Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

General: I have the honor to report the operations of my command for the months of January and February, 1864, as follows:

From the first until as late as the twentieth of January, no movements of any consequence took place. Small scouting-parties, of both cavalry and infantry, were sent out from time to time, to watch the movements of the enemy, but failed to find him in any considerable force in our immediate front.

Information gained through scouts and deserters, placed Johnston's army at Dalton and vicinity, occupying the same position he had taken up after the rebel army had fallen back from Mission Ridge, November twenty-sixth, 1863, and showing no disposition as yet to assume the offensive. Desertions from the enemy still continued numerous, averaging thirty (30) per day, nearly all of whom wished to embrace the terms of the President's Amnesty Proclamation, which, with Major-General Grant's General Order No. 10, of Headquarters Military Division of Mississippi, had been freely circulated within the rebel lines for some time previous.

On the twentieth of January, General G. M. Dodge, at Pulaski, Tenn., having ascertained that a force of rebel cavalry under Roddy, was constructing flat-boats, and hiding them in Little Bear Creek, Spring Creek, and Town Creek, and also that one of Roddy's regiments was foraging on the north side of the Tennessee River, he immediately informed General Grant of these movements of the enemy, who directed me to organize an expedition at once, of sufficient force to drive Roddy away from where he was reported to be, and to destroy all boats and materials that might in any way be used by the enemy in crossing the Tennessee River. On the twenty-second, information was received that Johnson's and Morrow's brigades, of Roddy's command, had crossed the Tennessee, somewhere between Florence and Clifton, on the eighteenth, intending to make a raid on our railroads. The guards along the railroads were cautioned against an attack from this party, and measures were immediately taken to drive Roddy across the river. Colonel H. O. Miller, Seventy-second Indiana, commanding one expedition, reports from Blue Water, twenty-sixth, via Pulaski, twenty-seventh, that he engaged Johnson's brigade near Florence, routed them, killed fifteen, and wounded quite a number, taking them prisoners — among them three commissioned officers; our loss, ten wounded. Brigadier-General Gillem also reports having sent out parties from along the line of the N. W. Railroad, and their having returned with Lieutenant-Colonel Brewer, two captains, three lieutenants, and twenty men as prisoners.

A party of guerrillas, numbering about one hundred and fifty men, attacked Tracy City on the twentieth, and after having three times summoned the garrison to surrender, were handsomely repulsed by our forces. Colonel T. J. Harrison, Thirty-ninth Indiana, (mounted infantry,) reports from Cedar Grove, twenty-first instant, that he had sent an expedition of two hundred men to Sparta, to look after the guerrillas in that vicinity. They divided into five parties, concentrating at Sparta, having passed over the localities of Carter's, Champ Ferguson's, Bledsoe's, and Murray's guerrillas. His (Harrison's) force remained on the “Calf-Killer” five days, and during that time killed four, (4,) wounded five or six, and captured fifteen, (15,) including a captain and lieutenant, thirty (30) horses, and twenty stand of arms.

The Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, having been completed on the fourteenth instant, and trains running regularly from Nashville to this point, steps were immediately taken to commence repairing the East-Tennessee and Georgia Railroad. The First division of the Fourth corps, Major-General D. S. Stanley commanding, was ordered, on the twenty-fourth, to take up a position north of Chattanooga, between Chickamauga Depot and the Hiawassee River, to protect the repairs on the railroad. General Hooker, commanding the Eleventh and Twelfth corps, was ordered to relieve Stanley's division, then stationed on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, between Whitesides and Bridgeport.

January twenty-eighth, Major-General J. M. Palmer, commanding Fourteenth army corps, with a portion of his command, made a reconnoissance toward the enemy's position on Tunnel Hill. He found him still in force at that point, and the object of the movement having been fully accomplished, General Palmer returned to Chattanooga.

