Personal Recollections of Sherman's Campaigns in Georgia and the Carolinas

by George W Pepper

  The rebels would rush furiously at the block-house, only to be crippled and repulsed. Failing in this movement, the fire slackening far a time, the enemy now posted twenty-four pounders two hundred yards west of the stockade. The artillery opened on the devoted crew on all sides. The precision of the cannonading was terrific, the iron-throated monsters belched their fiery hail on the very heads of the brave men, wounding a large number. After seven hours desperate fighting, the starry flag, being riddled with shot and shell, had to be furled and humiliated to the haughty Southron. After witnessing the gallantry and devotion of these men, we can remember their sublime courage, and regret their fate.

  MAGNIFICENT CONDUCT OF A BRIGADE.

  To the Second Brigade of the Fifteenth Corps, commanded by Brevet General Green B. Raum, was principally committed the difficult and dangerous task of holding the forts till the arrival of re-inforcements. This fine brigade is composed of Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio regiments; the Fifty-Sixth Illinois and Eightieth Ohio, were the only regiments of the brigade present. The hills, thick with rebels, towered directly in their front, and despite a withering fire, these brave fellows dashed up a steep hill, and planted their tattered flags. These regiments occupied the post of danger, and were foremost on the ramparts, or in the charge upon the enemy's lines. The Fifty Sixth Illinois, though twenty-four miles distant, and divided into eighteen detachments, were on the spot, and eager for the fray. Colonel Hall, in command of this regiment, is a brave officer and an accomplished gentleman. A Kentuckian, he has all the dash and pluck of the sons of that grand old State. The Eightieth Ohio was under the command of the young and brilliant Metham, assisted by the energetic and courageous Major Skeeles. A brigade that so splendidly battled for the National cause at Corinth; that so grandly charged for the Constitution and the Laws at Jackson; that plunged into the very vortex of death at Iuka; that plucked victory from the banners of the South, at Mission Ridge, needs, no praise from my poor pen. The Eightieth Ohio is as brave a regiment as ever left the Buckeye State. It has rendered efficient service in nearly all the rebellious States. Its marches have been constant; its camps innumerable; it’s dead are scattered everywhere. May the flowers of the “Sunny South” bloom over their honored graves! This decimated regiment has added new and glorious laurels to the sombre annals of this bloody war.

  GALLANTRY OF AN IRISH COMPANY.

  Midway between Resaca and Tilton, there were sixty men of the 10th Missouri, under Captain White. They were guarding a water tank. Four thousand rebels advanced on this band, and demanded their surrender. The time of these brave spirits had expired; they had served in the armies of the Republic for three years and a half. The rebels surrounded them on all sides. White and his glorious associates, held them gallantly at bay. For five long, dreadful hours, the heroic sixty directed against the enemy, an unslackened fire. This was an Irish company, and inspired by the martial bearing of their grand old race, they made a dozen frantic dashes at the almost impregnable foe. The bodies which lay dead around the water tank next morning, perforated with bullets, are the best evidence of what manner of men they were, who pressed on to death, with the dauntlessness of a race which has gained glory on a thousand battle-fields. Of whatever Ireland may be robbed by the malice of her foes, the bloody laurels that she has gathered on many a field of death constitutes one position of which envy can not deprive her. During the strange and sad vicissitudes of her story, there never was an hour when the bravery of her sons was called in question.

  A BATCH OF GENERALS.

  At General Raum's head-quarters, there were gathered together in consultation, a noble set of men, not unknown to fame. That one armed man, is the saintly Howard, the Havelock of our army. He is slender, quiet, exceedingly, in his aspect, with nothing whatever of personal bravado or vanity. There was not a glance that would betray the lurking ambition that would say, "I am the man who rode through a storm of shot and shell at Antietam, for which I received my second star." His face is almost feminine, his features small. He is full of courage, quiet and impassable, yet when occasion demands, he would spring into the saddle, at the summons of danger, and ride without one moment's hesitation into the very thickest of the fight. He is a shining example of the Christian religion. Long may he remain in command of this Department!

