USA > New Jersey > Reminiscences of the war, comprising a detailed account of the experiences of the Thirteenth regiment New Jersey volunteers in camp, on the march, and in battle > Part 8
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by the police and such military as could be obtained to suppress the mob, and about $2.000.000 worth of property was destroyed. When this news reached the army it created an intense excitement. and when on the 5th of August, three days after we had gone into camp at Kelly's Ford, the Second Massachusetts, Third Wisconsin, and Twenty-seventh Indiana regiments of our Brigade with Gen. Ruger commanding. were ordered to New York City the greatest satisfaction was felt. Though the riot was over there were fears that it might be renewed and when these regiments departed they were sped on their way by hearty cheers from the troops left be- hind. The Brigade now comprised three regiments. the Thirteenth New Jersey, the One Hundred and Seventh, and One Hundred and Fiftieth New York. The latter regiment joined us after the battle of Gettys- burg and was commanded by Colonel John H. Ketcham.
Our camp at Kelly's Ford was located on an open plain. about two hundred yards from the river. A day or two after our arrival, the enemy's pickets established them- selves on the south bank, some distance from the river. but occasionally a few of them would come up to the stream and engage in conversation with our men, generally in the expectation of bartering tobacco for coffee or salt. The first attempt resulted rather discourag- ingly for the " Johnnies" as they were designated. One day a Confederate soldier made his appearance on the op- posite bank of the river, and yelled out :
"Hello, Yank!"
" Hello yourself," was the reply.
"Have you got any coffee left?" asked the anxious Reb. " Yes, " said the Yank. "a little of the kind we gave you at Gettysburg,"-meaning powder and ball.
"To h- with Gettysburg. We've had enough of that."
Finally a good feeling exhibited itself between both sides, and there were frequent meetings between the pick- ets, when exchanges of desirable articles were made.
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Major Grimes instituted a strict system of drill at the Ford, particularly in the Manual of Arms, and the Regi- ment became very proficient, rivalling in nicety of move- ment and perfection in time, the old regiments of the Brigade, who were almost faultless in this respect. Col. Carman commanded the Brigade during the absence of Gen. Ruger in New York.
On the night of the 12th of September, the three regi- ments of the Brigade returned from New York, and they were given a rousing welcome. It was like the reunion of an old family that had been broken up for some time, the members of which did not know until they became sepa- rated how much each thought of the other. A good many of the boys had never been to New York before and the trip, which promised to be one of hardship and possibly end in bloodshed, turned out to be a fine pleasure ex- cursion. It was as good as a furlough home to each one of them.
During our stay at Kelly's Ford large numbers of drafted men and substitutes were sent to different regiments in our vicinity. A good many " bounty-jumpers" were also sent down under a strong guard. Toward these latter gentry there was not a very generous spirit exhibited, and it occasioned no surprise when we learned that they de- serted to the enemy the first opportunity that offered. I heard of several, who thus sought to escape the perils of army life at the front, being compelled by the enemy to do luty for them. It was currently reported and very generally believed that when these fellows entered the enemy's lines the only alternative given them was, either to return to the Union lines or shoulder a musket for the Confederacy. The former would have been certain death. while the latter gave them a possible chance to escape at some future time, coming back to our lines as deserters from the enemy. They chose that course in every instance Among a squad of drafted men who arrived in the vicinity of our camp, were three or four Quakers who would not
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perform military duty of any kind because it conflicted with their religious belief. Every subterfuge was resorted to without avail to compel them to carry arms. It is my impression that these men were assigned to the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania. Colonel Selfridge's regiment. Whether subsequent efforts proved effectual I am unable to say. To the old soldiers the presence of these drafted men af- forded considerable amusement. Stories of the most ridiculous character were told to them, army experiences and dangers were greatly exaggerated, and the man who could tell the biggest lie in a manner that would gain the largest number of believers was the best fellow in camp. Practical jokes of a very severe kind were also played on them, as everybody seemed to think these poor innocents were legitimate game for all sorts of tricks. The follow- ing incident was related to me by a member of the Fifth Connecticut Regiment of our First Brigade as an "actual . fact," and shows the sort of fun indulged in by the boys :
My informant was, a morning or two previously, on his way to the spring for a canteen of water, when a "substi- tute" came limping towards him, with a pair of damaged boots in his hands. He stopped him, and said :
"Say, soldier, do you have any shoemakers in any of these camps ?"
