USA > Illinois > History of the Ninth Regiment Illinois Cavalry Volunteers. Pub. under the auspices of the Historical Committee of the Regiment > Part 7
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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
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HISTORY OF THE
they responded promptly to the recall. Here a lively short took place, and couriers were dispatched back to Coloand Datech at La Grange, notifying him of the presence of two bodies of rebels, and their movement westward, stating that the coppiound was in danger of being out of at the river, and asking for vedior The Second Iowa Cavalry was sent to reinforce Captain Models Battalion, with orders for him to return to La Grupo in the rear. Arriving here, reported to Colonel Hatch in find What has been done and discovered. Before this, the maio portion of Hatch's Brigade had been sent by Colonel Hatch, who isstrong in his belief that the Confederate troops more marching in the direction of Moscow, to that place. Thas contract was made By of the Sixth, Seventh, and two battalions of the Ninth IFoods Cavalry, in command of Captain Cameron. At Moscow Ware was stationed a regiment of colored troops. probably afford the hundred, under the command of Colour Frank Kening. tive companies being on picket between the Nation and the bridge over Wolf River. These troops had taken up some of the planks of the bridge, which were replaced by the Sixth IMinme Cavalry, Major Whitsit commanding, which moved my to and over the bridge, which, with the approach, was about one hon- dred vards wide, closely followed by the Ninth Hingis Cavalry. two companies of which. Band H. having crossed, and flow remainder of the two banations, with the Lowiter net in and on the bridges, when the Sixth Thaois, have no . Arance point out. or at least but a very short distance in the front winy for. ously attacked by the energy, under General S. D. Lee, who was advancing in line of battle in the thick woods on the search sala of the river. The Sixth Illinois Instily diamounted mull took to the cover of trees, so did the two companies of the Night. .. their horses came tearing back, adding to the confusion of theno of our command on the bridge. Two of the guns of out luctery were already on the approach to the bridge, and were an soon as possible run back to the north side, and placed in ux position to open fire on the enemy. Meanwhile our unfortunate camades. who were over the river, were being drives back by overs kolon. ing numbers to the river. and our fost
over to their relief. Lieutenant Carpenter, of the Belgesi
actively engaged in clearing a passage and opening of way for cel boys to recross. Now the guns under the command of the brave Lieutenant George H. Boone made rapid discharges in the raoka of the enemy. Captain Cameron, with Sergeant Major Fitgjen rick, had crossed over the bridge, and the gallud Captain was storming up and down calling for his heroes of Company K. It was not long before our forces were deiven back to theriver. amd all not being able to reach the bridge, the river was soon full of men and horses. Captain Cameron plunged io web bis buss and swam over. Many hand-to-hand fights Had tabon placo bons In the meantime our men who were not killed, wounded; orocupe tured had recrossed, and things were soon in better shape. it was then necessary to keep that river between no alle woont, who had determined to cross, and made repeated altaages to change over the bridge, ouly to be moved down with grapes and canbeto from our howitzers, and our men with rifle, art chebinds. alos were sturdily, gallantly and bravely holding the north book of the river. The negro troops were actively in the light - a part were at the bridge, the rest having been sent into the fog. - and sending an occasional shot or shell from the big gud there ing the woods.
