FIGHT AT LICK CREEK.

On the 22d of September a detachment from the Regiment, consisting of about 150 or 200 men under Col. Ingerton had quite a brush with Gen. Vaughn's entire command at Lick Creek Bridge, 2 1/2 miles from the Gap. Capt. R. H. M. Donnelly had been sent out the day before to try to locate the enemy, and ran into Vaughn's advance guard a few miles west of Greeneville and drove them back to the main body. Donnelly was attacked by a large force, and after considerable fighting, fell back closely pursued. Having in this way learned that Vaughn was advancing, Ingerton was sent out to feel of his strength and dispute his crossing at Lick Creek bridge. Arriving at that place Col. Ingerton took position on a hill facing east with Company B to the right of the bridge, Company A, commanded by Lieut. Carriger, to the left, and Company G, commanded by Lieut. T. C. White, in front of the bridge. Some of the enemy could be seen in a woods several hundred yards away. Col. Ingerton sent the Sharp Shooters under Sergeant Peter L. Barry across the bridge and through an open field in the direction of the enemy. Sergeant Barry deployed his men as skirmishers and moving through the woods ran onto a vidette, who fired and retreated. Barry closed up his men and pushed forward with his usual bravery, soon ran onto a large body of the enemy in column and began firing on them. The enemy began forming hastily in line and returning the fire. Hearing the firing Col. Ingerton galloped over and ascertaining the situation ordered Lieut. Barry back. The enemy soon came out of the woods and formed in two lines, one charged across the field to our left under a heavy fire from our men, posted across the creek, and took shelter in a little woods and undergrowth near the creek, while the other line charged towards the bridge. Seeing the charge directed towards the bridge Col. Ingerton ordered Lieut. White to make a counter-charge across the bridge, which he did in gallant style. The enemy halted and opened fire on Lieut. White, the two companies being now at close range. The enemy at this time was using his artillery to advantage, and Col. Ingerton seeing that he could not resist Vaughn's entire command with so small a force, and failing to get re-enforcements that he had asked for, and learning that the enemy were crossing the creek to cut off his retreat, recalled Lieut. White and made preparations to retreat. Company A. posted to the left of the bridge was at the same time engaged with the enemy on our left, while one company posted around a large brick house, occupied by Jas. Pearce, did good service. Our little force was divided into two squads, and began to fall back towards the Gap. One squad would take a position some distance in rear while the other, now posted at the brick house, poured a volley into the enemy and hastily retreated. In this way the two detachments retreated and fought the enemy, alternately, until they reached the command. The enemy would come on in confusion with a yell until halted by a volley from our men. Our men, though pursued by several times their number, bravely contested every foot of ground until they reached the cover of the fort at the Gap. A number of our men, mounted on mules, being unable to keep up were captured. We would remark that the mule, whether in peace or war, has a habit of exercising his own judgment whether he will stand still or go forward, regardless of the whip, spur or anathemas of his rider, and for this reason is a very uncertain quantity either in a charge or retreat, We lost in this little engagement 25 or 30 men killed, wounded and taken prisoners. The enemy's loss was still greater.

While this fight was in progress Lieut. Reagan of the Battery rode out from the Gap and dismounting from his horse procured a gun and commenced firing at the enemy. The horse, which was accustomed to stand without holding, made a dash across the bridge to the enemy, taking with him saddle, bridle and pistols, leaving the Lieutenant to make the retreat on foot.

Musgrove in his story of "Morgan's men," recently published in the "National Tribune," mentions this fight, and compliments the "Yankees" for the stubbornness with which they resisted the crossing of the bridge.

In this little action our men, though fighting Vaughn's entire brigade, showed the greatest coolness and bravery. Lieut. Carriger, of Company A., and Lieut. White, of Company G., both displayed great courage and skill in handling their men. Lieut. Barry brought on the fight and acted throughout with the bravery that was always conspicuous with our gallant Sharp-shooters.

On the 23d of September we had a skirmish with the enemy at daylight, and the Regiment moved out early towards Lick Creek expecting an engagement, but met a flag of truce and were detained until ordered back to camp.