The old soldier stopped a minute, and then a brilliant idea came to him. Gen. Knipe, who commanded the First Brigade, used to be in the shoe business, and the opportunity of perpetrating a joke on both the General and the recruit seemed too good to be lost. He said :
" Oh, yes. Do you want your boots mended ?"
"Yes," said the innocent fellow. "You see we've had to foot it pretty lively down here from Alexandria, and iny boots are all busted out. Where is your shoemaker ?"
The soldier pointed to a row of wall tents which skirted the woods, and said :
"You see that middle tent over there ?"
"' Yes."
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"Well, that's where you'll find him when he's in. You just go up and ask for Gen. Knipe-we call him General down here, and he might get mad if you called him any- thing else. He'll attend to you."
"What does he charge ?"
" Oh, he's reasonable enough. You go right up there and you'll find out all about the cost."
The poor fellow went up and was of course accosted by the Guard, with-" What do you want ?"
"I want to see Gen. Knipe."
"Well, there's his tent," said the Guard, pointing it out to him.
The man knocked on the pole in front, and the Gen- eral spoke up quick :
" Who's there ? Come in."
He went in and asked if that was General Knipe. "Yes," said he.
" Well, " said the fellow, "I've got a pretty bad pair of boots here, and I'd like to have you fix them up for me right away. I'm in dreadful need of 'em and" __
General Knipe, who had risen from his couch when the man entered the tent, caught the recruit by the collar of his coat and was about to administer a severe castiga- tion to the poor dupe, when he suddenly took in the situa- tion and bid him begone and not be made a fool of again.
There was one death in the Regiment while encamped at Kelly's Ford. Andrew Anderson of Company H, who died from typhoid fever. The changes in the officers of the Regiment from the time of leaving Leesburg, Va .. on our way to Gettysburg to September, 1863, were as follows :
Resigned-July 17th, Second Lieutenant Wm. B. Littell. Co. F: First Lieutenant James F. Layton Co. G; August 5th-Second Lieutenant John Cooke, Co. I: August 13th, Second Lieutenant John T. Denmead Co. B ; August 24- Second Lieutenant Heber Wells, Co. K.
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Promotions-August 10th-First Lieutenant Wm. G. Cunningham, Adjutant. Second Lieutenant Robert G. Wilson Co. H, First Lieutenant Co. G, vice Layton, re- signed; William A. Nicholson. First Lieutenant Co. H, vi ce Cunningham promoted. August 25th-Private Wil- liam S. Clark, Quartermaster Sergeant.
Surgeon J. J. H. Love was assigned to the duties of Surgeon-in-chief of the First Division, on the first of August, by special orders from Corps Headquarters.
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CHAPTER X.
A New Departure-Movements in the West-The Battle of Chicka- mauga-Meade's Advance to the Rapidan River-The Eleventh and Twelfth Corps Ordered to Reinforce Rosecrans-Details of the Journey from Bealton Station, Va., to Tullahoma, Tenn.
D uring the month of August, while the Army of the Potomac was in camp along the Rappahannock River. important movements were taking place in the Western Department. Rosecrans had successfully moved against Bragg's army, maneuvering it out of Tullahoma and across the Tennessee River into Chattanooga. Gen. Rosecrans's army crossed the river on the 29th of August and by mena- cing Bragg's line of communications between Chattanooga and Kingston, compelled the evacuation of the latter place. Bragg retired from the immediate vicinity toward Lafay- ette and a rapid pursuit was begun. On the 10th of Sep- tember the enemy was discovered in force and Rosecrans disposed his army in favorable position for a battle the next day. The Confederates however, instead of retreat- ing as was supposed, concentrated their forces to resist Rosecrans's advance with the intent if possible to defeat his army in detail. From the 11th to the 17th of Septem- ber both armies were constantly maneuvering to gain special advantages over each other and to effect a conceu- tration of their forces, which Rosecrans succeeded in doing on the 17th when his three corps were in suppor- ting distance of each other, in defiant attitude, across
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Chickamauga Creek. Bragg's design was apparently. to entice Rosecrans into a trap whereby he might inflict irreparable injury upon him, and perhaps destroy his whole army. He had been strongly reinforced by the addition of Longstreet's Corps from Virginia. The' battle of Chickamauga was fought on the 19th and 20th of September, resulting in the forced retirement of Rosecrans to Chattanooga, and the reoccupation of Lookout Moun- tain by Gen. Bragg.
