Orders came to the regiment on the morning of the 18th of August, to
march at twelve o'clock. This order had been anticipated for a day or
two, and did not create any surprise. Although the men had been
expecting to remain some time longer at Iuka, they willingly proceeded
to pull down arbors and strike tents. The Fifty-Ninth had been in
service long enough to learn that orders were not rumors or
suppositions, and that to obey with alacrity was characteristic of a
contented soldier; and that, however much they might desire to stay at
Iuka, the better policy was to leave without complaint.
"Rumors, rumors; vague, contradictory! Surely, like the heath on which
the witches in 'Macbeth' stirred their gruel, and summoned the spirits
of many colors." As W. L. F. writes of Memphis, so Iuka is at this
time--the gathering place of "black rumors and white, red rumors and
grey." Every hour there is a new batch of them. One rumor says that
General Buell is now in the Sequatchie Valley, east of Stevenson and
north of the Tennessee River, nearly north of Chattanooga, with General
Kirby Smith in his front, with Polk and Bragg in his rear, and with
Forrest's cavalry on the north, which is large, and another formidable
force on the south, leaving him a bare possibility of escaping with his
command. Then comes another one on the same day, and tells that General
Bragg was near Bolivar, with an army of twenty thousand men, and about
to surround General Ross, who is in command at that place. And still
another--that "Price is at Grand Junction," and is about to eat up the
army of General Rosecranz, at Corinth. To the relief of some one of
these points, the command of General Davis is now to be sent. Some
suppose it will be back to Corinth, and some to relieve Buell. The
latter proved to be the correct supposition, and hence the direction
taken was towards Tennessee.
At twelve o'clock, the command moved out. At one o'clock it commenced
raining, and continued raining till the next morning. The command
marched eight miles that afternoon, going into camp sometime after
dark--and dark it was, too. Wet and hungry, the men had to lay that
night without fire or tents. It was too dark to find wood, and the
wagons did not come up in time to pitch tents. About day-light the rain
ceased, and the sun came up bright and cheering, and disclosed to view
the small town of Eastport, and the Tennessee River. Two steamboats
were in waiting at the wharf to ferry the troops over.
Eastport is on the left bank of the Tennessee River, in the north-east
corner of the State of Mississippi. It is, altogether, a one-horse
town, although some business in the way of shipping produce has been
carried on here. The town is situated on one of those high, abrupt
banks, which are everywhere met with along the Tennessee River. The
view from the bluff just above town affords a most magnificent scenery.
In the east the sun is lending a brilliancy to the dispersing
rain-clouds of the night before. In the south the blue waters of the
Tennessee, are seen emerging from a narrow avenue, among the heavy
foliage of the forest trees, in the distance; and in the north the same
waters are seen disappearing as they came, to find their level in the
bosom of its rival--the Ohio. Beneath you lay the two steamboats,
sending up their wreath of white, and their black columns of smoke. A
line of soldiers are forming on the wharf to await the order for
crossing. In the back-ground are the camps, with their thousand
soldiers, in all conceivable attitudes, giving a lively finish to the
picture.
Soon after sun-rise the troops commenced crossing. At three o'clock the
Fifty-Ninth crossed over, and went into camp about one mile from the
river. The 20th was consumed in getting the trains over, and in fitting
up rations, etc., for a continued march. While here the boys amused
themselves bathing in the river, and washing up their dirty clothing.
Here, too, Colonel Post again came very near being captured. He, with
Doctor Maynard, who was ever ready for a scout, or a dash at the Johnny
secesh, rode out beyond the lines in the evening, and called at a
plantation, where two or three ladies detained them until after dark.
Soon after starting for camp they were ordered to "halt" by some unseen
foe; but, not being inclined to an ambush, they put spurs to their
horses, and made their escape, although several shots were fired after
them.
