USA > Illinois > History of Fourteenth Illinois cavalry and the brigades to which it belonged > Part 12
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December 14th, some had a full breakfast, some a slim one; a few had an early dinner, most of the men had none, and no supper for any. December 15th, had one good meal. December 16th, most of the men had one meal ; some had none. December 17th, the same fare.
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December 18th, a half pound of flour each, with nothing else. For six days an average, perhaps, of one meal a day. Serial 54, page 281, two days after taking com- mand, General Foster reported : "Commissariat very des- titute; but few days' supply of the most requisite now and for a long time issued in quarter and half rations. Nearly all rations and all forage drawn from the sur- rounding country. Difficult to continue to supply our army this winter. Our mounted force is much less than that of the enemy, and only about 10,000 of the 9th and 23d army corps able to march. Question of supplies very serious. Difficult that I get quarter rations from day to day." And on the 19th he says: "Men suffering for want of shoes and clothing. The issue of bread and meal rarely equals quarter rations." On page 329 General Sturgis says: "No forage for horses." Serial 56, page 214, November 21st, General Wilcox reports: "Neither forage nor breadstuff for the command." Page 408, Gen- eral Thomas J. Wood, December 14th, tells of the bad sanitary condition and want of tents and clothing, and then says: "The country can do little more in the way of affording supplies. The local stock of supplies is well nigh exhausted, even to the infliction of great want, per- haps starvation, on the inhabitants." Page 409, General Granger indorses this statement, saying : "The state- ments herein contained are substantially correct, and afford conclusive proof of the impossibility of further offensive operations until clothing, shelter, subsistence, forage and transportation are provided." Serial 56, page 464, December 21st, General Granger reports : "My forage trains for the two days last past found it impossible to procure a sufficient supply, and report a great scarcity in the surrounding country." Serial 56, page 457, Decem-
ber 20th, General Wilcox says : "I regret to report that this command will be crippled in its movements for want of bread. The troops are barely able to subsist from day to day."
We could make many more such extracts confirming our record of our privations in this campaign, but let this suffice.
December 18th. Reveille at daylight. Night cold. A
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part of the regiment was paid today. Rations drawn-a half pound of flour to the man and nothing more.
December 19th. Reveille at daylight. Quite cold. Payment of the regiment completed. No rations until night, then quarter rations of beef without salt or any- thing else.
December 20th. Reveille at daylight. Weather cold and clear.
December 21st. Reveille at 5 a. m. Serial 54, page 330, General Parke ordered, December 21st: "Colonel Cap- ron, commanding brigade, is directed to keep up com- munication with General Wilcox." Serial 56, page 462, December 21st, Colonel Foster to Colonel Capron, com- manding second brigade, says: "Reports of scouts quite satisfactory. General Parke is anxious that you should be able to get a view from the heights of Clinch mountain in the vicinity of Powder Spring gap. The gen- eral will expect you to keep 'Flat creek' and 'Bull Run valley' clear of the enemy and protect the communication between Tazewell and Maynardville, watching the country as far as Clinch river. You should watch Powder Spring gap closely; if it is not too strongly held you might be able to get possession of it."
December 21st. Brigade marched at 10 a. m. towards Cumberland gap; camped at Cedar ford, on Flat creek. Marched 5 miles. Our commissary has taken charge of a mill.
December 22d. Reveille at daylight. Ground frozen hard. The following order received from General Parke (see page 468) : "Colonel Capron, commanding brigade of cavalry-I wish you to move a strong scout up to Powder Spring gap tomorrow morning, starting at 8 a. m. An infantry force will move up the valley, and I have no doubt you will be able to drive the rebels out without difficulty." Captain Ditzler, with Company "B," of the 14th, sent on scout, and Captain Dent, with 150 men, and Captain Map, of 65th Indiana, sent on scout to Powder Spring gap. They found it evacuated. They heard that 200 rebels had gone towards Maynardville. They marched to that place, but found no rebels. They returned to camp about 2 p. m., having marched 24 miles. Horse feed scarce; rations more plenty.
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December 23d. Reveille at 3 a. m. Page 477 is the fol- lowing order to Colonel Foster, division commander : "Move Colonel Capron's brigade on the Rutledge road, extending reconnoisance to Bean Station and beyond, also over to the river road and fords of the Holston above the mouth of Buffalo creek." Major Woolley, with a de- tachment of the brigade, took possession of Powder Spring gap. Got orders to move at daylight tomorrow.
