The military annals of Tennessee. Confederate. First series: embracing a review of military operations, with regimental histories and memorial rolls, V.1, Part 23

Author: Lindsley, John Berrien, 1822-1897. ed. cn
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Nashville, J. M. Lindsley & co.
Number of Pages: 942


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 23


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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After the evacuation of Atlanta, Col. Luke W. Finlay commanded the regi- ment until reaching Tuscumbia, Ala., on the raid into Middle Tennessee under Gen. Hood, when we were consolidated with the remnants of several other regi- ments, with Col. F. P. Stafford in command. It took part in that disastrous cam- paign; was in the thickest of the fight at Franklin, taking and occupying the en-


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emy's works, and capturing a large number of prisoners who were lying in the trenches. The trench being very deep, in order to pass the prisoners to the rear, Lieut. Frank Clark, of Co. I, knelt down, allowed them to step on his shoulders, while Sergt. E. W. Simmans, of Co. G, from the bank above, took them by the hand and helped them out. Col. Stafford was killed, and several others were killed and wounded. Col. Finlay again took command, and after the stampede at Nashville, where a number were captured, the remnant fell back to Corinth, Miss., whence they returned home on a thirty-days' furlough. Capt. B. F. Pee- ples, of Co. G-one of the bravest and best of men-with twenty-five others, re- turned to the command in North Carolina, where they were surrendered. The Fifth had an excellent silver band-W. F. Cooper, leader-which, in addition to furnishing very fine music, did valuable service on almost every battle-field as a part of the infirmary corps. Barnes Daniel, one of the musicians, was des- perately wounded in the Georgia campaign; and there were no better soldiers than John and Pack Orr, members of this band.


No pen such as mine can do full justice to the memory of our dead comrades, whose Spartan valor was never excelled in any age or country. As I write, I place my hand in Memory's and retrace with her the paths that trailing years have worn; and


How vividly they seem to stand again- Those dear companions of my morning-time- In the familiar places. How I hear Their silvery laughter, like the chime of bells, Ringing the harmony of happy hearts.


Beloved heroes! though the cause for which you suffered and died is lost, its defenders are not forgotten:


Yours are among our household names; Your memory ne'er departs.


Your unflagging zeal, unparalleled bravery, and self-sacrificing devotion wor for you a meed of praise and an unwithering crown of glory. The terrible storm of war is over, the last faint echoes of its awful thunders are hushed; its angry clouds have drifted away, and the sun of peace smiles upon a united country, but we know that you died for what you believed to be THE RIGHT, and though you may sleep in nameless graves,


Ye are not dead to us; But as bright stars unseen; We hold that you are ever near, Though death intrudes between Like some thin cloud that veils from sight The countless spangles of the night.


And there


Gleams forth with iris beauty through the storm This blessed hope : that all these broken ties Shall be rejoined again-that we shall meet, And have the seal of immortality Set to our love by God's own sovereign hand.


Upon the promotion of Capt. Jo. H. Porter to be Surgeon of the regiment, First Lieutenant Horace T. Blanton, jr., was made Captain of Co. H, and led his company with great distinction at Shiloh. No company in the service was bet- ter officered than Co. H-Blanton as Captain, with James P. Cooper (afterward


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Captain), Joseph T. Kendall (afterward Captain of Co. K., killed at Missionary Ridge), and D. F. Alexander (afterward Captain of cavalry), as Lieutenants; they were young, educated, and enthusiastic, and equal to any command. The regiment was especially fortunate in its line officers-Ward, Hallum, Irion, Cald- well, Bunch, Fowler, besides those named above, with a dozen others, would have made any regiment famous. Commissary Barbee was promoted to Major and assigned to the staff of Maj .- gen. Cheatham; Capt. Lauderdale, of Cc. MI, was made a Major in the Commissary Department and assigned to Stewart's division. Hallum, of Co. I, was shot in a skirmish at New Madrid, Mo., the ball passing through the neck, between the windpipe and vertebral column; he recovered, and was afterward one of the most dashing officers of Forrest's cavalry. Hugh P. Dunlap, the First Sergeant-major of the regiment, after the battle of Shiloh was transferred to the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment, and was acting Adjutant to Col. Fitzgerald when that gallant officer fell at Richmond, Ky .; subsequently he was transferred to Johnson's regiment of Morgan's cav- alry, and made a First Lieutenant. He served with that command until its capture in Ohio, in 1864; was imprisoned at various points, and sent on a pris- on-ship, with other Confederate officers, to Charleston harbor, and placed under the fire of our own guns, in retaliation for alleged violations of the usages of war by the authorities of the Confederate States.


