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

WHEELER'S GREAT RAID-LARGE WAGON TRAIN BURNED—THE PURSUIT—WINCHESTER—FIGHTING

BUSHWHACKERS— LIEUT. BOWMAN ATTACKED NEAR SPARTA—HIS SOLDIERS KILLED AFTER

SURRENDERING — TAKE NO PRISONERS. BROWNLOW QUIETS THE "GUERRILLAS."



    When General Bragg evacuated Chattanooga, the unfinished works left by him

were at once strengthened by Rosecrans. The Army of the Cumberland, it is true,

had been driven from Chickamauga, and now lay behind the almost impregnable

works, yet the confidence of "Old Rosy" was not shaken because of his failure to

hold the field. Bragg moved up and threatened to attack Rosecrans in his works,

but after a few days of maneuvering, he disposed of his forces and laid siege to

the town, hoping in this way to accomplish what he had failed to do in battle.



    Bragg took possession of Missionary Ridge and built a strong line of works

on the crest, extending from the Tennessee River, above town, across the

Chattanooga Valley to the top of Lookout Mountain. The latter place in November

became historical, it being the place where Hooker fought the battle "above the

clouds."



    The railroad from Nashville had been repaired, and the cars were running to

Bridgeport, on the Tennessee River. From this point, the supplies for the Union

army were hauled in army wagons over the mountains to Chattanooga. This route

was up Sequatchie Valley and across Walden's Ridge. Bragg had a large and

well-equipped force of cavalry, and decided to move it upon this "overland

route" and destroy it. His cavalry was to cross the river at three different

points and move in whatever direction that promised the best results.



    On the 30th day of September, Wheeler succeeded in crossing Tennessee River

at Washington with at least six thousand men and moved toward Walden's Ridge.

General Crook, with the Second Division, was guarding the river above

Chattanooga, but owing to the scattered condition of his troops, Wheeler was

able to drive back the small force at Washington and cross to the west side.

Once across, Wheeler pushed rapidly toward the communications of the army. By

the time Crook had collected his scattered troops, Wheeler had several hours the

start.



    At the time Wheeler crossed the river McCook's First Division was

distributed along the south side from Bridgeport to Bellefont, but on receipt of

orders he started in pursuit with the Second Brigade. Colonel Campbell started

with his brigade October 2, at 1 p. m., from Stevenson, by way of Bridgeport, to

Anderson's Cross Roads, in Sequatchie Valley. The First Tennessee moved with the

brigade and reached McCook four miles north of Anderson's Cross Roads at 10 a.

m. on the 3rd, having marched fifty miles, making only two short halts to feed

the tired and almost worn-out horses.



    McCook, without waiting for his division to unite, pushed ahead with the

Second Brigade, but was unable to prevent the destruction of a part of

Rosecrans' train. Wheeler overtook the train near Anderson's Cross Roads, and

succeeded in burning something over three hundred wagons and killed a large

number of mules. LaGrange charged the enemy with his brigade and drove him back,

recapturing a lot of wagons and eight hundred mules. The enemy fell back about

one mile south of Anderson's Cross Roads and there made a stand behind a rail

barricade.



    McCook again charged with saber and routed Wheeler, killing and capturing

one hundred and sixteen. Among the former was Major Reed, of Wheeler's staff. A

portion of the train was loaded with ammunition, and as we dashed by, the

explosions resembled a battle. Along with the train were several sutlers, with

their wagons well loaded with a  miscellaneous stock, and in the stampede their

goods were strewn about in tempting profusion. It was a grand treat for

Wheeler's men, and yet "a little costly."



    McCook's division now being united, pushed on to Dunlap, where it bivouacked

for the night. The troops engaged were Martin's division, under the personal

command of Wheeler, and it was reported that he came very near being captured.

He divided his command before leaving the valley, sending Wharton with his

division to McMinnville. Early on the 4th, we left our camp at Dunlap and began

the ascent of Cumberland Mountain at Kane's Gap, and moved rapidly on the direct

road toward McMinnville, making only one short halt on the mountain to feed. The

road was lined with empty boxes and cans, and dead mules.



