USA > Mississippi > History of Company K, 27th Mississippi Infantry, and its first and last master rolls; > Part 2
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
R. A. Jarman
THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER
The Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation
Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, February 28, 1890
NO. 48
Excerpt, by: R. A. Jarman
The History of Company K, 27th Mississippi Infantry, Continued
When the brigade left Chattanooga for Atlanta, Georgia, in July 1863 rumor said it was on account of an expected raid from the Federal calvary.on Atlanta, our base of supplies, and the arsenal situated there. We arrived there in the midst of the peach and watermellon season, and the country tributary to Atlanta raises fine peaches, at least it did when we were there in 1863. The different regiment s were stationed at various places around the city, and one left to guard the railroad brigade acorse the Chattahoochie river. Soon after arriving at Atlanta, the command was paid off, so the men could enjoy their money, and they did enjoy in- vesting it in peaches, mellons, pinetop whisky and many other luxuries that for some time had been unknown to the soldiers of our command. We had every day nearly, old fashioned peach pios baked in an oven, then we would go to the houses close to camp and engage dinner at times for a whole mess at once, which was generally vegetables, fried chicken or chicken pie, but always ended in peach pie. Then when we got a chance to go to town, which was quite often, we could get peach and honey, and all know its merito too well to discuss them here.
But lo and behold, the day came when it was shown what our real business was there. The bugle sounded and the drums beat the long roll, and we fell in line and marched in a double quick to our positions, leaving only those on duty as camp guard who were on post. A strong picket line was formed around the whole place, when enough men were sent back to make a full camp guard, to care for camp and cook for the pickets. Then orders were issued to let everybody come in, but no one to pass out without a special permit. Then the horses and mules began to come in from surrounding country for the balance of the day and all night, their owners expecting any minute the Federal cavalry to get their stock unless they were brought to Atlanta for protection. Next morning there were details sent out and we began to gather in and turn over to the post quartermaster all the stock found in Atlanta, that the best and most sutiable might be retained for
Excerpt, by: R. A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, February 28, 1890
NO. 48-Page 2
recruiting the artillery and cavalry horses, and mules for the supply train of the Army of Tennessee, for the coming fall campaign. I tell you we at that time got fine carriage horses out of parlors, from sitting rooms, and in one instance from up stairs. One fine spau of horses we thought had some got away, but after the third day, when the pickets were relieved, we found them, accidentally, in a hazelnut thicket in 300 yards of camp. We remained here now only a few days longer, as we had accomplished the purpose wo were sent to Atlanta for -- the impressment of horses for the army. We left Atlanta for Chickamauga Station and were assigned to Liddell's division, Walker's reserve corps. While at Atlanta my father sent me another servant by the name of Rafe, who at different times hereafter will come up. He has been in Aberdeen for some years as a common loafer, and calle himself Raford Hooks. Pity a good negro should become so worthless.
When we got to Chickamauga Station and were put in the reserve corps we thought that we would have a good time but we learned that in army parlance reserve did not mean reserve at all, but it meant the first in and the last out when it came to a battle.
While here during the last of August and the first of September, wo enjoyed roasting ears and corn field beans (not peas). While here, one Sunday morning, Tom Townsend, (the poor fellow had to a certain extent lost his reason, particularly whenever he saw a man stroke his-beard or twist his mustache) walked up to Lieutenant McMillan, who was stroking his beard, and asked him why he thus insulted him. Lieutenant McMillan assured him that he meant no insult but to no avail, he had to be sent to the tent until after inspection, when his delusion had left him. He was killed soon after at the battle of Chickamauga; his one fault was his imagining himself insulted; he was a good soldier, but partly demented after the death of his brother, J. B. Townsend, at Murfresboro.
