USA > Illinois > History of Fourteenth Illinois cavalry and the brigades to which it belonged > Part 6
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
62
HISTORY OF THE
empty trains and one large warehouse filled with bacon. Burnside, in report of campaign (page 548, serial 51), out- lines the movement of his troops to Kingston and Loudon, and mentions the burning of the bridge at Loudon by the rebels. After the capture of Knoxville Colonel Foster manned a train and sent up the railroad to Morristown and Greenville, and near Jonesboro captured a lot of army supplies. We halted in the suburbs of the town in a pleas- ant grove about 6 p. m. Knoxville had two good earth forts to guard the approach on the north and west. It appeared strange to us that we had met with so little re- sistance. In an hour, "To horse" was sounded. We mounted and marched through the city ; a beautiful one, much resembling our northern towns in beauty and regu- larity. We passed the dwelling of the famed Parson Brownlow-a humble dwelling, but brilliant in that it recalled the grandest patriot and hero of modern times. We also saw the gallows erected to hang him on, but such was the devoted love for this great man by the loyal people of East Tennessee, that, though all the Union men were driven from the country and the rebels had undisputed possession and they took him to this gallows three times with the avowed intention to hang him, the cowardly poltroons did not dare to do it. Without doubt they feared the attack of the broomstick brigade. Parson Brownlow printed his paper, the Knoxville Whig, long after the rebels occupied Knoxville, and in it scored the rebels with- out mercy until they destroyed his press. He kept the Union flag flying from the roof of his house long after. One day in his absence a squad of rebels went to his house to tear it down. To get at the flag they had to pass inside and up a stairway and out through a trap door in the roof. They passed in toward the stairway, but Brownlow's daughter, revolver in hand, met them and kindly informed them that the first man who took another step forward would be the first one dead. These braves slunk away from the flashing eyes of this excited heorine. As we passed through the city we were followed by a mass of the people swarming on the streets to welcome us with every demonstration of joy. Amongst the throng stood a tall, venerable figure with patriotism beaming in his eyes and flushing in his countenance. Casting his de-
63
FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
lighted gaze at us, then raising his eyes toward heaven, with devotion breathing in his tones he exclaimed : "Glory ! GLORY ! GLORY ! the long-looked-for day has come at last ! I have been enslaved, but now I am free!" This, as we afterward learned from Major Connelly, was Judge Pat- terson, son-in-law to President Johnson, and afterward United States Senator from Tennessee. Union flags were now displayed all over the city. We marched through and camped near a cornfield and near the fair grounds, on the Strawberry Plains road. Beautiful day and night.
Wednesday, September 2d. Reveille at sunrise. The following list of prices exhibits one phase of the evils of rebel rule: Tobacco, $6 a plug ; a common article of ladies' shoes, $35 a pair ; gentleman's boots, $100 a pair ; common prints from $3 to $7 a yard ; butter $4 a pound ; flour, $15 a barrel ; bacon, $I a pound. Yet all this is a mere shadow of the sufferings of the loyal people. Tyr- anny and violence, the very extreme of barbarity, they were compelled to endure. Scouting parties brought in many prisoners, and also many conscripts who had fled to the mountains to hide from conscripting officers, who arrested all they could, and compelled them to bear arms against their beloved country.
September 3d. The beautiful weather continues. About II a. m. we were visited by a procession mostly ladies and children, with a few venerable men. They came from the country beyond Knoxville, bordering the Clinch river; marching with Union banners flying and with martial music. They brought with them abundant supplies of pies and cakes and other delicacies for their Yankee friends, who they were overjoyed to see. It was now evident that the oft repeated story of the loyalty of the people of East Tennessee had never been exaggerated. An audience was soon gathered, who listened to an elo- quent speech by Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins, urging soldiers and citizens to mutual kindness and gentle deport- ment toward each other. He was replied to on the part of the citizens by Colonel Brown, a venerable and intelli- gent loyal citizen. He said he could but feebly express the joy of the citizens at witnessing the advent of their deliv- erers. He painted in burning words the tyranny, abuse and persecution they had endured at the hands of the
64
HISTORY OF THE
rebels, then pointing to the proud old flag they bore, he said : "That is the flag that we trained under two years ago, but Governor Harris compelled us to hide it, but we have resurrected it; we hope never again to be buried in obsecurity." He was followed by Captain Dent, of Com- pany "C," 14th Illinois, who gave us a stirring and appro- priate speech in his usual happy style. This closed the colloquial entertainment, which was followed by a culinary entertainment of the good things which our friends had brought ; and after an exchange of reciprocal regards these welcome visitors returned to the city with martial music and the old flag waving. At 2 p. m., moved camp to a grove near a small creek and near the railroad, one mile N. E. of the city. Old rebel camps were near, well guarded by their vermin namesakes. Burnside arrived in the city today and addressed throngs of delighted citi- zens.
