USA > Illinois > History of Fourteenth Illinois cavalry and the brigades to which it belonged > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
It now seemed apparent that Morgan was seeking a possible crossing of the Ohio. General Judah was ordered to Louisville to take boats up the Ohio river, to head off Morgan if he attempted to recross the river.
July IIth, night ; under orders to take the cars for Louis- ville; the men are all eager excitement. The 5th was engaged all night in shipping their horses.
July 12th. All day with horses saddled awaiting to take the cars. At 9 p. m. marched to the depot and began shipping our horses, which occupied till midnight. The train started at I a. m. of July 13th, arrived at Louisville at 7 a. m. ; unshipped and fed our horses, then marched to the soldiers' home where was provided a bountiful repast of substantial food ; then mounted and marched out of the city two miles, expecting to camp. It rained hard. We un- saddled, but in a half hour "Boots and Saddles" sounded, and we marched down to the river to be shipped on boats. Boarding the boats occupied the day until 4 p. m., when our fleet of fifteen steamers, containing our brigade, steamed up the river toward Cincinnati, running all of that beautiful moonlight night.
39
FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
July 14. Still sailing up the Ohio river; reached Cin- cinnati 3 p. m. We were received with much rejoicing and military display.
July 15. New horses received today. Again boarded the boats; all of our brigade except the IIth Kentucky, which was left behind. At 4 p. m. again started up the river in our flotilla.
July 16th. Still sailing up the river ; passed Maryville, 7 a. m .; here several gunboats joined our flotilla. The people along the river were wild with delight. Reached Portsmouth 4 p. m., where we landed and enjoyed a warm reception by the citizens. Every luxury which the rich surrounding country produced, and the commerce of the Ohio river supplied, was furnished us to the full. At 9 p. m. marched up the river to Portland.
July 17th. Halted at sunrise and fed hay in a meadow. We had missed our road in the night, so only marched 12 miles up the river. We rested a half hour, then on again double quick through a very hilly country, being hastily treated to pies, cakes and apples by the overjoyed citizens as we sped quickly by. Four miles from Centerville our artillery was hastily planted in expectation of battle ; heard that Morgan was marching on that place. We now in- creased our speed to a run to intercept him. We galloped through the town and formed line of battle on the side of a hill ; planting our batteries on the summit, and waited in line two hours to give Johnny a military reception ; then heard that friend John had turned on another road about six miles off. Now ordered into camp, having marched 30 miles.
July 18th. Marched at 4 a. m. toward Pomeroy ; leav- ing Cheshire to the right. Morgan had sent a regiment in that direction to throw his pursuers off the track. On page 656, Judah says: "Early on the ensuing morning (July 18th) I continued my march toward Pomeroy on the enemy's right flank, and between him and the river, with the intention of consummating on the banks of the Ohio what his sudden change of direction prevented me from doing on those of Green river. I remained at Pome- roy long enough to ascertain definitely that the enemy was making (via Chester) for Buffington bar, on the Ohio river." We reached Pomeroy about dark, passed
40
HISTORY OF THE
through on double quick, and were greeted from every dwelling with deafening cheers and waving flags. We were bountifully fed by the ladies of the town. Distance from Centerville 30 miles. Citizens of Bridgeport and Pomeroy have been bushwhacking Morgan all day. While we were feasting, the ladies cheered us with their songs, but in the midst of our entertainment is heard the discordant notes of the bugle sounding "To horse" and we speedily mount and onward again up the river road. Marched all night until an hour before day we halted for a short rest.
Sunday, July 19th. Foggy morning ; marched double quick and soon our ears are greeted with sounds of musketry in front in direction of Buffington Island. When within a mile of that place our advance drove their pickets in. Our boys were eager for the contest, but coolly exe- cuted the needed preparations for battle. In the begin- ning, however, the fight was against us. General Judah and his body guard of the 5th Indiana were drawn into an ambush which the rebels said was designed to entrap home guards, and they seemed much surprised to find that the
attacking party was General Judah's command.