Sergeant S. J. Bailey of Company G. Ninth Hingis Cuyaby. had charge of the wagons of the Ninth. In one was Imttore a0. munition and in the other cartridges for the ries and eurbice He had brought these two wagons in fear of on gas net thor bridge, and with an ax chopped open the boses of ammunition, and loaded the boys who came for it. as those who had swath th river had damaged their own The colored troops stoml ned! the battery, and fought nobly, as indeed did cinny mon of this fierce struggle. The light had now lasted over an hour. It willbe remembered that Captain Mock had reported to Colonel Haton what he had seen in the morning ; this only continued the Colonel in his views that the enemy would strike at or wear Moscow. Ha. gave orders to Captain Mock's Battalion and the Second Iowa to follow, and started on the gallop toward Moscow, toff miles distant When about half way, the firing at Moscow was heard, and Colo nel Flatch put spars to his house and dasind wissel. Captain Mock, not being alde to keep up with his whole comunety ne
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an escort with the Colonel, and followed as frat as possible. Colonn Hatch soon arrived on the scene, and dashed up to the front pour the bridge ; he had been here but a little while, when he was severely wounded, receiving a shot through the right long, and the . domand again devolved on the brave Colonel Kendrick. Sopp the Second Jowa, in the advance, and the Battalion of the Ninth sound dyoy tho hill. Colorel Kendrick rode out, and, meeting Captain Mork fall him that Colonel Hatch had been wounded any that he /Kom rick) was in command and ordered Captain Mock to draguent his battalion and form in line about one hundred yards east, pent the bridge, and on the left of our line. The Seeonid Iowa were also placed in position, and the whole line moyml up to the pour. These commands were armed with Cold's reveal ing rified and then arrival was most opportune. The last fort of five miles they fall come in on the rum, and bad dismounted ot the station, mal an ches swung over the hill and down to the river of the double quark. the " Jobinies " thought the infantry had come from La Gringe on the train, and when these new troops coned with their long rifles, they fell back, the Second lowe always on hand whoy needed, and Captain Meck's Battalion did much to win the star. When Colonel Hatch was wounded, and as be was ling MYed from his horse, he said, " Tell the boys never to give up they bridge." The fire of the enemy weakened. Sergeant Sional Morrow jumped upon the bridge away our porfy to the water. and shouted. "Come on boys, they are meaning" In an joulan a stream of soldiers were on the bridge, sui pacing forgal af hot pursuit after the retreating rebels. But Let's forces Igot to ceived enough, and pulled out for good. In the ligle out foryrs were under the command of the gallant Colonel Kendrick . send. perhaps, a few moments after the arrival of Colonel Hatch audi before he was wounded ; and that they were wolf handled is an- ply proved by the result. The whole communal fought with the greatest stardiness and bravery, and considering the bude of the Sixth in the first of the engagement, and their vastly superior members, it is a wonder that we drove them off. Soon after the fight commenced. the gallant Sergeant-Major Fitzpatrick, having crossed with Captain Cameron, and isogongoed, spor drives lands to the river with Chef Bugler Houry Hand, and 28 kloir -oily
NINTH TELLIDIS CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS.
possible chance of escape way in crossing the river, and thengb dragged down by their heavy bo its. a msand clothing, they noidea brave effort to swim the stream. The rebels were close upon thepy when they jumped in, and soon began firing upon them in the water. Bugler Hazel was shot through the heart, and the brave Sogcon Major received a severe wound in the hood. Instantly all became dark to him; it seemed that he must die, Int just at this moment! hearing Lieutenant Boone shouting his orders from the north cote of the river, he gave a lunge toward his friends. Lis he laadida volley of bullets from the rebels fairly spattered boy with mal. but none struck him. Crawling up to and under the bridire, ho was soon discovered by the brave Lacutenant Hilber, who orderel a file of his men to fire of the rain pommes the year, who's la won down and brought his blinded comunale to a piece of sites. To was thought his wound was mortal, but by skillful surgery los life was saved. Our total loss was ton killed, things youroh Tocall forty-two missing, while the Confederate loes wie abuet sepranti killed. Strange to say, the most of the horses of the Sixlloand Ninth that were over the river bad huddled together during tires battle, and were nearly all recovered. The rebel forces numbered between Your and five thousand, and were midler Generale Be. Chalmers and Faulkner, while our any, including the Degrees was less than two thousand.
MOSCOW. BY P. V. HET/ PATRICE, SELOKANT MAJON
It is now many twenty-four years since the in Moscow. Tam Ilence lived a busy life since then, licher man thbo's to think about cobeapplies final ness and other matters, requiring close attention mid application Howche ner thoughts do wander back occasionally to the. to me, evenif any lections of the bight at the long bridge cros ing Wilf river at Moxon are Med as follows: On the morning of the 4th of Dyrember, 1821 actie Non OH nois Cavalry Volunteers were dhont to leve Summerville Temps. Legensay Colonel Harry B. Burgh, comovinding, ordered roe. as For war Miame to derail the senior Captain to take command of the Regiment temporarios ache, Colonel Burgh, was unwell, Int thin: It he would Herble to noampie the command fn's short while. I reported to Captain Clanles 5. Cameras, of Company Is. He Hlen Senior Officer present for duty, who Roomed the con mint fr mtophane while the order of Colonel Bargh. The regiment movel of south tar La Grobgi, Tear halting. I think, a short while there, and they moved west towar! Selv, of riving at the latter place about 2 widget P.v. Hogy Good TO BE 100 delay in crossing the river, of which the ring took .Jour Es loce- 1 there 0 0 ste
SO
HISTORY OF IIII.
