Guarding Railroads

[Lubliner]

In the summer of 1864, The Eighteenth Veteran Reserve Corps claimed a special mention due to the fact they had been adjudged as fit only for Hospital Duty. Their story appears to be rather remarkable. Sent first to White House Landing from 4 days of Provost Guard duty at Front Royal, six companies of men stood guard over rebel prisoners, both at the post and during transportation, stood guard over quartermaster's stores, commissary stores, Sanitary Commission stores, ambulances and ordnance. They also guarded the hospitals and men employed on the railroad.

"Each man and officer was put on duty every day according to the utmost measure of his physical ability."*

On June 12, 1864, it was recommended by the medical department to send the regiment north for light duty, four-fifths entirely unfitted for any fatigue or field duty. Ordered back to Washington by the 25th,

"Such was the physical exhaustion, notwithstanding several days' rest on the boat, that out of 474 officers and men, only 5 officers and 200 men were able to attempt the two-mile march between Sixth Street Wharf and Cliffburne Barracks, and sixty of this number fell in the streets. The next morning there were 112 officers on the sick list out an aggregate of 474."*

"During July, August, and September the regiment guarded the railroad between Washington and Annapolis." *

These 16 miles were guarded by 400 men with many of the picket posts composed of a corporal and three men, without any relief for the entire three months. This line was attacked at Beltsville by part of Early's Cavalry. While doing duty on the railroad they arrested 400 stragglers, half which were deserters to the north.

The Official Records, Series III, Vol. 5, page 555 goes on to give more remarkable facts of duty these men pulled guarding prisons etc.
This is a unique indication of how drained the manpower was by the last year of the war.

Lubliner.

 

[Rhea Cole]

In the summer of 1864, The Eighteenth Veteran Reserve Corps claimed a special mention due to the fact they had been adjudged as fit only for Hospital Duty. Their story appears to be rather remarkable. Sent first to White House Landing from 4 days of Provost Guard duty at Front Royal, six companies of men stood guard over rebel prisoners, both at the post and during transportation, stood guard over quartermaster's stores, commissary stores, Sanitary Commission stores, ambulances and ordnance. They also guarded the hospitals and men employed on the railroad.

"Each man and officer was put on duty every day according to the utmost measure of his physical ability."*

On June 12, 1864, it was recommended by the medical department to send the regiment north for light duty, four-fifths entirely unfitted for any fatigue or field duty. Ordered back to Washington by the 25th,

"Such was the physical exhaustion, notwithstanding several days' rest on the boat, that out of 474 officers and men, only 5 officers and 200 men were able to attempt the two-mile march between Sixth Street Wharf and Cliffburne Barracks, and sixty of this number fell in the streets. The next morning there were 112 officers on the sick list out an aggregate of 474."*

"During July, August, and September the regiment guarded the railroad between Washington and Annapolis." *

These 16 miles were guarded by 400 men with many of the picket posts composed of a corporal and three men, without any relief for the entire three months. This line was attacked at Beltsville by part of Early's Cavalry. While doing duty on the railroad they arrested 400 stragglers, half which were deserters to the north.

The Official Records, Series III, Vol. 5, page 555 goes on to give more remarkable facts of duty these men pulled guarding prisons etc.
This is a unique indication of how drained the manpower was by the last year of the war.

Lubliner.

Very much in the spirit of Grant's manifestation of Lincoln's 'If you can't skin you can hold a leg' comment that vividly caught the sprint of the policy.

 

[DixieRifles]

This is a Confederate Intel report from June 1863 on the Union troops that guarded the M&C RR from Memphis to Corinth, which is about 95 miles on today's roads. There were earth forts at most of these locations. Most of these troops were garrisoned there for the specific purpose of guarding the RR and some were detailed at cavalry camps along the RR between these towns.
BTW, it may not be 100% accurate---just the best intelligence they had at this time.

{Edited}
"La Fayette" was LaFayette Station or today is known as Rossville.

Link to OR at Cornell Univ site: Page 949

 

[Rhea Cole]

This is a Confederate Intel report from June 1863 on the Union troops that guarded the M&C RR from Memphis to Corinth, which is about 95 miles on today's roads. There were earth forts at most of these locations. Most of these troops were garrisoned there for the specific purpose of guarding the RR and some were detailed at cavalry camps along the RR between these towns.
BTW, it may not be 100% accurate---just the best intelligence they had at this time.