When
our advance were passing through a lane the enemy rose up from their concealment in front and on either side and poured a hot fire into our advance. In his report on page 656 General Judah describes this affair and says that Major McCook (the father of the famous Generals Mc- Cook) who soon after died of his wounds, was mortally wounded, two privates were killed and nearly 30 of his command were captured, including Captain R. C. Kice and Captain Grafton and 10 men were wounded. The advance were roughly handled and were forced to beat a hasty and not very methodical retreat. Henshaw's two guns were planted, but could not be used on the furiously charging foe without destroying the no less impetuously retreating friends. On came the mingled mass plump over the bat- tery, knocking over one of the guns, which fell into the enemy's hands; the other gun was brought safely off. The 14th Illinois now made a vigorous counter charge and drove back the enemy and recaptured our lost gun and one of the enemy's guns with it. The battle now raged with fury ; the enemy using all his guns. Henshaw's guns.
41
FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
were used, but not so effectually as the howitzer battery of the 14th Illinois, which, under the command of Lieutenant Kilbourne, of Company "I," 14th Illinois Cavalry, secured a good position within its best range-a half mile-and it was here that Sergeant Guy Niles, of Company "I," first displayed his superior skill, which marked him as one of the best gunners in the Union service. All the officers spoke in high praise of the service of the howitzer battery that day. The guns of the 5th Indiana Cavalry also did effective service. In half an hour we forced the enemy to a new position on a high hill. We pressed forward and planted all our guns and began a furious rain of shells in their midst. We now heard the roar of battle on our left, which was the advance of Hobson's division under Colonel Kautz and Colonel Sanders. The worn condition of Hob- son's command rendered it impossible for his main force to keep pace with the rapidly fleeing rebels, whom Morgan had kept supplied with fresh horses by his thieving tricks. Colonel Kautz, with 200, and Colonel Sanders, with a few men, the best mounted of Hobson's forces, had pressed forward with all possible speed, and were now attacking Morgan in the rear whilst our attack was on his right flank. See Hobson's report, page 660, and Colonel Kautz' report, page 662, and Colonel Sanders' report, page 664.
Colonel Sanders says: "I found the enemy were re- treating soon after my artillery opened, and followed with the 8th and 9th Michigan Cavalry. These troops, and especially the 8th and the gth Michigan Cavalry, now did excellent service in completing the victory over the enemy and in capturing many of them." Colonel Wormer (page 666) speaks of his men-the 8th Michigan-in the pursuit and of the effective use of their guns, the Spencer (7- shooter) rifles. General Judah had not only the great bulk of our attacking force, being his whole brigade, but we also preceded the attack of Hobson's men by at least half an hour, but this does not in the least detract from the merits of General Hobson's men. Never in the history of wars did any military body perform greater and more long continued and fatiguing service than did Hobson's men in their determined and unflagging pursuit of Morgan. Day and night for nearly one month did they pursue, while their horses, worn down with excessive service, gave out
42
HISTORY OF THE
or were compelled to a slow pace; while Morgan's men were kept supplied with fresh horses. It was a great mis- fortune but yet a very natural result, that Generals Judah and Hobson should have so disagreed relative to the now reunited brigades. Before General Judah sent Generals Hobson and Shackelford's brigades in direct pursuit of Morgan, General Judah commanded the division and though, for convenience in receiving orders, Hobson was placed in command of these pursuing forces, General Judah deemed this only a temporary arrangement and when the brigades were reunited Judah claimed the right to command the whole reunited division, whilst General Hobson claimed that his command was a permanent ar- rangement. It must have been a perplexing point for General Burnside to decide, as the official reports do not show his decision, further than this, that the subsequent movements all seemed to be placed under the management of General Shackelford, whose brigade had been ordered to reinforce Judah's division in Kentucky. General Judah describes the commencement of his attack (see page 656) : "Traveling all night I reached the last descent to the river bottom at Buffington bar at 5:30 a. m. the 19th, halting my force and placing my artillery in commanding positions. I determined to make a reconnoissance in person to ascer- tain if report made to me was true that the gunboats had left, and that the enemy had been crossing all night. A very dense fog enveloped everything, confining the view to a radius of 50 yards." The substance of General Judah's further description we have already given. He says Colonel Basil Duke commanded the force that routed his advance. He also says, that our batteries were then brought into position, which soon silenced the enemy's bat- teries, and in half an hour broke their lines and drove them in confusion back on Hobson's forces, who engaged them on another road. His prisoners, the piece of artillery they had captured, and his own artillery, five pieces, his camp equipage, transportation and plunder of all kinds, was abandoned and captured, also a large number of prisoners, among them Colonels Basil Duke and Dick Morgan. and Allen, and the most of Morgan's staff. Judah says : "After the attack on my advance the gunboats came up and opened a fire upon the retreating enemy." General
43
FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRÝ.
