USA > Illinois > History of the Ninth Regiment Illinois Cavalry Volunteers. Pub. under the auspices of the Historical Committee of the Regiment > Part 15
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NINTH HERNYOS CANALPI AULE. THE.
forced to do so, upon Florence by way of Findet compiled wer gold meanwhile to gain time for the remainsof ti Contrad aring. Of Wales force at least three hundred were shoeless, and so font de as to be Bloguse to march and bear arms, and Were there fore well on the wegau, trol 100 some reason the enemy did not appear in force natal Into in the . nomener shed, although Columbia was iranilastly whoccupied by any part of to Comscore army, they opened a furious camaonade di aler and . hned.
Hoisting a flag of truce Forrest had an interview with charal Hello stream between them), who le forme .l axone i that conanbim was undy coru pied by non-combatant and the would, fot ball pool exchange some two thousand prisoner The fruit of de campoun . hos he acquainted him, without Fiankes c pipe coming to Mi is mesmer and must therefore perist in namy cases Trion vo !? if ro eschnon! 3042 1 delay of two hours the answer, in the mood trongof'T com w po to either exchange prisoners or to receive the o Forrest ied on parole she understanding that a like nimober shand milch 10 ( 19 1610009 Proc so ing, however, wa - di-contis tel.
It was an unfortunate circumstaner that the party Jovine pontoon train of General Thomas Brot made of bloodder and tube the wrong road, the Murfreesboro pike, and there was muth delay in crossing the stremje, which at theet ine was noel -wollen very deep and rapid. To this blader way Blood and Forest thankful that our cavalry was not troubling on their heads ou flanks a good deal sooner. As soon as possible a pied body q cavalry of which the Ninth Formed a part, crossed the rise and followed the retreating Confederates in the Tennessee Tiver fighting the chemy all the way, who esRegion hon Ga more away and over the Bernese river withas much of thoughin and any aspossible: bot of light . Sure of ertoles prisoners guns, wagons, etc., constantly, and the ferie, demon ized Confederates were abandoning ind throwing away cfply thing that impeded their flight, burning and destroying all 1hos. could to prevent its falling into our hands.
Many poor fellows deserted and many more Progeted From their commands for the express purpose of falling into our hands. as they seemed to realize now the utter hopelessness of their cause.
December 27. 1541. the last of General Hood's dorevalues and shattered army crossed the Tennessee River, and our forvos pursued no further. The gods when simply foodhin Dring the heavy rains and storms that lind sheit prostlist :by: 0,56
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HISTORY OF THE
destroyed, and the only places where an tommy could march wrap on the pike roads: and while this : tate of affairs was bod for the retreating Confederate army, they were better informed in red to the lay of the land.
As it was, the Federal aring of General George H. Thanks pursued with unexampled vigor, and as a result the army of Gay- federate troops was completely broken up and not counting the stranglers that voluntarily come in. General Blood's los yn this invasion was about fifteen thousand mon be expliet. anyone which were seven generals, sixteen colonds, al about osa ilion sand officers below the rank of cologne, seventy sands of colors. seventy-two pieces of artillery, with wagons. army supplies. Hottore. males, etc., of great value, affi no doubt In Jos el told one equal to one-half the army with which he og Noreming fol invaded Tennessee. Our losses during the sure they could hed. foot up more than half thet member, and daily that time nowds two months in duration. many band fought hatthy mol nonml. severe fighting bad occurred.
The results and termination of the endpaign were stortonsi q. in a general order by General George H. Thomas as Follows:
SouDir.Rs : The Major-General com merilin_ mentre- pcvia the' tatogr guard of the flying and dispirited opony was hin aires the Termosce meter on the night of the 24th in text. The inquest'a state ofthe resol, and thecom segment impossibility to supply the only, conl is coming of the romains to. the present. Although : hor. it hos kop bri Haut in it . Po frae.t . von! ave lit- passed in its results by way offer of this work and i cidadring. ; who ipated therein may will be proud. Tut veleno andy whipely though dingen from position to position opposed a stubborn ference muchopeor ber- during the whole of the Athana chien, making Of money of theshower of the largest portion of the army which Mot lach opprette R i Glutei invaded Tennessee buoyant with hope, exporting Naenvithe Memphis, ami Ce whole of Tennessee and Kentucky to fall into it - poaver media for . food scarcely fixing a limit to its conducts. After having recipient of franklin The most terrible check that army has receive I during this vor, anothing at Vialis boro in its attempt to capture that place, it was fialy stitched at Nert ville, sel although your forces were inferior to it in mathers, was handed lock from the coveted prize on which it had been permitted to look freurs di taped, fand Aneth sent flying, dismayed and disordered, where it came impelled be the internet of self preservation, and thinking only of how i could Believe it If ( Ahora monate from your persistent and hatte que pur die by the only on the road len streams as it passed them, until theally is ball played the good to the
Tennessee River between you and its shattered, disini food and li compiled en umns, leaving its artillery and battle fog in your victorious hands, 1. the trophies of your noble, daring and listing monuments of the enemy's diefrage and defeat.