and themselves. While waiting, I noticed that there was a small earthwork for in the place garrisoned by a colored regiment of infantry, who appealed to he entirely unconscious that a large force of the enemy unter General Lee 51 10 their near neighborhood across the river. They were playing about their camp in apparent security, but on the sound of the first few shot. thed. I noticed they scurried to secure their anus. The command being agotit rends to prove the regiment in advance of the Ninth, which was, I believe, the Sixth Hindi Vors alry, had crossed the bridge, and the Ninth was close up on the Approach to to bridge, when a few shots were fired on the advance, followed by [ voller CM- tain Cameron, who was riding at the head of the Ninth, pove the orler . om ward," and ordered me when across the bridge to have every fourty 100%, Inthe horses, and the remainder to dismount and form line to fight on fere, and to lico the horses led off to the left, out of the way, for security. In compliance with the order, the two leading companies discounted, or partially, then the coming De gan to fire rapidly, and disclosed a large force greater than the Ind any bir of It was soon decided that ( nord Led with bis entire confund, upward of four thousand, were in our front. Our prodps i gron to fall Back on the Ninth, Dicoche creating confusion, and preventing the third company of our Regiment, a bold happened to be Company F, with its battery of four twole point month howitzers, from crossing.
About this time my pony had both of his forward lege brukey ly dna, poor little follow. How pitiful he looked as I dismounted to leave him. I hotel ved that pony from Quarteringster Angle, and promised to restorehito on 105 1 200 to camp. I hope the good Quartermaster will take the intent for the deed, Ko really I had to part with several other things attached to ray cuddle. Beine dlo mounted, I went toward the bridge to see how things want an there Ad uno. J. H. Carpenter was on the bridge trying to prevent the moon from nitiative en the bridge, on which was Lieutenant George H. Boone with Company P. wlis his battery, who desired to main round and bring bis que beck top place of safety, and to place them into position for war. There was great entfielen.com the bridge. Men and horses were gre J'y mivel. Lentement Frome vito je up ordinary occasions a quiet, cass-going non, not that his battery the in danger, as he thought, was quite ferocious, saying that i would spool any man making the attempt to cross that bridge until he wig hoy Laffery cur af the way, and I believe he would have done as he said he voult. I am sure lin made Lieutenant Westbrook ju phi Lord of the Midge to the poland, am tance thed appeared to me twelve or fifteen feet. About the time thế: Liệu nent Boone hat placed the battery in safety, the energy begun to close in od our roy. who were falling back rapidly, so that the jam on the bridge was very Frost The planks of the structure got loose and fell into the river, men and hermes for lowing; soon the waters under the bridge were covered with planks, now and horses in great confusion. The fire from the enemy getting closer and holter. I felt decidedly the opposite of Peter on the mountain; "I was rood not to to here," so I went back to where the horses were, where I was von Joined by Chief- Bugler Hazel: on looking about me I saw that the enemy was coming quite come to the river alone our entire front. Orderly Jame. F. hoy thorens biasis li Interiors river, and swam safely back, soon after followed by surgechar . con los.cotel
Captain Cameron being the last to swim back with The boys who of arts fine ve the opposite bank loudly called for his "her (," piening his own comp ooy. K. Hazel and I began to get nueasy, at the the entry was drawing elige to us, but I remember telling him that in a short tinte our freeps would re Jury oud cross the bridge again and drive the enemy bach, and That it wendy namroot wil right, as our fellows would never give up the game. Dipin the time the holy were thrown about rather freely and carelessly, and the cupn'y pepercare tos ard the Sixth Illinois, driving them back on the bridge. I mainly ou oficer of The regiment named limping towar Lige, and I went tola l; him He stages Then he was shot in the leg and believed the limb was shattered. He had a Suamer col bine in his band, which I took and begon to load Link aheerd the river vlien the enemy gave a yell and made a charge, completely delving the remainder of way troops back to and into the river, an I those that could cer over the bisthey did -o some falling through the timber into the water beneny in theng& aulongisland
The horses began to stampede and were left to care for themselves, the thin scattered and got over the river by swimming, or Mil in the Implies. I Went wounded friend to lie down But en. the primiti and the enemy would iblot was dead, and perhaps pass him, as, if we continued bolly of us would surely captured or shot. I took his Spencer carline with me luck to where Ilagel was standing on the bank of the river, and told Himthat we miss ,crout of themen Lieutenant Boone would soon get his battery in position and want! no doute och with grape and cannister; besides our troops would form for battle on the ufo- site bank of the river, and that we would then be placed between the Wild friends and enemies, which would be sure death to us. The poor felles, con mall me that he could not swim a stroke. I then went to the band of the river to Me if there were