USA > Illinois > History of Fourteenth Illinois cavalry and the brigades to which it belonged > Part 5
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In his report (page 644), General Shackelford speaks in the highest praise of all his officers and men who aided in the final pursuit and capture of Morgan. He says: "It is difficult for me to speak of individual officers and men without doing injustice to others ;" yet he especially men- tions Colonel Wolford, Colonel Capron, of the 14th Illi- nois, and a few others with the highest praise, and says of all: "They deserve the gratitude of the whole country for their energy and gallantry."
No event of the war attracted the attention of civil- ians and soldiers of all classes and grades as did this, and none was ever accompanied by the same degree of pro- longed excitement, and few great events brought about such important results as this destruction of such a large body of the enemy's best cavalry.
Colonel Capron was greatly aided by his officers that accompanied him. Major Davidson, Captain Dent, of Company "C," and Captain Sanford, of Company "K," on this, as on all occasions, distinguished themselves. Lieutenant H. C. Connelly displayed such ability and courage as rapidly brought him into prominence. Lieutenant I. H. Allen, acting adjutant of the 14th, by his faithfulness and ability earned a far better position than he ever obtained. In reply to a notice sent by Shackel- ford that he had finally captured Morgan, Burnside re-
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plied, July 27th : "The whole country will thank you for
your good work. I can not tell you how thankful I am to you and your command."
In Burnside's report of campaign (page 14), is this : "The loss of Morgan's brigade was a heavy blow to the rebellion, and the brave men who followed him so persist- ently deserve the thanks of their country."
At Salineville, July 26th. General Shackelford, Colonel Wolford and Colonel Capron now left us and went to Cin- cinnati, leaving Major Davidson in command of the 14th.
July 27th. Marched at 8 a. m. to Richmond ; dined, then on to Steubenville, where we joined the rest of Shack- elford's pursuing force. A large concourse of citizens had congregated to witness our triumphal entry. We were all anxious to rejoin our full commands.
July 28th. Shipped on the cars for Cincinnati at 4 p. m. ; ran all night.
July 29th. Arrived in Cincinnati at noon. Crossed the river to Covington; found the rest of the regiment ; all overjoyed to meet again. We were glad of a little rest, having marched 300 miles in 5 days. We record the itinerary of our comrades who were disappointed at being unable to join in the final pursuit.
July 2Ist. Camped in wheat field, near Cheshire. Visited by a welcome group of ladies from the country, who supplied us abundantly with nice pies, cakes and apples.
July 23d. In camp ; 24th, moved camp a mile to a cool grove ; 25th, marched down the river 12 miles to Galliopolis ; camped near town; 26th, in camp; 27th, marched to the river and sailed on boats bound to Cincinnati; sailed all day and all night. July 28th, arrived at Cincinnati at 4 p. m. ; crossed to Covington ; took quarters in the barracks ; distance from Galliopolis, 500 miles. July 29th, joined the captors of Morgan. July 30th, whole command in camp; drew fresh horses and new clothing; shipped on filthy cattle cars for Lexington, Kentucky. Boys mad. Ran all night ; beautiful weather.
August Ist. Reached Lexington at daylight. This is a beautiful town and was the home of that truly great statesman who so long and earnestly labored to ward off
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the clash of arms that now causes so much misery, and which his clear vision foresaw was inevitable unless oppos- ing interests met in compromise. No American patriot can gaze upon the beautiful monument of the great Henry Clay, near the town, without feeling proud that he, too, was an American citizen. We took train to Nicholasville, then mounted and marched to camp "Dick Robinson;" and camped Sunday, August 2d. A detachment of 120 inen of the 14th, under Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins and Captain Jenkins, was sent with Colonel Wolford's com- mand, in pursuit of the rebel Colonel John S. Scott, who had made a raid into Kentucky. They started at 3 p. m., was gone several days and rejoined us; the enemy had retreated ; having marched 70 miles. They found two rebel doctors who had been left to care for some wounded rebels. The main command, under Captain Sanford, marched August 2d to Dandridge, halted a while, then marched to Stanford, arrived at 9 p. m .; found the 112th Illinois and 2d Tennessee Cavalry. We camped a half mile from town ; marched 15 miles.
