Claiborne's History of Terry's Texas Rangers (Part 9)

A Confederate Cavalry Regiment Engaged in the Unfortunate War Between the States
NEW BIRMINGHAM TIMES, May 14, 1892

continued from last issue

MAJ. GEN. JNO. A. WHARTON

The third Colonel of Terry's Texas Rangers, was a native of the State of Texas born July 5th, 1829, in the county of Brazoria, and was the son of Maj. W. H. Wharton, a man of great force of character, who participated in the Texas Revolution having come to the Republic in 1827. His mother was Miss Sarah Ann Groce, and Jno A. Wharton was the only child born to them. He married Miss E. P. Johnson of South Carolina, the daughter of Gov. David Johnston of that state. Their issue was one daughter, who, with the wife and mother, died soon after the death of the husband and father. Gen. Wharton was killed in a personal difficulty by Col. Geo. W. Baylor at Houston, April the 8th, 1865, for reasons I give the history as to his connection with the Rangers, in the words of Chaplain Bunting.

"TRUE MERIT BRINGS ITS OWN REWARD.

Most truthfully is this verified in the military career of Maj.-Gen. Jno. A. Wharton, who was transferred to the Trans Mississippi department. He was among the first to resist aggression and raise the war cry against oppression. By his irresistible eloquence stirring up his countrymen to the peril of their situation, and urging them to prompt and decide action. He was also found in the front rank to take up arms for the vindication of Southern rights. When the emergencies of Texas demanded the capture of the Federal soldiers on her territory, with a company form Brazoria county, he hastened to Saluria to assist the gathering troops of Col. VanDorn. After his return home, he crossed the Gulf to New Orleans, for the purpose of procuring arms for the company in which he had enlisted as a private. But when returning his schooner was overhauled off Galveston bar by the Federal blockading fleet. He succeeded in destroying his cargo by consigning it to the waves, but was captured and closely confined as a prisoner of war. When it was proposed that he should have the alternative of taking the Federal oath of allegiance and returning home or being sent to Key West for imprisonment. With his characteristic independence, he replied, "to Key West forever," Finding that he would not yield his manhood and desecrate his life with their oath, nor yet had before his eyes the fear of their bastilles he was released.

Soon afterwards he entered the service of the Confederate States as Captain of Company B--"the Archer Grays."

TERRY'S TEXAS RANGERS.

Very soon Capt. Wharton's health was seriously impaired by a severe attack of measles which entirely unfitted him for duty for weeks. He was elected Colonel of the regiment after the death of Col. Lubbock at Nashville, January 9th, 1862. Although not sufficiently convalescent for duty, yet in the emergency of the case he assumed command of the regiment and at once proceeded to picket duty in the vicinity of Green River. Here he remained exposed to the very cold and disagreeable weather of that region, picketing and scouting until the 9th of February, when he fell back a few miles to Dripping Springs; thence on the 12th to Bowling Green, which place was almost entirely abandoned. Here he remained until the morning of the 14th, when the enemy made his appearance on the opposite of the river on Bakers Hill. The first intimation known of his presence was the sound of his guns, with which he began to shell the city. The Rangers were camped about a mile below the city and their horses being already saddled, Col. Wharton led his regiment under fire by the railroad depot, through the public square, for now all the bridges had been destroyed, and out through the town across Vinegar Hill, where the other cavalry was already formed in line of battle. After remaining in this position for several hours, the weather being intensely cold, Col. Wharton called his volunteers to return and burn the depot and the public stores. Although the work was perilous, yet the call was promptly responded to. Everything being fired, and in the meantime the infantry having moved off at double quick, he took up the line of retreat for Nashville.

He was here assigned the responsible duty of covering the rear until nearing the city when his regiment passed the wagon train, under orders to report for duty at Nashville, which city we reach at 2 o'clock a.m.; crossing out some 4 miles and slept on the pike until daylight.

The second morning Col. Wharton was ordered to proceed to Charlotte and protect our soldiers who had made their escape from that terrible disaster at Donaldson. After a ten days expedition, which will ever be vividly remembered as one of the most terrible tours of duty ever endured by the regiment. We rejoined the army at Murfreesboro. But the arduous duties, the weighty responsibility and excessive labors through which Col. Wharton had just been passing, were too much for his delicate constitution and enfeebled body, and he was consequently left very sick at Franklin, Tenn. Maj. Thomas Harrison took command of the regiment and with much coolness, skill and gallantry, protected the rear of the army to Corrinth, Miss.

