We left Knoxville at
9 a. m. of Saturday and arrived within ten miles of Greenville about sundown.
The hills and valleys were covered with troops, those in front in line of
battle. Artillery and musketry could be heard about two miles in front, and we
were told there had been skirmishing in front nearly all day. It was nearly
dark, and our brigade, being in front, we marched about half a mile and
encamped for the night. Before it was fairly light the next morning we joined
our brigade, which was in the extreme front, supporting a battery. Every
preparation had been made for a "big fight," and our boys awaited the
attack with eager anticipation. Skirmishers were thrown out to ascertain the
position of their infantry, that our batteries might open the ball by a salute
at sunrise. Our skirmishers soon returned—they had found no enemy. Instantly
away dashed a regiment of cavalry in hot pursuit, followed by the First
Division—the Seventeenth in advance. We did some fast marching for about two
hours, when we halted for two mounted brigades to pass. Here we learned the
Rebels passed through Greenville about daylight, and were some ten miles ahead,
making the best time possible. But Foster's cavalry had been sent around to
intercept them should they retreat.
He was expected to
cross the river at a ferry fifteen miles above Greenville and intercept them in
a ravine about five miles beyond. But the ferry boats had been destroyed, and
he was compelled to go several miles to a ford, which caused so much delay he
did not arrive in time. We followed several miles and gave up the pursuit.
SOURCE: David
Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer,
1862-1865, pp. 103-4
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