USA > Illinois > History of the 112th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in the great war of the rebellion, 1862-1865 > Part 15
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Flour mixed with water, without grease, salt or saleratus, and baked in ashes, does not make the most palatable bread, but it is much better than no bread, and the mill was truly a prize for the short time it was held.
The enemy attacked and drove in the Union pickets on the 17th, and the 112th was ordered out, dismounted, to support a battery. There was considerable artillery firing and some skir- mishing, during the day, and at night a heavy skirmish line was thrown out and the troops lay on their arms all night.
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
The 112th remained on duty in support of the battery on the 18th, but there was no fighting. At 8 o'clock in the evening moved out three miles on the Strawberry Plains road, intend- ing to cross the Holston River ; but on account of the heavy rains, the river was unfordable, and the next morning the com- mand moved back toward Blaine's Cross Roads, about four miles, and went into camp to wait for the water to subside.
Thus ended our first encounter with the rear of Longstreet's army. Let us now go back to Bean's Station. On the 15th Capt. Colcord with his company (K), by special direction of Gen. Burnside, reconnoitered the Cumberland Gap road ; and on the 16th Capt. Sroufe, in command of five companies of the 112th Illinois, also proceeded np the same road, and after a hard march rejoined the regiment at Stone's Mills. Other de- tachments were sent out, but the author has been unable to obtain sufficient data to mention them.
The casualties of the 112th Illinois from the 13th to the 16th of December were as follows :
Killed-Bradley W Diltz, of Co. A.
Wounded-Stafford Godfrey and Washington Gooding, of Co. A ; Samuel Long and Robert Gay, of Co. I; William An- derson and Edward Miller, of Co. C; Edward Garrett, of Co. H; Lieut. Samuel W Weaver and Jabez Bartlett, of Co. K.
Captured-Joseph Hoppock, of Co. F, (died in rebel prison).
As the regiment was going into camp, after dark, on the 16th, Daniel Roberts, of Co. I, rode down to Highland Creek to water his horse, and in the darkness fell over a cliff and was seriously injured. His thigh was broken and he was crippled for life.
On the 20th of December pay rolls .were made out and sign- ed, and at 9 o'clock in the evening the paymaster commenced paying the 112th for the two months ending October 31, 1863, and the whole regiment was paid that night.
At two o'clock in the morning of the 23d, the camp was aroused and the command ordered to be ready to move at four o'clock. The weather was very cold, the ground frozen and the roads rough. The recent rains had washed away many bridges and cut deep gullies in the roads. Lieut. B. F Thompson, with a detail of thirty men of the 112th, was or-
175
OUR CHRISTMAS DINNER.
dered to proceed at once to Mckinney's Ford, on the Holston River, repairing the road and bridges on the way, and there scarp the river banks so the command could move down to and get out of the river, and keep the opposite landing in con- dition so the troops could move up the bank. In fording a river by cavalry. every horse carries out a little water, which drips upon the ground, and a hard, solid bank will soon be- come a quagmire, unless men are kept at work with shovels and spades to keep it in repair. The river was wide, the wa- ter deep, rapid and muddy, and it looked like a dubious un- dertaking to attempt to ford it; but it was successfully cross- ed, an'l the command then marched to New Market, on the railroad, where it arrived at 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
At 8 o'clock on the morning of the 24th Col. Girrard's brig- ade of cavalry, which was in advance, became engaged with the enemy and had some hard fighting. Our brigade occupied a position on a hill, on his right, and lay in line of battle all day, but was not engaged.
