Friday, November 20, 1863 - We were ordered back across the river and took quarters in some splendid Yankee shanties that they had built during their stay at Loudon, no doubt expecting to spend the winter there. We stayed several days until we were ordered to evacuate by General Longstreet. Our last day there was one of destruction as we had to leave the place to the Yankees. We remained in line of battle all day as we had to protect our pontoon bridge until our property could be sent over. The most destructive scene was the running of cars into the Tennessee River. Forty-two boxcars and two engines and some Ordnance went into the river. About one hour by sun our Cavalry was driven in [by] the Yanks who followed them to the edge of the town and captured some of our boys. But as soon as they came in range of our guns one piece opened up on them, checking their advance. About sunset the Yanks dismounted and formed their line as though they were going to charge our Battery. They soon began to advance. We then commenced advancing on them. They soon about faced and went back. By this time all our stock was across the river, it then being dark. We then retired from our position in good order, crossed the river and destroyed our pontoon bridge.

We then took up the line of march to join Longstreet at Knoxville. We traveled all night but did not get very far as the roads were very rough and our Artillery teams were all new and not used to harness. [Stamper, Isaac J., Travels of the 43rd Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers, diary of I. J. Stamper, available at the History Branch, Cleveland Public Library and Tennessee State Library and Archives]

Stamper, Isaac Jones, 3rd Lt., Co. F, born January 7, 1838 at Roane Co., Tenn./January 10, 1837 in North Carolina, enlisted December 26, 1861 at Roane County, Tenn. as Fifer, appointed Fife Major December 26, 1861, Regimental Band Master, elected 3rd Lt., June 18, 1863, captured and paroled at Vicksburg July 4-9, 1863, claims being shot in the hip at Winchester, Va., prewar Farmer and School Teacher, post war settling in Ducktown where he carried on business as a merchant, relocated to Cleveland, Tenn. ca 1901, engaged as a mercantile salesman, died September 9, 1911 (M268 Roll 294, Stamper)