USA > Ohio > Four years in the saddle. History of the First Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 > Part 12
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General: Crook's at Winston's, south of Davis. Wheeler is said to be at Lebanon, which is twenty-four miles from this place; Rawlingsville is twelve miles from here. We found the march too long to go through to-day. As soon as I get the cav- alry well together, I will move Wheeler.
Headquarters Twentieth Army Corps,
Near Winston's, September 7, 1863.
General: General Sheridan is encamped at the Narrows, on the Trenton road, about fourteen miles from here. General Stanley starts early to-morrow. From all we can learn it seems quite likely that we may remain hereabouts until his return develops the truth as to the numbers and position of the enemy. General Rosecrans thinks General Johnston has been quite largely re-enforced. A forage party from the First Division was attacked this morning; result not yet ascertained.
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G. P. THRUSTON, Chief of Staff.
Extract from report of General Crook:
Headquarters Second Cavalry Division,
Camp Big Will's Valley, Ala., September 8, 1863.
Major: In accordance with orders received from the Major- . General commanding cavalry corps, on the morning of the fifth of September I marched from camp at Winston's with two regi- ments (First and Third Ohio) of the Second Brigade of this division, and proceeded up the mountain at Winston's Gap and then moved forward across the mountain toward Broomtown Valley.
From information gained from citizens and residents, it appeared that a body of the enemy's cavalry, supposed to be three companies, had crossed the mountain that evening in the direction of Winston's Gap, for the purpose of blockading the road up the mountain, but upon meeting with our pickets, or learning of their whereabouts, returned upon the road in the direction of Broomtown Valley, with the intention of blockad- ing the road leading down the mountain into the valley.
When within three miles of the top and five miles from the valley, our advance guard was fired on by the enemy's piekets.
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The advance, under Lieutenant Curry of the First Ohio Cav- alry, charged the enemy gallantly and drove them back to the pass. Here we found the road down the mountain obstructed by rolling large rocks from the ledges above, and by trees felled across the pass down the mountain. I ordered one hundred to be dismounted and proceed to the foot of the mountain, it being impracticable for horses on account of fallen timber.
Extract from report of Assistant Adjutant-General G. P. Thurston:
September 8, 1863, S P. M.
Major-General P. H. Sheridan, Commanding Third Division:
Eight deserters from the Fourth Georgia Cavalry came into our lines to-day, having left Wharton's division last night near Alpine.
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General Stanley starts in the morning with about two-thirds of his effective force. He expects to meet Wheeler's force the first or second day and thinks they will probably fight him. We sent two brigades to Alpine and a third on the mountain for the purpose of protecting their rear. They will be gone four days for the purpose of supporting Stanley and covering his return.
Henderson's Gap, near Dorsey's Tanyard, September 9, 1863, 6:30 P. M.
General: I received your dispatch directing me to make a reconnoissance to Summerville, and another by the route Gen- eral Crook crossed the mountain. At the time I received the dispatch we were near the barricade the enemy had thrown across the gap. We here first struck their pickets, and con- tinued to fight them back through Alpine, where they took the Rome road, some going on the Blue Pond road. We took about a dozen prisoners. I send you the dispatches taken from one of Wheeler's couriers. I do not understand their import, except- ing that he is concentrating at Lafayette. The labor getting down the mountain to-day and the fight brought us to night-fall. I occupy Alpine. I have rumors that Bragg is retreating south of the Ostanaula; I have no definite information. The enemy fought stubbornly from the foot of the mountain. The country is well adapted to their mode of warfare. We have had two men killed and seven wounded.
D. S. STANLEY, Chief of Cavalry.
Extract from dispatch of Brigadier-General J. A. Garfield: Headquarters Department of the Cumberland,
Chattanooga, September 11, 1863, 10:45 P. M. Major-General Stanley, Chief of Cavalry:
It appears that the enemy has been concentrating a very
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large force of infantry in the vicinity of Lafayette. If he intends to make a stand, it will be necessary for you to close up your force toward McCook, so as to cover his left flank and operate on the enemy's right. It is now of the utmost importance that the General commanding should be informed as soon as possible of the force and position of the enemy. Take measures to ascer- tain this as soon as possible.
Headquarters Cavalry, Alpine, Ga., September 12, 1863, 3 P. M.
Brigadier-General J. A. Garfield, Chief of Staff:
I sent Crook to-day, with the entire force of cavalry, to drive into Lafayette and see what they have at that place. I shall hear from him in a couple of hours. My belief is that the rebels will not fight at Lafayette, but at Resaca.
