DALTON.
Who that spent the winter of '63-'64 at Dalton does not recall some
circumstance or incident to remind him of the dreary "winter of
discontent" spent in this mountain fastness of Northern Georgia? To many
of us it seemed like an age, but withal it was a season of much needed
rest and recuperation. Here in and around this little city flanked by
majestic mountains, pondering over the disasters of Lookout and
Missionary Ridge, we spent the time in comparative comfort and ease,
some planning in mind the future campaign and its outcome, others
indifferent as to the future and caring but little, willing to entrust
all to those at the helm, and making the most of circumstances and the
ever present, little thinking or caring for the great dangers and
hardships that awaited us.
There was from the time we turned our faces Southward from Bowling Green
to the very close of the war an air of indifference, a "devil may care,"
happy-go-lucky spirit, about these young Kentuckians that made them
ready to cheerfully undertake any enterprise, no matter how dangerous or
exacting the duty or perilous the undertaking. They had become so
accustomed to all these things, and so thoroughly inured to hardships,
that they felt themselves prepared for and rather coveted them, no
matter how great or trying. While here we enjoyed more liberty and
recreation than any time during or since the war began. Some of the men
were furloughed and enjoyed a few days of rest with relatives and
friends (if perchance they had any) in the South. The writer spent his
in gay old Richmond on the James, in company with General Lewis, Captain
McKendrie and other Kentuckians there assembled. All amused themselves
as best they could in camp and town.
Drilling had been dispensed with--no need now for that, for in this we
were perfect. Dress parade, guard mount and review were about the only
exercises now required. A great sham battle broke the monotony once, and
a snowball battle at another time was a diversion indulged for one day.
A very pertinent question was often asked toward the close of the
winter--"Who would command in the next campaign?" When at last it was
given out that General Johnson would command, the spirits of the men
revived and hope was again renewed. While contemplating the future, news
came that the enemy were now moving Daltonward. We indulged the hope and
wondered whether Sherman would undertake to force the pass in Rockyface
Mountain through which the railroad and wagon road both ran. We thought
of Leonidas and his Spartans and hoped for an opportunity to imitate and
if possible to eclipse that immortal event at Thermopylae. But not so
the wily Sherman. That "old fox" was too cunning to be caught in that or
any other trap.
We were ordered out to meet him and took position in the gap and on the
mountain, from which we could see extending for miles his grand
encampment of infantry and artillery, the stars and stripes floating
from every regimental brigade, division and corps headquarters and
presenting the greatest panorama I ever beheld. Softly and sweetly the
music from their bands as they played the national airs were wafted up
and over the summit of the mountain. Somehow, some way, in some
inexplicable and unseen manner, "Hail Columbia," "America" and "The Star
Spangled Banner" sounded sweeter than I had ever before heard them, and
filled my soul with feelings that I could not describe or forget. It
haunted me for days, but never shook my loyalty to the Stars and Bars or
relaxed my efforts in behalf of our cause.
While thus arrayed in his grand encampment, his banners flying and bands
playing, a part of his force (McPherson's Corps), like a gladiator, was
rapidly and stealthily gliding over the plain West of the mountains to
seize Snake Creek and Dug Gaps and strike Johnson in the rear at Resaca.
But you know "the best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley." We
arrived there first and gave him a hearty welcome, as described in my
chapter on Resaca.
Dalton, like other towns and cities, has changed wonderfully in the days
since the war. From a quaint old mountain town of a half century ago to
the modern and thrifty little city of today, putting on airs like many
other towns. To me no landmarks are visible save the old stone
springhouse, near where General Lewis had his headquarters and Captain
Phillips, A. Q. M. of the Fourth, had his quartermaster store and where
his lovely little wife graced his "marquee" with the air and dignity of
the queen that she was. I walked over the ground on which the Fourth was
encamped and stood upon the very spot where Captain Hugh Henry's tent
was pitched, and in which we were often entertained by the Kentucky Glee
Club, which was composed of some of the finest talent in the army. While
it may not be altogether relevant to the purpose of these chapters, I
cannot refrain from referring to and mentioning the fact that the Fourth
Kentucky was admitted to have the finest band in the Western Army, led
by that accomplished and expert musician who (after the war) became a
teacher in the Boston Conservatory of Music--Billy McQuown. Many, many
times were we regaled by the music of our band and carried back to the
bosom of friends by the sweet strains of "My Old Kentucky Home" and
other familiar and inspiring airs played by this band. It is no
stranger, than it is true, that music exercises a wonderful and
inspiring influence over the soldier, making him forget the hardships,
trials and dangers to which he is almost constantly exposed, and troops
are never happier than when being entertained in this way, unless it be
at a full mess table.
