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FIRST LIEUT. WASHINGTON L. SANFORD, COMPANY I. (1860.)
HISTORY
OF
Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry
AND THE BRIGADES TO WHICH IT BELONGED
COMPILED FROM MANUSCRIPT HISTORY BY SANFORD, WEST AND FEATHERSON, AND FROM NOTES OF COMRADES ; CAREFULLY COMPARED WITH AND CORRECTED BY GOVERNMENT PUBLISHED OFFICIAL REPORTS AND STATISTICS FURNISHED BY UNION AND CONFED- ERATE OFFICERS. WITH BIOGRAPHIES OF OFFICERS AND ROLLS OF MEN, AND EMBELLISHED WITH PORTRAITS
COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY W. L. SANFORD
Late First Lieutenant Company "I," Fourteenth Reg. Illinois Cavalry Address: Chana, Illinois.
CHICAGO R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY
1898 -
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/historyoffourtee00sanf
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PREFACE
5
INTRODUCTION 7
CHAPTER I.
CALLED TO KENTUCKY
. 13 to 31
First Celina raid. Second Celina raid. Active duty scouting.
CHAPTER II.
MORGAN PURSUIT ACROSS THE OHIO RIVER. 32 to 5.3
Its object. Rebel Gen. Wheeler's statement. Mor- gan flanks our division. Our brigade prevents his return. Morgan driven across the Ohio river. Pur- suit. Our brigade flanks Morgan. Battle of Buffing- ton Island. Final pursuit and capture.
CHAPTER III.
PREPARING TO INVADE EAST TENNESSEE. · 54 to 66
Cross the Cumberland Mountains. Capture Knox- ville. Capture Cumberland Gap.
CHAPTER IV.
MARCH TO MORRISTOWN, BLUE SPRINGS AND GREENEVILLE. . 67 to 86
Attack rebels at Kingsport and pursuit. Fight at Blountville. Capture of Bristol. Engagement at Zolli- coffer. Second engagement at Blountville. Skirmish on Zollicoffer road. March to Loudon. March back to Knoxville. Engagement at Rheatown. Third fight at Blountville. Second fight at Bristol. Drive rebels into Virginia. Scout to Kingsport under Major Quigg.
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
LONGSTREET ATTACKS BURNSIDE 87 to 108
Longstreet's forces. Burnside's forces. Knoxville besieged. Brigade under General Wilcox. Camp near Cumberland Gap. March to Maynardville. Our brigade strength. Skirmish below Maynardville. Rebel attempt to surround brigade. Battle of Walkersford. Rebel forces engaged. Strength of regiment and of brigade. Guy Niles' splendid shot. Skirmish at Powder Spring Gap. Gen. Shackelford in command of cavalry. Sent to watch Longstreet's movement. Reconnoisance to Mooresville.
CHAPTER VI.
LONGSTREET'S FORCES ; OUR FORCES. . 109 to 126 Battle of Bean Station. Sanford's description. Con- nelly's description. Longstreet's report and object. Rebel Gen. Johnson's report. Johnson acknowledges our gallant resistance. Other rebel reports confirm our description. Strength of opposing forces. Second day's fight. Gen. Longstreet acknowledges his failure.
CHAPTER VII.
GENERAL FOSTER IN COMMAND. 127 to 142
General Foster in command. Powder Spring Gap evacuated. Join General Sturgis. Frequent engage- ments. Severe battle. Intense cold and hard fare. Battle near Dandridge. March to Knoxville. Divided into detachments. Skirmishes and brisk engagement.
CHAPTER VIII.
INDIAN RAID INTO NORTH CAROLINA. . 143 to 159
Crossing the mountains. Silently approaching Indian camp. Capture of Indian pickets. Furious charge into Indian camp. Complete surprise and rout of Indians. Results of the engagement. Gen. Sturgis' report. Gen. Grant's dispatch. Parson Brownlow's comment. Re- connoisance above Knoxville. March to Loudon and Philadelphia.