February seventh, Colonel William B. Stokes, Fifth Tennessee cavalry, reports from Alexandria, Tennessee, that in pursuance to orders, he had recently scouted in the vicinity of Sparta, after certain bands of guerrillas infesting that neighborhood, and had succeeded in killing seventeen (17) and capturing twelve, (12,) besides twenty horses and mules. Another force, under Colonel O'Connell, [306] succeeded in killing twenty-three, (23.) and capturing forty of this same gang. Colonel Stokes ascertained that, when concentrated, the guerrillas in that section of the country will number six hundred men, finely mounted. A scout also brought me information of an attack by Roddy, with a heavy force, upon our troops stationed at Lebanon, De Kalb County, Alabama, on the third instant. The rebels were repulsed, and driven in confusion towards Gadsden, when, learning that Roddy was being reenforced by Wheeler, our troops withdrew to Sand Mountain, taking possession of Saltpetre Cave, near Fort Paine.

About the tenth instant, various reports having been received that the enemy under Johnson had weakened his force by sending reenforcements to Polk, then opposing the advance of our forces under General Sherman; also that he had sent troops to aid Longstreet, in East-Tennessee; and it being the desire of the Commanding General of the military division, effectually to clear out the rebel army directly opposed to our forces at Knoxville, I received orders, on the tenth instant, to prepare to start for Knoxville on the thirteenth, with such force as could safely be spared from the protection of Chattanooga and its communications, to cooperate with the army of the Ohio in driving Longstreet from East-Tennessee. The army at this period had been very much weakened by the absence of many regiments who had gone to their respective States to reorganize as veteran volunteers — a list of which I have the honor to annex hereto — so that in making my preparations, I found but a small force available. My transportation was in a very poor condition, notwithstanding all the efforts made to replace the animals lost by starvation, during the close investment of Chattanooga by the enemy; and for want of horses scarcely any of the artillery could be moved.

On the thirteenth, the East-Tennessee and Georgia Railroad was in running order to Loudon. The same day Matthias's brigade, of the Fifteenth corps, (army of the Tennessee,) arrived at Chattanooga from Huntsville, in pursuance to orders from General Grant, and was immediately placed in position at Cleveland, in reserve.

On the fourteenth, I received a communication from General Grant, countermanding the orders he had given me on the tenth, to proceed with a force from my command, to East-Tennessee, and stating that, from a conversation he had had with General Foster, he (General Grant) was convinced that all that could be accomplished by the proposed campaign, would not compensate for the hardships upon our men, and the disqualifying effects it would have upon them and our war material for a spring campaign. He then went on to say, that as I had been preparing for a move, he deemed it advisable to make one to my immediate front; the object being to gain possession of Dalton, and as far south of that as possible.

In accordance with the above instructions, every thing being in readiness, Johnson's and Baird's divisions moved out from Chattanooga, and occupied Ringgold, Georgia, on the twenty-second, taking up a position on the ridge west of East-Chickamauga Creek, with two regiments of mounted infantry, Colonel Boone's Twenty-eighth Kentucky, and Colonel Harrison's Thirty-ninth Indiana, on the east side of the creek; the former on the right flank, and the latter on the left. Carlin's brigade, of Johnson's division, was stationed about midway between the main line and Taylor's Ridge.

Crufts's division, of the Fourth corps, moved on the twenty-second from Blue Springs, near Cleveland, to Red Clay; Long's brigade of cavalry cooperated with Crufts's column, Long's instructions being to establish communication with Crufts at Red Clay, and then push on as far as possible toward Dalton on the Spring Place road, observing well the movements of the enemy, so as to give timely warning of any attempt to turn Crufts's left flank; and should the enemy retire, to notify Crufts, so that the latter might advance from Red Clay. During the evening of the twenty-second, General Palmer notified me from Ringgold that he had reliable information that Johnston had despatched Cheatham's and Cleburne's divisions to the relief of Polk, in Alabama, who was falling back before General Sherman's column.