When Gen. Meade received information of the withdraw -. al of Longstreet's Corps from Lee's army, he directed an advance across the Rappahannock without delay. On the morning of the 12th of September a large body of cavalry,. under Kilpatrick, crossed the river at Kelly's Ford driv -- ing in the enemy's pickets and capturing several who were unable to get out of the way. In a short time cannonading was heard to the right and front of our position, and the men began to make preparations to march, as the signs. all about us indicated very plainly that our camp life was near its end. On the 16th of September, the anticipated nders " to move at a moment's notice" resounded through the several camps. The tents occupied by the Brigade offi- vers soon came to the ground, and in a short time the different ramps were stripped of all their beauty ; blankets were rolled up, canteens filled with water, equipments put on. and then we awaited the orders to " Fall in." which were won given. We moved down to the Ford, crossed the. ver. and marched to Stevensburg where we lay all night, ud the next day pushed ahead to Raccoon Ford on the Rapidan River, where we came to an abrupt halt. I.ve had fallen back to a strong position on the south bank of the stream which he had rendered almost apregnable by the construction of heavy lines of Arthworks. While the Regiment remained here we "re ordered again to witness an execution, that of Alfred Jones, Third Maryland Regiment. The un- fortunate man was butchered in cold blood, the re-
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serve force being called upon to put him out of his misery, owing to the bungling manner in which the original detail performed its work.
The Army of the Potomac had been greatly reduced in numbers, one Division having recently been sent to South Carolina and the Ninth Corps previously despatched to Knoxville, in the Department of the Ohio. commanded by Major-General Ambrose E. Burnside. General Meade, at this time. was really no stronger than his adversary, and just as he was on the eve of execu- ting an important movement orders were sent to him from Washington for still another detachment. that of two corps to be sent to the relief of Rosecrans at Chat- tanooga. The Eleventh and Twelfth Corps were chosen, and Gen. Joseph Hooker appointed to command them. We were of course ignorant of these movements at the time we were ordered to move from Raccoon Ford, which place we left on the 24th of September, two days after Rosecrans' Army had entered Chattanooga. We only knew that something unusual was going on, and it was not until we reached Bealton Station, and saw the cars ready to transport us somewhere, that we began really to believe that the report to the above effect was true. On Saturday the 26th, we took passage on the long line of freight cars in waiting, and by night were in Alexandria. Early Sunday morning we entered Washington, where the train halted for an hour or so, when off we started for Annapolis Junc- tion and thence by way of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- road, through Maryland and into Virginia, taking a fare- well look of Harper's Ferry and many other familiar ob- jects. By far the greater number of the men secured po- sitions on the top of the cars thus obtaining a fine view of the country through which we passed. At night we laid down on the roofs, using our cartridge boxes for pillows and covering ourselves with rubber blankets as a protec- tion from the heavy dews which fall at this season of the year. We passed through a delightful country, abounding
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in magnificent scenery. The ascent of the long train up steep inclines and the descent, by gravity alone, down the sides of great hills plunging into tunnels of various lengths on the route added to the interest of the trip. We stopped twice on the route for "refreshments"-black coffee and salt horse-and finally disembarked at Benwood, a small place just north of Wheeling, West Va. We crossed the Ohio River on a pontoon bridge at this place and entered Bellaire, Ohio, quite a thriving looking town. We re- mained here a few hours then took passage again on the cars for a long ride to Indianapolis, Indiana. The cars were little better than huge boxes on wheels, the only ven- tilation afforded those who were obliged to ride inside being such as could be obtained through the open side doors. The air was close and stifling and soon became un- endurable. Muskets were converted into battering rams, and those who had hatchets vigorously attacked the stout timbers of the cars making the splinters fly in every direc- tion. When the boys got through with their destructive assault the cars presented the appearance of having rinn through a gauntlet of artillery fire. At the large cities on our route we received generous welcome, but at no place were we met with greater enthusiasm than at Xenia, Ohio, where we arrived one morning shortly after daylight. There was a large Seminary at this place and the young ladies came down to the train. as did the whole population in fact, and furnished us with reading matter and food, consisting mostly of delicacies and little luxuries that none of us had tasted since leaving home. At Day- ton there was a tremendous throng about the depot. The people were in the midst of an exciting political campaign. C. L. Vallandigham had been nominated by the Democrats for Governor and John Brough by the Republicans. A vigorous canvass was being made. particularly by the Re- publicans and Dayton seemed to be boiling over with en- thusiasm, heightened very much, no doubt, by the passage through the city of so many veteran soldiers. A
THE NEWBERRY
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quartette of singers were at the depot and one of the cam- paign songs, which became temporarily popular with the boys, ran thus, to the tune of " Few Days :"
" We will not vote for Val and Pugh, Oh no, Oh no. You'll vote for Traitors if you do. Rally once again."
