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[Illustration: _Engraved by Samuel Sartain, Phil.^a_
(Signed) Wm Pittenger]
DARING AND SUFFERING:
A HISTORY OF
THE GREAT RAILROAD ADVENTURE.
BY LIEUT. WILLIAM PITTENGER,
ONE OF THE ADVENTURERS.
WITH AN INTRODUCTION,
BY REV. ALEXANDER CLARK.
"The expedition, in the daring of its conception, had the wildness of
a romance; while in the gigantic and overwhelming results it sought
and was likely to accomplish, it was absolutely sublime."--_Official
Report of Hon. Judge Holt to the Secretary of War._
"It was all the deepest laid scheme, and on the grandest scale, that
ever emanated from the brains of any number of Yankees
combined."--_Atlanta "Southern Confederacy" of April 15th, 1862._
PHILADELPHIA:
J. W. DAUGHADAY, PUBLISHER,
1308 CHESTNUT STREET.
1863.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by
J. W. DAUGHADAY,
In the Office of the Clerk of the District Court for the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania.
TO
R. T. TRALL, M. D.,
EDITOR OF THE "HERALD OF HEALTH,"
AND
Leader of the Hygienic Reform,
THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED
AS A TRIBUTE OF
ESTEEM AND GRATITUDE,
BY
THE AUTHOR.
NEW SOMERSET, Jefferson Co., O.,
October, 1863.
NAMES OF THE ADVENTURERS.
EXECUTED.
J. J. ANDREWS, _Leader_, Citizen of Kentucky.
WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Citizen of Kentucky.
GEORGE D. WILSON, Co. B, Second Reg't Ohio Vols.
MARION A. ROSS, Co. A, Second Reg't Ohio Vols.
PERRY G. SHADRACK, Co. K, Second Reg't Ohio Vols.
SAMUEL SLAVENS, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols.
SAMUEL ROBINSON, Co. G, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols.
JOHN SCOTT, Co. K, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.
ESCAPED IN OCTOBER.
W. W. BROWN, Co. F, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.
WILLIAM KNIGHT, Co. E, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.
J. R. PORTER, Co. C, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.
MARK WOOD, Co. C, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.
J. A. WILSON, Co. C, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.
M. J. HAWKINS, Co. A, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols.
JOHN WOLLAM, Co. C, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols.
D. A. DORSEY, Co. H, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols.
EXCHANGED IN MARCH.
JACOB PARROTT, Co. K, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols.
ROBERT BUFFUM, Co. H, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.
WILLIAM BENSINGER, Co. G, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.
WILLIAM REDDICK, Co. B, Thirty-third Reg't Ohio Vols.
E. H. MASON, Co. K, Twenty-first Reg't Ohio Vols.
WILLIAM PITTENGER, Co. G, Second Reg't Ohio Vols.
PREFACE.
The following work is a narration of facts. My only desire is to give
a clear and connected record of what will ever be regarded as a most
remarkable episode in the history of the Great Rebellion.
The style of the book demands an apology. It was begun in sickness
induced by the privations of rebel prisons, and completed amidst the
fatigue and excitement of the most glorious campaign which has yet
crowned our arms. Under these circumstances, there must be many faults
of expression, which a generous reader will readily pardon.
To the many kind friends who sympathized with me during the weary
interval when my fate was considered hopeless, as well as those who
rejoiced with me on my return, I can only tender my most sincere
thanks.
Myself and comrades are greatly indebted to the PRESIDENT and
Secretary STANTON for their generous recognition of our services, and
the munificent rewards bestowed upon us. To them, and to Judge HOLT,
Major-General HITCHCOCK, and JAMES C. WETMORE, Ohio State Military
Agent, we take this opportunity of expressing our heartfelt
obligations.
Another to whom I am indebted is Dr. R. T. TRALL of New York. At his
beautiful "_Hygiean Home_," on the mountain side, near Wernersville,
Berks county, Pennsylvania, I regained my lost health. For his
kindness, and that of his skillful assistants, Drs. GLASS and
FAIRCHILD, I will ever be deeply grateful. It was with regret, woven
with many pleasant memories, that I left their hospitable home when
recovered health and duty called me again to the field.
