Co.B 9th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry
Portraying Eastern & Western Troops of both sides of the War Between the States 1861 - 65
[ Formation ] [ Shiloh ] [ Ky/Tn Operations ] [ Stones River ] [ Tullahoma ] [ Chickamauga ] [ Missionary Ridge ]
[ Atlanta Campaign - Pickett's Mill - Pine Mountain - Peach Tree Creek - Lovejoy's Station ] [ Muster Out ]
9th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry U.S.
No picture of a group of men of
the 9th has so far come to light, so here's the next best, this
superb image of the Colour Guard of the 10th Kentucky in
September/October 1864 at Atlanta
(Click on pic for larger image)
On the 6th October 1861 Jerre T. Boyle, whose residence at that time was at Danville, announced that he would raise a Brigade of four regiments. They were the 9th, 18th, 19th and 23rd Kentucky Infantry regiments which were all promptly raised.
The 9th, was recruited and organised by Colonel Ben C. Grider at Camp Boyle in Columbia, Adair County, Kentucky and mustered in on November 20th 1861 by Major W.H. Sidell, U.S. mustering officer.
It was at once assigned to General Boyle’s Brigade, then known as the 11th and placed on duty in Columbia, Ky., until February 1862 at which time it marched to Bowling Green, Ky., thence between the 15th of February and the 8th of March on to Nashville, Tn. On the 18th of march the regiment left Nashville and from there it marched with General Don Carlos Buells’ Army to Pittsburg Landing, Tn.
General Boyle’s Brigade consisting of the 9th and 13th Kentucky and also the 19th and 59th Ohio, was in General Thomas L. Crittenden’s Division; this division crossed the Tennessee River at 9pm on the 6th of April and took position on the right of General William Nelson at 5am on the morning of the 7th for the Battle of Shiloh.
The following morning, General Crittenden said in his report that his position on the field during that day was in the centre of Buell’s Army. He went on to say "General J.T. Boyle behaved with conspicuous gallantry, sharing every danger of his command, inspiring his troops with a confidence and courage like his own".
General Boyle in his report of the Brigade said, that the enemy made an attack upon the left of the centre where Major John Mendenhall’s Battery was stationed. The 9th Kentucky under the command of Col. Ben C. Grider and the 59th Ohio commanded by Col. Jas P. Fyffe were ordered to advance rapidly and drive back the enemy. "Col. Grider led his men gallantly in the attack, well supported by most of his officers and men. The youthful Lieutenant Underwood ( Company ‘B’) of that regiment behaved with the gallantry of a veteran soldier going in advance of his men and was shot through his sword arm". In his attack Col. Grider had three of his commissioned officers killed and ten wounded.
Col. Grider, in his report describing the same charge, said he learned that his regiment was engaged with a Kentucky regiment led by Col. Jos H. Lewis of Glasgow Kentucky (this regiment was the 6th Kentucky C.S.A.) and also some Mississippi and Arkansas troops. Describing the further fighting of the day he said that four of his captains were wounded, two dangerously, three lieutenants killed and three wounded. Enlisted men, fourteen killed, sixty-seven wounded.
Col. Grider's full report follows: I have the honor to submit to you my report of the part taken by the Ninth Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers in the battle of Chickasaw Bluffs, fought on Monday, April 7, 1862. We were landed from the steamboat John J. Roe the night before, about 11 o'clock, and marched a short distance to a part of the battle-field of the day before, where, without blankets or overcoats, we slept on our arms, in a heavy rain, very near to the enemy.
About day, without breakfast, we were marched to the scene of action, the firing commencing just as we started. On arriving we were formed on the left of one line of your Eleventh Brigade, and just in the rear of and in position to protect the two batteries of the division (Captains Mendenhall's and Bartlett's), then in action in the center of our line. A portion of your brigade being drawn up a short distance in front of us, we were ordered to here remain and defend the batteries till further orders, which we did for an hour or more, the shot and shell of the enemy passing over and falling among us thick and fast.
We then received an order from you to advance and form on the left of the front line of your brigade, then preparing to move into action in the center. At this moment, it becoming apparent that the enemy in force, and with great probability of success, were trying to turn our left, General Crittenden, just as I was moving off under your orders, rode up to me and ordered me to follow him, left in front, which I did in double-quick. He led us to the left, and ordered me to form in the edge of a road, in front of a very dense chaparral, and stand till he could bring the Fifty-ninth Ohio, Colonel Fyffe, to form on my right.
I had scarcely got them into line, which I did quickly, when General Buell came up and ordered me to move forward at once and quickly. I gave the order, and it was most promptly obeyed. The very thick growth of timber and underbrush of course threw them into much disorder, which was greatly increased by reaching a small branch, over shoe-top deep in mud and water, in the center of a hollow running nearly parallel with our line.
While crossing this we were fired into by the enemy, about double our numbers, lying concealed on the ascent from the hollow, and less than 10 paces from us. We saw no one until we were notified of their presence by a most deadly and terrific fire. Some of our men and officers recoiled, but at once recovered; a few left the field; the large majority stood firm, returned their fire, advanced upon them, and fought like brave men, driving them before us, and killing and wounding them in large numbers. They retired slowly and sullenly, fighting over and disputing well every inch of ground, taking advantage of every tree, thicket, log, or other protection, till they reached a small field beyond the woods, a distance of 300 yards. Through this they retreated in haste to the opposite fence and into a thin wood of large timber beyond, being driven entirely off the field, to which they never returned.
We followed till they were out of our sight, and until we observed a body of cavalry on our left and a little to our rear. But for this we should have charged, and could have easily taken a section of artillery, about 250 yards to our right; but we did not regard it safe to leave the cavalry in our rear, and we returned to the wood and rested there, as we could not, of course, advance, having the artillery and cavalry as above described. We remained here a short time, when we were fired into by the artillery of the enemy and our own also, the latter killing 3 of our men and wounding several. From this we returned to the edge of the road, where we had started from, and found the Fifty-ninth Ohio there drawn up. Our loss was heavy in this fight, and was the principal one sustained by us during the day.
From an examination made of the wounded and prisoners and of the persons of the dead, we ascertained that we had fought the Kentucky regiment commanded by Joseph H. Lewis, of Glasgow, Ky., and a Mississippi regiment, and perhaps some Arkansas troops. We took several prisoners, among them a captain and lieutenant.
We now formed with the Fifty-ninth Ohio, and after throwing out skirmishers we advanced in line, on the left of the Fifty-ninth Ohio, into the woods where we had fought, and wheeled to the right, thus throwing the Ninth Kentucky into the field above alluded to, and causing it to pass through the same into a woods to the right of it. We found no enemy, but, keeping out skirmishers to our left, we found small bodies, perhaps their skirmishers, and had for a time some desultory firing, in which we lost 1 killed and several wounded, all from the Ninth Kentucky, as it was next to the enemy.
Continuing but a short distance we came upon and captured a section of the enemy's artillery, supported by a body of his infantry, but were forced to abandon it, mostly on account of a fire from another section farther on in advance of us, and also by a fire from one of our own batteries in the rear. We returned to the road again, but to a point on it to the right of where we had first been. After remaining a short time we returned and captured the section of the enemy's battery which we had just abandoned, our battery having ceased to fire on that point, and the other section of the enemy's battery having been in the mean time silenced, and, as I have since learned, taken by the Thirteenth Kentucky, Col. E. H. Hobson, and Eleventh Kentucky, Col. P. B. Hawkins. We this time held it.
We here lost 2 or 3 men killed and a number wounded by a discharge from one of the guns and the infantry fire. The battle had now ceased, except to our right, where we marched and met with you in person, but got into no other engagement, as the day was now ours, and the enemy retreating before other forces.
Our loss, as far as we have been able to ascertain it, is as follows: (The lieutenant-colonel was absent, sick in Nashville; major absent on detached duty, and no field officer present but myself.) I had 23 officers of the line and my adjutant present, of whom 4 captains were wounded, 2 dangerously; 3 lieutenants were killed and 3 wounded. Total officers killed and wounded 10; non-commissioned officers and privates killed, 14; wounded, 67, of whom about one-half are dangerously wounded.
Permit me to add that most of my officers and men behaved well, maintaining bravely and nobly the honor of their native States -Kentucky and Tennessee -in which the regiment was formed. Many of them acted like heroes, and more determined bravery and coolness could not be exhibited. I mention with pleasure and pride, as principal among them, Adjt. J. H. Grider; Captains Austin, Cram, Bailey, Bryan, Vetter, Coyle, Chinowth, and Hatling; Lieutenants Reed, Moore, Tate, Stout, Jenkins, Underwood, Clarke, Faulkner, and Smith Pipkins. Some of them were not commissioned, as they had but recently been elected to the offices, but were acting in them, and steps had been taken to procure commissions.
Lieutenant Tate, when killed, and Captains Cram and Austin and Lieut. Warner Underwood, when wounded, were in advance of their men, calling on them to follow, while the other officers named were at all times at their places, or in advance of and encouraging and rallying the men by precept and example. Asst. Surg. John A. Lindsay did his part nobly and bravely, not only in his profession, but often took the field and the place of killed, wounded, or missing officers, and was of very great service.
After the Battle of Shiloh, General Boyle was ordered to Kentucky and Col. Samuel Beatty of the 19th Ohio took Command of the Brigade.