Judah speaks in high praise of his officers and men. Many of the enemy attempted to escape across the river. A few succeeded, some were drowned, some were killed by the gunboats and the remainder were driven back.
As to the number of prisoners captured at Buffington Island it is difficult to estimate correctly, because of the double claiming of the various commands. If estimated as apparently reported it would make Morgan's force at least 6,000 ; but it is doubtless true that the claims of cap- tures by the smaller commands were sometimes estimated in the aggregate of larger commands ; but the most careful estimate would make Morgan's whole force to somewhat exceed Burnside's estimate in his general report, which was 4,000. Many of these were doubtless recruits gath- ered in Kentucky as he passed through, as General Wheeler suggested to him he might do. General Shackel- ford's report (pages 640 to 642), describes the sharp pur- suit of Morgan ; he says: "The enemy, finding his way of retreat cut off and being hotly pressed from the front (by Judah's force), fled to an immense bluff for refuge. A flag of truce was immediately sent up, demanding an im- mediate and unconditional surrender of Morgan and his command. The flag was met by Lieutenant Colonel Cicero Coleman and other rebel officers with another flag. They came down and desired a personal interview with me. They asked for one hour for consultation amongst their officers. I gave them 40 minutes, within which time the whole command, excepting General Morgan, with a detachment of about 600 officers and men who deserted the command, surrendered. It was my understanding and, as I learned, the understanding of many of the rebel officers and men, that Morgan himself had surrendered." Regarding the number of Morgan's force, General Burn- side, in his general report (page 14), says: "The loss of Morgan's command, which came to Kentucky 4,000 strong, was a heavy blow to the rebellion and the brave men who followed him so persistently deserve the thanks of their country."
Our notes say : Company "I," of the 14th Illinois Cav- alry, detailed for the purpose, buried two or three hundred of their dead. All of their armament and belongings-yes, and much that was not their belongings-fell into our
-
44
HISTORY OF THE
hands. The battle ground was literally strewn with cloths, silks, ready made clothing, stockings, boots and shoes, and even baby clothing, in profuse abundance; the plunder of their many thieving and robbing operations, which included the taking of all the money they could find or could extract as a ransom of dwellings and public build- ings which they otherwise would burn. Great pains were taken that everything stolen by them should, as far as pos- sible, be restored to the rightful owners; but the many dwellings, stores, mills and other property, public and private, burned by Morgan's orders, could not be restored from their ashes.
The southern atmosphere of Indiana and Ohio had been much tainted by the miasma of copperheadism ; but Mor- gan's cycloneof iniquity swept all this taint from the region of the path it traversed. No more rebel sympathizing there. We spent the rest of the day in scouting and in gathering up arms and other property, then went into camp, and unsaddled our horses for the first time in six days. If ever men enjoyed rest we did that night, having marched all the night previous, and that day 25 miles, and had a big fight.
July 20th. Company "I," 14th, buried several hundred of the enemy's dead, then by a rapid march rejoined their regiment at midnight, just as they went into camp at Pom- eroy.
July 2Ist. Marched at daylight and reported to Gen- eral Shackelford; heard that the captures reached 4,600 rebels. Shackelford's report (page 642), says: "On the morning of the 20th I called for 1,000 volunteers who could stay in their saddles as long as I would without eat- ing or sleeping until we captured Morgan. The entire command would have volunteered, but for the want of horses. We could find but about 500 horses in the com- mand fit for service. Colonel Capron, with his regiment, the 14th Illinois, reported to me on the night of the 20th, and volunteered 157 of his regiment (all who had fit horses). Colonel Wolford also volunteered with detachments of the ist Kentucky and 2d East Tennessee, and 45th and 2d Ohio. We also had small detachments from other regi- ments. With 500 men, on the morning of the 21st, we
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DAVID QUIGG.
