Aot - 1865

[larry_cockerham]

January 6, 1865

Generals Stewart and Stevenson (commanding Lee's corps) were ordered to work the road where it was bad on their march. The Mississippi winter was still very much in evidence. Soft sandy soil did not hold up under the onslaught of thousands of poorly covered feet and animal hooves. The wagons, wobbly wheels and all, were in bad need of repair if not total abandonment.

 

[larry_cockerham]

Winter continues

January 7, 1865

Lee's corps arrived at Tupelo and went into camp.

January 7 – March 22 Wilson's Cavalry at Gravelly Springs, Alabama

James Harrison Wilson was about to form the largest and best equipped equestrian fighting force in the history of the United States. After gathering men, horses and supplies he was ready for the task of stopping Nathan Bedford Forrest and Richard Taylor in their wobbly tracks. In the process he "captured" Alabama and Georgia before going on with his long life and military career.

 

[samgrant]

Does this house still stand? (see page 39)

Amazon Online Reader : Civil War Tales of the Tennessee Valley


-

 

[larry_cockerham]

Sam, I doubt the house is still there. The reference says "it stood for 170 years"..... sounds like that means it bit the dust. I notice it also says Forrest spent the night there Sep 21, 1864.

"In September 1864, the legendary Gen. Forrest and his "Critter Company" crossed the river at Colbert Shoal and rode through Florence via the Huntsville Road. After capturing a Union garrison at Athens and wrecking the Nashville-and-Chattanooga Railroad in middle Tennessee that furnished supplies to Sherman's Army, he marched through Georgia. "
On Sep 20 George Spaulding was ordered from Pulaski to Shoals Creek with the effectives of the 10th and 12th TN U.S. cavalry. James P. Cockerham probably remained in Pulaski, still recovering from his wounds.

"Next, Forrest's cavalry re-entered Alabama with Col. W. H. Morgan's Union cavalry in hot pursuit. Forrest hoped to cross at the Bainbridge Crossing but the river was flooded. After locating a barge, his troops began a two-day process of transporting men and swimming the horses. The last regiment of Confederates was left to harass the Federals and told to meet the main body on Seven-Mile Island in two days. The two cold days on the island were spent without fires, fearing enemy detection. Incidents such as this only increased the myths and legends surrounding Forrest and his men."

The Florence, Alabama website lists several historic residences that either are or were in the area. I suspect this house is covered. I've seen the name somewhere before. Hugh Riah Reynolds on Butler Creek Road.... I'll do some looking. McDonald, by the way is an excellent author who has been researching that area around Lauderdale Co., AL for many years.

 

[larry_cockerham]

Hugh Riah Reynolds, Lauderdale Co., AL

This was written by Michele L. Valkevan in 1998 for the Lauderdale Co. AL Heritage Boook. The Reynolds house in not listed on the national register of historic places in Lauderdale County in 2007. I suspect it is gone.

"About 1845, Hugh Riah's father, Hamilton Reynolds died at the age of 84 and is believed to be buried in the family cemetery on Hugh Riah's farm. In December 1845, Hugh and Betsy's son, John Wiggins Reynolds, died at the age of 20. He is also believed to be buried in the family cemetery.

By 1860, Hugh and Betsy owned several hundred acres, and 20 slaves, as well as obtaining land for several of their married children. By this time, all but the youngest two had married. Then came the Civil War. Hugh Riah was 65 years old in 1861, wife, Betsy, 61. Most of their sons, sons-in-law and nephews joined the Confederate Army. Son James M. Reynolds served as Captain of Company B, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, a unit of Biffle's Battalion under General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Capt. Reynolds' brothers, Richard Randolph and Wesley Blassingame, served as 2nd Sgt. and 3rd Sgt., while a third brother, Winston Pettus, and ten cousins, brothers-in-law and nephews served as privates.

The war years were difficult and made more so by the ravages of various bands of Union and Confederate deserters, draft-dodgers and criminals who came generally to be called "The Buggers." Their focus of activity was the area of Lauderdale near the state line. According to one family member, Hugh Reynolds was "hung" on three occasions by these thieves, trying to force him to tell where his money was hidden.

Though several were wounded in action, and James was taken to a Union prison camp (from which he escaped), all of Hugh and Betsy's sons returned home safely. Daughter Elizabeth Dorinda, who had only recently married William Hough, died in 1865 and was buried in the family cemetery.