  The well-dressed, superb-looking man, is David S. Stanley, the Bayard of our army. He has a most captivating personnel, a fair and ruddy complexion, flowing beard, dark, liquid eyes, glowing with the fires of patriotism. He is very handsome, and is possessed of military bearing. He is frank and easy in manners. He is not only a brave soldier, who splendidly defies the bullets of the enemy, but an accomplished Christian gentleman, with a heart full of the most generous impulses. I understand that he is a convert to the Roman Catholic faith, and is so devoted to his Church, as to have a Chaplain always with him. Whatever may be his religious preferences, he is not offensively bigoted, for he is extremely friendly to Protestant Chaplains.

  The man leaning against the wall, is Jeff. C. Davis, the hero of Pea Ridge. He has a keen eye, a cadaverous face, sunken cheeks, and looks care-worn. Were we to meet him in the dark, we would take him to be a vitalized ghost. He commands the 14th Corps, and has infused his own energy into the splendid battalions of that historic legion.

  The scarred and war-worn veteran pacing outside, is the war-like Osterhaus. He hails from Germany, a country that has given us some of our most reliable and brilliant Generals.

  The plain, scholarly-looking man, is Stoneman, just exchanged. He is a dashing cavalry officer, and stands high with Sherman. Poor fellow, he shows the traces of suffering!

  The diminutive fellow yonder, enveloped in a huge pair of boots, is Fuller, commander of the Ohio Brigade.

  That ugly, red-faced, red-haired man, is Belknap. He looks so leanish. He dresses badly, but fights like a tiger — that is better!

  The fine, manly, sandy-haired man, is Schofield, commanding the department of the Ohio. He has a West-Pointish carriage, and is nearly six feet high, possessing a piercing eye, looking right through a fellow. His popularity is of an enduring character.

  That exact, neatly-dressed man, is General Cox.

  There, too, is the noble Sherman. He towers above them all. General Sherman is very striking in his physiognomy, which is of the Corsair character. He is straight as an arrow, complexion fair, eyes dark, and very neat in his apparel. I conversed with him in relation to General Meagher, the eloquent orator and chivalrous soldier, for whom General Sherman entertains a very exalted opinion.

  There were other Generals present, such as Barry, Woods, Riley, Leggett, M'Cook, Ransom and some others of lesser note.

  THE REBEL LOSS.

  It is estimated that the rebels lost in killed and wounded at Resaca, Tilton, Snake Creek Gap, over eight hundred. In front of our batteries, two Brigadier Generals, a Colonel, and several minor officers were killed. The citizens report that ambulances were going all the time, filled with the wounded.

  The regiments assisting in the gallant defense of Resaca, were the 66th Illinois, 10th and 17th Iowa and 80th Ohio.

  Two cavalry regiments under the command of Colonel Watkins, did good service, "the following is a brief sketch of one of the regiments which nobly resisted the onset of Hood's army:

  The Eightieth was organized and mustered into the United States service at Camp Meigs, in December, 1861. The men were recruited principally in Coshocton, Tuscarawas, Carroll, Guernsey and Columbiana counties. It was ordered to Paducah, where it reported to Major General Sherman, then in command of Kentucky. For several weeks it remained in that place, drilling and performing garrison duty. It was there that Colonel Bartilson, an accomplished soldier, put the regiment through those evolutions which has given it such a reputation for soldierly qualities, surpassed by none in the brave Army of the Tennessee, to which it has long been attached. From Faducah it proceeded to join Gen. Pope's command in front of Corinth. It was engaged in the defeat of Beauregard and
his army. In the short but bloody fight of Iuka, the eightieth fought stubbornly, bearing off laurels which older regiments might well be proud to win. The loss in this battle was seventy killed and wounded. Colonel Bartilson was severely wounded from the effects of which he afterwards died. He was an energetic, daring and courageous officer.

