Henderson County, Illinois - The whole text, 1882 (part 10 of 23)

About the middle of August the organization of the regiment was completed. Thomas Ilamer was appointed lieutenant colonel, and Charles II. Morton, major. It was mustered into the L^nited States service on the first of September, and at this rendezvous was uniformed and armed with Enfield rifled muskets. One month's pay was advanced and one-fourth of the §100 bounty paid. On September 23d the regiment was put aboard the cars for Louisville, Kentuck}-, where it arrived the 26th, and was assigned to the tentli brigade, fourth division, the former commanded by Col. William Grose, and the lattei- by Gen. Nelson. The other regiments composing tlie brigade were "old regiments," 36tli Indiana, 23d Kentucky, 6th and 24th Ohio. Starting with the rest of the army in pursuit of Bragg, on October 1st, it did vigorous service and suffered bitter hardships on that disheartening campaign. It lay in hearing of the battle of Perrysville and chafed under a criminal restraint while struggling comrades were being slain in that unequal contest. Company G was detached at the time and took part in the engagement. The regiment went to Danville aud Ci'ab Orchard, and marched and counter-marched in that section, enduring what were great trials to fresh soldiers, for lack of food and I'est and protection fi'om snow and frosty and stormy weather. All the time they were near the enemy (Buell), doing him the favor to follow close enough to oblige his army to keep up in compact order while retiring leisurely from the state with the immense stores he had gathered. The 84th went to Mount Vernon and from there to Somerset. The marching was again hard and privation and suffering were great ; cold rains and heavy snows occurred ; men almost barefoot left bloody footprints; and scores went to the hospital. From Somerset the march was continued to Columbia, thence to Glasgow, and crossing into Tennessee moved to Gallatin and Silver Sp]"ings, and halted, at last, for rest and recuperation, at the close of the month, three miles southeast of Nashville. This campaign wrecked many a strong soldier. The historian of the regiment, in depicting its severities, says: "It deprived us of more men than any battle in which we were engaged, it swept many into an early grave, it ruined the health of hundreds, but those who did endure its hardships w^ere inured to the rough life of a soldier, and were seldom afterward sick or sore from hard marching. " The regiment now had 400 in line out of 951 sworn in at Quincy three months before.

Gen. Rosecrans had relieved Buell of the command of the army, and at once undertook the reorganization of the shattered forces. The bi-igade with which the 84th was connected became the third brigade, second division, twenty-first corps. The division was commanded by Sooy Smith (who was relieved about the first of December by Gen. John M. Palmer), and the corps by Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden. On the 26th of December tlie army was put in motion, and soon struck the enemy, who was gradually pushed back on Murfreesboro. Having reached Stewart's creek on the 29th the command advanced in order of battle with light skirmishing, and at night had borne down within two miles of tlie town. The left of the 84th was on the pike. In front was a cotton-field, at the southeast corner of which was the Cowan "Burnt house." Next day there was nothing but skirmishing, and the front line was occupied by other troops. Being relieved on Wednesday morning, 31st, the brigade went a short distance to the rear. During the night the rebels had outflanked the right of the army, and at daylight they commenced a furious attack and drove the union troops in great disorder down upon the center. About nine o'clock the fugitives began straggling back to the turnpike with alarming stories of the disaster to the right wing. The third brigade was promptly formed, facing west, and one hundred yards in fi-ont of the pike. The 6th and 24tli Ohio were disposed on the first line in the thick cedar woods. The roar of the nearing conflict grew louder. Stragglers, panicstricken, rushed back till their numbers swelled into a tide of retreat that defied all efibrts to stop it. Nearer comes the sound, and all know that the victorious foe is pushing his advantage with all his strength. The storm is imminent ; then it bursts upon the first line, and its fury is withstood briefly ; the men break in confusion, and the entreaties and im^^recations of officers are unavailing to check the retreat. Over the second line they pour and are formed again about forty rods in the rear. Now comes the test of the S4th, the 23d Kentuck}^, and the 36th Indiana. A ledge of rock behind which they lie gives them partial protection. Parson's and CockerelFs batteries are thundering behind them, throwing shell and grape shot over the men directly into the cedars in front, which are swarming with the exidtant enemy. Soon the rebels come out of the cedars in full view and in point blank range, and instantly the line springs up with a wild shout and pours a deadly volley into them. For an hour each side faces a shower of bullets, and the air throbs with the detonations of the union artillery. The rebels, repulsed, finally take cover in the woods. During the time a regiment came up the pike from the south and directed a cross-fire upon the federal troops. Being temporarily relieved from pressure the brigade changed front forward by a left half wheel, and opened on some rebels lying in the cotton-field, probably those who had been cross-firing, and on a heavy force approaching at this time from the right. The regiments on the right of the 84th receive the enemy's enfilading fire with surprising fortitude, but at length, unable longer to endure it, fall back and leave this regiment exposed to the raking volleys from the rebels in the woods, who promptly envelop its flank. A desperate resistance was kept up in this place for an hour, and the foe had crept up within sixty yards. The right was now retired so as to face him squarely, but his steady advance in a semicircle beginning soon to timi the left, the regiment had to be withdrawn to the ledge. Here the 84th maintained its ground ^vith the utmost gallantry another hour, after all the other troops had retired beyond the pike. At last the order was given and the left fell back ; the right, not having hoard the command, remained, and some confusion was the result. While in this last position, and during the time it was falling back across the railroad, the regiment suffered heavy loss, twenty-live being shot dead, besides a proportionately large number wounded. The rebels advanced, but were met by the troops holding the line of the railroad, and their movement was checked. The S4th then formed in front of the track, but were exposed in this place to a rebel battery, and so the men were marched fi'om the tield into the woods a mile away, and there stacked arms to give rest to tliis bleeding battalion, after six long hours of heroic fighting and sacrifice. New Year witnessed a comparative cessation of hostilities. On the 2d, Van Cleve's division was thrown across the river, and the third brigade went over as a support. A slight breastwork of logs was nuide. A^an Cleve received a sudden and vehement attack from Breckenridge, and his division was driven back pell-mell. The rebels followed in splendid style, confident of easy victory ; but the 84th and the 6tli Ohio, together w4th other troops, held their tii-c till they were within three hundred yards, then rising with a deafening yell, poured into them a destructive volley, after which each soldier loaded and fired at will, kee})ing up a murderous fire which tliiimed their crowded columns. The designs of the enemy had been antici})ated, and Oen. Rosecrans had massed fifty-eight guns on the opposite side of the river, and when the rebels reached the i-ight place these opened with a salvo as if the universe had s])lit, shaking the troubled hills and devouring the enemy with sickening destruction. The rebels faltered, and before they could break into full retreat the S4th and the Oth Ohio were over their works, charging with a slogan upon the reeling assailants. The rest of the brigade. Van Cleve's division, and some other troops which had been hurrying over, now came up in the same gallant fashion, retaking all the artillery that liad been lost and one gun of the famous Washington battery belonging to the enemy. Kosecrans reported: "The firing was terrific and the havoc terrible." Bickham wrote: " The commander-in-chief hurled his batteries and his battalions together at the monstrous machines of Breckenridge, and destroyed them in forty minutes. Two thousand men or more, who had marched upon that field in haughty defiance, at tliree o'clock and forty minutes, were dead f>r manoled at four o'clock and thirtv minutes." This engagement was decisive of the protracted contest and gave the union army Murfreesboro. Nothing could excel the patient fortitude and heroic conduct of the 84th throughout this memoi-able struggle, and it won merited encomiums from oliicers of high rank who were witnesses of -its splendid courage. Its whole loss was as follows : Killed, 33 ; severely wounded, 114 ; prisoners, 8. Thirtv-one of the wounded died. Many not counted were slightly wounded. The regiment suffered thus terribly on that dreadful "Wednesday. The loss of the whole army of 43,400 was 12,378.

After the battle the 84th lay in the \icinity of Murfreesboro, changing place occasionally, and doing the ordinary duty of scouting, foraging, guarding pro\asion trains, and working on fortifications.

Early in February elections were held in the regiment to fill vacancies caused by casualties and resignations. Lieuts. Ball and Abercrombie, of company H, had been slain in the forefront of the battle, December 31, and now Private Peter McLain was voted first lieutenant, and Corporal J. iST. "White, second lieutenant.

May 12 the brigade moved to Cripple creek and lay there till June 24, when the forward movement was taken up for the possession of Tullahoma. ' ' Upon the morning of the advance the rain commenced, and continued as if the very windows of heaven had been opened. For seventeen consecutive days the rain fell in remarkable quantity. No such stormy period had visited that countrv for twentv-six vears past." So said the annalist of the army of the Cumberland. Crittenden " had seventeen miles to march, over a road that had no bottom, and it took him four days to get over it. The infantry waded through mud for miles, that was from one to three feet in depth. They had to dismount their pieces and take their batteries forward from higliland to highland." So said Eosecrans recently (1882). The rebel army having retreated to Chattanooga, on July 8 this command went into regular camp near Manchester. Fatiguing work, toilsome marching, a scalding sun, and short rations were other features of this brief, but brilliant campaign, which might have been more complete in its results but for unfavorable weather and roads.

The advance on Chattanooga began on the IGtli, and Crittenden's corps took the route across the mountains direct for that place. On the 2.5tli the brigade (Grose's) reached the Sequatchie valley and camped near Dunlap, beneath the tall cliffs which look down from the west, and remained there till September 1. The march was then resumed down the valley, and during the evening and night of the 3d the division effected the passage of the Tennessee, and encamped at Shellmound. On the 6th it had entered Lookout valley. On tlie 9th, Gen. Wood having made a reconnoisance in force in the direction of Chattanooga and reported the enemy giving up the gateway between the river and Point Lookout, Grose's brigade climbed the mountain, drove oft' the rebel outposts, moved forward to Summerville, thence down the moiiritain on the other side, rejoining the division below, whicli had now passed around the point, and moved out across Chattanooga vallev toward Rossville, under orders to follow the enemy closely and watch his movements.

