SUBSEQUENT MOVEMENTS IN EAST TENNESSEE.
There was some delay in following up the retreating enemy. On the
morning of December 7th, however, we were called early, and notified
that orders had been received to march at seven o'clock. At that hour
we were in motion, marched through the town, and advanced twelve miles
on the Newmarket road, the whole of the Ninth Corps with us. About
two o'clock we went into camp, found plenty of forage, and built good
fires. The march was continued on the 8th; and on the 9th, shortly
after noon, we went into camp about a mile south of Rutledge.
December 11th, while we were still near Rutledge, Lieutenant Hodgkins,
who had been home on leave of absence and detached service at
Cumberland Gap, rejoined the regiment, and brought not a little cheer
to all hearts by the announcement that a large mail and supplies were
at Tazewell. The supply-train arrived on the 13th, and once again we
had a taste of bread, coffee, and sugar. The mail reached us on the
following day.
We had orders during the night to be ready to march at early dawn;
yet the 14th passed and we still remained at Rutledge. But there was
trouble ahead. Longstreet had attacked our cavalry at Bean's Station,
and had compelled it to fall back, leaving a wagon-train in his hands.
At the close of the day we had orders to march at a moment's notice.
About midnight a part of the Twenty-third Corps passed our camp, moving
to the front.
December 15th tents were struck soon after breakfast, and about eleven
o'clock we moved back a few hundred rods and formed in line of battle.
There we remained during the day, ready for the enemy if he should
appear, and about nine o'clock in the evening we took the road to
Knoxville. On account of the bad state of the roads we were nearly six
hours marching six miles. It was a bitter cold night, and the men built
fires of fence-rails at our numerous halts. At length we bivouacked in
a field at the roadside, where we managed to get about an hour's sleep
in front of our fires.
About half-past nine, December 15th, we renewed our march, and halted
at noon at Blain's Cross Roads. The enemy followed, and there was some
skirmishing at the outposts. About three o'clock in the afternoon
we formed a line of battle, and constructed a breastwork of rails.
Companies A and B, of the Thirty-sixth, were sent out on picket. But
the enemy did not attempt to advance. Indeed, as we soon learned,
Longstreet withdrew his forces to the other side of the Holston, and,
marching to Morristown, ordered his men to make themselves comfortable
for the winter.
We, too, at Blain's Cross Roads, which has well been called the Valley
Forge of the Rebellion, endeavored to make ourselves comfortable; but
it was not an easy matter. Very few of our men had overcoats; indeed,
they were poorly clothed in every respect. For the lack of shoes many
were obliged to protect their feet with moccasins made of rawhide.
Rations, too, were short. A few spoonfuls of flour were served out as
the daily allowance, and, had it not been for the corn picked up here
and there, sometimes where the mules were corralled, the men would have
suffered severely. Foraging parties were sent out on every hand, but
the natives generally "were plumb out"; there was "not a dust of meal"
in the house, they said.
December 27th we moved our camp a short distance, and built as
comfortable houses as the means at hand would allow. The days that
followed were uneventful, for the most part. January 8th the Eighth
Michigan started home, the men having reënlisted on the promise of a
furlough. The One Hundredth Pennsylvania followed January 12th. No more
inspiring sight can be imagined than that of the remnant of a once full
regiment at the expiration of its three years of service, and living
on quarter rations of corn-meal, with occasionally a handful of flour,
standing forth under the open skies amid a thousand discomforts, and,
raising loyal hands toward heaven, swearing to serve the country yet
three years longer!
January 15th clothing arrived and was issued. Though the quantity was
small, there was enough to be of much benefit to our shivering men. On
the following day the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania started home, its term
of service also having nearly expired. At ten o'clock we broke camp and
marched to Strawberry Plains, about sixteen miles north of Knoxville.
It is at this place that the railroad crosses the Holston river. We
went into camp, and on the following day built houses.
But on the 17th there were rumors of an approach of the enemy, and we
had orders to march the next morning at seven. When the morning came,
however, these orders were countermanded, and we were then ordered to
hold ourselves in readiness to march at a moment's notice. That night
two or three inches of snow fell. On the following day, January 19th,
we remained at our quarters until night, when we were ordered to the
station to load cars with batteries and ammunition. January 21st no
rations, except of fresh beef, or rather of bones, as the men said,
were issued. About midnight we were ordered to be ready to march at
daybreak. Wagons came at two o'clock, and our baggage was packed and
sent off to Knoxville. About noon on that day, the 21st, we moved
into the woods. Not long after, the rebels appeared on the opposite
side of the river and opened fire from a battery, to which our guns
responded. No rations were issued that day, but our men obtained some
corn and pork which the Twenty-third Corps Commissary had left at the
station. The bridge across the river was destroyed by our troops, also
about forty wagons. Early the next morning we set out for Knoxville,
Morrison's brigade forming the rear guard. The rebel cavalry followed
us closely, and we were obliged to form in line of battle frequently,
and offer fight, in order to keep the enemy at a respectful distance.
