Timeline: January 1863

Thursday, January 1

Letter - I. D Affleck

to

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D

"Went to La Vergne and pitched into their wagon train, captured and burned a good many wagons, 200 prisoners."

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" In the rear of the enemy at Levern burned wagons. Captured about 100 prisoners & 25 head of cattle"

CSR - E. H. Byne, Co. H

Certificate of Disability & Discharge

Memoir - J. K. P. Blackburn, Co. F

The regiment moved to Murfreesboro where two armies were rapidly gathering for one of the great battles of the Civil War. Just whether we moved that night, or fell back gradually as the enemy advanced to Murfreesboro I cannot now recall, but on the first day of January, 1863, brigade skirmish line was formed from our brigade and I was ordered to take charge of this line. The men were placed in line ten feet apart on foot in one side of an old field grown up in long weeds about as high as a man's head. The enemy were in the other side of the same field. Our skirmishers were armed with rifles or muskets for the occasion. I was told to keep the men to their places so there would be no weak spot and no bunching of our men on the line, to keep them firing continually, etc., etc. As I rode along that long line of men--I was the only man on horseback in that line--I saw that Bill Simpson of Company F was about two feet, or three feet at the most, from a high poplar stump in line with the men, so I said, "Bill, take the stump. There it is but a little ways from your place and it may save your life or your limbs." He looked up at me and said, "I thank you, I am doing very well here," and refused to use it. These two lines of skirmishers were in what was afterward known as the left flank of our army during the battle and as far as I am able to tell now this was the beginning of that great battle. We were relieved after a while by some infantry and we re-mounted our horses to meet some Yankee cavalry that came in on our left. We charged them, drove them, and scattered them. As we returned from pursuing them my horse slipped and fell, throwing me on the horn of my saddle and producing a case of nearly strangulated hernia from a slight rupture I had had before. This fall laid me up for several days and took me off the battlefield until the battle ended and longer. Whatever else I relate of this battle or as to what happened in or to the regiment must be from hearsay and not from personal observation. The regiment was engaged all the time, sometimes in the flank, sometimes in the rear of the enemy; sometimes fighting infantry, sometimes cavalry; capturing many of the enemy and destroying much of his supplies. One or two incidents I wish to relate happened during that conflict. A Yankee General fell into the hands of the Rangers. They asked him his name and rank. He said, "General Willich." "The same who commanded the 32nd Indiana Infantry as Colonel?" he was asked. "Yes the same, and who are you," demaded the General. "Terry Texas Rangers" was the reply. "Mein Gott," said General Willich, "I had rather be a private in that regiment than to be a Brigadier General in the Federal army." Willich had met the boys at Woodsonville, Ky., as Colonel of the 32nd Indiana regiment and had met them at Murfreesboro as Brigadier General and had lost out both times and was qualified to judge of their military prowess. General Willich was Dutch or German, with a foreign accent. Colonel Harrison by this time had so long escaped personal injury from shot and shell, his men dubbed him "Old Iron Sides," because as they said he was sheathed with iron and no bullet could penetrate his body. On the second day of this battle, Billy Sayers, his Adjutant, sat on his horse beside him under a heavy fire. Colonel Harrison leaned over to Sayers and whispered, "I am wounded, but don't say anything about it on account of the men." Billy wanted him off the field, but he refused to go. It proved to be a flesh wound in the hip, not very serious, and he stayed with and commanded the regiment throughout the battle. On another occasion the Colonel, while standing in front of his line ready to make or receive a charge as it might happen, was looking through his field glass at a body of cavalry some distance off. Suddenly he exclaimed, "Now boys, we will have some fun. There is a regiment out there preparing to charge us, armed with sabres. Let them come up nearly close enough to strike and then feed them on buckshot." So they came up with great noise and pretense, hoping to demoralize and scatter their opponents and then have a race in which they could use their sabres effectively. But as the Texans stood their ground the Yankees ran up to within a few steps and halted suddenly, giving our boys the chance they were wishing for. One volley from the shotguns into their ranks scattered these sabre men into useless fragments of a force. Many of them surrendered and our boys quizzed them with merciless questions. "Why did you stop?" "Are your sabres long ranged weapons?" "How far can you kill a man with those things?" After a conflict lasting two days with varying success and defeat for both armies, the Southern army withdrew to the south, leaving the other army with fresh reinforcements encamped not far from the last lines of battle the evening before.

