Part 2

It must be sufficient for many such matters to say that there was constant scouting in pretty much all directions toward the Virginia line. Reports were made of the approach of the enemy in larger or smaller bodies, and in order to keep well informed and ready for any emergency, it was necessary to keep scouting parties out all the time. On July 31st orders were received by Colonel Trowbridge to take 250 men and go up the country to destroy bridges on the Wautauga and Holston Rivers. Major Smith went up with three companies from Knoxville to join the expedition. At Morristown they met Major Arnold’s battalion of rebel cavalry. Major Smith, with one battalion, immediately charged them and drove them through the town and up the road to Russellville, where Major Smith was detached with one battalion to get in their rear at Bull’s Gap, but they succeeded in getting away by taking the Snapp’s Ferry road. The Tenth then moved on to Greenville, where it being evident that the attempt to destroy the bridges would be fruitless, the command returned to Strawberry Plains, where it arrived on the 5th of August. On that day Colonel Foote went home on leave of absence, and on the 10th word was received of the acceptance of his resignation. Exciting rumors continued to come in of the proximity of large bodies of confederate cavalry, and their threatening attitude, which caused work on the defenses at Strawberry Plains to be pushed with the greatest vigor, although it is doubtful if anyone really apprehended a serious attack. It is easy to be deceived, and so in order to be well prepared for such an event, work was rushed and scouting parties sent out in every direction where a confederate force was reported. An indented line of rifle pits had been run from the fort to the railroad, and strengthened by piling up railroad ties. On the 17th of August General Joe Wheeler, of Hood’s Army, and later of much repute in the Spanish-American war, was reported to have cut the railroad at Athens, and was approaching with his corps of cavalry, with several batteries of artillery. It seems that, wishing to get into Middle Tennessee, to cut up the communications of Sherman’s Army, he was obliged to go above Knoxville, in order to cross the Holston River, there being no fords below Knoxville, and the ferries all being in possession of the Union troops. On the same day there arrived at Strawberry Plains from Middle Tennessee a brigade of three regiments of cavalry, under command of General A. C. Gillem. These regiments were well armed and splendidly mounted, having had their pick of horses from the well stocked farms of Middle Tennessee. General Gillem claimed to have a command independent of the officers at Knoxville, and to have been sent to East Tennessee at the urgent request of Andrew Johnson, then Military Governor of Tennessee, to rid that section of the state of the presence of confederate troops. Colonel Trowbridge was ordered to report to him with every available man that could be mustered in his regiment. Such a force judiciously handled in contesting the fords of the Holston, hanging on the flanks of Wheeler’s command, and attacking whenever and wherever opportunity offered, could have greatly impeded the march of Wheeler, and doubtless could have picked up many prisoners. Instead of that course, however, General Gillem decided to go towards Virginia, and on the 19th moved to New Market, with the Tenth in advance. An incident occurred on this march which tested the steadiness of the regiment in a new and unexpected manner. The command stopped at a small stream to water. Company A, under Lieutenant Converse, was in the advance of the column, with two companies under the command of Captain Sears a mile or so further in advance as an advance guard. The General, with his staff and an escort of two full companies, had moved out after watering. Co. A had finished watering, and the Colonel, after giving directions how to hasten the watering, went to the head of the column, when back from the front in a wild race came the General with his staff, orderlies and escort, wildly shouting, “I’m ruined, I’m ruined, I’m ruined--they are right on us, they are right on us,” and went galloping back to the rear, apparently very much in a panic. It would not have been remarkable if the panic had communicated to the rest of the command, but the voice of the Colonel rang out clear and strong, “Steady, Co. A, draw sabre, forward, trot, march.” If there had been any fear of a panic it was over, and the regiment trotted on to the advance guard, only to learn that the alarm was without any foundation in fact. But the Tenth had a chance to show its nerve, and it showed it. On the 23rd Giltner’s brigade was met at Blue Springs, and a sharp fight ensued, in which six men in Co. A and one in Co. L were wounded, three of whom died. The enemy was dislodged from a strong position, pursued for several miles and driven in confusion through Greenville. Instead of following the enemy up, the command was switched over to Rogersville, and for several days nothing was done worthy of note except to march down to Bean’s Station to keep away from Wheeler, when it was learned that Wheeler had gone into Middle Tennessee. Colonel Trowbridge was sent to camp by General Gillem on some duty, leaving Major Newell in command.

While the Colonel was away occurred an affair reflecting great credit on the regiment and all the officers concerned, and worthy of a more extended notice than the writer can give it by reason of lack of authentic information on the subject. He cannot recall that any written report was made at the time, of the part taken by the regiment, and he has endeavored by correspondence and otherwise to get at the facts. While the different accounts agree as to the principal facts, they differ widely in matters of detail.

