USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 28
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The next day, the regiment was engaged in a very spirited action at Liberty Gap, and drove the enemy from his position.
It reached Tullahoma on the Ist of July, and remained there with the rest of the division as a garrison, Bragg having been compelled by the maneuvers of Rosecrans to evacuate his position and retire to the south side of the Tennessee River.
On the 16th of August, another advance was made, the Thirtieth, with its division, going to Belifonte, a small town on the Tennessee River, eightcen miles below Stevenson, Ala., where it remained until the 31st, when, crossing the Tennessee River, the advance was continued in the direction of Rome, Ga. A part of the army in the meanwhile had crossed the Tennessee River at Chatta- nonga, and it was evident that a decisive battle would soon be fought, as the rebels would not give up that position, which was really the key to the South, without a struggle. From the 10th to the 19th of September was occupied by both armies in concentrating their somewhat scattered forces, and in endeavors to get the advantage of each other in position.
The morning of the 19th found the Union army posted on a line running nearly east and west, extending between four and five miles, and running nearly parallel with Chickamauga Creek, a deep, crooked. sluggish stream that empties into the Tennessee River near Chattanooga; and the enemy in front and the larger part of his forces on the opposite side of the stream. At daylight the division to which the Thirtieth was attached was ordered to report to Maj. Gen. Thomas, on the extreme left of our army. As our column moved forward the battle commenced. and, as the Thirtieth was marching in the rear of the line, it had a good oppor- tunity to realize the fierceness of the conflict. But very seldom, it is safe to say. during the entire war, was witnessed such bitter determination in the attack of the enemy, or more desperate resistance in repelling his charges. Our divi,- ion commander, Gen. R. W. Johnson, reported to Gen. Thomas about 12 o'clock, and be was ordered to form a line at once and move forward to the support of the troops already engaged.
This was done, the brigade to which the Thirtieth was attached being held in reserve, and the line moved forward to the attack. Our right flank being exposed, the brigade was soon ordered up into the front line, and the order was at ouce given to charge. The line swept rapidly forward, driving everything before it. It soon reached a ridge running in an oblique direction to that from which we were advancing, crowned with a line of rebel artillery, dealing death at every discharge aud threatening destruction to our already thinned ranks. With a cheer and a resistless rush, we charged and drove the enemy from his position, compelling him to abandon five guns. A sbort halt was ordered, our line was rapidly re-formed, and again moved on until within 200 yards of Chickamauga Creek, the enemy falling back in confusion.
Finding ourselves now without support on either flank, the brigade retired about two hundred and fifty yards, on a line with the rest of the division. Dur- ing this charge, the Thirtieth lost very heavily in men and officers, losing, among others, Licut. Douglas L. Phelps, of Company D, from Allen County, an exeel- lent officer and as brave a man as ever lived.
The regiment remained in that position until nearly dark. By some over- sight, no troops were sent to support us in our exposed position, and no orders were sent to withdraw from it. Our division was, in fact, detached from, and fully half a mile in advance of, the rest of our army. Heavy skirmish lines were advanced to our front and on our flanks, and the enemy were found to he crossing the Chickamauga in great force. Preparations were at once made to receive him. Just at dark the attack was made. Cominencing on the left of our division and sweeping rapidly to our right, the fighting at once hecame ter- rible.
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It was very dark. Our line and that of the enemy were so close together that they re-riubl .d two walls of living flame as volley succeeded volley, pouring deith into the opposing ranks. Suddenly the enemy ceased firing and fell back a short distance to re-form his shattered ranks. In a short time, a rebel column
swept along our left, making a short and bitter attack, which was repulsed. The lines were again formed for another attack, when orders were received to fall back to the main line, near the Ringgold road. The enemy had been too severely punished to molest us further, and we withdrew in good order. The Thirtieth had hnt four officers left; two were killed, six wounded and three captured, and the loss had heen in the same proportion among the enlisted men.
