Episode 46: 1LT Charles T. Clark and the 125th Ohio at the Battle of Missionary Ridge

At the Battle of Missionary Ridge, 25 November 1863, 1LT Charles T. Clark and the 125th Ohio advanced in the Second Line of their brigade in what was intended to be the seizure of Confederate Rifle Pits at the base of the ridge. Once completing this, the Ohioans rallied with the rest of their Division and joined in the spontaneous charge of the Army of the Cumberland up the face of Missionary Ridge.

Sources used for this episode:

Clark, Charles T. Opdyke Tigers 125th O.V.I. A History of the Regiment and of the Campaigns and Battles of the Army of the Cumberland. Columbus: Spahr & Glenn, 1895. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=loc.ark:/13960/t8qc07r7f&seq=9.

Davis, George B., Perry, Leslie J., Kirkley, Joseph W. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser. 1, vol. 31, pt: 2: Reports. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1890. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077700270&view=1up&seq=3.

Transcript

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The co-mingling of regiments brought groups of battle flags near together. Soon. There was an apparent rivalry as to whose flag should lead. All of them were pushed to the front and then advanced by short stages each striving to lead. By this time, the assaulting troops were in triangular masses in every ravine and gorge. Each detachment headed by a group of flags, followed by tired, perspiring, panting, thirsty, but resolute soldiers. Hi, my name is Bill Coghlan and host the first person Civil War podcast. While the generals of both sides get most of the recognition, the Civil War was fought by the men in the ranks, and they told their stories during and after the war. I. Follow me as I reveal what these men witnessed in the battles of the Civil War. Episode 46 is entitled First Lieutenant Charles T. Clark in the 125th Ohio at the Battle of Missionary Ridge and relies on his book Dyke Tigers 125th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, A History of the Regiment and of the Campaigns and Battles of the Army of the Cumberland, which he published in 1895. Charles Theodore Clark was born on 17 January, 1845 in Dalton, Ohio, and lived in Liberty Township during his childhood. After attending Mount Union College for two years. He enlisted as a First Sergeant in Company I 85th Ohio on 26 May, 1862. The 85th Ohio was intended to have a strength of 10 companies like most civil war regiments, but was only able to muster four companies for service in Camp Chase 23 September, 1862. The 85th Ohio disbanded, but men like Charles T. Clark were able to transfer to other regiments forming around Cleveland, Ohio on 24 September, 1862. The very next day, Charles T. Clark accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in Company F of the 125th Ohio. The 125th Ohio derived their nickname, the Dyke Tigers from their first commander, Colonel Emerson Dyke, present at the first Battle of Bull Run and Shiloh Colonel Dyke formed the 125th Ohio and commanded the regiment through the Battle of Chick Maga and into the siege of Chattanooga in late 1863. The 125th Ohio was part of the army of the Cumberland, who in September, 1863 were met with defeat at the hands of general Braxton Bragg and his army of Tennessee at the Battle of Chicka maga. Following the battle, the army of the Cumberland retreated to the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and established defensive positions. General Bragg and the army of Tennessee occupied key terrain features around the city of Chattanooga. There was Lookout Mountain to the Southwest, which had a commanding view of the city. Missionary Ridge, approximately 330 feet elevation to the east throughout the remainder of September and October, the Confederate slate siege to now first Lieutenant Clark, the 125th Ohio, and the army of Cumberland. As soon as the exterior lines of works was complete, an interior line was laid out, intended to enable a small force to hold the town where the main body operated elsewhere, and the troops took regular turns at labor. Upon the new works, the deprivation of full rations was on that account more seriously. Felt half rations, only were issued before long, even that scanty supply became uncertain. Chattanooga during the Civil War was a logistics hub and the key to future operations of the union and Confederate armies. The Tennessee River flowed through the city, and it was also a hub for four separate railroads that linked the south. Together, though besieged union reinforcements began converging upon Chattanooga, which included the army of the Tennessee Fresh from its victory at Vicksburg and two core from the army of the Potomac. What followed was a series of battles on the periphery of Chattanooga, where the union solidified its supply lines into the city known as the Cracker Line. During those two months of siege, three men from the 125th Ohio died, but eventually, conditions within the city began to improve for first Lieutenant Clark and his regiment. On November 2nd. The rations were increased from one half to two thirds the regular allowance on the 16th company. I