The History Of the 12th Indiana Cavalry

The 127th Indiana Regiment in the Civil War

by Russ Poole

The Story of the 127th Regiment of Indiana (12th Cavalry):
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E. B. Long gives the following account for December, 1863: "As the principal fighting of the fall ended, the military and political leaders and the citizens of both sides could take a quieter look at things as they were and were likely to be. On the military fronts the balance tipped toward the Federal side. In Virginia Meade's Mine Run Campaign had failed but he still threatened Lee. At Charleston the fantastic bombardment of Fort Sumter had not achieved its purpose but it still continued. At Knoxville Federals were holding against Longstreet and it was clear that the confederates would soon have to give up their siege. At Chattanooga Grant began building a base for future operations into Georgia in the face of an embittered and tangled Confederate command setup that offered little hope for anything more than continued defense. In the West operations were on a much smaller scale, with Confederates mounting only guerilla and hit and run operations. Many asked whether the South could hold out long enough to exhaust the North or win the daydream of foreign recognition. Politics came to the fore in the North; 1864 was a presidential election year. The people of both sides looked back over the bloody events of 1863 and forward to an uncertain 1864." January opened 1864 with extreme cold across both North and South with temperatures dropping to below zero as far south as Memphis. A member of the 12th Indiana Cavalry, Charles Harper had written home from Camp Mitchell, Kendallville, Indiana on January 3 that it was 20 below zero. There had been no major military action since November but the cold caused much suffering among the soldiers. The 12th Indiana Cavalry had rendezvoused at Kendallville and during this time were outfitted and engaged in drills. (Drills were 4 hours per day according to Harper.)

Meanwhile at the fronts throughout January skirmishing was on the increase but there was no large scale fighting as in the previous year.

In February Major-General W. T. Sherman left Vicksburg with over 26,000 men on an expedition to destroy Confederate held railroads in the state. Sherman skirmished all the way through Jackson, Miss. to Meridian. Further north at Okolona, Miss. the Federal Cavalry under W. Sooy Smith were routed by a smaller force under Nathan Bedford Forrest. (Later General Forrest's troops would be routed by a group which included the 12th Indiana cavalry.) Elsewhere during the month there was minor fighting in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. March, 1864 marked the start of the Red River Campaign in the west but major military movements were postponed. Lee and Meade were holding on in Virginia and a Federal cavalry raid failed at Richmond. Fighting increased all over by the end of March but there still had not been a major confrontation between North and South since the autumn of 1863. The major event of the month was U. S. Grant becoming General-in-Chief of all the U.S. armies.

April remained pretty much the same with fighting on all fronts but the main skirmishes were along the Red River.

May, 1864 began with the Red River campaign coming to a close and the Federal troops commencing their move across the Rapidan in Virginia. The first great battle of 1864, the Wilderness, began on May 5, and about this time the 12th Ind. Cavalry left Camp Mitchell at Kendallville and proceeded to Camp Shanks in Indianapolis. According to the diary of John Henderson, Company E, hundreds of citizens gathered to see them start for the front on May 4th. On May 6 the regiment left Indianapolis for the field, under orders to go to Nashville. Of the 12 companies in the regiment the Companies C, D & H were three of the 6 mounted but all were armed as infantry for lack of cavalry arms. Henderson's diary has slightly different dates as he writes: "May 7th Arrived at Indianapolis here drew our long guns funey arms for Cavalry. May 8th Arrived at Jeffersonville Ind." At about this time, May 7, 1864 General Sherman was beginning his move toward Atlanta.

Upon arrival at Shepardsville, Kentucky, which was just south of Louisville, the mounted companies turned in their infantry arms for cavalry arms. It is not certain what the arms consisted of but we do know that in early 1864 General Wilson attempted to have all mounted units using the new seven shot Spencer carbine. This is the rifle that the rebels claimed the Feds loaded on Sunday and fired all week. Per one of C. A. Harper's letters home the mounted companies were armed with saber's or Enfield rifles. The sabers were probably the U.S. model 1860 light saber and in addition they could have carried the 1860 model colt revolver. After receiving the new arms, the mounted companies then marched to Nashville under Col. Anderson while the others proceeded by rail under Lt. Col. Reed. Henderson says he reached Nashville May 11 th and went into camp.

