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

ORDERED TO NASHVILLE—WHEELER''S RAID—SHARP FIGHTING —COLONEL BROWNLOW WOUNDED —

WHEELER DRIVEN ACROSS THE TENNESSEE—FORREST RETURNS BUT MEETS THE SAME FATE—THE

DARING RAIDER FORCED TO FIGHT— FIGHTING BUSHWHACKERS—LIFE ALONG THE TENNESSEE.



    In the recent raid south of Atlanta, the men composing McCook's division

lost a great many of their horses, and as it was important that this splendid

division should be fitted up and take the field with as little delay as

possible, Croxton was ordered to turn over the horses belonging to his brigade

for the purpose of furnishing re-mounts for the remainder of the division. This

being done, he was ordered to take his brigade to Nashville for the purpose of

being re-equipped and remounted.



    The First Tennessee moved by rail from Marietta to Nashville by way of

Chattanooga. The Western & Atlantic Railroad, the one over which the regiment

was being transported, runs through a country unsurpassed for scenery.

Earthworks and new-made graves were also visible along this historic road.

Nothing of special interest occurred on the way to Nashville.



    The regiment reached its destination without accident, and was immediately

moved to Camp Smith, about three miles east of Nashville, on the Cumberland

River. The First Tennessee pitched its tents at the east end of the camp. From

this point we had a splendid view of the Cumberland River. This camp was in a

beautiful grove of oak and poplar trees, whose wide-spreading branches made

inviting places for the boys to pass away their idle moments as well as protect

them from the hot rays of the sun.



    During the long summer campaign, the uniforms of the officers and men, that

were once bright and new, were now faded and covered with dust, The faces of the

men were bronzed by the blazing sun, and as the regiment marched through the

streets of Nashville the appearance of the men indicated that they had been at

the front.



    The Christian Commission, through its agents, visited our camp and furnished

the men with many things that the government did not provide for its defenders.

This grand organization did a great deal of good by furnishing the soldiers with

many little useful articles, such as paper and envelopes, needles, buttons and

thread. In addition to these articles, they furnished the soldiers with Bibles,

Testaments and hymn-books.



    The duty imposed upon the regiment was very light, in fact, it was a

"picnic" to us, and we began to put on style and "play soldier" again.



    Eighteen long months had passed by since the regiment had left Nashville and

gone to the front, and during that time we were scarcely ever out of sight of

the enemy's camp. With our bountiful supply of "greenbacks" we were able to

purchase a great many things that our generous government did not furnish us

with, such as watermelons, peaches, grapes and apples.



    While we were enjoying this delightful season of rest and "high living,"

General Joe Wheeler, our old antagonist, was on his way out from a raid through

East Tennessee, and headed for Nashville. This raid furnished the opportunity

for further display of gallantry on the part of Colonel Brownlow and his

"fighting regiment."



    Croxton's brigade drew horses, and everything about our camp was put in

order to meet this unexpected movement of Wheeler. Orders were issued to the

First Tennessee to be ready to move at a moment's notice, and to an "old

soldier" that kind of an order usually meant business. Wheeler was moving toward

Nashville with a large force of cavalry, and General L. H. Rousseau, who was in

command of the District of Middle Tennessee, with headquarters at Nashville,

ordered Croxton to move his brigade from Camp Smith to Lavergne, a station on

the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, and fifteen miles southeast of Nashville.



    General Croxton moved his brigade at 6 p. m., August 31, closely followed by

Rousseau, with a force of infantry. It was a beautiful night, and as we marched

along the turnpike leading to Murfreesboro, myriads of twinkling stars peeped

out from a cloudless sky, furnishing sufficient light for the marching columns.



    The First Tennessee under Colonel Brownlow led the column, and after moving

a short distance from camp, Company C was ordered to the front for an advance

guard. This was not the first time the First Tennessee had ever marched along

the turnpikes of Middle Tennessee at night, neither was it a new experience to

lead a marching army.



    As we were marching along we could see a very bright light in our front, and

supposed that Wheeler was burning the depot at Lavergne. When we were within a

few miles of Lavergne, Company A was sent forward to reinforce the advance

guard. No singing or loud talking was allowed that night.



    Toward midnight, our advance struck Wheeler's pickets about two miles from

Lavergne, and after a lively skirmish his pickets were driven in.



    Rousseau halted his command for the night, deeming it unwise to move any

farther, as he knew nothing of the strength and location of the enemy. Colonel

Brownlow was ordered to dismount his regiment, send his horses to the rear and

build a rail barricade across the turnpike and hold his position until morning.

