USA > Tennessee > Henry County > A history of the Henry County commands which served in the Confederate States army, including rosters of the various companies enlisted in Henry County, Tenn. > Part 4
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
59
IN CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY.
marched to LaFayette, Ga. While here an order was made for every fifteenth man to be detached as cook- ing detail, and ever afterwards, except when in winter quarters, this rule was continued, and this detail was kept from a mile to five miles in the rear, and our food, ready cooked, brought to us each day, an arrangement we were often thankful for.
60
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY COMMANDS
CHAPTER VIII.
BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA.
From September S to 17 we maneuvered, marched and counter-marched between Chattanooga and LaFayette, Ga. On the latter date we moved in the direction of Chattanooga, camping on the night of September 18 at Lee & Gordon's mill, on Chicka- mauga Creek. On the morning of the 19th we crossed the creek a mile below the mill, and after resting awhile double-quicked on in the direction of the firing, which had now begun. Soon passed Hood's Division and learned without doubt that Longstreet's Corps had come to reinforce us. This cheered our hearts and buoyed us up for the coming conflict. But we felt humiliated and mortified when we saw how much better clothed they were than ourselves.
Soon after we met cavalry filing to the rear and saw their wounded. A mile or so further on we fronted and advanced in line, and stray shells and even min- nies began to fly over us, one of the latter wounding Dick Coley of Company "E," and R. A. Burton of Company "A." We halted in the edge of the woods and in a little while moved forward in line of bat- tle, partly across an old field grown up in bushes and saplings. Gen. Preston Smith appeared and cau- tioned us not to fire on his men, who were in front. We were soon ordered back to the edge of the woods. During this movement the balls were flying pretty thick from the fighting in front, and W. C. Alexander
61
IN CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY.
of Company "A," J. J. Hagler and W. H. Allen of Company "F," and J. D. Wilson of Company "D," were wounded, and Lieutenant Webber of the Fourth killed. We were again advanced into the old field under fire, but again were ordered back to the woods, remaining there till nightfall. About sundown the enemy attacked the Confederates just to our right, and Maney's and Churchill's Brigades were moved to the right and soon repulsed them, but the brave Gen. Preston Smith was killed. At night Companies "G" and "K" were placed on picket. All day long the firing continued, being heaviest on our left. On the morning of the 20th, the dead strewn on the bat- tlefield were white with the early frost, and brought to our minds the fact that we were in the midst of death, though for awhile almost deathly silence reigned. But as the sun rose and climbed upward, the crack of rifles on the skirmish line began and was soon followed by the roar of artillery, and ere long the battle was raging right, left and front. All the morning we lay in the edge of the woods exposed to the shelling of a battery. Some of the shells fell short, some passed over, and one striking the ground about fifty yards in front, ricocheted and struck Gid. Comer of Company "I" on the hip, crushing it and in- flicting a mortal wound. It rolled off on the arm of J. W. Pillow of Company "D," covering it with blood and benumbing it temporarily, but luckily did not ex- plode. The regiment stood the severe test of the shelling without flinching.
The enemy was driven back in the evening and we were moved to the right and forward, and again ex-
62
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY COMMANDS
posed to heavy shelling. Late in the evening we were moved forward again with Wright's Brigade, Gen- eral Cheatham taking charge and giving the com- mands in person. Strahl's brigade, however, was soon halted, and only Wright's advanced. Long- street's Corps had driven the enemy from their breastworks on our extreme left, and the whole line moved forward, and the enemy fled toward Chatta- nooga.
As the sound of the firing receded and became less and less distinct in the distance, Generals Polk and Cheatham and others assembled in our front and lis- tened attentively to the rebel yells that took the place of the sounds of cannon and musketry, and Gen. Polk remarked : "Isn't that grand?" We moved forward a little. As night came on we prostrated ourselves on the ground and slept as only tired soldiers can sleep. We had suffered much for water during the two days, as it had to be brought from Chickamauga Creek, two or three miles away.
