USA > Illinois > History of the Ninth Regiment Illinois Cavalry Volunteers. Pub. under the auspices of the Historical Committee of the Regiment > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
..
-
.
64
a large number of negroes, some of fopt, other in carriages and buggies, and on horses and mules: a motley crowd, somer in silks, and some in tatters, but all in high spirits and happy to bro under the protection of their deliverers. Ofer comnovel alos brought in a large drove of cattle for the Coun. je ary.
July 1st. 1863, two regiments of colored troops were or ganized at LaGrange. Tean .. and it was thought a number of brave and competent men from the Ninth would geeft comme sions with them. Captain Knight was offered : Colonoley it on. but did not accept. A few of our men did finally go mio theo organizations.
July 6th, 1863. We received this diy the official news of tios fall of Vicksburg, the surrender of Pemberton and this song thousand prisoners, also the taking of six hundred prilogel af con old camp at Helena. Ark. All of which glorious rows made tlos boys of the Ninth feel good, and caused Dan Knight to do a rushing business.
It was reported at this time that heavy fores were on the north side of the Tallahatchice, and it was not long are they received our most respectful attention. But the large forcedwill dled down to Richardson's guerrillas ; and they senttered before we could reach them.
July 14th, a portion of the Ninth, eight companies, stated on a seout with Major Gifford in comme pil. at Collins ilo, ning miles east on the railroad. Pour compris of the Fourth IL. nois Cavalry joined us, all now being under the command of Colonel MeCrellis, the object being to lant up the notorious guerrilla, Colonel Richardson. We crossed Wolf River to the north, eight miles from Collierville and then to Fischer's Porla and to Hickory Withe, sixteen miles, where we were infornoil we should surely find the enemy, but, alas, for human expectations. we found him not.
Our command of four hundred men pushed on, and as we work well mounted and armed, were ready for most anything. Com. tain Harper, in advance with Company I. surprised a rebel picket and gave chase, but as their horses were both fresh food fleet, they disappeared in the woods, atter exchanging a few show with our advance guard. The total produinf ovopetitbern twelve prisoners and a lot of how good fugle yap que (100 return to camp. July 24th, it was found that in off absence the
-
CHARLES BRACKETT.
Sur Jeann
MISEN ILLIMI CAVALRY SOLU'STEAM
rebels had captured three of our men and five mer employed so the railroad. Lieutenant McMahon, with a part of Comgary D, immediately started in hot pursuit and overtook a company of rebels about equal in number, but dared my fire for Jest of hitting some of our men who were in their midst. The galland Lieutenant then charged them, broke through their line, and p captured all our men, killing one heutenmit and two privates. and bringing in six prisoners. The "folmies" had roband their pris oners of watches, money, etc., after they were free they poliety requested the return of the same at the saber's point.
July 2d, Colonel Hatch, commanding a boende. Lad a tipos with some twenty-five hundred Confederates ut Jackson, Toga . with the Rebel Genord Tomas. Haler's force was only alma! cleven hundred, of which the Sixth and Seventh Innols Canales formed a part, drove the enemy, after breaking through thoin lines by a saber charge, with three companies of los commaml.
July 24th. Four companiesof the Ninth, under Captain Blinde burn, had a skirmish with the rebels, at Byhalia, Mis .. capturing four prisoners; our loss, none.
July 26th, Lieutenant Marshall. of Company C. together withen Third Illinois Cavalry man, while visiting at the houseof :ccom near our lines, was captured with their horses by a speed of seven guerillas. The rebels only kept them one night, and after ichas ing them of horses and ariis turned them loose.
July Both, captured two prisctions at Wolf viger and the past day lost two men captured on pichet by the enemy. My fave.
August Sth, Captain Buel with four compatis of the North on a scout to Robinson's Cross Roads, brought in a lot of colle One man from Company taken prisoner.