Let us return to trace those maneuvers which secured the entrance through this gateway and led to the battle in Chickamauga valley. Having reached the foot of the Cumberland mountains, various causes induced Gen. Rosecrans to delay a few days ; but when ready to continue the advance by a ruse cle guerre he caused Bragg to suppose that he intended to make the passage of the Tennessee above Chattanooga, and suddenly on the 29th began crossing the bulk of his army at Bridgeport, Caperton's ferry ten miles below, and Shellmound eight miles above. Thomas, w'ith his corps, marched across the mountainous country, entering Lookout (^or Wills") valley, and proceeded up to Cooper's and Stevens' gaps, occupied them on the 8th and 9th, and passed over Lookout mountain. McCook's corps moved on a parallel route to the right, going over Sand mountain, through Valleys"' Head, and ascending Lookout at Winston's gap. All the cavalry, except what was employed in the feint above Chattanooga, was sent to the liead of the valley, with instructions to cross over to Alpine and make a show of strong force in that neighborhood. McCook was to follow it to the summit, display his troops to the best advantage, send a brigade or division down the mountain to back up the cavalry while threatening Rome, so as to give the appearance of a large force. Crittenden had been reserved to cross the base of Lookout immediately under the Point and next the river, as already described. The demonsti-ation on Bragg's rear forced him into the open field to fight the decisive battle which Rosecrans and his lieutenants knew would inevitably take place for the possession of Chattanooga. Discovering the flank movement the rebel general hastily evacuated the city on the 9th, and retreated to Lafayette, twenty-two miles south, covering his base, and holding a position near enough to his antagonist to take any sudden advantage. On the 11th Crittenden was ordered to Ringgold to feel forward for the enemy as far as Gordon's Mills. His report, as well as other information, left no doubt of the concentration of the rebel armv at Lafavette to await re-inforcements, and Rosecrans learned with deep concern of Bragg's present attitude ; especially now that he himself must despair of help from Burnside, who had been sent on a cooperative expedition from Kentucky into East Tennessee wdth instructicms to join him, Init who at this crises "was hunting with 22,000 men at his back for Gen. Sam Jones who. with less than 6,000, was toling him ofl' up into western Virginia." Rosecrans' main army was dispersed from Einggold to Alpine, a distance of fifty-eight miles by practicable wagon route, and sixty-five by that subsequently taken by McCook (certainly a precarious situation), and the supreme endeavor should be to concentrate and cover Chattanooga. The isolation of each corps was so perfect that the movement must necessarily be from the south, keeping in view the hold on the city. Ci'ittenden could not move up the valley to Thomas ^vith()ut exposing Chattanooga and jeo])ardizing the army ; the latter could not march to the assistance of McCook without leaving Crittenden at the mercy of Bragg ; therefore all hope lay in the celerity of McCook, and the tardiness of Bragg. Recently (1882), Gen. Bosecrans said ''this was the most anxious period of the whole campaign. " He had indeed risked a staggering responsibility. Crittenden was immediately ordered to march without delay to Gordon's Mills and to communicate with Gen. Thomas. His troops were there the next day. Bressing orders were dispatched to McCook to come by the road along the top of the mountain with all possible haste and join Thomas; but acting on what he believed was reliable informati<m that this route was impracticable, he disregarded that part of his orders, and starting at midnight retraced his way tlirough Winston's gap. On the IJ-tli Gen. Crittenden was withdrawn to the southern extremity of Missionary ridge to avoid being cut off, and to communicate with Gen. Thomas, whose troops began to arrive the follo^ving day. Xegley's division confronted two rebel divisions at Dry gap in Bigeon mountain, but declined battle after a brisk skirmish. Col. AYilder had encountered a large body at Binggold. The enemy's activity and boldness portended early fighting. Would McCook come before tlie blow would fall ( He was still far away, toiling over rugged hills, rough roads, and through narrow passes, but making all the while prodigious exertions and good progress. From Winstoi/s gap he moved down to Stevens' gap, and then followed the road taken by Thomas. Four and a half days were spent in this circuitous march of forty-six miles. The sunnnit route of seventeen miles would have consumed but a dav and a half. This unfortunate but natiu'al mistake cost the commanding general the choice of the battle field ; and no doubt the loss of his justly high military reputation, though not of his position, for that was already fated by his unfortunate misunderstandings with the war department, inflamed by his own rash correspondence, invited by the weakness of Halleck, and welcomed by the vindictiveness of Stanton.

On the ITth the rebels attempted to cross the Chickamauga at Gordon's mills, but were ]>revented by Ci'ittenden, who had returned the same day from the foot of the ridge, McCook having just arrived on tlie right. At evening on the 18th mutterings of conflict on the left foretokl battle on the morrow. The rebel general was detected in massing overwhelming numbers on that flank to turn or crush it, and then to interpose his armv between Rosecrans and Chattanooga. To check this maneuver the union general advanced his line t(j tlie left during the night by moving Thomas' corps from the center, leaving its place to be filled by McCook's. The alignment from left to right by divisions was covered by Brannan, Baird, and Reynolds, of Thomas' corps ; Palmer, Van Cleve, and Wood, of Crittenden's corps ; and Davis and Sheridan, of McCook's corps, not yet established in position when the battle began on Saturday morning, the 19th. Xegley's division, belonging to Thomas's corps, formed a defensive crochet at Owen's ford, farther to the right, and the cavalry was thrown forward on this flank to defend ^lissionarj' ridge. Johnson's division of McCook's corps was in reserve in rear of Thomas, and Crittenden's right held Gordon's mills. The reserve corps under Gordon Granger was lying at Bossville, four miles to the left and rear. Bosecrans' front was parallel to Chickamauga creek, extending from northeast to southwast, and lying diagonally across the Lafayette road leading to Chattanooga, with the left reaching nearly to the Binggold road.

The night had been one of acti\"ity in the federal army in changing positions and forming lines. About ten o'clock the dropping fire of the skirmishers and the deep bass of the artillery announced the opening of the battle. Gen. Thomas had ordered a recounoissance on the exti'eme left by Brannan's division, and Ci'oxton's brigade encountered a strong detachment of th-e iH?bel Gen. AValker's c*orps in front and flank, and drove it in confusion over half a mile to a massed body conceale^l in the forest. The rebels fjuglit savagely, and being reinforced by Cheatham's division, fell on the union troops with heatllong weight. The whole division was at once engaged ; its double Knes struggled heroically to keep their places, but finally crumbled into disorder. The enemy, still advamiiig in deep columns, rolled u]» against Baird like a huge wave ; and his deadly fire, though shattering their front lines, had no visible eflect in checking the foe. Swept by the remorseless tempest, this division was unable to stem its wrathful course, and gave way. Johnson, advancing now from his reserve position, struck the enemy in flank. Palmer's division came about this time to succor the struggling left, and Brannan's and Baird's divisions having been reformed, Gen. Thomas ordered the line to advance. The movement was as unexpected to the rebels as it was irresistible. They tried in vain to stand ; they poured desolating showers of bullets, grape-shot, and canister into the daring columns, but onward those invincible divisions went like a billow of the ocean. With frantic exertions officers tried to restore order and establish new lines, but as 'often as that was done the torrent of union victory swept them away like driftwood. Thomas' battalions stopped only when satisfied -with having driven the exultant and confident foe nearly a mile over the ground they had lost, and taken cannons, caissons, and eveiything else that the enemy in his flight had left. The account of a rebel writer says this "fight was one of great desperation," that the rebels "experienced fearful sacrifices," and that the union soldiers "pushed close upon the battery of the gallant Capt. Carnes and slew most of its horses and men," and the pieces "were therefore abandoned to the enemy." Opportunely for the rebels, Cleburn dashed up to the rescue of their endangered right and engaged Palmer's division with his usual impetuosity. Now the tumult drifts along the quaking earth. Heavy flanking columns crowd the right ; Palmer is overlapped, and his line is in danger of being doubled up, when Yan Cleve marches in to arrest the peril, but the dense battalions with which he grapples overcome him. Bragg is practicing his favorite plan of attack in commencing on one flank and hurling forward his divisions successively in search for a weak point, until the whole line is engaged. The tide of battle rolled heavily to the right, taking in Reynolds, who divided the pressure wdth Van Cleve, and covered his fron' with a terrific lead-storm ; but his division was shortly sundered in twain as if a hurricane had torn through his ranks. Davis was ordered up at the critical moment; and though his men struggled with raging energy, he could not long withstand the rebel momentum of increasing numbers. He gave back slowly till Wood arrived to swell the furious combat, when the enemy recoiled with heavy loss. At three o'clock Sheridan was ordered to leave Lytle's brigade to hold Gordon's mills, and with the rest of his division to move to the assistance of Wood and Davis. He was on the ground not too soon to save the former from disaster. The heavy sound which moves toward the right, shaking the deep woods, tells that the center has caught the storm. Gen. Negley, who has been lying at Owen's ford all day, is ordered to march down to the Widow Glenn's to be in momentary readiness for action. He reported with his division at half-past four ; and as soon as it became certain that the battle was going against the union arms in that quarter, his fresh veterans rushed upon the foe with ardor and drove him back steadily till darkness put an end to the fighting. Erannan had also been sent from the left, and at night took a position t(^ the right of Reynolds.

