USA > Indiana > The Eighty-sixth regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry : a narrative of its services in the civil war of 1861-1865 > Part 13
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geant L. V. Ream was first made Second Lieutenant and afterwards Captain of Company G, and Sergeant L. G. Cowdrey, First Lieutenant. Orderly Sergeant J. R. Carna- han was promoted to Second Lieutenant of Company K, and advanced to Captain of Company I. Second Lieutenant John M. Yount was promoted to First Lieutenant of Com- pany K. These are substantially all the changes made in the roster of the officers during 1863. Subsequent resigna- tions and promotions will be given in their appropriate place.
It had been months since a good portion of the army had been paid, and General Rosecrans became quite urgent in his appeals to Washington requesting that a paymaster be sent to each brigade, at least one to each division, to remain in the field and attend to preparing the rolls and the pay- ment of troops. The correspondence is spicy. In one of his letters to Secretary Stanton he wrote: "I have no hesi- tation in saying that it is time the public service ceased to suffer from such whimsical or worse management. There is a screw loose somewhere. My army ought to be paid off while the roads are bad. " He estimated that it would re- quire $1,700,000, and as the money was in Washington he could not see why it could not be used. He brought the pay- masters and the money, and the troops were paid while the army lay at Murfreesboro.
Governor Morton, ever watchful of the interests of Indi- ana soldiers, had devised what is known as the allotment system, by which his men could send their money home in safety. The plan was in all respects similar to bank drafts
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except that the men signed the allotment rolls which showed the name of the soldier, the amount, and the person to whom sent, with post office address. The bill giving the plan legal recognition was introduced by Senator Henry S. Lane, but by an oversight it carried with it no appropriation to put it in operation. The Governor, always equal to the occasion. furnished from his military contingent fund the means to defray the expenses. Rev. T. A. Goodwin was appointed Allotment Commissioner from Indiana, and the Eighty-sixth, as well as all other Indiana regiments, availed themselves of this plan to send their money to their families. The system gradually extended to other States until it was generally adopted throughout the army.
A conspicuous feature of the Second brigade was its band. Its music was always inspiring. Morning, noon and night it made the camp reverberate with its lofty, patriotic and soul-stirring strains, and the encore of cheers which followed made the welkin ring. The band had seen service until its instruments needed to be replaced with new. About the first of April a movement was set on foot to raise money for this purpose. Captain Sims circulated a sub- scription paper through the Eighty-sixth and received a do- nation of $66.50, the other regiments of the brigade contrib- uting their share. The new instruments were procured and carried until the band was mustered out.
Shelter tents supplanted the cumbersome Sibleys dur- ing April, the order being issued on the 12th. Wall tents were allowed field, staff, quartermaster, hospital and line officers, but shelter tents were issued to the men. This tent is simply a piece of stout cotton cloth about two yards square, with buttons and buttonholes that they could be at- tached to each other. Two, three and sometimes four men could thus join as bunkmates. The usual number was three, as then the third piece was used in closing one end of the complete tent. These pieces of cloth, buttoned together, were thrown across a pole resting on two forks set in upright position, and the bottoms fastened by pegs to the ground, thus forming a kennel similar in form and size to what print-
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ers would call a small cap A. The boys christened them "pup tents, " and it was by this name they were generally and popularly known. Each man was required to carry his own tent. There was thus no waiting for the wagon that never came, and the further assurance that each night he could lie down with some protection from either rain or snow or wind. The wagon train was in this way greatly reduced, which is an important consideration in the movement of a large army.
In accordance with the proclamation of the President, Thursday, April 30, was observed in the army as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer. At least this was the gen- eral orders issued, which General Rosecrans couched in language most reverent and appropriate. The Eighty-sixth being then without a Chaplain, and the only other officer who was a minister being in arrest on a charge of cowardice, no religious service was held in the regiment, and the men were compelled to rely on the more fortunate commands for spiritual instruction and edification.
