| December
1863 80th Indiana Volunteer Infantry An American Civil War Regiment |
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--U.S. Brig. Gen. Samuel D. Sturgis, on fighting at Mossy Creek,
Tenn. |
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Also included below are quotes from primary and secondary sources that are intended to give insights into what the times, and the soldiers' lives, were like. These quotes have been entered on the date they were written or published (unless otherwise noted) and without changing the original grammar or spelling. Abbreviations used on this page include: Co.=Company; Col.=Colonel; Cpl.=Corporal; C.S.A.=Confederate States of America; Dec.=December; Gen.=General; Lieut.=Lieutenant; mi.=miles; N.E.=northeast; Pvt.=Private; Tenn.=Tennessee; U.S.A.=United States Army; V.R.C.=Veterans Reserve Corps; and '63=1863. The 80th Indiana was formed in response to President Lincoln's call for 300,000 more volunteers for the Federal Army. The 80th left Indiana in September, 1862, and did not return until July, 1865. During that time it marched over 3,700 miles on foot and fought in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina. Of the roughly 1,000 men who served in it, only 320 were still with the 80th when it came home. Sources: 80th Indiana Consolidated Morning Reports;
Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana, Volumes III and
IV, 1861-1865 (Indianapolis, Indiana, 1866); personal diary of Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, 80th Ind.; personal diary of Pvt.
John K. King Co. A, 80th Ind. (1862-1865); and other items as noted.
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| Dates | Synopsis of 80th Service | Quotes |
Dec. 1 Tuesday |
No Salt. Relieved from picket duty by 118th Ohio. Camped at Kingston, Tenn. "Clear and cool." |
"My pound of salt is gone and I went to every store in Kingston in search of more but failed...My supper this evening consists of coffee, tough boiled beef without salt and cornbread without salt or sifting" --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary |
Dec. 2 Wednesday |
Socks and Overcoats Needed. Camped at Kingston, Tenn. |
"I patched the only pair of stockings [socks] I have or expect to have soon, with black cloth today. I have been unable to supply half the men [in Co. H] with stockings or overcoats, and the result is I must go without myself." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary "It is reported that 20,000 troops commanded by [U.S.] General Granger is coming here." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary |
Dec. 3 Thursday |
2 Days Rations. Received orders in the evening to have 2 days' rations cooked and be ready to march at a minute's notice. Remained camped at Kingston, Tenn. |
"Order countermanded. Granger's forces are going to Louden [Tenn.]." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary "During the night our rations were cooked, which consisted of boiled beef and corn bread, both without salt. One of the boys remarked that if Burnside [U.S. Maj. Gen. Ambrose P. Burnside] wants fresh troops we ought to suit him, for we have not had salt for several days." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary |
Dec. 4 Friday |
12 Hour March. Shortly after 11:00 A.M. marched away from Kingston on Loudon Road. After 5-6 mi. shots were exchanged with Rebel pickets, who quickly retreated. Resumed march and covered 16 mi. total, including 6 mi. after dark over bad roads. Went into camp at 11:00 P.M. on a large farm. |
"A beautiful morning. Left Kingston at 11 A.M. Arrived in camp at 11 P.M. making 16 miles. Skirmished with the Rebs." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary "...[we are camped] on the farm of a wealthy rebel by the name of Lackey. His house was made the headquarters of [U.S.] General Spears, his farm became the encampment of two Brigades of Federal soldiers, and the old sinner had to "shell out" his proportion of the war tax, not less than two thousand dollars, in the shape of fence-rales and forriage." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary |
Dec. 5 Saturday |
Arrived at Loudon. Resumed march at 11:00 A.M. and reached Loudon, Tenn., in late afternoon after covering 8 mi. Camped on Regt's. previous campground. |
"The Rebels left Loudon yesterday in a hurry...They also ran five locomotives and 62 cars, laiden with ammunition and military stores into the river." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary |
Dec. 6 Sunday |
Loudon. Remained camped at Loudon, Tenn. "Clear day." |
"Cleaned up camp." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary |
Dec. 7 Monday |