  The next battle was that of Corinth. In this terrible contest, the regiment fought with a desperate courage, losing a hundred men, among them Major Lanning and Lieut. Robinson, two splendid soldiers, possessing the noblest attributes of patriots, and the highest qualities of manhood. In the battles of Raymond, Champion Hills and Jackson, the Eightieth took a prominent part, especially in the latter, where it lost very heavily in killed and wounded. It then marched to Vicksburg where, for forty days and nights, it was under the; incessant fire of the enemy. It had the proud satisfaction of aiding in the reduction of that city, thereby opening up, and consecrating forever to civilization and commerce, the Mississippi. After a rest of some weeks, it was ordered to Chattanooga, via Memphis. This long march was made in exceedingly short time, the regiment reaching Chattanooga in time to take part in those magnificent battles which routed and depressed the fierce legions of Bragg.

  In the fiery tempest which shook the earth at Mission Ridge, the stout hearts and strong arms of this gallant regiment did brilliant service in securing the glorious results. Here it lost one hundred and fifty officers and men. The loss of the regiment at this battle tells its glory better than gazettes and trumpets. When a number of other regiments had lost their colors, Sergeant Finley, with a manly courage, bore the regimental standard, the stars and stripes, through the iron storm in triumph. For personal gallantry this young soldier was unanimously recommended for promotion, but Governor Brough, with a strange propriety, never commissioned him. The regiment displayed self-denial, heroic valor, calm fortitude, faithful obedience, in those subsequent movements which terminated in the capture of Atlanta.

  The Eightieth was in the great march through Georgia and the two Carolinas, in every skirmish and battle, fighting with a hearty chivalry. In the fight at Salkehatchie the regiment dashed like a storm from the clouds upon Wheeler's cavalry, chasing and dispersing them. For distinguished gallantry at Cox's bridge, it was complimented by Gen. Logan. It was also engaged in the fight at Bentonville, the last battle of the war. At the downfall of the Southern Confederacy, the regiment was sent to Washington, thence to Louisville, where it received pay, and was then ordered to Arkansas, in four years many changes have come over it. Its honored dead sleep in nearly all of the revolted States.

  The other regiments of this brigade, have equally a splendid record, and reflect credit on their States. They sustained their high reputation, facing the foe at every point.

  A UNION MAN IN GEORGIA.

  The name of Thomas W. Skelley, the friend and correspondent of Stephen A. Douglas, is well and favorably known in Northern Georgia. He was an ardent and full-souled patriot, writing and speaking earnestly for the Union. Among his last political efforts, was to stump the State of Georgia for the lamented Douglas. In the performance of this duty, he met with serious opposition, his life being threatened frequently by the fiery secessionists.

  He was finally conscripted into the rebel army, where he served reluctantly for over two years. Exhausted and reduced to a skeleton, through the influence of Secretary Toombs, he was discharged, and returned penniless, and shoeless to his charming home, Hibernia, near Resaca. His well-known partialities for the Government at Washington, and his sacrifices in its defense, induced many prominent officers of the army to recommend him to the favorable notice of President Lincoln. He was on the eve of starting north, when by an unfortunate occurrence he was killed. Mr. Skelley was an orator of a high order — a finished scholar and a charming singer.

  His splendid recitation of "Shamus O'Brien" and "Widow Machree" will long be remembered by the soldiers of the Army of the Tennessee.

  THE BATTLE OP ALATOONA.

  The accounts have been so confused and inaccurate which we have seen of this battle, that I am glad to lay before my readers a correct narrative of the brilliant fight, which was so eminently honorable to the courage and conduct of our troops. In many respects this engagement at Alatoona by General Corse's division was among the most remarkable of the war. Of the sixteen hundred men engaged, who held out for hours against an overwhelming force of the enemy, more than half were either killed or wounded. The heavy loss abundantly attests the cool courage and daring of the troops, and will stand the Thermopylae of this war. The place in which this battle was fought, embraces several miniature mountains, thickly studded with undergrowth, making it at some points utterly impassable. The country and people are rough, uncouth, and uncultivated. Whence did such a section as this obtain the name of beautiful? A region as dreary and comfortless I have never seen. Who but an intense Southron, could discover beauty in sandy deserts, dirty villages and an ignorant and benighted people? Alatoona is a wretched and forlorn looking town of four or five houses on the Chattanooga and Atlanta railroad. The country around it is entirely open; no fences to mark the separation of fields or forms. A beggarly looking house bow and then appears to break the dull monotony of view. The people who live on and around the Alatoona Mountains are deplorably and shockingly ignorant. They are servile and humiliating in their allegiance to their more wealthy neighbors. Certainly the serfs of Russia were never more obedient to the will of their lords than are the poor whites of this region to the rich planters.

