounded. We were soon in the saddle
and off
[19] again for Cedar Creek where Sheridan's army lay. On the
route we passed through Middletown and Newtown. About two
miles beyond the former, we halted in form of line of
battle and was inspected by Gen'l Tarbert and his Adjutant.
jOur Col. got fits from the Gen'l for bringing us up in
such a state and said we must go back to Martinsburg and
get equipped. They took all the horses that had saddles on
them except mine, which I saved by some dodging. Whilst on
the ground I came across an old friend in the shape of Mr.
Smith, reporter for the N.Y. Tribune, once a shipmate of
mine on the "Lafayette" on the Mississippi River. He was
very glad to see me and took my company and regiment so
that he could call on me. We then camped on the edge of a
piece of wood, with the intention of going back in the
morning.
Nov. 9th, Wednesday. Up bright and early and had our tents
struck, but we were not [to] get off so easy, as our good
horses were taken from us which caused some swearing to be
did. Then word came that we were not going today, so we
[20] pitched our tents again. The quartermaster now came along
with a lot of old worn-out horses which we were to take
back to Martinsburg with us. I soon got one, as I did not
relish the idea of walking back 38 miles and carrying my
load. Through the day I noticed that the whole army was on
the move backwards and about 4 P.M. "boots and saddles" was
sounded. Up came our tents and off we went. After riding
about a mile, we formed in line of battle and waited for a
wagon train and a battery to pass us, as we were detailed
for rearguard. It was now quite dark. We then rode about
6 miles and halted in an open field. We got our plugs
picketed and then had some coffee. Snyder [and I] bunked
together, same as usal.
Nov. 10th, Thursday. Up before daylight without breakfast
and to the road again. We rode through [the] finest
country I ever seen until about noon, when word came that
Moseby was only four miles ahead of us on the road. Our
eight effective companies started after him, leaving us to
take it easy. They did not find him, but he found them, as
135