Biography of Joseph Joel Ashcraft, by Sharon Spielman Ashcraft
|
Joseph Joel Ashcraft 4th Son of Joel and Martha “Patsy”
Ferguson Joe Ashcraft was the fourth child of Joel and Patsy Ashcraft. Born about 1827 on the family farm in York District of South Carolina, Joe remained at home until he married at the age of twenty-three taking as his bride, Mary Ann Clinton, also a native of York County. Mary Ann was born March 17, 1833 to James Clinton and Rebecca Reid. Joe established their home just below the York/Chester county line in the Chester District on about two hundred acres of land. As were the other men in his family, Joe was a farmer primarily raising cotton and corn. By 1860, Joe and his wife had four children and were living next door to Joe’s widowed mother. All born in Chester County, Joe and Margaret’s children were George Reed born November of 1851, Mary R. born about 1853, Thomas Frank born 27 Dec 1856 and Nancy Jane born December of 1859. Joe’s father had died in December of 1854. Earlier that year Joe’s
Uncle Jesse and his entire family along with most of Joe’s nine siblings
had moved to Cleveland County, Arkansas. Only Joe, a younger brother, Tom,
and two sisters, Ruth Isom and Martha Jane Mann, remained near their
mother in South Carolina. After the final distribution of his father’s
estate in February of 1860, Tom, who had served as executor, also moved
with his wife and first-born to Arkansas. The Civil War Cotton was ‘king’ in the plantational society of South Carolina’s farmers when the Civil War broke out. A small group of slave-owning cotton and tobacco farmers dominated the state’s social and political scene. Many Carolinians objected to this exercise of authority but, nonetheless, were almost completely unified in the decision for the state to secede from the Union. It was the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency in 1860 that prompted South Carolina’s secession. Lincoln had run for office on an anti-slavery platform which the state maintained was in violation of the Constitution’s interpretation of state’s rights. South Carolina was the first state to secede withdrawing from the United States on Christmas Eve 1860. The first shot fired in the Civil War was by the South Carolinians. Two dates are recorded as being first. Harper’s Weekly, in its January 26th 1861 edition gives the date as January 10th. The article tells of a South Carolina battery located at Morris Island in Charleston Harbor firing on the Union ship “Star of the West”. En route to Fort Sumter the ship was laden with men and supplies for the purpose of reinforcing the post of Maj. Robert Anderson. The most legendary date, however, is April 12th with the firing of a 10-inch mortar shell which burst about one hundred feet above Fort Sumter. Nineteen months later on November 18, 1862, Joe enlisted with the Confederate Army in Chester District as a private. He was assigned to Company H of the 19th South Carolina Infantry. The 19th is thought to have been organized in the Abbeville District after enforcement began of the Conscription Act of 1862. Originally, that act required all men under the age of thirty-five to serve in the Confederate Army. The age was soon raised to forty-five as volunteers became fewer and the war began to escalate. Joe was the only Ashcraft man remaining in South Carolina with his mother, a niece and his own family to care for. Under these circumstances, Joe in all probability waited to join the military until it became compulsory to enlist. Joe’s regiment, under the command of Col. Augustus L. Lythgoe, was brigaded under Brig. Gen. Arthur M. Manigault along with the 10th South Carolina Infantry and three Alabama regiments. By December of 1862, Manigault’s Brigade had been attached to Gen. Braxton Bragg’s newly reorganized troops, the whole of which had been redesignated as the Army of Tennessee. The army was now situated along Stones River at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Bragg’s intention was to set up camp at this location for the winter. However, Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans’ and his Union Army of the Cumberland had other plans. The Battle of Stones River December 31, 1862 - January 2, 1863 In November, Bragg set up a defensive position along West Fork of Stones River. Rosecrans began his advance toward Bragg’s camp on December 26th. By the time the Union troops reached Murfreesboro on the 29th, Bragg had been encamped at the site for over a month, giving him the benefit of knowing the area’s terrain. Bragg also had the advantage of two detached cavalry units capable of raiding deeply behind the Yankee lines. That afternoon Rosecrans’ cavalry attacked the Rebel outposts positioned ahead of Bragg’s main force. But, the Rebel pickets quickly forced the Yankees back. Not retreating far, the Union troops set up camp within hearing distance of the Rebels. As Civil War lore has it, that night the troops of both sides began to play music. “Yankee Doodle” and “Hail, Columbia” were met with the resounding sounds of “Dixie’ and “The Bonnie Blue Flag”. It’s said that suddenly, someone broke out with “Home, Sweet Home”. Almost immediately, thousands of men wearing blue and gray joined in song, the day coming to an end as the lyrics of the sentimental melody filled the night air. I could just see Mary Ann at the stove fixin’ a big pot of collard greens, cuttin’ off a slab of smoked ham and takin’ cornbread and sweet potatoes from the oven - the children all around me and a nice warm bed waitin’ when the day was done. During the early morning hours of the 30th, Brig. Gen. Fightin’ Joe Wheeler and his Confederate cavalry units had been hitting the Union’s incoming supply trains with a vengeance. His first attack, although eventually thwarted, did result in twenty Yankee wagons being taken or destroyed. Later, Wheeler and his men encountered several large Union supply trains which rapidly became property of the Confederate army. Wheeler’s men spent the remainder of the afternoon and evening releasing prisoners, passing out arms and ammunition, running off mules and burning wagons. Debris and devastation stretched as far as the eye could see. The Union soldiers did manage to round up about eight hundred of their fellow troops and all of their mules. During this series of raids, Wheeler and about three thousand of his men had captured enough ordnance to arm a brigade and sufficient horses to remount most of the cavalry. The events of Wednesday, December 31st painted a much different story. Maj. Gen. Jones M. Wither’s division, to which Manigault’s Brigade was attached, had been in battle line position for two days. Joe and his comrades were set up across Wilkinson Turnpike just south of Stones River. The all-out battle began with a dawn-attack by Gen. William J. Hardee’s Division surprising the Union army while many were still eating breakfast. This skirmishing prompted enemy artillery fire that was followed with full enfilade of the Confederate battle line. The onslaught was returned and the fighting intensified. The Rebel battle line continued its advance under a constant barrage of enemy fire as their comrades fell around them. The enemy, strongly supported by heavy artillery, had set up on a wooded ridge across a narrow cotton field between Wilkinson and Nashville Turnpikes. Manigault’s regiments were able to swing around and drive the enemy from the ridge while attempting to close an angle in their line to connect with a nearby brigade. However, under heavy fire from two batteries and a column of infantry enfilading their line, Joe and his fellow troops were forced to pull back. During the onslaught the commander of the 19th, Col. Lythgoe, fell mortally wounded. Manigault quickly rallied Lythgoe’s command, moved forward and drove the Yankees back. But, as Manigault prepared to continue his assault, he realized both of his flanks had been exposed and his troops forced to remain in position. Manigault managed to assemble the survivors of his regiments and advanced toward an enemy battery backed by infantry. Engaging the infantry, it appeared the Confederate assault would be successful. However, before seizure of the artillery could be made, a Yankee brigade approached from below a hill forcing Manigault’s men to pull back. Combat for Manigault’s troops ended for the day. Nonetheless, the Confederates had still achieved many of their
objectives, capturing 28 pieces of artillery (some of which were taken by
the 10th/19th) and over 3,000 Union soldiers. This
had not been accomplished without heavy losses to the Confederate troops.
