USA > Pennsylvania > York County > Shiloh > The Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania at Shiloh. History of the regiment. The battle of Shiloh > Part 7
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While here the command suffered severely from sickness, occasioned by exposure and the unwholesome surface water which the men were obliged to use. From this time until May ten, when the command arrived near Farmington, it was constantly engaged in reconnaissances and regular eamp
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Siege of Corinth.
duties. Occasionally the picket lines would be attacked, but a few return shots would always put the enemy to fiight.
Captain William A. Robinson arrived at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee with Company E., on the evening of May 2, 1862, and on the following day, marched about twelve miles south to join the regiment, which was actively engaged there in the movement upon Corinth, Mississippi. On May 8th, one hun- dred men of the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania, under Cap- tain Rose, and one hundred of the 29th Indiana, under Cap- tain Davis, were sent out to build a bridge across Seven Mile creek. They were attacked about nine A. M. by a superior force of the enemy. After a spirited resistance, they com- pelled the foe to retire and then continued their work until 4 P. M., having lost one killed, three wounded and one captured, all of the 29th Indiana. The enemy had at least four killed and one captured. The number of their wounded could not be ascertained, as they were borne along in the retreat. On the ninth the command moved four miles toward Farmington.
On the 10th, by special orders from General Buell, the Sec. ond Division was designated as the reserve of the centre of the army before Corinth, as a special mark of distinction be- cause of its eminent services in the battle of Shiloh. The actual siege of Corinth began on the seventeenth of May. The policy was to approach and intrench. This plan of opera- tion seemed slow, but was actually rapid and sure. The ob- ject was to reduce the place with the least possible sacrifice. The enemy's works were constructed upon a position of great natural strength. Any attempt to carry them by surprise or force, even if successful, would necessarily result in great loss to the assailants. By heavy fighting the lines were con- stantly carried forward by both the right and the left wings. As soon as a position was gained it was intrenched. Thus the flanks of our army closed in upon Corinth. When the flanks were secured the center advanced and intrenched. This first line of intrenchments was about four miles from Corinth. The siege from now on was conducted with great activity. At all hours of the day there was cannonading and musketry fighting on some parts of the line. Before the end of the siege, this fighting, although sometimes very severe and long continued, became so common and frequent that it
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excited no alarm and attracted very little attention except from those immediately engaged. On the 26th the division moved to the front and bivouacked inside the line of intrench- ments. On the 27th it was ordered forward to drive the enemy from the Hamburg-Corinth road, and gain possession of Bridge creek, a small stream which ran through a deep morass and across the road. This was accomplished with a loss of four men wounded. On the night of the 28th, the regi- ment worked on the intrenchments close to the Confederate works. All work had to be done there without any noise, and no loud talking was permitted. On the morning of the 30th the enemy was surprised by a new line of intrenchments which had sprung up during the night, almost under their noses. That morning the army was early on the move towards Corinth, but without meeting the enemy. Suddenly, about six o'clock, a roaring was heard that, at first sounded like the discharge of heavy guns. These heavy reports were quickly followed at short intervals by others. Soon dense volumes of smoke became visible. "What's that?" exclaimed the men. "They are 'skedaddling,' and destroying what they cannot take along." All was soon made clear. The regiment speedily came in sight of the works of the enemy and found them evacuated. . The Seventy-seventh's flag was the first flag of the center division that was planted on those works. After going over them, arms were stacked for a short rest. The Confederate camps were all deserted, their tents still standing. The boys in blue were soon among them, picking up mementos of all kinds, among which were large numbers of homemade knives, of all shapes and sizes. The enemy had, apparently, left in great haste, as much camp equipage was left behind. In some places was found kneaded dough ready to bake into biscuits. In many Dutch ovens biscuits were baking, baked or burnt. Kettles of meat hung over the fires, some cooked, others not yet done. Everything indicated a hasty departure, without even taking time to eat their break- fast before leaving. On their outer works were mounted numerous "Quaker guns" (logs with ends painted black to imitate cannon) with dummy gunners as harmless as the guns beside them.
At the point where the 77th entered the hostile works was
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In Alabama.
a blue uniform, stuffed with straw, suspended by the neck from the limb of a tree, with a card on it marked General Hal- leck. While the regiment was there, the General and his Staff rode up. Some one directed his attention to the effigy, but he, having other matters to attend to, rode on. Thus ended the siege of Corinth.
