USA > Illinois > History of the Ninth Regiment Illinois Cavalry Volunteers. Pub. under the auspices of the Historical Committee of the Regiment > Part 9
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The five pieces of artillery captured by the cuents here was pll but one piece of the battery belonging to the Sixth Blot Chyal ry, that had been turned over to MeGrelhs' Brigade in the offer gency, and the surrender of their guns and the stampede of the brigade were simply disgraceful. The only redeeming fordin ine this affair was the action of the Fourth United SBites Covaley. commanded by the gallant Captain Bowman, wie del all shot it was possible for so small a body of troppe to pertoria to stay the rushing, demoralized tide of the other regions of the Third Brigade, including now in their manders flor ingarments composing the First Pricede, Bene !od in their dogiotoliven retteal by the Second New Jersey Cavalry; atsi hed not the globaly. mol Second Brigade formed at the sides and given them too road. 1 verily believe they would have run over them m their listo to pri out of harm's way, which danger just then lay in Forest's cha ing squadroons, determined to reach the stampeded troop arad train in our rear. Charge after charge was made in the relish to dislodge the Ninth, but the grand old Regiment held its grogan! until the scattered forces were reorganizal, and were ready for battle. A great many men were wounded in this engagement. but, thanks to the breast works, no one was killed. Many syl remember the long hill and orchard, as the Conboolerate line of battle ereurged from the wood first aidleys which den see
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efective on our lines, as we were on an elevation, and the missiles did not tas is usually the case) pass over oft heads. The pechillar thud, as the bullets struck our extentporized breas works or thos cotton gin. and the "zit."zit." as they whistled part of water. was more suggestive of danger than music to 15.
It was later at night that someone reported to Colored hugh that the rebel General Forrest was at a house not far from the column, and while not really crediting the tale, Adjutant J. 11. Carpenter was sent with a squad of soldiers to see wird there wols to it. The small party approached the House cautiously and pretty soon saw what they supposed to be a lot of heroes montage the cabins, but, when they got a little closer, found it to be a part of Forrest's body-guard of Confederate soldiers, who eine off and fired a volley at Carpenter and his men. It was dark, and the quantity of the enemy unknown, and the outlook istarmable for Federal soldiers in that particular spot, so it was thought brut to vacate, which our boys did very promptly, leaving several dead horses on the ground. Captain Buel, passing at this time, eng the soldiers in the field, and called out: " What soldias are you in there? " Someone answered. " Ninth Habi Cavalry." Then the rebs fired. It was afterward ascertained that Forrest was in the house at this time.
The re-organization of the stampeded troops, mixed up as they were with pack trains, captured horses and mules, and one thon sand six hundred or more negroes, of all sites and conditions, wie surging and moving toward the front of our Hope, Som do quy task; but it was accomplished, and to Germal B. IL Origen and his able Adjutant tieneral, Major Woodward, belouga the credit. Toward evening a new line of little was formed by portions of the First and Third Brigades, when the Snegwil Brigade was recalled from the rear, and the enemy allowed to attack the new line. The rebels made some charges, Imt wire repulsed, and. darkness coming on, fighting caused. "The much for the Tallahatchee was now resumed, and on the gal that viver was crossed in the afternoon.
At Prairie Station the Confederate Government had concon- trated a large amount of corn and supplies for their ans. This was on the Mobile & Massimo Budowlane We trust
LIEUTENANT EDWARD A. DAVENFORT. Comusi y.
