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 8
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
It was then that Major Rosengarten's battalion appeared. They had been following up Ward's party, but had gone farther down the pike toward Murfreesboro, and when the musketry got heavy, indicating a severe engagement, they were faced to the right, details threw down the fence and the battalion went forward on the charge with "advanced carbine." This was done in plain sight of the enemy, who, in addition to being prepared to receive them, was continually reinforced from the rebel line of battle, which was just in the rear. Resting their guns on the third and fourth rail of the fence, their aim was more destructive than it had been, and the losses among Rosengarten's men ex- ceeded that in Ward's. The fact that a large part of the former's line of battle was in the open field, in plain sight, and the rebels being no longer so confused, as they had been at Major Ward's sudden attack, accounts for the greater loss. The first volley killed Major Rosengarten and also Colonel Palmer's horse, "Zolli- coffer," a blooded black, known to all the men, which the Major was riding. Seven balls pierced the Major. The horse was riddled with bullets. His fall did not dampen the ardor of his men, who kept up the fight, supported by those of Major Ward's party who were about retiring but advanced again when Rosengarten came on the field. But the odds were too unequal, and gradually all fell back out of range.
The loss of both Majors was a severe blow to the Regiment and a personal loss to me. Since leaving Louisville we had been thrown closely together, and it was not possible to know either of them intimately without learning to love them. When Major
88
History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania' Cavalry.
Rosengarten rejoined us the previous day, as we rode together that beautiful Sunday morning, I recall the fact that he was very much depressed. He told me that he could not shake off the feeling that he would not survive the coming battle, and the next night he lay a sacrifice to his country, called for in the suppression of the most unjustifiable rebellion ever incited by wicked men.
By order of General Stanley the Regiment had gone to the rear a short distance. Just as we were being properly re-formed, with Captain Norman M. Smith in command, an orderly arrived say- ing Major Ward wished me to come to him. I hurried back and found him, as he himself thought, in a dying condition. He was conscious of his condition and expressed himself satisfied with having done his duty, and said he was willing to die.
Just before this the Surgeon had gone, with two other men, under a flag of truce, to attend the wounded, some of whom were raising the most piteous cries I ever heard. I remained under flag of truce, as we were in sight of the enemy. Shortly the Gen- eral sent word ordering all to the rear except myself. I was to remain with the Major until an ambulance could be procured. As we were in danger of being captured, I sent my saber and pistol back, so that they should not get into the hands of the enemy, even if I did. It was the wish of the Major that I remain with him, he asking for me whenever he woke up from his semi- conscious state. About half-past 4 an ambulance arrived, and we succeeded in getting the Major away and sent him to General McCook's headquarters, some three miles in the rear.
I had become entirely separated from the Regiment, but soon found my old Company B, which had lately arrived, having been left behind on duty. The Regiment, under the command of Captain Smith, had previous to this, in compliance with orders, fallen back, and it then being dark, and we being unable to find them, our Company bivouacked alone that night.
The next morning, Tuesday, we found our boys not more than 800 or 900 yards from us. I found my saber and pistol, and inquiring the way to the hospital, found Major Ward still liv- ing, but very low. After he had spoken a few words, express- ing his willingness to die and his firm opinion that he could not last more than a day, he requested me to leave him and not to allow anyone else in the room, as the trial of seeing his friends
89
Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry at Stone River.
under the circumstances was too great. All he could say was : "Tell the boys not to be discouraged on account of our mis- fortunes."
On our way to the rear, the evening previous, the news of our loss having reached the ears of those composing the long columns of infantry and artillery that were pushing forward, we were everywhere met with expressions of sympathy.
When a few of us reached the hospital, General McCook had already gone forward, and General Johnson's division, which was to act as reserve, was just coming up. We were ordered to have our command brought to the Crossroads, as the place was called, supplied with fresh ammunition, and take the rear of Gen- eral Johnson's division, as General Stanley said enough damage had been done for one day.
