October 21, Wednesday. A telegram from Admiral Porter says the Tennessee is rising, and he will send convoy for transports, etc. General Halleck is quite anxious. When I questioned him about Meade, he said it was “the same old story we had from all our Potomac generals.”
Monday, October 21, 2013
Colonel Lyons.
Stevenson, Ala., Wed. Eve., Oct. 21st, 1863—It has rained nearly all day, and the roads are almost impassable, causing much apprehension that we shall be unable to get forward sufficient supplies for our army at the front. The supplies are kept here for this large army.
The grand theme of interest and discussion now is the change of commanders in this army. Generals Grant and Rosecrans arrived here an hour ago, and are both at General Hooker’s quarters. This is a remarkable meeting. Less than four months ago these three generals were at the head of three great armies of the Union, and the eyes of the whole world were upon them Hooker at the head of the Army of the Potomac was carrying out that splendid strategy which culminated in the defeat of Lee at Gettysburg. A few days after he was relieved (by his own request) from the command of that army. Grant was pressing upon Vicksburg, which he soon after captured; and Rosecrans, with the laurels of Stone River fresh upon his brow, was pursuing the retreating army of Bragg out of Tennessee.
Tonight they are all here—Rosecrans without a command; Hooker with a very subordinate one; and Grant, whose star seems to be in the ascendant, with a command greater by far than has been entrusted to any other general in this war. Three nobler, braver, or better men, never met than these; and whatever their future may be they will fill a glorious place in our history.
I have no fault to find with the removal of General Rosecrans. I can readily imagine why the Government should regard it as imperiously necessary to do so. The consolidation of the three departments of Tennessee, Ohio, and the Cumberland, into one under General Grant, is a very wise measure.
No further signs of our moving.
Loudon, Tenn., October 21st, 1863.
We left Knoxville yesterday at 3 a. m. and took up o«r line of march for Kingston, forty miles distant, expecting to make it in three days. We took it leisurely and halted at 1 o’clock for dinner, having made twelve miles. We rested two hours and dined on hardtack and coffee. In the afternoon we marched six miles further and encamped for the night. The weather is delightful and roads good, which makes eighteen miles a day only gentle exercise. Very much depends on this. It is more tiresome to march ten miles when the roads are wet and slippery than twice that distance when dry and firm. We had hardly arrived in camp before the report of a dozen rifles told us the work of slaughter had begun.
Before dark good, fat beef was issued, and we supped on coffee, hardtack and beef. We have drawn nothing else, except sugar, since leaving Crab Orchard, and now we are getting only half rations of coffee and sugar. This morning we were aroused at 3 o’clock, two hours earlier than the usual time when on the march, but we “tumbled out,” made coffee, fried beef, ate our breakfast, dried and rolled up our tents and blankets, and at 4 o’clock were ready for business. At 5 o’clock the bugle sounded “fall in,” and in fifteen minutes the whole division was in motion. But not toward Kingston. I soon learned that Colonel Wolford was in a “fix,” and we were on the way to help him out. Cannonading could be heard in the direction of Loudon Bridge, which served as a stimulant, and away we dashed, making fifteen miles by 11 o’clock. We were now within two miles of the bridge, and halted in a piece of timber. Here we learned that the crisis had passed, and Colonel Leisure told us to make ourselves comfortable as possible until morning.
Loudon bridge crosses the Holston a short distance above its junction with the Clinch. These two form the Tennessee. The railroad from Bristol to Loudon is entirely in our possession. From this place to Cleveland the rebels have small forces at different points. We have strong fortifications on this side the river, occupied by the Twenty-third Corps, who have just completed a pontoon bridge. Wolford, with a brigade of cavalry and mounted infantry crossed this bridge, advanced about six miles and began to fortify. One regiment was sent out to look for the enemy. Forage being scarce and hard to get, another was sent off with a train to gather forage. Just at this critical moment, when he was least prepared, the Rebels threw a force of five thousand troops between him and the bridge, thus cutting off his retreat, and summoned him to surrender. To oppose them Wolford had two regiments of cavalry, a battery of six pieces, but no ammunition. What was to be done—surrender? His case looked desperate; some might have considered it hopeless; but “Wolf” was only indignant. He bared his teeth and growled, “What! me surrender? Why, man, I’m here to fight. Go back and tell your people I’ll call on them directly.” He spiked his useless cannon and abandoned them; put himself at the head of his brave followers and hurls them like an avalanche upon the enemy’s center; cuts his way through their line, taking ninety prisoners, reached the bridge with little loss, while our artillery on this side made pursuit impossible. This took place yesterday. This morning, having been reinforced, he crossed the river to offer them battle. He found them but two miles away, and immediately engaged them. When we arrived here the roar of artillery could be distinctly heard, but gradually it grew faint and fainter, until at sundown it had died away in the distance.
