Claiborne's History of Terry's Texas Rangers (Part 7)

A Confederate Cavalry Regiment Engaged in the Unfortunate War Between the States
NEW BIRMINGHAM TIMES, April 2, 1892.

continued from last issue

When the Rangers had well opened up the way for Gen. Hood to get into Tennessee, by making into that state a long raid, they were sent to annoy Sherman moving through Georgia, and Armstrong, Ross, Chalmers and Jackson, under Gen. Forrest, remained with Gen. Hood, as well as five of the Rangers on special secret service duty, who also acted as couriers during battle. These five men reported directly to Gen. Hood.

When Hood started into Tennessee, Gen. Thomas, an able Captain commander of the Federal army, had returned into Tennessee with an almost equal number of men with Hood, While Gen. A. J. Smith had a corps of men at Nashville and there were garrisons at every available point in the state, all making an army six times larger than Hood's. But the Rangers, as a whole, had returned into Georgia and had several severe engagements and especially an engagement near Rome, Georgia, and other points in the state of Georgia. Sherman continuing his march to Savannah with only Wheeler to hinder and delay, with less than 5,000 men all told.

This march of Sherman has been so often told in both song and story that it would seem that it was the work of supererogation to again repeat it, or relate it from the standpoint I occupy, and I will, therefore pass it as rapidly as can be done to notice it at all. Sherman's march from Atlanta to the sea, in fact, from Tennessee through Georgia and into the Carolinas, can be compared to nothing before known to man. The breath of the deadly Simoon, in its course is not at all comparable, while destruction, death and utter devastation marks the course of the Simoon, it does not interfere with the virtue of women; there is no rape, no lust in the course, Sherman added these to the deadly Simoon. The entire country was laid in waste; debauchery, brutality, robbery, lust, rape and hellborn iniquity marked every foot of the march. The Rangers on this march were as ever heroes. They obeyed all orders, they were every where that there was good service to be performed. The men in the line constituted themselves the guardians of the weak and defenseless. Day after day, night after night, the Rangers skirmished, picketed and became a safe guard for the people and the army, and gained the plaudits of both their commanders and the people. It is not out of order, we take it, to mention a few of the places where they met the enemy, frequently alone, but often in connection with the balance of the incomparable brigade under Col. Thomas Harrison. In Georgia it wa almost a continual skirmish and always cavalry, until the Carolinas are reached, when infantry and artillery had to be met. At Aiken was fought a battle equal to that of the first battle they were engaged in at Woodsonville. Again, in a day or two more, at Johnstown, at Anderson Court House, at Wilmington, at Averysboro, at Harrisboro, at Buckingham House, at Cherau, around the city of Raleigh, and the matchless attack on Kilpatrick. First one and then another of this superb band of men and soldiers find an end in death. Praise can not be used with sufficient lavishness to do justice to the Rangers on this most eventful campaign. They were not only soldiers but they were humanitarians and samaritans; they were self constituted guardians of the individual virtue of the women, and voluntary defenders of individual homes and firesides, and become enshrined in the hearts and affection of all people they come in contact with.

The attack on Kilpatrick was most masterly conceived and splendidly executed, and much is done by Shannon's effective scouts. Kilpatrick had to have a thrashing, he occupied a position that rendered him almost invulnerable, and the force under him double all those who could attack him. Shannon and his people were vigilant and ever on the alert, and they finally located him in his stronghold. These people could only be reached at two places. Cypress knee swamps that would bog a blanket, lay about him. Two narrow little trails led in and out of his camp. These two trails were more than a mile apart. The command making the attack had to be divided. They were each small, and they had to make the attack simultaneously; there could be no communication, the trouble of reaching the passes were difficult and neither division could safely count on the time the other could make the point. Shannon divided his command to act as guides and to report from one division the progress of the other. The night was dark, the Cypress knee swamps were treacherous, the horse and men weary, but the crossings were made and such disposition made as seemed to be necessary, and at dawn of day, a wild, mad rush was made for the camp of the noted Yankee cavalry commander and individual fighting was the order. There was not enough of the Confederates to have guarded them if they had been captured, and no attempt was made to ask them to surrender, because there was no way to dispose of them as prisoners, and it became simply a fight to kill all that could be killed, until they made a rally, which they did, as there was not enough of the Confederates to attract even the attention of more than one fourth of them--hundreds were killed and wounded, and a large number of horses captured, and other valuable property Among them Kilpatrick's spotted Arabian stallion and his octoroon lady love. The woman was released as of no value to the Rangers. Col. Harrison and his chief of staff, Maj. Sayers were each wounded and others killed, as will be shown by the muster roll. Kilpatrick's report of this to the general commanding, was a wonderful document. He evidently thought from the vigor of the attack and the result, that there were the number attacking that he reported, as he no doubt thought that it was impossible for 600 men to have killed [and] wounded over a thousand of his solders in the space of less than fifteen minutes. He said nothing about the handsome negress with him, and it is presumed her capture was not an army casualty. It is presumed that the object had been accomplished, as the army again under Johnston were now able to move without the annoyance of the Federal cavalry. The Rangers presented the spotted Arabian to General Joseph Wheeler, and the last time ever seen by the Rangers before the surrender he strode this pegasus.

