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 59
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The enemy had two wounded men. Our loss was nothing. I have sent Home Guards to scour the mountains for dismounted rebels, of whom doubtless a considerable number will be captured.
The entire force is dissipated, and the men not captured will probably return to their homes.
General Vance's Assistant Adjutant General informs me that the force we attacked was about 300 men.
Colonel Thomas with 150 Indians, composing the rest of the invad- ing force, with two pieces of artillery and ten to twelve wagons, remained back at Gatlinburg (fourteen miles from Sevierville), where he will probably remain until he hears of the defeat of Vance.
If some fresh cavalry can be sent here immediately, these Indians and guns can be captured.
General Vance informs me that he left Asheville, N. C., with his command on the 8th instant, and that his men have been in the saddle ever since,
He came through Waynesville, Quallatown and Gatlinburg. Nearly all of them had new horse equipments, and all were well clad. I have forwarded the prisoners to Knoxville, and returned the train to its wagon master.
I am, Lieutenant, yours very respectfully,
WM. J. PALMER, Colonel Commanding.
NASHVILLE, TENN., January 17. 1864.
MAJOR-GENERAL HALLECK,
Commander-in-Chief.
On the 14th instant General Vance made a raid toward Sevierville and captured a train of twenty-three wagons. He was promptly pursued by
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Colonel Palmer, who recaptured the wagons and took one ambulance, loaded with medicines, 150 saddle horses, and 100 stand of arms. General Vance, his Assistant Adjutant General and his Inspector General are among the prisoners captured.
U. S. GRANT, Major General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 6.
CAMP OF ANDERSON CAVALRY, CAMP LINGLE, March I, 1864.
It is with regret that I announce to the officers and men of this command that their patriotic offer to re-enlist for three years or the war. although forwarded to Washington with a warm recommendation from Major-General Thomas, has been rejected. The Secretary of War re- plies that no exception to the rule in such cases can be made in favor of the Anderson Cavalry.
Although this result is a hearty disappointment to us, fellow-soldiers, we should not regret that our proposition was made to the authorities. It has shown them and the country that our hearts are in the right place, and that while we are not in love with danger and privations, we despise them when they stand in the way of the prosecution of this war to its final result in the complete achievement of the honor and prosperity of our native land. Having been granted, by General Thomas, a leave of absence of twenty days, in consequence of the death of my father, I avail myself of this last public opportunity to take a temporary leave of the officers and men of the Regiment; hoping to find them, on my return, as brave, uncomplaining and dashing soldiers and in as good health and spirits as they now are.
WM. J. PALMER, Colonel.
CAMP OF ANDERSON CAVALRY, ROSSVILLE, GA., April 15, 1864.
LIEUT .- COL. CHAS. B. LAMBORN,
Commanding Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Colonel,-I have the honor to make the following report, relative to the late scout in Broomtown Valley, made in accordance with orders from Department Headquarters, received at 2 A.M., IIth instant. Our Regiment could only furnish thirty-four serviceable horses instead of the 100 to 150 called for in the order. With Lieutenant Taylor and thirty- four men, together with Dick Turpin's scouts, six in number, I started from camp soon after sunrise, and marched via Crawfish Spring to Lafay- ette, twenty-three miles; about five miles below former place we found a man named Wm. Burd, belonging to an Engineer Corps in the rebel army, who was home on furlough. He expressed his intention to desert and come within our lines and I sent him to you. At Lafayette, not find- ing any of our cavalry, as anticipated, I left a detail of four men, with
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instructions to remain until near sunset, and apprise me in case the cavalry arrived before that time, and moved the balance of my party to Dug Gap, five miles from Lafayette, and bivouacked for the night. Early on the morning of the 12th, I sent Lieutenant Taylor to ascertain whether the cavalry had yet arrived, and if so to endeavor to obtain part of it to strengthen my party. Learned, through him, that the Seventy-eighth Illi- nois, Colonel Van Blyck, had camped near the town the previous night and were then marching to McLemore's Cove via Blue Bird Gap. Colonel Van Blyck told him he could move toward Chattanooga after getting in the cove, and stay near Mission Ridge same night. No cavalry had been in Lafayette. Scouts reported a small squad of rebels in the