USA > Indiana > History of the Seventy-fifth regiment of Indiana infantry voluteers. its organization, campaigns, and battles (1862-65.) > Part 6
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On the morning of the 4th, we started early on the road to Liberty. # Soon after leaving Auburn and entering a more broken country, I discovered small bodies on the hills. These bodies did not act in any concert. Some were armed, and others not. We at once discovered the armed men to be the enemy's scouts, and took means to brush them away. The unarmed parties ran and concealed themselves, apparently as anxious to be out of sight of the armed parties as of our own force. After the armed parties were driven back, the others rushed into the road and joined our colunin, express- ing the greatest delight at our coming, and at beholding again what they emphatically called "our flag." These men had been driven to the hills to escape conscription, and were daily being hunted up by conscription agents, aided by mounted men. Food was carried to them by women, children, and old men. As the column passed the houses of these persecuted loyal men, their women and children crowded the doors to bid us welcome and beg us to stay. As we approached Alexandria, the loyal sentiment increased, and men and women marched along with our column, staring at the old flag, and conversing about the good clothes and general good appearance of the men. These people were generally illiterate and somewhat timid, and did not seem to understand much about the present troubles, except that their more wealthy and better-informed neighbors insisted upon the poor people taking up arms to oppose the Government that they had been taught to love, and which had never oppressed them to support a so-called Govenment which they knew only by the fact that they had been oppressed by it from its very beginning, and had been torn from their families to fight against their real friends, and for those whom they only knew by name and sight,
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as wealthy and overbearing, and for the defense, as they were told, of a species of property with the possession of which they had never been bur- dened, and were not likely to be. Liberty and Alexandria both exhibited much loyal feeling. Lebanon had been quite a stronghold for the rebels- though not without its devoted loyal inhabitants.
There were loyal men living here and there on our route for whom I sent, and conversed freely with. The observations of one day would serve as a sample for all-the property of loyal men despoiled, that of rebels protected.
The mode of procedure generally seems to have been for the rebels to call upon their friends to contribute supplies and forage for their camps; the rebels assent, and haul to their camps (they say) all they can spare; more is wanted, the loyal men are visited, and, without consulting them as to quan- tity, their provisions, corn, wheat, forage, and animals are taken without limit, until they are left in a condition that is rapidily becoming one of ab- solute want.
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We captured during our recent expedition a rebel mail-carrier and mail just from Tullahoma. The mail was principally made up of letters from the soldiers in the rebel army to their families in the neighborhood of Lebanon. These letters breathed but one sentiment-all tired of the war, and wanted to return home and remain there. Many said they would not go any farther south, and expressed a desire to desert, but feared in that case the Argus eyes of the rebel inhabitants at home, who would watch them and report them to the conscript agents, by whom they would be seized and sent back to their regiments and to death. These letters stated most positively that deserters from the rebel army were shot in various insances, and that citi- zens who had guided the Federal army were hanged.
Here we have the sentiments of these conscripts from their very hearts, for they are writing to their wives and children, and can have no induce- ment to deceive. These men would doubtless desert but for fear of being returned by those who remain at home to guard their own property and watch these oppressed men.
The remedy for this state of affairs appears very simple : Despoil the rebels as the rebel army has despoiled the Union men. Send the rebels out of the country, and make safe room for the return of loyal men. Let these loyal men feel that the country is once in their possession instead of being possessed by their oppressors. Aid them in its possession for awhile, and they will soon acquire confidence sufficient to hold it.
J. J. REYNOLDS, Major-General, Commanding Division.
MAJ. GEORGE E. FLYNT, Chief of Staff.
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History of the Seventy-fifth Regiment
[INDORSEMENTS. ] HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Murfreesboro, Tenn., February II, 1863.
Respectfully referred for the consideration of the Government.
This report exhibits a state of affairs by 110 means peculiar to Tennessee. The State of Kentucky is in the same condition. The question is what policy to adopt-the conciliatory or the rigid. The conciliatory has failed, and however much we may regret the necessity, we shall be compelled to send disloyal people of all ages and sexes to tlie south, or beyond our lines. Secessionism has so degraded their sense of honor that it is next to im- possible to find one tinctured with it who can be trusted.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Murfreesboro, Tenn., February 18, 1863.