The 9th, moving with the Army, advanced on to and besieged Corinth, Ms. On the 21st of May the 9th were on outpost duty and became engaged in a fight for the entire day. Colonel Samuel Beatty of the Eleventh Brigade reported the following: " ...Ninth Kentucky Regiment out on outpost duty and kept up a continual fight all day. Colonel Grider reports 10 of the enemy killed or mortally wounded, as they could be plainly seen from his position. The Ninth experienced no loss; 2 men were struck with spent balls, but not seriously injured. One of the enemy having climbed a tree, caused much annoyance for some time, but was finally shot and seen to fall heavily to the ground.
The regiment was also engaged on the 28th and 29th of May. On the 30th, Corinth was occupied by General Henry Halleck’s Federal forces and the 9th took part in the pursuit of Beauregard’s retreating Confederates.
After the evacuation of Corinth, between the 12th - 24th of July the 9th marched to Rienzi and Iuka, Ms., then on through Tuscumbia, Florence, Athens, Huntsville and Stevenson, Al. From there they were sent to Battle Creek, Tn., were they remained on duty until the 20th August.
Leaving Battle Creek they joined in the pursuit of Bragg with Gen. Buell’s Army, passing through Manchester, Murfreesboro and Nashville, Tn., then into Kentucky, passing through Bowling Green and Elizabethtown, arriving at Louisville on the 26th September, moving on from there through Mount Washington and Bardstown. During the Battle of Perryville on the 8th October the 9th were held in reserve but not engaged. After the battle they continued in the pursuit of Bragg across Kentucky, through Danville, Crab Orchard, Mount Vernon, Wild Cat, Somerset, Columbia and Scottsville, then back into Tennessee through Gallatin, and then on to Nashville where they arrived on the 7th of November, remaining on duty until the 26th of December, at which time they received orders to advance on Murfreesboro, arriving there on the 30th of December.
In the Battle of Stones River the 9th was in Beatty’s Brigade of Major General Horatio Van Cleve’s Division . It was noted for its fine service by Gen. Lovell H. Rousseau. In his report of his command he makes mention that he saw the 9th engaged. He said "Col. Grider and his regiment efficiently aided in repulsing the enemy".
Col. Beatty in his report of his brigade commends the service of the 9th and said "I am proud to say that the colours of the 9th Kentucky, and 19th and 51st Ohio were the first to re-cross the river after the enemy’s check".
Col. Grider and Lt. Col George H. Cram made reports on the fighting of the 31st of December and 1st and 2nd of January.
Col. Grider said "The loss of December 31st was great and the courage and coolness of the men were put to a severe test and well did they meet the trying emergency". He went on, "I have no terms of praise that can do justice to the noble bearing and unflinching bravery of all the officers and men". As well as the 9th had fought on the 31st, it was again engaged on the 2nd of January, having to aid in checking an attack on the left wing of the Army.
Lt. Col. Cram, in his report said " The regiment became exposed to a flanking fire and suffered severely". Maj. John H. Grider and Adjutant Chesley D. Baily were wounded; Lt. Leggett and Carpenter killed, Heeter and Johnson (Company B) wounded. After such a loss as this the regiment was reinforced and continued to fight on.
Lt. Col. Cram said "The firing was the most terrible I ever heard; the enemy desisted and gave way, the 9th with other troops charged and drove them from the field". He went on to say "The colours of the 9th Kentucky re-crossed the river by the side of those of the 19th Ohio". The losses of the 9th at Stones River show how desperately it was engaged. Officers killed four, wounded five. Enlisted men Killed eighteen, wounded eighty.
Col. Grider's full report follows:
My regiment, the Ninth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, was early yesterday morning ordered on the south side of Stone's River, and formed in line of battle in the front line, and on the left of the Nineteenth Ohio Volunteers (Major Manderson). We had advanced a short distance down the river, when we were ordered to recross, to support our forces in the center and on the right, understanding that the enemy were driving them, and had turned our right, and probably gained our rear.
We moved by the flank, and at a double-quick, to the Murfreesborough pike, and thence along that pike about a half mile to our rear, to a skirt of woods, through which we saw our men retreating, and heard that they had been before forced back through them. We formed on the pike, the Nineteenth Ohio on the right and the Ninth Kentucky on the left, the two composing the front line, supported by the Eleventh Kentucky, Major Mottley, and the Seventy-ninth Indiana, Colonel Knefler, in the rear or second line.
As soon as our retreating troops cleared the woods, our front, the Nineteenth and Ninth, opened upon the enemy a cool, well-aimed, and deadly fire, which brought them to a stand. After a few such rounds we were ordered to advance, which the men promptly did with the alacrity and steadiness of veterans, gallantly led on by all their officers, driving the enemy with great slaughter for half a mile or more.
Here, the ammunition of the front line beginning to fail, and the enemy's fire having almost ceased, we were ordered to open our lines for the reserve--the Eleventh Kentucky and the Seventy-ninth Indiana--to pass through, which they did in gallant style, seeing and hearing but little of the enemy for some hundreds of yards, when they found him rallied; but again he was forced to yield to the well-directed fire and gallantry of the Eleventh Kentucky and Seventy-ninth Indiana, and thus, for a time, the advance was continued for some distance, when we found a body of our troops broken, and retreating from our right in a direction which passed them diagonally through our lines. Our men kept firm, and we tried to rally them, but with no effect.
Thus our right was exposed and turned, and you gave the order to fall back, which we did in most excellent order under the heaviest shower of balls and missiles that we had encountered during the day. Our loss here was great, and the courage and coolness of men and officers was here put to a severer test than during the advance, and well did they meet the trying emergency. We came back a short distance, and promptly formed in line to again meet the enemy. Here General Rosecrans in person ordered me to advance my regiment to close range of the enemy, and, after giving him a few fires, to charge.
I ordered the advance, but had gone only a short distance when the general ordered us to halt and cause the men to lie down, while a battery in our rear opened over us upon the enemy. After remaining here for a short time, my regiment and the Eleventh Kentucky were ordered to take position to sustain the Chicago Board of Trade Battery and another, the name of which I do not know, then threatened by the enemy. This we continued to do until late in the night, after the battle was all over for the day. We were during this time under fire from the enemy's artillery, and lost 2 men killed and several wounded.
Our loss during the day was 2 commissioned officers--First Lieuts. Silas Clark and W. J. Cram--wounded; 2 sergeants, 1 of whom was the color-bearer, killed; 1 private killed, and 19 wounded. A full list will be handed in as soon as practicable. I have no terms of praise that can do justice to the noble bearing and unflinching bravery of all the officers and men. I mention the names of them all: Lieut. Col. George H. Cram, Maj. John H. Grider, Adjt. C. D. Bailey; Capts. R. A. Read, Rufus Somerby, D. B. Coyle, William T. Bryan; First Lieuts. A. Sidney Leggett, T. Freely Heeter, W. J. Cram (commanding companies); R. T. Patton, Boyle O. Rodes, Henry W. Mayes, Silas Clark; Second Lieuts. Frederick F. Carpenter, D. C. Downing, John P. Grinstead, James M. Simmons, and Benjamin M. Johnson.
Company A, Capt. Henry F. Leggett, was on detached duty, and, I regret, could not be in the battle, as their services, brave men and well officered as they are, would have been valuable. First Lieut. John H. Wheat was not with the regiment, being detached o3 were killed and 2l wounded on the 31st. (See Colonel Grider's regimental report.)}\par}n duty with the Pioneer Corps.
Lt.Col. George H. Cram's report follows:
I respectfully submit the following as my report of the part my regiment took in the engagement of January 2, 1863, on the left wing of our army, in front of Murfreesborough:
Early in the forenoon Colonel Grider ordered me to hold my regiment in reserve, with another regiment of his brigade (the Nineteenth Ohio), under cover of a hill about 200 yards from the upper ford of Stone's River, and told me that the enemy would probably attack us some time during the day, and ordered me to hold my regiment in readiness to re-enforce our line, if the enemy should attack us in too great force.
Nothing but heavy skirmishing and artillery firing on the part of the enemy occurred during the day, until about 4 o'clock in the evening, when our whole line was attacked by a heavy rebel force. My men were under arms, and I knew by the firing that our men were giving way. I was ordered forward, and moved up the hill at a double-quick, through briers and undergrowth, tearing our line badly. Arriving at the crest of the hill, we met our troops retreating in great confusion. Nothing could be more discouraging to my men than the aspect of affairs at that time, but they never faltered. I allowed the retreating mass to pass through my lines, the enemy all the time pouring into us a destructive fire, both infantry and artillery. Our lines closed up, and I ordered my men to commence firing.
The enemy gave way after the fourth or fifth round, the colors of the regiment in front of us having fallen no less than three times, and had we had but the enemy in front to contend with, our chances of success would have been tolerably certain; but just when the battle was being decided in our favor, we were flanked by a heavy force on our right, causing our support on that flank to give way, leaving us exposed to a raking fire, which was fast decimating my regiment. We had already suffered. Major Grider and Adjutant Bailey wounded; Captains Bryan and Coyle killed; Read badly wounded; Lieutenants Leggett and Carpenter killed; Heeter and Johnson wounded. I do not hesitate to say that no regiment could have withstood this fresh attack.
I ordered the regiment to fall back under the hill. Colonel Grider ordered me in person to rally my men at the foot of the hill. I found the ground almost in possession of a rebel regiment. We continued the retreat across the river, and I there rallied my men. We were here re-enforced by three or four regiments, and the enemy brought to a stand. The firing here was the most terrible I ever heard. The foe fought us bravely, but could not withstand such a terrible fire.