August 3d. Election day ; found plenty of blackberries, potatoes and fresh pork.
August 4th. In camp; smiths busy shoeing horses ; afternoon marched 17 miles. Major Davidson, Captains Lupton and Dent returned to us.
August 5th. Breakfasted, then marched 3 miles; fed sheaf oats, marched to camp. Afternoon, marched 15 miles to Somerset; arrived at 6 p. m .; rained hard. Colonel Jenkins and detachment joined us.
August 6th. In camp. Colonel Capron has gone to Glasgow to bring up the detachment left there. An im- portant move is anticipated.
August 7th. In camp.
August 8th. Moved camp a short distance to where a nice spring emerges from a cave.
August 9th. In camp.
August 10th. In camp.
August IIth. Marched toward Glasgow, passing over the ground where Zollicoffer was killed. Major David- son in command. Camped at dark in a beautiful grove ; marched 20 miles ; heavy rains.
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August 12th. Marched at 4 a. m. ; passed through Sul- phur Springs ; reached Columbia at dark ; camped 5 miles beyond ; marched 36 miles.
August 13th. Marched at 4 a. m .; today we passed an old revolutionary soldier of more than a hundred winters. He stood by the roadside greeting us as we passed. He said he hated the tories of the revolution ; but, if possible, he hated the traitors of the present day still more. Ar- rived at Glasgow at 5 p. m .; glad to meet the comrades from whom we had been separated for five weeks; dis- tance marched, 30 miles.
The itinerary of those left at Glasgow. The withdrawal. of our effective cavalry at the front left eastern and south- ern Kentucky exposed to rebel cavalry raids and guerrilla invasions. The few infantry could do nothing more than guard a few local points, as they could not follow cavalry. Many raiding parties were sent in. On page 705 General Judah says: "There is no doubt that Wheeler is at, or near Lebanon." Page 706, General Boyle says: "Dis- patch from Lebanon says a rebel force is approaching that place." Page 734, General Boyle reports : "Wheeler and Breckenridge approaching." Page 828, July 3Ist, Burnside speaks of rebel Colonel Scott's retreat from Kentucky, and says: "He entered Kentucky to make a diversion in favor of Morgan." Page 829, General Hart- suff says, July 28th, that "a force of the enemy, 1,000 to 1,500 strong, is apparently approaching from Williams- burg and Somerset."
Frequent reports reached Glasgow of intended raids by Hamilton's guerrillas from the Cumberland, which kept Major Quigg's forces vigilant. The Major had succeeded Colonel Harney (page 735) in the command of all the forces at Glasgow. In consequence of many rumors of rebel invasion in eastern Kentucky, all the available cavalry at Glasgow marched under Major Quigg, July 27th, to- ward Lebanon at 5 a. m .; crossed Barren river ; camped on bottom ; marched 26 miles.
July 28th. Marched early ; crossed Green river ; camped near ; march, 23 miles.
July 29th. Marched early, II miles to Lebanon; ar- rived 9 a. m. ; found this beautiful town terribly marred by the fierce battle fought there by its handful of brave de-
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fenders against the cruel army of Morgan. The depot and many dwellings burned. Other buildings and fences and ornamental trees riddled with war missiles. We camped on a dry creek 3 miles N. W. of town ; a poor camp and no water. In this camp until August Ist; then moved to a pleasant grove 2 miles N. E. of town ; remained here until August 6th. Fair weather ; nothing of note further than daily scouting and guarding polls of election on the 3d ; and the arrival of our howitzers and some of the men from the Morgan raid.
August 7th. Marched early toward Glasgow, 18 miles ; camped in a wood. Saw today many Union flags dis- played ; a sight seldom seen before the destruction of Mor- gan's army, which had been the terror of the Union people of Kentucky.
August 8th. Marched early, 18 miles ; camped on Bar- ren river.
August 9th. Marched early, 20 miles to Glasgow ; ar- rived 3 p. m. ; camped west of town, where we remained until August 13th.
