USA > Indiana > History of the Fifth Indiana Battery : compiled and written from the "field diary" of lieutenant Daniel H. Chandler, and from official reports of officers of the Army of the Cumberland > Part 2
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road ran. This small force of infantry (two companies of the 37th Indiana and three of the 13th Michigan) and the 5th Indiana Battery was in fact the rear guard to Bnel's whole army, and especially to the 23rd Army Corps. Great credit was given to Capt. Simonson and his battery for efficient and effective work during the time of action in the fort, and for strict compliance with orders in every detail. As one section of the Battery would take a po- sition commanding the road with Infantry support) an- other would be placed further back-(but in supporting distance -- on the line of retreat, so that in case the Con- federate cavalry, which hung persistently upon the rear of the retiring Federal forces, should make a "dash" the Battery would be prepared to give them a warm reception, if not teach them a lesson that would induce them to keep at a safer distance. These maneuvers were continued till near night, though the march was continued till near midnight, when line of battle was formed and the weary "boys" "slept on arms." The train of cars which had left Stephenson was "stranded" near the tunnel, about ten miles from Stephenson-the engine having "jumped the track." As soon in the morning as the train was put in motion, the march was resumed. The Battery taking the mountain road over which a wheeled vehicle of any kind had not gone for nearly twenty years. The difficulties and obstruction's which confronted the Battery-that is wash-outs, boulders and detached rocks in the ascent of this "bluff," or mountain, were met and overcome with a persistency that was characteristic through its entire three years' service, when difficult problems were to be met and solved. The distance across the mountain is about six miles. After the ascent the road, though unused for a score of years, was more "passable." The march was con- tinned along the line of the railroad, pushing forward as speedily as possible, through Cowan Station, reaching Decherd in the early afternoon, where it had been ro- ported the balance of the Brigade was waiting. But in- stead nothing but disappointment and chagrin were met. However, there was a soothing influence in the fact that the Confederate cavalry had ceased to perplex the "little rear guard," and for reasons best known to themselves. bad kept at a safe distance from the Battery and little force of infantry which seemed to have been abandoned or forgotten. Pushing on through Decherd and before reach-
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ing the crossing of Elk river, troops from Huntsville, Ala., and other places southward were met., After crossing the Elk a halt was ordered at or near Estell Springs long enough to "feed and water horses," occupying less than an hour's time. Meanwhile the "boys," who were fortu- nate enough to have them. were munching "hard-tack" and raw bacon. Resmning the march ( in retreat) a halt was not made until Tullahoma was reached, near the midnight hon, having marched a distance of about 40 miles with bnt few intervals of case or rest. The necess- ity of these forced marches lay in the fact that a much larger Confederate force was marching with all possible speed on parallel roads northward in an effort to inter- cept the Federal forces at Dnek river, or Normandy, sit- uated on the sonth side of the river. The "rank and file" were ignorant of the canses of such haste bnt subsequently were made familiar with facts as they then existed .* (A matter of history worthy of notice, and an item of interest to the survivors of the Battery is that the Battery was the first Federal artillery to enter Alabama and the last to leave it, though not from choice-on this shameful re- treat, conducted by Don Carlos Bnel.) The next morn- ing quite early the march was resumed. The Battery "wheeling into column" just as the sun was "peeping v'er the eastern hills." Pushing on as speedily as the wearied men and horses could endure. Murfreesborongh, Tenn., was reached about midnight. The Battery not be- ing assigned to camp till about one o'clock. Here a much needed rest of four days was granted. When Bnel's whole army, which had been concentrated at this place, made another "rush" for Nashville; the Battery marching on the Nashville and Murfreesborongh pike. It was ap- parent upon arriving at Nashville that there would be no "halt" there. Down at the wharf on the "Ble Chm- berland" (river) boats were being loaded with infantry and artillery and were ferried across with apparent Faste. The Battery boarded a boat in its turn, having en- joyed (?) a little respite during the time that rations were being issued. Having been landed safely on the porth side of the river. the Battery took the pike which led through Edgefield Junction, Tyree Springs, Franklin, Mitchell. and thence to Bowling Green; the same route over which the Battery had marched when the "advance"
*See American Conflict by Greely, Chapter 10, page 212.
