Again I mention the Wisconsin Historical Society for its my play place. In the archives I came across the original letters of Hugh Archie McLaurin of the 7th Mississippi. Almost 30 letters all in his hand, written to his family and all giving great insight into the life of a soldier in Bragg’s army. Tangent-one of the coolest talks about him writing the letter by firside after having eaten. On the upper right corner are greasy fingerprints. Talk about a connection. The letters cover Fall 1862 and his return from a Shiloh face wound to the winter of 1864 and Joe Johnson reforging of the army after the devastation of Bragg and the Chattanooga campaign.
For this, rather lengthy entry, I share three accounts of the days leading up to and the actions on Missionary Ridge on that 25th day of November. The first came from the Museum of Confederacy, where if one is a member, one gets to read transcribed confederate accounts offered up in the Members Only section. In this letter from Sgt. Wood of the 20th Alabama, he describes the hardships those confederates had to deal with. From rations to conditions, you’ll read about a man tired and wanting a break by looking for a recruit so he can get the 40 day furlough. At this time any man who could bring in a new recruit into the army got a 40 day furlough. The second letter is from Archie McLaurin, describing the actions of November 25th. Lastly, and coming from a pard on the Authentic Campaigner website, but so long ago I forgot who offered it, a letter from one of the federals who assaulted the ridge. I tried to find the thread again so to give him credit, but it is gone. Sorry friend. Anyway I think you’ll find the three letters an interesting description to those final Chattanooga days. Enjoy.
Sgt. Woods of the 20th Alabama
Nov 22, 1863
Camp near Chattanooga on Lookout mountain
Dear Brother
We left the valley yesterday morning about 8 am up and come to the Top of the mountain It Rained all night and Half of the Day yesterdays I Hav no Newes wirth Riting to you
Things are quiett Here only a little Shelling Evry Day Between our Batterries and the Yankees We Have considerable the Advantage in Position But the yankees Doo a grate deal the Best Shooting Gen Bragg is having the mountain Well Trenched there is a Detail of Four men Bin made Evry Day for the Last 10 Days and This Morning they call on the companies for Fore More Which will make Eight from a company no doubt in a Short time We Will Be Well Entrench on the mountain on the Side of the mountain There is more or less men Deserts Every Day and goes over to the yanks there Has bin Several from our Brigade Went over in the Last Week I feel somewhat Dissatisfied on the Account of our Men Deserting the South in the time of so much need I look Kind Providence for His Protiction in our Strugle But it makes a man Have His Doupts is a cace like this I Had a Bully? Night her last Nite after [scratched out: &?] getting up on the mountain We Sit in and made a fire and Dried our Blankets and about Nin o.clock we made our Bid Down on the wet ground one Blanket on the Wet Ground with some Pine Straw scattered on it first laid Down and covered With 3 and me and my Bed fellow Slept fine until Sunup and Both of us was congratulating our Selves this morning about Having such a good night Rest and Sleeping so Warm the Way we Soldiers Sleepes so Warm is you can tell mar and Sister one Layes Down and the other Spoones to fit Him it is very cold up Hear now We look for Snow soon Brother if you Hav a good chance Pleas Send me the Shirt you gave me as I am verry much in need of one as I Hav non at all and get a Pretty cool Heare Without one. We get about enough to Eat But the Beefe is verry Poor and the corn Bread is very coarse I Rote to Sisters if there was any Body there that Wanted to come to the Army for you to get Him to come to the 20th Ala Regt
