| 140 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH, THE 26TH OVVI... |
April , 2001 to December, 2001 ~ April 1861 to December, 1861 - On April 22, the 26th OVI companies began organizing and drilling themselves. However, two days later, they were forced to disband as Ohio's initial quota of 90 days servicemen had been filled. The companies then reorganized themselves as "minute men" of Ohio and continued to drill, recruit and organize their activities. On May 12, their preseverance was rewarded as the companies were accepted as the 26th OVI, and ordered to report to Camp Chase. The regiment was officially mustered into service at Camp Chase ( West of Columbus, Ohio) on June 15, 1861. On July 29, 1861, the regiment was ordered to western Virginia as part of the US Army occupation force under the overall command of General William S Rosecrans and the direct command of General Jacob D. Cox as part of the Kanawaha Brigade. Leaving Camp Chase on August 1, the newly formed regiment boarded a train for Cincinnati, and the next day boarded a boat known as the J H Done for the upriver trip to the Kanawha River, Virginia. Arriving at Point Pleasant, Va on August 3. Two days later, the regiment boarded the steamers Glenwood and Silver Lake for the voyage to Charleston, Va. Arriving the same day, the regmient encamped at Camp Rosecrans. On August 11, the regiment left Charleston for Summerville. After encamping at Camp Enyart, the regiment moved to Gauley Bridge on August 15th, and encamped below the bridge (where the New and Gauley Rivers join to become the Kanawha River). On August 29th, 1861 Company G of the 26th Ohio was sent to the Boone County Courthouse ( present day Madison) along with the 1st Kentucky Infantry, to attack a Confedrate regiment being formed in Boone County. On August 30th, Company K from the 26th Ohio was also sent as reinforcements. On September 1, the Confederate forces attacked, but they were quickly repulsed. Before leaving the county, the Union forces torched the courthouse building, and several other buildings in the town. The regiment was heavily engaged on Sept 2, 1861 at the Battle of Big Creek (present day Chimney Corner). The regiment also saw action around the Hawks Nest area, Cotton Mountain, Horseshoe Bend, and was present before General Robert E Lee's troops at Sewell Mountain in early October. It was also most likely engaged at the battle of Carnifax Ferry, above the Gauley River. Many of the regiment died at Gauley Bridge in September and October, 1861, most likely the result of battle wounds. When the regiment was not engaged with Confederate forces, it had to contend with Bushwackers ( civilians loyal to the Confederates) who engaged in skirmishes, sniping, and destruction. On November 17, 1861, led by General Rutherford B Hayes ( later to become Governor of Ohio and the 19th President of the United States) the 26th was ordered forward to intercept advancing Confederate Cavalry. This action involved several days of hard marching, sleeping on the ground with no cover in the rain and snow. The 26th subsequently was garrisoned in forts around Fayetteville ( Fayette County) towards the end of the year. During the last part of December, the 26th was sent to Raleigh Courthouse ( Beckley) to further solidify the Union's control over western Virginia. With western Virginia solidly under Union control, various regiments (including the 26th) were transferred to Louisville, Kentucky where increasing concerns were raised over the continued neutrality of that key Border state. West Virginia History, Kelly, Roster of Survivors, Noe, Mc Kinney, Cole) January, 2002 ~ January, 1862- The regiment was in the process of being transferred from the Department of Western Virginia to the Army of the Ohio. The Army of the Ohio, under the command of General Don Carlos Buell, was in Kentucky and in the process of seeking to gain control over the state from Confederate forces. The Regiment was assigned to the Fourth Division under command of General Bull Nelson, and the 15th Brigade commanded by General Milo Hascall. The Fourth Division was assigned to Eastern Kentucky. The Army of the Ohio was being prodded to advance toward eastern Tennessee to liberate the large amount of Unionis citizens in that part of the state. General Buell, however, was reticent to move in that direction, and rather saw a more important prize to be the taking of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and then the ultimate prize, Nashville, Tennessee. ( Engle, Prokopowicz) February, 2002 ~ February, 1862- The regiment remained with the Fourth Division and the 15th Brigade. During the month the Army of the Ohio advanced on Bowling Green, Kentucky and took it over without loss of life. A few days later, the Army advanced on Nashville, Tennessee, and likewise seized control of this key city without battle and a single loss of