History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A., Part 21

Author: Scott, Samuel W; Angel, Samuel P., 1840-
Publication date: [c1903]
Publisher: Philadelphia : P. W. Ziegler
Number of Pages: 576


USA > Tennessee > Johnson County > History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A. > Part 21
USA > Tennessee > Carter County > History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A. > Part 21


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Besides many fine organizations of Federal soldiers from North Carolina, like East Tennessee, her sons were fighting under the colors of regiments of nearly every Northern and Western State during the civil war.


We believe that as long as there is a member of the old "13th" alive. there will be a warm place in his heart for the gallant "Tarheels" who battled side by side with him under the colors of our grand old Regiment for the redemption of our homes and firesides.


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We would be glad if we had a separate list of the names of the North Carolinians who served in the Thir- teenth. We remember the Aldridges, Buchanans, the Dowells, the Calaways, the Youngs, the Green's, the Byrds, the Butlers, the Cornuts, the Parkers, the East- ridges, the Fords, the Garlands, the Gosses, the Hughes, the Johnsons, the Mulicans, the Nelsons, the Lewis', the Prices, the Philips, the Poors, the Pittmans, the Reeses, the Smiths, the Snyders, the Wilsons, the Coxes, Hol- mans and many other names that represented loyal North Carolina families.


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CHAPTER XXVI.


Personal Sketch of Each Officer of the Regiment. Giving the Part He Took in the Bridge-Burning, the Carter County Rebellion or Other Service, Together With the Pictures of as Many Officers as We Are Able to Get. With the Military His- tory of Each One.


FIELD AND STAFF.


[Note .- We had written up an extended notice of each officer of the Regiment, but finding upon the completion of our manu- script that our history had grown far beyond the limit of 400 pages for which we had contracted with our publisher. we have deemed it best to condense and abbreviate these sketches rather than cur- tail other parts of the History.]


COL. JOHN K. MILLER.


Colonel Miller is a native of Carter county, Tenn. At the beginning of the Civil War he took a decided stand for the Union. He was at that time Sheriff of his native county and wielded a strong influence for the cause. He took an active part in gathering up the Union men to de- fend the bridge-burners and took a prominent part in the Carter county Rebellion, which followed the burning of the bridge at Union, known afterwards as Zollicoffer.


He organized the Thirteenth Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry U. S. A. and commanded it until placed in comand of the Brigade known as the "3d Bri- gade, Governor's Guards," which he commanded until mustered out of service September 5, 1865.


The frequent mention of Colonel Miller's military ser- vice in the body of this history renders it unnecessary to enlarge upon it here. We will only add that as an officer


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he was brave and competent, and as a citizen and friend lie is patriotic, kind and generous. He is still living and resides at Bristol, Tenn .- Va.


COL. RODERICK R. BUTLER, LIEUT .- COL. 13TII. TENN. CAVALRY.


The recent death of Col. Butler, which occurred at his home in Mountain City, Johnson county, Tennessee, August 18, 1902, has called public attention to his life and character, and it is most gratifying to his friends to note the unanimity with which the public press, of all shades of political opinion, agree in bestowing upon him very many of those traits of character, which all true men desire said of them when life's busy scenes have passed from their view. But for the fact that it will afford us pleasure to offer our humble testimony to the "goodness and worth" of a comrade and friend, and to place what has been so well and truly said by others "in more enduring form" than that of newspaper articles, which are read to- day and forgotten to-morrow, we would scarcely attempt to write this article.


The strong characteristics of industry, energy and abil- ity, that enabled Judge Butler to overcome the obstacles that poverty placed in his way, and reach a position in public life that few men have attained under like circum- stances, are certainly to be admired, and his successful life should be held up to every poor, but ambitious young inan, as an object lesson, demonstrating what pluck and energy, backed by a reasonable ambition, can do, regard- less of poverty, want of education or the assistance of ill- fluential friends. His life has been a remarkable one, and is another confirmation of the old adage, "Where there's a will there's a way."