September 4th. Beautiful weather. The streets of the city crowded. There seems to be no end to the arrival of prisoners and conscripts. Our forces are busy in repair- ing railroad in both directions. Burnside realized that now we must again have possession of Cumberland Gap to open a route of communication with his base of supplies- the Ohio river. Anticipating this before he left Kentucky he had ordered Colonel De Courcey to organize a brigade at the proper time to approach the gap from the Kentucky side. After a few days of rest in camp he ordered an ad- vance from Knoxville of a force of cavalry.
Colonel Graham, with the 65th Indiana, had been sent toward Sevierville to capture or drive out Thomas' legion of Indians. Colonel Foster, with a considerable force, was sent up to Greenville, and the rest of our brigade, in- cluding the 14th, was now temporarily under command of General Shackelford, who is now ordered to Cumberland Gap. We make some extracts from a published account by Major H. C. Connelly, who was in charge of General Shackelford's escort. He says: "The cavalry, with General Shackelford in command, left Knoxville to assist in capturing the Gap; approaching it from the south side. On the 6th of September, at Powell's river, on our way to the Gap, we had a heavy skirmish with the enemy and drove him until he took refuge behind his works in the gap. We
65
FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
had 2,000 men and two batteries. On the 7th, the Gap being invested, an unconditional surrender was demanded both by Shackelford on the south and by De Courcey on the north. General Frazer, who commanded the rebel forces, declined to surrender. On the 9th General Burn- side came up with some reinforcements, having marched 60 miles in 50 hours. He cut the matter short by demand- ing an unconditional surrender."
The 14th came with Burnside. The following is from our original notes. This was one of the strongest in- land fortresses in the world. When Burnside made his de- mand for surrender, our cavalry drawn up in column be- hind the cover of a wood, with troopers dismounted by the side of their steeds, and ready at a moment's warning to spring into their saddles, anxiously awaited the order to "Charge" up the mountain road, between the long lines of rifle pits occupied by rebel sharpshooters, and facing the fatal belching forth of the rebel batteries, charged with deadly missiles and trained with precision on the road over which our charging column must advance. Strange as it may seem, there were those who said they hoped the rebels would not surrender and spoil the sport. We confess that although our batteries were in position to support us, we were not of the number ambitious to risk but one chance in ten of reaching the rebel stronghold alive; but we were with those who, when the welcome news arrived of the surrender of this strong fortress, flung high in air our caps, with loud huzzahs that the terrible sacrifice was averted. This was a bloodless victory, but one of vast importance, as is evidenced by the preparation for the terrible sacrifice that would have been made to capture the place if it had not surrendered. The only hope in capturing by a charge was the capability of rushing victims over the deadly pas- sage more rapidly than the enemy could mow them down. Though bloodless, it was none the less honorable to the brave soldiers who waited only the command to "charge," without flinching from duty though almost certain death or mangling awaited them. On page 599, serial 51, is a long list of ordnance stores captured. Twelve cannon, occupying as many strong rock forts, at different eleva- tions, and each surrounded by strong rifle pits dug in the solid rock; 6 forts on the north descending road, and 6
66
HISTORY OF THE
on the south or Tennessee side, and all at such elevation that their shells were found thrown five miles to Powell's river bridge. This was their batteries, with magazine and headquarters dug out of the mountain in solid rock. Miles of rifle pits, equally strong, with full six months' provisions and ammunition, with nearly 2,500 men, were surrendered to Burnside. We have a plat of their fortifi- cations drawn by Comrade Thomas Featherson, but want of space and facility prevent inserting it. On page 627, Rush Van Leer, rebel engineer officer, says : "Our posi- tion, I confess, was one of great strength. * Our defenses consisted of rifle pits and five batteries, aggregat- ing 12 guns." There was much angry correspondence between several rebel officers relative to the surrender, but as it was no concern of ours, we do not include it; being well enough satisfied with our part of the arrangement.