Late in the afternoon we halted about three miles from Knoxville, and
bivouacked for the night.
The next day, January 23d, the rebels retired and we moved into
the woods for protection from the cold. Here we hoped to have a
little rest; but in the morning--it was the Sabbath--we found that a
Sabbath-day's journey was before us. We marched through Knoxville,
passed Fort Sanders and the trenches that the siege had made so
familiar to us, and went into camp near Erin's Station, about five
miles from the city.
Rumors now became rife that the Ninth Corps was soon to leave Tennessee
and go east, to be under the command once more of General Burnside. The
thought was an inspiring one to both officers and men.
Having completed our camp preparations, company and battalion drills
were resumed January 27th. January 31st the Thirty-sixth received about
one hundred recruits from the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts,--the portion
of the regiment that had not reënlisted. The remainder of their period
of service these men were to fill out with us. That evening we received
orders to be ready to march at a moment's notice. We did not move,
however, until late in the afternoon of the following day, February
1st, when our whole division marched through Knoxville, crossed the
Holston, and encamped on the heights beyond. It was very muddy, and
we had much difficulty in climbing the hills in the dark. Our bivouac
that night was a cheerless one, and the next morning, it having been
discovered by somebody that there were no rebels within thirty miles,
we were ordered back to our camp at Erin's Station.
General Foster, about this time, asked to be relieved of the command
of the Department of the Ohio, on account of the reöpening of an old
wound; and February 9th General J. M. Schofield reached Knoxville,
having, at General Grant's request, been appointed to succeed Foster.
February 15th we broke camp at Erin's Station in a pouring rain, and
marched to Knoxville, where we encamped just outside of the city, and
not far from Fort Sanders. The rifle-pits occupied by the rebels during
the siege extended along the rear of our camp. The object in making
this change in such a storm was not apparent; and, as this was our
first acquaintance with General Schofield, the impression received was
not a very favorable one. Yet, like good soldiers, we made ourselves as
comfortable as the circumstances would allow.
Three days later orders came for us to move in the afternoon. This time
it was a mile only, to a position between the Jacksboro' and Tazewell
roads. Here we had again made ourselves as comfortable as possible
when, February 20th, shortly after dress-parade, we received orders
to be ready to march at a moment's notice. The next morning we were
up early, the mules were harnessed to the wagons all day; but night
came, and we still remained in camp. February 22d most of the regiment
were engaged in strengthening the fortifications at Knoxville. On the
following day Captain Smith, Lieutenant Brigham, and ten men were
detailed to go to Massachusetts for recruits. At night we were told to
hold ourselves in readiness to march at daybreak, in light marching
order, with sixty rounds of ammunition per man. This looked like
business.
A little after sunrise the next morning, February 24th, we left our
camp, and took the road to Strawberry Plains, General Willcox being in
command of our division. On the march we passed the Twenty-third Corps.
General Schofield and his staff accompanied the troops. We marched
about twenty miles, and at night encamped in the woods three miles
beyond the railway station at Strawberry Plains. On the following day
we received orders to lay out a camp, as it would be necessary for us
to remain where we were several days. A pontoon came up on the train
from Knoxville, and everything indicated a vigorous movement against
the enemy.
February 27th we broke camp about eight o'clock in the morning, and
marched to the river. As there was neither time nor men to construct a
pontoon bridge, preparations had been made to carry the troops across
the Holston in barges. Two ropes were stretched from bank to bank,--a
distance of about one hundred yards,--and by means of these the barges,
filled with men, were drawn across the stream. There were seven barges
in all, and in less than three-quarters of an hour our brigade was
transferred to the opposite shore. The passage of the entire command
occupied the whole forenoon. When we had crossed, we moved down the
road two miles and halted in an oak grove. Meanwhile our supply train
and artillery were crossing at the ford below. Late in the afternoon,
when we had pitched our tents for the night, orders came for the
regiment to pack up, as we had been assigned to picket duty. So we
packed up and moved out to the front.
The next morning, Sunday, February 28th, nine deserters came into our
lines. They reported Longstreet as falling back; said they were tired
of the war, and that there was much dissatisfaction in the rebel ranks.
We marched about eleven o'clock, Morrison's brigade in advance, and
halted late in the afternoon about a mile beyond Mossy Creek, having
advanced thirteen miles.
That night it rained, nor did the rain cease with the darkness. We
marched at seven in the morning, February 29th, the rain still falling.
