Letter of John Maltman 

INTRODUCTION

John Maltman was a normal school student who enlisted in CO. E as 4th sergeant in 1862. By the time of the battle of Campbell’s Station he may have been either first or second sergeant, its not clear in his account. What follows is a portion of a very long letter he began to his brother November 22nd 1863 detailing the actions of the 17th. The first part of the letter, which includes this account, is very well written, almost like a story he was writing for publication, which is what we think it is. After finishing this first and longest section, he found that it couldn’t be mailed because the siege of Knoxville had begun and they were cut off. So he added to it every day like a diary until he could finally get it through a week later. It is the best account of the actions of the 17th in Tennessee I have ever read and it is unfortunate that it is the only letter of Maltman's we have been able to find, as he seems to have had a talent for storytelling. This particular copy is a typewritten version of the original, which appears to be lost, and is kept at the Bently Historical Museum in Ann Arbor. The parenthesis ( ) in the letter may have been from the original transcriber while the brackets [ ] are changes made by me. In his account of the evening of the 15th John records that there are 23 men in CO E. The section below is Maltman’s account of his and the 17th's activities on the day of November 16th, 1863.

Letter of John Maltman, Co. "E", 17th Michigan Infantry

November 16th, 1863.

Next morning at 6 o'clock (Monday the 16^th) we were again silently withdrawn from our position, down to the Railroad Station close by, here we halted, stacked arms and waited for further orders. That we were about to fall back and leave this part in haste became evident. Troops were moving toward Knoxville, most baggage wagons had gone, and a large number that remained were being chopped in pieces, their contents of baggage, ammunition and provisions being destroyed or carried off by whoever could.

At break of day all troops had gone except our lone Regiment. We were to be rear guard of the Army. Burnside had said (so goes the rumor) that with one Michigan Regt. in front one in center and one in the rear he feared nothing. Companies "E", "G" and "K" were to act as skirmishers; the rest of the Regiment to form a reserve in case of attack; and this reserve to keep twice the length of a Regiment between it and the main column in front.

Our march for the first three and a half miles was on the Railroad Company "G" was first deployed as skirmishers, extending across the track and in the fields on each side, while "E" and "K" marked [marched?] on the road, ready for deploying when necessary.

It was fairly daylight when we began our march. The scene that we were about to leave was one of destruction and desolation. A few abandoned mules were wandering around, Baggage and Ammunition of all kinds were piled and scattered in every direction. A few men were busy firing the goods. We had gone but half a mile when about twenty cavalry men came dashing along towards our line. They proved to be our men. They reported the Rebels coming or advancing on us, having discovered our flight. These men had been fired at by the foe and two or three of them had lost their caps in their hasty retreat. We kept moving along slowly keeping a good look out behind and to the wood that skirted the fields about forty rods from the Railroad.

After a march of two miles our Company ("E") was deployed and "G" rallied and marched on the road with "K". A few minutes more and the Rebel Cavalry came in sight. They came advancing as skirmishers yet kept a respectable distance from us. I was left guide of our company and like the other boys, found a difficult task marching with our heavy loads over plowed ground, through fields of long stiff weeds and climbing fences. When we reached a point on the Rail Road three miles from Lenoir, our path lay off to the left, a narrow muddy road passing through a hilly woody country. Here we found traveling worse than before, for in the woods we found no path, but had to make the best we could through thickly set brush, over small steep hills, and over lying timber. The work was exhausting. The day was hot. I sweat very much, had no water to drink. At last we emerged from the woods into an open field with a few scattering corn stalks standing here and there; just before leaving the woods, Corp. McFall [Daniel McFall] and I had to pass through a clump of small trees that almost denied us a passage. This gave the skirmish line a distance ahead of about six rods. We were hurrying through the field, McFall leading the way to get our position in line when "came the tug of war"