CHAPTER IX.
DIVIDED INTO DETACHMENTS 160 to 169
Passing a spy through the lines. Indian attack. Or- ganization of band.
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X.
START TO JOIN SHERMAN . 170 to 18I
Joined by recruits. Pursuit of rebel parties. Organ- ization of Stoneman's division. Skirmishing. Drive a rebel battery. Rebels driven across the Chatta- hooche. Burn Moore's bridge. Cross the river to Decatur.
CHAPTER XI.
STONEMAN RAID TO MACON 182 to 21I
Initial correspondence and orders. Start on raid. Hood discovers movement. Reasons for change of plan. Commands in Stoneman's division. Capture of Monticello and Hillsboro. Davidson's battalion de- tached. Capron's brigade destroys rail road. Con- federate force at Macon. Attack on Macon. Informa- tion of strong force in our rear. Retreat toward Wheeler. Skirmishing with Wheeler. Changes by Eighth Michigan. Capron's brigade drives the enemy. Battle line formed. Repeated furious charges on rebel lines. General Stoneman surrenders. Capron's brigade dashes through rebel lines. Retreat; men exhausted. Pursuit and night attack. Terrible fate. Work of Davidson's command.
CHAPTER XII.
ROMANTIC STORY OF ESCAPE. 212 to 223
CHAPTER XIII.
REMOUNTING AND SERVICE UNDER GEN. THOMAS. 224 to 253
Armed with muskets. Strength of Hood's Army. Reason of change of our orders. March to Pulaski, Tennessee. Gen. Schofield commanding in front. Schofield's force, infantry and cavalry. Hood's force, infantry and cavalry. Hood designs to flank Schofield. Wide belt of country defended by our small cavalry force. Capron's brigade reconnoiter to Waynesboro. Capron's brigade opposes overwhelming force. Four days and nights' perilous service. Capron's brigade saves Schofield's army.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIV.
FIFTH IOWA CAVALRY JOINS BRIGADE . 254 to 291
Capron's brigade at Lewisburg pike. Successfully resists Buford's division. Active work. Wilson's cav- alry driven back. Capron's brigade alone resists. Holds the enemy until night. Surrounded by Forrest's cavalry. Engagement at picket post. Headquarters swept away. Final gallant charge of brigade. Capron's brigade again saves Schofield's army. Retreat to Franklin. Great battle at Franklin. A disastrous vic- tory for Hood. Retreat to Nashville. Siege of Nash- ville. Dismounted and armed with carbines. Reorgan- ization of brigade. Battle of Nashville. Destruction of Hood's army. End of active service. Quietly in camps.
CHAPTER XV.
AT EDGEFIELD AND PULASKI. .292 to 347
Comparative loss of Fourteenth. Synopsis of service. Narratives of comrades. Biographies of officers. Ros- ter of men. Muster out of regiment.
PREFACE.
A regimental and brigade history of Fourteenth Illi- nois Cavalry, including the services in brigade of the Fifth Indiana Cavalry, the Sixty-fifth Indiana Mounted In- fantry, the Eighth Michigan Cavalry, McLaughlin's Ohio Squadron, the Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry, and the Sixth Indiana Cavalry.
INTRODUCTION.