Official.] FIFTH TENNESSEE INFANTRY.


Colonel, W. E. Travis; Lieutenant-colonel, J. D. C. Atkins; Lieutenant-colonel, C. D. Ven- able; Major, W. C. Swor; Adjutant, C. D. Venable; Chaplain, E. E. Hamilton.


. COMPANY A. Captain, B. B. Bunch, jr.


Terry, W. W., d. July 20, 1801. Cristenburg, D. C., d. Aug. 4, 1861.


Neese, E. H., d. July 28, 1861.


Pflinger, T. J., d. Aug. 4, 1861.


Willson, L. G., d. Aug. 3, 1861.


Boyd, J. K., d. April 22, 1861.


Burr, J. H., k. at Shiloh.


Burr, A. J., d. April 15, 1862.


Rust, W. W., "died."


Searight, Alexander, d. June 10, 1862.


Winn, J. S., d. July 5, 1862. Bucey, J. A., k. at Shiloh.


Bevil, J. J., d. May 1, 1862. Caldwell, W. F., d. July 16, 1862. Freeland, T. M., d. June 3, 1802. Gipson, J. H., d. April 3, 1862. Givell, T. B., d. Jan. 12, 1862. Moody. W. A., d. July 15, 1862. Peavy, P. W., d. at Chattanooga, Nov. 12, 1862. Crouch, M. V., d. March 25, 1862. Milam, M. D., k. at Missionary Ridge, Nov 25, 1862. Bradshaw, William, d. April 13, 1862.


COMPANY B. Captain, A. W. Caldwell.


Cabe, W. A., d. at La Grange, June 4, 1862.


Davis, R. W., d. at Columbus, June 27, 1862. Gore, W. T., d. at Macon, April 26, 1862.


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Thompson, A. W., k. at Perryville.


Wall, R. T., k. at Murfreesboro.


COMPANY C.


Captain, P. G. Swor.


Bawkam, J. F., d. Aug. 7, 1861. Hudson, J. H., d. Aug. 1, 1861.


Browning, J. F., d. March 20, 1862. Hall, J. W., d. March 29, 1862. Bunn, W. H., d. at hospital. Myrick, R. J., d. April 17, 1862. Melton, B. M., k. at Shiloh.


Maynard, J. H., d. April 20, 1862. MeElyea. John, d. May 15, 1862. Presson, J. L .. k. at Shiloh. Throgmorton, William, "died." Wygul, Lieutenant J., k. at Perryville. Flord, K. L., k. at Perryville.


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REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.


COMPANY D. Captain, J. T. Kendall.


Duff, W. D .. d. at Atlanta, Ga., April 3, 1863. Newport, R. H., d. in prison. Rennolds, J. S., d. April 17, 1862.


Wilson, J. G., d. June 10, 1862.


Sincee, F. M., k. at Shiloh.


Story, W. H., d. at Holly Springs, April 7, 1862" McMullina, A., d. at Corinth, April 25, 1862. Murrell, J. P., k. at Shiloh. Kennedy, P., k. at Missionary Ridge, Nov. 25, 1863.


COMPANY E. Captain, J. P. Cooper.


Jones, J. N., d. at hospital, June 3, 1862.


Sims, B. L., d. June 7, 1862.


Stunston, J. H., d. May 7, 1862.


Carter, E. E., k. at Perryville, June 7, 1862.


Barr, M. B., d. July 19, 1862.


COMPANY F. Captain, E. Foust. Thomas, M. L., k. at Shiloh. Carson, J. M., d. at Chattanooga, Dec. 1, 1862.


Nolin, J. D., d. June 15, 1862. O'Brien, John, k. at Shiloh.


Reynolds, E. T., d. April 27, 1862.


COMPANY G. Captains: John H. Long and H. F. Bowman.


Bowman, Charles, d. April 2, 1861.


McFarland, James A., d. July 20, 1861.


Venable, Joseph S., d. July 30, 1861.


Fench, H. F., d. May 18, 1862.


Willson, J. C., k. at Fort Pillow. [ Unofficial.]