A voice behind cried "Halt" Haloo. Come here. I stopped looked around. Crack went a rifle, and a bullet whizzed past my head. The Rebel Divels [sic] had come. There they stood at the edge of the woods with and Officer in front. He motioned with his hand and still called "Come back here". As soon as I saw them I turned and was off on a run, while a shower of bullets from the traitors followed seeking my life. A few rods before me and a little to the left stood a small clump of trees. I hastened for its shelter while the balls were tossing the earth at my feet and cutting down the few remaining corn stalks at my side. I reached the trees, and then a few steps more brought me to the fence, where I was again exposed to the fire. The fence was high, but I must climb over or be a prisoner, or worse. I put my gun over first, then partly climbed and partly tumbled over after it. Still the bullets came while I ran down the next field, sheltered somewhat by the fence. My companion (McFall) was now away six rods ahead "double Quicking" it and making more progress than I could, he being a large powerful man. The Skirmish line also began to "Double Quick" as soon as the firing commenced, but halted as soon as they had gained a good position which was in the field that lay parallel to the one that I was now in. The line was so far to my right that the character of the ground hid them from my view. As I neared the bottom of the field the ground was so low that the balls all passed over my head. I now thought to join the skirmish line again. I turned to the right, but was stopped by another fence. This I began to climb, got both feet over in a sitting posture, when my load took me off my balance and I fell back on the ground. In falling I knocked out two rails and with some squeezing I passed through the opening. I ran but a few steps more, when our line of Skirmishers opened fire on the enemy. I then discovered that I had passed them about three rods. I now took off my knapsack, and in thirty seconds more was in my place on the Skirmish line.

Company "G" Commanded by Capt. Taylor [John Tyler] was deployed on our right while "K" commanded by Lt. Billingslay [Josiah Billingsley] was deployed on our left. The other part of our Regiment, our reserve, Commanded by Lt. Col. Comstock, formed in line of battle across the road, on low ground at the bottom of the field immediately behind the reserve a Creek crossed the road. At the left of the road stood an old frame of a saw mill, and a mill dam. The firing by the Rebels became heavy while thier numbers were gradually increasing. They threw out men to flank us, then came yelling on a charge on our front, firing as they came. This was too much for our skirmish line, it broke and ran. Here our brave Capt. Taylor received a wound in the hand. As the line on the left could not cross the mill dam each man made for the ford where the road crossed the creek. When I got there the commander of the Reserve stood on the middle of the road waving his sword, endeavoring to rally his men for the Reserve had also broken and some were already crossing the creek. Here was a panic. Some sought shelter behind logs, some stood still and discharged their pieces in the direction of the advancing foe, while Colonel and Officers were shouting on the top of their voices, for the men to form a new line of battle. A broken line was at last formed in the Creek. The enemy halted afraid to advance to the banks of the Creek, which if they had there would have been no more 17th Mich. Infantry.

As soon as our line was formed facing the enemy our Colonel gave the Command "About face". "In Retreat March". To preserve the line of battle was impossible, each man for himself stumbled over the Creek and tried to "Double Quick" up into the woods on the opposite bank. The Regiment now was like a mob, and as soon as the waiting Rebels saw it rise up the hill on the opposite side they came rushing onward yelling and firing like mad-men. We saw our poor comrades fall, some crying for help, but we had to leave them or be taken prisoner or shot.

