USA > Wisconsin > History of the services of the Third Battery, Wisconsin Light Artillery in the Civil War of the United States, 1861-65 > Part 2
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but our supply of army rations were scant, and peaches were used in abundance with purslane to eke out our diet. While here we aided in picketing the roads, keeping open communications with the main body of the army, and assisted the infantry in stra- getic points by sections. Guerrillas were many and troublesome in the adjacent ranges of mountains and scouts were detailed to pursue and destroy them. Capt. Drury was appointed chief of scouts, and from time to time many of our boys would join the infantry_ men in scouring the valleys and mountains infested by them. It was a sanguinary warfare and both sides would kill at sight on what was equivalent report on their return from their forays that their prisoners had escaped. In one expedition by mistake they shot one of the bravest and most loyal citizens in that region. He supposed they were Morgan's guerillas in federal uniform and our boys were sure he was a rebel. The poor fellow was killed by the first union soldier he ever saw. In this camp we occas- ionally saw Gen. Rosencrans on inspection business. always pleasant in his bearing he was ever welcome.
After many early morning calls into line, we on the 2d of September, 1863, left our pleasant MeMinn- ville camp, on our onward march over the historic Cumberland mountains, little thinking that it would terminate so disastrously to us and to our entire command. We marched up the valley eleven miles and back under a blazing hot sun, camping at the foot of the mountain at Collins river. The 4th we commenced the ascent of Ben Lomond at 6a. m .; at 12 we arrived at its summit by great zigzagging, a
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distance of only two and a half miles through alternately deep sand and great boulders, on a new track recently opened by our pioneer corps. Ahead of us was the 35th Indiana, the boys that stood so steadfast in our support at Stone River. They cheer us on sight. We return the compliment, and they sell. "we are Rosencrans' scalawags"-a name given them by the editor of The Murfreesboro Rebel. This mountain was so difficult to surmount that an entire platoon of men and six horses were required to bring up a piece, and to enliven the effort a band would play "Bony Crossing the Alps." We found red cedar in abundance, likewise gooseberries; saw no black- berries as in the valley, found peaches in a wild state, even growing on the overhanging crags. The vege- tation and foliage generally was much different and more attractive, and the atmosphere was fine. Oceas- Ionally we would pass on all the eminences of these chains of mountains a cabin built of logs, containing to us a simple, honest, but outlandish looking people, who greeted us in a friendly way. At more accessible points we found deserted homes which had been raided by rebel guerillas, the loyal inhabitants having breome "refugees." Of this class some 1100 came into our camp at MeMinnville for protection, very poor and destitute they were: many of the males joined our forces, the unfortunate women and children we left to the tender mercies of the none too loyal populace of mixed hues. As far as possible the motley mass was kept in existence by the bounty of our government. The illiteracy of the 1100 refugees was startling, as in their declaration of allegience, soo made a cross to
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their name. Our rations were eked out by some foraging for vegetables and animal food. To add sweetness and spirit to this march, occasionally some honey flavored by tobacco flowers would be passed around, and from the secret fastnesses would be drawn forth through the irrepressible researches of well known doughty souls, a supply of the unrectified apple-jack, one of the most villianons concoctions of man. During our progress, we of the 21st corps under Crittenden, occupied the mountain ranges of the left of the advance upon Gen. Bragg, who was holding Chattanooga; the 20th corps under McCook and the 14th corps under Thomas were occupying the ranges and valleys to our right, and as will be observed the corps of the union army were widely diverged, the two wings being forty miles apart, yet in three weeks' time, regardless of the many seemingly unsurmount- able barriers, without a serious disturbance of Gen. Rosenerans' plans, we became masters of the situa- tion. Our part took us through many little hamlets like Dunlap. Here we learned that a part of the ad- vance of our Corps had strnek the camp of Bragg. in the stronghold of Chattanooga, which relinquishing, he moved south. During these movements our bat- tery enjoyed a little rest in one of their old camping grounds of the year before, viz .: Battle Creek, on the beautiful Tennessee, which we immediately crossed at Bridgeport on pontoons. As soon as it was known to a certainty of the evacuation, all of the infantry were put in motion to cross the Lookout range at three points, but not to debouch until known that Bragg was making a bonifide retreat. Before day-
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break on the 9th, finding all things clear, we descended Into Chattanooga valley, over the the nose of the mighty Lookout, to which all ascended from Sequat- phie valley. From our point of observation innumer- able mountains of the most massive proportions, with many windings of the charming Tennessee were from time to time brought to our vision. Still higher np were grander and more comprehensive views. namely: From the head of Lookout mountain itself, ax it towers in its magnificence 2600 feet above the -ra, where from its summit can be discerned an outline of seven states; the range of this mountain reaches ninety miles. Many things of historic interest is attached to this great upheavel of nature. De Soto and a band of Spaniards wintered in the range, now thought without a doubt to be Selma, Ala .; they making much trouble for the aborigines were severely punished for their attrocities. We will here say that the Indian was still there, and when we were in the Sequatchie valley, a bright Cherokee boy visited our camp one evening, who seemed intelligent and was certainly the most prepossessing Indian we had ever Men of his age.
