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 4
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four miles of Chattanooga. The position of the Battery in the new line was near the Ross House. This line was held until the early morning of Sept. 22nd when the whole line retired to, and around Chattanooga and at once began entrenching and fortifying. The first position as- signed to the Battery was near the "Rolling Mill" remain- ing here for about two weeks. In the meantime "details" were made each day from among the cannoneers to work on . what was then known as "Fort Wood;" the Battery subsequently occupying one of the redouts. The invest-
ment of Chattanooga by the forces under Braxton Bragg was made complete in a few days, but the boys of the Battery (as well as others of the rank and file) were fully conversant with the facts that the reverses at Chickamauga were made possible by a misunderstanding of orders, and the failure of officials of high rank in other departments to prevent reinforcements being sent to Bragg thus giving him the advantage in numbers of at least 15,000 effective men. Rations soon became scarce, dwindling down in the course of time to less than one fourth, but still the boys of the Battery bore it with a true soldierly fortitude. Murmerings and expressions of indignation were heard however, when it was made known that "Old Rosy," as he was familiarly called, had been relieved of the command of the Army of the Cum- berland, but their feeling and resentment were greatly assuaged when the "news" came that Geo. H. Thomas "the Rock of Chickamauga" was appointed to succeed Gen. W. S. Rosencrans, About this time Lieut. Morrison was given twenty days leave of absence on account of the wounds received on the 20th at Chickamauga. All other sick and wounded were in . the hospitals in Chattanooga. Michael McCarty died of his wounds soon after reaching the hospital. Owing to the -scarcity of forage many of the horses became thin and were languishing, and evident- ly would soon succumb to starvation; it was therefore necessary that some effort be made to save them if pos- sible; this was accomplished by sending forty head to Stephenson, Ala., with ten men in charge of Sergt. Allen to take care of them. About the 25th of October the Battery was ordered to go to Shellmound, below Chatta- nooga on the Tennessee river. Though the trip was a most arduous one, it afforded relief to the men and apparently was appreciated above the slavishiness of a besieged camp
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around Chattanooga. The route taken was over Walden's Ridge, the assent of which was diffienlt in the extreme. Owing to the reduced condition of the horses, it required from four to six teams to begin the assent with the guns and caissons, but when once the steeper grades of the Ridge were encountered, it was necessary to attach still other teams, but the horses were in such a reduced con- dition that they were unable to extract their feet from the "sticky" mud which was now abont two inches deep --- some of the horses actually falling down ; subsequently a "prolong" was attached to either side of the "cross-bar" (double tree) of the limber, and twenty-five men to each prolong :- it was indeed a novel sight-sixteen horses and fifty men "tugging" away at a 12-pounder gun and mov- ing it slowly up the steep ascent. The crest of the ridge was reached finally, without further incidents other than as related above. It was necessary to take a circuitous- route on account of the "short route" along the north side of the river being effectnally closed by Confederate artillery and sharpshooters posted at intervals on the south bank; the only route that was left open was over Walden's Ridge and down through Seqnatchie valley. The road was cut with deep gullies, deep ruts and mud were in evidence everywhere, rocky ledges and precipices were frequently encountered along the way where it was necessary for the men to hold the carriages from over- turning. The perils encountered on this trip were intensi- fied by the famished condition of the horses, requiring four days to travel a distance of a little more than fifty miles. The descent, while not so ardnons as the ascent, was attended with many dangers, and owing to the weak- ened condition of the horses and the almost impassable roads it became necessary to "dead-lock" the carriages in many places. After reaching the Sequatchie valley the "head of colunm" turned abruptly to the southward and followed down the cast bank of the Seqnatchie river to Love's Ferry on the Tennessee river, a short distance west- ward of Shellmound. Here a pontoon bridge of 500 feet in length, spanning the Tennessee river had been laid during the afternoon. Darkness had overtaken the "weary marchers" long before reaching the ferry and on nearing it, glimpses of a bright light could occasionally be seen ; this proved to be a large basket-torch of pitch pine knots- one at either end of the bridge ;- these afforded light suf-
