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 33
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ner, Jasper Tucker, U. Vaden, W. T. Watkins, J. B. West, C. H. Watson. Of this number eighteen were discharged in 1862 on account of age and disability, and four transferred to cavalry. George Carroll, of this company, deserves spe- cial mention as an efficient "secret-service man," having been detailed on sev- eral occasions to go into the camps of the enemy for information, and was very successful and reliable.
Company L. In April, 1862, Captain W. J. Lyle, of Dancyville, Tenn, or- ganized a company and joined the Ninth Regiment. This company was known for a few months as company L. It was well officered, made up of gallant men, most of the company very young, but very zealous; in fact, most of them were of years too tender for camp-life, and hence the conscript law and sickness dis- charged a large part of the company. Those who were retained in the service were transferred to Company D in August, 1862. Only a partial list of this com- pany can be had at present: W. J. Lyle, Captain, discharged on account of sick- ness, August, 1862; G. R. Pewitt, First Lieutenant, died of consumption, July, 1863. He was efficient, noble, brave, and of superior worth. Milton Ragland and G. W. Nail were the other officers, if the writer remembers correctly. The other names, as recollected, are: A. J. Cherry, R. S. Carney, Jas. Campbell, W. J. Campbell, Lawrence Campbell, H. G. D. Collins, J. W. Adams, G. L. Alexan- der, S. C. Burford, E. T. Buffaloe, Hiram Ball, Jacob Elrod. Fayette Hall, As- bury Harrison, W. H. Jones, Fem. Jones, A. D. Kerr, J. P. Martin, Robt. Mont- gomery, C. G. Morris, L. D. Marshall, D. W. Martin, Joe Neblett, Dr. T. R. Pow- ell, B. S. Phillips. F. B. Ragland, Thos. Rice, Joe Rudd, J. S. Rawlins, Henry Luton, I. N. Stanley, L. D. Trice, J. H. Thomas, C. D. Porter, W. H. Walden.
The Ninth Regiment went into camp of instruction the last of May, at Union City, Tenn., where it remained for two months. While here measles broke out among the troops, and many valuable men died. On the 1st of August the regi- ment had its first experience in marching. The day was excessively hot. Dur- ing the march many were exhausted by heat and fatigue, many fell by the way- side, some were thrown into fever and died. In three days the regiment reached New Madrid, Mo., where it remained until the first week in September, when by steam-boat it was transferred to Columbus, Ky. In October the regiment, with Gen. Cheatham's division, was moved to Mayfield, Ky., but did no fighting. A few days after, it returned to Columbus, and began to build winter-quarters, which, with the daily drill, occupied the time until winter. On March 1, 1862, the army marched to Union City; thence by railroad was moved to Corinth, Miss .; thence, in a few days, back to Bethel Station, Tenn., and did outpost duty until the 4th of April. On this day Gen. Cheatham's division began to move toward Pittsburg Landing, on the Tennessee River. On the 5th it marched about six- teen miles through mud and water, and bivouacked that night on the margin of territory that would on the following day become historical as the battle-field of Shiloh. At sunrise next morning-a beautiful and lovely Sabbath-the regiment was in line of battle, and though foot-sore and fatigued from the march of the previous day, were animated and eager for the combat. The brigade of which the regiment formed a part was held in reserve until about 10 o'clock, when it was brought into action by assisting Gen. Breckenridge in dislodging a line of the enemy intrenched in ritle-pits. This was the first opportunity the regiment had to return the fire of the enemy, and the effort was a success. Soon the ene- 18
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my was seen flying in confusion from their intrenchments. In this attack the regiment lost several good men, among them our Adjutant, Lieut. R. S. Thomas, of Company B, than whom there was not a soldier more gallant, nor a young man of higher promise in the State. After this success the Colonels of the brigade were ordered to hold their respective commands ready for further action, nor had they long to wait. Soon Gen. Cheatham made a reconnoissance to the left of the brigade; and returning, he said: "There is another line of the enemy in our front, and we must move them." Just then Col. Maney, of the First Regiment, rode up, and hearing what Gen. Cheatham said, remarked: "I have just arrived on the scene with five companies of my regiment; if you will give me a regiment I will dislodge that line." Gen. Cheatham called Col. Douglass, and introduced him to Col. Maney, saying: "Here is the Ninth Regiment - it will give the needed help." The command then marched at right angles to the line of attack, moving with alacrity, hoping to avenge their lost companions, over whose bodies they had to pass. They struck the enemy such a blow that in a few minutes he fell back in haste and confusion, leaving many dead; and in falling back was captured by another brigade of Cheatham's division. In the beginning of this charge the regiment was thrown into some confusion by a misunderstanding