This detachment, though not engaged, through the vig- ilance of its commander, rendered essential service in watching over the almost unprotected regions of southern and eastern Kentucky during the absence of nearly all the cavalry after Morgan. This ends one of the most im- portant and active campaigns.
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CHAPTER III.
CROSSING THE MOUNTAINS INTO EAST TENNESSEE .- CAP- TURE OF KNOXVILLE .- CAPTURE OF CUMBERLAND GAP.
We now enter upon a far more interesting portion of our history. We were heartily tired of chasing cowardly guerrillas, who would never stand to fight; but like John Morgan they kept us constantly chasing after them. With their facilities for hiding in the mountains, or in disguising as citizens, or their dernier resort, taking the oath to be broken the next day ; it was a most disgusting service to which we were glad to bid farewell.
But disagreeable as the service had been it had its com- pensation. A reference to the official reports shows that our regiment had earned in Kentucky a high reputation, and the effect that this reputation had on the morale of the regiment, was to establish a laudable pride to maintain this high standing, and to create a confidence in their abil- ity which tended to make them invincible; for nothing tends more to make soldiers invincible than a firm belief that they are. The official records show that as early as the autumn of 1862 a movement into East Tennessee was contemplated. Events, however, demonstrated that this was but the outgrowth of that sanguine expectation that contemplated the conquest of the south as a mere "before breakfast" job. Bragg's invasion of Kentucky, though with Buell's kind consent, put an end for the time to this premature advance of the Army of the Ohio.
As soon as Burnside took command of the Army of the Ohio, Rosecrans being in command of the Army of the Cumberland, both of these commanders were vehemently and persistently urged to make the forward movement. Neither of these generals was furnished with sufficient mounted force; scarcely enough for occupancy of their present lines. An advance meant not only extended terri- tory to protect, but greatly extended lines of transporta- tion to protect, in order to supply the advanced armies ;
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and this, too, through regions the best adapted to the guerrilla warfare that would be practiced upon our lines of transportation. It was also an essential that no strong- hold should be left in our rear and Vicksburg was yet in their hands. On page 193, part 2d, is correspondence between Rosecrans and Burnside. Rosecrans said : "Want to know if you can't take the line of the Cumber- land, or put a strong force at Tompkinsville ? * * What can and will you do to enter East Tennessee?" March 30th, 1863, Burnside answered: "I shall occupy the line of the Cumberland as soon as possible, and hope to pass into East Tennessee."
Our first chapter shows that the first promise had been fulfilled ; regarding the second, the situation was not yet ripe. Burnside called for his corps-the 9th-to be sent to him to protect Kentucky when he advanced with his present forces. The 9th Corps was sent, but immediately sent to Grant, at Vicksburg, where there was pressing necessity of reinforcements. The fall of Vicksburg, July 4th, relieved the 9th Corps to be sent to Kentucky, but now the Morgan raid had called Burnside's mounted force in pursuit, which postponed movement another month. Meantime Burnside began preparations anticipating a more speedy termination of these hindrances. Had an earlier advance been attempted there would have been a scarcity of local supplies; but now the new crops are matured and another difficulty is removed. The destruc- tion of General Morgan's large and well equipped force of cavalry also rendered the time more propitious. We will now consider the situation as it then existed.
Rebel General Buckner, headquarters at Knoxville, East Tennessee, with an army, August 10th, 1863, total, 25,733 -15,000 of it cavalry, and having in his department 80 cannon. General Wheeler's cavalry nearby ; total, 14,907, and Forrest cavalry force at Kingston, total, 6,701 ; be- sides Sam Jones' army ( formerly Humphrey Marshall's) within supporting distance, strength varying from 5,000 to 15,000. To invade East Tennessee in the face of these opposing forces Burnside tells us (see page 548, serial 51) : "Preparations were again made for a move into East Tennessee. It required much time and labor to effect an organization, as the troops were so worn and scattered.
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By the 16th day of August we succeeded in organizing a force of about 15,000 men, which composed the 23d Corps, under the command of General Hartsuff."
