History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 36

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1424

USA > Illinois > Mercer County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 36
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 36

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).

366

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

line was occupied by other troops. Being relieved on Wednesday morning, 31st, the brigade went a short distance to the rear. During the night the rebels had outflanked the right of the army, and at day- light they commenced a furious attack and drove the union troops in great disorder down upon the center. About nine o'clock the fugitives began straggling back to the turnpike with alarming stories of the disaster to the right wing. The third brigade was promptly formed, facing west, and one hundred yards in front of the pike. The 6th and 24th Ohio were disposed on the first line in the thick cedar woods. The roar of the nearing conflict grew louder. Stragglers, panic- stricken, rushed back till their numbers swelled into a tide of retreat that detied all efforts to stop it. Nearer comes the sound, and all know that the victorious foe is pushing his advantage with all his strength. The storm is imminent; then it bursts upon the first line, and its fury is withstood briefly ; the men break in confusion, and the entreaties and imprecations of officers are unavailing to check the retreat. Over the second line they pour and are formed again about forty rods in the rear. Now comes the test of the 84th, the 23d Kentucky, and the 36th Indiana. A ledge of rock behind which they lie gives them partial protection. Parson's and Cockerell's batteries are thun- dering behind them, throwing shell and grape shot over the men directly into the cedars in front, which are swarming with the exultant enemy. Soon the rebels come out of the cedars in full view and in point blank range, and instantly the line springs up with a wild shont and pours a deadly volley into them. For an hour each side faces a shower of bullets, and the air throbs with the detonations of the union artillery. The rebels, repulsed, finally take cover in the woods. Dur- ing the time a regiment came up the pike from the south and directed a cross-fire upon the federal troops. Being temporarily relieved from pressure the brigade changed front forward by a left half wheel, and opened on some rebels lying in the cotton-field, probably those who had been cross-firing, and on a heavy force approaching at this time from the right. The regiments on the right of the 84th receive the enemy's enfilading fire with surprising fortitude, but at length, unable longer to endure it, fall back and leave this regiment exposed to the raking volleys from the rebels in the woods, who promptly envelop its flank. A desperate resistance was kept up in this place for an hour, and the foe had crept up within sixty yards. The right was now retired so as to face him squarely, but his steady advance in a semi- circle beginning soon to turn the left, the regiment had to be with- drawn to the ledge. Here the 84th maintained its ground with the utmost gallantry another hour, after all the other troops had retired

367

PERRYTON TOWNSHIP.

beyond the pike. At last the order was given and the left fell back ; the right, not having heard the command, remained, and some confu- sion was the result. While in this last position, and during the time it was falling back across the railroad, the regiment suffered heavy loss, twenty-five being shot dead, besides a proportionately large num- ber wounded. The rebels advanced, but were met by the troops holding the line of the railroad, and their movement was checked. The S4th then formed in front of the track, but were exposed in this place to a rebel battery, and so the men were marched from the field into the woods a mile away, and there stacked arms to give rest to this bleeding battalion, after six long hours of heroic fighting and sacrifice.

New Year witnessed a comparative cessation of hostilities. On the 2d, Van Cleve's division was thrown across the river, and the third brigade went over as a support. A slight breastwork of logs was made. Van Cleve received a sudden and vehement attack from Breck- enridge, and his division was driven back pell-mell. The rebels fol- lowed in splendid style, confident of easy victory ; but the 84th and the 6th Ohio, together with other troops, held their fire till they were within three hundred yards, then rising with a deafening yell, poured into them a destructive volley, after which each soldier loaded and fired at will, keeping up a murderous fire which thinned their crowded col- umns. The designs of the enemy had been anticipated, and Gen. Rosecrans had massed fifty-eight guns on the opposite side of the river, and when the rebels reached the right place these opened with a salvo as if the universe had split, shaking the troubled hills and devouring the enemy with sickening destruction. The rebels faltered, and before they could break into full retreat the 84th and the 6th Ohio were over their works, charging with a slogan upon the reeling assailants. The rest of the brigade, Van Cleve's division, and some other troops which had been hurrying over, now came up in the same gallant fashion, retaking all the artillery that had been lost and one gun of the famous Washington battery. belonging to the enemy. Rosecrans reported : "The firing was terrific and the havoc terrible." Bickham wrote : " The commander-in-chief hurled his batteries and his battalions together at the monstrous machines of Breckenridge, and destroyed them in forty minutes. Two thousand men or more, who had marched upon that field in haughty defiance, at three o'clock and forty minutes, were dead or mangled at four o'clock and thirty minutes." This engagement was decisive of the protracted contest and gave the union army Murfreesboro. Nothing could excel the patient fortitude and heroic conduct of the S4th throughout this memorable struggle, and it won merited encomiums from officers of high rank who were witnesses

