USA > Massachusetts > History of the Thirty-sixth regiment Massachusetts volunteers. 1862-1865 > Part 10
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 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
" At length, the ominous silence was broken by the discharge of a single piece of artillery from the brow of a hill to our right. Artillery had been planted on each of the hill-tops in the vicinity, -some being occupied by the enemy, and some by our- selves, - and now, in a few moments after the discharge of this pioneer piece, a brisk fre was opened from them all. Thunder peals burst forth and answered each other in quick succession : and, like destroying angels, the huge missiles flew through the den-e atmosphere with an unearthly shrieking. Under the exhilaration of this stir- ring martial serenade, and the animating words of the colonel of the regiment (wlio seemed everywhere present), the line was put in motion, and, encountering a ereck, Plunged through, regardless of the cold.
"After ascending a hill, and advancing a few hundred yards in the open field be- Fond, the command was suddenly ordered to fall back, and accordingly faced about and moved in retreat to the brow of the hill just passed, where it occupied a line of ride-pits located at that point. This retrograde movement, suggestive of ill, and at fint inexplicable, was soon accounted for in a manner that filled every heart with sor- row, and shrouded every countenance in gloom. We had been in the riffe-pits but a short time when day began to dawn. The firing ceased for the most part ; only a stray stu Il now and then richocheted through our line, or burst above our heads. While thus 8
114
THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
November,
Our only loss in the Thirty-sixth Massachusetts was private Haven, of Company G, who died of wounds received from a shell.
Longstreet had promised his men that they should dine that day in Knoxville. But, in order that he might bury his dead, General Burnside now tendered him an armistice until five o'clock P.M. It was accepted, and our ambulances were sent to assist the rebels in removing the bodies to the enemy's lines. At five o'clock two additional hours were asked, as the work was not yet completed. At seven o'clock a gun was fired from Fort Sanders, the rebels responded from an earthwork opposite, and the truce was at an end.
General Longstreet, in his official report, says : "On the 26th and 27th we had various rumors of a battle having been fought at Chattanooga, the most authentic being from tele- graph operators. There seemed to be so many reports lead- ing to the same conclusion that I determined that I must attack, and, if possible, get possession of Knoxville. The attack upon the fort was ordered on the 28th, but, in order to get our troops nearer the works, the assault was postponed until daylight of the 29th. The line of sharp- shooters along our entire front were ordered to be advanced at dark to within good rifle-range of the enemy's lines, and to sink rifle-pits during the night in their advanced positions, so that the sharp-shooters along our whole line might engage
waiting in the rifle-pits, expecting, with much solicitude, the denouement, a solitary lit- ter was seen advancing toward us over the field in our front; then another and an- other, and anon a sad procession was silently threading its way to the rear. No words were required to convey the sad tidings. The blood dripping from the litters, and the occasional groans of their mangled occupants, who had led in the charge, as they passed through our line on their way to the rear, apprised ns, more unmistakably than language could have done, of the woful fact of the morning's disaster. The charge, though gallant, was unsuccessful, and five hundred noble Mississippians lay dead or dying in the moat that surrounded the fort upon which the attack had been made. A truce had been early secured, and all day long the sad procession moved on, silently and mournfully, in the di-charge of its duty.
" Among the many inexpressibly sad days of our military career, no member of the regiment will, I am sure, fail to recognize this, the 29th day of November, 1863. as one of the most -ad. All through that dismal day the words were ever recurring - ' These are they who have passed through great tribulation.'" - pp. 24-27.
1463.
115
THE SIEGE OF KNOXVILLE.
