BATTLE AND CAPTURE OF HARTSVILLE BY GENERAL JOHN H. MORGAN, DECEMBER
7TH, 1863
In October, 1862, General Braxton Bragg, after the campaign in
Kentucky, had brought his army out by Cumberland Gap, and, resting
a brief while in East Tennessee, moved his forces to Murfreesboro,
thirty miles southeast of Nashville. During General Bragg’s absence
on his Kentucky campaign, the Federals had a large garrison at
Nashville. General John C. Breckinridge, too late to enter Kentucky,
with General Bragg, had been stationed at Murfreesboro with a small
Confederate force to watch and hold this Nashville Federal contingent
in check. By the 12th of November, General Bragg had brought his
soldiers through from Knoxville to Murfreesboro. It then became
apparent that somewhere in and around Murfreesboro, or between that
place and Nashville, a decisive battle would be fought. The Nashville
garrison, reinforced by the return of General Buell’s army, would be
ready for aggressive warfare south of that city, and as Bragg’s army
now intervened between these Federals and their advance southward, it
required no wise military student to predict that a great struggle
would soon be on. At that time few understood how great that struggle
would be, or that when it was ended and the losses counted, it would
rank as amongst the most sanguinary battles of the war, with a loss
of two hundred and sixty men per thousand, making it, in ratio of
losses, according to reports, the second bloodiest field of the
Civil War. Forty days later this expected conflict took place at
Murfreesboro in the Valley of Stone River.
Perryville, Kentucky, where, on the 8th of October, 1862, a battle
had raged with such fierceness, had also proved a memorable conflict
to the men of the Army of the Tennessee. There the Confederate loss
was three thousand, two hundred and twelve, the Federal loss four
thousand, two hundred and forty-one. For the number of men engaged,
in proportion to the time the battle lasted, it stands in the very
forefront of mortalities. General McCook, of the Federal Army,
referring to it, said: “It is the bloodiest battle of modern times
for the number of troops engaged on our side.” On the Confederate
side one hundred and ninety-six in every thousand were killed or
wounded.
On the 20th of November, 1862, the army of Tennessee was organized
with General Braxton Bragg as commander. The three army corps were
officered respectively by Generals E. Kirby Smith, Leonidas Polk and
William J. Hardee. General Don Carlos Buell, on the Federal side, on
October 30th, 1862, had been relieved, and General W. S. Rosecrans
had been put in his place.
At this period of the history of the war in Tennessee, Sumner County,
of which Gallatin was the county seat, was one of the richest and
most productive of the agricultural districts of the State. Gallatin
was thirty-five miles from Nashville, northeast. Sumner County
adjoined Davidson County, of which Nashville was the county seat.
East of Gallatin, some fifteen miles, was Hartsville, a small town,
now the capital of Trousdale County, one and one-half miles north of
the Cumberland River. Lebanon, Tennessee, the county seat of Wilson
County, was due east of Nashville. A line drawn from Murfreesboro
a little east of north would pass through Hartsville a distance of
thirty-eight miles. Bragg’s army extended from Murfreesboro in the
direction of Lebanon. A portion of his infantry was at Baird’s Mills,
a village twenty miles away. Castalian Springs was between Gallatin
and Hartsville, nine miles from Hartsville and six miles from
Gallatin. At Castalian Springs, the Federals, under John M. Harlan,
had a force numbering six thousand men. At Hartsville was Dumont’s
Brigade, the 39th in the Army of the Cumberland, consisting of two
thousand one hundred men.
General Morgan always maintained a very warm love of Sumner County.
Some of the happiest hours of his military life were passed there. He
was ever glad of an opportunity to return to Gallatin. Quite a number
of his followers were residents of the county. His opportunities
for scouting and getting information in that section were most
excellent. He learned that the Federals had about thirteen hundred
troops at Hartsville, and he calculated that their capture was not
only possible, but easy, by a bold, quick dash. On August 17th,
1862, he had captured Gallatin, and with it two hundred prisoners,
including Colonel Boone and the other commanding officers of the 28th
Kentucky Federal Regiment. He had another remarkable experience
there, of which he wrote: “... thus ended an action in which my
command, not exceeding seven hundred men (one whole company being in
the rear with prisoners), succeeded in defeating a brigade of twelve
hundred chosen cavalry sent by General Buell to take me or drive me
out of Tennessee, killing and wounding some one hundred and eighty
and taking two hundred prisoners, including the brigadier-general
commanding and most of the regimental officers.”
