Allegan County, Michigan - Chapter 79: Biqhth, Tenth, and Eleventh Cav Alky, Etc, 1880

Chapter 79: Biqhth, Tenth, and Eleventh Cav Alky, Etc

Organization of the Eighth - Company P from Allegan County - Officers from the Two Counties - Service in Kentucky - Routing Morgan at Buffington's Island - Hard Marching - Services in East Tennessee - Back to Kentucky on Foot - Remounted - Joins Sherman at Kenesaw - Services in the Atlanta Campaign - Surrounded, but breaks out - -Afterwards surprised and routed - -Those who escaped sent to Nashville - Fighting Hood - The End - Officers and Soldiers from Allegan County - From Barry County - The Tenth Cavalry - On Duty in Kentucky and Tennessee - Engagement at Carter's Station - At Butt's Gap - The Summer of 1864 - Routing and Killing Morgan - Expedition to Saltville, Va. - Expedition into North Carolina - Hard Marching and Fight - . Fight at Henry Court-House - Victory at Salisbury, N. C - Barry County Soldiers - Allegan County Soldiers.

Eighth Cavalky

This regiment, the rendezvous of which was at Mount Clemens, was recruited during the fall of 1862 and the winter following, but did not take the field until May, 1863, when, with one thousand one hundred and seventeen officers and men, it proceeded to Kentucky. Allegan and Barry Counties were well represented in the Eighth ; the former county furnishing almost all of Company P, which was recruited by Capt. (afterwards Col.) Elisha Mix, of Manlius. Asst.-Surg. Samuel D. Toby, of Ganges ; Adjt. Homer Manvel, of Saugatuck ; Second Lieut. Miles Horn, of Otsego ; Capt. John E. Babbitt, of Allegan County ; and First Lieut.. Adrian L. Cook, of Hastings, were also .conspicuous officers of this regiment. Martin Cook, of Allegan, was a hospital steward.

From Covington, Ky., the regiment entered upon active service on the 1st of June, 1863, and between that time and August 10th, in that year, marched twelve hundred and forty-two miles, exclusive of over sixteen hundred miles marched by detachments of the regiment while scouting, etc. It was first engaged with the enemy on the Triplet, Kentucky, and Salt Rivers, and at Lebanon, Ky. When the rebel Gen. John H. Morgan made his celebrated raid through the States of Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio, the Eighth was one of the foremost in the chase, and, hanging closely on his flanks and rear, at length brought him to bay at Buffington Island, Ohio. Here, on the 19th of July, 1863, it immediately attacked and routed his forces ; capturing two hundred and seventeen prisoners, besides killing and wounding many others. Twice during this pursuit of Morgan the regiment marched forty-eight hours, halting but twice on each occasion, and then only for a few minutes. At another time the chase was kept up for twentyfour hours, without stopping to feed and rest but once.

From Buffington Island the regiment returned to Kentucky, where it fought and defeated Scott's rebel cavalry. In August it advanced with the Union forces into East Tennessee. At Calhoun and Athens, Tenn., on the 26th and 27th of September, the brigade to which it was attached was attacked and defeated by a rebel force of some ten thousand men, commanded by Forrest and Wheeler. The Unionists retreated to Loudon ; the Eighth having suffered a loss of forty-three men, killed and wounded, besides several missing.

Until the early part of February, 1864, the regiment was very actively engaged marching and skirmishing up and down the valleys of the Tennessee and Holston Rivers. It had also engaged in all the operations termed the " siege of Knoxville," pursued Longstreet's retreating army, and fought him at Bean's Station, Dandridge, and Strawberry Plains. On the 3d of February the regiment moved to Knoxville, transferred its horses to the quartermaster's department, and thence marched on foot to Mount Sterling, Ky., a tedious tramp of more than two hundred miles over the Cumberland Mountains.

It was there remounted, and on the 28th of June joined Gen. Sherman's army in front of Kenesaw Mountain, Ga. On the march from Mount Sterling the regiment had scoured the country bordering the railroad ; capturing one hundred and forty prisoners. Forming part of Gen. Stoneman's cavalry force, it covered the right of Gen. Sherman's infantry during the crossing of the Chattahoochie and the advance on Atlanta. It participated in the Campbelltown and Macon raids in July, 1864, and a detachment of the Eighth succeeded in capturing and destroying three railroad-trains loaded with rebel stores.