You have diminished the forces of the rebel army since It crossed the Tennes see River to invade the State at the Fast estimate, fifteen thousand ther, .1. ong whom were killed, wounded and captured eighteen general officers.
Your captures from the enemy, as far as reported, amount to sixty-elone pieces of artillery. ten thousand prisoners and news stands of spadl anos, several thousand of which have been gathered in, and the remainder show the mute of the enemy's retreat, and between thirty and forty days, lesde comp elig 10 to destroy mich ammnujon and abandoning many wapre - and wnhx mi mad he must forever abandon all hope of bringing Tennessee ogsin within the lines of the accursed rebellion.
A short time will now be given you to prepare to continue the work to Fold; begun.
By command of MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS W. D. WHIPTEL. Assisted Wpont Genreal-
Subsequent reporte materially increased the ramtber of pre oners, cannons and flags.
Not long afterward the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States passed the following :
Bestred, That the thanks of Congress are due and are hereby tender. so Major-General George H. Thomas and the officers and soldiers under his con mand for their skill and dauntless courage by which the rebel Firmy under fox eral Hood was signally defeated and driven from the State of Tears-seo
SECOND BRIGADE-OUR CAPTURES AT NASHVILLE.
The captures of the Second Brigade of cavalry of General Ilately's division as officially reported from Decoming Miti ga hi- cember 27th. when the last of Hood's command wweclosely 100su- ed by the cavalry embracing the five Hundred picked troopers from this gallant brigade, when he was finally driven across the Ten nessee River at Bainbridge was as follows :
One general, two majors, one standard of division colins. three standliof brigade colors, thirteen hundred and fifteen muskets, Twenty-one wagens, seven ambulances and fifteen pieces of artillery .
In a well written article published in the National Tribune of March 22, 1858, by Captain Thomas J. Cafer of the Ninth Indi- ana Cavalry, occurs the following paragraph in regard to therey alry command of Major Ciencia Jagp. H. Wilson. ju the cup
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NISTR HMMINOP CAVALRY VOLLSTEERY
paign toward Nashville, Tenn., and the part the cavalry per- formed in driving Hood's army from Nashville and across th Tennessee River :
" No better enconium could be desired than was given by a generalof mountty, who followed in their wake, and saw what they had done.
" The whole course from Nashville to the Tennessee River is one bloody Powrot battle. I have seen the road lined with abandoned gons, dead men aud Jomrice until I am heart sick. I want to lift may hat to Wilson's splendid cerys of sale ?.
"In it there is glory enough for all, and if some did more than others, it is because their opportunities were greater."
CHAPTER XX.
THE NINTH MARCH TO EASTPORT ; 10 GRAVELDO SPISURS SHORT Ranoss -- BACK To EASTPORT - CAMP EQUIPAR RE- CEIVED -- PROMOTIONS IN COMPANY A -- TURNED OFF E HOUSES AND CARBINES -- ORDER OF GEVEPAL WILSON SURINDRE OP LEE AND ASSASSINATION OF LINCOLN - REIFEN OF CAMISI BLACKBURY - REBEL SOLDIERS COMING TV - March To Die TER ORDERS OF GENERALS HAICH AND COON - NEW SUPPLY OF HORSES AND ARMS -- MARCH TO MONTGOMERY - AMSESIT OFFICERS APPOINTED.
A FTER the escape of the remuant of Hood's anny across the Tennessee River, the roads being in an almost impassable. condition and the weather very coldl, the cavaby commend was ordered to Huntsville, Ala., but when within a day's mndich of that place received orders to march to Eastport, Miss., on the Tennesse River, which place we reached on the 11th of January, 15th, when we immediately commenced to erect winter quarters, as we had No tents of chop equipage. Here we were very short of provis ions: Lieutenant Davenport, brigadle commissioni, bad been sent back from Columbia to Spring Dill for ration . and rojobied Ilo command at Eastport with fifteen wagon loads of hard Igen. sugar, coffee and salt, these being the principal articles needcil as we could forage for meat and corn meal, but as this had to be divided among twelve regiments of the cavalry command, they did not last very long.