The Federal generals were justified in the belief that it was
unreasonable for the Confederate troops to march northward from
Murfreesboro to Hartsville when there was a full garrison at
Nashville, as such a force would be exposed to a flank and rear
attack from that place. John H. Morgan, though not yet having a
commission of brigadier-general, was in command of a brigade composed
of five regiments and two battalions. He conferred with General Bragg
and mapped out a plan by which he assured General Bragg that with a
force of cavalry and infantry not exceeding eighteen hundred men,
it was practicable to cross the Cumberland River, attack Hartsville
and capture it before the Federal Army at Castalian Springs, which
was three times as strong as the force Morgan proposed to take
with him, could reach Hartsville and succor the garrison there.
After some discussion and prolonged consideration General Morgan’s
enthusiasm overcame not only the fears but the objections of the
Confederate commander, who did not fully appreciate the rapidity of
cavalry movements under leaders like Forrest, Morgan and Wheeler.
General Morgan devised the plan and assumed the responsibility for
its success. He was willing to stake his reputation and risk his
life on the outcome. He requested permission to select the force
which should accompany him, and for the infantry he chose the 2nd
and 9th Kentucky. These were part of what was known as the “Orphan
Brigade,” at that time under command of General Roger W. Hanson,
who twenty-four days later, was to die from wounds received on
the battlefield of Murfreesboro, where, with his last breath, he
pathetically exclaimed, “It is sweet and pleasant to die for one’s
country.” Colonel Thomas H. Hunt, who had made a splendid reputation
for his regiment at Shiloh, Corinth and Baton Rouge, was designated
commander of the infantry. The 2nd Kentucky, under Major James W.
Hewett, on this occasion carried into battle three hundred and
seventy-five men, and Captain James T. Morehead led the 9th Kentucky
with three hundred and twenty men, making the infantry all told six
hundred and ninety-five men. The cavalry consisted of Gano’s, the
3rd Kentucky, Bennett’s, the 9th Tennessee, and Cluke’s, the 8th
Kentucky, and part of Chenault’s, the 11th. Together they counted
close to fifteen hundred. Two Ellsworth rifled guns and two brass
howitzers comprised the artillery outfit.
At Hartsville was stationed the 104th Illinois infantry, the 2nd
Indiana cavalry, the 12th Indiana battery, Company E of the 11th
Kentucky cavalry, and the 106th and 108th Ohio infantry. The brigade
was commanded by Captain Absalom B. Moore, of the 10th Illinois,
who had come to Hartsville on the 2nd of December to relieve his
predecessor, Colonel Scott, of the 19th Illinois.
General Hanson’s brigade, from which parts of the two Confederate
regiments had been taken, was then at Baird’s Mills, twenty-three
miles from Hartsville.
Prior to this time the infantry and cavalry which composed this
expedition had not seen much of each other. At Baird’s Mills, on
December 6th, for the first time, they came in real contact. The
infantry looked a little askant at the cavalry. None of the horsemen
going with the infantry had seen very extended service. Cluke’s,
Chenault’s and Gano’s regiments and Stoner’s battalion were new and
had been largely recruited in August and September in Kentucky, and
Bennett’s regiment was not much better, but it was worse off so
far as discipline was concerned. Early in the morning of December
6th, the cavalry regiments were marched to Baird’s Mills, arriving
there at eleven o’clock. There was a macadam road from Lebanon to
Hartsville. The ground was covered with snow, and the temperature
was low. It was not a good day for infantry to march, and it was
not favorable weather for cavalry to ride. At eleven o’clock these
organizations, after a short rest, began the march out of Lebanon
for Hartsville. The cavalry rode in the van with celerity, but it
required three hours for the infantry to cover the eleven miles to
Lebanon. By way of encouragement to the infantry, they were told that
an arrangement had been made by which with the “ride and tie” system,
they would be mounted half the way. Under this method the cavalry
would ride five or six miles forward and leave their horses and then
march five or six miles on foot. In the meantime, the infantry would
come up on foot and mount the cavalry horses and then ride forward
several miles and leave the horses to await the coming of their
owners. Theoretically this seemed a reasonable proposition. At least
it looked fair. A short distance from Lebanon the infantry felt the
time had come for them to change their method of transportation. They
had patiently trudged along through the wet snow, and they were sure
if they could get out of the slush that the tread of the infantry and
the wheels of the artillery and the tramp of the horses had created,