August 13th, a part of the regiment, about for finding strong under Major Burgh, marched to Collierville and tlivre joined the Third and Fourth Ilinois Cavalry. Colonel Wallis in command of the Brigade. Crossed the Tadalatchie on the 15th, and on through Oxford, crossing the Tucont on the 14th. We here met the Second lowa and Third Michigan Canales. and the Ninth Ilinois Mounted Infantry. Colonel Phillye, tre senior officer, took calmand of the exis Niet Wie. Valby.
August 17th, a part of the Ninh with the New home foryour
5
66
NINTH HUNOR CHAR TUMENTE
a force of the enemy at Grenada. Miss .: the rebel diganed our passage over the Yallabasha, and a spirited artillery duel was hego up for sometime. A part of the Ninth and the Third Michigan crossed the river and went into town, capturing about cisty pr oners, among them Major Chahners. While the figi was going on, the enemy became impressed that there was another tore coming in their rear from toward Vicksburg. They missed the white flag, when our boys stopped firing. they flere her ding. Our forces captured and destroyed a large amountof Confederate property, including sixty locomotives, five hundred cars, and Jun- chinery stock buildings and supplies to an immer ammot: then recrossed the river, fell back about three miles, and canpied for the night.
After dark, on the 17th, Colonel Winslow con up in the roar of Grenada with three regiments of cavaby. captured a lot of prisoners, and a large quantity of rolling stock, that the tebe Were running off.
The, Ninth on this expedition was under the command of Major Burgh, and did most excellent service. The rod had been exceedingly successful and brilliant in the results attained. The Confederate troops burned the railroad brilge over the Yodle busha.
While on this expedition Lieutenant Shattuck, of Company T. with a detail of eighteen men, was sent out to Torago for louises and mules. While crossing a river hos asasatiled by a birge forro of Confederates, with which he lout a hard Agli. Hood one man killed, and his own horse was shot. There were too many of them, and his only hope of escape was to scatter his men. Nach man got behind a tree, and after a hard fight steccated in getting away, and in two or three days nearly all reached comp. mostly on foot, their clothes pretty well torn of, and half Fratved.
On the 21st the command again sepantted. Colonel Winslow going directly to Memphis, and our force thaving been in Paniola the day before) crossed the Tallahatelde, and moved back to Gol lierville and on to Germantown, arriving ht camp at nine r. N., the 224, having been out ten days, in that time Having done some hard marching, a good deal of skirmishing, and asstated in the capture of mass pro con 0.2 1 of Confederate rifroad and otto premis.
---
CHAPTER IX
MARCH TO LAGRANGE, TINN. ORGANIZATION OF COLORED RIST MENTS --- MARCH TO THE COLDWATER AND BOLIVAL To PesADOy TAS-DINNER AT COLONEL HERE'S THEEL GELERILAS SHOP FIGHT AT LOCKHART'S MILL -SALEM AND WYNEE.
A UGUST 26th, the regiment miched to La Grange, Telo .. forty miles east toward Cofinch on the Memphis & Chod ton Railroad. The Second Jowa and the Sixth and Seventil It- nois Cavalry take our places at Germantown. We found at La Grange two brigades of cavally. The Third. Noith and Eleventh Illinois, and the First and Second Tenness o Cavalry, and several regiments of infantry, besides two regiments of colmed trong. The negro seems to make a good soldier, and is very proud of his new position as a soldier and a man. This town is about mid way between Memphis and Corinth, and is within easy communication with Memphis and the North.
Captain Mock with four companies was stationed at Moscow. eight miles distant.
September 4th; the regiment ros ival fort owothe pay. we was very acceptable. Company D' werde tailed ascontar goadd to General Sweeney, who was in command of the troops here. Cobogrol Rice commanded the Post. The latter, a dapper little man. was slightly gray, with keen, piercing eyes, decidedly " military."