To my early friend, Rev. ALEXANDER CLARK, Editor of the "_School
Visitor_," I am still more deeply indebted. His literary experience
was freely placed at my service, and when discouraged in the
preparation of my story, which was to me an arduous undertaking, his
words of hope and cheer stimulated me to renewed efforts. But for aid
derived from his sympathy and advice, I would have probably abandoned
my task. May he be fully rewarded!
There are a host of others whose good offices will always be kindly
remembered. Among them are W. R. ALLISON of the "_Steubenville
Herald_," Dr. JOHN McCOOK, also of Steubenville, Dr. GEORGE McCOOK of
Pittsburgh, Rev. WILLIAM B. WATKINS, A. M., Dr. JOHN MILLS, and many
others. Thanks to them all!
WILLIAM PITTENGER.
_Army of the Cumberland, August, 1863._
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Sad Retrospective--Object of the Book--Military Situation
in the Southwest--Disaster and Energy of the Rebels--Necessity
for a Secret Expedition--A Proposition to
Buell and Mitchel--An Attempt and Failure--Return of
Adventurers--Second Expedition--Writer Volunteers--Andrews,
the Leader--Parting from the Regiment--On
the Way--Perplexities--The Writer _Cur-tailed_! 23-35
CHAPTER II.
Midnight Consultation--Plans Developed--Money Distributed--_Compagnons
du Voyage_--A Dismal Night--Sheltered
from the Storm--Southern Unionist--Arrested by
Federal Soldiers--Beyond the Lines--Panic Caused by
Negroes--Method of Avoiding Suspicion--Continuous
Rain--Behind Time--Hunting Human Beings with
Bloodhounds--The Cumberland Mountains--Rain again. 36-45
CHAPTER III.
Crossing the Mountains--Playing Hypocrite--Legend of
Battle Creek Valley--Lodged with a Secessionist--Strategy--A
Welcome but Fatal Delay--Exaggerated
Accounts of Shiloh--Prevented from Crossing the Tennessee--In
the Mountains again--Amusing Rebel Story--To
the River again--Perilous Crossing--Success--Chattanooga--On
the Cars--Night--Arrive at Marietta. 46-56
CHAPTER IV.
Take an Early Train--Prospecting--Capture of the Train--Panic
in Confederate Camp--Away at Lightning
Speed--Thrilling Experience--Cut the Telegraph--Tear
up the Track--Unexpected Obstacle--Running a Powder
Train to Beauregard--Red Flag--Dropping Cross-Ties--Battering
out Spikes--Immense Exertion of Strength--Pursuing
Backward--Terrible Chase--Attempt to Wreck
the Enemy's Train--Fearful Speed--Bold Plan. 57-67
CHAPTER V.
Consternation along the Route--Wood and Water--Attempt
to Fire the Train--Partial Failure--Message sent
to Chattanooga--Terrific Preparations--Abandon the
Train--A Capital Error--In the Woods--A Thrilling
Account of the Chase from the Atlanta "_Southern Confederacy_."
68-90
CHAPTER VI.
Stupendous "Man Hunt"--My Own Adventures--Playing
Acrobat--Perilous Crossing of a River--Hunger--The
Bloodhounds--Flying for Life--No Sun or Star to Guide
me--Traveling in a Circle--Nearing Chattanooga--Lost
in Deadened Timber--Glimpse of the Moon--Fatigue
produces Phantoms--Dreadful Storm--I Sleep and enter
Fairy Land--Glorious Visions--Reality--A Picket--Romance
Faded--Horrible Situation--Day Dawn--No Relief. 91-105
CHAPTER VII.
Sabbath--Continuous Rain--Press Onward--Observed--Arrested--Curious
Examination--Equivocating for Life--Plans
Foiled by Unexpected News--Plundered--Jail--Terrible
Reflections--New and Hopeful Resolve--Unwelcome
Visitors--Vigilance Committee Disappointed--Ordered
to Chattanooga--A Mob--Chained to the
Carriage--Escort--The Journey--Musings--Arrival--Another
Mob--Benevolent Gentleman(?)--General
Leadbetter--Andrews. 106-126
CHAPTER VIII.
Negro Prison--Swims, the Jailor--Horrible Dungeon--Black
Hole of Calcutta--Suffocation--Union Prisoners--Slave
Catching--Our Party Reunited--Breakfast Lowered
by Rope--Hunger--Counseling--Fiendish Barbarity--Chained
in the Dungeon--Andrews tried as a Spy
and Traitor--Sweet, but Stolen News--Removed from
Dungeon--Pure Air and Sunlight--Attacked by a Mob--"A
Friend"--Madison--Daring Adventure and Narrow
Escape. 127-147
CHAPTER IX.
