80th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, November 1863 History

*Dates*	*Synopsis of 80th Service*	*Quotes*
Nov. 1 Sunday	Near Loudon. Camped "in the field" along Tennessee River near Loudon, Tenn. "Clear and pleasant."	"Three rebels deserted and came over the river." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary
Nov. 2 Monday	Near Loudon. Camped "in the field" along Tennessee River near Loudon, Tenn. "Clear and pleasant."
Nov. 3 Tuesday	Near Loudon. Camped "in the field" along Tennessee River near Loudon, Tenn. "Clear and pleasant."
Nov. 4 Wednesday	Near Loudon. Camped "in the field" along Tennessee River near Loudon, Tenn. "Warm and pleasant."
Nov. 5 Thursday	Near Loudon. Camped "in the field" along Tennessee River near Loudon, Tenn. "It is raining."
Nov. 6 Friday	Recruiting Detachment. Camped along Tennessee River near Loudon, Tenn. One man from each co. departed today for Ind. to recruit new men for the Regt. Detachment included: 2nd Lieut. William H. Clements Co. G 2nd Lieut. William M. Duncan Co. A 1st Sergt. Enos H. Kirk Co. E Sergt. James McConnell Co. H Returned from detached service. Pvt. William T. Williams Co. G	"...few things of interest have occurred in this vicinity for since we crossed the [Tennessee] river both parties [Union and Rebel] appear equally vigilent and on the constant look out. Something will soon have to be done or we cannot subsist. The supplies which have been small ever since we came to East Tennessee are becoming "beautifully less". Quarter rations of sugar and coffee is all that they have pretended to issue. The rebels now hold al the best country for forriage within 20 miles, and the prospect ahead is not flattering..." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary
Nov. 7 Saturday	Near Loudon. Camped along Tennessee River near Loudon, Tenn. Detached on recruiting service. 2nd Lieut. William H. Clements Co. G
Nov. 8 Sunday	Sabbath Observed. Church call at 10:30 a.m. Sermon by Chaplain Marmaduke M. C. Hobbs. Camped along Tennessee River near Loudon, Tenn.	"...large tent prepared for our Military Lodge [Masonic] Prayer Meeting at 3 P.M. which was quite interesting and no doubt beneficial to many. Such opportunities are very seldom enjoyed in the field." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary "I am on picket duty. Had a long conversation with the rebs on the opposite side of the river." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary
Nov. 9 Monday	Forced March. In morning Regt. moved to new camp. Men began preparing winter quarters. At 2:00 P.M. 1st Brig. ordered to be ready in 1 hr. to march to Kingston, Tenn. Departed for Kingston at 4:00 P.M. Weather was cloudy and windy with snow flakes falling. Marched all night. Over half of men fell out of ranks before Regt. reached Kingston, Tenn. "Very cool night. It spit snow."	"The distance to Kingston is 25 miles and it had to be reached by daylight but there were but few from each regiment that made the trip, in fact the 25th Michigan stopped 10 miles back. It was a rapid march and men began to fall out of ranks before we had gone five miles, which continued to increase till there were was a halt four miles from Kingston. When we halted I had only 5 men in ranks belonging to my company, the others had either fallen out to rest intending to resume the march when they rested or what was more likely had laid down before fires on the roadside to rest till morning. The boys who were with me said they could not march any further. I told them they knew their own feelings best, and if they could not march further I had nothing to say, [except] that I would stay with them. We made us a good fire of vales and laid down at 2 o'clock in the morning. It was freezing and I got but little sleep. I had to get up and warm twice before daylight." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary
Nov. 10 Tuesday	Kingston. Rested in Kingston, Tenn. after 25 mi. forced march. Stragglers arrived all during day. Camped overnight at Kingston, Tenn. "Clear and cool."	"I got up in the morning and went to a good farm house near by and waited for my breakfast. I had good coffee with cream and sugar, corn bread, milk, first rate biscuits and butter, and fresh pork and only had to pay 25 cents. This strengthened me for the march. Five or six others of my Company came up and we started for Kingston where we joined our Regiment about 9 o'clock [a.m.], though more than half were still behind." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary
Nov. 11 Wednesday	Kingston. Night very windy and cold. Camped overnight at Kingston, Tenn. "Clear and cool. Heavy frost."
