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Headley 1900 Confederate Operations In Canada and New York BY a^ JOHN Wl%EADLEY Illustrated by Portraits fif NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1906 COPYRIGHT, 1906, BY THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY *^\^ TO THE MEMORY OF THE Defenseless non-combatant people of the South who suffered the untold horrors of merciless warfare ^DESOLATION^ DESTITUTION, IMPRISONMENT OR DEATH ; OF THE PERSECUTED PEOPLE OF THE NoRTH WHOSE SENSE OF JUSTICE AND HUMANITY REVOLTED AT A CRUSADE FOR THE CAUSE OF John Brown, and of Horace Greeley, Gerrit Smith and Cornelius Vanderbilt, this volume is reverently dedicated by the AUTHOR. ILLUSTRATIONS Facing Page. John W. Headley, 1900 Frontispiece Major-General John H. Morgan, 1864 i94 Thomas H. Hines, 1864 218 John B. Castleman, 1864 220 Jacob Thompson, 1864 222 John Yates Beall, 1864 242 Bennett H. Young, 1864 256 Clement Claiborne Clay, 1867 258 Robert M. Martin, 1866 274 John W. Headley, 1865 276 Young Confederate widow who was a messenger for the St. Albans Raiders in getting the proper papers from the Confederate Government 2)1^ Rev. Stephen F. Cameron. 378 Charles C. Hemming, 1902 ...' 456 Capt. Thomas H. Hines, 1884 458 Col. Bennett H. Young, 1906 460 John B. Castleman, 1898 462 CONTENTS Chapter I Election of Abraham Lincoln precipitates secession — Southern Con- federacy organized. Jefferson Davis chosen President — Mr. Lincoln inaugurated — Attempt to reinforce Fort Sumter — Fall of Fort Sumter — Beginning of the war — Situation in Missouri, Maryland, and Kentucky — President Lincoln declares martial law 19 Chapter II Battle of Bull Run — Armies invade Kentucky — Author enlists — Mili- tary operations in Kentucky 28 Chapter III Battle and surrender of Fort Donelson— Grant absent during the battle — Forrest refuses to surrender and escapes and is followed by over half his regiment 35 Chapter IV Evacuation of Tennessee by Confederates — Battle of Shiloh — Cam- paign in Virginia — Buell in North Alabama — Bragg at Chatta- nooga— Forrest and Morgan in Buell's rear — Bragg and Kirby Smith invade Kentucky 44 Chapter V Battle of Perryville — Bragg and Smith evacuate Kentucky 55 Chapter VI Breckinridge at Murfreesboro — Forrest at Franklin — Johnson and Martin in western Kentucky — ^John W. Foster levies on citizens to reimburse Union men 61 Chapter Vli Bragg's army at Murfreesboro — Secret service for General Bragg — Purchases at Lafayette, Kentucky — Surprise, flight, and narrow escape — Battle at Murfreesboro — Discontent in the army and feeling against General Bragg — Col. R. C. Tyler wounded — Death of Tyler — Bragg and his generals 68 X CONTENTS Chapter VIII Situation changed in "neutral zone" — Secret negotiations with the Federal commander at Clarksville — Surprised at Mrs. Batson's — Capture and escape — Another narrow escape — Escape of Bowers from prison at Clarksville y6 Chapter IX Captured at Louisa Furnace — Capture of officers of Lee's army — Escape from prison and captivity in Nashville — Notes on Rosecrans's army — Departure from Nashville on a pass — Escape of other prisoners 84 Chapter X Situation after return from captivity — Forrest at Palmyra — Wheeler at Fort Donelson — Plain talk of Forrest to Wheeler — Report to Forrest and Bragg of Rosecrans's army — Van Dorn over Forrest and others, on the left, and Wheeler over Morgan and others, on the right of Bragg's army — Morgan's raid to Kentucky in December, 1862 — Infantry armies being exhausted in drawn battles and in camp — Spirit of vengeance — Colonel Streight marches out from Palmyra and encamps on Yellow Creek 96 Chapter XI Famous raid of Col. Abel D. Streight through Alabama to Georgia — Famous pursuit and capture by Gen. N. B, Forrest — Ovation to Forrest at Rome, Georgia — Federal prisoners attest the kindness of Forrest 106 Chapter XII Conduct of the invaders — Devastation of the country in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi — Cruelty to non-combatant sympa- thizers with the South 1 13 Chapter XIII Organization to raid western Kentucky and recruit a regiment — Fight and defeat at Dixon— Return to Tennessee 122 Chapter XIV Bragg's retreat from Shelbyville to Chattanooga— Wheeler's fight and escape at Shelbyville — Morgan starts on Ohio raid — Federal commanders lose Morgan in Kentucky, except those on his trail — Morgan crosses into Indiana, passes near Cincinnati — Morgan surrenders, and with his officers is confined in Ohio Peniten- tiary 131 CONTENTS XI Chapter XV Col. Robert M. Martin — Record in Morgan's cavalry — Morgan's men under Martin open and close battle of Chickamauga — Forrest loses his division 139 Chapter XVI Martin's expedition to Kentucky — Exciting adventures — Skirmish with an old friend — Surprised and routed near Greenville — Loss of horses and equipments — Rendezvous in Henry County, Tennessee — Expedition on foot to Golden Pond — Recapture of horses, and home-guards paroled 146 j Chapter XVII Journey to Kentucky, then around Nashville and into Alabama — Narrow escapes — Luxurious homes of an Alabama valley — Johnston succeeds Bragg 161 Chapter XVIII Mission for General Morgan to vicinity of Nashville — Miss Mary Overall secures information in Nashville — Death of Dee Jobe — Wounded Union soldier dies and is buried, by enemies, in family graveyard — Safe arrival at Rome, Georgia 168 Chapter XIX Raid of Kilpatrick and Dahlgren to capture Richmond, release Federal prisoners, pillage and burn the city, and kill President Davis and his Cabinet — Vengeful views of the Confederate soldiers at this period over the devastation of their country 175 Chapter XX Morgan at Abingdon — General Jenkins wounded and his command routed — Martin leads a charge — Morgan defeats enemy near Wytheville — His last raid to Kentucky — Captures garrison at Mt. Sterling — Martin's command surprised by Burbridge — Defense and escape with severe loss — Fight and capture of garrison at Cynthiana — Morgan defeated by Burbridge — Escape to Virginia 186 Chapter XXI Morgan re-establishes headquarters at Abingdon — Reorganizing his command— Officers recuperate — Richmond authorities aroused against Morgan — Skirmish of Major Cantrill with scouts — Detached by Secretary of War 201 XII CONTENTS Chapter XXII Departure for Canada — Death of General Morgan — Forrest in Mis- sissippi— ^Journey from Corinth to Toronto 211 Chapter XXIII Capt. Thomas H. Hines — Purposes of mission to Canada — Col, Jacob Thompson's mission — Coalition with leaders of Sons of Liberty — Concentration~aT'Democratic National Convention in Chicago r^^^^ruitless endeavor to release Confederate prisoners at Camp UDouglas and Springfield 217 Chapter XXIV Plan for capture of gunboat Michigan on Lake Erie and release of prisoners on Johnson's Island — Captain Cole and Acting Master Beall undertake the adventure — Lieutenant Young sent with funds to Buffalo— 7Cole, at the moment of success, is betrayed and arrested and imprisoned at Sandusky City — Thompson and Clay to the rescue — Cole finally recognized as prisoner of war....23i Chapter XXV I Capt. John Yates Beall — His home in Virginia — Early career in the 1 Confederacy with Bennett G. Burley — Capture of steamer i Philo Parsons on Lake Erie — Capture of Island Queen — i Attempt to release prisoners on Johnson's Island — Mutiny of men when signals failed to appear — Compelled to return and destroy vessels — Men disperse in Canada — Arrest of Burley — Confederate steamer Georgiana on Lake Erie 241 Chapter XXVI Lieutenant Young's raid upon St. Albans, Vermont — Retreat and pursuit— Capture by Americans in Canada — Rescued by a British officer — Sympathy for prisoners in Canada — Extradition demanded — Preparations for defense 256 Chapter XXVII Plans for revolution at Chicago and New York City — Attempts to be made to burn Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and Boston — Plans in New York City 264 Chapter XXVIII \ Confederates attempt to burn business section of New York City — ''■ Escape to Canada 274 CONTENTS XIII Chapter XXIX Noitliwestern Confederacy vanishes — Plans exposed at Chicago — Arrest of leaders^^GetjefaTreport of Thompson upon all opera- tionSiTzFai lure -Conceded— Judge Buckner S. Morris and Col. Vincent Marmaduke acquitted — R, T. Semmes and Charles Walsh sentenced to penitentiary — Col. George St, Leger Grenfel sentenced to be hung 284 Chapter XXX Expedition to Buffalo and Dunkirk, New York, to rescue Confed- erate generals on train — Proclamations of General Dix — Efforts to capture the express car — Capture of Captain Beall and George S. Anderson at_jSjisfiension Bridge...r.. 301 Chapter XXXI Situation in Canada and in the Confederacy — Sherman's march through Georgia and occupation of Savannah 308 Chapter XXXII Trials of Confederates in progress — Lieut, S. B. Davis captured — Bennett G. Burley ordered to be extradited to United States — Colonel Thompson writes to Confederate minister in England — British Government interferes and saves Burley — Ashbrook and Kennedy depart for the Confederacy — Lieutenant Davis sentenced to be hung — Colonel Thompson appeals to President Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton on merits of the case — Successful proceedings in behalf of Davis — Capture, trial and execution of Kennedy 321 Chapter XXXIII Operations of General Sherman in South Carolina, and General Hunter in Virginia — General Early retaliates in Pennsylvania....332 Chapter XXXIV Trial of John Yates £ea]l by military commission' — Character as a Confederate officer esfablished— Hrs ~ acts _. authorized and approved by the Confederate Government — Ai-guments~ of counsel 340 Chapter XXXV Efforts of the friends of Beall, with President Lincoln, for his pardon — Beall hung on Governor's Island — Buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn 357 XIV CONTENTS Chapter XXXVI Trial of Lieutenant Young and his men at Montreal — Complete vin- dication 370 Chapter XXXVII Arrangements to leave Canada for Richmond — Plan for the next cam- paign— Last ditch in the Northern States — Colonel Thompson remains in Canada to assist in the trials of Confederates 382 Chapter XXXVIII The trouble of reaching Richmond — Situation in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee 390 Chapter XXXIX Departure from Canada — Journey to Cincinnati — Arrival and sojourn in Louisville — Preparations for journey to Virginia 396 Chapter XL Plans and efforts to capture Vice-President-elect Andrew Johnson at the Louisville Hotel 402 Chapter XLI Capture horses of Major Julius Fosses in Louisville — Escape from the city — ^Journey to Abingdon, Virginia 411 Chapter XLII Journey to Richmond — Richmond and Petersburg evacuated — Gov- ernment flees to the South — Retreat of Lee and surrender at Appomattox — Detained at Lynchburg — Escape to the West and South — Terms of peace 425 Chapter XLIII Peace cartel repudiated by President Johnson — Surrender of Johnstoin and his army — President Davis and Cabinet retire through South Carolina — Five cavalry brigades guard the retreat — Last council of war — Proposal of General Breckinridge for conduct of President Davis to Mexico — General Duke's account of the last conference of President Davis with the generals of cavalry — Departure of President Davis from Washington, Georgia 432 CONTENTS XV Chapter XLIV President Davis made prisoner — Parole of Confederates at Wash- ington, Georgia — President Johnson's Amnesty Proclamation — Martin and Headley in excepted class — Arrest of Headley, his escape, and subsequent pardon by the President — Troubles in Middle Tennessee — Arrest of Martin — He is put in irons and in prison at Fort Lafayette „ 438 Chapter XLV Robert M. Martin pardoned — Many sentences remitted — Parole of C. C. Clay, Jr. — Jefferson Davis delivered to United States Court at Richmond — Released on bail-bond — Ovation to Mr. Davis in the South — Nolle prosequi entered — Finally settles in Mississippi to spend his last years — Visit to birthplace in Kentucky — Subsequent lives of Confederate officers who served in Canada 451 Chapter XLVI The truth — The premises — Summary of conduct of the war — Impar- tial testimony and views of Federal commanders — Confederate success in battle — Troops engaged — Cause and result of the war 464 Chapter XLVII Conduct of Southern authorities and soldiers 473 I I INTRODUCTION There is little consolation in relating the particulars of the hostile operations along the northern borders of the United States, by Confederate soldiers from Canada, who were.assigned to this service by the authorities of the Confederate States in 1864. And yet the authentic narrative of this desperate warfare •which recalls and includes the cruel phases of the deplorable conflict may be due to the survivors and the dead of the North and the South who were military foes, and may serve as a lesson and a guide to the present and future generations of our reunited country in determining the price of peace and the pretexts for war. All references that pertain to the conduct of the Federal Government and soldiers toward non-combatants are derived entirely from verified authority and the official records of the War Department of the United States. But little account of the engagements between the great armies is attempted. And it is deemed sufficient to submit the summaries of Generals Buell and Grant, the commanders of the two Federal armies at the battle of Shiloh, concerning the results of battles, the forces engaged, the morale of soldiers, and the cause of the war. The military operations in the Department of Tennessee are noted partially from personal knowledge, but those west of the Mississippi River, being of like character under like con- ditions, are omitted. And besides, the commanders in both these Departments of the Confederacy appear to have missed oppor- tunities alike at the critical period — 1862-3, whilst Gen. Robert E. Lee was never driven, by generalship or numbers, from Vir- ginia, but upon her bosom ended his struggle and breathed his last sigh as a soldier of the Southern Confederacy. John W. Headley. Louisville, Kentucky, 1906. CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS IN CANADA AND NEW YORK CHAPTER I Election of Abraham Lincoln precipitates secession — Southern Confederacy organized, Jefferson Davis chosen President — Mr. Lincoln inaugurated — Attempt to reinforce Fort Sumter — Fall of Fort Sumter — Beginning of the war — Situation in Missouri, Maryland and Kentucky — President Lincoln declares martial law. The sectional animosities engendered by the agitation in the Northern States for the abolition of African slavery reached a climax upon the election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency of the United States in November, i860. The Southern people construed this event to mean the free- dom of their negroes. Indeed, the passions of the triumph- ant party in the Northern States and their purposes were no longer concealed. The period of reason appeared to have passed and the question was at once agitated in the South of withdrawing from the Union and of organizing a new government on the same basis as that of the United States, and accordingly South Carolina initiated the movement by an Act of Seces- sion from the Union, December 14, i860. Other States followed, and a provisional new government was formed by delegates from South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ala- bama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, who assembled in convention at Montgomery, Alabama. Jefferson Davis was chosen President, and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, Vice-President, on the 9th of February, 1861. 20 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS In his inaugural address, February i8, 1861, Mr. Davis set forth the objects and purposes of the new General Gov- ernment, which was called ''The Confederate States of America." In part he said : Our present condition, achieved in a manner unprecedented in the history of nations, illustrates the American idea that governments rest upon the consent of the governed, and that it is the right of the people to alter or abolish governments whenever they become destructive of the ends for which they were established. Through many years of controversy with our late associates, the Northern States, we have vainly endeavored to secure tran- quillity, and to obtain respect for the rights to which we were entitled. As a necessity, not a choice, we have resorted to the remedy of separation; and henceforth our energies must be directed to the conduct of our own affairs, and the perpetuity of the Confederacy which we have formed. If a just perception of mutual interest shall permit us peace- ably to pursue our separate career, my most earnest desire will have been fulfilled ; but if this is denied us, and the integrity of our territory and jurisdiction be assailed, it will but remain for us, with firm resolve, to appeal to arms, and invoke the blessings of Providence on a just cause. We have changed the constituent parts, but not the system of our Government. The Constitution formed by our fathers is that of these Confederate States, in their exposition of it; and, in the judicial construction it has received, we have a light which reveals its true meaning. President Lincoln, in his inaugural address on March 4, 1861, said: Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the Southern States that, by the accession of a Republican Administration, their property and their peace and personal security are to be endangered. There has never been any cause for such apprehensions. Indeed, the most ample evidence to the contrary has all the while existed and been open to their inspection. It is found in IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 21 nearly all the public speeches of him who addresses you. I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institu- tion of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so. Those who nominated and elected me did so with full knowledge that I had made this and many similar declarations, and had never recanted them. And more than this, they placed in the platform for my acceptance, and as a law to themselves and to me, the clear and emphatic resolution which I now read: ''Resolved, That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, and especially the right of each State to order and control its own domestic institutions according to its own judg- ment exclusively, is essential to that balance of power on which the perfection and endurance of our political fabric depend, and we denounce the lawless invasion by armed force of the soil of any State or Territory, no matter under what pretext, as among the gravest crimes." However, President Lincoln at once began the prepara- tions for reinforcing Fort Sumter. Eleven vessels were fitted up and loaded with several thousand troops, arms, and supplies. They were instructed to reinforce Major Anderson at Fort Sumter, peaceably if they could, but by force if they must. Just before they arrived, General Beau- regard, in command at Charleston, reduced the Fort, and the garrison surrendered, upon honorable terms, April 13, 1861, without the loss of life on either side. On the 15th of April, 1861, two days after the fall of Fort Sumter, President Lincoln issued a proclamation, calling for seventy-five thousand troops, in which he said : I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate and aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our National Union, and the perpetuity of popular govern- ment, and to redress wrongs already long endured. And I hereby command the persons composing the combina- tions aforesaid to disperse and retire peaceably to their respec- tive abodes within twenty days from this date. 22 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS The States of Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas and North Carolina at once proceeded to enter the Confederacy. The Provisional Government organized at Montgomery was merged into a permanent Government, with no special changes except the removal of the capital to Richmond, Virginia. It was with rivalry that the volunteers in the Southern States were organized and rushed into the conflict. And likewise in the Northern States. Indeed, active preparations were being made from the day of the inauguration of the new Presidents. Gen. John C. Fremont was one of the first generals ap- pointed by President Lincoln, and was assigned to the com- mand of the Department of the West, in which Ohio and Kentucky were included. His headquarters was established at St. Louis. The State Administration, including the militia, was openly arrayed against the Union in Missouri. General Fre- mont was confronted from the start by a condition of revolt against his authority, and his military jurisdiction in the State was practically limited to St. Louis for some time. General Fremont says when he parted from the President in Washington to assume his command in the West that Mr. Lincoln said : I have given you carte blanche. You must use your own judgment and do the best you can. I doubt if the States will ever come back. General Fremont, therefore, within a few months deemed it advisable to issue a proclamation declaring martial law, from which the following extracts are quoted: St. Louis, August 30, 1861. ******* All persons who shall be taken with arms in their hands within these lines shall be tried by court-martial, and if found guilty will be shot. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 23 The property, real and personal, of all persons, in the State of Missouri, who shall take up arms against the United States, or who shall be directly proven to have taken an active part with their enemies in the field, is declared confiscated to the public use, and their slaves, if they have any, are hereby declared free men. All persons who shall be proven to have destroyed, after the publication of this order, railroad tracks, bridges, or telegraphs, shall suffer the extreme penalty of the law. All persons engaged in treasonable correspondence, in giving or procuring aid to the enemies of the United States, in foment- ing tumults, in disturbing the public tranquillity by creating and circulating false reports or incendiary documents, are in their own interest warned that they are exposing themselves to sudden and severe punishment. All persons who have been led away from their allegiance, are required to return to their homes forthwith; any such absence, without sufficient cause, will be held to be presumptive evidence against them. The object of this declaration is to place in the hands of the military authorities the power to give instantaneous effect to existing laws, and to supply such deficiencies as the conditions of war demand. ******* Gen. Jeff. Thompson, then in command of the Missouri militia forces about St. Louis, at once issued the following proclamation of retaliation: Headquarters First Military District Mo. St. Louis^ August 31, 1861. To All Whom It May Concern: Whereas, Ma j. -Gen. John C. Fremont, commanding the minions of Abraham Lincoln in the State of Missouri, has seen fit to declare martial law throughout the whole State, and has threatened to shoot any citizen-soldier found in arms within certain limits; also, to confiscate the property and free the negroes belonging to the members of the Missouri State Guard : Therefore, know ye, that I, M. Jeff. Thompson, Brigadier- General of the First Military District of Missouri, having not only the military authority of brigadier-general, but certain police powers granted by Acting-Governor Thomas C. Rey- nolds, and confirmed afterward by Governor Jackson, do most solemnly promise that for every member of the Missouri State 24 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS Guard, or soldier of our allies, the armies of the Confederate States, who shall be put to death in pursuance of the said order of General Fremont, I will hang, draw, and quarter a minion of said Abraham Lincoln. While I am anxious that this unfortunate war shall be con- ducted, if possible, upon the most liberal principles of civilized warfare, and every order that I have issued has been with that object — ^yet, if this rule is to be adopted (and it must first be done by our enemies), I intend to exceed General Fremont in his excesses, and will make all tories that come within my reach rue the day that a different policy was adopted by their leaders. Already mills, barns, warehouses, and other private property have been waste fully and wantonly destroyed by the enemy in this district, while we have taken nothing except articles contraband or absolutely necessary. Should these things be repeated, I will retaliate ten-fold, so help me God. M. Jeff. Thompson, Brigadier-General Commanding. President Lincoln wrote : (private). Washington, D. C, September 2, 1861. My Dear Sir : Two points in your proclamation of August 30th give me some anxiety : First. Should you shoot a man according to the proclama- tion, the Confederates would very certainly shoot our best man in their hands, in retaliation ; and so, man for man, indefinitely. It is, therefore, my order that you allow no man to be shot under the proclamation without first having my approbation or consent. Second. I think there is great danger that the closing par- agraph, in relation to the confiscation of property, and the liber- ating of slaves of traitorous owners, will alarm our Southern Union friends, and turn them against us; perhaps ruin our rather fair prospect for Kentucky. Allow me, therefore, to ask that you will, as of your own motion, modify that paragraph so as to conform to the first and fourth sections of the Act of Congress entitled, "An Act to Confiscate Property Used for Insurrectionary Purposes," approved August 6, 1861, a copy of which Act I herewith send you. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 25 This letter is written in a spirit of caution, and not of censure, I send it by a special messenger, so that it may certainly and speedily reach you. Yours very truly, A. Lincoln. Major-General Fremont. General Fremont replied to President Lincoln's sugges- tions, in a long letter, from which I make extracts : Headquarters Western Department. St. Louis, September 8, 1861. My Dear Sir : Your letter of the second, by special messen- ger, I know to have been written before you had received my letter, and before my telegraphic dispatches and rapid devel- opments of critical conditions here had informed you of affairs in this quarter. * * ^ 5{S * * * This is as much a movement in the war, as a battle, and, in going into these, I shall have to act according to my judgment of the ground before me, as I did on this occasion. ******* If I were to retract of my own accord, it would imply that I myself thought it wrong, and that I had acted without the reflection which the gravity of the point demanded. But I did not. I acted with full deliberation, and upon the certain conviction that it was a measure right and necessary, and I think so still. In regard to the other point of the proclamation to which you refer, I desire to say that I do not think the enemy can either misconstrue or urge anything against it, or undertake to make unusual retaliation. The shooting of men who shall rise in arms against an army in the military occupation of a country, is merely a necessary measure of defense, and entirely according to the usages of civilized warfare. The article does not at all refer to prisoners of war and certainly our enemies have no grounds for requiring that we should waive in their benefit any of the ordinary advantages which the usages of war allow us. As promptitude is itself an advantage in war, I have also to ask that you will permit me to carry out upon the spot the pro- visions of the proclamation in this respect. I am, with respect and regard. Very truly yours, J. C. Fremont. The President. 26 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS President Lincoln rejoined, as follows : Washington, September ii, 1861. Sir : Yours of the 8th, in answer to mine of the 2nd instant, is just received. Assuming that you, upon the ground, could better judge of the necessities of your position than I could at this distance, on seeing your proclamation of August Z^th^ I perceived no general objection to it. The particular clause, however, in relation to the confiscation of property and the liberation of slaves, appeared to me to be objectionable in its non-conformity to the Act of Congress, passed the 6th of last August, upon the same subjects; and hence I wrote you expressing my wish that that clause should be modified accordingly. Your answer, just received, expresses the preference, on your part, that I should make an open order for the modification, which I very cheerfully do. It is therefore ordered, that the said clause of said procla- mation be so modified, held and construed to conform to, and not to transcend, the provisions on the same subject contained in the Act of Congress entitled, "An Act to Confiscate Property Used for Insurrectionary Purposes," approved August 6th, 1 86 1, and that said Act be published at length with this order. Your obedient servant, A. Lincoln. Major-General John C. Fremont. Practically the same conditions existed in Maryland and Kentucky. The legislatures of both States were assembled to consider the Act of Secession. In Maryland there was little doubt that the Act would be passed. On the same day that Mr. Lincoln wrote to General Fremont, the following order was issued to Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks : War Department, September 11, 1861. General : The passage of an Act of Secession by the Legis- lature of Maryland must be prevented. If necessary, all or any part of the members must be arrested. Exercise your own judgment as to the time and manner but do the work effectually. Very respectfully your obedient servant, Simon Cameron, Secretary of War. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 27 The General Assembly of Kentucky had adopted a resolu- tion declaring "that Kentucky should maintain a strict neu- trality during the contest between the North and the South." This was the position of the Union men of the Legislature. A Union mass meeting, held in Louisville and attended by persons from all parts of the State, issued an address affirm- ing the same position. A regiment of infantry recruited, armed, and equipped at Louisville by Col. Blanton Duncan, with Thomas H. Taylor, lieutenant-colonel, had already volunteered and en- listed under General Beauregard in Virginia. Meantime, President Lincoln had issued his proclamation declaring martial law, and citizens were arrested for dis- loyalty in all the border States. They were requested to take an oath of allegiance to the United States or were committed to prison. CHAPTER II Battle of Bull Run — Armies invade Kentucky — Author enlists — Military operations in Kentucky. During this period the ports of the Confederacy had been blockaded by the warships of the United States. The Con- federate States had been recognized as belligerents by the Governments of Great Britain and France, and the hostile armies had been engaged in actual warfare in Virginia and Missouri. But the army of the Confederacy was at Manassas under General Beauregard and in the Shenandoah Valley under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. General McDowell ad- vanced his army from Washington and on the 21st of July attacked Beauregard. General Johnston arrived on the field with his troops in the afternoon, when the battle resulted in the defeat and rout of McDowell's army. The stampede con- tinued to Washington City without pursuit by the Confed- erates. General McDowell reported to the War Department as follows : Fairfax Court House, July 21, 1861. The men have thrown away their haversacks in the battle and left them behind ; they are without food, have eaten noth- ing since breakfast. We are without artillery ammunition. The larger part of the men are a confused mob — entirely demor- alized. It was the opinion of all the commanders that no stand could be made this side of the Potomac. We will, however, make the attempt at Fairfax Court House. From a prisoner we learned that 20,000 from Johnston joined last night and they march on us to-night. Irwin McDowell. Again General McDowell dispatche3 : Fairfax Court House, July 22, 1861. Many of the volunteers did not wait for authority to proceed to the Potomac, but left on their own decision. They are now IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 29 pouring through this place in a state of utter disorganization. They could not be prepared for action by to-morrow morning even if they were willing. I learn from prisoners that we are to be pressed here to-night and to-morrow morning, as the enemy's force is very large and they are elated. I think we heard cannon on our rear-guard. I think now, as all my commanders thought at Centerville, there is no alternative but to fall back to the Potomac, and I shall proceed to do so with as much regularity as possible. Irwin McDowell. This event electrified the heart of the South and aroused the war spirit in the border States to such a degree that the drastic measures of the Federal authorities recorded in the preceding-chapter were doubtless deemed essential to prevent the regular secession of Missouri, Maryland and Kentucky. Meanwhile, there had been organization on the northern and southern borders of Kentucky, and volunteers were enlist- ing on both sides. Finally the Union army moved into Kentucky and ad- vanced to Munfordsville under Brig.-Gen. W. T. Sherman, with Brig.-Gen. George H. Thomas on the left at Lebanon and Columbia, while on the right, posts were established at Owensboro, Calhoun, Henderson and Paducah, and also at Cairo, Illinois, under Brig.-Gen. U. S. Grant — the whole under Gen. Henry W. Halleck at St. Louis, he having suc- ceeded General Fremont. The Confederate army under command of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston promptly advanced from Nashville to Bowl- ing Green with Brig.-Gen. Felix Zollicoffer on the right toward Cumberland Gap, while on the left, troops were posted at Hopkinsville, Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, Tennessee, and also at Columbus, Kentucky, under Brig.-Gen. Leonidas Polk. It will be observed that these opposing forces extended along a line from the Mississippi River to Cumberland Gap, a distance of perhaps 300 miles. The presence of both armies created intense excitement in Kentucky. Neighbors and members of the same families 30 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS became aroused against each other. Volunteers singly or in squads from every neighborhood rushed to both armies, and were soon organized into companies, regiments and brigades. At this juncture I left my home in Hopkins County to join the Confederates at Hopkinsville. I found Brig.-Gen. James L. Alcorn of Mississippi in command. The First Mississippi Infantry was here under Col. John T. Simonton and Lieuten- ant-Colonel Davidson. There were two companies of cavalry under Capt. Ned Merriweather and Capt. Gowan Bell, nearly all the men recruited from Christian County. But in another camp were about one hundred cavalry under Capt. James K. Huey of Smithland. Most of these men were from Hopkins and Webster counties, and many of them my neighbors, some being rela- tions, and I located with them at once. The company was sworn in under Captain Huey by General Alcorn on October 21, 1 86 1, for one year. I had been restless all the summer because I could not conveniently leave to volunteer, having been detained on ac- count of my father's business, being his reliance in a store at Nebo, his home being four miles distant, on a farm. I had been afraid the independence of the Confederacy would be acknowledged and the war ended before I could get in it. I was now satisfied at last. About this time an encampment was located at Saratoga Springs in Lyon County, where W. D. Wilcox and Benjamin D. Terry had recruited about 150 cavalry for the Confed- eracy, with a good prospect of a battalion or regiment. But a transport, accompanied by a gunboat, came up the Cumberland River from Smithland with a command of Federals under Major Phillips. They were landed after mid- night within five miles of Saratoga Springs. At daybreak they attacked the encampment. The sleeping men were not only surprised but unarmed, excepting a few who had double- barreled shotguns and some with pistols. There was conster- nation for a few moments after the first volley of the enemy was fired, but a dash was instantly made to escape, led by IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 31 Captains Terry and Wilcox. The casualties of the South- erners were three killed and eight wounded. The remainder and a number of horses were captured. Captain Wilcox was wounded, but he and Captain Terry reached Hopkinsville safely with a hundred of the men. I saw them on their arrival, and though fatigued they were in the best of spirits. The command was at once enlisted for three years, or the war, and organized in one company. W. D. Wilcox was elected captain and Benjamin D. Terry first lieutenant. This was perhaps the first hostile encounter and the first loss of life in Kentucky. The members of all these cavalry companies furnished their own horses and generally their own shotguns and other equipments. Early in November a battalion of cavalry arrived from Fort Henry under command of Lieut.-Col. N. B. Forrest and Maj. D. C. Kelly, and encamped on the other side of the town. A short while after the arrival of Forrest at Hopkinsville he started with about three hundred men toward Henderson, Lieutenant Wallace with some twenty of Huey's company being of the number. At Marion Forrest learned that a prominent friend of the South had been arrested and sent away to prison on the information of Jonathan Belt, an enthusiastic Union man. With a detachment, Forrest went to arrest Belt and hold him as a hostage. As they proceeded on the way, Forrest and Dr. Van Wyck, surgeon of the regi- ment, rode in front. When they reached Belt's house he was inside, and, firing upon the advance, he killed Dr. Van Wyck. Belt then ran out through the back of his premises and escaped. There was now a quiet time for several weeks at Hop- kinsville, when all the troops went into winter quarters. This, however, was a monotonous existence for the class of men composing our company. Perhaps half of them had left a wife and children behind and all of them comfortable 32 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS homes. Some were wealthy for that country, but in the en- thusiasm of the moment had rushed into the war for Southern independence. The regiment of Colonel Forrest had now been joined by two additional companies from Alabama, commanded by Captains Davis and McDonald, and one company from Tennessee, commanded by Captain Starnes. It was now composed of ten companies, with a total strength of eight hundred men. Early in Christmas week Colonel Forrest was sent with about three hundred men, including thirty men from the company of Captain Merri weather, in the direction of Cal- houn. In Muhlenburg County, Forrest heard a cavalry com- mand of the enemy, estimated at four hundred, was on the road between Greenville and Sacramento. He overtook them near the latter place and found them formed across the road in line of battle. Forrest now halted and prepared for action. He sent Captain Starnes with about forty men to the left and Major Kelly with a similar number to the right to attack both flanks. At the same moment Forrest moved his main line forward with sabers drawn, and charged the enemy's front. The attack was simultaneous and the enemy did not wait to meet the assault. Their line broke up in confusion and stampeded through the town of Sacramento, with the Confederates yelling and pressing the pursuit, Forrest, Merri- weather and Starnes being in the lead. They soon began to overtake and slay those in the rear who did not surrender. Some two miles beyond Sacramento the Federal com- mander rallied a portion of his command, after passing through a lane that ran over a ridge that crossed a farm. As Forrest and his followers reached the top of the ridge in the lane and found the enemy forming some two hundred yards distant, at the end of the lane, they did not halt or wait for all the command to come up, but Forrest dashed forward at the head of his foremost men, formed in column of fours, and went headlong into the enemy with sabers and pistols, forcing a hand-to-hand combat. Captain Merri- I IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 33 weather at Forrest's side fell dead with a ball through the head. Forrest being surrounded by his desperate foes, slew Captain Bacon with his saber, who fell from his horse. But Forrest's men rushed to his aid, and one named Terry fell dead at the hands of Captain Davis of the Federal force. Forrest dashed at the Captain with such force that their horses collided and both went down. Davis was disabled and surrendered. Forrest was up and remounted instantly. But there was nothing more to do. Captain Starnes and others who composed the advance had made common cause with Forrest. All who rallied around Bacon and Davis for this desperate struggle with Forrest and his men had been killed, wounded or captured. And here the conflict ended. The Confed- erates had three men wounded. The struggle had not lasted over fifteen minutes. Though an insignificant affair it was regarded at the time as the most sensational and romantic fight of the war, and the daring and intrepidity of Forrest in this, his first battle, brought himi instant fame. Early in January, 1862, Gen. George B. Crittenden suc- ceeded Gen. Felix Zollicoffer in command of the little army on the Upper Cumberland encamped at Mill Spring. Gen. George H. Thomas advanced his coltimn from Le- banon and through Columbia to a point within ten miles of Crittenden. Crittenden moved forward and attacked. A desperate engagement ensued, which finally resulted in the defeat of Crittenden, who retreated to his entrenched camp at Mill Spring. But upon the approach of Thomas with a superior force the Confederates evacuated their position and their retreat became a rout. General Zollicoffer was among the killed. The Confederate command was practically scat- tered for the time being, leaving the Federals in possession of that part of Kentucky. During this period General Alcorn was relieved and was succeeded at Hopkinsville by Gen. Charles Clark of Missis- sippi. General Sherman had been relieved of his command in Kentucky and succeeded by Gen. Don Carlos Buell. 34 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS The other operations in this section during- the past three months had not been of great importance excepting the battle of Belmont, Missouri, on the Mississippi River. Brig.- Gen. U. S. Grant, in command at Cairo, Illinois, had con- veyed his forces on steamboats down the river and disem- barked on the Missouri side several miles above Columbus, Kentucky. He then moved down to make a demonstration against the Confederate position across the river, but Maj.- Gen. Leonidas Polk managed to get his forces ferried over and attacked Grant at Belmont. After a spirited battle Grant retreated to his boats and returned to Cairo. CHAPTER III Battle and surrender of Fort Donelson — Grant absent during the battle — Forrest refuses to surrender and escapes and is followed by over half his regiment. We were surprised by the announcement that General Grant in command of an expedition up the Tennessee River had surrounded and captured Gen. Lloyd Tilghman and one hundred men at Fort Henry on the 6th of February, 1862. The only comfort we got out of the disaster was the escape of the greater part of the garrison. We realized that the Federal army was seventy-five miles in our rear. The fall of Fort Henry opened the way for the Federals up the river to Mississippi and Alabama. The next morning early we marched through Hopkinsville and out the turnpike leading to Clarksville, Tennessee. The company was disbanded to go in squads through the country to find accommodations and report next morning at Clarksville. We Itf^ed at Clarks- ville that a Confederate army was assembl!