Return to Chattanooga--Caution of Rebels--Unchain Ourselves--Mock
Trials--The Judge--Singing--One Kindness--Projected
Escape--Loitering Comrades--A Gleam
of Hope--Sad Parting--Knoxville--Prison Inmates--Brownlow--Awful
Cruelty--Andrews Condemned to
Death--Escapes with Wollam--Fearful Perils--Swimming
the River--Hiding on an Island--Found by Children--Yields
to His Fate--Horrible Death--Wollam's
Stratagem--On the River--Passes a Gun Boat--Final
Capture. 148-170
CHAPTER X.
Sorrow for Andrews--Prepare for Trial--Charges and
Specifications--Plan of Defence--Incidents of Trial--Encouragement--Not
Allowed to Hear Pleading--Lawyer's
Plea--Seven Tried--Mitchel Dissolves the Court--Tied
Again--A Saucy Reply--Advantage of Sickness--Fry
Deceived--Revolting Inhumanity--Fry's Capture--Starve
to Atlanta--Taunts of the Mob--Atlanta Prison--A
Kind Jailor. 171-183
CHAPTER XI.
Cavalry Approach--Seven Removed from the Room--Suspense--Sentence
of Death--Heart-rending Separation--Death
and the Future--Not Prepared--Inhuman Haste--The
Tragedy--Speech on the Scaffold--Breaking Ropes--Enemies
Affected--Gloom of Survivors--Prayer. 184-192
CHAPTER XII.
Religious Experience--Contraband Assistance--Intelligence
of Negroes--Love of Freedom--Wollam's Recapture--A
Friendly Preacher--Obtain Books--Disgusting
Diet--Plays--Debates--Reading Hours--Envy the Birds--Dreams
of Home--Telegraphing--Friends from our
Army--Hope Deferred--Union Society--Difficulties of
Tobacco-chewers--Precious Books. 193-207
CHAPTER XIII.
Contemplated Escape--Startling Intelligence--Our Doom
Pronounced from Richmond--Hesitate no Longer--Our
Plan--All Ready--Supper--Farewell--Life or Death--Seize
the Jailor--Guns Wrested from Guards--Alarm
Given--Scaling the Wall--Guards Fire--Terrible Chase--Six
Recaptured--Wood and Wilson Reach the Gulf--Dorsey's
Narrative--Porter's Account--Boasting of the
Guards--Barlow's Cruel Death. 208-223
CHAPTER XIV.
Despair and Hope--Bitten Finger--Removed to Barracks--Greater
Comfort--Jack Wells--Cruel Punishment of
Tennesseeans--Story of a Spy--Help Him to Escape--Virtue
of a Coat--A Practical Joke--Unionism--Sweet
Potatoes--Enlisting in Rebel Army--Description of a
Day--Happy News--Start for Richmond--Not Tied--Night
Journey--Varied Incidents--Lynchburg--Rebel
Audacity Punished--Suffering from the Cold--Arrival
in Richmond. 224-246
CHAPTER XV.
The City by Moonlight--Old Accusation Renewed--Libby
Prison--Discomfort--A Change--Citizens' Department--Richmond
Breakfast--Removed under Guard--Castle
Thunder--Miniature Bedlam--Conceal a Knife--Confined
in a Stall--Dreadful Gloom--Routine of a Day--Suffering
at Night--Friends Exchanged--Newspapers--Burnside--Pecuniary
Perplexities--Captain Webster--Escape
Prevented--Try Again on Christmas Night--Betrayed--Fearful
Danger Avoided. 247-266
CHAPTER XVI.
Letter sent Home--Alarming Pestilence--Our Quarters
Changed--Rowdyism--Fairy Stories--Judge Baxter--Satanic
Strategy--Miller's History--An Exchange with a
Dead Man--Effect of Democratic Victories--Attempt to
Make us Work--Digging out of a Cell--Worse than the
Inquisition--Unexpected Interference--List from "Yankee
Land"--Clothing Stolen--Paroled--A Night of Joy--Torch-light
March--On the Cars--The Boat--Reach
Washington--Receive Medals, Money, and Promotion--Home. 267-288
INTRODUCTION.