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ficient to cross the bridge in comparative safety. Eleven p. m. and raining when the Battery had reached a stop- ping place for the night. Men and teams were tired and way-worn, teams were unhitched and fastened to the wheels of the gun carriages and caissons and the men threw themselves upon the ground-without much cere- mony at making a "bunk"-to sleep the sleep of the faith- ful, to find himself lying in mud and water when the "bugle call" was sounded in the morning-the rain fell almost unceasingly during the entire night. A fact not only astonishing but pathetic was that the half famished horses which had been fastened to the carriage wheels, had, during the night "gnawed" the spokes of the wheels and the carriage poles to such degree that quite a number were entirely ruined, requiring new ones. In a few days preliminary preparations for a permanent camp were completed, the Battery being placed in position near the river. A few bright November days was a sufficient tonic to restore life and vigor to the boys of the Battery. In the course of time a "Redout" was constructed of suf- ficient dimensions for the guns. Shelter sheds were erected for the horses. "Permanent quarters" for the of- ficers and men were constructed of logs and poles, and covered with tents and such other material as was avail- able; the evident intent was a winter sojourn. Lieutenant Morrison had returned fully recovered from his wounds and again took immediate command of the Battery. Capt. Simonson having been appointed Chief of Artillery on the staff of Gen. Stanley commanding 1st Div. 4th Army Corps. On the 27th of Nov. after the memorable battle of Mission- ary Ridge, Daniel II. Chandler with orders and authority was sent back to Indiana to recruit men for the Battery, and was subsequently retained on detached duty till about the first of May, having in the meantime recruited and forwarded seven men who were regularly mustered into the Battery in April, 1864. On account of the resig. nation of Sr. 1st Lieut. Henry Rankin there was a vacan- cy in the line of commissioned officers. D. H. Chandler was recommended and in January, 1864, was commis- sioned Jr. 2nd Lient.and was assigned to command the left section. About the first of February the order was given to "strike tents," and for a few hours all was "hustle," and about 10 a. in., the head of column was lead- ing eastward ; the route taken by the Battery was through
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"Possumtail" valley and Whitisides, following in general the railroad route, subsequently rounding the north end or "nose" of Lookout Mountain, down into Lookout valley, thence over Missionary Ridge to Blue Springs valley, where a camp was established and where the Battery-with the 1st Div. 4th Corps-remained until May 3rd, 1864, at which time the ever memorable Atlanta Campaign began.
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CHAPTER III.
During th latter part of April, 1864, the Battery was supplied with a full complement of horses; the 6 pounder rifle guns were turned over to the Ordnance Department and two 10 pounder steel Rodmans were made to grace the "ranks" of the center section, while the right and left sections were supplied each with two 12 pounder Napoleons. Forty-six men from Capt. Naylor's 10th Ind. Battery were detailed for service in the 5th and were assigned to the several detachments where they were most needed. The armament and equipment was complete, with a full complement of men and horses, and every thing of a material kind well supplied. It may justly be recorded to the great credit of the men now composing the 5th Indiana Battery that a higher standard of pat- riotism prevailed and a greater degree of comradship was noticeable than at any previous time.
According to the official reports of Brig. Gen. W. C. Whitacre commanding the 2nd Brigade it was composed of the following infantry regiments and artillery: 21st Ky., 96 and 115 111., 51st and 99th Ohio, and 84th and 35th Ind. and 5th Indiana Battery. Thus equipped and as- sociated, the Battery entered upon one of the most mem- orable campaigns recorded in history-the "Atlanta Campaign."
