Fourth Tennessee Infantry
by Luke W. Finlay, Memphis, Tennessee
Organization : Rufis P. Neely, Colonel; Otho F. Strahl, Lieutenant Colonel; John F. Henry, Major; Lieutenant Henry Hampton, Adjutant; James A. Williamson, Sergeant-major; E. A. Belcher, Assistant Quartermaster; Dr. Junins Williams, Surgeon; Dr. L. P. Yandell, Assistant Surgeon; Rev. William C. Gray, Chaplin.
The company organization was this, to wit: Shelby Grays, Co. A, James Sommerville, Captain; Pillow Guards, Co. B, James Fentress, Captain; Wigfall Grays, Co. C, R. P. Bateman, Captain; Releigh Volunteers, Co. D, Andrew J. Kellar, Captain; Harris Guards, Co. E, James H. Deare, Captain; West Tennessee Riflemen, Co. F, R. L. White, Captain; Lauderdale Invincibles, Co. G, John Sutherland, Captain; Tennessee Guards, Co. H, Benjamin F. White, Captain; Tipton Rifles, Co. I, John B. Turner, Captain; Dyer Guards, Co. K, H. L. Fowlkes, Captain.
The historian who wrote the Gallic wars would have had a difficult task had he undertaken merely the history of the famous Tenth Legion. The same besets one giving the life of the Fourth, not less distinguished for all soldierly qualities. That fought for conquest; this for honor. Composed of young men, the flower of the youth and chivalry of Hardeman, Obion, Dyer, Gibson, Lauderdale, Tipton, and Shelby counties, it numbered nine hundred and sixty-three men, rank and file. The rendezvous was Germantown, May 15, 1861. They were mustered into service by Gen. William H. Carroll, and on Saturday, May 18, perfected their organization. Company positions were assigned by lot. The regiment was the right regiment of it's brigade. May 20th, the Fourth came to Memphis, and embarked on the steamer Ingomar for Randolph. Here, with other regiments, it formed the river brigade under Gen. John L. T. Sneed; drilled and built earthworks. July 18, it embarked for Ft. Pillow, where it drilled and did guard duty. August 17th, was mustered into the service of the Confederate States by Lieut. J. A. Smith, afterward Brigadier-general, under Brig.-gen Pillow. Soon after we moved to New Madrid, Mo.; thence to Camp Benton, Scott county, Mo., on a feint; thence back to New Madrid, September 3; and on the 5th were ordered to Columbus, Ky., and here did guard duty, drilled, and fortified. November 7th, Gen. Grant, with a small, select force, penetrated into a regimental camp at Belmont, and was driven hurriedly back to his boats, the Fourth going accross as a reserve, just in time to assist some of the wounded from the field - recrossing the Mississippi after night to it's camp. Here we first met Albert Sidney Johnston. One day, in simple dress, with one attendant, as was his wont, he rode through the encampment, and struck our regimental pickets on the northern line. "Halt!" cried the sentry. "Will you not let us pass?" said he. "No, sir; nobody passes here without a pass from Gen. Johnston." "Will you let him pass?" "Not unless I know him know him," said the young man, not suspecting he was that great soldier. "I would if I knew him." Capt. Kellar, the officer of the day, seeing him, said: "Let Gen. Johnston pass." At this he presented arms , and the great soldier, lifting his hat, said, "You are right; the country can depend upon those who do their duty," and rode by. February 4, 1862, we went to Island No. 10, and for a few brief hours were under shot and shell from the Federal gun-boats. It did not alarm the boys. Four were playing cards - sitting Turkish fashon on the ground. A shell struck the pack of cards, and burrying itself in the ground in their midst covered them with dirt, and broke up their game. Thence we went to New Madrid, which place Gen. Pope was threatening. The night, March 4th, after a snow-storm - a cold, bitter night - we were ordered out on front to picket the place, and at 11:30 o'clock P.M. were saluted by Gen. Pope's fruitless night attack, enlivened by a noisy artillery fire. Our batteries replied, upon learning the position of the Fourth by the clear, silvery tones of Col. Strahl, at some distance, recognized by a former member of the regiment , then in another command. At the end of two days we left for Island No. 10. On the 17th, went to Tiptonville, and embarked for Memphis, arriving there March 20th, and left at 5 P.M., on the Memphis and Charleston railroad, for Corinth, Miss., near which place we encamped until April 2nd, at which date we started for Shiloh. Upon the transfer of Capt. White to the artillery service, Lieut. Hampton was promoted to the captaincy. Upon the resignation of Capt. Sommerville, Lieut. Thomas H. Francis was elected Captain. By sickness, death, transfers, and promotions our numbers had rapidly decreesed, and now we numbered five hundred and twelve men for action. Friday, at 4 P.M., we were in the hail-storm, and when the sun shone out so beautifully the Adjutant read the inspiring battle order of Gen. Johnston. Saturday night we quietly bivouacked without bugle-sound or camp-fire, and slept well. At daylight, the 6th, we moved rapidly forward, and later, on our way into the Federal camps, the shells hurled over our heads as Gen. Johnston was leading us into position, and we were about to give him a hearty cheer when he waved his hand and pointed to the Federal battery, by manner and look indicating his desire that we give our country quiet, determined action. As we lay in the richly provided Federal camps awaiting orders, the unhappy incident occurred which lost us our gallant Major. A Confederate staff officer, overjoyed with the success of our arms, with a splendid United States flag in his hands, rode rapidly in front of our lines, and certain of our soldiers in another corps, mistaking him for a Federal officer, poured a volley at him, and then fell the lamented Maj. John F. Henry. Just then a Federal battery of six pieces, finely mounted, strongly supported by infantry - perhaps the Fifteenth Michigan - and other regiments, just on the brow of the gentle elevation that overlooked the thick undergrowth across the road in the immediate front, and the open field that lay to the left and front, and the ravine a little farther to the front, and the Federal camps on the gentle hill where we lay, was playing upon our lines, and had successively and successfully repelled several assaults. Hindman's brigade was to our right, and we were the extreme right of Stewart's brigade. These Federal pieces were well manned. They poured a destructive fire upon our line. Here the Fourth made one of the most splendid charges in the annals of war. The order was gived at 10:20 A.M., to move to the left; then to the front; then by companies into line; and forward under cover of the undergrowth - then to charge the battery. Under a heavy and constant fire the Fourth quickly drove back the supporting regiments, and captured the splendid pieces. William Preston Johnston, in the biography of his father, Albert Sidney Johnston , puts the incident in these words: "Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston himself led A. P. Stewart's brigade further to the right, and put it into the fight. Stewart, then acting under Bragg's orders, advanced the Fourth Tennessee to take a battery. Stewart asked the gallant Lieut. Col. Strahl if they could take it. 'We can try,' answered Strahl, and led the Fourth Tennessee to the charge at double-quick. Giving one round at thirty paces, they rushed with a yell and took the battery, driving off the supports. But they lost thirty-one men killed and one-hundred and sixty wounded in this charge." After the capture , and while the men rested near the pieces, a Federal lieutenant wounded in the arm, an officer in the battery, who had stuck to his guns, and fallen into our hands, got up and said, "I will go over to our men," and deliberately started; and one of the boys saying, "Well, go," he did so. At this early stage a wounded prisoner was not highly prized. Our loss in the battle was nearly one-half the number, killed and wounded, greater, perhaps, than any Confederate regiment - not so great, however, as the Ninth Illinois, which lost in killed one in ten, and in wounded nearly one in every two. The captured guns were turned on the foe, and were brought off the field. The Fourth was actively engaged the residue of the day, and on the 7th serving as a nucleus at one time on which was formed the line of battle on that day, and a charge made under the immediate supervision of Gen. Beauregard.