any place where we could shelter ourselves from the expected pose of lead and iron which was sure In come. No po-Ale shelter was to be ahighund on the contrary, the enemy made his apperror ce op the river bank on por fieles and within easy shooting range. Hold Havel the our cerse left in him to lie Hat on the ground and take his chocolats for bie I would be still well across, as I preferred to take the risk of Fem shot to going to Ambersous ke So I said " good bye, old fellow, take care of yourself." I took a formed preney about me, only to see the enemy very chic island. I three my Specoperator that I still held into the river, and madea plunge, interting to foro myself si far as possible out into the river, and win the rengiader of the distance soluce I thought I could do. I went into the water with my catholics saber, revolver, belt, heavy boots, and everything that I had when I di-mounted fromens hawe I had no sooner touched the water when I heard a gdisk lack of me and fory thing grasped me by the right shoulder: turning my Hot I sowy that it wie Hin ! Poor fellow, the temptation to escape, together with the servons stramt, turidetd to what he had seen, was more than he could family bear. He furgal ton Ser could not swim, and, seeing me make the plunge. bo iomadly followed. and boloe much stouter and stronger than I, the force of Fi phunve carrist hity wy bene in time to grasp me as he did. The added wieght of Hazel's body on tos shoulder stood me up straight in the water. I managed to keep athat in pulling with my hands; with my left hand I managed to un hook my gaber stol los indrop, which gave me more freedom; Io ides por ny my clothing and also Hazel's was becos fter styrkedein Doorenter of Won
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52
HistoLY OF THE
River, and after struggling : But while, we both went down waller the water. Coming up again I made desperate efforts with hands and feet to help & pont, wood after vainly trying to grasp anything to aid me frei agkin gning dos p. nerven a straw came within reach, so down we both went. Thought comer phony to persons in danger such as our -: I know they i'd toige. I was young and dis but want to die then, but how to save mye if, as boule an long powerful and beso me in a death grip. True, he was a friend, but could he, if he would, let gif no that score ?
I had often read of somewhat like cases, and all went to prove that a draw or ing person will cling to whatever he happens to let! even after death Al these thoughts passed repilly in my mind. My conclusions were that way these had come. I thought over my par life. I had don ao longo being wrong that I know of, and certainly there were none to wait for the, but somehow i oul not want to die, so on comning to the surface I opened ms mituith to cell Maist to let go, as it would do him no good and was safe to drown both of us is he told sin to me. My mouth filled with poter and being herty ledsmnen I cosid 00%. speak, but made a motion with my shoulder to which he sis chutney selice, Heaven be thanked, I found muy elf free and maryged, with renewed efforts of my now nearly exhausted energies, to remin most foul che vale my lood ruffi ciently out of the water to till ity line with the hfp-giving afr. I likandestofno! about me to see what had become of Hazel. Ihe ared gone, Inver sas late again, I was told afterward that his remains were found Best day in the river. share through the heart. Poor fellow. I suppose that myon folge truth our encent. immersion, in frantic efforts to remin on the sin five of the wigut thải bentoer have exposed his body sufficiently to the enemy wohn went on the banks of the river a little down the stream, and was shot. Of gaiathe a little staywell. I began to take observation of my surrounding. I found inseit mader the body and drifting with the current, which woubl sous bring me. i I cashe drop affron. close down to the enemy who were on the funk laver down. fortunately, a droit horse drifted toward me, which I grasped it Is the til jand retred wine pour The out of the water to rest before starting out for the opposite side carwhich so our own troops. As I was alam to let go and strike but i felt gelangt she to the head and the sensation of a hor, sharp Dermenny sunt under my sly for about three inches, and then bank darkness foilwol. I knew I sois woning in the head and had lost my sight in consequence, hal fortunately, I reakti-buy reason and knew the direction I wanted to po and erek ont far tire slite, which I reached, and threw myself flat on my face. The bullet throwing the sol over me as I lay, they must have fired several shots st mie after of leaving the water, and ceased on seeing me lie at full length on the bank, bellevine me to be dead. While lying under the bridge where I limited, I enmohl bear ins friend. Lieutenant Boone, getting his battery of howitzer. into pollion Prvity smmm the guns began to talk. Grape shot must have traveled over that bridge to mpal succession. What did I care that chunks of dirt and splinter fell down on me. No music that I have ever heard sounded so sweetly to me as dil the short, sharp bark of those howitzers, and having gotten Them working to suit lin Pinie began to warm to his work as the guns began to get Les from the rapid grimt. I can imagine I Hear him row telling the Dimor 0 1 1: 0x6-06- 10 them have it, " etc., and I am way to have to record it, but. IF any point, me
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NEVER JEIJADIS CANALES SOLOSTEHE.