^ at Dover to defend Fort Donelson, which was located two miles below the town on the Cumberland River. We arrived at the ferry landing opposite Dover about an hour before night. It w^as after dark when we got across and went into camp with Forrest. Colonel Forrest went out the Fort Henry road the next afternoon to reconnoiter. After going about three miles we were marching through a short lane, when a single shot was fired. The head of the command pushed forward and the order was passed back down the line to form fours and close up ranks. The regiment rode in a gallop for half a mile or more. The whole command in front seemed to be breaking ranks in some confusion and when we got up it was found 36 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS that a Federal cavalryman had been captured by Wm. Davis, of our company, and he too had fired the first shot, being- at the head of the advance guard when it met the Federal scouts. We went out again the next morning on the Fort Henry road and had gone about a mile when there were several shots at the head of the column and a halt. Colonel Forrest hurried from the right along the front of the line, and as he halted at our company on the left and was talking to Captain Huey, Major Kelly galloped up and reported something to Forrest. I was designated to take six men and go forward. Forrest directed me to deploy the men fifty yards apart, going in the center myself along the road, with three men off in the woods on each side, and when we came upon the enemy to fire and fall back after observing closely all the troops in sight. We proceeded for half a mile without seeing or hearing of the enemy, when we were called back. Forrest seemed very busy along the line, and in a few minutes dismounted a part of it. He then galloped to Captain Huey and ordered him to follow with his company. We filed around to the right through the woods and went a hundred yards, halting and forming a line fronting a little hill. Forrest went back to the regiment but returned present- ly with M^BKelly and two companions. They hurried by, passing in t^Trear of our line, halting about a hundred yards to our right on higher ground, and began to form in line. Forrest then came back, ordered Captain Huey to take the hill in front of us, and galloped on to the other part of the regiment he had left in the original position. Captain Huey had about got ready, when suddenly a vol- ley was poured from the hill, about seventy-five yards dis- tant, into our ranks. I heard something strike with a dull spat on my left. Tiller Younger was next to me, and said he was shot through the left arm. When I turned and looked up, I saw that the whole company had given way in some confusion. I called to the men to come up in line and they rallied quick as a flash, every man to his place. The con- fusion had all been caused by the frightened horses. Captain IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 37 Huey had just got the Hne dressed, when Major Kelly' charged the hill with his two companies and went within fifty yards of the Federals, who fired two volleys into his ranks and then opened on him with a piece of artillery, when he fell back in disorder, but quickly rallied and maintained his position. His charge saved our company from the same experience. A number of his men were wounded and sev- eral horses killed. Before our company did anything For- rest withdrew the whole command, which marched back with- in our lines. The Federals brought several pieces of artillery in sight, half a mile from our trenches, and began to throw shells into our works. It was a straggling fire, however, and met with no response from our artillery. But the booming of the enemy's cannon served to rouse all our forces. It was now settled that Grant's army was arriving and taking position in our front. Next morning, the 13th, we expected a battle in earnest. The enemy opened with ar- tillery early and continued a desultory cannonade. Several feeble attempts were made by infantry on our works, and one by at least a brigade, which was repulsed after renewed assaults, with considerable loss to the enem^^nd some in our trenches. ^W On the 14th the armies remained quiet. The enemy's fleet of gunboats, however, attacked the Fort in the afternoon, but was badly crippled and retired down the river. It appears that General Grant left his army about daylight on the 15th to visit Commander Foote (who was wounded and desired a conference) on his gunboat about seven miles below and did not return until about three o'clock in the afternoon. Meanwhile, Gen. Gideon S. Pillow moved our army out of our works from the right center all round on the left and attacked Grant's right wing. Captain Huey's company was detailed as an escort for Gen. John B. Floyd, who was in chief command, but we viewed the battle from a safe position. It was an exciting scene to witness the contest for hours not more than half a mile away. 38 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS About two o'clock in the afternoon the enemy retreated toward the Tennessee River, according to our information on the field, and our army returned to the trenches. Late in the afternoon the enemy, by an assault with a division, gained a foothold on Fort Donelson hill, but was checked and partially dislodged by General Buckner. Colonel For- rest and all the cavalry except Captain Huey's company had been in the thickest of the battle. General Grant says : After these mishaps to the fleet I concluded to make the investment of Fort Donelson as perfect as possible, and partially fortify, and await repairs to the gunboats. On the morning of the 15th, before it was yet broad day, a messenger from Flag-officer Foote handed me a note, expressing a desire to see me on the flag-ship, and saying that he had been injured the day before so much that he could not come himself to me. I at once made my preparations for starting. When I reached the fleet I found the flag-ship was anchored out in the stream. A small boat, however, awaited my arrival and I was soon on board with the flag-officer. I saw the absolute necessity of his gunboats going into hos- pital and did i^^now but I should be forced to the alternative of going thr<]|Hra siege. But the enemy relieved me from this necessity. When I left the National line to visit Flag-officer Foote I had no idea that there would be an engagement on land unless I brought it on myself. From the 12th to the 14th we had but 15,000 men of all arms and no gunboats. Now we had been reinforced by a fleet of six naval vessels, a large division of troops under Gen. L. Wallace, and 2,500 men brought over from Fort Henry belonging to the division of C. F. Smith. The enemy, however, had taken the initiative. Just as I landed I met Captain Hillyer, of my staff, white with fear, not for his personal safety, but for the safety of the National troops. He said the enemy had come out of his lines in full force and attacked and scattered McClernand's division, which was in full retreat. The attack had been made on the National right. I was some four or five miles north of our left. The line was about three miles long. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 39 The enemy had come out in full force to cut his way out and make his escape. McCIernand's division had to bear the brunt of the attack of this combined force. The division broke and a portion fled, but most of the men, as they were not pursued, only fell back out of the range of the fire of the enemy. At all events, the enemy fell back within his entrenchments and was there when I got on the field. I saw men standing in knots talking in the most excited manner. No officer seemed to be giving any directions. The soldiers had their muskets, but no ammunition, while there were tons of it close at hand. I was awakened in the night by confusion in our tent and horses tramping the frozen snow outside. I was told that Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner were going to surrender the army at sunrise next morning. It was said that Forrest was sent for and told that an overwhelming force had been extended on the line from the river above Dover, around to Hickman Creek, below Fort Donelson, and no alternative remained but a surrender. Forrest notified them that he would take his men and cut through Grant's lines. He had notified all the captains of the companies that every member of the regiment could remain and surrender or follow him and take the chances of escape. When I got outside and saddled my horse all were gone. > I rode in the dark to find the company. There was so much talking and calling in all directions, I wandered around for several minutes before I could locate it. I hurried on and heard the voice of Captain Huey, but before I got to him I observed a column of cavalry approaching, and rode to see where it was going". Forrest was at the head. I asked him if it was true that he was going out. *T am going to try," he said. "When will you start. Colonel ?" I asked. "I am going now," he answered. I hurried to find the company, I met several and told them I was going with Forrest. I found the company breaking ranks in confusion. Forrest's column had passed on. It was a little cloudy and so dark we must get with him then or get left. I got Isaac M. Bowers, who said he roused me as he left the tent. We caught up with Forrest at once. 40 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS After we had gone about a mile there was a halt. An order was whispered along down the line that there must be absolute quiet and to close up ranks. We rested here a little while and again moved forward slowly. No lights were in view anywhere in the direction of the enemy and yet I judged we must be nearing their line, from the distance we had come, and besides we seemed to be moving very cautiously. Presently there was a strange noise toward the head of the column. It could soon be understood that the horses in front were in water, and it was not long till we came to it. It was in woods and dark as pitch, but in we went, following the noise ahead of us. The deepest place I struck was about half way up my saddle skirts. When we reached the other side the command was going forward in a trot and we closed up promptly. Day was just breaking. I observed Major Kelly and a citizen on the roadside after we came out of the water, at a little distance on the right. They had halted at the intersection of the road from Cumberland City to Dover. There were only forty-two of our company, including Captain Huey, that had followed Forrest. Forrest had only about half of his regiment. Colonel Forrest tells the true story of the battle and his opinion of the surrender was the opinion of the soldiers. He says in his official report : During the night I was called into council with the generals commanding, when it was determined to bring on the attack the next day by again passing our entrenchments and attacking the enemy's right. In the early gray of the morning I moved to the attack, the cavalry on the left and in the advance. I found the enemy prepared to receive us, and were again engaged with the sharp- shooters till our infantry were formed for the attack, the first gun from the enemy killing a horse in my regiment. General B. R. Johnson, commanding the left, which now moved to the front. An obstinate fight of two hours ended in the retreat of the enemy. The undergrowth was so thick I could scarcely press my horse through it. Finding that the flank of the enemy IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 41 in retreat was exposed across an open field to my front and left, I immediately led my cavalry to the field, but found the ground a marsh, and we were unable to pass it. The enemy formed in the edge of a second field to our front and right, and flanking the left of our advancing line of infantry. We could not move to flank them, but by maneuvering to their front and right doubtless prevented their attempting a flank movement on our infantry. Finding that our advancing line of infantry would cut them off, while the cavalry prevented their flanking us, they commenced a retreat, accompanied by their cavalry, which we could now see in the distance, but not par- ticipating during the day in the fight. Our infantry had now driven them near a mile, they doggedly disputing the whole ground, leaving dead and wounded scattered through the woods and fields up to the ravine. The enemy, leaving their third position for the first time, retreated in great haste, advancing by a road through a ravine. I here passed our line of infantry with my command moving in the center. I charged the enemy's battery of six guns, which had kept several of our regiments in check for several hours, killing and slaughtering a great many of our men. I captured the battery, killing most of the men and horses. I then immediately moved on the flank of the enemy, obstinately maintaining their position. They finally gave way, our infantry and cavalry both charging them at the same time, committing great slaughter. Moving still farther to our right, I found a regiment of our infantry in confusion, which I relieved by charging the enemy to their front. Here sixty-four of the enemy were found in forty yards square. General Pillow, coming up, ordered me to charge the enemy in a ravine. I charged by squadrons, filing the first company of each squadron to the right, and the second to the left, on reach- ing the ravine, firing and falling in the rear of the third squad- ron until the three squadrons had charged. We here completely routed the enemy, leaving some two hundred dead in the hol- low, accomplishing what three different regiments had failed to do. Seeing the enemy's battery to our right about to turn on us, I now ordered a charge on this battery, from which we drove the enemy, capturing two guns. Following down the ravine, captured the third, which they were endeavoring to carry off, gunners and drivers retreating up the hill. In this charge I killed about fifty sharpshooters, who were supporting the guns. I ordered forward a number of scouts, who, returning, informed me that the enemy, with three guns and three regiments of infantry, were moving up by the road from Fort Henry, We 42 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS had driven the enemy back without a reverse from the left of our entrenchments in the center, having opened three different roads by which we might have retired if the generals had, as was deemed best in the council the night before, ordered the retreat of the army. Informing General Pillow of the position the enemy had taken, he ordered two new regiments and one of the regiments in the field, with one piece of artillery, to attack the enemy. The fight here ended about 2.30 p. m. without any change in our relative positions. We were employed the remainder of the evening in gathering up arms, and assisting in getting off the wounded. I was three times over the battlefield, and late in the evening was two miles up the river on the road to the ford. There were none of the enemy in sight when dark came on. SATURDAY NIGHT OUR TROOPS SLEPT, FLUSHED WITH VICTORY, AND CONFIDENT THEY COULD DRIVE THE ENEMY TO THE TENNESSEE RIVER THE NEXT MORNING. About 12 o'clock at night I was called in council with the gen- erals, who had under discussion the surrender of the fort. They reported that the enemy had received 11,000 reinforcements since the fight. They supposed the enemy had returned to the positions they had occupied the day before. I returned to my quarters and sent out two men, who, going by a road up the bank of the river, returned without seeing any of the enemy, only fires, which I believed to he the old camp- fires, and so stated to the generals; the wind, being very high, had fanned them into a blaze. When I returned General Buckner stated he could not hold his position. Generals Floyd and Pillow gave up the responsi- bility of the command to him, and I told them that I neither could nor would surrender my command. General Pillow then said I could cut my way out if I chose to do so, and he and General Floyd agreed to come out with me. I got my com- mand 'ready and reported at headquarters. General Floyd informed me that General Pillow had left, and that he would go by boat. I moved out by the road we had gone out the morning before. When about a mile out crossed a deep slough from the river, saddle-skirt deep, and filed into the sand road to Cumberland Iron Works. I ordered Major Kelly and Adjutant Schuyler to remain at the point where we entered this road with one company, where the enemy's cavalry would attack if they attempted to follow us. They remained until day was dawning. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 43 Over 500 cavalry had passed, a company of artillery horses had followed, and a number of men from different regiments, passing over hard frozen ground. More than two hours had been occupied in passing. Not a gun had been fired at us. No enemy had been seen or heard. The enemy could not have reinvested their former position without traveling a considerable distance and camped upon the dead and dying, as there had been great slaughter upon that portion of the field, and I am clearly of the opinion that two- thirds of our army could have marched out without loss, and that, had we continued the fight the next day, we should have gained a glorious victory, as our troops were in fine spirits, believing we had whipped them, and the roads through which we came were open as late as 8 o'clock Sunday morning, as many of my men, who came out afterwards, report. ******* N. B. Forrest, Colonel, Commanding Forrest's Regiment of Cavalry. CHAPTER IV Evacuation of Tennessee by Confederates — Battle of Shiloh — Campaign in Virginia — Buell in North Alabama — Bragg at Chattanooga — Forrest and Morgan in Buell's rear — Bragg and Kirby Smith invade Kentucky. At Nashville there v^as confusion and demoralization. Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston was here and his army was arriving from Bowling Green. The soldiers were indignant and somewhat disheartened on account of the ridiculous sur- render of the sleeping army at Fort Donelson. Forrest and the 500 who followed him, to cut through Grant's lines if necessary, were the heroes of the hour. Everybody wanted to see Forrest. I saw Floyd and Pillow here and they looked ''pretty cheap." The next morning Captain Huey moved our company out the Murfreesboro pike a few miles. The roll call showed 42 present. Our lieutenants had been left at Fort Donelson and Captain Huey held an election. I was elected first lieu- tenant. The company being without baggage and camping utensils was disbanded to secure accommodations and report at Hunts ville, Alabama, on the 25th. At Huntsville we met Captain Huey, and going down the valley were attached permanently to the First Kentucky Cavalry. Col. Ben Hardin Helm and Lieut-Col. Thomas G. Woodward were the commanders. Col. Helm's wife was a sister of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. The regiment was encamped near Tuscumbia, guarding the railroad bridge at Florence and watching the advance of Buell from Nashville. Meanwhile, the army of General Johnston had concentrated at Corinth, confronting General Grant's main body of troops at Pittsburg Landing. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 45 There was great excitement in the regiment when the news was received that Johnston's army had started from Corinth to attack Grant. By going to the water's edge at Tuscumbia Landing, not far from camp, we could distinctly hear the cannonade during the battle, which was sixty miles distant by the river. The news of the victory of our army the first day caused great rejoicing throughout the regiment, and an eagerness to go to the field. But it looked as if we were fated to disappointment in our anxiety for actual ex- perience in battle. The result of the second day's conflict and the retreat of Beauregard, together with the death of Gen- eral Johnston, were dispiriting, and yet we felt that our army got the best of the battle and was safe. Buell had arrived with thirty thousand troops after the close of the first day's engagement and saved Grant's army. The army of General Beauregard finally abandoned Corinth, and was recuperated and reorganized just south of Tupelo, Mississippi, where it remained until June. In the mean time, Colonel Helm had the Florence bridge burned and broke camp, marching down the valley to Buzzard Roost. All the regiment left with Helm except Captain Huey's com- pany. It was detailed for outpost duty below Tuscumbia, the enemy being at Decatur. Finally, in May, Brig.-Gen. John Adams came up the val- ley with a regiment of Texas Rangers commanded by Col. John A. Wharton, and with the First Kentucky Cavalry just in the rear. He crossed the Tennessee River at Lamb's Ferry, and proceeding across the country attacked a garrison stationed at Hughey's Bridge on the Nashville and Deca- tur Railroad. Here Huey's company had its first fight. The enemy was barricaded in a large log barn or stable, near the bridge, which was inclosed by a rail fence with stakes and riders. The command dismounted and sur^ rounded the enemy. This was a bloody fight for more than an hour. Finally we charged the barn on three sides. As I straddled the top rail of the fence going over, Ida Younger, at my side, was shot in the forehead and fell outside, 46 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS dead. At this moment the First Kentucky arrived at full speed, and Captain Noel at the head of his company, mounted, came through the gate. They at once received the enemy's fire and Captain Noel was among the killed. The garrison now surrendered when we were within a few steps of the barn. Adams returned now to the Tennessee River, but found the way blocked by the enemy's infantry and artillery. He then turned and ran the gauntlet of the garrisons and went into camp at the foot of the mountains beyond Decherd. But the second day the enemy approached in pursuit. We made an all-night ride across the mountains to Swedens Cove, but to our surprise at about lo o'clock in the forenoon we discovered that we were nearly surrounded. Adams and his staff were cut off, but escaped by a mountain path. The command was stampeded for several miles and then leisurely proceeded across the Sequatchie Valley ten miles, and continuing across the mountain arrived before morning at Chattanooga. It occurred to Captain Huey's company that we now had some actual experience in the war. We had been in a hot fight at close range; we had been marched without sleep to the* point of starvation, and had been surprised and stampeded, disgracefully, and all this within five days' time. But we were not discouraged. We enjoyed everything that happened. Our encampment above Chattanooga, a few miles, was comfortable and prolonged, but without noteworthy inci- dent. We had nothing to do but think of the war. It was a bitter memory to recall the action of the generals in command at Fort Donelson and the death of Albert Sidney Johnston. And all the news from Middle Tennessee and Kentucky was distressing. But having communication with Knoxville and Atlanta we were still rejoicing over the news from Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 47 Since this campaign of Jackson is omitted (along with the first and second battles of Manassas) from the "sum- mary" of the battles of the war by General Buell which is quoted in Chapter 49, it may be pardonable to sketch it here. The operations of the armies in Virginia under Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee and Joseph E. Johnston had been active and had defeated several armies since the first great victory of Bull Run. In March, 1862, Stonewall Jackson was near Winchester, with about 5,000 men of all arms to hold the enemy in that section. General Shields with over 8,000 men attacked Jackson a few miles south of Winchester at Kernstown. After a sanguinary battle which lasted till night, Jackson retreated up the Valley. General Ewell's division was sent to reinforce Jackson, which increased the force to about 15,000 of all arms before the first of May. At this time General Fremont on the west was concen- trating about 30,000 men at Franklin. He had advanced General Milroy with about 5,000 men to a point within forty miles of Staunton, which was Jackson's base. General Banks with 20,000 men, including the force of Shields, had established his base at Strasburg, seventy miles down the Valley from Staunton. General McDowell with about 35,000 men occupied points immediately east of the Blue Ridge, where he was in position to enter the Valley by any of the gaps and march upon Staunton or could march to the assistance of McClellan on the Chickahominy. Jackson with his 15,000 men, located at Port Republic in the early part of May, was thus confronted by three armies aggregating over 80,000 men. Johnston had con- centrated about 70,000 men in front of Richmond to contest the advance of McClellan's army of over 100,000 men. Jackson suddenly marched through a gap of the Blue Ridge, and loading his army on the cars went to Staunton. He immediately marched northwest and fell upon Milroy and Schenck, within twenty-five miles of Staunton, whom he defeated and sent flying back on Fremont at Franklin, forty 48 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS miles west. Meanwhile, Jackson had left Gen. Turner Ash- by with his cavalry to annoy the enemy in the Valley. Jack- son now fell back toward Harrisonburg in the Valley. He reached New Market within three days. He promptly moved, May 23d, upon the forces of General Banks at Front Royal, which he surprised and routed. This placed Jackson in the rear of Banks, at Strasburg, who did not wait, but began at once a retreat to Winchester. Jack- son struck his flank at Newtown, May 24th, routing the forces and capturing a large number of prisoners, 9,000 stands of arms, camp equipage, and a great quantity of provi- sions, ammunition and other army supplies. Jackson chased Banks through Winchester, where there was an en- gagement, but Banks went on and crossed the Potomac into Maryland. A Federal force of 7,000 or 8,000 were fortified at Harper's Ferry, and Jackson threatened it with assault long enough for the property captured at Winchester and Newtown to be removed to Staunton. Fremont was now marching with about 15,000 men to- ward Harrisonburg, seventy miles in Jackson's rear, on. the Valley road to Staunton. Jackson sent Gen. John D. Im- boden with Ashby's cavalry and some artillery to block the gap and hold Fremont back. It forced Fremont around to another gap, but when he got into the Valley and reached Strasburg, Jackson had just passed, and went on to Har- risonburg, closely pursued by Fremont. On May 31st John- ston moved out and attacked McClellan's advance, and the two days' battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks was fought, in which General Johnston was wounded, though achieving success. Meanwhile, the Washington authorities were in a state of terror, and General Shields was sent by McDowell with a large force to the assistance of Fremont. Jackson now sent cavalry detachments, which burned all the bridges on the Shenandoah River, below Port Republic, to prevent Shields from crossing. The water was now too deep to ford. He then retreated toward Port Republic with Fremont at his heels. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 49 At Cross Keys, six miles from Harrisonburg, Jackson turned suddenly and gave battle, defeating Fremont, who retreated. Jackson left Ewell here, on the battlefield, with a force to confront Fremont if he returned. Gen. Turner Ashby was killed in this battle, June 8th. Jackson summoned Imboden with his force of artillery and cavalry to Port Re- public and marched his force to that place. The enemy, from McDowell's army, had approached from the east and was encamped near the town on the Lewis farm. Early next morning Jackson met them at the bridge and drove the advance back to the encampment. The battle was at once opened and resulted in a victory for Jackson. The routed enemy was pursued beyond the defile in the mountain by forces under General Imboden. Fremont had heard the noise of the battle and hurried forward from Harrison- burg, but Ewell falling back had rejoined Jackson and burned the bridge over the river behind him. When Fremont arrived on the other side the victory had already been won by Jackson and the; river could not be crossed. The battle of Port Republic was fought on the 9th of June. Thus, beginning with Milroy on the 8th of May, Jackson had within one month defeated and scattered all the forces sent against him. Fremont did not advance, and Jackson, on June 17th, leaving Generals Imboden and Robertson with a small force and a battery, passed from the Valley with his troops, and marching steadily he reached Ashland on the 25th. On the next morning, June 26th, General Lee's army, with Jackson's troops composing his left wing, moved against McClellan and opened the Seven Days' battles, re- sulting in the discomfiture and retreat of McClellan's army to Harrison's Landing on the James River. Meanwhile, just before these engagements began. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, the peer of Forrest and Morgan, with his division of cavalry, had passed around the right flank of McClellan and scattered everything in his path until he made the complete circuit of McClellan's army, crossing the Chickahominy below and 50 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS reaching Lee's army in safety. It was upon the strength of Stuart's observations that Lee decided to attack im- mediately. There was little occurring in Mississippi, though we un- derstood our army was being reorganized and strengthened under Gen. Braxton Bragg. The information was received that General Buell was advancing from Corinth up the Tennessee River in June. And to our relief the troops from Mississippi began to arrive by railroad at Chattanooga, and in fact an army was formed here under General Bragg. I was sent across the river with fifteen men to establish a picket post at Suck Creek, five miles from Chattanooga. There was just room here for the big road between the river and the foot of the mountain. Just a little distance beyond the creek the road ascended the mountain. It was twenty miles across to the Sequatchie Valley, where Buell's ad- vance was now reported. Soon after I located at Suck Creek to send scouts daily across the mountain, Colonel For- rest arrived at Chattanooga with his escort company under Captain Bill Forrest. He at once organized a brigade com- posed as follows: Colonel Wharton's Texas Rangers, Colonel Woodward's First Kentucky, a Georgia regiment under Colonel Lawton, and a Georgia battalion under Colonel Morrison. About the loth of July General Bragg sent Forrest to Middle Tennessee to attack Buell's line of communications. At McMinnville Major Smith, with two companies under Captains Taylor and Waltham, joined Forrest, and his force now numbered fifteen hundred men. On the 12th, without artillery, Forrest marched from McMinnville, and at day- break on the 13th he captured the outposts without firing a gun and entered Murfreesboro. A superior force under Gen. T. T. Crittenden was assailed in detail and captured, Crittenden being taken at a hotel. The official report says Forrest captured *'two brigadier-generals, staff and field officers ; burned $200,000 worth of stores ; captured sufficient IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 5l Stores with those burned to amount to $500,000 ; 60 wagons, 300 mules, 150 to 200 horses, and a field battery of four pieces." He then returned to McMinnville on account of the large number of prisoners to be guarded. About the same time Col. John H. Morgan, who now had a regiment, left Knoxville and crossed the mountains to Sparta, then crossed the Cumberland River and began at Tompkins vi lie, Kentucky, to capture garrisons. He rode all over central Kentucky, reaching within sixty miles of Ohio. He drew after him in pursuit 8,000 to 10,000 of the enemy's cavalry gathered from all parts of Kentucky. In his official report Colonel Morgan says: I left Knoxville on the 4th day of this month (July) with about nine hundred men and returned to Livingston (Tenn.) on the 28th with nearly twelve hundred, having been absent just twenty-four days, during which time I have traveled over a thousand miles, captured seventeen towns, destroyed all the government supplies and arms in them, dispersed about fifteen hundred home guards, and paroled nearly twelve hundred regular troops. I lost in killed, wounded, and missing of the number that I carried into Kentucky about ninety. It is important to observe the effect of the operations of Forrest and Morgan upon the situation of Buell's army. It is well stated by General Buell himself as follows : Headquarters, Army of the Ohio. In Camp, Huntsville, Ala., July 21st, 1862. General Orders, No. 32 : On the 13th inst. the army at Murfreesboro, under command of Brig.-Gen. T. T. Crittenden, late colonel of the Sixth Indiana Regiment, * * * was captured at that place by a force of the enemy's cavalry variously estimated from 1,800 to 3,500. It appears from the best information that can be obtained, that Brig.-Gen. Crittenden and Colonel Duffield, of the Ninth Mich- igan, with the six companies of that regiment and all of the cavalry, were surprised and captured early in the morning in the houses and streets of the town, or in their camp near by, with but slight resistance and without any timely warning of the presence of the enemy. The rest of the force, consisting 52 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS of the Third Minnesota and the artillery under Colonel Lester, left its camp and took another position, which it maintained with but few casualties against the feeble attacks of the enemy until about three o'clock, when it was surrendered and marched into captivity. Take it in all its features, few more disgraceful examples of neglect of duty and lack of good conduct can be found in the history of wars. It fully merits the extreme penalty which the law provides for such misconduct. The force was more than sufficient to repel the attack effectually. The mortification which the army will feel at the result is poorly compensated by the exertion made by some — perhaps many — of the officers to retrieve the disgrace of the surprise. The action fit to be adopted with reference to those who are blamable, especially the officers highest in command, cannot be determined without further investigation. }|: ^ ^ :{: ^ ^ ^ James B. Fry, Colonel and Chief of Staff. By command of Maj.-Gen. Buell. General Buell says further: The road from Nashville to Stevenson was completed on the 1 2th of July, and a train was started the next morning with supplies for the depot at Stevenson. My attention had been attracted to the importance of McMinnville as an outpost. It was at the foot of the mountain on the direct mountain road between Nashville and Chattanooga, and was the terminus of a branch railroad, twenty miles east of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. I had just organized a new brigade at Murfreesboro to occupy McMinnville. On the morning of the 13th, Forrest, with a large body of cavalry, surprised the brigade, killed and wounded some and captured the rest, dam- aged the railroad seriously, and produced alarm in Nashville where the force was not large. This was the first appearance of any large body of the enemy in our rear south of the Cumberland, though Morgan was at the same time engaged in a formidable raid in Kentucky. Nel- son was immediately ordered to occupy Murfreesboro and Mc- Minnville with his division, himself and one brigade going by railroad. He had just reached Murfreesboro with a portion IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 53 of his troops when Forrest, on the i8th, appeared again on the railroad between him and Nashville, captured guards, and destroyed two more bridges. 3)C 3|C 3fC ^ ^ 3|C 3fC Our communications south of the Cumberland had been made secure by the distribution of the troops, but to the north the depredations were prosecuted with increased vigor. Our cav- alry was totally insufficient to cope with these incursions, which, it must be said, were seldom resisted by the infantry guards with vigilance and resolution. On the loth of August, Morgan again appeared on the railroad north of Nashville, captured the guard of about 150 men at Gallatin, effectually disabled the tun- nel north of that place, and destroyed several bridges toward Nashville. Our communication with Louisville, on which we were dependent for supplies, was thus, for the present, effectu- ally severed. Work was immediately commenced to repair the damage, but the constantly recurring presence of the enemy's cavalry interfered so effectually as to require a large increase of force from the front or the rear for the defense. On the 1 8th a guard of a regiment belonging to Grant's com- mand was captured without a show of resistance at Clarksville,* where a considerable quantity of supplies had been deposited for transshipment in consequence of suspension of navigation by low water in the Cumberland. Upon hearing of Morgan's appearance again on the Cumber- land, north of Nashville, General R. W. Johnson, a spirited cavalry officer, under whose command I had assembled all the cavalry that was available, moved promptly in pursuit, and with his inferior force attacked Morgan vigorously near Hartsville. Johnson was defeated with a loss of 80 killed and wounded and 75 prisoners, himself among the latter. The rest escaped and made their way as stragglers or in small bodies to Nashville. We were now reduced to ten days' rations. Our railroad com- munication north of Nashville had been broken for twenty days, and no effort was being made at Louisville to reopen it. The last week in August Major Clare, of General Hardee's staff, came over from Chattanooga to my post. He directed me to break up camp and accompany him across the moun- tain to find out if Buell's army was still at Battle Creek and ♦Captured by Col. Adam R. Johnson. 54 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS Jasper. We reached the Sequatchie Valley about sunset and learned positively that no change had occurred in the posi- tion of the enemy. Major Clare left me here with Rolla Humphrey to remain another day, while he returned with the rest of my men. I secured all the information possible the next day, and starting about dark across the mountain, reached Chatta- nooga at sunrise. Here to my surprise I found that Bragg's army, about 28,000 troops, had crossed the river and marched over the Walden Ridge toward Nashville, and that Kirby Smith had already entered Kentucky from Knoxville with about 20,000 men. Bragg had finished crossing on the 30th. I at once started on the trail of Bragg's army. I was joined by Dr. J. B. Cowan, medical director on Forrest's staff. He had been left in Mississippi. We traveled to- gether to Burkesville, Kentucky, where he stopped to go another route. I found the army at Bardstown and rejoined my company. Captain Huey had not lost a man on the expedition. Bragg had taken Forrest's brigade and Wheeler was now in command of all the cavalry. CHAPTER V Battle of Perryville — Bragg and Smith evacuate Kentucky. General Wheeler had guarded the front during the ex- pedition and now reported the advance of Buell's army from Louisville. On the 2d of October the army began to move and marched on the Springfield pike at an early hour in the morning. We passed through Springfield and on to Perryville, where we camped. After some delay here next day we took the pike to Harrodsburg and went into camp just beyond in a large woodland along a small creek. We were now going directly toward Lexington from Perryville and the army was happy. It was rumored in camp that Bragg and Kirby Smith would unite their forces and a great battle would follow. I moved around among the infantry awhile to talk with some of those who had fought at Shiloh. I happened upon a mess composed of several officers and privates from Louisiana. Maj. J. E. Austin was in the party. He told me he commanded the 14th Louisiana battalion of sharpshooters. The interview was cut short, however. An order came to get ready to march. It was then 10 o'clock at night. I hurried back to my own company. We passed through Harrodsburg about 12 or i o'clock, and to my surprise were in sight of Perryville again by sun- up. We halted and our company dismounted and rested on the roadside while eating a lunch and napping. I learned that our cavalry, under Colonel Wheeler, had been fighting the enemy beyond Perryville on the Springfield road in the afternoon before. And this morning there was more or less firing in that direction. It was obvious that our infantry 56 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS was being formed over on the right of the pike in line of battle. The artillery was also leaving the pike on that side. Captain Huey came up the pike from the direction of Perry- ville and notified the company that we had been detailed as an escort for Gen. Patton Anderson, who was command- ing a division, and that a battle was imminent. There was disgust in the company over the arrangement. I went to Captain Huey and told him that I wanted to go and get with Major Austin's sharpshooters and go into the battle. He objected until I insisted that I did not want it said that I had been in the army a year without having fought in a battle. I reminded him that our one year ex- pired in two weeks. I dropped in the rear as the company moved off toward Perryville. I then worked along, through different commands, inquiring for the headquarters of Gen. Dan W. Adams. When I found him he pointed out the locality where I would find Major Austin. The Major was delighted to see me. I told him the circumstances that caused me to come to him. I proposed that he ride my horse and let me go as a sharpshooter. He promptly in- stalled me in his mess. I was furnished with the rifle and ammunition of one of his men who was too ill for duty. About noon General Adams sent for Major Austin. On his return the battalion was ordered under arms and in line. I surveyed the surrounding commands and saw there was a general formation. I could not see any of the enemy in sight, and a sharp firing to the left was the only indication that any was near. The battalion was soon ready and Major Austin mounted my horse and marched forward two or three hundred yards through a timbered pasture in which there was considerable brush and a good many stumps. We were then halted. I also observed other battalions or parts of regiments were going forward like ours. We were de- ployed about twenty yards apart so that our line covered the front of General Adams's brigade. Major Austin ordered the line forward. In a few minutes the enemy's cannon opened up and was soon firing all along the line. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 57 We were now getting close enough to see that the Fed- eral line extended away to the right with a gap to the left. When we were within about four hundred yards of their line of battle, the enemy's sharpshooters opened fire on us from behind trees and stumps, and all along the front of their line, which was a long distance in both directions, but we moved on as though nothing had happened. The sharpshooters of the enemy continued their fire while we were halted, but our line was close behind us now, and suddenly the brass bands broke loose and filled the woods full of music, the troops began to cheer and the enemy's artillery began to roar. Major Austin ordered our line to move and with a yell we went forward. The sharp- shooters fired at us once more and then ran. We were halted to fire, and after one shot the battalion was formed in line within a hundred yards of the creek. The fight was already raging to the right and away to the left and the whole army was cheering. We then went forward. As we neared the creek the enemy's infantry line opened fire on us. Major Austin ordered us to go double-quick to a rock fence. The creek had some water in it but was easily crossed and we went to the fence under fire. A perfect storm of bullets was rained on us, or rather on the fence. Our own artillery was now pouring a continuous storm of shot and shell on the enemy's infantry line and the battle was hot from end to end. Major Austin, galloping to our left, ordered us to double-quick straight down to the left and right-face to the enemy. Then he yelled "Charge!" It was a clean spot of ground outside of the farm between the creek and the enemy. We went yelling about half way, aiming to flank the enemy at a large bam. Major Austin was right along on my horse. I did not see how he escaped. The fire in front of us and from both flanks was too hot and Major Austin ordered us back behind the rock fence. A number of our men fell in the five minutes we were out there. But in a moment General Adams, with 58 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS four regiments, crossed the creek to the left, and we were ordered to go out to the same spot again, and did, when Adams brought his Hne even with us. Meanwhile, the large barn across the orchard had been set on fire by the shells from our cannon. We went for- ward in Adams's line, all walking and firing as we went. The enemy broke on the left of the barn from us and General Adams pushed his men forward. We pressed the enemy back. Their line was still standing from the barn on to the dwelling-house, but our whole line was right up against them. Major Austin turned us to the right, in the rear of the line behind the orchard, and the enemy gave way in a disorderly retreat, as did the line down to our left. We were in a cornfield, but the cornstalks were cut and shocked. A ridge ran about the middle, parallel with the creek or front. There was about the same slope from the crest of the ridge to the rear as to the creek. We got to the top of the ridge about the time the enemy got over the back fence of the field and squatted behind it. Many of them went on that the officers could not rally. We were about seventy-five yards from the fence in the open, General Adams's whole brigade being in line. We had been firing all the time at thirty to fifty yards' range, but the losses were all on their side after we passed the barn. General Adams now ordered us to lie down and shoot. He and Major Austin were riding up and down our line while we exchanged volley after volley with the enemy. But our whole army was driving the enemy to the right and left and General Adams ordered a charge. Austin rode with us bareheaded and waving his hat. He was a charmed target. The enemy gave way in disorder, going down for fifty yards and then up a hill in a clean woods pas- ture. They were in a drove now like a flock of sheep, and we could not miss such a dense crowd. The poor fellows fell like leaves from trees in the fall of the year. It seemed to me that half of them were left on the ground in that pas- ture. We were now veered to the right and helped drive a IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 59 force posted behind a fence. This ended in our favor, and as we pressed forward the right of our battalion rested on a lane. I with others went along this lane in line, but now everything in front of us seemed to be routed. Reinforce- ments came up on the other side and we ran into another fight in a skirt of woods. Here we won again, capturing a lot of cannon and some prisoners. The battle, in the mean while, was a perfect storm, the sound of musketry never ceasing and the roar of cannon rolling without a break. And the yelling was continuous along the line of our army. We had passed through camps and over the dead and dying. Loose horses were running in all directions and wounded men were crying for help. There were halts and moves forward, but not as hard or hot fight- ing, except near another house on the lane, after the first two hours, as the enemy continued to give way, leaving a waste of everything behind that a soldier carries in battle. The sun had gone down and there was a lull all along the line. Our battalion had got somewhat mixed with other men in crossing or going around lots and I got separated from the main part, but six or eight were with me. When the order came to fall back we were in rather thick woods and I could not see Major Austin anywhere. We went on back with the line, which began to straggle along. Every one was hungry and thirsty. It must have been a mile or more, over the horrible battlefield, to the creek. It was understood that the battle would be renewed the following morning. Major Austin waked me late in the night and told me we were ordered to march. We reached the Harrodsburg turnpike, a mile from Perryville, soon after daylight. There was considerable skirmishing beyond Perryville some distance toward Springfield and Danville. The formation of brigades and divisions began to indicate a battle on different ground. However, we broke ranks later in the day and resumed the march to Harrodsburg. Taking leave of Major Austin and his friends I mounted my horse and made my way along the pike to rejoin my company. 