Perryton Townsuip

had held its ground, and the rebel general was foiled. The union troops, outnumbered, luid all bci'n called into action except two brigades. The rebel army was reinforced bv Ihickner, recently from Knoxville; by a detachment from Johnson's army in Mississi])])i ; and by another from Lee's army in Virginia. The battle-ground was heavy timber, so undergrown as to be an immense cop])ice. This was of great advantage to the rebels in nuissing and attacking, and of proportionate disadvantage to the federal side, allowing but small op})ortunity for the use of artillery. Everj^ incli of ground was contested with obstinate valor. As often as one rebel line melted out of sight a fresh one took its place ; but the union soldiers Ibught without respite, without hope of aid, aware of the momentous character of the struggle, and that if they won the stake it must be with a costly libation of blood. So they received the surge of rebel strength and fury with surly front, and when overwhelmed and forced to give ground did so with dogged reluctance.

By midnight the ])lans of the union commander for the morrow had been communicated to his corps commanders in a counsel at the Widow Glenn's house. Thomas was to maintain his present line, assisted by the divisions of Palmer and Johnson, with which he had been reinforced, and to hold Brannan in reserve. McCook, with the two divisions left him, was to close up to Thomas, with his right turned back to a strong position on Missionary ridge ; while Crittenden, with his remaining divisions, was to be posted in reserve at the junction of Thomas and McCook. On the rebel side the army was divided into two wings ; the right was given to Gen. Polk and the left to Gen. Longstreet, who had arrived with the rest of his corps at eleven o'clock that niglit. Polk was ordered to renew the battle at daylight, but owing to a disarrangement of his line he was prevented from making the attack until nearly nine o'clock. The morning opened sultry and oppressive. The fiery sky, as if it might reflect the bloody field below, was seen through a hazy, sulphurous canopy of battle-smoke, which enveloped hill, forest and glen, and the giants of war that lay among them. The union troops reposed on their anus, waiting for the first rude sound of conflict to disturb the glory of the Sabbath day. Between sun and sun what onsets shall rock the earth I what valor amaze the world and mark the bounds of human courage and endurance ! Every man in those worn and battle-begrimed legions says nuitely with his chieftain, this "day must be for the safety of the army and the possession of Chattanooga." The first move of the enemy was to turn the left fiank to secure Rosecrans' line of retreat. Palmer was in the front, near the center, and Grose's brigade was ordered to the left to meet the enemy, who was crawling around on the flank. The S4th retired from their barricade of logs and rails with a feeling of reluctance. Col. Waters had been the first to recommend the building of such a protection, and this regiment the first to begin the parapet. In moving to its new position it was first apprized of the presence of the enemy bv a sharp volley from an ambuscade, which killed and wounded several. This was followed by rapid discharges, but in spite of the severe fire the brigade formed in line. But being at once charged upon by a greatly superior force, it was driven in such confusion that detachments were separated and did not find their proper places during the day. Soon a deafening shout rises along the rebel front, and the line dashes forward in a thundering charge that envelopes Tliomas' position. The contending sides grapple in the herculean energies of despairing battle. An aid leaves Thomas' side and hurries off" to Gen. Rosecrans, to ask that Xeglay may be sent speedily. Thomas had been promised the return of this division early in the morning, and the order had been given for its transfer, but from some cause had but just started to move when the stafi" ofiicer galloped up. '- There it goes," said Eosecrans, as at that instant it was seen in motion. In a few minutes another aid came fi,)Tng from' the left, saying that Gen. Thomas was hotly pressed and needed Brannan. '"Tell Gen. Thomas our line is closing toward him, and to hold his ground at all hazards, and I will reinforce him, if necessary, with the entire army. Tell Gen. Brannan to obey Gen. Thomas' orders. " Gen. Yan Cleve, who has been lying behind AVood, is despatched in the same direction. The battle is increasmg in fury. jSTegley, with his veterans at a swinging pace, is hurrying to the relief of the suffering left. Yan Qeve follows rapidly. A cloud of smoke and perpetual fire roll from Thomas' solid front. lioaring batteries, double-shotted, pour the desolating iron into the frenzied foe, who is constantly re])laeing his dissolving ranks with fresh troops. Closer and more stubbornly they press, and deadlier grows the union fire. The line of conflict extends to the center. It is now eleven o'clock, and Longstreet assails the right fiercely. The rebels on Thomas' front, exhausted by their own tremendous exertions and frightful losses, fall back, at length, demoralized, out of the reach of the field guns. Smarting under this bloody and signal repulse, they close up their bleeding, ghastly ranks, revise their lines, strengthen them with reinforcements, and then the massive column is launched once more against the weakened line. In the meantime Gen. Thomas has ridden along the ranks, so that if it were necessary his presence should infuse new confidence, and his troops catch some of his own steadiness of character and loftv heroism. Maddened bv the memory of their defeat, and thirsting to avenge it, tliey advance witli remorseless vigor under cover of a terrific cannonade from tlieir batteries. Tliev meet ag-ain the same stern resistance and devouring fire whicli before .strewed tlie ground with tlieir dead. Tiight up they come till foeman looks foeman in eye, and the stormy lines interlock and and writhe in mortal embrace. The union troops, according to rebel authority, "withstood as long as human powers of endurance could bear up against such a pressure, then yielded and fell back." But not till two hours of raging slaughter told the story of their heroism. Ketiring a little way a stand would be made till the courageous foe came and received full in his face that relentless fire whicli shriveled his wasting ranks. Tlie batteries, changing from place to place, were served with great animation and accuracy. The enemy paused finally, and Gen. Thomas rested his right on Missionary ridge, covering the gap, his left on the Lafayette road, his center advanced, the line describing an arc of a circle, AVliile tliis had been occurring, terrible work had been done on the right. The commanding general had guarded carefully against a gap in his front, but was notified that Brannan was out of line, leaving Reynolds' right exposed. Tlie situation was not comprehended by Gen. Thomas' aid who brought the information. Brannan was in echelon, that is, in rear, with his right extending beyond Reynolds' right. Gen. Rosecrans promptly sent an order to Wood to close up on Reynolds. As Wood's left connected with Brannan he understood the order was for him to support Reynolds by withdrawing from the line and marching by the flank to liis rear. Acting on this fatal mistake, without reporting to the commanding general for further instructions, he moved to the left, and so opened a wide breach. lie was savagely attacked while executing this disastrous change, and his right brigade was severely handled. It is like a break in a levee. There is a wild rush of rebels into this gap. Then twelve cannon enter. Brannan's right is hurled back. Van (yleve, at this juncture, marching to the left, i» struck full and fair in flank ; two batteries at the same time moving the same wav are driven throuo;h two of his brigades. Half of the division instantly crumbles to atoms and goes like chaff to Rossville. On the right of the gap are Davis and Sheridan. The division of the former, taken in front, flank and rear, completely disintegrates. The latter is overlapped on the right by Longstreet's mammoth line, now sweeping forward in a grand onslaught. Laibold's brigade is carried awa}^ with Davis. Scorning to fly, Sheridan, with his two remaining brigades moving toward Reynolds, hurls a forlorn column with convulsive desperation against the massive front of the shouting foe. One trial is enough ; he is caught in flank ; then his troops hurry past the Dry vallej, and by a circuit arrive at Eossville, from whence, at night, he leads them to the support of Thomas. Between the wrecking of Davis' and Sheridan's divisions, Lytle's brigade was shivered ; the brave leader fell dead in the arms of an aid, and his horse dashed away with the straggling, panic-stricken throng. Generals McCook and Ci'ittenden search in vain for the remnants of their commands, which are scattered in twos and threes, scarcely the semblance of a formation anywhere. Guns, caissons, horses, wagons, and a bewildered, cursing multitude of fugitives obstruct the j^ass through Missionary ridge. These brave officers sicken at the tumult, but cannot stay the refluent tide, and are borne along by it till they arrive in Chattanooga. The commanding general, ignorant of the extent of the disaster, issued a few necessary orders, and despatched his chief-of-stafi, Gen. Garfield, to Gen. Thomas, to ascertain the situation of his command, and to communicate with him by telegraph at Chattanooga. Garfield performed the perilous journey over hills, through valleys and wild forests, heedless of lurking dangers, reached Thomas, and sent the grateful intelligence to his chief that the left wing was holding its ground, and would do so to the last. Rosecrans in the meantime returned to Chattanooga, ''to give orders for the security of the ])ontoon-brigade at Battle creek and Bridgeport, and to make preliminary dispositions either to foi-ward ammunition and supplies, should we hold our ground, or to withdraw the troops into good position."