Respectfully forwarded for the information and consideration of the War W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General.
Department.
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 5, 1863. MAJ .- GEN. W. S. ROSECRANS, Commanding &c., Murfreesboro, Tenn .:
GENERAL: I have just received Maj .- Gen. J. J. Reynolds' letter of February 10, with your indorsement of February 18.
The suggestions of General Reynolds and General Thomas in regard to a more rigid treatment of all disloyal persons within the lines of your army are approved. No additional instructions from these headquarters are deemed necessary. You have already been urged to procure your subsis- tence, forage, and means of transportation, so far as possible, in the country occupied. This you had a right to do without any instructions. As the commanding general in the field, you have power to enforce all laws and usages of war, however rigid and severe these may be, unless there be some act of Congress, regulation, order, or instruction forbidding or restricting such enforcement.
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The foregoing remarks have reference only to military status and to mili- tary offenses under the laws of war. They are not applicable to civil offenses under the Constitution and general laws of the land. The laws and usages of civilized war must be your guide in the treatment of all classes of persons of the country in which your army may operate, or which it may occupy; and you will be permitted to decide for yourself where it is best to act with rigor, and where best to be more lenient. You will not be trammeled with minute instructions.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief.
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of Indiana Infantry Volunteers.
The third expedition in which the Seventy-fifth Regiment participated, was made the second time to Woodbury. In this exploit, the whole Fifth Division also participated. Reynolds led in person. It lasted five days, beginning on March 3d.
Our Brigade, partly mounted, under Wilder, while forag- ing, encountered the enemy's pickets, about four miles from Woodbury. They were driven before us, and in our attempt to surround them they got information of our intentions and kept retreating rapidly towards McMinnville. We returned to Murfreesboro on the 8th, having killed a Major and a private and captured 25 prisoners and obtained 100 wagon loads of forage. Our loss was six missing, and one from the Seventeenth Indiana severely wounded in the arm. The country was broken and hilly, and nearly every citizen whom we met was a spy for theConfederacy, which made it next to impossibility to surprise and capture the Confederates.
On the 20th of March, the Seventy-fifth Regiment made a double quick march to Milton to reinforce the Second Brigade of our Division under Col. Hall, wlio, on the above date, with a force of 1300 men, handsomely conquered the Confederate Gen. John H. Morgan at Vaught's Hill, near Milton. Hall's Brigade, to which alone the credit of glori- ously defeating the greatly superior forces under Morgan is due, lost six killed, including a Captain, and forty-two wounded, including a Lieutenant. Morgan's forces, which numbered 2,250, lost forty killed, including three officers, and one hundred and fifty wounded, including three officers, and twelve prisoners were taken. In this affair at Vaught's Hill Morgan received the completest thrashing he had yet gotten.
The fourth reconnaissance, which the Seventy-fifth Regi- ment made in company with the First Brigade, under Wil- der, began April Ist. The objective of tlie expedition was Carthage, on the Cumberland River, in Smith county. Wil- der moved his Brigade northward, taking the Lebanon turn- pike and crossing Stone's River on pontoon bridges, after
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History of the Seventy-fifth Regiment
which we bivouacked for the night. The next morning the Brigade, which numbered 2,500 inen, was divided into two parts. The Infantry, including the Seventy-fifth Regiment, with the Artillery, under command of Colonel Monroe, took the pike for Carthage, via Lebanon and Rome. The mounted force, under Wilder, went via Las Casas and Cainsville. Several times the enemy was inet, whom we drove before us and captured-a part of whom was Gen. Wharton's Cavalry. We arrived at Carthage on the 5th.
On the morning of the 8th, with 400 captured horses and mules and 88 prisoners, having lost only one man of our own, the Brigade returned to Murfreesboro.
The fifth expedition of the Regiment during our encamp- ment here occurred on the 20th of April. It was the recon- naissance to McMinnville in Warren county. We scoured the country, southeast and northeast of Murfreesboro.