General Jones M. Withers From his Official Report of the Battle of Stones River Written May 20, 1863 from
Shelbyville, Tennessee “The two brigades, under Colonels Vaughan and Coltart, being now formed in line, were moved forward under the immediate direction of Major-General Cheatham, and, after a desperate conflict, dislodged the enemy from their strong position, and drove them for more than a mile and beyond the Wilkinson pike. Moving forward to the cedar brake, between the Wilkinson and Nashville pikes, and finding other troops pressing after the enemy in his front, Colonel Coltart, by direction of General Cheatham, moved his command to the right, and, coming into the front line on the east edge and extreme right of the cedar brake, had a sharp engagement with the enemy, occupying a ridge across a narrow cotton-field, and strongly supported by artillery. Manigault's brigade moved promptly at the proper moment, and his left swinging round, drove the enemy from the wooded ridge back on his second line. In the wheel through the open field, and before his command had completed the angle necessary to bring it on a line with Anderson's, a heavy fire from two batteries and a column of infantry was opened on him from his right, which, enfilading his line, checked and finally forced him back to his former position. Col. A. J. Lythgoe, of the Nineteenth South Carolina Regiment, was killed in this charge while gallantly leading his command. He dies well who dies nobly. Manigault, quickly rallying his command, again moved forward, successfully driving the enemy, and with every prospect of being able to hold his position, when the repulse of the troops on his left, leaving both flanks exposed, rendered it necessary for him again to fall back. The position of the forces and character of the ground and movement, however, rendered it impossible altogether to avoid a cross or enfilading fire. The repulse at any point only increased the liability. The supporting brigade, under Brigadier-General Maney, was now moved forward, and, taking position on Manigault's left, both brigades moved forward, meeting comparatively with but little opposition. As Manigault swung round to a line with Anderson, this brigade was put in motion, and soon Manigault's right was engaged in an attack on a battery, with strong supports of infantry. The assault seemed successful, but before the capture was made, a brigade of the enemy moved up from below the hill, forcing back the regiments engaged, but was in turn driven back by Anderson's left, which was sweeping round. This concluded the engagements of Manigault for the day. His command had been subjected to a most trying ordeal, and had suffered heavily.” By nightfall on New Year’s Eve much of the Union force had been pushed back and Bragg was convinced that the victory would belong to the Confederacy. Bragg ordered the troops to dig in to await Rosecrans’ assumed retreat. In the meantime though, Rosecrans had restructured his plans and redeveloped a new, strong battle line. January 1st was for the most part a quiet one with both sides resting and tending their wounded. A few skirmishes occurred over a heavily wooded area known as Round Forest, each side volleying back and forth for control, and with Joe Wheeler’s continued harassment to the Yankees’ rear. All the while, Bragg continued to anticipate Rosecrans’ retreat. That didn’t come. The morning of the 2nd found the Union troops still in position. During the night a division of Rosecrans’ troops had crossed to the east side of the Stones River and had re- positioned in Round Forest near McFadden’s Ford. At dawn, Confederate skirmishers advanced driving the enemy from their position but, outnumbered, were forced to retreat. That afternoon Bragg launched an attack with the Confederate charge encountering heavy artillery fire. Once again, Joe found himself amidst a hail of munitions rounds, musket balls and shrapnel. Although they were able to push most of the Yankees back across McFadden’s Ford to the west side of the river, the Rebel advance went stagnant, suffering over 1,800 casualties within the hour. Bragg’s troops were forced to retreat to their point of departure. Night fell and the fighting ceased. On the morning of the 3rd, a heavy Confederate artillery barrage was unleashed on the Yankees who again were occupying Round Forest. As soon as the bombardment ceased, Manigault’s Brigade, having taken up their position on the west side of the river the night before, charged into the cedar break. The Yankees were again driven back and skirmishing continued throughout the day. But, ate in the evening, the Union forces unleashed its artillery and succeeded in breaking part of the Rebel line. Rosecrans continued to hold his position and that same night, as freezing rain fell, Bragg began his retreat southward. Within forty-eight hours, the Union army was in complete control of Murfreesboro. Gen. Bragg wrote in his official report dated February 23, 1863 to Adjutant General S. Cooper, “We left about 1,200 badly wounded, one-half of whom we learn have since died from the severity of their injuries; about 300 sick, too feeble to bear transportation, and about 200 well men and medical officers as their attendants. In addition to this, the enemy had captured about 800 prisoners from us.” The battle was a tactical victory for Bragg, but he lacked the
man-power to defeat Rosecrans. Thus, the glory for this battle has
historically been given to the North. 13,249 Yankees are said to have died
in this battle. 10,266 Rebels lost their lives; among them was Private
Robert Walker of Joe’s own Company H. Nine of Company H had been
wounded. December 31, 1862 - An Eye-witness Account of the Battle - (Edited) The following is an excerpt from a letter written by C. Irvine
Walker of Company F, 10th South Carolina Infantry and staff
member of Brig. Gen. Arthur M. Manigault. Walker, in this letter written
to someone back home, describes just what Joe Ashcraft experienced that
day… Headquarters 4th Brigade Near Shelbyville, Tennessee January 15,
1863 On Sunday Dec. 28th, 1862, the Army was placed in position. Cleburn's Division on the right; Withers & McCown on the left; Breckenridge and Cheatham forming the 2nd line. Withers' right was resting on Stone River. On the afternoon of the 29th, the enemy’s Cavalry attacked our line of infantry pickets, but were repulsed. At this time occurred the very pretty little affair of Company A. The pickets on their right gave way, and before they were aware of it, they were completely surrounded. Lt. White and Sgt. Larabour were taken prisoners and had given up their arms, when the enemy fired on White. White then called on his company to rally and he had a hand to hand fight with his captor. Before the Yankee had time to run he was knocked off his horse and White liberated. I don't know how they succeeded in other parts of the field. On this night they formed a line in our front, not over 500 yards off, and boldly built their fires and made as much noise as they choose. We could hear them talking. Meanwhile not a fire burned, not a sound was heard along our lines. Tonight we prepare for the deadly conflict of tomorrow. During the night, orders were received for an advance to be made by McCown's Division and 1st and 4th of Withers’ Brigade; they were to wheel round and straighten the line which made a large angle on the right of our Brigade. The movement was to commence on the left at dawn of day next morning. Wednesday, the
