USA > Indiana > The soldier of Indiana in the war for the union, Vol. I > Part 9
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THE SOLDIER OF INDIANA.
The National loss was nine killed, six of these were Indian- ians ; thirty-two wounded, - an extremely small loss for so severe a combat. It is affecting to see in the list of the killed, after the name of J. Urner Price, a member of the Fourteenth, the simple remark, " He died a Christian as he had lived one."
The Confederates had three guns disabled, and lost, accord- ing to their own account, fifty men. General Reynolds, whose estimation of numbers is always very moderate, reckoned their loss over two hundred.
On the return the Seventh discovered, to its consternation, that its banner was missing. The color-bearer, called to account, was obliged to confess, that, when the troops sup- porting the batteries were ordered to throw themselves on the ground, he had put the banner, for safe-keeping, in a fence- corner, or against a tree, and having fallen asleep, had forgot- ten it when roused to join in the attack on the enemy's right.
This ridiculous incident gave to the Seventh the title of Banner Regiment, - a title given in mockery, and received in some mortification, but fitting to be worn now in all honor by the men who fought at Port Republic. The battle of Greenbrier closed the campaign.
Milroy had been appointed Brigadier-General, September 3d; but a brigade was not assigned to him until the second week in October, when he was given the command of the brigade at Cheat Summit. He at once commenced an active system of daily scouting, particularly in the direction of Greenbrier, which place he supposed General Reynolds would attack again. Milroy's scouts several times passed around Greenbrier Camp, and had skirmishes with the Rebels on all sides of the fortifications. The enemy began to think their position unsafe, especially as Jackson, who had now with- drawn from the Cheat Mountain region, had greatly dimin- ished their number; and they fell back nine miles, to a point on the Alleghanies, which they strongly fortified.
General Milroy, with a portion of his forces, followed them up the day after they fell back ; he found a large amount of camp equipage about the deserted fortifications, with several . pugnacious epistles addressed to him and his troops. He followed to the immediate vicinity of Alleghany Summit,
95
IN THE WILDERNESS.
where he captured a Georgia soldier, from whom he learned the situation and strength of the forces there.
General Milroy gave his personal attention to every duty, and frequently hastened a lingering job with the strength and skill of his own arm. On one occasion, thinking that his men were long in repairing a bridge, he got off his horse and went into the water up to his waist, to assist in arrang- ing the logs. While he was at this work, a teamster came along and commenced cursing the men for their tardiness. The General looked up and said, " You look pretty stout ; suppose you give us a lift." " See you damned first !" was the surly reply. " Look here," said the General, " if you give us any more of your abuse, I'll come up there and pummel your head with a stone." The teamster went on, and soon met with an acquaintance of whom he inquired, " Who is that gray-headed cuss back there at the bridge ? He's mighty sassy." " Why !" exclaimed the acquaintance, " that's our Old Gray Eagle !" The teamster, who already had had some misgivings, returned to apologize.
Much time was spent in building substantial cabins. The sound of the axe and the saw, accompanied by joke and song, enlivened the forest, and gave promise of comfort to the coming winter. The last week in October the troops were inspected by Major Slemmer, of Fort Pickens' fame. He gave them high praise, not only for the cleanliness of their camps and clothes, and for the brightness of their arms, but for the superiority of their discipline. He ranked them among the best drilled in the service.
October 28th, the Thirteenth left camp on a reconnoi- tring expedition through the southern part of Randolph, and through Webster county. They took no baggage, carried their provisions, which consisted of four days' rations, on mules, and were prepared with axes to chop their way. They plunged, almost at once, into a pathless wilderness, through which they were five days journeying. They were frequently obliged to cut a passage through dense thickets ; and once could find no place for their feet except in the bed of the Holly, which they traversed eight miles. They slept nightly on beds of moss, which were softer than the finest mattresses,
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THE SOLDIER OF INDIANA.
