Timeline: September 1862 - Online Archive of Terry's Texas Rangers

Timeline: September 1862

Monday, September 1

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Move camp a few miles. feed & rest horses. are now in 5 miles of Sparta. Learn that Maj Harrison with the rear guard is in this vicinity. some of our men came up from him today. They became separated from us on 30th. our wagons are also near this place with the balance of the regiment"
Transfer - Joseph P. Harris, Co. B: -

Tuesday, September 2

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Move 1/2 mile to camp find wagons & the balance of command under Maj Harrison – on Calf Killer River – rec’d letter from Charley & Tompkins"

Wednesday, September 3

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Bugle blown before day & a short time after all are mounted and on the road to Rock ford where it is reported the enemy are advancing. I did not go. Wagons are moved beyond Sparta some 4 miles. It proved to be a false report. regiment returned. camp moved. Cheathams division arrived and a more joyful sight was never witnessed. Jim Walker presented with a horse by Col Wharton for gallant conduct on different occasions – wrote Ma –"

Thursday, September 4

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "On the road this evening [at] 4PM for Nashville camp at Smithville 22 miles distant. this is a very pretty little town. – "
Letter - B. F. Burke, Co. F: to his father
CSR - JD Cochran Commutation: Commutation receipt for medicine for JD Cochran.

Friday, September 5

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "On the road early this morning. and camp a few miles of Liberty at the junction of the Lebn & Sparta & Murfreesboro Pike. Good horses of command ordered for a scout tomorrow."

Saturday, September 6

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "The brigade left at day for a scout. my horse having a sore back I did not accompany them. Took a bath – nothing new."
Death - N. Monks, Co. B: Died as a result of wounds sustained in the July 15 capture of Murfreesboro, TN

Sunday, September 7

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "This is the anniversary of my soldier’s life. Twelve months today [I swore] to serve the confederate government in the capacity of a soldier, and I hope I have served faithfully. My conscience is clear in respect to the duties I have had to perform and the part I had to act. Learn that Gen Forrest has retaken Murfreesboro the small federal force left there surrendered without firing a gun. at dusk we are on the road to Lebanon and travel about 20 miles, passing through Alexandria, camp about 12 oclock."

Monday, September 8

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "After breakfast this morning we go into Lebanon & camp, our Company on picket on the Gallatin Pike two miles from town at Mr Carters and I can say that it is the most pleasant place to stand picket I know of, am delighted with the treatment received from the members of that good family. They discovered a striking likeness between Mrs C –’ son & myself. So much are we alike that his sister remarked that had I gone into the house alone she would have [been] tempted to kiss me."

Tuesday, September 9

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Relieved from picket duty this morning. Ordered to hold ourselves in readiness to march at half an hours notice. Gen Forrest is now at the Stone Bridge 7 miles this side of Nashville. Left the Roan horse at Mr Carter’s in his pasture. dusk, The bugle has just blown to saddle up."

Wednesday, September 10

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Get with the command about midnight 12 miles from Nashville on N. & Lebanon pike. Wednesday Sept 10th Take an early start and go towards Nashville some 3 miles passing by the Hermitage. Cross the [Cumberland] River & when there capture 3 prisoners. Chase 30 odd down the Nashville & Gallatin pike towards Nashvile. form in line of battle for an attack & wait near an hour for them. they not making their appearance we proceed to the upper Gallatin pike & camp for the night."
News - An Item for Abe Lincoln: Galveston Weekly News
News - Papers from J. E. Wilson: Galveston Weekly News

Thursday, September 11

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Go towards Gallatin some distance when we take a bye road through the country. The advance guard is fired upon killing none wounding [Mr Jack] of Co F dangerously. Learn there is a larger force in our front in ambush for us. Give them three shots from our little six pounders, take another road & form in line of battle about 2 miles further up the road. The enemy shelled the road for an hour after. [We’d] left but did not follow us up. camp."

Friday, September 12

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Nothing on the road worthy of note. [Up] to the middle of the day when we feed was in 5 miles of Woodberry “Camp Terry”. learn of the enemy being in the neighborhood & after going a few miles jump them up. go some distance 1/2 mile or such [a] matter when we discover a body of men [moving] across an open field as if trying to avoid us. The Column is turned to head them & we are in gun shot before it is Known they are our men. They are under command of Col and finding the enemy in too great force are making good their retreat seeing the dust from our column took us for the enemy [in their rear] & were making for another road across the field. We seeing their dust mistook them for Yankees & were after them [in earnest] as soon as they understood we were friends they gave a shout as men could only give under [such] circumstances. The whole command is then put in line of battle & waited for three hours for the approach of the enemy who smelt a [trick] & did not come. cross into go some 5 miles & camp."

Saturday, September 13

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Up before day & on the move. Cross the Barron River & camp [1/2] miles from [Glasgow] where a large force of our infantry is."

Sunday, September 14

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "No move until after noon when camp is changed to 2 miles from Glasgow on Louisville pike."