368

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

of its splendid courage. Its whole loss was as follows: Killed, 33; severely wounded, 114; prisoners, S. Thirty-one of the wounded died. Many not counted were slightly wounded. The regiment suffered thus terribly on that dreadful Wednesday. The loss of the whole army of 43,400 was 12,378.

After the battle the 84th lay in the vicinity of Murfreesboro, changing place occasionally, and doing the ordinary duty of scouting, foraging, guarding provision trains, and working on fortifications.

Early in February elections were held in the regiment to fill vacan- cies caused by casualties and resignations: Lients. Ball and Aber- crombie, of company H, had been slain in the forefront of the battle, December 31, and now Private Peter McLain was voted first lieuten- ant, and Corporal J. N. White, second lieutenant.

May 12 the brigade moved to Cripple creek and lay there till June 24, when the forward movement was taken up for the possession of Tullahoma. "Upon the morning of the advance the rain commenced, and continued as if the very windows of heaven had been opened. For seventeen consecutive days the rain fell in remarkable quantity. No such stormy period had visited that country for twenty-six years past." So said the annalist of the army of the Cumberland. Critten- den " had seventeen miles to march, over a road that had no bottom, and it took him four days to get over it. The infantry waded through mud for miles, that was from one to three feet in depth. They had to dismount their pieces and take their batteries forward from highland to highland." So said Rosecrans recently (1882). The rebel army having retreated to Chattanooga, on July 8 this command went into regular camp near Manchester. Fatiguing work, toilsome marching, a scalding sun, and short rations were other features of this brief, but brilliant campaign, which might have been more complete in its results but for unfavorable weather and roads.

The advance on Chattanooga began on the 16th, and Crittenden's corps took the route across the mountains direct for that place. On the 25th the brigade (Grose's) reached the Sequatchie valley and camped near Dunlap, beneath the tall cliff's which look down from the west, and remained there till September 1. The march was then resumed down the valley, and during the evening and night of the 3d the divi- sion effected the passage of the Tennessee, and encamped at Shell- mound. On the 6th it had entered Lookout valley. On the 9th, Gen. Wood having made a reconnoisance in force in the direction of Chattanooga and reported the enemy giving up the gateway between the river and Point Lookout, Grose's brigade climbed the mountain, drove off the rebel ontposts, moved forward to Summerville, thence

369

PERRYTON TOWNSHIP.

down the mountain on the other side, rejoining the division below, which had now passed around the point, and moved out across Chatta- nooga valley toward Rossville, under orders to follow the enemy closely and watch his movements.

Let us return to trace those maneuvers which secured the entrance through this gateway and led to the battle in Chickamauga valley. Having reached the foot of the Cumberland mountains, various causes induced Gen. Rosecrans to delay a few days; but when ready to con- tinue the advance by a ruse de guerre he caused Bragg to suppose that he intended to make the passage of the Tennessee above Chattanooga, and suddenly on the 29th began crossing the bulk of his army at Bridgeport, Caperton's ferry ten miles below, and Shellmound eight miles above. Thomas, with his corps, marched across the mountain- ous country, entering Lookout (or Wills') valley, and proceeded up to Cooper's and Stevens' gaps, occupied them on the Sth and 9th, and passed over Lookout mountain. McCook's corps moved on a parallel route to the right, going over Sand mountain, through Valleys' Head, and ascending Lookout at Winston's gap. All the cavalry, except what was employed in the feint above Chattanooga, was sent to the head of the valley, with instructions to cross over to Alpine and make a show of strong force in that neighborhood. McCook was to follow it to the summit, display his troops to the best advantage, send a brigade or division down the mountain to back up the cavalry while threatening Rome, so as to give the appearance of a large force. Crit- tenden had been reserved to cross the base of Lookout immediately under the Point and next the river, as already described. The demon- stration on Bragg's rear forced him into the open field to fight the decisive battle which Rosecrans and his lieutenants knew would inevit- ably take place for the possession of Chattanooga. Discovering the flank movement the rebel general hastily evacuated the city on the 9th, and retreated to Lafayette, twenty-two miles south, covering his base, and holding a position near enough to his antagonist to take any sud- den advantage. On the 11th Crittenden was ordered to Ringgold to feel forward for the enemy as far as Gordon's Mills. ITis report, as well as other information, left no doubt of the concentration of the rebel army at Lafayette to await re-inforcements, and Rosecrans learned with deep concern of Bragg's present attitude ; especially now that he himself must despair of help from Burnside, who had been sent on a cooperative expedition from Kentucky into East Tennessee with instructions to join him, but who at this crises " was hunting with 22,000 men at his back for Gen. Sam Jones who, with less than 6,000, was toling him off up into western Virginia." Rosecrans' main army

