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GALLANT BLACK SHEEP
COMPANY D
81ST INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
A CHRONICAL OF EVENTS CONNECTED WITH PRIVATE PLEASANT MONROE, HIS COMPANY, AND HIS REGIMENT IN THE CIVIL WAR
-- BY DONALD E. MONROE --
Dec 29, 184[5]. PLEASANT MONROE IS BORN.
Oct 14, 1850. CENSUS. TOWN OF NEW FRANKFORT, Jennings Township, Scott County, Indiana.
William P. Monroe Age 22 Born Indiana
Emily (Carr) 26 Born Indiana
Ruth Ann 8
PLEASANT B. 4
William T. 5/12
1850 - 1862. PLEASANT MONROE LIVED ON THE FARM OF HIS GRANDPARENTS, Thomas A. and Elvy Carr about 1-1/2 miles northeast of Austin, Indiana during a large part of this period. His parents lived in and near Austin at this time.
Aug 1, 1860. PLEASANT LIVED WITH HIS PARENTS 4 MILES EAST OF AUSTIN.
CENSUS. JENNINGS TOWNSHIP, Scott County, Indiana. William P. Monroe. Age 30. Occupation - Splitt Maker [This occupation may describe a Splitt Chairmaker listed in job descriptions from the time.] Value of Real Estate - $250. Personal Estate - $150. Born Indiana.
Emily Monroe (wife) Age 35 Born Indiana
Ruth A. 18
PLEASANT 15
William T. 10
John S. 8
James E. 5
Mary J. 3
Joseph L. 1
1861. PLEASANT ATTEMPTED TO ENLIST IN THE ARMY SEVERAL TIMES AT THE AGE OF 16. The first two attempts were at enlistment rallies at the Methodist Church in Austin. Various influential people gave speeches favoring enlistment and then ladies circulated through the audience taking names. Pleasant signed up twice in this manner. Once he gave his name to Belle Connette who was the older sister of his wife-to-be. Pleasant recalled the association with Belle years later in a letter that resides in his pension records. This would seem to be a very effective combination of motivational influences--speeches by inspirational orators, followed by the more subtle influence of comely young ladies. Young Pleasant was also probably subjected to extremely strong peer pressure, many if not most of his friends and acquaintances succumbing to the pressure to enlist and questioning the manhood of anyone who decided to resist the pressure. It must have been very difficult not to sign up. Pleasant's Mother was not so easily influenced, however, and she had his name taken off the list both times.
Aug 4, 1862. PLEASANT ENLISTED IN THE ARMY. The third time still only 16 years old he gave his name at the depot in Austin and was sworn into the 81st Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
The Muster-in-Roll shows the following:
Pvt Pleasant Monroe
Austin, Indiana.
Company D. 81st Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
Captain Weston C. Finley's Company.
Term of Enlistment - 3 Years.
Age - 18 [actually 16] years. Height 5 - 6.
Complexion Light. Eyes Blue.
Hair sandy. Born Scott County.
Occupation farmer.
Volunteers at this time received a clothing allowance of $3.50 per month. Clothing, arms and accoutrements were furnished when the men arrived at the camp of rendezvous, Camp Noble, at New Albany, Indiana in the case of Pleasant Monroe. Each volunteer was paid 50 cents in lieu of subsistence for every 25 miles of travel from his place of enrollment to the place of muster. An allowance at the same rate was promised at the time of discharge from service plus an additional sum of $100. Every effort was to be exerted to prevent the enlistment of persons unfit for service from physical disability, or minors under 18 years of age. Anyone recruiting boys under 18 were to be charged with their transportation and subsistence.
Aug 27, 1862. A CONFEDERATE ARMY UNDER LT-GEN EDMUND KIRBY SMITH MOVED INTO CENTRAL KENTUCKY.
Aug 29, 1862. PLEASANT MONROE WAS MUSTERED IN AT CAMP NOBLE, INDIANA. He was paid a bounty of $25. 939 officers and men mustered into the 81st Indiana. They were all from counties in southern Indiana bordering on the Ohio River. The men of Company D, Pleasant's company, were almost all from Scott County. The Regiment was immediately ordered to Louisville, Kentucky just across the river. It went into camp about four miles out the Bardstown Pike from Louisville. Pleasant's regiment, like numerous other green regiments, that were mustered in from Indiana due to the strenuous efforts of Governor Oliver P. Morton to protect his state from perceived danger, was sent to the battle line with virtually no preparation or training and with no idea what to expect in battle.
The following is a list of the Captains and the counties from which their companies were recruited:
Floyd County CAPT Stout;
Floyd County CAPT Wheeler;
Clark County CAPT Howard;
Clark County CAPT Everett;
Harrison County CAPT Boone;
Harrison County CAPT Moore;
Perry County CAPT O'Neal;
Perry County CAPT Cornelius;
Crawford County CAPT Scott;
Scott County CAPT Finley.
Captain Cornelius and his company traveled from Cannelton to New Abany aboard the Ohio River Steamer, John T. McCombs. Captain Cornelius complained in a letter to the Editors of the New Albany Ledger that the men were treated very badly by Captain Bunce of the McCombs. They were given accommodations on the deck with the deck hands and were provided inferior food and no eating utensils. They were further treated with the utmost disrespect according to Captain Cornelius. Captain Cornelius used the threat of force on several occasions in order to get decent treatment for himself and his men. Almost a year afterward the McCombs was one of the steamers commandeered by John Hunt Morgan during the Great Indiana-Ohio Raid. John Dillehay and the Sixth Ky Cavalry were part of Morgan's force that captured the McCombs, and after Morgan's Men crossed the Ohio River, the two captured steamers, including the McCombs, were burned. Captain Bunce in a rebuttal letter to the Ledger claimed that Cornelius' accusations were not justified and that he and his crew were not Rebel sympathizers. It was often asked why the steamers were so easy to capture by Morgan's Men located on the banks of the river. Perhaps his behavior toward Captain Cornelius and his men was further evidence of Bunce's southern sympathies.
Aug - Sep, 1862. ORGANIZATION:
Army of the Ohio;
9th Division;
32nd Brigade;
81ST REGIMENT OF INDIANA VOLUNTEERS - COL WILLIAM W. CALDWELL, COMMANDING.
The hour was sad I left the maid, a lingering farewell taking,
Her sighs and tears my steps delay'd, I thought her heart was breaking;
In hurried words her name I bless'd, I breathed the vows that bind me,
And to my heart in anguish press'd the girl I left behind me.
Then to the East we bore away, to win a name in story,
And there where dawns the sun of day, there dawns our sun of glory;
Both blazed in noon on Alma's height, where in the post assigned me,
I shar'd the glory of that fight, Sweet Girl I Left Behind Me.
FROM THE GIRL I LEFT BEHIND ME--BY SAMUEL LOVER
Sep 7, 1862. RACE FOR LOUISVILLE. Maj-Gen Don Carlos Buell (U.S.A.) at Nashville and Maj-Gen Braxton Bragg (CSA) at Carthage and Greensboro, Tennessee began a race for Louisville.
Sep 25 - 29, 1862. BUELL BEAT BRAGG TO LOUISVILLE. The people of Louisville were in a panic. Many had evacuated themselves and their belongings. The people of the counties in southern Indiana, from which the men of the 81st Indiana came, were also in a panic with the prospect of the enemy residing just across the Ohio River.
Sep 29, 1862. DAVIS KILLED NELSON. Maj-Gen William F. Nelson, Commander, III Corps, was shot and killed by Brig-Gen Jefferson C. Davis, who was later to command the 1st Division, XIV Corps of which Pleasant Monroe would be a member. Davis, who was also from Indiana, had been a Lieutenant in the Regular Army at Fort Sumter during the bombardment. Supposedly he had been insulted and slapped by Nelson previous to the altercation. At the time of the incident Davis was in the company of Gov Morton, who had also had a run-in with Nelson due to Nelson's poor handling of green Indiana soldiers at the Battle of Richmond in Kentucky. Davis shot Nelson at the Galt House in Louisville. Maj-Gen Charles C. Gilbert was assigned to permanent command of III Corps to replace Nelson.
Buell was relieved as Commander, Army of the Ohio. General George H. Thomas was offered the command in a letter from the government. Thomas turned the offer down and became Deputy Commander. Buell remained in command. He complained of Gov Morton interfering with the discipline of Indiana troops including the matter of Gen Davis. Davis was never court-martialed for killing Nelson and later became a very competent commander.