On the morning of the 21st we again broke camp, and did not pitch tents
until we reached Florence, Alabama. Florence is a beautiful town, of,
perhaps, one thousand inhabitants. It is situated near the right bank
of the Tennessee River, not far from the Tennessee State line. It seems
to be a place of some business, but, to judge from appearances, it is
principally occupied by wealthy citizens, who are destitute of
employment. There is no other town so well calculated for the enjoyment
of repose as Florence. The houses, for the most part, are set back some
distance from the street, and the front yard is filled with most
delightful shade trees. Many of these trees are quite large, indicating
great age, but have been cut off at the top so as not to be of too
great a height for ornament as well as shade. In riding along the
street, in hot weather, the inclination to stop, and take a siesta
under these cool shades, is almost irresistible. A glimpse of the white
cottage, within, is only now and then obtained through the thick
foliage of the trees in front. No wonder the citizens of Florence are
opposed to the emancipation policy. To lay in the shade here, and have
slaves to wait on you--what more could be desired?
The regiment encamped near the river, not far from a railroad bridge
that had been burned by General Sherman, a few months before.
The tents, and all camp equipage, were now ordered to be left behind,
and the men march with light knapsacks. From Florence the march was
continued to Lawrenceburg, Tennessee; thence to Columbia, from Columbia
to Franklin, and through Franklin to Murfreesboro', Tennessee. Here we
lay in camp one day, and then moved out for Nashville. Starting late in
the evening, we reached Nashville next afternoon at four o'clock,
making over thirty miles in less than twenty four hours.
The country, from Florence to Murfreesboro', is under good cultivation,
and is the most productive of any the army has passed through since
leaving Boonville, Missouri. The splendid plantations of General Polk
and brothers are on this road, and are unsurpassed by any that we have
ever seen. The buildings are of the most approved style of modern
architecture, and the grounds are most beautifully arranged, after the
English model. All that money, art and slave labor can accomplish is
here displayed. The land is rich, and under a high state of
cultivation.
Columbia, Franklin and Murfreesboro' are interesting towns, of twelve
or fifteen hundred inhabitants each. At Columbia is an obelisk, erected
to the memory of the heroes who volunteered to leave their homes, and
the town of Columbia, for the purpose of serving in the Mexican war.
The inscriptions on this monument give the names, rank, age and time of
death of these honorable heroes. It is quite an ornament to the public
square of the town, and speaks volumes in praise of the good and
patriotic citizens. The honor was due the Mexican heroes.
The command passed through Franklin on Sunday. The citizens were
consequently at leisure to meet on the streets and witness the soldiers
as they marched through town. The soldier prides himself, at all times,
on his soldierly appearance when in the ranks, but, when passing
through these secesh towns, he more than takes delight in showing
himself to good advantage. "Here's your Yankee soldier, you
insignificant traitor, you--look at him, and tremble"--is the
expression he wears on his countenance, and exhibits in his military
step and bearing. The citizens of Franklin were much more numerous than
had been seen in any of the towns hitherto passed through. There were,
perhaps, more union people, and a less number who had fled at our
approach.
Five miles west of Franklin a large cotton factory is in operation,
and, as the army passed, the factory girls, to the number of two or
three hundred, came out to see it pass. The girls were neatly dressed
in their holiday clothing, and presented a very interesting spectacle
to the soldiers. Many months had passed since so many young ladies had
been looked upon by these war-worn soldiers. Home and civilized society
was brought to the memory, and many a sad thought forced itself through
the mind, of the loved ones at home, who, to-day, were congregated at
their places of Sunday gathering, in the country, to hear glad tidings
from the preacher. Jests and repartees flew thick and fast between the
girls and the soldier-boys, as the regiments moved by. Many of these
girls were very pretty and intelligent, although they, more than
likely, belonged to the families of the "poor white trash" of the
South.
When going into camp near Murfreesboro', two boys of the Fifty-Ninth
left the regiment to visit a house half a mile from the road for the
purpose of getting something for their supper. While there they were
surprised by three or four guerrillas and taken prisoners. News of the
affair soon came to camp and a squad was sent out after them, but
without success.
Arriving at Nashville on the 4th the regiment went into camp two miles
south of the city, and lay there until the morning of the 6th, when it
again moved out. Passing through the city it crossed the Tennessee
river and encamped near Edgefield. Here General Davis lays in wait
until the balance of Buell's army could come up and cross the river.
General Jeff. C. Davis was detached from the army of General Rosecranz,
at Iuka, with eight thousand men, and reported to General Buell at
Murfreesboro'. The Fifty-Ninth Illinois was in his command and was
among the first regiments that crossed the river at Nashville.