the enemy upon an equal footing, whilst our columns made the assault against the fort. Our advance at night was very successful, capturing sixty or seventy prisoners without any loss. The assault was ordered to be made by three of Gen- (ral MeLaws' brigades, his fourth being held in readiness for further operations. General Jenkins was ordered to advance a brigade a little later than the assaulting columns, and to pass the enemy's lines east of the fort, and to continue the attack along the enemy's rear and flank. Two brigades of Major-General Buckner's division, under Brigadier-General B. R. Johnson, having arrived the day before, were ordered to move in rear of General MeLaws, and, at a convenient distance, to be thrown in, as circumstances might require. On the night of the 28th General McLaws' letter of that date was received. General MeLaws' letter was shown to General Leadbetter, and my answer was read to him. General Leadbetter then suggested the postscript which I added to the answer. The assault was made, at the appointed time, by Generals Wofford's, Humphrey's, and Byron's bri- gades. The troops were not formed as well to the front as they should have been. Their lines should have been formed close upon our line of rifle-pits, which would have given them about two hundred yards to advance under fire. In- stead of this, the lines were formed several hundred yards in rear of the pits. My orders were that the advance should be made quietly until they entered the works, which was to be announced by a shout. The troops moved up in gallant style. As I approached the troops they seemed to be in good order at the edge of the diteh, and some of the colors appeared to be on the works. When in about five hundred yards of the fort I saw some of our men straggling back, and heard that the troops could not pass the ditch for want of ladders or other means. Almost at the same moment I aw that the men were beginning to retire in considerable numbers, and very soon the column broke up entirely and fell back in confusion. I ordered Buckner's brigades halted
116
THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
November,
and retired, and sent the order for Anderson's brigade, of Hood's division, to be halted and retired ; but the troops of the latter brigade had become excited, and rushed up to the same point from which the others had been repulsed, and were soon driven baek. Officers were sent to rally the men, and good order was soon restored." 1
1 Rev. J. William Jones, D.D., Secretary of the Southern Historical Society, kindly permitted the writer, when in Richmond, Va., in April, 1880, to copy from General Longstreet's letter-book two letters, which are of interest in this connection. The first is as follows : -
"HEAD-QUARTERS, Nov. 28, 1863.
"GENERAL, - Your letter is received. I am not at all confident that General Bragg has had a serious battle at Chattanooga; but there is a report that he has, and fallen baek to Tunnel Hill. Under this report I am entirely convinced that our only safety is in making the assault upon the eneiny's position to-morrow at daylight; and it is the more important that I should have the entire support, and all the force that you may be possessed of, in the execution of my views. It is a great mistake to suppose that there is any safety for us in going to Virginia, if General Bragg has been defeated, for we leave him at the merey of his victors; and with his army destroyed, our own had better be also, for we must not only be destroyed, but disgraced. There is neither safety nor honor in ony other course than the one that I have already chosen and ordered.
"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
" J. LONGSTREET, Lieutenant-General.
"MAJOR-GENERAL MICLAWS, Commanding.
"The assault must be made at the time appointed, and must be made with a deter- mination which will ensure success. J. L."
The second letter is as follows : -
" HEAD-QUARTERS, Nov. 28, 1863.
" GENERAL, - Your letter is received. The work of the enemy is not enclosed. The ditch is probably at some points not more than three feet deep, and five or six feet wide. At least, we so judged it yesterday in looking at a man walk down the parapet and over the ditch. I thought that you saw the man, as you had been with us. I have no apprehension of the result of the attack, if we go at it with a determi- nation to accomplish it. We should avail ourselves of everything, however, that may aid or relieve us.
" After our first brigade has gained the enemy's lines, I desire that it should wheel to the left, and pursue the attack to the left along the enemy's rear, and on to his right, and your other brigade should conform to this movement. Johnson's division will be ordered to follow it.
" Keep your men well at their work, and don't listen to the idea of failing, and we shall not fail. If we go in with the idea that we shall fail, we will be sure to do so. But no men who are determined to succeed can fail.
" Let ine urge you not to entertain such feelings for a moment. Don't let any one fail, or anything.
" Most respectfully,
" J. LONGSTREET, Lieutenant-General. "GENERAL M. JENKINS, Commanding Dirision."
117
THE SIEGE OF KNOXVILLE.
1503.
We spent the day following the attack on Fort Sanders in strengthening our rifle-pits. The lines were now much nearer to those of the enemy. In some places not more than one hundred yards separated them. Our shells troubled the rebels when they relieved their picket in the forenoon. In the afternoon we received official notice of Bragg's defeat at Chattanooga. The night that followed was bitter cold, and our thinly elad men suffered much.
