Third Kentucky Infantry
Contributed by
Kentucky Department, SUVCW, Member, Tim
Downey
The 3d Ky. Infantry was one
of the regiments organized at Camp Dick Robinson in the summer of 1861.
There
was at that time an urgent necessity for military organization on the
part of
the Union men of Kentucky. The idea of their remaining quiescent, when
all
along the southern border, in the state of Tennessee, Confederate
troops were
collecting in camp, was preposterous. They could neither maintain
neutrality
nor oppose being dragged forcibly into the Confederacy without arming.
The
dictates of common sense caused them to organize. The state had voted
against
Secession and the Union people would have been foolish, beyond
expression, if
they had folded their hands and sat down to inactivity, under all the
circumstances. Just across the line in Tennessee, Confederate troops
were
arming and in camps, and the gaps in the mountains on the state line
were
occupied by them.
The official records show
that in July, 1861, Thomas E.
Bramlette was selected by Gen. Wm. Nelson to be
colonel of the 3d Ky. Infantry, as will be seen by the following
extract from Nelson's
letter to the adjutant-general of the U. S. Army, dated July 16, 1861.
"On Sunday, 14th, I
met
the principal gentlemen of Southeast Kentucky at Lancaster and Crab
Orchard,
Ky., and, after examining the whole question, I appointed Speed S. Fry,
of Danville,
to be colonel of the 1st Regiment of infantry; Theophilus T. Garrard,
colonel
of the 2d; Thos. E. Bramlette, of Adair, colonel of the 3d, and Frank
L.
Wolford, of Casey, lieutenant-colonel of the cavalry regiment."
These regiments were soon
formed, and their services were soon needed. The State Guard companies,
which
were in sympathy with the South, were going south with the state arms,
and the
Unionists applied to the United States government for muskets. These
were
brought to Lexington, and there was danger that the Secessionists would
seize
them. For their protection, a portion of Col. Bramlette's regiment
moved to
that place, with a detachment of the 1st Ky. Cavalry, in August, 1861.
The
regiment marched again to Lexington, September 18th, and October 1st
marched
back to Camp Dick Robinson, where it was mustered into service October
8th.
During the remainder of the fall it marched from place to place,
including
Round Stone creek, Crab Orchard, into Wayne county, Somerset, Columbia.
November 30th, it was in the 11th Brigade, Gen. Boyle. January 7th, it
was sent
to the mouth of Renwick's creek, near Burksville, and on the 16th to
the mouth
of Greasy creek, in Russell county, Ky.
On the 18th day of March,
1862, it proceeded by steamer down the Cumberland to Nashville. It was
then a
fine full regiment, nine hundred strong. From Nashville it marched by
way of
Franklin, Columbia, Waynesboro and Savannah, with Buell's army to the
field of
Shiloh, where it arrived on the night of April 7th. It was engaged in
the
movement upon Corinth, and when that place was evacuated, it marched
June 2d,
by way of Iuka, Miss., to Tuscumbia, Ala.; and from thence by way of
Courtland,
Decatur, Mooresville and Huntsville, Ala., Fayetteville, Shelbyville
and
Winchester, Tenn., to Decherd's Station, where it arrived July 22d.
During that
time it was in command of Col. Thos. E. Bramlette, in Hascall's brigade
of Gen.
Thos. J. Wood's division of Buell's army. It remained in Decherd until
August
14th, when it marched by way of Manchester to Vervilla, Tenn.; August
24th it
marched to Altamont and returned to Vervilla the 26th. On the 27th,
marched to
McMinnville; September 3d, it marched through Murfreesboro to
Nashville. The
movement of Bragg into Kentucky was then commencing and the 3d marched
with
Buell's forces through Gallatin and Franklin to Bowling Green, arriving
September 11th. On the 16th it marched by way of Bell's Tavern,
Munfordville,
Elizabethtown and West Point to Louisville, where it arrived September
20th. It
was then commanded by Lieut. Col. Wm. T. Scott, Col. Bramlette being on
duty in
the section of Kentucky about Somerset. October 1st the 3d advanced
with
Buell's army against Bragg, marching through Mt. Washington, Bardstown,
Springfield, Perryville, Danville, Crab Orchard and Mt. Vernon, as far
as Round
Stone creek. October 22d it marched back from the pursuit of Bragg, and
passing
through Crab Orchard, Stanford, Huntsville and Liberty, reached
Columbia,
October 25th. Remaining there until the 30th, it again marched by way
of
Edmonton and Scottsville, Ky., and Gallatin, Tenn., to Silver Springs,
where it
arrived November 10th. On the 15th, it marched to Lebanon, Tenn.,
against Gen.