they would be happier—at least more contented. The swap was made. The
shoes of the infantry were thoroughly soaked and the freezing cold
after they were mounted, benumbed their limbs. This was particularly
hard on their wet feet. Unaccustomed to the methods of cavalry, they
did not know how to keep warm, and in a little while they declared
they would rather walk. The cavalry had gotten their feet wet while
they were playing the infantry act, and slipping and sliding in the
slushy material which covered the pike, they were glad to remount,
but the same biting cold which so severely punished the infantry
seriously troubled them. To make matters worse, the horses got mixed,
and this set their owners to cursing and abusing everybody connected
with the expedition. The cavalry cussed the infantry, and the
infantry cussed the cavalry, and between them they cussed everybody
they knew anything about. The situation was so extremely ridiculous
that after awhile everybody lapsed into good humor. It was a gloomy
opening for so glorious a campaign. Nature, unpropitious, appeared
implacable, but the purpose and plans of the expedition soon leaked
out and the entire command became at once enthused with the prospect
of a fight and victory. In a brief while, with all the discomforts
which surrounded them, the horsemen and the “footmen” made up,
jollied each other, and swore they were glad they had come. They were
assured that with Morgan, Hunt, Duke, Chenault, Cluke, Gano, Bennett
and Stoner as their leaders, something really great was about to be
achieved, and triumph, glory and renown were in their grasp.
General Morgan had calculated to assault at daylight. He estimated
that his fighting force would be considerably larger than that of
the enemy he was to attack and attempt their capture, and as they
might be intrenched, he must not only take advantage of strategy, but
also of the opportunities which would come from sudden and vigorous
onslaught in the dark upon unprepared soldiers.
In marching the artillerymen had much the best of it, but when the
fighting began they got much the worst of it. The drivers were
riding, and the gunners, perched on the caissons, were removed from
all contact with the slush, and by rubbing and stamping they kept
their feet and hands warm enough to prevent them from getting down to
walk. They looked with complacency upon their less fortunate fellows
who were trudging the pike.
The Cumberland River in this locality was the dividing line between
the Federal and Confederate territory. General Morgan, through
his scouts, had managed to procure a few small leaky flatboats at
Puryear’s Ferry, several miles below Hartsville. Around ten o’clock
at night the advance guard and artillery reached the river. The
infantry, beginning their marching at eleven o’clock in the morning,
now, after eleven hours, had covered seventeen miles. They could
almost see the lights of the camp fires at Hartsville.
From the time of the reconnaissance of Morgan’s scouts, the
Cumberland River had made a material rise, and to put across the
artillery between ten o’clock and three o’clock, five hours, with
the inadequate equipment, was no light task. General Morgan was in
immediate command of the infantry and artillery, and Colonel Basil W.
Duke in charge of the cavalry. There was of necessity a great rush
to get over the river in order to enable the infantry to march five
miles quickly enough to strike Hartsville at daybreak, and every
energy was bent to accomplish this herculean task. Finally this was
safely accomplished and the infantry and artillery, full of hope,
and though naturally wearied from a long, difficult march of over
twenty-one miles, were inspired to new efforts when they realized
that only a short distance away was the game in search of which they
had come, and for the bagging of which they were undergoing such
severe physical punishment.
After recovering their horses as far as possible, the cavalry left
the pike and marched through the country to a ford several miles
below the ferry, where the infantry and artillery had been put
over. Haste and complete co-operation were equally essential in the
successful issue of this perilous undertaking. Generals Morgan and
Duke had calculated that the stream would be fordable, but fate
again seemed to intervene to protect the Federals, quietly sleeping
in their tents on the heights about Hartsville. The darkness, the
severe cold, the rapid currents and the leaky, inferior boats, the
difficult landings and still more difficult fords, all combined to
try out the courage and metal of the men now going upon one of the
most hazardous enterprises of the war. These obstacles did not shake
the determination of General Morgan or the patience or courage of his
men. They had come to win glory and punish their enemies. Prudence
may have suggested to turn back. Morgan, believing in his destiny
and relying upon the valor of his followers, resolved to go on and
succeed or meet direful defeat.
