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OFDYCKE TIGERS
l-^") 1 1 1 (). \'. 1
A History ol the Rei;iiiient and of the Cuiiipuii^iis and Battles of the Ariiiv of the Cumberland.
BY
CHA1>^I.1^:S '1\ CLARK
Captain Co. F, 125th O V. I.
PUBLISHED BY DIRECTION OF THE I25tli O V. I. ASSOCIATION.
COLUMBUS, o. :
SPAHR & GLENN. 1895.
COl'YlilGHT, IMt.'i,
In the Office of the I>ikii.\kian <>k <om;kI'.ss.
■:;
<3
pkkiwch:.
'"T'^IIM plan nl' tliis \iilu:iic was adoptcil in ihr Itclirf llial llu' stTvirt-h ol I any rc^niiunt, in a lanipai',^! or battle, will In- lirst uiulonstotHt :ind X apincciattii i'idih a yt-ntTjil arcouni of the opiTutiims t»f tin- army, foliowc"! liy a iiiiin- detailed affouiit <>\ tin- |)art taki-n by that ri'gi- iniMit. Ill ih'scribiiij^ ca-npaifiiis and battlt-s, we have tried Id relate in a general way wliat was done and wlm diil it. The aei-uunt is drawn fmni the oHicial re|)()rts eiiii'My, Init we have been materially aided by the wurk of other writers, and especially l)y tiie two volumes prepared by Maj. (Jen. J. 1). Co\ — " Atlanta," and "Franklin and Nashville." The labor of pre- paring the manuscrijit has been lightened by words of eneonrageinent from many comrades, and by valuable contributions, letters and diaries sent by Col. David II. MooRi:, Capt. R.\ls.\ C. Hick, C'apt. Stkkn B. Takks. ('aj>t. E. G. WiiiiKsiDKs, iSergi. Alhkut Mathew.s. V. \.. <iiii!i:i!i. Wii.i.iam Hkck- noLT, (ii:oi;(;K Sti'MI", Scrgt. .TacoI! .Ikwki.i.. Lieut. |i. K. l!i sm and I.ienl. Hknky N. I'kni-iki.d.
Tin: .\iTnoii.
We wire dircited by I lie Uegimeulal Association to devise and exe- cute plans for the publication and sale of this volume to comrades and friends of the rcgiinrnt, Having no money in the treasury, it looked like a case of making bricks without straw, but we havt- oiu-yt-d <irders.
The plan of the work, whereby many other regimi-nls besides our own ri'ceive credit for heroic service, the excellent description of campaignH and battles, the faithful portrayal of army life and experiences, and the portraits of <listinguished otlicers of the army in which wc served and of the ContV-tlerate army opposed to us, makes this an umisually attractive book. We have provideij more copies than are re(|uired to (ill the advancf subscription, and reipiest comrades an<I friends to solicit orders for them.
I I 1 IISON FlT< II, l>. K. Bl.V.STOXK. < '. I,. ( ill.HKKT. < 'iillliiiitlii on I'lllilictltinii.
XABI.E OK CONTENTS
CHAPTER I. Organization op^ the Regiment. The work of ivcruiting, and (les^criptive of camp life and of home life in war time.
CHAPTER II. "On to the Fkont!" From Ohio to the Army of the Cumberland.
CHAPTER III. Arjiy of the Cumberland. From organization to and including the battle of Stone River.
CHAPTER IV. Franklin and Triune. A general account of operations from Feb. 12 to June 23, 1863.
CHAPTER V. TuLLAHOMA Campaign. An account of the operatioiiis by which Rosecran? turned Bragg out of his fortified camp at Tuilahoma.
CHAPTER VI. Chickamauga Campaign. Crossing the Cumberland Mountains, Tennessee River and Lookout Mountain, and the evacu- ation of Chattanooga.
CHAPTER VII. Battle of Chickamauga. A general account of that most sanguinary struggle of modern times, followed by fuller accounts of Wood's division, and especially of Barker's brigade.
CHAPTER VIII. Chattanooga. The two months' semi-siege; the cav- alry raid on our railroad; the fight at Wauhatchie ; Hooker's battle above the clouds; Sherman's assault above the tunnel, and the final graiul cliarge on Mission Ridge by the Army of the Cumberland.
CHAPTER JX. East Tennessee Campaign. Covers the period from the battle at Mission Ridge to the opening of the Atlanta cami^aign, includ- ing the skirmish at Charleston, Tenn., and the battle of Dandridge.
CHAPTER X. Atlanta Campaign. Describes the movements of Sher- man's army, telling what was done and who did it ; brief descriptions of the numerous battles, followed as usual by fuller accounts (^f our own regiment, and incidentally of our own brigade and division.
CHAPTKR XI. A Bio Raid. Hood's grand Hank movement, by which lie reached but failed to hold the raih-oad north of Atlanta ; Sherman's pursuit; the battle of AUatoona.
CHAPTER XII. Hood's Campaign in Tennessee. An account of Hood's advance, I'esisted by the Fourth and Twenty-third Corps and Wilson's cavalry; the battles of Spring Hill, Frani<lin and Nashville; Hood's retreat and the pursuit.
CHAPTER XIII. Opdycke TKiERS in 1805. An account of llic regiment, its officers and men, from Jan. 1 to final discharge, Oct. lit; inciden- tally of the brigade, division and corps.
CHAPTKR .\I\'. TuE 125th O. V. I. Association. The organization, meetings and pi-oceedings of the Association.
ROSTER-INDEX. Includes name of each officer and enlisted man wiio si-rved in tiie 125th after leaving Ohio, with reference to pages where incntioucd, etc.
MS r ( )b^ 1 *( )W ri\' A ITS/-
1 :n i( )x c^r"T'Mc^i:Ks;.
NAMK
Bvt. Mrii.'. <;oii. Ki-aiik .\>kr«
<:iilil. A. I", r.iililwiii .
livt. Mfij. (ii'ii. Ilciiry It. HaiuiiiiH
<;ol. Milton Itiinu-s
Krifj. (u'li. .Iidiii IValty
Bvt. Maj. (it'll. Samiirl lU-atty
Maj. Uvu. I'liiiik I', lilair
Uriff. <iL'ii. II. V. Iii>yiiinii.
Oapt.Ciilli'ii Brailk-y
Uriii. Gi'ii. I.iithur P. Bradk-y
Maj. Gen. .1. .M. lirannan
l^nl. KolK'it I '. Brown
Maj. !Sam\U'l f. Brown . .
liovorniiv .lulin Brontjli
Maj. <ien. Don ( arlo.s ISnvll
Maj. Gfii. .Kintiro.se K. Biirn>iiU' .
Brij;. Gen. \V. 1'. Caiiin
Brig. Gen. Jo.seiili Conrad. Maj. Gen. .Iidin M. Corse.
Brig. Gen. B. K. Cowan
Maj. Gen. ,larol> I). Co.\
Maj. Gen. Tlioiiias I, Criitendeii Maj (ieii. George Crook . . . •
I. S3 117
las
•J!» I'.K!
Maj. l!ov.
Bvl Bvt
Bvt. Maj. Bvt.
Maj. Brig Bvt. Maj. Maj. <Jen. Bvt.
(ien. .Ieller.Min C. DaviN
rnor William l)enni,s(ni
Miij. Gen. Wa.sliinglon I.. Klliott. Maj. (ien. llngli Kwiiig
Maj. (ien. .Manniii.g l'"oice.
Gen. .I«diii O. Foster
Maj. (ien. John W. Knller
(ien. .lames A. (iarlield
Gen. Israel (iarrard
Maj. Gen. Kenner Garrard
Gen. .lolm W. Geary.
(ien. (ionlon (irauger
riysses S. (iraiit
Brig. (ien. Charles II. Grosveiior
IIJ ;!.'4 lo:t Ml
IM is-j
ll'.d :;is |.">i l;;.s :i.'S
:!;it;
.•■.(is
•JCi'.l 1S.S
•JO.'i
.i ■>•^
17
i.r.
11)9
Maj. (ien. Henry W . Ilalleek.
N»Mt I'AliK
Brig. (ii-n. ( harle.s (i. Hark«T . -jsi
Brig. (ien. Benjamin Harrison :M'w>
Brig. (ien. William B. Ilazen 110
C(d. llans C. Ileg '.r>
Col. James T. Holmes. . ■.'-.'l
Maj. Gen. .losepli Hooker l.'>7
Maj. (Jen. Oliver (). Howard 186
Bvt. Brig. (ien. .'^amnel H. Hnr-i .. ISO
Brig. Gen. Kiehanl \V. .lolm.son .V
Brig. (ien. Theodore Joiie> liii
Brig. (ien. I':dwin N. Kirk 1 .7
Mag. (iiii. .\l. n. l.eg'.;ell Miy
Maj. (ien. John A. l.ogan. 'itM
C(d. Kli Long si
Brig. (ien. William H. I,\ili .s»i
Col. Arlhiir Me.Xrihiir. . . XIH
.Maj. (ien. A. Mrll. Me( ook M
Brig. (ien. Kaiiiel MeCock 262
Col. Ale.xander .Mellvain 'ii'*
Brig. (ien. N. C. .Mel-ean :H1
Maj. (ien. James B. .Mel'lierson 'J'.t:!
Col. Kol.erl H. (i. Miniy l.">
Brig. (ien. Jcdin (i. .Mitehell liNi
Maj. (ien. James S. Negley GTi
Brig. (ien. Kdward K. Noyc- •.'.s.'i
Maj. (ien. I'eter.l. Osierhaii- l.%8
Miij. (ien. .lohn M. I'liliiu r 71
Maj. (ien. John G. I'arke. Jn*
Col. (ieorge T. IVrkins 181
Sergt. Maj. (i. ."^ I'ope •J7.')
Maj. (ien. T. K. (i. Kaiisom :!II
Brig. (ien. James W. Ueilly ',12
Maj. (ien. William S. IJoseerans 27
Maj. (ien. I.ovell H. Bosseaii. V.i
Lieut. Gen. John M. .Sholield JKi
Gen. I'liilip II. . Sheridan 1(11.172
(ien. William T. Sherman. 221
■ Sf.> llost.r-In.i.x l..r (...rlniii
1 ,,l til- 1 ■ .th (). \'. I.
TJ8T OF PORTRAITS.— f/ft/on Offic/r>'—C(iiiluivnl.
NAMK I'AGK
Hvt. Brig. Geu. Isaac R. Sherwood 329
Brig. Gen. J. W. Sill 80
Maj. Gen. Henry VV. Sloenm 189
Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Smith 359
Maj. Geu. David S. Stanley 35
Maj. Geu. James B. Steedmau 82
Maj (Jen. George Stonemau 311
Col. William L. Stoughton 163
Col. Edgar D. Swain 16S
Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas 87
Governor David Tod 140
Col. William R. Tolles 179
Brig. Gen. Horatio P. Van Cleve 52
NAMK HAUK
Brig. Gen. Ferdinaud Van hcrveer 101
Brig. Geu. George D. Wagner 330
Bvt. Maj. Gen. Charles C. Waleutt 162
Col. Nathan H. Walworth 152
Col. James Watson 296
Col. George Web.ster 316
Col. Horatio N. Whitbeck 286
Maj. Gen. John T. Wilder 79
Maj. Gen. James H. Wilson 320
Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Wood 102
Bvt. Maj. Gen. Charles R, Wood.s 1.59
Col. William H. Yovuig 1.53
CONKEDKRAXE OKKICERS.
Maj. Gen. William H. Bate. 176
Geu. Braxton Bragg 28
Maj. Gen. John C Breckinridge 113
Lieut. Gen. Simou B. Buckner 98
Lieut. Geu. Benjamin F. Cheatham 325
Maj. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne ."31
Lieut. Geu. Nathan B. Forrest 25
iJeut. Geu. William J. Hardee 72
Maj. (Jen. T. C. Hindman 103
Gen. John B. Hood .us
Maj. Gen. Bushrod R. Johnson 100
Gen. Jcseph E. Johnston 222
Maj. Geu. J. B. Kershaw 123
Maj. Geu. E. M. Law 101
Lieut. Geu. Stephen D. Lee 310
Lieut. Geu. James Longstreet 88
Mtij. Gen. William W. Loring 363
Lieut. Gen. Leonidas Polk 265
Brig.. Gen. Preston Smith 97
Maj. Geu. Carter L. Stevenson 364
Lieut. (Jen. Ale.xauder P. Stewart 91
Maj. Gen. Earl Van born 313
Maj. (ien. W. H. T. Walker 312
Maj. (ien. Edward C. Walthall 361
Lieut. Geu. Joseph Wheeler 145
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Mattlelield of Chiekauiauga 89
Battlefield of Franklin . . 331
Battlefield of Mis.sion Ridge 136
Battle Scene 372
Chickamauya Monumeut— r.lth O. V. I. 317
Cliiekamauga Mon\uiient — 65th O. V. I. 308 Chickamauga Monument — 125th O. V. I. 443
Lee and Gordon's Mill 96
Suodgrass House 134
Maps 220. 244, 251 , 319
HWK i.VUl^: OKCJrAXlZA'lK )XS
In which THH 12Stll O. y. 1. SHRVHI).
To Ji NK S, ]Si\:\.
Aniiii of Ihf Ohio Maj. (Jen. (ioKDnN (iuAMiKw, Coiii(l';j.
Tenth Dirixioii — Brig. Cleii. ('. C. Gii-ukkt.
ThirtiiJourlU liriijinh —(.\)\. Wil.l.lAM V. Hkid; Col. (>. H. r.\Y.\K.
Rt'ijiininlx in Thirt!/-J(ntrth nriijiiih' '.(Stii. lll'.tli, I'-'lst, l'_'4tli aii.l IJ-Mli (»hio.
Ji NK s TO ()( Toi!i:i; s, isci:;.
Tmutii-jinft Arini/ ''.)/•; /.s -Maj. (icii. Thomas L. Ckittk.nmkn. Firxl Diri.tion — Brig. Cn'ii. Thomas. I. Wood. Third Bri<jii(h'—Co\. Ciiakmcs (i. Hakkki;.
fiefjimeula in Third Brigade — Snl Kentucky: (Utii. (i.">lli ami rj.">tli ojiin; (.ih Pxitt cry. Ohio l.ight Artillery.
OtTOHEK S, 1S(>.'., TO SkI'TKMIIKU !». ISti-J.
Fonrlh Ann;/ Corps — Maj. (ion. (Jokdon ( Iijanoki; ; Maj. (Jen. <».(». IImwmm);
Maj. (Ji'ii. David S. Sta.nlky. Sramd Diri.-iion ^Ma'}. (ion. V. H. Siikkidan ; Brig. Cu'ii. John Nkwto.v. Third Briijmh- — Brig. (icMi. Ciiaki.ks <i. II arkek; Brig. (icn. Litiikk I*.
15i;ai)i,i:y. Rr(jiniinls in Third Urii/od, L'-_'inl. L'Tth, 4'Jii(l. .Mst ami 7!tli I!lin.>i>; i'.id
Kcntiifky; (l-ltli, (.'ith and IJ'itli Ohio.
Octohku '.'. 1S(>4, to Si;i'tkmi!i:k iTi, 1S().">.
l-'iiiirtli Ann;/ Cnrjis Mn'}. ( ini. !>. S. Stam.ky ; .Maj. (I en. Thomas .1. Wu. m ;
Maj. Cien. I). S. Stanley. Stroud Division — Brig. Clen. Geoi{<;e D. \Va(.ni:i:; Brig. (icii. \V. h. Ki.i.iott;
Bvt. Maj. (lOii. Kmkk.son Oi'dyike; Brig. (u-n. .Ioseimi Conkad. First Brif/adr — Brig. Ucii. Kmeijson Oimiycke; Col. John Hi-.s.skm.. Rrglmcids in Firxt Brigade- -'i\) . I \\m\ 1S(;.">: :5()th, 44th. Tonl, 74th and SSth
Illinois; 24th Wisconsin and r_'r>th Ohio. After .Iinic. ISd."): •!«;tl>
and 44th Illinois: 4iith and "STth Indiana: ■JfUh and l-_'.'>th Ohio.
1. 1 ST OK BATTLKS,
111 addition to nunierous skirniislies and conibats, the 125tli 0. V. I. was engaged in tlie following battle^*:
1. Franklin, Tenn., April 10, 1863.
2. Chickamauga, Ga., September 19, 20, 1863.
3. Mission Ridge, Tenn., November 25, 1863.
4. Dandridge, Tenn., January 17, 1864.
5. Rocky Face Ridge, Ga., May 8, 9, 1864.
6. Resaca, Ga., May 14, 15, 1864.
7. Adairsville, Ga., May 17, 1864.
8. Cassville, Ga., May 19, 1864.
9. New Hope Church, Ga., May 27 to June 4. 1864.
10. Pine Mountain, Ga., June 14, 15, 1864.
11. Muddy Creek, Ga., June 18, 1864.
12. Kenesaw Mountain, June 19, 23 and 27, 1864.
13. Nancy's Creek— Buck Head, Ga., July 18, 1864.
14. Peach Tree Creek, Ga., July 20, 1864.
15. Siege of Atlanta, July 28 to August 31, 1864.
16. Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864.
17. Lovejoy Station, Ga., Septem])er 2-4, 1864. IS. Spring Hill, Tenn., November 29, 1864.
19. Franklin, Tenn., November 30, 1864.
20. Nashville, Tenn., December 15, 16, 1864.
''Opdvckk Tiobrs/'
CllAl'Kli I.
()i;«. \.\i/ATi()X oi' Tin; i;i:<iiMKXT
(IIIIKKS IIIMM I AMI'.)
Camp Cleveland, Sept. 1, 1S(;2. Dear Tum: —
Your intbnnatioii is corroct ; I am a soldici-. You must select anotlier room mate for tlie fall term. Mv school i\n\^ are probably emled. Fatbcr Al>ra- liam called for three hiiiidred thou- sand more volunteers, to serve for three years, or during the war.* My mind was settled to become one of till' number as soon as I read the call. My parents plead with me to stay in school one year louijer. but I feai"e(l the war mii:'lit end hefoi'e thr year exjiired. We ai'ii'ued the ease for several weeks, for, thoutjh re- solved to go, I wished to secure their consent, and tiiially sueei-eded. ll was at the l)reakfast tahle on the
2'2nd of last month, when T mentioned the iiaiiu-s of siveral other boys of my own age who hatl eidisted, that my father said: "1 would rather go myself, and send you back to school."" Turning fiuickly towards mother 1 saw an unusual paleness and an expression of pain on her face, and knew at once that they had talked the matter over and decided to h't me go. I shall not trv to descrihe mv own sensations or
coi.oNKi, Oi-nvcKK (In;:!).
*(all of .Iiilv f.. isc:
2 OPDYCKE TIGERS,
wliat followed. Before night your old cliuni was enrolled in Captain Bruif's company, and here we are in camp, drilling eight hours daily. It is hard work, worse than harvesting, hut we are told that when we get " set up," so as to stand and walk correctly, the drill will cease to irritate one's muscles and become an agreeable exercise. At present this particular soldier would prefer to play town ball. Will tell you more about camp lite in my next; must get ready for squad drill just now. Good-bye. Write often.
Faithfully yours.
Camp Cleveland, Sept. 16, 1862. Dear Tom: —
We have just been mustered in as Company A, 125th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. We expected to go with the 105th Regiment, but it seems that ten other companies secured the requisite number of men before we did, and we are left ^« 4m ^^ ^^it- The Governor ordered another regi-
'\. -^m ment to be recruited from the northeast
corner of the State, and assigned us to it. I must introduce you to our officers, those ^^S* ^s^^^ J liave seen. Do you remember in the T^ account we read of the battle of Shiloh,
what was said about Capt. Emerson 0}»- dycke, Company A, 41st O. V. I.? I do very well. He was acting as Major, and was wounded, a minnie ball })assing through his arm. His regiment had a rough ex])erience, but came out of tbe tiglit coxercd with glory, a result to which Oiulycke's heroic conduct and good judgment contributed not a little. He is to be our Colonel. lie looks like a hero, six feet in stature, a tine figure, grace- ful and quick i.i movement, blue e3'es of the kind that seem to look through and see just what you ai'c thinking: aiul liow
(1)1.. .Iii>Ki'ii l{i;riK,
ORCiAXf/.A'J'/OX.
tlii'V do riasli wlicii :iii a\\k\\;ii'<l t'cllnw o-ocs wi-niiu- i,ii drill! llis voice is iimiu'iisc. A tln»iisaiid iiifii in liin' will readily hear liis coiiiniaiids. \\\< lionic is in WaiTcn, 'rriiinltnll County.
Hon. K. r>. Taylor, a |ir(»iniiu'iil lawyei' i •!' W'aiTcii, i> to be Lieutenant-Colonel. Those who know him say no i>ettei' selection eould have heen made from eivil lite. Kor Major we have drawn on the famous 7th Ohio, and taken Ca]>t. George L. Wood of Oom}»any 1>. II*- looks every inch a soldier and hero, thouu^h he is now sutferiuii,- from the effects of a wound ri'ceivt'd in tlu- battle of Port Repuhlic dune l», 1862. Our C'onii>any otheers are Oapt. Joseph Brutf, aged 80, ot' (^)naker extraction, I tliiid< : well edui-ated; a ([uiet hut tirm-aiiitearing man, very much in earnest in his work, insisting on i)roniptness and good order. l)Ut kind lu'arted and
fatherly in his demeanor towards us ma.i. <.i.. 1 ^ i--..
when off duty.
First Lieut. lvo])ert 15. Stewart, auccl i^tl. handsome, smil- ing and jolly when things go right: sharp, i»rom)tt, imperious in reproof at the sightest infraction of discipline or want of attention on drill.
Second Lieut. Alexander Dickson, aged 24, has a good strong face, a fine iigure. makes no mistakes on drill, nuiin- tains the dignity becoming the wearer <jf shoulder strajis with an easy grace that excites no envy, ami he alrca<ly c<uu- mands tlie respect and has tin- good will of every nicmhcr of tlie company.
How do 1 like camp life? Well, that is hardly a perti- nent question. We do not don Mue coats and shouhh-r muskets, forsake home, and ahandon control of our own
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
movements for three years because tlie life of a soldier is in itself better or to be better liked than student life. But I will tell you something about the cam}), and let you form your own conclusions. It is located across a narrow valley from the edge of the city. We live in barracks, constructed with unplaned pine boards, having a tier of wide shelves across the end, like apple bins in a cellar, one above the other, on which we sleep, and a narrow shelf along each side
that we use for tables; we stand while eating, having no ciiairs. We have straw and grey wool blankets for beds, and oui' knapsacks serve for jiillows. Our table furniture consists of one tin plate, one tin cup, and a knife, fork and spoon for each man. Bread is sliced on the shelf and placed beside the plates; meat, vegetables and soup are brought in from the cook shanty in the large camp kettle in which they are'cooked and ladled out upon the plates. Coffee comes in the same| kind of a kettle, and we dip in with oui- tin cups. So much for the government fare. We get extras — ]iiilk, butter, })ies, etc. — according to our finances and appetite. To tell the honest truth, I look for- ward to a total absence of the extras when we go to the front with some misgivings. There goes the supper call now. Good-bye. I'm hungry.
<'Ai'r. K. li. Si i;\VAi;-| ilMll).
Camp Cleveland, Oct. 10, 1862. My Dear Captain: —
Your letter received. Glad to hear from old friends at the front. The victory at Perryville i)roves to have been less decisive than the peo})le longed for, and, as usual, the news-
0R(;A.\ l/.ATIOX
pajtors contain sonic ci'iticisnis. I find the woi'k of orcjaniz- inii' a new rcii-inicnt (|uit(' a ditliiMit task. It i> almost a inontli since niv lirst coni|iaiiv \\a> mustered in. ami none ot' the otliei's are I'cadv yet. tlioiii^-ji ijn'ec captain> lia\e each enouii'h iiu'Ii to insui'c success, while three othci's are loss ho[)etiil. I ha\"e only seven companies >tarted. and do not know whci'c till' i't,'niaininii" tliree comiianics are to conic from. The tci'i'itory assiu;ned to me as recruit in4' ii'rotind is limited in extent, and lias turnislu'd several i"ei;"inieiits ali'eady. When the call tor tioojis was issued in July, ()hio a! I'ca dy had ciu-hty-ciii-ht rcu-iniciits ot' in la lit y\ in the lie Id. and also ;i t'air proportion of caxalry and artillery, makinii' in all over one hundred thousand men. rndci'the present call, tliirty-eii;-ht regiments ot infanti-y, numhei'ed from SiHli to li'tith. have hceii autlntrizt'd, the liii;'lier niimliers hciiii:' a>si<4'iieil after one ot the lower was ahout ready for the tield. We tollowcd the l<)-")th ()liio, which scciii-cd ten full comiianics from the same territory in a few weeks. I'he lJ4tli is in the same camp with us, and are gettiiiij; alouii' ahout as we are. If
tlie two were consolidated we could till and u'o t(» the ticid very soon, l)nt tliat would invoK'i' the sacritice of amhitious otKcers who lia\'c rendered \aluahlc sci'\ice. and raise (pies- tions of preci'di'iici' ditliciilt to atl'pist, and i> an cxpccliciit not to be adopted while there is ho[ie of success for l>oth. There is 1)ut ojie advantaii'o in slow irrowtli. The men who come to camp tirst hccoiiic thorouii-hly drilled and disci- plined, and that makes it easier ami <piickei- work to hi-ino- the recruits up to the standard of etiicicnt soldiers. I would forego that advantage most joytully for the privilege ot
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Cm] . K. !•. Hail- . I-
6 OPDYCKE TIGERS,
joining you next week at the head of a full regiment, even if the men did not know enough about war to right face. Write often ; I'm always hungry for news from my old com- rades. Remember me to friends in the 41st.
Faithfully yours,
E. 0.
Camp Cleveland, Nov. 1, 1862. Dear Tom: —
It is six weeks since Company A was mustered in, and the second company was mustered in only to-day. Two
others have nearly enough men, and hope to muster in Ijefore long, while three others have not more than half the required number. The company mustered in to-day lias been acting as the color com- pany, and is designated Company C in order to retain the colors. Its otHcers are Capt. Edward P. Bates, First Lieut. Hemon li. Harmon and Second Lieut. Ridgley C. Powers, all three bright men and popular officers. jS'either of the three are over twenty-four or live years of age, and Harmon is ])rob- ably not yet a voter. Bates and Harmon served in the 19th Ohio three-months' service. Powers graduated from college last dune.
We are getting <piitc }>roticient in the manual of arms, company evolutions and skirmish drill. Having so few com- panies we have not tried battalion drill very often. We are now using bugle calls instead of oral commands on skirmish drill, and the boys learn the calls quite readily. The one we like to hear most is recall from drill, and the next best is the dinner call. Reveille is good music, but would be more
cm't. i;. c. I'ciwKKs iisr.ii
ORCAM/..iriOX. 7
jHt[»reciate(l it" it niiiK' a littK- later than >iiiiii>('. Tattoo
tiiids lis ready tor Itcd most niulits, and a niajoiliy of tin*
liijhts are out ln'tori- '-talis." I do nut like i:uartl duty,
especially at niu'lit, Imt lortiinatfly my turn doos not coinr
often. The »;'uai'ds are stationc(l to
keep men from ii;oinii- to the city
at niii'lit. Some of tlinn i:-o all
the sami', fitlicr hy slippiiiii- ai-ross
the line, or hy arranii't'inciit with a
coniraiK' mi i;'uard, who (.'.\|ircts the
favor to hi- reeii»i'(X-ate(h We can
get }>asses in day time, a few at a
time, and T prefei' tliat to the h»ss of
sleep and risk of capture and con-
tinement in the guard house, with
extra duty under guard cleaning up
tlie cami*.
