Showing posts with label 24th MO INF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 24th MO INF. Show all posts

Monday, March 18, 2024

22nd Missouri Infantry.

Organized in Missouri at large August to December, 1861. Served unassigned, Dept. of Missouri, to March, 1862. Unassigned, Army of Mississippi, to July, 1862.

SERVICE.—Duty in District of Northeast Missouri to March, 1862. At Commerce and Bird's Point, Mo., March, 1862. Companies "A" and "B" transferred to 7th Missouri Cavalry February 20, 1862. Companies "C," "D" and "E" transferred to 10th Missouri Infantry, and Company "F" to 24th Missouri Infantry, April 21, 1862. Regiment mustered out July 22, 1862.

Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1331

24th Missouri Infantry.

Organized in Missouri at large October 24 to December 28, 1861. Attached to 1st Brigade, Army of Southwest Missouri, to February, 1862. Unassigned, Army of Southwest Missouri, to July, 1862. District of Eastern Arkansas, Dept. of Missouri, to October, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of Southeast Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to February, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of Southeast Missouri, to March, 1863. District of Southeast Missouri to June, 1863. District of Columbus, Ky., 6th Division, 16th Army Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee, to January, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee, to March, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to June, and Dept. of the Tennessee to October, 1864.

SERVICE.—Join Curtis at Rolla, Mo., January, 1862. Curtis' Campaign in Missouri and Arkansas against Price, January to March, 1862. Advance on Springfield, Mo., February 2-11. Pursuit of Price into Arkansas February 14-29. Battles of Pea Ridge, Ark., March 6-8. March to Batesville April 5-May 13, thence march to Helena, Ark., May 25-July 14. Duty at Helena till October. Moved to Sulphur Springs, Mo., October 5-11. Pittman's Ferry, Ark., October 27 (3 Cos.). Moved to Pilot Knob, Mo., October 28-30. March to Patterson November 2-4, to Reeve's Station December 9-10. Return to Patterson December 18. Moved to Van Buren December 21-24, and toward Doniphan January 9-10, 1863. To Alton January 14-18, and to West Plains and Salem, Ark., January 28-February 2. To Pilot Knob and Ironton February 2-27. Moved to St. Genevieve and to Cape Girardeau March 8-12. Operations against Marmaduke April 17-May 2 (Co. "G"). Mill Creek Bridge April 24 (Detachment). Duty in Southeast Missouri till June. Richfield, Clay County, May 19 (Detachment). Ordered to New Madrid, Mo., June, and duty in District of Columbus, Ky., till January, 1864. New Madrid, Mo., August 7, 1863 (1 Co.). Expedition from Union City, Tenn., to Conyersville September 1-10 (Detachment). Conyersville September 10, Ordered to Vicksburg, Miss., January, 1864. Meridian Campaign February 3-March 5. Meridian February 14-15. Marion February 15-17. Canton February 28. Red River Campaign March 10-May 22. Fort De Russy March 14. Occupation of Alexandria March 16. Henderson's Hill March 21. Battle of Pleasant Hill April 9. Cloutiersville and Cane River Crossing April 22-24. At Alexandria April 27-May 13. Moore's Plantation May 5-7. Bayou Boeuf May 7. Bayou LaMourie May 12. Retreat to Morganza May 13-20. Mansura May 16. Yellow Bayou May 18-19. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss.; thence to Memphis, Tenn., May 22-June 10. Lake Chicot, Ark., June 6-7. Smith's Expedition to Tupelo, Miss., July 5-21. Pontotoc July 11. Camargo's Cross Roads, near Harrisburg, July 13. Tupelo July 14-15. Old Town Creek July 15. Smith's Expedition to Oxford, Miss., August 1-30. Tallahatchie River August 7-9. Abbeville and Oxford August 12. Moved to Duvall's Bluff, Ark.. September 1-6. Pursuit of Price through Arkansas and Missouri September 7 to October 6. Mineral Point, Mo., September 27. ordered to st. Louis, Mo., October 6. A detachment of Veterans and Recruits at Franklin, Mo., till November. Ordered to Paducah, Ky., November 7; thence moved to Nashville, Tenn., and Columbia, Tenn., November 22-26. Temporarily attacked to 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 23rd Army Corps. Columbia November 26-27. Battle of Franklin November 30. Battles of Nashville, Tenn., December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. At Clifton, Tenn., and Eastport, Miss., till February, 1865. Regiment mustered out October, 1864, to February 1, 1865.