View attachment 365036

Thanks, I have put this in my Tullahoma Campaign file.

 

[Lubliner]

This is a Confederate Intel report from June 1863 on the Union troops that guarded the M&C RR from Memphis to Corinth, which is about 95 miles on today's roads. There were earth forts at most of these locations. Most of these troops were garrisoned there for the specific purpose of guarding the RR and some were detailed at cavalry camps along the RR between these towns.
BTW, it may not be 100% accurate---just the best intelligence they had at this time.

View attachment 365036

Weren't blockhouses and fortified structures being built, mainly near bridge heads carrying the rails? These points were also rally points for pickets falling back in case of attack. Courtland, Alabama ('62-64') comes to mind, as well as McMinnville, Tennessee (1863) and Munfordville, Kentucky (1862). I know stockades were also being built to shelter work crews sent out to repair the rail system. These were open invitations for confederate cavalry to harass and disrupt the progress of supply as it funneled into Union encampments.
I like that piece of intelligence gathering. May I ask what source it came from, @DixieRifles.
Thanks,
Lubliner.

 

[Rhea Cole]

There is an interesting point in The Supply for Tomorrow Must Not Fail. The constant sniping at the trains reached intolerable levels. In response, a guard box was added to flatcars. It was found that the presence of guards that would fire back greatly decreased the number of attacks.

 

[DaveBrt]

There is an interesting point in The Supply for Tomorrow Must Not Fail. The constant sniping at the trains reached intolerable levels. In response, a guard box was added to flatcars. It was found that the presence of guards that would fire back greatly decreased the number of attacks.

One of the hazards of using black power, everyone knows where the shot came from.

 

[Rhea Cole]

One of the hazards of using black power, everyone knows where the shot came from.

No kidding. Here in Middle Tennessee the dark foliage of cedar trees makes the perfect background for the big white puff of smoke from a musket.

 

[Lubliner]

Alright, I have located a small bit of information on the 1st Michigan Engineers, Co. H from the following site;

1st Michigan Engineers, Co H. writes from Hospital #13 in Nashville, talks of ‘Smokey Row’

Nashville Tennessee Gen’l Hospital No 13 Sept 27th 1863. Dear Sister Harriet As I have a few moments leisure this pleasant Sunday evening I will try to improve them by writing you a few lines…

civilwarnashville.wordpress.com

Scrolling about midway down is this excerpt on railroad details;
"During the latter months of 1863 and the early part of 1864, the regiment was engaged in the construction of the Nashville and Northwestern railroad from Nashville to the Tennessee River, erecting block houses on the lines of railroad from Nashville to Chattanooga, and in the construction of storehouse and ordnance buildings at Bridgeport and Chattanooga."
Thanks,
Lubliner.

 

[DixieRifles]

Weren't blockhouses and fortified structures being built, mainly near bridge heads carrying the rails? These points were also rally points for pickets falling back in case of attack. Courtland, Alabama ('62-64') comes to mind, as well as McMinnville, Tennessee (1863) and Munfordville, Kentucky (1862). I know stockades were also being built to shelter work crews sent out to repair the rail system. These were open invitations for confederate cavalry to harass and disrupt the progress of supply as it funneled into Union encampments.
I like that piece of intelligence gathering. May I ask what source it came from, @DixieRifles.
Thanks,
Lubliner.

I am sure that report is direct from the OR's. But I tend to forget to copy the OR volume number.

The block houses were usually seen in Eastern Tennessee and guarding the railroads supplying Chattanooga.

Restored Fort at Germantown, TN

 

[DixieRifles]

I like that piece of intelligence gathering. May I ask what source it came from, @DixieRifles.

I found it.

Chapter XXXVI - Operations in Mississippi and West Tennessee, including those in Arkansas and Louisiana connected with the Siege of Vicksburg. January 20 - August 10, 1863.
Vol XXIV Part III page 949

Link to Cornell Univ site: Page 949

 

[Lubliner]

I found it.

Chapter XXXVI - Operations in Mississippi and West Tennessee, including those in Arkansas and Louisiana connected with the Siege of Vicksburg. January 20 - August 10, 1863.
Vol XXIV Part III page 949

Link to Cornell Univ site: Page 949

Hey, that is a great help. I have the discs for the volumes and the date is a sure thing for matching up what I want to see.
Much appreciated.
Lubliner.