but saturated with rain. The 1st of November, at noon, while they were at the foot of a steep mountain covered with trees and underbrush, a heavy volley was poured on them from above. Two companies immediately charged up the mountain, although no enemy was visible. They soon dis- covered the ambush, and drove the enemy back about three hundred yards. At this distance the Rebels rallied, and again seeking shelter, continued the fight for a very short time, when they fled. The Thirteenth, being already weary with a march of eighteen miles, encamped on the spot for the night. Beyond the Little Kanawha they discovered a block-house, evidently newly built. They approached with some caution, but found, to their surprise and delight, that the garrison, con- sisting of nearly a hundred, was loyal. The mountaineers of the region, who were faithful to the Government, had found it necessary to defend themselves from the Moccasin Rangers, a military company sworn to exterminate Union citizens, and had just finished the fort, in which they expected to find protection until they could call for and receive assistance. The spectacle of sturdy patriotism afforded by these honest mountaineers repaid the soldiers for many a weary mile ; and the hearty sympathy and admiration they bestowed was not less grateful to the Virginians. They met and parted with the cordiality of brothers.
The Thirteenth took the Rebel mail, on the line of commu- nication between two portions of the Rebel Army, a large quantity of Confederate money, and thirteen rancorous Seces- sionists, four of whom were bushwhacking at the time of their capture. The remaining seven belonged to the military company of which mention has already been made. The prisoners were preposterous specimens of humanity, savage and snaky, like Indians, - but stupid in countenance, drawling in speech, lathy in form, and dangling in movement. They evinced no distress, nor anxiety, nor curiosity, nor regret. They seemed passionless, yet they had shown themselves fearfully blood-thirsty.
The Thirteenth reached camp, hungry, haggard, and dilap- idated, but well satisfied with having explored in nine days one hundred and eighty miles of the wildest region in West Virginia.
97
BATTLE OF ALLEGHANY.
General Reynolds and the larger number of his troops were ordered to leave West Virginia about the first of De- cember. General Milroy was put in command of Cheat Mountain district, embracing the posts of Beverly, Hutton- ville, Elk Water, and Cheat Mountain ; and one regiment was assigned to each post. Being left to himself, with the Ninth Indiana, the Twenty-fifth and Thirty-second Ohio, Second Virginia, and Bracken's Cavalry, Milroy immediately commenced preparations to attack the Rebel works at Alle- ghany Summit. The Thirteenth Indiana, although under orders to leave, had not yet left Beverly on the 12th of De- cember; and General Reynolds, who was also still at Bev- erly, sent up about three hundred of the Thirteenth, and one hundred of the Thirty-second Ohio. These, with the Ninth Indiana, (five hundred,) Twenty-fifth Ohio, (four hundred,) Second Virginia, (two hundred and fifty,) and about thirty of the Rangers, moved on the 12th toward the Confederate camp. At Greenbrier, the old Camp Bartow, about eleven o'clock at night, Milroy divided his forces, and sent Colonel Moody with the Ninth and the Second Virginia to make a détour to the right for the purpose of reaching the left flank of the Rebels, which commanded the Staunton turnpike. Milroy left Greenbrier about an hour after Colonel Moody, and going on the direct road, reached the vicinity of the Con- federate works about daylight, a little later than the concerted time of attack.
He sent his detachment to the left up the hill. At the top they fell in with a strong picket-guard, which they endeavored to capture, to prevent discovery, as they were directed to remain in the woods until they heard firing from Moody, at the other side of the camp. A part of the pickets escaped and gave the alarm ; and when Milroy's detachment emerged from the woods, it was met by the whole Confederate force, about two thousand strong. After a desperate engagement of about half an hour, the enemy was driven into his works, which consisted of huts, built so that they formed fortifica- tions with a hollow square. Milroy's men charged gallantly in after them, and for a time held part of their works. They were forced back, but repulsed the Rebels with great loss to
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THE SOLDIER OF INDIANA.
them every time they attempted to advance beyond their works. The fight was thus kept up until the Union troops had no more ammunition, and hearing nothing of Colonel Moody on the other side, became discouraged. General Milroy was reluctantly compelled to retire from the conflict. He carried with him his wounded, and thirty prisoners, and retired in good order.
Scarcely had Milroy reached the base of the hill, when Moody arrived at the top on the other side. He had been detained, first by the wretched nature of the roads, afterwards by obstructions of trees and brush. Near the camp the * obstructions were so great, it was almost impossible to advance. The sound of cannon seemed to restore the ex- hausted strength of his men. They made their way over breastworks and through ditches until the very last line was reached. There they fought four hours with fiery and desper- ate energy, but neither the valor nor skill of so small a force could avail against the whole Confederate power massed at this point; and baffled, overcome, they were at last obliged to turn and retreat.