He gave way slowly, and we not only retook the lost ground, but drove him over a mile, cutting him up badly and capturing his artillery, changing the result of the battle from a defeat to a splendid victory. The colors of the Ninth Kentucky recrossed the river by the side of those of the Nineteenth Ohio, and under your leadership. The regiments of your brigade, shattered as they were, were the first to wave their flags over the captured guns of the enemy. My officers and men fought splendidly, under the most discouraging circumstances. Every man in the regiment knew what he had to encounter when we were ordered forward, but not one faltered. They knew that the gallant reserve-the Nineteenth Ohio and Ninth Kentucky--were insufficient to check the victorious enemy.
Major Grider was wounded while gallantly cheering on his men early in the engagement, and Adjutant Bailey soon afterward. I felt the loss of these officers greatly. Captain Bryan was mortally wounded, doing his duty nobly. Captain Coyle was killed while cheering on his men. Lieutenants Leggett and Carpenter were killed at the head of their companies. Captain Read, Lieutenants Heeter and Johnson were wounded while fighting gallantly. I take pleasure in mentioning the following officers, whose gallant conduct deserves great praise: Captain Somerby, Lieutenants Patton, Downing, Grinstead, Rodes, and Mayes.
Private Moses Rourk, of Company C, deserves special mention. When the colors were shot down, in the engagement of the 31st, he grasped them and brought them safely through the fight, and in the battle of January 2 he carried them into the thickest of the fight, and was at times left almost alone. He is but eighteen years of age, and is one of the bravest soldiers in the army.
Our loss was as follows : Commissioned officers killed, 4; wounded, 7. Enlisted men, killed, 18; wounded, 80; prisoners, 3 (wounded). Of the above, 3 were killed and 2l wounded on the 31st. (See Colonel Grider's regimental report.)
After the Battle of Stones River the 9th remained at Murfreesboro and in its vicinity during the winter and spring of 1863. During June and July it was at McMinnville until the 16th of August, taking part in the Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign between the 24th of June and the 3rd of July with Gen. William Rosecrans’ Army of the Cumberland.
On the 4th of September Gen. Rosecrans completed his armies' crossing of the Tennessee River. Having been virtually unopposed and suspecting that Bragg and his Army were fleeing, Rosecrans determined to pursue the supposed Confederate retreat. So the Union commander took the risky step of separating his Army into three groups, to speed up his pursuit. By September the 9th the three groups of the Army of the Cumberland were widely spread north to south across the mountains, with Gen. Crittenden’s Corps as the northernmost of the three groups, Gen. Thomas in the centre and Gen. McCook many miles to the south.
Gen. Rosecrans now firmly believed that he was chasing a fleeing enemy, but was, in fact, racing into a very cleverly planned trap. On the 10th of September Bragg ordered that the trap be sprung, but due to the ineptitude of his subordinates the attack failed and Generals Crittenden and Thomas were able to fall back and regroup.
Gen. Crittenden’s report of the movements of his Corps (the 21st Corps) of which the 9th were a part, said his command was in the Sequatchie Valley, Pikerville and other places. On the 1st of September it crossed the River at Battle Creek and was at Shellmound on September the 5th. From the 6th to the 9th of September it was about the base of Lookout Mountain, on the 11th it reached Lee and Gordons' Mills and was advancing towards Chickamauga.
The 19th of September found dawn breaking with the Union and Confederate fronts solidly facing one another along a six mile line. The battle of Chickamauga was about to begin.
Col. Cram in his report of the fighting on the 19th said, that at about 11am the fighting was very heavy on the left flank of the brigade and the 9th had been ordered by Gen. Beatty to move to a position which placed them between the 17th Kentucky and the 79th Indiana regiments. After firing a volley, the enemy soon disappeared from their front and a full battery of artillery, disabled and abandoned by them, were soon captured and moved to the rear by men from the 79 Indiana with the assistance of a few men from the 9th Kentucky. Everything seemed to be going well when, "The enemy made an attack along our entire front. We repulsed them and thought our success was certain, but soon saw our troops breaking away from our right and then from our left till my regiment stood alone". They held their position for a short time but the enemy poured in on their right and subjected them to a devastating flanking fire. Col. Cram gave the order to fall back, which was executed in good order. Once in their new position the same scene was enacted as before, the enemy poured in on their right, Col. Cram once again gave the order to fall back, this time to the Chattanooga road, where they halted. He finishes his report of the day by saying "The regiment fought splendidly and did not fall back one step without orders from me. The men were cool and their Officers had the most perfect control of them".
Gen. Crittenden said in his report of the fighting on the 20th, that at a point where there was disaster, three regiments, the 44th Indiana, commanded by Col. Simeon C. Aldrich, the 9th Kentucky, commanded by Col. Cram and the 17th Kentucky, commanded by Col. Alexander M. Stout, "Rallied and formed on the right of our main line (Snodgrass Hill) and fighting all the day, only left the field when ordered".
Gen. Beatty, commanding the Brigade, after mentioning the 9th Kentucky repeatedly, describes the same stand of which Gen. Crittenden speaks, saying "The 9th and 17th Kentucky made a stand and held possession of a hill by most terrific fighting until dark when they withdrew by order and joined the Army at Rossville".
In the two days of fighting the losses of the 9th were sixty all together.
Col. George H. Cram's report follows:
On Friday, September 18, I was ordered by General Beatty to hold my regiment in readiness to move at a moment's notice, the division then being in camp at Crawfish Spring, Ga. About 12 o'clock I moved with the brigade to Lee and Gordon's Mills, about 2 miles from the spring, when I was ordered to take a position a few yards from and facing toward Chickamauga Creek, about 300 yards north of the mill and behind a barricade of rails that had been previously built. The Seventeenth Kentucky was on my left and Colonel Harker's brigade, of General Wood's division, on my right.
About dark I was ordered to move to the left to sustain a portion of the line, which, as the firing indicated, was receiving a heavy attack. I moved at double-quick and arrived at the point indicated just as the firing ceased, the enemy having been repulsed. I remained there until next morning, September 19, when I was ordered back to the position near the mills. Skirmishing began early in the day, extending along our entire front, and about 11 o'clock the battle seemed to open very heavy on our left, and about 12 o'clock I was ordered by General Beatty to move by the left flank and at double-quick.
I was conducted to the left about 2 miles, halted in the road, ordered to form on the left of the Seventeenth Kentucky, and move on as it did. We moved forward and to the left for about a quarter of a mile, when the Seventeenth opened fire. I moved up quickly to the position assigned me, but found that the Seventeenth Kentucky in moving forward had somewhat changed the direction of its line. I also found the Seventy-fifth [Seventy-ninth?] Indiana engaged on my left and partially covering my front. To take a position between the two regiments, it was necessary to change front; as the firing was very heavy, I did not think it safe to attempt it, so I ordered the men to lie down.
The Seventy-fifth [Seventy-ninth?] Indiana soon changed its position, leaving sufficient space for my regiment between it and the Seventeenth Kentucky. I accordingly made an oblique change of front forward on my first company, moved forward to the line of battle, and commenced firing. We fired by volley and the enemy soon disappeared from our front. After firing the first volley I discovered a full battery of the enemy's artillery about 150 yards to our front, which was disabled and had been abandoned by the enemy. A rebel regiment was attempting to remove the guns, but abandoned them after our first volley. The guns were soon moved to the rear by men from the Seventy-ninth Indiana, a few of my men assisting them.
Everything appeared to be going on well with us, when the enemy made an attack along our entire front (brigade). We repulsed them and thought our success was certain, but I soon saw our troops breaking away from our right and then from the left till my regiment stood alone. We held our position for a short time, but the enemy poured in on our right and we received a terrible flank fire. I gave the order to fall back, which we did in tolerably good order. We fell back across the road where a battery (Fourth U.S. Artillery) had taken position on a slight rise which commanded the woods in front, but here the same scene was enacted as before. The enemy poured in on our right, forcing us back over the ridge, sweeping everything before them. We fell back to the Chattanooga road and there halted.
I afterward moved about three-quarters of a mile to the right and rejoined our brigade. This ended the fight of this day (Saturday). The regiment fought splendidly and did not fall back one step without orders from me. The men were cool and their officers had the most perfect control of them. The cause of all the trouble seemed to be that there was a gap in the line of battle some distance to our right, through which the enemy could move at pleasure, flanking us. On rejoining the brigade I was ordered by General Beatty to a position overlooking the battle-field, on a ridge some 500 yards to the rear of the road, where we bivouacked for the night.
On Sunday morning, the 20th, the division was moved from its position to one farther to the rear and right, and apparently placed reserve. About 9 o'clock the division moved forward, the regiments in double column. The First Brigade was in two lines, the Nineteenth Ohio on the right, in the front line, the Seventy-ninth Indiana on the left, the Seventeenth Kentucky supporting the Seventy-ninth, my regiment supporting the Nineteenth Ohio. The battle was then raging fiercely, the artillery fire being very heavy. I was ordered by General Beatty to move with the brigade, maintaining my relative position to the other regiments.
We moved forward and to the left until we had crossed the road before spoken of, and over which we had fallen back the day before, some 300 yards. When we seemed to be but a short distance to the rear of the line that was firing, we were ordered to lie down, which order was scarcely executed before the troops in front of us gave way and literally ran over us, carrying us back with the retreating mass some 25 yards, when we rallied and moved forward at double-quick about 150 yards and took possession of a rude breastwork of logs which had been thrown up during the night by General Davis' division. The enemy here made a most desperate attack with infantry and artillery, but did not succeed in driving us from the position. The work did not extend but a few yards to our right, and the troops to the right of it, if there were any there, soon gave way, and we again found ourselves flanked on the right, receiving a terrible fire of infantry and artillery.
