History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A., Part 8

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 8
USA > Tennessee > Carter County > History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A. > Part 8


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Following soon upon the call for the militia came what was known as the "Conscript Act," passed by the Con- federate Congress April 16th, 1862. This took into the Confederate army all able-bodied male citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 years, and later extended to 45, ex- cept certain exemptions to those who were laborers or artisans engaged in the production of articles necessary for the army.


Conscript-enrolling officers were at once appointed and, supported by the military, began the hunt for Con- scripts. As some alleviation to the people of Carter coun- ty, a firm composed of N. G. Taylor and Judge Turley, under the name of Taylor, Turley & Co., began the erec- tion of a steel and iron plant at a place known as "O'Brien's old Forge" in Carter county, three miles south


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of Elizabethton, and a similar company operated a fur- nace on Stoney Creek.


They had detailed a large number of men who were enrolled as conscripts to work at these plants and in this way avoid active service in the Confederacy. Other sim- ilar iron plants were started in Johnson county, and in many other places.


But these could not employ all, and only afforded re- lief to a small proportion of the conscripts in Johnson and Carter counties.


It has been said that the Conscript Act took more men trom East Tennessee into the Federal army than into the Confederate army. However, the conscript officers now commenced their work in earnest, aided as we have said by the military. Looking back at the history of this per- iod it would seem that by some strange chance the Con- federate authorities selected from first to last a most cruel and vindictive set of officers to take charge of the military companies in Carter and Johnson counties. Not only this, but they even brought into requisition the ser- vices of some half-civilized Cherokee Indians from Chero- kee county, N. C. If we do not characterize this pro- ceeding by any harsher name, we are compelled to say it was most unwise as well as unfortunate; as it would seem even now, that it would not require any great fore- sight to see that this action on their part would be a case ot "sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind."


Union men who had not been detailed, or detached for work in the different iron works, and could possibly do so, began to flee across the mountains to swell the ranks of the Union regiments now forming in Kentucky, under the guidance of Dan Ellis, whose fame had spread far and wide as a daring and successful pilot. Others, still. fled to the mountains to await an opportunity to get to Kentucky, or at any rate to avoid, for the present at least, service in the Confederate army. Some were too poor to go or could not make up their minds to leave their families perhaps to starve. Some of these as in the days after the bridge burning joined the Confeder- ate army to save themselves and families.


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Those who took their chances in the mountains would have to steal into their homes to procure food at night, and often they found the conscript officers and soldiers in waiting for them. At other times these officers would threaten the members of the families, the fathers, moth- ers, or little brothers and sisters of the conscripts to ex- tort from them the hiding place of the conscript. These atrocities aroused the indignation of the Union men to the highest point and many sad tragedies followed. An ac- count of many of them will be found in the Chapter of Tragedies.


637213


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CHAPTER X.


Sentiments of Affection and Brotherhood Among Loyal People .- Expectations of Federal Aid .- Their Disappoint- ments .- Gen. G. W. Morgan at Cumberland Gap .- East Ten- nessee Regiments in His Command .- Col. Hayne's Eulogy on East Tennessee .- East Tennessee the Scene of Many Tragedies.


It was at this period that began that sentiment of love and confidence among the loyal people that marked their intercourse through the long period that intervened be- fore the close of the war. A common cause and common sufferings had united them in a common bond of sym- pathy and affection, and steeled their hearts against fear. They were a band of brothers and sisters.


The "Union" was the shibboleth that gained admission into every heart and home. They shared with each other and even with strangers, who were known to be loyal, their stores of provisions to the last morsel, "without money and without price"-the noble women often pre- paring it and carrying it far into the mountains to reach the hiding places of their loved ones who were under the ban of the military authorities or being hunted by the conscript officers.


It was during this period, too, that they were living between hope and fear. The loyal leaders who had gone North were constantly importuning the Government to send them relief and they were constantly assured that this would be done at an early day. This news was con- veyed through the lines to the waiting and watching peo- ple and would renew their hopes for a time, but to end ir disappointment. Long, weary months were to elapse before these hopes were to be realized. Other and more important movements of the army, together with unex- pected reverses prevented the fulfillment of their prom-


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ises. The Confederate Government realizing the import- ance to them of holding East Tennessee not only on ac- count of the railroad and its strategic importance, but because it afforded then a vast amount of supplies from its fertile valleys and was for that reason a favorite field for forage, hence they were determined not to part with it without a great struggle. Gen. Sherman with his keen military instincts had seen this from the beginning, and it was doubtless for this reason that he turned back the little army of Gen. Thomas, knowing, or believing, that it would be sacrificed.