The heroic dead of the Fourth at Shiloh are these: Co. A - John H. Roberts, H. Cassety, J. L. Wemys, R. S. Ackerly, John H. Seabrook, Sam Lapsley, S. B. Fields, P. L. Gooch, B. C. Vickers; Co. B - Lieut. L. M. Brown, L. H. Toone, P. D. Davis, T. J. Powell, T. N. Prewitt, W. M. Sheets, J. K. P. Turner; Co. C - S. M. McKinney, J. Reed, J. M. Rodgers, B. Montcrief, J. C. Goodman, A. Strauss; Co. D - E. M. Messick, Ed Evans, J. F. McGehee; Co. E - C. K. Vorhees, John Lahey, A. J. Browder; Co. F - Capt. R. L. White, John W. Barker, Thomas W. Hill, William Lassiter, William McCall; Co. G - Capt. John Sutherland, J. P. Carson, H. Dunnevant, W. A. Ledbetter, J. B. McIntyre, B. F. Pillow; Co. H - M. H. King, M. O'Brien, W. B. Spratts, William Wade; Co. I - O. H. Stansbury; Co. K - W. J. Caruthers, T. C. Ferguson. Our Major, John F. Henry, and other noble ones mortally wounded.
Returning to Cornith our ranks were further depleted by sickness. April 25, 1862, the regiment reorganized under the following officers. Otho F. Strahl, Colonel; Andrew J. Kellar, Lieutenant-colonel; Luke W. Finlay, Major; E. R. Vernon, Surgeon; S. P. Green, Assistant Surgeon. We reached Tupelo, Miss., June 11, and on July 23rd went by cars to Mobile; thence by boat to Montgomery; thence by rail to Chattanooga, where we drilled and disciplined daily. Here the boys practiced the skirmish drill, which gave them such reputation for the skirmish fight. We had an experienced bugler, Mr. John W. Cox, who gave us great assistance with his bugle, and for his faithfulness, promptness, and regularity as a soldier, was promoted to the post of brigade bugler, and was known in the brigade under the nom de plume of "Blow-your-horn-Cox."
August 17th we started on the Kentucky campaign, crossed the river, went over Waldron Ridge, up Sequatchie Valley, and with such perfect dicipline that this whole brigade seemed to move as one man. The apples and peaches overhung the fences, but were untouched. We went thence through Pikeville, over the mountains; being not a little excited by the midnight stampede, which unexpectedly gave a nice mountain walk to certain officers. Thence through Sparta to Gainsboro, wading the Cumberland River; going thence to Green River, Ky.
We occupied our position in the rapid march, and in the sudden investment of Munfordsville at daylight, Sept. 19, 1862, when the Federals surrendered. The advance to Bacon Creek, the building of camp-fires, the sudden recall, that wet and dismal night, the bivouac in the rain, the onward movement through Elizabethtown to Bardstown, to Perryville, thence to Danville, and the encampment at the Big Spring near Harrodsburg, were without contest. However, just as we got ready for a night's rest, orders to march came. We left about sunset, Oct. 7th, reaching Perryville about midnight, and lay in the open field on our arms, until aroused early on the 8th by the skirmishing on the front. Remaining on the left until about 3 P.M., Gen. Polk led us to the extreme right. Here was uttered by some soldier the humorous remark: "Run, Molley Cotton-tail, run! If I had no more intrest in the fight than you, I would run too."
Here the Fourth took a brilliant part in the final charge throught the cornfield, right up to Buell's reserve battery, driving the gunners from it. Doubtless the Twenty-first Wisconsin - a brave and veteran regiment - and the supporting Ohio and Illinois troops, felt it's impetuous force and fire; as it went through the grove, passed by where the Federal battery was captured and Jackson fell, over the fence, into the field, across the little drain, over the little ridge, and in the face of an enfilading fire silenced the reserve battery mentioned with honor in Buell's report, about for hundred yards in advance to the right and front of our brigade line. No doubt the Federals in the thicket to our left front wondered at the daring of the Fourth as it moved right up to the cannon's mouth, the sudden ceasing of the firing, the laying down of the boys, the sudden volley on them, and the rapid movement to the water-gap just as they were moving their flag to the rear. No doubt the survivors of that day remember the remark of Tucker, of the Thirty-third - standing six feet and six inches - who came to our part of the fight, and having the center of his forehead struck by a ball, glancing upward pealing off his hair, said, as he threw his gun to the ground: "There! that would have killed brother George as dead as Hector!" (His brother was one inch taller.) And they will remember, moreover, the remark of the fearless Capt. Oscar Gilchrist, made in the field when the boys were ordered to lie down. Standing as erect as an indian, he said: "Lie down! if you don't the Yankee will shoot you!" Many will remember the re-forming on the battle-flag at the water-gap by Lewis White, who snatched it up as it's gallant bearer fell, and placed the broken staff in the muzzle of his rifle.
For that day's matchless fight the Fourth won the honor of placing the "inverted cross cannon" on it's battle-flag - purchased, though, by the death of the Christian, Hugh Banks, and other noble men to the extent of about one-third of those present for duty. Nor will the survivors forget carrying the wounded from Buell's reserve battery to the hospital, the taking from the field by each soldier of an extra rifle to the place of bivouac near the rock fence; nor the deliberate march next day, after the sun rose so brilliantly, to Harrodsburg. Here our boys fully equipped themselfs with Enfield rifles, exchanging their old guns for these new ones taken from the foe on that bloody field.
After a few days at camp Dick Robinson, the regiment took it's place in the rapid march to Cumberland Gap - preserving, as usual, it's discipline and esprit du corps, and it's wonted cheerfulness in the midst of hardships, and with it's rations of "flour and fat beef without salt."
Illustrative of the discipline - on this march a soldier shot through the chest with a ramrod, and which was sticking out of his breast and back, was found marching out of his place by an officer of the Fourth brigade (officer of the day), and upon being asked if he would not prefer his place in the company , said, "No; this suits me." "How are you wounded?" said the officer. With his rifle and equipments complete, he pulled his clothing from his breast, and said, "There it went in;" and then turning his back to the officer and removing his clothing, said, "Here it came through." Dr. Frank Rice pulled the ramrod out of the soldier.
Moving thence to the right of Rogersville to it's bivouac of snow at Knoxville, by cars to Bridgeport, by boat across the river - some "cooning" the bridge; bycars thence to Tullahoma, whence, after a brief rest, it marched to by Manchester to Murfreesboro, where Bragg awaited Rosecrans. Here the Fourth and Fifth were consolidated for drill and field purposes.