Battle Before daylight on the 31st. ult. the army was under arms and ready for the coming contest. The day opened with heavy skirmishing and picket firing. We look anxiously for movement on our left. Soon the Battle flags of Deas' 1st Brigade were seen advancing. Col. M. sends orders for 34th Alabama Regiment on the left of our Brigade to rise and charge opposite hill. In a moment and with a shout, this gallant Regiment rushes to meet the foe. Hardly have they started when they are followed by 28th Alabama, 24th Alabama and 19th South Carolina, in quick succession, and the 10th South Carolina wheels into its position. In a moment the quiet field is filled with contending hosts. The rattle of musketry becomes incessant, and the hail of canister, shot and shell and scrapnel is moving down the ranks of our advancing line. The 34th and 28th Alabama Regiments have gained the hill simultaneously with the 1st Brigade and driven the enemy form it while the 24th Alabama and 19th South Carolina continue to advance under a most terrific fire. But suddenly the enemy (owing to the bend in our lines) opens an enfilade fire on our lines, and throw heavy reinforcements to support their beaten Regiments (a brigade of Regulars) and ours, and the 1st Brigade gives way – our right flank is exposed to the enfilade fire and our left exposed by the retreat of the 1st, so we were compelled to fall back. But, they were rallied and led again to the charge and were again terribly repulsed and driven back to our first position before the men could be rallied. I had gone to Gen. Maney Commanding our supporting Brigade in 2nd line, to bring him up to our assistance, and arrived just at this time. But before another attack was made by our Brigade, McCown's Div. and 1st Brigade W. D. has wheeled round, flanked the enemy, and driven them from our front. The 10th being on the right were but little exposed. The ground was now clear and the left wing wheeled round and occupied a line along the road marked on map "country road" and at right angles to our former position, our right remaining stationary. The battle now raged along our whole line from left to right, the booming of heavy guns to be heard over the sharp rattle of musketry. While our line was in the last mentioned position a Battery of Rifle guns and Napoleons posted on the Nolensville Pike shelled our lines making a great deal of noise and doing very little damage. They had not the most remote idea that we were so near them. Gen. Maney now brought up a battery near the Gin House and opened on this Battery, this drawing its attention and ordered Col. M to charge it. The 10th South Carolina were brought to front, and supported by the 19th South Carolina, were ordered to advance. These gallant Regiments moved steadily forward and when they reached the enemy’s line of skirmishers, charged with a shout driving the Brigade of the enemy’s infantry from their position and silenced every gun of the Battery but one. But the 2nd line of the enemy appearing in front and a Regiment moving round on our left flank to enfilade them they were brought to a stand. The rest of the Brigade was ordered to their support, but this proved inefficient to withstand the numbers of the enemy and as the Brigades on our right and left did not move up in time to support ours as had been promised, we were compelled to fall back. Just as we gave way the 3rd Brigade on our right came up, but too late to support us. Although their advance drove back the enemy, compelling them to leave their Battery and take flight. McCown's Division was advancing at this time, and they swept the enemy before them, our Brigade following, until the enemy were driven across to the Nashville Pike, where they rallied behind a heavy artillery force planted along Nashville Pike and our forces, having already driven the enemy further than they were ordered and having in their front an open field over which to advance against a tremendous collection of Batteries, our line halted in woods to N. S. of Nolensville Pike. So, on the left we had swung completely round, driving the enemy more than 2½ miles and capturing several batteries of artillery. This had been achieved however with heavy loss. In the charge on the Battery, the 10th South Carolina Regiment lost 85 men – nearly ¼ of the number on the field. Our battle flag was riddled, and the Blue State (Mrs. Wilson's) flag was shot off the staff, but it was brought off the field in safety. On the right the fighting was not so hard; we, however, drove the enemy back and advanced to … 2nd position. During the rest of the day, on the left, we made no advance, the enemy keeping up an extremely heavy shelling on our position – they were so near that they did but little harm, although I was not under a heavier fire of artillery all day then at this time. Night, however, soon closed this, the longest day of my existence. We confidently expected the fight to be renewed the next day, but our army was too small to make the attack, and the Yankees too badly whipped to move out of the entrenchments they had thrown up during the night. Thursday, New Year’s Day was spent in this position, we momentarily expecting either an order to advance, or an advance of the enemy. But the day passed and neither came. Friday we remained quiet. Breckenridge made an attack on the enemy but was repulsed. Saturday our Brigade changed its position to that first occupied by the Brigade W. D. between Nolensville and Nashville Pikes and Chalmers, Deas and Anderson (2nd, 1st and 3rd Brigades of our Division) were moved to their right, in front of Stone River. The day was a rainy one, and we suffered very much. Our troops were now become quite exhausted; we had been in line of Battle one week. That night came the orders to retire and with a heavy heart and tired steps our brave but crippled and exhausted Army retreated towards Shelbyville. Thus I have told the story of the Battle of
Murfreesboro. It was a complete, though unfortunately, not a decisive
victory. Bragg deserves every praise for doing what he has done – with an
army of barely 30,000 he defeated, or say checked, Rosecrans with over
65,000 more than two to one. 10th/19th
South Carolina Infantry Recognized Our Brigade, though every time repulsed, acted most gallantly and has been highly complimented by our commander. But the two South Carolina Regiments have had the highest honor paid them. Gen. Bragg "for brilliant deeds on Battlefield of Murfreesboro" presented them with the Battery we silenced on the Nolensville Pike, left it to them to inscribe the names on the pieces, to be presented by them to their favorite Gen. Beauregard as a trophy of the late Battle. Capt. White as "the most gallant officer of the two South Carolina Regiments" is one of the escorts in charge. Neddy Howard was specially mentioned by Gen. Bragg to go to South Carolina with the Battery. So you see the reputation of South Carolina was ably sustained by her sons in the West. I can speak for this, for I acted as Assistant Adjutant General to Col. M. Commanding Brigade and was not Adjutant of the 10th, so I can tell its honors without the imputation of egotism. - C. Irvine Walker, 10th South Carolina
Infantry Note: Capt. White,
referred to above as ‘the most gallant officer’ was James L. White,
commander of Joe Ashcraft’s Company H, 19th South
Carolina Infantry. Battery: a unit of artillery guns; cannons, howitzers Enfilade: gunfire directed along the length of a column of troops. Ult./Ultimo: of the previous
month. Tullahoma, Tennessee Feb. 20, 1863 - Joe Ashcraft and the 10th/19th South Carolina Infantry were camped two miles south of Shelbyville along Flat Creek in Bedford County, Tennessee. Their regiment was now under direct
command of Col. J. F. Pressley. - January
1863 Camp, 19th Regiment, S.C. Vols. February 16, 1863 Dear Wilson:
Owing to the cold weather we have been furnished with an ample number of large and comfortable tents, to these tents have been built chimneys of the antique style with good fireplaces. The tents with these fireplaces are very comfortable even in cold or wet weather. Our camp is on Flat Creek, two miles from the Town of Shelbyville.” The sun shines to-day. The first day it has made its appearance for a week. If the weather continues clear Rosecrans will be down on us at an early date. When he comes we expect to give the General a 'grand ball.' I am
