USA > Missouri > Recollections of the 26th Missouri Infantry, in the war for the union > Part 2
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who informed Colonel Putnam that the 26th could lie down in their sheltered position until dark, and then be marched away without the loss of a man. This was done and the 26th Missouri was back again in its old position early in the morning.
We remained in front of Vicksburg, digging roads through the hills in order to allow the movement of troops and artillery, and engaging in skirmishes every day until June 22d, when the 26th Missouri and other troops, moved to Bear Creek to prevent Johnston coming up. and on July 4th the surrender of Vicksburg was the grand culmination of the labors of the Union army.
"The result of the campaign," said Grant, " has been the defeat of the enemy in five battles outside of Vicksburg ; the occupation of Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, and the capture of Vicksburg and its garrison and munitions of war-a loss to the enemy of 35.000 prisoners, among whom were fifteen general officers; at least ten thousand killed and wounded. Arms and munitions of war for an army of sixty thousand men have fallen into our hands, besides a large amount of other public property, consisting of rail- roads, locomotives, cars, steamboats, cotton, etc., and much was destroyed to prevent our capturing it." General Grant estimated his own total loss, in killed, wounded and missing, from the time he crossed the Mississippi, at 8.575.
Soon after the fall of Vicksburg we were ordered to Jackson, Miss., to meet General Johnston, but just before reaching the place we learned that a heavy rebel cavalry force was making for our rear to fall upon our transporta- tion and ammunition. On the night of July 14th our brigade received orders to march back to Clinton where we had a
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quantity of stores, and wounded, in a hospital of our own, also some Confederates. We had a very dark and tiresome march of it and arrived before daylight. Some of the ene- my's cavalry arrived next day. but a slight skirmish kept them out.
A handsome silk flag was presented to the 26th Missouri after the fall of Vicksburg, by the ladies of Union, Mo., who sent it by Capt. J. T. Crowe. The old regimental flag was shot to ribbons at Iuka, and at Vicksburg the last remaining star was obliterated by the enemy's fire.
Captain Dean received his commission as Colonel of the 26th Missouri Volunteer Infantry, after the fall of Vicks- burg, to rank from May 28th, 1863. Across the face of the commission written in red ink are the words: "Captain Dean is promoted to the Colonelcy of the 26th Infantry Missouri Volunteers, for gallant conduct at Champion Hills. Miss., and in the attack on the defenses of Vicksburg, Miss. (Signed )-John B. Gray, Adjt. General State of Missouri."
The 26th Missouri left Vicksburg on Sept. 7th, 1863, embarking on a transport for Helena, Arkansas, to support General Steel at Little Rock. Arrived at Helena, Septem- ber 14th, and learned that General Price had retreated from Little Rock. The services of the regiment were not needed at that point, and it moved up to Devall's Bluff on Septem- ber 16th.
While the 26th Missouri was at Memphis on October 3d, 1863, orders were received for the regiment to march to the Memphis and Charleston depot and embark for Glendale, establish camp and repel any attack of the enemy and re- main until further orders. The cars were stopped before reaching the town, and the 26th Missouri disembarked, and
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pushing our horses off on a plank, we threw out skirmishers and marched into the town without any opposition.
On October 8th, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Burnsville to guard the railroad and bridges, and on Oct. roth we pushed forward to Bensonville to watch the enemy and keep the railroad from being destroyed. November 5th, the 26th Missouri moved to Chattanooga and found Elk creek contained about four feet of water and was two hun- dred yards wide. We could not cross, and therefore direct- ed our march towards Gilbertsborough, then by way of Pros- pect towards Fayetteville.
Heavy rains had fallen and the roads were very muddy, also exceedingly hilly and rocky. The regiment reached the mouth of Battle creek. Tenn. on the night of Nov. 14th, and arrived at Bridgeport on the 17th. We crossed the Tennessee river on pontoons at Bridgeport, on Novem- ber ISth. leaving all of our sick and most of our camp equi- page, taking only one tent. marched on the Whitesides road, and recrossed the Tennessee river at Brown's ferry. with Chattanooga and the relief of General Thomas as our object.
