USA > Illinois > History of the Ninth Regiment Illinois Cavalry Volunteers. Pub. under the auspices of the Historical Committee of the Regiment > Part 4
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From prisoners taken we o'gained copies of Hindont's prog- Jamation, subjoined, which indicates very clearly with boy much zest and good-will some of the Southof slicedry yes willing and anxious to treat their Northern fri nel to - hospitable pass
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ANTHONY R. MOCK
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NIETR ILINOIS CAVALRY VOLUNTEER.
To the People of Arkansas:
The Yankee General Curtis is attempting to rage. Hi powolow is untenable. He is appalled by the dangers that surround blue le bris gerror he resorts to the desperate expedient of moving to the South bleus While River, trusting for supplies from the Mississippi by bod. The can not ascend White River. We have already hur up some of the Low clad boats, crippled another, an ! cant holdt the river sesiv : hi Pert The borg- tion now is: Shall his army reach the fleet below : Youstop persone istin genel is in your hand; the plan is not a secret. I proching af to you all ! ho to carried out, the responsibility will rea organ Take part . an in front of ar munition, every man of you; mount your hopeer ge alvid, do the walt au bout upon your neighbor. Lose no tin it holding mening - move los grd theyyem) by the shortest road. Join the fast company you everble upon the men Press upon the invaders from every direction attack bin day coot niel:, 10, 00 scouts and pickett, 1.il his pilots, and Loops au tran port Chine! ! trains, lie in ambush, and surprise his detSCHEDORS. SOMECLIS TORRENT Destroy every round of meat and four, cry out of an inplank of fe fer oats and wheat, that can fill into bi- bundle. Fell trees as thick of ax 1 00 mil the roads before him; but every bridge with Mock up the food Have agood Ml front, fanks, and rear, and make the ring of your riffs and shot-tin . he de accompaniment of every foot of history. Leteveryman fred and Sour 10 this appeal is addressed to him especialy, and that the apprent of flying country to her sous for deliverance. Our army in the wild wildo is pir Why yon do yours? [Signed] T. C. HINDUIS
Just back of the town of Helena. Ark., on the high tablo kund lying along the bluffs was the beautiful pianiation of General Hindman (the author of the above vainglorious and loved proclamations. a place that had been noted in Power year's de fin scene of many festivities when young Hindb, wie for last. with his dapper little person and ling clothes inweired bull co be " the glass of fashion and would of form."
The Bowling Green (Ky.) Great gives the foloving wany tion of Hindman. the rebel General in Arkamas :
" Hindman's parents came from Connection and walled trar Knowside. Tem., near which place Hindman that saw daylight Himigon fyller wartel paw to Benjamin and Slidell in the minister Phoptontine frond ugoby the \ 20 States some years ago, to the amount of $3,000,000. Young Hinbe a la Mode man of stamp No. 1. He stands five feet ene inck io le very funds youens leathers; wears the finest of clothing tight-ming clothes, ludi iu curl ferieen inches in length, falling gracefully over his shoulders, mo soll citdes grom little cap apon the top of his fordont, to display the sen manage the way nil Hindman."
44
HISTORY OF THE.
We moved right along with no serious delay, though the rebels tried every way in their power to impede our progress by Jole ing trees across the road, putting up barricades and cantis, filling many wells with logs and filth to prevent our thirsty soldiers from getting a drink of water. There had been no rainfall for months. and the roads and indeed the whole country was full of that dry clay-colored dust. in some places to the depth of three or four inches, and as the long columns of troops marched along it be- came almost unendurable. There were a few with copper ve crossed, which in ordinary times were filled with water, but whirde now were quite dry, and the inhabitants were generally disposal to render what water there was unfit for use by our met. Portions of the command would strike off across the field mato the woods. anywhere to escape the intolerable best, thirst and duist. spread ing out sometimes a distance of six or eight miles from the main columns. The hospital-train soon became a long one, and was cor- tainly a medley. as it was made of hospital and ambulance wagons. and as these became full from the many poor fellowa la coming sick and unable to march or ride their horses, they were put into the hospital train. Soon we began to confiscate from the resources of the country, and it was not a rare sight to seea fine family carriage, an old buggy, a cart or even an old stageenich, with an impronta mule team, and perhaps a rope harness, all brought into requisition, mostly without the formahty of an order from the General, Quartermaster, and Surgeon.
