USA > Tennessee > The military annals of Tennessee. Confederate. First series: embracing a review of military operations, with regimental histories and memorial rolls, V.1 > Part 15
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Again in East Tennessee, these troops would very naturally have work to do. Their homes were in the hands of their enemies. The wrongs of their people, whether reported correctly or not, kept them anxious and ready for any forward movement, however perilous, that had in it the promise of getting back home, or the meeting of their loved ones. Hence the daring adventures of scouts, the at- tempting of the impossible for the realization of these most coveted ends. Pick- ets and orders were of no avail. Here was the origin of many irresponsible "scouts"-armed men that did more harm than good.
When Gen. Vaughn assumed command of the department he found more than a score of military organizations, and yet according to the report of the Inspector- general, Capt. R. E. Houston, there were not two thousand efficiently armed men. This most excellent officer further stated that many of these belonged to autlior- ized "scouts" that could not be utilized in emergencies, on account of their ab- sence scouting. Whatever may have been the efficiency of their equipments, there was want of effective discipline-a want occasioned more by the fragnientary character of the troops than from other causes. To these hinderances to effective- ness in operating must be added the presence of those who were ready and active to report every movement to the superior and well-disciplined forces of the ene-
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my occupying the strategic points in East Tennessee. Notwithstanding these em- barrassments, Gen. Vaughn marshaled his fragments of organizations and ad- vanced along the line of railway in the direction of Knoxville. He encountered the Federals under Gen. Gillem, near Greenville. While they were driven back toward Knoxville, with loss of men and horses, the Confederates lost the brave Christian soldier, Col. John A. Rowan. No one shared more fully the confidence of the troops than this gallant officer. His judgment was always sought and re- garded, and his presence on the field was an inspiration to the forces he led.
For a few days Morristown was occupied. Gen. Gillem returned to the attack, driving the advanced pickets from Panther Springs. Gen. Vaughn supposed his lines sufficiently strong to check the reported strength of the enemy. They "joined battle" half mile west of Morristown with most disastrous results to the command of Gen. Vaughn. Capt. McClung's battery of five guns, and not less than fifty men, were among the losses. Capt. Eddie Gammon, one of the most gallant officers of the army, was killed. Gen. Vaughn barely escaped. Again the lamented Colonel Day, of the Twelfth Battalion, came to the rescue and saved the entire force from being captured. The victorious squadrons of the en- emy were cutting down or capturing the Confederates at their pleasure, as there was no disposition to resist after the stampede began. Col. Day formed his own company across the road one mile west of Russellville, and received the charge of the enemy, then dashed on the reckless cavaliers and checked their farther progress. The remaining battery, wagon-train, and scattered forces were enabled to retire beyond the enemy's guns and make their escape.
This humiliating defeat not only awakened renewed diligence among Vaughn's troops, but also an anxiety to again "cross arms" with their defiant victors. About this time Maj .- gen. John C. Breckenridge was assigned command of this department. He turned on the pursuer. Gen. Gillem took position behind the works at Bull's Gap, and began strengthening his fortifications. Here he success- fully resisted the assaults of Morgan's brigade, led by the brave Col. Basil Duke. On the evening of Nov. 12, 1864, all the forces of the department under Gen. Breckenridge began a flank movement by way of Arnett's Gap, two miles south of Bull's Gap. Gen. Gillem was found in full retreat. The defeat at Morris- town nerved the soldiery for the conflict, and bravely they bore down on the rap- idly retreating foe. The rout was complete. From Russellville to New Market, a distance of twenty-two miles, army equipage, scattered forces, and the dead pub- lished the flight and stampede. The entire wagon-train, six pieces of artillery, a large quantity of army stores, and a number of prisoners, fell into the hands of the Confederates. This victory opened communication with Strawberry Plains. The raid of Gen. Burbridge in December following, by way of Rogersville and Bristol. forced the Confederates back into South-western Virginia. At Seven-mile Ford he captured the latter's outpost and dashed on their main body while in marching column on the streets of Marion. The brave Lieut .- col. Bean, of the First Ten- nessee, was killed, and quite a number captured. Cols. Carter and Gillespie did themselves honor by the coolness and skill they evinced in the handling of their troops during this night attack of the enemy's superior numbers. Gen. Vaughn was absent in Rye Valley, watching a detachment of Federal cavalry. The Federals withdrew from the Virginia border into lower East Tennessee. The Confederates were too weak to do aggressive work. The losses sustained by the
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MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.
