i '^' f ^1 ,/ .\> ''-> ^' ^ A-" ~* ' v-^^ A « «, ""'c \ (p""^ \ v^"^ 'X N^"% V, . .^''^ . ^ .n:^'^. . vO ^' - ^ ' ^ -^^ v^^ ^ ■■ :\^ ■>^,^ ^^ O 0' . / •'/v x^^ ■^^ vx. - y'w^^ .^ ^^' ^1^:^'.:^%. .v. ^' " ' >^ .'^ I •/, -^^^' V 1 « i. "<< '''/„\* A "O 0^ c-i-^ "^ .A >-^ ^.^ ^/, * » . ^ <^^ ^^' ■'-■f. ^^ * % '^^ !(> -^o<^^ ^ \" on ^. '1 S O S. "t/^ v^' k\!^ %.^ .<>% ^ II :, t. ■'00' "^^ ^ 4^ vN^^ C- t- v^^^ .&' .;> -A ''o.;-\<\ '* ■>^ a\ ^X^ .>^ ^0O^ 0' ..^ v^"" ^^ , % '"^" x)'' ^•^^. ^^"^ % -^^ .^'^ !*"'""^-, ■: . ^' • ^ '. ^^ X' s ^^ '/ ^ O' c /- ^i>t 'bo' '-^ o- X •^ xO°<. ■X .V. ♦ r '^^. / HANCOCK'S DIARY: OE, A HISTORY \ '>K/sr k. (joiifekrate Cavalrj WITH SKETCHES ¥ FIRST AND SEVENTH BATTALIONS; ALSO, PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, V^r-^r^ TWO VOLUMES IN ONE Nashville, Tenn. : BRANDON PRINTING COMPANY. 1887. CL 1 CoPYRiGHTEn, 1887, By R. R. Hancock. I- TO THE MEMORY OF THE HEROES WHO, BV THEIR GALLANTRY WHILE LIVING AND THE SACRIFICE OF THEIR PRECIOUS LIVES, LARGELY HELPED TO BUILD UP THE FAME OF THE SECOND TENNESSEE CAVALRY, THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. PREFACE As I wrote, during the war, merely for my own future reference, not then expecting to ever have my Diary published in book form, I omitted many, many items which should have been mentioned; there- fore, soon after I began to rewrite the work for publication, I had five hundred letters printed for distribution among my comrades, and be- sides I have sent out hundreds of manuscrij^t letters to let my com- rades know what I was doing and what I wanted them to do. I regret to say that my Diary is not what I wish it to be, from the fact that so few oi my comrades gave the desired and asked-for aid. I hope that they will not complain of omissions which they should have furnished. I have endeavored to give a sketch of the movements of the dif- ferent commands (whether regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army) with which the First Battalion and Second Tennessee Cavalry moved — from General Zollicoffer's first campaign into Kentucky in Se|)tember and October, 1861, to the last campaign of General For- rest into Central Alabama in March and April, 1865. I highly appreciate the following INDORSEMENT. * ' To Our Comrades of the Second Tennessee Cavalry, and OtJurs : "We have examined with great interest the manuscript pages of our Brother Hancock's work. It is fraught with a peculiar originality, and is a consecutive story in his own way of stirring scenes of the war that will pass as a panorama before the minds of all who participated in them. Of course there are many things omitted; but whose fault is it? Our brother appealed to the old soldiers, by circulars and vi Preface. otherwise, for such information and help as they could furnish, though he received but few responses. "Now, let all take this work and read it; as time advances interest will increase in Confederate history; they can easily jot down and preserve for future publications such omissions or inaccuracies as they think have been made;* but the present author deserves a world of credit for perseverance against the lethargy of his comrades, and the work is remarkably correct. C. R. Barteau, Colonel. G. H. Morton, Lieutenant- Colonel. George F. Hager, Lieutenant Company G. J. D. McLiN, Company C, Editor Weekly American, Nashville." I am under many obligations to General Thomas Jordan and J. T. Pryor, the writers of "Forrest's Campaigns," for much valuable in- formation in reference to the movements and actions of ' ' Forrest's Cavalry," which 1 could not noui obtain from any other source, and also to Dr. George F. Hager, of Nashville, for taking valuable time from his own business to attend to the portrait department for me — in fact, he has given me more aid and encouragement than any other one of my comrades; and Colonel Barteau stands next. I now return thanks to all who have aided me. Colonel H. M. Ashby's Regiment, which was composed of H. M. Branner's and George McLelland's East Tennessee Battalions, is officially recorded in the Confederate Archives (now at Washington, D. C. ) as the Second Tennessee Cavalry, while Colonel Barteau's Regiment, through carelessness of his superior officers, in the field or at the War Department, was not officially recognized at Richmond until February, 1865, and it was then numbered the To/^/z/y-second Tennessee Cavalry.f Though, as Barteau's Regiment has ever been ' Hope my comrades will heed this suggestion. — R. R. H. tSce foot note, page 197; and also sketch of Rev. S. C. Talley, Appendix A. Preface. vii known, since its organization, June 12th, 1S62, as the ^r^;/^ Tennes- see, and as it is so recognized in "Forrest's Campaigns" and "Mili- tary Annals of Tennessee," I have used that number throughout this work when speaking of Barteau's Regiment. I regret that it was not convenient for me to correct the "proof- sheets," since I find the following typographical errors: Widlard should be Wiliard (roll of Allison's Company) ; F. W. Hearn should be F. W. Horn (page 51); Haskins should be Hoskins (page 73); headquarters ^\o\!i\^ be quarters (page loi); Captain j5^«^(? should be Bolide (page 175); Wilder' s Regiment should be Wilson's (page 328); port should he fort (foot note, page 357); list of wounded should be list o{ prisoners (foot note, page 364); George Leave should be George Love (page 2>^2>)'j ^ phrase or part of sentence is set off by a period, Dec. Sth, 1863, and March 19th, 1864; JVard s\\o\\\6. be ?f^r^ (pages 590 and 591). R. R. H. Auburn, Tennessee, September loth, 1887. CONTENTS x86i. Company Rolls of McNairy's Battalion — Company A, 28; Company B, 29; Company C, 31 ; Company D, 32; Com- pany E, 18. First Battalion Tennessee Cavalry — Organized, 33; start for East Tennessee, 35; at Camp Schuyler, 36; at Huntsville, 37; at Knoxville, 39; joined to Zollicofter's Brigade, 40. Zollicoffer's First Kentucky Campaign — At Cumberland Ford, 43; Detachments sent to Laurel Bridge and Salt Works, 46; Action at Barboursville, 47 ; Action at Rockcastle Hills, or Wild- cat, 59; Falls back toward Cumberland Ford, 67; Evacuates Kentucky, 71 ; Halts at Jacksboro, 71. Revolt of the Unionists in East Tennessee, 74. Zollicoffer's Second Kentl'cky Campaign — Starts from Jacksboro, 81; at Mill Springs, 87; crosses the Cumberland River, 90; (1862) General Crittenden arrives, 106; General Carroll ar- rives, 108; Battle of Fishing Creek, 113; Crittenden's Official Report, 113; Thomas' Report, 121 ; Crittenden's Division transferred to "Central Army," 133; Crittenden joins Johnson at Murfreesboro, 134. General A. S. Johnston's Shiloh Campaign — Starts from Murfreesboro, 135; Concentrates and Organizes at Corinth, 140; puts his Army in Motion for Pittsburg Landing, 141 ; Battle of Shiloh, 147; Johnston killed, 150; Beauregard in Command, 153; Second day's Battle, 156; Confederates withdrawn, 159. Movements of First Battalion Tennessee Cavalry — On Outpost Duty at luka, 164; Skirmish at Bear Creek Bridge, 165; Moves to Burnsville, 166; to Jacinto, 167; Re-enlists and Reorganizes, 168; Skirmish at Booneville, 172; Covers Retreat from Corinth, 173; halts near Fulton, 175. Sketch of Seventh Battalion (October 19th, 1861, to June 12th, 1862 — Roll of Company A, 175; Company B, 178; Company C, 180; Company D, 182; Company E, 183; Organization of Seventh Battalion, 185; Roll of Company F, 186; Seventh Battalion moves to Scottsville, Kentucky, 187; Returns to Gallatin, iS8; Crosses the Cumberland at Nashville, 190; X Contents. Reaches Decatur, 190; Arrives at Corinlli, 191; Moves to Purdy, Tennes- see, 192; the Battle of Shiloh, 193; Corinth Evacuated, 195; Seventh Bat- talion at its Last Camp near Fulton, 195 ; Reorganized and Re-enlisted, 196. Second Tennessee Cavalry — Organizcfi, 197; Roster, 198; Moves to Bay Springs, 202; Four Compa- nies go with Armstrong to Alabama, 203; Report of Alabama Expedition^ 205; Attached to Armstrong's Brigade, 207; Starts to West Tennessee, 207; Action at Middleburg, 210; at Medon, 211; at Britton's Lane, 213; Returns to Mobile and Ohio Railroad, 215; Attached to Price's Army. 217. Movements of General Sterling Price — Starts for luka, 217; Arrives at that place, 217; Battle of luka, 219; Re- turns to Baldwin, 225; Unites with VanDorn at Ripley, 227; Battle of Corinth, 228; they fall back toward Holly Springs, 229. Second Tennessee Cavalry — Encamped at Guntown, 235; at Okolona, 237; {1863) After Grierson, 239; Action at Palo Alto, 240; at Birmingham, 241 ; at King's Creek, near Tupelo, 242; at Mud Creek, 255; Fall of Vicksburg, 258; Attached to Ferguson's Brigade, 265; to S. D. Lee's Division, 266. Movements of S. D. Lee's Division — Starts to North Alabama, 266; halts at the Tennessee River, near South Florence, 267; Moves to meet Sherman, 269; Action at Cherokee, 271 ; Second Tennessee and Second Alabama detached to meet the First Alabama Tory Cavalry, 275; Action with the Tories on the Eastport-Fulton Road, 275; Returns to Okolona, 280; General Forrest arrives at Okolona, 285; Moves to aid Forrest in passing into West Tennessee, 286; the Aflair at Saulsbury, 289; Action near Moscow, in Wolf River Bottom, 294; Fer- guson's Brigade, being detacheil, returns to Okolona, 296; Ordered South, 301 ; Second Tennessee transferred to Forrest, 302. 1864. Movements of the Second Tennessee — Ordered to West Tennessee, 303; in the vicinity of Bolivar, 305; Ordered hack to Mississippi, 307; Arrives at Oxford, 308; Attached to Bell's Brig- ade, Forrest's Cavalry, 308. Movements of Forrest's Cavalry (February iith to 28th, 1864) — Forrest moves so as to prevent, if possible, the junction of W. S. Smith and Sherman, 310; Colonel Forrest intercepts Smith near Aberdeen, 312; Bell's Brigade detached, under Colonel Barteau, 313; Crosses to the east bank of the Tombigbee, 313; Recrosses to the west bank, 313; General Contents. xi Forrest holds the Federals at bay awaiting reinforcements, 314; the Fed- erals in Retreat, 315; Forrest presses their rear, 315; Barteau on the Right Flank, 31S; Opens the Action at Okolona, 321, and closes it fifteen miles beyond, 329; General Buford's Brigade added to Forrest's Cavalry, 332; Reorganization, 332. Forrest's Campaign Into West Tennessee and Kentucky (March 15th to May 5th, 1864) — Starts from Columbus, 339; the Action at Paducah, Kentucky, 341; Cap- ture of Union City, Tennessee, 346; Capture of Fort Pillow, 352; Returns to Tupelo, Mississippi, 371. Operations of Forrest's Cavalry in Mississippi (May i2ih to September i6th, 1864)— Forrest sets out from Tupelo to join Roddy in Alabama, 376; Recalled to meet a Federal force from Memphis, 377; Battle of Brice's Cross-Roads, 381; Forrest returns to, and establishes his headquarters at, Tupelo, 4014 a larger Federal force afield, 410; the Second Tennessee detached and moves to meet General A. J. Smith, 412; meets him south of Albany, 412; General S. D. Lee arrives at Okolona and takes command, 413; moves to meet Smith at Pontotoc, 416 ; Smith moves toward Tupelo, 416 ; the Second Tennessee attacks the Federal right flank, 417; Battle of Harrisburg, 420; Smith falls back to Memphis, 434; takes the field again, 441; Con- fronted by Forrest at Oxford, 442; Forrest starts to Memphis, 444; En- gagement at Memphis, 447; Forrest returns to, and establishes his head- quarters at, Grenada, 459. Middle Tennessee Expedition (September i6th to October i6th, 1S64) — Forrest starts from Verona, 462; Fords the Tennessee, 463; captures the fort at Athens, 465; the works at Sulphur Trestle taken, 471 ; Action near Richland Creek, 476; Pulaski threatened, 477; Buford detached toward Huntsville, 479; Forrest at Spring Hill, 480; Columbia threatened, 4S1 ; Buford crosses the Tennessee, 486; Forrest reaches Florence, with heavy Federal forces in pursuit, 486; Barteau holds the Federals in check at Cypress Creek, 487; being surrounded, he cuts his way through the Federal lines, 489; he crosses the Tennessee, 490; rejoins Buford's Division at Corinth, 491. Johnsonville Expedition (October i6th to November 17th, 1864) — Forrest's command in motion, 494; the advance (Buford's Division) reaches Paris Landing, 494; the steamer Mazeppa captured, 495; the gunboat Undine captured, 497; "Forrest's Cavalry Afloat," 500; successful opera- xii Contents. lions against the Federal depot at Johnsonville, 503; Forrest ordered to Middle Tennessee, 509; forms a junction with Hood at Florence, Alabama, 511. Hood Campaicn (November 21st to December 27th, 1864) — Hood sets out from Florence, with Forrest's Cavalry in advance, 5" > Actional Lawrenceburg (Buford and Jackson), 511; Chalmers meets and engages the enemy in his path, 512; Buford and Jackson engage Hatch at Campbellsville, 512; Forrest invests Columbia, 513; Hood arrives in front of Columbia, 514; Forrest in pursuit toward Franklin, 516; action at Hurt's Cross-Roads, 516; Action at Spring Hill, 517; the enemy passes Hood at Sjiring Hill, and falls back to Franklin, 518; Battle of Franklin, 521; Hood invests Nashville, 523; Buford ordered to reduce block-houses on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, 523; Forrest moves upon Murfreesboro, 525; Actional Murfreesboro on the 7th, 526; Forrest retreats from Murfreesboro via Columbia, 529; Hood defeated at Nashville, 530; Action at Hollow Tree Gap, 532; the "mixing and mingling" six miles south of Franklin, 534; Engagement six miles south of Columbia, 537; at Richland Creek, 537; at Anthony's Hill, 538; at Sugar Creek, 540; Federal pursuit checked, 541 ; Forrest's Cavalry crosses the Tennessee River at Bain- bridgf, 542; Commentaries, 542. The Final CamI'AION (December 29th, 1864, to May i6th, 1865) — Forrest's Cavalry at Corinth, 544 ; Reorganization of Forrest's Cavalry, 545 ; General Wilson takes the tield from Chickasaw, 546; Chalmers ordered to Selma, Alabama, 547; Jackson sets out from West Point, Mississippi, for Montevallo, Alabama, 547; Wilson detaches Croxton's Brigade to move upon Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 54S; Roddy and Adams engage the enemy near Montevallo, 548; Crossland's Brigade meet the F"ederals, 548; Forrest dashes into a moving column of Federals with his staff and escort, 549; Croxton routed by the Second and Twenty-tirst Tennessee, 550; Wilson detaches another brigade, under McCook, to form a junction with Croxton, 551 ; the action at Bogler's Creek, 552; the desperate hand-to-hand fighting of Forrest and his staff and escort, 554; the last charge of the Second and Twenty-first Tennessee, 557; Wilson attacks Forrest at Selma, 558; the fall of Selma, 559; Forrest retreats to Marion, where he finds Chalmers and Jackson, 561 ; Forrest establishes his Headquarters at Gainesville, Alabama, 562; the End n*ar at hand, 562; General Forrest's Farewell Address to his Troops, 563; Forrest's Cavalry cease to exist, and return home on parole, 565; the Closing Remarks of Lieutenant George F. Hager, 565. APPENDIX A Biographical Sketches — General N. B. Forrest, 571; General J. R. Chalmers, 573; Lieulenant- Colonel F. M. McNairy, 575; Colonel J. D. Bennett, 576; Colonel C. R. Barteau, 578; Lieutenant-Colonel G. H. Morton, 581; E. O. Elliott, 583; Rev. S. C. Talley, 584; Surgeon J. W. Harrison, 587; Lieutenant T. C. Atkinson, 588; Lieutenant A. H. French, 589; Lieutenant P. A. Smith, 596; Captain T. B. Underwood, 597; Captain J. H. Duncan, 599; Captain T. M. Allison, 601; Captain M. W. McKnight, 603; Lieutenant H. L. W. Turney, 606; Lieutenant J. S. Harrison, 607; Lieutenant G. Love, 608; Lieutenant F. W. Vouree, 609; Lieutenant J. M. Cantrell, 611 ; Lieutenant E. J. Bullock, 612; Lieutenant J. K. Dodd, 612; Captain G. E. Seay, 613; Lieutenant T. J. Carman, 615; Captain John A. Brinkley, 616; Lieu- tenant J. T. Austin, 617; Lieutenant J. E. Denning, 618; Lieutenant J. N. Penuel, 619; Captain T. Puryear, 620; Captain J. M. Eastes, 622; Captain B. H. Moore, 624; Lieutenant George F. Hager, 625; Lieutenant B. A. High, 627; Lieutenant F. M. McRee, 630; Captain W. H. Harris and his Twenty-five Men, 631. APPENDIX B. Sketch by John D. McLin, Editor Weekly Anieriean 633 PORTRAITS. Licutenant-General N. B. Forrest Frontispiece. R. R. Hancock 17 Colonel F. N. McNairy ^;^ Dr. Monroe Knight 77 Captain M. W. McKnight 16S Sergeant J- C. McAdoo 171 Colonel J. D. Bennett 185 Lieutenant B. A. High 194 Lieutenant-Colonel G. H. Morton 19S Captain T. B. Underwood 281 General J. K. Chalmers 2S6 Lieutenant George Love 366 Lieutenant A. H. French 419 Priv ate W. C. Hancock 424 Lieutenant George E. Seay 429 Lieutenant F. M. McKee 533 Lieutenant G. F. Hager 550 Lieutenant H. L. W. Turney 454 Sergeant A. B. McKnight 557 Sergeant J. D. McLin 633 \/oliJ/r\e I. Serceam K. R. HANCOCK, Co. C. R. R. HANCOCK'S DIARY. By the request of some of my friends and comrades, I have, on this the i6th of June, 1885, commenced re- writing my War Diary for the purpose of having it piibHshed in book form. Unfortunately, the first month of my Diary has been torn out and lost ; so I will have to state some things from memory, without giving exact dates all the time. Wednesday, Jiuie 26th, 1861. — Eighty-four men, hav- ing previously organized themselves into a company and elected T. M. Allison Captain, met. on the above date, at Auburn, Cannon County, Tennessee, for the purpose of starting to Nashville to offer their services to their native State for twelve months. The writer was one of the eighty-four. Notwithstanding that the above named period is now nearly one-quarter of a century in the past, that day of parting is still green in the memory of the surviving soldiers and citizens of the Auburn vicinity. Oh ! the thought of parting from our friends, rela- tives, and especially our siveethearts, was enough to make us feel sad, as we did not know that we would ever see them again on earth. After the "final farewell" to our friends "had been said," we left Auburn in time to go (about twenty-three 2 18 \{. K. llAxrcMK'.s Diary. miles) to Judge Ridley's the first day. The Jiidg;e lived in Rutherford County, near Old Jefferson. TImrsday, 2jtli. — On arriving at Nashville, after a ride of about twenty-two miles, we took quarters at the fair crrounds. Friday, 28th. — As Tennesseans were then offering their services faster than the state was prepared to arm and equip them, it was after hard begging that Gov- ernor Isham G. Harris gave his consent to have our company mustered into service ; and as he would not receive more than seventy-six men, including the officers, eight of our company had to return home. About eleven o'clock a. m., the Auburn Company (known afterward as the "Sangs") was sworn into service by J. G. Picket. The foUowiuL^ roll will be found to contain the names of the seventy-six men who were mustered into the service of the State of Tennessee for twelve months, with the present ( 1886) address opposite the name of each one livinof, so far as known. I have not been able to learn whether those whose names are followed by an asterisk (*) are dead or living; therefore, in our calcu- lations hereafter, we will call this class the unaccounted for. COMPANY ROLL. Allison. T. M., Captain. Killed at home in 1862. * Summar, N.W., First Lieutenant, Auburn, Tennessee. Alexander, George, Second Lieutenant, Cedar Creek, Texas. Wilson, M. v.. Third Lieutenant.* Odom, J. J..t First Sergeant. Died in West Tennessee in 1885. t Those whose names are in small capitals were present at the surrender. JiXE, 18(31. 19 WiDLARD, D. B., Second Sergeant, Auburn, Tennes- see. McLin. J. D,, Third Sergeant, Nashville, Tenn. Odom, John H., Fourth Sergeant. Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded at Harrisburg. Summar, J. N., First Corporal. Auburn, Tennessee, Davenport, George. Second Corporal, Auburn, Ten-- nessee. Wounded at Bear Creek Bridge. \^ Walker, Sam. Third Corporal. Smithville, Tennessee. Lanear, Dick, Fourth Corporal.* Thomas, C. F., Farrier. Cleburne, Texas. Wounded <• at Fort Pillow in 1864. Adamson, W. A.. Smallman, Tennessee. Adamson, Presley, Smallman. Tennessee, Ashford, Cahal. Died at home in June, 1862.' Barrett, Eli, Auburn. Tennessee. Captured in Sep- • tember, 1863, and taken to Camp Morton. Indiana. Bogle, J. M., Avoca, Benton County. Arkansas. Cooper, J. M. Died in 1883. Cooper, A, D., Auburn, Tennessee. Cooper, Jim, Gallatin, Tenn, Davenport, R. Died in West Tennessee, April 7, • 1885, Wounded October 26, 1863, Dougherty, J. R., Auburn, Tennessee. Dougherty, C, Columbia, Texas. Dennis, Sam,* Arkansas. Made Second Lieutenant* in 1862, and M^ounded at Harrisburg, July 14, 1864. Ewing, B. D,, Lane, Hunt County, Texas, Ewing, E. L., Lane, Hunt County. Texas. Wounded at Columbia, Tenn, Ewing, A, G, Committed suicide since the war, Francis, h. H., Calf Creek, Searcy County. Arkan- sas, 20 K. R. Hancock's Diary. Gan. |ini. Killed by the Federals in Wilson County,^ Tennessee. Hancock. H. A.,t Auburn. Tennessee. Discharged in 1862. Hancock, R. R.. Auburn. Tennessee. Wounded Oc-^ tober 30. 1864. Hancock, W. C.f Killed at Harrisburg. July 14, 1864.' Hancock. C. E. Died in b'ranklin Count)-. Alabamaf June 4, 1864. Harrison. Dr. J. S.. McMinnville, Tennessee. Elect- ed Third Lieutenant in 1862. and wounded at Harris-, burg. July 14, 1864. Harrison. W. W. Killed at Memphis. August 21,'* 1864. i lawkins. W. W. Died since the war. Wounded at Okalona.* and again at Von Pillow; which was. per- haps, the cause of his death. Hawkins. J. E. J. Killed near Auburn, in 1864, by- Federals. Hays. J. T. Died at home in 1861.- Hannaphin, Tim.* Hearmon, John. Died at Mill Springs, Kentucky,. Jan. 6. 1862.- Hale, losiah.* Captured at Hooneville, Mississippi,. May 30, 1862.' Jii'iTON, Josh. Died in 1885. Jones, Jesse, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Kennedy, J. W. Died in Auburn, July 26, 1873. Kennedy, W. C. Auburn, Tennessee. Kennedy. L. V. Died in Texas. April 23, 1885. Knight, Monroe. Huntsville, Arkanas. Discharged in 1861.' t B. A. and W. C. are brothers of the writer. JrxK, 18f)l. 21 Keaton, Coon. Died in prison, on Rock Island. ► Keaton, G. C, Smallman, Tennessee. McKnight, M. W., Waxahachie, Texas. f McKniorht, A. B., Porterfield. Tennessee. Lost one • leg in 1865. McKnight, L. \V. Mortally wounded at Paducah, ♦ Kentucky, March 25, 1864. McKnight, D. C. Drowned since the war. MiLLiGAX, W. H., /\uburn, Tennessee. Markham, A., Smallman, Tennessee. Mullinax, J. B., Smallman, DeKalb County, Tennes- ' see. Discharo-ed in November, 1861. McAdoo. J. C, Auburn, Tennessee. Nelson. P.,* , Arkansas. £)/J^^- A/.t//;/ » Odom, B. F. Killed at Paducah, March 25, 1864.. Odom, B. F". S.. Hall's Hill, Tennessee. O'CoNNER, Tom,* Corinth, Mississippi. Purnell, L. T. Died since the war. Rich, W. E., Round Top, Wilson County, Tennes- see. Wounded two miles west of Harrisburg, Missis-' sippi. July 13, 1864. Richardson, M. Died at home in 1861 or '62.- Stevens, W. C, , West Tennessee. Stevens, J. W., Temperance Hall, DeKalb County, Tennessee. Captured and paroled at Okalona, Missis-' sippi, and wounded at Paducah.' Stanly, John. Captured near home, and died in • prison at Fort Delaware. Smith, Bob, Liberty, DeKalb County, Tennessee.' Discharged in November, 1861. Summar, T. D. Died in 1871. Thomas, Jim L., Greenvale, Wilson County, Tennessee t See .A.pjiendix A. 22 R. R. Hancock's Diary Turney, II. L. W'.f Woiiiulcd at I'ort Pillow and • at Memphis. August 21, 1864.* and died in West Ten- nessee, February 16. 1880. Talley. Dick. Died since the war. Willaril. F. M.. Milton. Rutherford County. Tennes- see. Womack, I).,* , Missouri. W'illard, W. H.. W'axahachie, Te.xas. [o recapitulate, seven were killed, twenty have died, forty-one are living, and eight unaccounted for — total, seventy-si.x. The following is as complete a list of the names of those who joined the Auburn Compan)- from time to time durinor the war as I can now make out, after dili- gent inquiry among my comrades: RECRUITS. Alexandkk. G. 1)., Oak Point, Wilson Count)-, Ten- nessee. Armstrong, Tom.* B.\xrKR. 11. \. Died since the war. Baxter, J. II. Died since the war. Bi,.\(K, W. A.. Milton, Rutherford County, Tennessee. Bi..\( K. J. v. Died since the war. BAkKKir, A., Auburn, Cannon Count)-. Tennessee. Bari.ow. J.'\ck. Lascassas, Rutherford Count)-. Ten- nessee. Barkkr. .S. (■' Baiu: ">). Milton. Tennessee. Bradhkrrv, J. Died since the war. Barki.kv, T. C* , Texas. Barkley, John T.. \'orkville, Gibson County, Tennes- see. tSee Appendix A, JrxK, 1861. 2S Bryson, R. Captured near home, and died in prison ■ at Fort Delaware. Bryson, E. D., Auburn, Tennessee. Cranor, MosE, Milton, Rutherford County, Tennessee. Cavender, J. H., Dixon, Webster County, Kentucky.- Lost one leg at "Tory Fight," October 26, 1863. Cummings, Tip, Woodbury, Cannon County, Ten- nessee. Champion, J. H., Auburn, Tennessee. Cooper, M. D. L.,* , Missouri. Davenport, William, Auburn, Tennessee. Dougherty, J. M., Statesville, Wilson County, Ten- nessee. Duggin, P. L. Died August 29, 1867. EwTXG, R. B. Died in Texas in 1876. Elkins, T. D. ("Coon"), Woodbury, Tennessee, Wounded at Paducah, Kentucky, March 25, 1864.* Ellidge, J. B., Woodbury, Tennessee. Francis, M. H., Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded at * Harrisburg, July 14, 1864. Francis, J. J. Wounded at Tupelo, Mississippi/ May 5, 1863, and at Harrisburg. Flowers, A. W., Ray, Texas. Francis, M. C, Milton, Tennessee. Francis, C. C, Auburn, Tennessee. Captured on r Hood's raid. Francis, J. D., Auburn, Tennessee. Garrison, C, Milton, Tennessee. GoARD, J. W. Died in 1884. Grisham, O. N. Killed at Harrisburg. Mississippi,' Juiy 14, 1864. (iki^iLVM, Bkn, Russellville, I'Vanklin Count)-, Ala- bama. 24 ^^ '{- Ha.\((m k's Diaky Greer. John J.. Auburn. Ccinnon County, Tennessee. Havs. John \V., Auburn, Cannon County, Tennessee. Hkkndon. Jok \V.* Wounded at Harrisburg-, July 14, 1864.' Hf.knijon, John L., , Mississippi. Hurt. t. M.* Hancock. K. M. Died since the war. Jetton, A. J.. Auburn, Tennessee. Jetton. E., SmaUman. DeKalb County. Tennessee. Knox, B. F., Milton, Tennessee. Knight, Horace, Smallman. Tennessee. Keaton. H.. Smallman. Tennessee. Keaton. William. Smallman, Tennessee. LoKANCK. Mike, Porterfield, Rutherford County, Ten- nessee. Wounded at Harrisburg, July 14, 1864.' McKnicht, Jim Nute, Milton, Tennessee. McKniirht, A. C, Porterfield. Tennessee. M( AiH)u. 1. X. Died January 16, 1882. McKnight. John N., Porterfield. Tennessee. Wound- ed at Paducah, Kentucky. * / McWhirtcr. Dr. W. II., Webber's Falls. Indian Ter- ritory. McWhiricr. S. A., Milton, Tennessee. Milligan, J. A. Died since the war. Mathiis, ). K.. Cainsxillc Wilson Count) , Tennessee. Newman,* . Odom, James H., Auburn, Tennessee. \\ ounded at Harrisburg. July 14, 1864.* Oi><>\i, I. W.. Auburn, Tennessee. Oi)()\i. W. T\, Murlreesboro, Tennessee. Odom, IT C. (Red), Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded at Memphis, August 21, 18^4.- ()i>i)M, |. M. A.. Auburn, Tennessee. June, 1861. 25 Owen, J. D., Auburn. Tennessee, Owen, Nelse, Osage. Caryell County, Texas. Odom, S. C, Auburn, Tennessee. > Wounded at Mud- •Creek, and again at Paducah. Kentucky.' Odom, F. B., Fairfield. Freestone County, Texas. Parris, Joe, McMinnville, Tennessee. Parris. J. (Sweet),* , Missouri. u-Stevens, H. G.. Bear Branch, DeKalb County. Ten- nessee. \Vounded near Cherokee, Alabama. October* 21, 1863. Sneed, J. H.. Auburn, Tennessee. Captured and paroled at Okalona. Mississippi, in December. 1862. ■ Stone, J. R. Died in August, 1885. Stone, J., Woodbury, Tenn. Stone, William. Died since the war. Stone, J. G. Died since the war. Summar. J. D., Auburn. Tennessee. Spurlock. 1. M.. Smallman, Tennessee. Spicer, Sol.* Captured September, 1863. and sent • to Camp Morton. Indiana. Summar. M. P.. Hone)- Grove, Pannin County, Texas. Thomas. |. H. Died since the war. Thomas. A. J.. Honey Grove. Texas. Wounded at *• Harrisburg, July 14. 1864. Thomas. E. D.. Auburn. Tennessee. Wounded near* Cherokee, Alabama. October 21. 1863. Thompson. J. B.,* Texas. Tittle, Sam. Woodbur)-, Tennessee. Captured in- 5eptember. 1863, and sent to Camp Morton, Indiana. Tittle, Adam. McMinnville. Tennessee. Tedder. Frank. Died since the war. Warren. O. J.,* , Mississippi. Webb, W. J.. Aberdeen, Mississippi. 2C \l. a. Hancock's Diary. W'illard. X.. Fairfield, Texas. Wounded at Corinth, October 5, i862.» Walker. Tom.* Waipack. Anderson. Captured near home, and died« in prison at Fort I)('la\vare. Wamack. W. L..* , Missouri. Wounded - at Fort Pillow. Willard, J. A.. F"airfield. I'Veestone County, Texas. Of the Recruits, one was killed, seventeen^ave died, sixt)-two living, and twelve unaccounted lor — total, ninety-two. Add the recruits to the original company, and the re- sult will be as follows: Eight killed, thirty-seven died, one hundred and three lixinor. and twent\- unaccounted for — total, one hundred and sixty-eight. As several were wounded more than once, some thirty-two of the company received between thirt)-five and forty wounds. The above list speaks well for the industry and perse- verance of Captain M. W. McKnight in keeping his compan)- well recruited, as well as for the popularity of the compan)'. The " Sangs " f generally outnumbered any other company in the regiment, and yet they were never con- solidated with any other company. I learn from an old muster-roll, which has been preserved by Lieutenant J. S. Harrison, that sixteen J of the original company and thirty-hve ;|; oi the recruits — total, fifty-one — were tThe above name (or rather as at first, "Sang Diggers") was given to the Auburn Company rather as a term of derision; though, in the language of an ancient general (Epaminondas), ''they did not derive any honor from the name» but they made tlie name honorable." I By reference to the preceding rolls their names will lie found printed in. small capitals. V % June, 1801. 27 present at the surrender of Forrest's Cavalry, May lo, 1865. The muster-roll referred to above is dated thus : " Near Sumterville. Alabama, May i, 1865." And upon said roll I find the names of nineteen others, who are accounted for as follows: Three (J. W. Webb, W. E. Rich,* and T. D, Summer*) are reported "Detached by order of Lieutenant-General Forrest;" two (A. G. McKnight and B. I). Ewing *) are reported "Absent, waiting on wounded ; " three (A. B. McKnight,* W. \W Hawkins.* and R. R. Hancock *) are reported "Absent, wounded;" six (Captain M. W. McKnight,* Lieuten- ant H. L. W. Turney,* Privates E. L. Ewing,* J. H. , Cavender, Mat Francis and H. C. Odam) are reported "Retired by order of Medical Board;" three (A. G. Ewing,* J. H. Baxter, and John N. McKnight) are re- ported "Absent, sick," and two (E. D. Thomas and J. H. Thomas) are reported "x^bsent on parole." Though I do not find upon said roll the names of any of the Auburn Company (J. D. McLin,* C. C. Francis, Eli Barrett.* and perhaps some others) who were in prison when this muster-roll was made out. I suppose they were omitted from the fact that our officers did not expect to get paroles for those in prison. But, omitting those in prison and the two already on parole, there were sixty-eight of the Auburn Compan)- paroled at Gainesville. Sumter County. Alabama, May 10. 1865. (Gainesville is situated in the center of the western border of Alabama, on the west bank of the Tombigbee River, about forty-five miles southeast of Columbus, Mississippi.) Besides the eight killed, only about nine of the company died during the war. Alfred Hancock, Dr. G. C. Flowers, William A. These (twelve) were members of the original company. 28 K. II. llAiNcocK's Diary. (irooni. John ()\erall. George Owen. George Turney, and Captain Sam \'. Harkley were with the Auburn Company from time to time during the war. and did more or less service, though they were not really mem- bers of the compau)-. S. \'. Harkley, the last named above, was Captain of a company in Colonel K. S, Smith's recjiment; and after that repfiment disbanded Captain Harkley. though remaining independent, did service with the Auburn Company a good portion of the time from the fall of 1862 to the close of the war. We remained at Nashville about five or six days. As they wanted our boots made by the penitentiary hands, we went there and had our measures taken. We moved from Nashville to Thorn Hill, near Goodletts- ville. some ten or twelve miles north-east of Nashville, where we found the four following cavalr)- companies encamped : The following is the muster-roll of Captain Frank N. McNairy's Company (A): McNairy, F. N., Captain, d. Harris, W. H., First Lieutenant, 1. Brown, C. W., Second Lieutenant, 1. Hicks, E. D., Third Lieutenant, 1. Morton, G. H., First Sergeant, 1. Roberts, William, Second Sergea t, 1. Ma.xey, William O., Third Sergeant, d. Britton, William, Fourth Sergeant, 1. Drane, J. R , First ('orporal, d. Miliron, A. A., Second Corporal, killed at Milton.. Shute, J. M., Third Corporal, 1. Craighead, W. J., Fourth Corporal, d. Bender, John, Bugler, 1. AN'infrey, .Andrew. lUigler, 1. Atkinson, T. C, d. Anderson, J. S., d. Abbay. R. H.. d. Abbay, K. H., d. June, 1861. 2» Anderson, J. S., d. Aiken, George, d. Adams, R. H., d. Bolton, Alex., 1. Blackman, Hays, 1. Bush, G. W., d. Brien, W. A., 1. Buchanan, J. R., d. Bennington, Thomas, 1. Crawford, Scott, 1. Curran, Pat, d. Clark, Charles, 1. . Curran, J. M., d. Campbell, Joe, d. Dashiells, G. W., d. Drane, Tom, 1. Dodd, B. P., 1. Edmondson, Henry, 1. Edmondson, W. A., d. Ferguson, Tom, d. French, A. H., 1. Grisham, W. J., 1. Griffin, Blank. Graves, W. H., 1. Guthrie, W.* Hamill, M.* Hamill, A. C.; d, Hope, R. K., d. Haile, G. E.* Hancock, G. D.* Hallowell, B. F., 1. Hendricks, A. P., 1. Jackson, Andrew.* Joplin, Thomas, 1. The following is the muster- commanded by Captain W. L. Horn, W. L,, Captain, 1, Kimbro, Thomas, 1. Martin, C. C.t' Marshall, E. S., 1. Morris, R. E. K.f Mathews, S. G , 1. Marchbank, Chase, 1. Nolan, M. D. A., d. Natcher, W. K., k. , Puckett, James. Paul, J. A., 1. Payne, A. B., d. Porch, W. A., 1. Guinn, W. J. Ridley, J. L., 1. Ridley, G. C, 1. Sykes, J. W., d. Steele, J. W., 1. Smith, Nat., 1. Smith, J. M. Smith, P. A., 1. Steele, William. Smith, E. M., d. Smithwick, George, d. Shields, John, 1. Safforans, T. M., d. Shilcut, T. H., 1. Tate, Zack, d. Tucker.* Thomas, George, 1. Treanor, J. D. Vaughn, J. H., 1. Vaughn, J. T. , 1. Williams, N. B.* roll of the company (B) Horn : t Killed at Milton, Tennessee: I Killed at Winchester, Kentucky. 30 R. R. Hancock's Diary. Gasby, L. L., First Lieutenant, d. Calvert, W. W.. Second Lieutenant, d. Craft, W. H., Third Lieutenant, d. Horn, F. W., First Sergeant, 1. Oswell, Nick, Second Sergeant. Pickett, J. C, Third Sergeant, d. Horn, E. H.,* Fourth Sergeant, 1. Frankland, J., First Corporal, p. Rhodes, William, Second Corporal, 1. Singleton, H.'E., Third Corporal, d. Polk, Richard, Fourth Corporal, 1. Tate, James, Ensign, k.- Johnson, E. C, Bugler, 1. Atilla. Frank, Drill Master, 1. Armstrong, Eli, d. Bowman. James, 1. Bowles, \V. E., d. Bowles, Thomas, 1. Brooks, E., d. Breedlove, Stanford, 1. Cantrell, W. IL, d. Carpenter, William, d. Cash, Jeff. d. Cooke, J. E., d. Figg, r" M., 1. Ford, T.=i= Franklin. J., d. Graves, John, 1. Green, J* Hager, B. D. , 1. Hook, L N., d. Hunley, Ben, d. Hays, Mike P,, 1. Henry, J. 1*.=!= Jackson, J. P., 1. Johnson, Lafayette, d. Johnson, W. I).. 1. Kenner, John, k. ' Kittle, Richard, 1. Kelly, Pat.* Little, David. '^^ Morton, S. W.=t= Mehrenstein, ^L, 1. Mann, G. W., 1. Miller, Aug., d. Mahoney, John.* Meyer, John, 1. Mahan, Mike.* McKnight, W. G., d. Nicholson, M. R., 1. Nellan, M.* Newbern, Thomas, 1. O'Brien, John, 1. O'Donnell, John.* Overstreet, J. L., 1. O'Hara, Roderick, d. Overbee, Coleman,* Patton, F., 1. Powers, Pat.* Runnells, Sam.* Rhodes, I). C, 1. Rhodes, M., d. Singleton, A. J., d. Spillers, L., 1. Stull, J., 1. Sutton, J. J., 1. JriVE, 1861. 31 Squares, Charles, d. Stevenson, J. F., 1. Searls, Charles, 1. Sullivan, Pat.* Tarpley, Robert, k.» Thompson, S., d. Webb, J. B., k. Wilson, Wallace, 1. Woodruff, John, 1. Wyatt, Thomas, d. Wright, HA Wittey, Horatio, d. Yates, Thomas, d. Zachary, Wash, 1. The following is the roll f of Company C,J First Battalion Tennessee Cavalry : Ewing, William, Captain, d. >i • Bond, Burk, First Lieutenant, d. House, Isaac, Second Lieutenant, d. Wyatt, Joe, Third Lieutenant, d. Parrish, William, First Sergeant, d. Andrews, William. Allen, John, Sr. Allen, John, Jr. Bostick, Jonn, 1. Brown, John. Blythe, James. Boyd, Thad. Boyd, D. J. Beech, David. Bailey, Pat. Core, J G. Crite, J. M. Clouston, W. G. Cowles, James. Crow, J. M. Childress, George. Childress, William. Cathrenn, H. Crump, G. R. Crump, Marcus. Denton, James. Davis, James, d. Dodson, Andrew. Dodson, Byrd. Dodson, Tim. Duff, William, d. Elliott, Joe. Ellis, John. Fleming, Lem. Franklin, James. Hughes, James. Hughes, Lee. Hughes, Brice. Hughes, Henry. Hunt, Turner. House, Mann, d. Jordan, G. M. Merrett, J. H. Merrett, Davidt Mosley, Sam. Mosley, Robert. Maney, H. J., d. t I am under obligations to J. L. McGann for tliis roll. j This company was from Williamson County, the other three from Nash- ville, except a few Kentuckians in Com])any D. § Resigned at Cumberland Ford. 32 ]{. U. Hancock's Diary. Mebane, Alex. McGan, J- L., 1. .Mallory, Clem. Mallory, John. McLane, Ben. Mullins, Doge. Marshall. William. Malone, Hiram. McDowell, Sam. McCrea, . Pollard, N. N. Reid, W. W. Spivy, R. Smithson. James. Smithson, G. W. Sounders, Mark; Tull, Dudle. Tichnenar, G. \V. TuUan, James. Underwood, T. B., 1. Williams, Wm, Williams, N. C. Wray, J. AN'eli, Sam. McCallister, Joe. •" North, J. .\., 1. Oden, Tliomas. Drum, James. I have failed to get a lull report of the living and dead of Ewing's Compan\ . The following is the muster-roll, of Captain E. D. Pa)ne's Company (D): Payne, E. D., Captain, d. Petway, R. G., First Lieutenant. 1. Ryan, J. B., Second Lieutenant, I. Birdwell, J. W. , Third Lieutenant.-J^ Dawson, W. R., First Sergeant. ='= Smith, ^\'. H., Second Sergeant, d. Bevill, J. M., Third Sergeant.* Hickman, J. A., Fourth Sergeant.* Knote, T. L., Fifth Sergeant, d. Walker, E. R., First Corporal.* Petty, S. H., Second Corporal.* Sales, W. J.. Third Corporal.* »Buckner, J. H., Fourth Corporal.* Johnson, C, Farrier, 1. NLiratta, S., Bugler, d. Cozatt, G. W., Bugler, d, Anderson, Alex.* Blackwell, J. W.* Armstrong, H. C, 1. Bledsoe, C. P., d. Adams, G. W.* Bradley, H. C* Alexander, J. I).* Bradley, William, d. LlEl'TENANT-Cul-ONKI, 1". N. McNAIR\', CoMM ANDK.R FiRST BATTALION. June, 18G1. 33 Blair, S. S., 1. Brien, W. A., 1. Caldwell, J. R.=i= Carlisle, W. G., d. Camperry, R. J.* Carler, William.* Cavender, J. C, 1. Cayee, F. J.* Dobbs, J. R., 1. Drane, Thomas.* Duncan, J. H., d.t Forehand, Thomas.* Fox, Thomas. Glasco, C. L., d. Good, G. H.* Houston, J. D., 1. Hunter, Wiiliam, 1. Haynes, J. C* Head, Robert.* Hutchinson, W. 15., 1. Hester, J. W., d. Hill, J. B.* Harbring, J.* Hays, E. C* Heiss, Henry, d. Handy, G. M.* Handy, D. S.* At Thorn Hill, (liirinj.i' companies previously me battallion, known as the Hickle, G. R. H.* Jones, Joseph, d. Jones, J. M.* Knott, R. S., 1. Kirkpatrick, J. \V. Marks, W. P., k.* May field, W.* McCartney, L. W., d. Nelson, N. R., d. Polk, J. A., 1. Pendergras, James.* Petty, J. M.* Rhodes, J. B., d. Ring, A. N.* Richardson, J. R.* Robertson, J. A.* Smith, W. B.* Steele, E. F.* Skeggs, C. H., 1. Underwood, F. J.* Williams, A. J.* Whittey, I). J.* White, Edward.* Washburn, J. M., d. Woods, N.* West, E. M.* the first week of July, the- five ntioned were orgranized into a FIRST BATTALION OF TENNESSEE CAVALRY, by electini^ the following field and staff officers : Frank N. McNairy, Lieutenant-Colonel. William Malcomb. Major. E. D. Hicks, Lieutenant and Adjutant. t Made Captain at Ciimlierland Ford. 34 R. R. Hancock's Diary. M. W. McKnight. Sergeant-Major. Dr. Isaac House, Surgeon. G. M. I'o^^^o. Acting Quartermaster. William Hritton, Assistant Quartermaster. Ramsey, Commissary. John Bender, Hugler. As the Captain of Company A was elected Lieuten- ant-Colonel, and the Third Lieutenant of the same company was made Adjutant, therefore, by election, W. I loojxT Harris became Captain, and Hays Black- mail hirst Lieutenant, and George H. Morton was made ihird Lieutenant of Company A in December, 1861. A few days after the First Battalion had been organ- iz(td at Thorn Hill, it moved from there to Camp Jack- son, near Hendersonville, some five or six miles east of the former camp. News having reached Auburn, Cannon County, that the First P>attalion would start to East Tennessee in a few days, quite a number- ol the friends and relatives of our company (Allison's) paid us a visit, about th(; 24th of July, at Camp Jackson. They brought trunks and bo.xes (Tiled with "good things" to eat. How, for the next three or four days, we did enjoy the company of onr IricMids and n-latives, as well as eating the good things they brought for us! Had 1 an eloquent pen I would here use it in describing those few but bright days. They were, in comparison with the rest of our soldier life, like- an oasis in a great desert. On the morning of the 28th most of our friends set out on their return home, and the three companies en- listed at Nashville (Harris's, Horn's, and Payne's) had previously gone to that place to visit relatives and August, 1801. 35 friends before starting eastward. Allison's and Ewing's Companies were still at Camp Jackson. Tuesday, July joth. — Having received our clothing, saddles, and one month's pay, we were busy making the necessary preparations for cnir anticipated march. Wednesday, Jist. — Two companies (C and E) of the iMrst Battalion, setting out from Camp Jackson, passed through Gallatin, crossed Cumberland River at Wood's I'^erry, and camped for the night one mile and a half from the river, on the Lebanon road. The other three companies, starting from Nashville, moved by a differ- ent route, crossing the Cumberland at Carthage, and uniting with us at Livingston. Thursday, Aug. ist. — We (Ewing's and Allison's Companies) moved on through Lebanon and bivouacked seven miles beyond, on the Livingston road. Friday, 2d. — The two companies marched on through New Middleton, crossed the Caney Fork River at Trousdale's Ferry, and camped on the east bank of that stream. Saturday, jd. — Moving on through Chestnut Mound, we encamped in quite a rough section of country, in Putnam County, after a march of about twenty-one miles. Su7tday, 4th. — We made a short march ot about twelve miles, and bivouacked at a beautilul place within fourteen miles of Livingston. Monday, ^ih. — We moved on to Camp Zollicoffer. about two miles north-west of Livingston. Mere we found the Twenty-fifth Tennessee Infantry, Colonel S, S. Stanton's Regiment. And about this time, or soon 56 I.'. I>. Hancock's Diary. after, the Twenty-eighth, Colonel J. P. Murray's Regi- ment, was organized at this camp. The other three companies of our battahon joined us here. After rest- ing one da)- at Camp ZolHcoffer, the whole battalion took up the line of march again. (Beg pardon, dear reader — right here I find another leaf of my Diary gone.) However, from Li\ ingston the I'irst Hattalion marched east to Jamestown, thence south-east to Mont- gomery, then the county seat of Morgan County, and thence four miles east, through Wartburg, now the county seat of Morgan, to Camp Schuyler, arriving at the last i)lace mentioned on the 14th of August, where we remained one week. We found that a majority of the men through this portion of East Tennessee had either crossed over into Kentucky to join the hederal arm) or hid out in the woods. It was reported, before reaching Montgomt-ry, that we would meet a consitTerable force of " Home Guards" at that place, but th(;y left before we got there. We saw one woman and one child as we passed through the county seat of Morgan County, but not a single man was to be seen. A " Union " man who re- mained at home and attended to his own business we did not molest, but we arrested those who were hiding- out Irom home or thought to be preparing to go north, // zve could find them. Thursday, 15th. — Seventy-five of our battalions set out from Camj) Schuyler to go to Knoxville, about forty miles cast, with st)me prisoners. They returned the 17th. I he measles l)roke out in camp while at Camp Schuy- ler.* * J. C. McAdoo .iiul brotlicr Will (Company E) had llie measles, and went home from lliis camp. Brother Ben went with them. Septemi{i;i;, 18G1. 37 Wedfiesday, 2ist.~ McNairy moved his battalion from Camp Schuyler, about thirty miles north, to Huntsville, the county seat of Scott County. This was the day of the noted " Hie Auorust" freshet. It rained so much that our wairon train did not sfet to Huntsville until next day. We took shelter in the court-house. Companies A and D were detached on the 25th ^nd sent back to Camp Schuyler. Thursday, 2jtlL. — The writ(;r and a few others were sent to a gap in the mountain, about twelve miles north of Huntsville and within three miies ol the Kentucky line, to watch for a Federal paymaster whom Madame Rumor had said would pass through that section. We had only been stationed a few hours, however, when Colonel McNairy, having received orders to move to Jamestown fhe next day. sent for us to return to camp immediately, though, on account oi rain and hi^h waten", we remained at Huntsville three days longer. Scott was rather a poor count}', and as the people were mostly "Union," they were not willing to divide rations with "Rebs"; therefore we suffered more for want of rations while at Huntsville than anywhere els-e during the war, while in camp. Sahirday, Jisi. — Companies P), C and E very gladly bid Huntsville adieu, and, moving westward, bivouacked on the Jamestown road. Sunday, September jst. — McNairy moved on to and camped for the night at Jamestown. Mojiday, 2d. — Passing down Cumberland Mountain, the three companies bivouacked at Camp McGinnis, on Wolf River, some ten miles north of Jamestown. As I was sick of the measles, I remained for a week 38 K. If. Hancock's Diahy. with one Mr. Lathan. who lived one mile from Camp McGinnis. One of my comrades, J. L. Thomas, re- mained with me. T/mrsday, 5///. — McNairy moved from Camp McGin- nis to Livinj^ston, where he remaineil about live days. Monday, gtli. — J. L. Thomas and I set out from Mr. Lathan's to hunt our command. After a ride of about twenty-four miles, we found our Company at Monroe. in Overton County, six or eight miles north-east of Liv- ingston, on their way to Knoxville. The other two companies, H and C, were beyond Livingston. Brother Ben, who had taken brotiier Will home from Camp Schuyler, rejoined the company. It was about this time that Captain Payne left the battalion, and Duncan was made Captain of Company 1). Tuesday, lotli. — After a march of about sixteen miles, our company (K) went into camp within three- miles of Jamestown. We are now marching over the same road and in the same direction that we did in August. The other two comjjanies are coming on. I suppose that we were sep- arated as a matter of convenience in procuring forage for our horses. Wednesday, nth. — Marching on through Jamestown, thence south-east, we encamped for the night near one Mr. HuFst's. We had camped at the same place as we passed up about one month previous to this. T/mrsday, 12th. — We marched on to and encamped at Montgomery. Companies B and C (Harris's and Ewing's) caught up with our company (L). Here we rested one day. September, 1861. 39 Saturday, 14th.- In the saddle early, we again took up the line of march eastward. Passing through Wart- burg, we soon arrived at Camp Schuyler, where we found the other two companies, A and D. They had been sent to this camp from Huntsville, the 25th of August. These two companies, having been previously notified to be ready to move, now fell in, and the whole battalion continued moving eastward. We camped for the night in Anderson County, within twenty-two miles of Knoxville. Sunday, i^tk. — The battalion * passed on through Kno.xville and encamped about one mile and a hall east of town, at Camp Cu minings. On the above date General Albert Sidney Johnston assumed command of this department (No. 2), which embraced the States of Tennessee and Arkansas and that part of Mississippi west of the New Orleans, Jack- son and Great Northern and Central Railroad ; also the military operations in Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, and the Indian country immediately west of Missouri and Arkansas, by issuing the following order from de- [jartment headquarters, at Nashville, Tennessee: 15y virlut; of spi^cial orders, No 149, of September 10, 1861, from the Adjutant and Inspector General's ofifice at Richmond, the under- * As J. J. OdDiii ami I were on the puny list, we stopped to rest and take dinner willi a Frencliman, within four miles of Knoxville. The family were great "Rebs," so it seemed to he with pleasure that they did all they could to make us comfortable. It so happened that our host was a preacher. Some other French families who lived in the neighborhooil had collected there to hear him preach. As some of them did not understand English, he preached in French. I "heard but did not understand " a single word of that sermon. We had a splendid dinner, and we had now been soldiering long enough to ap])reciate a good din- ner. Among other nice things, a glass of wine of their own make was served to each. Odom and I went to camp late that afternoon. 40 K. R. Hancock's Diary. signed assumes command of the military departmcni thereby ( reated. A. S. JoHNsroN, General.'^ I^rigadicr-GemTal F". K. Zollicoffer had b«'en in com- maiul of the District of Mast rennessec: since about the first of Atigust, with headquarters at Knoxville. His bri^'ade was now composed ot nine rei^inunts oi infantry and lour battaUons of caxah'y. as follows: Abstract fro))i Report of Brigadicr-Geucral Zo/IicoJ/cr' s command^ at Knoxville, Tennessee, September 75, 1S61 . TKOOl'S. bo So < < 1 N FAMK V k K( ; 1 M F.N'l S. Sixteenth Alahama (Woods-) FourleeiUli Mississii)|)i (Halilwin) . . Kifleeiitli Mississi|)])i (Sialliam) . . . . Kleveiilli 'l\•nlle^^L•c• (Rains) Sevenleentli 'I'ennessee (Newman) . Nineteenth Tennessee ((_'iinin)in{;s) 'I'wentieth Tennessee (IJatlle) . . . . . [Fourth] Tennessee (Cliiirth well) .. [TlnnlJ Tennessee (Liilard) Unoryanizeii, estimated CAVALRY HAriAI.lONS. 354 851 630 0/7 685 719 732 654 701 700 361 867 929 912 735 729 821 795 777 802 800 First Tennessee (McNairy) Second Tennessee (Bianner), estimated , 490 Third Tennessee (IJra/.ellon), estimated ' 540 Fourth 'I'ennessee (McClelian), estimated ' 500 897 J.043 1.043 891 900 94' 876 850 948 925 370 I 3'I3 530 55'^> 560 600 570 j 600 8,594 I 10,194 1 1 1,457 t Churchwell's Regiment, as well as other portions of Zollicoffcr's Brigade, was totally unarmed. Only a part of his l)rigade was now at Knoxville, for on the i6th instant Zollicoffer writes thus to A. S. Johnston: • Kel.ellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 407. t Rehellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 409, Si:iti:mbi;i;, 1.s()1. 41 'I'liere are probably by this time four regiments at Cumberland Ford I Kentucky] and a fifth at the gaj) filteen miles this side. A sixth will probably be moved up by the 21st or 22d.* NEUTRALITY OF KENTUCKY. Notwithstandino;- Kentucky had been claimino- to be neutral, she had not only allowed Federal soldiers to camp tii)on her soil, but her citizens were organizing and arming themselves to aid the Federal Government. On the loth instant General G. H. Thomas asstnned command ot a Federal brigade which had been pre- viously assembled at Camp Dick Robinson, in Garrard County, Kentucky. General U. S. Grant, with two regiments ol infantry antl fotir pieces of artillery, had taken pt)ssession ol Paducah, Kentucky, as early as the 6th of September. Owing to the menacing movements of the F"ederals down the Mississippi Rixer, the Confederates (by order ot General L. Polk, who was then in command ol the Second 1 )epartmtMU) landed at Hickman, Kc-ntuck)-, on the night of the third, and at Columbus about the 5th. It had been, and was still, the policy of the Confed eracy to respect the neutrality of Kentuck)- so long as the same was respected by the bederal Government, as the following dispatches will show : Richmond, September 4, 1861. General Polk, Memphis, Tennessee : News has reached here that (leneral Pillow has landed his troops at Hickman, Kentucky. C)rder their prompt withdrawal from Ken- tucky. L. P. Wai.kfk, Secretary of JVar.j After explaining to the President that a ])rcvious movement of the Federals down the Mississippi River * Rebellion ''ecords. Vol. IV., !>. 195. t Rflieiliuii Records, Vol. IV., pp. iSoaiid 181. 4'j l>. I''. Hvncock's Diary. IkuI Ix'cn tlic cause of his ordering (iciu-ral TiIIdw into Kciiuick)-. (li'iicral I'olk received the loUowinu; cHs- palch : RicHMONiJ, Scptciiihcr 4, 1861. iiiiti ral Polk : The necessity justifies the action. Jkffekson Uavis. The rolh)\ving dispatclies and rephes will ex[)lain themselves : Nash VI I. IK, September 13, 1S61. !'(< His ExceUeniy Jefferson JJ at Ciuiiherlaiid Ford and three other regimenl.s there as ■iooii as ihfv coiiM l>e wiihiliawii from other posts in East Tennessee. Septe.muki;, 18C1. 43 too late to arrest. To withdraw would be unfortunate, unless the Federal forces which menace us will agree to withdraw. I have in- formed (iovernor Maguffin (of KentiK ky(, ilirough Governoi Harris, I will witlidraw on this condition. V. K. Zolmcofiek, Brigadier- General. * Richmond, September 14, 1861. General Zollicoffer, Knoxvilh\ Tennessee: Your letter of the 10th received. The military consideration clearly indicates the forward movement which you jjroposc. The political condition of Kentucky affects the determination of this ques- tion. Of that you are better informed than ourselves, and as you are supposed to have conferred with General A. S. Johnston, the matter is left to your discretion. S. Cooi^ER, Adjutant and Inspector- General, f riifj iollovving is an extract from a letter, dated Clarksville, September 15th, written by the Hon. G. A. Henry and addressed to President Davis: The neutrality of Kentucky has been all the time a cloak to enable the Lincoln party there to hide their real designs lo arm the friends of Lincoln and to disarm the Southern Rights party. We ought to strike now. A step backward would be fatal, in my ijpinion.| While at Knoxville our battalion was transferred from the State to the Confecierate service. Some of Allison's Company, who went home from Camp McGinnis and Livingston, returned to camp at Kno.wille on the i8th. Having set out from Knoxville on the 17th, General Zollicoffer arrived at Cumberland Pord, or Camp Buck- ner, on the 19th, and on the same date he wrote to General A. S. Johnston, Columbus, Kentucky, thus: An advance force set out last night [under Colonel J. A. Battle], about eight hundred strong, entered IJarboursville, eighteen miles * Kubellion Records, Vol. IV., |). igo. tKel)cllion Records, Vol. I\'., |). 190. X Rebellion Records, Vol. I\ ., j). 193. 4t I.', i:. I[\N(. Hancock's Diakv also another detachment in the direction ol this hederal encanii)nicnt at l.aurcl liridj^c to attract attention and mask the nioxcment of the first, he therefore issued the f()ll(»uintr sp(rcial orders: Rrkjade Headquarters, C^AMP lUiCKNRR, September 25, 1861. Colonel James E. Rains will march at four o'clock to-morrow morning, via iJarhoursville, to Laurel Bridge, on the London road, witii his regiment, ])rovisioned for six days, three rations of which shall he cooked, leaving his tents in this encam])ment. Colonel Mc- N.iiry's command will accompany him or follow him, by a right-hand r.).i(l crossing Laurel Creek about two miles above the bridge. Colo- nel R. will have command, and will dislodge a supposed force of tlie enemy at the bridge by attacking simultaneously with infantry and cavalry at both ends of the bridge. He will be furnished a guide, who will give him information of some arms, which he will capture, 1 1 practicable. He will take with him also Lieutenant Falcand's sec- lion of artillery. A battalion of Colonel Statham's infantry, with tiiree companies of Colonel Branner's cavalry, will be posted on the road to be pursued by Colonel McNairy, about ten miles back, to give support, if necessary. Simultaneously, Colonel Cummings' Regiment, with two compa- nies of Colonel Brazelton's cavalry, will escort a train of wagons to tlie Coose Creek Salt Works, sixteen or eighteen miles east, in Clay County, to load with salt. Tiie different detachments will communicate by express messen- gers with each other and with me, and when the salt train returns all will return to this encampment. .Much is trusted to CJoloncl Rains' discretion in whatever may transpire on the way. F. K. ZoLLicoFFER, Brigadier- Gfricrol.^ •The above order fell into the hands of the Federals (how I know not) and on the 3d of October it was sent by T. T. Garrard, who was Colonel of the Third Kentucky Regiment and in command at Camp Wildcat, or Rockcastle llilK, to (Icneral Ci. H. Thomas, who was in command at Camp Dick Robin- son, some thirty-five miles beyond Wildcat. At the same time Garrard wrote to Thomas thus (italics mine) : "I have no information in regard to the rebels more than I wrote you, ex- cept the inclosed order of General ZollicofTer, which 1 have no doubt is genu- September, 18G1. 47 Thursday, 26th. — According to ZollicotTer's orders of yesterday, the several detachments named (excej)t Companies H and C of McNairy's BattaHon that did not move to Barboursville till the next day), marched (sixteen miles) from Camp Buckner to l^arbonrsville, the county seat of Knox Count)-, Kentucky, leaving their tents at the former place. It was said that only three families remained in town, and this showed the strong "Union sentimcmts" of that town. Our men put up in deserted houses. f Friday, 2yth. — We remained at Barboursville. Colo- nel Rains ordered his demi-brigade to cook three days' rations and be ready to move early the next morning. We were now in tw(mty miles of the enemy's camp at Laurel Bridge. Col. Brown, who lived near London, was in command of the Home Guards at that camp. Colonel Wolford, with a part of his regiment, was also in that vicinity. Saturday, 281/1. — According to previous instructions (see under 25th instant). Col. Rains, with his regiment, McNairy's Battalion and Falcond^ section of artiller), moved out from Barboursville in the direction of Laurel B)ridge, while Colonel Cummings, with his detachment and about fifty wagons, moved out for the Salt Works, and Colonel Statham moved so as to support either of the other detachments if necessary. Colonel McNairy was ordered to take the advance ine. I could not doubt it, hecanse they carried out the instructions to the let- ter.'' — Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 2gi. * Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 292. I riic l.irtjer portion of ilie liouselinld fuinitiiro w.is left in many of the dwellinfjs; therefore, the writer, as well as a good many others, had the pleas- ure of occupying a good Kentucky feather bed the two nights that we remained in Barboursville. 48 E. R. Hancock's Diary. with llaniss. Pa) nc's aiul Allison's Companies. Our Colonel had not ijonc far alono; the London road before he threw out Hankers as well as an advance guard, with instructions to keep a sharp lookout for the enemy. Thus, we moved on without any incident worthy of note until we struck the enemy's picket, within three miles of their camp. Our advance guard captured three of their jjicket and chased the rest (six or eight) into camp. Colonel McNairy then fell back a short distance, sent a messenger to meet Colonel Rains, and awaited his arri- \al with the infantr)- and artillery. As soon as Rains caught up, the command moved on again with McNairy's three companies still in front. We met a citizen who said that the enemy was lying in wait for us. So we thought that we would sure have our first engagement, then and there. Before reaching the enemy's camp, Colonel McNairy was ordered to halt, and Colcwiel Rains took the advance with his regiment, leaving orders for McNairy to hold his battalion well in hand, ready to pursue if he (Rains) should succeed in routing them. On reaching the Federal camp, and finding it deserted. Rains' men raised a war-whoop that must have made the Federals believe, if they were in hearing, that 10,000 men* were after them. Then dashing forward in pursuit, our l)attalion went as far as London, took down a Union (lag, but did not overtake any of the fugitives. The citizens caught the panic — men, women, children and negroes — nearly all, either fled with the Home Guartls and Federals to Camp Wildcat, some thirteen miles beyond London, or went to their neigh- bor's off the main road. How strange! that they * Colonel Walfoid estimated our force .it '' from 5,000 to 7,000." — See Rebell- ion Records (GurrarJ to Thomas), f. 2 So. September, 1861. 49 should think that we were making war on women and children ! As it was now about nightfall, our battalion moved back about two miles and rejoined Colonel Rains, en- camped where the Home Guards had been camping. Sunday, 2gtJi. — Colonel Rains had learned that Colo- nel Brown, who was in command of the Home Guards that had fled to Wildcat the evening before, lived some two or three miles beyond London, and, thinking that perhaps Brown might have some supplies for his men stored away at his home, he (Rains) ordered Colonel McNairy to take his battalion, go to Brown's and search for the supposed supplies. Swinging ourselves into the saddle, before i o'clock a. ^r., we went by the way of London, and searched Brown's dwelling and premises, but found only a box of shoes.* As soon as he was sat- isfied that there was nothing more to be found in the way of army supplies, our Colonel called out, "Mount your horses !" and we were soon on our way back to London. Arriving at that place about daylight, we halted until McNairy treated the whole battalion on brandy, after which we returned to camp and took an- other breakfast. Besides the three prisoners and the shoes (twenty- five pairs) already mentioned, Colonel Rains captured 8,000 cartridges, 25,000 caps, three kegs of powder, several guns, six barrels of salt, two wagons and teams, loaded with the last of their camp equipage, and three other horses. Soon after breakfast, our picket came dashing into *It would seem that the panic struck Colonel Brown's family just as they were ready to take supper last eve, for we found their supper still on the table when we entered the house this morning before day, but I did not say that it was on the table when we left. 50 R. R. Hancock's Diart. camp and reported that the)- had been fired on just be- yond London. Major Malcomb was immediately sent out in the direction of London with two companies of McN'airy's BattaHon to meet the enemy and bring on the engagement, while Col. Rains deployed his men into battle line ready to receive the enemy should Mal- comb be forced back. The Major returned, however, and reported no enem)- found, so we concluded that it was only a scout, or "bush-whackers," that had fired on our picket. Ha\ing accomplished the object for which he had been sent out, Col. Rains now set out on his return. Going about eight miles back in the direction of Bar- boursville, his regiment and Allison's Company biv- ouacked, while McNair)- with the rest of his battalion went on to Barboursville. Monday, joth. — Through carelessness, or some other cause, five barrels of salt were left where they were captured, near where the enemy had been camping. Lieutenant INL V. Wilson was ordered to take twenty- five of Allison's Company and a wagon and go back after the salt, while the rest of the command moved on toward Barboursville. We regarded this as rather a hazardous trip, though we went back to, and loaded in, four barrels of the salt (thinking five would be too much for our team) without any incident worthy of note ; but we had not gone far with our salt before bang ! bang ! bang ! went several guns back about where our rear guard was. This caused considerable excitement in our little squad, though one of the rear guard soon came dashing up, and reported that it was only bush-whackers that had fired on them, and that some of the balls cut vejy c/osc, but no one was hurt. So we felt better then, October, 1861. 51 and moved on to Barboursville without any more trouble. Here we found two companies of our battalion (B and C), but the other two (A and D) had gone on back to Camp Buckner, on Cumberland river. We found Rains' Regiment and the balance of our company (E) encamped two miles from Barboursville on the road leading back to Camp Buckner. Colonel Cummings went with his detachment to the Salt Works, loaded in all the salt there, 200 bushels, and returned without coming in contact with the enemy. He receipted for the salt, as directed by General ZoUi- coffer. The Salt Works belonged to Union men, yet ZoUicoffer expected to have it paid for at the price of salt at the works — forty cents per bushel. Tuesday, October ist. — Rain's Regiment and Allison's Company returned to camp at Camp Buckner. Com- panies B and C of McNairy's Battalion remained at Barboursville. Wednesday, 2d. — Several of Allison's Company who had been home returned to camp, brother Will (W\ C. Hancock) and J. C. McAdoo, who were sick of the measles at Camp Schuyler, last August, and went home from there, were amonof the ninnber. Companies B and C (they had been at Barboursville since the 29th ultimo) rejoined the battalion at Camp Buckner. Thursday, jd. — Lieutenant Joe Wyatt (Company C) was elected surgeon of McXair)'s IJattalion, F. W, Hearn (Company B), Quartermaster, and M. D. A. Nolan (Company A). Commissary Sergeant. Sergeant Major M. W. McKnight, Lieutenant George Alexander and Private T. D. Summer, all from Com- pany E, started home on furlough. 62 R. R. Hanxock's Diary. On the 2d instant. Col. T. T. Garrard wrote to Gen- eral G. H. Thomas thus: Colonel Brown has now enrolled and in camp some 250'-^= twelve months' soldiers. He has muskets, but no cartridge- boxes, caps, pouches, nor bayonet scabbards Have not heard anything of the Rebels since they reached Bar- boursville. The last account is that some 100 or upwards were in Barboursville. (Two companies of McNairy's Battalion). . . . I have got Colonel Brown to move all of his men to the river (Big Rockcastle, some two miles to the rear) except one company, and they are outside our camp in a rock house. We have been much annoyed by them, as well as visitors and others who were driven before the Rebels. Some of them returned this evening part of the way home, but heard of the Rebels below London, and they returned to camp. The report, I am satisfied, is false. t "^ And the next day, the 3d, he wrote thus in reference to Brown's men : You will see before this reaches you that Colonel Brown has moved to the river, some two miles from us. I would be afraid to place them between the enemy aud our camp. Some of his men are, I fear, a little timid, and I doubt whether or not they will do their duty on that side of us.]; And in reference to W'olford's Cavalry, on the loth, he puts it thus : When Captain Smith, of the cavalry, reached here (Wildcat), there was not one of Walford's men in camp, nor had there been for several days, and if my informant is correct, some of them that are now here will do no good. They were seen drunk on picket yester- day at, or near, London. >^ On the date under which I am now writing, the 3d, ZoUicoffer sent the following telegraph dispatch to Gen- eral A. S. Johnston, Columbus, Kentucky: *It appears from the above that their force at Laurel Bridge had been over- estimated. Including Walford's Cavalry, perhaps they did not exceed 500. t Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 290. X Ibid, p. 292. gSee Rebellion Records (Garrard to Thomas), Vol. IV., p. 301. October, 1861. 53 I think I have reliable information that Camp (Dick) Robinson was 7,000 strong; 1,000 of these have gone to Lexington and Frank- fort; 1,500 remain in camp, the residue believed to be certainly mov- ing toward Barboursville to meet me. Should it appear to me expe- dient, I wish permission to meet them half way.* On the same day Johnston repHed as follows: "Dispatch received. Exercise your own discretion in attacking the enemy. "^'^ It was about this time that Captain William Ewing resigned and returned home, and William Parrish be- came Captain of Company C, First Battalion. Friday, -fth. — Gen. Zollicoffer ordered Colonel Mc- Nairy to go with his battalion on a reconnoitering expe- dition as far as London. As soon as his men could prepare two days' rations, McNairy set out from Camp Buckner about 10:30 a. -M., and, after a ride of about forty miles, he drew rein a little after midnight, within two miles of Lon- don. Our advance guard, going on to that place, re- turned and reported no enemy there. We then took a nap of some two or three hours. Saturday, ^tJi. — Setting out on his return between daybreak and sunrise, McNairy arrived at Camp Buck- ner a little after dark, and reported the result of his re- connoissance to Zollicoffer. who, on the next day, the 6th. sent the following communication to A. S. John- ston : A reconnoitering detachment has just returned from London, re- porting no appearance of an enemy there. They report, u])on gen- eral information from country people, that there are 3,300 of the enemy encamped on Rockcastle hills (Wildcat), a strong position thirteen miles beyond, where the Mount Vernon road crosses the Rockcasde River. I would move forward and attack them instantly but for unex- * Rebellion Records, \'ol. I\'., p. 435. 54 U. U. Ham <•. k"s Diaky. pected deficienL)' in subsistence stores. Ten days ago I ordered the brigade commissary to accumulate a stock of thirty days' rations for 5,000 men. To-day I have not five days' rations. I could not prop- erly advance with less than ten. I hope soon to have the supplies. I sent a large detachment into Harlan county, where I heard there were 500 or 600 men embodied under arms. No organized enemy found. I have sent a cavalry detachment to Williamsburg, some thirty miles west. Not yet returned. This is nearly my only means of get- ting information of the country. =J= Monday, yth. — Our tents, which had been left behind for some cause unknown to me, arrived. We were very glad to see them, lor it had been raining- almost con- staiiti)- lor the last two days, and as our battalion was camping in a low. Hat place, we had mud and water in abundance. 1). A. Hancock (Company E) was appointed assist- ant commissar)- in McXairy's Battalion. Tuesday. 8th. — McNairy's Battalion moved from Camp Buckner about four miles down the Cumberland River to Bald Hill. We were well pleased with the change. This camp was on elevated ground in an old field, and hence, not so muddy. JTc'diicsday, gt/i. — Our battalion drew some blankets and clothing, for which we were very thankful, as winter was now coming on. Monday, i^th. — B. A. Hancock, who had been sent to Cumberland Gap the day before after provisions for McNairy's Battalion, returned. As rations had been very scarce for the last few days, we were glad to see a supply brought into camp. Tuesday, 13th. — Having now received the necessary supply of provisions. General Zollicoffer issued orders for a forward movement of his brigade on the morrow. •Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 439. October, 1861. 55 JVed?tesday, i6th. — According to orders of yesterday, about 5,400 of Zollicoffer's Brigade, including six pieces of artillery, were put in motion along the London road. The First Battalion struck tents and prepared to move, but as McNairy was ordered to bring up the rear, and as the infantry, artillery, and wagons (about two hundred of the latter) were nearly all day passing his camp, he camped for another night on Bald Hill, The head ot the column bivouacked some six miles from Bald Hill and ten from Camp Buckner. The following communication will explain Zollicoffer's then contemplated movement : Brigade Headcjuarters, Camp Tex Mile, Kv., October 16, 1861. Colonel Murray^ Camp Myers : -'^ Sir: I am ten miles on the march toward a camp of the enemy on Rockcastle River and Hills, having left Cumberland Ford this even- ing with the greater part of my command. I learned that the enemy at Albany, Ky., has retired. My plan has been to fall in their rear and cut them off. Now that Colonel Stanton and our cavalry have left the neighborhood of Jamestown, Tenn.. the enemy may return in force near the line. I have ordered stores of subsistence for my troops to be placed at Jamestown by the 25th instant, and have ordered the same cavalry companies to return to that neighborhood almost the same time, to prevent the enemy from seizing and appropriating the stores. Perhaps the cavalry from above would not be sufficient to prevent an incursion. I e.xpect to pass down by Sommerset and Monticello, Ky., or by Columbia and Burksville, Ky. , in the hope of capturing any forces they may be threatening your position with. As secrecy is the element of success, I must beg of you not to men- tion to any solitary person this enterprise. My object in writing to you is to ask you about the 25th to move in such a way as to insure, by the aid of the cavalry, the safety of the *ln Overton County, Tennessee. 50 IJ. I>. Hancock's Diary. stores until I can reach the neighborhood. Inform (ieneral Caswell at Knoxville what you can do and he will communicate with me. Very respectfully, F. K. ZOLLICOKFER, Brigadier- General. * Colonel Murra\- replied thus: Camf Rkd Sulphur, October 22, 1861. General J'. K. ZoUieoffer : Dear Sir: I am in receipt of yours of i6th instant. I am much pleased to learn that you are moving in direction of the interior of Kentucky. We are to-day within thirty-two miles of Burksville, will reach and capture the Federal forces there by the 25th of this instant. We will then move to Albany by the 26th of this instant. Will you inform me of your position at Albany, as I will wait at that point for orders from you? I have no fears of our success at Burksville. In the meantime our forces will prevent the Federal forces from capturing our supplies at Jamestown. Yours shall be strictly confidential. I am your obedient servant, John V. Murr.^v, Colonel Twenty-eighth Regiment, Tennessee J^olnnteers.f Thtu'sday, ijtJi. — Setting out from Bald Hill early in the morning, our battalion soon caught up with the rear of the wagon train. The road, which was already bad enough, was made still worse by its raining that day. Therefore the train moved very slowly, and "bringing up the rear", was quite an luipleasant job as well as a slow one. We camped for the night about where the head of the col- umns had bivouacked the night previous, only si.x miles from Hald Hill. Fj-iday. iSlh. — After a march of about eight miles. our battalion bivouacked, still in rear of every thing. •* l\cl)ellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 212. t Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., |). 213. October, 1861. 57 The cavalry in advance, some of Branner's or Braz- elton's men, had a skirmish with the enemy's picket about four miles beyond London on the road leadine to Camp Wildcat, in which one of the enemy was killed and one captured. The F'ederal commander at Wildcat sent the following dispatch to Thomas : Camp Wildcat, October i8, 1861, i p. m. General George H. Thomas : I have informatioi' now be}'ond doubt that Zollicoffer is coming on with a large force and six pieces artillery. ..... I am now making arrangements to move my sick and commissary's stores across the river, and intend, if I do not receive more troops, to abandon this place and retreat toward Camp (Dick) Robinson. 1 have no idea of having my men butchered up here, where they have a force of six or seven to one, with artillery. I would like to hear from you immediately, ^'ery respectfully, T. T. Garrard, Colonel Third Regiment^ Kentucky Volunteers. ^^ The above dispatch shows very clearly what would have been the result if our General could have attacked the next day. the 19th, for Brigadier-General Alvin Schoepf did not reach Wildcat with reinforcements from Camp Dick Robinson until late in the afternoon of the 20th, and in fact some of the reinforcements did not arrive until the 2 ist. SatiLvday, igth. — The head of the column advanced to a point some six or seven miles beyond London, on the road leading- to Wildcat, but. for want of water, subsistence and forage, had to return to the wagon train, about four miles beyond London. Zollicoffer's advance had another skirmish with the Rebellion Reconls, \'ol. I\'., ]). 310. 58 K. R. HANCorKs Diary. enemy's picket, resulting in the killing" of one man on each side. After marching in the rear of the wagon train to within eight miles of London. Colonel McNairy was ordered to move his battalion to the front. On reach- ing our General's headquarters, about nightfall, en- camped, as above named, some four miles from town, McNairy was ordered to send out scouting parties on both sides of the London-Wildcat road. Accordingly, a part of our battalion went southwest in the direction of Somerset, while Allison's Company went back to London, and thence about nine miles north-east in the direction of Booneville, capturing two men, two muskets and three horses on the way. Finding no organized force in that direction, Allison returned, by the way of London, to camp, some three miles from town, about daybreak next morning. Here the road forked — the left, leading by the way of Wildcat, Mouat Vernon and Crab Orchard, to Camp Dick Robinson, and the right, to Richmond. We were now within ten miles of Wild- cat. Siifiday, 20th. — Zollicoffer put his brigade in motion about noon, with McNairy's Battalion again in the rear. Late in the afternoon, within about three miles of Wild- cat, Zollicoffer's advance guard killed one* of the ene- my's picket and wounded and captured another. McNairy having been ordered to the front, reported to General Zollicoffer, at the head of the infantry col- umn, just as the General had learned that the battalion of cavalry in front had come in contact with and been repulsed by the Federals. Notwithstanding it was now * Dr. Wyatt and the wiiter dismounted anil lifted his remains from the road.. He proved to be Captain Merriman, from East Tennessee. October, 1861. 5» about dark, he ordered McXairy to take his battalion and dislodge the Federals from their position in a dense woods, just beyond a large field. Just as the front of our battalion had passed out of the field into the road beyond, with woods on both sides, the enemy fired a few shots from the woods on our right. Our Colonel then cried out, " Charge ! charge T (with an oath). Dashing forward a short distance, seeing no enemy in front, and fearing an ambuscade, he halted, moved his men back into the field, dismounted a part of them, and scoured the woods on foot, finding that the enemy had fallen back. It would seem that there was only a small squad of Federals in the woods, and that they fled as soon as they fired the first round. We then fell back to the opposite side of the field, deployed in line of battle, and lay on our arms all night. We were now within about two miles of Wildcat ; could hear the enemy's drums. As soon as the enemy fired on the First Battalion, the Twentieth Tennessee In- fantry plunged into Rockcastle River about waist deep, and went to our support. ACTION AT ROCKCASTLE HILLS OR CAMP WILDCAT. Monday, 21st. — General Zollicoffer sent the following telegram this morning to General Johnston, Bowling Green Kentucky : One Ohio Regiment said to be twelve miles distant. Another regiment of the enemy a few miles beyond. I will feel of them to- day with two regiments and some cavalry. My force here is about 5,400.* Johnston replied, the same day, thus: •Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 209. 60 R. K. Hancock's Diary. Your telegram from London received. The information we have of the enemy in your front is this: 10,000 at Camp Dick Robinson, of these 4,000 are in advance toward Cumberland Gap, but how far is not known; it is commanded by Garrard; and 10,000 dotted from Robinson to Cincinnati. General Polk ordered two howitzers, one Parrott and three iron guns to be shipped for you to Knoxville, October 15. A company to man this battery will be sent in a few days.* On advancing with the infantry, about daybreak, Zol- licoffer soon learned that the enemy had so blockaded the road, b\' cutting trees across it, that it was very diffi- cult for infantr)- to approach the enemy's position, much less cavalry and artillery ; and, moreover, the enemy's entrenched camp on Rockcastle Hills was a natural fortification, almost inaccessible, from our side of ap- proach. Winding their way, as best they could, between two hills, over the fallen timber, and up, up, up the rugged cliffs. Finally, about 9 a. m., the Eleventh (Rains) and Seventeenth (Newman) Tennessee Regiments attacked the Federals in their entrenchments on Rockcastle Hills. The following is taken from Colonel Newman's official report: Near Rockcastle Heights, October 21, 1861. As ordered, I formed my regiment from hill-top to hill-top at open intervals to move in rear of Colonel Rains' Regiment and support him. Lieutenant-Colonel Miller was ordered to take command of the left wing, composed of Companies A, D, F and I . . . . and for the movements of said companies on the field I refer you to the report of Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, which is hereto appended and made a i)art of my report. t The six companies, viz.: B, C, E, G, H and K, . constituting the right wing, were under my immediate command, and moved forward in line of battle in the direction of the heights in front of our position. * Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., ]>. 212. t Not found. October, 1861. . 61 Upon reaching a point within eighty yards of the heights, we dis- covered a number of men ascending the heights and entering the fortifications, but supposing these men to be a portion of Colonel Rains' command, 1 did not order them to be fired upon. At this point we received a heavy volley of rifles and musketry. The command moved on, however, without returning the fire until within forty paces of the enemy's works before we discovered they were not Colonel Rains' men, at which time the men were ordered to cover as well as they could and to return the enemy's fire. In this position we maintained a heavy fire for twenty-five minutes, when I ordered Captain Armstrong and Lieutenant Harrison to move their companies around to my extreme right to prevent a flank movement of the enemy, which I saw they were about to make. These officers executed the order with promptness and alacrity, under fire. The fire was kept up by all the companies for an hour and ten minutes, and, seeing that it was impossible to fall back without great loss, I ordered the works to be charged. Four companies gallantly charged the works, as ordered. Officers and men seemingly vied with each other as to who should be first to reach the works of the enemy. After the fortification was reached, and many of my men had got within the works, driving the enemy from the first parallel, not receiv- ing any support, and being nearly destitute of cartridges, I ordered my command to fall back, which it did in good order. While this was being executed the other two companies maintained their position as ordered. . . . ........ Killed, II ; wounded, 34. All of which is respectfully submitted, Taz. W. Newman, Colonel Cominanding Seventeenth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers.''^ After he had fallen back to Flat Lick, between Bar- boursville and Camp Buckner, Zollicoffer sent the fol- lowing report to A. S. Johnston : Camp Flat Lick, Knox County, October 24, 1861. On the 2 1 St I reached the enemy's entrenched camp, on Rock- castle Hills, a natural fortification, almost inaccessible. Having re- connoitered in force under heavy fire for several hours from heights ♦Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 213, «2 K. R. Haxcock's Diary. on the right, left and in from, I became satisfied that it could not be carried otherwise than by immense exposure, if at all. The enemy received large reinforcements. Our loss was forty-two wounded and eleven killed and missing. AVe captured twenty-one prisoners, about loo guns and four horses. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded unknown. The country is so poor that we had exhausted the forage on the road for fifteen miles back in twenty-four hours. Our subsistence nearly exhausted. Under these circumstances I deemed it proper the next day to fall back. Enemy's camp said to be 7,000 strong, with large reserves near at hand. Very respectfully, F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier- General. * I have not been able to find Colonel Rains' official report, therefore can give no further account of the 'part taken by his regiment in the above action, though it would seem that the most of the fighting was done by Newman's Reg-iment, from the fact that Zollicoffer re- ports the same number, eleven, "killed and missing" from the brigade that Newman reports "killed" from his regiment; the former, however, reports eight more wounded, which may have been the loss of Rains' Reg- iment. f Remaining in front of the F'ederal position, Zollicoffer made another slio^ht attack about two o'clock, p. m., but still he could not induce the enemy to come from his intrenchments and give battle on equal footing. The Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, under Colonel John Coburn. and the First Kentucky Cavalry, under Colonel Frank Wolford. did the most of the fighting on the part of the enemy. I take the following from Colonel John Coburn's offi- * Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 210. tSince writing the above I have learned (from Military Annals of Tennes- see, p. 293) that Rains lost "one killed and six or eight wounded." October, 18C1. 63 cial report, addressed to " General A. Schoepf, Com- mandino- Brigfade : They (Rebels) soon came near us* under cover of a wood, wliich •entirely concealed dieir approach until we were apprised of their presence by the firing of musketry. At this time we were reinforced l)y a portion of the First Kentucky Cavalry, dismounted, under Col- onel Wolford, about two hundred and fifty strong, who immediately formed and took part in the engagement. The firing at this time was very severe, which caused the cavalry to waver and retreat. They were soon, however, rallied and formed again in order, and fought with good spirit. The enemy engaged was composed of a portion of General Zolli- ■coffer's command, and consisted of two regiments of Tennesseans, under the command of Colonels Newman and Cummings (Rains). They charged up the hill upon us, and were met by a galling and deadly fire, which wounded and killed many of them. The front of their column approached within a few rods of us with their bayonets fixed, declaring themselves "Union men," and "all right," at the next moment leveling their guns at us and firing. After being engaged nearly an hour, the enemy retreated, bearing off a portion of their dead and wounded and their arms. Our men have buried their dead left on the field and taken the woundedt to our hospitals. Thirty corpses have been found up to this time (October 22d). A large number of their wounded and dead were carried off in their wagons. It is safe to estimate the loss of the enemy at least one hundred killed. . ........ About the close of the engagement four companies of the Seven- teenth Ohio, Colonel Council, came upon the hill and formed in line of battle. . - About two o'clock, p. m., we were again attacked. At this time the Fourteenth Ohio, Colonel Steedman, appeared upon the field At ten o'clock at night Lieutenant Sypher, of Captain Standart's Ohio Battery, came on the hill, on an alarm fired three rounds. They were the last shots fired. At about two o'clock in the morning we heard sounds which betok- * On an eminence east of the Federal encampment. t Three, one mortally, so General Schoepf reports. See Rebellion Records Vol. IV., p. 207. 64 R. K. Hancock's Diary. ened a movement of General Zollicoffer's army. It proved to be a retreat. . . . . . ...... The number of our loss is a follows: Company D, one killed and five wounded; Company I, one killed and ten wounded, three mor- tally. Colonel Wolford lost one killed and eleven wounded. -^- Colonel T. T. Garrard, Third Kentucky, who was in command at Wildcat before General Schoepf arrived, wrote to General Thomas, under October 25th, thus: Your aid arrived in time to save us from a certain defeat (what oth- ers may say to the contrary notwithstanding). It is not necessary for me to say one word about the fight, for you have no doubt been fully posted. Though don't be deceived as to the number killed by us; my impression is that we did not kill to exceed sixteen, and wounded some thirty or forty. Many say we lost a great victory by not pursuing the enemy. It is true, if we had have known as much then as now, we might have done wonders. But we expected an attack the next morning, and every one was sleeping on their arms, and we never knew the enemy had left camps until near eight o'clock. We have a great many here who know precisely how to manage affairs when the enemy is out of hearing, but would be as much at a loss to do so in a fight as I would be.f I am glad to have an opportunity of proving by a Federal Colonel, who was present at Wildcat, that Col- onel Coburn did gj^catly overestimate our loss at that place. Supposing that all of the missing were killed, Colonel Newman reported eleven killed, but as three of them were only wounded, our loss was really eight killed and forty-five wounded, one mortally. Colonel Garrard does not say any thing about the Federal loss in his report. General Schoepf reports four killed and eighteen wounded, while Colonel Coburn *Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 208. tKebcllion Records, Vol. IV., ji. 319. Of'TOHRR. 1801. 65 reports twenty-six wounded from his and Walford's regiments. Companies A and E, of McNairy's Battalion went back a short distance in the direction of London, crossed over to the Richmond road, and thence around to the east of Wildcat, to keep a sharp lookout for any flank movement that the enemy might be making in that direction. Making no discovery, however, we returned to the wagon train, about half-way between London and Wildcat, a little after dark. Tuesday, 22d. — Eleven men from First Battalion were sent back in the direction of Wildcat to make a report to General Zollicoffer and get orders. They had gone only about one mile when they met the advance of the brigade on the retreat. Zollicoffer had decided that if the Federal position at Wildcat could have been taken at all by storm, it would have been at a cost of too great a sacrifice of his men, and as he had" declined the idea of going back by the way of Mill Springs or Burkesville, as he had intimated to Colonel Murray on the i6th,* he was now on his way back to Camp Buckner. Passing back through London, the brigade bivouacked six miles from that place, on the Barboursville road. Twenty-five of Allison's company and about the same number from Harris' F"irst Battallion, went back to within two miles and a half of London to picket that road for the night. Wednesday, 2jd. — Zollicoffer moved on to, and camped for the night at, Barboursville. * On October 28th, at Camp Buckner, Zollicoffer wrote to Murray as follows: ^' Learning that the enemy had retired from Albany, and desiring to see that the guns were all in position at the gap, I determined to return this way." Rebellion Records, \'ol. I\'., p. 4S3. 66 E. U. Hancock's Diary. Two companies, A and E, of McNairy's Battalion, were sent out about ten miles from Barboursville on the Manchester road. The\- returned to Barboursville. a little after midnight, without learning any thing worthy of note.* Thursday, 2^th. — The infantry and artillery moved on in the direction of Camp Buckner. A part of Braz- elton's Battalion was left on the London road a short dis- tance north-west of Barboursville. Colonel McNairy ordered Captain Allison to take his company and picket the road leading east from Bar- boursville in the direction of Mount Pleasant. Going about one mile and a half from town, Allison ordered his company to halt, except five men who were ordered to take post about half a mile in advance of the picket base. About the time the company had dismounted and tied up their horses, our pickets commenced firing, only about four hundred yards from us. In less than three minutes we were in the saddle again, and going in a dash to see what the trouble was. We soon learned that our pickets had seen only one man, who, on being ordered to halt, took to the bushes. They fired about four shots at him, but he made good his escape. We then returned to where we had first dismounted, but did not unsaddle that nicjht. Friday, 2^th. — Captain Allison sent some of his men out to search the woods into which the bush-whacker * I shall here relate an amusing incident that occurred while out on the above named scout. It occurred thus: We called on an old gentleman to know if he could furnisli us some forage for our horses. He re])lied, ratlier emphat- ically: "No, I ha'i'e >io forage for yow horses. My neighbors /v/cTf I have none; I don't ^tt \\\\y t/iey sent you /lere.'" As soon, however, as the old gentleman was informed that we were "Union" men, he cried out in a still higher key, addressing his wife, "O Betsey, these a.rt good Union boys! I have plenty of corn and fodder !'" We then fed our horses, and " Betsey " furnished supper forsev- eral of the "good Union boys." OCTOBKR, 1861. 67 was chased last evening to see what discovery they could make. They soon after returned with four mus- kets, about twenty thousand caps, and some powder, which they had found hid out in the woods. Captain Horn's servant was shot, but only wounded, by a bush-whacker between Barboursville and Camp Buckner. Calling in Allison's company off of picket, McNairy moved two miles from Barboursville on the road to Cumberland Ford. As we were on the lookout for the enemy, we did not unsaddle our horses. Saturday, 26th. — Several detachments were sent out over the country after beef cattle. Some sixty beeves were brought in during the day. The battalion moved some three miles nearer Camp Buckner. Swiday, 2^111. — Lieutenant George Alexander, Dr. J. S. Harrison (afterward Lieutenant) and R. Daven- port rejoined Allison's company. They had been home on a visit. Our battalion moved about three miles and encamped at Flat Lick, within eight miles of Camp Buckner, at Cumberland Ford, where we remained for several days. As Cumberland Gap was naturally a strong position, and as the three Log Mountains between Camp Buck- ner and the Gap would soon be almost impassable, Gen- eral ZoUicoffer therefore believed that the Federals would attempt to enter East Tennessee at some point west of the Gap, and for this reason he decided to abandon his position at Camp Buckner. I shall now let our General explain his contemplated movement as follows : 68 R. R. Hancock's Diary. BkKlADE HeAD(jUARTERS, Camp Buckner, Cumberland Ford, October 29, 1861, Lieutenmit- Colonel Mackall, Assistant Adjutant-General, Bo-dding Green, Kentucky : Sir : My pickets at Laurel Ridge yesterday drove back a small cavalry picket of the enemy and took three prisoners, who represented that a portion of the enemy's force has advanced to London. Their force at and on this side of Rockcastle River (Wildcat) is reported at nine thousand. There are three main roads by which, if an invasion of East Ten- nessee is contemplated, an enemy might approach. On this, by Cum- berland Gap, we have heretofore concentrated nearly our whole force, and we now have seven guns in position at Cumberland Gap. The most westernly road is by Monticello, in Kentucky, and Jamestown, in Tennessee. The counties of Fentress, Scott, Morgan, and Ander- son are poor, mountainous, and disaffected. Should a force select that route of invasion, I could meet them at the mountain passes near Clinton, and between Kingston and Morgan Court-house, and keep them on that broad, sterile region until it would be practicable for General Buckner to throw a force in their rear and cut them off. In view of this danger they may select the middle route, by Will- iamsburg, Ky., and Jacksborough, Tenn. The road over the Log Mountains will soon become almost impassable between here and Cumberland Gap. The Gap is a much stronger position than this. While I am watching the road from here to Laurel River, the enemy might be acvancing on the Jacksborough or the Jamestown road without my knowledge. For these reasons I send four cavalry com- panies to scout on the roads from the neighborhood of Jacksborough into Kentucky, and I have ordered one infantry regiment to Jacksbor- •ough, one six miles east to Big Creek Gap, two about half-way be- tween Jacksborough and Cumberland Gap, while four will remain at present at Cumberland Gap. I leave six cavalry companies to ol)serve this road. One cavalry company is posted on the road from William- burg, Ky., to Huntsville, Tenn., and six cavalry companies, McClel- lan's Battalion, and I suppose Colonel Murray's Regiment of infantry, are in the neighborhood of Jamestown.* •Colonels Murray and Stanton had, according to orders from A. S. John- ston, broken up a Federal camp at Burkesville, Ky., and on the same day that ZolHcoffer wrote the above they were at Albany, Ky., on their way back to Overton County, Tenn. Captain Bledsoe's company was at Camp McGiniiis, between Jamestown, Tenn., and Albany, Ky. October, 18G1. 69 It is currently reported that an invading force from twenty thou- sand to thirty thousand is on the road from Cincinnati to East Tennes- see, but I have no means of knowing any thing of the accuracy of the rumor.* Except cavalry scouts, my force will be withdrawn from this post to-morrow. Acting upon my best judgment, I have supposed the dis- position of my forces I have described the very best under the cir- cumstances. Had I a military engineer in whose judgment I could rely, to reconnoiter the mountain roads, gaps and passes from Cum- berland Gap to Jamestown I would feel much more capable of making a judicious disposition of troops. I have had rumors that reinforcements of Confederate troops were to be thrown upon this part of the border, but as I have no official information I take it for granted the rumors are erroneous. Very re- spectfully, F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier- General, f Tuesday, zgtJi. — Colonel McNairy sent a scout of sixty men out in the direction of London yesterday, and on returning last night four of Captain Horn's company put up for the night some fifteen miles from our camp. As they were coming to camps this morning they were fired on from the bushes. The)' reported that they re- turned the fire, killing one of the bush-whackers and capturing four muskets. They brought the muskets into camp. The above named scout went within about seven miles of London and reported that the Federals had advanced from Wildcat to that place. •■It appears that General Geo. H. Thomas, who commanded the Second Di- vision of Sherman's army, and was now in front of Zollicoffer, had, subject to his orders, twenty-nine regiments and three batteries of artillery, though some of the regiments were not fully organized and equipped at this time. See Re- bellion Records, Vol. IV., pp. 334, 315. tBrigadier-General L. P. Walker had been (October 22d) ordered by Gen- eral A. S. Johnston to move his brigade from Huntsville, Ala., via Knoxville, to the support of Zollicoffer, and General W. H. Carroll, at Memphis, had been (October 26th) ordered by Secretary of War to join Zollicofl'er with three regiments, but neither one of them could obey the order, because their men were not armed. See Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., pp. 470, 476, 486. 70 R. R. Hancock's •Diary. General Albin Schoepf had advanced from Wildcat with six regiments* and two batteries of artillery, and established his headquarters at the junction of the Crab Orchard and Richmond roads, three miles north of Lon- don, with two of his regiments thrown forward to that place. On the above date General Thomas sent the follow- ing dispatch to General Schoepf: I have just received a letter from General Sherman. He objects to advancing the troops too far on this route, and directs that we go no farther than your camp for the present, t The Major of our battalion, William Malcomb, re- signed and started home. Wednesday, jot/i. — L. V. Kennedy and Dr. Monroe Knight, J having received an honorable discharge from the service on account of ill health, started home. We regretted very much to lose from our company (Allison's) two such good soldiers. They were always ready and willing to do duty when called upon, so far as able, and besides they were strictly gentlemen. A part of the infantry moved from Camp Buckner to Cumberland Gap, yesterday, and Zollicoffer followed with the rest to-day. Satiirda)\ November 2d. — The First Battalion moved (eight miles) from Flat Lick to Camp Buckner. The latter camp appeared somewhat lonely now, as the in- fantry had left, as previously mentioned. Two compan- * Fourteenth, Colonel Steednian, and Seventeenth, Colonel Connell, Ohio, Thirty-third Indiana, Colonel Coburn, Third Kentucky, Colonel Garrard, First, Colonel Hyrd, and Second, Colonel Carter, Tennessee, and Standart's and Ken- ny's Batteries. Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 322. t Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 323. % See AppendJN A. NOVEMBEK, 18G1. 71 ies of Brazelton's Battalion were still back in the nei!J:"h- borhood of Barboursville. Tuesday, ^th. — Our battalion mov^ed (twelve miles) from Camp Ikickner to within four miles of the Gap, where we remained imtil Thursday, November 7th. McNairy's Battalion marched out of Kentucky, through Cumberland Gap, thence along a fertile valley in the direction of Jacksborough, Tennssee, and biv- ouacked eighteen miles from the Gap. General Zollicoffer set out for Jacksborough yester- day from the Gap. Four regiments of infantry (Bat- tle's, Cumming's, Newman's and Statham's), four cavalry companies (Branner) and a battery of artillery (six 6-pounders and two Parrott guns) were now in the neighborhood of Jacksborough. The Twenty-ninth Tennessee (Colonel Powell) and a battalion of the Six- teenth Alabama (Lieutenant-Colonel Harris)* were on their way to the same place, leaving Colonels Rains' and Churchwell's Regiments well intrenched, and seven guns in good positions at the Gap, with two companies of Brazelton's Battalion to scout in front of that position. A military engineer. Captain Victor Sheliha, had been sent to Zollicoffer, and was now reconnoiterinof the mountain passes in the vicinity of Jacksborough. Before leaving Cumberland Gap yesterday Zollicoffer received the following dispatch from Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan, stationed near Janiestown : I have information that is entirely reliable that the enemy is ap- proaching this point 6,000 strong — 1,500 cavalry and the balance artillery and infantry. The infantry and artillery camped last night, •Colonel Wood had the other batlalion of this regiment with him at Knox- ville. He was in command of that post. 72 . K. i;. Hancock's Diary. the 3d, five miles east of MoiukciIu, a portion ot the cavalry in town, their pickets seven miles below. Colonel Murray is at Camj) Zollicoffer, in Overton County. I dis- patched him yesterday, urging him to move to this place. Colonel Stanton, I understand, is at Celina.-'' This was the information that Zollicoffer had been expecting to receive, and, in anticipation of which, he had previously (October 31st) ordered Colonels Stan- ton, Murray and McClellan to concentrate their com- mands, and throw up intrenchments at some suitable point, near Jamestownf , and was now moving as rapidly as possible with the force above named, including Mc- Nairy's Battalion, by the way of Jacksborough, Clinton and Montgomery, to their support. Friday, StJi. — In the saddle earFy that morning, our battalion arrived at Jacksborough late in the afternoon (about twenty-two miles). Zollicoffer had left orders here for McNairy to follow the brigade by a forced march in the direction of Clinton. x'\fter allowinof his men to halt long enough to feed their horses and take supper, McNairy pressed on thirteen miles further and bivouacked for the rest of the night. ij; Here he was met by a messenger, with orders for him to halt. * Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 514. tibid, ]). 493. + 1 had been on the sick list ever since our battalion left Flat Lick, but had still followed the command until the above night. Not being able to go any further, I put up with one Mr. Bowling, who lived on the Clinton road, six miles south of Jacksborough, the county seat of Campbell County, where I remained for about ten days, and was quite sick wiih a fever during the time. ]. W. Kennedy first stopped with me, but as I continued to grow worse for some days, my brother, B. A. Hancock, resigned as assistant copimissary of our battalion and came to see that I was properly cared for. Ben and I rejoined the battal- ion at Clinton, on the l8th. B. J. Mullinax, P. Nelson and Bob Smith were sick of the measles at Jacksborough and dischargetl .it CliiitDn. November, 1861. 75 The rest of the bricrade had also halted, and I shall now endeavor to explain why. The First Kentucky Infantry, under Colonel Bram- lette, and the Fourth, under Colonel Haskins, and Wol- ford's Cavalry were at that time encamped at or near "Camp Goggin," on the north bank of the Cumber- land, some nine miles above Mill Springs and twenty from Monticello, Kentucky.* On the 3d, Colonel W'olford set out from the above named camp with four hundred of his regiment and one piece of artillery on a reconnoitering expedition in the direction of Monticello, and, if necessary, he was to send a messenger back and Colonels Bramlette and Haskins were to follow with all their available force — 1,200. Colonel Wolford went as far as Monticello, and, finding no " Rebs" there, he re- turned to Camp Goggin. It appears that Madam Rumor had swelled Wolford's four hundred to 6,000 before she delivered her " en- tirely reliable" report to Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan, for on the next day, the 4th, he wrote the dispatch which has been previously given, under the 7th instant. On the 5th, he moved his battalion down to Camp Mc- Ginnis, and sent some of his men out toward Monticello to meet the enemy. They went as far as Monticello, and sent a messenger back, who reported that a few cavalry had been there, but had gone back to Camp Goggin. So, just as Zollicoffer entered the road from Knoxville to Wartburg, within twenty-two miles of the latter place, a messenger met him with a dispatch from Colonel McClellan, stating that the information which he had given on the 4th was founded in error. There- fore, our General decided to fall back to Jacksborough, » Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 328. 74 K. K. Hancock's Diary. and completely blockade the two wagon roads through the mountains in that vicinity.* Sahirday, gth. — Our brigade moved back from An- derson County to the vicinty of Jacksborough. Mc- Nairy's Battalion camped si.x miles south of town on the Clinton road. REVOLT OF THE UNIONISTS IN EAST TENNESSEE. East Tennessee was now ablaze with excitement on account of the uprising and open rebellion of the Union men. The)- were flying to arms in squads of from fifty to five hundred. Several bridges along the East Ten- nessee and Georgia, and Virginia and Tennessee Rail- roads were burned last night. It appears that William Blunt Carter, f of East Ten- nessee, was the prime mover and chief instigator of the revolt and brido-e burnino- above named, and the follow- ing communication will show the "beginning corner" of his plans : Headquarters Camp Dick. Roinxsox, September 30, 1861. Major- General George B. McCklla/i, Commanding Department of the Potomac : General: I have just had a conversation witli Mr. ^V. B. Carter, of Tennessee, on the subject of the destruction of the Grand Trunk Railroad through that State. He assures me that he can have it done if the Government will intrust him with a small sum of money to give confidence to the per- sons to be employed to do it. It would be one of the most important services that could be done for the country, and I most earnestly hop6 you will use your influence with the authorities in furtherance of his * Rebellion Records. \o\. 1\'.. p. 530. t A brother of GencMal S. P. Cancr, uh) commaiuleil the 'rciinessee Fed- eral Brigade. November, 1801. 75 plans, which he will submit to 3-011, together with the reasons for doing the work. I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant, Geo. H. Thomas, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.^- Suffice it to say that he received satisfactory encour- agement from the Federal Government, and, setting out on his mission about the middle of October, Carter ar- rived in the neighborhood of Montgomery, Morgan County, Tennessee, on the 2 2d, and under that date he wrote to General Thomas thus : I reached here at 2 p. m. to-day. I am in six miles of company of rebel cavalry. . . . The rebels continue to arrest and imprison our people. You will please furnish the bearers with as much lead, rifle powder, and as many caps as they can bring for Scott and Morgan Counties. You need not fear to trust these people. They will open the war for you by routing these small bodies of marauding cavalry. I find our people have suffered beyond all forbearance. Hasten on to our aid. To-»iorrow night I hope to be near our railroad. You shall hear from me again soon.t On the 27th, near Kingston, Roane Coimty, he wrote aorain to Thomas as follows : o I am now within a few miles of our railroad, Uut 1 have not yet had time to obtain all the information I must have before I decide on the course best for me to adopt. If I can get half a dozen brave men to "take the bull by the horns'' we can whip them completely and save the railroad. If I cannot get such leaders we will make a desperate attempt to destroy all the bridges, and I firmly believe I will be successful. . . . The Union men of East Tennessee are longing and praying for the hour when they can break their fetters. . . Men and women weep for joy when I merely hint to them that the day of our deliver- ance is at hand. ... I beg you to hasten on to our help, as we are about to create a great diversion in General McClellan's favor. * Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 284. ' tReliellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 317. 76 K. K. Hancock's Diaky. You must bring some small arms with you. I am satisfied that you will have to take the road by Monticello and Jamestown, unless you come by Cumberland ( jcip.'-^ Having succeeedecl in maturing his plans, the execu- tion of which resulted in the bridge burning, as pre- viously mentioned. Mr. \V. B. Carter set out on his return November iith, and arrived at his brother's headquarters at " Camp Calvert. " near London. Ken- tucky, on the 1 6th, and on the same day his brother, Colonel S. P. Carter (afterward General) sent the fol- lowing report to General Thomas, whose headquarters had been moved forward from Camp Dick Robinson to Crab Orchard : My brother William has just arrived from East Tennessee. He reports that on Friday night, 8th instant, of last week, he succeeded in having burned at least six, and perhaps eight bridges on the rail- road, viz. : Union bridge, in Sullivan County, near the Virginia line, Lick Creek bridge, in Green County, Strawberry plains, in Jefferson County, fifteen miles east of Knoxville, partially destroyed, Hiawassee bridge seventy miles south-west of Knoxville, and on the East Ten- nessee and Georgia Railroad, two bridges over the Chickamauga, one between Cleveland and Chattanooga, and the other between Chatta- nooga and Dalton, Georgia. These bridges are certainly destroyed. The Long Island. bridge, at Bridgeport, on Tennessee River, and a bridge below Dalton. on the Western and Atlantic road, are probably destroyed, t Only five bridges were burned, as the following dis- patch from Colonel W. B. Wood, Sixteenth Alabama, who had been for some time guarding the railroad as best he could with the small force at his command, will show : Knoxville, November ii, i86i. Adjutant-General Cooper, Richmond: Three bridges burned between Bristol and Chattanooga, two on •Rebellion Records, Vol. IN'., p. 320. t Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 359. -^*«,- Private MONROE KNK'.HT, Co. E, First Battalion. NOVEMIiKR, 1861. 77 Georgia road. Five hundred Union men now threatening Strayi'berry Plains. Fifteen hundred assembUng in Hamilton County, and a gen- eral uprising in all the counties. I have about one thousand men iinder my command. W. B. Wood, Colonel. ^• In order to put down this revolt of the Unionists. Stovall's Battalhon and a hght field battery were sent from Richmond, Virginia, to Bristol, Tennessee (nth), the Seventh Alabama, Col. S. A. M. Wood, from Pen- sacola to Chattanooga (14th), General W. H. Carroll, with two regiments, though mostly unarmed, from Mem- phis to Chattanooga (15th), and General Zollicoffer sent the Twenty-ninth iennessee, Colonel S. Powell, from Jacksborough to Knoxville (loth). On the iith Col- Danville Leadbetter, of Engineer Corps, was ordered by President Davis to proceed at once from Richmond to East Tennessee, assume command of all the troops to be stationed for the protection of the railroad be- tween Bristol and Chattanooga, reconstruct bridges, and repair and keep open the line of comniunication between those points. f Mr. W. B. Carter happened to enter East Tennessee on his special mission just at the right time for it to be an easy matter for him to induce the Union men of that section to do his bidding. For when Zollicoffer fell back out of Kentucky the Unionists fully believed that the Federal army would be in their midst in a few da)s. On the 20th Colonel W. B. Wood wrote to the Sec- retary of war thus : The rebellion in East Tennessee has been put down in some of the counties, and will be effectually suppressed in less than two weeks in all the counties. Their camps in Sevier and Hamilton Counties * Ibid., p. 236. tSee Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p]i. 234, 235, 53S. 78 E. R. Hancock's Diary. have been broken up, and a large number of them made prisoners. Some are confined in jail at this place and other# sent to Nash- ville The prisoners we have tell us that they had every assurance that the (Federal) army was already in the State, and would join them in a very few days ; that the property of Southern men was to be con- fiscated and divided among those who would take up arms for Lin- coln.* In answer to an inquiry in reference to what he should do with his prisoners, Colonel Wood received the fol- lowing from the Secretary of War: All such as can be identified as having been engaged in bridge burning are to be tried summarily by drum head court-martial, and, if found guilty, executed on the spot by hanging. It would be well to leave their bodies hanging in the vicinity of the burned bridges. All such as have not been so engaged are to be treated as prison- ers of war, and sent with an armed guard to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and held in jail till the end of the war. Such as come in voluntarily, take the oath of allegiance and surren- der their arms are alone to be treated with leniency, f Some, I know not how many, were found guilty by a "drum-head court martial" and hung. As a oreneral thing- these bands of traitors would dis- band and flee to the mountains on the approach of an armed force of Confederates, therefore it was a difficult matter to do any thing with them. While W. B. Carter was in East Tennessee arousing a spirit of rebellion there, ex-Governor Andrew Johnson was with the Federal army at London, Kentucky, urg- ing upon and pleading with Generals Schoepf and Thomas to move forward into East Tennessee. In fact, this " forward movement" had been so often urged by Johnson, Maynard, the Carters and others of East Ten- * Rebellion Records, Vol. IV.. p. 250. t Rebellon Records, Vol. VII., p. 701. November, 18G1. 