The Ninth with the cavalry command left Eastport for Gravelly Springs, twelve miles distant on the 14th of January, where we remained nearly a month. During this time we had great difficulty in procuring rations, and much of the time had only fresh beef and corn meal, being obliged to forage for com. and take possession of the mills of the country benjijary authfie ity to grind the same, making details from the soldiers to rado
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mill, and it was not bil ve moved back to Thatpart. sebep wo found the very efficient commissary, Captain ale bolache loe we again had full rations.
Colonel Coon here issued the following outer to caddy rovinewort comprising the Second Brigade:
The Colour commanding ties this the int oppdaily, to je i to the officers and men of this brigade bi henriteh Den De for theirdmfire -Tens and loyal devoted patriotism to their country : calle during the the 0 0 00 campaign.
He feels confident that the Labor performed gol Pro sintering amour fou rain, slet and snow crashved, and roll maliny foly fallo of Som
wood at Edectold, followed by the two days hetles Na Toll, motif lin, the coll stories of sheet and rin at Rutherford Cool, and the valle oo 00 in the pursuit to the Tennessee River, are witlenaj ranet is the J. war, while your record of gallonitry tod bravoy te beenmro brillvor heo1 . of any cavalry brigade in the l'aite i states' service.
You have done what your noble Department Conatajoler duebund 0 7 be done with cavalry. When a staff offeer reportol phit Gonon! Fait had charged and taken a fort he repliedlo Inpo dle. ingo low thing was never heard of, " when he and His I'M note Sengel study in ascertain the truth of this report, arriving at the fra Brdoubt su sitoe La xian your taking the second with no little osloni birner !.
You have won for yoursel and your respective Prote inuneed on You have taught the aring and the world the Doyou. de vel good woo light and charge bradbank of Hold on tar ne. copie same polop acts of person theatery during the Comp her way fory pom mel
tant service by repeating in the price Of SKYRE: LOL House of 1 200- duct in the recent campaign.
The brigade now has a name nuly consiglio. 3001 0 i hope in colores soldier will fail to lead his entire energy to reggio; the record stile murs der oo 1. Let our motto be first in drill, first indiseidie, umnon pasmed hi kondivalg . wo twee. and as of late, foremost in every battle
By command of Datus E. Count, Colonel Second lash Curvades Compmailing Brigade.
The 9th of February we moved back to Eastport and erupted some shanties built by the infantry and proceeded to an age camp in a comfortable mano. I rom This place partiet & re sent out nearly every day saydie. on the Fly di
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of the Ninth and a part of the Second loka wife of on a soul about fifteen miles, but only brought in two prismen: February 14th, received our camp equipage, byits ce. which one round by boats from Nashville; February Jath, two promotions in Com- pany A, Sergeant C. G. Back to by first. Henterant and the bans. and gallant Lieutenant David Hillier to be egrain. Ther the soldiers had been with the regiment from the first, had been forthe ful, brave and gallant in the performance of every duty. Copri Hillier having held his commission as second boatengnt since April, 1862, having been in comment of Company i ile mostro the time, and though now appointed captain of his old company. be having previously tendered his resignation, was never comes sioned to the position he was at this timerapported to Gh. though strongly recommended by his Mother officers die Vorig. To. men were busy building stables for an expected supply of horses
February 17th. an insperish of arins and quefors by Motor MeMannis commanding the regiment. A part of the Ninth and a detachment of the Second Town Carthy with four wagons started on a scout to Tuscumbia, Ala., arriving at that place the 20th: went into camp and Company A vest on patrol toward De cator, and on the 21 proceeded to Russellville, the headquarters of the rebel General Roddy, who had a division of rebel cavalos. but he did not desire to risk a battle and refronted farther sonty: captured a number of prisoners, thong they a ecbyl, ahol thirty in all, who would scomed glad to be in our hand ; angled back in camp at & r. M., February 233; had Foramthat dill for nearly every day, and there was talk at this time of taking over our horses to some of the other regiments.
February 26th, inspection by Major MeMania and Surgeon G. B. Christy, and on the 25th, mustered by a captain of the Spo ond Towa for two months' pay for Jamary and Fabrifury.
March 5th, inspection of arins and quarters In General Hatch. who returned to us a few days before. We were they having company regimental and brigade drill much of the time. A non- ber of recruits arrived for the regiment on the 9th, and Match 12th inspection of arms and quarters. The Second Towa Cavalry were to day turning over their Spencer carlings
March 13th our gallant Col. J. W. Maxpor joisod ca aguio,
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HISTOPY OF THE
having been commissioned full colour of our re siment, from The comber 5, 156%. He was welcomed back by a regular oration from the Ninth.
March 14th the Ninth turned over our Spencer enbon to General Croxton's command, and received in piace some old (wdy's revolving rifles and Sharp's on bines.
