USA > Tennessee > The military annals of Tennessee. Confederate. First series: embracing a review of military operations, with regimental histories and memorial rolls, V.2 > Part 33
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by following up the advantage gained the evening before, achieve a signal victory and cut off the enemy's retreat to Chattanooga. No orders to move were received till about ten o'clock A.M. Soon after moving the fighting commenced, and lasted all day, with some intervals of cessation. The left wing of Bragg's army had been victorious with heavy loss. The right had not more than maintained its po- sition till late in the evening, when the Federal left gave way.
Early on the morning of the 21st Forrest was in pursuit of the enemy with his entire command. Dibrell's brigade captured several hundred prisoners. From the top of Missionary Ridge the Federal troops, in great disorder and confusion, could be seen retreating into Chattanooga. The movements of the cavalry were not seconded by the infantry; and to the cavalry the slow movements of the in- fantry and Gen. Bragg's failure to press the broken and disordered columns of the Federal forces were strange and unaccountable. It was the one theme of com- plaint not only with the officers, but also with the privates. All felt that the fruits of the dearly-bought victory were being rapidly lost.
On the morning of the 22d, Col. Holman, in command of his regiment and also the Tenth, was ordered to descend Missionary Ridge into the Chattanooga Valley, and go as far as possible in the direction of Chattanooga. This he proceeded to do, skirmishing as he went, and capturing several hundred prisoners. He moved rapidly with his command on the Rossville road, till, reaching a point within about a half mile of the city of Chattanooga, he came upon the Federal infantry in force, strongly intrenched, who opened on his command a galling fire. Several of the Eleventh fell here, killed or wounded. Three or four pieces of artillery coming up, Col. Holman directed them to open fire, which they promptly did. He, having in the meantime dismounted his command, supported the battery, and fought his troops as infantry. It was soon apparent that the enemy was not to be dislodged from his stronghold by any ordinary force. After some twenty or thirty minutes fighting Gen. Forrest came dashing up at full speed, followed by his escort, and asked impatiently (emphasizing the questions with an oath), "What have you stopped here for ? Why don't you go on into Chattanooga?" Upon being informed by Col. Holman that the enemy in considerable force was strongly in- trenched not more than two hundred yards in front, he replied that there must be some mistake about that, and that he believed he could take Chattanooga with his escort. Thereupon, putting spurs to his horse, he and a portion of his escort gal- loped in the direction of the enemy. They had proceeded only a few yards when the enemy opened on them a hot fire. Forrest's horse was shot in the neck, but did not fall. He and his escort returned as rapidly as they had advanced, and no other effort was made to penetrate the Federal position at that point. Dibrell's brigade was then ordered farther to the left, to approach Chattanooga by way of the
foot of Lookout Mountain. It was soon ascertained that the side of the mountain was strongly fortified by Federal troops. Their sharp-shooters, with long-range guns, were quite annoying, and besides there was a heavy force of infantry and artillery in the Confederate front, between Chattanooga and the Confederates. The Fed- eral artillery was well served, four men being killed by one shell. Among the number was Dr. Wm. McNairy, of Capt. Rivers's company, whose head was torn from his body. He was at the time Orderly Sergeant of his company, a physician of prominence in Giles county, and a true and faithful soldier. It was here that Col. James King, an old man over seventy years of age, a prominent citizen of
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Rutherford county, Tenn., who was on a visit to his sons, who were members of Lytle's company, rode fearlessly into the fight. When warned by Col. Holman of the danger to which he was exposed, and requested to retire to the rear, he re- plied with much coolness and determination: "No; I cannot. Wherever my sons are required to go, there I will go."
About two o'clock p.M. Gen. MeLaws came up with a division of infantry. This was the first infantry since the evening of the 20th that had been sent to the sup- port of Forrest's cavalry in their efforts to take Chattanooga. Gen. Forrest at once saw Gen. McLaws, and insisted on making a combined attack. Gen. McLaws declined, for the reason that his orders limited him to picket duty. Dibrell main- tained his position till about noon of the 23d, when he was ordered to withdraw to Tyner's Station for the purpose of feeding his almost famished horses and men, both well-nigh exhausted by the long-continued strain. Only a few hours rest was obtained, for about the 25th of September the brigade, with Forrest's other cavalry, was ordered to move in the direction of Charleston, Tenn., to meet a Fed- eral force sent by Burnside. This force was encountered at Charleston, and after some fighting was dislodged and driven to Athens, Tenn., where some prisoners were captured. The Federals retreated from Athens to Philadelphia, where, re- enforced by Woolford's brigade, they made a stand, but were driven to Loudon.