We moved about one and a half miles and rested for a time on the road. Skirmishing had already commenced where we had fought the day before. It was determined to send forward a wagon and detachment of six men to secure the bodies of those killed and find the whereabouts of the wounded. The artillery on our right wing was posted where we had been and where our dead lay in the woods. At a distance of about 600 yards in the woods beyond the skirmishing with infantry was very heavy, mingled with artillery fire. It was quite difficult, but McCook finally drove the enemy from their position and advanced about three-quarters of a mile. We were ordered to fall back to a creek, about one mile from where we started in the morning. Our party succeeded in getting the bodies of the killed, including that of Major Rosengarten, who lay with his head between the hind feet of his black horse, "Zollicoffer."
The wounded were supposed to be in a bottom which was in range of our batteries, and consequently we could not get them. We were not able to find out anything regarding them, as the As- sistant Surgeon and those who went with him under flag of truce had all been captured and carried off. The bodies secured were sent to Nashville, where some were buried. The bodies of Major Rosengarten and Sergeant S. F. Herring, however, were placed in metallic coffins, to await transportation home.
We lay where we had been ordered until dark, and were prepar- ing for a sleep, and had just laid down at half-past 10 o'clock,
90
History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
when "to horse !" sounded, and we were off again. We had been in the saddle for two days and two nights and did not unsaddle for two days longer. On our arrival at the Crossroads' Hos- pital we found that we were to escort some wagons to General Rosecrans' headquarters on the Murfreesboro turnpike. The night was very cold and dark, with the road very muddy and crooked. With the wagons our progress was very slow. We built small fires and warmed up, but soon an order came down the line to make no more fires. We had then to battle against two difficulties, cold and sleep. We had had no rest for two nights and not much to eat. After a pretty rough, and what was a very tedious journey, we arrived at the pike about 4 A.M., Wed- nesday, December 31, and soon had good fires kindled and snatched a short nap.
Meanwhile rumors came that the enemy's cavalry were in the rear of the army and captured and burned our regimental train, as well as a portion of the trains belonging to General McCook's and General Davis' headquarters. Daylight brought some of the men who had escaped when the train was attacked near Nolansville and several who had been paroled. These men accompanied the train as guard. The destruction had been com- plete ; tents, baggage, provisions, regimental books, papers, etc., had been entirely destroyed. The officers all happened to be wearing their fatigue uniforms, and lost all their dress suits and everything except what they had on. The plunder was not burned, for the rebels put the uniforms on and came out as gay as peacocks. One put on a dress hat, another a pair of trousers, another a dress coat with a major's or captain's shoulder straps, with sashes included. As the commissions belonging to some of the officers were among the private papers in the baggage, they were handed up and taken possession of by different officers. Major Prentice, rebel, son of George D. Prentice, of the Louis- ville Journal, got a commission belonging to Lieutenant James B. Curtin, and also put on a dress hat, and last but not least, he put on a pair of very handsome boots which I had had made in Louisville. I lost everything except what was on my body, even my dress jacket, which was in the Adjutant's box when taken.
At daylight the Regiment was ordered to escort a train to the rear and also to look after the guerillas who had burned the trains
91
Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry at Stone River.
mentioned above. Being without rations we obtained three days' supply, and were about to start when. a new excitement sprang up. Just beyond General Rosecrans' headquarters, about 800 or 900 yards' distance, men were hurriedly forming in line of battle. Reinforcements of artillery and infantry that were just arriving from the vicinity of Nashville were sent forward on the double quick, and we were ordered to the right about. We then heard the rebels had surprised our extreme right wing and thrown it into confusion and captured twelve pieces of artillery, which increased the demoralization.
Our cavalry in the vicinity were very soon concentrated and formed in line of battle. We followed General Stanley down the pike a short distance, when we were ordered to fall back on a line with the road over which we had come the previous night. We had not rested long when one of our ambulances and some stragglers, sick and slightly wounded, arrived from the Cross- roads Hospital, where the rebels had appeared in force about 7 or 8 o'clock. The enemy surprised General Johnson's division, which in turn demoralized McCook's corps, so that it was almost wholly useless that entire day.