At about the noon hour on May 3rd, 1864, the Battery "swung into column" taking the main road leading to Dalton, Ga., and camped the same night about a mile
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south of Red Clay,-a small "station" on the railroad .- Marching carly the next morning the Battery reached Catoosa Springs abont mid-afternoon and remained till the morning of the 7th when the march was resumed soon the vicinity of Tunnel Hill was reached at which place the initial action of the Battery in this campaign was recorded. Gen D. S. Stanley commanding the divi- sion says in his report of this action that "the 2nd brigade was ordered to move down the ridge near Rocky Face to attack in flank." This movement at once dislodged the Confederates who seemed to have only cavalry (dis- mounted) and artillery. Gen Stanley further says, "Cap- tain Simonson, Chief of Artillery promptly brought for- ward a section of rifled guns of the Fifth indiana Battery and had a few fine shots at the cavalry"- which served to quicken their pace materially in their efforts to get be- vond the range of the "rifled guns." Gen. Stanley in his report of May 8th, says: "The enemy still held some round hills entrenched at the entrance of Buzzard Roost Gap."-"In the afternoon Gen Davis formed a force to charge these hills, and Capt. Simonson turning his bat- teries (the 5th Indiana. taking part) upon them, they (the hills) very soon fell into our hands." As soon as it was known that this strong position .- Rocky Face Ridge,-was evacuated, early in the morning of the 13th, the advance in pursuit was begun. Passing through Dal- ton the Battery bivonacked in line of battle facing Tillon. Having passed through Tilton in the carly part of May 14th, the strongly entrenched lines of the enemy upon the hills around Resaca was encountered about 1 o'clock. Referring to the exposed position of the left flank. (Cruft's brigade seems to have occupied a position on the extreme left flank). Gen Stanley in his report says : "In the meantime Simonson's Battery which had been ad- vanced, was, as a matter of caution withdrawn and posted to sweep the ground to the rear of the exposed brigade" A part of the 2nd brigade had been formed about 400 vards distant from the position of the Battery ; presently a brigade of Confederates came sweeping exnltingly into the open field and the Sist Ind., and 101 Ohio which formed the infantry line on the left flank were soon overpowered and driven back. The Battery opened upon the attacking line with a shower of shells and canister which soon broke and dispersed that attack. The two
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regiments above named, did as well as could be expected ; attacked in front and flank and greatly outnumbered; and, had it not been for the timely aid of the Battery it would have gone hard with them. "Capt. Simonson and the 5th Indiana Battery deserve great praise, their conduct and exeention was splendid," ( Stanley's report) . When the two regiments above mentioned were driven back the Battery was without support and, occupying a position on the extreme left of the line was dangerously exposed. About 6 p. m., Captain Simonson who had been "on the line" all the afternoon was apprised of the move- ment of the enemy to "crush the left flank," and, knowing of the exposed position of the Battery came galloping up, and, taking in the situation at a glance, asked with no little anxiety : "Morrison where's your support?" Morris- on quickly replying, "I haven't seen it Captain," Fortun- ately Gen. "Joe" Hooker came riding by at this very critical moment, and Captain Simonson appealing to him said, "My God! General, can't you give me support for this Battery?" said Hooker, "Why what's the matter?" to which Simonson, pointing in the direction of the charging masses of Confederates, said, "there's a division of Confederates charging through that gap youder and not five hundred men to oppose them;" then "Fighting Joe" began to be interested, pointing to the Battery, asked if that was "the extreme left of the line," and when assured that it was, asked with some degree of interest, "how long can you hold this position with the Battery?" without hesitation Simonson answered, "As long as we have ammunition, but General [ want support." Gen. Hooker with no small degree of assurance in his words remarked, "keep cool Captain, hold this position at all hazards. I'll see that you get all the annmunition you can use and also timely support." Gen Stanley relates in his report of the battle that "the coming up of the 20th (Hooker's) Corps was most timely, though in my opinion the fire of the Battery (alluding to the 5th Indiana) was in itself adequate to the successful repulse of the enemy." Captain Simonson dismounting, walked quickly through the Battery and saw what made his heart thrill with pride, seeing every man in his place and at his post ; mounting a "trail" of one of the guns, and for a moment silently but with evident solicitude, viewed the "boys" of his Battery a brief moment, and then called out.