The different divisions were located August 23d as fol- lows: Infantry-White's at Columbia, Hascall's at Stan- ford, Carter's at Crab Orchard. Cavalry-Graham's at Glasgow, Wolford's at Somerset. General Samuel P. Carter commanded fourth division of cavalry. First brigade, Colonel Robert K. Bird, regiments, 112th Illinois Mounted Infantry; 8th Michigan Cavalry; 45th Ohio Mounted Infantry ; Ist Tennessee Mounted Infantry ; 15th Indiana Battery. Ours, the second brigade, commanded by Colonel John W. Foster ; regiments, 14th Illinois Cav- alry, Colonel Horace Capron ; 5th Indiana Cavalry, Colo- nel Felix W. Graham; 65th Indiana Mounted Infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Johnson; 9th Ohio Cavalry, (four companies), Major Wm. D. Hamilton ; 8th Tennes- see Cavalry (four companies), Major John M. Sawyer ; Ist Illinois Light Artillery, Battery M, Lieutenant John H. Colvin. Two Rodman guns, belonging to 5th In- diana, and four mountain howitzers, belonging to 14th Illinois.
The third brigade, commanded by General James M. Shackelford; regiments, 9th Michigan Cavalry, Colonel James L. David ; 2d Ohio Cavalry, Colonel Geo. A. Pur- ington; 7th Ohio Cavalry, Colonel Israel Garrard; 2d Tennessee Mounted Infantry, Major David A. Carpenter ; IIth Michigan Battery, Captain Charles J. Thompson ; Ist Tennessee Battery, Captain R. Clay Crawford, and an un- attached cavalry brigade, commanded by Colonel Frank Wolford, containing Ist Kentucky Cavalry, Colonel Silas Adams; IIth Kentucky Cavalry (nine companies ), Major Milton Graham; 12th Kentucky Cavalry, Colonel Eugene W. Crittenden; howitzer battery, Lieutenant Jessee S. Law ; reserve artillery, Captain Andrew J. Hinkle ; 2d Illi- nois Light Battery M, Captain John C. Phillips ; 24th In- diana Battery, Lieutenant Henry W. Shafer; 19th Ohio Battery, Captain Joseph C. Shields; Ist Rhode Island Light Battery D, Captain Wm. W. Buckley.
August 20th orders were issued for all these troops to march on different routes through various gaps of the Cumberland range. August 18th, 6 a. m., that portion
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of our brigade at Glasgow marched under command of Colonel Graham, 20 miles to Ray's crossroads, and camped, awaiting the coming up of other portions of the brigade and trains.
Nineteenth and 20th in camp, preparing for an arduous march.
August 2Ist. Marched at 8 a. m. toward Mud camp, 12 miles ; camped in a field near Marrowbone.
August 22d. Company "I" and two other companies of the 14th Illinois sent to cross the river at Celina, to scout the country and repair roads. About I p. m. brigade moved southward toward the Cumberland river ; passed "Mud Camp," where the first battalion, under Major Davidson, was sent on scout toward Tompkinsville. The brigade crossed the river at a ford near "Mud Camp," about 4 p. m .; marched down the river; country very rough. Our road lay between a high range of hills on our left, and the river and a precipice on the right. One of the guns of the 5th fell over, but was recovered, with an in- jured carriage. A caisson was lost. Some wagons also went over the declivity. Camped about II p. m .; march, 16 miles.
Sunday, August 23d. Started late; halted several hours in a valley, then marched again; camped in a field four miles above Celina ; march, 14 miles.
August 24th. Marched at 6 a. m., 14th in advance; took the road to Jamestown, Tennessee ; entered a moun- tainous country. About 9 a. m. a force of the enemy was discovered ; the 14th formed line of battle, with the howit- zers in position and awaited an attack. The force proved to be a detachment which was captured by our vanguard ; then resumed our march ; halted at noon, fed straw ; rained hard; crossed the Obee river, a small stream with steep banks, in descending which, one of the ambulances was thrown forward upon the horses, breaking the ambulance and severely injuring the driver and horses ; marched 16 miles, and camped in a wood ; fed corn stalks.
