USA > Tennessee > Johnson County > History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A. > Part 15
USA > Tennessee > Carter County > History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A. > Part 15
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Although not so stated in this book, other publications add a little to the account given in Lee's History, by stating that after Gen. Morgan was shot, and before life was extinct, his body was thrown across a horse, and paraded up and down the streets in a barbarous manner.
These statements are in fact untrue, and it would be discredit- able to the publisher of any respectable political newspaper at the present time to publish them as facts. How much worse is
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the offense when they are published as facts in a school book, and when the teachers of the public schools are required by law to teach them to the children as a part of the history of the country.
It was but natural that in articles written shortly after the Civil War, and while the partisan or sectional animosities growing out of the war had but little abated, that rumors and even suspicions prejudicial to the honor of the opposite side, picked up at random, and without any investigation as to their truthfulness, should be published as facts. This has been demonstrated, even, in the writ- ings of Gen. Basil Duke, the eulogist of Gen. Morgan, in his state- ments in relation to his death.
It is time that all disputes on this matter should be set at rest by some one who has honestly studied the facts, and whose whole aim is to give a correct statement, based on the best of evidence, in relation to the death of Gen. Morgan.
The writer now resides within a stone's throw of the place where Gen. Morgan fell. He has conversed with men who were in each of the contending forces, as well as with members of the Wil- liams family, and, what he deems of greater importance, he has conversed with many of the citizens of Greeneville, some of whom were eye-witnesses, and whose feelings and sympathies were as varied as those of the armed contending forces. From this data, and his personal knowledge of the locality and surroundings, he bases the following statements in relation to the historical inac- curacies which have been so widely published and taught in the schools in the Southern States :
Prior to the events referred to, Gen. Alvin Gillem was stationed at Bull's Gap, 16 miles west of Greeneville, in command of a brigade composed of the 8th, 9th and 13th Tenn. Cav. and a light battery of artillery. His position was about 58 miles from Knox- ville, where was his nearest support.
This position was in a gap of the mountains, or range of hills, but could be flanked by roads running on either side, which in case of an attack could not have been defended with the forces at his command. Gen. John H. Morgan was at or near Bristol, 56 miles east of Greeneville, with a force of cavalry and artillery, consid- erably in excess of those of Gen. Gillem, and he determined to attack Gen. Gillem's forces and either capture them or compel them to fall back to Knoxville. He moved his forces to Greene- ville, leaving only 16 miles between his forces and the enemy.
The bold dash of the Federal brigade, under command of Gen. Alvin Gillem, composed of Tennessee troops, many of whom had refugeed from their homes to reach the Federal army, deserves some words of commendation from the impartial historian. The commanding officers had received information as to the situation of Gen. Morgan's forces and knew that Morgan's purpose was to assail their position. Although they knew that Gen. Morgan had a superior force, they determined not to await his arrival. The night was dark and rainy and the roads over the 16 miles to be traveled were far from good.
It was well into the night when the brigade moved out, and during much of the night they traveled through the rain. It was
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after daylight when the advance guard-not composed of four companies, but of about 60 men detailed from the different regi- ments-reached Greeneville, the head of the main column being more than a mile in the rear.
The Confederate pickets were surprised and captured without the firing of a gun. The Williams house was surrounded before Gen. Morgan was awake. He hastily put on his pants and boots and escaped into the garden-not unarmed, but with his pistols on him.
While in the vineyard, and when trying to shoot, he was shot and killed by Andrew Campbell, a private in the 13th Tenn. Cav. Campbell shot from his horse in the street, a distance of perhaps 5) yards. Morgan had not surrendered, and was not unarmed. According to some he had shot at least once, and when he re- ceived the fatal shot was attempting to shoot again. At this time the main force of Gen. Gillem's Brigade was still a mile or more from the town, and after Gen. Morgan was dead the body was thrown on a horse and taken back for identification.
On being attacked, Morgan's command retreated and were pur- sued by Gillem's forces about six miles.
The body of Gen. Morgan, after being dressed and placed in a coffin, was delivered up to his friends, who were sent to ask it under a flag of truce.