Up to thite I liave Inid no occasnui to respond to the surgeon's call. Next week I will get a furlough to visit my home, and will then see you. I'ntil then gootl-hye.
Sincerely yours,
(Mr, A. Vkomans (IstVli.
Ca.mi' t"i.i:vi;LAM>. Nov. I'li, lst;2. 1)i:ah Tii.m: —
Two more ctunpanies have been mustered into the liotli, and 1 will introduce you to tlu'ir otticers. of whom you will, doubtless, get good reports if tuir corropondeiice is main- tained. Company 1) was mustered in on the 17tli inst. Its ottieers are Cajtt. Albert Veonuuis. of Warieii : First Lieut. Elmer Moses and Second l^ieut. Charles Uai'shman, all tall, tine-looking gentlemen. Lieutenant Moses was a sergeant in Company A, 41st < ). A'. 1.. and receives pronn»tion. lu) doubt, from having won the go<)d opinion of the i-olonel, wiio, you will remember, comes to us from that regiment.
8
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
Company D was mustered in to-day. Capt. Isaac D. Spauldiug, First Lieut. Marshall M. Eichards and Second Lieut. Ephraim P. Evans are Portage County men, and, judging from appearances, Avill prove to be popular and suc- cessful officers.
We have gained three companies in two months. At that rate of progress we will not get to the front before next Spring. There are three other companies pro- jected, but neitlier has over lifty men. There is also a camp rumor that negotiations are in progress for a consolidation of our own and another regiment of about equal strength now in camp at Manslield. If that is accomplislied, it may be- come necessary to decline all holiday invitations and prospects. We begin to think ourselves veterans, and im- agine that even regulars would iind it ditticult to outshine us on drill. My health is perfect and appetite corresponds.
Faitli fully youi's,
U|;N. II. I'.. I'.\NMN(
Camp Mansfield, Dec. 1, 1862. Dear Cousin John: —
Your very interesting letter came to my hands to-day, having been forwarded from my home. If com})liance with your request for a full and detailed account of my life and experiences since we parted would give you half the pleasure I had from reading your account of yourself and other col- lege chums, it would be ungenerous not to attempt the role of autobiography; l)ut I fear my natural aversion to writing and inability to draw on imagination for materials whei'ewith to embellish the narrative would rob it of that charm which
ORG AX //.ATI ox.
ynur fiicik' |»en sfives to all vmir Icftt'i-s. However, you shall liavi' some of the ])roiniiieiit fju-ts in the rereiit careei* of your soldiei' eoiisln.
I left eolK'ii'e with lull intent to enlist iind y>\\\ "M friends in the Kith < ). \'. 1. lieaciied home in the niicht : next morning learned that there was ;i call for st-veral shoi-t- term regiments, and that a s(juad ot ai»out twenty hoys from the village, ineluding two of my cousins, had enlistiMl tor one of tliese I'egiments. it i'e(|uiretl imt little iier>iiasi(in t(» indnee me to join them.
We left hoiiu' on the same date, honnd Imi' ('ani|i ('hase. The hurry of preparation kept oiii- minds from dwelling on the dai'U side of things, and motliers and sisters husied iheniselves getting togethei- litth' things that might he useful in camp, hut frcun time to time their faees would show too ]p|aiidy what it i-ost them to sujiport the Union. Long hefore tiu' train ar- sa rivi'd the entire popuhuH' was gath- ered ahout the I'ailway station, and we reei'uits for onei- in our lives wore ohjeets of puldie interest.
It w^as gratifying to he so kindly gret-ted hy neighhoi's, old and young, and it helped t<» keejt our spirits up to jiar. .I(din. I shall nevei' forget my mother's face as it appeared when 1 turned away to hoard the train. She had lu-eii pale hut (piiet and tirm, trying to eoiieeal her disti'ess. and suc- ceeded l»ravely until the last moment, wdu-n. as we }»arti'd. an expression of jiain and despair eame into her eye< and upon lier face tliat 1 hope nevei- to see again.
The train was well tilled with recruits, and aecession.^i to the raid<s A\ere I'eceived at every station. ( )n arrival at Cohnnhus, a committee condueted us to a ro(un neai' the
<'A1T. Stii.n H. 1'm:k> (1.h<'>3).
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
depot, whore we \vere supplied with hot coffee and sand- wiches, provided by patriotic citizens. Xext we marched to the Htate House, and our party slept, at least tried to sleep, on the tloor of the corrider, between the Supreme Court room and Law Library ; but the dignity and grandeur of our surroundings failed to compensate for the absence of bedding.
We were a tired and seedy-looking crowd as w^e formed line at (hiybreak and marched off to camp. On arrival we hastened to tind the quartermaster and commissary, who counted the squad, tilled blank requisitions for camp kettles
and pans, fuel and food, and left us standing in line wdiile the papers went to headquarters for approval. In the course of an hour we were assigned to a barrack — you would call it a shanty — and, in course of time, received rations. Next day our S(|uad joined similar groups from Knox and Guernsey Counties, the tliree making a full company, and then elected officers, one from each county named, and were as- LiEUT..co,..i..H.MuouK(i8M.. _^.^^^^^^ .^^ Company I of the 85th
O. V. 1. Five regiments were organized in the camp within a few days, 84th to 88th inclusive. On muster-in we were provided with uniforms, guns and equipments, and did our best, by judicious exchanging, to make the clothes tit. You will not care for a description of life in a recruiting rendezvous.
AVe remained at Camp Chase for several weeks, engaged in drilling and guarding prisoners. There were several thou- sand of the latter contined within a stockade: that is, tlieir part of the camp is enclosed by a very high board fence, near the top of which is a platform, on which the sentinels stand
ORGAXl/..\riO.\
guard. In. Inly we went to K»'iitucky, iiial<iii_u' sli«»rt lialts first at Cviitliiaiia ami au'aiii at Li'xiiiiftoii, aii«l lir<ni<ilit n|> filially at I-'raiiktoii, wlicro wc Itivoiiacki'd in the State ilmisc yai'd and rcniaiiird tor sonu' weeks, taking:- tnrn><'n picket duty, drillinii' a littlo, lioldiui; (Ircss parades lor the editicallon of the c'iti/A'iis, and enjoyiuii tlie liospitalify ol" unionist fami- lies. On OIK' occasion we made a rapid mareli on a hot (hiy to intercept a hoily of the encuiys eavahy. and met tiie hos- tile horsemen a fi'W miles t'roiu the city. JJotli sides halted. Our force formed liiu' iironiptly, and a section of artillei'v iinlimt)*'i'e(l and openeil tire. The enemy was prohaMy advised as to the streiiii'th and ( har- acter of our force: at all events, they halted only lonu" enoii<:li to develoji our [»ositioM, then turnecl oft' to oiii' side and delihei'ately rode around us, in plain siu'lit. hut too faraway for etfi-ctive musketry tire. We lined up to a stone fence, think- ing tliey might intend a chariTi', hut they hud otlier l)nsinessto atteml to. and soon disa[>peari'<l. We marched to a railway line, and were taken hack to the city on cars.
At this time there was great excitt-nicut on account >d" Bragg's nioveuieiit i>n L<uiis\'ille and Kirhy Smith s advance against Cincinnati. We were taken hy train to Louisville, and then, on exi»irati(Ui of our term of servit-e, returm-d to Columbus, Ohio, for muster-out. 'IMie sTth t ». \'. 1. was mustered out at the same date. Its Colonel, lleiiiy 1'.. Ihin- ning, was authorized to organize a new regiment lor three years, under tlu' call issue<l in duly, and to reudczvtuis at Manslield. Nearly all of the Kimx and Wayne County men in our com})any re-enlisted at once, and as our captain, Steeii B. Parks, was from Knox County, we naturally fell into tlie
C\|-| MS \\||ITK>II>F>- |1W2).
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
new 87tb. We found in Camp Mansfield tlie 120th Ohio just rea<ly for tlie liekl, and the 112th Eegiment not nearly so prosperous.
Up to date the 87th has made slow progress in recruit- ino". The reo-iments tirst recruited under the r)resent call seem to have taken about all the men and boys who care to volunteer this fall. Many of the boys say they will go to
school this winter and enlist for the spring cam[)aigns. David H. Moore, who was Captain of Company A in the old 87th, is to l)e our Lieutenant- Colonel. Edward G. Whitesides, who served in the 87th, is to be Adjutant. So far four captains have been a[)[>ointed, Steen B. Parks, Calton C. Baugh, Daniel A. Stinger and Sterling Manchester, but neitlier captain has men enough, the total force being only about two ' '" " ' """" ""'■ hundred. It is said that we are to
be sent to Cleveland and merged into another regiment; and there may be some truth in the report, for no furloughs are given and recruiting parties are returning to camp. No doubt we will meet betV^re long, and surely at Christmas tide if not before. Write often.
Faithfully yours,
Camp Cleveland, Dec. 5, 1862. Deau Tom: —
We have been reinforced. The 87th O. V. I., four small companies, marched into camp to-day, and it is understood will be merged into the 125th. Negotiations are now in progress to determine which officers shall be retained. The 87th men have served a sliort term and they show it. Their
ORCAXr/.A'lIOX.
»3
clotlu's tit, their belts do not appear to diat'e: wlicii a»iii'ii»'»l to bai-racks, tliev broke ranks niiietlv and wwv at lionie without exi-itenient or eontusion : tht-ii- ofKcers arc <rood- h)(d<iii'4' NMMinii" men. who scciii to know their hii-incss. Ai- toii'ethcr \vc ai*' I'axoralilv impressed by thi- mw arii\als, and hope aiiotiier Kit of tiic >anic tpnditv nniy lie found cie huiij-. We tire of this camp ami loiiu- for i-hauii-e, Init (h» not liope for nnii'chin^' (trih'rs until the reii'inu'ut secures its lull ipiota of nu'U.
Cami' ('i,i:vii,.\Nn, \^vv. 2-'), 1S(;2. Di-AR Tom: —
T1ku\' has licen a liX'iu'ral coiisoli(hiti(Ui of detachments, and we now have i'ii;dit companies. ("()h)nel Ihinninu's four detaehmeiits went toijether ami formed two full eouipanies, 1'] an<l Y . The ottieers of Conniauy \\ \\w ('apt. (". ('. T>au-h. First Lieut. Daniel A. JStini;-er and Seeond Lieut. Albert Barnes, all of Knox County. The officers of Comiiany Fare ('apt. Steen F>. Parks, First Lieut. David IIunii)lirey and Seeond Lii'iit. Charles T. (.'lai'k. All are yomii:' men exet'[itini;' Captain IJauiih. ami liuve been in service, Stinu'cr and Barnes in the 4tli 0.\ . L, ami the otiiers in the 8oth O. \'. I. Captain Mam-hester retires, but says he will try au'ain at the lii>t opjiorf unity, and hopes to win a t-aittaincy.
The renuiininu" thri-e companies started f(U' the Il'-mIi have l)een (.-onsolidated into two, ami mu>terei| in as ('om|ia- nies G and IL
Tlie officers of Company (i are ("apt. William Cary
c Ml. \V. c. Hi NT> I W..!).
14
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
Bunts, First Lieut. William W, Cushing and Second Lieut.
Martin Y. B. King, all of Mahoning County and young men.
King comes from the 19tli O. V. I.
The officers of Company H are Capt. Anthon}' Vallender,
late of the Prussian Army ; First Lieut. Biley M. Merrill and
Second Lieut. Francis Hendry,
It has been decided that Lieutenant-Colonels Taylor and Moore will both retire and Banning is to take the Lieutenant-Colonelcy, leaving Opdycke Colonel and Wood Major. Edward G. Whitesides is to be Adjutant and Abner B. Carter Quartermaster. The latter served in the same capacity in the 87th. The staff organization will be completed by the muster-in of Henry McHenry as Surgeon and John E. Darby as Assistant Surgeon.
The regiment now presents a tine appearance on drill and parade.
A number of officers and men liave spoken for leave of
absence to go home during the holiday season, and you may
look out for me on Christmas morning.
Faithfully yours,
M. lll.NK^ 1^
Camp Clevklaxd, Jan. 1, 1863. Dear Mother: —
The telegram sent last evening to notify yon of my ina- bility to get away was worded so as to give some hopes of better luck for to-day. My leave of absence had l)een signed and was in my pocket, and I was busy preparing for the trip when an orderly came in with a message from the Colonel to the effect that all leaves of absence and furloughs were sus- pended, nnirching oi-ders having been received, oi- i-ather
ORC.Wl/.lTfOX
15
orders to In- ri':i«ly to moxc at a lnoliu-iit's notice. It is pi'oli- al)U' that tin' ii'i-oat battle now in ]iro<i-iTs-> near M iirtVrcsl>oi-o, Tciin.. lias iiKJiiccil tlie ofder as a in'i'cautioiiaiy iiifasiu'*', and that it may he connt crniaiided in tlic event of a I'nion victoiT. Ill iliai ease you will sec nic within a tew da\s, tor I'm determined to visit yon het'oi'i' u-oinii- to the front it' it i> jiossihle to do sf). Xo donht similaf or(h'rs have heen i:i\rii in all recruitiiii;- camjis. and thousands ot' mothers have had tlieir Xew Year's dinner and festivities spoiled, while thou- sands of homesiek l)oys are writing- letters of similar import t(» this one. After all, our mothers will be less distressed than the mothers of the bovs now in lioseeran>" armv. ^' ^'
C'a.mi' C'i.i:vi:i. \Nh. .Ian. -J. lst;:5. Dkar To.m: —
We are under orders foi' i)ixie. I'^veryt hiiii:- packed. We eould slinu' kiiapsaeks and mareh out of camp (Ui tive minutes' notiei'. Tliere is a well-detiiied fear that it will prove a false alarm, and that is pred- icated (as Profi'ssor IF. woidd say) on the fact that wi- havi' oidy eii^ht companies; but our otHcers are anxious to tjet away, ami may sm- ceed. The Governor is on our sidi', and [iromises to furnish the two ail- ditional companies after we go to the tield. We have lost a o:<»o(l many men by desertion, a few from sickness and a few more i»y transter to cavalry reu-imeiits. so that not over six "hundred are present to,- < ^.^. r.r.MK,: m...k. ,iv.:,.
<luty out of 7-')l enlisti'd men musterecl in. The deserter- were men piiki'd u[i in the city, aiid came to u> through \\a
i6
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
ettbrts of wai'd or townsliip committeemen, who hired them to enlist in oi-der to till up the ward or township quota. We call such fellows bounty jumpers, and perhaps it is just as
well for the reputation of the regi- ment that they are gone. We expect to go to Kentucky or Ten- nessee, because our marching orders came with the iirst news of Rose- crans' advance on Murfreesboro, and there seems to be some connection between the events. However, we do not know anything about it, and have been in service long enough to realize the folly of inquiring.
Sergt. Freeman Thoman just came in with the latest news. We are to march to-morrow morning sure, and must send home everything of value that cannot be carried. As I have a package to send will close liere. Good-bye.
Faithfully your friend.
Cai'T. Aj.i'..\aM'|;i: Iiukson il.sO'i).
<'Ai'r. Albkhi Ykii.mans, H U'^V')-
(•ii.\i"i'i:u II
O.N To 11 ll". l"l;o.\l-.
(r.XTi:A<Ts riMiM makv. istir?.)
•laiiuai'y ^5. — The l"J')tli ()liio iiiai'du'd this iiKH-iiiiii:;, througli deep iniid, tVoiii Cainji Clevt-laiid to the railway depot, and boarded cars loi" C'ineiiiiiati. The tiaiii eoiisists of ordinary passcnijer coaclies, in which eacli scat is occupied by tw(^ men, the guns and accoutrements, knapsacks and liaversacks making a ei-owded con- dition in which it is (piite ini[(o>sihK' to secure com tort.
The boys express theii' dissatis- faction in hmguage more forcibU' than polite. The ])hicing of guards at the (h)ors and the order re(|uii"iiig company officers to ride witli th« men and see that they remain in the cars, is generally' regarded as an un- necessary exercise of authority over free-born America us. -■=
.January 4. — We left the cai-s this morning at the Little Miami dejiot in Cincinnati, and marched to the boat landing, advertising ourselves a new regiment, as every new regiment invariably does, by march- ing, with music and in the best ot" ordi'r, a roundabout wa}' through some of the pi-iiuijial streets.
Arrivi'd at the wliarl' we marched on lioanl the trans- port. Guards were stationed forthwith under ordei's to let no one go on shtjre, and in a short time we were < n route down the Ohio.
'Ki'i.N I , I: \ \i,i i: h
♦NoTK. — Later in its cnn'or the regiment was time aii<l apaiii trnns|it)rte<l liy rail, packed closely in and on top of freight cars, and no one thout'ht of KmnililinK' ationt accom«Mlations.
i8
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
An order had been issued to furnish tents, camp equip- age and new Springlield rifles at Newport, Ky., and we found the outfit on the boat. The guns and accoutrements are first-class. The ammunition consists of a conical ball of lead fixed in one end of a paper tube, the latter filled with powder and the end folded down to retain it. In loading, the soldier carries the cartridge to his mouth, bites ofi:' the end, pours the powder into the muzzle of the gun, presses the paper and ball down with his thumb and then rams it to the bottom with an iron ramrod; the percussion cap, carried in a sepa- rate box attached to the belt, is then placed on the nipple.
Each movement is distinct and always performed in the same way. The order. " Load in nine times ; load ! " sends every hand to the car- tridge box, then to the mouth, then to the ramrod, and on through the process in unison as perfect as the motions of a musician beating time. I am on duty as oificer of the guard. As it was impossible to sleep on the train last night, the prospect of a second niglit of wakefulness was not relished, l)ut, fortunately I am to sleep. Worn out by the tedious ride from Cleveland and the duties of the day, the men have retired early and will sleep soundly. About 9 p. m. Colonel Opdycke inquired about the location of the guards and their instructions, and then said : •' Lieutenant, 3'ou can leave orders for the Ser- geant to call you if necessary, and go to sleep." If that order would hold good for three years, or during the war, it would be a great comfort. Several officers were with the Colonel in the cabin, and one of them inquired, "Where are we going, Colonel?" The (.olonel replied: "To the Army of the Cumberland 1 hope."
I.iiuT. ('iiAiii.Ks T. ci.AiiK i1n;:!i
ox TO ?///■: FA'OXT.
»9
"Wliydf) voii pictV'!' tliat army t<> ( J rant's r "" was the next (jiK'stioii. "Grant's work will Itt- dniu' w Ihh tlir Missis- sipj)! liivcr is ()])eno(l, and tliat will hi- ai-cdinplislit'd in tlie sprintc cani|iaii2;n. Tlu' ri\fr will he kept open Ity irunlMiats and small ii'arrisons in stmnii: t<>rt> at important point-. New rc'uiinents are most liable to detail torgarriscm <liity. I would not like tliat. The Army of the C^umlK-rland must advanee step by ste}) to Chattanooga, thenei' hillowim;- tiic railway to Atlanta and tlienee to tin,- (inlt' oi- t he At laiitic. niid thm everythiiiii- west (»f that line will he lost to tht- Confederates.
That work will re(piire several eampaii;ns and a g 1 many
battles. We will have op[>ortnnitifs for usefulness there."
''What a1)0ut the Army of the rotomaer'" was asked.
"The enemy must hold tlu'ir Capitol, and will kee}) an army in Virginia able to eope with tlie Army of the Potomac as long as they can get men and materials.*
That conversation may Ije calU'd a first lesson in "grand tactics,"" and is recorded here to see how things turn out. The Colonel was in a talkative mood, and gave an account of" the movements and battles of the past year that was very interesting. Wv begin to see the relation of rivers and railways to the moxemeiits of armies, and to see why the armies have follown-cl one or the other.
January •'). — W'hi'n reveille sounded this nn)i-ning we ruhbed our eyes open and discovered that our transport was lying at the wharf in Louisville. Col(»nel 0[»dycke had been ordered to report on arrival to Urigadier-General Boyle, and the latter ordered the regiment to go into camji at the southern edge of the city, where during the day we pitched
.111 I. M, \ . 1
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
oar new tents, and begin to realize that barracks witli soft pine bunks were, after all, superior to tents minus stoves or flooring or even sti'avv.
The men have been supplied with tlie old-fashioned Sibley tent. The tent is about tifteen feer liigh and as many in diameter at the bottom, the canvas extending in a straight line from the top of the center-pole to the ground, having a slit in one side for an entrance. One can stand erect at tlie center-pole, and can sit on the ground a few feet farther from the center. Their bulk and weight make them untit for active campaigning. Major Wood is accompanied by his
good wife, and their tent has been erected and furnished with extra care. The presence of even one lady in camp has a civilizing effect on all of us.
January 6. — An order was re- ceived from Gieneral Boyle to have the men supplied with rations and ammunition and ready to move.
The order to prepare to move does not interrupt the routine of camp life for an hour. Colonel Opdycke issued an order for the ofHccrs' school to resume daily recitations, and for regular drills, the latter to consist of company drill in the forenoon and battalion drill in the afternoon. Six hours' drill daily when the weather permits, added to fatigue duty, that is, cleaning up the camp, and guard duty, with dress parade, will leave little spare time on short winter days. jSJany of the boys consider the incessant drill an unnecessary hard- ship, believing the regiment to be already well versed and sufficiently practiced in all the movements and in the manual of arms. Indeed, few regiments have gone to the field as well drilled, but the Colonel says the dail}' drill will iicver
Lli.i I. < II \ i;i I - II Al;>ll.MAN.
ox TO ■////■: /■A'oxy.
stoji c'Xfept ill till' midst ot" an ;u'ti\'c faiiipaiun. In tiiiic the l)oys will i'c<:-ar(l it, as tlioir (•(Hiinianilcr docs, an r.-x-ntial to koop niiisck's solid tor iiicvitalilc loiiu" niarrlics ami tin- liai'd work of activi" rami>aii:-ninu'.
January 11. — It rained all last nii^lit. Clrar to-day lnit 1)0 drills. Till- ri'ii-immit art^d as a i'luioral i-scoit at \\\v fiinoi'al ot" Col. dames ]'>. Formaii. loth Kentiud<y Inlantry, this aftenioon, and are elated liy hoarinu: many eomiilimeiits from hystandei-s. We '/>'/ do wtdl.
daiiuarv lii. lohii ljadenl>orroui;-h, ('omj>any(i, ai,a'd
44, died yoster(h»y in the reii-imetal hospital here in Camp ()pdyeke. and wa'- Imried to-day with honors of war in Ca\*' Hill Cemetery, his gi-ave heinj; Xo. 17, in Section 1'). lio\\ '.'. Colonel Cpdyeke and Adjutant AVhiteside went to ( )hio to-<lay.
daiiuary 14. — l>rills ha\c heen interrupteil to-day hy continuous rainfall. Some of the ti'iits Icakcil. and a i:;ood many men are uncomh)rtahlc. It grew i-oldcr towards niiiht, and at this time, !• v. M., is snowing steadily.
In the idlieers" school to-day the Coloiu'l askeil an unexpected ipU's- tion lia\iiig no apjiarciit connection ^vitll the lesson, and the answi'f to which does not a}»j)ear in any of the hooks we have: "Why are the com- panies arranged li'om right to left, A, F, 1), 1, C, 11, K, K, C, Ji, instead of A, 13, C, 1), etc. ? " It was evident that nt)ne of the line oiKiers had con- sidered the suV)jeet, as no om- answered iHoniptly and all appeared to have their thinking caps on, hut an an>wer was given presently by one ot" the lieutenants which is, wiihotit douht, correct, ri: : The three senicu- captains, vV, B and C, are at the })Osts of honor, on right, left and center, ami when
I 'i;. 1'' ■111 i.K ^■ A 1 1.- h
22
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
LlKir. Hi;M'1:v (isii:)).
the battalion is formed by division, either right or left in front, or on the center, each division has one of the live senior captains in it.
January 15. — The snow storm continued th rough the niglit and all day. The ground is covered to a depth of eighteen inches. A good many tents have tumbled down upon their unlucky occupants. It is bad enough to be imprisoned in the tents day and night by such a storm, l)ut much worse to have one's tabernacle collapse. By the time the tent is re-erected the l)oys are wet and cold, and clothing and blankets are in a sad condition. All were good natured, however. Droll remarks and tons of advice, offered by irrepressible wags whose home withstood the storm, helped to relieve the situation. Januar}- 19. — It has been clear and cold for three days, but moderated in the night, and during the day rain fell and the snow began to melt. We are in for a season of dire dis- comfort in this camp, but will not be swept away by a flood, because the camp is on level ground. The Colonel and Adjutant have returned from Ohio. Lieutenant-Colonel Banning has gone to Ohio.
January 21. — Clearing weather. Much mud. Men are washing clothing and trying to re[)air mischief wrought by snow and rain to our canvas homes.
January 24. — Drills in full blast again. After all hard work is more desirable than the idleness and discomfort of the past few days.
January 27. — An order was received yesterday from Brig.-Oen. C. C. (Jilbert, commanding Tenth Division, Army of Kentucky, assigning the 125th Ohio to the 34th Brigade, commanded by Col. William 1*. Keid, aiul directing us to join the l>rigade in Preston's Woods, at the head of Broad-
ox TO Tlir: FRO XT.
23
way. Wc (lid not iiKn'o. A \\\\vv ordi-i- dt-tuils ilic lL'.")tli to act as tiuioral csc-ort to-nuii-rcnv at the t'liiu-ial of Col. S;iiihr'I McKoe, '5rd Kciitiuky lid'aiitry, w lio died tVoin wounds received at the l)attle of iStonr Kivrr. ( »ii rttiiin tVoiii tlu- funeral wr ai'o to niai'di to rortland and miltark witii the rest of tlu' division on stcandtoats. I )c'stination not .-tatcd.
danuarv JS. — IJroki' caniii. \\\ orclci- of Colonel licid sent l)ag»;'age to the stt-andtoat *'.larol> Stradrr."" At 1 v. m. niarehed to attend the funeral of Colonel MeKee. On leaviiiii" the cemetery at the eouclusinn of the eerenionies, ■\ve nnin-hed direetly to Portland and went on hoard the " Htratler." finding- the '.•Sth and li^lst Ohio already on the same hoat. We have iiad a hard day's work, and all ai'e tired. The crowded condition on the hoat insuri's diseoni- fort for the men. ()tHeers have staterooms, and will jiavt' sliii'hl cause for coni})laint.
danuary 2!l. — Colonel Keid issui'd an (Hd.r jirohih- itint^; any otHcer or man of the o4lh Briii'ade from leaxinu' the hoat, as orders to move Were lial)le to he received at any moment; also an order directinjj,' that the cookinu" ap[iarat us on the hoat shouhl he used in turn hy the rciiiments, each hold- iuii" it tor two houi's at a time. Tlu' wharf is lined with hoats. all loaded with troojis. It may prow foilunate for the eating' houses, restaurants and saloons nt-ar the landini:; if the orders to keep the c(un- nnind on hoard are strictly eid'orced, for it se\'i'ral thousand of the men whose time comes late at the cookini!: ranii'es should rusli on shore, famine' coinlitions miuht he itroduced in this part of Kentucky in a very few minutes. Briii".-(ien. (leorife Crocdv, commandinu" the exjiedition, has issued an order explainintc the siii'inds to he used, and i:;ivin«i- minute instruc- tions for the ii'uidani'i' (»f suhordinate c<»mmandei's in the
M.\.l.(;i;X. (JKoltiiK CltoOK.
