Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, December 12, 1861

In camp near Elizabethtown. The road over which we marched was excellent; but owing to detention at Salt river, where the troops and trains had to be ferried over, we were a day longer coming here than we expected to be. The weather has been delightful, warm as spring time. The nights are beautiful.

The regiment was greatly demoralized by our stay in the vicinity of Louisville, and on the march hither the boys were very disorderly and loth to obey; but, by dint of much scolding, we succeeded in getting them all through.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 86

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, December 15, 1861

Jake Smith, the driver of the head-quarters wagon, on his arrival in Elizabethtown went to the hotel, and in an imperious way ordered dinner, assuring the landlord, with much emphasis, that he was “no damned common officer, and wanted a good dinner."

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 87

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, December 18, 1861

In camp at Bacon creek, eight miles north of Green river. Have been two days on the way from Elizabethtown; the road was bad. There were nine regiments in the column, which extended as far almost as the eye could reach.

At Louisville I was compelled to bear heavily on officers and men. On the march hither I have dealt very thoroughly with some of the most disorderly, and in consequence have become unpopular with the regiment.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 87