USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Shelby County in the Civil War > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8
33
SHELBY COUNTY CIVIL WAR
joined Sherman's army, and marched from Chattanooga to Buzzard's Roost on the 1st of May, with the 20th Corps.
In the Atlanta Campaign that followed, the Thirty-Third was almost constantly engaged in marching and fighting, participating in the following engagements: at Resaca, on the 15th of May; at Cassville, May 19; at New Hope Church, May 25; at Golgotha Church, June 15; at Culp's Farm and Kenesaw, June 22; at Marietta, July 3; at Peach Tree Creek, July 20; and in front of Atlanta in July and August. It marched to Turner's Ferry, on the Chattahoochie, on the 26th of August, and fought there on the 28th. On the 2nd of September it advanced on Atlanta, driving out a brigade of rebel cavalry, when the city was surrendered, by Mayor Calhoun, to Col. Coburn, of the Thirty-Third, in command of the troops. The regiment lost, in this campaign, more than three hundred killed and wounded, and many of the best men in it. After the surrender, the regiment remained in camp, at Atlanta, until the 15th of November, when it marched with the left wing (Slocum's) of Sherman's army in the memorable "march to the sea".
The following narrative of the diurnal marchings of the Thirty-Third has been furnished by an officer of the Regiment, and, as it gives some information, in detail, not heretofore published concerning the march of the left wing of Sherman's army, it is thought proper to embody it in this sketch :-
Left Atlanta November 15th. Marched all night, and on the evening of 16th encamped twenty-two miles from the city.
November 17th. Crossed Yellow Stone River and encamped about ten miles from Social Circle.
November 18th. Marched through Social Circle, on the Atlanta and Augusta Railroad, destroying the track, and encamped five miles south of the town.
November 19th. Marched along the railroad, through Rutlege, (tearing up the track) to Madison, at which place the railroad buildings and market house were burned.
November 20th. Marched to Eatonton, during a hard rain and on very muddy roads.
November 21st. Marched fourteen miles and camped within eight miles of Milledgeville - still raining.
November 22nd. Laid by until evening, waiting for trains to pass. Then crossed Little River and marched all night, reaching Milledgeville at five o'clock A.M. on the 23rd.
November 23rd. Rested at Milledgeville and destroyed arsenal and magazine. November 24th. Crossed the Oconee River and marched twelve miles.
November 25th. Marched twelve miles, crossing Buffalo River and swamp. November 26th. Marched eighteen miles and camped at Sandersville, skirmishing with Wheeler's troops all day.
November 27th. Marched fifteen miles to Davisboro, destroying the railroad. November 28th. Reached the Ogeechee River and swamp, and remained
34
THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT
there until the night of the 30th, guarding the pontoon bridge. Crossed the river and swamp that evening, and marched all night, passing through Louisville and encamping about five miles beyond. 1308654
December 1st. Marched fifteen miles on the Millen road.
December 2nd and 3rd. Marched twelve miles on each day, and on the 4th marched five miles, through swamps.
December 6th. Marched six miles; the roads bad and blockaded.
December 7th, 8th, and 9th. Continued skirmishing, and roads blockaded.
December 10th. Struck the Charleston Railroad ten miles from Savannah, destroyed it and marched to within one mile of the rebel works surrounding Savannah, when the Regiment went into position and fortified. Remained here until the morning of the 21st, when the rebels evacuated the city and our army moved in. The health of the command during the march was excellent, only four or five men requiring hospital treatment, and no deaths occurring. Three men were lost by capture, but none by battle or skirmish. In this march the whole 20th Corps marched together to Savannah.
The Regiment remained in camp at Savannah until the 2nd of January, 1865, when it crossed the Savannah River into South Carolina and went into camp about nine miles from Savannah, where it remained until the 17th. It then moved to Perrysburg, and remained there until February Ist, when it marched fifteen miles. On the 2nd it passed through Robertsville and marched twenty-four miles, encamping near Lawtonville, and on the 3rd passed through Lawtonville and marched twelve miles.
On the 4th it marched ten miles, with occasional skirmishing and roads blockaded, and on the 5th marched fourteen miles to Buford's Bridge, on the Salkahatchie - the roads bad and barricaded.
On the 6th it crossed the river and swamp, and on the 8th struck the Charleston and Augusta Railroad at Graham's Station, sixteen miles west of Branchville. Two days were spent in destroying this road east as far as Williston.
