Statewide County TN Archives Military Records.....Chapter III 1902
Civilwar 1st TN Cavalry (Union)
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Chapter III
CHAPTER III.

MORGAN'S FAMOUS RETREAT-FATIGUING MARCH-HARRASSED BY THE ENEMY-MARCHING UNDER

DIFFICULTIES-CAMP LIFE ON THE OHIO-CAMP DENNIS0N IN 1862.



    It was only when Bragg invaded Kentucky and completely cut off all supplies

that General Morgan determined to withdraw from his stronghold. On the 14th a

council of war was held at Morgan's headquarters to determine the advisability

of the evacuation of Cumberland Gap, as matters were growing more serious every

day. After a lengthy council, in which all matters of importance were thoroughly

discussed in detail, it was thought advisable by those present that the best

thing to do under the existing circumstances would be the evacuation of the Gap.



    Notwithstanding the state of affairs at the Gap, the troops received the

order to abandon the position with considerable indignation and regret, many

believing that the place could be held until relief would reach them. All

property that could not be taken away was to be destroyed, and the next day the

destruction began. Wagons, ambulances, camp-kettles and mess-pans that could not

be taken away were destroyed. Tents were slitted and left standing. The heavy

siege guns were disabled and thrown over the cliff. All surplus guns and

ammunition were thrown into the magazine on the north side and to the left of

the Gap. The roads and cliffs were mined and sufficient powder placed under each

to insure a complete blockade when the match was applied. Great secrecy was

required of those engaged in the execution of this work in order that the enemy

might be deceived as to Morgan's movement and his intention of evacuating his

position.



    The wagons and a portion of the artillery left on the evening of the 16th,

under an infantry escort, followed later on by the whole division. The Fourth

Tennessee, with the remainder of the brigade, left its camp on the Virginia road

just under the pinnacle at 9 p. m., September 17, and marched through the Gap

and down the north side. As we passed through the Gap we paused for a moment

and, peering through the darkness, took a parting look at "our own East

Tennessee," which to many it was the last.



    To the south lay Clinch Mountain, along whose northern base the beautiful

river of that name flows southwest and enters the Tennessee, at Kingston. Still

southward lay the Valley of the Holston, with the winding stream of the same

name flowing its entire length, while hill after hill and valley after valley

greet the eye of the soldier as well as the traveler. All the discomforts of our

present situation were forgotten for the moment as we gazed with admiration upon

this dark scene, marred by the devastating hands of a cruel war. Indeed, it

seemed a fit abode for the Goddess of Peace instead of War, with all of its
horrors.



    It was a sad and trying moment to the Tennessee troops that were then

serving in Morgan's division. The homes of these brave men who had been driven

away in exile were to some extent protected by the presence of the Union army

while at the Gap, were now to be abandoned and left to the mercy of a hostile

foe. But true to our colors and without complaint we turned our faces from this

beautiful picture and our homes, and grasping our muskets with a firmer hold we

sadly yet proudly marched through the Gap, with our guns at a "right shoulder

shift," and started on the ever memorable, ever famous retreat through the

mountains of Eastern Kentucky.



    The night on which the army withdrew was dark, consequently the descent was

slow, difficult and dangerous, and had the enemy boldly attacked us he could

have done much harm. At the northern base of the mountain, Spears' brigade was

halted and formed in line of battle across the Big Creek Gap road, with a

section of Foster's battery in the intervals between the regiments.

Lieutenant-Colonel Gallup, provost-marshal of the division, aided by Captain

Patterson, of the Engineer Corps, with two hundred picked men, was entrusted

with the delicate and dangerous duty of holding the enemy in check during the

night and of firing the mines when the troops were all withdrawn.



    After the troops, artillery and wagons had reached the foot of the mountain

the march was begun, and soon the long, dark lines of infantry and artillery

were slowly moving along the road leading to Cumberland Ford. Just before dawn,

Colonel Gallup withdrew his pickets and ordered all government buildings to be

fired on the south side of the mountain. The match was then applied to the fuse

at the mines, and immediately explosion followed explosion, until the grand old

mountain was shaken from summit to base. The magazine on the north side near the

summit was filled with ammunition and guns that could not be taken away, and

when the fire reached the shells and boxes of ammunition, they too exploded. The

explosions took place at intervals, and to the marching troops it resembled a

battle very much.



    The enemy approached the Gap when the buildings were fired, but were

evidently afraid of the mines and magazine, which were still belching fire and

smoke. Tons of earth and stone were thrown into the road by the explosion of the

mines, so by the time the enemy removed the obstructions, Morgan's division was

several miles away.



