22nd Regiment, Kentucky Infantry

 


HISTORICAL NOTES:

    The 22d Regiment of Kentucky Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Swigert, Greenup County, Ky., on the 12th day of December, 1861, under D. W. Lindsey, as colonel; Geo. W. Monroe, lieutenant-colonel, and Wesley Cook, major, by which officers the regiment was principally recruited. Company A was recruited from the city of Louisville and Franklin county; Companies B and C from Greenup county; Company D from Carter county; Company E from Lewis county; Company F from Franklin and Greenup counties; Company G from Carter and Company K from the city of Louisville. Previous to larger portion of Company F were stationed at Frankfort, Ky., and did efficient service under the direction of the state authority. The remaining companies of the regiment were in Eastern Kentucky, and operated effectively in the section of this state, and also in West Virginia.

    Immediately after the organization of the regiment, it was ordered up the Sandy Valley, and rendered most important service in the expedition against the rebel general, Humphrey Marshall. A detachment of the 22d, and of the 14th Ky. Infantry, under command of Lieut. Col. Monroe, during the battle of Middle Creek, charged and dislodged from a strong position the command of Gen. Williams, C.S.A., which movement, as the commanding officer, Gen. Garfield, reports, was "determinate of the day."

    The mission up the Sandy having been accomplished, the 22d was ordered by way of Louisville to Cumberland Gap, and proved to be one of the regiments chiefly relied upon by Gen. G. W. Morgan for the capture of that point. During the stay of Gen. Morgan at the Gap, the discipline and efficiency of this regiment was frequently mentioned in general orders, and after the battle of Tazewell to the 22d was assigned the duty of covering the retreat of DeCourcy's brigade from that field.

    During the retreat of Gen. Morgan's division from Cumberland Gap, to the Ohio river, this regiment was assigned to responsible duty, and discharged the same in such manner as to receive the praise of the commanding general.

    Immediately after reaching the Ohio River, Morgan's division, with the exception of Gen. Barid's brigade, was ordered up the Kanawha valley to the relief of Gen. Cox. After driving the enemy beyond Gauley Bridge the same command was ordered south, and reached Memphis, Tenn., about the 15th day of November, 1862. At this place the division received some thirty men from Capt. R. B. Taylor's company, who was assigned to Company I, and Capt. Estep, successor to Capt. Taylor, was assigned to the command of that company.

    The regiment, then composing a part of Morgan's division, of Sherman's command, proceeded down the Mississippi River, and on the 28th and 29th of December, 1862, attached the works of the enemy, upon the Yazoo river, at Haynes' Bluff, or Chickasaw Bayou. In the charge on the 29th, the 22d lost a number of killed and wounded, among whom were those gallant officers Captains Garrard and Hegan, and Lieut. Truett, killed, and Liet. Col. Monroe, Captains Bruce and Gathright, and Lieutenants Bacon and Gray, wounded.

    Shortly after the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, the Army of the Mississippi, under Maj. Gen. Mclernand, captured and destroyed Arkansas Post, a strong position upon the Arkansas River, in which affair the 22d bore an honorable part.

    After remaining at Young's point and Milliken's Bend two or three months this regiment, with McClernand's corps, the 13th, of which it formed a part, took the lead in the movement, by way of Bruensburg, to invest Vicksburg from the rear; the 22d performing an important part in all the engagements incident thereto, as well as in the capture of Vicksburg. After the surrender of that important point the regiment marched with the brigade to which it was attached, and assisted in the capture of Jackson, Miss. The 22d, then following the fortune of the 13th Army Corps, was sent to the Gulf Department, where it rendered good service.

    The regiment veteranized at Baton Rouge in March, 1864, and was consolidated with the 7th Ky. Veteran Infantry; the non-veterans being mustered out at Louisville, Ky., January 20, 1865.

    The regiment was engaged in the following named general engagements, besides numerous skirmishes, viz: Middle Creek, Ky.; Cumberland Gap, Tazewell, Tenn.; Haynes' Bluff, or Chickasaw Bayou, Miss.; Arkansas Post, Port Gibson or Thompson's Hill, Champion Hill or Baker's Creek, Big Black Bridge, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., and Red River; in almost all of which the regiment was commanded by Lieut. Col. Monroe; Col. Lindsey being in command of the brigade or division.

    As an evidence of the appreciation in which this regiment was held by commanding officers, the following official correspondence and orders are published:

    "Headquarters Ky. Volunteers, A. G. O." Frankfort, January 30, 1862.

    Col. D. W. Lindsey, 22d Ky. Volunteers, Paintsville:

    Colonel: . . . . . All accounts concur in giving honor and praise to your men engaged in Middle Creek Fight.

    The reported gallantry of your men has given infinite satisfaction to their friends here.

