USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania volunteer cavalry which was recruited and known as the Anderson cavalry in the rebellion of 1861-1865; > Part 58
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placed in position immediately in rear of the houses and outbuildings of Benjamin Branner and William Mann, on both sides of the mouth of Chucky road.
My command was ordered to hold this position and to support a battery placed on the hill in the rear of it, near Widow Mendenhall's barn, which, I am happy to state, they successfully did (in connection with a squadron of the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry) in face of a greatly superior force of the enemy's cavalry, alternately mounted and dis- mounted, which assailed the position. We captured here one prisoner belonging to the Third Alabama Cavalry.
This position was on the extreme right of our line, and was one of great importance, as it commanded the single bridge and ford over Mossy Creek and the ground on the west side of the creek for a long dis- tance. In its defense I lost my acting Adjutant, Lieut. Harvey S. Lingle, who was mortally wounded by a shot through the lungs, and eleven enlisted men who were wounded, most of them severely, but none fatally. Of these one officer and five enlisted men belonged to the Fif- teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, four enlisted men to the Tenth Ohio Cavalry, and two enlisted men to the First Tennessee.
The enemy retired on seeing our reinforcements come in on the Dandridge and Mossy Creek road, when I moved my command forward on the right of Colonel LaGrange's mounted force and behind his skir- mishers, and pursued the enemy to Talbott's Station, when darkness came on and the pursuit was stopped by order. If we had had two hours more daylight I think the rebels would have suffered severely in this pursuit.
I am, Lieutenant, very respectfully,
WM. J. PALMER, Colonel Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ANDERSON CAVALRY, (Squire Brimer's, on Muddy Creek, five miles from Dandridge, on south side of French Broad River, on Newport road)
January 8, 1864, 10 A.M.
GENERAL ELLIOTT.
General,-I have the honor to inform you that Morgan's division of rebel cavalry is encamped on the north side of French Broad River at Denton's Ford, four miles above Dandridge. I was on this side of the river, immediately opposite their encampment, with my command last evening, and was close enough to see their camps, hear their men talk, hear their bugle sound tattoo; in other words, I was within about 250 yards of their encampment. From the size of the encampment as well as from information derived from loyal citizens and the statements of eight prisoners whom we took at this point and at Turley's Ferry, I am positive that Morgan's division is encamped at the place stated.
The prisoners state that it came there from Panther Springs on the
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evening of January 5th; also that they intend crossing a force to this side of the river to-day.
I am pretty certain that there is no rebel infantry within a consider- able distance of Denton's Ford or of Dandridge; also that Armstrong's division of cavalry is yet in front of General Sturgis' cavalry.
The river is fordable at Kelley's house, just below Denton's Ford; also at Denton's Ford; also at Swann's Island, two and one-half miles above Dandridge, at Jim Evans' Ford, five miles below Dandridge, and at Tom Evans' Ford, seven miles below Dandridge.
I have all these roads picketed and have all my men camped at Squire Brimer's, near mouth of Muddy Creek, and at a point opposite Dandridge, holding the Fain's Island Ford.
Please communicate with me as soon as possible, letting me know when you will reach Dandridge. Some loyal citizens could bring the dispatch to me better than a soldier.
There are several companies of rebel cavalry in Cocke County, near Newport and Crosby Creek, on this side of the French Broad, who have been engaged in foraging.
If General Hascall or the commanding officer of the infantry column on road between Strawberry Plains and Dandridge receives this first, he will please send it on by a rapid courier to General Elliott, command- ing Cavalry Corps at Mossy Creek.
I am, General, your obedient servant,
WM. J. PALMER, Colonel Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ANDERSON CAVALRY,
(Squire Brimer's, near mouth of Muddy Creek, on Newport road, south side of French Broad) January 8, 1864, 4 P.M.
LIEUTENANT SHAW,
Acting Assistant Adjutant General at Beaver Dam,
(Opposite Denton's Ford and Cowan's Ferry,
four miles above Dandridge and on this side of the river).
Lieutenant,-There are about 15,000 bushels of corn, mostly gathered and in pens, above and below Beaver Dam; there are, within a few miles, some 5000 bushels more. Morgan's division of the rebel cavalry is en- camped immediately opposite Beaver Dam, on the river, and from the statements of prisoners as to the intention and the fact that four of the prisoners had come across the river after corn, I think it altogether probable that the rebels will cross with wagons to-morrow, for the purpose of obtaining this corn, that on the north side of the river being nearly exhausted.