The regiment remained at Nashville in camp of instruction for about three weeks, when it was ordered to Huntsville, Alabama. Starting out on May 29 the dismounted portion traveled by rail, while the mounted went on march. I assume that Company E went by rail and per Henderson they passed through Pulaski, Tennessee and Athens, Alabama, noting that Athens was mostly destroyed by fire.

In other areas during May the following battles ensued: In Virginia; Spotsylvania, Yellow Tavern, New Market, Drewry's Bluff and the North Anna river. In Georgia; Dalton, Resaca, and New Hope Church. The 12th Indiana Cavalry was assigned to railroad defenses from Decatur, Alabama to Paint Rock, Alabama a distance of about 60 miles. They were also to defend the area between Huntsville and Paint Rock, and between the Tennessee river and the Memphis and Charleston railroad. That portion of the country was then infested with several bands of guerrillas and "bushwhackers". The 6 mounted companies were fighting numerous skirmishes and engagements and quite a large number were killed or wounded. These 6 companies of the 12th Indiana, including Companies C, D & H, were the only mounted cavalry then at or near Huntsville. At this time the unmounted companies were building and defending blockhouses. Henderson mentioned that Company E took possession of four blockhouses and two bridges at Brownsboro, 12 miles from Huntsville. (Thus my assumption that Company E was unmounted.)

Writing June 13, from Huntsville, Charles Harper of Company D relates that he was unable to write earlier as he was in the saddle every day while on a scouting trip but accomplished nothing. He further indicates that the unmounted troops were guarding the railroad bridge. He notes that the Rebs are in force across the river. On June 17 his letter indicates that they do their own cooking and that there is plenty of fruit; peaches, mulberries, and raspberries with blackberries soon to be ripe. He mentions the capture of a Confederate Captain who was later shot trying to escape. Further letters in June and July mention skirmishes with Rebs, with one man killed and several horses killed and wounded. They were on scouting duty most of the time with orders to clear the bushwhackers, of which there were plenty, out of the hills. They had orders to shoot to kill and take no prisoners.

The skirmish of June 27, 1864 at Big Cove Valley Alabama, is covered in the report of Captain Richart to Colonel Anderson and involved a detachment of the 12th Ind. Cav. Captain Richart received information on the 26th of June that Johnson's band of guerillas was in the Big Cove Valley, six miles northeast of Huntsville. At 5 p.m. he left the post with 41 men and crossed the mountain by what is known as Franklin's Path. He moved cautiously up the cove till 10 o'clock, and then went into camp. At daybreak they were again on the move and, after marching about three-quarters of a mile, halted at the creek to water the horses. As they started out they suddenly came upon fifteen of the enemy under the command of Parson Johnson, feeding their horses. In Richart's own words: "I immediately attacked them, and, although they occupied a very strong position on ground that was very unfavorable for cavalry to operate upon, yet at the expiration of fifteen minutes' sharp fighting we drove them in confusion, capturing 5 horses and equipments and wounding 3 or 4 of the band. We chased them into the hills near Blevingston Gap, a distance of two miles from the scene of the fight. After eating the breakfast prepared for the (rebel) band and feeding the horses, I moved down the valley with the captured property, safely arriving at camp at 3:30 p.m. of the 27th instant. My loss in the skirmish was, I am sorry to say, 1 man, Private John Twiford, who was mortally wounded at the third volley fired by the enemy; also 1 horse killed and 10 wounded, several seriously. The men behaved well, with one or two exceptions; much better, indeed, than could be expected of raw troops the first time under fire."

