Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Tuesday, April 1, 1862

Two gun-boats and three transports came up and landed some troops at Eastport and Chickasaw, after firing a few shots at the former place. There was a picket guard from our battalion at the latter place. One of our picket reported to Colonel McNairy, while the others withdrew to a neighboring hill, from which they could watch the movements of the Federals. About dark the battalion mounted and moved out in the direction of Chickasaw. The advance guard, having gone on to the river, and finding that the Federal boats, after taking the troops aboard again, had been withdrawn, met the battalion two miles from the river. So we all returned to camps without a fight.

Our camp was moved out near the Bear Creek bridge.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 139

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Tuesday, March 18, 1862

McNairy's Battalion drew five months' pay, from the 1st of August to December 31st, 1861. Each private drew twenty-four dollars per month. There were quite a number of troops camped near Decatur, but they were being rapidly conveyed by rail to Corinth, Mississippi.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 137

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Thursday, March 20, 1862

Statham's Brigade (except McNairy's Battalion*) with their baggage left by rail for Corinth, Mississippi.

The wagons belonging to the two brigades did not go through by rail, but were taken through by their teams. After a march of about twenty miles McNairy's Battalion camped for the night in a beautiful lot within four miles of Courtland.

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* Our battalion had been with the above named brigade about six months, but we were here separated from the true, the noble, and the BRAVE soldiers who composed that brigade to be united with them no more during the war. Perhaps there were but few, if any, better brigades in the Confederate service than Zollicoffer's, and afterward Statham's Brigade.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 137

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Friday, February 21, 1862

They finished crossing the river. The other four companies of McNairy's Battalion crossed also.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 133

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Saturday, February 22, 1862

McNairy's Battalion took up the line of March again, following the division in the direction of Murfreesboro. As it rained nearly all day, and brother Ben was unwell, he and I remained at one Mr. Coffee's, where we had been boarding for several days.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 133

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Friday, February 28, 1862

Crittenden's Division, to which McNairy's Battalion still belonged, took up the line of march again for Corinth Mississippi. Passing on through Murfreesboro, we went into camps about ten miles beyond, on the Shelbyville pike. Johnston also put the rest of his command in motion southward.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 135

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Thursday, February 13, 1862

Captain Allison's Company crossed Caney Fork at Trousdale's Ferry. Thirteen more of his company joined him. The rest of McNairy's Battalion moved from Chestnut Mound down to where Colonel Statham's Brigade was camping on the east side of Caney Fork.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 132

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Sunday, February 16, 1862

By daylight all of Colonel Statham's Brigade had crossed Caney Fork except a few wagons. Before night General Carroll's Brigade, except two regiments (Stanton's¹ and Murray's, that were yet behind), had crossed. Four companies of McNairy's Battalion were still on the east side of Caney Fork waiting for those other two regiments.

Seven regiments of Crittenden's Division had crossed and moved out in the direction of Nashville by the way of Lebanon. Allison's company was still boarding among the citizens near Trousdale's Ferry.

The following explains itself:

HEADQUARTERS Western DEPARTMENT,       

Edgefield, February 17th, 1862.

 

Major-General Crittenden, Commanding Chestnut Mound:

 

General Johnston directs you to move your command to Murfreesboro (instead of Nashville) without delay. Press all the wagons you need. Fort Donelson has fallen, and General Floyd's army is captured after a gallant defense.

 

Respectfully,

W. W. MACKALL.²

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¹ Stanton belonged to Statham's Brigade.

² Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 889.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 132-3

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Wednesday, February 5, 1862

When within five miles of Gainesboro we met the advance of the First Brigade, now under the command of Colonel Statham, going in the direction of Carthage by the way of Chestnut Mound.

Captain Allison, I and four others went on to Gainesboro. There we found General Carroll's Brigade, and Colonel McNairy with a part of our battalion. Colonel McNairy said we had better go back to Mr. Allison's, or in that neighborhood, in order to get forage for our horses. We went back and remained in the Allison neighborhood until [Friday, February 7.]

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 130

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Friday, February 7, 1862

As Colonel Statham passed Mr. Allison's he ordered our company to go on in advance of his brigade toward Carthage. Going six miles, where the brigade camped for the night, we were overtaken with a dispatch from Colonel McNairy ordering us back to Livingston.

Going back to Mr. Allison's, we there met another dispatch from Colonel McNairy ordering us to halt, as the order for our battalion to go to Livingston had been countermanded. So we put up for the night with Mr. Allison. The rest of the battalion passed us, some of them going as far as Chestnut Mound.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 130

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Thursday, January 2, 1862

Colonel McNairy started home on a furlough on account of ill health, leaving Captain Allison in command of the battalion.

