The Summer and Fall of 62

Transcription

1 The Summer and Fall of 62 Corinth, located in northeastern Mississippi was a key railway center for the Confederacy. At Corinth, the north-south running Mobile and Ohio Railroad (M&O) intersected with the east-west running Memphis and Charleston Railroad (M&C). The Memphis and Charleston was the only substantial east-west railroad in the South with obvious importance for the movement of large quantities of materials, food, and troops associated with war fighting on this scale. This key junction held strategic value for control of the region and the prosecution of an advance in the Mississippi Valley to the west. General Beauregard stated regarding Corinth: "If defeated here we lose the whole Mississippi Valley and probably our cause." RAILWAY STATION AND TISHOMINGO HOTEL, CORINTH With the Federal victories at Forts Henry and Donnelson, and the Battle of Pittsburg Landing (Shiloh), the Union strategy of taking control of the Mississippi River was making significant progress. The forces of Confederate General Albert Sydney Johnston s Army of the Mississippi had attacked Federal General Grant s Army of the Tennessee at Pittsburg Landing while Grant was awaiting the arrival of General Don Carlos Buell s Army of the Ohio. Grant and Buell s intention had been to strike Corinth in the spring of 1862, but these plans had been delayed by the costly battle of April 6th and 7th. The Second Texas had drawn blood at Shiloh, and were now veterans, and had passed the testing. On April 13, Major Hal Runnels of the Second Texas wrote to the Houston Tri-Weekly Telegraph (published May 30, 1862): Eight days ago the great battle of Shiloh was fought, in which Texans lost many brave and noble Spirits. Some of our wounded have, as yet, not had their wounds dressed. They are scattered all over the army in various hospitals. God knows what attention they have received. Many are in camp, not only wounded, but sick, without medicine or medical attendance, in tents and on the wet ground, no place for a sick or wounded man. Another soldier wrote the Houston Tri-Weekly stating: The romance of soldiering has pretty nearly worn off. When we first arrived in Corinth, we were told that the Texans were readily recognized by being the dirtiest troops in the command. 1

2 William P. Doran, the war correspondent from Texas wrote of his experience: An order was issued that all persons not belonging to the army must vacate the camps or take the consequences if not obeyed. Here I was a war correspondent, with rations cut off and ordered to git. Pleading my case as a newspaperman did no good, and I was forced to enlist in Co. A. of Capt. Christian. I then put on the uniform and became a soldier bold. The battle was fought one day later than planned, which was Saturday. Gen. Breckenridge s division could not reach the locality because of muddy roads, and the fight opened on Sunday, April 6, While we were marching to aid in the capture of Gen. Prentiss division (at the Hornet s Nest), a bullet struck the side of my left heel, pitting the bone, and I thought my leg was gone. I rolled over and over and seeing Col. Moore and Capt. Christian in a ravine, I rolled in there. They both laughed heartily at my antics. The division [Prentiss ] was captured when nearly surrounded by us. The Yankees compelled us to fall back to Corinth after a stubborn fight nearly all day of the 7th. If (Union Gen.) Buell s 20,000 fresh troops had not met us that morning, the result would have been different. The Second Texas stays in Corinth from April 9 th until May 8 th when an advanced guard of Federal forces is detected, and the Second Texas marches rapidly to the vicinity of Farmington, south east of Corinth. On May 9 th, the Confederate forces completely dislodge the Federals in the small Battle of Farmington. The large and rapidly retreating Federal forces felt it prudent to unencumber themselves in order to increase ground velocity of movement, leaving behind significant numbers of knapsacks, food, and clothing articles, which the Second Texans are in need. Also acquired are amount 1,000 small arms and about fifty prisoners. For another two weeks the Texans remain in Corinth, however, by May 23 rd, Grants artillery shells are starting to plow furrows in the Second Texas camp. On May 29 th, General Beauregard s forces in Corinth withdraw under the cover of a ruse and darkness. It isn t until mid-day May 30 th that the Federals discover the escape. The Second Texas also departs Corinth on May 29 th, however, not in retreat. They are marched overnight, sometimes at the double-quick, southward to protect the Boonville, Mississippi depot from advancing Federal cavalry. The Federals reach Boonville before the Confederates and destroy a disabled rebel ammunition train within the city. At this point, the Second Texas moves to a position about forty five miles south of Corinth, in the vicinity of Tupelo, Mississippi, in order to guard the Mobile and Ohio Railroad line from increasing Federal cavalry raids. During this time, Colonel Moore is notified of his pending promotion to Brigadier General, and Lt. Colonel Rogers is promoted to Colonel and command of the Second Texas. Captain Ashbel Smith of Company C becomes the Lt. Colonel, and Captain William C. Timmons of Company B becomes the regiment s Major. Hal Runnels is passed over due to issues of performance of duties and resigns his commission. While in Tupelo, several significant events occur which will directly influence the Second Texas in months to come. On June 25 th, Colonel Rogers writes in a letter home to his wife about a visit from General Dabney Maury, the division commander presenting two honors to the Second Texas. From General Beauregard, the Second Texas is cited: For conspicuous gallantry in the battle of Shiloh, the Second Texas will have SHILOH inscribed on its battle flag. The second honor given is being designated the sharpshooters regiment of General Moore s Brigade. The designation means that the Second Texas will have the honor of leading all attacks 2