The next morning, our brigade was placed in position on the extreme left of the army, and at once threw up a slight line of breastworks. Ahout 9 o'clock, a scattering fire was heard along our picket line, that was thrown out in advance, and in an instant the storm of battle, raging in its wildest fury, was upon us. The enemy was making a desperate effort to turn onr left and gain possession of the road to Chattanooga. Column after column of Longstreet's corps, the flower of the Southern army, who boasted that they would " show Bragg's men how to whip the Yanks," were hurled against our lines only to meet destruction, or he forecd haek, shattered and bleeding from every pore. Death held higb carnival. Grape and canister tore through the rebel ranks ; musketry hurled sheets of lead into their columns. On the left, in the front and almost in our rear, successive charges of the rebel lines rolled and swayed, only to he driven back with merci- less slaughter. The left held its position against the enemy ; the right met with disaster, and it was necessary to withdraw to save the army and Chattanooga. At 5 o'clock, after nine hours' continuous hard fighting, the entire army fell haek to the vicinity of Rossville, five miles from Chattanooga, and threw up a line of breastworks. On the 22d. the entire army was withdrawn to Chattanooga, and went at work immediately to fortifying that place.
During the battle of Chattanooga, it seemed that every man and officer of tho Thirtieth vied with each other in deeds of bravery. One example must suffice :
A drummer-boy of Company D, from New Haven, in this county, by the name of John Shultz, a very modest, neat lad, ahout sixteen years old, and a uni- versal favorite in the regiment, insisted on laying aside his drum and taking a gun and fighting with his company. He distinguisbed himself hy acts of hravery. At one time, it hecame necessary to ascertain the intentions of a movement the enemy were making in our front. The right wing of the Thirtieth, under Capt. Whitaker, of Company D, was sent out to make a reconnaissance. It soon met a rebel column advancing to charge npon our lines. To return to our lines in advance of the rebels was Capt. Whitaker's task. It was gallantly accomplished. While falling haek, he so annoyed the enemy's advance as to greatly hreak the force of his charge. But alas ! the brave hoy Shultz did not return. While fighting bravely, he was killed.
In a few days, after the army fell hack to Chattanooga, Bragg laid siege to the place. A steady routine of picket and fatigue duty, the greater part of the time on half-rations, occupied the Thirtieth until the 31st of October, at which . time it, with its hrigade, moved to Whiteside Station, on the railroad hetwcen Bridgeport aud Chattanooga, where it remained until January 28, 1864, when it was ordered to Charleston, thirty miles east of Chattanooga. Nearly two hun- dred of the men re-enlisted as veterans, while here, and went home on a furlough for thirty days.
On the 5th day of May, the Atlanta campaign was commenced, and the recruits and non-veterans of the Thirtieth moved with the brigade in the direc- tion of Dalton, Ga.
The next day, near Tunnel Hill, the regiment was joined hy the " veterans " and two hundred and fifty recruits, making the aggregate number of the regiment five hundred and fifty. The next morning, the advance was continued, the brigade to which the Thirtieth was attached heing in advance. The enemy offered a stubborn resistance, and the advance was more like a continuous battle than any- thing else. This continued until the 9th, the enemy being constantly driven until he reached the base of a high and ahnost impassable ridge, bristling with batteries protected by cartbworks. A number of severe attaeks were made and repulsed. Fortifications were thrown up, and constant fighting ensued until the 12th, and the command entered his works on the morning of the 13th. The almost impregnahle position of Rocky Face Ridge was carried hy a flank move- ment. The Thirtieth loss cighteen killed and wounded.
An advance was at once ordered, and skirmishing was in progress along the whole line. On the 14th, the enemy was encountered in strong force at Resaca.
An attack was ordered at once; more than half our army was formed in line, and moved to the assault. After a terrible confliet, in which our army lost heavily, the enemy was routed losing over three thousand prisoners and a number of pieces of artillery. The victory was closely followed up, and the enemy was encountered again at Adairsville, on the 17tb, well protected by works.
An attack was made at once. After two hours hard fighting, with infantry and artillery, a charge was ordered.
It was promptly executed, and the enemy was driven from his intrench- ments. For holdness in attack, and spirited reeklessness in carrying out orders, the action at Adairsville was hardly ever equaled. The Thirtieth was in the sec- ond line when the charge was ordered. The first line charged and went as far as they could, when they were compelled to halt and throw themselves on the ground almost under the enemy's guns. The second line was then ordered np, and away it went. By one of those coincidences that happen at times, the Thirtieth hap- pened to pass over the Thirty-fourth Illinois, which was in the first line, a regi- muent that had served almost three years in the same brigade with the 'Thirtieth, hut had heen separated from it at ahout the commencement of the campaign, and the two regiments were warmly attached to each other. When the Thirtieth came to the Thirty-fourth on the charge, some soldier in the Thirty-fourth, in a voice that could be heard above all the roar of hattle, called out, " Boys, if the Thirtieth dies, let us die with it !" Instantly every man was on his feet, and, with a cheer that almost shook the ground, joined their old comrades, and they
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MILITARY HISTORY.
rushed over the enemy's works shoulder to shoulder, regardless of everything in the shape of a foe.