The roads were very muddy, and we had a toilsome, disagreeable march.
Early in the afternoon we reached Morristown,--a march of thirteen
miles,--and encamped just beyond the town. The ground was well-watered,
but we pitched our shelter-tents, obtained some boards from an old
camp near by, and endeavored to make ourselves comfortable for the
night. A flag of truce came in from the rebels, and it was understood
that they were in force about six miles distant.
We expected to advance the next morning, March 1st, but it still rained
in torrents. Our shelter-tents afforded little protection in such a
deluge, and officers and men drew largely on the hospitality of the
town in seeking comfortable quarters. Some curious expressions were
caught up from the people in this region, and long lingered in the
regiment. A few of our men were at a farm-house, and, as they sat down
at the supper-table, the good mistress of the house apologized for the
quality of the fare in these terms: "Our butter is gin out, but you can
wobble your corndodgers in the ham-fat if you choose." A forager asked
a woman if she had any molasses. "Well," she replied, "we haven't many,
but we have a few!"
To our great surprise, the next day, March 2d, we moved back to Mossy
Creek. Why, we knew not, as there was no enemy threatening us. We
reached Mossy Creek about ten P.M., and encamped on the same spot where
we pitched our tents when on the way to Morristown. We were snug in our
blankets that night when orders came for us to be ready to march at
a moment's notice. A little after midnight Col. Morrison rode up and
startled us all with the order, "Fall in, Thirty-sixth!" In less than
five minutes we were on the march. We moved down to the creek and there
halted. The troops of the Twenty-third Corps were crossing. Citizens
and contrabands had reported that Longstreet was advancing. We built
fires and awaited further orders. Not long after daylight we returned
to the camp we had left so suddenly.
March 5th a brigade of rebel cavalry was reported near, and Companies
B, C, and F of the Thirty-sixth went out on a reconnoissance. After
feeling of our position, however, the cavalry left. While our men were
out they were drawn up in a line of battle under the brow of a hill,
well concealed. Col. Morrison, who accompanied the scouting party, was
a slight distance in advance, reconnoitring, when a rebel lieutenant,
who had lost his reckoning, being overcome with whiskey, rode up to the
brow of the hill. The colonel drew his revolver and ordered the drunken
lieutenant to dismount. He had on one of our overcoats, and when Gen.
Parke came up, not long after, he gave orders that it should be given
to one of our own men. A goodly-sized knife was the only weapon that
the lieutenant carried.
On the following day we again had orders to be ready to march at
a moment's notice. March 7th we changed our camp, though we still
remained at Mossy Creek.
Orders for a movement were received March 11th, and the _reveillé_
was sounded at three o'clock the next morning. We marched at five,
Morrison's brigade having the advance. It was a beautiful winter's day,
and we reached Morristown about eleven o'clock. Passing through the
town, we encamped about two miles beyond, on the Chucky Valley road.
The railroad bridge at Strawberry Plains had now been repaired, and the
trains were running to Morristown.
March 13th we had a quiet Sunday, and were to have a brigade
dress-parade at night, when word came from our cavalry pickets that the
rebels had appeared. The Thirty-sixth was ordered out in the direction
indicated; but the enemy had already retired, and we returned to our
camp.
The next morning our cavalry had a short fight. One rebel was killed,
two were wounded, and nine were taken prisoners. About eleven o'clock
we had orders to fall in, and our brigade moved out on the Chucky
Valley road. The Seventy-ninth New York was left at the cross-roads,
about five miles from our camp. We halted at the river, while the
Twentieth Michigan, throwing off their knapsacks, advanced a couple of
miles further. The cavalry sent in one prisoner. As he joined us he
said he had never fought against "you-uns." The Twentieth Michigan at
length returned, and the brigade marched back to Morristown, where we
arrived about dark. Several corn-cribs along the line of march that
day, and one especially at the river, added somewhat to the daily
ration.
The 15th was a cold, raw March day. Just at night there was an alarm,
and our brigade moved out hastily to support the cavalry pickets; but
we were not needed, and soon returned to camp.
The following day brought a confirmation of the rumors which for some
time had been rife among us. The Ninth Corps was ordered to Annapolis,
Md., and we were to commence our eastward journey on the morrow. We
could hardly credit the good news, and joy beamed in every countenance.
Had it been possible for us to forecast the future our joy would have
been considerably lessened.
March 17th the _reveillé_ was sounded at four o'clock, and we marched
at six. It was a morning without clouds, and we were all in excellent
spirits. The Thirty-sixth Massachusetts led the brigade; and as we left
our old camp the brigade band, which was with us, struck up a lively
air, and we were as happy almost as if we were marching homeward. That
night we encamped at Newmarket,--a march of twenty miles.