Col. Wharton's health being improved by a brief respite from exposure here, he again resumed command. Under his personal direction the Rangers were constantly engaged in scouting and picketing from the time of our arrival, about the 25th of March, until the battle of Shiloh. In that ever memorable battle, the Rangers charged on Sunday evening, from the left wing, upon the infantry of the enemy. The charge being over very unfavorable ground was a most dangerous and desperate charge, and was repulsed with a loss of some fifty men killed and wounded. Among the latter was Col. Wharton who received a very painful wound in the leg, yet he would not quit the field. His stately form could be discerned amid the smoke of the battle, the object of anxious solicitude as he sat upon his horse with his wounded leg resting across the pommel of his saddle, and his voice could be distinctly heard ringing forth along the line. In this trying position he remained until Tuesday morning, when he turned the command over to Maj. Harrison and returned to Corinth. He was compelled to this course by the condition of his wound, now much aggravated by his exertion and exposure. After about three months absence, he rejoined his regiment on the north bank of the Tennessee river at Lambs ferry, which it had crossed preparatory to a raid into Middle Tennessee, under Col. Adams with a brigade of cavalry. Being much dissatisfied with the course of events and unwilling to leave his command sacrificed, he insisted on the right to withdraw his regiment from the brigade . Recrossing the Tennessee river at Shell Mound he reported at Chattanooga. About this time Gen. Forrest formed a brigade at Chattanooga, composed of the Texas Rangers, the 1st and 2nd Georgia Cavalry, Maj. Smith's Tennessee battalion and Capt. Taylor's Kentucky battalion.

On the 3rd of July he crossed the Tennessee river at Chattanooga and took up the line of march for middle Tennessee, crossing over Waldron's Ridge at Poe's Gap and resting a few hours at Dunlap in Sequatchie valley, he hastened on to Altamaont, on the top of the mountain, where he spent the night. The next morning during a terrific rain, he went down the mountain and camped about five miles from McMinnville. Here the command being bountifully supplied by the patriotic women of the vicinity, after halting till noon the next day he started on reaching Woodbury just after dark, and feeding, he again resumed the march, and arrived at Murfreesboro in time to surprise and attack the Federal garrison first after day light Sunday Morning; the Terry guards, Col. H., Capt Tom Weston commanding, being the advance guard, was ordered to proceed and capture the pickets, which was stationed within a half mile of town. In effecting this some firing ensured which was heard by Col. W. Being at the head of the brigade, with his regiment he gave the order "forward," the command being here halted awaiting the action of the advance guard, which being countermanded by Gen. Forrest, Col. Wharton replied, "The Terry guards are engaged with the enemy, I must and will go to their assistance; "forward, Texas Rangers." Forward they did at a gallop, headed by their chivalrous leader until coming up with the advance guard, who had succeeded in capturing the entire picket force of the enemy without loss. After learning the condition of affairs, Gen. Forrest gave the command, "gallop--march." and onward dashed the brigade towards the town. According to the part assigned him in the council of war held two miles back, Col. Wharton and led his men, about 120, upon the camp of the 7th Tennessee cavalry and the 9th Michigan infantry, the remainder having gone to another portion of the field under a misconception of orders. After emptying all his arms, he discovered, for the first time, the absence of the larger portion of his own regiment and also the 2nd Georgia cavalry, which had been assigned him for support. In this critical position, already among the tents of the infantry, whilst they were endeavoring to form a hollow square in the rear of the encampment, he reloaded in the very face of the enemy and charged them, and although finding it impossible to get assistance from the remainder of the command assigned him, he nevertheless persisted in the attack for several successive times, until after three hours severe fighting, the entire encampment of some 700 or 800 men surrendered.

This grand result was accomplished only by the most heroic conduct on the part of Col. Wharton and Maj. Harrison, the immortal 120 Rangers who were with him. Upon this fight turned the tide of the battle and ensured for Gen. Forrest the capture of the entire garrison and its immense military stores. The result here was not accomplished without the loss of some 24 men killed and wounded on the ground, himself among the latter, seriously in the arm. Whilst suffering severely from his wound, seeing the enemy about to rally before his little handful of men, now reduced to 30 or 40 from various causes, he turned in his saddle and looking in vain for the remainder of his regiment who were led to another part of the field, he exclaimed in anguish, "Great God, have the Rangers deserted me and disgraced themselves and their state forever." During the progress of the fight, he captured and sent to the rear over 100 prisoners, a large number of Horses and mules, and fired the brigade wagon train. All the details for these purposes being taken from that little band of 120 men--already every fifth man being killed or wounded, but it was further more found after the surrender, that the enemy had actually lost in killed and wounded a number almost equal to his entire attacking force. After the capitulation, the brigade returned that night to the neighborhood of Woodbury with the prisoners and camped. The next day he reached McMinville where they were payroled (sic). It was necessary for Col. Wharton to proceed in advance on account of his wound, therefore Gen. Forrest detailed Company B. for an escort and putting in his charge the 45th (sic) Federal officers who were still held as prisoners. He at once crossed the mountains to Kingston and Knoxville where he turned them safely over to the department. After resting a few days he went to Rome, Ga., and spent a few weeks with his brother-in-law, Capt. Ned Johnston, when he again rejoined his regiment near Kingston, just as Gen. Forrest was preparing for another raid into Middle Tennessee, in anticipation of a general advance of the army. After some hard service with the brigade which was rather disastrous than otherwise. Gen. Forrest was ordered by Gen. Bragg to guard the left flank of his army on his advance into Kentucky. There was nothing of special importance occurred save the usual amount of skirmishing and heavy picket duty on such occasion until after the capture of Mumfordsville and the further advance of our army.