general armies in territory and forces had begun to affect the animus of the troops. Hope was dying in the bosoms of many. Some great success must be achieve !, and no more losses sustained, if the already dinned visions would be brightened. Instead of great successes, they were to hear of great disasters. First came that of Gen. Lee's surrender! At this time Gen. Vaughn's troops were encamped east of New River. The bitterness of the disappointment, consequent on this reverse. was told in the tears that coursed the cheeks of these veterans, and the groans and sobs to be heard throughout the encampment.
"Can all be lost?" was agonizingly inquired, and as earnestly answered by the patriotic brave: "No, not so long as our flag is to the breeze."
Now came the crucial test. "Join Johnston and the Confederate authorities in North Carolina," was the order. This was leading fathers away from their chil- dren, children from their homes, husbands from wives, for further periling of life and without the possibility of success. But while other troops refused to obey the order, regarding further resistance as suicidal, East Tennesseans, without excep- tion, turned toward Charlotte, N. C. They could not do otherwise. They had en- listed for the war. The cause was not less dear than when victory crowned South- ern arms with most brilliant successes. True to their first assurances of adherence to the Confederacy, they rendezvoused at Charlotte. Here were assembled Mr. Davis, his Cabinet, and such forces as were necessary for protection to them. Sus- pense-crushed! In a few days there was added to Lee's surrender that of John- ston! Only the Trans-Mississippi Department remained unconquered. And yet the majority of these noble cavaliers still stood by their flag. In company with others they became by the circumstances a "national body-guard" for Mr. Davis and his Cabinet from Charlotte to Abbeville, S. C. And not until after the las: council had been held; not until the Confederate Cabinet had ceased to perform the functions of such high relation; not until all organic existence had ceased; not until those who had been in authority said, " Your obligations to the Confed- eracy are no longer binding -- you can do no more;" not until then, did "these, the noble few," fold their flag and retire from the field. The laying down of their arms, the striking of their colors, the disbanding of their military organizati. os. and the return of allegiance to the Federal Government, were not the choice of these long-tried veterans so long as there was hope; but when their bugles were silent, their flag in the dust, their camp-fires gone out, and their oath of fidelity to the South canceled by the issues of the war, they were ready to resume their wouted position as citizens of the United States, not in a spirit of hostility, but with the patriotic desire to honor the Government protecting them.
Our task is done. It is the brief narration of heroic inen and their heroic deeds. Whom we may have failed to honor by our brief record grateful hearts will more fully praise, and their names keep fresh in memory, as those by pen and monument heralded.
[Vaughn's brigade in Maj .- gen. M. S. Smith's division at Vicksburg: 60 (or 72 . Colonel J. H. Crawford; 62 (or 80), Colonel John _1. Rowan; 61 (or $1), Colonel F. E. Pitts. Ward's Artillery Battalion: Co. A, Captain C. B. Vance; Co. B, Cap- tain J. H. Yates; Co. I, Withers's Light Battery, Captain Robt. Bowman .- ED- ITOR.]
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145
REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.
Official.] FIELD AND STAFF, THIRD TENNESSEE INFANTRY.
Colonel, John C. Vaughn; Lieutenant-colonel, J. J. Reese; Major, G. W. Morgan; Surgeon, W. G. MeKinsey; Assistant Surgeon, J. G. Parshall; Quartermaster, W. M. Snead; Adjutant, I. G. Cross.
COMPANY A. Captain. Luther C. May.
Lindsay. Joseph H., d. at Culpepper Court- Staples, Alexander E., d. at Culpepper Court- house, Va., Nov. 12, 1861. house, Va., Jan. 8, 1862.