of a company commander. Order was promptly restored, however, by a gallant and quick effort of Col. Douglass. In this charge we lost a few men only. J. W. Meux, of Company C, captured a handsome battle-flag. For the gallantry dis- played by the regiment in this charge it was highly complimented by Col. Maney, who soon after was made a Brigadier. During the war he often remarked to the regiment that their bravery at Shiloh won his commission for him. Our entire line now moved against the enemy, who fell back rapidly until he had the protec- tion of his gun-boats. Here our troops sustained a heavy shelling until dark, when they were ordered "to camps" for the night. In going into camp a train of our artillery divided our regiment by marching across the line, and on account of the darkness the two sections bivouacked on different portions of the field, not knowing the location of each other. Next morning at daylight the enemy began an attack all along our front. The troops were hastily formed in line and hur- ried to the points considered the weakest. One part of the regiment was without a field officer, to the command of which Capt. D. J. Wood, of Company C, was assigned; Capt. R. S. Russell. of company B, was assigned to the position of Ma- jor, with the other part of the regiment under Lieut .- col. Hurt. The sections of the regiment thus divided knew nothing of the whereabouts or the fate of each other, yet each did its duty nobir and well. The part under Col. Hurt capt- ured a section of artillery in their first action, and during the day several stands of colors were taken. At one time they found themselves under a heavy fire from the enemy's sharp-shooters secreted in houses near the line of battle. In order to dislodge them our troops burned the houses, which required an unu- sual gallantry, amounting to a forlorn-hope. The part of the regiment under Capt. Wood fought in front of shiloh Church through the entire day, the lines surging to and fro as one gained an advantage over the other. Here occurred some of the hardest fighting of the war. The struggle made here is indexed by the loss sustained-nineteen killed and seventy wounded. Lieutenants Brooks, Richardson, and Griggs were killed; Captains Edwards, Moseley, and Wood were wounded; and Lieut. Gardner mortally wounded. When the line received
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orders to retreat the regiment was commanded by Lieut. H. C. Irby. In the two days fight the regiment lost about sixty men. The line fell back in good order, continuing the retreat until 9 o'clock P.M., when the troops were halted, and amid a heavy rain-fall they sought such shelter as trees could give, having sus- tained the conflicts of the day without a morsel of food. On the next day the regiment reached Corinth, where it remained seven weeks.
On the Sth of May, 1862, the regiment was reorganized by the election of the following officers: Lieutenant-colonel Hurt, Colonel; Captain J. W. Buford, of Co. H, Lieutenant-colonel; G. W. Kelso, private, of Co. D, Major; Walter Brice, private, of Co. H, Surgeon; B. G. Locke, of Co. A, Adjutant, promoted to Cap- tain, Jan., 1863; Corporal L. B. McFarland, of Co. A, Sergeant-major; W. W. Randolph, private, of Co. K, Assistant Quartermaster.
The companies were reorganized by elections, as heretofore noticed. Almost all the officers of the reorganization were young men, full of zeal, and were am- bitious to excel in every thing; and having learned by grim experience in the battle of Shiloh that "gentlemen volunteers" need to be thoroughly drilled and disciplined to be most effective, these young officers applied themselves assidu- ously in supporting Lieut .- col. Buford's efforts to acquire so desirable ends, he be- ing in command of the regiment for many months on account of the continued ill health of Col. Hurt. During this month the troops suffered much on account of sickness superinduced by the use of impure water. Many died, more were dis- charged from disability. The regiment sustained another considerable depletion by discharging those who were not of military age.
On the last of May the army fell back by slow and short marches to Tupelo, Miss., where for near two months the officers had an opportunity to give the drill and acquire that discipline so much desired. About the first of August the com- mand was transferred by railroad to Chattanooga, Tenn., where the Ninth Regi- ment, on account of its fine discipline, was put on post duty until the 24th of the month, when it was ordered to rejoin its brigade, which had a few days before be- gun the campaign across the mountains through Tennessee into Kentucky. As an index of the discipline of the regiment, an incident may be related. On the march through Kentucky, a farmer approached Col. Buford and told him to . march the regiment through his orchard and let the men fill their haversacks with apples. Col. Buford thanked the kind-hearted farmer, and added: "The proposition is a temptation, but to take the fruit would be a violation of orders, and we must decline your generosity." So the fruit was not taken, though it was ever so tempting. During this campaign not a soldier of this regiment was put under arrest.
