USA > Illinois > History of the 112th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in the great war of the rebellion, 1862-1865 > Part 12
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All the posts except Sergt. Dixon's were withdrawn and con- centrated at a cross-road a mile south of Low's Ferry. Pickets were thrown out, and at eight o'clock in the evening Corporal David Fast and Josiah Umbaugh were dispatched for orders. They returned at ten o'clock with the information that the Un- ion army was retreating to Knoxville, and with orders to Capt. Otman to report there as soon as possible. They then proceed- ed on a blind, unfrequented road along the river ; struck the main road five miles below the city, and rejoined the regiment about five o'clock the next morning.
Serg. Dixon and his men were captured. They were taken to Atlanta, thence to Belle Isle, and thence to Andersonville. Many of them never returned, and of those who did few have ever fully recovered from the horrible sufferings endured in rebel prison3. The following are the names of the men cap- tured :
Serg. Solomon Dixon,* Corporal Andrew Fantz ; William B. Barr,* John Cole,* Charles B. Davis,* James Elston,* No- ah Fantz,* Jonathan Graves, Stephen W Green, Charles W Hart, William Holgate, David Kerns, William H. Morgan, George O. Marlatt,* George W Nicholas, James Ray,* Simon Ray,* William Ray, Michael Springer* and John D. Swain .*
William Ray died in the United States Hospital at Balti- more, Maryland, a few days after his exchange, of disease con- tracted in rebel prison.
Serg. Dixon has been blamed for not exercising his own judgment and falling back, when he saw that his post would be cut off and captured. He was urged to do so, but like Capt. Dunn, he refused to leave his post without orders. He was a good soldier and a faithful officer, and believed in strict
*Died in rebel prison.
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS,
obedience of orders-usually considered a virtue instead of a fault.
The only loss of the 112th on the 16th, besides the casualties in Companies G and E, was one man wounded, Corporal Allen Woods of Co. C. Capt. Dunn's horse was killed under him in the morning, and several other horses were wounded.
The command marched all night, over roads that in many places seemed to be bottomless, and reached Knoxville at day- light on the morning of the 17th. The 112th was ordered to picket the Campbell's Station road, and the regiment occupied a position about two miles from town-Companies K, G and B on the extreme outpost.
Early in the morning, Col. Wolford with the 1st Kentucky cavalry and the 45th Ohio mounted infantry, moved down the road to meet the enemy. He had not far to go. The fierce rattle of musketry indicated that he had found the rebels and that they were driving him in. He fell back and occupied a position on a hill in rear of the pickets, where the 11th and 12th Kentucky regiments were in reserve. On came the rebel advance, and attacked and drove the outpost back upon the regiment. On they came in overpowering numbers, and the regiment fell back, in considerable confusion, to Wolford's line. The rebels followed up their advantage with a furious assault, and the Union line wavered and broke.
Sergeant John L. Jennings, the 112th Color Bearer, accom- panied by the color guard, rushed forward and planted the colors on the hill. The rebels opened fire on them, and James J Inglis, of Co. C, was instantly killed. The others escaped unharmed. The 112th quickly rallied around the flag, and the enemy's guns being empty, one well-directed volley sent them reeling back to the foot of the hill. The rest of the Union troops recovered their position, and the line held the hill all day, engaged in heavy skirmishing with the enemy, and meeting with considerable loss. At night the 112th was relieved and retir- ed to the city, to rest and obtain rations ; having had nothing to eat since leaving Campbell's Station, and very little there.
The casualties of the regiment on the 17th were two men killed-Corporal Robert Corkhill, of Co. G, and James J. Inglis, of Co. C; one mortally wounded-Jonas S. Rogers, of Co, D,
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THE MISGUIDED ENEMY.
(died Nov. 18) ; and four severely wounded-John Winters, of Co. A, (died of wounds April 21, 1864), Henry C. Morris, of Co. C, John Oldaker, of Co. E, and Charles H. W Payne, of Co. D; and one slightly wounded-Frederick Kukuk, of Co. A ; total eiglit.
