USA > Illinois > History of the Ninth Regiment Illinois Cavalry Volunteers. Pub. under the auspices of the Historical Committee of the Regiment > Part 11
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During this fight a part of the battalion with expedia Mock were within a short distance of the enemy's breastworks, vid protected by the logs and bushes. Mock arose and waving his sword, attempted to rally his men for the charge, but the bad of lead was too hot; only one man, Sergant Showalter, arose from cover, and the brave leader was obliged to give up the attempt. At this time, the Ninth had dpmpof the boat in , Dant stsde.
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HISTORY OF AR
and drove the enemy from his first line of breast works Is a direct charge, and was about to charge and funik his second line, when orders were received to fall back and follow the command on the Tupelo road.
Our losses in this engagement were severe, as we land to fight the enemy on ground of his own choosing.
During the continuance of the fight, Genera! Smith, having learned from his scouts that Forrest had evacuated Tupelo, moved the main part of his command by the loft flank, and en- tered Tupelo in the afternoon. This movement was a complete surprise to the rebel commander, who tried hard to offset it by an energetic effort to cut off a part of Smith's command, and to capture his supply and ammunition trains, by a sudden and in- petuous attack on the flank.
Once in Tupelo, General Smith quickly disposed his army in line of battle, the line being formed on the ground that Portret bad selected for the Confederate Army.
The position selected was on a line of semicircular hills in front of a belt of timber, and with broad open fields in front over which the enemy would have to march to attack. The Banks rested on swamps, back of which and in rear of the line the cavalry was placed to guard against surprise in that direction.
The Ninth Illinois Cavalry. however, was not with the Geophy on that occasion ; the Regiment was dismounted and playtech in lino of battle with the infantry of General Mower' : divi con amt in support of Bautau's battery of artillery. Bristworks wow thrown up and the position strengthened as much as po silde. The rebel command consisted of the combined forces of Generals Forrest and S. D. Lee, and was formed in line of battle ing the timber beyond the open field that lay in our front, and advanced in grand and magnificent array with flags and banners streaming in the morning sun. It was truly a grand sight to see these lies advancing through the open fields, with their generals and field officers in position, and all in full sight of our hue of battle. On, on, they came, driving in our skirmish lines. On they came with our batteries mowing wide gaps in those splendid lines. On they caine, but not a shot from our rifles was fired to case of pop their advance until they were within afod rile nage. When at the
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signal from General Smith's headquartersgoth entire line of bat the opened a terribly destructive fire on the alsaming for . Tto rebel line wavered. staggered, dropped to their knees and med moment they were in full retra. With rigny olives and well sprang over the breastworks and charged the living Coutefordi. Under cover of the advance of our Fin . the ambulans nap. pushed to the front and brought in hundreds of wounded Conte crates. The field presented : never to be toooften sogar Mall- lated bodies of men and horses lay thick in front of our lives Field hospitals were improvised and our siteprions at parasol to work to attend the wounded of both sidrs. A second Die tim enemy advanced upon our finesind again he was lan lord lomb with even greater slaughter than before. The sight upon The Battle-roll. after the second repulse, was truly sickening. The mobiel for os were now withdrawn to the timber in their rear, wijeve aber wso- reorganized and rested during the night. Next morning the rebel generals made another attack, but it ended as the e thus did. podle. feat. General Smith now took up the march for Oldboys erech. leaving General Mower's division and the Ninth Jllindis to lok! the lines while the command got under way. Ester Gongal Mower's division pulled out. leaving the Nmath Hinois all alone to hold the lines and amuse the enemy. Before Leaving. Gonnal Mower sent an order to the Ninth to mount and chose the rebel lines. Colonel Burgh sent his compliments to the Gonemit willy the information that the Ninth was a rifle regiment and the only two of its compatis were armed with saber freauml Mower then ordered that These two crayons move to the frog and charge the enemy's skirmish line. It was a very Down order, but had to be obeyed. The two companies, Vond Ik. mounted and moved to the front on the Haristig rond, y høre, in compliance with General Mower's direct order, the volymyol os skirmishers and advanced upon the enemy. Soong that the two companies were moving against a very superior force and ferring for their safety, Colonel Burgh mounted a battalion of The Road ment and followed after the two companies, now rapally advance ing to the charge, so as to cover their retreat. It was a thinly move, for, although the charge was a gallant one mid auly stopped at the ending's brottworks, where is patlaout louden, the Frage
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McMahon fell, pierced by rebel bulgy. it was designed to do- feat, because of the overwhelming numbers of the ending. The rebels, seeing another att a stronger for de of mognb-I mion aje proaching. fell into the error of supporting wither charge was to be made, and allowed our two bleeding equipanies to gelira sojo. sued. On reaching the two companies. the battalion was wheel to the rear, and all sopp after reached the lives withor Nothing loss. One of our bravest olivers and a number of our last ankowe were killed, and a great many were wounded in thing madres charge.