December 25th was anything but a "Merry Christmas" to our 112th boys. Roast turkey, plum puddings and pumpkin pies were not to be obtained. Instead, lhey dined on parched corn, or coin-bread baked in ashes. Canteens were split open and made into graters by punching holes with a bayonet, and the corn grated, as our mothers grated nutmegs, and the meal. mixed with nothing but water, made into bread. Our Christ- mas dinner was not sumptuous, but it was healthy. Having an opportunity to send to Knoxville, by a guard with prison- ers, the author, among others. sent for some salaratus, salt and pepper. These little condiments made the food more pal- atable, but they were expensive luxuries. The salaratus cost $1 per pound, the salt $1.25 per pound, and the pepper $1.50 per pound, in government greenbacks. Why the salt cost more than the salaratus no one but an army sutler can ex- plain.
The 112th occupied the position of the day before until two o'clock, when it was ordered to relieve the 65th Indiana, on picket at Flat Gap, four miles from New Market. A rebel force was at Dandridge, and their picket posts were within a mile of Flat Gap. One-half of the regiment remained under
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS,
arms all night in anticipation of an attack, but no hostile dem- onstrations were made by the enemy.
The regiment remained at Flat Gap, performing picket du- ty and foraging, until the afternoon of the 27th, when it rejoined the command at New Market, and the whole force immediate- ly marched to Mossy Creek, arriving there at 5 o'clock in the evening.
All was quiet on the 28th, but the brigade was kept in read- iness to march at a moment's notice.
Reveille at three o'clock on the morning of the 29th, and at five o'clock our brigade and the Second Division of cavalry proceeded to Dandridge, on the French Broad River. The Union force left at Mossy Creek was attacked during the day by a superior force of rebels, but after a hard fight the rebels were repulsed, and each side occupied its former position.
The Union loss was fifty killed and wounded.
The force at Dandridge started to return, but was cut off and compelled to go around by the way of Bay Mountain, and af- ter a hard march of twenty-four miles, in a heavy rain storm, arrived at Mossy Creek at eight o'clock in the evening.
The command was ordered to be prepared for any emergen- cy on the morning of the 30th-either to march or figlit, as might be required, but no demonstration was made on either side. The morning was clear and cold, but at dark it com- menced raining, and continued to rain constantly, accompan- ied by high, blustering winds, until early in the morning of the first day of January, 1864, when the wind suddenly chang- ed and the temperature fell to twenty-nine degrees below zero. The northi winds pierced like sharp knives, and nothing could be done but build great log fires and endeavor to keep warm.
The 112th remained at Mossy Creek until January 14th, do- ing picket duty and foraging for provisions. The weather was too cold for military movements, and by common consent Un- ion and rebel pickets frequently stacked their arms and built fires on the posts, and stood around them in the vain attempt to keep warm, until one side would warn the other to "look out."
Foraging parties were sent into the country daily, and fre- quent brisk skirmishes occurred between Union and rebel par-
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AT MOSSY CREEK AND DANDRIDGE.
ties for the possession of a mill or a corn crib, and it was no unusual occurrence for the forage trains to be driven into camp empty.
At 11 o'clock on the night of the 13th the command received orders to be ready to move at daylight on the following morn- ing, and the next day marched to Dandridge-twelve miles -- arriving there at noon. The enemy occupied the town. Com- panies B, C and D, of the 112th Illinois, were deployed as skirmishers, and, supported by the remainder of the regiment, attacked and drove the rebels out of town and pursued them three miles into the country. Returned and went into camp near town late in the evening.
Col. Henderson returned to the regiment on the 14th, and was assigned to the command of the brigade, and Lieut. Col. Bond assumed command of the regiment. Capt. Wright also returned about the same time.
A division of infantry, in command of Gen. Phil. H. Sheri- dan, arrived at Dandridge on the 15th. No fighting occurr- ed during the day. The rebels attacked the pickets at night but were driven off without loss.
Reveille at 4 o'clock on the morning of the 16th, and at seven the command moved to the front, Col. Adams' brigade in advance. Col. Adams met the enemy two miles out, ad- vancing in force. The 112th Illinois deployed as skirmishers, and attacked and drove in the enemy's skirmish line, and was then ordered to retire, and fell back to the line of infantry near town, closely pursued by the enemy. Gen. Sheridan then ad- vanced the infantry and drove the rebels back, and the 112th returned to camp.