Gen. Rosencrans established his headquarters in Chattanooga the 11th; after descending Lookout we passed to the right but did not enter the city. We camped in a field toward Rossville, the forces on center and right having crossed through tower gaps. were in our advance. We soon followed, passing through the Mission Ridge range, where in a few weeks was to occur (and on the mountains in the rear) the famous battles, wherein the old army of the
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Cumberland fought side by side with the army of the Tennessee and the corps from the Potomac. Well on we pushed through the sweltering sun and clouds of dust on the road to Lafayette and Ringold, the latter being the only place in our seventy miles march that our battery guns were used. Our position here was on a hill overlooking the place. We threw a few shells which caused a sudden scampering of the force there. We passed through after a brief tarry, during which time the poor frightened creatures crawled out of their cellars, whither they had gone for safety. A little below this place we saw two men under a bridge, who proved to be deserters from Gen. Long- street's command from the Potomic, who were enroute to reinforce Brage: from more deserters it was ascer- tained that Gen. Buckner's army, that was confront- ing Burnside at Knoxville and the men of Gen John- son that Gen. Grant had paroled at Vicksburg, were joining Bragg, which seemed indicative of deep laid plans to destroy us.
We passed on to Lee and Gordon's Mills, and re- turned. We camped at the celebrated . Crawfish Springs, where ice cold water-as clear as crystal- boils forth in a never-ending gush, forty-three feet in breadth by the writer's measurement. We camped in this pleasant place but a short time. Near by was a vineyard of eighty aeres which was devastated by the contending forces, and the contents of a commo- dore's wine cellar on said plantation, soon went gurgling down the throats of friend and foe, seem- ingly demonstrating that in one respect a congenial and sympathetic chord is over on the qui vive between
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the puritan and cavalier.
On the 13th of September, we had our usual neille at 2 a. m. With a brigade of our division, we at daylight, attempted to reconnoitre the rebel's forces. We quickly found them on the Lafayette road three miles south of Lee and Gordon's Mills; Gen Polk had been concentrating a heavy force here, but our di- vision commander anticipated his attack by the most vigorous blows. Our battery here was led by Capt. Drury, and as he had done at Crab Orchard, Ky., charged ahead of our skirmish line and getting in a very advanced position, poured out our shells as rapidly as possible into the rebel ranks. The effect of this unexpected activity on the part of the brigade, disconcerted Gen. Polk, and he withdrew three miles, under the impression of a large union advance. At this point Capt. Drury was picked off by a sharp- shooter, rendering him unfit for service for several months; we had one other casualty, Hassel D. Stevens had a leg broken by being run over by a gun, from which death ensued.
On the 16th and 17th, MeCook had connected his corps with the army; after great errors regarding roads, crossed Lookout twice. The days of coneen- tration had been a period of intense anxiety, unceas- Ing vigilance, constant watchfulness, courage con- stant, and calentation of the finest order. Many un- told brilliant and courageous acts were performed. The heads of the union army were now joined and we Were once more ready for battle.
