USA > Illinois > History of Fourteenth Illinois cavalry and the brigades to which it belonged > Part 13
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January 30th. Reveille 4 a. m. Marched at 7 a. m. Crossed another rugged mountain, covered with laurel and other evergreens, so dense in growth and so inter- woven in their branches as to make beautiful arbors. The ascent and descent were difficult. At its foot we entered Wier's cove. The Tuckaleeche-a tributary of Pigeon river-runs through this cove. The cove is two miles wide and four miles long. These coves are inhabited principally by union people, and are very productive. Were we mere tourists we might picture beautiful and romantic scenery, produced by contrast of rugged moun- tains with peaceful and smiling valleys and coves; but our task is to record rugged events and not scenes. We next enter upon one of the most rugged and dangerous services, and the selection of our regiment by the com-
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mander from a whole corps of excellent cavalry was a high tribute to their worth, and compensates in a measure for the disappointment of the promise that our regiment should be sent to Kentucky to be remounted and better armed.
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CHAPTER VIII.
OUR INDIAN RAID-A PERILOUS AND ROMANTIC SERVICE.
Introductory to the account of this service, we give an extract from a report of General Samuel D. Sturgis, furnished to us by Major H. C. Connelly. General Sturgis said: "While in Tuckaleeche cove I received informa- tion that the force of Indians and whites commanded by the rebel Colonel Thomas, formerly United States Indian agent for the Cherokee nation, was near the forks of the Little Tennessee and Tuckasegee rivers, North Carolina, who had been a terror to the union people of East Tennes- see and the borders of North Carolina, from the atrocities they were daily perpetrating. I ordered Major David- son, with his regiment (the 14th Illinois Cavalry), to pur- sue this force and destroy them." This band reported as a part of the army of Sam Jones, and known as "Thomas' Legion." Their last previous reported num- ber (see serial 56, page 644) was, November 6th, 399. In Eastern Tennesee and North Carolina many of the most barbarous atrocities were committed, and most of them by all or some portion of this band. They were a kind of independent "flying command," to whom was as- signed the commission of deeds that cowardly rebels desired to have done but dared not perform. That our regiment was selected from a whole corps of the best of cavalry to march across the mountains in midwinter and punish this band of savages, was the very highest indorse- ment of our worth as a regiment, and what emphasizes the value set upon our worth is the fact that the number of our regiment present and capable of that kind of service must have been much less than that of this band. We have no means of knowing our exact numbers on this expedition. One month before, at Walker's ford, when every man that could be out of the hospital was with us, we numbered 324 men and officers. Two hard fights and much hard service had thinned our ranks, and
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now all the men and horses not capable of the severest duty are selected out and sent to Marysville, and it is hardly possible that we had on this expedition 250 men. Nor did we have any support of any kind, as has been falsely claimed by a certain captain of the 7th Ohio Cav- alry. Scouts reported the present number of the band then in camp at 300. We are now ordered to cross a high range of mountains in midwinter, carrying with us rations and horse feed, over mountain paths fully 75 miles, through narrow passes, where a very few men well armed and ammunitioned could withstand a large army, and attack on grounds of their own choosing, and in supporting distance of other rebel forces, a wily band of savages, outnumbering us. The prospect would have been discouraging to any but true Yankee soldiers, in whom the greatest danger always inspires the greatest courage. The fact that this band sent no prisoners to Andersonville, nor discharged any except with the bullet or the tomahawk, and that a failure on our part warranted the advertisement of that failure to be seen on their tent poles in the scalps of every man of the 14th, was cer- tainly sufficient to inspire any command of American soldiers with intrepid bravery.