When the battalion under Captain Cowen wassont treile suy port of Companies A and I, the two clogging computing. Como pany 1. was advanced to the center of a long- from joost weboch McMahon had charged. Here there were a few sexting Inos. and the support was placed in position to cover thay Trang of The charging companies, Colonel Burgh, windy for so jer three im evitable defeat : Company 1. under Lieutenant Carjegitor, was in the advance, and gallantly held the creamy back find the best of Company Il came back from the fruit less charge.
Reuben Robinson, of Company H. war bete womoled by & shot through the arm that out at artery. and Luitenant Chapon- ter instructed Sergeant Gallino to vand a stepinter Modale around the arm, which stopped the flow of blogd aro man, though he lost the arm. During all this time tro carwy had been sending shot and hell from (Der of love and Im pany V. fell in with O and Duur Hang Lung. Dove becoming the dismounted rear guard, and fall back lidt & nelle to their head phone that had been taken back out of range of the hothe's les. The firing now was hot and heavy, and before they reached sheer horses the rebs were within fifty yards of them.
General Mower's division bad moved away difrage this land movement. leaving the Ninth alone in front of the cpuy, who continued to shell our position, but mady no advances on our litos. It was during this time that the gallant Captain Frank Me Arilor. of Company C, was wounded by a fragment of a shell. He had led his company into the fight at Pontotoc and handed it during the big battleof the the day beforeat Papel, wie Vocal with out a scratch, and now. just as we were about to wildlow frem
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NINTH ILLISDE CATALEN VOLESTEYRS.
the front of the enemy. he was struck down. Orders wep now received to evacuate the works and follow up the contain.
On the 17th, Company D had been relieved from packet by Company L, and a vidette had just been placed out about one- half mile from the main post, when a hope body of reds wo seen approaching. Lieutenant Carpenter called to the vill de. formed his men in line under cover of the fence waging mit the enemy came within one hundred yards This lich Kesoloponed on them with their long riflesso effectively that they were allgood to retreat before the main command, that had been altered by the firing, came up to reinforce them. Lieutenant Colonel Borgh complimented Lieutenant Carpenter, and the brave vom of Com- pany L, for the handsome manner in which they popoles! up enemy.
The Ninth having the rear, and the enemy following upclosely skirmishing was kept up all the way to Oldtown Creek, and per as the Regiment reached the Greek, where thearing had hollest for the night, the rebels under General Forrest, in per-68. 10800 2 furious attack on its flank and rear, hoping to cut it up or copos it before rejoining the main force. From Oldtown Creek the army returned to Memphis by casy marche, having whipped the enemy in return for the Guntown disaster, and accomplished everything that was expected of it.
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CHAPTER XVI
SECOND EXPEDITION OF GENERAL A. J. SOUTH =H: PHASE CEBlo FIGHT-FLANK MOVEMENTS KAELIN DRIVES AWAY I'M
COLONEL BURGH -- OLDROWY CREEK FORMER'S RATE OF MIN PHIS -- ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE GENERALS WASHIVES AND ITUNG- BUT-BRAVE DEFENSE OF CARE OFFOREST SALE
TION-MUSTER OUT OF NON-VIERES.
A AUGUST 28, General A. J. Samtli's comman! gali took the field, the Cavalry division being under Brigwher General Hatch, and the Second Brigade commanded by Cobal D. E. Coon. The Ninth Ilinois Cavalry. undor Lientimmant-Colonel Burgh, the Sixth Ilinois, under Colonel Starr, and the Second Iowa. under Major Horton. The First Brigade wes opder CWto- nel Herrick of the Seventh Kansas Cavalry.
The command moved in the direction of Oxford. Mas. Tin Second Brigade moved down the T. Hadadoher Riot as a Tout while the main force. having buid & tomgoring in blas niep Waterford. crossed there. Hatch's command presos foru min. and captured one piece of artillery south of the bridge. The First Brigade of Colonel Herrick hold the adsamo, and skin mished to the vicinity of Oxford, both si les using willery. The Second Brigade had the advance, and Major Honten of the Second Iowa, and the Seventh Kansas, were engaged al Oxford Captain Foster of the Second lowe, with one billion. more! forward, dismounted, and Major Moore, of the Second Jown. followed mounted, but did not reach the town in time to casei the retreating rebels. The skirmish into town. in which the Seventh Kansas was in the advance, had been brisk. hod svend men were wounded. Major Hoposy to pptmed 3 x msthe oy amount of ammunition.