In this perplexing and uncertain hour, General Morgan measured up
to the highest standard of a great cavalry leader. Calm, fearless,
confident, undaunted, he supervised the troublesome crossing. With
Colonel Hunt of the infantry he appeared to be everywhere. His
valiant spirit chafed at the unavoidable delays, but a kindly word of
encouragement to his toiling, tired and half-frozen men warmed their
blood into a new glow and gave them quickened action and expanded
hope. The leader’s indomitable will stilled every doubt or fear
and made every man in the ranks an invincible hero. The darkness,
relieved only by a few flickering torches, made ghastly shadows on
the muddy, sloppy banks. Pickets, hastily sent in the piercing cold,
were in the silence watching for any foes who should be skulking at
these unseemly hours in search of enterprising enemies, and they
could hear in the Federal camps the commands spoken in relieving
guards who were unconscious of the presence of Confederate legions
which at earliest dawn were preparing to swoop down upon them with
defeat and capture, and who by the rising of the morrow’s sun would
bring death and wounds to many and captivity to all the sleeping
hosts for whose defense and protection they were, with ceaseless
tread, pacing the frozen and snow-clad earth.
By reason of recent rains further up the river, its currents were
increased and quickened, and when the advance guard of the cavalrymen
undertook to cross the river at the appointed ferry, to their dismay
they discovered it was impassable at that point. Nothing daunted,
however, by this unlooked-for obstacle, General Duke learned that
there was a ford farther down the stream, where it was likely he
could get his men and horses across, and rapidly and silently the
cavalry trotted through the fields to the new ford. When this was
reached it also presented most serious difficulties. It was an unused
crossing, and it was impossible to get to the river except by a
crooked bridle path along which the men could proceed only in single
file. When the river was reached, it was found that the descent into
the water was almost impossible. It was necessary to spur the horses
into the stream over a bank several feet high. As a result, both men
and horses were submerged in the water, and with the thermometer low
in the scale, in the night time, and in the gloom of the darkness
preceding the break of day, such a bath would have a fearfully
chilling effect upon the ardor of any patriot. With several hundred
horses tramping over the narrow path which led to the bank of the
stream, the slush was churned deeper and deeper. Wet to the skin,
with their clothes muddy and dripping, with their saddles, blankets
and saddle pockets in the same condition, as these horsemen emerged
from the stream on the north side, they found equal difficulties
there. The ascent was steep and slippery and the pathway rough, and
the shivering mounts with difficulty bore their riders to the open
land.
Even the horses, with the vision of the misfortunes to their fellows
ahead, were reluctant to make the plunge down into the river. The
brutes saw the sad plight of those who were just in front, and
watching them struggling in the water, they hesitated to follow in
such difficult role. Spurring, pushing, driving, belaboring drove
them one by one into the stream. The soldiers, shaking with cold,
almost wished they were back by their happy firesides in central
Kentucky, but they were game enough for any contingency war might
develop, and as the leaders rode into the stream none hesitated, but
all took the plunge. Those who were first over managed to build a
few fires by which they might create some heat for their soaked and
shivering bodies. So depressing was the temperature of the water and
so great the strain on the nervous system that, after the plunge,
quite a number of the command became so benumbed as to be unable to
go forward. Notwithstanding the untiring efforts of General Duke,
aided by the regimental officers, it was found impossible to get
all the command over in time to enable the approach to Hartsville
by daybreak. With part of the cavalry on one side and part on the
other, General Duke, who was always prompt, at four o’clock in the
morning took such men as had already passed the stream, consisting
of Cluke’s, Chenault’s and Bennett’s regiments, and rode with
accelerating haste to the appointed meeting place, a mile and a half
from the camp of the enemy. He picketed the line of march from the
ford to the junction point so that no Federal forces could prevent
the remainder of the column which had been left behind from reaching
those who had gone before. Six miles was between him and the spot
where he had agreed to meet General Morgan, and after this union
they would still be nearly three miles from Hartsville. The infantry
was over, the artillery was over, and three-fifths of the cavalry,
and when these were united, General Morgan decided that he could
wait no more for the other regiment (Gano’s), but must take his
chances with what men he had and rush the enemy. He knew full well
it would not take long for the Federals to march double quick from
Castalian Springs to Hartsville. This could be done under stress in
two and a half hours, and when this force should reach Hartsville,
General Morgan understood he would have an enemy in his rear three
times as strong as his fighting men, and a body in front largely
outnumbering the men he proposed carrying into the engagement. This
was a period of tremendous physical and mental strain. It required
supreme courage and unfailing nerve to enable even the greatest of
leaders to calmly face such an emergency. The seven hundred infantry
were now shut in by the river, which a short while before under great
difficulties they had passed. If Colonel Harlan at Castalian Springs
and the Hartsville garrison should unite, even the courage of the
“Orphan Brigade” would be severely tested to face such tremendous
odds. In a crisis, the cavalry might scatter and ride away, but the
infantry would have no chance of crossing the Cumberland, or marching
through the country on foot. Victory, and victory quick, was the only
solution of the grave problems of the hour. Boldness, promptness,
intrepidity, desperate courage might save the situation, and it
was not without serious, but silent misgivings that General Morgan
ordered the command forward. In his calm and unruffled countenance,
in his self-possessed and undisturbed demeanor, none could detect the
conflict and struggle that was filling his mind and heart. There were
no preliminaries that required a moment’s delay. Instant and fierce
fighting might win. Hesitation or doubt would bring certain disaster.