    Very truly yours,

    (Signed) Jno. W. Finnell.

    Adjutant-General Kentucky Volunteers."

    "Headquarters 13th Army Corps,

    Near Vicksburg, June 5, 1863.

    Governor: I have the honor to inform you that there are two general officers and three regiments, the 7th, 19th and 22d Ky., in the 13th Army Corps. Department of the Tennessee, under my command, who crossed the Mississippi river with me, at Bruensburg, below Grand Gulf, on the 30th day of April, and who took part in the battles of Thompson's Hill, on the 1st of May; Champion Hills, on the 16th; Big Black Bridge, on the 17th of May, and at Vicksburg, beginning on the 19th of May and continuing up to the present time.

    I am most happy, sir, to congratulate you, and, through you, your noble state, for the victories won by the common effort of her brave sons with those of sister states, and to bear testimony to the gallantry, bravery and good conduct of her officers and men in all these bloody struggles. They bore themselves with the unflinching steadiness of veterans, both under galling fires of artillery and musketry, and in making charges upon fortified lines.

    They have shown themselves compeer and fit companions in arms with brave men of sister states in a series of battles, in which it has become impossible to make particular mention of those who distinguished themselves, without mentioning, individually, both officers and men.

    Your most obedient servant,

    (Signed" John A. McClernand.

    Major-General Commanding 13th Army Corps, Dept. of the Tenn. His Excellency James F. Robinson, Governor of Kentucky."

    NOTE – During the operations in the South, the 22d Ky. Infantry belonged to D. W. Lindsey's 2d Brigade of Osterhaus' division, 13th Army Corps.

    The following are extracts from the official reports of Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand of date June 17, 1863, headquarters 13th Army Corps, Vicksburg, Miss.:

    Battle of Champion Hill

    . . . . .In front of my center, as well as by right, the enemy appeared in great numbers. Garrard’s brigade was hard pressed, and Gen Osterhaus requested that it should be supported. All of Lawler’s brigade of Carr’s division, except a reserve of one regiment, also advanced to support Lindsey’s, who had pushed a charge near the mouth of the battery. Lawler’s brigade had cast the trembling balance in our favor. Himself narrowly escaping the effect of a shall-his men joined Lindsey, and both dashed forward, shooting down the enemy’s battery, horses, driving away his gunners and capturing two pieces of cannon.

    . . . . The enemy, thus beaten at all points, fled in confusion, the main body along the road leading to Vicksburg, a fragment to the left of that road. Gen. Carr’s division taking the advance, hotly pressed the former, and Lindsey’s and Burbridge’s brigades the latter, until night closed in, each taking many prisoners.

    Battle of Big Black River

    . . . Osterhaus’ division was ordered to form to the right of the road, Lindsey’s brigade in front and the remaining two regiments of Garrard’s brigade obliquely on the left and rear of Lindsey’s to counteract any movement in that direction. My right center and left engaged the enemy with increasing effect; and, dashing forward under a heavy fire across a narrow field, and with fixed bayonets, carried the enemy’s works, capturing many prisoners and routing him. This feat was eminently brilliant, and reflects the highest credit upon the gallant officers and men of Gen. Lawler’s and Osterhaus’ commands, who achieved it. It was determinate of the success of the day. Most of the enemy escaped to the commanding bluff, on the opposite side of the river, while others, hotly pressed by Benton’s brigade and the right of Lindsey’s, were cut off from that escape; and, driven to the left and down the river, upon the left of Lindsey’s and the front of Burbridge’s brigades, fell into their hands. Seige of Vicksburg - Storming on 22d of May

    Five minutes before 10 o’clock the bugle sounded the charge, and at 10 o’clock my columns of attach moved forward, and within fifteen minutes Lawler’s and Landram’s brigades had carried the ditch, slope and bastion of a fort. Some of the men, emulous of each other, rushed into the fort, finding a piece of artillery, and in time to see the men who had been serving and supporting it escape behind another defense commanding the interior of the former. . . . Within fifteen minutes after Lawler’s and Landram’s success Benton’s and Burbridge’s brigades, fired by the example, rushed forward and carried the ditch and slope of a heavy earthwork, and planted their colors on the latter.

    . . . Men never fought more gallantly, nay, more desperately. For more than eight long hours they maintained their ground with death-like tenacity; neither the blazing sun nor the deadly fire of the enemy shook them; their constancy and valor filled me with admiration. The spectacle was one never to be forgotten.

    Meantime, Osterhaus’ and Hovey’s forces, forming the column of assault on the left, pushed forward, under a severe fire, upon a more extended line, until an enfilading fire from a strong redoubt on their left front, and physical exhaustion, compelled them to take shelter behind a ridge. Here they could distinctly hear the words of hostile command. Their skirmishers, however, kept up the conflict. . . .