24
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
event of an attack upon one or more boats while ascending the Cumberland River. That indicates the direction of our movement.
(9 p. M.) After writing the foregoing, the 125th was transferred from the " Strader " to the " Clara Poe," and are now not so badlj crowded. The boat is smaller, but we have it to ourselves. Adjutant Whitesides went up to the city and telegraphed for Lieutenant-Colonel Banning, wlio is in Ohio. January 30. — Ten steamboats loaded with troops arrived from some point up stream and tied up at landings here. Two divisions, commanded by Brig. Gen. George Crook, and Brigadier-General Gilbert, are now here. Weather clear.
January 31. — Maj.-Geu. Gordon Granger, commanding the Army of Ken- tucky, has issued an order directing the commands of Generals Crook and Gilbert to ])roceed to Sniithland and Cannelton ; at those points take on snflicient coal to carry the boats to Nashville and l)ack JOSEPH TITTLE. 1). ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^j, ^^g ^ oxt Douelsou, after which
the fleet is to ascend the Cumberland River under convoy of seven o-unboats, and rendezvous at Fort Donelson until all boats arrive there, when further orders will be given. Com- panies A and C have been transferred to another boat, and the other companies have room enough.
February 1, Sunday. — The fleet started down stream early this morning, and tied up to-night at Cannelton. We had a quiet, pleasant trip. Not having a ChajJain, Private Joseph Tuttle, of Company D, acted as supply, and preached a very good sermon. We have not lapsed into barbarism yet, if we are far from home restraints and home influence for good.
February 3. — Our boat turned up the Cumberland at 10 A. M., and we are at Fort Donelson this evening. At
ox TO THE IROXr.
25
2 1'. .M. ti>-(l;i_v a stroiii;" cavalry tore*' uiidrr ( icii<i:il> ^\'ln'(•kM•, Forrest and Wliartoii. made a (k'tt-nniiu'd and iK-rsistcnt assault on tin' uairison. consl.-tinij of nin(> coni|tani(*s of" tin.' 83rd Illinois. Col. A. ('. liaiilinif, coninnuHJini:-, and the assailants suft'ered a severe rejiulsi-, Iraxinu" oxer two hundred of tlicir nu'U dea<l on the field and 10.') as prisoners ot' wai'. ()iie of our uunitoats rendei'ed some assistance h\ throwin*; sliells; hut, if 1 under>tand. that was afti'r the a>saull was praetieally ended. The arri\al of the lleet \\:is o|i]i(U'tune, and, no douht, [u-eveiited a renewal of the eontiiet. Two of our eompanies were on the upper deek for some miles hefore arrivinu- here with i:-un> loaded, ready to repel an atta(dv which it was tliouu'ht miu'lit he made.
lanuaiN 4. — Waitinii' here for the rest of the Heet. Hundreds went ashore to look at tlu' scene of yesterday's battle. Dead men and deail hoi'ses lyinj;" <ui the lii-ound. and tlie ii'eiieral dehris of liattle, sliowed phiinly the lines of a<lvaiice and the des- perate character of the st rui^Lilc. It was a siekeniny' sight. It is ^ate to ju'edict tluit the writer, and prol)al)ly none of liis comrades, will ever au'ain visit a hattle- tield iu>t after tlu' contlict from idle (.•iiriosity. Wt' did learn, howi'Vei', thai it is no easy task to destroy or capture 800 determined soldiers pi-otected hy works.
Fehruary (I. — W'e lett Fort l>ont,-lson at 11 a. m., and arc steamiuii- uj* stream. Passed C'larksville just now (in i'. m,). Weatlu-r mo(hrated: just ahout cold enouiidi tor snow. It did snow liii'litly yesterday. Heavy fou* this moiMiini:-.
Fehi'uary 7. — At some places the hanks of tiie ("iimher- land rise to a lu-iu'lit ot a hundreil feet above the water, ami covered as they are with ice ami snow, the sun shiniiiir "U
1.1. «.i;n. N K. l"i>i!iti>T.
26
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
them made l)eautiful scenery. We reached Kasliville at 5 P. M., but did not disembark.
February 8, Sunday. — Moved our camp equipage from the boat to the hxudinof/but remained on the boat. Have
orders to go into camp to-morrow. February 9. — Left the boat at 10 A. M. Marched through the city and camped about one mile out, near the pike leading to Franklin. February 10. — A rainy day. Company F on picket. The regi- ment did not drill, but held dress parade.
February 11. — This is -'Camp Nashville." A board of officers, a[»pointed for the purpose, placed a ca,.tai.n- valleni.kmin;:',,. valuation upon our officers' houses.
Marching orders for to-morrow. Ti'aveling by boat is con- ducive to good health. We liave few cases of sickness. Five hundred and seventy-two of the 751 enlisted men mustered in at Cleveland are still with us. We have lost 179 : two by death, a few discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability, a few more by transfer to cavalry regiments, and all the rest by desertion. We are glad the latter are gone. Those i^'inaining ai'c from good Oliio stock, the sons of patriotic parents, and will be a credit to their parentage and to tlie State. The bounty jumpers were witliout local habitation, and probably gave fictitious names. Hope the Gove'i'iKir will not forget to send on the two additi(Mial com- panies re(piired to make us a com}>lete regiment.
CIIAI'TKI; III,
.\l;M^■ t>i nii; crMi'.i.iM. \m>.
TIk' niovcineiit of Ci-ook's and (Jilbcrt's dixisions o\' tlio Army ot" Kentucky to Xaslivilli-, l»rouii"lit tlit-ni into the Military 1 )ejiartnient ol tlic Cuniln'rlaiMl, ami t liei'cal'ter, until tlie I'lid of the war, the Il'-mIi Ohio constituted a part of the Army of tiic C'nniherland. A hrief account of the oru'anization and pi-cvious ser\icc of that army will l»c an apjirojiriate introduction to the more di'tailed narrative of the events in whi(di the 125th particijtated.
For some time after the fall of Fort Sumter, the State ii'overnmeii! of Kentucky attempted to niaintain an attitude of neutrality, and thcrc- hy [)ost[)oued for a hrief period open hostilities within her horders.
On nuiy 2S, ISOl, lJriu-.-( ien. ]\obert Anderson was assigned to command the department i>t' l\en- tucky, hein^' so mueli nf the State of Kentucky as lay within one hundred luih-s of the nhio Kiver. The first troo[is within the department w.-rc those raised l»y Col. Lovell If. liosseau, at '"Camp J«»e Holt.*" near Louisville, and by General Nelson at "Camp Dick Kohinson.'" in Garrard County. They were all Kt-ntuckians. the (iov- erumcut not earing to d(}\\ the sentiment for neutrality hy sending in regiments from other Stati-s until it became neces- sary to do so. On August 11. isiil, (Jeneral Amlersou's deitartment was extended to include all o\' Ki'iituckyand the State of Tennessee, ami was named the •• l)e}iartment of the Cumberland." Early in Septend»er the rebel army violated
i;..~i . i: w-
28
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
the alleged neutrality of Kentucky by invading the State and taking possession of Hickman and Columbus, intending to advance at once to Padncah, on the Ohio Kiver, but were anticipated there by troops sent from Cairo by General Fremont. On Sei)tember 17 the troops in Camp Joe Holt were called upon to resist an invasion of the State by a force under General Simon Buckner, who started from Camp Boone, in Tennessee, and attempted to reach Louisville by the Louisville & Nashville Kailroad. Brig.-Gen. W. T. Shernian, second in command to Anderson, commanded the force sent to resist Buckner. Tiie latter advanced to Eliza- beth, forty miles from Louisville, and then retired, before Sherman's counter advance, to Bowling Green, which place he intrenched and held until the fall of Fort Bonelson. General Sherman went into camp at ]\Lildraugli"s Hill, near Elizabethtown, and awaited reinforcements. Among the Urst to arrive were the 28th, 6th and 39th Indiana, under Colonels Scril)ner, Crittenden and Harrison ; 40th Ohio,
Colonel Gil)Son ; 24th Illinois, Colo- nel Hecker, and two companies of the 15th U. S. L, under Capt. P. T. Swaine. That was the beginning of the Army of the Cumberland. In Octol)er General Anderson, on account of his liealth failing, was succeeded in comnumd l)y General Sherman. About that time Sher- man was subjected to severe news- paper criticism for expressing the opinion that an army of 100,000 men would be required in that department. Some of the critics asserted that he was crazy; nevertheless, he afterwards fought his way from Chattanooga to Atlanta in command of 100,000 men in the moving col- umn, and almost as many more guarding the territory to the
(•IN 1 I \\ IllN UUVf.f.
AR.\rY OF THE CCM /!/:/, L.IX /).
29
roar. In Xttvi'iiilicr nt" the saiiif ymr Slicniian \\a> >iijior- se(U'(l l»y Maj.-Gon. Carlos IJucll, and the limits of tlie department were asfaiii fliaiiired. s.» as to include tlic States of (Miio, Indiana, M i«-liii:an, all of Kentucky cast of the Cmnlteriand Kiver. and the State <d" Teniies>cc. Tliat part of Kentiieky west of the Ciunherland was included in tlie department of Missouri, under Major-General Ilalleck. The Army of the Cinnljei'land under ( J^ncral liucll was lic;i\ily reinforced, and jiarts of the army were eiii^aii^ed in the sev- eral liattles at L'iketon, I'restouhurg, Middle Creek, Pound Ga}>, l\owlett's Station and Mill S[U'ing.
In February, 18G2, there was a general advance (Ui tlie enemy's line, extending from Bowling Green to Columbus. Gen. U. S. Gi'ant, eommanding troojis afterwards designated as the Army of the Tennessee, captured Forts ITenry and Donelson; Genei'al Pope's ai-my, aidetl by the fleet of gun- l)oats under Commodore Foote, I'ccluccd Island Xo. 10. Bowling Green was evacuated, and (Ui the 28rd of Fel>nuiry, 1S(!2, General IJueirs ai'iuy ciitcrecl Xash- villc. In Mai"<h <iencral Ilalleck's com- mand was extended eastward to a nortli ar.d south line passing through Knoxville, so that the three armies undei* Grant, Budl and I'ope, i\'S|iectivcly, were undei- (Jeiieral Halleek's direetion. (icneral llalleck's c-ommand was then designated the Department of the Mississippi: (ieiieral Buell's eommaiid was called the J)istrict of the Ohio, tlie armies of Buell, Grant and I'oj'c, undei- an order issued by General Ilalleck in April, retaining their original titU's and organizations.
General Grant's army proceedi-d from Fort Ooiu'lson on transports u}) the Teimessee Kiver to Savannah and I'itts- bui'ii" Landing. General Buell sent a force under (Jen. O. M.
lUT. Ma.i. <;i.N. S. lU.A ri Y
3°
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
■(iKX. .1. W . Sll.l..
Mitchell soutlnvard from Nasliville, und proceeded with his main force to join General Grant on the Tennessee, arriving in time to participate, on the second day, in the battle of Pittsbnrg Landing. The enemy having retired to his forti- fied position at Ooi'inth, General llalleck came forward in person and condncted the operations against that position. General Pope's command was added to the forces of Grant and Bnell, making a very formid- able army. Corinth was evacuated in May, and in June Bn ell's army was sent eastward. During the summer a part of Buell's army guarded the railway line from Louisville, and the main body was stationed at Battle Creek and other points near Chattanooga observing the Confederate Army of the Tennessee under General Bragg at Chattano(;ga. Bragg's army was reinforced and prepared for an otfensive movement, intending to advance to the Ohio River and recover the States of Tennessee and Kentucky. When Bragg advanced, Buell fell back by a parallel line to ISTashville, where he left General Xegley and a garrison to hold the works, and continued his retreat with the main body to Louisville, being obliged to march rapidly in order to arrive in advance of his antagonist. At Louisville Buell was heavily reinforced, and then assumed the oli'ensive. On tlie 8th of October a part of his army won a decided victory over the enemy at Perryville, and Bragg then retreated from Kentucky. There was dissatisfation with the retrograde movement, and disappointment that Bragg's army was per- mitted to escape without further punishment, and on October 24, 1862, General Order No. 168 from the War Department sacrificed General Buell to i)ublic clamor, directing tliat all of the State of Tennessee lying east of the Tennessee Kiver iind such portion of northern Alabama and Georgia as should
AA'A/v o/' '/'///■: c r. ]//'•/■: A-/.. I. v/i
31
tbereat'trr l)e posse8sc'<l liy tlic I'liitcd States, >li(>ulil ci.nsti-
tute the Department of tin- ('iiiiiberlaiul. tin- troops then
serving' in tlie dcjiartnienl to he (h-signated the F(tnrtei'iith
Army Corps, and assi<i-ned Maj.-(ien. William S. liosecrans
to eommand of the i-orps and department. <leneral r»neil
heiiiii" relieved, (ieneral lioseerans arrived at Ijouisville and
assumed command on Oetobor 80, ISti^. The troops were
then at l)o\vlinu- (Jreen ami Glasgow, exeept the divisions of
Neglev and Palmer, constitntiiiii: tlie garrison :it N:isli\ille.
On the 10th ot Xovember, Koseerans
removed his headi[narters to Nashville.
and ahont that date his army was coneeii-
trated there. The army was then divided
into tliree giruid dlci'^ioiis, known as tln'
Kight, Center and Left, commandetl le-
speetively hy Major-CJenerals McCook.
Thonnis and Crittemlen. The commands
of MeCook and Crittenden were snhse-
quently designated as the Twentieth ami
Twenty-tirst Army Corjts, Thomas' eom-
nnind retaining the designation of Fourteenth Army Corps.
(ieneral JJragg eoneentrated his army at Murfreesboro,
thirty-three miles southeast from Nashville.
r.ATTI.l". OF SToXl-: TJIVKi;.
On the morning of .December l*<), lsiii\ liosecrans ad- vanced, ami after several <lays of marching and skirmishing, drove in Bragg's advance posts to their intrenched lines in front of Murfreesboro. At nightfall of December 30 the two armies were face to fade, and on the next three davs fouffiit the great battle of Stone liiver. Bragg's line was about three miles long, facing northwest. The railroad, the Nash- ville pike and the west fork of Stone River intersected his
32
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
line iit the left of his right division, the Wilkinson turnpike crossed it at the center and the Franklin road near the left. Rosecrans' right rested on the Franklin road and his left on the river. Both commanders resolved to assault at day- licfht on the 31st, each ordering a movement from his left to turn his opponent's right. Under cover of darkness Bragg massed opposite Rosecrans' extreme right, and at daylight attacked and overwhelmed Willick's and Kirk's brigades of Johnson's division, driving them from the ground and cap- turing all of Edgarton's and part of Goodspeed's batteries, and, following up the first advantage, fiercely assailed Davis'
division, crushing in turn Post's, Carlin's and Woodruff's brigades. By this time the entire line was engaged in front, while Bragg's left overlapped and by w continuous wheeling movement assaulted on the flank, crumbling to pieces one brigade after another.
The tide of disaster now reached McCook's left division, Sheridan's, and there for a brief time the resist- ance was successful, Sheridan chang- ing front, and then stubbornly holding out until all of his brigade commanders were shot and his troops almost surrounded, when he too fell back. By that time Negley's division, next on Slieridan's left, was out of ammunition and compelled to retire with Sheridan. Rose- crans meantime had worked with energy to establish a new line. lie brought the divisions of Van Cleve, Wood and Rosseau from the left in time to assist in staying the enemy's progress. The new line finally established was a semi-circle, both flanks crossing the Nashville pike and the center facing southwest. The riu'lit wins^ had retreated three miles.
|
-"m^ Cit* |
|
|
-.w |
|
|
■•M^ |
|
|
■Miii^Sib |
|
|
'^^iP~'3H |
B^ |
|
x.}^ |
('APT. (.'. (■. BAU<ni (IS'.t.'i).
ARMY OF Tin-: ClWflU-.Rf.AXn.
12>
ralnier's divi.s'ujii, m-xt on Xt'ii'lcy's Icti, irpulx-d cvrrv assault on its fnnit jind held its i:-rniiiid until <»r(U'rc<l to retire a few hundred yards to its jiosition at the lett of the new line. The enemy held two-thii'ds of the hattle field. More than sev^Mi thousand nicii were missini;- lioni the raid<-, dead or wounded and [irisoners. Two division coniinaiulers, Wood and \'an CMeve, were disal)l('d. Of the hri^-adc eoni- luanders, Sill, Scluu'lffr and Kohcrts wcri' killed, Kirk seriously wounded and Willick a jirisoiu'r. Ti-n colonels, ten lieuteiumt-eolonels and six niajois were missinir, dead wounded or prisoners. Many of the leuinieiits had lost from one-half t(» two-thirds of iheir line otHeers. The enein\- hail <'ai»tured twenty-eight }iieees of artillery. There was niueh iliseourag'ement in the situati(Ui as the weary and huui^ry troops lay ujion the !;-rouiid that cold l)eeeinher niij^ht, with- out tires, and from midnight until nioniinu- wvw jielted hy a deluge of rain. But neither Koseerans nor his troops were <'oiK|Uere<L Bragg's army had also suffered heavy losses and lia<l taileil ill the final assaults. Kose- c-rans resolved to await an attack on the next day, and it it was not made to him- self resume the oftensive.
On January 1 the enemyj [demon- strated at different points along the line, hut nuule no serious assault. In the after- noon Koseci'aiis, still disposed to try his plan of an attack from his lett, sent two brigades of Van Cleve's divisioii^[(Col. Samuel Beatty, commanding) across tlie river to seize and hold a hill ovei"lo(d<iiig one of the fonls, and to cover a furthei' advance from the left.
On January 2 nothing occurred moi-e imi>oitaiit than affairs between the skii-inisln'is until in the afternoon, when Bragg reinforced his right ami assaulted Beatty's brigades, driving them across the river. As the emuny advanced thev
.IaoHI U. (AI.VIN, A.
34
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
were subjected to an artillery fire from batteries massed on the west bank as well as infantry tire. Troops were hurried up to support Beatty, and the enemy w^as stopped at the river, repulsed, and then followed in their retreat. Critten- den's entire corps was then crossed and held a strong position. That night Bragg retreated to the line of Duck River, leav- ing Eosecrans in possession of the battle field.
ClIAl'TKi; IV.
iiiANKi.ix AM" iinrNi:.
(FKUKIAKY rj TO .It NK J.'. iMi:!. ■
The main Ixxly of'tlu' Army ot'tlu' ('mnhc'rlaiid i'iic;niii»i'il alioiit MurtVcesbori' at the (•h).se ot" tlie Ijatth'nf Stone iJivei-, and feiiiained there until Juno, engacjed in hnildinii" rt'itili- eations, drilling, ami |ii'e[»aring toi* a t'oiward movfiiifiit.
(xeneral Bragg's headquartei's were estalilishfij at 'I'ldla- homa, thirty-six miles south tVom MurtVeeshoiD, on the Xasli\ille vV' Chattanooga Railroad, his infant ry holding a line ten or twelve miles turther north. extending from Shelbyville to Wart- race.
As alrt'ady stated, M urtVei'slioi'o is southeast from Nashville. The Xashville iV l)eeatur Itailroad runs directly south iVom Nashville, pass- ing through Franklin, eigliteen miles from Naslixille, and Cohimhia. twenty-tivi' mih-s further south. From Iluntsville, Ala., a hraiK-h rail- road runs to Chattanooga.
llari»t'th River, tlowing west from a point a few mih's helow M urfreeshoro, jiasses Franklin. Duek lliver, also tiowing west from the viciinty of Manehes- ter, northeast of Tullahoma, passes Cohunhia.
There was a good jfike from Nasliville \ia Franklin to Colund»ia, and theiiee to Pulaski.
The territory lying between llarpeth and Duck lii\ers necessarily became debatable ground, from whi(di itotli armies gathered supplies, ami across which both sides constantly sent detachments to watch the movcint-nts ot' the other. liose-
M \.i. "ir.N. n.wiii s. Stam.ky,
36
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
crans, having fortified Murfreesboro, might hold the works with a small force and advance byway of Columbia, depend- ing upon the Nashville it Decatur road for his supplies. On the other hand, if Bragg desired to advance upon ISTashville, or the Cumberland River west of Nashville, he would proba- bly do so via Columbia and Franklin. It follows that both Generals were alert to meet any movement on the line from Franklin to Columbia.
On February 12 Gilbert's division moved from Nash- ville, one brigade to Brentwood and another to Franklin.
The 125th Ohio marched with the latter to Franklin. It was a long march for new troops, but the men were cautioned against overloading knapsacks, and very few of them were reported to the surgeon on the road. A light fall of snow early in the day was followed by a cold, drizzling rain and colder weather as the day advanced.
When within a mile or two of Franklin, but not in sight of the place, it was learned that a Confed- erate cavalry force was in possession of the town. Colonel Opdycke was ordered to advance with the 125th and drive the enemy out. The regiment marched past those preceding us in the column. Companies A and B were deployed as skirmishers and went forward, followed by the other compa- nies in column. The town lies on the south side and in a bend of the Harpeth River, Both the railway and the wagon bridges were found to be destroyed, but the skirmish- ers got over promptly. The enemy appeared not to have discovered our presence until the skirmishers were crossing, when they mounted in hot haste and rode towards the river, firing as they came. It was plainly apparent that there were
J)Ai:\viN F. A], I, EN, B.
FIRST sKiR.\risn.
37
too many of tlinii tor tlic skii'inlsh litic. 'IMic uionifnl tin- regiment ai ri\ cd ut the bank the Colonel rode ucrosH to take soundings, and, finding it i)ossible to wade, gave the order to cross. The water was waist deej) tor the sh(»rt ni.n and cold enoiiu'h to t'licouragc fapid i>i-ogress. As tlu- men sci-anil»lc(l up tlic l)aiik they were hastily t"ornu'<l and moNcd forward to and then up the nearest street, the skirniislicrs keeping abreast, going across lots, tlirougli alleys and around obstruc- tions as best they could, each man lor himself. The ciiemv retired rapidly to tlie high ground at the southern eti<:e of town, and when pressed fell back fai'ther, keeping pi'etty well out of range but exchanging shots. Xi-ar the center of the town live roads branch, one being the Columbia jiike on wliich the nuiin body of the enemy was retiring.
At that point Conqiany F was deployed as skirmishers, and oi'(lei'e(l to adxanee with its K'ft on the Columbia jiike. Company 1> being on the other side. The regiment nnirched on the pike, l^issing the Carter House, made famous bv Hood's assault nearly two years later, the regiment halted, wliih- tlu- skirmishers continued to ad\anee until tar enough out to act as a picket. wlu'U thi'V too halteil and renuiined until a regulai' jiicket line was establislu'd an hour later. As we nuirche(l u[i the first street lead- ing from the ri\er we weix' sui'i>rised to see the stars and stripes displayed at a residence we afterwards h-arneil
was Dr. Cliffs. The tight was a
,,,,.. ^ I- 1 I 1 ^' '• "ill I- 1,1 -^ ~ -■•, i^ '> .
small affair, too slight to hi' i'eportc(l
to head([uarters. Xo menti(Ui of it can be found in the pub.
lished records of the rebellion. Many similar athiii-s will
receive scant notice in this xolunie. J>ut it was tlie first
time the l'2oth Ohio was under tii-e. Coiniiii:- at the end of a
38
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
long- niareli, it would not have been surprising if many of them, escaping from the mire of the river bank, had stuck behind fences or other obstructions. They all went forward, however, resolutely and rapidly, fairl}^ demonstrating their fitness for service at the front.
Such affairs, though deemed unworthy of mention by the general historian because they do not affect the issues of a campaign, are worthy of consideration in a regimental history, because the extraordinary exer- tion and exposure, especially by new troops, is sure to entail sickness, suffering and death. Witliin the next few days a large number of our men went to the hospital, many of whom never returned. Indeed, the losses by death, discharge, and transfer to the Veteran Reserve Corps, occasioned by that cold bath in the llarpeth and the hard service for some wrecks tliereafter, probaldy exceeded the losses in any single battle except that of Chickamauga, as evidenced by our losses from death and discharges in the next three months.
The following extract from a letter, written by a ser- geant of Company B, gives a graphic picture of the combat:
GE(ii:i.;i: FiiENrn, B (IW)."
I remember my ambition quickened as we marched past the other regiments. We felt our importance at being thus selected ; and I noticed my comrades each had a gallant bearing. On reaching the front we were met by a delegation of citizens (all colored), who, instead of tendering us the freedom of the city, with eyes stretched in wonder, informed our com- mander that " Gen'l Forrest in dar with heaps of rel)s." The town was hidden by the hills, but our ears caught on this, what our eyes failed to dis- tinguish. Company B was ordered to load and deploy as skirmishers. On the run we took ])Osition, and then ''by the flank" we moved on the enemy. Over the hill, on the double quick, we were stealing a march on those fellows rapidly. But wait ; here is a river, until now unseen, and we brought up suddenly on the l)anks of this murky stream. The timbers of the bridge, the only means of crossing, were yet smoking in the water.
AT /'h'.IXk'/./X.
39
We paiisfil. •• l'"()r\v;iiil, lurwMiilI " laim "Ht the (•(Piiiiii:iii>ls dl' <>iii- LMlliiiit Colonel, as he ramc ii<liii<r oM iiarney on the lull ;,'allo|i towards us. Surely lie floes not nu-an, does not know — our scrujiles were at once removed by our old Cajitain sayin;r, " Hoys, that means 'take water"; Ser^'eant, ran you swim?" *' No, not with this load, but I ran do a i>ower of wadin^r; " and I at onee sprang in. With l)lood at fever heat from our lon<_' rmi, this icy l)ath seemed terril>ly cold. Ip to this time no enemy had heen sighted. When midway of tlie stream, the Southern C'onfederaey, in the form of an olHcer on a white horse, appeared on the bank opposite. Statue like, he sat there ill liis astonishment.
"As in amaze, lie stood to gaze, At the sight he was unmanne(l, sir; For, without a boat, but all alloat. The Yankees weic on hand, sir."
Our eyes were leveleil at him. but we were too nearly submergeil to use our guns. Corp. Kuliu D. JUirnes was the tirst to eU'eet a landing, and was t'ortunate in linding stejis leading up tlie l>ank. Tin- rebel otiieer caught sight of him only a few feet away, and hastily tired his pistol at thi' doughty corporal ; but his aim, like the i>urpo.>ie of the ri'bellion, was faulty in the extreme, liariu's brought his i)iece to an aim, but his rilie, like him- self, had been und«'r water, and refused to go oH'. 1 made the opposite shore in a dilapidated comlition. and found myself tod nnich wati-r-soaked to climb the bank without ilraining out. Soon gaining /</•/•" firma, I found myself in an alley leading down to the river. ( »ne oilier comrade joined me here, and togetlier we I'olioweil uj) this narrow street to the Columbia i)ike. We reacheil the jiike in tinii' to si-i' the rear eml of Forri'st's cavalry, at bn-ak-neck speetl, rt'jecting our oli'er of liattie. It was a novel and interesting sight to us; and, although only a short distance off, I forgot my mi.«sion ; forgot to lire until their bullets, cutting the leaves over our heads, l)rought me to a realization of my sur- roundings. I at once returned their fire, and with smh deliberation tliat 1 felt that I was not missing a road full of horsemen. (Hhers joined us here, and the roar of our muskets had " the song of battle " as liercely echoed as though this was to be the decisivi> conflict of the war. We followed them out as long as we could reach them with sights fully extemled. I firi'd, in all, ten rounds. There weri- ;ibout forty of us actually engaged, and all riflemen. We learned afterward that the enemy sullered seven-ly from our tiring. Though bloodless the l)attle on our iiart, yet we had been und<>r tire for the lirst time; and, after standing on jiicki't guard until past
M(>i[l:l><iKIKn-.N. (i (ises).