At daylight on the morning of the 18th the 8th Michigan cavalry, and the 112th Illinois in command of Major Dow, of the 2d Brigade, and the 45th Ohio, all under the command of Gen. Saunders, moved out on foot, leaving every fifth man to take care of the horses, and occupied the position of the night before-the 8th Michigan on the left, with its right rest- ing on the road, the 112th in the center, with its left resting on the road, and the 45th Ohio on the right. The position of the 45tlı Ohio and the 112th Illinois was along the top of a low ridge, behind a light rail fence. A short distance in front was a ravine, or narrow valley, through which ran a creek, nearly par- allel with the ridge; on the opposite side and within musket range was a range of hills, or bluffs, higher than the position of the Union line, which was occupied by the Confederates. The position of the 8th Michigan on the east side of the road was on lower ground, and in its front on the opposite side of the creek was a hill higher than the others, on which stood a fine brick residence, near the road. The position was about one mile from the outskirts of the city. In rear of the 112th was an orchard, and back of the orchard another ravine and creek, called Second Creek, very similar to that in front. A short distance to the left of the 8th Michigan was timber. Gen. Saunders was directed to hold this position, at all hazards, until noon. His whole force did not exce ed six hundred men. The morning was very foggy, and the positions of the contend- ing forces could not be seen by the opposite side.
About ten o'clock the fog raised and revealed to the Confed- erates the position and strength of the Union troops, and they at once opened a vigorous fire with musketry, which was re- turned with equal vigor. Sharpshooters occupied the brick house on the hill, and one of them was killed by a musket ball from the 112th. After severe skirmishing for an hour or more, the rebels moved a column down the hill into the ravine, and prepared to charge. The bluff protected them from the fire of
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
the Union troops-concealing them from view -- and they form- ed their column and made preparations for the charge in per- fect safety. When all was ready they moved up the bluff, and on they came, with that peculiar, indescribable, never-to-be- forgotten rebel yell; but they met a well-directed, withering fire from the boys in blue, and were driven back under cover of the bluff. From this time until noon severe skirmishing continued with the forces on the opposite hills, and then for an hour or more the firing nearly ceased, and the two lines lay there watching each other. Gen. Saunders might have with- drawn his command at this time with little loss : but he deter- mined to hold the enemy in check as long as possible, to give more time to the army in rear to complete the defences of the city
About half past one o'clock the enemy planted four pieces of artillery on the hill, near the brick building, and opened fire with shot and shell. The first shot mortally wounded Capt. A. A. Lee and killed Thomas Nowers, of Co. A, of the 112th. For two long hours the line of Union troops lay there, without artillery to reply -helpless-and received the fire of the rebel guns. The formation of the ground was such that the 8th Michigan and the left wing of the 112th were protected from the artillery fire-the guns could not be depressed sufficiently to reach them-but the right wing of the 112th and the 45th Ohio suffered severely.
About half past three the rebels formed a column in the ra- vine, three lines deep, and charged fiercely upon the Union line, but were repulsed with heavy loss. They fell back, re- formed and charged again, and were again repulsed. Again they advanced to the charge. The Union troops were direct- ed to hold their fire until the advancing line was within easy range, and then to take good aim and fire to kill. The enemy misunderstood the motive for withholding the fire ; they be- lieved the Union troops wished to surrender, and a Confeder- rate colonel rode forward alone, right up to the line, and called out : "Lay down your arms, boys ; you can't get out of here ; you will all be killed ; we will take good care of you ; you had better surrender!" Rider and horse tell together, pierced by a dozen Union bullets.
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KILLED AND WOUNDED.
Maddened by the death of their leader, the rebels charged with redoubled fury, but again they were repulsed and driven back over the bluff. In the meantime they had moved anoth- er column up the ravine, around the right flank of the Un- ion line, and now came charging down obliquely in rear, and at the same time again in front. Just at this time (4 o'clock) Gen. Saunders was mor ally wounded and carried off the field. The 45th Ohio, being in the greatest danger, was the first to break. The two advancing lines formed a wedge, and there was but one way for them to escape-to make a rapid movement by the left flank. Major Dow saw that the whole force would be captured in a very few minutes, and he gave the order, in clear, ringing tones, to fall back.
Back through the orchard they rushed, followed by solid shot and shrieking shells, down across Second Creek and up on the opposite side. Most of the 8th Michigan and some of the 112th "took to the woods" on the left, to get out of range of the artillery, and going around, joined the command on the hill above. A position was taken some distance in front of the fort (afterwards named Fort Saunders, in honor of Gen. Saunders) and Lieut. Milchrist with Co. G, and Lieut. Thomp- son with Co. B, occupied a large brick dwelling house, between the Union and rebel lines, to watch the rebels and prevent them from occupying it with sharpshooters, and remained there until dark. This building was afterwards burned to pre- vent the rebel sharpshooters from occupying it, as it was with- in range of the fort.
The rebels advanced their lines through the orchard to the bluff south of the creek, and the day's work was done.
The loss of the 112th Illinois in this day's work was fifteen killed, eight mortally wounded, forty-one wounded-many se- verely-three wounded and captured, and nine captured ; a total of seventy-six, as follows :
KILLED.
