USA > Illinois > History of the 112th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in the great war of the rebellion, 1862-1865 > Part 8
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The people all along the route, and more particularly at this place, greeted us with shouts of applause, while they waved the dear old flag-the stars and the stripes-to the breeze, which they had been compelled under rebel rule to hide so long. It was indeed a day of rejoicing for the loyal citizens of East
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
Tennessee. For, simultaneously with the movements of this brigade, other troops moved over the various roads leading to the railroad, thus delivering the noble patriots of this country from the tyranny of King Davis."
"A STAMPEDE."
"On the news of our occupying this portion of the State, a stampede which must have been ludicrous, occurred among the Confedcrate soldiers and citizens. For some days they had been expecting a call, but were not certain that we would favor them. Although they apparently had everything in readiness, and the officers of the Confederate army who were fortunate enough to have sweethearts had bade them farewell, yet there was a hurrying to and fro ; the cry was "They come, they come." Much surprise is manifested that the Confeder- ates did not show fight. Our boys expected to have a little set to, but were disappointed.
"It is surprising to us that these men who have always tra- duced the character of the Union army, called them ruthless invaders, plunderers, robbers, etc., went off, making good their escape, but leaving their wives and daughters to the mercy of these "terrible Yankees." The very fact of their leaving them here alone is sufficient evidence that they did not believe what they said in regard to the savage nature of our boys.
"We believe their families are well satisfied with the treat- ment they receive from the Federal army, and do not find them such brutes as they had been represented. There are very strong symptoms of tender regard springing up between the southern ladies and the Federal boys, and if the Confeder- ates do not drive our army away from here, the ladies will all return to the Union- not only a Union of States, but a union of hearts and a union of hands. How pleasant will be the restoration of such a Union."
'WHO STEALS THE NEGROES ?"
"Thic Union army has been accused of being negro stealers. But we would ask our friends who believe the statement -- who it was that ran the negroes, belonging both to Union men and to Confederates, into Georgia ? Was it the "Yankees ?" Is
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WHO STEALS THE NEGROES.
not that property safer under Union than under rebel rule ? Then who are your friends-those you have upheld and sup- ported, or those you have learned to call your enemies ?
"Let it be distinctly understood hereafter that the North does not want your slaves. They would gladly give you a quitclaim deed-if they could do so -- of all their right and tit- le, and send all there is north of the Ohio River back south. You have only cut your own throats in attempting to dissolve this Union, thinking that you would have better protection thrown around that kind of property."
"THE RECEPTION AT ATHENS.'
"Last Thursday morning this brigade, the first, broke camp at Prigmore's farm and started for this place. The 8th Mich. Cavalry took the advance. About three o'clock in the after- noon they entered this patriotic town amid the waving of flags, the shouts of the people and a shower of bouquets.
"Union flags, that these long suffering people had secreted in their houses, were flung to the breeze, and there was a gen- eral time of rejoicing. The ladies, God bless them, greeted us with smiles as well as sweet flowers. It was indeed an inter- esting occasion, and one that the soldiers, as well as the citi- zens, will long remember. We little dreamed when we were traversing those lonely Cumberland Mountains, weary and ofttimes without food, that we should be so amply repaid for the hardships we endured. It reminded us of home, and the enthusiasm which prevailed there when regiment after regi- ment left for the seat of war to battle for the restoration of our noble government. In fact we have not witnessed such en- thusiasm, and such demonstrations since we crossed the Ohio River.
"It is cheering to our noble soldiers to know that the people here are grateful for their deliverance from the despotic yoke of Jeff Davis' bogus Confederacy It is admitted even by those who have been the warm supporters and admirers of the would be Confederate Government, that their rights as citizens, and their property are better protected now than under the rule of the rebels.
"Patriots of East Tennessee, you have our warmest sympa-
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
thy, and our highest admiration for your true and lasting de- votion to your country. Future history will recount your sut- ferings and praise your patriotism. We thank you for your kind reception, and believe us when we say that we will fight to protect you and your homes with renewed vigor. Your no- ble conduct has increased our determination to keep the proud stars and stripes waving over your homes."
"TO THE FARMERS."
The farmers living in this vicinity who have forage or pro- visions to sell, and who like "greenbacks" better than Confed- erate scrip, can readily dispose of everything in tliat line to the army for a good price.