The 10th of September, the Ninth Ilmois Cavalry started on a four days' scout ein Mount Pleasant and at the Coldwater. thirty miles from La Grange, met a large force of one caviles under the command of Colonel Hatch. The command was midle up of the Second Iowa. Third, Fourth, Sixth and Seventh and Eleventh Illinois, and the Seventh Tennessee Cavalry ; but asthory was apparently nothing for us to do, we marched back vie Holly . Springs while Hotel's Cavalry marchet hack to Monagle The same way they come.
6:
HISTORY Of T !!
The Ninth only remained in comp one day, when they sayo again ordered out on the scout with the Third and Blasenthe The nois, and the Sixth and Sovontb Tennessee Caralis . afinaler the command of Lieutenant Colonel Brochmitge to train Your tion. Moved out to Bolivar and on to Tombe Sugion Al Monte Min. then to Pocahontas, and camped for dommer of Colonel Times plantation. Captured a number of prisoners
The Sixth Tennessee Cavalry boys show the groysli. We arrived in camp at La Grange on the Ti. On the app och Major Burgh started for Springgeht on regning todt bo aness.
The same day 190 Company ( bots, while want to dent poml getting their dinner, were met by three nonpodrob da with guo , which they were proceeding to mie, whor on. Welove quina y drew their revolvers and and rel though " monde, which they did, and our two brave countydes bought Cho lland in with their arms and horses as prisoners. So ranch for bong prodige In action.
October 4th. the Ninth and Third Hivois and South Ternous Cavalry started on a seout to the CoMBoffer. wol as Loclibro Mill on the 6th had a brush with the enemy. Colonel Mircmil was in command of our forces. We took the Lassenque oners, and having learned from a career that Her Contedig nos were in large force at or near Hoffe Springs. it was to fight for to retund Just as we cross the chowder the release our piekets, and the skinnisie vas. loria w lm, Novy hon threw shells among them lively, bet 20 their for o kas x01 al to be large. Colonel Metrellis donking that they might box to get in his rear by crossing below. fell trick to Me mt. Pl xstort ford from there moved back to camp.
Oct. 7. the command started From Fach age again. This site with three days' rations, marched to Grand Jump tion and twelve miles toward Salom. The commman Y comprised The Best. Seventh. Ninth Illinois and Sixth Tonesson Cavalry. Colonel MeCrollisous- manding the Brigade.
On the 8th the Sixth Tennessee Cavalry, in the advance, surf, the rebels at 10. v. fine maille from & hogy my love You through town withour noch Goodde fire il nossocom
that the Rebel General Chahineis was not Tur goby wille 2 cdo siderable force. Our whole command now bolted to feed of the north side of the town, and were joined by the Niall James Mounted Infantry. Colond Jesse Phillips, and to place of 010 Jery. We had not finished ogr dirmer when the rebels Dogma moniously drove in our pickels, and advanced agay od 10 Holtby array. The Federal troops, took position on je deg alent ball o mile northeast of Salem; the rabe approachol from the pooh and the fight began again between ond god tyfon from that time until nearly night the battle Foged while worth able fierceness, some of the thre at close quarters. OdFaller doing good service and the rebels apparently . bad as well say- plied with guns as we were. rally our ammontion for da howitzers gave out of nearly so. and as night was coming op to battle ceased. In this fight the Ninth Ihinch Cavalry bod char men wounded, the Sixth Tepressed the sabes, and the Moth It nois Mounted Infantry suffered the most. 29 Us Jeme dieron- ed and in the front the most of the time. It was said that col onel MeCrellis was not in condition to copfot. as he costure some of the troops ten miles in the wrong & regon The full were under General Chalmers, and numbered about five Me grel men, while we were only about fifteen hundred.
