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Title: The 125th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry: Attention Batallion!
Author: Robert M. Rogers
Release date: June 23, 2016 [eBook #52399]
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Richard Tonsing, The Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE 125TH REGIMENT, ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY: ATTENTION BATALLION! ***
Transcriber's Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
J. W. Langley,
(Late Colonel of the 125th Volunteer Infantry.)
By ROBERT M. ROGERS,
Late Second Sergeant Co. B.
CHAMPAIGN, ILL.
GAZETTE STEAM PRINT.
1882.
To the Memory
—OF THOSE—
Officers and Enlisted Men,
Who leaving the endearments and comforts of
home, willingly came at their country's call to her service,
and on her altar yielded up their lives,
this book is affectionately dedicated by the
Author.
iii
INTRODUCTION.
Comrades and Friends:
In presenting to you this record of our militarylife and of the time we passed in the service of the Government, wehave done it with the hope that our efforts will be appreciated by you.Our desire has been to make this a record, which we can leave behindus after we are gone, to those who may come after us. Wehave done our best to make it reliable and correct. There may bemistakes in it—undoubtedly there are; but the general statementsare correct, we know, while the incidents recounted are true, asmany of you will aver after you have read them. We have had tolabor under great difficulties in preparing for your inspection andbenefit these pages, and at times have almost become discouraged,but we persevered, and at last succeeded in getting them into ashape which we thought would warrant us in placing them in thehands of the printer, and distributing them among you. Betweenthe covers of the book you will find not only a record of ourmarches, battles, and bivouacs, but also a complete roster of theRegiment, showing what became of every man who, on the 3rd dayof September, 1862, was mustered into the service of the UnitedStates in the 125th Illinois; whether he died on the field of battle,was taken prisoner, transferred to other organizations, or was musteredout with the Regiment at Chicago, when only 343 of theoriginal one thousand who filled the Regiment when we left home,answered to their names. If he is buried in any GovernmentCemetery, the number of his grave is given. Hoping that our endeavorsto make, for the regiment, a record which shall be not onlyivvaluable but also entertaining, and one which shall meet with yourapprobation, we place it in your hands for perusal.
But be assured that not one word has been written in thesepages with the intention of wounding any one's feelings in the least.Far from it! We have too much good feeling for those lads whowith us marched through "Dixie," to do anything to give them pain.
Again, hoping you will be pleased with our endeavors we remain
Yours Truly,
ROBERT M. ROGERS.
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I
The organization of the Regiment—Rendezvous at Danville—Westart for Cincinnati, etc., etc.
CHAPTER II
Arrival at Cincinnati—Camp in the corn-stalk huts at Covington,Kentucky—Incidents of Camp Life, etc., etc.
CHAPTER III
First night on picket—Asleep on post—Shooting at Capt. Fellowsby picket—Receiving the mules necessary for transportation—Incidentsconnected therewith, etc., etc.
CHAPTER IV
Down the Ohio to Louisville, Kentucky—Arrival of Buell's army—Campon river bank—Removal to the cattle-pen, etc., etc.
CHAPTER V
Our lessons in soldiering just begun—The Brigade formed—The appearanceof Louisville at this time—Futile endeavors to getdischarged by some of our warriors, etc., etc.
CHAPTER VI
We leave Louisville for the South—Foraging—Sickness in the regiment—Firstdeath in Co. B., etc., etc.
CHAPTER VII
Interview with Sheridan—We reach Bardstown—Locked up—Speedyrelease, etc., etc.
viCHAPTER VIII
Battle of Perrysville—Incidents of the fight—The Regiment's"baptism of fire"—First bayonet charge, etc., etc.
CHAPTER IX
Reflections on the battle of Perrysville—Arrival at night of thesupply train—A ramble over the battle-field—Scenes and incidents,etc., etc.
CHAPTER X
March to Crab Orchard—Description of the country—Blankets andknapsacks—Missing—How Doc. McElroy lost his blanket, etc.,etc.
CHAPTER XI
The march to, and arrival at, Bowling Green—Relinquishment ofBuell's command of the army to Genl. Rosecrans—Betterhopes—First issue of the army hat, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XII
We reach Edgefield—Another interview with Sheridan—Sales ofcoffee, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XIII
First inspection—New kind of ammunition—Our hopes not realized—Descriptionof condition of Nashville as left by the rebelarmy, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XIV
In camp on the hills—Cotton bale breastworks—Tents issued to us—Visitorsfrom God's country—The theatres—Stores and hotels,etc., etc.
CHAPTER XV
Garrison duty at Nashville—Battle of Stone River—Description ofthe battle, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XVI
Court Martial in camp—The culprit's revenge—Corp. Duncan's interviewwith the captain at the Custom House, etc., etc.
viiCHAPTER XVII
Arrival of the Pay Master—Emancipation Proclamation—We receiveour dog tents, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XVIII
March to Murfreesboro'—Arrive at Lavergne—Appearance of Murfreesboro'—Grangerorders some of the boys to be flogged, butis restrained, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XIX
March to Reed's Bridge—Run into rebel wagon train—Almost trapped—Thebattle of Chickamauga, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XX
Farewell of Genl. Rosecrans—"Pap" Thomas assumes command—Caldwell'sFord—Scarcity of rations, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XXI
An unusual reveille—Death of the Chaplain—Battle of MissionaryRidge.
CHAPTER XXII
Battle of Missionary Ridge continued—Defeat of the rebels—Marchto Knoxville, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XXIII
Assault on Kenesaw—Death of the Colonel—Visit to the hospital—Scenesconnected therewith—Incidents of personal bravery,etc., etc.
CHAPTER XXIV
The cracker-box fortification—Mining the rebel works—Descriptionof Cheatham and Hindman, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XXV
The move to the right—Marietta evacuated—The Union Armymasters north and west of the Chattahoochie, etc., etc.
viiiCHAPTER XXVI
Atlanta—Sherman's letter vindicating his order—Of the removal ofcitizens, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XXVII
Destruction of Atlanta—We start for the sea—Occupation of Milledgville—Joyof the contrabands, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XXVIII
Our stay at Savannah—Appearance of the city—Chuck-a-luck—Visitto the Wissahicken, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XXIX
Still at Savannah—Oysters and fresh fish—Commencement of thecampaign through South Carolina—Foraging—Destruction ofColumbia, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XXX
Cheraw—The dash on our cavalry by Hampton—Battle of Averysboro'and Bentonville—Occupation of Goldsboro'.
CHAPTER XXXI
Again on the move—News of Lee's surrender—After Johnson "redhot"—The convention for his surrender, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XXXII
The news reaches us of the death of the President—Feeling of thearmy—Basis of agreement for Johnston's surrender.
CHAPTER XXXIII
The rejection by the Cabinet of the terms—Johnston is notifiedthat Sherman "will move on him in forty-eight hours"—Arrivalof General Grant, etc., etc.
CHAPTER XXXIV
The final surrender—Arrival at Richmond—March to Washington—Departurefor Chicago, etc., etc.
ixCHAPTER XXXV
Arrival at Chicago—Reception at Union Hall—Speeches of T. B.Ryan, Esq., General Sherman, and Colonel Langley, etc., etc.
MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES.
Rome. A Confederate Christmas. Bad meat. Public executionat Nashville. Drawing rations. Blue Ridge. Raids on thesuttler. John Kirsch and Tom Makemson's rice trip. Mrs. Dr.Mary Walker. The Monkly fox. Roast goose or gander. Therescued negroes. Our trip after Forrest. Personal mention. Lt.Geo. Scroggs, Sergt. S. C. Abbott, Lt. John J. White. Our colorBearers, Asbury D. Finlay, Harvey S. Tryon, Sergt. Wm. L. Thralls.Resolutions on the Emancipation Proclamation. Resolutions passedby Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Louisiana.Order announcing suspension of hostilities. Order for GrandReview at Richmond. General Sherman's farewell order to theArmy. Regimental report of the Atlanta campaign. Regimentalreport from the fall of Atlanta to the fall of Savannah. Regimentalreport of Colonel Langley from leaving Savannah until the battleof Bentonville. Regimental report of Captain Cook during andafter the battle of Bentonville, to Goldsboro, N. C. Roster of CommissionedOfficers. Roster of enlisted men, giving the fate of everyman, if buried in soldiers' cemetery, the number of his grave.Brigade reports. Lee and Gordon's Mills to Atlanta, Atlanta, Florenceand Savannah, Troublefield Swamps or Bentonville, N. C.
10
CHAPTER I.
The One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Regiment, Illinois VolunteerInfantry, was mustered into the service of the United States,on the third day of September, Eighteen Hundred and Sixty Two,to serve for three years or during the war. The Regiment was madeup in the counties of Champaign and Vermilion. Champaign furnishingthree companies and Vermilion seven. These companiesaveraged ninety men each; making a total of nine hundred men,rank and file. The Regiment came into the field under the call for"three hundred thousand more," to assist in putting down what hadbeen familiarly called by some, a "tempest in a tea pot." Fouryears of bloody strife, and millions of treasure, proved that it wasthe most tumultuous "tea pot tempest," that ever was heard of inthis or any other land. The companies rendezvoused at Danville,the county seat of Vermilion County, and went into camp on theold "Fair Grounds," utilizing the sheds and booths that had beenput up there for the exhibition of cattle, sheep, etc. Here it wasthat comparative order was obtained out of chaos. The companieswere composed of men in the prime of life, who had, for the mostpart, been engaged in farming, and were used to out-door life; thebest material to make soldiers of that could be procured in anyland. The commander of the Regiment was Oscar F. Harmon, ayoung and promising lawyer of Danville; the Lieut. Colonelcy wasfilled by J. W. Langley, of Champaign, who was also a member ofthe bar. The Major was John B. Lee, of Vermilion, a civil engineerby profession; while from the busy marts of trade came the Adjutant,Wm. Mann, of Danville. The Surgeon was John J. McElroy,of Vermilion; the Assistant Surgeon, C. H. Mills, of Champaign;the Chaplain, Levi Sanders, of Vermilion, while from Champaigncame the Quartermaster, A. M. Ayres. The companies were officeredas follows:
Co. A. Capt. Clark Ralston; 1st. Lt. Jackson Charles; 2nd. Lt.11Harrison Low; Enlisted men, eighty-six.
Co. B. Capt. Robt. Stewart; 1st. Lt. W. R. Wilson; 2nd. Lt. S.D. Connover; Enlisted men, eighty-eight.
Co. C. Capt. W. W. Fellows; 1st. Lt. Alexander Pollock; 2nd.Lt. Jas. D. New; Enlisted men, eighty-eight.
Co. D. Capt. Geo. W. Galloway; 1st. Lt. Jas. B. Stevens; 2nd.Lt. John L. Jones; Enlisted men, eighty-six.
Co. E. Capt. N. M. Clark; 1st. Lt. W. G. Isom; 2nd. Lt. JohnUrquhart; Enlisted men, eighty-seven.
Co. F. Capt. F. B. Sale; 1st. Lt. John B. Lester; 2nd. Lt. AlfredJohnson; Enlisted men, ninety-two.
Co. G. Capt. John H. Gass; 1st. Lt. Eph. S. Howell; 2nd. Lt.Josiah Lee; Enlisted men, ninety.
Co. H. Capt. P. M. Parks; 1st. Lt. D. A. Brenton; 2nd. Lt. J.C. Harbor; Enlisted men, eighty-six.
Co. I. Capt. Levin Vinson; 1st. Lt. John E. Vinson; 2nd. Lt.Stephen Brothers; Enlisted men, ninety-six.
Co. K. Capt. Geo. W. Cook; 1st. Lt. Oliver P. Hunt; 2nd. Lt.Joseph F. Crosby; Enlisted men, one hundred and two.
Life in camp at Danville, was passed as camp life usually is. Theregular routine of guard duty, drilling, etc., etc., until one eveningat "Dress Parade," our Colonel informed us that we would breakcamp, and leave for Cincinnati on the following day, and that thenumber of our Regiment was the One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth.We had been furnished, while in camp, with everything that wasnecessary for a soldier in the field, excepting tents. The arms whichwere given us were what were called the "Austrian Rifle," and apoor arm they were. Some of them were not entirely drilled out,and any quantity of them had springs that would not snap a cap,nor on which a bayonet could be fastened without hammering. Ifwe were merely going out for a picnic or a procession, the Regimentwas splendidly equipped, but if we were bound for the front, it wouldhave been a matter of little difficulty for a small force of the enemyto have routed us, unless we were given a chance to use the "butts"of our guns, for in that shape only would they have been reliable.
At this stage of the war, when the private soldier received but thirteendollars per. month, it was patriotism, and not a desire for wealth,12that filled the ranks of the Union Army. So, with fifes and drumsplaying the old tune to which so many have marched to their graves,"The Girl I left behind me," and with our banners gaily floating onthe breeze, we started for the seat of war. A train of cattle carswas to be our conveyance, and on them we clambered. The usualscenes, incident to the departure of a Regiment from home, tookplace: wives parting from their husbands, children from their fathersand fathers from their children; all phases of the human heartwere to be seen there. The lingering clasp of the fond wife, thelast kiss of the children, the hearty hand shake and a "God speedyou, and bring you back safe" of a friend; the men trying to hidetheir emotions with a forced smile or witty saying. But at last "allaboard," the engine whistled, the bell rang, and amid the cheers ofthe crowd, away we went, some to their graves. Oh! how many? Therest of us to return at the expiration of the war, for that was theterm of our enlistment. Looking back from this late day, the scenes,the events, the recollections of that time, are as bright and vivid inthe mind of the writer, as if they had transpired but yesterday. Iknow not how it was with other companies in the Regiment, but inthe one to which the writer belonged, only one man showed the"white feather," at the last moment. He was left laying on the floorof "Floral Pavilion" in the "Fair Grounds," according to his ownlanguage, "so sick he did not know what to do." He may havebeen so, or he may not; at any rate there was not much sympathyshown for him, as we marched off leaving him there, the sole inhabitantof the place.
We have taken rides on the cars which were much more enjoyable,much more comfortable, than that night ride from Danville to LaFayette.The weather was pleasant, however, and there was a fullmoon; but the cars had no tops, and our eyes were filled with thesmoke and cinders from the engine. We thought it the extreme ofhardship, and an insult to pack us away like dumb brutes, on suchcars; but before we again saw that road, we had seen the timewe would have been only too glad to have a chance to ride that way.But we were young, in the prime of life, and our hearts were cheeredwith the thought that we were doing our duty, and so with laughand song we whiled away the hours until we arrived at Cincinnati.
13
CHAPTER II.
It was on a Sabbath morning, when our train finally stopped, andwe were ordered to disembark, and fall into line. The weather wasintensely warm. Now, I want to say right here, that if ever I haveto order a Regiment of men into the field, in the summer time, andthat Regiment is bound for a southern climate, I will not think itnecessary to provide them with overcoats, like we were, for we hadthem issued to us before we left Danville, and thought we had totake them. So there we stood in line, the hot sun pouring down hisrays on our heads; our eyes sore from cinders and the loss of sleep;with our accoutrements upon us, and everybody as ill-natured, asmight be expected, and no wonder. Oh! how slow the momentswent by, it seemed to us hours, but at last the command rings out"Attention Battalion," "Take Arms," "Right Dress," "RightFace," "Forward march," and away we went, the band playingand the flags flying, across the Pontoon Bridge, over the Ohio, intothe city of Covington, and the "neutral" state of Kentucky.Marching men, or regulating the gait of a horse to the step of newrecruits, was something our worthy Colonel was sadly ignorant of,and it was not to be wondered at, for it was a new business to him.His horse walked too fast for us, and the consequence was thatwhen he arrived at our camp he had but a "corporal's guard" followinghim. The remainder of the Regiment was scattered likesheep along the way we had come.
The writer and his partner stopped at what had once been a "BeerGarden," and on the tables which had once resounded to the clinkof glasses, and which were placed around the enclosure in the shadeof the trees, we deposited our weary bodies, and wished we were—athome. Without intending to throw any blame whatever, on thecharacter or motives of our worthy Colonel, covering him with theexcuse that he was totally ignorant of the art of "marching men,"we must give it as our candid opinion that the march from Cincinnati14 to our camp on the hills back of Covington, did an injury tothe rank and file of the Regiment, from which it never recovered,and which was the remote cause of death to some, and to others oflasting injury. Our camp was situated, truly, at a lofty elevation.We were placed in the Corn Stalk shelters which the "Squirrel Hunters"had occupied when Bragg had threatened Cincinnati with hisforces, and who, at the call of the Governor of Ohio, had flockedto the standard of the Union, with their squirrel rifles, and their shotguns, to drive back the rebel hordes, and to maintain the old Flag,with their life blood if need be. They came from the prairie and thewood-land, in such numbers that the Governor was compelled to issueanother proclamation, that no more were needed. Into the shelterswhich they had made from corn stalks, gathered from the fields contiguous,and which were models of skill and ingenuity, showing thatthe American, as a man, is equal to almost any emergency, our Regimentwas marched, and quarters allotted to each company. Oh!those terrible hills, the like we had never seen before. We wereprairie men; our homes had been in a level country, but here it wasjust the reverse, and it seemed to us as if we had ascended to thevery heights. The Ohio rolled beneath us, and from its bosom wehad to procure the water that was necessary for our use. How manylies were told to get out of the job of carrying water up to camp, orhow many oaths were uttered by those who undertook the job, drivento it by necessity, the writer cannot pretend to state, but it was ahard journey, and the consequence was that water became to us, foronce, valuable, and many was the raid that was made, under coverof the night, to some fellow's mess kettle, that had been filled tocook his breakfast with in the morning. But we enjoyed it all, afterwe had gotten over our march to get there, and soon the camp wasalive with fun and frolic. We had nothing much to do but cook ourfood, drill, and police the camp grounds, and occasionally go onpicket; and so we passed the days away, wondering where we wouldgo to next, writing letters home and doing all in our power to makethe time pass pleasantly.
Here it was an incident happened that was ludicrous in theextreme. It was the custom of the picket guard, when returning tocamp every morning, to discharge their guns by volley, under command15 of a commissioned officer, at or into the foot of the hill onwhich our camp was situated. On this morning, to which we havereference, the pickets had been relieved and returned to camp, andas was their custom, had assembled at the foot of the hill to dischargetheir pieces. At the command of their officer there was avolley, and from some cause or other the bullets came whizzing overour heads, filling the air with that buzzing sound, which is so familiarto the old soldier, but which sounds like a death knell to the rawrecruit. What a scattering to and fro there was, when those leadenmissiles came whizzing through the air, what a falling to the ground,and hugging of mother earth was there witnessed. We thought the"Johnnies" had come sure enough; our minds were instantly filledwith the accounts we had read of "surprises," "ambuscades," andthe idea that the enemy were right on hand, seemed to have filled theminds of many. That scene will never be forgotten by those whoare how living, and who witnessed it. It was a terrible "give-away"on the courage and soldierly qualities of at least one company in theOne Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Infantry. But we were indeed"infants" in the art of war. And to have seen what followed whenit was definitely ascertained as to where the bullets came from, wasludicrous in the extreme. To see a big, brawny fellow who had fallento the ground, to all appearances as dead as a log, raise up hishead and enquire of his nearest neighbor, why he was laying there!What in thunder was the reason that, if he felt like laying down,every body else must lay down, too!! Get up and leave me alonenow, or I'll hurt somebody!! And to see how quietly these prostrateforms would assume life and locomotion, and glide away intotheir corn stalk huts; and then at night, after the affair had cooleddown somewhat, to listen, as we sat around our camp fires, to eachone as he described what his sensations were at the time, seems tous, at this late day, to be just as comical as it was then. But oh!how they redeemed themselves, in after days, from any stigma ofcowardice this may have cast upon them; how they faced the enemyand met death as only brave men can, the hearts of those who survivedthe fray in the years that came after, can bear witness. Allhonor to them, our neighbor boys, our true and tried friends.
16
CHAPTER III.