In this midnight skirmish, Privates W. A. Cannon and Zack Peay, of Company C,

were wounded, and three horses shot.



    The regiments built a temporary line of works and remained in line of battle

during the night, and early the next morning, September 1, Colonel Brownlow was

ordered to take the advance again. He led forward his regiment toward Lavergne

and in a short time engaged that portion of the enemy which he had fought during

the night. The most of Wheeler's troops were in our front, and he was making a

desperate attempt to hold us in check until his men could destroy the road.



    The First Tennessee continued to drive back Wheeler's troops toward

Lavergne, and when near that place, Colonel Brownlow charged his advance and

drove it back rapidly upon his main line, which was partly concealed by a heavy

cedar grove, and after a hand-to-hand fight, in which the saber was freely used,

the regiment was driven back by overwhelming numbers until the remainder of the

brigade was met. Two companies of the Eighth Iowa and Company C, First

Tennessee, were detached and sent on the gallop to the railroad to drive away a

force that was tearing up the track. This little detachment drove in their

pickets, charged upon and routed the troops that were engaged in the destruction

of the track. The enemy had fired a small bridge, but with a few canteens of

water the fire was extinguished and the bridge saved. We killed one man,

captured five and returned without loss to our ranks.



    Not until the most of Wheeler's forces were massed and hurled upon the

regiment did it yield an inch, and then the enemy were not allowed to press it

with impunity. Wheeler, finding himself hard pressed, left the Nashville &

Chattanooga Road late in the afternoon, without doing much damage. He turned

almost due west and struck the Nashville & Decatur Road, at Franklin. In this

short but spirited engagement, the First Tennessee sustained the following loss:



    Killed—Company D, Sergeant Geo. W. Witt; Company I, Private Samuel Broyles;

Company B, Sergeant John Hopson, Corporal Thos. L. Seal and Private Thomas Cook.



    Missing in Action—Company B, Claiborne Gibbs.



    Wounded—Company I, Private Elbert Smith; Company E, Private Newton F.

Smelser, severely; Company K, Private E. S. Smith; Company L, Privates Henry C.

Fisher and John Martin; Company B, Lieutenant Daniel S. Fox, Privates James G.

Trent and Roily Maze. Corporal Robert Marsh was seriously hurt by his horse

falling while n____ing the charge.



    John Hopson was color sergeant of Company ___ was killed while carrying the

guidon of his company.



    Rousseau pursued the retreating enemy rapidly ____ Lavergne, marching almost

the entire night, reaching F____lin about daylight on the morning of the 2nd. At

this ________ we were joined by the Second Michigan, of our brigade. This

regiment had been doing guard duty for some time along the Nashville & Decatur

Railroad.



    Wheeler had swung around Franklin and was approaching from the south just as

Croxton's brigade was entering from the east. The two columns met on a high

range of hills about one mile south of town on the turnpike leading from

Franklin to Columbia. Our battery took up a position on the turnpike and opened

a brisk fire on the enemy, who were just a short distance in our front. Wheeler,

seeing that we had won in the race for position, now made an attempt to turn our

right flank and capture the battery that was dealing out shells, grape and

canister in such great profusion.



    Colonel Brownlow was ordered to move his regiment at once and occupy the

hill to the right of our battery and to hold it at all hazards. The regiment was

moved to the foot of the hill on the gallop. Here Colonel Brownlow dismounted

his regiment and, forming it in line of battle, moved rapidly up the steep and

rocky hill. The day was exceedingly hot, so by the time the summit was reached

we were almost exhausted. Wheeler moved his troops forward with equal

promptness, so the contending forces met at the crest almost at the same moment.



    The firing was severe and began at close range, and in a few minutes the

hill was completely enveloped in smoke. Almost at the first fire, Colonel

Brownlow, while gallantly leading his men into the very ranks of the enemy, fell

severely wounded, and was borne from the field amid a perfect tempest of

bullets. A musket-ball passed through both of his legs, producing a very painful

wound—a wound that almost proved fatal. He was immediately carried to the rear,

where his wounds were dressed, but almost bled to death before the surgeons

reached him. About the same time, Lieutenant I. B. Self, C. S., received a wound

in the head, at first supposed to be mortal, but by good nursing he survived his

wound and is now a prominent Cumberland Presbyterian minister.