WYATT
October lith. the Ninth Muncie Creades, commonded by @ low Perkins, with the Thing Hinori go! Sixth Tone prising a force of abont threathouse of Caenley, pobrali of Colonel Edward Hatch, left La Grange. Trun .. and onyfe-lib Salem, Miss., where it was expected ve should boot the crown in force, but they disappeared before our aryay !. The for zeus reported the rebel command to ho mor dorgr lowant Theos. ada. The command then moved toward Holly Springs, disim about twenty-five miles, and at 11 delos a. s. we loved hay! cannonading, but could not dehermine v. hove it Was Champsil For the night near Holly Springs. Mis. Monday, the 1211. the como mand separated, scouting the country, and of opp o'clock again heard heavy firing, about twenty miles distant. We pressed for ward but did not active in time for gade under Lieutenant Colonel
TO
IMMORY OF TH!
Mounted Infantry overtook the enemy at Byladia, and altra sharp fight, in which we lost four men killed and nine wounded. the rebels retreated. The next day the command all joined agata. following as rapidly as possible after the rebels -skinniding with their rear guard all day.
At Wyatt our advance found them strongly posted and at Jast ready to give battle. The Third Michigog and Fifth Kanes Cavalry and the Ninth Ilinois Mounted Infamey were in the ad vance. The rebels moved their trains and all their horses over the river, and then came back dismounted to meet us. The ad- vanced brigade made repeated attack; but were not ablog dis lodge the enemy. Now was our time. Colonel Hatehe's Brugghe was ordered to the front with our batters. We went in fora distance of two miles on the run. Our skirmishers were pot out. the howitzers posted, and the firing grew hot. An effort to made to dislodge them from the town. We fought Brent for live hours, shelling the houses, and finally drove them over the sleep. The most of this time it was mining, and ing about twenty minutes the bail came down in chunks, cutting our leids and fang, and with so much force as to make the leises wild and ningsl nie manageable. The latter part of the fight was carried out by the flash of the guns. In this affair we again lost fomr mon klied and twenty wounded. The next morning we found Shcon dead rebels and learned that they carried off the field qndo a mimmber. The Confederates numbered 1000, and you cantraded by Give oral Chalmers. While we were keeping this command twee finge, another force of rebels was in the vicinity of the Menphis & Charleston Railway, and the cannonading ve Found the & comi day out was the fight at Collierville, where they were helge driven off and defeated the second time. The rebels war in longes they would be able to destroy the railroad and thus prevent the po- sage of troops to reinforer General Rosecrans. At Collierville. had they been successful, it is possible, they might have captured General Sherman and his staff, who were on the cats juosing through abont that time.
In this affair the Ninth behaved with great gillars. and re- ceived a hearty commendation from Cdand Halde and the .OF cers of the expedition.
---
BY W. M. ORTON, SERGEANT OF COMPANY 1, SINTE BEISOME CAVALIERE
October 13, 1863. We arrived ch the field at & t. doch 1. 3., and took paulo on the right, with our battery in the center. The real in our istable . Im were located in log houses and gillies. One For hours a Little to om it chocolat was filled with the sharp-shooters of our emen . win neuheit uneomfinwho De us. Our battery was ordered to she'd it, And three & down or Our school. Theway after this a Company of the Ninth Hinode Mounte Findentry and by the way we of the best regiments the State ever produce D war onferro by Linlevede tolonci Phillips to charge it and capture the rebels ville They ifel thor o pesodi co the yard, but could not holdt their position : retreated Haviun sk or -go deal and wounded. The battery of the Singlewas again goodone i to start the box " and drive the rebels ont. During all this ting it way raning jul was now Mobs Lieutenant Colonel Phillips con I ap eh the Ninth Heute Coval, so faras uz company of skirmishers. Captain It; rper, ville Comp og L -wor x land Sergeant Orten, in charge of the ski mich lite, wie offered trailer open enemy. It was now so dark that the flash of the energy & gres was 28 00 means of locating tion. We first ah, anpod hiper D'in log hou-csil Porgoicry Lieutenant Colonel Phillips theuil, " Ding it has now for the foly Phillips and Captain Harper rade just in the rest of the King All the Seayou We captured some of the ending and were fighting of the way As thatany way found the rebels eating up the pasta bring thep And theban a las ty Tallabatchce. We find upon them with on top ofthe Ice, pod des solen in all directions, many jumping into the water less ing their saint helen y holding the ferry about an hour, we were relieved, mult il hat's aland food & cafe to camp. Early in the morning we went over the this on whi hagh ayude of the enemy's dead were lying, ton b. house, and vad soauffel ou ces by it lady of the house to an unexploded the lying Interesa de Quel fedtlow and feather bed, which lodged then Corip. (en1. Wing ate si in before, oxda and her three children were ling Where. Anny No from People the following: Mathew Giornate, H. M. Bruner, No. J. I. Henry Sweet, Kodak Sweet, Ban Foreign Je che. Med . Fr. Com Hubbell, James Rosecrans, Dudley Strong. J. AL Thum . J. W. Todas Allison Wright, Smith Wixon, Joe Real, Jon Fox Tim Hor, Wer M. donc and some others I am not able to recall. I will forte: so that the hlv - 3-1 inent was engaged, and did noble and gallus febrog poa day.
