At Gallatin we went into camp west
of the Louisville and Nashville
railroad, where we remained a short time
and then moved into a beautiful sugar
grove near by.
Gallatin had the appearance of having
been a good town, and of having had a
prosperous business before the war, and
it was surrounded by fine farming lands.
Both town and country now bore evidences
of the ravages and blight of war.
Sumner county produced some of the
ablest men of Tennessee in the
ante-bellum days. Hon. Bailey Peyton,
one of the last Whig candidates for
Governor of Tennessee, resided in this
county and was a visitor in our camps.
The town was garrisoned by the First
Tennessee Light 'Artillery, Capt. Benj.
Nicklin, commanding the post, and Lieut.
J. B. Miller, of Company H, our
Regiment, was detailed for duty in his
office.
May 4th, the day after we reached
Gallatin, was exceedingly hot, even for
this climate, and our men who were
accustomed to the mountain breezes could
hardly endure this torrid weather. They
were somewhat like the soldiers out in
Arizona. It is said that a company of
regulars were stationed on the Gila
river, and the weather was so hot they
had to go into the river during the day
to keep from burning up. They were
Spiritualists, and one of their number
having died, they held a seance and
called up their dead comrade. He
answered promptly and told them "to send
him his blankets,—it's cold down here to
what it is in Arizona." Our men did not
express themselves just that way but it
meant about the same. We leave our
readers to guess what they said.
We presume the object in bringing the
Regiment to this place was to guard the
L. &. N. railroad, and later to mount it
from some fine horses that were still
left in Sumner county.
Company G was detached and sent to South
Tunnel, a few miles north of Gallatin,
on the L. & N. railroad. There was a
stockade and look-out there. The company
found nice quarters that had been
provided with conveniences by a regiment
of German Pennsylvanians that had
previously occupied the place.
On the 5th of May there was a collision,
about day1:ght, between a freight, or
mixed train, going north, and a train
carrying the ioth Indiana Cavalry to the
front. It was a head-end collision and
occurred just at the mouth of the
Tunnel, resulting in a general wreck in
which a number of the soldiers were
killed and wounded. The engineer of one
of the trains lumped from his engine and
ran through a field. He was fired at by
the soldiers who suspected he was a
rebel sympathizer and had caused the
collision on purpose.
There were many pretty girls at
Gallatin, but they were at first
disposed to ignore the "blue coats," but
soon became quite friendly, and it was
not long until "Every laddie had his
lassie." Strawberries and ice cream were
plentiful and the boys took their best
girls to the ice cream parlors and they
were soon on excellent terms.
There was a "Contraband Camp" at
Gallatin and it looked as if all the
colored people in the country had
gathered there. The Northern soldiers,
who had preceded us at this place, had
made the "colored man and brother" think
he was the whole thing. When we first
'went there our men had to give the
pavement to these "Contrabands," who did
not seem to think they had anything to
do but parade the sidewalks. Our men
soon concluded they needed good strong
walking sticks. Provided with these the
colored gentry soon found it convenient
to vacate the walk in ample time when he
saw a "Thirteenth" soldier approaching.
These mountaineers had known the colored
man only as a slave and had lost little
sleep over him in any way; they were not
fighting to free the slave but to
restore the Union. He might be free for
all they cared, but his place was not in
front; he must "go way back and sit
down," and not be "sassy."
May 6th Dan Ellis came to us again with
100 recruits. Another big time reading
letters from home, but many of them were
sad. Things had been growing from bad to
worse in Carter and Johnson counties.
The Confederate soldiers were absorbing
what little the people had to live on.
How changed the scene now in Carter and
Johnson from the happy condition we have
described before the war ! The men had
been driven from home ; the farms
neglected, the horses stolen or taken
out of the country; the farming
implements worn out and no way to
replace them. The burden now fell
largely on the heroic women, the old men
and children. Even if the brave women
should take up the plow and hoe, as they
often did, they had no assurance the
results of their labor would not be
appropriated by the heartless soldiery.