Next morning a pleasant episode occurred. A few men in each company had secured rifles at Shiloh. Soon afterward these had been ordered given to Com- pany "K," that the distribution of ammunition might be made easier. At Perryville and Murfreesboro many others had thrown down their muskets and picked up rifles. These, in turn, had been given to other regi- ments, and the Fifth compelled to put up with the heavy old Belgian muskets. But on this morning every man had secured either an Enfield. or a Spring- field rifle from the battlefield, and so when we formed where we had stacked arms on the pervious evening,
63
IN CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY.
and the order "take arms" was given, the men shoul- dered their rifles and marched away, leaving the row of old muskets stacked, proud of their rifles, which they henceforth used till the end of the war. Col. J. J. Lamb commanded the regiment for the first time in battle, and we were proud of his courage, coolness and military bearing. Maj. Henry Hampton of the Fourth had been assigned to duty with the regiment and Lieutenant-Colonel Finley, also of the Fourth, soon after the battle.
We followed the enemy into Chattanooga valley, saw them occupy the fortifications we had erected a few weeks before, which we proceeded to inclose with another cordon of entrenchments. A good many pro- motions and changes took place during the next few weeks. Capt. J. T. Kendall, who had been absent on furlough was assigned to duty in Companies "D" and "I," and Captain Peeples relieved. Lieut. J. L. Lem- onds of Company "I" was promoted to first lieutenant, Sergt. E. H. Rennolds was elected third lieutenant of Company "D" and assigned to duty, Sergts. John E. Flack and George H. Wynns of Company "I" were elected second and third lieutenants, Lieutenant Wynns being assigned to duty and Lieutenant Flack detached. Sergeant N. C. Howard was elected third lieutenant of Company "A" and assigned, and G. W. Crawford, second lieutenant of Company "E" and assigned, also Lieuts. W. E. Harris and J. W. Howard of Company "D" were put on detached ser- vice.
October 8th President Davis visited the army. The troops were formed in line along the works, and as
64
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY COMMANDS
he passed we had a good look at him, and gave him lusty cheers. On the 13th the band of the First Ten- nessee went to General Bragg's headquarters and ser- enaded the President, many of us soldiers accompany- ing it. He made a short speech. While encamped around Chattanooga the weather was very rainy, the fatigue duty in fortifying very hard, the rations very short and our clothing scant, and without tents to protect us, we suffered very much.
October 25, Cheatham's and Stevenson's Divisions were sent to East Tennessee, going by rail to Charles- ton and marching to Sweetwater. Longstreet's Corps soon relieved us and we returned to Chattanooga val- ley. Our train was wrecked by spreading rails on our return trip and several men injured. The wheels of the boxcar in which Caldwell's company was travel- ₹ ing broke through the floor and Lieut. G. W. Craw- ford's leg was caught between the wheels and floor timbers, and he could only be extricated with a crow- bar. The damaged cars were tumbled off the track, the train coupled up and we started again. A few miles further on the engine jumped the track and we counted the crossties the balance of the distance.
Cheatham's Division, composed entirely of Tennes- seeans, was regarded by General Bragg as too clan- nish, and it was decided to break it up by an exchange of brigades. Strahl's Brigade was sent to Stew- art's Division. While the men did not dislike sery- ing under their old commander, they did not want to leave "Old Frank" or their fellow Tennesseans, and much dissatisfaction ensued.
65
IN CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY.
CHAPTER IX.
BATTLE OF MISSION RIDGE.
The author was absent at Atlanta on a short fur- lough during this battle, hence is not able to give an account as an eye witness.
Before daylight on the morning of November 24, 1863, General Hooker's Corps assaulted the Confed- erate position on Lookout Mountain and carried it. On the evening and night of that day General Bragg withdrew from his fortified line in the valley and oc- cupied a new line along the crest of Mission Ridge. General Sherman threw a pontoon bridge across the river near the northern terminus of the ridge and attacked our right flank. General Hooker marched across the valley to Rossville, at the southern end of the ridge, and attacked our left flank, and General Thomas, with three lines of battle, advanced in front, General Grant commanding the whole. The Confeder- ate skirmish line was posted beyond the foot of the ridge. The Thirty-Third Tennessee, acting as skir- mishers for Strahl's Brigade, were about 200 yards from the foot of the ridge. The Fourth and Fifth Tennessee were posted in a short rifle pit about one- third way up the slope, as support for the skirmish line. Companies "G" and "K" were on detached ser- vice, guarding the division wagon train.