The enemy advanced and attacked the Union skirmish line, just after noon, on Sunday, the 17th, and there was consider- able heavy fighting until dark. A large force of Longstreet's infantry was in our front, and Gen. Granger, in command of the Union troops, placed his divisions in position for a general battle, which it was expected would commence early on Mon- day mo ning-the 18th.
It was ascertained, however, that a heavy force of the enemy had gained possession of the fords on the river, and had cut off
-12
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
our lines of communication with Knoxville, at the same time threatening the latter place. To interpose the Union army between the rebel army and Knoxville was deemed a military necessity, but it could only be accomplished by a long detour to the north, by the way of Strawberry Plains, and thence down the Holston to Knoxville, and there recross the Holston south of the French Broad.
This Gen. Granger determined to do, and at 9 o'clock in the evening the whole command was ordered to move promptly at eleven o'clock. In the evening Capt. Otman, with his compa- ny, was ordered to occupy an advanced position on the main road, and to hold it until 4 o'clock the next morning, and then fall back slowly, holding the rebel cavalry in check until the army trains had crossed the Holston River near New Market. Capt. McCartney, with Co. G, in command of Lieut. Milchrist, and Co. B, in command of Lieut. Thompson, was also directed to occupy another position, near the left, and watch the ene- my's movements until 3 o'clock in the morning, unless sooner discovered, and then retire slowly and follow the main column.
The troops moved out at 11 o'clock, and marched all night and the next day ; crossed the Holston River six miles above Strawberry Plains on the 18th, and thence continued on to Strawberry Plains-arriving there at 8 o'clock in the evening. It rained nearly all the time and the roads were muddy and heavy, and the men and horses were completely worn out.
The column was again in motion at 7 o'clock on the morn- ing of the 19th, and arrived at Knoxville at six in the evening, and camped near the town. The horses had had no breakfast or dinner, and not a mouthful could be obtained at Knoxville, and the poor animals were in a pitiable condition.
Companies G and B remained in position at Dandridge, so near the rebel lines they could hear their conversation, until the sky in the east showed signs of daybreak, and then moved silently away and rejoined the command at Strawberry Plains the following evening. They found several boxes of new cloth- ing and blankets on the road, which some demoralized quar- ter-master had abandoned, and every man loaded his horse with all he could carry. The men were sadly in need of cloth- ing and blankets, and after supplying their own companies,
179
RETREATING TOWARD KNOXVILLE.
Capt. McCartney and Lieut. Thompson freely distributed the remainder among the most destitute men in the regiment. The quarter-master afterwards put in appearance and attempt- ed to make them account for the goods, but failed to do so.
Capt. Otman remained in position until 4 o'clock, and then fell back to Dandridge, where he found a number of stragglers from the Union army.
He started these off, and followed slowly, on the road tow- ards Strawberry Plains. At daylight the rebel cavalry ap- peared in sight and commenced firing. Capt. Otman took po- sition with his company and returned the fire, and brought them to a stand. Having a superior force, they threw down the fences and attempted to flank him, and not knowing how far he was from support, the captain fell back and took a new position, with the same experience as before. This was con- tinued all day until near night, when the company was so hard pressed that Gen. Willich, in charge of the supply and ammunition trains, sent the 10th Indiana infantry regiment to its support. Owing to the Coufederate cavalry being armed with carbines, their fire was comparatively harmless, as the long-range Enfield rifles kept them at a respectful distance. Serg. Gharrett's horse was shot under him, but none of the men were hit.
At night the company occupied a strong position in rear of Gen. Willich's brigade, and was not disturbed. The next day the company crossed the river. All the other troops and the trains had crossed, and rails were piled under the bridge ready to be fired, and the bridge was burned as soon as Co. E had crossed. The company then marched rapidly to Knoxville and there rejoined the regiment.