Company "E" served detached from May, 1862. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of the Mississippi, May, 1862, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 7th Division, Left Wing 13th Army Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 7th Division, 16th Army Corps, to January, 1863, 2nd Brigade, 7th Division, 17th Army Corps, to September, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 17th Army Corps, to December, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps, to October. 1864, participating in battles of Iuka, Miss., September 19, 1862. Corinth, Miss, October 3-4. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign November, 1862, to January, 1863. Expedition to Yazoo Pass and operations against Fort Pemberton and Greenwood March 13-April 5, 1863. At Milliken's Bend, La.. till April 25. Movement on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30. Battles of Port Gibson May 1, Raymond May 12, Jackson May 14. Champion's Hill May 16. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Surrender of Vicksburg July 4. Garrison duty at Vicksburg till September. Movement to Helena, Ark.; Memphis, Tenn., and march to Chattanooga, Tenn., September 12-November 22. Operations on Memphis & Charleston Railroad in Alabama October 20-29. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Tunnel Hill November 23-24. Mission Ridge November 25. At Bridgeport. Ala. till January, 1864. Duty along Memphis & Charleston Railroad till June, 1864. Moved to Kingston, Ga., June 15-20, thence to Resaca July 2, and duty there till October. Defence of Resaca October 12. Company captured.

Companies "F" and "K" detached and on duty in District of Southeast Missouri to July, 1863. Reserve Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Army of Southeast Missouri, to August, 1863. Unattached, Cavalry Division, Arkansas Expedition, to January, 1864. Unattached, 1st Division, 7th Army Corps, Army of Arkansas, to February, 1864. Participating in actions at Licking, Mo., May 4, 1862. Crow's Station, near Licking, May 26, 1862. Scout in Wayne, Stoddard and Dunklin Counties, Mo., August 20-27, 1862. Duty in District of Southeast Missouri till July, 1863. Steele's operations against Little Rock, Ark., July 1-september 10. Capture of Little Rock September 10 and duty there till February, 1864. Rejoined Regiment at Vicksburg, Miss., February, 1864.

Regiment lost during service 3 Officers and 40 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 220 Enlisted men by disease. Total 264.

Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1331-2


Sunday, July 28, 2019

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 162. Report of Lieut. Col. Edwin Moore, Twenty-first Missouri Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 162.

Report of Lieut. Col. Edwin Moore, Twenty-first Missouri Infantry,
of operations December 15-16, 1864.

HDQRS. TWENTY-FIRST MISSOURI INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,   
Near Nashville, Tenn., December 21, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Twenty-first and detachment Twenty-fourth Missouri Infantry Volunteers in the battle of Nashville, Tenn.

About 7 a.m. on the 15th instant the command moved from its intrenched position and formed in rear of the brigade as a reserve. An advance soon commenced. After marching about one mile and a half came under the enemy's artillery fire; remained in position until about 3 p.m.; again advanced. About 4 p.m. the general advance was made, the command executing the movements of the brigade; the enemy retired and the command went into camp. On the following morning, about 7 o'clock, the command moved in the same order as on the previous day. After advancing about one mile and a half were ordered to the front to support the Ninth Indiana Battery. About fifty men engaged the enemy's skirmishers. After remaining about an hour the brigade moved up to our position and the command was again ordered in reserve. Remained until the general assault was made, then moved forward; was held and ordered to wait the advance of the reserve line on the left. In about twenty minutes advanced, and joined the brigade about one mile and a half to the front and went into camp with it.

Casualties: Davis Goodwin, private, Company D, Twenty-first Missouri Volunteer Infantry, slightly wounded.

I have the honor to be, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

EDWIN MOORE,     
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.
Lieut. SAMUEL D. SAWYER,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 479

Friday, October 26, 2018

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 113. Report of Lieut. Col. Isaac R. Sherwood, One hundred and eleventh Ohio Infantry, of operations November 21-December 5, 1864.


No. 113.

Report of Lieut. Col. Isaac R. Sherwood, One hundred and eleventh Ohio Infantry,
of operations November 21-December 5, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS 111TH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,  
Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864.

SIR: In accordance with orders I have the honor to submit the following report of my command from the 21st of November to date:

On the 21st of November my command left Johnsonville, on the Tennessee River: and came on cars about forty miles on the Nashville and Northwestern Railroad. At this point we found a train of cars burning upon the track. By order of General Ruger I unloaded my command from the cars and set them clearing wreck. Remained here until 10 p.m. 22d, when, after clearing track and relaying a portions, we proceeded to Nashville, from thence by railroad to Columbia, where we arrived at 3 a.m. of the 23d. Remained in the vicinity of Columbia until the night of the 27th, frequently changing position and building some seven lines of breast-works. On the night of the 27th we crossed to north bank of Duck River, and went into position at daylight on the 28th on the right of the railroad. Went with right wing of my regiment down Duck River two miles to guard a ford. Skirmished some with cavalry, losing one man mortally wounded. On the 29th I received orders to remain with my regiment until dark guarding the railroad bridge across Duck River and the fords, the balance of the command having moved out on Franklin pike. Skirmished considerably during the day, losing two men, one mortally wounded, the other severely. On the evening of the 29th I concentrated my command, One hundred and eleventh Ohio and seventy-five men of the Twenty-fourth Missouri Infantry, and started out without a guide to find the Franklin pike. Struck the pike at 10 p.m. and reached Franklin at noon on the 30th, making a march from the ford on Duck River of twenty-four miles. On the morning of the 30th the rebel cavalry attacked our wagon train, drove off our cavalry, and were making for the train. My regiment drove them off, losing one man severely wounded in the neck. Upon arriving at Franklin I was assigned a position on the left of the brigade. We threw up temporary breast-works, which were not completed when our skirmishers were driven in and the rebels in three lines came up on our front. They were repulsed in my front and on the right, but the regiment on my immediate left gave back, and for a moment I feared the line was lost. I ordered my regiment to “fix bayonets and stand by the works,” which they did. At this juncture Capt. P. H. Dowling came up, and by great exertion succeeded in rallying a portion of the broken line, brought them forward, and retook a portion of the works on my immediate left. The fighting was incessant on my left and in front until midnight, and most of my guns became so hot that they could scarcely be handled. At midnight, in accordance with orders, I brought my regiment off the field with the balance of the brigade. Marched the balance of the night, and the next day, December 1, reached Nashville at 2 p.m., where we have since been in position.