We arrived at Chattanooga on Dec. 19th, and maneu- vered considerably at night, in order to conceal ourselves from the enemy. We remained a day or two in camp be- hind the hill, out of sight of the Confederates, and made . preparations to cross the Tennessee river at the mouth of the Chicamauga creek, on the evening of Dec. 24th. Our brigade received orders to commence crossing at midnight, by rowing across in pontoon boats. The 26th Missouri was the first to cross. A squad of soldiers from a regiment of our corps got into a boat in Chicamauga creek, floated qui-
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etly down to the Tennessee river, near the rebel picket post. surrounded and captured it without causing any alarm, took the officer of the guard around and relieved all of the out- posts. The successful soldiers then put out a signal light which indicated that the way was clear for us to commence crossing. After the 26th Missouri landed, a forward move- ment was made through the woods and a cornfield to a place that had been designated the day previous, and the men commenced intrenching at once. Soon one regiment after another begin to arrive and were soon intrenched on either side of us, and by daylight we had a very long line of in- trenchments.
Soon after daylight the pontoon corps commenced lay- ing the pontoon bridge, and by noon the cavalry and artil- lery had passed over. Then a forward movement was made, and we got possession of another ridge. After view- ing the situation a short time, Colonel Dean thought it would be prudent to construct temporary shelter from the enemy's sharpshooters who were then watching us pretty closely. Seeing a rail fence located a short distance in our front, the 26th Missouri were ordered to stack arms and get those rails. As they started for the fence they commenced a war-whoop, and the Confederates took it for a charge and retreated over the hill. Our boys thought it quite a novelty to run the enemy without any arms.
That night, fearing a flank movement, we marched back to near our first position, and digging little holes in the ground built fires therein so that the enemy could not see the flames while we cooked our suppers.
BATTLE OF MISSIONARY RIDGE.
On December 25th, the Union forces made a forward movement to the foot of Missionary Ridge. Grant now had Sherman's army above, and Hooker's below him, and both on the same side of the river; while Thomas lay in front of Chattanooga. Missionary Ridge, tending southwest from Sherman, passed in front of Chattanooga where the center lay. The brigade, General C. L. Mathies, commanding, had to move across an open field, and did so in quick time, for it was exposed to the fire of the enemy's guns, but they were trained so high that they could not get the range on the rapidly moving troops.
The foot of the ridge was gained without having any killed. A few soldiers were wounded by the bursting of shells. Col. Dean received a slight wound on the shoulder by a piece of a shell which carried away one of the eagle wings of his shoulder strap.
The position of the 26th Missouri soon became very uncomfortable. The enemy were getting the range with one of their small guns, and Col. Putnam, of the 93d Illi- nois asked permission of General Mathias to go to the top of the hill and silence it, which request was granted, and he moved forward, the 26th Missouri following close behind. Just as the 93d Illinois was nearing the top of the ridge, the enemy made a charge upon them with superior numbers,
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and would have driven them back, but the 26th Missouri rushed to their support, and the two regiments drove them back and held the position, keeping the battery silenced for about an hour and a half without any support near.
Colonel Putnam, of the 93d Illinois was killed and brigade commander, General Mathias wounded, the com- mand devolved on Colonel Dean. The ammunition was nearly exhausted, and Colonel Dean contemplated moving the two regiments back to the foot of the ridge, but to do so he saw that a loss would follow. The enemy's battery was captured, but to let go was not very easy. Enough sharp- shooters would have to be left to keep the gun silenced for the enemy could open a destructive fire upon the troops if they retired, and would be very apt to capture the sharp- shooters if they were not supported.
While thus meditating on the situation, it was discov- ered that a heavy force of the enemy was upon the right flank and a little to the rear of Colonel Dean's command, in fact it was nearly surrounded. Hence, the order was given to fall back on the double quick to the foot of the ridge. Fortunately, the enemy was partially between Colonel Dean's force and their own battery which was under control of the Union soldiers, so the Confederates were only able to fire one round at the boys in blue. The enemy, however, made flank movement by rushing through the railroad tunnel and captured about one-half of the 5th Iowa. The battle ended, the enemy retreated, and the 26th Missouri with other troops followed in pursuit.
Captain E. H. Stoddard, of Co. B. and Lieutenant H. P. Harding, of Co. D., 26th Missouri Infantry, were killed in the battle of Missionary Ridge, and Lieutenant A. W.