In the silence and gloom of the night, led by the guides, familiar
with every foot of the way, those who walked and those who rode
pressed on to find the sleeping foe. Few commands were necessary. The
column covered more than a mile, but the horsemen in front followed
hard upon the guides, and the infantry with quickened steps, kept
a pace that left no intervals between the mounted men who in the
vanguard held the place of danger and honor.
As the day was breaking, the cavalrymen in advance struck a strong
picket force half a mile south of the Federal camp. The outpost
fired and retreated. This awakened the sleeping Federals. Aroused,
they immediately got ready to receive these early, unwelcome morning
callers. General Morgan had not expected to capture the pickets.
He hoped the cavalry would capture most of the camp, ride down the
sentinels, and the infantry coming up would thoroughly finish what
the cavalry had begun.
In the incredibly short space of time that intervened between the
attack and the real fight, the surprised Federals formed a line of
battle. They had been taken unawares, but they were not disposed
to run away without a conflict. They were on an elevation which
slightly raised them above the surrounding fields through which the
Confederates must approach. The report brought to Morgan made the
numbers of the Federals at Hartsville somewhere around thirteen
hundred, but through the dim light of the morning, when he saw
twenty-one hundred men instead of thirteen hundred spring into
line, immediately it was suggested to his mind that maybe it might
have been wiser for him to have remained on the south side of the
Cumberland. As they rode into the line of battle, Colonel Duke
casually remarked to General Morgan that he had gotten more than he
had bargained for, to which Morgan quickly replied, “We must whip and
catch these fellows and cross the river in two hours and a half or
we will have three thousand men on our backs.” Then he did not know
how greatly the army under Harlan outnumbered the little force with
him, which his faith in them and in himself had led him to venture
into such perilous surroundings. Had he known all he might even have
hesitated and he would surely more strenuously have hastened the
destroying hands of his followers in burning and wrecking the stores
he had captured. If the men at Hartsville could hold off the attack
a sufficient length of time to enable the men from Castalian Springs
to reach the scene the seven hundred infantry and six hundred cavalry
in line would make the issue very uncertain. At that time, General
Morgan did not have more than twelve hundred men with which to go
after the enemy. Brave, defiant and hopeful, he had sent Bennett’s
regiment into the town to prevent the escape of the Federals. It
really looked for a moment as if nobody would have to look after the
escape of the Federals, but that Morgan would have to look sharply
after his own escape. The Federal officers could hardly believe that
so small a Confederate force would dare approach the position they
were now attacking, and the audacity of Morgan’s movement created the
impression of a very large force, and this did much to demoralize
the Federal garrison. In sight of each other the two opposing armies
formed their lines. The Federal force was composed of nearly all
infantry. They had only a small number of cavalry. The lines were
formed about twelve hundred feet apart, and the skirmishers from
these two armies filled the intervening space and promptly opened a
spasmodic fusillade.
Cluke’s and Chenault’s men, riding swiftly upon the scene, instantly
dismounted and gallantly sprang into the fight. Although they only
numbered four hundred and fifty men, they looked like several
thousand to the affrighted Federals who, rushing out of the tents,
were not in a frame of mind to calculate with mathematical exactness
the number of those who, intent on conflict, were rapidly and
fearlessly rushing into their camp. The skirmishers at once became
busy and annoying, but Cluke and Chenault double-quicked within three
hundred feet of where the Federal skirmishers were. The Federals
fired a volley and then retreated, but the dismounted cavalry
rushed on as if nothing had happened. One hundred and eighty feet
away another volley was fired, and still Cluke and Chenault were
advancing. As Cluke and Chenault got within close quarters the 104th
Illinois infantry fired at short range. They attempted to back and
reload their guns, but a second volley from the dismounted cavalry
caused them to break in great disorder. Within thirty minutes of
the time Cluke’s and Chenault’s men began to fire, they had cleared
their front of any organized resistance. In the meantime the enemy’s
artillery was hammering away at Cobb’s two pieces. He had only two
caissons, but one of these was blown up by an exploding shell from
the enemy and his battery had suffered a loss of more than twenty per
cent of its members. The Federal artillery was handled bravely and
skillfully and inflicted severe damage upon Cobb’s men and caissons.
