USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 32
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WILSON'S RAID.
After having been engaged all day in a running fight with the enemy, Company A, commanded by Capt. Lewis Gros, with the Seventy-second Regiment, on the ensuing of the 1st day of April, 1865, encamped about sixteen miles south of Randolph, Ala. At that time the company was at the head of the column, and a squad of the men was put in charge of the writer and ordered to take the advance. And wo would say that Company A, or, at least, the party in advance, was never, in all its experience as soldiers, put through a more severe day's work, one that was trying to the nerves, than that they performed on that Ist day of April. We were under a severe fire from early in the morning until late in the evening, the onemy being very stubborn, and our column moving so rapidly that it was necessary for us to charge them two or three times during the day, in order to clear the way. The cry was, "On to Selma," and not give the enemy any rest or time to rally his forces until the city was reached. That day's work was onded with the famous charge of the Seventeenth Indiana, which resulted so disastrously. It was a sad sight to look upon when
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
the column moved. up, to see seventeen men lying weltering iu their own gore, some dead and others in the last agonies of death. These men had been, or the most of them, shot down-murdered in cold blood-after they had surrendered. On the morning of the 2d, a detail of eleven men was made from Company A to go to the rear and look up the medical wagons. We had moved so rapidly that they had been left behind, perhaps forty miles, and there was great danger of their falling into the hands of the enemy. This detail consisted of the following men: Sergt. Frank Murphy, Corp. William Dimmitt, John Nyce, Ira Cress, John Montgomery, Sammuel Foughty, Daniel Sinks, George Foust. John Foust, Samuel Foust, Daniel Rader and the Hospital Steward, Samuel Pilling. The squad was in charge of Sergt. Murphy, a brave, fearless and thoroughly compentent officer. He moved his men cautiously but very rapidly in the direction of Randolph, which was about sixteen miles from the command. On their route, they captured four rebels, of whom they took charge until they had reached the village. where it was decided to release them, not suspecting any trouble to result from it, and by so doing be less burdened and more able to move rapidly on their mission. It was about 2 o'clock when they reached Randolph. There they called a halt, tied their horses to a feuce just on the outskirts of the little town, and fed them, proceeding then to get some re- fresliments for themselves. Two of the party got permission to go a little way up the road to secure something to eat. Before they returned, the party had got ready to move forward, but, being uneasy about the absent men, Samuel Pilling rode out to hurry them up. The boys were in the act of bridling their horses, when, before they had mounted, a company of rebels, sixty-five in uumber, came charging down the road on the full run and got in easy gunshot before they were discovered. Sergt. Murphy called to his ineu to rally and stand by him, and give them the best they had. The rebels came so near that John Nye had a pistol snapped at him and was ordered to surrender; but, in return, he pulled up and shot his adversary dead. The Spen- cer rifles proved to be a little more than they could stand, espe- cially on horseback, when they halted and began to dismount, and were about attempting to surround the little party. Murphy, with a quick eye, discovered the trap his men were about to fall into, when he ordered them to take refuge in a house close by. They did so and made port-holes of the windows. Murphy, on enter- ing the house, received a flesh wound in the leg, a painful huurt, which bled profusely, though he stood at his post and encouraged his men to hold on, that they would come out all right, and there is no doubt they would have done so had they been supplied with a sufficient quantity of ammunition. A council of war was held, and a number of the men were in favor of getting out of there and making their escape. While they were parleying, Samuel Pilling returned minus one boot and almost covered with blood. He had been captured by a Lieutenant, and, being unarmed, he concluded he would try and disarm his captor. He watched his opportunity, and, grappling with him, tried to wrench his pistol from his hand. In the tussle, they both fell from their horses, Pilling leaving his boot fast in the stirrup and receiving two slight wounds. He succeeded in releasing himself and returned to his party at the house, where he was helped on a horse and made his escape. The fight was kept up for some time, when their cartridge-boxes were about emptied and it seemed useless to remain there and try to defend themselves longer; then they de- cided to make an effort to escape, as the better part of valor, by slipping out one at a time. The first to make the effort was Corp.
Dimmitt, then George Foust and John Nye, and, last of all, Sergt. Murphy. They had gone but a short distance wheu Foust, Cress and Montgomery were captured. Cress was shot at twice, one ball lodging in the pommel of his saddle and the other cutting a lock of hair from his head, John Montgomery was shot in the back after he had surrendered and was left in the road for dead. Soon after, he was taken in by the citizens and cared for until the First Division came up and took him to Selma, where he lay a great sufferer for weeks, but finally recovered and is now a bad cripple. Daniel Rader, John Foust, George Foust, Ira Cress, Samuel Foughty and Sergt. Frank Murphy were captured and taken across the country to Atlanta, where they were kept in jail two days; then marched to Macon, where they were kept four days, and then put on board a train and sent to Jacksonville, Fla., where they were set at liberty; but they were subjected to some very severe treatment on the way through. They had been de- prived of their boots and were forced to march forty-five miles a day and with about one-fourth rations.