The mountains here are about two thousand feet high, overtopping the gap, which, though high, is a sink in the mountains. This was Cumberland Gap which, with the forces, the war material, and the provisions, could well have maintained a siege of six or eight months. Nothing but a vigorous assault, with a loss of many times the num- ber of the defenders could have captured it. We now went into camp just in the edge of "the sacred soil of Vir- ginia," about two miles from the Gap and in full view of it. This camp was near the corner of three states-Vir- ginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Since leaving Knoxville we have marched rapidly and fared hard, scarcely having an average of one good meal a day, and scarce of horse feed. In this camp we have no supper, and had no dinner and a scant breakfast. Our commissary was blamed with this deficiency and we believe was arrested.
September 10th. In camp ; no breakfast until 10 p. m., then a small ration was issued. We get plenty of ripe peaches. Smiths are busy shoeing horses. Yesterday the 5th Indiana marched to reinforce Colonel Foster, who today we hear occupies Greeneville.
67
FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
CHAPTER IV.
A BUSY PERIOD OF SERVICE.
September IIth. Reveille at 3:30 a. m .; drew rations and marched to Tazewell, 12 miles. Take the left-hand road to Morristown, 40 miles S. E. of Cumberland Gap, and 40 miles above Knoxville. From Tazewell the rest of the troops march on the Knoxville road. We halt at noon to feed ; get plenty of good peaches. Crossed Clinch river at a very rough ford. Some of the horses stuinbled over large rocks, giving their riders an unceremonious baptism which, judging from their conversation, did not effect much spiritual good. Marched two miles beyond and camped on a rough creek bottom, a very disagreeable camp ; march, 23 miles.
September 12th. Reveille at 3 a. m .; march at 5 a. m. Arrived at the foot of Clinch mountain as day began to break. A heavy fog tinged with frost, curtained the land- scape. This is the first indication of change from the charming weather we have had since entering East Ten- nessee.
Our road over the mountain was rugged and serpentine and verged, in places, steep declivities. The scenes were highly romantic. Precipices and cliffs, ravines and running brooks, the varying foliage of many species of trees and shrubs, the charming songsters of the forest warbling their morning songs, all conspired to make us forget the toil of ascent. At the summit we paused to survey a lovely scene, over which Mountain Deities seemed to preside. We made the descent dismounted ; so steep that a direct descent would have been impossible. A serpentine route, carefully selected and built up, rendered it barely possible to climb down the steep sides of Clinch mountain. On reaching the foot, a glance back at the precipitous sides of the towering mass of rocks and earth made us to doubt that we had climbed down its sides. At the foot of the range we passed some medical springs. We marched two miles and halted at Bean Station, a small
68
HISTORY OF THE
collection of houses in Richland Valley, which in frontier life was an Indian trading post, and which, soon after this, became famous in the history of our regiment. Several parties were sent down the valley to procure horses and beef cattle, as an order had been published that our army, in a measure, must rely much on local supplies. A Mr. Joe Williams, long a terror to Union citizens, made an un- willing contribution of fine stock, and so did his neighbor, Mr. Johnson. After all the parties had returned to camp, we marched five miles and forded the Holston river. From this ford to Morristown is six miles. We reached M. before night, passed through and camped near. We found little corn and no rations. Here were several brigades of infantry. The citizens were nearly all loyal and very kind. Near here is the old and humble family mansion of that eccentric and able ex-Congressman, David Crocket. Day's march, 19 miles.
Sunday, September 13th. Very hard rain and wind last night, which completely drenched us, having no tents. Reveille at I a. m .; soon after marched breakfastless to- ward Greeneville, 33 miles off ; very dark and raining hard ; have difficulty in finding the road. After daylight, marched rapidly, having heard that the enemy have the 5th Indiana nearly surrounded. Pass through Russell- ville, a small town on the railroad six miles above Morris- town. Blue Springs is 20 miles above Morristown ; here we turned off the main road two miles and halted a while to guard a railroad bridge; then returned to main road, fed and dined; then marched and camped one mile from Greeneville at 8 p. m., having marched 35 miles ; fine weather.