The infantry had marched twenty miles over snow-covered, slushy
roads, along every step of which incisive cold had partially benumbed
their limbs. The warm work of battle gave them new physical energies.
As the 2nd Kentucky dashed across the space that separated them from
the Federals, somebody unfortunately gave the order to “Halt and
dress.” The enemy had been driven back before the impetuous charge
of the cavalry, and the infantry lost no time in finishing the brave
work of the horsemen. With victory just within their grasp, there
was no need for “dressing.” A number of officers sprang to the front
and countermanded the order, and Captain Joyce, seizing the colors,
waved them in the dim light of the early morning and bade the men to
follow where he would lead. At this juncture a concentrated fire of
the Federals resulted in great loss to the 2nd Kentucky Infantry.
For an instant the line swerved uncertainly, and then this regiment
with eager, resistless fury, rushed to the conflict again. The 9th
Kentucky infantry now wheeled into action. Stirred with the battle
sounds, they pressed upon their foes like lions released from their
cages. Fortunately, at the critical moment, one hundred of Gano’s
regiment, which had later crossed the Cumberland River, precipitated
themselves into the conflict. Their coming was timely. Their shouts
and reckless charge added new terrors to the already disturbed
garrison. The Federals, with the Confederates in the front and on
their flank, were driven into a narrow space and suffered severely
from the pitiless and well-directed fire of the men in gray. The
incessant thud of the minie balls told the story of the havoc. It
appeared to the affrighted Federals that there was no hope of escape.
In seventy-five minutes from the time the opening shot had been fired
the white flag was run up. The Federal garrison had surrendered, and
the first act of the drama had been finished.
For the length of time the Confederates were engaged the losses
were large. The 9th Infantry lost seventeen men, the 2nd lost
sixty-eight, the 11th Kentucky Cavalry, seventeen, Cobb’s battery,
ten, and Cluke’s regiment, thirty-two. More than half the entire
loss fell on the 2nd Kentucky Infantry. With two hundred and thirty
men engaged, Cluke’s regiment reported a loss of thirty-two,
making its casualties fourteen per cent of the men carried into
the fight. Gano, Chenault and Bennett had twelve killed, wounded
or missing. Lieutenant-Colonel Cicero Coleman, of the 8th Cavalry,
ever chivalrous and gallant, while nobly leading a section of his
regiment, was seriously wounded.
Two handsomer men than Colonel Cluke or Lieutenant-Colonel Coleman
could rarely be found in any organization. Both over six feet, both
splendid horsemen, always erect and graceful in their saddles, and
full of magnetism, they communicated by their superb presence and
their fearless conduct to the men of the regiment an enthusiasm in
war’s operations that was always inspiring and helpful, and made each
man believe that the result of the conflict was dependent upon his
personal valor.
To the Federals there came a heavy loss of killed and wounded.
Eighteen hundred prisoners were forced across the Cumberland and were
turned in to the Confederate headquarters at Murfreesboro.
Danger was now imminent on every side. One could breathe it in the
air. An attack from the forces at Castalian Springs was momentarily
expected, but General Morgan could not resist the impulse to destroy
wagons and stores, and these things were quickly reduced to ashes. A
large amount of clothing was seized in this fortunate capture. Boots
and shoes meant much to some of the cavalry regiments, especially the
8th and 11th, who in the march had to reinforce their worn boots and
shoes with pieces of blanket. In the face of impending and immediate
attack the work of destruction was thoroughly completed. It was
against the creed of Morgan’s men to leave anything undestroyed that
could aid a foe.
A suspicious firing was soon heard in the direction of Castalian
Springs. Quirk’s scouts were doing their best and bravest to hold
the Federals in check. They were retiring only because the numbers
of the enemy were overwhelming, but the Enfield rifles were speaking
defiance to their assailants, and if they were receding it was
only because prudence bade them go. Colonel Cluke and his regiment
were sent to aid in the show of resistance and the pressure, still
increasing, became so great that Gano’s regiment, which in the
meantime had arrived, was sent to their support.