This expedition was by far the most extensive and import- ant in its results of any in which the Regiment had the honor of participating from our camp at Murfreesboro. It was the most fruitful reconnaissance sent out by Gen. Rosecrans from Murfreesboro during the encampment of the army there. It lasted ten days, and consisted of our Di- vision and a Brigade from the First Division of our Corps, the Second Brigade from the Second Division of the Twenty- first Corps and Minty's Cavalry-a force of 6,600 strong-all under command of Gen. Reynolds.
The following is the order from Gen. Rosecrans for the ex- pedition :
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Murfreesboro, April 18, 1863.
MAJOR-GENERAL JOSEPH J. REYNOLDS, Commanding Fifth Division, Fourteenth Corps:
The general commanding has determined to drive the enemy's forces from the country between Stone's River, Caney Fork, and the Cumberland, and has designated you for that duty, and has placed under your command for that purpose the following forces, in addition to your own division: First, Second Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-first Army Corps, Brigadier-Gen- eral Wagner commanding; second, Third Brigade, First Division, Fourteenth
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Army Corps, Colonel Hambright commanding; third, 1,500 cavalry, Colonel Minty commanding. With this force you will proceed to Readyville on Monday, the 20th instant. From there you will march rapidly to McMinn- ville, leaving two infantry brigades at Glasscock's, with orders to proceed from there to Half-Acre, and subsequently to join you at or near Mrs. Beck- with's, on the Smithville and Liberty pike. With your cavalry, mounted infantry, and one brigade of infantry, you will push forward directly to Mc- Minnville, destroying or capturing any rebel forces you may find there, and destroy the cotton mills and railroad trains, as well as all depots of supplies for the rebel army. From Glasscock's you will send such a force of cavalry as you may judge sufficient for the purpose, to move southward by way of Jacksborough, and cut the railroad near Vervilla and rejoin you at McMin11- ville or on your journey northward. Your work at McMinnville and vicinity being accomplished, you will proceed to Liberty, having on the route formed a junction with the infantry force sent out by way of Half-Acre.
You are expected to reach Liberty on the 24th instant, at which time and place provisions will reach you from here, under guard of one brigade of infantry. General Crook will also communicate with you at that place from Carthage.
On the following day send a portion of your cavalry back to Smithville, to ascertain if the enemy be following you, and, if possible, draw him into an ambuscade. This done, you will send to their respective camps such por- tions of the force under your command as you may not need for the prose- cution of your work, and with the remainder proceed to Lebanon, where you will establish your temporary headquarters, and completely scour the country in the Peninsula, secure or destroy the supplies of rebels, and arrest and bring into camp all persons whoin you may regard as dangerous to the interests of this army. You are authorized to modify any particulars in these general instructions whenever circumstances shall render it clearly neces- sary, or any considerable advantage is to be gained by a departure from them.
The general commanding desires you to do this work so thoroughly that another expedition will not be needed in that direction. Report your pro- gress as often as practicable. The commanding officers of the forces placed under your command have been ordered to report to you in person for orders. Make a report of the number of rations and amount of ammunition you will require to be sent you at Liberty. The brigade sent to escort it you are authorized to assume command of, if you need it. You can also take the wagon train with you to Lebanon, if you think proper. Finish your work in that direction, and return to camp as soon as possible.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. GARFIELD, Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.
Armed with this authority, Reynolds proceeded upon this expedition. We had a skirmish with Confederates almost
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History of the Seventy-fifth Regiment
every day. The Regiment passed through the towns of Readyville, Woodbury, Smithville, and encamped one night at Pine Flats on a branch of the Clear Fork. From this point, we rapidly moved northward, passing through Lib- erty and Alexandria, reaching Lebanon by the 26th. The most of the country through which we passed was barren and unproductive. From Lebanon, the Regiment took a southerly course for McMinnville, passing through Alexan- dria, Cainsville and Statesville.
We destroyed the McMinnville and Manchester railroad, which was the first but not the last experience of the Seventy-fifth Regiment in this line of destruction. We burned the bridges and trestle works on the road between the two towns above named. We burned an engine, train of cars and the depot at McMinnville. We captured and de- stroyed 600 blankets, 2 hogsheads of sugar, and 3 of rice, 200 bales of cotton, 8 barrels of liquor, and 30,000 pounds of bacon. We burned a large cotton factory and two mills on Charley Creek, and a mill at Liberty. We captured 180 prisoners, including five officers, among whom was the no- torious Major Dick McCann, who made his escape. R. M. Martin, a Lieutenant Colonel of Johnson's (Confederate) Kentucky Cavalry, was mortally wounded. 613 animals were captured.