Oct 2, 1862. Col William W. Caldwell became Commander, 32nd Brigade. Lt-Col John Timberlake was named to command the 81st Indiana
Oct, 1862. ORGANIZATION:
Army of the Ohio - Maj-Gen Don Carlos Buell;
III Corps - Maj-Gen Charles C. Gilbert;
9th Division - Brig-Gen Robert B. Mitchell;
32nd Brigade - Col William W. Caldwell;
81ST IND. - LT-COL JOHN TIMBERLAKE.
Oct 1 - 15, 1862. PURSUIT OF BRAGG IN KENTUCKY. Buell's Army, including the 81ST INDIANA and several other green regiments that were newly mustered after President Lincoln's latest call for troops, along with regiments that were veterans of Shiloh and Corinth and had marched all that distance chasing Bragg, marched out of Louisville. Mitchell's Division was in the van of Gilbert's column, which marched by way of Shepherdsville, Bardstown, and Springfield, and was contested by Gen Joseph Wheeler's Cavalry (C.S.A.), which was the rear guard for Gen Hardee's Corps.
Oct 8, 1862. BATTLE OF PERRYVILLE. The 81ST INDIANA was in the center of the battle line. It was held in reserve and not engaged, and it suffered no losses, although Pleasant and his green cohorts probably had a good view of part of the battle, and were scared out of their wits wondering what they would do if they had to join the fray. JOHN DILLEHAY'S COMPANY was actively engaged as part of Wheeler's Cavalry on the Confederate side at Perryville. John was the elder brother of my Great-grandfather on my Mother's side.
OVERALL LOSSES:
Union - 916 killed, 2943 wounded, 489 missing;
Confederate - 2500 killed, wounded, and missing.
Oct 16 - Nov 7, 1862. MARCH TO NASHVILLE. After a drawn battle at Perryville, which was poorly managed and in which a large part of the Union Army was never engaged, the Confederate Army retreated and marched out through Cumberland Gap with JOHN DILLEHAY'S COMPANY comprising part of the rear guard. Buell's Army including the 81ST INDIANA AND PLEASANT MONROE then marched to Nashville, Tennessee. The Regiment encamped on the banks of the Cumberland River, opposite the lower part of the city of Nashville.
Oct 26, 1862. PVT FLEMING HUGHBANKS OF COMPANY D DIED OF TYPHOID FEVER AT LOUISVILLE.
Nov, 1862 - Jan, 1863. ORGANIZATION:
Army of the Cumberland - Maj-Gen William S. Rosecrans, Commanding (Gen Buell had been relieved, which made Gov Morton happy);
XIV Corps - Maj-Gen Alexander McDowell McCook (had taken the brunt of the fighting at Perryville);
1st Division - Brig-Gen Jefferson C. Davis (killed Gen. Nelson);
3rd Brigade - Col William E. Woodruff;
81ST IND - LT-COL JOHN TIMBERLAKE (Col Caldwell leave of absence?).
Nov 2, 1862. PVT JAMES HERRON OF COMPANY D DIED OF PNEUMONIA AT NEW ALBANY, INDIANA.
Nov 21, 1862. PVT SAMUEL FOUTS OF COMPANY D DIED OF TYPHOID FEVER AT BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY.
Nov 17, 1862. RAMBLER, IN A LETTER TO THE NEW ALBANY DAILY LEDGER, SAYS THE REGIMENT IS RAVAGED BY SICKNESS. Sgt-Maj, later 1st-Lt and Regimental Adjutant, Augustus Jocelyn, a printer with the New Albany Daily Ledger, before joining the Regiment, wrote numerous lengthy letters home to the Ledger under the pseudonym-RAMBLER. These letters were published in the Ledger, and RAMBLER continues to be an outstanding source of information regarding the activities and events connected with the Regiment. It also provides a human or personal slant regarding attitudes and concerns that governed the men's behavior that would otherwise be very difficult to ascertain.
RAMBLER writes at this time of the men being "scattered in hospitals from Louisville to Crab Orchard" because of sickness. He further says that the Regiment can muster only 420 men (out of the original 939 mustered in) fit for duty. RAMBLER also mentions that on the Regiment's line of march while in the state of Kentucky there was very little sign of "Union sentiment". He makes note of the "scenes of desolation" and the "damage to the property" along the line of march. Whether this damage was caused by northern or southern soldiers he does not say.
Nov 28, 1862. PVT SYLVESTER SMITH OF COMPANY D DIED OF TYPHOID FEVER AT NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.
Dec 1, 1862. PVT BENJAMIN ISAACS OF COMPANY D DIED OF TYPHOID FEVER AT BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY.
Dec 9, 1862. RECONNAISSANCE FROM NASHVILLE TOWARD FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE.
Dec 15, 1862. RAMBLER mentions "considerable hard feeling and bitterness" caused by the manner in which company commissioned officers are appointed. The men do not like it when a vacancy occurs within their company for which other men in the same company are qualified, and someone from another company is appointed to the position. RAMBLER also says the men are "down on" the concept of fighting the war with the intention of the abolition of slavery. The men are fighting for the Constitution-not abolition-according to RAMBLER. He complains further that the Paymaster has not made his appearance yet, and this creates extreme hardships on the men and their families at home. This was a long and very pessimistic letter that could not have made the people back home feel very good.
Dec 16, 1862. PVT ALEXANDER ARDREY OF COMPANY D DESERTED FROM THE REGIMENT. His later application for an honorable discharge was denied June 13, 1888.
SKIRMISH NEAR BRENTWOOD, TENN.
Dec 23, 1862. PLEASANT MONROE'S COMPANY COMMANDER RESIGNED DUE TO DISABILITY. Capt Weston C. Finley, a lawyer from Austin, age 39, resigned due to hemoptrisis, bleeding lungs. 1ST LT ROBERT F. GORDON, a merchant from Lexington, Scott County, age 24, assumed command of Company D.
Dec 24, 1862. PVT THOMAS M. WILSON OF COMPANY D DIED OF TYPHOID FEVER AT NASHVILLE ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
The wintry blast goes wailing by,
The snow is falling overhead;
I hear the lonely sentry's tread,
And distant watch-fires light the sky.
Dim forms go flitting through the gloom;
The soldiers cluster round the blaze
To talk of other Christmas days,
And softly speak of home and home.
There's not a comrade here tonight
But knows that loved ones far away
On bended knees this night will pray:
"God bring our darling from the fight."
But there are none to wish me back,
For me no yearning prayers arise.
The lips are mute and closed the eyes--
My home is in the bivouac.
FROM CHRISTMAS NIGHT OF '62--BY WILLIAM GORDON MCCABE
Dec 26 - 30, 1862. ADVANCE ON MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE. Rosecrans' Army marched out of Nashville the day after Christmas. It was cold and rainy, the roads were muddy, and the army was racked by sickness. Rosecrans' supply trains were harassed by Gen Wheeler's Cavalry. The team containing the baggage and records of the regimental field and staff officers of the 81ST INDIANA was captured and burned at Lavergne, Tennessee and all their belongings destroyed. Gen McCook's Corps supply train was captured and burned. It should be assumed that by this time the officers and men of the 81st should have had time to gain at least a rudimentary idea of military drill and how to maneuver on the battlefield and fire their weapons, but they were still green and untried in battle.
Dec 26 - 27, 1862. ENGAGEMENT AT NOLENSVILLE, TENNESSEE.
Dec 29, 1862. PVT PLEASANT MONROE CELEBRATED HIS 1[7]TH BIRTHDAY. He was still under age. This on a cold, wet march toward Murfreesboro.
PVT JOHN W. ROSEBURY OF COMPANY D DIED OF TYPHOID FEVER AT NASHVILLE.
Dec 30, 1862 - Jan 3, 1863. BATTLE OF STONES RIVER. The 81ST INDIANA was heavily engaged along with the rest of the Brigade on the 30th. The Brigade having arrived at the advance position on Overall's Creek the afternoon of December 29, was "the base of formation for the line of battle" on the 30th. The Brigade moved forward in line of battle at 10 am and "halted on the edge of a large cotton-field, immediately in front of a wood running parallel with the turnpike." The union line faced Murfreesboro toward the southeast. The Brigade remained in this position until 3 pm, when it was ordered to advance after throwing out skirmishers. The enemy line at this point was at the edge of a ravine topped by a "bluff wood bank", supports and artillery being positioned on the elevation. Woodruff halted at the edge of a rail fence. There were several exchanges of fire, both infantry and artillery, and several adjustments to the battle line. That night the Brigade slept on its arms without fires and prepared for battle.
