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WHEELER'S RAID INTO MIDDLE TENNESSEE IN 1863

From “A Brief Narrative of the Fourth Tennessee Cavalry Regiment” by George B. Guild, 1913

In the latter part of September, 1863, just after the battle of Chickamauga, by order 
of General Bragg, General Wheeler was sent into Middle Tennessee with his cavalry corps. 
The Army of Tennessee was occupying the field they had so gallantly won at Chickamauga. 
He moved up the Cleveland Road to Red Clay, and forded the Tennessee River at or near 
Cottonport, some thirty miles above Chattanooga. The object of the raid was to cut off 
all supplies from the North for Rosecrans's army, then at Chattanooga. The Nashville 
and Chattanooga Railroad from Bridgeport to Chattanooga was then in possession of the Confederates. The opposite bank of the Tennessee was closely picketed by the enemy, and 
the command was to keep as still as possible so as not to draw their attention until we 
had crossed. We reached the ford after a night's ride, and rested there till daylight. 
I can never forget the beauty and picturesqueness of the scene that was presented that 
moonlight night, when four or five thousand cavalry forded the beautiful Tennessee. It 
happened that the Fourth Tennessee Regiment was in front; and, headed by a single guide, 
we descended the banks and dropped into the river, and then the line swung down the stream 
across the silvery surface of the broad waters, like the windings of a huge dark serpent. 
When we reached the opposite shore, I looked back upon the scene presented. This, with 
the reflection that we had turned our faces homeward again after our glorious victory, 
was soul-inspiring indeed. Nearly half a century has elapsed, but its recollection is as 
vivid in my memory as it was then. No creation of art could have been more imposing. 
There is too much stern reality in a soldier's life for such to claim his attention, 
but this scene has left an impression that I can never forget.

As we reached the opposite shore the gray dawn of a bright September morning was 
breaking upon us. About one-half of the regiment was dismounted and silently moved up 
the bank. But a few moments had elapsed before the bang of a solitary gun was heard, 
and in another second bang! bang! bang! went the guns, and then a perfect fusillade. 
All were now wide awake, and the stillness of the scene was suddenly transformed into 
busy preparation for a fight. Another regiment was hurried forward, and thundered down 
the road leading from the river in the direction of the firing. A few more shots were 
heard, and all was still again. A large picket of mounted men had been driven off with 
the loss of several men and some prisoners. The remainder of the command moved out from 
the river as they came over, and in due time all were safely over. The trail of the 
ford was a devious one and, very deep in places. One would reasonably suppose that many 
mishaps would have occurred, but nothing of a serious character happened.

The command then moved toward Middle Tennessee across the mountains into the Sequatchie 
Valley, where we went into camp for the night at the crossroads. Nothing of note occurred 
during the day. About daylight the following morning we were aroused by an order to 
saddle up and mount our horses, as the bugle sounded "boots and saddles." In a few moments 
more we were moving down the valley at a rapid rate, not knowing at the time what was tip. 
How vividly these stirring scenes flit across my memory! And how many incidents of dash 
and spirit do they bring to mind of the early morning "racket, when from out the empty 
saddlebows bravely they fell"! A few miles away we commenced overhauling Federal 
wagons, partially plundered; then the cry of a wagon train was raised. As the pace 
quickened, these captures thickened along the way; and after going ten or twelve miles 
down the valley to the vicinity of jasper,. there opened the richest scene that the eye 
of a cavalryman can behold. Along the side of the mountain hundreds of large Federal 
wagons were standing, with their big white covers on them, like so many African elephants, 
solemn in their stately grandeur. They had been rushed up there by the teamsters and 
abandoned. This was too rich a bonanza to be left without an escort; and in a few moments 
the rifles sounded from the mountain sides, indicating that we would have to do some 
fighting for such booty. Men were dismounted in haste and hurried to the right and left. 
A vigorous fire was kept up for a while, when the enemy, seeing that they were greatly 
outnumbered, surrendered after some casualties on both sides. The escort numbered 1200, 
with many drivers of the wagons. Some of them had escaped by cutting loose the mules and 
mounting them. We knew that there was a large infantry force not many miles away, and we 
set to work destroying everything at once. Orders were given that no plunder was to be 
carried off. This, however, was but partially enforced. The wagons were loaded with all 
manner of clothing and rations for the army of General Rosecrans. Among the wagons were 
a number belonging to sutlers, with rich stores of all kinds. The result of the capture 
was seven hundred and fifty wagons, twenty-six hundred fat mules, and twelve hundred 
prisoners. The wagons, or the most of them, were loaded with rations for the army. The 
enemy were afraid to risk railroad transportation, and were endeavoring to provision 
their army at Chattanooga by means of wagons from McMinnville. It had rained the night 
before and left the roads so slippery that the wagons could not go over the steep mountain 
pass. Such of the mules as we could not take off were destroyed. The wagons and the greater 
part of their contents were destroyed on the spot, the debris covering acres of ground. 
I was particularly struck with the fine harness that had been stripped from the mules, as 
it lay chin-deep over ten acres of ground. Such a calamity as this would have been most 
seriously felt by us, and would have retarded movements for months; but with "Uncle Sam," 
with all the world at his back, it made no perceptible difference. If it created a ripple 
of discomfort anywhere, we never had the satisfaction of knowing it.