in my name if you can get one to come He can get 50 dollars Bounty and I Will give Him 25 Dollars Besides if you can get one to come He can Hav choice of companies in the Regt and I can get a furlough for Forty Days Gen Bragg Ishued an order that if any Soldier Wold get a Recruit to come and Hav Him mustered in the Servis He Wold then giv Him a furlough for 40 days for that Reason I am {very feint} to get one if you could Be looking anough to get one Hav Him muster in to the Servis and then He can get Transportation to this Place I Hav no Idea that you can get one But you Must get one for that Reason I Rite to you about it Ma I Must close for Want of something to Rite that Wold interrest you my love to Par Mar & Sisters your affectionate Brother
W S Woods
My love to Anee Mary & Sarah Beth and all my friends and connection
Private McLaurin of the 7th Mississippi
Camps near Dalton GA
December 2nd 1863
Dear Sister
I once more have an opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know that I am still in the land of the living. We have had another fight and the yanks have given us a genteel thrashing. I was in the fight but did not get hurt. There was none of our company hurt but there was five captured. Neil Currie, Dan Cupit, John Smith, John Robinson (Robertson), and William Cobb were the ones captured. They were captured on the 24th of Nov. The Yanks began to advance on us on the 23rd and the left wing of our regt was guarding a railroad bridge to the right of where our brigade was stationed. We held them in check until Tuesday morning the 24th and we had to fall back from there and the boys were afraid to get out of the ditch for fear they would be killed. They tried to get me to stay with then and surrender but I told them I was going to risk my chance of getting out. The Yanks were in 150 yard of me when I left the ditch. Driving in full line and as I left they fixed a full volley at me but none of them touched me. We skirmished with them form Monday evening until Wednesday evening and then we were ordered to go back to our brigade and about the time we got back there and began to rest our selves. We looked down the hill and saw the Yanks coming with five lines of battle so we were ordered in our ditches and our regt stayed there until the Yanks whipped our men on the right and got into our ditches and began to fire down the ditches at us. They captured one piece of the battery that belonged to our brigade. I was in 50 yards of the battery when they planted their colors on it. The battery men and the Yanks fought with sticks and rocks and carried out one piece after the Yanks got hold of it and were trying to hold it. I would not have believed this if I had not seen it with my own eyes. But I tell you I am ashamed that I belong to the brigade that I do for it done some of the shakiest fight I ever saw, but I feel that I have done my duty. We left Missionary Ridge Wednesday night or rather we more run away from there before night. I think we had as well as quit and go home for I see no other chance but for us to be whipped. Alex Currie was not in the fight. He had just got back from the hospital and he had no gun so he was sent back to the rear with the wagons. He is the luckiest boy I ever saw. We are camped in about three miles of Dalton Ga and we have all got rested and our mess has killed a big fat hog and we are all doing fine. Well I will close for this time. Hoping to hear from you soon. Give my love to all the family and the same for yourself. From your affectionate brother. Archie
Ps when you write, direct to Dalton GA
Compamy (e) 7th Miss regt
Anderson’s Brigade
Crawfordsville Journal
Thursday, December 10, 1863
Letter from the 86th Regiment
__________________________
Camp 86th Regiment Indiana Vols.
Chattanooga, Tenn, Nov.27, 1863
Editor Journal: - Now that the noise and din of the bloody strife around Chattanooga is over, and I am again quietly resting in the comfortable quarters of our former camp, I will tell you of the part enacted in these engagements by the gallant boys of the 86th.