On the twenty-third, Davis's division of the Fourteenth corps, closed up on the balance of General Palmer's command at Ringgold; Brigadier-General Matthias, commanding a brigade of the Fifteenth corps, stationed at Cleveland, in reserve, was directed to send six regiments from his command to reinforce General Crufts, at Red Clay; Colonel Long, having established communication with Crufts, the evening before, advanced with his brigade of cavalry along the Spring Place road, driving in the enemy's videttes when within four miles of Dalton; attacking a regiment of rebel infantry which was encamped one mile beyond, driving them from their camp and capturing some prisoners. The enemy then formed, and Long withdrew his command to Russell's Mills, four miles east of Varnell's Station, on the Cleveland and Dalton Railroad, and encamped there for the night. Crufts, by instructions from General Palmer, took position on the twenty-third at Lee's house, situated at the cross-roads, on the road leading from Red Clay to Tunnel Hill. The command being at this time well concentrated in the vicinity of Ringgold, and having renonnoitred thoroughly on both flanks, General Palmer advanced to feel the enemy in his position at Tunnel Hill, skirmished with him three or four miles, and finally drove him from his position entirely, to a point about one mile beyond Tunnel Hill, where he formed line, and opened on us with his battery. The main force then withdrew, and went into camp about three miles north-west of Tunnel Hill, and on the morning of the twenty-fourth the line stood as follows: Baird's division south of Taylor's Ridge, near Ringgold, with Crufts's division at Lee's house; Johnson's and Davis's divisions in advance, toward Tunnel Hill, with [307] Boone's and Harrison's regiments of mounted infantry, the former on the left, and Harrison's men leading the advance toward Tunnel Hill; Long's brigade of cavalry at Varnell's Station, on the Cleveland and Dalton Railroad, supported by Grose's brigade of Crufts's division. An advance was made in three columns; after the right and left columns had moved out some distance, the centre, with the mounted infantry in advance, pushed forward and met with a fire at long-range from a battery of Parrott guns, the enemy's practice being excellent, and succeeding in checking the column; the right and left columns were then set in motion, and succeeded in flanking the enemy's battery, forcing it to retire. Davis's division of the Fourteenth corps was started in pursuit, and came tip with a heavy force of rebels at Buzzard's Roost, a pass through what is called Rock Face Ridge, which, as its name would suggest, is very precipitous, and is a very strong position. Johnson's division of the Fourteenth corps was advanced to the support of Davis. Position on the evening of the twenty-fourth: Davis confronting the enemy at Buzzard's Roost, supported by Johnson's division, posted a short distance west of Tunnel Hill; Crufts on his left, Crufts's headquarters, Lee's house. Baird's division of the Fourteenth corps started from Tunnel Hill at three A. M. on the morning of the twenty-fifth, to join General Crufts, on the road leading from Lee's house to Dalton, with instructions to move, in conjunction with Crufts and Long's cavalry, down the eastern side of Rock Face Ridge, and endeavor to force the enemy out of his position in the pass by threatening his right and rear, whilst Davis, supported by Johnson, attacked him in front. In the mean time, Harrison's regiment of mounted infantry (Thirty-ninth Indiana) occupied a gap in Rock Face Ridge, six miles south of Buzzard's Roost, and nearly opposite to Dalton, his instructions being to hold it as long as possible. Baird and Crufts found the enemy east of the ridge in heavy force and very strongly posted, skirmishing heavily with him until nightfall, when both divisions were withdrawn, ascertaining before leaving, that the enemy was in much stronger force than was supposed, and that, in consequence of late movements on our part, he had been obliged to order back to Dalton the reenforcements he had sent to relieve Polk in Alabama. Cleburne's division (one of those reported to have gone south) attacked Colonel Hanson's mounted infantry command at daylight on the morning of the twenty-sixth, and forced him to retire from the gap. Being convinced that the rebel army at Dalton largely outnumbered the strength of the four divisions I had opposed to it, and the movement against Johnston being a complete success insomuch as it caused the recalling of reenforcements sent to oppose General Sherman's expedition against Meridian, I concluded to withdraw my troops to the position they had occupied previous to the reconnoissance.