August 25th. Marched early; a heavy fog prevailed ; our road very rough and winding round the sides of huge hills. We again crossed the Obee river, a beautiful little stream. But few inhabitants or improvements in these mountains, and these seem to be the property of rebels,
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so prejudiced against the old government as to refuse greenbacks, while they took with readiness the Confeder- ate rags that were captured in Major Hamilton's trunk. With these the boys could purchase anything that their circumscribed potato patches produced. The former possessions of the few Union people who had inhabited these regions, were marked by the ruins of burned dwell- ings. Camped in a wood near an orchard which, with some hardtack, furnished our supper, while we fed our horses from a barn near. March, 18 miles. The first battalion joined us here. They had marched all night after leaving us; breakfasted in Tompkinsville the 23d, then marched through Sulphur Springs and camped 6 miles beyond; crossed the Cumberland river 10:30 a. m. the 24th; drove a band of rebels from there on double quick. A party of our forces intercepted them. The bat- talion then came up and captured them. The battalion then marched 5 miles, when Captain Sanford, with a small party, was sent out after a party of the enemy. Our band charged upon the enemy, wounding one and capturing two more ; then rejoined the battalion in camp at night.
August 25th. Battalion marched at 5 a. m .; reached Livingston before noon; captured a few more rebels. A few of the boys got some drugged liquor, which made them very sick. Overtook the rear guard of brigade, Company "L," about 5 p. m. ; soon after reached camp, having marched 22 miles.
August 26th. Brigade marched early; country so rough that in some of the defiles a small force of the enemy could have impeded our march. We found the roads in places blockaded with fallen trees and expected an attack, but no enemy appeared except small skulking parties. Some of our men who had strayed from the command were fired upon and the rebel skulkers were captured. We saw today a curiosity to Yankees-a hog with a bell on. We omitted to mention that the party that intercepted the rebel party on the 23d was Company "I," Company "K" and another company that marched by the way of Celina. They then joined the first battalion. They had encoun- tered no other party of the enemy.
August 27th. Marched early; soon reached a more level country, the summit of the Cumberland range; the
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soil very thin, the timber a mixture of oak and pine. Passed through Jamestown, a miserably dilapidated group of old log huts, in the midst of a desolate country. The second division of infantry (White's) was camped here ; having come in on another road. We camped in a field 7 miles from town ; little to eat and nothing for our horses but cornstalks. Marched 17 miles.
A Captain Tinker, with a small band of Union men, hiding in the mountains by day, with no dwelling place but God's great wall tent-the sky-kept the enemy in constant dread ; like Marion in the Carolinas, by vigorous and bold attacks at night.
August 28th. In camp on half rations. Our wagons were sent back after clothing and rations.
August 29th. Reveille at 2:30 a. m. ; marched at 4 :30. A large force said to be at Montgomery awaiting to give us battle. Marched rapidly ; first 10 miles level ; then en- tered a broken country, descending from the range. At 3 p. m. halted to feed from a cornfield, which rapidly dis- appeared ; prepared a hasty dish of coffee ; then mounted and on again. As we neared Montgomery an old lady very excitedly warned us to be very careful as 300 rebels with a small cannon was in Montgomery, all primed and waiting for us. Of course we were very cautious not to keep them waiting long. As we passed through the town we missed the main body of the enemy, encountering only a Dutchman and his frau, armed with loaded "cider mugs." Each of the boys had to take a shot, as rapidly as they could discharge and reload their pieces. This was all the battle we saw that day. Camped within a mile of town; march, 30 miles. A few of the members of our Tennessee regiments here found their families, who had suffered shameful persecution. One old gentleman had been cruelly shot down in the road that day, simply for holding Union sentiments. Such are the demons we have for foes. Rations scarce ; no horse feed.