well. Shelbyville, Tenn. The last week has been spent on Picket. The weather was quite changeable. We had sunshine, clouds, rains, snow, sleet and wind. As we are not on "outpost”, the enemy did not interrupt us. The Union Advance Following the Confederate retreat from Stones River, Bragg’s and Rosecrans’ troops sat relatively idle for the next six months with the exception of cavalry raids on each other’s supply lines. Bragg has chosen Tullahoma as his headquarters and positioned his infantry regiments from Shelbyville, some twenty-six miles south of Murfreesboro, to Wartrace, a small town located aside the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. The Confederate cavalry was concentrated to the east at McMinnville. On Wednesday, June 24th Rosecrans began his march toward Tullahoma, a major supply post for Bragg and his Confederates. Rain began to fall that day and continued for fifteen straight days, making the roads impassible. The Union troops were slowed as they traveled through the woods to avoid the mud, a new trail having to be cut for almost every piece of heavy artillery. Bragg’s troops, too, were mired in mud. It was all but impossible to light a cook fire and keep it burning. Morale among the Southern soldiers was low. Their disgruntled corps commanders, thoroughly exasperated with ‘Pull-Back Bragg’ for refusing to let them fight the war, had become argumentative and otherwise non-communicative with their chief officer. That was a quandary that would lead to the loss of Confederate occupation of East Tennessee. Abraham Lincoln had long been pressing for Rosecrans to advance on the Army of Tennessee, fearful the Confederates would gain control of the vital railroad hub at Chattanooga and provide support for the Confederate troops at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Ultimately Rosecrans felt his army was ready to engage Bragg’s troops. Highland Rim, a range of mountains between Murfreesboro and Tullahoma, limited Rosecrans’ access to Bragg’s headquarters. However, there were four gaps which offered the Union troops access to Tullahoma. Rosecrans split his troops into three groups, choosing Manchester Road that ran through Hoover Gap as his major route of advance. The first detachment through the gap was none other than Union Col. John T. Wilder’s “Lightning Brigade”, a newly mounted infantry unit armed with Spencer repeating rifles. Twelve miles ahead of the main body of the Union army, Wilder’s dragoons approached Hoover’s Gap, noticing deserted Confederate entrenchments along the hills. The Union colonel soon learned that the Southern troops had been alerted to his approach. Just as the “Lightning Brigade” passed through the gap they were hit with massive infantry and artillery fire. The fighting raged and Wilder was concerned if he could hold his position against four infantry brigades and four artillery batteries until reinforcements arrived. The Confederates vigorously continued their fight, but were outgunned by the repeating rifles, the Yanks firing seven rounds to the Rebel’s one. Darkness descended and the hostilities were over for the day. At daybreak on the 25th, the fighting at Hoover’s Gap resumed with heavy skirmish and cannon fire. About the same time, fighting began along the Shelbyville Road near Manigault’s encampments when a column of advancing Yankees encountered the 10th/19th South Carolinians. The hostilities continued throughout the day. On the 26th, Rosecrans ordered a full advance toward Tullahoma. Wilder, now having the support he needed, forced his opponents southward. By the 27th, Rosecrans’ forces were occupying the town of Manchester flanking the Shelbyville-Wartrace Confederate infantry line. Joe and his comrades, too, were forced to retreat in the direction of Tullahoma. The field commanders that had been engaged at Hoover’s Gap feared that Bragg would further endanger their men by positioning them in the now-muddied entrenchments around Tullahoma. The earthworks had been constructed around Bragg’s headquarters as a primary line of defense during a Union attack. The field commanders knew that men in a ditch of muck would be no match for repeating rifles backed by heavy artillery. In addition, they were well aware that the rear positions at Tullahoma were extremely vulnerable to attack. Yet they waited two days to get word to Bragg before informing him of the approaching Union incursion. Upon hearing the news of Hoover Gap, Bragg abandoned the defense of Tullahoma. On the 27th, he began evacuating his troops completing his withdrawal by July 7th. Obeying a six-month-old order from Jefferson Davis, the Confederate general was finally en route to Chattanooga. Bragg was able to maintain control of Chattanooga, a vital
communications center for the Confederacy, until early September when
Rosecrans, having regrouped his scattered troops, forced the Army of
Tennessee from the city. Bragg retreated about forty miles southward to La
Fayette, Georgia. Battle of Chickamauga The Second Bloodiest Battle of the Civil War Rosecrans was determined to maintain control of Chattanooga and Bragg was just as determined to reoccupy it. Instead of re-establishing his troops and building his defenses in Chattanooga, Rosecrans renewed his offensive and struck out in pursuit of Bragg, bivouacking his troops six miles south of Chattanooga at Rossville, Georgia. Meanwhile, Bragg was bivouacked near the small town of La Fayette, Georgia about twenty miles or so almost due south of Rosecrans’ encampment where, unknown to Rosecrans, Bragg had replenished his supplies and reinforced his troops. On September 17th, Bragg began his advance northward along La Fayette Road. The following day, Joe and his fellow Confederates were positioned along Chickamauga Creek about twelve miles southeast of Chattanooga in mountainous terrain covered with scrub thickets, vines and briar. Bragg’s army waited in nervous anticipation of the approaching Union forces. Visibility was less the range of a rifle and the Rebels’ experience with the Spencer carbines was still fresh in their minds. The hostilities began in earnest on the morning of September 19th with Bragg concentrating on the Rosecrans’ left flank; however, neither side knew the precise dispositions of the other. The fighting swung back and forth throughout the day as one side attacked the other then, in turn, was itself attacked. As the day wore on however, the Confederate troops were able to repulse the Yankees yet they were unable to break their line. On the morning of the 20th Bragg, still attempting to
attack the Union’s left flank, had became aware that these assaults were
not producing results. He then ordered a full frontal attack. The fighting
was fierce. Rosecrans and most of the Union divisions soon began to
retreat toward their garrison at Rossville. Only one remained - the
division of Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas positioned just off Rossville Road
on the steep slopes of Snodgrass Hill. Snodgrass Hill September 20, 1863 During the afternoon, Joe and his unit were ordered to ‘fix
bayonets’ and moved perilously forward to attack what looked like and
impossible enemy position to overtake. Fighting in bloody hand-to-hand
combat as they advanced, the 19th South Carolina Infantry was
able to overtake the Yankee position capturing three artillery pieces as
they forced the enemy back. Of this battle, his left flank having been entirely exposed, the
regimental commander of the 10th/19th South
Carolina Infantry, Col. Joseph F. Pressley writes in his official report -
“…the enemy at the same time opening from
that direction a most terrific enfilade fire upon us with both musketry
and artillery, from the effects of which my command was suffering
intensely. Notwithstanding this, the men fought with great desperation,
and the left of my command, principally the Nineteenth Regiment, succeeded
in pushing forward, driving the enemy from three pieces of his artillery
and passing some distance beyond the captured guns. My position at this
time became a critical one, being comparatively isolated, and, after
having had some of my best officers disabled and many a noble soldier
killed or wounded, we were forced to retire.”