Friday, January 2

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D

"Transferred to the right wing. Saw the fight this eve. Breckinridge had to fall back. Raining all the time."

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" Lines of battle as on 31st no fighting of consequence. [We] attempting to drive the enemy from a very strong position our men were [repulsed]."

News - Nashville Dispatch

Prisoners from Murfreesboro

History - Claiborne

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.

Saturday, January 3

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D

"Raining all day; sent out on a scout last night beyond Stone River to Mr. Black’s. All quiet."

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" Skirmishing all day but no general engagement, towards night the enemy shelled the woods & attempted to advance but were repulsed with considerable loss."

Sunday, January 4

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D

"The morn before day our Army commenced to retreat. I left the Regiment on the Plaza in M. and went out to the end of the Wilkerson pike. Got my clothing and came across to the Salem pike, found a number of unparoled Yanks on my way. I met Gen’l Buford but he would not send back to parole them. I went on to town, went to see Miss Kate, took a bite to eat and bid them goodbye. Went up to Mr. Lane's and from there out to Col. Smith's Regiment and back to Col. Cox in town. He promised to attend the Yanks. I then started for the Command. Came out to Col. Lytle‘s, stopped, found Morton of the Battery there. I took supper there but did not know where I was until the young ladies came down. Miss Mollie came in glad to see me, was then introduced to Miss Mollie Turner and Miss Alice Hord, staid till 11 o’clock, time passed very pleasantly. Came on to Camp."

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" Army fallen back on Shelbyville pike last night, we leave the battle field at day light, it is thought the move is a decoy to get the enemy to follow. Reported they are falling back on Nashville."

Monday, January 5

Letter - I. D Affleck

to

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D

"Fell back to Old Fosterville, remained 6th-10th."

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" On Shelbyville pike about 6 miles from Nolansville Murfreesboro, no advance of the enemy."

Tuesday, January 6

Letter - R. F. Bunting

to

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

"Move some 2 miles to camp. no advance of the enemy."

Wednesday, January 7

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" In same camp. nothing new"

News - Natchez Daily Courier

A Day in Vicksburg

Thursday, January 8

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" Move 2 miles further for forage no advance of the enemy."

Friday, January 9

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" Move 3 miles towards Murfreesboro. our company on picket at Middleton 13 miles from Murfreesboro on dirt road leading to shelbyville. Enemy are 3 miles in advance of Murfreesboro."

ORs - Dispatch by Gen. Brag - Summary of Cavalry Operations.

Summarizes Cavalry opperations of Forrest, Morgan, Wheeler, & Wharton.

Saturday, January 10

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" Still on picket, Wheeler’s brigade passed by last night & camped within a few hundred yards of us. this morning they left by road leading into Triune and shelbyville pike."

Sunday, January 11

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D

"Came out on a reconnoitering expedition, past Col. Lytle's. I stopped on return and saw Misses Mollie and Alice. Miss Molly T. had returned home. From this time until the 27th we did nothing but picketing. I piruted a little on Duck River, spent a night or two with Mr. Stewart, took dinner twice at Mr. Wilhoit's and thus the time passed. On 27th came in to Camp and on 29th we were relieved by Wheeler’s Brigade and with three days’ rations started on a scout down on Cumberland, passed through S. and out on Eaglesville pike to E. Camped near the place."

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" Are relieved from picket duty by a company of Davis batalion & return to camp. The command went down to Enemy pickets and threw 3 shels at them. camp 10 miles of Shelbyville. Our Company is thrown into deepest gloom on account of intelligence of the death of Jas Walker. he was a young man of bright prospects and leaves many friends to mourn his loss."