"Lieut. Humphrey, brigade quarter-master, attends to the buying of and receipting for all torage, and Lieut. Davenport, brigade commissary, will purchase all articles in the provision line and receipt for the same.
"The disbursing officer will pay all receipts given by the above officers, on presentation at Knoxville. Bring in your potatoes, flour, meal, bacon, beef-cattle, etc., and get your money."
"OUR TYPOS."
"We are under great obligations to Serg. Edwin Butler, of the 112th Regiment Illinois Infantry, and Serg. F H. Morse, Serg. Charles A. Wing and Oscar F Morse, of the 8th Mich. Cavalry, tor their valuable assistance in issuing this paper."
"Capt. McCartney, of the 112th Regiment Illinois Mounted Infantry, and now A. A. A. G. on Col. Byrd's staff, will accept our thanks for news items furnislied us for publication. Fur- ther favors will be acceptable."
CHAPTER X.
OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN IN EAST TENNESSEE. ADVANCE AND RETREAT.
Upon the arrival of the brigade at Athens, Capt. J. E. Wil- kins, of the I12th, was appointed Provost Marshal, and his company(I) was detailed as Provost Guard; and during the campaign in East Tennessee the company was on duty at headquarters whenever there was any service required of it there; at other times in line with the regiment. Its service consisted principally in performing guard duty at headquar- ters ; gathering up property-horses, mules, cattle and other army supplies ; guarding forage trains, carrying dispatches, and performing such other duties as the brigade commander required.
On the 11th of September, companies A and F, in command of Capt. Lee and Capt. Wright, respectively, went on a scout south, crossed the Hiawassee River, and proceeded as far as Benton, or "Ducktown," where they remained two or three days, without seeing any indications of an enemy.
On the 12th, Capt. Dunn, with his company (D), went down to the Iron Works and brought in some civilian prisoners, whom Col. Byrd placed under bonds.
Citizens from the surrounding country came to Athens by hundreds, and also many deserters from Bragg's and Buckner's
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
armies, and voluntarily subscribed to the oath of allegiance --- anxious to resume fealty to the National Government.
Bragg's rebel army was at Chickamauga, confronted and leosely watched by Gen. Rosecrans, Bragg had recently been reinforced by Gen. Jos. E. Johnston with thirty-thousand men, and it was suspected that other reinforcements were on the way from Virginia. Whether Bragg intended to attack and crush Rosecrans, with his whole army, and then pay his respects to Burnside, or whether he would first attempt to recover East Tennessee-the granary of the South-with a portion of his army, holding Rosecrans at bay with the remainder, and then fall upon the latter, were speculative questions, which were fre- quently discussed around our camp-fires ; but not until some time after was the riddle solved.
On the 15th of September a detachment, consisting of Co. B of the 112th Illinois, -Capt. J C. Dickerson,-Co. K of the 1st East Tennessee, and Co. I of the 8th Michigan Cavalry -- a total of one hundred and thirty men,-under command of Major Edgerly of the 8th Michigan, was ordered to Cleveland, the county seat of Bradley county, thirty miles below Athens, near the Georgia line, and at the junction of the Dalton and Chattanooga branches of the railroad. Cleveland was the gate- way between Georgia and East Tennessee, through which the Confederate army must pass to reach Burnside's army, and this detachment was sent down there to watch the movements of the enemy.
The detachment arrived at Cleveland at midnight. The people were wrapped in slumber ; no enemy had disputed its entrance into the town; and after sending out pickets, the men quietly unsaddled their horses and bivouacked in the court house square.
A company of rebel cavalry had been there the day before, and the citizens charged them with committing many depre- dations, of which they bitterly complained.
Small parties of rebel cavalry were seen on the hills near town, on the 16th, but were driven away. They reappeared on the 17th, and a large force was reported to be approaching on the Dalton road. Part of another company of the 8th Michigan joined the detachment in the evening, increasing its
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KILLED AT CLEVELAND.
numbers to one hundred and fifty-two men; and that night the men slept on their arms in anticipation of an attack.
At day-break on the morning of the 18th, Capt. J. C. Dick- erson and twenty-five men of Co. B, of the 112th, accompani- ed by a citizen guide, moved out on the Dalton road on a re- connoissance. Lieut. John Gudgel and twenty men of the same company took the Chattanooga road. The two teams that accompanied the detachment were harnessed and hitched to the army wagons, and every man had his horse saddled ready for an emergency. Lieut. B. F Thompson, of the same company-acting as adjutant, quartermaster and commissary of the detachment-with half a dozen men and one team, start- ed for a cornfield near town, to gather corn for the horses of the detachment.