On June nine, General Buell received orders to proceed toward East Tennessee, the objective points being Chatta- nooga, Knoxville and Dalton, and to repair the Memphis and Charleston Railway and hold that line as he advanced. The march east began on June tenth. The column moved steadily forward, receiving its supplies as it reached the chief points of communication with the north-Tuscumbia, Florence, Athens and Huntsville, Alabama. In this latitude the weather was now excessively warm, and the roads deep with dust. On June eleventh, Iuka, Mississippi was reached. It was a pretty little town with some famous mineral springs and large hotels, indicating clearly that it was a favorite re- sort for the pleasure or health seekers of the Southland. Here the command remained for some days. On the 15th, it camped on a high bluff, along the banks of the Tennessee river, opposite to Florence, Alabama, at the point where Gen- eral Andrew Jackson crossed, with his army, in 1812. The place is still called Jackson's Ferry.
On the 22d the division crossed the river, and passing through Florence, camped about one mile east of the town. On the 24th, it marched ten miles, and on the 25th, nineteen miles, fording Shoal and Sugar creeks. Owing to the intense heat, the command was obliged to lie over during the middle of the day. On the 26th, with a temperature of 125 degrees in the shade, the men marched eleven miles, fording Elk river. The twenty-seventh was too hot for marching. While in camp in the woods, a horse race was arranged by some of the officers of the brigade. It gave rise to a dispute, which ended in a sword duel between a Captain and First Lieutenant of the Seventy-seventh. They, with their seconds, repaired to a secluded spot in the woods to have it out, but, somehow, the affair leaked out, and a guard was sent after them to arrest both offenders. But the guard came too late. The fight was on when they arrived, one having already received
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a sword cut on the head, and the other a cut on one arm. Both were placed under arrest. That evening the command passed through Athens, having marched eight miles. The following day's march to Indian creek was fourteen miles. While camped here some of the boys celebrated the "Fourth of July," "Independence Day," as best they could, making speeches and singing patriotic songs, the writer himself en- joyed a plate of Indian creek turtle soup. Huntsville was passed on the fifth, and next day the command marched fifteen miles, forded Flint river. and camped at Hurricane creek. During the night quite a panic was caused in camp by stam- pedes among the mules, which occurred three different times during the night. Each time the men scattered in every di- rection, some getting behind trees. All thought that the enemy's cavalry was attacking. No one was injured. The next night's bivouac was thirteen miles farther east at Paint Rock creek. Here was found a large spring, pouring forth most excellent water, which at some former time, had been utilized to drive a mill, the ruins of which were still there.
On the eighth, Larkinsville was reached after a fifteen mile tramp. The next day the command passed through Scotsboro to Bellefonte, twelve miles more. On the tenth another twelve miles were covered, fording two creeks. On the four- teenth, the entire division was reduced to half rations in con- sequences of a raid of Confederate cavalry to Murfreesbor- ough and the destruction of the railroad there. On the eigh- teenth, camp was left at 3 A. M., passing through Stevenson and Bolivar, the division halted near the mouth of Battle creek. The camp was located at the foot of a huge moun- tain from the top of which the enemy's camps were in plain view on the south. side of the Tennessee river. While in camp here the 77th picketed the north side of the Tennessee, while the Confederate picket line extended along the south side of the river. The lines being in plain view of each other, frequent conversations, across the river, were held by the boys in blue with those in gray.
The second division was the only one as far east as Battle creek. The other divisions of Buell's army were at different points all along the line of the Memphis and Charleston Rail- road, and at other places in the rear where the presence of
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Battle Creek.
troops was necessary. Half rations were continued during the whole stay of the Division in the camp at Battle creek. The amount issued was really very little more than one-fourth rations, as most of the articles allowed by army regulations were missing entirely. Only coffee, sugar, hard bread and meat, with occasionally, a few beans or peas, were issued in half allowance. The amount issued being barely enough to sustain life. To prevent the men going out foraging and to keep them in camp, an order was issued on July 25, providing for a roll call every two hours, during the day. Good spirits, however, prevailed among the men. Some of them, in a jocu- lar way, headed their letters "Camp Starvation, at the foot of Mount Misery, Tennessee."
