While still in camps at Monterey, the Fourteenth Georgia Regiment, on
their way to Huntersville, with a Company of our County, under command
of Captain Bob Harmon, encamped close to us. The boys were glad to meet
and intermingled like brothers. A day or so after we were ordered to
move to Green Brier at the foot of the Allegheny and Cheat Mountains,
the enemy occupying the latter, under general Reynolds.
Our picket lines extended some three miles beyond our encampment, while
the enemy's also extended to several miles beyond their encampment,
leaving a neutral space unoccupied by either forces. Often
reconnoitering parties would meet beyond the pickets and exchange shots,
and often pickets were killed at their posts by an enemy slipping up
through the bushes unaware to the victim. I always considered such as
willful murder.
It became my time to go on picket; the post assigned to me was on the
banks of the River, three miles beyond our camps. The night before one
of our men was shot from across the River. Usually three men were
detailed to perform that duty, so that they can divide watch every two
hours, one to guard and two to sleep, if such was possible. On that
occasion the guard was doubled and six men were detailed, and while four
lay on the ground in blankets, two were on the lookout. The post we
picked out was under a very large oak; in our immediate rear was a corn
field the corn of which was already appropriated by the cavalry. The
field was surrounded by a low fence and the boys at rest lay in the
fence corners. It was a bright starlight September night, no moon
visible, but one could distinguish an object some distance beyond. I was
on the watch. It was about eleven P. M., when through the still night, I
heard foot-steps and the breaking of corn stalks. I listened intently,
and the noise ceased. Presently I heard it again; being on the alert,
and so was my fellow-watchman, we cautiously awoke the men who were
happy in the arms of Morpheus, not even dreaming of any danger besetting
their surroundings. I whispered to them to get ready quietly, that we
heard the approach of someone walking in our front. The guns which were
in reach beside them were firmly grasped. We listened and watched, in a
stooping position, when the noise started again, yet a little more
pronounced and closer. We were ready to do our duty. I became impatient
at the delay, and not wishing to be taken by surprise, I thought I would
surprise somebody myself, so took my musket at a trail, crept along the
fence to reconnoiter, while my comrades kept their position. When
suddenly appeared ahead of me a white object, apparently a shirt bosom.
I cocked my gun, but my target disappeared, and I heard a horse
snorting. On close inspection, I found that it was a loose horse
grazing, and what I took for a shirt bosom was his pale face, which
sometimes showed, when erect, then disappeared while grazing. I returned
and reported, to the great relief of us all. Heretofore, men on guard at
the outpost would fire their guns on hearing any unusual noise and thus
alarming the army, which at once would put itself in readiness for
defense, only to find out that it was a false alarm and that they were
needlessly disturbed. Such occurrences happened too often, therefore a
general order was read that any man that would fire his gun needlessly
and without good cause, or could not give a good reason for doing so
would be court-martialed and dealt with accordingly. Therefore, the
writer was especially careful not to violate these orders.
[Illustration: A Picket Shot While on Duty, Nothing Short of Murder.]
At another time it became again my lot to go on vidette duty. This time
it was three miles in the opposite direction in the rear of the camp in
the Allegheny, in a Northwesterly direction, in a perfect wilderness, an
undergrowth of a virgin forest. It was a very gloomy evening the clouds
being low. A continual mist was falling. It was in the latter part of
September. We were placed in a depressed piece of ground surrounded by
mountains. The detail consisted of Walker Knight, Alfred Barnes and
myself. Corporal Renfroe, whose duty was to place us in position, gave
us the following instructions and returned to camp: "Divide your time as
usual, no fire allowed, shoot anyone approaching without challenge."
Night was falling fast, and in a short while there was Egyptian
darkness. We could not even see our hands before our eyes. There was a
small spruce pine, the stem about five inches in diameter, with its
limbs just above our heads. We placed ourselves under it as a protection
from the mist, and in case it would rain. All at once, we heard a
terrible yell, just such as a wild cat might send forth, only many times
louder. This was answered it seemed like, from every direction. Barnes
remarked "What in the world is that?" I said, "Panthers, it looks like
the woods are full of them." The panthers, from what we learned from
inhabitants are dangerous animals, and often attack man, being a feline
species, they can see in the dark. I said, "There is no sleep for us,
let us form a triangle, back to back against this tree, so in case of an
attack, we are facing in every direction." Not being able to see, our
guns and bayonets were useless, and we took our pocket knives in hand in
case of an attack at close quarters. The noise of these beasts kept up a
regular chorus all night long, and we would have preferred to meet a
regiment of the enemy than to be placed in such a position. We were all
young and inexperienced. I was the oldest, and not more than
twenty-three years old. Walker Knight said, "Boys, I can't stand it any
longer, I am going back to camp." I said, "Walker, would you leave your
post to be court-martialed, and reported as a coward? Then, you would
not find the way back, this dark night, and be torn up before you would
get there. Here, we can protect each other." Occasionally we heard dry
limbs on the ground, crack, as if someone walking on them. This was
rather close quarters to be comfortable, especially when one could not
see at all. There we stood, not a word was spoken above a whisper, when
we heard a regular snarl close by, then Barnes said, "What is that?" I
said, "I expect it is a bear." All this conversation was in the lowest
whisper; to tell the truth, it was the worst night I ever passed, and my
friend Knight, even now says that he could feel his hair on his head
stand straight up.