Sunday, January 3Ist. Weather cloudy. At 7 a. m. started from camp in Tuckaleeche cove, march I mile, halt, form battalion. Here was selected out all the men and horses unfit for such severe service. These were sent to Marysville. The four caissons of our battery were filled with ammunition, and two of the guns, in charge of Company "L," and commanded by Captain H. C. Con- nelly, were taken with us. We now left the main com- mand and marched on the left hand road, going nearly southwest. We crossed the cove to the foot of Cedar mountain. We were now following what appeared to be a blind path, having with us a competent guide. We found the ascent of Cedar mountain far more rugged than any other we had yet seen. The troopers dismounted, and then the horses with great difficulty made the ascent. We can hardly conceive it possible for the artillery horses to drag even our light cannon over such rugged ascents. Company "L" and their brave commander are worthy of the highest honor for safely conducting over the moun-
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tains these guns. It was not only an herculean task, but it required great care and skill to prevent their going over yawning precipices that verged our mountain path. It was a novel sight to look upward at our column, now turning to the right, winding round some bold cliff or yawning chasm, now winding to the left to avoid a similar obstruction, and now climbing what at a distance seemed almost perpendicular sides of the mountain. Far above us the column in its windings resembled the contortions of a mighty serpent in an effort to climb a giant tree. On, on we toiled, until it seemed that we could toil no longer. But everything except eternity and the tongue of a professional scold must have an end, and so had our ascent up Cedar mountain. From its summit we looked down into Kades' cove, to which we now, with less diffi- culty but not with less risk, descended, but not with less difficulty to the cannoneers, who were compelled to hold back the cannon from descending upon the horses. Kades' cove is three or four miles in each of its dimensions, and is 600 feet above Tuckaleeche cove. It possesses a rich soil, and we found here abundance of hay, oats and corn. Its inhabitants were said to be mostly rebel sympathizers. We crossed the cove and camped in a cedar grove near abundance of good water. Our march, 13 miles. The evening brought indications of rain, and the night a mighty wind, which moaned and roared through the mountain forests, caves and gorges, making weird music not well calculated to soothe to gentle slumber.
February Ist. Called early. Torrents of rain pour- ing down. Marched at 7 a. m. back on the route we came and to the foot of Chilhowee mountain, and began its ascent. This was not so steep as Cedar mountain, but the heavy rains had made the roads slippery, so that the ascent was no less difficult. We found the same tortuous windings, to avoid yawning chasms. Now descending a space and crossing on a ridge, then ascending another towering hill. One novel appearance presented in moun- tain climbing is the constant hope that the monster hill before you is the summit of the mountain, and when its top is reached that the traveler may gaze down beyond at rich valleys and pleasant coves. But, the top of this reached, and there looms up before us another mountain,
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opposing to our progress the same difficulties and pre- senting the same hopes of final triumph at its summit. Thus mountain after mountain successively rises before us, until by patient toil the last mountain obstacle is sur- mounted, a fair representation of the experiences of mortal life in every department. On this mountain we passed a couple of hunter's cabins, with pelts and hides of various wild animals, including hides of black bears, nailed upon walls. These were the only signs of habita- tions, and these at present seemed unoccupied. From the summit of this mountain we descended a space, then ascended another mountain. The clouds were now below us, looking dense and dark, as though still pouring tor- rents of rain, whilst the air with us was crisp and sharp and bracing. From the summit of this mountain, gazing to the left front, was seen rising far above all other mountains one of huge dimensions, looking like a giant among infants. It seemed to be bare of trees or shrubbery, and seemed to be but a stone's throw distant. But we were told that the nearest point was four miles distant. We were told that this is Bald mountain, the highest peak in the Alleghany range. Turning from this picture of extreme desolation, we gazed to our right downward to seemingly immeasurable depths, to feast the vision upon scenes of loveliness. Rich valleys and coves, doubtless filled with comfortable dwellings and homes, and every evidence of human prosperity and happiness. And what is that which appears like a silver cord run- ning through the valley scene as far as vision can pene- trate each way, not in a straight line, but in tortuous windings? That is not a silver vein, but a river, the Little Tennessee, which, rising in North Carolina, whose other waters all flow toward the Atlantic, but this way- ward stream, so determined to pursue a different course, that even the rugged Alleghany range cannot bar its progress, but, breaking through all restraints, it forces its way through mountains of opposition, until it revels in the beautiful valleys of East Tennessee. But even here it loses none of its independence of character by pur- suing the course of other streams to the gulf, but, pass- ing slightly to the south, it again strikes westward, and then northward, seemingly determined to avoid the south-
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ern waters, until captured by the muddy waters of the Ohio, it loses both its independence and its purity, and is borne, a helpless captive, to the south. But we have no time for poetic musings ; our present duty brooks not poetic sentiment. A short distance farther we passed the boundary between Tennessee and North Carolina, and soon after began the descent of the range by the same kind of winding, tortuous paths. We passed "Stony Point" and reached the river just before sunset, fatigued beyond ex- pression and hoping that here we might camp. But no, duty-and, may we not add, our own safety-prompt a further advance. We marched along the narrow gorge which afforded a passage for the river, which in some places claimed the whole passageway, compelling us to turn to the left and climb rugged hills until again the river permitted a passage for us. Thus we marched for 14 miles, crossing Eagle creek, near where we found a level camping ground, where, late at night, extremely tired and hungry, with 30 miles' march over mountain road, we camp, with orders to be ready for an early march in the morning, not waiting for the bugle call, as our march must now be silent, unless we wish our scalps to grace the Indian tent poles.