But in looking back over the time we staid there on those "everlastinghills," memory recalls to us one stormy night, when neithermoon nor star gave forth its light, when the heavens were draped inthe blackest of darkness, when the wind blew with the force of ahurricane, and our corn stalk shelters were scattered far and wide;when the elements seemed to have combined to extemporize, for us,an entertainment of the grandest description, but which was to beenjoyed vastly more by the in-dwellers of good substantial houses,than we who had for our only covering a roof of corn stalks. Butamid all this din and clash of the elements, came the order for anadditional force to strengthen the picket guard. It was rumoredabout that the rebel Gen. John Morgan was in the neighborhoodand was going to make a dash on our lines. Whether it was thefact, whether it was a "camp-rumor," or whether it was an honestalarm, we never found out. But there was the order all the same,and it must be complied with. The order called for a detail of threemen from each company. The writer and two comrades were theones who were called on from Co. "B." Gathering our guns andaccoutrements was but the work of a moment, and away we went toreport at Regimental Headquarters. The night was so dark thatwe could not discern our file leader, and so an attachment was madeto the coat tail of the fellow in front. Down the hill we went,stumbling, and falling, over rocks and clods, until we reached a road.On this we were stationed, three men on a post, with orders for oneof us to keep awake. The three to which the writer belonged werestationed at the foot of a large tree; the countersign given us in awhisper; the remainder of the detail marched off; and there wewere! on picket! and to our excited imagination the enemy incountless numbers all around us. The night, as we have beforestated, was intensely dark, but down on this road, at the foot of thehigh hills on which we were stationed, the wind did not strike with17such fury, and any unusual noise could be plainly heard. There westood at the foot of that large tree, determined, as we agreed amongourselves, to do our whole duty if matters came to the worst. Suddenlyon the night air came the sound of a foot-fall, near; nearer;we held a short consultation, it might be an enemy, no doubt it was;well, we must find out. "Halt!" rang out on the night air. "Whocomes there?" back came the answer, "A Friend." This was anassurance most acceptable to us. "Advance, friend, and give thecountersign," and up came Capt. Fellows, of Co. "C," who was theofficer of the guard. A short whispered consultation, a reminderfrom the Captain of how to perform our duty, and he passed ondown the road to the next post. He had been gone but a littlewhile when "bang" went a gun, and the bullet went whistling overour heads. What did that mean? We cocked our rifles and stoodon the defensive, and it would have been terrible trouble for any onewho had come our way just then. The whiz of the bullet diedaway, naught was heard, and we uncocked our guns and sat down,but not long, for again we heard the foot-fall on the road, comingfrom the direction which the Captain had taken when he left us;nearer it approaches, and again the word "Halt!" rings out on thenight air. Back comes the response, "It's all right, don't act thefool as the man did on the post below." We brought our gunsdown and up came the Captain. "What gun was that Cap?" wasour first enquiry. "Why," he replied, "the man on post below youwas laying on the ground, and when he heard me coming, cried'Halt!' and banged away, he came near hitting me too." Of coursethe usual amount of expletives were indulged in by each of us,making them as strong as the case seemed to require, and the Captainpassed on. The articles of war declare that death shall be thepenalty for that soldier who goes to sleep while on post; we knewit, it had been told to us, but if John Morgan, with his command,had driven in our pickets in the early gray of that morning, we arestrongly inclined to the opinion, that at a certain post on that picketline the guard would have been found sleeping the sleep of the innocentand just. Yes, it is a fact Morpheus had wooed to his embrace,the entire three who occupied the picket post at the foot of18that large tree. The reader who scans these pages must please bearin mind that we were "babes" in the art of war, at this time; wehad come from our homes and from our farms only a few shortweeks before, and the scenes in which we were now playing a partwere of the veriest newness to us. We had entered into the serviceof our country in good faith, we had sworn allegiance to our flagunder any and all circumstances, more as a form than anything elseas far as our hearts were concerned, but we had not as yet arrivedat that period in a soldier's life, when he finds that eternal vigilanceis not only the price of liberty, but of his own life also. Morningcame at last and with the rest of our comrades we were marchedback to camp. We came as "conquerors come," we had stoodduring the night as an invincible band against our foes. That was,perhaps, what was thought of us in camp, but we knew how we hadstood, and were going to keep it to ourselves most decidedly, at anyrate we were willing to let "some of you fellows" try it the nexttime. We had been in camp now on those "everlasting hills," thatis, as near as the writer can explain his sentiments about them, forseveral weeks, but it was not for the business merely of laying ontop of them and basking in the sun that the Government had calledfor our assistance, and which we had almost come to believe wasthe extent to which the Government had invoked our aid. Oh! no,the Government meant business, and so accordingly one afternoonwe received orders to "strike tents," that is what the bugle said, butwe had no tents to strike; true there was a remnant of our corn-stalkhomes, but the most of them had been scattered by the winds.Well, any way, the bugle call was to us the notice to pack up andfall into line. This we did, and away we marched, leaving our hills,our corn-stalk castles and many other remembrances behind us.Down the "pike" we went to the music of our band, to the steamboatlanding, where we found two steamers waiting for us. But wehave omitted one incident of our soldier days, when in camp atCovington, and if we had not gotten down to the boats we wouldhave left it out, perhaps, altogether, and if we had, the historicalrecord of the 125th Ills. would have been very incomplete, and soin order that it may be a true record, as near as we can make it, wemust not omit this part of it. We have reference to the transportation19 outfit of the Regiment. Of course when we arrived at ourcamp at Covington, the only transportation there was, consistedof each man carrying on his back whatever earthly goods he wasthe possessor of. We had no animals of any kind, excepting thehorses of the Colonel and his staff, but here at Covington we wereto obtain that most useful, and at the same time most singular quadruped,the mule. If I thought myself able I would write an eulogyon that animal, but it is useless to think of that, I can not doit; suffice it then to say that in our humble opinion, the mule withall his eccentricities, played a most important part in the war of therebellion. A willing servant; too much so we often thought, readyat all times to do his part, whether in pulling in the collar, or packingon his back, strapped on so tight that it was as much ashe could do to obtain his regular amount of air necessary for breathingpurposes, an almost innumerable amount of blankets, tin pans,pots, roosters, niggers and all the paraphernalia of camp life, or ofsending by a quick and powerful discharge of his hind feet a warriorto the hospital, or to the happy hunting grounds, the mule willever bear an honorable name in the records of the great war. Somuch for the mule, he was honest, and we must be. But to ournarrative. An order came, one morning, to detail from each companya man to drive the company team of six mules. What visionsof ease opened up to our minds. "What! is that all they want afellow to do, drive a team? I'm in for that, here Cap., I'll go, yesso will I and I and I." Thus the strain rang out, until it was muchto be feared that the 125th were mule drivers, not only by inclination,but by "previous condition of servitude." Well, at length thedetail was complete, and two men from each company, in charge ofa commissioned officer, proceeded to Covington to procure the numberof mules necessary for the transportation of the Regiment.Twenty men, in the vigor and prime of life, refusing numerous offersof ten dollars apiece for their job, with hearts elate and with buoyantfeelings trudged off down the pike rejoicing in their opportunities.The sequel, kind reader! They returned, yes they returnedin the evening the maddest set of men that Covington's green hillshad seen for many a day; the maimed, the halt, the lame, and wewere going to say the blind, but the storm had not been quite that20severe. Every mule in each team, with the exception perhaps ofone to the team, were as ignorant of restraint as when in blissfulhappiness it sucked its dam in the old home pasture. The menwho had been detailed for teamsters found the animals in a "corral,"the Quartermaster of the Post, with his helpers, in attendance.The mules were as wild as buffaloes on their native plains, and werecaught by the lasso, and dragged out, and turned over to the manwho had been detailed to drive and care for them. When the wholenumber necessary for our use were secured the receipt of our RegimentalQuartermaster paid the bill. The next question and themost intricate one, perhaps, that had ever stirred the souls of thesedetailed warriors was, what shall we do with them? There was theharness, there was the Government wagons, with their broad tiresand a lock chain on each side. The question was solved, they mustbe hitched to those wagons and hitched they were, and up to campthey came, with every wagon wheel locked and two men to eachmule. The word soon spread through the camp, the teams are coming!our teams! and we all flocked to the road side to see them.We will carry this thing no farther, but will leave the reader to imaginethe rest. We can see them, as we pen these lines, as they appearedto us the next morning, as we stood by and witnessed theharnessing of these Government mules. Their shoulders were alittle sore from pulling the heavy wagons, with locked wheels, up tocamp, and their ears were chafed by the bridles, and the generalsensation was something new to them altogether, and perhaps visionsof the old pasture lot at home, where they had kicked up theirheels in mulish joy, flashed before their eyes; at any rate, whatevermay have been the cause, the hills of Covington never before, andwe will venture the assertion, never will again echo back the likeof the noise that was made there on the morning when the teamstersof the 125th Ills. essayed to hitch up the teams, which theGovernment had furnished to transport us and our belongings intothe land of the Southron and the chivalry. The braying of themules, the curses of the drivers, the cracking of the whips, all combined,served to make a noise the like of which had never beenheard before in those parts.
21
CHAPTER IV.
The geography of our country tells us, that the Ohio is a broadriver; that, we are willing to admit, and rather than be thoughtnarrow minded, we are willing to say that it is a beautiful river, butwhen the writer, with his heart filled with patriotism, entrusted himselfon its bosom, it was blessed with a remarkable shallowness, at any rateour boats kept getting fast on sand bars, shoals, mud or somethingelse, so often, that it would have been no trouble for us all to havecrawled off and footed it down the stream, or back home, but thatkind of a boat ride would have had its inconveniences, and that wasnot what we had come for, so like 'Cassabianca,' whom we used toread about in our school days, we clung to the "burning deck.""Down the river, down the river, down the Ohio," we crawled along,until night fall, when for prudence sake our captain steered into thebank and tied up for the night. Can it be possible, we think, whilesitting here penning these lines with peace all around us, that betweenthe cities of Cincinnati and Louisville a steamboat Captainwas afraid, after night, to take his craft for fear of enemies? Such,however, was the case, and history will bear record to the generationsyet to come, that in the nineteenth century this grand riverwas navigable only in the day time with comparative safety. Butwe do not want to let our pen run away with our own privatethoughts; we do not want to let our individual feelings get the upperhand, we are endeavoring to write a history, and we want it tobe correct; we want it to be a history that each and every memberof the 125th Ills. can leave behind him when he "strikes his tent"for the last time; a history that he may leave to those who comeafter him, that in the terrible war which the Nation went through,when right against wrong prevailed, that he was a partaker in thestruggle. What better, handsomer, nobler record can we leave toour posterity?
Our trip down the river was not prolific of any incident that would22be noticeable here, suffice it to say that we awoke in the morning tohear the chug! chug! of the boat and knew that we were moving,and that we had not been interfered with during the night. We arrivedat Louisville that evening and disembarked on the river bank;but little did we think as we stepped off the boat that there, on thebanks of the Ohio, we were to receive our first lesson of what a soldier'slife would be. Our past experience we thought had been terrible,but the corn-stalk huts which we had occupied, and laughedat, would have been welcome to us now. The stones on the riverbank made our couch, and the canopy of heaven our covering. Butfor fear that history may not give us our right place, and to showthat our hearts beat in unison, we will mention that here it was wemet the army of General Buell. It arrived in Louisville thesame night that we did, fresh from the battle fields of Corinth andIuka, and had come to the relief of the endangered city. Northernmanhood, Northern "grit," was too much for the sluggish bloodof Bragg's army, and our boys beat them in the race and saved thecity of Louisville. Never can those who witnessed it, forget thatsight. Here they came, neighbor boys, old friends, who had lefthome only a few months prior to us; covered with the dust and stainof travel, no baggage, no impediments, nothing but their trusty Enfields,and sixty rounds of ammunition in their cartridge boxes,with a blanket to each man rolled up in a coil, and fastened aroundhim, this was all they had, while we, in our clean, blue clothes, withthoughts of our having gone through with an awful experience, metthese lads. The impression the writer received that night as wewitnessed these boys come marching in, was like the opinion thatwas expressed by some one in our Regiment: "Boys, we don'tknow anything about soldiering." Morning found us asleep on thebanks of the Ohio, with the river rolling past us, down to that countrywhich never before, in the history of the Nation, had been forbiddenground to any of her sons. But to that land we were bound,and if we remained on the banks of the Ohio we would never getthere, so when the bugle sounded the call to "fall in," we wereready to obey the signal. The morning opened bright andcheerful, but towards noon the sun was overcast by clouds, and adrizzling rain set in; but it made no difference to us; of course23they could not find lodgings for us that night, but now they hadawakened to a sense of their duty, and we were going to some hotelto put up. Yes, certainly that was what was the matter, and wefell into ranks with glee. Our hotel was a cattle pen in the suburbsof the city, and into it we marched.
24
CHAPTER V.
Our lessons in the life of a soldier were just commencing. Ournew camp was, as we have stated, an old cattle pen or corral, andhad at one time been surrounded with a good substantial plank fence,now, however, the only enclosure it had was a camp guard. In thisplace we found three other Regiments, all new recruits like ourselves.The 85th and 86th Ills., and the 52nd Ohio. With these Regimentswe were Brigaded, and remained so until the close of the war, thecommand being given to Col. Dan'l McCook of the 52nd Ohio,who had smelt powder on Shiloh's bloody field.
The rain, which had been a continuous drizzle, now assumedlarger proportions, and came down in regular and persistent style.We had no tents, and of course were entirely without protection,but the American soldier is not a man to long remain uncomfortable,when it is in his power to prevent it, so from the fences adjacent,in spite of the guard, we procured some lumber and soon builtshelters from the storm. The next day we were moved to a bettercamp, for the rain had rendered the old cattle yard entirely unfit foruse, if it ever had been. But Louisville at this time was crowdedwith soldiers, camp followers, and all that goes to sustain the life,and corrupt the morals of a large army. The streets daily resoundedto the tramp of marching feet, and the hurrying hither and thitherof General officers, members of their staff, and mounted orderliesbearing dispatches to the different headquarters through the city.The blare of the bugle, the braying of mules, the thundering of artillerywheels, from the earliest dawn, until far into the night, werereminders that the General of the Army was fully alive to his trust,and was endeavoring to organize the forces under his command intoa shape that would render them manageable. As far as duty wasconcerned, there was not much required of us, so we passed thetime making visits to old acquaintances in the 25th, 35th, 37thand 88th Ills. Regiments which had come up with Buell from the25South. But at last the order came for moving. Everything wasready and we were to open up the ball which ended at the fall ofRichmond, and the surrender of Joe. Johnston's Army in NorthCarolina.
The weather was very warm, but so far, no sickness of any greatmoment had appeared among us, but of course there was some toanswer the surgeon's call, and receive their allowance of the goodthings he had for them. We do not wish to cast any imputation onthe medical branch of the army, far from it. We are firm in theopinion that no army, either in the fighting nations of Europe, or inany other land, ever had a medical corps that could surpass our ownin skill, dexterity, genuine humanity, and a desire to do their wholeduty, but it did seem to us that quinine was the sheet anchor oftheir faith, and so it came to be a standing joke, that quinine wouldcure all diseases to which our bodies might be subject. On thismorning, to which memory carries us back, orders were given thatreports of all who were sick, or in any way disabled from marching,should be made out and forwarded to Regimental headquarters,in order that they might be sent to hospital, or if totally unfit forsoldier life, to be discharged. We are of the opinion still, and wasat the time, that many men were mustered into the service of thegovernment, when our Regiment was organized, who were not fitfor the hardships and privations of army life, especially for activeservice in the field, and this was owing to what seemed to us, thecareless examination made by the mustering officer. We were neverexamined by a surgeon, as to bodily capacity. The only examinationmade was for each man, as his name was called, to step outthree paces and show his teeth to the officer. The consequence wasthat when orders came for us to leave Louisville, there were a greatmany who had to be discharged, because totally unfit for soldier'slife, and many also who had to be sent to hospital. Others therewere, who would have been perfectly willing to have returned home,entirely satisfied with soldiering, if they could only have had the opportunity.One case the writer remembers which had a very ludicrousside to it, and we will insert it here. There were two members ofthe Company to which we belonged, who were both satisfied entirely26with their share of glory, and were willing to resign their positions as"high privates" to almost any one who wanted it. One of thesehowever, would be discharged, owing to his inability to march (thiswas before the day of the invalid corps) by reason of a severe cuthe had at one time received in the foot from an ax, the other boywas a fit subject for powder, but the patriotism which had filled hisbosom, when he enlisted had died out. He had gotten all theglory he wanted and "Home—sweet—Home" was ringing in hisears. However, a discharge, in his eyes, was something worth tryingfor at least, so he approached the fellow who, by reason of hislameness, was to be discharged, and the following colloquy ensued:
"Say, John, I want to get a discharge, how shall I manage it,can't you help a fellow?"
"Get discharged! Why that's easy enough, I can get one for you."
"Can you? What'll you take to get it?"
"What'll I take? Why nothing. You go and get a pass for usto go down town and I'll go to the medical director of the Post andsoon fix you out all right."
Away went the ex-patriot and soon returned with a pass and offthey went to call on the medical director. Going along the streetsays John to his companion:
"Say, Ide! got any money?"
"Yes, a little."
John called a halt. "Well now, old fellow, I'll tell you, if I hada little whisky I could talk a heap better to the doctor, you know,but I hain't got a cent of money to buy any."
"Oh, if that's all," says Ide, thinking a discharge from the armyfor a drink of whiskey a good enough bargain for him, "I've gotmoney enough to buy the whisky, where'll we get it?"
"I know, follow me," replied John, and he led him to a placewhere liquor could be obtained on the sly, for it was against positiveorders for the citizens to sell any thing of the sort to a soldier, andLouisville was then under martial law. Into this place they went,and John having received the magic elixir, which was to open hismouth, and loosen his tongue, was again ready to accompany hisfriend to the doctor. But it was quite a distance from camp to theDirector's office, and before it was reached Ide had been obliged to27replenish John's stomach with whisky more than once. But at lastthey arrived at the place.
"Now Ide you stay down here until I go up stairs, I won't begone long and when I come back I'll have your discharge."
John was feeling good; the whisky that Ide had furnished himhad made his faith in himself complete, so up the stairs he nimblyskipped, leaving his friend below on the sidewalk. The office doorwas reached, and with an invincible faith in himself, John openedit and walked in. There was the Medical Director of the Post athis desk, surrounded by his assistants, while on seats placed aroundthe room, were soldiers who had come there for treatment. Up tothe desk steps John.
"Doctor I want to obtain a discharge for—"
Looking up from his desk in surprise, the Doctor fixed his eyeson our friend.
"Who are you?" was the enquiry. "Take the position of a soldiersir," which John did, wishing he was some place else, for thestern, military manner of the doctor had somewhat unnerved him,"about face, forward march," and out of the office marched John.The doctor never gave the command to "halt," and amid the laughterof those who witnessed the scene, John took his departure.Down stairs he went to where Ide was waiting for him.
"Did you get it?" was the first question.
"No" came the reply, "the doctor ain't in, he has gone out oftown." So back they came to camp, but John got no more whiskyon the return trip, and the next day we left Louisville. The storyleaked out some way, as all such stories do, and furnished many alaugh for us. Ide failed in getting his discharge, but made an excellentsoldier afterwards, and came back safe and sound at the closeof the war.
28
CHAPTER VI.
The sun arose on the morning of the Thirtieth of September,1862, bright and clear, and as he climbed into the heavens the heatbecame intense. At an early hour the Regiment was astir, for wehad received marching orders, the army was going to advance, andso, long before noon the bugle sounded the Assembly. The linewas quickly formed and away we went our band playing its bestmusic. But we had not gone far until the "Halt!" was sounded,and it was not until late in the day that we got clear of the streetsof Louisville and out into the open country. It was a hard day onus, encumbered as we were with so much clothing, for each manwas provided with two suits of underwear, and overcoat, and nothingis more tiresome than the perpetual halting, and advancing, haltingand advancing, which we were compelled to do that day, owingto the crowded and jammed condition of the streets, filled as theywere with regiments of infantry, cavalry, batteries of artillery, baggage,and supply trains, and all and singular that goes to make upthe force of a large army about to take the field.
But at last we were clear of the town, and marching on the opencountry road, leaving, however, behind us, several of our comradeswho had been overcome with the heat of the sun and the irksomenessof our movements, and had fallen in their places in the ranksand been carried off to the hospital for treatment. We did not gofar until our track was lined with clothing, blankets and other propertywe had thrown away as being too cumbersome and hard to carry.We went into camp in a meadow, and as soon as the order was givento break ranks, many of us flung ourselves on the ground and nevermoved from our position until the bugle sounded the reveille in themorning.