Sunday, August 30th. In camp near Emery river ; send 3 miles for forage. Marched at 3 p. m. through Montgomery, and camp in a field near Flat creek. March, 6 miles. Burnside's whole force has come up. On page 566 of serial 51, is report of Orlando M. Poe, chief engi- neer of the Army of the Ohio. He recites the different
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routes on which the various commands marched, and says : "So accurately was the march made that after passing over II2 miles each (on different routes) the heads of the two infantry columns reached Montgomery at the same time. When the distance marched, the character of the country, and the condition of the roads are taken into account, this may well be considered a most remarkable feat in con- centration. The march of the cavalry was equally good and well timed." "From Montgomery, the entire column, except one brigade (ours) was projected upon Kingston, having Loudon for an objective point. At the Indian . tavern, 45 miles from Knoxville, and 8 miles from Mont- gomery, one brigade of cavalry (ours, under Colonel J. W. Foster), was detached, and by a rapid movement, suc- ceeded in occupying Knoxville on September Ist."
August 3Ist. Burnside's infantry was passing all last night. Today 300 pack mules loaded with sugar, salt and coffee pass us ; suggesting to us, "a good time coming." Our cavalry had fared hard on this trip; glad when they could get hardtack and apples, and often without any- thing. Our horses fared even worse. About 10 a. m. re- sume our march ; soon after halt for General Burnside and staff to pass. We then moved on. The country is now much better. Halt at noon and fed in an orchard ; plenty of corn for horses, and apples for ourselves. Rations scarce. Resume our march and camp after night at a gap 30 miles from Knoxville. Our regiment was rear guard and forced to camp on a side hill so steep as to sug- gest the necessity of anchors to hold us in position. No feed except hay, and no rations. March, 18 miles. Rumored that the rebels are fortifying a gap in our front.
September Ist. Cool night, but very pleasant morning, much like Indian summer. We seem to have emerged into a different zone. In the mountains we had much rain, hot days and very cool nights. In the morning was cir- culated and read a very strict order against individual for- aging, with penalties as follows : "Drummed out of serv- ice," "branding on the cheek," "head shaved." "death." The order was well meant for the protection of loyal citi- zens, but to the cavalry, who was so much of the time out of reach of government rations, and without the means of carrying them, the order seemed not only harsh, but cruel,
MAJOR JAMES B. DENT.
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and had all the penalties been stictly enforced, what a grand army of bald headed and branded patriots would have stepped to the music of the "Rogue's March;" only saved by this disgrace from the greater penalty "death." How harsh it now sounds even to repeat these facts. We had reveille at I a. m., and "boots and saddles" at 3 a. m .; many of the men got no breakfast ; marched at 6 a. m. ; our brigade alone taking the road to Knoxville. Twenty-five miles from Knoxville we passed through Winters gap and entered one of the most beautiful and romantic valleys. We now increased our speed through a country recently rich in production, but now desolated by war. The citi- zens all along this route were perfectly wild with delight; telling us that they had long prayed and longingly waited our advent. The ladies came to their doors, and many to the roadside welcoming us, some with shouts, some with songs, some with tears of joy, and all with uncontrollable emotions. Our march resembled a Roman grand tri- umphal march. General Pegram's brigade was retiring before us. They had been ordered to defend Winter's Gap and, in case of necessity, to fall back to Walkersford. Colonel Scott's brigade was at Campbellsville. These brigades were to have united to oppose our advance; they were now in inglorious flight. Fifteen miles from Knoxville we forded the Clinch river, a beautiful stream somewhat resembling the Miami at Dayton, Ohio. Five miles from Knoxville we came to the Knoxville and Cum- berland Gap road. Our advance cut the telegraph run- ning to Cumberland Gap. Rebel Colonel Scott's brigade had passed down to Knoxville several hours before. We now pressed forward with increased speed, expecting a strong fight at Knoxville, as it was General Buckner's headquarters, and in addition to the force previously there, two brigades from above had now passed down to them ; and we were only one brigade. We were surprised when we reached the city to find the whole rebel force skedaddling like a lot of frightened rats. We could only give them a parting volley. Our speedy march saved the military stores for us, as they had been ordered to burn everything, and had already begun their work. We captured some prisoners ; all the army stores, three locomotives, one large train of cars with a quantity of coffee and sugar, several
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