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Fritchey, Co. A, 26th Missouri Infantry, was close under the rebel guns with a squad of men, and being unable to re treat was captured by the enemy.
Mr. J. T. Headley, in his History of the Civil War, thus describes the battles of Missionary Ridge and Chatta- nooga :
" Bragg was amazed at this sudden apparition of a pow- erful army on his extreme right, and immediately made prep. arations to dislodge Sherman. In the meantime, Hooker, from below, moved against Lookout Mountain, and by dark carried the nose of it, and at once opened direct communi- cations with Chattanooga. His advance up the steep sides of the mountain had been made with great celerity and skill. A thick fog for awhile concealed him, but as it lifted before the sun, the cliffs above were seen crowded with the enemy, while cannon sent a plunging fire from the heights. Grant, far down in the mist-shrouded valley below, could hear the thunder of guns and crash of musketry high up in the clouds above, as though the gods were warring there. Says an eye witness: 'At this juncture the scene became one of most exciting interest. The thick fog, which had heretofore rested in dense folds upon the sides of the mountain, con- cealing the combatants from view, suddenly lifted to the sum- mit of the lofty ridge, revealing to the anxious gaze of thous- ands in the valleys and on the plains below, a scene such as is witnessed but once in a century. General Geary's col- umns, flushed with victory, grappled with the foe upon the rocky ledges, and drove him back with slaughter from his works. While the result was uncertain, the attention was breathless and painful; but when victory perched upon our standards, shout upon shout rent the air. The whole army,
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with one accord, broke out into joyous acclamations. The enthusiasm of the scene beggars description. Men were frantic with joy, and even General Thomas himself, who seldom exhibits his emotions, said involuntarily, 'I did not think it possible for men to accomplish so much.' The day before, Thomas had made a strong reconnaissance in force, in his front, and with but slight loss, had occupied Orchard Knob, and developed the lines of the enemy. Everything was therefore now ready for the grand assault upon the rebel position. Bragg had thought that Chatta- nooga was his beyond a doubt; but suddenly to the right, in front and left of him, he saw himself confronted by three armies. Still he believed Missionary Ridge to be impregna- ble, and that no force could climb its steep and rugged sides in the face of his powerful batteries.
"Sherman, from his position. could glance across to Tun- nel Hill, on which the rebel batteries were placed; and he looked grave, but determined, at the fearful task that had been assigned his brave troops. Before the great, decisive day (the 25th ) had fairly dawned, he was in the saddle, and by the dim light that streaked the cloudy east betokening a stormy day, rode along his entire line. A deep valley lay between him and the steep hill beyond, which was partly covered with trees to the narrow, wooded top, across which was a breastwork of logs and earth, dark with men. Two guns enfiladed the narrow way that led to it. Further back arose a still higher hill, lined with guns that could pour a plunging fire on the first hill if it should be taken. The depth and character of the gorge between, could not be as- certained. Just as the rising sun was tinging with red the murky rain-clouds. the bugles sounded . Forward"' and
>
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Corse, leading the advance, briskly descended the hill, crossed the valley under a heavy fire, began to ascend the opposite heights, and soon gained a foothold; but the spot where he stood was swept by the enemy's artillery.
BATTLE OF CHATTANOOGA.