I have been reluctantly compelled to pass by Kennesaw and Pine
Mountains, both of which are places of much interest to surviving
Orphans. On the former we left several of our best officers and men.
Among the former was Major John Bird Rogers of the Fourth Kentucky
Regiment, and Lieutenant Bob Innis of the Second. Than the former there
was not a more capable and gallant officer identified with the history
of the Orphan Brigade as was also Lieutenant Innis.
Pine Mountain, a lone sentinel of nature, was made sacredly historic by
the blood of the great preacher, General Bishop Polk. I saw the "grand
old man" as he, Generals Johnston and Bates and others rode by the
Orphans' position to the summit of the mountain to view and examine the
enemy's position in front, and could not but admire the graceful and
dignified bearing of the grand old man as he saluted in true military
style as he passed. I saw the smoke from and heard the thunder of
Simonson's guns as they sent the fatal shot that tore his body and ended
his earthly career. Sad and awful moment for the Confederacy! But we
have here presented one of the most noted and conspicuous characters in
America history. I stood on the very spot on which he fell not twenty
minutes after the sad occurrence--Burton's sharpshooters with their Kerr
rifles having driven Simonson and his gunners to cover. I believe the
sacred spot should have erected on it a monument commemorative of this
tragic incident and the life and character of this great man. It is
certainly a picturesque and interesting spot.
But before I go I must tell of my visit to Rockyface Gap. Here is one of
the grand sentinels of nature--a lofty and stone-crowned mountain
towering above and looking contemplatively down upon his neighbors and
the low-bending valleys upon whose bosom Sherman pitched his grand and
imposing encampment in the make-believe that he was going South through
this impregnable pass held by Johnson. Next to Lookout it is the
grandest mountain in the Appalachian chain, and one well worthy of a
visit by the tourist lover of nature. I climbed to the top of it this
morning, going over the same identical path traveled by us while doing
picket and observation duty. Here we had the only human telegraph line I
ever saw, which was made by placing the operator (an officer) on the
summit to report the operations and movements of the enemy to the first
man in the line, he repeating it to the next in line and so on down the
mountain to its base where the general had his staff officers and
couriers to receive the message and report to him at his headquarters.
The scheme worked like a charm, notwithstanding its uniqueness.
I was impelled to make this trip--although I felt when I reached the
summit I was about to collapse--to see the resting place of a noble and
brave old Orphan who was killed while on duty here--George Disney of
Company K, Fourth Kentucky--an account of whose singular death is noted
by Virginius Hutchings in the history of the Orphan Brigade. I learned
before going on this trip that the Boy Scouts of Dalton, under Captain
Sapp, county clerk, had only two days before gone up and placed a marble
headstone to the grave to take the place of the board that had so long
marked his resting place--a place that a monarch or king might envy,
hundreds of feet above common man.
I wished while there, so high upward toward Heaven, that I could wield
the pen of a Gray or a Kipling, that I might do this subject of my
thoughts justice. The subject, the inspiration, was here, but language
to express it was lacking. Poor George! You have had one friend after
these long years to leave a tear of tribute to your memory.
I cannot close without first thanking the good daughters of Dalton for
the compliment they paid me by really forcing upon me undeserved
attentions in a very fine lunch set before and out of time specially for
me just before taking the train at 11:50 a. m., and who I think had a
scheme to force me to make them a speech--it being Decoration Day--but I
slipped through their fingers and got away.