Could Colonel Moody have attacked simultaneously with Milroy, there is little doubt that the assault would have been a complete success. As it was, it was a melancholy, an utter failure.
Costly blood sprinkled that Rebel hill; and not the least precious was that of Joseph Gordon, a beautiful, brave youth, whose culture, talent, and lofty aspirations gave promise of a noble career. Shot in the forehead, he fell almost at the cab- ins of the enemy, and while his clear, young voice, calling to - his comrades to " Come on!" was still ringing through the woods.
The number of National troops killed was twenty-four ; wounded, one hundred and seven ; missing, ten. The exact amount of the enemy's loss is not known.
99
BRACKEN RANGERS.
CHAPTER IX.
THE BRACKEN RANGERS.
DURING the months of August and September Bracken's Rangers were employed night and day, - nearly all the time on half rations, seldom on full, frequently without any. Hay was furnished as it could be procured in the neighborhood ; corn and oats from Webster by wagon, a distance of over fifty miles. Early in October they were sent to Beverly to rest and to pasture the horses. In November they were recalled, excepting a small number, and scattered about among the different posts. Those remaining in Beverly had the county jail - a large, comfortable, two-story brick building - assigned them as winter-quarters. They had charge of the prisoners captured, conveying them from time to time to Grafton, for transportation to prison at Columbus, Ohio. This duty was severe, as it was performed in midwinter, when the roads were almost impassable. A progress of a mile an hour was "on time." When from necessity the speed was increased to a mile and a half an hour, both pris- oners and guard suffered and complained.
The efforts of the members of the company to be Rangers not only in name but in fact, fully succeeded. They were to be found wherever there was " forage and rations," and some- times where there was neither. They made an unusual number of acquaintances. Even the Secesh girls, who had " cousins " in the Rebel Army, did not hesitate to give them a bright smile. This happy disposition to wander led to the discovery of the hiding-places of wild turkeys, geese, ducks, and such other animals as are accustomed to make sudden attacks on soldiers, biting them severely. Their quarters, New-Year's eve, were filled with these dangerous animals, the Rangers intending to guard them till high noon, when they would take ample satisfaction for all past sufferings. But
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THE SOLDIER OF INDIANA.
the General had prepared a different feast. Daylight found them mounted, their horses' heads turned southward toward their old camping-ground at Huttonville.
An expedition had been planned against 'Huntersville, a rendezvous and depot of supplies for the Rebel Army and guerrillas. Detachments from the Second Virginia, Twenty- fifth Ohio, Bracken's Cavalry (under Lieutenant Delzell), in all six hundred men, under the command of Major Webster, of the Twenty-fifth Ohio, formed the expedition. They encamped that night at Big Spring, - so named from one of the large and beautiful springs common in these moun- tains. No one in that command will forget the darkness of that night, or the terrible wind which swept down the mountain gorges.
Taking a soldier's breakfast, the troops pushed on, not only success but their safety depending upon their reaching Huntersville before reinforcements could be sent there. The second night they encamped at the commencement of a blockade of the road made by Lee's army on its retreat from Elk Water the previous September. It was formed of felled trees, was a mile in extent, and in some places twenty feet high. It formed a complete defence, impassable even to a footman. Gathering pine boughs for beds, the troops clus- tered around the fires which lighted the gloomy aisles of the pine forest. The Rangers, as usual, faring better than their comrades, had saddles for pillows. Leaving the wagons the next morning, they scaled the mountain sides, the cavalry horses being led over untrodden paths. By ten o'clock they had reached the open road. At the bridge over Greenbrier River, the enemy was first discovered in strong works, pre- pared to dispute the passage; but the cavalry fording the river above the bridge, the enemy fled without firing a gun.
Major Webster pushed on to Huntersville, six miles dis- tant, meeting with no resistance, until reaching the valley in which the town is situated. The Rebels, strongly posted, opened fire upon the advancing troops, who instantly formed into line and charged into town. The Rebels retreated. It was but the work of an hour to destroy the village and a large amount of army stores. Major Webster immediately
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BRACKEN RANGERS.
started on his return. He reached camp the seventh day, without the loss of a man.
