3, Skirmish near Monterey
APRIL 3, 1862.-Skirmish near Monterey, Tenn.
REPORTS.
No. 1.-Col. William H. H. Taylor, Fifth Ohio Cavalry.
No. 2.-Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers, C. S. Army.
No. 1.
Report of Col. William H. H. Taylor, Fifth Ohio Cavalry.
HDQRS. FIFTH REGT. OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, Third Brig., First Div., Army West Tennessee, April 3, 1862.
GEN.: I respectfully beg to report that, in obedience to your orders, I proceeded from this camp at midnight with about 400 men of this regiment in the direction of Corinth. Being without guides, and the night so dark, after having marched some 4 miles we halted until near daybreak. About a mile and a half beyond the house of Mr. Chambers we came upon the enemy's pickets, 9 in number, upon whom the advance guard immediately charged, wounding 1 rebel and making another prisoner. The prisoner's name is Lammon, and [he is] a private in the First Alabama Cavalry. We chased the rebels some distance in the direction of Greer's, and after obtaining a guide discovered that 15 of the enemy's cavalry were posted within a mile and a half of Greer's house. Marching in that direction, we met a gentleman calling himself Dr. Parker, whom we had seen two hours previously at the house of Chambers, when, after asking his services as a guide, pleaded ignorance of the surrounding country and want of a horse, while after our departure he had saddled his horse and ridden some 3 miles, and upon the evidence of a woman living near the picket post he certainly had given information to the rebels of our approach. I accordingly arrested him, and have brought him to camp for your examination.
Finding no trace of the fugitive rebels, I ordered my command back to camp, arriving here at 9 a.m. I learned that at Monterey the rebels have three regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and a battery of artillery. They are also in force with cavalry on the other side of Lick Creek.
I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant,
W. H. H. TAYLOR, Col. Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.
No. 2.
Report of Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers, C. S. Army.
HDQRS. ADVANCE, April 3, 1862.
MAJ.: Col. Clanton has just reported verbally to me that the enemy's pickets attacked his advance pickets about daylight this morning, and he fears that 2 of his men were captured, though he was not able to state accurately the facts. As soon as I am accurately informed I will report to you.
Your order to prepare for movement has been received and given to the troops.
Our commissary stores have not arrived, but are expected hourly. We have on hand one day's rations ready cooked.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES R. CHALMERS, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 10, pt. I, p. 87.
2, Guerrilla attack on U. S. ships at Palmyra
NASHVILLE, April 3, 1863.
Gen. GARFIELD, Chief of Staff:
Col. Boone telegraphs from Clarksville as follows:
The fleet gunboat St. Clair, and transports Eclipse, Luminary, and Lizzie Martin were fired into at Palmyra. Gunboat and Luminary perhaps taken. The Eclipse arrived here disabled; reports the advance of rebels on this place. We will hold until re-enforced.
WM. P. BOONE.
NASHVILLE, April 3, 1863.
Gen. GARFIELD, Chief of Staff:
I have just received the following dispatch from Clarksville:
Scouts report the gunboat and Luminary escaped capture. The rebels are at Palmyra in force; have there a rifled 6 and smooth 12 pounder, and other caliber not ascertained. We must have the siege guns ordered for this post. Send them at once.
WM. P. BOONE.
I have ordered the siege guns down.
ROBT. B. MITCHELL, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.
APRIL 3, 1863.
Maj.-Gen. GRANGER, Franklin:
The fleet was attacked at Palmyra last night by the rebels, who had six pieces of artillery.
* * * *
There seems to be a considerable force at Palmyra.
J. A. GARFIELD, Brig.-Gen. and Chief of Staff.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, p. 205.[1]
Report of J.S. Hurd, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, commanding gunboat St. Clair, relating to the attack on ships under his convoy at Palmyra, April 2, 1863
U. S. S. St. Clair, Off Smithland, KY., April 4, 1863
Sir:
I have the honor to report in compliance with Captain Pennock's order...I...arrived at Fort Donelson at 1 o'clock p. m. 1st instant (April) found transports awaiting convoy; proceeded up the river....9 o'clock a. m. 2d instant, arrived at Gower's Island, above which I did not apprehend any danger. I headed downstream to convoy (to Nashville) other transports and towboats due from below.