Lieut. Gudgel had hardly passed the pickets when he was furiously assailed by a superior force of rebel cavalry, which was advancing rapidly with the evident intention of surprising the little force in town, and Lieut. Gudgel and his men were compelled to fall back in hot haste, but not without giving the rebels some fatal shots. Capt. Dickerson, hearing the firing, at once started across the fields to Lieut. Gudgel's assistance. He had proceeded but a short distance when he heard picket firing on the road he had just left, and he immediately retrac- ed his steps and returned to the Dalton road. In the mean- time a rebel cavalry regiment had driven in the pickets, and its advance was in town before Capt. Dickerson reached the road. He captured their ambulance (an old Adams Express wagon) and surgeon and rear guard of fifteen men, and then moved down to the forks of the roads. Here he halted and sent three men down the Dalton road, who returned in a few minutes and reported the near approacu of another rebel force of about four hundred men. Capt. Dickerson exclaimed, "We'll give them a fight, anyhow. Forward !" And they rushed upon the rebels at full gallop. The enemy quickly dis- mounted and took position in the edge of some small timber, leaving Capt. Dickerson no alternative but to take position in an open field, where he formed his men in skirmish line about thirty feet apart-his prisoners and guard in rear -- and imme- diately opened fire upon them. Capt. Dickerson rode forward
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS,
and, sitting on his horse, emptied two revolvers into the rebel ranks. He then attempted to dismount, and while doing so, while his left foot was yet in the stirrup, he was struck by a musket ball in the left side of the abdomen. At the same time his horse jumped quickly to one side, and he was thrown to the ground. He attempted to arise, and one of his men, not knowing he was wounded, offered him his horse. Capt. Dickerson replied : "I am shot, boys, give them h-ll," and gasped in death. His men, left without a leader, retreated, and started down the lane toward town. They were closely followed by the rebels, and were soon headed off by another force coming out of town to ascertain the cause of the firing in their rear. The boys finding themselves surrounded, abandon- ed their horses and took refuge in a deep ditch beside the road, where they kept up a rapid fire in front and rear, until they were compelled to surrender. One man, Clark M. Sturtevant, escaped. His horse was killed ; he concealed himself, and af- ter the rebels passed, took to the hills, and after a few days tramp came into the Union lines at Athens. All the others were taken into Cleveland and thence marched to Dalton- prisoners of war.
In less than ten minutes after the first shot was fired, the rebel cavalry were swarming into town on every road except that leading to Charleston toward Athens. For a few minutes all was confusion, but the men quickly rallied, and their well- directed shots checked the rebel advance. The books and pa- pers of the several companies were thrown into a wagon, and the team started up the road on a run ; but it was afterwards captured by the enemy The other wagon and team were saved.
Lieut. Gudgel attempted to form his men in line at the out- skirts of the town, but the enemy was in too great force, and his men had hardly halted before the rebels were far in his rear on other streets, and he was compelled to fall back rapid- ly to escape being captured.
F Louis Heinke ("Siegel") was the only man with Lieut. Gudgel who was wounded. He was in the act of firing his gun when a rebel bullet passed between his elbow and side, mak- ing two wounds in its course, but neither very serious.
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CAPTURED.
The detachment fell back, fighting all the way, to Calhoun, on the north bank of the Hiawassee River-eleven miles from Cleveland.
As the command was retreating up the road, closely pursu- ed by the enemy, a window in the second story of a large farm house, not far from Cleveland, situated a little distance from the road, and nearly opposite the detachment, was opened, and some one, probably a citizen, opened fire from the window up- on the Union force. The men had no time to attend to his case then, but they vowed that if they ever returned there, one rebel mansion would be reduced to ashes-a threat which, the author has been informed, was afterwards executed by some of the Union Tennesseans.
The following are the names of the 112th men, all of Co. B, who were captured : Corporals Abram Deyo, Edward T. Riley, Hiram P Mallory and Orlin Bevier; George A. Brown, Charles N. Crook, Isaac N. Dalrymple (wounded), John P Freeman, William D. Freeman, Washington Garside, Newton J. Green, Edwin Holmes (severely wounded), William H. John- son, Francis J. Liggett, Charles Leighton, George Ludlum, Hor- ace Morrison, Orman M. Miller, Lewis Osborn, Samuel Red- ding, Dennis Spellman, Henry Stacy, Cyrus Sturm and John Wallace.