On the 25th the Regiment was sent out and learned that the enemy were at Greeneville. We remained in camp that day and marched out the next day as far as Greeneville without encountering the enemy. On the 28th we moved east to within six miles of Jonesboro and skirmished with the rebels. On the 29th the Brigade moved slowly as far as Jonesboro, skirmishing with the enemy and driving them through the town. The remainder of the Brigade remained at Jonesboro while Col. Miller was sent out with our Regiment as far as Johnson City, expecting to locate the enemy and return to Jonesboro. The enemy was located about a mile west of Johnson City and driven back beyond that place. Col. Miller sent an officer back to Gen. Gillem to tell him he would remain with the Regiment at Johnson City, and to have the wagon train sent on.

In this advance towards Virginia General Gillem's force, which since the fight at Greeneville had consisted of only the Ninth and Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry and Patterson's Artillery, was joined by the Fifteenth Pennsylvania and the Sixteenth Kentucky Cavalry, and a part of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry and part of the First Ohio Heavy Artillery, under General Ammen. The object of this command was to co-operate with Gen. Burbridge, who was operating against Gen. Breckenridge in the vicinity of King's Salt Works, and Abingdon, Va. On the 29th while the Thirteenth advanced towards Johnson City, driving Gen. Vaughn's brigade, the Fifteenth Pennsylvania drove another force of rebels as far as Devault's Ford and across the Watauga river.

We were now fighting the Confederate forces of Generals Williams and Vaughn.

On the morning of the 30th we learned of the death of Robt. Pride, who had been killed by accident the night before at Jonesboro. He was a member of Company G., and had been detailed as Orderly at Col. Miller's headquarters. He had remained at Jonesboro with Adjutant Stacy, and at night had laid a little gun that Col. Miller had given him on the ground, and laying his saddle on the gun, spread down his blanket and went to sleep. In the night he was awakened by an alarm of the enemy, and reaching for the gun it was supposed he caught it by the muzzle, the lock catching some part of the saddle, discharged, the bullet struck him in the face and killed him instantly. "Bob," as he was called, was a brother-in-law of Alfred M. Taylor. He was a bright, brave boy and a general favorite in the Regiment. We would note here that young Pride had a brother killed in this same campaign who was fighting on the other side.

On the morning of the 30th the soldiers of the Thirteenth had dressed a lot of sheep taken from John Burts and were preparing them for breakfast when the report came that Quartermaster-Sergeant W. B. C. Smith had been captured. "Pulltrigger" had ventured too far outside the lines to see a young lady that he knew, and paid dearly for the indiscretion, as he was taken to prison and did not rejoin the Regiment for several months. The report of the capture of Sergeant Smith caused the Regiment to be hastily called out, and, leaving their sheep, the men started in pursuit of the rebels without getting breakfast. Many of the Regiment were now within a few miles of their homes and the fighting that was to follow—the cannonading, and even the musketry—could be heard by mothers, wives and sisters of these men, and every sound sent a pang to their hearts, not knowing but a loved one had been sent into eternity. Our men were much elated at the prospect of seeing their homes and loved ones soon, and vigorously pushed the enemy back towards Carter's Depot. The rebels made a stand at Maglin Sherfy's brick house, about 272 miles east of Johnson's Depot (City). The artillery was moved up and opened a lively fire with the four-inch Parrett guns. Captain Wilcox was in command of a strong skirmish line that had been put forward and Company G. was in command of Lieut. S. P. Angel, who had just been promoted from Sergeant-Major of the Regiment to First Lieutenant of that company. The Thirteenth made a charge through a cornfield, and was received by a ,spirited fire from the front and left of the Regiment. Lieut. Northington, who was in command of Company I., and with the second battalion on the right, received a galling fire and his company was driven back a short distance but reformed and joined again in the gallant charge that dislodged the enemy, and clrove them in the direction of Carter's Depot. Capt. Wilcox was in the hottest of the fight and was injured in a singular manner. While firing at the enemy a ball struck the barrel of his pistol with such force as to send the pistol back against his face. Col. Miller and Col. Ingerton were both in the thickest of the fight. Col. Miller was grazed on the neck by a bullet, and his horse was severely wounded. Lieut. Angel had his horse shot from under him while leading his company. All the officers and men acted with the greatest coolness and bravery.

The enemy was found in position again at Carter's Depot on the west side of the Watauga river and were protected by artillery and a strong force occupying a strong position near the railroad station across the river. The Thirteenth now awaited the Ninth and artillery before renewing the attack. The Ninth came up about 3 P. M. and took position below the railroad bridge and the artillery was placed in position. Considerable skirmishing and artillery firing was kept up that afternoon and night. Companies A. and B. under Lieut. Carriger and Capt. Dyer were attacked near the river and a sharp fight ensued but they held the position.