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D. S. STANLEY, Major-General. Henderson's Gap, Ala., September 13, 1863, S P. M.
General: The reconnaissance sent to Lafayette to deter- mine the position of the enemy returned this evening. General Crook went within three miles of there this A. M., and charged and drove their cavalry through their infantry, and captured about twenty of their infantry pickets belonging to the Thir- teenth Louisiana. They say they belong to Breckenridge's divi- sion and that all of Johnston's army except one division, which has been sent to Charleston, had re-enforced Bragg. As soon as he struck their infantry pickets, they opened upon him with artillery, and he immediately fell back, having accomplished the object for which he was sent.
D. S. STANLEY.
Extract from report of Major-General McCook:
Near Alpine, September 13, 1863, 8:15 A. M.
General Crook sends word, from the information he has, that the enemy have evacuated Lafayette with their infantry. There were immense clouds of dust seen in the direction of Lafayette yesterday.
Extract from report of Assistant Adjutant-General G. P. Thruston:
September 14, 1863.
General P. H. Sheridan, Commanding Third Division:
Crook went within three miles of Lafayette, drove in infantry pickets, captured eighteen infantry (Louisiana Tigers); they say the rebels are going to fight us. Crook says a large force of the enemy is going toward Dirt Town.
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Headquarters Chief of Cavalry, Department of the Cumberland, Valley Head, September 15, 1863, 10 P. M. Brigadier-General Garfield, Chief of Staff:
Sir: I have the honor to report that General Crook arrived at Dougherty's Gap at 12 M., driving a small scouting party before him. He is encamped upon the mountain, but has to go down into the valley for forage and water. Has no information of any rebels being near him, but will send an expedition down the cove to-morrow. The gap is clear. Columns of dust could be seen in the valley moving toward Rome.
ROBT. M. MITCHELL, Brigadier-General.
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Headquarters Chief of Cavalry, Rodgers House, near Blue Bird Gap, September 19, 1863, 3:30 A. M.
Brigadier-General Crook, Commanding Second Cavalry Division: General: The General commanding directs that immedi- ately on receipt of the enclosed order you move with your com- mand to Stevens' Gap. If you can get your artillery through Dougherty's Gap, come the Valley road and send your train via mountain route; if not, come the mountain route. Before coming down the mountain at Stevens' Gap, supply your com- mand with three days' rations. Move with all possible dispatch.
WILLIAM H. SINCLAIR.
Headquarters Chief of Cavalry, Crawfish Springs, September 20, 1863, 9:35 A. M. General Garfield, Chief of Staff:
General: General Mitchell directs me to say that General Crook is within two miles, of here with four regiments of cav- alry - First, Third and Fourth Ohio, and Second Kentucky Cav- alry - and five pieces of Stokes' battery.
Respectfully yours,
WM. H. SINCLAIR. -
Headquarters Chief of Cavalry, Department of the Cumberland, Crawfish Springs, Ga., September 20, 1863.
Brigadier-General Jas. A. Garfield, Chief of Staff, Department of the Cumberland:
General Crook has arrived and we are warmly engaged at the fords. They are trying to force a passage since I wrote you last in regard to the fight this morning. General Crook says,
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FRONT OF THE SNODGRASS HOUSE.
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when he left Stevens' Gap, Colonel Post had no orders to leave the gap.
ROBT. B. MITCHELL.
Headquarters Second Cavalry Division,
Near McCulloch's Cross-roads, September 21, 1863, 6:30 P. M.
Major William H. Sinclair, Assistant Adjutant-General:
Major: I have the honor to report that the officer com- manding the pickets reports the enemy in front, at the junction of the Crawfish Spring and Chattanooga roads, to consist of infantry, cavalry and artillery. The cavalry, supposed to con- sist of one brigade, is drawn up in line of battle. The infantry is estimated as one division and probably a detachment.
GEORGE CROOK.
Headquarters Chief of Cavalry,
Rock Creek Ford, September, 21, 1863, 8 P. M. . General Garfield:
General: I have been in line of battle all day, but have nothing but skirmishing along my front. I enclose reports of this evening from General Crook. We will be wide awake. You can draw your own inference from the report of Crook.
ROBT. B. MITCHELL.
Headquarters Second Cavalry Division, - September 21, 1863.
Brigadier-General Mitchell, Commanding Cavalry:
General: A messenger from the front reports a heavy body of rebel cavalry moving up the road in this direction three and one-half miles out, and men escaped from the hospital this morn- ing report infantry moving up the road we came up yesterday. GEORGE CROOK.