From there the regiment moved in the direction of Columbia, crossing the South and North Edisto rivers, and the Saluda and Catawba rivers northwest of Columbia. It then marched to Winsboro, on the railroad from Columbia to Yorkville, destroying this road and crossing the Wateree river. From there it moved, through Liberty Hill and Chesterfield Court House, to Cheraw, at which place it crossed the Great Pedee river and moved on to Fayetteville, North Carolina, which place was reached on the 11th of March. Resting here two days the army crossed Cape Fear river, and moved on in the direction of Goldsboro. On the 16th the regiment was engaged in the battle of Averysboro, two men receiving slight wounds. It also participated in the battle of Benton- ville, suffering no loss. On the 23rd it reached Goldsboro, where the command remained until the 10th of April, when it marched to Raleigh, which place was occupied by our troops on the 13th.
On the 1st of May, the Thirty-Third started from Raleigh homewardbound, reaching Richmond, Va., on the 10th. Resting here two days, the march was
35
SHELBY COUNTY CIVIL WAR
resumed and Washington City reached on the 21st. It remained here until the latter part of June, when the command was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, where it was mustered out on the 21st. day of July, 1865. While at Washington a part of the Twenty-Seventh (previously consolidated with the Seventieth) Seventieth and Eighty-Fifth regiments, were assigned to the Thirty-Third, and were mustered out with it, at Louisville, the numbers on the rolls being about fifteen hundred men. The regiment was at all times during its term of service, one of the most powerful regiments in the army, being kept well recruited and well together.
The Regiment was commanded by Colonel Coburn during most of the first year's service, (who after that time, was in command of a Brigade) and then it was commanded by Major Miller till after the surrender of Atlanta. When these Field Officers were mustered out of the service, Colonel Burton command- ed it until the end of the war.
Editorial Note; 33rd Indiana. The cnlisted men and officers from Shelby County who saw service in the 33rd were from Norristown and Marietta, and they were assigned to Co. D. As can be observed by reading the historical sketch of the 33rd, this regiment suffered greatly from the ravages of disease, especially during the first winter of service, at Crab Orchard, Ky. Co. D lost no less than 11 of its approximately 100 men at this time. Officers of the Company were :- Edward T. McCrea, Capt .; William Chandler, Ist. Lt .; and William H. Miller, 2nd Lt. Miller resigned late in 1863, and David Fateley came up from the ranks and took his place. A more detailed regimental history of the 33rd is available at the City Library, and the reader will find it most interesting. We are fortunate also in having handed down to us a few letters of Capt. Ed McCrea. These letters are of excellent literary composition, and are a treat to read, particularly those that pertain to the incidents of the campaign for Atlanta. The greatest treasure of all, however, that has been handed down to us by a soldier of the 33rd from our county, is the diary of David Fateley. This diary gives us a day-to-day account of his experiences during the entire war, except for the year 1864, which is missing from the collection. This diary is the only one known to have been handed down by a Shelby County Soldier.
THE FIFTY-FIRST INDIANA REGIMENT - THREE YEARS
The Fifty-First Regiment was organized at Indianapolis on the 11th of October, 1861, and mustered in on the 14th of December, 1861, with Abel D. Streight, as Colonel. From Indianapolis it proceeded to Kentucky, going into a camp of instruction at Bardstown. In February, 1862, it marched with Buell's army toward Nashville, where it encamped for awhile and then moved to the Tennessee river, reaching the Field of Shiloh too late to participate in the battle at that place. In the movement upon and siege of Corinth it took an active part, and after the evacuation it marched with Wood's division of the Army of the Ohio through Northern Alabama to Stevenson. When Buell's army fell back from Nashville to Louisville, the regiment marched with it, and after
36
FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT
the campaign in Kentucky it returned to Nashville, from whence it marched with Rosecran's army toward Murfreesboro in December.