at fault, I think he swore like a trooper, but it might have been the spiteful bles- ing of iron grape as it went on its prission of death.
Boone should have been promoted for the day's wink I ly jeder the bridge until I began to grow numb with the cold, it being aleth of December and I in the water so long, besides the loss of Blood. I fell guapo weak I created from under the bridge by feeling my way, being directed by The sound of the guns. I managed to get on the sloping side of the tirilpo oppovo los, where ] rested. Soon somebody spoke to the, and asked me if I was mueb burt Ikel him where he was; he said he was back of the Stumpy closph, the. I there told him that I was shot in the head, and that I let test u's sight, and asked Mas to lead me back to the rear. He replied that the nebe were on the opposite banke will that if he left where he was un he Would surely be killed not for me to youam where I was until the rels were driven back, so there Thed aring. I romaled quiet for some time listening to Comply 1'e lottery, mint I See myself grown stiff and sore and that I was about to die. I could feel rox limbs spalghtenme out, a drowsy unconsciousness coming over me, and le mot interest to my am roundings, when I was made aware that song par wan taking the pary Liedson David Hillier, of Company A, with some men of his troops. Inppened to euro fed way, and, seeing me, stopped. He asked me if I was hurt, shot and had lost my sight, and how I had asked the city book of the sting to lead me back and when he had said. Iam cot fure, but i thereby that I bezord somebody being kicked and punched, and I think it was that chep book of the stump, and that Dave Hillier bal done the killing and machine, Dave what he would lead me back. I said that I did not think that I could walk. He thow said that he would carry me. I told him then that I wasab not goffo, mary love. and that he would only risk his own life, ant du no good. le seid health't care a d-, that he would not leave me there, and he then till I think, Semrost Crawford to form line in front to Keep the rebs in place and lowcost! thr te on his back and carry me to the rear, and that the Screenil whe to fall Back we moved to the year. So bares, His heartel Dave Higher order And be Mar to the rear, where the anInflated was waiting as I sone thing port Inte the the late. lance I heard that Colonel Hatch wasshot. The Wasn'ther coax and now to the local hospital of the colored regiment stationaint Jason, where I vam anderen and wrapped up in blankets Assistant-Surgeon Stacy Heslogives probed for the ball, which he found divided into two parts! one part land reausite where Di had struck the skull, the other jaut had travessa about three in lay of ans head under the scalp, both of which he removed. One Joelf I had in may preventony for several years and finally lost it: the other half, with a part of my skoll i Allt ingly possession of my comrade, Fred. C. Peigel. After a site of three or four days in the hospital of Moscow, I was removed to our resiliental bespost at Collet. ville. Tenn., where Surgeon George B. Christy performed the operation slech saved my life. . He removed a part of the skull which pirread on the brain. Frank Halladay was then hospital steward and adminisand the chloroform, Chaplain G. F. Brayton and F. C. Feigel were present during the operating which was both painful and bloody. However through the kind mittente. ] received, I was able to travel, and received a furlongh fr ot Lireeven Client I. B. Bugh frost the Toffe des if Jangy to ale web of Marcin 151; ton deky still unable to ride on horseback at the end of my furlough, wie duchanged from
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the service the 9th of April, 1561, be resses of vooomul receiveil lie bessou bry or Brigadier Wiu. W. Orice, comaropling do por d ( iniszs. 11
I have always felt, and diles the tide, thea omy Foruds more comotose ms Moscow, as General Lee evidently was prepared and we were not WAY MO blame, I do not know .
The following from A. D. Pierce, farmer's Majored the Mall Illinois Cavalry, will be read with inter-tas throwings adding a light on certain points at issue at the FitMed Maison. Does ber 4, 1863:
Comrade H. A. Harkins.
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