It was from the hospital mentioned that my messmate, John C. Fleming, was taken with some twelve or fifteen others, and carried to Vicksburg. The enemy threatened to take our Sur- geon, but he claimed the immunities of his position, according to the cartel agreed upon by our Government and Jefferson Davis, and although they did take and hold him prisoner for four days, he was subsequently released. Major Ward and some other wounded were not disturbed. The Major lay until Sunday, January II, when he died, a patriot and a soldier, consoled with the hope that his sins were forgiven and that in the hour of battle he had performed his duty to himself and his country. Even at his early age, just twenty years, he had exhibited traits of military character extremely rare even in professionals much his senior. His body was taken to Pittsburg by his brother, who arrived only a few hours before his death.
After the cavalry had remained in line some time where they were formed along the road previously mentioned, the entire force was ordered forward toward our position of the day before. The cavalry numbered, all told, about 1200 to 1500, under
92
History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
General Stanley. We were scouting as we advanced. On crossing a fence to approach a stream we found ourselves in a small enclosure and all the fences perfect, leaving no opening. Already some 200 of our boys had collected in this place, while others were taking down the fences, when bang! bang! bang! bang! came from the artillery just on our left. Looking around we found that it came from the woods, and they continued to fire right into our ranks, shattering one man's arm, a fatal wound. Temporary confusion, of course, ensued, as everyone thought we were surrounded and without much hope of escape if the artillery firing upon us was supported, it being so close.
In ten or fifteen minutes we had re-formed, in an open field. In the meantime it was suggested that it might be one of our own batteries. The General sent an orderly over to find out. He dis- covered it to be, I believe, an Illinois or Ohio battery, whose officers had taken us for rebels. We were separated some dis- tance from the regiment in front of us in order to allow our men to close up, as they became scattered in crossing the fences. The regiment ahead had its colors flying, while our Company guidons were all covered, and as the distance separating us was noticed, they took us for rebels with colors covered to deceive following those who had already passed. Things were soon adjusted and we went forward. When we left our camp at Harpeth Creek, Captain Vezin was necessarily detained until after the squad- ron had moved, and being misinformed as to the direction we had taken did not find us until Tuesday morning, when Captain Smith turned over the command to him, he being the senior. We finally halted in a corn field about three-quarters of a mile from the big wood we left in the morning, having formed in our march a com- plete semicircle.
It was now about I o'clock P.M., and the artillery fire on our left wing was very heavy. Having marched directly across coun- try, keeping the road as little as possible, we had, of course, but little idea of the real direction of our line, and thought the firing came from our right, instead of which, as we found later, the entire corps of General McCook was resting in our rear, we being again in the advance with the cavalry force which had started from the pike with us. As usual in corn fields through this region we found plenty of corn still on the stalk to feed our horses. We
93
Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry at Stone River.
remained here for some two and a half hours, when we were ordered to fall in line. An hour and a half previous to this the regiment in front of us had been throwing out skirmishers, mounted and on foot, endeavoring to find out what was in the woods in front and on the right of us.
The whole movement was a perfect enigma to us, who had no idea of the close proximity of the enemy. A force was ordered into the woods on our right, and we were first sent to the left and then countermarched to the rear of the center, where we were in position to act independently or aid either flank. General Stan- ley now dismounted a portion of the force in the woods and they advanced rapidly for a few hundred yards, covered by the trees, when they suddenly became engaged with the skirmishers of the enemy. Reinforcements were sent by both parties and the action became very lively. Soon the enemy appeared in strong force and poured perfect volleys into the men on foot. Thinking we were confronted by a heavy infantry force. and having no infantry or artillery in our rear that we knew of, all our line fell back, as the enemy outnumbered us greatly. We were, however, soon in fighting trim, General Stanley cheering and begging the men not to falter. Our boys were now placed on the right, when the right and center of our little line were ordered forward. We soon became engaged, when the enemy opened with grape and canister, but fired too high, cutting the heads from the trees instead of the men. This excited the horses. We advanced to the edge of the woods, and by hard work dislodged the enemy and charged some distance after them. Their firing being very severe, however, our men fell back a little hastily and soon re-formed, and although the rebels came to the edge of the woods, they soon retired. Instead of being infantry, we found that they were dismounted cavalry, some 3000 strong, with artillery.