Woodruff's Brigade was on the right wing of the union line which received the brunt of the Confederate attack by Gen Hardee at dawn on the 31st. The enemy attacked in "five heavy lines." Col J. Q. Loomis commanding a brigade, including the 19th, 22nd, 25th, 26th, and 39th Alabama, 17th Alabama Battalion Sharpshooters, 1st Louisiana Regulars, and Robertson's Battery, attacked Woodruff's Brigade including the 81st Indiana, and Sill's Brigade of Sheridan's Division. Capt Carpenter's 8th Wisconsin Battery, which was positioned in support of Woodruff, opened fire along with the infantry "with terrific effect", and the Rebels were "mowed down as grass beneath the sickle." Loomis' Brigade was decimated.
Col A. J. Vaughan commanding the 12th, 13th, 29th, 47th, and 154th Tennessee, 9th Texas, Allin's (Tennessee) Sharpshooters, and Capt W. L. Scott's Tennessee Battery then attacked. Vaughan was pushed back. He reformed and attacked again. Woodruff was in a wood at the edge of a rise. Sheridan's artillery enfiladed. Gen Sill was killed in a counter-attack to Woodruff's left. Vaughan lost 1/3 of his attacking brigade. The rest of Gen Cheatham's division (CSA) pushed the attack. Woodruff, flanked on both sides and running out of ammunition, retreated. Davis' and Johnson's divisions were driven to the Nashville Pike.
Dec 31, 1862. PLEASANT MONROE WAS WOUNDED SEVERELY. The ball entered the left side of his face one inch above the angle of the jawbone. It exited in the back of his neck close to the base of his skull. It probably injured both the jawbone and the base of the skull. He was carried from the field and taken to a field hospital behind the lines, probably at the Gresham House, which was located between the Franklin and Wilkinson Pikes and was used as a hospital early in the battle. Gen Sill was also taken to this hospital.
THE HOSPITAL WAS CAPTURED BY THE REBELS. The 2nd Arkansas and the 17th Tennessee both claimed credit for capturing the hospital and for killing Gen Sill. Reports filed after the battle were full of controversy as both of these regiments claimed credit for the capture. The 16th Alabama also occupied the hospital for a while. Pleasant and the patients and staff at the hospital began the New Year as prisoners of the Rebels and remained so until Bragg's Army retreated after the close of the battle on January 3. At that point those that were able to travel the Rebels took with them as prisoners-of-war. They left Pleasant behind probably because he was too badly wounded to take with them. Based on the description of the wounds and the reaction of the Rebels when they left Murfreesboro, it is difficult to envision how Pleasant survived. The bullet must have gone clean through without damaging any vital organs or arteries.
JOHN DILLEHAY AND THE 6TH KENTUCKY CAVALRY (CSA) arrived in the vicinity of Murfreesboro on this date and were instrumental along with the rest of Wheeler's Cavalry in conducting operations behind Rosecrans' lines and disrupting his supply trains. Some units on the right wing of Rosecrans' line, where Pleasant Monroe's Brigade was deployed, ran out of ammunition during the Rebel attack.
OPPOSING FORCES AT STONES RIVER:
Union - 44000;
Confederate - 38000.
LOSSES:
Union - 1533 killed, 7245 wounded, 2800 missing;
Confederate - 1294 killed, 7945 wounded, 1027 missing.
LOSSES 81ST INDIANA:
Officers - 1 killed, 2 wounded (1 mortally), 1 missing;
Men - 4 killed, 46 wounded, 15 missing;
Total - 69.
The missing (and captured) officer was Capt William C. Wheeler of Company C who was later to command the Regiment after his exchange.
COMPANY D LOSSES:
SGT FELIX T. MONROE -- wounded, in hand and shoulder, severely; captured; exchanged at Annapolis, Maryland Feb, 1863.
SGT JAMES G. BARRATT -- captured; exchanged at Annapolis Feb, 1863.
CORP WILLIAM H. HUGHES -- wounded in head, severely; captured; exchanged at Annapolis.
CORP PARKER TRUELOCK -- wounded, in side, slightly.
PVT JOSHUA D. CALDWELL -- captured; exchanged at Annapolis.
PVT PLEASANT MONROE - wounded in neck, severely; captured; left at field hospital after conclusion of the battle.
PVT GEORGE W. JOHNSON - wounded in thigh, severely; captured; exchanged at Annapolis.
PVT RALEIGH S. ALLEN - wounded in thigh.
COL WOODRUFF had the following comments in his report on the performance of the 81ST INDIANA at Stones River:
I owe especial thanks ..... to the officers and men of the Eighty-first Indiana, a new regiment, the first time under fire, who, with but a few exceptions, manfully fronted the storm of battle, and gave earnest proof of what may hereafter be expected of them. .....Lieutenant-Colonel Timberlake and Major Woodbury, of the Eighty-first Indiana, displayed manly courage, and held their regiment firm and steady under heavy fire; for officers young in the service their efforts are worthy of imitation.
SGT FELIX MONROE wrote in a letter to the New Abany Daily Ledger dated Feb 3, 1863 from Annapolis of being wounded and captured by the Rebels. He complained of extremely harsh treatment at the hands of his captors. He was "nearly starved to death", going three days at a time without food. He was transported in stock cars "full of filth". He was confined at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia where he claims he "would have died" had he not been released. He was sent to St James Hospital in Annapolis, Maryland after exchange, where he complained of terrible pains between his shoulders, where a spent shell had hit him at Stones River, and of camp diarrhea probably exacerbated by captivity at the hands of the Rebels.
Jan 5 - Apr 1, 1863. PVT PLEASANT MONROE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL in Nashville recovering from his wounds. Many homes of Nashville citizens were commandeered as hospitals for the wounded.
Jan 10, 1863. PVT HIRAM R. SEALEY OF COMPANY D DIED OF ILLNESS.
LT-COL TIMBERLAKE, COMMANDING 81ST INDIANA, requested permission to send Maj Woodbury on leave to collect convalescent sick members of the Regiment as the regimental strength was down to only 300 men. He also requested permission to have Maj Woodbury procure outfits for the officers who lost outfits when the team containing their belongings was destroyed by the Rebel cavalry. The request was approved and the Major was given 20 days to accomplish his mission.
Jan - Apr, 1863. ORGANIZATION:
Army of the Cumberland - Maj-Gen Rosecrans;
XX Corps - Maj-Gen McCook;
1st Division - Brig-Gen Davis;
3rd Brigade - Col Caldwell/Brig-Gen Thomas Turpin Crittenden;
81ST IND. - LT-COL TIMBERLAKE/LT-COL WOODBURY/COL CALDWELL.
Jan 14, 1863. LT-COL TIMBERLAKE RESIGNED. In his letter he stated that he was an old man, unschooled in tactics, regulations, and the rules of discipline. His resignation was accepted. Timberlake had been wounded in the left arm at Stones River. He was later appointed Provost in southern Indiana, where he opposed Morgan's Raiders, including JOHN DILLEHAY, six months later. Timberlake was later shot and killed at church services in Mauckport, Harrison County, during a violent altercation involving his wife and other family members and several southern sympathizers. The altercation had begun between two women according to the New Albany Daily Ledger.
Jan 15, 1863. PVT JAMES H. HUGHBANKS OF COMPANY D DIED OF ILLNESS.
Jan 25, 1863. RAMBLER, during a period of inactivity on the part of the Regiment, wrote another lengthy and rambling letter back to the New Albany Daily Ledger. He complained of the Emancipation Proclamation and of the Government turning the aims of the war into an effort to free the slaves. The men, according to RAMBLER, were fighting to preserve the Union and the Constitution-not to free the slaves. He also observed that members of the "old" Democratic Party were being looked on as traitors or "Butternuts", and he asked the people back home not to fall into the trap of categorizing Democrats as traitors. The Ledger also published excerpts from several letters sent from family back home to men in camp telling of extreme hardships because the men were not being paid. RAMBLER seems to have indulged in that age-old activity of soldiers during periods of inactivity--complaining.
Jan 27, 1863. PVT JAMES J. MANN OF COMPANY D DIED OF ILLNESS.
Jan 28, 1863. HORATIO WOODBURY WAS APPOINTED LT-COLONEL replacing Timberlake. He had enrolled as a Major. Leonidas Stout was promoted to Major. He had mustered in as Captain, Company A.
