USA > Illinois > History of the Ninth Regiment Illinois Cavalry Volunteers. Pub. under the auspices of the Historical Committee of the Regiment > Part 8
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vented from answering mail :boy.
Your first question is, " Vilo vas in ady srov my ofer is tokid af S-cov The Sixth Hiba i. Cavalry.
Major Whichit Was in cleland of restent wahr Sont Tet advance, with Captain W. D. CLin conunaad Timed B 200. Totusi. 6500 0g tain Phillips in commend; Th ( Botedios p row of :6000, 000 les tore in command.
Second question. " Was that they in the balm ' 112kodiert 6. 54 lowing our Regiment, and when the commy ato bed mju advance 8 1 0 1 k attempting to fornea line on the right of the real Iproget nimi Bucalleo. o mounted, formed on left of the real, or leme alle forters .a konnteen. sadece in the road, and it did effective vonk indica pirms si morgh sor ted Ve and immediately in front was cleared of the cocios jon itheo | fanking us on our left Fordered it with ins Bas doro on taHl 1 to 1- 1 . very good work was done there by Lintonauf( and, of commail or Kugler, solo one gun. I remember seeing Limitent Craft a dog jorde in honom with an ax handle, as the vorne lad J0 . 00 . 1 mp . Sabes Ip- enemy took hold of this one gun, On! HEHE 35 8 500 TO FORE 0 9 000 FYY they were driven away. My rumors i amfite far ba og alne i cossonae ' DERE place.
I am going to make an cfort to be at the comm the the obf Payload hoy ed
On the 11th of December, a cold Bustsome rights som scoundrels made a good bant of hor oo in thor cung of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry. That night tione was apmuito stufen. among them a fine horse belonging to lieutenant S. O. Roberts one from Lieutenant E. A. Davenport, one from Communes- Sergeant W. E. Walker, and several belonging to tire different officers of the regiment. How they were bin out of Gray, op by whose hands, was not definitely known ; but as the footer made a selection of tier be: Lors immos o wos Primei on
pected that they knew pretty well where to go for them. The horse stolen from the Commissary was the one presentil to Captain Humphrey by the citizens of Genompo our lo danstengo for camp in 1961, and had been purchaser his Tampuan Dieren port in 1963. No trace was ever found of tipyo. andwe bibl thy mortification of knowing that in all probably scoow conzcomolol Confederate soldiers were riding of heroes.
Sunday, December 13th, Ve had open air service box one 200 Chaplain. the Reverend G. F. Braxton. wir Ral Touchy conax to us, and was much esteemed and likud Me sff
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CHAPTER AL
-CAPTAIN MOCE AT MOUNT PLEASINT-PERFRING 108 100 GREAT RAID.
IN the latter part of the year 196%, the swift of online new men, and offering spring curry at to rober win fo been in the service fen gratis and more, come up. and i thought that, by proper exertion bring por forth. a vercom regiment could be made of the all Night. Mange of the too had already signified their willingness to rconta, and the fo lowing detail was made by order of Major-toned S. A. Hoyto. to proceed North, and recruit for de Nith Winrate Cavalry. day! Memphis, Tenn., December 15, Ist;
Captain J. W. Harper, Compriny I. S current Winden P cosfont Con pany A; Sergeant Goalfrey Lasdie, omman B. sma Hang ans Company C ; Sergeant W. E. Evans, Cononroy D Haner, Company I; Nel cast Hairy 1. Habe, Com Robert H. Henderson, Company G. S Tendens IL Somly Cruise Sergeant O. A. Abbot. compens 1 ; FNS com coops C
Company M.
Recruiting for the veteran spread confidencial a the Ninth Illinois Cavalry vere oflisted : byt de ordy thon W had served two years and over site . Iwill our boys could join them. Captain Harper, with a number is officers and men, were on reenfiting service, amit o wy lips and expected that the regiment would yenin IN up, and go for the honor of another three years' service. At This thou the arrival of Colonel Brackett was looked For. The ramones mal been for a long time under the conanand if Vadors Brest and Gifford.
Si
December 20. 1988 while our catap still remained ar Claus ville, the larger part of the regiment. uply command of Logan ant-Colonel Burgh, who, sined his young From the North, had taken hold vigorously, and placed the recharge of esplend algo in the way of new amus and hopes, was kept buse, alloy to detachments or in whole, and was of the war path most of 280 time.