As Pressley’s men were forced to pull back, Brig. Gen. James P. Anderson’s Brigade came to their relief, a part of one of the regiments passing through Joe’s unit as they were pulling back. Pressley was then able to regroup the 10th/19th and continue behind Anderson’s troops in pursuit of the Yankees. The Rebels, under fire by Wilder’s Brigade and their Spencer repeating rifles, successfully repulsed their enemy after 3½ hours of gruesome combat. A monument stands today atop Snodgrass Hill placed in honor of Manigault’s Brigade. Having no time to tend their slashes, cuts, scrapes and bruises, Col. Pressley and his two South Carolina regiments rejoined their brigade at 3 p.m. and continued to Manigault’s location just to the west of Chickamauga Creek. During the night, the enemy had hastily constructed tree-felled breastworks and was holding a strong position on a high crest on the east side Rossville Road. Allied Gen. Bushrod Johnson’s brigade was positioned on a ridge to the east towards Chickamauga Creek when the 10th/19th South Carolina ascended the incline. Joining Johnson’s troops, Joe’s unit was positioned to the left extending across a ravine. Several times repulsed, yet remaining confident, the Confederates continued with repeated assaults as the Federals threw wave upon wave of reserve troops at them. Just before sunset, the Southerners made a final advance over the crest of the hill forcing the enemy to being its retreat toward Rossville. The Yankees continued to disappear into the darkness. Suddenly, a resounding Rebel yell filled the moonlit sky as the Confederates claimed their victory rushing forward to cover the entire meadow in a blanket of gray. On the field of conquest, the triumphant soldiers sat up camp for the night. “But by the determination of our brave soldiers and the firm resolve which seemed to pervade almost every breast that we would conquer or die, we succeeded about sunset in completely routing them and assisted in gaining for our artillery a signal victory. This ended the fighting in the battle. I am particularly indebted to…Lieut. Col. Julius T. Percher, Maj. J.L. White*, and Adj. J.O. Ferrell for valuable and efficient service rendered throughout the entire battle.” Col. Joseph F. Pressly, Commanding Colonel of the 10th and 19th South Carolina Infantry Regiments *Maj. J.L. White was
the company commander of Company H, 19th SC
Infantry. During the night, the beleaguered Yankees completed their withdrawal and headed back to Chattanooga. The following day, the Confederates buried their dead, tended their wounds and collected the spoils of victory. Bragg, however, did not pursue the Union army due both to the heavy
casualties suffered by his troops and the lack of additional military
support. Although considered a Confederate victory, this battle claimed
the lives of 18,454 Southern soldiers, 436 of them from the
10th/19th South Carolina Infantry. Joe Ashcraft had
survived. Missionary Ridge November 25, 1863 Not to give up, General Bragg led his troops toward Chattanooga in a leisurely pursuit of the defeated Yankees. Bragg moved his army to the outskirts of the city, placing Rosecrans’ troops under siege hoping to starve them out. However, because of Bragg’s unhurried pursuit, the Federals had ample time to prepare their defenses and open new supply routes. Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was given command of the Union’s Western armies and promptly replaced Rosecrans with Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas. In mid-November Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman arrived at Chattanooga bringing with him four divisions of troops and a passion for unwavering aggression. Bragg had established his troops near Chattanooga and was holding strong positions on Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. Both overlooked the city and the Tennessee River. The Confederates’ Missionary Ridge position covered a two-and-a-half mile front opposite Thomas’ center now positioned on Orchard Knob. On November 23rd Grant put his offensive operations into motion. The next day the Union forces assaulted the Confederate positions of Lookout Mountain. On the afternoon of November the 24th, following the fierce advance by Union troops, Bragg pulled his army back behind Chattanooga Creek, his rear guard burning the bridges behind it. On Missionary Ridge, Bragg set up three lines of defense and dug in. These included the 10th/19th South Carolina. The next day the Federals, although slowed by the burned bridges, attacked the Confederate forces routing the first line from their rifle pits all the while being subjected to continuous fire from above by the remaining two lines. Having placed his artillery and infantry trenches along the actual crest of the ridge, Bragg’s troops were unable to provide protective fire for his first-line entrenchment. While the Union advance was not well organized, it proved highly effective and the Yankees took Missionary Ridge. Winter Camp - Dalton, Georgia During the night of November 25th, the defeated Bragg ordered his troops to withdraw and the next day divided them into two groups, sending each on a different route to Dalton, Georgia. Here the battered and disillusioned Army of Tennessee set up winter quarters. Bragg had requested to be relieved of his command and his resignation was accepted. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston was ordered to Dalton as his replacement and on the 27th of December became commander of the Army of Tennessee. His duties began with the arduous task of reorganization and improvement of the troops’ morale. Manigault’s Brigade, too, was seeing restructuring. The 10th/19th South Carolina Infantry was split to once again become two separate regiments. Lt. Col. Thomas P. Shaw was given command of the 19th Regiment, Col. Pressley retaining leadership of the 10th. The brigade was then assigned to a division under command of the highly controversial and just as unpopular Maj. Gen. Thomas C. Hindman. Hindman’s Division became a part of Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood’s Second Corps, Hood assuming the position of corps commander on February 4th. Hindman had been relieved of his command of the Trans-Mississippi after his disastrous defeat at Prairie Grove, Arkansas in December of 1862. Joe Ashcraft’s brothers had fought in that battle where his youngest brother, Jonathan, had taken a round in the foot. Jonathan returned to duty but never fully recovered the effects of his wound. Now, Hindman was in Georgia commanding the division in which Joe was serving. The major general would continue with his contentious behavior. The Army’s troops remained at the winter quarters in Dalton until April. Johnston used this time to strengthen his defenses in anticipation of the certain Union advance toward Atlanta. Atlanta was a vital communications and logistic center in the south with several major railroads running through the area. It was the life-blood of the southeastern Confederate troops. During these months of defensive training, Johnston’s commanders were allowed to grant furloughs and many of the men were able to return home. The railroads in the southeastern states were still in control of the Confederacy and were under little threat from Union forces. So, with a train running right through Chesterville, South Carolina, Joe Ashcraft took advantage of the opportunity traveling over two hundred miles to his home. Joe was able to spend precious time with his family and take care