79 nessee, that it had become quite annoying to the Fed- eral commanders, as the following correspondence will show. On November 7th, General Thomas wrote thus to Johnson : Your favor of the 6th instant is at hand. I have done all in my power to get troops and transportation and means to advance into East Tennessee. I believe General Sherman at (Louisville) has done the same. Up to this time we have been unsuccessful. If the Tennesseans are not content and must go, then the risk of disaster will remain with them. ....... In conclusion I will add that I am here ready to obey orders, and earnestly hope that the troops at London will see the necessity of doing the same.* At the same time Thomas addressed a letter to Schoepf as follows : I find it necessary to reply to Governor Johnson's letter in the manner of the foregoing, which I send to you for your information. It is time that discontented persons should be silenced, both in and out of the service. . . . ...... I hope you will therefore see the necessity of dealing decidedly with such people, and you have my authority and orders for doing so. We must learn to abide our time, or we shall never be success- ful.! On the 8th, Schoepf replied to the above thus : Yours of the 7th instant, with copy of letter to Governor John- son, is before me, and it is with extreme satisfaction that I note the decided manner in which the case is laid down to Governor Johnson. This outside pressure has become intolerable, and must be met with firmness, or the army may as well be disbanded. With importunate citizens on one side and meddlesome reporters for papers on the other, I can scarce find time to attend to the appro- priate duties of my position. By the way, cannot something be done to rid our camps of this latter class? I have really reached that point * Rebellion Records, \'ol. I\'., pp. 342 and 343. t Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 347. so R. R. Hancock's Diary. that I am afraid to address my staff officer above a whisper in my own tent.='!= ThoLig^h. in place of a forward, the Federals made a retrograde, movement from London soon after the above correspondence. On the 13th, General Schoepf set out from London to join General Thomas at Crab Orchard, with all the troops camped there, except the First and Second Ten- nessee and Third Kentucky (Colonel T. T. Garrard), which remained at London, under the command of Col- onel S. P. Carter (Second Tennessee. )t If you will excuse me, dear reader, for the above di- gression, I shall now return to Jacksborough and take up the movements of Zollicoffer's Brigade. Sunday, lOtJi. — Colonel Powell's Regiment, as pre- viously mentioned, was detached, and ordered to report to Colonel \V. B. Wood at Knoxville. Colonel Mc- Nairy moved his camp from six miles south to a point three miles north of Jacksborough. Monday, i itJi. — Zollicoffer's infantry was now busily engaged blockading the gaps in Cumberland Mountain, near lacksborouoh, under the direction of his eno^ineer. Captain W Sheliha, while his cavalry was picketing, scouting, watching the by-wa)s b}" which the tories would be likely to attempt to pass into Kentuck)-, aiding in putting down the rebellion, of which we have been speaking, and seizing all the arms that could be found in possession of Union citizens. And thus the brigade was employed for about seven days after the above date. Saturday, i6th. — According to orders from brigade * Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 347. tSee Carter to H. Maynard, Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 468. NOVEMBEK, 1861. 81 headquarters, Captain Allison's Company was detached from First Battalion, and proceeded from Jacksboroiigh to Wartburg-, Morgan County, where they arrived the next day, and remained there until the brigade came up. Allison was instructed to keep a sharp lookout for tories. and guard any stores that might be sent to that point from Knoxville for the brigade. Sunday, lyth. — Having blockaded the roads over the mountains near jacksborough, and believing the fortifi- cations at Cumberland Gap very strong, our General did not think an army train of the enemy could pass the mountains anywhere between the Pound Gap, in Virginia, and Jacksborough, a distance of about one hundred and twenty miles.* Therefore, leaving orders for his bri- gade to take up the line of march again the next morn- ing in the direction of Wartburg, General Zollicoffer went in person to Knoxville to obtain more definite in- formation of the state of things along the line of the railroad and among the tories generally. Monday, i8th. — According to orders previously men- tioned, what was left of Zollicoffer's Brigade took up the line of march again from Jacksborough, going by way of Clinton, county seat of Anderson County, where McNairy's Battalion halted for two days, w^hile the rest of the brig-ade moved on to \\ artburgr. Wednesday, 20tJi. — Setting out from Clinton, the First Battalion moved about fifteen miles and camped on the Wartburg road, in the north corner of Roane County, Having set out from Knoxville in the afternoon of the 17th, General Zollicoffer rejoined the brigade at Wartburg, 19th, and on the 20th he wTote to A. S. Johnston as follows : * Rebellion Records, \'ol. I\'., p. 244. 6 82 K. R. Haxcock's Diary. I am moving as expeditiously as possible, with four and a half infantry regiments, a battalion of cavalry and Rutledge's Artillery, to unite with Stanton's command (his and Murray's regiments and Mc- Clellan's cavalry) beyond Jamestown, with a view of taking a strong position on the Cumberland River beyond Monticello 1 hope, by scouring the country on the north bank down to Jkirkesville occasionally, to command the river, and draw supplies from Nashville when the roads to Knoxville are bad. From this camp as a base of operations I hope in mild weather to penetrate the country towards London or Danville, or in other directions, and command the approaches to Cumberland Gap or Jacksborough. . . I sent a few men u]) to Creeneville to arrest Andrew Johnson's sons and son-in-law/'= According to Zollicoffer's official report, the following shows the aggregate present at Wartburg : Sixteenth Alabama (battalion), 401 ; Fifteenth Missis- sippi, 701; Seventeenth Tennessee (Newman), 538; Nineteenth Tennessee (Cummings), 603 ; Twentieth Tennessee (Battle). 637 ; McXairy's Battalion. 341 ; and Rutledge's Battery (eight guns), 126 — total. 3,565, but only 2,995 were able for duty. Thirty-five of Mc- Nairy's Battalion were reported absent. f Zollicoffer ordered Colonel Stanton, with his regi- ment. Colonel Alurray's Regiment and Lieutenant- Colonel McClellan's Battalion of cavalry, encamped at Camp McGinnis, some ten miles north of Jamestown, to make a rapid and stealthy forward movement to cap- ture as many ferry-boats as possible along the Cumber- land River, between Burkesville and Mill Springs. J Thursday, 21st. — Our battalion moved from the north corner of Roane County to within one mile and a half of Wartburg, where we remained for two days waiting * Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 686. t Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 6S7. X Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 690. November, 1861. 83 for some clothing- that was on the way to us from Knox- ville. General Zollicoffer moved from Wartburg in the di- rection of Jamestown, with the infantry and artillery. Friday, 22d. — Now being anxious to go forward in advance of the brigrade. to overtake Colonel Stanton in order to ascertain whether he had put his command in motion, as directed on the 20th, or not, Zollicoffer sent a messenger back to Wartburg that morning after Cap- tain Allison's Company,* which had been stationed at that place since the 17th, while he moved on with the brigade to Jamestown. Captain Allison set out from Wartburg with about twenty-five of his company immediately after the arrival of the above-named messenger, and by a forced march arrived at Zollicoffer's headquatters, at Jamestown, a little after dark — distance, about thirty-five miles. Saturday, 2jd. — Leaving instructions for the brigade to follow. General Zollicoffer and his staff, with Captain Allison and twenty-five of his company as escort, left Jamestown early in the morning, and, pressing forward to overtake Colonel Stanton, they found him just at night encamped not far from Albany, Kentucky. Su7tday, 2^tJi. — The clothing for our battalion havi'ng- been received and distributed. Colonel McNairy again took up the line of march, and. passing through Wart- burg, encamped for the night some fourteen miles from, that place on the Jamestown road. The main portion of our brigade camped within eight miles of Albany, where Zollicoffer awaited their arrival,. * Zollicoffer had no regular escort. The writer, as well as the rest of Alli- son's Company, move. Vol. VII., p. 706. 86 E. R. Hancock's Diary. with a scout of sevent\-six men. The writer had suffi- •ciently recovered to be able to go with that scout. Burkesville, the county seat of Cumberland County, is on the north bank of the Cumberland River, some eighteen miles north-west from Albany. McNairy bivouacked on the south bank of the river, opposite to Burkesville. He threw a few of his men across the river, but they found no enemy in town. Friday, 2gth. — We returned to camps a little after dark at the same place we started from the morning be- fore. It was a cold, rain)- day. We learned that quite a sad affair had happened in camps that day — the result of card playing. W. K. Natcher had shot and killed George Aiken. Natcher was put uncier arrest. Both from Company A. On the above date. Colonel T. E. Bramlette, who was stationed at Columbia w'ith his regiment (First Ken- tuck)- Infantry) and a part of Wolford's and Haggard's Cavalry, made the following report of our visit to I)urkesville, in a dispatch addressed to General G. H. Thomas : 1 received a dispatch before day this morning from Burkesville that two hundred rebel cavalry were at the ferry on the south side of the river. A few of them crossed over and went to I^oles', saw and arranged with him and his partners for the slaughter of hogs, and re- turned. The courier informed me that the men who are acting for the rebels are killing and packing a large nmnber of hogs at Burkes- ville, viz : J. B. Alexander, J. R. Ryan, James and Sam Boles, and Robert Cross. I have no doubt but steamboats will be up in a few days and carry off the large amount of pork, wheat, etc., the rebels are gathering upon the river. 1'he rebels are now in possession of the river from Mill Springs down. . ... ..... I sent Colonel Wolford to the aid of Colonel Haskins with five hundred cavalry, embracing part of Colonel Haggard's command. NOTEMBKR, 1861. 87 As I have before advised, the rebels are at Mill Springs, in force about eight thousand, but as yet have not crossed the river, and I do not believe will. Colonel Haskins, with his regiment, the Fourth* Ken- tucky Infantry, was now encamped on the north bank of the Cumberland, some ten miles abov^e Mill Springs. General Zollicoffer, having reached the vicinit)- of Mill Springs late in the afternoon, established his head- quarters at one Mr. A. R. West's, within about one mile of the river. As a portion of Captain Allison's com- pan)' had gone through with the General, and was still acting as escort foi' him, Allison and his men put up at the same place. Colonel Stanton, who had arrived at Mill Springs with two regiments of infantry and McClellan's Battal- ion and Sanders' company of cavalry, about two days in advance of Zollicoffer, had failed to secure any boats, from the fact that Colonel Haskins had taken the pre- caution to have them sunk ; and for want of transporta- he (Stanton) had failed to cross the river, as directed by Zollicoffer, to cut off Haskins' Regiment. Saturday, joih. — According to orders from our Gen- eral, Colonel McNairy, setting out from his camp, hve miles south of Albany, with about seventy-five of his battalion, went to the Cumberland above Burkesville. When our advance guard got in sight of the river a boat was crossing to the north bank with seven men and five horses. As a portion of the men were Federal soldiers, a skirmish ensued, in which the ferryman and one soldier were wounded. None of our bo)'s were hurt. The ferr)man, who lived on the south side of the river, brought his boat back to our side. We destroyed * Af.crward the Twelfth. 88 K. K. Hancock's Diaky two ferr\ -boats and two canoes at that ferr\-, and one boat at another. McNairy allowed his men to scatter in order to hunt quarters for the night. The writer and about twenty-four others put up with our wounded ferryman, who lived half a mile from the river. Sjcnday, December ist. — Just before sunrise the eneniy opened fire on us from the opposite side of the river. As we did not wish to have lead mixed with our breakfast (fearing it would not digest well), we moved back about seven miles from the river and took breakfast without the lead. McNairy, having collected his men together, returned to camps, which he found four miles from Al- bany, on the Monticello road, and within fourteen miles of the latter place. Camps had been moved about nine miles. General Zollicoffer, with a small detachment of In- fantry and cavalry, proceeded to reconnoiter from the south bank Colonel Haskin's camp, nine miles above Mill Springs, on the North bank of the river. Many of the enemy's tents were in full view, and they came out and fired on our men with small arms and one twelve- pounder howitzer. Our men returned the fire, but the distance was too great for small arms to be of material service.* Our General returned to his headquarters at Mr. West's. General Albin Schoepf, having pressed on in advance of his brigade, arrived at Colonel Haskins' camp on the above date.f Monday, 2d.- Our General took up four pieces of artillery and soon shelled Col. Haskins' Kentuckians " Kt;l)eilion Records, NOl. \'1I., y. lo. tlhid., p. 7. December. 1801. 89- out of their encampment; causing them to strike tents precipitately and retire out of sight, after which ZolH- coffer returned to Mr. West's. In the meantime our commander was building ferry- boats at Mill Springs as rapidly as possible, by means of which he hoped soon to be able to cross to a good position in the bend of the river, on the north bank, op- posite Mill Springs. Some lumber and a saw-mill, which were found at Mill Springs, aided materially in constructinor boats. O Tuesday, jd. — McNairy's Battalion moved up to " Camp Hall," within seven miles of Monticello and within sixteen miles of Mill Springs, where it remained several days. Having learned that one of my brothers, W. C. Han- cock, was sick at headquarters, I went to see and wait on him. On reaching Mr. West's I found that J. W. Kennedy, E. L. Ewing, B. F. Odom. and John Herri- man, all belonging to Allison's company, were sick, as well as my brother. Notwithstanding Mr. West was a " Union man," he was very kind to us, especially to our sick boys. M^ednesday, -j-tJi. — General Zollicoffer threw over the first small cavalry picket at Mill Springs. Colonel |. M. Connell set out from Somerset earl)- that morning with his regiment, Seventeenth Ohio, three pieces of artillery and a company of cavalry, with in- structions to move to the ri\er and plant his artiller)- so as to command the ferry at Mill Springs, in order to prevent Zollicoffer's crossing at that point. Leaving his main force some two and a half miles from the river. Colonel Connell went forward with Captain Ricketts. ■90 R. R. Hancock's Diary. and Lieutenant Fife, of the artillery, to make a personal reconnoissance. On meeting our cavalry before reach- ing the river at Mill .Springs, the\ (our men) opened fire and gave chase, and the Colonel very narrowly es- caped capture. 1 take the following from Connell's official report: In turning a sharp angle my saddle turned, girth broke, and I was thrown within one hundred yards of them, and but for the noble con- duct and cool bravery of Captain Ricketts 1 would have been killed or captured. He got off his horse and waited until I ran up to him and gave me his horse, while he escaped into the woods. =■- Our men got the Colonel's saddle, one pistol, and some other equipments. Connell moved his iorce back to a position behind Fishing Creek, some twelve miles from Mill Springs, thus leaving the way open for Zolli- coffer to cross. Thursdaw ^th. — Our commander commenced throw- ing his main force to the north side of the river. His cavalry pickets captured, six miles north ot the river, after a chase of more than a mile, Major F. \V. Hel- veti, of the First Kentuck)- Cavalry (Wolford). Captain Prime, of New York, engrineer officer of General Buell's staff, and a corporal, \V. F. Hudson, of Colonel Has- kin's Kentucky Regiment. The Major and Captain were severely wounded, the former in the arm and the latter in the leg. They, all three, were sent back to Mr. West's and placed in the care of Captain Allison. So we guarded them for about nine days. Fridaw 6tli. — As Zollicofter had b\- that afternoon thrown a good portion of his command to the north side of the river, he moveci his headquarters from Mr. West's to Mill Sprin,i>s. *Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., \>. 475. December, 1801. 91 General Shoepf became so alarmed at the movements of Zollicorter on yesterda)-. that he fell back with his entire company last night to a position three miles north of Somerset.* Fishing Creek runs south into the Cumberland five miles above Mill Springs, and lies between' that place and Somerset. One road to the latter place crossed Fishing Creek seven miles froni Mill Springs, and the other eleven. The enem)- had thrown up fortifications at the more distant crossinor. Saturday, jth. — Our men were still very busily en- gaged crossing the river and intrenching (at "Beech Grove ") on the north bank. A cavalr\- scout crossed fishing Creek at the upper crossing, passed through the fortifications on the east bank and returned without meeting an)-, not even a picket, of the enemy. SiLuday, 8th. — Brother Ben and four others of Alli- son's Company left Mr. W est's to rejoin our battalion at Camp Hall, seven miles beyond Monticello. Zollicofter sent out two companies of cavalr)- to see if they could learn what had become of the enemy. Be- fore reaching the upper ford on Fishing Creek they found a Federal cavalr)- picket, consisting of one com- pany of W'olford's Regiment, under Captain Dillon. This company broke and a livel)- chase ensued. Lieutenant Uine was posted a little beyond the upper ford, on the road leading to Somerset, with about thirty infantr)- from the Thirty-fifth Ohio f (Colonel \^an Der- veer). Dillon's fugitives refused to halt or give Dine's men any assistance, but pressed on to camp near Som- * Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 476. t Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 9. 02 i;. li. Hancock's Diary. erset.* When our men struck the inlantr\- picket above mentioned, they (the enemy) were soon killed, captured or dispersed, after which our cavalry followed Dillon's men nearly to Somerset. According to Zollicoffer's re- port, f the enemy's loss was ten killed and sixteen cap- tured, one of whom was badly wounded; and our loss one man and one horse wounded, and two horses killed. I take the following from Colonel Van Derveer's re- port : J We killed one of their officers in command of the advance, one of their horses, and captured one horse. Our own loss was one killed, one wounded, and fifteen missing. In reference to the above affair General Schoepf wrote to General Thomas thus: The cavalry under my command, as usual, beha\ed badly. They are a nuisance, and the sooner they are disbanded the better. Is there no such thing as obtaining a regiment of reliable cavalry? Such a regiment is indispensable with this brigade at this time. The absence of such troops has kept me in the saddle until I am nearly worn down with fatigue.?^ Alonday, gth. — General Zollicofler now had with him si.\ and a half regiments of infantry, a six-pounder bat- ter)- of eight guns, and McNairy's, Hranner's and Mc- Clellan's Battalions of cavalry ; also two companies of Hrazelton's l)attalion, and two independent companies, commanded by Captains Bledsoe and Sanders. Total, about five thousand five hundred present for duty. Two regiments of infantry, two pieces of artillery and Mc- Nairy's Battalion were left on the south side of the river ; all the other troops were now encamped on the: ♦Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 9. t Ibid., p. 10. t Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 9. {> Rebellion Records, Vol. Vll., p. 8. December. 1861. 93 north bank, opposite Mill Springs, intrenching as rap- idly as possible. General D. C. Buell was now in command of the De- partment of the Ohio, with headquarters at Louisville, Kentucky. General G. H. Thomas was in command of First Division ot l^uell's army, with headquarter's at Lebanon, Kentucky. Thomas's Division, which was now in front of ZoUicoffer, was composed of five bri- gades, four regiments each, distributed as follows : The First Brigade, under Brigadier-General A. Schoepf, was now at Somerset; the Second, under Colonel ]NL D. Manson, and Third, under Colonel R. L. McCook, were posted at Lebanon ; the Eleventh Brigade, under Brig- adier-General J. T. Boyle, at Columbia; and two regi- ments of the Twelfth Brigade, the First and Second East Tennessee, under Colonel S. P. Carter, set out from London on the 7th, and arrived at Somerset on the 9th instant, leaving Garrard's Kentucky Regiment at London. Carter's other regiment, the Thirty-first Ohio, was at Camp Dick Robinson.* Besides his own brigade, which was composed of the Thirty-third hidiana. Colonel John Coburn ; Seven- teenth Ohio, Colonel J. M. Connell ; 7\velfth Kentucky, Colonel W. A. Haskins, and Thirty-eighth Ohio, Colo- nel E. D. Bradley ; General Schoepf had with him at Somerset the Thirty-fifth Ohio, Colonel F. Van Der- veer, from McCook's Brio^ade ; First East Tennessee, Colonel R. K. Byrd ; Second East Tennessee, Colonel J. P. T. Carter, from S. P. Carter's Brigade ; First Ken- tucky Cavalry, Colonel Frank Wolford, and ten pieces of artillery. f *See Rebellion Records, Vol. \'II., p. 461, 467, 479 and 480. tSee Rebellion Records. Vol. VII., pp. 479, 484 and 486. 94 R. R. Hancock's Diary. Schoepf and Carter were now greatly alarmed, and calling loudly on General Thomas for re-enforcements. On the same date under which I am now writincr, the former wrote to Thomas thus : From the above you must see the necessity of my being immedi- ately reenforced. My communications for the last seven or eight days have, I think, fully shown this necessity. -J- On the same day Carter wrote to Thomas as follows : From the best information I have had, our position is rather a critical one. The force of the enemy, even at the lowest estimate, is nearly double ours, and they are but some seven miles off. We cer- tainly need reenforcements, and I hope they will be sent forward be- fore we are attacked by such unequal odds.t Zollicoffer had only four and a half regiments of in- fantry and six pieces of artillery on the north side of the river, while Schoepf had seven regiments of infantry and ten pieces of artillery at Somerset. And in place of being near Fishing Creek, seven miles from Somer- set, .he was encamped near the river sixteen miles from that place. Tuesday, lotli. — All of our company, except eight, had rejoined the battalion at Camp Hall. Our sick boys and wounded prisoners — still at Mr. West's — were improving. McNairy's scouts, on the south side of the river, con- tinued to be annoyed by the enemy's firing across the river at them from Rowena, some thirty miles below Mill Springs. Zollicoffer having now "determined to punish the enemy " at that place, ordered McNairy to go down the south side of the river the next da)' to a point opposite Rowena, while another detachment of * See kebeHion Records, Vol. VII., pp. 479, 484 and 486. t Rebellion Records, Vol. Vll., p. 486. December, 1861. « OS- cavalry was to go from Beech Grove* down the north side to the same place. As our heutenants were either sick or absent, Mc- Nairy sent up a request for Captain AlHson to rejoin the battaHon at Camp Hall, in order to take command of his company on the Rowena trip the next day. But as Zollicoffer was not willing to let our Captain go, the latter sent his orderl\-, lohn D. McLin, to take charo^e of our company. ]]^€d)icsda)\ nth. — According to orders previousK' mentioned, McNairy, having set out from Camp Hall with his battalion early in the morning, got to the river opposite Rowena in advance of the detachment from Beech Grove, and ordered Sercreant McLin to cross the river with Company E and enter the town of Rowena, if he did not meet a superior force. McLin crossed and boldly entered the town with about thirty men dis- mounted ; but he found no organized force of Federal* there, and if any home guards were there they did not make any show of resistance. About this time our cavalry from Beech Grove came dashing into Rowena from an opposite direction, and a warm collision was now about to ensue, but both parties happily discovered their mistake just in time to prevent any damage. After McLin's squad had recrossed the river McNairy destroyed the ferry-boats and canoes which the enemy had collected at that place. Our Colonel complimented McLin and his followers for having so boldly entered the enemy's town, unsup- ported, and without knowing any thing about what force they might have met. * This was the name of Zollicoffer's camp •n the north side of the river. DG ' K. R. Hancock's Diary. I suppose that it was only "home guards" that had been annoying our scouts at Rowena, and that they fled on hearing of the approach of our men. Tlnirsda\\ 1 2th. -Owx battalion returned to Camp Hall, and the detachment that went down the north side of the river returned with eleven prisoners. They re- ported that three of the enemy were killed, and that one of our men was drowned in attempting to cross the rivpr. When the news reached Columbia last nio-ht that the Confederates were at Rowena, General Boyle ordered a part of Wolford's and a part of Haggard's cavalry to Rowena and Creelsborough.* The latter place is be- tween Rowena and Burkesville. Wolford followed as far as Jamestown, and reported that our men left that place between midnight and daylight this morning, f but Colonel Haggard reported thus : Creelsborolgh, December 13. iS6i, i a. m. General Boyle : Df.ar Sir: \\'e reached this place at dark, expectino; an attack every moment since our arrival. I placed pickets out ujion every road reaching this place. Our pickets from the Rowena road have just come in. bringing us information that is reliable that three hundred men had crossed the river at that point this evening, and a large force on the opposite bank were crossing (said to be three thousand at least). D. R. HAt;(;ARD, Colonel Cavalrs'.X Our men had all returned to their camps several hours before Colonel Haggard penned the above " reli- able iyiformationy ''Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 494. t Ibiil., p. 498. :i;Rel)ellioii Records, Vol. VII., p. 497. December, 1861. 97 On the 1 2th General Bo)le wrote to General Thomas thus : The rebel cavalry who crossed the Cumberland into Russell County {at Rowena) have, it is reported, killed fifty or sixty of the loyal and -defenseless citizens.-'- Though he wrote as follows to Thomas the next day : The people, even the good Union people, circulate the most devil- ish lies in regard to the enemy, and our own scouts, without they are selected with care, are not reliable. ...... The rebels were at Rowena and shot two or three men, but killed none.t Friday, ijih. — I helped to bury Cousin A. N. Ram- sey, who had died of fever two days before. He was from Franklin County, Alabama, and a member of the sixteenth Alabama Infantry. He was buried in the honors of war, near Mr. A. R. West's. Saturday, i^th. — Captain Bledsoe's Company passed Mr. West's with thirty prisoners. They also took the three that we had been guarding- since the 5th. Cap- tain Bledsoe was instructed to take the prisoners to Gainesboro and send them by steamer to Nashville. Captain Wm, L. Horn, Company B, First Battalion, went to Nashville with these prisoners. His horse fell on him while in .Nashville and broke his lee. which had to be amputated, and consequently he was not with us any more. Stmday, i§th. — As Captain Allison was now relieved from escort duty, aixl also of his prisoners, and as the sick boys were improving, he and I went to camps, leaving three of our company to wait on the four sick. * Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 494. t Rebellion Records, \'ol. \'II., p. 498. 7 98 R. R. Hancock's Diary. We found the battalion at Camp Hall, where I left it the third instant. Our battalion moved about ten miles that afternoon and camped for the night within six miles of Mill Springs. Monday i6th. — According to orders from Zollicoffer, McNairy moved his battalion back to Camp Hall, where he remained for about nine daysJonger. COMMENTARY. It would seem that while at Richmond, in the latter part of last month, Major-General George B. Crittenden was directed by President Davis to proceed to East Tennessee, assume command of all the forces under Zollicoffer, and with ten additional regiments, to be fur- nished by the President, move into Kentucky at once. Accordingly CritteHden arrived at Knoxville and as- sumed command "about the first day of December."* On the 6th he dispatched for the ten regiments, f and on the 8th he recived the following from the Secre- tar)- of War : The President desires that you return to Richmond and report to him without delay.;}: On the 13th he was ordered to return to his depart- ment, which he did, but without bringing any troops with him. On tke 1 6th he wrote to the Adjutant and Inspector- General, S. Cooper, at Richmond, as follows : General Zollicoffer is threatened by a much superior force in front •* Rebellion Records, Vol. VI I., p. 763. t Ibid., p. 740. t Ibid., p. 745. December, 1861. 99 and one nearly equal on his left flank. He has been ordered by me to recross the river. He asks for six pieces, twenty-four pounders or eight inch how- itzers. Colonel Powell's regiment has been ordered from the railroad to jom Zolhcoffer immediately, and Colonel Leadbetter informed, so that he caa replace the guard it withdraws. To make General Carroll's brigade effective it is necessary to ob- tam eight hundred muskets, which are known to be in ordnance office at Memphis. Please order William R. Hunt, ordnance officer at that point, to forward them immediately to this place, subject to my order.* Three citizens from the vicinity of Auburn, Cannon County, Tennessee—Messrs. Franklin Odom, Henry Dougherty and Hop Kennedy—arrived at Camp Hall in the afternoon of the above date, the i6th. Each of them had sons, and also many other relatives and friends, in Captain Allison's Company. They came to spend a few days with us, and we appreciated and en- joyed their visit very much. Three of our company who had been home on a visit and two recruits came with them. Tuesday, z///^.— Zolhcoffer wrote to General A. S. Johnston thus : Had the reserve of Powell's Regiment, Wood's Battalion and Mc- Clung's Battery been sent on, as I ordered, I could have advanced. But I can hear nothing official from Knoxville of them. For a day or two past my information leads to the suspicion that the enemy contemplate an early attack upon this position.f It will be remembered that Powell's Regiment was detached from the brigade at Jacksborough and sent to Knoxville to help guard the railroad. Colonel Wood's Battalion— Sixteenth Alabama— was left at Knoxville when Zolhcoffer started on his first campaign into Ken- tucky. *"So ordered same day." Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 770 t Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 773. 100 E. R. Hancock's Diary. Wednesday, i8th. — Having received a dispatch from ZoUicoffer during the past night stating that Wolford's Cavalry was reported to be crossing the river at Creels- borough, some twenty miles below Camp Hall. McNairy sent a scout in that direction early this morning. On returning to camps, about half after eight v. m.. our men reported the rumor to be false. Finday\ 20th. — Cousin Alfred Hancock, who was then and yet is (1886) a citizen of DeKalb County. Tennes- see, paid us a visit. A member of our company, J. E. J. Hawkins, who had been home on a visit, came with Cousin Alfred. The latter had a son (C. E.) in Alli- son's Company, who, on account of bad health, went home with his father a few days after. Saturday, 21st. — I started to headquarters with a dis- patch for ZoUicoffer, but, finding Colonel McNairy at Mr. A. R. West's, I put up there for the night, accord- ing to orders from the Colonel. Sujiday, 22d. — Colonel McNairy, Captain Allison and I crossed the river and went to our General's headquar- ters, which we found in a tent about one mile from the river. It rained nearly all day. We recrossed the river and put up with Mr. West again. Monday, 2jd. — I went back to camp, fifteen miles from Mr. West's. ZoUicoffer wrote to A. S. Johnston, Bowling Green, Kentucky, as follows : Sir — I feel it my duty frankly to say that the failure to receive the reserves and supplies I ordered up a month ago, and upon which in part the plan of campaign was predicated, has given and is likely to give serious embarrassment. I now receive no responses to communications addressed to Knox- ville connected with the most important details. December, 1861. 101 I have five (four and a half) regiments north of the river and two south. Th-e strength of the enemy is unknown, but it is reported by the country people to be very large. There are now, I learn, in East Tennessee,-^ besides the force at Cumberland (rap, eight full regiments and a Georgia Battalion, a bat- tery of artillery and eight cavalry companies. I beg respectfully to say that it cannot be that half this force is required there. On the other hand, were this column strengthened properly, the enemy could not venture to pass London to attack Cumberland Gap. We could open the Cumberland and drive the enemy from Somerset and Columbia. t Tuesday, 24th. — Messrs. Franklin Odoni and Henry Dougherty bade us farewell and set out on their return home. W. C. Kennedy of Allison's Company, having been discharged on account of bad health, went home with them. Wednesay, 2^th. — According to orders from our Gen- eral, McNairy moved from Camp Hall. Leaving his wagon train and camp equipage two or three hundred yards north of Mr. A. R. West's, and within one mile of Mill Springs, he crossed the river with the main por- tion of his Battalion, and took headquarters for the night with Branner's Battalion. T/niJsday, 26th. — Zollicoffer had ordered a steamer to ascend the Cumberland to Celina, and if deemed safe to press on to Mill Springs with army stores for his command. In order to make a diversion in favor of this boat Colonel McXairy was ordered to go down the north side of the river in the direction of Burkesville, with his own. Branner's and McClellan's Battalions, in all about six hundred and fifty men. *On the loth of December General Carroll reporied his brigade five thou- sand .-trong, and all other troops in East Tennessee at six thous:ind— total, eleven thousand. — Rebellion A'ecpiils. J'ol. /7/.,/. 75/. t Rebellion Records. Vol. VII., p. 786. 102 R. R. Hancock's Diary. Setting out from Beech Grove, as above directed, with First Battahon, under Captain Allison, in front. Mc- Nairy moved at the head of the column until he neared Jamestown, the county seat of Russell County, when, on learning that he would meet the enemy at that place, he halted to hurry up Branner and McClellan, who in the meantime had dropped somewhat behind. When the head of our battalion got within about two hundred yards of town the enemy opened on us, but without doing any damage except the killing of one man (James Tate, Company B) and one horse belong- insf to Adamson, who was a member of Allison's Com- pany, and l\ W. Horn's horse was wounded and fell. Allison then fell back a short distance and awaited the arrival of McNairy with the other two battalions. As soon as our Colonel came up he ordered one battalion to mO'Ve round riorhtward and attack the north side of town, while he would move forward and attack the east side of the place with the other two battalions. A messenerer from the battalion movinof to the riorht re- ported to McNairy that the town could not be ap- proached from that direction. Therefore, as it was now about nightfall, the Colonel withdrew the troops with- out making an attack. Falling back about two miles, we halted and fed, after which we scattered alonir the road about four miles further, where we remained till morning. I shall here relate the following- incident : Before reaching Jamestown this afternoon, McNairy's groom, "Johnnie, " happened to be riding alone some distance in rear of our battalion, when a gentleman rode up and commenced a conversation with him. Soon learning December, 1861. 103 that his companion was a Federal soldier, Johnnie* quickly drew his revolver, saying. ".S/r, you are my prisoficry On marching his prisoner up to the battal- ion, he proved to be no less than that of a F"ederal cor- poral, who had been home on a visit and was on his way back to camps, not knowing or suspecting that there were any Confederates in the neighborhood. Friday, 2yth. — McClellan's and Branner's Battalions returned to their camps at Beech Grove. Our battal- ion recrossed the river and went into camps near Mr. West's, where we left our wagon train the 25th. At nine p. m.. Colonel T. E. Bramlette (First Ken- tucky Infantry), who was at that time in command of General Boyle's Brigade at Columbia, wrote as follows to General Thomas : The enemy is at Jamestown, eighteen miles from here, some three thousand strong. He has ascertained the strength and position o^ Colonel Wolford's camp, and threatens to destroy that before moving further. He has one thousand seven hundred mounted men, armed mostly as infantry. ..... .... I would not be surprised if the whole of ZoUicoffer's forces were to be on us in two or three days. ...... We will, however, strike a blow, even if left to ourselves, that ^hall terrify the rebel hell-hounds wherever they hear of us. Retreat we will not, and if they come upon us we will fight the fight of des- peration to win.t Notwithstanding McNair)- did not go so far down the river as Zollicoffer had instructed him to g|^, yet it would seem from the above communication that the object of the expedition, at least to some extent, had been accom- plished. That is to say, the attention of the F"ederals had been attracted from the river, and Colonel Bramlette •*Johnnie was a white man, Imt I do ikU remember his . "surname, t Rehellion Records, Vol. VII., y. 517. 104 R. R. Hancock's Diaky. was now holdin;^" his brigade In readiness at Columbia, awaiting an attack from Zollicoffer. The long looked for "reserves" are coming in at last. Colonel \\ illiam H. Wood, with a battalion of his regi- ment (Sixteenth Alabama), and Captain H. L. W. Mc- Clung, with his battery of artillery (six guns), have ar- rived. Colonel Samuel Powell's Regiment will be here soon, having started from Knoxville the 24th instant. Colonel Moses White's Regiment, of General Carroll's Brigade, is also on the way from Knoxville. Saturday, 28tJi.^-W2\{ after six o'clock, i". m., the writer and forty-four others of our battalion set out from Camp West, going in the direction of Livingston, Ten- nessee, to meet and guard back a wagon train which had been sent down the Cumberland to meet a steamer from Nashville with supplies for Zollicoffer's command. As the river was low our waofons had to oro as low as Carthage on this trip to meet the boats. After a ride of about twenty-two miles, we met a part of the wagfons about two a. m. on Sunday. 2gtJi, and halted for the rest of the night within some four miles of Albany. In the saddle again early that morning, fourteen of our scouts went out within seven miles of Creelsbor- ough, while the rest went on in the direction of Livings- ton to meet the other waofons. We all returned, with- out an\- incident worth)- of note, to the same place we started froni that morning and camped for the night. Monday, joth. — Having our wagons all up, we moved about fourteen miles and camped near Monticello. Tuesday, jisL — Going on in advance of the wagonSv January, 1862. 105- we got to Camp West a little alter noun. 1 ne wagons did not get to Mill Springs until late that evening. Zollicoffer now had seven regiments of infantry, three battallions and four companies of cavalry, and two bat- teries (fourteen guns) of artillery, l^otal present for duty, six thousand one hundred and fifty-four ; aggre- gate present and absent, eight thousand four hundred and fifty-one.* Wednesday, Jamiary 'ist. — As this was the first day of the new year there was a general inspection of horses, arms. etc. T/iursday, 2d. — Colonel McNairy started home on a furlough on account of ill health, leaving Captain Alli- son in command of the battalion. Allison received orders to cross the river and report to Zollicoffer's headquarters as soon as his men could cook three days' rations. We did not have three days' rations, but we cooked what we had, went to the river and commenced crossing, when, on learning that we did not have the requisite amount of rations, Zollicoffer ordered Allison to go back to camps and cook the rations, which he ordered the brigade commissary to furnish. As soon as we had cooked our rations Allison crossed the river and reported to our General that the First Bat- talion was ready to move. Our Captain soon after re- turned and reported that the order to cross the river was countermanded. Mr. Andy Bogle, from Cannon County, Tennessee, came in a carriage after Clabe Francis, a member of Allison's Compan\', who was sick. Friday, jd. — According to orders given him while at * Rebellion Kccuriis, Vul. vil., p. 614. 10(5 R. R. Hancock's Diary. headquarters last evening, Captain Allison set out from Camp West with the larger portion of our battalion to meet and guard back another wagon train. After a march of about thirty-four miles in the direction of Liv- ingston, we halted for the night near the line between Kentucky and Tennessee. Saturday, -/.th. — Going seven miles further Allison met the wagons within eighteen miles of Livingston. Turning back, he camped within one mile of where he camped the night before. Sunday, ^th. — Our wagons made a very good drive that day, about twenty-two miles. We camped within five miles of Monticello. Monday, btJi. — We moved in rear of the wagons up to Monticello, and there we passed them and went into camp. One of our comrades, John Hearmon, who had been sick at Mr. West's about one month, died about noon. Tuesday, yih. — The First Battalion had the honor of going on dress parade in the presence of Major-General George B. Crittenden, who had arrived at Mill Springs and assumed command on the 3d instant. Colonel S. Powell's Regiment (Twenty-ninth Tennes- see) came with General Crittenden, and I think a part of Colonel M. White's Regiment (Thirty-seventh Ten- nessee), of Carroll's Brigade, arrived at the same time. Good news ! good news ! A small steamboat, the *' Noble Ellis," has arrived at Mill Springs loaded with arm) stores, coffee, sugar, molasses, etc. General Boyle, who had returned to Columbia and was now in command of Eleventh Brigade, wrote as fol- lows to General Thomas, Lebanon, Kentucky : January, 1862. J07 A rebel steamboat passed Burkesville yesterday (6th) at twelve o'clock, loaded with men and cannon and other arms, clothing, etc, I send three hundred cavalry to heights on this side to intercept it, if possible. I will move with three hundred of Third Kentucky and Nineteenth Ohio to an advantageous position at the mouth of Renick's Creek, two and a half miles above Burkesville, on the Cumberland: I shall move the whole force here to Burkesville. It is only four miles further from Glasgow than Columbia. I am not willing to see the Cumberland surrendered without a struggle to ZoUicofifer and the rebel invaders. .... We have no cannon, and must rely on our rifles to take off the men from the boats. ^Vith one piece of artillery the boats could be torn to atoms or sunk. Can you not send me a section of a battery ?=•= Fortunately for us, Boyle did not stop our boat. Wednesday , 8t/i.— Two companies of Brazelton's Bat- talion, fifty men from McNairy's, and about five compa- nies of infantry went about ten miles up the south side of the river to guard and load a forage train. While the wagons were being loaded our infantry e.xchanged a few shots with some Federals who were on the oppo- site bank of the river, without an)- damage on our side. All returned to camp a little after dark with thirty- tour waofons loaded with corn and oats. W. C. Hancock, brother to the writer, and four others from Company E started home on "sick furlough." Monday, ijth. — A member of Company A was elect- ed color-bearer for First Battalion. Tuesday, i^tk. — Forty-seven of our battalion went sixteen miles down the south bank of the river to oruard o some wagons that were hauling forage to the river to be brought up by our steamboat, the Noble Ellis. It was a cold day ; the ground was nearly covered with snow, • Rebellion Kecor(i>, Vol. \II.. p. 535. 108 1.'. I.'. Hancock's Diary. but at night it turned warmer and rained. We, and also our horses, had shelter. lVed?tesda\\ 15th. — The Noble Ellis had come down from Mill Springs and commenced loading, when we left and returned to camp. Another scout of about one hundred men, sonie from our battalion and the balance from Brazelton's, had started out in the direction of Burkesville before we re- turned to camp. Thursday. i6th. — Brigadier-General William H. Car- roll arrived at Mill Springs yesterday, but his com- mand — Captain G. H. Monsarrat's Battery (four guns) and the balance of Colonel White's Regiment — did not arrive until to-da)-. One regiment and one battery of four guns were all the troops that General Carroll was able to bring with him from Knoxville to add to Zolli- coffer's command. He was ordered by the Secretary of War, as early as the 3d of November, to move his brigade to Knoxville and report to General Zollicoffer. He arrived at Knox- ville the 23d of November, but did not move on to join Zollicoffer from the fact that his brigade was not armed, notwithstanding he had been making ever)' possible ef- fort for two months previous to procure arms for his men. On the 1 2th of December Carroll received another dispatch from the Secretary ordering him to proceed immediately, with all the armed men of his brigade, to the aid of Zollicoffer, leaving the unarmed portion of his command at Knoxville, under the control of a suit- able officer, until arms could be provided. The next day (13th). in a length)- communication to the Secre- January, 1862. 109 tary, he laid before that officer the nature and extent of the embarrassment under which he had labored ever since he had assumed command of his brigade, espe- cially in reference to his inability to procure arms for his men. "Out of my entire force,"* continued he. " I could not muster more than three hundred men efh- ciently armed." f On the I 7th of December the Secretary of War re- plied thus : Your troops are enlisted but for twelve months, and to such troops we never furnish arms. . . . It is impossible for us to carry on a war at such an enormous expenditure as is involved in receiving twelve-months' men without arms. ...... If your men will now enlist for the war they will be en- titled to receive the bounty of fifty dollars allowed by Congress, and I will endeavor to aid in arming them ; but if not, all that are un- armed must be disbanded on the loth of January.;]; By January ist Carroll had procured arms for two regiments (White's and Looney's) of his brigade, and had the promise of arms for the other (Gillespie's) in thirty days. On the eighth he was ordered by A. S. Johnston to send forward at once to Bowling Green all the men who were armed and ready for duty of the regiments of Colonels Looney and Gillespie. i^S I give the above to show why Carroll was so long coming to the aid of Zollicoffer. and also to show wh)- he did not bring more troops with him. Newman's. Murray's and Powell's Regiments were detached from ZoUicoffer's Britrade and attached to o ■'■ 4,000. tRebellon Records, Vol. VII., p. 7G4. t Rel>ellion Records, \'ol. \II., p. 771. >< Rebellion Record.-,, Vol. VII.. p. 825. 110 Vi. R. Hancock's Diary. Carroll's. Crittenden's Division was now composed of two brigades. Zollicoffer commanded the First, and Carroll the Second. The former had five regiments and the latter four. I do not know how the eighteen pieces of artillery and the nineteen companies of cav- alr)- were divided between the brigade commanders. However, I am of the opinion that McN'airy's Battalion still remained attached to Zollicoffer's Brigade. Friday, lytJi. — The* scout that was sent out in the direction of Burkesville on the 15th returned to camps. They reported that three or four regiments of Federals, with four pieces of artillery, were stationed on the north bank of the river some four miles above Burkesville. They also report that one night while they were out Captain Coffee, of Brazelton's Battalion, and three or four of his men put up with one Mr. Gridder. A squad of Federals crossed the river and came to Mr. Gridder's for the purpose, it was thought, of killing him. A skirmish ensued, which resulted in the killing of Mr. Gridder and wounding one of his sons and Captain Coffee. One o^ the enemy was killed and one wounded. We also heard that two of the Federal pickets in front of Beech Grove were killed. Saturday, i8tk. — It was said that another picket skir- mish on the north side of the river resulted in the kill- ing of two of our men and one of the enemy. It rained nearl)- all day. General Buell orciered General Thomas, on Decem- ber 29th, to move from Lebanon by the way of Colum- bia upon Zollicoffer's left fiank, while General Schoepf was to move upon his front from Somerset. On the 30th Thomas replied thus : January, 1862. • ill Have made arrangements to move as light as possible, and hope to get started to-morrow, although with raw troops and raw mules I fear there will be some difficulty.* The advance of Thomas's division arrived yesterday at Logan's Cross Roads, about ten miles north of Crit- tenden's intrenched position (Beech Grove), and within eight miles of Somerset, where he halted for the rear to close up and to communicate with Schoepf. Late that afternoon our commander wrote the follow- ing dispatch to A. S, Johnston, Bowling Green, Ken- tucky : Headquarters, Beech Grove Kentucky, January i8, 1862. Sir: I am threatened by a superior force of the enemy in front, and finding it imi)ossible to cross the river 1 will have to make the fight on the ground I now occupy. If you can do so I would ask that a diversion be made in my favor. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. B. Crittenden, Major- General Com7natiding. To the Assistant Adjutant- General, Headquarters Department of the IVest.f * Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 524. t Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 103. The above dispatch was handed to General Zollicofifer (he being better ac- quainted with the troops) with the request to start it at once by couriers. He immediately sent to Captain T. M. Allison for a reliable, well mounted man. Accordingly, C. F. Thomas (Company E) was ordered to go to Mill Springs (one mile), cross the river and report to Zollicofifer. Leaving camp about sun- set, Thomas did as requested. Handing him the dispatch, Zollicoffer said: "I want you to take this to General Sidney Johnston, at Bowling Green, and this," handing him another addressed to an officer at Memphis, "you will mail at Gallatin. Take one good man with you and make the trip through to Bowling Green as quick as you possibly can.'" Recrossing the river, Thomas was soon back in our camp again. He selected to go with him on that venturesome tri]i John D. McLin, who was then his messmate, and is now (1886) editor of the weekly A'ashville Anterican. Swinging themselves into the saddle, Thomas and McLin set out on thair daring trip about ten o'clock that night — to use Thomas's own language, "One of the darkest and muddiest I ever saw." They went down the south side oF 112 If. R. HaiVcook's Diary. It appears from the above dispatch that Crittenden then expected to remain in his intrenchments and await the attack of the enemy, but he afterward decided to move out and attack them. the river. They were not only in danger of meeting Federal scouts and home guards, but also of being shot from the bushes by " bush-whacker>." They would sometimes have to travel miles out of their way in order to deceive the iiome guards, and other times they would pass themselves off to some good old lady as good " Union soldier>.'" They rode two days and nights, stopping only two or three iime> for a few moments to feed their horses. Late in the afternoon of the 20th they crossed the Cumberland at Williams' Ferry. Their horses were so fatigued by this time by constant riding through dee]> mud that they had to stop and let them rest; therefore they put up for the night with one Mr. Williams. With very great surprise and bewilderment did they learn next morning (2isi) that neither of their horses was able to travel, having eaten too much corn during the previou- night. Seeing that our boys were in distress, and fully realizing the situation, Mr. Williams, who liap])ened to be a kind, generous, noble-hearted Southern man, happily came to their relief by ordering a servan' to bring out a span of tine, fat, gray geldings. As soon as they were brought out and saddled Mr. Williams said, '• Here, boys, take these horses and keep them as long as you need them, and ride tlum as hard as yon phase.''' After returning heart-felt thanks to their kind host for such a great and unexpected favor from a stranger, oflered, too, with such a free good-will, the boys leaped into their saddles and pressed on to Gallatin that day. Here they had expected to take the cars for Bowling Green, Juit in this they were disappointed. The cars had been taken from that road and were then running in ti.e interest of Fort Donelson, which was now threat- ened by a heavy Federal force. After mailing the dispatch addres>ed to Memphis and holding a "council of war," they decidcil that McLin shoulil remain at Gallatin, while Thomas should get a fresh horse and proceed alone, as they felt that they were now out of dan- ger of home guards and "bush-whackers." Accordingly Thomas set out from DnisroN Heady Jeflerson Davis^ Vol. II., pp. 19 o 21. January, 1862. 125 Ex-President Davis concludes his criticism upon this affair thus : By General Crittenden . . . it is assumed tliat General ZoUi- coffer made a mistake in crossing to the right bank of the Cumber- land, and that thence it resulted as a consequence that General John- ston's right flank of his line through Bowling Green was uncovered I do not perceive the correctness of the conclusion, for it must be ad- mitted that General Zollicoffer's command was not adequate to resist the combined forces of Thomas and Schi'ipf (Schoepf), or that the Cumberland River was a sufficient obstacle to prevent them from •crossing either above or below the position at Mill Springs. General Zollicoffer may well have believed that he could better rz- sist the crossing of the Cumberland by removing to the right bank rather than by remaining on the left. The only difterence, it seems to me, would have been that he could have retreated without the discom- fiture of his force or the loss of his artillery and equipments, but in either case Johnston's right flank would have been alike uncovered To Zollicoffer and the brave patriots who fell with him, let praise, not censure, be given; and to Crittenden, let tardy justice render the meed due to a gallant soldier of the highest professional attainments, and whose fault, if fault it be, was a willingness to dare much in his country's service. -•- Captain AlHson, who was in command ot our battal- ion, ordered us to saddle our horses and be ready to move at a moment's warning; but he did not receive a single order during the day. Monday, 20th. — Some of our bo)s went down the river that morning before day to assist in bringing the wounded, on horses, back to a point out of range of the Federal guns. A few of the severely wounded had to be left on the north side of the river. Surgeon I). B. Cliff was allowed by General Thomas to accompany the remains of General Zollicoffer and Lieutenant Bailie Peyton to Louisville, Kentuck)-, and ■■The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government, l)y Jefferson Davis, Vol. II., p. 23. 12G E. T?. Hancock's Diary. from there, it General Buell would consent, to Nash- ville, Tennessee.* Having been sent with a dispatch to General Zolli- coffer's headquarters, a few days previous to his death, he invited me, though but a "high private," into his tent, offered me a drink of wine, and treated me with as much respect and politeness as if I had been his equal in rank. His men did not only have confidence in him as a commander, but he had been so good and so kind to them that they had learned to love him almost with filial affection. Hence the fall of our gallant leader was a desperate blow to the followers. x'\nd, unfortunately. General Crittenden had been with the command only sixteen days and General Carroll only four previous to this unfortunate event. To add to the demoralization of our little army, such rumors as the following were now afloat in camps : "Crittenden is drunk a good portion of the time." " He has a brother in the Federal army." " He is in sympathy with the North." " He will surrender us all to the Federals if he has a good opportunity," etc. It was thought by some that the Fifteenth Mississippi were so desperately mad that they would have shot him if they had had a good opportunity. It was said that he ordered the brigades to halt and fortif)- at Monti- cello, Kentucky, and that the colonels refused to obey orders. I give the above as rumors, allowing each reader to have his own opinion about them. But, whether true or untrue, they had a demoralizing effect upon the command. ♦Rebellion Records, Vol. VJI., p. 565. January, 1862. 127 On laniiary 27th the Hon. Landon C. Haynes wrote from Knoxville to President Davis thus: The Army of the Cumberland is utterly routed and demoralized. The result is regarded with the profoundest solicitude. Confidence is gone in the ranks and among the people. It must be restored. I am confident it cannot be done under Generals Crittenden and Carroll. I do not propose to inquire whether the loss of public con- fidence in Generals Crittenden and Carroll is ill or well founded. It is sufficient that all is lost. ........ I must think, as everybody else does, that there has been a great mistake made. . . . Cannot you, Mr. President, right the wrong by the immediate presence of a new and able man?-^ On the same date (27th) Governor Isham G. Harris dispatched thus to Hon. J. D. C, Atkins: Crittenden can never rally troops in East Tennessee. Some other general must be sent there.* We fell back to Monticello, nine miles from the river, unmolested by the Federals. The infantry and foot cavalry had quite a disagreeable march on account of so much mud. The command halted for the night about one mile south of Monticello — that is to say, a part of the command, for a good many besides our battalion kept moving homeward. There was nothing to have hindered us from bringing off all the camp equipage belonging to our battalion, as we were camping on the south side of the river, but in place of doing that we lost all, leaving our tents in flames, I suppose it was thought that the Federals would cross the river and follow us, but they did not. Col. McNairy being absent, the captains of our bat- talion held a consultation at Monticello, and after taking all things into consideration — no rations, camp equipage, ^tc, — they decided to disband, allow the men to go * Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 849. 12S li. li. Haxcock's Diary. home lor a few da)s, get a better supply of clothing and return to our command again. We had only gone about one mile from Monticello when Captain Parrish (Company C) halted, saying, "I am not willing to take so much responsibility upon my- self. I am going back to the command." So that caused a confusion, and the battalion began to scatter. Captain Parrish, fourteen of his company and one of our compan)- (J. R. l)oughcrt)) remained. The rest of the l.)attalion went home, being instructed to meet the command agrain at Gainesboro, on the Cumberland River, in Jackson County, Tennessee. We now trav- eled in small squads, on different roads. Lieutenant George Alexander, brother Ben (B, A. Hancock) and I, going in the direction of Jamestown, Tennessee, put up for the night within four miles of Wolf River. Tuesday, 21st. — One of our company, A. G. Ewing, was very sick, and had to be brought off in one of our conn)an)- wagons, driven by Jesse Jones. The team, be- ing ver)- thin in order and almost broken down, stalled at the bank ot \\ olf River. Ben and I, being mounted on good wagon horses, took out the jaded team, put in ours and brought Ewing on to Jamestown. Wednesday, 2 2d. — We moved out in the direction of White Plains; on the 23d we passed through White Plains, and on the 24th we crossed Caney F^ork River at Trousdale's Ferry, and stopped for the night at the Widow Allen's. Here we left Ewing in the care of Mr. Anderson French, a member of our battalion, who was afterwards lieutenant. He was to take Ewing by stage to his (Ewing's) uncle's, near Nashville. Ewing suf- fered a great deal during the trip. He was very low spirited. It seemed that he had just as soon die as live. February, 1862. 129 He frequently said to us, "Drive the wa^ night. Do not remember of doing the like any more during the war. Skugkant J. C. McAlKK). May, 18G2. 171 scouts. They told Captain McKnight that they had seen, early that morning, about five hundred Federal cavalry eight miles beyond Burnsville. After starting a dispatch back to Colonel McNairy, we went on to Burns- ville. We had been there only a short time when the enemy came in sight. Their advance guard, about fift}-, made a dash at us as though they were bent on our capture. They followed us about two and a half miles almost at full speed. As we were well mounted we all made our escape. They fired a few shots at us, but we escaped without injury. I do not now remember of be- ing in another such race during the war. About two miles further we found our battalion in ambush. In a short time McCulloch's Battalion, with one six-pounder, came up. Expecting the Federals were advancing, and finding a favorable position within about three miles of Burnsville, McCulloch's Battalion and a part of ours were deployed in battle line, while the other portion of our battalion (with McKnight's Company in front) moved on to meet the enemy. Going about one mile further, we halted and formed in ambush, while a small squad went on in search of the enemy. Going on to Burnsville, and finding the enemy had fallen back, we all returned to Jacinto a little before dark. Saturday, zifth. — The non-commissioned officers of our company were elected. The election resulted as follows : John D. McLin, First Sergeant; A. B. McKniglit, Second; R. R. Hancock, Third; and J. C. McAdoo, Fourth. (About one year afterward Sam Walker was made First Sergeant.) W. \V. Harrison, X. A. Baxter, W. W. Hawkins and C. Dougherty were, I think, the •corporals. 172 R. E. Hancocks Diary. Sunday, 2^th. — McKnight's Company went on a scout up the Tuscumbia road, but brought back no news of interest. Wednesday, 28th. — About noon McCulloch's Battal- ion moved out toward Burnsville, and just before sun- down ours followed. We found McCulloch within two miles of Burnsville. The Federals had been in town, but had fallen back. We dismounted, hitched our horses, and remained there all nio^ht. Thursday, 2gth. — After returning to Jacinto and cook- ing three days' rations, our battalion moved down to within one mile of Booneville, where our wagons had been stationed since we took quarters in the vacant houses of Jacinto, May 5th. We heard that the Fed- erals were marching down east of Jacinto, in the direc- tion of Booneville, but we thought that that must be a false report. Corinth was evacuated that night. Friday, jotk. — Between daylight and sunup about twelve hundred Federal cavalry surrounded Booneville, a small village station on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. There was one train of cars there and about five or six hundred Confederates, including the sick and their nurses, but there was no armed force there to defend the place. So the Federals had quietly taken possession of the place, set fire to the depot and train of cars, and had collected all the Confederates that were able to travel, and perhaps a number that were not really able, and formed them in line ready to march off, when about eighty of our battalion came upon the scene. Small as our squad was, we made a daring charge and released the prisoners. How they (the prisoners) did come yell- ing towards us! We then dropped back into the woods. May, 1802. 173 near by, and after a little skirmishing, the Federals with-* drew in time for us to save two boxes of cars and also the enorine. The train was loaded with arms and am- munition. Our loss w^as one killed (Culwell), three wounded, and it was said that the Federals carried off two prisoners, though the prisoners were not from our battalion. The Federal loss was two killed, several wounded, and nine prisoners. How those prisoners whom we released did appreciate being set at liberty! And they did not forget it, but continued to express their gratitude to our battalion when they happened to meet with any of us along through the war. The re- lease of five or six hundred prisoners, in the hands of twelve hundred Federals, by not exceeding eighty Con- federates, was no small feat. The Confederate Army was moving south along the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, in the direction of Boone- ville. So there was no little excitement in Confederate ranks on account of the explosion of the bombshells in the burning cars, being taken for heavy cannonading. However, they soon learned better, for it was not long before the head of the column passed Booneville. Our sick had to get out, or be taken out, of the depot to avoid being burned alive, so they were lying about on the ground, some dead and others in a dying condition ; so the scene was anything but a pleasant one to look upon. Our battalion moved back to the same place we camped the night before. Saturday, Jist. — After the rear of the infantry passed we moved on down, covering the retreat on the left flank. Two companies of Colonel Forrest's Regiment were with us. We bivouacked about six miles from Boonville. Our wagons moved on with the main army. 174 K. K. Hancock's Diary. Sunday, June isi — After a march of about ten miles through the woods, along by-paths, passing but few farms, we camped for the night in the woods, or rather in the bushes. Still in Tishamingo County. It is a large but rather poor county, though heavily timbered, mostly pine. Monday 2d. — ]\Ioving only about two miles, we stopped for the night on the road leading from Ja- cinto to Marietta. Had quite a hard rain in the even- o Tuesday, 3d. — Moving two miles again, -we halted for a few days at Marietta, a small village in Itawamba County, twenty-one miles from Jacinto. A part of the army stopped at Baldwin, a station on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, twelve miles west of Marietta, while the rest went further south. The wag- ons belonging to our battalions were at Baldwin. Friday, 6th. — McKnight's Company went on a scout toward Bay Spring. They brought no news of inter- est. Saturday, jth. — The battalion fell back almost three miles from Marietta. Sunday, 8th. — After a march of about seventeen miles on the Fulton road, we camped within a few hundred yards of the Tombigbee River, near where Colonel Bennett's Battalion was camped. AloJiday, gth. — We moved about two hundred yards and encamped on the bank of the Tombigbee. Our wagons were brought out to us, loaded with corn, pro- visions and cookinof vessels. Our tents were left at the railroad. Our wagons had not been with us, except Seventh Battalion. 175 two nights at Booneville, since they lelt us at Jacinto (May 5th). Fulton, the county seat of Itawamba County, w^as about one mile from our camp, on the east side of the Tombigbee, and about twenty-one miles from Marietta. IVedjiesday, iitJi. — We moved back and camped on higher ground, about one-half mile from the river. SKETCH OF SEVENTH BATTALION. I have been thinking that I would be able to incuce some member of Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cav- alr\-, to write up a sketch of said battalion ; but as I have not been able to do so I shall proceed to give a shtv't sketch of said battalion from its organization to the time it was consolidated with the First Battalion, as best I can, depending for data mainly upon Lieutenant B. A. High (Company E), who is the. only member of Seventh Battalion living near the writer. As the following company rolls have been made out from memor)- of surviving comrades, I do not by any means claim that they are complete, but, on the other hand, I expect that many errors will be found and many names omitted. thouQrh not intentional. COMPANY ROLLS OF BENNETT'S BATTALION. The following is the roll of Compan\- A.f Seventh Battalion Tennessee Cavalry : Bonde, H. B., Captain. Living in Texas. Montgomery, W. N., First Lieutenant, \.X t Baxter Smith was Captain of this Company when first organi/eti at Galla- tin, but as he was soon after made Major, H. B. Bonde was made Captain + Those whose names are followed by an 1 were living, and those whose names are followed by the letter d were dead when this and the following rolls were made out, in January, 1887. The star (') marks the unaccounted for. Those in small capitals surrendered May loth, 1865. 170 li'. li. Hancock's Diaky, Love, George, Second Lieutenant. Killed at Fort Pillow. H* Love, T. R.. Third Lieutenant, living in Sumner County. 'I'readway, X. W, First Sergeant.* Hamilton, T. P., Second Sergeant, 1. Solomon, H., Third Sergeant. Discharged and killed by accident.* Duncan, Fourth Sergeant.* Captured at Medon, West Tennessee.«« and mortally wounded July 15, 1864. * Bullock, Ed, First Corporal. Styles, John, Second Corporal. Living in Arkansas. Buck, Elias, Third Corporal. Died since the war. Johnson, G. W., Fourth Corporal, 1. Ayers, William. Killed near Paducah ^L^rch 25th, 1864.- Bayless, Richard, 1. Barnes, Tho. Captured at Columbia and died in prison.- Brazzel, Henry, 1. Blackmore, A. J., 1. Brown, George. Killed at Tory fight.* Brown, William. Wounded and captured at Medon, Tennessee, • and mortally wounded July 14, 1864. « Baley, Ed, 1. Captured at Corinth while courier for General Beal.* Buck, John, 1. Belcher, John, 1. Clenny, Henry, 1. Carr, John D. Living at Hartsville. ^Vounded April 2d, 1S65. Carter, W. N., 1. Discharged at Corinth, t Conley, Pat.* Cantrell, J. NL Living at Gallatin. || Wounded July 14th, 1864.-' Crocket, Tho., 1. Dodd, J. K. (Tobe), 1. Wounded slightly at Medon, Tennessee;- •captured by Grierson raid,' and wounded again at Fort Pillow in Ajjril. .• 1864.11 Dobbins, G. B. Living in Kentucky. Duffer, R. A.* Discharged at Corinth May, 1862.' Eaton, Alph. Died at Corinth in 1862. * Elliott, E. O. Living at Gallatin. || Elliott, S. F. Living in Sumner County. Transferred from W. • B. Bate's Regiment at Murfreesboro in February, 1862. Franklin, John. Killed at Shiloh April 7th. 1862. »" Feeling, William, 1. II See Appendix A. Seventh Battalion. 177 Franklin, S. C. , 1. Franklin, A. R., 1. Faidley, Charles. Died at Gallatin of cholera in 1873. Gillespie, Dr. J. F., 1. Holder, John, d. Discharged at Corinth in 1862.' Harlen, Stephen, 1. Harrel, John, 1. Captured at Port Hudson in July, 1863, while- courier for General Beale. Henley, George, 1. Captured with John Harrel." Henley, James. Captured near Bolivar, Tennessee; died at Camp ' Douglass. Harris, O. B., d. Captured at Medon, Tennessee, in 1862.* Hunter, J. C. Killed at Shiloh, April 7th, 1862. o Harper, VV. T., 1. Ireland, R. M., 1. Joiner, Tho., I. Jarvis, J. L.* King, Dempsey, 1. Captured near Bolivar, Tennessee, and sent tov •Camp Douglass. King, Joe, 1. Lee, Alfred, d. Lee, John. Killed at Town Creek, July 15th, 1864.* Love, S. W. Living in Gallatin; wounded at Fort Pillow.^ Love, H. E. Living in Gallatin. Love, G. W. Killed accidentally since the war. McCormack, James, 1. Martin, J. D., 1. Captured in Mississippi, but mape his escape.- Murphrey, John.* Moore, John, 1. McCarty, Pat.* Moses, S. D., 1. May, W. H., 1. Owsley, William, 1. Porter, Jack.* Captured at Woodburn, Kentucky, in 1862.* Rickman, W. T., 1. Wounded July 13th, 1864." Renfro, Pleas. Died at Corinth in 1862. » Ray, Alex., 1. Ray, Sid., 1. Captured near Bolivar, Tennessee, sent to Camp Douglass. Ryan, James, d. Wounded July 13th. 1864. 12 178 K. R. Hancock's Diary. Shaw, James. Died in hospital at or near Okolona, in 1862.* Seay, George.* Seay, WiUiam T.* Discharged at Corinth, May, 1862.'' Tompkins, John. Living at Gallatin. Captured near Bolivar, • Tennessee, and sent to Camp Douglass, 111. Thompson, John. Killed at Shiloh April 7th, 1862. » Wells, W. T. , 1. Captured at West Point, Mississippi, and sent to « Camp Douglass, 111. Wells, James, 1. Williamson, Rush, d. Wilson, R. I., 1. Youree, Peter, 1. Youree, Charles, 1. Company B, Seventh Battalion Tennessee Cavalry, was mustered into service at Hartsville. in October, 1 86 1, by Baxter Smith. The following is the roll of said Company : Bennett, C. L., Captain, d. Allen, R. B., First Lieutenant, 1. Stalker, J. D., Second Lieutenant, 1. Sory, John, Third Lieutenant, 1. Martin, Z. W., First Sergeant, 1. Carman, T. J., Second Sergeant, 1. Bennett, Wm., Third Sergeant, 1. Blackwell, Geo., Fourth Sergeant, 1. Fleemon, James, First Corporal, 1. Kerley, B. P., Second Corporal, 1. Day, James, Third Corporal, d, Bradley, T. M. Fourth Corporal, 1. Allen, Chilton, 1. Buckingham, P. T. Captured Allen, Arch, 1. on Hood raid, andsenttoCamp Averitt, J. D.-i' Chase. Ball, Boney, 1. Buckingham, Tho., 1. Blankenship, Joel, 1. Wounded • Burrow, William, 1. at Britton's Lane Sept. I, 1862. Burrow, Joe.* Wounded at « Brown, Burnett. Wounded at Shi-* Britton's Lane Sept. i, 1862. loh and died soon after. Bass, Rup.in.* Wounded at • Burk, John,* Courtland, Ala. Burk, William.* Carman, William.* Seventh Battalion. 179 Crank, T. J., 1. Crank, John, 1. Curtis, Joe.* Curtis, Ben.* Captured at Cor- inth May, 1862. • Cakr, J. C, 1. Carr, Nute, 1. Wounded at Padu-' cah, Ky., March, 1864. Carr, LaFayette.* Collins, R. L.* Collins, John.* Dobbins, R. B., d. Captured near. Florence, Alabama, October, 1864. DeBow, W. A., d. Wounded at^ Harrisburg, July 14, 1864. Made Captain and Major. Day, William, d. Dixon, Pate, 1. Draper, Jeff.* Dixon, Step., 1. Dui^Micajah, 1. Duke, Wm., 1. Wounded at Fort' Pillow April 12, 1864. Donaho, Charlie, d. Earls, Dink, d. Fuller, John, d.* Fleemon, Joe, 1. Gammons, Eli, d. Gammons, Caleb, d. Gammons, William, 1. Hall, John C* Hall, Richard, died at Corinth, c Miss. Harris, Elijah.* Huchison, John.* Hassion, Jack.* Hughes, James, d. HoUins, Charlie, killed by jay-« hawkers Oct. i, 1862. Harland, Steph., 1. Wounded •• near Cherokee, Ala., Oct. 21, 1863. J entry, Sam.* Jentry, Simon, d. Jenkins, Yancy, 1. Jacobs, M. v.* Jackson, Tho. , d. Jones, Charlie, 1. Jackson, Green, 1. James, John, 1. Jentry, Louis.* Kerley, John, 1. Kerley, William, 1. McMurtry, James, 1. Maddox, Joe, killed at Medon,- Tenn., Aug. 31, 1862. Meadors, Kit, 1. Meadors, Wesley, 1. Meadors, Jehu, d. Marshall, Franklin, 1. Captured » near Florence, Ala., Oct. 8, 1864. Marshall, Frank, 1. Nixon, Tho., d. Captured near * Florence, Ala., Oct. 8, 1864. Ouhls, William, died at Corinth,* Miss., 1862. Payne, F. R., 1. Piper, Sam, wounded at Shiloh, • and died at Corinth, Miss. Piper, Jeff.* Parker, Wylie, d. Parker, William, 1. Parker, Nute, 1. Parker, E. B., d. Petigo, Henry.* Reese, B. P., 1. Captured on* Hood raid, and sent to Camp- Chase. 180 R. R. Hancock's Diary. Ragland, Wilse, d. Smithwick, T. M., 1. Roark, William.* Smithwick, Lon, 1. Roark, Joel.-'= Stein, E. P., 1. Stafford, S. T. , d. Turner, Granville, 1. Stafford, Tennessee, died at Cor-« Turner, Herrod, 1. inth. Miss. Thurman, Jesse, 1. Stafford, Tom, 1. ^ Throp, F. W., 1. Captured near ♦ Stafford, A.* Columbia, Tenn., on Under- Stafford, Sam, d. wood expedition. Sacra, H. S.* Violett, William, died at Corinth,* Shrum, Joiner.* Miss., 1862. Shrum, William.* Walton, John.* The following list contains the names of those who were transferred from the Second Tennessee Infantry (Colonel W. B. Bate) at Corinth : Brevard, Goldman, 1. near Columbia, Tenn, on Un- DeBow, Richard, d. derwood expedition. DeBow, Grant, 1. Mills, Dero, 1. Lauderdale, John.* Oglesby, James P., 1. Luster, William.* Wounded at Seav, George E., 1. Made- Medon, Tenn.,* and captured Lieutenant -and Captain. Ward, John, d. Company C was made up in Sumner County and or- ganized into a company at Castalian Springs, about midway between Hartsville and Gallatin. This company roll is as follows : Tyree, E. P., Captain. Died since the war. Mentlow, J. A., First Lieutenant, 1. Bentley, J. M., Second Lieutenant, d. Patterson, W. C, Third Lieutenant. Living in Sumner County, Tennessee. Young, Joe, First Sergeant. Died in Alabama in March, 1862.' Youree, T. J., Second Sergeant, 1. Made Lieutenant in June, 1862.1- Harlin, Henry, Third Sergeant. Went to Texas. Bentley, Tho. H. Living in Sumner County. Phillips, William, First Corporal. Went to North Carolina. Parsons, Baker, Second Corporal, 1. Seventh Battalion. 181 Maddox, AVilburn, Third Corporal. Left tn Mississippi. Clifton, Joshua, Fourth Corporal. Went to Arkansas. Aldrage, Alex, 1. Askew, C. M., died since the war. Brown, George, 1. Bird, Dabney, 1. Byrns, John, 1. Captured near' Bolivar, Tenn., Feb. 5, 1864. Corum, Abiga, died on the way- • home from Corinth in 1862. Corum, William, 1. Cockes, William I., died in Ala- bama March, 1862.' Compton, Ben., died since the war. Cannon, David, died at Corinth - in 1862. Cannon, Berry, 1. Cloay, John, killed at Shiloh April* 7th, 1862. Cloay, Jones, died on the way home' from Corinth in 1862. Clark, Sam, d. Chambers, Jack. Went to Texas. Connor, Sam.* Uickerson, James R., killed at Cherokee, Ala., Oct. 21, 1863. Echols, J. B., discharged at Cor- inth in 1862. Grantham, Carroll, 1. Harrison, Dr. J. W. , living at Cairo, Sumner County, Tenn.f Jinkins, Mason, 1. Jackson, Dock, 1. Luster, Charlie, 1. Lockett, Eli, 1. Captured July 14,- 1864; now in Mississippi. Maddox, Feeling, 1. Marlin, Henry, 1. Oneal, William.* Pruett, Pall, 1. Posey, Robert, d. Parrish, Horace. Went to Texas. Ramsey, William (Mack), living in Wilson County. Ramsey, \"ol, living in Wilson County. Robertson, Nat., 1. Transferred' from W. B. Bate's Regiment at Marfreesboro. Robertson, William, 1. Stinson, Joe.* Shelton, Benton, d. Taylor, William, 1. Turnage, Alex (Sandy), died since the war. Williams, Henry, died since the war. Wilks, Ashley, died on the way ^ home from Corinth, Miss. Wilks, Ulysses, 1. Wicks, William, 1. Williams, J. G., 1. Walker, Noah.* Wynn, Robert, 1. Young, Rich, died at Gallatin in » 1861. Young, Tom, died since the war. Youree, W. B., transferred to *• Bate's Regiment and killed near Atlanta, Ga. \'ouree, F. W. , living near Gal- latin. t tSee A]ipendix A. 182 R. K. Hancock's Diary. Company I) was 'made up and organized in the north- western portion of Sumner County. A few men from the south-eastern portion of Robertson County joined this company. It was mustered into service at Fountain Head, some twelve miles north of Gallatin, in October, 1 86 1. The following is the company roll: Griffin, M. T., Captain. Raised another company, and died in prison. Cole, A. F. , First Lieutenant, 1. Jackson, Alfred, Second Lieutenant, living eleven miles north- west of Gallatin. Jones, A., Third Lieutenant.* Armstrong, Elias, First Sergeant, living in Sumner County. Brinkley, J. A., Second Sergeant, afterward Captain, living at Ve- * rona, Mississippi. t Brinkley, J. K., Third Sergeant, 1. Wounded at Fort Pillow April • 12, 1864. Corkian, W. L., Fourth Sergeant, 1. Jackson, William, First Corporal, 1. Wilson, William, Second Corporal, 1. Brinkley, H. A., Third Corporal, 1. Kelley, Samuel, Bugler, died in Mississippi in October, 1862.* Austin, t James T., 1. Wounded' CoUey, William, 1. April 24, 1863, and July 13, Crabb, William, 1. 1864. Made Lieutenant June,* Cummings, James, d. 1862. Denning, John E., transferred* Briley, John, 1. from Wi;lliam B. Bate's Regi- Briley, Elisha, mortally wounded ment and killed at Harrisburg at Pulaski, Tenn., Sept. 27, 1864. July 14, 1864. t ♦ Briley, Howard, 1. Edwards, William, captured at Bailey, Samuel, 1. Guntown, and died in prison. Boling, Crockett, 1. Eidson, William, d. Biggs, Sandy, 1. Foster, John, 1. Blackard, (ireen, 1. Friece, J. V. W., d. Baldridge Charles. 1. Garrett, Sam, 1. tSee Appendix A. J Ibid. Seventh Battalion. 183 Gilbert, J. W., 1. Hames, Andrew, killed at Mud Creek June 20, 1863. • Harden, Joseph, d. Harden, Robert, died during the war. Harden, Calvin, 1. Hester, W. B., 1. Captured near Rienzi, Miss. Harden, James, d. Hames, William.* Hall, Simon, died at Ramon, Miss.' Houston, Erby, 1. Jackson, John, 1. Jackson, James, 1. Captured and" paroled at Okolona, Miss., in December, 1862. Johnson, Robert, 1. Johnson, John, died in 1862.- Kinkade, Eli, 1. Link, Dock, 1. Link, James, 1. Wounded at Fort* Pillow April 12, 1864. Link, Thomas, 1. Wounded near ♦ Cherokee, Ala., Oct. 21, 1863. Lanier, J. R., 1. Now (1887) a physician in Sumner County. Legg, William, 1. Legg, David, 1. Louis, Jolm, 1. Martin, George, 1. Mackey, J. B., 1. Morras, J. F., d. Moore, Joseph, 1. Owen, William, killed in Sumner^ County. Pennell, Newsom,t living in Nashville. Made Third Lieu-** tenant June 12, 1863.. Pitt, Bridger, 1. Rigsby, S. B., 1. Roberts, Dock, 1. Roberts, George, died since the war. Roberts, Henry, died since the war. Shaw, James, 1. Summers, Joseph, 1. Strother, William, d. Trauber, William, d. Warren, Wash, 1. Wounded at ' Okolona Feb. 22, 1864. Wilkerson, Charles, wounded at Shiloh,' and captured near •Bolivar, Tenn. '^ West, W. W., 1. Williams, G. B., killed in Ken-* tucky during Hood raid. Williams, John, d. Captured* near Bolivar, Tenn. Wilkerson, LaFayette, 1. Wilkerson, George.* Walton, John, 1. Walker, Tom, d. Winn, Whit, 1. Winn, William, d. Wounded at * Manassas and transferred from W. B. Bate's Regiment. Nimmo, J. B., d. Company E was raised in Smith County, Tennessee, organized at New Middleton, and mustered into service at Epperson Springs, in Macon County. Tennessee, on t See Ap])emlix A. 184 R. R. Hancock's Diary. the i/th clay of October, 1861. The following is the roll of said company : Gates, A. B., Captain. Eastes, J. M., First Lieutenant. Made Captain in 1863. Mortally wounded July 13th, i864.t ' High, B. A., Second Lieutenant, 1. Bowen, John, Third Lieutenant. Allen, Tobe, 1. Hogge, Vit, killed in Smith Allen, Riley, 1. County, Tennessee, t Andrews, Sam, d. Hoges, Robert, died at Corinth, * Allison, Lee.* Mississippi. Boulton, Gideon, d. Jones, Allen.* Boram, Merido, d. Captured near* Jones, Dan., d. New Middleton, Tenn. Johnson, Shed., 1. Barrett, George, d. Luster, J. B. Quartermaster of Barrett, L Jock, d. Captured at Seventh Battalion. Now (1887) Rienzi, Miss., August 26, 1862.' Bradford, J. R. Bugler of Sev- enth Battalion and Second Ten- nessee Regiment. Died near New Middleton in 1882. Bayken, Jink, d. Clark, William, died at Corinth.* Carnett, John.* Denney, Brown, 1. Dickerson, Tom, died in West Tennessee. Dickerson, James, died since the war. editor of Carthage Mirror. Lawrence, J. J. Ligon, Ned.* Ligon, Tim.* Matthews, Mat., 1. McMurry, John.* McGhee, Charlie, d. Moore, B. H., 1. Orderly Ser- geant, Lieutenant, and Cap- tain. Wounded in December^ i864.t- Minton, Carroll, 1. Merritt, A. V., 1. Eastes, Tho. J. Wounded Aug.« Moore, Dudley, 1. Nichol, Wm., killed at Mur- * freesboro December 7, 1864. Nichol, George, 1. 8, 1863, while on private scout. Now (1887) a Baptist preacher. Fuller, Tho., 1. Was a prisoner from September 9th, 1863, to * Pope, N. C, 1. Wounded at March 3d, 1865. Paducah March 25, 1864, Fultes, J. D., 1. Paschal, M. F. M. Captured Huddleston, Coon, 1. Captured » July 13, 1864., Died in De- in Wilson County, Tennessee. cember, 1886. tSee Apiiendix A. Sbvekth Battalion, 185- Reeves, David, killed October 26,* Taylor, Vince.* 1863 — "Tory fight. "' Thompson, William, killed July* Robertson, Dave, d. 13. 1864. by sun-stroke. Robertson, William R.. killed Oc-« Thompson, V. D. (Tobe), L* tober ist, 1862. by Kansas jay- Captured Dec. 25. 1864. hawkers. Trousdale, Harvey, died at Cor-* Robertson, A. A., 1. Captured' inth. Miss., in 1862.- Sept. 27, 1862. by Seventh Kan- White. William.* sas. White, Bud.* Rittenberry, L. J., d. Wilhoit, Buck.* Stephens, John, d. Wilhoit.* Sanders, John, d. Williams, Goolsberry.* Sqlires, William, died ten days Williams, Barnett. d. after his return home. Wooton, John. 1. Saddler, William. 1. Wounded* Wooton. James.* on Hood raid while private scout West. W. C, living near Car- I'or General Buford. thage. Wounded July 14th, ' Sampson, J.. 1. 1864. Tvree, John. 1. Wilkerson, Dock, 1. On the 19th of October, 1861. at Epperson Springs,. Macon County. Tennessee, the five companies pre- viously mentioned were organized into a battaHon^ known as the SEVENTH BATTALION, TENNESSEE CAVALRY, by electing the following field and staff officers : James D. Bennett, Lieutenant-Colonel. t Baxter Smith, Major. J. B. Luster, Acting Quartermaster. E. O. Elliott, Lieutenant and Adjutant. T. Winston, Surgeon, J. W. Harrison, Assistant Surgeon. Horace Paris, Commissary. J. R. Bradford, Bugler. Haney, Chaplain. Another company (F), whose roll is given below, was organized at Gallatin and added to the Seventh Battal- t See Appendix A. 186 R. H. Hancock's Diaky. ion after it was organized as above mentioned. This company was made up as follows : Thomas Puryear (afterward Captain) had enlisted a number of men along the Cumberland River, in the southern portion of Sumner and the northern portion of Wilson Counties ; but as he did not have enough for a full company, and as Captain Bonde's and Captain Ben- nett's Companies had by this time grown to be too large (the latter had increased to about one hundred and thirty men), enough men were detached from those two companies (A and B) to complete, with Puryear's en- listment, the sixth and last company of Bennett's Bat- talion. Odom, J. T. E., Captain. Living in Sumner County. Puryear, Thomas, First Lieutenant, d.t Andrews, Robert, Second Lieutenant, d. Terry, Kib, Third Lieutenant, 1. Vance, William, First Sergeant, 1. Stafford, Sam., Second Sergeant, I. Averett, Jared (Mars), killed near Dickens, John, 1. Wounded at * Florence, Ala., Oct. 7, 1864. « Franklin, Tenn., December, Armstrong, William J., d. Cap-* 1864. tured at Rienzi, Miss., Aug. 26, Dickens, Jesse.* 1862. Dannel, Cricket, d. Buck, Jeff., 1. Driver, Daniel.* Buck, Elias, 1. Fowler, Thomas, 1. Barteau, C. R., 1. Transferred Grant, Ed., 1. from Company B. Afterward Grant, Wills, d. Colonel of Second Tennessee Griffin, J. P., 1. Regiment Cavalry. f- Harshaw, James, d. Barbour, Henry, missing at Shiloh* Houston, Eli.* "" Carothers, Marion, 1. Hager, George F., 1. Trans- Dias, W. W., 1. ferred from Sixth Kentucky Dyer. Gibs.* Regiment at Corinth.;]; » Drury, James, killed July 13. 1X64.' James, John.* tSee Appendix A. J Il)icl. Seventh Battalion'. 187 Lasater, Sol., 1. Siddons, George L., living at* Mason, James, d. Selma, Ala. Made Lieu ten- Mason, Ed., 1. ant in 1864. McCuUoch, David, 1. Siddons, Gilbert, 1. Mansfield, P. E., d. Siddons, J. K., 1. Mahorn, P. R., 1. Siddons, James, 1. Petway, T. W.,1. Wounded April f Smith, John, 1. 2d, 1865. Talley, Rev. S. C, 1. Chaplain Petway, J. M., 1. of Second Tennessee Cavalry. Puryear, Elijah, 1. Templeton, Ab. , 1. Puryear, William, d. Trout, Bird, d. Priar, George, 1. ' Thurman, Wallace, 1. Pruett, James.* Thurman, Monroe, 1. Puryear, D. C, 1. Vance, James, Sr., 1. Ramsey, Z. B., 1. Vance, James, Jr., d. Rose, Henry, 1. \'ance, John, 1. Wounded July * Rutledge, J. W., 1. 14, 1S64. Stephens, John, d. Woodard, James, 1. Smith, John, 1. Woods, Sam, 1. ' Southerland, William.* White, William, d. Stafford, William, 1. White, Bud, 1. After the organization (as previously mentioned) of the Seventh BattaHon at Epperson Springs, Macon County, Tennessee, near the Kentucky hne. the)- re- mained encamped at that place about four weeks, mean- while doing picket duty and scouting along the southern border of Kentucky. About the 17th of November, 1861, Lieutenant-Colo- nel Bennett moved his battalion from Epperson Springs to a large woods lot near one Mr, Chinault's, about six miles north-east of Gallatin, Tennessee; and after re- maining there about one week his ne.xt camping place was about one mile north of Scottsville, Allen County, Kentucky. Colonel Bennett was now instructed to keep out scouts and guard well the right Hank of General Buck- 188 R. R. Hancock's Diary. ner's army, the main portion of which was now at Bowl- ing Green. Therefore, soon after reaching Scottsville, Colonel Bennett threw out scouting parties, with in- structions to guard the line of Green River below Co- lumbia. One of these scouts, composed of about thirty men, was under the command of Lieutenant B. A. High, Company F". He threw his men out to the line of Green River, on the extreme Confederate right, near Columbia, which was at that time occupied by the enemy. It was while out on this expedition that he and his scout captured the Major of Colonel Crane's Kentucky Regiment and some four or five others. While at Scottsville, Captain Bonde's Company (A) was detached, with instructions to report to General Buckner at Bowling Green. About the first week in December the Seventh Bat- talion moved from Scottsville, Kentucky, to Gallatin, Tennessee, encamping at the race-tracks, about one mile north of town. Lieutenant High's scout did not rejoin the battalion until a few days after it had moved to Gallatin. About this time Captain Tyree's Com- pany (C) was detached to guard the Cumberland River from Carthage to Celina, and also to guard the supplies which were now being laiided at or between those places, to be conveyed by wagon from there to Zolli- coffer's army at Mill Springs. Having previously done but little drilling, it was while encamping at Gallatin that Major Cheneworth, a Kentuckian, commenced the work of thoroughly drill- ing and disciplining the Seventh Battalion. That of- ficer remained with the battalion as drill master until after the battle of Shiloh. Bonde's and Tyree's Companies having previously Seventh Battalion. 189 rejoined the battalion at Gallatin, Colonel Bennett was ordered, in January, 1862, to divide his battalion into detachments, placing one at each of the various bridges along the railroad for some distance above and below Gallatin. He was also instructed to keep a scout in the vicinity of Columbia to watch the movements of the enemy in that quarter, and also to protect the couriers who occasionally passed between General A. S. John- ston at Bowling Green and General G. B. Crittenden at Mill Springs. Accordingly he ordered Lieutenant High to take a squad of men and go to that vicinity for the purposes above named. In fact, having learned by this time that High was a true and trusty scout, Colonel Bennett kept him in that branch of service nearly all the time. High had the " Home Guards," who were now scattered all through that portion of country, to contend with and look after, as well as the regular Federal sol- diers. The service which he was now called upon to perform was very dangerous. It was he who reported to General Johnston that General Thomas was moving upon General Crittenden at Mill Springs, and soon after reported the defeat of the Confederates at Fishing Creek. When the Confederate army was falling back from Bowling Green to Nashville, about the middle of Feb- ruary. 1862, Colonel Bennett was ordered to ''keep the track clear '^ along that portion of the railroad which his battalion was still guarding. Whereupon Lieuten- ant Hiofh, who in the meantime had been called in from Kentucky, was instructed to take charge of an engine and see that the above order was strictly obeyed. To use his own language, he "made all trains either move on or get upon a side-track, ivlietker they could or not." After the Confederate army had all fallen back from 190 R. R. Hancock's Diary. Bowling Green to Nashville, the several detachments of the Seventh Battalion moved to the latter place, and, crossing the Cumberland River on the wire bridge, ren- dezvoused near the Lunatic Asylum, on the IMurfrees- boro turnpike, six miles from Nashville. As soon as all the detachments of his battalion had crossed the Cum- berland and joined him at the above named camp, Colo- nel Bennett moved on to Murfreesboro. where he halted but a few days. At the reorganization of Johnston's army at Murfreesboro, on the 23d of February, the Seventh Battalion was attached to Hindman's Brigade, Hardee's Division. On the 28th Johnston put his army in motion south- ward from Murfreesboro, with Hindman's Brigade (with which Bennett now moved) in advance. Passing on through Shelbyville, F"ayetteville and Athens, the ad- vance of Johnston's army arrived at Decatur, Alabama, about the loth of March. The Seventh Battalion crossed the Tennessee River on the railroad bridge and encamped about one mile from town. From Gallatin Lieutenant B. A. High (Company E) went by the way of Smith County after some of his company who were at home on furlough. At Carthage he found a large lot of rations and clothing, which had been shipped to that point from Nashville for Critten- den's Division, and had been left for want of trans- portation. Having collected together about ten of Gates' Company (E), High pressed all the wagons that he could in that vicinity and sent the main portion of these stores from Carthage to McMinnville, to be shipped south from there by rail. He with his ten men then joined the battalion before it had crossed the Ten- nessee, as previously mentioned. Seventh Battalion. 191 The wagons and artillery were being brought across the river on the cars, but on account of a long levee they had to be put on the cars about two miles from the river. The work of crossing the trains appeared to be progressing quite slowly, for the Seventh Battalion had now been on the south side of the river about two days, and yet its train had not arrived. Colonel Ben- nett went to General Armstrong, who was in command of the post, and complained that his men were suffering, as they had neither rations nor camp equipage, and re- quested that officer to either have his train brought over or allow his men to cross back to the train. Arm- strong replied that everything was in confusion on the other side of the river, and therefore he could not have the wagon trains brought over as fast as he wished. I suppose that it was at the suggestion of Colonel Ben- nett that Lieutenant High was now sent for and in- structed by General Armstrong to cross the river and superintend the loading of artillery and wagons. And, notwithstanding General Floyd was present when High reached the scene, the former stepped aside, after a few rather short words had been passed, and the latter soon brought order out of confusion, and sent the wagons and artillery across as fast as it could possibly be done. After remaining at Decatur some five or six days, Bennett moved down to Courtland, where he halted a few days, and then moved on to Corinth, Mississippi, by the way of Tuscumbia and luka. Being immediately thrown out on outpost duty, the battalion camped for several days about three or four miles north of Corinth, near Farmington, doing picket duty and scouting between there and the Tennessee River. 192 R. R. Hakcocfc's Diary. About the ist of April Colonel Bennett was ordered to move his battalion trom Farniington to Purdy, Mc- Nairy County, Tennessee, about twenty miles north of Corinth, and there report to General Cheatham. Purdy is about thirteen miles north-west of Pittsburg Landing, where the Federal arm)- under General Grant had pre- viously landed. The right wing of said army was only about eight miles from Purdy. Owing to the near proximity of the enemy, Cheatham now kept the Sev- enth Battalion on constant hard duty, and with alacrity did they perform all duty required of them. About the 3d, Lieutenant High was instructed to take thirty men and pass over certain roads to see if they were occupied by the enemy, after which he could go where he pleased. After examining said roads and finding no enemy on either, he ordered his men to halt while he and Lieutenant R. B. Allen (Company B) rode nearer the enemy's camp. About this time a skirmish was heard going on some distance south, and as the Federals ran up on a ridge to see what was going on south of their camp, High and Allen rode into their camp from the north side. Seeing two Federals sitting on a log near by, Allen shot and, as afterward learned, mortally wounded one of them. After which High and Allen rejoined the scout and returned to camp near Purdy. On the 4th Captain A. B. Gates' Company was de- tached and sent to guard a bridge on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, near Falcon, about six miles south of Purdy. I^elieving that a fight was near at hand (John- ston was then moving upon C^'irant at Shiloh), two of Gates' Company (Lieutenant High and Private W. C. West) remained with the battalion. On the 5th Cheatham's Division, including the Sev- Seventh Battalion. 103 enth Battalion, moved from Purdy and joined the main Confederate army in front of Shiloh. On the 6th Johnston attacked Grant in the vicinity of Shiloh Church ; and as I have previously given an account of the Battle of Shiloh, I shall say but little more about it here. Owing to the nature of the ground the cavalry could not be handled to much advantage, and hence they did not do a great deal of hard fight- ing, yet they did valuable service in guarding the flanks. Polk's Corps, to which Cheatham's Division belonged, constituted the third line of battle, with Cheatham's Division on the left. Lieutenant High commanded the advance guard in front of Cheatham's Division. This guard was composed of a detachment from the Seventh Battalion and perhaps some other cavalry. When High struck Sherman's Division, to the left of the Shiloh Church, he fell back behind the Confederate infantry, with instructions from Cheatham to form all the cavalry belonging to his division on the left of it. As Colonel Bennett was moving in the rear of the cavalry, when he moved around and formed on the left of Cheatham's Division he was also on the extreme Confederate left. As Sherman had had time to form his men before at- tacked by Cheatham's Division, it was in this quarter of the field that the hardest fighting was done, though Sherman was soon forced to yield his favorable position and fall back toward the Tennessee River. Suffice it to say that the Seventh Battalion cheerfully and promptly did all that was required of it throughout the two days' fiofhtiuCT, In reference to the surrender of General Prentiss, which occurred during the first day's fighting, Lieuten- ant B. A. High says: 13 194 R. R. Hancock's Diary. When the Confederate right drove back the Federal left I saw that we had got in advance of a portion of the enemy's line to our left. Believing that the Federals thus cut off would surrender if asked to da so, I immediately rode out leftward in their rear, or rather in their front, as they had turned to fall back, and when I met General Pren- tiss he handed me his sword, saying : " To whom have I the honor of surrendering?" I accepted his surrender, but handed his sword, back to him. As the Confederates fell back toward Corinth, Lieu- tenant High was sent to Falcon to order Captain Cates*^ Company and the wagon train of Cheatham's Division to Corinth. During the two days' fighting at Shiloh the Seventh Battalion lost four (John Thompson, John Franklin and J. C. Hunter, Company A, and John Cloay, Company C) killed, about two (Sam Piper and Burnett Brown^ Company B) wounded, and two (Henry Barbour and Daniel Driver) missing. When the Seventh Battalion moved from Farmington to Purdy, A. V. Merritt (Company E) was left sick near the former place. When the advance of the Fed- eral army reached that vicinity, some time after the battle of Shiloh, General Grant established his head- quarters for several days at the same house. Merritt, who in the meantime had been concealed up-stairs, could hear Grant talking to his officers, giving his or- ders, and thus he learned what that general expected to do, the movements of his army, etc. In a few days, however, our army drove the Federals back from the neighborhood of Farmington, and Merritt, who was able for duty by this time, rejoined his command. I omitted an incident in reference to the battle of Shiloh which is worthy of mention. It is this: Captain Griffin, Company D, Seventh Battalion, had a negro LlKlTKNANT P.. A. HIGH, Cn. C. Seventh Battalion. 196 cook with him, who was in the habit of shouldering his gun and going with the boys whenever a fight was up. During the battle of Shiloh this negro managed to get hold of two prisoners, and as he was bringing them from the field he met two or three other F"ederals, who made an attempt to rescue their comrades. The negro, making a bold defense, repulsed his assailants, with the loss of one killed,* and succeeded in brinorino- off his two prisoners. The Seventh Battalion suffered heavy loss from sick- ness while camping around Corinth. Alf Eaton, Pleas Renfroe (Company A), Richard Hall, William Ouhls, Tennessee Stafford, Burnett Brown. Sam Piper and William Violett (Company B), David Cannon (Com- pany C), and William Clark, Robert Hoges and Harvey Trousdale (Company E) were among the number who died near Corinth in April and May. William N. Carter, John Holder, W. T. Seay and R. A. Duffer (Company A), Abijah Crum.f Jones Cloay.f Ashley Wilkes f and J. B. Echols (Company C) were discharged at Corinth. While the Federals were advancing on Corinth dur- ing the month of May, the Seventh Battalion, being on outpost duty, was skirmishing with the enemy almost daily up to the evacuation of that place, which took place on the night of the 29th of May. Then moving by short and easy marches southward, along the east side of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, the Seventh Bat- talion encamped, about the 9th of June, on a flat ridge in Itawamba County, Mississippi, about one mile and a half west of Inilton. It was at this camp that the Sev- *I saw this Federal after he had been thus killed. — B. A. High. t Died before reaching home. 196 . K. K. Hancock's Diary. enth Battalion, by consolidation with the Pirst, ceased to exist on the !2th day of June, 1862. Lieutenant-Colonel James D. Bennett, Major Baxter Smith, all six of the captains and a number of the lieu- tenants returned to their homes in Middle Tennessee, though the majority of them engaged in service after- ward in other commands. However, Captain J. T. E. Odom returned soon after to the Second Tennessee, and did valuable and gallant service with it. REORGANIZATION OF BENNETT'S BATTALION. Near Fulton, Mississippi, on the 12th of June, 1862, the Seventh Battalion reorganized and re-enlisted for ^' three years or during the war." In this reorganization and consolidation the six companies of Bennett's Bat- talion were reduced to four, as follows : Bonde's and Tyree's Companies (A and C) were con- solidated and became Company D of Second Regiment Tennessee Cavalry, commanded by Captain William T. Rickman; Captain Bennett's Company (B) became Company E of Second Tennessee, commanded by Cap- tain W. A. DeBow; Captain Griffin's Company (D) became Company F of the Second Tennessee, com- manded by Captain John A. Brinkley ; and Odom's and Cates' Companies (E and F) were consolidated and became Company G of the Second Tennessee, com- manded by Captain Thomas Puryear. The following is a list of those who joined Rickman's Company at various times after June 12th, 1862 : Abston, Henry.* McAlister, Sank, 1. Bonner, Robert, 1. Payne, E. S., 1. Bracking, William.* Robertson, John, 1. y^ouglass, James.* Raney, James, d. Douglass, William, 1. Sanford, George.* QoUglass, Robert, 1. Stoveall, Gallie, 1. Douglass, S. C* Stoveall, William, 1. Qa^dner, Cullin, I. West, .* June, 1862. 197 Captain DeBow's Company was recruited as follows: Adams, H. C, d. Freedle, Charlie, 1. Adams, William N.,1. Captured ? Irving, William, 1. at Columbia, Tenn. Johnson, William, 1. Bass, John, 1. Wounded April i Lauderdale, Dero, d. ist, 1865. Mills, J. P., 1. Wounded.* Carr, James, 1. Oglesry, Frank. 1. DeBow, Archie, 1. Stalcup, William, 1. Wounded Dalton, Robert, 1. Wounded July 14, 1864. at Tupelo, Miss., May 5, 1863.* The following recruits were added to Captain Brink- ley's Company: Bond, William.* Wounded July' Harris, Tyree, d. 14, 1864. Link, Rice, 1. Cartwright, James, 1. McMillen, James, d. Wounded. ■■ Corkran, P. H., 1. Shubert, William.* ORGANIZATION OF THE SECOND REGIMENT OF TENNESSEE CAVALRY.* Thursday, June 12th. — The three companies of the First Battalion and the four companies to which the Seventh was now reduced were consolidated, and the '■■Having previously learned that his regiment had not been "officially known or recorded at the War Department," Colonel Barteau wrote on the 8th of May, 1864, to the Adjutant and Inspector-General at Richmond as follows: "... These two battalions were consolidated by order of Brigadier- General Beall on the 13th (12th) of June, 1862, and the organization designated by him the Second Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry. The org«nization on the day of consolidation was composed of seven companies; on the day following an order was sent to the command by Brigadier-General Beall designating it as the 'Second Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry,' and requiring the officers recently elected to take command; that they would be obeyed and respected, etc. Gen- eral Beall also stated in a note addressed to myself that three more companies would report to the regiment in a few days. He was soon after relieved of the command of the cavalry ; the three companies which he had ordered to report were never known or found. It is probable that the three which he had de- signed adding were disposed of otherwise. "The original muster-rolls nor the original order of consolidation were never, as I supjwse, sent by General Beall to Richmond, or the command 198 H. R. Hancock's Diary. Second Tennessee Cavalry was organized by the elec- tion of the following field and staff officers : C. R. Barteau, Lieutenant-Colonel.* G. H. Morton, Major. J. M. Hughes, Surgeon. J. W. Harrison, Assistant Surgeon. M. X. Treadway, Lieutenant and Adjutant. Gala Brevard, Sergeant-Major. E. O. Elliott, Acting Quartermaster. Geo. L. Siddons, Commissary-Sergeant. S. C. Talley, Chaplain. James R. Bradford, Bugler. As the Captain of Company A (G. H. Morton) was elected Major. Lieutenant N. Oswell became Captain by promotion ; and as Atkinson and F"rench were also pro- moted, the Third Lieutenancy was left vacant; P. A. Smith was elected to fill said vacancy. The following is the Regimental Roster of the Second Tennessee at the time of its organization as above men- tioned : would have been known and recognized. We continued to do our duty in the field, not thinking but that our superior officers were doing theirs "The regiment, however, is now full by companies added by General For- rest, it having been transferred to his command in January last. " I desire, if possilile, that the number of the regiment may not be changed. The Second Tennessee, commanded by Colonel Ashby, is from East Tennessee. If mine could be. known as the Second Middle Tennessee Regiment, it would be exceedingly gratifying to the command. It was raised in Middle Tennessee, at and in the vicinity of Nashville ; it is composed of the best material in Middle Tennessee, and has achieved some little character, which would seem to have been lost if the identity of the regiment should be destroyed — that is, if the name or number of the regiment should be changed." Colonel Barteau informs me that he received no reply to the above nor other communications which he had sent previously; nor did I know until twenty-two years after the war had closed that our regiment was officially recorded at Richmond as the Twenty-s^cowCi Tennessee. See biographical sketch of Rev. S. C. Talley in Appendix A. * As we had only seven comjjanies we were not entitled to a colonel. 0^%' LlEUTKNANT-Coi.ONKI. CEO. II. MOKTOX. June, 1862. 199 F.W.Youree, Second Lieutenant. T. R. Youree, Third Lieutenant. Company E. W. A. DeBow, Captain. Geo. E Seay, First Lieutenant. R. B. Dubbins, Sec'd Lieutenant. T. J. Carman, Third Lieutenant. Company F. J. A. Brinkley, Captain. Jas. F. Austin, First Lieutenant. J. E. Denning, Sec'd Lieutenant. N. Penuel, Third Lieutenant. Company G. Thomas Puryear, Captain. J. IVL Eastes, First Lieutenant. A. W. Lipscomb, Sec'd Lieuten't. B. H. Moore, Third Lieutenant. Company A. N. Oswell, Captain. T. C. Atkinson, First Lieutenant. A. H. French, Second, Lieutenant. P. A. Smith, Third Lieutenant. Company B. Wm. Parrish, Captain. T. B. Underwood, First Lieutenant. G.W. Smithson, Second Lieutenant. S. B. Wall, Third Lieutenant. Company C. M. W. McKnight, Captain. H. L. W. Turney, First Lieutenant. S. Dennis, Second Lieutenant. J. S. Harrison, Third Lieutenant. Company D. W. T. Rickman, Captain. Geo. Love, First Lieutenant. Friday, 13th. — We had orders to cook three days' rations, and be ready to take up the line of march by three o'clock v. m., but as it was pay-day, and as the paymaster did not get through by that hour, the order was countermanded, and we did not move. We were paid for four months and twenty-two days' service, from 1st of January to the 2 2d of May, 1862, one hundred and thirteen dollars and sixty cents to each private. Satu7'da)\ i^tJi. — Our regiment* mounted and moved out toward Marietta, at which place they halted for the night. * As I was badly poisoned with poison oak vine I did not go on the above named scout, but remained with the wagons, which, for safety, were moved about seven miles nearer the railroad, where they remained until the l6th; then they were moved back and met the regiment near the old camji, half mile west of the Tombigbee. About this time General Beauregard went to Bladen Springs, Alabama, on account of ill health, leaving General Bragg in command of the army, now in the vicinity of Tupelo, Mississippi, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. 200 R. R. Hancock's Diart. Sunday, i^tli. — Alter moving on up within ten miles of Jacinto (about thirty from camps) Colonel Barteau learned that the Federals were at Marietta, in his rear. Thinking that they were attempting to cut him oft, and if possible capture his whole regiment, he turned to the right, crossed the Tombigbee, and came down on the east side to Fulton, where he remained for the niofht. Colonel Barteau thus gave the Federals a complete dodge, and returned unmolested. Monday, i6th. — Ihe regiment crossed the river and encamped half mile from it. They reported that the F'ed- erals were movingf east toward Chattanoog^a in larofe force. Tuesday, ijth. — The regiment recrossed the river and encamped in sight of Fulton, in a beautiful bottom on the west side of town. Thursday, igth. — A scout went out and burned a lot of cotton in order to prevent the F"ederals from getting it. Friday, 20th. — W. C. Hancock and three others, who went out the day before, returned. They reported that they went to Marietta, but found no Federals there. Major Morton, with a part of our regiment, went out on a scout in the direction of luka. Saturday, 21st. — A number of our regiment went to preaching in Fulton. News coming to church that the Federals were not far off. and moving in the direction of Fulton, we did not remain to hear that preacher bring his remarks to a close, but went to camps in haste to prepare to receive the enemy. However, in place of coming to Fulton, the Federals crossed Tombigbee some distance above Fulton, cutting off Major Morton's scout from camps. July, 18G2. 201 Sunday, 22d. — The F"ederal scout, said to be about one hundred and ten. turned, recrossed Tombigbee, and went back through Marietta. Morton returned to camps in the evening without having any colhsion with the enemy. TliiLrsday, 26th. — We moved carhps from the west to the south-east of, and half a mile from, I^\ilton, on the Smithville road. Satu7'day, 28th. — I can now say I have been a soldier one year, for on the 28th of June"; 1861, about eleven o'clock A. M.. our company (Allison's) was mustered into service. No troops were camped near F"ulton except Barteau's Regiment. Monday, joth. — A large scout went out with three days' rations. We heard news that pleased us well. Colonel Bradfute said our division was ordered to Mid- dle Tennessee. O how delighted were we with the thought of going back to our native State ! Hut I guess it was either a false report or the order was counter- manded, for we heard no more of it. Wednesday , July 2d. — We were ordered to cook five days' rations for those in camps and those on the scout, and be ready to march at seven next morning. The scouting.party returned without any news of interest. Tliui'sday, jd. — Promptly in the saddle by seven Colonel Barteau moved his regiment about fifteen miles in the direction of luka (on the Memphis and Charles- ton Railroad), thence about five miles on the Russell- ville (Alabama) road, where he bivouacked for the night. Friday, ^f/i. — Returning to the luka road, thence ^02 R. R. Hancock's Diary. about four miles in the direction of luka, we bivouacked within a few miles of the enemy's picket. Saturday, §tk. — Colonel Barteau left Fulton with the expectation of going on to luka, but the aid that he expected not coming up, and not being willing to ven- ture an attack with but little over two hundred, he turned, came back by the w-ay of Marietta and biv- ouacked some four miles south on the Fulton road. Sunday, 6th. — The regiment returned to camps near Fulton ; had quite a dusty trip. We remained at Ful- ton until Friday, nth. — We took up the line of march, wagons and all, except a few sick that were not able to go. After a march of about thirteen miles on the luka road Ave encamped for the night. Saturday, 12th. — After a short march of about six miles we encamped at Bay Springs, where the regi- ment remained for several ciays.* Wednesday, i6th. — Dark and rainy as was that night Colonel Barteau attempted to capture a wagon train that was going east between Bay Springs and luka, but he was too late. The train had passed before he arrived at the place where he expected to make the capture. After burning some cotton within six miles of luka the regiment returned to camps. F^'iday, i8th. — McKnight's Company was sent to * It had been ordered that the man whose arms were in the best condition should have a furlough for eight days. On inspection day (July 13th) the in- spector decided in my favor, so I was furloughed for eight days. J. W. Ken- nedy and I went — partly on a pleasure trip and partly after clothing and horses — to Franklin County, Alabama; and after spending about five days very pleasantly with our relatives and friends near Russellville, we returned to •camps at Hay Springs, July 21st. July, 1862. 