On the morning of October 1 a piece of artillery was pulled up on top of Bogard's Knob, a high eminence overlooking the village of Carter's Depot, by the members of Company F, under command of Lieut. Ferguson. With this piece, Lieut. Patterson soon dismounted a piece of the enemy's artillery across the river, and killed some of the horses. He also sent a shot through a large house in which some of the enemy were posted ; at the same time the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry made a charge across the river, and the Thirteenth following, the enemy were dislodged from their stronghold and retreated in the direction of Zollicoffer, to which point they were followed by the Ninth, capturing a piece of artillery and a number of prisoners.

While these operations were going on at Carter's Depot the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry were engaged with a superior force of the enemy at Devault's Ford, a few miles down the river. The Fifteenth, after a gallant resistance was driven back, leaving our rear exposed and rendering it necessary for the Brigade to fall back.

We had confidently hoped to join Gen. Burbridge and defeat the enemy in Southwest Virginia and that hereafter our homes would be free from the enemy, but Burbridge was defeated with heavy loss at Saltville before the forces under Generals Gillem and Ammen were able to form a junction with him, and he was recalled from Southwest Virginia. This made it necessary for our command to fall back again to Bull's Gap.

While at Carter's Depot the news had reached Elizabethton and vicinity that the Thirteenth with Col. Miller's Brigade had driven Gen. Vaughn out and was still at Carter's Depot. Old men, women and children began to flock in to see the "Yankee boys," many of whom were their kinsmen and friends. There was great rejoicing and many kisses and embraces were exchanged. It was the happiest day that had passed over our heads since we left home. Gen. Gillem and Col. Miller generously issued sugar, coffee and tea to our visitors, from our commissary stores, and it was doubtless the first of these luxuries some of these people had had for many a day.

On the afternoon of October 3d Col. Miller received permission to take such of the Thirteenth, as desired to go, to Elizabethton, and from there join the command again at Raider's Hill on the following morning. The opportunity was seized with joy by the Carter county men, many of whose homes were in that vicinity.

We arrived at Elizabethton at 9 P. M. It is useless to attempt to describe the pleasure it gave us to meet our families and friends again and see the dear old town that had been the scene of all our joys and sorrows in boyhood's happy days. The people, old and young, were equally delighted to see us. The ties of affection were so strong there among the Union people that kinship made little difference. "A fellow-feeling made us all akin." But our joy was short-lived. At midnight we bade the old town adieu and joined the command at Raider's Hill at daylight.

On the 4th we marched to Henderson's Depot, and on the 5th marching at daylight, and passing through Greeneville, we arrived at Bull's Gap just at dark. We learned that Col. George W. Kirk with the Third North Carolina Mounted Infantry had been left in charge of this place while we were gone.

On the 8th we moved south of Russellville where we were joined by the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry under Col. S. K. N. Patton. This splendid regiment had been seeing service in other fields and though assigned to our Brigade at its formation had not, for some reason, joined us until now. We were glad to welcome this brave and splendidly equipped regiment to our little Brigade and it was not long until its assistance was greatly needed and appreciated.

We returned to Bull's Gap on the 11th of October. Immediately following our retrograde movement, Generals Williams and Vaughn had followed us, the former being reported at Newport, Tenn., and the latter at Carter's Depot, each with considerable force, and within helping distance of each other. Gen. Ammen with his command had returned to Knoxville, leaving our Brigade, now consisting of the Eighth, Ninth and Thirteenth Cavalry and Patterson's Battery, again to take care of upper East Tennessee.

On the 17th we left Bull's Gap at midnight, marched all night, and on the morning of the i8th the Brigade crossed the Holston river, intending to attack a rebel force reported at Rogersville under Major Day, but thai. officer learning of our advance retreated up the Clinch Valley pursued by a battalion of the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry under Major Sawyers.

Late on the evening of the 19th we reached Bean's Station and found a small force of the enemy in a gap of the Clinch mountain. Our Regiment was ordered to tie front but the enemy soon disappeared and we went into camp.