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NINTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY VONANDERES
importance to leave for the use of the parties for whom | intended. On the outward march, Feltiry soth, at this pues, we destroyed, by firing, a large amount of conf, colton, and army supplies. in great quantities a long train of our also. Online did not tarry long, but. as soon as the work of destention Tras completed or so well under way that it would be imposed do to extinguish the flames, the command moved on forth. The host from the bales of cotton, and the immense piles of corn slowly consuming, was intense, and the smoke was visiting for dogs we marched away. The value of property boned huge 1 upward of three million dollars. We also destroyed : games of corn at Aberdeen, and nealy one houdiel ajal Ifly ipes ta railroad. Not nufrequently on our ling of bouch. selle the year was almost constantly engaged with the chan. We would you long lines of Confederate avaliy my our this sen marine forward a mile or two parallel to our column, with the exdoor intention of gaining a position in the frost. Oncesienochy a trooper would ride out well mounted from the rebel food and come almost within musketshot of our colum, when some of our boys wouldt take after him and chose biar book. Thero re no question but that the rebels were much superior in 100 lage to our own. and had not the retreat buen most sk hudly mmggmed. after General Grierson assumed confinahd, ami the pires xd the enemy stubbornly resisted by many brase and bilety maneuvers, we never could have coupled with the small for that was sustained by this command, and much ersite is due to gallant Second Brigade, and especial jeals to 1. Suh Hoon Cavalry, under the gallant Lieutenant Colonel Birgb, and 16 Second Iowa Cavalry. under the brave and determine Mejor Coon, for the heroic manner in which they beat brick the mall General Forrest's charging troopers. The energy continent pursuit until our command reached New Albany. Although this expedition failed in its main object of renciting General Store man's command, the large amount of property destroyed, the many prisoners captured, and the valuable though motley variety of booty brought in, consisting of horses, mukes, and a large body of colored people, made our return quite a " trommel nonch" and certainly added consider, ble glory De the ach madled capa
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tation of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, and all the recipients of the Second Brigade. The Cavalry went into emup at Germantown. Tem. February 26th, after an absence of sixteen days. a part of the time on forced march with no rations, except what we conbil forage. Often a little corn meal mixed up with water, no side to be had, and baked on a shingle by an open fire, which was called a " pone cake." This was quite a luxury: at other times a cir of corn roasted helped to stay the gnawings of an empty stomach. In all this time no change of clothes. It will not require rande stretch of the imagination to say, " We were a tough looking crowd."
From Harper's Illustrated Wally of March 18, 1861: " Gap- eral Smith's Cavalry expedition returned to Mongthis. Febpages 26th, not having effected a janetion with Shengan on account of delays, incident to the expedition, which gave the enemy's cavalry an opportunity to concentrate a considerable foro against Smith, which it was impossible for him to meet succes fullv. The expedition was not entirely a failure, having destroyed over a million bushels of corn, and tor up many miles of the Memphis & Ohio Railroad, besides burning. many bridge. and much trestle work. General Smith's retreat, however, leaves the enemy's country unoccupied and free for movement against Sherman."
The first thing in order when we reached camp was gone thing to eat, and the boys did enjoy hand teck then as much as they ever did in their lives. Our tents and camp equipage in general had been sent to Memphis to be stored in oll ab med. and the first thing in order was to get them out to our camp. Captain Mock was detailed to go to Memphis for our supplies. and as it had rained the most of the time for three days, Be werd badly in need of them. Several days elapsed before we were able to get our camp into any kind of shape. Our regimental teams were turned over to the Quartermaster's Department before we left on this raid; and we were obliged to depend upon the Brigade Quartermaster to supply us in that line. March 1st, Captain Mock returned from Memphis with our tents, etc .. and once more the Regiment was in comparatively comfortable quarters.
CHAPTER XIII. THE WEST POINT EXPERTOS.
BY STEWART G. BAILLY, SERGLASY COMPASE C. ANEW BRUN EtySin
( N the Sooy Smith raid, the Ninth Ilingis Cavalry Hose a promismind yon they having the proud satisfaction of lavere the 1 . things in the division, and by the time the company eressed the Tad bit. food Rices this will recruited nearly enough horses and mades to rent amely responds, Matty
contrabands, bringing in thirty-six et contime This was very for. 1:001. os rojos of the regiments in the command, hein- poorly mounted were sally to wood id more horses.
February 18. The Ninth, in the advance, sb mit rol, acest joop Okocon. Miss., without much opposition. Here the las reglasbed their set of tobacco, the find being of excellent quality send planty Up to tur time to country we had passed through was poor, bnren, anlam .8 d. 9mi ad 50 way dense pine woods which was diffie, the smoke I itt differ - and what faire bearable, but soon the country began to icipros . w.hs 1 ger med 59- 10 more plenty. Company }, in the a later, fer -undfor the ( Note vole of tobacco and spirits, led out on the road to Abord on, twenty mit & kannthen ol the Tombigber River. The bas were duok dag shall pen - of de ennek nearly every thin of the real, inations would Eine pal, god se (mos) Burgh gave orders to keep the Region well cloud the the really of All P. M., the advance found the enemy in ame fore an d'reported to 380 net Burst who ordered two companies to reinforce then, while the silvaner mediately charged the enemy, and being quickly spporyt ife fed in confusion with the Ninth in hot pursuit, into and theor on the torresof Ah deen, where we captured a number of prisoners.