arrived from Ohio with three officers and 80 men who are most heartily. Welcome to the ranks of the 125th and a full share of short rations and arduous duties. By late November, 1863, the Union Buildup of Troops was now complete and first Lieutenant Clark and the 125th Ohio were assigned to the third Brigade. Commanded by Colonel Charles g Harker of Major General Philip h Sheridan's. Second division of Major General Gordon Granger's, fourth core and major General George h Thomas's Army of the Cumberland, which was alongside the army of the Tennessee and hooker's command, which comprised the military division of the Mississippi commanded by major General Ulysses S Grant. First Lieutenant Clark in the 125th Ohio, departed their fortifications alongside the army of the Cumberland on 23 November to push Confederate lines up against Missionary Ridge. Then over in the direction of Fort Wood. A bugle sounded advance, and instantly the peaceful pageant changed to the tragedy of battle. With a shout. The skirmishers ran forward, followed by the lines marching in QuickTime down, went the Confederates into their pits and opened fire. The distance from Fort Wood to Orchard Knob was a little over one mile extending from the knob to the right and left. The enemy had rifle pits to which their picket reserves and possibly other troops near at hand were thrown and made a vigorous, but hopeless resistance on 24 November. Major general hooker's command, which were the two transferred core from the east seized lookout mountain from Confederate hands, and what became known as the battle above the clouds. The next day, 25 November. Major General Sherman's army of the Tennessee was tasked with advancing on the Confederate fortifications on Missionary Ridge from the north while major General Thomas's army of the Cumberland were to advance in the Center Up missionary ridge and support despite the union advances on 23 November, the Confederates still held defensive positions at the base and summit of Missionary Ridge Major General William b Bate commander of Breckenridge's division made preparations for the expected union advance. By repeated application from the front, representing the picket force there without support on the left. I was induced upon consultation with the core commander to send the seventh Florida regiment that came from the brigade immediately in front of First Lieutenant Clark and the 125th Ohio as a reserve to our picket line. This little force under the frown of such a horrid front remained defiant and in obedience to orders maneuvered handsomely amid the perils of capture until by order. It found a lodgement in the trenches at the foot of missionary ridge, knowing the disadvantage under which the line strung out without reserves on the summit of the ridge with labor in resisting with a plunging fire, the advance of three strong lines. I ordered that it hold the trenches at all hazards. While, the Floridians prepared for the inevitable advance upon their positions. First, Lieutenant Clark provided a soldier's opinion of the Confederate defenses they were about to assault. The position, strength and arrangement of Thomas's line being open to observation of the enemy from the Crest, Bragg was able to prepare deliberately and to place in position all of the troops deemed necessary for the safety of the position. The summit of the ridge was almost level and narrow in places. The slopes were rugged and difficult. The timber have been cleared along the front, giving the enemies guns unobstructed range. At the start of the advance, Colonel Harker arranged the third brigade in four lines. The 42nd Illinois served as skirmishers for the entire brigade. In the first line was the 27th Illinois, third Kentucky, and 64th Ohio, 300 yards to the rear was the second line with the 22nd and 51st Illinois, as well as the 65th and 125th Ohio 200 yards. Further back was the rear line with the 79th Illinois. Now a raid for the assault. What followed was not fully intended, but led to the taking of Missionary Ridge by First Lieutenant Clark, the 125th Ohio, and the army of the Cumberland on mass. When the movement commenced, the 125th was immediately behind the 64th Ohio. All were ordered to conform to the movement of the command. Next on the left. At the given signal, the lines advanced marching, quick step, then double quick, and finally running on arriving at the rifle pits, the 65th and 125th, passed on without halting and closed up with the first line passing over a swell in the ground where the fire was very hot. At this point, the brigade halted and even fell back to stabilize its line. It was then noticed that the troops on the right were still advancing, but already near the second line of rifle pits, which extended across their front, but not to extend to ours. The troops to the right of First Lieutenant Clark was Colonel Francis t Sherman's first brigade consisting mostly of Illinois regiments. It also contained one Indiana regiment, two Missouri regiments, and the 24th Wisconsin. After seizing the flag of the 24th, which fell to the ground at some point in the advance, first, Lieutenant Arthur MacArthur Jr. Rallied the regiment and shouted on Wisconsin