In the latter raid, at Clinton, Ga., July 31st, the forces commanded by Gen. Stoneman were surrounded by a superior force of the enemy, and he ultimately surrendered, but prior, to that time the Eighth, having obtained permission, charged through the enemy's ranks and endeavored to reach the Union lines near Atlanta. On the 3d of August, however, being nearly worn out with seryice, having been in the saddle with little or no rest or sleep for seven days and eight nights, it was surprised and routed by the enemy with heavy loss; losing two hundred and fifteen officers and men, mostly taken prisoners. The remainder of the regiment was employed on picket duty until the middle of September, 1864, when it was ordered to Nicholasville, Ky., and then back to Nashville, where it arrived on the 26th of October.

The Eighth was engaged through the month of November, skirmishing with the cavalry advance of Hood's army, being several times surrounded by the enemy, but always managing to cut its way out. Alter Hood was defeated at Franklin and Nashville and driven out of Tennessee, this regiment had no service more severe than that of suppressing the guerrilla bands who still infested the country. In July the Eleventh Cavalry was consolidated with the Eighth, the combined regiment retaining the latter name. It was mustered out of the United States service at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865, and was soon after paid oflF and disbanded at Jackson, Mich.

Eighth, Tenth, And Eleventh Cavalry, Etc

adjt. Charles W. Holmes, must, out .Tune 10, 1865. Samuel W. Kendall, must, out June 10, 1865. Charles J. Seigner, died of disease in Indiana, Jan. 28, 1865. James Stanton, died of disease in Tennessee, March 25, 1865. Richard Williams, disch. by order, May 29, 1865.

wounds at Pulaski, Tenn., April 30, 1865. Warren Collins, died of disease at Annapolis, March S, 1865. Joseph Simmers, died in Andersonville prison-pen. William Tudehope, disch. by order. May 31, 1866. Samuel S. Thomas, disch. for promotion, Sept. 26, 1864.

Andrew Hathaway, died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 26, 1864. John Johnson, must, out June 10, 1865. Simon Mathews, must, out June 10, 1865. George H. Robinson, disch. for disability, Feb. 24, 1865. John Vredenbnrgh, must, out June 10, 1865. John W. Willard, must, out June 10, 1863.

Tenth Cavaley

TENTH CAVALEY. The Tenth Regiment of Michigan Cavalry was recruited during the fall of 1863, its rendezvous being at the city of Grand Rapids. Among the many counties represented in the organization were those of Allegan and Barry, but neither had a full company in its ranks.

With a force of nine hundred and twelve o£Scers and men, commanded by Col. Thaddeus Foote, the regiment left its rendezvous on the 1st of December, 1863, and proceeded to Lexington, Ky., whence it marched, on the 13th of that month, to Camp Nelson. During most of the winter of 1863-64 . it was on duty at Burnside Point, Knoxville, and Strawberry Plains, Tenn.

On the 24th of April it was ordered to Carter's Station for the purpose of destroying the bridge over the Wautaga River, but failed in consequence of the enemy being in force and occupying an intrenched position. In the engagement which ensued the Tenth lost eleven men killed and wounded and three missing.

On the 28th of May a detachment of one hundred and sixty men of the regiment, while engaged in a reconnoissance to Bull Gap and Greenville, encountered a superior force of the enemy, whom they put to rout ; killing and wounding a large number, besides capturing thirty prisoners and a number of horses and mules.

During the summer of 1864 the regiment was actively engaged in various parts of East Tennessee, and with varying success fought the enemy at White Horn, Morristown, Bean's Station, Rogersville, Kingsport, Cany Branch, New Market, Moseburg, Williams' Ford, Dutch Bottom, Sevierville, Newport, Greenville, Mossy Creek, Bull Gap, Blue Spring, Strawberry Plains, Flat Creek Bridge, Sweet- Water, Tliornhill, Jonesboro', and Carter's Station. On the 4th of September the regiment participated in the surprise and rout of Gen. John H. Morgan's forces at Greenville, Tenn. In this engagement Gen. Morgan was killed and his staflF and a large number of his men captured.

To Nov. 1, 1864, the regiment had lost in killed and wounded fifty-seven ; missing in action, forty-four ; by desertions, ninety-six ; while the large number of one hundred and forty had died of disease.

In December the Tenth joined in the expedition to Saltville, Va., and assisted in destroying the salt-works at that point. It also fought the enemy at Kingsport, Bristol, and Chucky Bend, Tenn.

Returning to Knoxville, its brigade soon after marched with Ge» Stoneman in his raid into North Carolina. The regiment was engaged with the enemy at Brabson's Mills, Tenn., and at Boonville, N. C. Moving rapidly, vici Wilkesboro', and thence towards Salisbury, the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad was reached at Christiansburg, and on6 hundred miles of its line, together with the bridges, was destroyed.