Nov. 12 Thursday	New Second-in-Command. Camped overnight at Kingston, Tenn. "Clear day." Returned from leave of absence. Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen F&S	"Adjutant Alfred D. Owen [1st Lieut. Alfred D. Owen F&S], who had been home on 30 day leave of absence, returned today having obtained a Lieut. Colonels commission. This was pleasing to all the regiment but one. While we were at New Market all the line officers signed and sent up to Governor Morton a remonstrance against the promotion of Major Tucker [John W. Tucker F&S] and petitioned for the appointment of Owen as Lieut. Col." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen, Co. H, 80th Ind., diary entry
Nov. 13 Friday	Kingston. Camped overnight at Kingston, Tenn. "Clear and pleasant." Transferred to Veterans' Reserve Corps (VRC). Pvt. John C. Hurst Co. H "functional disease of heart"	"Went out with the forage [wagon] train 14 miles." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary
Nov. 14 Saturday	Cut Off. At 2:00 A.M. orders issued to be ready to move at any moment. Men immediately awakened, packed their blankets, ate breakfast, and waited. Rained from daylight till after noon. Wagon trains crossed Clinch River on pontoon bridge from 8:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. Infantry crossed at 5:00 P.M. Camped overnight with wagons on top of thickly wooded hill 1 mi. from bridge to Kingston, Tenn.	"[Forage wagon train] Ordered back in a hurry to the regiment. The regiment moved across the Clinch River. The Rebels are crossing the Tennessee River near Louden." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary "...it is now certain that the enemy have succeeded in crossing the Tennessee River between here and Loudon, and have cut us off from the 2nd Brigade." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary
Nov. 15 Sunday	Dug Entrenchments. Ordered to throw up breastworks along river bank. Entered rifle pits at dark. Returned to camp at 9:00 P.M. Detachment of 30 men ordered across river to level earthworks; returned to camp at 11:00 P.M. Camped overnight on top of thickly wooded hill 1 mi. from bridge to Kingston, Tenn. "Cool day and cloudy."	"The citizens were leaving town nearly all afternoon, in much haste; some on foot some in wagons and some on horses many had their feather beds and bed clothing tied together and throwed over the backs of mules." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary "Worked all day digging rifle pits. The regiment at dark ordered into them." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary
Nov. 16 Monday	Into Entrenchments. Ordered into breastworks at 3:00 A.M. Returned to camp at 10:00 A.M. Camped overnight on top of thickly wooded hill 1 mi. from bridge to Kingston, Tenn.	"...ordered to the rifle pits but no attack. A still day." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary
Nov. 17 Tuesday	One Ear Each. Rations extremely short. Issue for evening meal was 1 ear of parched corn per man. Raiding party that included 40 men from Regt. went down Clinch River in ferry boat, crossed Tennessee River, and captured Rebel picket post tonight. Regt. camped overnight on top of thickly wooded hill 1 mi. from bridge to Kingston, Tenn. "Misting rain."	"Some excitement. The report is that the rebels are crossing the river below. Three companies sent to see. All false. One hundred and twenty men, 40 of our regiment crossed the river and took eight horses and six men prisoners." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary "We have rumors of a battle between [forces under] Burnside [U.S. Maj. Gen. Ambrose P. Burnside] and [forces under] Longstreet [C.S.A. Gen. James Longstreet] near Knoxsville [Tenn.], but the reports are unsatisfactory, indeffinate, and contradictory." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary
Nov. 18 Wednesday	Feels Serious. Rations continue short. Camped overnight "in the field" on top of thickly wooded hill 1 mi. from bridge to Kingston, Tenn. "Clear and pleasant." Absent on detached service. Sergt. John Malette Co. G Pvt. William Thom Co. G	"The scarsity of rations begins to make us feel serious. The mills in this vicinity cannot grind enough for our brigade, and should the enemy be able to cross the Clinch they might cut us off our forriage. Tonight I expect to rob some poor mule of an ear of corn to parch tomorrow. Last night my mess could have eaten all we had, but saved half of it for our breakfast. One biscuit this morning is all I have eaten today and I will have to make out on parched corn." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary
Nov. 19 Thursday	No Doubt. Sound of artillery fire heard all day from south west near Athens, Tenn. Attack expected at any minute, but none came. Camped overnight "in the field" on top of thickly wooded hill 1 mi. from bridge to Kingston, Tenn. "Clear and pleasant."	"There is no doubt but what we are cut off from [Federal forces under] Burnside [U.S. Maj. Gen. Ambrose P. Burnside at Knoxville, Tenn.]." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary
Nov. 20 Friday	Firing. Heard skirmishing between Federal Cavalry pickets and enemy on Loudon Road this morning. Camped overnight on top of thickly wooded hill 1 mi. from bridge to Kingston, Tenn. "It is raining."	"It is reported the rebels are coming. Ordered to the rifle pits. Ordered back at dawn." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary
Nov. 21 Saturday	Artillery at Athens. Heard distant cannon fire from near Athens, Tenn. Camped overnight on top of thickly wooded hill 1 mi. from bridge to Kingston, Tenn. "It is raining."