 

[Lubliner]

So I looked into the link provided by @DixieRifles and came across an interesting item concerning the Mississippi Central Railroad. The following information pretty well consolidates the common theme of difficulties in the system, whether it is cost efficiency, lack of supplies, or being pressed to guard what they are in possession of. Same Volume XXIV, Part 3, page 938. The President of this railroad wrote to General J. E. Johnson on May 31, 1863 concerned with the wheat crop ready to be harvested. He says;

"The Mississippi and Tennessee Road is running its trains from Grenada to Panola, probably as far as it is safe to run them, even if they could pass the river at that place. It is probable that burden cars of small dimensions could be run occasionally by horse-power north of Panola, and probably the Mobile and Ohio Road could run similar cars north of Okolona with or without repairs of road track.

This company runs regular trains as far north as Water Valley, and have been for some time running small cars drawn by mules between Holly Springs and Oxford, and brought out a considerable amount of public property. Between Oxford and Water Valley there has been no communication except by road wagons, the distance being 20 miles.

An expenditure of a few thousand dollars would render the railroad track safe for small burden cars between Oxford and Water Valley or Abbeville, on the south bank of the Tallahatchee, and some $25,000 or $30,000 expenditure -would be required to put the track in good order for engines to run to Abbeville, and $50,000 to put it in order to Holly Springs.

If repaired to Abbeville, so as to run the mule cars, a large amount of grain could be brought out at a small expense, and a large amount of wheat saved that otherwise may not be. One mule with these cars will do the work of twenty on a common road. If these repairs are to be made on this road, it must be done at the expense of the Government.

The company are unwilling to do it at its own cost. It would not be a source of profit or any benefit to it, while to the Government it might be of great benefit. Should it be deemed advisable to attempt the repairs, the company will render every possible assistance except paying the expenses. I am, sir, your obedient servant, W. Goodman."

Lubiner.

 

[Lubliner]

At the end of March in 1864 Franz Sigel was in charge of the Department of West Virginia. This is only 5 weeks away from the Overland Campaign set to begin on May 5th. Many troops are being consolidated under Gen. Grant's command in preparation of the movement for striking south.

On March 29th, Gen. Sigel reports to Washington of his ineffectual strength for the desired protection committed to his charge. He states of having 14 companies of the Sixth Virginia Regiment to guard the railroad from Parkersburg W. Va. to Oakland.

His department includes the whole of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from Monocacy to Parkersburg, over 300 miles, as well as the Northwestern Railroad from Wheeling to Grafton. His troops are in poor condition, and though many blockhouses are built and under construction for protection of the small details guarding the trestle-works and bridges along the railroad, that the fieldworks are incomplete. He has 22,397 effectives divided into 3 divisions and one cavalry division.

Meanwhile General Ord at Culpepper is ordered out toward Covington, Va. to destroy the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, with General Crook leaving out of Charleston at the same time, heading toward Saltville and begin his destruction working back to meet up with Gen. Ord.

Lubliner.

 

[Tennis]

Very glad to discover this forum.

My GGF William Helm served w 6th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry.

 

[Tennis]

Very glad to discover this forum.

My GGF William Helm served w 6th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry.

6th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry was Organized at Grafton, Mannington, Cairo, Parkersburg and Wheeling, W. Va., August 13 to December 26, 1861. Attached to Railroad District, West Virginia, to March, 1862. Railroad District, Mountain Department, to July, 1862. Railroad District, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to September, 1862. Railroad District, West Virginia, to January, 1863. Clarksburg, W. Va., 8th Army Corps, to March, 1863. 6th Brigade, 1st Division, 8th Army Corps, to June, 1863. Wilkinson's Brigade, Scammon's Division, Dept. of West Virginia, to December, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, West Virginia, to April, 1864. Kelly's Command, Reserve Division, West Virginia, to April, 1865. 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, West Virginia, to June, 1865.

 

[Tennis]

6th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry was Organized at Grafton, Mannington, Cairo, Parkersburg and Wheeling, W. Va., August 13 to December 26, 1861. Attached to Railroad District, West Virginia, to March, 1862. Railroad District, Mountain Department, to July, 1862. Railroad District, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to September, 1862. Railroad District, West Virginia, to January, 1863. Clarksburg, W. Va., 8th Army Corps, to March, 1863. 6th Brigade, 1st Division, 8th Army Corps, to June, 1863. Wilkinson's Brigade, Scammon's Division, Dept. of West Virginia, to December, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, West Virginia, to April, 1864. Kelly's Command, Reserve Division, West Virginia, to April, 1865. 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, West Virginia, to June, 1865.