December 31st came, and the Fourth occupied the right of Stewart's brigade, as usual, and was ready to participate in the grand movement of the army as it swung round on the right of Cheatham's division, three hundred yards in the rear, and supporting Wither's. Stewart's brigade met on the bridge of battle Robert's of VanCleve's lying in wait, likewise in the second line, which resulted in an impetuous charge and the driving back of Robert's force, that moved like regulars, and even in defeat preserved some regularity of movement. When the brave Robert's fell - a hero held in honor by his wounded and dying comrads - he received the rite of burial in his oil-cloth, at the hands of the writer, with the approval of Gen. Stewart, for his soldierly qualities. The Fourth bore it's part in the capture of the pieces of artillery wrested from a brave foe, and remained on the battle-field until the retreat was ordered Saturday night, Jan. 3, 1863, at 11 P.M., when it quietly moved to the encampment near Shelbyville, and did out-post duty at Guys Gap until June 28, 1863, at which time the army commenced the backward movement which ended at Chattanooga, spending the rest of the summer there. July 28, 1863, Col. Otho F. Strahl was commissioned a Brigadier, took charge of the brigade, which was henceforth known as Strahl's. Andrew J. Kellar was commissioned Colonel, ordered to report to Richmond, and was assigned to duty with Gen. Brent in the Inspector-generals Department, where he remained until just before we reached Nashville, Dec., 1864. Luke W. Finlay was commissioned Lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. Henry Hampton, Major, of the Fourth. September 18th and 19th the Fourth participated in the important movements of the brigade, and a second time met the same troops encountered at Murfreesboro. In one of the movements to the rear in this hotly contested field of charges and counter-charges, fell the heroic Lieut. W. W. Webber, executing with the Fourth the dangerous movement of a retreat under fire, with the words "Boys, keep your lines dressed!" on his dying lips; than whom a braver never , gave his life for his country, and whose name was inscribed on the roll of honor.
As the retreating Federals moved to Chattanooga the Fourth followed close in the line of fire. The investment of the Federals, with their line of supplies and recruits open, only gave rest to the troops. Here, under artillery fire, the Rev. John Miller Scharar was nominated Chaplin of the Fourth, and well and worthily did this man of simplicity and worth, with good words and works, do his duty, and attach the boys to him as a man of God.
At length, the Federals having dislodged those in charge of Raccoon and Lookout mountains, the 26th of November came, and the Fourth, for the first time, recieved a charge. About the hour of 4 P.M. the advance began; and as they approached, under the inspiration of the siege pieces in their rear and the many field pieces, the fifty pieces on our side opened and joined in the continuous roar of the deadly conflict from the summit above. At this place the Fourth with the Fifth was posted in the rifle-pits prepared by Gen. Bushrod Johnson, as a reserve skirmish force, about one hundred and fifty yards in rear of the Thirty-first and Thirty-third, who were deployed as skirmishers. The Federals, preceded by a skirmish line, advanced in three separate lines of battle. After driving back the skirmishers and breaking the first line of battle, Col. McNeill with the Thirty-first and Thirty-third retreated. As he passed the rifle-pits he said to the officer in charge, "Why don't you open fire?" "I will," said he, "as soon as you uncover our front." This done, he said, "Ready! Aim! Fire!" and three hundred guns opened on the Federals again advancing with colors flying, and again they were broken. In the midst of the firing an heroic Ensign, rallying his men, was gallantly moving to the front, when private W. C. King, of the Fourth, noted for accuracy of his shot, was directed to fire at him. At the crack of his rifle the brave man fell forward on the colors he bore so well. The forces in our front broken, six or seven Ensigns of broken regiments, assisted by their officers, were rallying their men off to our right and front. They covered a small space of ground in fine range. Then the order was clearly given, "Right oblique, fire!" and the guns were turned on them, and they too were dispersed. At this juncture - not an organized body being in our front, the skirmishers as far as the eye could reach to the right being driven to the ridge, and the Federals being in hot pursuit - an order came to us to retreat to the top of the ridge. Accustomed to the skirmish fire, on their way up to the top, from time to time they turned on the foe. Not one was badly hurt in the pits, but nearly one-third were disabled or killed in the ascent. Once on the summit, the boys falling in the attenuated line of battle, resumed the contest, and continued until the Federals had gained the left center of our army, to our right, and were moving almost on us on our right flank; and then, Strahl's being alone in the line of battle, and the last in that part of the field - both flanks being exposed - Gen. Strahl, in the presence of our division commander, Gen. A. P. Stewart, ordered a retreat to the opposite ridge. Private Goodloe, intent on his work, did not hear this order and seeing the soldier to his left - the extreme left of the regiment moving to the rear, called out to him, " Here's the was to gain your independence;" and with the words loaded his piece, aimed, and fired. The comrad turned and said the order was given to retreat. Goodloe rammed down another cartridge, emptied his gun once more, and looking to the right and left said, "I'll gain my independence that way too," and hurried from the field. This was done in the presence of the Federals. With this brigade the Fourth covered the retreat to Chickamauga, bivouacking on the opposite bank for the night. Early the foe was after us, and we were ordered with the brigade to report to Patrick Cleburne, to cover the hazardous retreat. Without cavalry, by double-quicking, forming line of battle, and alternating with other regiments, this was done. Not the least exciting scene was the quiet and orderly movement by the bivouac of the sleeping Federals near the junction of the two roads, after night, their camp-fires burning. We bivouacked near the Chickamauga opposite, and distant from Ringgold, Ga, about a mile. After daylight the order came to move, and without much ado the Fourth left their lowly couch, fell into line close by the advancing foe, and moved in quick time, and that November morning waded the cold waters of the Chickamauga and passed just beyond the celebrated gap where Cleburne lay in ambush and inflicted such a heavy blow upon the too hasty advance, where five flags were captured, and Ringgold Gap passed into history. This ended the pursuit. We reached Dalton Nov. 29, 1863. Going into winter-quarters, we drilled, disciplined, recuperated, and got ready for the memorable Georgia campaign. Here by the election of the Fourth, young Mullins was made Ensign.
May 7, 1864, those days of strategy began, and lasted seventy-one days, sixty of which we were under fire. Our prominent engagements were Dug Gap, Mill Creek Gap, Resaca, Ellsbury Mountain, Kennesaw, Atlanta July 20th and 22nd; Jonesboro, Aug 1st and Sept. 1st; suffering severely. At Ellsbury Mountain the Fourth was sent out on the skirmish line, and occupied it's position at daylight, driving in the Federals. Here was one of the hot contests of the war. The boys resolutely held their position. At some points scarcely fifty yards intervened in the open woods. Privater Halley shot eighteen times, the finest he ever got, and then had a ball pass through his body and arm. His Lieutenant seized his gun and occupied his place. After two shots he was disabled. Our loss in killed and wounded was about thirty-three and one-third per cent of those on duty.