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Seventy-serenth Pennsylvania Regiment.
CHAPTER III.
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Bragg moves Northward-Buell follows-Louisville, Kentucky-Re-organi- zation of the Army-Fern Creek-Claysville-Frankfort-Lawrence- burg-Capture of Convalescents and Quartermasters-Scarcity of Water -Perryville.
0 N the twentieth of August it was reported that the Con- federate army, under General Bragg, had crossed the Tennessee river, at or near Chattanooga, and was mov- ing northward, aiming probably at Nashville. This placed the Army of the Ohio on the defensive by threatening its en- tire line of communication with the north. . This was a vital matter as the army was already almost without supplies. The country was destitute of corn and other grain, and even fodder could be secured by foraging in only very small quan- tities. Under such circumstances, the only safe plan was to withdraw the army from the line of the Memphis and Charles- ton Railroad and the Tennessee river, and concentrate at some point to the north, and there strive to hold Nashville and pro- tect the line of communication.
Therefore, pursuant to orders issued on the twentieth, the Second Division, at eight o'clock in the evening, began its march. Not a bugle, drum, cheer or noise of any kind was heard. Very cautiously, in the stillness of the night, they pro- ceeded to Battle creek, covering the bridge at that point with cornfodder to deaden the sound of the men crossing on it. Evidently they were about to execute some coup, to surprise the enemy and take Chattanooga. Meanwhile the bostile pickets just across the river, ever watchful though they were, never dreamed of the departure of the Union army. But the column had barely started when it was halted to lie on its arms for the night. At daylight it moved up the valley and bivouacked for the night, about Jasper. The next morning at five o'clock the troops were again in motion, the men still thinking that they were bound. for Chattanooga. After marching about three miles they were halted and ordered to countermarch over the Cumberland mountains. Naturally
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Battle Creek.
the troops were extremely disappointed. Here the moun- tains are rugged and rocky, layer upon layer they lie rough and steep, almost perpendicular at many places, and practi- cally without roads over them. Up these heights the artil- lery and heavy trains must be taken.
Whole companies were placed at the wagons, cannons and caissons. It was pull, push and put shoulders to the wheels. In some instances they had to be lifted up bodily. When the ascent had been very nearly accomplished, and the men had already begun to rejoice that their arduous labor was nearly ended, another bitter disappointment came in the shape of orders to face about. For what purpose they did not know. It was very discouraging to have to work so hard to get can- non and wagons up the mountains, only to bring them down again. But the latter task was easier, while difficult enough to accomplish in safety, it was easier to bring them down than to carry them up.
The descent was finally accomplished and the command, reaching the valley about ten o'clock at night, bivouacked at Battle creek, not far from the old camp ground. All were greatly discouraged at this. Three days had been taken up with the hardest possible work and marching, and all to no purpose, so far as the men could then see or learn.
Bragg's army had crossed the Tennessee river, and was moving northward up the Sequatchee valley, precisely where General McCook had intended moving with his command. To keep on, and. with a single division, cross the mountains, risk- ing an attack by the whole Confederate army, was not to be thought of. To remain in the mountains was equally unsafe, as Bragg had force sufficient to capture McCook's whole divi- sion, upon learning the whereabouts of the Union forces. Therefore the latter pursued the only seemingly safe course in returning to Battle creek, where they might keep advised of Bragg's movements, or follow after and hasten to form a junction with the main Union army at some point in his rear.
McCook resumed his march on the 23d, crossing the moun- tains at Altamont. On the. 29th, the command was entirely without supplies. General J. W. Sill took command of the division on the 26th. On September fifth, the command ar- rived at Murfreesborough where the greater part of Buell's
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army was bivouacked. It was evidently the intention of General Bragg to make Nashville his first point of attack, he was however, most effectually frustrated in that design by the rapid concentration of the Union army at that point, by the eighth of September the entire Army of the Ohio had reached the city, and it was then secure against any at- tempts of the enemy to capture it. Consequently he moved northward to invade Kentucky, crossing the Cumberland river at Carthage, several miles east of Nashville. General Negley was left with a garrison sufficient to hold the city, while the remainder of the army pushed forward toward Louisville, Kentucy. Forced marches, sometimes both day and night were the order, the men subsisting almost entirely on green corn, and the supply of even that was very scant. At Bowl- ing Green, on the fifteenth the men received a small allow- ance of supplies. Bragg was then at Glasgow, about thirty miles north, but Buell was gaining on him rapidly.