February 2d. At 4 a. m. we were aroused silently. 'The weather was cold and crisp. We marched before sun- ise on up the Tennessee river, which in places was a raging, seething, boiling mass of waters, in strange con- trast with the beautiful calm flow of its pure and peaceful waters through the lovely vales of East Tennessee. Four miles above our camp we passed several log huts, the only inhabited domiciles on our route thus far. Thir- teen miles farther we came to the junction of the Little Tennessee and the Tuckasegee rivers. We proceeded up the north bank of the Tuckasegee and crossed Forney creek, four miles above, and four miles farther crossed "No Land Creek." Though receding from the moun- tain range, we were not yet beyond its desolation. Three miles farther we came to another dwelling, where re- sided a prominent and staunch union man bearing the unpoetic name of "Make Garrett," who informed us that the camp of the Indian legion was only three miles above, on the north bank of the Tuckasegee river and at the
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mouth of Deep creek. He accompanied the information with the emphatic expression of hope that we would kill every one of the thieving, murderous band. We were now in the enemy's country, having passed many danger- ous defiles, where an ambushed foe could have destroyed our whole band. So far, by great caution, we had suc- ceeded. But final success, and even the preservation of our precious scalps, depended upon our taking the enemy by complete surprise. They have a picket one and .a quarter miles this side of their camp. Should a single man escape from that post or a single shot be heard in camp, our scheme is thwarted. The Indian camp is on a shelf of land on the bank of the river which is on our right, while on the left hand, back of the camp, is a hill which is covered with a dense thicket, which is filled with low, scrubby thorn bushes. The camp is in a growth of timber which extends westward some rods, covering the camp from view on the side of our approach until we approach to within a quarter of a mile. On the west of the thicket, the side of our approach, the ground is open-an old field. Should the Indians receive any notice of our approach they would fall back to the thicket, where, screened from view, Indian marksmen could have fine sport in a shooting match, which would not have left one of our exposed charging line alive. A better battle ground for Indian fighting Indian sagacity could not have selected. The key to the situation was the suc- cessful taking in of the Indian picket, and that too without the report of our own or the enemy's guns sufficiently loud to be heard in camp. We have no account of the plan of this feat, nor even the names of the men nor the name of the officer who led. Of this we are very sorry. This we know, that not a man of the six sentinels at the post escaped, or in any manner gave warning. It was a re- markable achievement. There yet remained great danger that they would receive a signal of our approach. We now pressed forward with speed and in perfect silence until near the point where we could be seen from the camp. We were guided over the mountains and per- fectly informed of the whole situation in and around the camp by a good union man, Captain Bushfield, captain
FIRST LIEUT. AND ACTING ADJT. ISAAC H. AALLEN.
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of a company of union home guards. Through this man's information the plans were all laid.
