USA > Illinois > History of Fourteenth Illinois cavalry and the brigades to which it belonged > Part 10
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of marching and fighting. The cavalry were in front of Bean Station, harrassing the enemy. I find the commis- sariat of the department very destitute; there being only a very few days' supply of the most requisite parts of the rations, which are now, and have been for a long time, issued in half and quarter rations." In regard to mounted forces, after stating that for general purposes it was the most needed, he says (page 283) : "This kind of arms is much inferior in number to that of the enemy, and must be increased." Both General Shackelford and General Parke were ordered not to bring on an engagement, but if attacked, to fall back to Blaine's crossroads. The cav- alry at Bean Station was 13 regiments, consisting of Graham's brigade, and Wolford's division ; all cavalry and mounted infantry : 14th Illinois, 5th Indiana. 65th In- diana, Colvin's Battery, 4 guns ; 2 guns of the 5th ; 4 howit- zers of 14th ; Wolford's command : 112th Illinois Mounted Infantry, 6th Indiana, Ist Kentucky, IIth Kentucky Mounted Infantry, 27th Kentucky Mounted Infantry, 8th Michigan, 9th Michigan, 2d Ohio, 7th Ohio, 45th Ohio Mounted Infantry. Many of the men were on detached service and foraging, so that with the thinning out by the disabilities of men and horses, the whole cavalry force at Bean Station did not exceed 2,500 or 3,000. Many of the men went long distances to get forage, in which occurred many little adventures and skirmishes. Lieutenant Payne, our regimental commissary, led a small party to a mill, and while engaged in securing meal, the mill was surrounded by a large party of the enemy, and our party, forage and all, was captured, except the Lieutenant, who escaped by slipping under the water-wheel.
December IIth. Reveille at daylight ; a detachment of 500 of Graham's brigade, under Colonel Graham, marched in the morning up the valley to reconnoiter. Near Moores- ville, 8 miles above, we encountered a large force of cav- alry and mounted infantry. This was Longstreet's mounted forces. We formed line, planted our batteries and drove them from their camp to the adjoining woods and. hills beyond Mooresville. We briskly engaged the enemy for several hours, resulting in several killed and wounded on our side; their loss unknown. One small party of Company "I," 14th, under Lieutenant Kilbourne,
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misunderstanding orders, actually penetrated the rebel lines between two strong positions occupied by them, a half mile apart. Their capture or destruction would have been certain, but for the fear, on the part of the enemy. that this small party was the bait of a trap set for them. When our lines were withdrawn this party escaped by skillful maneuvering, as the enemy were too fearful of an ambus- cade to press too closely. Having ascertained the force and position of the enemy, the brigade returned to camp at 8 p. m. Marched 16 miles.
December 12th. Reveille at 5 a. m .; in camp.
December 13th. Our whole command was called out and formed line about one mile above the station, to check an anticipated attack of the enemy ; but he did not appear. Page 495, serial 54, shows this to have been rebel General Humphrey's brigade, sent to support Colonel Giltner's cavalry advance. They approached within three miles, and then returned.
CAPTAIN WM. H. GUY, COMPANY F.
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CHAPTER VI.
BATTLE OF BEAN STATION.
In this description we shall frequently refer to the offi- cial reports, which, unless otherwise stated, will be found in serial 54, series I, volume 31, part I. We make extracts from General James Longstreet's report (page 462) ; he says : "As our position at Knoxville was somewhat com- plicated, I determined to abandon the siege and draw off in the direction of Virginia, with an idea that we might find an opportunity to strike that column of the enemy's forces reported to be advancing from Cumberland gap. The orders to move in accordance to this view were issued December 2d. The column reached Rogersville Decem- ber 9th." On page 463 : "On the 12th (Dec.) I received information that a part of the reinforcements from Chat- tanooga had returned to that place, and that the enemy had a force consisting of three brigades of cavalry, and one of infantry at Bean Station; his main force being between Rutledge and Blaine's crossroads." Longstreet was well posted as to the position of our forces, though mistaken as to a brigade of infantry at Bean Station. There was no infantry there, and none within less than 20 miles in that direction. Three brigades, or 13 regiments of mounted men, was the whole force there. Longstreet says: "Or- ders were issued to the troops to be in readiness to march on the 14th (Dec. ), with the hope of being able to surprise and capture the enemy's forces at Bean Station. Our main force to move down from Rogersville to Bean Sta- tion. General Martin, with four brigades of cavalry, was to move down the south side, and cross the Holston oppo- site Bean Station, or below ; and General W. E. Jones, with two brigades of cavalry, was to pass down on the north side of Clinch mountain, and prevent the enemy's escape by Bean Station gap."