    General Crook, in command of the Second Division, who was moving on a road

north of us, entered McMinnville a short time before McCook, but neither command

was able to prevent the capture of the garrison, consisting mainly of the Fourth

Tennessee Volunteers, under the command of Major Patterson.



    After the capture of McMinnville and its garrison on the 3rd, Wheeler

destroyed all government stores and in the most brutal manner robbed the

officers and men of their clothing, blankets, watches and money. There were no

artillery or forts to defend the place, and the small force made the best

defense they could against great odds, losing seven killed and thirty wounded.



    Wheeler left McMinnville for Murfresboro, closely pursued by the divisions

of Crook and McCook, and a short distance from McMinnville he was overtaken and

roughly handled by Crook's division. We moved through Woodbury and early on the

morning of the 6th entered Murfreesboro, all tired and worn out. A halt was made

long enough to rest and feed our jaded horses. Wheeler, finding Murfreesboro too

strongly garrisoned, made no attempt to capture the place, but cut the wire and,

turning south, moved toward Shelbyville. Four days' rations were issued to the

men, and at 1 o'clock the First Tennessee moved, with the remainder of the

division, toward Shelbyville, bivouacking for the night near the latter place.



    At Shelbyville, Wheeler divided his troops into three columns. This caused

some little delay in trying to find the route he had taken. Mitchell ordered

McCook to move to Unionville by the nearest practicable route. On reaching

Unionville, we found the enemy had left and was moving toward Duck River. We

pursued on, and at night crossed Duck River near Caney Springs, and camped for

the night. General Crook moved his division through Shelbyville on the morning

of the 7th and out along the road leading to Farmington, and when near the

latter place he encountered Davidson's division and drove it back rapidly toward

Farmington.



    Here Wheeler had taken up a position in a cedar thicket, but was driven out

after some severe fighting in which both sides lost quite heavily. Among the

slain on the Union side was the brave commander of the One Hundred and

Twenty-third Illinois Volunteers—Colonel James Monroe. On the 8th, we moved in

pursuit through Lewisburg and Cornersville. The First Tennessee, the leading

regiment, charged into the latter place at dark and drove the enemy's rearguard

out. At the south edge of town we captured a courier with a dispatch from

Wheeler to one of his division commanders, urging him to move at once to

Pulaski, where he was trying to unite his army. The command was halted long

enough to feed, when the march was resumed and at 10 p. m. camped for the night

seven miles from Pulaski.



    The next morning the whole command was pushed forward to Pulaski, where we

learned that the daring raider had moved early in the night for Lamb's Ferry,

where he expected to cross the Tennessee River. All the weak and lame horses

were thrown out, and now came an exciting race toward the river. The First

Tennessee joined in the chase, which was continued throughout the day. There was

abundant evidence of a hasty flight, the road being lined with broken-down

horses, wagons, artillery, hats and guns.



    Wheeler moved through Rogersville, and on the 9th crossed Tennessee River at

Lamb's Ferry. The Wheeler raid was not a very great success, as it cost him most

all of his artillery, besides losing heavily in prisoners and deserters. In this

short but spirited campaign of eight days, we marched over three hundred miles

with but little sleep, and the most of that distance was over rough mountain roads.



    On the 10th we left Rogersville and by slow and easy march moved through

Athens to Huntsville. At this place Mitchell learned that Roddy was moving

toward Winchester with a division of cavalry. McCook was ordered to pursue him

with his division, and on the 12th left Huntsville and pushed forward toward New

Market, with Campbell's brigade in the advance. We inarched ahead at a rapid

gait and toward night a heavy storm came up, but no halt was made, the march

being continued through rain and blinding flashes of lightning. The Ninth

Pennsylvania was leading the brigade and just at dark encountered Roddy, who had

halted for the storm in a heavy grove of timber.



    The Ninth Pennsylvania was dismounted and moved forward, with the First

Tennessee close behind as a support. Roddy's troops opened a brisk fire, which

was answered with volleys from the carbines of the Ninth Pennsylvania at close

range, and in a short time the enemy fell back and all became quiet. It was

exceedingly dark and the clouds still continued to "weep" during the night,

making our bivouac very unpleasant.