After an unsuccessful attempt to change front, I ordered the regiment to fall back, which it did, pursued by the enemy. We moved to the left and rear nearly half a mile, and took position on the crest of a hill overlooking the road and a flat valley, and with the fragments of several other regiments made a most desperate and successful resistance against all attempts to take the hill. From about I until 4 o'clock the enemy kept up an almost constant fire of musketry. Taking advantage of a short lull in the firing, I ordered barricades of such material as was most convenient to be built on the crest of the hill, and logs, stumps, and rails were scarcely piled up to the height of 2 feet before the enemy again made a most desperate attempt to take the hill. For half an hour the firing was the most terrific I had ever heard, my men firing during that time 60 rounds of cartridges, and it was only when the last cartridge was expended that I ordered my men to fall back. The enemy did not occupy the hill until the next morning.
We moved off a short distance to the right, intending to rejoin the division, or such part of it as I might be able to find, but after getting to the Chattanooga road found that the army had fallen back to Rossville. I moved on to Rossville that night and the next day to Chattanooga, and reported to General Beatty. The officers and men, without an exception, did their duty splendidly, and taking everything into consideration, they could not have done better. We entered the fight with but 187 guns, our largest company (A) having been detailed but two or three days before the fight came up as provost guard at division headquarters, and having a detail of 30 men absent with a supply train.
Our loss sums up as follows: Commissioned officers wounded 5, Enlisted men killed 1, Enlisted men wounded 40, Enlisted men missing 10, Total 56. This list of wounded only includes such as were disabled; almost as many more were struck by spent balls and more or less injured. The majority of the wounds are slight. All of our first day's wounded were brought to Chattanooga, and many of those who were wounded on Sunday, leaving but few in the hands of the enemy. I have to regret the loss of my adjutant, Lieut. J. H. Shepherd, who was wounded in the first day's fight, and I suppose fell into the hands of the enemy.
After the Battle of Chickamauga the 9th remained at Chattanooga. In the re-organisation of the Army made under Gen. Grant, prior to the attack on Missionary Ridge (Gen. George H. Thomas "the rock of Chickamauga" replacing Rosecrans as commander of the Army of the Cumberland and also becoming the commander of all Union forces in Chattanooga), the 9th was assigned to Gen. Thomas J. Wood’s Division of the 4th Army Corps, their brigade being commanded as before by Gen. Sam Beatty.
The 9th was present throughout the siege of Chattanooga and suffered the shortage of rations and supplies along with the rest of the Army of the Cumberland until the establishment of the 'Cracker Line' and better supplies by mid-November.
General Grant had built up his forces around and about Chattanooga and was now ready to move to lift the siege.
The 9th was engaged on November 23rd and 24th at Orchard Knob below Chattanooga and on the 25th participated in the charge that has no parallel, perhaps in any war. The Army of the Cumberland, still smarting from the defeat at Chickamauga got their revenge by charging up the slopes of Missionary Ridge, without orders, against the entrenched Confederate Army of Tennessee.
Gen. Beatty made special mention of the conduct of the 9th when his brigade captured eight cannon, one of which was taken by the 9th. He complimented Col. Cram, who received a severe wound upon reaching the crest.
Brig. Gen. Samuel Beatty, 3rd Brigade Commander's report is as follows:
I have the honor most respectfully to submit the following report of the operations of my command in the late movement from this place: On Monday afternoon, November 23, at 1.30 o'clock, in obedience to orders from Brigadier-General Wood, commanding Third Division, Fourth Army Corps, I marched the regiments of my command from their camps and formed in double columns in support of the brigade of Brigadier-General Willich.
In anticipation of this movement I had caused each of the seven regiments of my brigade present, except the Seventeenth Kentucky Volunteers, Col. Alexander M. Stout commanding, to be consolidated into five companies, each forming commands of two battalions, under the senior field officer of the two battalions, the first, composed of the Seventy-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, Col. Fred. Knefler, and the Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteers, Col. George F. Dick, commanded by Col. Fred. Knefler; the second, composed of the Thirteenth Ohio Volunteers, Col. Dwight Jarvis, and the Fifty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, Maj. Robert J. Vanosdol, commanded by Col. Dwight Jarvis; the third, composed of the Ninth Regiment Kentucky Volunteers, Col. George H. Cram, and the Nineteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, Col. Charles F. Manderson, commanded by Col. George H. Cram.
The Nineteenth Ohio, Col. Charles F. Manderson, was on outpost duty that day, and was ordered by Brigadier-General Willich, corps officer of the day, to re-enforce the picket line and advance as skirmishers. I ordered Colonel Cram, commanding the Ninth Kentucky, to support it with his regiment, while with the balance of my command advanced, in support of the brigade of General Willich, 1 mile, when, by order of General Wood, I deployed the Seventy-ninth Indiana, Colonel Knefler, and the Eighty-sixth Indiana, Colonel Dick, in advance of my column, with left refused to guard against a flank attack by the enemy.
The firing of the enemy's batteries was very sharp and my men were much exposed to it, but very happily none were injured by it at this place. The brigade of General Tyndale, of the Eleventh Corps, moved into position on my left, and at dark the troops of Major-General Howard relieved the Ninth Kentucky and Nineteenth Ohio Regiments, which joined the balance of my brigade. In their skirmishing during the afternoon these regiments very gallantly drove the enemy from one line of rifle-pits (which were afterward vacated by the extension of my line to the right and reoccupied by the rebels, and a heavy force of the Eleventh Corps was at first repulsed in the attempt to carry them). In doing this they lost 1 man killed, 1 officer and 10 men wounded in the Nineteenth Ohio, and 2 men wounded in the Ninth Kentucky.
During Monday night the Seventy-ninth and Eighty-sixth Indiana Regiments and the Thirteenth and Fifty-ninth Ohio Regiments threw up very substantial rifle-pits and defenses of logs, and a detail from the Seventeenth Kentucky felled the timber in front for an abatis. Tuesday my command remained quiet, picketing a limited space in front of the troops on my left.
On Wednesday morning, the 25th, the troops of the Eleventh Corps having moved away from my left by orders from the general commanding the division, I moved the Thirteenth and Fifty-ninth Ohio Regiments to the left and rear in double column, ready to deploy to the left or front as might become necessary. At 2.30 p.m. I received orders from General Wood to prepare to advance, with two regiments in line, with the front of General Willich's brigade and the balance of my brigade in column. (The Ninth Kentucky was deployed as skirmishers, covering a front left of my brigade front, and in the advance were supported by the troops of General Baird's division.) The advance of my brigade was the Seventy-ninth Indiana, Col. Fred. Knefler, and the Eighty-sixth Indiana, Col. George F. Dick.
These regiments advanced with spirit and drove the enemy from his rifle-pits and works at the foot of the ridge. The fire of the enemy was so hot here, and enfiladed us so completely, that Colonel Knefler, commanding the two regiments, was not ordered to halt, and pushed on up the hill. This rendered it necessary to support them with other troops, and, being unable to obtain communication with General Wood, I immediately ordered forward the Thirteenth Ohio, Colonel Jarvis, and the Fifty-ninth Ohio, Major Vanosdol, to their assistance. Most gallantly did these regiments spring to their work, and step by step, exposed to the terrific fire of batteries on the right, left, and in front, did they ascend the steep hill.
Hoping to obtain a firm footing on the ridge, I ordered forward the remaining two regiments of my brigade, Seventeenth Kentucky, Colonel Stout, and the Nineteenth Ohio, Col. Charles F. Manderson, to support those already sent forward, and soon after received the order from General Granger to send forward all my troops. These two regiments advanced in splendid order. By the time they were half way up the side of the ridge the four regiments in advance had gained the crest and occupied the rebel works, having successfully, at the second attempt, charged the enemy from them and planted their colors on the summit of Mission Ridge.
The colors of four regiments of my brigade, viz, Seventy-ninth Indiana, Eighty-sixth Indiana, Thirteenth Ohio, and Fifty-ninth Ohio, were almost simultaneously planted on the enemy's works. At nearly the same time the colors of a regiment of General Willich's brigade were established on the works by its colonel.
At this time the Seventeenth Kentucky, Col. A. M. Stout, and the Nineteenth Ohio, Col. Charles F. Manderson, arrived at the summit of the ridge in good order, forming in the rebel rifle-pits in line, with two regiments of General Willich's brigade on their right, and the Thirteenth and Fifty-ninth Ohio Regiments and a part of the Eighty-sixth Indiana moved to the left and assisted the Ninth Kentucky, which had gained the summit of a point to the left of my position to capture four pieces of artillery, three of which we moved to the Signal Hill. The fourth was captured by the Ninth Kentucky, Colonel Cram, the colors of that regiment being placed upon the gun by Lieut. W. A. Sutherland, of my staff. That regiment advancing upon the enemy, the gun was left in possession of other troops, which arrived after them.
A hard fight ensued at that point, and the enemy was fast re-enforcing, but he was held in check by these parts of regiments till the arrival of General Baird's division in support, when he was, after stubborn resistance, driven in confusion. The Seventy-ninth Indiana and Eighty-sixth Indiana followed down the hill, skirmishing with the retreating enemy, who fled in great confusion. The Seventeenth Kentucky was moved forward to a position indicated by Major-General Granger, supported by the Nineteenth Ohio, and, by his personal command, fired a full volley after the fleeing rebels. This ended the fighting in that front.
Men of the Seventy-ninth Indiana and Eighty-sixth Indiana, and a detail from the Nineteenth Ohio, hauled up from the front three pieces of artillery with limbers and one caisson with limber, which had been run down the hill by the rebels, but in their hasty retreat they were unable to get them farther. Another piece was captured by my men, but was hauled from my front during the night by other troops. I posted the Seventeenth Kentucky on outpost and bivouacked for the night.
