USA > Illinois > History of the 112th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in the great war of the rebellion, 1862-1865 > Part 4
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Co. F had lost the first enlisted man by death, and now it gave th . first offi er-First Lieut. Robert. E. Westfall-to the grim messenger whom we all fear yet none can escape.
He died at Somerset, after a severe illness, on the 16th of
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TOWARD EAST TENNESSEE.
June. He was an efficient and faithful officer, respected by all who knew him for liis sterling integrity and conscientious per- formance of duty, and his death was sincerely inourned by ev- ery man in tlie regiment, and especially by the members of Co. F, who knew his worth better than others.
Second Lieut. James G. Armstrong was promoted to fill the vacancy, and Sergeant George C. Maxfield was promoted to the second lieutenancy.
Two divisions of the 9th Corps were temporarily detached from the Army of the Ohio and ordered to Vicksburg to rein- force Gen. Grant, who still pounded away upon that rebel stronghold ; our armies in Virginia were about to make an- other effort to reach the Confederate capital, and Gen. Burn- side undertook to destroy one important interior line of com- munication between the two great rebel armies -- the Tennes- see, Virginia and Georgia Railroad-and at the same time des- troy the vast stores of army supplies accumulated by the en- emy in East Tennessee.
CHAPTER V
THE SAUNDER'S RAID IN EAST TENNESSEE, MAJOR DOW'S REPORT.
On the 10th of June, five officers and two hundred men - -- twenty from eich ;company -- of the 112sh Illinois, under the command of Capt. Dunn, with similar detachments from the other mounted regiments at Somerset, all under command of Major Dow, of the 112th, were ordered to report to Col. Saun- ders, and accompany him upon the contemplated raid into East Tennessee.
"For rapidity of movement, marching over mountains, and swimming rivers by day and night, and for successful execu- tion, baffling the enemy, doing him a great amount of damage, finally escaping from a vastly superior force, where every mountain gap was supposed to be securely guarded, this raid stands among the most brilliant of the war. It severely test- ed the courage and endurance ot the officers and men who par- ticipated in it."-(Adjutant General's Reports, State of Illinois.) The following is Major Dow's report of the expedition, made to Col. Henderson, after his return :
"HEADQUARTERS, 112TH REGIMENT, ILLS. VOLS., Danville, Ky., July 12, 1863.
SIR :- I have the honor to submit the following report of the late expedition into Tennessee under Col. Saunders, so far as relates to the detachment from the 112th, Ill., Vol. Infantry, accompanying the command, under Capt. Dunn.
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MAJOR DOW'S REPORT.
"June 10, 1863. Two hundred of the 112th, Ill, Vol., one hundred and fifty of the 2nd Ohio Cavalry, one hundred and fifty of the 7th Ohio Cavalry, and one hundred of the 1st Ken- tucky Cavalry, left Somerset, Kentucky, undler orders from Brig. Gen. Carter to report to Col. Saunders, or in his absence to Col. Byrd at Mt. Vernon, Kentucky.
"The detachment from the 112th was made up by details from Companies A, and F, commanded by Lieut. Dow, Co. D, Lieut. Griffin, Co's. G, and I, Capt. M.Cartney. Co. C, Lieut. Petrie, Co. H, Lieut. Newman. Co. E, Lieut. Brown and Co. B, Lieut. Gudgel, Assistant Surgeon Jones, Hospital Stew- ard Johnson, and five hospital attaches, one ambulance, and two teams loaded with forage.
"The men were provided with three days rations, eighty rounds of cartridges, and two extra horse shoes each.
"We reached Mt. Vernon at 12 o'clock at night and encamp- edl one mile west of town. Reported to Col. Byrd, Col. Saun- ders not being there.
"June 11 .- By order of Col. Byrd, we moved three miles east of town and encamped on Gen. Bragg's old camping ground.
"June 12 .- We remained in camp awaiting Col. Saunder's arrival.
"June 13 .- Col. Saunders arrived last night. We were or- dered to draw ten days rations and eight days forage ; three pack mules were furnished to each one hundred men, to beled until our transportation should be sent back, and to be in read- iness to move by daylight the next morning.
"June 14 .- We marched twenty eight miles to Laurel Creek, and encamped ; the latter part of the day, and during the night it rained heavily ; having no tents we passed an uncom- fortable night.
"June 15 .- We started at sunrise and marched twenty four miles, encamped two miles this side of the Cumberland River. Here all the teams were unloaded and sent back and the pack mules loaded with forage. What could not be put upon them, together with rations issued to the men, was carried upon the horses.
