USA > Indiana > The Eighty-sixth regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry : a narrative of its services in the civil war of 1861-1865 > Part 30
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General Jacob D. Cox, in his history of the campaign, speaking of the movements of the army and the concentra- tion of troops upon Dalton, or rather upon Rocky Face Ridge, says: "On the 4th of May, Schofield, marching out of East Tennessee by way of Cleveland and the old Federal Road, had crossed the Georgia line and reached Red Clay, passing by a part of the Fourth corps, which immediately ook up its march and moved to Catoosa Springs, while the rest of the Army of the Cumberland advanced to the imme- liate neighborhood of Ringgold, and the Army of the Tennes- see came close up on their right at Lee & Gordon's Mills. Sherman himself, was at the center with Thomas, and the whole army was well in hand, the extreme distance from McPherson to Schofield being about sixteen miles, in a line early at right angles to the road from Chattanooga to Dal- con, Thomas, whose force was nearly equal to Johnston's, being somewhat advanced beyond the wings." The Fourth corps was on the left of the Army of the Cumberland and hext to the Army of the Ohio, which was on the extreme left of the infantry line of Sherman's grand army.
On the morning of the 5th of May the Eighty-sixth was on duty on the picket line near Catoosa Springs, Georgia. Those members of the regiment who were on the line as sen- tinels at the time when the picket relief came, witnessed the opening of the campaign on the part of the Fourth corps. The advance of the picket or skirmish line was the first step. Hazen's brigade line was first advanced. A few shots were
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fired, but a slight resistance was offered, the enemy falling back quickly on the approach of the line of blue-coats. The Eighty-sixth was relieved by the Seventy-ninth Indiana, Col- onel Fred Knefler. The men of the Seventy-ninth were no sooner distributed upon the line than they, too, were ordered forward. The advance was handsomely made, with only a show of disputing the way, from the enemy's skirmishers. Immediately after the advance of the skirmishers the detail returned from the line of the reserve station and the regi- ment marched back to camp. The regiment remained here the rest of the day and the next day. Many of the boys vis- ited the Springs and drank of the water without asking leave, and looked through the hotel now deserted.
Reveille was sounded promptly by the buglers of the Third brigade at 3:30 on the morning of the 7th of May. The two years' field service at the front had taught the men that these orders meant business. There were no laggards that morning in the Eighty-sixth. The regiment marched out at 6 a. m., the hour's delay being occasioned by another division having the advance. The progress made was slow on account of the proximity of the enemy.
The season's entertainments were now opened. General Sherman had invited the boys to "a game of punch" with "bayonet trimmings" and "flash" accompaniments, and they could not well refuse so polite and cordial an invitation from such an urbane, courteous gentleman. The festival was now to begin-the ball was opened, at least the music- . ians were tuning their instruments to furnish the music. But it was the festival of death, the harvest of carnage, on the field of battle. The crackling fire of the skirmishers as they pressed forward upon the enemy could be plainly heard directly after the Eighty-sixth left camp, and grew in vol- ume as it advanced. It became quite warm work as the forces pressed steadily forward, and as they approached Tun- nel Hill it grew hotter and hotter, threatening a battle. The lines were formed ready for the contest. Here and there were seen a few great red drops spattered on the dry leaves of the forest. They were like the few scattering raindrops
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that precede the fast approaching thunder storm of a sum- mer afternoon. But this was to be a thunder storm of a dif- ferent character-a storm that was to be as terrific as the fiercest of the elemental storms, and it was to continue four long months, a storm whose raindrops were blood, whose hailstones were minie balls, shot shell and shrapnel, whose lightnings were flashes from the cannon's throat, whose thunders were the roar of batteries contending for the mas- tery; yet, into this fierce, pelting, destroying storm of human ingenuity, the Eighty-sixth resolutely pushed with bated breath.