Late in the evening of November 25th the Federal lines advanced to the attack, and those who wit- nessed it describe it as the grandest spectacle they
5
66
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY COMMANDS
ever saw. The commands of the officers could be dis- tinctly heard. On their approach the skirmishers slowly retired before them, followed by the steady ad- vance of the first line. Colonel Lamb stood on the mountain side, just in rear of the colors, without pro- tection, and with his arms folded called out to the men : "I don't want a gun fired till I give the com- mand, and then every man fire, and continue to load and fire until further orders." When the line reached the foot of the ridge and began the ascent, Colonel Lamb's voice rang out clear-and distinct in the awful stillness: "Ready! Aim !! Fire !!! " The regiment took steady aim and poured in a volley, of which every ball seemed to find its mark, and tore great gaps in the Federal line, and brought it to a sudden halt. A cheer from their comrades on the top of the ridge animated and nerved the men, and the rattle of ram- rods sounded distinctly as they reloaded and poured volley after volley into the remnant of the line of blue- coats, and then into the second one as it came up. Neither the first or second line advanced beyond the point where the regiment's fire met them. By the time the third line came up, the first line to the right and left of the Fourth and Fifth had almost reached a point opposite to their position, and then the order to retire was given. Some of the men thought the chances too desperate to undertake to climb the ridge under such a fire as they knew they would receive, and remained in the trench and were captured. Others preferred to take any risk rather than go to a Yan- kee prison. When they emerged from the rifle pit they drew a concentrated fire from front and both
67
IN CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY.
flanks. Capt. E. Foust was killed and Capt. J. T. Kendall dangerously wounded and died under knife of the Federal surgeon at Chattanooga a few days later. Sam B. Cox, of Company "I" fell mortally wounded just after leav- ing the rifle pit. Sergt. W. D. Hendricks was shot through the shoulder, and the same ball wounded Jno. R. Peeples, who was just in front of him. Lieut. Geo. H. Wynns, just out of a spell of fever, ran till he was exhausted, fell, and af- ter the Federal lines had passed him, returned to the rifle-pit and surrendered. Lieut. Joe H. Jordan was CAPT. J. T. KENDALL. killed before reaching the summit, also Marcus D. Milan and Bose Crutchfield. W. J. Nash reached the breastworks on top of the ridge, and was so nearly exhausted that his comrades had to drag him over the works.
The few men of the Fourth and Fifth who were fortunate enough to reach the crest of the ridge found only a thin skirmish line to repel the advancing hosts of the enemy, but they halted and stood ready for the task. Capt. A. W. Caldwell, observing that a large body of Federals had taken refuge in a deep ravine near the top of the ridge, called on the Fourth and Fifth to charge them, and led the way to the brink of
68
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY COMMANDS
the ravine, where a heavy and destructive fire was poured into the living mass, killing and wounding a great many. Soon, however, the enemy, who had ad- vanced on the left, were seen marching to cut off the regiment's retreat, and they were forced to retire, and, crossing the ridge, they started down the eastern slope.
General Bragg dashed up on his horse and called out : "Don't run, boys ; don't run. Here's your coun- try; here's your General, and here's your flag." A fleeing Confederate replied : "Yes, and here's your mule," as he leaped the bushes in long strides down the decline. About half way down the slope Gen. A. P. Stewart rode up to Ab Dinwiddie, the color-bearer, and said: "Whose colors are these?" Dinwiddie promptly replied : "Fourth and Fifth Tennessee." General Stewart said : "Give me your colors." Din- widdie replied : "General, you cannot have my colors, but I will plant them where you direct or die in the at- tempt." "Plant them there beyond that little glade," General Stewart ordered. Dinwiddie promptly obeyed the order, and then General Stewart called out : "Fourth and Fifth Regiments, Strahl's Brigade, you have never failed me; you won't now. Rally on your colors and protect your army." Every man of the regiment who was in hearing and others of various commands rallied on the colors, and less than a hun- dred poured a hot fire into the rapidly advancing enemy and checked them till the remnants of other regiments could be rallied down near the Chicka- mauga Creek and a disastrous rout prevented.
Night coming on, they retired across the creek and
69
IN CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY.
dropped down and slept and rested their tired bodies. The retreat soon became orderly and was continued to Dalton, about thirty miles. At Ringgold Gap Cleburne's Division ambushed the pursuing Federals and put an end to the pursuit. The four (consoli- dated) companies of the Fifth went into action with 119 men; 60 of these were killed, wounded or cap- tured.
Gen. J. E. Johnston superseded General Bragg soon after we reached Dalton, and soon brought order out of chaos. Every department of the army was over- hauled and improved, and he soon inspired the sol- diers with a confidence which remained unshaken till the close of the war. This confidence was exceeded only by that given by General Lee's men to their chief.