Brouch, Sergeant T. J., mortally wounded at Peach-tree Creek, July 20, 1861.


Crutchfield, Orderly Sergeant B. D., k. in Ga., 1863. Fields, First Sergeant Newton J., k. at Atlan- ta, July 22, 1864.


Frazur, Sergeant Julian, k. at Ellsbury Ridge, in front of Dallas, Ga., May, 1864. Liles, Corporal Henderson, k. at Shiloh, April 6, 1862.


Arnett, John W., k. at Perryville, Oct. 8, 1862.


Bushart, Wm., k. at Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Bushart, N. J., k. at Rienzi, Miss., 1862. Coston, Geo. D., k. at Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Comer, Gideon, k. at Chickamauga, Sept. 19, 1863.


Cox, Sam B., wounded at Missionary Ridge and d.in prison. MeCrory, Robt., k. at Murfreesboro, Dec. 31, 1862.


Morrow, Color-bearer J. Calvin, k. in Ga. Patterson, Wm. J., k. at Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Pinson, Aaron M., k. at Peach-tree Creek, July 20, 1864.


Owen. James, k. in skirmish in Tenn., 1864. Stoud, Jo. J., k. at Perryville, Oct. 8, 1862. Sparks, Barby, m. w. at Shiloh and d. April 10, 1862.


COMPANY H.


Captain, M. M. Fry.


Box, J. M., d. June 8, 1862. Allison, G. W., d. April 27, 1862.


Childers, J. A., d. March 7, 1862.


Hollinsworth, J., d. June 6, 1862. Henderson, W. E., d. May 31, 1862.


Merrick, W. H., d. July 23, 1862.


Malin, J. A., k. at Shiloh.


Tubbs, M., d. May 18, 1862.


Thornton, H., d. June 8, 1862. Thompson, W. H., d. March 20, 1862.


Gulley, D. B., k. at Perryville. Fry, A. J., d. Dec. 12, 1862. Kennedy, P., k. at Missionary Ridge, Nov. 25, 1863. Sanders, J. K., k. at Perryville. Malin, W. C., k. at Murfreesboro. White, H. L., k. at Perryville. Wood, J. N., d. Feb. 20, 1863. Macilwane, W. C., d. Jan. 25, 1863.


COMPANY I. Captains : J. E. Fowler and John T. Irion.


Puckett, W. S., d. Aug. 1, 1861. Tiles, D. H., k. at Shiloh. Burkhart, W. C .; k. at Shiloh. Burgess, C. W., k. at Shiloh. Compton, J. C., d. July 19, 1862. Compton, M., d. June 15, 1862.


Haynies, J. R., d. March 25, 1862. Lowry. J. N., d. June 10, 1862. MeCrowry, R. W., k. at Murfreesboro, June 25, 1862. Patterson, W. D., k. at Shiloh. Sullivan, W. H., d. May 25, 1862.


Haglar, Lieutenant S. M., d. Aug. 1, 1862. Copligna, J. S., d. at hospital. Askhew, H. H., k. at Perryville. Parrish, J. T., d. at Cairo, Ill.


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MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.


Sparks, B. N., k. at Shiloh.


Van Cleaver. J. J., d. Aug. 4. 1862.


I Costen, G. W., k. at Murfreesboro. -- Stroud, J. J., k. at Perryville.


Workman, H. A., d. March 18, 1:62.


Comer, G. M., k. at Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863.


COMPANY K.


Captain, J. B. Ward.


Tucker, Lieutenant A. E., k. at Perryville. Kirk. J. C., k. May 27, 1864.


McFarland, A., k. at Resaca.


Lawson, J. K. P., k. at Atlanta, July 22. 1864.


Ward, Captain J. B., k. at Resaca, May 13, 1864. | Parker, M. M., k. at Resaca, May 13, 1864.


SIXTH TENNESSEE INFANTRY. BY ROBERT GATES, JACKSON, TENN.


THE following sketch was written from somewhat meager and imperfect data. The author was compelled to generalize, for the most part, rather than group in detail; but the statements of facts, as far as they go, are believed to be reliable, and have been approved by well-known and prominent participants in the events de- scribed.


The Sixth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers was composed of eight companies from Madison and one each from Fayette and Haywood counties. Subsequently, at Corinth, in the spring of 1862, another company from Madison county was add- ed to the regiment, making a total of eleven companies, with nine from Madison county.