Our soldier life had now fairly commenced, and we were on themarch to that country in which many of our comrades were to findtheir last resting places. When the war commenced, Kentucky had29declared neutrality, but we think our statement will be borne out bymany, that the neutrality amounted to nothing. At any rate it wasthe opinion of us all, that for a neutral state, Kentucky held manybushwhackers, and guerillas, who, from behind trees and rocks, murderedour boys whenever opportunity offered. It was murder, notwarfare. Kentucky neutrality was rebellion in ambush. But Kentuckyalso had loyal sons, and she gave to the Union several regimentsof brave men. Kentucky had splendid roads, and as we advancedfurther into the country we were charmed with the scenery,and if it had not been for the terrible scarcity of water, we wouldhave got on very well. Foraging of any kind was strictly forbidden,but the fruits of the land found their way into camp, all the same.Honey was plenty, fresh meat and also vegetables, and in spite ofall orders, found their way into camp. There was one boy in ourcompany who seemed to have, instinctively, a knowledge superior toany one else, as to where all such things could be obtained. Everynight he would appear in camp ladened down with food that hadnever been issued from our regimental commissariat. He was liberalhearted, and distributed his good things with a lavish hand. But themarching became terrible at last. The hot sun beating on the"pike," and the air filled with the heated dust, no water, exceptingsuch as could be obtained from ponds by the road side, stagnant,and covered with a green slime, and often with hogs wallowing init. The springs and wells dried up, all combined to make ourmarch irksome, and almost unbearable. Camp Diarrhoea made itsappearance from which nearly all suffered more or less. Green persimmons,white oak bark, and all such simple astringents wereused, but many became very weak and unable to march. The ambulanceswere full of sick soldiers, and so indeed were many wagons.Many poor fellows got discouraged, thoughts of home andloved ones filled their minds, and as the long days passed away andthey lay in the ambulances, their minds kept wandering back, andnothing could arouse them to make endeavors to regain their health,so at last death came to many and relieved them of their sufferings.It was at such times as these, that the boys showed their heartygood will, that earnest endeavor to help those who could not helpthemselves, so characteristic of the western man, and many a trip30was made by some kind hearted lad to houses far from the line ofmarch, although he knew he was running the risk of losing his ownlife in the attempt, to procure a canteen of good water for a sickcomrade, who was slowly but surely loosing his hold on life. Thewriter well remembers the feelings that the first death in his owncompany occasioned. One of our boys had grown so weak fromthe effects of the diarrhoea that he had been placed in one of theambulances. For several days he rode thus, and every night whenwe reached camp some one of our number would go to the ambulancetrain to see if he needed anything, that we could do for him,but one night the messenger returned with the sad news, that, whenthe ambulance train went into camp, he was found dead inside. Yes,poor fellow, his warfare was over, and as we gathered to our campfires the news was spread around, a pall of sorrow seemed to settledown upon us, and Co. "B" went to their blankets with saddenedhearts. But sorrow, like everything else, is evanescent, and beforethe next night rolled around, the company had again assumed itsusual every day life and jollity, not that the memory of our lost comradehad faded from our minds, but on every hand there was to beseen something new to us, something to excite enquiry, and we werefinding now, every day, traces of war; fences torn down to enablecavalry to charge through, dead horses, and used up wagons by theroad side, which had been abandoned by the enemy, and destroyed,by cutting the spokes out of the wheels, so as to be of no use to the"invader." These sights, and many others, quickly dispelled sorrow,and brought in its place a desire to meet the foe. We were atthis time in the division over which General Phillip H. Sheridan hadcommand.
31
CHAPTER VII.
Sheridan's name is one which will be forever linked with the historyof our country. He was a brave officer, a dashing leader, butwe used to think the possessor of the most abominable temper thatever man was blessed or cursed with, and whenever he would ridepast with his staff, the weary legs of the men would straighten up,and for a while a new life would seem to inspire us. Whether it wasthat unknown power that causes some men to be more fitted for theduties of leading men, than others, or whether it was a fear that wemight receive a broadside of his oaths, we do not know, but at anyrate, during the short time he would ride by, things would assume amore soldierly appearance; a little more order. We remember oneafternoon, when along with a comrade, we had managed in someway, to drift considerably to the rear. We were plodding along,however, chatting together, until we came to a sutler who had openedup his wagon of sutler's goods, and was doing a good businesswith the boys as they marched by. We went up and purchasedsome cheese and crackers, and placing them in our hats, proceededto a little mound at the foot of a large tree, to eat them. There wesat munching our crackers and cheese, making remarks on the passersby, and occasionally enjoying a bit of chaff with some fellow,until we began to wonder how many men there could be coming,for by this time we had been there quite a while, and still the streamof humanity flowed by, still the same panorama of infantry, cavalryand artillery, passed before us, and we had come to the conclusionto stay there until they all went by, never once thinking of what atime we would have to catch up with our command. Just at thismoment, when we had come to the conclusion to see the end of it,up rode General Sheridan with his staff and orderlies pressing on tothe front. We were a little fearful he might see us, but we thoughtthat in all that multitude of humanity and life, we surely were ofbut small moment, and would escape his eye. But we were doomed32to disappointment, for suddenly this salutation, short and decidedlyto the point, rang upon our ears: "You men of the 125th Ills.,what in —— are you doing there. Move on;" and filling the air fullof the hottest oaths aimed at our defenseless heads we incontinentlygathered up our hats, with the remnants of our lunch and startedfor our regiment, which by this time was far in advance. But as wewalked along, we were thinking how it was that Sheridan knew wewere members of the 125th, was it by any peculiarity in our movements,or was it a part of his business, as general, to know themembers of each regiment in his division. Our appreciation of hismerits as a great commander were rising rapidly, and we had cometo the conclusion that he must have a wonderful memory. So onwe went wondering to each other how it was. Suddenly my companionstopped short. "Bob," says he, "I know how it was thatold Sheridan knew us."
"How," we asked.
"Why, you old fool, he read it on our knapsacks."
True enough, that was the solution of the problem, for beforeleaving Louisville, the writer had procured a bottle of white paint,and a brush, and had painted in large letters on each fellow's knapsack,his name, company and regiment. This it was that had revealedto the general our proper place, we had forgotten all aboutit. We laughed heartily over the matter, and agreed to erase fromour knapsacks the tell-tale letters as soon as we arrived in camp.
We were by this time getting well down into Kentucky, and everyday we marched through villages and towns, which, but a few shortweeks before, had been filled with sounds of life and business activity;but now everything was at a stand still; the store houses deserted, andtheir doors swinging idly on their hinges, revealing to the passer bynaught but a collection of empty shelves and bare counters. Thehouses, even, were, for the most part, deserted of their occupants.War with its black and devastating influence, was abroad in theland. It was on a Sunday afternoon that we reached Bardstown, aplace of considerable size, and as it seemed to us, a place whereconsiderable business had been carried on, but now all was changed.33We had been marching very slowly that day, halting every fewmoments and then advancing. Just as we entered Bardstown thebugle sounded the "Halt," and our line was directly in front of alarge brick house, the doors of which were wide open, and comingand going through them were many officers, from the general downto lieutenant. We were tired and travel worn, so we proposed toour partner that we would go and see if some good water could behad. Leaving our place in the ranks we started for the house, andboldly marched in. Our aim was for the kitchen, and as we passeddown the hall of the house we could not prevent ourself from lookingthrough the doors of the parlors, as we judged them to be, forthey were wide open, and there we saw the remains of what hadbeen a grand feast. We dared not enter, but passed on down thehall, until a slight obstruction in the shape of a little second lieutenantcame across our path, and the demand from him of what wewere doing there. We replied we wanted water, but did not stop tolisten to any remark he might have to make. Just as we reachedthe back door, a colored waiter boy, belonging to the house, cametearing in, bearing in his hands a pitcher of water going to the parlor.We collared this son of Ham, and demanded that he procurefor us a canteen of whisky, with the promise that if he did we wouldpay him for it. His eyes rolled up in astonishment, and perhaps alittle fear, for we were rather vigorous in our demand, and with a"Lor! bress you massa, dar hain't a drap of whisky in de house,"he essayed to leave us, but we had a good hold on him, and weregoing to keep it. We knew he was lying to us, for we had caughta whiff of his breath, which gave him away entirely, as it was redolentof the fumes of "bourbon." He saw we were in earnest, andquickly whispering "come dis way sah," he opened a door in thehall and bid us enter, and wait until he returned. We entered whatwas, to all appearances, a bed-room, neatly fitted up with furniture,and in one corner a bed of huge dimensions, covered with thewhitest and daintiest of counterpanes. It was the first bed we hadseen for weeks, and regardless of our dusty clothes, and rememberingonly that we were tired, and in the enemies' land, we flung ourself,knapsack and all, upon its broad and ample surface. There34we laid, resting our weary limbs and looking up at the ceiling, wonderinghow much longer it would be before our sable friend wouldappear. The moments kept slipping by, and at last, with a tremendouseffort, we raised ourself from the bed intending to return tothe regiment. We approached the door and essayed to open it, itwas—locked. For a moment we were non-plussed; had we comethis far from home to be captured by a "nigger" in this way?What a fool we had been to enter there, but directly other thoughtscame into our minds, and we again threw ourself upon the bed withthe intention that, if we were captured, we would get all the rest wecould out of that bed before we were marched off by rebel guards.But imprisonment was not to be our fate at that time, for suddenlythe door flew open, and in came our colored friend, bearing in hishand a large pitcher, which proved to contain, to the very top of it,as good whisky as we had ever drank. To empty the contents ofthe pitcher into our canteen, was but the work of a moment, andgiving our friend a green-back dollar, at which he looked with surpriseand earnestly enquired "Is dis good money, massa?" We assuredhim that it was, and hastened out to find the regiment. Luckilyit had not moved from where we had left it, and we fell intoplace alongside of our partner, to whose thirsty lips my canteen wassoon applied. The bugle sounded "forward," and we went, but asa truthful chronicler we are bound to state that under the exhilaratingand inspiriting contents of my canteen, my partner soon becamehilarious, and when we reached camp I was doing double duty, inasmuchas I was carrying his gun and my own also. It was not thelength but the breadth of the road that troubled him. But no evilconsequences resulted from it, and as it was winked at by the officers,no harm was done, and the next morning found him all right,and ready for the incidents of the day.
35
CHAPTER VIII.
The days passed by, and we, with the blissful ignorance of newsoldiers, could not see the omens which filled the air, indicating thatthe battle was not far off; omens which the old soldier can so easilyinterpret, and which, as we became used to army life, were also easilyinterpreted by us. But the time was near when we should meet thefoe, and as we plodded along one afternoon, tired and almostsmothered with the dust, two staff officers came riding back fromthe direction of the front, and as they passed the writer caught thewords, "throwing up breastworks on Chaplin Hills." Still at thetime they made no impression on my mind, but before that time thenext day, I recalled them and then understood what was meant.The dust was terrible, and about the middle of the afternoon a divisionof cavalry came riding by pressing on to the front. Theyrode in column of two's, and it seemed to us that they never wouldget by. The dust raised by their horses was fearful, and we werenot in the best of humor, so as they rode along we very foolishlygot angry at them, and curses flew at their heads in a pitiless storm.Some of the boys actually pricked the horses with their bayonets.But at length they passed us, and glad enough we were to get rid ofthem. We soon went into camp in an old corn-field, and betweentwo corn rows the writer laid his tired body and was soon in theland of dreams. We never knew exactly what time it was when wefelt a shake and heard a summons to wake up. The moon wasshining brightly and quiet reigned all around us. But there wassomething in the wind more than common, as we could judge by thesubdued voices in which commands were given, and when we wereordered to pile our knapsacks and leave a guard sufficient to protectthem, it became apparent that there was business on hand whichneeded our attention. But we well remember what our first impressionswere, when the order to pile knapsacks was given. We thoughtin our innocence that the commanding powers had taken pity on us,36and were going to haul our knapsacks for us in the wagons, thatthey had concluded to save us the fatigue of carrying them ourselves;so laboring under this impression we silently fell into lineand marched away in the moonlight back to the pike from which wehad moved the night before. We well remember as we silentlymarched along that our file leader, a comrade by the name of Ross,had swinging to him the half of an old knapsack filled with honey.We intimated to him that we were particularly fond of honey, and ifhe had no objection we would like to help him eat what he had, butRoss was not in a honied humor that morning and our request wasdenied. I never knew what he did with it, but am strongly inclinedto the belief that comrade Ross found other matters too weighty toattend to that morning besides eating honey, and that he cast itfrom him. We were now on the pike, when the order to "halt!"was given. There was an old barn on the side of the pike, and behindit the head of the regiment had stopped. "Front Face,""Right Dress," "Load and Cap," were the orders in quick succession,and then the colonel riding down the line informed us that thehour for battle had arrived, and he hoped every man in the 125thwould do his duty. We had come out to fight, that was what wewere there for, that was our business, but we will confess for ourselfour heart beat a trifle faster, and our gun had a colder touch thancommon, or at least it seemed so. But history was to be made thatday, and as it was proven latter in the day, the 125th were willing tomake their part of it. And now the day commenced to break, andpresently "bang," "bang," went the guns, not by volley, but everand anon, a desultory shot from the direction of our skirmish line,showing that our skirmishers had run against some obstacle whichbore the resemblance of a man. The daylight grows brighter, andthe guns crack oftener; occasionally a volley is heard, and ourbrigade commander, Col. Dan McCook, comes tearing down thepike on his war horse, and orders our colonel to march the regimentto the top of a hill to our left; away we went, and arriving therefound our battery "I" of the 2nd Ills. artillery in position. Wewere to support it from any and all attacks of the rebels. Therewe stood in line as if on dress parade, but directly bullets camewhizzing over us, with now and then a shell. Dodging was the37order of the day, and heads were ducking in all directions; still westood, until Col. McCook came riding up, and calling to our coloneltold him to order us to lie down. We quickly responded to thecommand, but not before some of our number had been hit. Andnow our battery, tired of being set up as a mark, began to returnthe compliments of our rebel friends, and the air was filled with thesharp reports of the guns and the explosion of shells, while as a sortof an accompaniment to the noise the ping of the bullet was heardall around us. The battle had indeed opened. We lay in thisposition nearly all the forenoon, when at last there came an orderfor the right wing of the regiment to move across the pike into somewoods. This we did, and took position in the rear of the 73rd Ills.to relieve them when their ammunition should give out, and whichto judge by the way they were shooting would not be long. Sothere we lay expecting every moment to go into action, but as thetime passed away and the 73rd slackened its firing somewhat, we becameused to our position, and the crash of lead and iron ceased toinspire us with the blood curdling sensation which we had experiencedat the commencement of the battle. A few only of our boysgot hit as we lay there, but the tops of the trees suffered considerablyby the solid shot, shells, and grape and canister that the rebel-gunshurled at us, and we were quite willing they should be the victimsinstead of us.
Battle is always a serious affair, and there never was, nor ever willbe a battle fought without its bringing sorrow and grief to manyhomes, but it also has its ludicrous aspects, and I will relate onethat happened here. As we have said before, the 73rd Ills. wasdirectly in front of us, and when the firing was at its height, forthfrom its ranks came a man in the wildest manner, headlong over usfellows who were laying on the ground, shouting at the top of hisvoice: "Where's the doctor? Where's the doctor? I'm shot inthe head! I'm killed! I'm killed!" and away he went as fast ashe could go. We looked after him in surprise, thinking he was theliveliest corpse we had ever seen. That night after the battle wasover, we again saw this man, recognizing him by the peculiar colorof his hat.
38"Hello!" we exclaimed, going up to him, "we thought you wasdead."
"No, sir," was the emphatic reply, "but they gave me a closecall," and taking off his hat he showed us where a rifle ball hadraised a welt clear across the top of his head, from front to rear.The result was that it partially crazed him for the moment, and hewas not responsible for his actions. But here at Perrysville on theeight of October, 1862, was where the regiment received its "baptismof fire," and here it was that on that October afternoon it receivedits first order to "charge bayonets," and to the glory andhonor of the regiment be it said, not a man refused to obey thecommand. Perhaps the reader may say: "I can not see muchglory in that, they were ordered to do so, and they were there toobey orders." True enough, we reply, but when we take into considerationthe shortness of the time since the regiment had lefthome without drill or discipline, and how it was forced right into thefield, we do think, and say, that the record of that bayonet charge,bloodless though it was, was a glorious one. No odds if we did notmeet any enemy in our front, we did not know but we would, andso the absence of the enemy does not in the least detract from thehonor of the regiment. We did not charge very far before we wereordered to "halt and lie down." The rebels were in full retreat.Why it was that we were not allowed to follow up our victory andcapture or destroy the enemy, was and always has been a mysteryto us. The turnpike in our rear was filled with troops, who werelaying there with their guns stacked, and never during the day didthey move from that position. Not only infantry, but cavalry andartillery; yet we stood and saw the foe quietly march away, leavingin our hands the field of battle, and their wounded and dead to carefor.
39
CHAPTER IX.
The battle of Perrysville was always a mystery to us, and never,although we have searched for its solution in many histories of thewar, have we been able to find an answer to our question, why itwas that Buell allowed Bragg to get away when he had in his handsthe power to crush him there and then. But with this we have nothingto do at this time, we are trying to write the record of one,only, of the regiments that helped to form the army there engagedthat day. Suffice it to say the battle ended at night fall. We hadnothing to eat since the night before, for the reason that our supplytrain could not come to us, and after the fight was over, and theover-strung nerves began to relax, hunger took possession of us, andall set about the hunt for food. The writer came across some boyswho were carrying an immense piece of beef which they had obtainedsomewhere or other, and with true soldierly kindness they donatedhim a very considerable portion of it. Returning to the commandwe divided with our partner, and fastening our share to asharpened stick thrust it into a fire which was burning near by. Wewere hungry, and although we had no salt or seasoning of any kindfor our beef, we ate it with a relish. Our scant supper being finished,we sauntered off to glean from those we might meet, an accountof the battle as they had seen it. The serious part of it was over,for that time, and now the more comical side came up. To heareach one relate his feelings during the time we lay there under thatrain of lead and iron, to hear the jokes that passed from one to theother, and to hear how the woods echoed with the shouts and laughterof our boys, feeling in their own minds that they had done their duty,was very diverting. But amid all this general rejoicing at the discomfitureof our enemy, there was still a voice of pity for the wounded, andof sorrow for the many brave lads who had that day laid their younglives upon their country's altar. Tired at last of wandering around, wespread our blankets at the foot of a tree, and with the light of the40full moon shining on us we lay down to rest. Our mind was filledwith many thoughts, but before we knew it we were fast asleep.How long we slept we did not know, but we were suddenly awakenedby a noise, and on rising up could see by the light of the moonthat our supply train had come up, and that Sergeant Cole, who hadcommand of it, was unloading the wagons on the ground. Givingour partner a punch, we told him it was time for breakfast, so up wegot and made for the nearest pile of hardtack. We filled our haversacks,and taking a goodly number in our hands, beat a retreat toour blankets. Lying on the ground we munched our biscuits, andfelt thankful that we were still alive. No other disturbance troubledus that night, and we awoke at reveille in the morning, refreshed,and ready for the duties of the day. Fires were made, and the airwas soon filled with the aroma of coffee, and the smell of breakfastwhich we were engaged in cooking. Our cooking utensils were notmany or of very stylish pattern, but they answered the purpose, aftera fashion, and that was all we cared for. When in camp regulardetails were made, and every company would have its appointedcooks, whose duty it was to have the meals ready for the men atregular hours. These cooks were relieved from all other duty, andconsequently had nothing to do but attend to this particular, andvery necessary branch of the business. In the field it was quite different,and there every fellow had to look out for himself.