The women did all it was possible to do,
still dividing their scanty stores with
those more unfortunate than themselves.
It is difficult now to conceive how they
got through the dreadful year of 1863.
It is true that the soldiers sent back
some money to their families, but in
many cases their houses were robbed and
this taken from them; besides everything
was so scarce and so exorbitantly high
that a small amount of money did not
count for much. All were now poor alike,
those who had been accustomed to the
luxuries of life were almost on a level
with the poorest class. Knowing that
this condition of things existed at home
our men were much depressed, and were
eager for orders to go to the relief of
their families. It was said that many,
brooding over the condition of their
families, died of home-sickness, with no
symptoms of any malady or disease.
On May 16th all our recruits were
mustered into service, and May 21st
Lieut. Col. R. R. Butler having resigned
on the II th of May, Lieut. Col. W. H.
Ingerton, who had been appointed to fill
the vacancy, arrived at Gallatin and
issued an order assuming command of the
P egiment.
Col. Ingerton had been a Lieutenant in
the 4th Regular U. S. Cavalry, and
served on the staff of Gen. W. Sooy
Smith in his Mississippi campaign. He
was a model officer and had had many
years' experience in the Regular Army,
and in the field, since the beginning of
the civil war. He was a thorough
disciplinarian, the man of all others
needed to make the Regiment one of the
best in the service. But there was, at
that time, a great prejudice in the
minds of our officers and men against
serving under a regular army officer;
and especially having him promoted over
our own native officers that we had
known all our lives. Much feeling was
aroused in the Regiment, and violence
was threatened if Ingerton remained.
Col. Ingerton kept cool and told the
officers they had the material for a
fine Regiment ; that he had been in the
army for a number of years and flattered
himself he could be useful to the
officers and men. He said he did not
desire to remain with them if it was not
satisfactory, and made a proposition to
the officers that he would remain a
month, and if at the end of that time he
was not satisfactory to them he would
resign. Some few of the officers, among
whom were Major Doughty, who was himself
in line of promotion to the Lt.
Colonelcy, believed we needed an
experienced commanding officer now that
we were about to take the field, and
favored the retention of Ingerton. He at
once addressed himself to drilling and
disciplining the Regiment; all
recognized his ability and nothing
further was ever heard of his resigning.
Col. Ingerton soon won the confidence of
officers and men: and though he was
untiring in drill and discipline,and
some times harsh in dealing with
negligent, or inefficent officers and
men, he won the admiration and affection
of the Regiment.
The month of May, and up to the 13th of
June, was spent in the sugar grove. Many
of the men were sick and in the
hospital. The sickness was attributed to
the unhealthy location, it being low
ground and densely shaded by the sugar
trees. It was decided to move the camp
to a. place about one mile east of town.
Here we had a nice camp on rolling
ground so that it was easily drained.
Col. Ingerton had the frame of an old
building covered with tarpaulins and
called it "West Point." He had the Army
Regulations and Tactics placed in the
hands of the officers and they were
required to study them and make daily
recitations. Drill and sabre practice
was constantly going on, with
dress-parades in the evening and
inspection every Sunday.
Every Sunday morning the men were formed
in front of their companies ; Col.
Ingerton, in uniform and white gloves,
passed down each line, received his gun
from each soldier, passed his hand along
the barrel and lock, glanced at his
glove, and if soiled the gun was tossed
back to the soldier with some force and
he was ordered to his quarters to spend
an hour cleaning it. When the soldier's
gun did not soil the Colonel's gloves he
pitched it back to him gently, with a
kind word or encouraging smile, and
passed on down the line. The Colonel
being a regular army man, and accustomed
to the strictest discipline, had no
patience with those who failed to keep
themselves tidy, their arms in good
condition, or violated military rules,
—whether officers or men. At guard mount
every morning, four extra guards were
detailed and the Adjutant was instructed
to select two of the neatest, tidiest
soldiers among the guards and give one
of them a pass for 24 hours, and appoint
the other one orderly for the day,
instead of putting them on guard duty.