This history began as a daily record of events in the service by two members, W. L. Sanford, of Company "I," and Martin West, of Company "C," neither knowing of the other's work. It was first designed for the informa- tion of friends at home. As the record grew in interest, comrades suggested a published history. When this pur- pose became fixed, Sanford proposed a partnership with Comrade Thomas Featherson, of Company "I," to illus- trate the book with views, as Featherson was a fair artist. Sanford, having lost a portion of his notes, searched for notes to supply the lost material, and found that Martin West had also kept full notes and that he was an able writer and diligent in gathering material. On talking the matter over each became convinced that it were better to unite their work. A partnership of "Sanford, West and Featherson" was formed, and when Sanford, in the spring of 1865, resigned, it was arranged that he should write up the history from their notes, and a subscription list of over eighteen hundred dollars was obtained, pay- able when the book was ready for the press. As the regi- ment was discharged before its three years' term was completed, the book was not yet ready, and at the muster out the members were so scattered that the means could not be gathered to publish and the project was abandoned. At the reunion of the regiment at Ottawa, Illinois, in August, 1887, the project was revived to publish. Major H. C. Connelly, Captain A. B. Capron and Lieutenant W. L. Sanford were appointed a committee to devise a plan to bring out the history. They at once decided that the history should be revised by combining the first manu- script, sifted and condensed, with all other useful and truthful material that could be gathered, using the Gov- ernment published official reports of union and confed- erate officers to verify and add to our record.
8
INTRODUCTION.
It was finally decided that Lieutenant Sanford should compile the work, and finally the whole work was placed in his hands. Comrade Featherson had died and Com- rade West consented to relinquish all to Sanford, who began by collecting the official reports and other material. A long time passed before the official records could be gathered, then the examination and culling from ten thousand large pages of these records was a long and laborious work. The compiling, arranging and inter- weaving with our record and with other notes, and the correcting and rewriting many times to correct and con- dense to the prescribed limits as new material was re- ceived, required a vast amount of labor and consumed much time. An immense correspondence to gather the names and addresses of comrades, and finally to gather the means to secure its publication, and also to gather and provide photo prints of officers and comrades with which to illustrate the book, required much patience and hard labor. We have been greatly aided in the work by Major Connelly by the use of his many valuable published ac- counts, and by notes furnished, as well as by encourage- ments and advice. Captain Capron furnished a portion of his father's memoirs from which much has been se- lected. Captain William R. Sanford, of Company "K," also furnished, in carefully written notes of his services and observations, much that is very valuable. Besides the notes of Sanford, West and Featherson, we have been permitted the use of those of Lieutenant I. H Allen, long acting adjutant, Lieutenant John F. Thomas, of Company "G," and others, which have been used in the body of the work, besides the articles in the last chapter accredited to each writer. Lieutenant Moore, of Company "L," furn- ished notes for history as well as articles.
The plan of Sanford, West and Featherson's history was from necessity mainly a collection of reminiscences, combined with such historical facts as could be gathered in the field from a knowledge of operations gathered from union sources alone. The authors, especially West, were fluent writers and diligent in gathering facts. Since the publishing of the Government official reports we are en- abled to add much of historical facts, as well as to verify or correct, as the former notes required. This has added
9
INTRJDUCTION.
immensely to the value of the book as a history-indeed, it has made it as nearly perfect, as a history, as it is possible to get. It is, however, greatly to be regretted that the limited amount of funds for publishing has com- pelled such a condensing of the work as has crowded out some of the finest descriptions of country and scenery, and some individual reminiscences. This will be a dis- appointment to a few that we cannot avoid, while it will gratify the many, who will thus receive a much more perfect history. Our labor has been an immense task, much more than many, if any, comrades can realize, but we have not been alone in the sacrifice. Had we not been aided to an unexpected extent by willing comrades, the published history would have been an impossibility. First the encouragements, advice and promptings of Major H. C. Connelly, one of the committee, which have been of great value, in addition to his notes and his financial support. It was an absolute essential that we have a cus- todian to care for the gathered funds. Fortunately we found one perfectly suited to this work, who willingly assumed it, and who has performed a vast amount of work, as well as caring for the funds and contributing more than one-sixth of the whole amount. The history would have been an impossibility without Colonel David Quigg, of Chicago, Illinois. But others, too, have done nobly, and, indeed, we may say that without the aid of other noble comrades it would have failed. In financial aid the next highest to Colonel Quigg is Lieutenant Will- iam Moore. The next is Comrade George W. Norris. The next are Major H. C. Connelly, Captain Sanford, of Company "K" (not the writer), and Lieutenant Beck- with, of Company "C." Then follow Lieutenant Will- iam H. Puckett, of Company "I;" Major J. B. Dent. Sergeant J. H. Melven, of Company "E," Lieutenant-Colo- nel D. P. Jenkins, Captain Lord, Peter Vanarsdale, W. C. Callicott, Mrs. Eliza Featherson, Mrs. Ruth Boren, George Q. Allen (son of Lieutenant Allen), William E. McCready and Lieutenant J. W. Sanders.