The command was divided into two forces. A col- umn was formed to charge into the camp, composed of Company "A," commanded by Lieutenant Horace Cap- ron, to lead, and Company "I," under Captain Hagaman, to follow "A" and Company "C," commanded by Captain Dent, to follow "I," Major Davidson hav-
ing command. Major Quigg was with and in
command of that portion of his battalion that
was in this column, "I" and "C;" the other force-the remainder of the regiment, under the command of their officers-was directed to charge upon the thicket on the west side. This was none less dangerous than was the charge into camp, as it would be made over open ground, and in case the Indians had received warning and had fallen back into the thicket, it was far more dangerous. But then, we need make no comparison of the danger, as every man in the command was equally doomed in case we failed of victory. The Indians sent no prisoners to Andersonville, nor paroled any, except with the bullet or the tomahawk. It was with us truly "victory or death." Every direction and order was given in whis- pered tones. Our only hope lay in our succeeding in making an overwhelming, demoralizing surprise. Every- thing in readiness, the order "Forward" is given in low tones. We now "column half right," which gave us a little longer concealment. We reach a point where con- cealment is no longer possible, when the voice of the lcader rings out in thunder tones, "Charge!" Down upon the Indian camp, with drawn sabers flashing in the sunlight, like an avalanche tearing down the sides of a steep mountain, we burst upon the astonished view of the Indians, and such a shout was given, each man con- tributing the full volume of his tones, now the more em- phatic that all the " phone" valves had been so long closed. We do not believe that the equal was ever heard from Indians or whites since the day the walls of Jericho tumbled to the shout of Israel's host. We had no need of the trumpets then used, for they could not have been heard. Such Indians as attempted to stay the impetuous charge were soon laid low. They fell back to the side of the hill in the brush, and for a time poured a hot fire
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into our ranks, which formed line, left faced and gave the Indians a volley or two that sent them into the denser thicket on the summit of the hill. Company "I," with- ยท out tying their horses or leaving horse guards, rushed into the thicket after them, and were soon mixed up with the Indians in an old-fashioned frontier fight. Company "C" followed "I." The other companies, except "A" and "G," entering the thicket from different points, were all en- gaged. Companies "A" and "G" having dashed around to the east side of the thicket to cut off their retreat, were en- gaged with parties of Indians who tried to escapein that di- rection. Lieutenant Capron, observing a party of the enemy concealed by some rocks, gathered several of his men who had not scattered in the wild chase and charged down upon these Indians. They fired a volley at close range, and the lieutenant fell, mortally wounded, and one of his men, Fred Henderson, was killed. The Indians were completely surrounded, except on the north. The fight was hot and exciting while it lasted, but 30 minutes com- pletely cleared the battle ground, leaving 60 of their dead on the field and 56 captives in our hands. The prisoners were cornered, and taken as a farmer would corner a calf. The Indians had been told by their officers that if the Yankees captured them they would hang them, so they would not surrender when called upon to halt. Indians seldom abandon their dead and wounded, and it is impossible to tell how many they carried off. While the Indian loss was heavy, our loss in numbers was light, but it comprehended some of the best men and officers in the regiment.
Lieutenant Horace Capron was one of the most bold and skillful line officers in the regiment, and as a man and comrade, he was beloved by all. Sergeant Mattenly Addis, one of the best soldiers of Company "I," fell at the head of his company in the charge into camp. It was then supposed that he was mortally wounded. Near where we entered the thicket Thomas Heath, of Company "I," was killed. We had no better man in the company. Joseph Ridley, of Company "K," a splendid soldier, was also killed in the thicket. Six or seven were wounded, but except the two named, we do not know their names, as the company record seldom noted the wounded. It is
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impossible to distinguish any of the command as more courageous that day than others, for there was not a man or officer in the command that did not do to his utmost, his duty. This might be expected of men who willingly would enter upon an undertaking so full of peril, as all from the first realized of that expedition. Besides at the time every man realized that it was with us, complete and overwhelming victory or death, and each far preferred to aid to his utmost to make it what it was, an overwhelming victory. The battery boys of Company "L," and their brave leader, who had toiled so hard to bring along the two guns of their battery, were not disappointed in an opportunity to do their part. No men in valor or in prac- tical service exceeded them. The Indians who escaped doubtless long remembered the thunder tones of our "wheel guns," as they called them, and of which, "Indian- like," they were in mortal dread.