Having routed the right of the union army, the eager foe, elated with that success, and confident of dashing the remainder in pieces, about one o'clock fell upon Thomas with remarkable force. The divisions of Baird, Johnson, Palmer, Reynolds, Brannan, and Wood, two brigades oi Negley's division, and one of Van Cleve's were the troops left to hold the rebel army in check. The devoted union army was now assailed by more than three times its numbers. Kershaw assaulted Missionary Bidge in front and was fearfully repulsed. Finding this part of the line impregnable, heavy columns were projected against the flanks. The fierceness of the onsets, combined with the overwhelming weight of numbers, carried them back. Thomas' lines after that described nearly a complete circle, and Longstreet was in control of the main road to Chattanooga. An immense toil was closing around the stalwart hero. A sheet of deadly flame and fiery sleet encircled this last stronghold, while his own lines blazed with withering volleys that bespoke, under the circumstances, the loftiest moral defiance and grandeur. Undaunted, the union troops received the repeated and staggerhig assaults of the exasperated foe. It was not dismay that lilhMl their hearts, but calm desperation. They stood witli their backs to the wall, and that wall was "the Rock of Chickamaiiga." The enemy, determined upon destroying the army, at lialf-past three found a low gap in the ridge, flanking Thomas' right and directly in his rear. Sanguine of a swift and crushing factory, they hurried into it in great numbers. "The moment was critical,'"' says Rosecrans. Twenty minutes more, ^nd our right would have been turned, our position taken in reverse, and, i)robably, the army routed. Struggling with grim valor at all points to beat back the rami)ant foe, Thomas could spare no troops for this new and appalling danger. For the first time in his life his countenance and manner betray emotions of distressing anxiety. lie knows that Granger is at Rossville, three miles away ; no time to send word ; at best, three miles against twenty minutes. Xothing but the providence of God can save the army. Nervously, painfully liis eye sweeps the horizon. A cloud of dust is rising. Doubtfiil whether it can be fiiend or foe, he exclains to Capt. Johnson, of Negley's staff: "Find out what troops those are, moving upon me.'' Bringing his glass to his eye, he watches intently the approaching column. On that hangs the fate of the army. Who can tell how hope and fear fluctuate in that heart that is almost still ( The seconds throb with conscious importance. A small object comes into view. His lips almost break out with thanksgiving; it is the battle-flag of Granger. One more chance for hope. All day long Granger had listened to the thunder on the left, and had marked its ebb and flow as had paced up and down uneasily, wondering why orders to march did not come, every minute straining his eye for the sight of a stafi" oflicer. It was an heroic occasion, and a hero was there. Something said : push for the front. ' ' The God of batttles held that forlorn hope of the union army in his hand." "With the instinct of a true soldier and general," he ordered his trained but mostly new soldiers to move instantly. Two miles down the road he came upon a small body of the enemy, but he "well knew that at that stage of the conflict the battle was not there." Leaving Col. Dan. C. McCook's brigade to take care of any force in that vicinity, he urged forward with i)ressing earnestness and reported to Gen. Thomas. ' ' The Rock of Chickamauga " sim})ly pointed out the right. The soldierly eye of Granger took in the i)erilous and astounding situation at a glance, "and quick as thought he directed his advance brigade upon the enemy." Gen. Steadman. inspired no less than Gi-anger, with an enthusiastic coy/p d"* a'/7, and M-orth at that moment a thousand men, 'seized a regimental color, and dashing to the head of the colunm, shouted the charge.

Language fails to describe the onslaught. As well as the leaders, every man is a giant. ' ' Right on into the desolating fire they pressed, reckless of numbers and of death, with a loud and thrilling shout. Over the batteries, over the astounded battalions of Hindman they went in a wild wave. It was marvelous, the charge of those two immortal brigades," and not less glorious than the charge of the light brigade at Bahiklava. The trampled earth is strewed with the harvest of war ; the enemy is routed with great slaughter, and the stars and stripes are on the ridge. Renowned victory was wrung from the hands of the rebels, and, stung with disappointment, Longstreefs veterans returned in successive charges riglit up to the six guns planted in the gorge, fighting with the ferocity of desjjair. This was borne with firm courage by Granger's shouting soldiers, who sent them reeling back each time, torn and bleeding, with a wild slogan that vied with the sanguinary uproar. It was madness to lavish their superb battalions in hopeless frenzy and onset, and in vain the rebel generals broke column after column to pieces on this granite front. As the sun went down the last attempt was made on the invincible band. They had exhausted all their ammunition, even all that could be gathered from their fallen comrades, and it was with much solicitude that the preparations for the last vigorous assault were watched by these fearless men who had stood in the deadly breach for hours. Should the triumphant reward for all their bloody sacrifice be torn away at the last moment? They are coming now, and are so near that their muffled tread is plainly heard. The ringing command comes : ' ' Give them the cold steel!" Springing forward "with fixed bayonets and a piercing yell, they rush upon the heels of the foe, who, struck with consternation, has broken and is fleeing in the wildest disorder. Weakened by their desperate endeavors, the rebels give up this hopeless point after frightful carnage, and thankful relief comes to Granger's men, of whom a thousand, nearly a third of the number that went into the fight, either dead or wounded, lie stretched upon the field. Believing that the left had been weakened to reinforce the right, Bragg sent a column to attack in that quarter. Being informed of its approach. Gen. Thomas ordered Reynolds to move with his division to meet it, and pointing out the rebels, bade him "go in there." Facing about to save time, and moving by the rear rank, the battle-smoked and blood-stained warriors were given the order to charge. With bayonets lowered, they struck the double-quick, while a wild battleshout sprang from their hoarse throats, and they pushed on over the enemy, taking more than a regiment prisoners. During the progress of all these exciting and decisive struggles a continuous battle had raged from Hank to flank, the enemy crowding with billowy front against the union line, assailing Wood and-Breiman with scarcely less vehemence than Granger, but remitting his fury somewhat toward the left. Tlie pc^sition was girdled by two lines ; as often as one delivered its Are it would step back a few paces, lie down and load, then rising, step again to the front and Are. So ended the battle of Chickamauga.

The 20th of September had.given us a Wellington in Gen. Thomas. In gratitude the people with one voice said of the modest warrior : "This is the rock of Chickamauga.'' Henceforth he ranked among the greatest generals of the war. It had been a day, too, when heroes sprang from the ground. Let it ever be heroes' d<iy. Illustrious Granger ! Gallant Steadman ! JN^ames forever bright on the scroll of their country's history.

The union loss in men was 15,851, one-third of the army; tliirtysix guns, twenty caissons, 8,450 small arms, and 5,831 infantry accouterments. The loss in prisoners was about 5,500, of whom nearly one-half were wounded ; against 2,003 captured. There were expended in the battle 2,650,000 rounds of musket cartridges and 7,325 rounds of cannon ammunition, being 12,675 rounds less of artillery, and 650,000 rounds more of musketry than at Stone River. Two divisions were routed and left the battlefield ; seven held their ground with the final assistance of Granger.

During the night of the 20th Gen. Thomas having been directed by Gen. Kosecrans to act according to his judgment, withdrew to Rossville, where he offered the enemy battle all the following day, which was declined, and the next night he retired to Chattanooga.

We now allude briefly to the individual part of the 81th in this battle. On Saturday morning Grose's brigade was ordered to make a reconnoissance forward, but being outflanked, escaped capture by the slightest chance. Very soon it went to the left, when Palmer's division was transferred. There it fought that day, and the next morning built breastworks, as i>reviously mentioned. When the brigade was sent out to reconnoiter on the flank and ran ujjon the enemy in ambush, the 81th, being driven into a heavy thicket, was separated into three pieces which were lost from one another until night. Capt. Ervin commanded one detachment and succeeded in joining the brigade ; Capt. lliggins had another, and Col. AVaters the third. Each bore its full share of the hard fighting. The loss was 11 killed, 77 severely wounded, and 12 missing. About fifty were slightly wounded and remained with the regiment. Company G lost fourteen out of thirty that went to battle.

war, but space will not permit more tlian a cm*sorj relation of its subsequently brilliant record. The reigment was shut up with the rest of the army in Chattanooga during the investment by Bragg. When the army was re-organized there, the third brigade, second division, twenty-first army corps, to which the 84th belonged, became the third brigade, first division, fourth corps, and so continued during the remainder of its active service. Gen. Palmer was soon called to the command of the 14th' corps, and was succeeded by Gen. Cruft in command of the division.

On October 25th, just prior to the change of commanders, the division was ordered to cross the Tennessee, and moving over the mountains to Shellmound, re-ci'ossed the river, when the third brigade was sent to "Wliiteside. On ISTovember 24th this division, with Geary's, of the 12th corps, fresh fi-om the Army of the Potomac, and Osterhous', from the Army of the Tennessee, assaulted Lookout Mountain and drove the enemy in handsome style from that eternal stronghold. The 84th was on the extreme left of the line, and it was due to this fact that its loss was only three wounded, all of whom recovered. When the enemy's main line gave way the regiment swung rapidly foi*ward, and in twenty minutes took more prisoners than there were men in its ranks, and for this success received the thanks of Gen. Hooker on the spot. Next day the stars and stripes floated from the summit of the mountain which had been a blazing citadel for weeks. The same day Hooker pushed across Chattanooga valley and ascended Missionary ridge at Poss^nlle, striking the rebel left and rear, while Sherman was battering their right, and at the same hour that Thomas made the splendid assault on the center, and the entire rebel army was routed with immense loss of men and munitions of war. Having pursued to Pinggold, on the 29th the regiment, on its way back to camp at Wliiteside, stopped on the battle-ground of Chickamauga and assisted in the sad but christian work of burrying the remains of the union dead, which the rebels, with characteristic inhumanity, had left in large numbers to decompose above the soil.