Richie, William H., d. at Manassas, Va., Jan. Whittaker, William B., d. near Winchester, 2, 1862.
Va., June 26, 1861.
Senter, S. W., k. on train on way to hospital, Milligan, J. T. G., d. near Vicksburg, Miss .. near Richmond, Va., Oct. 7, 1861. July 20, 1863.
COMPANY B. Captains: William M. Mason, A. G. Stephens. and William Parker.
Hudson, W. D., k. in a skirmish, April 1. | Kirkland, R., d. Jan. 24.
COMPANY C. Captains : Emmons Philander Douglass and John M. Fender.
Highbarger, C. G., d. in Bradley county, Tenn., Rhea, G. J., k. by a deserter while attempting Aug., 1863. to arrest him, Nov., 1863.
Lusk, A. S. G., d at Vicksburg, Miss., July, Gray, S. A., k. at Vicksburg, June 22, 1863.
1863.
Henry, J. S., d. in hospital, at Vicksburg, May
Sharp, J. E., d. near Vicksburg, Aug. 1, 1863. 14, 1863.
COMPANY D. Captain, D. W. Haskins.
Gaddis, B. F., k. near Vicksburg, Miss., June 2, 1863.
COMPANY E. Captains : Samuel Toole and James A. McKamey.
Cline, D. V. L., d. May 25, 1863. Porter, S. P., d. Aug. 1, 1864.
Vaughn, D. L., k. at Vicksburg, June 9, 1863. Pope, F. M., d. July 20, 1863.
COMPANY F. Captains: William C. Morelock and J. W. Gideon. Arrick, Felix, d. at Winchester, July 13, [ Cook, Franklin, d. at Manassas, Oct. 3, 1861. | Webb, Josiah, d. at hospital.
1862.
COMPANY G. Captains : J. K. P. Giddens and Harvy Dill.
Brock, Granville, d. at Front Royal, Va., Dec. | Hibberts. J. M. L., d. at Vicksburg, Jan. 20, 1863. 12, 1861. Rattegs, David, d. near Vicksburg, some time
Hamilton, T. H., k. at Vicksburg, June 27, 1863. in July, 1863. Giddens, Captain J. K. P., d. Weeks, John, d. at Vicksburg, Miss., some time in July, 1863.
Bishop, J. M., d. at Vicksburg, July 1, 1863.
COMPANY H. Captain, William H. Rudd.
Erwin, B. F., d. at Raleigh (date unknown). Rodgers, W. R., d. at Vicksburg, June 28, 1863. Codey, Lieut. J. H., k. at Vicksburg, June 3, 1863. Richison, A. J., k. at Vicksburg, June 26, 1863. Moody, C. F., d. at Demopolis, Ala. (date un- known).
Lampkin, Alvin, d. at Vicksburg, June 27, 1863.
COMPANY I. Captains : Newton J. Lillard and James M. Buckner.
Rennod, J. W., d. July 4, 1861.
Copland, M. P., d. in prison.
Stewart, Martin V., d. Aug. 6, 1861. Chambers, Roswell, d. in prison.
Love, James A., d. July 5, 1861. Cox, S. M., d. April 4, 1863, in Meigs county, Tenn.
McCordle, Lafayette, d. in prison.
COMPANY K. Captain, G. M. Mathes.
Hughes, David, d. at Knoxville, March 16, 1862. | Jones, Samuel, k. in action at Brimstone, April Haley, H. S., k. in action at Brimstone, April 1, 1862.
Sames, E. H., d. July 22, 1863.
1, 1862. 10
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146
MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.
FIFTH CONFEDERATE. BY C. W. FRAZER, MEMPHIS, TENN.