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Attention ! Every eye was turned upon him .- "Men." said he. "our big time has come, if any one is afraid, or is in the least cowardly, let him leave at once, for we'll have no nse for any but brave men ; we've got to fight our guns to the extreme limit, will you do it?" In response to this challenge, hats went up into the air, coats and jackets were instantly thing aside, and in some instances sleeves were rolled up to the armpits-not a man accepted the challenge to "leave." But a few brief moments elapsed when the rattle of musketry told too plainly that the critical time had come. Ammimition was piled up in close proximity to some of the guns, as the caissons were some distance in rear. Scarcely had these things been said and done, when a shont from the top of a wooded hill. a little to the left front of the Battery, was distinctly heard, "go for that d=d Yankee battery." The six guns of the Battery spoke out almost simultaneously as a reply, and for the next fifteen or twenty minutes there was an ahnost continuons stream of shot, shells and canister poured into the very faces of the daring Confed- crate troops, who endeavored to re-form their broken lines at the foot of the wooded hill. Brig. Gen .. Whitacre commanding the 2nd brigade, referring to the part which the Battery took in this engagement says, "The Fifth Indiana Battery which was attached to this brigade, un- der the immediate command of the gallant Lieut Morrison and under supervision of brave Capt. Simonson chief of artillery of the 1st Div. had been withdrawn and placed in position to sweep the rear of the exposed (('ruft's) brigade. The Battery had been as-
sailed by the, enemy's columns but by most brave and determined stand. it succeeded in holding the enemy in check ; the brave men and officers hurled such a storm of shells, shot and canister upon the Confederate lines with such rapidity and effectiveness that they were enabled to maintain their position until Gen Hooker aided in turning back the confederate columns which had advanced far past and in rear of our left flank, I make special mention of the officers and men of this battery for their gallantry and bravery on this occasion." Reverting to the time when the Confederate battle line burst over the crest of the wooded hill to the "left front" of the Battery. Captain Simonson as chief of artillery in his official report says, "The pieces of the 5th Indiana Bat-
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tery were immediately turned by hand to the left chang- ing the " Battery front more to the left so as to conform to the Confederate line which was sweeping down through the woods to the left of the Battery, opening with spheri- cal case and shells reserving the canister for use in case they gained the hill on our immediate left. They soon appeared on this hill, and opened with a heavy volley of musketry ;- the distance to the top of the hill was 150 vards. The men themselves without any orders or sug- gestions from their officers double-shotted the guns, in some instances, with a spherical case and a charge of canister and at other times a double charge of canister- and maintained the most rapid fire posible. A scattering few of the most daring ones of the charging forces reached the road at the foot of the hill, within fifty yards of the Battery." These were so confused that they soon fled for shelter and were subsequently taken prisoners. This part of the Captain's report is coincident with the request made just before the engagement, "let's give them the best we've got;" and withont fears of successful contra- diction, it may be asserted that this was the most terrific artillery practice which occurred during the entire period of the war, surely the most terrific and destructive of human life, for the time occupied-that is recorded in his- tory, or mentioned in any official report relative to artil- lery. Shot, shell and canister at the rate of not less than five discharges per minute from six pieces! Officers could be heard shouting occasionally muzzles down! muzzles down! ! The gunners yelling for ammunition. A number of the "swing team" drivers left their teams without orders to aid in supplying the guns with ammunition. In- fantrymen who had been separated from their regiments joined in the exciting work right valiantly and did excellent service for the Battery in carrying ammunition from some where, no one knew, but it was reckoned that it was supplied in accordance with Gen. Hooker's promise that he would see to it that the Battery should have all the ammunition it could use. Pandemonium reigned for about fifteen minutes, when suddenly there came from somewhere in the rear close by the command, "c-e-a-s-c fir-in-g," lie down." This was repeated and the voice was recognized as that of Captain Simonson ; it was but a moment till not a man of the Battery could be seen except as he lay upon the ground in the place where he
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stood while in action. Hooker had redeemed his promise ; two lines of infantry with fixed bayonets came charging through the Battery and ont across the valley in close pursuit of the residne of fleeing Confederates. After a fetv minutes respite, order restored, and accounts of losses noted. Captain Simonson seated himself com- fortably upon the ground and began fanning himself with his hat, the boys gathering around him-with Lient. Morrison on the "inner circle."-the Captain, with evident gratification, said, "boys we did it, we've done our big thing. I reckon they'll all know ns now." Gen. Hooker had returned from the front, whither he had gone when his troops had charged through the Battery, and dismounting walked leisurely through the Battery shak- ing hands here and there with the powder-begrimmed men and remarked with some emphasis that "these men are heroes cvery one of them." and that "he would rather be a private in this Battery than a Brigadier General. Subsequently Generals Butterfield, Geary, Williams, Stanley and others of subordinate ranks and commands came and complimented the officers and men of the. Bat- tery in highest terms. Evidently the Captain was right when he said we're donc our big thing. The next day it was learned from prisoners that it was Stephenson's division that had made the attack on the position, and had been so terribly slaughtered by the shower of death- dealing missles from the guns of the Battery. A strange thing about this fierce conflict of May 14th is that not a man or officer of the Battery was injured in the least degree by Confederate bullets; this may seem incredible and cannot be accounted for in no other way than that the attacking Confederates ocenpied much higher ground than the Battery and in consequence "over shot," but the men of the Battery claim they were responsible for the Confederates firing so wildly, as it must have been ex- tremely confusing to have from six to ten charges (in. as many seconds) of canister "flung" into their ranks without ceremony. It was William's
to the division of Hooker's corps that came
support and relief of the Battery. As night spread its dark curtain over the scenes of the last past two hours the boys, weary, though apparently well satisfied with them- selves, could be seen in small groups stretching themselves upon their blankets and with "a peace of mind known
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only to a conquerer," were sleeping the sleep of the "patriot victor."