This accomplished, the regiment made a rapid march to Henry Court- House, Va., traversing ninety-five miles in twenty-two hours. At tljat point, on the 8th of April, 1865, it became engaged with a superior force of the enemy's cavalry and infantry, and was compelled to retire with a loss of eight killed and wounded, Lieut. Kenyon bein" among the former. On the 9th and lOlh, while the regiment was employed destroying the railroad and bridge north of Salisbury, at Abbott's Creek, the enemy was again encountered and defeated, aftor a three hours' contest. The regiment then proceeded along the upper waters of the Catawba ; picking up bands of rebel cavalry endeavoring to make their escape southward. It was engaged in skirmishes with the enemy at Statesville, N. C, on the 14th, and at Newton, N. C, on the 17th of April, 1865.

Upon the surrender of Johnston the Tenth joined in the movements looking to the capture of Jeff. Davis. It was soon after ordered to West Tennessee, where it served until Nov. 11, 1865, when it was mustered out at Memphis, Tenn. ; reached Jackson, Mich., for final pay and disbandment, November 15th of the same year.

Company I. Edward Margason, must, out Nov. 11, 1865. William A. Palmer, must, out Nov. 11, 1865. John Stephens, disch. for disability, June 13, 1863.

Eleventh Cavalry

This regiment was recruited at Kalamazoo during the summer and fall of 1863. It was mustered into the service December 10th, and under the command of Col. Simeon B. Brown left its rendezvous for the field on the 17th of the same month ; its rolls showing the names of nine hundred and twenty-one officers and enlisted men. Company C was almost wholly from Barry County, while the same county was also represented in all the other companies except those of A, B, E, and I. Six men from Allegan County were distributed among five different companies. (See roster.) The Eleventh proceeded to Lexington, Ky., and, after receiving arms and equipments, was employed during the months of January and February, 1864, in scouting ; having its headquarters at Lexington. In April it moved to Louisa, Ky., and, with the Thirty-Ninth Kentucky Infantry, with which it was brigaded, was employed in protecting the eastern part of the State from rebel raids and incursions, which came in from Virginia, until the last of May, when it was sent on an expedition into West Virginia, under Gens. Burbridge and Hobson ; but, hearing that the rebels, under Morgan, had invaded Kentucky, the division returned, and by forced marching overtook the enemy at Mount Sterling, Ky. Here, on the 8th of June, the enemy was routed with severe loss. On the 12th of the same month the rebels were again encountered at Cynthiana, and a second time defeated and dispersed.

From August 23d to September 17th it was stationed at Camp Burnside, on the Cumberland River, and was cmployed, with other troops, in protecting the southern part of Kentucky from threatened invasion by Gen. Wheeler's cavalry.

In the latter part of September it was engaged in a raid to Saltville, Va. At Bowen's Farm the regiment was warmly engaged, and also at Richland Gap and Rich Mountain, and was part of the assaulting force upon the enemy's position at Saltville, which, defended by a superior force, was found too strong to be captured. During the return march into Kentucky the Eleventh formed the rear-guard. At Sandy Mountain it was nearly surrounded by the enemy, but succeeded, after a severe struggle, in rejoining the command.

During November it was constantly engaged in clearing the country of guerrillas, and had severe skirmishing at Hazel Green, McCormack's Farm, Morristown, Mount Sterling, and other points. It was at Crab Orchard and Cumberland Gap ; marching from the latter place to Clinch River, where it had a sharp fight December 28th. From the 1st to the 11th of December it was enj^aged in scouting and foraging about Bean's Station, Morristown, Kus- Bellville, Whitesboro', and Cobb's Ford. On the 11th of December it moved with Gen. Stoneman's command into North Carolina, and on the 13th was at Bristol, where a number of prisoners and a large amount of stores were captured.

At Max Meadow Station the regiment destroyed a large arsenal. It skirmished with the enemy's cavalry about Marion on the 17th, and the whole command had a severe fight with Breckenridge's infantry, the enemy finally falling back.

The command then proceeded to Saltville, where the enemy's extensive salt-works were destroyed. After an arduous campaign the regiment finally returned to Lexington, Ky., where it arrived on the 2d of January, 1865, many of the men having lost their horses and coming in on foot. During the campaign from November 17th to January 2d the regiment had marched an average of twenty-eight miles a day, not including scouting and foraging.

It was engaged in scouting the eastern portion of Kentucky until February 23d, when it was ordered to join Gen. Stoneman's command at Knoxville, which it did on the 15th of March, moving by way of Louisville and Nashville.