As Tunnel Hill was approached, Union batteries opened upon the enemy from various points, and the skirmishers pressed courageously on and soon cleared the town and mounted the hill through which the railroad tunnel is made, and which gives the name both to the hill and the little town situated at the foot of its western slope. The hill itself is a low mountainous ridge extending nearly due north and south, and lying about one and a half miles to the west of a com- panion ridge which, however, is much higher and is known as Rocky Face Ridge. The low valley between these ridges was mostly wooded to the north, but opened by farms more to the south. The western slope of Rocky Face was heavily wooded throughout its length. The valley is almost unbroken by hills. Tunnel Hill is low in comparison with Rocky Face Ridge, which mounts to the height of eighteen hundred feet above sea level, and is crested with precipitous faces of quartz rock, making it insurmountable except where a few narrow clefts of the rock can be found. It was, however, practically impregnable. This ridge is broken by a deep gorge for the passage of Mill creek. Two miles and a half south of the tunnel is Tunnel Hill. The mountain south of the gorge still maintains its broken nature and rocky faces, and is called by the various names of Rocky Face Ridge, Buzzard Roost mountain, Chattooga and Chattogata moun- tains. Mill creek rises by two branches, one in Snake Creek Gap between Horn mountain and Buzzard Roost mountain, and the other to the west of Horn mountain. These branches
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unite at a point in the valley nearly west of Dug Gap, four miles south of Mill Creek Gap, thence running nearly due north until it reaches the gap and winds its devious course through the gap and among the hills until it reaches the Cooyehullee, a tributary of the Connasauga. The ends of these mountains, jutting upon this stream and forming the gorge, were known as Buzzard Roost, and the gap itself was commonly known as Buzzard Roost Gap. The mountain to the north of the gap is more rugged and broken than that to the south. The rocky palisades are higher and more diffi- cult to scale. The mountain south of Mill Creek Gap is broken by two slight passes known as Ray's or Mill Gap, and Dug Gap, Ray's Gap being directly west of Dalton. But they were securely guarded. Upon Rocky Face Ridge, north and south of the gap, were posted the forces of John- ston's army. His line of intrenchments only extended about two miles on the crest of the ridge north of the gap, then turned due east, and crossed Crow Creek Valley, and thus securely protected his right flank. Any force which General Sherman should detach to turn Johnston's right flank in this position would have to make a wide detour to round the north end of the mountain. It would be entirely separate, from the balance of the army, out of supporting distance, and would find itself confronting an almost impregnable line of breastworks. Thus Dalton was held securely on the north and west; for the ridge was a veritable rocky fortress, impregnable in front, and made apparently so on the flanks. It did look as though there was little hope of success when opposed by such barriers and such forces directed by such consummate skill, but General Sherman was alert to every movement.
The skirmishers having captured Tunnel Hill and pressed on across the valley to the foot of Rocky Face Ridge the columns of the Fourth corps mounted the hill. The Third brigade passed to the left, and the Eighty-sixth bivouacked in a dense thicket on the crest in full view of the rocky fortress across the valley. In front, and a little to the right, a rebel signal station on the crest of Rocky Face was
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busily engaged in sending orders or reports. The artillery to the right sent over a few rounds of shot and shell by way of introduction, and to get an exact idea of the distance from crest to crest. Troops continued to arrive and take their respective positions to right and left, showing that it was indeed a grand movement -- a movement in force which evi- dently meant hot work for all.
As night approached, the magnitude of the assembled hosts might be more nearly comprehended. Upon the rocky fortress were the mighty battalions of the enemy. But Sherman's army had come to stay, the summer, at least. It was a night never to be forgotten. The camp-fires were blazing for miles to right and to left, here for the blue, there for the gray. Along the crest of Tunnel Hill, on the hill- tops, in the valley, up the mountain side, everywhere, save beyond the enemy's lines, the blue-coats swarmed, and every- where their camp-fires flamed and leaped up as with joy in the clear cool air of the May evening. But high over all might be seen the great fires of the rebel host on the oppos- ing mountain's top, perhaps two thousand feet high. There the fires flamed up and threw a lurid glare around, ahnost dispelling the deepening shades of night. And there, too, around these fires loomed up against the dark sky beyond the long lank forms of the Southern soldiers as if only giants trod the distant mountain's crest.