John Morgan, but returned to Silver Springs the next day. From
Nashville it
advanced toward Murfreesboro with Buell's army, being in, Hascall's
brigade,
Wood's division, Crittenden's corps. December 27th, it had an
engagement with
the enemy, near Lavergne at Stewart's creek; a report of this was made
by Col.
Sam McKee, commanding the regiment. He says: "Approaching Stewart's
creek, the
skirmishers discovered that the retreating rebels had some moments
before fired
the bridge; the flames were already reaching high in the air. Our
battery and
one of the enemy, both posted on the pike, on opposite sides of the
bridge,
were shelling each other, many of the missiles from both falling on and
near
the bridge. Within rifle shot, on the east of the creek, stood a
company of
rebel cavalry. The moment was critical. Capt. Ralston called for
volunteers to
extinguish the flames. Without the least hesitation Maj. Collins'
entire line,
with a number of the 26th Ohio, rushed forward, and extinguished the
flames
and saved the bridge." Col. McKee then posted his regiment to guard the
place.
Gen.
Rosecrans, in his
official report of the Stone river campaign, mentioned this affair in
these
words:
"Gen. Crittenden
began
his advance about 11 a.m., driving before him a brigade of cavalry,
supported
by Mancy's brigade of infantry. Reaching Stewart's creek the 3d Ky.
gallantly
charged the rear guard of the enemy, saving the bridge, which had been
set on
fire." Gen. Crittenden also mentioned this brave dash of the 3d.
In the battle of
Stone river,
the 3d bore its part in the most heroic manner. Maj. Dan B. Collier,
who made
the official report, says:
"The regiment went
into
the fight with Col. McKee commanding; Maj. Dan R. Collier, acting
lieutenant-colonel, and Adjt. W. A. Bullitt, acting major. Col. McKee
fell at
11 o'clock, after we had been engaged half an hour, and when the
contest was at
its height. A minnie ball striking him over the right eye, he fell from
his
horse and expired almost immediately; a truer patriot, a braver man, or
better
Christian never fell fighting in defense of truth and liberty.
Worshiped by his
men, respected and loved by his officers, our colonel would have
desired no
fitter mausoleum than that in the midst of lead and dying comrades."
Gen. Hascall makes a similar
report concerning Col. McKee.
In the course of the battle
Maj. Collins was twice wounded, but did not leave the field. Adjt. W.
A.
Bullitt's horse was killed. Maj. Collins says: "Out of thirteen
officers
of the line nine were disabled. Of the men there were killed twelve,
wounded
seventy-seven."
After the battle of Stone river, the 3d
remained on duty at Murfreesboro until July 24, 1863, when it
marched to Manchester and Hillsboro. It remained at the latter place
until
August 16th, when it marched across the Cumberland mountains, by way of
Pelham
and Tracy City to Thurman, in Sequatchie valley. September 1st, it
marched by
way of Jasper and Shellmound to Chattanooga, which place was occupied
by Gen.
Crittenden's corps. September 9th, from Chattanooga, it marched out to
Lee and
Gordon's Mills, and the battlefield of Chickamauga.
In the organization of
Rosecrans' army at this time, the 3d was in Crittenden's corps, Wood's
division, 3d Brigade (Col. Chas. G. Harker). The regiment was led by
Col. Henry
C. Dunlap, who had been made colonel, August 9, 1863. Lieut. Col. W. A.
Bullitt
was also present, he having been made lieutenant colonel, April 19,
1863.
Col. Dunlap, in his report of
the regiment, in the battle and immediately preceding, mentions the
crossing of
the Tennessee river at Shellmound, and that as Chattanooga was
approached,
Lieut. Col. Bullitt and Maj. Brennan led the skirmishing lines;
occupied
Chattanooga September 9th; marched next day toward Ringgold, on the
11th at
Rossville, speaks of bold skirmishing, led by the "gallant Bullitt."