Baird's division was to fall back on the evening of the twenty-fifth to Lee's Farm, and on the twenty-sixth take position on a line of hills about a mile north of the town of Tunnel Hill, to cover the retirement of Johnson's and Davis's divisions from Buzzard's Roost; Davis being ordered to take post at his old camp in front of Rossville, leaving one brigade to support Baird, ordered to take post at Ringgold, until General Baird had sufficient time to establish his picketlines. Johnson was ordered to take post at Tyner's Station with two brigades of his command, sending one brigade to Graysville, placing a strong guard in Parker's Gap, north-east of Ringgold, to protect Baird's left flank. Crufts was ordered to take up his old position at Ottowah and at Blue Springs, (near Cleveland,) sending a depot-guard to protect his supplies at Cleveland. Long's brigade of cavalry ordered to take post at Cleveland, and keep the left flank well patroled. Colonel Harrison, commanding Thirty-ninth Indiana mounted infantry, with the Twenty-eighth Kentucky, (mounted infantry,) Colonel W. P. Boone commanding, was posted at Leet's Tanyard, with instructions to patrol the country in the direction of La Fayette, and to picket strongly all the roads leading from Leet's in the direction of La Fayette, Resaca, and Dalton. In accordance with these instructions, Johnson withdrew on the night of the twenty-sixth to Catoosa Platform, Davis and Baird and Harrison to Ringgold; and on the twenty-seventh they all took up the positions indicated above. Crufts's and Long's cavalry also fell back to Catoosa Platform on the night of the twenty-sixth, and there took up the positions assigned them.

I have the honor to forward herewith a consolidated report of casualties; also the report of Colonel Eli Long, commanding Second brigade, Second division of cavalry; and a statement of a refugee from Dalton, showing how matters stood at that place during the late reconnaissance; the monthly returns for January and February of Colonel J. G. Parkhurst, Ninth Michigan veteran volunteer infantry, Provost-Marshal General, and that of Lieutenant-Colonel A. P. Porter, Chief Commissary of Subsistence, giving the average daily issue of rations to destitute citizens during the above months.

The following regiments, etc., have reorganized as veteran volunteers since the thirty-first of December, 1863, namely:

Infantry.--Second Minnesota, Fifty-eighth New-York, Sixty-eighth New-York, Forty-fifth New-York, Tenth Illinois, Fifty-ninth Illinois, Thirty-sixth Illinois, Fifty-first Illinois, Forty-fourth Illinois, Forty-second Illinois, Eighty-second Ohio, Fifty-fifth Ohio, Twenty-first Ohio, Seventeenth Ohio, Seventy-fourth Ohio, Twenty-sixth Ohio, Forty-first Ohio, Nineteenth Ohio, Thirty-first Ohio, Thirty-third Ohio, Fifty-first Ohio, Sixty-fourth Ohio, Fifteenth Ohio, Forty-ninth Ohio, Thirteenth Ohio, Seventy-first Ohio, Sixty-fifth Ohio, Fortieth Ohio, Fifth Connecticut, Thirtieth Indiana, Forty-fourth Indiana, Thirty-first Indiana, Forty-second Indiana, Twenty-second Indiana, Thirty-third Indiana, Fifty-seventh Indiana, Fifty-first Indiana, Fifty-eighth Indiana, [308] Fortieth Indiana, Seventy-third Pennsylvania, One Hundred and Ninth Pennsylvania, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania, Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania, Twenty-first Kentucky, Fourth Kentucky, Eighteenth Kentucky, Twenty-third Kentucky, Third Maryland, Thirteenth Wisconsin, Thirteenth Michigan, Fifteenth Missouri, Eighth Kansas.

Mounted Infantry.--Seventeenth Indiana, Fourteenth Michigan.

Cavalry.--Fourth Kentucky, Sixth Kentucky, Third Kentucky, Seventh Pennsylvania, Fifth Iowa, First Ohio, Fourth Ohio, Third Ohio.

Artillery.--Fifth Wisconsin battery, Second Illinois battery H, Second Illinois battery I, First Ohio battery C, First Ohio battery F, First Ohio battery B, First Ohio battery G, Twelfth Ohio Independent, Thirteenth New-York Independent, First Michigan battery E, Thirteenth Indiana battery.

Detachments.--Five companies Second Massachusetts, company I Thirty-seventh Indiana, forty-seven men Thirty-seventh Indiana, fifty-six men Tenth Indiana, six companies Twenty-seventh Indiana, sixty-seven men Fifteenth Indiana, seven companies Fifth Ohio, company F Seventh Ohio, company D Twenty-fourth Ohio, sixty-two men Eighteenth Ohio, forty-one men Sixty-ninth Ohio, company I Twenty-seventh Illinois, ninety men Twenty-seventh Illinois, thirty-four men Twenty-second Illinois, company C Twenty-first. Illinois, company D Tenth Maine, sixty-four men battery I and sixty-four men battery M First New-York artillery, forty men battery C First Illinois, forty-eight men battery F Fourth United States artillery, fifty-two men battery K Fifth United States artillery, forty-one men Ninth Ohio Independent, eighty-five men First Michigan engineers, eighty-four men First Missouri engineers.