In the engagement at Franklin all my officers and men behaved to my entire satisfaction. A list of casualties, in accordance with orders, has been placed in the hands of Doctor Brewer, brigade surgeon.

Losses — killed, 12; wounded, 40; missing, 2; total, 54.

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
ISAAC R. SHERWOOD,     
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.
Capt. HENRY A. HALE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 387-8

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 108. Reports of Col. Orlando H. Moore, Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations November 21-30 and December 15-16, 1864.

No. 108.

Reports of Col. Orlando H. Moore, Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations November 21-30 and December 15-16, 1864.

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., SECOND DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS,                     
Nashville, Tenn.: December 8, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of my brigade since leaving Johnsonville, Tenn.:

On the morning of November 21 the One hundred and eleventh Ohio Infantry started by rail, in accordance with orders from the general commanding the division, for Columbia, Tenn., and on the 23d of November four other regiments of my brigade, with my headquarters, took cars at Johnsonville and proceeded by way of Nashville to Columbia, arriving at 2.30 a.m. on the 24th. The troops were immediately disembarked and massed on the hill near the fort. At 9 a.m. I received orders to move my brigade out upon the Mount Pleasant pike, and placed it in position, with one regiment on the right of the Hampshire pike, having its right wing at the mill on Little Bigby Creek and the left wing near the Hampshire pike where it crosses the creek. At 8 p.m., in accordance with orders from the general commanding the division, I moved the brigade across the pike, having its left rest upon it, with the right at the Little Bigby Creek mill, and one regiment, One hundred and eighteenth Ohio Infantry, on the bank of the creek about half a mile farther to the right. The troops remained in this position throwing up breast-works until near midnight of the 25th, when I was ordered to move by the right flank to Duck River railroad bridge. Owing to the extreme darkness of the night, and having to move through a dense wood without reads, there was some irregularity in this movement. The brigade arrived at the bridge at daylight. Here the brigade was put in position, with its right across the railroad near Duck River, and its left near the road leading from the ford near the railroad bridge to Columbia. They were immediately set to work throwing up earth-works, covering nearly three times their front. I threw out a strong picket-line at night, and during the night withdrew my brigade across Duck River, and on the morning of 28th placed the brigade in position on the high ground near the river, with my left resting near the railroad, and right near the riverbank, with two regiments in reserve. One-half of the One hundred and eleventh Ohio Infantry, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sherwood, was sent two miles down the river to guard a ford. The brigade threw up a strong line of earth-works and held the position until the morning of the 29th. At this place considerable skirmishing was kept up, resulting in the loss of a few men in my brigade.

At 9 a.m. on the 29th I was ordered to move with my brigade, following the Third Brigade, leaving the One hundred and eleventh Ohio Infantry to occupy the works and rejoin the brigade at midnight. Shortly before reaching Spring Hill I was ordered to place one regiment on the right flank of Third Brigade, which was then advancing in line of battle. I sent out the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, Colonel Spaulding. In taking his position he came suddenly upon the enemy's pickets, and captured an adjutant-general belonging to Cheatham's (rebel) corps. The remainder of my brigade was formed in line of battle across the road, forming a second line, and advancing in this order until after dark, halting near town for a short time, when I received orders to march on the Franklin pike, with one regiment thrown out as an advance guard. Halted at midnight and put the brigade in position to cover the cross-roads near Thompson's Station. Marched again at 2 a.m. on the 30th, arriving at Franklin at 7 a.m.