About the 1st of October Dibrell's Tennessee and Morrison's Georgia brigades were ordered back to the vicinity of Cleveland, Tenn., to rest and recruit. Be- tween two and three weeks were profitably spent here in resting and recruiting, with no work to perform save the usual service of picketing and scouting. It was here that the cavalry, including Dibrell's, was turned over again to the command of Wheeler. Forrest was ordered to the department of North Mississippi, taking with him not exceeding five hundred men of his old command, including Mor- ton's battery and McDonald's battalion.
The position of Woolford's brigade of Federal cavalry, camped at Philadelphia, Tenn., having been definitely ascertained, in the latter part of October an expe- dition for its capture by Dibrell's and Morrison's brigades was planned. The project was in a large measure successful. There were captured seven hun- dred prisoners, fifty wagons, twelve ambulances, eight hundred stand of small arms, six pieces of artillery, one thousand horses and mules, saddles, etc., and a large amount of commissary and sutlers' stores. Capt. Thomas F. Perkins's horse was killed by a grape-shot, while making the charge, within fifty yards of the Federal battery. The most of the regiment occupied a position on the extreme left, to prevent the escape of the routed Federals by a road leading to the west. After the rout of the enemy, and as we were pressing them on the Loudon road, Capt. James Rivers, while gallantly charging the retreating Federals with a view of picking up prisoners, was captured, together with several of the men whom he was leading. No exchange could be effected, and he was held a prisoner of war at Johnson's Island till the elose of the war. He was a brave officer, and his loss to the service was felt not only by his company, but by the entire regiment.
On Sunday, November 1, a detachment from the brigade, including the Elev- enth, was ordered to report to Gen. Vaughn. Fording and swimming the Little Tennessee River at Morganton, the command was all night crossing. Gen. Vaughn moved the detachment rapidly till he reached Unitia, a small village on the east bank of the Holston River. On the west bank, and opposite Unitia, the
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Federals were in some force. A brisk duel across the river ensued. Here fell James Newton Paisley, Orderly Sergeant of Rivers's company, who was shot through the head and instantly killed. He was a man of great merit socially, morally, and intellectually. Was a model soldier, as he had been a citizen, with no ambition except to do his whole duty. Prompt and faithful in the discharge of his religious duties, recognizing the care and guidance of a higher Power, al- ways cheerful, "with a heart for any fate," his influence for good in the command was very great. How oppressed with sorrow were the hearts of his devoted com- rades as they hastily laid his body in its humble resting-place, a soldier's grave! No shaft or storied urn marks the spot, but a nobler and more enduring monu- ment is erected in the affections of all who knew him.
The expedition to Unitia, so far as could be seen, was without profit. Return- ing at once, and marching all night, the detachment recrossed the Little Tennes- see River at Morganton, but before the entire command had gotten across the rear was attacked by a large force of Federal cavalry. Several men of Miller's and Coffee's companies were captured. Several made their escape and crossed at Niles's Ferry above.
On the 3d of November the brigade went on a scout in the direction of Mary- ville, Tenn., returned the same day, and camped at McGee's, opposite Motley's Ford.
On the 5th of November the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry (Col. J. B. Biffle) started across the river at Motley's Ford on a scout. When the Ninth had gotten partis across it was attacked by Federal cavalry in ambush. The remainder of the bri- gade hurriedly gathered up their guns, and by firing at the enemy across the riv- er drove them off. The Ninth lost twenty-five men captured and three wounded.