Loudon. Remained camped at Loudon, Tenn. "Clear day." Returned from detached duty. Pvt. Jacob Kimens Co. G |
"Nothing of importance." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary |
Dec. 8 Tuesday |
Towards Knoxville. Began march toward Knoxville, Tenn., at daybreak. Morning was very cold. "It rained all afternoon." Covered 20 mi. before halting at 4:00 P.M. about 10 mi. from Knoxville. Discharged from the Army. Wagoner John Peck Co. D |
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Dec. 9 Wednesday |
Arrived at Knoxville. Resumed march and reached city about noon after covering 20 mi. Went into camp "near Knoxville," Tenn. "Cloudy day." Returned to Co. G from detached duty. Sergt. John Malette Pvt. William H. Ranner Pvt. William Thom |
"It turned out for the advantage of the 1st Brigade that we were sent to Kingston for the 2nd Brigade which we left at Loudon were under constant fire in their retreat to Knoxville, and were compelled to burn all their wagons with stores and supplies. The private baggage of officers, including their valises containing their best clothing, was lost." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary "Eat parched corn, meat and coffee for supper." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary |
Dec. 10 Thursday |
Camp Bliss. Marched from Knoxville, Tenn., at 7:00 A.M. on road to Greenville, Tenn. Marched 10 mi. and went into camp 10 mi. N.E. of Knoxville at Camp Bliss, Tenn. |
"There being plenty of corn and water mills in the neighborhood [of Camp Bliss], the 80th boys forriaged 50 bushels of corn and got it ground." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary "Eat for breakfast, mush, meat and water." --Pvt. John K. King, Co. A, diary |
Dec. 11 Friday |
Camp Bliss. Awaiting orders to march. Camped 10 mi. N.E. of Knoxville at Camp Bliss, Tenn. "Clear day." Died at Columbia, Ky. Pvt. William Johnson Co. H |
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Dec. 12 Saturday |
Camp Bliss. Awaiting orders to march. Camped 10 mi. N.E. of Knoxville at Camp Bliss, Tenn. "Clear and pleasant." |
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Dec. 13 Sunday |
Lockhart Arrives. 80th's sutler arrives from Ind. with food and supplies for sale. Awaiting orders to march. Camped 10 mi. N.E. of Knoxville at Camp Bliss, Tenn. "It rained." |
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Dec. 14 Monday |
Pay Day. Paymaster paid off Regt. today, which also received mail. Camped 10 mi. N.E. of Knoxville at Camp Bliss, Tenn. "Raining." Mustered into the Army. Recruit George W. Barrett into Co. H Recruit William F. Barrett into Co. H Recruit Ellas Jenkins into Co. H Recruit Richard McConnell into Co. H Recruit John Robling into Co. H Recruit George W. Smith into Co. H |
"We drew our pay. I got $54.85. I got two letters from home. Sold my watch for $32.00 to Malone [Pvt. Henry H. Malone] of Co. F." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary |
Dec. 15 Tuesday |
March, Countermarch. Left Camp Bliss at 6:00 A.M. Marched 9 mi. and went into camp. Left camp, marched 6 mi., then ordered back 6 mi. to same camp. Covered 21 mi. in total. Discharged from the Army. Pvt. Noah Cooper Co. K |
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Dec. 16 Wednesday |
Building Breastworks. Spent day preparing defenses to repulse an expected attack. Camped in the field about 20 mi. NE of Knoxville, Tenn. "It rained part of the night." |
"The Rebs are coming. Moved our position and built breastworks, Received six letters." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary |
Dec. 17 Thursday |
In Line of Battle. Spent day in line of battle in breastworks. Attacked expected at any moment. Camped in the field about 20 mi. NE of Knoxville, Tenn. "Very cold." |
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Dec. 18 Friday |
In Line of Battle. Camped in the field about 20 mi. NE of Knoxville, Tenn. "It is very cold." |
"I saw several of the 58th boys. Bought an overcoat of $11.00." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary [Reference is believed to be to the 58th Ind. Vol. Inf. Regt.] |
Dec. 19 Saturday |
No Rebs. Camped in the field about 20 mi. NE of Knoxville, Tenn. "Cold day." Discharged from the Army. Pvt. Nelson Hulen Co. C |
"No news from the Rebs." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary |
Dec. 20 Sunday |
Pleasant Day. Camped in the field about 20 mi. NE of Knoxville, Tenn. "A pleasant day." Mustered into the Army. Recruit William Davis into Co. I |
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Dec. 21 Monday |