of chores that had gone undone in his absence. At this point in the
war, very few military engagements had taken place in his home state and
the family farm was in a reasonable state of repair. Joe’s baby sister and
her husband, Martha Jane and David Mann, lived nearby and would continue
helping Joe’s family upon his return to duty. Joe boarded the train back
to Dalton, unknowingly leaving his wife with child, but having a relative
sense of peace about his family’s well-being. The Atlanta
Campaign 1864 was a difficult and costly year for the Confederate Army as they entered into combat in northwest Georgia. The Atlanta Campaign officially began on May 1, 1864, but it wasn’t until the 6th that Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman gathered his troops to begin his march toward Atlanta. The Confederates had abandoned their winter quarters at Dalton and moved south to the town of Resaca. On May 13th Sherman began his assault on this rail and communications center where Johnston had heavily fortified the area. About 3:30 on the 14th the Federals advanced, assailing the Confederate troops. Hood unleashed his corps in a massive counterattack. At one point the Rebels were able to break the Union line, but Sherman succeeded in plugging the gap sending Hood’s corps back to the trenches. On May 15th, the Yankees again attempted an assault on Hood’s positions but were unsuccessful, the divisions under Hood holding the enemy at bay. However, Johnston, outmanned and outgunned, was astute enough to know he couldn’t retain control of Resaca. Joe and his fellow troops fought a short but furious hand-to-hand fight as they were forced to pull back from the town. Upon so doing, the Confederates destroyed all communications equipment and disrupted rail operations, making certain to burn the railroad bridge behind them. This maneuver interrupted what Sherman had hoped would be an almost immediate supply line for his troops. As evening fell, Sherman’s troops were occupying the town of Resaca as Johnston moved south to Adairsville. Cassville The Battle Never Was May 19, 1864 Finding the terrain at Adairsville unsuitable for a defense, Johnston moved the main body of his army further south to Cassville with Sherman’s left wing close behind. From here, Johnston hoped to destroy the pursuing Yankees before the rest of the Union army could come to its aid. Hood had been ordered to make the attack. Upon his advance, Hood, encountering a Union cavalry unit, mistook them for a massive body of infantry. Believing his men were vastly outnumbered, Hood pulled his corps back to the lines at Cassville. This misinterpretation of what Hood had actually confronted and his ultimate withdrawal gave Sherman time to amass his full command in front of Johnston’s line. An artillery duel began. Johnston soon realized, while the position he held would have been favorable for his planned attack on the Union army’s left wing, it was no place to defend itself from Sherman’s entire army. Thus, under cross-fire of the heavy guns, the Rebels pulled back to a ridge south of Cassville. Johnston was satisfied with this new position, the troops were ready for a fight and he began to plan for the next day’s battle. However, that evening Johnston held a council of war with his three corps commanders. During the meeting Johnston was told by Hood and Gen. Leonidas Polk that their position was not favorable for the Confederate line to hold against an attack and that it would be fatal to remain in the Cassville area. Reluctantly, with two of his subordinates unenthusiastic about the battle plan, Johnston agreed. Much to the disappointment of the rank and file who had anticipated the upcoming battle, the army retreated across the Etowah River to Allatoona Pass in the middle of the night. New Hope Church May 25-26, 1864 Sherman knew the Confederate position at Allatoona Pass was almost unassailable and hoped to slip past Johnston’s army en route to Atlanta without confrontation. May 23rd he began moving troops toward the town of Dallas capturing it on Saturday, May 25th. Johnston had anticipated Sherman’s evasive flanking maneuver and immediately, upon learning of Sherman’s route, had sent Gen. William J. Hardee’s corps to the small town of New Hope that lay just to the northeast of Dallas. Johnston then pulled the rest of his army out of Allatoona Pass sending Hood’s and Polk’s corps to follow Hardee. Upon arrival at New Hope, Hood hastily positioned his men near New Hope Church across a ridge that continued into the adjoining cemetery. Manigault’s Brigade was situated in a nearby wooded area. After pushing back a probing advance by the Yankees, Hood’s men hastily began to entrench. Sherman, believing he was only facing but a staunch Confederate cavalry unit, ordered Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker to make an all out assault. What followed was a massacre. Till yet unaware they were facing nearly all of Johnston’s army, the Yankees made three consecutive attacks on the well-entrenched Rebels. Union soldiers fell one after the other. Hooker relented, giving the Confederates a decisive victory, but only after more than 1,600 of his men had been cut down. This tragic Thursday was fortunate for Joe Ashcraft and his fellow
South Carolinians. Although under constant fire while positioned behind
their breastworks, the regiments of Manigault’s Brigade were not actively
engaged in the battle. Thus, they were spared the confrontational horrors
of the day’s blood-bath.
The Rebels and the Yankees continued their skirmishes as Johnston
made his way to establish new lines of defense along the Kennesaw Mountain
range. Here Johnston’s troops constructed a two-segment battle line
totaling twelve miles in length. The first line enveloped Brushy, Pine and Lost Mountains with a
Confederate signaling station atop each. Johnston had positioned heavy
artillery on each summit and on the high points in between.