Mrs. Joe Williams, a loyal woman of Greenville, rode one dark night to General Gillem’s camp at Bull’s Gap and notified the General of the presence at Greenville, eighteen miles away, of General John H. Morgan and his command. It was a very dark and stormy night, the 4th of September. Gillem moved out with his command, with the 10th Michigan in the advance. They struck the pickets of Vaughn’s brigade at Copper Ridge a few miles west of Greenville. They captured the first picket post, and moved on the second, when Vaughn’s brigade opened fire on them from behind Copper Ridge. Major Newell dismounted and deployed the advance battalion under Captain Light, and followed the enemy towards Greenville. There was more or less firing on the way, and it seems strange that it did not arouse the force in Greenville. A story was current at the time that General Morgan had given orders the night before to have all the fire arms discharged at daylight, and when the firing was heard it was supposed to be only the result of that order. At all events, when the 9th Tennessee and the 10th Michigan charged into town, the enemy was in no condition to resist,--some were getting their breakfasts, others cleaning up their equipment, and all unprepared for an attack. The 12th Tennessee under Colonel Miller had gone around to the east of the town to come in on the flank and rear of the enemy. General Morgan and staff were at the house of Mrs. Williams, the mother-in-law of the woman who had carried the information to General Gillem at Bull’s Gap. The men of the 9th Tennessee learning that fact surrounded the house. Morgan ran out of the rear door, seeking to escape by hiding in a grape arbor. He was seen by a member of the 9th Tennessee, who ordered him to halt, and upon his disregarding the order, he was shot and killed. His staff, among whom was a grandson of Henry Clay, 100 prisoners and 6 pieces of artillery were captured.

In this fight the 10th did its full share, and great credit is due to Major Newell for the coolness and skill with which he handled his men, as well as to the officers and men of his command for the promptness and zeal with which they executed his orders.

When Colonel Trowbridge reported to General Gillem for duty, he took with him every man from Strawberry Plains who was fit for duty, leaving behind 125 men who were convalescent, blacksmiths, horse farriers, and other special duty men. There was also in the fort which the regiment had constructed a section of a field battery of light artillery, Colvin’s Illinois Battery. While the regiment was away Wheeler came up with his cavalry corps of six thousand men and nine pieces of artillery. Standish played a splendid game of bluff, blazing away with his two field pieces as if he had a great sufficiency of men stowed away somewhere. General Williams, commanding one of Wheeler’s divisions, and known in the old army as Cerro Gordo Williams, was told by some of the rebel citizens that there were no troops there, that they had all gone up the country. He replied, “Oh, you can’t fool me. Those Yankees are full of tricks. Those men wouldn’t be walking about there so unconcerned if they hadn’t plenty of men to back them.” Standish had sent a sergeant, Edward Drew, and seven men to guard McMillan’s ford. One of the men, formerly a corporal, was disgruntled at having been reduced to the ranks, and went off on his own hook, so that only seven were left. One of them was a horse farrier of Co. B, by the name of Alexander H. Griggs, of Wayne County. These seven men actually kept back a rebel brigade from crossing at that ford for three hours, and a half by desperate fighting--disabling more than fifty. The rebels finally, by swimming the river above and below this little party, and out of their sight, succeeded in surrounding and capturing them all. During the fight Griggs was badly wounded. General Wheeler, who crossed over with the brigade, was much impressed by the valor of these men, and at once paroled a man to stay and take care of Griggs, particularly cautioning him to take good care of him, as he was too brave a man to be allowed to die. Approaching the wounded farrier, the following dialogue is said to have taken place.

General Wheeler--Well, my man, how many men had you at this ford?

Griggs--Seven, sir.

Wheeler--My poor fellow, don’t you know that you are badly wounded. You might as well tell me the truth; you may not live long.

Griggs (indignantly)--I am telling you the truth, sir. We only had seven men.

Wheeler (laughing)--Well, what did you expect to do?

Griggs--To keep you from crossing, sir.

Wheeler (greatly amused and laughing)--Well, why didn’t you do it?

Griggs--Why you see we did until you hit me, and that weakened our forces so much that you were too much for us.

Wheeler was greatly amused, and turning to another prisoner (who happened also to be a horse farrier--John Dunn, of Co. I), inquired to what regiment they belonged. On being informed he said, “Are all the Tenth Michigan Cavalry like you?” “Oh, no,” said Dunn, “we are the poorest of the lot. We are mostly horse farriers and blacksmiths and special duty men, and not much accustomed to fighting.” “Well,” said Wheeler, “if I had 300 such men as you, I could march straight through h--l.”

