At 2 o’clock on the morning of the 19th of September, we passed our former camping ground near Lee and Gordon’s Mills, and about one mile beyond, came to a halt. The weather was very cold, but fires were not allowed, and every one was cautioned to remain as quietly as possible—to keep our stations, and be prepared to obey any orders that might be given.
Although the men were weary and nigh worn out, yet they cheerfully obeyed, as all well knew that danger threatened, and it behooved us to be on our guard.
It was well that this caution was taken, for at daylight, the booming of artillery and the rattle of musketry proclaimed that another battle had commenced.
The enemy, in part, were stationed in a piece of woods near the banks of the Chickamauga river, but in a short time they attempted a flank movement, and the lines of both armies were at once changed. At 9 o’clock the engagement became general, and the enemy now made several desperate charges, but were as often repulsed with heavy loss. At 11 o’clock, the battle raged with great fury, but both sides still maintained their ground, and frequently a fierce hand to hand conflict ensued. Charge after charge did the Rebels make in heavy body upon our sturdy lines, and as often were they driven back.
Our Battery was exposed to a hot and galling fire, but we maintained our position through the entire day, the guns belching forth a continuous sheet of flame. Several of our men were wounded in the engagement, but none were killed. Lieutenant Baldwin still commanded the Battery, and here, as well as at Stone river, he displayed great coolness and bravery.
At dark, hostilities ceased, only to be renewed with greater fierceness on the following day.
Early in the morning the battle again opened, when both armies for some time kept up a series of maneuverings, each endeavoring to gain some advantage in position. The Rebels having greatly superior numbers, were enabled to extend theirlines, so that our army was in imminent danger of being outflanked; and at one time they had nearly succeeded in cutting off our communication with Chattanooga. But General Rosencrans had anticipated this, and had made preparations to check the movement, which was successfully done, but not without great loss.
General Bragg, finding himself foiled in this attempt, now ordered a general assault along the entire line, and soon the battle raged with increasing fury.
About this time, a large body of the enemy charged upon our Battery. On, on they came, with steady front, feeling confident of victory. But our gallant men wavered not. Nobly did they face their hated foe, and anxiously watched the countenance of our brave Captain. Soon he gave the word, and instantly the brazen throats of all our guns spoke out their thunder, and the enemy went down like grass before the scythe. But onward came the foe, and at each instant our guns mowed great gaps in their ranks. Now they were seen to waver—to sway backwards and forwards, and finally when it seemed as if they must surely accomplish their object, they fell back in confusion.
Soon thereafter, a large body of the enemy were massed and thrown forward on our Brigade. For a time this assault was withstood, but owing to their superior numbers, the Brigade was finally compelled to give way.
The ground over which we retired was very rocky, and covered with a heavy growth of underbrush. Two of our guns had been disabled, by the breaking of the trails. As the enemy were closely pressing us, we were compelled to abandon these guns, which fell into their hands.
During the above charge, several of our Company were wounded and taken prisoners.
The retreat now became general, the Union forces slowly retiring towards Chattanooga.
Thus, after nearly two days’ hard fighting against a greatly superior force, the Army of the Cumberland were compelled to give up the field.
The Union loss in this engagement was, two thousand and eight hundred killed, eleven thousand and five hundred wounded, and five thousand prisoners. The Rebel loss was, from their own account, twenty thousand killed, wounded and prisoners.
Our Battery reached Chattanooga about dark the same night, and early the following morning the forge and baggage wagons crossed the river. The army took position in the town and extended their works for several miles along the river. Skirmishing frequently ensued, and the battles of Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and Chattanooga were fought, when Bragg was compelled to give up the offensive, and retire, with his whole army, into Georgia.
During the intervals of these battles, our Company, as well as the entire Army of the Cumberland, suffered greatly for the want of suitable food. For many days we were on quarter rations; and, for some time, had but one biscuit per day. The horses fared still worse; and it often happened that, for two or three consecutive days, we had nothing wherewith to feed them. The Rebels had possession of the country in our front, where forage only could be obtained. They also had command of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, on the South side of the Tennessee river; so, our supplies were transported by wagons by the way of Stevenson.
Finally, it being found impossible to procure provisions for the entire army, a number of batteries were placed in the Reserve Corps. Our Battery was of the number.
On the morning of October 19th, the order was given to send all the horses belonging to the Reserve to Stevenson, and that the batteries be moved across the river. This was done, and we went into quarters at Black Oak Ridge, where we found comfortable log houses which had been erected by Union troops, who had previously occupied the place.
We remained in camp at this place, until the battle of Chattanooga, when, by orders of GeneralThomas, we were sent to Nashville. Captain Standart had sent in his resignation, which was accepted, and, on the 12th of November, he left for home. The command of the Battery now devolved on Lieutenant Baldwin, he being the senior officer on duty.
On Sunday evening, December 6th, we arrived at Nashville, and on the following day went into camp one mile from the city. Five other Batteries occupied the same quarters—all under the personal command of Colonel Barnett. We were designated as the First Division of Reserve Artillery.
Soon after arriving here, Lieutenant Baldwin—much to the gratification of all the members of the company—received his commission as Captain.
As we now had neither horses nor guns, we led a very easy life of it. Whenever the weather was pleasant, we engaged in out door sports—such as ball playing, pitching quoits, etc. But when, as was often the case, the weather was stormy, the time was passed in our tents, reading, writing, and “spinning yarns.”
At last, the subject of re-enlisting was broached; but, at first, this did not meet with much favor. Finally, on talking over the matter, and on learning the benefits to be derived from such a course, a few of the men stepped forward and placed their names on the roll. Soon, others did the same, and, by the 4th of January, sixty-five of the old, original members of the company, had re-entered as veterans.
On the 18th of the same month, the veterans were duly mustered in for their new term of service; and a few days later received their back pay, and also their bounty.
The 3d day of February was a joyful day to us who had re-enlisted; for, on that day we were given the order to return home for a month’s furlough.
At 3 o’clock, on the morning of the day following the reception of this order, the bugle was sounded, as a signal for the veterans to form in line. Never did its notes sound sweeter. The roll was called, and all responded to their names but one poor fellow, who had been taken sick, and was in the hospital. The men who had not re-enlisted gave us three rousing cheers, followed by a “tiger,” to which we heartily responded. Soon we were on the road to the depot with nimble steps and light hearts; for we were not going to battle, or on one of our long and weary marches. We were “homeward bound.”
A half hour later, we were speeding it towards our Northern homes. All our past trials and privations were forgotten.
At 9 o’clock on the evening of February, 6th, 1864, we arrived at Cleveland, having been in the service nearly two and a half years.
Transcriber’s Notes:
In the phrases “Pittman’s X Roads” (page 14) and “Logan’s X Roads” (page 31), the “X” is printed horizontally in the original text.
The original text does not contain a Table of Contents. The Table of Contents included near the beginnning of this file was created by the transcriber as an aid for the reader.
Other than the corrections noted by hover information, printer’s inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation have been retained.