60 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS I camped along with different commands where I could get forage for my horse, and did not overtake Captain Huey's company for several days. We retreated through Lancaster, Crab Orchard, Mt. Vernon, London, Barboursville and Pine- ville. There was a pause for battle at Crab Orchard, but the retreat was continued without anything of special in- terest, moving leisurely along over the mountain at Cumber- land Gap. The troops were weary and disappointed, and there was no cheering when generals passed along the col- umn. They could not understand why Bragg and Smith with about 50,000 men had marched into Kentucky and were marching out again. CHAPTER VI Breckinridge at Murfreesboro — Forrest at Franklin — ^Johnson and Martin in western Kentucky — John W. Foster levies on citizens to reimburse Union men. We were in camp at Knoxville two days before the ar- rangement was made to muster the company of Captain Huey out of the service. There were none who wanted to reorganize and reenlist to continue the experience of the past year. All wanted to get with Morgan. Our exalted ideas in the beginning, of generals command- ing armies, had changed. The commanders at Fort Don- elson, Beauregard at Shiloh, and Bragg and Smith in Ken- tucky had taxed our patience. Forrest and Morgan had been the campaigners. Morgan had been the first man in history to raid far in the rear of the enemy's great armies and successfully defy overwhelming numbers. The infantry soldiers felt that they had never gotten the worst of a battle and could not understand how Buell with 60,000, including fresh drafted men, could frighten Bragg and Smith out of Kentucky when they had nearly 50,000 men. I agreed with both soldiers and citizens at this time, that our cause was lost, by poor generalship in the West, unless the independence of the Confederate States should be acknowledged by England and France. I started from Knoxville with Isaac M. Bowers as my companion. We had agreed to go through to our homes in western Kentucky for a new outfit, see our families, and then get with Adam Johnson's regiment or go to Morgan. We found Gen. John C. Breckinridge with a division at Murfreesboro. At Franklin we found Forrest with a bri- 62 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS gade of cavalry. At Charlotte we reached the danger line. We proceeded to the home of Mrs. Batson on Barton's Creek and got a guide to go through the "coalings" for miles, to reach Palmyra, where we crossed the Cumberland. It was necessary now to travel paths and wagon-ways to avoid the cavalry of the enemy which scouted from the county-seats. But we reached our homes in safety. Our parents lived six miles apart in Hopkins County. However, the family could not keep my return a secret, on which I depended for safety. The citizens of this whole county were divided into friends and enemies, and the feeling was bitter. Every man and woman was either "Secesh" or "Lincolnite." There had been exciting times in all this section since early spring until October. Adam R. Johnson and Robert M. Martin, two scouts, for General Floyd at Fort Donelson, and for General Breckinridge at Shiloh, came into this section and began to recruit soldiers and organize a command. Martin was a young merchant at Carlow, four miles from Dixon, the county-seat of Webster County, on the road from Dixon to Henderson. Johnson was a native of Henderson but had lived in Texas several years immediately preceding the war. When they had recruited twenty-seven men they went about boldly, and were chased by Federal cavalry from one county to another, but always managed to escape. Being hotly pressed, Johnson and Martin managed to slip across Green River above Spottsville, in Henderson County. They learned that there was a force of infantry at Newburg, Indi- ana, just above the mouth of Green River, and with their force of twenty-seven men were piloted through the wooded bottom-lands of the Ohio River on the Kentucky side to a point opposite Newburg. They mounted a piece of stove pipe two joints long on the hind part of a wagon and put it in position to fire on Newburg. The twenty-seven men were openly displayed around the artillery, moving back and forth from the open space into the woods to make the im- pression that a strong force was at hand. Johnson and IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 63 Martin, and Amphletis Owen took a skiff with an oarsman and crossed over to Newburg with a flag" of truce. The Federal garrison gathered at the wharf, when the party- landed, to see what on earth could be the matter. Johnson asked for the commander, who presented himself. They then notified him that Col. Adam R. Johnson was across the river with artillery and a large force and demanded the surrender of the garrison, otherwise he would shell and destroy the town of Newburg. A great many citizens had gathered in the crowd and were panic-stricken over the prospect. After parleying for some time the terms of sur- render were agreed to, being largely influenced by prominent citizens to save the town, and the ferry-boat was carried over to bring the men across to take charge of the arms. Meanwhile, Johnson, Martin, and Owen guarded the stack of arms and equipments of every description. The ferry soon returned with the men, and the boat'being loaded with every- thing Johnson and Martin wanted, the remainder of the spoils were destroyed. The captain and his men were paroled, when Johnson, Martin, and Owen, taking friendly leave, entered their skiff and were rowed to the Kentucky shore. They got a light wagon and before the next day had dawned were far up Green River in its wildest woods, where the surplus was secreted, and the Httle band was soon on the other side of the river, loaded with all they could carry. The fame of this exploit spread rapidly, and the restless Southern spirits were hunting everywhere for Johnson and Martin to join their command. Within a short time their force had grown to several hundred, and companies were being secretly organized in several counties to enlist with the proposed regiment. In a brief period a regiment was actually organized, with Adam R. Johnson as colonel and Robert M. Martin, lieutenant-colonel, and practically occu- pied the counties of Hopkins, Muhlenburg, McLean, Daviess, Henderson, Union, Webster, and Christian, at will, outside the county-seats, where Federal garrisons were in force too strong to capture. 64 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS During the summer Johnson and Martin attacked and captured many garrisons and scouting commands. It was their tactics to surprise the enemy and never be surprised. Colonel Johnson was awakened one night by a messenger with the news that Col. James M. Shackelford, commanding a force of Federal cavalry, had left Madisonville to attack the camp. Johnson at once mounted his command and de- parted. Colonel Shackelford reached the point early in the fore- noon and found a deserted camp. He rested here to feed his horses, and in a little while the Rebel citizens began to slip across the waters of Wiers Creek flats, to Johnson's camp on Walnut Hill, loaded with breakfast for Johnson's men. One by one they were unloaded and pointed to a spot selected for prisoners. Up to the time Shackelford was ready to move he had caught about twenty of these patriotic Southerners in his net. The next day Colonel Johnson's regiment was thirty-five miles away, beyond Morganfield, and at daybreak the follow- ing morning surrounded and captured the garrison at Union- town, on the Ohio River. Colonel Shackelford heard of this event and went in pur- suit. When he reached the locality Colonel Johnson had retired to a secluded dense woods around Geiger's Lake in Union County. Shackelford moved with his command upon the Confederate rendezvous and an engagement ensued in which Colonel Shackelford was shot in the heel. Johnson escaped with his command in good order and without loss, eluding immediate pursuit. Colonel Johnson attacked the garrison at Clarksville, Tennessee, capturing Colonel Mason and his regiment, with an immense quantity of army sup- plies stored there for shipment by railroad to General Grant at Oxford, Mississippi. With reference to this affair General Grant says : On the 22d, Col. Rodney Mason surrendered Clarksville with six companies of his regiment. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 65 When he was summoned to surrender by a band of guerrillas, his constitutional weakness came over him. He inquired the number of men the enemy had, and receiving a response indi- cating a force greater than his own he said if he could be satisfied of that fact he would surrender. Arrangements were made for him to count the guerrillas, and having satisfied him- self that the enemy had the greater force he surrendered and informed his subordinate at Donelson of the fact, advising him to do the same. The guerrillas paroled their prisoners and moved upon Donelson, but the officer in command at that point marched out to meet them and drove them away. The daring and successful operation of this force, for six months, 250 miles in the rear of Grant's army in north Mis- sissippi, and of Buell's at and east of Huntsville, Alabama, kept alive the spirits of the friends of the South and terror- ized the Union element all over this section of Kentucky between the Cumberland and Green rivers and west of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad to the Ohio River. It was the first anyhow, and perhaps the only regiment that ever boldly occupied territory far in the rear of the Federal armies. After the battle of Perryville Col. John H. Morgan swept down toward western Kentucky as far as Hopkinsville. Colonel Johnson now followed on out to Middle Tennessee after the retreat of Bragg's army from Kentucky, and attached his regiment to Morgan's forces and commanded one of the brigades on the Ohio raid in 1863. The Federals were now in undisputed possession and vis- ited retribution upon the "Secesh" citizens. Colonel John W. Foster* of Evansville, Indiana, with an Indiana regi- ment occupied Madisonville and notified all Southern sym- pathizers in the county of any standing to report at his head- quarters. These were required to pay an assessment of $100 to $500 on the spot or go to prison. My father and next younger brother, only sixteen years old, were required to go. My father was assessed $200 for himself and $100 for my ♦Resided at Washington, D. C, 1905. He was Secretary of State in President Harrison's Cabinet, having been Minister to Mexico and Russia. 66 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS brother and both required to take a non-combatant's oath. The receipt for the money recited that it was collected to re- imburse Union men who had lost horses or provisions by the depredations of guerrillas. The Union men were boldly riding around with the squads of cavalry to summon citizens to Foster's headquarters at Madisonville. This was the condition of affairs I found to exist, and I could not remain. I sent a message to Bowers. After be- ing equipped with clothing-, etc., I rode my father's best horse away to the South again. I started at sunset through the woods, reaching the house of Wm. Mills, an enthusi- astic friend, and spent the night. The next day I crossed Tradewater at White's Mill and reached Allen Baker's, where I found Bowers. We started after supper and traveled all night by our now familiar route to a point near Palmyra. We learned, however, that a garrison of Federals was now stationed at Palmyra. We were directed to the right and arrived at the house of Squire Fletcher a while before sun- down. Fletcher went with us by a blind path around Mrs. Outlaw's place to the river bank, and shouted across to a man named Murray who lived in a cabin surrounded by timber on the opposite bank. Murray came over with his skiff. We stripped our horses and put our luggage in the skiff. Then getting in we led our horses into the water by halters and pushed out, swimming our horses on the upper side. At the house of Mr. Dickson, in Charlotte, we met our old friend John B. Walker of Madisonville, Kentucky, who was a refugee. His wife and two daughters, Mary and Blanche, were with him for a brief visit. We left Charlotte the next day and stopped a while in the afternoon at Franklin. Forrest's command still occupied the same position, but he was commanding a brigade of four regiments now, and one or two smaller commands, besides a battery. And this fine brigade had been recruited since Forrest returned from Kentucky, two months before, one each by Col. James W. Starnes, Col. George G. Dibrell, and IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 67 Col. J. B. Biffle of Tennessee, and one from Alabama, by Col. A. A. Russell, which included four companies of Foi- rest's original regiment, that had been with him at Sacra- mento, Donelson, and Shiloh. We were greatly tempted to enlist here with Forrest, but concluded to go and enter the Kentucky command of Mor- gan, which we learned was now on the other side of Mur- freesboro, to which point we then proceeded. CHAPTER VII Bragg's army at Murfreesboro — Secret service for General Bragg — Purchases at Lafayette, Kentucky — Surprise, flight, and narrow escape — Battle at Murfreesboro — Discontent in the army and feeling against General Bragg — Col. R. C. Tyler wounded — Death of Tyler — Bragg and his generals. At Murfreesboro we found all the commotion incident to a great army. The army of General Bragg had been concen- trated here. Among our old acquaintances Bowers met Maj. James M. Hawkins, commissary on the staff of Maj.- Gen. Frank Cheatham. In the afternoon, when we were about ready to start in the direction of Morgan, Major Hawkins met us and I was introduced. He told Bowers he had just come from Col. Robert C. Tyler of Nashville, who was provost-general of the army, and wanted to know how it would suit us to enter the secret service for General Bragg and scout in the direction of Clarksville. After dis- cussing the question for a while we went with Hawkins to see Colonel Tyler. It was finally agreed that we would undertake the service, it being understood that we should continue to represent ourselves as discharged soldiers from Kentucky, as a matter of protection in case of capture. And to further conceal our character we should endeavor to bring out contraband goods of any kind that would be useful, and Hawkins would help us sell them at headquarters and otherwise so as to pay expenses. At this period it was almost impossible to purchase a pocket-knife, tooth-brush, comb, suspenders, handkerchief, or any of the real necessary articles used by the soldiers or people. There was no such thing as tea or coffee. Sub- stitutes for coffee were made of sweet potatoes, rye, and wheat. Colonel Tyler issued each of us a pass "B}' order IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 69 of General Bragg," attested by himself as provost-general. We were thus authorized to pass through the lines of Bragg's army at will. It was agreed that Hawkins should receive one-third of the net profits of the articles we might bring out. Our general instructions from Colonel Tyler were that we should go as near Nashville as possible, on both sides of the Cumberland River, below the city, and all important news should be reported to Forrest or the commander of the post at Franklin, who would forward our report promptly to Bragg or Tyler, except when we should have supplies to bring through. Tyler proposed to notify Forrest of our mission and gave us a note to him, that was to be then de- stroyed, so that no writings would exist on the subject that might implicate us in the event of falling into the enemy's hands. We hurried on to Franklin and had the good luck to find General Forrest in town. He was now a brigadier-general. He read the note from Tyler and tore it up. We briefly told him our business and promised to keep him posted as we passed back and forth, then hastened on through Char- lotte to Mrs. Batson's. Here we learned from reliable citi- zens that the Federal company which had been stationed at Palmyra had gone to Clarksville, which left the river without a garrison between Clarksville and Dover. Scout- ing bodies of cavalry had made several trips to this locality from Clarksville within a week, arresting a number of ref- ugees and soldiers. And another from Dover had been along Yellow Creek some eight miles away. Bowers and I went through the "coalings" to Palmyra, and finding the situation clear we concluded to go across and on to Lafayette, Kentucky, where we could perhaps find a supply of such articles as we wished to buy. We made the trip, reaching the town just after dark. It had been learned that Horace Kelly carried a large stock of goods and was a strong Union man. So we introduced ourselves as Union men, from Stewart County, Tennessee, and ten miles from Dover. He cheerfully sold us anything we wanted. We 70 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS invested $175 in silk handkerchiefs, suspenders, gents' hose, pocket-knives, pins, needles, combs, buttons, etc., each filling a two and a half bushel cotton sack. These we put across our saddles like a turn of corn was carried to mill in old times. We crossed over at Palmyra, and hurrying through the "coalings" arrived safely at Mrs. Batson's. Somewhat weary from the journey we concluded to rest a day. Misses Rebecca Abernathy and Dora Watkins were here when we arrived but soon departed. However, Mrs. Batson invited them to meet one or two others and spend the following day at her house, we agreeing and proposing to remain to meet the company. The next forenoon we were in the parlor awaiting the expected company, when Mrs. Batson appeared at the door, saying, "Yonder comes the Yankees." Bowers and I ran out into the hall and saw a company coming in a gallop up the lane in front about one hundred yards from the house. We went bareheaded out the back door and into the orchard and a little up hill across it to the woods. The distance from the back gate of the yard was near two hundred yards. When we were half way Bowers was perhaps ten steps ahead of me, as he could run the fastest. I was nearly out of breath. I heard the enemy behind, and looking back saw they were on each side of the house, throwing down the fence to get inside the orchard. When I got on the fence to go over. Bowers was out in the woods going like a deer, and the enemy shouting "Halt!" was coming at full speed not more than one hundred yards behind me now and gaining fast. The woods appeared naked and I felt that there was no escape. Just outside the fence wild weeds had grown up between it and the woods, and going through this strip six or eight steps I ducked and ran to the right about thirty feet and then crawled back to the fence, where I lay as close as possible alongside the bottom rail. The pursuers made a gap in the fence where we got over and rushed forward into the woods. They were gone a long time, and when I heard them returning it appeared they were coming IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 71 direct to my location. But they struck the fence I judged about seventy-five feet on the other side of me from the gap. There they made another gap into the orchard and went on back to the house. One or two rode along on the opposite side of the fence from me. They could hardly have seen me if they had looked down, as the rails from their view-point obstructed the cracks, while I peeped up into their faces not more than ten feet away. I could not determine whether they had Bowers or not, as part of their force went back on the outside around be- yond the negro cabins. I saw several of them go out into the stable lot, and presently they came out with our horses, saddled. After searching the house and getting our saddle- bags, but not our sacks of goods, they fell into ranks and rode off to the left toward the Clarksville road. Just as they passed the orchard they shouted, "Good-by, boys!" This indicated that Bowers also was safe. There were about forty in the company. I got up and looked all around but saw nothing of Bowers. Presently I heard his signal, a peculiar whistle, and went to him. He was in the top of a large fallen tree, where he had concealed himself under the piles of dead leaves on the ground, though several of the cavalrymen had ridden within a few feet of him. We secured horses and saddles in the neighborhood at rea- sonable prices and hurried through to Murfreesboro, and quickly disposing of our merchandise we returned to Mrs. Batson's without incident. A man named Dickerson had a somewhat run-down country store on Barton's Creek two miles distant. It was found that he had a stock of canned pine-apples, cove oysters, sardines, pepper, spice and ginger not ground ; a lot of hammers, hinges and other hardware ; a few hats and other useful articles, in the army. We bought a two-horse wagon load, with Confederate mone}^, and hired a man to haul the load to Murfreesboro for $50 in Confederate money. Bowers went to Charlotte to hear from Nashville, only thirty miles away, and learned that a battle was being fought at Murfreesboro. Some one had brought the news from 72 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS Franklin to Charlotte. He went on far enough to learn that the battle lasted two days and that Bragg was falling back. We then turned our team and went to Columbia, from where we sent our teamster home. At Columbia we found that Forrest's brigade was en- camped near by and just returned from his famous raid into West Tennessee. The Federals now occupied Franklin, Triune and Murfreesboro, while Bragg's army was located at Tullahoma, with his advance posted north of Shelbyville. We hired a team from Mr. Miles Mays and hurried forward through Farmington to Shelbyville. We secured board for a few days at the residence of Dr. Blakemore, until we could dispose of our load, which, with the aid of Major Hawkins, was readily done at a large profit. We learned that the battle of Murfreesboro was the same old story, of winning the victory and then a retreat. It was Shiloh and Perry ville over again. The spirit of the army was unbroken, but there was a universal clamor for the removal of Bragg. Major Hawkins advised us that the army would hold the line of Shelbyville and it was agreed that we should return to the "neutral zone" and endeavor to get in communica- tion with Nashville, on the other side, through citizens who might go inside the lines. We were sorry to learn from Major Hawkins that our friend Col. Robert C. Tyler, commanding his Tennessee regiment, in the battle, was seriously wounded and a leg had been amputated. It was never our pleasure to meet him again, though he recovered and was made a brigadier-gen- eral. He was killed in one of the last fights of the war at West Point, Georgia.* *"About one hundred and forty-five old war-worn soldiers were at the hospital at West Point, Ga., on the i6th of April, 1865, totally uncon- scious of General Lee's surrender on the 9th inst. General Tyler, of Tennessee, who had lost a leg at Murfreesboro, was also there sick. About a dozen of Waller's Charleston, South Carolina, battery, and fourteen of the Coupee, Louisiana, battery were also there. When the report came that Colonel Griffin, with two regiments of Wilson's Federal cavalry, a battery, and two thousand men, was marching on them, Gen- IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 73 The following authentic correspondence is given as show- ing that the discontent in the Army of Tennessee and of the citizens was recognized and definitely stated to General Bragg by the brigade and division commanders of his army. Headquarters Army of Tennessee. TuLLAHOMA, Tenn., January ii, 1863. General : Finding myself assailed in private and public, by the press, in private circles by officers and citizens, for the movement from Murfreesboro, which was resisted by me for some time after advised by my corps and division commanders, and only adopted after hearing of the enemy's reinforcements by large numbers from Kentucky, it becomes necessary for me to save my fair name, if I cannot stop the deluge of abuse which will destroy my usefulness and demoralize this army. It has come to my knowledge that many of these accusations and insinuations are from staff-officers of my generals, who persistently assert that the movement was made against the opinion and advice of their chiefs, and while the enemy was in full retreat. False or true, the soldiers have no means of judging me rightly or getting the facts, and the effect on them will be the same — a loss of confidence and a consequent demor- alization of the whole army. It is only through my generals that I can establish the facts as they exist. Unanimous as you were in council in verbally advising a retrograde movement, I can not doubt but that you will cheerfully attest the same in writing. I desire that you will consult your subordinate com- manders and be candid with me, as I have always endeavor d to prove myself with you. If I have misunderstood your advice and acted against your opinions, let me know it in justice to yourselves. If, on the contrary, I am the victim of unjust accusations, say so, and unite with me in staying the malignant slanders being propagated by men who have felt the sting of discipline. General Smith has been called to Richmond, it is supposed, with a view to supersede me. I shall retire without a regret I eral Tyler got out on his crutches and commanded all the old soldiers present, who could stand up, to fall in line of battle. He threw up some hasty breastworks, and divided the ammunition among the men, which amounted to forty-three rounds apiece. The enemy charged and were repulsed. General Tyler hobbled on his crutches along his lines, encour- aging his men to stand their ground and never surrender. He took no thought of himself. Seven of his men were killed. The enemy repeated their charge and were driven back again, and commenced firing from a 74 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS if I find I have lost the good opinion of my generals, upon whom I have ever relied as upon a foundation of rock. Your early attention is most desirable, and urgently solicited. Most respectfully, Your obedient servant, Braxton Bragg, General C. S. A. I enclose copies of a joint note, received about 2 o'clock a. m., from Major-Generals Cheatham and Withers, on the night before we retired from Murfreesboro, with Lieutenant-General Polk's indorsement and my own verbal reply to Lieutenant Richmond, General Polk's aide-de-camp. B. B. Lieut.-General Hardee, Commanding Hardee's Corps. TuLLAHOMA, Tenn., 1 2th January, 1863. General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday, in which, after informing me of the assaults to which you are subjected, you invoke a response in regard to the propriety of the recent retreat from Murfrees- boro, and request me to consult my subordinate commanders in reference to the topics to which you refer. ;fc »|c ^ ^ ^ H( ^ You also request me to consult my subordinate commanders, stating that General Smith has been called to Richmond with the view, it was supposed, to supersede you — and that you will retire without regret if you have lost the good opinion of your generals, upon whom you have ever relied as upon a foundation of rock. I have conferred with Major-General Breckinridge and Major-General Cleburne in regard to this matter, and I feel that frankness compels me to say that the general officers whose judgment you have invoked are unanimous in the opinion that a change in the command of this army is necessary. In this opinion I concur. I feel assured that this opinion is consid- erately formed, and with the highest respect for the purity of distance. First Sergeant Hearn, the only man there of the First Louisi- ana Infantry Regulars, C. S. A., who was then sick and wounded in the leg, had his arm shot off. A Minie ball struck the noble old General Tyler, who was standing a few paces in the rear of the Sergeant, and passed through the center of the forehead, killing hirn instantly. Then Captain Gonzales, of Pensacola, fell. Colonel Gillespie then took com- mand and fought with this little remnant of the Confederacy till their ammunition gave out, and the Federals, finding, there was no return to their fire, charged over the works and their brave defenders. They IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 75 your motives, your energy and your personal character; but they are convinced, as you must feel, that the peril of the country is superior to all considerations. You state that the staff officers of your generals, joining in the public and private clamor, have within your knowledge persistently asserted that the retreat was made against the opinion and advice of their chiefs. I have made inquiries of the gentlemen associated with me, and they informed me that such statements have not been made or circulated by them. I have the honor. General, to assure you of my continued respect and consideration, and to remain. Your obedient servant, W. J. Hardee, Lieutenant-General. Official. T. B. Roy, Chief of Staff. Indorsed : Letter to General Bragg. then heard for the first time, from their captors, that they were fighting after the war was over. Their loss was about twenty killed and wounded ; the enemy's about forty-five. "The Federals, on finding who they were fighting, took good care of the wounded and returned the sick to the hospital. There was not a man among them who had not borne the hardships of four years of war, and had faced death in many shapes. This was only a little skirmish ; nobody has ever thought it worth while to mention it till now, some twenty years after. This tale is told by one of the old boys." (F. L. Richardson, in Southern Bivouac, 1885.) CHAPTER VIII Situation changed in "neutral zone" — Secret negotiations with the Federal commander at Clarksville — Surprised at Mrs. Batson's — Capture and escape — Another narrow escape — Escape of Bowers from prison at Clarksville. On the way to Columbia we overtook Captain Bill Forrest, at Farmington, near Duck River, who had been north of it with his scouts, as far as Triune, He said the Federals were encamped at Nolensville on the pike to Nashville. At Co- lumbia we found that the entire command of General Forrest was encamped, with the Federal advance posted at Franklin. We found the situation somewhat changed when we arrived in the neighborhood of Charlotte. Several scouting commands from Clarksville had been scouring the country, one of them coming to Charlotte. A number of Confeder- ates, at home on furlough, were hiding in the secluded places of every neighborhood. And there were a few parties of "Partisan Rangers" organized, that had been annoying the garrison at Dover. One of them was under command of a Captain Ray, of McLean County, Kentucky, and made its rendezvous on Yellow Creek, some fifteen miles from Char- lotte. And the Confederate conscript officers had been at work in the "neutral zone." These different attractions had been receiving attention from the Federal commanders at Dover and Clarksville. In our absence Mr. Walker had been down to Mr. Rus- sell's, near Palmyra. Russell as a Union man had been twice to Clarksville and had managed to get into the confidence of the commander of the garrison and post. He thought he could arrange with him to bring a supply of articles down the river or by wagon to Palmyra, that were even contraband of war. We went to Russell's and he heartily entered into IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 77 an arrangement to bring out a lot of articles from Clarks- ville, but he wanted a partnership. We agreed to his prop- osition. We arranged with Russell to secure information for us at Clarksville. We had paid $3,000 in Confederate money for $1,000 in Tennessee good money, at Columbia, then went back to Mrs. Batson's to wait until Russell re- turned from Clarksville. Misses Abernathy and Watkins happened here again. I was playing chess with Miss Abernathy in the parlor, the rest engaged otherwise. "Yonder's the Yankees !" some one said, looking out toward the front. There they were sure enough, dismounting at the front gate about sixty feet dis- tant. Bowers stepped out in the hall, and all the others except Miss Abernathy. She was greatly distressed on my account. I quietly admonished her to keep quiet a moment. I surveyed the room. There was a large old-fashioned ma- hogany press, a fine piece of furniture, against the wall behind the door leading out into the hall. The piano, a couple of divans, and parlor chairs completed the articles of furniture in the room. I motioned Miss Abernathy to say nothing, then got down and crawled under the press, push- ing back against the wall. I then told her to leave the door open and go in the hall. The soldiers were talking at the hall door to Mr. Walker and the others by this time, and asked for Bowers and Headley. I slipped my pass from Bragg under the edge of the carpet. Mrs. Batson told the captain that we were there but that we had gone out from the parlor. They came in and searched the house from top to bottom. Some of them aggravated the ladies, who quar- reled with them all the time. Several soldiers walked to the parlor door, looked in, and seeing it was practically vacant, passed on. I heard them up-stairs going from room to room, and finally they cheered. They had found Bowers in a dark garret over the dining- room, where Mrs. Batson had put him through a small door, that connected with it, from the hall up-stairs. They had fun over Bowers when he came down. He was jolly, and 78 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS put the ladies in good humor while the soldiers were still looking for me. They got candles and went into the cellar under me and prowled around among barrels and boxes, for some time, until they were satisfied I was not in the house. Some of them went out to the negro cabins and searched there. They filled the house and hall and seemed to be a good-natured lot. They finally gave me up and the captain ordered them to mount, our horses having been brought out also. One of the soldiers straggled into the parlor, and after looking at the chess-men a moment walked to the very large mirror on the mantel and looked at himself. The mirror leaned forward at the top and I could see his face as plainly as he could see it. And in a moment he saw mine. He turned around quick and shouted, "Here he is!" The other soldiers had all started out and some were on their horses. I felt pretty cheap, but I got out before the others came in. I at once made it a good joke and got on good terms with the crowd. The ladies tried to enjoy the per- formance after we appeared so comfortable in our trouble. There were about sixty men in the command. It went from Mrs. Batson's to the Barton's Creek neighborhood, and chased and captured several others they had orders to capture. It rained during the afternoon and we all got quite cold and wet, though the soldiers wore gum coats. I was riding in the ranks with Monroe Adams, who, as I remember, was from Casey County, Kentucky. They were all Kentuckians, the garrison at Clarksville being a Kentucky regiment. I saw we were now headed for Clarksville after leaving Mrs. Batson's, and night soon came on. The rain continued and most of the men began to wish they were in Clarksville. We had twelve miles to ride and all settled down to a dreary trip. I kept my guard, Adams, cheered up for an hour or so, when he too got stupid. It was very dark and very muddy. We passed through a long lane and then entered a woods. I could not see anything but the road dimly. After going perhaps a hundred yards the idea occurred to me, and IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 79 I turned my horse into the woods and urged him forward with both feet jogging his sides. There was confusion in the ranks instantly and a gun fired. I did not hear any bul- let, but the noise frightened my horse. I suppose he thought it was in front, for he stopped suddenly and I went on over the horn of the saddle to his neck, but I got back quick and crowded him into the woods. I pushed through the bushes for fifty yards perhaps and stopped. The column of soldiers had been halted and every one was trying to find out what •was the matter. I sat on my horse and listened. The commander was some time discovering that a man had escaped, and then the trouble was to locate or identify the other prisoners. He lectured Adams severely and then re- ferring to me, said, "Let him go." He ordered all the soldiers who were guards to lead the horses of the prisoners. I calculated that they could accomplish nothing by coming into the woods. The command resumed the journey, and as the sound of their marching began to die away I came into the road and started my horse on the back track. I did not know the road, but the horse went right back to Mrs. Batson's by two o'clock that night. She and Mr. Walker insisted that I would be safe till morning, when she would give me breakfast at sunrise and I could then go to Sim Talley's, her son-in-law, and sleep all day. I had already fed my horse before I waked any one in the house. I had a change here and with dry clothes on I slept well till waked at dawn. I had my breakfast before all the family got up. As I came out of the dining-room and into the front hall to get my hat I saw about twenty-five Federal cavalry coming up the front lane at full speed not over one hundred yards from the house. I crouched close to the wall and went out the back door without saying a word to any one. It was but about twenty steps to the back yard gate into the orchard and then only a few steps farther on the right was a log hen-house. I noticed the door stood open and that there were no boards on the cracks. I knew I could not cross the orchard, and 80 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS going into the hen-house climbed up and stood on the top log over the door, my head reaching to the comb of the roof at the gable end. The soldiers were all round the yard on horseback within two or three minutes. One of them halted between the hen- house and the yard fence and sat there on his horse. I could see from his knee downward by stooping with a hand- hold above. Most of the men were searching the house. They were mad this trip and abused the family to some ex- tent for harboring rebels. But Mrs. Batson argued with the captain that we did not belong to the army. He said we must come to Clarksville and take the oath or leave this country. They searched the negro cabins and made some trouble down there trying to make the negroes tell where I was hid. They did not know. I heard one soldier say that one of the negro men coming from the house had met them in the lane and told them I was up-stairs asleep then and I must be hid on the premises somewhere. But finally the whole command mounted and rode away toward the Clarksville road. I held my position for at least three hours until a hen came off her nest and cackled, when Mrs. Batson came out there to look for eggs. I told her to put my hat and overcoat in the back yard at a certain spot. Walker had taken care of these things for me. I got down and went through the yard, taking my hat and coat quickly and ran off to the right across the front woodland. Mr. Walker arranged to board at the house of Mr. Wat- kins, which was an elegant home. And a few days after- wards I went there. He went through to Russell's and found that he had been successful in a measure. We ar- ranged with Mr. Watkins for his wagon and a negro man to drive, whom we could trust. We intended to get the load from Russell's as soon afterwards as the roads would freeze, it being too muddy then. I did not stay about the house of Mr. Watkins all the time, but found a place on the hill- side where I had a view of all the roads that approached the IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 81 dwelling through the coalings, and kept up a good camp-fire. One forenoon I observed a lone horseman coming, a quarter of a mile away. I soon recognized the familiar form of Ike Bowers. I went near the road and called him. He sat down and told me his experience. I will give it substan- tially, as I remember, he told the story : "After you ran into the woods on the road,'* he said, "I felt that I must escape too. I thought of a good many plans and finally decided, as the guard was carrying my bridle reins, that I would slip back over my saddle behind it, and holding to the saddle skirt let myself off easy behind my horse and run into the woods. In a bunch of woods I got behind the saddle all right and was ready to go in a second, when my guard said, 'Whoa, there, get back.' And then he jerked the long skirt of my overcoat. He said he had been holding it all the time as he had an idea I would try some trick of that kind. I gave it up then and bided my time. All the prisoners in the crowd were registered at head- quarters in Clarksville and then sent to prison. This was in a lawyer's office up-stairs. We entered an open stairway from the pavement and at the top on the right were two large rooms with a connecting door. *T learned that David Scott, our old friend from Madi- sonville, kept the leading hotel in town. I wrote him a note to come and see me. He came promptly and I arranged for three meals a day for myself and the other eight pris- oners. A servant came with the loaded waiter at the regular time and I fared well. The guard stood down-stairs at the entrance and one in the back of the hall up-stairs. These I observed were changed at six o'clock every evening. I decided on a plan to escape. The servant brought the sup- per at five o'clock every day. I had him to leave it yester- day evening because I was not then hungry, telling him he could take the dishes in the morning. At the same time I gave him a quarter. As soon as the sentinels were relieved at six o'clock and new men on watch I blackened my face and hands with charcoal from the fireplace and arranged my 82 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS clothes so as to look like a darky. We had already eaten the supper. I picked up the waiter and went down and out. The guard asked me where I was from. I told him I came from the hotel with supper for the prisoners up-stairs." (Bowers could imitate a darky's talk perfectly.) "I then went to the vacant market-house, where I put the waiter down and walked off. I came out of town between the roads all right, but got lost outside and wandered around in the country nearly all night, finally getting to the river only four miles from Clarksville. But I found a friend, Samuel Stewart, who put me across in a canoe fifteen miles from here. I walked to the first house, a cabin, and found the man had this white horse, which had fallen overboard and come ashore from a passing transport. I bought him for $50 in Tennessee money, with the saddle and bridle in- cluded in the bargain, but it was the enemy's property and if I had. been armed I would not have paid anything for the horse." The sudden reappearance of Bowers enabled us to pro- ceed with our affairs. We lost no time in going to Russell's with a wagon and were ready for what appeared to be our last trip to Shelbyville, as we doubted if General Bragg's army would be enabled to hold its position in Middle Tennessee. We found Mr. Russell had just been to Clarksville again, not to obtain further supplies, immediately, but with refer- ence to other matters. However, it happened that his pre- vious close relations with the commander brought the oppor- tunity for a confidential conference, which resulted in an arrangement for unexpected facilities to handle contraband articles to the South. It was agreed that a friend of Russell in Clarksville might order from Cincinnati a shipment of merchandise by steamer to Clarksville, with a permit to deliver the consignment to Russell at Palmyra, before reach- ing Clarksville. The shipment was to be marked to Clarks- ville but consigned to Palmyra in the bill of lading. We at IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 83 once departed with the wagon-load already at Palmyra, in a vacant store-room, but agreeing to secure current money and make the order without delay. At Charlotte it was determined that Mr. Walker should remain there with most of our Confederate money and en- deavor to make exchange for greenbacks or Tennessee bills. He arranged to board with a citizen named Trotter, near town, while we went on to Shelbyville as before. Forrest was still near Columbia and there seemed to be no particular change at Shelbyville when we arrived. Major Hawkins was delighted with the Clarksville arrangement, and hastily placing our load at a fair profit we left for Charlotte. It was deemed best for Bowers to push on and help Walker and Russell, while I moved leisurely with the team. We stopped the first night with Mr. Hill, at the crossing of a creek, seven miles from Columbia. We went on to Columbia, and as our wagon was delayed Bowers left me there. I called on General Forrest and told him of our arrangement through Russell and the colonel in Clarks- ville and the chance of capturing the place and then making a demonstration on the north side of the river against Nash- ville and the communications of Rosecrans. He highly appreciated the information. I told him we had reported the situation to General Bragg at Shelbyville, through Major Hawkins. CHAPTER IX Captured at Louisa Furnace — Capture of officers of Lee's army — Escape from prison and captivity in Nashville — Notes on Rosecrans's army — Departure from Nashville on a pass — Escape of other prisoners. I was two days in reaching Charlotte, and sending the team on home I went out to Mr. Trotter's. He had ex- changed $i,ooo in Tennessee bills, with Mr. Walker, for $3,000 in Confederate money. Walker and Bowers had gone to Mr. Watkins's. I went on there, arriving about dark. I found that Walker and Bowers had gone to Mr. Russell's. Here I met Will Baxter, a brother of Mrs. Wat- kins, Robert Mockbee, her nephew, and Captain Hick John- son, on furlough from Lee's army in Virginia. Johnson was the son of Hon. Cave Johnson, who was Postmaster- General in the Cabinet of President James K. Polk, and was a cousin of Baxter and Mrs. Watkins. The home of these young men was in Clarksville, but they had not considered it safe to venture beyond this point. Two sisters. Misses Bettie and Nannie Garland, had come out from Clarksville to meet their friends. We did not retire till after ten o'clock and it was only twelve o'clock when Mockbee shook me and said ths yard was full of Yankees. I asked the others what they intended to do. Captain Johnson said there was nothing to do but surrender. I then arranged with them to say they never saw me before and knew nothing about me, and that I came there after supper. They lighted a candle and began to dress. I cut a small slit in the under side of the bed-tick and pushed my pass from Bragg inside without attracting the attention of the others. They were about dressed when the Federals \ IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 85 came up. I stayed in bed perfectly unconcerned. The officers in charge questioned the others and got a straight story of their character and the reason of their presence. They were soon ready to go. The officer then asked John- son, "Who is that other man ?" Johnson answered as I had suggested. I then raised a Httle and said, "Good-evening." He spoke, asked my name, where I Hved, and what I was doing there. I told him my name was Williams, that I was from near the cotton mills on Duck River below Waverly; that the conscript officers were scouring the country to take every one to the Southern army ; that I hid out for two weeks until it looked as if I could not stay there any longer and I was now on my way to Shawneetown, Illinois, where I expected to do something until the trouble was over in my section. He looked at my clothing and was satisfied, but several others came up and