life. The Fourth Division was given the honor of being the first to enter the capital of Tennessee. Nashville was key, not only being the capital city of Tennessee, but also because of its strategic location on the Cumberland River and the fact that several railroad routes connected there. With the occupation of Nashville, the Union effectively controlled all of Middle Tennessee. A military provisional state government was put in place, and President Lincoln appointed Andrew Johnson as governor. ( Engle, Prokopowicz, Noe) March, 2002 ~ March, 1862 - The western forces were reorganized under the Supreme command of General Henry Halleck. In the process , the regiment was to the Left Wing Corps under command of General Thomas Crittenden, the new Sixth Division of the Army of the Ohio under the command of General Thomas J Wood, but remained with the 15th Brigade still under command of General Milo Hascall. The regiment remained in and around Nashville, Tennessee. ( Engle, Prokopowicz) April, 2002 ~ April, 1862 - As part of the general advance of Union forces towards Cornith, Mississippi, the regiment advanced southwestward from Nashville. The Union forces were to combine near Savannah, Tennessee, and then advance towards Cornith, Mississippi. Cornith, Mississippi was another key strategic location due its presence on a major east-west railway. The regiment saw its first hostile action, as part of the Army of the Ohio, on April 5 near Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The 15th Brigade was ordered to advance towards Lawrenceburg, Tennessee to confront Confederate forces that it was feared would threaten the Army's supply trains. The regiment lost only one soldier missing in action, (Private Alwood Lewis, while out on scout patrol). After a strenous forced march covering 60 miles of mountainous terrain, the 15th Brigade arrived at the Battle of Shiloh late in the evening on April 7, the second and last day of the major fighting near the Shiloh Church. ( Official Record, Reid, Noe, Engle, Prkopowicz) May, 2002 ~ May, 1862 - The regiment remained with the Sixth Division, 15th Brigade. The regiment advanced on Cornith, Mississippi, and was one of the leading regiments to enter the city after the Confederate Forces abruptly retreated. The advance took place over a course of nearly six weeks due to frequent rear action scrimmaging by the Confederates, and also due to the very swampy terrain that made movement very slow and dependent upon corduroy bridges being constantly built. The regiment moved into Cornith on May 30- the evening before, the retreating Confederates had tried to blow up whatever they could not transport. This was a key victory for the Union as it gave the Union control over the main east-west railway. ( Engle, Prokopowicz, Noe) June, 2002 ~ June, 1862 - The Army of the Ohio was ordered to advance eastward towards Chattanooga, Tennessee, the last Confederate stonghold in the Volunteer State. This advance was very difficult, owing to the great distance that needed to be travelled (just under 300 miles), through hostile territory, and the summer heat over parched fields. In addition, General Buell had issued orders against foraging the local area, so the Army was very dependent upon it supply lines. The Army's supply lines were repeatedly assailed. In addition, the Army was charged with repairing the Memphis and Charleston Railroad as it proceeded eastward. Wood's Sixth Division did the lion share of the railroad repairs. ( Noe, Engle, Prokopowicz) July, 2002 ~ July, 1862- Regiment remained part of the Army of the Ohio, General Don Carlos Buell, commanding. The regiment still was on the left wing commanded by General Thomas J Crittenden, and the 15th Brigade under command of General Milo Hascall. In early July, Crittenden's Corps was within thirty miles of Chattanooga at Decatur, Alabama. However, further progress forward was hampered by delays in repairing the Army's supply lines. In Mid- July, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry struck at Murfreesboro and other points in southeastern Tennessee, further disrupting the Army's supply lines. By the end of the month, General Braxton Bragg had concentrated his Army of Mississippi in Chattanooga. In addition, Confederate General Kirby Smith's Army of East Tennessee was around Knoxville, TN. Concern began to rise in General Buell as to what the Confederate armies might do next. General Buell began assuming a more defensive rather than offensive strategy as he became convinced that Nashville was the intended target. General Buell decided to consolidate the Army of the Ohio near McMinnville, Tennessee. McMinnville was located north of Chattanooga and east of Murfreesboro. Thus, the Army of the Ohio would stand directly between the General Bragg's army and Nashville. ( Noe, Engle, Prokopowicz) August, 2002 ~ August, 1862- The Regiment was stationed