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 41
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Cromwell, George, d. Jan. 25, 1862. Clark, John, d. July 20, 1862. Askew, William, d. July 1, 1861. [ Unofficial.] Barnes, Sergt. W. H., k. at Petersburg, Va-, 1865. Hamilton, N. J., K. at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863.
1
Walker, Jacob, k. at Fredericksburg. Blunt, William, k. at shepherdstown.
Lynn, Leondias, k. at Shepherdstown.
Settle, John S., k. at Gettysburg.
Hogan. J. W., d. Aug., 1, 1861. Free, John, k. at Cedar Run. [ Unofficial.]
Horgis, Lieut. H. L., k. at Seven Days Fight, Richmond, Va., June 26. 1862.
COMPANY E.
Captain, Clay Robertson.
Herndon. George W., k. at Manassas. Hamilton, Newton J., K. at Gettysburg.
Moore, David C., k. at Fredericksburg. Burns, MI., k. at Gaines's Mills.
Ray, James. d. March 10. 1864. Scarborough, Robert H., d. March, 1862. Wall, Thomas, d. March 25, 1802. Weeks, Robert J .. d. March 12, 1863. Wyatt, Isaac L., d. Nov., 1663. [Unofficial.] Outlaw, Sergeant B. E., k. at Petersburg, Va,, 1865. Burruss, M .. k. at Seven Days Fight, Richmond, Va., June 27, 1862.
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Boyd, Pinkey W., d. Nov., 1851. Barnett, Henry T., d. Dec. 1801. Brandson, Wm. N., d. July, 1861. Cobb, George A., d. Jan. 10, 1862. Champion, Thomas T., d. Dec. 31, 1863.
Etheridge, David T., d. Oct. 1861. Hutchinson, John, d. Jan., 1862. Hurst, John, d. June, 1961. Jones, Wyatt L., d. Aug., 1863.
331
REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.
Marshall, W. B., k. at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, | Smith, W. R., k. at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1862. 1864. -- Rose, Sergt. A. V., k. at Seven Pines, Va., May | Sturley, B. L., k. at Mine Run, Va., May 5, 31, 1862.
1864. COMPANY G.
Captain : Isaac Brunson and James Hickman Johnson.
Halyard, George C., k. in battle.
Booth, Dallas J., k. at Seven Pines, May 31, 1862.
Collier, Thomas H., k. at Seven Days Fight, Richmond, 1862.
Dongherty, Samuel, k. at Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9, 1862.
Hagan, La Fayette, k. at Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9, 1862. Hamilton, Thomas T., k. at Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9, 1862.
Burbee, Gustavus. d. Jan. 16, 1863.
Chasteen, George, d. Dec., 1861.
Connie, Samnel, d. Oer., 1802.
Hamilton, William, k. at Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9, 1862.
Smith. Jarnes F., d. Ang. 1, 1861. Smith. William A., d. Sept .. 1861. Smith, Thomas, d. Sept., 1561. Satterfield, William E. d. Dec., 1861. Spencer, Frank, d. Oct., 1861. Faunt, James, d. Oct., 1801. Vaughan, William, d. Jan., 1862. Hidleburg, Allen H., d. Nov., 1861. [ Unoffinal.] Bullock, Capt. H. W., k. at Petersburg, Va, 1865. Horn, Sergt. C. J., k. at Petersburg, Va., 1865. Lisenber, F., k. ar Petersburg. Va.
Marshall, B. W., k. at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, Tidwell, J., k. at Wilderness, May 6, 1864. 1862.
| Wilson, H., k. at Petersburg, Va., 1865.
COMPANY H.
Captains : Frank S. Beaumont and W. S. Moore.
McCulloch, W. H., k. at Gettysburg.
Nicholson, J. T. S., k. at Gettysburg.
Sims, Edwin H., k. at Manassas, Aug. 2, 1862. Allen, M. B., k. at Richmond.
Averitt, W. S., k. at Cedar Run.
Dancey, James S., k. at Cedar Run, Aug. 9, 1862. Meade, Patrick J., k. at Cedar Run, Aug. 9, 1862.
Broadus. Thomas M., k. at Gaines's Mills, June 27, 1862.
Ragan, William H., k. at Gaines's Mills, June 27, 1862.
Cobb, Edwin B., k. at Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863. Spurrin, S. W., k. at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862.
Tilley, C. C., k. at Seven Pines.
Weakley, Frank, d. in prison. Prince, James A .. d. in West Virginia.