From the date of the battle of the Cypress knee swamp with Killpatrick, up to the date of the battle of Bentonville, was spent as had been two thirds of the time from the beginning of the war. One continuous scout picket, skirmishing labor, and the Rangers now fight the last great battle and fire the last gun, as they had the first battle in the army of Tennessee. Col. Cook is in command, and has been longer without being shot since leaving the camp at Silver Creek, Ga. nearly two years before. Notwithstanding these men has fallen back in the rear of the Confederate army, fighting day and night, that all was dark, hope was well nigh exhausted in the final success of the Confederacy. Clouds lowering and darkness had enveloped their fair South land, and the enemy on the soil of the Lone Star State. They never faltered, wavered, grumbled or repined; they were now as ever, simply grand in their great majesty of person and nobility of soul and the most wonderful courage.

The remnant from Hood had rejoined the army again under Joseph E. Johnston, and all hoped that Lee and Johnston would make a connection, and one great decisive battle would be fought on the ground of their own selection. No one thought that in a battle of this kind, led by Lee and his great Lieut. Johnston, could be defeated. It was to the Rangers an unprobability not to be contemplated, and the Rangers went into this battle with the same full confidence that the battle would be won as in any of the hundreds in which they were always a big factor. Cook led them this remnant of less than two hundred, with the idea that they yet numbered a thousand and took the same contract to fill as was done when 800 of them followed wherever and whenever led. Gen. Johnston had known them from Dalton to Atlanta; they had his full confidence, he knew their ability, men were few, the labor great, valor indispensable, a great effort must be made, and when cavalry was to be used, this brigade, Rangers at the head, were used. Every thing now seemed to be in the nature of a forlorn hope. Every man had to be a success, every man, was both offensive and defensive, they had no alternative, they could choose no ground, they had to take it as it came, and in doing this, they opened and closed the last battle for their country--firing the first and last gun.

The Rangers have passed ten days in the battle, and Cook and Jarmon, the last of the field officers are wounded and sent to the rear, and Capt. J. F. Mathews, of Company K, is the senior officer, and Col. Baxter Smith of the 4th Tennessee, reaches camp from a 22 months imprisonment, and assumes the command of the brigade and handles it with most consummate ability; to use the expression of his adjutant, he had lost so much fun during his captivity, that he was freezing to fight, and did fight, whenever allowed. The Rangers thought much of Col. Smith and Paul's people. In fact the cutientee cordial always strictly observed between the regiments of the brigade. The last great charge of the war was made by the Rangers. In regard for Col. Smith I will say that he says that the 4th Tennessee, or part of them, participated in that charge, and it is not denied because the Rangers only is the subject.

NOTE. I saw, witnessed, and participated in the charge. I talked to Capt. Mathis (sic) since and I agree with the statement here given by Lieut. W. R. Friend, of Company E, who witnessed the charge and noted the circumstances. I saw Gen. Hampton; I also saw Gen. Commins (sic) and heard the conversation between Hardee and Mathews, and endorsed, as all do who were in the charge, that the statement of Lieut. Friend is correct as to the fact, but not so full in detail as might be. Mr. Davis says that the attack was led by Gens. Hardee and Hampton. These gentlemen, do not lay claim to the honor, no man except Mathews present could have led this charge, and I herewith submit the statement made by Lieut. Friend as to the charge. In answer to a letter written by Gen. Hampton to the Century magazine. It is only fair to say that Gen. Hampton knew nothing of the Rangers when he wrote and put them in comparison as cavalry he had always handled.

THE CHARGE OF THE RANGERS AT BENTONVILLE, N. C., 1865

In reading the "Rise and Fall of the Confederacy," by Mr. Jefferson Davis, in speaking of this battle:

On the next day (March 21st) an attempt by the enemy to reach Bentonville in the rear of our center, and cut off our only rout of retreat was gallantly defeated by an impetuous and skillful attack, led by Gen. Hardee and Hampton on the front and both flanks of the enemies column by which he was compelled to retreat as rapidly as he had advanced. In this attack Gen Hardee's only son charging gallantly with the 8th Texas cavalry (Terry's Rangers) lost his life.

