USA > Illinois > History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois volunteer Infantry, Vol. I > Part 15
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The movements of the main armies, in the campaign by which Gen. Rosecrans wrested Chattanooga from the enemy. have been briefly outlined in the preceding chapter, - the events there alluded to occupying until about September 10. Before taking up the narrative of the NINETY-SINTH, in con- nection with the battle, it will be proper to describe, briefly. the movements of the three main columns of the Federal army, and also of Gen. Bragg's forces, during the week that intervened between the date named and the opening of the mighty struggle.
Drawing his forces back twenty-five or thirty miles, to the neighborhood of La Fayette. Gen. Bragg repeated the appeals for reinforcements, -- made to the Confederate author- ities when he first discovered Gen. Rosecrans' strategy .-- promising, if certain troops were sent to him, to retake Chat tanooga, and drive the Federals northward into or across the Tennessee River. The troops were sent .- twe divisions from Mississippi. Gen. Buckner's command from East Tennessee, Gen. Longstreet's Corps from Virginia, and several thousand of the Georgia Militia ; and thus was concentrated. before the opening of the battle, a force mich superior in point of num- bere to that commanded by Gon. Rosecrans.
Hardly had the Federal commander formulated his plans for pursuit when evidences began to multiply that the enemy. instead of being in retreat toward Rome, as had been sup- posed, was concentrating between La Fayette and Lee & Gordon's Mills. This fact was not definitely ascertained until dispositions for pursuit had been made and the advance had been well begun. Crittenden's Corps, after crossing Lockout Mountain into Chattanooga, had moved on Ringgold, driving the enemy from that place and pushing southward. the cavalry going beyond Tunnel Hill, and a portion of the infantry nearly to that point. Those farthest to the left soon became aware that they were actually in the rear of the right wing of the main body of the Confederates, and in great danger. As
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soon as practicable they were withdrawn, returning to the neighborhood of Ringgold, and then .-- two Brigades having; been previously sent to cover the roads leading into Chatta- nonga from the southward, -- moving more directly toward La Fayette. In this latter movement they encountered anex- pected opposition, and were obliged to move by the right flank, finally joining the two Brigades mentioned near Lce & Gordon's Mills. From this point reconnoitreing parties were sent in various directions, the one going toward La Fayette encountering two corps of the enemy, under Gen. Polk, moving to the attack of Crittenden's position. This recon- noitreing party made a vigorous and noisy resistance, which so disconcerted the enemy that they abandoned then advance movement and assumed the defensive, supposing that they had been mistaken in believing Gen. Rosecrans' army still divided. Within a day or two. - a portion of the Reserve Corps having reached Rossville and being within supporting distance, -a part of Gen. Crittenden's force was sent to the right to cover the road leading to Chattanooga through the valley to the east of Lookout.
While the movements just described were in progress, Gen. Thomas, in command of the centre column, attempted to pass through Dug Gap, but, finding it occupied by a large Free of the enemy, withdrew his lines, and by a destrous movement avoided & general engagement and reached a posi- tion more suitable for defense. Je had a lively skirmish st MeLemore's Cove, however, but was not so involved but that he was able to fall back without a battle. Owing to the dis- tance to be traveled and the rugged and tortuions roads in the rear of the Union forces, much difficulty was experienced in communicating with Gen. McCook. who, from his position at Alpine, had also found that the enemy was preparing for battle. On the thirteenth, pursuant to orders received the niglit before. Gen. MeCook began the movement to his left which was to concentrate the Union forces. The march was a most toilsome one, the column being enenmbered with considerable artillery and heavy wagon trains, which were moved with difficulty. owing to the mountainous roads.
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The enemy controlled the direct roads, and the troops and trains had to cross and rerross the mountain before effect- ing a junction with Gen. Thomas. The march was made almost continuous, fires being kindled at night to light up the road at the more difficult points and allow the teains to con- tinue on their course. On the seventeenth the three Corps were within supporting distance of each ofher. For nearly a week the situation hed been critical in the extreme. Gen. Bragg had it in his power during all of that time to strike any one of the three Corps with his entire army without fear that either of the others would reach the column attacked antil a battle could he fought. It is matter of history that he more than once gave positive orders to his subordinates t, make the attack ; but some unexpected move of the Federal forces, or some division of counsels on the part of his corps or division commanders. cost the Confederates their opportu- nity, and delayed a battle that was to be desperate enough, even after the Union forces were united.