We had this day traveled nearly fifty miles, und were new single siffer tothe in advance of the main command, which had bianche1. ein kor ing afde to kann up. It thus beloved Colonel Burgh to bevery signaal He pinto! w for patrol in and around the town, and exraped the Regiment in a pleased evere Quil north of the village. No doubt the rapidity of our maxed qual the boldness of the attack deceived Forrest, or he would, don'tflush, have sale in Dopis for a before morning. This was the first time Yankee trans had cutenel the polary. and, coming as we did rather unawares, it was a rich field Bochy poo
alry, whose regiment had gone home on furioh. B. EM miel mest taxi pany G, halted a negro, who was carrying a truck, toto hane ken H. also
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it was found to contain a lot of watches evidently the content of some pry le shop. In the lot was a few pretty good watches, hof this I Slowly wep all bulls' eyes and worthless. This sollic, loving ad esse pair of 1%. tied a string around the bottom of the legs, and competiof the roman cing on the lot into the pants, and then hand them up to hing, when He kode iote camp sen distributed his find, taking promises from the mien to settle a food pas dny Cro federate money was plenty, and in the running oll let emonchou pos Aberguy for their breakfasts, thereby making friends of the citizens. Acht moneybu of the command came up, and all moved of west are super! ayer l'her rie Station. The country here was very rich and billy ompimed ! devoted to the raising of corn, and the last year's chop all on henk, wrap shipment to the Confederate aries. This we proceedel form ofthe the command being sent in different ditectorof the siprofe of boom con corr 10ay be seen on every hand, thus marking the reader of each compound. We mapart
neat West Point, the enemy was encountered su destino may beve, and gone severe engagement took place. Night coming of, the rebel with week of West Point, but were aggressive and active during the night, The fo toner hoping. and mules we hand picked up were started to the rear with bil the trooper excel the Second Brigade, which, carly in the morning of the .B: Arten a fompodle movement with the Second Jowa in the Year, who were ently folket in for f We traveled as rapidly as possible all this day, followed dowody Ke w spring forma of the enemy, pressing heavily on the rear guards, which were collected frequent during the day, and a large force of rebel cas dry, in pat siele abon two tolles to our right. traveled parallel with us, trying to lerat ys off. Alewir dark, 18 Ninth having the rear on account of Some SIERRA ISUITE it OUT HERESEX to hold the enemy in check, while the Fudergi command! orosont Gins [wenig Colonel Burgh dismounted a part of the Recipiord sontlog rlivje banie co cio rezrest of sight, forming his men on offer side of the root in -verb. Tsa entin, approached in a solid body, and who only a few mit decent men lose up and gave them volley after volig in rigid From wood wort voy shooting titles and revolver it a shot to nach Go west wood, che u. .. Euro close range, were very destructive. The bee ted in pre conials and alld not molest us any more that night. Wetravel of fel clean Feedich as, and near Okolona we fouled the rest of the contrend of Fame and somed asleep. About S. A. 35, tu Secord Brisans, But The ace pt through Okolona, and matched northwest. Vi wert will and aman I . The bugle sounded from reat to front 'to ledd" Sont an moder& repuzeet chal the rear had been attacked and ronted with pressing thees lo skorpione, mel se were ordered to let the train pass by and then comp top to the war Room possible.
The boys had a " circus" while the train vas pas fiz, contiene were ale gr three thousand mailes and horses and enough regions to inthe at the three reste ments, all mounted on those uniles and horses Ofen thrower for un one minute They had heard the news and could hear the Ering, und vereiro5009 -06-0 As they passed by they Logged us " for God's sake Jest of white us." Already could be seen the symptoms of a ponte, Mach be el fort before night. Not, however, the fault of the Sith or the Second For mole After
NINTH D.LINOIS CAVALLS VOLLELEAD -.
they passed by we made our way to the Text, where we found a desperate sulle of affairs. The Federals touted and dying ina privic, un. Cafedesites presiding- on rapidly Rushed with an easy victory, und, foi Forso conunfaldle re wow air pack-mule train with the ambulances for ked in a birge todo logi fisico is Never shall I forget the appearance of the brave Captain Perline. .. ] w loop about dark; he had been on brigade staff duty, and to the ten: wione che ritat attack was made and the rout commenced. hall witheeya the loss of do-ent 20 had been bravely trying to nily the der n tlited troops oh doy his bou gas zono, his long black hair disheveled and filled with dat, tar rouge gong de chat begrimed check. He was begging, swearing and reading like me rund young trying to rally some of this demolized noob. I was compal id abort che manner, and when he recognized mne, he chouted as he dessind nota mi Tal- right, Bailey, give them hell, they are aset of coward All the it a . lee and away he went.