At Kennesaw we occupied the left of the "Dead Angle," where fell so many Federals. A soldier trying the hollow chestnut in our front, and preceiving that balls went through, quit it, dug a trench at night, so as to hide himself and enable him to pick off our boys. As he threw out the dirt with his spade near our lines and just below us, his strategy was observed, and at once the boys threw some big stones nearly straight up, so as to fall on him below. They struck him and he cried out; " That is not fair war, to throw rocks when you are behind logs!"
The flank movement, near where fell the brave McPherson, was a trying hour to our boys. Some of our bravest and best were killed and wounded. From Jonesboro we retreated to Lovejoy, but moved back Sept. 6th, going thence to Palmetto, whence began the disastrous flank movement into Tennessee. The latter part of October found us at Tennessee River awaiting pontoons. We delayed near Tuscumbia and Florence about two weeks, then took up our line of march, flanking Columbia, and reaching Spring Hill Nov. 28. Private J. T. Puckett, with a furlough in his pocket - for his home was near by - expecting a fight, said, " I'll wait till after the battle." Brave Puckett died at Franklin. In this rash yet grandly heroic charge at Franklin, the Fourth had it's place on the left of the pike, where it planted it's colors upon the main works. Here Lieut. James K. Murphy, a brave soldier (who had been baptized in the Mississippi River by Chaplain Gray), and a few others, leaped the works and passed Federal prisoners over them to the rear. Here fell, in the midst of the regiment he loved so well, and in the arms of Acting Aide-de-Camp private James E. Beasley - right upon the works - the gallant soldier, the first tactitian in the Army of Tennessee, the noble Otho F. Strahl; and close by also fell his staff officers Capt. Johnston and Lieut. Marsh. Picton at Waterloo with his skeleton brigades made not a grander charge than did Strahl at Franklin. On the opposite side of the pike, leaping the works, brave Dick Cahill, of the Twenty-first, was bayoneted to death; and just behind, the matchless Cleburne fell.
December 1st was occupied in burying the dead and caring for the wounded. That was a sad picture: Strahl and staff, who died together, sent in his ambulance - their warfare over - to sleep in the beautiful church-yard of Ashwood, near Columbia.
On to Nashville we started December 2nd, and remained their untill the 15th, when late in the afternoon we were ordered to the left, and placed on the front of the slope that lies to the left of the high hill near Granny White pike, next Gen. Tom Smith's command on it's summits and sides. After the fight had opened, and continued until late in the day, Ligon, a veteran soldier in the infirmary corps, said to the officer of the Fourth: "Stop here, Colonel - see there!" He pointed to the right wing of the Army of Tennessee in full retreat, visible from where he stood. Immediately pointing to the top of the hill, said he: "See the stars and stripes there!" Nothing was left but to retreat. The Fourth was ordered to retreat to the Gap west of Franklin pike, and not to study the order of it's going. On the summit we re-formed with other commands, but discovering the Federals flanking us, moved on rapidly toward Franklin pike, exchanging a few shots with the Federals on the ridge to our right. Discovering the enemy posted on the pike a little in advance of us, we moved parallel to the pike and emerged near Brentwood, when the army that night was almost in chaos. We bivouacked on the road-side, and crossed the Harpeth River early December 17th. The Fourth was ready for work, and was in line of battle, to cover the retreat, near Spring Hill, and again on the banks of Rutherford Creek, cooperating with the cavalry in this work. Across the river Gen. Hood rode up to the officer in charge of the Fourth, who at this time by seniority was commanding the brigade, and asked, "What brigade is this?" Upon being informed "Strahl's," he said: "I desire to organize a strong infantry reserve under Gen. Walthall to cooperate with the cavalry, and under Gen. Forrest cover the retreat of the army until I get across the Tennessee; and I know no troops I can call upon with greater confidence in it's being well done than you Tennesseans. Will this brigade volunteer for that duty!" Upon being answered in the affirmative, he said: "Then report to Col. Field." Many were ill-clad and unshod - some with their feet wrapped with pieces of blanket - some actually bleeding tramping on the frozen ground. On this retreat came the sternest trials of the war; some even turning their backs on their homes. The Fourth was present that night in the snowey bivouac - gave it's quota of the two hundred who at 4 A.M. next day were at the front guarding the crossings of Duck River in front of Columbia. The soldiers were without rations - the day bitterly cold. Some few, who happened to have friends aware of the situation, were handsomely fed by the hospitable Columbians. The Federals were content not to provoke a contest on this frozen ground, and with the turbid, swollen river between. At 9 A.M. Maj. Estes, with his Texans, relieved us. A Federal officer dashed along their lines evidently instructing the pickets to fire on us as we were being relieved. No doubt there was an honorable truce, as the Federals, at first, turned their guns upward. The Texans, not aware of it, brought their pieces down on them, and they scampered away - exchanging shots, however. Here the veteran Capt. Hayes fell. As we rejoined our regiment on the pike, Gen. Forrest was in the act of giving a cavalry Major his mind, and closed his brief and pointed reprimand with these words: "You ought to have you -- neck broken for letting the Yankees cross while you were stuck up in that cabin." Near Pulaski, where the two ridges converge making the apex at the road , the infantry was thrown across, and infantry guards were stationed with instructions from Forrest to allow none to pass without his written permit, or a bullet-hole through them. This order was obeyed. As usual on this trip a hot skirmish was going on, and only a short distance from the guard. Quite a number of wounded cavalrymen passed. One soldier dashed up to this guard detailed from the Fourth, and demanded the right of way. This was refused. He exhibited an old forage order. It was not recognized. He was furious; demanded to know if any commissioned officer was present in charge; rode up to him; stated the case; declared his intention to pass, and started that movement. "Corporal, don't let him pass," was the order given. The sentry brought his gun to a "ready," and he then said, "I'll report you to Gen. Forrest." At the head of the column, now near dark, came Gen. Forrest, and the man dashed up to him and told his story. Thereupon Gen. Forrest instantly turned to the officer in charge of the guard and said, pointing to the furious soldier, "Shoot him;" but he hastily returned to his place in the ranks. There was no more straggling that evening.