The following is a clear distinct account of the charge, written by our late lamented comrade, Capt. W. R. Friend, of Company E., who was an eye witness, and is substantially in accord with my version of it at same time.

[NOTE: Friend's account is to be found in Michael Shannon's papers. Except for misspellings, I shall underline any differences between what Claiborne included and the way I read the article that Mr. Shannon has and let me copy.

The Century, Gen. Hampton and Capt Friend

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The Latter gives his eye Witness Version of a Great Day Justice to Texas Men A Good Account of an Exciting Fight

In the October 1887 number of the Century Magazine is found an interesting and instructive reminiscence of the battle of Bentonville, in North Carolina, in March, 1865, and the desultory fighting on the next day, by Gen. Wade Hampton. While I have no comment to make upon his observations and recollections of occurrences at Bentonville, I must take issue with him as to the facts as they occurred on the south side of Mill creek the next day, for I am sure he was not present when the charge which repulsed Mower's division was made, and he must speak from hearsay. His article states that he was informed by a courier that the enemy in front of the bridge, which was the only available point for withdrawing our army, had driven back the cavalry pickets and were then near the main road which led to the bridge. Just here he found Cummings' brigade from Georgia, commanded by Col. Henderson, about 200 to 250 strong. He ordered this command and a battery towards the threatened point, and in a few minutes a portion of the Eighth Texas cavalry, sixty to eighty men, responded to his call, made through a courier. "All of these troops were hurried up to meet the enemy, who were then within a few hundred yards of the road, and just as I had put them in position Gen. Hardee arrived on the ground. Explaining the position to him and telling him of the dispositions I had made, he at once ordered the charge and our small force was hurled against the enemy."

This statement does injustice to the Eighth Terrys (sic) Rangers regiment, of which I was then a lieutenant in Company E, because it gives others credit to which that regiment alone was entitled. In truth, no other troops than the Eighth Texas made the charge. Cummings' brigade had nothing to do with the affair until after the repulse of the enemy and the Texans were returning with the prisoners captured. It was just here that the brigade arrived and began fortifying the approach of the bridge. Shortly after the publication of Gen. Johnston's narrative I noticed that he connected Cummings' brigade with the charge. I then wrote out my recollection of the matter, as well as a description of the movements of the regiment until the surrender a month later, and am certain that upon information then obtained, as well as my own information, that the main facts are correct as far as this charge is concerned. It is as follows.

A few days before the 22nd of March, 1865, in the engagement in and around Bentonville, in North Carolina, our division and brigade commanders, Gens. W. Y. C. Humes and Thomas Harrison, and regimental commanders, Col. Gustave Cook and Major William R. Jarmon, had been wounded and retired to the rear, leaving the brigade in command of Col. Baxter Smith, of the Fourth Tennessee, and the Eighth Texas, in command of Capt. "Doc" J. F. Matthews, a gallant youth of about twenty-three years of age, who although able, brave and well qualified to handle the veterans at his heels, yet presented an ungainly and unmilitary aspect. The writer, who for four months during the trying and exciting march from Atlanta to Bentonville had been absent by reason of wounds received near Macon, Ga., joined the regiment on the day referred to above--the 22d of March, I believe. Having passed through Raleigh, where he met Majors Sayers, adjutant of Harrison's brigade, and called on Gen. Harrison, both suffering from their Bentonville wounds, he ascertained the whereabouts of his regiment and for the first time in four months obtained information of its movements. On the road from Raleigh to Smithfield he met Col. Cook and Major Jarmon in an ambulance, both wounded. Proceeding in a southeast direction Capt. Shannon with his Texas scouts, were found encamped on the north side of Mill creek, near Smithfield.

The Confederate army was reported to be on the south side. A high causeway through marshy and boggy ground led to a bridge over the stream for some quarter of a mile. This marsh was impassable except by persons on foot. The usual salutations had barely been passed with Shannon and his men when rapid firing was heard about a mile south of us. Soon the causeway was filled with a disorderly mob of Confederate cavalry making good time in finding the rear. From them it was learned that they, a brigade of Butler's division of cavalry of the Army of Virginia, had been stationed on the opposite side of the creek to defend the approach to the bridge. That at least a corps of the enemy's infantry had attacked and driven them back; and that while they were telling the tale they were sure the enemy had gained the high bank on the opposite side of the creek and cut off the only line of retreat for Hardee's army.