The 86th and 79th Indiana Regiments were temporarily consolidated into one regiment, under the command of Col. Heftner of the 79th and Col. Dick of the 86th Ind., the consolidation only to last during this battle. On Monday morning our regiment came in off of picket, where we had been on duty for 24 hours. Immediately after dinner we were formed in line and marched out near our picket lines. Our Division was formed in column by Brigades- the 79th and 86th constituting the front line of our brigade. The 19th Ohio, then on picket, advanced as skirmishers, the rest of the brigade coming up to it’s support. Gen. Willich’s brigade was on our right and Gen. Wagner’s on our left. A brisk skirmish fire was kept up by each party as we advanced, and they fell back until within shooting distance of their reserves when they opened quite lively on us. These were gallantly charged and driven about a mile, many of them being captured. Here we established our line, threw up breastworks, fell trees for abates, and held our ground until Wednesday about half past three in the afternoon, when Gen. Sherdian, who had advanced to the left of us, in undertaking to flank and turn the position of the enemy, was so hotly engaged that fears for his safety were entertained, and to relieve him, we were ordered to advance about a half mile farther to the front, and charge a line of rebel breastworks and divert the fire of rebel guns on Missionary Ridge. At the command we advanced in fine order, on the double quick, charged and took that line of enemy defenses, and still charged on and on until the foot of Missionary Ridge was gained, and on up the Ridge still we charged against eight pieces of heavy artillery directly in our front; thirty more pieces of artillery constantly pouring their fire upon us both from the right and left, and Gen. Hardee’s Corps of three entire Divisions in our front, right and left, from behind breastworks pouring their galling fire into us. On up the mountain still charged the noble 86th and 79th. The top of the mountain is at length reached. The enemy stand to their guns that are belching forth their missiles of death. Their infantry rally close behind their breastworks and fill the air with musket-balls. Inch by inch the ground is gained; their firing becomes weaker. Whenever a head is shown above the breastworks it is doomed by the unerring aim of the Indiana riflemen. To our right and left all stop in their charge to know the result of the gallant charge of our boys. Generals hold their breaths and tremble. Gen. Grant, anxiously watching our every movement, says, “they can’t make it.” The enemy rallies to the defense of this fort, and volley after volley of deadly effect is poured upon us. Our boys never falter, they take deadly aim and every trigger pulled is a death knell to some poor rebels soul. Inch by inch our gallant boys crowd upon the ramparts of the enemy! The flag of the 86th floats upon their breastworks and our men are in the fort. Some of the enemy lay flat behind their breastworks, praying for us not to kill them; some fight on until shot down at the muzzles of our rifles; thousands rush over the mountain and down through the woods; while many rush along the brow of the mountain and rally in the next fort still to defeat the possession of the ridge. This fort gained on a charge, our men to the left to assist others is carrying the long range of forts still between us and the river, and for a distance of two miles on still goes the 86th and 79th to contribute their share of the work in hurling from thence the enemy and these forts are only taken in regular succession after the arrival of our regiments. The flag of the 86th being the first flag planted by our troops upon both forts, and the last fort captured on the left in the great battle. Night closes the scene, the entire range of heights known as Missionary Ridge having fallen into our possession, together with 38 pieces of artillery, wagon loads of small arms, and prisoners of every grade in almost countless numbers.
No sooner had our flag been planted upon the first fort which was taken, than Gen. Grant left his seat at Fort Wood and at the top of the speed of his noble war- horse dashed over to the ridge, his first inquiry being to ask whose flag it was that first planted on the fort. He said our charge was the grandest thing of the whole war. The 86th and 79th are now on everybody’s tongue. All are enthusiastic and unbounded in our praise. These two regiments have not only won imperishable renown by their heroic conduct, but they have added new luster to American arms. The most brilliant charge recorded in the annals of history fails to furnish its equal. It must be bore in mind that it was a charge of only four hundred men, over two miles in distance, on the double quick, to a mountain height and then up that steep mountain side, eighteen hundred feet, capturing a fort considered impregnable and garrisoned by men well armed as men could be, and whose numbers exceeded ours as greatly as the position was advantageous for defense. Wednesday night we rested in the fort we had first taken, and remained there quietly until Thursday night about nine o’clock, when we returned to camp. The night after these grand achievements of our arms, the enemy was fleeing southward, applying the torch to every bridge; pontoon, station and store-house, illuminating the vast valley before us with the light of their burning property.
