History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 93

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 93

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).

こ

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

635

oners, and on the 14th joined the regiment at Danville, Kentucky.

After another fruitless chase after Mor- gan, the company was for some time engaged in carrying dispatches from Gallatin to Gener- al Rosseau at Tyree Springs, Tennessee.

The regiment was about this time ( No- vember, 1862) brigaded with the Third Ohio Cavalry, and the Second and Fifth Kentucky Cavalery, under Colonel Zahm of the Third Ohio. The Fourth Ohio Cavalry was after- wards substituted for the Fifth Kentucky.

On December 30, 1862, Captain Pattin was ordered to take his platoon and with a section of artillery, to drive some Rebel troops out of Lavergne, Tennessee. Upon coming in sight of the town the artillery was brought into po- sition, and a few shots were fired as "feelers." One of these passing through a house took off the arm of Mr. Tidd of Harmar, Ohio, who was employed by the government in putting up telegraph lines. The Rebels retreated. Pat- tin pursued and captured a number of mules. The Second platoon, under Lieut. Timothy L. Condit, accompanied the train, and both pla- toons met at Wilkes' crossroads, and went into camp there at 10 P. M.

STONE RIVER.

December 31st we were preparing to break camp, when, from the right over the fields. came excited soldiers with tales of disaster. General Willich's comrand had been surprised. and the plain was covered with his fleeing troops. The wounded, as they passed, in- quired where they might find a hospital, and all seemed more or less panic-stricken. Hastily forming we proceeded to join the regiment. and hardly had we done so when the Rebels opened on us with artillery, one of the first shots killing our major, David A. B. Moore. Acting under orders, we fell back to a new position. The enemy, mistaking the move- ment for a retreat, set up a cheer and charged. Upon our again facing them, however, they came to a sudden halt, and we engaged them with our carbines. Colonel Millikin was cool 37

and brave. "Give it to them, boys," said he, "and if they get too close take your sabres to them." The disaster to General MeCook's corps made it necessary for us to fall back again, that the line of battle might not be dis- connected. We were closely followed by the Rebels, who used the artillery at every oppor- tunity. We had no artillery, and in this the enemy had the advantage. . Is we were com- pelled to go through fences we lost our forma- tion and became mixed up. This kept getting worse; we were like a drove, and still harder pressed, the foe riding down on us, and with their revolvers firing upon us they came. We were nearing the pike ; our line of communica- tion to the rear, and the sight of the long line of wagons must have given the Rebels en- couragement. At this juncture Colonel Milli- kin ordered "Charge!" repeating the com- mand. Seventy-five or a hundred men wheeled and dashed toward the enemy, but they took to flight. We pursued and had nearly over- taken them when a strong force was hurled against our right flank, and made retreat a ne- cessity. This was a matter of difficulty, and in trying to make it successful Colonel Milli- kin and Lieut. Timothy L. Condit, our best officers, were killed; Adjutant Scott was se- verely wounded, Sergeant George Warren and' Bugler John Dulty were taken prisoners, and James S. Parker was captured, disarmed and shot in two places. He managed to escape with his horse. The Rebels now had undis- puted possession of the train. Our cavalry was scattered, discouraged and fleeing. It was late in the day ere we were again in order: Captain Pattin brought up the first battalion and took command of the company. The Rebels were driven from the road by the Fourth regulars, and the fighting for the day. as far as we were concerned, was over. Our Colonel died nobly. His loss was deeply la; mented, for his place could never be filled. The death of Lieutenant Condit was a grief to all the company. He had no enemies; every one was his friend, and each felt an individual sor- row.

January 1. 1863. Fulton Gnittean was

636

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

killed by a cannon ball. He belonged to the escort of Major General Thomas, and was on the field when killed. His comrades bear testi- mony to his excellent qualities as a soldier and his uniform courtesy and gentlemanly bearing.

We were not actively engaged today. The Rebels advanced but once, and being met with grape and canister from a masked battery. they precipitately retired.

January 2d. The company was in order of battle all day. There was considerable skirmishing, but no general engagement by the Second brigade.

January 3rd. We held our position ; rain- ing all day.

The next day it was discovered the Rebels had left Murfreesborough, and pursuit was be- gun, Company L taking part, and on the 5th entered the town.

The company, soon after this battle, was assigned to duty carrying dispatches, until April 21, 1863, when the company was perm- anently detailed as escort of Gen. George H. Thomas.