Many important events were now transpiring through- out the county, which it is needless for us to mention, though they were watched by our people with almost painful interest. The Union victories were garbled by the Southern papers into victories for their cause. The Cumberland Mountain still lifted its frowning peaks be- tween the Union people and their fondest hope-their country's flag. Many had crossed the forbidden path that led through its deep defiles and over its steep acclivi- ties and they were now battling bravely against Nature's barriers and a determined enemy to reach their homes.


On the 18th of June, 1862, an army of about 12,000 men advanced under command of Gen. George W. Mor- gan to Cumberland Gap and took possession of that im- portant stronghold with little opposition. The Unionists hailed this event with gladness, believing again that re- lief was near at hand. In this command were two bri- gades of loyal East Tennessee troops, viz : Carter's Bri- gade, 2nd and 4th Tenn. (Union) Cavalry and Spear's Brigade-the 3d, 5th and 6th Tenn. Infantry.


These troops were anxious to redeem their homes and received the highest praise from their officers for gal- lantry displayed in this expedition. Hundreds of East Tennessee Union men joined this force at Cumberland Gap,-many from Carter and Johnson counties. The Confederate authorities, realizing the importance of hold- ing East Tennessee, hurried in large reinforcements, and Gen. Morgan was soon besieged by a largely superior


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force; and, fearing that he would be entirely cut off from his base of supplies, after holding the Gap from June until September, fell back through Kentucky to the Ohio river. Thus the Unionists, who had been in high hopes, were doomed to disappointment.


Many Union men in Carter and Johnson counties had, up to this time, managed to remain in the vicinity of their homes, and aid, to some extent, in providing for their families. Seeing the futility of resistance many even feigned loyalty to the South to save their friends and families. Some of these gaining the confidence of the au- thorities were appointed enrolling officers and were en- abled to save many conscripts by giving them warning in some way of their approach. R. A. Lyle was an instance of this kind. To procure the release of his step-father, Jacob Bewley, he had volunteered in the Southern army, and was sent to Elizabethton as Deputy Provost Marshal. He proved a good friend to the Union people and did all he could for them without exciting the suspicion of the authorities, and finally made his escape to the Union lines. Governor Johnson secured him a position as pri- vate secretary to the Secretary of State, E. H. East.


The bitterness toward the loyal people of East Ten- nessee became more intense all the time. Their loyalty had brought upon them the hatred of the Southern press and people, and the most opprobrious epithets were ap- plied to them. They were called "Lincolnites," "Abo- litionists," "Thugs" and "renegades;" even the beauti- ful country itself, which had been termed the "Switzer- land of America," was called "the God-forsaken coun- try." But this ultra sentiment was not shared by all the Confederates, especially in regard to its loveliness.


To show that through all these scenes of bitterness some of them retained a deep-seated love for the hills and mountains, and beautiful valleys, we introduce an incident that occurred soon after the war. The people of Carter county should revere the name of her gifted son, Hon. Landon C. Haynes, who was a Confederate States Senator. At a banquet given to the bar at Jack-


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son, Mississippi, at which Col. Haynes was a guest, Gen. Forrest proposed a toast "to Mr. Haynes, the gentleman from East Tennessee, sometimes called the God-forsak- en." Mr. Haynes responded : "I plead guilty to the soft impeachment. I was born in East Tennessee, on the banks of the Watauga, which in the Indian vernacular means beautiful river, and beautiful river it is. I have stood on its banks in my childhood, and looking down in its glassy waters saw a heaven below, and looking up beheld a heaven above me, like two mirrors, each reflect- ing in the other its moon, planets and trembling stars.


"Away from its banks of rock and cliff, of laurel and ivy, hemlock and pine, stretches back to the distant moun- tains a vale more beautiful and exquisite than any in Switzerland or Italy.