    When the Fourth Tennessee reached Cumberland River, the forty rounds of

ammunition that each man was required to carry seemed to have increased in

weight to forty pounds. The march was continued throughout the night and the

following day, until Flat Lick was reached, twenty-four miles from Cumberland

Gap. From this point the army moved toward Manchester on two parallel roads

along Stinking and Goose Creeks, reaching the famous Goose Creek salt works late

in the evening of the 19th, where the whole division bivouacked for the night.

The army was halted one day for rest and to perfect the organization for the march.



    At this place the enemy's cavalry, under that daring raider, John H. Morgan,

now appeared for the first time upon our rear, and made an attempt to capture a

part of our train. Spears' brigade was immediately ordered into line and moved

out on the Flat Lick road, where it was formed in line of battle. Cooper's Sixth

Tennessee was thrown forward and after a sharp skirmish the enemy was forced to

fall back.



    On the morning of the 21st, the whole division left camp and moved through

Manchester and toward Proctor. Just after leaving Manchester, a soldier

belonging to one of the Kentucky regiments was executed. While the army lay at

Cumberland Gap this soldier took the life of one of his comrades, and for this

offense was convicted by courtmartial and sentenced to be shot, and as the army

was on the march when the time arrived for the execution to take place, no

troops but those of his own command were witnesses to this sad event.



    The brigades of Baird and Carter moved by way of Booneville and those of

Spears and De Courcey direct to Proctor, a small town located on the south side

of the Kentucky river.



    John H. Morgan left the rear of our marching column and by hard marching

reached Proctor in advance of us, burned a steam mill and, as our advance

approached the place, stood ready to dispute our further advance in that

direction. As the head of the column entered the town, Morgan made some show of

resistance. A battery was sent to the front and the Fourth Tennessee ordered

forward as a support, but before a shot was fired the enemy fled in haste,

leaving the Seventh Division in possession of the place. The entire division

moved to the north side and went into camp. The Kentucky river at this place was

almost dry.



    The army was now reaching that portion of Kentucky where there was but

little to be found along the line of march, and as some of the boys remarked,

"foraging would not pay." However, from each man's haversack dangled a grater

made from a tin plate or a canteen, and if we were lucky enough to find a few

small ears of corn they would soon be converted into meal, ready for bread or

mush, the preparation invariably being governed by the existing circumstances.



    From Proctor to West Liberty it is sixty-nine miles, and almost the entire

distance is nothing more than a barren waste. Not a drop of running water could

be found, and the country was so poor that a crow in going over this route would

be compelled to "carry rations." Every vessel and all the canteens were ordered

to be filled with water before leaving the Kentucky river, and the troops

cautioned against the needless waste of water, the inhabitants telling us the

next running water we would see on this route would be the Licking river,

seventy miles away.



    The Fourth Tennessee left Proctor late in the afternoon with the remainder

of the division for Hazel Green, by way of Compton, and marched all night to

avoid the heat and dust. Throughout the night the weary and hungry troops kept

tramping along the dusty road. Every now and then the monotony was broken by

"Tramp, tramp, the boys are marching," or "Rally 'round the flag," in which all

would join in the chorus, making the wooded road ring with these grand old

songs. The enemy's cavalry hung upon our flanks and rear, picking up all

stragglers and "played-out" soldiers. A short halt was made at Hazel Green to

rest the troops. On the march to this place we were greatly annoyed by the enemy

by his repeated attacks upon our rear-guard and flanks.



    From two officers captured at Hazel Green, the Union commander learned that

Humphrey Marshall and E. K. Smith were trying to unite their forces at West

Liberty before he could reach the latter place. In order to delay the march of

Morgan's division as much as possible, the enemy moved to the front and began to

blockade the almost impassable roads that wound serpent-like through the ridges

and deep defiles. About half way between Hazel Green and West Liberty, the enemy

was encountered in one of these deep defiles, called Cracker's Neck, but was

driven out after a brisk engagement by the Thirty-third Indiana, Fourth and

Sixth Tennessee Volunteers and Foster's battery. The natives no doubt realized

for the first time what real war was when they heard the keen crack of the rifle

and the still louder bellowing of the cannon as the sound was echoed and

re-echoed from hill to hill.



    After this little "set-to" the army moved without further interruption to

West Liberty, where a halt was made for one day, to rest and clean up. West

Liberty is a small place, the county seat of Morgan county, and is situated on

the north bank of Licking River. At this place Morgan expected to encounter

Smith and Marshall, as he was now occupying a central position between the two

forces. It is said that Humphrey Marshall was a very large man, and as large

bodies move slowly, this may account for his non-arrival at West Liberty in time

to witness the parade of Morgan's division through town.