Extract from letter from W. S. Rosecrans, Major-General, to Brigadier-General Lorenzo Thomas, Adjutant-General, U. S. Army:
September 30, 1863.
As to the cavalry, the accompanying reports are so full that I need only add that, as an arm of the service, it has been equal to its duty on all occasions, and on the eighteenth, nine- teenth and twentieth of September it behaved with conspicuous gallantry, covering our shattered right and protected our trains in the valley of Chattanooga Creek on the twentieth.
It was to provide for the security of these trains, which had been sent to that valley on the eighteenth, and that they should be moved into Chattanooga after our right was driven back
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on the twentieth, that I directed special attention, and it is greatly due to the behavior of the cavalry on that day that we lost none of our wagons, and that many of our ambulances, and some of our artillery and caissons came safely into place. The losses of the cavalry appear in the accompanying report, 43 killed, 132 wounded and 283 missing, making a total of 439, instead of 500, as conjecturally stated in my official report.
I cannot forbear calling the special attention of the General in Chief and the War Department to the conspicuous gallantry and laborious service of this arm. Exposed in all weather, almost always moving, even in winter, without tents or wagons, operating in a country poorly supplied with forage, combating, for the most part, very superior numbers, from the feeble begin- nings of one year ago, when its operations were mostly within the infantry lines, it has become master of the field and hesitates not to attack the enemy whenever it finds him. This great change, due chiefly to the joint efforts of both officers and men, has been greatly promoted by giving them arms in which they had confidence, and by the adoption of the determined use of the sabre.
Extract from report of General George Crook, September 29, 1863:
Arrived at Crawfish Springs on the morning of the twentieth. At this point I found General Mitchell, who ordered me to take post at once in front of the fords of the Chickamauga and hold that point at all hazards. The only point I could occupy was a thick, rocky road woods with heavy underbrush. The enemy was already across the river, occupying a very strong position. About 11 o'clock I was attacked by Hindman's division of in- fantry, a battalion of sharpshooters, and a large body of cavalry. They drove us back steadily, contesting every inch of the ground, about two hundred yards, where we held our ground. At this time I received an order from General Mitchell to fall back to the hospital, one and one-half miles distant. Our entire force consisted of Colonel Long's brigade, nine hundred strong. The entire command, both officers and men, behaved very gallantly. Among the list of casualties was Lieutenant-Colonel Cupp, First Ohio Cavalry.
Officers wounded: Lieutenant-Colonel Valentine Cupp, First Ohio Cavalry; First Lieutenant George W. Griffiths, Second Kentucky Cavalry; First Lieutenant Edward B. Ayres, Second Kentucky, Cavalry; Captain Charles A. Zachary, Second Ken- tucky Cavalry; First Lieutenant John Calder, Second Kentucky Cavalry; First Lieutenant Bird P. Brooks, Second Kentucky Cavalry.
Officers missing: First Lieutenant Richard W. Neff, Fourth Ohio Cavalry; Second Lieutenant Greenleaf Cilley, Fourth Ohio
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Cavalry; First Liuetenant Charles D. Henry, Fourth Ohio Cav- ยท alry.
From this point, we joined the remainder of the cavalry force and fell back to McCulloch's Cross-roads and moved to Chattanooga.
Return of casualities in the Army of the Cumberland, com- manded by Major-General W. S. Rosecrans, at the battle of Chickamauga, Ga., September 19 and 20, 1863, Second Cavalry Brigade, Colonel Eli Long:
Killed: Officers, two; men, seventeen.
Wounded: Officers, five; men, seventy-four.
Missed and captured: Officers, two; men, thirty-six.
Aggregate: One hundred and thirty-six.
Total strength of the brigade: Nine hundred men.
(Received 6:30 P. M.)
Near Washington, September 30, 1863, 10 A. M.
Major W. H. Sinclair, Assistant Adjutant-General, Commanding Cavalry:
Major: The enemy are endeavoring to cross at Cotton Port Ford, three miles from Washington. They are in very heavy force. I am fighting them.
GEORGE CROOK. 1
Extract from report of Brigadier-General Robert B. Mitchell, U. S. Army, Chief of Cavalry:
Headquarters Chief of Cavalry, Island Ferry, October 3, 1863.
September 9. At daylight the command, First Division, and Second Brigade, Second Division, moved across Lookout Mountain in the direction of Henderson's Gap, General Crook's command having the advance. As they neared the gap, the advance struck the enemy's pickets, which were easily driven back down the gap. The gap was found to have been obstructed by them by felling timber across the road, which is a narrow pass, and rolling large bowlders of rock into it. It took about an hour to clear out the gap, when the command moved into Broomtown Valley.
