MANY MARCHES AND SKIRMISHES--THE KENTUCKY CAMPAIGN.
We rested at McMinnville three or four days, and then started a hard
ride with little rest for Lebanon, a distance of fifty miles, intending
to surprise and capture a force of 500 cavalry stationed there. On the
morning of the 20th we dashed into the place, but the enemy had been
warned and had left in a hurry for Nashville.
We remained one day and night in this beautiful little city, recipients
of the unbounded hospitality of its splendid people. They fed us on
poultry, roast pig, ham, cakes and pies like “mother used to make,” and
filled our haversacks for the march.
From Lebanon our route was by “The Hermitage,” so long the home of
Andrew Jackson. Here a short halt was made, and many of the men visited
the house and grounds. Mounting, we moved on to Stone river, seven
miles from Nashville, where a small picket force was captured. Thence
we crossed over to the Murfreesboro turnpike, only four miles from the
city, and destroyed four railroad bridges, capturing the guards--in
all about 120 men. We then turned off in the direction of Lebanon, and
camped for the night after riding for a few miles; here we paroled our
prisoners. Passing around Murfreesboro we marched to McMinnville, where
we rested till the 10th of August.
We then advanced to the line of railroad, captured the pickets and
burned a few bridges. The enemy had now begun to erect stockades for
their guards at the bridges. There was one not yet finished, and
Forrest tried to capture it but failed. Captain Houston of Company G
was killed in this attack.
Moving in the direction of Altamont we camped in a cove near the
mountain. The enemy advanced in force on all the roads. We had to take
the dry bed of a creek which ran parallel to one of the roads on which
the enemy was advancing. We traveled in this creek a mile or two, and
then emerged into the open. A battery of the enemy, on the McMinnville
road, not more than 600 yards away, opened fire upon us. The very best
of troops, who will charge anything, are often thrown into a panic by
an attack from an unexpected quarter. We broke into a run and were soon
out of range, though in considerable disorder.
Marching leisurely to Sparta, we joined forces with Bragg’s army,
then on the move into Kentucky. Forrest was ordered to guard the left
flank and harass the rear of the enemy in his retreat to Nashville. We
came up to their rear guard at Woodbury, and chased them clear up to
Murfreesboro, but could only run them through the place.
Bragg soon moved by Glasgow and on to Mumfordsville, getting in ahead
of Buell and on his line of march. He had a strong position, but for
some unaccountable reason turned off and let the Federal army pass on
to Louisville. Forrest kept on the left and in close touch with the
enemy till the army turned aside, when we went on to the vicinity of
Louisville. Forrest was now relieved and ordered to Tennessee, and
Colonel John A. Wharton was placed in command of the brigade. We kept
close up to Louisville, in observation of the enemy’s movements. Had
a small but spirited skirmish at Mt. Washington, as related in the
introduction.
Early in October Buell began to move with some vigor. An enterprising
brigade of cavalry got between us and our main army. They took position
at Bardstown and thus we were “cut off.” When intelligence of this
move reached Wharton he called in his outposts, threw his command into
column, Rangers in front, Company D leading. At a gallop we started
for the seat of trouble. The enemy had chosen a strong position at
the mouth of the lane in which we were traveling, and had their
courage been equal to their enterprise they could have given us a warm
entertainment. When we came in sight of them our bugle sounded the
charge and we went at them as fast as our horses could carry us. They
broke almost at once, firing only a few shots. It was now a chase for
miles. We caught over 200 of them, and strewed the woods with their
dead and wounded. General George H. Thomas, of the Federal army, says
they lost about “twenty killed and wounded, and a great many missing”;
these “missing” were our prisoners. Our loss was small--I can not
recall the casualties. It was one of the softest snaps in the way of a
fight that we had during the war.
Some amusing incidents nearly always occur, but the laughter rarely
takes place till all danger is past. After the long chase we, as well
as the enemy, were very much scattered. John B. Rector seeing a lone
Federal, rushed up and demanded his surrender. “Surrender yourself,”
replied the man, leveling his pistol. Now Rector had discharged every
chamber of his pistol and promptly complied. Just then Bill Davis
dashed up. He was a large, fierce looking man, on a powerful horse not
less than sixteen and a half hands high. He broke out, “John, why the
---- don’t you disarm that ---- ---- Yankee?” “I am a prisoner myself,
Bill.” Quick as a flash Davis was at the fellow’s side and bringing his
pistol against his head broke out, “Give up them pistols, you ---- ----
blue-bellied ---- ----.” The shooting irons were promptly handed over
and the prisoner escorted to the rear.