At Bardstown Gen. Forrest was ordered to return to Middle Tennessee and the command of the brigade devolved upon Col. Wharton who was ordered to proceed to Mount Washington, between Bardstown and Louisville. Buell advanced upon Bragg from Louisville in heavy force upon the Bardstown pike, and about the first of October his advance drove in Col. Wharton's pickets at Mt. Washington. From this day until the 4th of October the enemy advanced, constant and heavy skirmishing was kept up by Col. Wharton with such skill and success to limit the progress of the enemy to about 9 miles in five days. On the 4th of October, when 6 or 7 miles in front of Bardstown, vigorously resisting the advance of the enemy, he received information that he had passed by his right flank and was already in his rear with a heavy force of cavalry near Bardstown, thus completely cutting him off from Bragg's army. This was entirely unexpected, as he supposed his right was guarded by Gen. Wheeler (then colonel) with a brigade of cavalry. Nothing but the prompest, most courageous and skilled conduct could extricate the command from his dangerous and critical position. He at once resolved upon his course and in five minutes was going down the Bardstown pike at full gallop; the Texas Rangers in front, led by Maj. Harrison, to execute his fearless plan. The enemy was advantageously posted on each side of the pike and in heavy column immediately upon it. Putting himself at the head of the Rangers and by the side of Maj. Harrison, unchecked by the heavy volleys which the enemy poured in upon them, he heroically dashed through them, scattering them like chaff; breaking to atoms their well formed lines, and columns; scattered them in the wildest confusion and dismay, driving them from their chosen position--a routed and panic stricken herd. Without the loss of a man killed, he killed and captured over 160 of their select cavalry which had been sent around especially to capture him and his brigade. This gallant and most brilliant exploit gained for him an enviable reputation with the entire army and called forth a special order from Gen. Polk, who was commanding, complimentary in the highest terms to himself and the Texas Rangers.

Following on the rear of our army, he came up with Gen. Polk at Perryville, where on the 17th of October, 1862, that bloody, terrific battle was fought and won. During this engagement his brigade pas posted on the right of our army and was frequent hotly engaged with the enemy. Again his conduct on the field was such as to procure favorable notice and commendation from the commander-in-chief in his reports of the battle. From Perryville he skirmished every day and sometimes at night in protecting the rear of the army, in concert with Gen. Wheeler back to London, where the enemy gave up the pursuit. Thence the brigade was moved to Kingston, Tenn., via Cumberland Gap and Knoxville.

In November he received his commission as a brigadier general on the P.A.C.S. For about thirty days he had been constantly engaged with the enemy. During the latter portion of this time the men were suffering greatly with hunger and cold, and the horses were without forage. Notwithstanding the men were worn down with constant duty, seldom ever getting a nights sleep, and requiring as it did the most unyielding energy and sleepless vigilance, he was ever ready for any emergency and received the commendation of the commander-in-chief for the highly creditable manner in which he performed his arduous and important duties. In December he was ordered with his brigade to Nolinsville, Middle Tennessee, to picket the left wing of our army, then stationed at Murfreesboro, on the 25th until the advance of the enemy of December by whom he was driven slowly [illegible] stubbornly contesting the ground beyond Triune, when he received orders from Gen. Bragg to let the enemy come on. Then withdrawing his command, he repaired to Murfreesboro and was assigned a position in line of battle on the extreme left.

On the morning of the 29th he was ordered forward on the Wilkerson pike to engage the enemy and bring on the attack. In this he succeeded admirably, worsting the enemy's cavalry during the day, which hastened the infantry up to their support. On the 30th of December, several other regiments of cavalry were ordered to report to him which increased his command to a division. The battle of Murfreesboro began at daylight on the 31st of December, by attacking the enemy on his right. The manner in which Gen. Wharton performed the part assigned him in that memorable battle, procured from Gen. Bragg for the cavalry the title of "invincible." On that day he drove the enemy's cavalry from the field, captured several pieces of artillery, over two thousand prisoners, several hundred mules and horses, destroying a large number of wagons loaded with government stores. On the 2d, when Gen. Breckenridge made his attack upon the left of the enemy, Gen. Wharton with his division, was on his right, but although his troops were not ordered into action, yet he participated in the attack and had his horse shot under him.