On the 12th, Lieut. Col. Bullitt, with a detachment made a
reconnaissance
across the Chickamauga; on the 19th engaged in the battle, losing
heavily in
killed and wounded, but captured one hundred and eighteen prisoners;
slept on
arms that night; fought again on the 20th. After describing the
fighting more
particularly than can be mentioned in this place, he says: "We rallied
at
the Key point. Here we resolved to do or die and buoyed by the presence
of
Gens. Thomas and Wood, and Col. Harker, we did stay, occupy and hold
and then
and there expended the last of one hundred and thirty rounds of
ammunition,
fixed bayonets, and awaited the test whether flesh will stand to take
the
steel. At this point for four hours in the afternoon our firing was by
volley;
marching to the crest of the hill and at command, more than fifty
deadly
volleys we directed at short range upon the enemy. The effect was
evidenced by
the check upon the massive columns."
The losses were one officer
killed, eight officers wounded, twelve men killed, seventy wounded.
Gen. Wood
and Col. Harker mention the services of the 3d in the most
complimentary terms.
After the great charge, the
3d pursued the retreating enemy more than a mile, and rested near
midnight,
then was ordered forward and marched four miles to Bird's mill, where
it
remained until 3 p. m. the next day, and then returned to camp at
Chattanooga.
But it was not for repose in camp, for the 3d was to accompany the
force sent
to Knoxville to the relief of Burnside. Marching rapidly it reached
that place,
and went up to Strawberry Plains, and then moved back to Loudon, where
it spent
the winter.
April 18, 1864, it marched by
way of Sweetwater, Athens, Charleston and Calhoun to Cleveland. May 3d
it
commenced the movements of the Atlanta campaign. It was then commanded
by Col.
Dunlap, in Harker's brigade, Newton's division, 4th Army Corps, in the
Army of
the Cumberland, commanded by Gen. Thomas.
The 3d moved with Harker's
brigade, by way of Blue Springs, Red Clay, and Catoosa Springs to Rocky
Face,
and engaged in the battle there. In this battle Lieut. Col. W. A.
Bullitt
received several desperate wounds, and was supposed to be killed. His
fall is
mentioned in Gen. Newton's report, and by others. While he never fully
recovered, after time war he became a distinguished lawyer at
Louisville, Ky.,
and for a series of years was Assistant District Attorney for the
United
States. Not only was he held in the highest esteem by every one, but
the
officers of the 3d yet speak of him as the bravest and most gallant
officer
they ever knew.
Throughout the Atlanta
campaign the 3d continued fighting all the way to Atlanta, being
engaged at
Resaca, May 14th; Pumpkin Pine Creek, Cedar Mountain, Muddy Branch,
Kennesaw
Mountain, June 20th and 27th; Nancy's Creek, July 18th; Peach Tree
Creek, July
20th; Atlanta, Utoy Creek, Jonesboro, and other places. At midnight of
August
25th, it commenced the movement around to the right of Atlanta, crossed
the
railroad between Atlanta and the Chattahouchee, and marched toward
Jonesboro;
reached the Atlanta & Montgomery Railroad fourteen miles below
Atlanta and
destroyed the track for several miles; struck the Atlanta & Macon
Railroad
near Rough and Ready, and marched down the same destroying it for eight
miles.
From Jonesboro it marched back to Atlanta September 4th.
On the 9th of September the
3d started by railroad for Nashville, arriving September 12th. It
remained
there on duty until October 6th, when it proceeded by railroad to
Louisville,
where it was mustered out of service October 18, 1864.
A portion of the regiment had
re-enlisted as veterans in March, 1864; they remained with the regiment
until
September 15, 1864, when the survivors were transferred to the 1st Ky.
Battery,
at Nashville.
The list of battles given in
the adjutant-general's report in which the 3d was engaged, is as
follows:
Waynesboro, Shiloh, Tenn.,
Corinth, Miss., May 24, 1862; McMinnville, Tenn., Munfordville, Ky.,
September
21, 1862; Bardstown and Perryville, Ky., Stewart's Creek, Tenn.,
December 29,
1862: Stone's River, December 31, 1862, and January 1 and 2, 1863;
Chickamauga,
September 20, 1863; Mission Ridge, November 23, 24 and 25, 1863; Rocky
Face
Ridge, May 9, 1864; Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864; Pumpkin Vine Creek, May
and
June, 1864; Cedar Mountain, June 15, 1864; Muddy Branch, June 18th;
Kennesaw
Mountain, June 20, 21 and 27, 1864; Nancy's Creek, July 18, 1864; Peach
Tree
Creek, July 20th; Atlanta, July and August of 1864.