Monday, January 12

Letter - R. E. Hill, Co. D

To his sister, from Shelbyville, TN.

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" In camp. Washed & put on clean clothes. Speech made by Genl Wharton tonight complimenting the regiment for gallantry on different occasions &tc &tc."

Tuesday, January 13

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

"Go to wagons to clean up, as the men are really suffering for a change of clothing. return at night to camp. wrote clancy."

Wednesday, January 14

Letter - R. E. Hill, Co. D

To his sister, from Shelbyville, TN.

Letter - J. W. Rabb

to

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

"Go on picket at Middleton with Co E raining incessantly. are told the Enemy are at Versailles some 6 miles distant. A scout that was sent out discovered them in ambush within 2 miles of camp."

News - Galveston Weekly News

" Benefit for Terry's Rangers.—A musical and dramatic entertainment of the highest character is in course of preparation by the amateurs of Houston and Galveston, under the management of Mr. and Mrs. Buttler, for the benefit of our gallant rangers. It will take place at Perkins Hall on Tuesday the 13th inst., when we hope to see the greatest house of the season."

Thursday, January 15

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

"Raining incessantly allnight. & to day it continues without intermission with some sleet & a little snow until night. a most disagreeable & unpleasant day. – Our picket was moved a little before day break about 1 mile toward [ M&T] pike & a little while after sunup we returned, the Enemy did not attempt to carry out their threat “to take us out of the wet.” Went on a scout towards Versailles but could learn nothing of the enemy."

Friday, January 16

Letter - B. F. Burke, Co. F

To his parents, from Shelbyville, TN.

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" Sleeting & snowing all night. it is bitter cold. Am relieved of picket duty by a Company of Howards Regiment, it is so cold & disagreeable that Stewart & myself have concluded to stop at a house in the country until tomorrow morning – no news of the enemy"

Saturday, January 17

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" Stopped for the night at a house & this morning after breakfast we proceeded on our way to camp. [Quite or found] a few of the Company at our reserve Camp. in a short while after the regiment passes by on their way to the wagons & we go with them. Genl Wharton treated the regiment to whiskey and one man was shot accidentaly by some one of his friends who had taken too much of it."

Sunday, January 18

Letter - W. Nicholson, Co. D

To his sister, from Shelbyville, TN.

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

"Preaching by Revd McBuntline. Move camp 1/2 mile on account of mud, stringent orders given by Genl Wharton to be enforced with at wagon camp."

Monday, January 19

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" Regiment left this morning at Sun up on a scout. I did not go being a little unwell. Wrote clancy. rec’d letter from charley with papers. raining. regiment returned at night. moved camp"

Tuesday, January 20

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" Regiment on picket on the pike, nothing new."

Wednesday, January 21

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" On Picket at reserve station. Flag of truce came in today escorting two of our Surgeons & two Ladies from Murfreesboro."

Thursday, January 22

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

"Foraging party of the enemy came out to within 1 mile of picket stand. some shots exchanged by videttes. They returned towards evening."

Friday, January 23

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

"The Enemy are out again after forage. The videttes exchange shots. return to wagons having been relieved by Col Smiths Regiment. Find Cox sick & confined to bed. rec’d papers from home"

Saturday, January 24

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

"In camp making out pay Rolls. and doing other little camp duties. The 11th Texas Regiment came and have camped near us. they are to be mounted and connected with our Brigade."

Sunday, January 25

Letter - B. F. Batchelor

to

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

"Preaching by RevMcBuntline. our company sent out to escort 4 companies of [Murrays] Regiment to the infantry camp. they have been dismounted. Their horses go towards mounting 11th Texas Regt. Ordered to cook 1 days ration & go on picket in the morning – wrote Tompkins."

Monday, January 26

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

"Regiment on picket. I am ordered to remain in camp to make out pay Rolls &tc – raining very hard this evening & the prospect for the night is gloomy."