It formed a part of the expedition under Stoneman into East Tennessee, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. At Salisbury, N. C, where it arrived on the 12th of April, the command was engaged with a superior force of the enemy, and captured eighteen hundred prisoners and twentytwo guns, besides destroying a large amount of property, including the railway and telegraph lines.

From Salisbury it marched to Asheville, where, on the 26th of April, it captured two hundred prisoners and a large amount of property and munitions of war. On the 1st of May it was at Anderson Court-House, S. C* On the 11th it captured the cavalry escort of Jefi'erson Davis, near Washington, and on the 13th was on the Tugaloo and Savannah Rivers.

Returning from this great raid, the regiment reached Knoxville, Tenn,, on the 3d of June, and encamped at Lenoir Station until the 24th, when it moved by rail to Pulaski, where, on the 20th of July, it was consolidated with the Eighth Michigan Cavalry. It was mustered out of service at Nashville, Tenn., on the 22d of September. Returned to Michigan on the 28th, and was paid and disbanded.

Com.-Sergt. Henry A. Latlirop, Castleton ; enl. Sept. 22, 1863 ; pro. in U. S. C. T. Com.-Sergt. Harmon H. Muuger, Hastings; trans, to 8tli Car.

» At Anderson it was estimated that the command destroyed three million dollars' worth of public property. At this point also were found and brought away a great amount of Confederate paper money, and three of the plates (engraved in England) upon which bills were printed. These last, together with a specimen gold coin (five dollars), struck by private enterprise, are the property of Gen. C. E. Smith, of Kalamazoo.

George W. Cassady, died of disease at Lexington, Ky., Aug. 28, 1864. Alfred Drake, died of disease at Camp Nelson, Ky. Oscar F. Dunham, disch. by order, Aug. 10, 1865. Anson Fowle, must, out Sept. 22, 1865. Charles Horton, must, ont Sept. 22, 1865.

Company D. W. H. Knickerbocker, must, out June 16, 1865. Company F. Sergt. Lewis A. Raymond, Castleton; enl. Sept. 16,1863; disch. by order. May

Merrill Horse

This was the name of a body of cavalry recognized as a Mi.ssouri regiment, three companies of which, viz., H, I, and L, were raised in the State of Michigan, and to the close of the war retained their distinctive character as Michigan troops so far that their officers were commissioned by and their members credited to the latter State. Companies H and I were recruited early in the autumn of 1861, and the latter company especially had a large representation from Barry County. Company L was not organized until December, 1862.

The regiment to which these companies belonged served during the whole term of its service with the Western armies. It engaged the enemy at Memphis, Moore's Hill, and Kirksville, Mo., in 1862. At Brownsville, Bayou Mecoe, Ashley's Bayou, Little Rock, Benton, Princeton, Little Missouri River, Prairie Dehan, Camden, and Jenkins' Ferry, Ark., in 1863-64. At Franklin, Otterville, Independence, and Big Blue, Mo., in October, 1864.

In the latter part of 1 864 the regiment was transferred to Nashville, Tenn. ; thence by steamers it proceeded to Eastport, Miss., and on the 11th of February, 1865, it began a march, vid Florence, Huntsville, Stevenson, and Bridgeport, Ala., to Chattanooga, Tenn.

During the remainder of its term of service it was employed in Northern Georgia on scout duty. In Georgia it encountered the enemy at Trenton Gap, Alpine, and Summerville. Its service closed on the 21st of September, 1865, when it was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn.

Mo., Nov. 4, 1861. Oreemis Britton, disch. at end of service, Sept. 15, 1864. Henry Huuglitalin, disch. for disability, Nov. 21, 1862. Wesley Houghtalin, disch. for disability. May 9, 1862. Theron Haynes, died of wounds received at Memphis, July 18, 1865. Benjamin J. Hall, died of disease at Fayette, Mo., April 26, 1862. KufuB B. Harrington, must, out Sept. 19, 1866. Nathaniel Jeffries, disch. for disability, April 6, 1862. Reuben Johnson, disch. for disability, Feb. 26, 1862. John H. Johnsou, disch. for disability, April 24, 1862. Edwin Mills, disch. by order, June 16, 1865.

Henry S. Sooville.'died of diseuee at Fayette, Mo., March 13, 1862. George Scovillo, died in action at Memphis, Mo., July 18, 1802. John B. Taylor, died in action at Moore's Hill, July 28, 1862. Moses B. Taylor, disch. for disaliiiity, Sept. 13, 1861. James Willson, died in action at Memphis, Mo., July 18, 1862. Charles Wilkinson, died of disease at St. Louis, Mo., Deo. 9, 1861.