The Second Brigade took position by orderot creveral Gridiron, diamond with the Ninth on the left, in a stable that kitimat of poneros, The moo came up behind a rail fence and in the timber, in good panthat of u and opened fire on us in a lively manner. Gerend Griercon ordordem ve anke this prendete and hold it at all hazards, until he got the train started out. The euros am lapped around the left flank of the Shith, secreted in the liney wood 90 200 old rail fence in their front. Thus exposed to an offer ing fre we were com pelled to fall back to a new position, which was done in good order. Meetthe four-gun battery of the Ninth, twelve pofild kowivers, var in putting and some cavalry mounted were formed to our sig d, and ofia chethy adds xo cd mx the field, they met such a bail of shot and she Il fragy on line, and be the plug - by the mounted troops on the right, they fell bach t the thatmr. wlos held till darkness closed the action. I view of that experience of the me to before with the Ninth, they did not palest troops bevande terribly mivel up, and for all of a company together. Those who have never seen a Wall by on anoy eg berto but little conception of it, and front wheelat . going to cover want to try andof Evidently there were some fearful Min has made caly tehdy
This trip was from the start de sinal to ben failure, for General Santi fontes to General Sherman's express written al verbod codes toorra . nos tres Con February 1," did not move forward thatil the 11th, 000 tione secun d be bas tom little push or energy in him.
During the night of the 22, order was restored, nad by day hela in com mand was moving out in good order, with The Sound Prior to in the rise sono. There was no great rout or panic this Guy, and the camy paid denly for by rashiness and soon became very cantico. .. About Er vi. on aring w abe Tesis hatchee River, a position was selecte I. und a . the troops conw up they formist Inite line, and when the enemy approached was mitacked, named, and driven social miles, this ending the active pursuit. The men and bor we were pretty ven sod up for want of sleep, rest, and time to tii. Two dige be food. We had Latte reveling in a carnival of do fraction car to be had. After closing the river, up comtos fing tled, there was no prospect of recruiting len
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the next afternoon foragers were sent out. The criminal bad becu die died ou three parallel roads. We had the left, and about 4 p. M. the forwers begged 30 arrive well loaded with corn, folder. Kraus, bacon, and assu le thing box good foragers could find. The command halted in a pleader spot in the wood, was supposed for the night, to eat, sleep, and lar happy, all vite mery sont at the aroma of the boiling coffee and broiling hary thatof is No overmineral were content in anticipation of the feast beloto theto, wood tio prog ccdof couten needed rest. But alas ! some evil -piri disturbed the reper, sol in a will log our bright anticipations were blastedl. The logbes mubol. B it and phR quickly followed by . To borse and forward " Word Brad come that the copy column had been atmickel and wanted help. B: was a di ppolafuient, 00E sto matter how hungry or sleeps or work out we were, the cities vive forlan cel all was forgotten as we flew to their recom atime. Af ra ked! non tag at rate of six miles, it was ascertained that it had been more of & sobre theop profils Then We were mad. We had left all out good times nije to the rescue la was upon us. Weencamped by the road the willige Bol h & really, sine en bly disgusted, and fully realizing " then is many a shp betwist cep and she lipa We slept soundly till the sun was high the next nonjon, the thed Loods con joying the rest equally with the mep. After getfired up god dupo to af a seauty meal, we wended our way toward Memphis, when we were it & fow days, thoroughly disgusted with the management of this expothing. Thesun and wounded were sent to the hospital. The rest intoll, recited as veberdos and went home on a much needed and well care forloggb
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CHAPTER XIV.
REORGANIZATION --- MUSTER IN OF THE VETTURNS HOMEM XOD P.1992 -SPEECH OF GENERAL BINION -ALLDASI COL MU. BUTY TION AT THE SOLDIERS HERE-CANDY UP -BANK TO MERO- -THE NEW SUPPLY Of HORSES AND AINS GESTO GEN ERAL GRIEFSON'S ORDER.
TI THE Regiment remained to camp of LuftWcon il ME _K_ 18th. during which thea large pmi of the men mountich I am Veterans, and it was fully determined to make the Royalrent a Veteran organization; there were. however, a good mon; @low term of service did not expire till October. 1891, 1 bodu! root feel like going in for another three years, but routing er - propre ing rapidly. At the north. Captain Harper and liaide. of wlomme there were thirteen from the Ninth, were doing good work. Upol the large bounty offered by the Gogehtpekt and Tivo prospect that the war would not now he of long duration, tamboril cooper atively easy to fill up a Regiment which was stwach fratsen al had so fine a reputation as the Ninth Filhos Casales, Colour Burgh had turned over to the Owlpages and (porte ge-sep The partments the arms, houses and all the other porgouts belomoins to the Government. On the 16th of March. 1861, the Regime mustered as a Veteran organization, and on the Lifearing dre marched to Memphis and proceeded north.