An incident in which the members of the above mentioned Company took part this same evening is volio of medline After the Ninth Infantry had been repossl. Colonel Hasen esaHeel for a special detail to develop the position of the chemins, and ten men from this same advance skirmish line reported to inn tadoy Sergeant Milton Orton. Colonel Hatch told the Sergeant komma forward over the same ground where the valley had been dayfor back. The Sergent sampleSale Im Bad
.
72
NINTH HEROIR CAVALRY VOLL NIETE ..
right," and musingly inquired. " Willany come back ally." The reply was: " Perhaps not, I wish to draw their fire and develop their strength before making another change. It is better to sacrifice ten men than a thousand." The resolute Sergeant road his little band then moved forward, and ascending no soul Will. drew upon themselves the fire of the enemy. As they approached. they plainly heard them talking. and when their stens were held the rebel officer said : " Here they come : remember. borys, fire lov and then fall back." The order " fire" had not Loow pooen long before all the ten men composing the brave spali were diggie their noses in the soft mud in an eager attempt to Haben Host persons to as small a level as possible. The valley campe, but none were injured. The placky Serprot and the mex coated au harmed.
CHAPTER N.
CORINTH ---- SAD FATE OF COLONEL ROCHE- BARTO COLLARES HEM -RAID FOR HORSES -- SALISBURY -- BATTLEGE AL GUN -COS- ONEL HATCH WOUNDED -- LETTER OF ALMADA PIEROG- HORTE STOLEN FROM CAMP.
CORINTH.
N OVEMBER S, 1863. The Ninth Ilinois Cavalry marched to Corinth, Miss. The order for removal come Vida's night. at one o'clock : at daybreak the regiment was in the saddle. and ready for the march. Arriving at Corinth Saturday evening, 000 took possession of the barracks, formerly occupied by the Thed lowa Infantry - very comfortable quarters, where we soon pro cecded to make ourselves at home. The ground was der, auxk the surroundings pleasant. the indications pointing to the confit sion that this would be " Headquarters" for the recipient all winter. Seven companies were detached. One battalion wars sent to Middleton, and another to Chewalla, both towns on the Memphis & Charleston Railway, between Corinthand La Grats.
This was the first the bur Rechnest lod seen this nos fa- mous town of Corinth, a place of about Sma idlaforge Junior the war, and at this time much devastpled by the nom erie. who had each done a part towards the town's destruction.
Fort Robinette, situated not far from the town. voy a strong position, and the works very extensive tid well plantand.
October 4, 1563. The rebels made an attack of this place. but were repulsed with heavy loss.
