Statewide County IN Archives History - Books .....Chapter VI Siege Of Chattanooga 1893
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Book Title: History Of The 82nd Indiana Volunteer Infantry

CHAPTER VI.
SIEGE OF CHATTANOOGA.

  In a short time after reaching Chattanooga the army was reorganized. The
Eighty-second remained in the First Brigade of the Third Division of the
Fourteenth Army Corps. Our division was commanded by Brigadier General A. Baird.
Our brigade was composed of the Eleventh, Seventeenth, Thirty-first,
Thirty-sixth, Eighty-ninth, Ninety-second Ohio and Eighty-second Indiana,
commanded by Gen. John B. Turchin. For a time our duties consisted of
strengthening our works and picket duty. After a while the regiment was detailed
to assist in building a bridge across the Tennessee River near Chattanooga. The
rebels concentrated their forces until it was an impossibility to ship rations
to the army. The last supply train, consisting of wagons, was captured and
burned by Wheeler's command. From that time on for near one month our rations
become shorter and shorter, until one-fourth rations become the supply. Feed for
the animals gave out, and they died of starvation by the thousands. The beds and
tongues of the wagons were eaten by the mules so as to make them useless. On one
occasion four six-mule teams were sent from the regiment to get wood, starting
early in the morning. At night two mules and one empty wagon came back to camp,
twenty-two mules having died during the day. From day to day, it looked as
though there was not much hopes of being able to hold out, yet the men stood it
like true patriots without complaining. The head generals were trying to devise
some plan by which the siege should be raised or rations furnished the men. The
weather was cold. The roads bad and reinforcements unhandy. Finally, General
Hooker with the Eleventh and Twelfth Army Crops, were sent to our relief. They
were too weak to force their way through the rebel lines, the position held by
the rebels being natural strong military points. The question was how to assist
them. Finally arrangements were made for Turchin and Hazen's Brigades to make a
demonstration on Brown's Ferry to open the way for Hooker's command into the
valley. Fifty boats, competent to carry twenty-five men each were, fitted out,
and started down the river on the night of the 26th of October, loaded with men
from Hazen's Brigade, the distance around the river being some nine miles, while
across the peninsula less than half the distance. About daybreak on the morning
of the 27th the boats commenced landing, surprising the pickets. Soon the boats
had discharged the men and were hurried over to the opposite side to take over
Turchin's men, who had crossed the river at Chattanooga and marched across the
bend to the opposite side of the ferry from where the rebels were doing picket
duty, and waiting for the boats to make their appearance. Turchin was to carry
the ridge on the right of the ferry and Hazen the left. The Eighty-second was in
the first boats that carried Turchin's men over, soon landed and charged up
forcing the enemy off the ridge. There were several men wounded in our brigade,
but none killed. In a short time after crossing we had things in good shape to
hold it against great odds. The pontoon train was on hands and in a few hours
there was a bridge completed. During the whole time the men were constructing
the bridge the enemy kept up a continuous artillery fire from Lookout Mountain,
but without any great disturbance, although the shells threw water pretty lively
around the bridge. During that night Hooker's men had quite a battle for the
small force engaged, and succeeded in driving the enemy from their front and
passed their train of supplies down and across the bridge prepared at Brown's
Ferry. Soon the men had the pleasure of trying a tussel with a full ration and
enjoying the pleasure of a contented stomach. Notwithstanding it is said in
history that the "Sixth Indiana was the only Indiana regiment" in this great and
glorious undertaking, yet it is not true. For I know the Eighty-second took a
part in it, as I was there in person. As the author of the history mentioned was
not there, of course he is excusable for making this mistake, as he was getting
his authority from imagination. He says further that "Turchin's Brigade was
composed of the Eleventh, Thirty-sixth, Eighty-ninth and Ninety-second Ohio,"
and "Colonel Baldwin's old brigade, composed of the Sixth Indiana, Fifth
Kentucky, First and Ninety-third Ohio. But for this expedition General Hazen
took command of our brigade." Turchin's Brigade was composed of the Eleventh,
Seventeenth, Thirty-first, Thirty-sixth, Eighty-ninth, Ninety-second Ohio and
Eighty-second Indiana (instead of Baldwin's old Brigade). General Hazen's
Brigade was composed of the First, Sixth, Forty-first, Ninety-third and One
Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio, Fifth, Sixth, and Twenty-third Kentucky, and
Sixth Indiana, which shows very plainly, that two Indiana regiments took a part
in "this hazardous task." While the Sixth's historian did not appear to know the
formation of his own brigade, or who was its commander, it is not supposed he
knew what regiments composed Turchin's Brigade. After remaining in position a
few days until Hooker made disposition of his troops, we were again moved back
to our old camp near Chattanooga. We were kept busy watching the movements of
the rebels and doing picket duty. The picket performance had assumed the
appearance of going to battle much more than guarding. We took our turn about
every third day with our brigade. The brigade commander having to go out and
command the movements the same as on the line of battle; and often had a severe
battle by trying to take some point held by the rebels, or to prevent them from
taking the position we were holding. While laying in position in the works
surrounding Chattanooga, forage for stock became a thing impossible to obtain.
Colonel Hunter having a cow, and wishing to save her, had his darkey, who
attended his horses, to look after her. He would lead her out and hold her while
grazing. One evening he came back to camp with the rope he used for leading and
grazing with, but no cow. His eyes protruded until they looked like you could
have knocked them off with a club. Colonel Hunter said, "Anderson, where is the
cow?" His reply was, "she's gone Colonel; I guess I went to sleep holding the
end of the rope, when I waked up the cow was gone, but I had the rope in my hand
and the cow's hide was at the other end tied by the horns, but I don't know who
took her away." Of course the Colonel felt bad about the loss of his cow, as he
was a great lover of milk. Yet he said nothing, as he felt so badly about the
men having so little to eat. "While we remained in siege Colonel Hunter got a
few ears of corn, had them parched and sent an order to all the officers of the
regiment to report at his headquarters immediately. After they all reported in
came the Colonel with the corn and divided it among them, saying, "this is my
treat." I never witnessed so much sport over parched corn in my life, and must
say it tasted extra well. The rebels planted artillery on nearly all the
eminences that they could reach our camps from, and amused themselves throwing
shells into our camps. I never heard of any one being hurt with the missiles,
except where they found them laying around, not having bursted. Major Slocum of
my regiment found a 32-pounder and carried it into camp, and Sergeant-Major
Morris (later Lieutenant) was fooling with the shell. Four darkies were setting
round a fire warming. Major Slocum said, "Joe, kill yourself four or five
niggers." Joe made a motion with the shell toward the fire when it slipped from
his hands, hitting the ground and rolling toward the fire (Joe was down on his
hands and knees after it when it reached the fire), exploded, wounding all four
of the darkies, one piece passing through my tent and killing one man in the
Thirty-eighth Ohio, and only scratching Joe in one place on the face. The cause
of its explosion so quickly, the tap in the conical end had been removed and the
powder emptied out, but the fulminating coat around the inside surface of the
shell ignited as soon as it came in contact with the fire.