We spent several days before the battle of Chickamauga in chasing after scouting parties of the enemy in the caves and hollows of the moun- taines, and one day when rations were particularly scarce with us, I had Rafe off at a house near by cooking a chicken pie for the mess, and Jessee Carroll, of the mess, had in his haversack some crackers and bacon that he had brought with him from Atlanta, but when asked to divide, denied having anything. Jessee was put on a water detail and sent about a half mile for water, and in an unlucky moment gave me his haversack to keep until he returned, and while he was gone I called the mess together and we ate everything he had, and when he got back he could truthfully say he had nothing to eat. He reared and cussed, and to me his favorite expressions said, " I wish to G we would have peach before day, ard that he had died
-
Excerpt, by: R. A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, February 28, 1890 NO. 48-Page 3
before he was born, " but that evening when Rafe came up with a big bucket of chicken pie and roasted potatoes, Jessee got in a better humor, and ate a hearty dinner with us, and began again to accumulate eating for us; but after that he always divided, but would grumble.
Finally on Friday evening, Sept 18th, 1863, we struck the enemy on a left wheel of the brigade, and when the regiments on the right of the brigade struck Chickamauga river, the enemy had crossed over on a bridge and escaped, but we exchanged shots with them at long range. The enemy having the bridge covered with artillery, we faced to the right and went along the river and waded over and forced them to leave the bridge by a flank movement. That night the corps lay on their arms in double lines, one on each side of the road. Next morning while still lying there waiting for rations and water, Longstreet's corps from Virginia, passed in high glee, and said they had como to show us how they fought in Virginia. They came for wool but were nearly shorn when they got back that night, for they caught a Tartar that day. As soon as Longstreet passed us we were called to attention and every man told to examine his gun and see that it was all right. We then marched back on some road we came the evening before a short distance, and again Company K was put on the skirmish line and the order to forward given. We could hear firing, but thought it was cavalry three or four miles off, but we had not gone over. half a mile until we found the cavalry ;horses and holders, and ' by the time we got thro' the horses stray balls began fall. Soon we had the order to forward skirmishers double quick, through an open woods with only low post oak bushes about waist high, our objective point being a battery of eight guns in front of us. In our excitement and charge we ran through part of a line of Federal infantry in front of the guns, and I thought our time then had about come, but they surrendered to us and we pushed on to the battery that was just beginning to pay our grape and canister on the brigade that was not more than 75 yards behind us; but J. S. Thompson Bill Wofford, Green Westbrooks and myself, I think between us, killed the last gunner at the battery, when each of us bounced astride of a gun and yelled our loudest, then we turned the loaded guns on the Yankees and gave them their own grape. We could not then get the guns off the field, for all the horses were killed. All of our regiment had been well drilled in artillery, and at that time it came into good use. Every regiment capturing artillery in battle was entitled to the crossed cannon and name of battle on their regimental flag, and that was a grand inducement to get men to charge batteries where it looked like instant death. In a short while the enemy rallied and retook the battery from us then we again took it from them and finally got the most of it off the field. Near this battery that evening word was passou up our line as were lying down that there was a Yankee sharpshooter in a certain fence, killing a man every time he shot, and if somebody didn't kill him
-
Excerpt, by: R. A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, February 28, 1890 NO. 48-Page 4
the line would have to move. I volunteered to try and get him, and went some forty steps in front of the skirmish line, where there were some logs lying, asking the balance of my file of four to watch close for me. At first I could not see the man but could see the smoke of his gun, but he soon exposed himself to ram his gun, that was my chance and I fired at him about 125 yards, striking him under the left shoulder blade. He lay in the same place until the next Tuesday when I was over the battle field again. I did not then go entirely back to the skirmish line, but only part of the way and sat down by a large tree with my back to it expecting the line to advance. I had not sat thus very long until a ball struck the tree near my head. I jumped up and looked around and a Yankee and a real live one at that, dodged behind a tree about 80 yards off, then we passed several shots, then I called upon my file to come to my assistance, and nobly did they respond, and for his audacity when he went off the field he carried a minnie ball through his leg, turning summersaults like a chicken with his head off.
Our line remained in the same position until after sundown, when Oleburn's division relieved us and passed over us, pushed forward their line and drove the enemy about half a mile, where they bivouaced, we bi- vouaced closed by when we were relieved.
