The Battle of Collierville

History of the 66th Indiana Infantry

Organized at New Albany and mustered in August 19, 1862. Left State for Lexington, Ky., August 19; thence moved to Richmond, Ky. Attached to Cruft's Brigade, Army of Kentucky. Battle of Richmond August 30. Regiment mostly captured, paroled and sent to New Albany, Ind.; those not captured marched to New Albany; arrived September 10. Regiment moved to Indianapolis, Ind., November 18; thence to Corinth, Miss., December 10, 1862. Attached to 1st Brigade, District of Corinth, Miss., 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, December, 1862. 1st Brigade, District of Corinth, 17th Army Corps, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, District of Corinth, 16th Army Corps, to March, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 16th Army Corps, to September, 1864. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 15th Army Corps, to June, 1865.

SERVICE.--Garrison duty at Corinth, Miss., December, 1862, to August, 1863. Dodge's Expedition into Northern Alabama April 15-May 2, 1863. Rock Cut, near Tuscumbia, April 22. Tuscumbia April 23. Town Creek April 28. Moved to Colliersville, Tenn., August 18, and duty there until October 29. Action at Colliersville October 11 (Cos. "B," "C," "D," "E," "G," "I"). March to Pulaski October 29-November 11 and duty there until April 29, 1864. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1-September 8. Demonstrations on Resaca May 8-13. Sugar Valley, near Resaca, May 9. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Ley's Ferry, Oostenaula River, May 15. Rome Cross Roads May 16. Advance on Dallas May 18-25. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Nickajack Creek July 2-5. Ruff's Mills July 3-4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Battle of Atlanta July 22. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Operations against Hood in North Georgia and North Alabama September 29-November 3. Reconnaissance from Rome on Cave Springs Road and skirmishes October 12-13. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Little Ogeechee River December 4. Jenk's Bridge and Eden Station December 7. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Salkehatchie Swamps, S.C., February 2-5. South Edisto River February 9. North Edisto River February 12-13. South River February 15. Columbia February 16-17. Little Congaree Creek February 16. Battle of Bentonville, N. C., March 19-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 14. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D.C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 19. Grand Review May 24. Mustered out at Washington, D.C., June 3, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 3 Officers and 62 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 184 Enlisted men by disease. Total 250.

http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unininf5.htm#66th

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The 13th Regiment  of US Regular Infantry  was on the train with Sherman.

after the Vicksburg campaign. Below is an excerpt from the history of the 13th US Infantry by James B Goe:

THE 13^th United States Infantry was organized by direction of the President, May 14, 1861, confirmed by Act of Congress, July 19, 1861; and reorganized by Act of Congress, July 28, 1866.

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“The Board find the 13^th U. S. Infantry entitled to ‘First Honor at Vicksburg,’ having in a body planted and maintained its colors on the parapet with a loss of 43.3 per cent., including its gallant commander,—Washington ,—who died on the parapet. Its conduct and loss the Board, after a careful examination, believes unequalled in the army, and respectfully ask the General Commanding the Department to allow it the inscription awarded.”

The battalion left Camp Sherman September 27, 1863, for Memphis, Tenn., where it arrived October 3. When the train bewaring the battalion arrived at Collierville, Tenn. (being en route from Memphis to Chattanooga), the battalion commander, Captain C. G. Smith, was informed that an attack was about to be made on the forces stationed there (66^th Indiana Volunteers). He immediately ordered the battalion off the cars and formed in line of battle on the road, with two companies deployed on the right and left as skirmishers. When scarcely in position the battalion was attacked by a force of 3150 men commanded by the rebel General Chalmers. A battery of five pieces of artillery opened upon them with grape and solid shot, and the battalion, having no support against artillery at such long range, withdrew to the railroad cut, except the skirmishers, who fell back gradually, having maintained their position for about an hour and a half. The enemy opened a flank fire on the left, and the battalion had therefore to retreat to the rifle pits where the 66^th Indiana had been driven, the enemy pursued with overpowering numbers. Seeing the enemy taking possession of the train and setting fire to it, Lieutenant Griffin with about forty men was ordered if possible to drive the enemy off, put out the fire, and push the train up under cover of the fort. This duty was accomplished in the most brave and gallant manner, whereby the battalion sustained the reputation it had already gained in former engagements. The casualties attending this fight were 15 men killed and 27 wounded.

This battle was fought under the eye of General Sherman who complimented the battalion for its bravery.

After this engagement the battalion proceeded to Corinth, Miss., thence to Chattanooga, November 21. On July 4, 1863, Colonel Sherman was promoted brigadier general, U. S. Army, and Lieutenant Colonel J. P. Sanderson 15^th Infantry, was promoted colonel of the regiment.