With this heterogeneous medley of material, our bespiist department did much to alleviate the distress of the many that gave out on this terrible march. Many a poor fellow failed to reach the goal for which we were then striving. imuisly the Me sissippi River, where we know there was an abundanceo! supplies. rations, sanitary goods and quartermaster Stores. On this march through Arkansas five Comrades of the Ninth weary laid down to their last sleep, and many more never recovered from the effects of their exposures, and died at Helena or in the various hospitals of the North to which they were sent. It wasan experience that makes one shudder to recall- day after day tolling on with the Confederate troops over in our front vaial trying to kyoy restent.
On the Fourth of Baly we encompe atoronto con die White
River. This town is some sixty five miles from Helena, and not far from St. Charles, where the Confederates had recently blown up one of our gunboats. We then hoped to reach of transport soon. Here the army took a much needed rest. and celebrated the day by a national salute, a parade, patriotic speeches by General Benton. Colonels Hovey, Bussey and Washburn. the readme of the Declaration of Independence, and rousing cheers for tler Au tional flag.
July 7th our cavalry was engaged to some extent at Ciclo River or Cotton Plant. In this engagement the enemy lost hergo ly. nearly one hundred and fifty being killed, and many prison ers captured. The loss of the Union army was sevent killed and fifty-seven wounded, mainly from fin Thirty thod Inioa Iodin try and the First Indiana Cavahs.
In this affair the Ninth suffered no loss. The Rebel force hogy was composed, mainly, of two regiments of Texas Rangers, a fim soldierly set of fellows. In some accounts this battle is tomyil the Battle of Peach Mound, Ark .. because of large prach orchard near by. Our hospitals were on the bills among the peach those Well do I remember that bright morning, July 9th, riding avnode the trees, where were laid the dead and wounded, both Union and Confederate. all receiving the same treatment and care from cor Surgeons and attendants. Major Clendenning and Coplom Stoan of the First Indiana Cavalry hay in a building close by, dead fin one brave soldier, with both fert ned together by the 107 which had been used by his captors to the him to the tree. 0010 his comrades had found him, dead. shot by the rebels. He waan courier. sent out. in the hope of reaching the expedition sent up the White River, to inform them that Contis' arity would con be there, but, unfortunately, not one of our brave men, sont ou the perilous duty, ever got through. When we arrived at (fumo don, the transports and fleet had come and gone the day before our advance arrived - no doubt, supposing that we had taken some other route, or afraid of being captured. It was indeed. a bitter disappointment to our poor follows, so many of whom word sick and worn out with the long march, the heat and dust, and poor supplies to be obtained. There was pologne to stop for here, and, after a little tel. the command again gol sp her
16
HISTORY OF THE
line of march, this time toward the Misisipo River. Hicham being the objective point, where we knew a large fleet. with plenty of everything to make us comfortable, awaited o ir comnding. Some of Curtis' command arrived there on July 14. 1992. 08 Helena. Ark.
This town had been of considerable importance, being situatoil about midway between Memphis and Vicksburg. Just presiones to our arrival the whole surface of the town had been afinest completely inundated by the overflow of the Mississippi River. consequently. the air was full of the poilon of malari, aring from the dank decaying of that which had recently been a rank growth of vegetation. We went into camp just above the town, on the immediate bank of the river. country the Ninth Ilinois Cavalry had their headgooriere till April 7, 1863. Soon after their arrival the regiment was assigned to the Third Brigade, Colonel Carne Buskey, of General A. P. Hover's Division, District of Southeastern Artannes. com manded by General Steele.
A FAMOUS MARCH - FIGHTING OUR WAY THROUGH ARKANSAS A SOLDIER'S ACCOUNT OF THE MARCH OF GENSDEL CURTIS' COLUMN TURGEON ARKANSAS TO THE MISSISSIPPI IN THE SUMMER OF 1562 - PLENTY OF FROY ING AND PLENTY OF HOT WEATHER, BUT VERY LUCIEN FORAGE OR WATES ON THE WEARY TRIP.
[From the Chicago Times, Sotwo dogs out . !!
The march of Major General Curtis ams from Bestille to Helpus, In the summer of 1869, was one of the most aring and fatman of an when the civil war. The weather was intobedly hos, and the rong be theone, the maly ris-breeding swamps and feulands, where the training myces of Sportille ;os on the great cypress trees wave lile mourning bonds over the reckfre trods Everything grows there in the rainkest profusion, and the onion and care attore are most beautiful, the ground being nicht an I easily coinvatel. Most of the poo ple residing in this region were strong in their sccession forbigk ard, 1.fre com siderable slave-owners, were willing to shed their blood for when they couldles .f right. There were many large plantations where great gangs of clayes were worked successfully, the cultivation being something marvelins. They believed that the Union soldiers were endeavoring to escape from their State, not that While was the time to get in front and annihilate them. Tien ii ( yet sodiffere west suffering for want of rations was true crough. Int it was known that contrats loaded with provisions for our army were moving up White River, and we hope to meet them at Clarendon.