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NINTH ILLICON CAVALRY VOLT VILLES.
On the 12th. Captain Me Mannis of the Ninth, and Captain Bundy of the Second lowa, With two companies from each regiment, had a fight with the enemy's picket, lasting nearly two hours, and caused them to fall back on their main line when they were met with an artillery fire, and fell back : then the Second Iowa engaged the enemy with artillery.
At Hurricane Creek, on the 13th, a severe fight took plice. in which the Ninth, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Hangy B. Burgh, played an important part. The Ninth, supported by the Sixth Illinois, under command of Major Whitsh (Coloned Starr being too ill to conoand), turned the enemy's left Bank and captured three lines of breastworks, thus compelling the rebel general to evacuate the entire position.
In this engagement the Sixth and Ninth were opposed by a whole brigade under General Mayberry. In the fight opp battalion under Captain Harper moved forward direet, and strunk the rebel pickets at the creek, driving them bach some distance. when they were heavily reinforced and held our force in check ; Colonel Burgh then ordered Captain Mock with bis battalion to dismount and move around through the woods to our right, and! attack the rebels on the flank and rear. Captain MeMannis was also ordered to dismount the other battalion, and place theos co the left and support the advance. The two dinhounted battahops moved forward, the one under Captain Mock passing through a small cornfield and woods; the thick underbrush of the latter hiding them from observation from the rebel Making a lot? wheel, the battalion swung around, and strack the enemy on their left line and in their camps.
It was a complete surprise to the rebels as their reserve in camp were cooking their dinner. The officers' baggage was lying around loose, and the frying-pans on the fire, the coffee-pots boil- ing. which our boys appropriated as they passed through the camp. A number of horses and trappings were captured here. though it was not long before the rebels formed and gave ue a hot fire. In the meantine Major Me Mannis was moving forward on the left of the line, the ground here being open, and, pressing them forward there, the battalion in the center was enabled to move forward, and with the aid of the Sixth Blindle Cuyadyy oni
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lantly drove the enemy, thus opening the way for General Smith to cross the creek with the infantry to the opposite side.
In this fight, which was splendidly maneuvered by Colonel Burgh, the Ninth did most excellent service. Up to this time the fight at Hurricane Creek was the sharpest fight the Ninth hay been in, and the very able manner in which Colonel Borgh handled the Regiment, and the intelligent and prompt manner in which the three battalions was handled, and the results arroio plished, were all worthy of the highest praise.
In this fight we lost lour men killed and a number wounded among the latter being Sergeant Mapes, of Compiny G. who died shortly afterward of his wound ; W. P. Bryson, of Company C: Sergeant Goding LaSalle, of Company B, severely through New head ; William Brigham, of Company A, who died soon affer. and others whose names can not be obtained.
At Oxford, the Ninth, having swung around the outskirts, die- tered the town from the rear, as our main force came in from the front.
Here General Smith learned that Forrest had withdrawn the main part of his command after the fight at Hurricane Creek. and had made a raid on Memphis.
This intelligence caused General Smith and his command to return to Memphis.
August 21st, the Confederate General Forrest made a dash imp) Memphis, expecting to capture Generals Wachbort and Hartling. but did not succeed in getting either, though General Wasblown had a very narrow escape. It was just at daylight when they came into the city. Dividing their force into two parties, ofte under Colonel Jesse Forrest, a brother of the General, dashed ap to General Washburn's headquarters, but the bird had Blown. as General Washburn was away and into Fort Pickering at the first alarm.
A number of prisoners were captured bere, among them Lieutenant Arthur M. Kenzie, aid to General Washburn, and Sergeant-Major Curtis L. Knight, of the Ninth Ilinois Cavalry, the latter being detailed on duty at Washburn's headqptrtors
Forrest carried of Washburn's overout.
They then rode to the Gayest House and into the ages. the
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manding of the astonished derk to know where Geper ilurline was. The clerk informed them that General Halbit hol nos staid there that night. This, they said, was all a damned No. and, demanding the key to his room, rashed up stans; but for tunately it was true. Hurlbut was not there be having roomoned away with some friends that night, and thus narrowly cseupewni capture.