Co. A-John Hords, Jesse H. Morgan and Thomas Nowers. Co. F-Serg. William P, Finley, Corporal William C. Bell and John Kendall.
Co. D-Corporal Henry Carl, Corporal Cyrus F Foote,
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
Reuben Cahon, Patrick Griffin, William A. A. Martin and Theodore M. Penny.
Co. C-Corporal George McCausland.
Co. H-Serg. Alonzo B. Stetson, Color-Guard.
Co. G-Michael Nugent.
MORTALLY WOUNDED.
Co. A-Capt. Asa A. Lee ; died the same day.
Co. F-Elmore Barnhill, Olaus Forss (died in the hands of the enemy Nov. 19th), and Aaron Ridle (died in the hands of the enemy).
Co. D-Martin V Cole (died Nov. 19th).
Co. C-John Davis (died Nov. 19th).
Co. E-David Wandling (died Nov. 19th).
Co. K -- Corporal John Murray (died Nov. 26th).
WOUNDED.
Capt. A. A. Dunn, Co. D, acting as Field Officer of the reg- iment, slightly.
Co. A-Corporal James M. Bice, and Philip J. Wintz (cap- tured and escaped).
Co. F-Lieut. George C. Maxfield, Nathaniel Crabtree (se- verely), George G. Stone, James R. Gelvin, Alfred C. Ballen- tine, John W Curfman and James Essex.
Co. D-Sergt. A. B. Lafferty (slightly), Alexander Beath, Eben G. Woodward (wounded and captured), Ezra Adkins (severely), David Mallory (severely), Martin R. Lowry (severe- ly), James M. Baird (slightly), and James Stitt (slightly).
Co. C-Capt. J. B. Mitchell, two wounds ; Corporal John D. Hill, Color-Guard, (slightly), Griffith Shreck (severely), Thom- as J. Atwater (severely and captured), Benton W Godfrey (slightly) and George McConnell (slightly).
Co. H-Sergt. John L. Jennings, Color-Bearer, Corporals Abner Norman (severely) and Anchew T. W Chalmers (slight- lv).
Co. E-Serg. John E. Gharrett (slightly).
Co. K-Lieut. Jacob Bush (slightly), Jabez Bartlett, Charles Crommett (severely), Conrad E. Smith (severely), Nathan Smith (slightly), Joseph Sneller and John Wahl.
Co. G-Serg. Thomas J. Townsend (slightly), Corporal
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CAREFUL PRESERVATION OF PRISONERS.
Thomas J. McClellan (severely), George W Hempstead and Hiram W Hubbard (both slightly).
Co. B-Andrew J Brode (severely), and Joseph Fleming (slightly).
Captured, besides those wounded and captured :
Co. A-Nathan H. Cole, Andrew J. Davis, Vester Goble, Salem B. Giles and Luther M. Harrington.
Co. D-Lieut. H. G. Griffin and Holmes N. Tillson.
Co. C -- Wesley Crigler.
Co. H-Peter Hoel.
The 112th had but two hundred and eleven men on the field, and lost more than one-third in killed, wounded and miss- ing.
Co. I was not in the engagement, but was stationed in rear of the line, in command of Lieut. Lawrence-then acting as Provost Marshal of the brigade in addition to other staff du- ties-as Provost Guards. First Serg. Harry Fones, however, was hit by a musket ball from a long-range gun in the hands of a rebel sharpshooter with such force that he was knocked down, senseless, but soon returned to consciousness. The ball struck the company roll-book in his pocket, and that doubtless saved his life.
Lieut. Griffin was taken prisoner while engaged in an effort to support the 45th Ohio, which was nearly surrounded and the whole regiment in great danger of being captured. He was taken to Atlanta, and thence by way of Augusta, Georgia, to Richmond, Virginia, where, on the first day of December, 1863, he was incarcerated in Libby Prison. He remained in Libby until May 7, 1864, when, with about twelve hundred other of- ficers, he was taken to Macon, Ga., and remained there until Sherman's guns began to thunder about Atlanta, and the reb- el government feared he might liberate the prisoners, when they were moved to Charleston, S. C., and on the 17th of Aug- ust were lodged in the jail yard of that city and kept there un- til Oct. 6th, when they were again moved, for greater safety, to Columbia, S. C. Here they were strongly guarded in an open field until Dec. 12, 1864, when, having been brought to the verge of insanity by disease, cruel treatment and starva- tion, the rebel authorities decided, by their conduct rather than
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
words, that the prisoners were proper subjects for the insane asylum, and moved them to the State institution for such un- fortunates. They were confined here until Sherman's advance through the Carolinas again warned the rebels of approaching danger ; and on the 17th of February, 1865, when Sherman was within fifteen miles of Columbia, the prisoners were mov- ed to Charlotte, N. C., and a few days later to Raleigh, and thence in a few days to Goldsboro, N. C. There seemed to be no rest for the soles of their feet ; but here the rebels them- selves became discouraged, and to keep the prisoners out of the way of the advancing forces of Sherman and Schofield, paroled them and sent them to Wilmington, where Lieut. Grif- fin, more dead than alive, again met the regiment, and of course was heartily welcomed. He went from Wilmington to Annapolis, Md., where he was exchanged on the 26th of April, 1865, and rejoined the regiment at Greensboro, N. C. He was mustered out with his company on the 20th of June, 1865, and returned home with his old comrades in arms, beat his sword into a pruning hook, and he finds it more congenial employ- ment pruning his apple trees than tramping through the South- ern Confederacy as a prisoner of war.