The following extracts from General Sherman’s memoirs, in which is given his touching letter on the death of his boy Willie, are of special interest to members of the Thirteenth.“There was a short railroad in operation from Vicksburg to the bridge across the Big Black, whence supplies in abundance were hauled to our respective camps. With a knowledge of this fact Mrs. Sherman came down from Ohio with Minnie, Lizzie, Willie, and Tom, to pay us a visit in our camp at Parson Fox’s. Willie was then nine years old and well advanced for his years, and took the most intense interest in the affairs of the army. He was a great favorite with the soldiers, and used to ride with me on horseback in the numerous drills and reviews of the time. He then had the promise of as long life as any of my children, and displayed more interest in the war than any of them. He was called a “ sergeant” in the regular battalion, learned the manual of arms, and regularly attended the parade and guard-mounting of the Thirteenth, back of my camp.

* *****

“I took passage for myself and family in the steamer Atlantic, Captain Henry McDougall. When the boat was ready to start Willie was missing. Mrs. Sherman supposed him to have been with me, whereas I supposed he was with her. An officer of the Thirteenth went up to General McPherson’s house for him, and soon returned, with Captain Clift leading him, carrying in his hands a small double-barrelled shotgun; and I joked him about carrying away captured property. In a short time we got off. As we all stood on the guards to look at our old camps at Young’s Point, I remarked that Willie was not well, and he admitted that he was sick. His mother put him to bed, and consulted Dr. Roler, of the Fifty-fifth Illinois , who found symptoms of typhoid fever. The river was low; we made slow progress till above Helena; and, as we approached Memphis, Dr. Roler told me that Willie’s life was in danger, and he was extremely anxious to reach Memphis for certain medicines and for consultation. We arrived at Memphis on the 2d of October, carried Willie up to the Gayoso Hotel, and got the most experienced physician there, who acted with Dr. Roler, but he sank rapidly, and died the evening of the 3d of October. The blow was a terrible one to us all; so sudden and so unexpected, that I could not help reproaching myself for having consented to his visit in that sickly region in the summer time. Of all my children, he seemed the most precious. Born in San Francisco , I had watched with intense interest his development, and he seemed more than any of the children to take an interest in my special profession.”

“GAYOSO HOUSE, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE,
”October 4, 1863—Midnight.

“Captain C. C. Smith, commanding Battalion Thirteenth United States Regulars.

“My Dear Friend: I cannot sleep to-night until I record an expression of the deep feelings of my heart to you, and to all the officers and soldiers of the battalion for their kind behavior to my poor child. I realize that you all feel for my family the attachment of kindred, and I assure you of full reciprocity.

“Consistent with a sense of duty to my profession and office, I could not leave my post, and sent for the family to come to me in that fatal climate, and in that sickly period of the year, and behold the result; the child that bore my name, and in whose future I reposed with more confidence than I did in my own plan of life, now floats a mere corpse, seeking a grave in a distant land, with a weeping mother, brother, and sisters, clustered about him. For myself I ask no sympathy. On, on I must go to meet a soldier’s fate, or live to see our country rise superior to all factions, till its flag is adored and respected by ourselves and by all the powers of the earth.

“But Willie was, or thought he was, a sergeant in the Thirteenth. I have seen his eye brighten, his heart beat, as he beheld the battalion under arms, and asked me if they were not real soldiers. Child as he was, he had the enthusiasm, the pure love of truth, honor and love of country, which should animate all soldiers.

“God only knows why he should die thus young. He is dead, but will not be forgotten till those who knew him in life have followed him to that same mysterious end.

“Please convey to the battalion my heartfelt thanks, and assure each and all that if in after years they call on me or mine, and mention that they were of the Thirteenth Regulars when Willie was a sergeant, they will have a key to the affections of my family that will open all it has; that we will share with them our last blanket, our last crust!

“Your friend,

(Signed) “W. T. SHERMAN,
”Major General.”

Over Willie’s grave in Calvary Cemetery, near St. Louis, is erected a beautiful marble monument, designed and executed by the officers and soldiers of the 1^st Battalion, 13^th Infantry, which claimed him as a sergeant and comrade.

http://www.usregulars.com/usarmy/13us.html

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Iowa Second Regiment Cavalry - Regiment History 