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upon Nashville was made the previous February. A halt of three days was made at Bowling Green in order that Bnel might gather up the "loose ends" of his army pre- paratory to his effort. (?) to intercept Braxton Bragg be- fore he (Bragg) would reach Mnmfordsville, where a considerable Federal force was stationed under command of C'ol. Wilder. The Battery (with the brigade) took up the line of march in the direction of Glasgow and Cave City. A line of battle was formed near the latter place and remained there for two days." "The race" for Louis- ville, Ky., was again resumed on the 23rd of September. and for the succeeding two days and nights the Battery marched almost continually, stopping only to feed and water horses, the "boys" improving the opportunity to make a cup of coffee, as opportunity was given. For some reason Bragg factily turned to his right thus leav- ing an open road for Bnel to Louisville, who immediately set his army in motion to cover the distance in the least possible time. The Battery reached West Point on the Ohio river west of ! ouisville at break of day on the 24th of September greatly exhausted, and in time, arriving at Lonisvivlle where the "roll was called." The report that "all were present and accounted for" was greeted with ex- pressions of satisfaction at being able to report "no strag- glers." "It may be claimed without any degree of arro- gance that the material in the men of the 5th Indiana Battery was equal, and in some respect superior to any organization in the Federal army, as was demonstrated in the last two days and nights prior to reaching Louis- ville. Nearly two years had elapsed since the Battery had marched through this same city with clean, new uniforms and bright equipments, a full complement of men and horses. But, oh! what changes a little time had wrought! Ragged, hungry. dust-begrimmed. disgusted and ill-humored ; some bad taken on a degree of lonesome- ness bordering on to homesickness; for was it not a fact that just across the "Ohio" was INDIANA-GOD'S COUNTRY-HOME. A few days' rest sufficed, however, to bring back again the original cheerfulness; a clean wash and new uniforms from head to feet ; the stale jokes gave way to fresh ones, and hilarity was the rule. Com- fort and happy mindedness had been installed instead of ill-humor and lonesomeness.
*Sec Henry M. Cist's Army of the Cumberland, vol. VII. page 58.
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CHAPTER II.
In the reorganization of the "Army of the Ohio," after its arrival at Louisville, Ky., the Brigade numbers in the 3rd Division were changed to 9th, 17th and 28th; the 5th Indiana Battery was assigned to the 9th, which was composed of the 2nd and 33rd Ohio regiments, 38th Indi- ana and 10th and 21st Wisconsin. The Brigade was com- manded by Col. Len Harris, of the 2nd Ohio infantry .* On the 2nd of October, '62, the 3rd Division was set in motion; the Battery with the 9th Brigade wheeling into column upon the Bardstown pike and followed it for a few miles, then took a road running in a more easterly direction, leading through Sheperdsville, thence to Tay- lorsville, Bloomfield and Maxville, which latter place was reached late in the evening of October 7th. At two o'clock the next morning the peaceful ( ?) slumbers of the Battery were disturbed, orders were issued to be ready to march at daylight. Promptly on time, the Battery was in line of march now in the direction of Perryville, nine miles southward. About 8:30 a. m. there were unmistak- able evidences of "trouble ahead." Columns of infantry were wheeling from "column to line," the boom of cannon was distinctly heard in the direction of Perryville. Not long did the Battery remain inactive. Reaching the hills bordering Doctor's creek ( which at the time was dry, and water in the vicinity was extremely scarce) the Battery was placed in position (with the 9th Brigade) in line of battle on the right of the Division, the Battery in an open field which had been cultivated to corp, and near the old
"Greely says Col. Lytle commanded.
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Maxville road. ( There were two of the regiments of the Brigade on either side of the Battery, with the 2nd Ohio in reserve immediately in rear of the Battery.)
About 11:30 a. m. the Battery "opened fire," replying to the Confederate artillery which had become quite active and which was located in the thickly wooded hills beyond the creek. It soon became evident that this was no "light skirmish." Shot and shells from the Confederate batter- ies one a four-gun and another a six-gun battery) were now coming "thick and fast." shrieking over and aroand. Solid shot plowing deep furrows in the dry earth in close proximity to men, guns and teams, then "richochetting" and with a wild defiant shrick, go spinning over the ground leaving in its wake wounded and dying men and horses. ( The 2nd Ohio regiment which lay in reserve suf- fored severely during the time of this artillery duel.) Though this was the initial of the many subsequent en- gagements, the "boys" of the Battery stood bravely to the work at hand, and withont shrinking stood to their posts until ordered to retire in the face of overwhelming unm- bers. Though unequal as to number of guns this was one of the most resolnte and hotly contested artillery duels between Simonson's Battery on the one side and two Con- federate batteries on the other that it was my privilege to see in all my army service; (Loomis' battery having re- tired about 300 yeards on account of an infilading fire from the enemy.) and when the Confederates had massed their infantry with the apparent intent to crush this part of the line as had been done on the extreme left, Simon- son's Battery paid its compliments to this mass of Con- federate infantry with most destructive effect. plowing great lanes through the advancing hoards by the rapid use of shot and canister .* The Battery remained in its first position until about 2 p. m., when the Confederates in massed columns advanced, necessitating the retirement of the Battery, first about 300 yards, taking position in close proximity to a barn and straw stack which soon took fire and was burned. It was supposed that a spark from the burning barn accidently dropped into one of the chests as ammunition was being served therefrom caus- ing an explosion, killing one man instantly and wounding
*Col. Len Harris, of the 2nd Ohio Inf .. whose regiment was laying flat upon the ground a short distance in the rear of the Battery.