The Rangers resumed their usual occupation of scouting, guarding prisoners, and carrying messages, when Captain Bracken was ordered to proceed, via Buckhannon and Clarksburg, to Parkersburg. The place was reached about the first of February. Comfortable quarters and sufficient forage were for the first time furnished the horses.
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THE SOLDIER OF INDIANA.
CHAPTER X.
THE TWO SCOUTS. BY W. B. F.
ON the morning of the 26th of July, General Rey- nolds and staff left the little town of Webster, and took up the line of march southward along the Staunton 'pike. The day was hot and dusty. A few straggling soldiers were found along the road, -and occasionally an army-wagon came lumbering down the hills. One day's rations in our haversacks prevented our stopping by the way for dinner. So we rode steadily onward till we came to Philippi, where Clark and I called upon some of our old acquaintances, who were much surprised to see us, as they had bidden us good-bye only a few days before, expecting never to see us again. We told them that we had made up our minds to serve under the new General during the war. Philippi had resumed its business-looks, and we passed through, going on some six miles, and reached our camp on the farm of Mr. Thompson, - or the Half-way House, as it is called, being half-way between Philippi and Bealington.
Early in the morning, as we were striking tents, Old Thompson came down and presented a bill of ten dollars for camping on his farm. General Reynolds asked if he was a Union man. He said he was; but nevertheless demanded damages for our lodgings; and received a damning at the hands of Captain Keyes of the First Pennsylvania Cavalry who was acting as escort to the General.
We resumed our march, stopping a few moments at El- liott's, and at the old Rebel camp at Laurel Hill, where we took in a stranger, who proved to be Larz Anderson, brother of Major Anderson, (of Fort Sumter,) who was going to Beverly to see his sons, who were in the Sixth Ohio. We had quite a pleasant ride over a good road, through a pictu- resque country, not thickly inhabited, and at four P. M. arrived
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A LAZY GENERAL.
at Beverly, where we made a halt of an hour, while General Reynolds gave some orders. Here we found the Sixth Ohio and First Virginia regiments, and Bracken's Indiana Cavalry.
About five we started on southward, crossing and recrossing Tygart's Valley River, which grows smaller continually and more crooked, and more cramped in among the mountains. The scenery was grand and imposing. The narrow valley was locked in by mountain barriers, which seemed piled up, roll upon roll, away into the blue mists of the summer even- ing. We advanced along narrow passes, turned and crossed the river repeatedly, -and went on, - locked in by steeper, more wild and wrangled heaps of land and rock and woods: such was the journey on to Huttonsville.
Huttonsville consists of a bridge, a barn, storehouse, man- sion, and stable, - all but the bridge belonging to Mr. Hutton. Crossing the river, and proceeding some three miles, we come to what seems the end of the valley, where we see in the twilight the flickering of a thousand camp-fires. We pass the sentinel, cross Tygart's Valley River once more, and find ourselves in camp at Cheat Mountain Pass. We ride down the clean wide streets, and halt before the tent of Colonel Sullivan, Thirteenth Indiana Volunteers, where we dismount from our weary horses, and partake of the Colonel's coffee ; and after listening to the band which serenade our General, we roll ourselves up in our blankets, and are soon dreaming as only a tired soldier can dream.
July 28th, we were up early, trying to draw rations for our men; but General Sleigh, who was then in command, would not sign a requisition. In fact, he would n't " attend to any d-d business" before nine in the morning. I did not feel like waiting for General Sleigh that long. I knew General Reynolds would take command that day, so I in- formed him what my opinion was of a young General who would lie there in his tent and keep fifty men hungry. He swore he would have that fool arrested, but did n't come out of his tent. I went to a wagon and took what provisions were needed, and at last we had our breakfast. In looking around the camp, I found several Indiana boys, all looking well and full of life.
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THE SOLDIER OF INDIANA.
Camp Cheat Mountain Pass seemed shut in from all the world, for the mountains, with their tops lost in the cloudy mist, stand up on every side.
HUTTONSVILLE
TO HUNTERSVILLE
CAMP CHEAT MT. PASS.
TOP CHEAT MT.
R
CHEA
On the east side of the camp was the pass out of the valley. Upon the highest peak, from the tallest pine-tree, waved the Stars and Stripes.