203 Marietta to picket that place for some days. Colonel Barteau, with four companies of his regiment, left camps at Bay Springs to join General Armstrong in an expe- dition into North Alabama. Will speak more of this scout when Colonel Barteau returns. Tuesday, 2 2d. — It was reported that the Federals in large force were in ten miles of our camps. I and a few others mounted and went out about eicrht miles. Hear- ing nothing of the enemy we returned to camps a little after dark. Loading our wagons we moved back about two miles on the Fulton road, where we remained until morning. But little rest for a poor soldier that night, on account of so much rain. Wednesdays 2jd. — Parrish's Company was sent to Marietta to relieve McKnight's. The wagons and the few men that were left, one company and fragments of others, moved on back through, and encamped three- fourths of a mile from, Fulton. McKnight's Company from Marietta joined us there in the evening. Saturday, 26th. — Captain McKnight, with fifteen of his company, left camps with orders to scout north of Bay Springs. Passing by that place he bivouacked three miles beyond, on the luka road. Sunday, 2yth. — Going a few miles in the direction of luka, learning nothing of interest from the Federals, we turned back and bivouacked four miles south of Bay Springs, on the Fulton road. Mo7iday, 28th. — McKnight's squad was re-enforced by Captain Kitchen, with about sixty-five men. We re- mained near Bay Springs until Wednesday, joth* — Captain McKnight was sent with * General Breckinridge had been sent to Vicksburg, Mississippi, in the latter part of June, with a portion of Bragg's army, and perhaps some had been sent 204 R. R. Hancock's Diary. his squad to relieve Parrish's Company at Marietta. As it was a very rainy time we took shelter in a school- house about two miles from Marietta, on the b'ulton road. Our picket stand was in town. I will here relate a little incident that occurred while we were picketing at Marietta. Captain McKnight was informed (August 4th) that a man who had belonged to the Confederate army, but had deserted and visited the Federals, was at home fixing to move his family inside the Federal lines. This man lived about ten miles north. Determined to make an effort to capture him, Captain McKnight, I and a few others left our school- house a little after dark, and awhile before day we sur- rounded his house. We called at the door, as though we were some of his neighbors. His wife answered. We told her that we wanted to see her husband, call- ing him by name, as though we were well acquainted with him. She said he was not at home, but had gone to his father's. On being asked to open the door, she said she would as soon as she could get a light. We believed he was at home, because she was so much ex- cited and so long getting a light. After so long a time she opened the door, and Captain McKnight searched the house while I guarded the door. We noticed three ladies lying on one bed. but did not find our man. We searched other houses, and finally went to his father's, but still failed to find him. Our trip, however, was not altogether in vain, for one Mr. Malone gave us a splen- did breakfast, his daughters made some sweet music for to other points, but Bragg was now transferring the main portion of his arrny from Tupelo, Mississippi, to Chattanooga. Tennessee, to confront General Bu- ell, who, after the l)att]e of Shiloh, had been ordered back into Middle Ten- nessee. Attgttst. ])^f>2. 205 us, besides we had as many melons and peaches as we could eat. Who but a soldier, though, could appreci- ate such a treat as that! While at Mr. Malone's we learned, to our surprise and chagrin, that the object of our search was, at the time we were searching his house, between the straw and feather beds U7ider those three ladies. After taking a real hearty laugh over the aft'air, we mounted and returned to our picket base. While McKnight's Company was picketing at Ma- rietta our camps were moved trom Fulton to within two miles of Guntown. The latter place is on the Mo- bile and Ohio Railroad, some thirteen miles south-west from Marietta. The Federals were kind enough not to visit Marietta, while we were there, though they came within about five miles, taking cotton, negroes, horses, etc. I will here relate another little incident, which. I am sure, some of McKnight's Company will remember. A good lady who lived near Marietta had any amount of fine peaches, but neither she nor we had an)- flour. So we told her to use coi-n meal in makino- the crust, as we were bent on having a "peach cobbler." Novel as the idea was, she made the "cobbler." And right heartil)- did we eat of it. Well, it was a great deal better than no pie. W^e remained at Marietta until Thursday, i-fth.—\\€- 232 R. K. Hancock's Diary. ing to remain until the next. So we had a very cold, disagreeable night to be out on picket. Siuiday, November loth. — The regiment moved about four miles and encamped near Saltillo, where they came speechless. He did not even whisper for three long weeks — they appeared long to me. Our surgeon quit coming to see him, thinking it useless.- I re- mained with him all the time, both day and night. Lieutenant Turney, who was in command of our company at that time (Captain McKnight had gone home after recruits), did not only send two or three of the boys up to Mr. Robison's nearly every night to assist me in sitting up with Barrett, but he frequently came himself. Finally, beginning to improve by the last of November, he spoke again for the first time on the 2d of December, and, contrary to the expectation of all, he got well, and is now (January, 1886) a stout man. About nine o'clock a. m., December 15th, hearing a noise and looking out to see the cause, I saw, to my great astonishment, that the house (Mr. Robison's) was surrounded by Federal cavalry. That was the first notice that I had had of that Federal scout^ Soon a trooper stepped in, and marching me out, placed me in the care of the Fed- eral guards. Barrett was improving, but as he was not well enough to be moved they did not trouble him. This Federal scout was composed of two regiments of infantry, two pieces of artillery, and one battalion of cavalry. Moving on south, they bivouacked one mile beyond Saltillo. Moving on back from Saltillo, by the way of Marietta and Jacinto, they arrived at Corinth Dec. 19th. On this trip diey picked up here and there sixty-one prisoners, about half of them being citizens. We were placed in a large house with some other prisoners, in all about one hundred and fourteen. As General Forrest was now in West Tennessee tearing up the railroad, the Federals could not conveniently send prisoners North; therefore we were paroled on the 25th of December. The next day I and about forty others were sent to luka by rail, and there turned loose to take care of ourselves. From luka, going by the way of Bay Springs, I arrived at Guntown December 29th. Finding Barrett considerably better, and thinking that he would soon be able to ride, I decided to take him to my uncle's (Ben Hancock's) in Franklin County, Alabama. But I had to first go to camp after our horses. On December 31st I found the Second Tennessee encamped one and a half miles south-east of Okolona, some thirty-six miles south of Guntown. Returning to Guntown with our horses January 6th, 1863, Barrett and I started the next day to Alabama. We arrived at my uncle's, some seventy miles east of Guntown, January 9th. Barrett, remaining in Alabama about five weeks, started to rejoin his company February l6th. I went back to camp several times while I was a paroled prisoner; however, I spent most of the time among my relatives in Alabama. Being notified May 22d that I was exchanged, I started to camp the 23d, finding the regiment en- camped seven and a hiif miles north of Okolona, at Camp Rogers, May 25th. December, 1862. 233 remained another month, scouting and picketing as usual. Thursday, 20th. — Captain McKnight, who had been home after recruits, returned to camp, bringing a num- ber of recruits for his company. Thirty-one arrived the day before. Thursday, December gth. — The regiment left Saltillo to go to Okolona, and arrived at the latter place Decem- ber loth, encamping one mile and a half south-east of town. Okolona is in Chickasaw County, quite a differ- ent looking country to Tishamingo and Itawamba Coun- ties. The fine black prairie land around Okolona is very productive, and plenty of forage suits cavalry. General Grant, now bent on the capture of Vicksburg, having left Jackson, Tennessee, November 4th, was 'moving a heavy force along the Mississippi Central Rail- road, establishing his headquarters at Oxford, Mississip- pi, on the 5th of December. General John C. Pember- ton,* who was in command of the Confederate army in Front of Grant, had fallen back to Grenada. General Sherman, who commanded the right wing of Grant's army at Memphis, was to descend the river by transports, with the gunboat fleet as a convoy, com- manded by Admiral Porter, and to attack Vicksburg by the 29th of December. While Grant himself was to move rapidly on the Confederates to the north and east of Vicksburg, and to take part, if necessary, in the re- duction of the place. About daybreak on the morning of the 20th of De- cember, Van Dorn. executing a brilliant cavalry opera- tion, rushed upon Holly Springs, capturing the place with an immense quantity of property, valued at over * He had supersedefi Van Doiii. 234 K. R. Hancock's Diary. one million five hundred thousand dollars, taking with him what he could carry and destroying the remainder. About this time General Forrest, who had crossed out of Middle Tennessee, was playing havoc with Grant's communications along the railroad in West Tennessee. Grant being thus forced to fall back, his part of the campaign had failed. On the 20th, the very day on which Van Dorn and Forrest struck the blow which compelled Grant to fall back and abandon his part of the joint undertaking, Sherman took his departure from Memphis with twenty thousand troops in transports. After Porter's convoy of gunboats, part at Friar's Point and the remainder at the mouth of the Yazoo, and the transports from Helena were added, Sherman's force was then at least thirty thousand. Leaving A, J. Smith's Division at Milliken's Bend, with instructions to send one brigade to break up the railroad leading from Vicksburg to Shreveport, Louisi- ana, Sherman proceeded on the 26th to the mouth of the Yazoo, and up that river to Johnson's plantation, some thirteen miles, and there disembarked. Here A. J. Smith's Division rejoined him on the night ol the 27th. On the 29th he attempted to take by storm Haines' Bluff (a strongly fortified place nine miles north- east of Vicksburg) ; being unsuccessful, he was forced to withdraw his troops, with a loss in killed, wounded,, and prisoners amounting to nearly two thousand men.. On the 2d of January, 1863, he placed his troops on board the transports, and the fleet sailed down to the mouth of the Yazoo, where he learned for the first time what had befallen Grant. All further attempts against Vicksburg for the present were abandoned, and the en- tire force left the Yazoo and returned to Milliken's Bend December, 18G2. 235 on the Mississippi.* Thus ended somewhat ingloriously the secondf campaign against \^icksbiirg. The Confederates were jubilant after this victory. It was undoubtedly a great triumph. General Pemberton felt proud that he had baffled Grant in person, compell- ing him to retreat, and that he had temporarily, at least, saved Vicksburg by the defeat of the greatest of Grant's Lieutenants. We will now go back a little and notice the move- ments of the Second Tennessee. A Federal scout, composed of two regiments of in- fantry, a battalion of cavalry, and two pieces of artil- lery, that had descended the Mobile and Ohio Railroad from Corinth, entered Guntown about nine a. m., on the 15th of December, and there the writer was captured, as previously mentioned. Camping that night one mile south of Saltillo, the Federals turned back the next day, arriving at Corinth the 19th. On learning through his scouts that the Federals were at Saltillo, Colonel Barteau sent a detachment of the Second Tennessee from his camp at Okolona up in that direction under Lieutenant Turney (Company C). In the meantime General Grant had thrown a portion of his cavalry (from the Mississippi Central Railroad) out in the direction of Okolona. This was just what General Van Dorn desired, for he was now (the 19th) moving with about two thousand five hundred cavalry to strike Grant's communications a heavy blow at Holly Springs, as previously mentioned ; and as he did not wish to interfere with this Federal force which was mov- "The above, which is an account of the second campaign against Vicksburg,. I get from the " Life of Grant," pp. 196 to 210. t Farragut and Williams had matle a previous campaign against Vicksburg by the way of New Orleans. 236 R. R. Hancock's Diary. ing out of his way, he ordered Colonel Barteau to fall back from Okolona. Therefore the Second Tennessee fell back about six miles in the direction of Aberdeen, on the 20th. That afternoon our Colonel sent about fif- teen men, under Captain N. Oswell (Company A), back to Okolona to guard some stores and watch the move- ments of the Federals if they should make their appear- ance at that place. Before reaching Okolona Captain Oswell met Lieutenant Turney, who reported that he had been up in the neighborhood of Guntown and that the Federals had gone back to Corinth. Not knowing that another Federal force was afield from the west, the Captain did not now apprehend any danger, therefore did not throw out any pickets that night. The Federals ■dashed into Okolona very early the next morning and captured the entire squad. Captain N. Oswell, Wallace Wilson, and J. J. Sutton (Company A), J. L. McGan (Company B), J. H. Sneed and J. W. Stephens (Company C), Simon Elliott (Com- pany D), J. P. Oglesby and Jef Piper (Company E), James Jackson (Company F), and Billy Nichol were, I think, among the captured. The Federals paroled our boys* and left immediately. The former had heard of Van Dorn's movement and were consequently very much alarmed. Our regiment moved back to their camp one mile and a half south-east of Okolona on the 2 2d. Thursday, January i, 186^. — The first of the new year found Barteau's Regiment still encamped near •Okolona. McKnight's Company, which had been re- *They were sent to Jackson, Miss., and remained there until (Jrant captured that place on May 14th, i86j. Then after remaining at Demopoiis, Ala., about :tWG months, they were exchanged. March, 1863. 237 ceiving recruits from Tennessee for the last three months, now numbered about one hundred and fifteen men, the largest company in the regiment. They were in good health and fine spirits, and. I will add, well mounted. Saturday, Jist. — Major-General Van Dorn, who was now somewhat famous on account of his brilliant affair at Holly Springs, arrived at Okolona with three brigades of cavalry and four pieces of artillery. His three bri- gades were commanded by Armstrong, Whitfield, and Cosby, and the battery by King. He was from West- ern Mississippi, and the following from Campaigns of General Forrest, page 231, tells his destination: While Forrest was giving rest to his men for some days at Colum- bia, Tennessee, after such fearful weather exposure and battle losses, Major-General Van Dorn arrived from Mississippi with three brigades of cavalry, about four thousand five hundred rank and file, and thus materially strengthened the Confederate cavalry force on that flank. General Bragg's headquarters were then at Shelby- ville, Tennessee, so Van Dorn went to his (Bragg's) left flank. Some time in February the Second Tennessee moved, to the south-west side of Okolona (about one mile and a half from town), where they remained until Saturday, March yth. — Three companies of the regi- ment moved to Verona, followed by the remainder the next day. The regiment then encamped half a mile from Verona and fifteen miles north of Okolona. Captain McKnight was ordered to go with his com- pany into Alabama on a conscripting tour. He also- had orders to pick up all stragglers from the Confeder- ate army that he could find. Rather an unpleasant duty. •238 R. R. Hancock's Diary. — at least no thanks were received from those who were thus forced into the army. Friday, 13th. — Leaving Verona, passing on through Richmond, Smithville, and within three miles of Cotton Gin Port, finally after a march of seven days, Captain McKnight arrived at Fayetteville, the county seat of Fayette County, on Thursday, March 19. Establishing his headquarters at Fayetteville, Alabama, he sent out 'detachments to each of the following couties : Marion, Walker, Winston, and Pickens. The company remained there on duty as above named for about twenty-four days. Calling in the detachments and leaving Fayetteville on Tuesday, April 14th, after a march of five days Mc- Knight rejoined the regiment at Verona Saturday, April 1 8th. Sunday, April igth. — Hearing that a Federal scout* was afield, Colonel Barteau left Verona to go in search of it. Moving on through Tupelo, the next station north of Verona, thence nearly west, he bivouacked within three miles of Chesterville and about twelve from Tupelo. Monday. 20t/i. — About midnight the regiment mount- *This was Colonel Grierson's raid, made to assist General Grant in his oper ations against Vicksburg. I find the following account of this raid in the "Life of Grant : " "Colonel Grierson, who had left LaGrange, Tennessee, April 17th, with one thousand seven hundred cavalry, after traversing Mississippi lengthwise, de. stroying stores and arms, tearing up railways, burning bridges, c&pturing mili- tia, and carrying consternation through the entire State, reached our lines at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 2d, having traveled six hundred miles in fifteen days, and lost no less than thirty men in sick, wounded and missing. Nowhere did he meet with any serious resistance, and his daring raid convinced Grant that the Confederacy had become 'a mere shell, with all its resisting power on the outer edge.' " April, 1868. 289 ed and moved out a little south of west. When within two miles of Pontotoc, Barteau learned that the Feder- als had passed going south, and were about ten hours in advance of him.* Not far from Pontotoc Grierson divided his force, sending one part, which was estimated as high as eight hundred, under Colonel Hatch, toward Houston, while he proceeded straight to the Southern railroad with his main force. Perhaps he intended to unite his forces again somewhere south ; if so, in this he was disap- pointed. Or, perhaps, he used this strategy to draw Colonel Barteau from following him, and thus allow him to proceed unmolested to cut Pemberton's communica- tions in the rear of Vicksburg. If the latter was his ob- ject he was not disappointed, for the Second Tennessee, Smith's Regiment, and Inge's Battalion with Colonel Barteau in command, followed the scout that went in the direction of Houston. After a march of about six- ty-seveii miles Colonel Barteau deployed his command in battle order within two miles of Houston, where they remained until next morning. Houston, the county seat of Chicksaw County, is forty miles south of Ponto- toc. Tuesday, 21st. — Colonel Barteau came up with the Federals about one o'clock p. m., near Palo Alto, some twenty-five miles south-east of Houston. Finding that the Federals were just entering a lane with a hedge on both sides, Colonel Barteau quickly threw the Second Tennessee, under Major Morton, around rightward, to gain the head of their column and hold them in check * Being a paroled prisoner at the time, I was not with this expedition; how. ever, I will give the best account of it that 1 can from what the hoys who were with the expedition told me afterward. 240 E. R. Hancock's Djaet. at the far end of the lane, while the rest of the command (Smith's Regiment and Inge's Battalion) should move up on the enemy's rear at the other end of the lane. Seeing that Morton had gained the desired position at the far end of said lane, and was gallantly holding the enemy at bay, our Colonel now felt confident that he would then and there capture the entire Federal force. Unfortunately, however, just at this juncture a few^ shots- from a small piece of Federal artillery caused Smith's and Inge's men to fall back, and thus, to the deep cha- grin of Colonel Barteau, the way was opened for the enemy to march out. The Colonel now contrived to throw the rest of his command around to their front, and thus caused the Federals to come to a halt at Palo Alto. Thus holdingf the Federals at bay he decided to wait until morning for the arrival of the Second Alabama before he made further attack, thinking that the Federals would either attack his position or remain near Palo Alto until morn- ing. In this he was mistaken, for they withdrew under cover of night and retreated northward along the Oko- lona road. One man was killed and three or four wounded, all belonging to Colonel Smith's Regiment. Two horses belonging to the Second Tennessee were wounded. Wednesday, 22d. — Reinforced by the Second Ala- bama, Colonel Barteau followed the Federals in the di- rection of Okolona. In attempting to pass through a swamp after dark his pilot got lost within seven or eight miles of Okolona, consequently he had to fall back out of the swamp and remain there until morning. As the Federals passed on through Okolona they burned the hospitals and female institute. They Mat, 18G3. 241 bivouacked six miles from Okolona on the Pontotoc road. Thwsday, 2jd. — Leaving the Pontotoc road, moving nearly north, the Federals bivouacked five or six miles east of Chesterville. By marching until about midnight Colonel Barteau bivouacked within three miles of the Federals. F7'iday, 24th. — Coming up with the Federals again at Birmingham, Colonel Barteau attack-ed them about eleven o'clock a. m., driving them before him for about three and a half miles. Then, after crossing a bridge, the Federals destroyed it. That put an end to the chase. As men and horses were now so much fatigued Colonel Barteau thought it would not be prudent to at- tempt a further pursuit. Therefore he returned to camp at Verona that night. The Federal loss in this Birmingham fight was esti- mated at about sixteen killed. It was said that they carried off six loads, some wagons and some ambulances, of killed and wounded.* And strange to say that only one of the Confederates was killed, and Lieutenant J. T. Austin (Company F), Second Tennessee, wounded. Birmingham is some thirty-five miles from Okolona. The above expedition, which was made in six days, was about two hundred and forty miles long. Saturday, 2^th. — The regiment moved down to, and encamped three-fourths of a mile west of, Okolona. Friday, May ist. — The regiment moved camps two and a half miles south-west. * In speaking of this ailair Dr. Geo. F. Hager says: " We routed him [Hatch] again, killing thirty of his men and taking fifty prisoners." — Military Annals of Tennessee, p. 613. IG 242 R. R. Hancock's Diary. A little after dark one of our scouts came in and re- ported another Federal scout afield. So tents were struck, wagons loaded and driven out into the road ready for traveling if it should be necessary. Barteau moved the regiment back to Okolona, where they lay in wait for the Federals all night, but they did not come. So next morning the regiment returned to camp and the wagons were unloaded. Sunday, jd. — General Ruggles, who now commanded the same brigade that Barteau had been commanding, moved out from Okolona in search of a Federal scout that was still said to be afield. Moving out some nine miles on the Pontotoc road, thence toward Verona, he biv- ouacked within eight miles of the latter place. Monday, 4th. — Leaving Colonel Barteau in command Generals Ruggles returned to Okolona. Barteau moved the brigade to, and camped at, Verona. The following is Colonel C. R. Barteau's official re- port of the action at King's Creek, near Tupelo : Verona, Miss., May 8, 1863. Having been ordered to this place from the Pontotoc and Shannon road on the 3d [4th] instant, I reached here at 10 a. m. There was then no rehable account of an advance of the enemy, as rumored, down the Une of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, but in the evening of the 4th instant I learned that a mounted force of the enemy (strength not known) had reached Baldwin that morning and was marching rap- idly in this direction. 1 considered it only a reconnoitering party and made no immediate report; but at 12 o'clock the same day the enemy drove in the pickets at Guntown and advanced toward Saltillo. The lieutenant in charge of scouts at Guntown reported the force to be three regiments with artillery, and a prisoner whom he had cap- tured and sent in stated that the force would not exceed nine hundred. Late in the evening of the 4th scouts from Inge's Battalion were fired upon between Tupelo and Saltillo, cast side of the railroad. That night the enemy advanced to Priceville, and by daylight on the May, 1863. 243 5th passed that place toward Plantersville with the evident intention of moving down between Town Creek and Tombigbee River to cross at Camargo, threatening Aberdeen on [near] Mobile and Ohio Railroad below Okolona; but by the delay of the enemy near Miller's Mills, north of Plantersville, I was led to apprehend that his intention was to cross Town Creek at Recce's Bridge, and immediately ordered Inge's Battalion to that point to destroy the bridge and prevent his crossing. Upon arriving at Recce's Bridge Inge's Battalion was con- fronted by a force of the enemy which it could not successfully con- tend with, and fell back to Thomasson's farm one mile and a quarter from the bridge. In the meantime Lieutenant-Colonel [James] Cunningham arrived at Verona and assumed command of all the troops. [He] received an order from Major-General [S. J.] Gholson, of the State service, to join him at Tupelo. Started with his command by the most direct route, and ordered me, with Second Tennessee Cavalry, to go by way of Recce's Bridge. I arrived near the bridge, found that the enemy had crossed, and that Inge's Battalion had fallen back. Moved then to Thomasson's farm, where I rejoined Colonel Cunningham en route for Tupelo, and followed his column with Inge's Battalion in rear of my regiment.'!- Colonel Cunningham moved immediately forward without (so far as my knowledge extends) reconnoitering or sending out flankers; passed into thick woods and swamp south of Tupelo, and encoun- tered the enemy in ambush just before arriving at the Tupelo and Pontotoc road. A few shots from the enemy announced his presence, and he reserved his heavy fire until the column had passed nearly half way through, and then opened with small arms and artillery upon both flanks, cutting off two companies of the Second Alabamaf with Hew- lett's Battalion and my own command, consisting of the Second Tennes- see Regiment and Inge's Battalion. The advanced portion of Colonel Cifnningham's command (probably consisting of four hundred men) I)assed between the two fires of the enemy and moved to his rear. The enemy then immediately closed in upon the front of the advancing column and poured a rapid fire upon us from three directions. The fire was so severe that all of Hewlett's Battalion could not form and * Major W. A. Ilewlcll's IJatlaliou maiclicd in icar of Cuniiingliam's Regi. ment. t Cunningham's Regiment. 244 E. R. Hancock's Diaky. dismount, as directed, hence it gave way with the exception of two companies, which, having received their position, remained upon the ground immediately in front and fought gallantly. I at once ordered the Second Tei)nessee into line and to dismount, which was executed promptly and in good order, and the horses sent to the rear out of reach of the enemy's fire. By keeping the men close to the ground and behind trees, taking deliberate aim at the enemy, we succeeded in the course of fifteen or twenty minutes in driving the enemy some five hundred yards beyond the Tupelo and Pontotoc road. The number of killed of the enemy has been reported by prisoners who escaped from his hands and citizens of Tupelo to have been twenty or more, and the wounded many times as great. The loss, as nearly as can be ascertained, in the Second Tennessee and Inge's Battalion was six wounded* and eight captured.! Several horses were killed and wounded. I then withdrew the men from the engagement and moved to Harrisburg; the enemy still remaining at Tupelo in line of battle waiting another attack. I withdrew to Verona. The next morning moved, under orders from General Gholson, to Harrisburg, and finding that during the night previous the enemy had retreated toward Guntown pursued two miles and returned. It may be well to state that after running the gauntlet of the ene- my's fire and getting in his rear, Lieutenant-Colonel Cunningham continued his march to Chesterville or vicinity, where finding General Gholson, returned by a circuitous route to Verona at nine p. M. Had he fought the enemy vigorously in his rear, or rejoined the troops which were left in the ambuscade, the result might have been more favorable for us. The force of the enemy was not less than one thousand five hun- dred, with six pieces of artillery (six-pounder guns). The various commands of the enemy were Ninth Illinois Regiment, Seventh Kan- sas, Tenth Missouri, and two companies of mounted infantry, cyn- manded by Colonel Quinine [Cornyn]. ■*J. J. Francis (Company C) and R. Dalton (Company E) were woinidcd. tjoel Hlankcnship (Company E), Perry Hughes (Company A), and two oth- ers were from the Second Tennessee. J. R. Dougherty (Company C) was cap- tured near Booneville as this scout came down. Willis Wamack (Comjiany C) was also captured not far from Booneville, l)ut made his escai)e by getting under the floor of a negro cabin where they put up one night while on their way back lo Corinth. Dougherty and Wamack were independent scouts. May, 18G3. 245 The force which I had engaged did not exceed five hundred. I am, Captain, your obedient servant, C. R. Bartrau, Lieutenant- Colonel. [Captain] Roy Mason Hooe, Assistant Adjutant- General.-'^ The following is an extract from the official report of Lieutenant- Colonel James Cunningham (Second Ala- bama) : As my scouts had on that morning [5th] reported the enemy to be near Miller's Mills, and as I had been ordered to Tupelo without any warning that there was any probability of being intercepted on my way thither, I must state that my coming upon the enemy was quite unex- pected. Lieutenant Dodd, of the advance guard, reported the enemy in line on my right, just across the creek, about half a mile this side of Tupelo. I accordingly drew up my regiment into line of battle, facing to the right. Lieutenant Dodd with the advance guard was during this time skirmishing with the enemy, and had succeeded in cajUuring ten prisoners, who were sent back to the rear and there re- taken by the enemy. As soon as my command was formed into line the enemy opened upon me a cross fire of artillery and musketry. I then discovered that I was ambuscaded on the right and left, and I determined to extricate my command as soon as practicable. I ordered a countermarch from the left, but as Companies B and I had faced to the rear and left to check the enemy, who were closing in upon my rear, they did not re- ceive my orders and were left on the field. I passed on with the rest of my command out through the west edge of Tupelo and took the road to Chesterville, where I learned General Gholson was at the time. The companies who were left behind attempted to rejoin the regi- ment, but Captain Daniel, who was in command of them, reports that he was entirely cut off by the enemy and forced to fall back toward tiie direction of Verona. In doing so he kept up a brisk skirmish with the enemy's cavalry, who were endeavoring to surround him. In this engagement iiiy loss was killed, two men and three horses; wounded, two horses; missing, three men and three horses. f In speaking of this same affair Major W. A. HewicLt reports thus : * Rebellion Records, Vol. XXIV, pp. 692 to 694. flbid, p. 691, 246 K. H. Hancock's Diaky. Colonel Cunningham pushed on in i)ursuit of the enemy's advance guard without drawing the fire of his main body, which was in am- bush. On reaching a ridge about one hundred yards from the creek I first received the fire from the enemy's left wing, at a distance of from twenty-five to forty yards. I returned the fire and dismounted my right wing. Several of the horses of my left becoming unmanage- able, they faltered. The enemy raised a yell and attempted a charge, but were held in check by my right wing. At this time Lieutenant-Colonel Barteau came to my assistance on the right, poured a volley into the enemy, driving them back about two hundred yards to a more advantageous position. The firing then commenced from their whole line, with three pieces of artillery, two making a cross fire from each wing and one from the center. It is said by those at a distance that they fired forty rounds from each gun. Just before the firing ceased Colonel Barteau informed me that two regiments were attempting a flank movement on the left, and ordered me to recross the creek and form on the opposite side, which I did under a heavy. fire. I was here joined by two rear companies of the Second Alabama, which were cut off. After crossing the creek the firing ceased along the whole line, and Colonel Barteau came out a few minutes afterward. I then moved with Colonel Barteau's com- mand to Chesterville [Harrisburg], one mile and a half west of Tupelo, and continued driving in the enemy's pickets and skirmishing until night. My loss is one killed, three wounded, and two missing. I also lost twelve horses.* Brigadier-General Ruggles, commanding " Mrst Dis- trict, Department Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana," in his official report of the engagement at King's Creek, compliments the Second Tennessee and its gallant com- mander thus : In conclusion I respectfully recommend to your attention accom- panying report of Lieutenant-Colonel C. R. Barteau, who, with his command, is entitled to special consideration on account of good con- duct in this as in some previous encounters with the enemy. f Wed^iesday, 6tk. — Having learned through dispatches * Rebellion Records, Vol. XXIY, p. 692. t Ibid, p. 690. May, 18G3. 247 from Colonel Barteau that the Federals were advancing along the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, General Ruggles set out from Okolona about three a. m. with Major W. Boyles' Battalion of Alabama Cavalry, some three hun- dred and fifty strong, four companies of the Third Ken- tucky (mounted men), and a section of Owens' Battery to reinforce Barteau. Having learned by dispatch from Colonel Barteau before reaching- Harrisburo- that the enemy had fallen back during the night previous from Tupelo toward Guntown, General Ruggles returned to Okolona, and, as previously mentioned in his report, Barteau pursued about two miles and returned to Ve- rona. The wagon train moved two and a half miles toward Verona and encamped at " Camp Rogers," about mid- way between Okolona and Verona. Thursday, jth. — A part of the wagon train with a few cooking vessels and some rations moved up to Verona. Saturday, gth. — Owing to an alarm being raised a while before day, the wagons that had been sent up to Verona the 7th were sent back to Camp Rogers. After finding the alarm to be false, Barteau moved his regi- ment down to where the wagons were encamped and re- mained there about eighteen days. When they had an opportunity of resting a few days, no Federals about, the brigade usually scattered, as a matter of convenience in procuring forage and rations. Being notified while in Franklin County, Alabama, May 2 2d, that I was exchanged, I reported to Captain McKnight ready for duty May 25th. I found the Sec- ond Tennessee at Camp Rogers, some seven and a half miles north of Okolona. 24P R. R. Hancock's Diary. Wednesday, 2'/th. — The regiment moved about five miles north-west and encamped at Edwards' mill, on Chauappa Creek. We were here placed under very strict discipline. We had to drill in the morning and go on dress parade in the evening. Commanders of companies could not give a pass for a longer period than twelve hours, and only two men were allowed to be absent at the same time. And in order to catch any that might be absent without a pass, the roll was called three times a day. Saturday, June 6th. — The regiment moved from Ed- wards' mill and encamped within three and a half miles of Okolona. A short time previous to this an order had been issued requiring all battalions and independent companies to be organized into regiments. Notwithstanding the Sec- ond Tennessee had been called a regiment ever since the consolidation of the First and Seventh Tennessee Battalions, yet, in fact, it lacked three companies of being a full regiment, as it only had seven companies. There- fore one company from Alabama and two companies from Mississippi were ordered to be attached to the Second Tennessee in order to make it a regiment in fact as well as name. As a result of the above arrangement the following promotion of officers took place at this time : Our Lieutenant-Colonel, C. R. Barteau, was promoted to Colonel ; our Major, G. H. Morton, was raised to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain William Par- rish (Company B) was made Major. By regular promo- tion T. B. Underwood became Captain of Company B, Ct. W. Smithson became First Lieutenant, and S. B. .lUNK, 1863. 249 Wall Second, thus leaving the Third Lieutenancy va- cant, and J. D. Core was elected to fill said vacancy. From some cause, unknown to the writer, the two companies from Mississippi did not do any service with the Second Tennessee, but the company (H) from Ala- bama remained with us for some time, and was finally transferred to an Alabama regiment. However, the failure to make the Second Tennessee a full re^riment at this time did not interfere with the rank of our regi- mental officers. Saturday, ijth. — I suppose we set out that morning from our camp near Okolona to meet a Federal scout that was coming down in the direction of New Albany. Moving about fifteen miles north-west we bivouacked within two miles of Chesterville. Sunday, i^ih. — After a march of about twenty-two miles, still north-west, the regiment bivouacked within two and a half miles of New Albany. There we learned that the Federals had burned New Albany the night be- fore and turned back. We remained there two days. Wednesday, lyth. — Captain Thomas Puryear (C(^m- pany G), with fifty-five of the Second Tennessee and about forty-five men from an Alabama regiment that was camping near by, was instructed to undertake no less an ex[)editi()n than that of going around Corinth. Lieutenant A. 1 L F"rench (Company A, Second Tennes- see) went with this scout as second in command. One Captain Morphis,* an independent scout who was well acquainted with the various roads around Corinth, went * "This same Captain Morphis made a good scout and pilot, and after the war made a good Republican United States Deputy Marshal for North Missis- sippi, under Republican admini>lration." — Letter from Lieutenant .\. 11. French. 250 li. 1«. HaiVuock's Kiaky. with Captain Puryear as guide. After the latter had set out from our camp near New Albany upon his dan- gerous expedition, the balance of the Second Tennessee, as well as the Alabamians, moved nearly east to Gun- town by the way of Ellistown. General Ruggles had moved his headquarters up to Guntown. He now had command of four or five regi- ments of cavalry, a battery of six six-pounders, and two one horse breech-loaders. Two of the six-pounders had been left at Okolona. The writer is under obligations to Lieutenant French for the following account of Captain Puryear's expedi- tion. The Captain with his guide rode at the head of the column, while French was instructed to bring up the rear. In attempting to cross Tuscumbia River bottom, on the night of the 17th, when it was so densely dark that the men could scarcely see their file leaders, about twelve of the Alabamians succeeded in getting lost or cut off from those in front, to the great surprise and chagrin of Lieutenant French, who had no thought but what they had been keeping well closed up. It was now about ten i'. m., and believing that it would be im- possible for him to make his way out and overtake the rest of the command without a guide, French decided to allow his men to dismount and take a nap while wait- ing for day to dawn. As soon as it was light enough to see the trail he set out to overtake Captain Puryear, who in the meantime had missed French after going about four miles, and halted to await his arrival. As soon as P>ench came up those two officers held a consultation and decided to go back into the river bottom, remain there until dark, and then attempt to pass around Cor- June, 1803. 25 J iiith under cover of darkness; but just as they were in the act ol niakini;" the countermarch they learned that two regiments of Federal cavalry and two pieces of artillery had passed about one mile north of them only a few hours previous,, going in the direction of Ripley. This changed their plan. They now decided to drop in behind this F"ederal expedition and follow after it. Ac- cordingly, about eight o'clock i-. m., on the i8th, they ascertained that the enemy had halted and gone into camp near Ripley. Now being satisfied that this expe- dition had been set on foot for the purpose of making an cfibrt to take our outpost near Guntown by surprise, they sent a courier that night to inform Colonel Barteau of the movement. Then llanking the enemy's camp. Captain Puryear ordered his men to halt about eleven i>. M., some ten miles south of Ripley on the New Alba- ny road, where they rested a few hours. Friday, igth. — The courier from Captain Puryear having arrived at our camp near Guntown, about sun- rise, the Second Tennessee was, soon after, in the saddle and moving in the direction of Ripley. General Ruggles followed, a few hours later, with the rest of his brigade. Having decided to make no resistance until after crossing the Tallahatchie River, Captain Puryear, put- ting his scout in motion before daylight, crossed that stream near New Albany, about eleven a. m. After consultation, he and French decided to contest every inch of the ground from there back ; and another mes- senger was dispatched to inform Colonel Barteau of the situation of affairs. Lieutt.Miant French, with a sergeant and twelve men, was left to hold the enemy in chcxk as long as possible, at the river, while Captain Pur)ear, 252 R. E. Hancock's Diary. with the rest of his men. fell back a mile or so to a skirt of woods on the Elhstown road. French, concealing his men on the south bank of the river, near the ford, awaited the arrival of the Federals, who made their appearance about noon. French and his little band reserved their fire until the enemy's ad- vance had come within one hundred )ards of their posi- tion, when a volley from their steady rifles emptied several saddles and caused the enemy to retreat in con- fusion back to the crest of a ridge, about a half mile from the river. The Federal commander now threw forward a heavy line of skirmishers — about two hundred — to dislodge the Confederates. When this line had advanced to within two hundred yards of French's posi- tion, Wallace Thurman, who had gone about one hun- dred yards up the river and concealed himself, fired, killing or wounding the officer in charge ; this caused the enemy to halt but for a moment ; then pressing on about one hundred yards further, directly toward the ford, they were again repulsed by a volley from French's men. In the mean time, however, a portion of the Fed- erals had crossed the river some distance above, and Wallace Thurman narrowly escaped capture. French, being thus llanked out of his position, withdrew his men in good order, to the south side of New Albany, and at a riirht anirle in the road he made another stand ; and here the enemy was again brought to a halt by a volley from French's men, who then withdrew a few hundred yards to another favorable position. The Federals now threw forward their artillery and commenced shelling both sides of the road ; and thus by nightfall French and his thirteen men had been driven only four miles. The Federals then withdrew from the Ellistown road June, 18G3. 253 and moved in the direction of Pontotoc ; and French found Puryear encamped about three miles further back on the EHistown road. Setting out from Guntown, as previously mentioned the Second Tennessee, after moving- about six miles in the direction of Ripley, turned toward Pontotoc ; but, soon after we had passed EHistown, Colonel Barteau learned that Captain Puryear's scout was engaging the enemy at New Albany ; and thence, turning in that di- rection, he found Puryear within seven miles of that place, a few moments after the arrival of French's de- tachment, as above named. Here we took supper and fed our horses. Then turning back, and moving across the country in a circuitous route, we struck the New Albany-Pontotoc road, at Plentytude, eight miles south of New Albany, and about two and a half miles in ad- vance of the enemy. Here we rested two or three hours. In the mean time, the Federals had turned west- ward — going in the direction of Rocky Ford, on the Tallahatchie River. Moving up toward New Albany until he had struck the road along which the Federals had moved, Colonel Barteau learned, through his scouts, that the enemy had halted and encamped not far dis- tant ; therefore, he pressed on. hoping to be able to take the enemy by surprise ; but, on reaching their supposed camping place, about daylight the next morning (the 20th), he learned that they had halted only long enough to feed, and then continued their march westward. By his own request. Lieutenant French was allowed to press on ahead, in search of the enemy, with thirteen men who volunteered to go with him. The First and Second Alabama Regiments came up about this time. As General Ruggles was yet behind. 254 R. R. Hancock's Diary. hurrying up the artillery, Culonel Barteau assumed com- mand of the three regiments present, and continued the pursuit of the enemy. He had not gone far, however, before he learned, through a messenger from French, that the Federals had halted and were still in their camp on the west bank of the Lappylubbee Creek. On reach- ing said creek, the Second Tennessee, now under Lieu- tenant-Colonel Morton, was thrown across, dismounted to engage the enemy; but, as they had just moved out from their camp, our horses were brought over, and we mounted again and continued the pursuit. Finding a good position about one mile from the creek, the Fed- erals halted, deployed in line of battle, and awaited our advance. Their position being just beyond a short turn in the road, Lieutenant French, who was still in the ad- vance, was within thirty yards of their skirmishers before he saw them. He and the thirteen men whom he had with him, on that memorable occasion, composed as gallant a little band as ever rode into battle. Regret that I am not now able to give the name of each man. They immediately opened fire upon the enemy, to which the latter replied with vigor. To use French's own language, " Each man seemed to pick out his man and fight to a finish y The following is from French's man- uscript notes : For my part, I selected an officer who, I afterward learned, was the Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ninth Illinois Regiment of Cavalry; whether this be true or not, I am unable to state; yet I do know that he was a cool-headed officer, for nearly every shot that he fired at me took effect. One — the first tliat I felt — burnt my neck; the next passed through my pistol scabbard on my right side; and another took effect in my right arm, passing through and shivering the ulna; this last shot he fired after he was wounded by me. June, 18G3. 255 I sliot at him five limes. My first sliol was loo low, sli iking his horse and causing him to drop. The ofificer lit on his feet and con- tinued to fire, until one of my shots took effect in his thigh; he then fell, but raising up again, he fired again, with the result above men- tioned — breaking my arm, which dropped at my side powerless. And thus did Lieutenant P>ench and his heroic Httle band stand and fight desperately, at short range, until Lieutenant-Colonel Morton reached the scene, and threw forward the Second Tennessee, dismounted, to their support. And then and there THE BATTLE OF MUD CREEK opened in earnest. The Federal skirmish line was soon driven back to their main line, which then opened a heavy fire. But onward pressed the Second Tennessee, driving the enemy before them. About this time Colo- nel Barteau threw forward the Second Alabama, dis- mounted, to the support of the Second Tennessee ; and General Ruggles came up, soon after, with the artillery, which, being immediately thrown into position, opened upon the enemy. After driving the Federals thus for about one mile. Colonel Barteau ordered the command to halt and mount. We had not gone far, however, before we found the enemy strongly posted behind trees, logs, etc., in Mud Creek bottom. Dismounting again we succeeded in driving them from this position, after heavy firing for a few minutes. Still pressing forward we drove them on through a bad swamp and across Mud Creek. Having to halt here to assist the artillery in crossing the creek, and to wait for our horses to be brought across, it gave the Federals the start of us. Going on to within one mile and a half of Rocky Ford we there learned that the Federals had crossed the Tal- lahatchie River and destroyed the bridge ; so we then turned back. 256 R. K. Hancock's Diary. After passing back tluuiigh the baltlctickl, our regi- ment scattered, a company or two in a place, in order to obtain foragre and rations. The Confederate loss was two killed and ten or twelve wounded. One of the killed (Andrew Hames, Com- pany I*") and about five of the wounded were from the Second Tennessee. Among the wounded were S. C. Odom (Company C) and Lieutenant A. H. PVench (Company A). There seemed to be various opinions in reference to the Federal loss. However, nine were said to have been found dead on the field and buried ; and about twenty- seven wounded. We captured five wagons, loaded with bacon, crackers, corn, oats, etc., one ambu- lance, a few mules, the hind wheels of a caisson, and some ammunition. I suppose that there were about five hundred Federals in this scout, though some esti- mates put their number at eight hundred. They had two pieces of artillery. I suppose we had between three and four hundred engaged.* Dr. George F. Hager, who wrote the sketch of the Second Tennessee Cavalry for Dr. John B. Lindsley's History of Tennessee Troops, says: We soon drove them across Mud Creek, killing and capturing in all about seventy-five men. Destroying the bridge and deserting two guns, they hastily retreated. Our loss was* light; few killed and wounded, t Sunday^ 2ist. — On reassembling early in the morning, *I shall here relate a little incident that occurred during the action al Mud Creek. The Alabamians, coming up in rear of the Second Tennessee, opened fire a little too quick, and thus the latter was exposed to a fire from the rear as well as the front. In fact, the balls were cutting closer to me from the rear than the front. Some of us were getting about in the right humor to turn our guns the other way, when a runner was sent l)ack to stop "that foolishness." t Military Annals of Tennessee, p. 613. July. 1803. 257 McKnight's Company was detached and sent back to the hospital to try to make some arrangements to have our wounded sent to Pontotoc, while the rest of the regiment moved on to that place. I and one other were sent out to hunt conveyance for the wounded, and the rest of the company followed the regiment. After hunt- ing for some time we found one carriage, but the sur- geon decided that it would not do, because a man could not lie down in it. So he finally told us to go on to Pontotoc and send back the ambulances. Going within ten miles of town we put up for the night. Mo7iday, 22d. — We found our regiment one mile east of Pontotoc, and reported the request of the surgeon to Colonel Barteau. Wednesday , 2^th. — Barteau moved his regiment down to within four miles of Okolona.* Tuesday y July jth. — The regiment was scattered ; the larger portion, however, went to Mooreville. A part of McKnight's Company was sent to Aberdeen, a part to Okolona, and the larger part to Cotton Gin Port, on the Tombigbee River, in Monroe County, Mississippi. The object in thus scattering the regiment was to take up and return to their respective commands such soldiers as might be found scattered through the country absent from their commands without permission. *It was from this camp that I started, about two o'clock p. m., June 26th, with a dispatch to General Roddy, who was near Tuscumbia, Alabama. Going by the way of Camargo, Sniithville, Burlison and Russellville, I arrived at Tus- cumbia, Alabama, about sunset, June 28th — distance about one hundred and five miles. General Roddy had moved his headquarters eighteen miles west. The dispatch was sent to him by another courier that night. As my hors» was slightly foundered at Tuscumbia, I did not rejoin my company until a few hours after a part of the company had arrived at Cotton Gin Port, Mississippi, July 7lh. 17 258 R. R. Hancock's Diary. It was on the above date that we heard the sad news of the fall of Vicksburg, Mississippi. This was the heaviest loss, both as to number of men and importance of position, that the Confederacy had sustained up to that time, and perhaps the greatest loss up to the sur- render of General Lee's army. Lieutenant-General John C. Pemberton surrendered Vicksburg to General U. S. Grant July 4th, 1863. ^ The following (from the Life of Grant, page 251) is the estimated Confederate losses from the commence- ment of the campaign on April 30th, to the final surren- der of the city : PRISONERS. Lieutenant-General i Major and Brigadier-Generals • . 19 Field, staff, and line officers 4,600 Non-commissioned officers and privates 30,000 KH^LED AND WOUNDED. Killed in battles and skirmishes 1,000 Wounded in battles and skirmishes 4,000 Captured in hospitals in Vicksburg and elsewhere. 6,000 Stragglers, including men cut off and unable to re- join their commands 800 Grand total 46,420 Field artillery captured in battle 83 Field artillery captured at Vicksburg 128 Siege guns captured at Vicksburg 90 Total 301 Muskets and rifles 45,000 General Grant in his official report sums up the Federal losses dur- ing the series of battles of the Vicksburg campaign as follows : . . . Killed 943 Wounded 7,095 Missing 537 Total 8,575 July, 1803. 259 In speaking of the fall of Vicksburg Pollard says : " It was a disaster that nearly broke the heart of the Confederacy, as it did cut in twain its body." "Vicksburg," continues Pollard, "was the strategic point in the Confederacy, second only to the capital." According to A. H. Stephens, in his history of the " War Between the States," this was Grant's eighth attempt to take that stronghold, and sums them all up thus : First, by Holly Springs ; second, by Chickasaw Bayou ;* third, by Williams' Canal ; fourth, by Lake Providence ; fifth, by Yazoo Pass ; sixth, by Steele's Bayou; seventh, by Milliken's Bend; and eighth, by the rear land movement from below. The following dispatch tells the fate of the last foot- hold (Port Hudson) that the Confederates held on the Mississippi River: Headquarters Department of the Gulf, Nineteenth Army Corps, Port Hudson, La., July loth, 1863. To General H. W. Halleck — Sir : I hatve the honor to inform you that with this post there fell into our hands over five thousand five hundred prisoners, including one Major-General and one Brigadier- General, twenty pieces of heavy artillery, five complete batteries, numbering thirty-one pieces of field artillery, a good supply of pro- jectiles for light and heavy guns, forty-four thousand eight hundred pounds of cannon powder, five thousand stands of arms, and one hun- dred and fifty thousand rounds of small arrp ammunition, besides a small amount of stores of various kinds. We captured also two steamers, one of which is very valuable. They will be of great service at this time. I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, N. P. Banks, Major- General Commanding . f As soon as he heard of the surrender of Vicksburg Major-General Frank Gardner, commanding the Con- *Or Sherman's attempt to take llaiiics' Bluff. t Life of Grant, page 258. 260 R. K. Hancock's Diary. federates at Port Hudson, Louisiana, surrendered with- out further resistance to General N. P. Banks, on the 8th of July. So there was now nothinu- left to hinder the naviga- tion of the Mississippi by the Federals. Monday, ijth. — Lieutenant S. Dennis* was sent to Smithville, some twelve miles north of Cotton Gin Port, with ten men to guard the roads around that place. Sunday, 26th. — As our regiment had orders to reas- semble, Dennis' squad returned to Cotton Gin Port. Monday^ zjtJi. — The detachments of McKnight's company reassembled at Okolona. The rest of our reg- iment had gone on to Pontotoc. Tuesday, 28th. — Leaving Okolona to hunt the regi- ment, our company bivouacked within about five miles of where the regiment was encamped, joining it next morning (29th) one mile east of Pontotoc. We found the regiment almost without forage. The old crop had about " played out," and the new corn crop was not quite ready for use yet, though there was a prospect for a good corn crop. Wheat was good ; however, it was very seldom that we had the pleasure of eating any bread made of it. Provisions were scarce also. So it was bad on us, as well as our horses, to have a missing link between the crops. Monday, August jd. — Leaving the wagon train and *A dispatch from Ruggles to Roddy was handed to Lieutenant Dennis by a courier with instructions to "forward in haste." Accordingly, I left Smithville with this dispatch between one and two o'clock a. m., July 23d, and got to Gen- eral Roddy's headcjuarters at the Franklin House, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, be- fore breakfast — in fact, before the General had got up — next morning, distance, seventy-five miles. I returned to Smithville with a dispatch from Roddy to Ruggles on the 26th, just as Dennis' squad was leaving for Cotton Gin Tort. August, 1863. 261 Company O in camps near Pontotoc, Colonel Boyle started out on a scout with the Second Tennessee and P'irst Alabama Regiments and two pieces of artillery. The Second Tennessee was commanded by Lieutenant- Colonel G. H. Morton. (As I was on picket when this scout started out I did not go with it.) Moving north they bivouacked near New Albany. Tuesday, 4th. — Moving on through New Albany they bivouacked within three miles of Ripley. Colonel Boyle sent a scout on to Ripley. On returning they reported that a squad of Federals had been in town that day, but left before they got there. Wednesday, 5th. — Three companies of the Second Tennessee were sent up to Ripley. Forty Federals had been in town that morning, but on learning that a scout of Confederates had been town the evening be- fore they left hurriedly just before our scout got there, Friday, jth. — The Second Tennessee and First Ala- bama returned to their respective camps near Pontotoc, without having any engagement with the Federals. Saturday, 8th.— Ix. was reported in camps that the Federals were moving down the Mobile and Ohio Rail- road in large force. About sundown we were ordered to strike tents and load our wagons. In the saddle and moving at dark, making an even night's march, we ar- rived at Okolona at daybreak on Sunday, gth. — Moving out a few hundred yards from town, we dismounted and took a nap, while waiting for our wagons to come up. They were about one hour and a half behind us. As the alarm proved to be false, after feeding crur horses and eating a snack ourselves, the regiment moved up to 262 R. 1?. Hancock's Diary. Sanders' Mill, on Chauappa Creek, some eight and a half miles north of Okolona. Saturday, i^th. — The regiment moved from Sanders' Mill, four miles up the creek, to Edwards' Mill, occupy- ing the same camp that we did when there before. This move was made on account of the scarcity of water at the former camp, and we found that article scarce at the latter, that is, for the men, as we had plenty of water for our horses. Monday, ijth. — About four o'clock p. m. we were or- dered to prepare to move, and that immediately ! Ac- cordingly, we were soon on the road. Two wagons, with a few cooking vessels, moved with the regiment. The rest of the wagon train and Company Q went to Okolona. We bivouacked at our old camp-ground, one mile east of Pontotoc, about ten o'clock p. m. — distance fifteen miles. Here we learned that a P ederal scout had crossed the Tallahatchie River at Rocky P^ord, on the 1 6th, going south. General Ferguson commanded the brigade. I suppose that his object in making this move was to watch this P^ederal scout that was now afield. Tuesday, iStJi. — Moving out on the Holly Springs road, the Second Tennessee halted and fed at Butter- milk Springs, about twelve miles from Pontotoc. Turn- ing back, they bivouacked within seven miles of Pontotoc. Wednesday, igth. — We returned to the camp which we left the morning before, and remained there until late in the evening. Then moving out about ten miles on the Houston road we bivouacked about eleven o'clock p. M. It rained some on us that night. Thursday, 20th. — We lay by during the day ; had plenty of corn and fodder for our horses, and plenty to September, 1863. 263 eat ourselves ; had corn and fodder laid by to feed our horses next morning ; had our beds made down on fodder, so we were well fixed for a pleasant night's rest. About the time most of us were snugly to bed "that old bugle," in notes too plain to be misunderstood by a soldier, said, " Saddle your horses." Soon after this our bugler piped forth again, "Mount your horses," and next came the sharp, quick notes, " Forward, march ! " Well, this is the luck of a soldier ! He has to march when ordered, whether night or day, rain or shine, cold or hot. We arrived at Houston about one hour before day on Friday, August 21st. It was said that the Fed- eral scout, that passed Rocky Ford on the i6th, had moved on down the Mississippi Central Railroad and formed a junction, at Grenada, with another force. Grenada is about forty-five miles west of Houston. General Ferguson had concentrated between twelve and fifteen hundred cavalry and eight pieces of artillery, four small and four large pieces, at the latter place. Our regiment bivouacked near Houston. Sunday, 2 2d. — As the Federals did not seem to be coming out toward Houston, the Second Tennessee moved back to Okolona (twenty miles), where they found the wagon train and Company Q. Monday, 2^d. — The regiment moved back to our old camp, at Edwards' Mill, twelve miles above Okolona. Saturday, 2gth. — The regiment moved from Edwards' Mill to Tupelo. The Second Alabama met our regi- ment there. Friday, September jfth. — The regiment left Tupelo,* *I went to Aberdeen to buy a .saddle, on the 29th of August, and as I had to wait until the saddler made one, I did not get ])ack to camp at Tupelo until September 4th, after this scout had started; therefore, I did not go. 264 R. R. Hancock's Diaet. some thought, to go to West Tennessee, but it turned out to be a conscripting expedition. So they returned to Tupelo, on the 7th. without going to Tennessee. The boys complained of having a hard time during this ex- pedition, on account of having more ditst than rations. T/mrsday, loth. — Our regiment, two others, six pieces of artillery (six-pounders), and four smaller pieces, left Tupelo early in the morning, and after a march of about twenty miles, the brigade encamped within eight miles of New Albany. Here our brigade formed a junction with a small brigade from Pontotoc, commanded by Brigadier-General R. V. Richardson. He had one reg- iment of Mississippians, about three hundred "new re- cruits" from West Tennessee, and two six-pounder guns. General Ferguson commanded both brigades. Friday, ii^k.— The divisions moved on through New Albany, and after a march of twenty miles encamped at Orizaba, seven miles south of Ripley. Saturday, 12th. — About ten o'clock a. m. we heard that the Federals were in Ripley, Our regiment, one other, and four small pieces of artillery, were sent up to Ripley, When we got there, we learned that twenty- five or thirty Federals had dashed into town and out again early in the morning. After gaing about four miles north of Ripley, without finding affy Federals, we returned to camp at Orizaba about dark, Su7iday, ijih. — As the command did not move, our chaplain, S, C. Talley, preached for us. This was the first time that he had preached for us in several months. Mo?iday, 14th. — General Ferguson moved his com- mand back to New Albany, and encamped on the Talla- hatchie River. As it had not rained for several days October, 18G;3. 265 it was very disagreeable niarchini^ on account of so much dust. JVednesday, i6th. — The Second Tennessee moved from New Albany back to Tupelo — distance twenty- eight miles. Two regiments of our brigade remained at New Albany. I think Richardson went back near Pontotoc. We were glad to be thus separated from the rest of the brigade. When a iight was on hand, " the more the merrier; " but when in camp, "the fewer the better share." When there were so many camped close to- gether, the "■buttermilk ivouldn t go 'round.'''' We had a pleasant day's march to-day, as the dust is laid by a rain that fell yesterday. Wednesday , jotk. — The regiment drew pay for two months — May and June. Thursday, October ist. — The regiment moved from Tupelo to Poplar Springs — distance seventeen miles. We were on our way to New Albany. Friday, 2d. — The regiment moved on to New Albany early in the morning. Ferguson's and Richardson's Brigades were reassembled at New Albany for the purpose of being inspected by Lieutenant - General Joseph E. Johnston. The Second Tennessee was re- viewed by him between ten and eleven o'clock a. m. It was the first time that we had ever had the honor of being reviewed by a Lieutenant-General. Notwith- standing we had been in his department for some time, this was the first time that we had ever had an oppor- tunity of i^tspecting Joseph E. Johnston. He now ranks among the great generals of America. 1 failed to men- 260 R. R. Hancock's Diary. tion in the proper place that our wagon train went to Pontotoc in place of New Albany. Saturday, jd. — Ferguson's Brigade moved out to, and encamped on, Cherry Creek, eleven miles from New Albany and seven from Pontotoc. The wagon train came up from Pontotoc to xhv. brigade at this camp the next day. Richardson's Brigade remained at New Al- bany. Monday, §th. — Ferguson's Brigade moved from Cherry Creek to Pontotoc. A Federal scout came down to New Albany. General Richardson had an artillery skirmish with them. We could hear the artillery as we were going on down to Pontotoc. They did not become en- gaged with small arms. Major-General Stephen D. Lee, who was J. E. John- ston's Chief of Cavalry, was now at Pontotoc, prepar- ing for an expedition into North Alabama. Besides our brigade — commanded still by S. W. Ferguson — another brigade had been sent up to Pontotoc from near Jack- son, Mississippi, to go on this Alabama expedition, com- manded by Colonel Ross. Tuesday, 6th. — General S. D. Lee, with the two bri- gades above named and two or three batteries of artil- lery, moved out from Pontotoc early in the morning. Going east through Harrisburg and Tupelo he biv- ouacked near Mooreville (distance twenty-seven miles). The most of the wagon train and camp equipage were left at Pontotoc. We had two wagons with our regi- ment — one loaded with cooking-vessels and the other with ammunition. Wed7icsday, yth. — After a march of about twenty-four miles, passing through Fulton and crossing Tombigbee October, 18(53. 267 River, Lee's Division bivouacked on the Tuscumbia road. Thursday, 8th. — Passing out of Mississippi into Ala- bama, and crossing Bear Creek, the division bivouacked on Cedar Creek, within five or six miles of Frankfort, the county seat of Franklin County, after a march of about twenty-seven miles. Here we were ordered to cook six days' rations, which was something unusual. Friday, gth. — The division marched on through Frank- fort and Tuscumbia, and bivouacked two miles above Florence, near the Tennessee River — marching over twenty-seven miles again. Saturday, loth. — In order to be more convenient to water and forage, the division moved one mile up the river. COMMENTARIES. 1 . We marched from Pontotoc to the Tennessee River, near Florence, in four days, and did it with ease to our- selves and horses. General Lee was a " West Pointer," and I think that he exhibited his training at that school by the systematic manner in which he moved his di- vision from Pontotoc to Florence. 2. We learned that General Wheeler's cavalry was crossing from the north to the south side of the Tennes- see River, at Lamb's Ferry, some distance above us. He was from Bragg's army, near Chattanooga. Cross- ing the Tennessee River east of Chattanooga, General Wheeler had come round by the way of McMinnville, Woodbury, Murfreesboro, and Shelbyville. We heard that he captured all the above places, except Murfrees- boro. It was thought by some that Lee left Pontotoc with the expectation of forming a junction with Wheeler 2G8 R. R. Hancock's Diary. somewhere in Tennessee, perhaps Murfreesboro, and assist him in his operations in rear of Rosecrans. His rapid march and his order to cook six days' rations the nic^-ht before he got to Tennessee River, go far to prove that Lee did have such a move in contemplation. A misunderstanding between Joseph E. Johnston and Bragg, in reference to the time that Wheeler started on his raid, might have been the reason why Lee did not start in time to form the intended junction. However, be that as it may, the junction was formed at the Ten- nessee River in place of Murfreesboro. Or, perhaps, it was only intended for Lee to assist Wheeler in pass- ing to the south side of the Tennessee. 3. By this time General Bragg had driven Rosecrans back into Chattanooo-a, and had seized and was still o holding the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, which was Rosecrans' only line of communication by rail, thus forcing him (Rosecrans) to bring his supplies, by wagon, over a rugged mountain road, seventy miles long. Ac- cording to their own account, " The Federal army was on half rations, ten thousand mules and horses had died of starvation, and there seemed no possibility of rescue. The Government," continues the writer, "became greatly alarmed, and at once sent for Grant to take command of Rosecrans' army." So Grant was now on his way from Vicksburg to Chattanooga, going by the way of Cairo and Louisville. Though, some time previous to this, perhaps about the 1st of September, "Grant was directed to send all his available force to the support of Rosecrans." Accord- ingly, Sherman, with a whole corps, was sent up the Mississippi River to Memphis, thence along the Mem- phis and Charleston Railroad toward Chattanooga; October, 1.S03. 269 and by this time (loth of October) was somewhere in North Mississippi, perhaps about Corinth. Therefore, I am sure that one object of Lee's expedi- tion into North Alabama was to tear up the railroad in front of Sherman, and otherwise annoy him, so as to either make his march along the railroad very slow, or force him to abandon that route, thus holding him back as long as possible from the support of Rosecrans. The following pages will show the result. Monday, 12th.— Owr division moved, from where we bivouacked, three miles above South Florence, on the loth, four miles further up the river, where we remained four days. It rained a great deal during those four days. Friday, i6ih. — The division moved seven or eight miles east, and bivouacked near Hennington's Spring, a beautiful spring, affording an abundance of water. How delightful it wnnlrl be if we could always have such a spring near camp. Tuesday, 20th. — About ten o'clock i'. m., General Ferguson, with our regiment, commanded by Lieuten- ant-Colonel Morton, the Fifty-sixth Alabama, Major Sanders' Battalion, and two pieces of artillery, moved out west from our bivouac near Hennington's Spring. After a march of about twenty-three miles, we halted three miles west of Tuscumbia, where we rested until daylight. Wednesday, 2ist. — General I'^erguson, moving about twelve miles west along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, met the advance of Sherman's army. You may pause here, my dear reader, while I lift the vail from this scene, and allow you to take a look (in your imagination) at not exceeding nine hundred and 270 K. li. Hancock's Diary. fifty " rebs " facing Sherman's army of, perhaps, twenty thousand men. However, I do not suppose that Fer- guson expected to defeat Sherman on that field, but try to check his advance for a short time. When we met the Federals, the Fifty-sixth Alabama was deployed in line on the left of the railroad, and our regiment and Sanders' Battalion on the right. Dismounting, the Second Tennessee advanced through a woods-lot, and just as we emerged from this lot the firing became tol- erably heavy. Pressing on through the woods beyond the lot, the firing became so heavy that we fell back a little, and then charged the Federals again. But, as they had a good position behind the embankment of the railroad, we still failed to move them from it. Had the Fifty-sixth Alabama swung round on their right as a pivot, taking the Federals by their right flank or rear, perhaps we might have succeeded in moving them from their position. But they failed to come to our relief in any way zvhatever. If one of them fired a gun I did not know it ; nor am I able to explain why they did not do a?iything. After we had been engaged about two hours, still holding our position, Colonel Morton ordered us to fall back to our horses. After falling back to and remounting our horses, we moved off slowly, halting and deploying in line every now and then, thinking that perhaps the Federals would follow and charge us. After falling back thus for about one mile, unmolested, the Second Tennessee fell in with the rest of the brigade, which was now drawn up in bat- tle line on an elevated portion of ground in a large, open field, from which position we had a good view back to the woods in which we had just been engaged. About this time we saw a line of Federal infantry emerge OCTOBEK, 1803. 271 from these woods and advance about two hundred yards into the open field. Their artillery also moved up, im- limbered and opened, for the first time, from a position just in rear of the infantry. They cut the fuse too short, their shells bursting before reaching our position, though, perhaps, they were throwing their shells at our skirmish line, which was considerably in advance of the main line. Our artillery had been lett some two or three miles in the rear. Nightfall now closed the operations of the day, and General F"eroruson moved the brigade back a few miles, and camped on the east bank of Cane Creek, where he met General S. D. Lee with the rest of the division. It yet appears strange to me why General Sherman allowed Colonel Morton to hold his [Morton's] position as he did for two hours (with not exceeding three hun- dred men), and then move off unmolested. While my manuscript was in the hands of Lieutenant- Colonel Morton, he added the following in reference to the above engagement, which was afterward known as the "Action at Cherokee:" We did not fall back until ordered by General Ferguson. He could not get either one of his staff to carry the order, but it was finally sent to me by a courier. It was then that Ferguson formed the Second Tennessee in line and made a speech, complimenting them for their bravery. This was one among our best fights during the war. Our gallant leader [Morton] narrowly escaped being killed during the action ; three balls passed through his coat, and one man was shot down by his side. This was the only man "who was killed on the field. I think that he was a member of Company H, a company of Alabamians that was attached to the Second Tennes- see at that time. The Orderly Sergeant of this com- 272 K. R. Hancock's Diary. pany was severely wounded and left in the hands of the enemy. Captain Thomas Puryear* (Company G) was mortally wounded while gallantly leading his company. He lived about eight days. James R. Dickerson (Com- pany D) was mortally wounded ; died a few days after the battle. Steve Harland (Company E), Thomas Link (Company F) and E. D. Thomas f and H. G. Stephens *See Appendix A, for biographical sketch. t Thomas, who was thought to be mortally wounded, was left at the first house, and there fell into the hands of the Federals. His brother, J. H. Thomas, who remained with him, was also captured. While waiting at Sherman's head- quarters the next morning for the doctors to get ready to extract the ball that had lodged in his left side, the following dialogue took place between E. D. Thomas (who is a reliable man) and General W. T. Sherman: Sherman — Reb, how many men did you have in the fight yesterday? Thomas — About three hundred, less one-fourth holding horses. S. — I did not ask you for a lie. I saw about ten limes that number with my own eyes. T. — I supposed that you asked for the truth; that is why I told you the truth. Had I thought you wanted a lie, I could have told one. But where did you see so many men ? 5. — Deployed in line back on that hill after the engagement was over. T. — O yes! I guess that you saw the whole brigade in that line; but only one regiment — the Second Tennessee — was engaged yesterday. We have enough cavalry in the valley above here to whip your whole army. [Lee, Roddy and Wheeler were all in North Alabama at that time. — R. R. H.^ S. — I guess you are mistaken about that, too. Another reason why you must be mistaken about the number engaged yesterday is, that one hundred of my men were killed on the field; and no llirce hundred men could have killed so many in so short a time. T. — I am sure that the number engaged did not exceed three hundred; and if there was a single man killed on our side I did not hear of it. J. II. Thomas was sent right on to Alton, Illinois; they would not allow him to remain with his brother. E. D. Thomas says that forty ambulances were sent to luka, in one train, loaded with wounded — from two to three in each ambulance — and all Federals except himself and one more. After remaining at luka about eleven days, he was sent to Memphis, where he remained about three months. He had now about recovered from his wound. He was sent from Memphis to Alton, Illi- nois, and, after remaining there about two months, he and his brother were sent to Fort Delaware. Being paroled at that prison, after staying there about eleven months, ihey arrived at Richmond, Virginia, on the 3d of March, 1865. From there, by a circuitous route through Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, they went to West Tennessee, where they remained until the^war closed, October, 1863. 273 (Company C) were wounded. Perhaps one or two oth- ers were wounded. To recapitulate : Our loss was one killed and about eight wounded — two mortally. If there was a man killed or wounded in the Fifty-sixth x'\labama or Sanders' Battalion, the writer never heard of it. I cannot see what General Ferguson expected to ac- complish by attacking General Sherman's army at all ; and I am yet at a still greater loss to explain why he allowed the Second Tennessee to contend aofainst such fearful odds, luisiip ported, for two long hours before he ordered them to fall back. However, as this was their first action under his command, I am of the opinion that his main object was to try their mettle. Sherman's advance (about four regiments of infantry) had been camping near Tuscumbia, but had moved back to the main army that morning just in advance of us. It was a rainy day, and as the Federals had got wet during their march that morning, they were in their tents changfinor their clothingr at the time we attacked them. It is strange that Sherman would allow himself to be taken as completely by surprise as it seemed that he was this time. I suppose that he thought that there were no Confederates nearer than Tuscumbia, as those regiments (infantry) had just come from a point a little west of that place without being molested. But it so happened that we followed right at their heels. It was the complete surprise that must have made the great difference between the Federal and Confederate losses in this engagement. (See foot note.) After the death of Captain Puryear Lieutenant j. M. Eastes was made Captain of Company G by promotion. B. H, Moore was promoted to First Lieutenant and A. W. Lipscomb to Second, thus leaving the Third Lieu- 18 274 R. R. Hancock's Diaky, tenancy vacant. J. J. Lawrence was elected to fill said vacancy. TImrsday, 22d. — Ross' Brigade went out on picket. A part of our regiment was tearing up the railroad and burning cross-ties. All quiet in front. Friday, 2jd. — Ferguson's Brigade, with two pieces of artillery, went out to relieve Ross' Brigade. Lee still kept part of his division "■Jixijig'' the railroad in ad- vance of Sherman. I guess that when he (Sherman) examined it he thought that some one had been fixing it. There was a line of couriers, two every six miles, from Lee to Bragg, near Chattanooga. By this means the latter was kept posted in reference to the progress that Sherman w^as making in his march to Chattanooga. Sherman was kind enough to let us rest that day. Saturday, 2^th. — Ferguson's Brigade was still on picket. The two pieces of artillery that we had with us were supported by the Second Tennessee. Had a nice position for our artillery, a good view for some distance west. About daybreak the Federal skirmish line ad- vanced, driving our skirmish line before it. They then moved up their artillery in sight of our position and threw a few bomb-shells, which fell far short of us. The captain of our artillery thought that he would not waste his powder and balls at such long range, but wait until they came up closer. However, they soon fell back without having any general engagement, so our artillery did not fire a shot. Being relieved in the even- ing by Ross' Brigade, Ferguson moved back to his biv- ouac east of Cane Creek. Su7iday, 2^th. — All quiet in front again, and we are still occupying the same bivouac that we did the 21st. It seems that Sherman is moving very slow ; especially October, 1863. 275 does it seem so when we consider that he has been or- dered to move with all possible speed to the relief of the Federal army at Chattanooga, now in an awful strait. Though, perhaps, Lee is not fixing the railroad to suit him, and, therefore, he has to stop and 7'efix it in some places. An explanation is necessary here before I give the next move in which the Second Tennessee took part. A good many "tories" in Marion, Winston, and h'ay- ette Counties, Alabama, had joined the Federal army. I suppose that they thought that while Sherman's army was in North Alabama, holding the attention of all the Confederate Cavalry in that section, it would be a good time for them to take the "old woman and children" some sugar and coffee. So General Lee happened to learn that the First Alabama tory Cavalry (about seven hundred strong) had been out in the above named coun- ties and was then on its return to luka. So Lee thought that he could spare two regiments and still have enough left to manage Sherman — that is to fall back as fast as the latter would advance. Therefore, General Ferguson, with the Second Tennessee and Second Ala- bama Regiments, moved out from his bivouac on Cane Creek about half after seven o'clock p. m. After a march of about thirty-five miles in a south-west direc- tion, over an awful rough, hilly country, we halted about sunrise on the 26th and fed our horses near the junction of Cedar and Bear Creeks. Swinging ourselves inta the saddle again, after a hasty, scanty breakfast, cross- ing Bear Creek, we moved west to the Eastport-Fulton road, thence in the direction of Fulton. We had not gone far in the direction of Fulton before the Second Alabama, which was in advance, met that Federal-tor^^ 276 K. R. Hancock's Diary. scout. Hearing the firing in front, our regiment halted, and while waiting for orders, the Federals threw a few canister-shot among us, from a couple of small pieces of artillery which they had along with them ; but, luckily, no one was hurt. Our regiment and two companies of the Second Alabama formed and dismounted in an old field to the left of the road, while the rest of the Second Alabama was thrown out to the right. The Federal skirmish line, on the left of the road, was in a skirt of woods a short distance in our front, while their main line was just behind this skirt of woocis in another old field. All things being now ready the whole line was ordered to charge. Their skirmish line lell back through those woods as we advanced, and after heavy firing from both sides for a few minutes we drove them from their position on the left of the road. Seeing that the squadron from the Second Alabama had failed to move the Federals on the right Lieutenant-Colonel Morton dashed across the road to their assistance with two companies of the Second Tennessee, and he soon suc- ceeded in driving them from their position on the right also. Then our whole line moved forward a few hun- dred yards without meeting any opposition. As soon as our horses could be brought to us we mounted. Dashing forward a short distance we dismounted again, but as it proved to be only a few skirmishers we re- mounted. However, not far from this they made an- other stand. Charging up within one hundred yards of their position they poured a volley among us, and our daring leader. Colonel G. H. Morton, fell from his horse. Leaping from our saddles, charging on foot, we o completely routed the Federals that they did not make another stand, but dashed through the woods to OcTOBEK, 1863. 277 our right. Seeing that Colonel Morton had fallen, our Adjutant, Pleas. A. Smith, immediately assumed com- mand, and very gallantly lead the Second Tennessee in this last charge. Remounting and dashing down the road we soon learned that none of the federals had retreated along the main road. Turning and passing back through the battlefield our hearts leaped for joy on seeing Colonel Morton in the saddle again. He had been struck in the breast by a spent ball, which, though knocking him lifeless for a few moments, bruising him considerably, did not break the flesh. As it was now about nightfall we did not pursue, but moving back to we bivouacked near our hospital. Notwithstanding he had been successful in completely routing this Federal-tory scout, I think that General Ferguson had failed to accomplish all that he had de- signed. Mooreland's Battalion, from General Roddy's Brigade, was to attack the Federals in the rear about the same time that he [Ferguson] attacked them in front, and thus make a capture in place of a I'oiit. But owing to some mishap or other Mooreland failed to ap- pear in the rear at the proper time. However, I think that he arrived upon the scene in time to follow a short distance, giving them a few parting shots. The Second Tennessee lost two killed. One of them, George Brown,* was the First Sergeant of Company D, and the other, Dave Reeves,* a private froni Company G. Three, besides Colonel Morton, were wounded. Two of them, Richard Davenport and J. H. Cavender, were from Company C (McKnight's Company). The latter was so severely wounded that his leg had to be ampu- *They were decently buried at Fulton, Mississippi, the next evening. D. B. Willard, of Company C, superintended. 278 R. R. Hancock's Diary. tated. The Second Alabama had three or four wounded, none killed. I do not know the exact loss of the Federals. How ever, from the best information I could get their loss was about eleven killed and twenty wounded. We cap- tured about twenty-five, besides their wounded. We also captured their two pieces of artillery, several horses and mules, cavalry and pack saddles, a good many over- coats and blankets, a few small arms, some ammunition, and two or three sacks of coffee. The prisoners said that they burned their wagons back in Alabama. (We met them in Mississippi.) We thought that, perhaps, their wagons were concealed, in place of being burned. The Federals advanced on General Lee, driving him back a few miles east of Tuscumbia. However, they remained in Tuscumbia only one night, falling back the next day — the 27th. Lee followed them down below Cane Creek. Tuesday, 2yth. — Moving out east, alter proper ar- rangements had been made for the burial of the dead, and taking care of the wounded. General Ferguson bivouacked within nine miles of Russellville. Captain McKnight's Company was stopped two miles west lor picket. Wed7iesday, 28th. — Marching on through Russellville, thence along the Courtland road, he bivouacked ten miles east of the former place. Thursday. 2gth. — Moving on north-east we camped at Courtland, some twenty-four miles west of Decatur. Friday, joth. — Marching fourteen miles in the direc- tion of Florence we bivouacked with the rest ol the brigade. Here we learned that Sherman* had aban- doned the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, crossed * He got to Bridgeport on the 13th of November. NOVEMUEK, 1863. 279 the Tennessee River at Eastport. and was marching toward Chattanooga along the north side of the river. This was a very disagreeable day on account of so much rain. Saturday, Jist. — Ferguson's Brigade marched south to Leaton, thence east along the railroad to Town Creek, and encamped in a nice oak grove. Wednesday, November ^tJi. — The brigade left the nice oak grove on Town Creek, marched seven miles east, and bivouacked at Courtland. TJmrsday, ^th. — By taking a wrong road we were nearly all day moving three miles east of Courtland. It was really provoking to think that we had to ride all da)- in a cold November rain, when we should have made the trip in one hour. Sunday, 8th. — A detachment of fifty men, from the Second Tennessee, under the command of Captain T. B. Underwood, left our bivouac, three miles east of Courtland. at seven o'clock p. m. We supposed that they were going to cross the Tennessee River. I shall speak of this scout again when they return. Monday, gth. — Ferguson's Brigade moved a few miles nearly north, and bivouacked within two miles of Brown's Ferry. Some think we are gomg to cross the Tennessee River, while others are of the opinion that we are going back to Mississippi. It is evident that all this cavalry will not remain in North Alabama much longer, from two considerations: Pirst. Sherman has now passed on toward Chattanooga; and. in the second place, forage is too scarce. Tuesday, lot/i. — Moving out about ten o'clock a. m. the brigade passed on through Courtland. thence along the Russellville road, and camped on Mr, East's planta- 28U E. R. Hancock's Diaky. tion, some ten miles east of the latter place. Marched thirty miles. The question, as to where we are going, is now no longer debatable — this clay's march has de- cided that we are going back to Mississippi. Wednesday, nth. — -The two brigades met at and camped near Russellville. Ross' Brigade had come down the Malton-Russellville road. So the division was together again, for the first time since the 25th of Oc- tober. Thursday, 12th. — After a march of twenty-one miles Lee's Division bivouacked near Burlison, on Bear Creek. Friday, ijtk. — The division passed back out of Ala- bama into Mississippi again. After a march of about twenty-seven miles we bivouacked on the Smithville road. General Lee sent W. W. Hawkins and the writer to White's Ferry, seven miles from our camp, on the Tom- bigbee River, to examine the boat and see if the river could be forded at that point. On returning to his headquarters we reported no boat there, and the river not fordable. Saturday, 14th. — Ferguson's Brigade, turning nearly south at Smithville, forded the Tombigbee about one- half mile above Cotton Gin Port, and bivouacked on the west bank of the river. Ross' Brigade crossed the river near Smithville. Su7iday, i^tli. — The division got back to Okolona on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Ferguson's Brigade encamped one mile north of town, where we found our tents and the balance of our wao-on train, which were left at Pontotoc on the 6th of October. As it is now nearly midwinter, we are glad to get back to our tents again. However, we had the pleasure of resting and -//>/. ../U/ .^,u^^; ^<^-: . ; Vj\.i €ai TAIN T. 1!. I'NDKRWOOI). NOVEMBKR, 18G3. 281: enjoying our tents only about ten days before we had to go on another expedition, as the following pages will show. Satu7'day, 2ist. — The Second Tennessee was paid for two months' service — July and August. Captain T. B. Underwood, who left the regiment near Courtland, the 8th inst., with fifty men, got back to camp. Besides the fifty well-mounted men. Captain Under- wood had with him, on this Tennessee expedition. Lieu- tenants A. H. French (Company A) and A. W. Lips- comb (Company G), and our Adjutant, P. A. Smith. Notwithstanding Sherman's army was, at that time, moving eastward along the opposite bank of the Tennes- see, Captain Underwood was instructed to cross that stream, and. with his gallant little band of followers, burn as many bridges and trestles as he possibly could along the Nashville and Decatur Railroad south of Co- lumbia. Having set out from oiu' camp, near Courtland. Ala- bama, about nightfall on the 8th instant (as previously mentioned), they succeeded in crossing the river at De- catur by ten o'clock the next morning, and soon learned that the enemy was near by; but, as their object was to attack the railroad and not the F"ederals, they, by skill- ful maneuvering, avoided coming in contact with the lat- ter, and, after hard riding, they struck the former just north of Pulaski, burning the bridges and trestles along the railroad to a point within ten miles of Columbia, As a considerable Federal force, commanded by Gen- eral. Negley, was at that place, and as the object for which this expedition had been set on foot was now mainly accomplished, they decided to return — or at least make 282 R. R. Haxcock's Diary. an effort to do so, for well did they know that this would be a difficult matter, from the fact that Sherman's army, estimated at twenty thousand men, was between them and the Tennessee River ; and that broad stream was another barrier between them and their command. The Federals were not using the railroad south of Columbia, but were preparing to send out trains ; and the road was in condition to be used before it was at- tacked by Captain Underwood's scout. His horses, as well as his men, were now very much fatigued, as the Captain had scarcely stopped, day or nig-ht, lono^er than to feed. Soon after settincr out on their return. Underwood and his men found themselves in the fork of the pikes, the right prong of which led to Shelbyville and the left to Columbia from Pulaski, with Federals encamped on both roads for six miles. Deciding that it would be too haz- ardous to attempt to pass through the enemy's camp that night, they fell back into the hills some two or three miles, where they expected that they would have to re- main for some time ; but, on learning from a citizen at ten o'clock the next morning that a heavy cavalry force was near their camp, they immediately started again to make their way out. Fortunately evading coming in contact with the enemy they drew rein about daylight the next morning in the vicinity of Athens, Alabama, after a ride of about ninety miles. Here they learned that seven hundred cavalry were in that place, with a "•picket at Decatur, where they had been expecting to be able to recross the Tennessee. Deciding to make an effort to recross at some point lower down the river — perhaps about Lamb's Ferry — they turned and marched westward to Elk River, where they halted and rested the balance of the day. NOYEMBEK, 1863. 283 They were now within twenty-five miles of Lamb's Ferry ; and how it saddened the hearts of these daring riders to learn that this ferry, too, was guarded by three hundred Federal cavalry ! They now began to despair of being able to cross the river, and some of them were trying to make up their minds to go to Hickman County and join the guerrillas. After consultation Captain Underwood decided to let Lieutenant Lipscomb and Allen L, Wylie descend Elk River after dark to its mouth, and make an effort to pro- cure floats by which the command might be able to cross the Tennessee at or near that point. Soon after they had started. Underwood learned from a citizen direct from Lamb's Ferry that the enemy had left that ferry, and also that the way was open to that point. At the receipt of this intelligence a shout of joy went up from that camp. Procuring a guide and setting out at once (about nine p. m.), the Captain got to Lamb's Ferry at sunup next morning, and by ten o'clock a. m. he had all his men on the south bank of the Tennessee, except Lipscomb and Wylie, whom he had now about given up as lost; but, greatly to the joy of their comrades, these gallant troopers succeeded in crossing the river, and re- joined the command late that afternoon. Being now out of danger they moved at their leisure until they rejoined the regiment, near Okolona, Missis- sippi, as previously mentioned. COMMENTARIES. I. As Brio-adier-General N. B. Forrest, who is now somewhat famous as a cavalry commander, is now at Okolona, perhaps it will not be amiss to give, just here, some explanation in reference to how it so happened 284 K. R. Hancock's Diary. that he was sent, just at this time, to the North Missis- sippi Department. Soon after the battle of Shiloh Forrest was transferred to General Bragg, and did service under him until he was sent to this department. A few days after the bat- tle in front of Chattanooga (which was fought the 19th and 20th of September) General Forrest was ordered to transfer all his command but one brigade to General Wheeler for an expedition into Middle Tennessee in rear of Rosecrans. He frankly presented to his supe- rior that he regarded this reduction of his command as an injustice to himself. Whereupon, General Bragg as- sured him that his old command should be restored to him at the conclusion of Wheeler's expedition. With this understanding, and there being no service impend- ing of importance on the immediate flank where his present force was posted, Forrest now applied for a leave of absence for ten days to go to LaGrange, Georgia, on the railroad southward, to see his wife, for the first time in eighteen months. On the 5th of October, however, when at LaGrange, he received an order dated the 3d, placing him hereafter under the command of General Wheeler. In view of assurances so recent of a different arrangement — remem- bering, too, the ill-fated expedition against Dover in February, 1863, in which he took part under the com- mand of Wheeler, and feeling that his usefulness as a cavalry soldier, if again placed under him, must be de- stroyed, he was, therefore, extremely dissatisfied. Many of the prominent people of West Tennessee and North Mississippi* had, about a month previous to * North Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee, had been the home of Forrest from the age of thirteen to the beginning of the w.ir. Consequently he wa^ well known to these petitioners. November, 1863. 285 this, made urgent appeals to him to come to their sec- tion and attempt to assemble their scattered resources for defensive as well as offensive operations. Beine confident that he could soon be at the head of a fine command here in North Mississippi, the main elements of which were, as yet, scattered over West Tennessee, inside the Federal lines, and consequently substantially lost to the service, he therefore sent his resignation as Brigadier-General to Bragg, at the same time requesting a transfer to this department. Presi- dent Davis was at Bragg's headquarters when Forrest's resignation reached it, and wrote him a letter in grace- ful language, announcing that he could not accept his resignation * or dispense with his services ; but, after a personal interview some days later, he agreed that For- rest should be transferred, with such forces as General Bragg could possibly spare. General Forrest was al- lowed to bring with him to his new field of command .and action, in addition to his escort company, Mc- Donald's Battalion (Forrest's old regiment) and John W. Morton's Battery of four guns— a force, all told, em- bracinof three hundred and ten, rank and file. This force marched from Chickamauga, by the way of Rome, Geor- gia, Talladega and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Colum- bus, Mississippi, to Okolona, where it arrived about the 1 8th instant. General Forrest, coming by rail, arrived three days earlier. As his first design was to throw himself, through the Federal line, into West Tennessee, and bring to bear his personal influence upon the scattered fighting ele- ments abounding there, and thus to bring them together *In place of accepting his resignation as Brigadier-General, Forrest was, a /ew days later (December 4tli), jironioted 4o the rank of Major-General. 286 \l. II. Hancock's Diary. in numbers sufficient to make an effective offensive force, and as he would need help to effect a passage across the formidable barrier of the fortified line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, he therefore, while on his way to Okolona, had called on the commander of this de- partment — Joseph E. Johnston — at Meridian, and ex- plained in full his views and the scope of projected oper- ations. That officer, p^ivino- him a cordial welcome within his department, expressed his approbation of his projects, and at once caused the proper orders to be issued, in- cluding instructions to S. D, Lee to second his under- takings in all possible ways. 2. Four small brigades and two hundred and forty West Tennessee partisans, under General R. V. Rich- ardson, constituted the Confederate force in all North Mississippi, except the veterans coming with General Forrest. General James R. Chalmers' Division, which is composed of two demi-brigades, commanded by Mc- Culloch and Slemmons, extends from Panola, along the south bank of the Tallahatchie River, to Rocky Ford. The other two brigades — Ross' and Ferguson's — are at Okolona. There are now no Federals in the interior of West Tennessee, but they have a strong force at Mem- phis and Corinth, with various posts along the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, with rapid means of intercommunication and mutual succor, Wednesday, 25th. — As General Forrest was now ready to start on his West Tennessee expedition. General Lee commenced the movement of his force for the pur- pose of assisting the former in passing the Federal lines. After resting ten days at Okolona our brigade (Fer- guson's) took up the line of march again. Moving only GENERAL JAMES R. CHALMERS. November, 1863. 287 five miles, we camped for the night on the Pontotoc road. All of our tents and a part of our cooking ves- sels were left at Okolona. As his superiors were absent, Captain M. W. Mc- Knieht was in command of the Second Tennessee, o leaving Lieutenant H. L. W. Turney in command of Company C. TImi'sday, 26th. — After marching some twenty miles the brigade halted for the night hear Pontotoc. Ross' Brigade also moved from Okolona to Pontotoc. Both brigades were now under Ferguson. Friday, 2jth. — The division moved to New Albany, eighteen miles north. About eio^ht v. m. the command drew six days' rations of Hour, and we were ordered to cook it all that night. About midnight — -just as we had finished cooking our rations — we were ordered to sad- dle and mount immediately. It was reported that six hundred Federals were moving from Chesterville (eight- een miles south-east) to Ripley (seventeen miles north). Ferguson moved out from New Albany, with his brig- ade, in the direction of Ripley, hoping to intercept this Federal scout at that place. It was raining when we started, and it continued to rain. McKnight's Com- pany, with Lieutenant H. L. \V. Turney in command, was the advance guard. After a march of about nine miles we came to a creek that was too full for the com- mand to cross, and no hope of its falling soon, for it was still raining. Therefore Ferguson gave up the P"ederal hunt and returned to New Albany. We got back to camps a little after sunrise on the morning of the 28th, and a set of cold, wet " rebs " were we. It was an aw- ful disagreeable night. The Second Tennessee and Fifty-sixth x^labama are i2S>< K. \l. Hancock's Diaky. •encamped on the north-west side of the Tallahatchie River; the rest of the division has not crossed yet, but encamped on the south-west side. Simday, zgtJi. — The Tallahatchie is now so swollen that it is past fording. So we have to stop and go to work. The)' first undertook to build a raft, but, for some cause, they have quit the raft and are now repair- ing an old bridge for the rest of our division, as well as Forrest's command, to cross. As w-e have been de- layed by high water more rations have been issued, and we are again ordered to cook six days' rations. Monday, joth. — The Federals are reported within three miles of our camps. The rest of our brigade have crossed the river on a foot-log, as the bridge is not yet done. False alarm — the Federals did not come. Companies C and D went to Lee's mill, seven miles above New Albany. No Federals had been there. We learned that they had camped about two miles south of Ripley the night before. After feeding our horses we returned to camps. That portion of our brigade that had crossed on the foot-log to our assistance returned to their camps. Lieutenant-Colonel Morton having arrived, took com- mand of the Second Tennessee. Therefore, Captain McKnight took command of his company. Generals Forrest, Lee, and Richardson are at New Albany. The latter is o;oino- throuofh with Forrest. The bridge is now finished ; so all things are again ready for a for- ward movement. Tuesday, December ist. — The whole command, includ- ing Forrest's, moved out in the direction of Ripley, with Ferguson's Brigade in front. When within about six miles of Ripley his advance guard met a small Federal December, 18G3. 289 scout, which turned and went back in the direction of Riple)-. The advance guard fired a few shots occasion- all)', as they would happen to get sight of the Federals. From Ripley they lell back in the direction of Poca- hontas, Tennessee, still followed by our brigade. Skir- mishing grew heavier after we passed Ripley, for the Federals increased to perhaps one thousand by the time they were five miles north of that place. Ferguson con- tinued driving the Federals back, without meeting with any heavy resistance, to a point about ten miles north of Ripley, and within fifteen miles of Pocahontas. There, giving up the chase, he turned back. Confederate loss was one man wounded and one horse killed. The Fed- eral loss was one man wounded. That is all that I heard of on either side. Our brigade camped five miles north of Ripley on the Middleton road. Ross" Brigade, as well as P'orrest's command, camped near Ripley. lVcd7iesday, 2d. — Saulsbury, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, tw^enty-seven miles north-west from Ripley, and about seven miles east of Grand Junction, was the place selected to let Forrest through the Fed- eral lines. Accordingly, the command moved out in that direction, with our brigade in front again. The Federal pickets (perhaps thirty or forty of them, posted some eight or ten miles from Saulsbury) fired on our advance guard, wounding two or three horses, then dashed off in the direction of Saulsbury. Nor did they stop there, for when we got to Saulsbury we found only one white soldier and one colored. We were agreeably surprised, for we had been expecting to have hard fight- ing to do before we got possession of the place. The way now being opened. General Forrest, here parting with General Lee and the convoy, passed 011 19 2'JO 1.'. 1.'. Hancock's Diakv. into West Tennessee with five hundred officers and men, two pieces of artillery, and live ordnance wagons. For- rest had left two pieces of Morton's Ratter)- and fifty men at Okolona for the want of horses, thus reducing his force of trained soldiers to two hundred and sixt)'. The West Tennessee partisans under Richardson being added, crave him a force all told of five hundred. I do not know whether the Federals had set fire to their stores and the two box cars at this place, or Fer- guson's advance guard. At any rate, this small village was burned, except a few dwellings. This affair of let- ting Forrest through the Federal lines has been very handsomely accomplished, be it said to the credit of General Lee. By sending F"erguson's Brigade to make a feint on Pocahontas last evening the Federals fully believed Lee was going to attack that place in force this morning. Therefore, the troops stationed here and at Grand Junction all, except small squads, moved out in the direction of Pocahontas early this morning, so say the citizens here. Besides, we can plainly see signs of their march along the road. Thus while they were concentratincr their forces to meet Lee at Pocahontas Forrest passed here unmolested. There had been some talk of our reiriment jjoinor with Forrest, but from some cause we did not go. Lieutenant-Colonel Morton was ordered to take his regiment and two pieces of artillery and picket the Po- cahontas road. Accordingly we moved out about one mile, dismounted, and formed in battle line on an ele- vated portion of a large, open field. It was now about nightfall. We remained there all night. However, we were allowed to fall back a few paces and build fires .along the line so as to prevent suftering with cold. Dec EM ret;, isn.s. 201 Every fourth man was with the horses, some two hun- dred yards to the rear. Thursday, jd. — A Httle after niidniorht. two regiments •of our brigade, Twelfth Mississippi and Second Ala- bama, moved out east on the Pocahontas road. Going about five miles and meeting the Federals, the\- turned back, skirmishing occasionally, but avoiding a eeneral eneairement. A lieutenant in the Second Alabama was killed by one of his own men through mistake. This shows the double danger of night fight- ing. By daybreak the skirmishing was in sight of our position ; soon after which those two regiments fell back and formed, one to the ri^ht and the other to the left of Colonel Morton's position. There was an open field for half a mile to our left and right, and also in front, so we had a splendid view. It was a beautiful, clear morning. The Federals moved their artillery out into the opposite side of this old field, in plain view of our position, un- limbered and opened just about sunrise. We could see the smoke curling from the cannon's mouth, and the bursting of the shells in mid-air; it was almost equal to a display of fireworks. The scene was more beautiful than pleasant, though it seemed as if they were throw- ing those shells just for our amusement, for they did not come any ways near us. We still had the two pieces of artillery that we brought out on picket with us the even- ing before, so Colonel Morton thought that he would let the "F'eds" know that we had some artillery, too; and also let our gunners try and see if they could do any better shooting than had been done from the other side. By this time the Federals were moving in columns to our right and left, through this old field, as well as ad- vancing on our center. Our artillery opened. "Look! 2U2 E. E. Hancock's Diaky. boys, look! that was a good shot." The Federal col- umn moving to our right was cut in twain. " That beats anything that the Federal guns have done, for they have not yet thrown a single ball to our line." B)- this time we could plainly see that the Federals were outflanking us, both right and left. It was now evident that, if we remained there much longer, we would either have hard fighting to do, or be made pris- oners on the spot. However, General Lee, taking in the situation at a glance, addressing General Ferguson, said, " General, withdraw your brigade immediately!" All the brigade moved off except our regiment. The Federals were now forminor in orunshot of us, but we had orders not to fire a gun. The Federal artillery, having been brought up within easy range of us, threw a few well-aimed shots at our regiment, one bomb burst- ing nearly directly over McKnight's Company. Colonel Morton, now being ordered to withdraw, moved the Second Tennessee back to their horses, in good order, under fire of the Federal artillery, without having a suip-le man Jmrt. Mounting' and movingr back across a creek, and up a short hill, the regiment halted and formed just in rear of where the Confederate artillery* had taken another position. The Federal artillery was soon brought up and planted on the hill that we had just moved from. The batteries now opened, being about equal as to position, and in easy range of each other. Right here we had about as nice an artillery duel as some of us had ever witnessed. However, it was of short duration, for the Federal guns were soon silenced, by being dismounted, or otherwise injured, while not a * I regret that I do not kno\\' whose battery tliis was. They deserve praise for what tliey did liere. 1 tliiiik, liowever, that it was S. C. Waite's Battery. December, isd.j. 293 gun, horse, or man of the Confederate battery was hurt; but they now played with effect upon the Federal col- umn, which, by this time, was moving down toward the creek. As General Lee had accomplished all that he had de- signed at this place — that of tearing- up the railroad, destroying the Federal supplies, and passing Forrest through their lines — he now moved out, nearly west, along the south side of the railroad, without having a general engagement. He had remained this long in order to attract the attention of the Federals, and thus prevent them from following Forrest, who, by this time, must have been well on his way toward Jackson. Col- onel Morton was ordered to bring up the rear; there- fore, he was again the last to leave his position, though the Federals were very kind in allowing him to move off quietly unmolested. After going about five miles we halted for an hour or more. Here the Federal advance/ ■came in sight for the last time during the day. After a march of about seventeen miles, Ferguson's Brigade bivouacked some five miles north-west of Salem, on the LaGrange road. We had a slow, disagreeable march, on account of the bottoms ut Wolf River being so very bad. Ross' Brigade bivouacked a little west of Fergu- son's. Meanwhile, General Chalmers, with a demi-brigade, under McCulloch, had crossed the Tallahatchie at Rocky Ford to co-operate with Lee. He bivouacked about three miles west of P'eroruson. Chalmers' other brio-ade, under Colonel Slemmons, crossing at Ponola, was ad- vancinor to threaten the railroad west of Moscow, and occupy the enemy in that quarter. Moscow is eight or ten miles west of LaGranee. 2!>4 K. K. Hancocks Diaky. Friday, ^/h. — The Memphis and Charleston Railroad crosses Wolf River about one mile west of Moscow. To make an attempt to burn the railroad bridge that spans Wolf River, at the above named place, is the ob- ject for which Lee set his command in motion this morn- ing. Moving out earl) , Chalmers in front and Fergu- son in rear, we crossed the Mississippi Central Railroad at Lama, thence north-west in the direction of the above named bridge. General Lee. with McCulloch's and Ross' Britrades, met and eno-aored the Federals in the river bottom near said bridge. After heavy firing for an hour or more, from both small arms and artiller)-.* Lee drove the Federals back to the river, capturing about forty men. and several horses. He pressed them so close that the)- did not all have time to cross on the bridge ; therefore, a number of them plunged into the river. But the)- did not all reach the opposite bank; some were killed, some were drowned, while others would turn back and surrender. Meanwhile, the fed- erals had collected such a heavy force on the opposite side ol the river, that Lee. thinking that the damage in- flicted by his burning the bridge would not compensate for the men that he would probably have to sacrifice in burning it, withdrew without accomplishing the full ob- ject for which he made this attack. As our brigade was in the rear we did not get there until the fighting was over. From the best information that I can get, Lee's loss was about ten or twelve killed and perhaps more wounded. Ross' Brigade suffered most. While the Federals were concentrating their forces to protect this bridge, Slemmons dashed into La- fayette, about six miles west of us, capturing eight Fed- *0\viii<^ to the n.iture of the ground Lee used his artillery InU little. December, 1803. 