    The pursuit was continued at daylight the next morning in the direction of

New Market. At the latter place we learned from citizens that Roddy had at least

six hours the start of us, and owing to the thoroughly exhausted condition of

our horses it seemed impossible to overtake him. From New Market, Roddy turned

southwest, and after pursuing him some time with no hope of overtaking his fast

retreating column the pursuit was abandoned. There were signs of great haste

along the line of retreat in the way of abandoned wagons, broken-down horses and

hats.



    This move of Roddy was no doubt intended to- be made in connection with the

raid made by Wheeler, and the direction he was moving clearly indicated that he

fully intended to< strike our line of communication at or near Decherd, but the

defeat of Wheeler and his hasty flight out of Tennessee greatly interfered with

his arrangements. At 3 p. m. on the 13th, the pursuit ended, and Mitchell called

for a detail of a lieutenant and ten men to take an order to Crook, notifying

him to discontinue the pursuit.



    Lieutenant John Roberts, with ten picked men and horses from Company C, was

detailed for this hard and dangerous trip. The writer was one of the number, and

the lieutenant and his trusty men at once set out on their perilous journey,

moving rapidly toward Huntsville, expecting to find-Crook somewhere between

Huntsville and Athens. We were moving along the main road, thinking that we must

be nearing the end of our journey, when we suddenly ran into about an equal

number of the enemy, who were just dismounting at a farm-house by the roadside.

We immediately opened fire and then charged them, when they fled pell-mell in

every direction.



    Lieutenant Roberts, thinking it unwise to pursue them, pushed ahead and

shortly after dark found General Crook, and, after delivering the order, started

on the return trip. When our little detachment reached the point where we left

the division, we found it had moved away. Looking away to our left, we could see

the bright light of a camp, but were unable to determine whether it was friend

or foe. It had been raining for the past two days, and the marching cavalry had

converted the dust into mortar by the constant and steady tramp of thousands of

hoofs. We dismounted and examined the tracks, and found that a large body of

mounted troops had gone in the direction of the light. We moved cautiously along

the road for some distance and again dismounted and made another examination.

Matters were getting desperate by this time. Could it be that we were following

close on the rear of Roddy's division? We moved a little distance from the road

and held a short council to decide what was best to do under the circumstances.

It was decided to wait for the return of daylight and then move cautiously

toward the lights that were still dimly burning.



    Lieutenant Roberts moved his little "squad" some two to three hundred feet

to the right of the road into a heavy body of timber and dismounted his men, and

here occurred an interesting "watch meeting," each one watching and waiting for

the great luminary of the world to light up our hiding-place. There was no sleep

for this little band of worn-out soldiers, and, drawing together, we discussed

in low whispered tones our situation.



    When the first ray of light began to streak the eastern sky, we mounted and

moved forward in the direction of the lights, and soon came in sight of the

advance vedette, who on close examination proved to be a "Yankee"—just the kind

we were looking for—and in a short time we rode into the camp of the First

Tennessee, and were joyfully received by the boys, who thought that we were

captured.



    On the 14th, the First Tennessee, with the remainder of the division, moved

to Branchville and camped for the night. This march was made in a drenching

rain, making the roads almost impassable for the artillery and wagons, to say

nothing of the labor of our jaded horses in pulling through the muddy roads.



    On the 15th, we moved through Salem and went into camp near Winchester,

where the men and horses enjoyed a short season of rest. The total loss in the

First and Second Divisions in the Wheeler raid was one hundred and twenty.

Wheeler's loss was estimated at one thousand killed, captured and deserted, and

six pieces of artillery. His greatest loss was at Farmington, where he lost

eighty-six killed and one hundred and thirty-seven wounded.



    General Mitchell, in his report of the Wheeler raid, says: "I think the

record of the cavalry service during the entire war cannot show a more severe

campaign than the one my command has just closed. There was scarcely an hour

during the whole pursuit that the horses were unsaddled; for days and nights

together the men were in the saddle, almost constantly on the march, and some

days making as high as fifty-three and fifty-seven miles. The greater part of

the time the troops were out of rations, and our hasty movements gave them but

little time to forage on the country; that the nights were very cold and the men

without overcoats, and I think the campaign challenges comparison with any

service performed during the war. Yet with all the hardships and severe duty

necessarily devolving upon the men they made not a murmur."