But here comes an orderly with dispatches. What's up? Goingto headquarters we ascertain that it is a requisition on our regimentfor a burial party, to bury the dead who had fallen the day before.Luckily, as we thought, we were not called on, so finishing ourbreakfast we started, in company with several of our comrades, towalk over the battle field. There have been, of course, larger battlesfought, involving more loss of blood than was shed at Perrysvillethat day, but for all that, it had been a stubborn fight, and theground was covered with the bodies of the slain. The blue and thegray promiscuously, lay around us. Here had been a party of theenemy engaged during the lull in the storm of battle in a friendlygame of cards; a shell had exploded in their midst, and left themlaying there dead with the cards still in their hands. Here lay aman with the top of his head shot off; yonder was one whose death41must have been instantaneous, for his features were not distorted asif with pain, and he looked as if he was quietly sleeping. But wemust not stop too long in our description. Death had reaped amighty harvest there, and had put out forever the light, the life, thehope, of many a hearthstone. Passing along we arrived at a largestone house which had been converted by the rebels into a hospital,and when the army retreated of course it and its contents, fell intoour possession. We entered the small gate, and made our way upto the front door and walked in. There, stretched upon the barefloor, in rows, lay the rebel wounded, and among the number severalwhose lives had just gone out. Men were here who were sufferingfrom all manner of wounds; and groans and shrieks rent theair. One poor wretch, who sat with his back against the wall, hadhad his tongue shot off by a rifle ball, and was slowly dying ofstrangulation. The sight was too much for us, and sick at heart wehastily left the house. The yard was also filled with wounded men,but the character of their wounds was much slighter than those inthe house. The rebel surgeons were passing around among them,and seemed to be doing all in their power for the helpless men aboutthem. There seemed to be no ill will or malice shown by any one,but still our boys, of whom quite a number had assembled there,although perfectly willing to help, and aid those who could not helpthemselves, did not like to see too many airs put on, nor too much"big me, and little you," displayed by those who were not injured.One fellow was strutting around with an overcoat on which he hadprocured in some way, how I do not know, from one of our boys,when Captain Levin Vinson, of Co. "I," with some of his men cameup; they, like our squad, were looking over the field, and had justarrived at this house of which we have been writing. The sight ofthis rebel, marching around with one of our overcoats on, was toomuch for private Joe Dysart, of the captain's squad. Stepping upto the fellow he ordered him to take off that coat; the rebel objected;down came Dysart's gun. "Are you going to take off that coat,Johnny?" he enquired. The rebel saw that Joe meant business,and without more ado yielded up the garment. Joe was in earnest,and would have made it an expensive coat for the rebel, if he hadacted in any way that seemed to Joe outrageous.
42Remember, reader, this was our first battle, and horrible though abattle field is at all times after the struggle, still in after days we didnot think so much of any little irregularity that might be apparentin the matter of uniform. But private Dysart could not at this timelook with any feelings but those of wrath at the impudence of arebel wearing a coat of the same color as his own, and he was right.
Still we remained in camp, two days passed, but finally at the closeof the second day, we received orders to march. As is always thecustom after heavy cannonading, rain commenced to fall, and thenight set in dark and stormy. Why it was that our departure fromthe battle field of Perrysville was delayed for two days, and then themarch to commence in the night, is more than we can explain, butprobably it was not thought by our commanding general, that Braggwould be able to move his army, and transportation trains away insafety, if we had started sooner. The march was not a hurried one,so we leisurely jogged along until Crab Orchard was reached.
43
CHAPTER X.
That was the last we saw of Bragg's army for many a day. Hehad left Kentucky with what was left of his 60,000 followers whowere with him when he entered the state, in disgust perhaps atthe non-military manner in which our army was manœuvred, or perhapsin order to more easily obtain supplies; at any rate he was"gone from our gaze like a beautiful dream," and we went intocamp at Crab Orchard. At this place the character of the countrysuddenly changes. It becomes rough and barren, affording scarcelyenough corn for its spare population; and the road passes throughdefiles where a small force can resist, with great effect, a large one,where in fact the use of a large force is impracticable. The littleforage there was in the country had been consumed by the enemyin his retreat, rendering it impossible to subsist any considerablenumber of animals. Here it was the measles broke out in the regiment,and we were in the worst possible condition for such a guest,a simple thing to manage when the surroundings are favorable, buta dreadful distemper in the condition we were at that time. Theweather was chilly and cool, and the wind would blow all day long.It was a sad sight to see the boys who were afflicted with the disease,stretched out on the bare ground, with nothing over them buta blanket. We were thankful it did not rain, if it had the mortalitywould have been far greater than it was, many died however, andthere were very few who were able for duty. We remember assemblingfor dress parade one evening, but as our number was so small,the colonel ordered us back to our quarters. We had had no tentsissued to us yet, and the most of us had thrown away our overcoats,being unable to carry them. But now we felt the need of them, asthe nights were cold, and none of us had more than one blanketapiece. There was grumbling and swearing, but at last some fellowsolved the problem and restored us all to good humor. No oneever knew how "camp rumors" ever started, but start they would,44and the better they suited our frame of mind, the faster they flew.So one morning the word went round "that the war was over, andwe were all going to be discharged and sent home right away, thiswas the reason why new overcoats were not issued to us." This wasthe report and was swallowed as gospel truth. When we were orderedto pile our knapsacks, the morning of the battle of Perrysville,of course we complied with it, and when they were brought up tous again there was much of their contents missing; blankets weregone, had disappeared in some way, and all that many of us receivedwas our empty knapsacks, they were not in so great demand, asthey could not be utilized for any other purpose than that for whichthey had been intended, so every fellow got his knapsack but minusits contents, the writer got his, but the blanket which it had containedwas gone, and we thought we would have much preferredkeeping it than to have lost a dozen knapsacks. However we didnot waste many tears over it but took the first opportunity to makethe loss good by putting some other fellow to a like inconvenience.One morning while at Crab Orchard as we were passing around thecompany quarters trying to cheer up those who were sick, by sympathyand encouragement, we were hailed by a comrade to come andhelp him dust and fold his blankets. We went, of course, and whenstooping over to gather up the corner of his blanket, lo and beholdthere was our private mark, which we had made by slitting the cornerin three pieces. "Hello, Mac," we said, raising up, "wheredid you get this blanket?"
"Why, drew it from the quartermaster of course. Where did yousuppose I got it?"—this with the blandest and most child-like air.
"Drew it from the quartermaster," we replied. "Yes I know howyou drew it, you drew it from my knapsack at Perrysville, you rascal,that's how you drew it."
"What in thunder are you talking about," said Mack, "here helpme shake it, and don't go to insinuating that I stole your oldblanket."
But we knew the property was ours, and intended to hold on toit, not that we particularly needed it, for we had obtained anotherone, but we did not propose to be robbed, as we thought we were45being, in that way. This was our blanket, there was the mark, andwe were going to have it. Mack was getting riled a little.
"Are you going to help me shake that blanket?" he asked.
We replied "no," that we were going to keep that blanket ourself.We were in earnest and he saw it.
"I'd like to know what makes you think that its yours?" he said,in the most innocent manner.
We held up the corner to him. "Do you see that; that's ourmark."
Mac's countenance fell, he had never noticed that before, andnever another word did he say. He stooped over to pick up anotherone, for he was, or had been until I came to him by his invitation,the fortunate possessor of two. We were not mad nor out ofhumor the least bit, for as the saying is: "we had been there ourself,"but we requested Mac to tell us where he got it. Seeing thatwe had doubled up the blanket and held it under our arm, and wasnot the least bit inclined to give it up, he said:
"Well, now, if you won't tell anybody, I'll tell you how I got it.I was coming along the other night past Doc. McElroy's quarters,and I was on the lookout for a blanket. I came right by where thedoctor's darkey had made down his bed for him, so I just reacheddown, and gathered onto that blanket and scooted; hold on, I'll tellyou the rest of it," he said, as he recovered from the fit of laughterinto which the recollection of his theft had thrown him. "I madedown my bed pretty close to the doctor's, to see what he would sayto the darkey when he came. I did not have to wait long; herecame the doctor. 'Boy, got my bed made yet?' 'Oh yes, doctor,all right sah, made you good bed to-night, doctor,' the darkey replied,and soon the doctor proceeded to test the assurance. There wasthe bed, sure enough, but when the doctor got down on his knees,and went to turn, as he supposed, the top blanket down, nothingwas revealed to his astonished gaze but the bare ground. Then,said Mac, the trouble commenced. Calling the darkey he askedhim if that was what he called a good bed, where's my other blanket?he yelled, and the air was blue with oaths.
"Deed, doctor, I lef him dar not more'n ten minutes ago, shuah,but he done gone now, das a fac," and the darkey gave a groan. "I46spec's some of de sogers mus have stole him, doctor." And thenMac said he heard more oaths, and a noise as if some one was indistress, and then a sudden cracking of the bushes as of some onerunning, and he heard the doctor yell out: "Leave here, you lazyrascal, you'd loose your head if it was not fast to you," and gatheringhis only blanket, he saw him making off with it with the intention,as Mac supposed, of bunking with some body else who wasblessed with more cover than himself.
Oh! said Mac, I thought I would die laughing. I could nothear all that was said for I was laying on my back almost ready toburst. I never laughed so in all my life, and as laughing is contagious,we were soon laughing with him at the remembrance of hisstealing the doctor's blanket. But such was life in the army. Wheneverwe were in camp we could obtain from the quartermaster anythingwe needed in the shape of clothing or blankets, but on themarch it was different, and if a fellow lost anything he generallymanaged in some way to make himself whole, by appropriating someother chap's property. But this was only done in case of necessity,there was too much sterling integrity and manhood in the regimentto allow of stealing maliciously and wantonly. The quiet appropriatingfrom some other mess of a blanket, canteen, mess-pan orcamp kettle, by a fellow who had lost his own, was thought nothingof, provided the purloiner was not caught by the real owner. Inthat case restitution was demanded, and if he could prove his case,the property would be restored.
47
CHAPTER XI.
Well, Bragg had left us, and we were all alone. So one fine morningthe bugle sounded the call to fall in to ranks, and we marchedout of camp, back on the road we had come. But not with thesame feelings, we were getting tired of this interminable marching,as it seemed to us for no purpose, for the private soldier is generallyin blissful ignorance of the movements to be made on the board.Then again many of our comrades were not with us, and we missedtheir faces and their forms. Sickness had thinned our ranks, deathhad removed many, and the question rang out, "When are we goingto stop?" but the days passed away slowly; the march, march,march, the scarcity of water, and the dust, and our clothing wasnow beginning to show the marks of hard usage. But we buckledto it and put on as good a face as possible. There was always somefellow who said something whenever he opened his mouth, whichwould provoke laughter at the most trying time, and the one whocould get up a laugh was the hero of the moment, until some oneelse would say something that beat him, and then he would assumethat honor. Once in a while the drum and fife would start up, andthat would infuse new life into us, and we would rattle off the milesat a good pace while it lasted; we used to wish they would play allthe time, but the fifer's lungs were not made of leather, and thedrummer's arms would get tired; so, as the music ceased, we wouldsoon drop back into the old step again. Many a time we thought,and exclaimed like Richard "a horse, a horse, my kingdom for ahorse." Then some fellow would yell out: "you couldn't ride himif you had one, you don't know how," or would make the enquiryif a good mule would not answer as well. And so we passed thetime away until one afternoon, tired and thirsty, we found ourselvesmarching by the side of Green River. The road was at quite anelevation from the water, and as we marched along and looked downupon its green, cool looking surface, choked with dust as we were,48we thought it the most beautiful sheet of water that we had everseen, and would only have been too glad to have plunged into it anddrank our fill. But we were nearing Bowling Green, and shortlywent into camp. Bowling Green still contained evidences that anarmy had occupied it recently, for on all sides of us we could seethe earth works which had been thrown up by the rebel army, underthe command of General Sydney Johnston, before they evacuatedthe place, after the fall of Fort Donelson.
On the 30th of October, Buell relinquished the command of ourarmy, and turned it over to Major General Rosecrans. Buell hadfailed to cut off and compel the surrender of Bragg, and was sharplycensured for his want of activity in following up the enemy. Wewere glad to hear of his removal, for we were not much inspired withfaith in the generalship of Buell; and the fact was, the escape ofBragg, when it was so evident to the most ignorant soldier that hecould have been destroyed, had cast a feeling of depression over us,but now we hoped for better things. We were now about 113 milesfrom Louisville. Here we received supplies, clothing and ammunition,and one fine morning broke camp for Nashville, Tenn. Hereat Bowling Green we had issued to us, for the first time, the regularregulation army hat. It was a decidedly high toned affair, andabout as convenient an article for a soldier in the field as the regularout and out "stove pipe" hat would have been. They hadenormous tops to them, and a very moderate sized brim and to seea little man don one of these head pieces, and start off with it, wasludicrous. The day after receiving them we were ordered to march,and the journey that day was enlivened by jokes and witty sayingsabout those new hats. A little fellow would be plodding alongwhen some fellow would yell out: "Say, Sam, get out of that hat, Iknow you're there for I see your legs." This, and many other likeit, were passed around, and received with roars of laughter. Butwe managed, by denting in the top, to reduce their towering heightsomewhat, and consequently us short fellows were not noticed somuch afterwards. But those hats caused many a hearty laugh.There ought to have been, according to the regulations, a brassfront piece to them, and a feather, but these we never got, and itwas so much the better, for it was all we could do, that is, some of49us, to manage them as it was. Here at Bowling Green, also, ourtransportation was cut down. Heretofore we had been allowed onewagon and team to a company, now only one wagon and team wasallowed to a regiment, besides the quartermaster's teams, and theconsequence was that company officers found themselves in aquandary. There had been many of our number left behind us,and their arms and accoutrements they had turned over to theircompany officers, who were responsible to the government for them.The officers had thrown them into the company wagons, and hadbrought them along in that way. Now, however, what were they todo with them? There was a mighty flying around to the colonel'sheadquarters for instructions, and he ordered them to have thearms taken to the quartermaster, and for him to see to it that theywere carried forward. They did so, only too glad to be rid of them,and quartermaster Ayres found himself in possession of a mostabundant supply of warlike implements for as peaceful a man as hewas. How he managed to get them along we do not know; butAyres was a man equal to any emergency, and brought them intriumph to Nashville.
We were all getting in much better spirits, the weather was coolerand the health of the regiment had improved somewhat. Waterwas still scarce though, and the roads very dusty. But we had anew general in the person of Rosecrans, or "old Rosy," as we usedto call him, and confidence in our new leader inspired our hearts.His past record had been a good one and at any rate we did nothave any fear of his loyalty as we had had of Buell's after the battleof Perryville.
One afternoon as we were marching along a fellow came marchingby us going to the front, who was crying and swearing in dutchat a fearful rate. We thought at first that he was crazy, but wesoon got to talking with him and wanted to know what was thematter. He was a heavy, stout looking man, and belonged to theSecond Missouri, who were ahead of us, but in the same division.The tears were streaming down his cheeks, and as we inquired whatwas the matter, he broke out between his sobs: "Dem tam rebels,dey kill mine brudder at Perryville, tam em! Tam em! Tam em!"This was all we could get out of him in regard to it. But it seems50he had remained behind in spite of everything, to see that his dearlyloved brother received christian burial at least, and was just catchingup with his regiment. We felt very sorry for him, but still, althoughsympathizing with him in his sorrow, we could not but smileat his actions. He was terribly wrought up, and his tears hadformed, with the dust of the road which had settled on his face, amixture, which, as he wiped his eyes with his hand, had been smearedall over his countenance, and with his loud sobs and his brokenEnglish not spoken in soft accents, but bawled out as loud as hecould bawl, and his oaths and curses at the rebels who had killedhis "brudder," he made altogether a curious looking specimen ofthe "greenhorn." He was very, very mad about it, and he would,in his present state of mind, have been willing to fight the wholesouthern confederacy, if opportunity had offered, single handed.He passed on and left us. What became of him I do not know,whether on some other bloody field his spirit went to join the lovedbrother, who had gone before, or whether he lived to get home insafety, I never could ascertain. But such was army life, we wouldlaugh and joke at the most trivial, and very often at the mostsolemn things. We would remember a good joke on any body fordays, but a solemn, serious matter would soon pass out of our minds.
51
CHAPTER XII.
At last, on the eight of November, 1862, we reached Edgefield,on the Cumberland River directly opposite Nashville, a distance ofone hundred and eighty three miles from Louisville, and went intocamp. On the afternoon of our arrival, after camp had been established,the writer went over to a house near by, where there was,what had been the summer before, a vegetable garden. There wereseveral of us in there, digging around with sticks to get a few onionsthat had been left in the ground. We were all busily engaged, whenwe heard a voice ring out "what in —— are you fellows doing in there?—— —— ye, get out of there and go to your quarters." We raised up,and saw a man of medium size approach one of the boys who wasbusily engaged in digging for onions, and hit him on the back,shouting at the same time: "Get out of here." The man had ona long military overcoat, all buttoned up, and it was impossible totell who he was by his clothing. The boy whom he had struckquickly raised up, and with a well directed blow of his fist, knockedthe unknown gentleman sprawling; he went one way, and his capanother. Gathering himself up, he shouted: "What do you mean,you rascal; I am General Sheridan." That was all he needed tosay; his opponent was gone in a flash, and Sheridan after him,shouting out: "Stop that man! stop that man!" but the General'slegs were not equal to the race, and the boy succeeded in getting tothe camp, where, of course, it was impossible to find him. The restof us slipped away as quietly and quickly as possible to our quarters,carrying with us the results of our search. But we laughed andlaughed at the remembrance of it; who the boy was, that had sowilfully violated one of the sternest of army laws, that of strikinghis superior officer, we never found out, but we think he belongedto the 52nd Ohio, which regiment, as we have before stated, wasbrigaded with us. We would like to have been at Sheridan's headquarters,and heard his account of the affair, but perhaps he never52told it, although knowing him as we did, we were firm in the beliefthat he must have done up a terrible amount of hard swearing atsuch an insult to his dignity, but he had only himself to blame forit. If we could have seen who it was, distinctly, he never wouldhave got close enough to have struck any one, for we would havefled at the sight of him.
Before we reached Nashville we had received reports of how hardrun the citizens of the place were for groceries, more especially coffee,and had heard remarkable stories of the prices paid for sucharticles. So we had been saving of our rations, thinking, perhaps,that when we arrived at Nashville, we could realize something forthem. We had grown tired of hardtack, and visions of warm bread,butter, etc., floated through our minds. So to saving we went; butas a true chronicler, we must state that some of the boys did notshow that true honesty which ought to pervade all business transactions,but had been boiling their coffee without grinding it, and afterwardsdrying it, and storing it away in their haversacks, blankets, orany way they could, so when we finally reached Nashville, there wasa considerable quantity of this article in the regiment. The nextday after our arrival, the writer and his partner, obtained a pass togo to the city. Tying up our coffee, which, by the way, made aconsiderable package, we started on our trip. We arrived in thecity without any trouble, and as we were walking up a street, wasaccosted by a woman who wished to know if we had any coffee forsale. We instantly showed our stock, and informed her thatshe could have it at the rate of one dollar per pound. This seemedin our eyes an outrageous price, but she closed with our terms, andafter weighing it in a store near by, paid us for it in good greenbacks.We do not remember, at this late day, how much it waswe received, but we pocketed it, all the same, and started out to finda place where we could obtain a square meal. This was a difficulttask, for most all the stores and restaurants were closed, but at lastwe managed to find a little store open, and in we went. We enquiredfor something to eat; the proprietor informed us, a fact whichwe could plainly see for ourselves, that his stock had run down somewhat,owing to the difficulties of obtaining a new supply, and thebest he could do for us, he said, was to offer us some tripe, which53he had in a jar. We were no way squeamish, and told him to bringon his tripe. He had but a small supply, but when we got throughhe had none. After the army fair of "hardtack and sow-belly,"tripe seemed to us to have a royal taste. We paid him for his propertyand departed to look up some new field of adventure. Saunteringalong the streets we came to a building in front of which wesaw a good many of our boys, some going away with light bread intheir arms, and others hurrying up to obtain some. We hastenedour steps, and ascertained that light bread could be bought there forfive cents a loaf. We immediately invested, and obtained as muchas we could carry on our arms, piled up like stove wood. We werenow ready to return to camp, so away we went. On the road backwe met a number of our fellows coming along, and every one wantedlight bread.
"What'll you take for a loaf?" was the enquiry.
"Ten cents a loaf," was the reply. The consequence was thatwe did not go far until our bread was all gone at double the price wehad paid for it. We then concluded to go back and get some forourselves, but here was where we missed it, for on our again apply-forbread, we were told it was all gone, and no more could be had.We had contemplated having a good supper out of that light bread,which was of good quality, but we had foolishly let our desire forspeculation run away with our supper. There was nothing left forus to do but return to camp without any, so away we went, cheeringourselves with the thought that if we had no bread, we had somemoney, which, as we had never yet been paid off by the Government,was something to be glad of.
54
CHAPTER XIII.