The General had left the Ninth Rossidrop of Tient Com. 9. 66 8x 766. Albert G. Brackett, at the junction of the Bus, and Venire Given to wolf
NINTH HEINON CASATES ARRESTERT-
lines in that direction, while the main andy by in aod od B HE twenty-five miles distant. Being very nad h ijemen of 2 . . a sud dopo L'al ing parties were frequently sent out, which is not in the celugold & life wagons Joaded. On the 19th of June, Miger Hsompires of do Rimb tue- Cavalry, started out on om of these expedifipis. ani. After corre " hbr lors went about five miles below Jacksonpert who has domaine? pour estoy no was furiously assailed by the enemy, and ste ato. lig ami von wol ... ing that he was unable to cope with the super markets the Conference and fearing that his train would be captured, he sont bomb for 3.00 00perony & few minutes after getting the word Colore. 19 . Let Partya good to go get ture for taking two more companies of his over recipient and two companies of cavalry, with two mountain howitzer. I'post peeling the ground be fen four companies in a cotton fioml, who charg df Do carmomy , 10000my Bestto floor with a loss of twenty-eight men; saved his pan trail of hong waren having filled it with corn and bacon, and religned alles in the waterstop that evering. The tilt took place of the W 6: El form. pro stow Dort Is Tir country. The cotton gir and tou houet wee biomand dueine Months
The main army under General Curtis started from Paceville un Ko zano June, and slowly toiled toward Jacksonpus, for rongs & nie dog, sul the lo almost unendurable. Bad, indeed, was it for the sock and sound ! most of gasped and panted in the hot weather, there heimer the tool slimthe wind . wol wer for them, the whole country fairly seething. "The Army of 8. Somly. com composed of three divisions, commanded, no nectively, be Legater Steele, First; Carr, Second, and Overhale, The onehour. vore Beige de command. Of course, the progress was the as it tig hunt for of a willy train, and seemed slow besorol measure, for every body was Fi ord the scene hope that when we reached Clarendon, on Wint Rivon ih yalo xicriar ans roundings would change, and we would how aient thanh lo cat. Hochey at the junction of White and Black Rivers were sent thead before the past see what could be found in the direction of Manshe There of computer little left in the country n tip way of free!, high conver torvede ke,dvd, JEget a considerable time, and nearly Strippoli of ere sibbe The time of were commanded by Major formal'implant . Minden. of visto watchful, and who had taken pains by | roohnedich to come give na . imiss feelings toward the Union andhier.
On the 27th of June tarse trains werg ser tions from alos comp on valle Creek for the purpose of seeing what more could bereturned slech cough That service to the Federals. Thesetrains were whacked, And Meat pan Alvo if, wold and three soldiers of the Third! Iowa Cavalry were & flodcan ! foire obs wounded. At the same than the train of the Ninth Hitel Cofairy some ofzakro though guarded by a battalion of the Regiment midler Migoy Milli, pues that comes sent back for help. Colonel Brackett at chocepatel off with winter beim of the regiment to go to his relief. ant affer ujareling sono three urtles forost the train halted near a piece of woods. As soon as he took to the Witcher the Colonel started into the timber, determined to my concluants wolf the (mere) aids, if they could be found. The what df incluant ing over the road so as to in andout polo mun ro irs y Blirsolo
ـعودة أبدالم
HISTORY OF THE
far when his advance gnard, mdlo Captain Knight, omur suddenly mon tos rebels under Colonel Matlock, as they moved silently alone the dirt rent making scarcely any noise. The leading sets of four fired their revolver simple comme taneously, Captain Knight being shot through the body and dropplin Dreme 10 horse. The Confederates immediately retroved der town pushing Meurel ly, nutil they reached a dense swamp, where they threw themselves of thell hottes and took to the trees, firing as rapille as possible. The night he the or fool as the most fastidious person could desire, and so continued sale Neues came ou, when the Confederates retreated. leaving theis aved men old this pround Both sides were severely crippled. the Ninth Hinos Coopbry binviop co'sy dore killed and wounded, Colonel Brackett. Mejor Wallis, Capiof Kutehr, ond tror tant Blackburn being among the latter. This getint ported on Siewar waitai. tation, and is so laid down in history. The Confeferats. seperdiog to their over admission, lost over fifty in killed and wonided. Wird zase the Cluat the greatest satisfaction was saving the train from fitflop into the body of The enemy, as it was very valuable, and was of fruit de islamet after we! I padding through to the Mississippi River.