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others of the detachment with several horses. Owing to the heat and danger from the burning of the barn and straw the Battery again retired to a position on a ridge about 400 yards to the rear of the present line of battle, retiring speedily but in good order and still in fighting humor, and with an unyielding firmness pictured upon every face, which clearly indicated the kind of material of which the Battery was composed. It was an undeniable fact that, though the enemy held the field, the Division, Brigade nor the Battery were "whipped," but had suffered a reverse on account of overwhelming numbers of the enemy on this part of the line, but when reinforcements came (about 5 p. m.) a short, brisk engagement ensued and the enemy was driven back, and the original line of battle was reocenpied by the infantry, the Battery with- drawing in the meantime in order to replenish the chests with ammunition and obtain a greatly needed supply of water for the men. There having been no opportunity on account of the scarcity of water to replenish their can- teens since quite early in the morning. Details were sent a distance to the rear to fill the canteens; the drivers had orders to "stand to horse," and the cannoneers to remain at their posts. The men were greatly exhausted and in their half famished condition ( not having had any oppor- tunity to, cat anything since early morning) lay down upon the ground without blanket or covering of any kind except the wide "canopy of heaven," the drivers fastening the hitching strap to their hand, lay down bo- isdes their teams and were soon utterly unconscions of their surroundings, dreaming of home and "God's conn. try." The Battery suffered considerable loss during the day. The report submitted the next day was: Sergt. Wilson Guysinger and private Ehrick killed. Those severely wounded were Sergts. Samuel Freeman and Dan'l Jones ; privates Mendenhall, Hupp, Forey and Myers; 10 were slightly wounded, ( names not given ) ; 23 horses were killed or rendered useless from wounds; lost eight sets of harness; a limber chest by explosion. The following will be interesting and quite suggestive: "Slept on arms last night, expecting to renew the battle today, but no enemy in sight. We were busy arranging teams and ox- amining and packing ammunition and caring for the wounded, etc. Having buried Sergt. Guysinger and pri- vate Ehrick, and gotten the severely wounded boys to the
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hospital, we were ready for another fight or a chase."* On the 10th the whole Corps moved two miles beyond or eastward of Perryville, the 9th Brigade moving upon the old Maxville road, thus the Battery passed directly over the field and in close proximity to its first position on the Sth. The Confederate dead were vet unburied, many of them lying where they had fallen. To say that the slaugh- ter in front of the Battery's position was terrible and un- describable is no exaggeration. There were a number of rail pens erected in which were a dozen or more dead Confederates thrown, that they might not be torn and caten by the hogs which were running at large. In one in one of these pens were 11 bodies of Co. B. 27th Ky. Con- federates.) After rations had been issued and all sick and wounded cared for, the pursuit of Bragg's victorious ( ?) army was again resnmed. Passing through Danville. Stanford and Crab Orchard: going into camp two miles cast of the latter place in the evening of Oct. 15th. On the 20th a retrograde movement was begun, repassing through Crab Orchard and Stanford. a ronte was taken which led more directly in the direction of Lebanon. Ky., which lay abont 30 miles southwesterly from Danville. Passing through Lebanon on the 22nd. the Battery ( with the brigade) went into camp on the "Rolling Fork"-a stream of considerable size-near New Market. Men and horses were way-worn and fatigued by continued march- ing "by day and night." having marched abont thirty miles on the 22nd. A minber of privates having "sur- rendered" to disease and sickness and had been sent away to hospitals, some of whom never returned, either being discharged for disabilities or had died. On the 28th or- ders were given to "strike tents," and taking up the line of march, passed through Campbellsville. Greensburg, Osceola and Glascow, and on Nov. 3rd went into camp four miles above Bowling Green on the Big Barren river. Only a few days were passed in camp, when the whole Army of the Ohio was electrified by the reading of General Order No. 168, dated Oct. 24th. 1862, relieving General Don Carlos Bnel and placing Gen. W. S. Rosecrans in command Oct. 30th. This same order created the Depart- ment of the Cumberland and thereafter this army was known and has gone down in history as the "Army of the Cumberland." Simonson's Battery had gained a dis-
*From D. II. Chanler's Diary, October 9th, 1862.