The next day, December 1st, General Burnside issued an order thanking his troops for their endurance and bravery, and congratulating them on their recent successes, and the success of Grant at Chattanooga. At noon, by order, a single gun - we were short of ammunition - was fired from Battery Noble, and the troops, standing in the trenches, gave three cheers for the victories we had won. They were hearty cheers, as the rebels across the ravine could testify. And they knew, too, what those cheers meant. Having de- feated Bragg, General Grant was hurrying troops forward to relieve the besieged in Knoxville. Finding General Granger, whom he had selected for that task, lacking in energy, he turned the command over to General Sherman, November 29th, with orders to push on as rapidly as possible.1 At the
1 HEAD-QUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, Nov. 29, 1863.
MAJOR-GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN : -
News was received from Knoxville to the morning of the 27th. At that time the place was still invested, but the attack on it was not vigorous. Longstreet is evidently determined to starve the garrison ont; Granger is on the way to Burnside's relief, but I have lost all faith in his energy or capacity to manage an expedition of the impor- tance of this one. I am inclined to think, therefore, I shall have to send you. Push as rapidly as you can to the Tennessee, and determine for yourself' what force to take with you from that point; Granger has his corps with him, from which you will select in conjunction with the force now with you. In plain words, you will assume command of all the forces now moving up the Tennes-ec, including the garrison at Kingston, and from that force organize what you deem proper to relieve Burnside. The balance send back to Chattanooga. Granger has a boat loaded with provisions, which you can issue, and return the boat ; I will have another loaded to follow you. U'se, of course, as sparingly as possible from the rations taken with you, and subsist off the country all you can.
It is expected that Foster is moving, by this time, from Cumberland Gap, on Knox- ville. I do not know what force he will have with him, but presume it will range
ʻ
118
THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
December,
same time he sent a despatch to General Burnside congratu- lating him on the tenacity with which he had held out against vastly superior forces, and informing him of the movements in progress for his relief. By order of General Grant a copy of this despatch was suffered to fall into the enemy's hands, and from it, December 1st, Longstreet learned of Sherman's advance. Burnside did not receive the despatch till the following day. Longstreet now saw that the siege must be raised at once, and he made his preparations accordingly.1
December 2d it was rumored that General Burnside's resignation of his command had been accepted at Washing- ton, and that he was to be relieved by General Foster, who was said to be at Tazewell, - a rumor by no means pleasing to the Ninth Corps. At nine o'clock in the evening there was an alarm, and we stood in our places in the trenches expecting an attack.
On the following day the enemy were very quiet, and we thought there were some indications that they were prepar- ing to raise the siege. The number of their piekets was manifestly less than usual. The faet was that their wagon- trains were that day put in motion, and on the night of De- cember 4th the rebels withdrew from their lines around Knoxville, crossed the Holston, and moved up the north bank of the river. The retreat was discovered early in the morning by the pickets of the Thirty-sixth Massachusetts, under Captain Ames. of Company B, who had the honor of first reporting that the siege of Knoxville was raised.
from three thousand five hundred to five thousand. I leave this matter to you, know- ing that you will do better acting upon your discretion than you could trammelled with instructions. I will only add, that the last advices from Burnside himself indicated his ability to hold out with rations only to about the 3d of December.
Very respectfully,
U. S. GRANT, Major General Commanding.
1 In his report, General Longstreet says: " As our position at Knoxville was somewhat complicated, I determined to abandon the siege, and to draw off in the direction of Virginia, with an idea that we might find an opportunity to strike that column of the enemy's forces reported to be advancing by Cumberland Gap. The orders to move in accordance with this view were issued on the 2d of December."
119
THE SIEGE OF KNOXVILLE.
1863.
Sherman was then at Marysville, and December 5th sent the following note to Burnside : "I am here, and can bring twenty-five thousand men into Knoxville to-morrow ; but Longstreet having retreated, I feel disposed to stop, for a stern chase is a long one. But I will do all that is possible. Without you specify that you want troops, I will let mine rest to-morrow, and ride in to see you." Accordingly Sher- man halted his troops, except two of Granger's divisions, and December 6th he entered Knoxville, and reported in person to General Burnside.
In his official report General Sherman says : "On the morn- ing of December 6th I rode from Marysville into Knoxville, and met General Burnside. General Granger arrived later in the day. We examined his lines of fortifications, which were a wonderful production for the short time allowed in their selection of ground and construction of work. It seemed to me that they were nearly impregnable. We examined the redoubt named ' Sanders,' where, on the Sunday previous, three brigades of the enemy had assaulted and met a bloody repulse. Now, all was peaceful and quiet ; but a few hours before the deadly bullet sought its victims all round about that hilly barrier." 1
The emergency having passed, General Burnside was of the opinion that General Sherman should return to Grant, leaving Granger's command. The necessary orders were given, and General Sherman put his columns in motion south- ward again. Too much praise cannot be awarded to Gen- eral Sherman for the promptness with which he came to our relief; as General Burnside said, it was Sherman's approach that raised the siege.