The next 12th Cavalry skirmish of which there is record occurred on July 8, 1864 near Vienna, Alabama involving mostly "B" and "C" companies. This report is from Lieut. Col. Alfred Reed, commanding a detachment of Twelfth Indiana Cavalry at Vienna to Col. Edward Anderson at Huntsville: "The detachment under my command yesterday morning separated about 5 miles north of Owen's Mills, on Flint River, Company C going east to J.C. Drake's, who is father to three of Johnson's gang; thence we went south to Vienna; the other company (B) was ordered to make Vienna via Owen's Mills. About three miles from Vienna the company was fired upon by Parson (Captain) Johnson's company of bushwhackers and dispersed. The captain and Lieutenant Burden and 7 of their company (B) were wounded, and the scout, John C. Martin was killed; 3 horses were killed, and some 4 or 5 wounded. The wounds on the men, though some of them are severe, are none of them mortal. I was with Company C. On arriving at Vienna I learned of the disaster to Captain Baker, and immediately repaired to the scene of action. After plundering the dead horses and men, the rebels retreated to the southward. We followed them some distance, but night coming on we returned to this place. I shall keep Company C here and pursue my original plan against the bushwhackers until further orders. I will make this place my headquarters, and orders will readily reach me here. The company is fearful that they will miss the paymaster. Whenever he is ready to pay, you can notify us and we will report there if so ordered. I shall be glad to receive instructions from time to time as to my duties here."

We know that they got their pay on or about July 11 since on that day C. A. Harper of Company D wrote home that he received pay of $76 ($40 bounty). What period the pay covered is not known and also whether this amount included his recent promotion to Corporal.

The next chronologically listed record in the "War of the Rebellion" regarding the 12th Indiana Cavalry is the report written on July 21, 1864 by the Captain of Company L, Ethan Thornton to Col. Anderson: "I left camp at Paint Rock the 18th ultimo (instant) at 6 p.m. with 75 men and marched through the valley in a northeast direction. About three miles from the camp we procured a guide and took the route toward Clear Spring Valley, intending to intercept the guerrilla Mead as he crossed from one valley to the other. We lay in ambush till nearly daybreak, when we marched to Clear Spring and lay in ambush till the evening of the 19th. Procuring another guide, we marched to our ambush of the former evening and remained till 12 p.m. Leaving our concealment we went up Sink Spring Valley about 4 miles, with the intention of surprising a gang of guerrillas known to be there. The barking of their dogs warned them of our approach, and they fled to the mountains.

From appearances I supposed there were 10 men at one house and 5 at another near by. The first was occupied by a man named Tipton, though his wife claimed to be a widow. However, the age of the babe did not agree with her story of widowhood. I did not learn the name of the other. After making several efforts to draw the guerrillas from the mountains, I fired the two houses and adjoining outhouses, and knowing that further surprise would be impossible, took our line of march for the railroad, stopping at each house along the road and shooting all the dogs. I think we could (now) pass through the country without being discovered.

We arrived at Cold Spring at 7 p.m. and took the train for our present station. The men stood the tramp well, and behaved gallantly on every occasion. At 9 p.m. we disembarked at Paint Rock bridge. Company in fine health and spirits. All quiet around the camp." (I wonder how they behaved gallantly while shooting the dogs but war is cruel at best.)

The regimental history for the 12th Indiana lists action at Flint River, Alabama on July 25; Paint Rock Station on July 30; and Moore's Hill on August 11 for which we have no detail. It should be noted that the date of the latter action is the same as that shown in Dyer's compendium listing 4 of Company H killed at Vienna. Three more of this company died of disease at Huntsville from July 7 to August 15, 1864.

On August 10 the diminutive Georgian, General Joseph Wheeler, had begun his raid through east and middle Tennessee. Shortly after this time we have a report dated August 18 in the "War of the Rebellion" which indicates all of the mounted men of the 12th Cavalry were involved. The following was sent to the Assistant Adjutant-General, Major B. H. Polk from Brig. Gen. Robert S. Granger at Huntsville, Alabama: "On the 12th of this month, a detachment of Tennessee cavalry left here and marched to within seven miles of Fayetteville, turned east, scouted the country on headwaters of Flint River and near New Market, and returned here on the 14th after having marched all night. The commanding officer of the party reports the guerrillas as having left that section of country and taken with them all their stolen plunder and their families. Citizens represent that they have left with a view of crossing the Tennessee River. I have all the mounted men of the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry scouting between Flint River and Paint Rock. They have killed and wounded a number. They are still in considerable force in that neighborhood."

