USA > New Hampshire > A history of the Eleventh New Hampshire Regiment, Volunteer Infantry in the rebellion war, 1861-1865, pt 1 > Part 14
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" Wednesday. December 2. We are in the besieged city still, but it does not seem that we are in such a place though. It is very quiet in the day-time, but some nights we have considerable excitement. The rebels will attempt a charge to advance their lines, and our troops are routed at once. The sight would be ludicrous, could
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THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN.
it be portrayed by some artist for the Northern public. The sentinels arouse the men in the pits, and the officers. who are mostly together. In a moment they are awake. Almost every night we are aroused once or more, and there is a general scrabbling after boots, sword-belts. coats, and hats, and I never wish to be in such a place again. Our food is getting scarce, and not of a very palatable character. We have pretty good rations of meat,-beef and fresh pork,-with the poorest kind of Indian meal made into mush, and generally no molasses or sugar to eat with it ;- this is the extent of our rations nowadays. Were it not that the boys forage cattle and hogs, and even some flour and bread, near the picket line, they would be very short indeed. But somehow Providence provides thus far, and I think will, so that we shall escape falling into the hands of the rebels. The rebels are up to something more. but I cannot tell what it is. They are either leav- ing, or massing their forces on some apparently weak point of our line for another attack.
" Thursday, December 3. A comparatively quiet day, and not much picket firing ; but towards night our guns opened on a train, or troops moving as we supposed. and fired quite briskly. The fort in the centre of our regiment is nearly completed, and is a formidable work. There are five embrasures. but only three guns vet. I think the enemy cannot take it. The Eleventh are all ready for a brush, but fear we shall not get it in our works .- shall have to go abroad for sport. General Sherman is reported across the river with 6,000 cavalry. and his infantry are fifteen miles away. I only hope he will get here in time to cut off the enemy, and replay the game on him that he has been trying so unscrupu- lously on us.
" Friday, December 4. We sent the usual number of
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men on picket to-day. and we have the good and very pleasing feeling that the rebels are about leaving. They have concluded that the Yankees cannot go along to Richmond with them, so they have decided to leave us with the compliment they paid us at Fort Sanders. To all appearances the rebels have commenced a retreat toward Richmond, though they are keeping up a bold front. They fired their last gun just before evening, and it seemed like a parting salute. Our batteries opened on their moving column and trains, and we kept our usual watch in camp and on the picket line. Report says that Sherman has arrived with 1,600 cavalry and 2,000 infantry.
" Saturday, December 5. We wake and find the · Johnnie rebs' nearly all gone. Our pickets had orders to advance and ascertain if the rebel pickets still occupied the pits, and found them deserted ; they immediately fol- lowed through the woods where their camp was, and picked up a large number of rebel soldiers. It is esti- mated that 1,000 were taken to-day. Our brigade and the First Brigade were sent out to reconnoitre and scour the woods and country. We went five miles-to the Gap, so called-without finding one rebel soldier. The cavalry were in advance of us. We returned to camp about 2 p. m. We have now passed through one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of the sieges the Union army has endured, one in which the besieged party has main- tained itself in the most gallant and worthy manner. Our army of not more than 12,000 men has stretched itself out some six miles, as a line of defence against an army of 30,000 of the most effective of the whole rebel army-Longstreet's. That army has surround- ed us twenty days, and has not at any time cut off our communication wholly, but has kept us from foraging much. In this time the enemy have made a number
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A CONCISE DESCRIPTION.
of charges on our skirmish line, which is out from our defences from two thirds to three fourths of a mile, and have driven back our pickets a few times, but they have been driven back in turn. In all, their loss must have been some 3,000 men, while we have not lost one tenth part of that number-a glorious affair for us! It has been very wearing and tedious for the men. Out of 280 men of our regiment who carry guns, we have sent from So to 100 on picket daily, besides 40 who have been stationed in buildings as sharpshooters. This num- ber of men generally went on picket every other day (and sometimes oftener). having twenty-four hours for sleep and rest; and even when in camp they were obliged to work on the fortifications all day or all night, and then lie down in the damp pits to sleep, to be waked often by the sentinels placed each night to arouse the men in case of an attack or a charge upon the picket line. Seldom have we lain the whole night. It has been the most wearing time this army has ever been exposed to."