Having failed to take advantage of the opportunities offered during this long period in which the Federal forces had been separated. General Bragg changed his plans, and decided that the battle must be nearer Chattanooga. General Rosecrans' army was mainly to the right and rear of Lee & Gordon's Mills, and not yet well in hand. The Confederate leader now began moving his forces by the right flank, in order 10 make easy connection with such of his reinforcements as had not yet arrived and must make the march from the railroad. intending to suike the left dank of General Rosecrans' com- mand, and interpose his own army between them and Chatta- nooga. But here again divided counsels, a slight delay in the arrival of Longstreet's Corps, and the positive timidity on the part of his immediate subordinates conspired to cost Bragg another golden opportunity ; for the attack, positively ordered on Thursday evening to be made the following morning, vas deferred until Saturday, the nineteenth. The dust, which had so stitled the - Union troops in their long marches, now came to their assistance, for it rose in great clouds off to the cast. betraving the movements of the Confederates, and thus en-
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abling the Army of the Cumberland to meet this unexpected change of plan. The Union forces were moved to the left as rapidly as possible, but as the enemy was pressing in the vicinity of Crawfish Springs, the utmost caution had to be observed, and the movements were made at some disadvan- tage. Then, too, the distance was considerable, and the route lay through tangles of forest and along narrow and difficult roads. so that the close of Friday found the Union lines but partially formed, while many of the troops were still some miles from the position chosen for defense, and must march long hours in the darkness before they could be assigned to positions and given opportunity to catch a little sleep before the battle of the morrow. Indeed, large portions of the army were in motion throughout the entire night. while others were thrown into bivouac because of the impracticability of moving them over the fields in the darkness, and resumed the march at daylight of Saturday morning ; those farthest to the right not closing up on the main army until the afternoon was well alvanced, and then. after a double-quick of some miles, going immediately into action. The lines of the main army, as formed during Friday and the early part of Saturday, were on the west bank of Chickamauga Creek, and extended from Lee & Gordon's Mills to Reed's Bridge, a distance of about five miles. A portion of MeConk's Corps was still farther to the right, occupying a position near Crawfish Springs, so that the extreme right and left wings were almost twelve miles apart. The several bridges anl fords along the stream were guarded by cavalry, with infantry in support. Three or four miles in rear of the line was Missionary Ridge, an irregu- lar range of hills, parallel with the general line of battle. and so steep and high that it would almost pass for a range of mountains in a country less rough than Northern Georgia. Through this Ridge were but two roads over which wagons or artillery could pass. One led through Rossville Gap on the left of the main army : the other through Mcfarland's Gap. nearly in rear of the left centre.
Having described how the main armies were ranged on
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either bank of Chiclamanga Creek, it will be in order to again. take up the narrative of the NINETY-SixTH.