The regiment was engaged in the battle of Stone River, on the 31st of December, 1862, and 1st and 2nd of January, 1863, losing five killed, thirty-six wounded and eight missing - making a total of forty-nine. After this engage- ment it remained in the vicinity of Murfreesboro until the month of April, when it left on the Streight expedition. The forces engaged in this expedition had been organized as a provisional brigade by Col. Streight, at his own solicitation, and by command of Gen. Rosecrans, and consisted of the Fifty-First and Seventy-Third Indiana, Third Ohio and Eightieth Illinois, with two companies of cavalry and two pieces of artillery. The Brigade, numbering about seventeen hundred men and eight hundred animals, left Nashville under command of Col. Streight, on the 11th of April, and proceeded to Palmyra, on the Cumberland river, by transports, and then marched through the country to Fort Henry, on the Tennessee river, picking up on the route all the serviceable horses and mules that could be found. From thence it proceeded on transports to Eastport, Mississippi, which place it left on the 21st of April (about two thirds of the command being mounted ) and marched in the direction of Rome, Georgia, for the purpose of making a raid in the rear of Bragg's army, then at Tullahoma. The expedition reached the base of Sand Mountains on the evening of the 29th, and on the 30th were overtaken by the rebel cavalry under Forrest, when a battle ensued, resulting in the defeat of the enemy. This was the battle of Day's Gap, in which the Fifty-First lost thirty-one killed and wounded. Among the latter was Lieut. Col. Sheets, who fell mortally wounded. On the 1st of May another fight took place on Crooked Creek, in which the enemy were again repulsed. On the 2nd of May, another engagement was fought on Blunt's farm, near Gadsend, Alabama, the enemy being again defeated. In this fight Col. Hathaway, of the Seventy- Third, was killed. The command pushed forward in hopes of capturing Rome, Georgia, but on the 3rd of May it was overtaken near Gaylesville, Alabama, by the command of Gen. Forrest, and compelled to surrender. The whole force was consigned to rebel prisons, and the officers were treated with great severity. After being kept prisoners for some time the enlisted men were paroled for exchange, and went into parole camp at Indianapolis, until their exchange was effected. On the 9th of February, 1864, Col. Streight escaped from Libby Prison, by means of a tunnel, after ten months imprisonment.
In November, 1863, the regiment was exchanged, and at once returned to the field, joining the army at Nashville. During the Fall of 1863 the regiment was engaged in guarding the communications of the army between Nashville and Chattanooga. It was afterwards sent into East Tennessee, and in the months of January and February, 1864, a portion of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans. On the 29th of February, the Veterans reached Indianapolis on veteran furlough, and about the Ist of April returned to the field. During the campaign of 1864, the regiment did duty at Chattanooga, and, after the
37
SHELBY COUNTY CIVIL WAR
occupation of Atlanta, moved to that place, where it remained until the Fourth Corps marched northward, when it moved with the first brigade, third division of that corps, reaching Pulaski, Tennessee, in November, and upon the advance of Hood's army on Nashville, it fell back toward that place. On the 14th of December, non-veterans were mustered out of service, and proceeded home. On the 15th of December, the regiment participated in the battle of Nashville, and afterward joined in the pursuit of the routed rebels, going as far as Huntsville, Alabama. At this place it remained until March, 1865, when it moved with the Fourth Corps into East Tennessee. About the 1st of May it returned to Nashville, where a number of recruits that remained in service after the muster-out of the Seventy-ninth Regiment, were transferred to the Fifty-First.
In June the regiment moved on transports to New Orleans with the Fourth Corps, and from thence was transported to Texas, and landing on the coast, marched into the interior of Western Texas, as far as San Antonio, where the regiment was still stationed when this sketch was closed, - in November, 1865.
Editorial Note, 51st Indiana. Almost two full companies of men left Shelby County to join the ranks of the 51st Indiana. Included were two men who entered upon their military duties with rather high rank. These men were William H. Colescott, who began as a Major, and soon became a Lieutenant Colonel, and Dr. David Adams, who was Assistant Surgeon. Dr. Adams resigned, after about a year's service, in November, 1862, and Col. Colescott resigned in February, 1863. Col Colescott had shown considerable merit as an officer, and it is believed he resigned because of personal differences with Colonel Abel Streight, who commanded the 51st. Col. Colescott came back to Shelby- ville and for a long time operated a general store on the north side of the Public Square in the old Ray House. He had seen some service in the War with Mexico. He died in 1894, and is buried in the old City Cemetery. Capt. James E. McGuire of Co. F, who likewise had seen a little service in the War with Mexico, resigned in October of 1862, and John M. Flinn succeeded him. McGuire came back to Shelbyville to resume his occupation of law and politics. He served the town as Mayor in 1863-1867, and again in 1877-1879. He died in 1894, and is buried in the old City Cemetery. All of the officers and men of Co. F came from the City of Shelbyville and vicinity. Besides McGuire and Flinn, other officers of the company were Joel A. Delano and Gideon Hand, both lieutenants. Delano had been in the regular army prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, and he ended his service for the Union with the rank of Major. Flinn and Hand both had unusual experiences after the capture of the 51st during the famous Streight Raid. Flinn's story is mentioned elsewhere in this publication. The story of Gideon Hand's escape from rebel prisons, and his precarious experiences in getting back to Northern soil, is not as well known as Flinn's, but is of the same compelling interest. Besides Company F,
38
FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT
Shelby County was well represented in Co. I, whose officers and men were from London and vicinity. Marquis L. Johnson was Captain, James S. Reeves 1st Lt., and Fred J. Brownell, 2nd Lt.
THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA - THREE YEARS
The Seventieth Regiment rendezvoused at Indianapolis and was fully organized between the 14th of July and the 12th of August, 1862 - in less than one month - and was mustered into service at the last named date, with Benjamin Harrison as Colonel. It left Indianapolis on the morning of the 13th of August and reached Louisville in the evening of the same day. On the following night it left for Bowling Green and on the 15th reported to Col. Bruce commanding the Post, thus being the first regiment in the field under the call of July, 1862. From Bowling Green the regiment made several expeditions to Franklin, Morgantown, Munfordsville and Russelville. At the latter place, on the 30th of July, it encountered several hundred rebel cavalry, killing and wounding many and capturing forty horses and a large lot of small arms, saddles, and other property.
On the 10th of November, the regiment moved with Ward's brigade, Dumont's division, Fourteenth Army Corps, to Scottsville, Kentucky, and thence to Gallatin, Tennessee on the 24th of November. On the 10th of December as part of the Sth brigade, 8th division, (Gen'l Payne's ) 14th Army Corps, it was posted along the Louisville and Nashville Railroad from Gallatin to Nashville to defend the road and bridges, on which duty it was engaged until the 9th of February, 1863. It then went into camp at Gallatin, doing provost and picket duty at that place until June 1st, 1863, when it was moved to Lavergne, Tennessee. Remaining at that point until the 30th of June, it then marched to Murfreesboro, camping in Fortress Rosecrans. At that place it was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 3rd division of Gen'l Granger's Reserve Corps.
On the 19th of August it moved with its brigade to Nashville and while there it was engaged in guarding trains to Stevenson, Chattanooga and other points, and picket and fatigue duty within the city. On the 2nd of January, 1864, the regiment was transferred to the 1st brigade, Ist division, 11th Army Corps, and Col. Harrison assigned to command the brigade. On the 24th of February, the Seventieth left Nashville and marched with its division to Wauhatchie, Tennessee, in Lookout Valley. On the organization of the 20th Army Corps it was assigned to the 1st brigade, 3rd division, with which it continued to serve during its term of service.
From Wauhatchie it marched on the 2nd of May and entered upon the Atlanta campaign, during which the regiment took an active part, being in the following actions: Resaca, Cassville, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek and the Siege of Atlanta. At Resaca the regiment led the assault made on the enemy's right, capturing a fort and four Napoleon guns, the only pieces of artillery lost by the
39
SHELBY COUNTY CIVIL WAR
enemy between Chattanooga and Atlanta. Its casualties in this campaign were forty-one killed in action, forty-three died of wounds, and one hundred and ninety-one wounded; total two hundred and seventy-five.
On the 5th of November, 1864, the Veterans and remaining recruits of the Twenty-Seventh Indiana, were consolidated with the Seventieth, by special order of the War Department, dated October 12th, 1864. The regiment partici- pated in Sherman's march through Georgia to Savannah, and on the 31st of December it crossed the Savannah river with the first brigade of western troops that entered South Carolina. Marching through the Carolinas with Sherman's army it rested at Raleigh, North Carolina, where it was on the announcement of Lee's surrender. It afterwards marched with the Army of Georgia to Richmond and then on to Washington City, where it was mustered out of service on the 8th of June, 1865. The remaining recruits whose terms had not expired under the then existing regulations of the War Department were transferred to the Thirty-Third regiment, in which organization they continued to serve until its muster out at Louisville on the 21st of July, 1865. On returning to Indianapolis the Seventieth was publicly welcomed home by the citizens, and at the reception given in the Capitol grounds on the 16th of June, addresses were made by Governor Morton and Gen's Hovey and Harrison.
The casualties of the regiment have been, in all, as follows: Killed in action, forty-three; died of wounds received in action, forty-three; wounded in action, one hundred and ninety-four; wounded accidentally, five; died of disease, one hundred and two - total, three hundred and eighty-seven. The regiment entered service with one thousand and twenty-one men and officers and received one hundred and thirty-eight recruits from Indiana, and veterans and recruits from the Twenty-Seventh to the number of one hundred and eighty-nine - making the whole number that have served with the organization thirteen hundred and forty-eight.