Longstreet's forces at this time exceeded 21,000 men, including General Ransom's force, which was with him.
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It consisted of McLaw's division, of Kershaw's brigade, 6 regiments ; Wofford's brigade, 6 regiments ; Humphrey's brigade, 4 regiments ; Bryan's brigade, 4 regiments ; total McLaw's division, 4 brigades of 20 regiments; Hood's division, Jenkin's brigade, 6 regiments ; Law's brigade, 5 regiments ; Robertson's brigade, 4 regiments ; Anderson's brigade, 5 regiments ; Benning's brigade, 4 regiments ; Hood's total, 5 brigades, of 24 regiments; Buckner's division, Johnson's brigade, 3 regiments ; Gracie's brigade, 6 regiments ; Buckner's total, 2 brigades, of 9 regiments ; Ransom's infantry, Corses' brigade, 3 regiments ; Whar- ton's brigade, 3 regiments ; Jackson's brigade, 2 regiments ; total Ransom's infantry, 3 brigades, of 8 regiments ; total of Longstreet's infantry, 14 brigades of 61 regiments ; General Martin's cavalry consisted of 3 divisions, of 5 brig- ades, of 22 regiments, and Ransom's cavalry, 3 brigades, of 14 regiments ; total cavalry, 8 brigades, of 36 regiments ; his artillery was Alexander's, 6 batteries, and in McLaw's division was 3 batteries, and in Ransom's division was 6 batteries, in all 15 batteries. A grand total in Longstreet's army, of 22 brigades, of 97 regiments and 15 batteries. The numerical strength of Ransom's, November 30th, was 5,873 ; and Longstreet's for December was 15,362, and on December 14th probably reached 16,000, or total, 21,873, with 15 batteries. This was terrible odds, in an attempt to capture 3 small brigades of only 13 regiments, of less than 3,000 men, with 10 pieces of cannon.
Immediately after the battle, the writer gave a descrip- tion of it which was approved by the officers and men ; but the most wonderful thing is that the published official re- ports of the enemy do not contradict it in anything, and in many things, even down to the minutia, their reports con- firm it. Our space will not permit a full copy, but to our description will be added a fine description of a portion of it, by Major H. C. Connelly, and also portions of the re- ports of rebel officers, descriptive of the battle. The fol- lowing is a portion of our description :
"Scouting parties sent out reported all quiet, and on the 14th (Dec. ), not anticipating an attack, many detachments were out on scout duty and foraging, so that little, if any, over 2,500 men were present, and as we fought dis- mounted, deducting those that cared for the horses, we
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could not have had 2,500 in line of battle. Of our brigade, many were on other duty, and of the 14th, nearly two whole companies were gone to bear dispatches.