My reason for doing this was there were two barges loaded with coal being towed up the river which were drawing 7½ feet water. There was water enough on the shoals, but the river was falling and it was very important to get them up before the water became too low. Arrived at Fort Donelson at 4 o'clock p. m., found transports and towboats awaiting convoy. I headed upstream; proceeded up the river. At 10:30 o'clock p. m. arrived at Palmyra, and when off the bluff immediately above the town the enemy opened fire from the top of the bluff upon two transports (lashed together) in the advance. They were then above the enemy's battery, and so far as I know proceeded up the river uninjured. This vessel was next in line, next the Luminary (transport), next the towboats C. Miller and J.W. Kellogg with two barges, then the Fairplay. As soon as the enemy saw their shots aimed at the advance transports were ineffectual, they turned their attention to this vessel with artillery and small arms. The Luminary (next astern), and then off the town, was fired into considerably with small arms. My guns had been run out and prepared for action. I at once returned fire, and the contest was spirited for a short time, when my supply pipe was struck by a 12-pounder shell, which at once let the water out of my back with the current. I hailed the Luminary (Captain Williamson), who came alongside, took my vessel in tow, and towed me down to Fort Donelson.
I am unable to estimate the forces of the enemy, but think them in strong force (a deserter says 12,000). They had from 10 to 12 pieces of artillery, 6 to 12 pounders. This vessel was struck six times with artillery, doing some damage, but not serious, other than cutting my supply pipe. I also received many shots from small arms and some of canister.
When the firing commenced I was not more than 400 feet from the enemy's guns, and they were on the bluff at so great an elevation I could not use my guns to an advantage until I dropped down the river, and the water was then all out of my boilers. The only casualties to my officers or men were Acting Master Foutty, who was struck on the right knee by a 6-pounder rifle elongated shot, and one boy slightly scalded. Acting Master George W. Foutty will lose his right leg, and I fear it will prove fatal. He was sick; had not been out of his bed but once during the day. When the firing commenced he at once got out of bed, went below, and was doing his duty well at the time he received the wound. My officer and men manifested great courage and coolness quite commendable. [sic]
At the request of Mr. Foutty, I called the post surgeon at Fort Donelson on board, an after consultation it was thought best to place him in the hospital at the fort.
I found it unsafe to attempt to run down to Smithland with my supply pipe so imperfectly repaired. Applied to Colonel Lowe, commanding at Fort Donelson, for a towboat to assist me. He readily ordered the J.W. Kellogg to my assistance. At 2:30 p. m. I got underway, stood down the river, and arrived at Smithland at 9:30 o'clock p. m.
The Fairplay, Acting Master Groves, commanding, was not near enough to take part in the engagement, having in charge the towboats and barges, but it affords me pleasure to represent the promptness and efficiency of Mr. Groves while convoying during the entire trip....
* * * *
J.S. Hurd, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding
Navy OR, Ser. I, Vol. 24, pp. 65-68.
Excerpt from a Federal soldier's diary relative to the attack at Palmyra
April 3, 1863-We also had a small fracas on the Cumberland River yesterday. One gunboat was considerably disabled and one transport was shot through several times but did not damage her a great deal. They have all fell back on [Fort] Donelson again and they are waiting for more gunboats to guard them through to Nashville. Our cavalry has started out this morning to learn the strength of the enemy at that place. At 3 o'clock p. m. we were ordered in line for battle and threw our tents down. We were then ordered to march up to the fort. We then stacked our guns. The cannons commenced practice to shoot and elevated their pieces on the hills and they all shot excellent. We are not in the old camp again and we have everything fixed up.
Diary of Charles Schreel, Company E, 71st Ohio Infantry[2]
3, Federal scouts from Athens to Ducktown environs and construction of earthen fortifications at Athens
HDQRS. ONE HUNDREDTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS,
Athens, Tenn., April 3, 1864.
Gen. WAGNER:
SIR: Immediately upon the receipt of information of the approach of the enemy, I sent out citizen scouts upon all the roads leading to this place. At 4 a. m. I received from hand of scout sent to Columbus the following message:
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH INDIANA CAVALRY,
Columbus, Tenn., April 2, 1864.