Dibrell's brigade remained in camp at McGee's till November 13, when Gen. Wheeler, late in the evening, with most of his command, crossed the Little Ten- nessee at Motley's Ford, marched all night, and just at daylight reached the vi- cinity of Maryville, the county-seat of Blount county, on Saturday, November 14. The Federals, who were encamped in force at and in the vicinity of Mary- ville, surprised by the unexpected attack, were soon routed and a number taken prisoners. Wheeler, with his main force, pursued them to the vicinity of Knox- ville. The Eleventh was sent to take possession of Maryville, with instructions as to disposition of prisoners, etc. It remained there only a few hours. While there a company of Federal cavalry was seen approaching the place from the south. It was evident they did not know the town was in possession of the Con- federates, nor what had transpired in the early morning. They were permitted to enter undisturbed, not comprehending the situation till informed that they were prisoners. They had with them an old citizen who lived a few miles in the coun- try, and whom they had arrested, as was afterward ascertained, for alleged "dis- loyalty" to the United States Government. Being confused at the movements he saw, and supposing the Confederates to be Federals, he became much alarmed, and at once approaching the commander of the Eleventh, began to appeal most earnestly for a hearing before sentence of condemnation should be passed on him. He stated that the reports against him were all false; that he was not only not a rebel, but was now, and always had been, a truly loval man, which he said he could prove by some of the best men in Maryville, whose names he proceeded to mention. The officers around, perceiving the mistake under which he was labor-
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ing, and being greatly amused at his story, made it convenient, about this time, to remove the oil-cloths which covered their uniforms. Casting his eyes inquiringly around, with an expression to which words cannot do justice, he suddenly stopped his speech. After a slight pause, as something of a smile gathered on his lips and twinkled from his eyes, he asked, "An't you all Confederates?" He was in- formed they were, but that was only the worse for him, judging from the state- ments he had just made. "O!" he exclaimed jubilantly, "I was just talking then. I thought you were all Yankees. Everybody in this county knows I'm a rebel. That's what they arrested and brought me here for. I am so glad you are here!" He was anxious to produce any number of witnesses to establish the truth of his last statement, but it was deemed wholly unnecessary, and he was at once discharged and bidden to go in peace to his home. This incident illustrates the arrangement that was common in East Tennessee, where the political senti- ment was pretty evenly divided, to wit: that when the Confederates were in troub- le the Union people would come to their relief by doing all they could for them with the Federal authorities; and in turn, when the Union people were in troub- le, the Confederates came to their relief by doing for them all in their power with the Confederate authorities. When done at the expense of truth moralists may condemn this as wrong, but the cruelties and hardships of war soon teach a people in matters pertaining to safety to ignore all law save the law of expedi- ency. Indeed, how could it be otherwise, since the art of war itself, in its great- est perfection, consists in the ability of army commanders to practice on their an- tagonists the most complete deception ?
The 15th of November was spent in skirmishing with the enemy, who retreated into the city of Knoxville, taking refuge behind his fortifications. A number were killed and wounded, and over one hundred prisoners were captured. On November 16 Dibrell's brigade moved toward the left, and on the morning of the 17th crossed the Holston below and near Louisville. On the 18th a junction with Longstreet's corps was made near and west of Knoxville. This corps charged the enemy and drove them into their fortifications. The city of Knoxville was invested by the Confederates, the Eleventh occupying the Cumberland Gap road, in full view of the city. This position it maintained, for the most part, through- out the siege, with but little rest. The siege continued from Wednesday morning, November 18, till Thursday night, December 3, a period of fifteen days. On the 23d of November Gen. Wheeler withdrew a portion of the cavalry, including the Eleventh, and with them made a trip to Kingston, Tenn., riding night and day, to ascertain something of the Federal forces at that point. On the 24th Kingston was attacked. A sharp fight ensued, with some casualties to both sides. Wheeler withdrew, and returned to Knoxville, reaching there on the 26th of November. The Eleventh was assigned its old position near Knoxville, on the road leading to Cumberland Gap, where it remained till the 2d of December, when Gen. Arm- strong, taking his division, moved to Maynardville, where, on the morning of the 3d, he found and engaged the enemy in some force. The Eleventh dismounted, and was sent to the left, while Col. G. G. Dibrell, with the Eighth and Fourth, charged on horseback from the front. . The charge under the lead of Col. Dibrell was most gallantly made, but the enemy received it with more than ordinary cool- ness, and fought stubbornly till the Eleventh poured an effective fire on their right flank, when they hastily retreated in disorder, leaving a number killed and
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wounded on the field. There were some casualties to the brigade in killed and wounded. Col. Dibrell received a severe wound, from which he was disabled for service for about two months, during which tinie the command of the brigade de. volved upon Col. Holman and of the regiment upon Capt. Martin, who was in fact acting as Lieutenant-colonel of the regiment by recommendation of the brigade and division commanders, though lie never received a commission from the War Department, as few did at that time, on account of the great activ- ity of the troops in the field. There was no time left to think of paper and parch- ment. At the same time Capt. C. Coffee was recommended for Major of the regi- ment. These two officers alternated in command in the absence of Col. Holman. They were both brave and efficient, and handled the regiment in action with marked ability and coolness. They preferred remaining with their companies to any promotion, but never shrunk from any duty when it was imposed upon them by the proper authority. They recognized the force of the military maxim, "The first duty of a soldier is obedience to orders."