"June 16. Forded the Cumberland River this morning at Williamsburg, -- the river shallow and easily forded-taking the
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
Huntsville route to Tennessee. Col. Gilbert passed this place late last evening with portions of the 44th Ohio Volunteers, and 9th Ohio Cavalry and four pieces of Kumkle s Battery, taking the road to Big Creek Gap, designing to make a diver- sion in our favor. We subsequently learned that this gap was taken without serious resistance, but not held by Col. Gilbert. We marched this day twenty-five miles over mountains and unfrequented roads. if being often necessary to clear the path of fallen trees, and to detail men to push ambulances up the steep mountains. On this day commenced the toil and fatigue endured by officers and men, as well as horses on this raid.
"June 17 .--- We started this morning at four o'clock and con- tinned the march until 9 at night, without feeding, when the fired horses were turned into a small lot to graze, with orders not to unsaddle, and to be in readiness to march at one o'clock in the morning. At this place spies were sent forward to Lou- don Bridge, with instructions to march the entire night, and after obtaining the necessary information to re,oin us the fel- lowing night,
"June 18 .- - Marched at one o'clock in the morning and reach- edl Montgomery at nine; passing through this place without halting, in order to surprise the enemy at Watburg, one mile beyond. We captured here one hundred and seven rebels, a lot of ammunition, small arms, spades, axes, several mule teams, and forty horses. We had one man belonging to the 2nd Ohio cavalry shot through the hand, and two horses killed.
"After paroling the prisoners moved two miles south of town and halted one hour to graze the horses. Some of the rebels who escaped from Watburg, carried the news of our approach to Kingston -being the first certain news the enemy had of our coming. While here the advance of Pegram's force, forty-five hundred strong, entered Watburg, cutting off one man of the 1st Kentucky cavalry, who had been sent back on some errand.
"This afternoon we were forced to abandon several korses and were much fatigued. We reached Clinch River at dark. The river at this place is difficult and dangerous to ford, espe- cially for troops unacquainted and in the night. It was elev- en o'clock at night before we had all forded i, wetting many of our cartridges, losing a few hams, and spoiling most of our
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MAJOR DOW'S REPORT.
hard bread ; remained here one hour to feed the horses.
"June 19 .- At midnight we heard the bugle s u id the ad- vance in silence, and with heavy hearts. We had left five of our brave comrades sleeping in the Clinch River, that sleep which knows no waking. May their friends be comforted : they had lett their homes at their country's call, but they will never return. Peace be to their ashes. At one o'clock in the morning the column halted by the road side an I fed horses without unsaddling. We were now near London Bridge. Col. Saunders here received information that the bridge was de- tended by four thousand troops, ten batteries, and strongly fortified. He decided not to attack the place. At seven o'clock the column was in motion. Leaving London Bridge two and a half miles to our right, we entered Lenoir at eleven o'clock, having destroyed three pieces of artillery, found abandoned on the road to this place. We captured one hundred and forty prisoners, and burned a depot containing two pieces of cannon and large quantities of small arms and ammunition, cut tele- graph wires and destroyed the railroad track for some distance.
"We lett Lenoir at noon and reached Knoxville, twenty-four miles from Lenoir, at dark. The road lel directly through the town ; it was thought necessary by our commanding offic- ers to attack the place from the opposite side, so that in case of failure we could continue the march up the railroad to Straw- berry Plains. The entire night was occupied in moving around the place, over an unfrequented path. and the night very dark. The column was broken in consequence of an ambulance hav- ing upset, leaving the 112th Illinois and the 14th Kentucky cavalry without a guide ; the ambulance being badly broken it was abandoned. We had considerable firing with the enemy s pickets during the night, while endeavoring to find the rest of the command ; we did not find them until daylight. Dr. Ba- ker was killed on this day by an advance guard.
"June 20th .- Attacked Knoxville, but tound the enemy too strong, and after one and a half hours sharp firing, chiefly ar- tillery. were drawn off in good shape, the 112th lllinois bring- ing up the rear. Our casualties were, one man mortally wounded, one captain and one lieutenant severely, all from other detachments, and several horses killed, and one man
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS,
from the 112th Illinois missing. We captured forty prisoners and some fifty horses. Our rear was considerably annoyed by Scott's cavalry for several miles.