A minute more and our Colonel ordered a line to be formed again. It was done, but could not be preserved; while retreating we fired a few shots; the Rebels kept pressing on, our line broke and again all became confusion. Bullets came thick and fast but most went too high to hit anyone. Our path was all up hill. I became so exhausted that I felt like falling at every step. I still had my blanket and rubber, fastened to my shoulder with a strap, this bundle I took off and threw down. Other boys were divesting themselves of their load, so as to accelerate their movement. We now reached the road and a cleared field on its left of about five acres. The Rebs had crossed the creek above the mill dam and come around by this field to cut us off. They were either afraid to advance on us, or else they had not had time to do so, for they stopped on the off edge of the field, looked from behind trees and blazed away at us as we passed. We did not return a shot, but sought shelter on the other wise [?] of the road from the trees while we kept advancing up hill. These Revs were very poor marksmen. I don't think they shot but one man. He lay on the middle of the road, on his face calling for help. The rascals yelling still pressed on behind while others were advancing on both flanks. Life and Liberty then seemed dear; nothing but these could urge us on so. To stop and form a line would have been surrendering ourselves prisoners, to stay and fight would have been madness, and run we could not. I felt sure then that we were a gone Regiment. We were alone; not another Reg. was near. Our Colonel seemed to think the Rebs had got us, for he went along clasping his hands together and exclaiming, Oh Seventeenth Seventeenth We are all gone. We are all lost, all lost. We were yet ascending this long hill, and now another clearing was in sight. Let help come now or we can never cross this field alive. Help was at hand. Boom went a cannon from the crest of the hill, at the top of the field before us, and never was friend more welcome to us than those death dealing shells that whizzed over our head and burst among our hungry foe. Now we emerge from the woods and we see stretching across the field a long line of our friends ready to receive the pursuing enemy, and rescue us. The Rebels, for a moment, are checked on their advance by our shells. We halt and once more form a line; then march past the troops that stand in line of battle before us. We now pass into the road. We have reached the top of the hill and begin to descend the other side. A minute more and we have passed the field and now we file right into the woods, and take position in line of battle, to again await the advance of the enemy. The troops that we had just passed were now engaging the enemy and although we were in the woods we were near enough to the field to see all that was going on. The main column of the army was still moving along. Our Brigade was here alone with tow or three pieces of artillery. The firing becomes heavier every moment, for now doubt the enemy were massing in front. Thier superior numbers press on the flanks of our troops and force them back. The Rebels rush forward to Capture our Artillery, awhile both our men and the Artillery come rushing down the hill. Just then our Regiment was ordered forward on a charge which it did yelling like Rebels and stopped where it came to the fence at the edge of the filed. We now commenced firing and so swept the crest of the hills with balls that the Rebs were staid in thier advance, hence saved our Artillery. The other part of our Brigade now formed on our right forming a line of battle, that opened on the enemy with good effect. The report of musketry now became deafening. The enemy again pressed round on both our flanks and again we were forced back keeping in good order till we again found shelter behind a rise of ground; here we were going to make a new stand. The Rebels cam on with another yell, threatening to break our right, while they seemed to hold back from our left, nor could we see any of them in front of the left. Our Commander being afraid of a flank movement going on at the left called for Capt. Phillips [Delos Phillips was originally a student of the Normal School and enlisted in Co. E. He was at this time commanding Co D] to take Company "E" forward as skirmishers. WE went forward, I being right guide was on the extreme right of the advancing line. As soon as we had gained the top of the small rise of ground on front, we opened fire on the Rebels to the front and right of us. Near me to the right stood a Rebel behind a large tree; he was firing down at our line of battle. As he got behind the tree to load I could see his whole person. I took dead aim at him but my gun snapped cap twice without a discharge. I again put a new cap on my piece, but before I was prepared to shoot they came forward yelling and firing on a charge. We were not to fall back join the battle. I had come back but two steps when a ball from the Rebs struck me near the top of the back part of the head laying me on the ground before I knew what was the matter. It seems as if my senses had gone for perhaps a minute, and when they returned I lay on my face between two fires, that is between the fire of the enemy and our own Regt. The crack of the Rebels rifles seemed near me, and the air seemed alive with balls. To move now would be instant death for if I attempted to crawl off the Rebs would shoot me, or I would be shot by our own men. I Concluded to lie still and wait my fate. The blood was fast running from my wound dropping over my face and neck. I did not know but it was mortal. A bullet passed over my hand, so close that it seemed to touch it. I got my head behind a little tree not over five inches through. This tree was struck twice with a ball, seemingly opposite to my head, jarring the tree as if it had been struck with an axe. I was afraid that I should yet be cut to pieces. I pressed my hand on the wound to stop its bleeding, for I was afraid I might bleed to death. My feelings were that of horror when I though myself a prisoner, or perhaps be left here to die like a dog. I never thought of being rescued.

