Four years with Morgan and Forrest

Front matter

V

CAPTAIN THOMAS F. BERRY.

FOUR YEARS

Table Of Contents

I

Ancestry and Childhood 1

n

Introduction

A man's book is the visible sign of the spirit that is within him. Again, it is his brain-child, over which he often yearns in love or pity, for thoughts expressed become living things, to live forever in the blame or praises of men, or slain in the arena of public opinion. Truth should make a man's book triumphant.

I desire to say here that the contents of this volume were not dictated by malice, by captious criticism or by vindictiveness, but solely to entertain and amuse, and to instruct and inform the rising generation of the true history of our struggle in the beautiful Southland, as we saw it, and as it was evolved under our personal observations and experiences during that terrific and bloody struggle, known as the Civil War.

It is my purpose, also, to rescue as far as possible, the good names and fame of my comrades and^ especially, of one who was dear to me by reason of his many noble qualities of mind and heart, as well as by ties of blood, my brother, Captain Samuel O. Berry, who was known to many as "One-Arm" Berry. It is my wish to correct if possible, some of the many false ideas and misconceptions about my brother.

Those who have studied the abuses of our institutions know that human affairs, like many diseases, have their acute and chronic developments, their climaxes and their extreme delirium.

These records are taken from a diary kept during my service in the Confederate Army, under Generals Morgan and Bedford Forrest, and are, therefore, simply my personal experiences and recollections. I have confined my narrative largely to my brother's career, to his final fate as a Federal prisoner after the war, and

VIII INTRODUCTION

to myself. I have described my thirteen thrilling escapes from the Yankees — seven times from prison walls, and six times on my way to prison; also, in a brief manner, my service in Mexico with General Joe Shelby, my short service there under the French General Dupin, the centre guerrilla commander, and under Prince Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, adding a short romance and an account of two duels while there.

There will be found an account of a certain interview between General Sheldon, the honorable secretary of war for the Confederacy, and Captain Charles Quantrell; of the causes that led to the various organizations of guerillas in the various border states, and also of the Home Guards. The career of my brother. Captain Berry, appears in the record of his service in the army, and as a recruiting officer, and in the story of his surrender and parole, his re-arrest, trial and sentence to death, and his commutation of sentence by the president to ten years' solitary confinement in a prison at Albany, New York.

All these incidents are simple facts of personal experiences during my service in the Confederate Army. There may be persons, perhaps, who will doubt some of these statements. Nevertheless, the facts remain. In writing these reminiscences it was not my purpose to engender strife or to wound any person's feelings, but solely to enlighten my fellow men upon one of the many phases of our civil struggle, and to explain some of the elements that were floated to the surface by this upheaval — phenomena largely due to our institutions and their abuses. I harbor no belligerent feelings toward individuals. The occurrences of this period were inherent and fundamental, and bound to appear, sooner or later, as we should know if we have studied the pri-

INTRODUCTION IX

mary facts and the diverse interests and purposes of the early peoples who settled this continent. There were few things in common between them, then or now.

I am a grandson of a Revolutionary soldier and

was taught by him to believe that the States were free, independent and sovereign, within themselves. That our forefathers fought to establish this, and did so establish this condition, and that all the early representative statesmen and commentators and writers so regarded this question, in this light. There are many people who have a false conception or idea of the Federal Union. There seem to be very few people who understand this matter clearly, as shown by the assertion in many so-called histories, which contain the statement that the Southern soldiers fought to destroy the Union ; this statement bears upon its face its own falsity. In the first place there was no Union until it was established by mutual consent and concession after the states had won their independence, as sovereign and independent states. There is no Union, nor can there be any, if it must be held together either by wrangling or fighting. The principle, or question, of secession was understood and agreed upon by all the States when they entered the compact of federation.

