Lost by Co E 58th Ind at Chickamauga

[Matthew.Rector]

I was browsing through some of the papers belonging to my 3rd great grandfather, Capt. Jacob E. Voorhees-Co. E, 58th Indiana Vol Inf., and found a document that I transcribed below. Thought it might be of interest to some. About the time of the battle Voorhees was at an officer's hospital in Nashville.

Camp Chattanooga Tenn
September 63

I certify on honor, that on the 19th and 20th days of September 1863 at Chickamauga River Georgia the stores enumerated below were lost, under the following circumstances:

The Regiment to which my company belongs, was directed to advance under the fire of the enemy, and in so doing, four non commissioned officers and four privates were severely wounded

The arms carried by all these men were left on the field, as we were repulsed and they could not be recovered. The following is the list of the stores so abandoned.

7 Enfield rifle muskets. Cal. 58
1 French rifle musket. “ 69
8 Inft. Cartridge boxes & plates
8 Inft. Cartridge box belt & plates
8 Inft. Waist belts & plates
8 cap pouches & picks
8 ball screws
15 Tompions-4 Non Com officers swords

George W. Hill
1st Lieut. 58th Ind. Vols.
Comdg. Compy. E

I certify in honor that the facts set forth, and that they are correct to the best of my knowledge and belief
Arthur Mouser
Sargt Co. E
58th Ind Vols

Lt. Hill and Sgt. Mouser were wounded at Missionary Ridge later that year.

[PogueMahone]

Eight guys were carrying 15 tompions?

I wonder if the NCOs were carrying spares?

Sarcasm Hat ON:
NCO swords? What farb would be carrying an NCO sword in 1863? No hardcore in his right mind would do such a thing!!

Sarcasm Hat Off.
Nice documentation. It would be interesting to see what the ordnance and weaponry issue was prior to the battle/campaign. Was that one odd musket an anamoly or were there others? Maybe a sergeant carrying an odd weapon as a file closer?

[Pvt_Sullivan]

I am interjecting some modern military thought here...

But wouldn't a major battle with a wild and rampant retreat be a good time to 'combat loss' (using the modern term) a couple of NCO Swords you used as camp fire spits a year ago and left in Knoxville, as well as the 7 tompions your soldiers lost but you didn't have the heart to charge them for?

That is good stuff, thanks for posting it Matt.

[PogueMahone]

Because at the regular inspections someone would have put it in a little notebook and it would have gotten reported.

I was being slightly facetious. Ralsa Rice was wearing an NCO sword when the 125th Ohio entered Franklin in 1862. I quote it so often I have it bookmarked.

[Pvt_Sullivan]

Joe, to further my thoughts...

Chickamauga was in September. The previous ordnance return was submitted in June and the next one due in October. Great chance to clear the books eh?

That is a bit of joking.

Now, tompions... those things are small. Unless you have a penchant for holding on to things... would you worry about a tompion that is nearly useless in a drawn out fight?

[Matthew.Rector]

Sarcasm Hat Off.
Nice documentation. It would be interesting to see what the ordnance and weaponry issue was prior to the battle/campaign. Was that one odd musket an anamoly or were there others? Maybe a sergeant carrying an odd weapon as a file closer?

I actually might have that ordnance report. I'll have to look through them! If I find it I'll transcribe and post....
(I assume the returns and reports my 3rd great grandfather retained are the company copies?)

[Bill]

When I read this report, I had two thoughts. First, some things never change. Second, I wondered why the good Sergeant reported eight Ball Screws missing, but no Wipers or Cone wrench/Screw drivers?

[LWhite64]

In regards to the NCO swords there other accounts of them being used at Chickamauga, one in the 24th SC where a Sgt had the hilt shot off of his, and there is a US one that survives with battle damage that was picked up off the field.

Lee

[Matthew.Rector]

I haven’t located any ordnance records yet, but I did find some invoices for items transferred to and from 1st Lt. George Hill, for Company E, 58th Indiana prior to and after the battle.