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A CONCISE DESCRIPTION.
The following extract from Colonel Harriman's diary gives one a good idea of the country and its inhabitants on the march from Kentucky to Tennessee, and vice versa :
"Saturday, February 27. Arrived here [Knoxville] to-day worn and jaded. We have passed through the most ungodly country on earth, and the roads that we have travelled are unfit to lead a dog through-rocks, ledges. logs, bogs, sloughs, stumps, and mountains that would shame the Alps. Through this vast extent of country, in both Kentucky and Tennessee, there are but very few settlements. The few people found there are very poor
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and very ignorant. They live mostly in log huts without a pane of glass, and with no means of admitting light except through the door. They have no books and take no papers. Large numbers of them are ignorant even of the alphabet. They enjoy no advantages. Their land is poor, and they live mainly on corn and bacon. They dress very poorly, men and women both wearing coarse clothes of home manufacture and butternut color, having been dyed with oil-nut tree bark. The women wear hoods on their heads all the time in the winter season, even in the house."
THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN.
(FROM DIARY OF LIEUT. C. C. PAIGE.)
" Jan. 18, 1864. Our fall and winter campaign in some respects is more severe than any we have before expe- rienced : exposures have been great, and rations the smallest we ever had. On the march to Rutledge after the siege of Knoxville, we had from one half to one pint of meal per day, and a little pork. Such rations as these we lived upon for some weeks, and many days we got nothing. One Sabbath, after waiting all day for a pint of flour, we drew two ears of corn per man, and a few days later, on the return march to Knoxville. all the bread-stuff we drew was half a pint of flour for five days. Rutledge is thirty-eight miles from Knoxville and near the Holston river. From there we fell back some twelve miles, and camped near Lee's Springs, where we remained four weeks : then marched to Straw- berry Plains, and camped three fourths of a mile from the river, which supplied us with water. The mud was very deep. We remained there six days, then broke camp and marched two miles toward Knoxville ; then our
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THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN.
brigade drew two guns more than three miles, they having been left behind by the battery of the Fourth Corps because their horses had given out. At daybreak we resumed our retreat, skirmishing as we fell back, and forming one line of battle after another. The manœuvring of the Ninth Corps was said to have been very nice, by those in our rear who witnessed it. We fell back within three miles of Knoxville and formed a line of battle, but the rebels did not seem disposed to advance any farther.
"Sabbath morning we broke camp and marched through Knoxville, and camped six miles beyond, at a station on the railroad. We feel that our old Granite State has reason to be proud of her sons who have enlisted under the colors of the Eleventh, and who have shown themselves so manly and noble in front of the enemy. We know that we have many good, friendly hearts there, who would at any time say, ' Welcome ! thrice welcome to our homes of peace and union.'
"February I. We lay in camp until 4:30 o'clock this morning, when we received orders to march, and went on through Knoxville, crossed the Holston on the pontoon bridge, and went into camp several miles beyond. The last two miles was very muddy, rough, and slippery.
"February 2. Marched back to our old camp again. much vexed to think we had taken all of our luggage with us when the intention was to return as soon as the enemy were dispersed ; but we submit, and call it all right for the military.
" February 24. Broke camp, and started for the rebels. We went to and beyond Strawberry Plains, making a march of twenty miles. It was very hard for all. The first ten miles we did not have ten minutes' rest. Our knapsacks were large and heavy, but we travelled very fast. I have very little faith in running
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after the rebels, and then in a few days running back again. I think it does not pay. especially when the army is on as short rations as it has been for a few months, and when a retreat is made in a few days and a large amount of stores and wagons destroyed. Major-General Schofield is with the expedition. This is the first time he has been with us, as he has but recently taken command of this Department. Major-General Parke is also with us com- manding our corps. The Twenty-third Corps is on the road also, with Major-General Stoneman in command of it. The rebels have not done much damage to the rail- road from Knoxville to the Plains, but they destroyed their pontoon bridge before we could get here.
"February 25. Preparations are being made to put the troops across the river, and to get up rations from Knoxville. We have stored our knapsacks at the Plains, with everything in them except blankets and tent-pins. By some, coats have been retained in place of blank- ets. We are going in light marching order.
"February 27. Crossed the river this morning, and camped to-night.
" February 28.
Came to Mossy creek, thirteen miles, and camped.