At Perryville, Ky., on the 8th of October, 1862, the regiment made its best fight during the war; it went into the first and thickest of the fight, proud of its organization, anxious to cross steel with the enemy, and, handled with zeal and keen perception, it executed every command with precision not surpassed by any troops. In the first charge it captured a section of artillery, by which lay the corpses of Maj .- gen. Jackson and Brig .- gen. Ferrell, of the Federal army. In this sanguinary battle the regiment had fifty-two killed and seventy-six wounded. Many of the wounded fell into the hands of the enemy. The casualties amount- ed to nearly one-fourth the number in the regiment. Col. Buford was severely wounded; Maj. Kelso had his horse shot under him; three company commanders
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were killed-Capts. McDonald and Fitzpatrick, and Lieut. Tom Lawler, command- ing Co. G. The following were severely wounded: Capt. Kerr, Co. _ 1; Capt. Hub- bard, Co. B; Capt. Simonton and Lieut. Hall, of Co. C; Capt. Irby and Lieut. Mat- thews, of Co. D; Lieut. Boyd, of Co. E; Capt. Hall of Co. F; Capt. Rogers, of Co. I. The latter was shot in the arm, but having his wound dressed, he mounted a horse and did duty as a regimental officer to the close of the battle. Of the many sad events of this battle, this one is given: John M. Pendleton, possessing a brill- iant mind and thorough education, a son of Dr. Jas. M. Pendleton, Professor in Union University, joined Co. Bat the opening of hostilities. Soon thereafter he was given a commission in the commissariat without seeking it. On reading Gen. Butler's famous order to his troops in New Orleans, Capt. Pendleton resigned his commission and went back to his company, saying, "I will not stay in a bomb- proof department as long as this insult is flaunted in the face of the women of our Southland." Poor fellow! While the regiment was supporting Carnes's bat- tery just before the infantry became engaged, a shell from the enemy exploded just over Pendleton's head, and a piece of it crushed through his brain before he had an opportunity to fire his gun.
After this battle the troops made a rapid march to Knoxville, Tenn., and thence were carried by railroad to Murfreesboro, where they found themselves in front of the enemy. Here Col. Hurt rejoined the regiment after an absence on "sick furlough" of seven months. He was much needed, and his presence was hailed with great joy. On his arrival there was not a field officer with the regi- ment, and only two Captains, so severely had the regiment suffered at Perryville. As the echoes of the dying year passed away, the two armies measured strength again in front of Murfreesboro. In the first day's fight the regiment was closely engaged through the day, and sustained a heavy loss. On the second, the fighting was not severe, and the loss in numbers was not so great as on the previous day; but we suffered more in the loss of efficient officers, among whom were Lieuts. Bucy and Gilliam, of Co. A, and Lieut. W. D. Irby, of Co. D. Lieutenant Bucy, though young, had made an enviable reputation as a physician before the war. but preferring active service to that of Surgeon, was in command of his company when killed, and was entitled to promotion to the Captainey, it being vacant by death of Capt. Kerr. Lieut. Irby was in command of Co. D. He was brilliant and popu- lar-had been assigned as Adjutant of the regiment, and had won honors as such; but when he saw the battle impending he went to the Colonel and begged the privilege of commanding his company, as his Captain and brother, H. C. Irby, was wounded and in prison. His request was granted, and he was killed while leading a charge against the enemy. Other casualties are reported by companies.