While our absent brothers are battling on the field, it is becoming
that the friends at home should be eager for the minutest particulars
of the camp-life, courage and endurance of the dear boys far away; for
to the loyal lover of his country every soldier is a brother.
The narrative related on the following pages is one of extraordinary
"daring and suffering," and will excite an interest in the public mind
such as has rarely, if ever, arisen from any personal adventures
recorded on the page of history.
WILLIAM PITTENGER, the oldest of a numerous family, was born in
Jefferson county, Ohio, January 31st, 1840. His father, THOMAS
PITTENGER, is a farmer, and trains his children in the solid
experiences of manual labor. His mother is from a thinking familyhood
of people, many of whom are well known in Eastern Ohio as pioneers in
social and moral progress--the MILLS'S. WILLIAM learned to love his
country about as early as he learned to love his own mother; for his
first lessons were loyalty and liberty, syllabled by a mother's lips.
Even before the boy could read, he knew in outline the history of our
nation's trials and triumphs, from the days of Bunker Hill, forward to
the passing events of the latest newspaper chronicling,--all of which
facts were nightly canvassed around the cabin-hearth.
Although he was an adept in all branches of learning, yet, in school
days, as now, young PITTENGER had two favorite studies; and they
happened to be the very ones in the prosecution of which his teachers
could aid him scarcely at all--History and Astronomy. But, in the face
of discouragement, with the aid only of accidental helps, and by the
candle-light and the star-light after the sunny hours had been toiled
away, he pressed patiently and perseveringly forward in his own chosen
methods, until he became an accurate historian, and a practical
astronomer. At the age of seventeen, he manufactured, for the most
part with his own hands, a reflecting telescope, which his friends
came from near and far to see, and gaze through, at the wonderful
worlds unthought-of before.
The ambitions of farm-life were not sufficient to occupy the head and
hands of this searcher for knowledge. To explore the fields of the
firmament with his telescope, gave him intenser pleasure than the most
faithful farmer ever realized from furrowing his fields in the dewiest
spring mornings. To follow the footsteps of heroes through the world's
annals, as they struggled up through conflicts to glorious liberty,
thrilled him with a livelier enthusiasm than ever sprang from the
music of marching harvesters. While other young men of his age and
neighborhood idled their rainy days and winter nights in trifling
diversions, there was one who preferred the higher joy of communion
with Humboldt in his "Cosmos," Macaulay in his "England," Irving in
his "Columbus," or Burritt in his "Geography of the Heavens."
Owing to this decided preference for science and literature, the
father found it advisable to indulge his son in the desire to enter a
field more consonant with his wishes. He accordingly qualified
himself, by close study at home, and without a tutor, for the
profession of teaching. In this honorable avocation he labored with
industry and promise, until he felt constrained by love of country to
quit the desk and the children, for the tent and the hosts of armëd
men.
During his career as teacher, he was, for awhile, associated with the
writer in the publication of the _School Visitor_, then issued at
Cleveland, Ohio. The enterprise was, at that time, (1857-8,) to the
great outer world, an unnoticed and insignificant one; yet to those
whose little all was enlisted in the mission of a Day School paper, it
was, indeed, something that lay close upon their hearts. That was a
cheerless, friendless time in the history of the little _Visitor_, to
at least two inexperienced adventurers in the literary world. But
these were hidden trials, and shall be unwritten still.
The never-forgotten teachings of his mother, together with the
unconscious tuition resulting from observation and experience, made
PITTENGER an early and constant friend of freedom. Any mind imbued
with an admiration of God's marches in the Heavens as an Omnipotent
Creator, and inspired by a contemplation of God's finger in History as
a merciful Deliverer, will rise to the high level of universal love to
man, and will comprehend the broad equality of Gospel liberty and
republican brotherhood. Let a man be educated, head and heart, and he
will love freedom, and demand freedom, and "dare and suffer" for
freedom, not for himself only, but for all the oppressed of the whole
earth.
Reader, you may draw lines. You may profess a conservative
Christianity that would theologize the very grace out of the command,
"_Love thy neighbor as thyself._" You may ignore this Christ-like
precept, and adopt something more fashionable and aristocratic; but if
you do, you entertain in your heart treason, both to your Father in
heaven and to your brother on earth. This law of love is revealed to
lowly men. It cuts down through crowns and creeds and chains, and
rests as a blessed benediction on sufferers and slaves. This is the
inspiration that brings victory to our arms, and deals death to
destroyers. This was the spirit that prompted our young hero to stand
forth, one of the very first from his native county, a soldier for
right and righteousness, the moment the Sumter cry rang up the valley
of his Ohio home.