Capt. T. J. Pattin having been promoted to major, Lieutenant Barker was now pro- moted captain of the company.

The duties of escort to a general in the field are aptly illustrated by the following in- cident on July 15, 1863:

During the operations against Tullahoma. Tennessee, we were engaged as orderlies and couriers, and in time of expected battle, as General Thomas' personal escort on the field. We were now at Winnefred's Ford, at Elk River, six miles north of Dercherd, Tennessee. Today General Thomas, accompanied by Gen- eral Reynolds, went to General Rosecrans' headquarters at Estell Springs. When re- turning. as he was crossing Elk River, his horse stumbled over a stone and he was thrown in the water. Corporal John W. Price had charge of the detail then with the general, and was close behind him. The current was very rapid, and the general was being carried down stream unable to reach the shore. Corporal Price, without a moment's hesitation, sprang from his horse into the water, and, being over

six feet high, by a few rapid strokes, reached the general and caught hold of his coat tail. Setting himself against the current he tried to check their progress down the stream, but to no purpose ; at each surge the general went un- der. Finally they reached the shore, the gen- eral much exhausted.

CHICKAMAUGA.

September 18, 1863. At dusk General Thomas received a dispatch from General Rosecrans, through the signal corps, which caused orders, to be issued immediately for breaking camp. We marched to Crawfish Springs, where General Thomas stopped to have an interview with General Rosecrans. The company, at 10 o'clock P. M., built fires and unsaddled, but remained ready for march- ing at a few minutes' notice. Troops and trains are passing rapidly towards Chattanco- ga. The fences on each side of the road are on fire, and diffuse light and warmth.

September 19th, at 2 o'clock A. M., we left Crawfish Springs and proceeded toward Chat- tanooga. A short time after daylight the gen- eral took a detail from the company, and with his staff took a road to the right, leaving the company to escort the headquarters train to Rossville. The road taken by General Thom- as ran almost parallel to the line of battle which he proceeded to form as the troops came up. To secure certain advantages an advance was orderd early in the day, and the Rebels were driven to the creek, but soon after they advanced and drove our men, capturing some artillery. There was evidently a slight panic, and the movement to the rear was being made in confusion and haste. Officers and men were mixed indiscriminately, and they rushed by the general, paying no heed to the injunc- tion "look behind you." Had they done so, they would have stopped, for the Rebels had ceased to advance, and of those of our men who had remained to oppose them quite a good line was formed. The detail under Sergeant Daniel W. Dye made efforts to stop those who were fleeing, but it was some time ere they

637

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

could be convinced that they were out of a cloud of dust was seen to the rear at a dis- tance, and as it came nearer troops were dis- danger. Fortunately this was confined to but one brigade, and in the remainder of the battle" covered. General Thomas had been watching it proved faithful and courageous. Another cletail joined the general in the afternoon and performed whatever service was required. At night we stood around the field headquarters, ready at a call. The general sat on a log in the wood near a dim fire, dictating dispatches to his aid. At twelve o'clock he went to see General Rosecrans, a part of the company go- ing as escort.

September 20th those of the company who were with the train yesterday came to the field and those who were relieved to get rations and forage. These returned again in the af- ternoon. When the center was forced to give way the escort was used to supply additional aids with orderlies, and a number of the com- pany performed very satisfactorily the duties of staff officers. Capt. John D. Barker, when returning from a distant point, whither he had gone with a message, not knowing that the center was so far driven back, came unawares upon the Rebels, who fired upon him, shooting his horse through the neck. Taking a more roundabout course he came in the rear of the left and was again fired upon. At this same place Gen. Jon es A. Garfiekl, a few minutes later, had his horse shot from under him. Captain Barker reached the General and re- ported, and was sent with Captain Killogg, aid-de-camp. to conduct the loads of ammuni- tion to General Reynolds. Here the services of the company were required. The Rebels were in the rear of General Reynolds' position, and the ammunition was in some danger of being captured. A number of the company were deployed as skirmishers, and with raised pistols we advanced through a piece of woods on the left supposed to be occupied by the ex- treme right flank of the Rebel army. This was not the case, however, until half an hour later, when General Turchin, with the Thirty- sixth and Ninety-second charged upon them and routed them completely. The ammunition was delivered to the proper officer and we re- turned to the general. During the afternoon

them, and calling Corporal Franklin W. Prun- ty he instructed him to go and ascertain w heth- er they were Rebel or Union troops, caution- ing him to be sure to return with a correct re- port. Rapidly galloping toward the approach- ing column, Corporal Prunty discovered that they carried the flag of the Reserve Corps, and getting sufficiently near to remove all doubt of their being friends he turned back and re- ported the approach of General Steedman's division of the Reserve Corps. The general himself, a few minutes later, came up and was assigned to duty on the right of the line held by General Thomas. At sunset the divisions on the left began to retire, and the general, af- ter seeing everything in order, started late in the evening for Rossville, where the troops were concentrating. We lay down around the fire and being warm and weary fell asleep.