  The battery on Lookout Mountain was very annoying until we located two
batteries on Moccasin Point and made it too hot for the Johnies. The rebels
thought time would force us to surrender or starve to death. They appeared more
anxious for either of these terms than to attack and try whipping us into
subjection. The memory of Chickamauga was yet fresh in their minds. No doubt
they looked down on us from their prominent points and exultingly said, "when we
get you starved then we can whip you." General Grant came to us and assumed
command. General Sherman, with the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps, came to our
assistance. The troops of our own army were gathered in; Chattanooga became the
scene of activity, every preparation being made to hurl the rebel crew from the
commanding heights, and show them that no difference how strong the position of
nature, nor how well defended by rebels, there was no chance to stand before the
Army of the Cumberland when turned loose against anything like even numbers. The
army had been having plenty to eat for about one month, was in excellent health
and of the highest spirits, and anxiously awaiting an opportunity to show the
rebs they were neither starved or conquered.

  Chattanooga is surrounded with natural scenes of great beauty. Mountains and
hills far and near, beautiful valleys and winding streams. To the south-west
rises cloud-capped Lookout Mountain; to the north, Waldon's Ridge wears the
celestial armor as far to right and left as vision can discern; to the west,
Raccoon Mountain appears as an ethereal messenger, extending to the south-west
on a parallel line with Lookout: Mission Ridge to the east, with undulating
summit, stands apparently as a guard for the craggy crests far in its rear. To
the east, the south and the north-east, are the beautiful valleys, made more
grand by the beautiful surroundings. When one looks upon the grandeur and
beauties that surround Chattanooga would they for a moment wonder why the Grand
Architect of the Universe was fraught with vengeance and dealt so heavily with
our country's traitors for trying to desecrate His grand and beautiful works?


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF THE EIGHTY-SECOND
Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
ITS ORGANIZATION, CAMPAIGNS AND BATTLES.

WRITTEN AT THE REQUEST OF THE MEMBERS

BY
ALF. G. HUNTER,
Late Adjutant.

INDIANAPOLIS:
WH. B. BURFORD, PRINTER AND BINDER.
1893.


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