On February 22, 1862, the War Department had issued an order that there shall be inscribed on the colors of all reg- iments the names of the battles in which they had borne a meritorious part. In accordance with this order General Rosecrans on February 19, 1863, directed that the name "Stone's River" should be inscribed on the national colors of each regiment that was engaged in the battle in front of Murfreesboro. This was the first time that the colors of the Eighty-sixth were entitled to such distinction. The regiment having lost its colors, by the death of their bearer on the field while in retreat on that fateful 31st of December, a second stand was presented on June 15 by the patriotic citi- zens of Fountain and Warren counties. They were brought from Indiana by Joseph Poole, of Attica, and in a neat address by him were formally presented. Colonel Dick, in a brief and fitting response, accepted the precious gift. These colors bore the appropriate inscription, and were afterwards car- ried through the sanguinary battles of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. At the latter engagement they were
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riddled with musketry, receiving no less than eighty-six shots through their folds, an emblematic number. They now rest secure in the State House at Indianapolis.
Desertions from the army had grown to alarming pro- portions. When caught the deserters were usually given a trial, and a light sentence imposed. They were seldom exe- cuted, and even when a court martial imposed a sentence of death the kind hearted President would interpose with a par- don. The most usual sentence was that the deserter should return to the army and serve out all of his original time of enlistment which had not been served, without pay. In the most flagrant cases it was different. An instance of this kind occurred in the Ninth Kentucky. A soldier named Minnick had deserted for the third time. With each recur- rence he was caught and returned to the regiment. The last time, he was tried by a court martial and sentenced to be shot. This occasion the President declined to interpose. The execution of Minnick took place on the 16th of June, about a mile north of the encampment of the Eighty-sixth. A detail of one man from each company of the Eighty-sixth was made to do the shooting. The convicted soldier was placed in an ambulance, seated on his coffin, a rough box, and taken to the place of execution, accompanied by the en- tire Twenty-first corps. When the corps arrived at the chosen place it was formed into a hollow square, with the fourth side left open, to witness the sad affair. It was used on this occasion for an imposing display, and to intimidate and prevent other soldiers from committing a like crime. The scene was one full of awe, never to be forgotten by those who took part. All who witnessed it seemed to feel the solemn presence of death. The coffin was placed in the open part of the square. Minnick took a seat on the rough casket. The Ad- jutant General in a clear but tremulous voice read the find- ing of the court martial to the troops. When the Adjutant finished reading, the guards, detailed to do the firing, were ordered forward, and their muskets, which had been loaded by other soldiers, were handed to them. Half of them con- tained blank cartridges, so that none of them knew whose
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shot killed the prisoner. The condemned soldier was blind- folded, and the final order: "Ready-Aim-Fire! was given and the doomed man fell over dead. The troops then formed company front and marched in review by the coffin to view the body of their late comrade. This was the only execution that the Eighty-sixth was ever called out to witness.
The first grand review in which the Eighty-sixth took part, and the first that it had ever seen, was held early in June while the army Jay at Murfreesboro. It was only how- ever a review of the Twenty-first corps. There had been much preparation for this review by all the troops of that corps, and the officers and men of the Eighty-sixth became much enthused over the matter, and all, both officers and men, put forth every effort to fit themselves to pass a credit- able inspection, and to be so thoroughly prepared that no mistake should occur when passing in review. The regi-
ment was especially fortunate in having an officer, who by reason of his experience with the Army of the Potomac and from careful study, was thoroughly competent to instruct as to the ceremonies. Colonel Dick after the inspection and review were over, seemed to be very well satisfied with the manner in which the Eighty-sixth had discharged its duty and the manner in which it had deported itself.