    After a rest of one day, the column was again put in motion for Grayson,

forty-eight miles from West Liberty. The enemy still hung on the flanks and

followed close upon the rear of the marching troops, and, being mounted, could

move rapidly from place to place. At places the roads in our front were heavily

obstructed by fallen timber, and in some instances it was much easier to

construct a new road than to remove the blockade.



    In General B. W. Duke's article, entitled "Bragg's Campaign in Kentucky,

1862," is made the following mention of Morgan's famous retreat: "On the 17th of

September, the Federal General, George Morgan, evacuated Cumberland Gap and

pushed with all possible dispatch for the Ohio. This released Stevenson, who

instantly followed with the whole force under his command. About the same time,

General Humphrey Marshall was entering Kentucky from Virginia through Pound Gap,

with about three thousand men, and he was directed, with the assistance of some

six hundred cavalry under General John H. Morgan, to confront and detain George

Morgan until Stevenson could overtake him and force him to battle in the

mountains, surrounded by assailants. Marshall, however, did not reach the scene

of operations in time to take part in the programme, and Stevenson marched

directly to Lexington, instead of pursuing the enemy. John H. Morgan, with the

cavalry detailed for that purpose, placed himself directly in front of the

Federal column at West Liberty on the morning of the 25th of September, and was

constantly engaged in skirmishing with it until the evening of October 1st.

During that time it marched only thirty miles. October the 1st, John Morgan was

ordered by General Smith to rejoin the army, and George Morgan continued his

march unmolested."



    At no time on the retreat was General Morgan able to draw the daring raider

into a regular engagement, his sole object being to annoy and hold Morgan in

check until his army was overtaken by Stevenson. John H. Morgan left Grayson

with his army late in the afternoon of October 1, and the advance of the Union

army entered during the same night. Here the pursuit ended, within twenty-five

miles of the Ohio river. We found Little Sandy river dry, except a few pools of

stagnant water, and the only way that we managed to drink it was by mixing it

with cold coffee which we carried in our canteens. This the boys called "mixed

drinks."



    The next morning the march was resumed and after an easy day's march the

army bivouacked at Old Town, twelve miles from Grayson. The place bore the right

name, and consisted of a blacksmith shop, a store and possibly two or three

dwelling-houses, which looked as though they had been built ever since the

flood. The march was continued the next day and late in the afternoon of the 3rd

Morgan's division reached Greenupsburg, on the Ohio River, hungry, tired and

foot-sore. The army had marched two hundred and fifty miles in sixteen days,

without the loss of a wagon or gun, and only eighty men killed, wounded and
missing.



    At this place a bountiful supply of rations was issued to the men, and after

a hearty supper the exhausted troops spread their blankets on the ground near

the bank of the Ohio River and lay down to sleep, with no roof over them but the

starry heavens. No rain had fallen since leaving the Gap, and the Kentucky dust

clung to the men like a brother, and the appearance of Morgan's little army was

forlorn in the extreme. The suffering of the men on this march was very severe,

having nothing to eat for several days at a time excepting ears of corn plucked

from the fields along the line of march. There was but little water to be found

along the route taken by Morgan's army, and that as a rule was of a very poor

quality, consequently the troops were compelled to quench their thirst from the

few stagnant pools found along the road.



    A great many incidents that took place on this retreat make it famous, and

one of peculiar interest and worthy of remembrance by all who participated in

that long and dusty tramp across the State of Kentucky. Stevenson was in our

front at Cumberland Gap, and on the withdrawal of Morgan, followed close upon

his heels; Kirby Smith was in our rear near Lexington, and Marshall up in

eastern Kentucky with a large force, while we were closely followed by a large

force of cavalry under John H. Morgan, who compelled us to move in close column.

Sometiems he was in our front, and sometimes in our rear; now on the right and

then on the left, but always afraid to attack us. But after a long and fatiguing

march of two hundred and fifty miles through a wild, mountainous and

unproductive country, unfed, shoeless, ragged and covered with the accumulated

dust of sixteen days, the Fourth Tennessee, with the remainder of the army,

reached the Ohio River.



