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thoroughly as was possible with the limited means at hand。 My
division teams were in very fair condition in consequence of the
forage we had procured in the Sequatchie Valley； so I left the train
behind to bring up clothing when any should arrive in Chattanooga。
Under these circumstances； on the 29th of November the Fourth Corps
（Granger's） took up the line of march for Knoxville； my men carrying
in their haversacks four days' rations； depending for a further
supply of food on a small steamboat loaded with subsistence stores；
which was to proceed up the Tennessee River and keep abreast of the
column。
Not far from Philadelphia； Tennessee； the columns of General
Sherman's army； which had kept a greater distance from the river than
Granger's corps； so as to be able to subsist on the country； came in
toward our right and the whole relieving force was directed on
Marysville； about fifteen miles southwest of Knoxville。 We got to
Marysville December 5； and learned the same day that Longstreet had
shortly before attempted to take Knoxville by a desperate assault；
but signally failing； had raised the siege and retired toward Bean's
Station on the Rutledge； Rogersville； and Bristol road； leading to
Virginia。 From Marysville General Sherman's troops returned to
Chattanooga； while Granger's corps continued on toward Knoxville； to
take part in the pursuit of Longstreet。
Burnside's army was deficient in subsistence； though not to the
extent that we had supposed before leaving Chattanooga。 It had eaten
out the country in the immediate vicinity of Knoxville； however；
therefore my division did not cross the Holstein River； but was
required； in order to maintain itself； to proceed to the region of
the French Broad River。 To this end I moved to Sevierville； and
making this village my headquarters； the division was spread out over
the French Broad country； between Big Pigeon and Little Pigeon
rivers； where we soon had all the mills in operation； grinding out
plenty of flour and meal。 The whole region was rich in provender of
all kinds； and as the people with rare exceptions were
enthusiastically loyal； we in a little while got more than enough
food for ourselves； and by means of flatboats began sending the
surplus down the river to the troops at Knoxville。
The intense loyalty of this part of Tennessee exceeded that of any
other section I was in during the war。 The people could not do too
much to aid the Union cause； and brought us an abundance of
everything needful。 The women were especially loyal； and as many of
their sons and husbands； who had been compelled to 〃refugee〃 on
account of their loyal sentiments； returned with us； numbers of the
women went into ecstasies of joy when this part of the Union army
appeared among them。 So long as we remained in the French Broad
region； we lived on the fat of the land； but unluckily our stay was
to be of short duration； for Longstreet's activity kept the
department commander in a state of constant alarm。
Soon after getting the mills well running； and when the shipment of
their surplus product down the river by flatboats had begun； I was
ordered to move to Knoxville； on account of demonstrations by
Longstreet from the direction of Blain's crossroads。 On arriving at
Knoxville； an inspection of my command； showed that the shoes of many
of the men were entirely worn out； the poor fellows having been
obliged to protect their feet with a sort of moccasin； made from
their blankets or from such other material as they could procure。
About six hundred of the command were in this condition； plainly not
suitably shod to withstand the frequent storms of sleet and snow。
These men I left in Knoxville to await the arrival of my train； which
I now learned was en route from Chattanooga with shoes； overcoats；
and other clothing； and with the rest of the division proceeded to
Strawberry Plains； which we reached the latter part of December。
Mid…winter was now upon us； and the weather in this mountain region
of East Tennessee was very cold； snow often falling to the depth of
several inches。 The thin and scanty clothing of the men afforded
little protection； and while in bivouac their only shelter was the
ponchos with which they had been provided before leaving Chattanooga；
there was not a tent in the command。 Hence great suffering resulted；
which I anxiously hoped would be relieved shortly by the arrival of
my train with supplies。 In the course of time the wagons reached
Knoxville； but my troops derived little comfort from this fact； for
the train was stopped by General Foster； who had succeeded Burnside
in command of the department； its contents distributed pro rata to
the different organizations of the entire army； and I received but a
small share。 This was very disappointing； not to say exasperating；
but I could not complain of unfairness； for every command in the army
was suffering to the same extent as mine； and yet it did seem that a
little forethought and exertion on the part of some of the other
superior officers； whose transportation was in tolerable condition；
might have ameliorated the situation considerably。 I sent the train
back at once for more clothing； and on its return； just before
reaching Knoxville； the quartermaster in charge； Captain Philip
Smith； filled the open spaces in the wagons between the bows and load
with fodder and hay； and by this clever stratagem passed it through
the town safe and undisturbed as a forage train。 On Smith's arrival
we lost no time in issuing the clothing； and when it had passed into
the hands of the individual soldiers the danger of its appropriation
for general distribution； like the preceding invoice； was very
remote。
General Foster had decided by this time to move his troops to
Dandridge for the twofold purpose of threatening the enemy's left and
of getting into a locality where we could again gather subsistence
from the French Broad region。 Accordingly we began an advance on the
15th of January； the cavalry having preceded us some time before。
The Twenty…third Corps and Wood's division of the Fourth Corps
crossed the Holstein River by a bridge that had been constructed at
Strawberry Plains。 My division being higher up the stream； forded
it； the water very deep and bitter cold； being filled with slushy
ice。 Marching by way of New Market； I reached Dandridge on the 17th；
and here on my arrival met General Sturgis； then commanding our
cavalry。 He was on the eve of setting out to； 〃whip the enemy's
cavalry；〃 as he said； and wanted me to go along and see him do it。 I
declined； however； for being now the senior officer present； Foster；
Parke； and Granger having remained at Knoxville and Strawberry
Plains； their absence left me in command； and it was necessary that I
should make disposition of the infantry when it arrived。 As there
were indications of a considerable force of the enemy on the
Russellville road I decided to