The regiment remained on the north side of the Holston River, for the most part, for about three weeks. Most of the forage was obtained on the Holston River and on Buffalo Creek. The command was kept very active-sometimes moving to Blain's Cross-roads, then to Rutledge, then to Bean's Station, then to Bull's Gap. On the 16th of December it captured twelve prisoners at Massen- gill's mills.
On the 23d of December the regiment crossed to the south side of the Holston at the old Thompson Ford. Dibrell's brigade camped on the Knoxville and Mor- ristown road, except the Eleventh, which, under command of Capt. Martin, was sent to Mossy Creek to picket. Capt. Martin soon ascertained that the enemy was advancing on the place, and promptly reported the fact. Early on the morning of the 24th Col. Holman moved with the brigade toward New Market. After passing Mossy Creek a short distance he met the enemy's advance-guard in the road. A brisk fight ensued. The enemy was moving on Mossy Creek with a large force of all arms. They were held in check by the brigade till Gen. Arm- strong, with the remainder of his division, came up. After about an hour's tight- ing the division fell back to Mossy Creek. In this fight the Eleventh hield posi- tion on the right, along the line of the railroad. While the Tenth was being hard pressed and in danger of capture in attempting to cross Mossy Creek, the Eleventh, perceiving the danger, drove the enemy back so as to enable the Tenth to cross the bridge which spanned the marshy and miry stream.
The country about Mossy Creek being rich and productive, it was the desire of both Federals and Confederates to occupy it, that they might procure supplies of subsistence for man and beast; hence there was a continuous struggle for about twenty days as to which of the forces should occupy the neighborhood. The Con- federates fought all day, and at night were compelled to ride from five to ten miles to get forage, and then frequently had to fight to get it. The weather was ex- ceedingly cold, and the men were poorly clad. Many of them, being almost bare- footed, wrapped their feet and legs with rags as best they could to keep them from freezing. After riding so far and feeding their horses, but little of the night re- mained in which to rest. At daylight they were called to "saddle up" and move.
On the 29th of December Armstrong's division made a determined effort to defeat
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and drive the Federals away. After driving them about two miles, and getting them greatly demoralized, the Federal cavalry (Col. James P. Brownlow's regiment leading) charged the Confederate line with great spirit. The Confederates with- stood the charge firmly, and were about to capture a large number of the charging party, when the Second Georgia Cavalry gave way. Soine confusion in the Con- federate lines ensued, making it necessary to fall back over a part of the ground they had gained. Portions of the brigade most stubbornly resisted this daring charge, and soon made them willing to retire. Capt. Cannon, of Brownlow's reg- iment, a very brave officer, led the advance, and was killed by private J. B. Ezell, of Miller's company, when within a few feet of each other. At the same time his comrade, another man of the same company, shot Cannon's horse, and horse and rider fell together to the ground. Private Jerome B. Dodson, of Capt. Mar- tin's company, who was temporarily on Col. Holman's staff, was shot through the heart and instantly killed within a few feet of Col. Holman. Among those capt- ured was private Randall Gillespie, of Martin's company, while resisting the charge. The contest for subsistence continued for about three weeks, with the usual fighting and skirmishing. The commands moved from point to point to ob- tain forage. The weather continued exceedingly cold and inclement. The hard- ships, privations, and sufferings of the troops were almost beyond endurance. De- sertions of officers and men were frequent.