September 14th. Reveille at dawn; marched immedi- ately, without breakfast, through Greeneville and camped one mile from town. Greeneville is a beautiful town of 1,500 inhabitants ; surrounded by a rich and beautiful country ; the inhabitants nearly all intensely loyal. This was the home of President Johnson. Soon "Boots and saddles" sounded and we again mounted and marched back through town and camped one mile south ; found our trains ; got breakfast and fed at 10 a. m .; then moved to first morning camp, having marched five miles.
September 15th Reveille at daylight; rumor that a
69
FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
large force of the enemy is near. We are on half rations. Many citizens are flocking in to enlist under Uncle Sam. Company "C," under Lieutenant Porter sent on scout ; they returned, having marched 24 miles ; forage scarce.
September 16th. Reveille at sunrise; in camp having horses shod. At 8 p. m. marched up the railroad along with our Tennessee regiment; came to the 5th Indiana picket, which now rejoined us. Marched all night ; very dark ; rained hard.
September 17th. Morning ; still on the march north- ward; passed Rheatown in the night, and a small village called "Full Branch." In the forenoon, halt to feed ; get plenty of apples. Have left Greene county and entered S. E. corner of Sullivan county, of which Blountville is county seat. Kingsport on the Holston, near the Virginia line, is in Sullivan county. Bristol, on the Virginia & Ten- nessee Railroad, is partly in each state. Kingsport to Blountville, 18 miles. K. to Bristol, 25 miles. Blount- ville to Bristol, 10 miles. Zollicoffer on railroad 14 miles below Bristol, and east of Blountville 8 miles. Country broken and timbered; inhabitants nearly all rebels. We have outlined the situation in this section as it became the scene of very active service soon after. After breakfast, marched rapidly. When we neared Kingsport, two women stood by a house, near the road, and railed at us in a fearful manner ; screaming like demons and calling us vile names and expressing the hope that their husbands in the rebel command near by would shoot every one of us. About I p. m. our advance came upon the enemy near Kingsport. They were on an island in the Holston river. A brisk skirmish ensued. The second battalion of the 14th, under Major Quigg, was thrown across the river to cut off their retreat. Discovering our movement they beat a hasty retreat on the Blountville road. It now became an exciting race between Quigg's battalion, with drawn sabers flashing in the sunlight, and the flying enemy, to reach first the intersection of the two roads. They say fear lends wings to a fugitive ; this seemed so for they beat us sufficiently, notwithstanding that we spurred our horses apparently to their utmost, we reached the main road just as the last of the enemy's column passed, and falling in their rear pursued at the utmost speed ; the rest of the 14th
70
HISTORY OF THE
joining in the chase. Many of the rebels threw away their guns and other belongings. Occasionally the hoof of a charging steed would strike the hammer of a rebel musket and explode it. Strain our utmost, we could not overtake their main body; a few prisoners and their whole train, nine wagons, loaded with camp equipage, clothing and cooking utensils, were captured. For 12 miles on that warm September day it was a race between hope and fear, in which, though fear lost much, yet escaped. This was reported to be a rebel force of 1,700 cavalry, that had re- tired from near Cumberland Gap, but whether this, or General William's force, then in that vicinity, we did not learn. We halted from sheer exhaustion of our horses. Our brigade now came up, and we bivouacked near a small place called "Edons ;" tied and fed, but did not unsaddle. We lay down on the damp ground supperless and blanket- less. The weather turned cool at night and we suffered. Our casualties, several wounded and Lieutenant Horace Capron's horse killed. Loss of the enemy, 12 known to be killed, a few captured. Citizens on our route cheered us lustily. Our march night and day, over 60 miles ; the last 12 miles at a charge. Our horses and ourselves had on this march, but one feed. Series 51, page 579. Itinerary of 23d A. C. says : September 17th. "Colonel Foster left Greeneville to meet the enemy." And September 18th, "Foster drove Carter's rebel command, after a severe fight, from the ford above Kingsport."
September 19th. Reveille 4 a. m .; no breakfast; marched at daylight to Blountville, 9 miles, about 9 a. m. In this town are three churches ; but one Christian Union family. Near here our advance came on the enemy's pickets, skirmishing with them until we reached Bristol, when we charged upon their main force and drove them from the town, capturing and destroying a large amount of arms and ammunition, including some of the celebrated Henry rifles. We burned the depot, containing clothing, provisions and flour,saving only what we could then use. We destroyed much of the railroad track. Serial 51, page 579, September 19th, O. R. says : "Second brigade (ours) (4th division ) drove the enemy, 700 strong, out of Bristol, cut the railroad, destroyed the bridge and a large amount of subsistence and stores and returned to Blountville."