Three days before we reached here, the rebels forded with wagons above Hays' Ferry and hauled away several thousand bushels of corn from this side.
Addenda. 673
I think Morgan's division occupies the position it does chiefly for the purpose of covering their foraging. If any force is to be sent to Dandridge, it is to be hoped it will reach there in time to save these 20,000 bushels of corn, besides meat, flour and cattle.
I am, Lieutenant, your obedient servant,
WVM. J. PALMER, Colonel.
HEADQUARTERS ANDERSON CAVALRY, (James Evans' Ford, five miles from Dandridge, south side French Broad, on Newport road) January 10, 1864, 12 M.
LIEUTENANT SHAW,
Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters Cavalry Corps.
I have the honor to report that two deserters belonging to the Twenty-first and Eighteenth Mississippi infantry, Humphreys' (formerly Barksdale's) brigade, and McLaws' division, who left Russellville on the night of 6th instant, came into my lines this morning. They crossed the French Broad at mouth of the Nolachucky, night before last, and met no troops between Russellville and this point except some straggling cavalry near mouth of the Nolachucky, on opposite side of French Broad. They are both remarkably intelligent men, and their stories coincide entirely on a separate examination. I believe their statements to be reliable in every respect. They state that Longstreet's army consists of four divisions of infantry and three of cavalry. The divisions of infantry are :
First .- Jenkins' (formerly Hood's), five brigades, commanded by Generals Robertson, Benning, Law, Anderson, and Jenkins' old brigade. Estimated number of muskets, 6000; artillery, sixteen pieces.
Second .- McLaws' division (now commanded by Kershaw)-four brigades-commanded by Humphreys (Barksdale's old brigade), Bryan, Wofford, and Kershaw's old brigade (Colonel Kennedy). Estimated number of muskets, 5000; known amount of artillery, sixteen pieces, of which one battery of four guns, commanded by Captain Moody, are twenty-pounder rifled Parrotts; the rest are six and twelve-pounders (most of the twelve-pounders are smooth-bore). Major Alexander, formerly Chief of Artillery of this division, is now Longstreet's Chief of Artillery. Humphreys' brigade has 800 muskets for duty (known). This is the smallest brigade in the division. The Eighteenth Mississippi infantry, in this brigade, has 220 men for duty, and there are four regiments in the brigade. McLaws was relieved by Longstreet after the battle of Bean's Station, for not crossing a creek in time, and sent to Richmond. On arriving there he reported his division unfit for duty, being "naked and starving," and it was currently reported throughout the division, when these deserters left. that it was to be sent to Virginia and Pickett's division was to be sent from Richmond to replace it.
Third .- Bushrod Johnson's division (formerly Buckner's). Only
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two brigades of the division are with Longstreet (the rest having returned from Loudon to Chattanooga, having been cut off), commanded by Gracie and Bushrod Jolinson. Estimated number of muskets, 3000; artillery, very little or none.
Fourth .- Ransom's division-a full division, with full regiments in all four brigades. Estimated number of muskets, 10,000 to 12,000; artillery, sixteen pieces.
Cavalry: Three divisions, commanded by Armstrong, John T. Mor- gan and Jones. Armstrong supposed to have three brigades; Morgan known to have but two, and Jones two (one of which is commanded by Williams). Jones' cavalry estimated at 2500 or 3000. General Mar- tin commands all the cavalry. (My own estimate of his entire force is: First, Armstrong, 3000; second, Morgan, 2000; third, Jones, 2000; total, 7000-which is probably above rather than below the truth.)
Position of the army: On night of 6th instant, when these men left. McLaws' division (to which they belong) was stationed at and around Russellville; Jenkins' division was at Morristown; Ransom's division was at Rogersville (south of it) ; Bushrod Johnson's division, position unknown, probably at Widow Kimbrough's Crossroads. (My own opinion.)
Cavalry : Jones' division, near Rogersville; Morgan's division, near Dandridge, at Denton's Ford; Armstrong's division, position unknown. probably at Panther Springs. (My own opinion.) All the infantry had built huts and were in winter quarters. General Longstreet's head- quarters were at Russellville.