One of General Johnston's first acts was to recon- struct Cheatham's Tennessee Division. Great was the joy of the soldiers of the volunteer State to get back under "Old Frank" and to once more fight together to maintain the reputation they had made at Perryville and magnified at Murfreesboro and Chickamauga.
At Dalton comfortable shanties were soon erected, and these protected us from the rigors of the ' ex- tremely cold winter that followed. The first week in January, 1864, the coldest weather of the war, was experienced, and it was the lot of the regiment to be on provost guard duty in Dalton, and we suffered very much, patrolling the streets and bivouacking in an unfinished hotel, without window or door shutters, and with only a scant supply of wood.
On February 20, Cheatham's Division was ordered
70
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY COMMANDS
to Mississippi to reinforce General Polk. We went by rail to Montgomery, Ala., then by steamer to Selma
GEN. B. F. CHEATHAM.
and by rail again to Demopolis, whither General Polk had retreated. The enemy had already begun to re- tire when we reached Demopolis, and next day we
71
IN CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY.
started on our return. This trip was a great benefit to us in the way of recreation. At every station crowds of ladies, old men and children gathered to see us, and the waving of handkerchiefs and cheers of men and boys gave us a new stimulus, bringing back to our minds the early days of the war, and we re- turned to camp refreshed and inspired for the coming decisive campaign. We found our shanties had been nearly all used by Jackson's Brigade for fuel, and we were very wrathy on account of it. March 22 there was a smart fall of snow, and the brigade determined to take vengeance on Jackson's Brigade for the loss of our quarters, and, filling our haversacks with hard- pressed snowballs, we formed in line, with officers on horseback, and charged them in their camp. Though they resisted stubbornly, we drove them out and cap- tured their general. It was a stirring scene; the air filled with flying snowballs, the orders of the officers and the yells of the men seemed much like real war.
As the open weather of the spring came on an oppor- tunity to hold open-air religious meetings was again afforded our faithful chaplains, and another revival commenced. Services were first held in a small church building east of Dalton, and when the con- gregations outgrew it, a brush arbor was built near by, and many soldiers were hopefully converted under the earnest preaching of those who had been so suc- cessful at Guy's Gap, aided by others, among whom was Rev. R. W. Norton, formerly principal of Spring Hill Academy, in Henry County, and who had been recently appointed chaplain of the Nineteenth Ten- nessee. Just before the opening of the campaign a
72
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY COMMANDS
sad accident occurred. One night during the "altar exercises," while several were kneeling and deeply interested in their salvation, a tree which had been burning at the root for some time fell across the kneeling men, killing ten of them and wounding an- other one fatally. None of them, however, belonged to the Fifth. This incident elicited much earnest dis- cussion, many soldiers taking the position that those who were killed would be saved, as others also, they declared, would be who lost their lives in defense of their country. Many others of us, however, though unconverted, felt that it was not safe to risk our chances for heaven on such false theology.
During the latter part of April, 1864, General John- ston began to fortify his position at Dalton, Rocky Face Ridge, just west of the town, forming a strong natural position. Early in May General Sherman began his advance. Cheatham's Division occupied rifle pits just to the right of Mill Creek Gap. Here brisk skirmishing was kept up for several days. On the evening of May 8, being in reserve, the Fourth and Fifth Regiments were sent to reinforce some cavalry at Dug Gap. After a roundabout march of ten miles, part of it at double quick and part of it up the moun- tain side, we reached there thoroughly fatigued. We found the small force of Confederates stubbornly re- sisting the attack of the enemy in a slight depression in the ridge through which ran the road. Quickly . deploying to the right and left, we poured in a heavy fire on the assaulting column. Elevated above the attacking party and protected by rocks and trees, we held a great advantage, and our combined forces were
73
IN CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY.
enabled to repulse them without any casualties except some slight wounds. The enemy shelled heavily about the close of the day. We threw up fortifications dur- ing the night. We were relieved at daylight next morning. At the opening of the campaign our musi- cians were detailed to act on the infirmary corps, and as nurses at the field hospitals, and did excellent ser- vice in these capacities.
74
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY COMMANDS
CHAPTER X.
BATTLE OF RESACA.
Part of Sherman's forces having passed through Snake Creek Gap and advanced toward the Western & Atlantic Railroad, General Johnston abandoned his position at Dalton and marched to Resaca, where we arrived on the evening of May 13.