Morrison was not with Capt. Dickerson, but was captured on the retreat towards Calhoun.
Of the above number Abram Deyo and Orlin Bevier succum- ed to the horrors of Andersonville and died in prison in the summer of 1864. George Ludlum died on his way home, after having been exchanged. W. D. Freeman, F J. Liggett and Henry Stacy escaped from Andersonville in May, 1864. Sta- cy was recaptured, but Freeman and Liggett, after suffering untold 'hunger and fatigue, and many hair-breadth escapes from recapture, made their way into the lines of Sherman's army in Georgie, in June, 1864, inost miserable, forlorn look- ing objects-nearly naked and starved.
The rebel loss at Cleveland was thirty killed and wounded. Their force numbered one thousand cavalry and two pieces of artillery.
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
Capt. Dickerson was the first officer of the 112th killed. He met his death just a year to a day and at the same hour of the day, from the time he left Bradford with his company for the rendezvous in Peoria. He was deservedly popular among the officers and men of the regiment, and from Col. Hender- son down was sincerely mourned by all.
He was a brave, daring leader, an honorable and conscien- tious officer, and a generous, noble-hearted man. In a con- versation with the author upon the chances of war, but a short time before his death, he declared he would never surrender to a rebel : that he would fight to the death rather than bo captured : and in this, as in all things else, he kept his word. By order of (en. Burnside a fort in Knoxville was named "Fort Dickerson." in honor of his brave death. He was buried in the cemetery at Cleveland, and after the war a fitting monu- ment was erected to his memory by his widow.
Lieut. Gudgel was promoted to Captain of Co. B, and Sec- ond Lieut. B. F Thompson to First Lieutenant ; but the com- pany having been reduced below the minimum number requir- ed by law, no second lieutenant was appointed.
Brage was reinforced in the night of Sept. 18th, by Gen. Longstreet, with part of the Army of Virginia, and he deter- mined to attack and annihilate Rosecrans before Burnside could arrive within supporting distance ; and the object of the rebel cavalry force was probably to develop Burnside's posi- tion, and protect the flank of Bragg's army.
Col. Henderson, with the 112th Illinois and a section of ar- tillery, was sent from Athens to reinforce the detachment un- der Major Edgerly on the Hiawassee, and arrived at the river about noon on the 18th. At 8 o'clock in the evening the com- mand fell back seven miles, to Riceville, to prevent being flanked, and remained there until the evening of the 19th.
On the morning of Sept. 19thi Bragg attacked the Union ar- my at Chickamauga with terrible force. All day long the bat- tle raged with dreadful fury, until night put a stop to the struggle. and the soldiers of both armies rested upon their arms. From our position at Riceville, we could distinctly hear the roar of the artillery, and we knew the giants were enl- gaged in a death struggle. The next morning the battle was
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SKIRMISHING.
renewed, Rosecrans was defeated and his army driven into Chattanooga, with a loss of seventeen thousand men ; and had it not been for the brave, heroic Thomas, the grand Army of the Cumberland would, indeed, have been overwhelmed and destroyed.
In the evening of the 19th Col. Henderson fell back, with his command, to Athens. At 10 o'clock in the evening, on the 20th, the Union pickets were driven in on the road at Athens, and the 112th, with two pieces of artillery. moved down to town to repel an attack, and remained on guard until daylight. Two companies were sent out on a reconnoissance, but return- ed without finding the enemy.
Horses were saddled early on the morning of the 21st, in an- ticipation of an order to move : but the command did not move until 5 o'clock in the evening. Co. A, of the 112th, in com- mand of Capt. Lee, was assigned to duty in town, and the bri- gade returned to Calhoun, arriving there late that night.
The rebel force, having evidently accomplished the object of the reconnaissance, had fallen back. On the 22nd, two com- panies proceeded south nearly to Cleveland without finding the enemy.
The command was ordered to saddle up at 4 o'clock, on the morning of the 23d, and be prepared for an attack. Co. E, in command of Capt. Otman, was ordered to reconnoiter on the Cleveland road, and Capt. Wright, with Co. F, on the Dal- ton road. Both met the enemy about five miles from the riv- er, and fell back slowly, skirmishing all the way. They report- ed that large bodies of troops could be seen on the hills beyond Cleveland.