Here we found the grave of the illfated Colonel Rogers This man Rogers had been formerly a captam in the United States Army, and at the breaking out of the war. he ylos serted the old flag, and was made a Colonel in the Con. federate army. At the storming of Fort Roburette. he was conspicuous as a brave and gallery officer. Und in fest ment to the fort. They charge of Esald Um ways Potom
Rogers being the first man to mount then. When thong he Win the first time, became away of the pressure in the fort at Meclis company, A. " Gol! there is the Fost Rooplan " was to sie clamation that burst front his lips. His old compare deve fare and the rebels back, he was shot dead trading thirty foot of 48 wall. His unhonored grave is where he felt weig & stake sople to mark his resting place, and no mecription. Year by in a Muse grave where thirty rebels who full amount bin the kepred Tim is but one of the many sad incidente of the way
November S, Mejor Burgh returned 6 da Himmels Sail T sumed command of the regaleat.
November 22d, Sturday, the intly agon recalled me while orders, and the Sunday toho byggetmind @ dofhesselle. recent the scene of two attacks by the Contesterans and also of the signal defeat each time.
We are now in the Second Brigade, compared of the sofaml Jowa, the Sixth. Seventh, and Ninth Ilino - Cereales Reglement. under the command of Colonel Edward Hafen. saat to be what which he afterward proved hbgs th one of the beat mistes oficers in the service. Out camp. one tiyle from trong was glad in tents, but it was not long before our mon Og! ahora theup for much more comfortable by putting top log culate and choutile glo material of which was gathered from the wild bookings me hle vicinity, that had been de served by the owners.
November 24th, the Bossde commanded By Chlooptiplex composed of the sixth and Ninth Ilinois Cavoley. wirly uns hogy and ten days rations, marched nordlates ina Wal Term vo and to the vicinity of Covington. all the rings parking dip favses and mules. This was a very rich section of the colitey. mol ) of not been devastated bychomavage of wat. Crossat the Memedia & Ohio Railroad on the Sith, and back of the 2Vila In How trip the boys fared well in the way of chickens, turkeye, secon potatoes, fruit, etc., and as the soldiers took voly the best. nowe was wasted than caten.
Returned through Summerville December 1st, bygging if a large number (about two Handle for p- wal horses very fine animals.
NINTH JLLINOR CAVALRY FORSTER.
During the trip the command camped one night at the Time plantation of Colonel Mosby, who had just butchered almeget twenty fine bogs. The Colonel treated the officers vers found somely, and regnested his soll invited guests to view his fine army of fresh pork. But alas, upon reaching the smoke lower he found, with surprise, that it bad all disappeared, and the Yankee soldiers were enjoying a feast in their camps.
SAUT.SBURY.
It was reported that there was a large force of rebels at Ripley, on the end of December. The Brigade moved out, marched as far as Middleton. and when about two miles on the Ripley road, camped for the night. Here Colonel Hatch received a dispatch that the rebels had been in Sarlbury, told byrood you town and torn up the railroad track. Then the command moved back to Saulsbury, the Second Tennessee in the advanon. the Ninth next, and the Sixth and Seventh in the noir. The advance command skirmished with the rebel pickett before daylight on the 3d, and drove them several miles, when the fight began in carnest. The Ninth were then ordered to the front, and om howitzers planted on a high ridge in the center of the line. at! began to shell the rebels ou in opposite hill, courantes A. Cand. E supporting our battery. The enemy then brondi up one of their heavy guns, and returned our fire videre mainly effect that our battery was withdrawn, and the rebel foll books Pojo iled main road, and our comoand with lien i TaGramge. We lad one man wounded, and captured six prismen.
On the morning of December 4th, Colonel Hatch sont Captain Mock with a battalion of the Ninth, at das Farlo. to Ho sooth to see if the rebels were in thet direction. Crossing Wolf Hiver. after moving out about five miles, it was learned there the Roled General Stemmer's Brigade had camped those that might. soud hall moved out carly in the morning. At this time Lientenent Rota erts was in charge of the advance guard. Another rebel commons appearing in the east, on a road that the advance guard hind ol ready crossed, Captain Mock recalled the advance and throw out skirmishers to attract the rebels, and Roberts got back. wholeha was really cut off, had the rele rody komme, it ; la: too . strip of timber between which had The Billy Joel 5 y con vol
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.