The 112th had several men wounded and captured in the operations about New Market, Mossy Creek and Dandridge, but the anthor has been unable to obtain the names or number of them. One man, William H. Buchanan of Co. C, was left sick at New Market, and believing he could not live, Lieut Pet- rie left money to pay his expenses and bury him. Bnt he was captured by the enemy, afterwards exchanged, and died in hospital at Baltimore, Md., on the 20th day of February, 1864.
The 112th Illinois, with other mounted troops, crossed the
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
river at Knoxville, at sunrise on the 20th of January, and pro- ceeded towards Sevierville, the county seat of Sevier County, south of the French Broad. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon bi- vouacked for the night in a country well supplied with corn and forage, and the horses fared sumptuously
Remained here until 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the 21st, when the men were each supplied with one hundred rounds of cartridges, and the command moved two miles beyond Sevier- ville and camped in a beautiful pine grove. Crossed the Pig- eon River at its forks at Sevierville and passed through Pigeon Valley -- equal in beauty to any in the country-a perfect Gar- den of Eden. It seemed a desecration for armed men, engag- ed in war, to trample upon its beauty and purity.
Moved at 9 o'clock on the 22nd, and marched eight miles to Fair Garden.
Our advance captured five rebel wagons and the guard of twenty men.
On the 23d captured a train of eleven wagons and seventy prisoners.
The country abounded with corn and forage and water, and it was not surprising that the rebel cavalry were unwilling to leave it.
On the 24th the command moved back two miles on the Sevierville road ; and on the 25th retired to within three miles of Sevierville and camped near Dr. Hodgeden's place on Pig- eon River.
Col. Henderson's official report of the operations of his bri- gade, consisting of the 112th Illinois and 8th Michigan caval- ry, on the 26th, 27th and 28th of January, contains a full his- tory of the movements of the 112th during that time, and is as follows :
"H'D QRS. 2ND BRIG. 1ST DIV. CAV. CORPS, ARMY OF THE OHIO, Maryville, Tenn., February 4, 1864.
LIEUTENANT :
I have the honor respectfully to submit the following report of the part which my brigade, composed of the 112th Illinois Volunteer Mounted Infantry and the 8th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, took in the cavalry engagements above
181
COL. HENDERSON'S REPORT.
Sevierville on the 26th, 27th and 28th days of January, 1864:
On the morning of the 26th of January, under orders from Col. Wolford, in command of the 1st Division Cavalry Corps, I moved my brigade, in rear of the 1st Brigade, commanded by Lieut. Col. Adams, from near Dr. Hodgeden's, where we were then in camp, to Fowler's, on the road from Sevierville to Fair Garden. We arrived at Fowler's about 12 o'clock M., and halted.
About 3 o'clock p. m. our pickets were attacked by the ene- my approaching from the direction of Fair Garden.
Under orders from Col. Wolford I immediately formed the 112th Illinois in line, on the right of the 1st Brigade, holding the 8th Michigan cavalry in reserve.
The enemy drove in our pickets and skirmishers rapidly, and soon firing was heavy all along our line. At this time, fearing the left of our line was exposed, by direction of Col. Wolford part of the 8th Michigan cavalry was sent to picket the Dandridge road in our rear, and the rest to cover the left of our line and guard against any movement of the enemy from that direction, but, as I learn from Major Edgerly, command- ing the 8th Michigan, before he got his men in position the en- emy had already succeeded in flanking us on the left.
They had penetrated through the woods and down a ravine, when, with a yell, they opened up a heavy fire and seemed to be making for our horses. The left of our line now gave way and fell back hastily to their horses. The 112th Illinois and 11th Kentucky cavalry maintained their position firmly until ordered by Col. Wolford to fall back and mount, which was done in good order ; and then, by direction of Col. Wolford, I moved back across Flat Creek and to the gap, where eiglit com- panies of the 112th Illinois were dismounted and formed in line on the hill to hold the enemy in check and cover the retreat of our forces, which they did in a gallant manner, holding their positions until all had passed through the gap.