The ravages of the war in Lauderdale County, coupled with the martial law, tax increases and loss of slave labor, made the Reconstruction Era, in many respects, more damaging to the family than the war had been. Property was lost in Sheriff's sales, criminal activity by The Buggers and others continued, and the price of cotton plummeted. Several of Hugh and Betsy's children moved to Arkansas, in an effort to find a better life. These included Nancy Emily and her husband, William Carroll Bailey; George Riley and his second wife, Nannie Hamm (his first wife, Elizabeth Hamm, died in 1857 and is buried in the Wade Cemetery in Iron City, Tennessee); Winston Pettus and his third wife, Margaret J. Bell, and Wesley Blassingame and his wife, Sarah Brewer. In August 1871, Hugh Riah Reynolds died at the age of 76, and a few months later, his 37 year-old son, Joseph Pleasant, was shot and killed. Both are buried in the family cemetery. Joseph Pleasant's widow, Mary Eliza Ragan, and their six children moved to Tishomingo Co., Mississippi where her family lived."

 

[larry_cockerham]

January 8, 1865

No orders of importance issued with reference to further movements.

January 9, 1865

Stewart's corps arrived at Tupelo and went into camp. The Union Cavalry was reported at Eastport, Mississippi. Time was running out for the Army of Tennessee in Mississippi. Thomas and Wilson were still on the trail.

MONTGOMERY, January 9, 1865.

President JEFFERSON DAVIS:

I will leave as soon as practicable for Hood's army, and will send to Hardee's assistance all troops which can be spared. Condition of common roads and breaks in railroads will, however, delay their arrival. Should circumstances permit I will return with them.

G. T. BEAUREGARD,
General.

Seems to me Beauregard and Davis tried to run a war by remote control, with the results that might be expected from poor management and minimal logistical support. Gentlemen and Ladies, what do YOU think?

 

[richard]

I just love what the National Geographic Society said about the AOT in there book on the War.

"The Army of Tennessee would never fight again" Page 340
"Eyewitness to the Civil War"

I guess that they stopped researching before Hood crossed the Tennessee River.

 

[johan_steele]

Never fight again... four major engagements and inumerable smaller ones. Proof the National Geographic doesn't know its... umm you get my point.

Larry another outstanding thread. When you gonna put her together in book format?

 

[ole]

In "One Road; Two Armies," Larry does have a real book. I don't know of another that traces the niggly little details of Hood's advance and retreat. He needs a local publisher who will fork over the geetas to put a skilled editor on the project. The result will be a book I'd buy in a New York minute.

ole

 

[larry_cockerham]

There's still a bunch of work needed to tell the story. I do, however, greatly appreciate the kind comments.

January 10, 1865

Cheatham's corps ordered to move from Corinth to Tupelo.

From the history of the 11th Tennessee Infantry:

As the ghost of the Army of Tennessee withdrew from the Volunteer State, the brigade was within a few miles of Corinth, Mississippi by January 4. By January 10, the army had moved through Corinth and had established camp at Tupelo. When Hood's army arrived in Tupelo on Jan. 10, 1865, there were fewer than 15,000 infantry. On the 15th, Hood was relieved of command and replaced by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston." [ Not exactly true, it was Lt. Gen. Richard Taylor on Jan 22. Johnston returned Feb 22, 1865. ]

P.G.T. Beauregard retained command in Hood's absence. Taylor was to remain with Forrest in defense of Alabama and Mississippi.

 

[larry_cockerham]

January 11, 1865 No orders of importance.

January 12, 1865 Cheatham's corps arrived at Tupelo. All stores reported moved away from Corinth to Tupelo.

January 13, 1865 No orders of importance.

From the History of the 33rd Mississippi:

On 13 Jan 1865 the men moved the camp 3 to 4 miles south and camped near the railroad at Verona, Mississippi. It had been raining and sleeting almost constantly for several days. The remainder of January, 1865, was spent moving from Verona to Okolona to West Point, and then to *******n.

The weather was no friend to the AOT, though conditions were just as severe to Wilson's forming cavalry a few miles to the northeast where they camped along the Tennessee River near Gravelly Springs. Rest was needed by all; the war wasn't quite over.

 

[ole]

The weather was no friend to the AOT, though conditions were just as severe to Wilson's forming cavalry a few miles to the northeast where they camped along the Tennessee River near Gravelly Springs. Rest was needed by all; the war wasn't quite over.