" February 29. Marched fourteen miles in the mud and rain to-day to Morristown.
"March I. A very rainy day. The rebels had a large force here, and have left some good winter quarters. We are under orders to march in the morning.
"March 2. Marched back to Mossy creek to-day, and pitched tents. Just as we had turned in, orders came to fall in and stack arms. The night was cold and frosty.
"March 4. In camp at Mossy creek. The rebels made a dash upon a Tennessee regiment, and drove them in three miles. and but for our pickets they would have been captured.
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JOHN K. CILLEY.
" Monday, 7th. Colonel Harriman returned to the regiment with 100 recruits. He was received with great enthusiasm, as we were all glad to see him.
" March 12. Broke camp, and marched towards Morristown again.
"March 13. Reached Morristown, where we had squad, company, and battalion drill, and dress-parade.
"March. 16. Broke camp at 6 a. m. Most gladly do we leave these scenes of toil and suffering, for we are told that we are going North again. We hail the order with hilarious shouts expressive of our feelings. Marched twenty miles to Newmarket.
"March 19th we reached Knoxville, and camped just beyond, and on the 21st started for the North over the mountains. On the 22d, we moved all day. Marched at daylight, crossed the Clinch river, and camped within four miles of Jacksboro'. On the 23d, we drew four days' rations at Jacksboro', and marched eighteen miles. and as many miles for each of the following two days. On Sunday, 27th, we marched at daylight, and passed through Burnside Point, where we halted four hours. Here the boys . cleaned out' a number of sutlers. Crossed the Cumberland river, passed through Somerset, and camped, having made eighteen miles."
BIOGRAPHIC SKETCHES.
MAJOR JOHN K. CILLEY.
John Kelly Cilley was the son of Joseph L. and Lavina B. (Kelly) Cilley, a grandson of General Joseph Cilley. who commanded the First New Hampshire Infantry in the Continental Army. He was born in Nottingham. April 13, IS40, was educated at Phillips academy, Exe- ter, and on September 4, 1862, was commissioned first
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lieutenant of Company I, Eleventh New Hampshire Volunteers, to act as regimental commissary. He served in this capacity and as acting regimental quartermaster until the fall of 1863, when. near Knoxville, Tenn., he was promoted to acting brigade quartermaster Second Brigade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps. On April 7, 1864, he was commissioned captain and assistant quartermaster of volunteers by President Lincoln, and was assigned to First Brigade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps, on the staff of General Robert B. Potter. Upon the consolidation of the batteries of the Ninth Corps, forming an artillery brigade, he organized its quartermaster department. Upon the formation of the Third Division, Ninth Army Corps, in the fall of 1864, Major-General Hartranft commanding, he was assigned as its chief quartermaster, receiving, under act of July 4, 1864, temporary rank and pay of major and quarter- master.
He served in this capacity until the war closed, when, by order of the war department, he was assigned to the rendezvous at Rochester, N. Y., in July, 1865 ; thence to Camp Reynolds. near Pittsburgh. Pa., where he re- mained under Colonel Cross, department quartermaster- general, until January, 1866, when he was mustered out of the service. He was brevetted major U. S. volunteers, with rank from March 13, 1865, and was specially men- tioned in the report of the quartermaster-general for that year. His term of service was three and a half years, during which time he received but two furloughs, one of thirty and one of twenty days. From the crossing of the Rapidan to the crossing of the James and the establish- ment of the Union lines in front of Petersburg, he had charge of all the transportation of the Ninth Army Corps at the front, acting under orders of the camp com- mander.
Hmm. R. Patten
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WILLIAM R. PATTEN.
He commenced business in New York city in March, 1867, where he still resides. In 1868 he married Helen Louise Hutchins, sister of Lieutenant Arthur E. Hutch- ins, killed at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
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CAPT. WILLIAM R. PATTEN.
