The National tribune., 1901-06-20
WILCOX'S DIVISION.
Lieut.. simonton, Of the 11sth Ind, Quotes
From his Diary to Prove the Command
Was at Blue Springs.

I
supposed errors in an article in The Ma
| tiOnal Tribune of April %, in relation to
| the battle of Blue Springs, Tenn, on
Oct. 10, 1868.
The historian criticises Capt. Allen for
stating that Gen. Wilcox's Division was
present on that occasion. The historian
is mistaken, while Capt. Allen is absolute
| ly correct on that point.
Capt. Allen quotes Gen. Burnsides re-
| port of that battle, in which it is stated
that Gen. WilcOX's Division joined Burn
sides other forces at Bulls Gap on Oct.
3. This is absolutely correct; but our
! Comrade Sanford claims that because
! WilcoX's Division was mentioned as join
ing others ut Bulls Gap is no Indication
| that his forces We're at Blue Springs on
| the 10th.
| will vouch for their being at the battle
of Blue Springs on Oct. 10, 1868. | was
a member of WilcoX's Division. / was Il
| First Lieutenant in Co. +, 11Sth Ind. The
115th, 1l6th, 111th and 11Sth Ind. con
stituted one brigade, under Gen. Wilcox.
| | Kept pretty full diary while in the
army, and with the permission of the
Editor | will give a transcript of three
DAYS record pertaining to the battle of
| Blue Springs, which ought to settle the
question as to where Gen. Wilcox's Divi-
sion was on that occasion. These records
were made on the same spot:
Camp near Bulls Gap, Tenn, Friday.
Oct. 8, 1863. Were not, aroused early
TINS morning. Weather clear and
| pleasant. Received orders for bat
talon drill: but ere this order was
complied with orders came for march
ing Immediately. 1t was then about $50
a. m At a. III. we were on the
road, marching in an eastward direction.
Destination unknown to the line officers
Passed through Russcliville. on the East
IppnESSpp Rui1TnDl ahnut I m, O..
marched five miles farther and en-
| camped. We are said to be now within
10 or II miles of a large rebel force
The boys had nothing to eat today but
parched corn. Two hundred miles from
our base of supplies and nothing to eat
and that distance must all be made by
team. If ever soldiers Jared badly it is
that division now in East Tennessee east
of Knoxville.
Blue Springs Battle Ground, Saturday.
Oct. 10, 1S63-Rcveille was sounded at
daybreak. The boys were soon in line
for rOll-call. We were ordered to be in
readiness. TO march at I a. IN. Men have
to carry everything required, as baggage
train is to be left behind. The officers
turned over their tents to the Quarter
master. Prospects seem fair for a fight.
Moved out of camp near Russellville at
n. m. After marching six miles arrived
in hearing of artillery, which told us that
fight was on. We moved forward rapidly
two or three miles farther, and were
thrown into line Of battle within about
half n mile of line of engagement. We
were held in reserve-the 10th, 10th,
11Ith and 18th Ind, 23d Ind Battery,
2lst Ohio; 18th Mich, and Sd Ind. Cav.
At p. III. the engagement waxed hot.
The firing Of musketry was incessant, and
at short intervals we heard the booming
of cannon.
AT 5:3O p. m. our brigade was moved to
the front and opened upon the enemy, but
the rcbs soon fell back and night drew her
curtains over the scene. Thus closed the.
engagement for today, but no telling what
awaits us on the morrow. We bivo1ac
for the night on our arms on the ground
occupied by the Tebs at the beginning of
the engagement. The men are without
food, fire or tents. We expect to renew
the engagement in the morning. Our men
moved bravey under fire.
THE results of the battle can not as
certain. | am anxious about the JOhnnies
that are in front of us. All is quiet dur
ing the night, as it stands us in hand to
he real quiet lest a shell from the enemy
may lull us 10 sleep. / can not say that
the place and the occasion are those to
court the goddess of sleep. Rather one
will be thinking of what is in waiting, and
of home and friends and freside. Thus
L Hlu UlISeII UlculIdllHS.
Blue Springs Battle Ground, Sunday,
Oct. II, 1S63-This morning before day
the word is passed along the line that a
little beef will be issued to the men, and
Notwithstanding the danger from the
front, fires are made. and the boys are
soon cooking the meat on sticks held be-
fore the fire and on the Goals, having, of
course, no camp equipage at hand. The
beef must be eaten without salt, but that
tfpr- mot -ntriI hn nnto
cooking, even, if there was no other way.
The boys are scorching a few ears of corn
also, which they have plucked from the
field but are too hard for roasting ears
A feast for the gods this-bard corn
scOrched on the ear and little beef with
out salt. The beef and corn dispatched
we are ready for business before day, not
knowing but some of that valuable pro-
vender has been wasted on those who will
need neither beef nor corn before night.
AT I:30 a. III. we were still in line
awaiting orders to move forward and re-
new the battle. Weather clear but cool
At Q Il. IN. word comes that the rebs re-
treated. or skedaddled during the night
Now it is hurrah boys. for race, with
the rebs many hours ahead of us. Our
caYalrymen are soon in the saddle. and
away they ride after the flying Confeds
Artillery and infantry soon follow.
Our regiment started at - IN. without
indulging in the usual dinner, for we had
nothing to eat. We rush on in pursuit
About , p. III. the news comes to the rear
that our cavalry is engaging the enemy
beyond Greenville. The infantry is urged
TO make renewed efforts, and the men
push forward as rapidly as footmen can
move, forgetting their hunger, as the day
has passed and this heavy marching has
been done without food save the dainty
repast before day. We passed two miles
beyond the tOwT of Greenyille, but the
rebs had also passed farther on, our
cavalry in the rear serving to accelerate
their speed. 1t being about night. and
the infantry exhausted, we are halted and
so into camp.
This is Sunday, the usual day of hard
est work for the soldier The boys lay
down to rest tonight with empty haver-
sacks and empty stomachs. How long
these arduous duties can be ground out of
men on half ratiOns, quarter ratiOns and
no ratiOns is one of the mysteries.
''TO our surprise the wagons arrive at
8 p. m., but the men are too nearly ex-
hausted to make any effort to prepare
food if such is in store. SO now for few
sweet dreams of home and plenty"
The above is an exact transcript of my
diary so far as relates to the battle of
Blue Springs. Gen. Wilcox's Division
was there, as well as almost everywhere
else in East Tennessee during the Winter
of 1863 and 1864. We passed through
the town of Tazewell Is times that Win
ter. | could tell the boys great deal
about the hard campaign i'll East Ten
a. .,FI