45
FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
resumed the chase. Traveling day and night we came up with the enemy the morning of the 24th at Washington. We drove in the rebel pickets and by flank movements drove the entire rebel force out of the town, killing and wounding several of the enemy. One mile east of Wash- ington the enemy made a stand in a dense wood. We formed a line of battle and soon drove him from his posi- tion. He fell back two miles, tore up a bridge over a rugged stream and took a position in the woods on a high hill just beyond the bridge. The advance moved upon his left flank, while a portion of the 14th Illinois crossed the stream just above the bridge, and moved up the hill in the face of a heavy fire from the enemy ; steadily they moved up and drove him before them. Late Friday evening he burned two bridges over Stillwater, causing considerable delay. At daylight on Saturday morning, the 25th, we came up with the enemy one mile from Athens, marching on a parallel road one quarter of a mile from ours. A half mile in advance the roads formed a junction. We pressed forward to it in time to see the enemy reversing his column and flying to the woods. We shelled him for 30 minutes. At dark on the 25th our main column reached Richmond. We heard that the enemy was moving from Springfield to Hamersville. We saved 5 miles by marching directly from Richmond to that place. At 12 o'clock at night met Major Rue, with 375 fresh men and horses, who was now given the advance. Reached Hamersville at daylight of 26th, proceeded 5 miles in direction of Salineville, heard that the enemy were moving upon Hamersville. Now heard that he was at Salineville. We pressed on for that point. Now heard that Major Way had encountered the enemy and captured 230. Learning that Morgan, with 100, had crossed the railroad and was going toward Smith's ford, we had gone about 7 miles when we learned that Morgan had run into the New Lisbon road, in advance. of Major Rue. Then learned that Major Rue had come up with the enemy and wanted reinforcements. The whole column was thrown forward at the utmost speed of the horses. We came to where the roads forked. The enemy had gone to the left, and was between the two roads. My advance had taken the right hand road. I moved my column on the road the enemy had gone. On
46
HISTORY OF THE
our approach some of the enemy ran and was fired upon. They were ordered to halt, but refused. A flag now came from the enemy. Morgan wanted a personal inter- view with me. Morgan claimed that he had surrend- ered to a militia captain. Morgan stated to me in the presence of Colonel Wolford and other officers that he be- came satisfied that escape from me was impossible ; that he himself might have escaped by deserting his men, but this he would not do. He stated that he did not care for the militia, that he could, with the command he then had, whip all the militia in Ohio; yet he said that since crossing the Ohio he had found every man, woman and child his enemy ; that every hill top was a telegraph, and every bush an ambush." When Morgan claimed to Major Rue that he had surrendered to a militia captain, the Major very properly (says Shackelford) "refused to take any action in the premises until I came up." After traveling back about two miles we halted to have the prisoners dis- mounted and disarmed. General Morgan then desired a private interview. He called three or four of his staff and Colonel Cluke. I asked Colonel Wolford to attend the interview. He claimed that he had surrendered to a mil- itia captain, and that the captain had agreed to parole him, his officers and men. I stated that we had followed him 30 days and nights ; that we had met and defeated him a number of times ; we had captured nearly all of his com- mand; that he had acknowledged in the presence of Colonel Wolford that he knew that I would capture him ; that Major Rue had gone to his right, and Captain Ward to his left, and the main column was moving rapidly upon his rear ; that he had acknowledged that the militia captain was no impediment in his way ; showing by his own state- ment that he could, with the force he then had, whip all the militia in Ohio; that I regarded his surrender to the militia captain, under such circumstances, as not only absurd and ridiculous, but unfair and illegal, and that I would not recognize it at all. He then demanded to be placed back upon the field as I found him. I stated to him that his demand would not be considered for a moment ; that he, together with his officers and men, would be deliv- cred to Major General Burnside at Cincinnati, Ohio, and that he would take such action in the premises as he might
47
FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