The two who presented the most untidy
appearance and had the dirtiest arms
were ordered to the disagreeable duty of
cleaning the horse-lines. This method
materially improved the appearance of
the men—especially at guard-mount. While
here two soldiers who had been caught
stealing were marched through the camp
with the word "Thief" in large letters
pinned on each of their backs. Other
minor offenses were punished by the
offenders being "tied up by the thumb ;"
or made to dig holes to bury dead
horses. One negro who had committed some
heinous offense was punished in this way
: The guard made him lie down on his
back, tied ropes around his wrists and
ankles, and stretching his legs and
hands as far apart as possible, staked
him to the ground where he had to remain
two hours, with the hot sun broiling
down in his face. This looked cruel, but
the crime was unmentionable.
Rebel guerrillas were frequently seen,
and heard of, in the vicinity of
Gallatin, and it was not safe for one or
two soldiers to venture far into the
country alone. Some of our men were
fired on and one or two wounded, and
various depredations were committed.
Major Doughty was sent out with a
detachment with orders if any guerrillas
were found with arms not to make any
report when he returned.
We give below a summary of the Major's
report—the first and only one he ever
made of this trip as far as we know.
DIPLOMACY VS. FORCE.
Many thrilling incidents might be
given where, during the Civil War, the
diplomacy of Tennesseeans did much
towards overcoming obstacles that the
pursuasive influence of physical force
could never reach.
During the spring of 1864, while our
Brigade was encamped at Gallatin,
Tennessee, there was a band of
guerrillas along the Louisville &
Nashville railroad, known as "Harpers'
Gang," ostensibly commanded by one
Ellis. Harper (now Col. Harper, a
respected citizen of Carthage). The
principle pastime of this band seemed to
be to wreck and rob trains on the
railroad, regardless of who was killed,
whether friends or foes, and carrying
their booty back into the interior,
where they had terrorized the people
into complete acknowledgment of their
absolute sovereignty; in fact their sway
had reached for many miles around in all
directions.
General Payne, who had preceded us in
command at Gallatin, had issued
proclamations and ultimatums, and sent
them out broadcast until it had become
an "old song." Capt. Nicklin commanding
a battery at Gallatin, thought he could
go out and "shell the woods," and thus
scare everybody into submission.
Accordingly, with a regular outfit of
warlike paraphernalia, he made the
start, but had not gone far before he
found out he had probably "bit off more
than he could chew," and instead of
checking the enemy, he did not even take
time to "check" himself, until he was
safe inside of the Fort. As a matter of
fact his brilliant campaign ended in a
complete rout with the "Gang" close at
his heels.
Finally the wrecking of trains and
consequent killing of soldiers on the
railroad became so notorious that
Governor Johnson sent Adjutant General
Gillem to Gallatin, with orders to have
that county cleared of guerrillas, "no
odds what means were used to do it," and
if his Tennessee troops could not do it,
he would have to "call on the War
Department to send troops that could."
After a lengthy conference between
General Gillem and Col. Miller,
commanding the Brigade, and the
Regimental commanders, finally the task
was left to Col. Ingerton, commanding
the 13th, who at once sent for Major
Doughty, commanding the 1st Battalion,
who was taken into the conference, and
after being made acquainted with all the
facts, was ordered to take "whatever
force he deemed necessary," and to
"never come back until the country was
cleared and some assurance of safety
that could be relied upon" for the
passing trains, as this railroad was the
only means of communication between
Louisville and Nashville.
Accordingly Major Doughty selected about
eighty men (or rather he selected the
officers, and each officer selected his
own men). His orders from Gen. Gillem,
through Col. Ingerton, were to "clean
the country," and if necessary to "burn
their strongholds and otherwise destroy
their power" before he returned, and
"not to come back until it was done."