Between the 15th and 20th of January, 1864, it was determined to dislodge the enemy at Dandridge, and if possible drive him beyond Strawberry Plains. Gen. Longstreet, who was encamped with his infantry corps near Morristown, selected such portions of his command as had shoes and were sufficiently clad; and these, together with the cavalry, made the combined attack. The enemy was driven de- moralized from Dandridge and beyond Strawberry Plains. In this action the Eleventh, with some other regiments of the brigade, dismounted and acted as in- fantry, and charged in line with the infantry. While the battle was raging tierce- ly an infantry regiment fell back a short distance till rallied, but not a man in the cavalry gave back or wavered for a moment. On they marched, with the steadi- ness of veterans. It had been whispered that Gen. Longstreet said, as the troops were about to go into the fight, that he was fearful the cavalry would give way. This served to stimulate the pride of the cavalry, and under no circumstances would they have retreated in advance of the infantry. Gen. Longstreet com- mended the conduct of the cavalry on this occasion in the highest terms. The Eleventh for a week or more was engaged in picketing the fords on the French Broad below Dandridge, and in scouting on the south side of the river.
On the 27th of January Col. Holman, leaving the regiment at Evans's Ford, and taking with him a dozen picked men, went on a scout in the direction of Se- vierville for the purpose of ascertaining the strength and position of the enemy. While on the scout Gen. W. S. Martin, with his division of cavalry, had met the enemy a few miles east of Sevierville, and had been defeated. The Federals in force came up simultaneously in front and rear, and opened fire on Col. Holman and his men. One of the men was captured. The chances for escape were des- perate, but the remainder, turning from the road, fled to the mountains and made good their escape. They reached the command late in the evening, when the reg- iment at once recrossed to the north side of the French Broad and encamped for the night, picketing the fords. Elated at their success of the day before, the Fed-
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erals determined to attack Dibrell, who was encamped, with the remainder of his brigade, some ten miles above Dandridge, on the south bank of the French Broad. Col. Holman, anticipating their designs, on the morning of the 28th moved as rapidly as possible with his regiment to join the brigade. The distance to be traveled was about twenty miles, while the enemy had to go a less distance to reach Dibrell's camps.
As the Eleventh approached the brigade the surmise as to the designs of the enemy was confirmed. It was learned that the Federals, in large force, were ap- proaching, being then only about three miles distant. Col. Dibrell being a short distance out of camp at the time, Col. Holman assumed command, and had the camp aroused. While the brigade was saddling, the advance-guard encountered the pickets. Soon the entire brigade was mounted and the advance-guard of the enemy driven back. The brigade moved a short distance from its camp under Col. Dibrell, who had returned. All the regiments dismounted except the Eighth Texas. In a few minutes temporary breastworks of rails, logs, etc., were hastily improvised by the men. In a short while the fight opened, and lasted over two hours. The Federals were severely handled, and they beat a hasty retreat, not stopping till they reached Knoxville, reporting as they went that they had fought all of Longstreet's infantry. They had four brigades, to wit: Woolford's Elliott's, Sturgis's, and MeCook's-in all about twenty regiments-while Dibrell's brigade and the Third Arkansas-seven regiments-constituted the Confederate forces; so that their number exceeded those of the Confederates fully four to one. Their loss in killed and wounded was about three hundred. The Confederates lost two killed and six or eight wounded. The casualties to the Eleventh were only slight. The Federals never did wilder shooting, perhaps, than on this oc- casion. Had their aim been well directed, this little, decimated Confederate bri- gade would necessarily have been annihilated. The hill on which the fight was made was by common consent designated as Dibrell's Hill, in honor of the gallant commander of the brigade.
On the 29th of January the brigade moved down the French Broad River, and on the 30th went into camp on Pigeon River, about three miles below Sevierville. Here the regiment remained encamped till about the 22d of February. The weather was very cold. The Federals seemed to be content to be let alone shut up within the city limits of Knoxville. About the 20th of February, Gen. Long- street wishing to ascertain something detinite as to the force at Knoxville, Col. Holman was sent in command of the brigade to make a reconnaissance in force and develop the enemy. He went with the command to the hills near to and overlooking the city, where a fine view of the Federal forces and position could be had. The enemy undertook to capture the brigade while occupying this position, and made disposition of their troops accordingly. In this they were unsuccessful. However, the brigade was compelled to fight its way out. There were some casualties in wounded and captured. Capt. Pierce, of the Fourth (Mc- Lemore's regiment), lost seven men captured. Col. Holman and Adjutant Gar- rett came near being captured. While endeavoring to resist a charge of the ene- my, they found themselves cut off from their comrades and surrounded by foes. A Federal Captain, with his company of cavalry within a few feet of them, de- manded their surrender. The request was declined, and their only chance for escape was in the fleetness of their horses, which was thoroughly tested in a race
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