As the Spring months wore away there began a clamor from Washington and by politicians at home for an advance of Rosecrans' army. General Halleck. who had been placed in command of all the Union armies, with his headquarters at Washington, also commenced to urge an advance, the objec- tive point to be reached being Chattanooga, which was deemed the key to the central and southern portion of the so called Confederacy. President Lincoln also dispatched General Rosecrans urging him "if consistent under all the circumstances " to push forward. The reason urged for this advance, was to prevent Bragg from sending reinforcements to General Johnston's army in Mississippi, against which General Grant was then moving. To all of these urgent de- mands, General Rosecrans replied that he would proceed provided they would send him sufficient reinforcements so
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that he could move forward, but at the same time have suf- ficient force to protect his lines over which his supplies must of necessity be brought. The Confederate cavalry greatly outnumbered that of Rosecrans, and cavalry was needed to meet the cavalry of the enemy. He then urged that he be supplied with saddles and bridles wherewith to mount some of his infantry. To all of these requests he re- ceived no favorable response. No one outside of the Army of the Cumberland seemed to realize the necessity of the army, that was being urged to push down into the heart of the enemy's country, over mountains and deep rivers, being supplied with sufficient force and properly equipped to meet the enemy on ground of his own choosing.
Finally General Rosecrans on June 8, decided to submit the case to his generals, and he sent out to them the fol- lowing letter through his Assistant Adjutant General, Colo- nel C. Goddard, marked "confidential." This letter was sent to Generals Brannan, Crittenden, Davis, Granger, John- son, McCook, Mitchell, Negley, Palmer, Reynolds, Rousseau, Sheridan, Stanley, Thomas, Turchin, VanCleve and Wood:
GENERAL :- In view of our present military position, the General commanding desires you to answer, in writing, according to the best of your judgment, the following questions, giving your reasons therefor:
1. From the fullest information in your possession, do you think the enemy in front of us has been so materially weakened by detachments to Johnston or elsewhere, that this army could advance on him at this time, with strong reasonable chances of fighting a great and successful battle?
2. Do you think an advance of our army at present likely to prevent additional reinforcements being sent out against General Grant by the enemy in our front?
3. Do you think an immediate advance of our army advisable? He desires you to reply to-night.
To this communication everyone of these generals an- swered in substance that he deemed it unwise under the ex- isting condition of affairs to begin a forward movement, un- less the army could be reinforced and supplied in accordance with the requests of General Rosecrans. All stated that from the best information they could gather, General Bragg was not sending away any of his troops and that his army
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was intact. Major General Thomas, who to-day is believed to be one of the very best of all of the Union generals, ad- vised very strongly against it. General James A Garfield, then chief of staff, was the only one who advised an ad- vance. General Rosecrans, however, on the 23d day of June, decided to move. The camps were soon alive with the preparations. Everyone almost, outside of the few who were fully cognizant of the exact situation of affairs, was re- joiced at the prospect of breaking the monotony of camp life for the excitement of a campaign. The Fourteenth and Twentieth corps, and the First and Second divisions of the Twenty-first, were at once put under marching orders, while General VanCleve, commanding the Third division of the Twenty-first Corps, this being the division to which the Eighty-sixth was assigned, received the following order, signed by Brigadier General J. A. Garfield, Chief of Staff, dated June 23, 1863:
BRIGADIER GENERAL H. P. VANCLEVE: On the departure of the army you will assume command of Fortress Rosecrans and the town of Murfreesboro until relieved by Major General Gordon Granger. You will so dispose the troops as to protect the town. You will see that all public property is removed within the fort; that all wagons belonging to the supply and baggage trains are brought inside the fortifications and properly parked near Stone's River. You will also assume com- mand of the hospitals and convalescent camp, and issue such orders for the policing and government of the camp and of the town as the nature of the case may require.
On the same day the foregoing order was issued, Gen- eral Gordon Granger, with the cavalry and mounted in- fantry, began the movement, followed on the next day by the entire army with the exception of General VanCleve's divis- ion. As soon as the army had moved out, General VanCleve at once disposed his command about the town, in the forti- fications and defenses, in the best possible manner to carry out the purport and meaning of his orders.