From here we moved on toward McMinnville, traveling all night long with the prisoners, 
mules, and a few of the wagons. General Dibrell had been sent forward from the crossroads 
where we camped to take McMinnville. We reached there the next morning. Dibrell had captured 
the garrison of four hundred, with stores that had been shipped there by rail to. be 
transported by wagon train to Chattanooga. It was said that there was a full suit of clothing 
for every soldier in Rosecrans's army, besides an immense amount of rations. During the night 
we overtook the guard in charge of the prisoners on foot. As we passed them I noticed a boy 
among them who could not have been over ten or twelve years of age, dressed in full Federal
 uniform. I asked him what he was doing there, and he answered that he was a soldier and a 
marker for a Michigan regiment. I took him up behind me and carried him the remainder of 
the night, leaving him with the guard in charge of other prisoners captured at McMinnville. 
We now had about sixteen hundred prisoners on our hands, and the most perilous part of our 
raid was still before us. So it was concluded that we would parole them. Marching them out 
a few miles from McMinnville, we ordered them to hold up their right hands, swearing not 
to take up arms again until they were legally exchanged, and then started them toward 
the Kentucky line. How many of them observed their parole, we will never know; but it 
seemed to us then and afterwards that for every one we killed or captured half a dozen 
would rise up in their places. When we lost a man, he was "dead for certain," and, worse 
still, none was to be had to stand in his place. In fact, it was this that forced us to 
quit fighting after four years, during which time we had the satisfaction of knowing that 
we were giving them about all they could stand up to, and this after calling to their aid 
the negroes and an immense foreign importation.

From McMinnville General Wheeler moved toward Murfreesboro. The column was a very long 
and cumbersome one with the mules and wagons we were attempting to take with us. We must 
have been close on the rear of the column, for by the time we reached Woodbury (one-half 
of the distance) we were in a gallop; and when we reached Murfreesboro we were at running 
speed. We found the command in line of battle close up to the town, forming a semicircle 
covering the roads leading to the south. We took position in line, and remained there 
probably half the day, expecting every moment to be ordered to charge the town. All at 
once we moved in column down the Shelbyville Pike. The object was then comprehended to 
be a feint to cover the passing of the led stock and wagons. During the halt here miles 
of railroad track was destroyed. Christiana is a station on the Chattanooga Railroad 
where a ludicrous little episode transpired en passant. The pike was about half a mile 
from the station, but in sight. A body of bluecoats were seen about the station, and a 
small troop was sent over to take them in. After approaching the place, something like a 
cannon was observed upon an eminence back of the station, with the gunners standing about 
it ready to fire. The information was sent back to the pike, and one of Lieutenant White's 
guns was brought down. About the time it was placed in position to rake the station half 
a dozen white handkerchiefs were flaunted in the air. We went over to receive the surrender, 
and the wouldbe artillery was found to be an ordinary stovepipe set on a couple of wagon 
wheels. There was a set of about one hundred jolly, well-fed fellows, belonging to an 
Indiana regiment. They were well fixed up and were equipped with every paraphernalia 
for camp life-in fact, they had more plunder about them than a brigade of our army. Of 
this, what was not appropriated was destroyed, with apologies, however, to our newly made 
friends, whom we paroled and started back toward Murfreesboro. Many detours of this kind 
were made from the main column during the raid, and hundreds of prisoners were taken and 
much property was destroyed.

