USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 31
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CHAPTER X.
THE SEVENTY-SECOND AT CASTALIAN SPRINGS.
EXPERIENCES OF COMPANY A WITH THE REBEL CAVALRY-CAMP LIFE AND ITS INCIDENTS-ITS STAY. AT CASTALIAN SPRINGS -- BAR WALLOW-THE MORGAN SCARE-"JOHNNY-CAKE". AS A DIET-CLAY-EATERS-REFLECTIONS, ETC.
BY FIRST LIEUT. JAMES H. BARNES.
THE rebel cavalry gave the Seventy-second Regiment a great deal of work to do, and it was very often of a laborious char- acter, occasioning much exposure and consequent fatigue. It seemed that we were set apart especially to do guard duty, hunt up all the bushwhackers and scoundrels in the country, guarding outposts, looking. after the flanks of the army, guarding commis- sary stores, marching and counter-marching, and being in ex- posed places, running great risks oftentimes, for we were detached from the army and often exposed to incursions by rebel . cavalry, who infested Tennessee at that time.
In December, 1862, we were in camp at Castalian Springs, a few miles southeast of Gallatin, Tenn. Company A was in her
infancy in the service of our country. Soldiering, at this time, was considered by our boys as being very laborious and monoto- nous, requiring a great deal of self-denial. This was true to a great extent, though it was not, perhaps, quite so severe as we imagined or would have it, owing to our inexperience or unfitness to take hold with a will, for where there is a will there is a way. This old adage is just as true in army life as at home amid the common cares and duties incident to the situation.
. Camp life, with its duties, was new. Guard duty, patrol duty and picket duty were all new, and everything was done at a great disadvantage and under trying circumstances; or, rather, our ex- perience had not taught us to do things according to the best methods and most approved plans. Soldiering is just like any. thing else-it must be entered into with a willing mind and a light heart; otherwise it requires much physical strength, energy and nerve to endure it. At that time, especially, Company A had the, patience of members sorely tried, being put to a severe test, but their patriotism was not shaken, nor in the least weakened. We had the material, the energy, the courage and the ambition to be of great service in whatever direction or channel those qual- ities might be brought into requisition. The great majority of our boys were from the first families of Carroll County -- farmers, merchants, mechanics, and so on-and they had an ambition to succeed and give a good account of themselves in the cause in which they had enlisted. Hence, we feel a pride in saying that its friends were not disappointed-fathers, mothers, sisters and sweethearts-in the part it took in the army of our country for the suppression of the greatest rebellion known in history, and for the protection of our homes and firesides, as its subsequent history fully proved.
It is a delightful thing to contemplate, at the distance in time from their occurrence, the duties performed, and performed fully, during the trying ordeal through which its members passed. When mien feel conscious that they have served their country, their fellow-inen and their God, to the best of their ability, it is a source of great comfort and satisfaction, bringing a calm joy that is inexpressible and full of glory. It cannot be doubted that such is the feeling and the self-satisfying comfort of every inem- ber of Company A who has the consciousness of having done his duty.
Our stay at Castalian Springs was short. The enemy had become very active, and it became us to be on the alert. Morgan was threatening our line of communication on the L. & N. R. R. in the neighborhood of Munfordsville, or Bare Wallow. The Seventy-second Regiment was ordered out in that direction and instructed to make the best time possible in order to head off the enemy. It is an easy matter to give orders to be at a certain point at a specified time, or to require, on paper, the performance of impossibilities; but to make good time and meet the expecta- tions of our commander-in-chief was quite another thing, for the roads were from four to six inches deep with mud, and that of a sticky, gluey consistence. Our march was indeed a severe one, calling for all our strength to make from fifteen to twenty miles. in two days. When we arrived at Bare Wallow, our scare disap. peared like the mist or dew before the morning sun. Morgan had not been there, or, if he had intended to strike that point, our movement in that direction had caused him to change his course; consequently, we had no fighting to do, and were very glad of it in our then worn-out condition.
We pitched our tents at that point, however, to rest and await orders. At this time, our rations had become very scarce, and
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onr stomachs very empty and weak, and our ingenuity was brought. into requisition to procure something with which to fill the vaccnum.
