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Friday June 10, 1863
Dechard, Tennessee
The advance guard arrived in good order around half past 1:00 p.m. The weather was warm and sunny. Captain Robert Preston, Captain Peters and Lt. Preston accompanied me to town. Just before town we were halted and engaged in some polite conversation with the townsfolk. Sentiments did not seem to be hostile among the local population. The town was a hamlet with good roads. We inquired as to the disposition of headquarters and were politely directed to the area.
We proceeded through town over a single covered bridge that led into the hamlet. We there found headquarters and was escorted to General McCooks Headquarters. The report was made to the officer on duty that the battalion was just to our rear and was expected in good order. I inquired to be directed to an area to rest our horses and await the battalion. We were directed to an inn that had two porches which we promptly set up our command for direction of the battalion. The farm yard supplied our needs well it as it contained a smokehouse, large horse barn, paddocks and an ample supply of forage. There was good flat fields in which the battalion could camp in with some comfort.
I took my horse in the paddock and removed the cattle and rams that were in the paddock to the rear of the inn. I gave my horse to the aid de camp and went about the business of laying out the camp. The quartermaster wagon arrived and was quartered behind the smokehouse. The trees were ample with good shade and the farm lot reminded me of home. The staff officers seem well pleased as the comfortable area was well appreciated by road weary men. The battalion rations were unloaded and space was made for division rations that were expected to arrive in short order.
Captain Preston and I laid out the camp in an ample horse pasture that was thick with clover. All of the commotion upset some of the livestock in the adjacent fields and a great interest to the cattle was taken by my saddle horse mare, Irish. The battalion’s was approaching and camp layout was expedited. The company officers quarters were made in the lot next to the barn. Battalion officers quickly took to their own business and I to mine. I removed myself to straighten my uniform and remove the road dust from it and then summoned Captain Preston to accompany as I reported to division that the camp had been made ready and awaited the battalion. We entered division headquarters and was stopped by the guard. I saluted and passed by with little words.
At our arrival I requested to meet with the general. The general and his adjutant greeted me and I immediately informed them that the battalion’s quarters had been made ready and that my staff and I were reporting for orders. Captain Preston and I returned to battalion headquarters and ordered Captain Peters to inquire with the division quartermaster as to the arrival of the remaining rations. Captain Peters reported back that no answer was forthcoming from division. I then ordered a few hogs slaughtered and prepared for morning rations. The weather was turning for the worst and food would need to be prepared before dark set in.
Word came down from division that general officer’s call would commence at 7:30 p.m. at headquarters and that my staff and I were to report. There we received our report and was ordered to return to camp. The weather began to look ominous as the battalion started to arrive. I issued general orders for the NCOs and sent word to some of the civilians we had encountered in town earlier of the bad weather heading towards the area.
I had just retired to the inn’s porch when the bugle called officers report. I girded myself once more to report and proceeded to headquarters. The AAG called attention to orders. Lt. Trent had arrived and accompanied me to headquarters. He wrote as fast as he could as the directives were given about guard, rations and placement of men. I took notice of the general, his frame was not large, but he appeared to be a solid man of good soldierly character, a man to the point. The AAG was a dapper young man with the appearance of a predatory peacock. I was again acquainted with and old pard whom I had served many campaigns with. The jolly good provost Michael Pierpoint, who possesses a genuine smile with the approach of good, old friends. We returned to camp promptly.
Captain Randy Jackson arrived with his men and wagon train. Captain Jackson is a jovial sole and he and his men went strait to work. I called for battalion officer’s call and issued orders. The weather was becoming windy and the rain would arrive in short order. The constable came round to tell a bad storm was on its way. His warning was welcome, but the air had turned heavy and you could feel the storm’s approach. I retired to the house – four walls and protection from the weather. It was delightful. I saw several of the men slip away from their meager tents and make their beds in the barns hay lofts and under its eaves.
The constable had made his rounds and let the town folks know that the cellars beneath the buildings would be open. A gaggle of women and children approached with all manner of bedding and asked for shelter as their own abodes had suffered damage in the storm. As they were some of the ladies we had encountered earlier and had many small children I graciously removed myself to the porch and surrendered the house to them. Upon the porch was a large woven rug and I made myself a bed and rolled in it. Lt. Wilkinson arrived later in the evening and as the storm was raging made his bed on the porch as well. The children were restless in the house as the storm frightened them. Their mothers tottered around after them with great concern. Finally all settled down and the house grew very still, but the wind and storm woke me throughout the night.
Saturday June 11, 1863
Dechard, Tennessee
I was up and moving through the camp before the bugle called assembly. The storm had passed and the morning was cool and the air clean. I went to the barn stall and fed Irish as my aide de camp could not be found. The folks who had taken refuge that evening were scurrying out of the house before the army could stir. The inn keeper arrived and was astounded that the army had taken over her dwelling. She was a tall, blonde haired woman with a semi-pleasant disposition. She was not pleased over her hogs being slaughtered and livestock moved. She didn’t protest a great deal and went to work.
Captains Peters and quartermaster staff worked hurriedly behind the smokehouse to prepare the rations that the battalion had brought with them. Division rations were still no where in site. Sergeant Major Gallagher saw to the morning report. He was a fine young man. I knew his father well and he reminded me of him considerably. I dispatched Captain Jackson to the Division Quartermaster to find out when the battalion could expect the arrival of rations. I saddled my horse and rode through the battalion to inspect the disposition of the men. The fine morning air and the peaceful setting afforded an old soldier some peace and tranquility.