    While referring to the reports of division, brigade and regimental commanders, for particular notice of the officers of their commands most distinguishing themselves, it is proper, as commander of the corps, that I should recommend Brig. Gens. Hovey, Carr and Osterhaus for promotion: also Cols. Slack, Stone, Keigwin, Landram. Lindsey and Mudd. The skill, valor and signal services of those officers entitle them.

    The history of the 7th Ky. Infantry is here referred to as illustrating the service in the same campaigns with the 22d. For faithful and gallant service Col. D. W. Lindsey was recommended for promotion to brigadier-general. He was ordered to Kentucky to be assigned to the position of adjutant-general of the state. Under this administration of this office the efficiency of the Kentucky regiments was greatly increased. After the war he published the invaluable collection of records, known as the Adjutant-General’s Report. He is at this date one of the most eminent lawyers in Kentucky and resides at Frankfort.

    Orlando Brown, Jr., adjutant of the 22d, subsequently became lieutenant-colonel of the 14th Ky. Infantry.

    Regiment lost during service 3 Officers and 48 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 145 Enlisted men by disease. Total 199.

FIELD OFFICERS:

ASSIGNMENTS:

    Organized at Louisa, Ky., January 20, 1862.

    Attached to 18th Brigade, Army of the Ohio, to March, 1862.

    26th Brigade, 7th Division. Army of the Ohio, to October, 1862.

    4th Brigade, District of West Virginia, Dept. of the Ohio, to November, 1862.

    3rd Brigade, 9th Division, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862.

    3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, Sherman's Yazoo Expedition to January, 1863.

    3rd Brigade, 9th Division, 13th Army Corps, to February, 1863.

    2nd Brigade, 9th Division, 13th Army Corps, to July, 1863.

    4th Brigade, 1st Division, 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to August, 1863;

    Dept. of the Gulf to September, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 13th Army Corps, to November, 1863.

    Plaquemine, District of Baton Rouge, La., Dept. of the Gulf, to :March, 1864.

    2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 13th Army Corps, to June, 1864.

    2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to December, 1864.

SERVICE:

    Operations in Eastern Kentucky until March, 1862.

    Garfield's Campaign against Humphrey Marshall December 23, 1861, to January 30, 1862.

    Advance on Paintsville, Ky., December 30, 1861, to January 7, 1862.

    Jennie's Creek January 7, Occupation of Paintsville October 8.

    Abbott's Hill January 9.

    Middle Creek, near Prestonburg, January 10.

    Occupation of Prestonburg January 11.

    Expedition to Pound Gap, Cumberland Mountains, March 14-17.

    Pound Gap March 16.

    Cumberland Gap Campaign March 28-June 18.

    Cumberland Mountain April 28.

    Occupation of Cumberland Gap June 18-September 16.

    Operations about Cumberland Gap August 2-6.

    Tazewell August 6.

    Evacuation of Cumberland Gap and retreat to Greenup, on the Ohio River, September 16-October 3.

    West Liberty September 24.

    Expedition to Charleston, W. Va., October 21-November 10.

    Moved to Memphis, Tenn., November 10-15, and duty there until December 20.

    Sherman's Yazoo Expedition December 20, 1862, to January 3, 1863.

    Chickasaw Bayou December 26-28.

    Chickasaw Bluff December 29

    Expedition to Arkansas Post, Ark., January 3-10, 1863.

    Assault and capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, January 10-11.

    Moved to Young's Point, La., January 17-22 and duty there until March.

    Operations from Milliken's Bend to New Carthage March 31-April 17.

    Movement on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30.

    Battle of Port Gibson May 1.

    Battle of Champion's Hill May 16.

    Big Black River Bridge May 17.

    Siege of Vicksburg May 18-July 4.

    Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22.

    Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 5-10.

    Near Clinton July 8.

    Siege of Jackson July 10-17.

    At Big Black until August 13.

    Ordered to New Orleans, La., August 13.

    Duty at Carrollton, Brashear City and Berwick until October.

    Western Louisiana Campaign October 3-November 21.

    Duty at Plaquemine November 21, 1863, to March 24, 1864; and at Baton Rouge until April.

    Ordered to Alexandria, reporting there April 26.

    Red River Campaign April 26-May 22.

    Graham's Plantation May 5.

    Retreat to Morganza May 13-20.

    Mansura May 16.

    Expedition to the Atchafalaya May 31-June 6.

    Duty at Morganza, at mouth of the White River, Ark., and at Baton Rouge, La., until January, 1865.

    Mustered out January 20, 1865.

    Veterans and Recruits transferred to 7th Kentucky Infantry.

ROSTERS:

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