AT MACON, GA,
On the - day of April, 1865, the Seventy-second Regiment entered Macon, Ga., Wilson's raid having terminated, and this the completion of a continnous and severe march of nearly a month's duration made up of almost continuons skirmishing and figliting. At this point we went into camp, looking forward to the coming season of peace and quiet. The war had about sub- sided, and the so-called "Southern Confederacy " having collapsed, was being numbered among the things that were. Picket and camp-guard duties were dispensed with, patrol and other like duties were no longer necessary. The musket and the cannon had done their work and were locked up as reminders of the past, as the instruments for securing protection in the future. The enemy were yet in arms, yet coming in aud going out of our camps at will. Not having formally surrendered, but given up their cause as lost, they showed little. if any, disposition to con- test their claims further. Our work, however, was not wholly completed, since there was much property in the way of commis- sary stores and forage that had been left through the country by the precipitate retreat of the enemy upon our sudden appearance in their midst.
The writer was furnished a squad of men from Company A and sent down the Macon & Mobile Railroad to look after and guard all such property as might be forwarded, We were or- dered first to Oglethorpe, about sixty miles south from Macon, which had once been a thriving, prosperous city, but, after the extension of the railroad through to the coast, it had become a dilapidated, crumbling mass of ruins. We found here a large quantity of bacon stores that were either shipped to Macon or distributed among the citizens of the place, who were almost in a starving condition and clamorous for anything and all they could possibly get in the way of food. Next, we were ordered to Americus, some seventy-five miles south of Macon, and, on our way to this point, we passed through the noted, or rather, noto- rious Andersonville Prison site. It is only a way station or a flag stopping-place in the thick pine forests, and, to all appearance, a frontier wood station, where the railroad had just been com- pleted, and where the sparsely settled community had not become accustomed to the rumbling noise of the cars or the shrill of the locomotive. This is an old country, however, having been settled for nearly two centuries, but the antique appearance of the people and their method of doing things, the primitive, antedeluvian
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
appliances used to further their prosperity and develop the re- sources of the country-would naturally induce the belief that they belonged to the ages of antiquity rather than the onlight ened period of the nineteenth century. Andersonville has nothing i to attract the sight-seer nor entice the lover of the romantic or the beautiful; but, on the contrary, everything that is repulsive. obnoxious and odions, especially to the Northern man. The stockade was here bearing the marks and carrying one back to the dreadful scenes of suffering and excruciating pain endured by the many thousands of noble fellows who had been starved and driven to death's door by the hell-begotten vandals who had been permitted to rule over them. Our curiosity having been satisfied, we proceeded on our way to Americus, a little city situated upon a beautiful plat of ground, built up in a very substantial manner and a good measure of artistic skill and taste. A number of the nobility of the South wore residents here, whence it acquired the demeanor and pomp characteristic of a cultured and refined class of people.
It was evident, now, that these were, or would be, the last duties we should be called upon to perform, and, while we were waiting with almost breathless anxiety for orders to strike tents preparatory to our final discharge from service, we were startled by the news of the capture of the defunct President of the Con- federacy, Jefferson Davis, only a short distance from our post. This, of course, had a tendency to make us rejoice and be glad, and it tended, too, to make ns decidedly nervons, and put into our cup of joy a mixture of misfortune and disappointment, not only because we had not been the capturers of the noted function - ary, but because we had not been the Incky party to the tune of $100,000. But, to dispel these thoughts from our minds and to fill the cup to the brim -- to cap the climax of all previous or ders-was the following: "Report your squad to its command at once." This we understood to be a foretaste of the end of these three years of toil and privation, exposed to the atmosphere of changing climates and to the deadly missiles of a vicious and relentless enemy; in perils of the many, many exigencies of a bitter war -- to have it culminate at this supreme moment was in- deed hailed with joy. The first train that passed was boarded, and we commenced the delightful, long-looked-for journey home- ward. When we arrived at Macon, the Seventy-second Regiment had become anxious and had gone, but we overtook it at Atlanta, whence we continued our journey until finally we arrived at In. dianapolis, our original place of rendezvous, and where we ex- pocted to receive our final discharge and part, never more to meet again in that capacity. How sad the thought, how painful the task, to bid a final adieu to those who had stood shoulder to shoulder with ns, and had been identified with each others' in- terest and common welfare for three long years! Were we to ox. press a wish for these noble fellows, it would be that they might be able to claim satisfaction for deeds done, and receive the re. ward for the faithful performance of all the duties imposed npon them, and give expression as did the patriarch of old -" I have fought the good fight, I have finished my work and have kept the faith, and there is now laid up for me in the heavens above n crown of glory which is imperishable, undefiled, and that fadeth not away." This would be the parting salutation from one whose heart even now beats warmly and in sympathy with his late com- panions in arms.