370

IIISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

was dispersed from Ringgold to Alpine, a distance of fifty-eight miles by practicable wagon route, and sixty-five by that subsequently taken by McCook (certainly a precarious situation), and the supreme en- deavor should be to concentrate and cover Chattanooga. The isolation of each corps was so perfect that the movement must necessarily be from the south, keeping in view the hold on the city. Crittenden could not move up the valley to Thomas without exposing Chattanooga and jeopardizing the army; the latter could not march to the assist- ance of McCook without leaving Crittenden at the mercy of Bragg; therefore all hope lay in the celerity of McCook, and the tardiness of Bragg. Recently (1882), Gen. Rosecrans said "this was the most anx- ious period of the whole campaign." He had indeed risked a staggering responsibility. Crittenden was immediately ordered to march without delay to Gordon's Mills and to communicate with Gen. Thomas. Ilis troops were there the next day. Pressing orders were dispatched to McCook to come by the road along the top of the mountain with all possible haste and join Thomas ; but acting on what he believed was reliable information that this route was impracticable, he disregarded that part of his orders, and starting at midnight retraced his way through Winston's gap. On the 14th Gen. Crittenden was withdrawn to the southern extremity of Missionary ridge to avoid being cut off, and to communicate with Gen. Thomas, whose troops began to arrive the following day. Negley's division confronted two rebel divisions at Dry gap in Pigeon mountain, but declined battle after a brisk skirmish. Col. Wilder had encountered a large body at Ringgold. The enemy's activity and boldness portended early fighting. Would McCook come before the blow would fall? He was still far away, toiling over rugged hills, rough roads, and through narrow passes, but making all the while prodigious exertions and good progress. From Winston's gap he moved down to Stevens' gap, and then followed the road taken by Thomas. Four and a half days were spent in this circuitous march of forty-six miles. The summit route of seventeen miles would have con- sumed but a day and a half. This unfortunate but natural mistake cost the commanding general the choice of the battle field; and no doubt the loss of his justly high military reputation, though not of his posi- tion, for that was already fated by his unfortunate misunderstandings with the war department, inflamed by his own rash correspondence, invited by the weakness of Halleck, and welcomed by the vindictive- ness of Stanton.

On the 17th the rebels attempted to cross the Chickamauga at Gordon's mills, but were prevented by Crittenden, who had returned the same day from the foot of the ridge, McCook having just arrived

371

PERRYTON TOWNSHIP.

on the right. At evening on the 18th mutterings of conflict on the left foretold battle on tlie morrow. The rebel general was detected in massing overwhelming numbers on that flank to turn or crush it, and then to interpose his army between Rosecrans and Chattanooga. To check this maneuver the union general advanced his line to the left during the night by moving Thomas' corps from the center, leaving its place to be filled by McCook's. The alignment from left to right by divisions was covered by Brannan, Baird, and Reynolds, of Thomas' . corps ; Palmer, Van Cleve, and Wood, of Crittenden's corps; and Davis and Sheridan, of McCook's corps, not yet established in position when the battle began on Saturday morning, the 19th. Negley's division, belonging to Thomas's corps, formed a defensive crochet at Owen's ford, farther to the right, and the cavalry was thrown forward on this flank to defend Missionary ridge. Johnson's division of McCook's corps was in reserve in rear of Thomas, and Crittenden's right held Gordon's mills. The reserve corps under Gordon Granger was lying at Rossville, four miles to the left and rear. Rosecrans' front was parallel to Chickamauga creek, extending from northeast to southwest, and lying diagonally across the Lafayette road leading to Chattanooga, with the left reaching nearly to the Ringgold road.