Regiment organized for railroad guard duty and served on line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad by detachments, at various points west of Sleepy Hollow entire term. Raid from Fairmont to Valley River and Bootheville April 12, 1862 (Co. "A"). Skirmish at Valley River April 12 (Co. "A"). Skirmish at Big Bend June 7. Skirmish at Weston August 31 (2 Cos.). Skirmish at Weston September 3 (Detachment). Skirmish at Standing Stone September 28. Capture of St. George November 9 (Co. "B"). Skirmish at Johnstown April 18, 1863 (Detachment). Skirmish at Rowlesburg April 23. Rowlesburg and Portland April 26. Oakland, Md., April 26 (1 Co.). Skirmish at Bridgeport April 29 (Detachment). Fairmont April 29 (Detachment). Bridgeport April 30. Sutton August 26 (Cos. "G" and "I"). Ball's Mills and on Elk River August 27 (Detachment). Bulltown, Braxton County, October 13, 1863 (Detachment). Bulltown May 3, 1864 (Detachment). South Branch Bridge July 4 (Detachment). Patterson's Creek Bridge July 4 (Detachment). Back Creek Bridge July 27 (Detachment). Cumberland, Md., August 1 (1 Co.). New Creek August 4 (2 Cos.). Bulltown August 20 (Detachment). Sutton August 24 (Detachment). Nutter Hill August 27 (Detachment). New Creek November 28 (Detachment). Mustered out June 10, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 8 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 167 Enlisted men by disease. Total 177.

My GGF was
Captured Cumberland, Md., August 1, 1864;Imprisoned Salisbury, Rowan, North Carolina;
Died Jan 12, 1865 (starvation) and Feb 1865, Union prisoners freed

 

[Lubliner]

Regiment organized for railroad guard duty and served on line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad by detachments, at various points west of Sleepy Hollow entire term. Raid from Fairmont to Valley River and Bootheville April 12, 1862 (Co. "A"). Skirmish at Valley River April 12 (Co. "A"). Skirmish at Big Bend June 7. Skirmish at Weston August 31 (2 Cos.). Skirmish at Weston September 3 (Detachment). Skirmish at Standing Stone September 28. Capture of St. George November 9 (Co. "B"). Skirmish at Johnstown April 18, 1863 (Detachment). Skirmish at Rowlesburg April 23. Rowlesburg and Portland April 26. Oakland, Md., April 26 (1 Co.). Skirmish at Bridgeport April 29 (Detachment). Fairmont April 29 (Detachment). Bridgeport April 30. Sutton August 26 (Cos. "G" and "I"). Ball's Mills and on Elk River August 27 (Detachment). Bulltown, Braxton County, October 13, 1863 (Detachment). Bulltown May 3, 1864 (Detachment). South Branch Bridge July 4 (Detachment). Patterson's Creek Bridge July 4 (Detachment). Back Creek Bridge July 27 (Detachment). Cumberland, Md., August 1 (1 Co.). New Creek August 4 (2 Cos.). Bulltown August 20 (Detachment). Sutton August 24 (Detachment). Nutter Hill August 27 (Detachment). New Creek November 28 (Detachment). Mustered out June 10, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 8 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 167 Enlisted men by disease. Total 177.

My GGF was
Captured Cumberland, Md., August 1, 1864;Imprisoned Salisbury, Rowan, North Carolina;
Died Jan 12, 1865 (starvation) and Feb 1865, Union prisoners freed

Very interesting. I am glad you chose to visit and hopefully continue on this Forum I am hosting. General Kelley who had the overall command of the West Virginia systems toward the last three months of the war was captured by O'Neill's raiders. I will seek out the actions of the kidnapping and removal of General Kelley (to do list) but was hoping you might have personal correspondence from William Helm; what was his rank progression?
Thank you.
Lubliner.

 

[Tennis]

Very interesting. I am glad you chose to visit and hopefully continue on this Forum I am hosting. General Kelley who had the overall command of the West Virginia systems toward the last three months of the war was captured by O'Neill's raiders. I will seek out the actions of the kidnapping and removal of General Kelley (to do list) but was hoping you might have personal correspondence from William Helm; what was his rank progression?
Thank you.
Lubliner.

Hi,

MY GGF is listed as a private

 

[Tennis]

And