The Saturday after our arrival at Edgefield the regiment receivedorders to prepare for inspection the next day, Sunday. So at it wewent, cleaning up our guns and making their barrels shine like silver.This was done by laying the gun barrel in a strap in a bed of ashesand pulling the strap up and down, rolling the barrel with the foot.After a short application of this kind, the barrel would be thoroughlycleaned, the friction with the ashes having removed every particleof rust and dirt. Our brass breast plates and belt plates were alsoscoured up, and we endeavored by every means in our power toclean up thoroughly, and we succeeded, as we thought, splendidly.This was our first regular inspection, and we were anxious that theinspecting officer should make a good report on our appearance.So we worked busily all day, and at last felt confident that we wouldget a good report out of him. Sunday morning came, bright andbeautiful, and at the hour specified the bugle sounded the assembly.We formed in line by companies and moved out to the color line,where we took our places. "Attention, battalion," came the orderfrom the adjutant, "by companies, right wheel, march!" "Rearrank, open order, march," and there we were ready for inspection.The inspecting officer, who seemed to be very much of a dandy,with long gauntlets of white leather on his arms, and everythingabout him looking as if he had just come out of a band-box, incompany with our colonel, commenced going down the lines. Theappearance of the men was good, the condition of the arms, consideringthe kind they were and the long march we had just closed,were pronounced satisfactory. But when he went behind us, andcommenced examining our cartridge boxes, Oh! that he had onlykept his prying fingers and inquisitive eyes off of them. In orderthat the reader may understand the reason why, we must go back alittle. When we went into the fight at Perrysville, each man hadforty rounds of ball cartridges issued to him, with which to fill his55cartridge box, and strict orders were given not to waste or destroythem. But the battle was fought, Bragg retreated, we went to CrabOrchard, and then turned back for Nashville. No enemy was nearus, as far as we knew, and as we were tired of carrying the cartridges,we very quietly threw the most of them away, and in theirplace had put our razor, shaving soap, tobacco, or any other littlearticle that we could stuff in, so that when our cartridge boxes wereopened by the inspecting officer on that bright Sabbath morning,his astonished gaze, instead of resting on villainous lead and powder,done up in paper, found in their place the implements of thedressing-room and toilet table. It was too bad, we never thoughthe would look in the boxes, so we had let them remain in statu quo.As he passed down the lines of the companies his astonishment increased.The colonel was heartily ashamed of us, and to tell thetruth we were a little ashamed of ourselves. But the "cat was outof the bag," or more properly speaking, the cartridges were out ofthe boxes, and as a matter of course the good report which we haddesired was gone. In truth the regiment was in a deplorable conditionfor ammunition.
At dress parade, that evening, our colonel reprimanded us severelyfor our gross neglect of orders, and we felt as if we deserved it. Afresh supply was issued to us the next day, and the boxes filled up.
The center of the rebel army at this time was at Murfreesboro,and the principal part of their army was massed there, thirty-twomiles from Nashville. We had now been in camp since the eighthof November; no movement of any importance had been made.We had broken camp, however, at Edgefield, once during this time,and marched with our division to Mill Creek, five miles south ofNashville, and had again gone into camp. While here we wereplaced in the division commanded by General Robert Mitchell, andon the twenty-sixth of December, when the army moved forward tomeet the enemy at Stone River, our division was ordered back togarrison the city of Nashville. We arrived inside of the fortificationsof the city just at nightfall and went into camp temporarily.We had now been four months from home, had had one battle anda weary march, so we were noways displeased with the order, andwe concluded that at last we would now get some of the pleasures56of a soldier's life, if there were any. The next few days werepassed in selecting proper camps for us.
Nashville at this time was a very important post of the UnionArmy, and here were stored immense quantities of supplies, foodforage and ammunition, while our direct line of communication,north, was over the line of the Louisville and Nashville rail road,with John Morgan on hand to sever that line whenever opportunityoffered. We found the city somewhat recovered from the panic intowhich it had been thrown, on the receipt of the news of the fall ofFort Donelson at the mouth of the Cumberland, the river on whichNashville is situated, and perhaps it would be interesting to inserthere a description, by a resident, of the panic which the receipt ofthe news of the fall of Fort Donelson caused, showing the terribledestruction of property, and the ravages of the retreating rebelarmy.
"Just as church services were about to commence, there appearedat the door a messenger, who instantly sent the sexton up to thepulpit with a notice that: 'Fort Donelson had surrendered at fiveo'clock this morning; the gun boats were coming up; Buell's armyis at Springfield, only 25 miles north of the city, and each man musttake care of himself.' Then followed a rush and a tumult, the likeof which that city had never seen before. Such hurrying to and froof carriages, buggies, omnibuses and baggage wagons, with greatloads of trunks and valises, making their way to the depots of therail roads leading to the southward. The Governor, Isham G. Harris,had fled on a mule, and the legislators followed him as rapidlyas possible the same day. Regiments of rebel soldiers were comingin from Bowling Green, stealing and plundering on their line ofmarch, from friend and foe. The cattle of the farmers were shotdown in mere wantonness, and fences burned. Nashville was thechief depot for the provisions and army stores for the whole rebeldominion in the west, and had the same importance to the departmentthere, as Richmond in the east. Of these stores there weremillions of dollars in value that could not be moved in time. Wordwas given out for the inhabitants to come and help themselves, whichthey did with a will. In the armory were deposited some five toseven thousand rifles. Two thousand of the best were brought outby order of General Floyd, and burned. All these had been impressedfrom the people in the state, forcibly or otherwise, as theycould be found in the owner's houses. Two elegant steam boats,formerly in the Nashville and New Orleans trade, purchased by the57Jeff Davis government at a cost of $35,000 each, and in process ofbeing converted into gun boats, were burned. The rail road bridgethat cost50,000, and the wire suspension bridge, costing $150,000,both beautiful structures, were also burned. The mayor, witha committee of leading citizens, waited upon Floyd, and earnestlyremonstrated against the destruction of the bridges, but without success.Another fine steamer, private property, was burned by theTexas Rangers. Five or six other steam boats that were lying inport, the owners had very prudently moved over to the north sideof the river, and had thus escaped the torch of the rebels. Fromthe morning of the 16th to the 24th of February, anarchy and riotingprevailed. Fierce and awful were the curses heaped upon Johnston,Floyd and Pillow, by the retreating soldiery. Some of themswore they were going home if it cost them their lives. Five thousandlives they said had been sacrificed by Johnston at Bowling Green,from exposure, bad fare and hard work, to which not many of themhad ever been accustomed."
58
CHAPTER XIV.
Our regiment was finally placed in camp on top of some high hillsin the western part of the city, behind fortifications of cotton bales.It brought to our mind what we had read about Jackson at NewOrleans. On the top of these hills, commanding an extensive viewof the surrounding country, we pitched our tents. We had issuedto us the style of tent called the "Sibley;" patterned after the wigwamsof the Indians, conical shape, with a large hole in the top topermit the escape of smoke. The tent pole consisted of a woodenstaff four or five feet long, which rested, at its base, on an iron tripodof about three feet in height. Between the legs of this tripodwe made our fires, fuel being provided by the quartermaster's department.At night when we had spread down our blankets insideof the tents, which were intended to accommodate twenty-five meneach, we lay with our heads to the outside of the circle, and our feetpointing to the fire. It was pretty close packing, but we were goodnatured for the most part, and so we got along very well, although,occasionally, some fellow would make a fuss, but it was soon stoppedby everybody else yelling at him to keep still, and yielding topublic opinion so emphatically expressed, the disturber of the peacewould smother his injuries, fancied or real, in his own breast, andsleep would soon settle down upon our household.
While in camp on these hills, some of the friends of boys of ourcompany, came to visit them. Solomon Starr, John Huffman, uncleArchie Gryder and several others. We were all glad to see them,and in fact it made no particular difference who they had come tovisit, we were all glad to see them, for we were nearly all acquaintedwith them; at any rate they had come from what we called "God'scountry," and they were heartily welcomed. They said they wantedto see how "soldiering went," so we fed them well on what we had,not forgetting to supply them liberally with that delicious dish whichsome one had named "s— of a b—;" where in the world he ever59got the name from we never could find out, or why it should havebeen thus named, for it certainly bore not the slightest resemblanceto any member of the canine race. This beautiful dish, in orderthat all may know how it was prepared, was made as follows: hardtackbroken up into small pieces, and then fried or boiled in greaseand water until it has swelled, and become as tough almost as india-rubber.This is what we regaled our guests with, and they acceptedit with credulity. At night we would scatter them around in thedifferent tents, as it was impossible to keep them all in one withoutputting us to great inconvenience. So one night there came up aheavy storm of wind and rain, and the water flowed through the tents,soaking our blankets and everything else. Our guests left us in themorning, expressing themselves as being fully satisfied with their experience."Soldiering was not so very hard," they said, "but then,at times, was inconvenient, and indeed they must hurry home, theyhad not intended to have staid nearly so long as they had, etc., etc."At this late day, whenever you meet one of them, and ask him if heremembers the night he passed in camp with us at Nashville, he willtell you with a groan that, "yes he believes he does remembersomething about it," and will always add: "you have reference tothe night it rained so."
It was not long before Nashville seemed to rouse itself, and assumesomething like its former appearance, and to look as it had beforewar breathed its desolating breath upon the city. The stores wereopened, the hotels commenced filling up, and as far as war was concerned,nothing was observable in the city to denote a state of war,or that the city was under martial law, except the passing of armywagons, or the tread of the provost guard. Order reigned, andprotection from crime was given to all. The theatres were openedand played to full houses nightly; mostly officers and soldiers filledthem, although generally there was a fair sprinkling of citizens inthe audience. Pieces bearing directly upon the war, with strongunion sentiments, were placed upon the boards, and the performancewould be interspersed with songs of the most loyal character. Oneday there came an order for us to "strike tents." We had no ideaof where we were going, but our march was not a long one, merelyacross the Cumberland to Edgefield, where we went into the oldcamp just vacated by the 16th Illinois. A more beautiful camp wehad never seen. The quarters of the men were made of cane, whichthe 16th had procured some where in the neighborhood, and out ofwhich they had contrived to make a camp, at once beautiful andartistic. All of the old boys will well remember it.
60
CHAPTER XV.
We were now fairly at work doing garrison duty, furnishing dailydetails for provost guard, train guard, picket guard, and all mannerof guard duty that can be thought of. Our picket line extended inthe shape of a horseshoe around the city, both flanks of the lineresting on the river. General James D. Morgan commanded ourdivision, and General Mitchell the post, at Nashville. Strict disciplinewas maintained, and we often thought that if the citizens ofNashville would have expressed their honest opinion they wouldwith one accord have agreed that never was there better order intheir city. There were some union people here, but the most ofthe inhabitant were cherishing in their bosoms, and rolling it as asweet morsel under their tongues, the cause of the south. On themorning of the 31st of December the battle of Stone River orMurfreesboro opened. The cannonading could be plainly heard atNashville, and at night fall we were alarmed with the news that theright wing of our army had been crushed and driven back, and thatthe battle was strongly in favor of the rebels. Anxiety was visibleon every face, and everything was done that was thought necessaryto insure the safety of the city if the news proved to be true. Wesay every face, but we are mistaken, some there were who couldhardly repress their joy at the intelligence that their rebel friendswere in a fair way to drive back the northern "mud-sills," but thesereckoned without their host. True it was that the third division ofMcCook's corps, commanded by Sheridan, our old division, andwhich three times that day had repulsed the desperate charges ofthe enemy, were themselves repulsed when the enemy, with reinforcements,for the fourth time assailed them. But it fought on untilone-fourth of its number lay bleeding and dying upon the field,and its last brigade commander had been killed, then it gave wayand all three of the divisions in the corps were hurled back togetherinto the immense series of cedar thickets which skirted the turnpike61and extended far off to the right. But Rosecrans was not whipped,though the rebels had momentarily overpowered the right wing ofhis army, and he vigorously set to work to retrieve the disaster.Brigades and batteries from the divisions of Rousseau, Negly andPalmer were ordered to the right to check the progress of the foeand rally the fugitives. The infantry was rapidly massed in anarray of imposing strength along the turnpike, and facing the woodsthrough which the rebels were advancing. Still the broken divisionsof McCook disputed the ground while retreating, and deeds ofheroism were performed by officers and men in those dark thickets.Yet in spite of the desperate struggle which marked every fresh advanceof the enemy, in spite of the heroic sacrifice of life on thepart of the officers and soldiers of the union army, the rebels stillsteadily advanced, and came nearer to the turnpike. Nearly twomiles and a half had the right wing yielded, and all the reinforcementsthat had been hurried into the woods to sustain it, had failed.The roar of cannon, the bursting of shells, the crash of shot throughthe trees, and the continuous roll of musketry, all mingled in onetremendous volume of sound, which rolled on, nearer and nearer,to the turnpike, where the genius and vigor of Rosecrans had massedthe forces that were to receive the enemy, when he should emergefrom the woods in pursuit of our retreating battalions. Col. Loomiswas there with his 1st Michigan Battery, and Stokes with the gunsfurnished by the Chicago Board of Trade, and Mendenhall andGuenther, with their regular artillery. There were also the troops ofGeneral Wood, the brigades of Rousseau under Schribner, Beattyand Shepherd. At last the long lines of the enemy, rank uponrank, charged from the wood. A sheet of flame burst from theunion ranks, a crash rent the atmosphere, and the artillery shook theearth. The foremost line of the rebel host was literally swept away;and then both armies were enveloped in a vast cloud of smoke. Forten minutes the thunder of battle burst forth from the cloud, andwhen our battalions advanced, they found no rebels between theturnpike and woods, except the disabled, the dying and the dead.The soil was red with blood, for within a brief space of time, theslaughter had been awful. Our troops having repulsed the rebelleft, pushed into the woods after them, and drove them back over62the ground they had at first occupied. Other desperate encountersoccurred during the day, all along the line. It was eleven o'clockwhen Hardee was repulsed. In the mean time, while the battle wasraging on the right, an attack was made upon Palmer's division, butthe rebels were driven back with loss. There was now a lull in thestorm of battle, and scarcely a volley of musketry or boom of cannonwas heard for three quarters of an hour. Some hoped thatthese bloody scenes were ended for the day; but the rebel leaders,disappointed by their failure to penetrate to our camp by way of theright wing, were preparing for a bold blow at the centre. All thereserves were attached to the centre of their army under Polk; andBragg in person placed himself at the head of the columns. Andnow was presented an imposing spectacle. The nature of the groundin this part of the field was such that every movement of eitherarmy could be distinctly seen. The open fields toward Murfreesborowere smooth enough for a holiday parade ground. A fiercecannonade up the turnpike announced the coming onset, and fromthe very woods out of which the rebel cavalry issued on Mondayevening, the first line of battle now sallied forth.
It came on in magnificent order; and stretching away diagonallyacross a great sloping field, its length seemed interminable. At asufficient interval another line deployed into the open ground, parallelwith the first, and ere the forward battalions were engaged, athird line of battle came forth from the same woods. It seemed thatour feeble lines in that direction must be crushed by the weight of theseimmense masses of living and moving men. But the ever watchfuleye of Rosecrans had detected the rebel design, even before theirfirst line of battle had emerged from among the trees. The unionarmy was like a set of chess men in his hands, and its different brigadesand divisions, were moved about with as much facility, as arepawns and pieces in that grand old game. The least exhaustedtroops of the left and centre, were hurried forward on the doublequick to combat this new effort of the enemy, and even from theextreme left, where Van Cleve was posted, a brigade was broughtover to take part in the defense. The same formidable array ofbatteries and battalions again confronted the foe, as that uponwhich the violence of Hardee's corps had spent itself, and similar63results followed. Almost simultaneously a sheet of fire leaped forthfrom each of the opposing lines, and for a few minutes both linesstood like walls of stone, discharging their deadly missiles into eachothers bosoms. Then the rebels attempted to charge, but a stormof lead and iron hail burst in their faces, and all around them, sweepingthem down by hundreds. If once the soldiers of the union waveredbefore this fiery onset, it was only for a moment, and in fortyminutes from the time the first rebel line marched forth, all three ofthem had been dashed to pieces, and the survivors of the conflictflying in wild confusion over the slope, were disappearing in thedepths of the woods. The battle for the day was over. But whocan describe the sufferings which followed. The night air waspinching cold, and in the midst of those gloomy forests of pine andcedars on the right, numbers of men lay freezing, bleeding, dying;whom no human hand would ever succor. The rebel pickets advancedat night to the edge of the woods skirting the open ground,which was the scene of Hardee's terrible repulse. The hostile linesof battle were probably a thousand yards apart. The interveningspace was covered with wounded who could not be carried off. Hewho chose to risk it, could crawl carefully up to the edge of thewoods, and hear the shrieks and groans of the wounded men whowere laying by hundreds among the trees. The men in our advanceline lay down as well as they could upon the ground over which thestorm of battle had swept. It was difficult to distinguish the bodiesof the sleepers from the corpses, living and dead were slumberingpeacefully together. There were places that night, indeed, wheresleep came not to steep the senses in gentle forgetfulness. The poorsoldier, whom the bullets of the enemy had not yet reached, couldgather a few leaves, or sticks, or corn stalks, for a bed, clasp hisfaithful rifle in his arms, and with his blanket around him, if he wereso fortunate as to possess one, sleep soundly, notwithstanding thebitter cold. He could build no fires, for that would reveal our positionto the enemy; but so fatigued was he, that he could still slumberalthough his frame shivered involuntarily in the windy night atmosphere.But the mangled hero, laying in the field or hospital,knew no repose. Pain drove sleep away, and to those who feltthemselves maimed, crippled for life, the keen mental anguish must64have been more intolerable than physical pain. And there were thefaithful surgeons, too, who knew no rest from their dreadful labors,and toiled on through the long and weary night. And so the dayspassed until Sunday came, and the soldiers awoke on Sunday morningto find the ground covered with snow, and on that day GeneralRosecrans entered Murfreesboro; Bragg having retreated with all hisforce. The total loss incurred by the union army was 11,285, killed,wounded and missing; of this number 2,800 were missing. Therebel loss was estimated at over 14,000 killed and wounded. Andso ended the battle of Murfreesboro, one of the bloodiest battles ofthe war. It had been gained at a terrible cost of life and blood,but such are the wages that war demands. We have given this descriptionof the battle of Murfreesboro for the purpose merely ofgiving the reader to understand that the reports which reached ourears at Nashville, were not idle rumors, but that the situation hadbeen a trying one for our army, and one that called for vigilance onthe part of those who had the city of Nashville in their charge.Every preparation had been made there to receive the enemy, if, unfortunately,he should overcome our forces, but as the result provedthey were not needed.
65
CHAPTER XVI.
While at Nashville many incidents happened in camp and we willrelate one of them here. Our sutler, Charley Pratt, had found avery neat sutler's store, built of plank, and fitted up in a very substantialmanner, probably by the sutler of the 16th Ill., and he wasnot slow to appropriate the building to his own use. In this heopened out his goods for our inspection and benefit, and we werepretty good customers. Charley had bought some fresh fish ofwhich he sold a good many to the officers. These fish lay on ashelf in the rear end of his shebang, but in such a way as to presentan inviting appearance to all. On the day to which we refer,Charley had received a fresh supply, and among the number was oneuncommonly nice large fellow. Directly over this fish was a largeknot-hole looking to the rear of the store. Now there had been theusual crowd all the morning around the sutler's store, and in thecrowd was Jake E——. Jake was a good soldier, but had verycrude notions of the rights of "mine and thine." Such thoughtsnever bothered Jake when anything particularly tempted his vision,especially if it was anything good to eat. Charley was aware ofthis fact, and when during the morning he happened to glance overtowards his fish rack, behold the big fish was gone. He reflected amoment; he had not sold it, he knew; his eye rested on the knot-hole;a closer inspection showed scales adhering to the edge ofthe plank; he put this and that together and finally it beamed uponhis mind that his big fish, his pride and joy, had been appropriatedby some one who had not left him an equivalent. Jake had disappearedtoo. A happy thought struck Charley, and off he posted toour captain. The result of the interview was apparent when Cap.was seen to come out of his quarters and going into the tent of thefirst man who was nearest to him, commenced a search, as if lookingfor lost property. This he kept up until Jake's tent was reached;in went the captain. Jacob was reclining on his bunk in innocent66 ease, and when the captain entered, he greeted him with a cordialgood morning. The captain returned the salutation and wenton with his search.
"Get up Jacob," he said, as he approached the recumbent warrior.
"Why, cap., what are you hunting for?"
"I'm looking for a big fish that Pratt says was stolen from himthis morning."