Our loss was almost nothing in comparison to the results accomplished-only one wounded and one died with disease.
The Confederate forces with which we skirmishied almost daily were composed of Cavalry under Brig. Gen. J. H. Mor- gan and Brig. Gen. William T. Martin of Wheeler's Cavalry Corps. The following is the Confederate Gen. Morgan's re- port of our raid:
HEADQUARTERS MORGAN'S DIVISION. Sparta, April 23, 1863. (Received April 26, 3 a. m.)
COL. GEORGE WILLIAM BRENT, Asst. Adjt. Gen. and Chief of Staff, Army of Tennessee:
COLONEL: I have the honor to enclose copy of a dispatch from Colonel Chenault, at Monticello, received on the morning of the 21st, copy of which was forwarded by train the same morning from McMinnville.
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of Indiana Infantry Volunteers.
I also received a dispatch at 8 a. 111. 2Ist instant, from Major Bullitt, con1- manding regiment on Woodbury road, 12 miles from McMinnville, stating that the enemy was advancing in force-cavalry, infantry, and artillery-on the Woodbury road. I immediately ordered him to hold his position as long as possible, and, in the event of the enemy pressing hin, to fall back slowly toward McMinnville, reporting to me by courier every half hour the movements of the enemy. I also sent out a small scout to gain all possible information, who reported from time to time that a large force of the enemy's cavalry was advancing on the Petty Gap road, and another large force of infantry advancing at the same time on the Woodbury road. I sent a courier to order back the train from Tullahoma, not being able to tele- graph, the operator informing me that the line was not working.
At 2 p. m. I received a dispatch from Colonel Bullitt, stating that the enemy had fallen back a short distance on the Woodbury road. At about the same time one of my scouts came in, reporting that the enemy was then within a mile or two of town, driving my videttes and pickets in before them.
The enemy destroyed the railroad depot, factory, two railroad bridges, to- gether with the train that was on this side of Morrison's, besides some two or three other buildings at McMinnville. They left McMinnville about 12 o'clock on the 22d, proceeding in the direction of Smithville, and from thence to Liberty, the force being estimated at from 3,000 to 5,000 strong, con- sisting of cavalry and mounted infantry and seven pieces of artillery.
About 12,000 infantry crossed from Woodbury road to Blue's, near Mechanicsville. From there they joined the cavalry who had been at Mc- Minnville, and moved down Snow Hill upon Liberty. I had sent courier after courier giving information to the forces at Liberty of approach of the enemy. I have also received information front Celina, stating that the enemy, between 1,200 and 1,500 strong, crossed the river at that point on the 19th instant, shelled and burned the town, together with the churches, not even giving the citizens any warning of their intention. Major Hamil- ton had to fall back some 4 or 5 miles, but, being re-enforced by Colonel Johnson's regiment, attacked and drove the enemy back across the river.
I understand that General Wheeler is now crossing Caney Fork at Lan- caster with his forces. A small detachment of niy forces are now occupying McMinnville. General Wheeler will probably be at this point to-morrow. Knowing that it is very important that all information from this direction should reach you at once, I send this without its going through the regular channel.
I have just received a dispatch from Colonel Chenault, at Monticello, who states that there is no immediate danger from that direction, as the enemy are reported moving toward Bowling Green, Ky.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN H. MORGAN, Brigadier-General.
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History of the Seventy-fifth Regiment
In his report of the operations in the Department of the Cumberland from February 3d to July 26th, 1863, Gen. Hal- leck, the Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. Army, says:
Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Reynolds made a raid upon the Manchester and Mc- Minnville Railroad, destroying depots, rolling stock, supplies, and other property, and capturing 180 prisoners.