Gen. Gillem having learned that Gen. Williams had been ordered to join Hood and had left East Tennessee, determined to recross the Holston river and attack Gen. Vaughn's forces, now reported to be in the vicinity of Morristown, Tenn. Accordingly our command left Bean's Station on the 20th, passed through Rutledge, and recrossing the river came to Mossy Creek (now Jefferson City) on the 21st, where we found the enemy had destroyed the railroad and burned the railroad bridge at that place. Our Brigade was detained here several days awaiting ammunition and necessary supplies before moving on the enemy.

On the 27th of October the Brigade left New Market going in the direction of Mossy Creek, the Thirteenth in advance. At Panther Springs, four or five miles west of Morristown, we met a force of about 250 of General Vaughn's brigade. Col. Ingerton, with a battalion of the Thirteenth, charged them, driving them in the direction of Morristown. In this little fight the enemy lost 3 killed and 5 wounded. It being now after 5 o'clock, and the enemy being at Morristown, 5 miles away, it was decided to postpone the attack till morning. Leaving the wagon train under guard of two companies of the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry, the Brigade moved at 7 A. M. on the 28th. Col. Parsons, in command of the remaining companies of his regiment, in advance. The remaining troops marched in the following order. Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, Battery E First Tennessee Light Artillery, Eighth Tennessee Cavalry. About 9 A. M. Col. Parsons came upon the enemy's skirmish line about one mile and a half from Morristown. He immediately charged and drove them back upon their main body which was found drawn up in two lines, one just west and the other east of Morristown. The lines extended entirely across the open fields, the flanks resting on the woods, and their artillery on the flanks of the second line.

FIGHT AT MORRISTOWN, TENN.

Gen. Gillem in his report to Governor Johnson describes the fight as follows: "I brought forward Patterson's Lattery and placing it on an eminence on our right flank shelled their front line for a short time while Lieu-tenant-Colonel Ingerton was forming his regiment in column of fours by companies. Everything being ready I ordered Col. Ingerton to charge the center and right of their front line. The distance separating our line from that of the enemy was about woo yards. The first 600 of that distance was passed over at a walk, and with an utter disregard for the shower of shells hurled at them by the enemy's artillery, which could not be replied to by our artillery without endangering our own troops. When about 400 yards from the enemy's line the regiment raised a trot. Soon after the enemy opened a musketry fire from his entire line and Ingerton charged. For a moment both parties were enveloped; the next the rebels were seen fleeing, hotly pursued by Ingerton's regiment. Just at this time the enemy endeavored to turn our right flank. Col. Parsons was ordered to meet this movement and turn the enemy's left flank. It was my intention not to charge their left flank and second line until Col. Parsons had a position from which he could cut off their retreat, but before Parsons could complete his move I perceived the enemy preparing to charge our battery. I immediately ordered Col. Patton of the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry to charge their left and center whilst Col. Ingerton, who had reformed his regiment, charged the enemy's right. Both charges were gallantly made and the enemy completely routed."

It will be seen from this report that in this fight the Thirteenth took a conspicuous part, charging and breaking the enemy's first line alone, the other two regiments being held in reserve, and in conjunction with the Eighth, broke their second line, putting the command to flight. T here now being no need of a reserve or support, the three regiments joined in the pursuit, following the enemy beyond Russellville.

The loss of the enemy was 85 left dead on the field, including 6 officers; 224 wounded and captured, including 19 officers. General Vaughn, the commanding officer, was among the wounded. We captured 5 pieces of artillery with caissons complete, all their ammunition for small arms and 6 wagons. The loss of our Brigade was 8 killed and 18 wounded.

Gen. Gillem in the report from which we have quoted commended the gallantry of the entire Brigade and made special mention of Cols. Parsons and Brownlow of the Ninth, Captain Patterson and Lieut. Reagan of Battery E, Cols. Patton and Brown of the Eighth; and all the Brigade staff officers. Of Col. Ingerton he says: "Allow me to call your particular attention to Lt.-Colonel Ingerton, commanding the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, who led the first charge and broke the enemy's first line without firing a shot. I earnestly recommend that he be appointed to the command of the first regiment of Tennessee troops that becomes vacant."

There were several incidents of this fight worthy of mention, and which may be remembered by many of the survivors of the Regiment. When the rebel lines were broken and our men in close pursuit Capt. S. E. Northington came up with a rebel officer, who, seeing that the Captain was some distance ahead of his men wheeled his horse and pointed a pistol at Northington, but the latter was not to be bluffed, but commenced striking the officer with his sword until he turned and fled. Northington knew if the officer's pistol had been loaded he would have fired instead of threatened.