Thursday details were made to bury the dead and gather up small-arms. Forty-two rebel dead were buried on the point known as Signal Hill. The captures of my brigade amounted in all to 8 pieces of artillery with limbers, 1 caisson with limber. Besides these pieces three others were taken possession of by my troops, but in the advance they were left with troops who came up in support of us; over 200 small-arms, 176 prisoners, including a Major Fergus, Forty-second Alabama (besides hundreds not receipted for), 1 regimental battle-flag, and 1 Confederate flag, which last, I regret to say, was torn to pieces as mementoes by the capturing troops before brought to the attention of their commanding officers.
In recounting the operations of my command in the advancing of the lines on the 23d, and the charging of Mission Ridge on the 25th, I have to compliment Col. Fred. Knefler, Col. Alexander M. Stout, Col. George F. Dick, Col. Dwight Jarvis, Col. George H. Cram, Col. Charles F. Manderson, and Maj. Robert J. Vanosdol for the discipline and efficiency of their troops, and upon the gallant style with which each vied with the others in doing their utmost to secure a victory to our arms. The advance of the Seventy-ninth and Eighty-sixth Indiana was strongly resisted by the enemy, but led by their gallant commanders, and supported by the advance of the Thirteenth and Fifty-ninth Ohio Regiments in splendid style, succeeded in first planting the national flag on the rebel works on the summit of Mission Ridge.
The advance of my reserve regiments, the Seventeenth Kentucky and Nineteenth Ohio, was under a very heavy fire, but they moved in line in excellent order, and arrived upon the crest soon after the planting of the colors upon it. The Ninth Kentucky was deployed, covering a front of nearly half a mile to the left of my immediate front, and arriving upon the summit of the hill were enabled by the support of other portions of my brigade to drive the enemy and capture artillery.
Col. George H. Cram received a severe wound after arriving on the ridge; but the whole was under the eye of the general commanding the division, and other commanding generals, and further comment is needless. I beg to call your attention to the appended list of casualties, which is surprisingly small compared with the results attained.
Col. Cram, in his report said the advance exhausted the men but they pushed forward till they reached a line of works, when they had scarcely strength to fire; After resting a little they pushed on, the ascent becoming steeper every step, once more exhaustion compelled a halt; starting again, the ascent seemed almost perpendicular, but slowly they climbed to the crest. Many others were up at the same moment and the enemy was driven along the ridge. Having gone about five hundred yards "We met a body of the enemy advancing to meet us and a most desperate fight began, lasting for half an hour, which at time threatened to drive us from the ridge; About dark the firing ceased and the enemy were in full retreat".
Col. Cram reported his losses as being; Officers one killed, five wounded. Enlisted men four killed, twenty-five wounded.
Col. George H. Cram's report follows:
I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Ninth Regiment Kentucky Volunteers from the time of moving out of our works on the evening of the 23d until our return on the night of the 27th November, 1863: We moved out about 1 o'clock on the evening of the 23d, formed double column of divisions on the hillside to the left of Fort Wood, and were immediately ordered by General Beatty to move forward to the reserve station of the brigade picket line, to support the Nineteenth Ohio, which was on picket.
On reaching the reserve, the skirmish line began advancing and was met by a sharp fire from the enemy's line, when I immediately deployed the battalion and moved it forward in support of the Nineteenth Ohio, when I received an order from General Beatty to support both his and General Willich's skirmish line, and moved by the right flank across the Western and Atlantic Railroad some 200 yards, then forward toward the East Tennessee railroad.
During this time the skirmishers had been constantly engaged and had driven the enemy's line steadily back, and the line in our immediate front had reached the railroad embankment, where they seemed to meet with more resistance and ceased advancing. As we were exposed to the fire of the enemy's skirmishers, I ordered the battalion to move forward at double-quick to the shelter of the railroad. During this movement 2 men were wounded.
On reaching the railroad the skirmish line again moved forward. I now received an order from General Beatty to move along the road to the right about 200 yards to a house, cross the road, and advance into the woods with the skirmish line. After advancing some 300 yards, I found the skirmishers halted, and lay there for some time, when General Tyndale's brigade, of General Howard's corps, relieved us, and we moved to the left until we joined the Nineteenth Ohio, where we lay till dark, when we were conducted by Lieutenant Foster to a point where the other regiments of the brigade lay, where we remained until Tuesday evening, the 24th, when five companies of the regiment were ordered on picket.
Wednesday morning, the 25th, about 10 o'clock, I moved out with the remaining five companies with orders to support the line in an advance across an open field some 400 yards wide, bounded on the farther side by a thick wood. We moved forward at double-quick, crossing the field and driving from the woods the Twenty-second Alabama (rebel) Regiment, which fled without firing a gun. We captured 1 prisoner.
Pushing on through the woods we established our line on the edge of the open field extending to the foot of Mission Ridge and in full view and rifle range of the first line of rebel works, some 800 yards distant. Our line connected on the right with that of General Willich's brigade, but the line on our left did not advance with us, and we extended our line to the left by extending intervals and deploying an additional company until it reached the East Tennessee railroad, covering at least 1 mile of front.
About 1 o'clock the left of our line was relieved by General Turchin's brigade, and soon after we received orders from General Beatty to move forward on the first line of the enemy's works at the foot of the ridge at a given signal. About 3 o'clock, hearing the signal, we moved forward, and at once found ourselves exposed to a terrible fire of artillery from the batteries on the ridge and some musketry from the works. Notwithstanding the great number of shells falling and exploding around us we suffered but slight loss and continued to press steadily forward. The men had been ordered to abstain from firing until they reached the work, and did so with scarce an exception.
The speed at which we advanced with the steepness of the ascent, soon exhausted the men, but all pushed forward as fast as they were capable of going until they reached the work, where they fell breathless and exhausted, with scarcely strength left to fire at the enemy, who had fled at our approach, and were flying in confusion up the face of the ridge. We lay behind the works, resting and waiting for the promised support, exposed to the fire of the batteries on the ridge until, seeing no prospect of support coming, we crossed the line of works and pushed on up the face of the ridge now growing steeper every step.
Once more we were compelled from exhaustion and lack of support to halt, sheltering ourselves behind a rail pen, for we were now exposed to a musketry fire from the hill-top. Troops from the first line of works, belonging to Baird's division, now began to come up, and we again moved forward slowly, for the ascent was now almost perpendicular, until we reached the top of the ridge, when the enemy slowly fell back along the ridge to the left, and gaining strength and numbers we pressed them until their retreat became a rout.
We were now joined by troops from many other regiments, who had gained the summit, and continued driving the enemy with occasional halts and fights for nearly 500 yards, when we met a body of the enemy advancing to meet us, and a most desperate fight began, lasting for half an hour, which at times threatened to drive us from the ridge. About dark the firing ceased and the enemy were in full retreat.
No organization of companies or regiment was maintained after leaving the first work. Each man struggled to crown the summit, all seeming to think of the accomplishment of the one great object. After the firing ceased the regiment was gathered together and moved back to the right to a point where the brigade bivouacked, where we lay until Thursday night at 9 o'clock, when we moved into camp behind our works at Chattanooga.
Our loss, considering the character of the work done, was very slight. It sums up as follows: Commissioned officers killed, 1; commissioned officers wounded, 5; enlisted men killed, 4; enlisted men wounded, 25; total, 35.
The battle being over the 9th moved into camp at Chattanooga, not for rest, but to re-equip for the march to Knoxville to relieve Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside. The 9th were at Harrison, Sweetwater, Maryville and Knoxville. The siege (of Knoxville) being raised before their arrival. The regiment then moved up the East Tennessee Valley (presumably into winter quarters).
In February of 1864 it was at Strawberry Plains, in march at Powder Springs and in April at McDonald Station.
Leaving McDonald Station on the 3rd of May to join Sherman’s Army on the Atlanta, Ga., campaign, the regiment was under the temporary command of Lt. Col. Chesley D. Baily. The 9th remained in Wood’s Division, Beatty’s Brigade during this campaign, but Gen. Beatty being sick, Col. Frederick Knefler of the 79th Indiana commanded the Third Brigade.
They arrived at Catoosa Springs on the evening of the 4th of May, where they remained until the morning of the 7th when they moved out, reaching Tunnel Hill at 2p.m. on the 8th.
Later that day, they advanced up Rocky Face Ridge making a diversion to distract the enemy from the movements of Gen.. Charles G. Harkers troops (3rd Brigade, 2nd Division), who were trying to gain possession of Buzzard Roost Pass and the northeastern end of the ridge.
On the 9th they repeated the previous days operations but this time with the loss of 2 men.
On May 10th they remained in camp, exposed to fire from enemy sharpshooters, with one man mortally wounded.
On the 11th they are moved back to the ridge beyond the range of the enemy’s small arms fire and are posted on picket duty that night, remaining on picket duty until 8pm on the 12th. One man was killed during this duty.
On the morning of the 13th, the enemy having evacuated the area, the 9th now moved down the valley and through Dalton, Ga., bivouacking several miles to the South of the town.
On the morning of the 14th the Regiment moved on until the enemy was encountered in force near Resaca. The 3rd Brigade, being held in reserve in an entrenched postion so that it could support the front as well as checkmate any movement that the enemy may have tried to the rear of the division, was not engaged. During the night of the 15th the enemy evacuated his position in and around Resaca and retreated south of the Oostenaula.