After a short rest a line of battle was formed and the Fourth Regiment thrown out as skirmishers. We moved forward about a mile, and on passing over the crest of a hill we came suddenly in view of the enemy. A steep descent led to a small valley, beyond which, on a low ridge, the Federals were posted. The hillside was in timber and the valley an open field. Our skir- mishers had already drawn the enemy's fire, and as we came over the hill the line of battle opened on us with a discharge of rifles at a range of about 300 yards. We halted here and returned the fire. The crest of the hill was very crooked and we struck it at its most retired part, and thus came into view first. As other parts of the line came in sight of the enemy they also became engaged, thus forming a curved line. General Hardee (in whose corps we now were) came along on foot and ordered us to advance down the side of the hill till the line was much nearer straight. This brought us nearer the enemy and exposed us without protection. Parts of the hillside had considerable undergrowth and seemed to screen us from view, but there were some open spaces, which enabled the
75
IN CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY.
enemy to see the troops distinctly. One of these opens was occupied by Companies "G" and "K," and the enemy's fire was concentrated upon them, causing them to lose heavily. Firing was kept up till night- fall. Capt. J. B. Ward, Company "K," was killed, and also Corp. A. D. Beckwith, Company "D." He had been a very wicked man, but was converted at the Dalton revival a few weeks previous. He was sitting by a small hickory, too small to protect him, and when struck by a minnie ball, seemed to realize that the end was nigh. He dropped his gun, commenced to clap his hands, and exclaimed : "Bless the Lord !" and in a few seconds was dead. This scene affected all who wit- nessed it, and one comrade tells me that it changed the whole current of his life. About twenty were wounded, Maj. B. B.
Bunch severely in the
thigh, Lieut. A. W. Sidebot- tom in the head, R. P. Kirby fell with a broken ankle, causing the loss of his foot; T. J. Broach re- MAJ. B. B. BUNCH. ceived three wounds ; A. McFarland and M. M. Parker of Company "K" died of their wounds; Lieut. R. P. Andrews of Company "K" and others were wounded.
Soon after dark picks and spades were brought up
76
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY COMMANDS
and the whole night spent in fortifying, half of the command working till midnight and the other half till morning, and by day- light we were pretty well ensconced in rifle pits.
On the 14th the author was in charge of the regi- mental picket line, sta- tioned behind slight forti- fications at the foot of the hill. About 10 a. m. the enemy's skirmishers ad- vanced and secured posses- sion of a ditch running through the valley, in spite of heavy fire from both the picket line and line of bat- tle. They were then able LIEUT. A. W. SIDEBOTTOM. to enfilade our slight works and make us lie very low, but, fortunately, none were injured.
About noon Lieutenant Rennolds secured from Col- onel Lamb the relief of the pickets, something never before or since attempted in the face of the enemy.
During the 14th and 15th almost continual skir- mishing was kept up and two of the Fifth wounded. A Federal battery shelled our line a good deal. A shell fell into the rifle pit, where it lay sizzing and ready to explode. Lieut. F. M. Clark and A. H. Lank- ford each grabbed at it and together threw it out of the works. It exploded before it struck the ground. The works were strenghened on the night of the 14th.
77
IN CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY.
General Sherman, having thrown a pontoon across the Oostanaula River, beyond our left flank, and crossed troops, thus threatening our communications, General Johnston abandoned Resaca on the night of the 15th. We crossed the river on bridges and marched all night, and the next day halted awhile near Calhoun and formed line of battle, but later marched seven miles further and bivouacked as tired and sleepy as we had ever been. On the 17th, marched to within two miles of Adairsville and bivouacked, but the Federals pressed our cavalry rear guard back till we had to form line and other regiments skir- mished with them till night. Retired again at 10 p. m. and marched three miles beyond Kingston. The men beginning to succumb to the hard marching and loss of sleep.
On the 19th we formed in battle order about 10 a. m. As about half the Federal army was advancing on each of the two roads, General Johnston planned to attack and try to crush one column before the other could come to its relief, but just as we were ready to attack, a false report that the enemy was coming in by a road to our rear caused him to abandon the plan, and he ordered the line to retire. This we did by the right of companies to the rear. As we were in open fields, on comparatively level ground, a fine view of the movement could be had, and it presented a grand sight. The pace was double-quick for about three miles to Cass Station, where we took up a new posi- tion along a low ridge, and the Fifth Regiment was thrown out as skirmishers. The commands who were in line of battle fortified during the night.
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.