40 OPDYCKE TIGERS, .
midnight, we felt that our initiatory day's work had been one of severity, and which a few more of a similar nature would severely tax one's con- stitution.
Having no tents at Franklin, the regiment was assigned quarters in buildings. The other regiments of the brigade went into camp on the north side of the river. Owing to a rapid rise of the river from continued rainfall, it was some days before a bridge was constructed, during which period one-half of our companies went on picket each day. There- after details from other regiments (the 98th and 121st 0. Y. I.) made our share of picket service comparatively light, while cavalry outposts made it more comfortable. Colonel Opdycke was assigned to command the post, which included only the town and troops on the south side. Lieutenant-Colonel Banning, who came up on the 19th, was in immediate com- mand of the regiment, which remained on the south side over a month. The enemy had cavalry posts on all the roads. They seldom let a day or night pass without making a dash at our pickets on one or more of the roads; and, on the other hand, they were never permitted to remain peacefully in their own camps many days in succession. The iirst shot on the picket line was a signal for the regiment to rush into line. It was a regular practice to stand to arms for an hour before daylight, while small parties of cavalry, and if they were otherwise engaged, infantry patrols pushed out for a few miles on all the roads, to insure D.McM.,HAK,„B(i8r.3). .j,,.ji,,,t surprise. The patrols almost invariably found themselves at daylight in sight of similar parties from the enemy's camp, out on the same business. Shots were sometimes exchanged, and occasionally men wei'e captured. Kccouiioisaiu-es and sj)C'ci;il expeditions, involving marches, couuter-niiirches and occasional combats, were fre-
.■/.\' IXCini'.NT.
41
(juc'iit, tlu' liruiit ct tlu' ciiiiiliats taHliiiT iijmiii our <-a\alrv- men ; the infantry, as a i^^enei-al tliinir, nieivly iMarcliiii<r afti-r tlie hoi'semeu as sup[)poi't in an adxanci', and back again having the troopers for rear giiartl. Although tlie service was not of a character to attract jiublic attention, a more detailed mention of some of tlie incidents and movements of that })eriod will he interesting to many readers.
On Feliruary :21, a reeonnoisanee was made hy the I'th Pennsylvania C'avalry, in whicli separate detachments went out on three roads, under orders to unite on tiie Columhia pike at the brick cliurch, seven miles from Franklin, wliere the enemy usually maintained a >ti'ong picket, hoping thus to surround and eaiiture the i»icket. Colonel dordan, com- manding, found the picket ]»ost abandoned, and rode (»n to the vicinity of Butler's station, where his advance gnai'd caught sight of a surgeon belonging to Wheeler's Confederate ca\alrv in the act of giving a parting kiss to a lady. Mak- ing a rush, they captureil him. About the same time C'a}itain U'lieilly, com- manding a company of the i'th rennsyl- \ania. on another i'oa<l. eiitercil a house to jiai'ole a rebel soldier reported to hi- tluMH' sick in bed, ()"l\eilly"s company, meantime, riding on. A few minutes later a bodv of the em-my's cavalry, ")0(l strong, a}»}>r()aching on a cross road, oiiscrved the Ca]»tain'R horse, guessed the situation, came forward at a galloj*. and made tlie Cai^tain a prisoner, his horse I'scaping, while his conijiany, though in plain sight, was to(t weak in numbers to justify a movement for bis rescue.
On rel)ruarv 24 an incidt'iit occurred illustrating the eft'ects of military occupation upon the inhabitants. The hospital had been establislu'(l in a large building calle<l the Seminary, Surgeon IJIack. lloth O. V. J., being the chief.
C. ('. M' Nil 1, < l"''.'-
42
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
^*
'yT
He had sent for and taken to the hospital to serve as a cook a negro woman belonging to Judge Marshall, leaving Mrs. Marshall ill and without help. Among the very few citizens friendly to the Union cause were Dr. Clitf and his wife, who had formerly lived in Wayne County, Ohio, Mrs. Cliff appealed to Colonel Opdycke to have the negro woman released, basing her request on the fact that when Mrs. Clitf had been arrested and imprisoned at Murfreesl)oro as a Unionist, Judge Marshall liad interceded for and procured her release by the Confederate authorities. Colonel Opdycke sent an order to release the cook, which was received and
executed by a subordinate in the temporary absence of Dr. Black. The latter, on his return, sent men to bring the woman back, which they proceeded to do by force, raising (|Uite a commotion. Opdj'cke then reported the circumstance to Gen- eral Gilbert, and the latter ordered the arrest of the men, and also of the surgeon if it was found that he was in any degree responsible for the use of force.
We conclude the record for Feb- ruary with some extracts from a diar^' :
"February 13. — The regiment formed line at 5 a. m., and stood to ai-ius until daylight. At 4 p.m. enemy's cavalrymen fired on our pickets, and the regiment formed and remained in line until dark.
"February 14. — Stood to arms one hour before day- light. Ca[>tain Parks is officer of the day, and relates this incident : A lady called on tlie Colonel to-day, told of her father's illness, declared she must go to him, and plead for a pass to go beyond the lines for that purpose. The Colonel listened to her storj, tlien said: 'I believe your husband is
('llAKl.l> A. ArsiiN, ]'. (l^^'.i).
EXTRACTS FRO.\r D/.IA'V
43
an oflicHT in WIiccKt's c:i\ali'v t'orcr imw in our liunt." SIk' admitted tlml lie was. • For tliat irason 1 camiot ii:i\i' you a ]»ass at this time," saitl tlir Colonel. The Ui'ly was imlin'- naiit : sai<l tluir caxalry would soon <lisjtose of the Colonel and his coniniand, and that she wonlil lind Iht way <>nt with- out u pass. The Colonel was cNidciit ly skt'iitical as to the illness of the lady's father.
"Fchruary llL — Lieutenant-Colonel JJanninii', Captain Bauii'h, and Lieutenant Cartel- joined the i-eii-iineiit, coiniiiu- fi'oni ( )hio.
'' I^'ehruaiy ill. — ('axalry outposts ri'jiorted the enemy advaiieinu'. lieu'inient toi'ined and marched out ("olundtia ]iike in a shower of rain. J\eturued in an hour without havinu' seen the enemy, lleni'v II. Adams, of C<uupany G, has heeii appointed reiiimeiital postnuisti-r, <ui aeeount of good eondiiet in the skirmish on the I'Jth inst., and that exempts him from u'uai-il and fatigue duty.
"Fehruaiy 'l-\. — Company 15 is (piar- tered in Shannon k liuehannan's st(U-e, and do their eooking in the baek yard. ^Vn irate eitizen ealled there this morn- ing searehinu' for missinii' honey which had disap[>eai'ed in tlu' night from his [(remises, hives and all. He found the hives in the hack yard, ahout to he used for fuel hy the coin[iany cook. Finding Captain Yeonums, he entere(l n ^\•ratlly complaint, hut the Captain indignantly repelled the change, saying that there was not a hoy in Com- jiaiiy ]> that would do such a thing. The citi/en poinled to the empty hives as conNineing proof, hut was told that there ■was some mistake. Company J) hoys e<,uld not steal. The eiti/.en then sought the Colonel, ami repeated the charges against Company B, when the Colonel promptly (u-deri'il him to leave his quarters; he woidd listen to no such slamlers on
/
< >i:ii -Si;i:(.i. Sii.i.imax, (i.
44
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
his men, none of whom would steaL The man left, but undoubtedly retained his first impression that the soldiers were in some way connected with his loss. Our impression is that the Colonel wants us to live well if w^e can do it without getting the officers into trouble.
"February 24. — Officers' school resumed recitations to-day, and we have company and squad drills in the streets and public square.
"February 28. — We have many sick men. Private John C. Naylor, Company A, died here on the 21st, and is interred at Murfree8bor(^, in Franklin Section, Grave No. 45, Stone River Cemetery.
" The following comrades have been discharged in the past month on surgeon's certificate of disability: John Steves and George Hoff- man, Company A ; Asahel B. Hall and Cornelius AlciSrult, of Company C ; Alva Hamilton, Benjamin F, Harbough and Harris B. Hotchkiss, of Company I) ; Martin N . Phillips and Thomas Wilson, of Company H."
On March 2, General Gilbert, then commanding all the forces about Frank- lin, ordered Coburn s brigade, encamped at Brentwood, to move to Franklin, where the pressure on the out})Osts led Gilbert to anticipate an attack in force. On the evening of the 3rd, the enemy having withdrawn from our immediate front, General Gilbert ordered Coburn, with his brigade, consisting of four regiments of infantry and a battery, together with thi'ee regiments of cavalry and the 124th Ohio Infantry of our brigade, to advance to Spring Hill on the 4th, taking four days' rations and a wagon train, and on the following day to advance still farther while the wagons were loaded in the vicinity. Four miles out Coburn encountered a force of cavalry inferior to his own and drove
CO/U:/^.VS BRICsADF. CAPTrREP.
45
it, luit lu'iiriiiii' that a larii't-r toroo of tlu- I'liciny was on tlir Lewisburg I'ikc, he halted and sent liis eavah-y in that dinn-- tion. At dayliglit on the 5th two ne<i:i-<» Itoys entered Coburn's camp and reported tliat \'an horn was ni>rlh of Spring Hill moving to capture Franklin. \'an l)<>in was, in fact, moving to surround and overwhelm Coluini. Tlif negro l)oys were sent at once to (ieneral Gilliert, hut the latter sent no message forward. In the meantime Cohurn, ha\- ing sent scouts in various directions, who discovered no enemy, at al)Out 8 o'chu k advanced. On ai'i'iving near Thonii)son"s Station, at a point where the road j)asses through a defile, the head of the column encountered the eiu'my, apparently in small force, and who fell back as Cobuin advanced. On both sides of the road
were ridges, flanked by detached hills, some of them co\ - ei'cd by timber, under cover of which \ an l>orn"s three divisions were advancing from either side. The surpi'ise was complete, and, after a sharp engagement. Coburn's brig- ade was enveloped and comitelled to siiiitiiiler, his cavalry escaping by prompt flight, and the 124tli Ohio also escaped by reason of being in rear of the column in charge of the wagons. Early in the day Opdyt-kt- had iirge<l (lilbert to take or send foi-wanl a force to support Cobiii-n, but without ett'ect, until lu'avy tiring indic-ated serious ti-ouble, when Opdycke was ordered to advance. The 125th was off in a moment, and mo\ ed rapidly until the retreating foi'ce was met, and it was found that our mi»\ement was too late to render assistance.
The disaster cast a gloom o\ er the camp and dcsti'oyed confidence in Gilbert's capacity to command, ("obui-n him- self, although captured with his men, did not escajK' censure in the able discussions amons: the enlisted men, who wanted
46
OFDYCKE TIGERS,
to know why cavalrymen were mounted if tliey were to be held in camp with infantry while a few scouts were relied on for information. It must be conceded that if Coburn had ordered his cavalry to Spring Hill before the infantry' started, the horsemen would have run into and developed the enemy and come back again without serious loss.
About the same time that Coburn's brigade advanced from Franklin, several expeditions started from Murfrees- boro. On March 4 General Sheridan was near Eagleville with his division of infantry, General Steedman's division was near Triune, and Colonel Minty, with three regiments of cavalry routed small bodies of the enemy at Rover, and later in the day at Unionville, charging with the saber and captur- ing fifty-two prisoners.
On the 6th Steedman reported that he had made a reconnoisance to Chapel Hill, driving Roddey's cavalry off and then returned to Triune, having captured sixty pris- oners. On the 7tli General Granger came t(^ Franklin with a division of infantry commanded by General Baird, and on the same date Sheridan sent Colonel Minty with his cavalry brigade to Frank- lin, where he arrived on the 8th. On the 9th there was a general advance against K1.HERT K. HiuHKio, c. y .^ ,^ J)ov\\, commaudod by General
Granger, who had assumed command of the forces at Franklin, now consisting of Baird's and Gilbert's divisions of infantry and G. Clay Smith's brigade of cavalry. Minty's brigade moved via the Carter's Creek pike to make a circuit and join Green Clay Smith's brigade at Thompson's Station, the latter preceding the infantry, Gilbert's and Baird's divisions, on the Columbia pike, while General Sheridan advanced from some other point, bivouacking near us at dark. We marched before daylight. The cavalry found the
.'inr.Lvc/': to pcck Rni-.R.
47
eiK'inv on all rt>;t(l> witliiii three or I'imh' miles, and kept iiji a continuous tusilade, ei-eatini;- the inipre»ion at first that \vc were nioving to i^-o into action, Iml the I'aet that the enemv was I'ctifiiig betbi'c the adxaiicc ii'iiai'd soon liecanic a|iiKii'eiit. Near Th()iii[)s()irs Station a [tart of tlic int'antrv was deployed and advanced in line for a mile or so, whih' the fnini^^in front was brisk enon<;-li to indicate a stand. The enemy retired, liowever, Itefore tlie li'-Jlh aiKaneed near enoiiii-ji to see the proceedings. Tlie conunand went into bivouac at sunset.
On the 10th the forces advanced to l\utherford Creek, behind which the enemy was posted. They bad destroyed tbe bridges, and the wati'r was too higb to cross infantry or artillery. It rained continuously. On tbe lltli tlie cavalry eltected a crossinii- some distance uii stream, and found tbat Van Dorn bad escaped with bis main Ixxly across Duck Kiver. General (J ranger, in liis report, said: "Tbe men and animals sutfered greatly from tbe terrific storm during the day and nigbt of tlie lOtb." Tbe 12:)th was on picket along the creek, and for- bidden to have tires at the outposts, tbe rebel videttes being witbin bailing distance across tbe creek. During tlu' night some of tbe boys found and appropriated several excellent bams. They Imilt a tiri' at some di>tance from the tVont over wliicli slices of bam were broiled, ramrods ser\ing for cooking utensils. Officers invited to share the midnight feast were too polite to impure when the commissary began issuing hams.
On tlie 12th the commaml marched l>aek to l^'ranklin, arriving before dark.
On tbe 14th there was a grand review hy (leneral Granger. Our positi<»n in line was neai' the eotton gin on Carter's iilace.
Kl.Mll: Watkics, H(isr.2).
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
On March 15 the 125th was ordered into camp with the left brigade of Gilbert's division, then commanded by •Colonel Payne. Shelter tents were issued to the men and wall tents to commisioned otRcers. It may be that some of ■our readers never saw a shelter tent. Each man was sup- plied with a piece of canvass about iive feet square, having a row of button holes and also a row of buttons around the border. Two of them buttoned together and carried over a ridge-pole elevated on prongs about three feet high, with the ends fastened on the ground, made what the boys invariably called a " pup tent," probably because no animal could enter otherwise than upon all fours. Four pieces buttoned together, with an extra one or a rubber blanket across one end, made a home for four men, which, if less commodious than a wall tent, had the advantage of l)eing always at hand, and re({uired no space in wagons, each man carrying his part of the family mansion with his blanket. Yankee ingenuity invented improvements, materials for which were always found if the camp was for longer than one night, and which made of the canvas a gable roof over a very comfortable bed. No veteran would think of trading his "pup tent" for one that required wagon transportation.
During tlie first month after going into camp the 125th Avas occupied chiefly in working on the fort erected on the north bank near the railroad bridge, in addition to picket duty and drill.
Van Dorn's troopers advanced again within a few days to Spring Hill, and on March 23 General Granger sent the •cavalry out under orders to dislodge Van Dorn's advance from Thompson's Station. The etfort was made but failed,
SAMLEI, MoKlil.^UN, C.
Hi-NKV H. Adams, C. (1S94).
j-K.ur AT i>Ri-:xr\\'00D.
49
with a loss ot" (»m' ofKccr ami four im-ii. Two laru'f i4"iiiis Were iiiiMiiitcil ill ilu- tort on this ihitc.
At (hiA light on Mar<-h J.') thf ]iirk('t> on I he Lfwishtircf, C'olnnihia, Carter Creek and iJoytTs Mill r(iail> were viii-or- ounsly assailed, those on the Colunihia pike li\ aitilhrv as well as cavalry. At tii>t only ea\alry was si-nt to in-in- force the pickets, l)ut in a shoi-t time a courier on the Triune line came in with a rejiort that tAvo jtosts of that courier line had heen routed hy the eiieiny's eaxalry nioxing in the dii'ec- tioii of iirentwood, t he latter place hi-ing nine miles from Franklin, on the road to Xashville. \ few minutes later a messenger arrixed fnmi Tank, alxjiit twelve miles west on the lIar[K'tli, with intnrmat ion that a heaxy caxalry force under Forrest ami Wharton had ci-ossed at Tank and was moving in the direction of Brentwood. It was then evident that the intention was to ca}>ture iSicnt- wood and possibly the morning train tVom JSTashville. Brig. Gen. (Jreen Clay Smith was dispatched with all the lavali-y not then engaged, \iz : pai'ts of the 'Jml Michigan, 4th and <Itli Kentucky and IMli Pennsylvania, about s»'ven hundri'il incn in all, to save Brentwooil and the train if possible. The rest (»f the ea\aliy fol- lowed as soon as relieved by infantry. There was a stocka.le at a railroad bridge >'^' «"n >■ "•«"«'^^'^'-- half a mile south nt' IJreiitwood. The force at Ib'cntwood and at the stockade was jiart of the T.Mh Michigan ami the 22nd Wisconsin Infantiy, Lieutenant Cohuicl jJloddgood being in connnaml.
Oil arri\"ing at the railroad bridge. (leneral Smith learned that both commands had surn-ndered after tii'ing a few shots, being at the time i-ntirely sui'rounded and the enemy about to open with artillery at short range. S(uue
^Q OPDYCKE TIGERS,
few of the men escaped, making their way to Nashville, the total nnmher captured heing twenty-six cthcers and 722 men. After the surrender, the enemy moved southwest to recross the Ilarpeth west of Franklin. General Smith pur- sued, overtaking Starnes' brigade within three miles, when a runn'ing tight ensued to a point about six miles from Brent- wood where several roads intersect, at which point Starnes made' a stand, was vigorously assailed by Smith and for a time driven back, when Wharton and Forrest appeared upon the scene and turned the tables, driving Smith back two miles, when the latter, seeing that he Avas outnumbered, tell ha.'k'tc Brentwood. Smith's loss was twenty-eight. He estimated the rebel loss in killed and wounded to be large, ^ l)ut Van Dorn in his report makes it less ^ than that of Smith's command. Smith ' brought in 48 prisoners. As usual, the part taken by the infantry in the whole atlair consisted in going into line of battle and advancing only to see the enemy "^^^^ retire, their officers being too wise to hold >^pfe horses and men armed with carbines where they could be assailed by an inhin- try armed with more etfective riHes.
On March ?A the cavalry captured five prisoners in a skirmish on the Lewisburg pike near
Franklin.
Tlie following extracts from diaries will make the record
for March more complete :
"March 7. — Eli H. Dillon, Company K, was kdled by lio-htning while on picket duty. His post was at the fo..t of u'large tree, down which the fatal current passed.
^' March 10. — Our officers are in trouble to-night. One of General Gilbert's aides claims to have found men with the numerals "125'' on their hats helping themselves to sundry o-(,od thino-s to eat at a house near the line of march, and the
llAi;vi.-. , H.
/as;sv;.v for .\/.ia-c//, /S6j
General (.ivlcrrd tlu'ii- arr.-st. Eacli of the comiiaiiv (•lii.-cr.s (leelare tliat iioiir ol' ilicir men wvw out of ranks, and tliev aro tlircatcncd w Ith arrest if tlicytlo not find t lie uudt v men. It will he hard to convict if the otficcrs hani;- toucthcr. hut what if tlie aide should identify one or more of the lio\ > '."
•'March 1-). — The recent camiiai>:ii on Knthcrfoi-d'- Creek has heen too much for a uood nian\ of the li(i\>. A good many are iiiider the Surgeon's care. We marched l»ack as rear guard. Shortly after reaching our (juarti'i-s tliere were several calls for tlu> surgeon. Lieutenant Clark was sutt'ering from an attack of neuralgia of tlu' stom- ach. Dr. Mclleiirv, after trying milder remedies, ga\c' him a (htse (d' chloroform and water, whicdi put him to sJeeit. lie is better to-day. George French. Cctnijianv 1>. on reaching (juarters, declinc(| siijipcr and went ti> slec)'. His restless move- ments ami talking in his slee). h-.l to an 'J'-"' " w, km, ,:. ii. investigation, from which it was discovered that he had a high fever and was (h'lirious. The case was so serious tha* Colonel Opdycke arranged to take him to \)\\ Clilfs instead of sending him to the hosjiital, A young negro hov was Ictt in the room with him. i)ut George drove the hov out, st-rm- ing to think he was an uncanny imp. (leorije then matiai:'('<l to get his clothes on and tried to escape, hut was found later lying in the iudl at the foot of the stairs. He was then taken to the doctor's ottice, place(l in a hi-d in the hack rooui ami his hrotlier Gal eh detailcil to take care of him. 1 1 is con dit ion is critical."
''March 31. — (reneral inspection to-day. We lia\'c lost from the rolls in Mai'ch. hy death : daeoli V.. Galvin, ("mu- pany .V. intei-red in Section \\. (Jraxe i^.'n'. at Xa^li\illc: AVilliam \. Covert, Company 15, interred in (J rave 47. Franklin Seetion, Stone River Cemetery: dosejdi Andrews
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
Coiniiany C, Grave 30, same section and cemetery ; Eli H. Dillon, Company E (killed b}' liglitning), interred in Grave 51, same section and cemetery; Thompson J. Fawcett, Com- pany F,interred in Grave 80, Section E, Nashville. Lieuten- ant Hendry, Company H, has resigned, and the following men liave been discharged, all on surgeon's certiiicate of disa- -1 bility : Solomon Coler, Compau}' A; Jiichard McXamar, of E ; Sergeant James R. Brown, of F ; Samuel W. Anderson and Frederick Meno, of H.
We have two accessions to the ranks. Henry Stalter, colored, was eidisted as under cook in Company D, and Jordan Hardin, colored, in the same capacity in Com[)any E. Most of the officers and nearly all the companies ha^■e colored men empl()3'ed l)ut not enlisted." At daylight on the 2nd of April, the cavalry made a rush upon the enemy's out})Osts on the Carter's Creek road, captured two lieutenants and eight men, killing a captain and one private. On April 5, at daylight. Van Horn's troopers returned the compliment by rushing u[ion a coni- pany picketing at Davis' Mill, capturing eight of them. On Ajiril 7, Lieutenant Colonel Banning was assigned to com- mand tlie 121st O. Y. I., and never returned to us.
Bi:ii;. (Jkn. Van V\.v.
THE FIRST J'.ATTl.E OF FKAXKLIX.
On the 10th of April X'an Horn made a direct attack u}H)n Franklin. The concentration of his force near Sju'ing Hill had been observed, and an attack had been expected for a day or two. General Stanley had been ordered to report with his cavahy division to General Granger, and was halted about four miles east of Fraidvlin, where he eould watch the ford at Hughes' Mill. General Smith's cavalry was held in eserve, Baird's division was sent to watch tiie crossings west
/-jRsr iiATTi.r: oi- ir.wki.ix
53
of town, Icaxiiii:- (iilln'rt"s (li\i>i(>ii oiil\- t.. nn'ct ;i direct attack. Il was l)clic\ cd tliat tin- t-iifiny woiilil ciiilrax oi' to cros> ainl attack the ti'oo[i> in tlicii- (•ani|i> Ironi tin- nortli siili". iliii> ciittiiiii- oil' retreat ami in-urini:- tlie dot ruction ot' the toi'ce if defeated. The tort was tar Iroin eoni|ih-tion, l)Ut twi) hiru'e 1:1111^ Were ah'eady mounted and a secti(Ui ot" a tield l)atter_v was taken in t'oi- the occa>li'n.
Uranii'i-rVs etlectiNe I'orce. inchidiui:- Stanh'\"s ea\ah"v, was 5,1m infant ly and J.Ti's cavah'v. \ an I Nun"- force was ahont nine thousand ca\'ah'y and two reL:inient> of infantry. The (hiy wa- ihirk.snMd<y anil wind\. The du>t was lilown from the k\v\ roads in i^'ranklin and lu'vond directly in the faces of the InicMi forces, and. tow-eiher with the other eonditions mentioned, made it i|uite iMipossilile lo distiuiiiiisli a femn' from a line of h<»rsi'men at a short distance. Contrary to all theories \'an hoi'ii ad\anced directly upon the town, apiu-oachinii' from the >oulh on the ('ohunhla and Le\visl)urii' pikes, advam-in^' rapidly, meet inii' no ri'sislaiice, owinu" to the withdi'awal of the ca\alry advance posts, until Ills skirmishers attackeil the iidantry pickets neai' the town. The tiring' at the ])icket line was the lirst m>tn-e to the camp (d' the enemy's presence. The pick- ets wtM'e ilri\en into town on a run. The 4<)tli <^hio, constitutiiiu' the picket resirxc. posted near the cotton nin. made a staml and checked the Confcdei'at es tor a tnue. l)nt were then force(l to fall ha(d< tt> the ri\er, elosei}' followed hy the enemy. At that time Orderly Serireant (Renville, of a vm.-n s. .....v, .v.
Company H, who was at the ni'Wspaper (dlice in t<>wn doiiii:' duty as a i»rinter, concluded to Join the reu'iment forthwith. On the way he was (dtst-rved hy a rehel ti'oopei'. who put spurs to his horse and, u'aininu" rapitlly, raiseil hi- >alier to cut down the strasri^ler, who seenu-d to he .just within his
54
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
i^'ras]), when a shot, lired by ^lalcolm Thompson, of Com- pany H, killed the pursuer. The Confederates spread all over the town, many of them entering houses, being under the impression apparently that our force was in full retreat, the line on the river bank being obscured by the dust and smoke. Very few of those who entered houses escaped ; nearly all were killed or captured by the infantry advancing undei" (xranger's orders. A report came to Granger within a few moments after the light opened from Brentwood, to the effect that the pickets at that point had been driven in, from which Granger, who could not see the extent of the enemy's force in his own front, was led to believe that the main attack would again be on the post at Brentwood. The cav- ah-y under Smith was therefore sent at once to Brentwood. A little later, when the front attack was more fully developed, Granger determined to reinforce Stanley and call in Baird to join Gilbert in driving the enemy back in front, while Stanley crossed at Hughes' Mill and fell upon his rear. The cavalry having gone to Brent- wood, the-125th Ohio and one other regiment of infantry was withdrawn from the line ami ordered to march rapidly to ITughes' Mill. About that time Stanley, hearing the uproar at J^'ranklin, crossed without waiting for orders and attacked the enemy on his front. That movement was met l>yVan Dorn promptly sending a sutticient force to over- whelm Stanley, while the residue fell Ijack slowly before the advance of (Jilbert andjBaird. The moment (Jranger learned of Stanley's move he sent an order for the infantry to double (piick, received by the 125tli within a mile from camp, and we did double (piick for a distance of about three miles. That the men accomplished the feat in good order }>roves the ^■alue of traininii'.