On the morning of the 16th, leaving Resaca, the 9th joined in the pursuit of the retreating Confederates and encamped for the night near Calhoun.
Early on the morning of the 17th the pursuit continued. They moved down the railroad tracks, with continual skirmishing being kept up for most of the day with Confederate troops who were defending the enemy’s rear. In the evening, near Adairsville, they were engaged with a strongly positioned enemy force and 1 man was killed by artillery fire. The enemy forces withdrew during the night, making this the third strongly fortified position abandoned by the enemy.
The Regiment moved on, passing through Kingston, without further opposition untill reaching Cassville on the evening of the 19th. The Brigade came under heavy enemy fire, so dispositions for an attack were made, but the Regiment did not become engaged as it was placed in the second line and night fell before the enemy positions were located. The enemy left during the night, abandoning their fourth entrenched position, and retired across the Etowah. The Brigade remained here resting quietly in camp, until the evening of the 23rd.
On May 23rd the entire Army of the Cumberland, taking twenty five days’ subsistance in wagons, cut loose from its line of communication and crossed the Etowah river, heading for the Confederate stronghold at Railway Gap in the Allatoona Hills.
On May 25th the 9th crossed Pumpkin Vine Creek and bivouacked.
On the 26th the Regiment took position to the rear of the Division as reserve, which they maintained throughout the day.
On the 27th the entire Division was formed in six parallel lines, each Brigade being formed in two lines. The order of the Brigades in this grand column of attack was: (1st) Second Brigade, (2nd) First Brigade, (3rd) Third Brigade, all being ready to strike a blow at the enemy's right flank. This action was to become known later as 'The Crime at Pickett's Mill' as styled by one of its' participants, Ambrose Bierce.
Colonel Knefler's report gave the details of the Third Brigade's formation for this attack: "The Brigade was formed in two lines of battle, the front line consisting of the 17th Regiment Kentucky Volunteers, 13th Regiment Ohio Volunteers and the 59th Regiment Ohio Volunteers, the whole line under the command Of Colonel Alexander M. Stout, of the 17th Kentucky Volunteers. The rear line, at supporting distance, was composed of the 19th Regiment Ohio Volunteers, 79th Regiment Indiana Volunteers and the 9th Regiment Kentucky Volunteers, the line commanded by Colonel Charles F. Manderson of the 19th Ohio Volunteers." After much manoeuvring through a widerness which occupied a greater part of the day, the enemy were found near Pickett's Mills. At 4.30pm precisely, the order was given to attack and the column, with its front well covered moved forward.
General Wood said of his Division, "Never have troops marched to a deadly assault, under the most adverse circumstances, with more firmness, with more truly soldierly bearing and with more distinguished gallantry." The First and Second Brigades immediately became engaged; a few minutes passed and the Third Brigade was ordered forward. They moved forward over rough country, passing through the shattered remains of the First and Second Brigades, and were subjected to vigorous shelling until they reached an open field, across which the enemy were positioned. The Third Brigade opened fire, which they kept up until their ammunition was all but exhausted.
Applications (from the 9th Kentucky) for more ammunition were met with the reply that none could be had and that the Regiment would fall back under the cover of darkness. They lay quiet waiting for further orders. At about 10pm the enemy formed in front of the right of the Brigade and pressed rapidly forward shouting demoniac yells intending to gain the rear and capture the Brigade. They were met with a volley - the last cartridges- and the Regiment fell back in good order.
General Wood also stated in his report of the action "It may be truly said of it that it was the best sustained and altogether the fiercest and most vigorous assault that was made on the enemy's entrenched positions during the entire campaign". He continued, "The assault was made without any assistance or cover whatever from our artillery, as not a single piece could be carried with us, on a strongly held position, held by veteran troops and defended by a heavy fire of musketry and artillery. Yet, at the command, the troops, under all these adverse circumstances, moved to the assault with a cheerful manliness and steadiness; more, warming up with the advance, moved with a gallantry and dash that nearly made the effort a complete success".
Colonel Knefler's report of the Battle of Pickett's Mill said, "Officers and soldiers acted most gallantly; the regiments of the second line particularly, who advanced in admirable order over very difficult ground, and determinedly maintained their ground against vastly superior forces". He concluded this report with Officers conspicuous for their gallantry; among the four mentioned is Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey of the 9th Kentucky.
After retiring from the battlefield and moving through dense woods for about three hours, the 9th were placed to the right of the First Brigade and the exhausted men lay down and slept. Loss to the Regiment in this action was 4 killed and 16 wounded.
Between 28th May and 4th June the Regiment was involved in little of consequence other than building and protecting a series of earthworks. During the evening of June 4th, the enemy evacuated their own works in the vicinity of New Hope Church (this was the fifth strongly entrenched position to be vacated).
On the 6th the Regiment moved out onto the Acworth road and into camp in the neighbourhood of Mount Morris Church until the 10th.
On 14th June, the Regiment was engaged in the action which caused the enemy to evacuate Pine Top Knob and retire to his entrenched lines half a mile south. The 9th moved to the top of Pine Top Knob on the 15th. The following night the Confederates again vacated their lines, crossed Muddy Creek, and swung back toward Kennesaw Mountain. Thus he was forced from his sixth strongly entrenched position.
The 9th remained here until the 17th, when they and the rest of the Third Division moved out to relieve the First Division; taking the front, they became engaged with enemy skirmishers. The following morning the 9th Kentucky and 79th Indiana were ordered out to relieve the 17th Kentucky on the skirmish line, both Regiments being placed under the command of Lt. Col. Bailey, with orders to advance. He relieved the line with the 9th Kentucky and held the 79th Indiana in reserve. The line was pushed forward some 200 yards in the face of heavy fire, when they were compelled to stop on account of the line of the Second Brigade being unable to advance. He reported, "The men had come out without breakfast, exhausted by the previous day's operations and a sleepless night. In the evening I relieved the 9th with the 79th. The loss in the 9th Kentucky was 1 Officer wounded, 1 man killed and 5 wounded, that of the 79th was 1 man killed and 3 wounded."
They were relieved before nightfall by the 13th and 55th Ohio. The enemy evacuated his positions (for the seventh time) under cover of darkness and fell back to Kenesaw.
On the 19th June the 9th moved position to the rear of the line occupied by Stanley's Division, bivouacking that night directly in front of Kenesaw; they moved to the right on the 20th to relieve part of the 20th Corps.
On the evening of the 21st the Confederate skirmishers were driven from their barricades in their (the 9th's) front and they moved out with the Brigade advancing their main line 400 yards and fortifying the position gained. These were the last works they built north of Marietta and covered the Marietta and Dallas road.
June 26th Colonel Cram returned and resumed command from Lt Col Bailey.
Lt.Col. Chesley D. Bailey's report from May3 - June26 follows:
I have the honor to submit the following as my official report of the part taken by the Ninth Regiment Kentucky Volunteers in the recent campaign during the time I was in command, viz, from the beginning of the campaign until the 26th day of June, 1864, at which time I was succeeded by Colonel Cram:
Left McDonald's Station on the 3d of May and reached Catoosa Springs, Ga., on the evening of the 4th, where we lay until the morning of the 7th, when we moved out on the Tunnel Hill road. The advance was attended with some skirmishing and occasional artillery firing. Reached Tunnel Hill at 2 p.m., from the top of which the enemy could be plainly seen occupying Rocky Face Ridge, little more than a mile distant.
Lay on the hill until the next morning, the 8th, when we advanced toward the ridge, making a demonstration to detract the attention of the enemy from the movements of General Harker, who was trying to gain possession of the north end of the ridge. Bivouacked at night at the foot of ridge. The operations of the 9th were very similar to those of the previous day, consisting of demonstrations, but were attended with the loss of 2 men, struck by balls fired from the ridge. Bivouacked on the same ground we occupied the previous night.
During the 10th we lay still in camp, exposed to a sharp fire from the enemy's sharpshooters, by which 1 man was mortally wounded. On the 11th moved back to a ridge beyond the range of the enemy's small-arms, and lay all day. Went on picket at dark, relieving Seventy-ninth Indiana, where we remained until 8 o'clock on the night of the 12th, when we were relieved by the Seventeenth Kentucky, and joined brigade, which had moved to a point near the north end of the ridge. Had 1 man killed on picket.
The morning of the 13th showing the enemy had evacuated, we moved around the northern point of the ridge, passing down the valley on the east side through Dalton, bivouacking several miles below. On the morning of the 14th moved on till the enemy was encountered in force near Resaca. Here we lay until the morning of the 16th; the brigade being held in reserve did not become engaged. Moved down railroad track, with but little detention until the evening of the 17th, near Adairsville, where we found enemy strongly posted, and were compelled to halt and make dispositions. Lost 1 man killed by enemy's shell.
Enemy left during night, and we moved on without further opposition until reaching Cassville, on the evening of the 19th, where the enemy were found in heavy force, and dispositions for attack made. My regiment was the left of the second line and did not become engaged, as night came on before the enemy's position was found. Enemy left during night. Lay here until the evening of the 23d. Nothing unusual occurred until the evening of the 25th, when we crossed Pumpkin Vine Creek and bivouacked near the ground on which the Twentieth Corps had fought. On the morning of the 26th we took position to the rear of our division as reserve, which we maintained throughout the day.