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fiction and reputation which entitled it to "first rank in point of armanent and military position," and in recog- nition of these facts, two new 12-pound Napoleons were installed instead of the Howitzers, and instead of the 6- pounders (smooth bore) two 10-pounder Parrotts were made to grace the ranks of the center section. A supply of fresh horses was also received, the teams having become greatly reduced both in condition and numbers. On the 7th of November a general review and inspection was had, and on the 9th the Army of the Cumberland was set in motion by its intrepid commander. W. S. Rosecrans. The Battery for the third time in less than twelve months had marched through Bowling Green, the first time with "vie- tory perched npon its banner," southward toward Nash- ville; the second time-sweltering in heat-humiliated beyond description in the race for Louisville, Ky., and now again headed in the direction of Nashville. Tenn., greatly encouraged and hopes brighter on account of the new com- manding General. Late in the afternoon of Nov. 12th, '62, the Battery went into camp in the vicinity of Mitch- elsville, having made an average daily march since leaving Bowling Green on the 9th, of 20 miles; remaining nutil the 16th, "stakes were again pulled np," and marched to Edgefield Junction on the Cumberland river, ten miles above Nashville. In the meantime, Jr. 2nd Lient. Gordon Simons resigned and Quartermaster Sorgt. George. II. Briggs was "brevetted" and was immediately assigned the duties of Chief of Caissons. The Battery remained in camp at the Junction till Dec. 5th and moved down to the village of Edgefield, opposite Nashville. On the 10th crossed the Cumberland ( the third time) marched through the city of Nashville and out on the Franklin pike a dis- tance of four miles and went into camp, remaining till about the 20th of Dec., when the Battery was ordered to report to R. W. Johnson, then in command of the 2nd Di- vision. The Battery was assigned to the 3rd Brigade of the 2nd Division. With many regrets the boys of the Battery parted with those of the gallant regiments who had shared in the privations and hardships of the long wearisome marches and the "fierce conflict" during the
*It should be remembered that when the Battery is men- tioned as marching it is always in conjunction with the Brigade unless otherwise specified.
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past twelve months. Though unknown by name scores of faces had become familiar, and the banners which they had so proudly and gallantly born aloft had become ob- jects of admiration. Tents were "struck" and the move to the new camp was soon reached, located on the Nolinsville pike, three and a half miles from Nashville. A day or two subsequent to reaching the new camp rumors were afloat that marching orders were soon to be "issued," and in a few days these rumors materialized. On the 26th of December, tents were "struck" carly in the morning, a hasty breakfast was eaten, and at 7 a. m. the Battery wheeled into line of march with its new acquaintances, on the Nolinsville pike. About 11 a. m. cannonading was heard in the direction of the Franklin pike, apparently but a few miles distant. Coming to Flint creek the Fed- eral forces found the bridge had been burned, and owing to the recent heavy rains the creek was bank full. Some Confederate cavalry who doubtless were guilty of the act of burning the bridge and were vigorously objecting to any "Yanks" crossing the creek were sent scurrying to shelter by a few well aimed shots from the Battery. As soon as the "coast" was clear. the crossing, though ex- tremely dangerous, was successfully accomplished by fording, though it was necessary in order to keep the am- munition dry. to "float" the chests in "tarpaulins" (a heavy waterproof covering for the guns and caissons when laying in camp.) The crossing of the creek delayed the marching columns a considerable time. The Battery go- ing into camp for the night, but at 2 o'clock the next morning the advance was resumed. At about 7 a .m. a halt was made for breakfast and to feed and water horses. Again advancing the enemy was encountered at about 11 a. m. A brisk skirmish ensued ; the Battery, however, was not called into action. Following the pike in the pursuit through Nolinsville in the direction of Triune; the Bat- tery frequently wheeling into line and hastening the pace of the retreating Confederates by a few timely shots from its guns. To say that the zeal of the boys was at high tide would be putting it mildly. The Confederates were forced back to within two miles of Triune, which was supposed to be their advance line of battle. Darkness intervened and put a stop to any further skirmishing; orders were given that teams should not be unhitched; drivers to "stand to horse" and cannoneers to remain at their posts.