"There stands the great Roan, the great Black, the great Unaka and the great Smoky mountains, upon whose sum- mits the clouds gather of their own accord, even on the brightest day. There I have seen the great spirit of the storm lie down in his pavilion of darkness and clouds. Then I have seen him awake at midnight, and, like a giant refreshed from slumber, arouse the tempest, and let loose the lightnings that ran along the mountain tops swifter than an eagle's flight in heaven. I have seen them stand up and dance, like angels of light, to the music of Nature's grand organ, whose keys were touched by the fingers of Divinity in the halls of Eternity, resounding through the universe.


"Then I have seen the clouds drift away towards the horizon, and morning come forth from her saffron bed, put on her robes of light, and standing tip-toe on the misty mountain top, while Night fled to his bed-chamber at the poles, lighted up the green valley and beautiful river where I played in my childhood.


"O, beautiful land of the mountains with thy sun- painted cliffs, how can I ever forget thee !"


But this lovely valley, so eloquently described, was the scene of many revolting tragedies.


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CHAPTER XI.


Carter's Raid Into East Tennessee .- Burning the Bridge at Zollicoffer .- Fight at Carter's Depot and Burning of the Bridge at That Place .- Personal Mention of Gen. S. P. Carter, Col. J. P. T. Carter and Capt. G. O. Collins .- Changed Con- ditions Since the War Began .- Rye and Spice Wood Used for Coffee and Tea.


After Gen. Morgan's forces left Cumberland Gap in September, 1862, the people of Johnson and Carter coun- ties seemed to despair of the Federal army coming into East Tennessee at any very early date. They had been dis- appointed so often that they paid little attention to "grape-vine" dispatches any more. Many men from these counties were now in the different regiments of Tennessee troops that had been formed in Kentucky. A large number from these counties joined Col. James P. T. Carter's regiment, the 2d Tennessee Mounted Infantry. Later a large number joined Col. Dan Stover's Fourth Tennessee Infantry. Those who had not yet "crossed the mountains" made as fair weather as possible with "the powers that be." They found the less they said now the better, but down deep in their hearts there was no abatement in their love for the Union, and they watched with unabated interest the progress of the war. There had been many Confederate victories-in fact getting the news from the Southern papers-they gained all the victories. This was most disheartening to the Union people for they believed if the South was victorious the Union people could never live in peace, but like the Moore's and Arcadians would have "to fold their tents" and seek another clime. Mr. A. G. Graham, as we have seen had suggested their banishment. But let us say here that in one particular Mr. Graham was right. In the


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darkest hours of the Union cause they did believe in the coming of the Federal army "with a faith equal to that of the Jews in the coming of the Messiah."


The early Winter of 1862 gave some of them an oppor- tunity to see the "blue coats" and learn through the actual sense of vision that they were not all dead yet.


A Federal force of abo .. t 2000 troops left Lexington, Kentucky, about the 20th of December, 1862, under com- mand of Gen. Samuel P. Carter to make a raid into East Tennessee for the purpose of burning bridges and other- wise crippling the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, which was so important to the Confederacy. This com- mand was composed of two battalions of the Second Michigan Cavalry, Lieut. Col. Campbell; one battalion of the Seventh Ohio Cavalry, Major Ramsey; the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Major Russell, Col. Charles J. Walker, of the Tenth Kentucky Cavalry, was in com- mand of the cavalry brigade. This command crossed the mountains at Crank's Gap, near Harlan Court House, into Lee County, Va., moved down Cane Creek, passed through a gap in Poor Valley ridge and crossed Powell's Valley four miles east of Jonesville, they reached the summit of Walden's ridge about twenty miles from the foot of the Cumberland Mountains and halted.