But to our minds, the one overshadowing and admir- able trait in his character, that eclipsed all others, was his love for and confidence in his fellow man, regardless of class, caste or condition. This was the golden cord that


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bound to him many thousands of men who clung to him through life, and whom no amount of slander, calumny or vituperation could drive from him. We cannot say whether or not he obeyed the divine injunction to "Love thine enemy," but we can testify that he loved his friends, whether among the lowly or the great, with a devotion seldom surpassed. His memory will be secure as long as there is one left who knew him well. Thousands have been the beneficiaries of his kindly smile and his warni grasp of friendship, and partakers of his hospitality, and recipients of his favors and kind offices. Ilis death cast a shadow over many a mansion and humble home, and brought pain to many hearts, but he had reached the ful- ness of time, and from a long life, full of battles-reverses as well as victories "he has lain down to rest."


We append extracts and comments on the death of Judge Butler, written by able editors, men who knew him well, and we heartily endorse their commendations. These articles give all the leading facts concerning his remark- able public career, his nativity and date of his birth, as well as his early struggles with poverty. His life has been a grand success socially, politically and financially.


Before introducing these extracts, we will note briefly his military career, which in one sense was brief, but in another sense, like most prominent men of East Tennes- see, he was in the "fight" from 1861 till 1865.


After bravely facing all the dangers common to the loyal men of Johnson and Carter counties from the very beginning, leading largely in their councils and conven- tions, planning to thwart the devices of the enemy, and, finally, having to flee from their wrath, he was commis- sioned by Governor Johnson to raise a regiment of cavalry for the Federal army. Col. Miller and Col. A. D. Smith were recruiting a regiment at the same time, and upon the death of Col. Smith, Col. Butler consolidated his men with those of Col. Miller, forming the Thirteenth Tennes- see Cavalry, in which organization he was commissioned and mustered as Lieut .- Colonel October 8, 1863. But Colonel Butler, after assisting in organizing and getting


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the Regiment in shape, feeling that he had no military education whatever, that another, more experienced than himself, could fill the place better, while he could render far greater service to his people and to his country through diplomacy, and by being free to go wherever he could aid the suffering, or help to counteract the devices of the enemy, he accordingly, on May 11, 1864, resigned his commission, as Lieut .- Colonel, giving place to the gal- lant Ingerton, after he was convinced of that officer's ex- perience and capability as a true and tried soldier.


It would be impossible to give the reader an idea of the many acts of kindness done by him to the officers and soldiers of the regiment. He exerted his influence at all times with Governor Johnson to send troops into East Tennessee to the relief of his suffering friends. He was at Knoxville when our Brigade was campaigning in East Tennessee, and was always on the alert and looking after the interests of the Thirteenth. When the Brigade was fighting for its very existence at Bull's Gap, and General Gillem was pleading for reinforcements, it was Colonel Butler who accompanied W. G. Brownlow to General Ammen's office to implore him to send them aid, though it was all in vain, Colonel Butler showed his interest and anxiety for his old comrades.


It was charged against Colonel Butler in his political campaigns that he was not true to the Union, and that he made an effort at one time to raise a regiment for the Confederate service. In that dark hour of suffering in East Tennessee, when the Union people were under the heel of the petty despots, who were burning their homes, hanging and imprisoning the men, and bringing ruin and starvation to the doors of their families, it would be easy to believe that Col. Butler may have resorted to almost anything to stay the avenging sword, and to appease the wrath that was turned on his people. He may have re- sorted to the deception even of agreeing to raise a regi- ment, for what could he have done to save his people then that would not have been justifiable? Good faith on the part of the Confederates towards the Union people was


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not to be dreamed of. Deception and duplicity must be met with like bad faith at such a time as that. But that Colonel Butler ever faltered in his love for, and loyalty to, the Government of the United States, none who knew him believed for one moment.


Col. Butler has always retained a warm place in the hearts of the members of the Regiment, and he has often expressed the deepest regret that since the organization of the "Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry Association" his health has been too feeble to attend their reunions, but he has always sent written greetings and words of affection- ate remembrance. In 1898, the reunion was held at his home town, Mountain City, but he was then afflicted with partial blindness and could not attend, but his life-long friend, Lieut. C. M. Arnold, read a most touching address to the comrades which the Colonel had prepared. On the same occasion, it was arranged for the comrades to repair, in a body, to his elegant home in the suburbs of the town, and greet their old friend and comrade-in-arms. This they did and found him, though quite feeble, sitting on his veranda awaiting them. They all passed in procession, each taking his hand gently, and speaking a word or two of friendly cheer. Though almost totally blind at the time, he was able to recognize nearly every voice, and re- turned the greetings most pleasantly.