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This was plainly significant that the enemy was not far distant and in force, and that a renewal of the fighting and maneuvering of the past six hours was expected in the morning. But when morning came a degree of disap- pointment ( ?) was in evidence for no enemy was visible. Leaving the Nolinsville pike the Battery took a road run- ning across to the Wilkinson pike, reaching it about 11 p. m., and "bivouacked in line of battle." On the 30th of December the Battery kept pace with and in line of battle as nearly as the topography of the country would permit; skirmishing by the infantry and desultory firing by the Battery continued during the entire day. "To clearly understand the relative position in advancing with the line of battle, it should be remembered that the 20th army corps, commanded by General A. MeD. McCook. was the 'right wing' of the Army of the Cumberland as it advanced upon Murfreesborongh. The 2nd Division was upon the right of the corps, and the 3rd Brigade of this division upon the etreme right of the whole line, with the Battery as near as could be in the center of the bri- gade." (D). D. H-)
The position ocenpied by the Brigade and Battery on the night of the 30th was abont four miles nearly due west from Murfreesborough, and near the intersection of the . "dirt road" with the Franklin pike. The Battery "halted in line of battle" about 10 p. m. and because of weary, ex- hausted bodies the "boys," many of them, were fast asleep, but not to "dream of battlefields no more." The activity of courriers, and the apparent cautiousness of officers was evidence that an enemy was in close proxim- ity. At 4 a. m. of the 31st, horses of the 5th Indiana Bat- tery were watered and fed ( not having been nnharnessed during the night) and as soon as this was done were "hitched up" and in readiness for action. A "soldier's breakfast" was hastily dispatched. It was indeed fortu. nate that these precautionary preparations had been made or doubtless Simonson's Battery would have met the same fate as that of the other batteries of the Division. The enemy struck the 1st and 2nd Brigades at about S a. m., with tremendous force and impetuosity, and being wholely unprepared, were swept away like forest leaves, leaving the 3rd Brigade at a disadvantage and exposed to a destructive fire in front and flank on account of having been placed in "deflection" from the main line for pro-
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feeling the right flank of the Division; but the Battery, as well as the infantry of the Brigade, were not to be driven without an effort to check the oncoming "maraud- ing masses." The Battery using case shot and canister with disastrous effect, firing about forty rounds. Though the infantry was overwhelmed and driven in retreat, the guns of the Battery were brought off successfully, though the enemy was but fifty yards away yelling like "mad. dened fiends." The wounded had been hastily removed to a nearby house which had been improvised as a hospital, but the dead, three in number, were left "where they had fallen." In the retreat two guns fell into the hands of the enemy, one of the Parrott guns of the left section ; two horses were killed, thereby disabling two teams and one driver was instantly killed by the same volley, and in the center section the horses which drew the one gun were all shot down .- " Baldwin succeeded in checking their advance in his front, but their left continued to swing around on his right. Here four guns of Simonson's battery, posted near the woods in rear of their first po- sition, opened with terrible effect."* (This must have been near the Wilkinson pike, and eastward of the house that was used as a hospital, mentioned above .-- D. D. II.) The Battery with but three serviceable guns (one of the Napoleons having also received a disabling shot) took position in the new line established near the Murfrees- borough pike, and there rendered valuable service during the next two days in repelling the frequent attacks of the enemy. On the night of Jan. 2nd, 1863, the Confederates quietly evacuated their trenches and when the morning of the 3rd dawned it was discovered that the whole force of Confederates had departed and left the Army of the Cumberland in possession of the battlefield and Murfrees- borough. On Jan. 4th the 2nd Division (R. W. Johnson commanding) moved about three miles cast of the town, the Battery going into camp near Stone river. The losses sustained by the Battery during the battle of Stone river was Sergeant James Waters and privates Phillip Gaddis and Daniel Rickard ; severely wounded, 1st Lieut. Henry Ranking, Sorgt. Joseph M. Hughey, Corporal John J. English ( mortally ), privates Daniel Myers, - Broc- ton, W'm. Phummer. Omer Gruesbeck, Win. Swazy, Henry Bricker, - Cramer, and Dan'l. Miller; also twenty-eight
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