295 erals and l)urnino^ their supplies without having any lighting to do. Another object that Lee had in view was to hold the Federals back from following Forrest as long as possible. The following, which explains itself, is from "Cam- paigns of General Forrest," page 379 : It is proper 10 add that the success of tliis handsome operation was assisted, unquestionably, by (leneral Lee's attack upon Moscow on the afternoon of the 4th of December with McCuUoch's and Ross' Brigades. This affair, though it failed to accomijlish the main pur- poses for which it was ordered — the destruction of the railroad bridge at that point over Wolf River and the cajiture of the garrison — served to intbct a heavy loss upon a strong column of the F<-derals, taken by surprise, and doubtless kept at a stand subsequently in that quarter a force that was destined to pursue Forrest, a t'orce which otherwise might hive brought his expedition to a prem iture close, far short of the satisfactory results which we have just enumerated. Lee camped at Mount Pleasant, some seven or eight miles south-west of Moscow. Saturday, ^tJi. — The division — now three brigades — moving by the way of Holly Springs, camped eight miles west of that place. The Federals had burned a number of corn-houses throuoh this section. Here we had the pleasure of resting one beautiful Sabbath day. Monday, jtli. — Moving ten miles south the division camped at Tullahoma. Had some rain that night, for the first time since the 28th of November. Tuesday, Sth. — In the saddle and moving by daybreak — Ferguson's Brigade in front. The division crossed the Tallahatchie at Wyatt — that is, where Wyatt had been ; every house had been burned by the Federals. Here Chalmers was left to occupy his old position along the south-east side of the river. Ross' Brigade was sent down about Grenada. Perofuson's Brigade, beine or- dered back to the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, moved 296 K. R. Haxcock's Diakv. on to Oxford, on the Mississippi Central, and camped for the nii^ht near that place. Wednesday, gfh. — After a march of about twenty-two miles, a little south of east, the brii^ade camped near Buttermilk Springs. Thursday, loth. — Marching on!)- about twelve miles the brigade camped near Pontotoc. Well, we feel like we are getting back home again, for we have frequently ■camped on this same spot — one mile east of Pontotoc. Here we rested one day. Saturday, 12th — The brigade moved from Pontotoc to Verona, nineteen miles. Here we met our wagons with our tents and the balance of our cookinof vessels, which we had left at Okolona. We remained at that place eight days. Su7iday, 20th. — F'erguson's Brigade moved from Ve- rona to Okolona, and encamped about one mile west of town. Thursday, .?^M.— General P'erguson, having been or- dered to meet General Lee at Lama by Saturday night to assist Forrest in his exit from West Tennessee, moved out from Okolona with his brigade at two o'clock \\ m. However, he had gone only two miles when the order was countermanded. So we returned to camp with or- ders to hold ourselves in readiness to move at a mo- ment's warning. This is Christmas Eve, and plenty of whisk)' in camp. The boys were cutting up at such a terrible rate, and shooting so much all through the brigade, that, awhile after dark, Ferguson ordered the commanders of regi- ments to send the next man who shot a gun to his head- quarters, if he could be found ; but if he could not be found, the whole rejj'iment must be ordered into line and December, 1863. 2i)7 stand for one hour. There was not much more shootinof after that. Chri.stm.\s Da\ was a noted day in the history of the Second Tennessee. I am sure that that day is still vivid in the meniory of quite a number of the boys who were present on this special occasion, though, perhaps, I haci better not say too much. Well, I shall not accuse any of the boys of being drunk, but I hope that they will excuse me for saying that some of them had either smelled or tasted of somctlii)i(^ that made them appear a little " funny." Tuesday, zgtJi. — Leaving all the tents and cooking vessels at Okolona, Ferijuson marched his brio-ade to Pontotoc. Wednesday, joih. — The brigade marched from Ponto- toc to New Albany — eighteen miles. We drew seven ■days' rations of crackers — hard tack — at the latter place, something unusual. Therefore, we thought that a con- siderable expedition must be on hand. Thursday, Jist. — The brigade moved out early in the morning on the Ripley road. It rained in the morning, but just before we got to Ripley in the evening there was a very sudden change in the weather, and as we passed through the above named place it began to snow ; nor had we gone far beyond before our wet blankets and clothing were stiff frozen. . Our regiment was marching in the rear, even of the artillery, which was now moving slowly on account of so much mud. Seeing that we could stop awhile and then soon overtake the artillery. Colonel Barteau called out. " Dismount and build fires." This was a little before sundown. We soon had several good fires made of fence-rails. While the side next to the fire thawed the otlier would freeze. About dark we 2'J8 K. R. Hancock's Diary. remounted and moved out lively lor about two miles be- lore overtaking- the artillery. As their horses were about given out and the men were about frozen out, they had halted for the night, about two miles in rear of the rest of the brigade, when we overtook them. A large pile of wood that some good farmer had laid in for his own use was perhaps another inducement for their stopping just at this particular place. So the Second Tennessee halted here for the night, and helped those artillerymen to burn that pile of wood. We were now about eight miles north of Ripley, on the Pocahontas road. Fortu- nately for us it only snowed about enough to cover the ground. The wind blew a cutting blast all night. There was not much sleeping done by us that night. By stand- ing by good fires, with our blankets around us, we did not freeze, though some were frost-bitten. This memorable night, in which the old )ear ( 1863) stepped out and the new stepped in, was the coldest night of the war. I am confident that there is not a member of the Second Ten- nesse who is now living and was on this expedition but will remember the above named nioht. Friday, Jamiary ist, /S6^. — Colonel Barteau moved the Second Tennessee and the two pieces of artillery up with the rest of the brigade early in the morning. F"erguson was now within seventeen miles of the Mem- phis and Charleston Railroad. P^orrest had passed out of West Tennessee, between Moscow and Memphis, a few da)s previous to this. So, while the F'ederals were thus attracted to that section, I suppose that Ferguson had been ordered to tear up the railroad in the neigh- borhood of Pocahontas, and, if possible, destroy their stores at that place. However, as the weather was so awlully cold, he very prudently decided to take the bri- January, 18G4. 295' gade back to camp as quick as possible. So, turning his face campward and passing back through Ripley, Ferguson bivouacked six miles south-west of that place. We had to walk a good portion of the way during that three days' march on account of the intense cold. Saturday, 2d. — After a march of about twenty-two miles the brigade bivouacked six miles south-east of New Albany. The roads are still as solid as a turnpike, though not as smooth by a great deal. Sunday, jd. — On arriving at Pontotoc the brigade scattered in order to get forage for our horses. The Second Tennessee moved out eight miles on the Houston road. The weather began to moderate some that day. Monday, ^tli. — The brigade got back to camp, near- Okolona. Had some rain that day and the night before, yet it was still cold. The ground was not thawed but about one day in twelve. I shall now give a short sketch of Major-General N. B. Forrest's expedition into West Tennessee. From Saulsbur)' he moved on by the way of Bolivar to Jack- son, where he established his headquarters about the 4th of December. The simple fact that he increased his command during the twenty days he remained at Jackson from five hundred to tJiirty-five hundred, fully exhibits both the energy and popularity of General Forrest. However, only about six hundred were armed.. Meanwhile the Federals were not idle. Major-Gen- eral Hurlbut, the Federal commander of the district, had set to work to organize a large force — twenty thousand, according to his official admission — which he hoped sa- to dispose as to hem in the Confederate leader and cut off his escape or return to his base. So Forrest had to- fight his way out. His troops fought successfully five 300 R. R. Haxcock's Diary. combats, at jack's Creek. Estenaula, Summerville, La- fayette, and Collierville, losing during the expedition not more than thirty killed, wounded and captured, and indicting a loss upon the enemy of fully fifty killed and one hundred and fifty wounded and captured. In com- menting upon this expedition the writer of Forrest's Campaigns sums up the results thus : Forrest, entering West Tennessee at Saulsbury on the 4th ^~ of December with only some five hundred men, two guns, and five ord- nance wagons, quit it at Lafayette Station on the 27th with thirty-five hundred men, well mounted, forty wagons and teams loaded with subsistence, two hundred head of beef cattle, three hundred hogs, and his artillery intact. A Federal writer puts it in these terms : Forrest, with less than four thousand men, has moved right through the Sixteenth Army Corps, has passed within ni)ie miles of Mem[)his, c.arried off over one hundred wagons, two hundred beef cattle, three thousand conscripts, and innumerable stores, torn up railroad track, cut telegraph wire, burned and sacked towns (?), run over pickets with a single Derringer pistol .... And all this in the face of ten thousand men. — Correspondent Cincinnati Commercial, Memjihis, Jan- uary 1 2th, 1864. As S. D. Lee had assisted Forrest in passing the Federal line at Saulsbury, I suppose that this writer, in estimating Forrest's force at four thousand, included Lee's command, or he may have thought that it would look too bad to say that Forrest had effected all this with six hundred in the face of twenty thousand men. Tktirsday, jth. — Ferguson's Brigade moved from Okolona about nine miles south and encamped some three or four miles west of the railroad near Pikeville, where the Second Tennessee remained twenty days. Tuesday, 26th. — There had been, some time previous X.O this, a change of department commanders. General *'rhis is a mistake; he passed Saulsbury on the 2d of December. — R. R. H. January, 18(i4. 301 Joseph E. Johnston had been reheved from duty by the President, and Lieutenant-General Polk placed in his stead. During a visit to Polk's headquarters at Jack- son, Mississippi, on the 13th instant, the command of a district was formally assigned General Forrest ; that is, ''Forrest's Cavalry Department," embracing all cavalry commands in West Tennessee and North Mississippi. to the southern boundaries of the counties of Monroe, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Yallabusha, Tallahatchie, and that part of Sunflower and Bolivar lying north of a line drawn from the south-east corner of Tallahatchie County to the town of Prentiss, on the Mississippi River. At the same time he secured arms and ammunition for his troops. Ferguson now had orders to move his brigade further south, perhaps to the neighborhood of Jackson. The Second Tennessee was, from various considerations, bitterl)- opposed to going any further south. In the first place, there was not the best of feeling existing between F'erg-uson and the Second Tennessee. While he was too strict to suit them, they were too independent to suit him. And especially did this state of feeling exist between Ferguson and Company C. In the second place, we imagined that it would be more unhealthy further south. In the third place, we were the only Tennesseans in Ferguson's Brigade, while the majority of Porrest's troops were Tennesseans, and we much preferred serving with troops from our own State. Therefore, we very earnestly begged for a transfer to F'orrest's command.* In the fourth place, if we re- mained in his department, which embraced a part of * Ferguson's Brigade was now in Forrest's department, though not a part of his command, and hence it was ordered to move South; or in other words, For- rest iiad superseded Ferguson in command of this department. -302 R. R. Hancock's Diary. Tennessee, we had some hope of going back to our native State occasionally, while, if we went with Fergu- son, we had no hope of seeing Tennessee until the war ■closed. What a sad thought was this ! The all-impor- tant question now was, "Will the regiment be trans- ferred?" How anxiously did the Second Tennessee wait for an answer to that question. The brigade was to start south the next mornino-- Dark came. \et no transfer. " What will we do? " " Colonel Barteau. can you not help us out of this trouble?" "Can't you. Colonel Morton?" " Is there any hope of a transfer? " *' Is it possible that we will have to start south in the morning with F"erguson ? " "Do not despair, men, per- haps we will be transferred yet." Eight, nine, and ten o'clock came, and yet no transfer. Some lay down to rest, though, perhaps, too much troubled tq sleep. Finally, about eleven o'clock i'. m.. ''Tkc Second Ten- nessee is transferred to Forrest,'' spread like lightning" through the camp. Those who had been trying in \ ain to while away the time iiv sleep now sprang from their tents to unite with the rest in yelling, hallooing, shout- ing, and such another jollification as they had from then until daylight next morning had never been witnessed in the camp of the Second Tennessee Cavalry before. If General Ferguson is now living I guess that he has not forgotten the serenade that a lot of the boys gave him that night with tin pans, camp kettles, etc. We had no cannon b)- which we could give Ferguson a part- ing salute ; however, some of the boys got up a right good substitute by boring holes in logs and filling with powder. But after all the big guns and the little guns. Ferguson still remained quiet, and did not order any of the Second Tennessee to be sent to his headquarters. Januaky, 1s(;4. 803 Wednesday , 2ytJi.^ — The Second Tennessee belonged to " Forrest's Cavalry" from the above date to the close of the war — fifteen months and fourteen days. Bidding Ferguson a " final farewell, " the renment moved north — not south — and camped for the ni-ht near Okolona. Thursday. 28th. — After a march ol about fifteen miles the regiment camped near Saltillo. General Forrest's headquarters were now at Oxford. Mississippi, on the Mississippi Central Railroad. The first order received from General Forrest seemed strikingly •characteristic. It was to move up to Corinth, co-operate with Gen- eral Gholson (commanding militia) in blowing up and destroying the abandoned works of that place; afterward destroy the railroad west- ward to Grand Junction; then to leave (General Gholson and go into West Tennessee to capture the notorious Colonel Hurst, or drive him •out of that district. This seemed more like work than anything we had been commanded to do from the battle of Corinth, under Van Dorn, up to that time; and the regiment, feeling that a more glorious ■career was foreshadowed, undertook, with a new vigor, the fulfillment of this order. t Friday, 2gtli. — The regiment, still moving nearl)- par- allel with the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, camped for the night three miles west of Guntown. Saturday, joth. — Coming up with General Gholson, Barteau halted and camped some three miles north-west of Booneville, and within twenty-two miles of Corinth. Sunday, Jisi. — General Gholson, with the Second Tennessee and one regiment and one battalion of State troops, moved on through Danville, crossed Tuscumbia River, and about one-half mile from the river, on a fiat hill, he passed through a Federal fort or stockade called *I was, and had been since the 20th, at one Mr. Gunn's, three miles from camp, waiting on A. Barrett, who was sick with the fever. As W. F. Odoms horse was lame he was sent to Mr. Gunn's to take my place. So I joined the regiment on the night of the 28th, while encamped fifteen miles above Okolona* t Colonel C. R. Barteau's Manuscript Notes. .S(i4 1{. K. Hancock's Diary " Camp Davis." Here we found about four acres of an old field inclosed by large posts some ten feet high be- ing set in the ground, touching each other, and the upper ends of these posts, or picketing, were sharpened. A large ditch was dn ^ around on the outside. The dirt from this ditch nic.'le an embnnkment about half as high as the posts. Port-holes were cut between the posts just above the embankment. There was a gate on the north, south and east sides. We marched in at the south and out at the north gate. It was a splendid fort for defense against small arms. From Camp Davis Gholson moved on through Corinth, and camped one mile and a half north of that place. The Federals, after burning all the buildings that they had put up and a good man)- others, had evacuated Corinth about a week previous to this. Mojiday, February ist. — Leaving Gholson at Cjrinth Colonel Barteau moved the Second Tennessee back to Danville; there turning west he camped for the night in Tippah County, within one mile and a half of Big Hatchie River. Tuesday, 2d. — As the river could not be forded the regiment moved some two or three miles up the river to a foot-loo-. Makino- our horses sw^m we carried our saddles and other baggage across on this foot-log. We marched north-west from the river to Jonesborough, Mis- sissippi, and thence north to Pocahontas, in Hardeman County, West Tennessee, where Company C and two others camped for the night, leaving the rest of the reg- iment three miles south of that place, which is on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Wednesday, jd. — Instead, however, of finding Colonel Hurst we were brought to a halt by the advance force of General Smith (Fed- February, 1864. 305 eral), who was preparing for his great movement through the heart of Mississippi to effect a junction with the army of General Sherman at Meridian. . ..... . . . . A detached brigade (Wilder's, I believe) had landed as infantry into Western Kentucky, and had thence come into West Tennessee, stripping the country of horses and mules as they went in order to mount themselves for the great march to Meridian. They were all mounted at Bolivar, and well equipped with the riggings of cavalry, which they had for the purpose brought along in wagons. They were soon joined by another brigade (Holder's, I think, from Nashville), and in three days more were ready to pursue the march.* It was in this county (Hardeman, of which BoHvar is the county seat) that we had expected to find Colonel Hurst's command ; but, on learning- that we were now confronted by a heavy Federal force, our colonel very prudently decided to turn back. Therefore, after de- stroying some railroad bridges in the vicinity of Poca- hontas, the regiment moved eight miles south late that afternoon, and bivouacked near Jonesboro, Mississippi, Thursday, 4th. — Having met a courier with a dispatch from General Forrest, requesting him to ascertain, as nearly as possible, the strength of the Federal force which was now preparing to move into North Missis- sippi, and desiring more definite information upon which to found his report. Colonel Barteau moved back into Tennessee again. Crossing the Memphis and Charles- ton Railroad some six miles east of Saulsbury, he halted for the night about four miles beyond, on the Jonesboro- Bolivar road. Friday, ^th. — The regiment moved out early that morning in the direction of Bolivar. When within ten miles of that place (south) Colonel Barteau sent out a detachment of twenty picked men, under Captain Higgs *Colonel C. R. Barteau's Manuscript Notes. 20 306 R. R. Hancock's Diary. (one of General Forrest's scouting officers), with in- structions to make a close reconnoissance of the Federal camp at Bolivar, and get all information possible in ref- erence to their strength, movements, etc. Moving on about six miles in a north-east direction our colonel halted, some nine miles south-east of Bolivar and within one mile of Big Hatchie River, to feed his horses and wait for Captain Higgs to report. Wishing to avoid coming in contact with the enemy, and desiring to see as much of his camp as possible. Captain Higgs turned leftward, went within about two miles of Bolivar, and then rightward, crossing the main road between the Federal pickets and Bolivar, in full view of their camp. Then swinging around eastward he returned to the main road again south of their pickets. While thus inspect- ing their camp he unfortunately exposed the smallness of his force to the enemy. Seeing that it was only a small scouting party the F"ederal commander selected one hundred of his best moufited men and sent them forth to capture Captain Higgs and his men.* The Federals were soon seen coming, almost at full speed, and then and there occurred one of the hardest and longest races that perhaps any of the Second Tennessee took part in during the war. The road over which the race was run being very rough some of our horses fell and others gave out, therefore about twelve of our regiment were captured during the eight mile race which now ensued. In speaking of this affair Colonel Barteau (in his man- uscript notes) says : After the first volleys were discharged they did not stop to reload, but both parties turned the affair into a question of speed *The above was learned from some of this one hundred, who were captured (February 22d) near Okolona, Mississippi. These were the first Confederates whom they had seen. February, 1864. 307 Twelve of my men had been literally pulled off their horses, while the balance having flanked to the right and left, or keeping near Captain Higgs, would not "shtop" at the Duchmen's orders, but came helter- skelter into my camp on the shortest notice, with the enemy right at their heels. John Byrns, Sid Ray, Dempsy King, James Henley, and John Tompkins (all from Company D) were among- the captured. The five men from Company C (W. E. Rich, C. Garrison, France Willard, J. M. A. Odom, and J. E. J. Hawkins) all being well mounted made good their escape, though some of their horses were not of much account afterward. Our horses had about finished eating when our boys came dashing into camp. The situation just at this juncture appeared somewhat alarming — the enemy in rear and the river in front. Mounting and moving out in a south-east direction we marched about sixteen miles in a circuitous route, and after passing through an awful bad swamp after dark we bivouacked within four miles of where we had camped the night before. Saturday, 6th. — Moving only a few miles west we biv- ouacked about ten miles south of Bolivar. Late that afternoon Colonel Barteau received a dispatch from 'General Forrest ordering him to Abbeville, Mississippi. Sunday, yth. — In the saddle and moving by four o'clock A. M., passing through Saulsbury and crossing Wolf River, we camped five miles north-east of Salem, in Tippah (now Benton) County, Mississippi. Monday, 8th. — The regiment marched about twenty- eight miles south-west, the most of the way along by- paths, and camped in Marshall County. We got no forage for our horses that night, except, perhaps, a few may have found corn and bought it themselves. Tuesday, gth. — The regiment moved south-west to 308 B. R. Hancock's Diary. Waterford, and thence south along the Mississippi Cen- tral Railroad to Tallahatchie River. Here we had to swim our horses and cross our saddles on a hand car. Moving three miles from the river the regiment camped at Abbeville, within t'^n miles of Oxford, Here we rested one day, T/mrsday, nth. — The regiment moved down to Ox- ford. Here our wagon train, which we had left on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, met us. The Second Ten- nessee was attached to the Third Brio-ade of Forrest's Cavalry, commanded by Colonel T, H, Bell. We now for the first time belong to a brigade composed of Ten- nesseans. We found that Major-General Forrest had organized his command into four brigades, as follows : The First, commanded by Brigadier-General R. V. Richardson, was composed of five regiments, command- ed by Lieutenant-Colonel J. U, Green, Colonels F. M. Stewart, T. H. Logwood, and J. J. Neely, and Major Marshall ; and two battalions, commanded by Street aild Bennett, all West Tennessee troops, one thousand five hundred rank and file. The Second, Colonel Robert McCulloch (Second Mis- souri) commanding, was made up of the Second Mis- souri Regiment (commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel R. A. McCulloch), Leo Willis' Texan Battalion, Colonel W. W. Faulkner's Kentucky Regiment, Keizer's Ten- nessee Battalion, A. H. Chalmers' Mississippi Battalion, and a fragment of the Second Arkansas Cavalry (com- manded by Captain F". M. Cochran). The Third, under Colonel Tyree H. Bell, was consti- tuted of Colonels Russell's, Wilson's, and Barteau's Tennessee regiments. And the Fourth, commanded by Colonel J. E. For- February, 1864. 309 rest, was formed of McDonald's Battalion (General For- rest's old regiment), VV. L. Duckworth's Tennessee Regiment, John McGuirk's Mississippi Regiment, the Fifth Mississippi Regiment and Duff's Mississippi Bat- talion — one thousand strong-, McCulloch's and Forrest's Brigades were organized into a division, commanded by Brigadier-General James R. Chalmers. Friday, 12th. — The disposition to leave camp without permission — especially among those new levies that For- rest had recently brought from West Tennessee — pre- vailed to such a degree as to render severe measures imperative. Among those who thus abandoned their colors to return home were nineteen, who went off in a body. Promptly pursued, captured and brought back in ignominy, their commander, giving orders that, in con- sequence of their Hagrant, defiant desertion, the whole detachment should be shot, issued the necessary instruc- tions regulating the ceremonies of an early execution. Their coffins were made, their graves dug and the cul- prits advised to make their peace with their Maker and the world. As this was the day and date set for their execution. Bell's Brigade, mounting and moving out into a large field, was formed in line on three sides of a square, while the culprits, blindfolded and seated on their coffins, occupied the center of the other side of the square. This was quite a solemn and impressive scene. The men who were to do the shooting were standing in front of the culprits. All things being now ready the commanding officer said, " Present arms, make ready, take aim " — just at that moment (and before the next command, which would have been "Fire," was ^iven) a staff officer came dashing up and said, address- 310 K. R. Hancock's Diary. ing the culprits: "General Forrest has requested nie to say to you that it was unpleasant to him to shed blood in this manner, and that, through the petitions of the clergy, the prominent citizens and ladies of Oxford and your officers, if you will now promise to make good and faithful soldiers he would pardon you." They shouted: '* We will! WE will! " A loud cheer now went up from the whole brigade. So, 1 am glad to say, we returned to camp without seeing any one shot. Saturday, ijth. — About this time, as spring was now about to open, it seemed that the Federals were bent on making heavy inroads into the State of Mississippi. Sherman was now afield with a heavy Federal column,, movinof from Vicksbur^ in the direction of Meridian, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. A few days previous to this. Colonel J. E. Forrest, with the fourth brigade, had been sent south to Grenada to watch a Federal force which had been put on foot up the Yazoo River. About the same time a brigade of infantry (about sixteen hun- dred men), with perhaps two hundred cavalry, a battery and supply-train had moved southward from Memphis, by way of Hernando toward Panola, and still another force from Collierville, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, toward Holly Springs. To meet these hostile movements Chalmers had been instructed to dispose his troops so as to guard the various crossings of the Tal- lahatchie from Panola to Abbeville. As the Federals had now made their appearance in front of Chalmers^ Bell's Brigade, leaving Oxford early in the mornings moved out in the direction of Wyatt, but before we got to that place, being ordered up the river, we turned nearly east, passing through Abbeville,- and about six miles beyond we turned and marched back to Oxfords February, 1864. 311 Some of Chalmers' men had a skirmish where the Mis- sissippi Central Railroad crosses the river (in which four Confederates were wounded), and also at Wyatt, some five miles below. Some cannonading at the latter place ; however, I do not think that there was much damage done on either side. In the meantime General Forrest had learned through Colonel Barteau that a heavy cav- alry force * under General Smith was afield from West Tennessee, moving in the direction of Holly Springs. Forrest at once perceived that this Federal force in his immediate front was a mere feint to occupy his attention, while Smith was expecting to move, by the way of Oko- lona, through the rich prairies along the Mobile and Ohio Railroad and finally form a junction with Sherman at Meridian. Now deciding that he would pay no more attention to those Federals that were apparently trying to force their way across the Tallahatchie, but look after Smith, Forrest therefore ordered General Chalmers to concentrate all his troops at Oxford immediately. Our wagon train moved out in the direction of Grenada. Sunday, 14th. — Forrest set out early in the morning with Richardson's and Bell's Brigades, his escort and the artillery, and after a march of thirty miles he camped on the Mississippi Central Railroad within five miles of Coffeeville, in Yallabusha County. Chalmers was di- rected to move so as to keep on Smith's right flank, to which end his command, McCuUoch's Brigade, was in movement for Houston, forty-five miles south-west of Oxford, late in the afternoon. Colonel Forrest had been previously directed to move swiftly eastward with *It was composed of the Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Illinois, Ninth Pennsyl- vania, Second, Fourth, ^nd Sixth Tennessee, Second Iowa, Twenty-second New Jersey, Third Michigan, Seventh and Twelfth Indiana, and Second and Fourth Missouri — about seven thousand strong. 312 B. E. Hancock's Diary. his brigade from Grenada to West Point, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, in the menaced region, and from that place to establish a Ijne of couriers to Houston, so as to open communication with Chalmers. Monday, i^th. — After a march of about twenty miles, overtaking his wagon train, General Forrest camped near Grenada. Ttiesday, i6th. — Moving south along the railroad for about eight miles, thence east. General Forrest, with the above named troops, camped about nine miles from the railroad. Chalmers, notwithstanding the rain and mud had impeded his progress some, arrived at Houston. Wedjtesday ^ lyth. — After a short ride — sixteen miles — Forrest camped thirteen miles north of Greensboro, while Chalmers moved to Palo Alto. Thursday, i8th. — After a forced march of thirty-five miles our brigade (Bell's) camped two miles south of Starkville, the county-seat of Oktibbeha County, while Richardson's Brigade stopped some five miles west. General Forrest, establishing his headquarters at Starkville, some twenty-five miles west of Columbus, opened communication with Chalmers, who was by this time at Tampico. He also directed Colonel Forrest to move forward toward Aberdeen with his brigade to meet, harrass, and delay the enemy as much as practi- cable, without becoming involved in a serious engage- ment. Friday, igtii. — In the meanwhile the Federal column, under Smith, had been traversing the country in a line through Holly Springs, New Albany, Pontotoc, and Okolona. Colonel Forrest, meeting the Federals at Aberdeen, was now skirmishing and falling back toward West Point. Chalmers joined General Forrest at Stark- February, 1864. 313 ville. In view of the possible purpose on the part of the Federal General to throw his force across at Aber- deen, and move down the east bank of the Tombigbee, Forrest detached Bell's Brigade, under Colonel Barteau (Colonel Bell being sick), with orders to cross that stream at Columbus, and moving up toward Aberdeen, oppose any such enterprise. Therefore, Colonel Bar- teau set out early in the morning with our brigade, and crossing the Mobile and Ohio Railroad a few miles south of West Point, arrived at and commenced crossing the river opposite Columbus about sunset. All the brigade crossed that night except the Second Tennessee, which camped on the west bank. Saturday, 20th. — The Second Tennessee began to cross about sunrise, and as we had only two flat or ferry- boats, the crossing was somewhat slow. Leaving Co- lumbus about two p. M., going up the river seven miles, and finding that the Federals were not making any at- tempt to cross to the east bank. Colonel Barteau com- menced throwing our brigade to the west bank a little before sunset. The theatre of approaching operations was one that called for prudence and judgment on both sides. To the eastward was the Tombigbee, a naviga- ble river, swollen with rains at the time ; to the west, and for miles running nearly parallel with it, from twelve to fifteen miles distant, was the Sakatonchee River, a •considerable stream, which, after receiving a number of prairie creeks, is crossed by the Mobile and Ohio Rail- road five miles south of West Point, as it flows nearly ■due east to empty into the Tombigbee not far above Columbus. Into the angle thus formed by these streams Forrest hoped to draw and hold the Federals until Gen- eral S. D. Lee should come upon the scene, and enable 314 R. R. Hancock's Diary. the Confederates, by taking the offensive vigorously, to- cut off their retreat or escape. General Forrest marched from Starkville at sunrise with McCulloch's Brigade and six hundred of Richard- son's (under Neely), and the artillery, to the support of Colonel Forrest, who was receding toward West Point as slowly as was practicable, without becoming involved in a serious action with the largely superior force press- ing him back. By the road upon which Forrest moved the Sakatonchee was only to be crossed at a bridge about thirty yards in length some four miles west of West. Point, the only approach to which was over a long, narrow, thrown-up, dilapidated causeway, while the banks of the stream on either side were steep and miry. These conditions made jt hazardous for the Confederates to advance beyond it in much force. Nevertheless, on reaching the position about two p. m., Forrest pushed adventurously forward through and several miles beyond West Point, until he met Colonel Jeffrey Forrest hold- ing the Federals at bay in the prairie. Their lines ex- tended in formidable proportions across the highway. However, it was not P^orrest's policy to fight as yet, but merely to maneuver for delay until Lee came up with reinforcements that must be near at hand ; therefore, after some very light skirmishing, he withdrew through West Point and behind the Sakatonchee again. Dis- posing his forces to hold the bridge that I have above mentioned, Forrest at once led a portion of McCulloch's Brigade to a point called Siloam, some four miles higher up the river, where it was reported that the Federals were making an effort to cross and thus turn his posi- tion. It was not, however, a serious movement ; but a small party had already crossed the stream, and, taken February, 1864. 315 by surprise, some were killed, and the rest, twenty-three in number, were captured. To recapitulate : Nightfall found all of Forrest's forces (except Bell's Brigade) stationed along the west bank of the Sakatonchee, the head of the Federal column at and around West Point, and Barteau throwing our brigade to the west bank of the Tombigbee, near Waverly, some twelve miles east of West Point, as rapidly as possible. That night the whole country northward was illumi- nated by burning homesteads, cotton-gins, corn-houses, and stack-yards, inspiring the Confederates with a pas- sionate resolution to do all in the power of men to pun- ish such an unmanly, heathenish method of warfare. Sunday, 21st. — Early in the morning a force was again thrown to the north side of the bridge, where it was quickly attacked, but with light loss to either side, though there was a prolonged, incessant noise and rattle of fire- arms until about noon, when the enemy, after several attemps to force the position, drew off. Forrest followed at once with his ever-staunch escort to satisfy himself of the actual situation; then, calling up one hundred of Faulkner's Kentuckians, he discovered, to his chagrin, that the Federals were apparently in retreat. McCul- loch's and Colonel Forrest's Briofades were now ordered to advance ; and with this force he pressed closely at their haunches, leaving orders for General Chalmers to collect all remaining troops, and with them guard the bridge and the crossings northward of it against any possible hostile liank movement from the northward. The Federals were soon found in position in some post- oak timber at the edge of the prairie, four miles north- ward of West Point ; but, dismounting and deploying 516 E. K. Hancock's Diary. as skirmishers, the Confederates quickly drove them rearward some five miles, with the loss of some fifteen killed and wounded, when they again halted, and formed in battle array across the mouth of a lane, in which there was a narrow, slippery bridge and causeway over a nar- row slash that could not be turned. About one hun- dred and fifty Confederates had been thrown across it when the Federals charged with vigor; but Forrest, seeing the peril, with characteristic audacity, lead a counter-charge, while McCulloch, alive to the exigency, threw forward on foot, at double-quick, a number of men, who rushed across with a loud shout. The Federals, however, again gave way to their main line, a short dis- tance northward, in a woods. For a few moments the situation was dangerous, the fighting sharp, and, as was his way. General Forrest was in the heart of it, killing with his ready pistol a Federal trooper who was in the act of shooting him. The Federals now confronted did not number less than four thousand men. Forrest, dis- mounting the Confederates — not more than one thou- sand troopers — immediately threw them forward as rifle- men to give battle, and a warm engagement began. The Federals, however, slowly fell back through the woods for a mile into the prairie to a strong position behind a stout picket-fence, quite half a mile long. Promptly detaching a regiment to move round by the right and turn this formidable barrier, he moved upon it with his men in two lines as soon as the regiment in question became well engaged. The Federals giving way, Forrest's men rushed up to the fence, and from behind it delivered a galling fire upon their rear. Up to this time Forrest's losses that day had been about eighty killed and wounded, while that of the en- February, 1864. 317 emy may be set down at two hundred, including sev- enty-five prisoners taken. Remounting and pursuing, Forrest, notwithstanding the roads were now fearfully cut up, was able to bring his advance into more than one sharp collision that aft- ernoon with the Federal rear guard, which had been made heavy, and evidently now of their best men. In attempting after dark to traverse a field with his escort, so as to intercept a body of the enemy, Forrest became entangled in some ditches, so that — a number of the Confederates getting ahead by the road — as he came up in the darkness they mistook each other for the en- emy they pursued, and both parties fired, killing one man, and a ball passed through" the General's clothes. Under these circumstances, the command was ordered into bivouac on the same ground from which the Fed- erals had just retired, leaving around a good deal of subsistence and forage and camp-fires that were greatly enjoyed by the weatherbeaten, jaded, hungry Confed- erates. As we have followed Forrest through the operations of the day and into bivouac some fourteen miles south of Okolona, we will now go back and come up with Bell's Brigade, which, as you will remember, we left last night at dark crossing to the west bank of the Tombig- bee. The crossing was not completed until eight o'clock this morning. Had the Federal commander known our position, and thrown a portion of his forces out toward the river to the north of us, our brigade — only about one thousand two hundred strong — would have been completely surrounded by Federals and water; and our only means of escape, in that case, would have been to fight our way through the lines of the former or swim through the latter. 518 R. E. Hancock's Diary. As soon as the brigade had all crossed Colonel Bar- te'au set out in a north-west direction, with the Second Tennessee in rear of the brigade. We had not gone far before we heard artillery firing in the direction of West Point, Our reo-iment, now beinor detached and thrown forward, under Captain M, W. McKnight,* at a swift gallop for some three or four miles, came in sight of the Federal column, now in full retreat alono- the west side of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, a few miles north of West Point. Throwing forward skirmishers, McKnight halted here until Colonel Barteau came up with the rest of the brigade. Being ordered to keep on the Federal right flank, Barteau now moved out north- ward through the prairie, on the east side of and paral- lel with the railroad, with the Second Tennessee agrain in front. A skirmish was now kept up and continued the rest of the day between our and the Federal skir- mishers as they moved on between and parallel with the moving columns. When about opposite Egypt Sta- tion McKnight halted, and, deploying his men in line, again waited for the rear of the brigade to come up. W'hile in this position (about the time the rear of the brigade had closed up) the Federals made their appear- ance in battle array on an elevated portion of the prai- rie southward, driving our skirmishers before them. For a few moments the situation was fearful. The bri- gade was about to be enveloped, in its isolated position, by the Federals. However, the movement was happily discovered in time to be met with decision by Colonel Barteau. * As Colonel Barteau was in command of the brigade, Lieutenant-Colonel Morton on detached duty, and Major Parrish sick, Captain McKnight com- jnanded the regiment. February, 1864. 319 I take the following in reference to the above affair from Colonel Barteau's Manuscript Notes: Night found us at the intersection of the Aberdeen and Egypt road. Here the enemy made an unsuccessful attempt to strike a blow upon our comparatively small force. He had gained a quarter of a mile ahead of us, and attempted with a force from the head of his col. umn to take possession of this road before we could come up, while a force from the direction of his rear was detached to close rapidly on •us. But apprehending this we immediately drove the detachment in front away from the road with Colonel Wilson's Regiment, while my ■own under the gallant Captain McKnight protected the flank, and Colonel Russell managed ad«iirably well the portion of the enemy who attacked our rear. All things being well now we moved out on the Aberdeen road to its junction with the Okolona road and went into camp-^^ [four miles from Aberdeen]. The Federals bivouacked some four miles south of Okolona, on the west side of the railroad. BATTLE OF OKOLONA. Monday, 22d. — By three o'clock in the morning our brigade was in the saddle and moving toward Okolona. * "An amusing little incident took place that night while we were in camp. "The scouts were watching and surveying the camp of the enemy, and in doing so came upon a big Dutchman in the back yard of a farm house. He had just robbed alien roost, and a lusty chanticleer seemed to be his only prize. lie was easily captured himself, but persisted in denying the right of his captors to take from him his lawfully captured rooster. He was brought into camp hold- ing his fowl by the neck. All efforts to get 'plain English' out of him or to get away his 'bird' were equally fruitless; but by the aid of a limited knowledge •of his native tongue and the assistance of a good interpreter whom I soon found, I learned that he belonged to the Second 'New Zhorky,' and that the entire wagon train had been ordered to be on the Pontotoc road by daylight. "He had been one of the wagon guard that day, and understood that they were all going back to Memphis (as he said) ' to be dismounted and sent down the river.' "Whether all of his information was true or not, I now considered it certain that the enemy would not attempt to cross the Tombigbee, and I gave orders immediately to move, that if possible we might intercept the wagon train on the Pontotoc road, or strike it at daylight just west of Okolona." — Manuscript Notes of Colonel Barteau. 320 R. R. Hancock's Diary. When within one mile and a half of that place Colonel Barteau ordered the brigade to halt and dismount. Skir- mishers* being thrown out toward the railroad, mounted, soon came in contact with the Federal skirmishers, when a lively skirmish commenced, and was kept up for some time, while we were thus waiting for Forrest to move on their rear. As we had bivoaucked a few miles in ad- vance of Forrest, and also started about one hour earlier that morning, we had to wait here longer than was pleas- ant ; for we were in dangerous proximity to the Feder- als, had they been handled with a resolution or skill commensurate with their great numerical advantage. Such inquiries as, " What can Forrest be doing?" " Why does he not attack the enemy in the rear?" could now be frequently heard along our line. Finally, hearing skirmishing west of the railroad, a little south of us, we knew that at least a portion of Forrest's men were now in supporting distance ; so we then felt somewhat *D. B. Willard (Company C) and Lieutenant T. C. Atkinson (Company A), two daring riders, were among the skirmishers thus thrown forward. Ventur- ing a little too far into a field, they soon found that their only means of escape was through a hedge fence. Nor did they have any time for parley, as the balls were now flying thick around them. "Selecting," says Willard, "the thinnest and lowest place, I made my horse leap that hedge, followed by Atkinson, and we thus made our escape." Soon after this, as the brigade neared Okolona, these two troopers, being in advance, dashed boldly into town. Just as Atkin- son had dismounted and entered a house for some purpose, Willard, seeing a squad of Federals coming dashing down the street toward him, seeing that he had no time to lose, after calling out to Atkinson, he went dashing out of town with the Federals at his heels with drawn sabers, yelling, "Halt! halt!" Willard replied, "I don't belong to that command; therefore I shall not obey your orders." So he soon made his escape. Before Atkinson jould come out and mount the Federals were upon him; therefore he surrendered. However, the Federals in their eager pursuit after Willard, passed him. Seeing at once that this was his opportunity, he leaped into the saddle, grabbing the reins of a splendid horse that the Federals had been leading, and by a circuitous route southward, making good his escape, rejoined his command (Second Tennessee) soon after with his prize. February, 1864. 321 relieved. About that time Colonel Barteau received a dispatch from General Forrest stating that he had two brigades at Egypt Station, and directing him to continue flanking the enemy on the right, as he had been doing. The brigade then mounted and moved out for Okolona, Just before we got to that place our column and that of the Federals came in full view of each other, moving nearly parallel with and only a few hundred yards from each other. Thus th'e two columns continued to move until the head of each passed to a point a few hundred yards north of town, when both halted, and, by facing — the Confederates to the left and the Federals to the right — the two lines now stood in battle array in fuU view of and fronting each other, each on an elevated portion of the prairie, with the railroad midway in a de- pression between the lines. The Confederate left ex- tended to a point east of Okolona, and the Federal right to a point west. Our brigade dismounted, while the Fed- erals remained mounted. Soon after we had thus formed some Federals came dashing down through the town as though they were going to try to move us from our po- sition. However, a few volleys from the left of the brig- ade sent them back the other way. By this time the head of the main Federal column must have been two or three miles from Okolona on the Pontotoc road. Meanwhile, General Forrest, dashing ahead with his staff and escort to acquaint himself as soon as possible with the state of affairs in front, had overtaken and har- assed the Federal rear guard for a few miles southward of Okolona, and pressed them into the place, soon after we had taken the position as above indicated. Seeing the Federals drawn up in strong force in several lines, as if for battle, and discovering our brigade at the same 21 322 R R.. Hancock's Diary. time, he left his staff and escort south of town and im- mediately hastened, alone, to our position ; and as he made his appearance on our front the effect was pro- found. Every countenance irradiated with confidence, courage, and enthusiasm, which found immediate e.x- pression in loud cheers and prolonged shouts of mingled joy and defiance, in recognition of which Forrest lifted his hat and politely bowed to us as he passed our front, from left to right, at a gallop, saying, mildly, "Mount your horses;" and, on reaching our right, he gave im- mediate orders for the brigade to charge.* He. at the head of Russell's Regiment, dashed across the railroad north of town, and Barteau and McKnight, at the head of the Second Tennessee, went through town, while Wilson's divided, a part going to the support of each of the other regiments. The Confederates began to fire, with their long rifles, as they came within one hun- dred and fifty yards of the enemy ; but the short breech- loading firearms of the Federals gave the latter an ad- vantage which told perceptibly, and the Confederates were staggered for some moments, which Forrest, ob- serving, ordered to be cured by an immediate charge of Wilson's and Russell's Regimentsf on foot, while he, with the Second Tennessee, mounted (now drawing his sword * "Forrest's only question is, 'Where is the enemy's whole position?' My answer, ' You see it, General, and they are preparing to charge.' 'Then we will charge them,' was his reply, and in a moment th^e three regiments were wheeled into columns of platoons. .......... "We dashed into the town by two different streets, and struck the enemy in his very face just as he was preparing to execute the same movement on us. He seemed astonishetl and confounded, and his partially executed movements were turned into confusion and disorder." — Manuscript Notes of Colonel C. R. B. t Here the writer of Forrest's Campaigns adds Newsom's Regiment, which is a mistake, for that regiment was not attached to Bell's Brigade until about the first of May following. February, 18(34. 323 and brandishing the glittering steel over head, said, "Come on, boys"),* swept around to attack the Fed- eral right flank, an attack which was made with excel- lent spirit, while the dismounted men pressed with equal spirit upon their front. The enemy, now giving way, fled in confusion along the Pontotoc road. The Fed- eral loss in this affair was light, only about thirty killed, wounded, and captured ; that of the Confederates trivial, notwithstanding the superior character of arms used by the enemy. Colonel Barteau was knocked from his horse by a spent ball striking the clasp of his pistol belt; however, not being seriously wounded, he was soon in the saddle and at the head of the brigade again. f The chase now became general and eager, Forrest leading with his escort and the Second Tennessee, but swiftly followed by the other regiments as fast as they could mount. For the next four miles Forrest's best mounted men were constantly up and in conflict with the worst mounted fugitives, and many of the latter, in that distance, were either killed or captured. Mean- while, in the keenness of the pursuit, we became greatly scattered, and the men of the several regiments were necessarily so intermingled that, for the time, there was no distinct regimental organization, which Forrest ob- served and ordered the brigade to halt and organize. *In this "Come on, boys," lay one of the secrets of Fonest's unparalleled success as a cavalry leader. t"On seeing our gallant Colonel fall I immediately dashed to his assistance and to examine the nature of his wound. As he was for a few moments speech- less, he made no reply when I asked, 'Colonel, are you seriously wounded?* His first words (at the same time taking hold of me and attempting to rise to his feet) were, ^Forward, Second Tennessee !'' " He had received a severe shock, though not a serious wound, and a few moments later he was in the saddle and in the lead again." — Verbal report of Assistant Surgeon, Dr. J. W. Harrison. 324 R. K. Han'cock's Diary. After which, moving about one mile and a half further, we came up with the Federal rear again. The Second Tennessee was ordered to dismount and charge on foot, being led by Captain M. W. McKnight. The enemy, however, making only a feeble stand here, were soon driven to a point one mile and a half beyond. Being so nearly exhausted by this time, we were ordered to halt until our horses were brought up.* In the chase from Okolona to this point, some seven miles, Forrest, with our brigade and his escort, had cap- tured seven pieces of artillery and their caissons. Only a few hundred yards from where we thus halted there was a high ridge, covered with small post-oaks and a dense undergrowth, which sloped down steeply into marshy valleys on either hand, that covered both flanks. This being a very favorable position for defense, the Federals rallied and made a stubborn stand. Colonel Forrest's and McCulloch's Brigades coming up only a few moments after we had halted, were or- dered, the first to move to the right, the second to the left of the highway, and assail the enemy's position. (Colonel Russell's Regiment being detached from Bell's Brigade moved forward with Forrest's Brigade.) Both brio-ades swept forward at an equal pace and quickly carried the first line of cover in the face of a withering fire; but behind was a second position, strongly fur- nished, from which streamed a hissing torrent from the Federal breech-loaders, that cut down many of the dauntless men who breasted it. Among others, Colonel *McKnight's Company halted near a pond, some fifteen feet in diameter, and, notwithstanding the Federal cavalry horses had just been passing through and thus stirred it until the water was thick with mud, some of the boys were so nearly famished for water that they ran and drank of it as though it had been, clear spring water. February, 1864. 325 J. E. Forrest (the youngest of four brothers, the General being the eldest) fell mortally wounded, shot through the neck. General Forrest being informed of his broth- er's fall, rushed to the spot and dismounted. The Col- onel was not yet dead, and his mortal existence ter- minated in the arms of the General, whose soul at that supreme instant was moved by such an excess of sorrow that it served even to hush, for some ten minutes, the storm of battle. Says Colonel Russell, who was pres- ent: The moment was too sacred for angry passion to have sway, and catching its inspiration I ordered the men to cease firing, that all might join in sympathy with our suffering General. After nature had triumphed for awhile, continues Colonel Russell, he rose up, and cast- ing aside those reflections which had unmanned him for a few moments, by a strong mental effort Forrest was himself again. Remounting in stern silence, Forrest, taking in the situation at a glance, ordered his staff and escort to fol- low, and shouting in a loud, passionate voice, " Gaus, sound the charge!"* dashed with great fury upon the enemy in front just as they were remounting to retreat, and for some moments there was sore havoc in the Fed- eral mass as it Howed rearward, heavily packed in the narrow road, for a mile to another position even stronger and better prepared for defense, behind rail and log breastworks. The Forrest Brigade, now under Colonel Duckworth, was dismounted on the right of the road and thrown forward to storm the cover. The defense was stubborn and bloody, and the assault equally stren- uous ; however, the Federals were forced back, but only for a half mile, where the ground afforded another favor- able position, with abundance of rails available for an- other temporary breastwork. Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. *■ Jacob Gaus was the name of his favorite orderly bugler. 32r) R. K. Hancock's Diary. Barksdale fell mortally wounded while gallantly leading- the Fifth Mississippi, during the above onset. McCulloch was now up with his Texans and Missou- rians, who charged forward, shouting that their colors should not lao;- behind any on that field ; the Forrest Brigade dashed forward also, with a similar resolve. Therefore, the conflict for the position was short, but very bloody. The Federals yielded the ground, suffer- ing a great deal as they retired, especially the Fourth Regulars and Sixth and Ninth Illinois Cavalry. The Confederate losses also were severe before the position was carried. A mile beyond the enemy stood at bay again behind a cluster of log cabins and some out-build- ings and strong fencing. Forrest and his escort were with the advance, and active in the onslaught.* The musketry was again deadly to both sides, and Forrest's horse fell under him. pierced with five balls, besides which his saddle, struck three times, was shattered under him. A trooper, observing the situation of our leader, dismounted and gave up his horse, which was taken as promptly as it was offered, but was likewise killed before Forrest had ridden it one hundred and fifty yards, but. fortunately, just as one of his own horses, a favorite iron gray gelding, was brought to him from the rear. It was about this juncture, too, that Colonel Mc- Culloch was painfully wounded in the hand, and had to quit the field, and, consequently, his brigade was brought *The writer of Forrest's Campaigns says: " Disposing the Second and Sev- enth Tennessee on the right, and McCulloch's Brigade on the left, an attack, followed with little delay." (Page 398.) Hence this writer gives the Second Tennessee the honor of taking part in this onset — an honor which we do not claim, for according to what I wrote then, which corresponds with my memory now (1886), the Second Tennessee was not ordered to the front until the Feder- als had taken the next and last position, as nightfall closed the operations of the day at the next stand. This is correct. — C. R. B. February, 1864. 327 to a stand for a while by this mishap, and Forrest found himself in advance, with scarcely three hundred officers and men from all the different regiments engaged ; but with this small force he nevertheless hung close upon the enemy's rear, and just at sunset came upon them, drawn up in four strong lines upon an elevated ridge, in the western skirt of a field of tlie area of about one hundred acres, ready to descend upon this small band of dismounted Confederates. Porrest threw his men into line as quickly as possible behind a gully which furrowed the field, to meet the approaching onset. We will here pause to describe more fully the Federal position at this place. The Pontotoc road approaching the north-east corner ot the above named field, passing along the north-east side, with woods on the right, turning the north-west corner in a curve, a short distance from which, at a farm-house in the north-west side of said field, turned square to the right, leading off through a lane. The Federal lines extended from this house along the north-west side of said field, to and along the south-west side. Two pieces of artillery were planted near said house in the yard. To return now to Forrest's position. The first line of Federals dashed down the slope in excellent order to within sixty yards of the Confederates, who, at that distance, poured into it a scorching volley which sent it reeling rearward, and strewed the ground in front with a number of dead and wounded horses and men. The second line was buffeted back in like manner, and also the third, after making a still nearer approach. The remaining line, the largest and most menacing, was now put in action, with such persistence that, notwithstand- ing it was met by a warm fire, the mass of it pressed up 528 K. E. Hancock's Diary. to the gully we have mentioned, and many even sprang across and broke through the Confederate ranks. The Confederates, throwing down their guns, betook them- selves to their revolvers, in the desperate hand-to-hand struggle that now came to pass.* Just at this juncture Lieutenant-Colonel McCuUoch opportunely brought up McCulloch's Brigade, and meeting the portion of the enemy that had broken through and passed to the rear oi Forrest's position, killed and wounded a number, among others an aid-de-camp of General Grierson. About this time Colonel Barteau came to the front ■with the Second Tennessee and Wilder's Regfiment (Russell's having been detached, as previously men- tioned). The Federal artillery now opened for the first time during the day. Colonel Barteau, being ordered to attack the F'ederal left tiank, and, if possible, take the section of artillery that was playing upon us, moved his demi-brigade along the north-east side of the field I have mentioned for a few hundred yards, and then he ordered us to halt and dismount. The two regiments (with the Second Tennessee in front), led by the gal- lant Barteau, moving on to the north-west corner of said field, there emerging from the woods that had afforded us some protection to that point from the continued stream of grape-shot that the Federal artillery had been pouring among us all the while, and dashing forward with spirit, began to fire when within one hundred yards of the Federal position, around the farm-house we have mentioned, and, soon brushing back the enemy, f cap- * Seeing a Federal officer in the act of sfiooting one of his staff (Major T. S. Tate), wlio had no weapon save an empty carliine, Forrest, with one sweep of his saber, nearly severed the Federal officer's head from his shoulders. The man toppled to the ground, and as he did so Tate, taking the revoher from his hand, swung himself into the vacated saddle. tThe Federal Second Tennessee was among the supporters of this section of artillery, so here, for once, the Confederate Second Tennessee met and engaged the Federal Second Tennessee. February, 1864. 329 tured one piece of artillery, with the horses hitched to it, and one flag. After dashing along the lane for some distance beyond the house, close after the other piece of artillery, we were ordered to cease firing, iall back and form inside the yard fence. While Barteau was thus driving back the Federal left flank, their right dashed down upon his horse-holders, who, turning the horses loose, betook themselves to their guns and very gallantly repelled the enemy, not- withstanding they were "few and far between."* As it was now dark Forrest, ordering his men to halt, did not pursue the enemy any further. We thus came to a halt some fifteen miles north-west of Okolona, on the Pontotoc road ; and it had been almost one continu- ous rattle of fire-arms for the whole of that fifteen miles. The Federal losses were not less than six hundred killed and wounded and three hundred prisoners. The Confederate losses were some fifty killed and one hun- dred and fifty wounded. The Second Tennessee was very fortunate — none killed and only about five slightly wounded. The losses of McKnight's Company were : W. W. Hawkins, slightly wounded; Jim Dougherty, somewhat jarred by a spent grape-shot striking his shoulder; and two horses killed and another's leg broken. Barteau, with Bell's Brigade, moved back about two miles and bivouacked. About eight p. m. General Ghol- '•■■ Since writing the above I have learned that it was the Fourtli Regulars, under Captain Allen, that dashed down upon our horse-holders. In the hand- to-hand conflict that now ensued, H. C. (Red) Odom (Company C) shot and killed Captain Allen, who at that moment was making an attempt to kill Jim Petway (Company G) with his saber. So grateful did Petway feel toward Odom .for thus saving his life that he offered to make Odom a present of a fine horse ; but as Odom had captured four horses during the day, and consequently did not need Petway's horse, he very prudently declined to accept the offer. Three of the four horses that S. C. Odom was holdinsj were shot in the above affair. 330 K. E. Hancock's Diary. son arrived upon the field with a brigade — seven hun- dred strong — of State troops. Tuesday, 2jd. — General Gholson was directed to take up the pursuit with his fresh troops early in the morn- ing, which he did as far as Cherry Creek, capturing some fifty stragglers. At Tippah River, where the boat was destroyed, and a halt became necessary for the con- struction of a temporary bridge, some scouts having fired upon the demoralized enemy from the surrounding bushes, a rush w^as made into the stream in so frantic a manner that many horses and some men were drowned, and thenceforward to Memphis there was little organi- zation in this command, which, scarcely a fortnight be- fore, had left West Tennessee seven thousand strong, and as splendidly equipped a corps of cavalry as ever took the field. Had Smith been successful in forming a junction with Sherman at Meridian, it was no doubt the intention of the latter to move on to Mobile, Ala- bama. Sherman arrived at Meridian the 15th of Feb- ruary, and began his retreat from Meridian to Vicks- burg a few days after Smith had been driven back to Memphis. In A. H. Stephens' " War Between the States" (Vol. II, page 582) I find the following: A little before this General William T. Sherman had set out on his grand projected expedition to Mobile through Mississippi and Ala- bama. This most formidable and threatening movement was com- pletely checked by several brilliant cavalry exploits of Major-General N. B. Forrest, particularly the one at Okolona on the 2 2d of Febru- ary, the opening day of the fourth year of the war. Sherman's army, estimated at fifty thousand, was thus stopped at Meridian, Mississippi. From this point he retraced his steps to Vicksburg, and by Grant was put at the head of a new army to make another ''onward'' upon At- lanta and through Georgia. Having set parties to burying the dead, both Confed- February, 1864. 331 erate and Federal, and pressed wagons to remove the wounded of both sides aHke to the hospital at Okolona, Forrest left the field with his staff and escort, and re- established his headquarters at Starkville on the 24th. Meanwhile Lee, on the morning of the 2 2d, had ar- rived, with Jackson's Division, at Chalmers' headquar- ters, behind the Sakatonchee ; and, hearing that the Federals were on the retreat northward, he fell back as far as Starkville, county seat of Oktibbeha County, where he waited Forrest's arrival. After moving a few miles from the main road to feed our horses our regi- ment moved on to Okolona. There we learned that the rest of our brigade had passed, going south. We camped for the night near town. Wednesday, 2^th. — The regiment moved down to their old camp near Pikeville, nine miles south of Okolona. It had been twenty-nine days since we left this camp, and we had been in the saddle twenty-seven days out of that twenty-nine. Thui'sday, 2^th. — After a march of some twenty miles our regiment camped for the night within thirteen miles of Starkville. Friday, 26th. — iMoving on to Starkville, we found our wagon train one mile and a half south of town, and there we went into camps. The rest of our brigade (Bell's) and Chalmers' Division arrived also. Simday, 28th. — Bell's Brigade moved from Starkville to Tibbee Station — thirteen miles — which is the first sta- tion south of West Point. We remained here for two weeks to rest and recruit our horses, and they had, per- haps, never needed rest before as they did just at this time. In the first week of March Forrest's command was -332 R. R. Haxcock's Diary. augmented by Colonels A. P. Thompson's (Third), Ed. Crossland's (Seventh), and H. B. Lyons' (Eighth) Ken- tucky Regiments, who. having served hitherto as infantry, were now sent into his department to be mounted and transferred to the cavalry arm. They were so greatly reduced, however, all three together did not number more than seven hundred effectives, about one third of whom had received horses already ; the remainder were, as yet, to be horsed. Brigadier-General A. Buford came with them. W. \V. Faulkner's Regiment ( Ken- tuckians from McCulloch's Brigade) and Jeffrey E. For- rest's Regiment (now commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Wisdom) were added to this Kentucky Brigade, which, too^ether with Bell's Brigfade, constituted the Second Division of Forrest's Cavalry, with A. Buford as divi- sion commander; thus leaving Colonel A. P. Thompson in command of the (Third)* Kentucky Brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel G. A. C. Holt in command of the Third Kentucky Regiment. Buford assumed command on the 8th of March, with headquarters at Tibbee Sta- tion. Chalmers commanded the other, or First Division, with headquarters at Mayhew Station (four miles south of Tibbee), where the Second Brigade, McCulloch com- manding, was established on the 6th ; also the Seventh Tennessee Cavalry (Colonel Duckworth), of the First, or Richardson's Brigade, the other three regiments of which had been previously detached in the direction of Grenada. In this reorganization of Forrest's Cavalr)- the brig- ade which had been commanded by the lamented Colo- nel J. E. Forrest was divided up among the other brig- ades ; so the four brigades above named contained all of Forrest's command. * Hell's was now the Fourth Hrigade. February, 1864. 333 As the Second Tennessee had as y^t only seven com- panies, three splendid companies of West Tennesseans were added about this time in order to fill out the regiment to ten companies. These three companies were well officered, and the men were gentlemen as well as good soldiers. These three companies had been raised in Obion and Weakley counties in the latter part of 1863 and the beginning of 1864, and when attached to our regiment became Companies H, I, and K. The two first named were transferred from Russell's Regiment. The following rolls of said companies have been copied from the muster rolls which were made out at Tupelo, Mississippi, I\Iay loth, 1864, and are now in the Con- federate archives at Washington City:* MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY H. B. Edwards, Captain, J. Bedford, First Lieutenant. E. Lasiter, Second Lieutenant. J. L. Stubblefield, Third Lieutenant. R. Woody, First Sergeant. J. D. W, Barton, Second Sergeant. C. S. Brown, Third Sergeant. J. J. Dreemon, Fourth Sergeant. A. Miller, Fifth Sergeant. J. W. C. Harmon, First Corporal. F. M. Smelledge, Second Corporal. F. H. Edwards, Third Corporal. Q. C. King, Fourth Corporal. Bedford. A. A. Carter, J. L. Brown, J. R. Crocket, E. B. Burton, Wesley. Climar. L A. Brown, James. Cummings, V. B. Barnett, F. Cummings, John. Baird, R. H. Crutchfield, F. Baird, James. Cardell, W. A. *■ I am under obligations to the Secretary of War, Hon. Wm. C. Endicott,. for copies of the above named rolls. :334 R. R. Haxcock's Diary. Carter, M. E. Collier, I). Call i coat. J. H. Crutchfield, 1. Coachran, O. A. Davis, P. M. Davis, J. C. Freeman, R. W. Galoway, H. B. Grisham, A. A. Granger, John E. Harriss, Van. Hoosier, A. HoUoway, R. Hazlerigg, A. J. Harrison, J. B. Hallen, J. A. Inman, The. B. Jacobs, Hugh. Jacobs, Robert. Jefifress, P. D. King, P. C. Kindell, W. Miller, W. M. Mangrum, J. E. McAdams, I. K. Noah, P. D. Porter, J. W. Porch, S. M. Rodman, T. W. Robinson, B. B. Reed, (r. W. Rine, G. C. Stacy, D. B. Shore, J. J. Smith, P. H. Summers, B. F. Tomlinson, F. M. Vardell, R. B. Vaughn, A. J. Wilson, S. H. Wade, H. I. Wade, S. M. Wright, John. Young, J. M. The following names, not on the above named muster roll, I find on the roll made out June 30, 1864: Canady, John. Fields, N. W. •Cook, John. Osburn, William. MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY L S. H. Reeves, Captain. William Lattimer, First Lieutenant. J. H. Bittick, Second Lieutenant. W. C. Roberts, Third Lieutenant. A. L. Boyett, First Sergeant. M. Rosson, Second Sergeant. J. C. Hamilton, Third Sergeant. N. K. Moore, Fourth Sergeant. S. A. Williamson, Fifth Sergeant. FEBRgARY, 180-4. 335 G. T. C. B. W. B, J. W. Alexander, J. H. Bittick, N. D. Bittick, John. Boyett, G. T. Boyett, T. F. Branham, W. G. Coatney, J. H. Carter, J. L. -Clark, A. S. Clark, L. P. Gary, P. S. Culberson, W. M. Cloar, William. Cloar, J. A. Cloar, T. C. Cloar, J. E. Cowsert, I. W. Cowsert, W. S. Dozier, I. N. Dozier, J. J. Dozier, \V. A. Dillon, H. Fullerton, R. B. Fentress, G. W. Fletcher, T. J. Glover, J. T. Glover, P. T. Glover, G. W. Gallaway, H. B. Glisson, T. H. Grey, J. Glover, Thomas. Hudson, B. W. Howell, J. W. Harrison, J. W. Hargett, J. A. Howard, G. G. Brownlow, First Corporal. Howell, Second Corporal. Molett, Third Corporal. McDaniel, Fourth Corporal. Johnson, D. C. Johnson, Sol. Jones, R. T. Kerr, E. B. Kerr, William, Lassiter, R. A. Lattimer, T. J. Lattimer, 1). A. Lattimer, J. S. Lattimer, Alex. Lasley, J. T. Moffatt, J. F. Moppin, J. A. Morrow, W. L. Macksey, C. Masters, W. H. Owen, A. I. Powell, R. W. Pickard, L. P. Reeves, J. H. Rust, J. A. Rust, S. A. Rosson, Samuel. Smith, C. W. Smith, S. R. Teaton, H. C. Tilghman, E. C. Watts, C. H. West, A. G. West, J. W. Williams, J. G. Williams, F. Williams, B. F. Williams, J. S. Walker, E. Wright, H. W. 336 R. R. Hancock's Diary. I learn from muster roll of Company I, made out June 30th, 1864, that William Lattimer (First Lieutenant), J, H. Bittick (Second Lieutenant), A. L. Boyett (First Sergeant), M, Rosson (Second Sergeant), and C. B. Howell (Second Corporal) were transferred to infantry on the 23d of May, 1864. The vacancies thus made were filled as follows: J. C. Hamilton was made First Lieutenant; J. W. Howell, P^irst Sergeant; P. T. Glover, Second Sergeant; and N. B. Molett, Second Corporal. The following are the names of those found on mus- ter roll of June 30th, not on roll of May loth, 1864: Carter, G. L. Clendenning, W. Cook, Frank. Hamilton, A. B. Howell, J. B. Moody, West. Wright, Y. MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY K. O. B. Farris, Captain. J. W. Neel, First Lieutenant. F. M. McRee, Second Lieutenant. Henry Prior, Third Lieutenant. H. D. Fox, First Sergeant. Wellington Sceafrce, Second Sergeant. T. H. N. Adams, Third Sergeant. C. P. Edwards, Fourth Sergeant. W. J. F. Ragan, Fifth Sergeant. William Polk, First Corporal. A. M. Perry, Second Corporal. Henry Walker, Third Corporal. Henry Killion, Fourth Corporal. Adams, R. F. Curry, Samuel. Allison, R. William. Collin, Robert. Benton, W. E. Campbell, T. J. Baker, S. A. Carroll, C. H. Bartlett, William. Caruthers, S. L. Bradford, C. G. Calhoon, J. W. Buckhanan, J. M. Darbin, J. A. February, 1804. 337 Edwards, William. Everett, W. '1\ Fuzzell, J. H. Fuzzell, Green. Flemming, ]. R. Hemming, Ij. W. Farris, B. F. Green, Obed. FL-iily, J. W. Head, F. S. Head, J. W. Hill, S. J. Hill, A. N. Hughes, J. W. Hutchinson, J. M. Hickman, J. S. Hubbard, John. Hays, Jacob. Inman, I. F. Inman, F. Johnson, T. 1 1. Kisterson, J. H. Killion, J. I). Killion, Robert. I learn from mu.ster roll made out June 30th, 1864, that the following promotions were made June ist: F. McRee was promoted from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant; W. H. Farris Company C, Seventh Tennes- see Cavalry, to Second Lieutenant in the above compa- ny ; Wellington Scearce, from Second Sergeant to Third Lieutenant ; John Pryor, from private to First Sergeant; and Henry Killion from Fourth Corporal to Second Sergeant. Company K was recruited as follows in May, 1864. McRee, T. F. Mooring, J. W. Mooring, C. T. Miller, R. W. MoffaU, J. C. McKay, R. F. McKay, W. J. Polk, James. Parks, H. B. Philli])s, Robert. Phillips, Samuel. Peacock, CM. Riley, J. H. Roach, S. M. Reeves, J. J. Raynolds, Saylor. .Sinclair, J. S. Smith, John. Singleton, Green. Thompson, Thomas. Thompson, Samuel. Wells, G. W. Youree, William. .\nthony, John. Maker, J. S. Brown, H. R. 22 Brown, J. R. Blankenshij), H. E. Bennett, W. H. 338 R. R. Hancock's Diary. I)oll()n, II. C. Inniaii, T. B. ('unningliani. K. V. Jackson, R. H. Cage, J. K. Lawson, S. V. Crockett, R. Moultrie, L. Dougherty, Sam. Prior, John. Davis, P. Smith, William. Davidson, O. J. W. Sandling, John. Farris, W. H. Tucker, G. L. Glasscock, L. O. Tucker, J. W. Grisham, George A. Wilson, W. A. Garrison, O. J. Walker, W. Hunter, J. S. Su7iday, March ijth. — Chalmers' Division, at this time commanded by Colonel McCulloch, was ordered by Gen- eral P^orrest to return to Panola, Colonel Duckworth's Regiment, from Richardson's Brigade, and McDonald's P^attalion, from McCulloch's Bric^ade, remained on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad to accompany General Forrest on another expedition into West Tennessee and, if pos- sible, into Western Kentucky ; to which he was incited by several motives : Fii'st — Buford's Kentuckians were in pressing need of clothing and horses ; he therefore desired to give that command an opportunity to refit in their own State. Secoftd — The Tennesseans brought out in December were also, for the most part, in great need of clothing, and had left their homes so suddenly as to make it im- portant that they likewise should be indulged in a brief visit to that region. Third — He wished to do all that he could to distract, harass and hurt the enemy in his field of command. Forrest's headquarters were now, and had been since the 27th of February, at Columbus. Monday, i^th. — All needful preparations for the con- templated expedition northward being now completed March, 18G4. 339 Bell's Brigade took up the line of march from their camp near Tibbee Station. Moving west some seven miles to a bridge across Tibbee Creek, and thence about thirteen miles along the Okolona road, the brigade camped for the night west of the railroad. Tuesday, i^th.— General Forrest and his staff and es- cort set out northward from Columbus this morning. Thompson's Brigade, Duckworth's Regiment (Seventh) and McDonald's Battahon were also put in motion along the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Continuing its march along the Okolona road, Bell's lirigade camped five miles south of that place. lVed?iesday, i6tJi. — Bell's Brigade marched on through and camj^ed eight miles north of Okolona. Thursday, ijth. — Our brigade moved on to Tupelo, where we found General P)uford with the rest of our division. General Forrest set out with his escort Sev- enth Tennessee and McDonald's Battalion — that morn- ing from Tupelo, with two days' rations of corn, on their horses, for Jackson, Tennessee. Going by the way of Corinth he arrived at the former place the •20th. Friday, i8th. — Faulkner's Regiment, being detached from Thompson's Brigade and thrown out on the left Hank, crossed the Memphis and Charleston Railroad at Pocahontas, and thence, through Bolivar, on to Den- mark, west of Jackson. The rest of Buford's Division went by the way of Corinth. However, as the Second Tennessee moved detached from the division, though on the same general line of march, we will follow it only through its daily marches until it meets with the divis- ion again. After a march of about twenty -five miles our regri- ment camped seven miles west of Baldwin. We carried 340 R. R. Hancock's Diart. no' corn on our horses, Ijut forai^ed off of the country through which we passed. I suppose that that is the main reason why we moved detached. SattLi'day, igth. — In the saddle early. Marching some thirty-five miles we camped within five miles of Corinth, Stinday, 2otJi. — Crossing the Memphis and Charleston Railroad at Corinth, and the State line a little north of that place, thence continuing our course nearly north, our regiment bivouacked three miles east of Purdy, the county seat of McNairy County, Tennessee. Marched some twenty- five miles. Monday, 21st. — Our regiment passed through and camped four miles north of Mifflin, in the western part of Henderson County. Tuesday, 22d. — After h« had marched about fifteen miles Colonel Barteau came up with the rest of Buford's Division at a country village called Spring Creek, in the northern portion of Madison County, south of Middle Forked Deer River, twelve miles north-east of Jackson. After directing General Buford to send Colonel Wilson, with five companies of his regiment and all the dis- mounted Kentuckians who were unable to make the march northward, to Jackson to occupy that place dur- ing the expedition, Forrest repaired to Trenton with his staff, escort — the Seventh Tennessee — and Faulkner's Regiment. Wednesday, 2jd. — Detaching the Seventh Tennessee, McDonald's Battalion and Faulkner's Regiment, under Colonel Duckworth, to move upon Union City and cap- ture any Federal force there, F"orrest set out for Padu- cah with his escort and the rest of Buford's Division, which, after a march of some thirty-seven miles, camped (half alter ten i'. m.) fifteen miles north-east of Trenton, on the Dresden road. March, 1864. 341 Thursday, z^fth — Passing through Dresden and Duke- dom we bivouacked about four miles south of Mayfield (near midnight), in Graves County, Kentucky. Marched fortN-tvvo miles. Friday, 2^th. — We only had about twenty-six miles to ride before reaching our point of destination — Padu- cah. Thompson's Brigade marched in front and Bell's in the rear, with four pieces of artillery between. As Colonel Thompson was going home he moved at quite a lively gait. The artillery had to move very rapidly down grade and on level road in order to make up time lost in going up grade. Therefore, our brigade moved at a gallop the greater portion of that twenty-six miles. We had, perhaps, .never done as hard riding, for the same distance, as we did that day. A gentle shower of rain that was falling at the time was a great advantage in keeping our horses cooled off We arrived before Padu- cah about two p. m. Forrest dashed into town with his advance guard, forcing the Federals to betake themselves, in hot haste, to their stronghold — Fort Anderson — a large inclosed earthwork in the western suburbs of town, about one hundred yards from the river bank, and surrounded by a broad, deep ditch, fringed with a strong abatis. This formidable work was garnished with at least six pieces of artillery, and all the Federal troops at Paducah took refuge in it — from seven hundred to one thousand in number. Buford, dismounting his men in an open space a little south of west from town, threw Thompson's Bri- gade forward and leftward, in the direction of the fort, while Bell's, being on the right, moved into town. How- ever, it was not Forrest's purpose to attack the fort, and he gave no orders looking to such a step. But speed- r— 9« 342 U. \l. Hancock's Diary. ily was heard the sound of rapid, heavy firing of small arms and artillery in that direction, and, on sending Captain Anderson, his aid, to ascertain the cause, that officer, returning in a lew moments, reported that an attack had been made by Colonel Thompson with about four hundred men of the Third and Seventh Kentucky, which, though gallantly led and made, had been repulsed with the loss of that distinguished officer. Ihe fire con- centrated upon this band of Kentuckians was too con- suming to be endured, and Colonel Crossland, who sue- ceeded to the command, promptly distributed his men among the numerous houses, from the upper stories and roofs of which they poured a deadly fire over the para- pets of the works. Colonel Albert P. Thompson was killed in sight of the place of his birth, the house of his father, the home of his proud, useful manhood, the field of his professional distinction. Made aware of the situation, Forrest sent a positive or- der to Buford not to attempt to storm the Federal posi- tion, and at the same time causing a bugle to be sounded in indication of his wish for a parley, presented a formal demand for the surrender of the place. Colonel Hicks, the Federal commander, flushed with his recent ad- vantage, promptly answered the demand for his capitu- lation with a defiant refusal. Meanwhile the Confeder- ates had complete possession of the town itself, the streets of which the guns of the fort and the two gun- boats were sweeping with incessant discharges of solid shot, shell, and grape, doing a great deal of damage to the buildings. Scattered in detachments, liulord's men, nevertheless, began to collect in the various stores, ware- houses, and stables the clothing, supplies, and horses, for which the operations had been chiefly undertaken; March, 1804. 343 and other parties were set to destroy such public prop- erty and war material as could not be removed, includ- inor the quartermaster's stores, railroad depot with all the rolling stock, and the Marine Way with the steamer Dacotah, on the stocks for repairs. Forrest, having closely reconnoitered the work, be- came fully satisfied that to storm it would involve a greater sacrifice of valuable life than would be justified by the capture of the force that defended it, withdrew all his troop without making any other effort to assault the work than that which had so unfortunately resulted in the loss of Colonel Thompson. The withdrawing did not commence, however, until after dark, and then it was effected by small detachments falling back to their horses, one after another, so that the enemy would not know when the place was evacuated. Paducah was in possession of the Confederates from a little after two until eleven p. m. Then Forrest moved his main force some four miles southward and camped, taking with him some fifty prisoners, about four hundred horses and mules, and a very large supply of clothing and quarter- master's subsistence, and military supplies, including saddles and other horse equipments, for the procure- ment of which, as I have said, the expedition had been mainly made. The Federals continued the bombard- ment of the town for some time after we had thus gone into camp. I have seen no official reports of this affair at Paducah, and I regret to find that the writer of " Forrest's Cam- paigns " is silent in reference to the loss of P^orrest's command. I take the following irom J. C. Ridpath's " Mistor)- ot the United States," page 523 : 344 R. R. Hancock's Diary. He [Forrest] reached Paducah, Kentucky, made an assault on Fort Anderson in the suburbs of the town, but was repulsed with a loss of three hundred men.* The loss of the Second Tennessee in this affair was two men (B. F. Odom, Company C, and Wm. Ayers. Company D) killed and twelve wounded ; among the latter was our Lieutenant-Colonel, G. H. Morton, who was severely wounded in the shoulder. Nute Carr, Company E, S. W. Love, Company D, and Nat. C. Pope, Company G, were also among the wounded. Company C was very unfortunate. H. F. Odom (as before stated) was killed, a cannon-ball taking off the top of his head. He was a noble, kind-hearted young man as well as a good soldier, and consequently highly esteemed, much beloved, and greatly missed by all his comrades. A brick chimney, attached to a house in which Captain McKnight and several of his company had taken refuge, was struck by a cannon-ball, knock- ing the inmates around at a fearful rate by the Hying and falling bricks. Captain McKnight was taken from the debris in a lifeless condition ; however, he soon suffi- ciently recovered from the terrible shock (his head was fearfully bruised and mashed) to be brought off in a buggy. Two others — S. C. Odom and T. D. Elkins — were considerably hurt. Another chimney was knocked down, falling on several of one company, though with- ' Since writing the above I have reeeived through the politeness of General M. J. Wright, General Forrest's official report, dated "Dresden, Tenn., March 27, 1864," and addressed to " Lieutenant-General Polk, Demopolis " [Alabama], from which I take the following: " H'cld the town for ten liours, and could have liold it longer, but found the small-pox was raging, and evacuated the place. . . . My loss at Uuiiin City and Paducah, as lar as known, is Iwcnly-livc, killed and wounded. 1 hold possession of all this country except posts ctw the river. Think if 1 caH remain unmolested here fifteen days 1 will be able to add two thousand men to my command." March, 1864. 345 out serious injury to any. John N. McKnight was wounded in the arm by a small ball. L. W. McKnight's leg was broken at the knee, and consequently had to be amputated just above the knee. lie was the only man, except the two killed, that our company or the regiment left in the hands of the enemy. He died soon after at Paducah. So our company (C) lost another excellent soldier by this Paducah affair. In fact, the company had never suffered so great a loss in any previous en- gagement. Saturday, 26th. — The Federal commander, apprehen- sive of another attack, threw out detachments from his fortress, and set fire to a lar"-e number of buildincrs, in- eluding some of the best dwellings and business houses of the place, which, in that event, might be occupied by hostile sharp-shooters to his annoyance. However, this waste of property was the fruit of an idle apprehension. At nine a. m. P'orrest sent, under a flag of truce, a proposition for an exchange of prisoners, but this was declined, for alleged want of authority. Moving fourteen miles southward Forrest bivouacked some four miles north of Mayfield. The Third and Seventh Kentucky Regiments were detached by squads to repair to the several neighborhoods in South-west Kentucky, in which they had been enrolled, to visit their kindred, from whom they had been long separated. They were ordered to reassemble by the end of the month at or near Mayfield, Keflitucky. Szmday, 2jth. — The rest of our division moved down to Mayfield, where Buford, with six companies of the Second Tennessee and the P^ighth Kentucky remained to await the return of the two disbanded regiments, while Forrest, with his escort, Russell's Regiment, five 346 R R.. Hancock's Diary. companies of Wilson's, and four (including the three companies from West Tennessee) of the Second Ten- nessee, proceeded southward to Trenton, Tennessee. As Wilson's and Russell's men belonged in that vicinity, they were allowed to visit their families and friends, and to procure summer clothing. So Forrest's command was now well scattered over West Tennessee and Ken- tucky and Northern Mississippi. Colonel Duckworth, who was detached at Trenton on the 23d to move upon Union City with less than five hundred men, appeared in front of that place before daylight on the morning of the 24th, and discovered by the light of some burning buildings that the Federals were strongly entrenched in a square redoubt. A close and vigorous investment ensued, however, and for sev- eral hours there was a good deal of sharp-shooting, while Faulkner's Kentuckians made a charg-e to within twenty or thirty yards of the work. Without artillery, and the force within the works being equal in numbers to his own, Colonel Duckworth now resorted to the 7'use of presenting a peremptory demand for the surrender of the position in the name of General Forrest. The Fed- eral commander. General Hawkins, who had surrendered to Forrest in December, 1862, asked time to consider, and besought, moreover, a personal interview with For- rest, which, of course, was impracticable. Duckworth, therefore, cleverly answered in the name of his chief, that other important military movements would not allow any time for deliberation ; that the answer must be, therefore, immediate and conclusive; that he (For- rest) was not in the habit of meeting officers inferior in rank to himself under Hag of truce, but would send Colonel Duckworth, an officer of equal rank, clothed April, 1864. 347 with power to arrang-e tf'rms, and any arrano^cment made by him would be strictly observed. The inter- view took place, and the capitulation was therefore made at eleven a. m., and four hundred and seventy-five men, with their arms and ammunition, camp and garri- son equipage, and three hundred horses were the results of this adroitly-managed stratagem. Tuesday, 2gth. — General Buford, with the Eighth Kentucky (perhaps a part of them had been disbanded to visit relatives and friends) and six companies of the Second Tennessee, moved out about seven miles south- west of Mayfield, IVedjiesday, joih. — Moving southward he camped within some two and a half miles of Dukedom, which is on or near the line between Kentucky and Tennessee. Thuf'sday, 31st. — After a short march, about three miles, we camped half a mile south of Dukedom. Friday, April ist. — The most of the Kentuckians having returned to their colors by this time, Buford now took up the line of march for Trenton, halting for the nii^ht at Dresden, fifteen miles south of Dukedom, in Weakley County, Tennessee. Saturday, 2d. — Marching about twenty-three miles a little west of south, crossing the south fork of the Obion River, Buford camped within three or four miles of Trenton, in Gibson County. Sunday, jd. — Buford established the headquarters of his division at Trenton, while Colonel Barteau, with six companies of his regiment, went thirteen miles further west and encamped near Eaton, where he remained one week. While here he was rejoined by the four com- panies that had been detached at Mayfield, Kentucky. And also Wilson's and Russell's Regiments reassembled at this camp near Eaton. 348 E. R. Hancock's Diary. Faulkner's Regiment rejoined the Kentucky Brigade at Trenton, and also the dismounted Kentuckians, who, being unable to accompany the expedition to Paducah, had been left meanwhile at Jackson. While at Trenton, Buford having noticed in a northern newspaper the statement that the horses which had been recently carried off from Paducah belonged exclusively to the citizens, while those of the United States had es- caped by their adroit concealment in an old foundry or rolling-mill in the outskirts of the town, acquainted For- rest with the circumstances, and requested and obtained authority to return at once with the Kentucky Brigade, or some eight hundred of them, and complete his re- mounts. Setting out on the 8th Buford was in the vicinity of Columbus on the 12th, when he detached two companies to make a vigorous demonstration on the Federal posi- tion at that place, with the hope of thus drawing thither reinforcements and distracting the movements of the F'ederal forces. Other detachments were also thrown out, especially at points on the Tennessee River, and on the 14th Buford, with his main force, suddenly appeared at Paducah about one p. m. Boldly entering the town, he sent a detachment to the rollinof-mill to search for horses, and another to investigate the quartermaster and subsistence store-houses. Some one hundred and forty excellent horses were soon found concealed, as had been anticipated, but, for the most part, the subsistence and other supplies had been removed across the river that day in anticipation of an attack. Meanwhile a furious bombardment had been opened on the town from the fort and four gunboats, but no movement was made on the part of the Federal commander to throw April, 1804. 340 his Iroops Iroin ihcir cover. lUilord's next measure was now to beguile his adversary with the apprehension of a serious attack. So he formally notified the F"edera] commander of his intention to attack him, and granted a truce for one hour for the purpose of moving the women and children. This was accepted, and the navy officers began to remove the women and children to the Illinois shore. Meanwhile Buford began to withdraw southward with his main force and spoils, leaving F"aulk- ner to threaten the place for some hours longer, and then retire westward on the road to Blandville, to con- tinue the deception as to the objects and the strength of these Confederate movements. Buford himself fell back slowly to Dresden on the 18th, and established his headquarters there until the 30th, under orders from General Forrest, for the purpose of recruiting and pro- curing additional artillery and cavalry horses. While on his way to Paducah about the time he was leaving Jackson — F'orrest ordered Chalmers, who was at Panola, Mississippi, to send the First Brigade (now un- der Colonel J. J. Neely, Richardson having been re- lieved from command) into West Tennessee, with in- structions to take post at or about Brownsville. Accord- ingly Neely, getting in motion on the 25th of March, was at Bolivar on the 29th, and there met, engaged, and completely routed a Federal force under Hurst, killing about twenty and capturing some thirty and their wagon train (five wagons and teams) and two ambu- lances, with their contents, including fifty thousand rounds of ammunition, much needed, as it happened, by the Confederates at the time. Hearing that Grierson had been detached with a heavy cavalry force from Memphis to operate upon Forrest's rear, General Chalmers, leaving two battalions to guard 350 R. R. Hancock's Diary. the crossino- of the Tallahatchie, crossed into West Ten- nessee with the remainder of McCulloch's Brigade, at or near LaGrange, on the 29th of March, and was at Bolivar early on the next day. Meanwhile the prison- ers accumulated in the course of the expedition at Jack- son, some six hundred in number, were detached en route for Demopolis, Alabama, under a strong escort, in the direction of Corinth. Hearinp- of lar^-e bodies of Fed- eral troops in that quarter, the oflicer in command turned rightward. toward Pocahontas, and Chalmers' Division was likewise detached, to insure their safe conveyance beyond the dangerous ground of the line of the Mem- phis and Charleston Railroad. After safely conveying the prisoners across the border Chalmers' Division re- turned northward — -McCulloch's Brigade to Jackson, and Neely's to Brownsville and Sommerville. General Grierson was sent forth from Memphis with perhaps two thousand cavalry to feel, attack and crip- ple Forrest as much as possible. On the 3d of April Lieutenant-Colonel Crews, with sixty of McDonald's Battalion, came in contact with a part of this force some twenty-five miles from Memphis, on the Sommerville road, and by adroitly displaying his colors and men, as well as by bold attacks, he so completely deceived the enemy as to make him believe that Forrest's whole com- mand was upon him, and a hasty retreat back to Mem- phis was the result, with the destruction of all the bridges behind him, leaving Crews in possession of the field. Grierson reported to General Hurlbut that " Forrest was a little too strong for him," when, as incredible as it may seem, he had come in coniiict with no part of F'or- rest's command but Crews and his sixty men.* *A full account of this affair may be found in "Campaigns of General For- rest," pages 420-22. April, 1864. 351 Sunday, roth. — Ever since his advent into West Ten- nessee Forrest had been distressed by well-authenticated instances, repeatedly brought to his notice, of rapine and atrocious outrage upon non-combatants of the coun- try by the garrison at Fort Pillow. According to the information received the garrison in question consisted of a battalion of whites commanded by Major Bradford (a Tennessean), and a negro battalion under Major Booth, who likewise commanded the post. Many of Bradford's men (West Tennesseans) were known to be deserters from the Confederate army. The families of many of Forrest's men had been grievously wronged, despoiled and insulted by detachments of Bradford's men, and many of his (Forrest's) officers, uniting with the citizens of the country, in a petition begged to be permitted to remain to shield their families from further molestation. This was impossible, of course ; but For- rest determined to break up their lair, and capture or destroy them before leaving that section of the country for other operations ; and the orders necessary to that end were issued on the above date from his headquar- ters at Jackson, Bell's Brigade of Buford's Division and McCulloch's Brigade of Chalmers' Division, with Wal- ton's Battery — four mountain-howitzers — being selected for the operation. Chalmers with McCulloch's Brigade set out at once from Jackson by way of Brownsville; but as Bell's Brigade was camped near Eaton, in Gibson County, some thirty miles from Jackson, and as a courier had to be sent from the latter place to notify Bell of the move, he did not get his brigade in motion until about nine r. m., and then only to mount and move out into the road and wait until about midnight for the artillery, which had to come through a very bad bottom. Then, 352 R. R. Hancock's Dtary. inoviiiL^ about tun miles south, lU-ll haltcnl, al)out one hour before day, and allowed his men to take a short nap. (They had the pleasure of only about one hour's sleep out of sixty.) Monday, nth. — In motion earl)- IVdl halted to feed about ten a. m., after which he pressed on in rear of McCulloch's Hriofade. Forrest, leaving Jackson that morning, overtook Chal- mers at Brownsville at two p. m., and ordered that officer to push ahead with the troops by a forced march, so that they might be in close proximity to Fort Pillow by daylight the next morning. The distance was thirty- eight miles. It was raining, and so dense was the dark- ness after midnight that it was difficult to distinguish the road or "to see a file-leader." Nevertheless, onward and onward pushed Chalmers — with McCulloch's Bri- gade still in advance — and just before dawn on Tues- day, April 1 2th, his advance guard surprised the P^ederal pickets and captured all except one or two, who, escap- ing to the fort just at sunrise, gave the first warning of the danger impending. Thus Bell's Brigade had made the trip from Eaton to F'ort Pillow — about seventy miles — in thirty hours. McCulloch's men had decidedly the advantage of Bell's, from the fact that by getting well on their way Sunday they got to rest Sunday night, wJiile, as we have seen, Bell's men were in the saddle nearly all night, and then also Monday and Monday night, resulting in many of Bell's men being made sick. Fort Pillow, first established in icS6i by the State of Tennessee, and still better fortified by the Confederate States Engineers, under the orders of General Beaure- gard, in March and April, 1862, is on the east bank of the Mississippi River, in Lauderdale County, some three April, 1864. 353 and a half miles above Fulton, and just below the mouth of Coal Creek. The lines of works erected by the Con- federates were upon a very extended scale — far too large to be of the least use or value to a garrison so small as that which the rederals habitually kept there, there- fore they had freshly thrown up breastworks upon the highest part — perhaps fifty feet above the water level — of a bank or bluff which extended for several hundred yards nearly parallel with the river, leaving a space, comparatively le> between its base and the river bank proper, perhaps mirty to fifty yards wide. The fort was near the southern extremity of this bluff, it being the highest, and about seventy-five yards from the river. About one acre of land was inclosed by earth works thrown up on three sides — north, south, and east. The wall was about eight feet high, exterior to which there was a ditch six feet deep and twelve feet broad.* East- ward there was a gradual slope from the fort for from forty to fifty yards, when the descent became sudden into a narrow gorge which, extending northward four or five hundred yards, thence westward to Coal Creek, thus separated the bluff upon which the fort stood from a labyrinth of hills and ridges, divided from each other by a net-work of interlacing, narrow ravines, and this slope was broken by several crooked and deep gullies, affording well-covered approaches for an enemy to within thirty to one hundred yards of the fort. Southward, this eminence also fell off gently for about two hundred yards, and then rapidly into a narrow valley, the course of which was perpendicular to the river, and in' which were a number of trading houses and other buildings . e * As I failed to take these measurements while at the work, I have adopted the above from "Campaigns of General Forrest." 23 354 R. R. Hancock's Diary. known as the town. This slope was seamed by a ravine which srave hostile access to within one hundred and fifty yards of the southern face of the works. Between this ravine and the fort were three or four rows of tents and cabins, and rightward from these, stretched around to the north for some two hundred yards a rifle-pit along the eastern verge of the acclivity. The armament con- sisted of two ten-pounder Parrott rifled guns, two twelve- pounder howitzers, and two six-pounder rifled-bore field pieces, and the whole garrison did not exceed five hun- dred and eighty men. One gunboat — New Era — was present and took part in the defense. The timber was cut down for several hundred yards in front of the fort. Upon the capture of the pickets, McCulloch's Brigade was pressed rapidly on with instructions to take up a position southward of the fort, and as near as possible to the river bank and work; therefore, McCuUoch soon seized a position with his left flank on the river bank, about half a mile southward of the fort, the remainder of his line disposed in the ravines extending around and toward the north-east, in close proximity to a high ridge upon which were the old Confederate works, the most elevated point of which was occupied at the time by a Federal detachment. He then and there came to a halt to wait for Bell's Brigade (which was about two miles from the fort when the Federal guns first opened, a little after sunrise) to come up and take position. As soon as up Wilson's Regiment of Bell's Brigade was deployed directly in front to occupy the close attention of the garrison by an immediate, vigorous skirmish, while Col- onel Barteau led the Second Tennessee rightward, wind- ing his way as best he could through the woods to Coal Creek bottom, and there dismounting threw his men April, 1864. 355 forward to a good position a few hundred yards north of the fort along the north-east face of a hill. From this position skirmishers were thrown forward to brush the small force of P'ederal sharp-shooters back from their advanced positions ; this drew the Federal guns from both fort and gunboat upon our position. Meanwhile Colonel Russell threw his regiment forward to a position between Barteau and Wilson. The investment was now complete, though it was at long range ; and about this time, too (nine a. m.), General F^orrest came upon the field, and about the same hour Major Booth, the Federal commander, and his adjutant by his side, were killed. Coming immediately to our position,* thence along the top of the bluff upon which the fort stood. General T^or- rest made as close an inspection of the fort and its sur- roundings as he possibly could, thus ascertaining that the conformation of the ground around the Federal works (as previously described) was such as to afford protection' to his troops, while two ridges, from four to fixe hundred yards distant, eastward and north-eastward from the enemy's position, gave the Confederate sharp-shooters excellent cover, from which they completely commanded the interior of the Federal works, and might effectually silence their fire. He therefore decided at once to make a close investment, returned to our position and ordered Colonel Barteau to ' ' move up. ' ' Accordingly the Second Tennessee "moved up" to the top of the bluff and opened fire upon the Federal garrison. By droppino- over a litde to the right and moving along the side of the bluff facing the river, it gave us some protection from the garrison, while at the same time this move *The writer heard Forrest remark as he passed : "There are not many— we must take them." 356 R. R. Hancock's Diary. placed us in easy range and plain view of the gunboat, which moved up as we moved down, and when about opposite to us she turned broadside as though she was going to give us "Hail Columbia;" however, after maneuvering around for a while, as though she was try- ing to scare us off of that bluff without tiring a gun, she finally came to a halt several hundred yards above the fort, and (to our great relief) remained a ''silent spec- tator" during the rest of the engagement.* Moving along this bluff to within about one hundred yards ot the north side of the fort — perhaps some were nearer — Colonel Barteau halted and waited for the rest of the command to close up. After advancing a short distance with our regiment, Forrest turned and went round leftward to move up the rest of Bell's Brigade as well as McCulloch's. Accord- ingly Russell's and Wilson's Regiments were thrown forward, to the left of Barteau's, to a position in which their men were well sheltered by the conformation of the grround. McCulloch, advancino- about the same time, soon brushed the Federals back from the old Con- federate intrenchments, on the highest part of the ridge immediately in front of the south-eastern face of the work. The Federals fell back without further stand to their main work and the rifle-pit in its front, closely pressed by McCulloch, who seized and occupied the cluster of cabins on the southern face of the work, which were only about sixty yards from it, foiling an attempt on the part of the enemy to burn the buildings. He also carried and occupied the rifle-pit rightward, thus *I do not know why Captain Marshall, the commander of the gunboat, ceased firing when he could have used his guns with such telling effect upon our regiment, unless it was because he was scarce of ammunition or afraid to open his port-holes, fearing we would kill his gunners. April, 1864. 357 completing the investment at short range, extending from the river bank north of the fort to the river bank south. These positions thus secured were fatal to the defense, for the Confederates were now so placed that artillery could not be brought to bear upon them with much effect, except at a mortal exposure of the gun- ners, while rearward of the advance line were numer- ous sharp-shooters, favorably posted on several com- manding ridges, ready to pick off any of the garrison showing their heads above, or, indeed, any men moving about within the circuit of, the parapets. Fully satisfied of his ability to carry the position without difficulty or delay, but desiring to avoid the loss of life that must occur in stormino^ the works, Forrest determined to de- mand the surrender of the place. Accordingly, caus- ing the signal for a cessation of hostilities to be given, he deputed Captain VV. A. Goodman, Adjutant-General on the staff of General Chalmers, to bear a fiag of truce with a formal demand in writing,* addressed to " Major L. F. Booth, commanding United States forces," as he was thought to be still in command. However, as we have seen, he had been dead for several hours, and the command had fallen into the feeble hands of W. F. Bradford, the commander of the odious Thirteenth Ten- nessee Battalion of Cavalry. Nevertheless, the answer received, after some delay, bore the name of Major L. ¥. Booth, and required an hour for consultation with his officers and those of the gunboat in regard to the demand for the surrender of his post and the vessel. On receiving this communication Forrest immediately *After some discussion among the officers present it was agreed by both For- rest and Chalmers, "that if the port was surrendered the whole garrison, white and black, should be treated as prisoners of war." — "Campaigns of Gen- eral Forrest," page 431. 358 K. R. Haxoock's Diary. replied, in writing, that he had not asked for, and did not expect, the surrender of the gunboat, but that of the fort and garrison, and that he would give twenty minutes for a decision. Moreover, so great was the an- imosity existing between the Tennesseans of the two commands, he added, that he could not be responsible for the conseqtiences if obliged to storm the place. During the period of the truce the smoke of several steamers* were discovered ascending the river; and speedily one crowded with troops, and her lower guards filled with artillery, was distinctly seen approaching, near at hand, and manifestly bearing directly for the be- leaguered fortress. Apprehensive that an attempt would be made to land reinforcements from these steamers, F"orrest promptly dispatched his aid-de-camp. Captain Anderson, with a squadron of McCulloch's Brigade, down to the river bank under the bluff and just below the southern face of the invested work. And the Olive Branch, in her course, soon came so near that by open- ing with a volley on the mass of men with whom she was laden a heavy loss of life must have been inflicted ; but Captain Anderson, limiting himself strictly to pre- venting the landing of any reinforcements during the truce, caused two or three admonitory shots to be fired at the pilot-house, with the immediate effect of making her sheer off to the opposite shore, and pass on up the river. Some minutes later the answer to the second demand was brought out of the fort and handed to Forrest by Captain Goodman. It ran as follows: "Your demand does not produce the desired effect." The Confederate *These were the Olive Branch, with General Shipley and troops on board, the Hope, and the M. R. Cheek. April, 1804. 359 ■General exclaimed: "This will not do; send it back, and say to Major Booth " — whose name was attached — "that I must have an answer in plain English — yes or no!" Captain Goodman returned not long after with the Federal answer, a brief but positive refusal to sur- render the post. As soon as he had read this communi- cation, turning- to his staft and some officers around him, Forrest ordered that his whole force should be put in readiness for an immediate and simultaneous assault, x'\fter stimulating his troops with a few energetic words he, with a single bugler, rode to a commanding emi- nence, some four or five hundred yards east of the fort, from which he had a complete view of the field of oper- ations, and, scanning the field, and observing that all was ready, caused the signal to be given for the resump- tion of hostilities ; and at the first blare of the bugle the Confederate sharp-shooters, at all points, opened a galling fire upon the hostile parapet, to which the gar- rison replied for a few moments with great spirit. But so deadly was the aim of the Confederates from their enfilading positions that their enemies could not rise high enough from their scanty cover to fire over at their foes, nor use their artillery on the southern face without being shot down. Consequently there was practically little resistance, when, a few moments later, the bugle still sounding the charge, the main Confederate force, surging onward as with a single impulse, leaped head- long into the ditch, and, helping each other, they clam- bered nimbly, swiftly and simultaneously over the breast- works beyond, opening from its crest a fearful, converg- ing fire, from all its forces, upon its garrison within. In anticipation of this contingency Major Bradford, it appears, had arranged with the captain of the gun- 3G0 R. K. Hancock's Diary. boat that, if beaten at the breastworks, the garrison would drop down under the bank and the i^unboat would come to their succor and shelter them with its canister. The prearranged signal was now given, and the whole garrison, white and black, for the most part with arms in their hands, broke for the place of refuge and naval aid there expected, leaving the Federal flag still aloft on its staff.