The Southern soldiers fought only to preserve, to retain their sovereign rights under this solemn obligation. When the Federal government sent troops to invade, to coerce, the South, this was a ruthless violation of the sovereign rights of the States. In years previous to this time several of the Northern states advocated secession on a number of occasions, especially during the war of 1812; also, when Texas was asking admission into the Federal Union. To thinking men, it is a well known, an established fact of historv, that

X INTRODUCTION

the Southern states were loyal to the Union as long as its terms were faithfully observed or lived up to ; therefore, no blood was shed to save the Union. The establishment of it was by peaceful means by a mutual agreement. The South fought to preserve what their fathers sought to establish. Therefore, the claim that we fought to destroy the Union is hypocritical, and manifestly malicious, trumped-up charges of histories. Many of these so-called histories are the result of ignorant prejudice to discredit and blacken the character of both the living and the dead all over the southland, and to champion a few jealous, envious, corrupt and misguided politicians who sought to destroy the people and to plunder their country. These degenerate sons of hypocritical, bigoted and fanatical men, whom the Civil, or I might say, "Uncivil" War, floated to the surface, and who directed its progress, stand without a parallel in history for brutality and vindictiveness. There was nothing coo brutal or beastly or cruel for them to do, to stagger or stop them.

All honest thinking men now know and admit the Southern states were justified in their action from both principle and authority and also by precept and precedent. Yet, we are stigmatized as rebels to satisfy ignorant fanaticism. If it be treason to fight and repel by force a horde of conscienceless plunderers of one's home and country, I glory in the name. The- grandest and best and greatest of our country were so called by their silly enemies. By the noblest, these are called patriots, and such they are, to my mind.

The purest, the most sacred obligation of human affairs in any generation is to strive to transmit to posterity the grand idea of civil liberty, unimpaired. And it was for these ideals and principles that the southland

INTRODUCTION X I

shed the best blood of the world. We of the elder generation of Southern men are made sore and sensitive by the everlasting, long-continued slanders and w^ilful, often malicious, misrepresentations of so-called histories, written by ignorant fanatics, many of whom love a negro better than his own race, or at least pretend to do so. Such men as Ben Wade and Thaddeus Stephens and old John Brown, and all their fanatical brood, are a disgrace to any age or country. It is a well known and understood proposition of the two schools of politics of the North and the South, of Hamilton and Jefferson, of Patrick Henry and the Tory leaders, of the early days of the Confederation. These differences were inherent, fundamental and sprang from personal and racial differences. There was not and could not be any permanent and mutual sympathy or understanding between these divers racial elements — the fanatical, bigoted Puritan and the Roundhead, and the conservative, liberty-loving Cavalier stock. These diverse elements were certain finally to clash ; as well might we try to mix two acids, or water and the fixed oils ; it simply can't be done.

Patrick Henry, the grand old man, foresaw this, and warned his compatriots of the dangers involved.

The genesis of the various treaties made between these States was similar to the genesis of treaties made between other nations whose desire was to protect themselves against invasion. This alliance was intended also to regulate their relations with one another and did not make these States a single nation. It was upon this proposition the Southern states were to fight the greatest and the bloodiest war of all history, a fight to the deathj to maintain their sovereignty, that it might be preserved to our posterity.

XII INTRODUCTION

•

From my standpoint, there was no rebellion, nor was there a civil war, between 1861 and 1865, out ihere was a war between two sections of the American States. This war was waged between the American sovereignties. This silly twaddle about rebellion and rebel is the veriest rot ; those who talk thus show their ignorance of the fundamental history of their own country. Patrick Henry, this grand old patriot, stood firmly and fearlessly against the doctrine of centralization, the Federalism of Hamilton, whose efforts were all towards the centralization of power in the Federal Government. This is now an accomplished fact, as predicted by the immortal Henry, and this fair land is now ruled by a mongrel breed of despots. It is no wonder that enlightened and awakened public conscience all over this country and the outside world has repudiated the so-called histories, and school text-books. They desire and demand the truth and nothing but the unvarnished, the whole truth. All honest people hate liars, especially those who wilfully and maliciously utter them, and thus mislead the young and unsuspecting.

To those who by reason of ignorance or wilful prejudice may regard these lines as harsh or severe, I answer that I know whereof I speak from personal experience.

I ask the indulgence of the boys who wore the Gray^ to whom I affectionately dedicate this book, in vindication of the truth of history.

THOMAS F. BERRY, M. D., Adjutant Chickasaw Brigade and Surgeon-General, O.D., U. C. V.

Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.

Tune 22, 1914.

I

ANCESTRY AND CHILDHOOD

My ancestry — I visit South America — Join Lexington Rifles — Accompany my father through the Mexican war — Return to Lexington and rejoin the Rifles.

I have often thought since the late civil v<truggle that I would at some future time give my personal experience in the four years' contest and the impressions which it made upon me.