joined the captain's party and one of them recognized me as the prisoner who ran out of ranks on the way to Clarksville, two weeks before. He called Monroe Adams, who was below, and who identified me without hesitation. It was another joke on me, but the captain told me if I tried to escape this time I would be killed, and he gave orders accordingly. The command had several other prisoners, and rode around the neighborhood toward Palmyra for others. We stopped at an iron furnace about three o'clock and were kept sitting there in a room until morning. At Clarksville we were registered at headquarters and sent to the same prison rooms where Bowers had been con- fined. A great number of friends came promptly to see Johnson, Baxter and Mockbee, and they were furnished every luxury in abundance. As I was taken into their mess I had no occasion to notify my friends, of whom I had several in Clarksville. The next day we were taken down to the river and on board a steamer for Nashville. A crowd of citizens gathered on the wharf as we went down, and Lafayette Wilson, a friend from Madisonville, Kentucky, recognized me, and 86 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS coming to greet me walked down to the boat. He touched me on the hand as we walked along, my guard being on the other side. I looked and he was trying to put a ten-dollar bill, of greenback money, in my hand. I thanked him in a whisper, telling him I did not need it. It was late in the afternoon when we started from Clarks- ville and it was sixty miles up the river to Nashville. I had a great many plans to escape from the boat in the night, but none seemed feasible. The best one, I thought, was to take a plank and jump overboard, but I was afraid I would freeze before I could paddle the plank ashore with my hands. When we reached Nashville the next morning we were marched to the State Capitol, where we were registered at headquarters after ten o'clock, and then marched down to the market square and sent up into the third story of the market-house building, which was used as a temporary prison. This was a three-story brick building. There were two rooms and a wide hall between on each floor. A wind- ing stair ran up in the hall with iron railing and banisters. The two rooms on the third floor were used for the pris- oners and about twenty guards were stationed in the hall. Prisoners were brought in every hour, in squads, and both rooms were crowded. Rosecrans's army was here and at Murfreesboro, and of course a few prisoners on both sides were taken every day. I learned from a guard that the pris- oners were sent North every morning at eight o'clock. I noticed a rather rude restaurant on the first floor as we were brought up. I asked the guard about it and he told me any of us could go down there under guard and buy a meal. This was good news, as the sleeping and cooking were going to be horrible in our prison rooms. I suggested to Baxter that we go down and get a hot dinner. We selected the youngest guard in the bunch, a boy about nineteen years old, to go with us. We made the guard eat with us, which he appreciated, and when we spoke of coming down for supper, he asked us to let him come with us and that arrangement was made. I IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 87 We could see from our windows that citizens and soldiers crowded the pavements and army wagons crowded the streets. And it seemed a poor prospect for making our escape even from the prison, and still worse for getting out of Nashville. I told Baxter in the afternoon we would go late to supper on the idea that we were not hungry yet, and after dark would try to bribe our guard to let us go in the crowd, while he could slip back, and this was agreed to. We put every small article of our baggage in our overcoat pockets and inside of our other clothing. At dark we went down and at the bottom of the stairs I turned to Baxter, as if it made no difference to the guard, and told him that the restaurant in the building was a sloppy place to eat and that we would go across the street to a nice restaurant. I had seen the sign from a window. Baxter agreed, but the guard said he was not allowed to take us over there. He stood by it for a long time through fear, only on his own account, for disobeying orders. I pleaded with him that in such a crowd we would not be noticed and they would never know up-stairs, but he had taken us to the river bank where he had a right to go with us. He finally consented. We went to a restaurant about the middle of the block between the market square and the Commercial Hotel. While there was a crowd along the pavement there were very few in the restaurant. We sat at a table which stood against the. wall, making room for three. The guard sat next to the door, Baxter next to his right, and I on the back side facing the guard and the front door. The cashier's desk was across by the opposite wall and ten feet nearer the front door than our table. I took the lead and ordered a nice supper. While we waited for it Baxter drew a half pint bottle of whiskey a friend had given him at Clarks- ville, and we all made a toddy. We had a good time eating our supper and talking about the war. An idea of escape occurred to me, and I finished my meal first and carelessly got up, saying I would settle with the cashier and we would be ready to go when they were through 88 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS eating. I walked on without any more ceremony, getting out my money as I went. I stood for my change with my face turned to the back of the restaurant so the guard would not be uneasy. Taking my change I fumbled with it, turn- ing toward our table. The guard was looking at me, so I took a step slowly while putting my money away. At this moment the guard put his fork to his mouth, bowing his head slightly, which took his eyes from me. I turned and walked to the front door so as not to attract the attention of passers-by. I looked back and the guard had grabbed his gun, which stood against the wall, and was rising hur- riedly, but I was out and in the crowd the same as any other person. I knew the guard could not leave Baxter to follow me, and felt safe after going a few steps as no one noticed me. Several details of soldiers were passing in both directions, but I passed on in the crowd as though I lived in Nashville. I went several squares toward Broad street and observed that I was getting into the residence part of town. I believed any old citizen would be a friend and I wanted to find one without delay. I went into the first sub- stantial home where there was a light. When the servant answered the door-bell I got a glimpse inside and observed a number of Federal officers in the parlor. I asked the servant if Mr. Wilson lived there. She said, "No, sir," and told me who did ; but I begged pardon, saying I was mistaken in the house, and excused myself. A little farther on I came to a small family grocery on the corner. I walked in, and buying a cigar sat down with the proprietor to smoke, which he said was agreeable. I soon learned that he was an old resident and a strong Southern sympathizer. He did not care who knew it. I assured myself fully and then told him the story of my escape. He told me of the large encampments all around the city on both sides of the river. I felt that it was much better for me to go out between picket posts and risk their shots in the dark if I could find any woods. He directed me how to go, to the left of the Charlotte pike, where I would IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 89 probably have the best chance to evade the pickets. I fol- lowed his directions for fully a mile and the woodland he had described was in my front. As I approached a fence, at the edge of it I discovered tents on the other side among the trees. I stopped, but had been heard by a sentinel not more than forty feet on the inside of the fence. He shouted "Halt!" It was pretty dark, but I could see my way a few yards. I stooped and ran on tip-toe, swerving to the right, so that I would not be in the range if he shot where he heard me. It was my calculation that he would do that if he shot at all. However, I presume he concluded he was mis- taken as I heard nothing more. My new friend in the grocery had told me every one caught on the streets after ten o'clock was arrested. I judged it to be half past eight now, and concluded it would be better to abandon the idea of going out that night. The houses were very scattering in the neighborhood and mostly cottages, where I thought best not to apply for accommo- dations. When I got on Broad street I found it was after nine o'clock. I met an old darky, from whom I learned the location of the cemetery on the Nolensville pike inside the city. He said houses extended to the grounds. I went out that way briskly without seeing a light in any dwelling on the street, and began to regret that I had not tried to arrange with my grocery friend for lodging. I looked for his place again in my wanderings but failed to find it. At the entrance to the cemetery I stopped to look in all directions for a light. I was going into the cemetery and sit up all night among the cedars, because I did not believe I would be disturbed in there. But I saw a light and went to it. I entered the yard gate and saw a two-story dwelling with a hall and room in front. The light was in the front room. When I looked in at the window I saw a lady sitting at the hearth knitting and a man in bed reading by a lamp on a table near by. I sounded the door-bell and the lady came to the door with the lamp in her hand. I bowed, and apologized for being late, but just wanted to speak to her 90 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS husband a minute. She appeared a Httle frightened and said he had retired. In a sort of pleading manner I sug- gested that I would not think of having him get up and would just go in only for a minute. She balked along and showed plainly that she did not want me to come in. I asked her what time it was and tried to relieve her of any apprehension. We were at the entrance to the door of their bed-room by this time, when her husband spoke up to inquire who was coming in. His wife quickly said she did not know. I laughingly said, *'It's a friend; you'll be surprised to see me." His wife stopped in the middle of the room so the light would shine on my face to let her husband see if he could recognize me. I then candidly explained that I had come in for some information only because they had a light burning and I did not think it would be considered an intrusion. I felt that I did not want a gentleman to get up and dress to talk with me a few minutes. I then said frankly that I was a Confederate and told him how I had escaped and the predicament in which I was placed. His wife instantly declared that her husband had taken the oath and could not afford to violate it. I finally got a hearing and told so fair a story that the husband, Mr. Metcalf, said he didn't care if I was a Rebel or a Yankee or neither, if I simply wanted lodging and breakfast and proposed to pay for the accommodation he had a right to entertain me and would do it. After his wife became satisfied she got inter- ested in my story, and when we retired it was midnight. I was put in their best room up-stairs. Mr. Thomas Metcalf was the name of my host. He became thoroughly satis- fied that night, and when he left me it was agreed that I should be known to the cook, a negro woman, as the cousin of Mrs. Metcalf. The next morning ever}^thing was easy. It was agreed that I should stay there until I got tired unless I had a chance to leave the city. As there were no children in the family I felt perfectly safe. \ IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 91 Mr. Metcalf came home in the afternoon from his business, and had told a friend, who was a grocer, of my case, and after supper we went down town and spent an hour or so in the counting-room of the estabhshment. I arranged to go the next night to the store of a clothing merchant, who was a friend, where I could fit myself out as a citizen, in the style of a young man. I had been wearing my hair rather long and cropped around the edge. This I had shingled to change my appearance in every respect as much as possible. I then went about the city freely, having no fears except from Kentucky soldiers from my own locality, who might recognize me on sight. But I carried my discharge from the army for such an emergency. I soon realized that there was no possible way of escape from Nashville except to get a pass northward. There were over 50,000 soldiers in the army of General Rose- crans, from Nashville to Murfreesboro. The Confederate cavalry under Forrest, Morgan and Wheeler had threatened the east and west picket posts of the city so continually that three different posts were stationed on every road lead- ing to the country, with camp sentinels between the roads. During the next three weeks I visited in the neighborhood, with Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf, attending several social parties, and made very pleasant acquaintances. However, during the first week, I got an introduction to a Captain Rhodes, of Michigan, who understood from me that I was from Bourbon County, Kentucky, and was visiting relatives in the city and some in the Seventeenth Kentucky Cavalry. We did not talk politics, but he was led to infer that I was a Union man. I managed to impress the fact that I would need a pass when I got ready to go home and he very promptly volunteered to say that he would arrange that for me. I now cultivated this gentleman, who was a good man. I was introduced by him to other officers and in a general way, without exciting suspicion, I learned the names of all the brigadiers and major-generals in Rosecrans's army, not only those at Nashville, but at Murfreesboro, Triune, 92 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS Lavergne, Brentwood, and Franklin. I managed to meet men from nearly all the commands by "raking up" acquaint- ances in a casual way and by a little liberality at times with cigars and refreshments. I knew the number of brigades with this information, and while I did not make any notes there was little else on my mind and I remembered all. There were funerals every day in the cemetery opposite Metcalfs (my home), and I attended several of these to form casual acquaintances among the soldiers and learn their commands. I frequented all the hotels, where I had gen- erals pointed out to me by soldiers. Here I first saw Gov- ernor Andrew Johnson. I was now possessed of informa- tion on which a safe estimate could be made, within a few thousand, of the strength and location of the army, and I was ready to g(5 out, but I could not afford to show any special anxiety, though I felt confident now I would have no trouble to use Captain Rhodes. I was afraid to apply too soon after his offer for fear he might possibly become suspicious. About the third time I met him, after I was ready, the matter came up and I told him when I wanted to start. He cheerfully went with me and introduced me to his personal friend, the provost-mar- shal, who issued the pass without hesitation. My name was Wilham C. Sims during this sojourn in Nashville. Before going I bought a gross of good pocket-knives, of small size, that were put up one dozen in a package. These I distributed in my pockets and boot-legs. I managed also to conceal two dozen silk handkerchiefs in my clothes. I passed through two sets of pickets beyond the bridge on my way out on the Louisville pike. Just beyond Edgefield I turned off to the left on the White's Creek pike. After going about one mile from the pike I met an old gentleman on horseback. His name was Squire White. He lived on White's Creek near by, five miles from Nashville. He eyed me pretty closely and said I looked like a Rebel. I could tell by his look that he hoped I was one. When I concluded it was safe to tell him so it made me a friend. I went to his IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 93 home to dinner. He directed me to a man two miles ahead whom I could get to take me to Cumberland River without traveling any public road. I found the place and before sundown I was on the bank of Cumberland River, fifteen miles below Nashville. I was soon rowed across in a skiff and spent the night at the home of Mr. Robertson. The next morning he sent me to Charlotte, his son-in-law going with me to bring back the horse I rode. At Charlotte I found a company of about one hundred Confederate cavalry, from Forrest's command at Columbia, on a scout. I learned afterwards from Mrs. Watkins, at Louisa Furnace, that Baxter went with the guard back to the prison room after failing in an effort to bribe him for liberty. But the next night Johnson, Baxter, and Mockbee succeeded in making their escape, and Mrs. Watkins gave me the par- ticulars. I have them now from an authentic source after a lapse of thirty-eight years. I submit a correspondence that gives the story just as I heard it at the time : Memphis, Tenn., July 2d, 1901. Mr. John W. Headley, Louisville, Ky. Dear Sir : I inquired at Kentucky Headquarters during the late reunion of Confederate Veterans here for one Mr. Headley, who was captured with Major J. Hick. Johnson, Lieutenant William Baxter and myself, in March, 1863, at the home of Mr. S. D. Watkins, on the south side of Cumberland River, twelve miles from Clarksville, Tennessee, in Montgomery County, and your address was ^iven me as the only person of the name known to those with whom I talked. If you are the same person as the one I speak of, please write me here for the next ten days and after that at Cornwells, S. C. Or if you know of the party of whom I speak, please write me as to his whereabouts, if still living. The Headley I knew was at that time quite a young man but exceedingly bright and attractive in his manners, and. I think, engaged in a blockade secret service for the Confed- erates, going in and out through the lines frequentlv. Although it is only a matter of good feeling I cherish for one whom I 94 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS shared a short term of prison life with, I would be greatly pleased to hear from him, and especially to know that he is alive and prospering. By answering this at your convenience you will oblige. Yours very truly, R. T. MOCKBEE. Memphis^ Tenn., July 29th, 1901. Mr. John W. Headley, Lyndon, Jefferson County, Ky. Dear Friend: I was more than delighted to receive your letter of 226. inst., directed to me at Cornwells, S. C, where I expected to be some time ago when I wrote you, but have been detained here on account of Mr. Baxter, my son-in-law, and family making a visit to Middle Tennessee, and he wished me to stay and overlook his business during their absence. And now, my dear friend, let me express to you my sincere pleasure and gratification at knowing that you are one and the same person as my comrade and fellow-prisoner, and especially that the world has used you well, and that you have been blessed with good health during all the years since those eventful days when we were together as prisoners at Clarksville and Nashville. I suppose in the lapse of years your memory has failed to keep what really occurred as to William Baxter, Major Johnson and myself after your escape. About the third night after you got away we all three went down to the "restaurant," accompanied by a poor "green" Yankee boy as our guard, and, after having our supper, in which our guard shared, we went out as if we were going back up-stairs into the prison. When we reached the entrance at the foot of the stairway we halted (as had been prearranged) and Major Johnson said, "Boys, we ought to have a bottle of brandy for to-night," and, turning to the guard, said, "Here, you take this money and go over to the saloon across the square and get us a bottle of brandy and bring it up. We will go on up-stairs. Just put your gun behind the door there until you come back." And the poor simpleton did just as he was told, in the mean time Johnson having given him a five-dollar bill. He walked out into the dark and Baxter and I followed him just as soon as we thought it safe. Major Johnson stopped to pull off his Confederate overcoat, which he threw behind the door, and took the Yank's gun to guard Baxter and me, after we got outside. In the mean time, Baxter and I had gotten out in the dark and went around the market-house on the side next to the river, and when Johnson came out with his gun he went the ( IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 95 Other way and so missed us entirely, and putting the gun down he hurriedly made his way to his sister's, Mrs. Hickman, the mother of John P. Hickman, the present secretary of our Tennessee Confederate Association. And she secured a pass from the provost-marshal, took him over the river in a buggy, dressed as a lady, to a sister's, Mrs. Dortch, where he had such a good time he stayed too long, and an old negro servant went in and reported him and the Yankees sent a squad of cavalry out and took him in, putting him in a cell in the penitentiary, until he was sent North. Baxter and I, after getting safely away, secured us a com- plete outfit of the latest style citizen's clothes from a friendly Jew and each of us carried a well-stuffed valise. After going to a barber shop and getting clean shaved and trimmed up we sallied forth and joined a procession of people who had just come on the train from Louisville, and went with the largest crowd to the Sewanee House, then one of the leading hotels of the city. There we registered, Baxter as Charles H. Haynes, and I as John C. Smith, of Louisville, Ky., secured a room and a bottle of brandy, to help keep our nerves quiet, and spent the night. We went down to breakfast the next morning and the room was filled with Yankee officers, at least a hundred at breakfast. Afterwards we went out in the city to try to find some avenue of escape into the country, but failed completely and had to remain two days and until the third night. We suc- ceeded in getting a skiff and went down the river to Hagwood's Landing, where we stopped within ten miles of Mr. Watkins's, where we had been captured. I remained in that section for several weeks getting information, and also some recruits for my regiment in Virginia. I, like you, had orders from the War Department at Richmond, countersig^ned by General Lee, and slipped them between the feather bed and mattress, and quietly told Mrs. Watkins where to find them. I got back to Richmond just as the battle of Chancellorsville was being fought, and was with my command until Appomattox, with the exception of about two months' sickness, in 1864. * * * * H! * * I am, Very truly, your friend, Robert T. Mockbee. CHAPTER X Situation after return from captivity — Forrest at Palmyra — Wheeler at Fort Donelson — Plain talk of Forrest to Wheeler — Report to Forrest and Bragg of Rosecrans's army — Van Dorn over Forrest and others, on the left, and Wheeler over Morgan and others, on the right, of Bragg's army — Morgan's raid to Kentucky in December, 1862 — Infantry armies being exhausted in drawn battles and in camp — Spirit of vengeance — Colonel Streight marches out from Palmyra and encamps on Yellow Creek. At Charlotte I found Ike Bowers on the day of my arrival from the Nashville captivity. He and Walker had duly received the shipment from Cincinnati to Russell at Palmyra. Teams had been furnished by Mr. Watkins, of Louisa Fur- nace, and the trip was made to Shelby ville. Major Hawkins and Bowers had promptly disposed of the stock. I received $3,318 in Confederate money as my share of the profits from the beginning. I learned now that Forrest had acted on my informa- tion in February, and moving along our route had passed through the coalings to Palmyra with his command. Bowers had fallen in with him and acted as guide through to Rus- sell's. There, Forrest, being fully advised of the situation at Clarksville, was waiting to capture a passing transport and cross over the river, then to reach Clarksville within a few hours and capture the garrison. He would then pass between Ashland and Springfield, and striking the railroad and burning all the bridges he could destroy, and the "Mor- gan" tunnel, near Gallatin, north of Nashville, and then make his way to a crossing of the river above Hartsville or Burkes- ville, if necessary. But General Wheeler overtook Forrest at Palmyra, and, assuming command, went down to cap- IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 97 ture Dover. Bowers told me it looked to Forrest and all his men that Wheeler had followed to assume command and get the credit of a victory or a raid somewhere. Forrest and Morgan had made such brilliant successes of their December raids that Wheeler seemed anxious to "catch up." This ex- pedition now turned down the river and went twenty miles to the attack of Fort Donelson. It will be interesting to quote extracts from a graphic and authentic account of the engagement and the result from "Wyeth's Life of Forrest/* as follows : Near Palmyra, Forrest, who had masked his guns and ambushed his men, and was all ready for a bout with any passing craft, was overtaken by the chief of cavalry, who brought with him a portion of Wharton's brigade. General Wheeler having concluded that the Federals had become apprised of the Confederate position along the river, and would not, for the present, send any more boats on that stream, and having nothing else in hand, determined upon an expedition for the capture of the Federal garrison at Dover. In his official report he says : "After maturely considering the matter, we concluded that nothing could be lost by an attack upon the garrison at Dover, and from the information that we had there was good reason to believe that this post could easily be captured." In the "Campaigns of General Forrest," which was edited under his personal supervision, it is stated that some difference of opinion existed as to the propriety of this attack upon the fort at Dover, and that General Forrest submitted to his chief that he was not only poorly supplied with ammunition, but that the effort did not promise results commensurate with the losses that an assault upon such a formidable position would entail, and earnestly advised that the effort be abandoned. The premonition of disaster weighed upon Forrest so heavily that on the morning of the engagement he spoke of the matter in strict confidence to his chief-of-staff, Major Charles W. Anderson, and to Dr. Ben Wood of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, then a surgeon connected with his command. He said : "I have a special request to make of you in regard to the proposed attack on Fort Donelson. I have protested against this move, but my protest has been disregarded, and I intend to do my whole duty, and I want my men to do the same. I have spoken to none but 98 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS you on this subject, and I do not wish that any one should know of the objections I have made. I have this request to make : If I am killed in this fight, you will see that justice is done me by officially stating that I protested against the attack, and that I am not willing to be held responsible for any disaster that may result." (From a personal communication from Major Charles W. Anderson, living at Florence, Tennessee, in 1898.) Gen- eral Wheeler believed, however, that by a simultaneous and quick rush from two sides the garrison could be overcome with trifling loss, and immediately ordered the advance. s|c * * * * :|c * General Wheeler says : "J"st as I left General Forrest, he, thinking the enemy were leaving the place, and being anxious to run in quickly, remounted his men and charged on horseback. The fire from the enemy was so strong that he was repulsed and obliged to retire." The discomfited troopers were again formed for assault, this time on foot, and, simultaneously with the advance by Wharton's column, they rushed forward, Forrest again on horseback at the head of his dismounted detachment. * 'S' * They pressed forward with courage to the breastworks, but were unable to gain a footing within the fort. Forrest's horse was shot down, being the second animal killed under him that day, and the General was badly shaken up in falling. A number of men were killed within a few feet of the breastworks. ******* On the left, Wharton's command easily drove the Federals into their works, capturing a few prisoners and one fine twelve- pounder brass rifled cannon, which was brought from the field. The stubborn resistance made by the garrison had, however, succeeded in holding off their assailants until near nightfall, when, as General Wheeler states, his troops had a secure position not more than ninety yards from the main rifle-pits of the garri- son. Before making a third assault a conference was held, and it was decided that there was not enough ammunition left in the entire command to justify a further attack. It was also learned at this crisis that reinforcements for the garrison were arriving, and had already fired upon the Confederate outposts. Before retreating a detachment was sent to the river landing near the fort, and there set fire to a boat loaded with supplies, which was soon destroyed. As they retired, other details were made to gather up all the wounded who could be carried away on horseback or in wagons, and to bring off the captured IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 99 gun and other property, among which was a generous supply of blankets found in the Federal quarters, which were greatly needed, as the weather was intensely cold. * He * * * * * Major Charles W. Anderson says: "It was late when I reached headquarters at Yellow Creek Furnace. Arriving there, I asked for General Forrest. The General, recognizing my voice, came to the door, and as I was too near frozen to dis- mount, he came out and helped me down and into the house. Without any ceremony he went to the only bed in the room, jerked the covering from two officers who were occupying it, and brusquely ordered them to get out. My boots were pulled off, I was rolled up in blankets and put in the vacated bed. General Wharton was sitting on the side of the fireplace oppo- site General Wheeler, who was dictating hjs report to one of his staff. Forrest had resumed his place, lying down on his water-proof coat in front of the fire, his head on a turned-down chair and his feet well on the hearth. General Wharton said : 'When the signal was given, my men moved forward, but were met with such a severe fire that, with the Fourth Georgia and Malone's battalion, they gave way. As we fell back I noticed the garrison from our side of the fort rush across to the other side to take part against General Forrest's attack, and, as his com- mand caught the fire of the entire garrison, he must have suffered severely.' Forrest interrupted him, saying in an excited and angry tone, 'I have no fault to find with my men. In both charges they did their duty as they have always done.' At this moment General Wheeler remarked, 'General Forrest, my report does ample justice to yourself and to your men.' Forrest replied, 'General Wheeler, I advised against this attack, and said all a subordinate officer should have said against it, and nothing you can say now or do will bring back my brave men lying dead or wounded and freezing around that fort to-night. I mean no disrespect to you ; you can have my sword if you demand it ; but there is one thing I do want you to put in that report to General Bragg — ^tell him that I will be in my coffin before I will fight again under your command.* Neither the soldier nor the man in 'Fighting Joe Wheeler' was ever more in evidence than on this occasion. He both knew and appre- ciated Forrest, admired his wonderful genius, and loved him devotedly. He proved this in many ways in after years. More- over, he knew that when the tempest was raging in this wild and rugged nature he could appeal to it more by gentle word and manner than by the strict rules of military discipline. 'For- 100 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS rest/ he said quietly and with great feeling, 'I cannot take your saber, and I regret exceedingly your determination. As the commanding officer I take all the blame and responsibility for this failure/ " The losses at Dover on the part of the Confederates were very heavy for the number of the troops engaged. In Wharton's command 17 were killed, 60 wounded, and 8 missing.* Forrest, who had not quite 1,000 men in the engagement, lost in killed, wounded, and captured 200 ; and among these Col. Frank Mc- Nairy, of his staff, was killed ; Col. D. W. Holman, of Napier's battalion, wounded, and three captains of this command wounded and captured. The Federal commander, Colonel Lowe, on February 4th reported that 135 Confederate dead had been found, and that they then held 50 prisoners. Major C. W. Anderson says the lost officers in Starnes's Fourth Tennessee was so great that he was ordered to command a detachment of this regiment, and led it in the last charge. Colonel Harding, in his official report, gives his loss as 13 killed, 51 wounded, and 46 prisoners. On the morning of February 4th the Confeder- ates resumed their march in the direction of Columbia. Being informed of the approach of a column of infantry and cavalry under General Jefferson C. Davis, they were compelled to make a wide detour in the direction of Centerville toward Duck River, and there succeeded in crossing this stream. On the 17th they were once more in camp at Columbia. I left Bowers at Mr. Trotter's, riding Bowers's horse, agreeing to remain until my return from Shelbyville, where I proceeded with haste to send a full report of the situation, in and around Nashville, to General Bragg. In passing through to Shelbyville I forwarded a copy to General For- rest, who was then encamped above Columbia. I learned here that General Van Dorn was now commanding the cavalry forces on the left wing of Bragg's army. It was en- camped from Columbia toward Spring Hill and consisted of five brigades with a strength of some 6,000 men. For- rest was commanding a division of two brigades. ♦Official Records, Vol. xxiii, part i, p. 41. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 101 General Wheeler was now commanding the cavalry forces on the center and right flank of the army, including a division commanded by General Morgan. There had been sanguinary battles here about Spring Hill and the Confederates had gained decisive victories over all the forces sent against them. At Shelbyville I stopped at Dr. Blakemore's for three days. I arranged with Major Hawkins to take my report and send it forward to General Bragg at Tullahoma. Here I met a number of General Morgan's command and learned the particulars of his December raid into Kentucky. General Duke says: The results of this expedition were the destruction of the railroads, which has been described, the capture of eighteen hundred and seventy-seven prisoners, of a large number of stores, arms, and government property of every description. Our loss was only twenty-six in killed and wounded (only two killed) and sixty-four missing. It seemed to me that Morgan and Forrest had inaugurated the only effective warfare that had been of material advan- tage to the Confederacy, between the Mississippi River and the mountains. It seemed strange that Bragg and the gov- ernment would not back them in every way possible and encourage all other similar commands of cavalry to actually live in the rear of the Federal armies and even cross the Ohio River into every State from Iowa to Pennsylvania. I had heard Capt. William Forrest say at Columbia that his brother, General Forrest, had often remarked that it could be done successfully. I felt sure of the fact that the infantry armies would give out if we must rely on them to take and hold the country from the Mississippi River to the mountains. It was only neces- sary to instance our experience at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Perryville, Corinth, and Murfreesboro in order to under- 1D2 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS Stand that our volunteer armies were already practically exhausted for any aggressive warfare. Our losses in killed, wounded, and prisoners in these battles had been about equal to those of the enemy, and now the Federals would not ex- change prisoners. They wanted to keep ours and did not need their own. The enemy had over two men to our one in the field in this department. But half of them at least were required to guard the railroad bridges, trestles, and posts in Kentucky and Tennessee against the raids of Mor- gan, Forrest, and other smaller cavalry commands. We knew that Colonels Johnson and Martin had operated, with never over six hundred men, between Clarksville and Hen- derson, Kentucky, for six months, when the nearest Con- federate lines were at Corinth and Chattanooga, and had defied thousands of the enemy, who were still stationed all over that section of Kentucky to intimidate the citizens and prevent Confederate organizations by a reign of terror. These ideas were not original with me. They could be heard in every camp and were freely spoken out by soldiers and by citizens. No man was ever heard to condemn the Decem- ber raids of Forrest into West Tennessee or of Morgan into Kentucky. And notably no man was ever heard to applaud the march of Bragg to Kentucky and back again. He and Kirby Smith had demonstrated that 50,000 Con- federates, all volunteers, and the flower of Southern man- hood, could not stay in Kentucky over one month. It was believed they were not doing any good now in Middle Ten- nessee. The Federals could stand equal losses of infantry and were glad to fight our armies on those terms. But Bragg somehow had learned no lesson from the experience of six months 6efore when Forrest with 1,500 men and Morgan with 900 men had, by one month's work, reduced Buell's army of over 50,000 men to ten days' rations with starva- tion staring them in the face. They were doing this while Bragg with about 30,000 men rested in safety at Chatta- nooga. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 103 Nearly every soldier thought Bragg ought now to go to Chattanooga at once and let Forrest and Morgan with divisions, while Duke, Wharton, Armstrong, and Johnson, each with a brigade, roam all over Kentucky and Tennessee with the 15,000 cavalry now doing nothing around the army except to watch the front and flanks of Bragg. They were willing for him to keep General Wheeler. It was believed by the soldiers that these veteran raiders with their veteran and daring troops would not only terrorize everything they did not capture in the rear of Rosecrans, but would recruit ten thousand men in the two States before the summer was over. Some suggested that the infantry and artillery could fortify and hold the mountain gaps, from Huntsville to West Virginia, while the cavalry harassed every army that might attempt to break over. And many thought horses ought to be brought out to mount Bragg's infantry and let it have a chance to win. But from my observation and the opinion of all the other soldiers I ever talked to on the subject, Bragg was the pet of the President, and would be kept in control until our backbone was broken. The time had already ar- rived when no man would volunteer to enlist in the infantry to serve under Bragg or any one else and no recruits could be had except by conscription. Morgan had enlisted or secured as many recruits on the Kentucky campaign as Bragg and Kirby Smith combined. Every man who wanted to devote his services and his life if necessary to the Southern cause was ready for active, determined warfare. It made no dif- ference about the weather or hardships so there was a chance to get the best of the enemy. But the slavish monotony of life in a big army, that could not now expect to gain victories in the West, was already abhorred and believed to be a fatal mistake. And then there was a spirit of vengeance being bred in the Southern breast by the atrocities of the invaders in the Southern States and by commanders of posts in Ken- tucky. In hearty sympathy with this universal feeling, I was with- out a settled plan. Bowers entertained the same views when 104 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS I rejoined him near Charlotte. We concluded to leave the vicinity of Charlotte and watch developments for a short time. I bought a splendid bay mare from Mr. Nix, a black- smith, three miles from Charlotte, for three hundred and twenty-five dollars in Confederate money, and we went west about fifteen miles to a good neighborhood on Yellow Creek. We started back to Charlotte, where we thought more could be observed with less risk. We had not gone far until we learned that a large force of Federal cavalry was cross- ing the Cumberland River at Palmyra that morning, only twelve miles distant. We halted at a safe place until we could learn the direction the column would take. We did not have to wait long. The enemy, marching from Palmyra, suddenly appeared on Yellow Creek in the afternoon. We were in the highway when refugees reported the advance within a mile. The little wooded hills that bordered the creek bottoms furnished a secluded rendezvous and we stationed ourselves with sev- eral citizens about half a mile from the highway along the creek, on a projecting hill, where we could have an extended view. The column soon approached with detachments on each flank that galloped about from house to house and gathered up stock, especially mules and horses ; but the news went ahead of the column and the people stampeded with their animals. They did not come nearer than a few hundred yards of our hiding-place, where we sat mounted with vi- dettes on our flanks and a good line of retreat. But the Fed- erals made a sweep of everything they could use. We esti- mated the force at about 2,500, though the command was too much scattered to be counted. After it had passed we ventured out at sundown and learned that the force was under command of Colonel Streight and had encamped three miles up the creek. We camped in the neighborhood with others, getting supper at the house of a brother-in-law of Colonel Lock- hart of Dover, who was commanding a Tennessee regiment in the South, and met his wife here. After a casual glimpse IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 105 of the enemy's camp we departed for Charlotte at midnight and reached Columbia the next evening, where we reported to General Forrest. He ordered a company of scouts on the march at once toward Centerville. But we inferred that he expected to follow with a stronger force. He said it would not be necessary for us to report to General Bragg, as he would send a courier post-haste. CHAPTER XI Famous raid of Col. Abel D. Streight through Alabama to Georgia — Famous pursuit and capture by Gen. N. B. Forrest — Ovation to Forrest at Rome, Georgia — Federal prisoners attest the kindness of Forrest. We went out to the house of Mr. Miles H. Mays, our friend, and remained a week or more, hoping General For- rest would be sent after Streight and we would go along. But it finally appeared that Forrest's scouts had lost Streight' s track where he embarked on transports at Fort Henry and went up the Tennessee River. But, besides, For- rest had no orders to do anything else. We now returned to Charlotte to await events. After we had been at Mr. Tal- ley's about a week we heard from Columbia, that the Federals were marching up the Tennessee River Valley, from Tus- cumbia toward Decatur, opposed by General Roddey's bri- gade of cavalry, and that Forrest had gone to his aid. The pursuit of Streight by Forrest and the capture of his entire command was the most marvelous performance of the war. Forrest at no time had as many troops as Streight and less than one-third as many when Streight surrendered. The particulars are of special interest and I quote extracts from a graphic account from "Wyeth's Life of N. B. Forrest" : At Spring Hill, on April 23d, a message arrived from General Braxton Bragg, directing Forrest to make a forced march with his old brigade to Decatur, Alabama, and uniting there with the brigade of General Roddey, to take charge of all the Confeder- ate troops and check the Federal advance. On receipt of this order, Colonel Edmondson's Eleventh Tennessee was hurried off with directions to reach Bainbridge on the Tennessee River as soon as possible, cross there, and effect a junction with Rod- IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 107 dey. Following with the Fourth, Ninth, and Tenth Tennessee regiments, and Morton's battery, Forrest crossed the Tennes- see River at Brown's Ferry, near Courtland, Alabama, on the 26th, and was soon in position to dispute the farther advance of General Dodge. * * * General Dodge had pushed out with his legions, and on Monday, April 27th, had driven the Confederates across Town Creek, when he ascertained that the enemy were in force under Forrest on the opposite bank. On the 28th, although "the resistance of the enemy was very strong, and their sharpshooters very annoying," the Union commander succeeded in crossing the creek, the Confederates retiring toward Courtland. Notwithstanding his advantage. Dodge again withdrew to Town Creek that night and there encamped. It was here, about dark on the evening of the 28th of April, when the fighting had ceased and the Union forces were going into camp on Town Creek, that a well-known citizen of Tus- cumbia, Mr. James Moon, after a hurried ride around and through various Federal detachments, reached General Forrest with the startling intelligence that a very considerable body of mounted Union troops, estimated at about two thousand, had passed through Mount Hope in the direction of Moulton, and were probably now at the latter place. In his original plan, General Rosecrans had intended that Dodge should advance no farther than Tuscumbia in aid of Streight, but when at this point he informed the leader of the raiders that Forrest was at Town Creek, Streight insisted that Dodge should attack the lat- ter and drive him at least as far as Courtland, or even to Deca- tur, and thus hold Forrest off. Streight says, moreover : "It was understood that in the event Forrest took after me in the direc- tion of Moulton, Dodge and his cavalry were to follow Forrest." Swinging loose from all support, and taking advantage of the darkness of night to conceal his departure, Streight's "lightning brigade" marched out of Tuscumbia in the direction of Mount Hope on the 26th of April. •i* *»* ^ H* ^ ^ •P Sergeant H. Briedenthal, of Co. A, Third Ohio Inf., says: "On the night of the 27th, at Mount Hope, Colonel Streight received the cheering news from Dodge that he had Forrest on the run, that he had crossed east of Town Creek, had driven the Confederates away, and that he must now push on. Colonel Streight did push on through mud and slush and rain, and late on the afternoon of the 28th of April woke up the sleepy village of Moulton with the largest procession of Union troopers that 108 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS secluded spot had yet entertained. Here he fed and rested his weary cavalcade until i a. m. (29th), when, saddling up, he moved eastward, with Blountsville as his next objective." * * 9|c * * * He When Forrest, at dark on the 28th of April, received the information as to the presence of so large a body of mounted troops so far detached from their main column, his quick per- ception took in the situation at a glance. ******* Three days' rations were cooked, and shelled com issued for two days' forage. ******* By one o'clock on the morning of the 29th of April all was ready, and as the cavalcade rode out of the town of Courtland, in the cold, drizzling rain which was falling and making the muddy roads *still more difficult, there began a race and run- ning fight between two bodies of cavalry which, in the brilliant tactics of the retreat and stubbornness in defense on one side, and the desperate bravery of the attack and relentlessness in pursuit upon the other, has no analogue in military history. ******* Steadily throughout that night, and well into the daylight of the 29th, the Confederate leader rode without a halt. On the morning of the 30th, Forrest, with about 1,000 of his command in advance, overtook Streight and his 2,000 at the top of Day's Gap on Sand Mountain. Forrest's men rushed to the attack with Capt. Bill Forrest and his company of scouts in the lead. They went yelling right up against Streight's force, which had formed to receive the onset. Forrest's orders were, "Shoot at everything blue and keep up the scare!" But Forrest was repulsed, and Streight, making a gallant charge with his whole line, drove the Confederates back. Among Forrest's losses was Capt. Bill Forrest, seriously wounded, and two pieces of artillery. However, Colonel Streight immediately got his command off and pursued his journey in the direction of Blountsville. In this fight fifty to seventy-five were killed and wounded on IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 109 each side. Lieutenant-Colonel Sheets, of the Fifty-first Indiana, mortally wounded, was among Colonel Streight's losses. But Forrest pressed forward as before, and nine miles from Day's Gap came in sight of the blue-coats. A running fight ensued for several miles, until finally Streight was com- pelled to give battle at Hog's' Mountain, which was desperate and lasted into the night and until Colonel Biffle, with a strong detachment, in the darkness flanked Streight and got in his rear. Colonel Streight now managed to escape with his command, leaving the two pieces of artillery behind that he had captured from Forrest. Forrest had one horse killed and two wounded under him in this desperate engagement. The pursuit and skirmishing was hot and continuous from Day's Gap to Blountsville for twenty-eight hours without sleep — a distance of forty-three miles. And still Forrest kept at the heels of the raiders. Colonel Streight says : After resting about two hours we resumed our march in the direction of Gadsden. The column had not got fairly under way before our pickets were driven in and a short skirmish ensued between Forrest's advance and our rear-guard under Captain Smith in the town of Blountsville. Forrest still crowded Streight for ten miles to the Black Warrior River, where Streight was obliged to fight in order that his men could pass the ford. Forrest got a little behind here but soon caught up. Streight reports that it was about five p. m. on the ist day of May when he crossed the Black Warrior. He says : With the exception of small parties who were continually harassing the rear of the column, we proceeded without further interruption until nine o'clock next morning, May 2d, when the rear-guard was fiercely attacked at the crossing of Black Creek near Gadsden. But Colonel Streight got across the wooden bridge over Black Creek and had it in flames before Forrest could get to it. 110 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS Wyeth says : There was no other means of crossing the stream (deemed impassable except by bridge or boat) nearer than two miles. It now appeared that Streight would leave Forrest behind, but it turned out otherwise. Wyeth says further : Close by the roadside was a plain farm-house in which lived a widow and two daughters. Here a brave girl only sixteen years old, Emma Sanson, rode behind General Forrest, under fire, and showed him at a secluded place an old ford where he could cross his command. The "lost" ford was soon cleared and made passable. For- rest's advance-guard caught up with Streight at Gadsden, only four miles from Black Creek, and started him on another all-night march, although Colonel Streight says : The command was in no condition to do so. Many of our animals and men were entirely worn out and unable to keep up, and were captured. It. now became evident to me that our only hope was in crossing the river at Rome and destroying the bridge, which would delay Forrest a day or two and allow the command a little time to sleep, without which it would be impossible to proceed. Colonel Streight being sorely pressed, set an ambuscade about fifteen miles from Gadsden, but Forrest was not caught in it in making his attack. Here Colonel Gilbert Hathaway was killed. He was Colonel Streight's chief support in the command. Colonel Streight says : His loss to me was irreparable. We remained in ambush but a short time, when the enemy, who by some means had learned of our whereabouts, commenced a flank movement. I then decided to withdraw as silently as possible. Wyeth says : From Gadsden, by a parallel route, he (Forrest) had dis- patched on horseback, to go right through to Rome, a courier who would arrive there in time to warn the citizens to guard or burn the bridge and thus stop the raiders. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 111 Colonel Streight was overtaken beyond Gaylesville, where he had halted, as his command could go no farther. Here he dismounted his men and let them sleep in line of battle. But Forrest came up by nine a. m., and his men yelled incessantly to create the impression of a large force. For- rest now had less than six hundred men left to follow him. He did not attack but made a bluff. Colonel Streight, in his official report, says: Nature was exhausted. A large portion of my best troops actually went to sleep while lying in line of battle under a severe skirmish fire. Wyeth says: It was at this propitious moment that General Forrest sent Captain Henry Pointer, of his staff, with a flag of truce to the Union commander, demanding the surrender of himself and command. * * =>= Colonel Streight replied that he would meet General Forrest to discuss the question, and in the conference asked what his proposition was. Forrest replied : "Immediate surrender — your men to be treated as prisoners of war ; the offi- cers to retain their side-arms and personal property." Colonel Streight requested a few minutes in which to consult his officers. Forrest said : "All right, but you will not require much time. I have a column of fresh troops at hand, now nearer Rome than you are. You cannot cross the river in your front. I have men enough right here to run over you." In all of this there was not one word of truth ; but this is war, and in war everything is fair. Just then one piece of a section of Ferrell's battery, under Lieut. R. G. Jones, came in sight. ^ *(* ^ *•* ^ *!• H' Soon Sergeant Jackson came up with the other piece and took position in the other half of the roadway. Streight returned to his command, called his officers together, and talked over the situation. They voted unanimously to sur- render, and their commander, though personally opposed to it, and still ready to fight to the death, yielded to the decision of his subordinates. The men stacked their guns, and were marched away to an open field or clearing, but it was not until the Confederate general got his small command between the Federal troopers and their arms that he felt himself secure. ******* 112 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS Moving in front, the Federal commander had cleared up the country of all horses and mules, and in this way kept his men supplied with fresh mounts. He says : "I do not think that at the time of the surrender we had a score of the mules drawn at Nashville left." On the other hand, Forrest had no oppor- tunity of supplying his men with animals. When, from casting a shoe or other injury, or from exhaustion, one of his horses gave out, that was the end of both man and horse as far as this expedition was concerned. *»* 'K ^ ••* •I* •T^ ^ Major-General Richard J. Oglesby, in his official report, says : "One of Dodge's men who was with Streight and escaped, says that when taken they were worn out, and Forrest captured them with five hundred men. Streight thought a large force was after him." 5jC IjC ^ 5p 3|£ 3|C 3(C General Braxton Bragg reported to the War Department, at Richmond: "May 3d, between Gadsden and Rome, after five days and nights of fighting and marching, General Forrest captured Colonel Streight and his whole command, about six- teen hundred, with rifles, horses, etc." The Congress of the Confederate States of America resolved that : "The thanks of Congress are again due to General N. B. Forrest and the officers and men of his command for meritorious service on the field, and especially for the daring skill and perse- verance exhibited in the pursuit and capture of the largely superior forces of the enemy near Rome, Georgia, etc." ******* It is safe to say that there entered into Rome, Georgia, on the 3d of May, 1863, the hungriest triumphal procession in the history of this borough. The victorious troops were royally entertained by the citizens, and the men and horses soon forgot the severe ordeal to which they had been subjected. Even the unfortunate prisoners were not neglected. Sergeant Brieden- thal, in his diary, from which I have already quoted, says on May 5th: "We have been treated well since our surrender, by Forrest's men, who have used us as a true soldier should treat a prisoner." This testimony of a Federal soldier as to the treatment of prisoners is noteworthy. Colonel Streight and General Dodge had just desolated the Alabama Valley between Eastport and Town Creek, as will appear from the next chapter. CHAPTER XII Conduct of the invaders — Devastation of the country in Ten- nessee, Alabama, and Mississippi — Cruelty to non-combatant sympathizers with the South. The army of General Bragg- had now been resting over four months on the line of Shelbyville. General Van Dom had been killed by a citizen of Spring Hill. The operations of Forrest between Columbia and Brentwood and of Morgan from McMinnville toward Lebanon had been the only activity in Middle Tennessee. But during this period the citizens of Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Alabama, and Virginia had suffered from all the horrors of war. It would be fair to leave the story of these features of the conduct of the invaders to be told by some of the Federal officers and commanders who issued, or executed, the orders to imprison and execute citizens, pillage and burn the barns, mills, and homes of the people, use or destroy all provisions, hogs, cattle, and horses, and terrorize non-combatants, and in fact devastate the country. I submit the testimony (taken from official reports) of a few of the Federal commanders as follows: Headquarters, Third Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. Triune, Tenn., April 15, 1863. Colonel : The enemy have been remarkably reserved for the past four days. ******* Van Dorn is quiet at Spring Hill with his force. In the destruction of property, under the order of Major- General Stanley to his command to burn the houses of all citi- 114 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS zens who have sons or near relatives in the Confederate service, a large amount of forage was burned. ******* Respectfully, your obedient servant, James B. Steedman, Brigadier-General Commanding, Third Division. Lieut.-Col. George E. Flynt, Chief of Staff, Fourteenth Army Corps. Camp Near Murfreesboro, Tenn. April 1 6, 1863. Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the late scout to Franklin, Tenn. : Left camp with my command, consisting of the Second East Tennessee Cavalry and a detachment of the Fourth Indiana Cavalry, on the morning of Thursday, April 9, 1863; halted at night about four miles south of Triune. ******* On the nth instant, advanced as far as where the Fourth U. S. Cavalry were engaged on the loth. Returned from that place to where we halted on the morning of the loth instant. Resumed march on the 13th for Murfreesborc at twelve a. m. ; arrived at camp at nine p. m., burning on our way ten dwell- ings and outhouses belonging to persons who had sons in the Confederate army, as per order of Major-General Stanley. I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, D. M. Ray, Colonel Commanding, Third Cavalry Brigade. Capt. W. H. Sinclair, Assistant Adjutant-General. Headquarters, District of Corinth. May 2, 1863. General : My command is coming in. I send brief report. We had four fights, viz., at Bear Creek, Little Bear, Leighton, and Town Creek. Captured about forty prisoners, 900 head of mules and horses, 60 bales of cotton, and a large amount of provisions, and destroyed at least 1,500,000 bushels of corn and a large quantity of bacon, three tan-yards, and five mills ; took the towns of Tuscumbia and Florence, and destroyed about 60 flat-boats on Tennessee River, breaking up every ferry from IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 115 Eastport to Courtland. A large number of refugees and negroes joined us, and we have rendered useless for this year the garden spot of Alabama. I turned over 500 animals to Colonel Streight, and broke down at least 400 more. Cattle, sheep, cows and hogs we captured and used by the thousands, and I did not leave a thing in the valley that I considered would in the least aid the enemy. G. M. Dodge, Brigadier-General. Maj.-Gen. R. J. Oglesby, Jackson, Tenn. Corinth, Miss., May 5, 1863. Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the expedition up the Tuscumbia Valley to Courtland, Ala. ******* On my return, I burned all provisions, produce and forage, all mills and tan-yards, and destroyed everything that would in any way aid the enemy. I took stock of all kinds that I could find, and rendered the valley so destitute that it cannot be occupied by the Confederates, except provisions and forage be transported to them. 9|C «|C 3|C 5|« ^ 3|C 3|C G. M. Dodge, Brigadier-General. Capt. S. Wait, Assistant Adjutant-General, Left Wing, Sixteenth Corps. General Grant says : Up to the battle of Shiloh I, as well as thousands of other citizens, believed that the rebellion against the Government would collapse suddenly and soon, if a decisive victory could be gained over any of its armies. ******* But when Confederate armies were collected which not only attempted to hold a line farther south, from Memphis to Chat- tanooga, Knoxville, and on to the Atlantic, but assumed the offensive and made such a gallant effort to regain what had been lost, then, indeed, I gave up all idea of saving the Union except by complete conquest. Up to that time it had been the policy of our army, certainly that portion commanded by me, to protect the property of the citizens whose territory was 116 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS invaded, without regard to their sentiments, whether Union or Secession. After this, however, I regarded it as humane to both sides to protect the persons of those found at their homes, but to consume everything that could be used to support or sup- ply armies. Protection was still continued over such supplies as were within lines held by us and which we expected to con- tinue to hold ; but such supplies within the reach of Confederate armies I regarded as much contraband as arms or ordnance stores. Their destruction was accomplished without blood- shed and tended to the same result as the destruction of armies. I continued this policy to the close of the war. ?|C 5|C *fC SfC )|C 3|C SfC On the 20th, General Van Dorn appeared at Holly Springs, my secondary base of supplies, captured the garrison of 1,500 men commanded by Colonel Murphy, of the 8th Wisconsin Reg- iment, and destroyed all our munitions of war, food and forage. The capture was a disgraceful one to the officer commanding, but not to the troops under him. At the same time Forrest got on our line of railroad between Jackson, Tennessee, and Colum- bus, Kentucky, doing much damage to it. ******* After sending cavalry to drive Van Dorn away, my next order was to despatch all wagons we had, under proper escort, to collect and bring in all supplies of forage and food from a region of fifteen miles east and west of the road from our front back to Grand Junction, leaving two months* supplies for the families of those whose stores were taken. I was amazed at the quantity of supplies the country afforded. ******* On the 26. of August I was ordered from Washington to live upon the country, on the resources of citizens hostile to the Government, so far as practicable. I was also directed to handle rebels within our lines without gloves ; to imprison them, or to expel them from their homes and from our lines. A similar and worse condition of affairs had been suffered by the people of Virginia during the past year, as may be seen from the following orders of Gen. John Pope, command- ing the Federal army: IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 117 Headquarters of the Army of Virginia. July i8, 1862. General Orders No. 5. Hereafter, as far as practicable, the troops of this command will subsist upon the country in which their operations are carried on. * * * By command of Major-General Pope. George D. Ruggles, Colonel, A. A.-General, and Chief of Staff. Headquarters Army of Virginia. July 18, 1862. General Orders No. 7. The people of the Valley of the Shenandoah and throughout the region of the operations of this army, living along the lines of railroad and telegraph, and along routes of travel in the rear of United States forces, are notified that they will be held responsible for any injury done the track, line, or road, or for any attacks upon the trains or straggling soldiers, by bands of guerrillas in their neighborhood. * * * Evil-disposed persons in the rear of our armies, who do not themselves engage directly in these lawless acts, encourage by refusing to interfere or give any information by which such acts can be prevented or the perpetrators punished. Safety of the Hfe and property of all persons living in the rear of our advancing army depends upon the maintenance of peace and quiet among themselves, and upon the unmolested movements through their midst of all per- taining to the military service. They are to understand dis- tinctly that the security of travel is their only warrant of per- sonal safety. * * * If a soldier or legitimate follower of the army be fired upon from any house, the house shall be razed to the ground and the inhabitants sent prisoners to the headquarters of this army. If such an outrage occur at any place distant from settlements, the people within five miles around shall be held accountable, and made to pay an indemnity sufficient for the case; and any person detected in such out- rages, either during the act or at any time afterward, shall be shot, without waiting civil process. * * * By command of Major-General Pope. George D. Ruggles, Colonel. 118 confederate operations Headquarters Army of Virginia. Washington, July 23, 1862. General Orders No. 11. Commanders of army corps, divisions, brigades, and detached commands will proceed immediately to arrest all disloyal male citizens within their lines, or within their reach in the rear of their respective stations. Such as are willing to take the oath of allegiance to the United States, and will furnish sufficient security for its observ- ance, shall be permitted to remain at their homes, and pursue in good faith their accustomed avocations. Those who refuse shall be conducted south beyond the extreme pickets of the army, and be notified that, if found anywhere within our lines or at any point in the rear, they will be considered spies, and subjected to the extreme rigor of the military law. George D. Ruggles, Colonel, A. A.-General, and Chief of StaflF. The operations of Gen. Benjamin F. Butler at New Orleans were of a different character. Much might be given in detail from many sources to portray the sufferings of the Southern people in that locality, but an extract, which is taken from the account of Jefferson Davis, will state the case sufficiently. Of New Orleans, May i, 1862, and afterwards, he says : ******* The United States forces were under the command of Maj.- Gen. Benjamin F. Butler. Martial law was declared, and Brig.- Gen. George F. Shepley was appointed military governor of the State. ******* Peaceful and aged citizens, unresisting captives, and non- combatants were confined at hard labor with chains attached to their limbs, and held in dungeons and fortresses; others were subjected to a like degrading punishment for selling med- icine to the sick soldiers of the Confederacy. The soldiers of the invading force were incited and encouraged by general orders to insult and outrage the wives and mothers and sisters of the citizens ; and helpless women were torn from their homes and subjected to solitary confinement, some in fortresses and prisons — and one, especially, on an island of barren sand, under a tropical sun — and were fed with loathsome rations and exposed to vile insults. ******* IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 119 Egress from the city was refused to those whose fortitude stood the test, and even to lone and aged women and to helpless children; and, after being ejected from their houses and robbed of their property, they were left to starve in the streets or subsist on charity. By an order (No. 91), the entire property in that part of Lx)uisiana west of theMississippi River was sequestrated for con- fiscation, and officers were assigned to the duty, with orders to gather up and collect the personal property, and turn over to the proper officers, upon their receipts, such of it as might be required for the use of the United States Army ; and to bring the remainder to New Orleans, and cause it to be sold at public auction to the highest bidders. This was an order which, if it had been executed, would have condemned to punishment, by starvation, at least a quarter of a million of persons, of all ages, sexes, and conditions. The African slaves, also, were not only incited to insurrection by every license and encouragement, but numbers of them were armed for a servile war, which in its nature, as exemplified in other lands, far exceeds the horrors and merciless atrocities of savages. In many instances the officers were active and zealous agents in the commission of these crimes, and no instance was known of the refusal of any one of them to participate in the outrages. The order of Major-General Butler, to which reference is made above, was as follows: Headquarters Department of the Gulf. New Orleans. As officers and soldiers of the United States have been sub- jected to repeated insults from women, calling themselves ladies, of New Orleans, in return fcr the most scrupulous non- interference and courtesy on our part, it is ordered hereafter, when any female shall, by mere gesture or movement, insult, or show contempt for any officers or soldiers of the United States, she shall be regarded and held liable to be treated as .1 woman about town plying her vocation. By command of Major-General Butler. This order was issued on May 15, 1862, and known as General Order No. 28. 120 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS As a rule no report was made of the outrages committed by the detachments sent out to pillage and burn by Stanley, Payne, Turchin, Grierson, Milroy, Hunter, Merritt, etc. But, No. 42, Rebellion Records, published at New York during the war, contains among a large number a report of an expedition by Colonel Montgomery, commander of a negro regiment on the coast of Georgia. Montgomery de- tailed his expedition on June 11, 1863, on an improvised gun- boat with a force of negro soldiers, up the Altamaha River to Darien, to pay his "compliments to the rebels of Georgia." As he approached the town he says he threw shells into it which drove the inhabitants "frightened and terror-stricken in every direction." Then here is what he says his negro soldiers did : Pickets were sent out to the limits of the town. Orders were then given to search the town, take what could be found of value to the vessels, and then fire it. Officers then started off in every direction, with squads of men, to assist. In a very short time every house was broken into, and the work of pillage and selection was begun. * * * Soon the men began to come in in twos, threes, and dozens, loaded with every species and all sorts and quantities of furniture, stores, trinkets, etc., etc., till one would be tired enumerating. We had sofas, tables, pianos, chairs, mirrors, carpets, beds, bedsteads, carpenters* tools, coopers' tools, law books, account books in unlimited sup- ply, china sets, tinware, earthenware. Confederate shin plasters, old letters, papers, etc., etc., etc. A private would come along with a slate, yard stick, and a brace of chickens in one hand, a table on his head, and in the other hand a rope with a cow attached. * * * Droves of sheep and cows were driven in and put aboard. * * * Darien contained from seventy-five to one hundred houses — not counting slave cabins, of which there were several to every house, the number varying evidently according to the wealth of the proprietor. One fine broad street ran along the river, the rest starting from it. All of them were shaded on both sides, not with young; saplings, but good sturdy oaks and mulberries, that told of a town of both age and respectability. It was a beautiful town ; and never did it look so grand and beautiful as in its destruc- tion. As soon as a house was ransacked, the match was applied, and by six o'clock the whole town was in one sheet of flame. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 121 * * * The South must be conquered inch by inch ; and what we can't put a force in to hold, ought to be destroyed. If we must burn the South, so be it. * * * We reached camp next day, Friday, about three o'clock p. m. The next morning the plunder was divided, and now it is scattered all over the camp, but put to good use the whole of it. Some of the quarters really look princely, with their sofas, divans, pianos, etc. CHAPTER XIII Organization to raid western Kentucky and recruit a regiment — Fight and defeat at Dixon — Return to Tennessee. At this period the operations of troops in Tennessee had been confined to the commands of Forrest and Morgan on the left and right wings of Bragg's army and Wheeler in the center. Our location at Charlotte was within 2J miles of Nashville. Nothing of interest occurred until June, when John W. Head of Providence, and Rev. William Dimmitt of Madison- ville, came through from their homes and reported the situa- tion in Kentucky. Dimmitt had been chaplain of Colonel Johnson's regiment. Head was a lieutenant in the regi- ment, but had been one of those who had been cut off and had been hiding about in the woods with others, expecting Johnson to return. Dimmitt was the foremost minister in his church — the Christian denomination. They reported great persecution of the citizens by the Federals. Mr. Dim- mitt's home was four miles from Madisonville and he re- ported the garrison to be sixty-five cavalry at that place. About this time Colonel Ross of West Tennessee, who had been wounded some months before, stopped in the neigh- borhood. And next came my uncle, Capt. F. M. Headley, from the army in Mississippi, on leave to go into Kentucky and endeavor to secure recruits for his company. He had carried out the first and only infantry company from Hop- kins County in 1861. It was suggested by Parson Dimmitt that a company of thirty men could make its way through the lines and capture the garrison at Madisonville by attacking at daylight. He proposed to go if the men could be gathered together. This IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 123 expedition was at once approved. The prospects of the exploit filled us all with the idea that its success would enable us to recruit a regiment before we could be expelled from the territory. It was soon agreed that Dimmitt should be colonel, Ross, lieutenant-colonel. Head was to recruit a company, and Captain Headley likewise to serve temporarily. Bowers and I agreed to accompany the expedition and help. We soon secured the pledges of twelve in all, and within a week or ten days about twenty were ready, and most of them had arms. But no one had ammunition. Head knew where Col. Adam Johnson had buried two kegs of powder and several sacks of buckshot in a cavern not far from Cerulean Springs, in Trigg County, Kentucky, and he and I were selected to go on the trip for the supply of ammunition, while the others would endeavor to fill out as large a com- mand as possible. Head and I reached the cabin of our friend Murray on the bank of the Cumberland River on the first day, where we spent the night. We made a night ride of it by Brewer's Mill and on to Baker's near White's Bridge, where Bowers and I had stopped. . We told Baker our plans and arranged with him to go to Madisonville, or go over to Thompson Hamby's in Hopkins County and send him to get the exact location of the camp of the garrison in town by the time our com- mand came in. The friend who assisted in the burial of the ammunition promptly aided us, and we soon got as much as we could carry in saddle-bags duly wrapped up for safe carriage. We traveled through by the same route and reached Talley's, near Charlotte, in safety. Arrangements were now about complete to take our depar- ture for Kentucky. But, unfortunately, the next day about ten o'clock three of our men were run out of Charlotte by a cavalry company of Federals. One of them, our friend Walker, came to Talley's, where sixteen of our company had met, at full speed, to give the alarm. We all mounted our horses and went around the farm into a dense woods, where 124 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS we felt safe, and dismounted to await events, leaving a picket on our track to watch the house and road toward town. We had been here but a little while when we heard a noise back in the woods that sounded like horses coming. It was the Federal cavalry within seventy-five yards of us. By the time we got mounted we were running, and we made as much noise among the bushes as would be made by a hurricane. The woods were too thick for the enemy to shoot, even if ready, and no doubt they thought they were getting into an ambuscade. Our party stampeded about three hundred yards and halted on a hill in the woods, as some of the men had pistols and the guns were loaded. We wanted to give the enemy a few shots. I now discovered that in the race the weight of my powder and shot, being jolted, tore my saddle- bags apart in the middle and away went half of our supply of ammunition. We saw the Federals stop just in sight and turn back. No doubt they had expected to surprise us at the house and capture the crowd, which might have been an easy job, but since we were mounted and wide awake on a hill in thick woods, the matter was different. The Federals retraced their steps to Charlotte and returned to Clarksville without going to Talley's house. We were in trouble when we found they had picked up the ammunition I had lost. However, it was decided to try and make our way into Kentucky by traveling at night to the place where we left the greater part of the ammunition. Starting after supper, we rode through Charlotte and on to Barton's Creek and encamped in a secluded wood. We remained here a couple of days and in the interim got a supply of ammunition from parties on Yellow Creek. We then moved down near the road that leads from Clarks- ville to Dover on the south side of the river. Here we camped in a safe retreat. Colonel Brewer, a daring Confederate, whose command had been scattered north of Clarksville, joined us here, but for the trip to Christian County only. We now had twenty-eight in our force, exclusive of Brewer, and all pretty well armed with pistols and double-barreled I IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 125 shotguns. When we were ready for our march, Colonel Dimmitt formed the party in line and delivered a patriotic and inspiring address, in which he demonstrated the absolute necessity for strict obedience of orders and attention to duty even more important on this perilous raid than in an encamp- ment of the Regular Army. He then proposed that an oath be administered by which every person connected with the command should bind himself not to leave the ranks on the journey, either to visit or stop at his home, or for any other purpose. He invited those who were unwilling to enter into this obligation to ride to the front out of ranks. Not a man went. The oath was then administered by Colonel Dimmitt to all the command and then by Colonel Ross to Dimmitt. We crossed the Cumberland River at Murray's by swim- ming the horses after dark, and camped near Squire Fletcher's. We made an early start next morning and were across the Dover and Clarksville road by sunrise. We fol- lowed the private route to the Hurricane timber and rested until night, arranging for supper and forage in the neighbor- hood. We made it convenient, of course, to conceal our presence from all save friends on this trip, as we were now in the enemy's country. After night we pushed forward to the neighborhood of the ammunition and supplied all with powder and buckshot. At Cerulean Springs we met a party of Confederates, and recognized an officer as they approached. This was Lieut.- Col. Robert M. Martin, commander of the Tenth Kentucky Cavalry in Morgan's command. He told us he was wounded at McMinnville, Tennessee, just before Morgan started on the Ohio raid, and was left behind. He was shot in the right lung with a Minie ball, which lodged in his lung and was still there. He said he had been on a "fly" to the old stamping-ground. We offered him the command of our crowd if he would go back, but he declined. It was arranged that Colonel Dimmitt and I go off the road to Allen Baker's and get his report of the situation at 126 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS Madisonville. After sunset we came to the fork of the road and left the command, which was to travel along slowly across White's Bridge over Tradewater River, then to Charleston, four miles, and take the Madisonville road, which place was twelve miles farther on. When Dimmitt and I reached Baker's we got a good supper and our horses were well fed. The situation was unchanged at Madisonville and the camp was in an old livery stable. Baker belonged to Bro. Dimmitt's church in that locality, so I rested while they talked. We left there at 8 o'clock at night and jogged along four miles to White's Bridge, when I suggested that we should hurry on; but Dimmitt said he could not stand the jolting of a fast gait and we had plenty of time. He was elated over the idea of surprising the enemy at daybreak. We now knew the exact location of the camp, and both being familiar with the approach we planned every detail of the arrangement for the attack. At daylight we overtook our column six miles from Madi- sonville, where it had halted on the roadside in an open wood- land. I had been feeling discouraged and Dimmitt had declared that, if we were too late, we could conceal our men during the day and take Madisonville the next morning. The men were all furious when we arrived. Dimmitt made his explanation in a very sorrowful manner and expressed his painful regrets at the delay. Dimmitt proposed that we go through a by-road to Mrs. Kirkwood's, four miles distant, where we could arrange for breakfast in the woods and camp in a secluded place. This was decided on, and, to my astonishment, Dimmitt said he would go through the woods two miles to his home, spend a few hours with his family, and join us in camp during the afternoon. The command then devolved upon Colonel Ross and we moved away on the road to Mrs. Kirkwood's. I soon saw that the men did not intend to allow Dimmitt to have any further connection with our expedition. Sev- eral other men were as near their homes as Dimmitt, and IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 127 yet he was the first and only one to forget his oath, taken in Tennessee. I felt sorry for him when I came to reflect that this was his first experience, but we were not in condition to allow him to learn the business at our expense. We arranged without trouble with Mrs. Kirkwood and a neigh- bor for breakfast, and spent the day in a secluded woods, rest- ing ourselves and the horses. Dimmitt did not make his appearance by sunset, so we recognized Colonel Ross as our commander, who decided to move six miles farther west and encamp above Stoney Point on Clear Creek, just below Burnett's Bridge. We moved that night across toward Provi- dence to wild woods in Wiers Creek flats and encamped. The next morning we arranged with Kerney G. Rice for breakfast, and he entertained us all at his hospitable home two and a half miles from Providence. We passed through Providence, exciting a good deal of curiosity, as several of us were at home ; but we only tarried a few moments, none dismounting. We took the road to Caseyville, on the Ohio River, but bore to the right and went to Clayville, nine miles, where we halted for half an hour and bought a lunch of cheese, crackers, and cove oysters at a family grocery. I bought a pocket-knife from Joel Blackwell, a Union man. We then turned toward Dixon, the county-seat of Webster County, after learning it was not occupied by a garrison. We traveled the ten miles to Dixon by twelve o'clock, includ- ing a stoppage to feed our horses. At Dixon we rested an hour, perhaps, and mingled with our friends among the cit- izens, giving it out that we were going to Providence. We had calculated that forty or fifty of the garrison at Madisonville would be on our trail about half a day behind. And except for an accident our idea would have been cor- rect. Kerney Rice, where we got breakfast, was one of my mess-mates at Hopkinsville and at Fort Donelson, where he surrendered with those who remained behind when Forrest took the rest of us out. When the year expired for which we enlisted, he was still in prison, and taking the oath of alle- giance was released and came home. He told me we were 128 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS welcome to anything on his place but he was obliged, under his oath, to send a man to Madisonville and report us. It was sixteen miles, however, to Madisonville, and the Fed- erals could not come to the locality before night. It was our plan on leaving Dixon after our circuit to go four miles on the road toward Providence, then turn square to the left on the Madisonville road and follow this to the Shake-Rag hills, very near Madisonville, and we would go in next morning at daybreak and capture all that were left in camp, while at least half of the garrison was out on our trail. It happened that the man Rice sent to Madisonville met the pursuing force on the Rose Creek road, only six miles from Rice's house, near Wm. Peyton's. They questioned him, of course. He had been sent to report. Peyton, the leading Union man of that section, lived two miles from Nebo and knew several of us intimately. He joined in the chase as the guide. At most, they were only eight miles behind us, and followed at full speed. We rode leisurely out of Dixon, all the men closing up but two, who came rushing after us just as we reached a thick woods in the edge of the town on a ridge. We looked back at the first sound of run- ning horses and saw the two men were closely pursued by a company of blue-coats. Colonel Ross ordered us into the edge of the woods and tried to form us into line quickly. Our two men rushed by us and entered the woods beyond. The enemy came in column of fours and I heard the com- mander order a charge. We opened fire with our shot-guns when they were within fifty yards, but they did not pause. Colonel Ross ordered us to dismount and get behind trees. About half of us dismounted and balked the rush of the enemy. Nearly half our men had given way and Colonel Ross ordered us to mount. I was up in a second and off at full speed. Colonel Ross, I noticed, was wounded, and Cap- tain Headley's horse being shot, he was captured ; but Ross mounted and escaped. There were over fifty in the attacking party and not over half our men fired a gun ; but they were not to blame as we were taken by surprise and had no time to take position for a fight. I ) IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 129 Most of the Federals, without stopping, dashed after the rest of us through the thick woods. I had gone about a hundred yards and was getting away on my fast-running mare, when I felt my saddle come loose. I found the girth had broken and I must go off with the saddle or get rid of it. I turned off to the right to get out of the track of the pursuers, and grasping my mare's mane I managed to let the saddle off behind. I had slacked up a little, but the blue- coats followed the .crowd, and now I pushed forward without a saddle or baggage. I soon came to a field and turned to the right still farther, but presently came upon another fence running squarely to my right as far as I could see. The cheering Federals were a hundred yards to my left going on the other side of the little field after the main body of our men and firing all the time. I could not see far behind me and decided that I was hemmed in if any of the enemy were after me. I rode to the right some thirty yards, dismounted, and hitched my mare to the fence, under a tree, and ran under that much cover to the right until I reached the woods in a thick place, when I got over and climbed a sugar-tree with low spreading branches, that a man could not see into unless he got under it. From this tree I had a glimpse of my mare. I thought I might meet the enemy if I went in any direction. The cheering and shooting went on away from me until they appeared to be half a mile distant. I now felt safe unless they should look for me as they returned. But they did not come near me, though I could hear them going back. After sunset I slipped along through the woods and found my saddle and baggage undisturbed. Presently I heard a man calling cows about two hundred yards distant across the field, and saw that his house was not far off. I ventured out a short distance and called to him. He came to me and I recognized him as Joseph Jenkins, who had been one of my father's customers for merchandise in my boyhood. He brought me feed for my mare and a good supper, mended my saddle girth, and gave me a hat — I having lost mine in the chase. It was eight miles to my father's house. Jenkins 130 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS directed me through the woods to the highway, and I reached home about nine o'clock. My parents were glad to see me alive after the events of the day. My father had learned from Providence that the Federals, after our fight, had gone back by way of Clayville and then to Providence, where they had halted a few minutes. My uncle. Captain Headley, was their only prisoner. His feet were tied together under the horse he rode, to prevent his escape. When my uncle sur- rendered, Wm. Peyton, the guide and acquaintance, became ferocious, and rushed forward to shoot him, but the captain of the company interfered and saved Captain Headley's life. After leaving Providence the Federal command came along the big road by my father's farm, en route to Madisonville. We learned the next day that a young man named Pate, from Tennessee, had been wounded severely during the re- treat and was hid in a cabin on the farm of Andrew Bruce, one mile from my father's house on the road to Madisonville. He finally recovered and went to the South. I managed to have inquiries made in all directions for my comrades, but it appeared that none had stopped in Hopkins County. After spending a few days at home, I started south again and traveled by the familiar route to Squire Fletcher's, and crossing by canoe at Murray's, arrived safely at the home of Mr. Watkins. Thus ended in disaster the expedi- tion of Colonel Dimmitt into Kentucky. I learned that a number of friends were boarding on Barton's Creek at a farmhouse near Dickerson's store. I went there and arranged to stay with the crowd a few days before proceed- ing toward Bragg's army at Chattanooga. I found Capt. John H. Christy, of the Tenth Kentucky Cavalry, and we traveled together, reaching the army a few days after the battle of Chickamauga. CHAPTER XIV Bragg's retreat from Shelbyville to Chattanooga — ^Wheeler's fight and escape at Shelbyville — Morgan starts on Ohio raid — Federal commanders lose Morgan in Kentucky, except those on his trail — Morgan crosses into Indiana, passes near Cincinnati — Morgan surrenders, and with his officers is confined in Ohio Penitentiary. The monotony in General Bragg's army had been broken by the retreat to Chattanooga, where it was now safely located. In the retreat from Shelbyville, General Forrest's command was unable to reach the bridge over Duck River in time to cross there, and General Wheeler, seeing that Forrest was cut off, led 500 cavalry across the bridge and soon encountered the enemy, whom he fought back until he and his command were cut off from the bridge and it looked like he would be captured ; but Wheeler, calling upon his men to fol- low him, rode to the steep river bank and plunged his horse over into the deep water fifteen feet below. His men followed. Horses and riders went under and some were drowned. The enemy swarmed upon the bank and poured volley after vol- ley upon the struggling masses, but Wheeler and most of the men reached the other bank and escaped. Forrest, find- ing the enemy in his front, made a circuit and crossed his command over the river in safety. Now all were at Chatta- nooga with Bragg's army. Rosecrans's army had followed to the mountains. I now learned some of the particulars of the raid of General John H. Morgan and his capture in Ohio with about 1,800 of his command. I had heard of it in Kentucky, and it was said at Madisonville, his home, that Gen. James M. Shackelford claimed the honor of making the capture. 