The night had been one of activity in the federal army in changing positions and forming lines. About ten o'clock the dropping fire of the skirmishers and the deep bass of the artillery announced the open- ing of the battle. Gen. Thomas had ordered a reconnoissance on the extreme left by Brannan's division, and Croxton's brigade encountered a strong detachment of the rebel Gen. Walker's corps in front and flank, and drove it in confusion over half a mile to a massed body concealed in the forest. The rebels fought savagely, and being reinforced by Cheatham's division, fell on the union troops with head- long weight. The whole division was at once engaged; its double lines struggled heroically to keep their places, but finally crumbled into disorder. The enemy, still advancing in deep columns, rolled up against Baird like a linge wave; and his deadly fire, though shattering their front lines, had no visible effect in checking the foe. Swept by the remorseless tempest, this division was unable to stem its wrathful course, and gave way. Johnson, advancing now from his reserve position, struck the enemy in flank. Palmer's division came abont this time to succor the struggling left, and Brannan's and Baird's divisions having been reformed, Gen. Thomas ordered the line to advance. The movement was as unexpected to the rebels as it was irresistible. They tried in vain to stand; they poured desolating showers of bullets, grape-shot, and canister into the daring columns,

372

HISTORY OF MERCER AND IIENDERSON COUNTIES.

but onward those invincible divisions went like a billow of the ocean. With frantic exertions officers tried to restore order and establish new lines, but as often as that was done the torrent of union victory swept them away like driftwood. Thomas' battalions stopped only when satisfied with having driven the exultant and confident foe nearly a mile over the ground they had lost, and taken cannons, caissons, and everything else that the enemy in his flight had left. The account of a rebel writer says this "fight was one of great desperation," that the rebels "experienced fearful sacrifices," and that the union soldiers - "pushed close upon the battery of the gallant Capt. Carnes and slew most of its horses and men," and the pieces "were therefore aban- doned to the enemy." Opportunely for the rebels, Cleburn dashed up to the rescue of their endangered right and engaged Palmer's division with his usual impetuosity. Now the tumult drifts along the quaking earth. Heavy flanking columns crowd the right; Palmer is overlapped, and his line is in danger of being doubled up, when Van Cleve marches in to arrest the peril, but the dense battalions with which he grapples overcome him. Bragg is practicing his favorite plan of attack in commencing on one flank and hurling for- ward his divisions successively in search for a weak point, until the whole line is engaged. The tide of battle rolled heavily to the right, taking in Reynolds, who divided the pressure with Van Cleve, and covered his front with a terrific lead-storni; but his division was shortly sundered in twain as if a hurricane had torn through his ranks. Davis was ordered up at the critical moment; and though his men struggled with raging energy, he could not long withstand the rebel momentum of increasing numbers. He gave back slowly till Wood arrived to swell the furious combat, when the enemy recoiled with heavy loss. At three o'clock Sheridan was ordered to leave Lytle's brigade to hold Gordon's mills, and with the rest of his division to move to the assistance of Wood and Davis. He was on the ground not too soon to save the former from disaster. The heavy sound which moves toward the right, shaking the deep woods, tells that the center has caught the storm. Gen. Negley, who has been lying at Owen's ford all day, is ordered to march down to the Widow Glenn's to be in momentary readiness for action. He reported with his division at half-past four ; and as soon as it became certain that the battle was going against the union arms in that quarter, his fresh veterans rushed upon the foe with ardor and drove him back steadily till dark- ness put an end to the fighting. Brannan had also been sent from the left, and at night took a position to the right of Reynolds.

The results of the day were substantial success. The federal army

373

PERRYTON TOWNSHIP.

had held its ground, and the rebel general was foiled. The union troops, outnumbered, had all been called into action except two brig- ades. The rebel army was reinforced by Buckner, recently from Knoxville; by a detachment from Johnson's army in Mississippi ; and by another from Lee's army in Virginia. The battle-ground was heavy timber, so undergrown as to be an immense coppice. This was of great advantage to the rebels in massing and attacking, and of proportionate disadvantage to the federal side, allowing but small opportunity for the use of artillery. Every inch of ground was con- tested with obstinate valor. As often as one rebel line melted out of sight a fresh one took its place ; but the union soldiers fought without respite, without hope of aid, aware of the momentous character of the struggle, and that if they won the stake it must be with a costly libation of blood. So they received the surge of rebel strength and fury with surly front, and when overwhelmed and forced to give ground did so with dogged reluctance.