Allison received orders to cross the river and report to Zollicoffer's headquarters as soon as his men could cook three days' rations. We did not have three days’ rations, but we cooked what we had, went to the river and commenced crossing, when, on learning that we did not have the requisite amount of rations, Zollicoffer ordered Allison to go back to camps and cook the rations, which he ordered the brigade commissary to furnish. As soon as we had cooked our rations Allison crossed the river and reported to our General that the First Battalion was ready to move. Our Captain soon after returned and reported that the order to cross the river was countermanded.

Mr. Andy Bogle, from Cannon County, Tennessee, came in a carriage after Clabe Francis, a member of Allison's Company, who was sick.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 105

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Wednesday, January 8, 1862

Two companies of Brazelton's Battalion, fifty men from McNairy's, and about five companies of infantry went about ten miles up the south side of the river to guard and load a forage train. While the wagons were being loaded our infantry exchanged a few shots with some Federals who were on the opposite bank of the river, without any damage on our side.

All returned to camp a little after dark with thirty-four wagons loaded with corn and oats.

W. C. Hancock, brother to the writer, and four others from Company E started home on “sick furlough.”

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 107

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Wednesday, December 25, 1861

According to orders from our General, McNairy moved from Camp Hall. Leaving his wagon train and camp equipage two or three hundred yards north of Mr. A. R. West's, and within one mile of Mill Springs, he crossed the river with the main portion of his Battalion, and took headquarters for the night with Branner's Battalion.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 101

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Thursday, December 26, 1861

Zollicoffer had ordered a steamer to ascend the Cumberland to Celina, and if deemed safe to press on to Mill Springs with army stores for his command. In order to make a diversion in favor of this boat Colonel McNairy was ordered to go down the north side of the river in the direction of Burkesville, with his own, Branner's and McClellan's Battalions, in all about six hundred and fifty men. Setting out from Beech Grove, as above directed, with First Battalion, under Captain Allison, in front, McNairy moved at the head of the column until he neared Jamestown, the county seat of Russell County, when, on learning that he would meet the enemy at that place, he halted to hurry up Branner and McClellan, who in the meantime had dropped somewhat behind.

When the head of our battalion got within about two hundred yards of town the enemy opened on us, but without doing any damage except the killing of one man (James Tate, Company B) and one horse belonging to Adamson, who was a member of Allison's Company, and F. W. Horn's horse was wounded and fell. Allison then fell back a short distance and awaited the arrival of McNairy with the other two battalions. As soon as our Colonel came up he ordered one battalion to move round rightward and attack the north side of town, while he would move forward and attack the east side of the place with the other two battalions. A messenger from the battalion moving to the right reported to McNairy that the town could not be approached from that direction. Therefore, as it was now about nightfall, the Colonel withdrew the troops without making an attack. Falling back about two miles, we halted and fed, after which we scattered along the road about four miles further, where we remained till morning

I shall here relate the following incident: Before reaching Jamestown this afternoon, McNairy's groom, “Johnnie,” happened to be riding alone some distance in rear of our battalion, when a gentleman rode up and commenced a conversation with him. Soon learning that his companion was a Federal soldier, Johnnie¹ quickly drew his revolver, saying, “Sir, you are my prisoner.” On marching his prisoner up to the battalion, he proved to be no less than that of a Federal corporal, who had been home on a visit and was on his way back to camps, not knowing or suspecting that there were any Confederates in the neighborhood.

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¹ Johnnie was a white man, but I do not remember his surname.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 101-3

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Friday, December 27, 1861

McClellan's and Branner's Battalions returned to their camps at Beech Grove. Our battalion recrossed the river and went into camps near Mr. West's, where we left our wagon train the 25th.

At nine P. M., Colonel T. E. Bramlette (First Kentucky Infantry), who was at that time in command of General Boyle's Brigade at Columbia, wrote as follows to General Thomas:

The enemy is at Jamestown, eighteen miles from here, some three thousand strong.

He has ascertained the strength and position of Colonel Wolford's camp, and threatens to destroy that before moving further. He has one thousand seven hundred mounted men, armed mostly as infantry.

I would not be surprised if the whole of Zollicoffer's forces were to be on us in two or three days.