The Union army alone numbered nearly one hundred thousand men and such a multitude is of itself a grand and memorable sight. But here in addition to the vast multi- tudes were the grand wagon trains that brought the provis- ions and the munitions of war; innumerable ambulances to carry away the sick and the wounded, and there were great parks of artillery, the bull-dogs of war, ready to tear and destroy. Everywhere could be heard the neighing steed, the blare of trumpet, the soul stirring drum, and the car piercing fife. In short, "here was all quality, pride, pomp, and circumstances of glorious war, " added to the grand nat- ural scenery of the place. The countless camp-fires gave the strong contrast of light to the deepening shades of night
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and made it inconceivableand and striking. It was a sight to compare with the grandest in nature in strong impressiveness. A falling avalanche, a storm at sea, a full flowing Niagara, might awaken kindred emotions to those which many experienced on beholding these vast armies swarming over hill, valley, and mountain, in the wild wood and on open plain, in the light of their camp-fires ready for the grapple which was to decide a nation's life or a nation's destruction.
In their mountain fastness, fortified and protected by all the arts known to the military scientist, and directed and led by their most astute commander, the enemy awaited the attack. General Johnston was noted for his skill and cau- tion. A veritable Fabius, he never sacrificed a man or a position save in the direst necessity. He made no rash attacks, but sought to tempt and lure his adversary to make the advances and to attack his well chosen positions. Cour- ageous and watchful, he was always ready to strike a counter-blow. This was the situation on the night of the 7th of May, 1864, when the two mighty armies lay, one upon Tunnel Hill, and the other upon Rocky Face Ridge.
On the morning of the 8th of May reveille was sounded at 3:30. The regiment was soon astir in its leafy covert, and breakfasted at an early hour on a soldier's fare, after which everything was speedily made ready for the performance of any duty. The day was Sunday, but the tireless leader's orders were to press the enemy at all points, presumably with the hope that by chance a weak point in his seemingly impregnable position might be found. At 9 o'clock a. m. the Eighty-sixth with the Third brigade, Third division, Fourth corps, filed out from its bivouac in the thicket. Reaching open ground, Colonel Dick gave the command, "Double column on the center by divisions at half distance-march." The command was executed at once. Thus formed the regi- ment closed up on the front line of battle to support it. These movements, together with those of other troops, were per- formed in full view of the enemy on the crest of the ridge, on the top of which they seemed to swarm like bees. But
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little time was given those in the ranks for taking observa- tions, as the regiment pressed forward, keeping well up in the line of battle. The line of battle itself keeping close up to a strong skirmish line that pressed resolutely forward. The skirmishers were apparently in bad humor and sent spiteful messengers from line to line. The rebel line was watchful and allowed no chance to escape without annoying the blue-coats by its fire. The line of battle was pushed ahead and the Eighty-sixth, under the watchful eye of Col- onel Dick, kept well up to its support in every move. The advance was very slow, but was continued, the line shifting back and forth, a strong effort being made to maintain a cor- rect alignment which was extremely difficult. Thus the day rattled on and on. About 3 o'clock having worked its way well upon the side of the mountain, the line of battle made a dash for the enemy. A hot fire was opened at once. The Eighty-sixth was ordered to lie down. This had been repeated a number of times during the day, but this proved to be hotter than those gone before. The batteries in the rear kept up almost a continuous fire upon the ridge and more especially upon the gap, so the din of battle roared the whole day through. Cox, in speaking of this day's contest. says: "At the center, Wood's division of the Fourth, Davis' of the Fourteenth and Butterfield's of the Twentieth corps. pushed back the enemy into the mouth of the gap." As the evening drew on, the fire of the contending skirmish lines slackened somewhat and the wearied soldiers reversed their bayonets, turning them upon their coffee in tincups, pro- cured water and prepared a soldier's meal, and slept for the night.