Within the intrenchments at Pulaski we bivouacked that night. Next day, Christmas 1864, we moved through Pulaski early in the day, across the stream near by Anthony's Hill. Here the capture of a fine field piece, and a nice strategic suprise dampened the ador of our pursuers and gave good cheer to our troops. We, with Reynolds, lay in the reserve. When this work was done, commenced that long, cols, cheerless march, through that half ice and half water, down that winding road to Sugar Creek. The icy pathway; the blood-stained track; the crashing tramp; the sad moan of that unhappy household, one of whose sons lay sleeping at Franklin, another of whom, true to his colors, was about to turn his back on the home of his youth; that tedious march after various movements of the day - all these testify the soldierly qualities of those resolute men. Next day the Fourth turned about, ready, determined, fearless, with her brave compeers, and taking position, awaited the onset of the well-equipped and victorious legions of the North - Reynolds on our right, the rest of our brigade on the left. Here, just in our front, Forrest convened the brogade and regimental officers, and giving instructions said: "When the infantry break their lines, I'll turn Ross in on 'em." Col. Field - a wiry and heroic soldier, whose silvery voice could be heard in the roar of musketry, having under him his own and Strahl's old brigade - immediately replied with spirt: " We have no such soldiers; we don't break our lines." Forrest perceiving the double construction of his words were capable of, and said at once: " I don't mean that. I mean when you break the lines of the enemy, I'll throw Ross's Texans in on them and rout them." We had rested, and hastily put up some works and were waiting. The fog still covered our front. Reynolds occupied the level valley between the gentle rise and the stream, our Tennessee brother forces the hillock an on to the left where the stream ran right up against the bluff. The Federals came in force, crossed at the bridge, and moved in line of battle, and some came opposite Fields left. When they came near enough, the firing commenced vigorously on our right and left, we holding our fire until they came right near us, and the battle raged on both sides of us. Then the order to advance was given, and then the rapid charge was made that hurled back the impetuous foe, who had incautiously come too near, and just where we wished them. That bivouac, that greatful reat after the march, those hasty works, that fight and flight - they will not soon be forgotten. The spirit and vigor of the resistance satisfied our foes, and we had a quiet and peaceful, undisturbed march thence to the river. Not Xenophon's retreat with his ten thousand was more masterly and heroic. We then quietly moved to Corinth, Miss. January 5, 1865, with the other West Tennesseans, we had a thirty days' furlough, with orders to reassemble at West Point, Miss.; and to their lasting honor be it said, almost to a man they met at this time and place. We then went to Meridian, and on the 12th of February left to join Gen Joe Johnston in North Carolina, going by cars to Augusta, thence on foot to Salisbury, N. C., thence by cars to Smithfield. We immediately hurried to Bentonville, reported on the field to Gen. Johnston, and were by him posted to the old division as a reserve, near where he directed the movements of the army - after that, were moved rapidly to the left to assist the cavalry in resisting a threatened attempt to turn our left. This was done, and was the last battle the Army of Tennessee fought. At Smithfield the army was reorganized, and the Fourth, with the Fifth, Nineteenth, Twenty-fourth, Thirty-first, Thirty-third, Forty-first Tennessee regiments, and the Fifth Confederate, formed a new one, designated as the Third Consolidated Tennessee Infantry, under the following officers: Jas. D. Tillman, Colonel; Luke W. Finlay, Lieutenant-colonel; C. S. Deakin, Major. The Fourth and Fifth formed one company under John S. Chapman, Captain; A. W. Sidebottom, First Lieutenant; and J. F. Seay, Second Lieutenant. Scarcely a man was in it who did not have one or more gun-shot wounds. Battle-scarred, they were ready for action, and moved from place to place as ordered, finally halting at Greensboro, N. C. Every one stood at his post of duty up to the last hour, April 26, 1865. Each got in the distribution of the Treasury fund a Mexican dollar and twenty-nine cents over, and doubtless many have this now. We left for our homes in West Tennessee - with one-seventh of our guns, and each regiment with it's own battle-flag - passing through Statesville, Asheville, where we unfurled for the last time the beautiful flag made by the ladies of Montgomery, Ala., the Confederate battle-flag; thence down the French Broad River to near Warm Springs; thence across the country to Greeneville, Tenn. On our return we listened to a very fine sermon from the Rev. Dr. J. B. McFerrin on the apt subject, " For here we have no continuing city." At Greeneville we took the cars via Chattanooga to Nashville, thence going by boat down the Cumberland, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers to our respective homes - every-where treated with respect and courtesy by the brave soldiers who fought for the Union.
Such is the faint outline of a famous regiment, upon whose banners were inscribed, "Home Rule," and who were ready to die for this principle of civil liberty, and whose records are brilliantly set with unwritten heroic deeds. And strange as it may seem, this doctrine of " Home Rule," for which the Fourth fought, is the corner-stone of our free institutions now; and while the rebel David and his son Solomon may not rule over Israel, still we already have in it's recognition, all over this republic of States, the earnest of a glorious future, and with it preserved a greater, a grander, and a more glorious destiny awaiting us in this beautiful land. We are unable to give from memory the names of our fallen comrades.
The heroic dead of the Fourth at Shiloh are these: Co. A - John H. Roberts, H. Cassety, J. L. Wemys, R. S. Ackerly, John H. Seabrook, Sam Lapsley, S. B. Fields, P. L. Gooch, B. C. Vickers; Co. B - Lieut. L. M. Brown, L. H. Toone, P. D. Davis, T. J. Powell, T. N. Prewitt, W. M. Sheets, J. K. P. Turner; Co. C - S. M. McKinney, J. Reed, J. M. Rodgers, B. Montcrief, J. C. Goodman, A. Strauss; Co. D - E. M. Messick, Ed Evans, J. F. McGehee; Co. E - C. K. Vorhees, John Lahey, A. J. Browder; Co. F - Capt. R. L. White, John W. Barker, Thomas W. Hill, William Lassiter, William McCall; Co. G - Capt. John Sutherland, J. P. Carson, H. Dunnevant, W. A. Ledbetter, J. B. McIntyre, B. F. Pillow; Co. H - M. H. King, M. O'Brien, W. B. Spratts, William Wade; Co. I - O. H. Stansbury; Co. K - W. J. Caruthers, T. C. Ferguson. Our Major, John F. Henry, and other noble ones mortally wounded.
Returning to Cornith our ranks were further depleted by sickness. April 25, 1862, the regiment reorganized under the following officers. Otho F. Strahl, Colonel; Andrew J. Kellar, Lieutenant-colonel; Luke W. Finlay, Major; E. R. Vernon, Surgeon; S. P. Green, Assistant Surgeon. We reached Tupelo, Miss., June 11, and on July 23rd went by cars to Mobile; thence by boat to Montgomery; thence by rail to Chattanooga, where we drilled and disciplined daily. Here the boys practiced the skirmish drill, which gave them such reputation for the skirmish fight. We had an experienced bugler, Mr. John W. Cox, who gave us great assistance with his bugle, and for his faithfulness, promptness, and regularity as a soldier, was promoted to the post of brigade bugler, and was known in the brigade under the nom de plume of "Blow-your-horn-Cox."
August 17th we started on the Kentucky campaign, crossed the river, went over Waldron Ridge, up Sequatchie Valley, and with such perfect dicipline that this whole brigade seemed to move as one man. The apples and peaches overhung the fences, but were untouched. We went thence through Pikeville, over the mountains; being not a little excited by the midnight stampede, which unexpectedly gave a nice mountain walk to certain officers. Thence through Sparta to Gainsboro, wading the Cumberland River; going thence to Green River, Ky.
We occupied our position in the rapid march, and in the sudden investment of Munfordsville at daylight, Sept. 19, 1862, when the Federals surrendered. The advance to Bacon Creek, the building of camp-fires, the sudden recall, that wet and dismal night, the bivouac in the rain, the onward movement through Elizabethtown to Bardstown, to Perryville, thence to Danville, and the encampment at the Big Spring near Harrodsburg, were without contest. However, just as we got ready for a night's rest, orders to march came. We left about sunset, Oct. 7th, reaching Perryville about midnight, and lay in the open field on our arms, until aroused early on the 8th by the skirmishing on the front. Remaining on the left until about 3 P.M., Gen. Polk led us to the extreme right. Here was uttered by some soldier the humorous remark: "Run, Molley Cotton-tail, run! If I had no more intrest in the fight than you, I would run too."