Captured despatches revealed Bragg's intention to push on to and try to secure possession of Louisville. In the mean- time he had attacked the garrison at Munfordville, and com- pelled it to surrender. The prisoners were paroled and sent south to meet Buell's advancing army. They passed the Sev- enty-seventh at Bell's Station. On the nineteenth, Bragg's army had reached Bardstown, where his entire force was con- centrated. Meanwhile Buell hastened to Louisville, at which place his entire army arrived between the twenty-fifth and . twenty-seventh. The Seventy-seventh arrived on the twenty- sixth.
At last there were prospects of a short rest, after the long and weary march. From the twentieth of August to this time, the army had marched, sometimes both day and night, subsisting upon what could be found in a country, over which both armies had passed and repassed, and over roads, cov- ered deep with dust, under a scorching sun, bivouacking at night under the open sky without any shelter, in all kinds of weather, rain, clear or stormy. Yet the men endured all these hardships and privations, without fault finding or grumbling. Their entrance into Louisville was greeted with joy and delight by the citizens who vied with each other in doing everything possible for the soldiers. While marching
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Louisville, Kentucky.
through the streets they were given all along the line provi- sions and water, and cheerily greeted on all sides with "God bless you." They felt that they had. indeed, again reached "God's country," and the land of plenty. Dirty, ragged, bare- footed and footsore after a long and weary march of 350 miles, they were made happy by the warm welcome of the people of Louisville.
From September twenty-fifth to October first, Louisville pre- sented a scene of the greatest activity. Great numbers of troops, enrolled under the call for 300,000 additional men, issued in July by the Persident. were encamped all around the city on both sides of the Ohio river. They had been rallied there to prevent the city falling into the hands of Bragg's army. To this great mass of men was added the vet- eran Army of the Ohio. Hungry, ragged and begrimed with dust they had just completed one of the most remarkable · marches recorded in history. Still full of spirits and life, and ready for any duty to which they might be called. this great army was estimated to number 100,000 men. They had to be fed, clothed, and to a great extent, newly equipped. Again provisions had to be made to subsist this host on the forward move, which was soon to occur. Everything .neces- sary had to be provided, and properly distributed.
It became necessary also to reorganize the army. This was effected by dividing it into three corps, each of which was in reality a complete army in itself, with all the branches- artillery, cavalry and infantry. General McCook was placed in command of the First Corps, or left wing, composed of three divisions, one of which was the second. the Seventy- seventh being in the Fifth Brigade, Second Division. The brigade organization remained unchanged. General Critten- den was assigned to the Second Corps, or the left wing, and General Gilbert to the Third Corps, or the center Army of the Ohio.
On September twenty-ninth. Colonel E. N. Kirk, who had been seriously wounded at Shiloh, having fully recovered from his injuries, returned and was directed to resume command of his old brigade. His return was hailed with joy by all his men. by whom he was greatly beloved. Colonel Stumbaugh. who had command of the brigade (luring Kirk's forced ab-
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Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
sence, rejoined, and again took command of the Seventy-sev- , enth. On September thirtieth, the army was ready to again advance against the enemy, whose forces were still at Bards- town. On October first the movement began over the Bards- town, Frankfort and Lebanon pikes. The Second Division was in advance on the Frankfort pike, the Fifth Brigade lead- ing the division with the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania and the Thirty-fourth Illinois in front.
The enemy was encountered within five miles of Louisville, and skirmishing commenced, continuing intermittently until the command reached Fern creek, on the cast bank of which their cavalry was posted in force. Their pickets were at- tacked by the Union cavalry, forced back upon their main body and held in check until the Seventy-seventh Pennsyl- vania and Thirty-fourth Illinois came to the relief of the Federal cavalry. Advancing rapidly, the infantry opened fire and after a short time forced the Confederates from their position. The Union line advanced steadily, pressing the enemy back until their retreat became a rout. The brigade pursued them for a distance of three miles, but were unable to overtake them. Then Colonel Kirk ordered Captain Ed- garton to open with his battery, though the distance was a full half mile. The firing was very effective and greatly has- tened the enemy's departure. The cavalry then drove them two miles further. A large quantity of ammunition fell into Kirk's hands.