During this day's engagement I do not now remember all the killed and wounded; T. B. Townsend was killed for one, and H. D. Spratt was wounded, the shot entering at the knee and was cut out near the hip, and eventually caused his death. Early next morning Rafe was on hand again with something for the mess to eat, but it was mostly roasted potatoes, buty they filled the empty stomachs. It seemed Gen. Bragg's idea that hungry men fought the best because they were mad, but after each battle he always fed well. About 10 o'clock Sunday morning, September 20th 1863, we moved from the position we had the night before occupied, towards the right of our line, and where the cavalry were to support us. Nothing worth mentioning occurred.until towards middle of the evening, when Company K, was again deployed as skirmishers and the line advanced across the road leading to Chattanooga, where we were as hotly pressed as at any time during the battle.
The enemy struck our line on the left flank and engaged only one regiment or part of regiment at a time, and from our position on the skirmish line, nearly three hundred lyards in front, we could see the brigade beaten back regiment at a time. We held our position until our regiment broke to the colors, when began a race with us only equaled by horses on
. .
Excerpt, Dy: K. A. Jarman, Irom ine moerdeen Examiner, revruary 40, 1070 1 NO. 48-Page 5
some famous race course, we were so hotly purused. When we crossed the road all pursuit seemed to stop, for the Yankees were fighting for a road to escape on. Here it was Gen. Walthall was rallying his men, and here it was that the root was cut that was presented to Gen. Walthall, so full of shot from the battle field of Chickamauga, at the re-union in Aberdeen last fall. I at once, from the description, remembered the place in a small hollow or branch, where he rallied the command, and time enough too to recapture some of our company that was captured on that never to be forgotten race. At this place our muster roll shows that Lt. W. A. McMillan, J. M. Fears, R. H. Peters, Wilson Whatley and John Whatley were captured. Here it was that Gen. Forest, in attempting to shell over our line and shell the enemy, was in fact with his howitzers shelling our line from behind while the enemy shelled us in front; and after we had made the celebrated race above spoken of, to where Gen. Walthall, rallying the command, cursed us and said that as Mississipians we had disgraced the cradles in which we were rocked, and demanded we at once advance on the enemy, and which advance resulted in our re-capturing part of the company.
On this race I saw Lieutenant Ried, of the 24th Mississippi, drop his sword accidentally and he ran back, regained the sword and came out all right. We lay on our arms all night near here, and next morning we had a full supply of rations issued to us, when J. W. Peck and myself were part . of a scouting detail sent out to see how many prisoners and what else we could find. We returned to the command about 12 o'clock with some twenty prisoners, and we were also detailed to take them back to the Provost Marshal of army at the big spring, across Chickamauga river, 60 we that evening and next morning passed over all the ground on which our brigade had fought. On arriving at the Provost Marshal's that night we were put as guard around the prisoners that had been captured during the whole battle. Next morning the Provost Marshall wansed us to go as guard with prisoners to Andersonville, and profered to send a courier to the brigade to account for us and get a description list for us, but Mr. Peck wanted to hear from his wife, and would not consent, as he had been for a time detailed as non-commissioned officer and put in charge of the detail. We would have had a good time as our servants were with us and had clothes for us. So we were given a special pass to cross the battle field to keep from being arrested as stragglers, and late that evening we rejoined our command going towards Chattanooga.
R. A. Jarman
P. S. -- The reason there is so much of self in this is the impossibility for one man to see all that occurred on a skirmish line from 75 to 150 yards long when he had so much to attract his attention in his immediate front.
R.A. J.
1
THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER
4
The Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation
Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, March 7, 1890
1 NO. 49
Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman
The History of Company K, 27th Mississippi Infantry, Continued
After we arrived in front of Chattanooga, it was several days before our lines were established in the position that we occupied until the last of November. r picket line was some distance in front of the line of battle, which was at first formed on top of Missionary Ridge, but later at the foot of the Ridge. While establishing our picket line one night we drove in the Federal pickets so far that we could see the gleaming and flashing of the gunds, both musket and cannon, on the forts around Chattanooga. That night, I think, we finally established our pickets in the position held afterwards. We could also hear the long roll beaten, and the Federal wagon train hurrying across Tennessee river on the pontoon bridges all night, for they momentarily expected to be attacked by the whole army, and wanted to have their train where it would be secure. At that time it was thought if we had pushed on that night we could have easily taken the place, for the army was flushed with victory and the Federals oppressed with defeat.