The pursuit was rapidly continued, following the enemy so closely that he hardly had time to halt. On the 19th, the regiment passed through Kingston, taking possession of important railroad connections. The same day, it reached Cassville and found the enemy strongly intrenched. After severe fighting, he was driven into his works, and breastworks were at onco thrown np.
Heavy fighting was kept up until the night of the 25th, when the enemy withdrew. The next morning the pursuit was continued. Making a detour to tbe right, the enemy was encountered in force at Dallas, strongly intrenched. The same routine followed; constant skirmishing, severe fighting and unremitting toil. Between the 26th of May and the 6th of June, the Thirtieth participated in the severe engagements at Dallas, Burnt Hickory and Pumpkin Vine Creek, in all of which our forees wero victorious.
The left wing of our army, to which the Thirtieth, belonged, was almost exhausted by tbe exertions it had been compelled to make, and it was granted a few days of rest. On the 10th, it was again ordered to pursue the enemy, and soon found him in position at Pine Knob, a naturally strong position, well forti- fied. The usual skirmishing and fighting ensued, and, on the night of the 14th, he evacuated that position. A rapid advance was made at once, and the enemy was found in a strong position at the base and on the side of Kenesaw Mountain. This mountain curves upward, its summit appearing like a blaek eloud against the blue sky.
Its position was impregnable to a front attack, and every means in the power of skillful engineers had been used to repel an assault. Batteries bristled at every available point, and long lines of earthworks and rifle-pits swept around its face and up its sides.
During the entire time the army was in front of Kenesaw, the Thirtieth was under fire. Not a day passed without skirmishing, which almost invariably culminated in severe fighting.
Frequent charges were made, sometimes by the enemy, oftener by us, and the roar of artillery was almost incessant.
On the 23d of June, the Thirtieth, Thirty-sixth and Ninth Indiana were ordered to charge the enemy's works in front. The column swept forward, scat- tering the enemy, taking the works and capturing many prisoners. So sudden and fierce was the attack that the enemy tbought it a prelude to a general assault.
He made desperate efforts to re-capture the position we had gained, but we had turned the works and were well prepared. Column after column of the foe dashed against our lines, only to meet destruction, and at last their fruitless efforts ceased. Soon after, the regiment was relieved and beld in reserve.
On the 27th of June, a general assault upon the enemy's lines was ordered by Gen. Sherman, which was disastrous in its results, our forces being repulsed with great slaughter. The Thirtieth was, fortunately, in the supporting column, and met with small loss.
On the 2d of July, the regiment was placed in the front line. At daylight on the morning of the 3d, another advance was made, aud the position found to be evacuated and the enemy in full retreat, having heen forced out by a move- ment on his flank that endangered liis communications.
The column pushed into Marietta, and, a short distance beyond, reached the enemy's works. It halted, engaged in some lively skirmishing and threw up a line of works. It was the 4th of July. The fighting became heavier. Artil- lery was brought up, placed in position and opened upon the foe. Capt. Kirk, of the Thirtieth, from this county, was in command of the skirmish line. He was re-enforced and ordered to charge the enemy's works in his front. The gallant band charged, with a yell, and plunged into his works so suddenly as to terrify tbe foe and send him, panie-stricken, to his main line, in the rear.
Of the eighteen that led the ellarge, Capt. Kirk was severely wounded, and two men killed and eight wounded.
The works wore at onee turned, and the command rested for that day. At . 3 o'clock the next moruing, the enemy again fell baek and pursuit was eontinucd. After a march of five miles, the Chattahoochee was reached, at a place where it was unfordable. Here the regiment halted until the 12th. Ponton- bridges were laid and the command erossed, and, after marching about three miles, halted and threw up a line of works.
On the 18th of July, the command moved to Peach Tree Creek, a small, crooked, but deep stream, very difficult to ford. The Thirtieth was ordered to eross and take a tenable position and hold it while bridges were built for tho artillery to eross. This was accomplished after some very severe skirmisbing that culminated in a severe battle.