On the morning of the 30th the One hundred and eleventh Ohio Infantry, with a detachment of Twenty-fourth Missouri Infantry, repulsed an attack made by rebel cavalry upon our wagon train, losing one man wounded; they then resumed the march, arriving at Franklin at 12 m., and were put in position on the left of my brigade. I put my brigade position, under the direction of the general commanding the division, with its right resting on the Centerville pike, and left on the northwest slope of the hill near the Columbia pike, on the west side of the town, and immediately commenced in trenching the position. The line occupied by the brigade was so long that I found it impossible to fill it properly with my brigade, and applied to the general commanding the division for more troops, and received a company of fifty men of One hundred and eighty-third Ohio Infantry, which I put in position between the left of Twenty-third Michigan and right of One hundred and twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, near the center of my line. The officers and men were very much exhausted, having been worked night and day for several days previous, and not having enjoyed a night's rest since leaving Johnsonville, yet they went to work cheerfully and threw up a strong line of works. At noon I received orders to make a detail of six officers and 175 men for picket. These were posted under the direction of Major Huston, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, field officer of the day. There was very little skirmishing in my front, but at 4 p.m. the enemy advanced his troops in three lines of battle, driving in the pickets and pushing boldly up to the works, evidently hoping to carry them with ease, but he was met by a firm line and driven back in confusion. The men of my brigade stood to their works without flinching, but the company of One hundred and eighty-third Ohio Infantry which I had placed near the center of my line gave way. After another charge the troops on the immediate left of my line left their works, and the enemy occupied them, flanking the One hundred and eleventh Ohio Infantry, which was on the left of my brigade. At this juncture I ordered two companies of the Eightieth Indiana Infantry to the left to support the line, and gave orders to flank the whole brigade, if necessary, in order to close the breach made to the left of my line, and then ordered the Second Pennsylvania Battery, which was in position on the right of my line, to turn their guns from the embrasures to the left and fire upon the ridge upon the left flank of my brigade, and shell the rebel columns which were massing to charge that point. This was done with good effect. At this juncture Capt. P. H. Dowling, acting assistant inspector-general on my staff, rode forward, placed the troops in position, and endeavored to rally the troops, which had been driven back from the works, and by his heroic bravery and unsurpassed gallantry succeeded in driving the enemy from the front of the works, and saved the troops from a defeat which otherwise would have been inevitable. It was an important movement, which Captain Dowling fully appreciated, and under the most terrible fire of the enemy he nobly and gallantly cheered forward the officers and men to victory, receiving a severe wound in the arm. Too much cannot be said in praise of Captain Dowling for his important and gallant services.

I will also here state that the gallant manner in which Capt. H. A. Hale, assistant adjutant-general, Lieut. J. D. Bolles, aide-de-camp, Lieut. W. H. Clements, aide-de-camp, and other members of my staff, discharged their duties, under the hottest fire of the enemy, was worthy of the highest commendation.

The enemy made repeated charges at short intervals with fresh troops until late at night, nearly every time reaching the works at some point in my line. The many hand-to-hand encounters over the works are strongly attested by the number of bayonet wounds received by the men. The enemy succeeded in planting his colors twice upon the works of the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, and the colors of the One hundred and seventh Illinois Infantry were seized by a rebel, who was killed in attempting to carry them away. The colors were recovered by a private of the regiment named Bailey Walker, a member of Company G, who went over the works and brought them back.

During one of these charges Lieutenant-Colonel Lowry, commanding One hundred and seventh Illinois Infantry, received a mortal wound in the head. He had distinguished himself throughout the action by his coolness and bravery. Though at other times a man of very quiet and even temperament, he displayed on this occasion great activity, at all times regardless of personal danger. By his strenuous efforts, he contributed largely to the success of the day. His loss is deeply felt by all who knew him, and particularly in his own command, where he was best known.

The distinguished professional services of L. A. Brewer, brigade surgeon, during this battle, were highly appreciated, not only in his careful treatment of the wounded, but in his patriotic efforts in cheering the soldiers to nobly do their duty.

The following is a list of the casualties in my brigade:

Report of casualties in Second Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps.

Command.
Killed.
Wounded.
Missing.
Total.
Aggregate.
O
M
O
M
O
M
O
M
Brigade headquarters


1



1

1
2nd Michigan Infantry
1
1

13

3
1
17
18
80th Indiana Infantry



6



6
6
129th Indiana Infantry

4
1
12

1
1
17
18
111th Ohio Infantry
1
11
4
30

8
5
49
54
118th Ohio Infantry.

1

5



6
6
107th Illinois Infantry
1
1
2
15


3
16
19
     Total
3
18
8
81

12
11
111
122
[O = Officers  M=Men]

Respectfully submitted.
ORLANDO H. MOORE,     
Colonel Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry, Comdg. Brigade.
 Lieut. S. H. HUBBELL,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Division, 23d Army Corps.
_______________

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., SECOND DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS,                     
In the Field, December 22, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my brigade in the battles of the 15th and 16th instant near Nashville, Tenn.:

I broke camp on the morning of the 15th, and had my command in readiness to move at 5 a.m., in pursuance of orders received from the general commanding the division the previous evening. Marched at 9 a.m., following Harvey's battery across the Franklin and Granny White pikes; halted near the Hardin pike and formed line of battle in rear of the First Brigade; remained in this position until 1 p.m., when I received orders to move by the right flank, conforming to the movements of the First Brigade, and moved to the right of General Smith's line. The lines were advanced a short distance, when the enemy opened fire upon us -with artillery and infantry. I was ordered to move my brigade on the left of the First Brigade and then charged the enemy. The enemy's artillery was soon captured by the troops on my right, and his infantry routed. The troops moved on in disorder, owing to the roughness of the ground and the rapidity with which they advanced. The enemy made very little resistance; many of them were captured, and the rest fled in confusion. After following them nearly a mile I halted my command, formed line of battle in an advanced position, and, as night was setting in, threw up a line of breast-works and occupied the position during the night, my line connecting with the First Brigade on the right and General Smith's command on the left. Two of my regiments, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry and One hundred and twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, were sent, by direction of the general commanding the division, to the right of the division during the night. On the morning of the 16th the line was moved a short distance to the right to close an interval, and remained in the position until 3 p.m. The One hundred and eleventh and One hundred and eighteenth Regiments Ohio Infantry were moved out on the right of General Smith's command for the purpose of supporting the lines in making the charge upon the enemy's works. The lines were advanced across the Granny White pike, following the enemy, and halted a little before dark. My brigade massed in the woods about one mile in advance of the position occupied the night previous.

