83   On the 23rd of March, 1864, the army under Gen. Thayer started south from Fort Smith, to form a junction with the forces under Gen. Steele, from Little Rock-all to co-operate with Gen. Banks in the taking of Shreveport [sic]. The weather was rainy, cold and disagreeable, the roads soft and spongy. Numerous mud-holes were found by the enterprising teamsters, and the wagons, sticking fast in them, made our progress slow and difficult. We had to travel many hours each day, to make the distance that was necessary. Many places in the road had to be "corduroyed" to render them passable. The country became mountainous and stony, which, with the mud-holes, used up the mules pretty fast. Such sitting up late of nights-getting up early of mornings--- making rail roads, or roads of rails ---pushing wagons up the mountains---lifting them out of mud-holes (meanwhile living on half-rations) was very wearing on the soldiers. Napoleon's idea of a self-subsisting army was nearly realized. Often all we had for food was corn meal, ground in hand mills, and the cattle, hogs &c., we killed after camping. We heard three shots on the evening of April 2d, and learned the next morning that Captain Benton, of the 12th Kansas, was killed while going from the camp of the 12th to brigade headquarters-afterwards ascertained to have been done by bushwhackers. His body was carried to our next camping ground. He was buried at twilight, escorted by Company C, of the 12th Kansas, followed by a large number of the soldiers and officers. His last resting place is on the beautiful mound covered to the top with pine trees. The numerous camp fires, scattered over the plain, throwing forth their bright ray of light; the stars shining in the sky, the dead march to the grave, the rustling of the wind among the pines, the solemn countenances of his brother officers---all formed a scene not easily forgotten. In him the army lost a gallant soldier, an intelligent and efficient officer, and the country a true patriot. His untimely fate is much lamented by his many friends.           Contents  Words  Study Questions  Related Sites Next