December 24th. Reveille at 3:30 a. m. Marched at sunrise toward Blaine's crossroads and to the Holston river and crossed at Crawford's ford. Page 481, an order explains this change of movement. General Parke says : "I ordered Colonel Capron, instead of moving his brigade up the Rutledge road, to cross the river and join Sturgis at New Market. He is now on the way." We halted three miles from New Market, procured for- age, got supper and prepared to camp at sunset, but "to horse" was sounded, and we moved on and encamped in a fine oak grove a mile from New Market at 10 p. m. Marched 25 miles.
December 25th. Reveille at 5 a. m. Plenty of corn and some rations. We are now a part of General Sturgis' corps of cavalry, which is concentrated near here.
December 26th. Reveille at 4 a. m. At daylight mounted and moved up Mossy Creek valley two miles and formed line of battle. Serial 54, page 628, December 26th, Sturgis reports : "This morning my line occupied a fine position above Mossy creek. It was my intention to attack the enemy, whose line was about three-fourths of a mile beyond. Heavy rains threatening to raise the river in my rear, I did not attack in force. Becoming more favorable about II a. m., our line of skirmishers was pushed forward and engaged the enemy. Our ar- tillery opened and was replied to by the rebel batteries, but they were soon driven from their position." The readiness with which they fell back suggested the proba- bility that the enemy was trying to draw him into a trap. He attempted to regain ground from which he had been driven. We charged upon their advance and drove them back. No advantages gained on either side. Skirmishing through the day. Our bands play "Yankee Doodle" and the rebel bands play "Dixie." Our bands strike up
LIEUTENANT PUTNAM BECKWITH, Co. C.
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"Dixie" just to show them that they cannot beat us in anything. Then they suddenly change to "We'll Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys," when their batteries and mus- ketry, which was silent when "Dixie" was played, now opened up spitefully. In the evening we bivouacked near. Very little feed or rations. We find in The Na- tional Tribune some valuable articles published by Major H. C. Connelly, giving a good description of this cam- paign. Although in the main much the same as our own record, yet we find some information not embraced in our notes. This, with Major Connelly's permission, we incorporate, and as we are compelled to economize in space, no especial credit will be given for extracts used in connection with our record.
December 27th. "Boots and saddles," "to horse" and "assembly" at early dawn. No breakfast nor horse feed. We formed battle line immediately. Serial 54, page 629, is Sturgis' report, December 27th: "We attacked the enemy this afternoon at Mossy creek and drove him from every position back to within a short distance of 'Tal- bott's Station,' when, night coming on, we had to desist. Our troops went forward through the rain and mud in fine spirits. Martin's and Armstrong's divisions were both in our front." Our brigade went into camp near Talbott's Station, on the Morristown road. Still rain- ing. We had little rations or horse feed.
December 28th. Reveille at daylight. "Boots and sad- dles" and "to horse" soon after. Plenty of horse feed. Serial 54, page 630, Sturgis reports : "The enemy not in sight this morning."
December 29th. Reveille at daylight. Formed line soon after near the road. No breakfast nor horse feed. Remained in line nearly two hours; then our division, with four regiments of Wolford's division and four moun- tain howitzers, were sent toward Dandridge. Colonel LaGrange's brigade and two 3-inch rifled guns moved to the point where the Mossy creek road to Dandridge crosses Bay mountain. Colonel Campbell, with the only remaining brigade of cavalry, was left to occupy the en- tire original line. Serial 54, page 648, Sturgis reports : "The reason for moving second division to Dandridge was the report from union sources that a considerable
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force of Longstreet's cavalry was there, apparently in- tending to flank us and get in our rear." Reaching the vicinity of Dandridge, scouts sent forward soon returned and reported no enemy there. We were then ordered to feed and get dinner, but before dinner was prepared we heard the ominous roar of battle thunder, which in- creased until it became terrific. We were soon mounted and went double quick on the road we came for several miles, when the shifting noise of battle warned us that our brave comrades were falling back, and well we knew that they were facing tremendous odds, perhaps Long- street's whole force. To continue on this road would divide our force. We quickly crossed over to the New Market road and passed on with all possible speed, reach- ing New Market in the rear of our battle line. Colo- nel Campbell had just been reinforced by Colonel La- Grange's brigade, and our boys were just charging the enemy, in which we attempted to join, but the rebels now fell back so rapidly that we could take but little part more than to follow rapidly and keep them on the move. We were soon again in complete possession of our morning position. Longstreet had advanced most of his cavalry and one division of infantry and two bat- teries of artillery. Our loss was about 100 killed, wounded and missing. The enemy lost from 200 to 400. We buried on the field 20 of his dead. Citizens