Not far from where they had just wrecked
a train, and caused the death of sixteen
Union soldiers, Major Doughty came to a
little town in the interior, where they
had just left; in fact it was impossible
to come up with them except by accident,
as every man, woman and child was on the
lookout and ready to send news flying on
the first sign of our approach. At this
place he gained positive knowledge that
here they had made their headquarters,
as a number of their friends and
relatives lived in and around the
village, many of whom were wealthy and
influential citizens. In fact they had
made this their place of general
rendezvous, as well as a distributing
point from which to send out their
"plunder." One of the "Gang" was
captured near this place, but was so
badly wounded that it was impossible to
carry him further, and yet not so bad
but that he might soon recover and
rejoin his more fortunate comrades at
the same old business. So it was thought
best to make an example of at least one
to give others warning of what might be
expected so he was "hung on the spot."
Now here is where Diplomacy came in,
where Force had failed. Calling all the
older citizens of the town together,
including doctors, preachers, and the
prominent men generally, Major Doughty
told them in plain United States
language what his orders were, and
further supplemented his explanation
with the information that the "business
simply had to stop," if it took a
division of men to do it, and that while
under his orders, he was expected to lay
waste their town and country, and take
every man he found to Gallatin ; yet he
was confident, from his knowledge of
their influence, and their direct
intimacy with these men, they could stop
it if they would; ii not, and he failed
to accomplish what he was sent to do,
that the next man that came would simply
"clean out the cane-brake."
After a prolonged conference with each
other (in private) they agreed to his
proposition, and pledged not only their
word and honor, but their lives and
property, that such a thing should never
occur again, and it never did.
In leaving the town, Major Doughty,
after paying for everything his men and
horses had eaten, as a parting order,
enjoined these men to bury the man that
was hung decently; also to make up
$500.00 and give to the man's widow, and
to see that she was well cared for until
the war was over, which, it was learned
afterwards, they did to the letter. This
ended one of the most troublesome
obstacles that was probably ever
overcome with the loss of only one life.
Major Doughty to this day considers this
one of the greatest victories won by
Tennessee soldiers.
R. H. M. Donnelly, of Company D, then
Captain, was along with this expedition
and took a hand in the proceedings as he
always did when there was an enemy in
sight, whether the enemy was a guerrilla
or plain "Johnnie Reb."
The Regiment was paid off the 22d of
June, and the usual number of fakirs and
peddlers made their appearance to
relieve the soldiers of their money.
Col. Ingerton, learning that a Dr.
Greene was in camp filing the enamel off
the soldiers' teeth under the pretense
of cleaning them, and charging them a
big price for ruining them, ordered him
out of camp.
A Jew peddler also came in and sold the
men several hundred dollars' worth of
worthless jewelry. The Colonel, learning
this after the Jew had gone, sent Lt. B.
A. Miller and another officer to follow
him, and if found, bring him back to
camp. In the meantime the Orderly
Sergeant of each company was directed to
gather up the jewelry and make out a
list of the amount paid for it. Lieut.
Miller found the Jew at the hotel eating
dinner, and when he came out arrested
him, brought him back to camp, and made
him take back the jewelry and pay back
the money. The Jew was then released but
said he had been robbed. and indulged in
some ugly talk. He was again arrested
and placed in charge of a corporal and
guard, armed with a pick and shovel, and
put to digging a hole in the ground. The
sun was at its zenith and poured its
rays down on the toiling Jew
unmercifully. Unused to manual labor his
hands were blistered and his clothing
soon saturated with perspiration. After
two hours labor he was released. His
tongue was silent but his countenance
betrayed " a pent up Utica." We heard no
more of Jews or fakirs in the Regiment.
On the 25th of June Charles P. Toncray,
one of the leading loyalists of Carter
county, who had been a delegate to the
Greeneville convention, visited the
Regiment. "Charley," as he was
familiarly known, was a genial
gentleman, well known in the Regiment,
and was given a hearty welcome by the
Carter and Johnson boys. Mr. Toncray,
though he did not join the army, was a
staunch Union man and a loyal friend to
the soldiers and their families, and
perhaps did more for the cause than he
could have done in the army. He
afterwards spent much time with the
Regiment and was always regarded as one
of the "boys." Being "foot-loose" he
could keep an eye on the progress of
events in Carter and Johnson counties,
and do much valuable and kindly service
for the soldiers. His two brothers,
William J. and Capt. A. R. P. Toncray
did good service in their respective
regiments, the 2d and loth Tennessee
Infantry. We were the honored guests of
Mr. Toncray and his most amiable wife
during their temporary residence in
Knoxville in 1864. We are pleased to
note they are still living and enjoying
life at their comfortable home at "Toncray's
Spring," near Elizabethton, Tenn.