During the entire engagement the officers and iren of the company performed valuable services. Captain Barker was on the field all the time, and rendered efficient service as an aid-de-camp. Lieutenants Putnam and Rep- pert were alternately on the field, and in com- mand of the train guard. There was no man- ifestation of cowardice on the part of any mem- ber of the company. Those who witnessed the coolness of Quartermaster Sergeant John Huff, when danger was most imminent, will not forget it, and the quiet, determined man- ner in which private Benjamin S. Turner per- formed his duties was admirable. Ile real- ized that there was danger, but never let it keep him from his post of duty. Others are deserving of as great praise as these, but all did not become equally prominent.

.After the battle of Chickamauga, Company L was with General Thomas during all the movements and engagements from Chattanoo- ga and Missionary Ridge to Atlanta. On November 19, 1863. the subject of re-enlist- ing as veterans came up and Corporal William 11: Snodgrass re-enlisted at once, one of the first in the army to pledge his services to the

638

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

country for another term of three years. Af- terwards many others of the company took the same step. On December 5, 1863, Capt. J. D. Barker having been assigned to duty at headquarters of the Department of the Cum- beriand as acting assistant inspector general, Lieut. Henry C. Reppert assumed command, and retained that position to the end, receiving his commission as captain June 30, 1865.

On April 27. 1864, the company was joined by 35 recruits, and by May 4th they found themselves well equipped. rested. healthy, and ready for the arduous campaign before them. Then began General Sherman's brilliant movements, flanking the enemy to the right and compelling him each time to abandon one stronghold after another until he finally drew up before Atlanta, and then by another flank movement compelling him to abandon that also. During all these movements and battles Gen. George H. Thomas was an impor- tant figure, as well as a powerful factor in ev- ery important move. Sherman, no doubt, owed much of his success on this memorable campaign to his able lieutenants, his corps commanders. General Thomas was himself constantly in the field and his body guard were constantly subjected to dangerous and fatigu- ing service.

On September 2nd, about two o'clock in the morning, heavy explosions were heard in the direction of Atlanta, and they broke camp early and moved towards the city and on the 8th moved up to .Atlanta and went into camp, Hood and his army having retreated.

On November 6th, arrived at Chattanooga and began at once to build winter quarters. On January 6th. 1865, arrived at Nashville.

The company continued in service after the fall of Richmond and the final collapse of the Confederacy, scouring the country in the neighborhood of Nashville, Gallatin, Harts- ville and Lebanon, Tennessee, looking after government property and protecting loval citi- zens until September 26, 1865, when the com- pany was paid and mustered out at Nashville. The company before disbanding did something that showed their high opinion and regard for

Gen. George H. Thomas, the "Pap" Thomas who was so brave, so able and so "popular with the boys." It was a tribute to his social and personal worth.

The company contributed $50 for the pur- chase of a full length colored photogrpah of Gen. George H. Thomas, which was taken in charge of by the committee to be placed in the hands of the military committee of Washing- i ton County, for exhibition in the soldiers' gal- lery in connection with the company. And so we part, some to take the evening train for home. Others to remain to spend a few days in Nashville as citizens.

Of the 91 enlisted men in the company, there were 41 farmers, 28 carpenters, smiths, machinists, moulders, masons, coopers, etc., IO clerks and students, and 12 of various occu- pations. Six were commissioned, 30 dis- charged at expiration of term of service, 18 discharged for disability, one on writ of hab- cus corpus, 27 re-enlisted, one deserted, one missing in action, and eight dead.

Company H, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. REGIMENTAL OFFICERS.