The alleged betrayal is yet to be explained. The only basis for the betrayal theory is given by Gen. Duke, which in substance is that after the arrival of Gen. Morgan and his staff at the Wil- liams residence, the daughter-in-law was seen to leave, and al- though parties were sent to look for her she could not be found, and it appeared that she had ridden all the way to Bull's Gap to iniorm Gen. Gillem of Morgan's whereabouts and the position of his forces.
Mrs. Lucy Williams, the daughter-in-law referred to, was of an aristocratic Southern family, young and handsome. Her sym- pathies were strongly with the Confederate cause, and in the Con- federate Army she had two brothers, one being a Captain in com- mand of a company, and the other a Major in the Quartermaster's Department. Had it been true that she made the daring ride at- tributed to her, she would have been seen by many of the in- habitants along the road, and the visions of the handsome woman in her daring ride of 16 miles in the darkness and rain would have been a subject for a romance such as is but seldom found in real life.
In fact, the whole tale is false. It seems, however, that this mat- ter was shortly thereafter brought to the attention of Gen. Gillem, when he sent to the Secretary of War the following dispatch:
Bull's Gap, Sept. 19, 1864.
Hon. E. H. Stanton :- In reply to request to report the part taken by Mrs. Williams in the capture of Morgan, I have the honor to state that neither Mrs. Williams nor any other lady gave any information which caused the advance which resulted in the surprise, defeat and death of Gen. Morgan. I forward detailed re- port by mail.
A. C. GILLEM, Brigadier-General.
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The suspicion against Mrs. Lucy Williams, which is treated as though true as holy writ in Southern histories, arose from the following facts: Mrs. Catharine D. Williams drew her supplies from her farm, four miles distant, and not in the direction of Bull's Gap. On the arrival of Gen. Morgan and his staff something was needed from the farm. Negroes could not then be relied on, and the errand was assigned to the daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lucy Wil- liams. She did go to the farm, and did not go to Bull's Gap. She was expected to return in the evening, but a hard rain came on, and she was compelled to remain with a tenant during the night. She was at the residence of Mr. Isaac Brannon, near the farm, during the rain in the afternoon. She was seen on her way re- turning from the farm the next morning by several of the most responsible citizens, and when she evidently had no knowledge of the Federal forces being in the town. She was stopped by the Federal pickets, and thus did come in with the Federal troops .- National Tribune.
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CHAPTER XX.
Fight at Lick Creek .- Results in Defeat of a Detachment of the Thirteenth Under Col. Ingerton .- Our Officers and Men Display the Greatest Gallantry in This Engagement .-- Retreat After Severe Loss .- Brigade Advances .- Robert Pride Killed At Jonesboro .- WV. B. C. Smith Captured at Johnson City. Fighting Between Johnson City and Carter's Depot .- Charge at the Latter Place .- Col. Miller's and Lt. Angel's Horses Shot .- Enemy Defeated .- The 9th Tenn. Cavalry .- Col. S. K. N. Patton Joins the Brigade at Leadvale .- Another Re- trogade .- Our Rear Threatened .- Brigade Advances .- Fight at Panther Springs .- Gallant Charge at Morristown .- Enemy Routed.
The Regiment remained quietly in camp at Bull's Gap for several days, sending out scouts occasionally, but could hear of no rebel force nearer than Jonesboro. On the day after the fight at Greeneville a train came up from Knoxville bringing supplies and news of the progress of the war. We sent the prisoners captured at Greeneville back on the train. We were busy shoeing horses, re- pairing wagons and making preparations to move. All kinds of rumors reached us about receiving re-enforce- ments and moving forward towards Carter and Johnson counties. At this time we heard from home frequently, and a number of soldiers' wives and others from the upper counties visited us in camp. On the 15th Capt. John W. Ellis's wife was a visitor in our camp. She was a sister of Lieut. S. P. and J. R. Angel, of Company G.
FIGHT AT LICK CREEK.