Here the Fourth took a brilliant part in the final charge throught the cornfield, right up to Buell's reserve battery, driving the gunners from it. Doubtless the Twenty-first Wisconsin - a brave and veteran regiment - and the supporting Ohio and Illinois troops, felt it's impetuous force and fire; as it went through the grove, passed by where the Federal battery was captured and Jackson fell, over the fence, into the field, across the little drain, over the little ridge, and in the face of an enfilading fire silenced the reserve battery mentioned with honor in Buell's report, about for hundred yards in advance to the right and front of our brigade line. No doubt the Federals in the thicket to our left front wondered at the daring of the Fourth as it moved right up to the cannon's mouth, the sudden ceasing of the firing, the laying down of the boys, the sudden volley on them, and the rapid movement to the water-gap just as they were moving their flag to the rear. No doubt the survivors of that day remember the remark of Tucker, of the Thirty-third - standing six feet and six inches - who came to our part of the fight, and having the center of his forehead struck by a ball, glancing upward pealing off his hair, said, as he threw his gun to the ground: "There! that would have killed brother George as dead as Hector!" (His brother was one inch taller.) And they will remember, moreover, the remark of the fearless Capt. Oscar Gilchrist, made in the field when the boys were ordered to lie down. Standing as erect as an indian, he said: "Lie down! if you don't the Yankee will shoot you!" Many will remember the re-forming on the battle-flag at the water-gap by Lewis White, who snatched it up as it's gallant bearer fell, and placed the broken staff in the muzzle of his rifle.
For that day's matchless fight the Fourth won the honor of placing the "inverted cross cannon" on it's battle-flag - purchased, though, by the death of the Christian, Hugh Banks, and other noble men to the extent of about one-third of those present for duty. Nor will the survivors forget carrying the wounded from Buell's reserve battery to the hospital, the taking from the field by each soldier of an extra rifle to the place of bivouac near the rock fence; nor the deliberate march next day, after the sun rose so brilliantly, to Harrodsburg. Here our boys fully equipped themselfs with Enfield rifles, exchanging their old guns for these new ones taken from the foe on that bloody field.
After a few days at camp Dick Robinson, the regiment took it's place in the rapid march to Cumberland Gap - preserving, as usual, it's discipline and esprit du corps, and it's wonted cheerfulness in the midst of hardships, and with it's rations of "flour and fat beef without salt."
Illustrative of the discipline - on this march a soldier shot through the chest with a ramrod, and which was sticking out of his breast and back, was found marching out of his place by an officer of the Fourth brigade (officer of the day), and upon being asked if he would not prefer his place in the company , said, "No; this suits me." "How are you wounded?" said the officer. With his rifle and equipments complete, he pulled his clothing from his breast, and said, "There it went in;" and then turning his back to the officer and removing his clothing, said, "Here it came through." Dr. Frank Rice pulled the ramrod out of the soldier.
Moving thence to the right of Rogersville to it's bivouac of snow at Knoxville, by cars to Bridgeport, by boat across the river - some "cooning" the bridge; bycars thence to Tullahoma, whence, after a brief rest, it marched to by Manchester to Murfreesboro, where Bragg awaited Rosecrans. Here the Fourth and Fifth were consolidated for drill and field purposes.
December 31st came, and the Fourth occupied the right of Stewart's brigade, as usual, and was ready to participate in the grand movement of the army as it swung round on the right of Cheatham's division, three hundred yards in the rear, and supporting Wither's. Stewart's brigade met on the bridge of battle Robert's of VanCleve's lying in wait, likewise in the second line, which resulted in an impetuous charge and the driving back of Robert's force, that moved like regulars, and even in defeat preserved some regularity of movement. When the brave Robert's fell - a hero held in honor by his wounded and dying comrads - he received the rite of burial in his oil-cloth, at the hands of the writer, with the approval of Gen. Stewart, for his soldierly qualities. The Fourth bore it's part in the capture of the pieces of artillery wrested from a brave foe, and remained on the battle-field until the retreat was ordered Saturday night, Jan. 3, 1863, at 11 P.M., when it quietly moved to the encampment near Shelbyville, and did out-post duty at Guys Gap until June 28, 1863, at which time the army commenced the backward movement which ended at Chattanooga, spending the rest of the summer there. July 28, 1863, Col. Otho F. Strahl was commissioned a Brigadier, took charge of the brigade, which was henceforth known as Strahl's. Andrew J. Kellar was commissioned Colonel, ordered to report to Richmond, and was assigned to duty with Gen. Brent in the Inspector-generals Department, where he remained until just before we reached Nashville, Dec., 1864. Luke W. Finlay was commissioned Lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. Henry Hampton, Major, of the Fourth. September 18th and 19th the Fourth participated in the important movements of the brigade, and a second time met the same troops encountered at Murfreesboro. In one of the movements to the rear in this hotly contested field of charges and counter-charges, fell the heroic Lieut. W. W. Webber, executing with the Fourth the dangerous movement of a retreat under fire, with the words "Boys, keep your lines dressed!" on his dying lips; than whom a braver never , gave his life for his country, and whose name was inscribed on the roll of honor.
As the retreating Federals moved to Chattanooga the Fourth followed close in the line of fire. The investment of the Federals, with their line of supplies and recruits open, only gave rest to the troops. Here, under artillery fire, the Rev. John Miller Scharar was nominated Chaplin of the Fourth, and well and worthily did this man of simplicity and worth, with good words and works, do his duty, and attach the boys to him as a man of God.
