1862 October 19 near Danville, Ky.

[from the diary of Captain William F. Hunter, 97th Ohio]

     Oct. 19th, ’62.
This morning about 3
o’clock, 50 men of our
brigade arrived here
on their way to Leba-
non Ky. whence they will
guard our train to our
camp. They report our
reg’t. encamping last night
13 miles from here on
the road to “Wild Cat”,
where it is thought the
rebels will make a
stand. Cloudy and
chilly this morning.
Don’t feel so well

to day as I did yes-
terday. Although near
a church, this Sabbath
is likely to be spent as
most soldier’s Sabbath, -
as other days.
This is a dreary lone-
ly place, a fit habita-
tion for bats, owls & se-
cessionists. The residents,
who come into camp
to sell things to the sol-
diers, & claim to be Un-
ion men, are a sorry
set, poorly clad &, appa-
rently, not half fed.
They say they are form-

ed into companies –
calling themselves
“Home Guards”’ hav-
ing a rendezvous, &
mustering & drilling
there periodically, &
carrying on a sort
of guerilla warfare.
They may honestly
entertain union sen-
timents; but I fear
many of them are
like an old man to
whom I was talking
a few days since, who
said “men were some-
times compelled to

change their coats”.
I’m inclined to the opin-
ion that, in general, their
sentiments are materi-
ally dependent upon the
character of the nearest
army. Very sick
all afternoon & at night.
Have a very severe di-
arrha – scarcely able
to walk. Tobacco & cof-
fee have an unnatural
taste, being more like
medicine than any thing
else. Remained here
all day & night.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 10547-bm