SERVICE.--Moved to Bird's Point, Mo., February 17, 1862. Expedition against Thompson's forces February 25-29. Moved to New Madrid, Mo., March 4. Actions at New Madrid March 13-14. Operations against Island No. 10 March 16-April 8. Expedition to Fort Pillow, Tenn., April 12-17. Moved to Hamburg Landing, Tenn., April 17-22. Action at Birmingham April 24. Monterey April 28-29. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Reconnaissance to Memphis & Charleston Railroad April 30. Glendale May 8. Farmington May 9. Near Farmington May 12. Reconnaissance to Memphis & Charleston Railroad May 13-15. Expedition to Booneville May 28-30. Booneville May 29. Occupation of Corinth and pursuit to Booneville May 30-June 12. Tuscumbia Creek May 31-June 1. Blackland June 4. Reconnaissance toward Baldwyn June 6. Reconnaissance to Guntown, Baldwyn, etc., June 9-10. Booneville July 1. Brown Springs July 21. At Rienzi until September. Rienzi August 26. Payton's Mills September 19. Iuka September 19-20. Battle of Corinth, Miss., October 3-4. Pursuit to Ripley October 5-12. Capture of Ripley and Orizaba November 2. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign November, 1862, to January, 1863. Warsham's Creek November 6, 1862. LaGrange November 8-9. Coldwater November 8. Hudsonville November 9. Reconnaissance to Holly Springs November 12-14. Holly Springs November 13-14. Expedition to Ripley November 19-20. Ripley November 20. Waterford or Lumpkin's Mill November 29-30. Tallahatchie River November 30. About Oxford December 1-3. Yocana River and Spring Dale Bridge December 3. Water Valley December 4. Coffeeville December 5. Expedition against Mobile & Ohio Railroad December 14-19. Ripley December 23-25. Prairie Station February 21, 1863. Davis Mills March 14 (Detachment). Expedition to Mt. Pleasant, Miss., April 5-7. Grierson's Raid from LaGrange to Baton Rouge, La., April 17-May 2 (Detachment). Pontototoc, Miss., April 19. Pale Alto and Okolona April 21-22. Birmingham, Miss., April 24 (Detachment). Scout from LaGrange into Northern Mississippi April 29-May 5. Expedition from LaGrange to Panola, Miss., May 11-15. Walnut Hill and Pigeon Roost May 15. Tuskahoma May 15. Expedition from LaGrange to Senatobia, Miss., May 21-26. Senatobia May 23. Hernando May 28. Operations in West Mississippi June 15-22. Near Holly Springs June 16-17. Coldwater Bridge June 18 (Detachment). Matthews Ferry, Coldwater River, June 20 (Detachment). Jackson July 13. La-Grange July 16. Expedition from Memphis to Grenada, Miss., August 14-23. Grenada August 14. Expedition from Memphis to Hernando, Miss., October 10-11 (4 Cos.). Operations on Memphis & Charleston Railroad November 3-5. Colliersville, Tenn., and Coldwater, Miss., November 3. Moscow November 5. Operations on Memphis & Charleston Railroad against Lee's attack November 28-December 10. Salisbury December 3. Wolf Bridge, near Moscow, December 3-4. Pursuit of Forrest December 22-30. Colliersville, Tenn., December 27-28. At Memphis until February 5, 1864. Smith's Raid from Colliersville to Okolona, Miss., February 11-26. Wall Hill February 12. West Point, Miss., February 20-21. Okolona February 21. Ellis Bridge February 21. Ivy's Hill, near Okolona, February 22. Veterans on furlough April-May. Smith's Expedition to Tupelo, Miss., July 5-21. Near Ripley July 7. Camargo's Cross Roads, near Harrisburg, July 13. Tupelo July 14-15. Old Town Creek July 15. Smith's Expedition to Oxford, Miss., August 1-30. Tallahatchie River August 7-9. Hurricane Creek and Oxford August 9. Hurricane Creek August 13-14 and 19. Oxford August 19. Operations in Tennessee and Alabama against Hood, and Nashville Campaign October to January, 1865. Eastport, Miss., October 10, 1864 (Detachment). Near Hernando October 11 (Detachment). Expedition from Memphis to Moscow November 9-13. Shoal Creek November 11. On line of Shoal Creek November 16-20. Butler Creek November 22. Campbellsville and Lynnville November 24. In front of Columbia November 24-27. Lawrenceburg November 27. Mt. Carmel November 29. Battles of Franklin November 30; Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood December 17-29. West Harpeth River December 17. Spring Hill December 18. Rutherford Creek and Curtis Creek December 19. Lawrenceburg December 22. Lynnville and Richland Creek December 24. Richland Creek December 25. King's Gap, near Pulaski, December 25. Egypt Station, Miss., December 28 (Co. "E"). Tuscumbia February 20, 1865. Duty at Huntsville and Florence, Ala., Eastport, Miss., and Gravelly springs, Ala., until June, 1865. Expedition to Russellsville, Ala., February 19-23, 1865, and in the Dept. of Mississippi until September. Mustered out September 19, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 59 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 8 Officers and 207 Enlisted men by disease. Total 269.

http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/uniacav.htm