reported their loss very heavy. In this fight the Ist East Tennessee Cav- alry, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Jim Brownlow, made a sabre charge which did honor to this dashing officer and his soldiers. General Sturgis' report, on page 648, serial 54, confirms our account. General Elliott also reports substantially the same, but estimates the rebel loss at 400. The attack was made about 9 a. m. by about 6,000 cavalry and one command-a brigade or division- of infantry. On page 647 Sturgis says: "We have checked the enemy completely, but our loss is severe. The engagement was general along the whole line, and the troops behaved with great credit to themselves and to their country. His whole force moved to our front last night, and today got badly whipped." Rebel Gen- eral Martin's report admits the presence of the cavalry forces named, which in their last previous report gave
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the numbers as we state. The reinforcement by La- grange's brigade checked the advance of the enemy and the rapid approach of our division caused them to waver, and when the two brigades charged them with determination their lines gave way at every point. Gen- eral Foster acknowledges the services of our cavalry as follows (serial 56, page 509, December 27th) : "Gen- eral Sturgis has been and is almost constantly engaged with the enemy's cavalry in front." And on page 519: "General Sturgis, with his own and Elliott's cavalry, have been almost constantly engaged with the enemy's cavalry for the past two days. I am glad to hear so good news from General Sturgis, who is performing his duties right gallantly." On page 646, serial 54, is report of General Foster concerning the engagement of the 29th, confirm- ing our statements. Through this busy time of service the 14th Illinois Cavalry bore its full part and never failed in its full duty. We went into camp on the Morristown road, having marched 24 miles.
December 30th. Reveille at 5 a. m. Called out and formed line; had slight skirmishing; retired to camp. Slim rations ; send far for forage.
December 3Ist. Reveille at 5 a. m. Rained much last night and to-day. Heavy cannonading in the direction of Bean Station. Fare as yesterday.
Friday, January Ist, 1864. Reveille at 4:30 a. m. Commenced freezing at midnight; cold increased until it was fearful-the coldest known for half a century. Tremendous icicles and sheets of ice formed where the water poured over a mill dam near by. Think of this, those of you who were in comfortable homes. We did . not even have tents, but lay out on the cold ground, scarcely half clad, as we had not drawn clothing for six months. We could only keep from freezing by building large log fires and lying near them. Forage scarce and rations more scarce. Often foragers of the blue and the gray would meet in the same field. Sometimes the stronger would drive out the weaker, and soinetimes they did not molest each other.
January 2d. Reveille at 4 a. m. Cold increasing. Gen- eral Grant has arrived in Knoxville.
January 3d. Reveille at 4:30 a. m. Weather slightly
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moderated. "Boots and saddles" at 5 a. m. Moved out and formed line, without breakfast. No enemy appeared. At II a. m. moved camp to a beautiful grove. Remained in camp with horses saddled. March I mile.
January 4th. Reveille 4 a. m. In camp. Rained all day.
January 5th. Reveille 5 a. m. In camp. Rained and snowed.
January 6th. Reveille 5 a. m. Quite cold. Rations and forage scarce.
January 7th. Reveille 4 a. m. A flag of truce came to-day from Longstreet with remonstrance against cir- culating President Lincoln's emancipation proclamation amongst the confederate troops. President Lincoln ought to have known that this would be displeasing to the rebels.
January 8th. Reveille 5 a. m. Send ten miles for forage.
January 9th. Reveille 5 a. m. In camp. Usual fare.
January Ioth. Reveille 5 a. m. Weather very cold.
January IIth. Reveille 5 a. m. More moderate. Requisition made for clothing.
January 12th. Reveille 5 a. m. In camp.
January 13th. Reveille 5 a. m. Sleeted last night.
January 14th. Reveille at 4 a. m. "Boots and saddles" at dawn. Marched at sunrise toward Dandridge. This morning Colonel Capron, with one recruiting sergeant from each company of the 14th Illinois Cavalry, started for Illinois to raise recruits for the regiment. Com- mand reached Dandridge, on the French Broad river, about 2 p. m. Dandridge contained five churches and 1,200 inhabitants. Our advance skirmished lightly with parties of the rebels. Some of the boys captured a rebel flag in town. This place has been a kind of middle ground between the opposing armies, scouting parties from each side meeting almost daily in the streets, sometimes skir- mishing, but often the weaker party would retire. Pro- cured feed for our horses, but were soon ordered forward without feeding. Marched 2 miles. Ordered to camp in a grove, but "To horse" was sounded, and we moved back a half mile and camped in a grove about dark. Some of the men went for forage, some felled trees to make warm fires, some attended to cooking and other camp
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FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
duties, so that by each doing all he could we were able to lie down about II p. m. This is only a picture of the usual routine when in active service. About 3 p. m. we were thrown into line of battle, but no enemy appeared. Marched 14 miles.