THE Second ( Knox Walker's) and Twenty-first Tennessee Infantry Regiments, being consolidated, formed the Fifth Confederate Infantry. The Second, with the exception of the fieldl and some of the line officers, was composed almost entirely of Irishmen from Memphis. The Twenty-first had two companies of Tennesseans- one from Shelby, under Captain Irby; the other from Hardeman, under Captain Whitemore. The others were of Irishmen from Memphis; and all the officers, with the exception of perhaps three lieutenants, were Tennesseans. These regi- ments were organized in the spring of 1861-the Second reporting at Fort Ran- dolph, and the Twenty-first to Gen. Cheatham at Union City-Gov. Porter then being his Adjutant. The field officers of the Second were J. Knox Walker, Col- onel; James A. Ashford, Lieutenant-colonel; W. B. Ross, Major. Of the Twenty- first, Ed. Pickett, Colonel; Hiram Tillman, Lieutenant-colonel; J. C. Cole, Major. As these regiments were consolidated so soon after their organization, I will be brief with their individual histories.
After much drilling, camp service, and the building of water-batteries at Colum- bus, Ky., they fought their first pitched battle at Belmont, Mo., on the 7th of No- vember, 1861. I well remember their dash and courage on that occasion, when with inferior guns, and unused to war or arms, they bore themselves as veterans, which can be accounted for only by their nationality, my observation being that Irishmen take to this " as readily as ducks to water."
This was a well-contested field, and it tried to the utmost tension the metal of both sides-the other greatly outnumbering, with the best men from Iowa and Illinois; and though flying the colors of victory, we mourned for many a gallant spirit, among whom were Capt. Armstrong and Lieut. James Walker, of the Second.
On the evacuation of Columbus, Ky., the Twenty-first, on its way to Corinth, was dropped at Union City, as a protection to the commissary department, which was then clearing that section of country of wheat. One morning at daylight a shell came crushing through my little shanty, awaking me from a dream of home. We had even then learned to dress quickly, but before doing that I called to Sergeant Fitzgerald to turn the company out. In the meantime (and very short time) several more shells whistled through the camp. In two minutes we were on the parade-ground in front, and facing a battery, supported by infantry and cavalry, about three hundred yards distant. Here with about half the regiment we waited for orders (the fire being keptup), when Lieut .- col. Tillman moved us by the left behind a high piece of ground near by, from whence he reconnoitered, and finding a heavy force, proceeded down the railroad three miles to the crossing of the North Fork of the Obion, and disposed us for the protection of the bridge. They only followed us about a mile, and then returned to Hickman. This extraordinary surprise was from the withdrawal of our pickets the night before, the result of an alleged misunderstanding as to who was in command of the post (a cavalry regi- ment having been ordered there, and the seniority question arising).
By transfers, resignations, casualties, and deaths in camp and on the field (the battle of Shiloh having also in the meantime been fought), these regiments were necessarily much reduced when consolidated; to which might be added that clari-
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CAPT CM FRAZER
CASTI 4 5649:
MAJOR J PERSON
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CORPORAL ROBERT COLEMAN
CAPT NE SVITH
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REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.
fication which always occurs in the transition from Sunday to regular soldiering; so that on the 4th of July, 1862, winnowed of all chaff, tried soldiers, voluntarily enlisted for the war, the Fifth Confederate was as fine a body of men as was in the service, giving sure promise of the glory that awaited them on so many well- fought fields. This consolidation and reorganization occurred at Tupelo, Miss., to which place we went after the evacuation of Corinth on the 28th of May. We asked that an educated soldier be assigned to the command, which was done by Special Order No. 73.
Roster of Officers .- J. A. Smith, Colonel; J. C. Cole, Lieutenant-colonel; R. J. Parson, Major. Co. A: Thomas Stokes, Captain; Joseph Santy, First Lieutenant; Lawrence Lewis, Second Lieutenant; Co. B: C. W. Frazer, Captain; J. W. Payne, First Lieutenant; Patrick Fitzgerald and W. J. Morris, Second Lieutenants; Co. C: W. H. Brown, Captain; G. W. Armitage, First Lieutenant; J. M. Keefe and J. W. Pugh, Second Lieutenants; Co. D: L. D. Greenlaw, Captain; W. B. Green- law, First Lieutenant; J. D. Sharkey, Second Lieutenant; Co. E: J. H. Beard, Captain; L. B. Shannon, First Lieutenant; T. C. Rowland and Henry Landy, Second Lieutenants; Co. F: John Fitzgerald, Captain; Y. C. Rowland, First Lieutenant; John Wilcox, Second Lieutenant; Co. G: W. H. Carvell, Captain; W. S. Porter, First Lieutenant; G. W. Mathews and W. H. Crosby, Second Lieu- tenants; Co. H: A. A. Cox, Captain; E. H. Fite, First Lieutenant; G. W. Dur- ham and C. P. Miller, Second Lieutenants. There were only eight scant com- panies.