    During October, several important changes took place in the Army of the

Cumberland. The Fourth Corps was formed by the consolidation of the Twentieth

and Twenty-first, with General Gordon Granger commanding. The reserves were

attached to the Fourteenth Corps. General W. S. Rosecrans was relieved and

General George H. Thomas placed in command of the Army of the Cumberland. On the

18th of October, the military Division of the Mississippi was created, and

Major-General U. S. Grant placed in command, and among his first orders to

Thomas, "The Rock of Chickamauga," was: "Hold Chattanooga at all hazards. I will

be there as soon as possible. Please inform me how long your present supplies

will last and the prospect for keeping them up."



    The answer was: "Two hundred and four thousand and sixty-two rations in

storehouse. Ninety-six thousand to arrive tomorrow, as all trains were loaded

which had arrived at Bridgeport up to the 16th; probably three hundred wagons.

We will hold the town till we starve."



    The Eleventh and Twelfth Corps from the East, under Hooker, were ordered to

reinforce Thomas at Chattanooga. About the 21st, all the cavalry was ordered to

Dechard to be reviewed by General Grant, who was on his way to Chattanooga. This

important occasion required some little preparation and cleaning up, after which

we returned to our camp.



    On the 25th, the First Tennessee went on a scout to Estell Springs and

Tullahoma, on the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad. From Tullahoma the regiment

turned west and moved to Lynchburg, encamping there for the night. On the

morning of the 27th, the First Tennessee returned to camp near Winchester. On

the 30th, a detachment of the regiment, under Lieutenant Bowman, of Company K,

was sent to Bellefont, Alabama, where he captured six men and returned to camp

without loss. The number of miles traveled by the First Tennessee during the

months of September and October reached the grand total of seven hundred and fifty.



    Now came a short rest spell, the. first since leaving Triune in June, giving

us an opportunity to clean up and remove the accumulated dust of the past month.

Since the opening of this mid-summer campaign, the First Tennessee had marched

almost day and night over rough mountain roads, through rain, mud, heat and

dust, and during a part of that time living on short rations. Men and horses

were completely worn out, consequently we all enjoyed this season of rest. We

laid out a regular camp and again enjoyed the luxury of sleeping in our little

"dog-tents," and wearing blacked boots and "boiled" shirts. During our stay at

Winchester, the duty was exceedingly light, consequently the men and horses were

well rested and recruited by the time the next move was made.



    On the 16th of November, General D. S. Stanley was relieved from duty as

chief of cavalry, Army of the Cumberland, and General W. L. Elliott placed in

command.



    While Bragg's army lay in front of Chattanooga, Long-street, one of his most

trusted lieutenants, was detached and sent to operate against Burnside, who was

holding East Tennessee with a small force, with his headquarters at Knoxville.

Loudon, thirty miles southwest of Knoxville, was held by Burnside as an outpost

of his army. On the 3rd day of November, Longstreet left his position in front

of Chattanooga and moved up the valley toward Knoxville, with a force of at

least twenty-five thousand men. His orders were to drive Burnside and his army

out of East Tennessee.



    This bold move of Longstreet caused some little uneasiness about the safety

of our army, as it was a long distance from its base of supplies, with bad roads

and a mountainous country intervening. The country had been stripped of supplies

necessary for the maintenance of an army by the enemy, which up to this time had

been held by them. But the loyal and patriotic people of East Tennessee came to

the rescue of the Union army, and by various methods succeeded in keeping

Burnside's army from starving during that terrible winter of 1863-4, dividing

the last pound of bacon and bushel of wheat and corn.



    On the 18th, McCook's division was ordered to Alexandria. The First

Tennessee moved with the division through Shelbyville, Murfreesboro and Milton.