On the 26th of June Dan. Ellis visited
us again, bringing recruits and letters.
It is needless to say he always received
an ovation. The President himself would
not have been so warmly welcomed. It
meant news from the dear ones at home,
though the news was often sad, yet
silence and suspense was almost
unendurable. We think it was at this
time that Capt. Landon Carter received
the news of the death of his wife. It
was sad, indeed, to witness his grief.
He was silent, but the tears streamed
down his face, and his strong frame
trembled with emotion. Others received
sad news of distress at home.
The Regiment was now ordered to be
remounted by impressing horses from the
citizens of Sumner and adjoining
counties, most of whom were disloyal
They were given vouchers marked "loyal,"
or "disloyal," as the case might be,
usually the latter. Dates were made for
the people to come to Gallatin to attend
to the valuation of their horses by the
Quartermaster, and receive their
vouchers. On those days the town was
thronged with people. Many elderly men
visited our camp, some well dressed and
sporting "bay-windows" and gold-headed
canes—mementos of better and happier
days. They made all sorts of
importunities for the return of their
horses, but in vain. Col. Ingerton
usually dismissed them summarily,
telling them they were the class of men
that had brought on all this trouble by
their disloyalty. They had "sown the
wind and were now reaping the
whirlwind." Other poor men came, stating
that their horses were their only
dependence to keep their families from
starvation. Col. Ingerton listened to
these with patience and often used his
influence to have their horses returned,
especially when they were not very
valuable for military service. He was
always kind to the lower classes and the
more ignorant, who were rebels, saying
they had been deluded by the richer and
more influential men. We regret to say
this was the exception to the rule with
United States officers. They toadied to
the wealthy who were responsible for the
war, and were wined and dined by them,
while they often treated the poor with
incivility and needless cruelty.
On the morning of July 4th "boots and
saddles" was sounded, then "assembly"
and "mount," in quick succession. The
Regiment was soon in line, and then in
column dashed off through Gallatin, and
out on the pike to the river. The
citizens of the town were frightened,
thinking it was going out to meet the
enemy, and a battle was imminent, but it
was only a ruse of the Colonel's to see
how promptly the Regiment could be
gotten out in case of need.
A piece of artillery was moved up to the
Public Square and salutes fired in honor
of the "Glorious Fourth." Dress parade
in the evening closed the day's doings.
From this time forward no time was lost
in drilling the Regiment, both mounted
and on foot. Ditches were dug and
officers and men were required to train
their horses to jump ditches, logs and
fences, charge up and down steep hills,
and handle their horses skillfully. It
was now considered a disgrace for an
officer to get "unhorsed," and it
required "a basket of champagne" to
remove the stigma. About that time the
officers who were awkward in handling
their men received sharp rebukes, and
often lectures, from the Lt. Colonel ;
most of them took it all in good part
and tried to do better, while a few
"sulked in their tents."
It was about that time that a soldier
was drowned in the Cumberland river
while bathing. A piece of artillery was
taken out and fired over the water to
raise his body, but without avail.
The Regiment was sent out to the river
frequently to water and swim the horses
and for the men to take a bath
themselves.
About the 15th of July rumors were rife
that the Regiment would soon be ordered
to East Tennessee. This was cheering
news and all hoped it would prove true.
On the 19th Gov. Andrew Johnson made a
speech to the Brigade. All had the
highest respect for our "War Governor,"
and many prize the parchment bearing his
signature that we still retain, which
reads : "Reposing special trust and
confidence in the patriotism, valor,
fidelity and ability of (name of
officer) we hereby appoint him," to
whatever office or rank the party
receiving this commission attained. We
did not think then this signature was
that of a future President.