Bragg's order to attack on the 18th failed on ac- count of narrow roads, small bridges, difficult fords
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and dense forests, so that at nightfall the rebels were not in position to attack, many of his troops being below Lee and Gordon's Mills. His advance was of five infantry and two cavalry corps, and he really was not ready to deliver battle, under his plan, on the morning of the 19th.
On Friday morning (Sept, 18th) occasional shots of musketry, with now and then a little boom from a small howitzer, on our left and front, in the direction of "Reed's " bridge, intimated to us that Gen. Wilder, who had command of the mounted troops in that direction, was being attacked by the enemy, and as the sounds grew plainer, we knew he ( Wilder) was being pressed back slowly. indicating that Bragg had changed his tacties and instead of retreating, as he had been doing, was now advancing to give us battle or compel us to give up possession of Chatta- nooga. About the middle of the afternoon of the same day we were ordered to move to a position on the bank of the Chickamauga Creek, where we couldl, if necessary, support Gen. Wilder in his efforts to retard the advance of the enemy .. We were really fighting for time and it was a serious question in the minds of those thinking of the really critical situation of the. army of the Cumberland, not knowing that the scat- tered corps were concentrated, thinking Bragg could get his forces in such a position that he might attack each corps separately and thus defeat the whole army in detail. However, subsequent events show that he did not do this. Gen. Wilder stubbornly contested the advance of the enemy until darkness put an end to the conflict for that day, and our battery was not
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called upon to take active part in the affray for that tine. During the night we were moved from our position to another one still farther to the left, and while occupying this position, the troops of Gen. Thomas' corps marched past in the rear of our line and formed a line on our extreme left connecting with us, and in this position we awaited the coming of morning.
Quite early in the morning (Saturday, the 19th) the rattle of musketry and booming of cannons to the left of our position, told us that the enemy were on the move and "feeling," and had found Gen. Thomas, and it was not long until the storm of war rolled down the line and we were all engaged in the work. Some of the time our troops would get a little the advantage and again losing it, and it did seem a part of the time. as if we should compel the enemy to give up the conflict, but several times during the day we were compelled to change our positions, not always on necount of the pressure of the enemy, for on account of the dry state of the woods they caught fire from burning cartridges, fuses, and in some parts of the field it was quite a conflagration, and was exceedingly dangerous to limber chests that had to be open during engagement. as a spark might blow up a lot of amunition if it did no other damage. At one time during the day we were ordered to assist a four-gun Minnesota battery in a peach orchard, which we did by ranging alongside of them, and pro- bably the ten guns rendered the situation of the enemy in our front quite an uncomfortable one, for they made tremendous efforts to dislodge ns and
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finally, notwithstanding the most heroic efforts of our infantry, we had to give up our little peach orchard to the enemy.
On the whole Ifeel justified in writing that wehad successfully held our own through the day's strug- gle, and before the day was quite gone it became cer- tain that the next day's fight would be with Bragg's entire army and Gen. Longstreet's corps in addition; during the afternoon said they had just come. Night ended the battle for the day, and during the night we moved a considerable distance farther to the left and were given to understand that Gen. MeCook's corps had got near enough to our right flank to make a connection with our line.
Our first position this morning (Sunday Sept. 20) was near what is called the "Widow Glenn" house: we did not remain in this position very long how- ever, before we were ordered to a position, in a sort of opening, near a considerable body of small sap- lings or underbrush, where we came into line and threw quite a number of shells over into the woods in our front, eliciting some reply from the enemy's batteries, but nothing of a serious character took place. It appeared however to the general command- ing our line that our position was too advanced or something else, so we were ordered rather more to the rear of this place and now we took what was our last position on this hotly contested battle tiekl. which was in a large clearing with heavy woods in our rear, our front overlooking the place in the open- ings where we were stationed before coming to this position.