"A fish," says Jake, "well now, cap., there's no fish here, I'vebeen laying here all the morning, as I didn't feel very well, and ifany one had brought a fish in here I would surely have seen it."
"Well, well, get up," says the captain, "I have examined all theother boys' quarters and I must examine your's too, get up, Jacob."
Unwillingly Jake arose. The captain gathered up a blanketwhich he had under his head for a pillow. Holding it up and givingit a gentle shake, out dropped the lost fish, or a twin brother to it.Jake had nothing to say, the captain looked amazed, quietly pickedup the fish and carried him off in triumph to the sutler. At rollcall that evening the captain stated the facts of the case as far ashe knew them to the company.
"And now, boys," said he, "I want you to convene a court martial,organize it in accordance with army regulations, bring before itPratt as the plaintiff, and Jacob as the defendant. If upon evidenceyou find that Jacob has been guilty of stealing the fish, sentencehim to such punishment as you think the case demands; we don'twant any stealing here; if on the contrary you find the evidencefaulty, why then of course you will acquit him."
The captain's suggestions were carried out the next morning. Aregular court martial was convened, and Pratt and the prisonerbrought before it. The testimony was taken pro and con, and theresult was that the theft of the fish was laid without any doubt onJacob's shoulders, and the sentence of the court was that Jacobshould be thrown in the river. As might be expected, Jake remonstratedstrongly against such severe treatment, as he could not swim.But it was no use, the sentence had been pronounced and must becarried out, so he soon found himself being hurried vigorously towardthe river. Arriving there he was gathered up by two stout fellows,and in he was sent head over heels. He sank and came to67the surface again. The Cumberland is a very swift stream, andJacob was soon going with the current, when some fellow stuck outa long pole to him and pulled him ashore. He climbed up thebank very wet, as might be supposed, and awful mad, and amid thelaughter of all present, for the scene had drawn a large crowd tothe river side, he started for camp, swearing vengeance on the membersof that court martial. Rushing to his quarters, he grabbed hisgun with the expressed intention of blowing the whole outfit tokingdom come, but his gun was soon taken away from him. Jakewas awful mad, and all he wanted was an opportunity to retaliate,and it came in due order. Not many days after we received ordersto prepare for inspection, and when we went to our beds that nightwe laid down with an inward feeling that we would pass a goodinspection on the morrow. Our guns and accoutrements were insplendid condition, and each fellow had blacked his shoes until theyfairly glistened. These we placed carefully in front of our tents,for there was a nice cane arbor there which kept off the dew, andturned in for the night. It so happened that Dave W——, of ourcompany, had been, as Jake thought, rather prominent in his trialand punishment, and to Dave's tent he made his way. Everythingwas quiet, all were asleep in the tent. There stood Dave's boots asbright as leather could be made. It did not take Jake long to accomplishhis errand, and when David went to pull on his boots toattend roll call at daylight the next morning, he found them filledwith a very unpleasant composition. There was a row; Dave gotlate to roll call and came near being placed on extra duty for it, butnothing more was said about it that ever we heard of, and it wasnot until long afterwards that it leaked out who had put Dave'sboots to a use for which they never were intended. Regular detailsas we have before stated, were made every day for provost duty inthe city, and each company furnished the detail as its turn camearound. It was not very severe work, but on the contrary wasoften mixed up with a good deal of fun. One morning the provostdetail from Co. "B" reported at regimental headquarters for duty,and were sent under command of corporal James Duncan over tothe city to relieve the guard then on duty there. The guard's headquartersin town were in the building used for the custom house.68The front part of the building was used by the guard, and a roomin the rear by a captain who had charge of the custom house business.This captain was a very pompous, dignified, little creature,and if we mistake not, was an officer of the regular army. At anyrate he acted as if this world was not quite good enough for him,and as if a private soldier was a being so much beneath his dignity,that the only place suitable for him was in the field; there he wouldserve to keep the naughty enemy away and our little captain's preciousbody would not be endangered. Well, corporal Duncanmarched his squad over to town, arrived in due time at the customhouse, and reported to the non-commissioned officer in charge thathe would relieve him. The change was soon made, and away wentthe relieved guard to their regimental quarters, leaving corporalDuncan and his squad in possession. For a few moments the corporalwas busy attending to his duties and getting his men readyfor the duty to be performed by them, when suddenly, "Corporalof the guard," came the summons, in a very imperious tone, fromthe room occupied by the captain just mentioned. Dropping everything,the corporal started to see what was wanted. The door ofthe room was open, and he marched into the august presence ofthe little captain, who looking up cast on him for a moment a disdainfulglance.
"Go back, sir, and come in again," was the command. Jim obeyed,and again made his appearance.
"Go back again, sir," shouted the captain. Again he made hisexit, wondering to himself what in the world that fellow meant.Again he returned, and again the same command for him to "goback." Jim was getting mad; he did not like to be made a fool ofby this little pop-in-jay in shoulder straps, and the sequel might haveproved unpleasant if it had gone on much longer. But at last thelittle captain, very red in the face, shouted at him:
"Go back and come in again, sir, and when you come in, saluteme in a proper manner."
Poor Jim obeyed this time and the irate little captain was satisfied,as Jim, with not a very good grace, raised his hand to his cap inregular military salute. Pop-in-jay then gave him some orders, andJim came back to us shutting the room door in a manner more forcible69 than pleasant to the nerves of the conceited fop inside. WasJim mad do you ask? well slightly we remark. Did you ever seea hornet's nest stirred up? how mad each individual hornet will get!well, Jim was as mad as a whole nest of hornets, and he vowed thedeepest vengeance on that captain. But that was all that ever cameof it. Corporal Duncan was one of our best men, and was likedby all, and was always ready for duty; but ever after this affair, ifany one wanted to be particularly aggravating and tantalizing, theywould ask Jim "if he didn't think he could give 'em a salute, thisfine morning." Poor fellow, he contracted the small-pox while atNashville, and came very near dying; but he recovered at last, badlydisfigured, and with the loss of an eye. He was discharged andsent home.
70
CHAPTER XVII.
While at Nashville the pay master came, and gave us six monthspay. This was very welcome, for the regiment was about cleanedout of money. We were, all of us, more or less in debt to one another,and some of the debts were contracted for very singular purposes.Card playing was a great pastime with many; poker beingthe game most in vogue. But poker playing without money, wasconsidered rather dry fun. So some ingenious chap hit upon theplan of each fellow giving his note for his losses, payable at pay day.There was a good many of these notes in camp, and now that payday had come, the holders of them were clamorous for their money.We do not know how they ever settled it, as we were not given tocard playing ourself, and consequently had no interest in the matter,but we heard considerable fuss made, and several fights occurredover the trouble, which generally was wound up by the participatorsbeing ordered to stand on a barrel, or carry a rail for a certainlength of time. But now that we had money once more, things beganto look a little different in the dress of the men. Paper collarsmade their appearance, fine boots, hats purchased in the stores ofNashville, and clothing of the regulation style and color, but of finermaterial, were sported every day on the persons of the warriors.Many sent their money home by express, others opened up "chuck-a-luck"banks, and in some cases won a good deal of money, whilesome lost all they had. At Nashville, too, we received, officially,the President's Emancipation Proclamation. It caused a great stir.There were many who were opposed to it (we have reference to thearmy of course), and several officers resigned their positions andwent home. The army was better off without them. The proclamationwas a matter of earnest and grave debate with us all, andstrong and stubborn arguments were urged on both sides. It willbe as well to remark here that when the regiment was organized itspolitical complection was of a decided democratic tinge. We had71faith in Douglas' doctrine, and many of us thought it a cruel and outrageouspiece of business to deprive the South of its slavery in thisway. But how different the subject looks to us now. Douglassleeps in his quiet tomb on the shores of Lake Michigan, while theremains of the mighty Lincoln, the promulgator of the immortalproclamation, the wise and good ruler, "with malice toward none,and with charity for all," quietly rests in the mausoleum at Springfield,the capitol of the state he loved so well. President Lincolnfollowed the logical course of events in issuing this proclamation.He was neither too soon nor too late with it. He had a host of intereststo consult, all of which involved the social, commercial andpolitical happiness of the country. He found the institution ofslavery sustaining a great agricultural interest in many states of theUnion. Cotton, sugar, rice and tobacco, and other staples, seemedto live upon its labor, and vast European and American enterprisesdepended on its preservation. The villages of Lancashire, the countingrooms of New York, the mills of Massachusetts, the looms ofFrance; to the uttermost ends of the earth, in India and Australia,the safety of the cotton crop, and the protection of cotton labor,were matters of comfort, necessity and bread. It was not an easymatter to proclaim a decree, so universal in its application, and soradical in its operation, and to the wisdom and sagacity of our martyredPresident let us record it, that he did not issue the proclamationuntil justified by the treason and violence of the promoters ofthe cotton interest, and masters of cotton labor.
But our stay at Nashville was drawing to a close. We had beenhere so long that it seemed to many of us when marching orders atlength came, like leaving home. We had formed acquaintance witha good many of the citizens, and had established very social termswith them, and, in fact, were enjoying ourselves very pleasantly.But the life of a soldier is always uncertain, and his abiding placetransitory, here to day and gone to morrow. We had been in Nashvilleat this time about six months, and it was now June. Shortlyafter our arrival here, the "weeding out" of the regiment, as itmight be called, took place. Many officers, finding themselves unfit,physically, for the arduous labors of the field, resigned. Themen whom sickness and disease had rendered unfit for further service,72 were discharged and sent home, and the effective force of theregiment was thoroughly cleared of all incumbrances, and broughtup to the highest military standard. The time had not been wasted,but every day drilling, and manœuvering had been practiced.The regiment had been relieved of its worthless Austrian rifles, andgiven the Enfield, a splendid weapon. We all had good clothing,and good health. The first rough edge of our soldier life, had beentaken off, and we were now inured to anything reasonable in theshape of hardship and exposure.
So at last one bright June morning in 1863, the orders came forus to "strike tents." We had also received, while here at Nashville,our shelter, or as the boys called them, our "dog tents," and as itmay be interesting to some who read these pages, we will describewhat the "dog tent" was like. It consisted of two pieces of canvasabout four feet in length and three in width. One end of thesepieces had button holes worked in it, and the other buttons. Twomen occupied each tent, and of course each fellow selected his owntent mate, or "partner," as we used to call him. Each man carried,when on the march, one-half of the tent, in other words each mancarried the half of his house roof, and it was a very particular matterthat no disturbance should arise between these "dog tent"dwellers, for if there did one fellow would walk off with his half ofthe house, leaving the other one to make the best of the situation.But happily for us good feeling prevailed throughout the entire regimentamongst the men. Of course there were a few who werenaturally inclined to be peevish and irritable, but they soon got overit when they found the majority were opposed to such exhibitions ofill nature. These "dog tents" were about three feet high, and inconsequence whenever we wanted to get into them, we had to comedown on our knees and crawl in, hence their name. They answeredvery well for us short fellows, but the long legged chaps found itdifficult to keep their feet inside of the house. When we arrived incamp at night it was a simple matter to pitch them; every otherman, nearly, was supplied with a neat little hand-ax, and all thelabor required in erecting our tents was to cut two forked sticks,sharpen the ends and drive them into the ground, a long straightstick for the ridge pole, the ends of the tent buttoned together andthrown over it and staked down to the ground, and the house wasready for occupation. They answered the purpose very well for lifein the field, and were tolerably comfortable.
73
CHAPTER XVIII.
We firmly believe that the mule and dog tent, were two great leversin aiding to put down the rebellion, for it would have been impossibleto have transported, in wagons, tentage enough for thatgreat army. But Oh! how mad we got when they were first issuedto us. We swore "we wouldn't have anything to do with 'em, theywere pretty looking things to give a man to sleep under," and ouranger at the Government was great. But time makes all thingseven, and we found that the genius that had invented the "dog-tent,"was worthy all praise. Their erection and taking down wasbut the work of a few moments, and when each piece was tightlyrolled up it formed a very small parcel, and handy to carry. Soaway we marched from Nashville, as finely an equipped army divisionas ever took the field. We were indeed a small world within ourselves,and each man carried with him his own board and lodging.We were on the march for Murfreesboro, and camped for the nightat Lavergne, a small place fifteen miles south east of Nashville.Next morning we were again on the move for Murfreesboro, whichplace we reached that day, and went into camp. All around theplace were visible signs of the terrible struggle which had takenplace. Here were the rebel breast works and fortifications, erectedby the negroes, under the eye of skillful engineers who had been educatedat the expense of that government against which they werenow directing their best efforts. Here were the ruts which had beencut by army wagons and artillery, showing the terrible condition inwhich the ground must have been. The skeletons of horses andmules were all around us; here lay a broken and dismantled guncarriage, yonder a wrecked ambulance, and look which way youwould, desolation and ruin met the eye. Here, also, were the winterquarters which the rebel army had provided for themselves,thinking that we would go into winter quarters at Nashville, andperhaps that they might themselves be able to occupy that place.74But they were doomed to disappointment, and neither place gavethem rest for the soles of their feet. We only remained at Murfreesboroa few days when we were again ordered to move.
Chattanooga was now the objective point of the General Commanding,and thither we bent our steps as rapidly as possible. Toreach that point from the position we now occupied, required amarch of from sixty-five to seventy miles, over a country destitute offorage, poorly supplied with water, and narrow and difficult wagonroads. Before again commencing active operations however. GeneralRosecrans determined to repair the Nashville and Chattanoogarail road, to bring forward the needful subsistence and forage for thearmy, which it would be impossible to transport on wagons. AtStevenson, Alabama, these supplies having accumulated in sufficientquantities by the eighth of August, corps commanders were thatday directed to supply their troops as soon as possible with rationsand forage for a general movement. We began the march acrossthe Cumberland Mountains on the morning of the 16th of August,1863, and completed the movement by the evening of the 20th. Wemade a good part of the march after night, over the roughest roadsimaginable; now winding along the side of the Tennessee River,which we could see far down below us, with the stars reflected in itsbosom; now down a jump off of at least two feet, tumbling andstumbling over rocks and boulders, we wended our weary way. Itwas a hard march, and we were thankful when it was over. But theobject of our General was accomplished, and the rebels were flankedout of Chattanooga, which had been very properly called the Gibraltarof the West. It was indeed a strongly fortified place naturally.It lays on the south bank of the Tennessee River, and was almostimpregnable from the front. But the flank movement of Rosecranswas too much for the rebels, and on the eighth of September,they evacuated the place, and our army took peaceable possession.We were now under command of Major General Gordon Granger.Marching through Chattanooga, which did not look as if it had everbeen much of a town, we moved out to a little place called Rossvilleand went into camp. Here it was that an incident occurredwhich for a time threatened to create a great disturbance. GeneralGranger had issued strict orders, forbidding foraging by the men,75but in spite of all orders to the contrary they would slip out intothe adjacent country and procure what they could in the shape ofeatables. On this afternoon to which we have reference, GeneralGranger was sitting in the yard in front of his headquarters, whenfrom up the road which passed in front of him, came a couple ofboys loaded down with fresh meat.
"Halt there," said Granger. "What have you got there?"
"Meat," said the boys.
"March in here," came the command, and into the yard withtheir meat they went.
"Did you not know that my orders forbade foraging? Throwyour meat down there, and take one of those rails, each one of you,and march around that tree," pointing to a tree that stood near by.They silently obeyed. Granger resumed his position, from which hehad arisen, cursing and swearing. He had not been seated long,however, before another squad came marching by laden down witheatables.
"Halt!" again rang out. "March in here you men, and throwyour stuff on that meat; pick up a rail apiece, and march aroundthat tree."
As before the order was obeyed. Granger was furious, and stridingoff to his adjutant's tent, ordered him to send out some mountedmen, and bring to his headquarters, all men found foraging. Theorder was given, and soon the horsemen were seen riding on theirerrand. They returned after a while with quite a squad of unfortunateswho were loaded down with all conceivable manner of food.Marching them into the presence of Granger, they were ordered todo as the others had done, and such another pile of eatables thatyard had never before seen. Chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, flour, hams,honey, grapes, potatoes, the carcases of calves, sheep and hogs, everythingalmost that could be thought of. On to the pile they werethrown, and each fellow, shouldering a rail, commenced his marcharound a tree. Granger was wild with rage; he stamped and swore"His orders had been willfully disobeyed, and, by G—d, he was goingto make an example of these fellows." Calling for the sergeantof his headquarters guard, which, on that evening, happened to befrom our regiment, and which, if we are not mistaken, was under76command of sergeant Poage, of Co. "E.," he ordered him to go tothe teamsters and get a "black-snake." But all this had not happenedwithout the knowledge of the rest of the command, and soonquite a crowd had collected around to see the boys as they marchedup under arrest, but as soon as they heard the order for the sergeantto go for the "black-snake," they hurried off to their quarters.Granger never knew how near he was death's door that evening, forthe boys were about to mutiny, and the first lash that had been given,would have been the signal for the trouble to begin. The wholeaffair had been arranged almost in the twinkling of an eye, and assoon as the first blow had been struck, the signal would have beensounded, which would have swept Granger and his headquartersfrom the face of the earth. But the cooler reasoning of GeneralStedman and Colonel McCook at last prevailed with the maddenedgeneral, and in place of the whipping, the boys, with backs bared,were tied by the thumbs to wagon wheels, a prey to the voraciousmosquito. What was ever done with that huge pile of provisionsin the yard, we do not know, but are inclined to the opinion thatthe doughty Granger feasted on a goodly share of them. From thatday on our dislike for Granger was intense; he had proved himselfa tyrant, and a man of ungovernable passion, and we fairly hatedhim.
77
CHAPTER XIX.
On the evening of the 18th of September rapid cannonading washeard off to our left in the direction of Chickamauga Creek. Dispatcheswere soon received that Col. Minty, with his cavalry, hadencountered the enemy at Reed's bridge across the Chickamauga,and was being heavily pushed. Orders were immediately issued forour brigade to move out to his support. It was almost sun downwhen we started, and when night overtook us the firing had ceased.It was getting dark when the head of our column ran into the rearend of a rebel wagon train moving on a road crossing ours. Wewere in the midst of a cedar thicket along either side of the roadso close and dense that a horse could not have been turned aroundin it. The meeting of this wagon train was as much a surprise tous as it probably was to them, for we had no skirmishers out andwere marching along in every day style. We were in a bad shape,certainly, but we will not stop now to argue about the matter. Asquietly and quickly as possible the brigade was formed in line ofbattle at right angles with the road, and skirmishers thrown out, butno enemy was found excepting the members of a brass band, whohad been following along behind the rebel wagon train. These,with their instruments on their backs, were quickly taken in "outof the wet." The skirmishers were recalled, a strong picket guardposted and the regiment proceeded to pass the night. No fireswere allowed, and as quietly as possible we laid down on our arms.We had eaten nothing since noon, but we had marched rapidly andwere tired, and worn, and soon were asleep. At the earliest peepof day we were awakened, not by the bugle, however, but by ourofficers going around and rousing up the men. Orders were givenat daybreak to make small fires and boil our coffee. This we didgladly, and soon each man had a tin full of good warm coffee, whichwas highly relished. But we were not given much time to tarry, forsoon the order came to "fall in." The entire brigade in line of78battle, but without any skirmishers, moved forward down throughthe brush, which was more open than formerly. We had not proceededfar when up came the brigade quartermaster, C. H. Deane,of Peoria, as fast as his horse could travel. "Halt!" rang out.The quartermaster riding up to Col. McCook, handed him an order;reading it hastily, he immediately gave the command: "Aboutface!" "File right, march." Back we went at a good pace. Weof course did not know at the time the reason for this rapid movement,but we found out afterwards that we had been marching intothe nicest kind of a trap, which the rebels had laid for us, and ifthe quartermaster had been delayed but a short time, the fate ofthe 3rd brigade, 2nd division, 14th army corps would have beensealed. We were surrounded on three sides and the rebels were doingtheir level best to close up the other end when we marched outjust a little too soon for them.
