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St♦Big BattleI hat MadeC*inv-tdartyin1Historyguns to begin the attack on Mission Ridg§.The soldiers were supposed to step at the foot of the hill where we were stationed, but without orders they went ahead, stormed the hill and overcame the rebels, w ho thought ] i the advance a grand parade instead of a serious attack.■A*eele(This ia the fifth installment of theCivil War experiences of Andrew W. jUllom, of Athens.)By ANDRtVV W. LLLOM75»i-10idr-rsm.1-ofi**We remained there at the shoals during the bitter winter of 1£63 and 1S64. and although we had fires in the first and second stories, we almost froze because of the extremelycold weather. It was said that during this winter the mules* feet froze in the mud and they had to be shot, such was the severity of the cold.iAlter the enemy realised what was happening they began to destroy their magazines and stores, but it was too late, They began a grand retreat with the Union forces in hot pursuit. While General Sherman was following the rebels to Atlanta, our regiment was left at Chattanooga, so we did not participate in the March to the Sea. We remained there till October, when we were sent back to Ohio to be discharged a* our term o: service had expired.ctcfcPV IN SHOT DOWN*SHERMAN'S TROOPS ARRIVEiet-►is8-When General Grant took command of the army at Chattanooga, he sent General Sherman to reinforce us.nisevneeEVrThey crossed the river at Bridgeport and again at Brown's Ferry.Crossing Moccasin Point, they marched four or five miles aboveChattanooga to Chickamuga Creek.where they went in camp. The marching was all done after nigh*, so that the enemy did not know of their progress.When the movement against Lookout Mountain and Mission P,idge wasstarted, a detail of our regiment was sent to help ferry Sherman's men across the Tennessee River. We used what wti known as the Cincinnati pontoon for that purpose. First we ferried over enough men to capture the outposts and dig rifle piU thus protecting the pontoon bridge in the bunding, and while the men were crossingWhile we were at Murfreesboro, several incidents took place that were of considerable interest at the time. General Stanley's Division had captured a spy and had him m the guard house A Union soldier was there for some trivial oftensc and discovered the spy in the act dt escaping. The spy made his way by the mam road out of camp but the soldier being familiar with the camp, took a short cut and was awaiting the Southerner near our camp The Union soldier ordered the spy to halt but was not obeyed so he fired twice and killed the spy. The noise of the firing created, quite a commotion among us. coming as It did in the night, and meaning we knew not what. When we discovered the cause of the excitement, we were content to go back to sleep During the war, the civil law wassuperceded by martial law, and crimes were tried by military courtMURDERER In EXECUTEDj ttI\!IIMurfreesboro*The single pontoons were approximately 20 feet long and 6 or T feet wide, they were anchored in theriver and stringers were put acrossitom one boat to the other Flooring w as laid on these and a substantial bridge resulted.ARMY CKObNEN BRIDGEAft«r :t« bridge »■»* constructed. Sherman*, tray cro**ed and ettab* tithed themtelve* without any inter*foresee from the enemy, at they were unaware of the maneuver. After our work *a» done they gave ua one of ©a? own make of pontoons, arad * e floated down to Chattanooga where wo wjtuettod the battle of LocKOut Mountain The neat day thus odtee detail waa »ent out to the foot of Muwioa Ridge, in order to build any bridges that were r.ecea* 9*ry acroea the rreeka or to remove any obetaciea that were In the way of the army We waited there cat:) the A-my of the Cumber Sand of • ,-.kJs Oe-.era! Tf-oaau wa* the eom-maader. waa *- ta the figa. of iakilled a man was tried by this court and found guilty. When the execution took place the whole army cf 50 000 was assembled to witness it. It was a very simple affair; twoposts were set in the ground and a beam placed on top of them to which a rope was attached. The doomed man was brought there in a wagon with his coffin. When the nooee waa adjusted and the black cap pulled down the wagon was driven away, leaving him suspended yi the air, thus ending his career,It was at this town that Joe Miller an J Woodson Daniel* came toour camp and asked for protection. As this was before the Emancipation Proctarnation* they were not yet freeand we had to conceal them m our tents. Their masters who soon appeared were told that no sjcb persons nad been mere Thtee former Slavas {moved themselves very useful to the company gooking and wash* lit; for the men THey came hack to Athens with the regiment and became useful crtixeaa*1! I r* r
Newspaper Details
Athens Sunday Messenger
Athens, Ohio, US
Sun, May 01, 1932
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Abbot S.
USA 19 Nov 2020
Other Publications Near Athens, Ohio
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