132 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS Although the expedition had resulted in disaster to Gen- eral Morgan and his command it had been of great ad- vantage in many ways. It had surprised and mystified the Federal commanders in Kentucky and terrorized Indiana and Ohio, besides creating widespread consternation all over the North. It had prevented reinforcements to Rose- crans and prevented the advance of Burnside through Cum- berland Gap to East Tennessee. The result did not alter the romance and grandeur of the expedition. It had attracted the attention of the South as well as the North above all other events, especially in the closing scenes, when it was known that he had eluded and escaped from all pur- suers, and had reached the Ohio River at Buffington Island, where it was expected he could ford the river. It was esti- mated that over 30,000 regular troops, besides over 50,000 militia, were in front and rear of Morgan during the twenty- five days from the time he crossed the Cumberland River, at Burkesville, until he surrendered. It will be remembered that Colonel Streight with 2,000 men left Tuscumbia, and with a start of twenty-four hours was pursued by Forrest with only one small brigade, and surrendered 1,600 of his men at the end of five days, when Forrest had but 500 men. General Morgan's raid was perhaps unparalleled in the annals of warfare. It was intended at the outset, by Gen- eral Bragg, that Morgan would cross the Cumberland, threaten or capture Louisville, and make such a diversion as would hamper and check General Rosecrans, or in the event that Rosecrans advanced Morgan would turn upon his rear. But when Morgan had crossed the Cumberland River, half a dozen brigades of infantry and cavalry began to close on him from all directions. He ran the gauntlet, captured garrisons, burned bridges, tapped and cut telegraph wires, and managed to elude and mystify the enemy as to his movements and the number of his troops until they had lost him entirely, except those on his trail. When he cap- tured two steamboats at Brandenberg, forty miles below Louisville, and crossed his command over to Indiana, it IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 133 stampeded the enemy on the river. It was believed at first, by the Federal commanders, that Morgan had gone down the Ohio River on the steamboats. Even the commander at Cairo, Illinois, called on the commander at Columbus, Kentucky, for 800 infantry reinforcements. Gen. Basil W. Duke, who commanded one of the two brigades of General Morgan's division on the Ohio raid, says : He (Morgan) had ordered me three weeks previously to send intelligent men to examine the fords of the upper Ohio — that at Buffington among them ; and it is a fact, of which others, as well as myself, are cognizant, that he intended — long before he crossed the Ohio — ^to make no effort to recross it, except at some of these fords, unless he found it more expedient, when he reached that region, to join General Lee, if the latter should still be in Pennsylvania. As it turned out only the unprecedented rise in the Ohio caused his capture — he had avoided or had cut his way through all other dangers. On the 2d of July, 1863, the crossing of the Cumberland began, the first brigade crossing at Burkesville and Scott's Ferry, two miles above, and the second crossing at Turkey-neck Bend. The river was out of its banks, and running like a mill- race. The first brigade had, with which to cross the men and their accoutrements, and artillery, only two crazy little flats, that seemed ready to sink under the weight of a single man, and two or three canoes. Col. Adam R. Johnson, commanding the Second Brigade, was not even so well provided. The horses were made to swim. Just twelve miles distant upon the other side, at Marrow- bone, lay Judah's cavalry, which had moved to that point from Glasgow, in anticipation of some such movement upon Morgan's part as he was now making. OUR ENTIRE STRENGTH WAS TWENTY-FOUR HUNDRED AND SIXTY EFFECTIVE MEN— THE FIRST BRIGADE NUMBER- ING FOURTEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY, THE SEC- OND ONE THOUSAND. It should be observed that General Morgan and his com- mand appear to have been lost to the Federal commanders 134 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS after crossing the Cumberland River. A number of official despatches of the Federal officers, covering this period, are given below : Lexington, Ky., July 4, 1863 — 8 a. m. Received 8.45 a. m. General Burnside : Following just received: "Marrowbone, July 3 — 8 p. m. "The developments of the past two hours verifies my con- jecture, and justifies the movements I ordered toward Columbia and Greensburg. The Eighth Kentucky Cavalry has been in Burkesville. No enemy in my front. I have arranged to have Mason's brigade in Glasgow by a forced march some time to-morrow night. Cavalry entire to precede infantry and artil- lery, and go on to Greensburg. Hobson's brigade I have ordered to follow up Shackelford. You will perceive the neces- sity for the different movements of the two brigades. Mor- gan's whole force, from 4,000 to 5,000, has advanced toward Columbia. If Carter can check them until my force can come, all will be well. I think it will, anyhow. Bacon Creek Bridge will be the point struck, I believe, just above Munfordville. I think Morgan may now be permanently disposed of, by checking him beyond Columbia until I can get at him and partly behind him. I will be in Glasgow to-morrow, and, un- less I receive contrary orders, continue to direct Shackelford's movements, as well as those of my division. Forces at Russell- ville and Bowling Green should be returned, and surplus con- centrated at Munfordville. M. H. Judah." A. E. Burnside, Major-General. Louisville, July 4, 1863 — 10.20. (Rec. 10.45.) General Burnside: If there are any troops at Indianapolis or in Ohio, had they not better be sent here ? Morgan has got on around our forces, and threatens the railroads. Morgan has 4,500 men. I have no force under my command to protect the road. I regret the troops have moved from Columbia, and believe part of Carter's division will have to be moved to Lebanon or other point. Morgan's men are mounted, and it will be difficult to engage them except at his option. J. T. Boyle, Brigadier-General. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 135 Cincinnati, July 4, 1863. General Hartsuff, Lexington, Ky. : I do not think any improvement can be made upon the dispo- sitions made by yourself and Judah. I am satisfied there can be no force to come through Cumberland Gap. If we can succeed in whipping Morgan, it is my intention to make a quick and rapid movement into East Tennessee. Use all your avail- able force to operate against him. A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General. Louisville, July 10, 1863. General Hartsuff (Lexington, Ky.) : Wires all cut in Indiana. Morgan's force reached the rail- road. I cannot communicate with General Bumside. ******* J. T. Boyle, Brigadier-General. Col. B. W. Duke, having surrendered with part of his brigade, says : On the next day, the 20th, we were marched down the river bank some ten miles to the transport which was to take us to Cincinnati, and she steamed off as soon as we were aboard of her. A portion of the Ninth Tennessee had been put across the river in a small flat before the fight fairly commenced and these men, under command of Captain Kirkpatrick, pressed horses and made their escape. Colonel Grigsby and Captain Byrnes also crossed the river here and succeeded in escaping. Between eleven and twelve hundred men retreated with General Morgan, closely pursued by Hobson's cavalry, the indefatigable Woolford, as usual, in the lead. Some three hundred of the command crossed the river at a point about twenty miles above Buflington. Colonel Johnson and his staff swam the river here and got safely ashore, with the exception of two or three of the latter, who were drowned in the attempt. The arrival of the gunboats prevented the entire force from crossing. General Morgan had gained the middle of the river, and, having a strong horse, could have gained the other shore without difficulty, but seeing that the bulk of his command would be forced to remain on the Ohio side, he returned to it. ******* 136 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS General Morgan surrendered in a very peculiar manner. In the extreme eastern part of Ohio (where he now was), he came into the "district" of a Captain Burbeck, who had his militia under arms. General Morgan sent a message to Captam Burbeck, under flag of truce, requesting an interview with him. Burbeck consented to meet him, and, after a short conference. General Morgan concluded a treaty with him, by which he (Morgan) engaged to take and disturb nothing, and do no sort of damage in Burbeck's district, and Burbeck, on his part, covenanted to guide and escort Morgan to the Pennsylvania line. After riding a few miles, side by side, with his host. General Morgan, espying a long cloud of dust rolling rapidly upon a course parallel with his own (about a mile distant), and gaining his front, thought it was time to act. So he interrupted a pleasant conversation by suddenly asking Burbeck how he would like to receive his (Morgan's) surrender. Burbeck answered that it would afford him inexpressible satisfaction to do so. "But," said Morgan, "perhaps you would not give me such terms as I wish." "General Morgan,'' replied Burbeck, "you might write your own terms, and I would grant them." "Very well, then," said Morgan, "it is a bargain. I will surrender to you." He accordingly surrendered to Captain Burbeck, of the Ohio militia, upon condition that officers and men were to be paroled, the latter retaining their horses, and the former horses and side-arms. When General Shackelford (Hobson's second in command, and the officer who was conducting the pursuit in that immediate region) arrived, he at once disapproved the arrangement and took measures to prevent its being carried into effect. Some officers, who had once been Morgan's prisoners, were anxious that it should be observed, and Woolford generously interested himself to have it done. The terms of this surrender were not carried out. The cartel (as Morgan had anticipated) had been repudiated, and the terms for which he had stipulated, under that apprehension, were repudiated also. Although this expedition resulted disastrously, it was, even as a failure, incomparably the most brilliant raid of the entire war. General James M. Shackelford, in his official report, says : Learning that Morgan, with about four hundred men, had crossed the railroad and was going in the direction of Smith's Ford, I ordered Major Rue to return, with the advance, to the IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 137 head of the column, then on the New Lisbon road. We had gone about seven miles when a courier from Major Rue announced that Morgan had run into the New Lisbon road ahead of him. Within a few minutes a second courier came from Major Rue, stating that he had come up with the enemy and wished me to send forward reinforcements immediately. The whole column was thrown forward at the utmost speed of the horses. We came to where the roads forked. The enemy had gone to the left, and was between the two roads. My advance had taken the right-hand road. I moved the column on the road the enemy had gone. On our approach, several of the enemy started to run. Just at this moment a flag came from the enemy, the bearer stating that General Morgan wanted a personal interview with me. I caused the firing to cease, and moved around to where Morgan and his staff were standing in the road. Morgan claimed that he had surrendered to a militia captain. Major Rue had very properly refused to take any action in the premises until I came up. I ordered Morgan and his staff to ride forward with Colonel Woolford and myself, and ordered Major Rue to take charge of the balance of the prisoners. Morgan stated to me, in the presence of Colonel Woolford and other officers, that he had become thoroughly satisfied that escape from me was impossible; that he himself might have escaped by deserting his men, but that he would not do so. He also stated in the same conversation that he did not care for the militia ; that he could, with the command he had, whip all the militia in Ohio ; yet he said that since crossing the Ohio he had found every man, woman, and child his enemy; that every hill top was a telegraph and every bush an ambush. After travel- ing back two miles we halted, to have the prisoners dismounted and disarmed. General Morgan then desired a private inter- view. He called three or four of his staff and Colonel Cluke. I asked Colonel Woolford to attend the interview. He claimed that he had surrendered to a militia captain, and the captain had agreed to parole him, his officers and men. I stated that we had followed him thirty days and nights ; THAT WE HAD MET AND DEFEATED HIM A NUMBER OF TIMES; we had captured nearly all of his command; that he had acknowledged, in the presence of Colonel Woolford, that he knew I WOULD CAPTURE HIM; that he himself might have escaped by deserting his men, but that he would not do so; that we were on the field; that Major Rue had gone to his right and Captain Ward to his left, and the main column was 138 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS moving rapidly upon his rear; that he had acknowledged the militia captain was no impediment in his way, showing by his own statement that he could, with the force of men he then had, whip all the militia in Ohio; that I regarded his surrender to the militia captain, under such circumstances, as not only absurd and ridiculous, but unfair and illegal, and that I would not recognize it at all. He then demanded to be placed back on the field as I had found him. I stated to him that his demand would not be considered for a moment ; that he, together with his officers and men, would be delivered to Major-General Burnside, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and that he would take such action in the premises as he might think proper. The number of prisoners captured with Morgan was about 350. General B. W. Duke says : While we were waiting in the hall, to which we were assigned, before being placed in our cells, a convict, as I sup- posed, spoke to me in a low voice from the grated door of one of the cells already occupied. I made some remark about the familiarity of our new friends on short acquaintance, when by the speaker's peculiar laugh I recognized General Morgan. He was so shaven and shorn that his voice alone was recog- nizable, for I could not readily distinguish his figure. We were soon placed in our respective cells and the iron-barred doors locked. 5|C 5J€ JjC SjC JjC ifC ^ When we returned to the hall, we met General Morgan, Colonel Cluke, Calvin Morgan, Captain Gibson, and some twenty-six others — our party numbered sixty-eight in all. General Morgan and most of the officers who surrendered with him, had been taken to Cincinnati and lodged in the city prison (as we had been), with the difference, that we had been placed in the upper apartments (which were clean), and he and his party were confined in the lower rooms, in comparison with which the stalls of the Augean stables were boudoirs. After great efforts. General Morgan obtained an interview with Burnside, and urged that the terms upon which he had sur- rendered should be observed, but with no avail. He and the officers with him were taken directly from Cincinnati to the Ohio Penitentiary, and had been there several days when we (who came from Johnson's Island) arrived. CHAPTER XV Col. Robert M. Martin — Record in Morgan's cavalry — Morgan's men under Martin open and close battle of Chickamauga — Forrest loses his division. Among the daring spirits of the Southern cavalry it is due that more than ordinary mention be made of the personal record of Col. Robert M. Martin. And it may be pardonable for the reason that we w^ere companions from this period to the close of the war and ever afterward. Robert Maxwell Martin was born January lo, 1840, near Greenville, Muhlenburg County, Kentucky, and was some months over 23 years of age at this time. Martin was six feet in height and straight as an Indian until wounded in the right lung at McMinnville. He was now a little bent, but his form was shapely, his weight being about 160 pounds. His eyes were bluish gray with very light or blonde hair, mustache and goatee. In camp he was playful and mischievous. In battle or in time of peril he was at his best and had no superior. He belonged to the only class of the Southern people to whom General Sherman paid a compliment in a letter to General Halleck when asked for his opinion of the disposition that should be made of the population after the war. General Sherman says : The young bloods of the South, sons of planters, lawyers about towns, good billiard-players and sportsmen, men who never did work and never will. War suits them, and the rascals are brave, fine riders, bold to rashness, and dangerous subjects in every sense. They care not a sou for niggers, land, or any- thing. They hate Yankees per se, and don't bother their brains about the past, present or future. As long as they have good 140 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS horses, plenty of forage, and an open country, they are happy. This is a larger class than most men suppose, and they are the most dangerous set of men that this war has turned loose upon the world. They are splendid riders, first-rate shots, and utterly reckless. Stuart, John Morgan, Forrest, and Jackscn are the types and leaders of this class. These men must all be killed or employed by us before we can hope for peace. They have no property or future, and therefore cannot be influenced by anything, except personal considerations. I have two brigades of these fellows in my front, commanded by Cosby, of the old army, and Whitfield, of Texas. Stephen D. Lee is in command of the whole. They are the best cavalry in the world, but it zvill tax Mr. Chase's genius for finance to supply them with horses. Colonel Martin had rendered service in General Morgan's cavalry since December, 1862, of which General Duke says: Shortly after the Hartsville fight, Col. Adam R. Johnson reached Murfreesboro with his regiment. It had been raised in western Kentucky, and was very strong upon the rolls, but from losses by capture, and other causes, had been reduced to less than four hundred effective men. It was a fine body of men, and splendidly officered. Martin, the lieutenant-colonel, was a man of extraordinary dash and resolution, and very shrewd in partisan warfare. Owens, the major, was a very gallant man, and the disciplinarian of the regiment. Lieutenant-Colonels Huffman and Martin were especially enterprising during the early part of February, in the favorite feat of wagon catching, and each attacked with success and profit large foraging parties of the enemy. * * * j have heard an incident of one of the dashes of Martin, related and vouched for by reliable men who witnessed it, which ought to be preserved. Martin had penetrated with a small force into the neighborhood of Murfreesboro, and upon his return was forced to cut his way through a body of the enemy's cavalry. He charged vigorously, and a melee ensued, in which the com- batants were mixed all together. In this confused hand-to- hand fight. Captain Bennett (a dashing young officer, whose coolness, great strength and quickness had made him very successful and celebrated in such encounters), was confronted by an opponent who leveled a pistol at his head, and at the same IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 141 time Bennett saw one of the men of his company just about to be shot or sabered by another one of the enemy. Bending- low- in his saddle to avoid the shot aimed at himself, Captain Bennett first shot the assailant of his follower and then killed his own foe. ♦ **♦*♦* General Morgan, in his official report of the fight which ensued on the next day at Milton, says : "On the evening of the 19th inst. I reached Liberty, Tennessee, and learned that the Federals were moving upon that place from Murfreesboro, their numbers being variously estimated at from two thousand to four thousand infantry, and two hundred cavalry, with one section of artillery. At the time I reached my videttes on the Milton road, the enemy was within five miles of Liberty. It being near night, they fell back to Auburn, and encamped. Determining to attack them next morning, I ordered Colonels Breckinridge and Gano, who were in command of brigades, to move within four miles of the enemy, and hold themselves in readiness to move at any moment. * * * In a short time I arrived upon the ground. * * * j therefore ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Martin to move to the left with his regiment, and Colonel Breckinridge to send one to the right — ^to go forward rapidly and when within striking distance, to move in and cut off the pieces. Having two pieces of artillery, I ordered them to go forward on the road, supported by Colonel Ward's regiment, dismounted, and the remainder of the com- mand to move in column in supporting distance." ******* "They went forward gallantly, supported by a part of Ward's regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel Martin, who still occupied his position on the left, was ordered to threaten the right of the enemy. At the same time, I ordered the command under Colonel Gano to move up, dismount and attack the enemy, vigorously, immediately in front. Colonel Breckinridge was ordered to move to the right with his command and attack their extreme left. Captain Quirk, in the mean time, had been ordered to get upon tlie pike, immediately in the rear of the enemy, which he did in a most satisfactory manner, capturing fifteen or twenty men. "He remained in the rear of the enemy until reinforcements came to them from Murfreesboro (being only thirteen miles distant), when he was driven back. When our artillery opened, the whole command moved forward. Colonel Martin 142 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS charged up in most gallant style, and had a number of his horses killed with canister, as the guns of the enemy were turned upon him. The remainder of the command was moved up to within one hundred yards of the main column of the Federals and dismounted. Moving rapidly to the front, they drove in the enemy's skirmishers, and pushed forward in the most gallant manner upon the hill occupied by the enemy." The scanty supply of ammunition, however, and its failure at the critical moment, was the principal cause of the repulse, or rather withdrawal of our troops. All who have given any account of this battle concur in praising the conduct of the combatants. It was fought with the utmost determination, and with no flinching on either side. One incident is thus described by an eye-witness : "Just here Martin performed one of those acts of heroic, but useless courage, too common among our officers. When his regiment wavered and commenced to fall back, he halted until he was left alone; then at a slow walk, rode to the pike, and with his hat off rode slowly out of fire. He was splendidly mounted, wore in his hat a long black plume, was himself a large and striking figure, and I have often thought that it was the hand- somest picture of cool and desperate courage I saw in the war." It has been related that Col. Adam R. Johnson, com- mander of the Second Brigade in General Morgan's division, made his escape across the Ohio River in West Virginia at the close of Morgan's Ohio raid. Colonel Martin having arrived at Chickamauga from his recent trip to Kentucky found Colonel Johnson absent on leave. While yet unable to report for regular duty he vol- unteered to serve through the battle, and commanded the little remnant of Morgan's division which had been collected by. Johnson. General Duke says: An officer who was a valuable assistant to Colonel Johnson in collecting Morgan's men previous to the battle of Chicka- mauga, says: "From Calhoun we were ordered to Lafayette, from Lafayette to Dalton, thence to Tunnel Hill. On the morning of the i8th of September, the whole army marched IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 143 out for the battle. Our small force was ordered to report to General Forrest, and did so about ten a. m. on the field. We were immediately deployed as skirmishers, mounted, in front of Hood's division, of Longstreet's corps, just come from Vir- ginia. As the men galloped by Forrest, he called to them in language which inspired them with still higher enthusiasm. He urged them to do their whole duty in the battle. He spoke of their chief, who had been insulted with a felon's treatment, and was then lying in the cell of a penitentiary. He gave them 'Morgan' for a battle-cry, and bade them maintain their old reputation. "The enemy first engaged fell back upon a supporting regi- ment. We soon drove them back upon a third. By this time our small 'layout' found the fighting rather interesting. Engaging three times our number, and attacking every position the enemy chose, was very glorious excitement, but rather more of it than our mouths watered for. Yet no man faltered — all rushed on as reckless of the opposing array of danger as of their own alignment. * * * "The enemy had formed in the edge of a woods, in front of which was an open field. This field was fought over again and again, each side charging alternately, and forced back. At last a charge upon our part, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Martin, was successful. The enemy fell back still farther. We now saw clearly from many indications, and were told by prisoners, that the Federal line of battle, the main force, was not far off. We, therefore, moved more cautiously. Just about sundown, we found the enemy's cavalry drawn up directly in front of the infantry, but they made little resistance. After one or two volleys, they fell back behind the protecting 'web-feet.' Night falling stopped all further operations for that day. We camped in line of battle, and picketed in front. "The fighting of the next day was very similar to that of the previous ones — the enemy falling back slowly with his face toward us. But late in the evening the retreat became a rout. The army made no attack on the 21st. In the afternoon Colonel Scott was sent with his brigade over Missionary Ridge into the valley, and engaged a few scattered cavalry and an Illinois regiment of infantry — capturing nearly all of the latter before they could reach the works around Chattanooga. Form- ing his brigade. Colonel Scott sent a portion of our command, on foot, to reconnoiter the enemy's position. The reconnoiter- ing party drove in the pickets, took the outside rifle pits, and forced the enemy to their breastworks and forts. 144 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS "This closed the battle of Chickamauga — Morgan's men firing the first and last shot in that terrible struggle." Colonel Martin related to me the trouble that was caused by the attempt of General Bragg to appropriate the horses of the orphan soldiers of the Confederacy, from far-away Kentucky, .and how General Forrest stood by Captains Dortch and Kirkpatrick, and their men. When the order came for the surrender of their horses, Forrest swore he would surround Morgan's men with his division and pro- tect them. The horses were not taken, but in consequence Forrest lost his own command. Wyeth's "Life of Forrest" says : It was while in pursuit of the retreating enemy, on September 30th, that Forrest received from General Bragg the following order : "Missionary Ridge, September 28, 1863. "Brigadier-General Forrest, near Athens. "General: The general commanding desires that you will without delay turn over the troops of your command, previously ordered, to Major-General Wheeler." Upon the receipt of this message he flew into a violent rage, at the height of which he dictated a letter to Major Anderson, who says: "The general dictated a letter which I wrote to Bragg, resenting the manner in which he had been treated, and charging the commander of the army in plain, straight language with duplicity and lying, and informing him that he would call at his headquarters in a few days to say to him in person just what he had written. He concluded by saying he desired to shirk no responsibility incurred by the contents of his letter. When Forrest read the letter over and signed it, it was sealed and handed to the courier, and, as he rode away, the general remarked to me, 'Bragg never got such a letter as that before from a brigadier.' " Before President Davis assigned Forrest to another field of duty General Bragg had been succeeded by Johnston, IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 145 Wyeth says: Gen. Joseph E. Johnston wrote : "He will, on arriving there, proceed to raise and organize as many troops for the Confed- erate service as he finds practicable." ******* From Rome, and thence westward, along the route over which, a few months before, he had pursued and captured Streight's raiders, Forrest marched with his handful of men — a brigadier-general with an army of two hundred and seventy- one men, as follows: Field and staff 8 Escort company 65 McDonald's battahon 139 Capt. J. W. Morton's battery 67 Total effectives 271 L CHAPTER XVI Martin's expedition to Kentucky — Exciting adventures — Skirmish with an old friend — Surprised and routed near Greenville — Loss of horses and equipments — Rendezvous in Henry County, Tennessee — Expedition on foot to Golden Pond — Recapture of horses, and home-guards paroled. Upon my arrival with Captain Christy, in Bragg's army, we were installed by Colonel Martin as members of his mess, the others being Cyrus W. Crabtree, Lieut. Arthur Andrews, Lieut. Oscar L. Barbour, Lieut. Meade Woodson of Inde- pendence, Missouri, and a young man named Bryson from Macon, Mississippi. Captain Helm of Texas, with sixteen men, composed a company of scouts for Col. Adam R. John- son, brigade commander. Andrews, Barbour, and Woodson belonged to Johnson's staff. This remnant was all that now remained here of Morgan's men. The battalions of Captains Kirkpatrick and Dortch had been sent away, one with Wheeler and the other with Forrest. Wheeler had gone on a raid into Middle Ten- nessee, where he terrorized the garrisons that he did not defeat and capture. Forrest was operating in the direction of Kingston, on the way to Knoxville. Colonel Martin discussed the situation with us all and said he was perhaps as well now as he would ever be, the Minie ball having lodged in his lung. It could not be ex- tracted. But Martin did not know what to do. His regi- ment was in prison with the most of Morgan's division and no prospect of their exchange, as the Federal Government did not want to give up the Southern prisoners in return for their own. They preferred to keep our ranks depleted IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 147 in that way and fill their own by draft and bounties, leaving their men in our prisons to suffer like our soldiers for the necessaries of life. Martin determined that he had better try to recruit a command in the mean time, as he and Johnson had done the year before. He now proposed to take us and Captain Helm's men and go to western Kentucky. There was no baggage or other luggage to pack, and with the men I have named, twenty-five in all, Colonel Mar- tin rode away about daylight, passing over Lookout Moun- tain and then down the valley toward Gadsden, Alabama. We crossed Tennessee safely, and arriving within five miles of Lafayette, Kentucky, learned there was a garrison of about thirty encamped in a stockade. Colonel Martin at once decided to attack and endeavor to capture this gar- rison if we could get to them before they could reach the stockade. The hour fixed was eight o'clock next morning, when it was calculated the men would be more or less scattered about the village, as was their custom, and that very few could beat us to the stockade, where their arms were always kept. We started at 6.30 and were guided by pathways through timber between farms, and reached the designated point within one hundred yards of the stockade undiscovered. We were formed in column of fours. Martin selected Crab- tree, Christy, Barbour, and myself to form the first set and go in front, with Martin commanding on our left. The stockade was on the right and about forty feet from the fence along the pike. We quickly observed that the garri- son was nearly all outside, but there were several squads around fires not more than ten steps from the stockade. Martin did not hesitate a moment, and ordered us to go at full speed and commence firing and yelling. It was a dash. The Federals looked at us a moment as if astonished, and then darted toward the stockade. We got nearly even with it before they got in and began to fire from the port-holes. 148 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS Martin had directed that if we reached the position oppo- site the stockade before many got into it we were to dismount and run in around it so as to cut the others off who would be unarmed. The first shot struck Crabtree's horse, which groaned considerably. Martin ordered us to go on, and the whole command dashed by under fire. We escaped without a man being hurt, and stopped a hundred yards dis- tant, in the business portion of the town, among the pop- ulation, which had congregated there en masse. Horace W. Kelley, the leading merchant, was reported to Colonel Martin as the chief informer and persecutor of the South- ern sympathizers in that vicinity. Martin directed Captain Helm to take a detail and go to Kelley's store and get some boots for his men, who were nearly barefooted, also socks, underwear, and hats. Mr. Kelley had locked up his store, but opened it and waited on his enemies just as cheerfully as if they had been cash customers. He seemed pleased to get off so easy. We passed through Roaring Springs and reached the neighborhood of Canton, on Cumberland River, before night, and stopped to feed our horses and rest. We heard a steamboat whistling below and were enabled to determine that it was coming up stream. Colonel Martin decided to go into Canton, where there was no garrison, and fire into it from the nearest safe place when it landed, provided it was loaded with troops, other- wise we would go aboard and perhaps capture some officers and burn the boat. We were four miles from town and it was just night when the steamer came in sight. Meanwhile, we had halted within half a mile of the landing. We moved around to the river bank just above. The lights on the boat and on shore gave us a good view of the cabin deck, and no soldiers appeared and but few persons of any class. We dis- mounted, and with twenty men Colonel Martin went down the bank in the darkness. When the boat was securely tied up two men were sent to guard the deck-hand at the stab IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 149 and see that the boat was not cut loose. Colonel Martin led the way and followed the boat's agent and others on the gang-plank. One man went to the capstan to guard the rope and see that it should not be cut. We followed Martin up the stairway to the cabin and took possession. Several soldiers were taken and paroled. A few government stores were destroyed and thrown overboard. Colonel Martin told me the captain pleaded for his boat not to be burned. But as a matter of fact the captain was not a Union man. We knew the government was pressing boats into the service no matter who might be the owners. The barkeeper treated the crowd to toddies and cigars and the steward brought out some lunch. It was reported to Colonel Martin that a Union man, named Ford, who was a regular informer on Southern men, had a very fine chestnut-sorrel mare. Captain Helm went with a squad and got her, leaving Martin's animal instead. We rode quietly into Cadiz, after a ride of nine miles, at ten o'clock. There was a stampede of the prominent Union men and several soldiers who were at home on fur- lough when they heard that "Bob Martin" was in town. Colonel Martin sent a detail to get the postage stamps and stamped envelopes at the post-office. The weather had grown extremely cold, but we pushed on to the house of my friend Allen Baker, in Caldwell County. Colonel Martin intended now to capture the gar- rison at Madisonville and hold Hopkins County long enough to get some recruits. After going a few miles the Colonel decided to go off the road half a mile to some hollow in the woods and build fires. We soon had regular log-heaps blazing. The ears of one or two of our party were frost- bitten. "Cy" Crabtree had a brother-in-law, William B. Parker, who lived three miles from the road on our way, and six miles from Madisonville. Colonel Martin sent Crabtree ahead to arrange for breakfast there and get a friend to go early to town and find out all about the garrison. 150 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS We went through the country to Parker's by sunrise and were entertained handsomely by Mrs. Parker, the sister of Crabtree. It was then deemed best to camp in a secluded part of adjacent hilly, timbered country and await the return of the messenger Crabtree had sent to Madisonville. He did not return until night, as per instructions, in the event the garrison was kept in camp. He learned that Martin's cap- ture of the steamboat at Canton was known and that the men were on the lookout for a surprise at any time. The gar- rison numbered about eighty cavalrymen and kept their horses in an old livery stable, one square from the court- house. It was now deemed best to draw the enemy out in pur- suit, and for that purpose we left our camp before night, and went to the highway six miles from Madisonville, and eight miles from Vanderburg on the Henderson road. We turned off beyond the Shake-rag Hills before reaching Van- derburg and camped in an impregnable position on a bluff not far from the farm of a friend, Robert Washington. We remained there all the next day, hoping the company from Madisonville would follow our trail. We had arranged to have our presence at Parker's reported. In this camp we were joined by two recruits, one of them a young man named Ashley, who had neither horse nor gun. He rode behind the other recruit, as he had a plan for a mount and arms. He guided Martin a few miles through the hills to the house of his cousin, who had turned to be a strong Union man and guide for the Federals. I knew nothing about the arrangement until we left his cousin's house. When we reached it, his cousin, Andrew Ashley, came out in the dark. Colonel Martin, as I was told, repre- sented himself as a captain from Greenville, in pursuit of Bob Martin ; that he had heard in Madisonville that Martin was camped at Vanderburg and the purpose in coming here was to get him (Ashley) to go along as a guide. Ashley promptly volunteered and said he would take his double- barreled shotgun. He caught his horse and was ready in a IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 151 few minutes. Meanwhile, Martin had sent Captain Helm and two men with young Ashley, who took them to another place, Jack Burton's, near by, to get his fine animal, and they succeeded. We started off without delay, Andrew Ashley riding with Colonel Martin. After going a short distance Martin unde- ceived Ashley and put him in ranks as a prisoner, turning over his gun and ammunition to young Ashley. We then headed for Madisonville to make a midnight attack and create a sensational fright. Several offensive Union men were arrested on the way, the purpose of Colonel Martin being to demoralize some of them. They were treated with perfect kindness, but they were in mental agony as to their fate, as Colonel Sam Johnson had shot several Confederate prisoners at Hopkinsville, in retaliation for the killing of his own men. Before we had gone very far, Andrew Ashley learned that I was in the command and urged Martin to let him meet me. He was brought back and I was sur- prised. I knew him well, and he was a Southern sympa- thizer when I left home. He asked me to have him released. When I learned the circumstances I told him Martin wanted to take him farther on, but I assured him he should not be hurt. He had been one of my customers in the store at Nebo and was a good citizen. We arrived in the suburbs of Madisonville about mid- night, near the dwelling-house of Nathan Hibbs, between the Ashbyburg and Henderson roads. We had learned that two pickets were out on all the roads. Those on the Hen- derson road stood at an elbow of the lane opposite the resi- dence of Mrs. Bishop. Christy and Crabtree were sent to charge them as soon as Martin's command opened fire on the camp in town. We moved from the Hibbs place down across the common which extended nearly to the public square. Just as we had reached a point nearly opposite the old Eagle Hotel, on a corner of the public square, and were ready to dismount and creep around the camp to open fire, we heard two shots on the Henderson road. This was un- 152 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS expected. In a moment we heard horses running and sud- denly a great commotion in the camp, one square away. The pickets came at full speed and ran to the camp. We listened to the uproar for a few minutes, when Martin concluded it would be better not to attack now. We retraced our tracks to the Hibbs house, where we had left our prisoners under guard. Christy and Crabtree were there. It was under- stood that if their plans or ours miscarried, all should rally there. The pickets had heard the horses of Christy and Crabtree, a hundred yards away, and fired and then ran, because they were expecting Martin. We traveled a cir- cuitous route with Captain Christy and Crabtree as guides and reached the house of Hugh McNary by sunrise, on the other side of Pond River, at the point where the Madison- ville and Greenville road crosses the ford. We were in posi- tion to guard the ford against pursuit and were royally entertained here by the truest of friends. The young ladies, the Misses McNary, treated us to the first piano music we had heard in many a day. It was a comfort to look back, as we rode away toward Greenville, and cheer the waving white handkerchiefs of this enthusiastic household. Our prisoners were released here and started home, feeling safer but mad. Greenville is the county-seat of Muhlenburg County and Colonel Martin's father lived three miles from the town. His father was a strong Union man and two brothers were captains in the Federal army. The weather was unusually cold for the time of the year, December, which retarded our speed and subjected us to unusual hardships in our night rides and in our efforts to rest and sleep in the open air. We stopped six miles from Greenville, off the road, where Colonel Martin knew a friend, and slept until night, two citi- zens volunteering to stand on guard where they had a long view of our track and could give us warning of a pursuing enemy without taking any risk. At sunset we started for Greenville, where there was no garrison, and charged into \ IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 153 the town, about eight o'clock, yelling like Indians. There was a general stampede and great excitement among the population. This was a hotbed of Unionism and the offen- sive Union men dreaded Martin. Others greeted us cor- dially. A detail went to the post-office and got the postage stamps and envelopes. We now had over $20 worth of U. S. spoils. After Colonel Martin had spent an hour with his friends we rode out toward Hartford, soon turned, made a circuit around Greenville toward Hopkinsville, and camped with good fires until sunrise the next morning. After break- fast we went toward the Greenville and Madisonville road to learn if we had been pursued. It was the purpose now to go back to Madisonville if any of its garrison had followed us to Greenville. We entered a long lane through a farm and Colonel Martin inquired at the house, about midway. He heard of three different companies that were in pursuit, but got no information as to where they belonged. Just be- fore we reached the end of the lane it was observed that dense woods were in front and extended around to the right over a hilly region. It was determined to pass on out of sight of the farm-house, scatter on the left of the road for a hundred yards in the woods and get across to the other side of the road, making a dim impression on the frozen ground and to some extent obscure our trail. The fence on the left extended about fifty yards farther than on the right side of the lane we were in. Crabtree, wearing a Federal overcoat, was the advance guard, and at the end of the lane he observed a company of Federals about 200 yards to the left, across a little old unfenced field. There was a small ravine that ran through it about midway between our ridge and the one where the Federals had halted. Crab- tree stopped and motioned back to us. Martin halted the column and galloped up to Crabtree, then called out to the Federals and asked who was in command. "Capt. Jeff Rouark," was the response. "Where from ?" inquired Mar- tin. "Hopkinsville,'' was the answer, and followed with the inquiry, "Who are you?" "Captain Wilkes from Hen- 1 54 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS derson," answered Martin. "Send a man down half way," said Martin. "All right," said Rouark. Martin directed Crabtree to go and get all that Rouark knew about us. Crab- tree and Rouark met down in the little ravine, while both sides sat quietly and looked on. Colonel Martin called out to "Cy" and asked, "Is it all right?" "Yes," responded Crab- tree; "he wants to see you, Captain." Martin trotted his horse down to meet his old friend. They had been boys together in the same neighborhood. Captain Rouark was astonished when he recognized Col. Bob Martin. I heard Martin laughing as he said, "Well, Jeff, we ought to shake hands over a joke like this." "I think so too. Bob," said Rouark, and they greeted each other cordially. They then talked for a few minutes, and separated, each galloping back to his command. I had counted the enemy and made the number forty-two besides the captain. Martin announced that he was going to fight. He ordered us to dismount in the woods on the right and hitch our horses quick. The ground sloped downward on that side. We then ran back to the fence on the enemy's side of the road and opened fire while Rouark was forming on horseback. Some of our men were behind trees farther to our right than the fence extended. Our long-range guns only were fired, it being deemed advisable to reserve our double-barreled shot- guns for closer quarters if Rouark should charge on horse- back. Most of Captain Helm's men were Texans and fine shots. I noticed some commotion in the enemy's ranks and was satisfied that men or horses were being struck. We were so well concealed, lying down behind fence corners and trees, that none of our men were touched and the bul- lets passed over our horses. Presently Rouark dismounted his men, and coming closer they got behind trees. Colonel Martin concluded we were wasting ammunition. He told us to be ready when he gave the word and that he wanted us to get up and run to our horses, mount quick and follow him; that he intended to form in ambush. He told me to mount and remain, to see if they pursued, and then fall IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 155 back, keeping in sight of them. At the command all arose and ran as if stampeded, mounted and galloped away in good order and out of sight. I sat on my horse and watched. Rouark's men ceased