Madison, James M., d. in prison. Beaumont, Capt. Frank S., d. Oct. 6, 1861. [ Unofficial.]
Bell, Lieut. R. C., k. at Seven Days Fight, Richmond, June 27, 1862.
Mitchell, Lieut. C., k. at Hatcher's Run, Va, 1865.
Averitt, Corp. William, k. at Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1862. Broadus, T. M., k. at Seven Days Fight, Rich- mond, June 27, 1862. Fields, Clark, k. at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862. Johnson, R. M., k. at Seven Pines, Va., May 31, 1862. Neblett, D. W., k. at Petersburg, Va., 1865.
COMPANY I.
Captain, W. S. Winfield.
Owens, Henry J., k. at Sharpsburg.
Davis, H. C., k. at Chancellorsville.
Carden, Francis M., k. in battle.
Hazelwood, John, d. Feb. 27, 1865.
Cox, W. H., d. Nov. 26, 1863. [ Unofficial.]
Adams, Surgeon E. S., k. at Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9, 1862.
Baker, T. W, k. on picket line, Richmond, Va., June 8. 1862.
Chandler, Richard, k. at Seven Days Fight, Richmond, Va., June, 1862.
Owen, H. J., k. at Antietam, Mi., Sept. 17, 1862. |
Murphy. Thomas J., k. at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Sprouse, G. A., k. at Petersburg, Va., 1865. Showman, Lieut. R. S., k. at second battle of Manassas, Aug. 30, 1862.
Savage, William, k. at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862.
Wigner, J. N., k. at Antietam, 'Md., Sept. 17, 1862.
Baldwin, J. S., k. at Seven Days Fight, Rich- mond, Va., June, 1862. Long, J. H., k. at second battle of Manassas, Ang. 30, 1862.
Perigin, James, k. at Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9, 1862.
Porter, Robert A., d. Nov., 1861.
332
MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.
COMPANY K. Captain, JJames N. Lockert.
Brown, Capt. John P., k. at Fredericksburg, | Pride, G. L., d. Dec. 11, Iso1. Va., Dec. 13, 1862.
[ Unofficial.]
Brown, R. S. H., k. at Seven Days Fight, Rich- mond, June 27, 1862.
Blanton, D., k. at Petersburg, Va.
Cromwell, E. W., k. at Cedar Mountain, Va.,
Aug. 9, 1862.
Gunn, Z. G., k. at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862.
Ford, J. J., k. at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863.
Gunn, J. W., k. at Seven Pines, May 31, 1862.
Jett, T. C., k. at Seven Pines, May 31, 1862.
Morrison, Surg. W. R., k. at Manassas, Aug. 3, 1862.
Rudolph, J. W., k. at Manassas, Aug. 3, 1832.
Shaw, R. H., k. at Manassas, Aug. 3, 1862.
Atkins, J. C., d. July 22, 1861.
Cocke, R. M., d. Feb. 8, 1864.
Murphy, R. C., d. Dec. 13, 1861.
| Ford, J. J., k. at Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1852. COMPANY L. Captains: John W. Mallory and E. Hewett.
Sperry, Thomas E., k. at Manassas. Brown, R. J., k. at Manassas.
Branch, Gadsey, d. Jan .. 1662. Pain, James, d. Oct., 1861.
King, W. H., k. at Fredericksburg.
Riggins, N. A., d. Feb., 1862.
King, J. W., k. at Fredericksburg.
Rollins, D. A., d. July, 1862.
Slaughter, J. H., k. at Seven Pines.
Thomas, J. W., d. May, 1862.
FIFTEENTH TENNESSEE INFANTRY. BY CHARLES M. CARROLL, MEMPHIS, TENN.
THIS regiment was organized at Jackson, Tenn., on the 7th day of June, 1861, by the election of the following field officers: Colonel, Charles M. Carroll; Lieu- tenant-colonel, James H. R. Taylor; Major, John W. Hambleton. Lieutenant John Baine, of the Young Guards, was appointed Adjutant.