General Crook's command soon engaged the enemy and a severe skirmish ensued, the enemy resisting stubbornly, having occupied the timber skirting some large fields. However, as soon as Colonel McCook's command came up, by sending strong parties on their flanks, they were forced to retire, fighting us, however, from the time we struck them in the valley until we drove them through Alpine, some retreating on the Rome road, but most of them on the road to Summerville. For the details of the engagement, I refer you to the reports of the division, brigade and regimental commanders. The command, after pur-
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suing until dark, bivouacked at night in the line of battle in the vicinity of Alpine, standing to horse at 3 A. M. in the morn- ing.
September 20. Command was engaged all day in guarding fords on Chickamauga Creek. General Crook, with his com- mand, reported about 10 A. M. from Dougherty's Gap. The enemy attacked the forces at the various fords in strong force, and, after severe fighting, succeeded in effecting a crossing, but gained but little ground afterward, for they were stubbornly resisted at every step, and finally gave up the attempt to get in on our right through the cavalry. About 3 P. M. I received verbal orders from an orderly from General McCook to fall back, as our right had been turned. Not deeming an order of so important nature as that, coming in such a manner, valid, I did not move, as I had been ordered in the morning to hold Crawfish Springs at all hazards, but sent staff officers to ascer- tain the position of affairs and, if possible, communicate with either General McCook or Rosecrans. From them, I learned that our right had been driven around, and that everything on the right was moving toward Chattanooga up Chattanooga Val- ley. I therefore, after moving out all trains and loading into ambulances all wounded able to ride from the vicinity of my position, about 5 P. M. commenced falling back up Chattanooga Valley, bringing off on my retreat two pieces of artillery which had been abandoned by General McCook's troops of General McCook's corps, and collecting about a regiment of stragglers from the same command. The command bivouacked on Chat- tanooga road during the night.
September 21. The whole command stood in line of battle all day in Chattanooga Valley, with frequent skirmishing. The enemy's cavalry was in sight all day, but no severe attack was made.
September 22. In accordance with orders from department headquarters, at daylight, whole force, with the exception of one brigade, which was left to keep up show in front, moved into Chattanooga. The brigade left at the front, fell back about 10 A. M., fighting hard as they came.
I cannot close this report without calling to the attention of the General commanding, the gallantry and daring of the cavalry command during the two days' battle, as well as the following two days on our retreat to Chattanooga, each regiment, brigade and division trying to outstrip each other in deeds of daring.
: Brigadier-General Crook, commanding Second Division, de- serves the gratitude of the country for the gallant manner in which he discharged his duty throughout the entire advance, as well as on the battle-field of Chickamauga.
I must, in conclusion, say that there was never work more
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opportunely done on the battle-field than the work of the cavalry on the twentieth of September at Cchickamauga.
ROBERT B. MITCHELL, Brigadier-General and Chief of Cavalry.
Extract from letter from C. A. Dana to Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War:
All our reports show that Wheeler broke up railroad, de- stroyed bridges between Wartrace and Murfreesborough. At M(urfreesborough) sacked the town, but did nothing to forti- fications.
On seventh, Mitchell, with main cavalry force, Crook hav- ing joined him, overtook them at Shelbyville and (Farm- ington), and put them to flight, killing one hundred and cap- turing two hundred. Butterfield, who came up during this ac- tion with Lowe's cavalry and a regiment of Granger's infantry from Wartrace, reports that Mitehell will probably capture and destroy all Wheeler's forces.
Chattanooga, October 8, 1863, 10 A. M.
CIRCULAR.
Murfreesborough, Tenn., November 20, 1863.
Soldiers of the Cavalry Command: In parting with you, your late commander takes occasion to express his regrets that the changes of service should separate his fortune from you. For a year we have served together most pleasantly, and I am happy to congratulate the cavalry upon their achievements in that time. My poor efforts to render you efficient have been zealously seconded by both officers and men. As to our suc- cess, the testimony of our enemies is the more flattering to us, it being forced from them. They now admit you are dangerous and have left material proof of it upon many a field. Though separated from you, I will serve in the same army with you, and shall always watch your course with confident pride. I leave you, commanded by brave and experienced officers. Give .to them the same confidence and cheerful obedience you have given me and your success and glory is assured.
D. S. STANLEY.
Chattanooga, November 28, 1863, 7 P. M.