The enemy did not pursue us further, and by orders we then moved back on the Sevierville road, to within about two miles of Sevierville, and went into camp.
I have no means of knowing what command of the enemy we were engaged with, its strength, or what punishment was
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
inflicted upon it. In my command four were wounded in the 112th Illinois-three severely and one slightly. None in the 8th Michigan.
On the morning of the 27th of January we moved back to the gap at Flat Creek, under orders from Col. Wolford-my brigade in the advance-but found no enemy. After remain- ing in position some two hours, I was ordered to move my bri- gade in rear of Lieut. Col. Adams' to Dickey's, some three miles from Sevierville, and near which place Col. McCook's division had engaged the enemy. Col. McCook's division was driving the enemy handsomely when we arrived upon the ground, and continued to do so during the day. The only part my brigade had in the movements of the day was the dis- mounting of the 112th Illinois and moving it up in the center to fill an opening between the right and left of Col. McCook's line, and to guard against any reverse that might befall Col. LaGrange's brigade on the left ; but the gallantry of Col. Mc- Cook's command gave us no opportunity to unload our rifles. We, however, occupied during the night, with orders to hold, the last position from which the enemy had been gloriously driven, where a battle-flag, two pieces of artillery and a num- ber of prisoners had been captured, and where the lamented Lieut. Col. Leslie of the 4th Indiana cavalry had fallen while leading a gallant and successful saber charge upon the enemy.
On the 28th of January we moved early in the morning to Fair Garden and on the road to Dandridge, to a point near Kelly's Ford, where we found the enemy in a strong position and fortified. Here, under orders from Col. Wolford, we dis- mounted and formed in line-my brigade on the right of the 1st Brigade, and the 112th Illinois on the extreme right. We were then ordered to advance, charge the enemy and drive him from the hill. The men advanced gallantly to within thirty or forty yards of the enemy, who lay on a crest of a hill extend- ing around our entire front in crescent form, and behind tem- porary breast works made of logs, when the enemy poured a terr fie fire upon us and checked our advance ; in fact the line for a moment fell back a little, but the men soon rallied and held their position for more than two hours and until ordered to fall back. In the fight the men were much exposed. As I
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KILLED AND WOUNDED.
have said, the hill occupied by the enemy was in the form of a crescent, and as we advanced within the circle of it, our front not being sufficient to cover that of the enemy, we were expos- ed to an enfilading fire on both flanks as well as a heavy fire in front. Yet both officers and men behaved well and fought bravely until the order came to fall back.
Our loss must have been heavy but for the density of the timber. As it was the 112th Illinois lost one killed and seven- teen wounded, including four commissioned officers, and one missing, supposed to have been killed.
The loss of the 8th Michigan was two wounded.
I attach hereto a complete list of the casualties as they oc- curred in the several engagements.
Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant,
THOMAS J. HENDERSON, Col. Comd'g
To Lieut. W. B. Smith, A. A. A. G., 1st Div. Cav. Corps."
The casualties of the 112th Illinois, as reported by Col. Hen- derson, were as follows :
At Flat Creek, January 26, th Corporal Joseph Mitchell of Co. I, Morris C. Lampson of Co. E, and Robert Alexander of Co. B, severely wounded; and William C. Lopeman of Co. B, slightly wounded. Robert Alexander died of his wounds, at Knoxville, on the 16th of May, 1864.
At Kelly's Ford, January 28th :
Killed-Benjamin Brown of Co. D.
Wounded-Capt. John L. Dow and John C. Troyer of Co. A.
Serg. Bushrod Tapp, slightly, and Job. C. Mahaffey, of Co. F.
Capt. A. A. Dunn, severely, Serg. David H. Payton, severe- ly, Paul G. Kilby, mortally-died March 11; Charles D. Knapp, Corporal Franklin Buckley and Adam Body, all severely, of Co. D.