Supplies : Latterly the men were getting plenty of flour and fresh beef. Brown and Cox's Mill on Holston, four and one-half miles from Russellville; Rader's steam mill, eighteen miles from Russellville and nine miles from Bull's Gap, near Howard's Gap, and other mills were being run for the army. Most of the cattle were brought from Cocke County, between the French Broad and the Nolachucky. Forage was hauled from this side of the Nolachucky and the French Broad; it was exhausted on the other side of the Nolachucky. Wagen trains were run from Zollicoffer bridge, with salt, and expected to bring clothing. No clothing had yet arrived. Rations of salt were still very limited. Bridge at Zollicoffer and over the Watauga were not yet finished.
One of these deserters has his stockings on the ground and says two- thirds of the men of his regiment are worse off than himself, and that his regiment is no worse off than the rest of the brigades, division or the army. The men flock to the cattle pens to get moccasins of the hides whenever the butchers kill, and the hides are not allowed to get cold. They think, however, that it will not be very long before the army is pretty well shod, as they have all the tanneries at work throughout the country, and two wagons from each brigade were started to Zollicoffer last Saturday after clothing and shoes.
General information: These men say that the universal talk among officers, from Colonel down, and the men, was that they would have to
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fall back to Bristol. The Major commanding the Eighteenth Mississippi would not build winter quarters for himself, and told one of these deserters that he did not think it worth while, as he did not believe they would stay there a week. This was also the general impression among the troops. There was no talk about retreating by the Warm Springs road to North Carolina. Bristol was the contemplated direction. These men say they do not consider their division to be fit for duty, nor the rest of Longstreet's army, and that if they are energetically pressed they can be ruined.
The President's proclamation was published in the Raleigh Register and in the Richmond Enquirer, and was well known to all their men. Ammunition was abundant. When Longstreet's army recrossed the Holston, retiring from Bean's Station, they crossed in one ferry-boat. occupying a week. One wagon and thirty men crossed at a time. This was at Long's Ferry. Some of the wagons forded at about six miles above Brown and Cox's Mill.
A citizen named Kaufman, who left Jonesboro last Wednesday morning, also came to my camp this morning. He had placed a substi- tute in the army, for whom he paid $4000, and had run away to avoid conscription under the new law. He says a large number of both loyal and disloyal citizens in that vicinity are talking about running away to our lines, by the mountain route, to avoid conscription. He crossed the Nolachucky at the "new bridge," and forded the French Broad at Newport yesterday morning. There was a Provost Marshal at Jones- boro and about a dozen men. No troops at Greeneville; sixty cav- alry at Newport and seventy-five at "Jacks'" (three miles this side of Newport). He met a few wagons coming from Parrottsville, with flour. toward Russellville. Zollicoffer and Watauga bridges not finished. Long- street's army in winter quarters at Morristown and Russellville. Forage all exhausted on the other side of the Nolachucky. President's proclama- tion well known about Jonesboro; had been published in newspapers.
Information, in short, corroborates that previously sent you from same quarter. French Broad is to-day full of floating ice and is almost impassable either for boats or by fording.
Reported through the army that Longstreet issues 40,000 rations.
Yours, etc.,
WM. J. PALMER, Colonel Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ANDERSON CAVALRY, JAMES EVANS' FORD, TENN., January II, 1864, 3 P.M.
LIEUTENANT SHAW,
Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Cavalry Corps.
Sir,-I have the honor to report that a small expedition sent out by me last night to Clark's Ferry, seventeen miles above this point, on the French Broad, has returned this morning with seven prisoners, infantry and cavalry, belonging to South Carolina and Tennessee regiments.
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Two of the prisoners (one a brigade forage master), belonging to Dibrell's brigade, of Armstrong's division, and both on a separate ex- amination, say that their brigade is at Dr. Boyd's, two miles from the mouth of Chucky, on the Dandridge road, and within half a mile of the French Broad River. They also say that the only other brigade in their division (Harrison's) is, they believe, somewhere near Dibrell's; also that their division left Panther Springs nearly a week ago, on Monday or Tuesday.
The forage master is quite well informed, and says he issued forage to 800 men for duty in his brigade; that there are but two brigades in Armstrong's division (Dibrell's and Harrison's) and two in Morgan's ; that Harrison's brigade may be a very little larger than Dibrell's ; that his own regiment, the Eighth Tennessee, has 140 men only; that their cavalry horses are in good, serviceable condition, getting twenty-four ears of corn per day now, when on full rations; that all the forage is about Panther Springs and Morristown and in the intermediate country to the French Broad and Chucky on the other side, and that they are now rely- ing for forage on this side of the French Broad and Chucky, getting it across by canoes and by fording. He also says that Armstrong's and Morgan's divisions of cavalry were both engaged in the last fight at Mossy Creek. One of the infantry prisoners was Acting Commissary Sergeant of his regiment (the second South Carolina Infantry, Kershaw's brigade, McLaws' division). His brigade and division were at Russell- ville when he left them day before yesterday, at which time Hood's division was at Morristown. He came across the river to run a mill near Clark's Ferry, the three mills their division had about Russellville not being sufficient. He confirms the report about McLaws being relieved and sent to Richmond.