with Crittenden's Corps in the McMinnville, Tennessee area. During the month, the Army of the Ohio continued to watch for movement by the confederate armies. By the end of the Month, the Confederate Army of Kentucky had pushed northward through the Cumberland Gap into eastern Kentucky, towards Lexington. The Army of Mississippi began moving as well slowly northwesterly. The intended objective for the Confederate forces were: 1) bring Kentucky into the Confederacy; 2) obtain much needed additional troops and provisions, and 3) set the stage for an invasion into the state of Ohio. Indeed, on August 10, General Bragg indicated his troops promised to make him military governor of Ohio in 90 days. ( Mc Donough, p.80) The 26th OVI advanced from Decatur, Alabama, into Tennessee via Fayetteville, Winchester, Deckard, Hillsboro to McMinnville. On August 30th, the 26th was involved in a battle with General Forrest's Cavalry near McMinnville. The 26th struck Forrest's Cavalry capturing their ambulances, supplies and one of General Forrest's horses. The 26th receive special commendation by 6th Division Commander Thomas J Wood. General Forrest's strategy was to continue to harass the Army of the Ohio to shield the bulk of the Army of Mississippi as it headed northward toward Kentucky. The Confederate strategy was: 1) move the Army of Ohio away from Chattanooga, 2) perhaps even get the Army to abandon Middle Tennessee, 3) attempt to elicit support and troops from Kentuckians, and 4) take over Louisville and gain control of the Ohio River, and 5) possibly invade Union states, i.e. Indiana or Ohio. The Army of the Ohio strategy changed from advancing toward Chattanooga to trying to catch up with the Confederate armies to prevent them from advancing to Louisville and the Ohio River. By the end of the month, the stage was set for the infamous hard forced march, known as the " Race to Louisville ". ( Official Record, Noe, Engle, Prokopowicz, Kelly, McDonough) September, 2002 ~ September, 1862- The beginning of September, 1862 was probably the high point of Confederate optimism and aggression. The Army of Northern Virginia was advancing northward into Maryland and the Army of Mississippi, under General Braxton Bragg was now advancing northward from Chattanooga. Both the Union Army of the Potomac and the Union Army of the Ohio found itself suddenly on the defensive and trying to catch up with the advancing rebel force. After the repulse of Forrest's Calvary at McMinnville, the 26th OVI, along with the rest of the Army of the Ohio was ordered to consolidate at Murfreesboro. General Buell remained convinced that Nashville was the likely objective of the Bragg's advance. On September 2, the 26th OVI, left McMinnville, and united with the rest of the Army of the Ohio at Murfreesboro on September 5, and thereby opened up a clear avenue for the Confederate advance into Kentucky. Still convinced of the vulnerablility of Nashville, the Army of the Ohio was ordered further westward, and again the forces were consolidated at Nashville by September 15. By now, it was clear that General Bragg intended to enter Kentucky, and so the Army of the Ohio was quickly ordered northward in pursuit of the Confederates ( who already had several days head start.) On September 21, Wood and Crittenden's Divisions were ordered into line of battle near Munfordville, Kentucky, with the hope of engaging General Bragg in battle. The 26th OVI skirmished heavily with the rear guard of the Army of the Tennessee, as General Bragg, left Munfordville and advanced northeastward towards Frankfort. This easterly move on his part, cleared the way for the Army of the Ohio to quickly advance to Louisville. The Army of the Ohio entered Louisville on September 23rd, led by the 26th OVI of Crittenden's Corps, after a forced march of 180 miles in a span of 14 days. This forced march was accomplished under incredible conditions. The weather was unusually hot and dry with very little fresh water to be found. What water could be found was frequently purposely spoiled by the carcasses of dead animals. The limestone roads produced large volumes of dust as the troops marched along. But the Army of the Ohio reached its objective. Morale was very low, as the foot soldier was losing any support or loyalty to General Buell, whom they blamed for the seeming continued retreat from Alabama, with no provision for their well being. Rumors even began that he was a traitor or even the brother-in-law of General Bragg. The end of September, 1862, found the Army at Louisville. At the end of the month, more tension occurred as General Buell was to be replaced by General Thomas, but General Thomas refused, resulting in a decidedly awkward situation. In addition, General Nelson was murdered by fellow General Jeff Davis over an apparent slight. All the while, General Bragg was helping install a Confederate governor