think proper." General Morgan afterward appealed to Governor Tod, of Ohio, making the same claim of having surrendered to a captain of Ohio Militia, and asking his interference. That there might be no grounds left for complaint of unfair treatment, Governor Todd took the matter in hand, arranged a regular trial, at which it was proved by many witnesses, and by the alleged militia cap- tain-James Burbick-that he was not a captain, but a private citizen sent to hold an interview about Morgan's passing peaceably through ; that Morgan proposed to sur- render to him on condition that he, his officers and men might be permitted to go home, and stating that he had a right to surrender to anyone. Not knowing his busi- ness, this private citizen accepted his surrender. For some of the proofs see Burbick's statement (page 810), L. W. Potter (page 809), Sheriff Jessee Duke and Wm. Hos- tetter, C. D. Mans (page 811), Cornelius Curry (page 813), L. W. Potter (page 814). On page 809 is this from Governor Todd to Secretary Stanton : "July 28. I visit General Burnside tonight to settle the question that Mor- gan raises as to his surrender. From what I can learn of the matter, it is all gammon on Morgan's part." Morgan and his officers were put for safekeeping in the Ohio peni- tentiary, not, however, as culprits, which their unnatural barbarity would have warranted, but as prisoners of war. Morgan afterward escaped, doubtless through the aid of rebel sympathizers. He succeeded in raising a new com- mand, passed into East Tennesse, where few Union troops then were. While sleeping in a house near Greenville, East Tennessee, a good Union woman gave information to a Union command some miles off, who marched rapidly, sur- rounded the house and demanded surrender. Morgan's officers surrendered, but he refused, and attempted to escape and was shot dead. Major Rue made claims that Morgan had surrendered to him (see page 808). To this General Shackelford replied (see page 815) : "I see that Major Rue still claims the capture of Morgan, under Gen- eral Burnside. Rue reported to me on Saturday night, was acting directly under my orders, a part of the Ist and 3rd Kentucky Cavalry being in the front with him. Morgan never surrendered to Rue, (when he) came up with him he sent back to the head of the column for reinforcements.
48
HISTORY OF THE
Rue refused to take any action until I got up. In behalf of my command, who followed Morgan 30 days and nights, I appeal to the general, to set this matter right." Rue in his report of campaign (page 668), says : "I was sent in the advance by General Shackelford, to intercept Morgan, it possible, at the junction of the roads." He also says : "Morgan promptly dispatched a flag of truce, which met me in the advance with the demand that I should surrender my force to him. I told the bearer to return at once to his commander and notify him that I demanded the instant and unconditional surrender of his entire force, or I would forthwith open fire upon them. The rebel bearing this flag of truce left with this demand, and in a few minutes Major Steele, of the Confederate cavalry, was brought to me by Captain Neal, of the 9th Kentucky Cavalry, who informed me that Morgan had already surrendered. I then rode forward to Morgan and notified him that mat- ters must remain as they were until General Shackelford arrived." This report of Rue himself settles the matter that he was acting under General Shackelford and that Morgan did not surrender to Major Rue, for he himself confesses that he did not. This, however, shows nothing against the valuable services of Major Rue as a brave, gal- lant officer.
We add our notes of these movements much condensed.
July 22d. Marched II miles, halted, fed; marched to Nicholasville. Citizens overjoyed, furnishing us freely with all needed by man or horse. Marched 36 miles.
July 23d. Marched 2 p. m. through Millertown at sun- rise, breakfasted and fed; then crossed Muskingum river 90 minutes behind Morgan; 2 miles farther, halted and fed, then began night's march to Washington.
July 24th. While still marching at 9 a. m., overtook the enemy at Waybout, had a brush with him; he eluded us ; we pursued all night.
July 25th. Still in pursuit ; discovered the enemy on a hill near Graytown. Opened on him with shell and sent a detachment to cut off his retreat. He now made a concentrated attack, first on our left, then on our right, his movements covered by the woods. He succeeded in charging past our extreme right flank, and rapidly re- treated toward the river. The home guards with us were
49
FOURTEENTH ILLINFIS CAVALRY.
anxious to be with us except when there was fighting. We learned that the 9th Michigan had encountered them, and we pursued on to Richmond. Morgan was two hours ahead. We halted a short time and fed, then at midnight moved on again.
Sunday, July 26th. Continued toward Salineville, made short halt, then on again double quick, overtaking and capturing his whole force on the north fork, at 3 p. m., then marched to Salineville. This pursuit and capture of the notorious John Morgan and his large force of the choice cavalry of the Confederacy, has no equal in the War of the Rebellion, either in the audacity, cunning and cruelty of Morgan and his men, or in the pluck, courage and un- flagging energy of his pursuers, who for the space of one month continued the pursuit night and day ; often without rations or horse feed for want of time to cook or to feed, and almost without sleep.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.