It may be of importance to my children and mv friends to know something of my family history. My great-great-grandfather was a soldier under Marlboroug^h and was in all the battles in the Netherlands and the Levant under the Iron Duke. He was born in France, of Scotch-Irish parents, and was a protestant in faith. In 1702 he immigrated to this country with his family of six sons and three daughters. Settling first in or near Williamsburg, Virginia, he afterward moved to Westmoreland County. My grandfather was born in 1724, at this place. On the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, he joined the army under Washington, and gallantly bore arms until peace was declared. By promotion he rose through the various grades to be a captain. He married a Miss McGraw^ daughter of a distinguished Revolutionary soldier. After peace was ratified, he and soldier friends moved on the tide of immigration to Kentucky.

My Grandfather Berry settled with the first of the pioneers in the virgin territory of what is now Woodford County. Grandfather McGraw settled in Boyle County. At that time all these lands were known as the County or Province of Kentucky, and belonged to the Territory of Virginia. They obtained their patents and grants from the State of Virginia.

My ancestors, both paternal and maternal, were in the numerous and bloody battles fought with the Indians during these early days. Grandfather Berry was seriously wounded at the battle of French Lick Springs. He was saved from the savage tomahawk and scalping knife by the heroic devotion of a comrade.

Grandfather Berry was the father of nine children, six sons and three daughters. The sons were: James, Louis, Younger, John, Samuel Oscar, and Gardner. My father, Samuel Oscar, was the youngest of the bo3^s. There were two sisters younger than he. My aunts, Susan, Mary and Martha^ all died before I was born.

My father, Samuel Oscar Berry, was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, in 1760, and died in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1869. He married Miss Elizabeth McGraw of Boyle County, daughter of Major John Mc- Graw, a Revolutionary soldier, who was widely known for his courage, benevolence, and charity. Six children were born to them, namely : Samuel O., William W., Susan, Minnie, Thos. F., and Alex Berry, four boys and two girls. Sister Minnie died in early infancy. All these children were born in Woodford County.

My mother died in 1835, leaving five small children. My father was disconsolate over his loss. He received a letter saying that his brother, W^illiam Berry, had been seriously wounded in battle at San Antonio, and that on the same day Col. John Milam, his brother-in^ law, had been killed. Father moved Uncle William Berrv to New Orleans and left him there in the care o^

MY ANCESTRY 3

surgeons. He was soon restored to health. My father returned to Texas and took part in several skirmishes and battles in the early troubles of that territory.

Before leaving home for Texas he placed all his children with his brothers and sisters. I was placed with my grandfather, John McGraw, of Boyle County. Brothers Sam and William were placed with Uncle Jim and Uncle Younger ; my sister, Susan, was placed with Uncle Louis Berry. Father left his business affairs in the hands of his brother, Younger. Father was in several battles with General Sam Houston and was present at the battle of San Jacinto, when the Texans gave Santa Anna and the Mexican army such a drubbing that they have never forgotten it to this good day. This ended the struggle for Texas independence.

Father returned home a much changed man. He married a second time, and settled at Versailles, moving afterwards to Lexington. He resumed his business and tried to reassemble his children, but Brother Sam and Brother William had now about reached manhood and were making their own way. Sister Susan was the only one of the children that he could induce to returr^ to him. I was content to remain with Grandfather. Father took up his residence at Versailles, Woodford County, remained there for two years and then removed to Lexington. At this time I entered the home of my uncle, John McGraw, a professor of geology and was with him for two years. We took a trip uj South America, visiting Peru, Bolivia, Columbia, Paraguay, Brazil, Yucatan, Mexico and Guatamala. We were absent two years and eight months, studying the geology, fauna and flora of these countries. We brought back many beautiful and valuable specimens. On our return from this trip, we went to live in Lexington, where U^^^'^

At the beginning of the Civil War I joined Captain John H. Morgan's company, the famous Lexington Rifles, Company A, First regiment, Kentucky State Guards. Captain Morgan served in the Mexican War as a lieutenant under Captain Perry Beard in Colonel Humphrey Marshall's regiment. I was living in Lexington when war was declared between Mexico and the United States, in 1846. Volunteers were called for, and my father joined Captain Beard's company. They were ordered to NeAv Orleans^ and started for that place in February, 1847.