By midnight the plans of the union commander for the morrow had been communicated to his corps commanders in a counsel at the Widow Glenn's house. Thomas was to maintain his present line, assisted by the divisions of Palmer and Johnson, with which he had been reinforced, and to hold Brannan in reserve. McCook, with the two divisions left him, was to close up to Thomas, with his right turned back to a strong position on Missionary ridge ; while Crittenden, with his remaining divisions, was to be posted in reserve at the junction of Thomas and McCook. On the rebel side the army was divided into two wings ; the right was given to Gen. Polk and the left to Gen. Longstreet, who had arrived with the rest of his corps at eleven o'clock that night. Polk was ordered to renew the battle at daylight, but owing to a dis- arrangement of his line he was prevented from making the attack until nearly nine o'clock. The morning opened sultry and oppressive. The fiery sky, as if it might reflect the bloody field below, was seen through a hazy, sulphurous canopy of battle-smoke, which enveloped hill, forest and glen, and the giants of war that lay among them. The union troops reposed on their arms, waiting for the first rude sound of con- fliet to disturb the glory of the Sabbath day. Between sun and sun what onsets shall rock the earth! what valor amaze the world and mark the bounds of human courage and endurance! Every man in those worn and battle-begrimed legions says mutely with his chieftain, this "day must be for the safety of the army and the possession of Chattanooga." The first move of the enemy was to turn the left flank to secure Rosecrans' line of retreat. Palmer was in the front, near the center, and Grose's brigade was ordered to the left to meet the enemy,

374

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

who was crawling around on the flank. The S4th retired from their barricade of logs and rails with a feeling of reluctance. Col. Waters had been the first to recommend the building of such a protection, and this regiment the first to begin the parapet. In moving to its new position it was first apprized of the presence of the enemy by a sharp volley from an ambuscade, which killed and wounded several. This was followed by rapid discharges, but in spite of the severe fire the brigade formed in line. But being at once charged upon by a greatly superior force, it was driven in such confusion that detachments were separated and did not find their proper places during the day. Soon a deafening shout rises along the rebel front, and the line dashes forward in a thundering charge that envelopes Thomas' position. The con- tending sides grapple in the herculean energies of despairing battle. An aid leaves Thomas' side and hurries off to Gen. Rosecrans, to ask that Neglay may be sent speedily. Thomas had been promised the return of this division early in the morning, and the order had been given for its transfer, but from some cause had but just started to move when the staff officer galloped up. "There it goes." said Rosecrans, as at that instant it was seen in motion. In a few minutes another aid came flying from the left, saying that Gen. Thomas was hotly pressed and needed Brannan. "Tell Gen. Thomas our line is closing toward him, and to hold his ground at all hazards, and I will reinforce him, if necessary, with the entire army. Tell Gen. Brannan to obey Gen. Thomas' orders." Gen. Van Cleve, who has been lying behind Wood, is despatched in the same direction. The battle is increasing in fury. Negley, with his veterans at a swinging pace, is hurrying to the relief of the suffering left. Van Cleve follows rapidly. A cloud of smoke and perpetual fire roll from Thomas' solid front. Roaring batteries, double-shotted, pour the desolating iron into the frenzied foe, who is constantly replacing his dissolving ranks with fresh troops. Closer and more stubbornly they press, and deadlier grows the union fire. The line of conflict extends to the center. It is now eleven o'clock. and Longstreet assails the right fiercely. The rebels on Thomas' front. exhausted by their own tremendous exertions and frightful losses, fall back, at length, demoralized, out of the reach of the field guns. Smart- ing under this bloody and signal repulse, they close up their bleeding. ghastly ranks, revise their lines, strengthen them with reinforcements, and then the massive column is launched once more against the weakened line. In the meantime Gen. Thomas has ridden along the ranks, so that if it were necessary his presence should infuse new con- fidence, and his troops catch some of his own steadiness of character and lofty heroism. Maddened by the memory of their defeat, and

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.

History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 36

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co. Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1424