THE DONELSON TRIP AND RETREAT TO CHATTANOOGA.
Just who conceived this wild-goose chase, I am not informed. For
suffering, hardships, and barrenness of results, it is only exceeded by
Napoleon’s Russian campaign. On the 25th of January, General Wheeler,
in command of the brigades of Wharton and Forrest, took up the line
of march for Dover, or Fort Donelson. I do not know how to describe
the weather, except in the language of the grammar on the comparison
of adjectives: cold, colder, coldest. We crossed one little stream
fifteen or twenty times in one day. The water froze on the legs of our
horses until they were encased in ice above the knees; their tails were
solid chunks of ice, while we had to walk to keep warm. Men and horses
suffered intensely.
When we reached the vicinity of Dover, Forrest reported to Wheeler that
he had but a scant supply of ammunition; and investigation disclosed
the fact that Wharton’s brigade was little better off in this regard.
Forrest did not hesitate to advise withdrawal of our forces without
attempt at action, but Wheeler determined to proceed.
Forrest attacked from the north and east, carried the enemy’s outer
works, and drove them into the redoubts, but with great loss of life.
His ammunition was now exhausted, and he was compelled to fall back.
Wharton attacked from the Donelson side, and captured one brass field
gun, but he, too, was compelled to retire because his ammunition was
running low. The Rangers had been sent out on the Fort Henry road
before these operations were begun and so had no part in the assault.
Jordan, in his “Life of Forrest,” says:
“The Confederate losses were heavy. Forrest had one-fourth of his
force, or 200 of his officers and men killed, wounded and captured, and
Wharton’s casualties did not fall short of sixty killed and wounded.”
Now the retreat began. All the command, except the Rangers, practically
out of ammunition. The weather did not moderate. The second or third
night a report reached Wheeler that a heavy column of the enemy,
cavalry and infantry, under General Jeff C. Davis, had left Nashville
to head him off. About midnight we were ordered to saddle up. It was
so cold that if we touched a gun-barrel or bridle bit our hands stuck
to the metal, and we had to put those bits into the mouths of our poor
horses.
We reached Duck river about daylight, and found it bank full, the
surface covered with floating ice. After some search a ford was found
and we crossed to the south side. As Davis’ command did not show up, we
went into camp and warmed ourselves a little. After a rest of a day or
two we moved leisurely back to our old position.
I do not know what could have been accomplished by this expedition
beyond the capture of a small garrison. Certainly the suffering and the
losses of men and horses were very great. For a long time when the men
wanted to reach the superlative of suffering they spoke of the Donelson
trip.
In April we moved over to the right and camped a few days at Sparta.
The regiment captured a mail train between Murfreesboro and Nashville,
getting about a dozen officers. The men rifled the mail sacks and
amused themselves reading the letters of the Yankees. They obtained
also a considerable amount of greenbacks; also a silver-mounted pistol,
said to belong to General Rosecrans. My horse was lame and so I missed
this expedition--and my share of the greenbacks.
Toward the last of June the Federal army, having received
reinforcements, including heavy additions to its cavalry force, began
another forward movement. The Rangers were dismounted to skirmish with
the advance. During this action a heavy rainstorm came up; we thought
this would suspend the affair, but when the rain ceased we found the
Yankees had advanced their lines considerably. Regarding this as a
violation of the rules of the game, we mounted and rode off.
Their cavalry now showed unusual spirit and audacity, pressing us
pretty close. On the 4th of July, at the site of the present University
of the South, the Rangers had to charge and drive them back. The
retreat was continued across the mountains and the Tennessee river to
Chattanooga.
The Rangers took position at Rome, Georgia. There we had a few weeks’
needed rest and recruited our jaded horses. Roasting ears were in
season, fruit was beginning to ripen, and so we feasted on good things.
The runabouts--“pie rooters” we called them--made the best of their
opportunities. Bill Arp said they found every road in the county, and
then some.
Dr. Bunting, our chaplain, started a series of meetings, and many
embraced the opportunity to pledge themselves to the better life.
The boys, from their scant pay, contributed money to buy a horse for
General John A. Wharton. The presentation speech was made by John B.
Rector, Wharton replying. Both speakers pledged the last drop of their
blood, etc. Same old story, but a trifle stale by this time.