for Kentucky, and seemingly planning to unite with General Kirby Smith's Army of Kentucky to do battle with the demoralized Army of the Ohio. ( Van Horne, Noe, Prokopowicz) October, 2002 ~ October, 1862 The Army of the Ohio was reorganized into three wings. The 26th OVI was part of the second wing under command of General Thomas L Crittenden, Wood's Division. By the beginning of October, the Army had refitted and rested to where it was ready to take on Bragg's Army of the Tennessee. Bragg's Army was believed to be around Frankfort, Ky. The Army of the Ohio advanced southeastward from Louisville on October 1st. Crittenden's 2nd Corps taking the route through Sheperdsville, Bardstown, and Springfield. General George H Thomas, who was now appointed second in command of the Army of the Ohio, accompanied the 2nd Corps. On October 4, Crittenden's Corps engaged in bloody skirmishing near Bardstown with Confederate cavalry under Generals Wharton and Wheeler as part of General Polk's Corps. Wood's Division led this engagement and captured hundreds of prisoners by the end of the day, all of whom were paroled the next day. On October 5, Crittenden's Corps continued to press the retreating Confederates along the Springfield Pike toward Glenville. Earlier in the day, an estimated 16 thousand Confederates had been in the vicinity of Glenville. They had all retreated by the early evening. On October 6, Crittenden's Corps advanced on Springfield, engaging in frequent skirmishing with Wheeler's cavalry. The worn out Corps slept in the fields around Springfield looking for food and water. On October 7, the Army of the Ohio encamped in an area northwest of a small town, called Perryville. The weather continued to be very hot and dry. Water continued to be a premium, and obtaining it was a key factor in the onset of the battle. General Thomas ordered the Left Wing to move towards Texas, Kentucky in the hope of finding water. This delayed the Corps from taking position at the time planned by General Buell, so he called off his plan to initiate the battle until October 9. On October, 8, however, on the left wing, troops from General Mc Cook's Corps went out looking for water, and became engaged with the Confederate army. This engagement was not fully appreciated by General Buell and thus he did not order the engagement of his entire army in the battle. Crittenden's 2nd Corps, occupying the right wing to the south, was not engaged in the main portion of the battle, and only became engaged at the very end after Bragg had decided to retreat. The Battle of Perryville was known as the High Mark of the Western Confederacy, and though in many ways, the Confederate forces had their way on the field, their Commanding General's decision to retreat the next morning, left the Army of the Ohio in command of the field. The Confederates retreated initially northward to Harrodsburg where the Army joined up with General Kirby Smith's Army. Despite numerical superiority at that time, and the urging of subordinates, General Bragg decided the most prudent course was to retreat back to eastern Tennessee. Part of this decision likely was due to the fact that the Kentucky citizens did not embrace the Confederate cause to the extent anticipated and hoped for. At Lancaster, the two Confederate armies split again, with General Bragg's Army proceeding southeastward through Crab Orchard, Mt. Vernon, London, and into the Cumberland Mountains. General Joseph Wheeler's Cavalry maintained an effective rear guard action that forestalled attempts to seriously engage the whole of the Confederate Army, though the 2nd Corps was able to capture some prisoners and needed cattle. The 26th OVI was involved with the rest of Crittenden's 2nd Corps, in a rigorous pursuit of the retreating Confederates. The 26th OVI skirmished heavily with the Confederates at Stanford, Ky. The Confederates continued their southeastwardly retreat into the rugged foothills of the Cumberland Mountains. The 26th OVI continued the pursuit until about 30 miles below Mt Vernon ( near London), at which time the pursuit was called off. Bragg's Army left Kentucky via the Cumberland Gap ( never to return again). Bragg's Army encamped around Knoxville. The Army of the Ohio changed direction and marched westward and encamped around Bowling Green, Ky. The 26th took a due westwardly route from London to Somerset,to Columbia, Glasgow, and Smiths Grove to Bowling Green ( pretty much the same route as present day Cumberland Parkway.) The over riding concern for General Buell remained the need to protect Nashville and maintain middle Tennessee under Union control, and thus despite orders from Washington DC to proceed into eastern Tennessee, he made plans to return to Nashville. This insubordination was the final straw, and he was removed from command of the Army of the Ohio on October 30. November, 2002 ~ November, 1862 The new