We had often heard our fathers and mothers talk about the old-time " johnny-cake " -- how delicious it was. and how nout ishing. how ensily prepared and baked. We tried the experiment here for the first time. The process of making it was simply to take a quantity of Indian ment, make it to the consistence of rather thick batter and spread it on the clean side of a board, or. if a board was not handy, a flat stone, and brace it np in front of a lively fire until it was a nico medium brown, and you have the primitive " johnny-cake " Our experience was a snecess. It was delicions, and went to the spot every time, though, if we had bad just a little of mother's fresh butter, or a small quantity of home buttermilk now from the dairy, what a delightful privilege, com- paratively, it would have been to be a soldier in pursuit of Mor gan, through mud shor-mouth deep.
This primitive method of cooking, and the kind of fare pro- duced, were practical, and very generally adhered to in their day among the inhabitants of the rural districts of Tenmesese and Kentucky. But the most novel idea in the matter of diet that came under our observation was the practice of eating mad, or clay, dug out of the ground. This, beyond all question, was the most singular und repulsive we had ever seen or heard of or read about. We were decidedly incredulons as to the truth of the re- port, as frequently circulated in camp, but our inerednlity was obliged to succumb to the truthfulness of the report on a personal knowledge of the fact. This practice, no doubt, was in great part the cause of that yellow, swarthy color so peculiar to the poorer classes in that part of the country, who are without question the most vulgar and unsophisticated people in the United States, con. sidering what they might have been had they lived under and subject to the benign influences of our glorious country and its free institutions. Their method of doing everything wus in exact keeping with their ignorance, and their ignorance in perfect har- mony and ran parallel with the hideons institution of human slavery. We could see the effects of this peculiar institution on every hand and npon every individual contaminated by its blight. ing curse. The poor, benighted heathen of India, or the Hotten- tot of South Africa, have a system of order or some method of government; but here, in this free America, where liherty is pro- claimed from the house-tops and education can be had almost for the asking, we have those who do not know the first principles of liberty, education or government, or even the requisitos of common civility. They have been hoodwinked, starved into imberilty and nothingness through the agency of the pocnliar institution.
CHAPTER XI. COMPANY A AT ROTTENWOOD.
REVIEW OF THE EXPERIENCES OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 1864-RESUME OF THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE PERIOD-MULDRAUGH'S HILL- CHICKAMAUGA-WHEELER'S RAID-WILSON'S RAID, ETC.
BY FIRST LIEUT. J. A. BARNES.
PERHAPS Company A, or a detachment from it, was never in closer quarters, or more completely surprised, and taken in than at Rottenwood (or Soap Creek), three or fom miles south of Marietta. Ga. The onemoy had vacated his works at Kenesaw Mountain und retreated to Atlanta, except scouting parties, or
bushwhackers, as they are more properly fermed. On the 3d day of July, 1864, our company was sent out to look after such par- ties and prepare the way for the advance of the army. We were compelled to fight such organizations at a great disadvantage and under trying circumstances, as they would always conceal them- selves nntil an opportunity favored a movement forward, when. they would pounce npon their victims with a relentless fury, as a wild beast, is wont to do npon its prey. to devour and destroy without mercy. Such a foo Company A had to moet and contend with at Rottonwood Creek. The enemy had concealed himself on a high bluff on the south side of the creek, in a thick grove of underbrush. Our company was in the advance, and a squad from the same company was the advance guard. Our movements were not interrupted, nor the least indication given that we were about to get into trouble. All was quiet and serene as a Mny morning. The boys were cracking their jokes and playing their pranks, as was their custom on pleasant marches, and everything was seem- ingly happy. It was our custom, ordinarily, to dismount and advance on foot when we had any reason to believe the enemy was in force, or when his position was difficult to get at. But now our precautien was not in keeping with our custom, nor with the circumstances of the occasion, as the sequel proved. We ad vanced slowly, but with great assurance and self-confidence, that we, with our Spencer rifles, conld repulse and drive five times onr number all over the Confederacy. We had such unbounded con- fidence