Fortifications. Camped in the field about 20 mi. NE of Knoxville, Tenn. "A clear day." Mustered into the Army. Recruit William Cook into Co. C Recruit Shelton Crow into Co. A Recruit Thomas Gatlett into Co. C Recruit Brice W. Jarvis into Co. C Recruit Alfred Morrice into Co. C Recruit James F. Miller into Co. C Recruit John H. Polk into Co. C |
"Still by the fortifications." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary |
Dec. 22 Tuesday |
58th Indiana Nearby. Co. A on picket duty. Camped in the field about 20 mi. NE of Knoxville, Tenn. "Clear." |
"Went to see the 58th regiment." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary [Reference is believed to be to the 58th Ind. Vol. Inf. Regt.] |
Dec. 23 Wednesday |
Cloudy. Camped in the field about 20 mi. NE of Knoxville, Tenn. "Cloudy day." Died at Columbia, Ky. Pvt. Manoah Sullivan Co. E Discharged from Army. Pvt. Joseph T. Clark Co. D |
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Dec. 24 Thursday |
Cannon Fire Heard. Camped in the field about 20 mi. NE of Knoxville, Tenn. "Clear and cold." Transferred to VRC. Pvt. John Farth Co. H Pvt. Jefferson Jarrell Co. K Pvt. Oliver McPherson Co. H |
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Dec. 25 Friday |
Second Christmas Away from Home. Left rifle pits at 6:00 A.M. Marched 8 mi. to Strawberry Plains, Tenn., and crossed Holston River. Marched away from Strawberry Plains at 10:00 P.M. to New Market, Tenn., 8 mi. away. |
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Dec. 26 Saturday |
Accidental Death. Arrived at New Market, Tenn., at 2:00 A.M. and went into camp near Blaines Cross Road, Tenn. During day marched 2 mi. and went into line of battle. Cannonading nearby. "It is raining." Died of an accidental gun shot. 2nd Lieut. Lewis G. Turbett Co. I |
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Dec. 27 Sunday |
Digging Rifle Pits. At 2:00 P.M. marched back along railroad to Mossy Creek and formed in line of battle. Cavalry skirmishing nearby with Rebels. Dug rifle pits after dark. "It rained all night." |
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Dec. 28 Monday |
Mossy Creek. No fighting today. Camped at Mossy Creek, Tenn. "Clear and cool." |
"No news of interest." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary |
Dec. 29 Tuesday |
Action at Mossy Creek. Stationed on Dandridge and Dyer's Ferry roads. Fighting took place nearby, but 80th not involved. Camped at Mossy Creek, Tenn. "Clear." "At 11 a.m. to-day the whole of the enemy's cavalry, supported by a division of infantry and two batteries of artillery, attacked General Sturgis near Mossy Creek. The fight was severe and general, and lasted until 5 p.m. Sturgis held his ground, and ended by driving the enemy entirely off the field, achieving a complete victory." --U.S. Gen. J. G. Foster, telegram to U.S. Gen. U. S. Grant |
"Cannonading commenced at noon and lasted till dark. The 118th Ohio was all that was engaged of our brigade." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary |
Dec. 30 Wednesday |
Mossy Creek. Camped at Mossy Creek, Tenn. "Clear day." |
"All quiet." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary |
Dec. 31 Thursday |
All Quiet. Camped "near Mossy" Creek, Tenn. "It rained all day. Turned cold at 11 P.M." Transferred to VRC from Co. C. Pvt. James Dawthit Pvt. George Hedrick Pvt. William Meadows Pvt. William D. Slaughter Mustered into the Army. Recruit William H. Ray into Co. C "PRESENT FOR DUTY. Captain...............1 1st Lieutenants...1 Sergeants...........3 Corporals..........5 Drummers..........1 Fifers.................1 Wagoners..........1 Privates...........14" Morning Report of Co. G, signed by: 1st Sergt. James F. Cantwell Capt. Jeremiah C. Gladish "The regiments composing my brigade were, by your command, stationed as follows: The One hundred and eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry on the road leading to Talbott's Station on the left; the Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry on the right, to support two guns of the Elgin battery; the Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry on the road, and the Eightieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry on the Dandridge and Dyer's Ferry roads." --Col. S. R. Mott commanding 1st Brig. in the 2nd Div. of the 23rd Corps, report on his brigade in the Dec. 29, '63 action at Mossy Creek, Tenn. |
"No news from the Rebels. All quiet." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary |
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This page Copyright by Scott Cantwell Meeker of Deep Vee Productions. All Rights Reserved. Created February 26, 2000. Last updated January 2, 2005. |
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