neighbor- hood of Trion Factory, some eight miles below Lafayette, under Captain Glover. Captain Davenport's command (rebel) were reported at Price's Bridge, on Chattooga River, nine miles southeast from Alpine. Deeming it imprudent to attack his force of some forty or fifty men with my small party, after my horses had been marching two days, I decided to move toward Alpine by way of Mclemore's Cove, and through Dougherty's Gap to Lookout Mountain, and camp at Neals' Gap, some seven miles above Alpine. Marched about twenty-two miles. Turpin brought in Lieutenant Thomas, of the Third Confederate Cavalry, and private Coker, of the Thirty-ninth Georgia Infantry. They were living at home on Lookout Mountain, three miles from Neals' Gap. The former was sick; the latter, a paroled prisoner, having been wounded at the battle of Champlain Hills, in May, 1863, and then taken prisoner. Sent Turpin's party and five of my men into Broomtown Valley, after sunset, with instructions to scout in the direction of Alpine and Summerville and report to me at six the next morning. About nine that night Tur- pin sent in Mr. Allman, a violent secession citizen, living this side of Alpine. At two the scouting party returned and informed me of a con- siderable force of rebel cavalry at Alpine. Soon after daylight, on the 13th, came down Neals' Gap and fed my horses at the Neals; also took one day's forage to feed last night and this morning. Moved up Broom- town Valley toward Lafayette, scouts in advance, capturing a rebel mail carrier, named W. M. Moon, at McQuerter's store, three miles from Neals' Gap, together with the mail, which Turpin brought in to Depart- ment Headquarters. Moon lives three miles this side of Gaylesville, Ala., nineteen miles below Alpine, and has been carrying the mail be- tween former place and Summerville. Learned that a considerable force of rebel cavalry (probably 2000 or 2500) were camped at Blue Mountain, fifty-five miles southwest from Gaylesville; also a small force, probably fifty men, under a Captain Clifton, were at Blue Pond, nine miles west of Galesville. Sent Turpin and party to Lafayette, while I proceeded to Dug Gap. Turpin joined me at the latter place and reported that there had been none of our cavalry there since we were. He met a citizen from Alpine who told him Captain Davenport's battalion, of some 280 men, was at Alpine the night previous, and having heard that a regi- ment of Yankee cavalry was in the mountain near them, and a brigade of
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infantry had moved in Mclemore's Cove the same day, they became alarmed and left there at daylight for Blue Pond. From Dug Gap I marched to the cove and down the main valley road to near the inter- section of that and Cooper's Gap road. Gave Turpin's party permission to stay further up the cove. Soon after 8 o'clock last evening we heard two shots fired where my picket was posted; I immediately formed my men in line of skirmishers, dismounted and sent out the reserve pickets mounted, to ascertain the cause of alarm. The man on post, Pohl, of Company L, informed me he thought he heard some twenty slrots fired about a mile beyond him, and soon after heard a party of mounted men approaching. Halting them they informed him they were friends to the Union. He told one to advance, and as he was coming up, this man said, "Jake, is that you?" Pohl replied "No." "Who are you, then ?" was asked. "I am a picket for the regiment of cavalry back here,"was the reply. By this time he was alongside, and pulling out his pistol and pointing it at his breast, said: "You come with me." Pohl answered, "Well, you go first," and as the man was turning his mule, Pohl shot him, and wheeling his horse, ran back to the reserve. Immediately after he had discharged his carbine, he was shot at by one of the party whom he had halted. I found the first-named man had been instantly killed. Soon after, I had all the horses saddled and sent for Turpin, but as he could not be found, and I not knowing the locality of the side road :, I concluded to move across to Cooper's Gap. Sent a citizen, named Keys, living near, to reconnoiter at the junction of Pond Spring and Chattanooga roads, at Widow Dickey's. This morning he reported that no disturb- ance had been heard there. I came on to camp, and on the route learned that the man killed last night was a citizen and supposed to be loyal, named John Carlock, living four miles this side of Cooper's Gap. I could not ascertain any motive for his actions last night nor who was with him, definitely. It is supposed a man named Bill Etting was one of the party. He professes to be a scout for this army. I arrived in camp yesterday afternoon and sent prisoners to Chattanooga.
I am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHAS. M. BETTS, Captain Company F, Fifteenth Penna. Cavalry Commanding detachment.
DALTON, August 20, 1854.
MAJOR-GENERAL STEADMAN.