Just before this battle, the Ninth and the Sixth regiments were consolidated. and thereafter, though keeping up separate rosters, the history of one is the his- tory of the other, save as marks the fall of the brave men who continued fearlessly and unmurmuringly to pour out their blood for the cause of right. Col. Hurt re- tained command of the consolidated regiments until failing health forced him again to relinquish field service, when Col. Porter, of the Sixth Regiment, took command, with Lieut .- col. Buford, of the Ninth, and Maj. Wilder, of the Sixth, as field officers. After the battle at Murfreesboro, the army fell back to Shelby- ville, Tenn. There it remained until the last of June, when by slow marches it fell back to Chattanooga, and remained there until about the middle of Septem-
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ber, when it again fell baek and took position preparatory to the coming engage- ment, which has been christened by the significant but euphonious name Chicka- manga, when another fierce and stubborn i attle was fought on the 19th and 20th of September, 1863. The regiment was very hotly engaged on the first day, and sustained a great loss. In the two days fighting there were about thirty-five killed and forty wounded, a total of seventy-five, about one-fifth of the number engaged. Lieut. T. F. Ragland, of Co. D, was the only officer of the regiment killed in this battle, though many others were wounded. He was young, but brave; kind, but firm. He was the son of Hon. B. F. Ragland, now of Brownsville, Tenn. Every officer of this company who had at any time been with it in battle was at this pe- riod of the war either killed or permanently disabled by wounds. Being thus left without a commissioned officer, Capt. Irby, of this company, being disabled, had on returning from prison been assigned to duty as Assistant Quartermaster for the regiment.
After this battle we pursued the enemy closely until he reached Missionary Ridge, in front of Chattanooga, where he made a stand, and began to fortify himself on these heights, awaiting our coming. Our line charged up these rugged and rocky heights with a courage that spurned the natural impedi- ments, throwing themselves with a "charge bayonet" against the foe with such impetuosity that he fled pell-mell down the other side of the ridge, leaving many prisoners in our hands. In this charge the Ninth had no one killed, but a few were wounded. The enemy was now shut up in Chattanooga, where he remained until the last week in November, when he made an attack on our lines. The Ninth fought under protection in this battle, known as Missionary Ridge, and hence sustained no loss save a few prisoners. After abandoning our position on the ridge, our division received orders "to bring up the rear." On reaching Tyner's Station, every thing was found to be in the greatest confusion. The strag- gling soldiers and demoralized citizens were plundering the stores of the Quarter- master and Commissary-the officers in charge making appeals in vain for help until our arrival, when an appeal was made to Col. Porter. He ordered the reg- iment to disperse the hitherto uncontrollable mass. The order was executed at once, and immediately the officers loaded their wagons and moved off in safety.
Our regiment was engaged all the night before in constructing breastworks, hence were "tired and sleepy too." They realized the fact that they must hold an enemy in check-an enemy greatly superior in numbers, flushed with victory, and eager to wipe out their disgraceful defeat at Chickamauga. The skirmishing on the retreat was often severe and in rapid succession, until they reached Chick- amauga Creek, where they had a little battle. Our brigade commander, Gen. Maney, received a wound, and our regiment had a few wounded. Here an inci- dent occurred which indicates the daring and stubborn determination of the Ten- nessee troops. While Maney's brigade was driving back the enemy, a brigade of another State made a precipitous retreat across the creek, coming out on the south bank shivering in wet clothes, and ice forming thereon. The Tennesseans, know- ing they had to " stand picket" or retreat or fight all night, hesitated to imitate the example just set them. They called a hasty "council of war," came at once to a decision, and soon every man began to execute the conclusion reached. They took off their clothes, tied them into bundles, hung them on their bayonets, and thus accoutered they marched rapidly across the creek, the enemy coming up just
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in time to witness the coolest transaction of the war-the scene being lighted by the pale-faced moon; and let it be said to the credit of the enemy, though in short range, he fired not a gun. Whether he withheld his deadly mis- siles through pity for soldiers in such extremities, or because too polite to inter- fere with gentlemen making their morning toilet, or whether, with shocked mod- esty, he turned his back on the scene, we did not remain to ascertain.
The regiment reached Dalton, Ga., without further loss, and soon began to con- struct huts for winter-quarters. During the time we were in winter-quarters at Dalton an event occurred which justly gives to Tennessee a new title to be called the "Volunteer State." The time for which most of the troops had been enlisted would soon expire. The question was much discussed, What shall be done to pre- vent a depletion of the army? The "Gordion-knot" was cut by an action of the consolidated Sixth and Ninth regiments, led by Co. A, of the Sixth. Every man volunteered to reenlist. This example was at once followed by other regiments, until the whole army was "in for the war."
Another incident while encamped at Dalton deserves a place in history-one that cast a heavy gloom over the regiment, not dispelled until the troops began the activities of the campaign. One quiet, lovely night in April, the regiment was engaged in worship, and when all were kneeling in prayer a tree fell across the worshipers and crushed to death nine men. So suddenly and quietly did the tree fall that the men were not startled from their devotions.