A period of ordinary service followed until the Atlanta campaign. On May 4, 1864, the 4th corps concentrated at Catoosa Springs and awaited the arrival of the 23d corps, which formed on its left. On the Tth the two marched south, when the right of the 4th connected with the left of the 14th at Tunnell hill, from which the rebels had been dislodged that morning. From this time till the 13th the regiment was before Eocky Face ridge, an impregnable natural stronghold, skirmishing most of the while, and once making a charge and driving the rebels out of their rifle pits. The loss on the 9th was eleven killed and woimded. The flank movement tlirougli Snake Creek gap, a pass tlirongli tliis ridge fifteen miles south, compelled the rebel anny to fall back. The 84th advanced through Buzzard Roost gap, and passing Dalton, skirmished forward to Resacca, where it took part in the fighting on the 14th and loth. On the 16tli, the rebel army having retreated, the command went forward, skirmishing desultorily, sometimes severely, down as far as Cassville, which was reached on the 19th. The army rested till. the 23d, then moved on Dallas. On the 25th Thomas' army found the enemy in strong force at New Hope Church ; the following day it was arrayed for steady work, and fi-om this time the regiment was in constant fighting for ten days. From the 7th to the 10th, the 84th was encamped three miles south of Ackworth ; on the latter date the army moved forward to confront Johnson's intrenched line from Pine mountain to.Kenesaw, and until the 18th the men were working their way up close to the enemy's breastworks by building successive lines of their own, under heavy fire, which did not relax day or night. After the 15th the contending sides were so close that all the firing was done from the main parapets. On the night of the 18th Johnson retired the fianks of his army, and next day the brigade was in advance feeling for the enemy. A part of the 84th was on the skirmish line and suffered severely, especially company G, which had two men killed and seven wounded. On the 21st the regiment had another killed and several more wounded. The rebel army retreated to the Chattahoocliee on the night of July 2d, and the 84th followed in pursuit on the 3d, overtaking the enemy in the neighborhood of Smyrna camp-ground, when ' ' they celebrated their fourth of July by a noisy but not desperate battle." On the 10th the 4th corps crossed the Chattahoochee, and after throwing up breastworks for use in case of need, rested till the 18th. Crossing Peach Tree creek on the 20th, the regiment advanced on the skirmish line, charged the rebel skirmishers and took all in their front prisoners. They moved their line forward 200 yards on the 21st, and were engaged nearly all day in sharp fighting. On the 22d, while the battle of Atlanta was in progress on the left, the 4th, 20th and 14tli corps swung in upon Atlanta, closely investing the city on the north and northwest. On August 3d Capt. Dilworth, of company F, with sixty-five men from the regiment, one-third belonging to company K, made a brilliant sortie and captured all the skirmish posts in front of the brigade, including twenty-six prisoners, witliout the loss of a man. On tlie 5th a simihir affair was planned by the brigade commander, and the skirmish line made an attempt to advance, but with ill success, and the 84th lost one killed and two severely wounded.

On tlie niglit of the 25tli Gen. Sheraian began his movement with the bulk of the army to strike and sever the West Point raih-oad south of Athmta. This was reached on the 28th, and the next day was spent in destroying several miles of it ; then on the 31st the Macon railroad was seized all the way from Rough and Ready to Jonesboro. At the last place Hardee's corps was fortified and made a sally against the loth corps which was easily repulsed. The following day the destruction of the railroad was continued, and in the afternoon the 14th corps stormed Hardee's defenses and carried them with slight resistance, capturing a brigade and ten pieces. The setting in of night prevented the 4th corps from reaching the enemy's reai-, which would have compelled his surrender. As it was he escaped that night, simultaneously with the evacuation of Atlanta by Hood. The 84th had one man killed and five wounded on this expedition ; and from the beginning of the campaign twelve were killed and seventy wounded. Six of the latter died in hospital. It was estimated that the regiment built, ii'om the time it encountered the enemy at Tunnel Hill, ten miles of breastworks.

The 84th encamped at the close of the campaign witli the rest of the corps three miles southeast of Atlanta. When Hood started north to invade Tennessee, all the army except the 20tli corps which was left to garrison the city and guard the bridges on the Chattahoochee, started in pursuit in the first week of October. The 4tli corps marched to Chattanooga; from there it Was transported by raib'oad to Athens, Alabama, where it awaited orders two days, and then marched north to Pulaski, Tennnessee. Gen. Sherman, about this time, turned from the pursuit of Hood back to Atlanta to set out on the march to the sea coast, and Gen. Thomas was left to watch and oppose his old antagonist. In the latter ])art of November the rebel army was in motion directly for Kashville, and the" 4tli and 23d coq^s began immediately to fall back, either not able or not designing to keep much in advance of the enemy. On the 29tli Columbia was abandoned, and while three divisions were moving toward Spring Hill, the rebels, by a forced march to cut them off", attacked the place which was defended by one division, but were repulsed. The heavy supply trains narrowly escaped capture. On the 30th tlie retiring army was concentrated at Franklin, ])osted behind hastily constructed breastworks on the south side of the town, the line in the form of a crescent, the flanks resting on the Ilarpeth river. About four o'clock in the afternoon Hood threw his army u})on this position, the chief weight against the center, with terrific energy. His men went over the first line of works in a furious charge, and

Eighty-Fourth Regevikxt, 385

- pausing under a destructive fire long enough to organize for an assault on the second line, they advanced with blind impetuosity; but the reserves having been brought up they tailed to make a lodgment. At ' five o'clock the union troops advanced to retake the works, and now occurred one of the most desperate encounters of the war. The soldiers stood up within arm's length of one another and fought like nuidnien with bayonets and clubbed muskets. This was continued till darkness ended the frightful combat, when Hood, having failed of his purpose to break the center, which would have been fatal to the whole, withdrew. Union loss, 1,500; rebel loss, 6,250. The first division was in a comparatively unexposed position, and not till the end of the fighting was the 84th on the front line, then it was deployed as skirmishers. Col. Waters and Adjutant Caswell were severely wounded, but afterward recovered ; these were the only ])ersons serving with the regiment who were injured. At night the march was continued toward xsashville, and early next morning the head of the weary, bloody column reached that city.

After two weeks of preparation Gen. Thomas was ready for the ofiensive, and on December 15th, moved as^ainst the enemv, turning his left and forcing back his whole line. The battle was continued next day, and the rebel army disastrously routed. Pursuit was made by Wilson's cavalry and the 4th corps. The 23d corps also went as far as Columbia. When the shattered and demoralized army was across the Tennessee, the end of the campaign was announced, and the troops went into winter quarters. This was the completest union victory of the war, not involving a surrender, for it practically destroyed the rebel army. In all these O])erations the 84th was with the foremost actors, and sliared the honors of the striking achievements.

The 4th corps was cantoned near Iluntsville, and this regiment was put on provost duty in the city. In March the corps was ordered to Knoxville, and on the 13th the first division was transferred by rail, the others following soon after. From there the command marched to Bull's gap, and was stationed six miles beyond, lying there till April 18th. On that day the troops were put on board the cars and sent to Nashville, where, on June 8, 1865, this war-worn regiment was mustered out of the service with 346 men out of 932 who had gone to the "greedy front of war" only thirty-two months before.

Company G had thirty men ; all but five of these had been wounded. On the Uth the regiment started for Illinois, and arrived at Camp Butler, on the 12th. On the 16th it was paid oft' and disbanded.

The One Hundred And Second Regiment Illinois Infantry

" 'Tis midnight in the camp, The tired soldiers sleep, and dream, perchance Of home, perchance of conflicts past, and others Coming on the morrow. Braves, sleep on ! Let the cool night winds soothe yoiir slumbers deej). That you may rise refreshed. Your country looks To you, and such as you, to guard her honor From traitors' foul contaminating touch.

Yet, one is vigilant ; With measured tread he paces on his beat - The midnight sentinel. The moonbeams play Upon his burnished bayonet, and its rays Fall gently on a calm, sweet, upturned face. That smiles upon the soldier from its frame."

The war of the rebellion had been in progress something over a year when recruiting for the 102d regiment began ; but as more men enlisted from Mercer county in that organization than in any other, we assign it the largest space.

Company C. - Frank Shedd commenced enlisting men on August 5, 1862, and on the 21st had eighty-nine enrolled. The company assembled at Berlin (Swedona) on the 26th, and taking wagons, went by the way of Oxford and Galesburg to Knoxville, and were assigned quarters in Camp McMurtry on tlie fair grounds. Ninety-six men went into camp, but ninety-two, including officers, were all that were mustered in. Shedd was elected captain, Almond Shaw, first lieutenant, and Watson C. Trego, second lieutenant. Alfred H. Trego was appointed first or orderly sergeant, Byron Jordan, second sergeant, George "W. Gregg, third sergeant, George W. Allen, fourth sergeant, and Sampson M. Tenny, fifth sergeant. The corporals were Isaac N. Roberts, S. F. Fleharty, Rodney C. Manning, Henry Bridgford, Jacob Clause, Brainard Vance, Phoenix R. Briggs, and John Lippincott.

Company E. - On August 7 a meeting was held at Brown's schoolhouse in North Henderson township, at which Dan. W. Sedwick enlisted eighteen men. Thomas Likely, of the same township (now of Norwood), was present and stated that he had enrolled eight men, and proposed to unite with Sedwick, which was done. By the 14th they had eighty-four. On that day the men met at the same place and organized by electing Likely captain, Sedwick, first lieutenant, and T. G. Brown, second lieutenant. The following were the non-commissioned officers appointed : Sam])le B. Moore, first or orderly sergeant; John Allison, William J. Abdill, Jonathan E. Lafferty, and

One Hundred And Second Regiment

Albert Bridger, sergeants; Thomas Simpson, Henry M. Carmicliael, Jolm Tidball, Lyman Bryant, Allen Dunn, Henry W. Maiick, Robert Godfrey, and John T. Morford, corporals. Some time in the last week of August Lieut. Sedwick started from Bridger's corners (now Suez) with thii'ty-two men, and going through Scott's grove, met Capt. Likely one mile south of that place with about the same number, from whence they proceeded in wagons through Galesburg to Knoxville, arriving there in the evening, where the rest of the company joined them.