Two stand of colors and about 200 prisoners were captured by my brigade on the 15th instant.
The following is a report of casualties:

Command.
Killed.
Wounded.
Missing.
Aggregate.
O
M
O
M
O
M
111th Ohio Volunteer Infantry

1

7

1
9
23d Michigan Volunteer Infantry.


1
8


9
118th Ohio Volunteer Infantry


1
5


6
107th Illinois Volunteer Infantry


1



1
129th Indiana Volunteer Infantry



6


6
80th Indiana Volunteer Infantry

1

3


4
Total(*)

2
3
29

1
35
[O = Officers  M=Men]

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ORLANDO H. MOORE,     
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
Lieut. S. H. HUBBELL,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Division.
_______________

* But see revised table, p. 99.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 378-82

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Missouri State Monument: Shiloh National Military Park


UNION ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE

2nd. Division 2nd. Brigade
13th. Mo. Col. Crafts Wright
14th. Mo. Birge Sharp Shooters
Col. B. Compton
1st. Mo. Light Artillery
Batty. D Capt. Henry Richardson
Batty. H Capt. Frederick Welker
Batty. K Capt George Stone

3rd. Division
1st. Brigade Col. Morgan Smith, 8th. Mo.
8th. Mo. Lt. Col. James Peckham
1st. Mo. Light Artillery
Batty. I Lt. Charles Thurber

4th. Division 1st. Mo. Light Artillery
Mann’s Battery C. Lt. Edward Brotzmann

6th. Division 1st. Brigade
Col. E. Peabody, Lt. Col. H. Woodyard
21st. Mo. Col. David Moore
24th. Mo. Lt. Col. Robert Vanhorn
2nd. Brigade Col. Madison Miller 18th. Mo.
18th. Mo. Lt. Col. Issac Pratt
Unattached Infantry 23rd. Mo.
Col. Jacob Tindall, Lt. Co. Quin Morton


CONFEDERATE ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI

Reserve Corps 2nd. Brigade
1st. Mo. Col. Lucius Rich


MISSOURI


[Inscribed on the back:]

IN MEMORY OF HER SONS WHO FOUGHT AND DIED TO PRESERVE THOSE FREEDOMS IN WHICH THEY BELIEVED

BATTLE OF SHILOH
APRIL 6TH AND 7TH 1862

Saturday, May 5, 2012

The Retreat And Pursuit Of Price


INTERESTING DETAILS.

(Special Correspondence of the Missouri Democrat.)

“CROSS HOLLOWS,” ARK.
Feb. 25th, 1862

I left Springfield at 1 o’clock, p.m., Friday last and reached here Sunday at 5 p.m. having traveled 90 miles in that time.  Everywhere on our route was seen the devastation caused by the march of armies.  From the battle field of Wilson’s Creek to Cassville, I should judge that one half of the dwellings and barns were burned by Price and McCullough when Fremont was supposed to be in pursuit.  The remaining half of the tenements were deserted by Union men last season, who have since been fugitives in Rolla, St. Louis, and throughout Illinois.  These Dwellings were frequently occupied by straggling soldiers, who were very hospitable in offering the traveler the best bed in the house, to-wit: the floor.  This side of Cassville, among the Sugar Creek defiles, we saw where McCullough, in his flight last fall, had a detail of 500 men to fell trees for a distance of several miles across the road to prevent pursuit.  This barricade was eventually removed by the rebels themselves for their own convenience.  The few country people met with on the way gave full particulars of the picket fighting between Curtis’ advance and the rebel rear, as over

“The rugged road the rascals ran.”

Many gallant exploits occurred, and I found our troops, officers and men, exulting over the achievements of the famous retreat and pursuit.  I have obtained from our officers the following brief account of the events up to the Sugar Creek affair:


THE RETREAT AND PURSUIT.

In leaving Springfield, General Price undoubtedly supposed he could make good his retreat without molestation, thinking, most likely, that General Curtis would be so much pleased with the recapture of the town, and that he would remain several days and glorify.  In fact, many of our own officers and men expected as a matter of course the army would halt some time.  But Price had “reckoned without his host,” and our officers did not yet understand their leader.  The same night of our arrival came orders to march at daybreak the following morning, the divisions of Generals Sigel and Asboth taking the Mt. Vernon road, while those of Generals Jeff. C. Davis and Carr took the direct route to Cassville.  Pushing rapidly forward, twelve o’clock of that day found the latter divisions passing the famous battlefield of “Wilson’s Creek, where the enemy had bivouacked the night previous, leaving only that morning.  Here their camp fires were still burning, much of the meat that had been killed for the troops lying about uncooked with every evidence of having left “in something of a hurry.”