Feb, 1863. COL WILLIAM W. CALDWELL RESUMED COMMAND of the 81st Indiana as Brig-Gen Thomas Turpin Crittenden assumed command of the 3rd Brigade.
Feb 13, 1863. PVT WILLIAM MCCRARY OF COMPANY D DIED OF INTERMITTENT FEVER AT NASHVILLE.
Feb 14, 1863. PVT JOSEPH R. DAVIS OF COMPANY D DIED OF INTERMITTENT FEVER AT NASHVILLE.
Feb 25, 1863. PVT PLEASANT MONROE WAS PROMOTED TO CORPORAL by order of W. W. Caldwell, Colonel, Commanding Regiment.
Mar 9 - 14, 1863. RECONNAISSANCE FROM SALEM TO VERSAILLES, TENNESSEE.
Apr 1, 1863. PVT ISAAC LEWIS OF COMPANY D DIED OF TYPHOID FEVER AT MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE.
Apr 10, 1863. PVT JAMES W. GRAY OF COMPANY D DIED OF TYPHOID FEVER AT MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE, AND SGT HARVEY M. NIXON OF COMPANY D DIED OF TYPHOID FEVER AT NASHVILLE. The winter of 1862/63 was devastating for the members of Company D, as it was for other members of the Regiment and the armies in general. Camp diseases such as typhoid fever, brought on by cramped living conditions, poor sanitation, and primitive medical care, killed many more soldiers than the enemy would throughout the War. Men not used to living in such close quarters and those with low resistance to disease died like flies during this period. The men that were left in Company D were survivors, and the death rate from disease never remotely approached that for the first winter again.
Apr 12, 1863. THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS OF THE 81ST INDIANA WERE LISTED AS BEING UNDER ARREST:
COL CALDWELL, no reason given, but apparently several subordinate officers were attempting to get him removed from command; 2ND LT ELLISON C. POWELL, COMPANY E, drunk at a theater in Nashville and lied when he was arrested, saying that he was a member of the 8th Kansas; 1ST LT HENRY E. JONES, COMPANY A, asleep on picket duty.
Apr 25, 1863. LT-COL WOODBURY RESIGNED effective April 30, 1863. In his letter he spoke of "much ill-feeling, discord and strife which cannot be harmonized while all the present officers remain in the Regiment." In his endorsement Col Caldwell "respectfully forwarded" and "cheerfully recommended" acceptance of Woodbury's resignation, saying further that he could be "easily replaced." Caldwell also spoke of an effort to "break him [Col Caldwell] down by some incompetent officers for reporting them for examination before an examining board." Col Caldwell was in trouble with Gen Crittenden for not filing reports on time. He had drafted a letter to Crittenden offering excuses and complaining about the General's nitpicking. Crittenden, although born in Alabama, had resided in Madison, Jefferson County in southern Indiana for some time.
Brig-Gen Crittenden in his endorsement at brigade level called Woodbury "by far the best officer in the Regiment", and said further that, while Caldwell commands, Woodbury "can do nothing to prevent its demoralization." Brig-Gen Davis in his endorsement complained of officers haggling. Maj-Gen McCook, Corps Commander, stated that the demoralization in the brigade was caused by the "incompetence of the Brigade Commander." There was obviously a high level of internal discord from the regimental officers in the 81ST INDIANA on up the chain of command.
Apr 29 , 1863. MAJ STOUT RESIGNED, claiming disability because of chronic dysentery since the Perryville march. Regimental ADJUTANT WILLIAM H. TIMBERLAKE [a relative of the late Lt-Colonel?] RESIGNED on this date "for the good of the service." He apparently could not get along with Col Caldwell.
May 23, 1863. REGIMENTAL QUARTERMASTER WILLIAM H. DANIELS REQUESTED LEAVE to go to Indiana and defend himself against a charge involving an alleged "fraudulent mortgage" in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars. That was a huge sum in those days. Apparently they had the right man in the job of keeping the Regiment supplied.
May - Oct, 1863. ORGANIZATION:
Army of the Cumberland - Maj-Gen Rosecrans;
XX Corps - Maj-Gen McCook;
1st Division - Brig-Gen Davis;
2nd Brigade - Brig-Gen William Passmore Carlin [one of the toughest and most capable commanders in the army; his brigade took heavy casualties at both Perryville and Stones River];
81ST IND. - COL CALDWELL/CAPT BOONE.
Jun 4, 1863. OPERATIONS ON THE EAGLEVILLE PIKE near Murfreesboro.
Jun 9, 1863. ROBERT F. GORDON, Commanding Company D, Corporal Pleasant Monroe's company, was PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN.
Jun 10, 1863. SGT PARKER M. TRULOCK OF COMPANY D DIED OF CHRONIC DIARRHEA AT NASHVILLE.
Jun 23 - Jul 7, 1863. TULLAHOMA CAMPAIGN in Middle Tennessee.
Jun 24 - 27, 1863. ACTION AT LIBERTY GAP, Tennessee. Davis' Division including Carlin's Brigade was heavily engaged. The 38th Illinois of Carlin's Brigade captured the regimental colors of the 2nd Arkansas, which had so vehemently claimed that it captured the field hospital at Stones River.
I see before me now a traveling army halting,
Below, a fertile valley spread, with barns and the orchards of summer,
Behind, the terraced sides of a mountain, abrupt, in places rising high,
Broken, with rocks, with clinging cedars, with tall shapes dingily seen,
The numerous camp-fires scattered near and far, some away up on the mountain,
The shadowy forms of men and horses, looming, large-sized,
flickering,
And over all the sky--the sky! far, far out of reach, studded,
breaking out, the eternal stars.
FROM BIVOUAC ON A MOUNTAINSIDE--BY WALT WHITMAN
Jul 30, 1863. COL CALDWELL WAS DISMISSED FROM THE SERVICE by order of the President for "uttering disloyal sentiments." At this point none of the original field grade officers of the 81ST INDIANA remained in the service. Capt Andrew J. Howard of Company B, Acting Major, was also dismissed for the same reason. Gov Morton probably played a role in the dismissal of these officers. Southern Indiana counties, from which the men of the 81st mustered in, were largely Democratic, pro-slavery, and anti-Negro rights. Gov Morton was a Republican and considered Democrats traitors to the war effort. He would resort to any measure, legal or constitutional or otherwise, in order to combat the Democrats in his state. Democrats would say that Gov Morton's primary interest was enhancing his personal power at the expense of the Democrats or anybody who opposed him.
CAPT NEVILLE B. BOONE, age 27 at muster, a Recorder from Harrison County who had commanded Company E, was NAMED COMMANDER of the Regiment, a rather precarious position for a young volunteer officer with no experience at field grade.
Aug 16 - Sep 22, 1863. CHATTANOOGA CAMPAIGN. Occupation of Middle Tennessee, passage of Cumberland Mountains, and Chickamauga Campaign.
Aug 29, 1863. MCCOOK'S CORPS CROSSED THE TENNESSEE RIVER via pontoon bridge at Caperton's Ferry, some 35 miles below Chattanooga, Tennessee. It then crossed Lookout Mountain at Winston's Gap. Rosecrans had his three Corps widely separated at this point and threatening Bragg's rear at Chattanooga.
Sep 8, 1863. BRAGG EVACUATED CHATTANOOGA without a fight. He was outflanked and out-maneuvered and in grave danger of having his supply line and potential route of retreat cut off. He then determined that Rosecrans had his forces widely separated and they could be attacked in detail. At that point he turned about at LaFayette, Tennessee and looked for an opportunity to attack Rosecrans piece by piece.
Sep 13, 1863. MCCOOK was ordered to cross back over Lookout Mountain, march north through Lookout Valley, and join Thomas' Corps at Stevens Gap. This was a FORCED MARCH of 57 miles over rough country that Pleasant and the men of the 81st Indiana participated in. It was accomplished by September 17. It was a matter of life and death for Rosecrans' Army.
Sep 19, 1863. ORGANIZATION:
Army of the Cumberland - Maj-Gen Rosecrans;
XX Corps - Maj-Gen McCook;
1st Division - Brig-Gen Davis;
2nd Brigade - Brig-Gen Carlin;
81ST IND. - CAPT BOONE/MAJ JAMES E. CALLAWAY.
BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA. CAPT BOONE WAS RELIEVED EARLY IN THE ACTION BY GEN CARLIN FOR INCOMPETENCY. MAJOR JAMES E. CALLAWAY OF THE 21ST ILLINOIS WAS ORDEERED TO REPLACE HIM. This seems to have been very unusual--ordering an officer from another regiment to take command at the beginning of a major battle. Callaway was a lawyer from Tuscola, Illinois, who was 26 years old at muster. He was an experienced field grade officer serving in Grant's "old" regiment. Carlin, a West Point graduate and career soldier and veteran of campaigns on the western frontier before the War, was noted for doing things his way and for having little patience with the incompetence of volunteer officers. He was obviously uncomfortable with the 81st Indiana having no field grade officers present at the beginning of a major battle. Capt Boone, the most senior company grade officer, was apparently not up to Gen Carlin's expectations. Carlin's Brigade marched from Crawfish Springs to Widow Glenn's House, turned east, and formed a line east of the LaFayette Road in front of the Viniard House, facing east across the Viniard Field toward Chickamauga Creek. The brigade alignment right to left was--81ST INDIANA, 101st Ohio, and 38th Illinois, with the 21st Illinois in reserve. Gen Carlin was further upset by Gen Davis, in Carlin's view, intruding in an unwarranted manner in affairs regarding the Brigade. Davis, the Division Commander, personally gave orders to the regimental commanders regarding their alignment and positioning and bypassed Gen Carlin in the process. Maj Callaway, commanding the 81st Indiana, was personally ordered by Davis to move the regiment 200 yards to the right and front of the 2nd Minnesota Battery. The 38th Illinois was also repositioned on Davis' orders. Carlin complained in his after-action report that these regiments were effectively removed from his command at this point. In a very real sense the 81st Indiana was almost on its own the rest of this day, and it took advantage of the opportunity by doing deadly work under the command of Maj Callaway. Upon taking position under Gen Davis' orders, and being protected on the right by a "point of timber with heavy undergrowth" and on the left by being "on the crest of...a slight elevation", Maj Callaway noticed a regiment to his right giving ground under heavy attack by the Rebels. The 81st Indiana immediately opened a "well-directed fire" on the attackers, causing them to withdraw and relieving the regiment to its right. An attack was then made by the Rebels on the regiments to the left, eventually causing those regiments and the 2nd Minnesota Battery to withdraw, leaving the 81st Indiana without support to its left. Maj Callaway ordered a "partial change of front to the rear by throwing back the left wing of the regiment" bringing enfilading fire on the enemy and partially checking his progress. The Major was concerned that the Regiment was so badly flanked that he was in danger of losing his entire command. He twice caused the men to move to a more secure position, first 200 yards to the rear, and then 50 yards to the rear and across the road. The 81st Indiana then opened fire on the enemy to its front and when the regiments to the left again came up to their support, they retook their original position as the enemy retreated. The brigade and the regiments to the left were hit again, this time by Robertson's Brigade of Hood's Division and Trigg of Preston's Division. They were overwhelmed and pushed back, losing 3 guns of the 8th Indiana Battery which was supporting them. The regimental colors of the 21st Illinois were also lost when the color-sergeant was shot dead on the field. The 81st Indiana was again bypassed, and due to its "admirable position", being at the edge of a rise partially protected by a stand of trees and undergrowth, it, along with the artillery positioned behind it, again took the Rebels in flank. Maj Callaway again ordered a partial change of front to the left. The Regiment conducted "an oblique fire to the left", enfilading the attackers and driving the enemy back "with immense slaughter." Bradley's Brigade, just arrived as reinforcements from Sheridan, supported by the remnants of the rest of Carlin's Brigade, then rallied against the efforts of the Rebels. Hood's Texas Brigade, including the 3rd Arkansas, the 1st, 4th, and 5th Texas, recently arrived from Lee's Army after attacking the Union left on the second day at Gettysburg, formed the opposition. Due in large part to the refusal of the 81st Indiana to break, when the regiments on its left were giving ground under tremendous pressure, the Federals recaptured the guns and the colors. There was terrible slaughter in the Viniard Field as both sides fought back and forth, and each time the Texans pushed the Federals across the field the 81st Indiana continued to rake them with enfilading fire from the right. The battle on this day was finally ended by merciful darkness where it began along the LaFayette Road. Possession of the guns and the colors was retained. Thirst and cold were a huge problem for the army that night, along with trying to establish some semblance of organization among the badly scattered and intermingled regiments, and finding and treating the large number of wounded on both sides.
Sep 20, 1863. PLEASANT MONROE AND THE REST OF CARLIN'S BRIGADE WERE ON THE RIGHT WING WITH DAVIS' DIVISION. At 3 am they were ordered to move to a position adjacent to the Federal Commander, Gen Rosecrans', headquarters. Due to a misunderstanding or a miscommunication, Gen Wood, whose division was to the left of Davis, moved his division out of the battle line and to the left under Rosecrans' orders as he interpreted them, and left a huge gap to the left of Davis. The gap was the main point of the Rebel attack, and Carlin's Brigade, badly weakened from the previous days fighting, was directly adjacent to the gap and without support on its right. Gen James Longstreet, who had been secretly detached from Lee's Army along with two divisions and moved west to support Bragg, attacked with five divisions. Thomas C. Hindman's Division hit Davis just at the point that he was trying to fill the gap that Wood created when he pulled out of the line. Gen Sheridan was moving across their rear, again under Gen Rosecrans' orders, to reinforce Gen Thomas on the left. Rosecrans and Thomas were in the process of reinforcing the left wing of the army to protect possible escape routes to Chattanooga, and that is where their main concern lay to the detriment of the right wing, which is where Carlin's Brigade was located, and where the main Rebel attack occurred. Maj Callaway later reported the Rebel attacking force in front of the 81st Indiana as being four lines in depth. Deas' Alabama Brigade attacked what was left of Carlin's Brigade. The Rebels emerged from a body of thick timber about 150 yards in front and after the skirmishers came "flying in" the 81st Indiana "opened a terrible and deadly fire upon the advancing foe." As the enemy continued to advance against determined resistance "three men of the enemy's first line and about half of his second line were standing", according to Callaway's report, their comrades having "fallen in windrows." The line on both sides of the 81st began to give way. Maj Callaway was without orders and in danger of losing his entire command and he then ordered a "hasty retreat." Several members of the Regiment, including members of Co D, were wounded and captured by the Rebels. Many of the wounded were captured at a house that was being used as a field hospital when the hospital was overrun and occupied by the Rebels. Doctor Fouts, the Regimental Surgeon, and 1st-Lieutenant Gordon of Co D became a prisoner along with them. Davis was routed and thrown back into Sheridan who was in turn routed. The entire right wing of Rosecrans' Army, including Generals Davis, McCook, Crittenden, and Rosecrans himself, left the field, leaving only Thomas' Corps on the left plus any stragglers that he could pick up from the other two Corps plus Granger's Reserve Corps to hold the line. Thomas held his ground under tremendous pressure and repeated attacks by the enemy, and allowed the rest of the army to retreat in great disorder but relatively intact, thus earning the sobriquet "Rock of Chickamauga."
Sep 21, 1863. ROSECRANS' ARMY RETREATED TO CHATTANOOGA.
MAJ CALLAWAY in his report filed after the battle made the following comments in regard to the performance of the 81ST INDIANA at Chickamauga:
It is due, under the circumstances, that I should speak of the conduct of the officers and men of the Eighty-first Indiana Volunteers. With scarcely an exception they behaved in the most gallant and admirable manner, and though comparatively a young regiment, conducted themselves with the coolness, steadiness, and precision of veterans on the field of battle.
OPPOSING FORCES AT CHICKAMAUGA:
Union - 60,000;
Confederate - 70,000.
TOTAL LOSSES:
Union - 1644 killed, 9262 wounded, 4945 missing;
Confederate - 2389 killed, 13,412 wounded, 2003 missing.
LOSSES CARLIN'S BRIGADE AT CHICKAMAUGA:
85 officers, 1130 enlisted men, aggregate 1215 men, in action with Carlin's Brigade;
Lost 43 officers, 608 enlisted men, aggregate 651 (over half);
Every field grade officer except one was a casualty;
2 of the 4 Regimental Commanders were killed;
Gen Carlin had his horse shot out from under him;
Brigade losses were such that Gen Carlin recommended a thorough reorganization after the battle.
LOSSES 81ST IND:
15 officers, 240 enlisted men in action;
Killed - 4 enlisted men;
Wounded - 4 officers (1 mortally), 56 enlisted men;
Missing - 2 officers, 21 enlisted men;
Aggregate losses - 87 men.