We are pleased to note here that Colonel Butler recov- ered to a great extent from this sad affliction, and though. feeble afterwards, was able for several years to visit his children and friends and spend his time pleasantly and comfortably until a few months before his death


COMMENTS OF THE PRESS ON THE DEATH OF COL. R. R. BUTLER.


Following are editorial clippings from a number of our exchanges relative to the life and death of Hon. R. R. Butler, one of the most distinguished citizens that ever re- sided in the county and one that will be missed by all


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classes, regardless of race or standing. "Judge Butler is gone, but his honest, industrious, charitable and sober life will long remain in the minds of the people of East Ten- nessee and especially those who live in Johnson county." -Tennessee Tomahawk :


"Judge Roderick Butler is dead. He was born in Wythe county, Virginia, in 1827 and reared to young manhood in that county. When about nineteen years of age he moved to Johnson county, Tenn., where he after- wards married Miss Emeline Donnelly, who resided near Mountain City. The deceased was born a poor man, but his undaunted energy brought him to the front in the af- fairs of state and nation.


"When a grown young man he worked at the tailor's trade in Johnson county to support himself and happy wife. During this time he was a constant student, putting in every spare hour from work at study. He would select a task and study upon it, reciting to Rev. James Keys, a local minister. He kept this up for years and gathered much valuable information. Later he took up the study of law and mastered it by hard work. He was admitted to the bar in 1854 and practiced for years. Before the Civil War he represented his county in the legislature of the State and made a clear record. In 1865 he was chosen for the position of Circuit Judge of the First Judicial Cir- cuit of Tennessee. This position he held for nearly two years, resigning to become a candidate for Congress in the fall of 1866. In that year he was nominated and ran for Congress on the Republican ticket. He was a popular and brainy man and was easily elected. He remained in the National Congress six years and four years at another time, making his full term in the National body ten years. While holding that important trust he voted and labored for his distret and the people who resided in it. On na- tional questions he showed talent and wise judgment and his clean record was a monument to his long life.


"During life he also sat upon the county judge's bench, dealing out law and equity with care and consideration. All through life he figured in the political affairs of East


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Tennessee and was recognized as a big man, both in and out of his party. By his death the State loses one of its powers, and the people in general all over this section of country will deeply regret to learn of his death.


"He is survived by seven sons and two daughters. namely, R. H., Dr. J. G., S. D., and Hon. E. E. Butler, of Mountain City, Dr. W. R. Butler. John B. and G. O., of Oregon, Mrs. Jennie Church and Mrs. W. R. Keys, of Mountain City."-Bristol News.


"With the death of Hon. R. R. Butler, one of the most remarkable men, in many respects, in the State, has passed away. He has been most of his time in public life, for more than forty years, having served a term in the Tennessee Legislature before the Civil War. He served several terms in Congress, also as Circuit Judge in his judicial circuit. He was elected to the two houses of the Tennessee Legislature oftener than any other man in the State, or who has ever been so elected. He was a man of generous impulses and made friends of all with who'n he came in contact. Like others he was not without faults, but there have been few men in Tennessee who have enjoyed a wider, longer, or more general popularity. He lost his wife not many years ago, which gave himn great grief, and some two years ago he lost a favorite grandchild, to which he was much attached, and since then has scarcely been himself. His health has not been good for some time; but his death came as a shock to his many friends and acquaintances in his county and district and throughout the State."-Knoxville Journal and Tribune.


LIEUT .- COL. BARZILLAI P. STACY.


Colonel Stacy was born at Columbus, Penn., in 1837. His family removed to Ripley, O., just previous to the Civil War. He volunteered in the 7th Ohio Cavalry and was appointed Sergeant-Major of that regiment. He was


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with the regiment in the long chase after Gen. John H. Morgan through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, and also in Saunder's raid around Knoxville. He came into Knox- ville with his regiment when Gen. Burnside occupied East Tennessee in September, 1863. At the organization of the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry he was appointed Ad- jutant of the Regiment. September 24, 1863, on recom- mendation of Gen. Samuel P. Carter, was detailed later as A. A. G. on Colonel Miller's staff when that officer was assigned to the command of the Third Brigade, Gover- nor's Guard; promoted to Captain of Company F, October 26, 1864, for gallantry and meritorious service, and after the death of Lieut .- Col. Ingerton was commissioned Lieut .- Colonel of the Regiment, Dec. 10th, 1864. Col. Stacy was with the Regiment in all its campaigns from its organization until its muster-out, September 5, 1865.