At Shelbyville we expected to make a fight, as it, was reported that a considerable force 
of the enemy was there and were prepared for us. On approaching the place the next morning, 
we found they had evacuated the town. Before leaving they bad torn down the courthouse on 
the Square, and with the debris blocked all the streets leading to it. Had they held their 
ground, certainly some blood would have been spilled before taking the place. We found a 
great many shops, sutler's stores, etc., in the town, well supplied with goods of every 
description. These were owned by the Northern camp followers, who failed to get sufficient 
warning for their removal. Such plunder was considered as legitimate for capture as a United 
States mule or wagon, and to many it was much more acceptable. No Southern sympathizer 
would be granted this privilege. Commanding officers would attempt to restrain in a degree, 
but efforts were generally futile; and the result was that, after a raiding party had left 
a place, not much was left to commence business on again. Both armies pleaded alike to this charge. I noticed soldiers moving out of town with their horses heavily laden with some 
articles that you would imagine were the last things they would have need of. A couple of 
ladies had come to town that morning to make some purchases. When they saw what had happened, 
they waved their handkerchiefs and cheered lustily for Jeff Davis. The soldiers gathered 
around them, filled their buggy full of goods, and then escorted them out of the town.

From here the command moved out near the Lewisburg and Nashville Pike and went into camp. 
I think we remained there as long as two days. It is said that General Wheeler's object 
was to await the return of scouting parties. We had created such a stir among the enemy 
that they took the time to set on our trail all the forces that were available. It seemed 
that it should have been the policy of the commanding general to have hastened our escape 
at this time, as the men, I am sorry to say, were so full of plunder that fighting had gone 
out of their minds, and they were anxious to get to a safe place where they could make an 
inventory of their property. However, we moved out one morning toward Lewisburg. The Fourth 
Tennessee and the First Kentucky Regiments were the rear guard. The first intimation that 
we had of the presence of the enemy was when cannon balls came crashing through the timber 
and we could hear the firing of our men and the enemy out on the pike, half a mile off. 
We sent Captain Wyly, of the Fourth Tennessee, down in that direction. He returned in a 
few moments, reporting that the enemy were between us, and the remainder of the command. 
Lieut. Col. Paul Anderson and Colonel Chenyworth, of the First Kentucky, held a hasty 
consultation, when it was concluded that we would cut our way through. When this was 
announced, it was amusing to see the men falling out of their new Yankee uniforms and 
donning the faded gray again. It was more amusing still, as I think of it, when the 
gallant Colonel Chenyworth waved his sword over his head and took his position in front 
of his regiment, crying out in a loud voice, "Follow me my brave Kentuckians!" as we 
moved down a blind pathway overhung with bushes. The two regiments had hardly gotten 
straightened out when bang! bang! went the enemy's guns, seemingly only a few paces 
distant in the dense growth. The order was given, "Right into line"; and we moved through 
the woods one hundred yards or more, when we could see to our left a narrow lane leading 
out to the pike, and could see our men engaged fighting the enemy. Then the order was 
given, "Left into column," as we made for the lane. Fortunately, this lane was old and 
well-worn, and the roadway dipped considerably. By drooping on their horses' necks, 
this, with the fence, afforded protection to the men from the firing of the enemy, about 
a hundred yards across a little field. The two regiments went through with but few 
casualties. and joined with the remainder of the command in the fight. When I meet an 
old comrade who was present, lie always asks: "Did you ever see as much kindling wood 
flying in the air as at that time?" Here opened up what is well remembered as the battle 
of Farmington. I wish I were prepared with the data to give a. correct account of this 
fight, but I am unable from memory to give more than the results. I think both sides 
lost about equally in. killed and wounded-say, about two hundred each. We fought for 
two hours, when General Wheeler learned that a large column of the enemy both in our 
rear and on the right flank was moving to surround us. The Confederates quietly and 
without pursuit moved off down the pike toward Lewisburg. The enemy afterwards picked 
up and made prisoners about one hundred of our men who had not joined the column when 
the fight took place. Among the number of Confederates captured at the battle of 
Farmington was the present well-known and efficient Secretary of the State Pension 
Board, Capt. John P. Hickman. He and his squad had been on detail duty, and were 
endeavoring to get to their company when captured. He was probably the youngest man 
in his company. He was confined in Rock Island Prison, and was not released until 
some weeks after the surrender of the armies. General Wharton, Colonel Cook, Major 
Christian, Captain Jarmin, and Capt. Polk Blackburn were among the wounded. Blackburn 
was very seriously wounded, and was thereby rendered incapable of further service 
during the war. He is now living at Lynnville, Giles County, Tenn., as one of the 
best-known and most worthy citizens of the county. He has represented that county 
several times in the State Legislature. The enemy ought to have destroyed us at 
Farmington. The Confederates were flushed with booty, and the Federals were smarting 
under their heavy losses in men and material.

