By
Major J. A. Brents
Major J. A. Brents
New York:
J. A. Brents
HENRY DEXTER, PUBLISHER'S AGENT, 113 NASSAU STREET
1863
J. A. Brents
HENRY DEXTER, PUBLISHER'S AGENT, 113 NASSAU STREET
1863
HUDDLESTONS.
The Huddleston family of Fentress and Overton counties, tennessee, is quite numerous. Like many other families, they are divided, some for the Union, and others for the rebellion. Soon after the secession of the State, Stokely Huddleston received a commission from Governor Isham G. Harris, as colonel of the militia. He immediately organized the militia, with the design of persecuting the Union citizens of Overton county. He was a terror to them, as they knew his vilent temper and bad habits. Elam E. Huddleston, a cousin of the Colonel, was a firm and decided Union man, and had considerable influence. He was therefore threatened and persecuted, for no Union man of any influence was permitted to remain in the State. He and his family made their escapte to Kentucky. Upon his return for his personal property, he found that the Colonel had seized it and locked it up. Elam is a man of spirit and courage; he would not submit to anything without an effort. With the assistance of James Ferguson (who will be mentioned again), and some of the Huddlestons and Zackarys, he proceeded to his farm and broke the locks, loaded a wagon with a portion of his house and kitchen furniture, and started for Kentucky. They soon discoverd that they were closely pursued by Colonel Huddleston and a company of his forces. Elam told the driver to proceed to the Kentucky line without any delay, while he and his comrades selected a position for defense. Colonel Huddleston was soon in sight. He dashed ahead of his company, waving his sword, and demanded that Elam and his comrades surrender. They told him they would never surrender, and warmed him not to approach nearer. He did not heed them, but rushed forward, and at the keen crack of a rifle fell from his horse: Marion Zackary had fired the fatal shot. Colonel Huddleston's follower's fled, and Elam and his comrades proceeded to Kentucky without furher molestation. this occurrence created great excitement. It was the first blood that had been shed in that section since the war commenced. A prominent secessionist had been killed, and Union blood must atone for it. A general persecution commenced; vengeance was threatened against all Union men, and they fled to Kentucky for safety.
Elam Huddleston enlisted in the 1st regiment of Kentucky cavalry, commanded by Colonel Frank Wolford. He made a good soldier, and rendered important service, having been in many battles and skirmishes, and always displayed coolness and courage not excelled by any one. If a service of a desperate character was to be performed, Elam Huddleston was selected. It will be sufficient for the present to make a statement of the part he took in the battle of Mill springs, January 19, 1862, between the Union forces commanded by Generals George B. Crittenden and Felix K. Zollicoffer. The Union pickets were attacked at daylight, and twenty mounted men were immediately sent to their support. Elam Huddleston was one of the twenty. When they arrived upon the ground, the rebel cavalry had retired, and the Union pickets were confronted by an entire regiment of infantry. The pickets took a strong position, and received the attack of the rebel regiment. The latter however were held in check until other forces formed and marched to the scene of action, a distance of half a mile. It was however with considerable loss in killed and wounded. The pickets stood firm until their foes were nearly upon them, when all retired except Elam Huddleston, who remained until he was nearly surrounded, when, throwing himself flat upon his horse, he galloped to the rear without any injury. Before his return, his brother Ambrose (who was with the picket) said to an officer that Elam had acted very foolishly; that he had remained until he was surrounded, and was then killed. Elam, upon his return, reported that he saw four men fall, one he believed to be a commissioned officer. After the battle the ground was examined, and one captain and three privates were found to have been slain. Huddleston took his horse to the rear, and returned and did good service on foot. After the battle, he pointed out a spot upon which he said he had shot several of the enemy. The ground was examined, and the bodies of one commissioned officer, and ten privates were found.
Elam Huddleston is about thiry-five years old--five feet ten inches high. He has light hair, blue eyes, and fair skin; is a man of good sense, and has ever been true to his country, and as brave as any man that ever breathed.
I cannot close this brief notice of the Huddlestons without mentioning Thomas, a brother of Elam. He was a small fellow, and was quite witty--furnishing much amusement for his companions in arms. He made a good soldier, and was entirely brave. He had a Sharpe's rifle which he kept in good order, and no one could get it from him. About the 1st of October, 1861, Captain Morrison of the 1st Kentucky cavalry attacked a rebel camp at Travisville, Tenn., and dispersed them. They returned to camp considerably elated with their success. Colonel Hoskins, the commanding officer, said to Thomas Huddleston, "Well, Tom, what did you do?" He replied: "Colonel, I fired several rounds, captured one soldier and two horses, and looked for more, but they were all gone." Tom was an obedient soldier, and stood fair with his officers.