II. I',, (ill I'AiM'. i;
FIKSl^ BATTl.l: OF FR.WKI.IX
55
We iirriwd to liinl Staiilcv alrt'iulv lalliiiu' li;i<'k. Iiaiil pressed, ami a- tlic IJ.')tli wciil torwartl i<> llii' post assiu-iicil it, we saw lyiiiu- iiiioii the iiM'ouiid wliat :-<>iiic iiiraiitryinen profess nevei' tn lia\e seen, r'li : dead cavalrviiu'ii, tiiie <»t tlieiu liavliiii- litM'ii di>iiat<-lic(l li_v a salier tlini>t, niakiiiii" :iii ugly gush ill his throat. The liriiig eeased almost lielure th.- 12.")tli gained its position and we did not fire a shot. .Mioiit the time the lii-'nli left the linr at I''i-anl<lin, \'an l»oni plan1c(| a liailery near ("aricr"> house and iti'L^an i hrowinn' shells into the eanij>, the llash ol' the u-iins giving to the artillerymen in the tort tlu' tii'>t noti«e of its loeatiini. .Ml the guns in the foi-t responded, and the Coid"e«lerat(.' Iialti-ry was (|niekly with- di'awn. In Stanleys a<lvanee, the 4th r. S. ("axalryearne upon a Confederate hattei'y of si.\ pieees. and ehaiging, eap- tured the hattery, together with from two hundred to three hninlri'd men, Imt were in tni'ii charged hy a superior t'oiTe from the l!aid<. part of wliieli hy rapid movement gained their rear. The hat- tery was lost again: fmr ot the guns heinu' >iiike<l, however, and all tin- prisoners hui oue captain, oue lieutenant and thirty-four nu'M eti't cted their escape.
The 12')tli hivouacked for the night near llnghe>" .Mill and marched hack to camp i-ariy ui-xt luorning.
The losses on the HMJi wei'e sutlicieiit to call the affair a battle, and the tro()i)s [U'esent wi're authori/.ed to in>crihe " Franklin "" np(»n their flags.
After the action on the lOth tin- enemy made no mo\i'- ment of im|Mniance in that \icinity until after the lL*."»tli left Franklin.
On .\pril J7 the Ti-xas Legion, posted on tin- Cai-ter's Creek road, were surrounded Just hefoi-e daylight and charge<l upon 1>\' our cavalry, who ca|>tured nine otiicers
.l.\MI> I'.MiKX. B.
56
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
and W'l men, besides 300 horses, wagons, mules, and camp equipao'e.
After tlie lOtli ot April work on the fort was pushed with greater energy. An order was issued by General Gilbert directing that at " fatigue call," which called the command to work on the fort on alternate days, all of the available men not actually on duty elsewhere must be marched to the fort, the regimental commanders reporting to the othcer of the Pioneers for instruction. That order held until May 18, when tlie woi-k liad so far progressed that an order was
issued reducing the woi-king force to a daily detail of forty men from a regiment. When not at work on the fort or on picket, drill went on with the certainty of fate, seldom interrupted \^\ rain or anything else. The weather was warmer ^j^ tlian it is in Ohio at that season of
W^-^ll^^^^^ '^''^ year. Shelter tents were dis- ^^^Ktk covered to be infci'ior to a shingle jHP^^^ roof as a protection from the sun's "" rays. We close the record for April
SKinrr. Sknm:nv .1. sji;i;ai,v, G. .,, ^ j. i. j? t
With a tew extracts trom a diary : "April 7. — General Gilbert drilled the division, two brigades. We marched forward and back in line of battle, wheeled, changed front to right and to left, threw out skir- mishers and recalled them. It was more exercise and more vigorous exercise than we liked on a hot day.""
"April 1(). — The l^otli received new hats to-day trom riiihidel[ihia. paid tor out of the comjjany savings. Tliey are iiner and better looking than those supplied by the (piai-- termaster.""
"Ajiiil l".t. Sal)l)ath Pay. — Chaplain Lemuel F. Drake, 121st O. A', k, preached in camp."
/.oss/':s roR a/'r/l, /S6j.
57
"Ajii'il :')(). — Our losses \\)\- ihr iiKHitli li:i\f I.ch'Ii as follows: I)ii'tl — SiiiK.ii Ilorrinu-, liosjiital >tc\\ai(l, X'n-liohis Keck and J^avid .lack. ..(" (', all tlircH' iiitfrrrd jit .\a~li\illr : iiumbor of gi'avcs not known to writer. Cliarlcs W. Iltiirv, ot I'). (I'u'd at ("aniii Cliasc ami was inti-rrrd in (ira\f 1 1'. (4roen J^awn ('cnu-tLTy, ('olnnil»us, Ohio: .lolm < >. Tliomas, of ]), (iravc r.t'.i. Secti..ii D. Xaslix ilK- : .ImIm, |'. K..iit^. of (I. (Jra\(-' 2ti7. Section !']. Xaslix illc : .laiiics \l. hml^-r. of II, Gra\i' ;)19, kSeetioM E, Xaslixilk-; Lt'\ i S|ilitst(»iie, ot" JJ, Gi'iix'e liltl, Section Iv, Stone liiver Oeinctei-y, Murfrccslioro : Sannu'l Kesslei', of I). (ira\r 4<>. I'^ranklin Section of Ston«' liixcr ( 'cincti'iy : .Mcrc(litli 1*'. M\an>, of 1>, (ira\e 1^5, same section and cemeterv : Lewi> ( >l(lrid*i-c, of !•]. (ira\«' :>l):>, same section and cemetery: dolin Trnlie. of M. <;ra\i' 1'2. same s».'etioii and cemetery; William Watson, of Iv (Jrav*- liTl. Section K. Stone lii\er: dolm .V. Stewart, ot' !•'. (irave '24, l^'ranklin Section, Stone liiver.
•• Lieut. Ool. Henry !>. Banninu- lias lieeii t ran<f.'rrc(| to
the li'lst O. V. 1.. MaJ. (Jeoi-.ue L. W 1.
Caj't. Isaac I). Sjiauldin<i". Lieut. Ileman Jv. Harmon and 1/ieut. Kilcy M. Merrill ha\\' resiii-ned, and the i'ollowini:' eidi-teil men ha\'e lieeii discliaru'ed on suri;-eon"s certiticate of <lisal»ility. ''':.• lieni-y L. Barricks and Josepli !>. Xaylor. of A: D. I). Mi-Michael, I'juerson l>i'ainar(l ami (-Jeoi'ii'e I^'reiich, of 15: Wilmcr .1. \Vest, JJnus II. IJrockett and Samuel T. .Morri-
,• / ■ i> . / ' CI.' Wa^iiinhto.n .Tones, H.
son. ol ( : l)enton Oassaway, ot |', :
Charles Ilarhye and Aaron Muck, of I'\ and ( >rd. Sei'i:"t.
dustus M. Silliman, of (i.
•"The otHcers liaxe si«:'ne<l and forw ai'<lcd to the ( Jo\ crncu' of ( )hio a request tor the ajipoint ment of l>a\i<l II. Moon- as Major, lie to I'ecruit the two additional com|>anlc- reijuired to make a full reu'inicnt.
S8
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
" Lienteiiaiit Stewart, of A, has been promoted to Cap- tain of 1).""
The month of Ma}' passed without eontiict. The enemy did not disturb us, and we proceeded with our dail,y routine, content to wait for a ii,'eneral adxance and a decisive cam- paign. We lived weH. Rations were abundant. Lieuten- ant Humphrey, acting Commissary, had a bakery prejiared, and issued soft bread in lieu of hard tack. The daily train from Kashville frequently brought boxes of eatables from Ohio sent by friends. The bo3's managed to procure milk and other luxuines in the neighborhood. A few extracts from the diar}' will sufficiently show our manner of life :
''May 1. — The regiment started at 2 a. m. with the entire di\ision on a reconnoissance towards Spring Ilill. Marched six miles, when the enem3-"s achance guards fall- ing back as our cavahy advanced, we were then halted and mai'ched back to camji, arriving at 10 a. m. ''Mrs. Cliff and others took tea at ColoneTs Opdycke's quarters this e\ening. "Adjutant AVhitesides purchased Major Wood's bay horse, "Billy."' He is a beauty. George Detriek, of E. has been promoted to hosjiital stewai'd. ITe and J. Fos. Scott, of F, were medical students before enlistment, and both have been doing dut}' as assistants to the surgeons." "May 3, Sunday. — Willam Maloy, of F, died to-day. He has been acting as andjulance driver for two months. One week ago to-day lie came to Captain Parks and said, " Captain, we are going home.'' "I hope so,'' saul the Captain, Maloy replied: "There is no doubt about it, this book says so,'' and held \\\\ a jiocket bible. By that time the Captain saw that the man was ill and di'lirious. He went with him to headipuirters. Surgeon McHenry thouii'lit he mi^■llt be sent hoiiu', hut it was not done at once,
HKIC. Gr.N.U.\V..I(.II.\SuN.
/■:X7'A'.IC7'S FROM n/.lRY.
59
and he uTrw W(»rsi' rajiidly. It \\a> a \crv sa<l tlratli. II.' rei)eiiteclly c-alk'(l tor iiis wifr and liltU- u-'irl, an<l Liftlinu' no res]ioii.so, w<mld say: "My dariinys, I'm coininii- liomc."' lie sjioke the names of tjie absent loved ones witli almost his last In-catli."
••May o. — (ieoro-e Riininiaire, eoloicd, was enlisted to-d;iy in Company C as undercook. Ordei-s to-night to strike tents at signal "stand to arms"" in the morning."
" May <!. — Broke eanq* ami mo\ *-d o\er to C'artei-*s wood; pitehed tents dui'ing a shower of rain, and tom- nienced tV-liing the trees. The entire division is here and at tlie same work.""
••May 7. — Still slashing timlter. The guns on the fort will ha\e a elear sweep when we finish.""
•■May S. — The l)(.'aiitiful gro\ e is a thing of the [>ast. The di\i>ion goes l»aek to the (dd camp in the moi'ning. We slay here lor pieket duty to-niori'dw.""
.. May 1(1. — Relieved t rom [.ieket l»y the ll.")th Illinois.""
•• May li'.— (,). M. Sngt. M.l- \in \\. Jlillis lia> l»een discharged for disahility. and Sergt. William 11. c I (twi'li, ot 1), has heen |)romoteil
to till the \aeaiiey. and ('orp. KoJiii |). Uariie- gets ("rowelTs place as Sergeant."
••May 10.^< )ii pjcki't on xuith side. ('ohuiel and Adjutant dined at Mrs. Xeely's. Lieutenant Uariies and I dined at Mr. Carter's, and his tiaughters, liaiidMune. luiglit girls, about 14 and 10 years oid. playeil the piano for us; good, reliable secesh music. They dcelined to fa\or us with L^nion souii's. Their brothers are in the Southern Armv."*
6o
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
"May 25. — Target practice this iiiorninii-. Adjutant Whitesides made the best sliot. Brigade drill at 5 p. m.''
"May 81, Sunday. — Relieved the 115th Illinois on picket on south side.
" Peter Dennnee, of Company PI, has been apjtointed principal musician.
"Our losses have been heavy this month. By death: Amos HuntsV)erger, of D, who was discliarged on March 3, but by some fatality the discharge failed to reach him at the
hosjiital in Xashville, and he died on the Otli of this month. Had he received the dischai'ge promptly he would have reached home, and might have recovered. Ilis grave is Xo. 551, Section E, jS'ashville. William Maloy, of F, interred in Stone River Cemetery, and Jessie Baldwin Guilford, of K, in Stone River Cemetery, numbers of graves not known to writer; Orrin F. Gates, of B, Grave 1, Franklin Sec- tion, Stone River; George AV. Cal- vin, of A, Grave 8, and Sergt. Samuel Corwin, of E, both in Fraidvlin Section, Stone River; Victor Lambody, of G, Grave 277, in Section K, and Isaac Goodman, of A, Grave 270 in same section, l)oth in Stone River Cemetery; Edward Wilcox, of F, Grave 1168, Section B, New Albany, Ind. ; James Thompson, of F, Grave 62, Section B, Row 3, Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Ky., and Elmer H. Waters, of B, in same cemetery.
" Capt. C. C. Baugh, Lieut. Charles Ilarslnnan and Assistant Surgeon Porter ^'ates liaxe resigned, and the fol- lowing enlisted men have been discharged on surgeon's cer- tificate of disability: Melvin E. Ilillis, Quartermaster Ser- geant; Corp. Darwin F. Allen, of B; David Baxter, of D
lilETT. lM'in:\iM r. ICn'ans I is(i2).
TA'.LYs/'/:/,' TO /iARi<i:i<s niacAiv:.
6 1
James Siu-K-r and -lolm Siiiii-cr, of \\\ .Inlm r,;irli,.iir ;iii(l Josc'pli A. Walker, of (i; (MMU'ii-c Strwait and ( 'liarlcs llarvcv, <d' II."
<)n .liinc i! (;ill)crt"s dixision mai-rlifd i,i 'rilnnc. and on the '■\Yy\ (icni'i'al (irani;\'r"s licad(|iiart (•!•> canir also, leaving' liaii'd's di\lsi(in at I'^'anklin. < hi llie 7tli tlie eiieni\'s cav- ali\v made a s|iii-iled altaek at 'riiiine, l)iit wei'e lepidsed by oui' ea\ airy.
( )n tlie Stii an order i>siied liy (ii-neral KosecraMs trans- t'oi'inc'd the troops of the Army of Kentiieky. ser\iiii( in his (lepartmont. into an or<:anization styled the " l\eserve Coi'l'S." leavini;' (ienerai (Jranu'er in etjnimand. ( )n the same day an orch'r was issued transferring the li'.'ith (>hio to the Third Uriuade. First Division, Twenty-tir>t Army Corps. Tliat l)rigade then eonsisted of the iI4th and »i")tli ()hio, r'rd Ki-ntueky and lli")t]i ( )hio, ("oj. Charles C.. Jlarker eommandini:". P>i"iu'. (ieii. Thomas .1. Wood was dixislon eoiiiiiiander and Maj. (ien. Thomas L. Crittenden, eorps com- mander.
( )n the I'th the enemy auaiii demoiistrateil at Triune, drixini;' in the pickets and maintainiiii;" a liea\ y skirmish dui'inu" the atteiMioon.
( hi till- II t h the enemy made a direct advaiu'c and planted a bat- tery, under eoxci' ol' which their ea\'alrv charu'ed and were I'epnised hy our caxalry. ()n each occasion tin' li!')tli was in line hut not under fire, excejit that a few shells [)assi'd oxer our heads.
'^riie 12-')t]i remaine«l in camp at Triune until June lil, when We marched oxer to Murfreeshoro and went into camp with Marker's liriu'ade. The ti-ansfei- of the i-e^inient was hrouii'ht about by the intercession in oui" liehalt' of lii'iij.
m;i I ^ H \i>H>i \ ■
62
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
Oen. James A. Gartiekl, chief of staff to General Koseeraiis, Oeneral Garfield feeling' special interest in the regiment on account of his friendship with our Colonel, and from the fact that a majority of the otticers and meii were from the Western Reserve. At the time of the transfer the relations hetween Colonel Opdycke and General Gilbert were decid- edly strained. The latter had requested the Governor of Ohio to commission a young nian by the name of Gilford as
lieutenant in the 125th in order to qualify him for detail as aide-de- camp on General Gilbert's statf. The Governor caused the commis- sion to issue. The first notice to the regiment of the threatened in- vasion of our ranks, ^^■as when the 3'oung man called on the Colonel and requested an assignment to a compau}- to enable him to be mus- ered in. Tlie Colonel was indig- nant, and refused the assignment. I Ml II \. siKAiiMAN mm;.,). ^j^ angry correspondence ensued
with the General. The Colonel called a meeting of our officers to consider tlie case, and all agreed that no c'i\ilian should gain a place that ought to be reserved as a rewartl lor meritorious conduct of our own men in the ranks. A letter was written to the Governor and signed by all the officers, pi-otcsting against the injustice to our enlisted men of pro- moting a civilian over them without the consent of any member of the regiment.
The Colonel wrote to Senator Wade, explaining the affair, asking his assistance, and reminding the Senator that, while Gilbert was a captain in the regular army and had been appointed and was acting as brigadier general, his appoint- ment had not been confirmed by the Senate. In a short time the Senate fdiJcd to confirm, and C((j>f<iiii Gilbert was
/.OSS AS FOR /rXE, iSO:;.
63
ordcri'tl on iliity riscw lici'c ri(ili:ilp|\ tlic iiii\\i-.c coiitost oviT a stall" a|>ii«(iiitiiifiit caused tlic \vi»'cl< ol' lii- militarv caiTcr.
()ii .liiiic ■l'.\ llii- ri'ii'iiiu'iit was liisjifftc(|. and orders received to niareh witli tin- eonnnand next day in the ad- vance on Tullalioma.
\W' clor-c tliis cliapter witli record of los>es lor .hme.
Malcolm 'riioniiisoii. of II, left the rank> on the march from Franklin to Triune, jirohahly to do some forai^'inu' on his own act-onnt. and never returne<l. It was reportcil in the ri'u'imonl soiue months later that he had heen ea}itMrc(l hy the eiK'my. sonu' ont' claimin<i' to have seen an aeeount of him in the
('huttiOiODqd litlnl .
Tlie followiiiii- i> a list of ct)m- I'atK's who died in dune: A<lani liassett, of (i. died at b'raid<lin and ■was liuried at Nashville : William {)sl>orn. td' A. died at Kraid<lin. and was liurieil in (ira\f ")4:i. Section d. Stone liiver Cemetery. Murfrees- 1»oro: doel X. Williams, of V>^ died at l''i-aid<lin. interred in ( J I'ave 1* .')!>. Section K, St..ne Kiver (\"nietery: i-m ,. luu, ^w. r^vNKOsr.n. Fdi J. F<dtz. of F. died at .\asli\ille. inti'rr«-d in (Ji-ave 8!H, Seetion C'.Xashviile: Horace r>unnell. <d' A. died at Louis- \iile. and was interreil in Cave Hill ('cnu-tei'y: Alexander J), i'oliock, of A, died at \ash\ille and was huried there; Thomas dones, of G, dii-d at Louisville, and was interred in Grave 48. Section l'>. Uow •"'>. Ca\e Hill Cemetery. Lieut. Marshall M. liicdiards i-esiu-iied, and the following comrades were disehai'ii'eil on suru'eon's eertitieate : Michael Feri'inuer. Morii'aii lirown and William T. Snntii. ot' \\ \ William IIol- lister. of D: Michael Hunn. of K: Leander Cattrell. of F: Morris (iritHn. (d' (J. and Aha Sil\ crthorn. of II.
CHAPTER V
THE Tl LLAHOMA CA.MPAIGN AND HILLSBORO.
Murfreesboro liaviiig been fortified as a depot, and sufii- cient supplies accumulated to justify another advance of the Army of the Cumberland, a campaign was opened on June 23, 1863, which compelled General Bragg to abandon Middle
Tennessee and fall back beyond the Tennessee River. At the time fixed for the advance, Buckner's corps of Bragg's army was in East Tennessee, and his cavalry force had been weakened to send Gen. John Mor- gan on his famous raid through Indiana and Ohio. Buckner was recalled, and by nsing the railroad succeeded in getting his command up, the last l)rigade arriving the Nery night Tullahoma was evacu- ated. It was too late to recall the cavalry when Rosecrans ad\ anced, and for once the latter had as many horsemen as his adxei'sary.
Although no general engagement resulted, the mo\"e- ments inxohed hard work, severely testing the discipline and endurance of the troops. V>y skillful combinations, involving a few combats in which the Union losses were less than one thousand men, Rosecrans turned his opponent out of an intrenched line and forced him to retreat across tlie Tennessee River.
In his oflicial report, (Jeneral Rosecrans described the enemy's position as follows: " Tlieir main base of supplies was at Chattanooga, but a vastly su[)erior cavalry force had enabled them to command all the resources of the Duck
jr\i Gi \ A M( ij \r( (
TULLAlfOMA C.IM/'.I /(; X.
65
I\i\<'i' N'alK'V ami llu- (•(Hiiitry sunt li\vai<l. 'riillaliMiiia, :i large iiitrciiclinl caiiii'. sitiiaiitl on tin- • |>anfn>." at tlic
intersoction of tin- XaslivilU- iV; Cliatta ga Kailiuatl with
the Mi-Miiivillc Inanch, was their main ih'jiot. Its front was C()\ c-i'cd \)\ till' (Ictilrs of I)iirk lii\<T, a ih-rp, narrow >trram with hnt tV'W lords or hridux-s, and a ronL'h, rocd<v ranirc of liills which di\i(k' thi- -JJarrciis' t'rom the hiwi-r h-vcl of Middle Ti'iiiK'S.sev. iiragg's ma;n arm\ oc(ii|iicd a stroiiaf [)(»siti()n nortl) of J)iR'k Ivixcr. the infant ry cxtcndinu from Shelhyvilk' to Wartrare, and tln-ir ca\ah-v on tln-ir right to McMinxilk" and on their left to C'olinnhia and S[»ring Hill, where Forrest was eoneent rated and threatening Franklin. The imsition of Bragg's infanti'v \va> eoNcred liy a range of high, rough, roeky hills, the iirinelpal rontes passing sonthward from MurtVeo- boro toward Tnllahoma, and the line ol tlie enemy's eoinninnieations are: The Manehester i>ike. passing thesi- hills throngh Hoovers (lap. ami aseending to till' "Uarri-ns" throngh a long dilKenlt eanon ealled Matt's Hollow: tin- Wart- raci' I'oad through Liherty (iap. wliieli passes into the one along the railroad hy l>ellhnekle <ia|>: the Shelhyville tnrn- piki', rnnning throngh ^'Hys (ia|>: the Middletown dii't road : the road l»y ^'ersailles into the Slielhyville and Trinne roads, hotli ot" whieli avoid ]iasses and ha\e few defiles.
••The enemy held all these passes, and his main po>ition in front of Shelhy\ille was strengthened hy a redan line, extending iVom Horse Monntain on the east to Huck liivcr on the \\est. covered hy a line ot' ahattis.""
If Ivosecrans conid pass his army through tlu' ga|>s and eoncentrat*' at or near Manehester, the strong (kdensivc line north of |)uck River would he untenahle. and Urairir niust
>r\.I.<iKN. .1. S. N'Kiil.KV.
66
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
then defend Tullahoma by giving battle on tlie plateau, where he would have no advantage arising from the char- acter of the ground, or await an attack within his intrench- ments at Tullahoma and risk losing his railroad. He seems to have exi)eeted that Rosecrans would avoid the difficult passes and advance b}^ Shelbyville. At least the elaborate preparation about Shell)yville and the weakness of the force found in each of the gaps on tlie other routes indicates as much. Eosecrans preferred to avoid a direct attack upon the intrenched line, where success if obtained must be by dint of hard blows, and would leave to Bragg safe avenues of reti'eat on good roads. He decided to turn the enemy's right flank by way of Manchester. The initial movements were designed to deceive Bragg and lead to a concentration of his forces in the direction of his left flank and away from the coveted passes.
Genei-al Granger was ordered to take his forces to Triune, west of Murfreesboro, where he could advance by the Shelby- ville and Triune pike. On June 23, Granger, under orders, sent Mitchell's division of cavalry on the Kaglevillc and Shelby\ille })ike to make a furious attack and drive in both tlie cavalry and infantry out- posts of tlu" enemy to his main line, ^^^^^^^ at the same time advancing with his I ^^^^ jBBiiHB own infantry and I>rannan's division Lff Jnni^^^^^^^H of the Fourteenth Gorps to Salem.
On the same day 1 aimer s (hvision (if the Twcntyflrst Gorps moved off east from Murfreesboro to the vic-inity of Brady ville, taking a brigade of cavalry, with orders to seize the head of the deflle leading up to the "Barrens'' liy an obscure dirt road leading on to Manchester by Lundey's Station.
TUfj.Mfo.MA c.\.\rr.\n;x.
67
Oil tin- iiioniiiii;- «.f the J4tli the fiitii-.- ai'liiv \v;is in motion. M.CookV ((.ips (Twentieth) a«lv;iiii"et| on the Shelhy\ille iua<l, one (li\isi(>ii to P'osterx ille to eover tlu- iiioveiiieiit of the other two (li\isioiis, they turniiiii: to the left after jn'oeeediiij^ a few miles into a f.»a<l h-adiiii:- h\- \\a\- t)f MiMershtirii- to Liherty Gap. Grani;Hi-'s eorps ami Kran- nan's dixision advaneed towai'd ShelhyviUe, Urannan also tiirninu- to the h-ft after a few miK's to pass \\\ Christiana and Join the Twentieth Corps. The advaneed division of the Twentieth Corps was also to rejoin hy way ot ('hristiana after Granger havinu" demonstrated towards Shdhyville also passed over to within supjiortiiiu- di>taii«c. Thomas, with the Fourteenth Cor[is. nioxcd on tin Manehester pike direct to Hoover's (iap. Crittenden left Van Cleve's division to garrison Miiil'reeslK>ro, and ordi-red Palmer to achanee followed hy Wood, the hitter's di\ision to eamp the first ; night at l)oiiald"s Church on the Urady- i \ille road almost due east from Mur- freeshoro. It will be seen that the demonstration of the day before toward>
.l.\>. C. I'l.KMIMi, K (1"M.;!|.
Shelby\ille was emphasized by the diree- tion taken and apparent destination of the bulk of the army on the morning of the 24tli. and tlu- ruse appears to ha\"e been etfeetive. McCooks nu-n took Liberty (iaj* after a sharp light, and AVilder's mountt'd brigade surprised and earrietl Hoovers (ia}) before the main infantry supjioi-t ol' the small foree guarding it eould be brought up. and when the eni'my did arrive Wilih-r loiight them until Iveynolds' division of the Fourteenth Corps arrived. Neither jiass was hehl by a suttieient foree.
The orders for .lum' :2-") were for Thomas to advance ami dri\e the enemy beyond Fairtield toward Wartrace, MeCook to advance and take jiosition behind Thomas at
68
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
Beech Grove, leaving a division to hold Liljerty Ga[), which vi'as to he withdrav^n later and follow, Crittenden to advance to Lnmley's stand, six miles east of Beech Grove. Should Thomas succeed in driving the force on his tlank toward Wartrace, he was to leave a division to cover the road and march rapidly to Manchester, to he followed hy McCook on the pike and l)y Crittenden on the road from Bi'adyville via Lumley's stand. Granger and the cavalry were to make demonstrations farther to the right.
Ir l)egan raining on the morning of the 24th, and rained incessantly tor eight days, greatly retarding movements, so that most of the operations ordered for the 25th were not concluded until the 26th. Thomas hav- ing advanced, driving the enemy hefore him, heyond Fairfield, Reynolds' division with l)aggage moved during the night of tlie 2(3th to within live miles of Man- chester, Wilder's hrigade having seized Matt's Hollow during the afternoon, thus securing the passage.