In his official report of this campaign General Grant said : "The armies of the Cumberland and Tennessee, for their energy and unsurpassed bravery in the three days' battle of Chattanooga, their patient endurance in marching to the relief of Knoxville, and the army of the Ohio, for
1 Memoirs of W. T. Sherman, Vol. I., pp. 382, 383.
120
THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
December,
its masterly defence of Knoxville and repeated repulses of Longstreet's assaults upon that place, are deserving of the gratitude of their country." That gratitude they received. Thanks to Grant and his officers and men were voted by Congress, and a gold medal was struck, to be presented by the President to General Grant " in the name of the people of the United States of America." It was also voted that "The thanks of Congress be, and they hereby are, presented to Major-General Ambrose E. Burnside, and through him to the officers and men who have fought under his command, for their gallantry, good conduct, and soldier-like endur- ance." On the 7th of December President Lincoln issued a proclamation referring to the raising of the siege of Knoxville, "under circumstances rendering it probable that the Union forces cannot hereafter be dislodged from that im- portant position," and recommending that "all loyal people do, on receipt of this information, assemble at their places of worship, and render special homage and gratitude to Almighty God for this great advancement of the national cause."
The noble bearing of General Burnside throughout the siege won the admiration of all his troops. December 11th he transferred the command of the Department of the Ohio to General Foster, the announcement of which was made in the following order : -
HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO, KNOXVILLE, TENN., Dec. 11, 1863.
GENERAL FIELD ORDERS No. 38.
In obedience to orders from the War Department, the Com- manding General this day resigns to Major-General John G. Foster the command of the Army of the Ohio.
On severing the tie which has united him to this gallant army he cannot express his deep personal feeling in parting from men brought near to him by their mutual experiences in the eventful scenes of the past campaign, and who have always, regardless of every privation and of every danger, cheerfully and faithfully performed their duty. Associated with many of their number
121
THE SIEGE OF KNOXVILLE.
1863.
from the earliest days of the war, he takes leave of the army not only as soldiers, to whose heroism many a victorious battle-field bears witness, but as well-tried friends, who in the darkest hours have never failed him. With the sincerest regret he leaves the department without the opportunity of personally bidding them farewell.
To the citizen soldiers of East Tennessee, who proved their loyalty in the trenches of Knoxville, he tenders his warmest thanks.
With the highest confidence in the patriotism and skill of the distinguished officer who succeeds him, with whom he has been long and intimately connected in the field, and who will be wel- come as their leader by those who served with him in the memora- ble campaign in North Carolina, and by all as one identified with some of the most brilliant events of the war. he transfers to him the command, assured that under his guidance the bright record of the Army of the Ohio will never grow dim.
By command of Major-General BURNSIDE,
LEWIS RICHIMOND, A.A.G.
In a speech at Cincinnati, a few days after, with that mod- esty which characterizes the true soldier, Burnside said that the honors bestowed on him belonged to his under-officers and the men in the ranks. Those kindly words his officers and men will ever cherish ; and in all their added years, as they recall the widely separated battle-fields, made forever sacred by the blood of their fallen comrades, and forever glorious by the victories there won, it will be their pride to say, " We fought with Burnside at Campbell's Station and in the trenches at Knoxville."
The following general orders are inserted as a fitting con- clusion to this chapter : -
HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, NINTH ARMY CORPS, KNOXVILLE, TENN., Dee. 4, 1863.
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 82.
The General Commanding has again the prond pleasure of con- gratulating the officers and inen of this division upon their splendid
122
THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
December,
behavior. During the campaign of the last three weeks they have endured privations and fatigue that soldiers are seldom called upon to experience.