In this rearrangement of the troops the Eighty-sixth Indiana was moved from the camp that it had occupied dur- ing all of the time that it had been in Murfreesboro, and was posted on the opposite side of river toward Nashville, near
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to the Nashville and Chattanooga railroad. It was a relief to move even that short distance, and at once the men began to arrange for all the comforts that could be had in a camp. Their quiet was, however, very materially disturbed in a short time, for although they were not marched out, they soon learned of the following order that was received by General VanCleve, dated at Beech Grove, June 27, and signed by the Chief of Staff, General J. A. Garfield:
GENERAL: The general commanding directs you to put your com- mand in readiness to move. Send forward two brigades immediately, with a supply train to follow this column, and hold your remaining brig- ade in readiness to follow as soon as it is relieved by General Granger. The Chief Commissionary and Quartermaster will send orders for mak- ing up the train.
The order showed to the men of the Second brigade that they could not expect to remain very long. At once there was a great demand for writing materials, and the mails went out from camp well loaded with letters homeward bound detailing as fully as was known the movements of the army. This information, however, as is well-known to soldiers, was very meager as to exact details, but the imagina- tion and the "grape vine" had large drafts made upon them. The fact was that when two of the brigades of the division moved out, the remaining one would feel very lonely, and was very anxious to be relieved that it might join the advancing columns, although it was known that each day was developing the forces of the enemy and that there was "fighting out in front." The final order to move out was not received by General VanCleve for some four or five days when he received the following order, dated at Tulla- homa, July 2, and signed as usual by General Garfield :
BRIGADIER GENERAL H. P. VANCLEVE :- Your dispatch of yester- day is received. The General commanding directs you to move, with your two brigades, upon MeMinnville as soon as possible. General Gran- ger has been ordered to relieve you of the command of Murfreesboro. You are authorized to supply yourself with the necessary train from the empty wagons returning to Murfreesboro, if you cannot get your own. Occupy MeMinnville, and look out for Morgan. You may be able to cap- ture his camp at Sparta. Put the railroad in repair, so that you may supply your command from here.
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The departure of VanCleve's division from Murfrees- boro was not long drawn out, for on July 5, General Van- Cleve reported that his entire division was on the move for McMinnville. McMinnville was a little south of east from Murfreesboro, and was to be for the operations then in pro- gress by the Army of the Cumberland the extreme left of the army. The self-invited guests of this small town then on their way, were not the first that had visited the place. On April 20, General Joseph J. Reynolds, with a portion of his division of the Fourteenth corps, had visited the town with four thousand infantry, and twenty-six hundred cavalry. This party had destroyed at McMinnville two mills, and cap- tured a large amount of supplies that had been gathered there, besides one hundred and eighty prisoners, six hun- dred horses and mules, and retired to Murfreesboro.
McMinnville was important to the Confederate army as a place for gathering supplies, and it was for the purpose of crippling Bragg in this matter, and to protect the ex- treme left of General Rosencrans' army that VanCleve's division was sent there.
The march from Murfreesboro was one of the most severe of any of the marches ever taken by the Eighty-sixth. The sun was intensely hot, the roads were dusty, and water was scarce. Finally after reaching McMinnville it proved almost a veritable paradise for the brigade. At the time the troops reached there, July 6th and 7th, the fields were over- run with most delicious blueberries, very much resembling the blackberry, but large and sweet. These berries were in great abundance for several days, and they proved of im- mense benefit to the men. During the stay at McMinnville peaches of very fine quality were brought in for sale by the citizens, as well an abundance of fresh vegetables. Sick- ness disappeared from the ranks, and the men came into bet- health than they had had for months. The duty was light, although regular drills were resumed. Soon two of the brig- ades were moved away, and the Second brigade, under com- mand of Colonel George F. Dick, was left as the sole army occupant of McMinnville.
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Thus matters remained with the Eighty-sixth until the receipt of the following order from headquarters of the Third division, dated at Pikeville, Tenn., August 25, 1863, addressed to Colonel George F. Dick, commanding at Me- Minnville, and signed by Captain E. A. Otis, Assistant Adjntant General:
COLONEL: Your dispatch of the 23rd is received. The General wishes you to render Captain Stanage all the assistance in your power in getting up supplies. He is much gratified at the disposition of your forces, and the manner in which you have conducted affairs in MeMinn- ville.