On the same day Major Smith, of the Tenth, was sent out from Knoxville with seventy-two men, all the mounted force that could be mustered, to scout in the direction of Strawberry Plains, and ascertain the strength and position of the enemy. The authorities at Knoxville had become a little anxious over the near approach of so large a body of the enemy’s troops, for while the fortifications were extensive and very strong, the garrison was sufficient to man them only very inadequately. General Tillson therefore desired Major Smith to get as much accurate information as possible. Accordingly the Major gave orders to his advance guard, Sergeant Rounsville and ten men, to charge the first body of the enemy that they should meet, regardless of its strength. Two and a half miles from Flat Creek bridge the enemy was discovered and charged by the advance guard in gallant style, the Major following up with his command. The enemy proved to be the Eighth Texas Cavalry, 400 strong. Major Smith routed them completely, capturing their commanding officer, a Lieutenant Colonel, and thirty or forty prisoners. Thinking that he could capture the whole party before they could recross the Holston River, he pursued them at full gallop until he came to Flat Creek bridge. Over this he dashed, to find himself confronted by Hume’s entire division of cavalry drawn up in line of battle, scarcely 300 yards from the bridge. Of course he was obliged to retire, and the pursuit was the other way. All his prisoners were recaptured, and about one-half of his men, but he obtained a good deal of information. The officers, among whom were Lieutenants Barr and Weatherwax, and men were paroled after having been stripped of their boots and shoes and much of their clothing, and being obliged to walk barefoot over the rough and stony roads for more than twenty-five miles. They were so used up by their ill-treatment as to be unfit for duty for a considerable time.

September 4th Lieutenant Colonel Trowbridge received his commission as Colonel.

On the 5th General Gillem was ordered to send the Tenth back to Strawberry Plains, but refused to do so. On that day Colonel Trowbridge, Major Smith and Captain Thomas, of General Carter’s staff, were appointed commissioners to negotiate for the exchange of citizen prisoners, and went up to Greenville to meet the rebel commissioners. After several days’ delay waiting for them a meeting was held on the 11th and 12th, but could accomplish nothing, as they had no lists, and adjourned to meet at Danbridge October 1st.

The regiment returned to Strawberry Plains, but nothing worthy of note occurred until the 15th, when the regiment was ordered out with General Tillson and about 850 infantry to intercept a large force on the other side of Clinch River, said to be four brigades of Wheeler’s cavalry going to Virginia from Middle Tennessee. The movement to intercept them was too late, however, as they had all passed Walker’s Ford before the Tenth reached there. On the 21st Colonel Trowbridge was ordered to move to Bull’s Gap, which he reached on the 23rd, and reported to General Ammen. The joint command of Generals Gillem and Ammen marched toward Carter’s Station. At Jonesboro, on the 29th, the rebel commissioners were met on their way to Danbridge, under flag of truce. Colonel Trowbridge was directed to return with them, and turned the command of the regiment over to Major Newell, who gained for the regiment fresh laurels and the hearty commendation of General Ammen for their steadiness and gallant conduct in a stubborn fight at Carter’s Station the next day, when the enemy was driven from his position.

October 9th a party of 75 men, under Lieutenant Sherman, a loyal and gallant officer from Virginia, of Co. M, was sent out by General Ammen to find a band of guerillas under Hipshir. Sherman’s party was led into an ambush at Thorn Hill, and lost 1 man killed, 4 wounded and 15 captured.