On the morning of the 9th, after a hasty morning meal, the Eighty-sixth was ordered about 6 o'clock to relieve the regiment on the front line. It was ordered to advance im- mediately upon taking the position held by the regiment on the line. The Eighty-sixth went forward steadily as could be done over the rocky mountain slope, maintaining its bat- tle-line fairly well until within a rod or so of the skirmishers on the line, where being exposed to a hot fire it was ordered
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to lie down. The enemy's skirmishers showed themselves to be excellent marksmen. The accuracy of their aim ren- dered it absolutely necessary to move with extreme caution. Sometimes the enemy would loosen a huge bowlder from the mountain's side near the top and give it a start when it would come thundering down with force enough to crush an elephant. But the men were on the alert and careful to make way for them and allow them an unobstructed descent. Although the men graciously gave the bowlders the right- of-way, they were none the less anxious to give their senders something else. Occasionally a fatally wounded man would utter a fearfully startling cry and sink to the ground, a vic- tim on the altar of his country. Cox in his account of this day, says: "During Monday, the 9th, Thomas and Schofield pressed Johnston's front at all points. The divisions of Hooker's, Palmer's, and Howard's corps in front of Buzzard Roost were engaged, and whilst there was no combined and determined assault of the Confederate lines in form, the attack was kept up with well supported skirmish lines, and Sherman's purpose of keeping his opponent fully occupied was well carried out." This is a fair, although brief state- ment of the fighting of the Army of the Cumberland on the 9th. But to make as great impression on the enemy as pos- sible, a massing of forces in front of the gap was ordered in the afternoon. About 4 o'clock the Eighty-sixth with the Third brigade was ordered to move by the right flank down upon the gap, or rather to close down upon the forces in its immediate front. The movement was executed in a very deliberate manner, exposing the brigade to a galling fire from the enemy's sharpshooters on the crest of the ridge. There was, however, no flinching and the men stood in ranks, or closed up the line, fronted, lying down when ordered, as deliberately as when in camp, maintaining their positions in ranks that they might be ready at any instant to repel an assault. Thus the brigade made its way slowly to the left front of the gap, the movements, indicating an intention of assaulting the gap, and the enemy seemed to be of this opinion. Here the fire of the enemy grew hotter and he
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seemed to be determined to kill all of the Yankees in sight. The Eighty-sixth was exposed and lost a number wounded. With Hoosier stubbornness it held its position without returning a shot, until near sundown when the regi- ment received orders to return to its former position. After supper the Eighty-sixth received orders to go on the skir- mish line. In a short time the regiment reached the reserve station and the men were promptly placed upon the line. The line was a strong one and a brisk fire was kept up. During the night the firing was not so brisk, yet it was suf- ficiently so to keep the respective lines of skirmishers apprised of the presence of the other. When daylight came again the firing quickened and a sharp outlook was necessary. The rocks and trees were fairly hugged, as the enemy's skirmishers had such perfect range that it was unsafe to show one's head. James Sipes, of Company A, had his cheek severely grained by a musket ball, tearing the skin sufficiently to make it extremely painful. This enraged Sipes and he swore vengeance on the whole "grayback " tribe. He allowed no chance of a shot to escape him and doubtless made the fellows up the mountain lie low for he was furious. The reserve station was but little better than the skirmish line, as the bullets rattled on trees and rocks around the station continually, and it seemed a miracle that so many escaped destruction. Just after dark the Eighty- sixth wa's relieved from the skirmish line by the Seventy- ninth Indiana, Colonel Fred Knefler in command. Colonel Dick promptly led the regiment to its position with the brig- ade near the foot of the ridge where it bivouacked for the night.
On the morning of the 11th, the fire of the enemy was very annoying and exasperating. being animated, well main- tained and accurate. A little after 8 o'clock the command retired somewhat to the left rear and was less exposed. The skirmish lines, however, continued a lively fire throughout the day, there being a number wounded. During the after- noon the division received orders to retire to Tunnel Hill immediately after dark. Sherman was preparing to place
1
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THE EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT,
his army in front of Resaca where McPherson had already preceded him. At the appointed hour Wood's division took position on Tunnel Hill and bivouacked there, feeling safe, as it was a good mile from the nearest enemy.