Captain William A. Lord furnished an able article on the Stoneman raid. This article is valuable, as Cap- tain Lord was on General Stoneman's staff. The narra- tive of escape from Stoneman's raid by Norris, while it
IO
INTRODUCTION.
is no more valuable as history than other articles furn- ished, yet is of such a nature that, while truthful and real, it is also highly romantic. We owe much to the finan- cial liberality of many comrades, but most prominent is Colonel Quigg and Lieutenant William M. Moore and Comrade Norris, who, when failure was imminent, de- termined that failure should not be permitted.
HISTORY
OF THE
FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
CHAPTER I.
ORGANIZATION AND SERVICE IN KENTUCKY UP TO THE MORGAN RAID.
Few regiments in the late war began their history under circumstances of as great discouragement as did the Fourteenth Regiment Illinois Cavalry.
In the summer of 1862 Horace Capron obtained per- mission to raise a cavalry regiment, to be numbered the eighteenth. D. P. Jenkins had also been authorized by Governor Yates to raise a regiment of cavalry, to be numbered the fourteenth. Colonel Hancock also re- cruited for the fifteenth. Illinois had filled her quota of the call for three hundred thousand for that year, and had raised a dozen regiments in excess ere any number had enlisted in these regiments. The country had been de- pleted of laborers, and the opinion almost universally prevailed that though "Uncle Sam" had not crushed and masticated the southern confederacy before breakfast, that he now had that tough customer about ready for the noonday meal. The consequence was, in Illinois, the prevalence of a decided opposition to further enlistments, by many now deemed unnecessary. It was autumn when the nucleus of these regiments gathered at their ren- dezvous camps at Peoria, Illinois, then only to find that they were far from completed.
Many bounty jumpers and deserters from other organi- zations had crept in. The deserters were reclaimed and
12
HISTORY OF THE
the bounty jumpers skipped, and the delay in organiza- tion bred discontent, so that desertions depleted about as fast as recruiting strengthened. It was found neces- sary to consolidate the Eighteenth and the Fifteenth. This consolidation threw out one-half of the prospective officers, which increased discontent, as the men saw favorite officers, 'under whom they had enlisted and ex- pected to serve, crowded out. Many had left families at home dependent on them for support. Failure to or- ganize and receive some pay deprived their families of support. These combined influences caused further de- sertions, so that little progress was made toward complet- ing the organization. Finally a further consolidation with the Fourteenth, together with what were gathered by enlistments, enabled the mustering of the first bat- talion, with Francis M. Davidson as Major, and the sec- ond battalion, with David Quigg as Major, on the 7th day of January, 1863; and the third battalion, with Havi- land Tompkins as Major, February 6th, 1863. The regi- ment now mustered little more than the minimum number. The field and staff as first organized were: Colonel, Horace Capron, Sr .; Lieutenant-Colonel, David P. Jen- kins ; First Major, Francis M. Davidson; Second Major, David Quigg; Third Major, Haviland Tompkins; Ad- jutant, Henry W. Carpenter ; Quartermaster, Samuel F. True; Surgeon, Preston H. Bailhache; First Assistant Surgeon, George A. Wilson; Second Assistant Surgeon, John Ivory Wilkins; Chaplain, Samuel Chase, D. D .; Commissary, Bruce C. Payne; Sergeant Major, Henry C. Carrico; Quartermaster Sergeant, Charles West ; Commissary Sergeant, Abner N. Scribner; Hospital Steward, George A. Sumner; Saddler Sergeant, John B. Reed; Chief Bugler, Henry S. Walker; Veterinary Surgeon Alonzo H. Sanborn. In the last of January we received our horses and drew Springfield sabers. Febru- ary 23d we received from the state a beautiful rich silk ban- ner, which was thankfully acknowledged by Colonel Cap- ron in a stirring and appropriate speech. March 25th re-
ceived "our month's advance pay." The long delay in rendezvous camp caused by impeded organization, af- forded ample time which was well improved in every kind of drill essential to cavalry, so that the evils result-
MAJOR HENRY C. CONNELLY.