CHLAPTER XII.
EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT AND MUSTERING-IN-COMPANY B FROM CARROLL COUNTY-MOVEMENT TO THE SEAT OF WAR -REVIEW OF IT'S CAMPAIGNS- EXPERIENCES IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY - RETURN - MUSTER-OUT OF SERVICE - ROSTER OF THE COMPANY -- INDIVIDUAL RECORD OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY, ETC.
THE Eighth Congressional District furnished the material that composed the Eighty-sixth Regiment, the volunteers being recruited from most of the counties composing the district. Il was organized at La Fayette during the month of Angust, and mustered into service on the 4th of September, 1862, with Orville S. Hamilton as Colonel. Immediately afterward, it left for the seat of war in Kentucky, to meet and oppose the forces of Kirby Smith and Bragg. the former of whom was threatening Cinciu. nati, and the latter Louisville. To meet this emergency. thx Eighty-sixth was at once hurried to Cincinnati, where it arrived on the 7th, three days after it was mastered in. and was promptly assigned to duty on the defenses at Covington. Ky. Remaining on duty at that point until the 20th, it was sent by steamer to Lonisville, and there awaited further orders. On the 1st of Oe tober, it was assigned to the Foruteenth Brigade. Fifth Division Army of the Ohio, and marched out in pursuit of Bragg, who. a that time, was on an expedition through Kentucky. The nex two months were chiefly occupied in hurried marches by day ane by night, frequently skirmishing with the enemy's rear guard though never able to force a battle in consequence of the slov strategic movements of the General commanding. In this route the regiment passed through Bardstown, Danville, Springfield Perryville, Crab Orchard. Mount Vernon, and, reaching Wild Cat the regiment retraced its steps by way of Mount Vernon, Somer set, Scottsville, Glasgow. Columbia and Gallatin, reaching Nashville on the 26th of November.
"Upon the formation of the Army of the Cumberland. the Eighty-sixth was assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division (Van Cleve's), Twenty-first Army Corps. The regiment was un der conunand of Lient. Col. George F. Dick at the battle of Stone River December 31. 1862. and January 1 and 2, 1863, and the division to which it was nttached formed a portion of the lef wing of the army on that battle-field. When the right of the lef wing gave way, our division rushed rapidly to its support, and arrived in time to materially check the enemy. It was at thi juncture that Gen. Rosecrans led a charge in person, which drow the enemy for nearly a mile. The regiment lost in this battle twenty-four killed and twenty-four wounded-a total loss of forty eight. The regiment moved with the main army into Murfrees boro, where it remained until the general forward movement wa made upon Chattanooga." On the 19th and 20th of September it took an active part in the battle of Chickamanga, afterward falling back with the main army to Chattanooga, where it re mained on duty during the siege. Later in the season, a re-or ganization of the army and the formation of the Fourth Arm: Corps took place, when the Eigthy sixth was assigned to duty it the Third Brigade (Bontty's), Third Division ( Woods') of tha corps. A general advance was made upon the lines of the enem: besieging Chattanooga on the 23d of November, which resulted in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, on th. 23d, 21th and 25th of that month. The Eighty-sixth formed th
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
storming column in the assault on Mission Ridge, and aided in capturing eleven pieces of artillery and many prisoners. The assault was so determined that the men swept up the rugged hill- side and over the enemy's works regardless of the commands of the officers. After these engagements, the regiment marched with its division to East Tennessee, and passed there the winter of 1863-64, in long and fatiguing marches and scouts in that lo. cality; in April following, the division rejoining its corps near Chattanooga. In May, it moved with Sherman's army on the ex- pedition of which Atlanta was the objective point, participating in all the operations of the main army on its long and arduous campaign-in the actions at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairs- ville, Kingston, Picket's Mills (where Col. Dick was severely wounded), Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee River, Peach Tree Creek, the battle and siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro and Lovejoy's, being actively engaged. At Atlanta, the regiment, with the main army, after a short rest, was dispatched with its corps toward Chattanooga to watch and pursue Hood, the policy of Gen. Sher- man being to drive him and his army as far north as necessary. The pursuit, however, was not very vigorous, and upon reaching Gaylesville it was abandoned. Then, the Fourth Corps being as- signed to Gen. Thomas' command, moving northward, the Eighty- sixth took part in the battle of Franklin on the 30th of Novem- ber, and in the battles of Nashville on the 15th and 16th of De- cember.