Recapitulation: Fifty-two regiments infantry, two regiments of mounted infantry, eight regiments of cavalry, eleven batteries of artillery, and twenty-four detachments.

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

General: I have the honor to submit the following report. In compliance with orders received February twenty-first, 1864, from headquarters Department of the Cumberland, I left Calhoun, Tenn., Monday, February twenty-second, 1864, in command of six hundred (600) men, (three hundred and fifty mounted infantry and two hundred and fifty cavalry) and marched out on the Spring Place road. Monday evening I encamped near the house of Mr. Waterhouse, on Connassauga River, about thirty miles south of Calhoun. I met no enemy during the day. I left my encampment near Waterhouse's Tuesday morning, February twenty-third, at seven o'clock A. M., (having communicated with General Crufts at Red Clay the night before,) and marched toward Dalton. My advance-guard drove in the enemy's videttes when within four miles of Dalton. I immediately pushed on my column rapidly and attacked a regiment of rebel infantry which was encamped within three miles of Dalton, driving them from their camp and capturing twelve prisoners belonging to a Mississippi regiment. The enemy then formed, and I withdrew my command to Russell's Mill, distance of four miles east of Varnell's Station, and encamped for the night. There I received a communication from Major-General Palmer requesting me to advance in the morning, February twenty-fourth, in the direction of Dalton via Varnell's Station. I left my encampment at Russell's Mill at six o'clock A. M., February twenty-fourth, and reached Varnell's about seven, where I halted until about ten o'clock A. M., in the mean time sending small forces on the different roads leading from Varnell's. They met no enemy, and I pushed on toward Dalton, marching on a road running parallel to the Cleveland and Dalton Railroad. When within five miles of Dalton, I met with the enemy's pickets. My advance squadron drove them to within three miles of Dalton. I then fell back two miles and drew my command up in line on a ridge one mile west of the railroad, awaiting movements of the enemy. I remained in my position, where I was joined by Colonel Gross, commanding a brigade of First division, Fourth army corps. Soon after the arrival of Colonel Gross, I dismounted my command and advanced in line against the enemy, driving their skirmishers about a mile in the direction of their camp. But there I was compelled to fall back, being attacked [309] by a brigade of rebel infantry, who were firing at my men from behind log huts. I fell back to the line of Colonel Gross, and soon afterward (as it was nearly dark) retired about two miles to the rear, where I encamped for the night.

The next morning, February twenty-fifth, I took a position on the left of our infantry lines, and advanced as they did. I moved up about half a mile, when my men became engaged with the enemy. I was then joined by one hundred men of the Fourth Michigan cavalry, who had been ordered to report to me by Brigadier-General Crufts. I pressed on against the enemy until I had gotten a short distance in advance of the left of our infantry lines. I then halted and remained in my position during the remainder of the day. At dark I retired about a mile to the rear, where I remained until eleven o'clock P. M., when I moved my command back on the Dalton and Varnell's Station road, about three miles from the place where we fought during the day. On the morning of the twenty-sixth I moved to Lee's house, where our infantry was encamped, and remained there until about one o'clock P. M., at which time our pickets were fired upon by the enemy's cavalry, when I marched out and drove the rebels off. I followed them about two and a half miles in the direction of Tunnel Hill, when I returned to my camp of the morning. My horses had had very little forage, not being able to draw any, and there being very little in the country, I could not have pursued the rebel cavalry vigorously if the country had admitted of it, which it did not.

During the night our infantry fell back to a place near Catoosa Platform, and I am now near my camp of yesterday.

The following is the list of casualties in my command since February twenty-second:

First Ohio Cavalry.--Sergeant George Frazier, company B, private Joel Eaton, company B, wounded.

Third Ohio Cavalry.--Captain R. B. Wood, Nicholas Wise, company I, killed; Samuel Ankering, private, company C, Sylvester Stump, company L, Cornelius Mulchaha, privates, company B, David Hatcher, private, company L, wounded.