They had advanced this far without creating any alarm, or exciting any suspicion as to who they were. From here they moved to Stickleyville, across Powell's Mountain and through Pattonsville. They crossed Clinch river twelve miles from Estellville, Va. News of their approach had preceded them, and upon their arrival at Estellville they were told that a considerable force of rebels were at Moccasin Gap prepared to dispute their passage. The Michigan battalion under Col. Campbell were dismounted and moved through the Gap; the enemy retreated towards Kingsport. A lieutenant and several rebel soldiers were captured near the Gap. The command pushed forward and on the way a Sergeant of the 2d Michigan was killed, and two other soldiers who had wandered from the road were captured. About day-


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light on the morning of December 30 they reached Blountville, Sullivan County, Tenn., surprised the place and captured 30 soldiers of the 4th Kentucky rebel cav- alry and paroled them. They left Bristol, which was said to be held by a strong rebel force, to their left and proceeded to Zollicoffer (now Bluff City) on the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad six miles distant. Gen. Carter sent his brother, Col. J. P. T. Carter, with a por- tion of the 2d Michigan with orders to burn the bridge across the Holston river, Gen. Carter following as soon as his forces all came up. Major McDowell with a force of about 150 of the 62d North Carolina surrendered to Col. Carter without resistance. They were paroled and declared that they would not again return to the army.


The barracks, tents, arms, a railroad car, together with the railroad and wagon bridge were burned or destroyed.


It was reported that G. O. Collins, who accompanied Gen. Carter as his orderly, and who had been one of the bridge burners on the night of November 8, 1866, when the bridge across the river at this place was burned, and had made his escape into Kentucky and joined the 2d Tennessee Infantry, applied the torch to the railroad bridge with the remark: "I was accused of burning a bridge here once before, if you'll watch me you will see that I am guilty this time." After setting firc to the bridge he climbed up on the railing and crowed.


Gen. Carter dispatched Col. Watkins with detachments from the 2d Michigan, 9th Pennsylvania and 7th Ohio Cavalry, 180 in all, to Carter's Station (Depot) to burn the bridge across the Watauga river 10 miles west of Zollicoffer. This was the bridge that Dr. Jobe had saved from being burned on the night of November 8, 1861. On the way to Carter's they captured Col. Love of the 62d North Carolina with a number of prisoners and a lo- comotive. Col. Love having heard rumors of the approach of the Yankees went out on the locomotive to ascertain the truth of the rumor and fell into their hands. The detachment reached Carter's Depot about sun- set and found about 200 of the 2d North Carolina


TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 107


falling into line. Col. Walker attacked them and after a short resistance they fled to the woods. Major Roper of the 6th Kentucky Cavalry made a gallant charge with two companies of the 9th Pennsylvania under Capt. Jones, capturing and killing a number of rebels. Major Roper's loss was one killed, one mortally, one severely, and two slightly wounded. A number of rebels were killed. The railroad bridge across the Watauga river, together with a number of arms, were taken and de- stroyed.


Gen. Carter finding that the rebels were collecting a large force from all directions with the view of intercept- ing and capturing him made a safe but hasty retreat back to Kentucky. This was the last expedition of Federals that reached East Tennessee until Burnside's army came in, in September, 1863. They were the last Federal troops except these, ever seen in these counties except those passing through as prisoners until the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry passed through with Stoneman's com- mand in March, 1865.


Gen. Samuel P. Carter was a native of Carter County, Tennessee, the county having been named for his grand- father, William Carter, and the county seat, Elizabethton, for his grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Carter. Gen. Car- ter was a graduate of the Naval School, at Annapolis. Md., and at the breaking out of the war was a Lieutenant ili the United States Navy. Soon after the beginning of the war (1861), at his own request, he was transferred tc the military service and assigned to duty with the Federal forces in Kentucky that were to operate in East Tennessee. He performed an honorable part during the war and was promoted to the rank of Major-General. He loved his birthplace and performed many acts of kindness towards his boyhood friends. He was loyal to his flag. and East Tennesseeans owe much to him for his valiant service in aiding to redeem their homes from the do- minion of their enemies.


After the close of the war he returned to the navy, in which he attained to the rank of Rear-Admiral before


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his retirement. As far as we have been able to learn no other officer in the United States service attained so high rank both in the military and naval service. He died suddenly at his home in Washington, D. C., May 26, 1891.