I had the honor to send a report to General Elliott yesterday via Headquarters Army of the Ohio, at Knoxville, it being impossible to get it across the river in consequence of the ice. In that report I stated that Armstrong's division of cavalry had probably three brigades. I now believe he has but two, and I do not think Martin's entire cavalry force for duty without Jones' to exceed 4000, or with Jones' to exceed 6000.
Very respectfully, etc., WM. J. PALMER, Colonel Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ANDERSON CAVALRY, JIM EVANS' FORD, January 12, 1864, IO A.M.
LIEUTENANT SHAW,
Actg. Asst. Adj. Gen. Elliott's Cavalry Corps Headquarters.
Lieutenant,-I have had a careful estimate made by Mr. N. B. Swann and Captain Sharp, responsible citizens of this district, of the amount of corn remaining on the south side of the French Broad from Tom Evans' Ford (seven miles below Dandridge) to Brimer's, at the mouth of the
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Big Pigeon (four miles above mouth of Chucky). The estimate only in- cludes the large plantations of corn. It is as follows :
Bushels.
At D. M. Fain's quarters
1,000
Fain's Island
4,000
Jim Evans' and Fox's
4,000
Swann's Island
3,000
Cowan's, mouth of Indian Creek
500
Beaver Dam
12,000
Nolan's
3,000
William Evans'
3.000
Hedrick's
3,000
Dutch Bottom
10,000
Irish Bottom
20,000
Total
63,500
This does not include any corn except that lying immediately on the French Broad River, and it does not include that on Tom Evans' Island, seven miles below Dandridge.
A brigade of infantry on this side could prevent any crossing at the fords or ferries by the rebels to get this corn.
The rebel cavalry has now no other dependence for forage.
Yours respectfully,
WM. J. PALMER, Colonel Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ANDERSON CAVALRY, JIM EVANS' FORD, January 13, 1864.
LIEUTENANT SHAW,
Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters Cav. Corps.
Lieutenant,-The enemy are foraging extensively on this side of the river with wagons, keeping close to the shore in the Dutch and Irish Bottoms, and in the fork of the Big Pigeon and French Broad Rivers; also still more extensively with wagons in the fork between French Broad and the Chucky. All these rivers are now fordable, and there is no ice running in them. The guards sent along with the wagons are light, but in consequence of the river being fordable at various places between Dandridge and the mouth of Pigeon, and Morgan's and part of Arm- strong's Cavalry divisions lying within a short distance of the river bank at Denton's Ford and Dr. Boyd's, it is risking rather too much for my small command to go so far up. There are also 150 cavalry at Gorman's, near Newport, on this side of both French Broad and Pigeon. I earnestly recommend that one brigade of cavalry be sent here to-night, crossing at this ford, which is now in good order. If artillery be sent. we have a ferryboat here to cross it. They should come down the Mutton Hollow road to Shady Grove (from Flat Gap), thence two miles across the river to this camp; total distance from Mossy Creek to my
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camp, twelve miles. They should not leave Flat Gap until about dark, so that information of the movement may not reach the enemy above Dandridge. Two or three roads, including the Maryville road (from Shady Grove to Dandridge), lead off from the Mutton Hollow road toward Dandridge, and small picket posts should be placed on each of these to prevent any citizens from carrying information of the move- ment. There are also three or four houses on the way that should be guarded. These will be pointed out by the guides, of whom I send you six herewith, to be used with the column if it is decided to send it.