REGIMENTAL SURGEON WILLIAM D. FOUTS AND 1ST LT EBENEZER GORDON OF COMPANY D WERE THE TWO OFFICERS WHO WERE MISSING AND CAPTURED. Gordon was the younger brother of Captain Robert F. Gordon, Commander of Company D. Surgeon Fouts was also from Lexington, Scott County.
THE FOLLOWING ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY D WERE AMONG THOSE CAPTURED AT CHICKAMAUGA:
PVT FRANCIS M. APPLEGATE -- later died at Danville Prison, Virginia Dec 18, 1863.
1ST SGT ANDREW G. TRULOCK -- wounded, captured, later died of smallpox at Danville Prison, Virginia Jan 11, 1864.
PVT PHILLIP DENTON -- wounded, captured, later died at Andersonville Prison, Georgia Aug 19, 1864.
THE FOLLOWING ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY D WERE AMONG THOSE WOUNDED AT CHICKAMAUGA:
PVT RALEIGH S. ALLEN
PVT ZACHEUS HOBBS
PVT SAMUEL MCADAMS
PVT JESSE MCCAMMETT
PVT ELIAS MITCHELL
It was that fierce contested field when Chickamauga lay
Beneath the wild tornado that swept her pride away;
Her dimpling dales and circling hills dyed crimson with the flood
That had its sources in the springs that throb with human blood.
"Go say to General Hooker to reinforce his right!"
Said Thomas to his aid-de-camp, when wildly went the fight;
In front the battle thundered, it roared both right and left,
But like a rock "Pap" Thomas stood upon the crested cleft.
"Where will I find you, General, when I return?" The aide
Leaned on his bridle-rein to wait the answer Thomas made;
The old chief like a lion turned, his pale lips set and sere,
And shook his mane, and stamped his foot, and fiercely answered, "Here!"
FROM THOMAS AT CHICKAMAUGA-BY KATE BROWNLEE SHERWOOD
THE 81ST DID OUTSTANDING DUTY UNDER MAJOR CALLAWAY. Several days after the battle the men of the 81st Ind marched to the camp of the 21st Ill and with great ceremony, with great pride, and with great esteem, presented Maj Callaway with a very impressive PRESENTATION SWORD. Major Callaway was later appointed Territorial Secretary for Montana by President Grant in 1871. He lived in Virginia City, Montana, died and is buried there. This was a very special man.
Sep 24 - Nov 23, 1863. SIEGE OF CHATTANOOGA. Bragg's Army laid siege to the Army of the Cumberland in Chattanooga after the retreat from Chickamauga. Gen Rosecrans was relieved of command because of his performance at the late battle and replaced by Gen Thomas. Thomas when ordered to hold Chattanooga replied, "we will hold the town till we starve." Towards the end of the siege the army was down to quarter rations.
Sep 27, 1863. PVT HEZAKIAH ROBERTS OF COMPANY D WAS ACCIDENTALLY KILLED BY A CANNON TIPPING AND CRUSHING HIS SKULL. He had been detached as a blacksmith to the 2nd Minnesota Battery since July 29, 1863. PVT JOSHUA D. CALDWELL OF COMPANY D was also detached to the 2nd Minnesota Battery.
Oct 12, 1863. CAPT BOONE RESIGNED. Capt Neville B. Boone, who had been relieved early in the battle at Chickamauga, submitted his resignation from camp in Chattanooga. He cited "general dissatisfaction and prejudice" against him and "lack of confidence" in his abilities in the Company and Regiment.
Oct, 1863. ORGANIZATION:
Army of the Cumberland - Maj-Gen George H. Thomas (The Rock of Chickamauga);
IV Corps - Maj-Gen Gordon Granger (Commanded the Reserve Corps at Chickamauga and came to Thomas' relief during the crisis);
1st Division - Brig-Gen Charles Cruft;
1st Brigade - Col David A. Enyart;
81ST IND. - CAPT WILLIAM C. WHEELER.
Oct 21, 1863. CAPT WILLIAM C. WHEELER WAS NAMED COMMANDER OF THE 81ST INDIANA. Wheeler had commanded Company C. He was a minister from Clark County, age 37 at muster. He had been captured at Stones River, December 31, 1862 and confined at Richmond, Virginia. He was exchanged April 6, 1863 at Woodbury, Tennessee. He was mentioned by Maj Callaway for conduct in battle at Chickamauga. Wheeler was appointed Lt-Colonel.
Oct 26 - Jan 23, 1863. 1ST BRIGADE INCLUDING THE 81ST INDIANA AT BRIDGEPORT, ALABAMA. The 1st Brigade and Battery M, 4th U.S. Artillery were detailed to Bridgeport. Bridgeport was the last stop controlled by the Union Army on the railroad supply route from Nashville to Chattanooga via Stevenson, Ala. Supply trains followed the hazardous route through the mountains north of the Tennessee River from Bridgeport to Chattanooga until Brown's Ferry was captured and a safe supply line was opened. Bridgeport would have been an easy target for a Rebel attacking force if Bragg had chosen to flank Chattanooga instead of laying siege. Finally Grant and Sherman arrived with their armies and the siege was lifted. This was followed by the stunning defeat of Bragg at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Grant continually tried to give Sherman the major role in the battle, but Sherman was unsuccessful in attacks on the Union left flank against Gen Pat Cleburne, one of the top Rebel commanders in the western theater. Finally the Army of the Cumberland, on its own and without orders, stormed up Missionary Ridge and routed the Army of Tennessee, seemingly redeeming its reputation after the disastrous defeat at Chickamauga. The Army of the Cumberland remained the black sheep of Sherman's Command, however, and the 81st Indiana was the black sheep of the Army of the Cumberland because of its constant quarreling and wrangling.
Oct 26 - 29, 1863. REOPENING OF THE TENNESSEE RIVER IN NORTHERN ALABAMA.
Nov 13, 1863. REQUEST THAT THE REGIMENTAL CHAPLAIN BE AUTHORIZED TO TAKE MONEY HOME FOR THE REGIMENT. In a letter from Bridgeport, Alabama several officers including Capt Gordon of Company D requested that Chaplain F. A. Hutcherson be appointed to "convey their money home, as the usual method of transmitting by mail is unsafe." At this time Bridgeport was in a very exposed and vulnerable position and concern on the part of the men in the Regiment was very high.
MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN ARRIVED IN BRIDGEPORT that night on his way to assist in the relief of General Thomas and his beleaguered army. A telegraph message from General Grant, who had already arrived in Chattanooga, awaited Sherman. It ordered him to get to Chattanooga as soon as possible ahead of his command for the purpose of conferring with General Grant. In his memoirs Sherman mentions a railroad bridge and a pontoon bridge being guarded by a "small detachment" at Bridgeport at this time.
Dec 6, 1863. PROBLEMS RECRUITING. Captain Ranna S. Moore of Company F, on recruiting duty for the Regiment in Indiana along with six enlisted men, including Sgt Alexander Hough of Company D, reported difficulties in getting reports from the men. Gov Morton assigned the recruiting duties and apparently expected the men to report directly to him, and Captain Moore complained that it was impossible to ascertain success because of this. He also complained that cavalry officers were offering large bounties and making it extremely difficult to compete with them for recruits. The following July 9 Captain Moore mustered out of the Regiment to accept an appointment as Major, 13th Indiana Cavalry!
Dec 19, 1863. CAPT GORDON REQUESTED LEAVE. Commander, Company D, Pleasant's company, requested leave in a letter from Bridgeport. His brother, 1st Lt Ebenezer Gordon, Company D, was in Libby Prison having been wounded and captured at Chickamauga. Another brother was wounded at Chattanooga. His mother was sick and his estate needed attention.
THE REGIMENT NEEDED WINTER CLOTHES. Major Richards in a letter from Bridgeport requested authorization to send one officer and one enlisted man to Nashville to get clothes "especially great-coats" for the Regiment. They had "traveled light for the Tullahoma campaign" the previous summer and winter was now upon them.
Dec 29, 1863. CORPORAL PLEASANT MONROE CELEBRATED HIS EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY AT BRIDGEPORT, ALABAMA. He was now of age.
Feb 16, 1864. REGIMENTAL ADJUTANT AUGUSTUS JOCELYN [RAMBLER] REQUESTED LEAVE. Both of his sons were in the army, his wife was home with five small children, and his mother age 70 was home bedridden and probably dying.