3 made by the brigade, and perform the duties of rear guard for any withdrawals or retreats. Hereafter, the Second Texas Sharpshooters becomes their preferred designation. With the laurels, come the weeds. During the Battle of Shiloh, the Second Texas comes under the command of General Hardee on the second day of fighting. During the heat and fog of war, incomplete and conflicting orders are given. There was a breakdown of the chain of command from Hardee s staff to the Second Texas leadership, and command and control of the Second Texas becomes confused. Not being allowed by the Hardee s staff leadership to fire upon an advancing Federal force, the Texans withdraw from the battlefield about two or three hundred yards, thus preventing themselves their complete destruction. P. G. T. BEAUREGARD WILLIAM JOSEPH HARDEE After a short pause to physically (and mentally) realign the regiment, the Second Texas returns again under their own leadership, and demolish an advancing Federal battle line, chasing the Federals almost one-half mile. Subsequently, the Second Texas along with the rest of the Confederate forces withdraw from the area. Nonetheless, the Second Texas and Colonel Moore were made permanent enemies of the very politically powerful General Hardee. After the battle, General Hardee in his report accused the regiment of cowardice stating: In one instance the Second Texas Regiment, commanded by Colonel Moore, the men seemed appalled, and fled from the field without apparent cause, and were so dismayed that my efforts to rally them were unavailing. However, it was not Colonel Moore who was in direct command on the second day at Shiloh, but then Lt. Colonel Rogers. (Seems General Hardee still didn t quite have a grasp on the chain of command.) Additionally, around June 19 th, now Colonel Rogers, commanding the Second Texas, receives news that a disgruntled officer (the resigned ex-major Hal G. Runnels, who is a close cousin of ex-texas Governor Hardin Richard Runnels ) is smearing the good name of the regiment back home in Texas. Colonel Rogers writes to his wife and says:... I have been by Gen. Beauregard authorized to inscribe Shiloh on my flag Since I have been promoted my Reg. Has received the distinguishing honor of being designated as advance sharpshooters. I deal in truth when I say to you that the Second Texas stands today ahead of all others in drill and discipline, and behind none in deeds of daring valor and gallantry. Although nothing will ever come into print back in Houston, Colonel Rogers has been clearly affected by Hardee s comments and the rumors being spread back home. Colonel Rogers continues to write his wife the remainder of the summer, assuring her of the valor and gallantry of the regiment. The coming fall, will prove these are not mere words. 3

4 Supply by the State of Texas. Politics and gossip aside, life in the Second Texas during the summer of 1862 settled into routine, camp duties, picket duty, etc. Supply by the State of Texas with equipment and clothing was inconsistent. Just prior to stepping off towards Shiloh, the soldiers had received new uniforms while in Corinth. The uniforms were sent to them from Texas, via New Orleans in bales, and were made of white wool (likely Huntsville Penitentiary cloth). However, the uniforms had no size markings resulting in a rather comical scene. General Moore writes after the war: Soon the company grounds were full of men strutting up and down, some with trousers dragging under their heels, while those of others scarcely reached the tops of their socks; some with jackets so tight they resembled stuff toads, while others had ample room to carry three day s rations in their bosoms. The exhibition closed with a swapping scene that reminded one of a horse-trading day in a Georgia county town. However, comical the outfitting scene may have been, one Federal prisoner after the Battle of Shiloh referred to the regiment as them hell-cats that went into battle dressed in their grave clothes. Uniforms had always been a challenge for the Second Texas, even during initial training in Texas during the fall and winter of 1861, Colonel Moore had to finally resort to clothing his regiment in captured Federal blue uniforms from stocks located in Texas at the time of succession. These were also the sources for the Second Texas rifles and muskets. Some attempts were likely made to gray these uniforms as well as obtain uniforms by private purchases or supplies from home. Ralph Smith writes: What brilliant speeches we made and the dinners the good people spread for us, and oh the bewitching female eyes that pierced the breasts of our gray uniforms, stopping temporarily the hearts beats of many a fellow that enemy bullets were determined to do so forever. LIFE IN CONFEDERATE CAMP NEAR CORINTH IN 1862 The Second Texas mostly stayed encamped for three months so drilling resumes. During this time, there evolves a friendly drill competition between the Third Louisiana Infantry and the Second Texas Infantry, with each regiment demonstrating their martial skills typically to some General acting as judge. The Second Texas always won (or so they say in their recollections). 4

