19 January 1862, Kentucky, War Between the
States
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Diary of Lt.-Col. Moscow Carter, 20th Tennessee Infantry, CSA
This portion of Lt.Col. Carter's diary appears here by the kind courtesy of John Wallwork, former curator of the Carter House Museum, Franklin, Tennessee. The original is in the collection of the Carter Family descendants, and is used by permission. Please note that this use of the diary is for research purposes only; anyone who wishes to publish it in book or magazine format must receive permission from the Carter House Museum. The version appearing here is based on a transcribed copy in the Carter House Museum. The transcription contains numerous words that Lt.Col. Carter crossed through and corrected as he wrote; except where necessary for meaning, these cross-throughs have been left out here, with only the corrections shown. Carter also used a lot of unnecessary hyphenation (such as to-day, to-morrow, after-noon, &c.); this has also been corrected here. Spelling and punctuation are as in the transcript. I have condensed the entries somewhat, omitting those entries that were purely personal in nature, or did not bear on the campaign and battle of Fishing Creek. This version retains interesting entries on camp life and Lt.Col. Carter's life as a prisoner, following the battle. Moscow B. Carter (sometimes spelled Mosco or Moscoe) raised Company H from Williamson County, and became its first Captain. At the organization of the regiment he was elected Lieutenant-Colonel, and fought as such at Fishing Creek. He was captured during the battle, and detained at various locations such as Somerset and Louisville, before being sent as a prisoner of war to Fort Warren in Boston Harbor. From there he was exchanged on 27 August 1862. He then left the army, to help manage his father's farm. Moscow Carter was one of the family members who sought shelter in the basement of the Carter House as the battle of Franklin raged around the family home on 30 November 1864. This part of the diary begins in
December 1861, when Carter and his regiment were encamped at Mill Springs. For ease
in viewing, this page has been divided into four parts, viz., Thursday Dec. 5 [1861] Thirty-six years of age today and if today's service is a criterion of the next year’s labor I dread it. I have acted as Field officer of the day, and have a hard time of it, having rode all day in the performance of my duty. Capt. Bledsoe's Cavalry Co. went across the river, as picket and succeeded in capturing three of the enemy[.] Maj. F. M. Helveti, of 1st. Ky, Cavalry, Capt. Poimer of the Engineer Corps- and private Hudson.
Friday. Dec 6_____ No [in?] obedience to an order to march, 30 rounds of cartridges were issued to the regiment, tents struck and we were on our way to the Ferry, at Mill Spring. Six new boats are being built, two of which are already launched, together with two old ones make eight. On arriving at the Ferry I found a troop of cavalry going over, after them, the Alabama Regt. occupying the entire day, except a little time in the afternoon, devoted to the transportation of Col. Staunton's baggage wagons. Our Regt, with the exception of something over 200 fatigue men, remained late spectators on the bank. I took occasion to examine the location of the batteries for the defences of the passage of the river. The cannon are located at four points as follows.
Lt.Col. Carter's Map of the
Defenses at Mill Springs
Mill Spring Wayne Co. Ky One remarkable feature of this spring is the immense water-power it affords. It is, what is called "Sinking Creek" characterized by frequently sinking & breaking out in another place. At the place, where it bursts out in 3 large streams from a bluff 300 or 600 yds. from the river into which it disembogues [sic]. It will furnish a water head of 10 or 15 ft. every 100 yds. There is one dam near the river, apparently 15 ft high and only backing the water about 75 yds.
Saturday.Dec 7-1861 Plan of Defence at Mill Spring [see map above] The regiment after leaving on the bank of the river all day, in impatience commenced crossing about 11 O'Clock PM. and taking the line of march, went as far as two miles from the river and bivouacked for the ballance of the night. Dr. Cliffe, Dan, Bill Clouston, Wad, & myself remained on the left bank of the river with the wagons, sleeping without tent on ground rougher than a new turnpike. After breakfast, I had a shoe nailed on my horse, and proceeded to rejoin my regt. Fatigue parties are busily engaged in Ferrying our baggage trains, and in throwing up fortifications on this, the right bank of the river, and in such a position as to command the inside of a semi-circle formed by circular sweep of the river. It is reported the enemy have retired from Fishing creek, to a point 3 miles beyond Somerset, which they are fortifying. Gen. Shoepf in command. Force reported to be 7000 or 8000.
Sunday. Dec. 8th 1861 The baggage train of the 20th Regt. Tenn. Vol. crossed the Cumberland this afternoon, under guidance of Capt. Nimmo, [unclear] Commodore, from having commanded the transport fleet of ferry boats. The crossing was accomplished with system and dispatch, much quicker than by any other regt. We now occupy a camp in a wood 3 miles north of the river on the west side of the Somerset road. There are four regts. here, Cols. Cummings, Staunton, Battle's & the Alabama, commanded at present by Lieut. Col Harris. Fatigue parties were constantly engaged in the fortifications all day Two brass guns are posted at the intrenchments.
Monday Sunday Dec 8th Another glorious day for the hill roaring cavalry. Two hundred of whom, (4 companies) went as far as Somerset, encountered the enemy's pickets, 80 of cavalry & 32 infantry. The cavalry fled at the first onset, the infantry stood their ground better, 13 of whom are said to be killed and 18 captured.
Monday Dec 9th. I was summoned to attend a court martial at Lieut. Col. Walker's tent. The court adjourned for want of witnesses for 10 O'Clock tomorrow. Fatigue parties of ten from each company are detailed to blockade the roads leading to the camp. Tod came to camp this afternoon. I am informed, Capt. Degraffenreid procured through the influences of Capt. Dick McCann, his membership to a general court-martial sitting at Knoxville, probably to continue all the winter, wherby he is kept from the command of his company which has but one commisioned officer present (1st Lt. Dick Swanson) Lt's Eelbeck & Parkes being absent on sick furloughs.
Tuesday Dec. 10th 1861 I am more and more disgusted with the want of discipline in our camps. The repeated discharge of fire arms, like a conflict of skirmishers is the every day amusement of the licentious. The last report is that, Buckner reports through a courier, who came through the country, the enemy are advancing on us in force, and we must not advance but fortify this position.
Wednesday Dec. 11th 1861 Nothing of importance has occured today. A strong force of cavalry went to Rowena to surprise a party of the enemy.
Thursday Dec 12th. 1861 I have acted as Field Officer of the day. Posted 140 Inft. pickets & 2 Companies of Cavalry. The brigade removed its camp to the rear of the breast-works[.] The cavalry returned from Rowena, without having accomplished more than the capture of a few home guards_ the soldiers usually stationed there, having left, previous to the arrival of our scouts. 450 men, worked on the breastworks 'til 12 O'Clock last night.
Friday Dec. 13th, 1861 A bright, clear, cold morning, the Thermometer, at 24 deg Fahrenheit. Our new location is more eligible than any had for some time. The water about 1/4 of a mile distant, but good, when got. A lot of wagons started this morning to Knoxville for supplies for the Regt. I sent by Frasier of Capt. Foster's Co. for a pound of Horse shoe nails, for which, I gave him a dollar to pay also, for a camp chest that has been at the Depot, since our leave of the place. The boys amuse themselves catching squirrels in camp, by throwing, holloring and shouting 'til the little varmint is bewildered with confusion and excitement, and in his fright, runs from tree to tree or on the ground and is surrounded and taken. Since the mishap and damage sustained by the army, growing
out I received my overcoat & pants, on yesterday, and feel thankful for them superb articles of apparel. I can now defy the rains, or winter cold.
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