in our prowess from the success enjoyed in all former engagements that our belief was defeat was out of the question. Prior to that date, we had not suffered a single defeat, nor even a repulse, though we had participated in fifty engagements. Reach- ing the little rivulet, we halted to let our horses drink. At that. time, not a shot had been fired, nor a single premonition given that the enemy was not miles away. Our march had been plens. ant and uninterrupted. Sometimes, though, the storm bursts forth without a signal of warning, giving vent to its pent-up fury in a war of elements. So in this instance. All at once a crash camo as if the very hills were being rent in sunder, or a thousand muskets had been simultaneously discharged. The deadly missiles flew abont us like hait, or hke fiends sent from the infernal regions on their mission of death and destruction. Ali was confusion aud disorder; for a moment we were unable to comprehend the situation. Each man looked at the other in utter bewillerment and dismay, with his horse charging and lunging about, anxious to be released from the terrible uncertainty. Like a flash of light the truth came to us and our situation was taken in at a glance -- we were "bush-whacked." It was the work of but a moment. to wheel abont-faco and make the attempt to get out of the way, for to remain there to fight a hidden foe skulking behind the bushes and rocks would have been certain defeat and probably destraction. We had about four hundred yards to re- treat over an open field in plain view and easy gunshot of the enemy. We put whip and spur to our horses as incentives to in- creased spoed, yet we seemed to make little progress, und it seemed as if some saperhuman power was interposing to retard our move. ments. A few moments seemed like an age, and, if wo failed to nse those precious moments to the best advantage, our doour would soon be sealed. It was a case of life or death, and the result depended npon our next move. Nearly always, in extreme cases. a man has the nerve, energy and tuet to do what in ordinary cases he would be wholly inadequate to perform. This was onr case. Strung ap to the highest pitch with the intensity of feeling, by a qnick. dextrons movement. we made our escape -- all except George
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
Staley, John Hughes and John Bernard -- the latter, however, se- creted himself in a small ravine in the brush, where many times he was almost within touching distance of the enemy, who were searching for the spoils. He laid there in his uncomfortable bunk until near daylight next morning, when he very expertly crept out on his hands and knees and made his way into camp.
Sergt. Samuel Stewart's horse fell with him at the crcek and precipitated him about eight feet down a bank into the water, in- juring him so severely that he could neither walk nor stand; yet, he crept to a place of concealment until the fire had slackened somewhat, when. with great exertion, he crawled within our lines and taken thence by ambulance to the hospital, where he was a great sufferer many weeks. Stephen Guard received a painful wound in the lower jaw.
The writer's horse was shot under him just after coming out of the creek, the ball taking effect in his under jaw. He stopped short and refused to go farther, notwithstanding the coaxing and force applied as persuaders; still he moved not. To dismount then became a necessity, and was undertaken accordingly with the chance of running the gantlet on foot, while the bullets were flying thick and fast. The undertaking seemed a hopeless one- equal, almost, to suicide. Without stopping to argue the possi- bilities, legs were given full reins and the rider came out all right. Under such circumstances the presence of relief is most satisfactory and comforting, and the little squad at Rottenwood was in good condition to appreciate such timely interposition in its behalf. Just then we were met by our company and the Seventy-second Regiment. The first to appear upon the ground was Sergt. Frank Murphy, with a heart beating in unison with his comrades and for the success of our canse; and still inore, with a well-filled cartridge-box. The next was Sergt. William Stewart, with his cheerful face and gushing patriotism, and finally, those noble veterans, backed up by Company A and the Seventy- second Regiment. We stood in line of battle some time ready to receive the enemy, but he failed to put in an appearance.
There was one thing in that encounter we could not under- stand-why our company did not move up to the scene of disaster and recover our wounded and disabled men, and if there were any dead on the field, to bring their bodies and give them decent burial. It may have been strategy to fall back, or it may have been "red-tape." The real cause will no doubt be always wrapped in mystery.
AT MULDRAUGH'S HILL.