5 Rogers regiment, is part of Brig. General Moore s brigade. During this three-month period, the regiment also goes through reorganization in the various companies due to deaths, sickness, resignations, transfers, and missing personnel. After Shiloh, there were several positions left unfilled, anticipating separated troops would rejoin, and prisoners will be paroled and exchanged and rejoin the unit. But after a wait, it was time to move forward and the changes were made. Several men who had been captured at Shiloh are exchanged and do return eventually to the regiment. One group, upon arriving in camp, are summoned to immediately report to General Moore s tent. Ralph Smith recalls: I shall remember that scene as long as my mind endures for it taught me to appreciate the fact that men are not always what they seem. General Moore was a graduate of West Point, a strict disciplinarian with a haughty air, but when we saw him mingling his tears with those of the ragged, foot-sore returned prisoners, we knew that beneath his grim and cold exterior there beat a heart as tender as a child s. Such expressions of feeling together with sympathetic acts of a thousand kinds affords a bond of trust between many of our officers and men that nothing but death could break. The regiment also gets into mischief with a forty-gallon barrel of peach brandy. Seems some brandy was observed being unloaded and stored in an old house posted with armed guards. Waiting until darkness, several of the men (who had managed to acquire an auger) crept underneath the floor and commenced to empty the contents of one barrel into several canteens, which were filled and brought back to camp resulting in a dis-shelved look at the next morning s dress parade. (Now imagine that?) It is now September The numbers of effectives in the Second Texas is down to about 500. There is discussion about adding conscripts from Texas to the unit and a small detachment is sent home to escort the new recruits, this detachment being led by Lt. Col. Smith. Shortly thereafter, on September 3 rd, the Second Texas receives orders, and the Confederate Army at Tupelo begins marching towards the town of Iuka, Mississippi, thirty miles east of Corinth. This army is known as The Army of the West, under the command of General Sterling Pap Price. The Second Texas journeys up the old Natchez Trace towards Iuka, which is seventy miles distant. The Army of the West moves forward quickly, with the last forty-five miles covered in 30 hours and the last five miles at the double quick. The result is the capture in tact of the large Federal storehouses in Iuka, including large quantities of cheese, crackers, bread, and canned goods, which the soldiers fill their knapsacks. Battle of Iuka. For three days and nights, the Second Texas is kept on the skirmish line about one and a half miles ahead of the brigade, sleeping on arms at night. Facing an increasing number of Federals, Price decides to withdraw the Confederate forces from Iuka. The Second Texas is deployed to act as a rear guard with Bledsoe s fourgun battery. After marching about eight miles from Iuka, Federal cavalry is spotted coming up the road approaching the Second Texas position. The regiment formed across the road in a deep thicket with the battery in the middle of the line. Due to the heavy timber and brush, the Texans are well hidden. As the cavalry nears, the regiment holds fire until the Federals were about fifty yards distant. Fire! DABNEY H. MAURY The devastation and shock effect were tremendous, for in an instant the woods were filled with rider less horses and staggering men, about forty men estimated to have been killed. In five minutes, the Federals were riding in a hurry back towards Iuka and pursued the Confederates no further. Over the next couple of weeks, the Confederates and Federals march and counter march feeling for each other s strengths and weaknesses. Confederate General Van Dorn, with forces nearby, considers advancing his troops to a spot above Memphis, but Grant s forces counter his move. By 5

6 September 22 nd, the Second Texas is located at Baldwin, Mississippi where it remains only a few days before marching towards Ripley, Mississippi joining General Van Dorn s Army there on September 28 th. This combined Confederate Army now numbers about 20,000 men. General Moore s Brigade is part of General Maury's Division, which also consists of brigades led by Brig. Generals Phifer and Cabell. Moore s Brigade consists of: 2nd Texas 42nd Alabama 15th Arkansas 23rd Arkansas 35th Mississippi Bledsoe's Battery Colonel William P. Rogers Colonel John W. Portis Lt. Colonel Squire Boone Lt. Colonel A. Pennington Colonel William S. Barry Captain H. M. Bledsoe The Army of West Tennessee (as the combined force is called), is now composed of Maury s, Hébert s and Lovell s divisions. Most of the Confederates are veteran soldiers, having fought during the past year at such places as: Wilson s Creek, Pea Ridge, Shiloh, and Iuka. But there are untested soldiers as well. In Moore s Brigade, the 35 th Mississippi has only been formed in March and trained during the summer. EARL VAN DORN STERLING PAP PRICE MANSFIELD LOVELL Since early August 1862, General Van Dorn and Sterling Price have been considering forming a combined Confederate Army to expel the Union forces from northern Mississippi and western Tennessee, and advance Confederate control of the region northward up to the banks of the Lower Ohio River. The plan also considers that Confederate General Braxton Bragg will advance in a similar manner to the same river in Kentucky. Price and Van Dorn work out the final details of their plans for the upcoming operation during the pause in Ripley. On September 28 th, the men are ordered to prepare 3 days rations, and make ready all equipment. On the afternoon of September 29 th, Confederate General Lovell s Division marches about 6 miles northward on the Ruckersville Road towards Pocahontas, stopping near the Lunker farm on one of the branches of the Muddy. Lovell places his attached cavalry (Jackson s) in the advance. On September 30 th, the remaining body of the Army of West Tennessee breaks camp and begins marching northward as if the threaten Bolivar, Tennessee where Grant s Headquarters is located, with only 8,000 Federals. The Army of West Tennessee arrives in Pocahontas in the morning of October 1 st, 1862, and Lovell s troops have cut the M&C Railroad at Metamora, about 2 ½ miles from Pocahontas and about 40 miles west of Corinth. 6