And now we come to the battle of Chickamauga, the second fieldengagement which had taken place under the leadership of GeneralRosecrans since he assumed command of the army of the Cumberland,and as it may prove interesting, we will endeavor to give amore extended sketch of it than would be necessary if we onlychronicle the movements of our own regiment. The morning ofSaturday the 19th of September dawned on the first day of thebattle of Chickamauga. The early forenoon passed away withoutforewarning of the approaching conflict, but shortly before 11o'clock the storm that had been brewing all the morning on therebel side, burst forth. At that time a long mass of rebel infantrywas seen advancing upon General Brannan's division on the extremeleft. It first came upon the second brigade, Col. Croxton commanding,and soon forced it back, despite its determined resistance. Thetwo other brigades of the division at once came to its assistanceand succeeded in checking the progress of the rebels and drivingthem back. But their column being, in turn, strongly reinforced,they advanced again with wild yells. So powerful was the momentumof the assault that it pushed Brannan back to and beyond hisposition in the line, thus uncovering the left of Baird's division,which at once became fiercely engaged. The storm rolling fromleft to right, fell next upon Johnson, and almost simultaneously on79Reynold's, who wavering at times, but again regaining their firmness,gave back a little but again advanced, until the troops of Brannanand Baird, rallied by their leaders, came up once more to the work.Then the order was issued for the entire line to advance, and nothingin military history exceeds in grandeur the charge of that powerfulcorps. Longstreet's men, from Virginia were directly opposedto the troops of Thomas, and although they fought with stubborndetermination, they could not for a moment check the steady marchof those veteran battalions. They had already pushed the enemybefore them for three-quarters of a mile, recovering all the lostground and all of the material of war lost in the morning, andLongstreet was threatened with annihilation, when a new dangercaused him to halt. While our left was driving Longstreet's corps,Polk and Hill threw themselves impetuously upon Palmer and VanCleve, of Crittenden's Corps, who failing to advance, left a gap betweenhimself and Thomas. These divisions were speedily brokenin pieces and their complete rout was imminent, when Davis's divisioncame to their support, and for a time restored the fortunes ofthe day. But the enemy, knowing that all depended upon his makinga diversion in favor of the defeated Longstreet, massed nearlythe whole of his available force, hurled it upon Van Cleve andDavis, drove the former to the right and the latter to the left, andentered boldly the opening thus made. In this junction, GeneralRosecrans called up the division of Wood and Negley, and threwthem into the gap. After a brief contest the rebels found themselvesmatched. An advance was ordered, and by sunset the original positionof the morning was gained. During the night of Saturday toSunday, General Rosecrans made some changes in the dispositionof his forces, and the line was so far withdrawn, that it rested alonga cross road running north-east and south-west and connecting theRossville with the Lafayette road. By this change the line was contractedby a mile, and the right wing caused to rest on a strong positionat Mission Ridge. The different divisions were disposed inthis order. From right to left, one brigade of Negley, Johnson,Baird, Palmer, Reynolds; two brigades of Negley, Wood, Sheridanand Davis, with the mounted brigades of Wilder and Minty coveringthe right flank. As before, Thomas held the left, Chittenden80the centre, and McCook the right. Upon the right of GeneralThomas' line, as held by Reynolds and Brannan, was a slight rise inthe plain, and from the top of this, the field could be commanded. Itwas the key to the position. During the night Thomas' troops hadbuilt a rude breast work of logs and rails for their protection. Thebattle of Sunday opened at 10 o'clock in the morning. The enemyrepeating the tactics of the previous day by throwing themselvesfirst upon the extreme left of the line formed by General Beatty'sbrigade, of Negley's division, and for two hours a fierce fire sweptalong the line of Thomas without his budging an inch. Again andagain the rebels advancing en echilon by brigade from the cover ofthe woods into the open corn-field, charged with impetuous fury andterrific yells towards the breast works of logs and rails. But eachtime the fiery blasts from our batteries and battalions swept overand around them and their ranks were crumbled and swept away.In answer to a message from General Thomas, asking for reinforcements,which led General Rosecrans to believe that General Brannanwas out of line and that General Reynold's right was exposed,orders were dispatched to General Wood to close upon Reynold's,and word was sent to General Thomas that he should be supported,even if it took away the whole corps of Crittenden and McCook.General Davis was ordered to close on General Wood, and GeneralMcCook was advised of the state of affairs, and ordered to closehis whole command to the left with all dispatch. General Wood,overlooking the directions to "close up" on General Reynolds, supposedhe was to support him by withdrawing from the line, andpassing to the rear of General Brannan, who it appears was not outof line, but was in echilon, and slightly in rear of Reynolds' right.By this unfortunate mistake a gap was opened in the line of battle,of which the enemy took instant advantage, and striking Davis inflank and rear, as well as in front, threw his whole division into confusion.The same attack shattered the right brigade of Wood beforeit had cleared the space. The right of Brannan was thrownback, and two of his battalions, then in movement to a new position,were taken in flank and thrown back through the brigades ofVan Cleve, then on the march to the left, throwing his division intoconfusion, from which it never recovered until it reached Rossville.81The rout of the right and center was now complete, and after thatfatal break, the line of battle was not again reformed during theday. The army was in fact cut in two. McCook, with Davis,Sheridan and Wilder being thrown off to the right; Crittenden, exceptone brigade of Wood's, being broken in pieces, and Thomas,with his indomitable corps, and Johnson's division of McCook's, remainingalone upon the left. But Thomas' corps also had beenfearfully shaken, and retreat was now the only resort. Retiring hiscommand accordingly, he took up a new position along the base ofMissionary Ridge, the line being so formed that the left rested uponthe Lafayette road, and the right at the Gap, representing the arcof a circle, and a south-east hill about its center formed the key tothe position. Here were collected the shattered remnants of thepowerful corps (not a fourth of the army) which had so long breastedthe fierce assaults of the enemy in the forenoon. It was certain,however, that unless assistance should speedily reach it from somequarter, it must at length succumb, for the enemy emboldened by therout of McCook and Crittenden, was gathering his hosts to hurl againstthem in a last mighty effort. At this crisis Mitchell's and McCook'sbrigades of the reserve corps, under command of General Granger,arrived. The fight now raged around the hill with redoubled fury.General Thomas formed his troops in two lines, and as each marchedup to the crest and fired a deadly volley at the advancing foe, it fellback a little way; the men lay down upon the ground to load, andthe second line advanced to take their place, and so on in succession.Every attack of the rebels was repulsed, and the enemy at nightfell back and abandoned the assault. And thus did twelve or fourteenthousand heroic men save from destruction the army of theCumberland. At night General Thomas fell back to Rossville, fourmiles from Chattanooga. Our loss in killed, wounded and missingreached twelve thousand; and fifty pieces of artillery and muchmaterial of war fell into the hands of the enemy. The enemy'sloss also was extremely heavy. Saturday's fight resulted in a drawnbattle; Sunday's in a defeat, which was only saved from utter disasterby the coolness and courage of General Thomas and his gallantcommand. That night our brigade marched back to Rossville andon Monday night we marched inside of the fortifications of Chattanooga,and so ended the battle of Chickamauga.
82
CHAPTER XX.
On the 19th of October, 1863, General Rosecrans, in GeneralOrders, No. 242, turned over the command of the Army of theCumberland, to Major General George H. Thomas, by order of thePresident. He had commanded us for nearly one year. The lastwords in his farewell address to the army, were: "Companions inarms, officers and soldiers, farewell, and may God bless you." Weall liked "Old Rosy," as we used to call him, and very sorry topart with him, but we also knew the grand qualities of GeneralThomas as a commander, and we received him with open arms.And here also we received General Order, No. 1, notifying us thatMajor General W. T. Sherman assumed command of the MilitaryDivision of the Mississippi, embracing the Departments of the Ohio,of the Cumberland and of the Tennessee. Chattanooga was madeas near impregnable as it was possible to make it. Three stronglines of defence were constructed and all the fords of the Tennesseeriver were closely guarded. But we were destined to have a hardtime of it. The army would have to be thoroughly reorganized, andrefitted. The brigade to which we belonged was ordered up toCaldwell's Ford on the Tennessee River, opposite the mouth of NorthChickamauga Creek. There we remained until the battle of MissionaryRidge. Still the army was in a critical situation. The rebelshad taken position on Look Out Mountain and Missionary Ridgein front of us, and were doing what they could to bombard Chattanooga,but the shells generally fell short; and on our extended andexposed line of communication, their cavalry were making frequentraids, and near a place called Anderson, in the Sequatchie Valley,they destroyed between two and three hundred wagons, about thirtyof which were loaded with ammunition, and the remainder withclothing and supplies; the mules, which they could not run off, wereshot, to the number of several hundred.
Our regiment was now detached, as it were, from the rest of the83brigade, and the principal duty imposed upon us was guarding Caldwell'sFord. But as all the supplies for the army had to be hauledover one line of rail road to Bridgeport, and from there carried bypack mules to Chattanooga, and as the rebel cavalry were constantlyinterrupting this line of communication, supplies of all kinds soonbegan to fall very short. The boys got irritable and peevish, theycould stand a good deal of hardship, but now their rations were cutshort, and they often felt hungry. There was still a little corn for thehorses and mules of the regiment, but it had to be guarded with aneagle eye or it would disappear very suddenly. The boys werehungry, and were constantly appropriating the forage of the animalswhenever they could find it. This matter at last became monotonous,especially to the field officers of the regiment, who sawtheir horses day by day assuming architectural proportions, and theyordered their colored servants to guard the feed more closely. ColonelHarmon gave his boy orders to carry the feed for his horse intohis, the colonel's, tent, and put it under his bunk. "They can'tget it there," said the colonel with a chuckle, "without my knowingit, you may depend, I would just like to see them try it," and herubbed his hands with glee, thinking that at last he had solved theproblem, and that the feed of his charger would be secure. In accordancewith his orders the darkey carried the corn into the colonel'stent, and carefully piled it up under his bunk. The next morningwhen he went to get the breakfast for the horse, what was hissurprise to find that the last vestige of corn was gone. Hurrying tothe colonel, with the whites of his eyes glistening, and his face drawnout of all shape with wonder, he quickly stated the case: "Why,kurnel, dar aint a grain of dat ar corn lef fur de hoss, de las graindone stole by by some one, sah—shah!" For a moment the colonelwas puzzled, and hardly knew what to say; but the corn was gonefor a fact, and it was useless to try and find it, so turning away hecarelessly remarked: "I thought I heard something fumblingaround under my bunk last night when I went to bed, but supposedit was a mouse." This circumstance afforded us much amusement.It seems that some fellow who had overhead the orders given by thecolonel to his servant, had gone to the colonel's tent that night, andslyly lifting one corner of it, had thrust in his hand and quietly84stolen, right from under his bed, the colonel lying on it at the time,the last "nubbin." There was no use trying to hide anything, itwould surely be found by some one. But the boys thought a gooddeal of the colonel, and in all probability had stolen the corn just toshow him that nothing was sure in war, for from this on they did notbother him, and the colonel's horse got all of his allowance.
The headquarters of the brigade was a short distance above ourcamp, and nearly every day Colonel McCook, or some of his staff,would go riding past, bound for Chattanooga. They would not getby the regiment, however, without their ears being saluted with suchshouts as "hard tack," "sow belly," "give us our rations," etc., etc.;this annoyed Colonel McCook greatly, for the comfort of his menwas always uppermost in his thoughts, and he was not at all to blamefor the scarcity of rations. We knew this, but out of a pure spiritof deviltry would salute him every time he went by, with phraseslike these. One afternoon he came riding up from Chattanooga, returningto his headquarters, and as he passed he was saluted with amost vigorous chorus of "hard tack," "sow belly," etc. Stoppinghis horse, aggravated sorely, as he properly was, and perhaps at thatvery time thinking of the condition of his men, he shouted back:"You may be glad to eat rubber blankets, yet." That seemed for amoment to quiet them, but directly some fellow shouted back: "Ifwe do, you'll have to furnish 'em." This was too much, and thecolonel proceeded on his way; this last remark of the boys settledhim. That Colonel McCook arrived safely at his headquarters, wewere soon made aware, by the receipt of an order forbidding anymore such salutations, under penalty of severe punishment.
85
CHAPTER XXI.
Matters and things moved on smoothly, the old routine of guardduty, dress parade and all the regular business of camp life, includinghalf rations, being faithfully kept. We now come to a matterwhich happened while we were at the Ford, which for a short timemade things very lively and animated in the camp of the 125th.The Tennessee is a wide stream, and anything going on on the oppositeside, can not be seen very distinctly with the naked eye. Butto many of us, on the afternoon of the day to which we have reference,could be seen objects moving on the hill side across theriver. These objects proved to be rebels, that side of the river wasin their possession then, but what they were doing we could not ascertain,and so at last we ceased to pay any attention to them. Theday passed as others had done, and when night came we retired toour beds to dream of home and loved ones. The night passedquietly, but just as the first streak of gray appeared in the east onthe morning of Nov. 16th, 1863, we were awakened by the boomof cannon, and the whistling of shells, and the crashing of shotthrough, around and above us. We were not long in turning out ofour tents. "What was the matter?" "Where were they?" wasasked on all sides. The long roll was beat, and the voices of theofficers giving command resounded through the camp. The regimentwas thrown into dire confusion and the majority of them followedin the wake of the pay-master over the ridge. We soonfound out where the shots came from. The objects we had seenthe day before across the river had been rebels engaged in putting abattery in position in order to shell our camp, and as soon as daylightcame, they opened up the entertainment. And a beautifulmark they had to shoot at, as the regiment lay on ground sloping tothe river and nothing intervened between us and them but the broadbosom of the Tennessee. The pay-master and his clerk were withus at the time, and in his wake had come Charley Pratt, our sutler,to collect from the boys sundry bills they were owing him. These86gentlemen, of course, were non-combatants, and as soon as theycould, conveniently, took to flight over the ridge in our rear, wherethey took position, resolved, as they afterward said, to hold theirground at all hazards. But as regarded their toilet they were sadlydeficient, and as they disappeared over the ridge, their shirt tailswere fluttering in the breeze, looking in the distance like flags oftruce. The whole affair lasted but a few moments, our third Wisconsinbattery opened on the rebels and at the third round drovethem away, having blown up a caisson for them as we could plainlysee by the smoke.
There were many narrow escapes with us; one solid shot founda resting place in one of the boy's bunks, and others went crashingthrough the tents, but without doing any more damage than tearingthem to pieces. But we were called upon to mourn the loss of oneof our number, the chaplain. As was evident, he had arisen fromhis bed and was in the act of tieing his shoe, when a solid shotcame crashing through his tent, tearing off half of his head, killinghim instantly. This sad event cast a deep gloom over the regiment.Chaplain Saunders was a good man, and was respected by all theboys, a quiet unassuming gentleman. He had won our respect andconfidence, and we mourned his death. We sent his body northfor burial, feeling that we had lost a good man. And such is thefate of war. Sitting here at home in peace and security, with mylittle baby girl playing by my side, and watching me as I write, askingme questions and striving in her childish way to attract my attention,my mind wanders back to the banks of the Tennessee.And as memory brings up the recollection of those times, and theevents which followed, of the brave boys whom we used to meet,and with them hold daily converse, now sleeping in their southerngraves beneath the soughing of the pines, the tears came to our eyesand we throw down the pen, we can write no more to-day.
We were not much longer to enjoy this otium cum dignitate, however.The iron was in the furnace, and would soon be ready forthe stroke of the general's hammer. The enemy at this time, aswe have before said, were posted on the heights of Missionary Ridgeand Lookout Mountain. Their cavalry was swarming in our rearand on our flanks, and our army represented a giant, resting from87his labors, but to rise at last and with the stroke of a thunderboltscatter his enemies like chaff. And now we come to the battle ofMissionary Ridge. On the night of the 23rd of November, Sherman,with three divisions of his army, which had arrived at Chattanoogaon the 15th of November, from Vicksburg, Miss., strengthenedby Davis' division of Palmer's corps, of which division wenow formed a part, and which had been stationed along the northbank of the Tennessee, convenient to where the crossing was to beeffected, was ready for operations. At an hour sufficiently early tosecure the south bank of the river, just below the mouth of SouthChickamauga Creek, by dawn of day, the pontoons in the NorthChickamauga, which our brigade had been guarding, were loadedwith thirty armed men each, who floated quietly past the enemy'spickets, landed and captured all but one of the guard, twenty innumber, before the enemy was aware of the presence of a foe. Thesteamboat "Dunbar," with a barge in tow, after having finishedferrying across the river the horses procured from Sherman, withwhich to move Thomas' artillery, was sent up from Chattanooga toaid in crossing artillery and troops, and by day light of the morningof the 24th of November, eight thousand men were on the southside of the Tennessee and fortified in rifle trenches. This movement,so admirably executed, put the whole of Sherman's army inposition for the great battle that was now to begin.
88
CHAPTER XXII.
We will not undertake to follow every movement of the armymade to capture the heights of Missionary ridge, as it would be, perhaps,uninteresting to the reader, and out of place here, but willpass on to the morning of the 25th. So far every thing had gonewell with the union army. Every movement had been successful.Suddenly from a point overlooking the field of battle, known asOrchard Knob, and on which army headquarters had been established,rang out the signal ordering an advance of our entire front. Theline moved rapidly and orderly. The rebel pickets discharged theirmuskets, and ran into their rifle pits, much resembling the groundsquirrel, when alarmed he seeks his den. Our skirmishers followedclosely on their heels. The line of battle was not far behind, andthe gray rebels were seen to swarm out of their rifle pits in surprisingnumbers, and over the crest of the hill. A few turned and firedtheir pieces, but the greater number collected into the many roadswhich cross obliquely up its steep face, like cattle trails, and went tothe top. Our lines pressed on and up the steep sides of the ridge,and here and there a color was advanced beyond the lines. The attemptappeared most dangerous, but the advance was supported,and the whole line was ordered to storm the heights, upon which notless than forty pieces of artillery, and no one knows how many muskets,stood ready to slaughter the assailants. With cheers answeringto cheers, the men swarmed upward. They gathered to the pointsleast difficult of ascent, and the line was broken. Color after colorwas planted on the summit, while musket and cannon vomited theirthunder upon them. A well directed shot from Orchard Knob, explodeda rebel caisson on the summit, and the gun was seen gallopingto the right, its driver lashing his horses. A party of our soldiersintercepted them, and the gun was captured with cheers. A fiercemusketry fire broke out to the left, where between Thomas andDavis a mile or two of the ridge was still occupied by the rebels.89Bragg left the house in which he had held his headquarters, and rodeto the rear as our troops crowded the hill on either side of him.General Sherman proceeded to the summit, and then only did heknow its height. Some of the captured artillery was put in position.Artillerists were sent for to work the guns. Caissons weresearched for ammunition. The rebel log breastworks were torn topieces, and carried to the other side of the ridge and used in formingbarricades. A strong line of infantry was formed in the rear ofBaird's line, hotly engaged in a musketry contest with the rebels tothe left, and a secure lodgment was soon effected. The other assaultto the right of our centre gained the summit, and the rebelsthrew down their arms and fled. Bragg's remaining troops left earlyin the night, and the battle of Chattanooga, after days of manœuveringand fighting, was won. And now commenced a movementin which our brigade took a part that called forth our strongest effortsto endure. Major General Burnside, with his command, washolding the city of Knoxville in the eastern part of the state. Thispart of Tennessee was intensely loyal to the old flag, and it was theintention of Burnside to hold his position, cost what it might. Knoxvilleis guarded on the south by the Holston river, and on the westside by a range of hills, so that Longstreet had tried to reach it fromthe east and north. Here the place had been fortified as well as theshort time would permit, but Longstreet had Burnside surrounded,and if relief did not shortly arrive he must surrender to the rebels.Information reached us on the 27th of November, that GeneralBurnside was completely invested, and had provisions only to includethe third of December. Seven days before, we had left camp onthe north side of the Tennessee, with two days rations, without achange of clothing, stripped for the fight, with but a single blanketor coat per man, from the general down to the private. We had noprovisions, only what we could gather as we went along, and were illsupplied for such a march. But intelligence that twelve thousand ofour fellow soldiers were besieged in the mountain town of Knoxville,eighty-four miles distant, had reached us. This was enough, theymust be relieved, and away we went to their aid. It was a terriblemarch and we made it in six days. But before our arrival Longstreethad raised the siege and departed, with Burnside's troops in90pursuit. General Granger moved into the city with his troops, andwe returned to our old camp on Chickamauga Creek, foot sore andweary, our clothes torn almost into shreds, and our shoe soles entirelygone, but we had marched for a big stake and had won. We remainedin camp resting, and receiving supplies and clothing, and onthe seventh of May, moved with the rest of the army on the road toAtlanta. The rebel army at this time lay in and about Dalton, andwere superior to our army in cavalry, and with three corps of infantryand artillery, the whole commanded by General Joseph E. Johnston,making a grand total of infantry, cavalry and artillery of about60,000 men. Now commenced a campaign, which for fighting, stubbornresistance and manœuvering, can not be equalled in any history.It was on the seventh of May that we left Chattanooga, andnot until the seventh of the following September, five months in all,did we rest from our labors. We will not attempt to relate each andevery battle that was fought, for we cannot do that; it was continualbattle from the time we left our fortifications near Chattanooga,until we arrived at Atlanta, so we will journey on, merely mentioningplaces at which some event took place that bore particularlyon the conduct of the regiment.