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While we were making this movement and after we had taken our position, the infantry of our divi- xion kept steadily moving to the left by an oblique march until there seemed to be no infantry at all in our front, and subsequent events showed that in fact there was none there. Just after the infantry in our front had disappeared from our view, a battery of the enemy came dashing gallantly out into the open- ing in our front, and endeavored to get into position, but ere they could come into line and unlimber, our battery was trained on them so speedily and severely that part of the battery did not unlimber their guns, but rushed back to cover of the woods, and one gun that was unlimbered was left on the field, the limber going back without it. We continued firing into the woods in the direction the battery had gone, and while we were doing this Gen. Crittenden rode up and ordered us to "cease firing" saying at the same time we might hit some of our own men, as he was of the opinion that he had some infantry men in the woods in our front, but after our officers had related to him the affair we had just gone through with a battery of the enemy, he gave us permission to fire again, at the same time cautioning us to use good judgment, and look out for blue coats. While we Were engaged in this work the sputtering of mus- Antry, increasing to crashes and volleys, and the booming of cannons and bursting of shells to the left of us, told that Gen. Thomas was again engaged with the enemy, and it soon rolled down the line in our direction until we were all busy at it. While still engaged in firing in our direct front, we were sudden-
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ly assailed by a terrific musketry fire on our right flank from the direction of the "Widow Glenn" house, which was very disastrous to onr battery. and killed and crippled so many men and horses, and it seemed that nothing short of a miracle could save the bat- tery, especially as the nature of the ground was such that no part of the battery could change front to meet this new danger, and when the bugle sounded "limber up and retire," I (Wm. Plackett) mounted my horse, and as we whirled the limber to the gun trail for the cannoneers to limber up, I gave a rapid glance towards the right of the battery, and then saw how very destructive had been that terrible muske- try fire,-horses rearing and plunging seemingly try- ing to extricate themselves from their fallen mates, and men using herculean efforts to save their guns; 'twas but a glance, as I bad no time to linger. I also looked the other way, and saw that No. 6 was also . limbering np, and in an incredibly short time came rushing past our horses' heads just as we had started, and with such a rush did they come, that our team was swung sharply to the left with such force that we got a lock on the gun trail that was hard to break, and just at this critical moment my off horse got a couple of musket balls in his head, one high up near his ear, the other lower down, more properly on his nose, the blood streaming from both wounds free- ly. We tried hard to get the horses to swing off so as to break the lock and get straightened out, but as we had lost our swing driver, and had only the lead driver and myself left. it was too much for us: the wounded horse would do nothing but rear np and
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fall down, and despite the efforts of the lieutenant commanding our section who stuck right by us until he was satisfied it was a hopeless case, and the enemy fast coming over the ground intervening between us and them, he then said "boys you cannot get the gun off, you had better try now and save yourselves, I cannot help you any more," saluted us with his saber and said "good bye boys" and gal- loped rapidly away. My lead driver (Joel Bates) and myself lost no time in trying to follow his, the lieuten- ant's, advice to save ourselves, and quickly dismount- ing struck out for the woods in our rear, paying no attention to the enemy's cries of halt you - Yan- kres, halt! We did not propose to balt unless com- pulled to by being shot and disabled, so kept on until we reached a slight depression where the musket balls would go over our heads, and here we found part of our officers and quite a number of our men, some of whom were severely wounded. We stopped liere a few minutes to get breath, as we had made pretty fast time; were told by our officers we had bet- ter find the road and get to Chattanooga if we could, so went on in that direction soon coming to a long line of infantry men drawn up across the road with orders to stop everybody, but after the colonel com- manding the line had made inquiries concerning our battery, told us to go on to Chattanooga and report to our officers if we found them, and if not, then to report to Gen. Rosencrans, who he said had just gone in that direction. A few reached Chattanooga about four o'clock in the afternoon tired and hungry, hav- Ing had nothing to eat since before daybreak in the
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morning. This disastrous affair resulted in our los- ing twenty-six men, about thirty-three horses, and five guns, breaking us up pretty badly, too much so to permit a reorganization of the battery.
Streams of demoralized men separated from their commands by the disastrous break to our battery's right, fled toward the rear. This break, as all stu- dents of the battle know, was temporarily caused by the shifting of divisions, and Bushrod Johnson's com- mand poured like a torrent into the gap, overwhelm- ing our right. After that fearful break our lines of battle were not reformed that day; this occurred about noon the 20th; at night our boys that remained had reached Chattanooga. Gen. Thomas, of the cen- ter, held his ground and fought his noble fight until after dark. Our individual losses will appear in the Roster and in a communication from Lieutenant Hubbard to the Madison Journal. The official re- ports of the officers of our part in the battle of Chick- amauga is appended with that of Stone River, etc. We will here note that we went into action with 52 men on our six pieces and that we lost 26 men-or fifty per cent. In the immediate vicinity of our misfortune thirteen more pieces of other batteries were lost.