CHORUS-" We'll sing and shout for freedom Hurrah, Hurrah, Rally 'round the flag boys, Rally once again."
At Indianapolis. the home of Colonel Colgrove of the Twenty-seventh Indiana. we left the cars and marched through the city being conducted to the "Soldier's Re- treat," where a bountiful and splendid collation had been prepared for the whole Brigade. We did ample justice to the food set before us. and Indianapolis was put down in cur record books as a city of unstinted hospitality. The boys ate with a hearty relish, and before we took our de- parture each one was loaded down with food. comprising ham, cheese, smoked-beef, roast meats, bread. etc. The ride to Jeffersonville was void of special interest, but the sail across the Ohio River to Louisville, Kentucky, was a delightful break to the monotonous railroad traveling we had so long endured. We arrived in Louisville about ten o'clock at night and marched through the city to the " Soldier's Home," where supper was furnished us. We then marched to the cars, re-embarked and proceeded with out further delay to Nashville, Tenn. After a brief stop here the train moved down the Nashville and Chattanooga railroad to Stevenson. Aln .. where we got off the cars, stacked arms and laid down on the soft earth for the first time in seven days. The next morning we agam took passage of the cars and were carried back to Decherd, Tenn. This ended our long ride. We remained at Decherd all night and on the following day, Monday. marched to Elk River
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Station. From this place we went to Tullahoma where we remained one day, and then, taking the cars, rode as far as Garrison Run, where another short halt was made. Dur- ing all this journeying we received meagre rations from the government. and though orders against foraging were very strict it was a difficult matter to prevent hungry sol- diers raiding upon the farms we passed daily. Fresh mutton, beef, pork and veal frequently found its way to camp where it was soon disposed of. On the 11th of October, we marched from Garrison's Run back to Tullahoma again where the joyful news was communicated to us that our ramblings were now at an end, and orders were given to build winter quarters. A camp ground was selected on the east side of the railroad, the company streets were math- ematically laid out, and we went heartily to work erecting stockades. After a few days of persistent toil the camp was finished and presented a very pretty sight.
The object of all this marching and countermarching can now be explained in a few words. When Rosecrans moved his army into Chattanooga, he completely over- looked the importance of holding Lookout Mountain, de- voting his whole time to the protection of the bridges near the town, and acting on the defensive against Bragg's army. That officer, however, posted his forces in such positions as to place Chattanooga under seige and sought to compel Rosecrans either to retreat or starve. By the aid of a superior cavalry force Bragg inflicted severe injury on Rosecrans's line of supply, raiding upon his wagon trains, a large number of which were captured or destroyed. On the first of October Wheeler attacked a large train of wagons loaded with supplies and though he succeeded in destroying a good many of them he was severely worsted in an encounter with a cavalry force sent to its relief. Wheeler's raid comprised a general onslaught on Rosecrans's whole line. and after his first fight moved off toward Me- Minnville, the garrison of which place surrendered withont making a show of resistance. Wheeler destroyed a large
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amount of public and private property at this place and. then rapidly marched toward Murfreesboro for the purpose of destroying the railroad there. Wheeler was hotly pur- sued by General Crook, who saved Murfreesboro from pil- lage by a timely arrival near that place. but the bold raider changed his course for Shelbyville. Gen. Mitchell. with McCook's division reached the vicinity of Shelbyville on the 7th of October, when it was ascertained that Wheeler had divided his forces into three columns, directed several - ly to Wartrace, Shelbyville and Unionville. General Crook found one of Wheeler's Divisions at Duck River, and a spirited fight took place. Wheeler was finally compelled to fall back beyond the Tennessee River, having suffered far more injury than he inflicted. The arrival of the Elev- enth and Twelfth Corps just at this time put an end to further raids of any magnitude along the line of the rail road, and brought to the relief of the main army a sense of permanent security in that respect. The position of the army in Chattanooga, however, was daily becoming more and more critical. Heavy rainstorms fell in the early part of October which rendered the roads almost impassable- Wheeler had destroyed hundreds of wagons and animals which decreased greatly Rosecrans's facilities for getting supplies. The animals left were put to extra service which soon disabled them ; each trip to Bridgeport occu- pied more and more time, and also reduced the number of horses and wagons. Bragg's army, in plain sight, kept a close and aggravating watch over the city, which was really under seige. These annoyances became so great that they could no longer be endured, and it was plain that a perma- nant relief could only be obtained by a movement against the enemy or a retreat.