Col. James P. T. Carter was a brother of Gen. Samuel P. and Rev. William B. Carter. He was a staunch Union man from the beginning; was a delegate to the Knoxville and Greeneville Conventions. After the occupation of East Tennessee by the Confederates he fled to Kentucky and organized the 2d Tennessee Mounted Infantry, which did splendid service until captured with Col. Gar- rard's command near Rogersville, Tennessee, November 6th, 1863. Those who did not escape were imprisoned at Andersonville under the monster Wirtz, many dying from starvation. Among these were Theophilus H. Rob- erts, of Elizabethton, a brave, noble-hearted young man. John C. Smith and Samuel Bishop lived through the dreadful prison experience and returned to their homes in 1865, "living skeletons."


Col. James P. T. Carter married the daughter of ex- Governor Letcher, of Kentucky, and was appointed Secre- tary of the Territory of Arizona by President Johnson. He died suddenly at Tucson, Arizona, in April, 1868. His son William A. Carter, Esq., is a member of the County Court ( 1902), and resides at Elizabethton, Tennessee.


We have mentioned the happiness and contentment of the people in Carter and Johnson Counties previous to the war but now how changed the scene! The owners of the humble but happy homes could no longer rest in peace. The flag beneath which their fathers fought was no longer the protecting Aegis of their homes and loved ones. O, hapless daughters of Carter and Johnson coun- ties, there was in store for thee sorrow, hardships, suf- fering, destitution and heartaches which we pray God may never again fall to the lot of the mothers and daugh- ters of these now prosperous counties !


Though ample harvests had rewarded the farmers in 1861, the excitement of war had kept men from giving the


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proper attention to their farms, and in the Winter of 1861-62 refugees were to be fed, men had to flee from their farms, and troops coming in consumed much of their provisions, often without compensation, or in ex- change for depreciating currency. The blockade had shut out such necessary articles as clothing, dress goods, coffee, tea and all articles of merchandise, and the stocks of these things in hand were being rapidly consumed at exorbitant prices. Only the wealthier classes could ob- tain what had been regarded as the necessaries of life. The women turned their hands again to the cards, the spinning wheel and loom to provide raiment for their families. All kinds of devices were resorted to; old gar- ments that had been cast aside were brought into requisi- tion. Sassafras and spicewood were substituted for Im- perial and Japan tea. Everything imaginable was sub- stituted for coffee, to which the older people were espe- cially attached, but none hit the right spot. Rye and sweet potatoes were generally adopted. They looked a little like coffee when prepared, but here the resemblance ended. Thus the Spring, and part of the Summer of 1863 passed away. Hope-"that springs eternal in the human breast"-had been kept alive through more than two long, weary years. Capt. Ellis who had been mak- ing regular trips across the mountains since April, 1862, had at frequent intervals brought letters, money and sometimes cheering news. His advent into the neighbor- hood was soon found out, and mothers and wives hur- ried breathlessly to his hiding place to learn some tidings from their husbands and sons who had escaped to the Federal army. The rebel soldiers were generally ap- prised of his arival from Kentucky and made fruitless efforts to capture him, but the "Old Red Fox" as he was called was too sly for them. In fact the time came when few rebel soldiers were brave enough to venture within range of his unerring Winchester.


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CHAPTER XII.


Gen. Burnside in East Tennessee .- Rejoicing of the Union People .- Advance to Bristol .- Col. John K. Miller and Col. R. R. Butler Authorized to Raise Federal Regiments .- Long- street's Advance Upon Knoxville .- Federal Troops Fall Back .- Recruits Fall Back With the Army .- Strawberry Plains .- Organization of the Regiment .- Field and Staff .- Death of Lieut-Col. A. D. Smith .- R. R. Butler Becomes Lieut .- Col .- Siege of Knoxville.


On the Ist of September, 1863, General A. E. Burn- side, with a large army, in which were a number of loyal Tennessee regiments, fighting under the old flag, entered East Tennessee by way of the Cumberland Gap. Col. John W. Foster, of Indiana, in command of the advance guard of the army, and with whom was Major John W. Sawyers, commanding the gallant 8th Tennessee Union Cavalry (which afterwards was attached to the 3d Bri- gade, Governor's Guards), entered Knoxville on the 3d day of September. This was a proud day for East Ten- nessee loyalists, and the returning exiles. It would be useless to attempt to describe the joy of the returning refugees and the loyal people who poured into the towns and villages, women, children and aged men gathered along the roadside to greet them.


"There were Union men who wept with joyful tears,




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