Many interesting incident occurred. One Captain Cook was awakened by the bursting in of the door of his room, soled him revolver, and actually drove three men with loaded noebels frodo his door and down-stans. Very many arts of jpersonal bgpvary occurred. An incident which I will rolante, as it has como chiou with these two expeditions, is the following : Whole Gonoral Smith was advancing on Oxford, Colonel M. 11. Stater, of The Bisde Illinois, accompanied Smith's expedition, but was allen alf aba- ing the engagement at Hijmicane Creek. The nest dos he was sent to Memphis, sie railroad, from Holly Springs, in charge of a train of our wounded soldiers. Arriving at Memphis. he turned over his charge and repaired to his regisphtal camp whor io hoped to find rest and restoration to health. The next morning. before the Colonel arose, Forrest's troopers dashed through the camp grounds en route for the city. Bring right and left as they galloped through. While lying on bis cot it supposed seems Colonel Starr received a mortel wound. froin the effects of which he died October 1st, following. This was just like one of For rest's moves. He managed to get in the best of souls panther forces after the fight at Oldtown Crack, and, while Height Smith's forces were moving toward Oxford, he took about toro thousand of his picked cavalry, and. knowing the country wal every short cut, made a dash for Memphis and The ramsal, des pecting to catch some of our big Generals and ent of conan cations on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad.
The Provost Guard and the Eighth lowe Infantis were alter him, and, with the militia, soon began to fight in exmust. wid after about two hours' fighting in the streets, he was frifen our, hard pressed by our soldiers. As a matter of fact, this raid was barren of results, except to show Fornet's an lacity.
The Regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Bates, arrived in
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camp at Collierville. Tenn, August Both, and, with General Hatch's Division. was immediately ordered to Germantown. Colonel Burgh had a severe sunstroke on the 24th, while of the march (and before the arrival in camp of the expedition), which threatened to be serions in its consequences. Report came to us at this time that Colonel Brackett had been promoted to a Briga- dier-Generalship. This we all hope would prove true, for in ad dition to the honor bestowed on our gallant Colonel, it would have caused the promotion of our worthy and gallant Lieutenant- Colonel Burgh to be Colonel, and several more well merited pro- motions in the Regiment. The rumor was, however, much to off regret, unfounded. We had just got comfortably fixed in camp when the cavalry division was ordered to White's Strony, line miles from Memphis. This camp was very dry and duty, and was supplied with water from an artesian woll. Date of arrival at this station was September 5th. The terms of service of tiperry veterans was then expiring, and efforts were put forth to fill th of places.
September 22., four hundred non-veterans from the Second Towa Cavalry were sent north to be mustered ont. This had a tendency to cause many of our boys to determine that they, the. would muster ont at the expiration of their three years' term of service. At this time Lieutenant Colonel Burgh was ordered to Springfield. J.Il .. to make arrangements for men enough to all up the Regiment.
In addition to those designated in the following opfer. thus named below were mustered out on the dates named by reason of the expiration of their term of service :
First Lieutenant William M. Benton, Company A. October 19 1801 Captain F. H. McArthur. Company C, November 15, 1spl, Captain Llewellyn Cowen, Company D, September 23, 1841; Captain Richard D. Hllget, Company E, October 31, 1861. First Lieutenant A. W. Mcclure. Colojoug HI, November 25, 1864; Captain Louis F. Booth, Company L., November 11, 1864. The remainder of the non-vetriaus of the Reginient were matured out at various periods as their terms of service expired.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TEMNOTE. ) SPECIAL. ORIER No. 118.
EXTRACT 1. -- The origins tion of wollteo
Ninth Illinois Cavalry Volunteers, Travis - copiirot, thr mauryc. me of the
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NINTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY MOLUSTEDES
Companies are hereby ordered to proceed, forthwith, in charge of the following named commissioned officers, viz .: Motor In. H. GMIin. Capoadn Llewellyn Cowen, and Chaplain Gideon I. Brayton, to Springfield Me, and se- port through His Excellency. the Governor, to the Superintendent-Gpuerst Recruiting. State of Illinois, for muster out of service.
The Quartermaster's Department will furnish necessary toanepurtatink By order of Major-General C. C. Washburn.
[Official. ]
Major and Atlant Aggiorni. CHARLES H. TOWNAND. Liederant and Acting escort Agneau Gearpot
When the cavalry expedition. of which the Ninth formmed a part, under General Hatch, moved out from Gerointown, Liens tenant-Colonel Burgh was still ill from the epices of the sonstrako Received not long before. and was a.nudle to tube vonproud of the Regiment in the field, and as the Majors of the Ninth were slow to muster out, the command devolved mon Copain Willam C. Blackburn, of Company A, who was the senior Captain of the Regiment.