When Gen Bragg retired from Murfreesboro, Gen. Wharton protected his rear and was on constant duty along the front of our army doing picket duty until the retreat from Shelbyville in June and July. Here again his division did its duty manfully, and had others done the same, that branch of the service would be saved from the reproach, the disastrous and disgraceful run through Shelbyville and across Duck river.

In the month of February he accompanied Gen. Wheeler and Forrest in the expedition to Fort Donaldson, where the former made his unsuccessful attack upon the Fort. Though nothing was accomplished for us, yet he distinguished himself in the attack by courage and gallantry; here he came near receiving the fatal shot, the ball grazing his chest. After his successful management of his division in our last retreat from Middle Tennessee, where he was constantly engaged with the advancing enemy, thwarting them in the pursuit and our army was safely across the Tennessee river. He was ordered to repair to Rome, Ga. to recruit the horses. Here, during July and August, six weeks, were spent, when he was again forced at the front watching the enemy preparatory to the battle of Chickamauga. Although the labor was arduous and required constant vigilance along our left flank, which the enemy threatened, yet there was nothing of special interest until the opening of the battle. His division shred a prominent part in the attack upon the wagon train of the enemy, and was enabled to inflict very severe damage upon them and captured a considerable number of prisoners. He was always present, directing or leading his troops when perilous work was to be done. Then followed Wheeler's last raid into Tennessee, in October, where his division saved the entire command from disgrace, if not from capture.

The first to cross the Tennessee river near Cotton Port, they were at once thrown in the rear to hold in check the enemy, who was closely following and in force. After crossing the mountain, one of his brigades, (Crews' Ga.)gallantly disputed their advance until we reached and [illegible] then Harrison's brigade fought them closely until nearing Murfreesboro. After Shelbyville had been captured and much damage inflicted upon the railroad, he then began his return. But at Farmington we were well nigh ruined. It was the coolness and judgement of Gen. Wharton and the steadiness of his division that there checked the powerful effort of the enemy and held them at bay day by day until Gen. Wheeler had crossed the remainder of his corps over the Tennessee river into North Alabama. At Farmington his other division were completely demoralized. They were speedily falling back before the advancing foe, but just at the appointed time, Gen. Wharton's division came onto the pike from the direction of Duck creek. The Rangers being in advance were furiously attacked by the enemy under cover of a dense cedar brake. But although the head of the column was shot down when charging under the gallant Col. Cook, who was twice wounded here, yet the chastisement inflicted upon the enemy was so salutary that he was completely checked in his advance for the time, the Rangers holding their ground until the remainder of the division was swung around into the pike where Gen. Wharton succeeded by his presence of mind, coolness and gallantry in saving the fortunes of the day. To him and his division is attributable the final success of the raid. Soon after crossing the river he went to Richmond with the hope of having the Rangers and himself transferred across the Mississippi. Although failing in this, yet his distinguished service, his evident merit and great gallantry on numerous battle fields he was deservedly promoted to the rank of Major-General. In reaching this proud position, he has been guided by a single aim in his career as a soldier. Towards this he has bent his steady steps with a fixedness of purpose that could never know even partial defeat and that was an unflinching determination to distinguish himself in serving his country against a foe, and by unswerving devotion to duty, to increase his command and influence, and to know that those who were under his leadership should save (sic) their country to the best advantage. With a remarkable deficientness (sic) of purpose, devoted to his pursuit and always concentrated upon an object until this accomplished, his career has invariably been attended with success. This trait gave him character of a statement at home, and promises him attainment to a great distinction as a military chieftain.

Among the dashing soldiers who have had the fortunes, shared the misfortunes of the army of Tennessee, Gen. Jno. A. Wharton has a niche to himself. He has been emphatically a General of cavalry--not like Forrest , or Morgan, or Wheeler, shooting out from the main body and pitching upon the enemy when least expected, but like Kellermann, of the army of Italy, keeping close by the line, charging in battle and protecting the rear in retreat or guarding the advance. He has performed services of the most important nature without winning the noisy applause which follows the operation of independent commands. Although not known by the press to the extent of the others, yet by his true worth, his towering genius and unrivaled courage, he has elevated himself to his present honorable position, and has created for himself a name that will ever be cherished by those who have followed him throughout his campaigns and participated in his success, in fact, no man could know him without admiring his bearing, his spirits, and his wondrous resources. A gentleman of education; he is a man of unaffected address and in him we realize the old ideas of a Texas Ranger. But long exposure and service, labor and fatigue have seriously impaired his constitution and unfitted him for longer service in the arduous duties of the cavalry. His health is too delicate for this vigorous climate in which he had so long served, and on this account, together with the invasion of his own state caused him to apply for a transfer to Texas.

He needs no commendation from me to the people among whom he lived. His brilliant record has become a prominent part in the history of his country.

R. F. Bunting,
Chaplain Terry's Texas Rangers.

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