* The gunboat, however, was recreant at this critical moment, and failed to give the least assist- ance ; and no timely shower of canister came from its ports to drive back the Confederates, who swiftly and hotly followed after the escaping negroes and Tennes- seans. As soon as we entered the fort two of the cap- tured gunsf were turned upon the gunboat, which caused her to move further up the river in place of com- ing to the relief of the garrison, as her commander had distinctly agreed to do. The left of the Second Ten- nessee entered the fort at the north-west corner, while the right extended westward down the bluff toward the river ; and while they were pouring a volley into the right flank of the retreating Federals, the troops that had been stationed below the fort to watch the steam- ers did likewise for the enemy's left flank. Thus being exposed to a fire from both flanks, as well as rear, their ranks were fearfully thinned as they fled down that bluft" toward the river. Finding that the succor which they had been promised froni the gunboat was not rendered,. * Doak Carr (Company D, Second Tennessee) took down the Federal flag. tSo well was one of these yuns handlctl by B. A. High (who was afterward made Orderly Sergeant, Company G, Second Tennessee) that Forrest offered lo promote him to the rank of Captain and allow him to go with the captured guns to Mobile, Alabama. He declined to take the command of the battery from the fact that he was not willing to leave his comrades. He would have accepted if Forrest had kept the battery with his own command. April, 1804. 361 nor at hand, they were greatly bewildered. Many threw themselves into the river and were drowned in their mad attempt to swim away from the direful danger which they apprehended ; while others sought to escape along the river bank southward, as well as northward, and, still persisting in their efforts to get away, were shot or driven back. In the meantime, or as soon as he could reach the scene, Forrest, as well as Chalmers and other officers, interfered so energetically to stop the firing that it ceased speedily — ceased, in fact, within fifteen minutes from the time the bugle first sounded the charge. The garrison, as a whole, be it remembered, did not sur- render at all. When we poured over, on all sides, into the work they did not yield — did not lay down their arms nor draw down their fiag, but fied (some returning the fire of their pursuers) toward another position in which they were promised relief. Such was the animos- ity between the Tennesseans of the two commands, and as such is frequently the case in places taken by storm, some, no doubt, were shot after they had thrown dowa their arms and besought quarter; no such cases, how- ever, happened to come under the immediate observa- tion of the writer. The first order now issued by For- rest was to collect and secure the prisoners from possi- ble injury, while details were made from them for the burial of the Federal dead. Among the prisoners taken unhurt was Major Bradford, the commanding officer of the post since nine in the morning, and at his special request Forrest ordered the Federal dead to be buried in the trenches of the work, the officers to be interred separately from their men.* Bradford was then tempo- * Captain O. B. Farris (Company K, Second Tennessee) superintended the burial of the dead. 302 R. E. Hancock's Diary. rarily paroled to supervise the burial of his brother. Captain Bradford, after which, under a pledge not to attempt to escape, he was placed for the night in the custody of Colonel McCulloch, who gave him a bed in his own quarters, and shared with him his supper. This pledge Major P)radford violated ; taking advantage of the darkness and his knowledge of the locality, when his host was asleep, he effected his escape through the careless line of sentinels, and, in disguise, sought to reach Memphis.* Among the prisoners taken was Captain Young, who with Captain Anderson, was sent up the river-side with a white Hag to endeavor to open communication with the gunboat New Era, but every signal was obdurately ignored or disregarded, and keeping on her course she soon disappeared up the river. The object was to de- liver into the hands of Captain Marshall, the commander of the N-ew Era, as soon as possible, all the Federal wounded. As fast as possible, meanwhile, the wounded of both sides were gleaned from the bloody field and placed under shelter and the professional care of Con- federate surgeons of the several regiments present. This brilliant success was not achieved without severe loss on our part — the loss of some of our best soldiers. The whole command lost fourteen officers and men killed, and eighty-six wounded. Lieutenant George *" Major Bradford . . . was, several days afterward, recaptured in dis guise. At first he afl'ected to be a conscript, but being recognized was remanded to custody as a prisoner of war. He was then sent in charge of a party — a subaltern and some five or six men — to Brownsville. On the way he again at- tempted to escape, soon after which one of the men shot him. It was an act in which no officer was concerned, mainly due, we are satisfied, after the most rigid inquiry, to private vengeance for well authenticated outrages committed by Bradford and his band upon the defenseless families of the men of Forrest's Cavalry." — "Campaigns of General Forrest," page 455. April, 1864. 363 Leave* (Company D, Second Tennessee), who was kind and generous as well as gallant and brave, fell mortally wounded by a canister-shot. Twelve more of our reeinient besides Leave were wounded, four of them from Company C, as follows: W. L. Womack and Lieu- tenant H. L. W. Turney were slightly wounded, and C. F. Thomas and W. \V. Hawkins severely. J. K. Dodd (Company D), William Duke and Nute Carr (Company E), John K. Brinkley and James Link (Com- pany F), were among the wounded. William Duke's leg was broken near the ankle joint by a rifle-ball, and after examination and consultation our surgeons decided to amputate his foot. As soon as Duke learned their decision he called on D. B. Willard (a member of Com- pany C who had carried him from the field) to hand him his pistol, and said, "I'll shoot the first man who at- tempts to cut oft my foot." "If you don't want it cut off it will not be done," said Willard. By request of Duke, Willard made some splinters, and finally the sur- geons assisted in bandaging his leg, and the result was he soon got well, and thus saved his foot. Turning over the command of the troops to General Chalmers, with instructions to complete the burial of the dead, collect the arms and other portable property, transfer, if possible, the Federal wounded to the first steamer that might be passing, and then follow, as soon as practicable, with the division and unwounded pris- oners to Brownsville, Forrestf set out about sunset to *See Appendix A for sketch. t Just after tbe firing had ceased (about three r. M.), and while standing in- side the fort, the writer heard Forrest say, pointing to the eminence from which he had caused the signal for the assault to be given: "When from my position on that hill I saw my men pouring over these breastworks, it seemed" — now placing his right-hand upon his left breast — " that my heart would burst within 364 R. R. Hancock's Diary. return with his escort and staff to Jackson, Tennessee, encamping that night at a farm-house some six or seven miles eastward. Bell withdrew his brigade about one mile and a half east and encamped, while McCuUoch's Brigade camped nearer the fort. JVedfiesc/ay, ijth. — A detail was sent back to the fort to collect and remove the remaininor arms and to finish burying the dead. They had been at work but a short time when a gunboat (the Silver Cloud) came up and began to shell them. A fiag of truce and parley was hoisted, which being accepted by the Master of the Sil- ver Cloud, Captain Ferguson, an arrangement soon re- sulted for a truce until five p. m. It was agreed that during that time the Federals might send parties ashore to visit all parts of the scene and look after their dead and wounded. During the day several transports came to the landing, and before the hour when the truce was to expire the wounded prisoners had all been tansferred to the cabin of the steamer Platte V^alley, numbering about seventy, ofificers and men. Seven officers and two hundred and nineteen enlisted men (fifty-six negroes and one hundred and sixty-three whites), unwounded.f were brought off as prisoners of war, which, with the wounded, make an aggregate of those who survived, exclusive of all who may have escaped (it was said that about twenty-five escaped in a skiff), two hundred and ninety-six, or a little over half of the garrison. vie." "Men," continued he, "if you will do as I say I will ahvays lead you to victory. I have taken everyplace that the Federals occupied in West Tennessee and North Mississippi except Memphis, and if they don't mind I'll have that place too in less than six weeks. They killed two horses from under me to-day" — a third was wounded — "and knocked me to my knees a lime or two, so I thought by they were going to get me any way." tA list of the names of the woiindtd (two hundred .ind twenty-six) may be found in "Campaigns of (jeneral Forrest,' page 704. April, 1864. 365 Having, several hours previous, put his main force in motion toward Brownsville, General Chalmers withdrew, about four p. m., with his staff and escort, in the same direction, and there remained at Fort Pillow none save the dead who had fallen in storming it, and the dead of the late garrison, victims, not of unlawful acts of war, as has been so virulently alleged and generally believed at the North, but of an insensate endeavor, as foolishly resolved as feebly executed, to hold a position naturally untenable and badly fortified ; victims, we may add, of the imbecility and grievous mismanagement of those weak, incapable officers whom the fortunes of war un- happilyhad placed over them. The two brigades camped some twelve miles east of the fort. i\t Brownsville, that afternoon, the citizens of all classes — men, women, and children — received the Con- federate General with tokens of deep-felt gratitude. The ladies of the vicinage, assembling at the court- house, received him publicly, and testified their profound personal appreciation of his recent operations, by which they had been delivered from the apprehensions of fur- ther outrages, insults, and distressing annoyances from that pestilent band of ruffians and marauders which had been so thoroughly uprooted. The next day headquar- ters were re-established at Jackson, where Forrest re- mained until the 2d of May. COMMENTARIES. I. In answer to an inquiry in reference to what com- mand first entered the works at Fort Pillow, Colonel Barteau says : Colonel McCuUoch and I met in the middle of the fort. He com- manded the Second Missouri Cavalry as I did the Second Tennessee, and he came in from the extreme left next to the river as most of my 366 R. K. Hancock's Diary. regiment did from the extreme right next to the river. He and I talked the matter over, and we both concluded that we entered the fort just about the same time. I could not say for myself which was first, but Captain Farris thinks the Second Tennessee was first. B. A, High and others agree with Captain Farris in thinking: that the Second Tennessee was first to mount the parapet. As will be remembered, it was also the first to move up in close range of the fort. B. A. High was amonor the first to mount the works. Another man (whose name I have not been able to learn), in attempt- ing to ascend rather in advance of High, was shot, and rolled back into the ditch a corpse, while High suc- ceeded in going to the top, and captured a cannoneer, whose gun he soon after turned upon the Federal gun- boat, as previously mentioned. Several of Company C were close after High. Among the number was J. C. McAdoo, who was long enough to jump into the ditch but too sJiort to leap out until Colonel Bell came to his assistance. In the manuscript notes of Colonel Barteau (which I have before me) I find the following : In this action the courage and self-reliance of the troops were par- ticularly exhibited, and I think a satisfactory proof given to the com- manding General that he could rely on his men in any emergency. Among my own soldiers who particularly distinguished themselves that day was Perry Marks, private of Company D, one of the first men on the fort, and also Lieutenant A. H. French, who was foremost with his men over the works, and Captain W. A. DeBow, who was in command of the regiment a part of the day.* 2. A flag of truce was sent in demanding the surrender. The an- swer received was one of defiance and insult, for the same reply that was given to General Forrest seemed to be the one heralded from the negroes on the works to our men on the outside. "If you want the fort come and take it," and "D — n you, what are you here for?" *Our Lieutenant-Colt)ncl (Morton) was absent on account of a wound re- ceived at Paducah. Lieutenant GEORGE LOVE, Co. D. April, 18G4. 36r These were the taunts thrown out to our men who were during the truce in speaking distance. Moreover, several shots were fired during the truce at our men, who did not return them. Xo sooner had the flag retired than a defiant shout went up from the fort, and an active fire commenced. Our men, as by one impulse, seem to have deter- mined they would take the fort, and that too independently of officers or orders, and had no covunand been given to " charge" I verily be- lieve that after the insults given them during the truce they would have taken the fort by storm any way. ,^. The troops in the fort had evidently been made drunk, for those we took were more or less intoxicated, and we found barrels of whisky and ale and bottles of brandy open, and tin cups in the barrels out of which they had been drinking. We also found water-buckets sittine around n the fort with whisky and dippers in them, which showed very clearly that the whisky had been thus passed around to the Federal troops. The following, from the Detroit Free Press of Decem- ber ist, 1884, explains itself: To the Editor of the Detroit Free Press : B.^RTLETT, Tenn. : — In the account given by "M Quad" of the Confederate capture of Fort Pillow he speaks of "Barton's Regiment." There was no such regiment in Forrest's Cavalry, but it was Barteaii's Regiment, the Second Tennessee Cavalry, and as Colonel Barteau is still living, and is a convenient witness to all the particulars of that af- fair, I have taken the liberty to ask of him an expression upon "M Quad's" account of it. Admitting "M Quad's" article to be an exceedingly forcible and succinct statement and a vivid description of the investment, assault, and capture of Fort Pillow in its general view, he yet differs from " M Quad " in his view of some features of the case. Colonel Barteau says : " For days before the capture of Fort Pillow citizens fleeing to us from its vicinity brought doleful tales of outrages committed by the Federal forces in that stronghold. The helpless families of some of our soldiers had been victims of their raiding parties. A strong feeling prevailed in favor of capturing the fort, but it was not expected to be done without fighting and loss of life. If the commander of that garrison was taken by surprise it was gross SQS R. R. Hancock's Diary. negligence on his part ; we surely did not expect to surprise him. But it seems that the Federals believed we would never storm their works, and this was their idea even up to the very moment of the as- sault, for during the truce, when our lines were in close speaking dis- tance, a position we had gained by several hours' hard fighting, the negroes of the fort called to us with opprobious names and dared us to the attempt. We did not move our position during the truce. We had gained it not without sacrifice; it was all we wanted then, for it was what we knew Forrest must have before he could be in a position to demand a surrender. " It was the plain duty of the Federal commander, in view of the situation, to yield to the demand and thus save human life. But he did not, and his men did not at all believe evidently that we would make the assault, and now foolhardy and unwise as they had been, when they saw us making for the ditch and climbing the parapet they were totally confounded with surprise. Nor did they surrender. They made a wild, crazy, scat- tering fight. They acted like a crowd of drunken men. They would at one moment yield and throw down their guns, and then would rush again to arms, seize their guns and renew the fire. If one squad was left as prisoners ... it was soon discovered that they could not be trusted as having surrendered, for taking the first opportunity they would break loose again and engage in the contest. Some of our men were killed by negroes who had once surrendered. "They would not, or at least did not, take down their flag. I ordered this done myself by my own men in order to stop the fight. If barbarities were committed, as ' M Quad' says, after the flag was taken down, it must have been under the circumstances of the contest as just stated. General Forrest came into the fort about this time, and all agree that he did not sanction them, nor could they have taken place in his presence. ' M Quad' says, referring to the two brigades, Bell's and McCuUoch's: 'The best fighting men in those two Confed- erate brigades had no hand in the barbarities;' and concludes by say- ing: 'Only one hundred and fifty men out of the two brigades had any hand in it, and their atrocities disgraced them in the eyes of the bet- ter soldiery.' As I was immediately with Bell's Brigade, and in com- mand of it a part of the time, I will say that no men at all of this command, and certainly none of my own regiment, engaged in any atrocities. "I saw McCulloch, and we conversed about the affair the same April, 18G4. 369 evening after the capture. He was earnest in his expressions of the good conduct, forbearance, and obedience of his men after the fool, hardy and strange manner in which the Federals had acted, causing unnecessary sacrifice of life. ....... "The third day after the surrender all the prisoners were placed in my charge, and I was ordered to take them from Sommerville with my regiment to Tupelo. On the way, which was several days' march, they freely expressed themselves as to the conduct of many of their white officers, and many of them admitted with expressions of con- demnation the great error into which they had been led as to the de- fense of the fort, their drunkenness and folly of conduct, putting the blame upon their officers." Colonel Barteau thinks that true history should place the blame upon the Federal side and not the Confederate. John F. Cochran. T/mrsday, i-^th. — After a march of about twenty-five miles, passing through Durhamville, Chahners camped near Brownsville, in Haywood County. Friday, i^th.^ — While on the way from Fort Pillow to Jackson, having received instructions to detach a por- tion of his command to repel a raid understood to be immediately impending from the direction of Decatur, throutrh the interior of North-western Alabama, Forrest ordered Chalmers to repair at once, by way of Okolona, to the menaced border with the two brigades (McCuF ■•I had been unwell for several days, and on the morning of the above date I had a hard chill. Thinking that perhaps Forrest's whole command was going out of West Tennessee, and unv/illing to remain and run the risk of being made prisoner, I mounted my horse, folded my arms and shut my eyes while my brother led my horse, and thus we followed the command. So sick was I that I actually fainted while riding along, though I did not fall from my horse. As we did not move with but in advance of the command for the next two days, we did not learn until after we had put up for the night t'lve miles south of Holly Springs, on the eve of the 17th, that our regiment was not with the brigade, but had been detached at Sommerville and was going through toward Verona with the prisoners. Turning eastward on the l8th we met with the regiment at Pop- lar Springs on the 19th. There my brother (W. C. Ilanc ick) fell in with the regiment, while I, after remaining with one Mr. Price six miles south-west of Tupelo for a few days, rejoined the regiment at Verona the 24th. 24 370 li. 1{. Hancock's Dialy. loch's and Bell's) which he then had with him. There- fore, turnincr southward at Brownsville, and crossinon them? In the language of another: "Assuredly the ilrums around the Federal General must have driven thought from his head." See Forrest's reply to the above on next page. 408 11. R. Hancock's Diary. your intention, or the intention of the Confederate Government, to murder colored soldiers that may fall into your hands, or treat them as prisoners of war, and subject to be exchanged as other prisoners? I am, General, respectfully, etc., C. C. Washhurne, Major- General. As this communication passed through Forrest's hands he rephed as follows : Headquarters Forresi's Cavalry, Tupelo, June 23d, 1864. Major-General C. C. IVashburne, Commanding U. S. Forces, Memphis: General — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt (per flag of truce) of your letter of the 17th instant, addressed to Major-Gen- eral S. D. Lee, or officer commanding Confederate forces near Tupelo. I have forwarded it to General Lee with a copy of this letter. I regard your letter as discourteous to the commanding officer of this department, and grossly insulting to myself. You seek, by implied threats, to intimidate him, and assume the privilege of denouncing me as a murderer, and as guilty of wholesale slaughter of the garrison at Fort Pillow, and found your assertion upon the ex parte testimony of (your friends) the enemies of myself and country. I shall not enter into the discussion, therefore, of any of the ques- tions involved, nor undertake any refutation of the charges made by you against myselt". Nevertheless, as a matter of personal privilege alone, I unhesitatingly say that they are unfounded, and unwarranted by the facts. But whether these charges are true or false, they, with the question you ask, as to whether negro troops, when captured, will be recognized and treated as prisoners of war, subject to e.xcha'nge, etc., are matters which the Governments of the United States and the Confederate States are to decide and adjust — not their subordinate officers. I regard captured negroes as I do other captured property, and not as captured soldiers; but as to how regarded by my Govern- ment, and the disposition which has been and will hereafter be made of them, I respectfully refer you, through the proper channel, to the authorities at Richmond. It is not the policy or the interest of the South to destroy the negro; on the contrary, to preserve and protect him; and all who have sur- rendered to us have received kind and humane treatment. Since the war began I have captured many thousand Federal j^ris- oners, and they, including the survivors of the "Fort Pillow massacre," black and white, are living witnesses of the fact that, with my knowl- June, 1804. 401> •edge or consent, or by my orders, not one of them lias ever been insulted or maltreated in any way. You speak of your forbearance in "not giving to your negro troops instructions and orders as to the course they should pursue in regard to Confederate soldiers that might fall into (your) their hands," which clearly conveys to my mind two very distinct impressions. The first is, that in not giving them instructions and orders, you have left the matter entirely to the discretion of the negroes as to how they should dispose of prisoners; second, an implied threat, to give such orders as will lead to "consequences too fearful" for contemplation. In ■confirmation of the correctness of the first impression (which your language now fully develops) I refer you most respectfully to my letter from the battlefield of Tishamingo Creek, and forwarded to you by flag of truce on the 14th instant. As to the second impression, you seem disposed to take into your own hands the settlement Avhich belongs to, and can only be settled by, your Government. Ijut if you are prepared to take upon yourself the responsibility of inaugurating a system of warfare contrary to civilized usages, the onus, as well as tlie consequences, will be chargeable to yourself. Depreciating, as I should do, such a state of affairs; determined, as I am, not to be instrumental in bringing it about; feeling and know- ing, as I do, that I have the approval of my Government, my people, 4ind my own conscience, as to the past, and with the firm belief that I will be sustained by them in my future policy, it is left with you to determine what that policy shall be — whether in accordance with the laws of civilized nations or in violation of them. Very respectfully, etc., N. B. Forrest, Major- General. Wednesday, zzd.* — General Roddy's Division — John- ' About tliis time we, of McKnight's Company, were called upon to mouni the loss of another one of our comrades. C. E. Hancock (son of Alfred Han- cock and cousin to the writer) died, after along spell of sickness, on the 4th of June, 1864, at his uncle's, in Franklin County, Alabama. He was mustered into service, with Captain. T. M. Allison's Company, June 28th, 1861. He was .slightly wounded at the battle of Denmark, in West Tennessee, on the 1st of September, 1862. He made a splendid soldier, never shrinking from duty, ^^helher the call was to go on picket, on a scout, or to meet the enemy upon the battlefield. He was greatly lamented and missed by all of his comrades, as well as his brother, R. M. Hancock, who was also a member cf McKnight's ^Dompany. 410 R. R. Hancock's Diary. son's and Patterson's Brigades — having been placed un- der Forrest, was now stationed at Corinth, except three hundred men left in North Alabama to meet any raids from Decatur, l^y this time information was received from sources so reliable as to satisfy General Forrest that a Federal force was preparing to march from Mem- phis against him larger than either of the columns which he had discomfited. Informing his superior of the fact, he made new and additional dispositions to keep the impending Federal movement under the closest observa- tion. Thursday, 2jd. — A detachment of some four hundred men, drawn from Bell's and Lyon's Brigades at Tupelo, was thrown forward, under Lieutenant-Colonel Jesse Forrest, to Ripley, to hold in observation the many roads converging upon that important strategic position. The Federal force, now under Major-General A. J. Smith, concentrated at LaGrange, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, east of Memphis, where it remained for several days. The first week in July the work of preparation for the menaced conflict was pressed with unabated activity and attention to detail. Chalmers' Division, having been previously ordered up from Columbus, was now at Ve- rona, and Mabry's Brigade had moved from Okolona to Saltillo. The outpost at Ripley was strengthened by the First Mississippi, from McCulloch's Brigade, and the command of the post now devolved upon Lieuten- ant-Colonel S. M. Hyams. Thursday y July jth. — General A. J. Smith, having broken up camps at LaGrange on the 5th, was now moving south-east toward Ripley. Lieutenant-Colonel Hyams had a skirmish with a strong Federal column a. July, 1804. 411 few miles in advance of Ripley, and was forced, by the weight of greatly superior numbers, to fall back to Ripley. Friday, Sth.-- Bell's Brigade, breaking up camps three miles north-west of Tupelo, moved out twenty-five miles in the direction of Ripley. By this time the Federal advance had passed Ripley, and was pressing Lieuten- ant-Colonel Hyams back in the direction of Ellistown. Colonel Bell, with Russell's and Newsom's Regiments, moved on to picket the Tallahatchie River, while Bar- teau's* and Wilson's Regiments, turning back, camped at Ellistown, eighteen miles north-west of Tupelo. While Smith was pressing Hyams back toward Ellis- town with his cavalry, he was moving his main force southward toward New Albany. General S. D. Lee came up to Tupelo by rail with some eight or nine hundred infantry from Mobile. All tents and superfluous baggage were ordered to be sent south by rail. *D. B. Willard (Company C) having been ordered to the head of the column. Colonel Baiteau said: "Willard, the Federals, for the last two or three days, have been reported to be '■just over yotider.' I want you to take two men with you, ^o till yoti find them, and then report back to me at the rate of eight miles per hour." John Barkley (Company C) and John M. Crow (Company B) went with Willard. Captain O. B. Farris (Company K) volunteered to go with them, but had to turn back on account of his horse becoming lame. After riding all night they met the enemy at New Albany about one hour by sun the next morning. Taking a position in a lane, where they could see the Federals march- ing i^ito town, they soon found that their cavalry had swung round to the Ellis- town road only a short distance in rear of our boys. As the enemy now closed on them from both ends of the lane, they narrowly escaped capture by dashing off through an old field southward, forcing their horses to leap fences and ditches in their pathway. As soon as out of danger Barkley and Crow checked up and rode at their leisure, while Willard, ever prompt to obey orders, pressed on until he found Colonel Barteau and reported the whereabouts of the enemy. Willard's horse — a fine, large, bay charger, the one, too, upon which he had first entered the service, in June, 1861 — died a few days after from the eflfect of this hard ride. Perhaps there was not a horse in the regiment that was better known than "Old George." 412 R. R. Hancock's Diary. Saturday, gtli. — The Second Tennessee, being de- tached from the brigade at ElHstown, was led westward by Colonel Barteau to the New Albany-Pontotoc road to watch the movements of the enemy in that quarter. On reaching the above-named road, six miles south of New Albany, Colonel Barteau deployed his men in bat- tle line and awaited the Federal advance. The enemy crossed the Tallahatchie River at New Albany and encamped on its southern bank, therefore they did not trouble us that eveninor. Colonel Barteau fell back three or four miles east and encamped on a sniall creek. McCulloch's Briorade was thrown out to Pontotoc, and General Buford, with Lyon's and Mabry's Brigades, to Ellistown, where he was joined by Bell's Brigade — ex- cept the Second Tennessee detached — and thence, by a forced march that night, to the vicinity of Pontotoc. Roddy was, likewise, ordered to hasten, by forced marches night and day, from Corinth to Okolona. Su7iday, lotJi. — In the saddle before daybreak. Colo- nel Barteau, with his regfiment. was soon on the main highway leading from New Albany to Pontotoc, ready to observe and report any movement of the enemy along that road. Nor was it long before the Federal advance made its appearance, and skirmishing commenced. The Colonel now divided his regiment into detachments of one or two companies each. These detachments were quickly thrown into line two or three hundred yards apart, extending back in the direction of Pontotoc. As the enemy advanced the first line would fire, fall back, and form in rear, then the second would do likewise, and so on. Thus Colonel Barteau was pressed back to within four miles of Pontotoc. July, 18G4. 413 I take the following, in reference to the above affair, from Colonel Barteau's manuscript notes: The enemy did not move until nine o'clock in the morning, and t'len in three columns, each preceded by a brigade of cavalry, in front of the middle and main one of which was my regiment, unaided by any other command. His first movement in the morning was a charge upon my little command, which we very successfully checked by hav- ing a good position behind a bridge, which we destroyed, and thus impeded his progress for two hours and a half. The conduct of Lieutenant T. C. Atkinson with Company A was particularly noticeable here — coming in hand-to-hand contact with the advance of the enemy's charge and emptying their saddles with his own pistol. His conduct seemed to be much admired and applauded even by the Yankee troops, and served as an incentive to my own men. We continued to annoy the enemy's progress, contesting as best we could every inch of the ground until we reached Cherry Creek, where they camped again for the night, having advanced that day but seven miles. The enemy moved very cautiously. Their advance o^uard did not move far in advance of the main column. They camped eight miles north of Pontotoc, on Cherry Creek. Barteau allowed his men to dismount and rest for some time when within one mile of town. After being relieved by a part of McCulloch's Brigade, Bar- teau, moving through Pontotoc, camped six miles east on the Tupelo road, while Buford, with the rest of our division, moved out and encamped on the Okolona road. Generals Lee and Forrest established their headquar- ters at Okolona, and the former, as senior, took the general direction of affairs. General Chalmers, arriv- ing at Pontotoc with Rucker's Brigade, assumed com- mand of all the Confederates in that vicinity. The Confederates were further reinforced at Okolona by Neely's and Gholson's Brigades, which had been 414 E. K. Hancock's Diary. brought up dismounted, the former from Alabama and the latter from South Mississippi. Monday, i ith. — The enemy, quitting their camp on Cherry Creek at sunrise, pushed McCulloch slowly before them until he was relieved by Lyon with his bri- gade at Pinson's Hill, a strong position on the Oko- lona road two miles from Pontotoc, which Lyon strength- ened by infantry cover of rails and logs. The Federals, however, moving cautiously and slowl)-, after feeling Lyon's pickets, disappeared from his front about sunset. Quitting his picket post on the Tupelo road a little before sunset, Barteau moved east and encamped within three miles of Verona, leaving the Confederates around Pontotoc posted as follows : Rucker's Brigade — the Con- federate right — occupied the Tupelo road, Mabry sup- ported Lyon on the Okolona road and McCulloch held the Houston road, to the leftward of Lyon, with a small force thrown out on the extreme left and south-west of Pontotoc, to watch the road from that place to Oxford, while numerous scouts were to encircle the Federal army. With his forces thus disposed, Chalmers was now ordered to skirmish obstinately with the enemy, and, if practicable, to detain them from reaching Oko- lona for two days longer, so that the preparations might be completed for their reception. Bell's Brigade was withdrawn to the vicinity of Okolona, twenty-five miles from Pontotoc. Tuesday, I2tk. — The enemy, after some preliminary skirmishing, attacked Lyon's position vigorously, but were foiled without difficulty. Simultaneously, Federal columns had moved out respectively on the Tupelo and Houston roads, encountering and being checked by Duff's Regiment on the former and Willis' Texas Bat- July, 18G4. 415 talion on the latter. And thus stood affairs around Pon- totoc at sunset. •We of the Second Tennessee, quitting our camp three miles west ot Verona early in the morning, moved south-westward to the Okolona-Pontotoc road ; thence north-west to within nine miles of the latter place, when we were ordered to turn back and rejoin our brigade near Okolona. Meanwhile, after a consultation with General Forrest and other superior oHicers ol his command, General Lee determined to draw the enemy into an immediate en- gagement. And with that object in view he put all his forces of every sort in motion late in the afternoon for the position occupied by Chalmers near Pontotoc. Therefore, we met Lee and P^orrest within four miles of Okolona at the head of a Confederate column. Turn- ing again, we halted and fed at Prairie Mound, seven miles from Okolona. By this time it was dark. We remained there until our brigade, and in fact the most of the command, had passed. Swinging ourselves into the saddle again, a little after midnight, we moved out to overtake our brigade. PVedfiesday, ijth. — The Second Tennessee overtook the rest of Bell's Brigade about daybreak within six miles of Pontotoc. Pending the coming up of the infantry and Neely's and Gholson's dismounted bri- gades, the Federals having shown no disposition to ad- vance. General Porrest, with Mabry's Brigade, Walton's Battery and his escort, went forward to reconnoiter the enemy's position. Within two miles of Pontotoc a P'ed- eral outpost was encountered, which retired, skirmish- ing, however, at all favorable positions, until finally driven by Mabry through Pontotoc and to the Tupelo 416 K. K. Hancock's Diary. road. It was at this time that Forrest learned that the main Federal force had been in motion toward Tupelo for several hours. Informing General Lee of this fact, and taking the same direction, he followed with his escort and Mabry's Brigade for four miles at a gallop,, when, coming up with, he drove their rear guard rapidly back to their main column, and this brouo^ht about some sharp fighting. When within three miles of Pontotoc General Lee turned the head of the Confederate col- umn eastward, hoping that Forrest would be able to hold the enemy at bay until he (Lee) could come upon their flank with the main Confederate force across from the Okolona road. But in this expectation he was dis- appointed. The Federals continued their movement, without halting to make any serious combat, as far as a creek about ten miles eastward of Pontotoc, and even there, after a short skirmish, they crossed to the east bank, and resumed their march toward Tupelo. More- over, the roads upon which Chalmers' and Buford's Divisions had to advance were narrow ways through dense woods, in large part very unfavorable for the rapid movement of cavalry. Therefore, General Lee was unable to throw his forces upon the Federal flank while in movement as soon as or in the manner that had been anticipated. Meanwhile, Chalmers, moving across to the Tupelo road with Rucker's Brigade, struck it about three p. m., at Barrow's Shop, twelve miles from Pontotoc. Select- ing a favorable position he succeeded in driving the Federals from a portion of their artillery and wagons; but this was a transient success, for the devastating fire instantaneously poured into Rucker's small brigade from flank and front could not be withstood, and the July, 18G4. 417 Confederates were forced to withdraw, with severe loss. Eight wagons, two ambulances and one caisson, the teams of which having been killed in Rucker's attack, were here burned and abandoned by the Federals. Late in the afternoon General Buford struck the ¥ed- -eral column with Bell's Brigade and Morton's Battery at the intersection of the Pontotoc-Tupelo with the Ches- terville-Okolona road, some four miles east of Tupelo. As the Second Tennessee was somewhat in advance of the rest of Bell's Brigade, General Buford ordered Col- onel Barteau to dismount his men at Coonemar Creek, nearly one mile south of the cross-roads above named, move forward quickly, and capture some wagons that were then passing. It would seem that Buford must have thought that the Federal commander was not ex- pecting an attack at that time and place, and that the wagons were moving with a light guard, as he threw forward only one regiment to capture them. However, A. J. Smith was a general of too much experience and caution to allow himself to be taken unaware ; but, on the contrary, he moved thoroughly prepared for an at- tack, and his wagon train fully protected. So sure was Buford of capturing at least a part of the wagons that he remarked, as the Second Tennessee moved off, " Boys, do not kill the mules, but turn them down this way." Colonel Barteau was pressing on and on toward the cross-roads, driving the Federal skirmishers before him, when a galling fire was suddenly poured into the Second Tennessee from llank and front. Barteau saw at once that the Federals were not only strongly posted in his front, but that he was also overlapped on both Hanks by a heavy force, and as the rest of the brigade was not 27 418 K. ]>•. Hancock's Diary. yet in supporting distance, he saw that the only alterna- tive to avoid having all his men either killed or captured was to beat a hasty retreat. Therefore he withdrew his men as quickly as possible to the rest of the brigade. About this time, too, the Kentucky Brigade, now under Colonel Crossland,* came up. The two brigades were then thrown forward, dismounted, to a favorable position to repel attack. Skirmishers were then thrown forward and firing was kept up until about dark. Forrest, now reinforced by Rucker's Brigade, still hung upon the I^^ederal rear up to within about three miles of Tupelo. A thin line of pickets was then left, and the rest of the Confederate forces went into camp, Chalmers' Division at the cross-roads above mentioned, Buford's, including IMabry's Brigade, lay in his front about one mile west of Harrisburg, and Roddy to his right. The day had been so excessively warm and op- pressive that the infantry and dismounted cavalry under General Lyon were not yet up. The Second Tennessee was ordered southward to picket the road leading from Verona to Pontotoc. I take the following, in reference to our engagement at the cross-roads on the eve of the 13th, from Colonel Barteau's manuscript notes: My regiment was thrown in first, unsupi)orted, and for fifteen minutes against two batteries and two divisions of the enemy. The result was, we were encompassed and cut to pieces. I lost some of my best officers and thirty men. The other regiments that came to our support too late were unable to stand, and likewise fell back. Had the attack been made by all of Buford's Division at once at this place, as Forrest was then on the rear, I have reason to believe the enemy would have been thrown into great confusion, and would * General Lvon was commanding the dismounted division. LiEiTKNANT A. II. FRENCH, Co. A. July, 1804. 419 probably have retreated during the night. As it was, he took courage, and we had the battle of Harrisburg to fight the next day. The next morning our colonel wrote to his wife, who was then at Captain Field's, Okolona, Mississippi, as follows : One o'clock a. m., July 14th, 1864. ZoRA — The enemy moved from Pontotoc to Tupelo [HarrisburgJ late yesterday evening. We had an engagement near Calhoun's, in which my regiment was put in first, and for some time being unsup- ported was badly injured and compelled to fall back, as did all the other troops. I lost thirty or more killed and wounded; six officers badly wounded. Lieutenant French and Captain Eastes, I think, will die in a few hours. Jf the, enemy retreats to-day, which is the supposition, of course, we will pursue. Barteau. Lieutenant A. H. French (Company A) was thought to be mortally wounded, but he recovered. Captain M. W. McKnight was again severely wounded while gal- lantly leading his company (C) to the onset. W. E. Rich (Company C) was severely wounded. Captain W. T. Rickman and James Ryan (Company D) were wounded. Captain J. M. Eastes (Company G) was mortally wounded, dying the next day.* James Drury (Company G) was killed. M. F. M. Paschal (Company G) ran through the Federal line, and in attempting to return was captured. William Thompson (Company G) was carried from the field, and died that night from the effect of sunstroke. Lieutenant J. J. Lawrence (Company G) did but little more service on account of an injury received here by sunstroke. Lieutenant F. M. McRee (Company H) was knocked down by a shell and so stimned that he was carried from the field to the hospital. * See Appendix A. 420 K. 1?. Hanx'Ock's Diary. Lieutenant George F. Hager (Company G) says : It was this engagement in which one of tliose singular premonitions of death occurred. Private James Drury, a noble and brave soldier, always at his post, and ever ready to face danger, told several of his friends that he ex- pected to be killed in the next engagement, and gave directions to his Captain (Eastes, Company G) for disposal of his horse and other lifle possessions, the proceeds to be returned to that faithful and loving wife in her lonely home in Tennessee. The writer urged upon him not to enter the fight, but to let one of the boys who volunteered to do so take his place. In a calm and resolute manner he replied, "No; and tell my wife I died for my country." He fell with the first volley, in the front rank, and so did his captain, to whom he intrusted the carrying out of his wishes. •■= I suppose that our colonel is about right in his esti- mate of our loss, and I regret that I am not able to give the names of all. In his official report Colonel T. H. Bell (commanding Fourth Brigade) sa)s: The Second Tennessee (Colonel Barteau) being in advance, was ordered by General l^uford to form on a line parallel with the road on which the enemy was moving. The Fifteenth (Colonel Russell), just in rear of the Second Tennessee, was ordered to form on the left of it, two companies of which were hardly formed before the firing ^commenced. Newsom's and Wilson's Regiments were ordered up as rapidly as possible, but not in time to enable the advanced regiments to hold their positions. No blame can certainly be attached to the men for falling back, as they were completely overpowered and forced to retire, t BATTLE OF HARRISBURG. TJiursday, i^tJi. — The Confederate force confronting their adversary on that memorable morning scarcely ex- ■Militnry AniiaU of Tennessee, ]i. 6l8. tRebelli-n K.-.-.m-,|., V..1. Will, p. .(Sj. July, ISW. 421 ceeded nine thousand officers and men,* The Federal Army consisted of the Sixteenth Army Corps, f and fell little short of thirteen thousand infantry, three thousand cavalry and twenty-four pieces of artillery. The position held by the enemy was a cross-road hamlet of a few houses called Harrisburg.l[; scattered at wide intervals over a somewhat commanding ridge. It was well chosen for defense, and those strong, natural advantages Major-General A. J. Smith immediately set his troops to improving, as far as practicable, during the preceding night and that morning by breastworks made of logs and rails and materials of cabins and outhouses torn down for that purpose and covered with earth. Their breastworks commanded all the approaches, especially toward the west and south. A skirt of woods south of the Tupelo road extended up to within two or three hundred yards of the Federal works. At all other points the ground of approach was open fields for a mile or more. And thus, as may be seen, the advantages of position were clearly and formidably with the Federals, who, besides, had a decided numerical superiority. The * Chalmers' Division: McCuUoch's Brigade, 1,400; Rucker's Brigade, 900. Biiford's Division: Bell's Brigade, 1,300; Crossland's Brigade, 900; Mabry's Biigade, 1,000. Roddy's Division: Patterson's Brigade, 700; Johnson's Brigade, Soo. Lyon"s Infantry Division: Belt/.hoover's Battalion, 900; (jholson's (di-,- mounted) Brigade, 600; Neely's (dismounteil) Brigade, 600. Total, 9,100. .\rtillery: .Morton's Battery, 4 guns ; Rice's Battery, 4 guns ; Walton's Bat- tery, 4 guns; Thrall's Battery, 4 guns: Ferrell's Battery, 4 guns. Total, 20 gu:is. t Subdivided as follows: First Division of Infantry, under Brigadier-General Mower; Third Division, under Colonel Moore, and a brigade of negro infantry under Colonel Benton, with Grierson's Division (four brigades) of Cavalry. The above estimates are from "Forrest's Campaigns," page 506. The cavalry l)eing fought as infantry, one-fourth (or 1,750) were detached as horse holders and took no part, thu^ reducing the Confederate force to 7,350 — less than half of the Federal army. > Two mi'e-i we-t fjf Tupelo. 422 \l. K. Hancock's Diaky. Federal line, somewhat less than two miles from right to left, rested, the left on the railroad south of Tupelo and the riofht extended about half a mile northward of Harrisburg. Their line was circular in form, convex to- ward the southwest. By daylight a portion of Lyon's dismounted division had come upon the scene, but greatly exhausted by their long march under the hot sun of the season. The Second Tennessee, having been called from picket duty, rejoined their brigade about sunrise, near the spot where they had been engaged the evening be- fore. General Buford dismounted his division some two and a half miles west of Harrisburg, and, after moving one mile in column, he deployed his men in line across the Tupelo-Pontotoc road on the left of Roddy's Division, as follows:* Bell's Brigadef was formed in rear of Mabry's and on the left of Crossland's. By 7 o'clock a. m., having seen that the Federal commander gave no evidence of a pur- pose to come forth from his stronghold and give battle, * James Hancock, an officer (peiliaps Regimental Quartermaster) in RocUiy's Division, being present, lieard the following conversation between Lee and For- rest, which he afterward reported to the writer: General Lee — Let Roddy's Division form on the left and Buford's on the right. General Forrest — No, I want r>iiford's Division on tlie left and Roddy's on the right. G. L. As Roddy is here, why not let him form on the left, and Huford can fall in on the right as he comes up? G. y.'.-_No, I want Huford on the left. G. L. — Very well, have your own way then. About the middle of the preceding night Ceneral Forrest, advancing witli one of his staff to within fifty yards of the Federal position, rode along and reconnoitered their lines for nearly a mile. t With Russell's Regiment on the righ', Barteau's on the left, and Wilson's and Newsom's in the center. July, 18G4; 423 General Lee felt obliged to take the offensive immedi- ately, even though he were forced to attack him upon ground of his own choosing. Accordingly, Forrest was ordered to prepare the command for battle. Buford and Roddy advanced about one mile further, and Mor- ton's Battery began an active fire from a hill half a mile from the Federal line, and for some moments a fruitless effort was made in this way to provoke the Federal commander to take the oft'ensive. The Confederate order of battle being somewhat mod- ified now stood as follows : The extreme right was held by Roddy's Division, leftward of which Crossland's Brigade was next in line, with Rice's Battery. Bell's Brigade, which was next on Crossland's left, was in an open field north of the TupeloT^ontotoc road, with Mabry on his and the extreme left, and Morton's Battery, under Lieutenant Sale, was attached to this flank. Chalmer's Division and Lyon's Infantry Divis- ion, with Thrall's and Ferrell's Batteries, constituted a second line, or reserve, posted behind slight intrench- ments of rails and logs across and perpendicular to the highway above named. Finding it impossible to entice the enemy from his cover or to assume the offensive, General Lee trave orders, about eight o'clock, for the simultaneous ad- vance of his first line upon the Federal position. A ter- rific cannonade now burst forth from the Federal guns as General Buford threw forward his division at a double-quick. Notwithstanding Bell's Brigade were un- protected, right gallantly did the)- breast the storm of grape and canister as they pressed onward and onward through that open field, somewhat up grade, toward the Federal position. When the division reached a point 424 R. R. Hancock's Diary. within one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy's trenches the crash of small arms was added to the roar of the cannons. Never had such an appalling fire of musketry and artillery blazed and gushed in the face of the Second Tennessee before, and notwithstanding in spite of the fact that their ranks had never been so fear- fully thinned on any previous field, yet they had never more coolly and deliberate!)- faced the missiles of death than on this memorable occasion. Not a man wavered save some that peradventure fell by the way from sheer exhaustion.* Colonel C. R. Barteauf was wounded ■•■'Bi it remembered th.it Buford's Division liad marched two and a half miles on foot, and a good portion of that distance at a double quick, beneath a scorch- ing July >.un, and hence the men were very much fatigued before the battle moment liad come. t llis wound (in the wrist) was not dangerous, though it was very painful and bled profusely, on account of which, togetherwith heat, thirst, and fatigue,, he was forced to quit the field. However, he was disabled only for a few days by his wound, but sickness kept him from the regiment still longer. Notwithstanding the din and roar of battle, I heard some one call my name. Going a few paces rightward I found my brother, W. C. Hancock, with his r ght leg shivered to pieces between the knee and ankle by a cannon ball. I now very earnestly bcggcii for help to convey him from the battlefield. After some mo- ments France M. Willard (Company C) and another man whose name. I regret to say, I did not learn, came to my assistance. [The writer is yet under many, many obligations to those two comrades for the help thus rendered.] As we had to carry him in our arms for some distance we could not go far at a time before we would have to stop and rest. However, we had to take short rests, as it was- about the time that our division commenced falling hack. Using a ccrd from a hat we stopped the l)leeding as best we could. After carrying my brother as- above stated for a few hundred yards, and tlien on horseback for a short dis- tance, we finally came up with an ambulance (about three-fourths of a mile from the enemy's position) in which he was soon conveyed to the hospital, some one mile and a half west of the battlefield, under some beautiful shade trees in a yard on the Tupelo-I'ontotoe road. Here we found that Buford's surge-^ns were already very busily engaged amputating arms and legs, as well as dressing other wounds. The amputated limbs that lay in heaps over that yard spoke some- thing of the evils and horrors of war. .As soon as we had an opportunity we laid my brother upon a table to have his leg amputated. After cording his leg better and giving him some stimulants, one of the doctors remarked that he was too much fatigued to stand an amputation just then. So we removed him Pkivatk W. C. HANCOCK, Co. C. Killed July 14th, 1864.1 •.•,-. \ July, 18G4. 425 within twenty )ards of the Federal works while gallantly leadinir his reg^iment to the onset. In speaking of Buford's attack on this occasion the writer of " Forrest's Campaigns " has this to say : As stoutly as ever brave men affronted death did these brigades face the terrific torrent of fire thus let loose upon their thin, exposed ranks, and no battlefield was ever illustrated by more general and shining courage than was displayed in this onset. Urged and led by their officers with conspicuous gallantry, the men were pressed up close to the coveted position. The Confederate order of battle, however, had not been made to conform in outline to that of the enemy, and Buford moving on the Federal center struck it before Roddy had come in collision with the enemy in his quarter of the field. Consequently, not only was a heavy force of infantry massed to meet Buford's attack from the table to a blanket spread upon the ground in the shade of a tree. Perhaps he had not been lying on that blanket over forty-five minutes when he fainted, as I tliought. I called the attention of a doctor, who, on feeling his pulse, remarked, "He is dkad." Those words were "like a clap of thunder in a clear sky" to me. I had no thought of his dying thus suddenly: in fact, I thought that he would get well. The very great fatigue and loss of blood added to the suffering from the wound was more than he could bear. I know of no language by which to express what I felt while kneeling by the side of a dying brother. He was not only the youngest of three brothers, but also the young- est of the family. He was just in the bloom of youth. Having entered the service at eighteen, he was now twenty-one. Having learned that Buford's Division had remounted and was moving off, and thinking that perhaps the enemy would get possession of the hospital before we would have time to bury the remains of brother Will, we wrapped a blanket around him, laid him in an out-house in one corner of the yard, requested a cit- izen to see that he was buried if we did not have an opportunity to bury him ourselves, and then rejoined our command. About 8:30 P. M. J. R. Dougherty (Company C) and I returning to the hospital, remained there the rest of the night. Next morning we buried the remains of my brother hastily, without any coffin, in a garden adjoining the yard in which lie died. We rejoined our regi- ment between sunset and dark, just after the engagement at Town Creek. We met General Forrest as he was going from the field wounded. After the enemy had fallen back and all was quiet again I had my brother's remains taken up and buried more decently in a coffin, on the 17th. 426 R. R. Hancock's Diary. with a scorching fire of small arms, but almost their whole artillery was concentrated upon Bell's Tennes- seans, Mabry's Mississippians, and . Crossland's Ken- tuckians. The latter brio-ade was the first enoracred, and, being uncovered on its right, was exposed to an oblique or enfilading fire, under which it staggered, and finally gave way, but not until some of the intrepid Kentuckians had penetrated the Federal intrenchments where they were either killed or captured. General Buford now saw that the enemy had too greatly the advantage, both in numbers and position, for him to make any further attempt to carry their works by storm ; and, moreover, seeing that his men were being mowed down at a fearlul rate, he, therefore, very prudently commenced the withdrawal of his division. Rice's Bat- tery moved forward with the Kentuckians, and kept well in advance with them was handled with signal daring and skill. And when the stress of the Federal fire was greatest, Thrall's Battery was thrown forward to close quarters in support of Rice. These two bat- teries, served with equal spirit and efficiency, rendered invaluable aid in covering the withdrawal of Buford's Division from under fire. Morton's Battery, which, as will be remembered, had moved forward with the left flank, suffered severely. Five out of the seven gun- ners, and six out of the eight horses of one piece were disabled, and its commander. Sergeant Brown, three times wounded ; nevertheless, he remained with his gun until it was carried safely to the rear by hand by Cap- tain Titus' company of sharp-shooters. Another piece was brought off by Sergeant C. T. Brady, after a wheel had been shot from it. The remaining pieces were re- tired slowly, halting and firing with the utmost resolu- July, 1804. 427 tion and effect, and thus materially assisted in covering the retreat in that quarter of the field. General Chalmers, in the meantime, had been ordered to throw forward Rucker's Brigade as a support to ■Nlabry, leaving McCulloch to support the center, and cover the retreat in the event of disaster. It was in an opportune moment, too, that Chalmers came to the assistance of Buford; lor about this juncture the I-'ed- eral commander threw forward his cavalry, to swoop down upon the shattered remains of Buford's Division. However, a volley from the steady rifles of Rucker's men — who had taken a position under cover of a fence — not only checked the Federal cavalry, but sent them reeling rearward. Now leaping over the fence, and moving forward at a double-quick, with a loud shout, Rucker's men struggled onward and onward with re- splendent courage for some moments. Twice wounded Rucker had to leave the field after leading his men to within sixty yards of the Federal trenches ; and many of his bravest officers and men were added to the num- ber of dead and wounded that lay on the field already, belonging to the briga'des of Buford's Division which had preceded in the onset. At least a third of Ruck- er's Brigade were stricken down, either by the enem\-. or by the heat, and the attack was repulsed. Chalmers now withdrew Rucker's Brigade to the position held by McCulloch ; and Buford, not being- troubled any further by the enemy, after the cavalry charo^e mentioned above, withdrew his division to their o horses in the rear of McCulloch. During this time General Forrest had been on the right tlank with Roddy's Division, which, when Cross- land's Brigade was repulsed, was moved rapidly by the 428 I?. I?. Hancock's Diaky left flank to the position occupied by that brigade at the commencement of the action, and where the division was held to meet any counter or offensive movement of the enemy. The Confederate attack had now failed at all points, as might have been foreseen,* and no further attempt to carry the Federal works by storm was made. Gen- eral'Roddy's Division was also ordered to retire from the field to a position in rear of McCuHoch. About noon, or a little after. Bell's Brigade moved back two or three miles to the wagon train to get forage and rations. General Lee now decided to await the movements of his adversary. t But General Smith appears to have been satisfied with being able to foil the attack of his daring assailants, and adventured no offensive move- ment at all. Therefore, McCulloch's Brigade remained unmolested in its advance position until about half-past six o'clock 1'. .M., when it was noticed that the enemy were burnino^ Harrisburi/. General Chalmers was then directed to reconnoiter as closely as possible with that brigade, the First Mississippi Infantry, and a piece of artillery. Some Federal skirmishers, soon encountered, were driven back by McCulloch far enough for him to ascertain that the main Federal force still remained in position at Harrisburg, and the reconnoissance was con- cluded. About this time, or at sunset, taking Rucker's Brigade, under Colonel Duckworth, General Forrest let it around the Federal left fiank, on the road to Verona, some two miles southward of Tupelo, where he soon found himself in the presence of the Federal pickets, who opened a scattering fire. Dismounting the brigade, ^'And was foreseen by Ikiforcl. See Coinnienlaiies under July l6lh. t What he should have done at first. LiKUTKNANT GEO. E. SEAV July, 1804. 429 and taking post across the road. Duckworth threw one- tenth of the brigade promptl)' forward, and the Federal skirmishers were brushed back upon their main force. This was presently followed by the advance of the whole brigade, and a sharp skirmish with the enemy, who receded slowly for three-fourths of a mile, until about nine r. m.. when the Confederates encountered a stormy fire from a heavy force drawn up to receive them. This checked the movement, and in turn the Federals essayed the offensive ; but their onset was speedily brought to a halt by a well-directed fire from Duff's Regiment. Of this affair, in his official report, General Forrest says: I ordered my men to open fire upon him [the enemy], when the first line fell back to the main body and opened upon me one of the heaviest fires 1 liave heard during the war. . . . Not a man was killed, however, as the enemy overshot us, but he is reported as hav- ing suftered much from the fire of my men, and still more from their own, who fired into each other in the darkness of the night. -•= Directing a small force to be left well in advance, to watch that road, Forrest withdrew the brigade for the night to a position three miles south of Tupelo, where it bivouacked. About dark our brigade (Bell's) was ordered to the front. However, after going about one mile and a half, the order was countermanded, and we returned to, and bivouacked with, our wagon train. The gallant Lieutenant George E. Seay (Company E) is now in command of our regiment, all of his supe- riors presenL having been killed or wounded during the ■engagements of last evening and to-day. In reference to this engagement, Lieutenant G. F. Hager sa)s : Nothing could exceed the scathing fire we breasted at and near the works. Never was more shining courage displayed by both ofiicers and men than here. * Rebellion Records, Vol. XXVIII, p. 463. 430 R. R. Hancock's Diary. It was here we lost our gallant Lieutenant Lii)sconil) [Company G] and our heroic Lieutenant Denning [Company F], killed on or inside the works. Colonel Barteau was also again wounded while endeavor- ing to lead our already shattered regiment into the enemy's strongr hold. Our loss was extremely heavy. We went into the engagement fully officered (save the losses we had sustained from the enemy before) and at the close, or rather after the first assault on the works, Lieuten- ant George E. Seay [Company E] found himself in command of the regiment, his superiors having been killed, wounded, or disabled. ='= I do not know the exact loss of our regiment in this action, though, as Lieutenant Hager says, it was "ex- tremely heavy." One hundred and eighty of the Second Tennessee moved into action under Colonel Barteau, and sixty-two, by actual count, came out under Lieutenant G. E. Seay, and they looked like they 7oerc marching to a funeral. "^ Remember, it took quite a number of the unhurt to bring off the wounded; the dead, and perhaps some of the wounded, were left on the field. Except my brother and the two previously mentioned by Lieutenant Hager, the following list contains the names of all the killed and wounded (Second Tennessee) which I now have before me : Company B — James Drum (mortally) and N. N. Pol- lard (severely) wounded. Company C — O. N. Grisham (from Franklin Count)-. Alabama), killed; and Lieutenants S. Dennis and J. S. Harrison, and privates A. J. Thomas, Mat. Francis. Mike Larance, j. J. Francis, John H. Odom. James H, Odom, and J. W. Herndon, wounded. Company D — William Brown (mortally), wounded, and Eli Locket, captured. * Military Aun.ils of Tennessee, page 6i8. i' Verbal rep<.>rt uf Dr. J. W. Harrison. July, 18G4. 431 Compriin' E — Captain W. A. DeBovv and private William Stalcup, wounded. Company F — William Bond, wounded. Company G — W. Clabe West, severely Vv'ounded. Company K — Captain O. B. Farris, wounded. Friday, 13th. — Apprehensive that the Federal com- mander, emboldened by the results of yesterday's suc- cess, would now attempt to press forward into the prairie country to the southward, to lay waste the grov/- ing crops of that fertile region, General Lee resolved to interpose every possible obstacle, and accordingly, before sunrise, the whole Confederate force was concentrated across the anticipated route of march, and drawn up in line of battle, fronting the north, directly across the Tupelo-Verona road, about three miles from the former place. There being, however, no incHcation of any offensive movement on the part of the enemy, Buford was thrown forward (dismounted) on the Confederate ri^ht, with our brigrade and Crossland's, to feel the Fed- erals in that direction, and coming in contact with their pickets bore them back for quite a mile upon the left flank of their main force, in some timber, where he halted, and throwing out skirmishers to cover his own position stood on the defensive. Meanwhile, so intense was the heat that as many as eighty officers and men were carried from the field exhausted, and some of them insensible, from the effects of the sun. This was the posture of affairs at eleven a. m., when the authentic and pleasing intelligence was received that the enemy were in full retreat. Chalmers was im- mediately ordered to move forward rapidly with McCul- loch's Brigade (mounted) to ascertain their line of retreat and apparent purposes. Overtaking their rear guard. 432 R. K. Hancock's Diahy. some skirmishinof ensued for an hour, durino; which a moving cloud of dust was visible along the Tupelo- Ellistown road, marking manifestly the line of march of a large force. In the meantime, Buford had remounted his division and moved it forward to the highway a little east oi Harrisburg, while Lee had moved up to that place with the rest of the Confederate force, and Forrest, with his staff and escort, had gone immediately to Tupelo, some of the few houses of which were found in ashes, the others filled with wounded, including two hundred and fifty F"ederals, too severely hurt to be removed, and few of whose wounds had been dressed. In consequence of this neglect, many of the wounds, both ot the Con- federates and F"ederals, found at Tupelo were Hy-blowii and already in a maggoted condition, from which the men suffered iearlully. While Chalmers was directed to press on with Mc- Culloch's Brigade, and attempt to get on the Federal left flank, westward of the Ellistown road, Buford, about two r. M., was ordered to move upon their rear with his division, now dwindled down, howbeit, to not more than one thousand effectives. Following vigorously, and mov- ing at the head of his column with a section ot Rice's guns, just as Buford approached Town Creek, four miles beyond Tupelo, a warm volley was suddenly poured into the head of his column from a heavy ambuscade in a cornfield, while his own force was moving along a narrow road through a dense black-jack thicket. Dis- mounting and deploying his men into line as quickly as possible, he moved forward,"* driving the first line of * With liell's Brigade on the right aiid the Second Tennessee on the extreme right. July, 1864. 433 Federals before him; when, on ncaring Town Creek bottom, the enemy, in overwhelming numbers, spring- ing h'om the cover of the bushes with a yell drove our division back for some distance in confusion, and with considerable loss. Here fell the gallant Lieutenant Ed. Bullock mortally wounded, and John Lee .killed — both of Company D. Second Tennessee. The road was blocked up at the same time with led horses and artil- lery, and for a short while, had the enemy pressed their advantage with vigor, the situation was critically peril- ous. McCulloch's Brigade, having been pressed up at a gallop, was dismounted and thrown into action on the left of Jkiford's Division. That veteran force, making a characteristic charge, pushed the enemy back in its front. This was not done, however, without consider- able loss, and Forrest, who rode with it in the onset, was painfully wounded in the right foot, and its gallant leader. Colonel McCulloch, was struck in the shoulder. Buford was materially assisted by McCulloch's move- ment in saving his horses and artillery. Forrest's wound was now so painful that he was obliged to quit the field and repair to Tupelo to have his wound dressed, Chalmers, who was left in command, retired safely, just about nightfall, beyond the reach of the enem)', who, fortunately, was not disposed to follow up his advantage with any energy. McCulloch's Brigade bivouacked in observation for the night within half a mile of the cross- ing of Town Creek ; while Buford's Division moved about one mile and a half southward, to a small creek, and the rest of the Confederate force slept in the vicin- ity of Tupelo. Saturday, i6tli. — As the horses and men were nearly all broken down by this time, General Lee very prop- 28 434 K. it. Haxcook's Diary. erly decided not to iollov; the enemy any further in force. However, Chahners was directed to pursue with Roddy's Division and Rucker's Brigade. After some Httle skirmishing, he turned back the next day, a few- miles beyond EUistown, leaving some two hundred and fifty men to follow in observation. The Federals re- treated rapidly in the direction of Memphis, by the way of New Albany and Holly Springs. Our division was now busily engaged in burying the dead and looking after the wounded. A good many of the latter, including the Federal, were sent by rail to Forrest's Hospital at L-auderdale Springs, near Merid- ian, Mississippi. According to the official report,* the Second Tennes- see lost during the last three days' fighting two officers and six enlisted men killed, and fifteen officers and for- ty-three enlisted men wounded — aggregate, sixty-six. I know that the aggregate loss of Company C was thirteen, which if taken from sixty-six leaves fifty-three, which lacks one man of being- an averag-e of six to each of the other nine companies. Therefore, the above either falls short of our actual loss, or the loss of Com- pany C was more than double the average loss of the other nine companies. The writer is of the opinion that our aggregate loss did not fall much (if any) short of one liundred. COMMENTARIES. I. Our division, including Mabry's Brigade, lost twenty-two officers killed and one hundred and four wounded ; one hundred and thirty-one enlisted men were killed, six himdred and ninety-four wounded, and forty-nine missing ; total, one thousand. Our brigade ♦■See Rebellion Records, Vol. XVIII, pnge 475. July, 18G4. 435 lost forty-seven killed and three hundred and fifty-five wounded ; First Division lost fifty-seven killed and two hundred and fifty-five wounded. General Forrest esti- mates the Federal loss to be equal to his own, which he puts at two hundred and ten killed, and one thousand one hundred and sixteen wounded, while General Bu- ford puts the enemy's loss at two thousand. 2. It is said that the following conversation took place between Generals Forrest and Buford just after the un- fortunate affair at Tovv'n Creek last evening : General Forrest — General Buford, move your division. General Buford — I have no division, General Forrest. G. F. — Where is your division? G. B. — [The tears trickled down the cheeks of that noble solditr as he replied] They are killed and wounded. Well may our gallant leader weep when one thousand of his bravest and best officers and men have been killed or wounded. He is not the only one who weeps over the results of the last three clays' fighting. Perhaps there are but few of our division who are not called upon to mourn the loss of some relative or dear friend. 3. Be it said to the honor of General Buford that, knowing as he did that the enemy had gj-eatly the ad- vantage in both position and numbers, and therefore fully believing — almost knowing — that an attempt to carry the Federal works by storm, as he was ordered to do on the 14th, would result in a repulse and fearful loss, he therefore protested in perso7i against making the attack in that zaay* However, as his superior would not revoke the order, he therefore, like a true and obe- dient soldier, led his division to the onset, which re- * Manuscript notes of Colonel C. R. Barteau ; also, Bufoid's official report. See Rebellion Records, Vol. XVIII, page 471. 43G I{. li. Hancock's Diary. suited as he had foreseen, and as has been previously mentioned. Was either Buford or the men lie led to blame for failing to carry the Federal position on the 14th? If I were allowed to answer the above question I should say, emphaticall)', iicitJiei'. (Men cannot ac- complish impossibilities,) However, I shall let the writer of "Forrest's Campaigns" (p. 519) answer the above question thus: It must be regarded as an error on the part of the Confederate General to deliver battle at Harrisburg upon a field chosen by his ad- versary, and, as we have seen, peculiarly favorable for that adversary. Furthermore, victory, under all the circumstances, never within the scope of reasonable probabilities for the Confederates, was made even less possible by the adoption of the parallel order of battle rather than the oblique, and the massing of the C'onfederates upon eiilier wing, and subsequently also by llirowing the troops into battle by fragments, so that brigades were worsted, sadly cut to pieces in detail. General Lee should have thrown his force across the highways leading southward — selecting favorable posi- tions and throwing up temporary breastworks — and thus stood on the defensive, from the fact (which he well knew) that his adversary was compelled to either take the offensive or retreat, as there was nothing in the vicinity of Tupelo upon which his army could subsist. 4. The Federal commander assuredly displayed much watchful- ness in his movements, but the least jiossible vigor or enterprise. . . . Had he pressed tlie advantage gained on the afternoon of the i4tli of July with resolution and with his whole force as the Confederates fell back repulsed and badly cut up, as he could plainly see, the conse- quences for the Confederates must have been ruinous. . . And when he began the retrogade, as is alleged, for want of subsistence and ammunition, it was made with all celerity and other appearances of a retreat; for leaving one division under Brigadier-General Mower to cover his rear by making a stand at the extremely favorable position of Town Creek, he pushed his train on toward Memphis with all haste, escorted by the remainder of his force. Indeed, in view of General July, 18G4. 137 Smith's mere military movements, it is difficult to comprehend with what objective the campaign was undertaken. 'i= 5. In his official report Colonel T. \\. Hell (command- ing Fourth Brigade) says : Colonels Barteau, Russell, Wilson, Xewsom, and Major Parham were all wounded. Special praise is due them for their conduct in the several engagements. ......... My acting aid-de-camp (R. P. Caldwell), acting Assistant Inspector- General (P. A. Smith), . . . were prompt in carrying orders to the different portions of my brigade, and were with me, except when ordered off on duty, in the hottest of the fights, and discharged their duties well.f The following are extracts from (general Abraham Buford's official report : The record of this action shows that the Second Division performed with alacrity and spirit every duty required of them, whether in attack- ing the enemy in front, on the flank, or on the pursuit, and few troops have ever borne themselves on a field with more distinguished cour- age, with more patient endurance, or with the loss of so many field officers — there being seven regiments which were deprived of every field officer by the casualties of action. ..... Words are inadequate to express the daring action, imperturbable bravery, the indomitable endurance exhibited by both officers and men. ............ To the privates no flattering words can add to their deeds. If we desire to look for deeds of noble daring and worthy of imitation we must go to the ranks. ......... The long list of dead and wounded echo the history of their action.]; 6. I find the following — "General Order No. 96" — in my old diary, under July 29th; however, as it has direct reference to the battle of Harrisburg I shall intro- duce it just here : *" Forrest's Campaigns," page 518. t Rebellion Records, Vol. XVIII, page 489. X Rebellion Records, Vol. XVIII, pp. 473, 474. 438 K. R. Hancock's Diary. Headcjuarif-RS Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. Meridian, Miss., July 20th, 1864. The Lieutenant-General expresses his thanks to the officers and sol- diers engaged in the recent active operations in \orth Mississippi for tlieir cheerfulness, gallantry, and endurance. All did tlieir duty and are entitled to praise. The result is that a well-equipped army of sixteen thousand veteran troops, under the command of a general of experience, carefully organized to overwhelm the gallant Forrest and desolate the State of Mississip])i, has been discomfitted and compelled to retreat before your impetuous attack, well knowing the futility of an advance in t!ie face of so gallant and determined a foe. Though all performed their duty well, tlie General nevertheless thinks special praise should be given to the Kentucky Brigade and Bell's Tennessee Brigade of Buford's Division, Rucker's Brigade of Chalmers' Division, Mabry's Mississippi Brigade, and the artillery under Captain John W. Morton. To the desperate gallantry of these troops on the 14th and their tenacity under a galling fire is to be attributed the discomfiture of the enemy more than any other cause. Many of your comrades have sunk to honorable graves sacrifices to our sacred cause. Peace be with them! To you, their former companions, they have left the legacy of their brave deeds, which must ever command your admiration and that of the army, and gratitude of the country. Stephen D. Lee, Official: P. Ei.i.is, Jr., Lieutetiixitt- General. A. A. General. Monday, iSth. — Having completed the burial of the dead, gleaned froni all the battlefields, Buford'.s Division, moving eighteen miles southward, camped for the night three miles south-east of Shannon Station. The in- fantry have been dispatched by rail to Mobile. General Lee left Tupelo yesterday by rail to repair elsewhere within the limits of his command wliere his presence was reqtiired. About this time privates George F. Hager and Ciil- bert Siddons were made Lieutenants in Company G, Second Tennessee. July, 1864. 439 Ttiesday, igtJi. — Moving" on through Okolona, thence nine miles south, our division encamped at Pikeville (near Egypt Station), where we remained eight days. Brigadier-General Chalmers, who has been in com- mand since Forrest was wounded, has established his headquarters at Okolona. His division is encamped in the vicinity ot Oakland Church, eight miles west of ligypt Station. Gholson's Brigade, relieved on the 20th from further service with Forrest, was ordered to return to their horses at Jackson, Mississippi. The following changes of department commanders took place about this time : General Joseph E. Johnston (a second Hannibal), who had been commanding the Confederate Arm.\- at At- lanta, Georgia, was superseded by General \. B. Hood (a second Varro). S. D. Lee, from our department, took command of Hood's Corps; Major-General Maury succeeded to the command of our department, leaving General Gardner in command at Mobile, Alabama. Thursday, 281/1. — Our division moved back to where we camped on the night of the i8th, three miles south- east of Shannon Station. Roddy, detached v.ith his division, proceeded by rail to Montgomery to meet a hostile expedition menacing the interior of Alabama, while his horses $ind wagon train were sent across the country to the same point ; and Mabry's Brigade, likewise detached to-day, started (mounted; for Canton. Mississippi, to assist in repelling a Federal movement from the southward. Friday, 2gth. — The Second Tennessee, being de- tached, moved up to Verona and encamped one mile north-west of that place. We were kept busy here for 440 E. R. Hancock's Diaky. several days guarding some negroes who were at work on the railroad between X'erona and Tupelo, where the Federals had torn it up about two weeks previous. In a letter addressed to General Maury, the Depart- ment Commander, under date of August ist, General Chalmers says : Our scouts report that the enemy is making |)reparations to move from Memphis, Vicksburg, and North Alabama at the same time, and if successful to concentrate at Selma. There are now fourteen thousand infantry and cavalry assembled at LaCirange, and they are reported repairing the Mississippi Central Railroad. Three regiments of infantry and two of cavalry are re- ported moving from Decatur to .Moulton, Alabama. . . . Some troops, number unknown, have been sent down the river toward Vicksburg. If the enemy moves in three columns as expected, it will be impossible for us to meet him; and after consultation Major- General Forrest and I have concluded to recommend a consolidation of the troops in this department to meet one column. . The northern column will be the largest; if we can defeat it the others may be easily overtaken and crushed. Our effective force is five thousand three hundred and fifty-seven, but we are very much crippled in officers.-'^ On the 3d General Forrest resumed command, and Chalmers set out with his staff, escort, and Thrall's Bat- tery, to repair with McCulloch's Brigade to Oxford. On the 4th Neely's Brigade was thrown forward to Pon- totoc, On the 5th Forrest wrote to General Maury thus: * I regret very much that recent engagements in North Mississi[)pi (Tishamingo and Harrisburg) have reduced my command so much in numbers. But especially am I deficient in field officers and brigade commanders. General Lyon having left the department,!" Colonels McCuUoch and Rucker wounded, leaves me, aside from Colonel Bell, without experienced brigade commanders, and in Bell's Brigade the ■■" Forrest's Campaigns," pp. 522, 525. t Colonel Crossland succeeded to the command of the Kentucky Brigade. August, 18G4. 441 greater number of field officers are killed or Avounded. Nevertheless, all that can shall be done in North Mississij^pi to drive the enemy back. At the same time I have not the force to risk a general engagement, and will resort to all other means in my power to harrass, annoy, and force tiie enemy back. I have ordered the impressment of negroes for the purpose of fortifying positions, blockading roads and fords, and shall strike him in flank and rear, and opjjose him in front to the best of my ability, and fight him at all favorable positions along his line of march. . ......... My artillery in all numbers sixteen pieces, and my effec- tive force as formerly reported, with Mabry added. You may rest assured, General, of my hearty co-operation in all things and at all times. I can take the saddle with one foot in the stirrup, and if I succeed in forcing this column back, will be ready to move to your assistance at short notice, mounted or by rail. Saturday, AiLgiist 6tJi. — According to orders our regi- ment, breaking up otir camp at Verona, rejoined the brigade near Shannon .Station. Stinday, yth. — By this time the Federals, who were still under General A. J. Smith, had advanced from La- Grange to the vicinity of Waterford, with outposts and heavy picket force thrown forward to the north bank of the Tallahatchie. Having repaired the Mississippi Cen- tral Railroad as far as Waterford (eight miles south of Holly Springs), they were running trains to that point. The route, or direction, of the march of the Federal column being now somewhat developed, General For- rest decided to move the rest of his command westward. Accordingly, Buford's Division and the artillery moved from Shannon to Pontotoc, twenty-two miles. Tuesday, gth. — General Chalmers had only McCul- loch's Brigade and a section of artillery to guard and hold a line of some six or eight miles along the south bank of the Tallahatchie in front of Abbeville. Neely's Brigade and a battery left Pontotoc this morning to join Chalmers. 442 K. R. Hancock's Diary. Leavino- Pontotoc about five p. m.. Bell's Brigade and Morton's Battery marched some twelve miles westward and camped for the rest of the night at Buttermilk Springs. General Buford was left at Pontotoc with Crossland's Brigade and a battery to guard against any flank movement in that direction. lVednesda)\ lotk. — Moving out early we overtook Neely's Brigade at LaFayette Springs, in LaFayette County, some seventeen miles east of Oxford. Here we halted and fed. General Hatch, having crossed the Tallahatchie with about six thousand Federal cavalry, pressed General Chalmers back from Abbeville to Oxford and took pos- session of the latter place about five p. m. yesterday, Leaving the Second Missouri two miles south of Oxford Chalmers led the rest of his command to Taylor's Sta- tion, seven miles further south. Swinging ourselves into the saddle again, after a short rest, we resumed the march, with General Forrest at the head of the column. By a forced march, we suc- ceeded in reaching Oxford by ten o'clock p. m. The place, however, had been evacuated (just before we got there) by the Federal cavalry, whose commander, evi- dently having no stomach for a rencounter with the re- doubtable Confederate cavalry leader, rapidly retreated back to Abbeville upon hearing of Forrest's approach, and our horses were fed on the forage that had been dis- tributed to those of our ad\ersar)'. Thursday, nth. — When many of the citizens of Ox- ford went to sleep last night the town was full ot Fed- eral soldiers, but to their joy and astonishment this morning they found the pavements and public square covered with "gray coats," still holding their jaded August, 1804. 443 horses b)' the reins as they slept soundly after their long" ride. Movino- some eiofht miles northward alono- the Missis- sippi Central railroad our brigade took a position along the south bank of Hurricane Creek, within five miles of Abbeville, with Neely's Brigade on our right. Here we built a line of breastworks of rails and logs, behind which we remained during the rest of the day and that night unmolested by the enemy. Meanwhile. Chalmers, who had been reinforced by Mabry's brigade, moved back to Oxford. Friday, 12th. — McCulloch's Brigade moved up and took a position on the right of Neely's, while Mabry's IVigade was thrown out on the road leading to Wyatt, some two miles leftward of our brigade. Between one and two v. m. the enem)- made their ap- pearance on the opposite side of the creek. After a slight skirmish with small arms our artillery opened, vthich caused the Federals to beat a hasty retreat. Four or five Confederates were wounded in this little affair. Saturday, ijth. — A squad of our men went out on a scout and captured about twenty-five Federals near Abbeville. About three p. m. the enemy again made their appear- ance, this time in heavy force. Their artillery opened from a position on the north side of the creek, being im- mediately replied to by our guns. Mabry's Brigade, being overmatched, was pressed back, thus leaving the left of our brigade uncovered. Only the extreme left of our brigade had come in contact with the enemy, when the whole Confederate line fell back without being pressed to another position about two miles rearward. By this time it was dark, and we were not molested any 444 R. R. Hancock's Diary. more by tlic enemy that night. Our l^rigade fell back to Oxford, and went into camp about ten p. .m. Sunday, 14th. — A scout was sent back to Hurricane Creek early in the morning, but found no enemy. Late in the evening the Second Tennessee went out to said creek on picket. Monday, isth. — We could occasionally see the Fed- eral pickets on the north side of the creek. Shots were exchanged every now and then through the day. On being relieved late in the afternoon we returned to camp at Oxford. We now had the pleasure of a three days' rest before starting on THE MEMPHIS EXPEDITION. Thursday, iStJi. — From reports of scouts, it now be- came evident that, having rebuilt the railroad to Abbe- ville, collected supplies of subsistence and forage and laid a pontoon bridge across the Tallahatchie, the Fed- eral commander designed to concentrate his whole force at Abbeville with the view to serious offensive move- ments beyond. Knowing his inability to contend suc- cessfully with the force of his opponent, Forrest rapidly reviewed the situation and happily resolved upon a counter movement. That is to say, he determined to lead, by forced marches, a picked detachment of his command and threaten, if not capture, the city of Mem- phis, with the effect, as he hoped, of forcing General Smith to return to the relief of that place. Therefore, the necessary orders for the expedition were immedi- ately issued, and detachments of Bell's and Neely's Brigades and Morton's Battery were directed to be got ready to move that afternoon. After their ranks had been carefully culled of those whose horses, on inspec- tion, did not promise ability for the forced marches be- August, 18G4. 445 fore them, the detachments selected for the expedition •constituted a iorce of about 1,500 officers and men and four guns. Buford was now ordered to repair with the Kentucky Brigade to Oxford. Our Colonel and Lieutenant-Col- onel being absent, wounded, Captain W. A. DeBow commanded our regiment during the Memphis expedi- tion.* i.'\bout five r. m.. General Forrest, with the above named force, went forth in the midst of a heavy, pelting rain, which had been falling without intermission all da)-, as, indeed, for much of the time during several previous days, in consequence of which the streams were all brim- full. After a march of about twenty- five miles westward throutrh rain and mud and dense darkness, swimmino- many streams, we halted about two hours before dav and allowed our jaded horses to rest until daylight. Not much sleep for us. as it was still raining. Friday, igtJi. — In tJK^ saddle again by da)break, the •command reached Panola about seven o'clock a. m. Here we halted, fed, and drew rations. The artiller)- horses were now found to be so faj^tred as to make it imprudent to take more than two guns beyond that point. Accordingly, a selection being made of the most serviceable horses, all unfit were sent rearward to Grenada. One hundred men were also left with their horses, who were found unable to endure the fatigue of the expedition. Resuming the march about ten a. M., over roads knee-deep in mud and water, by the time the command reached Senatobia, twenty-three miles north of Panola, Porrest saw that our horses were so lagged that it was prudent to go no further that day. *Our Colonel, C. R. Barteau, reported for duty two days after we started to Memphis. 44G ]i. ]l. Hancock's Diaky. Saturday, 20tli. — Learning, before leaving Senatobia, that it would be necessary to bridge Hickahala Creek, a deep stream, running sixty feet broad, with full banks, General Forrest spread detachments over the interme- diate country to collect the lumber from cotton-gin-house floors, and carry it on their shoulders to the crossing, about four miles north of Senatobia. Out of the abun- dant, luxuriant grape-vines of the country a strong, twisted cable was made ; this, quickly stretched across the stream, was firmly fastened to a tree on either bank. At the same time some dry cedar telegraph-poles were cut down and tied together, with grape-vines also, into large, but comparatively light, rafts, and rolled into the creek to serve as pontoons. Floated into position, two of these were attached to the cable, likewise with grape- vines, and a small flatboat (about twenty feet long) was placed and fastened intermediately in the same manner as a central pontoon. Other telegraph-poles were then laid across the pontoons, and over these the flooring was spread, and a pontoon bridge was thus constructed in little more than one hour. The command began the crossing at once, in columns of two, the men leading their horses, and the artillery, unlimbered, was sately carried over by hand. Cold Water River, some seven miles beyond, was also found beyond fording, with only a small ferryboat, capa- ble of transporting four horses at a time ; and here, again, a bridge was absolutely requisite, and one, too, double the length of that at Hickahala. Another grape- vine cable was quickly prepared, and, happily, some dry cypress logs were found at hand, with which pontoon rafts were made and disposed as at Hickahala. while the ferryboat constituted the midway pontoon. Telegraph- August, 1S04. 4-17 poles furnished the necessary material, and neighboring- gin-houses the requisite flooring. In less than three hours, the second bridge being ready for service, the command began the passage, which, as before, was effected without casualty. Our regiment being in the rear, crossed a little before sunset, and by a little after nightfall we closed up the rear at Hernando, ten miles beyond Cold Water River, and within twenty-five miles of Memphis. Forrest was here met by some of his scouts, who had left Memphis that day with accurate information touch- ing the position and strength of the enemy's troops in and around the city, where all was quiet, and without the least expectation of the danger impending. Halt- ing at Hernando but a few moments, we now took the direct road to Memphis. ACTION AT MEMPHIS. Sunday , 21st. — In spite of the mud, fog, darkness, and the great fatigue of our horses. General Forrest drew rein about three o'clock this morning at Cane Creek, only four miles from Memphis. By this time he was well informed in regard to the numbers and positions of the Federal troops, and the location of their prominent officers, as well as the exact position of the pickets on that particular road. There were fully five thousand troops, of all arms, in and around the city, for the most part negroes and one hundred days' men. Directing his force to be closed up, and summoning the commanders of his brigades and detachments to the front, Forrest gave to each definite and comprehensive instructions as to the part assigned their respective commands in the approaching drama, and at the same time the necessary guides were distributed. 448 K. K. Hancock's Diary. To a company commanded by Captain William H. Forrest was given the advance, with the duty of sur- prising, it possible, the pickets; after which, without being diverted by any other purpose, it was to dash forward into the city, by the most direct route, to the Gayoso House to capture Major-General Hurlbut and some staff officers who were known to be quartered at that hotel. Lieutenant-Colonel Logwood was to press rapidly after Captain Forrest to the Gayoso House, with the Twelfth (Green's) and Fifteenth (Stewart's) Tennessee Regiments, placing, however, detachments to hold the junction respectively of Main and Beal, and Shelby and Beal streets, and to establish another de- tachment at the steamboat landing at the foot of Union street. Lieutenant-Colonel Jesse A. P^orrest (with Wil- son's Regiment from Bell's Brigade) was ordered to move rapidly down DeSoto to Union, and thence lelt- ward, along that street, to the headquarters of General Washburne, the Federal commander, whose capture it was his special duty to make. Colonel Neely was di- rected to attack, by an impetuous charge, the encamp- ment of the one hundred days' men, across the road in the outskirts of Memphis, with a command composed of his own regiment (Fourteenth Tennessee), the Sec- ond Missouri, and the Eighteenth Mississippi. Colonel Bell, being held in reserve, with Newsom's, Russell's, and Barteau's Regiments — the latter under Captain DeBow — with Sale's section of artillery, was to cover the movement. And upon all commands the most rigid silence was enjoined, until the heart of the city was reached, and the surprise had been secured. These dispositions and orders having been made, the several •detachment commanders rejoined their troops, formed August, 1864. 449 them immediately into column of fours, and, at about a quarter past three a. m., the whole command was again put in motion at a slow walk. Captain Forrest preceded the rest of his company some sixty paces with ten picked men. When within two miles of Court Square, the sharp challenge of the picket, "Who comes there?" was suddenly heard to break the stillness of the morning hour, also the Con- federate Captain's cool and prompt reply: "A detach- ment of the Twelfth Missouri Cavalry* with rebel pris- oners." The customary rejoinder quickly followed, "Advance one." Captain Forrest rode forward in person, having pre- viously, in a low tone, directed his men to move slowly but closely behind him. As soon as he was in reach of the unsuspecting picket, mounted, in the middle of the highway, the Confederate officer felled his adversary to- the ground by one blow with his heavy revolver, while, at the same instant, his men sprang forward and cap- tured the picket-post of some ten or twelve men — dis- mounted at the moment — a few paces rearward, to the left of the highway, without any noise or tumult, except the discharge of a single gun, which, with no little anx- iety, was heard by General Forrest, who was moving with the head of the main column only about one hun- dred yards rearward. Sending the prisoners immedi- ately to the rear Captain Forrest pressed on for a quarter of a mile, when he encountered another out- post, which greeted him with a volley. The daring Confederates dashed forward, however, and scattered the enemy in every direction. But, unhappily, forget- *This regiment was known to be absent from Mempliis with A. J. Smith. 29 450 R. R. Hancock's Diauy. tin^r the strict orders to be as silent as swift in their operations. Captain Forrest's men shouted lustily, aiul the contagion spreading, the cheer was taken up and resounded rearward through the whole column, now roused to a state of irrepressible eagerness for the fra\-. By this time the head of the column w^as in a few paces of the Federal camp, on the outskirts of the cit\ ; clay was breaking, and a long line of tents was visible, stretching across the country to the eastward and west- ward of the highway nearly a mile. The alarm having been given, and the orders prescribing silence generally forgotten b)- his men. General Forrest directed his bugler (Gaus) to sound the charge, and all the bugles of several regiments took up and repeated the inspir- ing notes. Another cheer burst forth spontaneousl\- from the whole line, and all broke ardently forward in a swift, impetuous charge. Captain I^'orrest. dashing rapidly b)' the intantry en- campment with his little band (some forty strong) en- countered an artillery encampment (six guns) eight or nine hundred yards beyond. Sweeping down with a shout and a volley from their pistols the Confederates drove the I^ederals from their guns, after killing or wounding sonie twent)' of the gunners. This effected they pressed forward into the cit)-, and did not halt until they drew rein before the Gayoso Hotel, into the office of which Captain Forrest and several of his companions entered without dismounting,* and in a moment his men. spreading through the corridors of that s|)acioLis estal)- lishment, were busily searching for General Hurlbut and other Federal officers, to the great consternation of the *Allen Wylie .mil Cl;iil» West (Secon 1 Tennessee) lieiiii; with Cajitain For- rest, weie ilie liist l>> enter ihe Gayoso Ilolel. August, 1804. 451 startled guests of the house. Some of the I'ederal offi- ■cers, roused by the tumult, rushing forth from their rooms, misapprehending- the gravity of the occasion, offered resistance, and one of their number was killed and some others captured, but General Hurlbut was not to be found. Happily for that officer, his social habits having led him out of his quarters the e\ening before, they had also held him in thrall and absent from liis lodging throughout the night. Unfortunately, Logw'ood was moving in rear of Neely, and, in attempting to pass, his men became so inter- mingled with Neely's that he was unable to push on and enter the city as soon as had been expected. The time thus lost proved to be precious moments, for the F"ed- erals, having been aroused b)' Captain Forrest, were Hying to arms and into line and the artillerx' was being remanned. Ordered to push on into the heart of the city without halting to. give battle on the wayside, Log- wood, placing himself at the head of his men. pressed onward for some distance, runnino- a o-auntlet of small- arm volleys from the right, until a turn of the road brought him in the presence of a line of infantry directly across the way and sweeping it with their fire. Un- swerved, on rushed the Confederates with their well- knowai yell, and burst through the opposing ranks. Hastening onward, a battery* was seen to the leftward, but commandincr a strai^rht reach of the road ahead, and the gunners of which were busily charging the pieces. In view of the dancrer his command incurred from this o battery. Logwood was obliged to charge and disperse those w ho manned it ; and, giving the command to charge, his men swooped down upon their luckless ■••Supposed to be llie same battery th.-il CaiU.iin I'orrcsi liad encountered. 4.')2 If. K. IIantock's Diaky enemy, a number of whom were knocked down at the pieces, while the rest were driven off before they were able to fire a enn. Resumino- his charge toward the city, Logwood in a few minutes entered and galloped down liernando street to the market-house and up Beal, across Maine to the Gayoso House, and his men were soon busily engaged in completing the search of that hotel for Federal officers. The women and chil- dren and some men were screaming or crying with affright, or shouting and clapping their hands and wav- ing their handkerchiefs with joy as they recognized the mud-bespattered, gray uniforms of the Confederate soldiery in their streets once more. Soon, indeed, the scene was one of memorable excitement. Memphis was the home of many of those gray-coated young riders who thus suddenly burst into the heart of their city that Aug- ust morning, and the women, young and old, forgetting the costume of the hour, throwing open their window- blinds and doors, welcomed their dear countrymen by voice and smiles and every possible manifestation of the delight inspired by such an advent. During the same time, Lieutenant-Colonel Forrest, speeding with his regiment toward the headquarters of Major-General Washburne, on Union street, reached that point without serious resistance to find, however, the Federal commander had already flown, but several of his staff were captured before they could dress and follow their fleet-footed leader. Colonel Neely dashed into the Federal encampment on the right of the road, while Captain DeBow threw the Second Tennessee into position (mounted) on the . left, in support of Lieutenant Sale's section of artillery, which was thrown into position and opefted upon the enemy about daybreak. August, 18G4. 453 Meanwhile Neely had met serious resistance in the execution of his orders. The infantry — at least a thou- sand strong — which it was his part to attack, had been formed in line in time to receive his force with a warm fire of small arms. Seeing this check, General Forrest, Avho had remained with the reserves under Colonel Bell, led them rapidly by the right flank to reinforce Neely, but on the way developed a cavalry encampment just eastward of the infantry, from which the Confederates received a heavy fire. Being in advance, Forrest •charged promptly with his escort (mounted) over inter- vening fences and through some gardens, dispersing the dismounted occupants of the encampment, and captur- ing nearly all their horses, with a number of prisoners. Neely, at the same time making a vigorous onset upon the infantry, succeeded in driving them., with some loss, from their position ; whereupon they and the dispersed dismounted cavalry took refuge in the extensive brick building's of the ''State Female Collesfe," several hun- dred yards distant, a strong defensive position. Fol- lowed by the Confederates, the enemy poured a noisy and annoying fire from behind the cover afforded by the -college. At this Forrest ordered up Captain UeBow with the Second Tennessee (dismounted), and also Lieutenant Sale with the artillery, and dismounting some other troops, made an effort to dislodge the Fed- erals, and an animated skirmish ensued. A number of shells were thrown and exploded in the main building, but it soon became apparent the position was onK' to be gained at a loss far greater than was required for the success of the expedition, therefore, the troops were withdrawn ; not, however, until after we had suffered some loss, for the Federals had decidedly the advantage 454 K. K. Ha.nxock's Diakv — they beliiiu] brick walls, while we had no protection. The Second Tennessee, being directly in front of the college, suffered more, perhaps, than any other portion of the command. W. W. 1 larrison* (Compan)- C), Perry Marks (Compan) 1)). who had distinguished him- self in storming the works at Fort Pillow, and about tour others, were killed. Lieutenant H. L. \\\ Turney. who was in command of Company C, our color-bearer. H. C. Odomf (Company C), and some others, were wounded. All the commissioned ofhcers of our com- pany (C) now being wounded, the Second Sergeant, A. B. McKnight (brother to our captain), took command oi our company. Finding that the enemy were rapidly rallying and as- sembling, F'orrest had previously ordered the troops to evacuate the city and concentrate at the Federal infantr)- camp, which I have mentioned. This order found the ■ riian whom Company C" could l)oast of no belter a soldier. lie was brother to Lieutenant ). S. Harrison. tThe gallantry displayed here by the color-i)earer of the Second Tennessee deserves special mention. Pressing on in advance with our colors, Odom entered the college yard, and when within about lifteen stejis of that building he and a Feileral who was standing in the door oj^ened fire at each other. One ball cut the tlagstafl" in two and grazed Odom's face. Afier Odom's third shot the door was closed, when on looking back he found that he was the only iturn inside the college yard, the rest of the regiment having very prudently halted at the yard fence, it being the only cover at hand. A stream of fire was nu.v pouring from all the windows of that large building, 'rurning and passing out at the gate Odom was soon after shot down by a ijali which passed through his left arm ami left lung, and lodgeil just under the left shoulder blade. Lieutenant Turney now sprang to the rescue of our colors and the assistance of Odom, but just as he siooped to raise Odom his [Turney's] right arm was shivered above the elliow. About this time the command commenced falling back. Odom suc- ceeded in rising to his feet and ran about one hundred and fifty yards, and by this time he was completely exhausted and had to stop. Luckily, Wallace Wil- son and Billie Watt came to his assistance, and soon after coming up with Alien Wylie mounted, the latter took Odom up l)ehind and carried him about half a mile back, where the ball was cut out. B. F. .S. Odom now took him in a buggy to where the command halted, near Cane Creek, about four miles from Mem- LiKiTKNA\T II. 1,. \V. Tl'RN'EV, Co. C. August, 18G4. 455 Confederates greatly dispersed and wideK spread over the cit)', many with the hope and object of meeting and greeting friends and kindred, but for the most part in- tent upon the discovery and appropriation of horses. Few, indeed, retained their regimental or, in fact, com- pany organizations. As soon, however, as they could be collected, and Lieutenant-Colonels Logwood and For- rest having effected a junction on DeSoto Street, they moved out together, but encountered a strong body of infantry formed across the road near Provine's house as a support to the battery there — the gunners of which were twice dispersed previously— which was remanned once more, and commanded the road. A warm colli- sion occurred, in the course of which the Confederates captured this battery the third time. Colonels Logwood and Forrest then hastened to rejoin their commander, as directed ; and as all the Confederates were now with- drawn from the city except some stragglers and those who had been captured or killed, General Forrest gave orders (about nine a. m.) for the whole force to withdraw. The object of the expedition having been in the main phis; here our surgeons dressed his wound and pronounced him mortally wounded. The command was moving oft', and it appears that Odom was about to be left here by the roadside to die alone. In the meantime General Forrest had stepped oft to a farm house near by, and on returning to the road to mount and follow the command and seeing that Odom had been left, he said to him [Odom], '' I will see that you are taken care of."' Now kindly taking him by the hand, the General bade liim farewell and was proceeding to mount when Odom aske too late to go with us to Memphis, he was assigned to duty on General Buford's statT until his regiment re- turned,* Reverting to affairs at Oxford, we find that General Chalmers skillfully disposed and handled his small com- mand (about two thousand effectives) to conceal the ab- sence of his superior with so important a part of the Confederate force. With this view, during the 19th, he made several sharp attacks upon the outposts on all the roads occupied by the F"ederals. Nevertheless, the en- emy pressed forward heavily, and, by a flank movement of the enemy, Chalmers was forced to evacuate Oxford ♦Manuscript Notes of Colonel C. R. Barteau. 460 K. R. Hancock's Diary. and fall back soutli of the Zacona on the 21st. The Federal advance, however, did not enter Oxford until about eight o'clock on the morning of the 22d, but a •column of infantry soon followed. The railroad depot was burned in the morning, but no private buildings were set on fire. About midday,* however, orders were given by the Federal commander for the burning of the public buildings and unoccupied houses. In this con- flagration were consumed all the principal business houses, with an accidental exception, the two brick hotels of the place, and of course the flames spread rapidly to several dwellings occupied by women and children and sick persons, happily rescued, however, from destruction by the exertions of the inhabitants of Oxford. By the 2 2d dispatches were received of Forrest's movement upon Memphis, and the Federal commander, exasperated by the manner in which he had been outwitted, wantonly destroyed the town of O.xford, under pretence of retaliation for e.xaggerated wrongs done by our men aiiy C) was seriously hurt by .a railroad iron living hack niul striking liini. 30 466 E. E. Haxcock's Diary. Fully three hours of the morning were necessarily occupied in preparation for the attack. The dismounted men were established meanwhile as supports to the artillery, which occupied four commanding positions around the redoubt, and about eight hundred yards dis- tant from it. Our regiment was placed in line, along the embankment of the railroad, about the same dis- tance east, while the rest of our brigade extended (left- ward) around to the south-east of the work ; Lyon about six hundred yards immediately southward ; and Rucker's Brigade, as far from the Federal position, to the westward of it, while Johnson occupied the town with Roddy's men,* so extended in three lines through the streets as to make it impossible for the enemy to estimate their actual strength. Detachments from each brigade were held, mounted, and thrown out to cover all the approaches, and the rest, or greater part of the command, were dismounted, with the usual horse-hold- ers, who were concentrated in one body. Thus, b)' half-past ten a. m., the Federal position was thoroughly- invested with a double line of riflemen, the foremost circle (skirmishers) being within one hundred and fifty yards of the Federal trenches. Being now ready for the attack, Forrest determined to test the efficacy of a flag of truce, and accordingly ordered the signal for a parley to be sounded. A few moments later Major Strange, a staff officer, accompanied by Captain Pointer, bearing the usual flag of truce, presented a formal demand for the uncondi- tional surrender of the Federal garrison. The answer, an absolute refusal to capitulate, was not long delayed. General Forrest immediately sent forward another com- * General Roddy was sick and left at Tusciimbia, Alabama. September, 18G4. 467 munication requesting a personal interview with his ad- versary, which soon took place. Our leader, at once approaching the business of the interview, earnestly expressed his desire to avoid the unnecessary shedding of blood ; declared that his means, including artillery, were so ample that he could carry the position by storm, without any hazard or failure ; and so assured did he feel — he observed — of this fact, that he was quite willing to exhibit his forces to the Federal Commander, Colonel Campbell, who would find it to be fully eight thousand strong, of all arms. In reply, Campbell remarked that, of course, if he could be satisfied such a force actually surrounded him, he would not feel authorized to maintain so useless a de- fense. His dispositions being favorable for his purpose Forrest proposed that his adversary should at once re- view his lines, and they rode together for that purpose. The first troops displayed were the dismounted cav- alry, who were deployed as infantry, which they were represented to be. Some six hundred yards rearward the horse-holders were drawn up, mounted, the horses in their charge so disposed as to be mistaken for a body of at least four thousand cavalry, the number indicated by the wily Confederate. The batteries were exhibited in turn, and adroitly shifted from position to position, so as to do double duty in the display. By the time the inspection was concluded Colonel Campbell declared that what he saw far exceeded his conception of the force that confronted him, a force which, he added, ap- peared indeed to be fully ten thousand strong, and made defense on his part fruitless and unwarranted. He therefore proposed to capitulate, asking only that his officers might be allowed to retain their private prop- 468 It. K. Hancock's Diary. erty and side-arms. Of course this proposition was ac- cepted without discussion ; and Major Strange and Cap- tain Anderson, of Forrest's staff, returned with Colonel Campbell, in order that the surrender should take place as speedily as practicable. Accordingl)-. the garrison was soon marched forth without arms, some fourteen hundred, rank and file, and the capitulation was effected by one r. m. "The work thus surrendered was a strong, square redoubt, built upon a high hill, with parapets from eight to ten feet high, encompassed by a ditch ten feet deep, and fifteen feet broad, also with a line of abatis; and the ditch was lined with sharp palisades."