About I p. m. the bugles sounded "Boots and Saddles," "To horse," and "Assembly," in rapid succession, warning us that there was work for us. We marched double quick, and were formed in line near the position formed on the day before. Colonel Wolford, with his division, formed on the right of the road, facing up the valley, his left resting near the road, and his right extending out towards a range of hills in the direction of the Holston river. Our bat- teries were planted ; Colvin's on an elevation to the right of the road, and on the left of Wolford's line. The two guns of the 5th Indiana were planted a little to the left of the road, on an eminence in advance of Wolford's line. The howitzer battery of the 14th Illinois, commanded by Lieutenant H. C. Connelly, and manned by his company, "L," of the 14th, was advanced 300 yards, and slightly to the left of the guns of the 5th. Our brigade, commanded by Colonel Graham, constituted the left wing, and was posted ; the 65th, with its right resting near the howitzer battery, and its left extending out toward the Clinch range. The 5th Indiana was posted to the left, and in advance of the 65th; its left reaching to the foothills of the range. The 14th, the left of the brigade, and extreme left of the whole line, was advanced a half mile in front of Colvin's guns and Wolford's line, and in advance of the 5th, on the foothills with its left out towards the range. This arrange- ment of our brigade was designed to prevent flanking our left wing ; a wise precaution, as the sequel showed. The ground occupied by the 14th, and on its front, was much broken, and grew more broken as the Clinch range was approached. The enemy first attacked our right. Soon Wolford was engaged with vastly superior numbers ; the fury of the storm increased until the battle strife was ter- rible. Like a mighty torrent rolling down a mountain side, the enemy's dense double columns rolled towards our left. . Soon their columns have reached to the front of our batteries. As soon as within range all of our batteries opened upon them. The roar of our larger guns, mingled with the intonations of our smaller but splendidly oper- ated howitzers, almost drowned what before had seemed
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a terrible roar of Wolford's battling line. Now the enemy get into position 10 pieces of artillery, so arranged as to enfilade as well as giving a front fire, raking with round shot and shell our batteries and their supports, as well as the whole line within range. The conflict in this quarter now became terrible and grand. Again and again the rebel columns were formed for a charge upon our batteries. Great gaps were opened in their densely solid ranks, by the fierce and rapid discharges of our skillfully operated pieces. From an elevated and advanced position on the left of these operations, we witnessed the slaughter in their dense columns, by each discharge of our guns. Nothing daunted, and with a boldness worthy of a better cause, their broken columns were instantly re-formed, pre- pared again for a charge.
One column was seen to approach at a point where the nature of the ground might screen them until near enough to make a sudden dash, hoping thus to effect the capture of our guns. But, alas for human calculations; nature seldom makes valleys without occasional hills; so these sly Johnnies found that they must cross a rise of ground. No sooner did their forms appear in sight, than our gun- ners opened upon them a fire so fierce and withering that even Longstreet's veterans could not endure it. Still de- termined to persevere, they threw themselves prone upon the ground, crawling along like the living type of South Carolina's banner, until a more ยท sheltered position was reached, when they ventured to rise once more. But as soon as their forms were exposed above the grass the same withering fire met them, melting their column so rapidly that southern chivalry could not stand, but gave up that attempt to take our guns. Meanwhile the enemy have planted additional batteries. Their guns, so superior to ours in number and in caliber, are worked with equal rapidity, though not with equal fatality, owing partly to the inferior skill of their gunners, but principally to the fact that their missiles did not find the dense mass of human forms to mangle and destroy as did ours; but in- stead, only a thin line of skirmishers, especially on the left, vainly striving with their attenuated line, to cover all the front of their powerful foe.
The enemy's fierce cannonading, though sending a con-
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tinuous stream of cannon balls from enfilading positions, and raining down showers of shells and screaming railroad iron, which, by its screaming, sounded like the shout of a legion of demons, seemed to threaten annihilation, yet effecting but little. The rebel sharpshooters, of which they had a great number, were a special annoyance to our gunners. A few of these were brought down by the ad- vance of the 14th. The writer, from an elevated and ad- vanced position, was enabled to survey the battlefield in its successive developments, while fighting with us on the left had not yet opened in all its fierceness ; but the enemy continued to extend his solid lines farther and still farther to our left.