Feb 24, 1864. CAPTAIN MATTHEW I. HUETTE, COMMANDING COMPANY E, WAS ACCIDENTALLY WOUNDED IN THE RIGHT THIGH.
Apr 9, 1864. CORPORAL PLEASANT MONROE WAS REDUCED TO PRIVATE by order of W. C. Wheeler, Lt-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.
May 1, 1864 - Sep 8, 1864. ATLANTA CAMPAIGN.
ORGANIZATION:
Army of the Cumberland - Maj-Gen Thomas;
IV Corps - Maj-Gen Oliver O. Howard;
1st Division - Maj-Gen David S. Stanley;
1st Brigade - Brig-Gen Cruft/Col Isaac M. Kirby;
81ST IND. - LT-COL W. C. WHEELER.
May 5 - Nov 22, 1864. PLEASANT WAS ABSENT IN THE HOSPITAL. He was carried on the Regimental Muster Rolls as Absent, Hospital, Chattanooga, Tennessee, May 5 - June 23, 1864 and at Louisville, Kentucky, June 23 - Oct [?], 1864. He was listed on the Hospital Muster Roll at Jefferson U. S. A. General Hospital, Jeffersonville, Indiana, Ward 2 "in Tents" for May/June, 1864. The specific nature of his illness or injury is unknown. Pleasant apparently missed the Atlanta Campaign although his regiment was heavily involved throughout. It is interesting that he was gone for such a long period of time right after being reduced in rank.
PARTICIPATION OF THE 81ST INDIANA IN THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN:
May 8 - 13, 1864. Demonstration on Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia.
May 8 - 9, 1864. Engagement, Buzzard Roost Gap, Mill Creek, Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia.
May 14 - 15, 1864. Battle of Resaca. CORP WILLIAM H. HUGHES OF COMPANY D WAS TAKEN PRISONER. He later died at Andersonville Prison, Georgia. September 7, 1864.
May 18 - 19, 1864. Action near Kingston, Georgia.
May 19, 1864. Action near Cassville.
May 22 - 25, 1864. Advance on Dallas, Georgia.
May 25 - Jun 5, 1864. Operations on the line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and Battles about Dallas, New Hope Church, and Allatoona Hills, Georgia.
Jun 7, 1864. LT-COL WHEELER WAS REPORTED. Lt-Col Wheeler was reported by another officer in a letter dated June 10 for taking rations from a supply train without authorization. While guarding a supply train from Kingston, Georgia to the front, he demanded rations for his regiment from James Crawford, Clerk of the Commissary Department. When refused he took them by force.
Jun 10, 1864. COL ISAAC MINOR KIRBY WAS APPOINTED BRIGADE COMMANDER. Col Kirby had commanded the 101st Ohio of Pleasant Monroe's brigade. He had mustered in at Columbus, Ohio as a Major at age 24 and had been appointed Colonel February 14, 1863, replacing Col Stem, who had died of wounds received at Stones River.
Jun 11 - 14, 1864. Action, Pine Hill, Georgia.
Jun 15 - 17, 1864. Action around Lost Mountain, Georgia.
Jun 27, 1864. Assault on Kennesaw Mountain. PVT DANIEL M. RUSSEL OF COMPANY D DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION.
Jul 1, 1864. MAJ WILLIAM J. RICHARDS, 81ST INDIANA, RESIGNED. His letter stated that his father had property seized by the Rebels in North Carolina, his mother was near death, two brothers were in the army, his three-year-term was nearly over, and he had not been paid for six months.
Jul 4, 1864. Engagement at Ruff's Station, Smyrna Camp Grounds, Georgia.
Jul 5 - 17, 1864. Operations on the line of the Chattahoochee River.
Jul 7, 1864. LT-COL WHEELER requested that CAPT WILLIAM H. H. NORTHCUTT of Company B be ordered to return to the Regiment. Northcutt had been wounded in the left arm at Chickamauga and after a period of recovery was detailed as Military Conductor on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Wheeler wanted him to either return to the Regiment or resign so another officer could be promoted to his position. Maj-Gen William Tecumseh Sherman, at the top of the chain of endorsements to Wheeler's request, wrote brusquely, "Order him forthwith to his Regiment." Northcutt resigned because of disability September 20, 1864.
Jul 19 - 20, 1864. Battle of Peach Tree Creek.
Jul 23 - Aug 25, 1864. Siege of Atlanta.
Aug 11, 1864. REGIMENTAL CHAPLAIN, FRANCIS A. HUTCHERSON RESIGNED. In his letter he stated that "the regiment is small...Opportunities for doing good are few...", his religious conference was getting ready to meet in early September, and his health was impaired. Apparently even the Reverend had enough administering to the souls of Pleasant Monroe and his fellow Hoosiers.
Aug 25 - 30, 1864. Flank Movement on Jonesboro.
Aug 26, 1864. 1ST SGT JAMES G. BARRATT OF COMPANY D WAS KILLED IN ACTION.
Aug 27, 1864. A letter was forwarded from the Regiment providing a list of applicants for officers commissions in Colored Regiments.
Aug 31 - Sep 1, 1864. Battle of Jonesboro.
Sep 1, 1864. CAPT ROBERT F. GORDON, COMMANDER OF COMPANY D, RECEIVED A GUNSHOT WOUND IN THE LEFT HAND AT JONESBORO, GEORGIA.
Sep 2 - 3, 1864. Rebel evacuation of Atlanta and occupation by Sherman.
Sep 2 - 5, 1864. Engagement, Lovejoy Station, Georgia.
Sep 13, 1864. 1ST LT JOSEPH SEACAT OF COMPANY H ASSUMED COMMAND OF COMPANY D in the absence of the Gordon Brothers.
Sep 29 - Nov 3, 1864. Operations against Gen Hood in Northern Georgia and Northern Alabama.
Nov 4, 1864. 1ST LT EBENEZER GORDON OF COMPANY D ESCAPED from the Rebel prison at Columbia, South Carolina. He reported to the Provost Office (U.S.) in Knoxville, Tennessee about a month later. He had been severely wounded and captured at Chickamauga and was a prisoner-of-war for over a year.
Nov 14, 1864. LT-COL WHEELER RESIGNED. His wife was dying of consumption, two children had already died, his property was going to waste, and he had served for 3 years and 5 months as a commissioned officer.
Nov 15, 1864. GEN SHERMAN BEGAN THE "MARCH TO THE SEA" AFTER TAKING THE PICK OF THE WESTERN ARMIES TO FORM HIS FORCE. The Army of the Cumberland was gutted, and Gen George Thomas left in command at Nashville had only the XXIII Corps, part of the IV Corps, including the 81ST INDIANA, invalid troops, dismounted cavalry, and Colored Regiments. Sherman with a crack army marched through Georgia virtually unopposed, while Thomas with a widely scattered, makeshift army was left to face Gen Hood's Army of Tennessee. Gen Grant, who never liked Thomas, put unrelenting pressure on him to attack Hood's Army, and several times came within a hair's breadth of relieving him of command. Thomas was a Virginian, who had been disowned by his relatives when he stayed loyal to the union, and who was never appreciated by his superiors, although he had been successful in nearly every battle or engagement that he had participated in. He had built the Army of the Cumberland into an outstanding fighting force and now saw it gutted.
ORGANIZATION:
Federal Army - Maj-Gen John M. Schofield;
IV Corps - Maj-Gen David S. Stanley;
1st Division - Brig-Gen Nathan Kimball (one of the few Union generals to have defeated Stonewall Jackson--at Kernstown; he was also a Democrat from Fredericksburg, Washington County in southern Indiana);
1st Brigade - Col Isaac M. Kirby;
81ST IND. - MAJ EDWARD GUSTAVE MATHEY.
Nov 22, 1864. PVT PLEASANT MONROE RETURNED TO HIS REGIMENT. It is interesting that he returned after a very long absence right after Lt-Col Wheeler resigned and after the army was broken up. Wheeler had signed the order reducing him in rank.
Nov 24 - 27, 1864. ENGAGEMENT AT COLUMBIA, DUCK RIVER, TENNESSEE. The remnant of IV Corps including the 81st Indiana along with XXIII Corps, all commanded by Maj-Gen John M. Schofield, were in a race to beat General Hood's Army of Tennessee to Nashville and link up with General Thomas' makeshift army without getting cut off by Hood and having their route blocked in the process.