Captain Blackburn commanded the Reiment till abovi the stb of November, 1564. when he was relieved from the cotonminil, and was taken prisoner by the Confederates at or near Campbellvite. Tenn., November 24, 1564.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE NINTH MARCHES FROM WHITE'S STATION - CHIPION AND SPOOL CREEK --- SAVANNAH -- HOOD's ARMY TISCENING -- SKIRS MISH AT SHOAL GREEK -- SEVERE FIGHTING OF THE 110 AS 19TH OF NOVEMBER :-- CAPTAIN HARPER IN COMMAND -CAPD URE OF CHALMER'S HEADQUARTERS TRANS AND FLAGS. PE CAPTAIN MOCK-MOVEMENTTO BUTIna: CRITE- CAPTAIN CAR- PENTER'S BRAVE HEARTON PARLE - CAMILLE OM COURTES WILL VALUABLE DISPATCHES - HARD FRUIT OF LIFETENANTS HIMINA AND NIEMYER -CAPTAIN MOCE'S BATTALION CUT OFF -- TID DARKY GUIDE --- ADJUTANT POWER A PISOSLE -- CROSSING THE FORD, AND ARRIVAL IN CAMP.
FTWIE Ninth Illinois Cavalry, commanded by Captain W. C. Blackburn, forming a part of General Hatch's cardi division, moved ont from White's Station, Temu., September 20. 1864, at 12 M., crossed Wolf River at Germantown, and campod that night three miles from the river.
October Ist. Passed through Moscow, camping three miles from the town, and started at 8 A. M. without breakfast, arrived at Bolivar at G r. M., and crossed the Hatchee River.
October 2d. Drew here what rations were left, and the wagens were sent back to camp.
October 3d. Marched all day, camped at 6 r. M. ast Molini Princeton ; at this place some of the boys indulged rather too freely in hard cider : started at 3 r. M. passed through Million. and camped eighteen miles from the Tennessee River.
October 5th. Started, at 8 a. M., dinner and feed at 2 r. v., and marched all night. The country here being very rough and mountainous, arrived opposite Clifton, on the Tennessee River, where were found two gunboats and three transports.
October 6th. Crossed the Tennessee River to Clifton, and draw five days rations, moving out on the Nashville pike twelve poles
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briga l ce 2000 000 October 2: P0 0 at night about mehr in the sadde mondo encamped pelotas October DOL Lot ener, cro sal 505 October 1 7 and marche duEM. arrived at Wood Wop quite a fight a stor
October IDBa Agen camp.l. October :56. 2. with despesas three miles blow . top struck a bonox 200
were under The peak
The next day day of 1 The other one w
Washburn bet Drew three the
October Polis To rations : the best form October 2and Med that was sent to Body clothing were fayol off.
the river. October 20 Patriot tot com : :
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pike and camped : Buch, reached all day and campolarven route cast of Waynesboro ; 31st. again marched all day and camped at Lawrenceburg. We here maistered for pas, but did not kaLow when the Regiment or command would be lavoted by the pros- ence of the Paymaster.
November 1st. Arrived at Pulaskiat 3 r. v., camping twofoibos from town on Duck River: it now began to lock threatening af Hood's army was reported crossing the Tennessee Rivera. They ence, Ala., and the Fourth Army Corps ordered here to Block The Brigade nearly all on picket.
November 5th. The cavalry division took da Ling ling of march toward Florence, camped at dark at Super Creek, como ading on the Tennessee River : November Gil, mindest through Lexington and struck the enemy at Shool Creek : November ju. skirmishing at the Greek : November that he Stood loan Calles had an election, and thus had an opportunity of showthe War. though they were soldiers, they were still citizens of the negable of the United States, while the soldiers from the great Stated Ha- nois were disfranchised beurs are weak andfind. The weather. continued very bad, rainy and cold, roads almost impassedok, food the command moved out on the 9th and attacked the enemy. All two hours' fighting, retired and went into camp.
November 10th. A part of the Regiment Went on for The way of which there was an abundance in this section : vember dearing and prospects for a better spett of weather, which. with the little or no covering which the boys bad, maden more closetil feeling in camp.
SHOAL CREER.
The various skirmishes taking place, day by day. in the varmle of Shoal Creek seemed to be barren of any substantial postthey General Hatch determined on a general attack all along one Line. The Second Brigade was to attack the enemy on the main or Oh! Jackson military road leading from Nashville to Florence The whole movement and attack to be made as year as possible simultaneously, at a certain hour in the morning.
The Ninth Tinois Cavalry, combanded by Captain J. W Mills. and then move around and to the roat of the mbus, med
IRA R. GIFFORD
JOHN H AVERY.
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