* About the time the Federal Colonel was reviewing our lines a train came up from the direction of Decatur filled with Federal infantry, who disembarked about one mile from the work, and were moved forward with the evident purpose of forcing their way to a junction with the invested garrison. The Seventh Tennessee, having been already posted in observation in that quarter, became immediately engaged in a lively skir- mish with these troops, as. soon after, did a detachment of Wilson's and Russell's Regiments, under Lieutenant- Colonel Jesse Forrest (from Wilson's Regiment), de- tached for that purpose by Colonel Bell from his brigade. After passing through or b)- the detachments above named — still pressing on toward the fort, along a fiat rido-e west of the railroad — The Second Tennessee opened upon their right flank, while a detachment of the Fifteenth Tennessee under Lieutenant-Colonel Log- wood, also fell upon their left. The enemy fought, and were handled with decided courage and resolution; *" Forrest's Campaigns," page 563. September, 1804. 469 many of their number were killed or wounded. On coming- in sight of the fort, and seeing that it was in the hands of the Confederates, they quickly threw down their arms and surrendered to the number of four hundred, after having struggled hard for nearly an hour to gain the fort, during which time they had inflicted a considerable loss upon our side.* Fortunately, the garrison in the fort had surrendered just ill time for us to take in this reinforcement. Two block-houses — one half a mile and the other one mile and a half distant from Athens, on the line of the railroad to Decatur — still remained to be reduced. Both were immediately summoned to capitulate. The one most remote succumbed at once, and the garrison (eighty-live officers and men) laid down their arms on the like terms to those granted Colonel Campbell. But a stouter soldier, apparently, held the other fortalice, for, upon being approached by Claib West (Company G, Second Tennessee) with his handkerchief tied to a stick for a white flag, the enemy at first fired upon the flag.f but finally respected it. West advanced and demanded his surrender, whereupon the Federal officer in charge haughtily replied that, having been placed in command by his Government, he would forfeit his life rather than yield. Captain Morton, Chief of Artillery, having closely observed the block-house, formed and expressed to General Forrest the opinion that, notwithstanding the great thickness of its walls of hewn oak timber, by firing at the joints — somewhat wide from shrinkage — he might ■ Lieutenant-Colonel Je-;se Forrest was severely wounded through the thigh. tWest afteiwaril remarked that his handkerchief was s,u dirty that jierhaps the enemy mistook it for a black jiog. 470 K. K. Hancock's Diary. penetrate within the work with his projectiles. There- upon Morton was ordered to turn four of his three-inch rilled pieces upon it. This done at a range of not ex- ceeding three hundred yards, the first shot striking the roof, scattered earth and plank in every direction, while two other shells, penetrating, exploded and killed six and wounded three of the garrison. The effect was instantaneous; the wicket was thrown hurriedly open, and an officer, rushing forth with a white Hag, exclaimed in accents of trreat excitement, as General Forrest rode forward in person to meet him : "You have killed and wounded nearly all my men ; your shells, sir, bore through my block-house like an auger ! " This garrison numbered thirty-five, making the aggregate of prisoners now taken around Athens about nineteen hundred. General Buford was able to improve materially the armament of his division, and to provide about two hundred of his dismounted men with excellent mounts. Colonel Wheeler, of the First Tennessee Cavalry, came up about this time with some two hundred men belong- ing to General Wheeler's Cavalry, left in the country during that officer's recent expedition. His men, too, were furnished with arms and equipments. Four pieces of artillery, five or six ambulances, and some twenty wagons and teams were among the spoils. The cap- tured wagons were loaded with such supplies, medical stores and instruments, and ammunition, as were se- lected by the proper staff officers. The rest of the stores, to a considerable amount, were then set on fire and consumed, together with the two block-houses, the adjacent trestle-work of the railroad, which they com- manded, and all the buildings in and around the redoubt that had been used by the enemy. Meanwhile the dead September, 1864. 471 were buried, and the wounded of both sides collected and properly disposed of in Athens for treatment. Some forty of the enemy were killed, and about one hundred wounded. The Confederate loss was not over twenty killed and sixty wounded. Our regiment lost but one man (Bob Fullerton, from West Tennessee) killed. "We wrapped him in a blanket and buried him where he fell."* The prisoners and captured artillery and wagons, properly guarded, were dispatched rearward in the di- rection of Florence about five p. m. ; and at the same hour Forrest put his main command in motion again* along the line of the Nashville and Decatur Railroad to the northward, for what is known as the "Sulphur Tres- tle," about eleven miles from Athens. On the way two other block-houses were encountered and captured with their garrisons (seventy) without firing a gun. This was effected by a detachment of Roddy's Division, under Lieutenant-Colonel Windes. Both these block-houses and the bridges which they guarded were destroyed. The command bivouacked some eight miles north of Athens. Su7iday 2^th. — Having only three miles to march. F'orrest was in front of Sulphur Trestle early in the morning. The trestle was a costly structure which spanned a deep ravine, with precipitous sides, some four hundred feet broad. It was sixty feet high, and, as may be seen, formed a most vulnerable link in the chain of communication and supply between the F^ed- eral forces in North Alabama and their base at Nash- ville. Hence, its protection was a matter of vital mili- tary importance to the former, and accordingly the ' Manuscript Notes of Colonel C K. Harteau. 472 R. K. Hancock's Diakv. position had been fortified. A square redoubt, with faces of about three hundred feet in length, had been thrown up on an eminence to the southward so as to command the trestle and all approaches. This was furnished with two twelve-pounder howitzers, arranged so as to sweep all possible avenues to the trestle, while, some, two hundred yards in advance, on three sides, it was surrounded by a line of rifle-pits. And two for- midable block-houses were built in the ravine, at each extremity, so as to command the ravine and prevent hostile approach to the trestle by that way. These block-houses and the fort were garrisoned b\ about one thousand men.* Rucker's Brigade being in advance, supported by Roddy's command, and dashing across an open field. charged the rifle-pits and made the enemy seek shelter in the fort after a short skirmish, but not without the loss of several Confederates. Making a close recon- noissance, Forrest saw that the works made the position almost impregnable to his resources, especially since the block-houses were sheltered from his artillery. He spent several hours in unimportant light skirmishes, in the course of which he succeeded, with slight loss, in establishing a considerable portion of his force within one hundred yards of the breastworks of the fort, under cover of the acclivity of the ridge upon which it was built, and some ravines which seamed it. In the mean- time, also. Captain Morton had found and reported four positions for his artillery severally within eight hundred yards of and commanding the fort, from which he might easily explode his shells in it. At this stage of opera- * Third Tennessee (Federal) cavalry, four hundred strong, and about six hun- dred and twenty negro infantry. Septemmek, 1864. 473 tions Forrest determined to resort a^ain to the artifice of demanding a surrender, and, accordingly, Major Strange was sent forward, under flag of truce, with the summons. Fully an hour elapsed before he returned with the answer^ — a positive refusal. Captain Morton was now ordered to establish his bat- teries in the positions which he had selected, and to open with them without delay. Walton's guns were soon in position at two points, from which he enfiladed •a large portion of the southern and western faces of the work, while Morton's own battery, to an equal extent, raked its other two faces, and Ferrell's o-uns were brought to bear from a somewhat more exposed posi- tion in a cornfield within short range of the fort. P rom these hurtful positions the Confederate artillery was speedily plying with perceptible effect. Meanwhile, our regiment, under Colonel Barteau, had been thrown round to an elevated position in an open field north-west of the fort. From this position we had a splendid view of the interior of the Federal w^orks.* For a time the enemy responded vigorously with their two guns, but a shell from Lieutenant Sale's section of Morton's Battery striking the lower lip of one of them, glanced, and, striking the axle, exploded, killing, it is said, five men and overturning the piece, and soon the other was dismounted by a shot planted squarely in its mouth by Lieutenant Brown of the same battery. The Confederate practice was excellent; every shell fell and '•■■A somewhat amusing incident happened about this time. A negro who had come out of the fort and was trying to make good his escape, was captured by some of our boys. As soon as his fright was somewhat over he said : " When dat letter come in dar wid Mr. Forrest's name to it I node dat was no place for dis nigger — I node Mr. Forrest before the wah — I node him as well as I node Mas Jim — he was hard on niggers before the wah." 474 K. R. Hancock's Diaky. exploded within the fort, whose faces, swept in great part by an enfilading fire, gave Httle or no shelter to the garrison, who were to be seen fleeing alternately from side to side, vainly seeking cover. Many found it, as they hoped, within some wooden buildings in the fort, but shot and shell crashing and tearing through these feeble barriers either set them on fire or leveled them to the orround, killing and woundinof their inmates and ad- ding to the wild helplessness and confusion of the enemy who, though making, meanwhile, no proffer to surrender, had, nevertheless, become utterly impotent for defense. Seeing their situation, and desiring to put a stop to the slaughter, Forrest, ordering a cessation of hostilities, again demanded a capitulation. This time the demand was promptly acceded to and the surrender of the block-houses, as well as the fort, was speedil)- ac- complished through the proper staff officers. The interior of the work presented a sanguinary, sick- ening spectacle, another shocking illustration of the lit- tle capacity for command and deficiency of military knowledge of those appointed by the Federal Govern- ment over their negro troops, rather than an example of a stout, loyal maintenance of a soldier's post on the part of the garrison. Eight hundred rounds of ammu- nition had been expended by our artillery in this affair, and at least two hundred Federal officers and men lay slain within the narrow area of that redoubt, giving it the aspect of a slaughter-pen. Among the dead were Colonel Lathrop, the commander, and a number of offi- cers. Comparatively few of the garrison (about thirty) had been wounded. The bursting shells had done their work effectively upon this poor, misofficered force, whose defense, manifestly, from its feebleness, had been Septemher, 18ii4. 47c thus prolonged, because the officers, paralyzed under the tempest of iron showered upon them, knew not what to do in the exigency. Eight hundred and twenty offi- cers and men capitulated ; the other results were two pieces of artillery, twenty wagons and teams, about three hundred and fifty cavalry horses, with their equipments, complete, and a large quantity of ammunition and com- missary stores. This was not achieved, however, with- out some loss on the Confederate side. Captain J. J. Kirkman, of Florence, Alabama, in command of Colonel Johnson's escort, was among the killed. Major J. H. Doan and Captain Carter, of Roddy's command, were severely wounded. Late in the afternoon, Buford was detached with Lyon's Brigade to push forward and destroy the rail- road bridge over Elk River, some seven miles north- ward. Still later our brigade (Bell's), being dispatched to follow and rejoin Buford, camped for the night within one mile and a half of Elk River. The other troops were busily occupied during the rest of the evening and that night in burying the dead, collecting and providing for the wounded of both sides and destroying the trestle and block-houses. Having already expended so large a portion of his artillery ammunition, Forrest now determined to send back to Florence, and across the Tennessee, four pieces of his own artillery, the captured guns and wagons and prisoners, with a suitable escort, commanded by Lieu- tenant-Colonel Locjwood. Monday, 26th. — Setting out from Sulphur Trestle early in the morning. Colonel Johnson, with Roddy's Division, swung round eastward by the way of Upper Elkton, while Forrest, with Rucker's Brigade, moved by 476 li'. li'. Hancock's Diary. a way nearer the line of the railroad, so as to be in supporting distance of Buford, who was ordered to ad- vance along that line as far as Richland Creek, seven miles south of Pulaski, and there Johnson also was in- structed to join him. In the saddle early our brigade rejoined Buford at Klk River. The Federals had evacuated their fort and block-houses at this point during the preceding night. After destroying the large railroad bridge, the block- houses and some trestle, Buford set out with his divis- ion in the direction of the railroad bridge which spans Richland Creek, some eight miles northward. On the way he destroyed another deserted block-house and about 10,000 cords of wood, collected for the operation of the road, in the burning of which he likewise effect- ually impaired at least a mile of the track. The com- mand was then concentrated, and moved on to Richland Creek, over which there was a truss railroad bridge two hundred feet long, defended by a heavy block-house, the garrison of which (forty-five strong) surrendered after a few shells had been burst against it. The bridge and block-house were then consigned to the torch, and the command (including Roddy's Division and Rucker's Brigade) camped for the night. General Forrest has now redeemed the promise which he made to the Second Tennessee while standing inside the Federal works at Fort Pillow. He. then and there, promised to take our regiment home to Middle Tennes- see.* It will be remembered that he would have re- deemed that promise soon after it w^as made had it not been for the Sturgis raid. We left our native State * It will be remembered thai all of our regiment except three companies were from Middle renne.s<.ee. Septemueh, 1804. 477 about two )ears and a half ago, and many of us have not had the pleasure of visitino- our section of the State since until to-da)'. How even a very slight prospect of seeing home and kindred cheers the heart of a poor soldier who has been absent so loner ! Tuesday, 2'/th. — Forrest put his command in motion early that morning toward Pulaski in the following order: Buford still moved along the railroad, Johnson to the right of it. deployed across the turnpike, followed by Rucker's Brigade. In this order the Federal pickets were encountered a mile beyond Richland Creek, and were borne back for another mile, when a heavy Fed- eral force was de\eloped in line of battle, stretched across the turnpike and railroad, here. about four hun- dred yards apart, and on a range of hills affording an excellent position. It was a mixed force of cavalry, artillery, and infantry, apparently not less than six thousand strong, while our force was now reduced to about thirty-three hundred men and four guns. Never- theless, our leader, resolving on the offensive, dis- mounted Buford's and Johnson's small divisions and deployed them across the roads, as Rucker's Brigade, still mounted, was boldly launched to make a detour to the eastward and gain the Federal rear. General Forrest threw forward his escort, on foot, as skirmishers in front of Johnson and to the rightward of the turnpike. Charging up a hill held by the enem)' in that part of the field, they brough on the engagement and gained the position, with a loss of some seven or eight of their number killed or wounded. Meanwhile, Buford and Johnson pressed up with vigor, and an ani- mated musketry and artillery affair ensued.* The * Here Colonel Johnson was severely wounded, and liie command of Roddy's force devolved for tlie rest of the expedition upon Colonel J. K. B. Burtwell. 478 II. U. Hancock's Diary. enemy, however, did not stand their ground, and soon were observed retiring toward Pulaski. At this, order- ing his men to remount and follow, Forrest led the way with his staff and escort, and a running skirmish was kept up until, finally, about three p. m., the Federals filed into position behind their works at Pulaski.* These consisted of a chain of detached redoubts of command- ing positions, interlinked by rifle-pits, the whole fur- nished with artillery, and bristling with abatis. Seeing that the enemy were well fortified at this point, and fully believing that their force was far superior to his own, Forrest only made a menace of an attack upon the southern and eastern faces by pushing forward, slowly but steadily, a strong skirmish line up to within four hundred .yards of the P^ederal intrenchments by nightfall. f x'\nd after dark a broad, long belt of camp- fires, by his orders, blazed on a ridge about a mile and a half from the threatened part of the Federal works. Maintaining his pickets close up to the enemy, and re- newing the camp-fires about nine o'clock, the Confed- erates were quietly formed, and at ten o'clock drew off by the road to the eastward, in the direction of Fayette- ville, with the purpose of striking the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad at, and in the vicinity of, Tulla- homa.J The rain, however, began to pour down, and the night soon became so dark that the artillery and wagon train could not be forced along over the miry, rugged roads of the country, and the command was *Gaus, Forrest's favorite bugler, had his bugle disabled by three balls in this ride. tElisha Briley (Company F", Second Tennessee) was here morlally wounded. j Forrest also sent back to Florence from in front of I'ulaski all unnecessary wagons and teams, some two hundred prisoners, and forty wounded men, under a suitable escort. September, I8G4. 470 halted for the night after a short march of six or seven miles. Wednesday, 28th. — In the saddle by daybreak the movement was resumed, and though the route was by narrow cross-ways, through a broken, extremely rough country, made boggy by recent hard rains, nevertheless the command, much of the time at a sharp trot, marched thirty miles and bivouacked at dark five miles beyond Fayetteville,* on the Tullahoma road. T/mrsday, zgth. — Still pressing on toward Tullahoma, till within fifteen miles of that place, Forrest was there met by scouts with the tidings that a heavy column of Federal infantry was advancing from Chattanooga to meet him, and that the forces which he had left in the lurch intrenched at Pulaski were now on the way by rail, through Nashville, to confront him at Tullahoma. Thus anticipated, Forrest found it expedient to make a radical change in his plan of operations. It was still raining, and the Tennessee River was rising rapidly, while there were no means of ferriage available, except a few old flats at or near Florence. And besides, the enemy in the country were greatly his superior in num- ber, even in cavalry. The situation was extremely pre- carious, and one indeed that required a large measure of coolness and judgment for extrication. Our leader therefore resolved to subdivide his command. General Buford, with Roddy's Division and a part of his own, the artillery and wagon train (about one thousand five hundred men), was ordered to move swiftly upon Hunts- ville, Alabama, seize that place if practicable, and after- ward, destroying as much of the railroad thence to De- * Fayetteville is about thirty miles east of I'ulaski and thirty sovilh-west of Tullahoma. 480 li. K. Haxcock's Diary. catur as he could, throw his command south of the Ten- nessee at that point, if the means were found there. Putting himself at the head of the other detachment, likewise about one thousand five hundred strono, For- rest proposed to move rapidly across the country to Spring Hill, strike the railroad there, and break it up between that point and Columbia, and at the same time drawing alter him hostile forces that otherwise would be sure to follow Buford, and prevent, most probably, the escape of our wagon train and artillery across the Ten- nessee River. Our regiment moved with General Forrest. This suited some of our boys, especially Company B, for a number of that company lived in Williamson County. Both subdivisions were put in motion that afternoon. Turning north-west and crossing the Fayetteville and Shelbyville turnpike, we encamped some fifteen miles south-west of the latter place at a hamlet called Peters- burg. Here Forrest learned through scouts that a strong Federal cavalry force, on the march from Pulaski to Tul- lahoma, v^^as only eight miles distant to the north at the time. Nevertheless, as our weary animals needed rest, Forrest allowed us to remain encamped all night. Friday, ^oth. — Resuming our march across the coun- try, passing through Lewisburg and crossing Duck River at Hardison's ford, to the eastward of Columbia, we camped for the night on the north bank of that river. Saturday, October 1st. — After marching a few miles in the direction of I'^ranklin we turned westward and struck the Nashville and Decatur Railroad at Spring Hill about noon. Here, seizing the telegraph oltice b)- surprise, Forrest found the line in operation from Pulaski to Nashville, OCTOBKK, 1804. 481 and most opportunely intercepted several official dis- patches, which gave precise information with regard to the location at the time of the principal bodies of troops which were afield in pursuit of him. From one of these he was particularly annoyed to learn that General Steed- man was marching with a heavy column toward Hunts- ville, Alabama, with the evident object of cutting off his retreat to the south bank of the Tennessee River. Hav- ing thus acquired as much information as possible touch- ing the movements of the enemy, and sent several mis- leading, spurious dispatches to General Rousseau at Nashville in regard to the Confederate movements, For- rest broke up the telegraph line around Spring Hill, and at two p. m. turned the head of his column toward Columbia, having previously detached a force to destroy the small trestles on the railroad as far northward as Franklin. Large piles of wood collected for the locomotives were burned, as also an extensive Government sawmill and a large quantity of public lumber, about three miles south- ward of Spring Hill; and here were captured thirty fat oxen, six wagons, and some forty mules. Near by were several strong block-houses, but being now without artillery Forrest was perplexed as to the speediest method for their reduction. Howbeit, promptly displa) - ing his force so as to make a formidable show, the oft- tried device of a peremptory demand for a surrender was again adventured. Meeting with an equally prompt refusal he next requested a personal interview with tlu; I^'ederal commander, which being assented to. they nict. Proposing to show to his adversary the forces at his dis- position, so that it might be seen there was no decep- tion on the Confederate side, and furnishing a horse to 31 482 K. R. Hancook's Diaky. the Federal officer, they actually made too^ether a rapid survey of the investing force. Moreover, Forrest, as- suring his antagonist as he was approaching his ambu- lance that he had the means to destro)' the block-houses without artillery, called upon the driver of that vehicle to bring him a vial of " Greek fire." This being done, it was thrown and broken against a fresh oak stump, and the fluid spreading the blaze immediately covered the still green bark. The men cheering lustily at this for the "Greek fire," Forrest, taking advantage of the tu- mult, remarked that as his men were growing excited it were best for them to retire toward the block-house, whither they galloped immediately before the officer was able to scan the positive effects of the Greek fire. The Federal officer now expressing himself satisfied as to the hopelessness of any defense under the circumstances, capitulated both block-houses at five p. m., with sixty- five officers and men. Both structures and the truss bridge, one hundred and filty feet long, which they guarded, were now thoroughly fired and destro)ed. Major Strange was next dispatched with a flag of truce to demand the surrender of, another block-house half a mile distant. The commander was a German, who, greatly excited by the demand, refused not only to yield, but to hold any conference, swearing roundly that he had heard of Forrest before ; that he was a d — d rebel, with whom he would have nothing to do. The man went so far as to threaten to fire on the flag. Hearing this, Forrest set men to collecting and filling sacks with dry chips and other light combustibles, which were then saturated with turpentine and oil, carried for the con- tingency. It was now nine o'clock, and very dark. Colonel Russell was ordered to dismount his regiment October, 18G4. 483 and make an effort to burn the bridge which was guarded by this block-house, in spite of its haughty commander. Russell at once pressed some of his men close up to the work, under cover of the railroad embankment, and while they opened a noisy fire upon the block-house, others — picked men, provided with the bags of combust- ibles — crept to the bridge, and placing these under its braces, at the signal ignited them with the Greek fire, a small vial of which each man carried also. In a moment the bridge was effectually in fiames, and the men who had applied the fire rejoined their companies without hurt. The Confederates, now cheering heartily, ban- tered their adversary, while the Dutchman swore pro- fusely as the Confederates rode away. While this was going on, Colonel Wheeler, whose command was now increased to five hundred men, had been detached and directed to menace Columbia. Meet- ing a stage with several Federal officers, these were captured and the horses appropriated. Coming pres- ently, however, across a force of three hundred Federal cavalry moving after the stage, a sharp collision occurred, in which the Confederates were worsted to the verge of disaster. But, happily, a detachment of the old Forrest Regiment, under Captain Forrest, came up opportunely, and W^heeler, thus reinforced, charged In turn, and drove the enemy rapidly back into Columbia, capturing some twenty-five prisoners and fifty horses. He re- mained for several hours menacing the passage of Duck River and an attack upon Columbia, but after eight i\ M., quietly withdrawing, rejoined P'orrest two hours later, encamped on the road leading down the north bank of Duck River, toward W^illiamsport. Four block-houses and as many large truss railroad 484 R. R. Hancock's Diary. bridges had been burned, and so effectually was the railroad impaired that it would be useless to the enemy for weeks, The following letter will explain how Compan)- C, Second Tennessee, lost (on the above date) a gallant soldier (E. L. Ewing) by mere carelessness: Greenville, Hunt County, Texas, May 8th, 18S7. Mr. R. R. Hancock: My Dear Friend — .... I was placed on picket near the turnpike, between Spring Hill and Columbia, with instructions to come in at the sound of the bugle, but the bugle never sounded, and I never went in; and thus I was left on post. While there the Yankees came upon me, and one of them shot and wounded me in the shoulder, but did not knock me off my horse. The Yankees did not pursue. I rode about one mile and a half to Mr. James T. Moore's, where I had to give it up. I dismounted and walked right into the house, without leave or license, threw myself upon the carpet, and began to feel about for my checks, because I thought that the time had come for me to hand them over; but I was mistaken, for I am here yet. The Yankees got everything that I had, but I fell in the best place in the world. 1 remained at Mr. Moore's under the treatment of Dr. S larber — a man I never shall forget — until the Hood campaign. When Hood retreated from Nashville I fell back across the Ten- nessee River, where I remained until the war closed; but I was never al)le to take up arms any more after I was wounded — in fact, 1 am a cripple to this day. ......... Yours truly, E. L. Ewing. Sunday, 2d. — Throwing his command to the south bank of Duck River, and spreading details over the country to collect beef cattle and bread rations. Forrest meanwhile halted his main force about six miles from Columbia, which he next proceeded to threaten with an attack by a detachment under his own immediate com- mand. Colonel Harteau was ordered to threaten an attack upon the west side of town, while Forrest, turn- ino- rightward, was to strike the railro ul south of town. In speaking of this affair, Colonel Harteau says : October, 1864. 485 Two of my best companies were detached and many men detailed for various purposes, being familiar with the country. I had, there- fore, but fractions of companies, and about seventy-five men in all. With these I was ordered to go down the turnpike to Columbia, while all the other troops made a detour to the railroad to capture stockades, etc. Within a mile of the town we encountered a picket of fifty men, which we drove rapidly in. Remaining near the place some two hours the enemy liad full opportunity of viewing our whole strength, and came out in force, to all appearances, and according to the best judgment of some of my men, about eight hundred strong. Knowini^ that there would be grreat dano-er of having his men all captured if he attempted to make a stand before passing through a deep cut on the west side of Caruthers' Creek, Colonel Barteau now withdrew rap- idly behind that stream, where he succeeded in checking the enemy, who had in the meantime pressed hotly after him. Thomas Barnes (Company D) was captured in this affair at Columbia. After he had surrendered a F"ederal struck him on the head with a gun. He died soon after in prison, and it was thought that his death was caused by the severe blow mentioned above. E. L. Ewing (Company C) was so severely wounded that he had to be left. While Colonel Barteau was thus attracting the atten- tion of the enemy on the west side of town. General Forrest swung round to the south side; but, finding the position to be well fortified, he nevertheless remained on the outskirts of the place until late that evening, harass- ini^ the o-arrison and burnino- some short trestles in the direction of Pulaski. Meanwhile his main force, after his commissary details had discharged their duties, had moved across to Mount Pleasant and bivouacked, and there he. and Barteau joined them that night. iMouday, jd. — Scouts now reported the rapid rising of the Tennessee River; that Buford, unable to capture 486 li. 11. Hancock's Diary. Huntsville, had likewise failed to destroy the Memphis and Charleston Railroad; that General Steedman was moving with a column of infantry, reported to be 8,000 strong, with the evident object of intercepting the Con- federates, in their retreat, at Decatur; that a heavy cav- alry force was pressing across from Tullahoma toward Florence, and a column of infantry and cavalry under Rousseau, from the direction of Nashville.* Thus fully 15,000 Federal troops were now afield after Forrest, who determined to effect a junction with Buford without delay, for in that event he would be able, he hoped, to beat off any cavalry force that he might meet, and by maneuver he would elude any infantr)' column if unable to effect the passage to the south bank of the river. But -for some cause (unknown to the writer) we marched only seven or eight miles, and bivouacked on the road leading through Lawrenceburg. TiLcsday, jftJi. — Passing through Lawrenceburg, thence in the direction of Florence, Alabama, we camped lor the night, after a march of about thirty-six miles. Wednesday, ^tJi. — After a short march Forrest halted within seven miles of Florence until after midnight. We suppose that he made this halt in order to give his scouts time to report. Buford had passed through Florence, and was now ferrying the wagons and artillery at the mouth of Cy- press Creek and Newport. Thursday, 6tJi. — Detaching Company B of the Sev- enth Tennessee to push on with the beef cattle by the direct road to Colbert's F^rry. at the head of Colbert Shoals, F""orrest led the rest of his command, before day- * Rousseau's infantry mainly moxed in wajjons, to secure rapid Iranspoila- tioii. October, 18G4. 487 light, to Florence. The rapid approach of Steedman, from the direction of Huntsville, and Rousseau, from Nashville, made the situation urgent, and our leader now gave his special attention to every possible means for increasing the facilities for ferriage by distributing his command at all practicable points of crossing from the mouth of Cypress Creek to Colbert Shoals. The Fourth Alabama, under Lieutenant-Colonel Windes — from Roddy's command — was left to guard the Huntsville road, while Colonel Barteau was ordered to move the Second Tennessee out a few miles from Flor- ence to picket the "Old Military," or Nashville road. The following is from the manuscript notes of Colonel Barteau : About seven o'clock on the morning of the 7th. in oljfdience to instructions I withdrew from the military road to join Colonel Windes who had been iiressed back on the Huntsville road. We both passed thrtjugh Florence and took a position some two and a half miles west on Cypress Creek, at Martin's Mills, on what is called Martin's Bluff, commanding the main road to the various points at which Forrest was crossing his troops. The enemy came into Florence, and remaining perhaps an hour, fell back to their camps on the Huntsville road to await, as I now suppose, the arrival of the force from Nashville. This was so dis- patched to General Forrest, thinking, as I did, that the enemy would not further pursue or annoy us. .\t the same time Lieutenant-Colonel Windes left with his regiment to make an effort to cross the river, while I waited for instructions and in the meantime was joined by a pan of the Seventh Tennessee, which kindly consented to remain. We camped on the bluff that night. On the morning of the 8th I received a dispatch from Forrest to follow the enemy if they retired toward Huntsville, and to cross the river at some point above. Information, however, reached us through scouts at once that the Federals were moving toward the mills in con- siderable force, and that troojjs had reached Florence from Nashville. We therefore determined to hold the position at all hazards, knowing it the only safety t"or the troops that were then engaged in crossing the river. 48S ]i. \{. Hancock's Diaky. The river, already very high, was still rising, and so full of driftwood as to be extremely dangerous to the swimming horses, while three small Hatboats and not more than ten skiffs were the means of ferria^re at For- rest's command. Nevertheless, by this time all the ar- tillery, the wagon-train, and the larger portion of the troops, had been safely landed on the south bank of the Tennessee, as well as a large number of horses. However, at least one thousand of Forrest's men, with their horses, were still on the north bank of the river, besides those under Colonel Barteau, who was still hold- ing the F"ederals in check at Cypress Creek. As he (Barteau) was in command of all the troops now con- fronting the F"ederals. our Lieutenant-Colonel, G. H. Morton, was in command of the regiment. So well had nature fortified the crossing of Cypress Creek at Martin's Bluff that Barteau, with only a few men. held the heavy Federal force which now confronted him at bay until, finally, about three i*. m.. General Steedman, finding himself unable to force the position, sent a brigade of his cavalry around, by a crossing three miles above, while, soon after, another detachnient was sent around by the way of a ford below. Barteau had taken the precaution to place guards at the crossing above as well as below ; but, however, the Federals did not give our guards time to report — pressing after them at a swift gallop along the roads which concentrated at a point in the Colbert Ferry road only a short distance in rear of our position at Martin's Bluff. Anticipating these movements, Barteau had sent a detachment of the Second Tennessee, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, to reinforce the picket at the upper ford. The Federals had crossed, as above stated, and after a warm collision, October, 18G4. 489 in the course of which he found that he was over- matched, Morton fell back, as he thought, on Colonel Barteau, who had learned, in the mean time, that he was surrounded, and, with the balance of the Second Ten- nessee and a part of the Seventh, Barteau was now cut- ting his way through the Federal brigade that had swunor round to his rear from the other crossinof. See- ing no other way of escape, Morton, with his little band, now dashed boldly out between two lines* of Federals, capturing and bringing off two prisoners. f In speaking of this affair Colonel Barteau says : Being now surrounded by the enemy on all sides, we were com- pelled to charge and break through their lines in order to rescue the men from capture. Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, who led a portion of the Second Tennessee, deserves especial credit for the manner in which he performed this duty, while I, with a part of the Seventh Tennessee and the balance of the Second, turned back the flank of the enemy which were on their rear, and put them [the enemy j in temporary disorder. I did not have here exceeding two hundred and fifty men, while the Federals vvere not less than three thousand. After this I was joined the same evening by Colonel Wilson, with a hundred men, while the Seventh Tennessee went to the river to cross. We spent the night in clsse proximity to the enemy. * After Morton had thus passed out it was said that those two lines opened a heavy fire ujjon each other, each taking the other to be the enemy. tOn reaching the point on the road leading westward from Morton's Bluff, where the roails from the upper and lower crossing came into it, J. W. Kennedy and I halted to watch the road leading back to the upper crossing, while Dotson (Company B) dismounted from his viuU to lay down a fence on the south side of the road for the command to pass through. As they dashed through the gap, which was about two hundred yards from us back on the road leading toward the lower crossing, the boys called out that the Federals were upon them from l)elow. Putting spurs to my horse I passed through the gap just in tivie, while Kennedy, who did not understand the hoys, as I thought he did. was too late to pass through the gap; hemade his escape, however, by forcing his horse to leap two or three fences. By the time Dotson had remounted the Federals were upon him and he surrendered, after which his mule, not being willing to surrender, turned and followed the command in s]iite on an oilcloth, and then rolling the dough around sticks we baked it liefore the fire. OCTOliEK, 186-i. 491 the south side of the island by means of two flat-boats* and one skiff, and by nine a. m., on the 13th, we had all landed safe on the southern bank of the river. We then moved down to luka, Mississippi, where we re- m.ained for the niorht. Friday, 14^/1. — We rejoined our division at Corinth. In the course of the expedition into Middle Tennessee General Forrest placed hors de combat fully three thousand five hundred Federal officers and men, including those taken prisoners. He also captured eigiit pieces of artillery with their caissons and ammunition, nine hun- dred head of horses and mules, more than one hundred head of beef cattle, about one hundred wagons, the most of which were destroyed, three thousand stands of arms an4 accoutrements, with large stores of commissary, ordnance, and medical supplies. He destroyed six large truss railroad bridges, nearly one hundred miles of railroad, two locomotives and some fifty freight cars, several thousand feet of heavy railroad trestling, a Government sawmill, with a large amount of lumber, at least five thousand cords of wood, and finally captured and destroyed ten of their best block-houses, which, with one exception, be it noted, were actually impregnable to ordinary light field artillery. He also brought out of Middle Tennessee a thousand men added to his own immediate command, as well as six or eight hundred who had straggled from Major-General Wheeler in the course of his recent expedition in that region. All this was achieved at the expenditure ot about three hundred officers and men killed and wounded. ... It was accomplished, moreover, in twenty-three days, in the course of which, from Corinth back to Cherokee Station, the Confederate troops marched over five hundred miles. f Roddy's Division was left in North x^labama, while the men belonging to General Wheeler's command were detached, with orders to repair to Gadsden, Alabama, and rejoin their division. * B. A. High and Clail) West found the boats and reported that the way was open to the river, for wiiich they deserve special praise. t " Forrest's Campaigns," p. 588. 492 E. K. Hancock's Diary. I shall here mention a little affair that happened a day or two before our arrival at Corinth. In the dispo- sitions made to meet any attempt to throw a force against Forrest by the rfver, Colonel Kelly was dis- patched to Eastport. where he arrived with less than three hundred men and two guns, just as a fleet of three Federal transports heavily laden with infantry and artillery, and conveyed by two gunboats, came in sight. He threw his men and guns in position without being observed. Fully twelve hundred Federals, three six- pounder rifle guns and about sixty horses were ashore and the infantry formed in line along the river bank be- fore Kelly suffered his riflemen and artillery to open upon them at a moment when the staging was still filled with troops. As soon as Kelly opened the action with both artillery and small arms, the Federals broke ranks beyond the control of their officers and rushed toward the transports. Shell after shell was sent plowing through the flying throng; others crashed and splint- ered through the sides of the transports, and at least two were exploded in a gunboat. At this juncture the cables of the transports being cut loose, drifting off from the bank, their stagings were dropped into the water when crowded with men. who were plunged head- long ii\to the stream, as well as another gun and caisson. In their panic some of the Federals, springing into the river, attempted to swim to and clamber upon the steamers, while others, throwing down their guns, blankets and haversacks and running down the river bank, effected their embarkation about half a mile be- low upon one of the steamers which ventured to touch the bank for that purpose. The results of this brilliant little affair were the capture of seventy-five officers and OcTOHEK. 1804. 493 men. three pieces of rilled field artiller\' and sixty- horses, one gun and two caissons sunk in the river and the drowning and killing of at least two hundred and fifty Federal officers and men. including those hurt on the transports and gunboats. Meeting with such a sum- mary hostile reception the Federal fleet left that portion of the river as rapidly as possible, reporting, it is said, that they had been attacked and beaten off by all of F"orrest's cavalry. Forrest, reporting to Lieutenant-General Taylor, his superior, the results of his expedition into Middle Ten- nessee, asked that General Chalmers, who had been de- tached from his command during his absence should be restored to it, to enable him to make another expedition into the northern part of West Tennessee with a special view toward the destruction of the Federal depot at Johnsonville. All were now astir, shoeing horses and making other necessary preparatior^s for the JOHNSONVILLE EXPEDITION. Our brigade (Bell's), setting out from Corinth early on the 1 6th, camped the first night at Purdy, the second a few miles north of Mifflin, the third near Lavinia, and the fourth (19th) eight miles further north, where ew halted two days. Meanwhile, Buford, having left Corinth on the 17th, with Lyon's LVigade and Morton's and Walton's Batter- ies, arrived at Lexinoton the 20th. Our brig-ade, hav- ing been ordered to join Buford at that place, was again put in motion about one a. m. on the 2 2d. After march- ing back through Spring Creek, thence six miles in the direction of Lexington, the order was countermanded, and we again turned back and camped for the night 49-i K. R. Haxcock's Diary. . — _) within four miles of Sprincr Creek. Continuing our march north-east on the 23CI, our brigade rejoined Bu- ford at Huntingdon on the 24th. where we again halted for three days. Setting out from Corinth on the i8th, General For- rest followed with his escort and Rucker's Brigade, under Colonel Kelly, e7i route for Jackson, by way of Purdy and Henderson Station, effecting a junction at the latter place on the 20th with Chalmers, who had about seven hundred and fifty men of Mabry's Brigade. The next day Forrest established his headquarters at Jackson, where Colonel Rucker, having reported for duty, was reassigned to the command of his brigade,* which thereupon was reported again to General Chal- mers as divisional commander ; whereupon, he was directed to move his division to McLemoresville, some ten miles west of Huntingdon. Thui'sday, 2'/th. — Buford's Division, with Morton's Battery and two twenty-pounder Parrott guns which had been brought up trom Mobile for this expedition, moved from Huntingdon to Paris — twenty-four miles. Fi'iday, zSik. — Continuing his march Buford arrived at Paris Landing, on the west bank of Tennessee River, just below the mouth of Big Sandy River, late that afternoon. After a careful reconnoissance, he estab- lished Bell's Brigade, with a section of Morton's Bat- tery, at Paris Landing; while Lyon, with his brigade and the twenty-pounder Parrotts, was put in position at F"ort Heiman, some five miles below, and the other sec- tion of Morton's Battery, under Lieutenant Brown, was posted some six hundred yards north of Lyon, with * Which had been comniaiuled by Colonel Kelley during Rucker's absence. The latter was wounded at Harrisburij. October, 18G4. 495 orders not to disturb any transports or gunboats until the batteries were thoroughly prepared for action, nor then to fire until such steamer or steamers should have passed into the reach of the river between the batteries. The batteries were in position and ready for action by a little after nightfall. How anxious were the gun- ners to see a steamer pass, in order to have an oppor- tunity to try their skill. By and by, four transports were seen coming down the river. Each man was now at his place ready for the fray, when General Buford, coming up, said : Keep quiet, men, keep quiet, don't fire a gun. These are empty boats going down after more supplies for Sherman's army. I want a loaded boat, a richer prize. Just wait until one comes up the river and then you may take her in if you can. On sped the steamers, unmolested, and soon passed out of sight, without knowing any thing about, the lurk- ing danger. All was now quiet, and remained so for the rest of the night. Sahirday, zgth. — Daylight found Buford's Batteries well masked, and his men still lying in wait for the up- coming steamer. Finally, about half-past eight a. m., the long-looked-for hove in sight. It was the transport steamer Mazeppa, No. 55, heavily laden — with a barge in tow. "See how beautifully the blue smoke curls as she rounds the bend." At nine she passed the lower battery at Fort Heiman. Brown's section of Morton's guns was immediately opened upon her, followed promptly by the heavy Parrotts, commanded by Lieuten- ant W. O. Hunter, and with such effect that, her ma- chinery being speedily disabled, she became unmanage- able, and drifting to the opposite shore, was deserted by her crew. 41)() li. li. HAiN'COCK's Diaky. A daring feat was here performed by Claib West, of Company G, Second Tennessee. Getting on a slab, and usino- a chunk for a seat, he crossed the Tennessee o by the aid of a paddle which he had made with his knife (in anticipation of this trip), and was hfted on board by the captain, who had remained with his boat; and thus West was the first Confederate who boarded the Mazeppa. The captain, by order of West, imme- diately crossed to the west bank in a yawl, in which General Buford.* with a party of men. at once repaired to the Mazeppa, and taking possession, she was soon brought across to the west bank of the river. She proved to be heavily freighted with flour, hard bread, blankets, shoes, clothing, axes, and other military stores, and by five i". m. the greater part of these were safely discharged upon the bank of the river. At this juncture, however, three Federal gunboats came upon the scene, and taking position out of range of our guns, shelled the landing and the Mazeppa with such vigor and precision that Buford found it expedient to burn the steamer, and address himself at once to the security and removal of the stores already landed. Set- ting the Mazeppa on fire, she was soon consumed, and shortly after sundown the gunboats withdrew down the Tennessee. Thus left in possession of the field, our division worked all that night in hauling the captured supplies to a place of safety, with wagons and teams mainly impressed for the service from the neighborhood. On hoaiiiing the steamer and seeing that West had a demijohn, Buford called out. -'The supplies for the soldiers but \\\t: brandy for the Geiiern/.^' At this away went Claib wiih the demijohn and Buford after him. The former, however, soon .-.iicceeded in getting out of sight of the latter by dodging among the cabin^, nml ;\s soon as he had filled his canteen he handed the demijolm over to the General. October, 1864. 497 Sitndciy, joik. — The Second Tennessee was camped in a very nice wood, about one mile and a half or two miles from the river, on the north side of the Paris road. Our men were still hauling the supplies, which had been taken from the Mazeppa the day before, back to our camp, "Now, boys, if you will look at the good shoes, blankets, and clothing lying in heaps over our camp this morning, I think that you will decide that Buford's head was level when he would not allow our artillery to open on those empty boats which passed down night before last, for at least one of them might have passed our batteries and stopped the loaded boat from coming into danger." "We are much obliged to Uncle .\be for the supplies that he sent to us by the Mazeppa." " Perhaps we had better return thanks to General Buford for mak- ing the requisition, and to Captain Morton for enforcing it." '• Well, well, so we get the supplies we will have no quarrel about 7vho gets the thanks. " Early in the morning another transport, the Anna, from above, passing Paris Landing, unaware of the snare in her path, drew the fire of Morton's section of three-inch rifles there; the heavy Parrotts next opened; but Buford. an.xious to capture the boat uninjured, if possible, galloping to the bank, ordered her to come to. Promptly replying that he would do so. the pilot ringing his sio-nal-bell to that effect. Buford directed the firino- to cease. The pilot then cried out that he would round to at the lower landing, but reall)" kept on his course. Speedily apprehending perfidy, Buford ordered the bat- teries to reopen ; nevertheless, the Anna made good her escape from under fire, though well riddled and badly damaged. Several hours later the grunboat Undine came in sieht. also from above, conveying the transport X'enus. with two barges attached. Permitted to pass by a short dis- 32 498 R. K. Hancock's IWary. tance, the upper battery was turned upon the gunboat, which then engaged the Confederates with spirit for nearly an hour, during which Bell's sharp-shooters were so actively employed that, under the etiect of the three- inch artillery and Confederate ritiemen, presently dropped down the river in contact with the battery at Fort Heiman, which was speedily found too formidable to attempt to pass. A short time previous to this, Colonel Barteau had received orders to move his regiment from camp to Paris Landing. On arriving at that place a portion of our regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, was sent down the river. Reaching a point some eight hun- dred yards below the landing, and throwing his men into line, Morton gave the famous commanci, " Dismount, and prepare, on foot, to fight a gunboat." He then deployed his men into line, several paces apart, along the bank of the river, to watch the maneuverinij of the gunboat, which had withdrawn, with the Venus, above and behind the bend of the river, Irom which position it began a noisy shelling of the upper battery, and also the wood in which the Second Tennessee was posted,* while at the same time repairing damages in the hull '"•You have now arrived at the time and place, my dear reader, where the career of the writer as a soldier was brought to a close. As the gunboat at the time of the shelling above named was about one mile below us, and consequently out of range, we were now engaged with small arms just at that time. In order to protect myself, as I thought, from the shells that were flying through the tim- ber, I took a seat on the ground (facing the river) just above a large tree. Soon after which a shell, passing only a few jjaces in front of me, fell and exploded some thirty or forty yards above, a piece of which, flying back, struck me just at the upper extremity of my right thigh, cut oft' the end of my backbone and lodged below my left hip, producing a severe, and our surgeon thought, a mor- tal wound. By my request B. A. High went after Dr. J. M. Hughes, our sur- geon, while some of the boys carried me back toward our horses. After being examined by our surgeon I was carried on a blanket by six of my comrades back to meet an ambulance, which Burt Wiilard had been sent to order up. The October, 18G4. 499 and steam-pipe. During this time, another transport, the J. W. Cheeseman, coming down stream, was speedily brought to, disabled in her machinery by the artillery at Paris Landing. It was now about noon, and General Chalmers had just arrived with Rucker's Brigade and four guns (two of Rice's and two of Walton's), leaving Mabry's Bri- gade and Thrall's Battery at Paris. Being informed of the situation of affairs by Colonel Bell and Captain Morton, Chalmers ordered Colonel Rucker, who had, meanwhile, made a personal recon- noissance to the immediate vicinity of the Undine and Venus, and returning, reported the way practicable for artillery, to take the section of Walton's ten-pounder Parrot guns, supported by the old Forrest Regiment, boys bowed to the passing shells many times as they were carrying me off, though none of them were hurt. Willard found an ambulance perhaps over a mile from the river, but the driver refused to go any nearer. Drawing his revolver, Willard soon made that Thereupon the section was halted and turned upon the absurdly frantic negroes, while Rucker's veterans, bringing their far-reaching rifles down upon them, one volley and a salvo speedily dispersed the howl- ing, capering crowd, who scampered away in the wildest confusion, but a number were left dead or wounded upon the river bank. This drew a few shells from the redoubt, but the Confederates moving off unharmed rejoined their companions. As results of this happily-conceived and well-executed operation, it remains to recount the destruction at Johnsonville of three gunboats, eleven transports and some eighteen barges, and of buildings, quarter- master's and commissary's supplies, according to the Federal estimate, to the value of over eight millions of dollars. Two transports, one gunboat and three barges had been captured and destroyed previously. This had been accomplished with the loss of the two twenty-pounder Parrotts, which fell into the hands of the enemy with the transport Venus upon her recapture, and two men were killed and four wounded. General Forrest had just received orders from General Beauregard, directing him to repair with his entire command to Middle Tennessee and form a junction with General Hood, betAveen Florence and Co- lumbia, and with that object he now took the field, marching under a hard, chilly rain* some twenty miles that afternoon in the direction of Perryville, where he hoped to effect the passage of the Tennessee River. In spite of the fact that the roads were extremely deep with mud, the command reached Perryville by the afternoon of the 6th. Two yawls were brought up on wagons from the Undine, and with these the crossing began that night and continued during the 7th, until about four hundred of Rucker's Brigade had been crossed. Meanwhile, some pontoons came up, and an effort was made to construct a raft with them that would carry the wagons; a small, frail flat also had been built; but this and the raft proved to be unable to stand the driftwood with which the rapid current of the stream was flooded; and the river was still rising at the rate of two feet in twenty- four hours. Therefore, directing Rucker to move forward to Mount Pleasant to effect a junction with General Hood, Forrest, on the morn- ing of the 8th, determined to abandon the effort to cross the river at Perryville, and push forward to Florence. Chalmers was directed to move directly upon luka by the river roads in that direction, which *" Severe cold weather was now upon us, yet, thanks to our General, we had drawn from the Federal stores an abund.mt supply of warm clothing." — Manu- script Notes of Colonel C. R. Barteau. 510 Ii. I.'. Ha.vcock's Diary. were found as Ind as possible. Buford marched with his division by way of Corintli. Artillery moved with both divisions. The rain still poured down in torrents as the Confederates pressed on over the clay hills of the country, and through the deep mud and mire, all weary and constantly wet to the skin; and one day so nearly impassable were the roads that, working from sunrise until after night, Morton's Battery was only transported two miles and a half. Unable to get fresh horses, the artillery teams were increased from twelve to sixteen horses to a gun ; and oxen being mipressed, eight of them were attached to a piece, after which there was less difficulty. Chal- mers finally reached luka with a part of Rucker's Brigade and the Fifth Mississippi, on the 13th; Mabry's Brigade having been detached, under order from General Forrest the day before, to garrison the dei)0t at Corinth. Buford's Division arrived at luka the 14th.* On the 1 6th, both divisions were ordered to move up to Florence, where Chalmers arrived on the afternoon of the 17th, having crossed the Tennessee on a pontoon bridge, constructed for General Hood's army; and his command, moving out, encamped two miles north of the town. Buford's Division did not cross until the morning of the iSth.t (leneral Hood's army was found encamped on both sides of the river, and now busily engaged preparing for an advance movement. "The Army of the Tennessee" was divided into three corps (Stewart's, Cheatham's, and Lee's), consisting of An effective total of infantry 25,000 An eft'ective total of artillery 2,000 Jackson's Division of cavalry 2.000 Total 29.000 * Manuscript Notes of Colonel Barteau. t By my request. Lieutenant Geo. F. Hager (Company G) very l the enemy V Our colonel mildly replied, "Ride with me, General, and I will show you where they are.'' General Buford rode with them. They had not gone, far, however, before a volley from the Federal sharp- shoot- ers, which luckily did no other harm only that of killing General Bu- ford's horse, convinced Forrest that the enemy was not as far oft" as he had supposed. Biffle came up with liis demi brigade and reported to Chalmers on the evening of the 26th. Meanwhile, all of General Hood's infantry having come up by the afternoon of the 2 7lh. they relieved Forrest's Cavalry, which was then redisposed — Chalmers at Webster's Mills, about ten miles south-west of Columbia, Jackson at Fountain Creek, and Buford in the neighbor- hood of Berlin, on the Lewisburg turnpike. On the night of the 27th Forrest was ordered to attempt to throw the cavalary to the north bank of Duck River, early the ne.\t morn- ing, to cover the construction of the pontoon bridge for the passage of the infantry. Accordingly, Buford was instructed to pass the stream on the Lewisburg-Franklin turnpike, Jackson at Hall's Mill, nine miles east of Columbia (and west of Buford), Chalmers at Hol- land's Ford, two miles west of Jackson, while Forrest, with his escort and Biffle's force, was to attempt a ford two miles west of Chalmers. The enemy, however, had evacuated Columbia during the night and taken up a strong position on the north side of Duck River. The ■weather was cold and disagreeably wet. The fords of Duck River, all greatly swollen and swift, their passage was not only tedious but hazardous, for only the tallest horses could effect it without swimming. Notwithstanding the enemy had disputed their passage, Forrest, Chal- mers, and Jackson stood upon the north bank late that afternoon. Buford, however, found that while a strong Federal cavalry force stood upon a ridge a few hundred yards from the river, about twenty men were posted in a small temporary fort on the immediate north bank, so as to command the ford at which he had been instructed to cross. Therefore it was necessary to dislodge the enemy from tliat fort before The Hood Campaign. 515 he could effect a crossing. Accordingly Barteau was ordered to throw a j)ortion of the Second Tennessee to the north bank of the river for that purpose. Logs were fastened together by means of ropes and halter-reins, and thus a raft was soon constructed, upon which the men were to cross. The Second Tennessee was now called upon to perform a daring feat — to face a double danger — that of being drowned while attempting to cross that swollen, rapid stream upon such a frail craft, as well as being killed by the enemy. It was thought that about twelve would be a sufficient number of men to cross, from the fact that they could be supported by those on the south bank. Not wish- ing to make a detail in a case of this kind, our colonel called for vol- unteers. Seeing that the boys were rather slow to volunteer, and not being willing to call upon his men to go where he was not willing to share equally the danger with them, our noble and daring colonel said, "I will go, for one.'" More than the requisite number, imme- diately stepping forward, replied, "Colonel, you can remain on this side; we will go." The raft was soon after shoved from the bank with about twelve men upon it.^' One rope broke, and it appeared that the raft was about to part asunder in the midst of the stream. Captain Sam Barkley ran down the river with a long pole, hoping to be able to reach our boys with it and thus float the raft back to the south bank. But. luckily, he found a canoe, into which he immedi- ately got, and was soon in front of the raft, which was then fastened to one end of the canoe, while Captain Barkley soon after chained the other end to the north bank; and thus they were all safely landed, some distance below tlie fort. By passing back up the river near the water's edge our boys were protected from the enem\ "s fire by the river bank, which they Itegan to ascend on reaching a point near the fort, when, at the same moment, those on the south bank raised a yell and the Federals broke. Then leaping into their saddles the Second Tennessee swam the river and gave chase, led by Colonel Barteau. One of the Federals was killed and two or three captured, and thus the way was opened for the division to cross without the loss of a man on our side; though several of the boys got a ducking, and one of Company C — Coon Elkins — was thrown from his horse, and, perhaps, would have been drowned had he not been heljied out. .\s it was now dark, and Buford had not yet learned^that the rest of our cavalry had crossed, he decided that he would not cross his * Bran>ford Ewing and Mike Lorance went from Company C \\'i>h I could give the names of all that gallant hand. 5l() K. K. Hancock's Diakt. division that night. Therefore, Barteau was ordered lo recross and bivouac on the south bank of Duck River. Had our colonel known when he first crossed the river that aid was so near at hand, he could have had quite a lively lime; for, while Armstrong pressed on after the enemy northward, Jackscn, turning eastward with Ross' Brigade, struck the Federals, whom Barteau had driven from Buford's front, capturing their field train, including ordnance wagons, a stand of reg- imental colors, and about eighty men with their horses. Meanwhile, Chalmers, having moved toward the the north-east for some hours after dark, was directed by General Forrest to halt and bivouac about four miles from the river. Buford threw his division across by day- light on the ;j9th, and followed the other divisions toward Franklin. Chalmers and Jackson resumed the pressure upon the Federal cavalry toward Hurt's Cross-Roads, before dawn, the first by a narrow country road through the cedar thickets of that region, and the latter by the Lewisburg-Franklin turnpike. Meanwhile, the Federal commander, Schofield, had put his infantry in motion toward Franklin by the way of Spring Hill. Having thrown a pontoon bridge across Duck River last night, about three miles east of Columbia. ^i' Hood was now moving, with Cheatham's and Stewart's Corps and one division of Lee's Corps, to intercept the Federal column at Spring Hill. The remainder of Lee's Corps was left to threaten an attack, and follow Schofield if he should retire.* In the meantime, Jackson, having come up with the Federal rear near Rally Hill, engaged with animation and drove the enemy stead- ily back in a series of well-contested combats. At the same time Chalmers had been engaged in some sharp brushes with the Federals in his path. Buford havmg come up with his division, the whole Con- federate cavalry were now assembled near Hurts Cross-Roads, in the immediate presence of a superior hostile force. An immediate attack was then ordered and a sharp encounter re- sulted, in which the enemy were borne steadily but doggedly rearward as far as Mount Carmel, on the Lewisburg-Franklin road. The coun- try, rocky and rugged, was thickly clad with cedars and difficult, of course, for cavalry movements, so that for the most part the fighting was on foot, which, however, was now Forrest's habitual tactics. Armstrong's Brigade, all fighting admirably, had here an obstinate Military .■Vnnals of Tennessee, page 105. The Hood Campaign. 517 combat, and Buford's men, including the Second Tennessee, were thnnvn into action with their accustomed vigor. Pressed back by their eager, indomitable enem\-, now mounted, the Federal cavalry turned and stood at bay at several favoring positions, from which they were driven only after most obstinate contests up to within five or six miles of Franklin. Here, leaving several regiments in observation, Forrest turned off abruptly and moved swiftly across the country toward Spring Hill with the rest of his force. Meeting a small cavalry force, it was at once brushed back upon a large infantry command found in occupation of a long line of breast- works extending around east and south of Spring Hill, while another infantry column was known to be en route between that place and Co- lumbia, on the turnpike. Every disposition was now made to attack and check the infantry in movement, and some sharp skirmishing had taken place when General Forrest received a dispatch from General Hood directing him to attempt to hold the enemy in check at that point until Cheatham's and Stewart's Corps, then near at hand, should come up. The skirmishing, therefore, was continued with such effect that the enemy withdrew all their pickets and outposts behind their fortification, and about four o'clock p. m., Forrest, dismounting his whole force, disposed of it as if in menace of a general attack. At length Cheatham's Corps of infantry came up, and Cleburne's iJivision being advanced and formed in line on the left of Chalmers and Buford, it was arranged that a serious joint attack should be made upon the Federal position. Chalmers and Buford, however, were nearly out of ammunition and the plan of attack was that after the onset Cleburne should hold the ground gained until the rest of the troops should come up. The attack was handsomely and successfully made, for after a short though stubborn stand the enemy yielded the position and fell back upon a second line, which, however, was not a strong one. The Second Tennessee, led l)y Colonel Barteau, assisted by Lieu- tenanant-Colonel Morton, did their full duty here as well as at all other places where they had met the enemy since they had been mov- ing in advance of Hood's army. Our colonel was slightly wounded at Spring Hill, though not disabled. I regret that I am not able to give the loss of the Second Tennessee during this day's fighting, though Tump Polk (Company A. I believe) was among the number killed. Captain B. H. Moore (Company G) was knocked down, though not seriously hurt. 518 R. K. Hancock's Diary. It was now dark; Forrest's men, engaged in action since sunrise^ had exhausted their ammunition and were worn down from hard work without intermission for the past week ; therefore the)" were withdrawn to feed their horses and bivouac out of immediate contact with the en- emy's picket?;, the infantry being left to hold the ground acquired. About nine that night General Stewart's Corps came up to the im- mediate vicinity of Forrest's headquarters and these two officers rode together to General Hood's headijuarters, a mile distant. On the way thither, however, Forrest was surprised to find that Cleburne's Division had been withdrawn from the position in which he had supposed it was to remain through the night and had gone into bivouac somewhat remote from it, leaving no Confederate soldiers interposed across the highway south of Spring Hill, and therefore throwing that road open to the rear divisions of the Federal army. At the same time, also, a dispatch overtook him from Jackson, who had been thrown round with his division across the turnpike northward of Spring Hill, reporting that being overmatched and pressed back upon the road, he stood in need of immediate aid. Buford and Chalmers having already ex- pended sixty rounds of ammunition during the day, were without a cartridge. Forrest, therefore, hurried on to report the situation to the General-in-Chief. General Hood seemed surprised that Cheatham's Corps had not been held in position across the turnpike, declaring that he had so ordered it expressly. Turning to General Stewart, he in- quired whether he could not establish his corps in that position. There was some immediate obstacle, and the Confederate General now asked Forrest if he could not throw his cavalry upon the turnpike in time to check the Federal retreat. The cavalry general replied: "That as Chalmers and Buford were without ammunition their commands would be inefficient, leaving him only Jackson's Division for the service. That, luckily, had captured enough ammunition in its operations of the day for present purposes. But he would do the best he could in the emer- gency." General Hood then remarked that he would order his corps commanders to furnish the requisite ammunition. But upon applica- tion, it was found that neither Stewart nor Cheatham was able to sup- ply it; their ammunition trains, as well as Forrest's, had failed to come up. Returning to his own headcjuarters, Forrest found Jackson await- ing him. After a short consultation, Jackson, engaging to establish his division upon the road at Thompson's Station (about four miles north of Spring Hill), and endeavor to hold the rearward column of the enemy in check at that point, left at once with that object. By The Hood Camtaign. 510 midnight Jackson's guns began to be heard in an animated engage- ment in the north, and a continuous uproar of musketry resounded from that direction throughout the night, and never did so small a force (less than 2,000) fight more tenaciously or stoutly than Jackson's Division on this occasion. The force encountered (a heavy column of infantry pressing on toward Franklin) was too powerful, however, for Jackson's slender force. He was unable to do more than harass the masses that forced their way by him during the night and to oblige them to abandon a number of wagons, which he burned, while a con- siderable number of the enemy were killed and captured, and one oj his brigades (Ross') came upon and destroyed a train of cars near Thompson's Station. In his official report General Hood says that General Stewart was furnished with a guide, and ordered to place his corps across the road north of Spring Hill. In the dark and confusion he did not succeed in getting the position desired. About midnight, ascertaining that the enemy was moving in disorder, with artillery, wagons, and troo|)s intermixed, Hood sent instructions to General Cheatham to advance a heavy line of skirmishers, still further to impede the retreat. "This," continues Hood, "was not accomplished. "The enemy continued to move along the road in hurry and con- fusion nearly all the night. Thus was lost a great opportunity for striking him for which we had labored so long — the greatest this cam- paign had offered, and one of the greatest during the war. " Lieutenant-General S. D. Lee, left in. front of the enemy at Co- lumbia, was instructed to press him the moment he abandoned his po- sition at that point. He did not abandon his work until dark, show- ing that his trains obstructed the road for fifteen miles during the day and a great part of the night." ^- On the morning of the 30th, after procuring ammunition from Wal- thall's Division, Chalmers was at once detached across west of Spring Hill to the Carter's Creek turnpike to cover the left flank of the Con- federate army, while the Kentucky Brigade of Bufords Division was likewise detached to move with a similar object in connection with Hood's right flank, on the Lewisburg-Franklin turnpike. At the same time Forrest, with his escort and Bell's Brigade, moved directly in front of the infantry toward Franklin. About six miles in advance of Spring Hill he came up with Jackson, still hanging closely upon and *See "Rise and Kail of the Confedernle Government," by ex-Preside-U Davis, page 575. r)20 R. K. Hancuck's L»iakv. harassing the Federal rear gviard. l>ell was then thrown forward to take part, and a continuous skirmish resulted for some four miles, un- til the enemy had withdrawn behind their lines in front, or south of Franklin. After a careful reconnoisance, Forrest returned to meet General Hood, whom he found at the head of his army three miles south of Franklin about one i*. M. The whole army halted, and no movement occurred for at least one hour. Franklin lies in a bend and on the south side of the Harpeth River, on a gentle plateau. Immediately in front, or south of the town, a strong line of breastworks extended across the throat of the horseshoe- shaped bend in which Franklin is built. General Hood was of the belief that the main Federal force was already in rapid retreat, and that the apparent defensive preparations were merely counterfeit, with the view of gaining time to secure that retreat.* His determination, therefore, was to defeat it by immedi- ately storming the place rather than to turn it. Accordingly, by four p. M., the preparations for that ill-starred operation were completed. As ordered, Forrest had formed Buford's Division, dismounted imme- diately on the right of Stewart's Corps of infantry, filling the space be- tween the I>ewisburg turnpike and the Harpeth River, while Jackson's Division was thrown across that stream to engage the Federal cavalry on Buford's right. At the same time Chalmers' Division, including Biffle's Demi-brigade, was on the extreme Confederate left. Moving in line with the infantry, Buford soon came in collision with a heavy cavalry force, but advancing steadily after an engagement of more than half an hour, in which his men fought with their wonted steadiness, their immediate adversary withdrew across the Harpeth. While our division was advancing, as above named, tlie vSecond Ten- nessee, fighting admirably and ever well led, made several successful charges, in the last of which Colonel Barteau was slightly wounded in the temple. The ball cut a piece from his hat, a thick felt hat, that probably saved him from being killed or severely wounded. Captain B. H. Moore was severely wounded in the leg. Of the part taken by the Second Tennessee in the above action, Colonel Barteau says: *Schorield was withdrawing. He had sent a part of his troops and a large part of his train to the north side of the Harpeth, but discovering that Hood was going to attack him, the Federal commander threw his men back into the fortification!; just in time to meet the onset. This the writer has recently learned through a gentleman who had talkci with (-lenei-al Schofield about this affair since the war closeil. Thk Hood Campaiux. .")"21 •'At Franklin we were on the right,* and Armstrong was on the right of us. We took part, on foot, in several charges, with Arm- strong, mounted, on- our right, in the commencement of the engage- ment in front of the works." Jackson having called for aid, Buford was ordered to oblique to the right to his support. In the meantime, however, Jackson had gained a footing which he was able to hold, and Buford withdrew a few hun- dred yards up the river, where he fed his horses and remained for the rest of the night. Meanwhile, Chalmers, on the left flank, drove in the skirmishers in his front, and charging, forced a detachpient to give up a stone wall in advance and retire behind the breastworks. Pressing them hotly to within sixty yards of their Ime he was not strong enough to attempt to storm their present cover. He therefore established his own men under convenient shelter, from which he maintained an incessant .skirmish in that part of the field. I take the following from the pen of Lieutenant-General A. P. Stewart : "The enemy were found in line around the place, strongly in- trenched, with open ground in front, and at some points an abatis of osage orange or locust. The two corps and the odd division that had made the flank movement from Columbia the day before were dis- posed around the place in order of battle. The remainder of the third corps was held in reserve. About four o'clock the order was given by General Hood to advance, and the most furious and des- perate batde of the war in the West ensued. The enemy's first line was swept away, and the main line broken at one or more points, but restored by a most determined charge. Nothing but the line of in- trenchments separated the combatants, and of course retreat in this situation was impossible. "The struggle continued with more or less violence until nine ©clock, after which the fire slackened and ceased, and about three in the morning the enemy quietly withdrew, leaving his dead and wounded on the field. "Never was anv field fought with more desperate courage on both sides than this ill-fated one of Franklin. "Both armies lost heavily. On the Confederate side, among the *I suppose that our colonel here means on the right of Buford's Divi.sion. I find that some of our boys think that the Second Tennessee was on the left of our division. 522 K. K. HANCOCK'S Jjiaky killed were Major-General Cleburne and Brigadier-Generals Gist^ Adams, Strahl, and Granbury. Among the wounded, Major-(ienera^ Brown, Brigadier-Generals Carter (mortally), Manigault, Quarles, Cockrill, and Scott; Brigadier-General Gordon, captured."* The loss of Forrest's Cavalry in this mortal battle was light com" pared with that of the infantry, which, including some seven hundred prisoners, was over six thousand. The enemy, fighting from behind excellent cover, suffered lightly, according to their reports, having lost not more than two thousand three hundred and thirty-six, of which eleven hundred and four were prisoners. " We cannot give the exact losses of Forrest's Divisions at Frank- lin. Chalmers' Division, hoVvever, had lost (killed and wounded) one hundred and sixteen officers and men ; and Buford's, ninety-one, in the several affairs in which they had been engaged in the past week."'t It having been discovered (December ist) that the enemy had evacuated the position, the cavalry were at once ordered to move in vigorous pursuit. Accordingly, Chalmers, still holding the left flank, was directed to bear leftward to the Hillsboro-Nashville turnpike, and follow it to the latter place; Buford, thrown across the Harpeth right- ward of Franklin, in conjunction with Jackson, at the same time hung close upon the Federal cavalry on that flank east of the Franklin highway. Forrest moved with this force. Coming up with their adversary within four or five miles, several sharp bits of fighting re- sulted, as the hostile cavalry was forced back toward Brentwood, and in that vicinity Buford and Jackson, co-operating, made several dash- ing charges. The Second Tennessee, led by our daring colonel, making a dashing charge, mounted, completely routed the enemy in their quarter of the field.;}; These threw the Federal column into a good deal of disorder, while as many as three stands of colors and a hundred prisoners, with their horses, were won on these occasions. * Military Annals of Tennessee, page 105. t Campaigns of General Forrest, page 629. t D. B. Willard, who was a skirmisher on the extreme right, cajilured one man and five horses. As he was taking his prisoner back to the guards another Confederate wanted to " prowl him." "No," said Willard, '■^ you cannot prcnoi this prisoner while he is in my possession.^'' After he had been turned over to the guards this prisoner showed how highly he appreciated the above remark by making Willard a present of seventy dollars in "greenbacks,'' saying at the- same time, " I had rather (or yon to have this money than any other living man." Tjie Hood CA.MPAKiN. ')23 On Chalmers' flank, slight or no impediment was encountered. When within six miles of Nashville, however, the cavalry divisions were halted and thrown into position for the night, directly in advance of the infantry, on a line stretching from the Nolansville turnpike on the right across a distance of six miles to the Granny White turnpike. On the next morning (December 2d), Chalmers, including Biffle, moved up early to the immediate vicinity of Nashville, on the Hills- boro and Harding turnpikes, while Forrest advanced with Buford and Jackson, by the Nolansville road, to within three miles, but in full view of the State-house. Having been relieved by the infantry about midday, Buford's Division (now reduced to about one thousand effectives) was directed to destroy the stockades on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, while maintaining a chain of pickets on the right of the Confederate army across to the Lebanon turnpike. Intrusting this service to Bell's Brigade, Buford moved promptly with his Rentuckians to attack the block-houses. In disposing his pickets. Colonel Bell ordered the Second Tennessee to take post on the Murfreesboro turn])ike five miles from Nashville and one mile north of the Insane Asylum. As (ieneral Buford was then moving with the Kentucky Brigade to attack the block-house known as No. 1, five miles from Nashville, the Second Tennessee moved with him. He crossed the railroad a little south of the block-house, and thence turning northward he deployed his men in line behind a ridge only a few hundred yards east of the block-house. Buford ordered Barteau to halt and aid in the attack upon block-house No. I before moving to his picket post, which was then less than a mile distant. This block-house proved to be capable of a prolonged, formidable defense. Cruciform in figure, its walls were built of un- seasoned oak timber at least three feet thick, upon which field artillery made little impression, and as the roof of the structure was well covered with earth, it would have been a difficult matter to set it on fire. It appears that General Buford had unthoughtedly neglected to tear up the railroad as he crossed it, for soon after he had crossed a train of cars came up from the direction of Murfreesboro with negro troops, who, leaping from the cars, ran into the block-house. General For- rest, who had halted on the west side of the railroad, seeing this, came dashing around to where Buford was, evidently in a bad humor because the latter had thus allowed the block-house to be reinforced. On reaching the scene he ordered Buford to take the block-house with his Kentucky Brigade, or J>ot/i if nfccs.uiry. " How do you exjject me 524 R. K. Hancock's Diary. to take it, General?" inquired Biiford. ^^ Stop the port-holes with nuis and bum it,'" was the promi)t and emphatic reply. Barteau was then ordered to throw forward one-fourth of his men as skirmishers, who, advancing steadily and taking advantage of the best cover at hand, -opened fire at the port-holes.* The men now evidently expected to be called upon to at least make an attempt to carry out Forrest's order, though the operation was regarded by all present as very dangerous, if not impossible, and therefore the order was received with a great deal of dissatisfaction. But in place of ordering his men to storm the fortalice, Buford ordered Captain Morton to pound it with his battery, which was immediately thrown forward uj)on the ridge, supported by the Second Tennessee. Thus invested and battered by Morton's guns, on the morning of the 3d the garrison capitulated — some eighty officers and men. The Second Tennessee received the surrender, and it was then learned that about ten of the garrison had been killed and twenty •wounded. So far as I know there was not a man of our regiment hurt, though perhaps one of Captain Morton's men was killed and one wounded. ' While Buford moved southward with the Kentucky Brigade the Second Tennessee moved over to picket the Murfreesboro turnpike, where they remained until called off to go with Forrest to Murfrees- boro on the morning of the 5th. They were not molested by the en- emy during these two days and nights. Notwithstanding they were on picket duty, it was rest compared with what they had been doing for the last ten days. No. 3 was next essayed by Buford, as also No. 2 — the block-house ■on Mill Creek — and both succumbed, after some delay and parley, on the morning of the 4th. All three were destroyed. Two hundred and fifty officers and men had been taken from the three block-houses. Leaving a detachment of two hundred and fifty men, under Colonel Nixon, to guard and picket from the Murfreesboro road to the Cum- berland River, Forrest set out on the morning of the 5th, with Jack- son and Buford, for Murfreesboro. At Lavergne Jackson was ordered to move around to the south-east of town and reduce a redoubt in that ■quarter, while Forrest himself, with Buford, beset block-house No. 4, which guarded a trestle-bridge over a creek near that place. At the *"I," says J. W. Hays, Company C, "happened to be No. 4, and as I started oft" with that skirmish line I said to one of our company, 'Please see that niv hor-^e is -i-.-nt lionic, fi>r I m-;er t-xfir-ct to fi,Wi' lUiv more use for him.'' " TuK Hood ('AMi'AKiX. r)25- usual formal demand to surrender the work was yielded, with forty officers and men; and in the same way the redoubt surrendered to Jackson, with eighty prisoners, two pieces of artillery, several wagons and teams, and a considerable store of military supplies. The block- house and a number of barrack buildings ha-ving been burned, the ex- pedition was resumed, but tlie force was strengthened by General Wm. B. Bate's Division, ordered to co-operate. Another block-house, at Smyrna Station, was captured and destroyed by a cavalry detach- ment, and thirty-five more prisoners were added to those already taken that day. That evening the cavalry approached within four miles of Murfreesboro, but the infantry was unable to reach the scene until the next morning. Soon after the infantry came up in front of Murfreesboro, on the morning of the 6th, it was formed in line, and promptly throwing for- ward skirmishers, offered battle, which, after some feeble skirmishing for two hours, the enemy refused unless attacked in position, and ac- cordingly suspended firing. Meanwhile, after making a careful, close reconnoissance, Forrest decided that the works were really impregna- ble to the force at his disposition, occupied, as they were known to be, with full eight thousand men, under General Rousseau. In reference to the operations of the Second Tennessee during the ' 6th, Colonel Barteau says: "We were skirmishing most of the day around Murfreesboro, our position being at firr.t near the center. General Bell and myself were together a great deal, and moving wherever it seemed necessary, en- gaging the enemy at different points. Toward evening the Second Tennessee was placed on the extreme left. My orders were to watch and checkmate any movement of the enemy to flank around in that direction, or get to our rear. "At nightfall, while the balance of the troops were withdrawing to go into camp, I was ordered to reconnoiter and see what the enemy were doing, and report. I took a detachment of men with me and stationed them along, two or three at a place, on the route we would follow back. One of my men, going ahead, soon returned and re- ported a scout of Federals or other force approaching a field of open timber ahead of us. After waiting some little time I concluded to go forward and ^ see for myself .' I only asked this one man to volunteer to go with me (and wish now I could recall his name), ^^'e had pro- ceeded some distance when my horse, jumping a ditch, made one of those peculiar snorts that 'Old Selim' was noted for. Simultaneously o2n K. R. Hancock's Diary. a shot from among the timber struck me. I had my pistol in hand, but the violent jump across the ditch and the shot had disarmed me, and wheeling around I recrossed quietly at another place and rode to camp with considerable pain. This ended my service in the war." So it was in front of "Murfreesboro, on the 6th of December, that our dear colonel led the Second Tennessee for the last time ; "yet we did not think so at the time, not anticipating that the struggle was so near its end, but all fondly hoping to see him again at the head of the regiment. He did not fully recover until some time after the close of the war. ''The command of the regiment during the retreat devolved on Lieutenant Colonel Morton, who always commanded the highest re- spect and utmost confidence of General Forrest, perhaps receiving more complimentary notices from his su])eriors than any other lieu- tenant-colonel on the line."'* After nightfall, General Buford, with the Kentucky Brigade and a part of Bell's Brigade, including the Second Tennessee, moved around to the Double Springs on the Woodbury turnpike, three miles east of town. That evening Forrest was slightly reinforced by two small infantry brigades (Sear's and Palmer's), about one thousand six hundred men, making his force now about six thousand five hundred strong, of all arms. It was late, however, and no further operations were attempted that afternoon. Taking post early on the morning of the 7th, with Palmer's Brig- ade (infantry) on a hill southward of the Wilkerson turnpike, two miles from Murfreesboro, General Forrest presently observed a heavy hostile column swiftly emerging from Murfreesboro by the Salem road. At the moment the Confederates were s])read over a crescent reaching from the Woodbury turnpike (Buford's position on the east) to Palmer's position. A new disposition was necessary to meet the menaced at- tack. Retiring Palmer rapidly to the north side of the Wilkerson road, Forrest threw forward a line of battle extending from Overall's Creek in the direction of Murfreesboro. It was formed of Bate's Di- vision and Sear's and Palmer's Brigades, with Jackson's Division of cavalry, a brigade disposed on each flank of the infantry. Meanwhile, the enemy moving handsomely forward, drove in the Confederate pickets and pressed vigorously forward to grapple with *See sketch of Second Tennessee by Lieutenant Geo. F. Ua^ei in Military Annals of Tennessee, page 622. The Hood Campaign. 527 the main line. From some inexplicable cause the Confederate in- fantry, except Smith's Brigade (though veterans of every hard-fought field in the West), fell into disorder, and did not stand to meet the oncoming charge. In this emergency Forrest dispatched Major Strange to General Jackson,* to acquaint him with the critical situa- tion, and to say that all depended upon the staunchness and gallantry of his division. With admirable spirit was the responsibility accepted. Ross' Brigade was instantly thrown forward in front, wliile Armstrong attacked vigorously on the right flank and rear, and such was the res- olution and vehemence of these charges that, first checking, they pres- ently forced the enemy to give back and yield the field. While this was going on Buford. about midday, moving down the Woodbury turnpike with some five hundred men and Morton's Bat- tery, halted and dismounted his men within about four hundred yards of College Hill. Then deploying Bell's Brigade on the right and the Kentuckians on the left of the turnpike, he drove the enemy steadily back, until his skirmishers ])enetrated to the heart of the town. Meanwhile, Morton's Battery had been thrown into position at the college in the eastern verge of the place, sup])orted by the Second Tennessee. A heavy infantry force was now thrown against Buford's position, and a hot engagement ensued until about two p. m.. v. hen the order from Forrest reached Buford to withdraw imii:ediately and form on the Confederate left, north of town. As nearly every horse of one of Morton's guns had by this time been killed, it appeared that that piece would have to be left on the field; but the gallant c an- tain said, " I will take off my gun or die in the attempt."' The Second Tennessee never had deserted Morton, nor did they desert him now. A part of the regiment held the enemy in check, while others helped Captain Morton to take off his gun by hand. Billie Nichol was among the killed of our regiment, and Coon Huddleston (both from Company G) was among the wounded. J. W. Hays and R. M. Han- cock (Company C), being on the extreme right of the skirmish line, where the Liberty turn])ike enters town, narrowl)- escaj^ed capture. As soon as Morton's Battery was out of danger, Buford ordered his men to fall back to their horses and mount. Being ordered to cover the retreat, the Second Tennessee made a handsome charge, mounted, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, driving back the Federal advance. "At the same time General Buford was ordered to withdraw from tin- east and join the Confederate left flank north of town. r/JS K. lu Hancock's Diaky. Falling back a short distance, Morton dejjloyed his men into line, gave the enemy another volley, and then withdrew again. These evolutions of the regiment were performed in superb order and style.* The enemy now withdrawing pursuit, Buford, according to Forrest's- orders, crossed the Liberty turnpike and joined the Confederate left nortli of town. He did not reach the scene, however, until after Jackson's Division had so handsomely repulsed Milroy and brought his daring sortie to a baffled close. The infantry were withdrawn to Stewart's Creek, eight miles north of Murfreesboro, but the cavalry biv- ouacked in their former position before that place. For several days following the cavalry remained in position before Murfreesboro, l)ut without noteworthy collision with the enemy. In the meantime, Bate's Division was recalled to its corps at Nashville, and a small brigade under Colonel Olmstead was substituted. Forrest now had three small brigades of infantry. On the loth, Buford was detached with his Kentuckians to take post at the Hermitage and establish pickets along the Cumberland, above the mouth of Stone River, so as to obstruct the navigation of the former stream above Nashville. As a part of Company C, Second Tennessee Cavalry, had not had the pleasure of visiting home and friends for nearly three years, and as they were now within from fourteen to twenty-two miles of that dear spot, home, the temptation was too great; all, except Lieutenant J. S. Harrison, went home, notwithstanding they were in great danger of being killed or captured at any time after leaving the command. As Lieutenant Harrison's home was more remote, and hence more dangerous to reach, therefore, he did not wish to make the attempt. He was left alone, however, only two days and one night, for true to their colors, as well as their promise, our boys began to return to camp the next evening, though two failed to return — J. E. J. Hawkins was killed near Auburn and J. W. Stevens was captured and sent to prison. Jackson having been thrown south of Murfreesboro with his divis- ion, Ross' Brigade, on the 15th, surprised and captured a train of cars en route from Stephenson, freighted with subsistence for the garri- son at Murfreesboro. It was gallantly defended by the Sixty-first Illinois Infantry for a time but overcome; one hundred and fifty of their number were captured, while the rest secured refuge in a strong block -house near by. About 200,000 rations fell into the hands of *Miss Joe Eaton, of Murfreesboro, and Miss Tennie Bethel, of Woodbury, braved the danger of shot and shell and came oft' with the Second Tennessee. The Hood Campaign'. 52!) the Confederates, who had, however, to destroy the greater part, as well as seventeen cars and the locomotive. On the evening of the 15th General Forrest received an order from Oeneral Hood to hold his force in hand ready for the emergencies of a general engagement which had then commenced at Nashville. Whereupon the immediate concentration of his command was directed to take place at Wilkerson's Cross-Roads, six miles distant ; and that was effected, with the exception of the Kentuckians absent with Buford, dur- ing the next day. And happily so, for that night a staff officer brought intelligence of the disastrous issue of the battle for the Confederates, and orders for Forrest to fall back by way of Shelbyville and Pulaski. Buford was now ordered to retire through Lavergne, and cover For- rest's rear until the artillery and wagon train were well in motion. But as his sick and baggage train were at Triune, about fifteen miles west of Murfreesboro, Forrest fortunately did not take up his line of retreat through Shelbyville, but by way of Lillard's Mills, on Duck River, while Armstrong's Brigade was detached to push across at once to Hood's rear. The three brigades of infantry (many of them were barefooted) and Ross' Brigade of Cavalry moved with Forrest. He was encumbered with four hundred prisoners, one hundred head of cattle and four hundred hogs. Reaching Lillard's Mills, Duck River was found to be rising rapidly. Pressing the passage at once and vehemently, after the prisoners, cattle and about half the wagons iiad been thrown over, the stream became unfordable and Forrest was obliged to move westward to Columbia to secure a crossing for his other baggage and ordnance trains and artillery. While these detached operations were taking place under the imme- diate direction of (rcneral Forrest, Chalmers had remained with his division distributed upon the right and left flanks of the Confederate army, in front of Nashville, his headquarters on the Harding turnpike, about four miles from the city. About the 3d of December, with three hundred men of Rucker's Brigade and Briggs' section of artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly cap- tured two transports about twelve miles below Nashville, from which he secured fifty-six prisoners and one hundred and ninety-seven horses and mules before the steamers were wrested from his hands by four gunboats. The battle in front of Nashville was fought on the 15th and i6th of December. When Hood's left gave way, Rucker's Brigade narrowly escaped capture. While covering Hood's left flank, north of Brent- 34 530 R. R. Hancock's Diary. wood, Colonel Rucker was wounded, his horse fell, and he was cap- tured a little after nightfall on the i6th. Fortunately the Federal cavalry were not handled with resolution, and bivouacked after being, driven back for a mile by the Seventh Alabama. Had they been pressed forward with all their redoubtable numbers (nine thousand), they must have inflicted irremediable damage that night upon General Hood's army. Doubtless the impression adroitly given by Rucker of Forrest's presence had a material effect in staying the movement, for Forrest was not a soldier whom they were willing to meet in the dark or with unlaced harness. Of the battle in front of Nashville, General A. T. Stewart, wha commanded one corps of Hood's army, says : "The Federal commander at Nashville had in his department an effective strength of eighty thousand, while the army of Tennessee was now reduced to twenty-three thousand and fifty-three "On the 15th the enemy, in greatly superior numbers, moved out from their 'elaborate fortifications' and attacked Hood's line on both flanks, the main assault being directed against his left. Toward even- ing the infantry outposts and unfinished works on the left were carried. " During the night a new position was selected and occupied. The following morning a general attack was made along the Confederate front, which was repulsed. In the afternoon the enemy concentrated a number of guns on an exposed point, and massed a body of infantry against it. Under cover of the artillery fire this body charged and broke through the Confederate line, which soon afterward gave way at all points. '■- "At first, of course, there was more or less confusion, but order was soon restored. f "Confidence in the ability to hold the line had caused the artillery horses to be sent to the rear for safety, and the abandonment of the position was so unexpected and sudden that it was not possible to bring forward the horses to remove the guns which had been placed in position, and fifty-four of them were lost. Our loss in killed and wounded was small. "At Brentwood, about four miles from the field of battle, the troops were partially rallied, and Lieutenant-General S. D. Lee took command of the rear guard and encamped.'"]: I have not been able to find the loss on either side during the two *About 3.30 i>. M. t Military Annals of Tennessee, page 106. J "Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government," by ex-President Davis^ page 578. Tbe Hood CAiiPAiGX. 531 days fighting around Nashville, as given by any Southern writer, but a Northern writer puts our loss as follows : "Thomas, on the 15th of December, moved from his works, fell upon the Confederate army and routed it with a loss, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, of more than twenty-five thousand men."* At Murfreesboro, on the morning of the 16th, Colonel Wilson's regiment was detached from Bell's Brigade with instructions to go into the south-eastern portion of Wilson County in search of a Federal Tennessee regiment, commanded by Colonel Blackburn. J. W. Ken- nedy (Company C, Second Tennessee), who lived in that portion of Wilson, went with Colonel Wilson as guide. They bivouacked that night at the Widow Jarman's, twelve miles northeast of Murfreesboro and within two miles of Cainsville. Soon after starting the next morn- ing, Wilson learned that Blackburn was in Cainsville, but before the former reached that place the latter had withdrawn in the direction of Statesville. About one mile and a half beyond Cainsville, Wilson was overtaken by a dispatch from Forrest announcing the defeat of Hood at Nashville, and ordering him to return to the command immediately. Sending a man to recall his advance guard, Wilson there turned back. Before being recalled, however, the advance guard had seen Black- burn's men (estimated at one hundred and fifty) busily engaged feeding their horses in Rev. A. Ivey's lot, about one mile beyond where Wilson had turned back. Without raising any alarm or being observed by the enemy, they were hurrying back to report the situation to Colonel Wilson when they met the sad news that the regiment had turned back. When they overtook Wilson and informed him of the above facts, that gallant officer said: "Had I known that, I would have at- tacked them, even at the risk of having to disband my regiment to get out of here." But it was then too late, for he had ridden several miles before those who had been in advance overtook him. Crossing the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad north of Murfreesboro and then pressing on nearly all that night in the direction of Columbia, Wilson struck Hood's army the next day (iSth) between Rutherford's Creek and Duck River, where he halted and fell in with the rear guard, t *See History of the United States, by John C. Ridpath, page 527. Capitals mine. We have to use algebra to find how many men Hood had left, thus: 23,053 — 25,000=1,947. In other words, he lost 1,947 more than he had. tThe writer is under obligations to J. R. Mathes for the above account of Wilson's movements. He was with Wilson's Regiment during the movement, and it was he who saw Blackburn's men in Ivey's lot. Soon after this he joined Company C, Second Tennessee. 532 R. R. Ha.vcock's Diary. For the last several days before leaving Murfreesboro, the Second Tennessee had been encamped in Baird's lot, between the Liberty and Lebanon turnpikes, northeast of town. According to orders from Forrest, Colonel Bell set out on the after- noon of the 1 6th from his camp north of Murfreesboro, with Bar- teau's, Russell's and Newsom's regiments, to report to Hood in front of Nashville, t Bell struck the Nashville turnpike about six and a half miles from Murfreesboro, and thence moving in the direction of the former place, he halted at Lavergne about two hours awaiting the ar- rival of General Buford with the Kentucky Brigade. That otficer not making his appearance, however, Bell resumed his march. Turning westward about two miles beyond Lavergne, Bell struck the Nashville- Franklin turnpike a little north of the latter place, and thence turning toward Nashville, he found Hood's rear at Hollow Tree Gap, five miles north of Franklin, a little before day the next morning. Here he also found Nixon's Regiment, which, as previously mentioned, had been doing picket duty on Hood's right, from Dogtown to the Cum- berland River. Russell and Nixon were posted at the gap, and the Second Tennessee halted five or six hundred yards beyond, while Newsom was thrown still further north on picket. Hood's infantry were put in motion, early on the morning of the 17th, along the Lewisburg and Franklin turnpikes; and by three o'clock A. M. Chalmers' cavalry were in their saddles, following and covering the rear on both roads. It being a favorable position. General S. D. Lee, who was in com- mand of the rear guard, decided to make a stand at Holly Tree Gap, on the Franklin road, in order to gain time for Hood to throw his train and main force south of the Harpeth River. A section of artil- lery was favorably posted, and Lee dejiloyed a portion of his infantry along the ridge on each side of the gap. As it had rained a good portion of the preceding night, our boys had asked permission of Lieutenant-Colonel Morton to fire off and clean up their guns; and while thus engaged, Newsom's Regiment (Bell's Brigade) came dashing by, without saying anything about the near proximity of the enemy. In a moment more the Federal cavalry (Nineteenth Pennsylvania in advance) were upon the Second Tennes- tFrom the best information I can get Bell left Murfreesboro about the same hour (3.30 I'. M.) that Hood was defeated at Nashville. Therefore, I suppose that the former had reached Lavergne, or passed that place, before he heard of the defeat of the latter. Lieutenant F. M. McREE, Co. K. The Hood Caaitaign. 533 see with drawn sabers, yelling, ^'Halt, and surrender !''' And it ap- peared at the moment that that summons would have to be obeyed; for, while the Federals pressed our boys in front, a broad, deep ditch was across their pathway to the rear. Determined, however, to make their escape from among the Federals, if possible, they (our boys) put spurs to their horses — some passed around, a number made their horses leap over, and a few fell into the ditch. Wm. Davenport's horse (Company C) fell into the ditch, but the rider made his escape afoot. Colonel Morton's horse was shot from under him, but he made good his escape. After making a gallant defense — emptying both his revolvers — Lieutenant F. M. McRee, who was in command of Com- pany K, surrendered, and was afterward shot through the right shoulder by a drunken coward. T. F. McRee (brother to the lieu- tenant) was knocked from his horse with a carbine and captured. Frank Farris (Company K) surrendered, but made his escape soon after. Tom Knott (Company B) was captured. C. C. (Dick) Fran- cis' horse was shot from under him, and he was the only member of Company C who was captured. D. B. Willard (Company C) and Jesse Thurman (Com])any E) turned upon their pursuer, and leaving him mortally wounded, they secured his horse and pistols. A Fed- eral officer and Sam. Barkley — each demanded the surrender of the other, but neither agreed to comply Avith the demand of the other ; so after exchanging about five shots the Federal was a corpse, and Bark- ley was unhurt. Be it remembered that the Second Tennessee did not have time to form, so as to make an organized defense, but each man had to take care of himself as best he could. Knowing that Newsom's Regiment was on picket, and thinking that they would give warning in ample time, Morton did not apprehend any immediate danger. "What is the matter?" was repeatedly asked by our boys as Newsom's men came dashing by ; yet they invariably refused to give any warning of the impending danger. But apprehending that some- thing was wrong, the most of our boys had mounted by the time the enemy were upon them, as previously named. I do not know the exact loss of our regiment in this affair, though I do not su})i)Ose that our aggregate loss in killed, wounded, and captured, exceeded ten men. Many of the Federal officers and men were drunk. Had they all been sober, perhaps they would have captured more of our regi- ment. The Federals pressed the Second Tennessee back to the gap almost at full speed, but there they were met by such a terrific fire of both small arms and artillery, that they were swept back with a loss 534 R. K. Hancock's Diaky. of about eighty killed, and ae many more captured. So they were thus severely chastised for their rashness. Lee was soon after flanked out of his position at Hollow Tree Gap, and he then moved on in the direction of Franklin. On reaching that place Lieutenant Colonel Morton dismounted his men and placed them in the ditches, where our regiment again narrowly escaped cap- ture by being outflanked on the left. Chalmers, who was in command of all the Confederate cavalry present, crossed the Harpeth River immediately after Lee's Corps. It was here that General Buford joined the rear guard with his Kentuckians. Moving on to a favorable position six miles south of Franklin, Chalmers threw his men astride the highway and awaited the onset. Right speedily this ensued, and a succession of weighty charges were beaten back. But the Federals persisted, and, gathering volume, ])Oured down with such a tide that the Confederates were swept back about dark to a second position, where they happily gained another foothold — one, moreover, of great strength, which was held. In ihis affair there were numerous hand-to-hand conflicts, and quite a mixing and mingling of Federals and Confederates. General Chalmers him- self shot one Federal and captured another; and General Buford also became involved in a personal combat. A member of the Second Tennessee sprang to the assistance of Buford, and, by a dexterous movement of his empty gun, it caught the sabre-blow intended for our General's head. Then taking his antagonist in his arms,^ Buford lifted him from his horse and thus made him prisoner. Chalmers' Adjutant-Cieneral, Captain Goodman, becoming entangled in the vielee with the enemy, narrowly escaped. That night some of the Federals drew ammunition from our ordnance wagons through mistake. Some three or four of the Seventh Indiana fell in with Comjjany C, Second Tennessee, and were made prisoners, handing over their arms, without resistance, to Captain Sam Barkley and Frank Thomas. Tiiat night (17th) the infantry rear guard bivouacked at Thomp- son's Station, while the cavalry rested southward at Spring Hill, and were there reinforced by Armstrong's Brigade, which had left Mur- freesboro that morning. The weather, still wet, was very cold, the roads desoerately muddy, horses and men so hungry and jaded that despondency was now stamped upon the somber features of the hardiest. *This prisoner remarked afterward iliat lie '■'■ had as sojn been hugged by a bear.'' The Hood CAiiPAiux. 535 The infantry passing southward on the morning of the i8th, the cavalry were again disi)osed to cover their retreat, and Cheatham's corps relieved Lee's as infantry rear guard. Thereu])on, Cheatham, to secure the passage of the trains across Rutlierford's Creek, then greatly swollen by the rainfall, halted his corps two miles south of Spring Hill and intrenclied. He was thus able to hold the enemy at bay. while the train was safely thrown south of that dangerous stream. Then, late that afternoon, he withdrew slowly across it, his rear and flanks covered by cavalry, but as the Federal cavalry continued to be handled with singular languor, there was no collision. By this time the main Confederate forces were passing Duck River, six miles rear- ward, and Cheatham and the cavalry held the line of Rutherford's Creek that night. It was here during the night that General Forrest reappeared among his men with the rear guard and relieved General Cheatham, who then moved his infantry on to Columbia. On the morning of the 19th the enemy's cavalry were early afield, and in formidable numbers displayed a resolute purpose to force the passage of Rutherford's Creek, while a considerable column was ob- served in movement, as if aiming to cross Duck River below the junction of the creek with it. Holding his position along the creek until three i>. .m., Forrest then withdrew his cavalry without hinder- ance and bivouacked on the south bank of Duck River. "Hood reports that when he left the field before Nashville he had hoped to be able to remain in Tennessee, on the line of Duck River; but, after arriving at Columbia, he became convinced that the condi- tion of the army made it necessary to recross the Tennessee without delay."