During the operations of the rebel Gewond hayret in Wer Tennessee, in December. 1963, ton companies of the Simone Under command of Lieutenant Colonel Harry B, Birgit, come ratel with the forces under Generals Tattle and Grieg 6 01 1 vicinity of La Grange. The campo! The regimen at 1 200 being located at Colliconvive. Tore, Company S. apto total G, about fifty n'en in all, onder Idedp. for' ifficer. Woror ciones! at La Fayette, six miles from caupp, on the radio, and the omen part of the regiment and the howithers wore brown cher toff of La Grange, at a cross road called New COLL.
While our Generals were looking to. Fortesito receiver cal lines at some point cast of La Grange he, calle uno pre well! crossed at a point fifteen piles west, at La Parvette, why i bife of four thousand men. December 26th. 'T hitle statfor on guarded by the abovementioned fore sterilty max. on the approach of Forrest's advance guaid. Lwobegint Ililop, por knowing that he should have that domani's whole commutat? contend with, made a gallent stand on tin oming of Way Way but was soon overpowered and compelled to gull Uni forem Collierville with a loss of a number of his best mon Lieutenant Hillier was withdrawing his command, he found to whistle of the locomotive of gay med that From Conel to Memphis. The train was fast approaching the suwal, and the Confederates anticipated ap els capire. as the thamprova dia o nothing of the presence of the enemy, who secreted thewooden in and behind the building med as a station. nul behind the wood piles. Lieutenant Hiller observing their ahoranoch divined their object, and determined to make a thepirate expert to save the train at any cost. He immerimboly advanced Les command toward the station. and, although tre fit povo to in
much exception, opened fire on the creamy, and hope top suelen racket of musketry that it attracted the attention of the engineer of the train in time to stop and reverse his engine, and thus save the train from capture. Great praise was given to the gallant Hillier for his daring. This little command was soon reinforced by a small detachment from Collierville ard steadily resisted the advance of the enemy. Ten hours later the giant part of the Regiment, that had been thrown north of la Grange. was dispatched to La Fayette, to which point Morgan's Bugude of infantry had been sent rig train. A small forts of the energy was encountered after crossing Wolf River at Moscow. Arriving at La Fayette late at night. the place was found in procession of our troops, Morgan's Brigade having dinbaked Trout the Go a short time before.
It was ascertained that Fortest, after crossing Woll River as La Fayette, had sent a portion of his tammy sony, with about Of thousand conscripts he ford picked up in Tennessee, god a large number of cattle he had captured, and with the the Ming force Ine proceeded toward Collierville, where he expected to form . junction with the Confederate forces, under General Chalmers and Lee, but these commands failed to put in an aygogranice.
Forrest moved south toward morning. Danny the net the Ninth caught up with Forrest's arms, lift. not beul; supported by Morgan's Brigade, chi h. instead of Tollonmuy up our advance, went into bivona on the routerde, De lod to content ourselves with observing the motrident of Age cheaty and listening to the guns of the gameon at ColoresMe. "The Ninth captured many prisoners that right. among The who officers of General Forrest's staff.
December 26th. The Seventh Illinois Cavadie, under Colonel Prince, had a severe engagement with Forget's courant. on ids way back to the south, from his raid in Tennessee, and by re.com of his not being properly supported, & flered a heavy loss in killed and wounded, and it was only by the most shrubbery resistance and fine mandenvering by their commander, the galland Colonel Prince, that the regiment escaped almost total compilation.
At this time Lieutenant McMahon. of the Ninth authent detail
NINTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY VOLTSTEELY
of twelve men, was sent with dispatches from Colonel Prines, n distance of some thirty miles, and while stopping at a house box get something to cat, were suddenly set upon by a large force of rebels. McMahon, not being able to reach his horse, took menge in a cotton house. and hid in a large bin of cotton seed, covering himself up with the seed. Soon the rebels were after hun. . and thinking he was concealed, began to job agoand with their hoge onets, at the same time saving: " Come out of that, you dosmed Yankee." The plucky soldier kopt still, taking his chinees of being killed sooner than to be captured ; they struck around lom but finally, becoming convinced that there was no one these. left and marched away. After they had gone. Lieutenant Mo Minton got out and came into campsalon.
January 11, 1864, the Regiment welcomed back Colonel Frank. ett, who had been absent a long time on detached servicesand be was immediately placed in command of the Brigade. The moon bers of the Ninth were very glad to have their old colonel back On the way out from Memphis, the rebels gave him a worm re- ception by firing into the train and placinga torpedo on the fate within four miles of our camp. A detachment was at oregano out which soon overtook the seoundrels (a shall partys. Lilled suo and took several prisoners and horses.