    After the fall of Colonel Brownlow, Lieutenant-Colonel C. M. Dyer assumed

command of the regiment, and filled the position to which he was so suddenly and

unexpectedly called with that cool and conspicuous bravery that had

characterized him on all occasions. He was a brave, true Christion soldier, and

the noble example he set before the brave men he was called at that trying

moment to command, was worthy of emulation.



    The enemy made several attempts to drive the First Tennessee from its

position, but the orders were, "Hold the hill, and don't give it up until

ordered to do so." We fought from behind logs, trees, rocks or anything else

that would afford us protection from the pelting storm of lead. The First

Tennessee was not ashamed or the least bit backward on an occasion like this to

seek the friendly protection of a stump, or a tree, in order that a valuable

life might be saved. The regiment maintained its position until the left had

been repulsed and driven back almost in its rear, when Croxton ordered

Lieutenant-Colonel Dyer to fall back.



    The regiment fell back in splendid order, and it is a fact worthy of remark

that the enemy in its front were so severely punished that they did not pursue

as it withdrew. Croxton moved his brigade back a short distance and took up a

new position, which he held until the arrival of Rousseau and his infantry.

Wheeler remained in our front until late in the afternoon, when he withdrew and

moved south.



    The First Tennessee sustained the following loss:



    Killed and Mortally Wounded—Company A, James Martin, mortally wounded, died

Nov. 5; Company D, Corporal Robert B. Cook.



    Wounded—Colonel James P. Brownlow, severely; Company D, Lieutenant I. B.

Self, C. S., and John W. Legg, severely; Company E, William Fletcher; Company M,

C. M. Fellers.



    In this engagement the First Tennessee was confronted by the Fourth

Tennessee, Eighth and Eleventh Texas Cavalry, of Kelley's division. Among those

who fell on the Confederate side and in front of the First Tennessee, was

Brigadier-General J. H. Kelley, one of Wheeler's brave and trusted division

commanders.



    While we were engaged at Franklin, Atlanta, one of the most important cities

of the Confederacy, fell into our hands, together with its extensive mills and

foundries. The First Tennessee had contributed three months of hard and

distinguished service toward its capture, but was ordered away before it fell.



    There was considerable sharp skirmishing during the afternoon, in fact, it

continued until darkness enveloped both armies and shut out from view the

contending forces. Rousseau's troops camped on the field during the night, and

early the next morning he pushed his column toward Columbia, in search of

Wheeler, who had retreated south during the night, under cover of darkness.



    General Rousseau, not being detained by engagements or burnt bridges during

the day, marched his army in the vicinity of Columbia and bivouacked for the

night. At this place, Wheeler scattered his troops for the purpose of misleading

the pursuing column, consequently the greater part of the 4th was spent in

trying to ascertain the route his main force had taken. Late in the afternoon,

Croxton was ordered to advance with his brigade toward Pulaski, halting for the

night about six miles from Columbia.



    The pursuit was resumed early on the morning of the 5th, and when near a

small hamlet called Campbellsville, Croxton overtook a portion of Wheeler's

force, and a lively engagement ensued. Wheeler had taken up a strong position in

an extensive beech forest, which afforded great protection to his men. The

artillery was run up and opened a brisk fire on the enemy. At the same time,

Croxton moved his brigade forward in line of battle and soon the whole line was

warmly engaged.



    Rousseau's troops were too far in the rear to be of any benefit to Croxton,

consequently his small brigade was alone, contending against the most of

Wheeler's troops. Finding it impossible to dislodge Wheeler from the position he

had taken, Croxton ordered the First Tennessee, under Lieutenant-Colonel Dyer,

to charge him with the saber. In the execution of this order the First Tennessee

was compelled to charge across an open field under a brisk fire.



    But the regiment never failed to execute an order, and on this occasion,

with its accustomed gallantry, charged upon the enemy with the saber, cutting

and slashing right and left, breaking his line and driving him from the woods.

The remainder of Croxton's brigade advanced, and soon Wheeler's troops were

routed and sent flying southward.



    The casualties in the First Tennessee were as follows :



    Killed and Mortally Wounded—Company F, John H. Shaver; Company C, Sergeant

J. L. Geasland, mortally wounded, died in hospital at Nashville, Sept. 30;

Company K, Harrison Key; Company L, John W. Pettitt and W. H. Osmit.



    Wounded—Company A, James Harris; Company F, Geo. W. Black, Peter Henry and

Nathaniel Spencer; Company I, A. J. Kelly, severely wounded and captured;

Company C, James R. Chambless; Company M, Harvey Bales.