Field fortifications of rifle pits and lengthy trenches manned by Rebel
infantry created a semi-circle around the mountains. Although Johnston’s
troops were outnumbered by the Yankees, they held the advantage by
occupying higher ground. June the 10th saw the beginning of the most disparaging conflict to involve Joe Ashcraft. The previous day Sherman had confirmed that Confederate troops occupied the Kennesaw Mountain range near Marietta. On June the 11th, Sherman formed his battle lines with the intention of breaching the Confederate center at Pine Mountain. The Union general, using a frontal attack, bombarded the mountain with heavy artillery fire; the Rebels held their ground. But, on the night of June 14th-15th, after observations from Pine Mountain indicated Sherman was in position to launch one of his flanking tactics, Johnston decided to withdraw his men from the area. The Confederate commander ordered the troops to the existing entrenchments in the hills between Kennesaw and Lost Mountains. Almost constant rain began to fall; the roads quickly turned into gullies of mud. Visibility was limited and run-of-the-mill movement was extremely difficult. The Battle at Kennesaw Mountain June 27,
1864 The Days
Preceding Sherman continued implementing his full frontal attacks on Johnston’s remaining entrenchments. Fighting was more complicated than usual because of continuous rains and precipitous terrain. Severely outmanned, Johnston again feared Sherman would implement flank- ing maneuvers in addition to his central advances so, on the 17th ordered his troops to abandon Lost Mountain. During the dark hours of the 18th-19th Johnston withdrew his troops eastward to his less vulnerable entrenchments centered on the side of Kennesaw Mountain. The six-mile long defense line ran across Big Kennesaw and Little Kennesaw Mountains on the Confederate right and extended across Pigeon and Cheatham Hills that lay in the flatland to the Confederate left. Marietta was located about two and a half miles to the southeast. This line of entrenchments was installed to protect the Marietta section of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, another major supply route to Atlanta. Johnston’s original intent had been to use Hoods’ men as a primary attack force. Instead Johnston ordered Hood into a position of strengthening his left flank which the Union command had believed was the Army of Tennessee’s weakest point. On the 20th, Hood sent Hindman’s and Stephenson’s Divisions to a point near Marietta on Powder Springs Road. Joe was camped there for two days. By noon on the 22nd the rain had stopped and the sun came out. Hood had been told that Union skirmishers were driving back the Confederate Cavalry and, totally without orders, had Hindman’s and Stephenson’s Divisions lead a full attack on Union troops at nearby Kolb’s (Culp’s) Farm. Joe Ashcraft and his fellow Rebels trudged through the mud thinking they’d make short order of a few Yankee skirmishers never needing three-fourths of the men that were behind them. To their surprise, Hood’s troops ran head-on into an entire enemy division accompanied by a full brigade with reinforcements being added by the minute. Heavy fighting ensued and Hood’s troops were disastrously defeated by the well-positioned enemy. The Yankees lost 350 men; 1,000 Confederate soldiers had fallen. Joe Ashcraft had survived yet another battle. After Hood’s fiasco, Sherman was now convinced that Johnston had spread his troops too thin. This assumption gave Sherman the confidence to launch a full frontal attack aimed at the center of the Confederate line around the Kennesaw Mountains. On the morning of June 27th Sherman unleashed an intense barrage of artillery fire on the Confederate entrenchments. After fifteen minutes of the deafening cannon fire, eight thousand Federal troops in a line two miles wide came across John Ward Creek attacking the Southern troops at the Dead Angle, Cheatham Hill and Pigeon Hill. “The Battle at Kennesaw Mountain” We were ready for the attack; we knew it was coming! My blood was a rushin’ and my heart was a poundin’. The rain had stopped but we were still knee-deep in mud. They were hittin’ us from all directions. Some of ‘em got within fifteen feet of our center where they were pounding us the hardest, before we dropped ‘em. Our boys to the north had to pull back aways but cross-fire from our trenches made the Yankees git after about ten minutes. A couple of other outfits overran our lines in a few spots but couldn’t take us. On a hill to the south of us, we were battering them hard with cannon fire, killing a lot of them with rifle shot. Even still, some of ‘em made it so close to our boys they were stabbed with bayonets. We took a few of ‘em prisoners, but didn’t have much time to fool with that. Just to the north of the Cheatham hill,
the woods had caught afire. The Yanks ran back in a hurry leaving their
wounded men behind. It wasn’t long we could hear screams and smell burning
flesh. About that time a colonel from Arkansas jumped up on one of our
embankments waving a white flag. He started hollerin’ for the Yanks to
come get their wounded ‘cause they were burning to death. The Yanks come
back out without their weapons and started gathering up their men. Some of
our men went to help them. They didn’t come at us again. The next day some
Union commanders gave that Arkansas colonel a pair of ivory-handled Colt
45’s.
-
Joe Ashcraft The Dead Angle "...A solid line of fire right from the muzzles of the Yankee guns, the hot blood of our dead and wounded spurting on us, the blinding smoke and stifling atmosphere filling our eyes and mouths...afterward, I heard a soldier saying that he thought 'Hell had broke loose in Georgia, sure enough'." -Private Sam R. Watkins, 1st Tennessee Infantry, Maney's Brigade at Kennesaw's Dead Angle, June 1864 Sherman was unable to route the well-entrenched Confederates and
his army had suffered horrendous casualties. By noon, the fighting was
over. Following the failed assault by the Yankees,
neither side was in a position to do anything but wait; the surrounding
roads were still muddy and impassable. But, as the earth dried,
Sherman began his move to flank the Rebels. Johnston, having a lookout
atop Kennesaw Mountain, learned of Sherman’s movements and withdrew his
troops during the night of July 2-3. The Capture of Pvt. Joseph J. Ashcraft On July 3rd, the retreating Army of Tennessee had left Marietta. Joe’s brigade commander, Brig. Gen. Arthur M. Manigault
wrote the following about the withdrawal… “On the night of the 2nd, General Johnston evacuated his lines around Marietta, and fell back five miles from Marietta to Smyrna Church camp ground. At about one o'clock on the morning of the 3rd, we reached our new position near the Smyrna camp ground. The night was a very dark one, and part of our line running thro [sic] a thick wood, it was impossible to get to work before daylight. The men threw themselves on the ground in rear of their stacks of arms, and slept until daybreak. As soon as it was light enough to see, the ground was laid out, and the labor of constructing breastsworks and batteries was commenced. In a few hours the lines were in a condition to resist an attack, and by midday the enemy were upon us. The rattle of musketry gave us a warning that our outposts were engaged, and shortly after their dark lines could be seen drawing towards us. Steadily and warily they felt their way onwards, until, arriving at a proper distance, they halted, going to work immediately to secure themselves in the same way that we had done. During the 3rd and 4th we were employed in strengthening our works, clearing out the woods in our front, where they existed, and constructing "abatis" and "palisades", fighting between the pickets going on all the time, as well as a steady artillery fire. I do not think that the position selected here was a very strong one…” A few hours after daylight, an adequate number of Confederate breastworks had been completed to allow the artillery units to get into position. By noon, the Yankees approached and began firing on the outposts of pickets that had been positioned to the forefront of the breastworks. Joe’s regiment was always out front in the thick of things making it likely Joe was on picket duty that day and was captured from his station. What an experience to happen on the