On the morning of the 15th the Battery moved some distance toward the right and was engaged at intervals during the afternoon though later in the evening there was an "ominous quietude" on this part of the line; about midnight there was a furious attack made on that part of the line on which the Battery was stationed, and dur- ing the time of the attack the Battery maintained a rapid fire. On the morning of the 16th it was discovered that the Confederates had abandoned their strong defenses around Resaca. The line of pursuit took the Battery through Calhoun and Adairsville and thence in front of a line of Confederate defenses around Cassville, where on the 19th the Battery for a time was hotly engaged, firing more than a hundred rounds. From the evening of the 19th to the morning of the 23rd the Battery re- mained in the same position near Cassville, while prepara- tions were being made for the movement upon Dallas. The Battery took up the line of march early on the morn- ing of the 23rd and with the division, crossed the Etowa river in the evening. Resuming early the next morning a very tedious day's march was made, reaching a position two miles from Burnt Hickory the Battery took its place in line at 10 p. m. in a blinding rain storm. On the 25th the advance upon Dallas was continued, crossing the Pumpkinvine creek at nightfall and bivouacking onthe ground over which Hooker's forces had fought during the afternoon. The next day ( May 26th ). the Battery was placed on the line with Col. Grose's Brigade, at a point about 250 yards from Confederate breastworks. The cir- cumstances leading up to taking this position, and the incidents connected therewith are somewhat unique. While marching along in rear and toward the left of this line, an officer rode up hastily to Lieutenant Morris- on and asked if he was in command of the battery, re- ceiving an affirmative answer, the officer said, "you are needed right in here, follow me." Immediately the com. rand, "head of column right" was given, then "cannoneers mount, trot march," and away went the Battery at a lively trot for a distance of about 300 yards,-halting and un- limbering on a slight rise of ground, began, and main- tained a rapid fire for more than an hour. The services of the Battery at this particular, point on the line of
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battle was to assist Colonel Gross to advance his lines, so as to conform with the line generally. The Battery, however, had taken a position in advance of that which had been designated or the location intended, but "a good location is half the battle sometimes" remarked Lieut. Morrison. Thought to advance was a little hazardous, but it was only another demonstration of the undaunted boldness of the- make-up of the Battery. The advance line of infantry passed the position of the Battery after four or five rounds had been fired ; an eye witness declared (a member of the Battery) that he saw two infantrymen rolling a "chunk" of a log in front of them as they passed the Battery. It was remarked by an infantry officer that "it was the first time in his three years' service that he had seen a battery charge the enemy's works, that it was done with such celerity that the infantry were completely outstripped." As soon as the infantry line was well es. tablished the Battery began the erection of breastworks, and by nightfall was well protected by heavy embank- ments. For some unaccountable reason there was not a single shot fired from the Confederate works during the afternoon after the Federal lines had been advanced though the works could plainly be seen through the open timber no more than 400 yards away, subsequently it was rumored that there was but a thin line occupying the works when the advance was made and that the fire of the Battery had caused them-after a feeble resistance- to abandon that part of the line, and if it had been aband- oned it was re-occupied during the night. On the 27th the right and left sections occupying the redouts were hotly engaged for two hours; during this engagement Sergt. Jacob Kurtz and private Gabriel Swihart were mortally wounded surviving but a short time after being wounded ; private James Harvey was slightly wounded. On the morning of May 28th, 1864, Jacob Kurtz and Gabriel Swihart were given an honorable, soldier's burial. The Battery remained in this position until June 6th not, however, inactive; daily practice upon the Confed- erate works, was the rule, knocking their "head-logs" from the top of their embankments, which were invar- iably replaced during the night. Sharpshooters had be- come extremely annoying so that it was hazarding one's life to expose his body in the least.
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