Next morning, it resumed its march until it arrived before Atlanta, and our army at onee threw up strong works, and the siege of Atlanta commuenced. The enemy, after a number of severe actions on different parts of the line, was driven into his works. The labors of a siege are, as a general thing, monotonous, but the siege of Atlanta was an exception. Not a day passed without an attack being made by one side or the other, on a number of occasions resulting in des- perate battles. On the 5th of August, u gallant charge was made on the rehel rifle-pits by a detail of eighty men, under command of Capt. H. W. Lawton, from Fort Wayne, which resulted in the capture of two officers and forty-eight private soldiers. During this charge, an Irishman by the name of MeMabon, from Fort Wayne, a recruit, signally distinguished himself. It was his first engagement of the kind. The assault was peculiarly dangerous, and the old soldiers screened themselves as much as possible by taking advantage of such protection as the ground afforded.
MeMahon rushed on, paying no attention to cover or dangers, and was the first man in the rebel works, using his gun as a shillalah, and making a terrible noise. After the fight was over, bis elothes were found to be piereed with bullet.
holes and his aceonterments worthless from the same canse. but his person unscratched. The old soldiers cautioned him against exposing himself so reek- · lessly, and told him how to accomplish his object without so much exposure. Mae's answer, after hearing their counsel, was, " And now will some of yees he afther telling a poor divil how to kill ribbles and watch stumps at the same time ? "
At twilight, on the 25th of August, the Thirtieth, with the rest of the command to which it was attached, took up the line of march toward the extreme right of our army, south of Atlanta. The celebrated flank movement was then commeneed which resulted in driving llood from his stronghold. From that time until the 31st, the regiment was either on the march, engaged in skirmish- ing with the enemy, or tearing up and destroying the railroads that run south from Atlanta. On the 1st of September, sharp and protracted firing was heard in the front, and the command was pushed rapidly forward until it reached the vicinity of Jonesboro. Here the rest of the army were found engaged in a stubborn conflict with the enemy. Moving rapidly into position on the left of our troops that were engaged, the 'Thirtieth soon found itself hotly engaged, and eontinned so until night, when firing ceased, and all slept on their arms. In the morning, we found that the foe had silently withdrawn during the night, leaving his dead and a large number of wounded in our hands. The battle at Jonesboro resulted in plaeing Atlanta firmly in possession of Gen. Sberman as long as he might see fit to hold it, and resulted, in addition, in a loss to the rebels of six- teen pieces of artillery and over three thousand prisoners.
Early next morning, the pursuit of the enemy was continued, and he was overtaken near Lovejoy's Station, a few miles south of Jonesboro, strongly posted on the south bank of the Coosa River. The regiment remained in the enemy's front, constantly under fire until the night of the 6th of September, when the army was withdrawn to Atlanta, without annoyance from the enemy. On the 14th of September, the term of its original enlistment having expired, the Thir- tieth was relieved from duty, and ordered to Indianapolis for muster-out. The time, until the 19th, was occupied in making out the necessary papers, transfers, ete., when it left for home, leaving in the field 230 veterans and recruits, whose term of service had not expired. The regiment was finally mustered out of the serviec at Indianapolis, September 29, 1864. Those that were left in the field were, with a large number of new recruits and men transferred from other reg- iments, formed into a battalion of seven companies, under command of Capt. H. W. Lawton, who was promoted to Colonel. It marched northward with the Fourth Army Corps, to which it was attached, to intercept Hood on his march toward Nashville, and, arriving at that city, took part in the battle fought there on the 15th of December, 1864, acquitting itself with great credit, and well maintaining its old reputation. When Hood was forced haek, after his dis- astrous defeat, the regiment followed in pursuit as far as Huntsville, Ala., from where it marched with its corps to East Tennessee. Returning from there to Nashville, it remained at that place until June, 1865, when it was ordered to Texas.
On the 12th of July, the company of the residuary battalion of the Thirty- sixth Indiana Volunteers, commanded by Capt. John P. Swisher, was transferred to tbe Thirtieth, and made Company H thereof, in pursuance of the orders of Gen. Sheridan. The battalion, after it arrived in Texas, made many long marelies, and saw a good deal of hard service prior to being mustered out.