The enthusiasm of our troops as they passed this famous place, cannot be described.  All around us were the graves of our own friends, who had sacrificed themselves for the cause; in advance the same identical enemy that murdered Lyon.  All felt that it would have been a pleasure to fight the rebels on the same spot. – Marching on, six o’clock brought us to Dug Springs, where we were preparing to bivouac when a messenger announced that our cavalry had overtaken the enemy, and urging the infantry forward.  Hunger, fatigue and all was forgotten.  Onward we pushed, never halting until twelve o’clock that night.  The division of Gen. Davis was in the advance with the cavalry of Col. Ellis and Major McConnell.  The enemy it seems, had halted on Cane Creek, and here were captured quite a number of prisoners. – First was the rebel. Col. Freeman, who so well known as the marauderer [sic] at Salem, below Rolla.  Our pickets were close upon the enemy’s camp, and Freeman’s horse, escaping from him, ran up the road followed by the colonel.  In a very few moments he was on his way to headquarters. – Soon after came a dapper little Major, walking right up to our pickets and asking if they could show him Gen. Price’s headquarters.  “Certainly” was the reply, and in a trice he was before Gen. Curtis.  Afterwards our men captured an engineer and several other commissioned officers.

Had not the night been so terribly dark, it is more than likely Gen. Curtis would have attacked the enemy, but he determined not to be drawn into an ambuscade.  The troops lay on their arms awaiting the break of day.  At an early hour, February 15th, the column moved forward but during the night Price had again fled, leaving a large proportion of his camp equipage, and a number of wagons.  During that day the chase was very exciting, there being constant skirmishing between our advance and his rear guard. – The road was strewn with broken wagons, dead and dying mules and horses, and every conceivable kind of goods.  At four o’clock in the afternoon, the booming of cannon notified us that Price had made a stand.  The Dubuque battery was pushed forward, and for an hour we had a fine artillery fight.  By the time our infantry got up, the enemy had precipitately fled.  On the 16th inst. we pushed on, finding many evidences of the hasty flight in that day’s march.  During the afternoon our cavalry again overtook the rebels at Cross Timbers, and here was made a gallant charge by Col. Harry Pease and forty men.  Coming on the enemy’s picket they drove it in, dashing at once into the very midst of his camp.  One of our men, a lieutenant of Cavalry, was wounded and five or six horses killed.  The enemy’s loss was much greater. – This charge was really one of the most brilliant things that occurred on the route.  On the 17th inst. we had several skirmishes and at last discovered the enemy in position on the south side of Sugar Creek.  Taking it altogether, the flight of Price, and our pursuit, will form one of the most interesting passages in the history of the war.  Missouri has been freed from the rebels, and the war transferred to Dixie.


THE CAVALRY CHARGE AT SURGAR CREEK.

At Sugar Creek we visited the gallant sufferers wounded near that point in the affair of the 17th, when the cavalry charge was made, which in some respects was as brilliant as any made during the war.  The accounts of the skirmish received at Springfield were in some particulars erroneous.  The valley through which Sugar Creek pursues its meandering course is nearly half a mile in width at Trott’s Store.  From the brow of the opposite ridges the distance is somewhat more, and the road winds.  Skirmishing between the pickets of the two armies occurred during the morning when Price moved out of sight beyond the brown of the southwestern hills.  His army, as was since ascertained, then formed in two lines on both sides of the road, and two Louisiana regiments under command of Col. Louis Herbert, which had arrived from Cross Hollows to reinforce Price, marched with their batteries, determined to give us a warm reception.  Two of the enemy’s cannon were planted on the brow of the hill overlooking sugar creek, and their pieces were also ranged along the road, about two hundred yards apart, for half a mile or more.  These pieces had prolongs attached, indicating that a running fight was intended in case of pursuit.

In the meantime our cavalry formed on the opposite side of the valley and marched across the creek to a point near Trott’s store and halted.  The enemy then opened fire from their batteries.  One shot fell short, and a shell exploded over the heads of our men stationed on the opposite hill doing no damage.  Capt. Haydin, of the 9th Iowa battery, answered the enemy’s fire from the opposite bluff, throwing three shells from a howitzer with such good effect that the enemy were forced to fall back with their battery.  Gen. Curtis then ordered the cavalry to move up the hill and charge on the retreating foe.  The order was gallantly obeyed by Col. Ellis, in command of the First Missouri Cavalry, followed by Major Wright, leading his battalion and Major McConnell, with the third battalion of the Third Illinois Cavalry.  The whole force of our cavalry making the attack numbered some 800.  Gaining the brow of the hill it was ascertained that they had fallen back over a mile to an open field, where their battery was again stationed, and the enemy in force formed in line.