COMMANDER U. S. FORCES,
Athens, Tenn.:
SIR: Your scout, F. A. Cameron, has just arrived, and I send the following information: The rebels, some 500 strong, approached to within 12 miles of this place on the Ducktown road, but I am satisfied that they have fallen back, in all probability by the Connesauga River. Colonel LaGrange, commanding Second Cavalry Brigade, is on the opposite side of the river with some 1,400 men. All is safe at present.
G. H. PURDY, Maj., Commanding Regiment.
Scouts reported to me all right, and are reporting now. All pronounced everything quiet.
I impressed yesterday and to-day all the negroes [sic] in town and put them at work upon the fortification; ran a line considerably shorter than the one laid out, and at night had constructed of logs, brush, and dirt a very respectable fortification. The work as now built is smaller than the one planned, but is large enough. The line laid out for me was 1,687 feet in length--a very long line for the force likely to be here. I shall keep at work and will make a strong redoubt.
Respectfully,
ARBA N. WATERMAN, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Post.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 32, pt. III, p. 240.
MARCH 3-5, 1865.-Reconnaissance from Cumberland Gap, Tenn., toward Jonesville, Va., with skirmishes (4th) at Ball's Bridge, Va., and (5th) at Tazewell, Tenn.
Reports of Lieut. Col. William C. Bartlett, Second North Carolina Mounted Infantry.
CUMBERLAND GAP, March 5, 1865.
On the 3d I made a reconnaissance toward Jonesville. Was attacked yesterday morning at Ball's Bridge by about 250 rebels. We whipped them and drove them back up the valley. Owing to high waters I did not follow them over a couple of miles. I had 103 men with me. Has courier arrived with letter of mine to A. G? If so please retain letter till you hear from me. Please answer.
W. C. BARTLETT, Lieut.-Col.
CUMBERLAND GAP, March 5, 1865.
Part of Giltner's command surrounded Tazewell this a. m. and made a formal demand for surrender. This was refused, and they attacked Jennings with vigor. The enemy was thoroughly beaten, numbers killed and wounded, and Lieut. Richmond captured. Have as yet no further details. Rebels asked time to bury their dead, but Lieut. Jennings charged them instead. The attacking force was commanded by Lieut.-Col. Prentice, Seventh Confederate Cavalry Battalion.
W. C. BARTLETT, Lieut.-Col.
Brig.-Gen. TILLSON.
ADDENDA.
HDQRS. DISTRICT OF EAST TENNESSEE AND FOURTH DIVISION, TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS, Knoxville, Tenn., March 5, 1865.
Lieut. Col. W. C. BARTLETT, Cmdg., Cumberland Gap:
Your dispatch received. I congratulate you upon your success. How much force did the enemy have? Is there any reason to suppose that they were the advance of any considerable force, or that it means anything more than a raid?
DAVIS TILLSON, Brig. Gen. U. S. Volunteers, Cmdg. District and Division.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. I, p. 75.
SIR: Your scout, F. A. Cameron, has just arrived, and I send the following information: The rebels, some 500 strong, approached to within 12 miles of this place on the Ducktown road, but I am satisfied that they have fallen back, in all probability by the Connesauga River. Colonel LaGrange, commanding Second Cavalry Brigade, is on the opposite side of the river with some 1,400 men. All is safe at present.
G. H. PURDY, Maj., Commanding Regiment.
Scouts reported to me all right, and are reporting now. All pronounced everything quiet.
I impressed yesterday and to-day all the negroes [sic] in town and put them at work upon the fortification; ran a line considerably shorter than the one laid out, and at night had constructed of logs, brush, and dirt a very respectable fortification. The work as now built is smaller than the one planned, but is large enough. The line laid out for me was 1,687 feet in length--a very long line for the force likely to be here. I shall keep at work and will make a strong redoubt.
Respectfully,
ARBA N. WATERMAN, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Post.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 32, pt. III, p. 240.
[1] Dyer's Battlefield Index for Tennessee does not reference this event.
[2] Edward F. Keuchel and James P. Jones, "Charley Schreel's Book: Diary of a Union Soldier on Garrison Duty in Tennessee," THQ, Vol. XXXVI, No. 2 (Summer, 1977), p. 204. [Hereinafter cited as: Diary of Charles Schreel.]
James B. Jones, Jr.
Public Historian
Tennessee Historical Commission
2941 Lebanon Road
Nashville, TN 37214
(615)-532-1550 x115
(615)-532-1549 FAX
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