Monday, September 15

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "The army is all on the move. Camp [is ordered] 10 miles further on the pike, meet old friends in [Clinch] Rifles."

Tuesday, September 16

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Cross [Green] River today with wagons artillery & a part of our Infantry force, entirely surround Woodsonville & Munfordsville and at midnight the Federal forces occupying those places surrendered to us the number surrendered is 4580 men, this was a fortified place. Saw Dr Tompkins."

Wednesday, September 17

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Our Company is detailed to hunt up stragglers. we only found two negroes, the federals had pressed to work on fortifications. We are all on the move & camp at Bacon Creek for the night. Reported advance of Buel proves to be Genl Breckinridges division."

Thursday, September 18

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Go as far as Hamburg on L&N R.R. about 12 miles & camp. We passed through Auburn a small town or R R Station. the people appear to rather favor us and our cause."

Friday, September 19

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Are ordered to return to Munfordsville as the enemy are reported advancing upon that point. go some 12 miles when we meet a courier who turns us back. The reported advance proved to be a Cavalry dash at the rear guard. Saw Several of Clinch Rifles working at Engine that had been thrown from RR track. it looks as if we are preparing to use the RR."

Saturday, September 20

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "Last night a detail of 20 men from each company was sent to the rear of the army to act as a rear guard. Did not leave until late in the day owing to the distribution of arms and ammunition to the men. Pass through Elizabethtown at which place the enemy had made a fort of a brick building to protect RR bridge. That little town is said to be [thoroughly] Secesh, a confederate flag was flying from the highest steeple in the place, and the people expressed themselves as glad to see us. Did not make a halt until after we had passed Muldrows Hill some two miles when we camp for the night."
ORs - J. Wheeler: "On the morning of the 20th the enemy advanced and deployed their lines in front of their advanced pickets. Our army being now moving from Munfordville, our front was kept unchanged and every effort made to prevent the enemy from learning our movements. Toward evening Col. Wharton arrived with his brigade, which was, however, kept in reserve."
Enlistment - G. F. Maxey, Co. B: Enlisted at Coldspring, TX by W. D. Mitchell.

Sunday, September 21

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "After breakfast we are on the march and pass through Boston a town of no pretensions. we had proceeded beyond that place some 2 miles when a courier overtook us with the news that the wagon train had been attacked. The regiment is turned back to protect the train & “I having a [bad or lead] horse go to Bardstown” Succeeded in driving the Yanks away after taking some 11 prisoners. It was a very bold dash and they deserve Credit for their boldness. They captured some of our men but do not know the number. A Little after night all the command came into camp. This little town is a very pretty place the people are kind and appear to be with us in feeling."
ORs - J. Wheeler: "The enemy continued deploying their lines all day and in the morning commenced their advance. Our pickets held their ground so well that it was noon before my main body became engaged, which had fallen back to a point about 4 miles from Green River. Here the enemy’s infantry advanced in line of battle upon the First and Third Alabama Regiments. After a heavy engagement the enemy, finding that they were simply. opposed by cavalry, sent a brigade to turn our right flank. After a gallant resistance and a handsome charge by the First Alabama, in which Lient. Col. [T. B.] Brown was killed, both regiments were compelled to retire slowly, but in good order, to prevent being entirely cut off, the enemy’s dense lines of infantry being in full view and within range both in front and on the right flank. Our artillery, consisting of two guns, attached to Colonel Wharton’s and my own brigade, had been placed npon the north side of the river and commenced good work as soon as the enemy came within its range. The First and Third Alabama Regiments retired slowly and finally were compelled to cross the river, which was done in good order. The lines were again formed on the north side of the river, and as the enemy came up we received them warmly with artillery and small-arms. The enemy, discovering that our army had left Munfordville, sent an infantry brigade to turn our right flank. We contested the crossing under a heavy fire of infantry and artillery until this brigade of the enemy had crossed the river about half a mile below the town and was advancing in line perpendicular to our lines. We then fell back about 300 yards and again formed our lines, which allowed the enemy to cross several brigades of infantry and a large force of cavalry, all of which promptly formed line of battle, engaging us as they came up. Their cavalry sounded the charge, but could not be moved toward us. After a short but severe fight, the sun having gone down, we slowly withdrew. The fighting on the north side of the river was done by the First Alabama, Third Georgia, and First Kentucky Regiments, all of which acted as well as could be expected with such disparity of numbers, the Third Georgia suffering most severely. Colonel Wharton’s Texas regiment was at all times ready and ‘maneuvered well, but circumstances did not call it into action."