Nov. 22 Sunday	Artillery at Athens. Heard distant cannon fire from near Athens, Tenn. Camped overnight on top of thickly wooded hill 1 mi. from bridge to Kingston, Tenn. "Clear and pleasant." Captured near Kingston, Tenn. Pvt. Richard M. Montgomery Co. A
Nov. 23 Monday	Out of Meat. Heavy cannonading heard all day from direction of Athens, Tenn. Camped overnight on top of thickly wooded hill 1 mi. from bridge to Kingston, Tenn. "Clear."	"Moved camp. I sent a letter." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary "Out of meat and had nothing to take [on picket duty] but corn bread baked without salt." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary
Nov. 24 Tuesday	Action at Kingston. Cavalry under C.S.A. Gen. Wheeler attacked on Loudon Road at daybreak. Skirmishing continued till 11:00 A.M. when enemy withdrew. Camped overnight on top of thickly wooded hill 1 mi. from bridge to Kingston, Tenn. "It rained."	"Went out to the rifle pits. Heavy skirmishing all day out in front." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary "...between 6000 and 7000 strong attacked us this morning...We had only about 3000 troops all told; but it was so managed that Wheeler supposed we were very strong. Our whole force was on picket and deployed as skirmishers, which induced the enemy to think we had a large force; as our skirmish line was strong enough to cover a force of 10,000 men...The substance of the joke was that besides our skirmishers we had no line of battle, but the cream of the joke is that this fact was not known to the enemy for if they had known our weakness they would have brought up their reserve, and after having broken our centre they could very easily have beaten us to the bridge, and then we would have been gone up [been captured]." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary
Nov. 25 Wednesday	Total Eclipse. At 3:00 A.M. crossed Clinch River with 118th Ohio, marched through Kingston, and went into line of battle 2 mi. from town. Road very muddy. Remained till after sunrise when returned to camp. Camped overnight on top of thickly wooded hill 1 mi. from bridge to Kingston, Tenn. "Clear." Started for home today to accept commission as Asst. Surgeon of 21st Ind. Comm. Sergt. J. C. L. Campbell F&S	"The regiment went out in front at 4 A.M. I went 12 miles with the forage [wagon] train." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary "As we marched from our camp this morning I felt unusually serious. I was sure that if the enemy should return to resume the attack it would be with an increased force and with a determination to "take us in". And as we left our encampment and passed silently on through mud and water with bayonets glistening in the starlight, I almost sighed within me at the reflection that there were many brave boys and generous lads amongst us who might never return. It also appeared as if Nature sympathised with me in my gloomy forebodings; for the moon was then draped in mourning, and refused to herd her genial beams upon us. It was a total eclipse, and calculated to awaken serious reflections and gloomy apprehensions." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary
Nov. 26 Thursday	Out of Salt. Regt. sent on picket duty. Camped overnight on top of thickly wooded hill 1 mi. from bridge to Kingston, Tenn. "Clear and pleasant."	"We are put to great straights to get anything to eat. We have not drawn full rations at any time since we crossed the Culmerland river, except occassionally full rations of fresh meat have been issued. We have only drawn quarter rations of sugar and coffee, and now we have none. Corn has to be forriaged from so great a distance and then taken to the mills, and animals are beoming so scarce that we consider ourselves very fortunate if we can have bread and meat both the same day. And what is worse than all is, we are now entirely out of salt." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary
Nov. 27 Friday	On Picket Duty. Regt. marched out of camp at Noon to do picket duty on ridge overlooking road from Loudon, Tenn. Enemy reported in line of battle 1 mi. away. Cold rain at night. Worked all night digging rifle pits. Returned to duty after being absence sick with "Chronic Diarrhoea." Pvt. Hezekiah Blevens Co. C	"The rebels fired on the pickets. Good news from General Thomas [U.S. Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas]. He has captured 40 pieces of artillery and 4000 prisoners." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary [The captures took place during the successful Nov. 25, '63, Federal attack up Mission Ridge, at Chattanooga, Tenn.]
Nov. 28 Saturday	False Alarm. On picket duty near Kingston, Tenn. Scouts report enemy camped 7 mi. away. "It rained."	"At 1 P.M. it was reported the rebels were coming. The report was false." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary
Nov. 29 Sunday	Froze Hard. On picket duty near Kingston, Tenn. "Clear and cold."	"The ground froze hard last night, and the wind was sharp and cold. We made arbours of pine limbs to shelter us from the wind and kept up large fires." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary
Nov. 30 Monday	Good News. On picket duty near Kingston, Tenn. "Clear and cold." "PRESENT FOR DUTY. Captain...............1 1st Lieutenants...1 Sergeants...........1 Corporals..........6 Drummers..........1 Fifers.................1 Wagoners..........1 Privates...........12" Morning Report of Co. G signed by: 1st Sergt. James F. Cantwell Capt. Jeremiah C. Gladish	"We hear good news from all quarters. Thomas [U.S. Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas] has whipped old Bragg [C.S.A. Maj. Gen. Braxton Bragg] at Chickamaga [Ga.] and Burnside [U.S. Maj. Gen. Ambrose P. Burnside] has repulsed old Longsteet [C.S.A. Gen. James Longstreet] at Knoxville [Tenn.], with serious loss to the enemy. 49 Rebel deserters came in today from near Loudon. One of them was a loyal man impressed [forced] into the Rebel army. Last night he knocked the sentinel off the pontoon bridge into the river, and made his escape to our lines." --Capt. Joseph P. Glezen Co. H, diary

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	November 1863 80th Indiana Volunteer Infantry An American Civil War Regiment
Private John C. Hurst of Company H, 80th Indiana Was transferred November 13, 1863, to 2nd V.R.C. due to "functional disease of heart" Image RG 98S-CWP 209.25, Wm. Schultz College, U.S. Army Military History Institute Photo displayed above has been electronically enhanced by Deep Vee Productions