CHAPTER XI.
Army Movements-General Grant Appointed Commander of the Mili- tary Division of the Mississippi-Prompt Action for the Relief of Chattanooga-Marching Orders-Mud-Bound on the Cumberland Mountains-Another Rambling March along the Railroad-The "Battle Among the Clouds"-At Duck River Bridge.
T he movements in progress around Chattanooga now began to attract the close attention of the Government and likewise the whole country. On the 18th of Octo- ber the new Department known as the Military Division of the Mississippi was created, and Gen. Grant appointed to the supreme command. Gen. Rosecrans was relieved as Commander of the Army of the Cumberland and General George H. Thomas appointed his successor. The Twen- tieth and Twenty-first Army Corps were consolidated and formed into the Fourth Corps, which, with the Eleventh. Twelfth and Fourteenth Corps now comprised the Army of the Cumberland. The first object to be secured was an uninterrupted line of supplies, and to the solution of this problem General Grant at once devoted himself. On the 19th Gen. Hooker was directed to concentrate his com- mand ( the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps ) and prepare to move upon the enemy. On the 23d of October, marching orders were received at the Regiment. then in camp at Tullahoma, and with the rest of the Division we proceeded southward toward Chattanooga. While crossing the Cum- berland mountains we were overtaken by a severe rain-
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storm which mired the roads so dreadfully that artil- lery and wagons became imbedded in the mud and could not be moved. The next morning we were ordered to re- turn, and when we reached the north side of the moun- tains found that Geary's Division was being conveyed southward by rail. A second dispatch to Gen. Hooker, dated October 26th, directed him to leave Gen. Slocum. with one division of the Twelfth Corps, to guard the rail- road from Murfreesboro to Bridgeport, and the fact that we were mud-bound on the mountains, while Geary's Di- vision was on the cars, no doubt resulted in our being or- dered to return for that duty. Otherwise we should in all probability have inscribed the "Battle among the Clouds" on our records. We marched back along the railroad through Cowan, Normandy, Decherd, Tullahoma, and up the road as far as Wartrace and Belle Buckle, constantly on the watch for Wheeler's cavalry whose name seemed to inspire a sort of terror among the inhabitants. The Second Division joined the main army at Chattanooga. where Gen. Grant had arrived on the evening of the 23d. On the 26th the movement in contemplation for the open- ing of the Tennessee river, which was so completely con- trolled by Bragg. began. A large force of men were suc- cessfully landed on the south side of the stream. while Hooker moved by way of Whitesides into Lookout Valley. When beyond Wauhatchie the Eleventh Corps encoun- tered.the enemy. but Howard by a prompt disposition of his forces compelled the enemy to retreat. burning the railroad bridge over Lookout Creek in their flight. Dur- ing the night of the 27th the enemy assaulted Geary's po- sition at Wanhatchie and soon a general engagement opened which resulted in the defeat of the attacking troops commanded by Longstreet, after a brilliant charge by Geary's men. This opened the river between Bridge- port and Chattanooga by which route supplies could now be brought safely to the almost starved army.
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The loss of Lookout Valley, the river, and the command of the roads to Bridgeport threw Bragg on the defensive. while the Army of the Cumberland elated by the signal success achieved prepared for an aggressive movement. During the month which followed, the army was being put in condition for an offensive campaign. Gen. Sherman had been ordered to Chattanooga with the Fifteenth army corps, which had performed such brilliant achievements at Vicksburg. On his arrival a reconnoissance of the enemy's position by Gens. Grant. Sherman, Howard and Smith was made and it was determined to assault his position at Missionary Ridge and on Lookout Mountain. By the 23d of November, everything was in readiness for the move- ment. The disposition of the Union forces had caused Bragg to change the formation of his line by moving Walker's Division from Lookout Mountain to sustain the right of his line at Missionary Ridge, which seemed to him to be most seriously threatened. The attack on the Ridge was to be made by Gen. Sherman, and to Hooker was given the task of taking the point of Lookont Mountain. Gen. Hooker sent Geary's Division of the Twelfth Corps and Whittaker's Brigade of Cruft's Division of the Fourth Corps to Wanhatchie. to cross Lookout Creek, and then to swoop down its right bank to clear it of the enemy and cover the crossing of the remaining forces. Other troops were assigned to specific duties in co-operation with the general plan and at 8 o'clock on the morning of the 23d the
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