On the 22d of September a detachment from the Regi- ment, consisting of about 150 or 200 men under Col. In- gerton had quite a brush with Gen. Vaughn's entire com- mand at Lick Creek Bridge, 21/2 miles from the Gap. Capt. R. H. M. Donnelly had been sent out the day before
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tc try to locate the enemy, and ran into Vaughn's ad- vance guard a few miles west of Greeneville and drove them back to the main body. Donnelly was attacked by a large force, and after considerable fighting, fell back closely pursued. Having in this way learned that Vaughn was advancing, Ingerton was sent out to feel of liis strength and dispute his crossing at Lick Creek bridge. Arriving at that place Col. Ingerton took position on a hill facing east with Company B to the right of the bridge, Company A, commanded by Lieut. Carriger, to the left, and Company G. commanded by Lieut. T. C. White, in front of the bridge. Some of the enemy could be seen in a woods several hundred yards away. Col. Ingerton sent the Sharp Shooters under Sergeant Peter L. Barry across the bridge and through an open field in the direc- tion of the enemy. Sergeant Barry deployed his men as skirmishers and moving through the woods ran onto a vidette, who fired and retreated. Barry closed up his men and pushed forward with his usual bravery, soon ran onto a large body of the enemy in column and began firing on them. The enemy began forming hastily in line and returning the fire. Hearing the firing Col. In- geiton galloped over and ascertaining the situation ordered Lieut. Barry back. The enemy soon came out of the woods and formed in two lines, one charged across the field to our left under a heavy fire from our men, posted across the creek, and took shelter in a little woods and undergrowth near the creek. while the other line charged towards the bridge. Seeing the charge directed towards the bridge Col. Ingerton ordered Lieut. White to make a counter-charge across the bridge, which he did in gallant style. The enemy halted and opened fire on Lieut. White. the two companies being now at close range. The enemy at this time was using his artillery to advantage, and Col. Ingerton seeing that he could not resist Vaughn's entire command with so small a force, and failing to get re-enforcements that he had asked for. and learning that the enemy were crossing the creek to cut off his reatreat, recalled Lieut. White and made prepa-
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rations to retreat. Company A. posted to the left of the. bridge was at the same time engaged with the enemy on our left, while one company posted around a large brick house, occupied by Jas. Pearce, did good service. Our little force was divided into two squads, and began to fall back towards the Gap. One squad would take a position some distance in rear while the other, now posted at the brick house, poured a volley into the enemy and hastily retreated. In this way the two detachments retreated and. fought the enemy, alternately, until they reached the com- mand. The enemy would come on in confusion with a yell until halted by a volley from our men. Our men, though pursued by several times their number, bravely contested every foot of ground until they reached the cover of the fort at the Gap. A number of our men, mounted on mules, being unable to keep up were cap- tured. We would remark that the mule, whether in peace or war, has a habit of exercising his own judgment whether he will stand still or go forward, regardless of the whip, spur or anathemas of his rider, and for this reason is a very uncertain quantity either in a charge or retreat, We lost in this little engagement 25 or 30 men killed, wounded and taken prisoners. The enemy's loss was still greater.
While this fight was in progress Lieut. Reagan of the Battery rode out from the Gap and dismounting from his horse procured a gun and commenced firing at the enemy. The horse, which was accustomed to stand without hold- ing, made a dash across the bridge to the enemy, taking with him saddle, bridle and pistols, leaving the Lieutenant to make the retreat on foot.
Musgrove in his story of "Morgan's men," recently published in the "National Tribune," mentions this fight, and compliments the "Yankees" for the stubbornness with which they resisted the crossing of the bridge.
In this little action our men, though fighting Vaughn's entire brigade, showed the greatest coolness and bravery. Lieut. Carriger, of Company A., and Lieut. White, of Company G., both displayed great courage and skill in
CAPT. RICHARD H. LUTTRELL. (See page 290.)
LIEUT. CALVIN M. ARNOLD. (See page 292.)
CAPT. ALFRED T. DONNELLY. (See page 291.)
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handling their men. Lieut. Barry brought on the fight and acted throughout with the bravery that was always conspicuous with our gallant Sharp-shooters.
On the 23d of September we had a skirmish with the enemy at daylight, and the Regiment moved out early towards Lick Creek expecting an engagement, but met a flag of truce and were detained until ordered back to camp.
On the 25th the Regiment was sent out and learned that the enemy were at Greeneville. We remained in camp that day and marched out the next day as far as Greeneville without encountering the enemy. On the 28th we moved east to within six miles of Jonesboro and skirmished with the rebels. On the 29th the Brigade moved slowly as far as Jonesboro, skirmishing with the enemy and driving them through the town. The re- mainder of the Brigade remained at Jonesboro while Col. Miller was sent out with our Regiment as far as Johnson City, expecting to locate the enemy and return to Jones- boro. The enemy was located about a mile west of John- son City and driven back beyond that place. Col. Miller sent an officer back to Gen. Gillem to tell him he would remain with the Regiment at Johnson City, and to have the wagon train sent on.