Camp Beauregard was established in Jackson in May, 1861, and the companies comprising the Sixth Regiment were the first to occupy the camp. The regiment was organized in May by the election of Wm. H. Stephens, of Madison, Captain of Co. G, Colonel; T. P. Jones, of Madison, Captain of Co. H, Lieutenant-colonel; and George C. Porter, of Haywood county, Captain of Co. B, Major. Dr. R. R. Dashiell, of Madison, was appointed Surgeon, and Dr. John S. Fenner, of Madi- son, Assistant Surgeon. Lieutenant A. N. Thomas, Co. A, of Fayette county, was appointed Adjutant; and Milton Brown, jr., of Madison, Sergeant-major. I will state here that the Somerville and Brownsville companies exchanged places in the regiment by mutual consent, the Somerville company becoming Co. A, and the Brownsville company, Co. D. Subsequently the Brownsville company exchanged places with Co. B.


Co. A, Somerville Avengers, was officered as followed: W. M. R. Johns, Cap- tain; J. W. Burton, First Lieutenant; R. C. Williamson, Second Lieutenant; A. N. Thomas, Third Lieutenant. Co. B, Haywood Blues: L. B. Humphries, Cap- tain; J. A. Wilder, First Lieutenant; L. B. Hotchkiss, Second Lieutenant; Free- ling Henderson, Third Lieutenant. Co. C, Madison Invincibles, color company: Dr. W. W. Freeling, Captain; G. L. Winchester, First Lieutenant: Thos. Locey, Second Lieutenant; R. A. Mays, Third Lieutenant. Co. D, Gotten Zouaves: John J. Brooks, Captain; Felix G. Gibbs, First Lieutenant; Robert Sharp, Second Lieutenant; Thomas Parham, Third Lieutenant. Co. E, McClanahan Guards: J. M. Woolard, Captain; J. J. Anderson, First Lieutenant; Jason Fussell, Second Lieutenant; H. H. Hill, Third Lieutenant. Co. F: John F. Newsom, Captain; James Boyd, First Lieutenant; Wm. Smith, Second Lientenant; Ed. Mollison, Third Lieutenant. Co. G, Jackson Grays: J. B. Freeman, Captain; Ike Jackson, First Lieutenant; James Elrod, Second Lieutenant; B. F. Bond, Third Lieuten-


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REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.


ant. Co. H, Southern Guards: W. C. Penn, Captain; Alex. J. Brown, First Lieu- tenant; John C. Greer, Second Lieutenant; John McDonald, Third Lieutenant. Co. I, Gadsden Spartans: J. B. Collingsworth, Captain; Dr. W. B. Mckinney, First Lieutenant; John Mathews, Second Lieutenant; Ed. Smith, Third Lieuten- ant. Co. K, The Danes: John Ingram, Captain; Frank W. Campbell, First Lieu- tenant; Thomas H. Rice, Second Lieutenant; J. W. Walker, Third Lieutenant. Co. L, Ford's Battalion: Robert II. Ford, Captain; Goodloe Smith, First Lieu- tenant; John D. Bond, Second Lieutenant; C. C. Sharp, Third Lieutenant.


The regiment was mustered into the State service on May 15, 1861, by Inspector- general Alex. W. Campbell, who had but a few days before been promoted to the position with the rank of Lieutenant-colonel, from the First Lieutenancy of the "Southern Guards," Co. H, Sixth Regiment.


Several companies of the regiment were well drilled, having been organized several months, notably the Somerville Avengers, the Southern Guards (Jackson), the Jackson Grays, and the Haywood Blues; and all the other companies were stimulated by them to extra exertions. The time in camp, previous to the organ- ization of the regiment, was largely spent by the companies in diligent drilling. Squad and company drills were kept up after the regiment was organized, and from one to two regimental drills per day were added. In this way the Sixth Regiment was very early celebrated for its proficiency in drill and its fine mili- tary bearing. The personnel of the regiment was very fine, the morale high. It was very largely composed of young men. There were very few men in the regi- ment over thirty-five years of age, and a large majority were under thirty. They were fresh from happy and prosperous homes, many had not finished their course at school or college, many had just graduated with credit, all were boys or young men in good standing, and not a few of high promise. None had known hard- ships, few had experienced sorrow. With the greatest number life was full of gladness, and hope mounted to heights on which the sun never sets-the heights around which, in never-ending succession since the morning of time, have clus- tered the bright dreams of youth.