Leaving their comfortable quarters at Lenoir's at a moment's notice and seeking the enemy in his own camp; the return to Lenoir's, and checking him at that place ; the rapid march to Campbell's Station, at which place they repulsed with heavy loss a superior force ; the wearying night march, after a hard day's march and fight, to this place, where, hemmed in for nearly three weeks by a large army full of determination to drive us from East Tennessee or capture us, - they have borne the brunt of nearly all the fighting, and endured days and nights of labor and watching. on a scanty allowance of provisions, without complaint.
The conduct of those who were fortunate enough to be of the small number that repulsed the determined assault on Fort Sanders, on the 20th, nlt. cannot be too highly praised. They drove back two brigades of the enemy with terrible slaughter, captured three stands of colors, and maintained the high reputation of their division. Fortunate is the country that can produce such soldiers, and proud of his position is the general commanding them.
Our work is not yet done. We will be called on to fight more battles and probably to endure more hardships. Let us go for- ward with strong hearts and willing hands, and we cannot fail.
By command of Brigadier-General FERRERO,
GEO. A. HICKS, Captain and A.A.G.
HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO, KNOXVILLE, TENN., Dec. 6, 1863. GENERAL FIELD ORDERS NO. 36.
The Army of the Ohio will commemorate the series of victories. all culminating in the redemption of a loyal district, by inscribing on their colors and guidons the comprehensive words, expressive of the grand result,
"EAST TENNESSEE."
By command of Major-General BURNSIDE, LEWIS RICHIMOND, A.A.G.
3
123
MOVEMENTS IN LAST TENNESSEE.
1:03.
CHAPTER XI.
SUBSEQUENT MOVEMENTS IN EAST TENNESSEE.
THERE was some delay in following up the retreating enemy. On the morning of December 7th, however, we were called early, and notified that orders had been received to march at seven o'clock. At that hour we were in motion, marched through the town, and advanced twelve miles on the Newmarket road, the whole of the Ninth Corps with us. About two o'clock we went into camp, found plenty of forage, and built good fires. The march was continued on the 8th ; and on the 9th, shortly after noon, we went into camp about a mile south of Rutledge.
December 11th, while we were still near Rutledge, Lieuten- ant Hodgkins, who had been home on leave of absence and detached service at Cumberland Gap, rejoined the regiment, and brought not a little cheer to all hearts by the announce- ment that a large mail and supplies were at Tazewell. The supply-train arrived on the 13th, and once again we had a taste of bread, coffee, and sugar. The mail reached us on the following day.
We had orders during the night to be ready to march at early dawn; yet the 14th passed and we still remained at Rutledge. But there was trouble ahead. Longstreet had attacked our cavalry at Bean's Station, and had compelled it to fall back, leaving a wagon-train in his hands. At the close of the day we had orders to march at a moment's notice. About midnight a part of the Twenty-third Corps passed our camp, moving to the front.
December 15th tents were struck soon after breakfast, and
124
THIRTY-SIXTHI REGIMENT.
December,
about eleven o'clock we moved back a few hundred rods and formed in line of battle. There we remained during the day. ready for the enemy if he should appear, and about nine o'clock in the evening we took the road to Knoxville. Ou account of the bad state of the roads we were nearly six hours marching six miles. It was a bitter cold night, and the men built fires of fence-rails at our numerous halts. At length we bivouacked in a field at the roadside, where we managed to get about an hour's sleep in front of our fires.
About half-past nine, December 15th, we renewed our march, and halted at noon at Blain's Cross Roads. The enemy followed, and there was some skirmishing at the outposts. About three o'clock in the afternoon we formed a line of bat- tle, and constructed a breastwork of rails. Companies .1 and B, of the Thirty-sixth, were sent out on picket. But the enemy did not attempt to advance. Indeed, as we soon learned, Longstreet withdrew his forces to the other side of the Holston, and, marching to Morristown, ordered his men to make themselves comfortable for the winter.
We, too, at Blain's Cross Roads, which has well been called the Valley Forge of the Rebellion, endeavored to make our- selves comfortable ; but it was not an easy matter. Very few of our men had overcoats ; indeed, they were poorly clothed in every respect. For the lack of shoes many were obliged to protect their feet with moccasins made of raw- hide. Rations, too, were short. A few spoonfuls of flour were served out as the daily allowance, and, had it not been for the corn picked up here and there, sometimes where the mules were corralled, the men would have suffered severely. Foraging parties were sent out on every hand, but the native- generally " were plumb out"; there was "not a dust of meal" in the house, they said.
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.