January 15th. Reveille at 4 a. m. Ordered to draw 60 rounds of ammunition. In the evening were called into line.
January 16th. Reveille 5 a. m. "Boots and saddles" at daylight. "Assembly" at sunrise. The following cloth- ing was issued: Four tents, four pairs of blankets and four pairs of boots to each company, where each man needed all these articles, and more, too! Our brigade and two other mounted brigades moved out six miles on the Bull gap road, where we encountered a strong picket of the enemy. They were driven, and we pur- sued a mile, where we encountered a strong force of the enemy in line. We engaged them for an hour and drove them from their position. We now heard the sound of battle all along our lines on our right. A mile farther we came to a stronger line of the enemy. Our brigade was dismounted and took position in a wood on the right of the road, the other brigades forming on our left. The enemy were in strong force in a wood 100 rods in our front. They also had possession of a grove on our left, midway between the opposing lines. The 9th Michigan Cavalry, being armed wth Spencer rifles, dismounted and drove the rebels from the grove in handsome style, routing them in confusion and taking possession of the grove. Meanwhile the skirmishers all along the line were warmly engaged. Off to the right the noise of battle increased. Now a rebel brigade of infantry approached from three different points to retake the grove. Knowing the valor and skill of that noble regiment, we watched with inter- est the result. The enemy were allowed to approach within easy range and to fix bayonet for a charge, but they then opened upon them such a continuous sheet of fiery balls that the charge was soon turned to a rout to the rear. We would soon have disposed of this force of the enemy, but now couriers arrive with orders for us to fall back, as our troops on the right had been driven back. We gave the enemy a few more volleys before retiring, then
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while moving back we planted our batteries at every ad- vantageous position to prevent the enemy from advanc- ing impolitely. The 14th was rear guard, and Captain Dent was in command of the rear of the regiment, which was hard pressed, compelling the 14th frequently to form line and check their too rapid advance. The enemy finally withdrew, and we retired to camp at 9 p. m., lying down about midnight. Marched 18 miles. Night chilly.
Sunday, January 17th. Reveille 5 a. m. Night cold. Send 20 miles for forage; had little rations or forage yesterday. At 2 p. m. the 14th, under Major Davidson, marched alone, passing through Dandridge and crossed the French Broad-a beautiful river-a mile below town. Here a working party were busy constructing a bridge of army wagons and plank, over which to pass our artillery and infantry. After crossing, the 14th moved up the river through a heavily timbered country, to get pos- session of Hay's ford, 10 miles above. It was rumored that the enemy designed throwing a force across at this ford to get in the rear of our forces. Our lines were heavily engaged as we passed up. Marched 8 miles to a crossroad leading to the ford; marched I mile toward the river; learned that the enemy had crossed in force. We formed line and waited an hour, expecting an attack, then marched back several miles, halted, put out pickets, fed and bivouacked about II p. m. Marched 22 miles.
January 18th. I a. m. couriers arrived with orders for us to move down the French Broad with haste, or we would be cut off by a large force of the enemy. We were ordered to cross the river far below and march to Strawberry plains. We secured a guide and struck a circuitous route from the river, and by long and rapid marching succeeded in circumventing their design. We halted at 8 a. m., procured feed, which we carried with us, and crossed the river at Evans' ford. Halted at Mossy creek road about 2 p. m. to feed and get dinner. It rained hard. We mounted and continued march to the plains. Our whole force was now moving toward Knoxville. We now learn that our forces about Bean Station have been defeated, thus compelling this line to fall back. We passed through Strawberry Plains and crossed the Holston river on a newly constructed bridge
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about 5 p. m. Marched 2 miles toward Blaine's cross- roads, then countermarched and went on the Knoxville road I mile and camped in a fine grove about 7 p. m., and laid down on the cold, muddy ground late at night. Marched 32 miles.
January 19th. Reveille at daylight. Breakfastless, we marched toward Knoxville. The weather had mod- erated, and the passage of so many troops left the road in a horrid condition. We drew a small quantity of ra- tions on the road. We reached Knoxville about 3 p. m. Halted and remained in column two or three hours, then marched to cross the river, then countermarched, passed back through town and camped in a grove two furlongs northwest of town, getting ready to lie down about mid- night, without supper or horse feed. Marched 17 miles.