The enemy, under Hood, had been, for a short time previous to this engagement, in front of Nashville, commanding its south- ern approaches. "On the 15th of December, Gen. Thomas as- sumed the offensive. Thomas' line was formed with Wilson's cavalry on the right, then A. J. Smith, Wood and Steadman, Scho- field's corps being in reserve. After an opening fire from our batteries, Steadman made a strong demonstration on the enemy's right, the real attack being designed for his center and left. Wood carried the strong works in the center. Our batteries then advanced, and Sinith assailed the hostile left. Schofield came upon Smith's right, outflanking the enemy, who began to give way. Our right was thus thrown between the river and the eue- my's left, which was hurled back on the center. Wilson's cavalry now pushed forward, and our whole line advanced in the face of a hot fire. The enemy's works were taken, and he fell back in confusion. Night closed the action. The next morning, the fight was renewed with decided success, the enemy being driven from each succes- sive line of intrenchments and falling back to Franklin. The pur- suit was briskly pressed, and the defeated and demoralized enemy driven across the Tennessee River, when our army ceased pursuit."
From the 1st of January, 1865, until the 16th of March, the Eighty-sixth remained in camp at Huntsville, Ala., moving thence with its corps into East Tennessee, arriving at Nashville on the 27th of April, where it was in camp until the 6th of June, 1865, when it was mustered out of the service of the United States, and left at once for Indianapolis by rail. Upon its arrival at the cap- ital, on the evening of the 7th of June, the Eighty-sixth was greeted with an ovation on the morning of the next day, in the State House Grove, and were welcomed by speeches from Gov. Morton, Gen. Wagner and otliers. That afternoon, the regiment was paid off and finally discharged, the members of the several companies leaving for their respective homes to enjoy the fruits of victory in peace.
COMPANY B.
Captains-Francis.J. Mattler, dismissed November 6, 1863; reinstated January 6, 1864; dismissed January 3, 1865; Jeremiah Hough, mustered out with regiment.
First 'Lientenants-John S. Armitage; Jeremiah Hough, promoted Captain; Matthew McInerny, promoted to Captain of Company H; John L. Bullock, mustered out with regiment.
Second Lieutenants-Jeremiah Hongh, promoted First Lieutenant; Matthew McInerny, promoted First Lieutenant; John T. Whitcher, mus- tered out as First Sergeant with regiment.
First Sergeant-Matthew MeInerny, promoted Second Lieutenant.
Sergeauts-Newton HI. Gist, mustered out June 6, 1865, as private; James Reed, discharged February 14, 1863; Lewis Heintz, killed at Stone River December 31, 1862; William L. Smiley, deserted; mustered out May 14, 1865.
Corporals-James M. Crowell, died at Nashville, Tenn., December 22, 1862; Henry W. Penny, mustered out June 6, 1865, as private; Frank H. Spitznagh, mustered out May 10, 1865; Robert Chandler, mustered out May 6, 1865: Charles Watters, died December 1, 1863, of wennds; John L. Bullock, promoted First Lieutenant; David Houk, deserted March 1, 1863; Samuel York, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps July 29, 1864.
Musicians-James H. Edgerly, discharged May 25, 1863; Henry Bea- ver, mustered out June 6, 1865.
Wagoner-James C. Stevenson, deserted October 8, 1862.
PRIVATES.
George E. Armor, killed at Stone River, December 31, 1862.
James F. Armstrong, mustered out June 6, 1865, as Corporal.
Benjamin A. Ashba, died at Nashville, Tenn., October 1, 1863.
Jonathan Ashba, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; mustered out June 29, 1865.
Jolın Baker, mustered out June 6, 1865, as absent, sick.
Christian Bealer, deserted April 15, 1863.
Christian Bierman, died at Richmond, Va., December 6, 1863.
Jahn Blue, mustered out June 6, 1865.
George W. Bowen, discharged March 13, 1863.
Benjamin Bundy, mustered out. June 6, 1865.
John A. Cusad, died at Nashville, Tenn., January 31, 1863, of wounds.
Jasper Chittick, mustered ont June 6, 1865.
Andrew J. Chittick, mustered out June 6, 1865.