Muster Roll - Co. B

Muster Roll (1/26//63) for C. "B" 8 Regt Texas Cavalry, 107 names (National Archives)

 

 

Tuesday, January 27

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D

" On 27th came in to Camp"

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" The regiment came in from off picket this morning. our Company being at Middleton did not come in until some two hours afterwards. Snowing all day. This is camp “Jas T Walker.” ordered to leave at 10 A.M. on a scout"

Wednesday, January 28

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" In camp all today. snowing all day & the ground is muddy sloppy & disagreeable, ordered to leave at day light tomorrow on a scout. The order of yesterday having been Countermanded on account of the inclemency of the weather. wrote charly."

News - Dallas Herald

"The Concert in Houston for the benefit of the Terry Rangers, yielded $1947 nett proceeds."

CSR - T. E. Balfour,

Certificate of Disability

Thursday, January 29

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D

"and on 29th we were relieved by Wheeler’s Brigade and with three days’ rations started on a scout down on Cumberland, passed through S. and out on Eaglesville pike to E. Camped near the place."

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" About an hour before day we are awakened by revelle and half an hour afterwards to saddle up. are mounted and moving off at Sun up. go to Shelbyville & take Nashville & Shelbyville Pike, pass through Unionville and Eagleville & camp 2 miles of latter place. There are little country towns of no note, all the Lieut being absent leaves me in Command of the Co."

Friday, January 30

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D

"Came through Triune and out to Franklin, got there 4 p. m., went out one and a half miles on Columbia pike and camped. I and Oly Archer went out to Mr. Baugh's and took supper, staid till bed time and returned to Camp."

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

"Leave about 8 A.M. & go back to the pike, travel it to Triune where we turned off on dirt road to Franklin pass through there and Camp on Columbia pike 1 mile from town. Weather clear & cold."

Saturday, January 31

Diary - E. S. Dodd , Co. D

"Details sent out to get all the provisions possible and return by 12 o’clock. I went to town, but did not get my horse shod, met the command as I went out, coming in. Went some ten or eleven miles and camped on creek on steep hillside. Rained all night. I and John Henry slept dry in my Yankee tent. Most Company got into stable and crib."

Diary - G. L. Macmurphy, Co. H

" Heavy detail made to get [bread] as the order is that we go where it will be hard to procure, leave at 11 A.M. pass through Franklin and down the pike some distance, then take dirt road leading towards Charlotte, – Lieut Weston came in this morning & takes Command of Co. prospect tonight is too good for rain to be agreeable."

Misc. January Events

Memoir - J. K. P. Blackburn, Co. F

The weather had turned fearfully cold and the earth would freeze very hard at night. About the first night after we left Murfreesboro Jim Stevenson, coming off of duty late, came to the log heap fire of my mess, and asked permission to sleep near our fire. Jim was a shiftless boy whose dress was weather worn and untidy, his body generally dirty and infected with what the boys called "graybacks." So no one would sleep with him and he didn't expect any one to divide bedding with him. We granted his request and he made his pallet down a little space from the rest of us and went to sleep. Next morning he slept on after daylight. I went to see how he was faring and to awake him if still living. I caught his top blanket at his head and raised it up and as it was set and frozen it stood up on the other end like a dried raw hide would do with like handling. I said, "Get up my boy, don't try to sleep all day. How did you sleep?" He replied, "Bully," that he had two blankets last night. He had an old thread bare blanket under him and a heavy army blanket he had captured from the enemy during the battle just fought. He had slept all night without moving, as evidenced by an unfrozen streak, just the shape of his body on that blanket where he had lain on his side; the rest of that blanket being frozen stiff as a board. Jim could suffer hardships without a murmur, and although he was shiftless and loved to play poker he could always be depended upon when there was any fighting to be done. He was a brave man and a good soldier.

Memoir - J. K. P. Blackburn, Co. F

The

 

 

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