After the Indians were convinced by our kind treat- ment that they had been deceived by the rebels, they agreed to stand as hostages for the safe return of two of their number who were to return to their band to inform them of the deception that had been practiced. The result was that many Indian families came into our lines for protection. Colonel Thomas had told them that the north had rebelled against the old Jackson Government, and these Indians desired to be loyal to the old Government.
Subsequent events, however, demonstrated that though they were well treated and convinced that Colonel Thomas had deceived them, yet there rankled in the bosoms of their warriors a thirst for revenge for the severe punishment we had inflicted upon them. Colonel Thomas himself came near being captured. A party was sent across the river to a plantation where he had been quartered. He escaped capture by having just changed his quarters.
General Sturgis, in a report, says: "I am just in re- ceipt of dispatches announcing the surprise of the Indians on the 2d of February near Quallatown. The enemy were 250 strong. Of these 22 Indians and 32 whites were cap- tured, including some officers. It is reported that less than 50 escaped, the rest being either killed or wounded, so that this nest of Indians may be considered as entirely de- stroyed ; nearly 200 of them having been killed. In this
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affair Lieutenant Capron, a gallant young officer of the 14th Illinois Cavalry, was seriously and perhaps mortally wounded while charging the enemy. This was an enter- prise of great difficulty ; through a rough mountainous country, destitute of supplies of any kind. Major David- son is deserving of great credit for the manner in which he executed his instructions." This was a message sent before all the facts were known. The number of the enemy killed, as far as we could learn, were as we state. The following account was published in the Knoxville Whig, published by Parson Brownlow. It also contains the same error in regard to the killed of the enemy, though correct in other respects. We are indebted to Major Con- nelly, who obtained from Mrs. Brownlow a copy of the paper. The following was published in the issue of March 6th, 1864: "The following dispatch from General Grant refers to the recent expedition into North Carolina, con- ducted, as we are informed, by Major Davidson, of the 14th Illinois Cavalry. It was a brilliant affair. In justice to this gallant officer and his brave command, let it be re- membered that this expedition was conducted in the midst of the winter, over the highest range of mountains east of the Mississippi river. But few expeditions during this war have been so successful, or conducted so skillfully." Then follows this report by General Grant: "Washing- ton, D. C., February 9th, 1864. The following dispatch has been received here: 'Nashville, Tennessee, February 8th, 1864. Major General Hallack, General in Chief, says, General Foster telegraphs from Knoxville under date of yesterday, that an expedition sent against Thomas and his band of Indians and whites at Quallatown, has returned completely successful. They surprised the town, killed and wounded 215, took 50 prisoners and dispersed the re- mainder of the gang in the mountains. Our loss was two killed and six wounded." There were three killed, be- sides Lieutenant Capron, who died of his wounds.
We now performed the sad rites of burial for our noble dead comrades; and having no ambulances we pressed several heavy wagons, in one of which we placed our severest wounded, Lieutenant Capron and Sergeant Addis, both of whom were supposed to be mortally wounded. This was a rough means of conveyance, and over mountain
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rocks at that, but it was the best we then could do. We were now in the enemy's country with a considerable num- ber of the savage band left to seek revenge, and with other rebel forces not far off, while we were cut off by many miles of mountain road, from any support of ours. Many mountain defiles to pass where a few well armed and am- munitioned men could have held us at bay, or what is worse, could have ambushed and destroyed us.
It was determined that our safest route to return would be a roundabout, more southerly course, by way of Mur- phy ; with some expectation to capture some horses. We had been disappointed in capturing those of the band, as they had been sent for forage. To Captain Bushfield of the North Carolina Union Home Guards, who was our skillful guide, is due much of the honor of the plans upon which our success depended. The fight began about 2 p. m. ; that, and the burial of our dead and the gathering and destroying all the military belongings of this band, gave us a busy afternoon employment, giving us barely time to cross the Tuckaseege river and march 4 miles to camp, reaching it after dark. We camped on the planta- tion of a notorious rebel woman, whose plantation furn- ished, under Yankee soldiers' requisition, a small quantity of rations and forage and some Lincoln rails for fuel, which, of course, belonged to the Lincoln government. They made a good fire, which was enjoyed that cold night.
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