After the war he located in Knoxville, where the firm of Stacy & Angel became well-known.


He was married to Miss Margaret Augusta Piper, of Rogersville, Tenn., September 12, 1865. He and his wife united with the Second Presbyterian Church soon after coming to Knoxville, and he was soon afterwards elected an Elder. He represented his synod in the General As- sembly at Toledo, O., in 1870. He removed to Dallas; Texas, in the year 1872, and remained there until 1882. He had been in declining health for several years and died at Knoxville, Tennessee, September 20th, 1882. His re- mains are buried in Gray Cemetery.


COL. ALEXANDER D. SMITH.


Col. Smith was born in Wilkes county, near Wilkes- boro, N. C., July 5th, 1810. When he was six years of age his father moved to Carter county, Tenn. Col. Smith married in Johnson county and became a citizen of that county when it was first organized. He was the first Sheriff of the county, and was Circuit Court Clerk for 24 Tears. He served as Clerk and Master of the Chancery


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Court for two or three years and gave up that position to engage in the practice of law. He continued the practice of law successfully up to the beginning of the Civil War.


He was among the foremost leaders in resisting the se- cession movement in Johnson and Carter counties and par- ticipated in all the excitement and dangers of that period. He was a member of the Knoxville Union Convention and served on the most important committee of that body. He was also delegate to the Greeneville Convention. He assisted in the organization of the Thirteenth Tennessee (Union) Cavalry and was elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment and served until stricken with fever. He (lied at the home of Gains McBee, at Strawberry Plains, Tenn., November 3. 1863. This was the first death of an officer in the Regiment. Colonel Smith was personally known to nearly every man in the Regiment and was held in the highest esteem by all. From his ability and cour . age it was believed he would make a valuable officer and all felt the Regiment had sustained a great loss.


Col. Smith was a brother of the late Hon. Hamilton C. Smith, for many years Chancellor of the First Chancery Division of Tennessee and father of Hon. John P. Smith, who has served 16 years as Chancellor of the same Divi- sion, and has recently been appointed Governor of the Mountain Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers now in course of construction by the United States Government at Johnson City, Tenn.


MAJOR ELI N. UNDERWOOD.


(Second Battalion.)


Major Underwood was born in Enfield, Hampshire county, Mass., March 27th, 1827. He learned engineer- ing and served as an engineer on the Hudson River R. R. from 1849 until 1856, when he went to East Tennessee and accepted the position of Master Mechanic of the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad.


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Major Underwood was a staunch Union man and rend- ered all the assistance he could to the Union cause. He was commissioned Major of the Second Battalion of the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry April LIth, 1864, and was engaged in all the campaigns of the Regiment in East Tennessee. He commanded his Battalion in the fights at. ' Greeneville, Tennessee, Morristown, Carter's Depot and Bull's Gap. At Morristown he was in the gallant sabre charge that broke the enemy's lines and was highly com- mended for gallantry. He was fond of music and poetry and delighted in discussing questions of science and philosophy ; the officers of the Regiment gave him the sobriquet of "Old Philosophy," which he seemed to appre- ciate rather than dislike. He went to California many years ago and is now a resident of Colusa, California.


MAJOR J. W. M. GRAYSON.


James W. M. Grayson was a prominent citizen of Johnson county when the war came and a man at that time of probably 35 years of age. He took an active part as an officer in the Carter county Rebellion, and displayed courage and ability. He was among the first to recruit any considerable number of men in his county for the Fed- eral service, taking with him at one time 100 men to Ken- tucky. This was in May, 1862. He assisted largely in recruiting the Fourth Tennessee Infantry and was com- missioned Lieut .- Colonel of that regiment May Ist, 1863, and through some disagreement with superior officers left that regiment and accepted a commission in the Thir- teenth Tennessee as Major, October 6th, 1863, and re- mained with the Regiment until April, 1864, when he re- signed on account of ill health.