January 20th. Reveille 5 a. m. Night cold. Have little rations and no horse feed. At II a. m. marched through town; crossed the river on a pontoon; halted in a grove of oaks a mile from the city. Got dinner, but no horse feed. Toward evening ordered to unsaddle and camp. No feed and scant rations. Marched 2 miles.
January 2Ist. Reveille at 4 a. m. and again at dawn. In camp. Get a half dozen ears of corn for each horse, the first feed our horses have had since 2 p. m. of the 19th. We had thought our horses fared hard enough before. In consequence of such hard service our horses were so broken down that both the 5th Indiana Cavalry and the 65th Indiana Mounted Infantry were dismounted, and their best horses were given to the 14th Illinois Cavalry. The 5th were to be sent to Kentucky to be re- mounted, and the 65th were properly infantry. We were sorry to part with those noble regiments, with which we had stood shoulder to shoulder in many a hard-fought battle, until our perfect faith and trust in each others' valor had rendered our brigade well nigh invincible. At I p. m., with a division of mounted men, we marched toward Sevierville I mile, halted, formed battalion order, remained two hours, then marched over a rough, muddy road. About sunset turned off the main road a half mile and camped in a wood, having marched II miles. Sent several miles for forage and get little ; most of the planta-
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tions had protection papers and guards. We had but three small feeds in four days, and we were thus compelled to take feed wherever found, guards or no guards.
January 22d. Reveille at daylight. Marched at 8 a. m. on to Pigeon river, where the regiment was divided into detachments and sent to guard many fords and cross- ings on the French Broad river ; headquarters at a mill on Pigeon river, two miles from the "French Broad," Distance marched, 10 miles. Here we remained till the 26th, with nothing of note. Weather very fine. Reveille each day at 5 a. m.
January 26th. Reveille at daylight. Weather very fine. Report of the capture at Dandridge of two com- panies of the 9th Michigan Cavalry is confirmed. We get orders to be very vigilant, as our troops are withdrawn from some of the crossings above, and the enemy is re- ported to be advancing on Knoxville again. About 10 p. m. we moved out and posted strong pickets a short distance from camp.
January 27th. Weather beautiful. Moved off at sun- rise to headquarters on Pigeon river and built rail bar- ricades. Company "L," 14th, with one section of the 14th battery, and Companies "I" and "E" as supports, were sent with Colonel Wolford's brigade toward Sevier- ville. We engaged the enemy about 10 a. m. and fought him until nearly night, driving him continually, and be- yond Fair Garden, killing and wounding many, captur- ing two pieces of artillery and 200 prisoners. While falling back the rebels murdered in cold blood nine Tennessee home guards, who, organized only to protect their homes from both sides, refused to fight on either side. They killed one man who had been crazy for 30 years. We marched 15 miles.
January 28th. Marched at I a. m. Passed through Sevierville, turned northeast toward Dandridge; passed through very fine country, then through heavy timber and sparse settlement. When we approached the river the 14th, except the three companies with Wolford, were sent to guard the ferry near Dandridge. They found a strong force of the enemy. Preparations were made to attack them, when imperative orders came to fall
FIRST LIEUTENANT LEWIS W. BOREN, COMPANY G.
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back. We had one of the 5th Indiana Rodman guns and were anxious to attack. Wolford's command marched to a point a few miles above and drove the enemy to the river, where they had strong breastworks in a heavy wood. They had a strong force. The ground was un- favorable for the use of artillery, and we attacked them vigorously with musketry and carbines. All fought well, but the 112th Illinois Mounted Infantry fought like tigers. Though our loss was heavy, and that of the enemy, protected by strong works, was comparatively light, yet our men reluctantly obeyed the order to fall back. About 5 p. m. the 14th, under Major Davidson, marched toward Sevierville until midnight, then bivou- acked about four miles from Sevierville. Marched 31 miles. Got little forage. Toward day called into line and remained until daylight, January 29th, then marched about sunrise, without breakfast; passed through Sevierville ; crossed east fork of Pigeon river. Four miles from town turned to the left; passed through a beautiful country. Four miles further crossed the middle fork of Pigeon river ; turned into a field of corn and fed, then marched toward Marysville. Country very broken. At noon crossed the west fork of Pigeon river, halted and fed. Those who had rations got dinner; most of the men had none. Crossed a mountain ; passed through a small cove ; camped in a wood near a creek. Marched 25 miles.
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