Lieut. A. P. Petrie, severely, and Corporal Martin L. Vin- cent, of Co. C.
Lieut. Jesse Newman and 1st Serg. William K. Wight, both severely, of Co. H.
Joseph Sparks of Co. E.
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
Corporal John Humphrey of Co. G.
Corporal Jolin Olenburg, slightly, of Co. B.
Missing-Corporal Charles B. Valentine of Co. A.
Corporal Valentine, reported by Col. Henderson as missing, was killed.
Corporal Franklin Buckley, Paul G. Kilby and Charles D. Knapp, all of Co. D, were left in a building near the field of battle ; all three were too severely wounded to be moved, and Edward O'Brien, of the same company, was left to take care of them. They were captured by the rebels the next morning and guards placed over Buckley, Kilby and Knapp, and they were left in care of the citizens where they had sought shelter. Kilby died of his wounds on the 11th of March, 1864. Corpo- ral Buckley recovered from his wounds and made his escape on the 10th of March.
Charles D. Knapp was supposed to be mortally wounded. The citizens where he was left offered to take care of him, and as the rebels supposed he would certainly die they withdrew their guards and let him remain. But lie declined to die, re- covered from his wounds, and was secreted in the mountains and protected by Union citizens from the guerrillas who intest- ed the country and murdered many Unionists, and inhumanly butchered every Union soldier that fell into their hands. He finally made his escape through the rebel lines on the 22nd day of May, 1864, by floating down the French Broad River in a canoe to Knoxville.
Edward O'Brien was taken, with other prisoners, to Dand- ridge, and confined in the "nigger jail" at that place. The next day they were marched sixteen miles to Morristown, with- out having had a mouthful to eat since their capture. Among the prisoners were eight "home guards", dressed in "home- spun", whom the rebels denominated "bush-whackers", who claimed to be Union men-loyal Tennesseans. They were or- dered to step out of the ranks, were formed in line beside the road, and shot dead ; and the column then moved on and left them lying where they fell-to be buried by citizens or to rot on the ground -- the rebels cared not which.
The prisoners were taken to Richmond ; and as they were marched down the street by Libby Prison, O'Brien saw Lieut.
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A PRISONER'S ADVENTURES.
Griffin of his own company (who had been captured at Knox- ville,) looking out through the bars. He called to him and endeavored to attract tlie lieutenant's attention ; but a rebel guard threatened to blow his brains out if lie did not keep still, and O'Brien very discreetly subsided and marched on.
The prisoners were confined in the Pemberton building, near Libby, two days, and then turned upon Belle Isle, in mid-win- ter, half-clothed, and without tents or blankets-the rebels liaving robbed them of hats, boots, overcoats and blankets. In March, O'Brien and his squad were removed to Andersonville, where O'Brien attempted to make his escape, but was over- hauled and recaptured by blood-hounds. In the following September they were removed to Charleston, S. C. While marching through the city O'Brien fainted and fell by the way- side, completely unconscious. When he returned to con- sciousness he was lying under a palmetto tree attended by a Sister of Mercy-not a guard in sight. He believes this lady saved liis life. After his recovery O'Brien was sent to Flor- ence, S. C. In December, 1864, the rebel officers sent a squad of Union prisoners, under guard, to Charleston, after more sick and wounded prisoners, and O'Brien volunteered to accom- pany tlem. They were require I to sign a parole before start- ing ; but on the 27th of December O'Brien and two others broke their paroles and ma le their escape. They made their way to Savannah, Ga., and there joined Sherman's army, and thence marched with Sherman north, through the Caro- linas, to Goldsboro, where O'Brien and the other 112th men rejoined the regiment. About sixty escaped prisoners joined Sherman's army at Savannah, among them Wesley Crigler, of Co. C, of the 112th. He and O'Brien were hiding in the swamps, near together, several days before they entered Sa- vannah, but neither one knew of the other's presence.
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