Time was never more valuable to any army than to this little
Confederate brigade now leaving Hartsville. The Cumberland River,
difficult of fording, was in front, and an enemy three times as
strong was now pressing vigorously behind.
The artillery, which had been brought along, together with the
captured guns, was placed on the south bank to protect the crossing.
Courtesy to the conquered ceased to be the order of the hour. The
captured were urged and driven forward at the highest possible speed.
Some were hesitant about going, but war knows nothing of the law
of politeness and their captors demanded double quick march from
the crestfallen and distressed prisoners. The wagons were placed in
front. Two captured Parrot guns made splendid companions for the
“bull pups.” These remained with the Division until General Morgan’s
capture in Ohio, July 26th, 1863. One of these was called “Long
Tom” and was the object of great admiration and was held in truest
affection by the whole force.
As the Confederates approached the river, the infantry began to be
very chummy with the cavalry. At the highest possible speed and with
great haste they had marched away from the scene of their splendid
achievement. They had not been subjected to the bath which a few
hours before had been the fate of the horsemen and they had no fancy
to ford the icy stream, even under the Federal pressure behind them.
A glorious victory had been won, in the winning of which every part
of the brigade had borne a distinguished part. Heroes of a common
venture, they were alike jubilant over the brilliant work of the
morning, and when they got down to the stream it required neither
pleading nor threats for the infantry to secure seats behind the
horsemen, and so, two on each steed, with their legs lifted high out
of the cold water, the patient, gentle, useful horses carried the
victors to the south side of the stream.
Among the triumphs and congratulations, the cavalry was not
indisposed to be generous to the unfortunate prisoners, and after
the infantry had been delivered on the south side, where they might
defend any attack of the approaching Federals, now extremely annoying
and persistent, they recrossed the stream, and each horseman took a
prisoner behind him and thus ferried him over, but the pursuit became
fiercer and stronger, and as the cavalry, which were fighting the
advance from Castalian Springs approached the stream, the situation
became so emergent that the unfortunate prisoners who had not gotten
a seat behind the cavalry were forced into the stream, which reached
their waists, and required a wade through the rapid, cold current.
This was not done without some threats of violence, but the water was
to be preferred to bullets, and reluctantly, and with loud protests
against such violation of the laws of war, accompanied by all sorts
of “back talk,” the Federal prisoners were rushed through the water
and with a close line of horsemen on either side were hurried across
the stream. The victors had not thought of parole. Even if they
had, there was no time to carry out the details of such a process.
The eighteen hundred prisoners would look well in the column of the
returning heroes when they reached Baird’s Mills and Murfreesboro,
and with grim grip, the Confederates held on to their prisoners.
Here and there one dropped out, but almost the entire number was
gotten safely over the river and finally delivered to the guards at
headquarters.
The rear guard bravely defended every foot of the ground. They were
anxious to get away, but prudence and pride alike required that they
should make stubborn resistance, and with every expedient known to
cavalrymen, they delayed the approach of the Federal forces. The
Federal commander had some disquieting fears about the number of men
that were engaged in the expedition, and he did not press the pursuit
as savagely as he would have done had he known that less than seven
hundred men were standing in the pathway he must travel to reach his
adventurous foes, who were now divided by the rapid currents of the
icy stream.
A part of the Confederate dead who so gloriously had died were left
behind. Their enemies gave them burial. War destroys the tenderness
of sentiment. The safety of their own lives was more important than
the sepulture of the slain, however bravely they had gone down in the
struggle. Most of the wounded were placed in wagons and ambulances,
which were driven away from the scene of carnage and battle. The
infantry, in defense of their wounded comrades, had the call been
made, would have been extremely dangerous customers. The economics
of war are ruthless. The living, the fighters, are to be considered,
and then the maimed and dead. On the horsemen fell the burden of
the defense of the rear. During all the expedition, the web-footed
infantry had gotten the worst of the deal, and the cavalry, gay,
happy and mounted, were disposed to place no unnecessary work upon
their comrades who were trudging their way back to their comrades,
who were longing to hear the tidings of what battle had brought to
those who had been selected for so dangerous a mission.