A FAREWELL
Last evening, the Ninth Illinois Cavalry Recluse 10, whichare just me yn listed in the Veteran Suprice, Dearly to a main, departed for thele for The the steamer White Glad to enjoy the ir thirty days ' forlonely Felog the Boat staffel off, Brigadier Generals Grierson and Benton aggraand then the leydig. .. were loudly called upon for speeches by the soldiers
So earnest was the invitation that it could not be disfregarti so goodfor the Regiment, General Deiton made a boli stesse to the box, as lo Po-s
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bered, " who had fearlessly followedkim Diroweh the swamp of Arkansasaurlie initiation of the war, and had ever since si tained the reparation the theme song till," as he aptly added, " I can stand with the very . King ' of the Cnofullerog under my feet, and you upon the brand basant of the Month ago, and buy more"
After General Beaton concluded, General Griessen was called for Am appeared, acquitting himself with a very becoming speech, it will be alholed in the laurels the Regiment had won while end : his, and consplinwote I them op-on their re-enlistment. Captain Perkins, in behelf of the Regiment, replied In badde speeches, after which the steamer shoved out.
The Veterans of the Ninth Hbnois Cavalry embarked om the steamer White Cloud at Memphis, Tenn., off the 15th of March, 1864. for Chicago, Ill., where the men were to resolve their furloughs. The eagerness with which our brave comrades looked forward to their return home, after an absence of reds three years, can only be understood by those who have been deprived (as we had been) of the privilege of visiting home (0) loved ones there, for so long a time. Many of the troopers of the Ninth had never been absent a day since their enlistmentia 1.91. and the heart-felt words " Home again " welled up from many a manly bosom. Near Cairo, H. a very sad accident occurred. Dennis Maher, of Company D. fell overboard and was drownsk. This man enlisted September 10, 1861. He was a good soldier and re enlisted again as a veteran, January 1. 1-64, and was pro moted Corporal in his company.
On our arrival at Cairo. it wis ascontained that sport.com by rail could not be obtained, and the street was headed For St. Louis. Colonel Burgh pretend the Regent there, song ciu railway from Cairo, so as to procure railway transportation to Chicago.
LETTER OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BURGH.
REPORTING THE ARRIVAL IN HANOI OF THE VETERAN ORGANIZATION OF THE NINTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
Col. A. C. Fuller, Adjutant-General, State of Mind
I have the honor to report that I left Germantown, Tens , March 18, 1804. with my command, consisting of thirty four conmillion coresul Wage but dred and thirty two enlisted men. thirty enlisted men whodid . servert 0 the Regiment lote manageto entities them to te conel rute de po-Boy the intention of so doing, and thirty five rechts, ap poste Fog hoherpod Sont they
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one (431), pursuant to S. O. No. 62, Heidovarer- 106 A. C., dated Merophis Tenn., March 17, 1864, and proceeded to this point ape S. L. mi. Mo, of food for Camp Fry, Chicago, as per your telegraphic orders received by nie at Si. Lonis last evening.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 11. B. Buer Lieutenant- Cobre commanding Ninth Danois Desde
On our arrival in Chicago at S o'clock P. M., March 248, 0% were met by the Union band and an escort. and marched to the " Soldiers' Home, " where we were welcomed by the Adgangs General of the State in a brief and highly enlogistic speech, after which the ladies of the Home tendered an elegant supper, which was highly appreciated by our brave though tired crashes. Soon after our arrival in Chicago, the Veterin sollers of The Ninth Illinois Cavalry were furloughed Toy thing days, zon departed in various directions for their home ..
Our soldiers began to congregate about the state of April get Camp Fry, Chicago. This beautiful comp was about three miles north of the Court House, in the pleasant words in the vicinity of what is now known as Lincoln Park. The recruits word coming in. It was necessary for some of the officers to be there to lan out for them. Colonel Burgh was already there and tolgaydont Lieutenant Davenport, Commissary, who had been oy leave him two weeks, to come up to camp to look out for the ration of our soldiers.
Arriving there on the 11th of April, a topochop of od com rades were on hand (already tired of Dich base, and the rom notony of home life, and a number of reality soon came jo and April 26th. the furloughs having expired, the Smith iBreda Cavalry again started for the front. The Regiment 1.1 me cruited largely, many coming to us who had seen service in other regiments.
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