At this moment an uninterruped view of the conflict could not fail to excite to the highest point of possi- bility, the minds of deeply interested spectators. Rap- idly the eye surveyed the prospect, and the mind con- templated the probabilities of the awful conflict. Wolford was still engaged on the right. Terrible volleys and demoniac yells indicated the fierceness of the strife in that quarter ; but alas! they also indicated by their changing direction, that his brave band was being forced back by the terrible odds against him. The enemy's batteries now increased the fury of their fire; shells flying like flakes of snow in a constant shower, while several of their guns, opening upon the left, made devil's music by their dis- charges of railroad iron, which, during its strange gyra- tions along its curved and fiery path, exhibited a novel ap- pearance as of some fiery demon, on an errand of "misery to man," whilst its loud shrill screaming did but increase the fancy of its demon nature. The immensely dense mass of infantry which the enemy now brought in view as he extended his lines farther and still farther to our left, awakened intense anxiety as to our fate; a thin and scat- tered line of skirmishers of dismounted cavalry, armed with carbines and navy revolvers, inferior weapons against long range guns at a distance, or sharp pointed bayonets in close conflict ; a mere skirmish line, without base or re- serve. Can it be wondered at that the eye, moistened by pity at the threatened fate of our slender, but heroic band, was turned with frequency and expectation down the road, in anxious hope to discover the expected and now greatly
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needed reinforcements of gallant blues from that quarter. Intensity was increased as the perilous moments flew rapidly by, but alas ! no support appeared. To increase, if possible, the height of that intensity, our howitzer battery was now withdrawn from its position and hurried to the support of Wolford's melting line. Alas! could we then have known the truth, as now we record it, another pang of anxiety would have been added. The battle on the left had now begun with great fury. Pressing duty precluded any further observation on the right. Fortunately we are furnished with an account of subsequent operations on the right, by Thomas Featherson, of Company "I," 14th, and by Major H. C. Connelly, then a Lieutenant of Com- pany "L," and in command of the howitzer battery; both of whom were now sent to reinforce Wolford. As Feath- erson's description is incorporated in an article published in the National Tribune, by Major Connelly, we make ex- tracts. "It was a beautiful day; the sun shone warmly and brightly. After a time the second line of battle came in view. All the artillery we had, Colvin's battery, the two guns of the 5th, and the howitzers, were loading and firing with great rapidity. As the shells burst over the heads of the advancing foe the line would drop to the ground, rise, close up and advance in splendid order. It was inspiring to see the enemy advance with solid front. Our weak line of battle confronting so large a force with intrepid daring, caused the enemy to hesitate. The rapid- ity with which they fired their artillery was enough to de- moralize our command. They report that in this battle they shot about 800 shot and shell. After a time my am- munition was expended, and I hurriedly went to the train to get a supply. We quickly made the trip in the midst of a most fearful cannonading, and securing a supply of am- munition returned in haste to the line of battle. We were now directed to report to Colonel Wolford, who was being strongly pressed on our right flank. We planted our guns in position on the crest of a hill and opened our battery. Immediately the sharpshooters directed their attention to us, but we stood our ground until our ammunition was exhausted. As we fired our last shot, we discovered the rebels coming out of the woods and charging to take our battery. We quickly limbered up and got out, and as we
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were leaving the field a volley was fired into us. A horse ridden by a postilion was shot, and I directed the rider to dismount and cut him out. This work was done almost without stopping the gun, and we came off the field with our entire battery." Connelly continues : "Lieutenant W. L. Sanford, of Company "I," 14th Illinois Cavalry, was in a position to see what was going on that day. He wrote a description of the fight, a part of which we quote : "We will now follow our battery to the right, and witness the struggle there as depicted by Featherson, who, with a provost guard of 40 men, was sent to reinforce Wolford at this time. Featherson says: "Lieutenant Connelly, after reporting to the brave warrior, planted his little battery and again opened on the enemy with his spherical cased field shells, with telling effect. At length Colonel Wolford rode up and remarked that his command being out of ammunition, the whole line would be compelled to fall back. The Lieutenant remarked: "I have but few shells left and would like permission to plant them among the enemy." This request was granted, but the delay caused by carrying out the suggestion nearly proved fatal to Wolford's command and the battery. About the time the last shell was fired, the rebels emerged from the woods on the right, charging with fiendish fury and overwhelm- ing force. His men being out of ammunition Wolford's whole line now fell back in good order, bringing off all the guns successfully. Whilst Lieutenant Connelly was engaged in expending his last shells Wolford's brave men, though out of ammunition and thus powerless, remained coolly and defiantly in their position, receiving the fierce fire of the foe without power to retaliate; whilst the little battery poured a constant shower of shells into their massed lines, with precision, and which exploded with regularity, scattering fragments of death dealing iron in their midst. The slaughter of their men at this point was terrible and kept in check their lines, until Connelly, too, was exhausted of ammunition, and the line compelled to fall back, as narrated. In Wolford's command was the 1 12th Illinois Mounted Infantry, as true and noble a band as ever kept step to the music of the Union, and com- manded by the gallant Colonel, now Brigadier General Thomas J. Henderson."