Company G. - This company was raised by Joseph P. Wycoff, assisted by Isaac McManus. David Lloyd had begun a com])any, but as he did not make it up his i*ecruits, eight or ten in number, came into Wycoffs. Enlistments for this company were commenced in Keithsburg on the 6th of August; on the 15th over one hundred were enrolled, and runners were sent out to notify the men to meet on the ITth to organize. One hundred and twenty assembled at the 0])era house and AYycoff was elected captain. On the 19tli the comi)any embarked on a steamer for Burlington, where it arrived at midnight. The hotels were full and the men slept that night in a livery stable. Next day they took the cars and reached Knoxville, going into barracks on the north side of the fair ground. The organization of the company was next completed, the choice for first lieutenant falling on Isaac McManus, and that of second lieutenant on William II. Bridgford. The non-commissioned officers were also elected by the company, Caj^t. AVycotf promising to appoint whomsoever the men should declare were their preference. They were Luke P. Blackburn, Aaron G. Henry, John C. Reynolds, John McIIard, and Robert B. Seaton, sergeants ; and Wesley Hunt, Lemuel S. Gruffy, Elislia J. Grandstaff, Andrew J. Douglas, Richard H. Cabeen, Jolm G. Poague; George W. Thomas, and Andrew J. Campbell, corporals. Company G went into camp with 120, rank and file; but 101 was the maximum number allowed, and the excess were distributed among other companies.

Company K. - James M. Mannon, Sanderson H. Rodgers, and William A. Wilson raised this company in the month of August, and it was composed of men from the north part of the county, and chiefly from those residing in Eliza and Millersburg townships. It was oi-ganizfed in Aledo by the election of Mannon, captain, Rodgers, first lieutenant, and Wilson, second lieutenant. Late in the month the company went across the country by private conveyances to Knoxville, where the regiment was assembled and about ready to be organized. The original non-commissioned officers were : James Y. Merritt, orderly sergeant ; L. Volney Willits, second sergeant (names of the other sergeants unknown) ; and the following coi'porals : Peter Griffith, B. F. H. Reynolds, William Winders, J. E. Huston, Leander Officer, Eli Gook, AValter Smethers, and Allen Wilson.

Other Companies. - The foregoing companies belonged exclusively to Mercer county, if we except a very few in company C from Kock Island county. Company A was enlisted in the corners of Knox, Mercer, and Warren, and was credited to Knox, although of the eightyeight enlisted soldiers forty-three were ft'om j^orth Henderson and six from Rivoli townships in this county. Capt. Roderick R. Harding, of Galesburg, who had served in the 17th 111. reg. from Ma}', 1861, to May, 1862, associated Levi F. Gentry, of Kortli Henderson, with himself, and the two together raised the company. Harding became captain on the organization of the company. Gentry, first lieutenant, and Charles M. Barnett, of Korth Henderson, second lieutenant. The non-commissioned officers were : Robert W. Callaghan, Theodore H. Andrews, John Morrison, AVilliam Brown, and Adam jST. Tate, sergeants; and William H. Black, Hugh French, Daniel B. Randall, Fielding E. Scott, John R. Holmes, Albert Talbot, Xealy Daggett, and George W. Miller, corj^orals.

Company D was raised and organized in Knox county, to which one-half of the men belonged. Sixteen were from Fulton county, fourteen from Warren, seven from Henry, six from Mercer, and a few from other places.

Company F was made up of Knox county men, with two from Mercer. Companies H and I belonged to the same county, but the latter had eight men from Henry.

The Beyiinent. - The 102d regiment was raised by Col. William McMurtry, of Knox county, and the companies, as fast as they arrived at Knoxville, were rendezvoused on the fair grounds, where there were ample and convenient barracks. This camp of organization was named McMurtry in honor of the venerable and enthusiastic colonel. The several companies assembled between the 20th of August and the close of the month, and when the organization took place Franklin C. Smith, captain of company I, was elected lieutenant-colonel, and James M. Mannon, captain of company K, major. On the 2d of September the regiment was mustered into the service of the United States 931 strong. The men were uniformed, furnished with blankets, and regularly drilled ; and the transition to camp life had all the features of novelty until the rudiments of soldierly training were in coin"se of easy mastery.

One Iiundeed And Second Regiment

. On the 22d tlie riii;lit wing was tr<ansfeiTed by rail to Peoria, and next day the left followed. The regiment remained one week encamped on the beautiful plateau overlooking Peoria lake from the north, when orders came tr> move to the seat of war in Kentucky. Buell's army was intrenched around Louisville and Bragg was knocking at the gates of the city. Public apprehension was high, and the raw levies from Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, were poured upon the "Kentucky shore" in immense numbers. The 30th of September dawned gloomily, but it found the regiment lively with hope and ardor, and before the morning was hardly passed it was in motion through the streets in a drizzling rain toward the depot of the Logansport, Peoria A: Burlington railroad. AVindows and balconies were ci'owded with old and young to get a view of the troops. Matronly women, total strangers, wiped their dimmed eyes as they watched the flower of the country's youth going to fields of blood and death. Next morning the regiment was in Logansport ; in the course of the day it passed through Lafayette, and toward evening reached Indianap<jlis, where were seen the first warlike signs : artillery in park and paroled prisoners in squads. A night ride brought the command to Jefliersonville, where it disembarked before the beams of morning streaked the eastern sky. Arms for the men, French rifled muskets, which had been brought unboxed from Peoria, were distributed during the day, and inferior as they were it cannot be said the soldiers were not as proud of their guns as the traditional small boy of his new jacknife. Rumors of fighting across the river were soon afloat, and this was the first acquaintance with the "grapevine telegraph "" - camp reports.

At one o'clock on the morning of the 3d, the long roll aroused the camp, and the men were ordered to prepare to march with three days' cooked rations. Very early the Ohio was crossed on an immense bridge 'constructed of flatboats^ and the regiment marched into Louisville. Amidst the interested spectators on the street leading up from the river stood a tottering old man, whose thin white locks were the toys of the morning air. "With uncovered head, and bony arms uplifted to hea^-en, he appeared like a silent supernatural prophet of the union. Without a spoken word, but in the most solemn and patriarchal manner did this patriotic Elijah call down upon the men pressing forward to the defense of the government God's blessing and protection.

The regiment was brigaded with the 105th Illinois and the 79th C)hio, and placed under the command of Brig. Gen. William T. AVard, of Kentucky, and attached to Gen. Dumont's divisi(m. Not long afterward the TOth Indiana and the 129tli Illinois were added.

At four o'clock in the afternoon this new command began the march to Frankfort, a march whose toils and pains will never fade from the memories of the jaded and exhausted men who pei'formed it. Only for the conditions was the distance great or the marching excessive. The weather was hot, the soldiers were overloaded, the country was suffering from extreme drouth, water was scarce, and parts of the pike were covered with a fine limestone dust that enveloped the column in a thick cloud. Haversacks were crowded with rations, cartridge boxes carried forty rounds, knapsacks contained extra clothing and blankets and other dispensable effects. Add to these a heavy musket, and the weight borne was too much for the endurance of nine-tenths of the soldiers in the field, old or new. To keep in ranks and march at a brisk pace encumbered with an unusual, ill-fitting, fretful load, was no ordinary hardship to raw recruits ; and long afterward when the men had become enured to war-like service, they reviewed the trials of this first march with a shudder. Inhalations of the finely-powdered dust excited and greatly jiggravated thirst, and under the circumstances these sufferings of the men were the most painfnl of the whole service, and were the entering wedge to subsequent disabilities which sent many a poor fellow home a miserable wreck and many another to his long account.

About midnight a small remnant of the command filed off" into a swarded field fifteen miles from Louisville, and were told to encamp. The brigade was disorganized, and the soldiers, prostrated with fatigue, were scattered along the line of march for a distance of ten miles. The road was strewn with blankets and clothing thrown away with indifference and relief. We believe it was never explained why our commanders forged ahead with such folly ; but the boys often jokingly charged it to that ever present factor, the double-barreled canteen. Probably orders had been given in Louisville for the brigade to march to a certain place that night. The 102d had not forgotten yet that Col. McMurtry declared at Knoxville his intention to "march us to glory or to death," and they could testify now that the promise was being religiously fulfilled, with the chances very much in favor of the alternative.

About all the men had straggled into camp by eleven o'clock next day, and then the march was renewed. Fifteen more tedious miles were drawn out and we encamped late at night in the neighborhood of Shelbyville, where we lay in a plowed fi^'ld under the burning sun until the afternoon of the 6th. In ra[)id time we marched to a new camp, two miles, east of Shelbyville. Ou the 8th we were again in motion, and the day Avas marked with the petty annoyances of starting and halting, and waiting in suspense, not knoAving whether to sit or lie down by the roadside or to stand and hold our heavy kjads. Through it all the sun poured down his blistering rays. This was the worst day of any for dust ; fine as fiour, in places it was two inches deep, and verily we had " a cloud by day,'' which veiled evei-y object from view a few yards in front. To get drinking water the soldiers were glad to brush away the heavy, green scum with which stagnant pools were mantled, and thousands of canteens were supplied with filthier water, but a little pennyroyal introduced through the nozzle overcame the unfragrant odor ; and doubtless others were moved to the same thankfulness as the soldier who expressed his satisfaction with the water hecause it was wet ! At nine at night, being suffered to bi^-ouac, we gave ourselves up to the welcome embrace of mother earth, and stretched our aching limbs upon the soft soil. The hour of midnight made its hasty round, and brought with it orders to resume the advance. A march of six miles, and then we were in Frankfort, at the bridge across the Kentucky river, where our cavalry had a skirmish and a few of the men were on guard. Toiling three-fourths of a mile, perhaps a mile, up the long, weary ascent east of the town, we at last reached the top- and threw ourselves u})on the naked sward for rest, just as the gleams of dayspring began to gild the eastern horizon. At nine o'clock orders came to prepare for a forced march of forty-eight hours without knapsacks, and two days' rations were issued. What more ''''forced^'' than the experience . of the last few days was needed? Happily, the order that would have ])ut us in motion never came.