We will, however, strike a blow, even if left to ourselves, that shall terrify the rebel hell-hounds wherever they hear of us. Retreat we will not, and if they come upon us we will fight the fight of desperation to win.¹

Notwithstanding McNairy did not go so far down the river as Zollicoffer had instructed him to go, yet it would seem from the above communication that the object of the expedition, at least to some extent, had been accomplished. That is to say, the attention of the Federals had been attracted from the river, and Colonel Bramlette was now holding his brigade in readiness at Columbia, awaiting an attack from Zollicoffer.

The long looked for “reserves” are coming in at last. Colonel William B. Wood, with a battalion of his regiment (Sixteenth Alabama), and Captain H. L. W. McClung, with his battery of artillery (six guns), have arrived. Colonel Samuel Powell's Regiment will be here soon, having started from Knoxville the 24th instant, Colonel Moses White's Regiment, of General Carroll's Brigade, is also on the way from Knoxville.

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¹ Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., P: 517.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 103-4

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Wednesday, December 11, 1861

According to orders previously mentioned, McNairy, having set out from Camp Hall with his battalion early in the morning, got to the river opposite Rowena in advance of the detachment from Beech Grove, and ordered Sergeant McLin to cross the river with Company E and enter the town of Rowena, if he did not meet a superior force. McLin crossed and boldly entered the town with about thirty men dismounted; but he found no organized force of Federals there, and if any home guards were there they did not make any show of resistance. About this time our cavalry from Beech Grove came dashing into Rowena from an opposite direction, and a warm collision was now about to ensue, but both parties happily discovered their mistake just in time to prevent any damage.

After McLin's squad had recrossed the river McNairy destroyed the ferry-boats and canoes which the enemy had collected at that place.

Our Colonel complimented McLin and his followers for having so boldly entered the enemy's town, unsupported, and without knowing any thing about what force they might have met.

I suppose that it was only "home guards" that had been annoying our scouts at Rowena, and that they fled on hearing of the approach of our men.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 95-6

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Monday, December 16, 1861

According to orders from Zollicoffer, McNairy moved his battalion back to Camp Hall, where he remained for about nine days longer.

COMMENTARY.

It would seem that while at Richmond, in the latter part of last month, Major-General George B. Crittenden was directed by President Davis to proceed to East Tennessee, assume command of all the forces under Zollicoffer, and with ten additional regiments, to be furnished by the President, move into Kentucky at once. Accordingly Crittenden arrived at Knoxville and assumed command “about the first day of December.¹

On the 6th he dispatched for the ten regiments,² and on the 8th he received the following from the Secretary of War:

The President desires that you return to Richmond and report to him without delay.³

 On the 13th he was ordered to return to his department, which he did, but without bringing any troops with him.

On the 16th he wrote to the Adjutant and Inspector-General, S. Cooper, at Richmond, as follows:

General Zollicoffer is threatened by a much superior force in front and one nearly equal on his left flank. He has been ordered by me to recross the river.

 

He asks for six pieces, twenty-four pounders or eight inch howitzers. Colonel Powell's regiment has been ordered from the railroad to join Zollicoffer immediately, and Colonel Leadbetter informed, so that he can replace the guard it withdraws.

 

To make General Carroll's brigade effective it is necessary to obtain eight hundred muskets, which are known to be in ordnance office at Memphis. Please order William R. Hunt, ordnance officer at that point, to forward them immediately to this place, subject to my order.⁴

 Three citizens from the vicinity of Auburn, Cannon County, Tennessee—Messrs. Franklin Odom, Henry Dougherty and Hop Kennedy—arrived at Camp Hall in the afternoon of the above date, the 16th. Each of them had sons, and also many other relatives and friends, in Captain Allison's Company. They came to spend a few days with us, and we appreciated and enjoyed their visit very much. Three of our company who had been home on a visit and two recruits came with them.

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¹ Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 763.

² Ibid., p. 740.

³ Ibid., p. 745.

⁴ “So ordered same day.” Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 770.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 98-9

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Wednesday, December 18, 1861

Having received a dispatch from Zollicoffer during the past night stating that Wolford's Cavalry was reported to be crossing the river at Creelsborough, some twenty miles below Camp Hall, McNairy sent a scout in that direction early this morning. On returning to camps, about half after eight P. M., our men reported the rumor to be false.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 100

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Saturday, December 21, 1861

I started to headquarters with a dispatch for Zollicoffer, but, finding Colonel McNairy at Mr. A. R. West's, I put up there for the night, according to orders from the Colonel.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 100

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Sunday, December 22, 1861

Colonel McNairy, Captain Allison and I crossed the river and went to our General's headquarters, which we found in a tent about one mile from the river. It rained nearly all day. We recrossed the river and put up with Mr. West again.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 100