At length, the Federals having dislodged those in charge of Raccoon and Lookout mountains, the 26th of November came, and the Fourth, for the first time, recieved a charge. About the hour of 4 P.M. the advance began; and as they approached, under the inspiration of the siege pieces in their rear and the many field pieces, the fifty pieces on our side opened and joined in the continuous roar of the deadly conflict from the summit above. At this place the Fourth with the Fifth was posted in the rifle-pits prepared by Gen. Bushrod Johnson, as a reserve skirmish force, about one hundred and fifty yards in rear of the Thirty-first and Thirty-third, who were deployed as skirmishers. The Federals, preceded by a skirmish line, advanced in three separate lines of battle. After driving back the skirmishers and breaking the first line of battle, Col. McNeill with the Thirty-first and Thirty-third retreated. As he passed the rifle-pits he said to the officer in charge, "Why don't you open fire?" "I will," said he, "as soon as you uncover our front." This done, he said, "Ready! Aim! Fire!" and three hundred guns opened on the Federals again advancing with colors flying, and again they were broken. In the midst of the firing an heroic Ensign, rallying his men, was gallantly moving to the front, when private W. C. King, of the Fourth, noted for accuracy of his shot, was directed to fire at him. At the crack of his rifle the brave man fell forward on the colors he bore so well. The forces in our front broken, six or seven Ensigns of broken regiments, assisted by their officers, were rallying their men off to our right and front. They covered a small space of ground in fine range. Then the order was clearly given, "Right oblique, fire!" and the guns were turned on them, and they too were dispersed. At this juncture - not an organized body being in our front, the skirmishers as far as the eye could reach to the right being driven to the ridge, and the Federals being in hot pursuit - an order came to us to retreat to the top of the ridge. Accustomed to the skirmish fire, on their way up to the top, from time to time they turned on the foe. Not one was badly hurt in the pits, but nearly one-third were disabled or killed in the ascent. Once on the summit, the boys falling in the attenuated line of battle, resumed the contest, and continued until the Federals had gained the left center of our army, to our right, and were moving almost on us on our right flank; and then, Strahl's being alone in the line of battle, and the last in that part of the field - both flanks being exposed - Gen. Strahl, in the presence of our division commander, Gen. A. P. Stewart, ordered a retreat to the opposite ridge. Private Goodloe, intent on his work, did not hear this order and seeing the soldier to his left - the extreme left of the regiment moving to the rear, called out to him, " Here's the was to gain your independence;" and with the words loaded his piece, aimed, and fired. The comrad turned and said the order was given to retreat. Goodloe rammed down another cartridge, emptied his gun once more, and looking to the right and left said, "I'll gain my independence that way too," and hurried from the field. This was done in the presence of the Federals. With this brigade the Fourth covered the retreat to Chickamauga, bivouacking on the opposite bank for the night. Early the foe was after us, and we were ordered with the brigade to report to Patrick Cleburne, to cover the hazardous retreat. Without cavalry, by double-quicking, forming line of battle, and alternating with other regiments, this was done. Not the least exciting scene was the quiet and orderly movement by the bivouac of the sleeping Federals near the junction of the two roads, after night, their camp-fires burning. We bivouacked near the Chickamauga opposite, and distant from Ringgold, Ga, about a mile. After daylight the order came to move, and without much ado the Fourth left their lowly couch, fell into line close by the advancing foe, and moved in quick time, and that November morning waded the cold waters of the Chickamauga and passed just beyond the celebrated gap where Cleburne lay in ambush and inflicted such a heavy blow upon the too hasty advance, where five flags were captured, and Ringgold Gap passed into history. This ended the pursuit. We reached Dalton Nov. 29, 1863. Going into winter-quarters, we drilled, disciplined, recuperated, and got ready for the memorable Georgia campaign. Here by the election of the Fourth, young Mullins was made Ensign.
May 7, 1864, those days of strategy began, and lasted seventy-one days, sixty of which we were under fire. Our prominent engagements were Dug Gap, Mill Creek Gap, Resaca, Ellsbury Mountain, Kennesaw, Atlanta July 20th and 22nd; Jonesboro, Aug 1st and Sept. 1st; suffering severely. At Ellsbury Mountain the Fourth was sent out on the skirmish line, and occupied it's position at daylight, driving in the Federals. Here was one of the hot contests of the war. The boys resolutely held their position. At some points scarcely fifty yards intervened in the open woods. Privater Halley shot eighteen times, the finest he ever got, and then had a ball pass through his body and arm. His Lieutenant seized his gun and occupied his place. After two shots he was disabled. Our loss in killed and wounded was about thirty-three and one-third per cent of those on duty.
At Kennesaw we occupied the left of the "Dead Angle," where fell so many Federals. A soldier trying the hollow chestnut in our front, and preceiving that balls went through, quit it, dug a trench at night, so as to hide himself and enable him to pick off our boys. As he threw out the dirt with his spade near our lines and just below us, his strategy was observed, and at once the boys threw some big stones nearly straight up, so as to fall on him below. They struck him and he cried out; " That is not fair war, to throw rocks when you are behind logs!"
The flank movement, near where fell the brave McPherson, was a trying hour to our boys. Some of our bravest and best were killed and wounded. From Jonesboro we retreated to Lovejoy, but moved back Sept. 6th, going thence to Palmetto, whence began the disastrous flank movement into Tennessee. The latter part of October found us at Tennessee River awaiting pontoons. We delayed near Tuscumbia and Florence about two weeks, then took up our line of march, flanking Columbia, and reaching Spring Hill Nov. 28. Private J. T. Puckett, with a furlough in his pocket - for his home was near by - expecting a fight, said, " I'll wait till after the battle." Brave Puckett died at Franklin. In this rash yet grandly heroic charge at Franklin, the Fourth had it's place on the left of the pike, where it planted it's colors upon the main works. Here Lieut. James K. Murphy, a brave soldier (who had been baptized in the Mississippi River by Chaplain Gray), and a few others, leaped the works and passed Federal prisoners over them to the rear. Here fell, in the midst of the regiment he loved so well, and in the arms of Acting Aide-de-Camp private James E. Beasley - right upon the works - the gallant soldier, the first tactitian in the Army of Tennessee, the noble Otho F. Strahl; and close by also fell his staff officers Capt. Johnston and Lieut. Marsh. Picton at Waterloo with his skeleton brigades made not a grander charge than did Strahl at Franklin. On the opposite side of the pike, leaping the works, brave Dick Cahill, of the Twenty-first, was bayoneted to death; and just behind, the matchless Cleburne fell.
December 1st was occupied in burying the dead and caring for the wounded. That was a sad picture: Strahl and staff, who died together, sent in his ambulance - their warfare over - to sleep in the beautiful church-yard of Ashwood, near Columbia.