In September, 1862, Company A was sent out on detached duty to guard the tunnel on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, at Muldraugh's Hill, nine miles south of Lebanon Junction. We were encamped in comfortable quarters, having bnt little to do and well-supplied with rations, the country, also, affording us an abundant supply of peaches. We had then about come to the conclusion that soldiering was a delightful occupation. In the meantime, rumors were coming in occasionally that Morgan was in the country and liable to drop in upon us at any time. Such rumors, however, soon became stale, since he failed to make his appearance. Finally, one evening about 6 o'clock, the officer in charge received news that Morgan would really. be around to make us a call about dark, being then in the immediate neigh- borhood and headed for our post. We were, of course, startled by the information and were ordered to get ready to march with- out a moment's delay. Striking tents, gathering up skillets, cups, pans, coffee-pots, hard-tack, etc., was the work of but a few mo- ments. About the time the company was formed and orders given
to march, it began to rain-a pattering, wetting rain such as would penetrate knapsack, overcoat and all in a very short time. But this was a matter not to be taken into account when we were involved in such a: quandary.
The roads were muddy and laborious to travel. Kentucky is . noted for the worst roads and meanest bridges in the country. We made good time for the first five or six miles; then the novelty wore off, and our knapsacks becoming heavy and burdensome, our feet sore: and our clothes. fully saturated with the rain-sentiment- ally, our condition was unenviable. But four miles remained be- tween us and Lebanon Junction, the nearest point of safety, which could only be reached by crossing a river with a muddy, miry bottom over which was a bridge in a condition too much demoralized to be safe for passage. The stream had to be waded and the accom- plishment of the feat was at once eventful, unpleasant and ludi- crous; but all had to participate, and the slipping and plunging of one was uniformly offset by a similar mishap of another. We made the journey, however, and reached the destined point about 3 o'clock the following morning. Remaining here a short time, we were put upon our good behavior, and our greatest suffering was the want of pure, wholesome water, which it was impossible to obtain. . To compensate as far as possible for this want, a large well was dug near the depot, but even this God-send was drained regularly morning, noon and night, and we were compelled to make the most of the deficiency, sometimes getting water from the swamps and dirty pools too filthy and impure to be used except from necessity.
AT CHICKAMAUGA.
On Thursday, September 17, 1863, the Seventy-second Regi- ment was detailed for picket duty and posted at a bridge across the Chickamauga Creek, about one mile east of Gordon's Mills. Companies A, F and D were stationed at the bridge as an out- post. Our orders were strict and positive, to be on the lookout and to be in readiness at any moment to meet the enemy, as he was hovering around near the point very suspiciously and was liable to strike a blow at any time. We stationed our sentinels, put out our fires and prepared everything for the night. The evening and night were warm and pleasant; a gentle, balmy breeze was moving through the treetops and rustling leaves, mur- muring its quiet lullaby to soothe the excited nerves of the little party on picket duty into the sweet embrace of Morpheus. Did not these murmuring sounds, these rustlings among the leaves, the barking of dogs and the lowing of cattle, bring with them premonitions of some terrible catastrophe ?- the severest storm usually following in the wake of a great calm, such as obtruded itself on the night in question. Our rest, however, was not mo- lested during the night; the reliefs were changed in their turns without interruption, or the least sign given of an enemy being within a few hundred yards.
In the morning, a squad from Company A crossed the creek and sallied forth through the neighborhood to the farmhouses to obtain something in the way of a stomach supporter and a life in vigorator. In due time they returned with a good supply. Thinking, from the success of their former trip, that another and further like enterprise might safely be undertaken, they again went out, but soon came back on the " double-quick;" and, being more anxious to cross the creek than to go over the bridge, they plunged into the deep muddy waters and waded through. From this movement it became suddenly evident that a crisis was at hand, which would not be viewed in the light of child's play. Without further ceremony, we set to work preparing to defend
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
our post. The planks on the bridge were torn up and placed in position, and all the old logs and rails that were convenient wero utilized as means of defense, and everything available was brought into requisition. We had but completed our work when across the field in plain view could be seen the enemy coming directly toward us-steadily, but surely-in lino of battle. Our only hope was to put on a bold front and make the best possible use of our Spencer rifles. We had had experience enough in the army to lay quiet and keep cool, under such circumstances, until the adver- sary had come within sufficient distance to do the best possible execution. So in this case. We held our fire until we could al- most see the whites of their eyes and hear the tramp of their feet, when, all at once, we let them have it, giving them such a reception that it was impossible for human nature to stand. They faltered, halted and finally fell back, but only to reform and try us again. The second assault was equally disastrous, doubtless more so, for they decided to change their method of attack. At once it became evident that unless we fell back, gave up our post or received re-enforcements, we would be overpowered and capt- ured, as the enemy was working his way quietly and steadily around our flanks and preparing a trap to make sure of us. At the critical moment, our company commander very mysteriously disappeared. He, no doubt, saw how circumscribed our situation had become and how slim our chances were to escape, and im- proved the first opportunity to save himself.