With the end of this, our first march, we droj) the mass of details lest our space should be taken up before we discover the spires of Atlanta, or the music of tlie ocean falls upon our ears at Savannah.

At Frankfort the regiment was furnished with bell tents, drilling was continued, and standing at arms an hour or two in the morning before daybreak was practiced. On the evening of the 18th preparations were made for a forced march, and at midnight the brigade was called out and started for Lawi-enceburg, sixteen miles distant. The object was to intercept the partisan John Morgan, who was retreating from Lexington before a federal force. The command halted by the way an hour and did not reach the destination till daylight, when it was found that the rebel chieftain had j^assed an liour and a half before. Marching back leisurely the troops readied their old quarters at seven in the evening, tired and foot-sore.

A painful incident of history followed. Dissatisfaction with Col. Mc]\[urtiy was gaining ra[)i(lly, and the demand for his retirement was strong. We remember the hollow square, the stiri'ing speech from

Gen. Ward counseling liarmonj and subordination, t'le demand of the colonel for a vote to ascertain the feeling of the regiment towards him, and we see the large majority stej) out of ranks, whereupon he announces his intention to resign. Whatever defects he may have had they were those of old age. He had served in the Black Hawk war and was familiar with the obsolete tactics. He did not address himself with the alacrity of a young man to mastering the new, and this may have detracted from his popularity. Perhaps he was regarded as responsible for the hard marching that had been done ; if so, it was unjust. He was honest and terribly in earnest. In his care for the men and his intercourse with them he was less remote and more alive to their welfare than any other who ever commanded them. His influence went lar in raising the regiment, and to this length, if no further, he served his country well. Sickness obliged him to go to the hospital, and from there he repaired to his home. The regiment saw no more of him except when he paid it a brief visit at Gallatin in February.

On the 26th of October the brigade broke camp and began the march to Bowling Green. The distance of 150 miles' was accomplished in ten days. Toward the last the dust was veiy troublesome again, scarcely less so than on the first march, and when the soldiers camped at night they were unrecognizable. At Bacon Creek numbers were sent back to Louisville sick, while others were left to come on by rail.

Gen. Kosecrans reviewed our division there, and on the 11th of November the brigade left its camp at Lost river, and on the second day arrived at Scottsville, county seat of Allen county. Continuing southward on the 25tli the division marched in the direction of Gallatin, Tennessee, and camped that night at the Rock House. Arriving there the next evening a camp was laid out for the 102d west of the town. On the 12th of December the regiment moved into winter quarters at Fort Thomas, which was situated close to the depot, and which the brigade, working in reliefs by regiments, had been throwing up since its arrival. On the 13th companies I, K and G were detailed for patrol and provost duty in the town, and the next day were cantoned in brick buildings on the public square. Company C was put on duty at Station creek, three miles below Gallatin, where they spent the winter guarding the railroad bridge. On the 11th of February companies D and F and a part of A were ordered into the town to increase the provost force. About New Year a mounted squad, composed of a detail of two men from each company, was organized, and placed under the command of Sergeant Edward Courtney, of company I, making twenty-one altogether. Tliis was kept scouting until spring, and did much hard, etlicient service. On the 14th of March the several companies were relieved by a detail from the 105th Illinois, and were reunited in the old camp to finish and garrison Fort Thomas. The rainy, gloomy winter was over, the darkest period of the war passed. With the fresh breath of spring came new life and gladness^ Drilling was resumed with great energy, and most encouraging improvements were made in the health, and spirits, and skill, and tactical knowledge of the men.

April 27 a detachment of 150 frcjm the regiment was embarked on board the regular morning express train for Louisville, under the chief command of Col. B. J. Sweet, seconded by Col. Smith. Rebels were hovering near Franklin, twenty-seven miles above, and when that place was reached fifty soldiers were put off there in the belief that a skirmish would ensue. The train proceeded three or four miles farther, when it was stopped by a breach in the track, and a volley was received from a lot of rebel horsemen. The fire was instantly returned with deadly effect, and then the men sprang from the cars in pursuit, but the assailants disappeared in hot haste. Theii* loss was five killed and six wounded. Five of the 102d were wounded, two mortally. A little drummer boy on the train was wounded in the leg, which had to be amputated. This was the first baptism of fire.

June 1 the brigade left its encampment at Gallatin and was transported on the cars to Lavergne, fifteen miles south of Nashville ; and next day the 102d marched to Stewart's creek, six miles farther south, and nine miles north of Murf'reesboro. Companies E, K, and G were posted on the creek at the railroad crossing ; company H was stationed at OveralPs creek, adjacent to the Stone river battlefield ; and comjiany B at Smyrna. The right wing was encamped at a small earthwork surmounting an eminence on Stewart's creek and overlooking the crossing of the Nashville and Murfi-eesboro turnpike. When Gen. Rosecrans organized the Tullahoma camj^aign the dispersed forces at Nashville and elsewhere in the rear were formed into the reserve corps, under the command of Gen. Gordon Granger, who, at an earlv dav, entrusted the protection of the railroad between Nashville and Murfresboro exclusively to the 102d. Col. Smith was ordered to Lavergne with four companies, and, on August 19, companies C, E, G, and I marched to that place, while the other six were stationed at stockades along the railroad. Thus disposed the regiment was required to do mucli hai-d duty, and it could not have been more satisfactorily performed. Li addition to furnishing patrols, and men for a great variety of service besides, the comi)anies at Lavergne began in October to press horses from tlie disloyal for the purpose of mounting them- --selves. Companies G and E were first mounted and equipped, next I, -and then C; all of which was accomplished by the first week in Kovember. A great deal of scouting was done in actjoining counties, and the service was fraught with just enough risk to make it fascinating. Exj^loits of these commands when hunting and chasing guerillas increased the zest and excitement, and furnished not a little material for anecdote, and not a few thrilling personal adventures. By Christmas company B was mounted ; aiid another was partly so, when i-emoval of the regiment stopped the impressment of horses. Skillful management on the part of Col. Smith procured 225 of the breechloading Spencer repeating rifles for these companies, and each man was provided besides with a Colt's navy revolver.

The inclement winter of 1863-4 was hardly passed when final orders came to march to the front. February 26 the 102d left its cantonements and fell in with the rest of the brigade which had moved out from Nashville on the 2-itli. The weather was warm and balmy until the evening of the third day, when it began to rain ; throligh the fourth day it rained moderately, and was cold, and that night our camp was established on the naked creek bottom at Tullahoma. The temperature lowered, the stream rose and overspread a part of the ground; blankets and equipments were submerged ; and the men were driven out of their tents. About one o'clock in the morning the writer started a fire, using a cracker box, and by the light was enabled to pick up the tiniest parts of tree tops. Piling on these twigs the flames leaped up and danced a cheering and grateful invitation to the men who flocked from all parts of the brigade. It poured down the next forenoon, and 3,000 soldiers, wet, cold and hungry, stood shivering in the rainycamp. In the afternoon removal to high ground and timber was taken, and by liight, with the aid of huge fires, reasonable comfort and good feeling were restored. Trees groaned beneath the weight of ice and the gi'ound froze hard. Long will the first brigade remember its sojourn at Tullahoma. On the eighth day the column crossed the Raccoon moimtains, a spur of the Cumberland range, from Cowan, over the rockiest and roughest road in America, and camped on the other side at a place on the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad called Tantelon. The wagon train lay on the mountain all night and did not finish the passage till noon the next day. Stevenson was passed and Bridgeport reached March 7; the 8th we rested; the 9th we moved again ; and the 10th, being the fourteenth day from Lavergne, the command reached the Wauhatchie valley, at the foot of the frowning western encampment of Lookout mountain.

Here was made the most pleasant and beautiful camp the regiment ever had. Snugly concealed by an environment of towering eminences, and washed in rear by Lookout creek, it hicked nothing in natural scenery and surroundings to give it an air of the most quiet picturesqueness. Its elaborate and tasteful decoration was due mainly to the efforts of Lieut. A. IL Trego and Adjutant J. It. Snyder, gentlemen of the highest aesthetic endowment and culture. Space does not admit a description of the tall arches, elegant devices, military legends, the ornamented speaker's stand, and the chapel for religious worship. Camp life was not more agreeable anywhere than at this place ; but the stay of the regiment was one of hardening activity and preparation for the rigors of the approaching campaign ; re^^ews, inspections, company and battalion drills, and evolutions by brigade and division.

April 10 the last horses held by the mounted companies were turned over at Cliattanooga. The navy revolvers were surrendered, and an order came on the 29tli to exchange the Spencer rifles for Springfleld rifled muskets. This last order produced a gloomy shadow on the men's faces ; but as the time was short the change was never made. We anticipate a little to say that this arm gave the 102d great reputation in the army. " Give way for the Spencer regiment," "Let these Spencers up," and the like, were expressions often heard when the regiment was going up to relieve some other in a hot place on the front line. The rebels recognized the regiment by its fire, and often asked what kind of anns it had ; several times it was jocosely inquired if the boys "wound up their guns on Monday morning and fired all the week." The slow fact never dawned upon the sleepy authorities that this rifle was fit for anything but the mounted service, and the idea prevailed that soldiers armed with it would become addicted to laxitv of aim and waste ammunition. The 102d demonstrated the senility of these fears.

After the 11th and 12th army corps had been transfeiTed from the east, Ward's brigade was attached to the former and numbered the first brigade of the first division. On the consolidation of those two corps in March, to form the 20tli, it became the first brigade of the third division, and ever after retained that designation.