Editorial Note, 70th Indiana. This publication contains the names of over 225 men who enlisted in the 70th Indiana from Shelby County. This is the largest number of which we have a positive record, in a given regiment. Enlisted men and officers from Shelby County constituted companies B and F. Company F was from Fairland and vicinity. Its officers were Henry Endsley, Capt .; Isham Reed and Coleman Storm, Lieutenants. Capt. Endsley served out the entire war period as head of Co. F, and one gathers from reading the detailed history of the regiment (copy in the Shelbyville City library ) that he was an extraordinarily good soldier. He was specifically mentioned for his conduct in the Battle of Peach Tree Creek. The men and officers of Co. B were from Shelbyville and vicinity. David Sleeth was captain until November of 1864, when John C. Newton took over and served out the War as head of the company. Lieutenants were Edward L. Davisson, James A. Stafford and James C. Bennett.
40
THE SEVENTY-NINTH INDIANA
The Seventy-Ninth Regiment was organized at Indianapolis during the month of August, and mustered into the service, for 3 years, on Sept. 2, 1862, with Fred Kneffer as Colonel. Louisville was then menaced by the approach of the rebel army under General Bragg, and the regiment was hurried to the field, arriving at Louisville on the 3rd. Here it participated in the work of pre- paration for the expected enemy until the arrival of Buell's army, when it was assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division, 21st Army Corps. On the 1st of October it left Louisville with the main army, joined in the pursuit of Bragg, and was present in reserve during the battle of Perryville. After the battle the regiment joined in the further pursuit of the enemy, and, at Crab Orchard, skirmished with the rebel rear guard, losing one killed and two wounded. The regiment then marched to Logan's Cross Roads, and then counter- marched to Gallatin, Tennessee, and, crossing the Cumberland river, went into camp near Nashville. It took part in the battle of Stone River, on the 31st of December, 1862, and Ist and 2nd of January, 1863, losing seven killed and 44 wounded. After the disaster to the right wing, the regiment was moved to the left wing, and took part in the fight in which Breckinridge received his terrible repulse on the 2nd of January, 1863. The 79th moved with the main army to Tullahoma; thence to Manchester, McMinnville, and Pikeville.
On the 1st of September the regiment moved with the army toward Chattanooga. On the 6th it crossed the Tennessee river at Bridgeport. On the 9th crossed Lookout Mountain; and thence marched through Rossville and Ringgold to Lee and Gordon's Mill. Upon the 13th it participated in a reconnoissance, during which there was heavy skirmishing. The regiment was engaged in the battle of Chicamauga, on the 19th and 20th of September, losing 1 killed, 40 wounded and 13 missing. During this battle the 79th charged and captured the 1st Virginia Battery of Longstreet's Corps. It fell back with the army to Chattanooga, and was upon duty during its seige by the enemy.
Upon the re-organization of the army the 79th was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps. On the 23rd of November the army moved to attack the besieging force under General Bragg. Then occurred the celebrated battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. Upon this occasion the 86th was ordered to be temporarily consolidated with the 79th, and both regiments placed under command of Col. Kneffler. This consolidated force led the column which stormed and captured Mission Ridge, planted the Union colors first on the rebel works, and captured eleven pieces of artillery and several hundred prisoners. The loss of the regiment was small; the rapidity of its advance, and the conformation of the country, protecting it from the fire of the enemy.
On the 27th the regiment moved with the army under Gen. Sherman toward Knoxville, then closely besieged by the rebel forces under Gen. Longstreet. Upon the approach of our army the siege was abandoned by the enemy. The command arrived at the vicinity of Knoxville on the 6th of December. The division to which the 79th was assigned, remained in East Tennessee during the
41
SHELBY COUNTY CIVIL WAR
winter of 1863 and 1864, suffering much from exposure, and being without sufficient food and clothing. The regiment was almost constantly engaged in reconnoissance skirmishes and marches, during 4 weary months that followed its advent into east Tennessee. At Strawberry Plains, New Market, Mossy Creek, and Clinch Valley, it participated in heavy skirmishes with Vaughn's rebel command, killing and capturing many prisoners. It also accompanied a cavalry expedition to Thornhill, enroute for Cumberland Gap, and participated in numerous other affairs. In the month of April, 1864, the 79th rejoined its corps at Chattanooga, and, for the first time in 10 months, rested, in camp for 10 days.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.