In this advance towards Virginia General Gillem's force, which since the fight at Greeneville had consisted of only the Ninth and Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry and Patterson's Artillery, was joined by the Fifteenth Penn- sylvania and the Sixteenth Kentucky Cavalry, and a part of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry and part of the First Ohio Heavy Artillery, under General Ammen. The ob- ject of this command was to co-operate with Gen. Bur- bridge, who was operating against Gen. Breckenridge in the vicinity of King's Salt Works, and Abingdon, Va. On the 29th while the Thirteenth advanced towards Johnson City, driving Gen. Vaughn's brigade, the Fif- teenth Pennsylvania drove another force of rebels as far as Devault's Ford and across the Watauga river.
We were now fighting the Confederate forces of Gen- erals Williams and Vaughn.
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On the morning of the 30th we learned of the death of Robt. Pride, who had been killed by accident the night before at Jonesboro. He was a member of Company G., and had been detailed as Orderly at Col. Miller's head- quarters. He had remained at Jonesboro with Adjutant Stacy, and at night had laid a little gun that Col. Miller had given him on the ground, and laying his saddle on the gun, spread down his blanket and went to sleep. In the night he was awakened by an alarm of the enemy, and reaching for the gun it was supposed he caught it by the muzzle, the lock catching some part of the saddle, discharged, the bullet struck him in the face and killed him instantly. "Bob," as he was called, was a brother-in- law of Alfred M. Taylor. He was a bright, brave boy and a general favorite in the Regiment. We would note here that young Pride had a brother killed in this same campaign who was fighting on the other side.
On the morning of the 30th the soldiers of the Thir- teenth had dressed a lot of sheep taken from John Burts and were preparing them for breakfast when the report came that Quartermaster-Sergeant W. B. C. Smith had been captured. "Pulltrigger" had ventured too far out- side the lines to see a young lady that he knew, and paid dearly for the indiscretion, as he was taken to prison and did not rejoin the Regiment for several months. The re- port of the capture of Sergeant Smith caused the Regi- ment to be hastily called out, and, leaving their sheep, the men started in pursuit of the rebels without getting break- fast. Many of the Regiment were now within a few miles of their homes and the fighting that was to follow-the cannonading, and even the musketry-could be heard by mothers, wives and sisters of these men, and every sound sent a pang to their hearts, not knowing but a loved one had been sent into eternity. Our men were much elated at the prospect of seeing their homes and loved ones soon, and vigorously pushed the enemy back towards Carter's Depot. The rebels made a stand at Maglin Sherfy's brick house, about 21/2 miles east of Johnson's Depot (City). The artillery was moved up and opened a lively fire with
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the four-inch Parrett guns. Captain Wilcox was in com- mand of a strong skirmish line that had been put for- ward and Company G. was in command of Lieut. S. P. Angel, who had just been promoted from Sergeant- Major of the Regiment to First Lieutenant of that com- pany. The Thirteenth made a charge through a corn- field, and was received by a spirited fire from the front and left of the Regiment. Lieut. Northington, who was in command of Company 1., and with the second battalion on the right, received a galling fire and his company was driven back a short distance but reformed and joined again in the gallant charge that dislodged the enemy, and drove them in the direction of Carter's Depot. Capt. Wilcox was in the hottest of the fight and was injured in a singular manner. While firing at the enemy a ball struck the barrel of his pistol with such force as to send the pistol back against his face. Col. Miller and Col. In- gerton were both in the thickest of the fight. Col. Miller was grazed on the neck by a bullet, and his horse was severely wounded. Lieut. Angel had his horse shot from under him while leading his company. All the officers and men acted with the greatest coolness and bravery.
The enemy was found in position again at Carter's De- pot on the west side of the Watauga river and were protected by artillery and a strong force occupying a strong position near the railroad station across the river. The Thirteenth now awaited the Ninth and artillery be- fore renewing the attck. The Ninth came up about 3 P. M. and took position below the railroad bridge and the artillery was placed in position. Considerable skir- mishing and artillery firing was kept up that afternoon and night. Companies A. and B. under Lieut. Carriger and Capt. Dyer were attacked near the river and a sharp fight ensued but they held the position.
