A PARTICIPANT IN MCDOWELL'S SUMERVILLE EXPEDITION REPORTS, SEPTEMBER 24, 1861

For the Louisville Democrat

                        CAMP SHERMAN

                        22nd September, 1861

MESSRS. HARNEY, HUGHES & CO.:

          Gentlemen: Having returned this morning from our first scouting expedition, it may be of interest to some of your many readers to learn the history of our doings.  A telegraphic dispatch was received by Colonel Pope that a cavalry company from up in the country was to take some of the State arms aways, and was going by way of Taylorsville:  Colonel Pope ordered a detachment of Captain Garity's company and others, to the number of one hundred, to go up on the five o'clock P.M. train, and intercept them.  As the train came up to camp, about one hundred men were ready and equipped for the march.  As I felt considerable of the "war spirit" in me, I immediately decided to go with them.

     We arrived all safe at Beard's Station, and there got off and struck the road leading, as we supposed to Sumerville, but by the ignorance of our guides we did not arrive there.  We kept on marching for some twenty five miles through mud, and over such roads as cannot be described, but must be traveled to know what they are.  After going this distance, with only an occasionally halt to rest, or for water, some of the men gave out; then it was decided to halt and try and find out where we were.  We went to a house near by and inquired, and found, to our mortification, that we had marched some ten miles out of our way.  We were then twelve miles from Shelbyville.  Now came the question what we were to do; about thirty-five miles from camp and nothing to eat.  Some were in favor of going on, others to turn back.  After considerable debating, it was decided to turn back.  Getting a guide, we desired him to take us to the nearest point on the railroad, which, he said, was three miles.  After marching some six miles, we began to get a little leg-weary, and some were disposed to lag behind.  It was in vain we quickened our pace, we could not keep up, and sealed the question in our own minds that we would not.  At this moment we espied a very hospitable looking hay stack in the open field, and decided to storm it and take possession for the night, in the name of Uncle Sam.  Some six of us were there, and we were soon sound asleep, dreaming of capturing secession smugglers and most everything imaginable.  We awoke at the dawn of day and proceeded on our weary march.  After marching some eight miles further, we came to a hotel on the Louisville and Shelbyville road.  We marched in and sat down to rest.  We soon found out that the proprietor was of the Secession persuasion; he did not seem to care it we went or stayed, but I did, for I had decided to stay and go across the country and come in on the cars, when a wagon drove up in care of Lieut. Irving McDowell, who took me in and proceeded on to Middletown, and stopped at Mr. Waters' hotel.  He treated us very kindly, and gave some twenty of the boys a good warm breakfast and refused all remuneration.  Permit me here to say one word for Mr. Waters and his estimable lady.  He is an uncompromising Union man, and I would recommend him to all the lovers of good eating and real hospitality.  If you every go to Middletown, call and make his home your stopping place, and I can assure the traveling public that they will never regret it.

     It is delightful to read the romance of an evening's promenade, when the moon is in its full glory, but still more so to be one of the participants, but I can assure you that since Saturday night I am disgusted with all such things.  It is no fiction to march twenty-five miles with musket and blankets on your shoulder, through mud, and over some of the worst roads you every saw; but it is a scene from real life, at least it is so with me, and I doubt not it would be with others if they once did it.

     The command was given to Adjutant McDowell, of Col. Pope's regiment, assisted by Capt. Garrity, Lieut. Irvine McDowell, Sergeant-Major Jas. P. O'Donnell, and others, who did all in their power to cheer the men and make them comfortable after their fatiguing march.

                                  MARCUS RULLAY