We camped at Cornersville that night, along the road. It was quite cold, and the 
men had to burn (what the owner doubtless thought afterwards) a considerable amount 
of rails. The next day we passed through Pulaski. Here the Fourth Tennessee was 
detailed to hold till sundown the bridge that spans Richland Creek. The remainder 
of the command passed on toward the ford at Bainbridge, on the Tennessee River. We 
sat upon our horses that evening and watched for hours long lines of Federals as 
they came over the hills into the town, and expected every moment for them to. open 
upon us. We were commanded to hold the bridge at all hazards in fact, to be sacrificed, 
if need be, for the good of the cause. All of which would have read very heroically 
to the boys of the fourth reader of the next generation, but it was void of sentiment 
to us as we watched with supreme satisfaction the god of day sink behind the western 
horizon. Never had we seen so lovely a sunset We ventured five minutes longer at the 
post, and then followed the command. We traveled all night and overtook the rear 
guard a few miles from the river the next morning. It consisted of about two hundred 
and fifty men, a remnant of Gen. John Morgan's command after his capture in Indiana. 
They were in command of that gallant soldier Capt. J. D. Kirkpatrick., whom we knew 
well; and to many of the men we expressed our fear of their capture, as we knew that 
the enemy had been convinced of our intention and were now pressing us vigorously 
with a heavy force. We passed on to the river, which we, forded without interruption, 
near Bainbridge, Ala. Our conjectures about Captain Kirkpatrick proved too true, for 
we learned afterwards from those who escaped that the enemy rushed upon them from 
every point of the compass, frenzied that we should escape so successfully. About 
one-half of the men were killed or wounded and captured, not, however, without 
having inflicted severe loss upon their assailants.

Thus ended Wheeler's celebrated raid in 1863, commencing at the crossing of the 
Tennessee River at Cottonport, above Chattanooga, and ending with the crossing of 
the Tennessee River at Bainbridge, Ala.- about four weeks' time in passing from 
crossing to crossing. The result was as follows: We killed, wounded, and captured 
of the enemy three thousand men', burned and brought out one thousand wagons; 
captured thirty-five hundred mules and horses, half of which I suppose we had to 
abandon in the fight at Farmington. I cannot estimate the loss of the enemy in 
stores of clothing, provisions, arms and ammunition, the destruction of miles of 
railroad tracks, bridges, engines, etc., but it was immense. Our own loss in men, 
from all causes, was eleven hundred, which loss was replaced to a great extent by 
new recruits and absentees we brought out with us.