Wesley Crigler of, Co. C, escaped from the rebel prison at Florence, S. C., joined Sherman's army near Savannah, Ga., and marched with it to Goldsboro, N. C., where he rejoined his company on the 23d of March, 1865.
During the fighting many incidents occurred-some serious, some laughable -- but space will not permit mention of them. There were many acts of real heroism, too-one of which was the case of David Ridenour of Co. D, who, having been on mounted picket the night previous, was excused from duty- as were other pickets, and left in town. When the firing com- menced he left camp, without orders, and ran the whole dis- tance out to the regiment, "to have a hand in the fight" -as he expressed it.
Charles Crommett, of Co. K, was unwell, and had a present- iment that he would be hit. Capt. Colcord directed him to go in and exchange places with a horse holder. He had not the moral courage to leave the line in time of action-staid -- and lost a leg.
145
AFTER THE FIGHT.
Capt. Mitchell was hit on the front of the temporal bone- just outside of the eye-the ball glancing and passing back, on the side of the head, over the ear-leaving an ugly looking mark in its course-and causing him to spin around like a top. A sixtecath of an inch nearer the eye, and the ball would have crushed through the skull. An officer standing near him ex- amined the wound and remarked, "Well, Cap., it came near missing you, didn't it ?"
The 45th Ohio suffered severely, losing about the same num- ber of men as the 112th, most of them on the last charge. The 8th Michigan lost fewer men -- its position being such that the rebel artillery could not reach them. The 112th bore the brunt of the conflict, as the numerous assaults of the enemy were made upon the center. The front line of the rebel force making the charges in our front consisted of the 3d South Car- olina, the 4th Mississippi and the 1st Texas regiments of in- tantry.
When Longstreet made the assault on Fort Saunders, on the 29th of November, Lieut. Col. O'Brien, of the 4th Mississ- ippi regiment, was severely wounded and captured. He was a brother of Parson Brownlow's wife-as bitter a rebel as Brown- low was a firm Unionist. By Gen. Burnside's permission he was taken to Brownlow's residence, where several officers of the 112th called on him. He informed them that when the Confederate colonel rode forward to our line, on the 18th, and demanded our surrender, they supposed the Union troops had laid down their arms and wished to surrender. At first they thought the Union line was composed of new troops, who "didn't know enough to run," and that all they had to do was to "go up and take them in." After this notion had been dis- pelled, the assaulting column made it a matter of "personal honor" to break the center of the line, but it failed, until the flanking column had routed the 45th Ohio and endangered the whole I'ne. O'Brien said he had never witnessed a braver or more obstinate defense than that made by the 112th Illinois on that occasion.
Gen. Saunders died on the 19th : a brave, generous, noble soldier, popular with the whole army, and especially so with
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
the 112th Illinois. Almost his last words were in praise of the 112th, and he said he would like to live to go with it through the war.
Capt. Lee died on the evening of the 18th, after the most in- tense suffering-he having been literally torn to pieces. He died as he had lived, bravely and honorably He was a gal- lant officer, a brave soldier, an honorable man ; and he gave his life to the cause he loved without a murmur-his only re- gret being that the country would lose his services.
"We buried him darkly ; at dead of night : The sods with our bayonets turning, By the struggling moonbeam's misty light, And the lantern dimly burning.
"No useless coffin enclosed his breast, Nor in sheet nor in shroud we wound him ;
But he lay-like a warrior taking his rest- With his martial cloak around him.
"Slowly and sadly we laid him down, From the field of his tame fresh and gory ! We carved not a line, we raised not a stone, But left him alone in his glory !"