The next morning the _reveillé_ was sounded at half-past four, and we
marched at half-past six. Our brigade was still in advance. We crossed
the Holston, at Strawberry Plains, on a pontoon. At half-past four we
pitched our tents seven miles from Knoxville, having marched nineteen
miles.
Early the next morning we resumed our march, and about half-past ten
in the forenoon, having passed through Knoxville, we encamped near
Fort Sanders. That day and the next we remained at Knoxville. We now
learned that we were to march over the mountains into Kentucky, leaving
the sick and the shoeless to be transported by cars. An inspection of
the regiment was accordingly ordered, and the names of the men whose
shoes were in such condition as not to allow them to make so long a
journey were placed in the list of those for whom transportation was
to be furnished. The rest--about two hundred officers and men--were the
toughened remnant of the one thousand who left Massachusetts a year and
a half before. All were animated with high hopes, and the rough road
before us was one which, even at that inclement season of the year, we
were exceedingly eager to travel.
The next morning, March 21st, we took our last look of scenes with
which we had become so familiar since November 17th, and commenced our
long march. The Thirty-sixth Massachusetts led the corps. We advanced
eighteen miles, and encamped at Clinton.
The next day, in a snow-storm, we were ferried across the Clinch river
in scows. Then, in a raw wind and over icy roads, we marched seventeen
miles, and encamped about four miles from Jacksboro'. Some of us
remembered that it was just a year before that we left Newport News.
The next morning, March 23d, we marched through Jacksboro', and soon
after commenced to ascend the mountains back of the town. It was a
beautiful sight, as the long line of troops moved up the zigzag road,
with muskets glittering in the bright sunlight. We marched that day
thirteen miles. March 24th we advanced eighteen miles. The road led us
up and down mountains without number. The next morning snow covered the
ground. We marched at half-past six. About eleven o'clock we reached
the Kentucky line. Rain set in early, but we pushed on and advanced
eighteen miles. A rainy night was followed by snow on the morning
of March 26th. During the forenoon the clouds broke and we had fair
weather. At noon we met a wagon-train, loaded with rations which had
been sent out to us from Camp Burnside. That day we marched nineteen
miles. The next morning, at half-past six, we were again on the road,
and about ten o'clock we reached Camp Burnside. From Jacksboro' to
this place our march had led us through an almost unbroken wilderness,
and over the worst of roads, and through brooks and streams without
number. Leaving Camp Burnside we crossed the Cumberland river about
noon, and encamped that night about a mile beyond Somerset, having
marched sixteen miles. March 28th we advanced eighteen miles, and
encamped at Waynesborough. The next day, a little past noon, we
encamped at Hall's Gap, three miles south of Stanford. Snow fell during
the night. March 30th we passed through Lancaster at noon, and at night
we pitched our tents not far from Camp Dick Robinson, having advanced
eighteen miles. The next morning we marched at the usual hour, passed
Camp Nelson about eleven o'clock, and encamped three miles beyond.
The Second Brigade of our division took cars at Nicholasville in the
afternoon. In the morning, April 1st, we marched to Nicholasville in
a pouring rain. Cars arrived about eleven o'clock, and we embarked
at once. There were delays on the road, so that we did not arrive at
Covington until about midnight. It was a cold, cheerless ride.
The next morning, April 2d, we marched to the barracks, where we
remained until the following day. Transportation having at length been
provided, we marched to the depot in Cincinnati, where we took the
train about eleven A.M. We reached Columbus, O., about eleven P.M.
There we were notified that a lunch had been provided for the regiment;
but it proved to be a mean affair. At Steubenville, O., which we
reached about noon, April 4th, we found a large crowd of ladies at the
depot, with baskets of bread, cakes, and pies. There we remained about
an hour and a half. Resuming our journey, we reached Pittsburgh, Penn.,
at midnight. Leaving the cars, we marched to the City Hall, where a
bountiful collation had been prepared. The men had all they wanted,
and that, too, of the best. At three A.M. we were again on the cars.
We crossed the mountains in a snow-storm. Altoona was reached about
eleven o'clock. At nine o'clock A.M., April 6th, we were in Baltimore.
The regiment marched to the rooms of the relief committee and had
breakfast. We remained in the city until late in the afternoon, and
reached Annapolis, Md., about midnight. Our orders were to remain in
the cars until morning, when we went into camp just outside of the
town. The Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, which had rejoined the corps, its
furlough having expired, furnished the Thirty-sixth with coffee on
our arrival at the camp,--one of many instances of friendly regard
manifested toward us during the war by our old companions in arms.
And so closed, not only our long journey, but a memorable chapter in
our history. What the future had in store for us we little imagined.