About the 1st of August, 1862, the regiment moved by way of Mobile to Tyner's Station, near Chattanooga, preparatory to making the Kentucky cam- paign. Gen. Cleburne, taking the remainder of the brigade from here, went by way of Knoxville to Richmond, Ky., while the Fifth Confederate was detailed as escort to the Pioneer Corps of the main army under Gen. Bragg, who, advancing by way of Sparta and Glasgow to Bardstown, reached there about the 15th of Septeniber, after running the parallel with Gen. Buell. This was a forced march, over rocky and dusty roads, with but little water and scant supplies. Aside from some skirmish- ing, and assisting at the capture of Fort Denham (Munfordsville), nothing of gen- eral interest transpired. The fording of the Cumberland, however, was a scene I shall ever remember. It was about 9 o'clock A.M., the bright September sun glancing upon the thousands of muskets borne by an aggressive army; it was a panorama of glorious war, suggesting the Rubicon, Cincinnati, and the Northern Lakes. On the march, the regiment having performed its duty as escort, was temporarily attached to Bushrod Johnson's brigade. The prisoners (some three thousand) taken at Fort Denham were paroled, and their arms were carried for distribution among prospective Kentucky regiments. Gen. Bragg waited some two weeks at Bardstown for the "uprising of Kentucky," but they only sung " My Mary- land," and we struck camp for the mountains of East Tennessee, with the impres- sion that we had her ladies and her heurts on our side, if we did not have "Ken- tucky hands and rifles." Surrounded by a vastly superior force, and skirmishing along the route, we reached Perryville on the 7th of October, where Gen. Bragg fought a pitched battle on the 8th, with odds of nearly four to one against him. (A large force having been detached.) Here, our Colonel, with some three hun- dred men then in the regiment, was moving alone, by the left flank, a stone fence on the right and rail fence on the left, and to the left of the brave Cheatham,
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MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.
dwa tế
when from the stone fence, thirty steps away, a volley of seven hundred guns was fired into us without note or warning. The shock was terrific-the line swayed as one body, leaving a track of dead and wounded to mark its former position; then with a yell that burst almost simultaneously from officers and men, it charged over dead and dying, drove the enemy from the fence, and held it --- regimeut after regiment being hurled against it for recapture. Here, in single combat, we met the Seventh Kentucky and the Tenth Ohio (the latter an Irish regiment , besides others. All along our front a solid line of dead and wounded lay, in some places three deep, extending to the right from the barn, which served for a temporary hospital for the wounded enemy. One of our batteries in our rear, in endeavor- ing to assist us, exploded a shell into this barn, fired it, and amid the clash of arms we heard the shrieks of the wounded as they burned. A flag of truce would have been respected, but none was raised; the barn was on their side, and the fight went on. After being twice supplied with ammunition, and losing all hope of re- lief, the Thirty-seventh Tennessee joined us, under Moses White, and his Ad- jutant, Harvey Mathes (now of the Memphis Ledger). But soon after, we saw a long line of blue-coats, coming down the hill at our rear. Col. Smith, standing · near me, said: "Captain, have you a white a handkerchief? I am afraid we will need one." I think I told the truth when I answered: "There's not one in the regiment; and you have on the only 'biled shirt,' the lower end of which will an- swer if occasion requires." Just then they raised a yell ( Federals always cheered); it was our own brigade, under the gallant Cleburne -- the blue being one of the re- sults of the victory at Richmond, and being presently joined by the remainder of Johnston's brigade, we scaled the fence, and drove the enemy to the woods be- yond, when night coming on the firing was kept up for awhile by the flash of the guns. The armies rested, the picket lines in places being not a hundred yards apart. Among the dead Maj. Person recognized a classmate of the Kentucky Military Institute (a field officer of the Seventh Kentucky Federal).