* Durmg a conference on tlie night of the 19th, General Hood ex- pressed to General Forrest the belief that he could not escape in such weather witii unt'avorable roads and broken-down teams. For- rest replied that to remain there would certainly result in the cai)ture of the whole force, but that if reinforced with four thousand infantry he would undertake to secure time and opportunity for the escajje of all across the Tennessee. General Hood rejoined that he should have the infantry. T However, only one thousand nine hundred of Stewart's corps (Wal- thall's Division) were furnished, and at least three hundred of them * Ex-President Davis' "Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government," I'-^ge 579- t Forrest's Campaigns, page 646. 5.SG K. U. Hancock's Diary. were shoeless, and so footsore as to be unable to march and bear arms, and were therefore detached on the wagon train. After a careful examination into his resources, Forrest found that he had only three thousand officers and effectively mounted men, with one thousand six hundred infantry and eight pieces of artillery. With this force he was expected to confront and keep off a hostile army of ten thousand cavalry and possibly thirty thousand infantry. Seldom or never has a soldier been placed in a graver situation, or one from which extrication seemed so little probable. We are assured, how- ever, "that at no time in his whole career was the fortitude of Gen- eral Forrest in adversity, and his power of infusing his own cheerful- ness into those under his command, more strikingly exhibited than at this crisis. .... But he alone, whatever he may have felt (and he was not blind to the dangers of our position), spoke in his usual cheerful and defiant tones, and talked of meeting the enemy with as much assurance of success as he did when driving them before him a month before. Such a spirit is sympathetic, and not a man was brought in contact with him who did not feel strengthened and invigorated as if he had heard of a reinforcement coming to our relief. "'■' For some reason the enemy did not appear in force until late in the afternoon of the 20th, when they opened upon Columbia a furious cannonade of shot and shell. Hoisting a flag of truce, Forrest had an interview — the river between — with General Hatch, whom he formally assured that Columbia was only occupied by non-combatants and the wounded of both armies. He also j^roposed the exchange of some two thousand prisoners, the fruits of the campaign, who were, as he acquainted him, without blankets or proper clothing for the inclement season, and must therefore perish, in many cases, from cold if not exchanged. After a delay of two hours the answer, in the name of General Thomas, was a refusal either to exchange prisoners or to receive those Forrest had on parole. The shelling, however, was discontinued. On the 2ist Hood resumed his march toward Pulaski, leaving Forrest to hold the line of Duck River to the last possible moment, retiring, when forced to do so, upon Florence by way of Pulaski, doing what was possible meanwhile to gain time for the safety of the remains of the Confederate army. During the night of the 21st the enemy effected the passage of * Notes of Captain Goocinian in Forrest's Campaigns, page 647. The Hood Campaign. 537 Duck River above the town with their cavalry, and by morning (2 2d) their infantry began to cross, whereupon Forrest jnit his forces in retreat, the infantry moving by the Pulaski road. Jackson's and Buford's Divisions covered the rear, and Chalmers the right flank, moving by the road through Bigbyville, while the left was carefully guarded by detachments of scouts. A strong defensive position was found in a gorge between two high ridges, six miles south of Columbia. Here Forrest determined to make a stout stand with his cavalry. As the Federals had not^ yet come in sight, thirty picked men from the Second Tennessee were sent back toward Cohmibia, with instructions from General Buford to go until they met the enemy. This scout went back about three or four miles before they met the Federal advance,* which was driven back upon the main force. Seeing, meanwhile, that it was only a small scouting party, the Federals, in turn, drove our boys, almost at full speed, from there to where Forrest had prepared to give the enemy a warm reception. Meanwhile, Buford's men had been busily engaged throwing up temporary cover of rail and log breastworks. Notwithstanding the Federal infantry and artillery were soon brought up, Forrest was not moved from his position during that afternoon. Being forced back about nine miles on the 23d, the Confederate cavalry bivouacked that night just north of Lynnville. Resuming the retreat early on the morning of the 24th, the Fed- erals were pressing Forrest's rear by the time Lynnville was reached. Just after passing through that place, General Armstrong very gal- lantly led a counter charge and drove the enemy back some distance with his brigade. Walthall's infantry being brought into action about two or three miles further south, a severe engagement ensued for sev- eral liours, after which the Confederates fell back in good order two miles, to a favorable position just in advance of the east branch of Richland Creek, where dispositions were made for another combat. Armstrong's Brigade was here placed in support of six pieces of artil- lery, established upon and sweeping the turnpike, with Ross' Brigade to the right. Chalmers" Division was drawn up in line with, and 10 the left of, the artillery, with Buford's on the extreme left, while the infantry held the crossing of the creek. A vigorous artillery conflict then resulted, in the course of which two Federal guns were dis- mounted. While the enemy's right wing pressed Buford and Chal- *This I learn from Burt Willard and Amzi H. McKiiight (Comi)anyC), who rode with that scout, as did also P'rank Thomas and Mike Lorance. 538 K. R. Hancock's Diary, mers heavily with su])erior mosses of cavalry, his left forced the crossing of the creek to the right of Jackson, who was sent with his division to meet this flank movement, and for several hours a warm conflict was maintained, in which the enemy lost heavily and the Confederates lightly, but among the wounded was General Buford, whose division was then temporarily consolidated with Chalmers' forces. The Second Tennessee, ])Osted on the extreme left, very gallantly contended against great odds; nor did they yield their position until the enemy had gained the bridge to their right, and being thus cut off they had to swing round leftward and cross the creek about two miles below the bridge. Our ever-daring Lieutenant-Colonel, G. H. Mor- ton, had his horse shot from under him again during this action ; and also Granville McKnight and Monroe Hancock (Company C) met with a like misfortune. From further investigation it appears that a part of our regiment gained the bridge in time to cross it. Forrest now withdrew toward Pulaski without further molestation that day. During the past forty-eight hours, however, the fighting had been with little intermission. The Federal cavalry had been con- stantly making strenuous efforts to flank Forrest's force, while their infantry had pressed vigorously onward by the highway; but each Confederate officer and man appeared to act and fight as if the fate of the army depended on his individual conduct. And never were there manifested higher soldierly virtues than by Forrest's heroic band — in- cluding the infantry — the virtues of fortitude, unflinching valor, and unconquerable cheerfulness and alacrity under orders. The roads now, grown even worse than before, were nearly im- practicable for wheels, hence it became necessary to destroy at Pu- laski a quantity of the ammunition of the army, which could not be carried off, also several locomotives and two trains of cars. Jackson left at Pulaski, on the morning of the 25th, with orders to make an obstinate stand, while the other divisions of the rear guard retired; and well did that division discharge that service, retiring only when about to be overwhelmed. No further stand was now attempted until the Confederates reached and took post upon Anthony's Hill, seven miles beyond Pulaski. It was now only forty-two miles to Bainbridge, the point on the Ten- nessee River where Hood's army was to cross, but as yet many of his infantry had not reached the river bank. To prevent the annihilation of his army, it was necessary to make a yet more obstinate effort to The Hood Campaign. 539 delay the approaching enemy as long as jiossihle, and fortunately the ground was highly favorable to that end. Theapproac' to Anthony's Hill, for two miles, was through a defile iormed bv two steep, high ridges, which, uniting at their southern extremity, formed the hill, the ascent of which was sudden, and both the ridges and hill were thickly wooded. Morton's Battery was established upon the immediate summit of the hill, so as to sweep the hollow below and the road through it. .\long the crest of the hill and around on the ridges were grouped Featherston's and Palmer's Brigades of Walthall's Division, reinforced by four hundred of Ross' 'J^xans and as many of Armstrong's Missis- sippians, dismounted. The rest of Jackson's Division were disposed as cavalry on either flank, with Reynolds' and Field's Brigades of in- fantry formed in a second line as a reserve. The infantr}' had further strengthened their position by breastworks of rails and timber, and a line of skirmishers was joosted under cover on the hillside. At the same time Clialmers (with whom Euford's Division now moved) was halted about a mile and a half to the right, on the road by which he was moving, to guard that flank from being turned. So broken and densely timbered was the ground that the concealment of the Confed- erate forces was complete. Scarcely, however, were these dispositions made when, about one p. M., the Federal cavalry, driving the Confederate rear guard into the mouth of the glen, followed hotly. But the place at length began to look so dangerous that their commander apparently thought it requisite to dismount several of his regiments before undertaking the ascent of the hill. These he pushed forward on foot with a piece of artillery. The Confederates, meanwhile, had ridden rajjidly through the hollow, and up and over the hill, as if left unsupported, as the enemy was suffered to ascend within fifty paces of the skirmishers without hinderance. Then John W. Morton, breaking the grim silence with canister, the skirmishers enveloped them with a hot, gall- ing fire of musketry from front and flank, followed (juickly by a heavier fire from the main line of infantry and dismounted cavalry. The enemy, thoroughly surprised, returning but a scattering, feeble fire, gave way in disorder, as our men sprang forward with a shout and charged down the hill after them through the horses of the dis- mounted men, only halting once to deliver another fire. Thus the enemy were driven back in great confusion out of the hollow, when Forrest recalled his men from their eager pursuit, to avoid becoming 540 R. R. Hancock's Diary. entangled with the Federal infantry, the advance of which, he appre- hended, was near at hand. The enemy left behind one hundred and fifty killed and wounded, some fifty prisoners, about three hundred cavalry horses, as many overcoats, and a tsvelve-pounder Napoleon gun, with its team of eight horses intact. The Confederate losses did not exceed fifteen killed and forty wounded. It was now nearly four p. m., and heavy Federal cavalry columns having made the detour both to the right and left of the road through the ravine, were beginning to press both Ross' and Armstrong's mounted men, and Chalmers reported the near approach in his quar- ter of a heavy force. All the advantages of the situation had been ex- hausted; its further defense was therefore inexpedient, and Forrest at once gave orders to retire, which was done in good order, carrying off his prisoners and captured gun. The roads were now as bad as ever an army encountered, and the horses had to be pushed through mud and slush every step of the way, often belly deep and seldom less than up to their knees. The infantry marched, barefooted in many cases, often waist deep in ice cold water, while sleet beat upon their heads- and shoulders; nevertheless, by one o'clock that night they had reached Sugar Creek, fourteen miles from Anthony's Hill. There the stream was clear, with a pebbly bottom, and the men were brought to a halt in order to wash the mire from their ragged clothing, and, building fires, were suffered to remain at rest until daylight. =■' But at dawn the Federal cavalry was up again and in heavy mass, now manifestly bent on a vigorous attempt to press forward over all obstacles, so as to strike Hood's force before it might escape across the Tennessee. Hood's ordnance-train was still at Sugar Creek, while the mules had been used to assist in drawing the pontoon-train to the river; but having been returned, the ordnance-train was just on the point of moving. It was, therefore, necessary to make another reso- lute stand to secure that movement. Accordingly, about sunrise (26th) Reynolds' and Field's Brigades of Walthall's Division were put in position some two hundred yards south of the ford, across a narrow ravine, and upon a high ridge to the north of the ravine, where they threw up cover with rails and other material at hand, while two other brigades (Featherston's and Palmer's) were established in a strong *V. D. ("Tobe") Thompson, Company G, Second Tennessee, who was quite feeble and had taken shelter from the inclemency of the weather in a farm house (thinking that he was out of dani;ei), was captured that niglil (251I1) by^ a squad of Federal cavalry. The Hood Campaign. 541 position half a mile further to the rear. Ross' Brigade was posted on the right and Armstrong's on the left of the first line of infantry, and Chalmejs (with whom the Second Tennessee now moved) was halted in a strong position, where the parallel road which he pursued crossed Sugar Creek. Fortunately a dense fog enveloped the position, and enabled the Confederates to remain concealed. About half-past eight a. m. the enemy's cavalry were to be heard fording the creek, until several regiments crossed over and formed in line in the immediate front of our infantry. The fog veiled tlieir movements, but it was apparent that, apprehensive of a lurking dan- ger, the enemy had dismounted and were advancing with a part of their force on foot in front of their cavalry. Thus disposed, the Fed- erals came within thirty paces of the breastworks across their path, when from behind it a broad stream of rifle-balls cleaving through the thick fog spread confusion instantly through the Federal ranks, and springing forward the infantry pressed their advantage with such vigor that the enemy, unable to recover and rally, were driven back through their horse-holders and among their cavalry, thus increasing the dis- order. The creek was about saddle-skirt deep, and through it the cavalry dashed rearward without regard to any ford, and after them followed Walthall's dauntless men, charging waist deep through the icy water. At the same time a portion of Ross' and Armstrong's cav- alry crossing the creek — the former below and the latter above — struck the enemy on either flank, driving them pell-mell up the defile for a mile, killing and wounding many and taking about one hundred jiris- oners, while our loss was light. The pursuit was now recalled. The other fruits of this handsome affair were the capture of at least one hundred and fifty horses and many overcoats, of great value to our men in weather so inclement. But the most valuable effect was that it checked further close pressure upon the rear of Hood's army by the Federal cavalry, who had now been punished so severely in men and horses here and at Anthony's Hill as to be altogether unwilling to ven- ture another collision with their formidable adversary. In the mean- time Chalmers, having been attacked in his position, re]>ulsed his enemy handsomely, and charging in turn, captured some prisoners, thus checking the hostile movements in that direction also. Remain- ing unmolested at Sugar Creek until twelve o'clock, Walthall's Division was again put in movement for the river, and Forrest withdrew his cavalry about an hour later. After a march of about twelve miles the infantry bivouacked with the cavalry to their rear. The rear guard 542 K. li. Hancock's Diary. was now within sixteen miles of Bainbridge, where Hood was crossing the shattered remains of his army to the south bank of the Tennessee. On reaching the river in the afternoon of the 27th, Wahhall's Di- vision was again placed under the command of General Stewart, who was then ordered to hold the north bank of the Tennessee with his corps, while the cavalry, relieved from further rear-guard duty, were ordered to cross to the south bank of that stream on the pontoon bridge. Chalmers" command, including the gallant remains of his own and Buford's Divisions, brought up the rear after night, and there was not a man of all that battle and weather-tempered band who did not feel a sense of supreme relief at the moment. COMMENTARIES. 1. "The campaign, with its eventful disasters, lasted thirty-five days, during which Forrest's Cavalry were incessantly in sharp con- flict with the enemy at a season of singular inclemency. With this force he captured and destroyed sixteen block-houses, twenty consid- erable railroad bridges, more than thirty miles of railroad, four locomotives, at least one hundred cars, and one hundred wagons. "He captured as many as eighteen hundred of the enemy, one hundred thousand rounds of ammunition, two hundred thousand ra- tions, nine pieces of artillery, and brought away three pieces of artil- lery and ten wagons and teams more than he carried in, besides many horses, while the aggregate of the killed and wounded of the enemy may be set down at two thousand. "At the same time, nothing in the annals of war exceeds in sol- dierly excellence the conduct of the Confederate rear-guard from Co- lumbia to Sugar Creek, and the results signally illustrate how true it is in war, as the Latin poet says, 'They can, because they think they can.'"* 2. "While riding alone one cold day on the Hood retreat, I came up with one of his infantry, who was barefooted and otherwise poorly clad, but he still had his gun on his shoulder and a large piece of pork stuck on his bayonet. As I rode up by the side of him he asked to what command did I belong. I told him that I belonged to Forrest's Cavalry. He ([uickly and enthusiastically replied, 'How I do love Forrest's Cavalry. I love the very ground that they walk on. Had it not been for Forrest's Cavalry, Hood would not have got out of Ten- nessee with a single man.' * Forrest's Camjiaigns, page 654. TuE Hood Cami'ai(;x. 543 "Notwithstanding I was well mounted and had on a good i)air of boots, I believe that man was in better spirits than I was. "As I rode away he gleefully remarked, 'If you have not plenty of rations, call around to-night and I will divide with you.'"* 3. At the time Hood was advancing on Nashville, the Second Tennessee was one day driving the Federals at a rapid rate, when Captain Sam Barkley remarked that "These Yankees must think we eat folks." One day during the retreat, while the Federals were driv- ing the Second Tennessee back over very nearly the same ground and at about the same rate, thinking of the above remark, John H. Sneed (Company C) called out, "Captain Sam." "What now, John?" re- plied the captain. "Do you reckon that 'these Yankees think loe eat folks nino?'" "Dry up, you d d rascal." 4. I again quote from Lieutenant-General A. P. Stewart: "The army recrossed the Tennessee at Bainbridge during the 26th and 27th of December and by the loth of January, 1S65, was in camp in the vicinity of Tupelo, Mississippi. "Soon afterward General Hood, at his own request, was relieved from further duty with the Army of Tennessee, and General Beaure- gard assumed command. "The effective strength of the army at Tupelo was found to be eighteen thousand five hundred infantry and artillery, and twenty- three hundred and six of Forrest's cavalry. "The disastrous campaign into Tennessee, which virtually closed the war in the West, had cost at least ten thousand men. The army had marched and fought in the severest mid-winter weather, ofien suf- fering from want of food and clothing. Yet, amid all the hardships and discouragements of the campaign, the troops from Tennessee re- mained in great part true to the cause they had espoused, and a third time left their State in the hands of the enemy to follow the fortunes of the 'Southern Cross.' ........ "The Army of Tennessee, after resting a (cw weeks at Tujielo, where a large proportion of the men were furloughed by General Hood, had been ordered to Augusta, Georgia, and thence to North Carolina. "f ■Verbal report of D. B. Willard, Company C, Second Tennessee. t Military Annals of Tennessee, pp. lo6 and I07. 541 R. K. Haxcock's Diaky. THE FINAL CAMPAIGN. After resting one day on the south bank of the Tennessee, at Biin- bridge, Forrest put his whole corps in movement on the 29th of De- cember, for Corinth, leaving to General Roddy's small cavalry force the duty of covering Hood's rear. This soon brought Roddy in sharp collision with a largely superior Federal force that had been thrown south of the Tennessee at Decatur, and which pressed him actively back toward Tuscumbia. Armstrong's Brigade was therefore recalled and directed to remain in rear of Hood's infantry until they had passed Avestward of Cherokee Station. Reaching Corinth on the 30th, For- rest established headquarters there and reported to Lieutenant General Taylor, to whose command he had now returned. Bell's West Ten- nesseans were now furloughed to proceed to their homes for fresh horses and clothing. The Second Tennessee Avere also furloughed for thirty days, with instructions to get up as many absentees as possible and report again at Verona, Mississippi.* Some went to West Ten- nessee, while others remained in Mississippi. Nearly all of Company C went to the former place. This is quite a noted event in our his- tory, as the like was not done at any other time during the war. And. moreover, 7-est had never been so badly needed by both men and horses as at the close of the Hood Campaign. Though both had so recruited by the time the regiment reassembled at Verona, about the I St of February, that the Second Tennessee was herself again, except in point of numbers. About this time the Second and Twenty-first Tennessee (Barteau's and Wilson's) Regiments were consolidated and afterward known as the Second and Twenty-first Tennessee Regiment. As Colonel C. R. Barteau was absent, wounded, A. N. Wilson was Colonel and G. H. Morton Lieutenant-Colonel of the consolidated regiment, and Captam W. A. DeBow (Company E) was made Major. By promotion Lieu- tenant Geo. E. Seay became Captain of Company E. The Second and Twenty-first Tennessee was now armed with short guns and sabers (the only regiment in Forrest's command that had sabers), and hence they were the cavalry of Forrest's command — that *In fact all the cavalry whose homes were not either too remote or beyond the Confederate lines were furloughed. Thk Fixal Campaign. 545 is to say, they were to fight altogether mounted; and, therefore, they were not dismounted at another engagement during the rest of tlie war. .All the cavalry not on furlough were ordered to Okolona to recu- perate in that country so rich in forage; and about the 12th of Jan- uary, 1865, Forrest established his headquarters at ^'erona, some fifty- five miles south of Corinth, leaving Ross' Brigade to garrison the latter ])lace. General Bell was recalled by the 25th, with orders, as he returned, to glean West Tennessee for absentees from military service. Occupied assiduously with measures looking to the recruit- ment of his gaunt ranks, the rehorsing of cavalry and artillery, and to the close, stringent search of the country for absentees from his regiments, Forrest remained at Verona until about the ist of March. Meanwhile, about the 24th of February, he received an Order as- signing him to the command of all the cavalry of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and F2ast Louisiana. It embraced about ten thousand men, widely dispersed over three States, and to combine these as speedily as possible for the most j^art into one coherent, effect- ive body, became his immediate aim. One of his early measures was to group the troops of the several States into State divisional organizations as far as practicable. Gen- eral Chalmers was placed over the division embracing the brigades made up of Mississippians; General Buford, one constituted of the Alabama cavalry and the gallant remains of his Kentucky Brigade, with orders to proceed to Montevallo, Alabama (fifty miles north of Selma), and there organize his new division. The Tennessee troops, with Ross' Texans, were assigned to the command of General Jack- son. By this arrangement the famous Second Missouri Cavalry was excluded from either brigade or divisional association and constituted a special scouting force, receiving orders direct from Forrest's head- quarters. Before the middle of March Chalmers' Division was organized at Columbus, Mississippi, with an effective aggregate of four thou.sand five hundred, divided into three brigades, commanded respectively by Brigadier-Generals F. C. Armstrong, Wirt Adams, and P. B. Starke. Jackson's Division, com])osed of the Tennessee brigades of Generals T. H. Bell and A. W. Campbell, three thousand two hundred strong, and six hundred Texans, under Ross, was also in shape at West Point. The Second Tennessee was still attached to Bell's Brigade, but Jack- son, in place of Buford, was our divisional commander from this to the close of the \\ ar. .As yet Buford had not been able to organize 35 546 E. E. Hancock's Diaiiy. his division. Roddy's farce, which was to constitute an impjorlant part of it, was necessarily detached and actively on duty in North .Alabama, watching the movements of a heavy Federal cavalry force, accumulated just across the Tennessee River at Gravelly Springs, under Wilson. The other two brigades (Alabamians), Clanton's and Armstead's, constituting his command, were likewise detached, guard- ing one of the then threatened flanks or approaches to Mobile. Mean- while Forrest had, on the ist of March, transferred his headquarters from Verona to West Point, on the line of the Mobile and Ohio Rail- road, forty-two miles south. In the interval the Federal authorities had not been inactive. The cavalry from Middle Tennessee had been collected in the north-west corner* of Alabama, in the vicinity of Gravelly Springs and Waterloo, on the north bank of the Tennessee River, near favorable points for the passage of that stream for piercing either the heart of Alabama or Mississippi. This force, organized into three divisions, under McCook,. Long, and Upton, was commanded by Major-General James Wilson, a distinguished graduate of the West Point Military Academy, and standing very high as a cavalry officer with his superiors. Meanwhile, Canby had commenced his operations for the reduction of Mobile. And on the i8th of March Wilson threw his three cav- alry divisions (13,000 strong) and about fifteen hundred infantry to the south side of the Tennessee at Chickasaw, with the immediate object of making a diversion in 'behalf of the operations against Mo- bile by penetrating deep into Alabama. Four days later, accordingly, he set out from Chickasaw upon his expedition, invested by General Grant with the widest range of discretion in his operations, his equipage including a pontoon train of fifty wagons; otherwise he moved with not more than two hundred and fifty supply and baggage wagons. But each man carried five days' "light rations" in his haversack, and on his horse twenty- four pounds of grain, one hundred rounds of ammunition, and a pair of extra horse shoes. Five days' rations of hard bread and ten severally of sugar, coffee, and salt were carried, moreover, on pack animals. P"orrest was promptly informed of Wilson's movement by Roddy. Having duly communicated to General Taylor tidings of the dangerous expedition afield in his de- partment, that officer, on the 24th, telegraphed orders to Forrest to concentrate his available forces upon Selma, the supposed objective of the enemy. Four brigades, or six thousand four hundred men, with such force TuK Final CAMPAKixX. 547 as Buford might assemble, were all that Forrest could rely on to con- front his adversary, as it was thought essential to leave Adams' Brig- hde to guard the line of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, and Ross' Brigade to garrison Corinth. Meanwhile, both Chalmers and Jackson had for some days been held in readiness to move at "six hours notice," and on the 25th Armstrong's Brigade and a battery were put in motion for Selma, and Chalmers' other brigade, Starke's, followed on the 27th — both starting from Columbus, Mississippi. Armstrong, having been detained in the passage of the Black Warrior, was overtaken by Chalmers and staff at (ireensboro, Alabama, on the 28th. In consequence of an order from Cieneral Forrest prescribing concentration, Armstrong was halted at Marion, at which place Starke also arrived, on the afternoon of the 30th, Marion is about twenty-six miles north-west of Selma, and the latter place is a little south and west of the center of the State, on the west bank of the Alabama River, and stands uijon a bluff nearly one hundred feet above high water level. On the 27th, General Forrest set out from West Tuuit for the thea- ter of impending operations. At Columbus he learned, through scouts, that it was manifest that the Federal column was aiming for Monte- vallo, about fifty miles north of Selma and forty east of Tuscaloosa, important as a center of a number of iron mines and foundries, worked for the Confederate Ordnance Department. He at once reported Wilson's movement to his superior. General Taylor, by telegraph, and urged the concentration of all possible resources for the defense of Selma. Setting out from Columbus, Mississippi, with his staff and es- cort, on the morning of the 28th, Forrest reached Tuscaloosa, Ala- bama, at'ter a ride of thirty hours; and there, learning definitely of the movement toward Montevallo, he again communicated with Gen- eral Taylor. On the 28th, Jackson moved Bell's and Campbell's Brigades from West Point to Columbus. Montevallo, to which place Jackson was now ordered to move as rapidly as possible, is about one hundred miles east of Columbus. Jackson moved from Columbus to Pickens- ville, Alabama, on the 29th, and to Tuscaloosa the next day. In the meantime, the enemy, with 13,000 horse, 1,500 infantry, and three batteries, had taken two lines of march ; Upton's Division the most eastern, through Russellville to Saunders' Ferry on the west fork of the Black Warrior River; the other two — with the pontoon train — followed the road toward Tuscaloosa. General Wilson, on the 548 K. K. Haxcouk's Diary. 27th, was at Jasper, and there hearing of Chaloiers' movement, appre- hending that it portended a concentration of Forrest's Cavalry to meet him, he at once stripped to his pack-train and artillery, and ordered his three divisions to move in light order, with all haste, by the way of Elyton to Montevallo, leaving the wagon trains to follow. He was at the former place on the 30th. and there detached Croxton's Brigade — McCook's Division — to hasten to Tuscaloosa to burn the University and military stores accumulated there. In the meantime Forrest was pressing on, hoping to be able to in- tercept ^^'itson and hold him in check with what forces he might be able to find in the vicinity of Montevallo, until Jackson's Division arrived. It was Upton's Division that, flooring the railroad bridge near Hills- boro, crossed the Cahaba River, and then pushing on, approached Montevallo late on the evening of the 30th, where he encountered Generals Dan .\dams and Roddy. Several days previous. General Roddy, having been ordered by General Taylor to hasten southward with his command to meet a hostile force moving northward from Pensacola against Montgomery, had already been thrown across the Alabama River at Selma, when the order was countermanded, and his destination changed to Montevallo, to report to General Adams. Re- crossing the river, and making a forced march of fifty miles, he reached the scene just in time to meet Upton's Division, with his small force, a little north of Montevallo. Overborne by numbers, after a sharp rencounter, Adams and Roddy were driven back through the place, and the Federal commander was enabled to execute the purpose which had led him thither — the destruction of four iron furnaces, a rolling mill and five collieries in the neighborhood. On the 31st the other two Federal divisions arrived, and also General \Vilson in per- son. The Confederates, meanwhile, having rallied, had reappeared before the place as the Federal commander reached the scene. Up- ton's Division was at once thrown out to engage them, and a keen collision ensued. Greatly inferior in numbers, the Confederates were soon worsted, and driven southward, toward Randolph (Bibb County), to the "Six Mile Creek," where Roddy, being reinforced by Cross- land's small brigade of Kentuckians, and the ground being rather fa- vorable, a stand was made. As Crossland came u]), he threw his little force gallantly across the road down which the Federals were pressing strenuously, and presently, taking the offensive, he charged, in turn, half a mile, thus gaining a good position at a bridge, which The Final Campaign. 549 he was able to hold against several vigorous attempts to dislodge him, and until at length he was about to be turned on both flanks. Then, sending his horses rearward, Crossland fell back slowly on foot, as the enemy pressed hotly after, receiving, however, at least one galling fire from Crossland's deadly rifles. The situation was one of extreme peril, but as the ground — a thick pine woods — was favorable, he, with equal skill and resolution, kept a steady front to the enemy of half his men at a time for several miles, while the other half would fall back, reform and await the enemy in its turn. The Federals charged, by regiments, with much spirit and vigor, but were met with a courage and tenacity that has never been exceeded. Crossland, originally re- duced to about six hundred rank and file, now finding that he was rapidly dwindling away by the casualties of the conflict, attempted to remount; this being observed, the enemy charged upon the Kentuck- ians while thus engaged, and some captures resulted, making his losses in killed, wounded and prisoners, a little over one hundred men. The rest of his command he was able to lead safely away from the field, and joined Roddy a short distance north of Randolph. During this time Forrest was rapidly riding across the country from Centerville toward Montevallo with his staff and escort, some seventy- five in number, and it so happened he came within sight of this road, just where the conflict I have related had been fought, and he observed that it was filled with Federal cavalry, at a rapid trot moving south- ward. Ever swift and daring in his measures, he determined to avail himself of a favorable conformation of the ground to make a dash at the hostile column, great as was the disparity. Accordingly, forming his little following, upon each man of whom he could rely, into a column of fours, when within fifty yards of the road he charged boldly from his covert into the moving mass, and broke through. Turning, he now dashed upon the fragment northward of him, and drove it rearward for half a mile; but there his adversary stood drawn up in a heavy line of battle to receive them. Changing his direction at once to the southward at a charging pace, he now found the road strewn with signs of a recent battle, including some fifteen or twenty dead Federals and some ten or twelve of Crossland's Kentuckians; more- over, having also captured several j^risoners, he learned that there had been a good deal of fighting in that quarter, and that General Wilson was already southward of him, pressing Roddy and Crossland back toward Selma. In his own little affair he had lost three men, and being in the very midst of the whole Federal force, with now less than 550 R. R. Hancock's Diary. seventy-five men, it was incumbent upon him to withdraw and find his way speedily to the main body of his force southward. Making a slight detour from the line of the road, after a rapid ride of six or eight miles, he succeeded in finding Roddy and Crossland, about ten o'clock at night, confronting the enemy near Randolph, about fifteen miles south of Montevallo. It appears that while the main portion of Jackson's Division was moving eastward from Tuscaloosa on the 31st, a detachment from Campbell's Brigade moving north-east had a skirmish with Croxton's Brigade about eighteen miles from Tuscaloosa, on the Elyton road, late that afternoon. Having been promptly informed of Croxton"s movement, General Jackson ordered General Bell to turn back with his brigade and make an effort to find the locality of Croxton's camp, so as to take him by surprise at dawn the next morning. Ten men were now detached, under Lieutenant G. F. Hager, to take the ad- vance, with instructions to find the enemy, if possible, and watch his movements. After marching and countermarching, and sometimes halting for an hour or more at a time, awaiting reports from Hager, Bell learned a little before day on the ist of April that Croxton had halted and encamped within about fifteen miles of Tuscaloosa, and only about four miles north-west of where he (Bell) had turned back the evening before. After the enemy's camp had been found, Lieu- tenant Hager first went round it mounted, and then dismounting and taking only one man with him, that daring officer passed around it again, so as to make a still closer inspection of their camp and ground around it. Being informed by Lieutenant Hager that the ground was favorable for a cavalry charge. General Bell ordered Colonel Wilson to make the attack with his regiment, mounted. Moving on the enemy's camp from the direction of Tuscaloosa, the Second and Twenty-first Tennessee, gallantly led by Colonel Wil- son and Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, dashed into Croxton's camp, with revolver in hand, just as day dawned, capturing a number of prisoners, several stands of colors, one hundred and fifty horses, and Croxton's papers, and also a good supply of rations, including sweet potatoes, sugar, coffee, and liams, besides a warm breakfast, which was very much appreciated by our boys after being in the saddle all night. So complete was the rout-'- that the enemy did not make another stand *Wlien Colonel Wilson's revolvers were pLiyintj upon the enemy in rapid succession General Bell was heard to remark, "That is the sweetest music I ever heard." LiF.irTENANT C. KO. K. IIAflKR, Co. C The Fixal Campaign'. 551 during the day, though followed for some fifteen miles back up the mountain road. John Bass (Company E), T. W. Petvvay (Company G), and about five others were wounded in the above affair. In the meantime, Chalmers, at Marion, had received an order from General Taylor, at eleven P. M., on the 30th of March, to move upon Plantersville, some nineteen miles north of Selma, and in the line of Wilson's march. The Cahaba River, after some unavoidable delay in the construction of the pontoon bridge, was crossed late in the afternoon ot the 31st. But swamps and wretched roads made Gen- eral Chalmers diverge from his projected line of march toward Ran- dolph (about twenty miles north of Plantersville), and seek practica- ble roads for his artillery and trains, escorted by St^irke's Brigade, while Armstrong's Brigade moved on toward Plantersville. Informed of the situation and of the occurrences of the day, on finding Roddy and Crossland near Randolph, on the night of the 31st, as previously mentioned, Forrest dispatched an order to Jackson — supposed to be at Scottsville — to move swiftly across to Centerville, and, throwing his division upon Wilson's right flank, harass him as much as possible, after which to effect a junction before they were forced back into Selma. Again reporting the situation to General Taylor at Selma, Forrest repeated his recommendation of a general concentration for the defense of Selma, and inquired the present local- ity of Chalmers' Division. The answer being that Chalmers was then at Plantersville. Forrest requested — by telegraph — that the division should at once be dispatched to his aid in the direction of Randolph, so that he might delay the enemy as long as possible, and secure time, both for the concentration of troops for the final defense of Selma and the removal of stores from that depot. During the night of the 31st the enemy remained quietly in front of Randolph; but they had intercepted dispatches both from Jackson and Cai)tain Anderson, of Forrest's staff, which divulged to General Wilson the plans of his adversary, the scattered dispositions, at the moment, of the Confederate forces, and the weakness of Forrest's conunand, then immediately in his front. Jackson, as he ascertained from these dispatches, was still westward of the Cahaba, moving toward Centerville. Already he had come in collision with Croxton, and was expecting another conflict. Wilson, therefore, cognizant of the small available iorce in his path, detached McCook, with another brigade, to seek to form a junction with Croxton and occupy Jackson, while he would press directly for Selma with his other divisions, still 552 K. R. Hancock's Diaky. at least nine thousand strong. To meet this force, Forrest had now a little over fifteen hundred men, portions of Roddy's and Crossland's Brigades, and some raw militia that had been in garrison at Monte- vallo under General Dean Adams. At sunrise, on the ist of April, the enemy were promptly in their saddles, Wilson now, as I have said, fully conscious of the extreme weakness of any enemy he could possibly encounter. The Confed- erates, of course, retired, but in the course of the next eight or ten miles there was some spirited skirmishing with the Federal advance, which several times was checked by Forrest and his escort, and por- tions of Roddy's and Crossland's commands. Giving General Taylor telegraphic intelligence of his inability to make substantial head against Wilson with his present force, about noon Forrest learned, to his chagrin, from Captain Goodman, of Chalmers' staff, near Majileville Station, that that officer was not southward, on the Plantersville road, as had been reported, but was really northward, moving by another road to the left hand. Couriers were accordingly dispatched hurriedly in all probable directions to find Chalmers and guide him to a junc- tion in front of Selma, at the expense, if needful, of his train and artillery. Several hours later a dispatch from Chalmers himself an- nounced his exertion to reach a point southward (Dixie Station) as soon as his horses would enable him. Having learned, meanwhile, from General Adams, that there was a strong defensive position some four miles southward, that officer was directed to fall back and occupy it with the artillery and the main body of Roddy's, Crossland's, and his own men. Forrest then threw himself across the path of the en- emy with his escort and one hundred of the Kentuckians, resolved to dispute every mch of the ground to gain time for Adams to get into position and arrange for its defense. For several miles did he boldly grapple with the Federal advance, constantly checking it by a series of charges of characteristic audacity, and only falling back when the numbers brought up were overpowering; but by four p. m. he had been forced to fall back upon Adams, where he hoped for a junction also with Chalmers. The position was, in fact, very favorable for defense. Bogler's Creek, with rugged banks, intersected the railroad and highway, form- ing a narrow valley rightward of the former, with steep, wooded hills commanding the several approaches from Randolph and Maplesville. On these ridges the Confederates were drawn up — Roddy's Brigade immediately astride the highway, supjDorting the artillery, which swept The Final Campaign. 5r>3 both the road from Randolph and the one from Maplesville; on his left lay Oossland, and on his right Adams with the remains of the State troops, and a small infantry battalion from Selma, resting right- ward on Mulberry Creek. They did not exceed in all 1350 men, and to these now Forrest added about one hundred and fifty officers and men, making a force of scarcely 1500 men and six guns. About four p. M., the enemy — Long's Division — came up, and promptly and resolutely assailed the right of Roddy's position with a niounted battalion (Seventeenth Indiana) with drawn sabers. It was handsomely done, and the Confederates were thrown into a great deal of confusion, giving way in disorder. Forrest, observing the disaster, dashed upon the scene with his staff, and, assisting Generals Roddy and Adams, succeeded in re-establishing their lines, while a number of the enemy were left on the ground either killed or wounded. Having thus restored the integrity of his lines in that quarter, Forrest returned to where his artillery was posted. During this time the other Federal division — Upton's — guided by the sound of batttle, had been rapidly approaching by the Maplesville road. Previously Forrest had thrown forward that indomitable, hard fighter, Lieutenant Nathan Boon, of his escort, with ten men, to rec- onnoiter, and presently the shrill clangor of a bugle was heard beyond an old field in front of the Confederate position, and, soon after. Boon and his litde band dashed into sight, closely pressed by tht enemy, who charged across the field in right gallant fashion in Ime. The Confederates now opened upon them with a destructive fire, both of canister and rifles, emptying a number of saddles. In the meantime, Upton, having come upon the scene rightward, dismounted his divis- ion and pressed up to the attack upon the Confederate right. There were the militia, and they could not be made to stand, but fell back in confusion. The left had held their position successfully, but there was now imminent risk of being turned and cut off" from the ford of Dixie Creek; Forrest therefore ordered his line withdrawn to secure that crossing. This being "observed, doubtless, by the enemy, a vig- orous charge by platoons were made, to meet which Forrest had at the moment available only his escort and staff and the section of Adams' artillery. From the latter one discharge was secured, but, seeing that' the infantry support had gone, the artillerists abandoned their guns in position and retreated abruptly. On came the Federal cavalry, with their sabers drawn, when Forrest sprang to meet them with his escort; but he was swept back into the woods about fifty 554 E. R, Hancock's Diaky. yards by the overwhelming stress of numbers; and such was the momentum of the Federal charge that one of their horses, striking squarely against the wheel of a piece, broke every spoke, and split his own breast open. A single artillerist had remained staunchly at that piece; gathering a handspike from the trail, with one blow he dashed out the brains of the overthrown trooper and knocked another from his seat, after which feat, shouldering his handspike, he deliberately made his way rearward. By this time, five p. m.. General Forrest, his staff and escort, were engaged in a hand-to-hand me/ee with the enemy, and the General be- came involved in one of those personal rencounters that have marked his life and his escape from which appear incredible. He was set upon by four troopers in the road at one moment. Shooting one, the others dashed down upon him with uplifted sabers, which he at- tempted to parry with his revolver; he received several slight wounds and bruises, both on his head and arms. Three others came up, meanwhile, and took part, so that actually as many as si.x troopers were either attempting to saber or shoot him. By this time the ham- mer of his pistol had been hacked away, so that the weapon was use- less, while his right arm was sorely weakened by the many blows which had fallen upon it. His staff and escort couU not help him, for all, at the moment, were strenuously engaged in the like personal combats. On either hand the roadway was hedged by a dense, im- penetrable thicket and rearward was choked by a two-horse wagon, which barred his escape in that direction, while his enemies filled the road frontward, fiercely cutting and shooting at him. Escape, indeed, seemed hopeless; but it was not the habit of the man to look upon aught as hopeless. \\'heeling his horse toward the wagon, giving him the spur fiercely and lifting him with the bridle, the brave animal rose in the air and surmounted the obstacle at the bound, going some thirty steps before he was halted and Forrest turned to survey the field. Scarcely had he done so wdien he was charged by a Federal officer (Captain Taylor), who lunged at him with his saber; but For- rest parried the thrust with his other pistol, which he had been able to draw, and, firing, killed his resolute adversary. By this time, how- ever, those whom he had eluded by his desperate leap over the wagon had contrived to pass it, and were again upon him; but Colonel M. C. Galloway, of Memphis, and Dr. Jones, of his staff, by this time had come to the aid of their imperiled chief, and, firing, had each put an adversary /tors de combat. Forrest killed yet another, and Gallo- The Final '.'AMrAiGN. 555 way, wounding still another, took him prisont-r. • Meanwhile, the es- cort, fighting with their usual fearless prowess, had first checked and then driven their enemy back, which discovered by the few who sur- vived, they retreated precipitately, leaving him and his intrepid party masters of the field. The enemy had used tVie saber almost exclu- sively. Forrest and his staff were armed, each with two navy revol- vers and the men with Spencer rifles as well as pistols. It was a con- test of sabers with firearms, in a thick woods, with the odds of four to one against the Confederates. Forrest, Lieutenant Boon and five of his men only were wounded, while some thirty of the enemy were killed and as many as si.\ty were left in hospital near by badly wounded. The caissons had been carried off, but it was necessary to abandon the section of artillery to the enemy, as Forrest fell back across the creek. Previously, likewise, some two hundred of the State troops and infantry had also fallen into their possession. This stand and combat which I have related would not have been under- taken but for the supposition that General Chalmers, from his re- ported short distance from the ground, would be able to bring his di- vision up in time to enable Forrest to jjrofit by the favorable character of the position to make a prolonged, effective resistance there. But Chalmers, untowardly diverted and retarded by conflicting orders and bad roads and swamps across his route, failed to reach the scene with his splendid division. Adams' men were now utterly demoralized, and many, too, of Roddy's were dashing rearward toward Selma with little or no organi- zation; meanwhile, the enemy were persistently pressing after. But Forrest still interposed his staff and escort across their path, and again a squadron, apparently, was launched upon him; but standing at bay, they were repelled and driven back across a creek. Roddy, mean- while, having gathered some three or four hundred of his best men, was ordered to cover the rear as long as practicable. §3y this time Forrest's wounds had become very painful, and he rode with his staff and escort rapidly to Plantersville. General Adams was" there, and had succeeded in again embodying the mass of the Confederates. But, unluckily, Chalmers was not there. Scarcely had General For- rest had time to telegraph General Taylor the present stale of affairs before the eager enemy appeared, and, without halting, dashed down upon the Confederates, who, at the instant, for the most part, were occupied drawing forage and subsistence from the stores accumulated there. Straightway the panic was general ; they were mounting in r^r^c, K. R. Hancock's Diary. hot haste, and the larger portion made off as fast as their horses could carry them to Selma, about nineteen miles south. But around Forrest rallied his matchless escort, and with them he quickly sallied forward. Presently a short but most spirited engagement took place, which, thanks to the virtue of tlie Spencer (repeater) rifle in the sure, steady hands of that sturdy band, resulted in forcing the Federals to retire upon their main force about sunset. Apprehensive that Roddy and the rear guard had been captured, after a brief conference with Adams, Forrest directed that officer to fall back that night to Selma with such forces as could be collected, while he would go in quest of Chalmers with his escort, now reduced to not more than forty men, by carrier and other detached service and casualties. Taking the road toward Marion (about twenty miles west), some five miles from Plantersville, Forrest was relieved some\vhat by com- ing upon Roddy and his detachment seeking their way toward Selma, after having been pressed off the road by the enemy. Late, about eleven p. .m., he also met Armstrong, with his brigade at a halt, await- ing Chalmers, who. he reported, was still six or eight miles distant im- peded by a swamp and some bad streams across his road. Armstrong was now ordered to hasten to Selma, and Colonel Thomas W. White was dispatched to find Chalmers, with orders to press in the same di- rection with Starke's Brigade, even though he had to leave his artillery behind. These measures having been taken at two a. m.., the 2d of April, the Confederate general suffering acutely from his hurts, and worn down with fatigue, halted and gave his escort opportunity for several hours of rest and to feed their hungry horses. After the route and chase of Croxton's Brigade, on the morning of the ist of April, as previously mentioned, Jackson's Division moved across the country from the Tuscaloosa-Elyton road, in the direction of Scottsvill^ which is between Tuscaloosa and Centerville — twenty- three miles from the former place and ten from the latter. Campbell's Brigade encountered, late that afternoon, some eight miles north of Scottsville, the Federal Brigade, which Wilson had detached at Ran- dolph early that morning under McCook to form a junction with Croxton, and considerable skirmishing ensued until after nightfall. Bell's Brigade bivouacked near where it had turned back the evening before to go in search of Croxton. If Jackson had pressed ahead on the night of the 31st of March, in place of turning back to attack Croxton, Wilson would have felt the weight of his (Jackson's) Sergeant A. H. McKNIGHT. The Final ('ami-aign. 557 splendid division before reaching Selnia. Then ^March 31st) Jackson was only fourteen miles further from Selma than Wilson, but now (April ist) the former was fifty-three miles from Selma and the latter only nineteen. In the saddle early in the morning of the 2d of April, Jackson overtook the Federal brigade under McCook, near Scottsville. The enemy were soon found drawn up across the highway in battle array, mounted, and General Bell was ordered to make the attack with his brigade. Accordingly, Russell's and Newsom's Regiments were im- mediately thrown into position on the right of the road, dismounted, while the Second and Twenty-first Tennessee was deployed into line on the left mounted.* Being very gallantly led by Colonel ^^'ilson, Lieutenant-Colonel Morton and Major DeBow, our regiment dashed down upon the enemy with such fury, that, giving way, they fled in confusion; and thus, the LAST CHARGE of our regiment was most admirably and success- fully made. Sergeant A. B. McKnightj (Company C), Captain John A. Brinkley (Ct)mpany F) and J. D. Carr (Company D) were among the wounded in this affair. Our boys report that four or five Olivers (whose names they can not give) were wounded. But few. if ;inv, were killed. One of Russell's Regiment was killed. Jackson pressed McCook back through Scottsville and across the Cahaba River, near Centerville (about ten miles from the former place), where the enemy burned the bridge and thus stopped further pursuit. On reaching Selma with his faithful escort, about ten a. .m. on the 2d of April, General Forrest found the place in wild confusion, not unnatural, perhaps, in view of the serious danger impending. Long trains of cars, freighted with stores and prisoners, were being dis- patched toward Demopolis. Steamers at the landing were being loaded with other stores and freight of all descriptions, to be sent up the river to Montgomery; the streets were thronged with wagons and drays laden with boxes, barrels, and parts of machinery, and ra|)idly driven in different directions. General Taylor, the department com- mander, was still there, but^ on the eve of departure, by rail, with a •Nixon's Regiment now helongd to Campbell's Brigade. t A. B. McKnight's left leg was broken and afterward amputated above the knee. He recovered, however, from this, a second severe wound, and is now (1S87) a successful farmer and merchant fourteen miles east of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was at the reunion of our regiment six mile> south of Nash- ville (at P. A. Smith's) in .September, 1S85. 558 11. i:. Hancock's Diary. train of ordnance and Suljsistence supplies, for Deniopolis. One of the chief arsenals of construction and depots of the Confederate States embracing ordnance foundries for the army and navy, were es- tablished at Selma. Therefore the place was extensively fortified by a double line of works, the exterior of which was upon a trace of nearly four miles, which enveloped the town upon all sides save the river front. These works required for their defense a very large garrison — one far larger than was now available, as Forrest was satisfied, after taking a careful survey of the works and the resources at hand for holding them. One brigade (Armstrong's) of Chalmers' Division, one (Roddy's) of Buford's, and a few State troops, constituted the avail- able force for the defense of Selma. Having opened telegraphic com- munication with General Buford, Forrest found that that officer had not been ordered thither with his disposable forces, and therefore gave the order. Nevertheless, as the chief command devolved upon For- rest by the departure of General Taylor at two p. m , he made his dis- positions for the attempt, hopeless as it seemed. Armstrong's Brigade, about fourteen hundred strong, was stationed to hold the lines on the left and west, his men being deployed at in- tervals of ten feet, in order to cover the whole ground assigned the brigade. Roddy's men, and such other forces as were in the place, in all some seventeen hundred, rank and file, were disposed in the same extended manner to the right of Armstrong, filling the center and eastern portion of the line. Setting out from Plantersville at daylight, Wilson began to skirmish with the Confederates as early as two p. m., and kept it up until four, when he had completely invested the position. About five p. M. a piece of artillery on the extreme (Armstrong's) left opened upon the Federals, who were forming for an assault in that quarter. Soon, too, all of Armstrong's artillery opened upon similar forces in their front, and presently the enemy, bringing up a battery to a favorable ridge, replied with spirit, but their projectiles, flying high, did no harm. For awhile they appeared little disposed to come to close quarters, but at half-past five three strong lines of battle were pushed forward to the assault, not only of Armstrong's position, but of the Confederates on his right, and from their massive lines poured out an unceasing stream of leaden hail, to which the return fire of the attenuated Confederate line was as that of a skirmish de- tachment to the uproar of a battle at its climax. Meanwhile the militia began to falter and gradually quit their places behind the breast- The Final CAMPAKiX. 550 works, leaving broad gaps, and Armstrong's right exposed. Roddy was, therefore, directed to move over and fill the breach; but be- fore it could be effected the enemy had reached the exposed, deserted section of the lines and surmounted it, cutting Rodd)- and Armstrong in sunder. Turning leftward, they opened an enfilading fire upon Armstrong, who had repulsed three attacks upon his front, with severe loss to his immediate assailants. At this, however, Armstrong was forced to withdraw his brigade, which having to do under a heavy fire, his loss, in killed, wounded, and captured, was very heavy. In the meantime the militia had thrown away their arms, and were swiftly seeking their horses, and divesting themselves, as they fled, of all that would betray their late connection with the defense of Selma. The scene generally was one of the wildest confusion. The Confederates, beaten from the breastworks, were rushing toward their horses; in the town the streets were choked with horses, with soldiers, and citizens hurrying wildly to and fro. Clouds of dust rose and so filled the air that it was difficult to distinguish friend from foe. The Federals were still firing upon their routed, fleeing adversary. Further resistance upon a field so utterly lost, indeed as soon as the enemy appeared in such overpowering force before it, was now worse than useless. But what avenue of escape was there left open? For the broad Alabama River as effectually closed the way in that quarter as the enemy did apparently on all other sides. Forrest, assembling his staff and escort, sallied forth from Selma by the Mont- gomery road, upon which, happily as yet, there was no hostile force to bar his egress. Armstrong soon followed with a like sturdy band around him, but mistaking the road, became involved in a bend of the river, where, having been closely pursued, he effected his escape by cutting his way out with forty or fifty followers. Thus Selma fell, and with it the last important arsenal of construc- tion belonging to the Southern ])eople remained in the possession of (General Wilson, and the main purpose for which that general had taken the field was accomitlished. E. A. Pollard (in his "Southern History of the War," \ol. II, jiage 518) sums up our losses at Selma thus: "Over two thousand prisoners, one hundred cannon, large num- bers of horses and mules, .... immense quantities of sup- plies millions of dollars worth of cotton, a large arsenal, naval iron-works, and other manufactories. Montgomery," continues Pollard, "was peaceably surrendered on the 12th. Columbus, Geor- -560 R. R. Hancock's Diakv. gia, was captured on the i6th. Macon was approached on the 21st. Here Wilson was met by a flag of truce from Howell Cobb, announc- ing an armistice between Sherman and Johnston." I shall here state that General Croxton, after having destroyed the factories at Tuscaloosa, moving westward sought to strike and break up ihe Mobile and Ohio Railroad from Columbus to Meridian. But General Wirt Adams, left at West Point by Forrest to guard that road, threw himself with about the same force across Croxton's path near Sipsey River, and after a warm combat of about one hour the Federals Avere beaten back with the loss of about one hundred killed, wounded, and. captured. Adams pursued for some thirty or forty miles, but without securing any other material advantage. This was the last en- gagement of the war east of the Mississippi. Making his escape from Selma eastward, as previously mentioned, then turning northward, Forrest struck the Plantersville road — by which the enemy had approached — some three miles north of Selma. Suddenly hearing in the stillness of the night the cries of women in ■distress, he and some of his men dashed thither to find a neighboring house in the possession of four Federal "bummers," who, after hav- ing rifled it of all jewelry and other portable valuables, were engaged in the effort to outrage the women who lived there. These wretches speedily met with the fate which their crime justified. The escort were now greatly excited and provoked by the incident, and those in the advance guard, meeting a number of these fellows loaded down with plunder, did not hesitate to slay them on the spot. Hearing the sounds of what was happening ahead, Forrest, to check it, took the conduct of the advance himself. Presently capturing a picket party, he learned that it belonged to a small squadron of the Fourth Regu- lars, encamped near by, rearward, which he determined to surprise and capture also, small as was his own force. Meanwhile learning from the pickets, also, that there was a scouting party in the neigh- borhood detached from the same squadron, he dispatched a part of the escort in their quest with speedy success, for they were soon found a little distance from the road, and taken without resistance, burdened with articles of jewelry, plate, and the like, from neighboring houses. Encumbered with prisoners, who had to be guarded, he had only about thirty men left disposable for the surprise of the squadron I have mentioned, reported over fifty strong. Nevertheless he was not diverted from his purpose; but as they approached its immediate vicinity, Captain Jackson, the commander of his escort, stated to him The Final Campaign. 561 that he was requested on the part of the men to sny they would not attack the enemy it' their general led them, for in a night attack he would be exposed to danger which they were altogether unwilling he should incur at that time: that if he would remain where he was they would cheerfully execute his orders. Acceding to this wish, P'nrrest, halting by the wayside, directed Captain Jackson to do the work in hand, their prey being less than a quarter of a mile distant. Presently Jackson was close upon his adversary without being observed, but then a Federal soldier, springing up, fired his pistol. 'Hie escort rushed upon the enemy, as, startled by their comrade, they rose from their blankets and caught up their arms. An animated fight resulted, which was brought to a close in a few minutes, however, by the com- plete success of the Confederates, thirty-five of the enemy being either killed or wounded, and five captured, with the loss on our side of only one man wounded. Rapidly resuming his march, in the course of the next eight miles Forrest met a,nd captured some more of the plundering "bummers," so that the fruits of the night's operations were at least sixty, either killed, wounded, or^captured. Reaching Plantersville early on the next morning (3d), Forrest halted until three o'clock'in the afternoon to give his men and animals food and rest. Then resuming his line of retreat toward Marion, scarcely had he gone a mile when he came in collision with the ad- vance of the Federal brigade which had been detached some days previous under General McCook. After their old fashion the escort promptly charged upon thejadversary in their road, and killed, wounded, and captured at least twenty; but further combat was altogether too un- equal to be adventured, and Forrest swiftly withdrew by the left llank through ihe woods. It was now four p. m., and pushing on all night — crossing the Cahaba River — he reached Marion at ten a. m. on the 4th. Here he found Jackson's Division, Chalmers with Stark's Brigade, and the entire train and artillery intact that he had brought from Mississippi. After driving McCook across the Cahaba River, near Centerville, as previously mentioned, Jackson's Division, moving southward along the west bank of that stream, arrived at Marion on the 3d — the day after the fall of Selma. Forrest's command remained in that vicinity for the week following, closely guarding the line of the Cahaba from Marion to its mouth. The Second and Twenty-first Tennessee Regi. ment camped, during its stay in that vicinity, some six or seven miles south of Marion. 36 562 K. K. HiNCOCK's Diary. It was from this camp that Lieutenant T. J. Carman (Company E) was sent, with a detachment, to destroy the ferryboits along the Ala- bama River between Cahaba and Iron Bluff. About the i ith of April, Forrest put his command in motion again, westward, from Marion, and on the isth he established his headquar- ters at Gainesville. After halting a few days near Cxreensboro, Jackson's Division crossed the Tombigbee River and encamped, for about ten days, near Sumterville ; * and thence it moved to the vicinity of Gainesville. The LAST CAMPING PLACE of the gallant remains of the Second and Twenty-first Tennessee was in a beautiful woods on the west side of the Tombigbee River, and a short distance south of Gainesville, in Sumpter County, Alabama. In the meantime, Lee's army had surrendered to Grant at Appo- mattox Court-house, on the 9th of April ; J. E. Johnston and Sherman had, on the i8th, in North Carolina, agreed upon an armistice; and Mobile had fallen into the hands of the enemy about the 25th. All had now to see that the end v/as near at hand; the end of toilsome marches ; the end of night watches ; the end of fierce battles with an enemy always superior in numbers; the end of years of hardship and peril ; but, alas ! the end, also, of all the proud hopes, which had in- spired them throughout, of political independence. General Taylor having previously completed negotiations with Gen- c-al Canby for the cessation of hostilities by the Confederate forces of liis department on the same terms as had been stipulated between Gen- erals Johnston and Sherman. Brigadier-General E. S. Dennis reached Gainesville on the 9th of May as the Federal Commissioner to e.xecute the proper paroles. General Jackson was appointed a Commissioner on the part of the Confederates to authenticate muster rolls and other necessary papers, and the work of paroling began ; and in this man- ner : muster rolls, in duplicate, of each general and his staff; of each regimental staff; of each quartermaster and commissary, and their em- ployes ; and of each company were made, and a copy furnished each Commissioner. To each non-commissioned officer and private was then issued a certificate of parole, bearing the number opposite their names respectively upon the muster-roll and signed by the two com- missioners. The officers, however, were required to sign duplicate obligations, as follows : *About fourteen miles south-'Aest of Gainesville. Thk Final Campaign. 563 "I, the undersigned prisoner of war, belonging to the Army of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana, having been surrendered b) Lieutenant-General R. Taylor, Confederate States Army, commanding said department, to Major-General E. R. S, Canby, United States Army, commanding Army and Division of West Mississippi, do hereby give my solemn parole of honor that I will not hereafter serve in the armies of the Confederate States, or in any military capacity whatever against the United States of America, or render aid to the enemy of the latter until properly exchanged in such manner as shall be mutually approved by the respective au- thorities." This was then approved by both Commissioners, and General Den- nis added his indorsement, that the officer in question would "not be disturbed by the United States authorities as long as he observed his parole and the laws in force where he resides." The same day of the arrival of General Dennis at his headquarters. General Forrest issued his farewell address to his troops in the follow- ing language : '•Headquari'Ers Forrest's Cavalry Corps, Gainesville, Alabama, May 9th, 1865. "Soldiers: By an agreement made between Lieutenant-General Taylor, commanding the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana, and Major-General Canby, commanding United States forces, the troops of this department have been surrendered. " I do not think it projjer or necessary, at this time, to refer to the causes which have reduced us to this extremity; nor is it now a matter of material consequence to us how such results were brought about. That we are beaten is a self-evident fact, and any further resistance on our part would be justly regarded as the very height of folly and rashness. "The armies of Generals Lee and Johnston having surrendered, you are the last of all the troops of the Confederate States Army, east of the Mississippi River, to lay down your arms. "The cause for which you have so long and manfully struggled, and for which you have braved dangers, endured privations and suf- ferings and made so many sacrifices, is to-day hopeless. The govern- ment which we sought to establish and perpetuate is at an end. Rea- son dictates and humanity demands that no more blood be shed. Fully realizing in feeling that such is the case, it is your duty and mine to lay down our arms— submit to the powers 'that be' — and to 564 K. R. Hancock's Diary. aid in restoring peace and establishing law and order throughout tlie land. "The terms upon which you are surrendered are favorable, and should be satisfactory and acceptable to all. They manifest a spirit of magnanimity and liberality on the part of the Federal authorities which should l)e met, on our part, by a faithful compliance with all the stipulations and conditions therein expressed. As your com- mander, I sincerely hope that every officer and soldier of my com- mand will cheerfully obey the orders given and carry out in good faith all the terms of the cartel. "Those who neglect the terms and refuse to be paroled, may as- suredly expect, when arrested, to be sent north and imprisoned. "Let those who are absent from their commands, from whatever cause, report at once to this place or to Jackson, Mississippi; or, if too remote from either, to the nearest United States post or garrison for paroles. "Civil war, such as we have just passed through, naturally engen- ders feelings of animosity, hatred and revenge. It is our duty to di- vest ourselves of all such feelings, and so far as in our power to do so cultivate friendly feelings toward those with whom we have so long contended, and heretofore so widely, but honestly, differed. Neigh- borhood feuds, personal animosities and private differences should be blotted out; and, when you return home, a manly, straightforward course of conduct will secure the respect even of your enemies. Whatever your responsibilities may be to government, to society, or to individuals, meet them like men. "The attempt made to establish a separate and independent Con- federation has failed, but the consciousness of having done your duty faithfully, and to the end, will in some measure repay for the hard- ships you have undergone. "In bidding you farewell rest assured that you carry with you my best wishes for your future welfare and happiness. Without in any way referring to the merits of the cause in which we have been en- gaged, your courage and determination, as exhibited on many hard fought fields, have elicited the respect and admiration of friend and foe. And I now, cheerfully and gratefully, acknowledge my indebt- ness to the officers and men of my command, whose zeal, fidelity and unflinching bravery have been the great source of my past success in arms. "I have never on the field of battle sent you where I was unwill- The Final Campaign. 505 ing to go myself; nor would I now advise you to a course which I felt myself unwilling to pursue. Vou have been good soldiers; you can be good citizens. Obey the laws, preserve your honor, and the govern- ment to which you have surrendered can afford to be, and will be mag- nanimous. N. B. Forrest, Lieutenant- General. The utmost eagerness now pervaded the command to procure their paroles. General Dennis, found to be a courteous gentleman, did all in his power to accelerate the work assigned, and in a manner most acceptable to his late adversaries. And by the i6th of May about eight thousand (including about six hundred of Scott's Louisiana Cav- alry) officers and men had been paroled and allowed to return to their homes with their horses and other private property. In closing his sketch of the Second Tennessee, Lieutenant Geo. F. Hager (Company G) says : "We received our paroles on the loth of May, 1S65, if not with victory, at least and above all, with honor. . . . We were not long in getting ready to start home, as some of us had not been there since early in 1861; but we started with sad thoughts, our memory wandering to the conmiencement of the war, when we had gone out with so many noble young men, several hundred of whom we were forced to leave behind — their bodies scattered on the various fields of action, many of them unburied. They gave up their lives to the 'Lost Cause,' and their bones are decayed or bleaching over Tennes- see, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia. "I may here add that the organization and discipline of the Second Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry were not e.xcelled by any other in the field. Whatever the danger, or however great the hardship, the regi- ment always stood with firmness and obeyed with alacrity. Confidence prevailed between officers and men, each feeling proud of his connec- tion with the old Second. It was composed of young men* and commanded by young men who were called from the plow handles, work-shops, and counting-rooms of Middle and West Tennessee. None were trained in military schools; our training was in active ser- vice. As the sons of Tennessee, we responded to her call as promptly as we would to the call of the United States (iovernment to-day. How faithfully we served her we are willing the world shall say. Our motto was: ' My country, rigiit or wrong I am with thee.' *1 would suppose that half were under twenty-one when ihey entered the service. — R. R. H. 566 R. R. Hancock's Diary. " This ends my brief sketch of the Second Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry that so gallantly contended for what we believed to be right, and never, in camp or field, brought reproach on Tennessee as a 'Volunteer State.' Each man seemed determined that no act of his should tarnish her good name. To the brave ones who fell we drop a soldier's tear. Peace be with them."* The last battle flag of the Confederacy, east of the Mississippi River, was furled on the i6th of May. The words of Father Ryan somewhat express the feelings of the Confederate soldier: The Conquered Banner. Furl that banner, for 'tis weary, Round its staff 'tis drooping dreary; Furl it, fold it, it is best. For there's not a man to wave it, And there's not a sword to save it. And there's not one left to lave it In the blood which heroes gave it. And its foes now scorn and brave it; Furl it, hide it, let it rest. Take that banner down — "tis tattered. Broken is its staff and shattered. And the valiant hosts are scattered Over whom it floated higli. O 'tis hard for us to fold it. Hard to think there's none to hold it, Hard that those who once unrolled it Now must furl it with a sigh. For, though conquered, they adore it. Love the cold, dead hands that bore it. Weep for those who fell before it. Pardon those who trailetl and tore it. But O wildly they deplore it Now who furl and fold it sol Furl that banner ! True, 'tis gory. Yet 'tis wreathed around with glory, And 'twill live in song. and story. Though its folds are in the dust. For its fame on brightest pages. Penned by poets and by sages, Shall go sounding down the ages. Furl its folds though now we must. Furl that banner softly, slowly; Treat it gently; it is holy. For it droops above the dead. Touch it not, unfold it nsver ; Let it droop there, furled forever, For its people's hopes are dead." *Military Annals of Tennessee, pp. 623 and 624. Rolls of Honor. 567 ROLLS OF HONOR. SECOND TENNESSEE CAVALRY. Colonel C. R. Barteau, w. four times. ■■ Lieutenant-Colonel G. H. Morton, w. at Paducah, Ky., and at Tory fight Oc- tober 25, 1863. (See Appendix A.) Major Wm. Parrish, d. near Okolona, Miss., May 9, 1864.. COMPANY A. Captains: G. H. Mcrion and N. Oswell. Abbey, R. H., d. in 1862.- Craighead, \V. J., d. during the v/ar. . Edmonson, W. A., k. while on detailed duty in Ky. in 1861. French, Lieutenant A. H., w. at Mud" Creek and near Harrisburg July 13,' 1864. General Stevens. Kimbro, Thomas, c. and k. at Gallatin,. Tenn., as a guerilla, by order of Gen. Payne. Little, D., k. at Britton's Lane .Sept. I, 1862.- Maxey, Wm. O., d. during the war. » Sykes, J. W., d. during the war. • Hook, L N., k. at Shiloh, courier foriTarpley, Robert, k. at Shiloh, courier* for General Stevens. Kenner, John, w. mortally near Roena,^. Tate, James, k. at Jamestown, Ky.,* Dec. 26, 1861. Webb, J. B., k. at Britton's Lane Sept. I, 1862. • Ky., in 1861. Kelly, Pat, w. while courier between. Cumberland Gap and Jacksboro, in 1861. COMPANY B. Captains: Wm. Parrish and T. B. Underwood. Caldwell, J. R., k. at Booneville, Miss.,"! Orum, James, w. mortally at Harris- May, 1862. Cowles, James, k.* • Dodson, Tim, k.* * Fleming, Lem, vj.* * Frankland, Josejih, w. Marks, W. Perry, k. at Memphis Aug.* Reid, \V. W., w.* 21, 1864. Mebane, Alex., w.* "* .McGan, J. L., w.* McAllister, J. H., d. in Jan., 1864, in prison at Alton, 111. burg. Miss. Pollard, X. N., w. at Harrisburg. ' Polk, Tump., k. at Spring Hill Nov.* 18, 1864. Parrish, Major Wm., d. May 9, l864.» Smithson, Lieutenant G. W., w.* • Tichenor, G. W., w.* • Wall, Lieutenant S. B., w. twice.*" * Williams, Wm. A., k. at Fort Pillow • April, 1864. 'J. L. McGan, who sent me the roll of Ewing's Company, faibi! to suite where th«)se followed by a star (*) were killed or woundeii. 508 R. R. Hancock's Durt. COMPANY C. Captain, M. W.McKnight, w. three tinxes.* Allison, Captain T. M., k. at home by#' Kennedy, W. C, w. in 1864. • 1 Keaton, Coon, d. in prison.' Federals in 1862. Ashford, Cahal, d. in 1862.- Brison, R., d. in prison. Cavender, J. H., w. at Tory fight in* October, 1863. Davenport, Geo., \v. at Bear Creek in 1862.' Davenport, R., w. at Tory tight.' Dennis, Lieutenant Sam, \v. at Harris-' burg July 14, 1864. Ewing, E. L., w. near Columbia, Tenn.ji Oct. 2, 1864. Elkins, T. D., w. at Paducah, Ky.,» March 25, 1864. Francis, M. H., w. at Harrisburg." Francis, J. J., w. at Harrisburg. ' Gan, Jim, k. in Wilson County, Tenn. ■ Grisham, O., k. at Harrisburg July 14, 1864. Hancock, C. E., d. in Franklin County,' Stevens, J. W., w. at Paducah, Ky Stevens, H. G., w. at Cherokee, Ala.* k. at Harrisburg.^ and Memphis, Tenn. Stanley, John, d. in prison. ■*" \\ . at Paris Landing-^ Thomas, A. J., w. at Harrisburg.* 1 Thomas, E. D., w. at Cherokee, Ala.,* Ala., June 4, 1S64 Hancock, W. C July 14, 1864. Hancock, R. R., Oct. 30, 1864. Harrison, W. \V. 21, 1864. Harrison, Lieutenant J. S., vv. at Har risburg July 14, 1S64. Herndon, Joe W., w. July 14, 1864.- Hawkins, W. W., w. at Fort Pillow." Lorance, M., w. July 14, 1864. » McKnight, John N., w. at Paducah, ' Ky., March 25, 1864. McKnight, L. \V., w. mortally March' 25, 1864. McKnight, A. B.,« %v. Lost one leg ♦ April 2, 1865. McLin, J. D., w. in i864.» Odom, B. F., k. at Paducah, Ky.,-* March 25, 1864. Odom, John H., w. at Harrisburg.* Odom, James H., w. at Harrisburg. » Odom, H. C, w. at Memphis. j Odom, S. C, w. at Mud Creek, Mi.>s.,» and Paducah, Ky.» Rich, W. E., w. near Harrisburg July • 13, 1864. Richardson, M., d. in 1S61 or 1862. • k. at Memphis Aug.* Hawkins, J. E. J., k. near Auburn inJ Wamack, W. L., w. at Fort Pillow Oct. 21, 1S63. Thomas, C. F., vv. at Fort Pillow April- 12, 1864. Turney, Lieutenant H. L. W., w. at Fort Pillow'and Memphis Aug. 21, * 1S64. Willard, Nelson, w. at Corinth Oct. 5, 1862. . December, 1864. Hays, J. T., d. in iS6i. • Hearman, John, d. at Mill Springs Jan. 6, 1862.' COMPANY D. Captain, W. T. Rickman, w. July 13, 1864.* Ayers, Wm., k. at Paducah, Ky. • I Brown, Wm., w. at Medoni»and mor- Bullock, Lieut. Ed., \v., mijrtally, July * tally w. at Harrisburg. » 15, 1864. I Brown, Thomas, d. in prison. » Brown, Geo., k. at Tory fight Oct. 25,«-| Carr, John D., w. April 2, 1865. • 1 863 . I Corum, Abiga, d. in 1862. • Rolls of Honor. 569 Cockes, Will. I.. (1. in 1862. • Love, S. W., w. at I'aducah.* Cannon, Dave, d. at Corinth, 1862. » Lee, John, k. at Town Creek, July 15. ♦ Cloay, John, k. at Shiloh.* 1864. Cantrell, Lieut. J. M., \v. at Harris-* Renfroe, Pleas., d. at Corinth.* burg, Miss. Ryan, James, w. July 13, 1864. • Dodd, Lieut. J. K., w. at Medon and Shaw, James, d. in 1862.' Fort Pillow, April 12, 1864.* Thompson, John, k. at Shiloh." Dickerson, J. R., mortally -w. at Cher-- Young, Rich., d. November, 1861.' okee, Ala., October, 1863. Young, Joe, d. March, 1862.' Eaton, Alex., d. at Corinth, 1862. Youree, W. B., transferred tn Second * Franklin, John, k. at Shiloh.- Tennessee Infantry and k. at Peach Hunter, J. C, k. at Shiloh. ' ' Tree Creek, C.a. Love, Lieut. Geo., k. at Fort Pillow,'! April 12, 1864. I COMPANY E. Captains: \V. A. DeBovv and G. E. Seay ; the former was w. at Harri?.hurg, • July 14, 1864. Burrow, Joe, w. at Britton's Lane,"hHarland, Steve, w. at Cherokee, Ala. « Tenn., Sept. i, 1862. HoUin, Charlie, k. by Jay-hawkers. , Blankenship, Joel, w. at Britton'sLane.T Luster, Wm., w. at Medon, Tenn." Brown, Burnett, w. at Shiloh'and d. at Maddox, Joe, k. at Medon, Tenn. • Corinth. » Mills, J. P., w. , Bass, Rubin, w. at Courtland, Ala., in'! Ouhls, Wm., d. at Corinth. > July,- 1862. Bass, John, w. April i, 1865.' Carr, Nute, w. at Paducah. » Duke, Wm., w. at Fort Pillow.. Dalton, Robert, w. near Tupelo, Miss., May 5, 1S63. -. Hall, Dick, d. at Corinth.-- Piper, Sam, w. at Shiloh and d. at Cor- * inth. Stanford, Tennessee, d. at Columbus, , Miss. Stalcup, Wm., w. July 14, 1S64. * Violett, T. Wm., d. at Corinth.* COMPANY F. ('aptain, John A. Brinkley. Austin, Lieut. J. T., w. at Birming-' ham, Miss., April 24, 1S63, and v/..i June 20, 1863. again July 13, 1864. • Bond, Wm., w. at Harrisburg. - Brinkley, J. K., %v. at Fort Pillow,- April 12, 1864. Hames, Andrew I., k. at Mud Creek,- Johnson, John, d. in 1862. < Kelley, Samuel R., d. in Oct., 1862.* Link, James, w. at Fort Pillow.* Link, Thomas, w. at Cherokee, Al.i., Briley, Elisha, mortally w. at Pulaski, 1 October, 1863. Tenn. Denning, Lieut. John E., k. at Harris- burg, Miss., July 14, 1S64. * Edwards, Wm., d. in prison. "^ Griffin, M., d. May 3, 1862.* Hall, Simon, d. at Ramon, Miss. " Harden, Robert, d. during the war. • McMillen, J. D., w. • Owens, Wm., k. in Sumner Co., Tenn. « Warren, Wash., w. at Okolona. Fei). 1 22, 1864. Wilkerson, Charles, w. at Shiloh.* Williams, G. B., k. in Kentucky, in , December, 1S64. 570 K. R. Hancock's Diary. COMPAxW G. Captains: Thomas Puryear, mortally w. at Cherol| I'etway, T. W., w. April 2, 1S65. / Ala., V of this consolidated company, which, soon after, became Comjiany A of the Second Tennessee Cavalry. Near Fulton, Mississippi, on the 12th of June, 1862, he was elected major of the Second Tennessee, which was composed of the First and Second Battalions. It was now that Major Morton began to display his military talent, both as a leader in action and a disciplinarian in camp. In fact, so rigid was he in discipline that our boys complained somewhat at first, but soon realizing that he was right they only admired him the more. As to the gallant manner in which he led the Second Tennessee at Medon and Britton's Lane near Denmark, Vv'est Tennessee, and Palo Alto, Birmingham and Tupelo, Mississippi, I refer the reader to the accounts of those actions previously given. In June, 1863, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, which po- sition he held until the close of the war with satisfaction to his supe- riors and honor to himself and the Second Tennessee. When Lieutenant-Colonel Morton led the Second Tennessee against Sherman's army, near Cherokee, Alabama, on the 21st of October, 1863, with as much pluck and vim as if he had met only his equal in number, several balls passed through his coat; and a few days later (26th), at the action with the Tories, on the luka-Fulton road, he was knocked from his horse, though not seriously wounded. He was complimented by his superiors for the gallant manner in which he led his men during these two engagements. On the 25th of March, 1864, he was severely wounded at Paducah, Kentucky, from the effect of which he was disabled for several months. He was able to be with us again, however, on the Middle Tennessee expedition, under General Forrest, in the latter part of September and the first of October, 1864. The most impressive scene of this Appendix A. 583 expedition, So far as the Second Tennessee was concerned, occurred at Cypress Creek, about two miles West of Florence, Alabama, on the retreat. A detachment of the Second Tennessee was here sur- rounded by the enemy, and, but for the generalship displayed by Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, as well as his prompt and darmg action in leading his men out, perhaps the larger portion of them would have been captured.* He was in command of the Second Tennessee during the famous Hood retreat from Nashville to the Tennessee River, in December, 1864. He had two horses shot from under him during that retreat — one at Hollow Tree Gap. about four miles north of Franklin, and the other at Richland Creek, a few miles north of Pulaski. After the Hood campaign, the Second Tennessee took part in only two more actions, near Scottsville. Alabama, on the ist and 2d of April, 1865. In both of these our lieutenant-colonel did his full duty, and surrendered with the regiment at Gainesville, Alabama, on the loth of May. 1S65, having served four years to a day. Setting out for home immediately, he arrived at Nashville on the 15th of June, where, on the ist of May following, he married Miss Isidora Donel- son, who was born at Cross Plains, Robertson County, Tennessee, in 1845. Since that time he has been engaged in the mercantile business — first, near Nashville, then at Belleview, and next at White Bluffs, which is his present place of business, on the North-western Railroad, in Dickson County, some twenty-two miles west of Nashville. He has six sons — George H., Jr., T. D., T. H., W. L., J. T., and N. H., and one daughter, Isidora. At the reunion of the Second Tennessee, in 1885, the writer heard Colonel Morton say : "Boys, I expect to be with you at every reunion you have as long as I am able to get there.'' This shows very clearly that the men whom he had the honor to command are still kindly remembered by him. And I wish to add, in conclusion, that the survivers of the "Old Second" are equally as devoted to him. Colonel Morton is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and also belongs to the Knights of Honor. LIEUTENANT ELI O. ELLIOTT, QUARTERMASTER OF THE SECOND TENNESSEE. E. O. Elliott, son of George and Mary Elliott, was born Feb- ruary 1 2th, 1 83 1, in Sumner County, Tennessee. He was educated *The balance of the Second Tennesscec an J a part of the Seventh were as gallantly led out by Colonel Barteau. 584 K. E. Hancock's Diary. at and near Gallatin. Farming in Sumner County was his occupation previous to our late war. About the ist of September, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate service as private in Captain H. B. Sonde's Company, which, on the 19th of October, at Eperson Springs, in Macon County, Tennessee, became Company A of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. By appointment, E. O. Elliott was then and there made adjutant of said battalion, with the rank and pay of lieutenant. He served as adjutant of the Seventh Battalion until it and the First were consoli- dated, near Fulton, Mississippi, June 12th, 1862. He then became quartermaster of the Second Tennessee. He served as our quartermaster for nearly three years with honor to himself and entire satisfaction to all of our regiment, as well as his superior officers. Be it said to the honor of this noble officer that the Second Tennessee always had plenty of forage, if it could possi- bly be found. If forage was scarce our quartermaster always got there in time to get a full share in the divide. Allen Wylie and John Ward were his able assistants. E. O. Elliott .served as quartermaster of the Second Tennessee until it and Wilson's Regiment were consolidated, about February, 1865. He was then sent into West Tennessee with a detachment under Cap- tain William Duncan, in search of absentees from Forrest's com- mand. He was engaged in this service until the war closed. He was paroled at Columbus, Mississippi, about the 14th of May, 1865. After remaining in Mississippi for a short time, Lieutenant Elliott went to Arkansas; but remaining there but a short time, he returned to Gallatin, Tennessee, where he now (1887) lives, and is engaged in training race-horses. REV. STEPHEN CHASTALN TALLEY, Ch.aplain of the Second Tennessee. S. C. Tallrv was born in Smith County, Tennessee, on the 27th of December, 1831. His father, Benjamin Talley, was born in Buck- ingham County, Virginia, May 12th, 1798. His grandfather, Charles Talley, was a scout under the Governor of ^'irginia during the Rev- olutionary War, and distinguished himself for faithfulness and relia- bility. His mother's maiden name was Judith Ch.TStain, daughter of Stephen Chastain,-^ after whom the subject of this sketch was named. *The Chastains were Huguenots, or Protestants, who came from France to enjoy religious liberty. The Talleys were from England. Appendix A. 585 S. C. 'J'alley was raised on a farm in Sumner County, Tennessee, and attended the "old field schools" of the country some two or three months each year until fifteen years of age, after which he continued his studies at home by reading at night and odd times. He learned to read when only five years old; and when fifteen he bought," at one time, forty dollars' worth of books. He made a public profession of religion in July, 1849, ^"d shordy afterward united with the Method- ist Episcopal Church, South. He spent the winter of 1851 and 1852 in traveling in Virginia and Kentucky, and studying Church History — especially the history of the Methodist and Baptist Churches. Hav- ing become satisfied that the latter were similar in doctrine and gov- ernment to those founded by the apostles, he united with the Mis- sionary Baptist Church in Smith County, Tennessee, known as the ^'Harmony Church," and was baptized by Elder Henry Roark, in September, 1852. S. C. Talley married Miss Sarah E. Grigg, daughter of Branch J. Grigg, on the 19th of July, 1852. Soon after uniting with the Har- mony Church he was made clerk of that body, which position he held until the Friendship Church was organized; he then served as clerk of the latter Church until his ordination to the ministry. He began to preach soon after uniting with the Baptist Church, but was not or- dained to the full work of the ministry until in i860. He enlisted in Captain C. L. Bennett's Company, Seventh Battalion Tennessee Cavalry, and was soon after transferred to Captain J. T. E. Odom's Company, of same battalion, in which he served as private until the 12th of June, 1862; he was then appointed chaplain of the Second Tennessee by Colonel C. R. Barteau. He made a gallant soldier, both before and after being made chaplain. He was as ready to fight the enemy of his country as the enemy of souls. He served as chaplain of our regiment for over two years. I take the following from letters recently received from our dear chaplain : "Shortly after those three days of hard fighting around Harrisburg, Mississippi, in which so many of our noble comrades were killed or wounded, I had the good fortune to be selected by the Rev. Colonel D. C. Kelley, and recommended by him to General Forrest, to be sent to Middle Tennessee as the bearer of sad tidings, messages of dying sons to loved mothers, and husbands to wives. "I went alone with about one hundred letters from our boys to loved ones at home and three or four Southern papers; and although 586 K. E. Hancock's Diary. it was dangerous I pressed forward eagerly, and, after a number of adventures and narrow escapes, I succeeded in reaching home in five days, wliere I was seen by many of my old friends and delivered the messages with which I had been intrusted, but finally I was captured at S. Carr's, on the Gallatin and Scottsville Turnpike — the house being surrounded about midnight. I was carried to Nashville and kept there in the Military Prison, charged with being a spy, until the 20th of January, 1865. I was then sent to Fort Delaware. "Having been exchanged, I arrived at Richmond, Virginia, on the 14th of February, 1865, where I remained until the 3d of March, at the Stewart Hospital. Soon after my arrival at Richmond I found Dr. Menees, our representative in the Confederate Congress from Robert- son County, Tennessee, who kindly introduced me at the War De- partment, where I found, to my great surprise, that the Second Ten- nessee Cavalry had not been officially recognized at the War Depart- ment. I asked for our pay-rolls, which were found on file ; from these it was learned that nearly two thousand dollars were due me by the Confederate States Government. They then, in order to legally pay me something, officially recognized our regiment and numbered it the Twenty-second Tennessee Cavalry, and paid me six hundred and sixty dollars. "On the 3d of March I obtained a leave of absence from the Sec- retary of War, J. J. Breckinridge, for thirty days, and visited my rel- atives in Buckingham County. My great-grandfather. Rone Chastain, was pastor of the Buckingham Baptist Church for fifty consecutive years. It was my privilege, during this visit, to preach from the same pulpit that he had so faithfully filled long before the Revolutionary War. I returned to Richmond on the 3d of April, in time to take the last train that left that city, with Admiral Semmes and his marines. I arrived at Gainesville, Alabama, with the blank paroles, on the 9th of May, 1865, and at home on the 21st of May." The occupation of Elder S. C. Talley during the ten years that he remained in Tennessee after the war closed was farming, teaching and preaching. Having sold his farm in Sumner County, he removed to Ellis County, Texas, in October, 1875, ^"^ bought 1487 acres of unimproved land near Waxahachie. For the next seven years his time was mainly occupied in opening this new farm, but he is now de- voting his entire time to the ministry. Brother Talley's oldest child died in infancy. He has two sons (B. B. and S. C, Jr.) living; and twin daughters (Lucia and Judith A.), Appendix A. 587 one of whom died in 1874. Be it said to the honor of Brother Talley, that he has never used intoxicating drink, as a beverage, since he was fifteen years old. He closes a letter to the writer, dated " Waxa- hachie, Texas, March 5th, 1887," as follows: "I am in my fifty sixth year, in fine health, and thankful that my life is still spared, and would be delighted to be able to preach again to the remnant of the old Second Tennessee Cavalry and urge them to trust in God and try to do their duty to Him as faithfully as they served their country, and they will be fully rewarded with a crown of victory that will never fade away." DR. J. W. HARRISON, SURGEON OF THE SECOND TENNESSEE. J. W. Harrison, son of James H. and Emily E. Harrison, was born July 26th, 1830, at Castalian Springs, Sumner Coimty, Tennes- see. After completing his literary course at Wirt College, in Sumner County, he entered the medical department of the University at Nash- ville in October, 1852, where he attended four courses of lectures, and, after practicing for two years, he returned to Nashville and grad- uated in 1858, after which, he continued the practice of medicine in the vicinity of Cairo, in Sumner County, until our late war broke out. He married Miss Mary E. Cox on the 24th of June, 1858. They have two daughters, Martha T. and Mary W. Dr. J. W. Harrison enlisted in the Confederate service about the ist of October, 1861, as private in Captain Ed. P. Tyree's Company, which, about eighteen days later, became Company C of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. He served as assistant surgeon of said battalion until it and the First Battalion were consolidated, near Fulton, Mississippi, June 12th, 1862. He was then made assistant surgeon of the Second Tennessee. After serving as assistant for one year, he got to be surgeon of our regiment. Dr. Harrison was kind, generous and brave, as well as a good physician. He was ever true and faithful to our sick and wounded. He would even run the risk of losing his own life in bringing our wounded from the battlefield, as the following incidents will fully show : During the action at Cherokee, Alabama, on the 21st of October, 1863, he went so near the enemy with his ambulance that his horse was shot and balls passed through his coat and vest while bringing Captain Thomas Puryear (Co. G) and Private J. R. Dickerson (Co. D) from the battlefield. Both proved to be mortally wounded. 588 R. R. Hancock's Diary. Near Harrisburg, Mississippi, on the 13th of July, 1864, when our regiment had been, in a measure, cut to pieces and were falling back before overwhelming odds, our gallant surgeon having learned that Lieutenant French, who was among the severely wounded, had not been brought from the field, set out at once with an ambulance, and, on commg in range of the grape and canister from the enemy's guns, the driver halted and proposed to turn back. Springing forward and seizing one of the mules by the reins, both to quiet the team and to prevent the driver turning, the doctor said: "No, we will not turn back. We will bring Lieutenant French from the field or die in the at- tempt. '" He, at the same time, called upon our men to halt and rally. Pressing on, he soon met some of the infirmary corps with the lieu- tenant, who was placed in the ambulance, and, with others, carried back to Doctor Calhoun's. For the above feat. Dr. Harrison was highly complimented the next day "for gallantry upon the field" by General Buford. On the 15th of July, 1864, our surgeon was disabled by sunstroke and sent to the Cowan Hospital at Okolona, Mississippi. Growing worse and worse, his physicians finally despaired of his recovery. He recovered, however, and was placed in charge of the officers' ward in said hospital, where he remained until the close of the war. Dr. Harrison returned home on the 5th of June, 1865. He had not been at home before since about the loth of February, 1862. He has been practicing his profession ever since the war in the vicinity of Cairo, Sumner County, Tennessee. He is now (1887) jail physician and health officer of Sumner County, and has been magistrate of the Second District for twelve years. LIEUTENANT THOMAS C. ATKINSON. T. C. Atkinson, son of Howell S. and Charlotte Atkinson, was born March 31st, 1837, in Nashville, Tennessee, at which place he was raised and educated. He was in the regular army of the United States — Second Dragoons — out on the frontier at the breaking out of our late civil war. When Governor I. G. Harris called on Tennessee for volunteers to repel Nonhern invasion, Atkinson returned to his native city and enlisted in Captain Frank N. McNairy's Company, which, soon after, became Company A of First Tennessee Battalion of Cavalry. He served as private in said company until the consoli- dation of the First and Seventh Battalions, near Fulton, Mississippi, June 1 2th, ]862; and then and there he was elected First Lieutenant Appendix A. 589 of Company A, Second Tennessee. As the Captain — N. Oswell — of Company A was captured in the latter part of 1862, and soon after bemg exchanged, he was disabled and discharged. Lieutenant Atkin- son was in command of his company the most of the time from the time he was made lieutenant to the close of the war. To mention the places where this officer displayed gallantry would be to mention every action in which he took part, for he was always found in the front rank. When the Second Tennessee was thrown out to meet the advance of A. J. Smith's army, between New Albany and Pontotoc, on the loth of July, 1864, the lieutenant's action called forth the following compliment from Colonel Barteau : "The conduct of Lieutenant T. C. Atkinson with Company A was particularly noticeable here — coming in hand-to-hand contact with the advance of the enemy's charge and emptying three saddles with his own pistol. His conduct seemed to be much admired and applauded even by the Yankee troops, and served as an incentive to my own men.'' Notwithstanding he was an indomitable hard fighter he was not wounded during the war, though he had a favorite horse shot from under him, but I cannot now mention where. He married Miss Texanna Nicholson, in Okolona, Mississippi, February 15th, 1865. The war having closed he returned home about the last of May following, and a few weeks later he went back to Mississippi, and bringing his wife to Tennessee he settled in Nashville. He was foreman of the Edgefield and Nashville Manufacturing Company about sixteen years, and then for some time he held the same ])osition in the Southern Pump Company. Lieutenant Atkinson died in Nashville on the the 26th of March, 1887. He was very kind and patient during his illness. He left no children. His wife is still living. LIEUTENANT ANDERSON H. FRENCH. A. H. French was born in Jackson County, Ohio, on the 28th of November, 1841, where he was raised and educated. His father, John French, was born and raised in Hagerstown, Maryland. His mother, Johannah Elizabeth (her maiden name was Branscombe), was born and raised in Greenbrier County, Virginia — now West Virginia. At the breaking out of our late civil war he was with his uncle, H. S. French, in the wholesale grocery business at Nashville, Tennessee. 590 R. R. Haxcook's Diary. As soon as Tennessee seceded he made a flying visit to his parents, then residing at his birthplace in Ohio. Remaining at home but two days, he returned to Nashville and joined Captain Foster's company of infantry. After drilling with this company for about ten days, he began to suffer from the effect of an injury to one of his feet received during his boyhood days; therefore he withdrew from this infantry company, by consent of Captain Foster, and attached himself to Cap- tain F. N. McXairy's cavalry company (which was the first raised in Tennessee) on the 23d of May, 1861. McNairy's company soon after became Company A of the First Battalion, in which company French served as private for the first twelve months. At Jacinto, Mississippi, on the 14th of May, 1862, he re-enlisted for " three years or during the war," and was made second lieutenant of his company, which, on the 12th of June following, became Com- pany A of the Second Tennessee, which position he held until disa- bled. About the 15th of December, 1862, Lieutenant French was cap- tured at Tupelo, Mississippi, and carried to Corinth where he Avas imprisoned about six weeks.* Having been paroled, he returned to the Second Tennessee — then encamped near Okolona — about the last of January, 1S63; but as he could not enter the service until ex- changed, he went to Hartsville, Tennessee, to visit some of his rela- tives who were then living at that place, which was rnside the Federal lines. This was in the spring of 1863. Remaining at Hartsville only a few days, he went to General Morgan's headquarters at Murfrees- boro where he found his exchange papers. After remaining witli Morgan's command for a few weeks — doing some gallant fighting and leading some daring charges near Taylorsville, in Wilson County — Lieutenant French rejoined the Second Tennessee in North Mississippi about the last of May, 1863. On the 20th of June foUowmg, the action at Mud Creek, Mississippi, was fought. He, being in com- mand of the advance guard, brought on the engagement. Special praise is due him for the gallant and daring manner in which he stood his ground and fought desperately, at short range, until the rest of our regiment came to his sui)port. He was here severely wounded. A ball passed through his right arm between the elbow and wrist, shivering one bone. Our assistant surgeon, Ur. J. W. Harrison, went with Lieutenant French to one Mr. Sam Ward's, who owned a *The writer was captured at Guntown and taken to Corinth by the same Federal scout. Appendix A. 591 large i)rairie farm seven miles south of Okolona, on tlie Aberdeen road. Dr. Harrison remained with tlie lieutenant about one month; while the latter staid at Mr. \Vard's* about three months; and, during the latter part of his stay, he met, at a wedding in the neighborhood, a bright, vivacious little school girl — Miss Nellie Holland, of Aber- deen — who was spending vacation with some good friends in the country about one mile from Mr. Ward's. Having sufficiently recov- ered from his wound to enter the service again, he set out from Mr. Ward's in October to rejoin his command, then in North Alabama, under General S. D. Lee. He went by the way of Aberdeen; and it was then and there that "little Nell " promised to be his wife "when the war was over.' Soon after rejoining the .Second Tennessee in Alabama, he started with Captain T. B. Underwood (Company B), who was instructed to take fifty men and destroy as many bridges and trestles as possible along the Nashville and Decatur Railroad between Pulaski and Co- lumbia. As I have given an account of this expedition, under 21st of November, 1S63, I shall only mention here that Underwood's de- tachment left the regiment in Alabama November 8th, and rejoined it again near Okolona, Mississippi, the 21st of the same month. When Forrest fought Smith on the Okolona-Pontotoc road. Feb- ruary 2 2d, 1864, Lieutenant French was captured late that evening, about fifteen miles from Okolona, but made his escape about forty- eight hours afterward by bribing his guards — two Federals. They were captured by eight or ten Confederates, who took all three of them to the woods to execute them, when French, by being a ^L1son, con- vinced his captors that he was a Confederate, and that he was the <:ause of the Federals leaving their command. The three were then released, and French paroled the Federals and gave them his watch and a check on his uncle, H. S. French, Nashville, Tennessee, for one hundred dollars, which was presented and jiaid. At Fort Pillow, April 12th, he commanded the skirmish line on the extreme right, next to the river, above the fort. Of the men whom he so gallantly led on that memorable occasion the Lieutenant says: "Never did men behave more bravely and nobly than did those under me; over half of them were killed or wounded before the fort was stormed. We," continues French, "advanced to within about one hundred yards of the fort; here we got a galling fire from the fort and the gunboat in the river. *0f Mr. Ward, French says: "To me he was indeed a father, and liis home was my home for the remainder of the war." 592 R. R. Hancock's Diary. • "From ten a. m. until General Forrest came there was but little change in our position. We had taken shelter behind trees and logs, and would occasionally get a shot at some venturesome Federal who would expose his head above the fort. •'At about half-past one r. m. General Forrest came (on foot) and asked who was in command of the skirmish line, to which I replied by saluting him. He then ordered me to advance my line. I replied, 'General, that is death.' He again ordered me to move my line for- ward. I then turned to my command and gave the order to forward, and at the same time started forward. Not a man moved from the shelter, and well it was that they did not, for they could not have lived one moment. I made a dash for a log that was some ten steps from where I started, and as soon as I reached it I dropped behind it and awaited further orders. " In a few moments orders came to cease firing, and soon after this order, those in rear of me informed me that a flag of truce had gone into the fort, I then got up, sat on the log, and talked with the gunners in the fort. One of them asked me if I did not get hit before I reached the log, and when I informed him that I was not hurt, he said that he would get me as soon as that flag left the fort. I there- fore kept one eye on it, and as soon as it started out I again took my position behind the log." When the final charge came, French admits that his skirmish line was soon in rear of the main line. He then moved forward and took part in the final assault. When the Second Tennessee struck that heavy ambuscade, late in the afternoon of the 13th of July, 1864, ii^^i" ^'le cross-roads, two and a half miles west of Harrisburg, Mississippi, where so many gallant men fell, either killed or wounded. Lieutenant French, while most daringly leading Company A to the onset, received a wound that closed his career as a soldier. A Minie-ball pierced his right side and passed through the bowel (the colon) and the top of his hip bone, producing, as our surgeons thought, a mortal wound. He fell when struck, but as our regiment was forced to beat a hasty retreat about that time, he sprang to his feet and ran until he became exhausted, when, luckily, some of the infirmary corps met him and carried him on a blanket until met by Dr. J. W. Harrison with an ambulance, in which he was carried back to Dr. Calhoun's, two miles west of Verona, and laid on a blanket in his front yard. "The only position," says French, "in which I could get to be at all bearable was on my stomach. Appendix A. 593 I succeeded in findi g a small eminence on the ground about as large as twice the size of my hand, over which I placed the entrance of the huUet. "This had the effect of a compress, and by this means the wounded bowel united by what is termed first intention. The edge of the bowel adhered to the peritoneum, the peritoneum to the wall of the abdomen, thus preventing the feces from getting in among the folds of the bowels." Dr. Calhoun's family were acquainted with Lieutenant French. The Doctor's daughter, Miss Sallie. and Miss Nellie Holland were I lass and deskmates. Between twelve and one o'clock that night Mrs. Calhoun and Miss Sallie went out into the yard among the wounded and dying and called aloud for Lieutenant French. When he was pointed out to them by Charlie Searls (Company A) they, kneeling down, gently placed a pillow under his head, and then, with loving hands, they brushed back the hair from his pale brow, and each imprinted an affectionate kiss — the mother for his mother, and the daughter for his "little Nell,"' who had promised to be his wife. "To those loving acts of woman's noble nature," says French, "I was ob- livious; yet until life's last pulse shall beat will I bless them for their loving kindness." I know of no language by which to speak forth the praise so justly due the women of the South for what they did for the sick and wounded Confederate soldiers who were stricken down far away from loved ones at home. A little after sunrise the next morning the lieutenant was taken into the house and placed upon a mattress. He did not discover until that morning that his bowel was torn, and now realizing the fact that his recovery was extremely doubtful, he requested one of his comrades (John Ward) to go to Mr. Holland's (ten miles south of Aberdeen and about forty-three from Dr. Calhoun's) after Miss Nellie. Ward set out at once, hoping to be able to bring her to see French before he died. Mr. Sam ^Vord heard, about noon that day (14th), that the man whom he had learned to admire and esteem very highly was mortally wounded. His daughter (Mrs. Captain Harper), starting at once, reached Dr. Calhoun's (twenty-two miles) before sunset. On being shown into the room where that gallant and noble officer was lying, she kneeled by his couch and fervently implored a merciful Father to spare his life. She sat by him all night, praying and trying to teach 38 594 R. E. Hancock's Diary. him of a home in the "beautiful beyond." What more could a sister, or, indeed, a mother, have done? On the morning of the 15th Dr. Cowan, General Forrest's chief surgeon, said: "It becomes my painful duty, my dear lieutenant, to inform you that you cannot live but a day or two; if you have any earthly matters to attend to you have no time to lose." Having received (by some mistake) the information that French was dead, Mr. Sam Word, acting from the impulse of his noble nature, ordered a servant to go to Aberdeen after a coffin, and then drive in haste directly to Dr. Calhoun's. Fearing that the remains of his de- voted friend would be buried before he could reach the scene, Mr. Word mounted his horse at three a. m. on the 15th, and after a ride of a little over three hours he was at Dr. Calhoun's. On learning that the corpse was not quite ready, the situation was somewhat em- barrassing, though but for a moment, for he went right into the room where French was and talked plainly to him as follows : "I heard last evening that you were dead; and, having decided to take your remains and bury them in my own family burying ground, I sent at once to Aberdeen after a coffin. I started early this morn- ing in order to reach here before you were wrapped in a blanket and thrown into a hole. The coffin and your best suit of clothes will be here in an hour or two." When Mr. Word's servant arrived with the coffin it was placed un- der a bed in a room adjoining the one occupied by French — all think- ing that it would be needed in less than forty-eight hours. In less than an hour after John Ward had arrived at Mr. Holland's, on the afternoon of the 14th, Miss Nellie was ready, and they set out at once for Dr. Calhoun's. On reaching Aberdeen they were informed that the lieutenant was dead — that Mr. Word's wagon was there after a coffin — and that the burial would take place at Mr. Word's the next day. They then decided to remain at Aberdeen until next morning. I shall not attempt to describe the feelings of Miss Nellie at the recep- tion of such heartrending news as this. She wept incessantly, while the tears flowed freely from "woman's fountain of love." At about eight o'clock the next morning (15th), John Ward, Miss Nellie and two of her good friends (Mrs. Stokes and daughter) started to Mr. Word's, thirteen miles north of Aberdeen. On reaching Mr. Word's and there learning that the one who was dearer to her than life itself was not dead, the reaction was so great that she was almost frantic with joy as she pressed on to Dr. Calhoun's, and there kneeling Appendix A. 595 beside her lover, she wept for grief and joy — for grief, because she found him so severely wounded, and for joy, on account of finding him still alive. Lieutenant French told his '-little Nell" that he wanted her to stay with him as long as he lived, and that it would, therefore, be just as well for them to get married at once instead of waiting until the war was over. To this she readily consented. Some delay occurred, however, from the fact that it was necessary to send back into the county in which she resided for the marriage license. It was Sunday, July 24th, that this sweet little sixteen-year-old girl — while kneeling by his couch, so as to take him by the hand — be- came the "child wife" of Lieutenant French. And thus it was that "little Nell" became the Heroine of Harrisburg. "Truth is stranger than fiction." I think that it was Dr. Calhoun who asked French, about the second day after he had been wounded, how he felt. "I suppose," replied he, "that I will have to die." " There are fifty chances in your case," continued the Doctor, ''and forty-nine of them are against you." "If there is roen one chance for me," quickly replied the lieutenant, "I will get it." "If that is the way you feel, the chances are reversed, and I believe that you will get well." " Never from that moment," says French, "had I any thought of not recovering." I received a letter from Lieutenant French in 1S87, from which I take the following : "When I received the first wound I weighed one hundred and eighty-seven pounds, and became reduced to one hundred and fifteen; when wounded last I weighed one hundred and fifty-six, and in forty- five days afterward I was a mere skeleton, weighing only sixty-four pounds. "I had no action from the lower bowel for forty-three days, and all that I was allowed to eat during that time was two tablespoonsful of beef tea three times per day. "I was in bed with the last wound forty-three days, without being allowed to turn over, being compelled to lie on my right side. I was confined to my bed continuously for four months, after which I was up and down.