On the morning of the 12th the regiment was up by day- light. During the early morning the men had nothing to do but to look at the Twenty-third army corps as it marched to the right, the Fourth corps having preceded it to join Mc- Pherson before Resaca. Wood's division remained in bivouac on Tunnel Hill until 1 o'clock, when it was marched to the left into the valley to the support of Newton's division of the Fourth corps. The Eighty-sixth occupied a position quite near the front line for some time, but at length the whole division was again moved, this time to the left rear of New- ton's position. Here it was ordered to entrench, which was done by piling up rails and digging a trench, throwing the dirt to the front of the barricade. Wood's division thus in- trenched occupied the extreme left of the infantry line at Rocky Face Ridge. But still to Wood's left the cavalry of the two armies was doing some sharp fighting and an attack was expected, as Wheeler outnumbered the Union cavalry, and showed an ugly front. But it was not all fair sailing for the enemy. He had all the fighting he cared for, as his leader had been out-generaled at all points. By the night of the 12th Johnston was glad to let go of Dalton and his strong- hold on Rocky Face Ridge and Buzzard Roost (Mill Creek) Gap. He therefore abandoned all of his fortifications and his impregnable position to save his line of communication and retreat, and retired hastily to Resaca to face Sherman there. The Fourth corps was after him early on the morn- ing of the 13th, the cavalry pressing on at full speed, fol- lowed by the infantry. The corps rounded the north end of Rocky Face Ridge and passed near the mountain down Crow Valley and crossed the enemy's line of intrenchments, which were very strong, and soon came to a general camp. Near this camp were seen eighteen or twenty posts and as many graves. They were said to have been used to which de- serters were tied to be shot. Twenty men were said to have
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been executed here at one time by the order of General Braxton Bragg during the winter or spring. In the camp itself were many "stocks" used for punishing more trifling offenses. These were the first of the instruments of punishment the Eighty-sixth had ever seen, and many had no idea for what purposes they were intended to be used. General Willich said to a crowd that was examining the "stocks," "Phoys, you don't know what ees the greatest bunishment to these poor devils. Dey can't scratch when de lice bites 'em." This was received with a shout of laughter and the General rode on. As the regiment left the camp it bore off to the left and turned down Crow Valley proper and marched straight for Dalton, where Wood's division arrived about noon.
There was every evidence of haste on the part of the absconding enemy. Many had thrown away their knapsacks and all extra baggage in their hurry to flee from their pur- suers. The command proceeded at a good round pace about five miles farther and halted for supper. Shortly after sun- down it resumed its line of march, but at a much slower speed than before. The enemy's cavalry were now in front and showing a bold front, fighting over every inch of ground and obstructing the roads. Still General Howard forced his column forward several miles to the neighborhood of Tilton, six or seven miles distant from Resaca. Here the rebel cav- alry made a determined stand, and reinforced by some infant- ry under the command of General John C. Brown, showed a disposition to bring on an engagement. This was about 9 o'clock at night. The country, as well as the force of the enemy, being unknown to General Howard, he deemed it prudent to wait until daylight before attempting to force his way farther. Therefore, the command slept on its arms, but the enemy had enough to do to defend his own ground. The command was promptly astir at daybreak, but did not march until about 9 o'clock. After marching four or five miles the command was halted, the officers probably reconnoitering in the meantime. At length, the rest of the division was in position and the Third brigade was massed and held in reserve ready to go wherever needed. The com-
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THIE EIGIITY-SIXTH REGIMENT,
mand was now before the enemy's works at Resaca, where he again stood at bay as though it was "the last ditch "
Sherman's army was once more concentrated upon the enemy, and this time he was less favorably situated, although here he was quite strongly posted. The general alignment of the Union forces, moving to the attack of Johnston in his intrenchments around Resaca, was completed about noon on the 14th. The fighting was almost continuous and at times the ground was fiercely contested. Johnston evidently felt very sore that he had been so easily maneuvered out of Dal- ton and the impregnable position in its front, and wished to inflict a crippling blow at this point if possible, and was fighting with courage and determination to win the lost ground.
McPherson was on the right, then Thomas with Pal- mer's Fourteenth and Hooker's corps, in the order named, from the right, then came Schofield with the Twenty-third corps, with Howard's Fourth corps about one mile north of Schofield's left flank. Cox. in his history of the campaign giving the account of this day's doings, says: "Newton's and Wood's divisions of the Fourth corps marched to their support-Cox's division. The enemy fell back and estab- lished a new line several hundred yards further in the rear. Wood formed upon Cox's left, and Stanley's division was in echelon still beyond Wood's flank. " Victor, in his voluminous history of the Southern Rebellion, speaking of the Fourth corps, says: "The Fourth corps, under command of Major General Howard, the 'one-armed veteran,' as he is styled in the corps, played a very conspicuous part in the tragedy of war enacted on the 14th. All the corps, with the exception of Beatty's fighting brigade, for which room could not be found-as the circle was gradually compressed as it advanced -was engaged and covered itself with glory. Wood's divis- ion was ordered into position on the right of General Stan- ley, just before noon, and was soon hotly engaged with Hazen and Willich's brigades driving the enemy. For some time a destructive infantry and artillery fire was kept up, and soon his main line advanced in great strength upon the
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