"At McMillan's Station the depot was burned without halt- ing the column, as were also two railroad bridges, and Flat Creek bridge, a large fine covered structure thirteen miles from Knoxville. Crossed Holston River two miles from Strawberry Plains, and reached the latter place at 4 o'clock in the after- noon, distance seventeen miles. After a short engagement the enemy hung out the white flag. We here burned one of the largest bridges in East Tennessee, several rebel store houses containing clothing and grain, captured one hundred and fifty prisoners, four pieces of artillery and a quantity of small arms and ammunition.
"June 21st. At 4o'clock in the morning again under march, passing through New Market without stopping, except a sn all detail to burn the railroad cars at this station. Arrived at Mossy Creek station at about 11 o'clock, fifteen miles from Strawberry Plains. A fine railroad bridge was burned her .. and a store house filled with corn, from which the horses were fed and each man carried away all he could for future use. There were, however, many who preferred to load their hose; with tobacco-a large quantity being found here - believing this weed of more advantage to them than forage for their ex- hausted horses. There were none of this class in the 112th Illinois.
"We here left the railroad and started homeward. Two and a half miles from1-Mossy Creek, the machinery in Ratton Howell's factory. now working for the Southern Confederacy. was destroyed. We reached ('linch Mountain about 7 o'clock in the morning where we found Scott's cavalry prepared to dis- pute our entrance of the gap leading over the mountain. They were soon driven away, with the loss of five men captured, but followed us until we crossed the Cumberland Mountains, fre- quently attacking our rear. We toiled all night, making but ten miles. During the night we took a train of loaded wagons and thirty prisoners.
"June 22nd. This morning Capt. Hurst was shot near Clinch River. After fording this stream, the horses were fed while
47
MAJOR DOW'S REPORT.
saddled and in column, and the men hastily ate whatever they had remaining of their rations. After a brief stop we moved on, fording Powell River about noon. At three o'clock in the afternoon Col. Saunders rode back to the head of my command and informed me that the enemy were at Rodgers' Gap-the one through which we intended to pass-in large force, and ordered me to send my detachments, the 112th Illinois in ad- vance, over a by-path, guided by Sergt. Reynolds, while he saw the section of artillery spiked and carriage destroyed.
"Although the head of the column was near and in sight of the enemy. this was successfully accomplished; the guide leading the column through heavy timber and again striking the road about four miles from where wehad left it and oppo- site Smith's Gap; the route traveled, however, was seven miles. It seems they had tried to guard all these passes, for we here found some cavalry drawn up in front of this pass. The 112th Illinois and the 45th Ohio were dismounted, and one volley sent them rapidly down the road. These two de- tachments were ordered to mount and skirmish through the timber between our forcos and the base of the mountain, to ascertain if any rebel force was concealed there; none being found, the order was given to move up the mountain. The men little knew what going up a mountain meant. The 45th Ohio took the advance, the 112th Illinois next. I did not go up with them, but waited for the 2nd Ohio Cavalry, under my command, and then in the rear. I did not again see Captain Dunn or the main body of the 112th Illinois until we reached Kentucky.
"There was considerable firing between the rear of. our forces and the enemy, who had now arrived in force. The mountain was exceedingly steep. Many horses, already worn out by the wearisome march, here failed entirely. The path, as darkness came on, could not be followed, and the different detachments became mixed up and many lost their way entirely. It was said by Col. Saunders that we should rest upon the mountain during the night, yet for some reason unknown to me, there was little if any halt made, leaving those whose horses had given out, and many who had lost their way in the darkness and were now unable to move in any direction, under the be-
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
lief that at day-light they would be able to find their com- mands.
"June 23rd. In the morning I was informed by one of the 112th Illinois that the main body had not made any stop the night before. We at once moved down the east side of the mountain, and after traveling about two miles came to a house. We here met Capt. McCartney and many other; from the sev- eral detachments. We procured a guide and halted unt I two o'clock in the afternoon, when we had collected one hundred and sixty enlisted men and officers. About one-third had abandoned their arms. None were left after joining us. We left the place at two o'clock, and encamped six miles east of Boston. During the night two girls accompanied by a man came into camp and informed us that a large body of mount- ed rebels were within one and a half miles of us feeding their horses ; they, however, did not discover us.
"June 24th. We continued our toilsome march over s'en mountains, and during a heavy rain, without food, until June 26th, when we reached London. We here found rations, and rested one day, joining our command at Lancaster. The offi- cers and men endured the fatigue and dangers attending the raid bravely and cheerfully.
"Respectfully, THIS. T. Dow,
Major commanding detachment from Somerset, Kentucky.
To Col. Thomas J. Henderson, Commanding 112th Illinois Mounted Infantry."