The original companies were nine, and commanded by the following-named Captains: B. G. Ezell, of MeKenzie; A. C. Ketchum, Dr. Frank Rice, Charles E. Rose, Ed. S. Pickett, John F. Cameron, E. M. Cleary, O'Carroll and Jos. Kellar, of Memphis and Shelby county. A few days after the organization, Capt. Pick- ett asked for and was granted permission to withdraw his company from the regi- ment. An order was issued to move up to Union City and go into camp, which was under the command of Brig .- gen. B. F. Cheatham. The regiment remained there until some time in August, when it was ordered to move to New Madrid, Mo., by the way of Tiptonville, Tenn. While at Union City, Capt. Cameron, of the Young Guards, withdrew his company, and the vacancy was filled by the Madrid Bend Guardis, Capt. Isler, and the regiment was completed by the addi- tion of a company of men from Paducah, Ky., and Southern Illinois, commanded by Capt. Brooks, and the Washington Rifles, of Memphis, commanded by Capt. Nick Freck.
A few weeks after being in camp at New Madril, the regiment was ordered to move to Sykeston, Mo., where it remained about a week, when it was ordered
Cherry, C. L., k. at Manassas, Aug. 31, 1862.
Denny, J. J., k. at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863.
Highland, E. A., k. at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862.
,Jett, T. C., k. at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863. Jett, J. W., k. at Petersburg, 1865.
Jett, Sergt. J. E., k. at Manassas, Aug. 31, 1862. Pierce, C. H., k. at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863. Rudolph, Sergt. J. W., k. at Manassas, Aug. 3!, 1562.
333
REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.
back, as the five regiments which had advanced fifteen miles beyond this place were very much alarmed by a report that the enemy were moving from Cairo, and would come in upon their rear. After the regiment returned to New Mad- rid, three companies were ordered to move to Island No. Ten. The latter part of September, the seven remaining companies were ordered to move to Column- bus, Ky., where, in a few days, they were joined by the other three companies. The regiment was engaged in the battle of Belmont, and Capt. Isler was killed, when the command of the company devolved upon Lieut. Donelson.
While at Columbus several changes of the officers in the regiment took place. R. C. Tyler was elected to fill the place of Lieut .- col. Taylor, who resigned on account of bad health. Capt. John Hearn was elected Major in the place of J. W. Hambleton, who was compelled to resign by the company officers. Maj. Jones Gennett, of the Second Tennessee, was appointed Captain of Co. B in the place of Ketchum, who had resigned; B. Marston, Captain of Co. F, in place of' McCleary, resigned; John Baine, Captain of Co. H, in place of O'Carroll, re- signed, and Lieut. Zimmerman, of Swiss Rifles, Captain of Co. K, in place of Jos. Kellar, resigned.
To enliven the monotony of camp-life while at Columbus, a movement was made by several regiments, under the command of Brig .- gen. Cheatham, in the direction of Paducah; but the division only went as far as Mayfield, thirty-five miles, when an order was received from Maj .- gen. Polk to return in haste, as he was reliably informed that the enemy intended to attack Columbus during our ab- sence; but we returned with such promptness that this calamity was averted, and the enemy failed to put in their appearance, as we had been advised they would.
In February, 1862, the regiment was ordered to march with others to the re- lief of Fort Donelson, but had only moved out four miles when it was ordered to return. In March, 1862, Columbus was evacuated, the Fifteenth Tennessee bring- ing up the rear, and the army was moved to Humboldt, Tenn., from which place the Fifteenth Tennessee was ordered to march to Lexington, Tenn., with a squadron of cavalry, for the purpose of observing the movements of the Feder- als upon the Tennessee River. After remaining at this place for about one week, it was marched to a point on the Mobile and Ohio railroad, took train for Corinth, and after remaining there for two days it was ordered to Bethel Station, and went into camp about two miles from Purdy, Tenn., where it re- mained until the 4th of April, when it was moved forward to take part in the battle of Shiloh, in which the regiment was fearfully punished by the loss of nearly two hundred killed and wounded. After the battle on the 7th our army retreated to Corinth, without being molested by the enemy, and there formed an intrenched camp. While there an order was issued to reorganize the reg- iment by the election of officers. R. C. Tyler was elected Colonel; Captain Brooks, Lieutenant-colonel; and Dr. Wall, Major.
The regiment moved with the army down to Tupelo, Miss., and from there to Chattanooga, Tenn., from which place the movement into Kentucky was made, and the battle of Perryville fought, in which the Fifteenth Regiment was engaged. After this disastrous trip into Kentucky the army was assem- hled in the vicinity of Tullahoma, Tenn., and there the Fifteenth was consolidated with the Thirty-seventh Tennessee Regiment after the battle of Stone's River.
334
MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.
Official.]
FIFTEENTH TENNESSEE INFANTRY.