On the 26th a ball was given to the
officers in honor of their early
departure for the front, at the post
headquarters. It was largely attended,
and the officers with some of Gallatin's
fair daughters moved in the graceful
quadrille, or whirled in the dizzy waltz
till the "wee sma' hours" bade them seek
their quarters.
On the 24th the train bearing the
remains of Gen. McPherson, who was
killed near Atlanta, Ga., passed over
the railroad. A squad of soldiers fired
a salute of honor over the passing train
that bore all that remained of this
splendid officer who had given another
grand life for his country.
August 1st Co. G was called in from
South Tunnel, and with Company I, was
ordered to move out to Lebanon to await
the Regiment.
On this date Governor Johnson issued the
following order :
State of Tennessee, Executive
Department.
Nashville, Tenn., August 1st, i864.
Ordered 1. That Gen. A. C. Gillem,
Adjutant-General of Tennessee, be
assigned to the command of the troops
known as the "Governor's Guards."
2. That First Lieut. Ed. S. Richards
is announced as Assistant
Adjutant-General of the State of
Tennessee and must be obeyed and
respected accordingly. Lieut. Richards
will establish his office in this city.
3. It is further ordered that Gen.
Alvin C. Gillem will proceed with the
Ninth and Thirteenth Regiments of
Tennessee Cavalry and Batteries E and G,
First Tennessee Light Artillery, to East
Tennessee, and, under such orders as he
shall, from time to time, receive from
this office, kill or drive out all bands
of unlawful persons or bands which now
infest that portion of the State. It is
not to be understood that his order
shall prevent Gen. Gillem, whenever he
shall deem it feasible or expedient,
from pursuing said bands of outlaws
beyond the limits of the State. Gen
Gillem is further authorized under such
instructions as he shall receive from
this office, to take such measures as
are deemed expedient to reestablish
order and enforce civil law, to which
end Gen. Gillem will lend every
assistance in his power to the regularly
constituted civil authorities. All the
organized regiments of Tennessee troops,
being raised in East Tennessee to serve
one year or longer, will obey the orders
of Gen. Gillem. who is authorized to
organize such new regiments as may be
deemed expedient.
Officers of the Quartermaster's and
Commissary Departments will furnish the
necessary supplies upon the requisition
of Gen. Gillem.
ANDREW JOHNSON,
Brigadier-General and Military Governor
of Tennessee.
The following were the officers detailed
to act on General Gillem's staff :
Oliver C. French, 1st Lieut. and A. A.
Q. M., Lieut. J. B. Carpenter, A. A. A.
G., Lieuts. David M. Nelson, B. A.
Miller and J. J. Douglas, Acting
Aide-de-Camp, and Capt. Geo. E. Gresham,
Provost Marshal.
They were all brave, courteous, and
high-toned young officers. Major
Sterling Hambright, a dashing and
popular officer, detailed from the 10th
Tennessee Cavalry, commanded Gen.
Gillem's "Body Guard."
All was now bustle in camp, making
preparations to start for the front. The
officers and men had become thoroughly
tired of camp life and inactivity, and
welcomed the news with gladness, yet
there was a tinge of sadness common to
the soldier on leaving a place where he
has remained long enough to make friends
and acquaintances. We had been kindly
treated at Gallatin, although the
citizens were solid in their sympathy
for the South. They were a kind hearted,
generous and intelligent people. Many
strong attachments were formed,
especially between the young officers
and the many handsome young ladies; some
stronger, perhaps, than mere friendship.
Cupid, ever busy with his "bow and
arrow," had not been idle all the summer
months.
Lieut. J. B. Miller, who had been
detailed in the Provost Marshal's
office, remained in Gallatin. Several of
our officers who were not able for duty
were left, among these were Capt. Fred.