To show the brotherhood of man, I will relate one personal incident of many. Lying among the dead and wounded, exhausted by forty-eight hours of constant duty, I heard with the death-gurgle the words known wherever Masons are. I an- swered, and sent through a priest to an Ohio sister the last words of a brother: " I die like a soldier on the arm of a friend." (The last drop of water from my canteen was on his tongue.)
From there, by way of Harrodsburg, across Dix River to Camp Dick Robinson. where we destroyed the arms the Kentuckians would not take -- the pork and whisky we could not carry-and for the present bidding adieu to Cincinnati and the Northern Lakes, we resumed our march to Knoxville, where we arrived on the night of Oct. 24, and awoke next morning with three inches of snow on us.
That was a weary march. I saw my brave men along the rocky road with bleeding feet, hungry and ragged, with no commissary or quartermaster to curse, And those men had no homes or country to fight for, only the right. From there (in Hardee's corps) by way of Chattanooga to Tullahoma, and Eagleville on the pike, where, with drilling and an occasional demonstration toward Nashville. we remained some time. Gen. McCook finally occupied Gen. Hardee's front here, and having been friends in the old army, the usual courtesies were exchanged. Gen. Hardee received from him, under flag of truce, a bottle of fine old brandy (so said) and a pocket-knife with a picture in it. (A strange fatality brought these
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Generals face to face on more than one occasion, and every time McCook went down, as I remember.) A sudden order from Murfreesboro caused us one even- · ing to make the eighteen miles through a cold rain in very short order. Camp- ing that night on and near Mr. - 's fine farm, about 9 o'clock I witnessed the only real piece of vandalism I now remember. The owner was a "loyal " refugee, his wife, I presume, a plucky lady, being left in charge. Gen. Cleburne was wet, cold, and weary, and one of his aids asked her the privilege of using an office in the yard for his accommodation. It was indignantly refused, with the remark that " no Confederate could sleep on her premises with her consent." This shortly came to the ears of the men, who idolized Cleburne, and their flickering camp-fires, fed with wet, sodden chunks, were quickly supplied with splendid ce- dar rails; the example caught, and soon a mile of fence was drying the wet from an army of copperas breeches-the blockade not even allowing us the gratification of wearing the gray. -
Here under Hardee, Cleburne, and Lucius Polk (the latter succeeding to our brigade on Cleburne's promotion), on Dec. 31, the grand drive commenced first at day-break, which shed a halo of glory over them and their commands. Hardee was on the left, and for nearly four miles, like a resistless wave, in one line only, we bore down line after line, shutting their right like the fore-arm to the shoulder; and but for some mistake as to simultaneous action all along the line, what might have been left of the Federals would have slept in Nashville the next night. It was a long day, and that night we bivouacked on the bloody field, both sides ex- hausted, and neither desiring to disturb the dying or exert themselves by further strife.
Some incidents occurred here. Those on either side will remember the charges of Cleburne's old brigade along the artillery road cut through the cedar-brakes, and its advance in the open field beyond, against the serried ranks there backed by a battery of eighteen guns, and making a last noble stand for life; repulsed each time, but flushed with victory up to this point, it hurled itself again and again like water against a rock. During these fruitless efforts Col. Ben J. Hill, of the Fifth Tennessee (afterward called Thirty-fifth ), who had seen the Fifth Confederate on other fields, rode up to our front on his bob-tailed mare, and said: "Boys, I want to die with you. I am willing with five of you to charge ---. " The writer intended at some time to have gone to McMinnville before he died, but he is gone, and I deck his memory with the above sentiment of a good and brave soldier. The writer lost in this battle, in killed and wounded, just one-half of his company; and Maj. Champneys, of the ordnance department, stated that he shipped back to Chattanooga thirty-three thousand stand of small arms; but of course this included many of our own, left by the dead and wounded.
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