I returned to camp and called for the battalion officers once again. Ordered Captain Preston to assist with morning formation and to have the battalion assembled and ready to go. Received orders from the AAG and commanding General. Being that there was no place for drill went out of town to a large flat field. The battalion drilled for some time and looked smart. First company had a newly promoted company captain and although it was his first command Captain Davis settled in well.
The battalion returned to camp. The battalion quartermaster at long last received rations from division. Sergeant Major Gallagher got the 1st sergeants on line to receive rations as the business of eating was in order. The men settled down to eat and rest.
Some time had passed and I heard distant gunfire. However given the presence of rebel pickets outside of town the battalion seemed undisturbed we went about our business. Eventually the order came down to assemble and then we were ordered to advance toward the sound of battle. Upon reaching the field of contest I saw cavalry heavily engaged, but very little infantry. We advanced rapidly. The boys took to their duty and did it very well. The rebel infantry was pushed back and we were ordered to withdraw. We picked up our wounded. No woman was made a widow that day as our boys did not suffer greatly. I dispatched the aide de camp to Captain Nelson to inform them that wounded would be arriving soon and that our casualties were light that day. Doc Nelson went to work on our wounded quickly. He is a fine doctor and the men are fond of him. I watched a steady stream of men with ailments make their way to his tent.
I called the battalion officers to the front and turned the battalion over to the Sergeant Major. I gave out orders to post guards on the camp and town. Lt. Trent asked about evening parade, but I thought we would better serve the men if they were dry, rested and had eaten. I think that the Lt. was looking forward to parade to hone his skills of rank.
After the long day with sporadic action I contracted with the blonde headed woman who ran the inn, she finally gave me her name. Captain Jackson was also busy with cooking. We emptied the smokehouse of the last ham hanging and with some dried beans and corn bread had a feast. The guard had pulled considerably duty and I decided to inspect the guard posts myself. I asked the Captain Jackson to have one of his men hitch up the wagon. As we were finished with dinner I put the cook pots in the back of the wagon and asked the blonde woman to accompany for a drive. She was a horse woman of some skill and drove the wagon with ease. It must have been very pleasurable as she smiled a great deal during our jaunt, she seemed to be warming up to my presence, although she did indicate to me that she was unhappy with our current occupation of her home. We stopped at each guard post and offered vitals to all. Most of the men ate vigoursly. We drove out into the country for awhile where we encountered a group of ragged half starved Johnnies. As we approached these men with apprehension it was obvious they weren’t spoiling for a fight instead they were taking a stroll and we inquired where they were from. Kentucky, they replied and as a native son of the great state of Kentucky I offered them some vitals as well. They shoved food in with both hands and disappeared back into the woods.
As we drove back into town we encountered many of the townsfolk hurrying along to a barn dance. I inquired if the lady would like to attend the dance as well. She readily agreed, but stated that she must take her young charges with her. When we arrived many of the men and officers were already in attendance. We danced up a storm, which provided great entertainment to Captain Preston and Jackson. Even young Lt. Preston got into a festive mood and took a turn with a young lady. We returned to camp and Ms. House returned to the inn. I think once the war is over I will return to this place to get to know her. I inquired if I might do so and she to my surprise said yes.
I retired to the fireside to hear the stories of the day. We all had a merry drink to comrades lost and to home. We had a visit from the AAG. I accompanied trooper Jamie to the wagon for a quick pull of the jug. He the Sergeant Major and I finished the jug. I made my way to the porch and the night closed in. Sleep was quick to come.
Sunday June 12, 1863
Dechard, Tennessee
The sun rose and it was a beautiful Sunday morning. The night had been chilly, but it made for good sleeping. I went to the barn and saddled my horse and worked out Irish gal. I passed by my officers and they were busy getting ready for the day. I told them I wanted the battalion assembled for a knapsack inspection as there had been some complaints from the local citizens as to their larders being disturbed. I also inquired about a church service and knowing that private Easley was a good man of God inquired as to him giving a sermon.
The troopers assembled for the service which was given in work yard of the inn. To my great delight Ms. House and her young wards attended. She wore a dress as blue as the sky and I was certain she hadn’t worn in a great while. I was very taken with her. As usual private Easley delivered a wonderful sermon and I saw some of them men moved to tears. Certainly they were sure that a terrific battle would occur soon as the pickets had sniped at each other all during the morning.
The battalion was assembled in good order and the knapsack inspection proceeded under the direction of Captain Preston, Lt. Trent and Lt. Preston. No contraband was found, but several of the soldiers had lost some of their accouterments which were recorded for the paymaster. Soon after that the paymaster arrived and the battalion was again assembled to take the pay. Sergeant Girton, Lt. Preston and Captain Peters oversaw the payroll. The aide de camp turned up after being absent from the camp that evening. He was somewhat disheveled in his appearance and was quickly dispatched to repair his appearance. He is a youngster and very full of himself, but much loved by the officers. I suppose he reminds them on themselves when they were young bucks and full of life.
Soon the order came to assemble the battalion. The sound of distant gunfire by the pickets increased. Artillery was soon brought up and a full scale fight was brewing. The order was given to march to the sound of battle.
In closing, I must say this is one of the finest bunch of officers and men I have had the pleasure of serving with. I will carry the memory of their faces with me for the remainder of my life. I hope to serve with them on many a campaign and I pray they all return to their loved ones safely. God in his wisdom has called us to this desperate fight and I hope he looks over those who answer his call.
Colonel Chad Greene
Commanding
Western Federal Blues
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