William R. Patten, son of Deacon Francis and Rebecca (Wright) Patten, was born in Candia. August 30, 1837. He fitted for college at Pembroke and Thetford (Vt.) academies. graduated at Dart- mouth in 1861, and taught the Chester academy one year. In the raising of the Eleventh New Hampshire Volunteers he bore a conspicuous part, and September 4, 1862, was commissioned captain of Company I. He followed the fortunes of the regiment, sharing its dangers and hardships the larger portion of the time until April 20, 1864, when by reason of a serious illness he was honorably discharged from the service. He returned to his home, and, partially regaining his health, read law in the office of Judge Cross, at Manchester. He was admitted to the bar in 1867, and commenced its practice in that city. In 1866-67 he was assistant clerk in the New Hampshire house of representatives, and its clerk in 1868-'69, and was a member of the same body as one of the representatives from Manchester in 1878-'79, at which time he was on the judiciary committee-one of the most influential men in the house.
His biographer says of him as a legislator, " He was a ready debater and well posted parliamentarian, and ranked as a leader of the house." He was also solicitor for the city of Manchester for some time, and assistant adjutant-general with the rank of lieutenant-colonel on the staff of Colonel Patterson, and judge-advocate on the
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staff of General Clough, commander of the entire state militia. He was also a member of the city council of Manchester, and presided over its deliberations. He was commander of the G. A. R. department in New Hamp- shire in 1868, and took an active part in placing that order upon a permanent foundation in this state. From his position in so many public offices he had a very extensive acquaintance throughout the state, and made many warm friends by his genial, social bearing ; and all deeply sympathized with him and his immediate fam- ily in the lingering, wasting disease which came upon him in the prime of life, causing his death in the insane asylum at Concord.
He was buried with appropriate honors.
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CAPT. NATHANIEL LOW, JR.
Nathaniel Low, Jr., was born in Dover, August 29, 1838 ; received his education in the schools of that city, and in 1861 was appointed post-master there, which position he resigned to enter the service. Through his efforts largely Company K was raised, of which he was commissioned captain September 4, 1862. He resigned his commission October 11. 1862, in just one month after the regiment left the state, and returned to Dover ; but in a short time was re-commissioned as captain of Com- pany K, and returned to the regiment. He participated in the Mississippi campaign, and during the winter of 1863-'64 was on duty in Kentucky, as detailed some- what in Comrade Wilkinson's paper. While the regi- ment was at Annapolis, Captain Low was promoted to captain and assistant quartermaster. United States vol- unteers, and received his commission June 16, 1864. He was assigned to the Naval Brigade as chief quarter-
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BENJAMIN F. RACKLEY.
master; then to Fortress Monroe in charge of water transportation ; and, after Lee's surrender, to Norfolk, Va., where he was engaged in breaking up the depot of supplies and selling the government property. From there he went to City Point, broke up that depot, and furnished transportation for the army homeward bound.
Captain Low was married while the Eleventh Regi- ment lay in camp at Concord ; and, bringing his bride to the city, they were tendered a serenade. After the war he was for ten years a member of the firm of Low Brothers (a brother having for many years been a resi- dent of Memphis) at Memphis, Tenn., cotton brokers and commission merchants. His health breaking down, he returned to Dover, and for many years he was a resi- dent of New Hampton, where he died May 1, 1890.
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LIEUT. BENJAMIN F. RACKLEY.
Benj. F. Rackley was born in Greene, Me., in 1834; resided in Dover before the war ; was commissioned first lieutenant of Company K, September 4, 1862 ; resigned December 22, 1862 ; was commissioned captain of Troop E, First New Hampshire Cavalry, July 7, 1864 ; mus- tered out as such July 15, 1865, and returned to Dover. There he resided until his death, April 26, 1890.
He was a prominent merchant in Dover, and distin- guished in military, civil, and Masonic circles. He was commissary-general on Governor Head's staff, and was a member of the legislature from Dover in 1879-'So. He was at one time eminent commander of St. Paul Commandery, of Dover, under whose direction he was buried. He was also prominent in Grand Army of the Republic circles.
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CAPT. J. CHARLES CURRIER.
J. Charles Currier was born in Auburn, in 1842. He entered Pinkerton academy at the age of ten years, from which he graduated at the age of seventeen. He then took up his residence in Iowa until IS61, when he returned to his home in this state. He enlisted in Chester as a member of the company raised by Cap- tain Patten, and known as Company I. September 4, 1862, he was commissioned second lieutenant of that company. He followed its fortunes until May 6, 1864, when he was severely wounded in the face. He was taken to the field hospital, thence to Washington, and home. He was promoted to first lieutenant May II, 1864, and to the rank of captain June 28, 1864. He returned to the regiment September 6 following, and was assigned to the command of Company A. In the battle at Poplar Spring church. Va., on September 30, 1864, while in the act of picking up a gun that had just been dropped by some comrade who was disabled, he was again wounded in the face, and his jaw completely shattered. He had crawled half a mile when he was met by some comrades with a stretcher, and carried to the field hospital, from there to Washington, and home again. He was honorably discharged from the service January IS, 1865.