Back the men went to their camp, and on the following doy repaired dane ages as well as possible and paid the last tritate of report to those who lol fallen. A sad and solein duty, an 1 doubly solespricht thu From: trees ov gi fol sighed and sobbed as the men were hid away in their jag resing plane. After for excitement of the fight, the reaction was extremely depresing.
The next six days carried the huge cohan to An asta, where a losdrony village was found, though there were but few mon to the sen let weine to Do place, they having joined the veriog- military orasvilafiers, wurth 8 ve code voring to arrest our progress. The Fourth of July was paid For all del ty hel as well as circumstances wouldl admit. Many U'hibrierof Arkancon Did asoon bled, who were formed into a regiment by General Gut, and though They vy not present a very martial aspect, their good will worked the shi dos con mye many shortcomings in other respe. o. sans usually are.
The Confederates let been busy in blockadin the real Plusu jas heren and filling up the wel's teur the farmhouses When the walls could not stopped up readily, the buckets were broken and rails tiver down inte tlies. On the 7th of July. Colonel Charles 1. Hovey, of the Thirty Mint Ilimuly Coliquey Volunteers, commanding a brigade, directed Colonel Horri, with your consoles of the Eleventh Wisconsin Volontiers, four complaints of the Things shod til nois, and one steel gun belonging to the First Indians Cuvalgy, to make & Trevis naissance in front of our lines. He fell in with the sem plebeis zes 10\'s pie- tation, fired on them, and, following them up .this time. fell into an andacode The woods swarmed with Confederate soldiers, ani the tre was very sharp there being over two thousand Texas troops drawn up in bur of battle. Affor MILE decided fighting, the enciny fall back on their main And, wille Harle piahed forward, until he in turn was compelled to fail back with the sun, bading bundy severely wounded, the Texans having toade a deteri.hod charge per noite Mi received the shock of the . the city
NINTH ILLINGS CAVALRY VORESTEMOS.
they broke under the withering hre of the infantry. At this time a Istra long the First Indiana Cavalry came thundering forward by orders of General Cingis and completed the disconfiture of the enemy. The diserions's, aby tweel five hundred strong, were under the immediate counsel of Brigadier & oral Albert Rust, and their loss amounted to over too loudjed in lliland sounded On our side Capt. Willing W. Sloane, of the First lintianh Gusalpy, was blod, and Major R. M. Clendenning, of the same regiment, wasvery & ciously vouelled. Colonel Harris, Captain Christie, and Lieutenant been, of the Niggathe Wu or sin, were wounded, as wa. Captain Potter, of the Thirty chant Illinois, our sel loss aggregating sixty-three. The wounded Confederate wie Bel & our own were gathered into the yard in front of Mr. Hill's house and presented . Hay pitiful appearance. The rebels could not ne broad it za the alfleste la assured them the Federals were retreating, and that they would give was a poco as attacked.
Major-General Hindman hal cypertod !efter thogs funny Goporel Rosde command retreated across White River, murs of the Tekdel and Atkoumos deserting at that time. In this report Hindion was not very emoplimentary to his remarks about them. This is all very well, je rbups, but Hindigo var ma there himself to witness the fight, or he would Have been sept off the Bell vill the others.
On our march the negroes had fairly swarmed around us, coming from every mansion, log cabin, and habitable place inthe wine region. Sorge of the women had taken the finery belonging to their mistresses, and. Jonting H ou, -con ted alongside of the column with great buddies en. then hepois. Lille ofindieb walked briskly, while old men and young ; loaded on as if their lives nejdeo upon reaching some price in front -exactly what pluco bber he jzlor krone nie cared. So excited a body of humanity never was seen bieten here we tel. ization of the hopes of liberty which they lad keptalive for some Some 00 almost delirions with joy, and for a thue forse the lagoon skich wondil mem br upon them. We had att mil h ourschus, and could not well sport a real feel for these poor creatures, but they got along some way, 5xdd To SES Final No 5f. old masters and mistrer us. A new life so coming up to lario nedthe were to make their way as best they could.