On the 27th Reynolds' and part of Negley's divisions arrived at Manchester. Sheridan's division arrived on the 28th, and all of McCook's and Crittenden's divisions w^ere up hefore night on the 29th. In the meantime, on the 25th, after McCook had marched to join Thomas at Beech Grove, leaving Jolmson's division to guard Liherty Gap, the enemy made an attem[>t to recover the gap, but were easily repulsed. On the 27th, when Rosecrans' advance reached Manchester, Bragg immediately abandoned his intrcnclimcnts alxnit Shel- by ville. Granger and Stanley, who had joined Granger with tlie cavalry, advancing at the same time, occupied Shelby ville, having met with but slight resistance at Guy's Gap and from the rear guard at Slie1by\'ille.
Ja.mks ])i;nnv, ]■'.
'JL'I.I.AIIO.MA iWMIWmX
69
()ll tlu' '1\^\\\ (iflicnil 'I'lmllias ;iil\ ;illi-t'(l iVolii M ailrlicsl el-
to Ci'iiiii|it(nrs C'r(,'i,'l<, iiostiiiii' I>r;iiiiH>ii on tiic ri^'lit. \U'\- Dokls iK'Xt oil tlic U-t't with lir;i(li|iiailcr> at ("oin-onl ( "liiircli. Noii'k'V one iiiilo tui'tlKT to tlic Id't. wliilc Slu'ridan's dix ision of the Twentieth Corps juhaneed to the liiiht and north ot ])raniioii. ( )n dune :)0 reconnaissanco wi'rc made tVoiii each division. On diilv 1 di>liii>on and havis were orih'rt-d to advance to tlie riu'ht of Sht'ri(hin and Tahnrr and Wood to take |>o>ition on the U-tt of Thomas. Imt het'ore the hist (knisioii was tairlv nnck'r wav iiitt'lHu'cnce was i-eei-iNcd ot ])rau'ii-"s I'etreat, he lia\inu' e\aenated the work- at Tidhi- lioma ikiriiiii' the niydit.
r>nl tor tlie eontinuous rains it would ha\'e heeii im|M.<- siblc tor Braii'ii" to ha\c remained as Ion u' as hi' (knl withcuit iiii'ktinii,' a l)attk'. It was Imt a shiu't mareii to Mstell S|iriin:s, wliere the raih'oad crosses the I'^lk Kiver siuitheast of 'I'nlhi- homa. and thi' tk'st rin-tioii ot the Kridu'i' or of the railwav bi'h>w woiihl ha\'e reinU'red 'I'ulhihoma
A
1
untenahk' and matk' it diilii'idt for IJraiii:' to remove his supjilies. Thi- (kifHcidtv oi" niovinii' men ami the im[i()ssil)ilit\" (>! iiioNinu" artillery oi' wau"ons across the tields, no thuiltt (k'terred liraijii' from giving' hattle I'ither in the vicinity o! Fairtii'hl to }iri'\'ent the adxaiice to Man- chester oi" near Mam-liester. The fact that Unckiier's Corps was hrouu'ht for- ward proves tliat he (kid not in the Ijcii'innini;- inteiul to retreat without tiu-hting. (ieneral Jiosecrans has keen criticised ky some writi'i's for not atkanc- ing at once and rajiicky tVom Nkiiiehi'sti'r upon 1-Ntill Sprini^-s witlioiit waitini'' for all the (kvisions to come up. and al>o foi* sendkiii" Crittenden' corps so far to the east. It must ke rememkered that the (kirt roads on whick Critternk'n's corps mai'ched would lia\e heeii just as ii'ood as the jiikes hut for
.T. Ai.r.i.in MATTinms. is.
70
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
the extraordinary rain, and tbat he was in better suppcn-ting- distance of Tliomas at Beecli Grove from Lumley's stand six miles away to the east than he would have been if fol- lowing Thomas on the pike throngh Hoover's Gap. i^o man who ])articipated in that struggle with mud will ever he convinced that Roseci'ans could ha^'e accomplished more than he did.
The total losses in killed and wound- ed of the Army of the Cumberland did not exceed six hundred men. Bragg's loss in killed and wounded was about the same, and he lost besides over sixteen hundred men who were ca[itured and about four thousand b}' desertion, so that his elfecti\'e force was about six thousand less after crossing the Tennessee than it His retreat occurring at the same time with the surrender of Vicksburg and the defeat of Lee at Gettysburg, must have contributed to make many a South- ern man despondent of final success.
EXTRACTS FKOM DIAKY.
Ci.AKK Van AViE, ('.
was at Duck River
June 24. — Marched at 7 a. m. towards Mancbester; made twelve miles and camped for the night at Donald's Church. Rained all day. Heard cannonading off to our right in afternoon.
June 25. — Tlie 12.Jth acted as train guai'd to-day. Marched at 8 a. .m. in a heavy shower of rain. Was detained by bad roads and troo[)s preceding us on the road. Passed Bradyville at noon ; camped at 4 i". .m., distance made only six miles.
.lune 26. — Still raining. In camp all day waiting for I'alnicr's wagons to get up tiie mountain and give us the road.
JLX'/'R.ICrS FROM D/.IA'Y
.luiU' -11. — M:ii\-lu'(l at Itl \. M. A>ct'ii<lr«l tlic liill to the *• Uarifiis,"" IcaNiiiii- tuir wa^'ciis w it li Wau'iicr- liriijadt' to Iii'iiiii' tlu'iii up. It raiiinl most ot" tin- daw ("aiii|it'il at 4 1'. \i. ; distaiit-r i:-aiiUMl, tivf miles.
.Iiiiu' :^S, Siiii(hi_v. — Marflir(l at ."> \. \i.. our rci^'inn'iit in iidvaiicc. k^everal liciixy sliowors. Camiifd at 4 i'. M. <)iir wau'oiis came iij> — [laft ot" them. 'I'wo were hopelessly mired and were l»iiriie(L 'I'lie animals ww on half ratii)Ms. Ma<h' ten miles to-day.
dune lii*. — In I'amp all day. Kaiiied several sli(twers.
dune -iO. — Marched at ti \. M.. oiir hriLi'ade train i^nard. Iveachod Manclu'ster at 10 \. m. Mnemy repoi-tcd in force at Tullahoma, 11 miles distant. Marchetl four ndles to-day.
didy 1. — Marclie<l at ')::iO v. m. ami camped at !> i". .m., on road to Hillshoro.
duly -1. — Marched at ."> a. m., pass* m llillsltoro at 7 ami halte(l near I'elham ai 1 I'. M. At 4::'»tl marched au'ain, retrac- iiiii" our steps towards Hillshoro. Camjied at iS I'. M. in a wheat ficM. I)i>ian<'i' to-day eiii'hteen miles.
dulyo. — Marched at •"> \. \i., halted at 8 A. M. at Hillshoro. At 11 \. .m. marched auain ha(d< towards IV'lham. Halted at 4:;)<) i-. .m. near our old camp. Distance to-day twcdve miles. H rained in afternoon.
duly 4. — In camp near I'l'lham. Kain showers fiH'- quent. A dispateli reeeivetl says Vickshuru' has t'alh'ii. \\\ artillery salute of thirty-four umius was tired in honor of the event, ddiere has l)een some vii:'(»rous toi'au'in.i:' to-day hy this command. For ti\'e days past have heen on hall rations.
duly ■'). — MiU'e rain and nnu'e t"ora<;*in<:\
duly <I. — A disjiat(di was read to tlu' reuinient hy Adju- tant Whitesides ti-Hing of a glorious vict<u'y hy the Army of the Potomac at (iettyslmrL;". I*a. We ijave our eastern com- rades three elu'ers.
M \.l. liKN. .1. .\1. r.U.MI.K.
72
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
HILLSBORO.
On July 8 the 1st iiiid ord ]>rii!;a(k's of Wood's dixisioji, under orders marched to llillshoro and went into camp, remaininii' there six weeks.
The eomniiesioned otHeers of the 12otli found them- selves witliont tents, it being reported, hut not otticially, that the otiicer in charge of the wagon train liad dumped them to lighten the loads. However that may have l)een, they ne\er came u}>. A tent was procured for hea<lquarters, and a il}' taken from a hos- })ital tent was made to cover the beds of all the line officers. Some of the officers had sutfered a still greater loss, liaving failed to tind iheir valises in any wagon that came that way, and being compelled to order new oni's and new di'css uniforms from Ohio.
Fi'om the tirst to the last day at i.T. (iKN.WM.i. HM.M... ni]ig|„,,.o the troops were kept busy Avitli incessant drills, daily dress })arade, fatigue duty, guard duty, inspections and all the details of camp life.
In the officers' school, i>utterfiel(rs work, "Camp and Outpost Duty for Infantry," and other militar}' works were carefuly stiidied.
The Officer of the Day was required to inspect the men's quarters and all parts of the camp daily, reporting in detail the condition of the grounds and quarters as to cleanliness and neatness; and he also inspected the cooking, assuring himself that both l)eans and bacon were fit to eat before l)eing ser\-ed.
The daily dress [)arade was preceded ])y an inspection of arms, e([uipments and clothing. Books were supplied, in wliich all the details of the several inspections \vere recorded, each nnm being given his proper per cent, in the company
////./.SJiOA'O.
ri'ciii'd, ;iiiil each (•(>iii|.aiiy its pi-ojK'r a\'i.-i':ii:"i- in tlit- rcii-i- inciital record. 'IMicit was rivalry t<» oKtaiii flic liiulif>t gl'adf. and after a i'cw" day> tlic inspector seldom t'oiind a i;Min ill condition to mark lii> while t:'lo\-e. oi- disco\-cred soiled clotlnnu' or untidy (|iiartei->. Tlie etleet ol' that t rainini:' wa~ iioticealde to the end ol' the war. The men ol' the lli-'>tli always thereatter made the l»est ai'iiearance [lossiWle iimU'r the eircuiii.staiices in which they were phu-ed. and were often diil>l)ed " rcii'idars'" hy nn^n si'rxiiii:- in regiments less thoi-- <)U^"hly instriU'ted. (iood health |>re\ailed. and hard woik ke[tt muscles in condition to endure hard marching wIicm tlie next adNance should he oi'deietl. It is worthy of i.ote that at this time ahout all the men i>l' weak |>liy>i<|Ue were already out ot the service or in hospital and c(Mi valesceiit camps, tVom which they were discharsi'cd or tran<terred to the \'eteran Jieser\i' Corps. Almost all the losses from causes otiiei' than uun shot wounds occurred in the lir>t year. In 1S(I4 only seveiiti-eii men dieil from causes other than i>-un shot wounds, ten of tlu-m in the two lU'W eonipanie> (I and I\ ) and part of the others in i-ehel prisons, the rest heiiii:' men who had joined as lecruits. In lS(.!o tivi' died from disease, four of them havini;' joined within a yi-ar as recruits.
It was apparent when we \\v\\\ into cani|i at the close ot the 'J'ullahoma campaiu'ii, that it wouhl he a w^rk ol wetd<s if not months hefoi'e the railway ct)uld l>e restcued, cars and locomotives ]U'(tcured, supplies accumulated near the front, and all thinu-s prt'jiared to >u>tain the army in it< iie.xt advaiUH', which mu>t he to the south side of tin- Teniies.sec Uiver.
The ever leiiutheninii- line of sup]'lies hecame n.on- and more suhject to interruption hy ea\alrv raid-, makinu" an
-I i:.,l. .1 \i Mil .\\\\ Kl I . I'
74
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
accnmulatioii of rations and forage near tlie army an intlis- pensable condition to its existence in the presence of the enemy, where concentration and slow progress w^ould make it impossible to live off the country.
Colonel 0[)dycke took advantage of the situation to send sexeral ofRcers, each accompanied by two or three enlisted men, on recruiting service in Ohio, expecting to get them back, with a goodly number of recruits, in time for the next movement.
EXTRAC^TS FROM DIARY.
July 8. — Marched at 10 a. m. Arrived at Ilillsboro at 4 p, M. ; distance, nine miles. Cam})ed.
July 9. — Captains Parks, of F, and A'aliendar of II, Surgeon McHenry, Sergt. Maj. Seabury A. Smith, two ser- geants and several men started to Ohio on recruiting service. Lieutenant Ilum- jthreys is to command F. and Lieutenant Clark to command II.
July 10. — Moved camp over to I'ond S})ring, one-half mile northwest of town in a beautiful gi'0\'e. skhct. .1. s. stin.i i:, K July 12. — Foraging parties l)ring in
abundant sup[)lies, apples, potatoes, blackberries, etc.
duly 13. — A camp guard stationed to-day. Too much irreguhir foraging.
July 15. — Captain Yeomans arrived to-day fi-om Ohio, where he went to recover his liealth.
July lb. — Semi-monthlN' inspection by Captain Eaton, 65th O. \\ !., Brigade Inspector.
duly lib — Six officers and 192 men of tliis regiment detailed to-day on various duties.
in/.i.snoKO.
.Inly 2<>. — Wi' arc |>racticln;:- tin- iii<t\ ciiicnts •• ail\ aiicr, tiriiiii-" ami ••retreat, tiriiii^-,"" in wlileli tiles are ilMnMed. tour liU'ii (lee[i, with intervals lietweeii liles tlimiiuli wliieli rear rank men pass rniininLi' to tlie I'rnnt, tirini:' ami lialtini;" to load, while tlu' next rank pa^'^es tarther to ihe iVont. ami -o on. In retri'at the order is ro\i'rsed. the tront rank lii-inL;- and jiassino- to rear to load. It Iook> like an etleetixe inaiK'UVer.
.Inly '1\ . — 'I'lie reii'inK'nt was paid this mornin<;- tor two months.
duly lid. — (TOiicral Wood and ('oloiiel llarker inspected our camp, and said it was tlie hot in the — di\ision.
duly oO. — Xo di-ill tliis atternoon on account ol' hard rain storm.
duly -W. — Losses for duly are a> lol- lows : ("orji. Joseph ^\'ilson and i^ates Leroiitic strai;'ij;k'd on the niaridi on tic 2nd inst. and were captured l»y the enemy; Thomas ('. dont's, of 1), died <ui the 2oth, and was interre(l in (irave .'.. Section N, Stone River C/cmetery, Mur-
freesboro. Six men have l»eeii diseliari,'"ed on suri^coiTs cer- titicate of disahility, /■/':; doshua ( 'allahan, of A : ("harles A. Austin and Harrison 'I'urncr, of 15: Script, ("arlos W. Fisher, of 1^ : Augustus Duchman and (JeoiMt. Seic-niier. of Y. Seiu'uuer served in II hut mustered in V.
August 2, Sunday. — Religious services at ii:.ln \\ \\. Ity Captain Powell, of the <;.")th O. \'. I.
August 8. — New order for drills lo-day. ( HHcer>" drill at 7 A. M.. skirmish drill at s, company drill at 1 v. M.. ami battalion drill at 4; one hour tor eaidi ilrill. I>re-- jiaradt' at sunset.
August."). — Adjutant W'hiti'sides and his coloi'ed hoy starte<l t(» Xash\illc on four ilavs" lea\"e. Will leavi- their
76
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
horses at Sliell^yville and take cars. They have comniisioiis to purchase all they will be able to carry for the rest of us. August 9. — Whitesicles returned this evening. Reports that he met Colonel Banning at Shelb}^- ville, Dr. Cliff and Mrs. Iloft'man, from Franklin, at Nashville; Colonel Payne and Major Hampson, of the 124th, at Manchester, and had a good time gen-
erally.
August 13. — A heav}' storm of rain and wind to-(Uxy. A tree blown down injured several men in tlie 64th Ohio.
August 14. — Inspection by battalion to-day, men ec[ui[i[»ed read}- to march. The Division Inspector olHciated. Tliis and other things indicate an early move.
August 15. — Our sick men have been sent from regi- mental to general hospital. We anticipate orders to march.
M( XruLAND, F
(•ii.\i''i'i:u \i.
CilUKA.MAll.A CA.MrAKiN.
rAliilST Id TO SKITKMr.KK IS. ISf,.!.*
W'lu'ii Gt'iicrnl IJrau'LC evnciintcd '^riilhilioina lie uc<-in»io(l Cliattaiiooii'a with llic main liody i»l lii> aiiiiv, |M>stiii<^ (k'taciiiiu'iits t(i watfli tlif v'ww crossiniifs aln»vi' aii<l liclnw.
TIr' Army of the C'limberhiml did not immi'diatt'ly juir- suc. Tiic lU'Xt ohjiH'ti\c' toi- Kosocraiis was ( 'hattainH.u-.i, thu gateway to East Tennessee ami to ^S'ortheni Georgia. An adxanet' to tliat }ioint involved ci'ossing the Cumbei'land Mountains and also the Tennessee liiver. IJet'ore entering ujion an enterprise of sueh magni- tude, it was neeessary to repair the raili'oad and accumulate supi)lies at the front. My August 12 the rail- way was repaire<l to Bridgeport, Sheridan's division haxing moved tliere in adxance <»t" the general movement. (>n the Kith the cam- paign opened, in the next ti\e days the AiMny of the Cum- l)erland struggliMJ with and triumphed o\fr ilif ohstacles presente<l hy the rocky sh)[ies and had roads of the ("undier- land range, and lieads of columns reached the ri\erat various points above and below Chattanooga. It was Rosecraiis' purpose to cross the Tennessee River l>elow Chattanooga, and by threatening Bragg's line of supplies force the latter to the alternative of evacuating the town or risking the loss of the railway to Atlanta by which he was sujtjdied. The initial movements of our army were >o ordered as to deceive Bragg and lead him to ex[tect an effort to eross abo\e Chat-
Ma.i. (.Jr.N. Tims. I,. <i:iriiNM N.
78
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
taiiooga, where lie made preparations to resist, leaving- tlie river below guarded by cavalry only. Our several corps moved as follows: Crittenden's corps on the left; Wood's division from Hillsl)oro by Pelham and Tracy Oit}' to Therman in Sequatcliie Valley, tAventy-one miles north of Jasper; l*ahner"s division from Manchester to Dunlap, a few miles north of Therman: Van Cleve's division from
McMinville to Pikeville, at the head of Sequatcliie Valley. Minty's cav- ulry on the extreme left drove Uibrell's cavahy toward Kingston. Thomas' corps was the center, and his divisions moved : lieynolds, fol- h»wed by Brannan. to the mouth of
f,^mj^^^^-^ Battle Creek; Negley, followed by W^^^SKf i>aird, marched via Tantallon to
Crow Creek, at a jtoint l)etween Anderson and Stevenson. Sheri- dan's di\ision of McCook's corps uv.vr. ui. „m:,, k. 11,,^,: (iMiii. ^^..^j, already at Bridgeport when the
movement began. Johnson's division marched to Bellefonte and Davis' division to a point nearer Stevenson. All were concealed from the observation of the enemy ])0sted along the river. Hazen's brigade of Palmer's division and Wag- ner's brigade of Wood's, with Wilder's brigade of mounted iniantry, ]>uslied on across Walden' Ridge, and together with Minty's cavalry, made themselves offensively conspicuous along the river from Chattanooga to Harrison's Landing and above, moving from point to point, blowing bugles, exhil)it- ing artdler}' and troops, building numerous fires at niglit, throwing pieces of planks and logs into creeks to tloat down and suggest the construction of boats, and l»y various expe- dients trying to convince the enemy that oui- nniin body was concentrating there, when in fact i»rei)arations were in pro- gress to cross manv miles below. At davlight on the "2l>th
CA'OS.s/X(; Till-: tixxessf.e.
79
part of Davis' dixision frosseil at CaiK-rtonV in |M.iii(Htii boats, drtnc oil' a small torci' of tl:t* ein.'iiiy\s cavalry aiul quickly laid a liriduc on whicli the rest of the division crossed, followed liy dolmson and Xc^lrx. Slu-ridan ci-osx-d l»y a jiontoon and trestle eondiine<l at r>ridw-,.|„,|-t. Haird fol- lowinu'. J)i'annaii i-rossed at the month of IJattle Creek on rafts, and Ueyimlds at Sliell Monnd, nsin<; a eou|ile ot" tlat- boats. C'ritti-nden's divisions then mo\ ed down the valle\ and ci'ossed at Jiattie ("reek and Shell Monnd. leaving:- lla/.en, Wau'ner. AVilder and Mintv on the north >ide.
The ditHeidties of tin- campaiu'n wei-e noi emleil with the iiassan'c of the ri\er. Uaecoon Mountain and then Lookout loomed u[t across the })atli of McCook and Thomas, Lotdvout risinu to the heiii'ht of 2,40(> feet, with steep slopes surniountt'd l)y perpendicular cliffs, the <)nly practicable roads beinu" at -bdinson's C'ro()k and WinstoiTs. one twentv-six miles and the other forty-two miles t'rom ('liattaiiooi:-a. The necessity for trausportinu" supplies and ammunition in wagons made loiiij: trains, and iiiereased the labors of tlu- troops. I >a\ i>, leadiuii' in MeC'ook's corjts, reat'he<l the i>ass at Winston's on tlie 2d of Se]i- temher. Neii"ley, at the lieail of Th(>ma>" c(U-ps, I'eached Stevens" (ia[t on the Stii. Crittenden moved from Shell .Mound on the otli. reconntiitered at the north end of Lookout on the Tth. on the IMh dis- covered that Ijraii'ii" had exaiuated and at once marched to Chattanooija. It was
belic^'xed that JJrau'ii' was ret ri'atiuL:". ami ("littemlen was ordered to jiursue. On the lOth it w as(lisco\ ered that the enemy had retired by the Latayette road, and Crittenden was ordered to halt at Kiniiu-old and send a reconnoisanci' to Lee and (ioi'dons .Mill. It was ascertained definitely on the lull that l>rau-«i- was in tin,' \i(,'initv of I.afavette with his
M \.i. (.1 N. .1. 1. U i
8o
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
main body, and orders were sent for McCook to move at once to Stevens' Gap, and for Crittenden to concentrate at Lee and Gordon's ^lill and open commnnication with Tliomas. iSTegley was neai- Dni^ Ga[) on the evening of the 10th and Baird joined him on the morning of the 11th. when they discovered tlie enemy approaching in vastly superior forces, and fell back to Stevens' Gaj).
Bragg had moved out of CUiattanooga to place his army across Kosecrans" line of advance, ho^jing to strike and crush tlie several corps m detail. He had ordered his subordinates to attack jS"egley on the 10th, but tliey failed to execute the order, wliich was renewed for tlie next day. On the next day, when Xegley and Baird retreated, more than twenty-five thousand infantry were advancing upon them, but they managed to escape without the loss of a gun or wagon.
Foiled in his first attempt, Bragg then sent l*olk"s and Walker's corps to attack Crittenden at Lee and Gordon's. Polk hesitated and called for reinforce- ments, and was again ordered to attack on the 13th, and promised Buckner's cor[)S. General Bragg went to the front on the 18th, found no attack had been made, and that Crit- tenden's corps held a strong position. He claims to have been disa[)pointed by the tardiness of his subordinates, but tacitly approved their course by not attacking after he was present in person. He took five days more tor preparation, tlie delay giving him a reinforcement of Longstreet's corps from Virginia, but in the meantime the three corps of the Army of the Cumberland, separated beyond supporting distance in crossing the niDuntains, liad reunited. On that date Bragg issued his order for battle, and on the 18th his army executed tlie initial movements that brought on the
l-"i;r.i>. N Ar( k, 11.
tiKuKiiE \V. l{ATt>, A (ISD.'l).
CA'OSS/.V(; Till'. MorxiAixs.
8i
coiitlict. <>iir ai-eoiiiit ot' tlic l»;ittle is i-i'sci'\ nl lor :i si'iiaruto t'liaptiT. and we coiiclutK' this (nu- with a I'lilkT account of our own niovenu'iits.
The 12otli Oliio marched from Ilillsboi-o with the com- mand (llarker's l)rii;a(le of Wood's division) on Siiii(hi\- morniiiii-, August Ki. At the foot of the moimtiiins near Pelham, arms were -stacked, and otHci-rs and men lined thi- road, or what passed for a road, from the hase to thi- summit, eaeh re»;'iment armed with rojies and assii:-ned a certain sjiace to keep eleai". As a wagon, gun or caisson came up. the men attached a rope ami su[>}>lemented the efi'orts of the animals to keej) the wheels turning. Men, liorses and mules serambled over the rough sui'faee, tugging with might and nuiin, until tlie Ixu'der of the next beat was passed, when a new set to(»k cjiarge and the first set returned to tlieir starting i>oint. Soldiei's will get amusement out of almost any situation, ami thev made light of that liaiMJ work for a tew Innirs. After that they began to realize that it requires a great many wagons to carrv twenty days" rations for nien and aninnils, in addition to ammunition, medical su[i[ilit's and other things retpiii-etl b\- an army. That tng of war eontinued from Sinnhiy evening until Tuesday morning, the men working turn al»out dav and night. The bands fuiMiished tine music. TiU'ches were lit at night, and the scene must have been full of interest tor civilian s[»eetators, if there were any.
The work was prosecuted without a moment's inter- mission until the last wheel was on top of the mountain. General Wood and the brigade commanders were along the line, and certainl}- did not sleep for two nigiits. Their pres- ence insured the presence of all other otiicers and had its effect u}>on the men, who naturally thought that the General
c. .1.. i;i.i 1,. IN,
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
would iu)t work his troops at that gait unless there was urgent necessity. The reason for the extraordinary exertion was an Girder from the commanding general to be at Ther- man m the Sequatchie A^alley on Wednesday, the 19th. When the train was all up the troops were permitted to rest for a few hours and then marched to Ti'ac}' City, arriving at dusk and going into l)ivouac for the night. At 3 o'clock next morning the march was resumed, and Harker's brigade arrived at Therman about 10 p. m., linding it much easier to descend the mountain after dark than it was to climb u}» in the daylight. The march on that day was twenty-eight miles, mountaineer's measurement, and many of the boys thought it was surely forty. Xext day General Wood issued a congratulator}^ order, tiumking officers and men for cheerful obedience to orders and the patient, persistent laltoi-, which brought the command over the moun- tains by an obscure and difficult road within the time set by General Rosecrans. It was some satisfaction to be thus assured that our hard work was appreciated.
On Thursday, tlie 20th, a regular camp was laid out, in which the brigade remained until September 1. On the mcn-ning atter our arrival at Therman, Colonel Opdycke directed one of the lieutenants to take some men with blankets to one of the numerous peach orchards in the vicinity and bring in }>eaches to sup[tly the regiment. The orderly sergeants werc.jrequested to send a num or two from each c»»mitany. In addition to the regular detail, many others caught w\\ a bhiidvct and fell in. The lieutenant being inexperienced in supplying [teaches for a regiment, could not conscientiously object, not knowing how many peaches a blanket would hold or a soldier would carry. The
Ma,i. Gkn. Steedmax.
/•///•; AM/. /.\'. 7j:.\.\
«3
result was that " iK-aclios toi- the ri'i:iiiK'iit "' were hroiiM-ht in, tlie suj)|ilv lastiiiii" l<>i" ten days.