We were perplexed to know what to do. To give up the post without orders, we did not like; to remain and contond with an enemy so much our superior in numbers, was hazardous, fool- hardy, and, we thought, entirely unnecessary. In this commotion and perplexity, there was not a man of Company A that flinched or showed the least sign of timidity, stampeding or disobeying the orders of a non-commissioned officer, but stood their ground like men, and would, no doubt, have remained at their post until they were shot down or captured unless relieved. At this impor- tant juncture, an Orderly from Col. Miller came galloping up and gave these orders: "Get out immediately, the enemy is sur- rounding you." This was cheering news; but to obey it and save ourselves seemed to be out of the question-an impossibility. We felt sure of one thing-and the only means left for our escape -- was to dodge our way out, every man for himself, as we might find opportunity. We proceeded at once to act upon this sug- gestion, and, in a straggling, promiscuous way, dodging around the fence corners, behind the trees and logs, until finally-fortu- nately or providentially- we worked our way to a place of safety, though at the expense of losing horses, rations and equipments. We had picketed our horses in the rear about 200 yards, and, during the fight, they, with one or two exceptions, had been shot, killed or disabled.
The Seventy-second had been in line of battle about a half mile in the rear, but were moved to some other point, we did not know where; so here we were scattered through the woods with- out a single commissioned officer and no one to direct, us to the regiment or to our army. That night was spent by Company A in the forests of Georgia like a flock of sheep without a shepherd, with only the canopy of heaven as a covering.
This was a severe blow to the little picket party. It seemed that the fates were against us; repulse and defeat had been the order with scarcely an exception from the first engagement until the final defeat and retreat from the battle-field of Chickamauga. We were provided with horses, and, from time to time, our equip- ments were gathered up as best we could. And last, but not least,
drew on our reserve for the necessary amount of courage and nerve, when we were prepared for duty again, or for the Wheeler raid, which followed in the wake of the battle of Chickamauga.
WHEELER'S RAID.
Mistakes, it is said, occur in the best regulated families and in the best organized society. Army life is not an exception. There, sometimes, to break the tedious monotony of camp life, amusements, savoring of irregularity and occasionally partaking largely of the ludicrous, were frequently resorted to. A case in point: We had been in our saddles from early morn until late in the evening without so much as a bit of hard-tack or a piece of "Johnny-cake," with which to stay the incessant gnawings of hunger. Having been on the track of Wheeler for about one week and driven him, with his raiding minions, across the Ten- nessee River west of Huntsville, Ala., we were closing up the job on the day in question. Of course, our strength had been taxed to the utmost extent of endurance; and, finally, we were tired, wet and weary. When a halt had been called and quarters se- cured for the night, it was necessary to have forage for our horses and something substantial for ourselves. A squad, therefore, was soon raised and started in pursuit of the required articles. At that time our dependence for subsistence was entirely upon the country, being detached from and out of the reach of army sup- plies. Those who remained in camp were required to gather up and prepare a quantity of fuel and build the necessary camp-fires and get things in order for the night. In a brief period, the foragers had returned with an abundant supply of the requisites to make all comfortable for the next twenty-four hours. Among other things, they had secured several canteens full of " apple- jack," old and very nice. This we found not very bad to take in our dilapidated condition; it seemed to be the very elixir of life, the very thing needed to restore our exhausted vitality. It was, of course, passed around freely and all partook without stint, as long as it lasted, the man of greatest capacity storing away the largest quantity, and making himself, consequently, the hero of the occasion. The indulgence was general, and, perhaps, under the circumstances, justifiable, not as a rule but as an exception of the kind presented. The effects can better be imagined than de- scribed. Suffice it to say, however, that after a night of dream- less sleep on a pile of clean straw, "Richard was himself again."
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