R
I3
FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
ing from such delay was compensated in such discipline and drill as made the regiment one of the most effective cavalry organizations in the service. The thorough sift- ing incident to the hindrances in organization left in the regiment only the most patriotic and determined men, whose ardor could not be quenched by any opposing obstacles. Whether their after history fulfilled the prom- ise of these advantages will best be shown by the follow- ing record of their service. Recruits were still gathered in; thorough drill and discipline continued. All dissat- isfaction had disappeared, and in its stead grew up an eagerness for the fray.
We shall have occasion to quote or refer frequently to the published reports of the Union and Confederate forces, giving page, volume, series and part. In Series Ist, Part 2d, Volume 23d, page 167, is a message from Major General H. G. Wright, then commanding in Ken- tucky, to General A. C. Fuller, March 23d, 1863: "I have intelligence that the rebels are entering Kentucky in con- siderable force, and we shall want all the troops we can get. Please hasten movement of Fourteenth Cavalry as much as possible." Again, on page 170, March 24th, 1863, General Wright to Brigadier-General Boyle, says : "Have again urged Governor Yates to send you the Four- teenth Cavalry." At this time southern and eastern · Kentucky was so overrun with the enemy's raiders that it was almost undisputably in their possession. March 25th, 1863, Major General Ambrose E. Burnside super- ceded General Wright in command of the Department of the Ohio. See Part 2d, page 172. Same page and date, General Halleck instructs General Burnside: "It is im- portant that you immediately carry out my instructions of the 23d, by concentrating forces in central Kentucky to meet the raids of the enemy." March 26th Burnside replies : "I think we can hold the line of the Kentucky (river) until a column can be organized near Lebanon. * Our cavalry force is very small." General Joseph Wheeler was assigned the command of the rebel cavalry in Bragg's army (part 2d, page 175). He was posted on Bragg's right wing, with headquarters at Mc- Minnville. His strength in February, 1863, exceeded 10 .- 000 effective present. His work was to guard Bragg's
I4
HISTORY OF THE
right wing, and to raid Kentucky for supplies (part 2d, page 718). The brigades of Brigadier Generals Wharton, John H. Morgan and Hagan constituted his division (page 650). Morgan's headquarters at Sparta was convenient to raid any part of Southeastern Kentucky. General Hum- phrey Marshall's command (afterward Sam Jones' com- mand), effective present, Infantry, 1,700; Artillery and Cavalry, 2,467 ; total, 4,167 (page 638), were posted near Southeastern Kentucky. General John Pegram's brigade, effective present April Ist, 1,644 men (page 733), belonged to Western East Tennessee. All these successively raided Southern and Eastern Kentucky.
Their irregular and more independent cavalry under Colonel John T. Morgan and Major Hamilton, with head- quarters at and near Celina on the south side of the Cum- berland river, were of themselves guerrillas and, together with the many bands of bushwhackers of that region, ranged the country when and where opportunity offered, by theft, by robbery, and by every means of barbarity, to gather in supplies from Kentucky to their various depots of supply ; the principal one being Celina, whence these supplies were carried by boats to Nashville, while the enemy occupied that place; after they were driven back, these supplies were carried by wagons across the moun- tains to Livingston and other points. These guerrillas and bushwhackers were unprincipled robbers, pillaging, . burning and murdering without compunction ; they never sought a fair fight, but always avoided it; fleeing to their mountain concealment whenever pursued even by an in- ferior force ; turning on them or ambushing their pursuers when in very small parties. The policy of Bragg was to supply his army as much as possible from within the Union lines (see part 2d, page 776).