We were now moving slightly to the left, when the rebels came out of the woods and formed in line of battle in our front, show- ing a force of nearly 2000, with their left in the woods. They looked extremely bold, and the red flag was waved in bitter defiance, inviting us to the attack. Our lines extended for some 800 yards in nearly a semicircle, comprising from 1200 to 1400 effective men. General Stanley was everywhere, and in a moment he saw the best that could be done was to order a charge.
94
History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
The enemy had already brought two pieces of artillery into posi- tion and were firing shell, though without much precision.
"Let's charge them boys ! let's charge them !" cried the General. The Third Ohio was just to our left and rear, and to its Colonel General Stanley said: "Colonel, give your men the order to charge." All was excitement. The enemy appearing so bold there was a little diffidence on our part. "Where is my Seventh Pennsylvania?" asked the General. The Seventh Pennsylvania by their bravery and splendid conduct had won the affec- tion of the Generals in this department, and especially of General Stanley. They were soon found ready. "Now where is the Anderson Cavalry?" asked General Stanley. He found us ex- changing shots with the enemy, as some skirmishing was going on along the whole line. The charge had not yet been made, and we having, by our behavior on the Saturday and Monday pre- vious, gained the confidence and sympathy of the General, he said he would lead our little squadron in person, which excited the pride of our boys. With his sword waving he ordered: "For- ward! charge! Use your pistols and sabers, boys !" Then our boys charged at a gallop to within short pistol range and fired volley after volley with carbines and pistols, emptying some sad- dles. . The cavalry on our left charged at the same time. The rebels retreated some distance.
During this time an act of daring was performed by two of our boys which will be remembered for a long time to come. The name of one was Sergeant Henry C. Butcher, of Company B; the other Private L. B. Holt, of Company L. They saw the enemy's flag and coveted it as a prize, but to attempt its capture was to expose themselves to our own as well as the enemy's fire. After deliberating a moment, the prize was too tempting and they rode up, shot the standard bearer, who had advanced some dis- tance in front of his command, and brought the flag into our lines-the two men riding one wounded horse, the other being killed. It was an heroic and audacious act. It was a beautiful silk flag, belonging to the Third Alabama Battalion, and presented by the ladies of Selma, Ala .- the only flag the force carried. It was subsequently exhibited in the windows of Cornelius & Baker, on Chestnut Street, previous to its being presented to Governor Curtin, at Harrisburg.
95
Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry at Stone River.
Finding the enemy re-forming and knowing their superior force, we fell back a short distance and re-formed, the enemy using artillery. The order to charge was given and the whole line ad- vanced at a gallop, when the enemy broke and took to the woods.
It was now sundown, and had we pursued, no doubt we would have been caught in an ambuscade. It soon grew dark and we could do nothing more than hold our position and guard against any further movement. We found afterward that they had seven pieces of artillery, and were just bringing them into posi- tion when we made the second charge and frustrated their plan. The movements of General Stanley previous to the first charge mentioned did not take up as much time as it does to write the account of it. We were again complimented by him for our con- duct that day. We had only one Captain (Hewitt) and two privates wounded, and they but slightly. The Captain was shot through the wrist with a buckshot. William P. Ellis, in my mess, received a shot through the shoulder of his overcoat. Sergeant Charles Betts got a bullet through his hat and Charley Stew- art one through the front part of his boot. One man had his saber bent, another his carbine stock shot to pieces, another the end of his carbine barrel blown off, and another his stirrup shot off. Several horses were also lost. We therefore escaped very well; some of the other cavalry lost heavily.
We found that on the pike, in our rear, McCook had his artil- lery and infantry covered by bushes, hoping that we might be able to draw the enemy entirely out of their cover, but the thing did not work. We were ordered to take the center of the extreme front for a picket in force, at the same time throwing forward a few skirmishers in advance. It was moonlight, and a heavy frost falling made it very cold. No fires were allowed, and our condi- tion was anything but agreeable. It was not possible to stir around sufficiently to keep warm, lest the enemy should hear us, for they remained within gunshot all night.
