It isn't the only incident of troops having to pay tolls.
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLIX/1 [S# 103]
FEBRUARY 15-16, 1865.--Scout from Nashville, on the Nolensville Pike, Tenn.
Report of Capt. Robert H. Clinton, Tenth Tennessee Infantry.
NASHVILLE, TENN., February 17, 1865.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to orders received from Major-General Rousseau, on the 15th of February, at 11 a.m., I proceeded with a force of thirty men (Captain Poston's company, Fourteenth Tennessee Cavalry), on the Nolensville pike, in search of certain guerrillas who were committing depredations on and in the vicinity of that road. Some ten miles from town I received information from citizens coming into market that there were three bushwhackers at the next toll-gate, which was fourteen miles from the city. Having heard while out on a scout a few days previous that they were in the habit of resorting to this toll-gate, and knowing the impossibility of reaching it without being seen at some distance, I used the expedient of pressing two country wagons, dismounting eight men, and placing four in each wagon, I getting into the foremost one; then pulling the covers close down so as to entirely conceal the men, I ordered the foremost wagon to drive up to the gate as though he was going to pay toll. I had previously given orders to the men not to fire unless they were fired upon or unless they could not halt any one who would run away from the house. As soon as the wagon halted two men came to the door and I sprang up. One of the men in a very rough manner asked me, "What do you want here?" I asked him who he was. In reply he told me that I could not come into the house, and immediately ran into the house, slamming the door after him. I jumped out of the wagon and ran to the door, forcing it open and calling to him to halt and not run or he would be shot, but before I could force the door and get through the house he had made his way out into the back yard and was running off through the corn-field. The men halted him several times, but he paid no attention to them. By the time I reached the back yard the men fired on him, and, I am sorry to say, killed him. I do not think, taking all the circumstances into consideration, that the command can be blamed for his death, for the innocent are brave as a lion, but the guilty flee from their shadow. Be that as it may, his death was a circumstance to be regretted, and no one regrets it more than I do, and an article published in this morning's Dispatch, stating that his life was threatened by one of the men, is entirely false and without foundation, as is, in fact, the whole article published by that paper in regard to the scout and its proceedings.
[extensive excerpt]
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. H. CLINTON,
Captain, Tenth Tennessee Infantry.
Major POLK,
Assistant Adjutant-General, District of Tennessee.
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O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLIII/1 [S# 90]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING SPECIALLY TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, AUGUST 4, 1864, TO AUGUST 31, 1864.(*)--#
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
August 11, 1864--10.45 a.m.
General MERRITT:
I do not think it best to go beyond the Front Royal pike, for there is a good force of infantry in front of Custer, and they would move down and cut you off. If possible occupy the pike and send up a party toward Winchester, and if they can get about three [miles] from the Double toll-gate, it might warrant sending a small party toward Newtown. Send me back now about every fifteen minutes how things are going. There is firing with Custer, but he has sent no report. I have directed him not to engage their infantry till I can hear from you.
Yours, &c.,
A. T. A. TORBERT,
Brigadier-General and Chief of Cavalry.
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O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLIII/1 [S# 90]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING SPECIALLY TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, AUGUST 4, 1864, TO AUGUST 31, 1864.(*)--#
HEADQUARTERS TH1RD CAVALRY DIVISION,
August 30, 1864--6 p.m.
Brigadier-General MCINTOSH,
Commanding First Brigade:
General Torbert wishes you to send one good squadron on the Berryville-Winchester pike, as near to the Opequon Creek as you can. Instruct the officer that is detached to move rapidly, and if he meets any parties of the enemy to endeavor to take prisoners; information is wanted. A woman at the toll-gate just this side of the Opequon will give any news she may possess.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. H. WILSON,
Brigadier-General.
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continued