March 24th an unfortunate accident occurred. While a forts cuf officers stood conversing a sick of cartridges exploded, betning Captain Shattuck very severely in the face, and Listenat Roberts also, but not so badly.
During the month of March. 1865, General Wilson organiand a large cavalry Force to go on a grand mid into the center of the Confederacy.
The Fifth Division did not, For some redon that we never 00 tainly knew. form a part of this grand command, and we were obliged to turn over horses to the troops selected for the efter prise, and later application was made for out Spencer carlings and to equip those regiments who vere to go withis active empol en to be turned over to General Croxton's division. This seemed to this gallant division, the fighting Fifth. to be pretty hard treeparent. as they had stood us in such good stead in so many tiglnt ploops. but as it appeared that this expedition would need a good aux more than we in our dismounted condition, and the good of tip service demanded the sacrifice, they gave them up. In 1og nition of this act of selfdenial Gener Wilson issued the follow ing order :
GENERAL CEDER NO. 21
The Brevet Major General comumpalier take- great phone infantado the cavalry corps, that the oficers and regn of the Second Fossa, Sixth and Vinde Illinois, through BriseHier-General Elward Hatch, comredriding Fifth Dissior, and Colonel D. E. Coon, Second Bringde, nave, with a sphilo generous. co celled only by their gallautry, voluntarily tarred over to dor First Digging a large number of spencer cabides, taking in caphumus orejas! mint er of fufe- rior arms of various patterns; this, too, after they had been comp Her to turn over their horses to the Seventh Division and offer detadlanents.
Such an exhibition of zeal for the interests of the public service, of self de- nial, and of friend's regard for their Inothers in arms, is umaledek and estive the brave men who have so chorfully nelle it atthe hook stol olmasaingef every soldier in the corp .. Trots whohavedistin GA .. .
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acts of gallantry as a long 1 listing of the / pay Division con LA Howto timer Yer greater sacrifice. They are entitled to the he tre mione, equipment agd udlos 1100 country can furnish, and every effort will be noale to secure then in time toclo able them to participate in the events of the morning campaign
This order will be read to every regina at of the Fifth Division.
By command of Brevet Major-General Wil on, [Signed ] F. B. BRAUNION . Major med Assistent 10, 0000-6000
The Second Brigalle soon thereafter received myskets and b gan to drill in the latintry Togie; but somlowand later bellos season were again furnished with a new outfit of horses pod Ster cer carbines, an altogether more satisfactory arrangement for our boys.
March 26. An inspection of the division by General Haber. and our drill continuty new month of the Ted try Toption, a w- are dismounted and have long guns.
April 2d. Inspection of the regiment by Captain Clark, ora of our most popular officers, who, we expected, would soon be promoted to a majorship.
April 3d. Tearing down our shanties and putting up tools. which, it was thought. would be more healthy for om men. The kind of soldier life was very monotonont, to om old solffer boys. who had been for so long a time acestaged to the duties of active campaigns, so the boys put in a part of their leisure time to fixing up and beautifying the camp, by puttingconf evergreen the and arranging their comp so that it presented a very prospe appearance, and really looked like a Markvan camp of prenichons"
April 11th we received the news of the surreader of lord's army. The first intimation we had of it was the bagning of cannon from the gandrate in the Tenneson River, fiches winle of thirty eight guns, soon after which Genel Hatch onlogo tip the battery belonging to the division, and a salite of one May- dred guns was fired with great rapidity. The whole comprosiol turned out. and indulged in considerable jollifigation. " Pones." "peace."and "home," were the words on every tongue. General Grant had paroled lis army, and that we did not just like, for we feared we should have to light them ; gain, as heretofore, they Il not observed their parole.
Sunday evening at 6:20 wereentY of the a RoundOf i telligence
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of the assassination of President Lincoln. It did : cenzewereites that it could be true, yet it came in such shape that bo wore obliged to believe it, and our hearts were heavy and every one felt gloomy in the extreme. The army dinesed Arbres Jaley son, and many knew him to be entirely unfit to asstore da found of this Government, as we jarlged him to be (5 lat be yoonsouls proved himself, a man of mediocre ability-vain, andallows and puffed up with self conceit.
April 27th Capt. William C. Blackigarn, who wio eyjaand November 24th at Campbellville. Tien. joined us. He find Loon a prisoner since, that time confined at Mundial. Caleb and Andersonville. He gave very drilling and graphic passait of the privation and sufrir gof el monte de immer total they received at the land of the rebels Captain Brambor at this time about to muster out and leave the service.