Just here firing was again heard on the south side, and knowing that the Rangers were there, the writer ventured to tread the dangerous path and share their fate and fortune. As he ascended the opposite hill or bluff, no enemy was in sight; Gen. hardee and a few staff officers and couriers were on the right of the road. Among the couriers were Levin, detailed from company B, to whom I am indebted for what is here reported as coming from Gen. Hardee. As the enemy approached Butler's cavalry, they retired so hastily that Gen Hardee almost involuntarily asked "Are there no troops, no men here to check this advance?" Levin suggested that the Rangers were in reserve and Hardee ordered them up. When the head of the column approached, the veteran eye of the General, scanning the juvenile face of Matthews, indicated the belief that if the salvation of the army depended on him, all was lost. But when he heard the quick, decisive reply of Matthews to his order that the advance must be checked: "We are the men to do it, General," hope revived. It was the sun bursting through a black cloud.

The order to "Forward, Rangers! Front into line," was given by the Captain, and as the regiment passed the General he and his young son, who had the day before enlisted in company D, tipped their hats to each other. There was no pause, no hesitation. Still as the breeze, but dreadful as the storm, the regiment advanced. The long blue line of infantry in front plainly to be seen through open pine woods, had no terrors for them, and as gallantly as in the first charge at Woodsonville, they raised a yell and at the foe they spurred, regardless of disparity in numbers. The enemy scarcely making a stand, fired a volley or two and retreated as if panic-stricken. The Rangers exhausted their carbines and six-shooters on their backs, killing and wounding many and bringing off some hundred or more prisoners. The writer met them as they were reforming near the position of Gen. Hardee and of Gen. Johnston, who had joined him.

A more gallant band never returned from victory. Black as Mexicans from exposure, pine smoke and lack of soap; ragged and dirty, a bronzed front they formed. Abut 150 of them the remnant of about 2,000 they had made their last charge, the last regular fight of Johnston's army, and well did they sustain the name and the fame of the Rangers on that field.

Their loss was comparatively small--some half a dozen killed, among them Eugene Munger of Company B and young Hardee. The wounded did not exceed half that number. The position was so important to our army that it was soon occupied by an infantry brigade and fortified. Gen. Johnston in his narrative says that the enemy was repulsed by the Texas Rangers and Cummings' brigade of infantry. If any infantry participated on our side the writer did not see them. Nor did any of the Rangers see them. They most assuredly were not in the charge, and had no hand in repulsing the enemy. To the Rangers is due all the credit. Both Gens. Johnston and Hardee pronounced it the most gallant charge they had ever witnessed, and it was regarded by the Rangers as their best effort.

The foregoing was written as I have said upon the publication of Gen. Johnston's narrative, while facts was fresh in my mind. I saw nothing of Gen. Hampton on the ground. I am sure he was not there, and he does not claim to have been there in his Century article. I take it that he "tells the story as was told to him." If a battery was at the charge it did not fire a gun. I am sure I did not see one nor did I hear from any one who did. Had Cummings' brigade been engaged in the charge, they could have made no progress by the side of the Texas cavalry.

W. B. Friend

To my comrades, I will simply say that I have followed you from Houston, Texas, to the last great charge. I was with you every day except when wounded, and never missed a fight or shunned any of your labors during the time of enlistment. I was wounded and left at Cotton Port on the return from the last raid made in Tennessee. When I joined Hood 23 days after and served on his staff until the 2d of January. When leaving him I had been promoted and my promotion sent to Richmond. I again rejoined you at Aikin, South Carolina with five Rangers, who were with Hood on a detail for special secret service duty; so I lost the battle fought near Rome. I lost 26 days while on the Johnston retreat in Georgia, being wounded at Cassville, and rejoined you at New Hope church, loosing the skirmishes and entire march of Sherman to Aiken. I have depended for the matter I have given to various letters written home by myself and those of many others, two diaries and the files of various papers in Texas during the war, and more particular those written by our dear chaplain, the Rev. R. F. Bunting.

The history is not complete as a history should be written, it is a simple compilation of fact, that you may apply you recollection too, or give wing to your imagination.

I shall continue the recollection and the history indefinitely until I have said all that I desire to say, but it will be in future, biographical sketches of the living and obituary notices of our immortal dead. Complimentary notices and desultory incidents that will refreshen the memory, and the muster roll as complete as can be made, or perhaps ever could have been made. The muster roll will conclude the history and be ended in ten week or ten more issues.

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