Here are a few I have transcribed thus far.

Clothing, camp, and garrison equipage transferred by the Regt Quartermaster (58th Ind) to 1st Lt. George Hill invoiced on August 31, 1863.

8 hats
2 pair pants
2 flannel shirts
2 pair drawers
12 pair stockings
2 camp kettles
12 pair shoes
6 mess pans
2 pair boots

Next document…..
The paper I transcribed below was written on lined paper, in lieu of an official form. The prices cited in the item description were written as such, for example $2 22/100-but I’ve changed that in the transcription. I believe these are provisions being returned…

“The United States to George W. Hill 1st Lieut Comg Co “E” 58th Regt Ind Vol [all items dated forAugust 31, 1863]

2 Bushels Beans at $2.98 per ? [Total] $5.97
110 pounds Rice at 8 86/100 cents per pound [Total] $9.74 ½
11 Gallons Vinegar at 10 cents per gallon [Total] $1.10
16/32 Bushel Peas at $2.22 per bushel [Total] $1.11
1 Pound Adamantine Candles at $18.95 [Total]
2 Pounds Soap at 6 ¾ cents per pound [Total] .13 ½
Total $18.25

I certify that the articles above mentioned are the actual savings of my company for the month of August 1863
George W. Hill 1st Lieut
Comg Co “E” 58th Regt Ind Vol

Examined
George P Buell
Col. 58th Ind Vols Comdg Brig

I certify that the above account is correct and just –that the articles mentioned have been taken upon my Return of Provisions for August 1863 and that I have not paid the account
J R Warner
Capt. Co. K 26th Ohio Vols
& ACS 1st Brigade 1st Div 21st AC

Received
1863 from the sum of eighteen dollars and twenty five cents in full of the above account
George W. Hill 1st Lieut
Comg Co “E” 58th Regt Ind Vol

Next document…..

Clothing, camp, and garrison equipage transferred by the Regt Quartermaster (58th Ind) to 1st Lt. George Hill for the month of September 1863

2 Privates Coats (2 “on hands to be accounted for”)
8Trousers (3 issued) (5 “on hands to be accounted for”)
1 Blouse (1 “on hands to be accounted for”)
22 Flannel Shirts (8 Issued) (14 “on hands to be accounted for”)
7 pairs of Drawers (4 issued) (3 “on hands to be accounted for”)
1 Cavalry boots (1 “on hands to be accounted for”)
18 Infantry Boots (3 issued) (15 “on hands to be accounted for”)
27 Stockings (14 issued) (13 “on hands to be accounted for”)
1 great coat (1 “on hands to be accounted for”)
2 Blankets Rubber (2 “on hands to be accounted for”)
1 Knapsacks & straps (1 “on hands to be accounted for”)
10 Haversacks (3 issued) (7 “on hands to be accounted for”)
10 Canteens & Straps (4 issued) (6 “on hands to be accounted for”)
2 Blankets woolen (1 issued) (1 “on hands to be accounted for”)
7 axes (7 “on hands to be accounted for”)
7 axe handles (7 “on hands to be accounted for”)
2 spades (2 “on hands to be accounted for”)
6 Camp Kettles (6 “on hands to be accounted for”)
10 Mess Pans (10 “on hands to be accounted for”)
3 Camp Hatchets (3 “on hands to be accounted for”)
21 Shelter Tents (21 “on hands to be accounted for”)
4 Pick axes (4 “on hands to be accounted for”)
4 Pick axe handles (4 “on hands to be accounted for”)
1 morning report book (1 “on hands to be accounted for”)
1 clothing account book (1 “on hands to be accounted for”)
1 descriptive book (1 “on hands to be accounted for”)
1 order book (1 “on hands to be accounted for”)
1 clothing returns (1 “on hands to be accounted for”)
1 recpt rolls (1 “on hands to be accounted for”)