Colonel Israel Garrard, mustered September 18, 1862, refused promotion, mustered out with the regi- ment: Lieutenant Colonel George G. Miner, Septem- ber 18, 1862. on detached duty : Major William Reany, September 20, 1862, mustered out July 4. 1865: Major Augustus Norton. December 28, 1862, resigne 1 Janu- ary 30. 1864: Major James McIntyre, July 1. 1863, re- signed March 26, 1864: Maior William T. Simpson, March 28 1864, resigned August 26. 1861: Maior John Leaper. July 13. 1864: Major Solomon L. Green Octo- ber 12. 1864, mustered ont with regiment; Surgeon Isaac Train, October 9. 1862. mustered out with regi- ment: Assistant Surgeon R. H. Tullis. November 6, 1862, died at Marietta. Georgia: Assistant Surgeon P. G. Barrett, June Q. 1863. honorably discharged October 26. 1864: Assistant Surgeon John Kraps, January 4, 1865. mustered out with regiment.

OFFICERS OF COMPANY H.

Captain Arthur D. Eells. August 27, 1862. resigned June 28, 1863: Captain Theodore F. Allen April 2. 1864. mustered out July 4. 1865: Captain Andrew Hall brevet maior, lieutenant colonel and colonel United States Volunteers. April 2. 1861. mu tere out with regiment : First L'en'enant William L. Triph. Septem- her 2. 1862, resigned December 25, 1863: First Lient- tenant John J. Smith, April 2, 1864, resigned as second

639

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

lieutenant October 30, 1863; First Lieutenant Andrew J. Hardy, May 25, 1864, mustered out with regiment ; Second Lieutenant John J. Smith, September 2, 1862, promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant Andrew J. Hardy, April 19, 1864, promoted to first lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant Samuel C. Tappan, March 16, 1865. mustered out with reginient as first sergeant.

Company H, named at the time "Newton Guards,' in honor of John Newton, Esq., of the military committee of Washington Coun- ty, was organized at Marietta, Ohio, Septem- ber 8, 1862. It had been speedily enlisted by that popular officer, Captain Arthur D. Eells, who became the first captain of the company. On October 25, 1862, they were mustered in at Camp Marietta, and on the 29th were ordered to Ripley, Ohio, where they became company H. Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, the fa- inous "river regiment." Over sixteen hundred men were offered for this regiment, so popular was this branch of the service at the time.

They left Ripley on January 2d and arrived at Lexington, Kentucky, January 8, 1863. On February 3d they were sent on a scouting ex- pedition to Mount Vernon, Kentucky, and on March 2Ist were again on a scout, this time meeting the Rebel raider, Basil Duke, near Mit. Sterling, Kentucky, on the 22nd and driving him from the State.

With the other forces under General Gil- more they engaged in the pursuit of the Rebel General Pegram's command, which had invad- ed Kentucky, and at Dutton's Hill, near Som- erset, where the enemy made a stand in a strongly entrenched position, a sharp battle took place. "Companies G. I, K, L and M made a gallant sabre charge, which decided the day, and the enemy fled in the greatest confu- sion," leaving in the hands of the companies that charged up the hill 130 prisoners and 49 dead and wounded on the field. The Rebels, however, had sent some veteran cavalry around to the rear, and the Nationals had scarcely taken possession of the hill when from their rear was heard the Rebel yell, and two regi- ments of Rebels charged at full speed down the valley. They were met at once by a coun- ter charge, led by Captain Saunders, of Gen- eral Gilmore's staff (afterward General Saun-

ders, killed at Knoxville ), who charged with companies E, F, and H of the river regiment, routed and scattered the Rebel charging col- umnns, capturing from them nearly 200 prison- ers and two battle-flags. Then followed a vig- orous pursuit of the enemy for five miles or more up hill and down, through woods, shoot- ing, shouting, taking prisoners, and strewing the woods with wounded, slain and all the de- bris of battle. At one place they came unex- pectedly onto a company of women from Som- erset, who had taken refuge in the woods; these began screaming and were expecting doubtless to be killed in a very short space of time, but the gallant troopers halted in their mad career and allowed the women to pass and then resumed the pursuit, which continued un- til darkness intervened.