- I was on crutches about one year, and the wound con- tinued to discharge for nearly two years." In speaking of his family he says : "To us was born only two children — a daughter and a son — the daughter (the oldest) lived but two and a half years, and the son only 596 li. 11. Hancock's Diary six months. From their motlier the}' inherited consumption, and be- side them reposes all of earth that remains of their mother — my 'child wife' — my 'litde Nell.' "Their resting place, in the cemetery at Aberdeen, Mississippi, is marked by a marble shaft surmounted with a cross, and a plain marble slab on each grave upon which is inscribed : "LITTLE NELL." ANNIE BARKER. HUGH MCALLISTER. "There is just room enough beside our youngest for my final rest- ing place." He was a loving father, a devoted husband, and as gallant a soldier as ever faced a foe. In complimenting Lieutenant French, Colonel Barteau says: "I could always rely on him at the post of special danger." His first wife died in the spring of 1873. The choice of his second marriage, in the fall of 1875, ^^'^s Mrs. M. I. C. Adams, of Aberdeen, Mississippi, which place has been his home ever since the war closed. He is a veterinary surgeon — Dr. French — and is for the present (June, 1887) practicing his profession at Birmingham, Alabama, though Aberdeen is still his home. LIEUTENANT PLEAS. A. SMITH. The subject of this sketch was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on the loth of November, 1841, and was raised on the "Ewing Farm," six miles south of Nashville, where he now (1887) lives. At the breaking out of the war P. A. Smith was living in Mississippi, engaged in planting cotton. He sold out his interest there and came to Ten- nessee, and on the 3d day of June. 1861, he joined Captain F. N. McNairy's cavalry company, which soon after became Company A of First Tennessee Battalion, and on reorganization, Company A, Second Tennessee Cavalry. He served as private in Company A until the reorganization at Jacinto, Mississippi, May 14th, 1862, when he was elected brevet second lieutenant. When the First and Seventh Battalions were consolidated he was recommended by Colonel Barteau as commissary, and acted in that capacity for several months, but being under twenty-one years of age lie did not receive his commission. Having rejoined Company A some time previous, he was with it on the expedition into West Ten- i.c J^ee, under General Armstrong, in August and September, 1862. Api'KNDix A. 597 He was in command of the sharp-shooters at Medon and Britton's Lane. He was then assigned as purchasing officer of General Arm- strong's cavalry, which position he held until after the battle of luka, Mississippi. By request of Colonel Barteau, Lieutenant Smith rejoined the regi- ment and assumed the duties of adjutant of the Second Tennessee in October, 1862. He served as our adjutant until the spring of 1864, with honor to himself and entire satisfaction to all of the Sec- ond Tennessee. At the action with the Tories, on the luka-Fulton road, in October, 1863, after Colonel Morton was knocked from his horse. Adjutant Smith very gallantly led the Second Tennessee, and so com[)lete was the rout that the enemy did not make another stand. He was with Company A at Paducah, Fort Pillow and Brice's Cross-Roads. Just after the last named engagement, or about the last of June, 1864, he was assigned to duty on General T. H. Bell's staff as acting assistant inspector-general, where he remained until the final surrender of For- rest's cavalry at Gainesville, Alabama, May 9th, 1865. In his offi- cial report, General Bell complimented his acting assistant inspector- general, P. A. Smith, for so gallantly performing his full duty during the three days' fighting around Harrisburg, Mississippi. During the war, Lieutenant Smith was identified with the Second Tennessee, and was never on service out of the brigade to which it belonged. When the war closed he returned home, near Nashville, Tennessee. He married Miss Martha T. Hamilton, daughter of James W. and Mary E. Hamilton, on the iSlh of October, 1866. They have been blessed with one son, William E., and three daugh- ters, Mary H., Nannie T. , and Nellie French. In September, 18S5, the Second Tennessee held its reunion near Lieutenant Smith's residence, and it is his special request that we hold our annual meeting with him again in 1888. Being naturally kindhearted and generous, he enjoys meeting with his old com- rades, perhaps, as much as any oilier member of our regiment. CAPTAIN T. B. UNDERWOOD. T. B. Underwood, son of John and Parmelia Underwood, was born in Maury County, Tennessee, September 23d, 1836. He lived on the farm where he was born until he was sixteen years old. He then entered school at the Thompson .\cademy, in Williamson County, Tennessee. The Honorable .\tha Thomas was principal of said institution at the time. From there he went to Cumberland Uni- 598 K. R. Hancock's Diary. versity, at Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennessee, where he remained until the breaking out of the late war. except some time lost in teach- ing to procure means to keep himself in school. In the spring of 1861, T. B. Underwood offered his services to his native State, for a period of twelve months, as private in Captain William Ewing's company, which soon after became Company C of the First Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. During General ZoUicoffer's first campaign into Kentucky, Underwood's horse was shot in the shoulder at Rockcastle Hill, or "'Wild Cat." On the 14th of May, 1862, at Jacinto, Mississippi, the subject of this sketch re-enlisted for three years or during the war. At the same time and place Companies C and D (Ewing"s and Payne's, afterward Duncan's) were consolidated, and T. B. Underwood was elected first lieutenant of the consolidated company, which, on the 12th of June following, became Company B of the Second Tennessee Cavalry. After serving about one year as lieutenant, his captain, Wm. Parrish, was made major, and Underwood was promoted to the captaincy of Company B, which rank he held until the close of the war. It was he who was in command of a detachment of fifty men who were sent from our regiment into Middle Tennessee, in November, 1863, to de- stroy bridges and trestles along the Nashville and Decatur Railroad, between Pulaski and Columbia. I shall not repeat here the gallant manner in which he performed that duty, but simply refer the reader to the account previously given under November 21, 1863. It was he, too, who so gallantly led the Second Tennessee during the last day's fighting around Harrisburg, Mississippi. He made a noble soldier, a gallant lieutenant, and a daring captain, and by kind acts and generous deeds he won the admiration and es- teem of all his comrades. He was detached from our regiment, at West Point, in March, 1865, and was in West Tennessee recruiting when the war closed; and, according to orders from General Forrest, he went to Columbus, Mississippi, to be paroled. The captain returned home about the ist of June, 1865. In 1867, Captain Underwood went to Texas; and in November, 1870, he returned to Obion County, West Tennessee, where he now (1887) lives. He married Miss E. D. Reeves on the 2d of November, 1876. They have four children — Laura, Iva, George W. , and John. Since the war his principal occupation has been that of a teacher of a literarv school. Appendix A. 599 CAPTAIN JAMES HARVEY DUNCAN. J. H. Duncan, second son of Alexander C. and Hannah Duncan, was born March loth, 1817, in Pulaski County, Kentucky. His grandfather, James Duncan, who was born at Culpepper Court House, in Culpepper County, Virginia, July i8th, 1764, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was at the siege and capture of Yorktown, Virginia, when Lord Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington on the 18th of October, 1781; and in 1790 he settled in Kentucky, where he was killed the next year by the Indians, leaving a widow and three small children. The oldest was the Captain's father, who was born in Russell County, Virginia, June 30th, 1788; the other two, William and Sallie (the latter became Mrs. McGee), were twins, and born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, in 1790. After the war of 1 81 2, William setded in Hickman County, Tennessee, where, after raising a large family, he died in 1869. The Honorable Ralph Williams, the captain's grandfather on his mother's side, also served in the Revolutionary War under General Greene and the famous Marion. The subject of tliis sketch, who was educated in the common coun- try schools, learned the carjjenter's trade when a young man, and was a very successful contractor for ten or twelve years in Lancaster, the county seat of Garrard County, Kentucky. In 1S43 ^''^ married Mrs. Fannie Dawson, who died in 1847, leav- ing no children. He was married again in 1848 to Miss Louisa B. Hudson, who was born in Garrard County, Kentucky, in 1830. He left Kentucky in 1849, '^^'^ settled in Davidson County, Tennessee, where he was engaged in farmmg and trading in horses, mules, and cattle when the war broke out. J. H. Duncan enlisted in the Confederate service as a private in Captain E. D. Payne's company, which, about the first week in July, 1861, became Company D of the First Battalion of Tennessee Cav- alry. About September following he was, much against his own will, unanimously elected captain of Company D, Captain Payne having re- signed. Captain Duncan served at the head of his company with the First Battalion during the two campaigns into Kentucky under Gen- eral Zollicoffer, who was warmly attached to the captain. It has been said that the latter was the only man who could make the former laugh. 800 R. R. Haxgogk's Diary. After the action and defeat at Fishing Creek, Kentucky, the cap- tain fell back with the Confederate army through Middle Tennessee to North Mississippi, where, in May, 1862, the First Battalion re-en- listed and reorganized and Companies B and D were consolidated, and Captain William Parrish commanded the consolidated company. Captain Duncan now returned to Middle Tennessee, and soon after joined Wheeler's Cavalry,* with which he did valiant service until wounded in the foot at Chickamauga September 20th, 1863, where he was captured and sent to prison on Johnson's Island. He was exchanged in time to take part in General Hood's cam])aign against Nashville on the staff of General Cranberry. He served on faithfully to the close of the war; surrendered to General James Wil- son near Selma, Alabama, and was soon after with loved ones at home in the northern portion of Wilson County, Tennessee, to which place his family had removed in 1863. His occupation after the war was farming and trading in stock. Captain Duncan was very lively — always had an anecdote to suit the occasion, and was a favorite with all soldiers. He was a warm partisan in all elections, and was always a States' Rights Democrat. He was a devoted husband and a kind and affectionate father. His last wife bore him three daughters — Cora (now Mrs. Birthright), Eu- dora (now Mrs. Buchanan, of Nashville, Tennessee), and Lizzie (who died in 1880), and two sons — James McAfee, of Saundersville, Sum- ner County, Tennessee, and Mongolia (of Texas). In reference to her father's death Eudora says, in a letter to her uncle, S. M. Duncan: "Pa's death was caused by taking an overdose of morphine through mistake. He was in wretched health, and went himself to Starkes' store in Saundersville, Sumner County, f and purchased a bot- tle of morphine, thinking it was quinine He took it at ten o'clock a. m. and lived until ten at night, October 15th, 1873. Everything that could be done was administered for his recovery, but all of no avail. Brother Jesse Sewell was carrying on a protracted meeting at Saundersville at the time. Pa was so anxious to hear the discourse through, as he was a strict member of the Christian Church, and had been one year previous to his death, he took the quinine, as *He raised and commanded an independent conipany of scouts, but reported to Wheeler. tThe captain lived in Wilson County and had crossed the Cumberland River to attend church as above named. Api'ENdix a. 601 he thought, as a stimulant We never knew until after services that he had taken anything, as ma did not attend church that day. Brother Sewell assisted him home. He never spoke but once after returning. He said: * Ma, I cannot be with you long; I cxm al- most gone.' then fell asleep in Jesus, never to wake with us in this old, unreligious world." The remains of the gallant captain were interred at the McLean graveyard, in the first district of Wilson County. The captain's widow is still (1887) living. CAPTAIN TIMOTHY McARTV ALLISON. T. M. Allison was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, November 22d, 1808. His father. William Allison, was born in Montgomery County, Maryland, January 20th, 1773, and his mother, Elizabeth Allison, was born on the i6th of July, 1779, in Prince George's County, Maryland. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm in the southern portion of Wilson County, about one mile from Greenvale, and five north of Milton. He was educated ni the ordinary country schools. T. M. Allison married Miss Sarah McGavock Ewing, daughter of James and Nancy Ewing, on the 23d of January, 1840. After mar- riage he lived one year at Statesville, and then for a few years where Mr. Hiram Fite now lives, near Prosperity Church. His father hav- ing died in the meantime, he moved to his mother's, near Greenvale, where he lived for several years. He was one of the committee who laid off the districts of Wilson County as they now are. He was deputy sheriff of Wilson County for one term, and also tax collector for two years. Having previously bought a farm in Cannon County, about one mile east of Auburn, Allison moved to it in December, 1S59. He and A. J. Brewies opened a family grocery store at Auburn in March, i860, and after running the business together for about six months the former sold out to the latter. About the first of June, t86i, T. M. Allison was elected to the captaincy of the Auburn company, which, setting out from Auburn on the 26th, was mustered into the service of the State of Tennessee for twelve months on the 28th of June, 1861, at Nashville, and a few days later became Company E of the First Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry, with which Ca])tain Allison served through the first campaign into Kentucky, under General Zollicoffer. On our second campaign into 602 R. R. Hancock's Diary. Kentucky Captain Allison, with twenty-five of his company, was de- tached from the battalion and went through as escort for our general from Jamestown, Tennessee, to Mill Springs, Kentucky, and after remaining at ZoUicoffer's headquarters for some time our captain rejoined the battalion at Camp Hall, in Wayne County, Kentucky. He remained with the battalion until it fell back with the Confederate army through Tennessee and North Alabama into Northern Missis- sippi, and he was the only one of the original captains of the First Battalion who remained with it until the re-enlistment and reorganiza- tion at Jacinto, on the 14th of May, 1862. He then resigned and returned to his home in Cannon County, Tennessee, one mile east of Auburn. On the 2d of August, 1S62, a brigade of Federal cavalry passed through Auburn going eastward, and halted for the night on John W. Hays' farm. A detachment of twelve Federals was sent that evening to Captain Allison's, about one mile distant, for the purpose of killing him if found, as they themselves said. Not knowing that any Fed- erals were in the neighborhood, the captain thought when he first saw them coming that they were Confederates; nor did he learn his mis- take until they Avere within one hundred and twenty-five yards of his house, and he was then standing on his front porch. As soon as he became satisfied that they were Federals, Captain Allison ran through his house, across the back yard, and just as he was in the act of cross- ing the fence between his yard and a cornfield, one of the Federals shot him through the body, killing him instantly. His remains were buried at Mr. James Ewing's family burying place. I suppose that the only charge which the enemy could have had against this noble and gallant man was that of being an ex-Confederate Captain. Or perhaps the Federal commander had fears that the cap- tain would make a "bushwhacker" if let live. Allison made an excellent captain. He thought a great deal of the men whom he had the honor to command, and his chief concern was their welfare and comfort. He was a kind father, a devoted husband, and a good neighbor. "He was as good a neighbor," says one who lived near him, "as I ever had. He would take his horse from the plow to accommodate me if I needed a horse worse than he did." Captain Allison's widow died December 21st, i886. Two of their children (William O. and Sarah L.) are dead, and five (two sons — J. William and Timothy P., and three daughters, Harriet E. , now Mrs. Barrett, N. Pairlee, and Ann E.) are living. Appendix A. 003 CAPTAIN MOSES W. McKNUlHT. M. W. McKnight, son of Alexander and Anna P. McKnigln, was born in Cannon County, Tennessee, June 2 2d, 1833. He received a common country school education in the old field school house known as the "Old Buck Eye." He entered Irving College, near Cumberland Mountain, Tennessee, at the age of fifteen, at which school he grad- uated in June, 1853, paying for his own education and board during the time by dint of hard labor. He then taught school — first at Hill's Academy, near Cainsville, Wilson County, and next in Woodbury, the county seat of Cannon County, Tennessee, during which time he read law under Major J. L. Fare and the Hon. Charles Ready, and. was admitted to the bar as an attorney-at-law October 20th, 1858. He married Miss Mary A. Fare, daughter of Major J. L. Fare, September 20th, 1855, by whom two children were born — Sarah A. (now Mrs. Dixon C. Williams) and Alexander J. (now conductor on the Houston and Texas Central Railroad). -■= He entered the Confederate army as jjrivate in Captain T. M. Alli- son's company, on the 28th of June, 1861. A few days after this (about the 8th of July, 1861) he was elected sergeant-major of the First Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry, in which position he served with credit to himself and satisfaction to the battalion for nearly ten months. At Jacinto, Mississippi, on the 14th of May, 1862, Company E (and so did the rest of McNairy's Battalion) re-enlisted for three years or during the war, and elected M. W. McKnight captain, in place of Captain T. M. Allison, who resigned and returned home. On the reorganization and consolidation of the First and Seventh Battalions, his company became Company C of the Second Tennessee Regiment of Cavalry. He served as captain of our company (C) until he was too badly wounded to do any more service. And he was not a mere nominal captain, but a good, kind, generous, loving, energetic, brave, daring captain. As our beloved captain has been so frequently mentioned in the preceding pages, it is necessary to add but little more here in reference to his military career. He frequently had the honor of commanding * How often did we hear our dear captain speak of "Mary and the habies." — R. R. H. 0U4 K. K. Hancock's Diary. the regiment in battle as well as in camp. He very gallantly led the Second Tennessee* at the battle of Okolona. He was wounded in the left breast late in the afternoon of that day's battle, but did not quit the field. At Paducah, Kentucky, March 25th, 1864, he was knocked lifeless by the concussion of a shell or the flying bricks (the shell struck a brick chimney). His head was fearfully crushed — the boys carried him some distance, thinking he was dead. He soon sufficiently re- covered, however, to be brought off in a buggy. He was first taken to Trenton, Tennessee, then to Pontotoc, and finally to Okolona, Mississippi. He had sufficiently recovered to be at the head of his company again at the battle of Brice's Cross-Roads June loth, and during the exciting pursuit of General Sturgis back toward Memphis. Late in the afternoon of July 13th, 1864, he was again severely wounded while gallantly leading the "Sangs," at the cross-roads, some two and a half miles west of Harrisburg, Mississippi (where General Buford ordered Colonel Barteau to attack General A. J. Smith with the Second Tennessee, unsupported). He was wounded between the knee and ankle — one bone was shivered. He was sent from the hos- pital near Harrisburg to Colonel J. D. McAllister's, in Aberdeen, Mississippi. It would seem that he did not only suffer from the effects of the last wound, but also from a relapse of the wound which he had received at Paducah in March previous. To use the captain's own language, he "was near death's door over three months." While thus confined at Aberdeen (in August, 1864) Captain Mc- Knight was promoted to the rank of colonel of cavalry, by order of General Forrest. Nor was it by any hearsay testimony that the Gen- eral thus expressed his high appreciation of the merits of the captain as a commander, for he had not only seen our captain at the head of his company in battle, but he had also seen him (the captain) lead the Second Tennessee Regiment into action. f About two weeks after he had been raised to the rank of colonel, General Forrest was in Aber- deen and took dinner with McKnight's host. It was then and there that he told Forrest that he would not willingly accept any promotion that would take him from his old company, nor would he assume any command that would interfere with Colonel Barteau or Lieutenant-Col- * Colonel Barteau was commanding the brigade and Lieutenant-Colonel Mor- ton was on detached service. tBe assured that when Forrest promoted an officer, he (the officer) had pre- viously merited the promotion. Appendix A. G05 onel Morton. Forrest replied that it would all be arranged satisfac- torily. But, unfortunately, he was not, during the rest of the war, able for field service, and he would not take command of a post. After returning from the Hood Campaign Forrest gave McKnight permission to go to West Tennessee, or anywhere he desired. Accord- ingly, about the 25th of March, 1865, he left Aberdeen and went to West Tennessee. When Forrest's Cavalry surrendered the General did not forget our captain, but sent his parole to him in care of General Bell. In concluding his military career I wish to add that he was devoted to the Sangs, while they loved him with almost filial affection. When one of them got into trouble he felt that he had at least one true friend who would stand by him to the last, and get him out of the trouble if it could possibly be done.^'^ I shall here relate an incident as an illustration of the above fact, as well as his devotion to the men whom he had the honor of commanding. When one of his men was ordered to be put under arrest without a sufficient cause, Captain McKnight said to the commanding officer: "My man has done no wrong, there- fore he shall not be put under arrest while life remains in my body." And to sliow that we are still kindly remembered by hmi I take the following from letters which I have recently received (in 1886) from our captain: "It was the pride and joy of my life to be with the old 'Sangs.' I want all their names kept fresh in my own memory, as they are warmly cherished in my heart." He closes one letter thus: " Love to all the Sangs, their wives, their children, their widows and orphans." After the war he returned to his old home, Woodbury, Cannon County, Tennessee, and was elected President of the Woodbury Male and Female College, which institution he presided over for about three years, and at the same time looking after his law jjractice, which was good. In 1870 he was elected Attorney-Genera! of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Tennessee, which position he filled until 1878, and in 1880 he removed to Waxahachie, Texas, where he now (1887) lives and has a splendid law practice. And our captain seldom failed. 606 R. K. Hancock's Diary. LIEUTENANT H. L. W. TURNEY. Hugh Lawson White Turnev, son of Joseph and Mary Turney, was born in DeKalb County, Tennessee, October 13th, 1837. He was raised a farmer and educated in the ordinary country schools. After reading law awhile at home he went to Smithville, county seat of DeKalb, and had read law about one year under Judge Robert Cantrell when our late war broke out. He enlisted as a private in Captain T. M, Allison's company, which was mustered into the service of the State of Tennessee for twelve months at Nashville, on the 28th of June, 1861, and about seven days later it became Company E of the First Battalion of Ten- nessee Cavalry. When our battalion re-enlisted for three years, or during the war, at Jacinto, Mississippi, on the 14th of May, 1862, Turney was made first lieutenant of the company in which he had served as a private for nearly one year. At the same time and place M. W. McKnight was made captain of our company, which, on the 12th of June, 1862, became Company C of the Second Tennessee Cavalry. As our cap- tain, McKnight, was frequently either in command of the regiment or disabled by wounds. Lieutenant Turney was a good portion of the time in command of our company. Among the many engagements in which he so gallantly led our company, I shall mention Cherokee, in North Alabama, the Tory fight on the luka-Fulton road, Fort Pil- low, Harrisburg, after Captain McKnight was wounded, and at Mem- phis, Tennessee, on the 21st of August, 1864, this daring officer led our company for the last time. When our color bearer, H. C. Odom, fell, in front of the State Female College, in the edge of the city, Tur- ney sprang to the rescue of our colors and the assistance of Odom, who was severely wounded, and just as he was stooping to lift Odom to his feet his right arm was shivered above the elbow, and was after- ward amputated. He was brought back to Hernando, Mississippi, in an ambulance, and left at Dr. Love's, within two miles of that place, Avhere he was well cared for. Thinking that he was in danger of being captured, he remained there only one week. He then mounted his horse and rode to the vicinity of Okolona, Mississippi. In the spring of 1865 Lieutenant Turney went to Dyer County, West Tennessee, where he was engaged teaching school when the war closed. At his request, his mother sent his law books to him by Cap- Appendix A. 607 tain McKnight. As soon as his school was out he commenced read- ing law agam, and was, a few months later, admitted to the bar as an attorney-at-law at Dyersburg, the county seat of Dyer County. He visited his mother and relatives in Middle Tennessee in the fall of 1S65. In May, 1867. Lieutenant Turney married Mrs. Nancy Connel, who owned a farm about one mile from Dyersburg. He still contin- ued practicing law at Dyersburg and looking after his wife's farm up to his death, which occurred on the i6th of February, 1880. His wife had died about two years previous. He left no children. He willed his law books to the young lawyers of Dyer County, and all the rest of his estate, after all debts were paid, to his mother, who is now (1887) livin'g in DeKalb County, Tennessee. His father died before the war. LIEUTENANT J. S. HARRISON. • J. S. Harrison was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, on the Sth of May, 1831. His father, Edmon R. Harrison, was born at the same place March i8th, 1807, and died at the same place about August, 1 88 1. His mother, Mrs. R. M. Harrison (her maiden name was Hawkins), was born in Virginia on the ist of May, 1805, and is still living. J. S. Harrison remained on the farm until about sixteen, having in the meantime commenced his education in the ordinary country schools. Then after attending Union Academy in Wilson County for a short time he was sent to Alpine College, in Overton County, where he finished his literary course at about the age of twenty. In Octo- ber. 1852, he commenced reading medicine at Rome, Smith County, Tennessee, under Dr. J. L. Thompson. After reading for two years he attended the Medical College at Nashville in 1854 and 1855. ^^ commenced practicing medicine at Liberty, DeKalb County, Tennes- see, in October, 1855. Miss Julia E. West, daughter of John and Mary West, was born in DeKalb County February ist, 1834, and became the wife of Doctor Harrison on the 23d of December, 1856. Remaining at Liberty until the breaking out of our late civil war. Dr. Harrison had established quite a reputation as a practicing physician. He was especially noted for going promptly and in haste to see his patients. He made medi- cal visits to my father's family, ten miles from Liberty. Dr. Harrison enlisted as a private in Captain T. M. Allison's com- 008 It. K. Hancock's Diary. pany, which was mustered into the service of the State of Tennessee at Nashville on the 28th of June, 186 r, and a few days later became Company E of the First Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. At Jacinto, Mississippi, on the 14th of May, 1862, he re-enlisted for three years, or during the war, and was made third lieutenant of our company, which, one month after, became Company C of the Second Tennessee Cavalry. Being one among tlie true and faithful, he served as third lieutenant of Company C from this to the close of the war. He was in nearly every engagement in which the Second Tennessee took part. He was frequently in command of our com- pany, especially after Captain McKnight and Lieutenant Turney were permanently disabled. His right arm was broken at the battle of Harrisburg, Mississippi, while gallantly breasting the storm of grape and canister, as well as tlie small-arm volleys, which poured forth from behind the Federal breastworks on that memorable occasiori. He wai in command of the company during the famous Hood Cam- paign in December, 1864. Lieutenant Harrison frequently acted as surgeon of the Second Tennessee, which position he filled with satisfaction to our sick and wounded. He surrendered with Forrest's Cavalry, and was paroled at Gaines- ville, Sumter County, Alabama, May loth, 1865. On his return to Tennessee Dr. Harrison located at Smithvilie, the county seat of DeKalb County, where he had a lucrative practice for about eighteen years. On the ist of November, 1883, he removed from Smithvilie to McMinnville, the county seat of Warren County, where he now (1887) resides, and is still practicing his profession. He is now fifty six years old, but active, and enjojs fine health. He has no children. LIEUTENANT GEORGE LOVE. George Love, son of James F. and Maria Love, was born October iSth, 1835, ^" Sumner County, Tennessee, five miles north of Galla- tin. He was raised on the farm, and educated at the Wallace School- house, near his father's residence. When about eighteen years old he commenced business as a clerk for William Moore, who kept a family grocery at Gallatin. After clerking for Mr. Moore for about two years, he was next a clerk in Parker & Holder's dry goods house for about three years. He went from Gallatin to Nashville in 1858, and did business there for John Appendix A, 609 Ramage & Son (boot and shoe business) until the breaking out of our late war. George Love entered the Confederate service as Second Lieutenant in Captain H. B. Boude's company, which, on the 19th of October, 1 86 1, became Company A of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. He served as second lieutenant under Captain Boude until after the battle of Shiloh. Near Fulton. Mississippi, on the 12th of June, '.862, Boude's and Tyree's companies were consolidated, and William T. Rickman was made captain, and the subject of this sketch was made first lieu- tenant of this consolidated company, which, at the same time and place, became Company D of the Second Tennessee Cavalry. After passing through many hard-fought battles, always doing his full diity, Lieutenant Love fell, mortally wounded, while so daringly breasting the missiles of death at Fort Pillow on the 12th of April, 1864. Being rather retiring and unassuming, though generous, kind, and obliging, he had won many friends, and, therefore, he was much missed and greatly lamented, not only by his own company, but all of the regiment. I take the following from the Manuscript Notes of Colonel Barteau : "A singular instance of a premonition of death occurred in the case of Lieutenant Love. As an officer, he was popular with his men, and always calm and fearless at the post of duty. In the morn- ing he called several of his company around him and told them, in a quiet manner, that he should be killed that day. He gave directions for the disposal, among the command, of his horse and little posses- sions, arranged for the payment of his small debts, and wrote a fare- well letter to his orphan sister, living at Gallatin, Tennessee. "He led his company on. and at eleven oclock was laid low by a canister shot from one of the enemy's guns. We buried him the next morning. His memory lives in the hearts of all his surviving com- rades, and the regiment could boast of no braver soldier or better man." LIEUTENANT F. WILLIAM VOUREE. "Bill' Youree, son of A. F'. and M. A. Youree, was born De- cember nth, 1838, in Sumner County. Tennessee, two and a half miles east of Gallatin. He was raised on the farm and educated at the Male College in Gallatin. On the 15th of August, i860, he mar- ried Miss Fannie M. Youree, daughter of W. C. and Catherine R. Youree. 39 610 K. R. Hancock's Diary. F. W. Youree entered the Confederate service as private in Cap- tain E. P. Tyree's company, which, on the 19th of October, 1861, became Company C of the Seventh Battahon of Tennessee Cavalry. On the 1 2th of June, 1862, Tyree's and Boude's companies were con- solidated, and the subject of this sketch was made second lieutenant of this consolidated company, which then became Company D of the Second Tennessee Cavalry. He served as second lieutenant for about two years. After Lieutenant George Love was killed at Fort Pillow, Youree was promoted to first lieutenancy, which position he held to the close of the war. Much praise is due Lieutenant Youree for the gallant manner in which he led Company D during the last two days' fighting around Harrisburg, Mississippi, 14th and 15th of July, 1864. As the command passed Corinth in November, 1864. on the way to join General Hood at Florence, Alabama, the lieutenant was granted a leave of absence for a few days to visit his wife, who was then sick at Verona, Mississippi. When he rejomed the regiment in Middle Tennessee his company (D) had been detached and sent into Sumner County to tear up the railroad, so he remained with the regi- ment until his company returned. Lieutenant Youree was with the regiment during the final campaign into Central Alabama, and surrendered with it at Gainesville, Ala- bama, and was paroled May loth, 1865. reaching home in Sumner County by the last of the month. After remaining on the farm about tliree years he built a towboat, "Katie Vertrees," at Nashville. He used her in the Cumberland River and tributaries for three years. He then built the "Caney Fork," at Paducah, Kentucky, which he used between that place and the Upper Cumberland about two years, after which he returned to his farm, two and a quarter miles east of Gallatin, where he now (1887) lives. Lieutenent Youree's wife spent nearly three years of the war in North Mississippi, and did valuable service in waiting on the sick and wounded. She made out nearly all the muster rolls for Company D. On attempting to return home just before the war closed she was arrested by the Federals and put in the penitentiary at Nashville, charged with being a spy. Her friends, however, soon succeeded in having her released. They have three sons, William C, F. W., Jr.. and Thomas P., and one daughter, Anna L. Appendix A. 611 LIEUTENANT J. M. CANTRELL. John M. Cantrell, son of William and Sarah Cantrell, was born Deceinber 29th, 1833, in Sumner County. Tennessee, seven miles south-west of Gallatin. He was raised on the farm and educated in the country schools and at the Male College in Gallatin. In 1850 he went to Quincy, Gadsden County, Florida, where he sjient one year hunting and four farming, after which he returned to his native county. He married Miss M. E. Absten. daughter of Merry C. and Mary A. Absten, in Sumner County, on the 28th of December, 1859. J. M. Cantrell enlisted as private in Captain Boude s company, which, in October, 1861, became Company A of the Seventh Battal- ion, and on the 12th of June, 1862, it became Company D of the Sec- ond Tennessee Cavalry. As a compliment for past services, his comrades made him second lieutenant, about May, 1864. This was after F. \\'. Youree had been promoted to first lieutenancy in the same company. Lieutenant Cantrell made a splendid officer, and stood high in the estimation of his company, as well as the rest of the regiment. He was wounded in the thigh at Harrisburg July 14th. 1864. while boldly •endeavoring to gain the Federal stronghold. On the 8th of November, 1S64, when the Second and a part of the Seventh Tennessee were surrounded at Martin's Bluff, on Cypress Creek, two and a half miles west of Florence, Alabama, Lieutenant Cantrell's horse was shot from under him as we were cutting our way out through the Federal lines, though he made good his escape, unhurt, save the stun caused by the fall. After serving on faithfully to the close of the war, and laying down his arms for the last time at Gainesville, Alabama, May loth, 1865, Lieutenant Cantrell returned home and commenced farming in Sumner County. Soon after the war closed he removed to Washington County, Mississippi, and raised two cotton crops there, after which he moved back to his native county and State, where he now {1887) lives. In August, 1880, he was elected sheriff of Sumner County, and was re- elected twice; his last term of office expired in August, 1886. One of his old comrades. Lieutenant T. R. Love, and his son, Willie, were his deputies. It is said that Sumner County has never had a sheriff who did his duty more faithfuUx nor gave more general satis- 612 E. R. Hancock's Diaby. faction than did our comrade, Cantrell. He had the misfortune to lose his wife about 1S85. He has two children — a son (Willie E.) and daughter (Mary). LIEUTENANT EDWARD J. BULLOCK. E. J. Bullock, son of James T. and Mildred G. Bullock, was born in Clark County, Kentucky, on the 23d of October, 1833, and he was raised and educated in the same county. He was a worthy son of a noble sire. The Bullocks were among the best families of Kentucky. Ed. was trading in horses when the war broke out. He enlisted in the Confederate service at Gallatin, Tennessee, as a private in Captain Boude's company, which, on the 19th of October, 1861. became Company A of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry, and on the 12th of June, 1862, it became Company D of the Second Tennessee Cavalry. I think it was in the latter part of 1863 or the early part of 1864 that he was made third lieutenant in Company D. Lieutenant Bullock was an excellent soldier, and did valiant service both as private and officer. After passing through many hard-fought battles unhurt, he fell, severely wounded in the leg, while gallantly assisting in leading his company against fearful odds at Old Town Creek, about three miles north of Harrisburg, Mississippi, just before sunset on the 15th of July, 1864. He was captured and carried to a house on the north side of said creek, where the Federal surgeons amputated his leg. He fell into our hands again the next day, and a few days later this noble, daring, and gifted young officer quietly breathed his last, and his remains were interred near Harrisburg. He was much beloved, and greatly lamented by all of his comrades. LIEUTENANT JAMES KNOX DODD. J. K. DoDD, son of William and Matilda A. Dodd, was born Sep- tember 2 1 St, 1839, near Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana. His father was born in Bedford County, Tennessee, and after remaining in Indiana but a short time he (William Dodd) moved back to Ten- nessee, and settled in Sumner County, two miles north of Gallatin, where J. K. Dodd was raised on the farm. He was educated mainly in public schools — attending the Male College at Gallatin only one ses- sion. He entered the Confederate service in Captain Boude's com- pany, which became Company A of the Seventh Battalion, and Com- pany D of the Second Tennessee Cavalry. J. K. Dodd ,was slightly wounded at Medon, Tennessee, August Appendix A. H13 31st, 1862. While an independent scout he was captured near New Albany, Mississippi, about the i8th of August, 1863, by Colonel Grierson's expedition, and sent to Alton, Illinois, where he remained about five or six months. He was exchanged at City Point, Virginia, and after halting near Richmond about five weeks, on account of small- pox, he rejoined the regiment at Okolona, Mississippi. He was shot through the thigh at Fort Pillow, April 12th, 1864. After that gallant and gifted young officer, Ed. Bullock, was mor- tally wounded at Old Town Creek, July 15th, 1864, J. K. Dodd was elected third lieutenant of Company D, which position he held until the war closed. Suffice it to say that Lieutenant Dodd did his duty faithfully to the end, and surrendered with the regiment at Gainesville, Alabama, May loth. 1865, and about fifteen days later he was with "loved ones at home," in old Sumner, where he has ]:)een farming ever since. Lieutenant Dodd was elected Sheriff of Sumner County in August, 1874, and was re-elected in '76 and '78; his last term of office expired in 1880. Two of the "(31d Second." J. K. Dodd and J. M. Canlrell, made as good sheriffs as Sumner has ever liad. The former married Miss Florence Wood, daughter of John and Darthulia Wood, on the 2 2d of December. i88i. They have one daughter — Mary. CAPTAIN GEORGE EDWARD SEAV. G. E. Seav was born in Hartsville, Tennessee, then Sumner County, but now the county seat of Trousdale County. His father, Edward T. Seay, was a native of Virginia. His mother's maiden name was Mary B. Seawell. She was a native Tennessean. The subject of this sketch was educated at Hartsville and Cumber- land University, Lebanon, Tennessee. He graduated at the latter school in June, i860. Having decided to make the law his profession he entered the Law School at Lebanon, where he remained until the breaking out of the war, when he returned to Hartsville and enlisted as a private in C'aptain D. L. Goodall's company, which, on the 5th of May, 1861, became Company H of the Second Tennessee Infantry, commanded by Colonel Wm. B. Bate. Captain Goodall was made lieutenant-colonel, and William Henry was elected to the captaincy of Company H. Bate's regiment went at once to \'irginia, where it remained until February, 1862, when it re-enlisted for three years or "during the war," and was transferred to the army in Tennessee, under of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalrv. He served as second st r- 616 R. R. Hancock's Diary, geant until the reorganization of his company, near Fulton, Missis- sippi, on the 1 2th of June, 1862, when he was elected third lieuten- ant of his company, which at the same time became Company E of the Second Tennessee. Lieutenant Carman discharged his duty fully and faithfully. He was always ready and willing to go wherever and whenever duty called. He gallantly led Company E at the storming of Fort Pillow, and he was in command of his company during the Hood Campaign when the Second Tennessee, as well as the rest of Forrest's Cavalry, had so much hard fighting to do. When our regiment was consolidated with Colonel Wilson's Regi- ment in March, 1865, Carman was promoted to the first lieutenancy of his company, in which capacity he served to the close of the war. He surrendered with the Second Tennessee and was paroled at Gaines- ville, Alabama, May loth, 1865, and returned home by the last of the month. He has been farming ever since the war about two and a half miles south-east of Hartsville. CAPTAIN JOHN A. BRINKLEY. J. A. Brinklev, son of James and Martha J. Brinkley, was born in Granville County, North Carolina. His father moved to Sumner County, Tennessee, when the subject of this sketch was in his third year. He was raised on a farm a few miles north of Gallatin, and was educated in the old field schools of Sumner. J. A. Brinkley entered the Confederate service as second sergeant in Captain M. T. Griffin's company, which, on the 19th of October, 1 86 1, became Company D of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. He served as second sergeant until the reorganization of his company near Fulton, Mississippi, June 12th, 1862, when he was made captain of his company, which, at the same time, became Com- pany F of the Second Tennessee. He held the position of captain from this time to the close of the war. He made an excellent captain, too, and was highly esteemed by the men whom he had the honor to command. Notwithstanding Captain Brinkley so gallantly led his company on so many hard-foiight fields, he was not seriously wounded during the war, though he was disabled for a few weeks from the effect of a sun- stroke which he received late in the afternoon of the 13th of July, 1864, and his horse was shot from under him in some action, but I cannot now name the place. Appendix A. 617 Captain Brinkley surrendered with the regiment at Gainesville, Alabama, and was paroled May loth, 1865. After halting for a few days in North Mississippi, he returned home, in Sumner County, Ten- nessee, in June. In a few weeks, however, he returned to .Mississippi and married Miss Mary McMillen, of Plantersville, Itawaml)a County. The captain brought his wife to Tennes.see, and resided in Sumner County until 1868. Then going back to Mississippi again, he settled near Verona, in what is now Lee County, where he has been farming ever since. He had the misfortune to lose his wife in May, 1882. The choice of his second marriage, about 1884, was Miss Eola Gibson, with whom he now (1887) lives near Verona. Captain Brinkley has two sons, William A. and Robert Lee (the latter is dead), and four daughters, Martha F. , Nancy E. , Maggie A., and Evie. LIEUTENANT JAMES T. AUSTIN. J. T. Austin, son of John and Rhoda Austin, was born .\])ril zzd, 1838, in Sumner County, Tennessee, about seventeen miles north- west of Gallatin, where he was raised on a farm and educated in the country schools. He married Miss Malinda S. Brinkley, a sister to Cai)tain John A. Brinkley, May 23d, 1858. J. T. .\ustin enlisted in the Confederate service as private in Cap- tain M. T. Griffin's company, which on the 19th of October, 1861, became Company D of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. He was made orderly sergeant of said company in March, 1S62, which ])osition he held up to the reorganization in June following, when he was elected first lieutenant of his company, which at the same time became Company F of the Second Tennessee. He served as first lieutenant from June 12th, 1862, to the close of the war, with honor to himself and satisfaction to the company. Lieutenant Austin was severely wounded in the left thigh while pressing forward in the front rank, at Birmingham, Mississippi, on the 24th of .\pril, 1863. It was three or four months before he was able for duty again. While gallantly leading Company F, near the cross- roads, two and a half miles west of Harrisburg, Mississippi, late in the afternoon of the 13th of July, 1864 — where so many of the Second Tennessee fell, either killed or wounded — Lieutenant .Austin was again severely wounded in the right shoulder, from the effect of which he was disabled for about two months. After recovering from this last wound, he served on faithfully to G18 R. K. Hancock's Diary. the close of the war, and was paroled at Gainesville, Alabama, May loth, 1865. On the 23d he returned to that dear spot — home — in Sumner County, Tennessee, where he has been farming ever since. He was deputy sheriff for six years — from August, 1874, to August, 1880 — under J. K. Dodd. His wife is still (1887) living. They have two childeren — a son (Gustavus H.) and a daughter (Maggie Lee). LIEUTENANT JOHN ERVIN DENNING. J. E. Denning, son of James and Mary G. Denning, was born at Fountain Head, Sumner County, West Tennessee, December 24th, 1839. He first attended school at Fountain Head, after which he entered the Male College at Gallatin, where he remained for several sessions. He finished his literary course at Caledonia, Henry County, • West Tennessee. 'On returning to Fountain Head, he commenced studying medicine under Dr. E. Dyrum. His father died on the 1 2th of January, i860; his mother is still (1887) living at Fountain Head. He was, at the breaking out of our late war, studymg medicine as above mentioned, and at the same time looking after his mother's farm. J. E. Denning enlisted at Gallatin as a private in Captain William B. Bate's company, which on the 5th of May, 1861, became Com- pany I of the Second Tennessee Infantry. Captain W. B. Bate was elected colonel of the regiment, and J. P. Tyree was elected captain to fill vacancy in Company I. Bate's regiment was immediately sent to Virginia, where Denning served with it until the first of February, 1862. The regiment then re-enlisted for " three years or during the war," and was granted a furlough for sixty days. On reaching Mur- freesboro, Tennessee, Bate's men met the retreating Confederates on their way to Corinth, Mississippi. It was here that Denning succeeded in getting a transfer from Bate's regiment to Captain Griffin's com- pany (D) of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. After going on home and remaining at Fountain Head and vicinity for about three weeks, Denning rejoined the Seventh Battalion near Corinth. He served as private in Captain Griffin's Company until the Seventh Battalion re-enlisted, reorganized, and was consolidated with the First, near Fulton, Mississippi, June 12th, 1862. He was then elected second lieutenant of his company, which became Company F of the Second Tennessee, in which position he served for two years and one month. Lieutenant Denning made an excellent officer and was highly es- teemed by all of our regiment. He was always ready and willing to- ArPENDlX A. (311^ go wherever duty called, however great the danger. After he had passed through many engagements with the enemy unhurt, he visited home, for the last time as it proved, in January or Fe])ruary, 1864. He appeared now to have a premonition of his impending fate. On leaving home at other times he had never seemed to apprehend any danger but what he would return agam, but on leaving home this time he told his mother that he never expected to see home any more. He rejoined his company, however, and passed through the actions at Pa- ducah, Fort Pillow, and Brice's Cross-Roads unhurt. His captain. J. A. Brinkley, was disabled by sunstroke on the eve of the 13th of July, 1864, and the first lieutenant, J. T. .\ustin, was severely wounded. This left Lieutenant Denning in command of Company F. The battle of Harrisburg, Mississippi, was fought the next day. Before going into action that morning he went to one Mr. Trice's, who lived hard by, and in conversation with his daughter the lieutenant coolly and quietly remarked that he expected to be killed that day. Miss Trice tried to laugh him out of such an idea, and said, " You are too gallant a soldier to have such thoughts." He replied, "It is too serious a matter to make a joke of." After handing two watches to Miss Trice to take care of for him, and putting on his best suit of clothes he rejoined his company, and a few hours later, while making a gallant attempt to lead the already shattered remains of his company into the enemy's stronghold at Harrisburg, Lieutenant John E. Denning fell to rise no more. No braver soldier or better man than our heroic Denning fell on that memorable occasion. His mem- ory lives in the hearts of all his surviving comrades. He was buried and his remains still rest near Harrisburg. LIEUTENANT J. NEWSOM PENl'EL. J. N. Penuel, son of Alanson and Nancy Penuel, was born Oc- tober 20th, 1840, in Davidson County, Tennessee. He was educated mainly at Nashville. His father moved to Sumner County in Febru- ary, i860, and settled near Fountain Head, twelve miles north of Gallatin, where the subject of ihis sketch was engaged in farming when the war broke out. In October, 1861, J. N. Penuel enlisted in the Confederate service in Captain (;rififin's company (D) of the Seventh Battalion. He was elected orderly sergeant, but refused to serve. He served as private until the reorganization, June 12th. 1862. He was then elected third lieutenant, and his company became Comj)any F of the Second Tennessee. 620 R. R. Hancock's Diary. About the 14th of June, 1862, Lieutenant Penuel was ordered to report to Captain Hill at Fulton, Mississippi, with a detachment of twenty-two men from our regiment. The latter was instructed to go, with a part of his company and Penuel's detachment, to the Memphis and Charleston Railroad and burn a bridge on that road near Buzzard Roost, North Alabama. On reaching a point within five miles of the bridge, Captain Hill decided to do the work in hand with only ten men, so Lieutenant Penuel rejoined his command with the rest of the men. He was post commander at Pontotoc, Mississippi, for about four weeks, and was then relieved at his own request. After doing much gallant service, and passing through many actions with the enemy, the lieutenant was captured on the nth of November, 1863, and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he remained until after the war closed — about nineteen months. Having been re- leased on parole, he reached Nashville, Tennessee, 17th of June, 1865. A few weeks after his arrival at Nashville, Lieutenant Penuel was employed as prison guard by Andrew Johnson (ex-President Johnson's nephew), who was then warden of the State prison. After serving two and a half years as guard, Penuel was sent to East Tennessee, where he served as deputy warden for four and a half years. On re- turning to Nashville, he engaged for one year in the grocery business with his brother, T. L. Penuel, after which he was night watch for J. W. McCullough for five years and seven months. He is now (1887), and has been since April, 1885, in the furniture business with his brother and J. D. Bennett, No. 207 Broad Street, Nashville, Tennessee. Lieutenant Penuel married Miss Bettie Jones, of Edgefield, Jan- uary ist, 1878, by whom he has four children — two sons (John B. and William A.) and two daughters (Mary R. and Chrissie E.). He had the misfortune to lose his first wife on the 13th of July, 1883. The choice of his second marriage, on the 19th of December, 1884, was Miss Mary E. Shivers, of Goodlettsville. He has two children (Harry S. and Annie L.) by his last wife. CAPTAIN THOMAS PURVEAR. T. PuRYEAR, son of Jamcs and Sallie Puryear, was born November 25th, 1833, in Sumner (now Trousdale) County, Tennessee, five miles south of Hartsville. He was by occupation a farmer, and educated at the Hartsville Male Academy. He married Miss Talitha Reeves, of Wilson County, daughter of John and Sarah Reeves, on the 6th of January, 1858. Appendix A. 621 In August, 1859, he was elected railroad tax-collector of Sumner County, which position he held for two years, and was re-elected in 1 861. Owing to the breaking out of our late war, he did not serve out his last term. Having previously enlisted about forty-five of his neighbors, Thomas Puryear went with them to Gallatin about the last of Novem- ber, 1 86 1, to join the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. Enough men were detached from Companies A and B of said battalion and added to Puryear's enlistment to make a full company, wliich became Company F of the Seventh Battalion, with J. T. E. Odcjm, captain, and Thomas Puryear, first lieutenant. The latter served as first lieutenant of Company F until the reor- ganization of his company, near Fulton, Mississippi, June 12th, 1862. According to the ''conscript" law. Lieutenant Puryear was now at liberty to resign and return home; in place of doing so, however, he re-enlisted "for three years, or during the war." Companies E and F were here consolidated, and Puryear* was made captain of the consolidated company, which, at the same time, became Company G of the Second Tennessee. By kindness in camp and gallantry in action he soon won the confi- dence and love of the men whom he had the honor to command. He also stood high in the estimation of his superiors. When General Sherman was on his march from Memphis to Chat- tanooga, the Second Tennessee went into North Alabama under Gen- eral S. D. Lee to assist in tearing up the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and otherwise annoy Sherman as much as possible. During this expedition our regiment had a great deal of hard fighting to do. "Memorable to all of the 'Old Second' will be the engagement at Cherokee on the 21st of October, 1863, where we mourned to number among our lost that noble and generous Captain Thomas Puryear, of Company G. Here he received his death wound at the head of his company, with drawn saber urging forward to victory. "We were fighting superior numbers, which he knew, and just as he received his wound the regiment was temporarily forced back. Private John P. Mills and myself rushed to him, determined he should not fall into the hands of the enemy, when he urged us to leave him and save ourselves, as we could not save him, but we carried liim back where he was taken to the hospital. After lingering about eight *As to /io7v he was made captain, see sketch of Captain J. M. Ka>itcs, next after this. I 022 R. K. Hancock's Diary. days he quietly breathed his last, his soul returning to the God who gave it. "Never did a braver soldier respond to a bugle-call than Captain Thomas Puryear.'"^- The captain's wife had heard that he was severely wounded, and was just in the act of starting to see him when she received the heart- rending news that her dear husband was dead. He left one child, a son — Joseph Richard. The captain's widow now (1887) lives in th^ northern portion of Wilson County, and her son, who is now a practicing physician, and has an accomplished lady for a wife, is living with her (his mother). CAPTAIN JONATHAN M. EASTES. J. M. Easies was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, January 5th, 1838. When very young his parents moved to Smith County, in the same State, and settled on Hogan's Creek, three miles south of Car- thage, where his mother, now in her seventy-third year, still lives. In 1850, October 21st, when Jonathan was in his thirteenth year, his father died, leaving a widow with four boys, aged respectively thir- teen, eight, five and two years. Jonathan, the older by five years, shouldered the responsibilities of caring for the family, and the united testimony of all who knew him is that he was a good boy. He, by industrious labor on the farm and with the help of one of the best of mothers to aid, advise and counsel, was successful, and they made a good living. His father sent him to school as much as circumstances would per- mit, and Jonathan was a hard student and deservedly popular with both teachers and pupils. By his attention to business and kind and pleasant bearing, he formed that character and established reputation which made him popular in all circles where his lot was cast. His morals were of the highest type. Soon after he was twenty- one he was made a Mason, and the principles of the order he studied and practiced faithfully, and was highly respected by the fraternity as a faithful and true Mason. In 1 86 1, when the war broke out in the United States, he was what was known as a Union man. and voted against secession both times, yet when the State went out he said : "I am a Tennessean and *See sketch of Second Tennessee, by Lieutenant George F. Hager. in Mil- itary Annals of Tennessee, page 613. Appendix A. 023 I must go with Tennessee," and soon after enlisted with a brother"*- five years younger than himself in the Confederate army. The company was completely organized by October 13th, 1861. A. B. Cates was elected captain, Jonathan M. Eastes first lieutenant, Hill A. High second, and John R. Bowen third lieutenant. On the 13th of October, i86(, the company left Carthage for Eperson Springs, where Colonel Bennett's battalion of cavalry was en- camped. The company staid all night at Hartsville, and, on reach- ing Eperson Springs the next day, were sworn into service and be- came Company E of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. The company remained here for a while and then moved to (ialla- tin, where we were quartered until the retreat from Bowling (ireen to Corinth, Mississippi. There the battalion remained until the retreat from Corinth. Near Fulton, Mississippi, June 12th, 1862, a reorgan- ization took place. Captain Cates went home and raised a new com- pany, and his company was consolidated with Captain Joe T. E. Odom's company. Captain Odom having resigned, the consolidated company, which at the same time became Company G of the Second Tennessee Cavalry, agreed that Lieutenant Eastes and Lieutenant Puryear might settle between themselves the question of captaincy, as one was to be captain and the other first lieutenant. After a mo- ment's private conference, they reported their agreement — Puryear was ca])tain and Eastes first lieutenant. After varied duties performed in North Mississippi our regiment, with others, was led by General S. D. Lee into North .\labama, where Cnptain Puryear was killed and Lieutenant Eastes was ])romoted to the captaincy of the company, which position he held until he was mortally wounded at the Cross-Roads, about four miles west of Tupelo, Mississippi, on the 13th of July, 1864. That memorable eve- ning, when General Buford, of Kentucky, ordered Bell's brigade to attack the enemy's wagon train, our regiment, which was in advance, was led into an ambuscade and so many good men fell. The captain fell, mortally wounded, while bravely leading the charge against such fearful odds. On the next day, at the going down of the sun, his gal- lant spirit winged its flight to the land of spirits. He was lamented, not only by his own comjjany, who loved and honored him, but the entire regiment, who had learned his noble characteristics. Although up to this time he had made no public profession of the religion of Jesus, the day of his death he sent for the chaplain and in ■T. J. Easte>, now a Hapti^t niitii*ter. 624 R. R. Hancock's Diary. conversation told him that he had an abiding hope in Christ, and that he was going to rest. To his brother (T. J. Eastes), who had been sent back the night before to wait upon him, he said: " Be a good boy; be faithful to your country; be a good soldier, and when the war is ended go back home. Tell mother not to grieve after me. This is the fate of war. I did my duty. I will meet her again."' Thus, in the twenty-seventh year of his life, fell a noble man, hon- ored and respected by all who knew him. He was grave in counsel, and gave advice after mature deliberation. He was brave in battle, not seeming to consider himself in danger, but his care was the "boys," as he familiarly called his company, over whom he watched with a father's care, and who loved to obey his commands. The serv- ice of his men was the service of love. His rest at the Old Palmetto Church, three miles west of Verona, Mississippi, will be sweet until the trump of God shall awake the sleeping dead, and then will his noble manhood shine out in that glo- rious luster that belongs to the glorious world to come.* CAPTAIN BUCK H. MOORE. B. H. Moore, son of Gregory and Aranna Moore, was born De- cember i8, 1842, in Smith County, Tennessee. He was raised on a farm near New Middleton, and educated at that place. He enlisted as a private in Captain A. B. Gates' company, which, on the 19th of Oc- tober, 1 86 1, became Company E of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. B. H. Moore was elected orderly sergeant at Athens, Alabama, about the first week in March, 1862. He served as orderly until the re-enlistment and reorganization of his company, near Fulton, Missis- sippi, June 12, 1862. Companies E and F were then consolidated, and Sergeant Moore was elected second lieutenant of this consolidated company, which, at the same time, became Company G of the Second Tennessee, although he was not yet twenty-one years old. After his captain, Thomas Puryear, was killed, in North Alabama, October 29, t 1863, J- M. Eastes was promoted to the captaincy and B. H. Moore to the first lieutenancy of Company G, and after Captain Eastes was killed July 14,! 1864, Moore was promoted to the com- mand of said company, which position he held to the close of the war. '■The above sketch was written by Elder T. J. Eastes, Shop Springs, Wilson County, Tennessee. t Puryeat was mortally wounded 2ist and Eastes 13th. Appendix A. 025 While first lieutenant, Moore had his horse shot from under him at Okolona, Mississippi, February 22, 1864. On the Hood Campaign Captain Moore was knocked down near Spring Hill, and he again had his horse shot and was wounded himself at Franklin, November 30th, 1864. Notwithstanding his wound was very painful he remained with the command for several days and then went home, reaching there about midnight on the night of the 9th of December He remained at home only a few hours. After stopping in Wilson County for a few days he went back to Mississippi, and stopped, for about three months, with his uncle, Elijah Moore, near Tupelo. Captain Moore rejoined the Second 't'ennessee at West i^oint, Mis- sissippi, just before General Forrest started on his final campaign into Central Alabama. His horse was shot from under him again, on the 2d of April, 1865. while gallantly leading his company in the last ■charge. He surrendered with our regiment at Gainesville, Alabama, and was paroled May 10. 1865. He was kind, generous and brave, and had the confidence and esteem of the entire regiment. On re- turning home, June ist, he commenced farming, and he now (1887) owns a part of his father's farm near New Middleton. where he is en- gaged in raising and dealing in fine stock. Captain Moore married Miss Efelia Johnson on the 23d of Decem- ber, 1874. She was a noble woman and an excellent wife, and the captain was very much devoted to her, though, unfortunately, she lived (to a day) only ten years after marriage. She left no children. Captain Moore is now (January, 1887) a widower. LIEUTENANT GEORGE F. HAGER. the eldest son of John J. and Harriet A. Hager, was born in Smith County, Tennessee, on the 17th day of February, 1841. His parents removed to Kentucky while he was quite small. After completing his literary course at school he returned to his native State, entering the drug business in Nashville, where he was residing at the breaking out of the war. Lieutenant Hager enlisted in the Confederate service May 24, 1861, in Si.xth Kentucky Regiment Infantry; transferred to Company F, Seventh Battalion Tennessee Cavalry as private in April, 1862; was promoted to orderly sergeant, then lieutenant of his com- pany, which became Company G of the Second Tennessee ; was with his company continuously during the war, sharing its hardships ■with a veteran's endurance and enjoying its victories with soldierly pride. After the surrender he immediately returned to Nashville and 40 626 K. K. Hancock's Diary. again entered his chosen profession. In 1867 he was happily married to Miss Cornelia A. Follis, at Scottsville, Kentucky, which union has been blessed with two children, Cora C. and James F. Hager. Lieu- tenant Hager still resides at Nashville, and his house is, at all times, headquarters for members of the old "Second" when in Nashville. Lieutenant Hager has given the writer more good advice and aid generally since I have be^n engaged in preparing this work for publi- cation than any other of my comrades. I am under special obligations to him for being so kind as to attend to the portrait department for me. It is he, too, who has done, and is yet doing, more to make the reunions of the Second Tennessee a success than any other. He is our secretary (and I guess will be as long as he lives) and attends promptly every meeting. The following, in reference to our reunions, is from his pen: The surviving members of the regiment conceived the idea of hold- ing annual reunions in 1884 for the purpose of renewing the old friend- ship and bringing all together as often as practicable. The first was held at Gallatin, Tennessee, 1884, when an organization was effected, and the reunions have been held each year since. In 1885, Morton's Bat- tery was consolidated with the regiment at its last reunion, which was held at Gallatin. The following members were present: President, Captain Jno. VV. Morton; First Vice-President, Colonel G. H. Morton; Second Vice-President, Captain G. E. Seay; Secretary and Treasurer, Lieutenant G. F. Hager. Company A. — Lieutenant Thos. C. Atkinson, Wallace Wilson, Jas. Polk, Colonel G. H. Morton. Company B. — Jas. L. McGann, W. G. Andrews, Jas. A. North, H. C. Armstrong, W. D. Covington. Company C. — R. R. Hancock, E. D. Thomas, H. C. Odom, J. W. Odom, Jno. H. Odom, W. H. Francis, Wm. Davenport, C. Gar- rison, B. F. Knox. Company D. — Lieutenant J. M. Cantrell, Lieutenant W. T. Youree, Lieutenant J. K. Dodd, Wm. Bell, F. R. Love, J. D. Carr, J. W. Burns, G. B. Carmon, A. S. May, S. F. Elliott, N. C. Granthan, W. T. Robertson, J. W. Adams, Allen Wylie, T. H. Bentley, J. W. Rut- ledge, James Pearson, F. M. Winn, R. T. Bush, Ed. S. Payne. Company E. — W. N. Adams, William Stalcup, J. F. Carmon, B. P. Reese, Arch. Allen, Reid Payne, Wm. Erwin, Henry Sacra, Lieu- tenant T. J. Carmon, Captain Geo. E. Seay. Company F. — J. R. Culbreath, J. T. Austin, Chas. Wilkerson, Wm. Cauley, J. F. Lewis, Wm. Jackson, Thomas Link, S. J. Garrett. Arf'EM)ix A. tiJ7 Company G.— J. B. Vance, Andy Robertson, S. R. Johnson, A. G. Temi)leton, W. C. West, J. D. Vance, Tom Petway, T. Fowler, Lieutenant Geo. F. Hager, Colonel C. R. Barteaii. Company K. — Lieutenant F. M. McCrea. Morton's BATn-RY. — Cajjtain Jno. W. Morton, J. C. Wood, W. J. Potter. The organization keeps a regular minute-book, recording the bi.si- ness and registering each one present, and also making notes of all deaths. The association have procured a large album and secured the photographs of a large number of the members and many of the dead comrades, and will continue to make the collection until all are secured. This will remain as the property of the organization so long as one of the members lives. The last surviving member has instructions to pre- sent the album and minute-book to the Historical Society of Ten- nessee. LIEUTENANT B. A. HIGH. B. A. High, son of Samuel and Sarah High, was born February 22, 1833, in Smith County, Tennessee, three miles west of Carthage. He was educated mainly at Carthage and Chapel Hill, in Smith County. His native ability as a mechanic or machinist has seldom been equaled and perhaps never surpassed by any son of Tennessee. This genius for machinery began to show itself at a very early age. When about fourteen years old he made a toy (though complete) steam saw-mill. After using his mill for about one year he took it to Carthage one day while court was in session and put it in operation on Main Street. This attracted so much attention that Judge Campbell adjourned court so as to give all an opportunity to see this wonderful machine — the product of such a young brain. Being naturally elated by the atten- tion which his little mill had attracted, and wishing to press the ergine to its full capacity, he raised the steam a little too high and the boiler exploded — scalding a number of persons, though no one was seriously hurt. Judge Campbell and High were among the scalded. When about seventeen years old. the subject of this sketch began to put up steam mills over different portions of the State for the Ten- nessee Manufacturing Company, located at Nashville. Said conij.any was burned out after he had been working for them about two years. In the meantime, a steam grist-mill had been put up at New Middleton, and High was now called to take charge of it. He soon after added a saw-mill, which sawed the lumber out of which that jjlace was built. About this time he began to put up steam mills for another Nashville 62ft K. R. Hancock's Diary. firm — Ellis & Moore. Continuing to work for this company, his field of operations at the breaking out of the war was North Alabama, North Mississippi and Arkansas. As soon as Alabama seceded he returned to New Middleton, Tennessee, and was the first to enlist in a cavalry company, which, about the middle of October, 1861, became Company E of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry, with A. B. Gates captain and B. A. High second lieutenant. He had gained quite a reputation as scout before our army evacuated Bowling Green, Kentucky, and continuing in this branch of the service while the Con- federate army was encamped around Corinth, Mississippi, he there, by a faithful discharge of duty, won the reputation of being one among the mos^ reliable of General Beauregard's scouts. When the Second Tennessee was organized in June, 1862. there was some talk of making Lieutenant High colonel of the regiment, but as he was sick at that time he refused to accept any position. As soon as he was able to ride he went to New Middleton. Tennessee, and put the steam mill there to grmding supplies for Bragg's army, which was then on its way to Kentucky, while at the same time acting as scout for General Morgan, with whom he remained until after the battle of Perry ville. He then rejoined the Second Tennessee at Saltillo, Mississippi, in November, 1862. About one month after his return he was sent to Grenada, Mississippi, with some dispatches, where he re- mained detached for about ten months, running a steam mill which was grinding supplies for the Confederate army at Vicksburg and other puints. He was captured while at Grenada, but was released by a squad of Confederates who opportunely came up just as the Federal rear was in the act of leaving. He returned to the Second Tennessee just before it set out to go into North Alabama with General S. D. Lee, in October, 1863. Going on as scout in advance of the com- mand, he was arrested near Tuscumbia, Alabama, by some of Gen- eral Roddy's men, and sent to General Bragg's army charged with being a Federal spy. He was finally released at Rome, Georgia, by order of Bragg, who had learned in the meantime that High was a Confederate. He rejoined our regiment near Okolona, Mississippi, about the last of February, 1864. He then acted as scout for Gen- eral Buford until after the Hood Campaign into Tennessee.* Before setting out from West Point, Mississippi, in March, 1865, on his Selma Campaign, General Forrest ordered Lieutenant High to *For gallantry at Fort Pillow, .see April 12th, 1864. Af'Pkni»ix a. 6'2j> go into North Alabama with a detachment of thirty men. lo watch the movements of General Wilson's command and also to take up all courier lines through that section. This duty he faithfully performed. Having sent off as couriers all of his detachment except about three men. and having in the meantime learned that Lee had surrendered, and that the Confederacy was now becoming a thing of the past, he swung round through North Mississippi and West Tennessee, surren- dered at Johnsonville, and reached home at New Middleton, Smith County. Tennessee, on the 28th of May. 1865. Again taking up his favorite occupation he put up a steam saw-mill at Rome, and another at Doweltown. After which he repaired a boiler and engine at Gordonsville, with which he sunk the first of the twenty-five or thirty oil-wells in Overton County. After working at this b\isiness about four years he returned to Smith County and put up a very fine grist and saw-mill, known as the "Hickman Mill." Early in 1869 he again took charge of the mill at New Middleton. Lieutenant High married Miss Lillie (rilliland. one of the fairest of the ( )verton County belles, and daughter of James and Lillie ( iilliland, on the 3d of March, rSyo. New Middleton was his home for several years after marriage. After putting up several more mills in the sur- rounding country he, in connection with Messrs. Davis and Harris, bought a steamboat, .\lex. Kendall, at Nashville, in August, 1876. After running it for a short time on the Cumberland it was made anew at Evansville, Indiana, and then run in the trade between that place and Cincinnati until it was sunk by ice in January, 1877. In 1878 he bought the steam grist and saw-mill at Auburn, Tennes- see, which mill he is now (1887) successfully running. He is a live, enterprising, man and one among the most useful citizens of the .\uburn community. He is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, '-i* and has always taken a great deal of interest in Sunday-schools. When only fourteen years old he had the banner Sunday-school class at Peyton's Creek Baptist Church. He has two children (James S. and Charlie L. ) living and three (Lillian and two infants) dead. He was made a Master Mason in 1854 (at iwenty-one), and a Royal .\n:h (Chapter) Mason about 1868, and a Sir Knight (Encanij mentj about 1871. 630 R. R. Hancock's Diary. LIEUTENANT F. M. McREE. F. M. McRee, son of John H. and Francis M. McRee, was born on the 29th of August, 1844, i" Lincoln County, Tennessee. His father removed to Obion County, West Tennessee, in November, 1849, where the subject of this sketch labored on the farm and attended the ordinary country schools until in his seventeenth year. On the loth of April, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate service in Captain J. W. Buford's company of infantry, which, on the 2 2d of May, became Company H of the Ninth Tennessee Regiment, com- manded by Colonel H. L. Douglass. After serving as private in said regiment about fourteen months he was discharged at Tupelo, Missis- sippi, on account of his being under conscript age. He then returned to his father's in Obion County, Tennessee, where, in the summer of 1863, he aided in raising a company of cavalry, which, after doing some service in that section of country, went south with General For- rest in December, 1863, and upon organization O. B. Farris was made captain and F. M. McRee second lieutenant of this company, which, in Marcii, 1864, became Company K of the Second Tennessee Cavalry. On the I St of June following McRee was promoted to first lieutenant, which rank he held to the close of the war. On the 13th of July he was so shocked by the concussion of a shell that he was taken from the field to the hospital, but on learning the next day that Captain Farris was wounded. Lieutenant McRee rejoined his company, contrary to the advice of his surgeon, and was in command of it during the last day's fighting around Harrisburg, Mississippi, on the 15th. He was in command of Company K when it was detached from the Second Tennessee and took part in front during the action at Brice's Cross-Roads. When the Federals began to retreat he very gallantly led his company against their rear, capturing a whole company of negroes. Lieutenant McRee was in command of Company K during For- rest's Middle Tennessee expedition; in fact, he was in command of his company a good portion of the time, because Captain Farris was so frequently on detached service. During the Hood Campaign in December, 1864, the lieutenant commanded the advance guard from Shoal Creek, Alabama, to Franklin, Tennessee, and on the 17th of D ^cember, after a gallant defense, a hand-to-hand struggle, he was Appendix A. 631 captured at Hollow Tree Gap, five miles north of Franklin, on the Hood retreat, and was severely wounded in the right shoulder by a drunken coward after he had surrendered. After remaining at a pri- vate house for thirteen days, where he was kindly treated by the family, Lieutenant McRee was taken to Nashville, and from there to Fort Delaware. Here and at Nashville the Federal surgeons made an attempt to extract the ball, but were not successful. The ball is in his shoulder yet. Having been exchanged, he arrived at Richmond, Virginia, about Februarv 14th, 1865, where he obtained a furlough for sixty days. Setting out from that place March 4th he found his command at West Point, Mississippi, about the last of the month. He had the promise of a position on General Bell's staff as soon as his furlough was out. After remaining in Mississippi awhile he went home, reaching there in April. As the war was now winding to a close, Lieutenant McRee did not do any more service, but went to work on the farm. In 1872 he began the study of medicine under Doctor C. P. Glover. For two years he did farm labor during the day and read at night; but the next three years he put in his time (in reading) more closely. In 1877 he entered the medical department of Vanderbilt University, at Nashville, Tennessee, where he graduated in the spring of 1879, ^^'^ ^s "°^^ (^887) a practicing physician in Obion County. Tennessee. He married Miss Minnie Crockett on the 13th of November, 1867. They have one son {John C.) living, and one (Hurtle M.) dead, and four daughters (Florenia B., Emma T., Hattie D., and Maggie Lee) all living. Like the most of the Confederates, Dr. McRee came out of the army penniless, though his taxes in 1886 were eighty dollars and fifty- four cents. CAPTAIN W. HOOPER HARRIS AND HIS TWENTY-FIVK MEN. At Burnsville, Mississippi, on the 26th of April, 1862, Captain Harris and twenty-five of his company were detached from the First Battalion, by order of General Bell, to accompany (Jeneral John H. Morgan on an expedition through Middle Tennessee and into Ken- tucky to meet and aid some Kentuckians in passing out through the Federal lines. Captain Harris promised to write up a sketch of said expedition for publication in my Diary: but as he has failfd to comply 632 K. R. Hancock's Diary. with his promise, I shall add a few facts here which I have learned from him and others. After Morgan and Harris had fought several successful engage- ments and captured a number of prisoners on the way, they put up one night in Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennessee, where, about day- light the next morning, they were surprised by a heavy force of Fed- eral cavalry, which resulted in the capture of Captain Harris and all of his twenty five men, except, perhaps, one or two.* T. M. Joplin, Joe Campbell, Zack Tate, and Tom Drane were among the wounded in this Lebanon affair. After they were exchanged the men did service in various commands under Generals Wheeler and Morgan, while the captain, himself, served on the staff of the former general until the war closed. Very few, if any, of the gallant twenty-six ever rejoined the original company, the remnant of which was consolidated with Company B, and became Company A of the Second Tennessee. A. A. Milliron and C. C. Martin were killed near Milton, Rutherford County, Tennessee; J. M. Curran at MclSIinnville, Tennessee, and R. E. K. Morris in Kentucky. T. M. Joplm was wounded twice more — at Lexington, Alabama, and near Tunnel Hill, Georgia — and is now (1887) living in Nashville, Tennessee. For several years immediately after the close of the war Captain Harris did business in New York City, but he is now (1887) living in Nashville, Tennessee, where he is engaged in the business of life in- surance. He is kind, generous, and brave, and but few Confederates were more devoted to the cause of the South during our late war than he. He is now living with his second wife: and I think that he has two or three children — all by his first wife. The writer is under special obligations to Captain Harris for being so kind as to donate the plate from which Lieutenant-Colonel F. N. McNairy's portraits have been made for this work. * I think that Alex. Bolton was one who escaped. T /^cC ■7^1 (y J ^r^'iJ'. APPENDIX B. REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR. R. R. Hancock, Esq., Auburn, Tenn. : Dear Old Comrade and Friend — ^^In reply to yours requesting me to contribute a sketch of my prison life during the last ten months of the Civil War, I desire to say that I am more than half way temi)ted to comply with your wish, and make the contribution under the belief that it will be appreciated by yourself and read with interest by ray old comrades who yet survive the struggle, but I dislike so much to write of myself that I am constrained to ask you to excuse me upon condition that I contribute something else, closely allied to prison life, and which I believe will prove of more interest to the general reader than anything 1 could possibly say of myself. I could write a book of war reminiscences, replete with anecdotes, adventures, escapades, laughable and otherwise, but the task is more than I could think of undertaking, besides so much of that class of history has already been written that I am persuaded the public has grown tired of it. But there are many incidents of the war that form a part of its history that have never been and never will be written. The actors have passed away and no one is left to tell the story. I am reminded of some that fell under my own personal observation that, if proi)erly written, would rival the wildest stories of fiction, and yet be truth, historic truth. I remember an incident, which 1 will relate in lieu of the prison sketch, and I think you will agree with me, when it is finished, that it exceeds in interest anything I could say of myself. In the winter of 1862-3, while the Second Tennessee Regiment was wintering at Okolona, and watching the outposts from Corinth along the line into North Alabama, I was on special duty in the Provost Marshal's office, at Okolona. My duty at the time was partly clerical (r,33) 634 li. K. Hancock's Diaky. and partly as a courier. Lieutenant Love was Provost Marshal, and Dick Walker chief clerk. Lieutenant Love remained at his boarding house at night, while Walker and I stayed in the office. And right here allow me to remark, parenthetically, that my friend and I had some royal old times when night came and everybody else were in camps, asleep or gathered around the fire, telling stories, singing war songs, or perhaps songs of home and loved ones, hundreds of miles away. We had some ]ew neighbors, who were our particular friends, and often came over to the office at night for a social chat, when all was quiet, and as a token of their profound regard for Dick and I would almost as often bring with them a quart of as fine wine as a soldier ever drank. This expression of consideration for our social as well as physical comfort was duly appreciated, if not reciprocated, as we gave them ample evidence by the way we enjoyed it. We never got drunk, but always felt animated and sufficiently patriotic to express ourselves freely as to the certain success of the Confederacy, and our unbounded love for and confidence in our friends, the Jews. Walker was a Kentuckian, and never lost an opportunity to take a drink, curse the Yankees, and admire the women, though there was a disposition to think equally as well of a good horse. Our visitors were equally as convivial, though somewhat reticent as to war opinions, and a little off on the horse. They were up to the requirements of the most chivalrous as to women, and would take a back seat to nobody in discussing nice things to drink. This is merely mentioned to show how we generally passed our evenings. One night 1 was alone. It had been raining, and the wind was blowing a little crisp across the open prairie, and whistled mournfully around the corners of the house and rattled the shutters unpleasantly without. I had laid down on a cot and was trying to court sleep, but the monotonous soughing of the wind and occasional patter of rain, together with the clashing of loose shutters and dilapidated signs in the neighborhood, completely dissipated all ideas of sleep, and I was compelled to turn restlessly on my cotton-batting cot, and seek in vain for " nature's sweet restorer." It was near midnight when I caught the soun^ of footsteps on the pavement without, and almost immediately a vigorous rap was heard on the door. I sprang to my feet and approached the door with the query, "Who comes there?" The reply came, "Dick Bayless and Tom Bennington, with a prisoner." Opening the door, the familiar Keminiscknces of the Wak. 635 forms of Bayless and Bennington entered with the prisoner between them. "Here's a suspicious character, Sergeant," said Bennington, as he moved the prisoner nearer the light. " We caught him awhile ago, trying to get out of the lines by dodging the picket. The facts are these: We heard an unusual and suspicious noise in the bushes, and we kept a lookout for developments. Pretty soon we discovered a man on horseback trying to slip around and get out. We just lay for him and took him in." " He can't give any correct account of himself," remarked Bayless. "He's got a mighty glib tongue, and can tell some mighty slick stories, but he forgets to make them consistent; and not having any vouchers or anything to help him along in emergencies of this kind, we thought we had best bring him in." The prisoner appeared to be about six feet high, well formed, and apparently well dressed, in half citizen and half Confederate clothing. He stood erect with an army blanket wrapped around him, which he held closed in such a way as to cover his mouth and a part of his face. Beneath a broad-brim, slouch hat beamed as brilliant a pair of eyes as were ever placed in mortal's head. He listened attentively to the account of his capture, without saying a word. I plied a number of questions, which he answered, either in monosyllables or not at all. The prisoner reluctantly obeyed orders to remove his hat and bhiiiket, preparatory to being searched. The moment these were taken off I recognized him as a soldier who, in the afternoon before, I noticed loafing around the office, and was detected in an attempt to take a blank pass from the provost's table by reaching through the ■open window from the outside. On being discovered he left, and was seen no more. Nothing was thought of this circumstance at the time, as it was no uncommon thing for a soldier to steal a blank pass when he had a chance. The best of them would do it. ' ' Why, you are the fellow I saw trying to steal a pass through the window," I remarked with some surprise as his features recurred to me. •'Hello, Wilson! My God! is that you?" shouted Bennington, as he saw for the first time the prisoner's face. ''Why didn't you say so? You certainly ought to have recognized me." The prisoner declined to make a reply. When first arrested he talked freely, and tried to e.xplain to his captors that he was only try- ing to get outside the lines to go off on a little expedition of his own, and begged to be allowed to return to camp, but having failed to work 636 K. IJ. Hancock's Diary. on their credulity, he seemed to have made up his mind to say noth- ing and let matters take their own course. "Sergeant," said Bennington, '-a few days ago, while returning from a scout below, I fell in with this man, who gave his name as William Wilson, and said that he belonged to Colonel Jackson's reg- iment and was going up to Okolona on business. We came on to- gether. I passed him through the pickets and into town, where he left me, and I have not seen him since until to-night.'" After repeated interrogatories the prisoner said his name was \\'m. Wilson, and that he belonged to Colonel Jackson's regiment of Con- federate cavalry, and that his meeting with Bennington was correct, but that, unfortunately, he had no vouchers with him, and was at- tempting to work his way out and back to his regiment, which he said was then in the neighborhood of Holly Springs; that he did try all the day before to steal a blank pass, but gave it up; that he was very anxious to get back to his command, as his time was up, and he hoped we would not detain him. A search of his person revealed no clue to his identity. A greasy memorandum book, nearly filled with disjointed notes, out of which we could make nothing, was found in his pocket. I was half way inclined to believe his story, but the fact that he had no paper about him connecting him in any way with the army, or even giving his name, was a strong circumstance in my mind against him — sufficient, I thought, to justify me in sending him to the guard-house, to be held until further investigation could be had, and accordingly so directed. The guards had started with him to the guard-house, and had almost reached the door, when the thought suddenly occurred to my mind that I had seen that man before. There was something in his expres- sion that was familiar, and I endeavored to recall the time and place, when and where we had met. I halted the party near the door, and as the prisoner turned his face toward the light the circumstance of our previous meeting came vividly to my memory. I remembered having met him in West Tennessee in the fall of i860. Walking up to him, I laid my hand on his shoulder and remarked, "My friend, we have met before." "I guess not," he quickly replied. "But we have, and I think your name is Easterwood." Wilson started a little at this, but smiled pleasantly as he repeated the remark that I was mistaken. He denied any knowledge of the place where I mentioned as iiuv- Keminisckxccs of the War. 087 ing previously enjoyed the honor of his acquaintance, and knew nobody in that locality. Dick Walker, who in the meantime had come up, questioned Wil- son sharply, with a view of getting something of his history, hut nothing could be learned further than the fact that Bennington iiad met him while returning from a scout and brought him into camp, and his subset]uent arrest. Early next morning a courier was sent out to Company C, Second Tennessee, for j. F. Black, a member of that company, who, if I was right in my recollection of the prisoner, would instantly identity him, as 1 knew they had lived neighbors for some years. Black was requested to accompany Walker and myself to the guard-house, and to look among the prisoners to see if he could find any one he could recognize. We had hardly entered the prison door before Black caught Wilson's eye, and exclaimed with surprise, "Why, hello, Ensterwood, what are you doing here?" The prisoner turned pale and for a moment was almost speechless, but recovering himself by a masterly effort repeated about the same story he told us the night before, but hesitated some in stating the command to which he belonged. He was subsequently taken before the provost marshal for exami- nation, but positively refused to talk. He was remanded to prison under the charge of being a spy. It was some weeks before he was put on trial, which came off before a court-martial at Columbus. Mississippi. Walker, Bennington, Bayless and myself were before the court as witnesses. Whether our testimony amounted to anything or not, I never knew, but I learned afterward that an expert had deciphered Easterwood's notes, and brought out direct facts against him. At any rate he was found guilty as a spy, condemned to death by hanging, and the date of execution fixed some four weeks off. It was necessary that the papers be signed by Cieneral Pemberton. wlio was then at Vicksburg, and be returned before the day set for the execution. Before returning to Okolona after the sentence was ])assed upon Easterwood. \\'alker and I visited him at the jail. He admitted his guilt, and said he was ready to meet the penalty. We parted with the miserable man with the deepest sorrow. Though a spy and an enemy we had found him a high-bred, proud, brave gen- tleman; worthy of a better fate. War events followed each other in rapid succession about this time. Grant's movements around Vicksburg, and its subsequent fall; excit- 638 K. R. Hancock's Diaby. ing campaigns in Kentucky and Virginia; great battles and exciting skirmishes from Louisiana to Maryland kept public attention on the •alert, and like every one else I lived in the present and future, and thought little of the events of the past. 1 supposed that when the day arrived for Easterwood to hang for the crime for which he had forfeited his life, he paid the penalty in the regular way, and was stowed away in an obscure grave, free from war's alarms, awaiting the summons to the grand roll call, when all men are to answer for the deeds done while in the body. Two years or more after the event mentioned I was captured by the Federals, and held a prisoner at Camp Douglas, Chicago, 111., until the war was over. I shall not go into the details of my capture, and to the exciting incidents connected with my first week's career as a prisoner of war. Suffice to say, I fell into the hands of a Pennsyl- vania regiment of Federals in Lewis County, Tennessee. My friend and fellow-soldier, W. C. Kennedy, of Auburn, Cannon County, was wounded and captured at the same time. My horse had been shot in the skirmish, and 1 was trying to make my escape across an open field to the woods, and though closely pursued by the Yankees, who were firing at me from re])eating rifles, much faster than I could count, I hoped to escape, but I discovered Kennedy lying on the ground, some thirty yards off. and I could n't think of leaving him there, without knowing how badly he was hurt, and deviated from the straight line to the timber to speak to him. The delay thus caused proved fatal. Before I could regain lost ground the Dutchmen were upon me demand- ing my surrender. I submitted to the inevitable and gave up my gun, the barrel of which had become so hot from quick loading and shoot- ing that I could hardly hold it in my hand. It was with considerable difficulty that the Pennsylvanians prevented a gang of Tennessee home guards, under the leadership of Gus Langdon, from shooting us like dogs, after we were made prisoners. We were guarded very closely afterward to keep the Langdon crowd from murdering us, as we were to be held as prisoners. Had it not been for this extra vigilance I believe I could have escajied. Kennedy and I were taken to Columbia, where I was placed in jail, and he was sent to the hospital. From the Columbia jail I was transferred to the penitentiary at Nashville, and thence to Louisville, where I was accorded the distinguished privilege of determining by lottery whether I should continue my existence on this war-riven and much-troubled sphere, or go out and be shot for sins alleged against Reminiscences of the War. 63t> Mosby's men, who were then said to be operating in Eastern Kentucky, This was while Burbridge domineered over mihtary affairs at Louisville. The fates for the first lime in life, to my knowledge, were in my favor, and enabled me to go safely and successfully through the ordeal on two occasions. If it had cost me money to draw in that lottery busi- ness, luck would have been against me to a dead moral certaini)'. From Louisville I was sent with a lot of other unfortunates like my- self to Camp Douglas. We reached the famous prison pen about sun- up, one of the coldest mornings I had ever seen, felt, read or heard of. Everybody else, I could see, appeared comfortable enough, in warm, substantial clothing, but the prisoners were thinly clad, and being just from the South they suffered severely. Before turning us into the prison proper we were stopped at the gate and strip; led of what clothing we had on, while a detail for the purpose went through our rags in search of "money,"' while we were left to shiver in the raw wind until they got through. Out of the squad of ninety men, I think they got ninety-five cents in shinplasters. I was assigned to barracks 38. The bunk allotted me was innocent of a single blanket or anything to keep me warm. My first night was about as miserable a one as one could imagine, but 1 managed to pull through till morning. The sun rose bright and cheerful. The air was full of flying frost, something I had never witnessed before. I went out into the sunshine, for it was much warmer than in the bar- racks, and besides I wanted to see the prison. I had been out an hour, I suppose, and had not met a single familiar face, and was on my return to the barracks. Hundreds of prisoners were rushing to and from the hydrant. I was making my way through the crowd when for the first time my eyes caught the outline of a familiar face. The owner was walking rapidly toward me; I was endeavoring to make him out or locate him before speaking to him. I knew I could not be mis- taken in having seen the man, but was at a loss to name him. When we had approached within a few feet of each other, our eyes met. He started and looked at me for a moment and with much surprise, while a smile played over his face he exclaimed, '' McLin!" " Easter wood ! " But it was with much difficulty I articulated the name. I thought he had been hanged years before, and was so sure of it that I felt ;liat I stood in the presence of his ghost. "My God, Easterwood," I involuntarily exclaimed, "how rame you here? I thought you were dead!"' 640 R. R. Hancock's Diary. "I am not dead, as you supposed, but, taking all things together, I expect I am about as near it now as I have ever been. How came I here? Well, that's a long story that I'll tell you some other time. But, I am here, as you see, a rebel prisoner." "Then you wasn't hanged after all ? "' " Not much. You see my death warrant was sent to Vicksburg for General Pemberton's approval and it was never returned. Grant closed up that town about that time, and suspended business between Pemberton and Pillow, and left me in jail under death sentence with no authority for any one to carry it out." "Well?" "Well, I was kept in jail several months and was finally sent to Mobile, where I was made a sort of galley slave in the fort there. My duty was to do anything and everything it was nobody else's business to do. I was subject to almost anybody's orders, from the commander down to gun corporal. I was neither a soldier nor a negro, a prisoner nor a trusty, a hired man, nor a camp bummer. That sort of life didn't suit me, and I left. But it is too cold to stand here and talk. I'll tell you all some other time." Easterwood and I were together almost daily from that time forward for some months. Early in the spring of 1865, by the interposition of friends on the outside, he secured his release from prison, by taking the oath of allegiance to the United States. He returned to his family in West Tennessee where he lived a quiet, peaceful life on a farm, for a number of years after the close of the war, when he died with con- sumption, leaving a widow and a number of children. His remarka- ble history was never known outside his immediate family, except by myself. "It is a strange story," remarked Easterwood to me one day in prison. We were talking of the war. when I reminded him that he had never explained his esca])e from the fort at Mobile, and how he came to be a prisoner of war. "It is a very strange story, and one that will tax your credulity to the highest to believe; but I promised to tell you, and I will now proceed. "After my capture at Okolona, I felt sure I would find a way of escape and always kept my eye out for the chance. But no opportu- nity ever presented itself that I thought I could utilize and conse- quently made no foolish attempt. I had no idea of being convicted on a fair trial, but you know the result of that court-martial. I was Reaiiniscenoes of the War. 641 found guilty and sentenced. The idea of dying by hanging at first overwhelmed me. I could have reconciled myself to my fate had I known I was going to be shot, but to hang was terrible. I was almost crazed with the thought. And then, when I thought of my ])oor little wife and baby at home, one to be made a widow and the other an orphan, and that I could see them no more, my distress was more than I could bear. At times, I am sure I was perfectly insane. Time passed on, and the fatal day was drawing close at hand. I had no in- timation whatever of the fate of the papers, and no hope whatever that Grant had captured them, and fully expected to swing when my time come. But one night, a few days before the day fi.xed for my execution, I did get hope, and that from a source I little expected. "I had been very restless through the day previous, and it was late in the night before I laid down on my blankets in the corner of my cell to try to sleep. I think it must have been near midnight when I felt myself lost in a dense fog that seemed to cover the whole earth. I seemed to be wandering, drifting rather, I knew not where. The fog was so dense I could distinguish no object whatever. I thought I was going home from the war and had nearly reached there when I was surrounded by the awful mist that shut out my vision and pre- vented me from finding my way to the long looked-for-home, where my dear wife had been so long looking and waiting for me. After a long while the sunlight began to penetrate the fog, and soon afterward the cloud was lifted entirely, and, to my surprise, I was in full view of home. The sky was black behind me; before all was bright and cheerful. I was overjoyed to meet my family, and thought I had come to stay. I held my wife in my arms and kissed her a hundred times, I know, and promised her I would never leave her again. But in the midst of my joy I heard the tread of cavalry horses and the clanking of sabers, followed by pistol shots, and I felt that I must fly to escape. Hastily telling my wife 'good-bye,' I started off on a run, when she halted and kissed me farewell. " 'Our last kiss, I am afraid,' I remarked. " 'O, no, no; not the last. Fly now; we shall meet again.' "She had hardly uttered the last word when, in my excitement, I was awakened. For a moment I felt greatly depressed. The dream had brought with it a sense of disappointment, and seemed to mock me in my misery. This feeling gradually disappeared as I remem- bered and repeated time and again the last words of my wife: ' \\'e shall meet again.' I was never superstitious in my life, and had no 41 G42 R. R. Hancock's Diary. faith in dreams, but somehow this one impressed me as I had never been before. It seemed to speak to my inner self and to tell me there was hope. I received it as a prophecy — a voice from heaven — and, while I could not interpret the vision, I felt from that moment that I would be saved or find a means of escape. "The day set for my execution came around, and, while I would not have been surprised at any moment to have seen a file of sol- diers call for me, they did not come, and I could learn nothing from the jailer as to the reason why. "It was weeks afterward before I learned the facts. I felt, as you may know, a great relief. But the question soon arose in my mind as to how I would be finally disposed of. I was quite sure the authori- ties would not allow me to enlist as a soldier in the Confederate army, nor would they exchange me as a prisoner of war. The only sure thing in sight was a short existence in the jail. I was nearly dead, anyway, but I really preferred hanging to rotting to death in my cell. "I was at last sent to Mobile, as I have told you. I recovered my health and strength there, though I had a pretty tough time. I was everybody's dog, and it was every dog's day except mine. "I determined on a change at the first opportunity, and prepared for it. I managed to get hold of a blank commission for an assistant inspector-general. This I filled up to suit myself. In addition to that I found some officer's transportation paper, from which I extracted his name, changed dates and places, etc., to suit my own taste, and when I got everything ready, after having provided myself with a suitable uniform, 1 managed to work my way out of the fort and to the depot. On reaching the station, I boarded a train on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad just leaving for West Point, Miss., the then terminus. My transportation paper was the big card, and it worked like a charm. I reached West Point without any trouble and put up at a hotel, where I soon learned the officer's name in command of a cavalry squad there. I immediately sent him a note that I was there and would be out to inspect his command that afternoon, and, in the meantime, I would be obliged to have him provide me with a horse, and to call and see me at my room. "The colonel came, as I expected, and we spent a pleasant hour together. He sent me a good horse and saddle and a lieutenant to ac- company me to headquarters. The command, consisting of three or four companies, was brought out on parade. The colonel put them through some excellent field movements, after which they were formed Reminiscences of tue War. 643 in line for inspection. I rode down the line, examined each man's position in the saddle, dropped some instruction here and there, where I thought it was needed, made the men a little talk on their excellent appearance, thanked the colonel and officers for their courtesy, got an abstract of the adjutant's last report to General Ruggles, and returned to my hotel. I had learned from the colonel that the cavalry was scattered pretty much through the country from Tuscumbia along down the Memphis and Charleston Railroad to the Mobile and Ohio and from thence to Holly Springs. I also learned that Colonel Bar- teau's men were somewhere in the Blackland country. I did not care to fall into their hands again, and I determined on a more northerly course. "The colonel called on me again late in the afternoon, and I sub- mitted for his inspection a map indicating the localities where the cav- alry was stationed, and told him I desired first to visit the command at Tuscaloosa and thence down the country to Aberdeen, and asked him to furnish me a horse and outfit to make the trip, promising I would return them from Aberdeen. He readily consented to do so. The next morning I found myself handsomely mounted and on my way home. I came across and inspected two or three different com- mands before I got outside the lines. These diversions necessarily delayed me altogether two or three days. "When I at last cleared the outposts, I made directly for home, arriving there about ten days after leaving West Point. And now comes the other part of my story, which accounts for my being here. "I remained at home a month or two, and notwithstanding I had made up my mind not to join the army again on either side, I found it impossible to plead neutral and stay there with any degree of safety. The country was torn up and excited by raids of guerilla bands of both armies, comprised generally of cut-throats and thieves. These raiding desperadoes had things pretty much their own way when they were about, and defenseless citizens had a very poor showing. I accordingly enlisted in Captain Tom Mathes' company of Confederate cavalry, and was shortly afterward in a sharp skirmish with the Fed- erals, captured and sent here. Of course the Federals knew nothing of my ever having been in their secret service, and I don't care about them knowing it, either. My relation to either army is not at present of the most happy character, and if I ever get out of here I will cut the acquaintance of both and let them fight it out. I've had entirely too much of it. The truth about the matter is just about this: I have 644 K. K. Hancock's Diary. got to a point where I am willing to quit, and intend to quit, and if I am ever permitted to reach my wife again I will never leave her until God shall call one of us away. I desire to die by her side, and I feel that it is decreed that I shall." "You remember your dream?" "That dream was a prophecy; it came to me in my cell to com- fort me when all the world was against me and death staring me in the face. It gave me hope, and strength, and courage, without which I should certainly have sickened and died during my long confine- ment. Something tells me I will spend the remainder of my days in peace, and with my family and friends. My life, since the war com- menced, has been a turbulent one, full of danger and attended through- out with narrow escapes and reckless adventures, but much of it is known only to myself and it will die with me." I think, as I stated in the outset, that you will agree with me that Easterwood's adventure is well worth preserving. It is a piece of his- tory in which there is enough romance to make it interesting. Yours truly, J. D. McLiN. :^^ * .. "-^^ '■■^^^ ; ,- •* ^ o > ^^ , ^^-^ • o,^ Vf. >^: .n:^^^ -*> .A •A %. c^ ^/^J^'- vOO. .%' > \^ '^^. .-"^ ^^•-., ./• aV ^^ c^ ^.'*-..-^' .V^ b" « ^ - K ^ ^ o . V ■* .•^ ,-o- ^-^^ V^^ o. v-f ^y^s J \\' ■ V- ^-f^ '•><. 'V...... - ^, ^ '.,<,r-^^-^ ^^.^ .J, / '-^ ,' .0:1 ■Is ^\^ o. ■ \ • V -N' '^y --* V- V ^'' VA • v ■0^ " , . « 1 X ,\ ^■%, /"^^C;^.* ,^v. mti '''J- > o"^' "-Cj. ^ ."^ -^^-z \^ ^^ •• ,<\^^ -^^^• % .^^ » f 'o , ""/ ■^o^' :/•■ 't/- v^' .^ N^ '^. IV x^ °< ,-V-' C^ y '■> ■ 0- 0^ ^ ^ ' '"'^"'^ ^X'^' 'S-. A /-^ '^. o^^ 0- aV r-. N^'' ■''^^ 007 554 409 1 • it A:':-'". u;M'.;1:'!.