firing and mounted their horses. There was a parley of several minutes and then they marched away in the opposite direction. I reported to Colonel Mar- tin at once and it was now thought best to travel till our trail would be lost for a night. Martin knew the country and made a circuit around Greenville, keeping five miles from it, to the side toward Russellville, and stopped seven miles from town about ten o'clock in the night. We entered a thick woods, and going perhaps 400 -yards made a gap in a rail fence around a cornfield. The gap was fixed up behind us. We then went along the fence inside for two hundred yards and then out through a gap into the woods again, camping about a hundred yards from the field. The movement inside the field was made to protect us from surprise, as our guard was placed at the last gap and could see the enemy come through the first gap. It was our purpose to go toward Russellville the next morning, making a circuit toward Madisonville. I was the first man to awake the next morning. Our lonely .picket down at the fence had his horse hitched and was stamping about to warm his feet. I was eating some lunch when I saw the picket mount his' horse hurriedly and start to camp. Martin did not need to order the horses saddled. The picket rushed up and reported the enemy com- ing through at the place where we had entered the field. Colonel Martin directed me, as I was ready, to ride down within fifty yards of the gap, where we came out, and as the enemy came up to fire and fall back. I had hardly reached the spot when I got a glimpse through the brush of the approaching column, quietly riding along on our trail. T was sitting on my horse fairly well covered by a large white- oak tree. When the column arrived at the place where we had come out it halted and I fired, or thought I was firing, with deliberate aim, but the cap failed to go off. I then 156 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS galloped back to camp. My animal was a handsome chest- nut-sorrel pony, but I knew nothing yet of his speed. I judged the enemy to number about fifty men. Martin had the men nearly ready and was forming a line to fight, but on my report he decided to charge before the enemy could get through the fence, which they had begun to throw down, and then withdraw. We went with a yell, but they received us with a volley. Martin then ordered us to fall back and keep together. As we passed over the ridge beyond our camp the enemy was peppering away at those in the rear. Martin on his fine mare could have run away in the lead, but hung back and encouraged the boys to keep cool and close up. I observed a branch in a small ravine ahead of us and that the bank on the opposite side was steep and the men in front were making their horses climb to get up. 1 also observed that men from the rear were passing me and the shooting was coming nearer every step. It was only a question of a few jumps until I would be the hindmost man. My horse was too weak. I looked back and the Federals were only about seventy-five yards behind and not many of our men were now behind me. The ridge on which we had camped wound around on my left and broke down not far from the branch that crossed our path in front. I turned my horse around this little hill to the left, lying down on my horse's neck to hide if possible from the view of our pur- suers. I ran upon a small field. The branch our men were crossing ran out of it and where it passed under the fence a considerable drift had accumulated inside. I jumped down, and turning my horse's head toward our crowd, got over the fence quick and hid in the drift pile. Not more than half a minute had passed since I left the path. I peeped out and saw our men scrambling up the bank of the branch, about fifty yards away, and observed Colonel Martin was off his mare as she clambered up the hill, but he had her by the tail and was holding fast with both hands. Somebody grabbed her by the bridle-bit. At this moment the shout- ing pursuers were up even with me, and their firing and up- IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 157 roar frightened my loose horse back my way and he went trotting around the hill along the fence. They got a glimpse of him, and two men came rushing around after him and passed within ten feet of me. This frightened him and he stampeded into the woods with the two men in pursuit. Everybody was now out of sight, but I could hear the yelling and shouting the same as before. I moved my posi- tion a little, as I was on the ice, and crept as far under as possible without leaving any fresh signs behind. I remained in this position until I began to freeze. I could still hear the firing and yelling a mile or two away, which had never ceased at any point since the retreat commenced. I got out and crossed another field to the woods and went some distance until I came in sight of a log cabin. This was out of view from the battle-ground. I went to the house and warmed. I told the housewife I had been fox hunting and came for a chunk of fire as my companion, who was at the fox hole, thought we ought to have a fire. She asked me what all that shooting meant. I was of course in another direction and had not heard it. I got the fire and found a secluded hiding-place, where I kept comfortable till night. I wandered around after sunset, and coming near a farm I waited until after dark and went to the house. I had lost everything except my gun and pistol. I found the farmer to be a friend of the Confederates and regret that I have for- gotten his name. When he heard my story he said he had one poor horse that he did not need and I was welcome to him. I was supplied with an old saddle and bridle and given directions around Greenville to the Madisonville road. I reached the point before morning, got breakfast, and traveled neighborhood roads to the house of a friend, five miles from McNary's ford on Pond River. That night I called at McNary's and learned that Lieutenant Andrews had been there two hours before, having escaped in the chase. They had directed him to James L. Brown's, who was a wealthy farmer living seven miles to the right of Madisonville. I went there and found Andrews. We safely passed Madi- 158 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS sonville and through Nebo to my father's house. We were obliged to go on, as it was agreed that all would rendezvous in Jordan Stokes's hollow, in Caldwell County, one mile from White's bridge on Tradewater. We reached there before morning, traveling my private route by Fisher's Spring, Rush's and Fox's. After waiting a week we scouted to Grubb's cross-roads and to Wolfs store, where we learned that Martin's party had gone through a week before. We now pushed through, traveling at night, crossing the Cum- berland River at Murray's, and then up Yellow Creek and over to Piney Creek. We saw friends who had been in all directions, but none had heard of Martin's party. We con- cluded he must have fallen back across the rivers into the Kentucky Purchase or into West Tennessee, which were not occupied by garrisons now, and we headed in that direction. Lieutenant Andrews remembered that he had a friend in Paris, Mr. Caldwell, formerly of Bowling Green, Kentucky^ who had married a lady of Paris and had settled there in business. He entertained us at his elegant home on Christ- mas day. In the afternoon we heard that we might find our party in the neighborhood of Mr. Edwards's, five miles from Paris, on the road to "Mouth of Sandy." To our delight we learned upon reaching the home of Mr. Edwards that Colonel Martin, Christy, Barbour, and others had been there. The others had stopped with a Mr. Kendall and his neighbors farther on. We soon learned that the command had arrived in the neighborhood after losing their horses and baggage. They were now gone on foot into the enemy's country to mount and equip themselves. Andrews and I found a home with a Mr. Kendall, who was a good farmer and a gentleman. A few days afterwards Colonel Martin and his men returned from the expedition and were quartered in the neighborhood for two weeks. The events which had occurred in the command since the attack on our camp near Greenville, Kentucky, were narrated to me by Martin, Christy, Barbour and others. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 159 "After you turned off the track/' they said, "our worst trouble was at the embankment of the branch where you saw Colonel Martin on the ground. His mare shied under the limbs of a tree that swept him off behind, when he grabbed her tail and clung to it till we caught her, and he remounted under fire. But the pursuers could take no aim running at full speed through bushy woods and their shots did not hit anybody. We gained distance on them while they were having our experience at the embankment, and we would have been out of their reach very soon but for the presence of another company of Federals in front that was trying to find our camp. We got within fifty yards of them before they were discovered. When we turned at right angles they took the lead in the pursuit. They were in firing distance for a mile perhaps, and in this chase Andrews left us. "We made our way to the mouth of Little River, on the Cumberland, between Canton and Eddyville, and the com- mand crossed over to the narrow section between the Cum- berland and Tennessee rivers. We reached the neighbor- hood of Golden Pond, where we concluded to rest, as there was no garrison of Federals nearer than Paducah, Hopkins- ville, and Princeton. It was an out of the way locality where scouting parties seldom had any occasion to go. "We went into camp in the afternoon," they said, "and made our beds as comfortable as possible, retiring early to get a much needed rest for one entire night. "The moon was shining every night, going down about midnight. About that time our camp was fired into by a force of home-guards. We all made a dash away from the firelights and kept together in the woods. We opened fire on the enemy and scattered them on the side where we escaped. "Cy" Crabtree was shot in the hip and captured. The rest of us made our way through the country to the Tennessee River and crossed over. After resting here a week or more Colonel Martin decided to march back and surprise that same neighborhood. We crossed the 160 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS river about sundown and arrived near Fungo or Golden Pond after a couple of hours. It w^as easy to capture one man at a time and recover our horses or get better ones. We captured Captain Bogard, w^ho commanded the attack on our camp. He had returned Martin's fine animal to its owner, Mr. Ford, at Canton, only five miles distant, but Martin managed to find a good one.' Martin had paroled that entire company of home-guards." The news of the escape of Gen. John H. Morgan, from the Columbus, Ohio, Penitentiary, and his safe arrival in the Confederacy, had reached us. He had established an encampment ^t Decatur, Georgia, v^here it v^as proposed that the scattered remnants of his old division should ren- dezvous for organization and service in a new command to be made up for General Morgan while most of his own was still in Northern prisons. It was decided that Andrews, Barbour, and Captain Helm, with his men, should proceed up the Tennessee River on the west side, pass between Shiloh battlefield and Corinth, and then across Alabama to Decatur, while Martin, Christy, and I would go around Nashville and then south with the view of giving General Morgan the situation in Middle Tennessee, which might induce him to make a raid with his force and attack the communications of Sherman. CHAPTER XVII Journey to Kentucky, then around Nashville and into Alabama — Narrow escapes — Luxurious homes of an Alabama valley — Johnston succeeds Bragg. In leaving Henry County, Tennessee, on the journey to Georgia, Colonel Martin, Captain Christy, and I crossed the Tennessee River at Paris Landing. We then traveled to Murray's on the Cumberland River. The horse and outfit my friend had furnished me near Greenville v^as about as shabby as any I ever saw in the army. The animal was small, slow and in poor order. My companions proposed that our first adventure should be to improve my mount. That night we stopped with my friend Squire Fletcher, one mile from the river, and left his house with directions to the home of his nephew, Jasper Fletcher, in Christian County, Kentucky, between Hopkinsville and Clarksville. We learned that a company of negro soldiers were encamped at the State line of Kentucky on the pike we must travel, on the direct route, and were directed to the house of Dr. Thomas, which we would reach within half a mile of the camp, and he could direct us through his farm to "Jap" Fletcher's. We went on four miles and entered the front gate of the yard of Dr. Thomas. The house stood back about fifty yards, and we were to go on through his farm. The Doctor was delighted to meet us. We sat on our horses in front of the portico and he sat on the steps. His wife and two other ladies came out to greet us and were enthusi- astic over our presence. The Doctor gave us particular directions of our route, the way being often through gates into and out of wooded pastures and along neighborhood 162 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS roads. He said we could not afford to tarry there, as the negro soldiers frequently came over to his negro cabins at night. About this moment we heard a treading sound to- ward the front gate, and looking that way saw a dark mass moving toward us. It was a body of the negro soldiers. When we discovered the soldiers so close upon us, Martin and Christy darted off to the left. My weak animal was so slow to move that it looked to me as though the soldiers would get there before I could pass around and follow with- out being shot. It was a cloudy night and quite dark. I concluded instantly to go to the right and try to reach the gate by going around the rear of the house. The cry of halt and shooting commenced as soon as Mar- tin and Christy started. I rushed my horse off to the rear of the house, but a light in the kitchen blinded me to objects when looking in the dark, and I presume it had the same effect on the horse, for, to my surprise, he ran with all his force against the back yard fence, and I thought he would fall down. I heard them crying halt behind me. I jumped off and left the horse, but took my saddle-bags along. I got over the fence quickly, but at this moment I heard the darkies in the negro cabins at their doors and knew the instant they were opened the light would shine on me and expose me to a volley. I put my saddle-bags by the fence and then on all fours I crept along the fence. I did not hear any of the enemy getting over the fence but could hear them out about the stable and at the front of the dwelling. Within an hour everything was perfectly quiet. I got out and ven- tured to the door on the side of the house next to the stable lot. A servant opened it, when I asked for Dr. Thomas. He came in very bad humor. I asked him if I could employ any one there or near by to take me to Fletcher's. He said he could not assist me in the matter and I ought to get away. He told me that he had been arrested, taken over to the negro camp and put under bond to appear at headquarters in Clarksville the next day. He began to close the door and I had to leave without telling him good-by. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 163 I walked to Jasper Fletcher's with my baggage over my shoulder, a distance of ten miles, by a little after midnight. He told me that Martin and Christy were encamped at the back of the farm, refusing to stay at his house, on account of the darkies. I thought I would be safer elsewhere and walked a mile to Mrs. Clardy's, who entertained me cheer- fully. She was delighted when she found I was the friend of her two sons, Mont and Henry Clardy, in the First Ken- tucky Cavalry. I joined Martin and Christy early next morning and we decided to spend the day in their hiding- place. Fletcher told us of a prominent Union man who was an informer and had guided the Federal cavalry around to places where they took horses, corn, and other supplies from Southern sympathizers, and pressed wagons to haul away all they wanted. He said if we wanted horses that man had two fine ones. We did not want a better arrangement, and just after dark we started after them. Fletcher and I walked in front and he went a near route between farms through the open woods. The stars afforded very good light. Christy rode up and sat on his horse at the front gate. Mar- tin and I went into the stable lot and found the horses run- ning loose. They were hard to catch and of course made considerable noise. The barking dogs brought the old gen- tleman to the door, but Christy told him to go back, the rebels were getting his horses and might take him. Fletcher had described two large chestnut-sorrels. Martin having lost his fine mare at Golden Pond didn't like the one he had gotten from Captain Bogard, and so we took both. We found the place where the saddles were kept and I was now well mounted. We then traveled without incident a little north of the Tennessee line, and stopped at a farm-house three miles from Mitchellsville, on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. We learned that a garrison of one company of infantry occupied a stockade at this place, with picket posts half a mile from their camp on all the public roads. Having received minute 164 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS directions that would enable us to make a circuit of the town and come into our road on the other side, we started on after supper. We were often guided in our course by the stars. It must have been near midnight when we reached the Mitchellsville and Gallatin road. We discovered the fire of the picket post and went into the road some two hundred yards farther out. The road ran through unfenced woods here. After we had gone about fifty yards along the road we noticed a horse standing on the right by a small tree, and as we rode up also observed a soldier sitting against a large tree with his gun standing beside him. He was fast asleep. Martin halted and handed me his bridle-rein. He went quietly to the horse, and getting the halter came and re- mounted. The horse did not appear to realize that he was loose and the soldier did not awake. We rode on without any disposition to hurt the poor fellow. A few miles from here we changed our course so as to leave Gallatin seven or eight miles to our right in turning to the south. We camped soon afterward, but were up at sunrise next morning to seek a secluded place, as we found we were now within twelve miles of Gallatin, where Gen. E. A. Paine commanded, and was having prisoners and citizens shot at his pleasure. Mr. Lyon lived on the south side of Cumberland River, where we were entertained. He got us to order everything, as though we were pressing our way, in the presence of a negro man, and then sent him to Nashville to report us. After resting a while we traveled the public road to Lebanon, where there was no garrison. We passed through the town after midnight and undertook to make our way through the country, when we got lost in the cedars five miles out. We traveled through the country toward McMinnville, passing localities where Colonel Martin had fought with Morgan the summer before. Martin met some old acquaint- ances among the citizens, and several straggling Confed- erates, from whom we learned a good deal about the garri- son and general situation at Nashville, without hinting the idea of a raid by General Morgan. We now felt that Morgan IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 165 with 1,500 men and two pieces of artillery could surprise Nashville, sweep into western Kentucky, where he could stay two weeks anyhow to recruit, and escape across the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers to a place of safety in West Tennessee. There would not be a telegraph line on his route and he could only be pursued by his trail. We could guide him on the entire trip. The next night we stopped within five miles of Man- chester, where there was no garrison and none nearer than Tullahoma. The next morning we rode into town, and to our surprise came upon a company of Federal cavalry, formed in line, on one side of the public square. Although they saw us wheel and run we were at least 200 yards ahead when they came in sight. We aimed to circle around the right side of the town through a common, but we discovered a small river and followed the big road out parallel with it for a quarter of a mile. Then we came to the woods and left the road on the left side, but the river wound back to- ward the road. Here there was a large frame dwelling on the road and a farm lying in the rear. We saw a bridge, just beyond the house, which the road crossed. To reach it we must pass near the house, and when within seventy-five yards of it we observed several of the cavalry, mounted, in the yard and others, on foot, in the stable lot. There was nothing for us to do but charge and pass or surrender, and without delay we rushed up at full speed as though they were not there. They looked at us a moment in surprise and ran back toward the stable lot. We were across the bridge before they were ready to shoot or could decide what to do. The crowd behind us in pursuit was coming at full speed, but we had gained on them since we left the edge of the town. A short distance beyond the river we turned into the woods on the left, where there was no road, and passing around a little field reached the summit of a considerable hill that was thickly timbered, and then waited a while to see if we would be followed. We crossed the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad at a point between Wartrace and Tullahoma, then 166 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS crossed Elk River below Fayetteville, and passed across the Tennessee Valley to the same crossing on the river where we were ferried over in going to Kentucky. We now set out over the mountains and in a few days reached Asheville, a small county-seat among the fragmen- tary mountains. The next day we were at Blue Mountain, a station at the terminus of the railroad from Selma. We went on fifteen miles to Talladega, which was a substantial town in a locality of great wealth among the planters in the surrounding valley of the Coosa River. It was now our purpose to travel toward Decatur, Georgia, but if a convenient arrangement could be made it was deemed better to leave our horses and go by rail, as we believed Gen- eral Morgan would act on our information and come by this route on a raid into Middle Tennessee and Kentucky. Meanwhile, our horses would rest. There were no marks of war in this section, and every- thing indicated a prosperous population of planters. We were passing elegant homes all along the road from Talla- dega. Near sunset we came upon a broad plantation that stretched far on either side of the road. The planter's home was on the right. This was the home of Walker Reynolds. We enjoyed every attention and comfort here and the family seemed to appreciate the acquaintance of volunteers from Kentucky. We made known to Mrs. Reynolds our plans, and on account of the absence of her husband at Selma she referred us to her brother, Dr. William Welch, near Alpine, the station on the railroad for this neighborhood, who she was sure would take an interest in us. Mrs. Reynolds in- vited us to remain until after dinner and we accepted. Dur- ing the forenoon we were delightfully entertained by her daughters, Misses Eppie, Pink, and Bessie, who were about twenty, sixteen, and fourteen years of age ; and also by Miss Kathleen McConnell. It was the first day of real pleasure that came to us after our troublous wanderings of many weeks. We had the good fortune to meet Dr. Welch at the station and also Mr. Thomas Reynolds, a married son of IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 167 Walker Reynolds. Both gave us cordial invitations to their homes. After a brief conference we concluded that Martin and Christy would go with Dr. Welch and leave their horses there, while they were gone to Decatur, Georgia, and I would go with Mr. Reynolds to remain until their return. I found a most enjoyable home with Mr. Reynolds, and also with Mr. William Mallor^. i CHAPTER XVIII Mission for General Morgan to vicinity of Nashville — Miss Mary Overall secures information in Nashville — Death of Dee Jobe — Wounded Union soldier dies and is buried, by enemies, in family graveyard — Safe arrival at Rome, Georgia. When Martin and Christy returned to Alpine an order was brought from General Morgan directing me to proceed to Guntersville, Alabama, where a detail of four picked men would be furnished me by the commander of the post. I was to cross the Tennessee River near Guntersville, and go to a safe point near Nashville, leaving my men stationed as couriers, about one day's ride apart, between me and Gun- tersville. It was his desire that I secure through friends, who could go into Nashville, the location of each encamp- ment and of the government stores, with the number of troops as nearly as possible; also full information of the garrisons as reported at all points near the route I traveled. At Guntersville four young men volunteered when they learned my mission. The Federals occupied the valley across Tennessee River opposite Guntersville, with about a regi- ment of infantry, artillery and two companies of cavalry. I was directed to a friend near the mouth of a creek, five miles above Guntersville. He had a small ferry-boat hid in the creek and put us over after midnight and directed me to the cabin home of a noted guerrilla, who lived just across the valley — five miles, on the side of the mountain, nearly in the rear of the camp of the enemy and not far from the road that leads from Scottsboro to Guntersville ferry. I was told that he was a typical mountaineer and could guide me across the mountains, through the woods, never being in sight of a road. I have forgotten his name. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 169 I found his place, and, just after daylight, left my men in the woods, and went across his field to the rear of the house, whistling. His wife was in the back yard when I came up. She too was a shrewd mountaineer. It required considerable explanation before she would agree to find her husband for me. She told me to go back and stay near a tree that she pointed out, farther up the mountain, and he would come there from another direction. She cautioned me that I, only, should go to him when he appeared in sight and called, otherwise the shooting would commence. I waited fully an hour, when we heard a voice on the moun- tain side above us. I looked and saw a man, about one hun- dred yards distant, on a large rock in plain view. I started toward him, when he sat down and waited for me. I had a note to him from the captain at Guntersville which, with my explanations, satisfied him that there was no deception. He came down and remained with us until his wife could cook our rations and feed our horses, as we would pass no houses during the day. We were within two miles of the northwest side of the mountain, where we were to descend, when a storm, which had been threatening, now burst over us. My guide told me he would have to turn back at the point of descent in order to make his way to a road he intended to travel all night and reach his den before morning. He put us into the big road at the parting place and in the darkness we started down the mountain. The way became so slippery that our horses had trouble to keep on their feet and several went down, one man being quite badly bruised. I finally halted and we hitched the horses and stood under big trees until the rain ceased, about midnight, and the stars came out. We found a dry place under a large projecting rock, on the mountain side. It was comfortable here and we remained until daylight. We struck the valley seven miles above Huntsville. At the base of the mountain I found a good friend with whom one of the couriers was left to be kept secluded on the moun- tain side. I instructed him to make a circuit around Hunts- 170 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS ville in going out with my report and cross Tennessee River in a safer locality. I then traveled to the right of Fayette- ville, crossing Elk River five miles above the town and just below a mill-dam. Some twelve miles beyond, on Whitens, or Lynn's Creek, as I remember the name, I located another man, and, five miles east of Lewisburg, another. With the remaining man I went through Farmington, expecting to travel the Nashville pike, crossing Duck River at the bridge. I learned it had been destroyed. I went a few miles below and forded the river. Near by was the plantation of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Haynes, of a Tennessee regiment in John- ston's army. His wife entertained us and agreed to keep my man supplied if he would conceal himself in the woods. She directed me to Squire Boyd, on the pike five miles north. He had not retired when I arrived and directed me beyond Triune, within twenty miles of Nashville. I was directed to Dr. Clem Jordan, to call for his son Ned, one mile north of Triune. I traveled the pike, as the nearest garrisons were at Franklin and Murfreesboro, reaching Dr. Jordan's place at one o'clock that night. In talking with Ned, at an upper window, I heard some ladies talking in an upper room at the other end of the house and caught the remark, "That is Headley's voice." Mrs. John A. Jordan and her daughters, Sophia and Mary Overall, were the ladies I met at my friend Ellis Suttle's, near Murfreesboro, just after my escape from Fort Donelson. Mr. John A. Jordan was the son of Dr. Clem Jordan, who lived here, and Ned was his brother. After calculating the chances of getting in and out of Nashville with Ned Jordan it seemed that my best arrange- ment would be to send the ladies to the city, as they fre- quently went now without difficulty. Miss Mary Overall was an enthusiastic Southern girl, about nineteen years of age, and when I confided my mis- sion to her and her mother they said she could go and get their friend, Dr. Hunter, in a drug store, to secure all the infor- mation. She arranged with Miss Lucy King to accompany her to Nashville. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 171 I moved a mile from the pike into a brier thicket on a ridge in a large field. Ned Jordan came to my camp nearly every day. He went with me across the field to the nearest house, farther back, in which a widow, Mrs. Warren, lived with a family of children. Mrs. Warren had a neighbor over the hill, a Mrs. Cherry. Mrs. Cherry's oldest son was a sort of roving soldier, a daring fellow, who was said to have killed a number of the enemy from ambush. And "Buck" Cherry, as he was called, was being hunted by every party of scouting cavalry that raided in the neighborhood. Between the two places I got my meals. The right wing of General Rosecrans's army, under Gen- eral Gordon Granger, occupied Triune after the battle of Stone River and many of the homes of the citizens had been destroyed in this locality. In my watches on the pike I occupied a wooded hill in the rear of Mr. Moss's place on the west side opposite the Page place on the hill across the pike. Dee Jobe, a noted scout of Johnston's army, was with me the last day I spent on this hill. He had achieved local fame by a number of daring exploits with a few men during the Mur- freesboro campaign. I should record here that he was sur- prised by Federal cavalry scouts on the same hill, shortly after I was gone, while asleep, and riddled with bullets. He was left for dead, but revived after the enemy was gone, and the citizens learned from him that he was asleep and did not know who shot him. Mrs. Jordan and her daughters, the Misses Overall, re- lated to me their experience in the battle of Murfreesboro. They were at the home of Mr. Ellis Suttle near Asbury church on Overall's Creek where I first met them. When the Federal right wing was engaged in this immediate locality and toward the Wilkerson pike half a mile distant, these ladies with Mr. and Mrs. Suttle sought safety down in the baling box of the cotton-press below the surface of the ground. They heard the battle raging all day long. After the firing had ceased around the premises they came out and found the yard, dwelling, and negro cabins filled with Federals. 172 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS It was a command which claimed to have been raised in Philadelphia, of select, first-class young men, to serve as the body-guard of General Buell. One of their number was found in the house on a bed, mortally wounded. His name was Walter Oak Edye, from Hamburg, Germany. His father was an English merchant and ship owner who had removed to Hamburg. A brother, Henry Oak Edye, was located in New York as the agent of the ship line to Hamburg. This younger brother was highly educated, speaking fluently several languages, and coming over to this country enlisted in the crack command in Philadelphia. His right arm was crushed above the elbow\ The wound was received in the morning but did not have attention from a surgeon until after night. The troop to which he belonged was captured about sunset, in the yard, being surprised by a force of Con- federate cavalry. He lingered for two weeks and died, hav- ing been nursed by this family the same as if he had been a friend. He was buried and still sleeps in the family burial- ground of the old Overall homestead. The Misses Overall wrote his parents in Hamburg of his fate, with assurances that his grave was duly marked and would be kept green under the bluegrass of Tennessee. The brother in New York sent a man to recover the body and remove it to that city, but when he learned it had received decent burial in a family graveyard he was proud to let it continue there for- ever, though the National cemetery of Stone River is but a mile and a half distant. The parents in Hamburg wrote the Misses Overall a grateful letter and sent a present for both. To one a gold locket set with diamonds and pearls contain- ing a picture of the father and of his boy. To the other a gold locket set with a spray of pearls containing the picture of the mother and of her boy. I had been in the neighborhood of Triune about a week when Miss Overall informed me she was ready to go into Nashville. She drove from Dr. Jordan's down to Flat Rock within three miles of the city, where she and Miss King were guests of Mrs. Angie Claude. The son-in-law of this IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 173 lady, Mr. Henry Tanksley, was taken into Miss Overall's confidence. He cheerfully agreed to serve her in the matter. The next morning he drove the conveyance of the young ladies into the city and left them at the residence of his rela- tives. It happened that his two nieces, by engagement, were about ready to accompany some Federal officers up to Fort Negley, and Misses Overall and King were invited to join the party. The officers took pains to display everything about the fort to the ladies. Not even Miss King had a hint of the mission of Miss Overall. Mr. Tanksley, however, being familiar with the city, had, himself and through his friends, obtained full information on every point, so that I could guide General Morgan into the city on one side and out on another side in the event he should fail to compel a surrender, and Miss Overall re- turned with the information in detail. I. promptly sent a complete report to General Morgan without signing my taame, as Colonel Martin and Captain Christy would know my handwriting. I continued to secure additional informa- tion, all of which corresponded with that furnished Miss Overall by Mr. Tanksley. I had suggested a route by which General Morgan could reach and surprise Nashville with an even chance to enter the city without being discovered. It was about as follows: March through Alabama, cross the Tennessee River between Florence and Waterloo, then go north to Lawrenceburg, Newburg and Centerville, on Duck River. This route was thirty to forty miles west of the Nashville and Decatur Rail- road. Then from Centerville the way was clear of the enemy for a straight ride across the country to the neighbor- hood of Mr. Robinson's, on Cumberland River, fifteen miles below Nashville, which point he would reach ready to go right on to Nashville at night, entering the city at a vacant place on the west side. He could send a few picked men, when he crossed the Tennessee River, through to cut the telegraph wires, between Decatur and Nashville every day, and come on to the place I had named six miles from Triune I 174 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS in the cedar hills. Then send a man from Lawrenceburg naming the night Morgan would reach Nashville. He could safely calculate the time by the distance, Duck River, at Cen- terville, being the only stream to cross, and might be forded, as the Harpeth River was bridged on the Charlotte and Nashville pike. Dee Jobe, who was wii:h me, knew every private road through all the hills between the pikes from Triune and Murfreesboro to Nashville and could gather about fifteen good men, who were hiding in that section, to pilot an attack- ing party on our side and cut the wires between Murfrees • boro and Nashville. With Dee Jobe as a guide we would go at night and rendezvous, five miles from Nashville, in the hills and spend a day secreted and then be near enough to hear a fight in town, when we would drive in or capture the pickets on the Triune and Murfreesboro pikes, and cause an alarm that would help mystify the enemy. I went back and forth along my line of couriers after wait- ing seventeen days, but they did not report . I finally learned that Morgan had gone to western Virginia. The next day I crossed the mountains, arriving at Mr. Henry's, two miles from Guntersville, where I spent one night. I found the Confederate garrison gone. I traveled all day across Sand Mountain. There were only three houses on the road in a day's ride. I stopped ten miles from Gads- den and the next day reached Rome, Georgia. I learned here that General Morgan had been ordered to western Vir- ginia. The command had marched from Decatur, Georgia, through western North Carolina to Abingdon, Virginia. I could hear of no orders for me, and proceeded to sell my horse and follow by railroad to Abingdon. CHAPTER XIX Raid of Kilpatrick and Dahlgren to capture Richmond, release Federal prisoners, pillage and burn the city, and kill President Davis and his Cabinet — Vengeful views of the Confederate soldiers at this period over the devastation of their country. One of the notable events that had attracted universal attention among citizens and soldiers w^as the raid of Gen- eral Kilpatrick and Colonel Dahlgren upon Richmond v^ith the purpose of releasing the Federal prisoners and turning them loose upon the city to pillage and sack it and then burn it. Meanwhile, they were to kill President Davis and his Cabinet. The attempt had been made in March, 1864. Colonel Dahlgren had been detached with 500 picked men to execute the plan, while Kilpatrick would threaten and endeavor to enter the city with his large force of cavalry on another side from Dahlgren. It appeared that Dahlgren's men were provided with Greek fire and other combustible material with which they might readily destroy the city. The soldiers I met in Virginia were growing desperate. Many of them knew their homes were being pillaged or de- stroyed by the invaders, that their families were being perse- cuted and subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment, that their mothers, wives, and sisters were being driven from thej burning homes and set adrift in a barren waste to seek food and shelter. The spirit of vengeance was more pronounced in the infantry, where the men led an idle life and brooded over the woes they could not avert. Many a man would express his hope that the day would come when there would be a chance to retaliate. It seemed to aggravate every one that the public sentiment of the North gloried in the persecu- tion of non-combatants, the total devastation of homes and 176 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS all personal property; and especially the subjugation and degradation of the Southern people. This Northern spirit seemed to be intensified by the conviction that the South could onlj be conquered by ruin and starvation. It happened that Colonel Dahlgren was killed after the failure at Richmond and that upon his body the papers were found that disclosed his plans and purposes. These papers were delivered by Lieutenant Pollard to the authorities at Richmond and were published all over the South and in many -Northern papers. It appears that General Kilpatrick and Colonel Dahlgren came directly from a conference in Washington with Presi- dent Lincoln and acted by his authority and approval, just as the army commanders were doing who were burning the homes and property of the citizens of the South. It also appears that the secret of the expedition was not entrusted to General Meade, who was commanding the Army of the Potomac; and that when he ordered General Sedg- wick with a corps of infantry and General Custer with 2,000 cavalry to make demonstrations on the left of Lee's army, he was simply obeying orders from Washington and was ignorant of the mission of Kilpatrick and Dahlgren. The papers found on the body of Colonel Dahlgren were as follows: (From "Life of Gen. R. E. Lee," by James D. McCabe, Jr.) Headquarters Third Division Cavalry Corps. Officers and Men : You have been selected from brigades and regiments as a picked command to attempt a desperate undertaking — an undertaking which, if successful, will write your names on the hearts of your countrymen in letters that can never be erased, and which will cause the prayers of our fellow-soldiers now confined in loathsome prisons to follow you and yours wherever you may go. We hope to release the prisoners from Belle Isle first, and having seen them fairly started we will cross the James River into Richmond, destroying the bridges after us, and exhorting IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 177 the released prisoners to destroy and burn the hateful city, and do not allow the rebel leader Davis and his traitorous crew to escape. The prisoners must render great assistance as you cannot leave your ranks too far or become too much scattered, or you will be lost. Do not allow any personal gain to lead you off, which would only bring you to an ignominious death at the hands of the citizens. Keep well together, and obey orders strictly, and all will be well, but on no account scatter too far; for in union there is strength. With strict obedience to orders, and fearlessness in the execution, you will be sure to succeed. We will join the main force on the other side of the city, or perhaps meet them inside. Many of you may fall ; but if there is any man here not willing to sacrifice his life in such a great and glorious under- taking, or who does not feel capable of meeting the enemy in such a desperate fight as will follow, let him step out, and he may go hence to the arms of his sweetheart, and read of the braves who swept through the city of Richmond. We want no man who cannot feel sure of success in such a holy cause. We will have a desperate fight; but stand up to it when it does come, and all will be well. Ask the blessing of the Almighty, and do not fear the enemy. U. Dahlgren^ Colonel Commanding. Besides this address were the following "special orders and instructions," which were written upon a similar sheet of paper, giving an outline of the whole plan of Kilpatrick and Dahlgren: Guides — Pioneers (with oakum, turpentine, and torpedoes) — Signal-Officer — Quartermaster — Commissary: Scouts and pickets — Men in rebel uniform : These will remain on the north bank and move down with the force on the south bank, not getting ahead of them ; and if the communication can be kept up without giving alarm, it must be done; but everything depends upon a surprise, and NO ONE must be allowed to pass ahead of the column. Information must be gathered in regard to the crossings of the river, so that should we be repulsed on the south side we will know where to 178 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS recross at the nearest point. All mills must be burned, and the canal destroyed ; and also everything which can be used by the rebels must be destroyed, including the boats on the river. Should a ferry-boat be seized and can be worked, have it moved down. Keep the force on the south side posted of any important move of the enemy, and in case of danger some of the scouts must swim the river and bring us information. As we approach the city, the party must take great care that they do not get ahead of the other party on the south side, and must conceal themselves and watch our movements. We will try and secure the bridge to the city (one mile below Belle Isle), and release the prisoners at the same time. If we do not succeed, they must then dash down, and we will try and carry the bridge from each side. When necessary, the men must be filed through the woods and along the river bank. The bridges once secured, and the prisoners loose and over the river, the bridges will be secured and the city destroyed. The men must keep together and well in hand, and once in the city it must be destroyed, and JEFF. DAVIS AND CABINET KILLED. Pioneers will go along with combustible material. The officer must use his discretion about the time of assisting us. Horses and cattle, which we do not need immediately, must be shot rather than left. Everything on the canal, and elsewhere, of service to the rebels, must be destroyed. As General Custer may follow me, be careful not to give a false alarm. The signal-officer must be prepared to communicate at night by rockets, and in other things pertaining to his department. The quartermasters and commissaries must be on the lookout for their departments, and see that there are no delays on their account. The engineer-officer will follow to survey the road as we pass over it, etc. The pioneers must be prepared to construct a bridge or destroy one. They must have plenty of oakum and turpentine for burning, which will be rolled in soaked balls and given to the men to burn when we get in the city. Torpedoes will only be used by the pioneers for destroying the main bridges, etc. They must be prepared to destroy railroads. Men will branch off to the right, with a few pioneers, and destroy the bridges and rail- roads south of Richmond, and then join us at the city. They must be well prepared with torpedoes, etc. The line of Falling Creek is probably the best to work along, or, as they approach the city, Goode's Creek ; so that no reinforcements can come up IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 179 on any cars. No one must be allowed to pass ahead for fear of communicating news. Rejoin the command with all haste, and, if cut off, cross the river above Richmond, and rejoin