About the 20th of January. Colonel Bradent, commanding cho Brigade, sent to our regiment for a detail of thearts went for a special service. Captain Mock, of Company R. Neutel twenty men who had good horses from Misyongong, and og repartiveel Brigade headquarters, received orders to proceed tout polit an pla Coldwater (Cochran's Mill and find out. if possible, what ibel troops were in that neighborhood. The distance wasabout twenty miles by way of Mount Pleasant. and as it was nearly noone wbros he started, and the roads were very unubly. it was a hand scoll to make in half a day. It was known that the rebels patrollin! the road daily from the Coldwater to Mount Pleasant. The lot- ter place, which was fourteen miles away, was reached all right. and here a patrolling party of rebel. was struck and driven about one mile south, when they made a stand on the top of a boll. When they were again driven back to anotherposition. Hoor hinalove
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increasing as they fell week, and though they made some letfor to stop the little detachment, they did 100 andar grote the determined, desperate attempt to dine ony force love that might have been expected. Afterdriving diem two porkg ball roller south of Mount Picasent, the rebels. si Faltons bucky bring a few leading to the right from the main road, thinkone alle forme wool. follow them. Their mother ind mis ierend to mite i cord sized force and Captain Mock ich if he prosent farther ho solo be cut off. especially as the ladies. While They were drivers is rebs through Mount Pleasant. hod solapavogts. tmn . To "would come running back before long." then . Their bays model soon send them back on the run." So, fullyog Lioch low tarda rebels did not know certainly. for an bit. mljetror we w xorg ing back or were contudol. Aprisine now Molim Flos 1. rebs came up and the rear gaard opened of thesand hold back, while the command moved through the lge q on the Wall and up the big bill. When the conny same lopush The boors and up the hill on a charge whopping adly One. we nowelig over the hill, remaining out of sight gode cor of the scotland wheeling about. let the rebels core pretty close Wolf garten a volley and started back with a whoop anna sel them and drove them back through the jobnzool pas where the women had tausted our lens, and a-boftheny .Why was doing the running now ?" Our party thesemonths a the reli mede another attack, bor gate concertation chietino and were again sent back by the bruge Jale betal of Com er B. under the gallant Captain Mock. As it Arag nie spurte dark, it was thought hes not to give the enemy a photoy fiera! in their rear or ambush them. Sp the command muves back vi safety to camp. The caplain and many of Company i felt powo ty good that they had hold the tens m che hand made they in the running through town. Arrived in campal on 2 o'clock p .s. and reported to Colombi Brackett.
In the contemplated raid, the countand dust gut Diese and wagons: a small ambulance train accompanied u. vlole our rations and ammunition was carried of a jack Jeff of moher, which same train way a comical sight to
NINTH ILLISOL. CAVALRY VOLUNTEHIS.
would be placed on some small mule, the great bulging jours with the coffee-pots, frying pans, etc. strapped on In every avad- able spot. These, however, though necessary, were not our fight. ing forces. The cavalry here organized was as fine as any that had ever been gathered in the West, and was made up of two divisions under Generals William Sooy Smith and B. IL. Grier- son. In all, about eight thousand well armed and momntod troops. All massed at Germantown. Tem., with the view of joining General Sherman at Meridian, Miss, and then innkng an advance on Mobile.
CHAPTER XII.
RAID TO WEST POINT- OROLOGI-AUTORE- WIR PO -
ILLINOIS CAVALEY- FIERCE ASSAULT ON THE ROOTS SONY
AND LOSS OF GENS- ATTENDED CARING FORE &-DERTIG TION OF CORY-RETURN TO GERENTONS.
f WIIS magnificent command moved South, February 11. 10la Lieutenant-Colonel H. B. Bagh commended the Show; Major D. E Coon, the Second Lowa : the Sixth Minois Cavalry. Lieutenant-Colonel M. I. Starr: the Sevently Hbgos Casaley. Major H. C. Forbes: these four regiments composing the Second Brigade, commanded by Lieutenant-Colael W P. Hepburns.
The Tallahatcher was crossed at New Albany, ent on the 18th Okolona was reached. From Okolona, the Noah Illion . in advance of the army, made a rapid march on Sterdood. No. which was found occupied by Golear's Brigade of Home Campoly which made bat a tooble stand my defrag of the Demonif hall city. During the attack on the posed, and the Well Enough time streets, we captured between for and fifty pessoas, It haline some officers home on leave.
Being, one day, in advance of our own army for wide to had orders to wait at Aberdeen, and in choe poocimity to Gon- oral Forrest's commeund, great vigileine ledt to le oberroste Colonel Burgh appointed Major L. D. Bishopas Process Marshal and furnished him with strong patrol mard., ecadfaim to which strong picket guards were kept on all the roads leading into town, and small scouting parties were thymgen out in the direction of the enemy.