7 A key easterly bridge over the Hatchie River has been partially destroyed by the Federals which delays Lovell s advance for a few hours. A detail from Lovell's division makes repairs, and the division makes camp along the east side of the river on the evening of October 1 st. Early on the morning of October 2 nd, before sunrise, the entire Army is moving eastward, has crossed the Hatchie, and is marching towards Corinth. Only a few hours down the road, the advanced cavalry units of the Confederates exchange fire with Federal Cavalry pickets at the partially destroyed bridge over the miry little Tuscumbia River. The Federals are driven off with the loss of one killed and two wounded. This is the first blood to be drawn. Along the road, the various Confederate formations are stretched in line of march for miles. The October weather is clear, and rather warm. While waiting for the bridge at Tuscumbia to be repaired, many of the soldiers employ the time to gather muscadine grapes, which are abundant in the swampy low land areas. This part of Mississippi also is abundant in other foodstuffs as well. A good idea is given from a letter dated 4th of September 1862, Corinth, Mississippi by a member of the 27th Ohio infantry (the right flank regiment of the 63rd Ohio on the second day of fighting). Regarding the area around Corinth, he writes: "Immediately after we encamped, foraging parties were sent out, peaches, corn, applies, tomatoes, cucumbers, chickens, &c., &c., particularly suffered." He later mentions watermelons and perhaps cantaloupes being foraged. The region was known for cattle and diary farming as well. After a couple hours pause, the march resumes and there is light skirmishing between the Tuscumbia Bridge and Chewalla Station (on the M&C Railroad), but not sufficient to slow the advance. Chewalla is reached before night, where a Federal camp containing a few tents and commissary supplies are captured. A strong line of pickets is set forward, and the remainder of the Confederate Army settles in for a short night s sleep. General Van Dorn also dispatches a full regiment of cavalry to cut the north south M&O railroad north of Corinth, hopefully to slow any reinforcements from reaching the Federals in Corinth. Van Dorn is gambling that his forces can strike General Rosecrans' numerically smaller Federal forces before they can be reinforced from various other Federal divisions operating in a hundred-mile radius of Corinth. Chewalla Station is 9 miles from the western edge of the town of Corinth, and the spot where the north-south running Mobile and Ohio Railroad (M&O) intersects with the east-west running Memphis and Charleston Railroad (M&C), the Army s objective. The men of the Second Texas know from experience that long before dawn, they will be moving forward the final distance to strike Corinth. Over the last month, these men have traveled a long way over a lot of Mississippi roads to be here tonight. The road from Texas, and home, has been even a longer journey. Under a clear night s sky, the Texans of Rogers Regiment try to get some food and water, and a little sleep as well, on the eve of a great battle. 7

8 A few days earlier, while in camp at Baldwin, Colonel Rogers wrote to his wife. From this letter, we get insight into how proud Colonel Rogers was of his men, as well as the size of the force that will be present for the attack upon Corinth s defenses. September 24 th - In all of these engagements the Regiment displayed the cool, obstinate and determined bravery of veterans and the counties of Harris, Burleson, Robertson, Galveston, Gonzales, and Jackson may well be proud of them. The hardships to which they are subjected are indeed great, for many of them are without blankets, tents, or shoes. We have been in the last 10 days exposed to rain 3 days and nights. The nights are getting quite cool and the men are suffering. I begged in vain for blankets, tents, and shoes, I will submit to it 4 weeks longer. They must supply them or there will be trouble. He further states: The Reg. now numbers 551 of these 128 are about since, leaving for duty 423 of these 71 are on detached service as teamsters, mechanics etc. leaving me really only 342 fighting men. A couple weeks later on October 18th, the Second Texas Infantry Regiment will muster only 124 soldiers for dress parade. 8