    This well-known retreat of Morgan's division forms one of the most

interesting episodes of the war, and the success is the more remarkable when it

is known that the men were continually skirmishing with the enemy and were at

times obliged to build new roads under very trying and disadvantageous

circumstances for the conveyance of the artillery and wagons. Several times the

troops marched the entire day without food, and one time they were thirty-four

hours without anything to eat and almost a whole day without water. The writer

recalls a feast his mess had one night near Hazel Green. The army had made a

hard day's march on empty stomachs, and late in the night a halt was made, not

to prepare supper, but to rest. Someone in the writer's mess had during the day

found a small pumpkin-yes, very small. After the campfire was lighted, that

pumpkin was divided among eighteen hungry men, and in less time than I can tell

it, that green pumpkin was suspended over the fire on eighteen sharp-pointed

sticks, and before getting heated through was devoured without salt or any other

ingredient to make it more palatable.



    On the morning of the 5th, the Fourth Tennessee, with the remainder of the

division, marched down the south bank of the river about four miles, where it

was taken across in boats. From this point the march was continued down the

north side, through Wheelersburg to Sciotoville, where the regiment bivouacked

for the night. We were now in a loyal State, and were kindly and

enthusiastically received by the patriotic people of Ohio, and especially the

Tennessee boys. On the 6th, the regiment went by rail to Portland. The distance

was short, yet it was much preferable to marching, and gave us a chance to rest

our bruised and blistered feet. From Portland the army was moved a short

distance east to a place called Oak Hill. Here we were kindly received by the

people, whose cordial welcome soon made us forget the hardships of the retreat.



    While at this camp, the men had time to think over and reflect upon the

exciting scenes through which they had just passed. At the Gap and on the

retreat we were completely cut off from the authorities at Washington, as well

as friends at home. No letters, no newspapers or information as to our

condition, could be sent or received. Our friends became uneasy, as we were

strangers in a strange land; but when we finally got out of the "wilderness,"

what a vast amount of news was unfolded to us!



    The following telegrams will give the reader an idea of how hard the

Confederates tried to capture Morgan and his men:



                        LEXINGTON, KY., September 19, 1862. 

LIEUT. E. CUNNINGHAM to COL. JOHN H. MORGAN:

    Heth was ordered in pursuit of Gen. G. W. Morgan, and to destroy all the

mills and grain at Manchester.



                          RICHMOND, VA., September 19, 1862. 

SECRETARY OF WAR to GENERAL JONES:

    The enemy have left Cumberland Gap, pursued by Stevenson.



                          LEXINGTON, KY., September 24, 1862. 

GEN. KIRBY SMITH to GEN. STEVENSON:   Push Morgan.



                          LEXINGTON, KY., September 25, 1862. 

GEN. KIRBY SMITH to GEN. BRAGG:

     I have ordered my entire force to Mt. Sterling to try to intercept Gen.
Morgan.



    The camp of the Fourth Tennessee was in a grove of timber, and while at this

place a new outfit of clothing was issued to the men, the old ones and their

inhabitants being consigned to the flames. Before leaving this camp, a great

feast was given us by the loyal and patriotic citizens of Oak Hill and vicinity,

and our wants, which were many and various, were soon all supplied. Roast beef,

boiled ham, baked turkey and chicken, bread, cakes, pies and other things in

tempting profusion were piled on long, parallel rows of tables, and at a given

signal the hungry men of Morgan's command moved forward in splendid order and

took possession. After satisfying their craving stomachs, the different

regiments were marched back to camp. This act of kindness will long be

remembered by the men composing the Fourth Tennessee, and will be treasured up

as one of the pleasant memories of Camp Oak Hill.



    After a stay of two weeks, resting and cleaning up, the Fourth Tennessee and

the remainder of the brigade broke camp and marched to Gallipolis, where it

camped for the night. The next morning the brigade was marched some three miles

north of Gallipolis, on the Point Pleasant road, where a camp was established

near the Ohio River. It was still dry and dusty, but in this latitude the nights

were getting quite cool.



    When Morgan's army evacuated Cumberland Gap, all the tents were destroyed,

and up to this time his troops were still without tents. There was plenty of

rations for the troops and forage for the horses and mules, but wood was issued

in such limited quantity that we were unable to keep warm. Complaint was made

through the proper channel for relief, but from some cause none came. There were

plenty of good, dry rails near by, and we concluded that there would be no harm

in just taking "the top rail," but with some of the boys "the top rail" lasted

until the ground was reached. This move proved to be the right one, for in a few

days wood was hauled into camp by the cord, and all complaint ceased, and of

course we ceased burning rails. Tents were furnished us, and for the first time

in two months we enjoyed the almost forgotten luxury of sleeping in tents. The

regiment was in splendid condition, the men were healthy and in excellent

spirits, notwithstanding their long and fatiguing march from Cumberland Gap, and

at that time numbered seven hundred and forty-eight men.