General Grierson with the balance of his engrund score
through Aberdeen. General Griejeg -LojaMany of doom.
CNINTH ILLIMAIS CAVALRY . : 1918PR .
the city without more than halting. The Ninth Hinds was 00 rected to continue its positions in and about the city auto 1bo command passed through, when it was to follow.
While this duty was being performed, General Grierson, it Adjutant-General, Major Woodward. Colonel Burgh and several officers of the Ninth, were received and courtcondy enterafont at the residence of the Mayor, Dr. Hech. the Ladies of whis family did the honors of the house on the occasion, with the grace and Southern hospitality. During the call on the Muyofz family, General Grierson (to please the ladies) played a Jew Southern airs on the piano, finishing with the Star Spangled Banner.
From Aberdeen, the Regiment marched to West Post, cross ing some broad and beantindl pranie land that reminded the boxes of the Ninth of their own beautiful and distant Ilinois. On the morning of the 20th, the Second Towa, in theadvance encommitered the enemy's advance guard. which they stepby forced Jack indtil noon, when the rebels appeared in force. The Second lotte. Under its gallant commander. Major Datus E. Coon, had ben frining all the morning, and thus far had borne the brunt of the byillo It was now re-inforced by the Sixth, Sevonth and Ninth Ilinois the Ninth taking position on the right of the line of bath. kul next to the gallant Second Iowa. In this position oured Brogade advanced on the enemy, who was steadily forced back apel were the Saukatanehie River. As incident ocenered during cosmin cce that was very exciting and of great interest. It was a landdo hand fight between a Sergeant of Company A, Ninth Ilinois. mota rebel officer, and was witnessed by a large part of the conmmm !. It will be remembered that at this time, a part of the Heghuent were armed with Colt's revolving rifles, which necessitated fjol. ing on foot, and the other companies were armed with carbones and sabers, and could be fought mounted or dismounted as ogen- sion required. On this occasion all the companies were lighting on foot except Company A, which was mounted and protecting our right flank. As Company A skirmish hne approached a piece of timber that skirted out from the woods on our right from. a Confederate officer was discovered talking observations of the advancing & nion fortes. Sergeant Henry H. Castor, in chargerol
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the skirmish line, made a rapid advance and ordered how to en. render. The reb immediately stuck spolstato lave lassac- side som dashed off after the retreating Confidentes, Aguiar the Fallord Sergeant demanded his surrender. Concoursas well on ate, fand gained on his enemy, and a third time offered long los angeles and halt. But no thought had Mr. Robot supporter: images he turned in his saddle as the Serpent nesret Bym, and fire a pistol shot at his porspor. Castor ho. der ly offered the tipo and with botter offert. for he he l his mmany of the file sha ziaf a little in front. shooting the plate robot je the mo Confederate fell from his sade, and the begon Sepodle explipool the horse and regained his comrades, whey had waremed Jos del lant fight.
It was then about suadown. and Gingeral Giornoon comboio to bivouac on some favorable ground som we bad goosel avey. so ordered the recall sounded, and the b.igrow were lom bronce On falling back we carry across the rebel officer who had had sent fight with the Sergeant ; he was still ; live by the pondrot . Ifhe recent antagonist kindly carried Him to a bom come in . wir ralfu wound was carefully attended to by Spacon 6 0gg K. Contr. of our Regiment. Papers on the wounded oliver's person -hoyel him to be Major Dougherty, a Quartermaster in the Confeforte Army.