The men drowned in Clinch River were, First Sergeant Amos C. Holden, Corporal Edwin F Hunt and Thomas H. Kilby, of Co. D, George C. Wood, of Co. C, and Thomas T. White, of Co. F
Sergt. Holden had been recommended for promotion to a lieutenancy in his company, and his commission was received at headquarters the day after the expedition left Somerset, but was never received by nim. He was a brave, generous, noble- hearted young man, as, indeed, were his four unfortunate com- rades who perished with him. They died for their country, while engaged in the line of duty-a perilous duty- and their names are entitled to a place upon the roll of honor with those who fell upon the field of battle. Many times the following
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DROWNED AND CAPTURED.
winter the 112th Illinois crossed the rapid and dangerous (I'nch, but never without gazing sorrowfully and regretfully upon the watery graves of their departed comrades.
Others of the 112th lost their way and floundered in deep water, but fortunately escaped drowning-some of them very 1. arrowly, however.
The 112th Illinois also lost nine men captured by the ene- my on this rail : Addison C. Le mard and He ury Moyer, of Co. A. Stephen Roberts, William W Cowden and Jeruel B. Whit- ny, of Co. D, Corporal Andrew Kamerer, of Co. F, George Ritchie, of Co. H, James S. Riggs, of Co. K and Joseph C. Johnson, hospital steward. Johnson, Cowden, Whitney and Riggs were connecte ! with the hospital department, and were captured at Chiller's Gap, on the 22nd of June, and taken back to Knoxville. The prisoners were confined in jail at Knoxville with a lot of Unionists and deserters from the rebel army, and thence sent to Lynchburg, Va., and thence to Richmond, where they were paroled July 11, 1863, and sent to City Point, and from there to Parole Camp at St. Louis, where they were ex- changed Sept. 10, 1833, and rejoined the regiment at Bean's Station, East Tennessee, on December 14th, 1863.
James Patten, of Co. D, was severely wounded in both hands by a rebel "bushwhacker." Several others were wounded, as also some of those captured, but the author has been unable to obtain their names.
The Dr. Baker referred to in Major Dow's report was Dr. Harvey Baker, a Confederate citizen residing a few miles be- low Knoxville. A Confederate scouting party, in command of Capt. Wiggs, occupied a position near Baker's house, and as Col. Saunder's troops advanced, fired upon them. The Fed- erals advanced rapidly and Wiggs retreated. It was charged by the Union troops that Baker stood in his vard and fired up- on them as they advanced, and that they shot him in retalia- tion.
In a Confederate account of the affair, before me, this is de- nied ; but it is admitted that Baker did fire upon the Union troops, but it is claimed not until they opened fire upon him. It is also admitted that shots were fired from near
- 4
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
where he was standing before the Union troops fired, but these, it is said, came from Confederate soldiers, although, it is stat- ed, the Union soldiers might easily have believed they came from Baker, as he had a gun in his hands at the time. It is very probable that Baker fired the first shot, and that the Un- ion soldiers were justified in killing him on the spot.
The following article is taken from a Knoxville paper of June 24, 1863 :
"THE RAIDERS."
"We have no official news of the Yankee raiders in their ro- treat, after the destruction of the bridges and private property at Mossy Creek, save that they had passed through Powder Springs Gap of Clinch Mountain into Powell's Valley, closely pursued by Scott's cavalry. Various rumors were in circula- tion on the streets last night, among others that Scott had captured their artillery, that they were flying in great confus- ion, and were abandoning not only their plunder, but even their own equipments, in their haste to get out. The general belief, however, founded on all reports, is, that owing to the jaded condition of the pursuing cavalry, and the absence of any Confederate forces in front of the enemy, they will make good their return to Kentucky with no great loss."
The paper contains several communications in relation to "the infamous Yankee raiders," and all were very bitter in their denunciations of Cool. R. K. Byrd, whose home was at Kingston, bat who had been driven out of East Tennessee be- cause of his loyalty to the Union ; and who accompanied the raiders with his regiment, the 1st East Tennessee, compos- e l of Union refugees, like himself, and who undoubtedly im- proved the opportunity to pay off old scores.
CHAPTER VI.
GUARDING THE CUMBERLAND-EXPEDITIONS TO HARRODSBURG AND LEBANON. CAPT. DUNN S REPORT.
On the 10th of June-the same day the expedition started for East Tennessee-another detachment of about two hun- dred men from the 112th Illinois, under command of Lieut. Col. Bond, was ordered to report, with one day's rations, for a reconnoissance on the Cumberland : but on arriving at head- quarters, the order was countermanded, and the whole detail ordered on picket, to relieve the men of other regiments under marching orders.
