Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
Following the battle of Shiloh, the Union strategy in Tennessee focused on attacking Confederate strongholds along the southern Tennessee border. It was part of Union General Don Carlos Buell plan was to threaten and attack the all-important Southern railroad hub of Chattanooga. The feint began on May 28, 1862 when he ordered General James Negley's Independent brigade to march towards Pulaski, Tenn. and attack Chattanooga. He was reinforced along the way when General Ormsby Mitchel's command joined him. The 79th was part of the advance when the expedition met the Confederate forces near Jasper, Tenn. on June 4th, and there, with Gibble's company acting as skirmishers, they "saw the elephant" at the battle of Sweden's Cove. Two days later they were part of the Union force that attacked Chattanooga on June 6 - 7, 1862. This action became known as the first battle of Chattanooga. What follows, is a great battle letter, 6pp. 4to., written by Pvt. Harrison Gibble (Gipple in the CW database), Co. A, 79th Penn. Vols., Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tenn., June 21, 1862, to his friend, Henry C. Gringrich, reading, in very small part: "…of our last march we had in Old Tennessee. We got marching orders on the 28th of May to march next day with 12 days rations. We left at the ordered time…and turned our course southward towards…Pulaski…the second day we came to the cecesh town of Pulaski…we met some of the stoniest roads ever I saw…to camp at Elk river…hear we met part of Mitchell's Division to join with us…our force was about 10,000 men…Sunday three men drowned in the river. Next morning we started all in one column towards Winchester…this was the 4th days march…the houses where nearly all standing vacant in this town…their was about 2,000 cecesh there to prevent us going through town, but we passed onward and about noon we came to this town, but the rebels had left…our cavalry caught 7 of them in town hidet themselves. We [re]mained till night and crossed the [?] river…there are about 40 building built here…and a very large shade building to preach in…we had to cross the Cumberland Mountain…at about 3 o'clock [June 4, 1862] our advance spy…told us that their was a cecesh camp [commanded by Col. John Adams] about 7 miles ahead…at the foot of the mountain…the 79th Pa. was in advance…3 regiments of cavalry…then…4 pieces of artillery…the three first companies [Companies A, D and F, 79th Penn. Vols.] was then deployed out [as skirmishers]…right and left of the road…was hard to get through the bushes…we met their pickets…fired at them and killed two out of five and…came down the hill in[to] a narrow valley called Sweeden Cove. They were forming a line of battle and we stopped and…brought the 4 pieces artillery…and gave them 6 shots. They left and our cavalry followed them for three miles…overtook them and killed about 50 or 60…and captured about 50…we also got their ammunition and provision wagons…horses and drivers. We got 2 killed and 4 wounded. We stayed at their camp that night and fed their corn to our beasts…next morning we buried our two dead and then left towards Jasper, a real cecesh town…we came to the place where we overtook them. We found 10 in one heap dead…and some nearly devoured by the hogs…we was informed that there was quite a number of their men fetched that night by them [the citizens of Jasper]…we then had no attack till we came to Chattanooga. This town is close at the Tennessee river. We came on…nine days march. At about 11 o'clock A. M…we went out on a high mountain…reconnoitering…our regiment in Co. with one Ohio & one Indiana regiment and 4 regiments of cavalry and 3 batteries. We found a noble place on the top of this mountain for our batteries [to fire into Chattanooga] nearly 3/4 of a mile from town…we where [then] ordered…to the river…about 400 hands from their entrenchments…they commenced firing…before we where near the river…we returned their fires and in about 3 1/2 hours fight no rebel was to be seen and their cannon dismounted. We…had 4 killed and 10 or 12 wounded…next day they commenced firing again early in the morning. (they where reinforced that night, but our batteries made them retreat…in less then two hours and set the town afire at 3 or 4 places. Their was a station house where they shot out…the windows…our men thrower several shells in and killed over two hundred of them. We had no way to cross the river and…we retreated back agin towards this place…in tow divisions. We was informed…by a deserter that…we killed over 400…in the two days fight…marched then towards Manchester and crossed Cumberland Mountain…24 miles broad…we captured a cecesh drivers with 70n head of fat cattle for the army at Richmond, Va…we also found a cecesh store where they had 3000 lbs…pork & about 5000 dollars worth [of] chewing tobacco…we got tobacco to chew now…we brought 98 prisoners to this town…left some off on Parole of Honor. We have them here in a pack pork house…they will be send north in a few days. We traveled…340 miles and are now 40 miles from Columbia where our tents are…our Co. A has got…quarters in a Theatre building…one company is detailed every day to guard the train of cars to Nashville & back…the grain is nearly all cut…corn & cotton looks well…so much of H. Gibble…". Light toning, else VG
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.