This was the situation when our regiment was ordered to Kentucky. Happy were the boys of the 14th Illinois Cavalry when Saturday, the 28th day of March, 1863, came, bringing orders to march to join our noble comrades in the front, to aid in crushing treason, and in bearing aloft our glorious flag, the emblem of the proudest and most glorious nationality that ever blessed the earth.
By 4 p. m. man and horse, with all the habiliments of war, were on the train, which moved out at sunset. Ran
15
FOURTEENTH ILLINOLS CAVALRY.
all night ; passed Joliet early in the morning. March 29th, passed the western boundary of Indiana; reached Michi- gan City, Indiana, where we were regaled with a cup of hot coffee for each, as breakfast and dinner. Weather cold for the season. At I p. m. the iron horse, with his tremendous load, passed out on the Michigan City & New Albany Railroad ; passing first through a swampy, desolate region with little improvement. Reached Lafayette about dark. Short halt, then ran all night, reached Indianapolis about 4 a. m. of March 30th. From Lafayette we passed through fine country, which now grows more broken. Reached Jeffersonville, Indiana, on the Ohio river, oppo- site Louisville, Kentucky, about 7 p. m. Slept on the cars. On our trip down through Indiana we were greeted with one continued display of Union flags and waving 'kerchiefs, as signals of good will and cheer, indicating that we had the earnest prayers and best wishes of all the loyal left behind us. This remembrance of the sympathy of a loyal people, cheered us on many a sanguinary field in our tedious and arduous service. March 31st go into camp a furlong north of town. April Ist, 10 a. m., move camp to quarter mile east of town, near the Ohio river, op- posite Louisville ; a beautiful camp called "Camp Bright." Remained in this camp until April 7th, then crossed the Ohio river on ferry boat; marched through the city of Louisville, and camped one mile southeast, near the camp of the 25th Michigan Infantry. April 8th in camp; April 9th, grand review; draw Colts revolvers and Burnside carbines. Each man who would take them got two navy revolvers. Our number was now about 800; the maxi- mum being 1,200. On the IIth and 12th the regiment was paid by Major Fell, U. S. A. paymaster. April 12th, be- fore noon, struck tents and marched for southern Ken- tucky. Each company was furnished with long cable rope to tie the company horses and one wagon to each com- pany, and wagons for headquarters and regimental stores. Camped 12 miles south of Louisville. April 13th marched through "West Point," on the Ohio river 20 miles below Louisville ; where were some rebel forts on commanding bluffs, erected to control navigation of the river, but these had been rendered useless by the introduction of our gun- boats. We camped on Salt creek, 10 miles south of West
I6
HISTORY OF THE
Point ; day's march 30 miles. April 14th, reveille before day ; marched early, passed through Elizabeth City about noon. This town is on the Louisville & Nashville Rail- road and turnpike, 42 miles nearly south of Louisville. Camped 10 miles south; day's march, 21 miles; rained hard day and night. April 15th, marched to Mumfords- ville on Green river, 22 miles, and camped after night. April 16th, crossed Green river, which was very high, by swimming. Though the river was a torrent, swimming the river was preferable to crossing the railroad bridge So feet above the water on no floor but two planks laid length - wise and without side supports of any kind, as we were at first ordered. Some of our horses could not swim; these would sink, strike the bottom, then spring up to the sur- face, and by a series of such springs succeeded in reach- ing the opposite shore without loss of a man or horse. The crossing occupied several hours when, wet to our arin- pits, we resumed our march and camped 9 miles south. April 17th, marched early, reached Glasgow, 85 miles south of Louisville, about noon, having marched II miles. Found here the 107th Illinois Infantry, the 5th Indiana Cavalry and the Elgin Battery. These comrades all gave us lusty cheers of welcome. We were now brigaded with them.
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