From the latter place, Campbell's brigade moved to Liberty and went into camp at

the junction of the Auburn and Liberty turnpikes. The remainder of the division

was ordered to Alexandria. While the regiment lay encamped at Liberty, the

paymaster visited our camp and made us happy, while we in turn made our sutler

happy by paying up "old scores" and purchasing gloves, canned goods, cider and

other bottled stuff the boys called "fightin' whiskey," paying the sutler his

price, which was equal to the "dutchman's" one per cent. Zack Sanders was our

sutler and Silas Fitzwater was his clerk, both good fellows and popular with the

boys. Fresh horses and a new outfit of clothing were issued to the men, and from

all "signs" we began to think that there was hard work before us. Nothing worthy

of mention occurred while the regiment lay at Liberty.



    On the 25th, the First Tennessee and one battalion of the Ninth

Pennsylvania, all under the command of Colonel Brownlow, were detached and sent

to Sparta for the purpose of driving out Champ Ferguson, Colonels Hughes and

Murray, who, with their bands of irregular soldiers, were making it exceedingly

unpleasant and hot for the Union people in that locality and the small squads of

Union soldiers that scouted through that country. This movement was unusually

hazardous in its nature, because of the rough topography of the country and the

dangerous practice Ferguson's men had of shooting from behind trees. The day was

cold and the march made through a drizzly rain, and when we reached a little

hamlet called Yankeetown, our advance encountered the enemy. After several hours

spent in skirmishing and maneuvering, the enemy fell back, and we pushed on to

Caney Fork, a tributary of Cumberland River, which we found past fording.



    Colonel Brownlow found one small flatboat that would scarcely carry fifteen

men and horses at a trip. It looked dangerous, and at the same time it seemed

like a slow process to attempt to take the men and horses of Brownlow's command

across in so frail a craft. But Brownlow was equal to the emergency. He set a

detail to work taking the men and equipments across the swollen stream, while

the remainder unsaddled the horses and forced them to swim the river. We

experienced great trouble in getting our horses in the notion to swim the river.

It was cold and chilly, and when we led them into the icy water their instinct

caused them to "rebel," and many a poor and unruly horse was severely chastised

before he could be induced to brave the current and swim to the opposite shore.

The crossing was made, however, without the loss of a man and but few horses.



    Colonel Brownlow moved his little army on to Sparta and immediately took

possession of the town, placing his men in the public buildings for better

protection in case of an attack. Sparta is located near the foot of Cumberland

Mountain, and is surrounded by fertile fields and beautiful scenery. The

inhabitants were hostile, and we were given a very cold reception on account of

the color of our uniforms and the flags we carried. Every road leading into

Sparta was well picketed to prevent surprise, for near by a large force, under

Champ Ferguson, lay ready to swoop down upon us if we were caught "napping."



    On the morning of the 30th, Lieutenant Bowman, of Company K, with a small

detachment from the regiment, was sent out on a scout, and when a short distance

from camp was attacked by a large force under Hughes and Ferguson. Lieutenant

Bowman was routed and driven back, with a loss of four killed and three wounded.

This guerrilla band showed them no mercy, but like savages killed all they

captured. When Lieutenant Bowman reached town and reported the fact, Colonel

Brownlow ordered immediate pursuit with his whole command, and his orders were,

"Take no prisoners." A few miles from town they were overtaken and a running

fight ensued, in which the enemy lost nine killed and twenty wounded. The loss

in the First Tennessee in this day's work was as follows:



    Killed—Company E, Corporal F. M. Carr; Company F, Sergeant Oscar D. Steele;

Company K, Sergeant D. B. Phillips and Private W. A. Headrick.



    Wounded—Company A, Private W. L. Robinson; Company K, Corporal Jacob Smith

and Private D. L. Stanley. Stanley died a few days later of his wounds.



    Hughes, in his report of the engagement, says: "On the 36th, a fight

occurred between my command and a party of Colonel Brownlow's (Tennessee)

regiment. For the numbers engaged the fighting was very severe." * * *



    After this we were not interrupted any more by this band of bushwhackers. By

the end of the month the whole division reached Sparta, where it remained until

the 7th of December. In this engagement the Ninth Pennsylvania lost Captain T.

S. McCahan and one private wounded.



Additional Comments:
Extracted from:



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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