Colonel, Charles M. Carroll; Lieutenant-colonel, Jas. H. R. Taylor; Major, John W. Ham- bleton; Surgeon, Frank Rice; Assistant Surgeon, R. W. Mitchell; Adjutant, John Bain.
COMPANY A. Captain, B. G. Esell.
Brawner, M. B., k. in battle, Nov. 7.
Denning, W. M., k. in battle Nov. 7. Carlo, J. L., k. at the battle of Shiloh.
Cantrell, W. W., k. at the battle of Shiloh. Patterson, W. C., d. Jan. 28, 1862.
COMPANY B. Captain, Jones Genette.
Boyle, Patrick, d. Dec. 5, 1861. Moran, Thomas, d. in hospital at Winchester, Griffith, Wm. R., k. March 2, 1862. Jan., 1863. James, Wm., k. at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Watson, Wm,, d. at Memphis. Davidson, Benjamin, k. in action at Beech Grove, June 26, 1803. Morrow, Robert, k. at the battle of Chicka- Griffin, W. J., k. at Moscow, Ky. mauga, Sept. 19, 1863.
Dolin, Frank, k. at the battle of Perryville, | Connors, Patrick, k. at the battle of Chicka- Ky. mauga. Murphy, Jeremiah, d. June 26, 1863.
COMPANY C. Captain, J. W. Rogan.
Dorsey, John, d. Nov. 18, 1861.
Murray, John, k. in battle Nov. 7, 1801.
Downey, James, k. at Shiloh. Shannon, Peter, d. June 16, 1862. Gill, Patrick, d. in hospital at Chattanooga, Dec., 1862.
Conn, John, d. in camp near New Madrid, Mo., Aug. 9, 1861. Condrey, Owen, d. Sept. 6, 1861, at New Madrid, | Dorsey, Michael, k. at the battle of Chicka- Mo. - Johnson, H. O., k. April 9, 1862.
Collins, Dennis, k. at Belmont. -
mauga. Sweeney, Peter, k. by deserters near Geneva, Ala., Dec. 3, 1863.
COMPANY D. Captain, John F. Hearn.
Howard, D., k. in battle Nov. 7, 1861.
Blake, Garrett, d. in Memphis.
Kelley, Dennis, k. at Shiloh.
Pursill, Patrick, k. at Shiloh.
Tate, Samuel, k. at Shiloh. Jewell, Mason, d. April 15, 1862. Young, Frederick, k. Aug. 29, 1863.
COMPANY E.
Captain, Wm. B. Isler.
Isler, Capt. Wm. B., k. in battle, Nov. 7. Nailing. A. G., d. Oct. 6, 1861.
Tucker, S. W., k. in battle. Huzza, John, d. at Fair Grounds hospital, Ga.
Whitson, J. G., K. in battle.
Thornton, Q. B., k. in battle.
Mosier, Calvin, k. in battle. MeCary, Thomas, k. in battle.
Hines, T. C., k. in battle. Crow, E. F., k. Sept. 20, 1863.
COMPANY F. Captain, B. W. Marston.
Mackey, Hugh, k. at Shiloh.
Higgins, P., d. at Corinth, Miss.
Butler, Samuel, d. at Lexington, Tenn., April ;Garin, J., d. at Murfreesboro, Dec. 10, 1862. 7,1862.
Kennedy, Matthew, k. at Shiloh. Mack, John, d. at Memphis, March 21, 1862.
Walsh, P., d. at Lauderdale Springs, Nov., 1862. Keenan, Matthew, k. at the battle of Chicks- mauga, Sept. 19, 1863.
COMPANY G. Captain, T. Brooks.
Hunter, IL., d. at Lauderdale Springs.
Carman, C. F., d. in hospital at Macon, May 14, 1862. Davis, W. J., k. at the battle of Shiloh.
Randall, Calvin, d. in hospital at Lauderdale Springs. Roland, J. T., d. in hospital at Lauderdale | Cristenberry, W. S., k. at the battle of Perry- Springs. ville, Ky.
....... .
335
REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.
COMPANY H. Captain, John Bain.
Green, Lieut. John, k. in battle Nov. 7.
Dacey, Joho, k. at Shiloh.
Fogarty, John (No. 1), k. at the battle of Shiloh. Fogarty, John (No. 2), k. at the battle of Shiloh. Harrington, Jas., k. at the battle of Shiloh.
Helligher, Morris, d. May 10, 1862.
Meagher, Patrick, k. at the battle of Shiloh. Shine, William, k. at the battle of shiloh.