Just after the picket line was established that night the skirmish line was withdrawn and we fell back to the picket line. After this there was no more demonstrations while we stayed in front of Chattanooga, at least on our part of the line that I remember. By mutual understanding between the two armies we ceased to fire at each other on the picket line and this made picket duty much safer with us, for we were in no danger of being shot on the sly either day or night. I now think the agreement was brought about by flag of truce for the exchange: of some prisoners still in the hands of each army.
r1
-
Excerpt, by: R. A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, March 7, 1890
NO. 49-Page 2
We continued to do guard duty for the month of October, or at least the greater part, when our command was moved back a short distance and the men fixed up more confortably for a few days, when it was said we would go into winter quarters. While here I received my overcoat and some other things from home, and some money, by the courtesy of a Mr. Drake who had to refugee from Tennessee and had gone to the army to visit his sons in a Tennessee regiment.
We did not, however, remain in this position very long, but our brigade was sent to the front on Lookout mountain to relieve part of Long- street's corps that was ordered to Knoxville; and here it was on Lookout mountain that rations became very scarce during our ten days stay there in November. One day our issue of ratinns consisted of three crackers and about two table spoons of sugar, but thanks to Rafe, who was with the wagon train, we, that is my mess, kept a full supply of bacon on hand for each day. While here on Lookout mountain we did picket duty at the foot of the mountain, on a creek, we called Lookout creek, and near the railroad. While here the two picket lines at many places were not more than forty yards apart. We could see and hear them relieving their pickets, and they could see us. Each party kept fire at the vidette post day and night. We even met half way in the creek, where it was shallow and shoally to swap newspapers, canteens, tobacco for coffee, and I have seen some swap hats and shoes, and talk for half an hour at a time, but this was only when no officer was present on either side.
Well, all good times have to come to an end, and easy picket duty shared that fate, for on November 24th, 1863, we were attacked on Lookout mountain, it was said, by Gen. Grant and his entire army that had just arrived to join Gen. Thomas, from Vicksburg, and the way they swarmed and crowded up Lookout mountain that morning against only one brigade of Confederates, was a sight to see. We were simply crushed by numbers, and it was the tallest fighting I was ever in, for during the fight it was cloudy and a dense cloud settled down over us so we could not distinguish friend from foe over twenty steps. Some of the men that escaped scaled the face of the mountain and some escaped by way of a white house on the side of the mountain, called the Craven house. I came out by the house, and jumped over two cliffs, nearly twenty feet high. Here Lieutenant A. V. Snowden of Company K, was killed, and the following made prisoners: Sergeants J. W. Marshall and T. D. Williamson; privates Jas. H. Cheek, B. F. Gibson, R. E. Hill, W. M. Nash, James M. Smith and James Thrailkill.
i
Excerpt, by: R. A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, March 7, 1890 1
NO. 49-Page 3
We finally left Lookout mountain during the night and camped in the. 1.7rx! · valley between the mountain and Missionary Ridge. During the day it was said the brigade lost more than nine hundred men killed and captured on Lookout mountain, and among the captured was Col. Campbell of our regiment. Next day, November 25th, we joined the main army on Missionary Ridge, but we looked more like a regiment than a brigade, and a small regiment at that. Here we participated in the battle of Missionary Ridge; and during the day I witnessed one of the grandest sights I ever saw, from .a high point on the 'ridge near the centre of the Confederate line. By stretching out my arms from my body and looking from point of hand to point of hand, I could see the combined armies both Confederate and Federal under arms and fighting. I suppose in all nearly 80, 000 men, for it was estimated, I think, that Gen. Bragg had with him some 30, 000 men. We did not do much fighting that day until late in evening near sundown, when the lines were broken to our left and Gen. Cheatham ordered Gen. Walthall to form his command at right angle to the Ridge, or across it, and hold it at all . hazards.