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Report of Lieut. Cortland Livingston, Third Wis- consin Battery.
Hdqrs. Third Wisconsin Battery
Near Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 27, 1 3.1
Captain: I have the honor to transmit a report of the operations of the battery under my command during the two day's battle of the 19th and 20th Sep-
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tember: I occupied the position taken with the First Brigade on the afternoon of the 19th, until about 12 m., when I was ordered to report to Colonel Barnes, commanding Third Brigade, who moved me to a position in an orchard about 300 yards to the left. and on the right of the road. Remained in battery for about one half hour, when I was ordered forward with the brigade. We moved to the left about a quarter of a mile and took commanding position in an open field. Major Mendenhall then rode up and or- dered me still farther to the left. I took position in a cornfield on right of another battery. The brigade, which had gone into the woods from their last posi- tion, was driven back, when I opened my battery on the advancing line of rebels. They came in front and on the left flank. I continued to fire until the battery on my left was captured.by the enemy, when I lim- bered up and got back to my position in the field on the right, when I opened fire on the woods, filled with the enemy, with great effect, stopping their ad- vance. This position gave me an enfilading fire The Third Brigade rallied and took position on my flanks. From this position I opened a very effective entilade fire on the enemy, did them much injury dur ing several successful charges they were making to their front, in the corn field. They (the enemy) brought up their artillery which was soon silenced by our guns. This position was retained, with slight variation of the line, for the night.
About 3 a. m. of the 20th, word came that the enemy had been cutting roads through the woods all night that they might be able to bring their artillery
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to bear upon our position, and we were ordered to follow the brigade to another position, which we did, joining our division about three miles to the left. After daybreak I filled up my amunition chests and moved forward into line with Third Brigade, when we were ordered to report to Gen. Wood, who im- mediately ordered me out of the woods. I then returned to the open field in the rear and took posi- tion in battery. I was soon ordered by Major Men- denhall, to take position on a hill, about one-fourth of a mile to the left. with the batteries of Capt. Stevens, Capt. Swallow and Lieut. Cushing, Lieut. Cushing being on my right and Capt. Stevens on my left. There was great embarrassment in opening fire from this position on the woods in front. where it was well known the enemy were heavily massed, on account of the impossibility of obtaining any certain information in regard to where our troops were. We were ordered to reserve onr fire until we could see the lines of the enemy. The field and a long strip of woods to our left flank had been left without any in- fantry support, and the enemy seeing this advanced in the woods and their musketry was soon telling with fearint effeet upon our cannoneers and horses. They also brought two masked guns to bear on us. I opened my whole battery upon these woods. The enemy made rapid movement under cover of a corn- field. and completely flanked us, pouring volleys of musketry. I lost 30 horses belonging to my first five pieces, which were also lost, one piece was pulled by hand into the woods, but we could not get away with it. I lost one horse in getting away with the
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sixth piece, which was the only piece saved. My loss in killed, wounded, and missing is as follows: One sergeant, six corporals, and nineteen privates. My caissons being in the rear under the conduct of my stable sergeant, Edward Downey, into whose hands their care was committed, (we being short of com- manding officers) and who deserves special notice for . his coolness and bravery, seeing the charge made their escape. I collected my command together and moved on the ridge of the mountains until I struck the Chattanooga road.
We were flanked by the enemy twice during our mareb, but escaped notice. We arrived in Chatta- nooga about daylight of the 21st. Lieutenant. Hub- bard commanded the left half battery and Lieutenant Currier the right. Their conduct was that of brave and efficient officers. I wish to express the greatest satisfaction in the fighting qualities of our men, for greater bravery under such severe circumstances could not be shown. If particular mention was admissable, I would notice the cool conduct of Corpl. John W. Fletcher, in command of the fifth piece, who though taken prisoner at his gun, by his coolness escaped his captors.
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