On the morning of the 27th we moved off to the left, where the entire division was formed for the purpose of striking a blow at the enemy's right. My regiment formed the left of the second line, under the immediate command of Col. C. F. Manderson, Nineteenth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry. After much moving and maneuvering through a wilderness, occupying the greater part of the day, the enemy were found near Pickett's Mills, and the First and Second Brigades immediately became engaged, and in a very few minutes after the Third Brigade was ordered forward. We moved forward over a rough country, passing through the shattered remains of the First and Second Brigades, subject to a vigorous shelling until we reached an open field, across which the enemy were posted, when we opened fire, which was kept up till our ammunition was exhausted. Night set in, and with it some cessation in the enemy's fire, though we were much annoyed, an enfilading fire coming from a hill to our left. All applications for ammunition were met with the reply that none could be had, and that we would fall back during the night.
Details were made to carry off the wounded, and we lay quiet awaiting orders. About 10 o'clock the enemy formed in front of the right of the brigade, and, giving a signal with bugle, moved forward, intending to gain our rear and capture us. We met them with a volley--the last cartridge--and fell back in good order. After moving about through the dense woods for three hours we were placed in position on the right of the First Brigade, and the exhausted men lay down and slept. The loss of my regiment in this action was 4 killed and about 16 wounded; none captured.
On the morning of the 28th we threw up works, and later in the day, moving to the right, threw up another line, which we occupied until the night of the 30th, when we moved to the right and front, the brigade making connection with the Twenty-third Corps. On the 31st threw up works, which we occupied until the 4th of June, when we moved to the right a short distance, relieving a part of the Fourteenth Corps. During the night of the 4th the enemy evacuated their works in our front, and on the morning of the 6th we moved out on the Acworth road, and went into camp, where we lay until the 10th.
Nothing of interest occurred until the 14th, when we were engaged in the movement that caused the enemy to evacuate Pine Top and the works connected therewith. On the 15th moved on to Pine Top, where we lay until the morning of the 17th, when we moved out, relieving the First Division and taking the front. The enemy's skirmishers were soon encountered, and we advanced for some distance in line of battle, when we halted and lay till dark, when we threw up line of works.
The next morning, the 18th, my regiment and the Seventy-ninth Indiana, also placed under my command, were ordered out to relieve the Seventeenth Kentucky on the skirmish line, with orders to advance the line at a signal. I relieved the line with the Ninth Kentucky, holding the Seventy-ninth Indiana in reserve. At the sounding of the signal the line was pushed forward some 200 yards, in the face of a heavy fire, when we were compelled to stop on account of the line of the Second Brigade on our right being unable to advance. Rain had set in before daylight and fell in torrents during the greater part of the day. The men had come out without breakfast, exhausted by the previous day's operations and a sleepless night, the immediate result of which was a very large increase in the number of sick. In the evening I relieved the Ninth Kentucky with the Seventy-ninth Indiana. The loss in the Ninth Kentucky was 1 officer wounded, 1 man killed, and 5 wounded. That of the Seventy-ninth Indiana was 2 killed and 3 wounded.
We were relieved before dark by the Thirteenth and Fifty-ninth Ohio Regiments. Enemy evacuated during the night, falling back to Kenesaw. Moved out on the morning of the 19th in rear of Stanley's division and bivouacked at night in rear of line occupied by that division, directly in front of Kenesaw. On the evening of the 20th moved to the right to relieve a part of the Twentieth Corps. On the evening of the 21st the rebel skirmishers were driven from their barricades in our front and we moved out with other regiments of the brigade, advancing our main line 400 yards, fortifying the position gained. These were the last works we built north of Marietta, and covered the Marietta and Dallas road. On the 24th we had 3 men wounded on the skirmish line. No movement occurred between this date and the 26th, at which time I was succeeded in command of the regiment by Colonel Cram.
On the 27th the Regiment moved with the Brigade to support General Newton's Second Division while it made an assault on enemy works. The assault was unsuccessful and the 9th were not engaged. The Regiment was ordered back to camp by Colonel Knefler, where they remained until the 2nd July.
General Woods' report of the week's events between the 27th June and the 2nd July states: "Constant skirmishing wore away the second week in front of Kenesaw Mountain and brought us to Saturday night, July 2nd; on that night the enemy evacuated his position around Kenesaw Mountain, being the eighth strong line of works abandoned, and retreated south of Marietta."
On the evening of the 2nd the 9th received orders to move with the Brigade and relieve part of Johnson's Division. Their line was so close to the enemy's that no pickets could be put out.
About 3am on the 3rd they were ordered to move as a a line of skirmishers towards the enemy's works; when they did, they found that the works had been vacated during the night, and the Confederate forces had retreated toward the Chattahoochee River (the 9th line of works to be abandoned).
July 4 the Regiment were engaged with enemy skirmishers as front line of the Brigade, and two men were wounded.
On the morning of the 5th, the Regiment, with the Brigade, marched to within a few hundred yards of Pace's Ferry on the Chattahoochee River; on their arrival they could see the enemy retreating across the river. The 9th went into camp and remained inactive until the 8th July.
Between the 8th and 11th July, the Regiment was employed on picket duty, building works or in camp.
On Saturday July 9th the Confederate troops left the entrenched positions they had built on the north side and passed to the south side of the river.
On the 11th the Regiment received orders to march with the Brigade six miles up river, going in to camp until 12pm on the 13th, when they crossed the Chattahoochee on pontoons.
Between the 13th and 19th they remained in or about this area carrying out picket duty, building works and moving positions.
On the morning of the 19th Col. Knefler ordered the Brigade to march without tent or knapsacks. The 9th was the advance regiment of the Brigade and skirmished all the way to Peach Tree Creek. On their arrival, Col. Cram was ordered to take possession of a piece of high ground that completely commanded the opposite bank, with both the 9th Kentucky and 79th Indiana Regiments.
As he ascended the knoll, he discovered two heavy lines of the enemy's skirmishers on the opposite side of the creek advancing toward the position he was ordered to occupy. On sighting Col. Cram's forces, they temporarily fell back. Shortly afterwards, the skirmishers of the 79th were briskly engaged with those of the enemy for several hours.
Col. Cram then received orders to cross the creek which was about 30 feet wide and 5 feet deep. Fifty skirmishers were hand-picked from each Regiment under the command of Major George W. Parker (79th Indiana) and ordered to go over the creek first and deploy rapidly as skirmishers to drive back the enemy's skirmishers who were on the opposite bank.
The Brigade was moved down the creek some distance, to a point below the enemy's entrenchments on the opposite bank. Here there was a ravine that led down to the creek in such a way as to hide the troops moving down it from being viewed from the opposite shore. The hundred picked men were each provided with a long pole, approximately 30 feet in length, to be used as sleepers for the construction of a bridge, and, so supplied, these parties moved quietly down the ravine to the water's edge and quickly threw the bridgr over the creek. The 100 men passed rapidly over, deployed, and drove back the enemy's skirmishers. The rest of the Brigade quickly followed, deployed, and by flanking the enemy's entrenchments, forced him out and captured some prisoners.
The First Brigade meanwhile, succeeded in throwing another bridge across the creek about 100 yards further up; the two Brigades then entrenched themselves and the lodgement was secure.
The crossing of the creek was achieved under fire from enemy skirmishers and artillery but with little loss to the Brigade. Capt. John G. Dunbar (79th Indiana) replaced Major Parker after he was wounded by a sharpshooter and the skirmish line advanced forward, with their regiments about 150 yards to the rear. The enemy were surprised and driven from their positions. The 79th were placed with their left on the road and their right extended along the river whilst the 9th were placed along the road.
At this time Col. Manderson and his 19th Ohio Infantry reported to Col. Cram, so there were now three regiments defending this position. The enemy had by now recovered from their initial surprise and manoeuvred into position in front of the 79th, with their skirmishers attacking furiously. It looked as if they may turn the tables when the remainder of the Brigade arrived, formed on the right of the 79th and made the position secure. They remained there until relieved by Hazen's Second Brigade and then returned to their camp at Buckhead, arriving there about 10pm.
General Wood reported on the event: "It may be truly asserted that no handsomer nor more artistic operation was made during the campaign".
On the morning of the 20th, the 9th received orders to move with the Brigade. Taking the Decatur road, they marched to a position facing Atlanta on the right od General Stanley's Division.
The following morning, the 21st, the 9th Kentucky, 17th Kentucky and 79th Indiana received orders to move into the line upon a ridge that was completely commanded by enemy skirmishers. They successfully threw up a line of works, but suffered 1 man killed and six wounded.
General Woods' report states: "The day was passed in constructing entrenchments and forcing the enemy back into his line of works inbetween Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta; the day was also marked by some very sharp skirmishing, which fell particularly heavily on the Third Brigade".
At about 6pm, Col. Cram was ordered to move the 9th and 79th to the rear of the First Brigade to cover a gap. As night fell, the enemy abandoned his eleventh line of entrenchments and retired within his defensive works around Atlanta.
The following morning they rejoined the Brigade in line and began marching. After a mile and a half toward Atlanta on the main road, they came across the enemy in in position in heavy works. With the 79th Indiana on their right and the 17th Kentucky on their left, the 9th were ordered to take position on a ridge about one mile from Atlanta, where they threw up heavy works.
On the morning of the 23rd, the enemy opened up on them with artillery and musket fire; finding that they were almost enfiladed by the fire from the enemy's batteries, they were compelled to throw up heavy traverses at the right of each company.
They remained inactive, apart from the daily furious cannonading from the enemy, until the 28th. At about 4pm that day, the 9th and the 79th under Colonel Cram were ordered to advance and support a skirmish line. They advanced and captured the enemy rifle pits without loss to either Regiment. After turning the rifle pits over for the use of their own troops, they returned to camp.
The enemy threw 64 pounder shells at the Union lines the following day, but the Brigade suffered no casualties.