    In this charge, Sergeant J. B. Clapp, of Company C, had the misfortune of

having his horse shot from under him. He was carrying the regimental flag, and

in falling his right leg was caught under his horse. The plucky sergeant managed

to extricate himself with the loss of one boot and a few bruises, but saved the

colors.



    This was the last stand made by Wheeler. Finding himself closely pursued, he

withdrew and moved rapidly through Pulaski, and after an exciting chase he

succeeded in crossing the Tennessee River near Rodgersville, Alabama. The loss

inflicted to our railroads was very light, and so closely was Wheeler pursued

that not a single place of any importance was captured, and on the whole his

raid was not a very great success.



    After Wheeler had been, driven across Tennessee River, General Croxton's

brigade was ordered to Franklin, where a camp was laid out. This camp was

southeast of town, near Harpeth River, and in a beautiful grove of oaks and

elms. This was one of the prettiest camps that the regiment had ever laid out.

The tents were put up in parallel rows, with wide streets between each company.

Pretty arbors were put up in front to break the force of the sun.



    We were not permitted to enjoy this beautiful camp very long. It is said

that Hood was very much disappointed at the light damage inflicted upon the

railroads by Wheeler, and determined to send another raiding party to more fully

destroy the roads that were supplying Sherman's army. Forrest at once set about

organizing a force of at least ten thousand men for this purpose. He crossed the

Tennessee River at Waterloo, Alabama, September 20, and moved upon the Nashville

& Decatur Road, striking it first at Athens.



    Here, after considerable skirmishing and maneuvering, Forrest succeeded in

capturing the place, with the garrison, a portion of it being a small detachment

of the Third Tennessee Cavalry. The bold raider pushed north and on the 25th

captured the garrison and burned the long trestle at Sulphur Branch. At this

place, the remainder of the Third Tennessee Cavalry was surrounded and captured,

after a brave defense of this important place. Forrest, elated with his success

thus far, now moved on toward Pulaski, destroying some small bridges and several

miles of track.



    All this time Rousseau was collecting and concentrating his scattered forces

at Pulaski to head off Forrest and stop his march north. General Croxton's

brigade was pushed forward from Franklin and by the time Forrest reached Pulaski

he found Rousseau there with a force, awaiting his coming, so he turned to the

right to avoid an engagement, but was met on the east side of town and compelled

to fight.



    There was some sharp fighting during the 27th around Pulaski, and at night

Forrest drew off. The loss in the regiment was:



    Killed—Company L, C. G. Montgomery.



    Wounded—Company L, Eli Cleveland.



    Forrest was very much astonished and perplexed to find such a large force in

his front, for it was his intention to strike the Nashville & Chattanooga

Railroad with his whole force; but, having learned that a much heavier force was

in his front than he wished to meet, changed his direction and divided his

forces. A portion of Forrest's command succeeded in reaching the Nashville &

Chattanooga Road near Tullahoma, where the track for a short distance was

destroyed and the wires cut.



    General Forrest, with the remainder of his command, moved to our rear in the

direction of Columbia, but we were pushing him so close that he made ho attack.

He still moved north and at Spring Hill he destroyed the track by turning it

down an embankment. Forrest was unable to move any further north, as there were

four columns closing in upon him.



    The daring raider now turned southwest and passed through Lawrenceburg. On

the 6th day of October, we overtook his rear guard at Cypress Creek, Alabama,

and after a brisk skirmish he fled and made his escape by crossing the Tennessee

River at Bainbridge. This was the second time inside of a month that we had

assisted in driving the enemy out of our State and across the beautiful

Tennessee. In this skirmish, L. C. H. Long, Company A, was wounded and captured.



    The chief object of these raids was for the purpose of destroying the

railroads and burning bridges, but the damage was so slight that it only took a

short time to place the road again in running order. So, after long and weary

marches and hard fighting, the State was once more rid of the raiders, and all

efforts to baffle Sherman in his preparations for his grand march to the sea

were at an end.



    On the 10th, the regiment and brigade took up the line of march for Pulaski,

by way of Florence and Lexington. We remained only a few days, however, at

Pulaski. From this place, Croxton moved his brigade to the Tennessee River, and

during the remainder of the month it was engaged in guarding the ferries from

Muscle Shoals to Florence. In addition to this duty, we maintained a courier

line between our camp and Pulaski.