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Colvin's battery, and the guns of the 5th, all being out of ammunition, were compelled to retire. Now our whole line, from the road to the extreme right is all gone. The vacuum is rapidly filled by the fierce onrushing legions of the foe. Only our slender brigade is left to dispute the advance of Longstreet's army. Brigades are passing us on our right ; they have possession of our morning camp. Heavy columns have passed us and are striving to move round our left. In our front a division has halted, and forms line with their lines far overlapping both of our flanks.
Now has gathered a cloud of war, so black and im- penetrable, portending a storm so terrific as to require not bravery or heroism to stand and contemplate its awful probabilities, but instead those attributes termed rashness, presumption; a fearless defiance of earth and hell. The dense mass of the foe, with their many thousand bristling bayonets, advance upon the slender lines of the 14th, whose position far in advance of the line of the brigade, necessi- tates its retirement to that line. Every rod of ground is desperately contested as the 14th is forced slowly and sul- lenly back to the line of the 5th Indiana. While stub- bornly contesting every hill until our assailants were near, we were ordered to concentrate on a church and hold it. Before the church was a hill which we held until the foe was close upon us, intending to rally on the church and hold it ; but when we reached it we saw at a glance that it was far better suited to a prison than as a castle of defense, as it was located in a ravine with hills far overtopping it on every side. To halt here meant a sacrifice of our com- mand. Captain Dent in command ordered "Forward." We had withstood the enemy until they were near. Now we have before us a rugged hill; it was a mountain then; it was bare of trees or protection of any kind. We have no alternative but to climb its steep sides before the fierce fire of the demons at our heels. Well does the writer re- member the superhuman effort. Weak from a previous fit of sickness, his strength gave way ; three times he grew faint from sheer exhaustion, but rebel bullets rattling all around were a strong persuader, a veritable stimulant, and called into action those latent powers so often described, but so seldom realized ; staggering like an inebriate, the
CAPTAIN HENRY H. MAYO, COMPANY B.
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brow of the hill was reached and the descent was more easy. We now reached the line of the 5th; an attempt was made to form a line to check the advance of the enemy. It was beginning to grow dusk. At one point a column approached, and uncertain as to our identity, they chal- lenged with: "What command is that?" Our boys an- swered: "14th Illinois Cavalry," and then challenged the others : "What command is that?" The reply, "15th and , South Carolina," was rendered indistinct by the ter- rible volley poured into our ranks. Here it was that Geo. H. Mason, of Company "C," our regimental standard- bearer, was killed, falling with his face to the foe. Here some of our bravest men yielded up their lives, a sacrifice on the altar of our country. Lieutenant Kilbourne, of Company "I," was severely wounded and borne off the field. Our Adjutant, Lieutenant Chauncey Miller, was captured. He was engaged in directing the formation of our line, and observing this force and supposing them to belong to our brigade he rode forward to give command. As they had heard his commands to our men, they knew who he was and instantly fired a volley that killed his horse, and before he could extricate himself he was a prisoner in their hands, and was subsequently sent to those horrid prisons of the south, to eke out months of miserable ex- istence in those dens, suggested, provided and controlled by the Spirit of Evil himself.
Orders now came to hold this line at all hazards, as stores at the station were not yet all removed. Our brig- ade line was now formed. On our right was a large force that had passed us and occupied our morning camp. On our left the enemy was endeavoring to throw brigades around to our rear. Only a thin line of skirmishers and the extreme ruggedness of the ground to prevent; but kind nature came to our relief, throwing the dark curtain of night over the bloody pictures of the battlefield, and confusing the plans of our enemies. We succeeded in holding this line until past midnight, when we retired from this hotly contested field.
Our commanding officer, General Shackelford, never reported this battle, doubtless because, with General Burn- side, he had asked to be relieved, and his successor, General Sturgis, had already been appointed, but had not yet ar-
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rived to take command. We know no other reason for this failure and cannot surmise why no other officer ex- cept Colonel Wolford made any report, and his was a meager one. Fortunately that our record was kept, and fortunately, too, that in the official reports we have so many rebel reports from the commanding General down to Colonels and Majors. And fortunate, too, for our repu- tation as historians, in not a single instance do they con- tradict our record, but on the contrary, they confirm it not only in the main points, but even in much of the minor details. Of course, we can give only short extracts, but giving volume and page we challenge criticism of the cor- rectness of our statements.
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