The Brigade remained inactive up until the 16th August when Colonel Knefler ordered the 9th and 79th to go foraging. They went out about 10 miles and returned the same night. They remained inactive again up until the 25th of August when they received orders to march at 10pm.
Between the 25th and 27th August the 4th Army Corps withdrew from its lines in front of Atlanta and carried out a series of marches that took them beyond the extreme right flank of the Union Army and around the enemy's left flank, bringing them into position in his rear. They went into camp near Camp Creek, about three miles from and facing the Montgomery Railroad, at 12pm on Saturday 27th August, where they erected a line of works.
At about 5pm, Colonel Cram recieved orders to take the 9th Kentucky and the 79th Indiana across Camp Creek to reconnoitre the area that General John Newton's 2nd Division would be occupying. They went out about a mile and a half, but encountered no enemy forces. At 8pm they were relieved by a Regiment from General Newton's Division and returned to camp at 9pm.
On the 28th, the Brigade escorted the Corps supply train to within half a mile of Montgomery Railroad and camped there for the night. On the morning of the 29th they moved out onto the tracks and tore up a considerable distance, destroying the rails by fire and then returning to camp for the night.
On Tuesday 30th, the Division resumed its march with the intention of reaching the Macon Railroad, south of Rough and Ready Station. It was considered that the destruction of this last line of Confederate rail communications would inevitably compel the Rebels to evacuate Atlanta.
On 31 st August, the 9th moved in the direction of the railroad and struck it about 4pm, immediately constructing a line of works within three hundred yards of and facing the railroad.
On September 1st at 8am, the 3rd Division marched down to the railroad and commenced tearing up the rails; this was curtailed after an hour or so by an order to move by the Griffin road in the direction of Jonesboro. It was understood that two Corps (Hardee's and Hood's or Lees)were concentrated there. The 3rd Division, in reserve that day and in charge of the Corps Train did not reach Jonesboro until early nightfall and had no opportunity to take part in the engagement which occurred later in the afternoon. Orders were received to mass the 3rd Division in rear of the 1st and 2nd Division of the Corps which were at that time deployed in line of battle, although only light skirmishing was taking place.
During the night orders were given for an attack at daylight, but when morning arrived, the enemy had retreated and entrenched across the railway, about 2 miles north of Lovejoy's Station. General Wood received orders to deploy the 3rd Division into order of battle and advance. When they arrived near the enemy's works the 3rd Brigade was marched to the left on a line with the other Brigades of the Division; on the 3rd Brigades left was the 1st Division of the 4th Corps. The troops were halted to adjust the lines and the Brigade was formed in two lines of battle, covered by a strong line of skirmishers. The first line was composed of the 19th Ohio, 79th Indiana and the 9th Kentucky, (both the 79th and 9th being commanded by Colonel Cram). The other regiments of the Brigade were placed in the second line at supporting distance.
The first line was ordered to advance with skirmishers deployed to the front. After advancing for about 3/4 mile and ascending a high ridge they came upon the enemy's works on a ridge about 400 yards away. The Federals faced Maj. Gen. Pat Cleburne's Corps, whom thery had fought at Pickett's Mill. Colonel Cram received orders to wait until General William Grose's 3rd Brigade of General David S. Stanley's 1st Division could be placed in position on the 9th's left, and, when he advanced, to move the 9th and 79th forward simultaneously.
After waiting about 1/2 hour, Gen. Grose's line advanced and Colonel Cram gave the order to both regiments to move forward. The regiments were obliged to pass through a dense thicket of wild plums for about 75 yards and came under fire as they halted and reformed. When the line advanced again, the skirmishers discovered the enemy strongly entrenched and protected by heavy abatis. The skirmish line being too weak to accomplish anything, a charge was ordered.
Colonel Cram in his report said: "When the line again moved forward it was at a charge. Within about 250 yards of the enemy's works we were obliged to pass through a woods in which the timber and undergrowth was cut down and formed such a dense tangle I found it difficult to get through. The enemy's rifle pits were on the edge of a field, about 250 yards from their main works; these we captured with some prisoners.
Being under fire from the enemy and supposing the brigade on my left had moved forward, I gave the order to move forward and we assaulted the works. The ground in front of their works to their rifle pits was open and a regular slope; a terrible fire of musketry and artillery opened upon us. The brigade on our left not moving forward, we were unable to reach the works and were compelled to fall back in some confusion. Both regiments were rallied at the rifle pits and works thrown up, which we held.
The assault was gallantly made and for a time promised to be successful; had we been supported on our left, the result might have been different".
Colonel Knefler reported: "The line advanced in gallant style with fixed bayonets and without firing a shot, through the abatis and took the first line on the entrenchments. But upon advancing to attack the other line, they were met by a murdereous fire of musketry and artillery, not being supported on either flank and perfectly isolated the brigade fell back in good order to the first line taken and fortified it".
General Wood, who was shot and wounded after giving the brigade commanders orders to make the attack noted: "This was gallantly made under a sharp fire of musketry, grape and canister. The first position of the enemy carried and about 20 prisoners were captured; but the failure of the troops on the left to come up, whereby the brigade was exposed to a flank as well as a direct fire, rendered a further advance impossible, though the effort to do so was made. The front line of the brigade entrenched itself in advance of the captured line of enemy works and held this position till the final withdrawal of the army".
Colonel Knefler concluded in his report of the day's battle: "All the officers did their duty well. Colonel George H. Cram of the 9th Kentucky Volunteers cammanded his own and the 79th Regiment Indiana Volunteers in this charge and almost through the entire campaign and fully displayed his usual bravery and tact. I cannot say too much of him or of Colonel Manderson of the 19th Ohio Volunteers. And Lieutenant Colonel Bailey of the 9th Kentucky Volunteers who was severely wounded, who are always conspicuous for gallantry and skill. The temporary loss of their valuable services will be deplorably felt in the brigade and their respective regiments".
An interesting postscript to this action is recorded in the epilogue of ASBIB :
'Knefler, allegedly drunk, foolishly ordered his brigade to attack the main works. " We forward (sic) and carry the pits in our front with small loss," Woodcock wrote, "and if we had stopped there, all would have been well. But somebody blundered and hallowed for us to charge the main works and forward went three little regiments of our Brigade; 9, 19, 79, through the thickest shower of balls I ever encountered, about 100 yards and lay down a moment, then up and forward again, but alas, what can valor do against equal valor with such fearful odds?"
The 9th suffered 17 casualties at Lovejoy's Station, including Lt.Col. Chesley Bailey, shot through the femoral artery. Woodcock's friend, Turner Hestand, was the only man killed outright.
On September 3rd, the Commanding General of the Grand Military Division of the Mississippi announced that the Atlanta Campaign was terminated. The 3rd Division remained at its position in close proximity to the enemy, constantly under fire from their skirmishers.
On the 5th, the brigade received orders to withdraw and marched along the railroad to its former position at Jonesboro; from there it continued its march by way of Rough and Ready to Atlanta, where it arrived on the 8th September and went into camp. Colonel Cram reported the 9th's casualties during this campaign as 15 killed, 51 wounded.
After leaving their camp at Atlanta, the 9th were involved in the operations against Hood when he attempted his invasion of Tennessee. The month of October was spent in North Georgia, the weather was fine and there was no scarcity of food or water. The 9th retraced the steps where they had toiled all summer. Kenesaw was passed on the 5th of October, when Hood tried to cut the Western and Atlantic Railroad at Allatoona Pass which was the supply lifeline of General William Tecumseh Sherman's Army; the General watched the battle from its top.
Day after day the marching continued until on the 22nd of October when General Sherman's army rached Gaylesville just over the border of Alabama and Hood's army was at Gadsden, also Alabama, preparing to move to Guntersville and from there to Nashville. The pursuit ended.
In November General Sherman took a part of his army, returned to Atlanta and then embarked upon the 'March to the Sea' to Savannah.
The 4th and 23rd Corps were sent to Nashville, to serve under Gen. Thomas against Hood. From Nashville, they were sent to Pulaski, Tn., under Gen. Schofield.
While at Pulaski the term of enlistment of the 9th Ky expired, and it was ordered to Kentucky to be mustered out; at that time Gen. Beatty, under whom the 9th had served so long, gave the following parting words:
To the Officers and Soldiers of the 9th Ky Volunteers:
The General commanding the brigade avails himself of this opportunity to thank you for the manner in which you have at all times performed your duties as soldiers. For your good conduct, whether in your bivouac, on the march, or on the battlefield, he expresses his heartfelt thanks.
While he is loath to lose you as comrades in the great cause for which we are battling, he feels that you have faithfully filled the contract made with your government three years ago, and is glad to see you now enjoy that pleasure, so well merited, of returning once more to your friends at home.
He congratulates you on establishing a reputation for your regiment that is surpassed by none in service; your record is without a blemish. For evidence of your gallantry you can refer with pride to any of the many battles in which you have been engaged. For no act of yours during the campaign of three years have you cause to regret: on no battlefield have you ever betrayed that great confidence reposed in you as a regiment.
You have done honor to yourselves, honor to your state, and nobly have you defended the great cause for which three years ago you pledged your all. Those of you who are left can now go to your homes with the satisfaction of knowing that you have done your whole duty.
But while congratulating you who are about to return to your friends at home, we must not forget the gallant dead whom you have left upon many a crimsoned field, and who, by their deeds of noble daring, assisted you in making your regiment the pride of your state.
Go to their friends, when you arrive at home, and carry to them the sincere sympathy of this brigade, and accept the congratulations and well wishes of all for yourselves.
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