commander of the Army was General William Starke Rosecrans. The Ohioan had just come off a brilliant victory in defense of Cornith, Mississippi, and he was appointed in charge of the Department of the Cumberland. The Army of the Ohio was renamed the 14th Corps, but soon became known as the Army of the Cumberland. Initially, he too was ordered to advance towards eastern Tennessee, but Nashville was being directly threatened and under seige by Confederate forces under General Breckinridge. Thus, the decision was made to advance towards Nashville, secure it under Union control, refit and rest the veteran troops and further train the newer recruits. It was ascertained that General Bragg's army was also on the move, marching westward from Knoxville to near Murfreesboro. General Crittenden's 2nd Corps moved southward through Scottsville to Gallatin, Tn and drove off Cavalry under command of General John Morgan. On November 5, the 2nd Corps entered back into Nashville and helped relieve the key city from the Confederate siege that had been underway since September. On November 7, the Army of the Cumberland was reorganized and the 26th was assigned to General Crittenden's Left Wing. The 26th OVI remained in the Nashville aread for the rest of the month, and the time was spent preparing the Army for an advance and battle somewhere around Murfreesboro. December, 2002 ~ December, 1862 The regiment remained encamped just southeast of Nashville until December 28, 1862. During this time, the regiment was involved in minor skirmishing while scouting and guarding foraging trains. One of these skirmishes took place on Christmas Day. Returning to camp that night, they were ordered to head out first light on December 26th and advance, as part of the left wing, towards Murfreesborough, via the Murfreesborough Pike, and feel out the enemy. They did not have to go far. Just north of LaVergne, Tennessee, the 26th skirmishers became engaged with the enemy. The 26th was ordered to charge the town and force the Confederates southward, and away from the town. The 26th suffered heavy casualties during the charge. They successfully fulfilled the mission. The next objective was to save the bridge over the Stewart Creek that the retreating Confederate forces had set on fire. This objective was also fulfilled with great bravery, under intense fire, and the 26th OVI captured around 60 prisoners. The 26th encamped southeast of LaVergne on December 27th and remained in camp until December 29th, when ordered to advance on the left to the Confederate's fortified position on the banks of Stones River. The 26th OVI was assigned to the extreme left flank of the Union Army as part of General Hascall's Brigade. The 26th OVI was posted on the west bank of the Stones River, just north of McFadden's Ford. On December 30th, the 26th OVI was ordered to advance across the Stones River and prepare to attack the enemy. General Rosecran's attack plan called for Crittenden's left wing ( occupying the left flank of the Army) to advance at first light on December 31, and attack Bragg's right flank. The 26th OVI was to be a major player in leading this offensive. However, before this attack could commence, Bragg attacked the Union right flank under General Alexander McCook at the south end of the battlefield. The Confederate offensive was very successful, routing the Union right flank to where the Army of the Cumberland was almost folded back upon itself. The offensive also pushed to the vicinity of the Nashville Pike, which was the Union army's only escape route and supply route. The situation was becoming very desperate. General Rosecrans immediately ordered reinforcements transferred from Crittenden's left wing to protect the Nashville Pike at an area by a copse of trees known as the Round Forest. The 26th OVI was moved southward along McFadden's Lane and placed in position just east of the Nashville Pike at the intersection with McFadden's Lane, on the edge of the Round Forest, taking the right position of General Hazen's brigade. To maintain this position was critical, as evidenced by Brigadier General Milo Hascalls's sobering and chilling statement in his Official Report: " Seeing the importance of the position, I told my men it must be held, even if it cost the last man we had." Hold the position, they did, repulsing 4 distinct charges by Confederate forces on their position that afternoon. In the process, they exhausted their 60 rounds of bullets, and needed repeated replenishing of ammunition. Night came with the Nashville Pike still securely in Union control. The Union forces had been severely tested, but the center held, and the new year arrived with neither army having gained a decided advantage. An uneasy calm descended over the battlefield, broken by the pleading cries of the wounded. ( Kelly, Van Horne, Cole) |
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