PADUCAH, KY. On Saturday morning about five o'clock we
were ordered to be ready to march in twenty-five minutes. We soon learned our
destination was Paducah. We embarked at Cairo on board the "Fair
Play." This boat had been captured from the rebels. We arrived here in the
night time and on Sunday morning disembarked. This is a beautiful place and
much preferable to Cairo. We are encamped on the banks of the Tennessee river
on a bluff about fifty feet above the river and on a sandy soil which soon
dries after a rain. On our arrival I was appointed "officer of the
day" and had to make the grand rounds, which means to visit all the
pickets. I had to ride about fifteen miles in a drenching rain at 12 o'clock at
night but I did not mind it as I was only too glad to have something to do. Men
are all better satisfied at getting south of the Ohio River as they feel they
are now in the enemy's country. We are kept busy drilling in battalion drill
which to me is preferable to company drill. There are a great many
secessionists in this place and no doubt but what our movements are made known
to the rebel officers daily. I forgot to say that our surgeon, Dr. E. Powell,
is one of the best in the service. 1st Assistant Surgeon Dr. Durham is only a
beginner.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton,
War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier
General Joseph Stockton, p. 2
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