On the 28th, by order of General Reynolds, Clark, John- ston, and myself explored the mountains on the east, to find if it was possible for the enemy to make any approach from that side. We found this wilderness of woods uninhabited and inaccessible, except to deer and bear, or the most ener- getic scouts.
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ANTICIPATIONS.
In the evening I examined a few men who resided south- ward among the mountains, and who were fleeing from the Rebels, as Union men. I drew from their description a map, giving every house, and the name and supposed sentiments of the inhabitants.
On the morning of the 29th of July, General Reynolds and staff went up the mountain to the camp and fortifica- tions situated on the top. The day was very pleasant. The road is good, - winding, serpent-like, up the mountain-side. Large trees, overhanging, shut out the sky above, and looking downward, we see tree-tops pointing upward to us. We can see the camp of Cheat Mountain Pass, like a map, in the valley. The river winds away into the hidden passes that give it outlet to the country beyond. The flag which, at the pass, seemed so high above us, now is a speck at our feet, which we can scarcely discern as it plays in the wild breeze. Up higher yet among the mist, and we arrive at the top. Here we find a level, where some bold farmer has located. Yes, on a mountain-top we find fertile fields and springs. This peculiarity of this branch of the Alleghany Mountains has given it the name of Rich Mountain Range. We spent some hours reviewing the works, and went to the very front and watered our horses in Cheat River. I thought what a pleasant trip it would be to start at its head-waters, and follow its foaming current to where it empties into the Mo- , nongahela.
I asked Clark where it came from. He replied it came · from the " Big Spring," to whose waters were added a thou- sand other mountain springs, but the Big Spring, or " divid- ing waters," gave it birth.
" We will take a trip up that way some day," said I.
July 30th, Clark and I were arranging our tent, when Gen. Reynolds called us to him, and informed us that the enemy were supposed to be somewhere in the neighborhood of the Big Spring, and he wanted us to go out on the Huntersville road and learn the situation of the enemy. He ordered us to ride our horses as far as the pickets, and then go on foot, and to report to him by the next evening. It was then about 7 A. M., and one of the pleasantest days we had had. We were
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THE SOLDIER OF INDIANA.
soon mounted. With a little hard bread in our pockets, and our revolvers in our belts, we were ready for a two days' scout. Clark had on a pair of dark pants, an army shirt, and a green flannel frock, - formerly a part of the uniform of the (Rebel) Washington Battery, which had been given to him by General Morris after the battle of Cheat River, - and a black felt hat, the worse for wear. I had put on a dark frock-coat of Clark's, a felt hat belonging to our ambulance- driver, and a pair of gray pants, also captured among Rebel uniforms at Cheat River.
After starting, Clark says, "Fletcher, I don't like this going on foot. Suppose we ask to go all the way, or as far as we choose, on our horses." " I am in the habit of obeying or- ders just to the letter without questioning, but will venture to ask a change in this case." So we rode back ; but the General did not change his order, and away we went. On the road leading southwest from camp, and right up Tygart's Valley River, which we cross and recross any number of times, we saw some men lounging by Conrad's Mills, and asked a few questions, which were answered in a manner that led us to think they were " Secesh." An hour's ride and we came to the picket, six miles out. We gave an officer of the picket General Reynolds's order to move four miles further and take charge of our horses.
We left our horses with the picket, by a little log house, which had long been deserted, or perhaps had been built for a country school-house, and so little used that trees had grown up under the eaves, hiding it from view.
After firing off our revolvers and reloading, we started off down the road. Passing a few deserted farms, we found the country more broken, the valley narrower, and the river cross- ing and recrossing the road every few yards. Soon we came to a little farm-house, where a young man was mending a harrow near the door.
" Can we get dinner here ?" I asked. "I reckon," was the reply. We then had some conversation about the country. He said the " Yankees had taken his corn, and paid him for it in Ohio money, which he could not use. But he did not seem inclined to speak out his Rebel feelings, as he did not
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SCOUTING.
know how we stood. His wife came to the door ; she was of the dish-rag and broomstick sort.
" How long will it be till we have dinner ?" Mr. Clark asked. "Jist when you git it," said she, going into the house, saying something about "nasty Yankees." We moved on, giving up all idea of dinner at that house. Some two miles brought us to another cabin, where we found a native, with a wife and nine children, - the oldest about sixteen, - and all living in one small room. Each had a corn-cob pipe ;- even the baby was playing with one.
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