and continued the advance, witnessing two of his three brigades moving forward. Major General Sheridan rode up to the third brigade to get them to advance again. I rode from the center to the left, saw disappointment in the faces of the men, told them to rest for a few moments and they should go at it again. First Lieutenant Clark corroborates this story of Major General Sheridan as well as he passed the 125th. He said, it's all right, boys. When you catch your breath, you can go on again. Instantly the order was given by Captain Bates 125th forward. The order was promptly obeyed. Brigadier general bait, directing his division upon the crest of the ridge. Witnessed the pause of the third brigade in their advance, and tried to take advantage of the stalled column. A well-directed and effective fire having been opened on their advancing line, handsomely, repulsed it, throwing a portion of it behind our vacated trenches and precipitated others on their second line, which being out of range of small arms. I ordered the firing to cease and the line to fall back a few paces to replenish ammunition and give the artillery an unobstructed sweep order was soon restored in the ranks of the enemy, and another onward movement made in systematic and defiant style. The army of the Cumberland continued its advance up missionary ridge, but due to the rugged terrain, all semblance of a formation broke down. It was the determination of First Lieutenant Clark, the 125th Ohio, and thousands of others that drove the men toward the crest of the ridge. The co-mingling of regiments brought groups of battle flags near together. Soon. There was an apparent rivalry as to whose flag should lead. All of them were pushed to the front and then advanced by short stages each striving to lead. By this time, the assaulting troops were in triangular masses in every ravine and gorge. Each detachment headed by a group of flags, followed by tired, perspiring, panting, thirsty, but resolute soldiers. Following his men up. The ridge was major. General Sheridan still coordinating the advance as best he could. Captain Avery of General Granger staff here came up and informed me that the original order was to carry the first line of pits, but that if in my judgment, the ridge could be taken to do so. My judgment was that it could be carried and orders were given accordingly. Obeyed with a cheer and the ridge was carried. The right and center reached the summit first, being nearest to the crest, crossing it to the right of General Bragg's headquarters. Within this first column to the crest of Missionary Ridge, was first Lieutenant Clark and the 125th Ohio. Our change of direction to the right brought us to the crest, the short distance to the right. Our right of Bragg's headquarters, part of the 125th, together with the advance men of other regiments, helped clear out the enemy, still clinging to the battery and breastworks near and at the right of the house. First Lieutenant Clark and the 125th Ohio advanced down the eastern face of Missionary Ridge, where they eventually met the Confederate rear guard. After a brief engagement, the enemy to their front departed and the Ohioans went into Pwac. While Sherman's advance in the North was thwarted, the charge of the Army of the Cumberland was a complete success with its center shattered. The Army of Tennessee was forced to retreat from Chattanooga, though major general Grant desired a pursuit of the Confederates into Georgia. He eventually called it off, following the successful rear guard action of Major General Patrick Clayburn at the Battle of Ringold Gap search episode 25 of the podcast for an account from that battle From his headquarters on Orchard Knob major. General Grant was initially surprised to see the continued assault of the army of the Cumberland. According to his original orders, they were to stop at the rifle pits at the base of Missionary Ridge. Charles Clark provides his own explanation as to why the men did not stop the charge. The storming of Missionary Ridge is often spoken of as the special work of the rank and file, because it was begun without orders and carried on finally, without much organization, the bravest and strongest, especially the latter leading, but all going as fast as physical strength permitted. It should not be forgotten, however, that Sheridan sent an aide to Grainger asking permission to try for the crest. At the moment, the signal was given for the advance and that none of the general officers gave explicit orders to stop at the first line of works, and also that the division and brigade commanders went up with their men. Thank you for listening to the 46th episode. Links to First Lieutenant Clark's book and to social media accounts are now available on the podcast website, first person Civil War podcast.com. On Facebook, Instagram, x, and LinkedIn. This week you'll find a picture of First Lieutenant Clark in 1863. In two weeks time. Private John Overton Kassler of Company A 33rd Virginia provides next episodes first person account as he stood with Jackson, like a stone wall at the first Battle of Bull Run. My name is Bill Coghlan, and thank you for listening to First Person Civil War Podcast..