On Thursday, May 23d, the regiment was ordered to be ready to leave for the front. On Sunday, May 26th, 1861, it left Jackson over twelve hundred strong for Union City, where an army was being concentrated to meet a probable invasion of Kentucky. The commanding officers endeavored to keep the day and hour of departure from the public, but in vain. The time became known on Saturday, and before the setting of the sun that day had spread all over the country. Sunday, May 26th, 1861, dawned bright and beautiful upon a scene that no tongue or pen may describe, no genius breathe on immortal canvas. An entire people had assembled-tottering age and wondering infancy, stout-hearted fathers, tender, loving mothers, gentle wives, blushing maidens-to say farewell, and bid God- speed to the brave boys who were the first of all the county to rally around the Southern cross. Neither before nor since has Jackson looked on such a crowd as assembled to greet the Sixth Regiment on its departure for the seat of war. The line of march from the camp to the M. and O. depot, the distance of a mile and a half, was packed with people, the streets full, the houses covered, the very trees breaking with their human fruit. Now and then a cheer would break forth as the regiment with difficulty made its way through the throng; but sobs and sounds of weeping, women screaming and fainting with mingled excitement and grief,


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gave to that first march a wild and mournful character. At the depot a sea of humanity surged around the train upon which the regiment was embarking. There were acres of weeping woman, shouting men, frantic girls and boys. Many fainted, many men and women went mad for the time, and over the troubled waves now and then would sweep a wail of grief, startling and unnerving. The occasion, the mingled sentiment of heroic courage and of grief at parting, of pa- triotism and of painful doubts as to the results, of devotion to principle and homes, and of piercing fear that loved ones would return no morethese-sentiments and emotions in so vast a crowd, acting and reacting upon each other, and the electricity that pervades a multitude deeply stirred, conspired to make the occasion remark- able and memorable. It was a sea voicing its hopes, wailing its fears. It was a multitude without a smile.


The writer has often meditated on that scene. Was it prophetic of disaster? Did the mysterious misgivings that seemed on that day to trouble so many hearts -was the extraordinary demonstrations of mingled hope and fear, and the deep, wild grief of the parting-an augury of dark and bitter days? An effect may be traced along the lines of its many roots back to cause or causes; but the mysteri- ous relations between emotions to-day and events to-morrow, between impressions of impending peril and the disaster, between the feeling that throbs a warning in the midst of wild hopes and daring efforts, and the end-the success or failure- must remain a matter for metaphysical speculation, or mysteries of the land un- known. Across the twilight, the shadow-land that lies between event and premo- nition, there are no paths leading. There is presentiment, and then disaster; and between, darkness and nothing more. But with something of awe I look back through the darkness of the years of war, and seem to read in that wonderful demonstration of mingled hope and fear, patriotism and tears, a warning of the terrible days that came and left desolation in their track. The wail that went up on that memorable day, as the train freighted with so much of the hope and ten- derness of a great county moved away-a wail so wild and full of tears that me- thinks I hear it reverberating down the track of the years as I write-seems to have borrowed its strength of sorrow from the unknown graves, the ruined homes, the blighted hopes, the desolate hearts of the then not far off future. It is cer- tain that no one who witnessed the scene, so poorly described, ever forgot it or ever will. On the brains of the soldiers and those whose hearts were stirred by love for friend, or kindred, or lover, the occasion was burned forever. Not all the bitterness and anguish, all the peril and ruin, all the perished hopes and sad be- reavements, and the trying wrongs of the years immediately succeeding the war, has impaired the tender memory of that day that is gone. And of that twelve hundred or more who marched away to war on that memorable Sunday morning in May, 1861, much less than half returned when the war was over. That fact tells with tongues more eloquent than the world's Ciceros, and with words more enduring than brass or marble, the story of battles bravely fought, hardships heroically borne, of duty faithfully done in camp and field, and of ruined homes and desolate hearts.