Oil till' lilst lilt' 8r<l Ki'iitinky w flit tow anls .hisjuT to rojiair tlic I'oail. < hi the 2:iiicl tlicrr was a talso alai'iii, aii<l We iii(i\i'tl iiiit, rxiK'ctini^ to iiioet the eiit'iiiy. FailiiiL:- to tiiul liiiii, rrtiinu'ti and had a briifade drill, and we drill<'(l cath day thcfi'atti'r diiriiiti- tlir month. < )ii tin- I'lith llniry Jiaki'i", of C\ ilird in the rciiinu'iital hospital, and was iniriftl on tlu' oOth with tho honors of war. His »ri"a\L' is on toji id" tin.' woodfd knoll o\i'rlookiiiii" tlir faiii|i u'roiiiid. ()iliir deaths in August wtTe : (iraiivilU" Tiifker. ol' V.. at Miir- freosbt)ro, Imrird in (JraNc 477, Section X. Stone liixt-r Cemetery; Frank Miller, of (t, at C'nmherland. Md.. interred at Antietam, Md., and lli'iiry Thiel.'. of |[. :it Xashvill.'. buried in (ira\e otio. Section :'..
The followinii: were dischar^<;\'d on siirn-eoiTs certificate of disability; Simon S. Coy, of A ; Kras- tiis Brainard and Klbert R. Iligbee, of C; John Jones, 'i'liomas (Jilleii and Marcus B. Clark, ^A' 1 >. (Jilleii recovered his health ami re-enlisted in I >, dnnnary <!, 1804.
Ill this month we bcuaii to lose men I'rom onr rolls by a lu-w process, transl'er of' invalids to the N'eteran Jieserve Corps, the li>t of transfers for the month iiiclud- inu' daeob S. l)rnn, o\' A ; Bert Ilolloway, of !■] ; Matthew Diilybon, of" F: .loliii lliinkler and Ileiirv Sehelhass, of (i.
Ilarker's Ijriu'ade marched on September 1, t"ollo\vinif- BuelTs brigade, and campe<l at niiiht near dasper. On the morning of the -ird we marched to the river and crossed at Sliellmoiind, using two small tiatboats, the last load crossiii<r at 5* 1'. M. No move on tlie 4th: waiting t"or the wa^cM trains, which crossed on the bridgi' at Bridgeport. Maiiv
MA.i.<tK.N.,I. A.<; Ai'.Kin.n
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
of the men visited the cave. On the 5th the command advanced nine miles toward Chattanooga, Barker's brigade in advance and the 3rd Kentucky leading-. Palmer's division followed Wood's. On the GthWood marched to Wauhatchie, the Third Brigade still in advance. The skirmisli line was made up of details from the regiments, our Companies A, F and D among the numl)er, and commanded by Lieutenant ■Colonel Bullitt, of the Tliird Kentucky. After dark the command fell back three miles. The movements of the day
were in plain view of the enemy on Lookout Mountain, whose signal flags were seen by us, probably rei)orting our numbers and progress. On tliis date Joseph H. Sperry, of F, died in the regimental ambulance. His remains now lie in Grave 891), Section L, Chattanooga.
On the 7th Harker's brigade made a reconnoisance to the north- ern end of Lookout Mountain. The skirmishers met those of the enemy not far from our cam}), and drove them back rapidly. The country was densely wooded and rather dithcult to march over in line, but the comuiand kept well up to the skirmish line, all advancing until the enemy's main line was in plain view and their artillery opened, when, the purpose of the movement being accomplished, the lines were retired out of range, and at G v. m. the brigade marched back to the cam[».
On the 8th ILirker issued a congratulatory order, in which Companies B, D and E of the 125th Ohio, and B, F andK of the 8rd Kentucky, constituting the skirmish line on the 7th, were specially praised for etiicient work. The wagons came up to camp, and rations of ilour and cornmeal, ground at a mill in the vicinity of cam[i, were issued. At
LlHl'T. Nvm -M I'llll.MI'
LI.E AXJ) (iORDOX'S Mill
!t A. M. ini the '.itli it \\a> Icaniftl thai ( 'li;ittaii<M»ir;i Imd Ik-l-ii evaniatctl. Wnnd's (li\i>i.iii niart-ln'il nt oiiro, Biirirs hrii;"- luU' ill a(l\ aiicc. ami i'litri'cd ( "liattaiin.iu-a lu'luri- numi. ( )ii the imli Ilai'kfr"> liriii":t'lt' iiiairln-d t.ii miles t<'\var<l Hiiiii'- ij:«)ld, ci'issiiiii- Mission l{i<li:\' :it Kossvillo, and vaniiK'(l l»y a lai'uT jii»tafo tii'ld. Tin.' hoys duiT iin)>t td" the rrop inside cd" ti-n minnto. (hi the llih llarker <<)iiiitfniiaii-lM'<l to tin- I'oatl Icadiiii;" to Lot- ami (Jordon's Mill, and advanced on it, eomiiiu' ill eoiitact with the eiieiiiy's rear u^nanl within a mile or two after t iirniiiii" >oiii h. 'I'he ailvam-e wa> foisted and shai'i' ^kirmi>hinn' ensued, t he enemy laHiiiL:' I'aek t'rum one position to aiiotlu'r, and aiioiit dark retired aeross the Chieka- nniuua. llarker halted at the mill. Tlu' enemy prohahly retanletl oin' mareh to cover the movement of trains. Jieforc arri\iiiii- at the mill, the li!.'»ili wa-^ detaeheil and left in a |iositi<»n to co\er intersi-ctinu' roads until after the rest of the hriii'- ade arrived at the mill, when \ve wont forward and ri'Joined after dark. ()n the li^th foiu' com|ianies. oiir C'om|>aiiy II and one from each |^ roii'inieiif . uiidiT MaJMi- llrown, of t he \ (loth ( )hio, eros>».'d the Chieamailiia and advaiR'tMl on the Lafayette road to li-arn w liet her the ('iiemy remained in the vicinity. A cavalry picket ]iost was found vvithin two miles and the jiickets weri' driven into their camp, wheri- the enemy tornieij a line. di>mounted and ojiened with artilK-ry, cheekiuii" the fiirtln'r advaiiei- of Brown's skirmislii-rs. When the tiriuii" hcifan at tin' pieket line llarkcr crossed with the hri<;-ade, and comiiiLr ii]i fo|-med line in rear ot the skirmishers and advaiieed upon the camp. The ('iiemy then retired in haste and disappi-aiH-d, and we returned to our own camp at ;] i". .M. Un the loth, the dati-
I.IKITKNANT .M.llKKT II.M:NK>, K.
86
OPD \ CKE TIGERS,
on which Tolk was to attack, tlie 125th was on ])icket near Crawfisli, Companies A, C and H on ontposts and tlie 4th U. S. Cavairy on our right. On tlie 14tli the 64th and l-25th Oliio made a reconnoisance on the Lafayette road, and bi\'Ouacked at night aljout two miles from camp, returning ^^,^ I early on the 14tli. In the afternoon of the 14th the brigade made a reconnoi- ^ sauce to the front at the same time with siuiihir movements on roads in front of Van Cleve's division to our right. Our Companies B, C and E did the skirmish- ing. A ritle trench was constructed ah)ng the stream, extending souie dis- tance aho\e and l)elow the mill, on which the 125tli did its share of work on the 15th and Kith. All quiet on our front on the ITtli. Artiller_y tiring heard to oui' right. Twenty I'ounds of ammunition issued in achlition to forty already in the l)oxes, was tlie only intimation given of the ini}teiiding battle.
(.i.N. W . 11. l.vn
8g©^*Q^SrS^^HiM
(■iiAi"n:u \ii.
r.ATTM-: (iK CHICK AM \l<iA.
■j^_
(>ii tlic t'Vvniiii:' (if Scptciiilici' 17. lMi:'i. tl.c lliicf cdi-jis (>\ tlic .\nii_v of tlie' ("miilicrl:ui(l. Wn tin- lirst time >iiir(' tlif cjiiiiiiaiii'ii oiK'iicd, Wi'Vr w itliiii sii[i|Hiitiiiu' <li>t;iiic(' «>f i-;irli other. 'I'lic riiilit rrstcd at Stcxciis" (Jap, and the lini.' extended down tlie N'aliev on the west side of the ("hieka- inanu'a to J^ee :ind ( JMi'ihms Mill, where J}ueir> and llar- ker's hriii-ades ol Wood"- division ii'iianled the I'oad from Latiiyette to Chatta- liooii'ii. Roseerans" t'oicc south of t he Teiincsx'e. in- C'hidini;- tliree hriu-a(h-s of the Jieserve Corps then at Kossville ( iap. and ea\:dry. ^vus aliont sixty thousand. Waii'iiers hriu'ade of \\'ood"> di\ision h(dd ( 'hattain xii^a. iind I 'osts hriuade of 1 )a\ i>" division i;-uar(h'(l the trains and Were not eiiiiau'eth A fair estiuuite of <uiriforees engaged is ahout 1ifty-t\\i' thcnisand. (ieneral Uragg
had l)oen hea\ily rt-inforciMh F)Uekner"> corps, a |>art of Longstrcot's corps from X'ii'ginia. antl ahtuit ten thousand men from dcdinstoiis ai'mv in Mississipj»i. 'piiiicd hini. mak- ing liis aggregate according to tlie nu>st reUahle data <d>tain- uhle, o\er eighty thonsaml. Braggs right was near Lee and Gordon's, and his left near Lafayette. Tin' advame di\i>ion
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
of Loiigstreet's corps then coining forward from the raih-oad was at Ringgold, directly east from Lee and Gordon's. Bragg's [mr[iose was to cross at the bridges and fords below Lee and Gordon's, then wheel to the left, gaining the road to Chattanooga, attack onr left at the mill, drive it back on the center, and if possible to drive the whole np the valley and away from Chattanooga. By that movement Bragg would fight with his back to Chattanooga and prevent Rose- crans from going there, unless the latter should be able to win a very decisive vic- tory with an inferior force.
Bragg's order required Longtroet's corps (Hood commanding) to cross at or near Reed's bridge. Walker's corps at Alexander's bridge, ])uckner's corps at Thedford's ford, all to turn to the left and attack and press Crittenden up the stream from Lee and Gordon's Mill. Polk's corps was to press to the front of Lee and Gordon's, and if unable to cross there to bear to the right and cross at Dalton's or Thedford's and join in the attack. Hill's corps was to press forward above Lee and Gordon's and ascertain if reinforcements were going to Crit- tenden, in which case he was to attack them in flank.
Tlie Confederates were in motion early on the 18th. At noon Bushrod Johnson's division reached Pea Vine Creek, three miles east of Reed's bridge, and met Minty's brigade of cavali'v. The latter resisted stnbborid3\ Johnson was com[tellcd to tiglit his way forwai'd, and did not efi'ect a crossino; until late in the afternoon.
The advance of Polk's corps felt our lines at Lee and Gordon's at noon, his skirmisiicrs nudging it hot lor our Compiinies A and 11 and comrades from other regiments picketing across the river, bnt our lines were held. 125th men [>rol)abIy fired the first shot by our infantry in tiie
Li KUT. -( ; KN. I.i INGSTRKICT.
CllICKAM.irGA — FIRST IKIY
89
battle. Liddi'lTs (li\i>i()ii of Walker'^ i<>r|i> rciiclicd Alrx- iiiidors liritlu't' in tlu- at'tfriKnxi. and im-t Wildcr's lirii;-adr nl' iiioiiiitfil iiitaiit ry. Waltliall's l>rlti-adt' attarkcd Wilder and toi'ced lilni !>aik. lint WiliU-rs men ilestrnyed the liridi^e before lea\ inu' it. and l/iddell's troops were t'oreed to seek a ford. They erossfd at Uyranis. a lord a mih' Ixdow ;nid fol- lowed Hood, who \va> then pre^ini:' Miiity and Wilder
TaKKN KKOM •• NaIIiiNAI. Mll.lTAKY I'AHK," ItY rKKMISSIOS nF TIIE AITimi:. (iKN. II. V. IlnVNToX.
toward- Lee ami (Mirdon">. W'iMer retireil to the erest east
of \'iiiiarirs. w jier»' he reinain^'(l durinir the niu'i't witli II I
in close eontaet. If <iem.'ral Bragu' could ha\e dropped his divisions into position on oiir side of the ( 'hiid<.aiMaii«ji;a hy noon of that dav our ease would have lu'eii hopeless; but tlii'v wi'i'e oblio-e<l to march over had roads and oxei'coine
■90
OPD \ 'CKE TIGERS,
resistance from our inounted troops, Avhicli niatle it impos- sible to attack in foi'ce on that day.
By tlic morning of the 19th movements on our side frustrated Brag'g's plan of Ijattle. Ci'ittendeu moved A"an Oleve's and Palmer's divisions from their position on the right of Wood to the left, and formed along the Lafayette road from the mill northward. Thomas and McCook moved by the left ilank, their march obstructed by darkness and wao'on trains, the head of the column reaching Kelly's about daylight. Jjrannan's division mox'ed north on the Lafayette road to McDonald's, where it tui-ned east and advanced towards Jay's Mill. liaird formed at Kelly's. Reynolds was coming u}i after l>air(l. Xegley's division had been halted opposite (ilass' ^Ldl to watch Breckinridge. The three divisions of McC'ook's eoi'jts were following Thomas' troo[is as fast as the obstructed condition of the road permitted. Biagg's plan of tighting, witli his back to Chattanooga and driving liosecrans up the valley, was •'^""^ •''''"■ ■'■ no longer practicable.
As Bi'aniuni moved eastward from jNU'Donalil's, l)ragg's forces were forming line to attack at Lee and Gordon's. His left rested near J)altoii for(b the lines extending noi'thward. facing west. ILiod's two divisions, under Bushi'od Johnson and E. M. Law, constituted the right wing, and Buckner's two di\-isions, under A. 1'. Stewart and William I'reston. the left wing:. C'heatham's division of tix'e briy-ades was in resei've l)ehind the left wing. Walker's corps, two (li\'isi()ns, under Liddell and (Jisi. wei'c in I'car of the right wing and moving uj» to go into position. Foi'rest's ea\"ali'y had been sent to Jay's Mill to watch Gordon Granger's force and guard the right tlank. Breckinridge and Gleburne, of Uill's cor})S, and nindman, of I'olk's corps, had not ci'ossed, and ^McTjaw,
<-.
( •///( •/•;. I.\/.U GA—F/RSr />. / ) '.
<)t" L()iiL:>t lee-ts i-()i[i-. did imt arrivf nntil ilir iiioni- inu" tit' the liOtli. Till' an-;iy i>ii|K>siti' ("rittfudcn. Iicutn cr, ■\v;is iii'iri' than siitliciciit to crush the hittfi- il' Uraiiu' had l)(.'('n [H'rinitti'd t<> carrv out liis intended wheelini:- nii>venient towards the mill. IJiit liet'ore he lieu'an to nioxe, at 7:-'»0 a. m. IJi'annan (.'neount ei'cd Fori'ot. and oi>ened the liatlle n\rr two miles to r>iaii"i:"s riiiht. Croxton's and \'an I )i'r\ (■••r's briu'ades on the tVoiit line. Conni'lTs hriii-ade ."•upjiort ini:'. :ill pushed resolutely forward. l*'orrest (|uiekly diseo\-ere<l his inaliility to hold and I'alh'd t'oi' infantry. \\'iUon"s lu'iiiatle came to him from Alexamlei's hridu'e, t'ollowed soon hy Mc- tof's l»rii»"ade. Meantime. IJaird moved eastward. ()neof his brigades (Kinii""s) relieved Croxton on the front line, another (Seriimer's) pressed forward on the riu'ht. ami t he whole were fiercely eiiu'ai;ed with the Contcdei-ate infantry. LithieH's division was uext -ent to the riiilit hy Urauu'. formed north of AN'infrey".-. moxcd f(U'wai-d on IJairdV riii'iit tiank. and droxn- ihe hit li-r. capt ur- \\\<^ his ii'uns. hut \\a- in turn taken in fiank l»y Croxton and \'an I)er\(H'r turn- inn* njitiii them from the north, and in turn driven, ("hcatham loHdwcd Liddell and foi'ined with his rii;'lit near W'inlrey's. ami lUi advancinu" his riu'ht tii">r encoun- tered and dro\'e Stark weat her on Uaii'ds left ami then met Kichard W. Jidinson's di\isi(m of .Mc('ook"s corps, while his letl encountercil I'ahueiV division, both divisions havinu* hurried forward. The hattle line was leiiu'thcninu' :ind exteudini;" southward. The several divisions on either -ide arrivinij suceessi\i'ly extcndc(l the lines, and each in turn found the fiaid< of the oppo>ini:' I'orce ami u'ained temporary suc«'ess, only to he in turn Hankeil and terrii)ly }>unishi'il. iJrau'i:- was fighting with his /■//«■, towards Chattanooga, and his opponent in full possession ot' the roatls leading tlien-.
I.IK( T. TfKN. STKVV.vnT.
OPD YCKE TIGERS.
About 1 1*. .M. lioyuolds" (li\isioii came up and went into action, Turcliin's briii'ade on Palmer's left, King's brigade on liis right. Stewart's division of the enemy came up about the same time, on CMieatham's left, and advancing encoun- tered two brigades of Van Cleve's division east of Brother- ton's. Meantime, Davis' division had turned east from Widow Glenn's, crossed the road at Viniard's, Barnes' brig- ade of X'AU Cleve forming on his right and Wilder on his left, and the whole advancing encoun- tered Bushi'od Johnson's division and Trigg's brigade of Pi-eston's division, and became hotly engaged. By noon the tight on our extreme left subsided, both sides retiring, Brannan and Baird to the vicinity of the Cliattanooga road. Baird advanced again later, while Brannan went to another ]>art of the field.
About the middle of the afternoon ' '" "'"''" ' "'" JJavis was forced back to the west side of the road atA'iniard's and \"an Cleve at Brotherton's, both making a stand near the road, l)ut\ an Cleve Ijeing flanked and again driven, the Confederates gained and crossed the road. Col. Hans C. Heg, commanding one of Davis' brig- ades, was killed at that time. It seems there was an inter- val hetween \'an Cleve's right and Davis' left, which enabled the enemy to turn the fiank of both. The Union cause was then in exti'enie peril on that ])art of the line, hut, fortu- nately, help was at liand. Negley's division had faced Breckinridge at Glass' Mill from morning until afternoon. Early in the morning Helm's brigade crossed the stream, and was stojtped by dohn Beatt\^'s brigade of Negley's division^ the fight soon subsiding into an artillery duel. While Breckinridge remained there, threatening to turn our right, Negley was comi)elled to stay also, but at last Breckinridge was called away and Negley then hastened forward, arriving
CHICK. \.M. in;. \ - riRsr n.w
93
near suiisot, and moved turwanl iiiti) tlir lifM vat-atfil liy \'aii CleVL'. Meaiitiuu' llraimaii had ln-cii sent tVoin tlic left, jiiid Wood tVoiii Leo and (iordon's, to aid in if>toi'inii' the Ijroken line. Wood sent Huell's hriuadr into aetion with Daxis, where it snstained heavy losses, and sent Ilarker's brigrade northward astridi- the road, where the latter rendere(l important service.
Slieridan's division of McCook's corps was the ia-^t to arrivi' on the field. reacliiii<;- I.ee and (;ordon"> a- Wood was ieavini:-. Slu'ridan lollowe<l Wood. |'>radley"s hri^'ade j^cfiiiij in on Unelfs rii^ht. Thi- condiined etl'orts o|' I>rannan, Neufley, Wood and havis forced the Confederates haek aii'ain. and just hefore sunset the tiuht stoi»[»ed with the Tiiion forces in full [los- session ot the road. Baird ami dohnson held an atlvaiUH'd position ami wcif ordered to retire to the \iciinty <d"Kelly">. Just as tiiey were in the act of moxini:-. Ckdturne's division comini:' forward Imm days Mill, attacked, ("hi-atham Joinini:'. ; Vi and the l)attle was renewed in that ([iiar- ter, raii'inu" for another hour, when it was ended for the day l.y Uair.l and dohnson i>"i^ w.:.,,.. a.
iH'tirinii' out of raiiu'e. Kacli side lost a itriirade com- mamler in that tinal struu^u-K', Col. \\ \\ Baldwin, of dohnsons di\-i>ion, on our side, and Briu"-- Ceii. I'ri'ston Smith, (d" Cheatham's division of the enemy, wei-e kilh-d. Nearly every brigade in our army liad l)een in action, most ot" tliem umU'i" tire mucli ioniicr ami suffered ^-renter ios.si's than our own. We were ta\"ored hy fortune in not heincf sent in until late in the day, and also in the ojiportuinty to (ht i^ood effective work with ccnuparatively lii,dit iossi-s. \ ww Cleve had been assailed by Clayton's l)rigade in front, wliile P^ui- ton's brio:ade and two reu'iments of Greuftr's bri<j:a(k', \\y a jiartial wlieel to the rii^ht, crossing the Lafayette road, <'ame
94
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
u[H)ii liis riii'lit riaiik. When lie retreated the enemy's force hehl tlieir }»()sition across the road. By Ilarker's order the 125th (Jhio deployed to the rii;'ht of the road near A'iniard's, with the t!4th Ohio on our right, leavinu' the (J5th Ohio and ord Kentucky for a second line. When tlie enemy was encountered tlie (ioth Ohio and ord Kentucky were also deployed to tlu^ left of tlie 125th. Before advancing many rods the 125th, on emerging from a tliieket into more open timhei", found itself in close contact with a Confederate regi- ment, and \-olleys wei'e exchanged on the instant, followed by a sharp fusilade as tlie men reloaded. The enemj^ how- evei' ga\-c way at once, their men running otf in confusion, Ijut leaving a few })risonei-s. Quite a nundjer of them drop[)ed tlieir guns and ran through our line, going to our rear without escort. About the same time we heard volleys fired l)oth to our i-ight and left, indicating that all of Harker's regiments had come into action. By the iirst voile}' Orderly Sergeant Moi'ris, of Company A, was killed; William Meek, of Compaii}' F, was mortally wounded, and ten others were disabled. Our volley had been delivered an instant in advance of that of the enemy, howe\er, and his loss in killed and wounded far exceeded that (»f the 125th, as we discovered in advancing over the ground they had occupied. Harker's line continued to advance for half a mile or so after the enemy was iirst encountered, our own regiment moving by left flank to close on 3rd Kentucky, then moving in line northward. The enemy, seen through o})enings, were moving in some disor- der across our front eastward, but loading and flring as they ran. At times there was also flring upon the line from our right and right rear, but no enemy was visible to us in that direction. In that advance, as we now know from the otflcial
Will. I AM A. Mi;i'.l<, K.
( UK K. \.\IA L '6'. \—J'IRSr DA Y
95
I'epDi-ts. II;irkri'"s Itri^-adf <"iiiu' ii|n>ii tin- think ami I'car «>t Fulton's and ('la\ ton's liriua<l«'> ami tll-iifi-scil tlioni, tlms reeovcrinii" tlie line ol" the Latavrttc i'oa<l.
Tiu' vital iin|ioi'tanci' ot' the inoN'tMiicnt \\a^ not >ii>- pectod at tlic time. ( "onnnaniliiiij ()tti<'ors conltl only judir'' of till' i»roi:ress of oxn-nts in tlio>i' tliifk«'t> Iiy tlif >oinnl ot battk', and could liaxc seen about as niuidi as tlu'V did if the liattlc had hci-n in the iiiu-httiinc.
'IMic rufuiy's i-f«;iinL'nts c'Ucounti'i\'<l hy 1 1 arker's l^riu^adi', naUKMl in tlu'ir oi'dor from left to rii;lit, woro tho lOth and 41st Tcnui's- see, of Gregi!;'s hri^-adc ; tin- ITth. :i:',r.l, i^otli an.l 44tli TtMUK'ssoo iX'ii,iiuonts «d' Ful- toiTs brii;:adi', and tlir istli, ofith and-)Stli Alahanni \\'\s.- iuK'iits of Clayton's hrinadc. Tho com ni a ndt'is of the 10th and 41st Tennesson appear not to haxc made ofKcial I'eports (»t" the en- ii;ageinent, and tho l)i"i<i"ade eomniander. ('ol. ('yrus A. tSugii', oame into eommand of the l»ri<;'ade at ahoiit .') o'oloek in the eNcnini;;, after (toneral (ireu'ii* had heen <lis- ublod Ijy ii Wound, and Itosriiis jiis report from that point, moroly statiuii- that the hriu-ade at that time lia<l talit-n haek. It is [)rohal>lo, liowevor, that it was thesi' two rt-uiimiit.- that wore tirst eneoiintorod hy tho l:i.")th an<l »i4tii (Hiio. (ionorai (TroiTi,^ toll in front of tho <i4th Ohio. From the report of Col. dohn S. Fulton, eommandinu' the enemv's hi-i«rade ne.xt
y \\\. M. V. p.. Kin.. 1^
9 6 OPDYCKE TIGERS,
to tlie rig'lit, we learn sometliing about those two reii-inients of Gregg's brigade, as well as about his own command :
Colonel Fulton said : " Lieutenant Colonel Tillman, of the 4lst Tennessee, Gregg's brigade, rode up to me at this time stating that the enemy was moving down the road to ni}' left and would soon be in my rear. Doubting the report, I suggested that our lines were connected on our left, and that a flank or rear movement could not, therefore, be made by the enemy. I, liowevei", found that Init two i-egiments of Gregg's brigade had moved up with my line, aud that they
Lke and G(ii:i)|)N's Mii.i,.
had retirech Lieutenant Colonel Tiihiuiu had then lost sight of his regiment, but in company with him and Lieutenant Colonel Floyd I started to the road to satisfy inyself as to the correctness of the report. I liad gone but a short dis- tance when I discovered a column of the enemy moving by the flank in the direction of the 17th Tennessee Eegiment, which rapidly gained its rear. I heard distinctly the com- mands " ILilt ; front I " and immediately their Are was pour- ing upon our flank and rear. llei'e a general stampede ensued, so sudden and unexpected was the attack, and we
C I IK KA.MAL'GA —FIRST DA V.
97
fell back 200 yards in roar of the ("liattanooffa and Latay«tte road and rofornuMl. In tliis tlank nioNcnicnt nf the onomv, tlu' ITtli 'rrnn(,'ssee reginu'nt lost eleven utiici'i's, inclndini^ their *i:;allant Majoi' Davis, who was wnmidcd. and had alniiit sixty men taken prisoners."
Lieut. ( 'ol. AVatt Floyd, eoniniandini;- the 17th 'rciinrs- see Intantrv, in his report says:
" Immediately after the distdiarire of the first v(»lley tioni the enemy, I turned to look at tlu- fate of my reiriment. I >a\v that a nnndn'r ot" the men were niakini:- I heir way out in the only tlirection hy whi(di they could possihly eseajie, and L at onee saw that if 1 eould iiet hack to the lino at all the men who were left there would he prisoners before I eould reach them. All of my I'oii'iment that escaped mo\ cd by the ri«^ht Hank about two hundred yaids and then tiled to rear and came out at the right of the briirade. In ci-ossiiiii- the road as I tell back I was able to see the position and streuirth of the enemy, lie had come down the road l)y the tlank to a point about opposite the left com}(any of my regiment and then tiled left, and about two regiments had changed direc- tion when they commenced tiring. There were two regiments still in the road. It is jropor foi- me to state here, that imme- diately on my left, and running back to the road, the bushes were very thick, which accounts t'oi* the two regiments ot" (iregg's brigade retiring and the enemy slipping in there undiscovered by me oi' any of my otticers or men.""