The column moved on through Boston, Simpsonville and Shelbyville, at which latter place the troops were greeted as warmly as they had been at Louisville. On the third of Oc- tober the column resumed its march toward Frankfort. Gen- eral Sill ordered Colonel Kirk to make a reconnoisance ten miles to the front. When about three miles from Shelby- ville, Kirk encountered the enemy's outposts of cavalry, who, upon his approach, fell back. from point to point, toward their main body, with scarcely any resistance. At Clay Vil- lage, six miles from Shelbyville, Colonel Kirk, at ten o'clock A. M., learned that a force of Confederates, consisting of two regiments of cavalry and a brigade of infantry with four pieces of artillery were in line of battle about two miles from his front. The men were halted to fill their canteens and
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Clay Village.
then ordered forward. The cavalry was directed to advance and feel the enemy. The Thirty-fourth Illinois was formed into a skirmish line to the right and left of the turnpike. Edgarton's battery was stationed and the other regiments of the brigade were placed in position. These dispositions had just been completed, when the enemy's cavalry came dashing down toward the Union lines. Colonel Kirk ordered his artillery and skirmishers to open upon the enemy, who were rapidly advancing, and were, by that time, within easy range. For a time the Confederates dauntlessly pushed on until close to the Union line, a large portion of which now concentrated its fire upon them. For a while they stood the fire bravely, but not long. First their line wavered. Then it gradually fell back. Soon the shells from Edgarton's bat- tery falling among them so rapidly, sent them back in the wildest confusion. Kirk was anxious to pursue farther. but his instructions allowed him to advance to Clay Village only, and reconnoiter a short distance beyond. Having driven the enemy four miles beyond that point, it was clear that to go farther would be a violation of his orders. The enemy ad- mitted a loss of forty-two, seven killed, nineteen wounded and sixteen missing, the latter, two lieutenants, one color sergeant and thirteen privates fell into the hands chiefly of the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania. The loss in Kirk's bri- gade was three wounded.
After this engagement, the command returned to Clay Vil- lage, and bivouacked there for the night. On the following day it returned to near Shelbyville. On the sixth it passed through Clay Village, Hardinsville and Bridgeport to Frank- fort, the capital of Kentucky. On that evening the command camped on the west bank of the Kentucky river. Bridges at this point had been destroyed by the enemy, causing some . delay in moving the troops across the river, which was, how- ever, accomplished on the seventh. The division then moved through the town and out on the Georgetown pike. It was ascertained that the Confederate forces, under E. Kirby Smith, had moved in another direction, and had crossed the Kentucky river at Salvisa. Thereupon, on the evening of the seventh, the division recrossed the river, and went toward Lawrenceburg, After the latter place had been passed the
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Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.
enemy harassed the Federal column all along the line of march. At times they nearly succeeded in cutting off the wagon trains. Water was very scarce and hard to get. Can- teens were nearly all empty. More than once five dollars offered for a single drink of water were refused. The intense heat added greatly to the discomfort of the troops, yet that day they marched twenty-nine miles.
When in September the army left Bowling Green, moving northward, there remained behind soïne seventeen hundred wagons containing all the extra baggage and camp equipage of the army. This immense wagon train some two weeks later proceeded to Louisville, where it arrived on the fourth · day of October, where the contents of the wagons were stored and the wagons formed into trains, to furnish supplies to the army then advancing on the enemy. The different sections of these trains were placed in charge of the quartermasters. Some of the quartermasters of the Second Division made ap- plication for permission to each take a wagon containing his personal effects, official papers and books, and move forward to join the command then at Frankfort. Their request was granted. They started on the seventh. On the eighth about noon they passed Dumont's division, and learned that Gen- eral Sill, with the Second Division, had left Frankfort that morning, moving towards Lawrenceburg. . They followed after the Division. Learning that a Confederate force had been seen that day in the direction they were going, they sent word back to Dumont's command and asked that an escort be sent with them to guard the wagons until they could join their own division. Such escort was promised them, but it failed to materialize.
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