Fourth Ohio Cavalry.--John Tuelling, private, company C, Alexander Bernhardt, private, company K, wounded.

Fourth Michigan Cavalry.--Sergeant David Donahoe, company D, private John Caul, company D, private George Rise, company C, private William Heistine, company B, wounded.

Ninety-eighth Illinois Mounted Infantry.--Sergeant H. O. Wilkins, company D, Sergeant B. F. Blackford, company H, private J. H. Enson, company B, private J. B. Shaw, company D, private J. M. Walker, company H, private James Stackwell, company I, private Abram Barnes, company K, wounded; private William H. Hope, company E, private A. M. Anderson, company E, missing.

Total.--Two killed, nineteen wounded two missing.

I had no means of ascertaining the injury done the enemy; but it was reported that eight bodies were left on the field. I took twenty-three prisoners.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

After I had left the vicinity of General Crufts's division and come about twenty (20) miles therefrom, he being at Catoosa Platform, a sergeant of the Fourth Michigan cavalry brought me word that General Crufts was being attacked by rebel cavalry; but as General Crufts expressed no desire for me to return, I did not go back — it being nearly night when I received the word by the sergeant, and my horses had no forage to-day.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Who says he left Dalton on Saturday last. He states that the rebel losses in the battles we had at Buzzard Roost and on the east of Rocky Face Ridge, their losses were from fifty to sixty killed, and one hundred and fifty wounded, he stating that he was himself upon the field, and also heard it from officers. Their forces in all were about thirty thousand men, and that their forces which had previously started for Mobile, had all returned, and that they would not now give furloughs upon any consideration; also that the rebels had plenty of ammunition; soldiers stating freely if they were driven away from Dalton, large numbers of them would throw down their arms and fight no more.

Respectfully submitted.

Respectfully forwarded for the information of the General Commanding.

Captain: In reply to your letter of to-day, I have the honor to inform you that the average daily issues of subsistence stores to destitute citizens for the month of January, 1864, was 68631/14 rations, and for the month of February, 1864, the average daily issue was 294429/7 rations.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Report of Prisoners of War and Deserters Received and Disposed of, and Oaths administered to Citizens, during the Month of January, 1864.

Chattanooga, Tenn.--Prisoners of war. Captured: 44 commissioned officers, 591 enlisted men; aggregate, 635. Disposed of: 44 commissioned officers, 591 enlisted men; aggregate, 635. Deserters received and disposed of: by Provost-Marshal General, 594; by Captain Goodwin, A. P. M. G., 414; aggregate, 1008. Oaths administered to citizens: Allegiance, 45; Amnesty, 213; aggregate, 258.

The report of prisoners of war is taken from the register in Captain Goodwin's office. The report of oaths administered, from the records of this office.

Report of Prisoners of War and Deserters Received and Disposed of, Oaths administered to Citizens, and Sales and Issues of Rations to Citizens, during the Month of February, 1864.

Chattanooga, Tenn.--Prisoners of war captured: 21 commissioned officers, 182 enlisted men; aggregate, 203. Deserters: 821 received, 821 paroled on oath. Oaths administered to citizens: Allegiance, 543; Amnesty, 263; aggregate, 806. Rations: sales — number of families, 506; number of persons, 2901; issues — number of families, 1032; number of persons, 5809; total number of families, 1538; number of persons, 8710.

Nashville, Tenn.--Prisoners of war captured: 38 commissioned officers, 421 enlisted men; aggregate, 459. Disposed of: 59 commissioned officers, 603 enlisted men; aggregate, 662. Deserters: 76 received, 76 paroled on oath.

Totals.--Prisoners of war captured: 59 commissioned officers, 603 enlisted men; aggregate, 662. Disposed of: 59 commissioned officers, 603 enlisted men; aggregate, 662. Deserters: 897 received, 897 paroled on oath. Oaths administered to citizens: Allegiance, 543; Amnesty, 263; aggregate, 806. Rations: sales — number of families, 506; number of persons, 2901; issues — number of families, 1032; number of persons, 5809; total number of families, 1538; total number of persons, 8710.

Respectfully submitted.