When PITTINGER became a volunteer, it was for the suppression of the
Rebellion with all its belongings,--and if its overthrow should tumble
slavery, with its clanking fetters and howling hounds, to the
uttermost destruction, he would grasp his gun the firmer for the
hope, and thank God for the prospect, the test, and the toil! He
enlisted as a soldier for his country, ready to march anywhere, strike
with any weapon, endure any fatigue, or share any sorrow. He went out
not merely an armored warrior, to ward off attacks, not to strike off
obnoxious top-growths; but to "lay the ax at the root of the tree,"
and to pierce the very heart of the monster iniquity.
In three days after the receipt of the startling intelligence that the
Stars and Stripes had been fired upon by rebels in arms, PITTENGER was
on his way to the Capital as a private soldier in the Second Ohio
Regiment of volunteers. He fought bravely on the disastrous 21st of
July, in the battle of Bull Run, while many of his comrades fell
bleeding at his side. For his calm, heroic conduct throughout that
memorable day of peril and panic, he received the highest praise from
every officer of his regiment. Although thus a sharer of war's
sternest conflicts during the three months' campaign, he was ready to
re-enlist immediately, when his country called for a longer service;
and after a few days' rest beneath the old homestead roof, he was
again on his way with the same regiment to the seat of war in the
Southwest.
During the fall and winter he saw severe service on the "dark and
bloody ground." No soldiers ever endured so many midnight marches more
patiently, or manifested more self-sacrificing devotion to country,
through rains and storms, and wintry desolations, than the noble Ohio
Second, under the command of Colonel HARRIS, through the campaign in
the mountains of eastern Kentucky.
In December, the regiment was transferred to the Division commanded by
the lamented General MITCHEL, then encamped at Louisville. From this
point, the army pressed forward victoriously through Elizabethtown,
Bowling Green, Nashville, and Murfreesboro', until the old banner
floated in the Tennessee breezes at Shelbyville. While here, the
daring expedition to penetrate the heart of the Confederacy was
organized, of which party PITTENGER was one of the most enthusiastic
and determined.
From the day the brave fellows departed over the Southern hills on
their adventurous journey, a veil was dropped which hid them from
sight of friends for many weary months--and some of them for ever! No
tidings came in answer to all the beseeching thought-questionings
that followed their mysterious pathway "beyond the lines."
Vague rumors were current around the camp-fires and home-circles that
the whole party had been executed. Friends began to despair. Strangers
began to inquire as if for missing friends. A universal sympathy
prevailed in their behalf, and whole communities were excited to the
wildest fervor on account of the lost adventurers. The widely-read
letters from the Steubenville _Herald's_ army correspondent were
missed, for PITTENGER wrote no more. The family were in an agony of
suspense for the silent, absent son and brother. His ever faithful
friend, Chaplain GADDIS, of the Ohio Second, made an effort to go,
under a flag of truce, in search of the party, but was dissuaded by
the commanding officers from so hopeless an undertaking. The summer
passed, and yet no tidings came. The autumn came with its
melancholy,--and uncertain rumors, like withered, fallen leaves, were
again afloat about the camps and the firesides. The dreary winter
came, and still the hearts of the most hopeful were chilled with
disappointment. The father began to think of William as dead,--the
mother to talk of her darling as one who had lived,--the children to
speak of their elder brother as one they should never see any more
until all the lost loved ones meet in the better land. The writer was
even solicited by a mutual friend to preach the funeral sermon of one
whose memory was still dear, but whom none of us ever hoped to see
again on earth.
But our Father in heaven was kinder than we thought. Our prayers had
been heard! As our fervent petitions winged up from family altars to
the ear of the Infinite Lover, the guardian angels winged afar
downward through battle alarms, and ministered to him for whom we
besought protection. When the bright spring days came smiling over the
earth, a message came from the hand of the missing one, brighter and
sunnier to our hearts than the April sunlight on the hills! Soon the
story was told, and we all thanked God for the merciful deliverance of
him for whom we prayed, and who had found, even in a dismal
prison-cell, the Pearl of great price! The one we loved returned home
a witness of the Spirit that came to him as a Comforter in his
dreariest loneliness, and is already a minister of the precious Gospel
that gladdened him in the time of his tribulation.