The positions of General Buell's army at Battle Creek, Huntsville, and
McMinnville, on account of the movements of General Bragg's rebel army,
became untenable, and had to be evacuated. General Bragg massed his
army at Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee. One corps, under General
Kirby Smith, had succeeded in a flank movement, and had already reached
the borders of Kentucky. Two other corps under General Hardee and
Leonidas Polk were about to succeed in joining Smith, thus forming an
army of forty thousand men--sufficiently strong to threaten either
Cincinnati or Louisville, and cut General Buell off from all his
communications. These movements caused General Buell to move his army
with all dispatch towards Louisville to secure his own safety and that
of Louisville and Cincinnati.
The crossing was effected on the 8th, and about sunset the Fifty-Ninth
again pushed out. The evening was mild and pleasant, although somewhat
lowering. Clouds were accumulating and thickening in the west, and
appearances rather indicated rain. No rain had fallen since leaving
Eastport, and the roads were getting very dry and dusty, and water very
scarce. A rain would therefore be very acceptable at this time--but
such a rain as fell that night was more than agreeable! The troops had
hardly got under way, when it became dark, and continually growing
darker. It finally became "darkness visible," and the rain commenced.
The heavens opened and poured their floods of water in torrents; the
lightning's vivid flash is blinding, and the thunder's roar exceeds the
combined report of all earth's artillery. No mortal man could march in
such a storm, and for half an hour the _mighty_ hosts of General
Buell bent themselves submissively to the will of Him "who rides upon
the whirlwind and controls the storm." When the storm moderated, the
march was continued and kept up until two o'clock in the morning. After
marching all night, the regiment lay here quietly in camp for over
thirty-six hours, and then made another night march, and lay in camp a
day. Why this night marching, and laying by through the day, is
unaccountable to outsiders.
The march now continues from day to day until the 27th of September,
when the army encamps at Louisville. The route traversed by General
Jeff. C. Davis' division, was from Nashville via Franklin, Dripping
Springs, Cave City, to Bowling Green; from Bowling Green through
Mumfordsville, Elizabethtown and West Point to Louisville. The distance
from Nashville to Louisville, by the roads marched over, is over two
hundred miles, and the time occupied in marching was fourteen days. The
army having laid by four days and counter-marched one. At Dripping
Springs the division encamped one night, and marched out early the next
morning, and until twelve o'clock. A halt was called, the column faced
about and marched directly back to the last night's camp. Buell was
either a knave or a coward, or perhaps both. The probabilities are that
if Buell had marched his army as a _General_ should and would have
done from Nashville on, he would have saved the surrender of the four
thousand brave men at Mumfordsville. But what time he could not loiter
away, he took up in counter-marching his weary and half-fed troops.
A division of only two brigades of Bragg's army under General Buckner,
attacked our forces at Mumfordsville. This force consisted of the
Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Sixty-Seventh and Eighty-Third Indiana
regiments, under Colonel Wilder. After being repulsed three times, with
a loss of two or three hundred, they retire to await reinforcements. In
a day or two they renew the attack with a largely increased force.
After a desperate resistance, Colonel Wilder is compelled to surrender.
The prisoners are paroled, and in a day or two they pass through our
columns to the rear, without arms. Why was it that General Buell did
not reinforce that bravely defended garrison? If, instead of
counter-marching twenty miles and wasting two or three days in
idleness, he had steadily advanced with his army, Mumfordsville would
have been saved. Had he have been seen and known along the lines at the
time those brave men were passing to the rear, his hide would never
have held bran.
When our army passed through the ground held by the rebels, during the
attack, the dead were yet unburied. A rebel officer and private
soldier, the one in splendid uniform, the other in rags, were side by
side, awaiting the sexton's aid. From Mumfordsville to Louisville the
march was continued unintermittingly, and on less than half rations and
some days without water. Some of the men were without food for
forty-eight hours. Without shoes, ragged and dirty, they arrive at
Louisville, contrasting beautifully with the neatly uniformed recruits
about the city, with their paper collars and blacked boots.
General Jeff. C. Davis' division had now marched about three hundred
and seventy-five miles since the 18th of August, and over six hundred
miles since leaving Corinth, Miss.
The sick and disabled were left in hospital at Bowling Green as the
regiment came through, so that on its arrival at Louisville there was
but one disabled man in the Fifty-Ninth, and he unfortunately became
disabled by falling from the top of a loaded wagon and breaking his
arm.