The previous chapter left the Regiment at Rossville, four miles distant from Chattanooga, and nearly eight miles from Lee & Gordon's Mills. There were with Gen. Gordon Granger, at Rossville, the First Brigade of the First Division of the Reserve Corps, - to which Brigade the NINETY-SIXTH belonged, -- under the conunand of Gen. Waher C. Whit- taker; the Second Brigade of the same Division, under the command of Col. J. G. Mitchell, and which had marched from the neighborhood of Wartrace and Shelbyville ; the Second Brigade of the Second Division of the same Corps, commanded by Col. Daniel MeCook, which had marched from the neighborhood of Columbia: the 89th Ohio, of the Four- teenth Corps, which had marebed from Tracy City ; and the 22d Michigan, of the Second Division of the Rserve Corps. which, having been on provost duty at Nashville, had been brought to Bridgeport by rail and marched from there with the rest of the command. Few who were on that march will fail to remember the appearance of this last named Regiment. Their ranks were full, their clothing new and tidy, and many of them wore white shirts and paper collars. There was some good-natured chafting on the part of the troops that had been in more active field duty, but these men showed themselves admirable soldiers, and those who survived the battle wore ever afterward held as worthy to be called brothers by their veteran comrades. Although the Corps Commander was present, it is understood that all of the orders sent to to the command were addressed to Gen. J. B. Steedman, who was the commander of the First Division, and to whom the Brigade of Col. MeCook and the two detached Regiments had been assigned. This was all of the troops that could be spared from the rear to assist the main army at the front. It was a paltry number, a beggarly reinforcement compared with the scores of regiments that had been sent at the call of the Rebel Commander. but enough, thank God, to save the day. They did not know their peril-perhaps it was better that they did
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From the fourteenth to the seventeenth these troops lay idly in their camps, resting from the long march. Rossville Gap was well pieketed, and a lighter line of guards was put out along the valley and toward Chattanooga. Gen. Gordou Granger, the commander of the Corps, exercis ed his authority by causing a number of foragers, who had been outside the picket lines, to be arrested by his guards and tied up by the thumbs near his headquarters. Instantly there was "music" in the camp. Captain Hicks and other officers from the NINETY-SIXIn walked deliberately to the line and demanded the release of their men. A crowd of soldiers gathered near Is, and officers from other regiments imitated the example set by Captain Hicks and his associates. Gen. Granger was profano, and made terrible threats, but the murmur that rau through the crowd indicated that he could not misuse iutelli- gent volunteers in an active campaign, and he shunk away into his tent, damning everybody. Shortly afterward, upon the demand of Gen. Steedman, the Commander of the Division, all were released and quiet restored. It was better so, for the feeling among the soldiers was so intense that nightfall would have seen a raid upon headquarters and the release of the foragers, even though it might have inaugurated a tragedy.
Thursday, September 17, the Second Brigade and the 22d Michigan and 89th Ohio, ali onder Gen. Steedman, leaving Roseville at three o'clock A. 3 ... went out on the Ringgold road some twelve or fourteen miles, driving a light force for the last half mile or so. From the high groand overlooking the village of Ringgold they could plainly sce laige forces of the enemy, on the march and in bivouac. The temptation to give them a surprise was too strong to be resisted, and a section of the battery was taken to the ridge and begun a vigorous shell- ing of the camps. This was soon responded to : but the pur- pose of the expedition was to reconnoitre and not to fight, and as the clouds of dust indicated that the enemy was moving to the right and left of their little force, as though intending to surround and capture it, they withdrew, the rear guard skirmishing as they fell back. At nightfall they formed their lines on either side of the road, not far from Greysville,
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and went into bivouac. At eleven o'clock the emany opened upon them with a gest which had been placed in position near their picket lines. Ordering the men to maintain silence and extinguish their fires. Gen. Steedman awaited an attack, but the enemy soon ceased firing and withdrew.
Next morning they resumed the march, retiring leisurely to Rossville, and going into their former camp at a little past noon. Gen. Steedman at once communicated with Gen. Rosecrans, giving the latter the startling information that Longstreet's Corps had arrived to reinforce the Rebel army, as learned from prisoners taken on the reconnaissance. He also gave assurance that the Rebels were concentrating near the left of the. main Union force. These facts, coupled with others gleaned from citizens and scouts, determined Gen. Rosecrans to move his army still farther to the left. He also ordered Gen. Steedman to move a portion of his troops to the front. At four o'clock that (Friday) afternoon Gen. Whittaker's. and Col. MeCook's Brigades were called in line, the understand- ing being that they were to go out on a reconnaissance similar to that made by other portions of the Division the day before. There was little to do by way of preparation, as the baggage had been parted with at Bridgeport some days before, and the column soon filed out through the Gap. A few of the siek. those who had been worn out by the march, and some who. h. d worn out their hoes in cresshy; the monnidios, and were consequently barefoot, were left in camp. A. detail from the NINETY-SIXTH, consisting of about thirty then, had been sent to guard a wagon train that morning, and were not relieved. but remained on duty for three days, joining the Regiment only after the succeeding battle had been fought. Company A was on picket duty on the side of Missionary Ridge, and did not go out with the command.