Lieutenant-Colonel A. R. Mockand Major Willinthe Mexlamus returned to the regiment from their northem visit, and we wn. . very glad to see them back looking so well and bearing the Loopor of their promotions with so much easy grace. They verogiput a blow-out, at which many cigars were smoked! and offwir thimpedi posed of.
May 7th. Regimental inspection by Linquenant Colonel Mark.
May 8th. Colonel Harper returned to the regingent footjoy well and hearty, and all were Glad to be Lia Ison.
On the 10th the First Brigade Info, guime down the rice.
Sunday May 7th, inspection of the regiment boy Colonel That- per. and on the 17th, a grand review of the Second Hand by General Hatch. Many rebel deserters went coming tou Ghtop. every day. On the 15th two regiments, the Second and Flowpolly rebel Tennessee Cavalry, came in mounted.
About the 25th of May the regiment began to divide a. che battalion under Major Shattuck moved to Corinth, another nudes Major MeMannis to Tuscumbia and one to luka. So also was the Second Lowa and Seventh Ilmois Cavalry sent to different towns for garrison duty.
Captain Joli C. Neely and Lieutenant J. A. McCartney, of Company 1, First Illinois Light Artillery, the battery attached to the Fifth Division, were with usat Passport and were soprano
at this time to be mustered out as they were very . nsions to letto the service, as all felt that the war was nearly over. They were very pleasant gentlemen and good officers, and the officer, of the command were sorry to have them leave as are bul Jong seront together.
The following orders of General Hatch. assigning the new ments of the Second Brigade to special duties explain it-elf :
HEADQUARTERS PIETH DIVISION, CAVALRY CONG. M. D. M. ) SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 116 1
= Brevet Brigadier General D. E. Coon, commining Second Brigado Fifth Division Cavalry Corn, M. D. M., will ichit hi- comment of Deddin Ala.
. inth, Miss., and Purdy. Teon., will remain in their pre- it cango. The balam of the regiment will erenap at Ensport and mail order .
IV. The sixth Tiums Cavahy, wirinthe con Gon of a more'end detail Iv take charge of the camp und upon equipa o vill procent to Nachhilfe. Wann. via river, and Nashville and Northwestern Balrood, and report to Lightena. Sudlow, A. A. Q. B., at theit three, for the purpose of tal ingelpenge of no Deal to Decatur, Ala.
V. The battalion of the Ninth Dinoi Cavalry, under conmunnt of Minforo Wm. MeMannis will remain in camp at Tumorphin
VI. All surplus camp not garrison completo and all concederam Istper w be turned over to Lieutoread S. W. Treat. Dopet of Promaster of Leverpon
VII. Brevet General Coon, with the help of his contactI gresial' y lle
son to Brevet Major General Hatch : But De
no surplus bygge ris transported.
By con mand of Brevet Major-General Jalwird TIME
To Lieutenant E. A. Davenport,
A. C. S. Faith Division Creatry Corps M. D. V.
About the Ist of July the regiment began to rendervous af Tuka, and on the 4th of July took up their line of marek for Deen- tur, Als. It was very hot, and it was thought best to lay by in the heat of the day; marching through Tuscumbia, it was so hot that some of our boys gave out. We pitched our tents two miles from Decatur, and here received orders to turn over our arms 10! equipments.
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CONGRATULATORY AND FAREWELL ORDIT OF GEN. WILSON.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, M. D. M., , MACON, GA., July 2, 1-65. 1
GENERAL ORDERS, No 39.
To the oficers and, men of the Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Matkogge.
Your corps has ceased to cist. The Rebellion has continued hp the p. establishment of your country upon the basis of nationality and perpetualw ils. Your deeds have contributed a neble part to the glorie resch. They hadpet into history and need no recital from me. In the nine months daing width ] have commanded you I have heard no reproach open. yeny configet, bare led no disaster to chronicle.
The glowing memories of Franklin, Nashville, Warst Harpeth, Elenege Church, Selma, Montgomery, Columbus, West Point and Macon may well ml your hearts with pride.
You have learned to bellers grands - invisible ford, funtemedpfleg jam honorable deeds, may posts cherich det belief. Yen som le pied of sob splendid discipline no less than your codage, zual juk enfinator. The role impulses which have inspired you in the past will be a source of doluring lamm in the future. Peace has her victories no less than walt. Do not for of gift clear heads, honest hearts and stout als, guided by pin patriotism of the surest defense of our country in every peril. Upon the depend on stress! progress of our race and order of civilization, as well & the Biberi of all rabu kind.
Let your example in civil life be an incitement to industry, good order and enlightenment, while your deeds in war shall live in the eraciul remainbitonce of your countrymen.
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