Camp on Bear Creek, Ala., Wednesday, Oct. 21. Rainy morning. Ready to move at 10 A. M., but as large wagon train was to go ahead of us and the roads were slippery, we did not start till noon, all this time being in a turmoil. I sat in my saddle with my head protruding through the rubber, moodily wondering if we would ever start. Marched in the center of the Division about four miles from Iuka. Struck a range of hills, and our road lay through narrow and crooked valleys, much of the way being gravelly. Passed very pretty spring brooks, crossed the R. R. about the state line. A squad of engineers stationed there. Struck Bear Creek 4 P. M., which is a beautiful stream four rods wide and fordable where crossed; runs swift over a pebbly bed. Came into camp on the east side in a valley two miles wide, high ridges on either side, the Battery in a cultivated field, the tents in a belt of timber. Cooked our supper, which was of flour and fresh beef and pancakes. Heavy cannonading heard in front, supposed to be ten miles distant. Cogswell’s 1st Chicago Independent Battery attached to our Division, four guns, James new pattern, good looking lot of men and horses. Lay down in a damp bed to take our first night’s sleep in “Alabam.”
Iuka, Miss., October 21, 1863.
We reached here the evening of the 18th inst., and I have been on extra heavy fatigue nearly ever since our arrival.
We worked all night first night loading wagon trains and unloading cars. We were doing the work of another division, but, such is war. The impression is that we will leave here about the 23d. The other divisions have all moved on, taking with them thirty days’ rations. We marched all the way from Memphis. Went about 20 miles out of our way to burn a little secesh town of some forty homes—Mount Pleasant. We reached Collinsville the day after Sherman, with about 800 men, had his fight with Chalmers. I stood the march splendidly, and am good for Chattanooga at 25 miles per day. It rained gently three nights on this march, and one night like the devil. We got in that night about 9 o’clock, and by a blunder of our brigade commander bivouacked in a regular dismal swamp. We had just stacked arms when the clouds sprung a leak, and such a leak, the cataract of Niagara is a side show, comparatively. Build a fire! Why, that rain would have quenched a Vesuvius in its palmiest days. I never saw just such a night. The one we spent at Lumpkin’s Mill on the 18th of last April, of which I wrote you, was more disagreeable, because colder; but in six hours am sure I never saw so much water drop as in this last rain.
October 21 — This morning we moved away from the Rappahannock, and we are now camped about two miles west of Brandy Station.
Wednesday, 21st—Our orders came and we left this morning at 6 o’clock for Vicksburg. We arrived in camp at noon, twelve miles from where we started. All is quiet here and no news of any importance.
Camp White, West Virginia, October 21, 1863.
Dear Mother: — I received your letter of the 17th this morning. Our soldiers rejoice over the result of the Ohio election as much or more than the good people at home. They felt afraid last winter that the people were getting disheartened and that there was danger that the war would be abandoned just as we were about to succeed. They saw, too, how much the Rebels were encouraged by our divisions in the North. The men of my regiment and my brigade were both unanimous for the Union ticket. The brigade cast over eight hundred votes all one way. I have seen no account of any equal body of troops who did as well. . . .
It is very uncertain what our movements this winter will be, but I think I shall be able to come and see you by midwinter. The time of mustering out my regiment is approaching and we shall perhaps be sent home to recruit. At any rate I think I shall see you this winter. — Love to all.
Affectionately,
R. B. Hayes.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
Camp White, October 21, 1863.
Dear Uncle: — I received yours of the 17th this morning; also one from mother of the 16th. Lucy left for home this morning with Dr. Joe. She will rent our house in Cincinnati, and return with our family two or three weeks hence, if things remain as now. I gave her a letter to send for the pony, as well as Birch, if agreeable to you. I am now entitled to two more horses than I am keeping, and if we remain here, would like the pony both for Birch and myself. I find little horses, if they are stout, much better for the mountains. My sorrell stallion I want to sell, because he is troublesome sometimes. He is a beauty and good stock; worth two hundred or three hundred dollars.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. Birchard.
October 21.— General Duffie with about one thousand men, cavalry, and two guns of Simmonds’ off last night; supposed to be after the railroad bridge again.
Lee followed Meade until he was near the defenses of Washington, when Lee is reported retiring again.