The NINETY-SIXTH was given the head of the column. Gen. Whittaker and Staff riding just in front. Contrary to custom no advance guard was thrown forward. Strict orders had been issued that all guns should be kept unloaded in camp, and, as no instructions had been given to load, every musket was empty. The column filed out through Rossville Gap ..
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taking the right hand, or La Fayette, road for a mile or more, and halted. There was a brief consultation at the front, and then the Regiment was countermarched and crossed over to the Ringgold Road, by which Gen. Steedman had returned from his expedition four hours earlier. Col. McCook's Bri- gade kept on by the direct road, however, going nearly to Reed's Bridge.
The First Brigade marched forward at a good, swinging galt, not apprehouding any danger, and chatting merrily as they passed along. Two or three miles ont a soldier ran to the door of a house near the road, and couversed for a few moments with a woman, whom he found greatly agitated. She repeated, over and over : " There's going to be a battle ;" "there's going to be a bottle," and stated that a "critter- back company " followed the Yankees as they retired to Ross- ville, and turned back near her house. The soldier reported what he had heard, and word was sent to Gen. Whittaker, but no attention was paid to the matter, and the somewhat rapid march continued.
It is understood that the original intention was that Whit- taker's Brigade should march out five miles to Red House Bridge, on the Ringgold Road. and MeCook's Brigade to Reed's Bridge ; but events transpired which prevented either destina- tion being reached. Whittaker's Brigade had lost some time in the march and comiter merch upon the La Fayette Road, and it was after five o'clock when they filed past MeAffee's Church and entered the heavy tiraber which lined either sido of the roadway. Here a little stream -- best known as the Little Chickamauga, but down on the maps as Spring Creek --- was encountered. It was, perhaps, twenty or thirty feet wide in the highway and umbridged, except that a fallen tree just at the right of the road, in some bushes, served the purpose of a foot bridge. Gen. Whittaker, followed by his Stail, rode into the stream and gave his horse the reins that the animal might drink ; the men broke to the right in some disorder. looking for points where they might cross withont wetting their feet. The right Company had just commenced crossing up the log, when, like lightning from a clear sky, the sharp
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crack of a rifle rang out, and a bullet whizzed past the General's head, apparently barely missing ite mark. A second bullet came an instant later, striking the rolled up blanket and pou- cho of a drummer boy-Thomas Reynolds -- with such force as to penetrate it and throw him backward into the arms of a comrade, bat fortunately giving him no greater injury than a severe bruise on the breast and shoulder. Instantly the men on the log dropped back to the shelter of the bushes, and those who had scattered to the right fell into line. A glance at the front revealed a little cohann of smoke in the bushes just at the left of the road. and it was evident that a Rebel sentinel. stationed to give warning of the approach of any forces, had been cooking his coffee. unaware of the nearness of his opponents until the splashing of the water attracted his attention. It was the work of but a moment for him to seize his earbine and fire the shots that had startled the command. Instantly Gen. Whittaker shouted out his commands to deploy a Company as skirmishers, and Colonel Champion called. "Attention !" and gave the command to load at will. Another shot or two was heard, but the bullets did no harm. There was a moment's delay, owing to the absence of Company A- which would most naturally have been sent to the skirmish line -- and then Companies D and F' were deployed. the latter going to the right. Upon the order of Captain Blodgett. comman ling Company D, his men faced to the left and began to deploy. The first man to start to cross the road was Cor- poral Elisha Heggart, but the moment he emerged from the bushes he full. his brain pierced by a bullet. . Five minutes later Captain Blodgett had caught a bullet in his shoulder, but did not at once go back. although the wound was painful. The 40th Ohio moved to the left of the road. and in line with the NINETY-SIXTH, also throwing out two companies of skir- mishers. The fire of the enemy was quickly replied to, the skirmisher, moving gallantly forward for a half mile or more. the main body of the two regiments following closely in line of battle. The bullets eut wickedly through and over the line, and Robert C. AAllison, of Company E, received a wound from which he died a few days later. The 18th Ohio Battery,
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which was with the Brigade, took position in rear and began firing, bringing a speedy response from a Rebel battery posted in the timber just beyond an open field. to the edge of which the skirmishers had advanced. Pickets were thrown on the flanks, and as night was now closing in the lines halted, although the firing continued for a tine. The men lay in line all through that chilly night, without removing their arcontrements, every one clutching bis rifle and thinking of the morrow. Few had any but rubber blankets ; no fires could be built ; even the solace of a cup of hot coffee was denied them. How the teeth chattered as the long hours rolled slowly by ! It seems almost incredible in that latitude, and at that time of year, but old letters and diaries assert that there was a heavy frost on that and the following night. Certain it is that the cold was sufficient to cause intense suffering, and forbid sleep to the unprotected soldiers. At intervals of an hour or two the men on the skirmish line were visited by the officers in charge, and one of the latter declares that he found some of them holding their bayonets in their mouths to prevent their teeth chattering together so londly as to attract the attca- tion of the enemy. Every sound from the front was listened to with the closest attention, but no movement was discovered. and it is probable that the Rebels were shivering with the cold much as were the Yankees in their front.