We arrived here this morning, having thoroughly scouted the country from Graysville, through Parker's Gap eastward on the old Alabama road, to within twelve miles of Cleveland, thence across to Red Clay and to Varnell's Station, thence via Tunnel Hill to Dalton. There are no rebels, even in small parties, within that range, and none to be heard of nearer than East Tennessee. The rebel cavalry that cut the road at Graysville was a Kentucky brigade, under General Williams, numbering about 900 men, which came through Parker's Gap and McDaniel's Gap,
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and went back the same way. The last of these left the old Alabama road at Blackburn's, eight miles from Parker's Gap, near which they fed on Wednesday at 3 P.M., and took the road to Red Clay, but turned off toward Cleveland. Some of the soldiers told the people they were going to Kentucky. The rebels fed their horses on green corn, with what hay and sheaf oats they could pick up. They also said they were to meet General Vaughn at Charleston, on the Hiwassee River.
WM. J. PALMER, Colonel Commanding.
DALTON, August 20, 1864. (Received 22d.)
GENERAL WILLIAM D. WHIPPLE, Assistant Adjutant General.
We have been scouting in this district under orders of General Steadman. If we are to proceed to Atlanta without delay, please telegraph him.
WM. J. PALMER,
Colonel Commanding Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
DALTON, August 23, 1864.
MAJOR-GENERAL STEADMAN.
I sent out one company yesterday morning eastward to Holly Creek, beyond Spring Place, and another through Ship's Gap to Summerville via Broomtown Valley; the last will not return till to-night. The first company returned last evening, and report a body of 500 rebel cavalry lying on the Westfield turnpike at the foot of the Cohutta Mountain, about twenty miles from here, on the road to Ellijay. They are apparently holding that gap for the protection of couriers or other communications between Wheeler and Atlanta. They came there on Sunday from the direction of Columbus, having been sent to learn the old Federal road in the neighborhood of Cohutta Springs on Saturday evening, and to pro- ceed in the direction of Ellijay. This body has two companies guard- ing the ford of Hold's Creek. I do not think they intend to harass the railroad, but merely to hold that gap.
WM. J. PALMER, Colonel Commanding Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
CALHOUN, September 2, 1864.
BRIG .- GEN. WILLIAM D. WHIPPLE.
My Regiment is here-440 officers and men-all well armed. equipped and mounted. Can I not bring them at once to the front? Please answer.
WM. J. PALMER,
Colonel Commanding Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
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CALHOUN, September 12, 1864.
GENERAL STEADMAN.
I am ordered by General Elliott, Chief of Cavalry, to march to inter- cept Williams' rebel cavalry, and to keep him and yourself informed of any movements of the enemy. I propose to start to-morrow for the Hiwassee River. Can you give me the latest information concerning whereabouts and condition of Williams' and Dibrell's brigades, and where the Ninth Pennsylvania and Fifth Tennessee regiments are, and what course they will pursue ?
WM. J. PALMER, Colonel Commanding Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY, WAUHATCHIE, November 13, 1864.
MAJOR MOE,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Headquarters Dist. of the Etowah, Chattanooga.
Major,-I have the honor to report that my scouting party of thirty men, under Lieutenant Weand, referred to in my communication of to- day, has returned to camp this evening. Lieutenant Weand reports that he proceeded to Valley Head and returned by Sand Mountain and Lookout Valley. He learned from a woman who came over from McLemore's Cove that there had been no rebels there lately, and none had been on Lookout Mountain. There were none in Wills Valley nearer than Gadsden, where Captain Wetherspoon was reported to be with seventy-five men. Another company of Home Guards, sixty men. under Captain Davenport, had been recently disbanded, but was to meet again on the 20th instant. A third company, under Captain Freeman, had been operating with the first mentioned two; but his whereabouts could not now be learned, but was supposed to be near Gadsden. These bands had not apparently sent any scouting parties toward Trenton, the few men who came in that direction, from time to time, being natives of the valley on visits to their families. It was seldom, according to the people, most of whom were loyal about Valley Head, that more than three or four together could be seen about there. Indeed the valley (Lookout) is so well stripped of provisions and forage that a force of any size could not be supported, except on a rapid march through it, and on Sand Mountain there is nothing whatever for man or horse. Nothing could be heard of any enemy in the country between Guntersville and Gadsden, and the impression among the people was that all of Beaure- gard's force had gone on toward Florence.
I am, Major, your obedient servant.
!VM. J. PALMER, Colonel Commanding.