And now the reader shall know all about the tedious delay and the
long silence, from the pen of him who survives to tell the story.
We commend to all who peruse this narrative an interesting volume,
entitled "_Beyond the Lines_," another sad rehearsal of terror in
rebel prisons and Southern swamps, in other portions of the
Confederacy--the experience of Rev. Capt. J. J. GEER, now one of
Lieutenant PITTENGER'S associate-advocates for liberty in the pulpit,
as he was recently a brother-bondman in the land of tyranny and death.
A. C.
PHILADELPHIA, September 15, 1863.
DARING AND SUFFERING.
CHAPTER I.
Sad Retrospective--Object of the Book--Military Situation in the
Southwest--Disaster and Energy of the Rebels--Necessity for a Secret
Expedition--A Proposition to Buell and Mitchel--An Attempt and
Failure--Return of Adventurers--Second Expedition--Writer
Volunteers--Andrews, the Leader--Parting from the Regiment--On the
Way--Perplexities--The Writer _Cur-tailed_!
It is painful for me to write the adventures of the last year. As I
compose my mind to the task, there arises before me the memory of days
of suffering, and nights of sleepless apprehension--days and nights
that, in their black monotony, seemed well nigh eternal. And the
sorrow, too, which I felt on that terrible day, when my companions,
whom common dangers and common sufferings had made as brothers to me,
were dragged away to an ignominious death that I expected soon to
share--all comes before me in the vividness of present reality, and I
almost shrink back and lay down the pen. But I believe it to be a
duty to give to the public the details of the great railroad
adventure, which created such an excitement in the South, and which
Judge Holt pronounced to be the most romantic episode of the war, both
on account of the intrinsic interest involved, and still more because
of the light it throws on the manners and feelings of the Southern
people, and their conduct during the rebellion.
With this view, I have decided to give a detailed history of the
expedition, its failure, and the subsequent imprisonment and fate of
all of the members of the party. In doing this, I will have the aid of
the survivors of the expedition--fourteen in all--and hope to give a
narrative that will combine the strictest truth with all the interest
of a romance.
In order to understand why the destruction of the Georgia State
Railroad was of so much consequence, I will refer to the situation of
affairs in the Southwest, in the opening of the spring of 1862.
The year commenced very auspiciously for our arms. Fort Donelson had
fallen, after a desperate contest, and nearly all its garrison were
taken prisoners. The scattered remains of the rebel army, under
Johnston, had retreated precipitately from Kentucky, which had indeed
been to them "the dark and bloody ground." Columbus and Nashville were
evacuated, and fell into our hands. Island No. 10 was invested, and
the Tennessee river groaned beneath a mighty army afloat, the same
that had conquered Donelson, under its popular leader, General Grant,
and which, it was fondly hoped, would strike far away into the center
of the rebel States. Throughout the North, men talked of the war as
done, and speculated as to the terms of a peace that was soon to come.
But the end was not yet. The rebel leaders, who had embarked their all
in this cause, and had pictured to themselves a magnificent
slaveholding empire, stretching away from the Potomac to the Sierra
Madre, in Mexico, and swallowing up all tropical America in one mighty
nation, devoted to the interests of cotton and slavery alone, over
which they should reign, were not yet satisfied to relinquish their
cause as desperate, and abandon their glorious dreams. With a
wonderful energy that must command our admiration, though it be only
of the kind that is accorded to Satan as pictured in "Paradise Lost,"
they passed the conscription law, abandoned the posts they still held
on the frontier, and concentrated their forces on a shorter line of
defence.
The eastern part of this line extended from Richmond, through
Lynchburg, to East Tennessee. In the west, it was represented by the
Memphis and Charleston Railroad, extending from Memphis, through
Corinth, Huntsville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta, to Charleston. Here
they poured forward their new levies, and began to prepare for another
desperate contest.
The unaccountable inertness of the Eastern army of the Union, under
McClellan, gave them time to strengthen their defences, and reinforce
their army, which had dwindled to a very low ebb during the winter.