us. Men will stop at Bellona Arsenal and totally destroy it, and anything else but hospitals; then follow on and rejoin the command at Richmond with all haste, and, if cut off, cross the river and rejoin us. As General Custer may follow me, be careful and not give a false alarm. In addition to the above, the private note book of Colonel Dahlgren contained the following memoranda, some of which seemed to have been written with great haste: Pleasanton will govern details. Will have details from other commands (four thousand). Michigan men have started. Col. J. H. Devereaux has torpedoes. Hanover Junction (B. T. Johnston). Maryland Line. [Here follows a statement of the composition and numbers of Johnston's command.] Chapin's farm — seven miles below Richmond. One brigade (Hunton's relieved Wise, sent to Charlestown). River can be forded half a mile above the city. No works on south side. Hospitals near them. River fordable. Canal can be crossed. Fifty men to remain on north bank, and keep in communica- tion, if possible. To destroy mills, canal, and burn everything of value to the rebels. Seize any large ferry-boats, and note all crossings, in case we have to return that way. Keep us posted of any important movement of the rebels, and, as we approach the city, communicate with us, and do not give the alarm before they see us in possession of Belle Isle and the bridge. If en- gaged there, or unsuccessful, they must assist in securing the bridges until we cross. If the ferry-boat can be taken and worked, bring it down. Everything that cannot be secured or made use of must be destroyed. Great care must be taken not to be seen or any alarm given. The men must be filed along off the road or along the main bank. When we enter the city the officer must use his discretion as to when to assist in crossing the bridges. The prisoners once loosed and the bridges crossed, the city must be destroyed, burning the public buildings, etc. 180 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS PrisonCTs to go with party. Spike the heavy guns outside. Pioneers must be ready to repair, destroy, etc. Turpentine will be provided. The pioneers must be ready to destroy the Richmond bridges, after we have all crossed, and to destroy the railroad near Frederick's Hall (station, artillery, etc.) ******* Fifteen men to halt at Bellona Arsenal, while the column goes on, and destroy it. Have some prisoners. Then rejoin us at R. ; leaving a portion to watch if anything follows, under a good officer. Will be notified that Custer may come. Main column, four hundred. One hundred men will take the bridge after the scouts, and dash through the streets and open the way to the front, or, if it is open, destroy everything in the way. While they are on the big bridges, one hundred men will take Belle Isle, after the scouts instructing the prisoners to gut the city. The reserve (two hundred) will see this fairly done and everything over, and then follow, destroying the bridges after them, and then destroy the city; going up the principal streets and destroying everything before them, but not scattering too much, and always having a part well in hand. Jeff Davis and Cabinet must be killed on the spot. The proof afforded by these papers will not admit of a doubt of the murderous intention of the Federal commander. The authenticity of the papers has been denied by the father of Colonel Dahlgren, but the denial was accompanied by no proof. The genuineness of the papers is well shown by the following letter from General Fitz Lee, in transmitting them to the War Department : Headquarters Lee's Division, Cavalry Corps, Army Northern Va., March 31, 1864. General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector-General. General : I have the honor to enclose to you Colonel Dahl- gren's note book, just sent to me by Colonel Beall, commanding Ninth Virginia Cavalry. Had I known of its existence it would have been forwarded with the "papers." IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 181 His name and rank is written on the first page, with the date (probably) of his purchasing it. The book, amongst other memoranda, contains a rough pencil sketch of his address to his troops, differing somewhat from his pen and ink copy. I embrace this occasion to add, the original papers bore no marks of alteration, nor could they possibly have been changed except by the courier who brought them to me, which is in the highest degree improbable; and the publications of them in the daily Richmond papers were exact copies, in every respect, of the original. Very respectfully. Your obedient servant, (Signed) Fitz Lee, Major-General Commanding. This raid of Kilpatrick and Dahlgren attracted universal attention all over the North as well as the South. Besides the death of Dahlgren, his command was scattered and many of them fell into the hands of the Confederates. With reference to these Mr. Davis says : The prisoners, having been captured in disguise, were, under the usages of war, liable to be hanged as spies, but their protes- tations that their service was not voluntary, and the fact that as enlisted men they were subject to orders, and could not be held responsible for the infamous instructions under which they were acting, saved them from the death-penalty they had fully incurred. PHOTOGRAPHIC COPIES OF THE PAPERS FOUND ON DAHLGREN'S BODY WERE TAKEN AND SENT TO GENERAL LEE, with instructions to communicate them to General Meade, commanding the enemy's forces in his front, with an inquiry as to whether such practices were authorized by his Government, and also to say that, IF ANY QUESTION WAS RAISED AS TO THE COPIES, THE ORIGINAL PAPER WOULD BE SUB- MITTED. NO SUCH QUESTION WAS THEN MADE, and THE DENIAL THAT DAHLGREN'S CONDUCT HAD BEEN AUTHORIZED WAS ACCEPTED. Many sensational stories, having not even a basis of truth, were put in circulation to exhibit the Confederate authorities as having acted with unwarrantable malignity toward the deceased Colonel Dahlgren. The fact was, that his body was sent to Richmond and decently interred in the Oakwood Cemetery, 182 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS where other Federal soldiers were buried. The enormity of HIS OFFENSES WAS NOT FORGOTTEN, but resentment against him ended with his life. It was also admitted that, however bad his preceding conduct had been, he met his fate gallantly, charging at the head of his men when he found him- self inextricably encompassed by his foe. It would be fair to give the explanations made by the friends of Colonel Dahlgren, who, however, do not appear to have ever published any explanation from any officer or soldier of Colonel Dahlgren's force of 500 picked men. The defense seems to have been made by persons who felt called upon to exonerate General Meade. A major-general of the Federal army* writes as follows : The only other event of note, before the arrival of General Grant, was the Kilpatrick-Dahlgren raid upon Richmond. It was authorised directly from Washington, and was not the suggestion of General Meade, nor did it have his approval; however, he set about carrying it into effect with all proper spirit and energy. The movement depended largely for its success upon its secrecy, and, therefore, when Colonel Dahlgren arrived from Washington before the preparations were com- pleted, and asked to be permitted to accompany Kilpatrick, Meade was annoyed to learn that the expedition was currently discussed in the Capital. The plan was for Kilpatrick to move generally from our left, passing the right flank of Lee's army, and to proceed to Richmond by as direct routes as possible, while, as diversions, and to cover his movement, Custer, with 2,000 cavalry, was to make a raid beyond Gordonsville, and the Sixth Corps and Birney's division of the Third were to move in support of Custer to Madison Court House on Robertson's River. No effort was made to conceal this movement, as it was intended to convey the impression to the enemy that a formidable attempt was to be made upon his left flank. Upon the arrival of Sedgwick and Birney at Robertson's River at nightfall of the 27th of February, Custer went by with his command, with instructions to proceed toward Charlottesville, and, if possible, to destroy the railway bridge near that place. ♦General Martin T. McMahon in Century War Series, No. 26. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 183 His movement had certainly had the desired effect as a diver- sion. While these operations were taking place Kilpatrick had advanced in the direction of Richmond and had divided his forces, sending a portion under Dahlgren to strike the James River above Richmond, retaining the main body under his own command until he was satisfied that the experiment was not feasible. He made his way down the Peninsula in the direction of Butler's command, and was subsequently transferred by boat to rejoin the Army of the Potomac, or more properly the horse- hospital camp, near Washington. Aside from our losses in men, and among them the gallant and heroic Dahlgren, the result of this movement was to disable for the time being 3,000 or 4,000 of the very flower of our cavalry. A gentleman* who appears to have investigated the particu- lars of the expedition of Kilpatrick and Dahlgren writes as follows : On the night of Sunday, the 28th of February, 1864, Gen. Judson Kilpatrick, leaving Stevensburg with 4,000 cavalry and a battery of horse artillery, crossed the Rapidan at Ely's Ford, surprised and captured the enemy's picket there, and marched rapidly by Spottsylvania Court House toward Richmond. "His object was to move past the enemy's right flank, enter the Confederate Capital, and release the Union captives in its military prisons. This bold project had grown out of PRESI- DENT LINCOLN'S DESIRE TO HAVE HIS AMNESTY PROCLAMATION CIRCULATED WITHIN THE CON- FEDERATE LINES; AND GENERAL KILPATRICK, WITH WHOM MR. LINCOLN DIRECTLY CON- FERRED, HAD REPORTED TO GENERAL MEADE, ON THIS OFFICER'S APPLICATION, A PLAN WHICH INCLUDED THE RELEASE OF THE RICHMOND PRISONERS AND A RAID UPON THE ENEMY'S COM- MUNICATIONS AND SUPPLIES. His force was to be chosen from the cavalry corps, mostly from his own — the Third — division ; and Col. Ulric Dahlgren, separating from him near Spottsylvania, with five hundred picked men, was to cross the James, enter Richmond on the south side, after liberating the Belle Isle prisoners, and unite with Kilpatrick's main force entering the city from the north at 10 a. m. of Tuesday, March ♦George E. Pond in Century War Series, No. 26. 184 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS 1st. General Meade aided the enterprise with simultaneous demonstrations of the Sixth Corps and of Birney's division of the Third against Lee's left, and of Custer's cavalry division toward Charlottesville." The publication of the Dahlgren papers did not materially add to the now revengeful feelings of the Confederate sol- diers. They did not think that Dahlgren had attempted to do anything worse than many Federal officers and soldiers were doing every day in many parts of the South. They thought the homes in Richmond no more sacred than those of the Shenandoah Valley that were in ashes ; and while President Davis and his Cabinet were of greater value to the Confed- eracy it would be no worse to kill them than for Gen. Stephen G. Burbridge to shoot innocent prisoners, at Lexington, Kentucky, because his raiding parties were fired on from ambush and men killed or wounded. The same policy was being pursued by Col. Sam Johnson at Hopkinsville, Ken- tucky, and by Gen. E. A. Paine at Gallatin, Tennessee. This was Gen. John C. Fremont's policy in Missouri, even in 1 86 1, toward men who might be caught with arms in their hands, though they might wear a so-called Confederate uniform. It appeared that the war party in the North claimed a monopoly of this mode of warfare. The slightest innova- tion by Confederates was regarded as infamous and "un- paralleled in the annals of war." General Morgan and sixty- eight of his officers were subjected to penitentiary treatment and discipline on the charge of being "horse thieves." Their heads were shaved or cropped close to the skin and likewise mustaches or beards. They occupied convicts' cells and received the dungeon treatment of convicts at the option of guards or wardens upon any infraction, real or supposed, of the penitentiary rules. They were not recognized as pris- oners of war. They were not in a military prison even suffering the privations there under military discipline. But they had been delivered by Major-General Burnside, after their capture in battle or on the march, to Governor Tod of Ohio to be confined in the penitentiary as felons. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 185 These and many other like views were common subjects now among the best men in the Confederate Army. It seemed a bitter fate to the Southern people according to the opinions of the Confederate soldiers. It was some consolation to them, however, that about half the Northern people were opposed to the cruel war upon the Southern people and seemed ready to fight against being drafted into the Union Army. The riot in New York City against the enforcement of the draft was a notable instance. On this occasion the mob had held sway in the city for several days. Governor Horatio Seymour, of New York, appeared upon the scene and appealed to the rioters for peace and good order, prom- ising to have the "order for the draft suspended," but by way of warning to the authorities at Washington or rather to President Lincoln, he exclaimed, in a public address in New York City : Remember this, that the bloody^ and treasonable, and revolu- tionary doctrine of public necessity can be proclaimed by a mob as well as by a government. * * * When men accept despotism, they may have a choice as to who the despot shall be ! It was this condition of affairs that animated the South- ern citizens and soldiers in extending so warm a welcome to General Morgan upon his escape from captivity. Indeed, the presence of Morgan in the Confederacy was an inspira- tion to the soldiers. CHAPTER XX Morgan at Abingdon — General Jenkins wounded and his com- mand routed — Martin leads a charge — Morgan defeats enemy near Wytheville — His last raid to Kentucky — Captures garrison at Mt. Sterling — Martin's command surprised by Burbridge — Defense and escape with severe loss — Fight and capture of garrison at Cynthiana — Capture of Gen. E. H. Hobson and his command at Cynthiana — Morgan defeated by Burbridge — Escape to Virginia. The universal manifestation of confidence by the people and soldiers in General Morgan seemed to inspire him with fresh enthusiasm, and he at once proceeded to organize a division out of the fragments of his old division that had not been captured and other detachments and commands of Kentucky cavalry that were available in western Virginia, Since the arrival of General Morgan at Abingdon some exciting events had occurred. I learned from my comrades at the hotel in Abingdon that two expeditions of the Fed- erals had attacked the line of railroad, from Abingdon to Richmond, at Dublin near New River bridge. General Jenkins commanded the Confederate garrison stationed at this place. Upon the approach of the Federals under com- mand of General Crook, General Morgan sent the dis- mounted fragments of his old division, about four hundred men, under Col. D. Howard Smith and Lieut.-Col. Martin to the assistance of Jenkins. When they arrived at Dublin Depot General Jenkins had been attacked by a superior force and his troops were in retreat toward the depot from their line of battle. In a vain endeavor to rally his men. General Jenkins was seriously wounded. Colonel McCausland, who succeeded to the command, was making the same attempt, when Morgan's men rushed from the cars, and forming IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 187 quickly Colonel Martin led them in a charge upon the enemy, who were rushing forward wildly upon the idea that the garrison was at their mercy. They were driven back in confusion, though the retreating troops of General Jenkins did not halt to help their rescuers. Finally the enemy after reforming advanced with a large force, when Smith and Martin withdrew their men and safely crossed New River, where they remained until the next morning and then re- turned to Abingdon. Captain Cleburne, a young brother of Maj.-Gen. Pat Cleburne of Bragg's army, was killed in the charge of Morgan's men at Dublin Depot. The enemy under General Averill at the same time had advanced against Wytheville, where a Confederate force was posted. General Morgan had hurried from Abingdon, with his mounted force, to Wytheville and arrived in advance of the enemy. A sharp engagement ensued as the enemy ap- proached, which resulted in a victory for the troops under General Morgan's command, including a brigade of cavalry commanded by General Jones that was stationed at Wythe- ville. The Confederates lost between fifty and sixty killed and wounded. But they had inflicted a heavier loss upon Averill's force, besides taking over one hundred prisoners and nearly two hundred horses. Generals Crook and Averill retreated northward after these engagements and General Morgan returned to Abingdon. I had arrived at Abingdon a few days after these occur- rences, and while the enemy had fallen back from our terri- tory they still occupied advanced positions in West Virginia and threatened Saltville, which had been guarded by Gen- eral Morgan, and he was still expected to protect the salt works located there. There was now an active effort to equip General Mor- gan's troops. But for the first time in its history the Gov- ernment at Richmond was furnishing supplies to General Morgan's command, though in scant measure. 188 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS Martin got permission from General Morgan to go to the country and recruit the horses of his staff. We went some fifteen miles distant in the mountains, where we located on a fertile plateau. In leaving Abingdon I with a number of others traveled in a two-horse wagon. Colonel Martin went by General Morgan's headquarters and when he overtook us on the road he handed me an envelope. It contained my commission from General Mor- gan as 1st lieutenant in the Tenth Kentucky Cavalry. Mar- tin told me afterwards that General Morgan appreciated my trip to Nashville. He also told me that he was to command the dismounted men organized into a brigade on the raid to Kentucky which would be made within a few days. He said he wanted me to serve on his staff. The command started about the first of June. There were two mounted brigades, one commanded by Colonel Giltner and the other by Col. D. Howard Smith. These of course went ahead of our dismounted men and cleared the route. Colonel Martin's staff was made up as follows: Lieut. Arthur Andrews, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. Bob Berry, commissary; Capt. Orville West, quartermaster; Lieut. John W. Headley, inspector-general ; Lieuts. Oscar L. Barbour and Meade Woodson, aides-de-camp. There was nothing for this staff to do on the march to Kentucky. I simply fell into ranks and marched in the column for four days, when I began to fag, and took my place among the stragglers, who were loaded down with swollen feet and legs. When I reached Hazel Green I learned I was half a day behind the head of our column. But I pushed on, stopping to wade in cool streams occasionally, hoping that might take out some of the swelling. At Ticktown I was informed that our brigade would camp in Mt. Sterling that night and wait for the column to close up. Also that Gen- eral Morgan had captured the garrison the night before and several hundred horses for our men. This news stimulated me to try and reach camp before the horses were distributed. I arrived at about eleven o'clock at night. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 189 The command was camped in a woodland on a ridge that crossed the pike about half a mile before reaching Mt. Ster- ling. Nearly every man in camp was fast asleep. I did not go ten feet from the pike, but spread my pallet and tried to sleep or rest, but could do neither. Many others were in equally bad condition. I learned that Colonel Martin's headquarters were across the pike. At daylight I got up and lighted my pipe, concluding I would smoke for consolation. Just then two or three shots were fired about half a mile down the pike on which we had come into camp. I heard several horses coming at full speed and then a storm began to roar in the same direction. It was a column of horses on the pike after the pickets. Only a few men in the whole command seemed to be awake or to have heard the shots. I began to shout aloud, forgetting my heavy legs, and wabbled around in the camp to rouse the soldiers. Others spread the alarm, but objects could hardly be seen very far as daylight was barely breaking. On came the uproar up the pike. The pickets ran by, yelling the alarm, and there was confusion all over the camp. I hardly had an idea of our location, but discovered a plank fence back from the pike about seventy-five yards. There was none along the pike on our side. I and other officers called to the men to get over the fence and lie down. Those who got up went in a run for the fence. The enemy was coming " into the camp now, shooting men as they got up or as they lay asleep. It looked like a slaughter. But from the fence the fire opened and we began to pour buckshot into the crowded enemy and they were falling fast. They spread all over the camp in a few minutes, and kept shooting our men who were trying to escape. Our fire from over four hundred gims was telling on their ranks all the time. They were not over a hundred feet from us. Suddenly a horseman from their crowd galloped toward us bareheaded, shouting, "Come over the fence, boys, and charge quick !" Every one recognized the form and voice of Col. Bob Martin. There was no hesitation. The line went over the fence in an instant and went right up to them with shotguns and pistols. 190 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS The enemy got so blocked they ran over each other as well as the dead and wounded. We yelled and fought still, crowding them so closely that they were in such confusion they could not shoot, and there was no room for them to spread and get out of each other's way. Martin was yell- ing, and fighting with his pistol along with the rest. It was light enough to see some distance now, and the enemy's column seemed to have clogged in the lane, which was hedged by a strong plank fence on both sides, and they could not get off their horses nor out of the lane, so Martin led the charge on the crowded head of their column so furiously that it stampeded for a hundred yards at least. They got a piece of artillery through the fence about two hundred yards dis- tant and began to throw canister into the camp. But we were fifty yards down the lane now and pushing ahead. I saw Colonel Martin and his horse go down some ten steps from me, but he arose quickly and within a few minutes was on another horse. Rushing toward me on the right he told me to take some men and get that cannon while he rushed the column back on the pike. I called on the men around me to follow, and they sprang forward in a run, loading their guns and firing as they went. I had no gun and held my pistol fire for closer quarters. Martin was going with the main force right on the enemy in the pike and had them nearly back to the cannon. Their whole column along the lane was jammed. My party was inside the field and we went along as fast as we could load and shoot. My men fired in the rear of the head of the column, as I thought that would increase the confusion. We were already beyond the head of the column, but it had no time to give my crowd any attention, while our column on foot was all around the stampeding front. We then made a rush for the cannon and stopped firing. Three of my men reached the cannon ahead of me. A number of shots were falling around us from the rear, some distance back, where I noticed several men were over in the field on foot, having turned their horses loose in the IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 191 crushing crowd along the lane. The horses were gone from the cannon and one of those hitched to the caisson was dead in the harness, while the other one seemed frightened nearly to death but could not go anywhere with his load. Unfor- tunately, none of my party knew how to load and shoot the cannon or we would have turned it on their struggling masses in the lane as far as we could see. The men were cutting the harness off the dead horse, as our fighting col- umn had now passed us ; but I observed, not over a hundred yards from us, the enemy was putting men into the field, dismounted, and knew they would not be long in coming. We thereupon hitched ourselves to the cannon and went up the slope as fast as we could, some of the men bringing what they could carry from the caisson. The firing had lulled somewhat by the time we got into our camp, where we hoped a squad might be ready to load and open on the masses in the lane. I then saw that the enemy had dismounted about a hundred yards from us and formed on both sides of the lane and were about ready to move forward. More were still going over the fences on each side farther in the rear. Martin was now falling back slowly, still firing. We took the cannon and pushed on, my aim being now to get away with it. I supposed the other two brigades were near by and was expecting every minute they would come to our rescue. We hurried forward with the cannon and were out of danger, when we stopped to see if we had better go to help the men with Martin and try to find some one who could shoot the cannon. Bullets began to pepper the ground around us and to pass higher from the dismounted enemy in the field. One struck me on the shin of the left leg. It must have struck a rail or something else, however, as it only half buried itself in the flesh and dropped in my boot leg. It hurt about like the lick of a stone thrown hard at a short distance. Martin was now bringing the men back rapidly, and gal- loping to me said we would have to leave the cannon. He 192 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS told me he was shot in the foot and hurried away. I did not know the other six men who went with me to capture the cannon, but I have since learned they were from Carroll County, Kentucky. With my swollen limbs, I soon dropped to the rear, but the enemy was not pressing us. Their mounted column that was jammed in the lane could not pursue without trampling their own dead and wounded. There was a common between our camp and Mt. Sterling and I now had several hundred yards to go before reaching the suburbs. Just as I reached the foot of the ridge and the edge of the common, several loose horses, with their halters dangling, came running around from the right, and I spread myself to coax one to stop. I finally secured one, and mount- ing him bareback guided him by the halter rein. I galloped through town and soon reached Martin, who was trying to get all the men closed up. We went out the Winchester pike and half a mile from town passed through a cut in a ridge that crossed the pike. It seemed to be the same ridge that wound round toward our camp. Just behind this ridge we came upon the mounted brigade of Colonel Giltner stand- ing in line. The Colonel rode to us, and he and Colonel Martin agreed to make a stand here. Martin turned his column and formed a line on the right of the pike facing Mt. Sterling. We could see the enemy in town and presently a dismounted line moved forward with skirmishers in ad- vance. The pike curved somewhat in Giltner's front, or rather it circled so that Giltner was first to be engaged. As the enemy pressed forward. Colonel Martin en- deavored to move forward and to turn the enemy's left flank, but was met with a volley from a line of skirmishers that covered our front. Driving these back we came in sight of a dismounted line of battle some two hundred yards from the ridge. The line officers in Martin's remnant reported the ammunition exhausted. This was no surprise after the engagement of the early morning. Giltner's brigade re- pulsed the advance against his position while we were simply IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 193 holding ours. But soon the enemy advanced upon us slowly and our remaining shots were fired, after which Colonel Martin withdrew his line and part of Giltner's bri- gade occupied our position. We did not know whether or not Giltner could resist the advance, so Colonel Martin ordered his men to hasten to reach the woods half a mile farther back. Meanwhile, Captain West, the quartermaster, was endeavoring to get a supply of ammunition from Gilt- ner's stock. The enemy, from an elevation to our right, sent a volley at our mounted party as we were leaving the ridge and Martin and I had to go under fire for about fifty yards. The weary officers and men were getting away in droves; perhaps half of the command was bareheaded. 1 asked Martin why Giltner had not come to our assistance in the morning when he had only a mile to go and we were fighting from daybreak until after sunrise. *T do not know," he said, laughing; "I did not ask him why he didn't." I asked Martin how we happened to be surprised. He said General Morgan had captured Mt. Sterling the night before we arrived, taking 400 prisoners, a lot of horses, teams and supplies; and had gone to Winchester to take that place and try to mount our men without delay, leaving Colonel Brent with 50 men for guard posts. He said he directed Brent to post the picket at least a mile from camp. I then told him that I reached the camp at eleven o'clock and the pickets told me the camp was not over two hundred yards ahead, which I found to be true. He said he didn't know anything about Brent, except that he ought to be court-martialed, etc. Colonel Martin now complained of his foot giving him pain. A bullet had furrowed across on top at the base of the instep and it was bloody. We thought best for him to get a surgeon. He went off after one and to have it examined. Our little command had reached the pike and halted near the woods while Giltner's brigade still held the ridge, but the firing had about ceased. 194 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS We discovered a command of cavalry on the pike toward Winchester coming- at full speed, and in a few minutes the men shouted, "Morgan, Morgan, that's Morgan!" The boys yelled for joy, and Morgan's men came yelling. Their princely commander was recognized in the lead, bareheaded, but waving his hat and cheering as he pushed forward. He was the first to reach us. Halting his column, he rode around among our 450 men until they quieted. I sat by the side of the pike on my naked horse and watched him. I had never seen General Morgan before. Everything in his appearance denoted elegance and gallantry. He had the exquisite form of perfect manhood, with the fair complexion, the mellow blue eyes, and the charming features of a hand- some woman. He listened to the stories of our disaster for a few minutes. Then with words of sympathy for the men he exclaimed, "I'll get them yet," and told them they should not walk any farther. He called to Colonel Smith and said a few words. I overheard the remark that these men must have something to eat at once and drinking water. He ordered Smith's brigade forward to support Giltner. It had been standing in a column of fours for ten minutes, while one of Morgan's staff officers had been to confer with Gilt- ner, whose brigade had ceased firing. Morgan then asked for Colonel Martin. Some one said, "Yonder is Lieutenant Headley, he can tell," at the same time calling me. I went forward and Morgan said he was glad to know me. I told him I had just learned Martin was at the house not far away, to which I pointed in Giltner's direction. He galloped away. It was soon rumored that Morgan was going to attack the town. A supply of rations arrived, fires were started in the wood- land, and we were soon eating a meal. I had not eaten a mouthful since noon of the day before. In a little while a man brought me a saddle and bridle which Colonel Martin had sent, and a message for me to join him. His foot had been dressed but was swollen and, some of the bones being broken, he was suffering. MAJOR-GE^ERAL JOHN H. MORGAN 1864 IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 195 After an hour or so Martin received a message from Mor- gan, by a staff officer, that it was deemed inexpedient to attack the enemy in town, having ascertained that they had occupied and barricaded the court-house and principal brick buildings. It would be necessary to burn the town, which Morgan was unwilling to do. The entire command was now formed on the pike and moved toward Winchester. Most of our little brigade had been furnished horses and the rest rode in wagons. Before we had gone far Colonel Martin sent for me. He wanted me to go and ask General Morgan to assign our remnant to one of the other brigades. Morgan studied a moment and said all right, he would put the men with Col- onel Smith's brigade. He sent me to tell Smith, but said he would see him also. I caught up with Smith and reported the arrangement. He invited me to serve with him and said the others on Martin's staff could do likewise. His inquir- ies as to myself brought out the fact that he had served in the State Senate of Kentucky with my father, so we became good friends. Colonel Smith told me of the fight at Mt. Sterling the morning before our arrival, when they captured 400 pris- oners, supplies, etc. He explained that his brigade went with General Morgan to Winchester, twelve miles, leaving Gilt- ner's brigade with horses and supplies for Martin's dis- mounted brigade. These events occurred on the 9th day of June, 1864. Marching from Mt. Sterling we passed through Win- chester and entered Lexington after midnight. The garri- son of the enemy there was driven into a fortification on one side of the city. We only remained here a short time. Early next morning we marched into Georgetown and halted for several hours. Meanwhile, several details had been sent toward Frankfort and in other directions to make feints and deceive the enemy. We left Georgetown on the pike toward Cynthiana. 196 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS At sunrise the next morning, the nth, we approached Cynthiana on the Leesburg pike, with Giltner's brigade in front. The pickets were driven in, the pommand going forward at a gallop. There was some firing at the fleeing pickets. A brisk fight was raging when the head of our bri- gade came to the suburbs, at a point where the pike descended from a ridge and entered the town. Just beyond a brick residence on the right, inside a blue-grass meadow. General Morgan sat on his horse with members of his staff around him. The meadow sloped down to the railroad depot, a dis- tance perhaps of two hundred yards on the right. The depot was in the edge of the town and occupied by the enemy. Giltner had reached the town and his men were now fighting on the other side of the depot from us. Smith's brigade was dismounted and entered the meadow, charging toward the depot. Lieutenants Andrews, Barbour, and I went along on horseback. We were received with a storm of bullets from the depot and were obliged to halt about fifty yards from it ; some lying down, others finding shelter along a fence to the left were thus enabled to creep closer. Here a courier from General Morgan brought a message for me and others on horseback to come back. He said we were exposing our- selves and doing no good. This position was held for perhaps half an hour, when Giltner's men, having set fire to the houses near the depot, were now in the act of setting it on fire when the white flag was hoisted by the enemy. The doors were opened and our men entered the building from all sides. The enemy had suffered severely inside the depot. Their commander, Colonel Berry, was among the killed. He was a wealthy farmer of the county near Berry Station, which had been named for him by the railroad company some years before. He had been straightened on his back by some of his men, with a piece of plank under his head, when I went to see him as he lay on the floor. He was a large, tall, fine- looking man, apparently about forty-eight years of age. Some one remarked that he had a son in Morgan's command. IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 197 I immediately thought of Capt. Robert Berry, who was commissary on the staff of Colonel Martin and now with Colonel Smith. I went at once to find him and he proved to be the son. It was sad to see him look upon his father's face in death for a moment and then come away. He did not know until then that his father had entered the service on the other side, though a Union man from the beginning of the war. Not long afterward it was reported that a force of the enemy had arrived on the other side of the town by rail- road from Cincinnati. Giltner's brigade formed and en- gaged them for a while, then General Morgan with Smith's brigade followed. We found the forces nearly a mile from town. The enemy's force consisted of infantry. After they disembarked their train had gone back. When our brigade moved up in full view, the Federal commander formed his force in a hollow square about the middle of a large blue- grass pasture. Their flag was planted on each side. The commander and his staff sat mounted in the center. The enemy, as nearly as I could estimate, numbered about 1,500 men. General Morgan's force here present numbered about 1,800 men, and he at once formed a hollow square, mounted, facing to the inside all around the enemy and about two hundred yards away. This consumed some time, but the display was an attractive dress-parade. General Morgan now sent a flag of truce and, without firing a gun, the enemy surrendered. The commander who surrendered this force was Gen. E. A. Hobson, whose command had captured Gen- eral Morgan's command in Ohio. But General Morgan did not retaliate upon Hobson for his own treatment as a felon in the Ohio Penitentiary, as he was satisfied General Hobson had not inspired it and should not be held responsible. General Duke says : General Hobson was paroled and sent, under escort of Capt. C. C. Morgan and two other officers, to Cincinnati, to effect, if possible, the exchange of himself and officers for certain of 198 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS General Morgan's officers then in prison, and, failing in that, to report as a prisoner within the Confederate lines. He was not permitted to negotiate the exchange and his escort were detained for some weeks. It was now nearly night, and General Morgan proceeded to commit the first mistake in his hitherto brilliant career, which had never been equaled except by the indomitable Forrest. After detailing, including the detachments which had been sent in different directions, guards for the pris- oners and wagon-train, perhaps 600 men altogether, the re- mainder of about 1,500 were moved out on the Paris pike less than a mile from town, where they were encamped in a woods pasture. We were only thirty miles from Mt. Ster- ling, where Burbridge with 4,000 cavalry had surprised Colonel Martin's camp two days before. Giltner's brigade was near the pike on the right and Smith's brigade still farther to the right — all on a ridge that crossed the Paris pike. At daylight next morning I was awake and heard several rifle shots two or three hundred yards up the pike in front of Giltner's camp. Andrews, Barbour, and I were ready, as we had not taken off any clothing when we retired and our horses were saddled and ready. I awakened Colonel Smith nearby — we were all sleeping under the same tree — who directed us to wake up the camp and have the command formed. We found Colonel Bowles, Captains Kirkpatrick and Cantrill already up and their commands falling into line as fast as the men could get ready and mount. The enemy had reached Giltner's command, which had formed hastily, and an engagement was in progress. The enemy began to appear about four hundred to five hundred yards distant, moving from the pike in our direction, and presently their mounted line swung around in our front. Lieutenant Andrews, who had gone for Colonel Smith, came with orders for our line to move forward. We did not go far when the command was dismounted and sent forward on IN CANADA AND NEW YORK 199 foot. Barbour and I went with Colonel Bowles's command, which was on the extreme right. The Federal line was stretched from our front all the way to the pike. The con- flict with Giltner was in plain view but the line in our front was standing still. Our line went forward yelling, the right going over a rock fence into a small woods pasture. Just to the left of this was a rail fence and a big gate in line with the rock fence. Soon after we passed this line of fencing, to my surprise Colonel Martin passed us shouting, "Charge !" I had not seen him for two days. He was rid- ing with one foot in the stirrup and the other on a pillow and hooked around the horn of his saddle. Barbour and I went with him, but the enemy soon halted us all. They opened fire and stood firm. When we were within one hundred yards of their line, they started a charge upon the front of Bowles, to our right, and their whole line moved forward. Colonel Martin ordered our line to fall back. Bowles's men formed behind the rock fence. Cantrill and Kirkpatrick were not so well protected, but the first charge was directed at Bowles. Be- fore we could get through the gate my hat was knocked off in the rush and the gateway was choked for a minute. Colonel Martin held my horse while I got my hat, as I was just as safe on the ground while waiting to get through the gate. The Federals rushed into the little woods pasture and came within fifty feet of the rock fence under fire as if they were going to ride over it, but Bowles's men did not waver or slacken a continuous fire. He sat his horse and rode along his line, while Colonel Martin and others aided in encouraging the line to hold that fence. It was too hot for the enemy. They recoiled, but, after halting about one hundred yards distant and reforming under fire, they came rushing forward again — with the same result. On our left. Colonel Alston, Captains Cantrill and Kirkpatrick were holding their ground against the superior force in their front which had apparently hesitated to await the attempt to turn our flank. 200 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS Presently a force of several hundred fresh men galloped up behind the enemy's line which was in front of the rock fence, and swung around to our right. We had no force to oppose this flanking charge. At the same time the enemy, with an overwhelming force, moved forward all along the line. I observed that Giltner's line was broken away to the left, and the enemy was charging with yells. It was now a race for our men to reach their horses ahead of the enemy. Many of the horses were turned loose by the horse-holders, who were determined to escape. From this moment there was a stampede of the entire command. Lieutenant Bar- bour, Major Gassett, of General Morgan's staff, and I were the last to cross the bridge over the Licking River on the Leesburg pike. The Federals then took possession of it and stopped to take prisoners as our men came up. We went about two hundred yards up the pike and then halted to see if we were pursued. We saw half a dozen of our men plunge into the stream one hundred yards from the bridge, when the Federals opened fire on them as they swam across. We recognized Colonel Martin and Captain Christy in the squad. Several Federals galloped from the bridge to capture them as they came out. Martin was off his horse as it came up the bank, but was trying to mount and suc- ceeded. He then led the squad, and opening fire on the enemy, who seemed to be waiting for a surrender, charged through, scattering them; but a reinforcement from the bridge turned Martin's party up the river. We saw they could not get with us, so we galloped away to get a good start. We only went along the pike to the first woods on the left and turned off, making our way some fifteen miles through the country before we camped. We made the journey safely through the mountains to Abingdon, Virginia. Within a day or two Colonel Martin and Lieutenant Andrews arrived. Many others arrived singly or in crowds under some officer, and finally General Morgan with a large number of the command reached Abingdon. CHAPTER XXI Morgan reestablishes headquarters at Abingdon — Reorganizing his command — Officers recuperate — Richmond authorities aroused against Morgan — Skirmish of Major Cantrill with scouts — Detached by Secretary of War. The result of the expedition of General Morgan into Ken- tucky was unfortunate in its effect at Richmond, more than in the losses the command had suffered. Although the troops came in fragments, except the considerable force with General Morgan, it seemed that nearly all the command, ex- cept the killed and wounded, finally reached Abingdon and really better equipped than when they started on the raid. All were well mounted and armed. Colonel Martin's wounded foot had not fully healed and he was practically off duty. A number of us who belonged to his staff while he commanded a brigade were now out of a job. Martin proposed that we go down toward Bristol and recuperate our horses. Lieutenant Barbour and I joined him and we arranged for board with Mr. Thomas near Bris- tol, who was a prosperous farmer. Within a few days we were joined by Lieut.-Col. Robert A. Alston, of South Car- olina, and Adjutant Andrews. Alston had been adjutant- general on the staff of General Morgan and had commanded a battalion on the Kentucky raid. At this time most of the command had reached Virginia and General Morgan immediately began its reorganization. A battalion was put in camp near our location under com- mand of Maj. James E. Cantrill. General Morgan had reestablished his headquarters, how- ever, at Abingdon and that was the chief rendezvous of the command. 202 CONFEDERATE OPERATIONS It was now common talk that the authorities at Richmond had broken out afresh against General Morgan, it being claimed that he had not asked or received permission to make the raid into Kentucky. We had been expecting this turn of affairs, although none could understand why the Govern- ment should ever be in readiness to handicap General Mor- gan as had been done with Forrest. They had both recruited more soldiers, had killed, wounded, and captured more of the forces, and captured and destroyed more of the stores, arms, equipments, and railroad bridges of the enemy since the war began than any other brigadier or major-general in the South- ern army. They had displayed as much practical military capacity and rendered more effective service. And yet there seemed to be an insatiable determination to subordinate and restrain their untiring endeavors to aid the Southern cause. The unwillingness to trust them apparently appeared to be caused by the fact that neither