CAMP LOOKOUT, WAUHATCHIE, November 21, 1864. COL. WILLIAM J. PALMER,
Sir,-In obedience to orders, I started last Friday morning for Valley Head via Dougherty's Gap, with twelve men, taking three days'
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rations; sent a Corporal with four men on a byroad leading along the foot of Lookout Mountain, with orders to meet me at Trenton. On arriving there myself I called on a man named Harris; learned from him that there had been six rebels there the night previous; tried to get in- formation concerning a byroad leading to Johnson's Crook, but could find nobody who knew of any other than the main valley road. I waited until the Corporal came up, then went on up the Valley; made inquiries along the route, but could hear only of six rebels, who passed up toward Valley Head early that morning. Of course this was the same party I heard of at Trenton. I found a man named Pangle (disloyal) living at the fork of the road near Johnson's Crook; got forage from him, and went into camp. Distance from camp to Trenton, eleven miles ; distance from Trenton to Johnson's Crook, twelve miles; distance traveled first day, twenty-three miles; road bad. Next day we ascended the mountain and went toward Dougherty's Gap; met no one until within three miles of the gap; found a man named Withers (loyal) living there; tried to get all the information I could from him. He believed Gate- wood with his gang of guerrillas was at or near Lebanon; did not think there were any troops in McLemore's Cove; said that Hammock's and part of Freeman's gang were at Valley Head, probably twenty men in all. I then went on to Dougherty's Gap, found nothing there and came back and took the road toward Valley Head; halted at Ellison's (rebel), about four miles from where the road takes down the mountain; met a woman there who came from Valley Head same day. She said she saw Hammock there with five of his and twelve of Freeman's gang. Went into camp at Ellison's. Distance from Johnson's Crook to Dougherty's Gap, fourteen miles; distance from Dougherty's Gap to Ellison's, eight miles; distance traveled second day, twenty-two miles; road good. Started early the following day for Valley Head; found the road down the mountain pretty steep and rough. One of the horses (belonging to Company C) became so lame he could not keep up, and I was obliged to leave him in charge of the guide (Blaylock), with orders to take him back on the mountain road to camp. When we got within a short dis- tance of the foot of the mountain I saw a mounted rebel in the road ahead of us, toward Wills Valley; as soon as he saw us he turned and ran ; we gave chase, but he turned into the woods and made his escape. Turned back and took the road down the valley; learned from the citizens that there was a party of from eight to twelve rebels going ahead of us about three hours. The guide thought they were Walker's men, from the fact that most of them appeared to be mounted on mules, the tracks in the road being quite plain. About six miles from Valley Head I found a trail leading to the left of the main valley road ; could not learn where it led to, but saw the tracks of a small party who had passed up on it a short time previous to our coming there. Came on down the valley to Johnson's Crook, and there heard of the party under Sergeant Spidle; in the hope of being able to join them I came on to within three. miles of Trenton, where I learned that they had gone back to camp.
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Halted with the intention of remaining all night there, and sent two men on to report to you, but seeing the condition that the arms and ammuni- tion of some of the men were in, owing to the heavy and incessant rain, and taking into consideration the fact that most of the men had been up two nights already and were too much worn out to do guard or picket duty, I deemed it advisable to return to camp. Distance from Ellison's to Johnson's Crook, eighteen miles; distance from Johnson's Crook to camp, twenty-three miles; distance traveled third day, forty- one miles.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
LEWIS SELGRADE, Sergeant Company D.
WAUHATCHIE, November 22, 1864.
MAJOR MOE,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Headquarters District of the Etowah.
Major,-I have the honor to report that all my scouting parties have now returned. Captain Colton reached here to-day, having already reported to you direct all the information he obtained. I place very little confidence in the rumor that Wheeler's headquarters are at Gads- den, or that any considerable portion of his force is in the vicinity or in the direction of the Atlanta Railroad. My scouting party of twelve men, under Sergeant Selgrade, would have been apt to get some in- formation to that effect while at Valley Head, if it had been true. I inclose the Sergeant's report. The sum of the information obtained by the three scouting parties may be summed up thus: that the bands of local cavalry commanded by Gatewood, Wetherspoon, Davenport, Free- man and Hammock, the first consisting probably of seventy-five or 100 men, and all the others together not probably exceeding that number, occupy the lower part of Broomtown and Wills Valleys, whence they send up small scouting parties, numbering from five to twenty men, as far as Trenton, McLemore's Cove, Bailey's Crossroads and Lafayette. Except for the damage inflicted upon loyal citizens, they do not appear to be worthy of much consideration. I have a report, also, that Russell has a party of fifty or seventy-five men along this side of the Tennessee River, opposite Bellefonte. The rebel squads who come down Lookout Valley appear generally to retire on Sand Mountain.
