Dick and Warner were riding strong mountain ponies, but at times, and in order to show that they considered themselves no better than the others, they dismounted and walked over the frozen ground.
The greatest tasks were with the wagons containing the ammunition and supplies.

The mountain roads were little more than trails, sometimes half blocked with ice or snow and then again deep in mud.

The winter was severe.

Storms of rain, hail, sleet and snow poured upon them, but, fortunately, they were marching through continuous forests, and the skilled mountaineers, under any circumstances, knew how to build fires, by the side of which they could dry themselves, and sleep warmly at night.
They also heard much gossip as they advanced to meet General Thomas, who had been sent from Louisville to command the Northern troops in the Kentucky mountains.

Thomas was a Virginian, a member of the old regular army, a valiant, able, and cautious man, who chose to abide by the Union.