Nov 28 - 29, 1864. NEAR DISASTER AT SPRING HILL. Gen Hood managed to flank the Union Army at Columbia, cross the Duck River, and beat them to Spring Hill. The night of the 28th and 29th while the Confederates were encamped around Spring Hill the Federals conducted a forced march right by the Rebel encampment in an effort to save the army and get to Franklin where Gen Schofield and part of their army awaited them. Kimball's Division, including the 81st Indiana, comprised the rear-most elements of this operation. The nervous soldiers could see the Confederate campfires and the profiles of the enemy as they quietly marched by under their noses. Bayonets and canteens were secured so as not to make noise and arouse the enemy as the army continued its forced march in the dead of night. After marching all night and getting no sleep the men were immediately put to work digging entrenchments and constructing breastworks when they arrived safely at Franklin. The Rebels had missed a golden opportunity to attack and destroy the marching Federal columns--an opportunity that would not present itself again.
Nov 30, 1864. BATTLE OF FRANKLIN. The union line, heavily entrenched and protected by strong breastworks completed the previous day, faced the enemy with its back to the Harpeth River protecting the crossing. PLEASANT MONROE was on the right with Kimball's Division. Bate's Division was the main opposition at this point in the line. Hood tried to push the Federals into the river. Both armies consisted of about 20,000 infantry. The Rebels had 6000 cavalry but very little artillery, Hood having left it in the rear in an effort to lighten the load and catch Schofield before he could reach Nashville. The Rebel attack, across two miles of flat open country, was repulsed at a terrific loss. Six Rebel generals were killed--Maj-Gen Cleburne, Brig-Generals Adams, Williams, Strahl, Gist, and Granbury. The Rebel attack was almost suicidal in nature as dead and wounded Rebels piled up in front of the breastworks. Cleburne's loss was particularly devastating, as he was one of the most capable Rebel generals.
LOSSES:
Union - 189 killed, 1033 wounded, 1104 missing;
Confederate - 1750 killed, 3800 wounded, 702 missing.
PRIVATE HARRISON T. MONTGOMERY OF COMPANY D WAS KILLED BY AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE OF A GUN.
Dec 1, 1864. NIGHT MARCH TO NASHVILLE. After inflicting extremely heavy casualties on the Rebel Army, and leaving it in a totally demoralized condition, Schofield decided to retreat to Nashville rather than attack and complete the destruction of the enemy. The Federal soldiers, exhausted after not having slept the previous night, were forced to conduct another night march, this time to Nashville, to link up with Thomas and the rest of his army. When they straggled into Nashville in a totally exhausted state, they were again put to work digging entrenchments and building breastworks. Sleep would have to wait.
Dec 2, 1864. HOOD'S REBEL ARMY ARRIVES IN THE VICINITY OF NASHVILLE. Hood decided to lay siege to Nashville rather than attack prepared defenses as he had recklessly done at Franklin. Hood really did not have very many options at this point as his army was numerically inferior to the Federals and totally demoralized by the losses at Franklin.
Dec 15, 1864. ORGANIZATION:
Federal Army - Gen Thomas;
IV Corps - Brig-Gen Thomas J. Wood [Stanley had been wounded at Franklin; Wood was the Division Commander who created the gap at Chickamauga that was a major reason for the defeat of the Federal Army];
1st Division - Brig-Gen Nathan Kimball;
1st Brigade - Col Isaac M. Kirby;
81ST IND. - MAJ EDWARD GUSTAVE MATHEY.
Dec 15 - 16, 1864. BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. Pleasant and IV Corps were at the center of the line and formed the fulcrum of a wheeling movement by the right side of the Union line. The attack was planned by Thomas, but it was delayed by a freezing rain that hampered both sides. KIRBY'S BRIGADE was under arms and ready to move at 6 am on the fifteenth. It marched out of the line of fortifications and into line of battle with the 101st Ohio, 81ST INDIANA, and 90th Ohio forming the front line, and the 21st Illinois, 38th Illinois, and 31st Indiana the rear line. The Brigade was astride the Hillsboro Pike and ready to attack when it rested until 2 pm. Two artillery batteries supporting the brigade pounded the Rebel line in front. At 3:30 pm the Brigade moved forward and occupied a low ridge within musket reach of the enemy. The forward units of the Brigade then moved into a sunken roadway in their front to seek cover from the Rebel musket fire. The supporting batteries continued to rake the Rebel position. At 4:15 pm the Brigade was ordered to charge the enemy works. The Brigade moved forward at the double quick and charged up a steep ascent under heavy fire over heavy ground. They carried the Rebel works and captured four guns of the enemy. The 81ST INDIANA took the works in its front and captured 66 prisoners. Color-Sergeant Jesse Hall of the 101st Ohio is mentioned for capturing a Rebel officer by threatening to "bring into requisition" the tip of his flagstaff. The Rebel line was pushed back and reformed that night. The brigade line changed front to the east, crossed the Granny White Pike and bivouacked in line for the night. Gen Stewart was IV Corps' main opposition.
The next day Kirby's Brigade was held in reserve for the division. Although the 81ST INDIANA was in reserve along with the Brigade, a cannon ball struck in its midst, wounding three men, one so severely that his leg was amputated. The main attack that day was again on the right. The Rebels were completely routed. Wood attacked a Rebel works in the afternoon and captured 700 prisoners, 8 guns, and 5 caissons. The Rebels retreated down the Franklin Pike in a freezing rain. It was cold and miserable throughout the battle, and the Rebels were poorly clothed.
LOSSES:
Union - 400 killed, 1740 wounded;
Confederate - 4462 killed, wounded, and missing.
LOSSES 81ST IND.:
Killed - 1 officer, 4 men;
Wounded - 2 officers, 18 men.
PVT MATTHEW CHASTEEN OF COMPANY D DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION.
PVT JAMES B. WILLIAMS OF COMPANY D WAS ALSO WOUNDED.
Dec 17 - 28, 1864. PURSUIT OF HOOD TO THE TENNESSEE RIVER NEAR BRIDGEPORT, ALABAMA. Gen Wood led the pursuit. There was continuous rain, sleet, and snow and continuous fighting. Gen Forrest formed the Rebel rear guard. The Federals broke off the pursuit at the Tennessee River. With the Battles of Franklin and Nashville the Confederate Army of Tennessee was virtually annihilated and ceased to exist as a coherent fighting force.
Dec 24, 1864. BITTER OPPOSITION TO THE MUSTER OF CAPT ANDERSON AS LT-COLONEL REPLACING WHEELER. A letter was sent to Gen Kimball opposing the muster of Capt Oliver P. Anderson of Company K as Lt-Colonel. The letter mentioned the efforts of Anderson and Wheeler to get Maj Mathey court-martialed and an earlier letter to Governor Oliver P. Morton of Indiana in Mathey's behalf opposing the muster of Anderson. Gov Morton, who usually seemed willing to meddle in affairs involving Indiana soldiers, apparently chose not to get involved in this affair. Perhaps the fact that Morton was a Republican, and the population of the counties in the southern part of the state tended to vote for the Democrats, and Maj Mathey campaigned vigorously and openly for the Democrats, dampened the governor's ardor. The men who signed the letter, including Capt Gordon and Surgeon Fouts, obviously believed that Mathey should have been promoted over Anderson. The early discord in the Regiment apparently continued unabated on Christmas Eve, 1864. The spirit of the season was not present among the officers of the 81st. Col Kirby in his endorsement to the letter at brigade level called the 81st Indiana "one of the most gallant regiments in the service" despite continual discord since its organization. He was obviously at his wits end as to what to do to stem the internal bickering. Brig-Gen Kimball, another Hoosier from southern Indiana and a Democrat, in his endorsement at division level said, "no regiment in the service has behaved with greater gallantry; officers and men deserving the highest praise for their conduct in battle", but he expressed great frustration with the lack of harmony. Kimball asked for an investigation into the matter. Brig-Gen Wood, commanding IV Corps, ordered Kimball to appoint a commission to examine and report on the difficulties.
Dec 29, 1864. PRIVATE PLEASANT MONROE, A SURLY OLD VETERAN, CELEBRATED HIS 19th BIRTHDAY BACK AT BRIDGEPORT. This was his third straight birthday away from home. His war was almost over and his regimental officers were racked with dissension.
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CAPTAIN TITUS CUMMINGS—COMPANY G— 81ST INDIANA—PERSONAL WEAPON—COLT NAVY REVOLVER USED AT CHICKAMAUGA
Provided courtesy of Dennis Powell, who claims to be a descendant of Captain Cummings.
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81st Indiana Infantry