For some unaccountable reason a tu dent way nodig & lor net day. Up to plus time die expedition. And a on oconnor be Con oral Sony Smith with great ability, andstood upyoud Jug rayssa tions had attended every move that he monde. almost reached the flank of Sherman's anny : inde-l. d var sub sequently ascertained from prisoners, then we signs Hoy theply miles from Colonel Winslow's Brigade of Canales. That areolaja- nied Sherman's army, and which had bych rent out to agent is "To turn back now would be to invite defeating the wrong, dans ering our retrograde move, would concentrato all la lafleros scattered forces on short lines and bring a stromsor force to cope with us on the retreat than had been opposed To ne on the advance. Inadvancing Sony Smith ind threatened severed join. . and in that way orset the rebel going to suffer i West as to cover all the points threatened. To have advanced rowent
Sherman's army would have bech attended with de danger den to retrace our steps toward Memphis. Up to this time we how been successful; we had driven the anony steadily, and were here almost in the neighborhood of Shorman's ayniy. with which our were to cooperate. To turn back now would be to layvier ale po negroes along the line of march to join us in the hop & of geliyor away from slavery and into our lives, and to le ler baantrojans would be to invite disaster. What ceased Getaged Sony Sunthron change his plans, and to change success in podle fest is more lia were To was reported that he became sich and the now this he was no himself when he ordered the retreat. The 1 Kost began on the morning of the 21st, and it was on the evening of that day on the Ninth Ilinois covered itself williglors. At only motions the Sixth Ilinois, tigning an aivan e. dutroll the owens works at the bridge over the Saulagardie Rich. Und poler roger of this attach the retreat began. One retrograde movement discovered ere long and the Sixth Middle Ware forged Work in Sixth was reinforced by the South Illinois, and spine sugere fighting occurred. The Seventh not took the year and kept My a spirited resistance to the attacks of the eren y until oferpos ered by numbers, when they were released by the Ground lowy The Second took up the fight right gallandy dad rader the lived ership of their popular commandant, Majer Datus i. Cool. Copelit bravely all the afternoon, holding thecherry in cool wine small division and the wagon trips were working slow foodgloss avesse extemporized condebay road that for through & ere sontals through which the command had to pass. Knowing HoveMaison of this swamp, the enemy made an increased effort to double up our rear guard and capture our supply traits. The Second Ingen running out of ammunition, about this time asked to ho telomal. and the Ninth linois took the rear. General Grierson, wlos had been riding at the head of the Ninth Hinos dereng the Afternoon, had informed Colonel Burgh of the location of the swamp von directed him to hold his regiment in readiness to take the rent and hold the enemy in check until the trains and troops had pasonl safely through.
It was abont supdown when was listed the Sonomol Town, is ho fs was outnumbered, and hard pressot, and right Loinily was 1De
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HISTORY OF WHE
Ninth cheered by their comrades of the Second Jowa as we moved toward the enemy, and allowed the Second to follow the confmaydl ' General Grierson informed Colonel Burgh that the entire doin- mand would be halted and formed in close columns of regiment. on its emerging from the swamp, and that couriers would he despatched to let him know when the movement was com- pleted, but in the meantime he, General Grierson, would expect the Ninth Illinois to hold the energy in check and protect Me- rear. General Grierson declined that he had Hold the Ninthm reserve all day for that occasion, and as we all know. his faith 1 the grand old Regiment was well founded. Soon after taking the rear, and as the shades of evening began to thicken. Colonel Burgh conceived the idea of placing our ville companies in ato- bush dismounted, and with the other companies draw the emony on to the luidden line of battle. About this time a small hodge was destroyed by our rear gaard, the repairing of which delayed the enemy's advance long enough to give the companies alople time to take the position selected for the ambasadde. Theother two companies formed an extended but then late of battle in front of the bridge, and well in advance of the heavier and concealod line of battle. On repairing the bridge the enemy deployed and advanced on our first line, which fought stubbornly for a time and then gave way, passing between the Intervals of the second line, and drawing the rebels on to restant destruction. for the fire from the rifles of those concealed companies was que' and deadly. The enemy was taken greatly Is a prive and salleno! heavily. A second time the Confederate line of battle was ad vanced, and a second time it was repulsed. The slaughter of the rebels was dreadful. Colonel Forrest in brother of General Fors rest) and thirty-seven officers and men of las brigade were killed. and one hundred and twenty-three were wounded during the at. tacks on our ambuscade. Our losses were comparatively light. owing to the advantage of position. During the progress of this tight General Sooy Smith, who it will be remembered was ill, la came alarmed for the safety of his trains, still struggling through the swamp, but was assured by General Grienon that everything was safe, as the Ninth Bareiss: www www: 987 hovar he knew the ring of their rities, which was more to The war. . and
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NINTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY VOLEVIFEES.
he could tell from the sound that it was in the direction of the enemy. After this last charge and repulse, the road tomal withdrew his forces and discontinued the pursuit for the night. The trains and pack animale having got safely through the swamp. the Ninth followed and foand the command of the Walls beyond formed in close columns and awaiting its arrival. The match was then continued until about 2 A. M. when the compound bivouacked for a few hours, and resmed the mystery wie on the 22d. It is said of General Sony Smith that. Strue that . vont- ful night, he has had a green spot in His memory for the Vissth Illinois Cavalry. On the 224. the Thin! Brigade took the 1er m the vicinity of Okolona, but did not hold it long. By the reci made an impetuous charge that scattered them to the 200g wood of heaven, and captured a battery of light artillery and mmung pro oners.
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