Sullivan, M., k. at Hoover's Gap, June 25, 1.03. Harwick, J., k. at the battle of Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863.
COMPANY I.
Captain, W. Waltering.
1 Cohen, N., k. at the battle of Shiloh. Phillips, A., k. at the battle of Shiloh.
Rehr, F., k. at the battle of Shiloh.
Simonson, M., k. at the battle of Shilob. Spitaler, Geo., k. at the battle of Perryville. Ky.
Waltering, Capt. W., k. at the battle of Perry- | Hank, John, k. at the battle of Perryville, Ky. ville, Ky.
COMPANY K.
Captain, Joseph Kellar.
Stier, M., k. in battle, Nov. 7, 1861.
Willis, M., k. in.battle, Nov. 7, 1861.
Schmitz, Peter, k. in battle, Nov. 7, 1861. Sold, Auton, k. in battle.
SIXTEENTH TENNESSEE INFANTRY. BY H. H. DILLARD, COOKVILLE, TENN.
THE company I led out, known as "The Highlanders," was from Putnam county; organized in May, and mustered into service at Camp Trousdale, 9th of June, 1861. It helped to form the Sixteenth Tennessee Infantry, and constituted the extreme left of the regiment, and was lettered as Co. K: HI. H. Dillard, Cap- tain; W. K. Sadler, First Lieutenant ; H. Denton, Second Lieutenant ; and R. A. Young, Third Lieutenant. John H. Savage was elected Colonel of the regiment.
On the 23d of July, 1861, we were ordered to Haynesville, East Tennessee, and immediately from there we went, via Bristol, Lynchburg, Charlotte, and Staun- ton, to Huntersville, North-western Virginia. Our brigade was composed of the Eighth Tennessee, Col. Fulton, and Sixteenth Tennessee, Col. Savage, under the command of Brig .- gen. Donelson. Leaving the railroad at Millboro, North- western Virginia, we marched to Huntersville, some miles off from the railroad. among the Alleghany Mountains, reaching there on the 9th day of August. There we remained about a month. Two large thoroughfares came in at this place. called the Green Bank and Green Brier roads, along which the enemy might come to the rear of our advance forces then at Valley Mountain, under Gen. Ler- ing, and our brigade, together with the Forty-eighth Virginia and a Georgia regi- ment were left to guard these two roads. Here sickness in camps from typhoid and bilious fevers and other diseases was quite fatal, killing some of our best and stoutest men.
On the 6th of September we were ordered to Valley Mountain, and reached there on the 9th, over the worst roads I had ever seen, owing to the constant rains and heavy wagoning, and our trains could never have gotten through but for the heavy details made to assist them. Arriving here after dark, we were immediately ordered to cook five days rations and be ready to march at daylight on the 10th. We then had to slaughter beeves in the dark and rain about three
336
MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.
miles off, and bring flour two and a half miles. At midnight cooking began, and by daylight the regiment stood in line ready to march. Gen. Lee's forces here consisted of the commands of Gens. Loring, Anderson, and Donelson, with that of Gen. Jackson, who was cooperating to our right in front of Cheat Mountain Pass. The object of this expedition, as I learned, was to take the enemy by sur- prise, about five or six thousand strong, at a fortification on the turnpike leading from Cheat Mountain Pass to the rear, and by Beverly to Kanawha Valley. From this fortification (called Coonrad's, I believe) to the pass, up the pike, was six or seven miles, where they were also fortified several thousand strong. On the 10th of September we marched about ten miles right through a wilderness of mountain- peaks piled up everywhere before us. No road and no place to make one on much of the route, and the miners and sappers had to cut out a sort of way through hills, ravines, creeks, and rocks to get our light artillery through, which frequently required the teams to be disengaged and the gun-wagons to be drawn by the men. Gen. Loring had been sent a different route. On the morning of the 11th our brigade and Gen. Anderson's separated, the latter taking off to the right along the side of the mountain range, to fall in on the pike in the rear of the pass, while our brigade was to take the fortification at Coonrad's in the rear. Pro- ceeding down Conley's Run a few miles, we crossed over a rough mountain to Stewart's Run. As we had now arrived in the neighborhood of the enemy, Col. Savage was ordered to take charge of two companies and proceed in advance down the creek. And here I think it worthy of note to relate an act of intrepidity and reckless daring of Col. Savage. He had not proceeded far down the creek with the two companies before they came suddenly upon four of the enemy's advance pickets in a cabin and took them prisoners by surprise. About one mile farther down they came upon five others, who, in attempting to escape, were fired on and two killed. Col. Savage and our guide, Dr. Butcher, hurried on their horses after the three others, and coming in distance, fired and killed one and took the other two prisoners and sent them back by Butcher to the two companies, who were coming up in haste. Learning from these three prisoners that the reserve company of pickets were encamped at an old house in the valley not far below, Col. Savage put off