Our cavalry, regardless of danger, plunged forward to the charge on the enemy’s position, mostly screened by the intervening woods. – Nothing could have withstood the impetuosity of such a charge, and not our advance, led by Col. Ellis, when debouching from the woods into the open field, been met by a murderous fire poured in upon their ranks from behind the trees.  Our loss was severe in killed and wounded at this point.  Inevitable destruction, without a chance to resist so galling a fire, caused our brave me to recoil, when Col. Ellis, with great coolness and presence of mind ordered his men to right and left and scour the woods.  The order was obeyed with telling effect on the enemy, many of whom were cut down behind their places of concealment and the rest fled. – Meantime, Major McConnell, with his battalion left the road, and deploying to the left advanced on the enemy’s line, while majors Wright and Boliver performed the same manoeuvre on the right.

Two regiments of infantry arrived to support the cavalry, and formed in line.  Col. Phelps’s regiment deployed on the left of the road, and Lieut. Col. Herron, with the Ninth Iowa deployed on the right.  Capt. Hayden, of the Dubuque battery, answered the enemy’s batteries, which had opened upon our advancing columns, with a brisk fire.  The cannonading was kept up for a few minutes, when the enemy precipitately fled, taking away most of his killed.  Other regiments were coming into the field to take part in the ball.  Among the latter was the Fourth Iowa; the men anxious for the fray had pulled off their coats and threw them aside.  There is little doubt that if the rebels had been followed up closely, the rout would have been complete and no time would have been given to them to burn their barracks at Cross Hollows.  As I have given a list so far as ascertained of our killed and wounded, it is unnecessary to repeat it.

The Col. Herbert who commanded the rebel brigade was the gentleman of California notoriety, who slew the waiter at Willard’s Hotel, a few years since.  The other Confederate Colonels under him in the fight were McRae and McNair.  Several Instances of daring are mentioned, which I have not time to relate.  Among the badly wounded is J. A. Edwards, of Company H, Eighth Indiana.  He belonged to the infantry, but getting possession of a horse was the foremost in the fight, running the gauntlet of the leaden hail which poured in upon him from the timber, without quailing.  He got ahead of the cavalry, and was cut off by the enemy.  He is wounded in the elbow, and his thigh badly shattered.

The hospital steward of the 3rd Illinois Cavalry (Baker) had is horse shot down.  He fell with the horse, dismounted and leaped upon another horse in the melee, and rushed forward on the enemy with renewed vigor.  Like Edwards, he had no business in the fight, but nothing could keep him from pushing to the front and have a “hand” in.

A man belonging to the Dubuque battery had his horse’s head taken off by a cannon ball. – He was leaning forward at the moment, and the ball passed just above him, doing no injury.

In passing where the battle raged the hottest, we noticed the carcasses of some twenty dead horses strewn along the road.


A SCENE OF DESOLATION.

The inhabitants along the route from Cassville to this point were told by Price’s army that the Northern troops were marching down and were burning all the Houses, ravishing the women and killing the children.  These ignorant people, it seems, believed the silly tale, and the result is that a general stampede took place.  Men procured teams, gathered up what little valuables could be carried along, and taking their families abroad, deserted their homes. – Only three men were found in Cassville when our army arrived.

Lieut.-Col. Holland, of the 24th Missouri, left in command of the post, sent word to these people that they should not be molested, nor even required to take the oath.  Several of the terror-stricken inhabitants returned and satisfied themselves that we were not the kind of barbarians as represented to be by our remorseless enemies.

At Keetsville nearly all the inhabitants fled. – From that point to Cross Hollows about two thirds of the inhabitants on the road have deserted their dwellings.  In several houses the tables were spread for breakfast, and in the hurry of flight were thus left.  The wash tub was seen filled with water on the back of the chair, indicating that the hegira occurred, as it actually did, on “washing day.”  I took a survey of a very respectable looking frame dwelling thus deserted.  The doors were ajar, the clock on the mantle-piece had ceased ticking, feather beds were piled in the center of the floor, all sorts of furniture were scattered about and not a sound was heard but the mewing of a cat.  An air of lonesome, heart-sick desolation prevailed.  One large dwelling was recently burned down, and the ruins were still smoking.  Surely the leaders in this cursed civil war will have much to answer for.


STAMPEDE FROM CROSS HOLLOWS.

The stampede of these deluded people was exceeded by the hurry of the rebel army, to get away.

Camp Benjamin, located in a beautiful place three miles west of Cross Hollows, in the principal valley, had 108 commodious huts erected with chimneys in the center.  The rebels burned all but five, and in the hurry of their flight left thirty game cocks; some of those brandished silver spurs.  Their best fighting material was thus evidently left behind.  A book containing the general orders, and a quantity of brass knuckles were also left behind by the chivalry. It is a wonder to our troops why the two grist mills at this point were not fired.


AN OLD HECTOR MAKES HIS APPEARANCE.

Ben. McCulloch arrived from Ft. Smith the day before the fight, at Sugar Creek, but did not participate in any part of the action, except the retreat.  He insisted on making a stand at Cross Hollows, but Price objected.  His habit of running is so inveterate as to become in all respects a “second nature.”


