A History of the Ninth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry

by Marion Morrison

The Regiment was out, during this expedition, four days. It brought in about 500 negroes, men, women and children; 150 head of horses and mules, and 100 head of cattle, besides a train of 20 wagons.

On the 15th of February, the Regiment, under command of Lieut. Col. Phillips, moved to the Tennessee River, at Lucas & Brown's Ferry. The Regiment remained in bivouac during that entire week. Their work was patroling the river for ten or fifteen miles above and below Decatur, capturing flat-boats and ferry-boats, constructing canoes, &c. The weather was very cold. They had no shelter. Had to work much about the water, and withal, it was a very hard week's duty. The Rebels were occupying the other side of the river, and there was almost constant firing at each other across the river. Lieut. Oats, of Co. K, was in a flat-boat with fifteen men, when he was fired upon by about twenty Rebels, at close range. One man of Co. I was severely wounded. The fire was returned, and it is thought, from the noise, several of the enemy were killed and wounded. The Lieutenant captured four Rebel prisoners.

The Regiment returned to camp on the 20th, leaving two companies to patrol the river and guard our boats. During the week of boat capturing, one flat-boat captured above Decatur "ran the blockade" past the town, with three of our boys in it. They lay down flat, and let it float. Many incidents of interest occurred during this week, but I have not room to note them here.

On the 22d of February, the 39th Regiment Ohio Infantry arrived at Athens, and went into camp. Col. Noyes, of the 39th Ohio, assumed command of the post, relieving Lieut. Col. Phillips, who again assumed command of the Regiment.

From the 20th of February, up to the 7th of March, two companies of the 9th Ill. was kept constantly at the Tennessee River, patroling it for several miles below Decatur. These companies were relieved every two days, by others. In the meantime several other regiments passed through Athens, on their way towards Decatur. These were the 63d Ohio, 27th Ohio, 43d Ohio, and 111th Illinois, with the 4th Michigan Battery.

The Railroad was completed about the last week of February, and the cars commenced running through from Nashville. Soon boats to construct a pontoon bridge at Decatur, commenced passing on the cars. Gen. Dodge, who commands the department, was below. Active preparations were being made for occupying Decatur. To do this, the Tennessee River must be crossed, in the face of an opposing foe. The enemy was occupying Decatur, and the South bank of the river at the various ferries below.

The Regiment was paid, by Major Gregory, on the 2d of March, 1864, for the months of November and December. It had been paid on the 16th of December, 1863, by Major Hinkley, for the months of September and October, 1863.

On the morning of the 7th of March, the 9th Ill., together with a detachment of 60 men of the 18th Mo., and two sections of a U. S. Battery, stationed at Athens, received marching orders, and moved at 10 A. M., on the Lucas Ferry road. Arriving within two miles of the river at 2 P. M., they halted and fed, remaining until near dark, when they moved on to the river under cover of darkness.

It was known that an attempt would be made to cross the Tennessee River that night or early the next morning, both at Lucas Ferry and Decatur. The flat-boats, canoes, &c., which the 9th Ill. had for the past two or three weeks been collecting at Lucas Ferry, would now be brought into use. At Decatur, the boats intended for the construction of the pontoon bridge, would be used for crossing. Gen. Dodge was at Decatur superintending the crossing in person. Lieut. Col. Phillips, of the 9th Ill., was in charge of the expedition at Lucas Ferry, which is three miles below Decatur.

The Regiment went into bivouac, after dark, about one hundred yards from the river. The flat-boats and canoes had been moved up the river one mile, so as to have the advantage of the current. Several pontoon boats had been floated down a stream running from the Railroad to a point within a mile or two of the Ferry. These had to be taken across on wagons to the river and up to the point from which the boats were to start. This occupied a portion of the men during the greater part of the night.