Slimp and Lieut. A. C. Williams, both of
Co. F. There were also a number of men
left in the hospital. We were sorry to
leave these comrades, and regretted they
could not accompany us on our trip to
old East Tennessee, which we knew they
would have been delighted to do.
On the morning of August 4th, 1864, the
Regiment moved out in column,—all except
Companies G and I— that had already gone
forward to Lebanon, Tenn. The horses
were in fine condition, the uniforms
clean and new, arms glittering in the
sunshine, and colors fluttering in the
breeze, it presented a handsome
appearance. We were halted for a short
time in town giving the officers and men
an opportunity to say good-by to
friends, or have a last word with the
girl they were to leave behind. Our
departure from Gallatin had more
resemblance to a real soldier's
home-leaving than anything we had known.
About 2 p. m., with fluttering of
handkerchiefs and waving adieus, we
moved out of the little town we were not
destined to see again as soldiers; but
our memory has often turned back to that
town with its kind-hearted, intelligent
people, and we trust, though regarded as
"enemies," the members of the
"Thirteenth" have been remembered with
more kindness than displeasure by them.
But with them, as with us, doubtless old
Father Time has been busy making
"crows-feet," and sprinkling "silver
threads among the gold," while many have
been cut down by his ruthless scythe.
TRAGIC
DEATH OF REV. BOVELL McCALL, R.
H. ALLAN, AND SERGEANT WILLIAM DAVIS.
About this time we received the sad
intelligence of the tragic deaths of
three men connected with the Regiment,
who were well known and highly
respected.
Rev. Bovell McCall was a citizen of
Jonesboro, Tenn., he was a minister of
the M. E. Church and a physician. He
came to the Regiment as well as we
remember at Nashville, and acted as
Chaplain from March until some time in
July, 1864. He made himself useful not
only in looking after the spiritual
welfare of the men but his medical
information was also of value to them.
He endeared himself to the officers and
men by his gentlemanly and Christian
character as well as his loyal
sentiments.
Lieut. R. H. Allan was a brother-in-law
of Major R. H. M. Donnelly, and was a
native of Johnson county; William Davis
was also a native of Johnson county, and
we understand was a Federal recruiting
officer. The latter was the son-in-law
of Col. Samuel Howard of Johnson county.
These three men had left the Regiment at
Gallatin, Tenn., some time in the early
part of July and gone to visit their
homes in Washington and Johnson
counties, and were on their return to
the regiment in company with quite a
large company of Union men who were
making their way through the rebel lines
to Knoxville, when they were killed. We
did not learn the particulars of their
death at that time, but it was learned
subsequently that the company of Union
men had reached Seaton's Mill on Middle
Creek, in Green county, Tenn., and while
the main body were in concealment
McCall, Allan and Davis went to the home
of a Union man near the mill to get
something to eat, and while it was being
prepared sat down to rest under an apple
tree. A squad of rebel soldiers came on
to them suddenly and captured them.
McCall had with him a field-glass which
he had borrowed from Major Wagner and
was accused of being a spy and was
immediately shot. Recruiting papers were
found on Davis' person and he was killed
with bayonets. Allan was the last of the
three killed and was tortured in a most
shocking manner.
He was taken to a cedar thicket and
divested of his clothing and shot and
left for dead. When found he had an old
wool hat and had an old bed quilt around
him, this and the old hat had been left
in exchange for his hat and uniform. He
had been shot in the head and his skull
broken, and had picked the bullet out of
the wound with his fingers. He was taken
to the home of a man by the name of Bird
where he died after suffering for eleven
days. The remainder of the company made
their escape.
Although McCall served in the capacity
of Chaplain for several months his name
does not appear on the rolls of the
Regiment in the Adjutant-General's
report, and we are not advised whether
he was commissioned and not yet mustered
or whether, being unable to remain at
his home on account of his loyalty, like
many others, took refuge in the army
until he could return to his family.
We have not been able to locate either
Allan or Davis in the Adjutant-General's
report but know they were well known in
the Regiment.
All three of these men were highly
connected and brave and honorable as
well as patriotic and loyal men. |