Monday, September 22

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "In camp at Bardstown, with nothing transpiring to notice."
ORs - J. Wheeler: "About noon I sent orders to the various pickets beyond the scene of action directing them how to come in; they all joined us safely during the night. We were obliged to move on some 8 miles that night to procure forage and water. Early in the morning Colonel Wharton moved with his brigade some miles farther on to Red Mills to procure rations. The enemy’s advance reaching me about noon, my brigade was moved rapidly to a favorable position to receive him. The artillery and most of my cavalry were secreted until the head of a column of not less than 1,500 cavalry had arrived within about 350 yards of our position, when we opened upon them with canister and shell, killing and wounding many men and horses. The enemy deployed as skirmishers and brought up their artillery, engaging us warmly until dark, when they went into camp. Colonel Wharton was notified of the advance when the action first commenced and moved promptly to my assistance. Finding, however, that he was not needed at that point he moved his command toward Hodgensville to watch the other roads leading north from Munfordville, and on which we learned the enemy were also advancing"

Tuesday, September 23

-

Wednesday, September 24

ORs - J. Wheeler: "On Wednesday morning Colonel Wharton’s brigade was ordered to Bardstown, while I remained at Hodgensville and New Haven watching the enemy on the roads from below and toward Elizabethtown."

Thursday, September 25

ORs: (CS) Special Orders, No. 3: Orders relieving Forrest from duty and assining him to raise a brigade in Middle Tennessee.
Enlistment - R. Stroud, Co. D: -
Resignation - J. G. Walker, Co. K: -

Friday, September 26

Letter - B. F. Burke: to his parents
Letter - J. W. Hill: to his sister
Letter - A. M. Shannon: to

Saturday, September 27

ORs: (CS) Report of Colonel Wharton - September 27, 1862: Request for instructions from High Grove, Ky.
ORs: (CS) Circular - September 27, 1862: Orders for the disposition of the CS cavalry.
ORs: (CS) Report of Colonel Wharton - September 27, 1862: Response to orders describing disposition of troops.

Discharge - H. E. Shuler, Co. E: Discharged September 1862, Starting for Texas on September 27.

Sunday, September 28

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Monday, September 29

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "The events of the past week to record have been so few that I will put them all upon this date. from Bardstown we went on a scout up the Louisville pike, returned and a part of the Regiment was detailed and sent to Taylorsville to guard some [Hosiery or Hominy] mills there. I have been to Fairfield & Bloomfield & find the people generally sympathizers with us. Genl Forrest has been sent to Tennessee to recruit a Brigade of Infantry. Col. Wharton has returned from a scout he had been with at Munfordsville and is now in command of the Brigade. Maj Harrison is now acting Col. of the Regiment. Lt Col Walker has resigned & gone home. We came to this place yesterday & was kept in line of Battle all the forenoon, for what reason no one could tell as the Yankees were reported as being some miles away 'this is Mt Washington' 19 miles from Louisville' about noon we go The command is very much scattered, details to Taylorsville, scouts &tc have reduced us to as few men, many are dismounted who do us no good. They are with the wagons & efforts are made to mount them. Ordered to move Camp & all mounted when the order is countermanded. "
Letter - R. F. Bunting: to Houston Tri-Weekly Telegraph

Tuesday, September 30

ORs: (CS) Report of General Polk - September 30, 1862: Relaying of report from Major Bankhead who was with Wharton.
Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H: "The regiment goes a few miles towards Louisville & return after an absence of an hour or so & go into camp on west side of Mt Washington [1/4] of a mile from that place. report of the capture by the enemy of a part of the 3rd Geo Regiment of Cavalry near Lebanon Junction. Genl Bragg’s address to people of North West is read to and approved of by all who say it is an able document. a part of [our] Company came up from Taylorsville report all quiet."

Unidentified September Events

J. H. Alexander, Co. K: Discharged
Enlistment - C. F. Baker, Co. A: -
Killed - G. G. Clark, Co. F: -Killed at Tyree Springs, TN likely in 9/62

Wounded - R. Morris, Co. B: Wounded in Arm at Bardstown, KY and furloughed to TX.
Assignment - G. D. Mitchell, Co. E: Served as orderly to Brig. Genl. Wharton.
History - Reminiscences of the Terry Rangers by J. K. P. Blackburn: I can think of nothing of much interest occurring to any portion of our regiment until General Bragg with the army of Tennessee made a raid into Kentucky in September, 1862, I think. The cavalry of course was to be the vanguard on this trip in order to clear up the way, and keep the commanding general posted as to what was before him on his line of march. Our first engagement was with McCook's corps near the Kentucky-Tennessee line when our regiment was ordered to feel of the enemy in that section to ascertain its strength and size of force. This resulted in several casualties to our men and in finding it was McCook's corps marching north to be ready for General Bragg when he should get there. S. G. Clark of our company was one of the killed here. I kept a diary of the trip through Kentucky on this raid and while I lost it soon after the raid was over I remember some of the entries made. One was that from the day we entered Kentucky until the day we passed out of the state, thirty-eight days, our regiment in part or as a whole had been under the fire of the enemy's guns forty-two times, including Perryville Battle as one of the times. Fighting and skirmishing occurred every day and some days more than once.