At the conclusion of his report, Gen. Reynolds comments upon the status of the Tennessee citizens. As it has some bearing upon the importance of the McMinnville raid, the conclusion of Reynolds' report, together with Gen. Thomas' endorsement, is herewith submitted:
The inhabitants may be divided into three classes : First, the wealthy; second, those of medium means or well-to-do; and third, the poor. The first class, with a few noble exceptions, are decided rebels, their farms have ing furnished rebel supplies, and their houses have been made stopping places for rebel commanders, conscript agents, spies, &c. Without the aid furnished by these men, the raids upon the railroad from Murfreesboro to Nashville, and from Nashville to Gallatin, and even beyond, could not be made. With the supplies furnished by these quiet citizens, the rebels are enabled to move almost without transportation or provisions, knowing just where forage and subsistence await them.
The tone of this class in February, when we made our first expedition into that part of the country, was quite defiant; they were determined to persevere in their rebellion until they secured their rights. They have since that time lost no little property in forage and animals to supply both armnies, and, in addition, their negro men have run away, and the wagons that were driven, about February I, by soldiers detailed for that purpose, were, about the last of April, just as well driven by the negroes that formerly lived in that section of country, and the strength of the companies was increased by the same number of able-bodied soldiers.
The tone of this class is now changed. They have discovered their mis- take. They had been misled. They have found their rights, and they are now anxious to take the non-combatant oath, give bonds, and stay at home. The question arises here, Shall they be allowed to do so? At the risk of being officious, I respectfully answer, no. If the leading men of the neigh- borhoods are allowed to remain, although they may give bonds, when the rebels run into their neighborhoods they will be forced to aid them. If they are sent away, their presence and their influence are gone. A few of this class returned with us, a step preliminary, I trust, to a longer journey.
The second class have generally been well-meaning citizens, but without much influence politically ; they have become from wavering men loyal
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citizens ; are desirous of taking the oath, and pursuing their ordinary avoca- tions. Many of them have sons conscripted into the rebel service, who would desert that service and return home if their fathers were placed in a better position politically and their oppressors sent away, so that there would be no one to return them to a service which they detest. This class is deserving of the fostering care of the Government.
The third class are all loyal ; they have no weight in the community, possess but little property ; they have, in fact, been subjugated all their lives. By encouragement they must improve. They have suffered greatly from the rebel conscription. The absence of the first class is a thing greatly desired by them, but they speak it only in whispers. They have at least one thing in their favor-their devotion to the flag of their country is un- wavering in both men and women.
There was cne idea that evidently occupied the minds of all classes. We were everywhere met with the questions, "Will the Federal Army remain in Middle Tennessee?" "Will it go forward and leave us, or will it go back and leave us?" There is a feeling of insecurity which can be eradicated only by adopting such measures as will convince the loyal people that this country is to be possessed only by loyal men, and that when our lines are advanced they are advanced forever; that 110 retrograde step will be taken, and that whatever may be necessary to loyalize a district of country will be done before the army leaves it.
J. J. REYNOLDS, Major-General Commanding Expedition.
LIEUT. COL. GEORGE E. FLYNT,
Chief of S'aff, Fourteenth Army Corps.
[INDORSEMENT. ] HEAT QUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS, DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 4, 1863.
Respectfully forwarded.
. In organizing the expedition my arrangement was that the force from Carthage should arrive at Alexandria on the 21st, if not before, and to re- main there, threatening and attracting the attention of the enemy, until the morning of the 24th, unless the commanding officer heard firing in the direction of Liberty, in which event he was to move at once on Liberty, to the support of our troops. He was to have marched on Liberty in any event on the 20th, as the progranime required that General Reynolds should make that place on that day. It is to be regretted that that portion of the expe- dition was not in position at the time appointed, and there is no doubt the expedition, although eminently successful, would have been more fruitful in results.
I take great pleasure in commending to the general commanding the re- marks of General Reynolds on the status of the three classes of citizens now
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History of the Seventy-fifth Regiment
inhabiting Tennessee as just and appreciative, and fully indorse his recom- mendations as to what should be our policy toward them. If those who have heretofore been active rebels were invariably put beyond our lines, we should then be able to penetrate and occupy the insurgent territory with much more certainty, as we would not then be under the necessity of keep- ing up such strong guards in our rear to secure our lines of communication. GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General of U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.
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