The ground yet shook with the discharge of musketry and artillery. Now the charging yell once more fills the woods sounding more terrible than the musketry. A few moments and I should know my fate, perhaps it would be sealed by a Rebel bayonet. I thought now the Rebel fiends had reached my side, their rifles cracked at my ear and I heard the shrill cry from thier accursed throats. I raised my head to see the hated forms, but met the greatest surprise of my life. It was our own line that was charging and our own company was the first I saw. This certainly was a glad moment. Corp. Fellows [Byron V.] helped me to rise and was going to help me off the field. I told him that I believed my wound was slight and would go alone. Capt. Phillips was urging on the men, he called for me to "Get to the rear" and explained "We will pay them for it". I had gone but a short distance when I met a surgeon who bound up my wound. It now ceased bleeding and although ached much I felt confident that I was all right. The enemy had turned the extreme of our line of battle, and were driving it back. I felt weak and was yet in doubts of getting back from the field before the enemy had gained it. Good-fortune as ever favored me. The 8th Mich. Cavalry was near, they generously gave me a horse that had no rider, and with this I rode from the field. I had again got out from the woods. A large track of country, cleaned up, stretched out before me as far as the eye could reach. I was now near the main column of our Army, which now about to take position to offer the enemy battle or stop its advance. One Regiment after another marched into the open fields on the right and left of the road forming a line of battle, while beyond on a rise of ground of some 80 feet out batteries were in position. Our infantry, preserving their line, began to march back to a position nearer the artillery where some other lines of battle were formed. A line of Rebels that had been trying to get around the left of those now fighting, showed themselves at the edge of the wood, and commenced firing at the main line of battle. Our boys did not mind this but continued their march back to the Artillery. I thought our Brigade was surely all captured as the Rebs seemed to have cut them off while they were charging, where I left them, but I soon learned that they had charged back the Rebels, then made a hasty retreat, getting out all right.

All houses and barns near field of battle are used for Hospitals, until the wounded can be better cared for. I was directed to one of these, about a mile and a half back from our Artillery. As I rode along, the road seemed crowded with wagons, ambulances with wounded, cooks, stragglers, and the legitimate refuse of an army generally. They were making their way to Knoxville, and forming a stampede. When I reached the hospital a number of wounded men lay there on the floor covered with blankets waiting till the surgeon could attend to them. The Surgeons, four in number, were dressing wounds in a hurry, and disposing of them in their usual way "Viz" by cutting of the limbs. A number awaited amputation, hence I had to wait, I went up stairs where I found Capt. Taylor. He had his hand done up in a rag, it was still bleeding, the hand being much shattered. He also had a wound in the side, which he received when getting on to a horse to leave the field. The wound in his side was very slight. He was in pain and very faint, from loss of blood. Three men form the 2nd Mich. Infty. were also in the room. One was a Capt. with a slight wound in the arm. Another was the color bearer shot through the leg and hand, the third was shot through the mouth and neck. All were awaiting attendance. We were all hungry and chilly but we were soon relieved by a kind friend who made a fire and brought some warm coffee. Our Artillery had now opened on the enemy and each thundering volley we bid "Gods speed". The window frames shook and clattered in the building making a doleful sound when mingled with the low groans of the wounded. The general opinion was that we were now making for Cumberland Gap for the enemy was reported to have another force advancing to cut us off. This pending battle was intended only to check the enemy, while we made better a retreat. Men with all manner of wounds were still arriving and the house was now filled in all its parts. Those who could not walk were beseeching the doctors to bring ambulances and take them from here. Don't leave us in the hands of the Rebs they cried. For a while but few men passed along the road. Now reports came that our side were having the worse of the fight, and again crowds of stragglers and cavalry began to fill the road. My friend Lawrence who I had seen a short time before now came and told me that I had better leave this place and go to some place nearer Knoxville as our troops were falling back. I accordingly got on to my horse and began to move back on the way of Knoxville. This hospital was about 14 miles from Knoxville. I intended to go a few miles, stop at some house and next day proceed to Knoxville. After riding a few miles I was surprised to find a Cavalryman claim the horse I rode. He said that he had strayed from his Regt. during the morning and had not seen it since. He described the horse and equipments to my satisfaction hence I offered the horse to him. He would not take it then but said he would go on foot with me as far as I wished to ride. I thanked him kindly and rode a few miles further to a house where I concluded to stop for the night until I was more certain of our forces falling back. I found 3 men of our Co. at this place who reported that our whole force would be in Knoxville by morning. They offered their assistance if I would go still further so after resting I started to go on foot though I felt as if I could not go a mile without resting for the night......... Daylight found me in a citizens house in Knoxville, lying before a great rousing fire. Never did I have a sorer lot of bones in my body.

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