On the 25th of November, 1865, the battalion-the last of the Thirtieth -was mustered out of the service at Victoria, Tex., and on the 6th of Decem- ber, arrived at Indianapolis, with 22 offieers and 180 meu, under command of Col. Lawton, where it was finally paid off and discharged. During its term of service, the Thirtieth saw as much hard service and lost as many men as probably any regiment that went from the State.
A few instances of the daring displayed by men that belonged to the regi- ment that enlisted from Allen County, will sbow the spirit that pervaded the whole regiment.
Private Perington Small, of Company D, was captured on the 23d of June, 1864, and sent to the rebel prison at Andersonville. He escaped from huis guards, and the prison five different times, and was recaptured-onee with blood- hounds. The sixth time he was successful, and reached our lines at Atlanta on the 15thi of August.
Maj. Fitzsimmons, Lieut. Sterling, of Company A, and Lieut. Foster, of Company I, were captured at Chickamauga, and sent to Libby Prison. From there they escaped, through the famous tunnel, on the 9th of February, 1864, and reached our lines in safety.
At the battle of Stone River, the rebels captured the colors of an Ohio regi- ment, and a rebel Sergeant had them in bis possession and was carrying them to their rear. Federals and rebels were very badly mixed up, just then, and Sergt. Joseph Cope, of Company K, now a Deputy Clerk of Allen County, concluded that he wanted those colors. Cope and the rebel had a personal fight over themu. Cope came out victorious, secured the colors and on the next day returned them to tbe regiment they belonged to.
Cope was almost immediately promoted to Quartermaster of the One Hun- dred and 'Twenty-ninth Indiana.
Private Twomey, of Company A, an Irishman, as his uame indientes, was brave to rasliness. He never looked at the consequences of anything he might do, but was always ready for anything.
During the battle of Stone River, there was a point in our lines opposite which the enemy's works were formed, at almost right angles. One day a rebel officer was seen riding along their line, and advancing beyond the intersection of the lines at the angle; Twomey and a comrade noticed it, and concluded to " go for him." One was to fire at the man. the other at the horse. Both fired. Horse and rider fell. Twomey started like a deer for the officer. His eourade's courage failed. Over the four hundred yards in front, Twomey went like a deer.
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HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
The rebels were puzzled at the strange movement. Reaching the horse, Twomey fell flat alongside, pulled a water- prauf overcont from the dead officer, took a watch from his pocket, al a flask of whisky from his saddle-bags. Springing suddenly tp, he ran back to the Union lines with his plunder, at the height of his speed, reaching them without a scratch, although at least a thousand shots were fired nt him on his way back.
Twomey was afterward accidentally shot by a comrade, and disabled for life.
Colonel-Sion S. Ross, died of wounds received at Shiloh April 7, 1862. Major-Orrin D. Hurd, promoted lieutenant Colonel.
Adjutant-Edward P. Edsall, promoted Captain of Company F, and resigned October 10, 1863.
Quartermunster-Peter P. Bailey. resigned Jannary 28, 1863. Assistant Surgeon-Smunel A. Freeman, resigned December 28, 1861.
Sergeant Major-Nellis Borden, promoted First Lieutenant Company F, and resigned November 5, 1864.
Quartermaster Sergeant-Marens D. Kirk, promoted Captain of Company F, and resigned November 3, 1864.
Commissary Sergeant-William Ferguson, promoted Quartermaster.
COMPANY A.
Captain-George W. Fitzsimmons, promoted Major, and resigned July 21, 1864. First Lieutenant-Henry W. Lawton, promoted Captain.
Secondl Lieutenant-Edwin R. Stribley, promoted First Lieutenant, and was killed at battle of Stone River December 31, 1862.
First Sergeant-Isaac Carter.
Sergennt-John Cogau ; llenry Campbell, discharged February 6, 1863, for disabil- ity ; Wall Stribley, died January 12, 1863, of wounds received at Stone River: John Sterling, promoted First Lieutenant.
Corporals-Thomas lee, discharged September 9, 1862, for disability ; Thomas J. Kennedy, veteran, promoted Second Lieutenant : Thomas Coleman, transferred to Vet- eran Reserve Corps Angust 1, 1863 ; Nathan Tilbury, discharged April 27, 1862, for dis- ability : James Durbrow, veteran, killed June 23, 1864, in Atlanta campaign ; Charles Liucolu, veteran ; David A. Robinson, discharged April 23, 1864, for disability ; J. O. Farrell.
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