On the 2d of May simultaneous movements of all parts of the aiTny began. Ward's brigade camped that night at Gordon's mills. On the 4th it moved from there to the vicinity of Kinggold, and on the 6th to Leed's farm, near Xickajack Trace. Next day Taylor's ridge was crossed at Gordon's pass ; Gordon's Springs was left behind, and the command encamped near Yillanow. On the 11th, following up the movement through Snake Creek gap, begun by McPherson on the 9th, we halted for the night in the narrow defile between two of the immense ridges of the mountains. After cutting a new road through the woods the brigade moved out the next day two miles to Sugar Valley. The advance was resumed early on the morning of the 13th, and tlie command had gone but a short distance when it found itself in proximity to the enemy. During a brief halt here Gen. Kilpatrick, commanding the cavalry, was brought to the rear wounded. At intervals during the forenoon advances were made, and in the afternoon the brigade was formed in line with a company from each regiment deployed as skirmishers. Then moving forward a short distance the line halted, the skmnishers occupying the crest of a ridge in open timber in full view of the operations beyond, including the charge by the 15th corps and capture of the enemy's rifle pits, a redoubt, and two cannon. Meantime, having moved some distance, about eight in the evening our division took a position on the right of the 14th corps and on the summit of the wooded ridge overlooking Camp creek, on the other side of which about eighty rods was the enemy, working with vigor to strengthen his position.

Company G was ordered out as skirmishers and posted at the base of the hill. Early next morning company E was added, and then a bold advance was made to the stream. An attempt to outflank the line being discovered by Capt. Sedwick, he returned through great exposure to the reserve, and, advancing to the left, drove the rebels back. In the afternoon, while neighboring troops were engaged, our line was ordered forward to the brow of the hill as a feint. The movement unmasked the left of company I and a tremendous volley concentrated upon it killed one, wounded two severely, and two slightly. The day was very hot. The skirmishers in their advanced position could not move without fatal danger, and their sufferings from heat and thirst were intense. The condition of the wounded, beyond the reach of help until darkness, was more aggravated. The casualties in company G were : killed, John Gibson and Watson W. Hibbs ; wounded, Frederick Friebele, John Burnett (mortally), Lemuel S. Gruffy, William P. Ii-win (died in hospital), William S. Pearson, William M. Bunting, John B. Felton,- John Dunn, and William T. Todd (died in hospital). In company E the wounded were : Michael Oswalt (died in hospital), Jonathan P. Morrison, and Gilbert Zend.

On the morning of Sunday, the 15tli, the division was relieved and marched four miles to the left to join the rest of the corps, which had been ordered round the day before. A fortified hill on the Dalton road, north of Ilesacca, was selected for attack in the hope of piercing the line at that point. The enemy's breastworks, nearly 5U0 yards distant fi-om wliere our troops could be massed for assault without discovery, stretched away in the form of an arc upon the crest of a long, high hill covered with forest trees, hiding the position fi-om view. A spur, lower than the main ridge, jutted out in front, and on this a lunette had been constructed in which were planted four twelve-pound brass cannon. The brigade was marched up under cover of the hea\y and tangled woods to the crown of the loftv ridffe confrontinor this formidable position, and there organized for the assault, with the 70th Indiana in frout, the 102d next in order, followed by the 79th Ohio,, and the 105th and 129th Illinois, closed en masse. At noon a low command was given and the column moved down the hill without a word, concealed by the timber and the heavy undergrowth, down trees helping to obstruct the ground, and pushed its way through with fixed bayonets. Debouching suddenly upon the open, plain, (len. Ward gave the short, shrill command, "double quick," and with a bound and a prolonged yell the brigade sprang to the assault. At the same instant heavy skirmishing along the whole front and a brisk cannonade were begun to confuse the enemy and cover the charge. The rebels were taken by complete surprise, but responded at once with a terrible fire from the battery and the infantry posted behind. The smoke from the rebel "jjosition wrapped the hill in a lurid mantle, and the refrain from the artillery on both sides thundered above us. Men were dropping on every hand, but on and on with a continuous shout, like a thunderbolt of war, went the brigade. It seems but a minute and the broad valley is passed ; breath is shortened and speed slackened, but the column presses up the hillside. Some stoop beneath while others push aside the boughs. The cheer has died out and the men, unable to see the foe, clench their teeth for deadly work. A moment more and the rebel guns, shotted with grape and canister, vomit their red flame into the faces of the advancing column. At the last discharge the men are so close that the hot breath of the angry cannon sways the line for an instant. Then, on our side is the first musket fired. A tremendous roar convulses the earth. A few of the rebel gunners flee, but the rest remain, like the heroes that they are, at their pieces, and with the obstinacy of despair vainly endeavor 'to beat back our men with their sponge-stafis ! But all save five are slaughtered ; these are taken pi-isoners by members of companies E and I. Many impelled by the boldness of ardor dash still deeper into the woods that cover the rebel intrenchments, and a few go quite up to them.

almost at tlie beginning of the action the command devolved upon Col. Hari-ison of the 70th Indiana. He lost his coolness and ordered a retreat. Through misunderstanding the second brigade, brought up for support, fired into us from the rear. These evil occurrences caused confusion, and some fell back while others remained. The rebels had retired from their works, but rallied and returned. Had tlie situation of the breastworks been known to the men, or could thev have been seen bj most of them, the line would have been taken. But when the lunette was captured, no other works being in sight, it was supposed by the men generally that they were in possession of all the enemy had, and that the rebel infantry had ingloriously fled. This was their first battle, too, and they had no fixed and common idea as to what might be found on the field, or what should be expected. With their experience a month later they would have carried the entire parapet in handsome style and completely broken through the enemy's line.

The rebels having come back, they opened with shar]D volleys, and our men, lying down behind logs and ti'ees and under the redoubt, grimly resolved to hold all they had gained. The lines were but a few rods apart, and a galling fire was kept i^p by both sides during the day and a part of the night ; but the foe was well protected, while our men were greatly exposed to raking shots from the right and the left, as well as from the front.

When at the early stage the disorder was created, a part of the regiment was collected at the foot of the hill and marched to the left, where they took a share in a fierce engagement with Hood's corps, which charged our line and was disastrously repulsed.

At ten o'clock that night we were relieved and fell back a short distance to the rear for rest. The casualties in the 102d were IS killed, 76 wounded, and 1 missing. Six of the wounded soon after died. In this action the gallantry of both ofticers and men received flattering notice next day in orders from Gen. Buttei-field, and later, complimentary credit from the general of the army. Acts of individual heroism were numerous. Orderly sergeant John Morrison, of company A, who had been commissioned lieutenant but not mustered, and was wounded and afterward died, was much applauded for conspicuous bravery. Color-sergeant R. L. Carver displayed most courageous bearing and was seriously wounded. The banner-bearer, Corporal P. F. Dillon, fell an instant later, pierced through the breast. Adjutant J. H. Snyder caught up the banner and bore it with impetuous gallantry into the earthwork and subsequently planted it on the parapet. Fifty bulllets riddled its folds and two struck the stafl'. The colors of the 102d were the first raised over the works. Persistent valor shed luster on our flag. The des})erate courage which held the position from noon until ten o'clock at night was not sui'passed by the heroism which covered our arms with glory at Buena Vista or Cerro Gordo.

That night Johnson withdrew his army across the Oostanaula, and Sherman followed close behind the next day. Our brigade was left to bury its dead. A long trench, embowered by soughing pines, was dug, and the fifty-one slain of the brigade were given tender sepulture in this common grave. A prayer was said, a few remarks were made by a white-haired chaplain, the grave was filled, and the brigade, as , night was nearing, hastened to overtake the main army.

On the morning of the 27th we crossed the Coosawattee river and marched ten miles that day. The 18tli was hot and many straggled along the route of fifteen miles. Toward the close of the afternoon the enemy grew stubborn as he was closely pressed. Moving out very early next morning, the 19th, the brigade was shortly tlirown into line of battle, with companies B and G from the 102d in front as skirmishers. The enemy was in plain sight, and after taking a shelling from a single field piece an hour and a half, and losing Samuel Harvey, of company G, the brigade moved two miles to the right. As soon as this new ground was reached the rebels emerged from a dense woods on the opposite side of an extensive field, and advanced toward our line. AYith extreme energy a barricade of rails was made, while a battery on our right played upon them so effectively as to send them hurtling back whence they came. At 2 o'clock the order to advance was given, and we debouched into the cleared sjiace and marched in columns by company up the rising ground. Banners were unfurled and fluttered proudly over the heads of the men, as with handsome precision they executed the movement. As far as could be seen in either direction nothing met the eye but this imposing pageant. Gen. Hooker and his staff remained near our brigade during the afternoon, and when the highest ground was reached we were halted in that position for some time, our commander watching from this favorable point the movements of the enemy. We were close on the foe and there was expectation of a battle. Johnson had resolved to risk a general engagement at Cassville, and had his ai-my strongly posted and intrenched for that purpose, but later developments led him to adopt a different plan. Our skirmishers were thrown forward to a narrow strip of woods below us ; beyond this was another field into wliicli tlie rebels came. A battery in our immediate rear pitched a few shells over the ti'ee tops where onr skirmishers were sheltered, and as we had a view of the open ground on the other side, we presently saw the rebels raising the dust in retreat. They were followed by the skirmishers who disappeared in the timber wliich hid the enemy at the same time. At five o'clock we advanced over the same ground to the edge of Cassville. After a brief halt the command fell back and went into camp near the place from which it last moved up. AVe slept that night under orders from the commanding general for the whole army to close in upon Cassville at daylight, and "to attack the enemy wherever found. " But he was in full retreat before that hour.