At some of the camps we had up water except such as half entleert in to a where the great trees had been blown down, which we both " HEDLand Freddy - about the color of chocolate-but we link to drink it, as there was antelling Corn bread and fresh beef was our usual die, but at times ve cible herpes pred fields of green corn, when we fersted on roasting aus. Frequently the du' terrible, and the cavalry would be obliged to make love dilung for the side of the road to keep from smothering the infantry completely At cher third the rain feil, and all night long everything was wet and emitirtien Then, care the sun came out, the steam would rise in great wreaths, and we were as hot xeln steam baths. Everything se med to be in confusion, but will we talked en and one. knowing that eventually we would reach the river, or find a to sing place Julever by the roadside.
Several houses were bitte on the postde thespeicher Honists, who were too free in presin
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HISTORY OF YOUR
fine mansion was occupied by aime lacht . who went- viny Wobei in Best of ions, as well as insol ut to our offers an I antille and asone regiment after another pressed the hoog. the main pine i an hour afterward, what bol been an invite. mongi, 576 trece kest theold as was but a shopeless mars of charred be me
On the 9th of July, the troop, were in noipuls diwir or d.r.recebie ) been soun led an hour before dawn. A twenty five mile thigh day before when we woul I reach Clarendon, fondly Lebovng we would forward sastro dance of everything. We were in one extended tolight, due wych tubes length, moving over a level country, where there were no Bill of polls. W suffered greatly for want of water, but a soli free pour furnished some fluid, many gloily drinking . the . ros ario of the four pool." About four mables from Chirolon and informed him that the contents, with longest army, had left the place, and gone back to mell by fogy - provoking? Makea : by the entity, and dit ro good. We mortal stwale thed die copy prepared to push forward to Helena, Of ANY NET MANO River, 9% OFF distant, on the following morning. No off cantor hoe sardo ve ans-pet fo disappointment, por hoy : ravating ; v., bbcto bear do Hr be thwarted in getting the m. simply unable to get messenger approach, as every horsebror was fiezod of the cookedris : if cantato give a good account of himself, sommarily di posed of
We remained in comprar the 10th, to re- one weary nous siffer Worms, le fogy attempting the great march to the river, vehicleve muy pole at mo meter save our lives. General Grant, then in coronaud of Or Avoirso che Trol-ars Memphis, feb the al solut no ce sity of DRine primotd-t cata Combs the 20th of June sent the following letter to ( og & Grafing \ Which, even ing the White River explidion .:
"Site: I send fixes manera loaded with bajos fint Chef they necessarily pass through a hoade country. On candand, if have to be ette- cised, to prevent these supplies from falling into the hands of ' by voviny ms m being destroyed.
" I have selected yours commanderof Piper of different intofor your soul two additional regiments, as you will perecho fjorsp cial be acenacom this.
" It would be impossible to give full. seela inst. moins bo of this expedition. Much must new starils becleft to the dignaton of the alley in command. I would suggest, however, tips frea piece of willey ! placefor the bow of the boat intended to lead: ilen offof them beleg legit line ofkes. 0 1 you tie up for the night, strong guards by the way out openthe dron and then troops be landed and required to march, and clear out all porima paspseted ja km cealing a fue.
"It is desirable these supplies thought reich General Curile yearly se perate
" Itis notintended that you shall reach General Curtis aparar sdfofstadles link it is highly desirable that he should be reached.
" I am, Colonel. your obeclient servant,
[Sigued]
We started on the 11th, and soon come to a laird v hier ath re vore ale Sovou dance of everything- foduo for oar horses, food for our ches, and pirmas od water. We marched all day and all ni, it, viany of the noch to ing wercome fly drowsiness and fatigue. Some druppel trong their hors offers laid .. down by the roadside-quite a tougher to rile no more, So, we hope que thed o'clock on the following morning, when we red hed Heleing and the great march Was over.
CHAPTERVI.
SICKNESS AT JELENA - MANY SANT NORTH - BROSS GUNS ASS1000ED TO THE NINTH - FIGHT AT LA GRANGE. ARK. MAJOR Porod's EXPEDITION WITH GENERAL WASHBURN IN V: STASIPPL- - CAP JURE OF THE GUS -THE PHILANDSHE OF CON BA WALIDORS.
A FTER our arrival at Helena. it was soon found to be the Com that a large part of the regiment wassick. jaded and word out. Hospitals were established, chile a huge monitor vous for on the transports that were arriving, some of which wondering transformed into hospital boats and sent North, somoto SE Loni and Cairo, and quite a number further up the ther to the lo pitals in other cities. Others were granted freloughe and such leave, and went direct to their homes. Many. very many. Bok their departure from this place to their long home, and their inte are now lying upon the hills so beautiful. just alosyon coop foip ground.
While in camp here our Regiment suffered terribly from di- case; often there were not enough nien in camp to care for tpo sick and properly look after the horses.
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