I am Major, your obedient servant.
IVM. J. PALMER, Colonel Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE ETOWAH, COURTLAND, ALA., December 30, 1864, 5.15 P.M. COL. WILLIAM J. PALMER, Commanding Cavalry.
Colonel,-Your dispatch just received. The infantry, if it should move now, could not reach Leighton before 2 A.M. to-morrow. You will,
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therefore, have to exercise your own judgment as to whether you can safely make the expedition without support from the infantry. It is fair to suppose that the pontoon train has a guard at least equal to your own force. The service of your command will be needed to scout in the direction of the river and Tuscumbia. I do not wish you to break down your horses, but leave you free to make the expedition, if you think you can do it with perfect safety. Send me a commissioned officer with twenty-five of your men for courier duty. Please inform me whether you pursue the train or not.
By command of Major-General Steadman,
S. B. MOE, Assistant Adjutant General.
This is in answer to Colonel Palmer, asking permission to pursue and attempt the capture of the pontoon train on which General Hood's army had recrossed the Tennessee River on its retreat from the battle of Nashville.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH PENNA. (ANDERSON) CAVALRY, HUNTSVILLE, January 10, 1865.
MAJ. S. B. MOE,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Headquarters Dist. of the Etowah.
Major,-I have the honor to report, as directed by Major-General Steadman, the operation of my command since the 20th ultimo :
On the evening of December 19th, I received orders to march with my Regiment from Wauhatchie, near Chattanooga, where I was encamped, to Bridgeport, where transports would probably meet me to take my command to Decatur. I reached Bridgeport at 4 P.M. on the 20th, but found no transports, and after telegraphing the facts to General Stead- man, at Murfreesboro, was directed by telegraph on the evening of the 22d to march immediately to Huntsville. I accordingly started at 6 P.M. the same day, but was obliged to go into camp six miles from Bridgeport, on the bank of Widow's Creek, in consequence of that stream being past fording and of the bridges having been swept away. I marched at daylight the next morning, and by taking a circuitous route around the source of Widow's Creek, succeeded in reaching Steven- son with my wagons early in the afternoon. Here I met Major-General Steadman, who had just arrived by rail from Murfreesboro, and re- ceived from him verbal instructions to leave my wagons at Caperton's Ferry, to be shipped by transports to Decatur, and to march as rapidly as possible with my Regiment to the same place. This march occupied four days and a half, the rise of water in Crow Creek and Paint Rock River making it necessary to go around by the head of Coon Creek and of Hurricane Fork of Paint Rock River, crossing the spur of the Cumberland Mountain which divides these streams at their source. On this route I had no difficulty in fording the water courses, and found sufficient forage for my command. I reached the north bank of the Tennessee River, opposite Decatur, at I P.M. of December 28th, and by
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dark had finished crossing, the infantry and artillery of the expedition, . with Lieutenant-Colonel Prosser's command of cavalry, having nearly finished crossing when I arrived at the river bank. I at once received orders from Major-General Steadman to take command of Lieutenant- Colonel Prosser's Cavalry (detachments of the Second Tennessee and Tenth, Twelfth and Thirteenth Indiana, numbering in all about 300 effective men), in connection with my own Regiment, and to advance on the Courtland road. After feeding the horses I started at 8 P.M., and on reaching a hill two miles from Decatur, saw the camp fires of the enemy on an elevation about two miles beyond. Halting the command, I took a battalion of 130 men of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry and advanced to reconnoiter the enemy's strength and position. On nearing the lights, their pickets fired, when I ordered my advance guard of thirty men to charge, which they did so boldly that the enemy, who proved to be Colonel Winde's regiment, of Roddy's command, had not time to form, but fled in disorder down the road, followed closely by my advance guard for one mile, when the enemy attempted to make a stand to cover his artillery. Another vigorous charge by our advance; how- ever, drove him from his guns (two six-pounders), which fell into our hands, with all the horses standing hitched to them in the road. We then went into camp (at 10 P.M.) to rest the men and animals for the next day's work. Thus in less than four hours after landing from the boats at Decatur we had advanced, in the night, six miles in a country and against an enemy of which we were almost entirely ignorant, and had taken possession of the camp and artillery of his rear guard.
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