On the morning of October I a piece of artillery was pulled up on top of Bogard's Knob, a high eminence over- looking the village of Carter's Depot, by the members of Company F, under command of Lieut. Ferguson. With this piece, Lieut. Patterson soon dismounted a piece of the
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enemy's artillery across the river, and killed some of the horses. He also sent a shot through a large house in which some of the enemy were posted; at the same time the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry made a charge across the river, and the Thirteenth following, the enemy were dis- lodged from their stronghold and retreated in the direc- tion of Zollicoffer, to which point they were followed by the Ninth, capturing a piece of artillery and a number of prisoners.
While these operations were going on at Carter's De- pot the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry were engaged with a superior force of the enemy at Devault's Ford, a few miles down the river. The Fifteenth, after a gallant resistance was driven back, leaving our rear exposed and rendering it necessary for the Brigade to fall back.
We had confidently hoped to join Gen. Burbridge and defeat the enemy in Southwest Virginia and that here- after our homes would be free from the enemy, but Bur- bridge was defeated with heavy loss at Saltville before the forces under Generals Gillem and Ammen were able to form a junction with him, and he was recalled from Southwest Virginia. This made it necessary for our command to fall back again to Bull's Gap.
While at Carter's Depot the news had reached Eliza- bethton and vicinity that the Thirteenth with Col. Mil- ler's Brigade had driven Gen. Vaughn out and was still at Carter's Depot. Old men, women and children began to flock in to see the "Yankee boys," many of whom were their kinsmen and friends. There was great rejoicing and many kisses and embraces were exchanged. It was the happiest day that had passed over our heads since we left home. Gen. Gillem and Col. Miller generously issued sugar, coffee and tea to our visitors, from our com- missary stores, and it was doubtless the first of these lux- uries some of these people had had for many a day.
On the afternoon of October 3d Col. Miller received permission to take such of the Thirteenth, as desired to go, to Elizabethton, and from there join the command again at Raider's Hill on the following morning. The
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opportunity was seized with joy by the Carter county mien, many of whose honies were in that vicinity.
We arrived at Elizabethton at 9 P. M. It is useless to attempt to describe the pleasure it gave us to meet our families and friends again and see the dear old town that had been the scene of all our joys and sorrows in boy- hood's happy days. The people, old and young, were equally delighted to see us. The ties of affection were so strong there among the Union people that kinship made little difference. "A fellow-feeling made us all akin." But our joy was short-lived. At midnight we bade the old town adieu and joined the command at Raider's Hill at daylight.
On the 4th we marched to Henderson's Depot, and on the 5th marching at daylight, and pasing through Greeneville, we arrived at Bull's Gap just at dark. We learned that Col. George W. Kirk with the Third North Carolina Mounted Infantry had been left in charge of this place while we were gone.
On the 8th we moved south of Russellville where we were joined by the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry under Col. S. K. N. Patton. This splendid regiment had been see- ing service in other fields and though assigned to our Brigade at its formation had not, for some reason, joined us until now. We were glad to welcome this brave and splendidly equipped regiment to our little Brigade and it was not long until its assistance was greatly needed and appreciated.
We returned to Bull's Gap on the IIth of October. Im- i mediately following our retrograde movement, Generals Williams and Vaughn had followed us, the former being reported at Newport, Tenn., and the latter at Carter's Depot, each with considerable force, and within helping distance of each other. Gen. Ammen with his cosimand had returned to Knoxville, leaving our Brigade, now con- sisting of the Eighth, Ninth and Thirteenth Cavalry and Patterson's Battery, again to take care of upper East Tennessee.
On the 17th we left Bull's Gap at midnight, marched
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all night, and on the morning of the 18th the Brigade crossed the Holston river, intending to attack a rebel force reported at Rogersville under Major Day, but that officer learning of our advance retreated up the Clinch Valley pursued by a battalion of the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry under Major Sawyers.
Late on the evening of the 19th we reached Bean's Sta- tion and found a small force of the enemy in a gap of the Clinch mountain. Our Regiment was ordered to the front but the enemy soon disappeared and we went into camp.
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