Col. McCook's Brigade, which had gone toward Real's Bridge, had an experience similar to that of Gen. Whittaker's command, encountering the enemy and having a lively skir- mish. Most writers assert that MeCook reached and barned the bridge, but such was not the case. The cavalry had undertaken to destroy the bridge an hour or two before, but only succeeded in tearing up a few planks when they were driven off. and the enemy had crossed in large force before the infantry reached the vicinity. Next morning MeCook withdrew. under orders from his superiors, and covered the roads leading toward Rossville, remaining within supporting distance of Whittaker on his left and Brannan on his right.
The morning of Saturday, September 19, was at hand. but 'ere its first glimmer had lightened up the east, word was
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passed from man to man to move to the road. Silently. hardly a bayonet or a cup rattling to give the slightest sound, the crouching soldiers passed through the forest to the road- way, and marched back a mile or more, to a field near Me- Affec's Church. The march had stirred the blood and aroused the troops so that they were more like themselves. Fires were kindled, and hot coffee, -added to the relief afforded by the removal from the close proximity to the enemy, -- made all quite jolly again. Breakfast over, the line shifted position oner or twice, and was then moved slightly to the front, the Regiment being placed upon a ridge at the loft of the road, a position which it oeenpied for the following twenty-four hours. During the day the Rebels advanced npon the new line, but. at the right of the road. and while there was heavy skirmish. ing on the part of the other Regiments of the Brigade, and numerous casualties, the tide of battle did not cross the road. Two or three times the enemy sought to drive the forces from this position, but in vain. The Rebel artillery fired over the hill held by the Regiment occasionally. and overshot bullets hunmed across the field. A heavy skirmish line was main- tained on the front and flank all day and throughout the night. Early in the day Company A came up from Rossville. and took its place in line. The Second Brigade and the two. detached Regiments alo came up and took position near by. Gen. Granger and Gon. Steedman spent a great part of the day in the immediate vicinity. During the afternoon Captain Charles E. Rowan. of Company F, who was at the time serv- ing on the staff of Gen. Whittaker, was sent with orders to one of the Regiments near the right of the Brigade. He had left them but a few moments before, but during his absence they had retired to a more favorable position, and the Rebels having advanced. he galloped directly into the enemy's lines, when, being confronted by half a hundred muskets, from all directions, he surrendered. This was the only loss to the NINETY-SIXTH on Saturday.
While the day had been by no means uneventful at the extreme left of the army, farther to the right a terrible con- fliet had been raging, the noise of which soon reached the
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Reserve Corps and added to their anxiety, and the nightfall shutting in was most welcome to them, as well as to the tired troops of the main army. From those who had come up to the Regiment from Rossville only meagre particulars could be gathered, but it was reported that large numbers of wounded had passed that point all through the afternoon on their way toward Chattanooga, and that the valley was filled with wagon trains, sent back from the front.
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