Next morning we heard them sounding the advance with the bugle, but it was to the rear. The army in that vicinity did not sleep much that night, their minds being too intent on the antici- pations for the morrow, for the report had already been circulated among the men that Thursday, January 1, 1863, was to be cele- brated by a terrible battle.
96
History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
The Sergeant-Major, who was very unwell, went to the rear a short distance between 10 and II o'clock at night, and as I had been relieved I went with him. Arriving at the pike we took pos- session of a fire where only one man lay, and adding a number of rails, lay down on a bed of four rails and slept as best we could until morning ; but even then it was mighty cold. The continual passage of ammunition and baggage wagons and ambulances to- gether with the steady tread of cavalry and infantry, with ever and anon a battery of artillery, was clear evidence that the guiding mind of this department was not idle. I was awake at early dawn, and soon saw General McCook, who had suffered so severely the day before, passing with his staff to commence, though with a heavy heart, another day's labor, and at least hoping for better success.
At daylight Airey and I sought our command, which was already in motion near where we left them. I soon found they were going toward the pike, but not even the Captain com- manding knew our destination. The officers did not wish to be placed in danger again that day, as our ammunition was all gone ; besides our horses had not had their saddles off for five days and the men were overworked. The latter, however, even if offered, would not have been taken as an excuse, as many others were in the same position. Want of ammunition and condition of horses were made known to the Colonel to whom we were that day to report, who immediately had us supplied with fifteen rounds each of carbine cartridges. General Stanley was nearby, having every- thing attended to. We were then started up the pike, toward Nashville, and had gone perhaps three or four miles ere we found that we were to accompany the Third Ohio in guarding an im- mense wagon train, some nine or ten miles in length, to Nash- ville. It soon became known that an attack was expected to be made on this train by the cavalry under Wheeler, which did not at all increase the agreeableness of our position. Our boys, though green at the business, manifested a preference for fair, open-field fighting over bushwhacking. Flankers were thrown out along the train while our boys brought up the rear, which was an important position.
We were then about fifteen miles from Nashville, and the flankers were crossing a meadow, beyond which was a strip of
97
Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry at Stone River.
woods (in fact, the entire road is almost bordered with woods or hills, which makes it most desirable for these attacking parties), when they suddenly halted. Soon one fired into the woods, then another and another, and then they put spurs to their horses and retreated toward the pike. It was Wheeler's Cavalry, but they would not show themselves, although we immediately halted and sent out skirmishers, being at that time certainly not more than half their number. Luckily we had, among several unserviceable pieces of artillery we were taking to Nashville, two pieces that could be worked, and a shell from one of them caused the rebels to come out of the woods. It was only then that our responsibility became apparent. To preserve our train was our first duty, and for us to attempt to leave it in order to attack the enemy was to allow them the opportunity of hurrying forward a detachment to cut the train in the center or some slightly protected portion. After leaving the woods they quickly formed in line, and indeed looked formidable. The great question was to know whether they had any artillery. I suppose they had some with them, but they did not use it on us.
Orders had already gone forward to hurry up the wagons, which is almost equivalent to telling the drivers to run their teams into the ditch, cut the traces, mount a horse or a mule and get away. We wished to keep their attention on us, and not the train, as long as possible, for we knew that when the head of the line was within, say four miles of the city it was perfectly safe, and considering its length, we concluded that it had already nearly, if not quite, reached there ; so every moment we could hold them in check here was of immense importance. The enemy soon made a left turn and moved forward at a rapid gait. Meanwhile large numbers were continuing to emerge from the woods. They gal- loped forward, keeping to the right of us. The train had already gotten from one and a half to two miles from us. Here com- menced the destruction of property. With the least mishap-a trace becoming unfastened, a line breaking-or even if a team could not keep up, it was abandoned by the driver, who ran for his life.
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.