My dear reader, don't you believe we were glad when day broke on us? It
was seemingly the longest night I ever spent, and so say my two
comrades.
The country from Monterey to Cheat Mountain was not inhabited, with the
exception of a tavern on top of the Allegheny, where travelers might
find refreshments for man and beast. The enemy often harassed us with
scouting parties, and attacking isolated posts. To check these
maneuvres, we did the same; so one evening, Lieutenant Dawson of the
Twelfth Georgia Regiment, Captain Willis Hawkins' Company from Sumter
County, and which regiment formed a contingent part of our forces at
Green Brier River, came to me saying, "Hermann, I want you tonight." He
was a fearless scout, a kind of warfare that suited his taste, and he
always called on me on such occasions. And after my last picket
experience, I was only too willing to go with him, as it relieved me
from army duty the day following, and I preferred that kind of
excitement to standing guard duty.
We left at dark, and marched about four miles, towards the enemy's camp
to Cheat River, a rather narrow stream to be a river. A wooden bridge
spanned the stream. We halted this side. On our right was a steep
mountain, the turn pike or road rounded it nearly at its base. The
mountain side was covered with flat loose rocks of all sizes, averaging
all kinds of thickness. By standing some on their edge, and propping
them with another rock, afforded fine protection against minnie balls.
In this manner we placed ourselves in position behind this improvised
breastworks.
The mot d'ordre was not to fire until the command was given. We were ten
in number, and the understanding was to fire as we lay, so as to hit as
many as possible. At about ten o'clock P. M. we heard the enemy crossing
the bridge, their horses's hoofs were muffled so as to make a noiseless
crossing, and take our pickets by surprise. They came within fifty yards
of us and halted in Column. Lieutenant Dawson commanded the man next to
him to pass it up the line to make ready to shoot, when he commanded in
a loud voice, "Fire!" Instantly, as per one crack of a musket, all of us
fired, and consternation reigned among the enemy's ranks; those that
could get away stampeded across the bridge. We did not leave our
position until day. When we saw the way was clear, we gathered them up,
took care of the wounded and buried the dead--several of our shots were
effective. On the 3rd of October, they made an attack on us in full
force, and while they drove in our pickets, we had ample time to prepare
to give them a warm reception.
The following is a description of the battle ground and a description of
our forces:
On the extreme right, in an open meadow, not far from the banks of the
river, was the First Georgia Regiment, lying flat on the grass; to the
immediate left and rear was a battery of four guns, on a mount
immediately confronting the turn pike, and fortified by breastworks, and
supported by the Forty-fourth Virginia Regiment, commanded by Colonel
Scott; further to left, across the road was a masked battery, with
abatis in front, Captain Anderson commanding, and supported by the Third
Arkansas Regiment and the Twelfth Georgia Regiment, commanded by
Colonels Rusk and Johnston respectively. As the enemy came down the
turn pike, the battery on our left, commanding that position, opened on
them, the enemy from across the river responded with alacrity, and there
was a regular artillery duel continuously. Their infantry filed to their
left, extending their line beyond that of the First Georgia, they
followed the edge of the stream at the foot of the mountain. We detached
two Companies from the Regiment further to our right, to extend our
line. They were not more than two hundred yards in front. The balance of
the regiment lay low in its position; the order was to shoot low, and
not before we could see the white of their eyes.
The enemy would fire on us continually, but the balls went over us and
did no damage. While maneuvring thus on our right, they made a vigorous
attack on Anderson's battery, but were repulsed with heavy loss. Late in
the afternoon they withdrew. Our casualties were very small, and that of
the enemy considerable.
Colonel Ramsey, who, early that morning went out on an inspection tour,
dismounted for some cause, his horse came into camp without a rider, and
we gave him up for lost, but later, a little before dark, he came in
camp, to the great rejoicing of the regiment, for we all loved him.
General Henry R. Jackson was our commander at that time, and soon
afterwards was transferred South.
The enemy had all the advantage by the superiority of their arms, while
ours were muzzle loaders, carrying balls but a very short distance;
theirs were long range, hence we could not reach them only at close
quarters. A very amusing instant was had during their desultory firing.
The air was full of a strange noise; it did not sound like the hiss of a
minnie-ball, nor like that of a cannon ball. It was clearly audible all
along the line of the First Georgia; the boys could not help tucking
their heads. The next day some of the men picked up a ram rod at the
base of a tree where it struck broadside, and curved into a half circle.