Captain Currier says,-" On the 6th [at the Wilder- ness] a little after noon, Dick Hutchins rode up to where we were lying and dismounted, remaining a short time. We parted,-and soon after he was killed. After we had parted he came back, embraced me, and said, ' Currier, I feel very blue. Good-bye, old boy.' Was it a premonition of death, do you think? I never saw him again."
Captain Currier was a clerk in the treasury depart-
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HENRY W. TWOMBLY.
ment at Washington after his discharge, and in 1867 was appointed second lieutenant in the Twenty-first Infantry, United States Army. Went to California with his regiment in 1869, where he has since resided. He resigned his commission in 1870, and in 1874 moved upon a ranch in San Luis. Obispo county, which he still owns. It contains 900 acres, and on it he raises cattle and horses.
In May, 1890, he received the appointment of pension agent for the Pacific coast with head-quarters at San Francisco, where he is now residing, fulfilling his duties with promptness and fidelity, and having the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.
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CAPTAIN SAMUEL CARR.
Samuel Carr was a resident of New London when the Eleventh Regiment was recruited, in which he was com- missioned captain of Company F .. September 4, 1862. He was with the regiment at the battle of Fredericksburg. Va., December 13, 1862, and was discharged from the service for disability, January 29, 1863. He had been a resident of New London many years, and was an officer in the state militia. He now resides in San Francisco, and is prominent in G. A. R. matters upon the Pacific coast.
LIEUTENANT HENRY W. TWOMBLY.
Henry W. Twombly was born in Dover, December 8, 1835, and received his education in the schools of that city, after which he became proficient as a carriage painter. When Company K was formed, he was selected as second lieutenant, and received his commission as such Sept. 4, 1862. He participated in the battle of
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Fredericksburg, went over to Kentucky with the regi- ment in the spring of 1863, but by reason of ill health he was unable to continue in the service. He resigned his commission July 19, 1863, and was honorably dis- charged from the service. He has been a resident of Dover since he left the service, and is a dealer in musical goods.
CAPTAIN IRA G. WILKINS.
Ira G. Wilkins was born at Mont Vernon, May 26, 1838, and was educated in the common schools and academy of his native place.
The breaking out of the war found him employed as a clerk and book-keeper in Manchester. August 9, 1862, he enlisted in the quota of Manchester, and, September Io following, was mustered into the United States service in Company C, Eleventh Regiment. He followed the fortunes of the regiment, participating in its marches, battles, and sieges, until January 15, 1864. In East Tennessee he was detailed as clerk at brigade head- quarters by order of Lieutenant-Colonel Moses N. Col- lins, commanding the brigade, and was also detailed for the same position at Annapolis, Md., on April 22, 1864, by Colonel S. G. Griffin, commanding the brigade. On the IIth of May, 1864, he was commissioned second lieutenant by the governor of New Hampshire, and on May 31 following he was mustered as second lieutenant of Company C, and on the same day was detailed for temporary duty at brigade head-quarters as acting assist- ant adjutant-general. On the 5th of December, 1864, he was again promoted, and on the Ioth of the same month he was mustered as first lieutenant and assigned to Com- pany G. Lieutenant Wilkins continued on detatched service at head-quarters of the brigade until the close of
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L. NEWELL SAWYER.
the war, and was then commissioned by the president as captain by brevet, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the assault before Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, at which time he received a slight flesh wound in the left leg, which disabled him for several weeks. He was mustered out of the service with the regiment June 4, 1865.
Since the war he has been engaged principally as a clerk and bookkeeper, and since 1873 he has been em- ployed as such by the firm of Messrs. Parker & Co., manufacturers of furniture, in Fitchburg, Mass., where he now resides. Lieutenant Wilkins's duties at head- quarters were to promulgate and keep a record of the orders issued by the commanding officer of the brigade for its guidance and information, all of which, as written out by him, were models of brevity and neatness.
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