It was probably the tioth Ohio that ciicouiitereil the 17th Tennessee.
Ilarker, in his report of the mo\ement, said: "At this time the t!5th Ohio regiment was a little to the rear of tlie ;^rd Kentuckv, with the \iew ot" makin>:- ust- o|" it as circum-
1'i:k-i..n Hrinii.liiT Ciriii liil.t
98
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
stances might re(j[uire. What was at tirst my front line, to wit, the 125th Olno and the 04th Ohio, were now some distance obliqnely to my right and front, and as from the denseness of the wood I could not have direct supervision over my entire line, I sent an order to Colonel Opdycke to take command of the G4th Ohio regiment in connection with his own regiment, and to clear his own front of the enemy, as he had previousl}' sent me word that a regiment of rebels was on his front, and I confined myself for the time being to the 3rd Kentucky and the 05th Ohio. Again a more furious attack was made upon the left of the 3rd Kentucky ; again the direction of the latter was changed, and the 65th Ohio formed n[>on its left. jM}' troops were now nearly on the same gen- eral front, making a broken curved line, with the conA'exity toward the eneni}-, with a short interval between the right of the 3rd Kentucky and the left of the 125th Ohio regiment, and stretching partly across the main road and making an angle of about sixty degrees with it. In this position there was some of the most l)rilliant fighting it has l)een mj' good fortune to witness. Though its gran- deur surpasses description, its severity may be imagined when I state that every commanding officer of this line, excepting the Adjutant of the 3rd Kentucky, was dismounted by the enemy's musketr}-. Here the gallant Lieutenant Colonel Whitl)eck was most dangerously wounded while nobl}' coni- manding his regiment, and five officers of the line in the same regiment were stricken down ; while in the ranks a great maii}^ of the eidisted men fell while bravely fighting. Xever discouraged by their losses, they pressed forward most handsomel}', and entii'ely dispersed the foe in front and tak- ing 205 prisoners. I then sent word to Colonel Ojxlycke to
Sl.MON r. lUl KNEU,
Lieut. Gen. ('. s. A.
Clin K. \M.\cc.i—in<sr /). i)\
99
gain ilistaiirc tn llu- K't't and jnin nu-. This ^-allant <»llicfi- brouii'lit up liis iTuinu'iit to niL', closinu" tin- uap that had h e re tot'c )!•(.• nt-ci'ssarily cxisti'd. with Imt >liL:ht !(•-<. whih- he (lid ii'ood siT\ifc in iiunisliinu' tlic fni-niN.'"
i\ i;i ^^^l im;. I-' jiihI A i Iv.Mi
'Pile I'l'iiort ot" C'olono! nunhiji, (•(innnandini:- the :)rd Kentucky feiiinient, <h)es not attrinjit to ijivi' any (h-tails ot' the movement, heyond statiiiir that his rcniiiK'Ht louii-lit at evei'y point of the t-oinpass, chiinuinu- iVont t«)i\vard and t«)
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
the rear under lire, and tliat he captured 113 prisoners, his loss being one killed and nine wounded.
Colonel Mcllvain, eonnnanding the 64th Ohio, said : " My comniand Ijeing placed on the right in the front line, advanced into tlie woods; soon encountered a considerable body of the enemy, apparently somewhat detached from their main line. I immediately engaged them, and, after a brisk lire of nearly half an hour, the}^ lied in confusion, leaving in our hands about twenty prisoners."
Tlie report of the 65th Ohio was made by Capt. Thomas Powell, who came to the command on Sunday, Lieutenant Colonel Whitbeck having been wounded on Saturday afternoon and Major Brown on Sunday. Captain Powell gives no details of the engagement on Saturday, but states that " we took about seventy prisoners, among them a major.'' That was probably Major Davis, of the 17th Tennessee.
Colonel Opdycke says : " At 1 p. m. we were rapidly moved to the scene of conflict. Our attack was made with the 3rd Kentucky on our left and the 64th Ohio on our right. The enemy seemed somewhat surprised at our appearance, and after a sharp encounter, in which I lost the lirst sergeant of Company A, killed, and eleven men wounded, he disappeared from view, leaving nine prisoners, one an officer, in our hands. The growth of small timber was so dense we could see but a few rods in any direction. I then received word from Colonel Harker by an aide to assume command of the 64th Ohio, and with it and my own regiment to disperse any enemy we might lind. We were then on the right of the road u[»on which we came from Gordon's Mill. Firing upon us soon commenced upon our front, right and rear. 1 immediately ordered scouts and
BrsHROD R. Johnson, Major Gt'ueral, C. S. A.
ciiiL •/<. /.I/. / 1 'i;.\—rii<sr n.w
skii'inislicrs out to ilcvcl<>ii our siirrouiidinus. 'I'licir (lc|i|i>\- iiifiil liatl linrdly (•()iiitiiciiccil wlicn I received (inler- to luiiiii- tilt' two reiiiiiieiit> out and join tlie ln'iu-ade, \\lii<-li was done without serious iiitiTiiiptittn."
It is «|uiti' apiiai'dit tliat ueit lier ( 'oloiiel I laiker nor any (d" liis rc<i-inu'ntal coiii'inindiTs. at tin- date (d" their re|ioi'ts, suspecti'd that the lii'iu'adr had Keen tiu'htinii- within the enemy's lines, or the urtat inijiortanee of the sei-\ ice leii- defc<l. ]''idni liarkerV i-eiioii alone it would he douhttul which ot' his reiiinients came in contact with the 17th Ten- nessee and started the enemy on tlu-ir i'i'troii"radc movi'meiit, with tIic |»rohal»ility that it was the •I.">tli ()hio<U';5rd \\v\\- tu(d<y. The re|ioi't ot' ( 'olonel Floyd, of the 17th Tennessci', in which he says that he saw two of our rcii-imeiits still in t he road when he was retreatinu', indiea*^es that his \\a> the i-c:^i- ment the 125th first «-ame in contact with, hut none of the otliei' rcinu'ts sustain that \iew. and the preponderance o| the evi- dence i> 1 hat it was the (kUIi ( )iiio.
Marker rejoined the di\i>ioii near \'iniard"s lud'ore sunset, and our line was tiien in front (d' a low hill on which two or more hatteries were planted. In tV(Uit was a eleared space of i-iu'lit (U' ten acres. across whitdi part ot" l>a\is" division hail
. . , I . Ill 1 I'l:"' '•' "■ ^^"^ nn:vri:i:.
retreated and the enemy had advanced.
to he in tui'u repulsed and driven hack: all this occurring- ^vdlih■ we wer*- nH)vini:' north towards llrof hertoii'> ami hack aii'ain. The iMU'my's Tnu' was in the woods heyoml the lield. A great many (h'ad and wounded mtui from hoth sides lay between the lines. Tlu' hatteries ceased tirinirat >unsct.and then for a time men from hoth hostile lines went over tlie fieUl, seeking fallen i-omi'ades. Ahout dark musket tiring was resumed and continued for sonu- minutes, the <'ause of whiidi no one seenietl to understand. It put an end to the
I02 OPDYCKE TIGERS,
relief woi'k liowever. The iiig;lit was quite cold. I^To fires were permitted. Occasional outcries of wounded men lying between the lines made the situation most uncomfortable. At 2 A. M. AVood's divisit)n marched by the left flank on a road leading past the tanyard to a ridge a mile or more west of Urotherton's. There was a general readjustment of the lines during the night.
CHICK AMAUGA — SECOND DAY.
At daylight on Sunday, September 20, the several divis- ions of the Army of the Cumberland were in })osition as
follows: Baii'd on the ex- treme left, northeast from Kelly's house ; Johnson on Baird's right; next Palmer, and tli(,'n Reynolds; those foui- di\isous forming a half circle al)Out Kelly's farm, east of the Chattanooga and Lafayette road. Farther to the right, extending south- ward along the same road, l)ut on the west side of it, were the divisions ot Bran- nan and Negley. Davis and Sheridan exter.ded the line from Xegley's right to the \icinity of Widow Glenn's. The cavali-y covered the ma.i. (;i;n. Til M A 1 w. ..i. i-'' crossings of the stream
beyond our right Hank. Van Cleve and Wood constituted ■a general reserve, and were posted about one mile west from Brotherton's, along the road that passes trom McFarlaud's Gap by way of Vidito's and Widow Glenn's to Crawfish
( •///( A'. i.\/.U(;.i — s/-:coy/) da y.
'03
Sjiriiiu's. (ic'iirnil I'olk IkmI Iktii a.-siuiifd to fdiiimiiiKl Brati;g"s riglit wiiiu. coii-istiiiir of Furrest's fuvnli-y curps on the riii;lit of tho iiitantry, J>ri'c-kiMri(lu'(.''s divisicdi lu-xt to ForiH'st, (Mi'Imnio next, Walker's two divisions and Clicat- lianis di\ision eonstitntinu' a second or reserve line. Haird's K'tt was some distance ea>t of the Lafayette road, and it had been th'terniini'd at nii(hii_ii'ht that N'ei;"ley shfUiUl i^o to IJaird's h-ft. MeCook to (dosi- the uap nnnlt' hy Xeiifh'y's withih'awal hy nmvinu" lii> otht-r di\isions to tin- k-ft. At (hiyriii'lit one of Xegdeys hriuadt's, coni- nian(le<l hy Uriii'. (Jen. dohn Ik'atty, niiU'elied to the k'ft. Two of Xeii:lov"s hriu'ades retained their [losition until al)oiit 'd o"eh»ek, when Wood was ordered to advance with his two hriu'ades and r>arnes" hriy:ade of \'an Ck'Ve"s division and relie\e Xegley, who then at hist niai'ched to the left.
The C'onfedei'ate attack was oich-red to hcM-ln at davliu-ht, the division on his r. c. hisi.man,
Miijiir nfiKTtil. <'. S. A.
extreme riiidit to move an'aiiist the ex-
trenu' left of IJosi'crans" forces, ami the se\eral di\isions tVom theii' riii'ht to left to come snecessivejy into action, the jmr- [(ose hein«i" to u'ain tiie ( 'hat tanoou-a road and to I'xecnte in a ^•eneral way llrau'u's original plan of attack, wherehy snccess woiihl leave the Confederates in jtosscssion of Chattanoou-a, The attaek did not hc^-in until ahout !• ti"clo(d<. u'ivini;- an opportunity to strengthen the lines ahout K»'lly"s hy con- strnctinu- li»i,-ht Itreastworks. When tlu' enemy did a<lvance, his line extended tar heyond Ihiird's hdt tiank. where it fouml dtdin Ueatty's hriii'ade stri'tidu'd (Uit \\\ a thin line and prom[ttly disposed of it : tlu'n by wheelinu" canu' down tin- road to the real* (d" Uaird, gi\inu- Thonnis a difKcult task to stay their [trouress, but by takinu' bi-iii"a<K's temporai'ily from i»ther jiarts of liis line and hnri'vinu' them to the lett the
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I04
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
assault was defeated. One after another all the divisions of Bragg's right wing came into action and assaulted the four divisions in front of Kelly's, but failed to break the lines. Three of the Confederate brigade commanders fell in those assaults — Brigadier General Jlelni, Col. Peyton II. Colquitt and Brig. Gen. James Deshler.
General Longtreet liaving arrived on the battlefield during the night, liad been assigned to command Bragg's left wing, and in the morning proceeded to adjust his lines, his arrangement for attack not being complete until after 10 o'clock, at which time his divisions Avere })Osted from right to left as follows : Stew- art, B. R. Johnson, Hindman and Preston on the front line, with Law (commanding Hood's division) and Kershaw's and Humphrey's brigades of McLaw's divis- ion (Kershaw commanding) in rear of Johnson, those three divisions, command- ed by General Hood, constituting the main column of attack. Finding the attack by tlie right wing less successful than had been anticipated, Longstreet, in ordering his troops to advance, modified the oi'iginal plan so far as to direct Stewart to halt upon reaching the Lafayette road, and thus preserve connection with the right wing, the liead of column of tlie other divisions to incline to the right, thus reversing the direction first intended. At the moment when Longstreet's columns were advancing, about 11 a. m., the battle on Thomas" front was progressing furiously, and General Wood received from Rosecrans the famous, much- discussed order to close upon and support Reynolds, in response to which he promptly withdi-ew the three brigades under his command from the line, marching b)' the left fiank, passing in rear of Brannon to find Reynolds. The gap made by Wood's withdi-awal was immediately in front
Iv M. Law, Major General, C. S. A.
cnicK.\MAUGA—si-:co.\n day
'05
of Hood's stroiiii" foliiiiiii, and lln' lattrr iiiai-clifd tllI■oll^■ll it, strikinic- '••■«':>l<iiiii" "p :"i'l dri\ iiiu' oil' r>raiiiiaii"s riiilit . also one Itriii'adf ot' \:iii ('K'\i''s division tliat had Im-cm hroiii^lit forward to JJraniians n-ar, ami l>iudr> lMii::a<lt' ot" Wood's division, Bnell's iiiar«'li not liaviuii" Ix-M-n lapid cnonu'li to take his command out of the lim' (d" disaster. W. il. dohn^^on's division, on Hood's t'i'ont, inclined to the i-i^lit, crossed ])yer"s titdd and hy noon n^achi'd the \icinity (d' \'idif<»'s. I)avis' dixision. on t he other siih' ot' the i^ap made liy Wood's \\ it hilrawal, was also iieces>arily involved in the di>aster. Attacked hy Hiiidnian in front and r)n>lirod d<dinson on his flank. haN'is fell l>a(d< npon Sheridan, whose two hrii^ades rushed I'orward oidy to he crushed, and to lind themstd\'es cut oil' from the main hody. They made their way out as lK->t they coidd to Kossville. IJriii-. (u'li.W . II. TiVtle. (d' Sheridan's division. wa> killed in the eti'ort to rally his hriLi- ade wlien they weic o\ crjiowercd.
(ieiieral Wood has heeii criti- cised |'<U' the COUStl-UcI ion he phleed
uiton the (U'der in question, hut hi> own ofHcers and men will alway> coutt'iid that the fault lay with the irrltir of an amhiiiiiotis order, and that Wood did riiiht in hasteniiiii" to the [loint where the uproai' ot' liattle, as well a^ the tenor «d' the (U'der, indicated that proniitt assistance was i-e(|uired. it is douhtful if the assault hy Loiiirstreet's heavy cidumn c<udd luive hec'i stayed l)y tlie tliiu lines in his front, excn if Wood had made no tdfort to ohey the order. It i>, however, use- less to speculate uixui what miuht have heeii. It will be more agreeable to detail the iieroic idforts that were made t(» stay tlie progress of Longstreet's exultant host and sa\e our annv from utter rout, in whi(di idi'(Uts Marker's hrii:ade.
I II I I. u N '.1 1 N\ 11 1 1 i-i;i
io6
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
including the 125tli Ohio, bore an honorable part. As Bushrod Johnson swept across our original lines near Broth- erton's and onward in his triuniplial progress, Harker was lialted temporarily north of Dyer's Held while General Wood sought more delinite orders. Barnes' brigade had been sent on to Baird's left. The moment the forces south of ns were seen to l)e in confusion Harker ordered a change of front to the right, forming a single line, the 65tli Ohio on the right, ord Kentucky next, then the 125th Ohio and the 64th Ohio on the left. The line then faced south, at right angles to the original line. Law's division followed Johnson's to the La- fayette road, and Benning's brigade then turned to the north and moved against Brannan ; Sheffield's brigade followed Johns(Mi, bearing to the right, and Rob- ertson's brigade ciianged front to right between the other two. Harker's brigade attacked tliese troops.
Our Springtields spoke for the first time tliat day. "Aim low, aim well, waste no shots," Avas Opdycke's first ex- hortation. The fire was effective. Hood's men found it necessary to pause in tlieir victorious march, and before long we had the satisfaction of seeing them break and fall back before our advance. Between the 12oth Ohio and tlie enemy, at a distance of about one hundred and fifty yards, was a fence bordering tlie northern side of a large field. Gen. T. J.Wood, who Avas at the moment with the 125th (Harker being ai the time further to the right), ordered 0[)dycke to advance and sieze the fence. Opdycke gave the order, " Forward, double (piick," which was repeated by comiiany commanders; at the same time the Colonel rode up to the line saying, "open a way, let me pass!"' and as a sjcice was cleared he jiassed to the front, then raised his hat and concluded the order with the word '• march I "' and we
Krisr. (ion. J. (J. ^[iTcnKT.i..
c///ck'.L]/.u'(;A — s/-:co\/) da v.
107
tull(i\vc(l our Cdloiu'l oil (loiililc-([uick tiiiic ti> iIk' I'l-iin-, Init not without si'i'ious loss; and >o lioi was tlic ciiciiivs tiir that the iiu'ii instantly jiuUfd (hiwii the tfiicf, pih-d thr rails and lay (h»wn hohind thcin. I'cluniinu- tlu' cntniys tire with- out waitini;- tor oiMJers to hcuin- 'K\\v otJKT n-iiiiiK'Hts (»{' thf hrin'adt-' also adxainn-d, and prolonu'td our liiu- to riulil and left. In a shoit time the liioth and r»4th wn-r ordcnd to make a second advance — to '* advanc*-, tirinii." In that moNemeiit the liles douhled uis makiiiu- tour rank-<. Iea\iiii:- intei'vals throuii-ji whieh tlie I'ear rank |«a>sed. ninnini:' I'ap- idly forward a few jiaees, haltiiii:', tirinu' and dr))ji|iintc !•' the U-round to load, the next I'ank mean- time passinu' still furthei' to the trout to delivi'r its tire, and so on in sue- eession. \\\ that a<l\anee the two reii"imi'nt> uaiiu'tl a jtosition in the field south of the plare wliele (Jeli- eral Hood was wounded, where tliert' was a eojtse of timhei- on jiart of the line. Our \iew s(»uthward was now wholly uiiohst I'ucted. Many hattal- ioiis of till' i'liemy Were in siiiht, t hose nearest apitarently in <-imfusioii and ri'tirinu' hi'tore our advaiiee. Ueyond them lor a louii" distani'i' were otlu-r hattalions in motion, aitjiareiitly chanii'inu' front to riiiht s(t as to directly faee our line. Tlu- tirinii' ujion our line at that time almost eeased. There was only a desultory tiit- hy skirmishers lyiiii:- on the i^round hetween us and their main h<idy. And thiui, just when we oui^ht to have jioured the entire eouleiits of our eai'tridue hoxes into tho>e moviiii:' hattalions as rapidly as }»ossil)le, the iMV Went alono^ the line. " Those are MeC'(»ok*.>* troo[»s.'" Kvi'ryoiie was earrie<l away with the delusion. Orders wt'i'e ii'ivt'U to cease fii'iiii:' ami kee|i tin' tlau's well up. That seemed to suit the Confederate skirmishers, who-e tire
io8
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
was concentrated on the flao's, and the color bearers were shot down one after another in rapid succession. Those moving l)attali<tns did appear to wear bhie, dusty l_)lue, and prol)ably they were clothed in bkie jeans. Tliey were Long- street's men, Just an-ived from ^'irginia. We had never seen a Confederate clothed otherwise than in butternut or gray. And their battle Hags, Ijotli in color and size, a})iieared in the distance to resemble the l)rigade and division headquarter ilags of McC'Ook's corps. In the midst of this perplexity,
Major General Thomas rode quietly up behind the 125th and calmly sur- \'eved the scene. From his own report we learn tliat he liad l)een informed of the doubt and at once I'ode o\ er. He said to Harker that lie was expecting Sheri(hin from that direction, Init if those troops tired on him, seeing his tlag, he must return their tire and resist their advance. By that time, however, the opposing forces had foi'uied line I'.Ri.i. v,v.s. .loiiN ]5i;attv. facing us — a long line, extending far beyond the flanks of Harker's little brigade, with a second line rai>idly forming in their rear.
We (piote IVom the report of JJrig. Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw :
" About U o'clock I was onU'red forward to report to Major General H(>o(l. (leneral Hood directed me to form line in his rear. Forming line (Humphreys on my left) as rapidly as possible under tire of the enemy and in a thick wood, 1 moved as directed to the front. 1 crossed the LaFayette road near a house (Brotherton's), and, crossing the oi>en ground, entered the woods beyond and ])roceeded nearly to what I understood to be the Cove road. The firing on my right became vi-ry heavy, and a jiortion of General Hood's division fell back along my line. 1 changed front almost perpendicularly to the right on ('olonel Nance's Third South Carohna regi- ment, my left center, which I ha<l indicated as the directing battalion. The enemy occupied a skirt of wood on the farther side of a field around Dyer's
(•///ch'.tAf ir(;.i — s/-:co\/) /m:
109
House, Ills ri>:lit cxtciiiliii^' into llic wood l.cvonil the fK-l.l. Iiis Icl't no^vin^' tlie Cove i(i;i(l. His <iil(»rs were (istcutiitioiisly (lisi)l;tyti| nluii;.' tlic lines.
The la.sf <>l 11 Is division (-ajra^'ed in my front liad jnst retired when I
ordered tlie advance, (hrectinj: Colonel Hene-ran (Ki^ihth Snnth Carolina) to extend to the rif^iit and en>ra<ri' the enemy in that direction nntil Humphreys' arrival, wiio was then in motion. I ordered hayonets Mxed and moved at doul)le-(|ui(k, sendin;: Lieutenant Colonel (iaillard. Second Si. nth Carolina re^'iment (my extreme left) to gain the enemy's ri-jlii Hank. When within one hnndred yards of the enemy they Kroke, and I o|nneil lire u|ion tlicni aloiii: the whole line, Iml jiursui'il tlicni r:i|pidl v n\ cr the lirst line of hills to the foot of the seconti, when I halteil under a lieavv lire of artillery, on the heiirhls, sheltering.' the tiieii a> much as iio.<sii)le, and there awaitiiii: the (•omin'_' up of ilum|direys. on ni\' li^dit."
It is clear that Kershaw, before lie ndvaiKcd. had discov- ered tlio sliortiioss of Ilarker's line, and piMcecdcd |ii(.iii|dl\- to tiiid lidtli llaiiks. His statement that w'l' l)r(»ke may he miscinistnicd. We did retreat heiori- liim to a stronger ]iositioii, hut tlie retroorad<' movement was in ()i)edienee to 01- ders, and was condiictetl in jHTlcct
<'K.Mti» 11. <;k(>svkx<h:.
ItrcVfi Uriuit'IuT (iciicnil.
ordei'. llarker, in his report, said: " hill as they Were now on my Hanks |, as well as iVont, 1 retirecl hy hai- talions to tlie ci'fst of a hill, rnnninu- nearly piTiiendienlar to tlie general liiu' of l»attle."'
(ieiieral Wood, in liis rejiort, said :
"This moveiiieiit of the enemy made it necessary I should ^'ain a position in which I could form a shorter and more compact line, in w hich my right would he more protected hy natural ohstacles. I ac(ordingly retired my command to a narrow and short rid^'e, which stood out nearly at right angles a.s a sjiur from the gineral ridge, which is jtarallel to the Kossville and LaFayctte roa<l. The short ami narrow ridge extends athwart the valley, in a nearly east and west course. The ahrui>tnt'ss of the declivity on either side of it almost gives to this ridge the (piality of a natural jiara- pet. When I took position with llarkt-r's hrigade on the
narrow ridge, extending jiartially aiross the valley, (ieneral Brannan formed
OPDYCKE TIGERS,
his command on my right and higher up on the main ridge, thus giving to our united hnes something of the shape of an irregular crescent, with the c-oncavity toward the enemy. Colonel Buell formed his command with General Brannan's."
The several quotations almost completely tell the story of what occurred after Kershaw advanced. When General Thomas authorized it, Harker's line had [iromptly o[»ened tire, and Kershaw was in motion at almost the same moment. Our boys continued to pour a deadly stream of leaden mes- seno-ers across that tield into the faces of the advancing line, they coming steadil_y onward, however, tiring as they came. Our losses were severe; theirs must have been far greater. Then came the order to retire, and our men were called to their feet, hastily dressed the line, about-faced and marched (•tf, not double-quick, but on quick time. The man wht) has himself tried walking ofl" with an enemy in pursuit tiring as fast as guns can be loaded, bullets whis- iiKD, (ii.N. w. 1!. ua/e.n. ^jiij^^ about him and spattering against the
trees, and comrades tailing in every direction, will realize that the jiower of discipline prevailed whei'c Opdycke com- manded.
It was about half past 11 o'clock v. M. when llarker's l)riii"ade changed front and moved upon Hood's tlank. It was half past 1 o'clock when we about-faced at the left of Brannan. The value of the service rendered in those two eventtid hours can hai'<lly be ovcrestimatech It is extremely d()ul)tful if any other brigade in the army found the o[)[)or- tunit}' in that l)attle to render service of equal imjtoitance. One division of Longstreet's main column was encountered when Hushed with victory, and not only checked, Init stopped, turned back ami put out of the fight. And then its supi>Oi"ting division was n)et, fought and delayed. Two whole hours were gained to Thonuis, in which time what
CIIK K. \M.\l 'O'.l — SECOX/) D.I ) \
was lott of liramiairs (li\i>i<iii uml tVau'iiu'iits of otlicr (••nn- inaiiils wt'i'L' u'atlicrt'tl Mini |hisIc(1 on tlu- riili;-f lo wliicli llarker also ri't iri'cl. llail Law's divisioii siiccrcMlfd in cDn- tiiminii" its j)r(»i:;ri'ss to that i-itlii'c and occu|iit'd it. with Uusiii'od Johnson's (lixision on his Kd't ami k'rr.-haw at his heels, the total ovi-rthi'ow ol' the Ainiv of tin- ( "ninlit-rland wonld have hoen assured. ^Vini there were no other troojts besides Ilarkor's hriu'aiK' availahle at the moment to |ire\i-nt tiiat threatened disaster.
l>etore itroeee(linii' t(» narrate tlie snhse<iMent ev(.'nts itf the l.attle. in wliieli the lLl.')th partieipated to the close, it may lu- well to u'ianee at tlie ii'eneral situation of the armv at the time we tormed on Snodu'rass Heights. l)a\is" and Sher- idans dixisions. as we have seen,wei'e <uit of the liuht. (Ji-neral lioseerans and two eorps commanders, MeC'ook and Crittemleii, heinu'on the rmht at the time the line was h|-okeii, went oti" with Slieridan's division, |iassed throULj-h .McFarland"> ( iap and |>ro- «ee(h'd to Chattanooga. The roar ot hattle eontinninii\ assured tluiii that 'I'liomas was still ahio to oli'er resist- ance to the enemy's prouress, and General Garfield, Chief of Staff, was sent hack from liossville to find Thomas and forward re|ioi'ts of the situation, while his superiors hastened to ( hattanooua to arranu'i' for di-fense of the })laci'. t'vidently cxpectinu- a Uull liun retreat. The four di\is!ons ot' our left v.ini:- were still clin<i'iii,u' to their tem- jiorary lu'east woiks, faciiiii' north, east and south alioiit Kelly's, while the tired, rejiulsed hut ever vi<:-ilant hat- talions of r)i"aii"ii" f^ right wiiiii" were still in close contact, and Forrest's cavalry was on the Ghattanooira I'oad oji|»osite Gloud's. ()n the