The next work in hand was to drive Pe- gram beyond the Cumberland mountains. in May, 1863, which they did. Pegram, how- ever refused to stay whipped, and information being received that he had collected a force near Monticello, the Seventh, with four other cavalry regiments, all under Col. . A. V. Kautz, attacked the enemy June 9, 1863, and drove him from that place. On the return march the river regiment was in the rear of the col- umn, with companies D and H thrown out as rear guard. Presently a huge cloud of dust to the rear announced the approach of the enemy. The two companies nerved them- selves to check the Rebel advance, and select- ed a position behind a stone wall. The enemy, coming up, received the well directed fire of the guard, which emptied several saddles ; but the Rebels, charging gallantly, drove the guard from its chosen position. Galloping along the road, closely pursued by the enemy, the guard loaded their carbines, wheeled into line, and delivered a fire which checked the Rebel ad- vance for a moment. The rear guard was soon reinforced by the entire regiment, and afterwards by other regiments and a battery. when a close and desperate fight ensued, last- ing till after dark, when both parties withdrew. This engagement was known as that of Rocky Gap. General Burnside complimented the

640

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY

regiment, in orders, for their service in this action, which he announced as "the spirited cavalry engagement at Rock Gap, Kentucky."

The regiment next engaged in cutting the Knoxville & Chattanooga Railroad, at Lenoir station, marching from there to a point so close to Knoxville that they threw a few shells into the town. They then drew back and pro- ceeded to Strawberry Plains, and burned a fine railroad bridge over the Holston, the de- pot, and large quantities of army supplies.

They next joined in the pursuit of the fa- mous raider, John Morgan, who on July 3. 1863, had succeeded in crossing his command over the Cumberland, estimated at 3,500 men. On the Ioth, Morgan crossed the Ohio at Brandenburg, Kentucky, with Shackleford and his cavalry in hot pursuit, the route taken be- ing through Southern Indiana eastward through Ohio, Morgan having the advantage of 24 hours' start, and all fresh horses on the line of march. Morgan, becoming anxious for the safety of his command, had resolved to make a desperate effort to cross the Ohio at Buffington's Island. His pursuers, however. were too close upon him. At daylight on the morning of July 19th the advance guard of the pursuing column drove in the Rebel pick- ets, and the enemy was found in line of battle near Buffington's Island. The river regi- ment, being in the advance, was the first to at- tack, and being reinforced by other troops, a sharp engagement ensued, which resulted in the defeat of the enemy, who fled from the field in the greatest disorder, leaving their artillery and dead and wounded on the field. The pursuit continued until dark, up to which time 800 prisoners had been brought in, and the rest of the raiders scattered or hiding in the woods. After the pursuit ceased, a flag of truce was sent to Colonel Garrard, of the Sev- enth, the bearer announcing that Colonels Ba- sil Duke and Howard Smith, of Morgan's command, with staff officers, had been cut off and were anxious to surrender. Two officers were sent to receive the surrender, and upon arriving at the designated place. found that two colonels and several other officers, and

about 50 men had surrendered to one soldier, Sergeant Drake, of the Eighth Michigan Cav- alry.

The river regiment took part in the move- ment against Cumberland Gap, the gateway to East Tennessee, which stronghold was invested and on September 9, 1863, the garrison of 2,600 men, with 15 pieces of artillery, surren- dered, and the Seventh was detailed to receive the surrender.

On August 3Ist Company H was acting as advance guard of the force of the main col- umn, they went into camp at a convenient place, and in the morning found they had gone into camp with a party of Rebels. The ene- my, thinking there was a large force present "folded their tents and stole away" during the niglit, and stole some of the company's horses also. Camping with the enemy was an exper- iment they did not repeat.

On September 10th the Seventh Cavalry took part in the night fight at Carter's station, in upper East Tennessee, driving the enemy away. They then repaired to Bull's Gap, in Bey's Mountain, 40 miles east of Knoxville, and held that position until October Ioth, when, in the battle of . Blue Springs, it took part in the final charge, near nightfall, routing the Rebels, who beat a hasty retreat.

On November 6th occurred the disastrous defeat at Rogersville, Tennessee, where the gal- lant Seventh, the Second Tennessee Mounted Infantry, and Battery M, Second Illinois Light Artillery, in all about 1,000 combatants, under command of Colonel Garrard of the Seventh, made a desperate stand against great- ly superior numbers, losing 112 men and some of its best officers. The orderly-Bugler Justus Schminke, a Company H man, from Marietta, was shot at his post by the side of Colonel Garrard. The enemy were said to number 3,500 men.

From the 13th to the 17th of December, after the enemy retreated from Knoxville, the Seventh regiment was constantly fighting and skirmishiing, subsisting during that time al- mose entirely on parched corn.

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.

History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 93

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490