Lieut. John L. Dow was promoted to Captam of Co. A, Sec- ond Lieutenant, James P McChesney to First Lieutenant, and First Serg. Leander U Browning to Second Lieutenant ; commissions dated March 5th, 1864, to rank from Nov 18th, 1863.
At 8 o'clock in the evening of the 18th, the right wing of the 112th was relieved from duty and moved into the city to rest, and the left wing remained on picket.
At 3 o'clock the next morning the right relieved the left wing, and the latter moved into town. The right companies were relieved at 10 o clock, and for the first time in many days the 112th was permitted to lay quietly in camp, on the 19th, and listen to heavy skirmishing with the enemy without partici- pating in it.
And now commenced the "Siege of Knoxville."
Since writing the foregoing chapter the author has received
147
MAJOR DOW'S LETTER.
a copy of a letter written by Major Dow to his wife, from Bean s Station, after the siege of Knoxville, and he appends the following extract, commencing with the battle of Camp- bell's Station on the 16th of November:
"The battle continued until darkness put an end to it. . The whole army then commenced a retreat to Knoxville, our bri- gade (the only cavalry present) as rear guard. The enemy gained no advantage in this day's night, but Gen. Burnside had intended to make his stand at Knoxville. The artillery fight- ing was grand -- not less than seventy-five pieces belching their thunder, and completely filling the air with their scorching missiles at once."We reached within one mile of Knoxville a .littfe after daylight, when I was sent back to skirmish and re- tard the advance of the enemy-no time even to dismount our worn out inen, now forty-eight hours marching and fighting without a moment's rest. We found them about tour miles back, and held them until we were reinforced by three regiments of cavalry from Knoxville under Gen. Saunders. About twelve o'clock their artillery came up and we slowly fell back, skirm- ishing, about two miles, and then made a stand, dismounting and taking position on a gentle eminence entirely bare of trees. Their infantry made one charge but were repulsed. We lay upon our arms during the night, having sent our horses inside the line of earthiworks. We had many horses shot to-day, but our loss of men was not large. The morning of the 18th found us under arms occupying the same position of the night of the 17th. A dense tog hid the enemy from our sight and delayed the fearful work -- but it came soon enough. We occupied the center of the line, my right resting on the top of the hill and extending down' its lett slope : the . 45th Ohio held the right slope and the 8th Michigan were in position from my left to the Holstoni River. Col. Pennypacker's brigade was stationed next on the right of this line, and Wolford's brigade was held somewhere to our right. About 9 o'clock the fog had almost disappeared. We had moved a rail fence in front of our line, making a slight protection. Suddenly our skirmish line was rapidly driven in. The enemy had formed in a narrow valley in our immediate front, beyond which, and in easy rifle range, they now were: The force which now occupied the ravine
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
came up with deafening yells, but our deadly volleys sent them back with severe loss. The 45th Ohio fell back under the shock, but the 112th and the 8th Michigan stood fast. Their dead and wounded lay in front of our lines. Some of the lat- ter crawled in to us and surrendered.
"The musketry was very heavy, at intervals, until 12 o'clock, noon, when they opened upon us with two batteries, but we held our position. At 2 o'clock the enemy moved their bat- teries down to within six hundred yards, but we still staid right there. We soon saw heavy columns pass down in the ravine in our front. I knew what was coming and had our bayonets fixed. They came up, four lines deep, with their usual yell when charging, to within twenty-five yards of our lines. But mortal man could not stand the terrible shower of minnie balls which met them. They fell back in disorder. Again and again they came on, but only to retire in disorder, and I thought they would not again try us, but I was deceived. They came up this, the fourth time, led by Col. Vance, a South Car- olinian, commanding the brigade. He rode up at the head of luis columns, and when within thirty yards, ordered me to sur- render our colors. I politely told him to go to hi-11, and or- dered Sergeant Williams, of Co. A, to shoot him, but others fired at him and he fell dead in our front. They again fell back. But the 45tl Ohio, overpowered, was driven from the field. That portion of their line which confronted the 45th passed around my right flank and came up in the rear of the right, and I gave the order to fall back. General Saunders was killed a few moments before, a few rods from us, and some of my men carried him off the field. We formed again on an- other hill about eighty rods back, but the enemy was satisfied, and except one skirmish there was no more fighting that day. Not a man left the field until ordered to. Many of the regi- ment were taking care of the horses and on other duty. I had but two hundred and eleven men on the field, and you will see the list enclosed gives seventy-six killed, wounded and missing -- more than one-third, and there are but four missing who are not either killed or wounded, and all except Lient. Griffin and Vester Goble, Wesley Crigler and Holmes Tillson, of the miss- ing, are probably killed. A flag of truee was sent in and the
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