Have been religiously following your narrative, Larry. Thank you. But can't resist mentioning that Wilson's boys did have food, shoes, warm clothes and tents. Yeah. You and I wouldn't begin to think of camping out in December under any circumstances -- even with Arctic gear and MREs. Kinda makes one understand and appreciate the soldier, doesn't it.

ole

 

[richard]

The Union camps at Waterloo and Gravely Springs had a lot to be desired. Yes, they had wooden structures to bunk down in and they did have some heat. They still had tons of mud to contend with. The horses had very little food as the area was poor and had been ravished by both army's. Flood waters had swept away or destroyed most of the corn and hay that had been stockpiled for them near the camps. The troops were at times down to one quarter ration of parched corn a day, the remaining going to the horses.

 

[PINCKNEYUSMCRET]

As my ole Company Commander said, "War is a miserable business". While I admire the courage of both the blue and the gray. Those AOT boys were some stubborn folks hanging on to the end. When my time comes I would like to chat with those warriors.

Pinckney

 

[larry_cockerham]

January 14, 1865

General Beauregard arrived at Tupelo, on visit to the army, late at night. Doubtless he was working up the courage to bring the hammer down on Hood.

Union Cavalry under General James Wilson arrived at Gravelly Springs, Alabama this same day. The 5th Division, 1st Brigade US moved from Waterloo, AL to Gravelly Springs, AL and remained there during the month.

 

[larry_cockerham]

January 15, 1865

A system for furloughing the Confederate troops was established. (See General Orders, No. 1, 1865, and circular letter to corps commanders, field dispatches, N. 542.) On this day Samuel Robinson of the 63rd Virginia wrote a letter to his wife from Tupelo, Mississippi.

 

[larry_cockerham]

January 16, 1865 .

The army including Lee's Corps still in same camp at and near Tupelo. Whit Parker must have been there, a young man of nineteen years still suffering mightily from the soreness of the schrapnel which had been removed from his legs and thighs. His youth doubtless helped him move about better than an older man might have fared. Still he was about six hundred miles from his native Virginia. The Tennessee River was beautiful, but it didn't compare to the Holston that he called home. Rest was the most precious gift the 63rd Virginia could have received at this time, aside from a ticket home. The war was to continue. Survival was the order of the day.

 

[larry_cockerham]

January 17,1865 (Tuesday)

General Beauregard arrives in Tupelo with instructions, from Secretary Seddon, to grant General Hood's request to be relieved of command and to send as many troops "as may be spared" to Augusta, Georgia. Beauregard immediately approved a "judicious system of furloughs" for the men in Hood's army "to prevent disorder and desertion in [the] Army of Tennessee." John Bell Hood sends two dispatches to President Davis, one offering "to command a corps or division," and the second requesting that he be assigned "west of the Mississippi River." According to Hood, "I think I can be of more service there than east of the river."

Although Beauregard is satisfied that the army "requires immediate reorganization and consolidation" and believes that "to divide this small army at this juncture to re-enforce General Hardee would expose to capture Mobile, Demopolis, Selma, Montgomery, and all the rich valley of the Alabama River," he organizes the "first shipment of about 8,000 troops" for the long and arduous train ride to Georgia.

 

[larry_cockerham]

Beau takes charge for the moment

General Beauregard then wrote the following response:

TUPELO, January 17, 1865. (Received 3 o'clock 24th.)
- Hon. J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War:

Telegram of the 15th instant received. I will leave for Georgia and South Carolina soon as practicable after having placed General Taylor in command of the Army of Tennessee, and take, after conference with him, as many troops as can be spared from here.

G. T. BEAUREGARD

The move was on. One more attempt to stop Sherman.

 

[larry_cockerham]

The 63rd VA get in gear

Where were the 63rd and 54th Virginia in this logistical nightmare attempting to move 18,000 soldiers east at short notice?

Calvin Livesay's diary describes a train ride south. Apparently he and his immediate comrades had been separated from the main body of the regiment. If Whitfield Parker was an ineffective at that time, he would have stayed with the main wagon train and would have perhaps have required assistance in moving about. Placing these men on trains would have been the logical move. I suspect the 54th and 63rd Regiments went with the main body. More study will hopefully reveal the order the Corps were transported.