But while the commander of the East was planning strategy that, by the
slowness of its development, if by nothing _worse_, was destined to
dim the lustre of the Union triumphs, and lose the results of a year
of war, the West was in motion. Down the Mississippi swept our
invincible fleet, with an army on shore to second its operations. Up
the Tennessee steamed Grant's victorious army, and Buell, with forty
thousand men, was marching across the State of Tennessee, to reach the
same point. My own division, under the lamented General O. M. Mitchel,
was also marching across the State, but in a different direction,
having Chattanooga as its ultimate aim, while Morgan, with another
strong force, many of whom were refugees from East Tennessee, lay
before Cumberland Gap, ready to strike through that fastness to
Knoxville, and thus reach the very heart of rebellion.
To meet these powerful forces, whose destination he could not
altogether foresee, Beauregard, who commanded in the west,
concentrated his main army at Corinth, with smaller detachments
scattered along the railroad to Chattanooga. The railroads on which he
relied for supplies and reinforcements, as well as for communication
with the eastern portion of rebeldom, formed an irregular
parallelogram, of which the northern side extended from Memphis to
Chattanooga, the eastern from Chattanooga to Atlanta, the southern
from Atlanta to Jackson, Mississippi, and the western, by a network of
roads, from Jackson to Memphis. The great East Tennessee and Virginia
Railroad, which has not inaptly been called "the backbone of the
rebellion," intersected this parallelogram at Chattanooga. Thus it
will be seen that to destroy the northern and eastern sides of this
parallelogram isolated Beauregard, and left East Tennessee, which was
then almost stripped of troops, to fall easily before General Morgan.
So important was this destruction of communication deemed by those in
power, that it was at first intended to reach both sides, and destroy
them by armies; but the distance was so great that the design of
destroying it in this manner was abandoned.
However, just at this time, J. J. Andrews, who was a secret agent of
the United States, and had repeatedly visited every part of the South,
proposed another method of accomplishing the same object, by means of
a _secret_ military expedition, to burn the bridges on the road, and
thus interrupt communication long enough for the accomplishment of the
schemes which were expected to give rebellion in the southwest its
death-blow. He first made the proposition to General Buell, who did
not, for some reason, approve of it. Afterwards he repeated it to
General Mitchel, who received it with more favor.
Our division was at this time lying at Murfreesboro', repairing some
bridges that had been destroyed, preparatory to an onward march
further into the interior. All at once, eight men were detailed from
our regiment--four of them from my own company. No one knew anything
of their object or destination, and numberless were the conjectures
that were afloat concerning them. Some supposed they had gone home to
arrest deserters; others, that they were deserters themselves. But
this last idea was contradicted by the fact that they were seen in
close and apparently confidential communication with the officers just
before their departure, as well as by the character of the men
themselves, who were among the boldest and bravest of the regiment.
Many supposed that they were sent into the enemy's country as spies;
but the idea of sending such a number of spies from the privates in
the ranks was so obviously absurd, that I did not seriously consider
it. However, I was not long to remain in uncertainty, for an officer,
who was an intimate friend of mine, revealed the secret to me. The
enterprise was so grand and so audacious, that it instantly charmed my
imagination, and I at once went to Colonel L. A. Harris, of the Second
Ohio, and asked, as a favor from him, that if any detail was made for
another expedition of the same kind, I should be placed on it.
Soon after, one of the party, from Company C, returned, and reported
that he had ventured as far as Chattanooga, and there had met a
Confederate soldier who recognized him as belonging to the Union army;
and while, for the sake of old friendship, he hesitated to denounce
him to the authorities, yet advised him to return, which he
immediately did, and arrived safely in camp in a few days. He would
give no details that might embarrass his companions, who were still
pressing their way onward into the Confederacy.
A short time after this, all the party came back, and I received full
details of their trip to the center of rebeldom. They had proceeded in
citizens' dress, on foot and unsuspected, to Chattanooga; there had
taken the cars for Atlanta, where they arrived in safety. Here they
expected to meet a Georgia engineer, who had been running on the State
road for some time, and, with his assistance, intended to seize the
passenger train, at breakfast, and run through to our lines, burning
all the bridges in their rear. For several days they waited for him,
but he came not. They afterwards learned that he had been pressed to
run troops to Beauregard, who was then concentrating every available
man at Corinth, in anticipation of the great battle which afterwards
took place. Thus foiled, and having no man among them capable of
running an engine, they abandoned the enterprise for that time, and
quietly stole back to our lines. Had an engineer then been along, they
would, in all probability, have been successful, as the obstacles
which afterward defeated us did not then exist.