On the 13th Colonel Trowbridge was ordered to Michigan to hurry forward a large number of men who were said to have been enlisted for the regiment, and were awaiting transportation. The command devolved upon Major Newell. Nothing of unusual interest occurred beyond the usual scouting until the 12th of November, when occurred a series of actions worthy of careful notice. General Gillem had remained at Bull’s Gap with his brigade without any good reason apparent. There was nothing in particular to be defended there, and the position was easily turned. General Breckenridge was coming down from Virginia with quite a little army, larger than the one with which General Taylor fought the battle of Buena Vista. He had several thousand infantry, under the command of General John B. Palmer, formerly of Detroit, about 1,500 cavalry, under Basil Duke, an experienced officer from Kentucky, and a full complement of artillery. Undoubtedly his object was to capture Knoxville, and in that way relieve the pressure at other points. The movement excited much interest, and aroused much apprehension in the minds of those charged with responsibility for affairs in that region, as was shown by dispatches between the Secretary of War and Generals Thomas and Ammen. General Gillem remained at Bull’s Gap until nearly surrounded by General Duke’s cavalry, and then attempted to withdraw. In doing so he seemed to have lost his head, and much confusion followed. In answer to appeals for reinforcement, Major Smith of the Tenth was sent up by train from Knoxville with one hundred men of the Tenth dismounted, and one hundred men of Kirk’s North Carolina regiment to Morristown. There they disembarked and formed, Major Smith on the right of the railroad and Kirk on the left. When Smith arrived panic and confusion reigned supreme in Gillem’s command. That officer, for reasons best known to himself, had gathered together a few officers and twenty or thirty men, abandoned his command, and taken the shortest route through the woods for Knoxville, where he safely arrived the next day. The officers and men of his command, being deserted by their commanding officer, naturally thought that everything was lost, and the only safety was in flight. There was one notable exception, brave and gallant Colonel Miller, with his sturdy regiment, the Thirteenth Tennessee, seeing no hope of any successful resistance to Duke’s victorious legions, wisely withdrew to the north side of the river and escaped the rout. The other regiments were streaming past Smith in wildest confusion, hotly pursued by the enemy. The captain of the battery of six Parrott guns, a brave and gallant officer, whose name is not recalled, seeing Smith in position, thought he would be supported in making a fight, and took position some little distance in the rear. Smith sent him word by two or three mounted men not to stop, but to keep on down the road. He did not get the order. Smith, having cautioned his men not to fire until the order was given, waited until he thought the last of Gillem’s men had passed, and the enemy was within a few rods when his challenge rang out clear and strong, “Halt! Who comes there?” “Johnny rebs” was the quick response. Then, “Ready, aim, fire,” and the Spencer carbines belched forth their fiery blast. It was reported that those volleys killed seven officers and thirty men, and doubtless wounded many more. The effect of the sudden and unexpected shock was tremendous and most stunning. The enemy broke and fled in the greatest alarm. A Colonel commanding one of Duke’s brigades told the writer afterwards that he was in the rear that night, and that if those volleys had been followed up by a charge of a single squadron of cavalry, the whole of Duke’s command would have been thrown into a panic. As it was, they came pouring back upon him in the greatest confusion. But there was no squadron to make the charge. Smith, seeing that with the confusion of Gillem’s command, it would be hopeless for him to contend against such overwhelming odds, and doubtless supposing, too, that the check which the enemy had received would enable the balance of Gillem’s men to make their escape, wisely drew off into some timber and quietly withdrew, and after an all-night’s march brought his men safely into camp the next day at Strawberry Plains. After recovery from the shock of their bloody repulse, the enemy advanced again and captured the battery and wagon train. The most of Gillem’s remaining force, however, made good their escape, with the loss of about 300 prisoners. There is no doubt that except for the timely arrival of Smith and his men of the Tenth, and the bloody check which they administered with their Spencer carbines, the bulk of Gillem’s force, or of two regiments of it, would have been captured, for up to that time the enemy had had things all their own way. This fight occurred on Sunday night. On the following Tuesday morning Colonel Trowbridge returned and found Major Newell calmly awaiting Breckenridge’s approach, keeping well informed of his movements by frequent scouting parties. Colonel Trowbridge kept Generals Tillson and Ammen at Knoxville well informed, and suggested that, if it was considered important to hold the post, it would be well to send up some reinforcements. General Gillem heard of the suggestion and stoutly protested against it, as the post was certain to be captured, and sending any reinforcements would be just throwing the men away. General Tillson, however, sent up two companies of Ohio Heavy Artillery, acting as infantry, which brought the force at Strawberry Plains, including hundred days’ men, scouts and a small battalion of Kentucky cavalry that had happened to stop there, up to about 700 men--besides a section of an Illinois field battery, under Captain Wood, which was in the fort of which mention has been made. Two hundred of the Tenth had been sent to Kentucky for horses and had not returned. Scouting parties were kept out on both sides of the river Tuesday and Wednesday, and Wednesday night it was thought that an attack would be made in the morning, and the men were ordered to sleep on their arms in the trenches. The next morning the enemy opened with three guns from College Hill, and drew a prompt response from Wood, who had the hill covered with his guns. At the same time a strong skirmish line was thrown out to the rear, which developed the enemy about a mile from the camp. A brisk fight was kept up with that portion of the enemy all the forenoon, while an equally sharp fight was maintained with the enemy across the river, both artillery and infantry. About half past three the force in the rear was seen to be moving away up the river. Undoubtedly the hot reception which they had met at Morristown had made them cautious about coming near the Spencer carbines. Breckenridge remained in the vicinity for several days, when he withdrew, and the fear of the capture of Knoxville was relieved. Should inquiry be made why the conduct of General Gillem was not officially investigated, it might be answered that he had in Governor Johnson a very warm and powerful friend, and the influence of personal and political considerations was so great as to make the institution and prosecution of charges a matter of extreme difficulty. No one familiar with the facts seemed to be willing to take the responsibility of pressing an investigation.