As soon as you are relieved rejoin the division wherever it may be. I think a force under General Spears is intended as the permanent gar- rison at MeMinnville. Colonel Sullivan, of whom you speak, must be detained until a military court court can be convened to try him. We will make no more details from you, but will send an escort from here with each train. Send back by Colonel Wood all convalescents for First and Third brigades.
By this time the Army of the Cumberland had pushed its lines sonthward, driving General Bragg before it, until it had reached the Tennessee river, and was crossing over and taking up the pursuit south of that stream. On August 30, General Rosecrans, then at Stevenson, Alabama, ordered General VanCleve with his division to close down on him at Stevenson. This was the order that started the entire Third division of the Twenty-first corps on its way to join the main army where it merged into the column that moved down and into the Chickamauga campaign, which will be the subject of the next chapter. The departure from McMinnville September 3, marked the beginning of the Chickamauga campaign.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN.
General Rosecrans' Moves from Murfreesboro-Bragg is Driven from Tullahoma Over the Mountains and Out of Tennessee-A Most Skillful and Almost Bloodless Movement-The Eighty-sixth Leaves McMinnville-With the Brig- ade It Makes a Forced March-Down the Sequatehie Valley-Crosses the Tennessee-Rejoins the Division Near Ringgold-A Series of Confederate Blunders-A Narrow Escape for the Union Army-Playing for Position.
Intervening between the battles of Stone's River and Chickamauga in the Department of the Cumberland was what was, and is, known as the Tullahoma campaign. In this campaign the Eighty-sixth Indiana took no part, save and except in guarding the left flank of the army at McMinn- ville. To get a proper conception of the Chattanooga cam- paign which includes the battle of Chickamanga, it will be necessary to briefly write of the Tullahoma campaign. As shown in the preceding chapter, General Rosecrans, against his own judgment and that of the Generals of the Army of the Cumberland, decided in obedience to the demands of President Lincoln, and General Halleck, then in command of all of the Union armies, to move out of Murfreesboro and attack General Bragg. This was in June, 1863. General Bragg with his portion of the Confederate army was then occupying a strong portion, north of Duck River, in Ten- nessee. His infantry front extended from Shelbyville to Wartrace. On his extreme right his cavalry rested at Mc- Minnville. His left, with cavalry, was at Spring Hill and Columbia.
Chattanooga was his base, while Tullahoma was his chief depot of supplies. The front of the Confederate army was for the most part well protected with abatis. To add to
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the strength of his position protected by earthworks and the abatis, were the natural fortifications provided by the moun- tain ranges, and by reason of the fact that he held all of the passes through the mountains, which required but a very small portion of his effective force, he was able to concen- trate the remainder of his army at any desired point, without materially affecting his main line. The position of General Bragg, as can well be understood, was therefore a remark- ably strong one, both by nature and by the work of his army. To advance through this country successfully was no small task, and it is not to be wondered at, that General Rosecrans and his generals hesitated to undertake so arduous and dangerous campaign when it is understood that his army was even smaller than that of his opponent. Had he, Rose- crans, an army in point of numbers large enough to safely and successfully face General Bragg and hold his entire force in place, and then a sufficient force in addition, whereby he could flank the army of the enemy, and thus compel Bragg to abandon his works and either fight in an open field or re- treat, the campaign could then have been made with a rea- sonable degree of assurance. To undertake the campaign as General Rosecrans was compelled to make it, was to enter upon an undertaking with all of the chances for defeat. To the credit of General Rosecrans and the Army of the Cumberland, it can be truthfully said, no other army of the United States ever had to contend against so many odds, and no other army ever wrought such wonders of prowess and success as did this army.
With General Bragg's position so well chosen for defense, General Rosecrans had a right to believe that he would meet with the most stubborn resistance. The Army of the Cum- berland moved ont from Murfreesboro on June 23, 1863, to enter upon a series of campaigns, which, under the circum- stances, proved to be the most wonderful known in the annals of warfare. Only seven miles from Murfreesboro the cav- alry of the enemy were encountered, and after driving them through Hoover's Gap, a defile through hills three miles in length, the infantry was met in strong force. Such was the
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