  THE DEMAND FOR THE SURRENDER OF ALATOONA.

  Hood in his reckless and disastrous attempt to destroy Sherman's communications, essayed to capture Alatoona Pass. Here was a vast amount of rations, and it is supposed that the hungry rebels had learned top some means of the abundance of good things in store for them should they succeed in taking the place. The indefatigable Sherman, seeing through Hood's movements, signaled from Kenesaw Mountain to General Corse who was in command of the troops at Rome. This fighting officer, by the assistance of General Raum, who furnished the transportation from Cartersvilles succeeded in reaching the place, before the rebels had time to beleaguer and surround the splendid little force under the command of Colonel Tourtellote.

  The first symptom of the rebels' advance was the appearance of cavalrymen skirmishing with our pickets. There were several shots exchanged but nothing to indicate the strength of the enemy until about 7 o'clock of the eventful day, when an immense force of the rebels, numbering several thousand, commenced planting their batteries in conspicuous positions, and deploying a heavy line of skirmishers around the forts.

  A flag of truce soon made its appearance with the following imperious demand upon General Corse for the surrender of the place and troops:

  Around Alatoona, Oct. 5.

  “Commanding Officer U. S. A.

  SIR: — I have placed the forces under my command in such positions that you are surrounded, and to avoid the unnecessary effusion of blood, I call on you to surrender your forces at once, and unconditionally. Five minutes will be allowed you to decide. Should you accede to this you will be treated in the most honorable manner as prisoners of war? I have the honor to be,

  Very respectfully,

  S. G. French,

  Major-General Commanding, C. S. A."

  To this modest request, General Corse, an officer of splendid fighting reputation, replied in these curt and significant words:

  "Head-Quarters Fourth Division,

  Fifteenth A. C, Alatoona

  October 5.

  Major-General French, C. S. A;

  Your communication, demanding the surrender of my command, I acknowledge the receipt of, and respectfully reply that we are prepared for the needless effusion of bleed, whenever it is agreeable to you.

  J. M. Corse,

  Brigadier .General Commanding, U. S. A."

  The garrison was composed of the following regiments: 93d Illinois, 18th Wisconsin, 4th Minnesota, 12th Wisconsin Battery, all under th
e command of Lieutenant Colonel Tourtellote. It was subsequently reinforced by General Corse's troops, the 39th Iowa, 7th and 50th Illinois.

  These latter troops were veteran soldiers, having fought triumphantly at the terrible battle of Fort Donelson, where they swept through the solid masses of the rebel legions, like a flash of lightning. Corse's entire command did not amount to seventeen hundred.

  The first assault of the enemy was made on the 39th Iowa and 7th Illinois — these gallant regiments drove the rebels from their positions at the point of the bayonet. A Texan brigade, commanded by General Young, gaining the West end of the ridge, fought with splendid courage. Up the hill they come, fighting with desperation, the rebel yell began to break on our lines. The conflict was raging. The rebels were reckless and jubilant, fighting for dear life and the rich spoils of war. The crisis had now come. Our brave forces had been attacked by four times their numbers. From every quarter death stormed upon their unsheltered bodies. Half of the officers and men of the 39th Iowa had fallen — their gifted Colonel Redfield fell, pierced by four mortal wounds. The rebel sharpshooters picked out our men with fatal precision. "The enemy's line of battle" says Corse, "swept us like chaff." In the meantime, Tourtellote was doing efficient service in striking a rebel division in its flank.

  Corse, ever at his post, ordered his brave men to stand firm. The rebel columns steadily kept advancing and approached the forts, under a galling fire of shells and bullets from the determined force. Corse and the other commanding officers, with fine gallantry, led the troops in the final charge, and had the heavens rained down confederate bayonets, they couldn't have dampened the ardor of the beleaguered garrison. At the blast of the bugle, that small but chivalrous band dashed on to meet the advancing foe.