In the language of the great American game it was pure “bluff” all
around for all the firearms were empty, but Bill Davis was always
loaded to the muzzle with quick firing profanity which he could
discharge in rattling volleys on the slightest provocation. I am glad
to say, however, that he no longer goes loaded thus, for he has been a
strict churchman for several years.
General Bragg published a general order highly laudatory of the Rangers
for this affair, but I have found no record of it. It was read to the
regiment and complimented us in high terms.
Bragg’s army was widely dispersed, gathering supplies in that fertile
section. Buell was pressing him, and to get time for concentration, and
to get his train out of the way, we made a stand at Perryville, where,
on the 8th of October, was fought one of the fiercest combats of the
war. Fourteen thousand Confederates kept at bay for nearly two days the
immense army of the enemy, but with heavy loss to both sides. Wharton’s
brigade held the extreme right and did a full share of the fighting.
Among our killed was Major Mark Evans of the Rangers. Captain Ferrell
of Company D succeeded him, and Lieutenant Kyle of Company D became
captain.
I was in the battle of Perryville, not with the regiment, but in a
small detachment on the left while the Rangers were on the right.
Hence I avail myself of the description of “Perryville” given by A. B.
Briscoe, who kindly placed his “Personal Memoirs” at my service.
“The enemy was on the west side of the creek and our army on the east.
The valley between was open field and the tops of the hills covered
in places with timber. It was an ideal battlefield; there were no
breastworks, but the hills on both sides were crowned with artillery.
Polk was in command of the Confederate forces and expected the enemy
to attack and waited for them until about 2 p. m. In the meantime the
artillery was making the very earth tremble with a duel of nearly
100 guns. We lay in a little valley a few hundred yards to the rear,
partially sheltered from this storm of shells. At 2 p. m. we were moved
in column through the lines of infantry and the smoking batteries to
the front. The open valley was before us with a deep creek spanned
by a wooden bridge. Down we charged in column of fours across the
bridge. After crossing, each squadron formed left front into line,
which made us present five lines, one behind the other, and in this
order we charged up the hill, into the woods and among the Yankees.
This whole movement was made in a sweeping gallop and as if on parade.
How different from the way we were handled at Shiloh! The Yankees were
brushed back from the hill and woods and when the bugle sounded the
recall and we returned, our own infantry and artillery had crossed the
creek and were taking position on the hills from which we had driven
the enemy. But again we had lost our commander, the gallant Lieutenant
Colonel Mark Evans, who fell mortally wounded at the head of the
regiment.”
I have copied this literally, but I am of the opinion that Evans was
only major.
Bragg had secured the needed time. He now started for Cumberland Gap,
leaving the cavalry to protect his rear and retard, as best they could,
the onward march of the enemy. Colonel Joseph Wheeler was made chief of
cavalry and had command of all in the rear. The country was timbered,
broken, not very fertile, affording little in the way of food for man
or beast. We had to form line and skirmish several times a day. The
service was very trying. For more than a week there was no order to
unsaddle.
At last Buell gave up the pursuit and started to Nashville. We went on
through Cumberland Gap to Knoxville, where we had a snowstorm. From
Knoxville, by Kingston and over the mountains, we went to Sparta,
Murfreesboro and Nolensville. At Nolensville we had a position on the
left of the army. Here some promotions were announced. Colonel Wharton
became a brigadier general, his commission dating from the Bardstown
fight, the 4th of October. Harrison became colonel, Ferrell, lieutenant
colonel, and Gustave Cook, major. Ferrell was soon compelled to resign
on account of bad health. Cook then became lieutenant colonel and S.
Pat Christian, major. In Company D, Dechard became first lieutenant and
W. R. Black, second lieutenant.
We remained at Nolensville nearly two months, picketing and scouting.
We passed our second Christmas, a serious and sober set, thinking of
the homes and loved ones far away, and wondering if we should ever see
them again.