During the night of June 17th. the regiment received orders to be rea ly to march at 6 o clock the next morning, with eight day's rations, and all the sick were sent off to Camp Nelson : but after several hours of hard work in making preparations to move, the order was countermandel.
So many troops had been withdrawn from Somerset that it required heavy details from the remaining regiments to per- form picket duty, and the officers and men of the 112th were "on picket" nearly all the time : but as the weather was warm the duty was not excessively arduous.
On the 27th a detachment of one hundred and fifty men and five officers of Co's. A, F, C. G and B, in command of Capt. W W Wright, was ordered to the Cumberland River, nearly op- posite Mill Springs, to guard the crossing's in that vicinity The detachment marched at 8 o clock in the evening, in the midst of a heavy shower, and in darkness so black and dense
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
that nothing could be seen. Capt. Wright was unacquainted with the road, and at his request Lieut. Mitchell, of Co. C, who had been over the road several times, led the way with his company and the others followed. The detachment reached Fishing Creek, a roaring little stream, about twelve niles from Somerset, at 2 o'clock. The water was too high to ford and the detachment halted and established a reserve in the timber about a mile from the old Zollicoffer fortifications, threw out pickets on several roads and fords, and remained there until the next day and then proceeded to the Cumberland.
On the 3d of July the detachment was joined by Capt. Sroufe with Co. H. The detachment remained there, guarding the crossings on the river and scouting up and down its banks, and eating blackberries, which grew in great abundance, until the 5th, when it withdrew to Fishing Creek.
In the meantime many of the troops had been withdrawn from Somerset, and Col. Henderson was in command of the Post. The following communication, addressed to Capt. W W Wright, will explain why the detachment was withdrawn from the river :
"HEADQUARTERS 112TH ILL. VOL. INFT Y, Somerset, Ky., July 5, 1863.
CAPT .-
I am directed by Col. Henderson to say that you will at once withdraw the pickets in your command from Mill Springs and vicinity. You will leave one company of at least fifty men at Fishing Creek, and the balance of your detach- ment will at once return to camp. The company at Fishing Creek will be left under a competent officer, and say, one or two lieutenants. They will be instructed to be very vigilant and to scout the vicinity of their station anl the creek fre- quently and thoroughly. Rations will be sent to you at Fish- ing Creek for two days for fifty men.
Very Resp'y,
H. W WELLS, Adj't., 112th Ill."
The detachment arrived at Fishing Creek after dark, and leaving Lieuts. Davenport and Thompson, with fifty men, to guard the crossing, proceeded to Somerset.
53
BETHEL CHURCH.
The next day Lieut. Davenport with one-half the men scout- ed toward the Cumberland in the direction of Mill Springs, and on their return Lieut. Thompson, with twenty men, scout- el on other roads leading to the river. In the evening Lieut. Davenport received the following communication from Col. Henderson, which explains itself :
"HEADQUARTERS U S. FORCES, Somerset, Ky., July 6, 1863.
LIEUr. T. F DAVENPORT,
Commanding Pickets at Fishing Creek :
It is rumored that the rebels are at Mill Springs, and have been crossing the river, though I can hardly believe it to be so, but have thought proper to advise you of the rumor, and to urge upon you that you be vigilant, and that you give me ear- ly information of any movement in that direction. You had better patrol the road well in the direction of Mill Springs and ascertain if any rebels shall be attempting to cross there, and give me information.
THOS. J. HENDERSON, Col. Commanding Post."
The detachment moved back upon a hill, at the intersection of two roads, and occupied a position at and around Bethel Church, leaving a picket at the creek and patrolling both roads.
Bethel Church was a log structure of the most primitive style, with no floor, and with openings in the walls for doors and windows. An old lady in the vicinity informed us that she had "hearn tell" that there was a church at Mill Springs with real glass windows, but she had never seen such a church. The author met an old man, eighty-four years of age, who was born and had always resided in the house in which he then liv- ed. He had never visited Somerset, the county seat, fourteen miles from his farm, and had no idea as to the size of the town. He said, with considerable pride, that he had been to Mill Springs -seven miles-"five or six times" in his life, but he had not been there for twelve years. That had been the ex- tent of his travels. He had learned, in some way, that there was a war, but he knew no more about its cause, or the parties to it, or of the history aud events of the times, than a govern- ment mule. When offered pay for a very good dinner, he de-
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