    The First Tennessee camped for a short time at Center Star and Blue Water

Creek. The citizens in this part of Alabama were very hostile toward the Union

soldiers, and large numbers armed themselves and turned out to be regular

"bushwhackers." They would hide in some secluded spot and when the couriers came

riding by these midnight murderers would fire upon them.



    During the remainder of October the regiment lost in killed and wounded as

follows :



    Killed—Company L, W. G. B. Williams.



    Wounded—Company A, Nathaniel Robinson; Company K, Cornelius Smith; Company

L, Charles V. Orton, severely.



    Shortly after the fall of Atlanta, Jefferson Davis, the Southern president,

left Richmond and came south to confer with his generals in regard to the next

campaign, and also to arouse his soldiers to greater activity, and, if possible,

remove that despondent feeling that Hood's army had fallen into since the

removal of Johnson. At this meeting, Hood outlined his proposed plan, which was

to throw his whole force upon Sherman's long line of communication and destroy

it, thereby forcing him to abandon his "march to the sea," and again transfer

the seat of war to Tennessee.



    The plan was approved, and as Hood seemed to be full of pluck and

enterprise, all eyes were centered upon him. He at once set about putting his

army "in trim" for—as it proved to be—his last campaign. It was some little time

after Hood began his march north before Sherman was able to determine at what

point he would strike his line first.



    When General Sherman became thoroughly convinced that Hood was going toward

Tennessee, he sent General George H. Thomas, that grand old hero, the "Rock of

Chickamauga," who never lost a battle, back to Nashville to organize a force

sufficiently large to crush Hood at the proper time. Two divisions of the

Sixteenth Corps, under General A. J. Smith, then in Missouri; the Fourth Corps.

tinder General D. S. Stanley; the Twenty-third Corps, under General J. M.

Schofield, and the two remaining brigades of McCook's division of cavalry of

Sherman's army, were sent to Thomas.



    While Hood was busy getting ready for his northern campaign, Sherman was

also making preparations for his grand march from Atlanta to the sea, and when

he became fully satisfied that Hood was on his way into Tennessee, he cut the

wires, burned the bridges in his rear, and on the 15th day of November he left

Atlanta, and of him President Lincoln said: "We know where he went in, but no

one can tell where he will come out."



    Hood began his march the first of October. He entered the campaign full of

hope, and with his large army he expected to move in the rear of Sherman's army

and destroy his long line of communication, and as far as possible feed his army

on captured supplies. Hood also entertained the hope that this move north would

arouse the "old-time" war spirit in Tennessee and Kentucky, and that thousands

would flock to his standard, and with this additional force he could sweep north

to the Ohio River, if he desired to do so.



    Sherman followed Hood as far north as Dalton, but did not propose to give up

his hold on Georgia or be led off upon a "wild goose chase" if he could prevent

it. Toward the last of October, Hood moved his army westward to Summerville and

Decatur. At the latter place he expected to cross the Tennessee River, but

finding the place too strongly fortified, he now turned west and moved along the

south side of the river to Tuscumbia, Ala.



    Croxton's small brigade was the only troops on this wing of the Union army,

and at this time the total effective strength was about one thousand men, well

officered, well equipped, and good "fighters." This veteran brigade was

entrusted with the arduous duty of guarding the ferries and crossings for twelve

or fifteen miles along the Tennessee River; and many weary days and nights were

spent by the men of the First Tennessee in watching the movements of Hood's

troops on the opposite shore, as they went "nosing" about, trying to find a good

and suitable place to cross.



    By great activity and watchfulness on the part of this brigade, every

movement of the enemy and every indication of his intention were promptly

reported to General Thomas, the nearest telegraph station being at Pulaski. The

mosquitoes gave us almost as much trouble as Hood's men. They were very friendly

and excellent foragers, but invariably wanted their "meals" free, and if they

ever caught a fellow napping they went for him with all their might.



    The muscadine, a fruit resembling the grape, was found in great abundance

along the Tennessee River, and the First Tennessee enjoyed many great feasts

from this delicious fruit, which grew spontaneously in the rich bottoms

bordering on the river. Though we were in the State of Alabama, yet we were

guarding the crossings of our own beautiful Tennessee, whose waters were

gathered from the hills and valleys of our own East Tennessee. Near Bridgeport,

the Tennessee River leaves the State and, turning almost due south, enters

Alabama and runs "away down" into the State, then, turning northwest, again

re-enters Tennessee a short distance below Waterloo, Alabama.



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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