These guides also know the ford well, and there will be no danger in night fording. The ford is thirty yards wide and with a smooth bottom. The force can get a good feed here of both corn and hay, and start to-morrow with my command for the wagons and foraging parties. All the fords can be guarded as you go up, although if the cavalry corps makes its movements toward the French Broad to-morrow the attention of the rebels will be so much engaged that they will hardly attempt to cross to this side, even if they hear of our going up, which is doubtful. If they should cross a large force to menace us, it will be all the better for your command on the other side of the river; they can never catch us in these woods and mountains, as we have the whole population to guide and picket for us. If the plan is accepted, I think we can take many prisoners and wagons and bring them off, thus crippling their facilities for foraging permanently. If they should cross the river at about Den- ton's Ford to intercept us, they will probably send a smaller force than ours, as they will deem it improbable that a brigade has got on the south side of French Broad without their knowledge. We would, in that event, have the smaller force at our mercy. There would be no risk to your main force in sparing this brigade, as our force of cavalry is certainly that much larger than the enemy's, while theirs is scattered from the mouth of the Chucky to Denton's Ford.
If the general movement to-morrow is prompt, some large foraging parties with wagons can probably be caught in the bend of the river at Swann's Island, above Dandridge, by taking the Ellett's Ferry road; they are foraging there to-day with one regiment of cavalry.
You had probably better retain Lieutenant Miller and Lieutenant McGuire, of the Ninth Tennessee, who accompany this, as guides, to come with the main body when it starts; they are acquainted thoroughly with all the country, trails, etc., in the vicinity of Dandridge below and above, to the mouth of the Chucky.
I have arranged to have here at daylight to-morrow the latest in- formation from up the French Broad, as far as mouth of Chucky on this side.
ยท Please send me some of the President's proclamations; the rebel pickets at Swann's Island are asking for them.
I am, Lieutenant, yours very respectfully,
WM. J. PALMER, Colonel Commanding.
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Addenda.
HEADQUARTERS ANDERSON CAVALRY, (Jim Evans' Ford, twelve miles from Sevierville) January 14, 1864, 7.30 P.M.
LIEUTENANT SHAW,
Act. Asst. Adj. Gen., Gen. Elliott's Hdqrs., Cav. Corps, Mossy Creek.
A force of rebel cavalry entered Sevierville this afternoon, coming from the direction of the Great Smoky Mountains on the Gatlinburg road at 2 P.M.
The Provost Marshal of the place, who sent me word, stated that he was in the court-house and saw them pass by, and that he estimated their number at 300. It appears that they immediately started out on the Newport road after two small wagon trains, of thirty wagons in all, which had gone out after wheat. One of these has with little doubt been captured; the other I have just heard of as being five miles from here, making the utmost speed for Tom Evans' Ford.
Some rebels have also crossed the river to this side above here, near Hays' Ferry, to-day. I could attend to the case of the Sevierville party, but do not like to be between two fires. Please send the brigade at once, and we will capture more game. The 300 may capture other wagon trains, unless some assistance comes. I have but about 200 men. Please send me word at a gallop what will be done.
Yours, WM. J. PALMER, Colonel Commanding.
P. S .- There are about 200 rebel infantry encamped on south side of French Broad at Hays' Ferry. A scouting party of rebel cavalry came down the road on this side as far as Nick Swann's, ten miles from here, this morning.
WM. J. PALMER, Colonel Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ANDERSON CAVALRY, NEAR SEVIERVILLE, January 15, 1864.
LIEUTENANT SHAW,
Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
Lieutenant,-I have the honor to report, for the information of the General commanding, that on learning that a cavalry force of the enemy from North Carolina, under General Vance, had entered Sevier- ville on the evening of the 13th and captured a train of eighteen wagons, I started in pursuit at 3 o'clock the next morning from my camp on the French Broad, four miles from Dandridge, with detachments of the Anderson Cavalry and the Tenth Ohio Cavalry, amounting in all to less than 200 men.
After a march of thirty miles we found the enemy on Crosby Creek, twenty-three miles from Sevierville, and within about five miles of the Great Smoky Mountains.
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They had rested to feed their animals, and were then about to take the road thence to Newport. I immediately charged them in column of fours, routing their command, which fled in the utmost disorder, throw- ing away their guns, belts, blankets, saddlebags, etc., and most of them quitting their horses.
We captured fifty-two prisoners, including Brigadier-General Vance, brother of Governor Vance, of North Carolina, and a Captain and Lieutenant of his staff (the Assistant Adjutant General and Acting In- spector General of the command) ; also about 150 saddled horses and over 100 stand of arms, besides destroying a large number of arms on the road.
We also captured a fine ambulance filled with medical stores, of which we were sadly in need; also a quantity of bacon, salt, meal, etc., picked up by the rebels on their retreat from Sevierville.
We also recaptured all the wagons and mules, together with the wagon master and twenty-three other prisoners, that were taken with the train. Four of these were loyal citizens who had been tied to prevent their escape.
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