January 17 " (1862) 
At the break of day our whole force was in motion, but our column countermarched and we did not get fairly underway until 11 A.M. When we passed through the great sesesh den Mayfield The citizens looked scornfully at us, but said nothing. The morning was cool and cloudy, but the ground soon began to thaw and the road became exceedingly muddy. At 3 P.M. it commenced raining and hailing and continued to rain til 11 P.M. the time we arrived in camp. The road being almost impassible. We lay down on our weary limbs to rest, in the mud and water. Oh! wat a night, many wagons swamped along the road. 
Camp Tobacco. January 18." 
This morning at 4 A.M. it commenced raining, and rained incessantly till 3 P.M. The 1st Brig. started in the morning crossed Clark river, the remaineder of the force did not move till 3 P.M. and by this time the river was unfordable, which was only one mile from where we had encamped. Here we were compelled to camp for the night. After we were "staked down" I took a tramp toward the river to see the critical position.