While at Louisville, the boys, as a general thing, had the privilege of
the city and enjoyed themselves very much. Some of them took "french
leave," and visited their friends over the river. One man, William
Rumsey, Company H, lost his life while here, in an unfortunate
difficulty with a fellow soldier. Rumsey was a good soldier, and not at
all inclined to be quarrelsome, but through some evil influence he
enraged one of General Mitchell's body guard to such a degree that he
drew his pistol and shot him.
Here, also, the regiment met with a great loss by the transfer of Dr.
H. J. Maynard to another department. Through the influence of some
friends in Arkansas, he was commissioned First Surgeon of the First
Arkansas Cavalry Regiment. This entitled him to a transfer, and he bid
adieu to the Fifty-Ninth Illinois at Louisville. His withdrawal from
the regiment was seriously regretted by all who had ever had any
intercourse with him. As a man, he was affable and gentlemanly in his
intercourse with the men, and as a Surgeon, he was courteous, kind and
scientific. His liberality and goodness of heart endeared him to all in
the regiment. He will ever carry with him the respect and gratitude of
all those to whom he ministered while with the command.
The most _striking_ incident which occurred while the regiment lay at
Louisville, was the shooting of General Nelson by Jeff. C. Davis. It is
to be hoped that the act was morally and legally justifiable.
General Jeff. C. Davis was at home on leave of absence, which he
obtained a short time before his division left the State of
Mississippi, on a plea of ill health. When the alarm was raised in
Louisville that the enemy were marching on that city, General Jeff. C.
Davis, who could not reach his command under General Buell, then at
Bowling Green, went to General Nelson and tendered his services.
General Nelson gave him the command of the city militia, so soon as
they were organized. General Davis opened an office and went to work in
assisting in the organization. On Wednesday, General Davis called upon
General Nelson in his room at the Gait House, in Louisville, when the
following took place:
General Davis said, "I have the brigade, General, you assigned me,
ready for service, and have called to inquire if I can obtain arms for
them."
General Nelson--"How many men have you?"
General Davis--"About twenty-five hundred men, General."
General Nelson--roughly and angrily--"About twenty-five hundred! _About
twenty-five hundred!_ By G--d! you a regular officer, and come here to
me and report _about_ the number of men in your command. G--d d--n you,
don't you know sir, you should furnish me the exact number?"
Davis--"General, I didn't expect to get the guns now, and only wanted
to learn if I could get them, and where, and having learned the exact
number needed, would then draw them."
Nelson--pacing the floor in a rage--"About two thousand five hundred.
By G--d, I suspend you from your command, and order you to report to
General Wright, and I've a mind to put you under arrest. Leave my room,
sir."
Davis--"I will not leave, General, until you give me an order."
Nelson--"The h--l you won't. By G--d I'll put you under arrest, and
send you out of the city under a provost guard. Leave my room, sir."
General Davis left the room, and in order to avoid an arrest, crossed
over the river to Jeffersonville, where he remained until the next day,
when he was joined by General Burbridge, who had also been relieved by
Nelson for a trivial cause. General Davis came to Cincinnati with
General Burbridge, and reported to General Wright, who ordered General
Davis to return to Louisville, and report to General Buell, and General
Burbridge to remain in Cincinnati. General Davis returned on Friday
evening, and reported to General Buell.
Nothing further occurred until yesterday morning, when General Davis
seeing General Nelson in the main hall of the Galt House, fronting the
office, went up to Governor Morton and requested him to step up with
him to General Nelson, and witness the conversation that might pass
between Nelson and him. The Governor consented, and the two walked up
to General Nelson, when the following took place:
General Davis--"Sir, you seemed to take advantage of your authority the
other day."
General Nelson--sneeringly and placing his hand to his ear--"Speak
louder, I don't hear very well."
Davis--in a louder tone--"You seemed to take advantage of your
authority the other day."
Nelson--indignantly--"I don't know that I did, sir."
Davis--"You threatened to arrest and send me out of the State under a
provost guard."
Nelson--striking Davis with the back of his hand twice in the
face--"There, d--n you, take that."
Davis--retreating--"This is not the last of it; you will hear from me
again."