Arriving here, I find the results of Colonel Long's cavalry expedition were much more important than was reported at Ringgold. He burned eighty wagons, including Bragg's head- quarters train, of which he brought in the mules; tore up the railroad between Cleveland and Charleston and for ten miles south of Cleveland, and captured two hundred and fifty pris- oners; would have burned Hiwasse bridge but for the cannon rebels had there.
C. A. DANA.
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Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
Headquarters Department and Army of the Tennessee, Bridgeport, Ala., December 19, 1863.
Accordingly at Philadelphia, during the night of the sec- ond of December, I sent my aid, Captain Audenried, forward to Colonel Long, commanding the brigade of cavalry, to explain to him how all-important it was that General Burnside should have notice within twenty-four hours of our approach, and order- ing him to select the best material of his command, to start at once, ford the Little Tennessee, and push into Knoxville, at whatever cost of life and horseflesh. The distance to be traveled was about forty miles, and the road villainous. Before day they were off. Colonel Long arrived at Knoxville with his cav- alry, and all was well then.
W. T. SHERMAN.
Extract from report of Major-General U. S. Grant:
In Field, Chattanooga, Tenn., December 23, 1863.
By 3 o'clock of the same day, Colonel Long, with his bri- gade of cavalry, of Thomas' army, crossed to the south side of the Tennessee and to the mouth of South Chickamauga Creek and made a raid on the enemy's lines of communications. He burned Tyner's Station, with many stores, cut the railroad at Cleveland, captured near a hundred wagons and over two hun- dred prisoners. His own loss was small.
U. S. GRANT, Major-General U. S. Army,
Report of Colonel Eli Long, Fourth Ohio Cavalry, command- ing Second Cavalry Brigade:
Headquarters Second Brigade, Second Cavalry Division, Calhoun, Tenn., December 28, 1863.
General: I have the honor to forward, for the information of the Major-General commanding the department, report of attack made this A. M. upon this place by the rebel General Wheeler. The attack was made about 10 o'clock by a force of from 2100 to 2500 cavalry and mounted infantry, led by Gen- eral Wheeler in person. Their object was evidently the capture of the supply train, which arrived here last evening under charge of forces commanded by Colonel Laiboldt.
Colonel L(aiboldt) encamped on the Charleston side of the river and his skirmishers were at work with the enemy before I was apprised of their approach. I immediately mounted the small command which remained in camp not on duty (about 150 men), moved across the bridge and found the infantry pretty sharply engaged, the enemy occupying position in the wood. The latter shortly after gave way and I then started rapidly
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after them. Discovering a small portion of their force now cut off on the right, I ordered a saber charge, and followed a retreating column of several hundred which had taken out the Chatata road, running up the Hiwassee.
Our rapid pursuit and vigorous use of the saber completely demoralized this force, which was thrown into the greatest con- fusion, and scattered in every direction, their men throwing away large numbers of arms, accoutrements, etc. Several of the enemy (number not known) were killed and wounded, and we captured 121 prisoners, including 5 commissioned officers. Drove the remainder until I had arrived at a creek, which was scarcely fordable, and deemed it prudent to follow no further. The main rebel column had fled out the Dalton road. I sent a small force out that road, who followed some five miles, and the enemy is still retreating towards Cleveland.
Very respectfuly, your obedient servant,
ELI LONG,
Colonel Commanding Second Cavalry Brigade.
Itinerary of the Second Brigade, Second Cavalry Division, commanded by Colonel Eli Long, Fourth Ohio Cavalry, for Sep- tember, 1863:
September 3. Crossed Sand Mountain and arrived in Will's Valley. Remained in camp here until September S, when the brigade, with one section of Stokes' battery, crossed Lookout Mountain and engaged four regiments of rebel cavalry at Alpine, in Broomtown Valley, driving them from the field. Loss: Killed, four; wounded, eight.
September 13. Marched on reconnoissance towards La- fayette in conjunction with Campbell's brigade, First Cavalry Division. Found Bragg's main army intrenched at that place. Falling back, re-ascended Lookout Mountain and proceeded to Dougherty's Gap.
September 19. Marched through Rape's Gap into McLe- more's Cove.
September 20. Participated in the battle of Chickamauga, having position on the extreme right of the army at Crawfish Spring. The brigade encountered Hindman's infantry division and a small force of cavalry, and was forced back, after a severe fight, with a loss of one hundred and twenty-two men killed, wounded and missing; seven officers wounded, and Lieutenant- Colonel V. Cupp, First Ohio, and First Lieutenant R. W. Neff, Fourth Ohio, killed.
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