" The great battle had now fairly opened, and for more than an hour it swayed backward and forward in front of Sherman. Bringing up brigade after brigade, this gallant commander strove nobly, but in vain, to carry the lofty heights above him. By ten o'clock, it was one peal of thun- der from top to base, while the smoke, in swift puffs and floating masses, draped it like a waving mantle. Corse, se- verely wounded, was borne to the rear; yet still the columns stubbornly held the ground. All the forenoon the battle raged furiously at this point. This most northern and vital position must be held by the rebels at all hazards, for if once taken, their rear would be threatened, with all the stores at Chickamauga. Hence, Bragg massed his forces here, and at three o'clock, says Sherman, 'column after column of the enemy was streaming toward me; gun after gun poured its concentric shot on us from every hill and spur that gave a view of any part of the ground.' Once he was partially forced back, but by a skillful move, he recovered his ground and drove the pursuing, shouting enemy to his cover. His men were sternly held to their terrible work; but Sherman was getting impatient for Grant to move on the center, as he told him the night before he would. From his elevated po- sition he could see the flags of Thomas' corps waving in the murky atmosphere; but hour after hour passed away and still they did not advance. The enemy was steadily ac-
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cumulating his forces against him, and his troops that had fought from early dawn, were getting weary, Grant had sat on his horse, listening to the thunder of artillery on his right, as Hooker came down like an avalanche from the heights of Lookout Mountain, and to the deafening uproar on his left, where his favorite lieutenant, Sherman, was hurl- ing his brave columns on the batteries of the enemy; but still he did not move. Thinking, at one time, that Sherman was too hard pressed. he sent over a brigade to his help, but the latter, who had become thoroughly aroused at the resist- ance he met with, sent it back. saying he did not need it. And so, hour after hour, for six miles, it flamed and thun- dered along those rocky crests, until at last the decisive mo- ment, looked for by Grant, had arrived. In front of him the steep acclivity went sheer up four hundred feet. The base was encircled with a line of rifle-pits, while the summit was black with batteries. Between him and the foot of the mountain was an open space a mile and a half wide, which the advancing columns would be compelled to cross. He saw that it would require no common effort and no common bravery on the part of troops to reach and climb that steep, in the face of such difficulties, and he therefore wished Sher- man to push the rebel left till Bragg, in order to save the key of his position, would be compelled to weaken his center; and also till Hooker could come up, who was detained in building a bridge. The rebel commander, not dreaming that Grant would attempt to advance up the steep face of the mountain in front, and evidently thinking that he meant at all hazards to crush his right, and thus threaten his rear. drew away his troops from the center, till the line here be- came comparatively weak. This was what Grant had been
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waiting for, though fearful that the day would be passed before it came. But it had come at last, and Hooker being well advanced, he, from his position on Indian Hill, ordered the signal for the ' Forward"' to be given. These were six cannon shots, to be fired at intervals of two seconds. Strong and steady the order rang out: . Number one, fire ! Number two, fire! Number three, fire!' . It seemed to me,' says an eye witness, ' like the tolling of the clock of destiny. And when, at . Number six, fire"' the roar throb- bed out with the flash, you should have seen the dead line, that had been lying behind the works all day, come to res- urrection in the twinkling of an eye, and leap like a blade from its scabbard.' Three divisions, under the command of Granger, composed the storming force, and as they moved off towards the frowning heights, the enemy seemed to re- gard it as a mere review. But, with a swift steady motion, the glittering line swept on, and it was soon evident that des- perate work was afoot. Suddenly, all along the crest of the ridge. the artillery opened, and the gallant line began to melt away. Still, it never faltered-the banners kept ad- vancing, and at last that terrible mile and a half were past, and the columns stood face to face with the long line of rifle-pits at the base of the mountain. A sheet of fire ran along the summit, cutting with fearful mortality our exposed battalions. There was no time to stop here, for, great as was the obstacle that confronted them, it was only a barrier of mist, compared to the awful work that lay beyond; and so, with one wild cheer and a bound, they cleared it, and stood panting in the deserted ditch. And now for the ridge. 'Take it if you can!' passed along the bleeding line. but it was already advancing. The brave fellows, casting one
!