OUR LOCATION.

Our line extends ten miles.  The right, under Sigel, resting on the Osage Springs, and the left under Col. Carr, extending to Camp Benjamin, Col. Carr’s headquarters ate at Cross Hollows.  The region east, eighteen miles, to War Eagle Creek, is broken, intersected by but few paths, rendering it impracticable for an enemy to turn our left, so that our position at present, with one half the force, would be considered perfectly secure.


THE UNION FEELING.

Benton county was nearly unanimously opposed to the calling of the Convention, which carried, by a juggle, the State over to the Confederates, and it has been stated that a suppressed Union feeling generally prevails.  From the fact that the Union sentiment has received no encouragement from the Government for so long a period, it came very nearly being squelched out but constant rebel pressure.  But as this pressure is being lifted like a dark fog from a meadow, the friends of the glorious old Union once more are seen flourishing in the sunbeams. – Confidence in our cause is being restored, and people are coming in daily to report themselves.  Four citizens from Fayetteville visited our camp yesterday, and reported to head quarters.  I have no doubt that the refugees who lately fled on our approach will return to their homes, to gain back under the protection of the Stars and Stripes, and the reign of law and order.


A COURT MARTIAL.

In order to restore confidence in our honor and justice, everything savoring of pillage and the wanton destruction of property by an unlicensed soldiery should be severely punished by the strong arm of military power.

In this connection, I may mention that great satisfaction is generally expressed in the promptness in which General Curtis has convened a court martial for the trial of the misguided persons who wickedly set fire to Bentonville.  Unless this was done, the act of some few reckless individuals would cause a stigma to rest on our army, difficult to eradicate from the minds of the very sensitive people of this State.


A RECONNOITERING EXPEDITION.

General Asboth was sent last Saturday on a reconnoitering expedition to Fayetteville with the cavalry.  The grist mills and half a dozen other buildings were destroyed by Price when passing through.  The inhabitants expressed a wish that our troops would occupy the place. – From a Fayetteville paper of the 15th there is no indication of the advance of the Union army.  Gen. Asboth has hoisted the stars and stripes, and calls for reinforcements.


ANOTHER RECONNOITERING PARTY.

Col. Dodge made a visit with a small squad of cavalry to the War Eagle Creek, eighteen miles east.  Several fine mills were found.  The owner of Von Winkle’s mill, an Eastern man, was killed by the secesh, and his wife had been detained a prisoner.  The shaft of this mill was broken by the rebels, but Blackburn’s and Winsel’s mills were in running order.  Five thousand bushels of corn were found in the latter.


EXTENSION HERE OF TELEGRAPH LINE.

The telegraph poles between Springfield and Fayetteville are standing.  When the line is finished to the former place, it will be evident that it ought to be continued to this point, thereby putting us in this out of the way point at present, in direct communication with St. Louis.


A TRANSFER.

I am informed that Col. Boyd and the Twenty-Fourth Missouri will return to Rolla to garrison that post, and that General Wyman will come forward with the gallant Thirteenth Illinois regiment.


A SIGN.

Several Regiments have sent back for their tents and camp equipage.  This an indication that we have taken hold of the rebel plow and do not design to turn our back to the great work before us.


A REIGN OF TERROR.

Two intelligent women arrived at Colonel Carr’s headquarters last evening.  They left home south of Fayetteville, five days since, and represent that their husbands were Union men who fled to avoid being pressed into rebel service.  The threat was made that the wives of such who favor the union cause would be hung, and many of these poor women were trying to make their escape from the threatened doom.  The day before these women left home there were five Union men handed at Hewett’s Mill.

The women were piloted through to our lines by an intelligent contraband, the trusty slave of their father.  This negro says that the retreat of Price was preceded by dispatches sent ahead calling every citizen to arms.  A perfect reign of terror prevails.  Committees were appointed to hang every man refusing to join the rebel army.  People were removing their provisions to the woods and burying them and fleeing in large numbers to the mountains.  By a recent act no negro must be found beyond his master’s premises under pain of thirty-nine lashes administered on his bare back.  A few weeks since, five negroes caught fishing together in a stream twelve miles from Fayetteville, were hung, and their bird pecked carcasses can be seen swinging in the air to this day as a warning to others.

The negroes are told that the Northern abolitionists are trying to get them in their power for the purpose of transporting them to Cuba.  This negro says that the war has made the Southern men “mighty temperate,” none but the vilest of corn whisky can be procured. – The “quality” are suffering headache from being deprived of their accustomed beverage, coffee.  Sassafras tea, used as a substitute sweetened with sorghum, was not generally relished.  Coffee in Fayetteville held at 50 cents a pound, and none could be had even at that price.  Sheeting and shirting was worth one dollar a yard.  The Negro made a statement to General Curtis, and gave the latter a plan showing the roads through the Boston Mountains.  Full confidence is placed in his statement.  The two women and negro were sent forward to Springfield.

FAYEL.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 3