I had formed a strong attachment for a boy much older than myself, who had joined Captain Scarce's company of the same regiment. I was in great distress, and felt that I could not lose my boy friend, so he concocted a scheme to smuggle me aboard the boat and keep me hid . from the officers, and especially from my father. We sailed from New Orleans to Corpus Christi. The vessel remained there only one day, and '••/as ordered to Point Isabel, on Brazos Island, where the American army was concentrating. We were disembarked at night. I was kept out of sight intil all the boats had sailed away for more troops and lupplies.

The surprise of my father may be imagined when I emerged and showed myself to him. His iirst impulse was to whip me soundly. My chum, James A. Campbell, had kept me closely concealed and supplied with food. All the soldiers begged my father not to punish me. I was 14 years old, and well developed.

I was not disturbed on the march and rode on the supply wagon or behind some of the soldiers.

At the first battle, Palo Alto, Texas, the advance

THROUGH THE MEXICAN WAR 5

guard of the army encountered the Mexican cavalry. After a spirited skirmish, the two armies met about 2 o'clock and sharp fighting ensued. The Americans steadily advanced without a check and drove the Mexican army, under General Ampudea and General Arista, from the field, following them closely for several miles in the direction of Brownsville, on the Rio Grande river. I picked up on the battle field several grape and canister shot made of copper ; also, fragment of copper shells of different sizes. These missiles produced a wound of a serious nature, poisoning the flesh and making a wound difficult to heal. Many wounds made by these never heal. The Mexicans, having retreated to Resaca de la Palma, some miles south, again took position, on the south side of the lagoon.

General Taylor buried the dead and cared for the wounded, numbering respectively 192 and 63. He pushed flanking columns against the enemy in his new position^ attacking furiously. After about two hours' fighting the Mexicans were driven in confusion from the field. These two battles cost the enemy in killed, wounded and captured more than 1,300 men. The Mexican general now rapidly retreated across tne Rio Grande river, some miles above Brownsville, and sent a detachment to attack Fort Brown, which was soon driven off. There was but little fighting after these two battles, though there was spirited skirmishing with the enemy s cavalry during the intervening months.

General Taylor now made all necessary pTans to invade Mexico. Crossing the Rio Grande, he advanced leisurely upon Monterey. His forces approached this city from three directions, surrounded it, and drove the Mexicans into the city. The Mexicans used tfie houses for covering breastworks, fighting from the tops of houses and windows. The American soldiers tunnelled through the walks to reach them, and gradually drove them towards the center of the city, or public plaza. After two days' hard fighting the Mexicans were forced to surrender. After a brief rest^ the American Army marched toward Buena Vista, Vera Cruz, Molino del Rey and Chapultepec.

From the latter place I was sent home with my chum, Campbell, who was wounded. We stayed som( time at Vera Cruz, in the hospital, where there were quit a number of sick and wounded. We were away from home twenty-six months. I was in six battles, and thought it was great fun. Returning to Lexington, we settled down to the humdrum of civil life. I now felt myself quite a man. I rejoined Captain Morgan's Lexington Rifles, and went to school. The Stare Guards of Kentucky, composed of four regiments — three of infantry and one of cavalry, with two batteries — met annually for military instruction and drill. We were drilled constantly, almost nightly, during the winter of 1860-186L

I saw little of my father or my family, though at this period I was with them at home. We were all fully aware at this time of the certainty of a civil war between the North and the South over the slavery question, as there had been much hot, belligerent discussion in Congress on this subject long before this period. All felt sure that we should be called upon to defend our guaranteed rights under the Constitution; that events were rapidly hastening to this end was patent to us all.

In 1858 my Brother Samuel left home, having graduated at Lexington from the State normal school. He was called to accept a position as teacher in a country

WINTER OF 1860-61 7

school in Mercer County, where he proved himself worthy and competent. He joined the Christian church and won the esteem, confidence and love of his neighbors and acquaintances. He was regarded as a sincere, conscientious member of his church. I state this fact to show that he was trying to live a Christian life, until the intolerant bigotry of a fanatical or abolition party drove the people of Kentucky and the South to take the only means left to honorable men to protect themselves ; namely, the appeal to the sword. My second brother, William, was in the South with a drove of mules, where he helped his employer during the fall and winter of 1860-1861.