    While at this place, a welcome visitor appeared in our camp in the person of

one of "Uncle Sam's" paymasters. The Fourth Tennessee drew its first money from

the government it was so faithfully serving. There were six months' pay due the

regiment, and after this event new, crisp greenback bills and fractional

currency were plentiful in camp- and of course the sutler was as happy as the

boys were, for a large portion of their hard earnings was due him.



    Company and battalion drills, dress parades and reviews, which were unknown

on the retreat, were now revived, and all the extra time was spent in reviewing

the early lessons of the regiment in "Hardee's tactics." The weather, which up

to the middle of the month had been dry and warm, now changed to cold, and on

the 26th snow fell to the depth of about four inches, which whitened up old

Mother Earth and gave everything a wintery appearance. Part of Morgan's division

had already gone up the Kanawha Valley as far as Charleston, West Virginia, and

the Twenty-fifth Brigade was expecting marching orders at any moment.



    The Fourth Tennessee performed its last service at this place as a

"flat-footed" infantry regiment-as will be seen by the following order-as

Colonel Johnson had received orders to take his regiment to Camp Dennison, Ohio,

for the purpose of being mounted and equipped for the cavalry service. The

Fourth Tennessee was soon to part from and lose the companionship of the Third,

Fifth and Sixth Tennessee Volunteers, composing the Twenty-fifth Brigade, of

which Johnson's Fourth Tennessee had been a member ever since the organization

of the brigade, before the capture of Cumberland Gap. The regiment had passed

through the Cumberland Gap campaign, had marched and fought around this great

stronghold, had shared alike the dangers and hardships of the march and the

retreat through the hills and mountains of Kentucky, and now, in the golden

month of October, we were to part and prepare for a new service.



    The Fourth Tennessee left camp and marched back to Portland. At this place a

sad accident happened. Robert Howell, quartermaster of the regiment, was thrown

from a buggy and killed. From this place the regiment proceeded by rail to Camp

Dennison, by way of Hamden and Chillicothe. Nothing of special interest occurred

while en route to our destination except the loss of a few hats. The train

bearing the regiment reached Camp Dennison in the after part of the night, and

the men immediately left the cars and lay down near the track and slept until

daylight.



    The next morning the sound of the bugles and the rattle of drums were heard

all over the camp. Colonel Johnson reported to the commander of Camp Dennison,

and by his orders the regiment was moved to the south side of the camp and

placed in the barracks. This camp is eighteen miles east of Cincinnati, and was

named "Camp Dennison" in honor of Ohio's war Governor-William Dennison. It was a

regular recruiting camp for the Union army, and thousands of loyal and patriotic

citizens were converted into United States soldiers at this camp. The only

regiments the writer can recall that were there at that time were the Seventh

Ohio Cavalry and a regiment of sharp-shooters, yet the barracks were all full

and during drill hours infantry, cavalry and artillery were seen all over the

camp, going through the different evolutions.



    The buildings were all new and provided with kitchens, mess-halls and

sleeping-quarters, and were large enough to accommodate a full company. One side

of the barracks was used for sleeping-quarters for the men, while the other was

provided with racks for the guns and accoutrements. The camp was supplied with

water, which was pumped from the Little Miami River, a short distance from camp,

and conveyed in pipes to all portions of the camp.



Additional Comments:
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT OF

Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry



IN THE GREAT WAR OF THE REBELLION,

WITH THE ARMIES OF THE OHIO AND CUMBERLAND,

UNDER GENERALS MORGAN, ROSECRANS,

THOMAS, STANLEY AND WILSON.



1862-1865.



BY



W. R. CARTER, COMPANY C.



ILLUSTRATED.



KNOXVILLE, TENN.:



GAUT-OGDEN CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS.

1902.



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1896, by

W. R. CARTER,

in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C.





TO THE SURVIVING MEMBERS OF THE FIRST TENNESSEE CAVALRY; TO THE MEMORY OF OUR

DECEASED COMRADES AND THEIR KINDRED; TO THE MARTYRED PATRIOTS OF EAST TENNESSEE

WHO DIED ON THE GALLOWS AND IN PRISON, AND TO THE LOYAL AND PATRIOTIC PEOPLE WHO

SYMPATHIZED WITH THEM, THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, IN FRATERNITY,

CHARITY AND LOYALTY, BY THE AUTHOR.

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