Hiram Clark, died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., February 11, 1863.
Con. Clifford, mustered June 6, 1865, as Corporal.
Garrett Condon, mustered June 6, 1865.
John M. Capstick, mustered June 6, 1865.
Thomas Crow, died at Chattanooga, October 28, 1863.
Richard C. Crowell, killed at Stone River, December 31, 1862.
Albert Davis, died at Murfreesboro, February 6, 1863.
Joseph Denman, deserted April 15. 1863.
Frederick Dittmer, mastered out June 6, 1865, as Corporal.
Jolin Donnhoe, discharged March 17, 1863.
Barney Eisley, mustered out June 6, 1865.
Robert Ferrier, discharged May 6, 1863.
Henry Felthoof. transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps January 4.
1865. Jolin S. German, discharged April 1, 1863.
Southey K. German, died at Chattanooga November 4, 1863.
John Green, deserted December 31, 1863.
Jolın M. Greider, deserted October 6, 1862.
Joseph Haiffe, died at Murfreesboro, February 9, 1863.
James J. Hart, mustered out June 6, 1865.
George II. Hauk, mustered out June 6, 1865.
James HI. Huntley, supposed to be dead. Albert Kekkefoet, mustered ont June 6, 1865.
Frederick Lnnenberg, died at Chattanooga November 26, 1863.
Ilumphrey Marshall, mastered out June 6, 1865.
Frederick Miller, discharged March 12, 1863.
Usual Misner, died at Louisville, Ky., December 29, 1862.
Harrison P. Morton, mustered out June 6, 1865.
Patrick McMahon, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps January 27, 1865. William McQuillen, mustered out May 17, 1865.
Lemuel W. Oliver, died at Danville Prison. Va., December 6, 1863.
Salathiel Ratliff, mustered ont June 7, 1865.
John Ratliff. mustered ont June 6, 1865.
Lewis C. Ratliff, mustered ont June 6, 1865.
George Rogers, mustered out June 6, 1865.
Anthony M. Saxon, killed at Stone River, December 31, 1862.
Wilson Saylor, died at Stone River November 20, 1863.
Elias Scott, died at Bowling Green, Ky., November 8, 1862.
Matthias Spies, mustered out June 6, 1865.
Levi M. Starne, discharged February 19, 1863.
Abraliam Stoner, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; minstered out June 29, 1865.
Cyrus Stoner, discharged March 12, 1863.
Samnel Swarts, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps August 1, 1863. John Thirtyacre, discharged November 4. 1862.
Abraham Tucker, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; mustered out June 29, 1865. Jolin W. Turner, missing at Franklin, Tenn., November 24, 1864. Jolın Welch, discharged March 17, 1863.
John T. Whitcher, mustered out June 6, 1865, as First Sergeant. John White, mnstered out June 6, 1865.
Henry Wolford, mustered out June 6, 1865.
Jolin Woster, mustered out June 6, 1865.
Andrew J. York, mustered out June 6, 1865, as Corporal.
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HISTORY OF CARROLL. COUNTY.
CHAPTER XIII. ..
ELEVENTH CAVALRY -- (ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT).
RECRUITING FOR COMPANIES AND FORMATION OF REGIMENT-OR- GANIZATION-LEFT CAMP FOR THE SEAT OF WAR -- MOUNTING OF THE REGIMENT-IN CAMP OF INSTRUCTION-ENTERS INTO ACTIVE SERVICE-CAMPAIGNING-AT ST. LOUIS-REMOUNTED -SUBSEQUENT MOVEMENTS-ORDERED TO FORT LEAVENWORTH -MUSTERED OUT-RETURN TO INDIANAPOLIS-STATUS OF REG- IMENT-FINAL DISCHARGE-WELCOME AT THE CAPITAL, ETC.
T THIS regiment was recruited under the call of the President of September 14, 1863, the several companies being raised and organized during the fall and winter of 1863. The organi- zation was perfected at Indianapolis on the 1st day of March, 1864, and Robert R. Stewart placed in command. Col. Stewart was taken from the Second Cavalry, of which he had been Lieu- tenant Colonel. On the 1st of May, 1864, the regiment left the general camp of rendezvous at Indianapolis, and moved thence by rail to Nashville, Tenn., but a small portion of the regiment being mounted. It arrived there on the 7th of May, and went imme- diately into a camp of instruction at that place, remaining there until the 1st of June. Thence it marched into Northern Ala- bama, and was placed on duty along the line of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, with headquarters at Larkinsville, Ala., where the regiment was kept on duty until October 16, when, going back to Nashville, it was mounted and sent to the front.
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