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look up the steep, rocky sides to the thirteen batteries flam- ing at the top, clutched their weapons with a firmer grasp, and began to mount the slope. Here can be no rush-no sudden charge. Step by step, like mountain goats, they must win their way upward. As the smoke lifted here and there, Grant saw with inexpressible anxiety, the regimental flags, like' mere crimson specks, fluttering slowly upward. Regardless of shot and shell, each vied with the other in the advance. Over their heads, from Forts Wood and Neagley, and other batteries, our shot and shell flew with fearful precision, and fell crashing in the rebel works. Rocks and stones, and shells with lighted fuses, were rolled down on the torn line, and it now and then halted under some projecting rocks for breath. But ' Forward " again rung above the uproar, and each flag seemed to have a voice crying . EXCELSIOR.' Oh! it was a thrilling sight. Shot and shell were doing their murderous work; but nothing short of annihilation could stop those noble battalions. Higher, and still higher they crept until at last, just as the sun was sinking in the west, they reached the summit, and then, as the gathered billow thunders and foams along and over the sunken ledges of the sea, they, with one wild shout and burst, swept over the deadly batteries. The next mo- ment, cheer after cheer went up all along the smoking crest, and rolled down the crimson steep, till, to the right and left, and far below, the air trembled with glad echoes. Dismayed and filled with consternation at the frightful calamity, Bragg, mounted on his gray horse, sped away to the rear, followed by his discomfited host. The army was now thrown forward in swift pursuit, which was kept up till late at night and re- newed next morning before daylight. As the columns swept
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on, wagons, guns, caissons, forage, stores, and all the wreck of a routed army, met them at every step. By night, the rear-guard of the enemy was reached, and a fight ensued which lasted till darkness closed in. The next day Hooker and Thomas joined in the pursuit, and the beaten army was smitten with blow upon blow, until further advance became impossible. In the meantime, Sherman detached Howard to move against the railroad between Dalton and Cleveland, to destroy it. This was done and communication between Bragg and Longstreet cut off.
"Our total loss in the battle was about four thousand. We took six thousand prisoners, forty pieces of artillery. and five or six thousand small arms. The rebels killed and wounded was not known."
ON THE MARCH SOUTHWARD.
COL. DEAN RELATES MANY INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
The 26th Missouri Infantry was with the troops who fol- lowed the enemy on November 26th and 27th up to mid- night, when the order came to march back to Bridgeport. The regiment was out of crackers and the boys were com- pelled to satisfy their hunger by eating parched corn. There was an abundance of rations at .Bridgeport, Ala., twenty- eight miles away, but the roads were full of troops on the move to that point, hence provisions could not be sent to us. On November 29th, orders were received to march to Bridgeport, and on November 30th, I issued orders to the 26th Missouri to parch one day's rations of corn, and be ready to move at seven o'clock in the morning. The roads were badly cut up by wagons, moving artillery, and crowded with tired troops, and the march was necessarily slow.
The 26th commissary sergeant, with a detail and mules, was sent through the woods to Bridgeport on a forced march for the purpose of procuring rations, and to meet the regiment on the way. The next morning the commissary sergeant was seen approaching, with his pack mules winding their way through the woods, close to the road, with a box of
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crackers strapped on either side of each animal, and a quan- tity of bacon on its back between the cracker boxes. When the men saw the provisions coming they made the woods ring by shouting: "Crackers, sow-belly, sow-belly, crack- ers, etc." We were very hungry and a halt was ordered, fires built, and the regiment at once commenced cooking breakfast. Coffee was boiled in tin cups, strips of bacon cut and stuck upon sticks and thrust before the fire, and when the grease began to run out, crackers were held under the drip and the savory food quickly eaten. The boys were happy over the abundance of food and the relief from a parched corn diet.
Breakfast finished, the march was resumed and Bridge- port reached the same day, where we remained on duty sev- eral weeks. The 26th was ordered to Huntsville, Ala. about January Ist. 1864, and remained there on duty until about May Ist. when our brigade was ordered to Decatur, Ala., to strengthen that post. it being very much exposed to the enemy, situated as it was on what was called the enemy's side of the Tennessee river. Frequent annoyance was expe- rienced by the sudden dashes of the enemy's cavalry on the 26th Missouri pickets. One of our forts was located on quite an elevated position, and a signal gun was to be fired therefrom whenever the enemy came in sight. This gun let loose its voice quite frequently and the Union force would turn out in response, but on one occasion a very laughable circumstance occurred, but at the time it looked a little ugly. The commanding officer of the post, myself and several others were bathing in the Tennessee river, and the signal gun was fired, and of course all had to hustle into camp. We dressed ourselves, mounted our horses and rode
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up to the fort as soon as possible, but the enemy had dis- appeared. The commanding officer of the post questioned the officer in charge of the fort about the enemy and his fir- ing the gun. The post commander was a very nervous officer. and was always apprehensive of a surprise and this incident made him suspicious that the officer in charge of the gun had not fired as quick as he ought to have done. The officer, however, assured him that as soon as he sighted the enemy he had fired. The commanding officer excitedly replied. with : "Why in h-I didn't you fire before you saw them?"
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