in haste upon his horse, and had gone but a short distance when he dis- covered the company at the old house, which seemed to be in a bustle and con- fusion. Putting spurs to "old George," he went dashing at full speed and alone down the valley, brandishing a huge pistol in the air; right on he rushed up to and through their confused ranks, throwing his pistol from side to side, command- ing them to down with their arms, which many of them did, and stood gazing in stupid consternation; while others had rushed into the house and were pointing their guns out through the open windows as if to fire upon the incarnate dare-devil ; and seeing this, Savage dashed right up to the very muzzle of their guns and or- dered them to throw down their arms and surrender "or the last rascal of you will be killed in five minutes." Down went their guns with a roar upon the floor. By this time the advance-guard were coming up nearly at a double-quick, and the entire company, "Cincinnati Grays," were taken prisoners virtually by one man, who had so suddenly rushed headlong upon them that these strong, brave men stood confounded, and for the moment could but regard him as an incomprehen- sible son of thunder. Although admiring such bravery, yet I thought it reckless in our Colonel, and he permitted me to chide him for it, saying he prevented their
337
REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.
escape to bear the news of our approach, but that he could not afford to risk as much the second time with hope of escaping death. Placing our prisoners be- tween two regiments, we went over another creek, down it, and then were led up a steep mountain along a blind path after dark, and as we descended the mountain on the other side the enemy's camp-fires of a sudden gleamed up in the valley below us far and wide. We almost butted up against their fortifications before we were aware. About-facing, we moved by the left till the right rested on top of the peak, and the left far down the mountain-side of our approach; and here in Egyptian darkness and heavy rain we lay by guess on our arms all night. About midnight, being awake, I heard confusion away toward the front, and along down the line came steadily on, in deep under-tone, "Up! up!" and on we passed it to the rear; but soon came on down again and passed along the line the news, "Nothing but a bear! nothing but a bear!" and all was again quiet. In truth, a bear in his midnight incursions had stumbled over some of our sleeping men and raised a row. Taking advantage of this momentary confusion, one of the prisoners made his escape in the darkness, and a few days after, coming in possession of a Cincin- nati paper, we read the prisoner's account of his capture and most wonderful es- cape from about twenty thousand "Savages." About daylight Gen. Lee passed up the line. It was the first time any of us had ever seen him, and we were much impressed with his fine appearance, which at once inspired us with confidence. He and his staff had lain that night at some hay-stacks in the narrow valley about a half mile down in our rear. Not long after sunup the information came through our pickets that the enemy had appeared in this little valley below, and Col. Sav- age was immediately ordered to take two companies and reconnoiter. Capt. York's and my company were selected, and down the mountain we went at quick- time, as our pickets now fired on their advance-guard, coming on our trail up the hill, killing two. As we got down to a fence at a field, we were fired on by the enemy about three hundred strong, some two hundred yards off, sheltered by the banks and skirting timber of a little creek that ran through the field. We soon formed line in the field, and the work commenced in good earnest. The enemy having the decided advantage in position. we were soon ordered to charge, and so we did with a wild yell; but before we reached the creek they tled to the woods a little distance away, and after a short stand disappeared in the thick forest. There were thirteen killed and wounded, and seventeen captured. We lost only twe killed and two or three wounded.
This was our first fight, and we then regarded it as an affair of considerable magnitude, receiving praise all round for coolness and courage. But four years experience taught us that it was a mere breakfast spell. We had flint-lock mus- kets, and they had all got wet the previous night. During the tight, Lieut. Den- ton, of my company, by no means an expert with a gun, got hold of one by some means during the figlit and proceeded to load and fire rapidly. Directly a diffi- culty got up somehow between him and his gun. and he went backward flat on the ground, the gun over his head, and the blood ran freely from his face. I thought he was shot, and went to him. On inquiry, he said he was not shot, but that he could not account for the sudden mystery by any reasoning, except a treacherous ball from the enemy had struck his faithful musket in the muzzle and driven her backward over him, "gouging" his forehead with the cock as she went. But some one of larger experience with this peculiar weapon hinted that perhaps he had
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