If the infantry had looked with side glances at the cavalry when at
Baird’s Mills, they had now lost the recollection of such ungenerous
feelings in admiration for the horsemen who, dismounted, had
manifested a courage and valor equal to their own, and who, in the
charge and advance upon the enemy at Hartsville, and in standing
off the Federal pursuers, had displayed an intrepidity that was
not unworthy of any Kentucky Confederates, be they men who walked
or men who rode to battle. Whenever Hartsville was recalled or its
experiences were freshened in their minds, there was no distrust of
the steadfastness of the 3rd, 8th and 11th Kentucky Cavalry, and the
gallant 9th Tennessee, and by common consent the 2nd and 9th Kentucky
Infantry admitted these regiments which had been with them at
Hartsville into the full brotherhood of war’s heroes.
The captured guns and the four pieces brought by Morgan were pounding
away on the south bank of the river and hurling shot and shell at the
pursuers on the north bank, serving notice on the Federals that thus
far and no farther could they come. It never entered the minds of
the Federals that the Confederates were so few in number. They could
not understand how any commander with the slightest prudence would
expose his men to such risk as Morgan had dared. It would have been
questionable for even cavalry to have undertaken such a campaign,
but to jeopardize two of the best regiments of infantry in the army
of Tennessee by marching and fighting so far from their military
base, and with such liability to attack on the rear and flank, was
inconceivable to the Federals who were pursuing. They concluded that
there were at least three times as many in the battle as had captured
their comrades at Hartsville. Colonels Harlan and Moore estimated
Morgan’s fighting force at five thousand, and Federal officers
declared that they had seen several regiments of infantry and cavalry
standing across the river awaiting the return of their comrades who
had gone over the stream and won victory at Hartsville.
By eleven o’clock the agony was past. The pursuit was ended. Joy and
complacency filled the hearts of the infantry as they tramped back
to Baird’s Mills. They did not ask to ride any more. The cavalry
marched in the rear and stood guard and waited for approaching foes.
None came. After crossing the stream, courtesy and generosity
prompted kindness to the blue-coated prisoners. There was no word of
unkindness spoken.
Along the Confederate lines, they were received with surprise, and
wonder staggered credence to believe how few could have accomplished
so much or that any men in such rigorous weather could have so
quickly covered so great a distance, or against such odds have won so
marvelous a victory.
For a little while the Federal commanders were dazed. On December 7th
General Rosecrans wired General George H. Thomas as follows: “Do I
understand they have captured an entire brigade of our troops without
our knowing it, or a good fight?” And at one thirty o’clock the
same day there came from the President at Washington the following
message: “The President to Major General George H. Thomas: The
President demands an explanation of the Hartsville affair. Report in
detail exact position, strength and relative distances of your troops
between Gallatin and Hartsville, and causes of disaster as far as
known to you.”
On December 10th, the rage and indignation became more pronounced,
and General Halleck wired from Washington: “The most important
of the President’s inquiries has not been answered. What officer
or officers are chargeable with the surprise at Hartsville and
deserve punishment?” Later General Halleck wired the President: “I
respectfully recommend that Colonel Moore, 104th Illinois Volunteers,
be dismissed from the service for neglect of duty in not properly
preparing for the enemy’s attack on Hartsville, Tennessee.”
Afterwards Colonel Moore was allowed to resign on the ground of
disability after long imprisonment by the Confederates.
Meagre and exaggerated reports were spread among the Confederates
of the number of men that had reduced such a numerous company to
prisoners. The whole army with glad cheers along the line greeted the
return of the victors. Much was said of the cavalry, but the chiefest
and highest meed of praise was awarded to the infantry. In less
than thirty-six hours they had marched forty-five miles over trying
and difficult roads, had fought a battle, with their associates had
captured eighteen hundred prisoners and brought these back across an
almost impassable stream in the midst of fierce winter weather.
General Bragg, more or less phlegmatic, was moved to enthusiastic
praise. He tendered to General Morgan his thanks and assured him and
his troops of his unbounded admiration.
He said: “I take great pleasure in commending the endurance and
gallantry of all engaged in this remarkable expedition.” He predicted
that such valor and courage had before it higher and yet more
magnificent victories, and to appeal still more strongly to the pride
of those who had been engaged in this wonderful conflict, he ordered
that hereafter, upon the battle flags of all organizations which
had taken part in this battle, the name of “Hartsville” should be
emblazoned, to remind the world forever of the bravery, endurance,
enterprise and courage of those who had there won such great
distinction.