We quickly formed, and Gen. Walthall in front on his horse telling the n: to keep quiet and not be excited (when he was wounded in the foot, but never left the command until we were safe back two or three days afterwards). We made a small charge which checked the enemy for the time and held them in check until after night, when we quietly withdrew our lines, and the army began the retreat from Missionary Ridge. That night a detail was sent ahead to Chickamauga Station to draw rations for the different companies. Tom Farr was the detail for Companies F and K, (we were now consolidated with Company F, but each company kept its own organization) after he had drawn for us he let somebody steal the whole three days' rations. When we · came up and found what had been done, Capt. Baugh, Company F, asked for a volunteer detail from the companies of six men to go to station and draw or steal more, and they drew more for Companies F and K than all the talance of the regiment had together. We had so much next morning that the commander of Company L complained to the Colonel commanding regiment, Lt. Colonel Jones, stating that Companies F and K had gotten his men's rations, but when Capt. Baugh explained to the Colonel how Companies F and K came b so much, he laughed and advised company L to as !! us for a division; when they asked in the way indicated, Capt. Baugh requested the companies to divide, which they cheerfully did, for we had as much as we could carry, enough to do a whole week, but as we had been on short rations about two weeks, the men packed all they could carry, eating all the time. I for one, had my haversack full, and as much as five pound of bacon and a half bushel of crackers in a sack besides; so you see we were preparing for a long siege of short rations.
-
- 1
Excerpt, by: R. A. Jarman from the Aberdeen Examiner, March 7, 1890 NO. 49-Page 4
The night the army camped on the mountains near Ringold Georgia, J. S. Thompson, P. B. Hunter and myself slept together. Myself of the lower side next to a pole braced against two saplings, Hunter in the middle and big, fat Jim Thompson on the upper side. I tell you it was close sleeping, for I had to wake up Hunter and have him to wake up Thompson before we could turn over, then our fire had gone out, for it was made out of dry chestnut and had popped out because it was not raining, for you know chestnut will go out unless it is raining to make it pop off. Rafe, however, soon had us another fire, for he was with us. Here at Ringold we marched through the tunnel of the mountain instead of over it, and in double file, but one man on each side of the tunnel, and this left the centre open and clear for light. We arrived back at Dalton, Georgia, without anything of interest in which Company K participated, where we finally went into winter quarters in December 1863. 1
R.A. Jarman
-
1.
THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER
The Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation
Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, March 14, 1890 .
NO. 50
Excerpt, by: R. A. Jarman
The History of Company K, 27th Mississippi Infantry, Continued
Eight or ten days after the army arrived at Dalton, Georgia, after the retreat fromMissionary Ridge, the army gradually went into winter quarters. I say "gradually, " because axes for use in building huts were very scarce with us; about one ax to the company, so only one could build at a time. My mess having two servants we could work while others were getting breakfast. It would have amused you at first to see men driving boards with a pole ax, for we had no frows until they' could be made after the blacksmiths set up their forges. But quarters did not bother the men so much as short rations at first, and we began to cast about for some means to splice out our rations. Those of us who had servants and a little money began to write passes for them and send them down into Georgia to get something extra for us to eat, and to sell to others. I sent Rafe and Mr. Peck sent his boy, Henry. Rafe brought back potatoes, flour and molasses, but Henry brought ginger cakes, from Big Shanty, near Murietta. Ginger cakes sold like "hot cakes" and that settled the question as to what it would pay to buy . Mr. Peck about this time happening upon a recruit got a forty days furlough to go home. So Jim Thompson and myself fell heir to his ginger cake trade and kept it up all winter, buying at Big Shanty where they were baked especially for us at $1. 00 each for about the size of an ordinary plate and one-inch thick; we sold at $2. 00 apiece at camps, upon an average of five hundred to eight hundred per week, so you see we turned a nice penny on ginger cakes, and it enabled us to get for our mess many extras that winter. Besides Rafe brought back nearly every trip for us a bottle of apple or peach brandy and he made upon an average two trips a week, and sometimes three. Towards the last, when the old issue of Confederate money was about to go out or be scaled one-third for all bills larger than five dollars, which act went into effect I think the first of April, 1864, it was no uncommon thing for a' man to come and buy fifty dollars' worth of ginger cakes at one time to get rid of a $50 bill; he would then peddle them around for small amounts and in that way make his money. Bob Mays also kept a cake stand but his only cold when ours were out, as his were baked in large, squares at an Atlanta bakery and shipped in a box to him, getting old and hard before he sold all of them. On the contrary our cakes were always fresh, and when we had them he bought of us to eat.
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.