Lord’s Day! I hope Mama’s a prayin’ for me. Looks like I’m in for a real
battle sure
enough. Joe, along with his captured comrades, were herded into a box car and transported to Nashville, Tennessee where a record of his arrival was made on Tuesday, July 12th. On the 13th, his train reached Louisville, Kentucky and Joe was transported that same day to Camp Morton in Indianapolis, Indiana. Joe arrived at the prison on Thursday, the 14th. Camp Morton July 14, 1864 - March 15,
1865 By now, 4,900 prisoners were incarcerated at Camp Morton. No improvements or accommodations had been made to house that many men. And, although the Confederate troops had enough food while fighting with the Army of Tennessee, fresh vegetables and fruits had not been an adequate part of their diet. Prison certainly didn’t afford these dietary necessities and scurvy soon became prevalent among the inmates. The camp was overrun with rodents and plagued by infectious disease. However, conditions - such as they were - were said to have been much better than other Union prison camps. Camp Morton reportedly had the lowest mortality rate of them all. The winter of 1864-65 was severe and one of the coldest on record. On January 1st of 1865 temperatures dropped to twenty degrees below zero as the area experienced a severe snowstorm. The last snow that season was reported on April 16th. This was an extreme hardship for Southerners who were unaccustomed to the frigid temperatures. Ironically, at the time Joe was here in Indiana his brother, Jonathan, was suffering the same conditions some three hundred miles to the west at Rock Island prison in Illinois. The long barracks were heated with cast iron stoves, but they only provided heat to those who were fortunate enough to be close to them. Prisoners rotated sleeping positions taking turns near the stoves. Blankets were in short supply and were supplemented by hay and straw as bedding. Joe Ashcraft spent almost eight months enduring the hardships at Camp Morton. While here, he learned his wife had given birth sometime late in the fall to their daughter, Eliza. In February and March of 1865, arrangements for prisoner exchanges were made between the Union and the Confederacy. Five hundred men were selected for each assemblage of inmates, with those weakened from wounds and illness to be the first prisoners processed. Sadly - in that he was ill - Joe Ashcraft qualified for release. On March 15th Joe was paroled from Camp Morton and boarded a train car on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. His destination was the prisoner exchange depot at the Federal prison located at Point Lookout, Maryland. From there Joe traveled to Richmond where he was taken to Receiving and Wayside Hospital and admitted on March 22nd. Two days later he was sent to nearby Jackson Hospital. One of Joe’s fellow prisoners who had been released from Camp Morton a month before Joe wrote the following: In February, 1865, our hearts were
gladdened with the assurance that a cartel had been agreed upon and a
draft of five hundred prisoners was ordered for exchange. The selection
was chiefly from those disabled by wounds or sickness, and I fell in with
this number. We came by rail to Baltimore, and by steamer to Aiken's
Landing on the James River, thence on foot to Richmond. With what a yell
did we welcome liberty when our guards in blue turned back and we rushed
over the breast-works and were once more among our own
"boys." - from “Cold Cheer in Camp Morton”, an
article written by Dr. John A. Wyeth,
a former prisoner, published in the April 1891 issue of Century Monthly
Magazine. By April 1, 1865, 1,408 prisoners remained at Camp Morton. With General Lee’s surrender on April 9, all of the remaining prisoners were released after they were administered the oath of parole. Replaced earlier by John Bell Hood, Joe Johnston having regained command of the Army of Tennessee in February surrendered the 19th South Carolina Infantry on April 26, 1865, with but 76 men remaining in the regiment. A month later at Charlotte, North Carolina where Gen. Joe Johnston had established his headquarters, Joe Ashcraft received his official parole papers on May 23, 1865. Those papers were a ticket to a train ride home. Joe boarded the train and made the 40-plus mile trip back home to Chester County, South Carolina. Sherman, as did many of the Union troops, held great contempt for South Carolina, blaming the state for being the leader of the rebellion against the United States actually causing the Civil War. Sherman’s destruction of South Carolina was the final blow to the South. The states capitol, Columbia, was captured on February 17th and two thirds of the city was burned. The remaining third was otherwise destroyed. What Joe Ashcraft came home to was heart-breaking. Groups of Sherman’s men had moved into parts of Chester County destroying homes and farms. Joe’s place was in shambles and sixteen days after signing his parole papers, Mary Ann died. Joe, weak from illness and saddened of heart, had no fight left in him nor did he have the will to live. Notes: Mary Ann Clinton Ashcraft is buried in Neely’s Creek Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Cemetery, York County SC near her family. The information about Joe’s wife was contributed by Linda Reid of Katy TX. Joseph Joel does not appear on any census after 1860; his mother took his children with her when she moved to Arkansas about 1866. Joe’s mother died in the 1870s and two of his daughters are known to have gone back to South Carolina to live with their Clinton grandmother. References: Federal census
records; History of Edgefield County from the Earliest Settlements to
1897. Chapman, John A. Newberry SC. A. H. Aul Co. 1897, Reprint 1998
Eastern Digital Resources; Official Records of the Union and Confederate
Armies prepared under direction of the Secretary of War, approved June 16,
1880; Compiled Service Records of Joseph J. Ashcraft [indexed James G.
Ashcraft], NARA; Civil War Dictionary by Mark M. Boatner III;
Echoes of Glory, Civil War Battle Atlas published by Times Life
Books; letter written by USA Col. James Connolly July 5, 1863 taken
from Three Years in the Army of the Cumberland, 1959; The Battle
of Kennesaw by Randy Golden, written for ‘About North Georgia’;
Camp Morton 1861-1865 - Indianapolis Prison Camp by Hattie Lou
Winslow and Joseph R. H. Moore, Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis,
IN, 1995, originally published in 1940 as Vol. 13, No. 3 of the
Indiana Historical Society Publications; Indiana in the War of
the Rebellion, Vol. 1; Report of the Adjutant General, by W.H.H.
Terrell, Indianapolis, IN, 1869; Prisoners of War, 1861-65 by
Thomas Sturgis, Knickerbocker Press, New York, 1912; A Carolinian Goes
To War, the Civil War narrative of Arthur Middleton Manigault, Brig.
Gen. CSA, published for the Charleston Library Society by the University
of South Carolina Press, ©1983.
|