Our camp had been moved onward from Murfreesboro' to Shelbyville,
which is a beautiful little city, situated on Duck river. We camped
above the town, in a delightful meadow.
It was Sabbath, the 6th of April, and the earliness of the clime made
the birds sing, and the fields bloom with more than the brilliancy of
May in our own northern land. Deeply is the quiet of that Sabbath,
with the green beauty of the warm spring landscape, pictured on my
mind! An impression, I know not what, made me devote the day to
writing letters to my friends. It was well I did so, for long and
weary months passed ere I was permitted to write to them again.
But while the day was passing in such sweet repose with us, it was far
different in another army; that was the day on which Grant was
surprised by Beauregard, and only saved from destruction by the
assistance of the gunboats. This, however, we did not learn for
several days after.
On Monday, Andrews returned to our camp. He had spent some time along
the line of the Georgia State road, and on his return reported to
General Mitchel that the scheme was still feasible, and would be of
more advantage than ever. He, however, asked for a larger detail of
men, and twenty-four were given from the three Ohio regiments then in
Sill's Brigade. One man was detailed from a company, though all the
companies were not represented, and I believe in two[1] instances, two
men were detailed from one company--they were probably intimate
friends, who wished to go together.
[1] One of these I noticed only very lately.
During the day, I saw Andrews in the camp. I had seen him frequently
before, away up in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, but did not then
observe him particularly. Now I paid more attention. He was nearly six
feet in hight, of powerful frame, black hair, and long, black, silken
beard, Roman features, a high and expansive forehead, and a voice fine
and soft as a woman's. He gave me the impression of a man who combined
intellect and refinement with the most cool and dauntless courage. Yet
his manner and speech, which was slow and pensive, indicated what I
afterwards found to be almost his only fault--a slowness to decide on
the spur of the moment, and back his decision by prompt, vigorous
action. This did not detract from his value as a secret agent, when
alone, for then all his actions were premeditated, and carried out
with surpassing coolness and bravery; but it did unfit him for the
command of men, in startling emergencies, where instant action
afforded the only chance of safety. This trait of character will be
more fully developed in the course of my story. I conversed with him
on the object of the expedition, not, of course, expecting a full
detail, but receiving a general idea. I put particular stress on his
promise, that whatever happened, he would keep us all together, and,
if necessary, we would cut our way through in a body. This was
because, being near-sighted, and, therefore, a bad hand to travel in a
strange country, with no guide, I had a particular horror of being
left alone.
I returned to my company, and procured a suit of citizen's clothes
from our boys who had been out before. All the members of the company,
seeing me so arrayed, came around to try to dissuade me from the
enterprise, which to them appeared full of unknown perils. It was
gratifying to be the object of so much solicitude, but having decided
to go, I could not yield.
My captain, J. F. Sarratt, of Company G, Second Ohio, as brave and
true-hearted a soldier as ever lived, earnestly entreated me not to
go; but finding my determination was fixed, he bade me an affectionate
farewell. Seldom have I parted with more emotion from any one than
these war-worn veterans.
It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when we left camp, and
started for the place of rendezvous at Shelbyville. The sun was
shining brightly, and the bracing evening air sent the blood coursing
cheerily through our veins, and inspired us with the brightest hopes
of the future. Soon we reached Shelbyville, and lingered there for an
hour or two, when Ross and I, acting under the previous direction of
Andrews, started out of town. Our orders were for us all to proceed
along the road in small squads, for two or three miles, and then halt
and wait for him.
We walked quietly along, until about dark, when, seeing none of the
others, we began to grow uneasy, fearing we had gone on the wrong
road. We met several persons, but they could give no account of any
one before; then we saw a house just by the road, and crossing the
fence, went up to it to get a drink of water. Before we reached the
door, a dog came up behind my companion and bit him--then ran away
before punishment could be inflicted.
The bite was not severe, and I good-humoredly laughed at his mishap;
but before we again reached the fence, the same dog came once more.
Ross saw him, and sprang over the fence; but I had only time to reach
the top of it, where I sat in fancied security. But the merciless
whelp, in his ire, sprang at me, seized my coat, and tore a large
piece out of it! That coat, thus _cur_-tailed, I wore all through
Dixie. I mention this incident, because it was what some would call a
bad omen.