After the war and up to his death, which occurred only a few years ago, he was actively engaged in farming and business enterprises at Grayson, N. C. We know nothing of his family except a daughter, Mrs. Dr. W. R. Butler, of Butler, Tenn., and a son, A. G. Grayson, Esq., who is engaged in business and resides at Trade, Johnson county, Tennessee.


SERGEANT ROBERT B. WILCOX, CO. G.


R. Q. M. SERG'T G. D. ROBERTS. (See page 281.)


1


CORP. J. G. BURCHFIELD. (See page 201.)


SERG'T. JAS. W. PEARCE. (See page 301.)


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MAJOR ROBERT H. M. DONNELLY.


R. H. M. Donnelly was born in Lee county, Va., Jan- uary 2, 1835, and was the fifth child of William and Sarah McQueen Donnelly. His father died in 1842, and his mother died in 1876. Robert lived with his mother until he was of age. After learning the carpenter's trade he went to Johnson county, Tenn., where he was married to Miss Eliza J. Allen, near Taylorsville, April 6, 1860.


When the Civil War broke out he at once took an ac- tive part on the side of the Union. He made several efforts to get to the Federal army before he succeeded in doing so. In these efforts he suffered the usual dangers, hardships and privations we have described in other places. He finally left home in the latter part of August, 1863. In company with R. H. Luttrell, Richard H. Wil- son and others he left Taylorsville in the night and crossed the Iron Mountain, on top of which he fell in with about 80 other Union men fleeing to the Federal army, which was then said to be in the vicinity of Jones- boro, Tenn. This company went down Stony Creek in Carter county, stopping near Benjamin Coles to rest. At daylight they resumed the journey and at length they came to the Federal lines near Jonesboro, Tenn., and halted at a large spring west of the town where forty or fifty of them volunteered, forming what was afterwards Company D of the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and elected R. H. Luttrell, Captain ; R. H. M. Donnelly, First Lieutenant, and R. H. Allen, Second Lieutenant. Arriv- ing at Greeneville this company fell in with a large num- ber of other recruits for the Thirteenth, and their history is the same thereafter as described in the organization of the Regiment.


Upon the death of Captain R. H. Luttrell, January 20th, 1864, Lieut. R. H. M. Donnelly was promoted to Captain of Company D, in which position he served until June 22, 1865, when he was promoted to Major.


He was a brave, intelligent officer, and was often se- lected for duty when courage and firmness were needed.


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He was in all th ampaigns and battles in which the Regiment was eng od. While Captain of Company D his company was ord red to the support of Major Wag- ner's Battalion when it was being driven back by over- whelming numbers. Captain Donnelly was among the first in the gallant charge at Fort Breckenridge, Va. We are only able to mention further in this brief sketch that he captured the notorious Lieut .- Colonel Dorrity and dis- armed him with his own hands. That he was in the detach- ment that was sent under Major Doughty to break up the gang of Ellis Harper, known as the "Harper gang," that were committing so many depredations in Middle Tennessee and Kentucky. Captain Donnelly took an ac- tive part in this affair, which was never made public until reported for this history by Major Doughty.


Aside from his soldierly qualities Major Donnelly was highly esteemed by the officers and men for his social qualities and gentlemanly conduct at all times. After the war he located at Rheatown, Tenn., where he was Post- master for 14 years. He now lives at Chuckey City, Tenn , where he has resided for 16 years. Was Postmaster at that place under President Harrison's administration. He has been engaged in the mercantile and other business enterprises and is now in the hotel business, and has been for the past 16 years at Chuckey City, Tenn.


MAJOR JOSEPH H. WAGNER.


Major Wagner is the sixth son and ninth child of Mathias M. and Mary Wagner, and was born in Taylors- ville (now Mountain City), Tenn., January 14, 1841. Major Wagner received his education in his native town and at Boone's Creek Seminary, in Washington county, Tenn. He was elected Colonel of the Johnson county militia in 1860 when only a little past twenty years of age. He took an active part in all the movements of the Union men of his county and was commander of the Johnson county forces, numbering about 250 men, in the


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Carter county rebellion. After the vebellion he shared in the dangers and persecutions of ose times.




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