It was unlike any we had, and undoubtedly the fellow forgot to draw it
out of the gun, fired it at us, and this was the strange sound we heard
which made us dodge. A few nights later, a very dark night, we sent out
a strong detachment, under Command of Colonel Talliaferro to cut off
their pickets, which extended to Slavins Cabin (an old abandoned log
house). To cross the river we put wagons in the run; a twelve inch plank
connected the wagons and served as a bridge. On the other side of the
river was a torch bearer, holding his torch so that the men could see
how to cross. The torch blinded me, and instead of looking ahead, I
looked down. It seemed that the men with the torch shifted the light,
casting the shadow of a connecting plank to the right, when instead of
stepping on the plank, I stepped on the shadow, and down in the water I
went (rather a cold bath in October) and before morning, my clothing was
actually frozen. In crossing Cheat River Bridge, the road tacked to the
left, making a sudden turn, which ran parallel with the same road under
it. The head of the column having reached there, the rear thinking them
to be enemies, fired into them. Haply no one was hurt before the mistake
was discovered, but the enemy got notice of our approach by the firing,
and had withdrawn, so the expedition was for naught. We were back in
camp about eight o'clock the following morning.
At the latter end of the month Colonel Edward Johnson concluded to
attack General Reynolds in his stronghold on Cheat Mountain.
The Third Arkansas Regiment, under command of Colonel Rusk, was detached
and sent to the rear, taking a long detour a couple of days ahead, and
making demonstrations, while the main force would attack them in front.
Colonel Rusk was to give the signal for attack. Early in the night we
sent out a large scouting party to attack their pickets, and drive them
in. Lieutenant Dawson was in command. Early that day we started with all
the forces up Cheat Mountain, a march of twelve miles. During the
progress of our march the advance guard having performed what was
assigned them to do, returned by a settlement road running parallel with
the turn pike for some distance, when of a sudden, balls were hissing
among us and some of the men were hit. The fire was returned at once,
and flanker drawn out whose duty it was to march on the flank of the
column, some twenty paces by its side, keeping a sharp lookout. I
mistook the order, and went down into the woods as a scout, the firing
still going on, and I was caught between them both. I hugged close to
the ground keeping a sharp lookout to my right. When I recognized the
Company's uniform, and some of my own men, I hollowed at them to stop
firing, that they were shooting our own men, when they hollowed, "Hurrah
for Jeff Davis," when from above, Colonel Johnson responded, "Damn lies,
boys, pop it to them," when Weaver Jones stuck a white handkerchief on
his bayonet and the firing ceased. Sergeant P. R. Talliaferro was hit
in the breast by a spent ball. Weaver had a lock of his hair just above
his ear cut off as though it had been shaved off. One man was wounded
and bled to death, another was wounded and recovered. Such mistakes
happened often in our lines for the lack of sound military knowledge.
The man that bled to death was from the Dahlonega Guards. He said while
dying, that he would not mind being killed by an enemy's bullet, but to
be killed by his own friends is too bad. Everything was done that could
be done for the poor fellow, but of no avail.
The column advanced to a plateau, overlooking the enemy's camp. We
placed our guns in battery, waiting for the Rusk signal, which was never
given; we waited until four o'clock P. M. and retraced our steps without
firing a gun. We saw their lines of fortification and their flags flying
from a bastion, but not a soul was visible. We thought Reynolds had
given us the slip and that we would find him in our rear and in our camp
before we could get back, so we double quicked at a fox trot, until we
reached our quarters in the early part of the night.
Colonel Rusk came in two days afterward, and reported that his venture
was impracticable. Cold winter was approaching with rapid strides and
rations were not to the entire satisfaction of our men. The beef that
was issued to us, although very fine, had become a monotonous diet, and
the men longed for something else, they had become satiated with it, so
I proposed to Captain Jones that if he would report me accounted for in
his report, that I would go over to Monterey and McDowell on a foraging
expedition, and bring provisions for the Company. He said he would, but
I must not get him into trouble, for the orders were that no permits be
issued for anyone to leave camp and that all passes, if any be issued,
must be countersigned by Captain Anderson, who was appointed Commander
of the post. We still were without tents for they were captured by the
enemy at Carricks Ford, and we sheltered ourselves the best we could
with the blankets we had received from home. The snow had fallen during
the night to the depth of eight inches, and it was a strange sight to
see the whole camp snowed under, (literally speaking). When morning
approached, the writer while not asleep, was not entirely aroused. He
lay there under his blanket, a gentle perspiration was oozing from every
pore of his skin, when suddenly, he aroused himself, and rose up. Not a
man was to be seen, the hillocks of snow, however, showed where they
lay, so I hollowed, "look at the snow." Like jumping out of the graves,
the men pounced up in a jiffy, they were wrestling and snowballing and
rubbing each other with it. After having performed all the duties
devolving upon me that afternoon, I started up the Allegheny where some
members of my Company with others, were detailed, building winter
quarters. Every carpenter in the whole command was detailed for that
purpose.