Since May, 1864 many aspects of the war had changed with these major events occurring across the country: In June the battles of Cold Harbor, Virginia; Brice's Crossroads, Mississippi; Pine Mountain, Georgia; Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; and the assault on Petersburg, Virginia were in progress. In July the siege of Petersburg went on and the month ended with a terrible blast that created the battle of the crater. The confederate general Jubal T. Early crossed over into Maryland, captured Hagerstown and invaded the suburbs of Washington. Further west there were the battles of Tupelo, Mississippi; Ezra Church and Peachtree Creek, Georgia; and the beginning of the siege of Atlanta.

The month of August saw Admiral Farragut start the Battle for Mobile Bay. In Virginia, there was the battle of the Weldon Railroad and Reams' Station. In Georgia, Sherman was advancing southward and cut Hood's last lines in and out of Atlanta. The battle of Jonesborough south of Atlanta commenced August 31 and early in September the Confederates evacuated Atlanta.

In the middle of September Maj.-Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, with about 4500 men began operating against Sherman's communication lines in northern Alabama and middle Tennessee. His expedition would continue until mid October and would be resisted by the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry. The regiment was ordered to garrison the post at Tullahoma, Tennessee on the 15th of September. Three mounted companies, viz: "C," "D," and "H," remained stationed at Huntsville, Alabama to participate in the defense of that place.

We have another report written by Brigadier General Robert S. Granger covering operations against Forrest in Northern Alabama during September. This account adds to the history of the 12th Indiana Cavalry and also indicates that their general was rather egocentric. His report is very wordy (over 150 words in just the 2nd sentence) so the pertinent portions are paraphrased here: Major-General Rousseau had just returned from the pursuit of the confederate general Joe Wheeler, and I was apprehensive that the enemy, who was still in large force on the south side of the Tennessee, might recross and attack the railroad. I retained the 102nd Ohio and 73rd Indiana Infantry at or near Decatur, and the 13th Wisconsin Infantry at Huntsville where these forces might be available to meet the raiders. Since the major-general commanding required the services of the 12th Indiana Cavalry, 800 strong, and the 4th Tennessee Cavalry, 550 strong, the former was sent to Tullahoma, and the latter to Nashville. My reserve, much reduced by sickness, was entirely absorbed in filling the places of these regiments. (Mounted Companies C, D, and H of the 12th Ind. Cav. remained at Huntsville though not mentioned here by Granger. Henderson writes that "Sept 15th are relieved by the 12th Wisconsin and go to Tullahoma ")

After complaining of his own forces being reduced, Granger goes on to expound on the huge force of the enemy soon to be facing him: On the 20th of September Wheeler's force, variously estimated at from 4,000 to 6,000 cavalry, was near Courtland and it was rumored he was preparing to recross the river or attack Decatur. Roddey at the same time has three regiments at Shoal Creek and other rebel forces are in the same district. The confederate General Clanton is at Larkin's Landing, "with a considerable force where it was said he was building boats preparatory to crossing the river."

General Granger then puts in his "I told you so" when he said: "I might add here that I had some time previously apprehended that General Forrest might also invade Middle Tennessee, and intimated the same to the general commanding the army, but was assured by him that I had nothing to fear from General Forrest." Granger then relates how, "With my now much reduced command, I made the the best disposition that occurred to me to watch these large forces of the enemy in my immediate front, and guard the river and railroad." "Notwithstanding all these precautions, the enemy in considerable force made his appearance unannounced at the plantation of Jack Harris, five miles from Decatur, on the afternoon of the 23rd of September." Colonel Prosser with 280 cavalry drove the rebels back to Athens, where he found Forrest with his command of what he supposed to be 3,000 or 4,000 men. "He (Colonel Prosser) extricated his command from this position with considerable skill, and returned to this post at 6 A.M. of the 24th." (In more common parlance he did a fast retreat.)

Granger then started on his way with a relief force only to find that the fort at Athens "had been most basely and cowardly surrendered to the enemy, with its ample garrison of 600 men, by Colonel Campbell without firing a gun, after Forrest's demand for its surrender." However the relief force was as heroic as Colonel Campbell was base. "They met and drove back an entire brigade of 1,100 men, and forced their way to the very walls of the fort in the face of the entire command of Forrest. So boldly and determinedly did these men fight, until the fall of their leader, that the enemy after their surrender accused the officers of making the men drunk, insisting that no men would fight with such desperation unless under the influence of liquor."

This history is continued: Page 2

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