Where all done so well it might seem invidious to particularize individuals who have greatly distinguished themselves , but I cannot forebear mentioning a few whose noble bearing come directly under my notice. Col. Dick of the 86th, and Col. Heftner were all the time in their places, nobly and fearlessly discharging their duty commanding universal admiration by their coolness, decision and tact. Captain W. S. Sims, commanding the color company, was at the head of his men, bravely calling them forward. From the time we commenced the ascent of the mountain, it became evident to all that his conduct here would,, if possible surpass that at Chickamauga. Steadily he led his men forward until their flag was planted on the fort and it in our full possession; when calling them onward, he never ceased his efforts until the last fort, with our regimental flag proudly waving over it, was greeting Fort Wood, he having placed our flag there with his own hands. We returned to the ground selected for us to occupy, having in our possession the Major of the 32nd Arkansas, whom Capt. Sims captured himself, whilst the rebel officer was endeavoring to capture our flag. Never did men do better than the boys of our company. They all done their whole duty. Eli N. Tipton, a brave boy that feared no rebel noise, would have been the first to enter the fort, but fell mortally wounded by a musket shot in the head, while calling to the other boys to follow him into the fort. Private John Kent received a very severe wound in the neck about the same time and near the same place where Tipton fell. Oliver Wood, private, had his arm broken, previously, in ascending the mountain; and Sergeant Jas. F. Robertson fell, mortally wounded, when about half way up. These constitute all the casualties to our company in this unequalled charge. Capt. Carnahan placed himself at the head of his boys and led them most gallantly. Capt. Southard was shot in the breast and instantly expired, at the head of his men, when about half way up the mountain. His conduct is well spoken by all who witnessed him on the battlefield, and his death is severely felt, not only by his own company, but by all the officers and men of the regiment. Poor Billy! His is another good life given for our country. The other casualties sustained by his company are Sergeant B. F. Snyder, severely wounded in left hip; Corporal Tilman A. Howard, slightly wounded in left breast; privates Morris Welch, severely, through the right arm; James Herrington, slightly in left side; Wm. M. Saunders, slightly on left elbow. Lieutenant John Yount was pretty severely bruised by a fall, but it did not prevent him from bravely leading on the noble boys of Company K. “Long may he wave,” and enjoy the honors so nobly won. Captains Garner, Gregory, Stephens, Rodman and Ream, and Lieutenants McInerty, Goram, Turk, Brant, Hough and Olive, deserve great credit for their gallantry throughout the battle. Adjutant Darwin Thomas, here, as at Chickamauga, distinguished himself by his coolness and bravery. Major Jacob Dick was wounded in the leg, early after the ascent of the hill was commenced, whilst gallantly cheering the men forward. In fact all have crowned themselves heroes in these great achievements which have blest our arms with victory. There names will live as long as Indiana has a place in the memory of men, and brilliant deeds of arms remains a theme for praise. Napoleon and Wellington would have glorified, as Grant glories, to command such men.
\
The rebel Major, captured by Capt. Sims, when asked what he thought of our charge, replied; “Sir, troops so few in numbers, that will charge and take such works as these when so well defended, would charge through hell. There is nothing on record to compare with what they have here done.” The men were pleased that they had Col’s Dick and Heftner to command them. They have very justly an exalted opinion of the judgment and military capacity of these gallant chieftains, and will go where these Colonel’s would order them, let what may obstruct their way. Whilst I am writing, a complimentary address from Brigadier General Wood, commanding our Division, says that “our achievements are unequaled in the annals of military warfare.”
Sergeant Henry Newton Ornbaun of the 79th, I saw fall, severely wounded in the thigh, whilst bravely charging the rebel breastworks. I hope he may soon be able for duty again , for he is one of the bravest and best soldiers. Sergeant Sater and private Saunders were near me most of the time after we entered the first fort, and I never saw braver men. Saunders says this fight has knocked the last drop of Butternut blood out of his veins. While charging the rebel works and when within about twenty feet of the fort, I noticed a rebel raise up and level his piece in a very uncomfortable position for me. At the same time I noticed that the brave young Robert G. Thornton sent a ball through his head. There are many incidents that occurred during this battle, that I have not time now but will relate in my next.
Bragg’s Army is badly cut up. The town is filled with prisoners. I have heard no estimate of losses, but in a few days it will be accurately known, as we hold all the ground fought over. If we can only manage to arrest their flight long enough to give them one more thrashing equal to the last one, there will be no Southern army left to prevent us all returning home to eat our Christmas dinners.
Most of our wounded are in critical condition, but our Surgeon, Joseph S. Jones, is a most accomplished physician and gentleman, untiring in the discharge of his duties, and all that medicinal science can do for the sick and wounded, will be done. They are all in our possession, which must be a great satisfaction to both them and their friends.
Most respectfully.
W. H. Laymon
No comments:
Post a Comment