The officers of the 3d
Infantry were unusually noted men. Col. Thos. E. Bramlette, who became
governor
of Kentucky, in 1863; Col. Win. T. Scott, of Lexington; Col. Sam McKee,
who
fell at Stone's River; Col. Wm. H. Spencer; Col. Henry C. Dunlap:
Lieut. Col.
Daniel R. Collier, who held the office of Surveyor of Customs at
Louisville,
under President Harrison, and who is at present Adjutant-general of
Kentucky;
Lieut. Col. Wm. A. Bullitt; Maj. Chas. H. Buford, of the noted Kentucky
family
of that name; Maj. John Brennan; Adjt. Garvin D. Hunt, who died of
wounds
received at Mission Ridge; he belonged to the distinguished Hunt family
of
Kentucky. Others might be mentioned, but space forbids. Enough has been
stated to
show that the 3d was one of the most noted and efficient of the
Kentucky Union
regiments.
From Dyer's Compendium:
3rd Regiment Infantry
Organized at Camp Dick Robinson, Ky., October
8, 1861.
Attached to Thomas' Command to November, 1861. 11th Brigade, Army of
the Ohio,
to December, 1861. Unattached, Loudon, Ky., Army of the Ohio, to March,
1862.
15th Brigade, 4th Division, Army of the Ohio, March, 1862. 20th
Brigade, 6th
Division, Army of the Ohio, March, 1862. 15th Brigade, 6th Division,
Army of
the Ohio, to September, 1862. 15th Brigade, 6th Division, 2nd Army
Corps, Army
of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Left Wing
14th Army
Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st
Division,
21st Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to April, 1863. 3rd Brigade,
1st
Division, 21st Army Corps, to October, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division,
4th
Army Corps, to January, 1865.
SERVICE.--Moved to Lexington,
Ky., September, 1861, and duty there until October 1. Moved to Camp
Dick Robinson,
Ky., October 1. Duty there, at Round Stone Creek, Crab Orchard,
Somerset and
Columbia until January, 1862. Moved to Renick's Creek, near
Burkesville,
January 7, and to mouth of Greasy Creek January 17. Moved to Nashville,
Tenn.,
March 18-25; thence march to Savannah, Tenn., and to Shiloh March
29-April 7.
Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Pursuit to
Booneville
May 30-June 6. Buell's Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee
June to
August. March to Nashville, Tenn., and Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of
Bragg,
August 19-September 26. Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-18.
Battle of
Perryville October 8. Nelson's Cross Roads, Ky., October 18. March to
Nashville, Tenn., October 18-November 7, and duty there until December
26.
Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Stewart's Creek December 29.
Battle of
Stone's River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. Duty at
Murfreesboro
until June. Reconnaissance to Nolensville and Versailles January 13-15.
Middle
Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign June 23-July 7. Occupation of Middle
Tennessee until August 16. Passage of Cumberland Mountains and
Tennessee River
and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Reconnaissance
toward
Chattanooga September 7. Lookout Valley September 7-8. Occupation of
Chattanooga September 9. Lee and Gordon's Mills September 11-13. Near
Lafayette
September 14. Battle of Chickamauga September 19-20. Siege of
Chattanooga
September 24-October 26 Reopening Tennessee River October 26-29.
Chattanooga-Ringgold
Campaign November 23-27. Orchard Knob November 23-24. Mission Ridge
November
25. Pursuit to Graysville November 26-27. March to relief of Knoxville
November
28-December 8. Campaign in East Tennessee until April, 1864. March to
Charleston April 18-26. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May to September.
Demonstrations
on Rocky Faced Ridge and Dalton May 5-13. Tunnel Hill May 6-7.
Buzzard's Roost
Gap May 8-9. Rocky Faced Ridge May 8-11. Battle of Resaca May 14-15.
Near
Calhoun May 16. Adairsville May 17. Near Kingston May 18-19. Near
Cassville May
19. Advance on Dallas May 22-25. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine
Creek and
battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June
5.
Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2.
Pine
Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Assault on Kenesaw June 27.
Ruff's
Station, Smyrna Camp Ground, July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17.
Buckhead,
Nancy's Creek, July 18. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta
July
22-August 25. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of
Jonesboro
August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Moved to
Nashville,
Tenn., September 9-12; thence to Louisville, Ky., October 6. Mustered
out by
Companies October 13, 1864, to January 10, 1865.
Regiment lost during service
6 Officers and 103 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 192
Enlisted
men by disease. Total 301.
Copyright © 2000-2009, Robert M. Baker, Timothy
Downey, and
the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War,
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