The regiment went into camp at Union City on the 26th of May, 1861. It has the honor of being one of the regiments that formed Gen. Cheatham's first bri- gade, and the further honor of having been throughout the war a part of Cheat- ham's famous and immortal division, a division that was in the place of honor and


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peril in every battle, that was in front on advance and in the rear-guard on re- treat. The few months spent at Union City were devoted to diligent drilling, and the Sixth Regiment soon became the crack regiment of the camp. Col. William H. Stephens deserves great credit for the skill displayed in bringing the regiment to such a high degree of efficiency. He possessed the genius of command in an eminent degree, and succeeded in infusing his spirit of discipline and pride into the regiment. It is due to truth to say here that the brilliant subsequent career of this superb regiment was largely due to the energy, skill, and spirit of its first Colonel, who impressed upon it the habit of discipline, made it highly proficient in drill, and infused into it the spirit of generous emulation.


The few months spent at Union City were months of preparation for the stern- er duties of war. The boys lived high. Every week boxes came up from home by rail for each mess or s . dier, filled with all the good things that love could de- vise. Nearly every mess in the regiment had a colored cook, and hence the boys did nothing but drill, read, talk, write letters, play games, and feast; seasoned by occasional flirtations with fair visitors from neighboring communities. The col- ored cooks were organized into a sort of club under "Col." Matt Dyer-a slave of Judge Milton Brown-who was cooking for the officers' mess of Company H. Col. Matt was in the war of 1812, with the famous Col. Dyer, and this fact made him an authority among the negroes and an interesting character with the soldiers. He was also a "boss" cook, and was unequaled in his day. Col. Matt was thoroughly loyal to the South, and remained so during the terrible years of reconstruction. He kept the colored cooks in order until the summer and fall of 1862, when hard marching and fighting and short rations drove all luxury from the camps of the Confederacy, including the negro cooks. Col. Matt died some years after the war, full of years and honors. Peace to his ashes!


Many anecdotes illustrative of the lights and shadows of camp-life might be re- lated, but the space assigned for this sketch forbids such recital. Yet one incident we must relate, as it amusingly illustrates one of the exaggerations incident to the first year of the war. One Saturday the report came that a Federal army was landing at Columbus, Ky., distant about twenty-six miles. At once orders were given to cook three days' rations and prepare to break camp in a few hours. Long trains of cars were hurried up from all points South in reach, to transport the troops. Every thing was bustle and preparation, and the light of battle blazed in every eye. The camp was full of people visiting their friends, and of course the visitors were sad, very many of thent being mothers, wives, and sweethearts. There were many affecting parting scenes as the long-roll beat, the bugles called to arms, and the military bands discoursed "Dixie," "The Girl I Left Behind Me," and other popular airs. The Sixth Regiment, each soldier equipped with rations, ammunition, and blanket, stood in line beside the train it was soon to take, that regiment having been selected to go first. The men were resting on their arms, the officers standing in little groups near their respective companies, and all were more or less silent and thoughtful, awaiting orders to board the train. At this juncture at a considerable distance an object was seen approaching through the camp. At first it was difficult to make it out. so curious it looked and so en- cumbered it seemed. However, it soon became apparent that a soldier was ap- proaching, equipped for war; and it turned out to be Lient. John McDonald, of Company H. He was a small man, but he carried a large and full haversack, a


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large knapsack with a double-barreled shotgun strapped across it, in his right- hand a Minie-rifle, belted around him a sword, a large knife (then common), two pistols, and a hatchet. He was a sight to behold, and, as he neared the reg- iment, was greeted with shouts of laughter. Lieut. MeDonald was by no means abashed, and explained that he meant business. He said he had the rations to sustain his strength and the weapons to execute his will on the enemy. His idea was to use his Minie at long range, then his shotgun, then his pistols; then, as the hostile lines came closer, to throw his tomahawk, and then, with sword in one hand and the big knife in the other, to wade in and dispatch the ten traditional Yan- kees. Lieut. MeDonald was a brave man, and although his idea is absurd enough at this distance, there were not a few who entertained the same notions in those early days of the war. That day when the troops were ready for battle, a major- ity in several regiments-officers and men-wore those big knives, short as bayo- nets and broad as the old Highland broadsword with which Lieut. McDonald expected to fight at close quarters. There were not a few in those days who looked with contempt on the bayonet, and fully expected to wade into the enemy with big knives after a few volleys with musketry; and no one acquainted with the spirit of those gallant men will doubt that they would have done it or tried it, had the thing been at all practicable, or if ordered to do it in a charge.




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