This, as we afterwards learned, was the advance of Forrest and Wheeler.
Capt. E. H. Colcord was directed to proceed with his com- pany (K ) to Cottonwood Ford some miles down the river, to pre- vent the rebels from throwing over detachments and gaining possession of the road in rear of our position at Calhoun, and he remained there until the evening of the 24th, when he was relieved.
Reveille at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 24th-played three-times by the 112th band,-once by the full band, once
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS,
as a martial band, and again on the bugle-to deceive the en- emy as to the number of Union regiments.
At daylight, Companies A, F and D, (A having rejoined the regiment), under the command of Major Dow, crossed the riv- er again and succeeded in finding the enemy. They were driven back rapidly by an overwhelming force. Col. Hender- son moved the regiment down to the river bank to protect the companies in crossing ; but the rebels withdrew when near the river, and did not press the detachment.
Horses were saddled at 3:30 on the morning of the 25th. At daylight, Companies C and K, of the 112th, in command of Capt. J B. Mitchell and Capt. Colcord, respectively, crossed the river and proceeded south to the junction of the Dalton and Cleveland roads. Here they met the enemy in force, and at once opened fire on them. Severe skirmishing ensued, and the rebels attempted to flank the two companies and cut them off, but without success. After holding theenemy as long as it was deemed safe, the detachment retired-the rebels still threatening their flanks-and recrossed the river.
In the afternoon Col. Henderson crossed the river with the regiment, and reconnoitered toward Cleveland, but without material results beyond slight skirmishing. The enemy evi- dently was not yet prepared to press an advance, and the reg- iment returned to the north side of the river. The next morn- ing (26th) the horses of the brigade were saddled at 3:30 and everything put in readiness to move at a moments notice. At daylight a large reconnoitering party was sent over the river, and it had not proceeded far before it met the enemy advanc- ing in force. Severe skirmishing commenced at once, and the detachment was driven back slowly to the main body.
Companies E and D, in command of Capt. Otman and Lieut. Griffin, were ordered to guard the ford just above the towns, and moved down to the river and went into position, -Co. D occupying some old rifle pits.
The position was a bad one for defense, as on the north side of the river was a wide stretch of bottom land, and on the opposite side of the river was a range of hills or bluffs which gave the enemy a commanding position. About noon the en- emy appeared in sight, and under fire of the Union artillery,
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FORWARD AND BACK.
planted their batteries on the range of hills, but a few hundred yards in front of Capt. Otman's position, and at once opened fire. Col. Henderson moved the regiment, dismounted, to the support of Companies E and D, leaving the horses in a strip of timber in the rear.
He was directed to hold the ford and prevent the enemy ffrom crossing, and succeeded in doing so until about 2 o'clock, when it was found that the enemy was crossing above and be- low, to flank the command, and the brigade was ordered to all back. Without waiting for the 112th to rejoin the com- mand, the rest of the brigade moved up the road toward Atlı- ens, leaving Col. Henderson and his regiment to fall back ov- er the bottom land to the horses as best they could. As soon as the retrograde movement commenced the rebels came swarm- ing over the river, and their artillery opened a rapid fire upon the retreating Union troops. It seems almost miraculous that the 112th escaped without great loss, but only one man, Irvin Oxberger of Co. B, was hit, and he was only slightly wounded by a piece of shell.
The command fell back rapidly through Riceville to Athens, the 112th Illinois bringing up the rear and holding the enemy in check. The rebel cavalry force was armed with short-range carbines, and the 112th could reach them, with its long-range Enfields, before they could get near enough to return the fire. When near Athens the brigade was met by Col. Wolford with his brigade, but even then the rebel force greatly outnumbered the Union troops, and as there was danger of being cut off, the retreat was continued. Just below Athens the rebel ad- vance made a dash upon the 112th, still rear guard, but they met such a galling fire from the Enfields and Law's Howitzer Battery, that they were glad to place themselves out of range as quickly as possible. Col. Henderson and his regiment were highly complimented in general orders for their gallant con- duct on this occasion. Lieut. C. W Brown with his company (E), by direction of Col. Byrd, and without the knowledge of Col. Henderson, made a detour on another road and arrived at Athens late in the evening. It was thought the company had been captured when it was reported that "E was missing," but Lieut. Brown brought it safely in.
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