General Nelson then turned to Governor Morton and said: "By G--d, did
you come here also to insult me?"
Governor Morton--"No, sir; but I was requested to be present and listen
to the conversation between you and General Davis."
General Nelson--violently to the bystanders--"Did you hear the d--d
rascal insult me?" and then walked into the ladies' parlor.
In three minutes General Davis returned with a pistol he had borrowed
of Captain Gibson, of Louisville, and walking toward the door that
Nelson had passed through, he saw Nelson walking out of the parlor into
the hall separating the main hall from the parlor. The two were face to
face, and about ten yards apart, when General Davis drew his pistol and
fired, the ball entering Nelson's heart, or in the immediate vicinity.
General Nelson threw up both hands and caught a gentleman near by
around the neck, and exclaimed, "I'm shot." He then walked up the
flight of stairs towards General Buell's room, but sank at the foot of
the stairs, and was unable to proceed further. He was then conveyed to
his room, and when laid on his bed, requested that Rev. Mr. Talbott, an
Episcopal clergyman stopping at the house, might be sent to him at
once. The reverend gentleman arrived in about five minutes.
Mr. Talbott found General Nelson extremely anxious as to his future
welfare, and deeply penitent about the many sins he had committed. He
knew he must die immediately, and requested the ordinance of baptism
might be administered, which was done. The General then whispered:
"It's all over," and died in fifteen minutes after he was conveyed to
his room. His death was easy, the passing away of his spirit as though
the General had fallen into a quiet sleep. His remains lay in state two
days, and his funeral was witnessed by many of the Fifty-Ninth and
other regiments.
General Davis immediately gave himself up to the military authorities
to await a trial by court-martial.
This is the first case of the kind that has ever occurred in the
American army, and its effect both North and South, will be startling.
Nelson, although rough, tyrannical and insulting to General Davis, yet
in a military point of view, General Davis was unjustifiable in
shooting. Davis, however, has the sympathies of the people, both in
Louisville and in the army, and would undoubtedly be pardoned by the
President had a court-martial found him guilty.
A brief review of General Davis' military career may not be
uninteresting. He was born in Indiana, and is now about thirty-four
years of age. He was married about six month since, and his wife is
living fourteen miles back of Jeffersonville. He went to Mexico as a
private, when only sixteen years of age; and on June 17, 1848, entered
the regular army as Second Lieutenant of Artillery. He was with Major
Anderson at Fort Sumter, and fired the first gun on the rebels at that
celebrated engagement. His services, as officer of the guard, are well
known to the public. After the surrender of the fort, he sailed in the
Baltic for New York, and was ordered to Indianapolis as Mustering
Officer, Quartermaster and Commissary. Remaining in this duty three
months, he was appointed Colonel of the Twenty-Second Indiana Regiment,
and was ordered to Jefferson City, Mo., to command that post with
twelve thousand men under him. It was here he held important
correspondence with General Fremont, upon the necessity of reinforcing
Colonel Mulligan, at Lexington. He was ordered to report himself on the
Potomac, with other regular officers. Arriving at St. Louis, General
Halleck ordered him to report by letter and remain with him. Davis was
then sent to Tipton, and there moved in junction with the force of
General Curtis to Lebanon, Springfield and Pea Ridge. At the latter
place, in the great battle, General Davis commanded the third or center
division. After the battle, the officers of his division petitioned the
President to appoint him Major General.
At Blackwater, Mo., General Davis captured one thousand three hundred
prisoners, with two hundred and forty cavalry and three pieces of
artillery. Among the number was Colonel Magoffin and three other
Colonels, four Majors and a number of inferior officers.
The President forwarded a commission for a Brigadier General, and he
was ordered to Corinth, at which place he arrived with his command two
days before the evacuation. He continued with General Halleck until at
Jacinto, Miss., he obtained twenty days leave to return home. He was
unable to return and join his command, and thus he was thrown into
Louisville.
General Nelson went from Kentucky into the navy as a Lieutenant, and
with his movements and actions in the army in Kentucky, since the war
broke out, every one is familiar. He was made a Brigadier General on
the 16th of September, 1862, and afterwards promoted to the rank of
Major General. He was formerly a resident of Maysville, and never was
married. He has a large circle of relatives in the State, and a few
residing in the East. He was also a relative of Mrs. Lincoln.