71
FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
Camped near Blountville ; having heard that the enemy were approaching from Zollicoffer. A few who could carry flour had supper ; most of the command were with- out. Marched 29 miles ; day pleasant, night cold.
September 20th. Marched to Zollicoffer double quick and was soon engaged with the enemy in strong force at that place. Our line was formed : 5th on the right, 65th right center, Tennesseans left center, and 14th on the left. After a brisk fight of several hours, scouts reported a large force of the enemy marching to gain our rear, and cut us off. The 14th was sent back on double quick to meet the rebels. We were soon joined by the brigade. We had expected that Burnside would move up on the opposite side and entrap General Jones; he marched as far up as Carter Station, some miles below. This movement in falling back and subsequent similar movements, gave much dissatisfaction throughout the brigade, and brought out much criticism of those high in command. It was even hinted that some of our commanders were cowards. Indeed, we never understood these movements until the Government official reports fully explained them. Fver since we came into Eastern Tennessee Burnside had been constantly harassed by orders from General Hallack to move his main force to within supporting distance of Rosecrans. Burnside had as often explained that this would eventuate in the abandonment of upper East Ten- nessee with all its rich stores and loyal citizens, to rebel occupation and rule ; that his force was now barely suffi- cient to occupy this department, and that with this force to occupy and guard a line 200 miles long, was an impossi- bility. At this time General Rosecrans had added his strong pleadings with urgent orders from Hallack, and Burnside was now making a strong feint towards these strongholds of the enemy, designing, under cover of these movements, to rapidly move most of his forces to Rose- crans' support. A small force of cavalry, including our brigade, was selected to remain and defend the territory the best they could. A large force of Burnside's infantry was now on the march to reinforce Rosecrans. In official reports (serial 51, page 617, Sept. 13th ; 638, Sept. 14th ; 655, Sept. 15th ; 717 and 718, and 755 and 770 and 785 and 904), the reader may find full explanations. The great
ยท 72
HISTORY OF THE
dread of the enemy that we would march up and destroy the salt works in Virginia aided materially in covering up the present movements. As to the strength at this time of Sam Jones' army at Zollicoffer, Colonel Foster and Gen- eral Burnside estimated it at 6,000 at least. In serial 53, page 711, Sept 28th, General Sam Jones owns to having 5,000 actually present and offers to send troops to Rich- mond if desirable, as he had learned that Burnside had sent off a large portion of his force. Burnside, in serial 51, page 547, says : "A heavy force of the enemy under Gen- eral Jones, was in the upper valley holding the points which I was directed to occupy." And on page 550 : "Colonel Foster's brigade (ours) had been doing most excellent service in holding him in check." And again : "I could see no other may of extricating this portion of the command except by a demonstration of this kind (refer- ring to our movements upon Zollicoffer). A cavalry brigade under Colonel Foster was sent around to threaten their rear, and on that night he (the enemy) evacuated his position, burning the bridge." After all our brigade had arrived, we marched 3 miles on the Carter Station road and camped in a meadow ; fed hay, but got no supper except a small allowance of beef and mutton; had slim breakfast and no dinner. The enemy pursued us nearly to our camp, skirmishing briskly with our rear guard, Company "H," 14th, which narrowly escaped capture. Day's march, 19 miles.
September 2Ist. Reveille at 3 a. m. A small piece of meat and very small quantity of coffee for breakfast. March at sunrise, first on a cross road several miles, then on Jonesboro road. Jonesboro is 22 miles below Zolli- coffer ;crossed the Holston and Watauga rivers before noon ; both nice streams. Passed a high rocky cliff on the top of which was a group of ladies, who waved their 'kerchiefs as signals of welcome. About noon, as we passed a dwelling a woman came out wringing her hands and weeping bitterly. About 15 minutes before our ad- vance came up, a party of mounted rebels rode up to the house, and seizing her husband, a peaceable Union man, carried him a few rods from the house and shot him, and then skulked through the woods. This was only in keep- ing with their usual barbarity. We saw a rebel picket on
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.