On to Nashville we started December 2nd, and remained their untill the 15th, when late in the afternoon we were ordered to the left, and placed on the front of the slope that lies to the left of the high hill near Granny White pike, next Gen. Tom Smith's command on it's summits and sides. After the fight had opened, and continued until late in the day, Ligon, a veteran soldier in the infirmary corps, said to the officer of the Fourth: "Stop here, Colonel - see there!" He pointed to the right wing of the Army of Tennessee in full retreat, visible from where he stood. Immediately pointing to the top of the hill, said he: "See the stars and stripes there!" Nothing was left but to retreat. The Fourth was ordered to retreat to the Gap west of Franklin pike, and not to study the order of it's going. On the summit we re-formed with other commands, but discovering the Federals flanking us, moved on rapidly toward Franklin pike, exchanging a few shots with the Federals on the ridge to our right. Discovering the enemy posted on the pike a little in advance of us, we moved parallel to the pike and emerged near Brentwood, when the army that night was almost in chaos. We bivouacked on the road-side, and crossed the Harpeth River early December 17th. The Fourth was ready for work, and was in line of battle, to cover the retreat, near Spring Hill, and again on the banks of Rutherford Creek, cooperating with the cavalry in this work. Across the river Gen. Hood rode up to the officer in charge of the Fourth, who at this time by seniority was commanding the brigade, and asked, "What brigade is this?" Upon being informed "Strahl's," he said: "I desire to organize a strong infantry reserve under Gen. Walthall to cooperate with the cavalry, and under Gen. Forrest cover the retreat of the army until I get across the Tennessee; and I know no troops I can call upon with greater confidence in it's being well done than you Tennesseans. Will this brigade volunteer for that duty!" Upon being answered in the affirmative, he said: "Then report to Col. Field." Many were ill-clad and unshod - some with their feet wrapped with pieces of blanket - some actually bleeding tramping on the frozen ground. On this retreat came the sternest trials of the war; some even turning their backs on their homes. The Fourth was present that night in the snowey bivouac - gave it's quota of the two hundred who at 4 A.M. next day were at the front guarding the crossings of Duck River in front of Columbia. The soldiers were without rations - the day bitterly cold. Some few, who happened to have friends aware of the situation, were handsomely fed by the hospitable Columbians. The Federals were content not to provoke a contest on this frozen ground, and with the turbid, swollen river between. At 9 A.M. Maj. Estes, with his Texans, relieved us. A Federal officer dashed along their lines evidently instructing the pickets to fire on us as we were being relieved. No doubt there was an honorable truce, as the Federals, at first, turned their guns upward. The Texans, not aware of it, brought their pieces down on them, and they scampered away - exchanging shots, however. Here the veteran Capt. Hayes fell. As we rejoined our regiment on the pike, Gen. Forrest was in the act of giving a cavalry Major his mind, and closed his brief and pointed reprimand with these words: "You ought to have you -- neck broken for letting the Yankees cross while you were stuck up in that cabin." Near Pulaski, where the two ridges converge making the apex at the road , the infantry was thrown across, and infantry guards were stationed with instructions from Forrest to allow none to pass without his written permit, or a bullet-hole through them. This order was obeyed. As usual on this trip a hot skirmish was going on, and only a short distance from the guard. Quite a number of wounded cavalrymen passed. One soldier dashed up to this guard detailed from the Fourth, and demanded the right of way. This was refused. He exhibited an old forage order. It was not recognized. He was furious; demanded to know if any commissioned officer was present in charge; rode up to him; stated the case; declared his intention to pass, and started that movement. "Corporal, don't let him pass," was the order given. The sentry brought his gun to a "ready," and he then said, "I'll report you to Gen. Forrest." At the head of the column, now near dark, came Gen. Forrest, and the man dashed up to him and told his story. Thereupon Gen. Forrest instantly turned to the officer in charge of the guard and said, pointing to the furious soldier, "Shoot him;" but he hastily returned to his place in the ranks. There was no more straggling that evening.
Within the intrenchments at Pulaski we bivouacked that night. Next day, Christmas 1864, we moved through Pulaski early in the day, across the stream near by Anthony's Hill. Here the capture of a fine field piece, and a nice strategic suprise dampened the ador of our pursuers and gave good cheer to our troops. We, with Reynolds, lay in the reserve. When this work was done, commenced that long, cols, cheerless march, through that half ice and half water, down that winding road to Sugar Creek. The icy pathway; the blood-stained track; the crashing tramp; the sad moan of that unhappy household, one of whose sons lay sleeping at Franklin, another of whom, true to his colors, was about to turn his back on the home of his youth; that tedious march after various movements of the day - all these testify the soldierly qualities of those resolute men. Next day the Fourth turned about, ready, determined, fearless, with her brave compeers, and taking position, awaited the onset of the well-equipped and victorious legions of the North - Reynolds on our right, the rest of our brigade on the left. Here, just in our front, Forrest convened the brogade and regimental officers, and giving instructions said: "When the infantry break their lines, I'll turn Ross in on 'em." Col. Field - a wiry and heroic soldier, whose silvery voice could be heard in the roar of musketry, having under him his own and Strahl's old brigade - immediately replied with spirt: " We have no such soldiers; we don't break our lines." Forrest perceiving the double construction of his words were capable of, and said at once: " I don't mean that. I mean when you break the lines of the enemy, I'll throw Ross's Texans in on them and rout them." We had rested, and hastily put up some works and were waiting. The fog still covered our front. Reynolds occupied the level valley between the gentle rise and the stream, our Tennessee brother forces the hillock an on to the left where the stream ran right up against the bluff. The Federals came in force, crossed at the bridge, and moved in line of battle, and some came opposite Fields left. When they came near enough, the firing commenced vigorously on our right and left, we holding our fire until they came right near us, and the battle raged on both sides of us. Then the order to advance was given, and then the rapid charge was made that hurled back the impetuous foe, who had incautiously come too near, and just where we wished them. That bivouac, that greatful reat after the march, those hasty works, that fight and flight - they will not soon be forgotten. The spirit and vigor of the resistance satisfied our foes, and we had a quiet and peaceful, undisturbed march thence to the river. Not Xenophon's retreat with his ten thousand was more masterly and heroic. We then quietly moved to Corinth, Miss. January 5, 1865, with the other West Tennesseans, we had a thirty days' furlough, with orders to reassemble at West Point, Miss.; and to their lasting honor be it said, almost to a man they met at this time and place. We then went to Meridian, and on the 12th of February left to join Gen Joe Johnston in North Carolina, going by cars to Augusta, thence on foot to Salisbury, N. C., thence by cars to Smithfield. We immediately hurried to Bentonville, reported on the field to Gen. Johnston, and were by him posted to the old division as a reserve, near where he directed the movements of the army - after that, were moved rapidly to the left to assist the cavalry in resisting a threatened attempt to turn our left. This was done, and was the last battle the Army of Tennessee fought. At Smithfield the army was reorganized, and the Fourth, with the Fifth, Nineteenth, Twenty-fourth, Thirty-first, Thirty-third, Forty-first Tennessee regiments, and the Fifth Confederate, formed a new one, designated as the Third Consolidated Tennessee Infantry, under the following officers: Jas. D. Tillman, Colonel; Luke W. Finlay, Lieutenant-colonel; C. S. Deakin, Major. The Fourth and Fifth formed one company under John S. Chapman, Captain; A. W. Sidebottom, First Lieutenant; and J. F. Seay, Second Lieutenant. Scarcely a man was in it who did not have one or more gun-shot wounds. Battle-scarred, they were ready for action, and moved from place to place as ordered, finally halting at Greensboro, N. C. Every one stood at his post of duty up to the last hour, April 26, 1865. Each got in the distribution of the Treasury fund a Mexican dollar and twenty-nine cents over, and doubtless many have this now. We left for our homes in West Tennessee - with one-seventh of our guns, and each regiment with it's own battle-flag - passing through Statesville, Asheville, where we unfurled for the last time the beautiful flag made by the ladies of Montgomery, Ala., the Confederate battle-flag; thence down the French Broad River to near Warm Springs; thence across the country to Greeneville, Tenn. On our return we listened to a very fine sermon from the Rev. Dr. J. B. McFerrin on the apt subject, " For here we have no continuing city." At Greeneville we took the cars via Chattanooga to Nashville, thence going by boat down the Cumberland, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers to our respective homes - every-where treated with respect and courtesy by the brave soldiers who fought for the Union.
Such is the faint outline of a famous regiment, upon whose banners were inscribed, "Home Rule," and who were ready to die for this principle of civil liberty, and whose records are brilliantly set with unwritten heroic deeds. And strange as it may seem, this doctrine of " Home Rule," for which the Fourth fought, is the corner-stone of our free institutions now; and while the rebel David and his son Solomon may not rule over Israel, still we already have in it's recognition, all over this republic of States, the earnest of a glorious future, and with it preserved a greater, a grander, and a more glorious destiny awaiting us in this beautiful land. We are unable to give from memory the names of our fallen comrades.
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