It was reported before the battle that Gen. Gillem had offered a silver cup to any officer or soldier who would -capture Gen. Vaughn. The story was told after the fight that a young soldier pursued Vaughn and demanded his surrender and that Gen. Vaughn shot him dead.

Lieut. B. A. Miller, of the Thirteenth, who was acting Aid-de-Camp on General Gillem's staff, captured a number of fleeing rebels that day.

One incident of this fight was peculiarly sad. Corporal Marion J. Garrison, of Co. G, Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, whose home was near Morristown, was in the .charge, and when the Regiment checked up for a few moments to draw sabres, young Garrison kept on towards the enemy, probably not noticing that the others had halted. He was fired on and fell from his horse dead. Corporal John G. Shell, with a squad of men, was detailed to take him to his home and bury him. He was .only 20 years old.

After the fight at Morristown the Brigade moved up, the river road to Greeneville; the Thirteenth went out 6 miles east of that place to Henderson's Depot (now Afton) where we went into camp and commenced repairing the railroad. After his defeat Vaughn did not halt long in his retreat until he reached the east bank of the Watauga river at Carter's Depot. Believing now that he would not have the temerity to attack us again unless he should be largely reinforced, and supposing that, as the star of the Confederacy was now waning, their forces would be needed in other directions, we felt confident we were masters of the situation in East Tennessee.

We remained here quietly, resting our horses, repairing wagons and taking a much needed rest ourselves after the various marches, countermarches, skirmishes and battles in which we had constantly been engaged for the past month.

On the 8th of November we held an election in the Regiment, it having been made legal by the State Governments for the troops throughout the entire army to vote in the Presidential election of 1864. We have no record of the vote, but it is safe to say every vote cast that day by the soldiers of the Thirteenth was for the Lincoln and Johnson Electors. The intention of the movement of the Brigade up the country seems to have been to allow the • Union people in East Tennessee to vote as far as possible. The Northern Democracy, under the name of the "Peace Party," were making a strong fight for McClellan and Pendleton, and no doubt, could the Southern army have voted, the chances of their election would have been very  good. The spectacle of the ex-Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the United States receiving the vote of a large number of Northern people, and the support of the Southern press, and the mention of his name eliciting the cheers of the Southern army is a sad comment upon the loyalty of a large class of Northern people at this time.

Contrary to our expectations the Confederate authorities were not yet disposed to relinquish their hold upon East Tennessee. Major General John C. Breckenridge commanding the Department (Confederate) of Western Virginia and East Tennessee with Headquarters at this time at Witherville, Virginia, upon the defeat of Vaughn at Morristown on October 28, immediately began preparations to drive Miller's Brigade out of Upper East Ten. nessee and threaten Knoxville. For this purpose he had assembled 'Vaughn's and Duke's (Morgan's old command) Cavalry, together with Cosby's, Giltner's, Palmer's and Crittenden's forces, some East Tennessee reserves, and f:/tir 12-pounder and two 6-pounder howitzers under Major Page, chief of artillery. This force amounting in all to about s000 troops. These troops were nearly all veterans seasoned by many raids and campaigns, and commanded by experienced officers. They were under the command of Gen. Breckenridge who was regarded as one of the bravest and ablest Generals in the Confederate service.

Opposed to this force was Col. Miller's Brigade, under the supervision of Gen. A. C. Gillem, who had now been promoted to Brigadier General. The Brigade was now known as "The Third Brigade, Fourth Division, Army of the Cumberland." It contained the same organizations that fought Vaughn at Morristown, viz: the Eighth,. Ninth and Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and Batteries E and G, First Tennessee Light Artillery, amounting in. all to about 2000 effective men.

Brigadier General Jacob Ammen was in command of the forces at Knoxville and reporting to Gen. Schofield,. while Gen. Gillem was acting under orders from Governor Johnson. Our Brigade was of course in the regular service of the United States, but Governor Johnson had it detached by an order of the War Department to operate in East Tenness. It was unfortunate that Gen. Ammen and Gen. Gillem were jealous of each other. Each heldthe same rank and Gen. Ammen was afraid if Gillem achieved any great success he might receive promotion and obtain a higher rank in the army than himself. This spirit of jealousy has always been hurtful to the service not only in the volunteer, but in the regular army as well.