In May, 1864, the campaign opened with Gen. Joe E. Johnston at the head of the army. The troops at this time were under better discipline than they had been since the battle of Perryville. The men were much encouraged and eager for the contest before them. The regiment took part in the battles from Dalton to Atlanta, losing men at Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw, Dead Angle, Peach-tree Creek, but sustained the heaviest loss on the 22d of July, when there was fought a very stubborn and closely contested battle, the regiment losing about one-fifth of its number. During this long and continuous struggle from Dalton to Atlanta the regiment lost only one officer until the 22d of July-Lieut. John Tally, of Co. K, a very nice man and gallant officer. fell at Resaca-but on the 22d of July the regiment had a fearful loss in efficient officers, besides many wounded. Capt. J. L. Hall, Lieuts. Jesse Ferrell, Gabe Robinson, and W. H. Morgan were killed. The latter deserves special mention. He was the eldest son of Rev. William Morgan, of Fayette county, Tenn .; was a professor in the college at Florence, Ala. When the war began he abandoned this position, returned to the home of his boyhood, took an active part in organizing Co. D, of which he became Captain in May, 1861, when Capt. Hurt wa- elected Lieutenant-colonel, serving as such for one year; was for awhile a volunteer aid to Gen. Forrest; returned to infantry service as a private, and fought heroically as such until June, 1864; he was elert- ed First Lieutenant of his old company, and was killed while leading them in a charge against the enemy. Capt. J. L. Hall was one of the purest and noblest spirits of the sunny South. He was as modest as a girl, but as brave as a lion, and one of the most efficient officers in the service. Lieut. Ferrell was a son of the Emerald Isle, and no son of that famous land ever had a better claim to gallantry and fidelity than he. Lieut. Robinson was efficient, brave, noble, and deservedly popular.
The great loss of this battle, without any apparent advantage, greatly disc wu !-
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aged our troops, and yet for nearly one year longer, whenever opportunity was had, they fought with unparalleled gallantry and heroism.
After the fall of Atlanta, the army fell back slowly, making a halt at Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station. We had some hard fighting at each place, though strange enough the Ninth had no one killed, which was quite remarkable, considering the duration of these battles and the resistance made by the enemy. A few days after the last battle, the army started north; had a little fight at Dalton, no loss; an- other light engagement at Decatur, Ala., no loss; thence across Tennessee River at Florence; thence to Franklin, Tenn., where was fought one of the most stubborn battles of the war. The regiment lost about one-fourth of its number. Only one man of the Ninth Regiment -- A. A. Young, of Co. K-sealed the enemy's works, and he did so with thirteen bullet-holes in his clothes. Lieut. Rice, of the same company, was badly wounded. Among the killed was Lieut. F. A. Harris, of Co. F, an efficient and gallant officer. All other casualties have been noted in the proper place.
The day after this battle the enemy fell back to Nashville, and our forces fol- lowed close after him, skirmishing now and then and capturing many prisoners, until the beautiful city, the capital of their State, loomed up before their eyes. On the hills and in the vales adjacent to the city our troops took a position, Micawber-like, waiting for "something to turn up." They had but a few days to wait. The enemy, if he did not turn up, did turn out, and made a furious on- slaught along our line, which gave way, when the troops were thrown into confu- sion and beat a hasty retreat across Tennessee River.
On arriving at Corinth, every man who would take a furlough obtained one, most of them going home for the purpose of supplying themselves with clothing. Those who did not take a furlough were transferred to Gen. Joe E. Johnston, in North Carolina. Here the remnants of companies were consolidated, and the Ninth Regiment figured as Co. E in the First Consolidated Tennessee Regiment. Most of those who had furloughs joined the cavalry under Gen. Forrest, and sur- rendered with him. Many of those who had been wounded were doing post duty.
On the 26th of April, 1865, the regiment formed line for the last time. To them it was a sad termination of the struggle. This last roll-call was one they had never calculated-to surrender colors and to "ground arms." The flag which had been borne on so many battle-fields, that had been pierced by hundreds of bullets, was furled for the last time. The men gave up their arms, took paroles, and once more turned their faces toward their homes. During the war more than a thousand men had been enrolled in this regiment. On this the last day, forty only answered to their names. What had once been one of the largest and most efficient regiments had now been reduced to less than a half-sized company.
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