91
CHAPTER XXIII.
On the 24th day of June, General Sherman ordered that an assaultshould be made at two points south of Kenesaw Mountain, onthe 27th, giving three days notice for preparation and reconnaissance.Our division constituted the assaulting party on the centre. On thenight of the 26th, a council of war was held at corps headquarters,and the final orders for the assault on the following day were given.The orders to regimental commanders were: for the regiments to"load and cap," but not to discharge a gun until they had reachedthe rebel breast works, then, as they went over them with a yell, tofire their pieces, and finish the work with the bayonet. These orderswere given by the colonels of the regiments to the line officers, andthrough them transmitted to the non-commissioned officers and privates.The morning of the 27th broke clear and cloudless, and atdaybreak the regiments moved to the assault, leaving all their campequipments behind them, with a sufficient guard for their protection.We moved out to the summit of a hill, here the brigade and regimentalcommanders dismounted, leaving their horses in care of theirorderlies. Down the slope we went until we reached a jack oakgrove at the foot, where we formed our line of battle. At the faredge of this bunch of oaks was a wheat field, and on the other sideof this field stretched the line of rebel breast works. Our line ofbattle was soon formed, and there we stood waiting for the signal toadvance. At last off to our left a cannon belched forth its thunder,and as its echoes came rolling down the line, each man grasped hisrifle with a tighter grip. Colonel McCook at the head of the brigadewaved his sword and gave the command: "Attention battalions,charge bayonets," and with a rush and a cheer away we go. Andnow the battle commences. We have reached the wheat field, andat yon side are the rebel breast works. At the double quick wecross the field with a storm of lead and iron in our faces; men arefalling on all sides; there goes McCook down—quickly following92him, Harmon, who was bravely urging his men on, falls piercedthrough the heart. Captain Fellows, our brigade inspector, also fallsto rise no more. See! the colors have disappeared, but only for amoment when again they wave; the color sergeant had been shotdown. Lieutenant McClean, of Co "B," is hit and falls, so, also,sergeant Cunningham, and Captain Clark, of Co. "E." They aredropping as the leaves in the autumn, and oh! how that fire of hellbeats in our faces. It is too much, the works cannot be carried byassault, and our line, mangled, torn and bleeding, falls back. Butonly for a short distance, however, when we again halt amid thatnever ceasing fire. Some of the boys engage the foe, while others,with tin cups and bayonets, burrow and dig in the ground to throwup protection for themselves. We are not whipped, if we have failedin our attempt, and thirty-five paces only is what we will yield tothe rebels. Still the bullets, and the shells, and the solid shot fly,and still more brave boys are sealing with their life's blood their devotionto their country's flag. But why prolong the tale, the groundis soaked with blood; but with that love for the old flag which hasfloated so gallantly at our head over so many bloody fields, and underwhose stars and stripes the weary and oppressed of every landhave found a shelter, under whose protecting folds we have lived inpeace and security, until driven by its enemies to war; with that lovekindling in our breasts we stand ready to die, if need be, but neverto dishonor its beauty and its grandeur.
The long day at last draws to a close, and night, welcome night,settles down upon us. To the weary and worn soldiers, nightbrought no repose, but like beavers we worked erecting breastworksto protect us on the morrow. The battle for the day is over. Thecries of the wounded, and the desultory shot of a rifle, is all that isheard beyond the noise made by the soldiers in erecting their breastworks. But there were deeds of heroism enacted on Kenesaw'srugged brow that day that have never been excelled on any battlefield. Private James Knox, of Co. "B," had his thumb shot offearly in the engagement, but refusing to go to the rear, pressed forwarduntil a rebel ball felled him to the ground; rising on his handsand knees, for he could not walk, he turned his face to the enemy,and in that position crawled off the field, declaring he would never93turn his back to the foe. 2nd Lieut. James McLean, also of Co."B," was hit early in the fight, but pressed on in command of hiscompany, until a ball, passing through his body, felled him to theground. All night long we worked, and when the morning brokewe felt secure, and were ready to renew the combat. But betweenour line and the rebels, lay our dead and some of our wounded.The lines were so close together, that stones were thrown by the rebels,severely wounding some of our men. Morning broke and revealedto the foe what we had done during the night. Firing at oncecommenced and was kept up all day. The stubble and leaves betweenthe lines had taken fire, and that with the smoke from theguns, was making our situation very unpleasant. The dead, toowere fast decaying, under the burning rays of that Georgia sun, andthe most horrid stench filled the air. It was becoming unbearable,so Colonel Langley, who had, until the death of Harmon, beenserving on the corps staff, but was now in command of his regiment,concluded to see if an armistice could be arranged in order to giveus an opportunity to bury the dead, but not a white handkerchief,or white rag of any description, could be found; so raising a copyof the "Chicago Tribune," which he had in his pocket, he succeededin his purpose, and an armistice of two hours was agreed upon,and the men poured over both of the lines of works. You wouldnot think as you see them now, as they shake hands, and swap coffeefor tobacco, and laugh and joke together like old friends, that afew moments before they had been seeking each others lives. Butthey are gathering up the dead; here comes a stretcher borne by twomen, on it lays the body of Captain W. W. Fellows, once the commandingofficer of Co. "C," but acting for some time previously asbrigade inspector. Silently we follow after them. How we lovedthat man! an entire stranger to the writer a few short months previous,he had by the subtle magic of his nature charmed us. Hewas not only a brave officer, but a polished gentleman, always willingto help the needy, and always ready at the call of duty. Capt.Fellow's death, that bloody day at Kenesaw, was deeply mourned byus. We felt as if we had lost a near and dear friend; always witha kindly smile of greeting when we met, never, like so many others,defiling his mouth and disgracing his manhood by uttering vile oaths94and blasphemies. We saw him on the morning of the assault beforewe moved from camp, and stopped for a moment to exchangegreetings, little did we think for the last time. We buried him onthe hill side where the first rays of Georgia's sun should shine uponhis grave; and the wild flowers bloom above him, and the southernsongster warble a requiem for the soldier from the Northland. Here,also, was buried Captain Marion Lee, and some others who had fallenin the strife. Requiescat in pace. Leaving the burial party toend their labors, we proceed up the road to find if possible our fieldhospital, where so many of our boys lie wounded. The road isflanked on either side by thick brush; going along we happened tolook to our right, and see a sight that makes our blood stand still, sounexpected, and so awful is it. There, in that clump of hazel, laysthe body of our colonel, where he had been carried directly after hefell. A sickening feeling creeps over us as we stand in the presenceof the dead, whom we had seen such a short time before in fullhealth and vigor. Yes, there he lay, his life ended, his heart's bloodgiven for his country's good. Colonel Harmon was a christian man;what more can we say? A strict disciplinarian, he had the solicitudeof a father for his regiment, and he wanted his men to feel that inhim they had a friend who would look after their welfare. With onesad, lingering look, we tore ourself from the spot, with our heartstirred with deep emotion. But yonder is the hospital tent. Theweather, as we have before stated, was intensely warm, and the hospitaltents, or rather "flys," were stretched in such a manner thattheir sides were raised some two feet from the ground, thus giving athorough circulation of air. We enter; there lay our poor fellows,and as they see us they shout out a welcome. These fellows nearthe entrance, are not so badly wounded as those farther on, so, returningtheir greeting with an assumed show of glee, we pass intothe tent. And now we are in the midst of desperately woundedboys who are lying here, some of them, without a vestige of clothingon them on account of the heat, slowly dying. We feel sorrythat we have come to the hospital, but the wish to do something insome way to help the poor lads, is uppermost in our thoughts. Hereis 2nd Lieut. James McClain, with his negro servant (faithful fellow)sitting by him, fanning him. We kneel down by the lieutenant.95 We had been old acquaintances before we left home, consequentlyno undue stiffness of official ceremony could come betweenus. Poor Jim, he was drawing his breath in gasps; we saw thatdeath had set his seal upon his brow, and with a sorrow at our heartthat we believe was the deepest we ever felt, we said:
"Jimmy, is there anything we can do for you?" Opening hiseyes, at the sound of our voice, and reaching out his hand, he exclaimed:
"Oh, Bob! I am so glad to see you."
But our emotions overcame us, and in spite of all we could do,the tears would come. But we checked them as soon as possibleand again repeated our question. Opening his eyes with his breathcoming in convulsive gasps, he said:
"Bob—write—to—my—mother,—tell her,—that I died—doingmy duty."
Oh! if we could have had at that moment a heart of stone, sothat we could have talked to him, but it was too much: howeverwe managed to whisper to him a hope that he might get well, butno, he knew better, he knew that his life was fast drawing to a close,and moving his head slowly, he replied:
"No, Bob, I am dying."
We could not stand it and gently stooping over him, we kissedhim on the forehead, and turned to the next man lying beside him,who proved to be orderly sergeant Benjamin F. Bonebrake. Benpresented a terrible appearance, he had been wounded in the head,and the blood had streamed down over his face and whiskers andover his once white shirt bosom, and dried there, giving him aghastly appearance.
"Do you want anything, Ben?"
"Yes, I would like to have my face washed."
Oh! how quiet and gentle these poor boys were, no complaining,no harsh words, but there they lay, bearing their pain with true heroism."All right," we reply, glad to be able to get outside for amoment, and away we went to the brigade hospital steward, withwhom we were acquainted, for what we needed. We found himand on the strength of acquaintanceship, procured from him a hospitalbucket with some warm water and a sponge, and before we96left him we had coaxed him to give us a clean shirt for Ben out ofthe sanitary supplies he had on hand. Rejoicing at our success, wehastened back, and proceeded to make Ben more comfortable; wewashed his face, combed his hair and whiskers, and helped him onwith the clean shirt. With a grateful acknowledgement he lay backin his place. Next to him was sergeant Wash. Cunningham, goodnatured, free hearted Wash.; a man of large and powerful frame, hehad received a rifle ball through the left arm; poor fellow he hadgotten down in such a shape, that his wound was paining him, andin reply to our question as to what we could do for him, he said:"Nothing, only if you could help me to raise up a little." We lookedat his massive form and felt afraid to touch him, for fear of givinghim pain; we told him so, and he replied: "All right, Rob, Ican stand it." We wanted to get away, we were feeling sick andwere afraid to stay longer, but there was one more boy whom wemust find before we went, and this was Patrick Sullivan of Co. "G."We searched and searched and at length we found him, lying onhis back, on his rubber blanket without a stitch of clothing on him;he was lying in a pool of his own blood, with his eyes closed, andhis face pale and bloodless; we thought at first he was dead, butkneeling down by him, we spoke his name. The heavy eyelids opened,and with a smile on his countenance, he reached us his hand,we grasped it and put the question:
"Can we do any thing for you, Patsey?" For a second there wasno reply, and then his lips opened and he said:
"Oh! Rob, if I could only sleep; I want to sleep but can't, thedoctor won't pay any attention to me, and there is such a noise."
He was a little delirious, and the roar of the cannon and themusketry was still in his ears. But unloosing his hand we startedout to find the surgeon. We ran across him and told him what wewanted, that one of the boys had been overlooked, and needed help,would he not come to him; this with an impassioned force. Hewould come, he replied, as soon as he could, but his hands were full."No, doctor," we pleaded, "come now, come now," and catchinghold of his coat we would not let him go. Dr. Hooten, our brigadesurgeon, was a man of tender heart, and he saw we were terribly inearnest. "Where is the boy," he said. We quickly turned and97conducted him to Patsey's side. Bending over him he examinedhim; he had been shot through the lungs. Getting up he motionedfor us to follow. "Go to the steward," he said, "and tell him tomix you some morphine and whisky," telling me the right amount ofeach. I hurriedly left him and was soon returning with the medicine.Reaching his side I knelt down and told him to open his mouth. Insertingthe tube of the hospital tin between his teeth, I gently pouredthe medicine down his throat, but it had no sooner touched hisstomach than he vomited it up. I repeated the dose and had thesatisfaction at last of seeing him retain it. Drying up the blood andwet in which he was laying with some old rags, we left him with theassurance that he would soon be sleeping. Having been away nowfrom our command for a long time, we felt we must hurry back,however much we felt disposed to stay and do what we could forour boys, so going outside of the fly, we started back to the command.But our mind was torn and rent with sad feelings. Yonderunder that hospital fly, lay boys whom we tenderly loved, woundedand helpless, breathing, slowly breathing their lives away, while otherssuffering pain almost unbearable, lay with teeth clenched, andknitted brows, suffering on in silence. As we slowly walked alonghow we strove for the mastery of our feelings, but we could not helpit, and in spite of all we could do, we cried like a child. Sittingdown by a tree until we had partially overcome our sorrow, we aroseand again started for the company, while ringing in our ears werethe words: "Vengeance is mine I will repay, saith the Lord." Howthe memory of those days come surging back upon us as we sit athome penning these lines. The scene is as fresh in our memory asif it had happened only yesterday, and the events of those timescomes sweeping over us like a flood. But the boys we loved so well,our neighbor lads at home, have long ere this mouldered into dust intheir southern graves, can we doubt for a moment that their soulsare happy? that they are now singing the happy songs of angelsaround the great white throne on high? No! No! doubt cannot enter,and so we feel that they are better off than we. All glory totheir memories. And such is the tale of the assault on the rebellines in front of Kenesaw. How many homes it darkened by theshadow it cast upon their firesides. The 27th day of June, 1864,will long be remembered by many families in Champaign and Vermilioncounties.
98
CHAPTER XXIV.
The assault on Kenesaw, as far as capturing the enemy's workswere concerned, was a failure; but this did not prove, by any means,that we were whipped. So on the next day it was determined to advancethe line held by our brigade, which was formed in close columnby regiments, the 125th being in the front line. The movementwas made in order to mine the works of the enemy. As the distancewas not more than two hundred feet, it was an extremely hazardousundertaking, but as yankee ingenuity cannot be balked, Col.Langley devised a plan, the like of which was never seen beforeduring the war, and completely casts in the shade all engineering exploitson record. The colonel and one man, corporal Joseph Frankenburg,of Co. "E," who volunteered for the undertaking, crawledfrom our line to a tree some twenty yards in advance, and behind itcommenced digging a small pit. After digging enough earth to giveprotection, an empty cracker box was dragged up from our lines bymeans of a rope, and filled with earth, this was placed in front of thepit, and after digging a little more, another cracker box was broughtalong, filled, and placed in juxtaposition. This was continued withsuccess, until finally the whole regiment advanced the twenty yards,and were safely ensconced behind the cracker box fortification. Miningat once commenced under the colonel's direction, but the evacuationof the rebels rendered it useless to proceed with the work toits completion. It was the intention to mine under the rebel breastworks, and on the morning of the 4th of July, to usher in the dayby one of the grandest pyrotechnic displays that had ever occurredin those parts, which would strike terror and dismay to the hearts ofthe rebels, and would undoubtedly have been, for some of their number,the last 4th of July celebration they would ever have honored withtheir presence. But the "Johnnies" found out the scheme, and evacuatedthe works. Prisoners stated that they suspected somethingof the sort was going on, so placing a drum on the ground, and on99its head some small pieces of gravel, the digging of our boys causedthe head of the drum to vibrate, and make the gravel move. Thisscheme frustrated our designs, but the wonder of many of us was,where they learned enough of philosophy to induce them to makethe experiment. One rebel stated that he was stationed where "themine would have blown him to h—ll if we'uns hadn't left."
Pending the armistice to bury the dead between the lines, therebel army was represented by Colonel Rice of the 28th Tennessee,our side by Colonel Langley. Colonel Rice was very anxious thatthe arms and accoutrements of our soldiers who fell at the rebelbreast works, should be given over to them, but to this Col. Langleyobjected, and proposed that they should be regarded as neutral property,and not touched by either party until one or the other shouldoccupy the ground. To this Colonel Rice reluctantly consented,knowing that if he did not it would be equivalent to saying that therebels were not going to hold their position. The upshot of thematter was just as Colonel Langley expected, the rebels evacuated,and we got all the arms, some 250 Enfield rifles. The rebel generalsCheatham and Hindman, were present during the armistice, and aseverything connected with our assault on Kenesaw is of the deepestinterest, we have concluded to give a description of these noted rebels.Cheatham's uniform consisted of an old slouch hat, a bluehickory shirt, butternut pants, and a pair of cavalry boots. Thesupports to his unmentionables were an old leather strap, and a pieceof web, the general appearance being that of a "johnney" gone toseed. In a conversation with our colonel he stated that he was ofthe opinion that the war would be settled by treaty, as neither partycould conquer. He was satisfied that we had so completely revolutionizedMissouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia,Maryland and Louisiana, that, they would never form part of theConfederacy. He virtually admitted that he was only fighting fromprinciple, and not for the love of the Southern Confederacy. WhenTennessee passed the ordinance of secession, he went with it, andas he had cast his lot, he did not like to "back down." Hindmanwas an Arkansian, and had the reputation of being a confirmedgambler and black-leg. He did not command the respect of histroops, and by his brother officers he was despised. In appearancehe was very dressy. His auburn hair flowed in ringlets over hisshoulders, and it was stated that a light mulatto girl dressed it forhim every morning. Colonel Rice was very gentlemanly and humanein the manner in which he assisted our fellows to pay the lastsad rites to those who had fallen in front of their works while bravelyfighting.
100
CHAPTER XXV.
Acknowledging the failure of the assault, but acting under theconviction that it would be fatal to rest long under the influence ofa defeat, General Sherman determined to again try a flanking movement,and in consequence every effort was put forth to make it asuccess. Accordingly on the 1st of July, General McPherson wasrelieved by Garrard's cavalry in front of Kenesaw, and the relievedcommand was hastily moved to the right. General McPherson commencedhis movement on the night of July 2nd, and the effect wasinstantaneous. On the morning of the 3rd Kenesaw was abandonedand the first dawn of day saw our skirmishers appear on the mountaintop.
Marietta was evacuated, and General Sherman entered it in personat half-past eight in the morning, just as the enemy's cavalryvacated the place. The orders were to push the enemy, with thehope of catching him in confusion as he made the passage of theChattahoochie river. But Johnston had provided against this andhad covered his movement well. On the 7th of July, we hadeffected a crossing of the river. At the same time General Garrardhad moved rapidly on Roswell, and destroyed the factories whichhad supplied the rebel armies with cloth for years. Over one ofthese the nominal owner displayed the French flag, which of coursewas not respected. On the 10th of July at day light, Johnston retreatedsouthward, leaving the army of the union undisputed mastersnorth and west of the Chattahoochie river, along whose grassybanks we remained quietly in camp until the 16th of July, thoughthe time was employed in collecting stores at Alatoona, Mariettaand Vinings Station, strengthening the railroad guards and garrisons,and improving the bridges and roads leading across the river. Onthe 17th, everything being in readiness, we were again ordered toadvance, and formed a general line along the old Peach Tree creekroad. Our brigade crossed the creek on logs and impromptu101bridges in face of a heavy fire from the enemy, who occupied intrenchedlines ready to receive us.
On the afternoon of the 20th about 4 p. m., the enemy salliedfrom his works in force and fell in line of battle against our rightcenter. The blow was sudden, and somewhat unexpected, but aftera severe battle they were repulsed, leaving on the field about500 dead, 1000 wounded, 7 stands of colors and many prisoners.His loss could not have fallen short of 5000, whereas our loss wascovered by 1500 killed, wounded and missing. On the 21st a reconnoisancewas made of the enemy, in his intrenched position, ata general distance from Atlanta of about four miles. On the morningof the 22nd this whole line was found abandoned, much to thesurprise of the union army. We thought, for a time, that the enemyhad concluded to give up Atlanta without further contest. Gen.Johnston had been relieved of his command and Gen. Hood substituted.A new policy seemed resolved on, of which the bold attackon the right was the index. Our ranks without oppositionswept across the strong and well finished works of the enemy, andclosed in upon Atlanta until they occupied a line in the form of ageneral circle of about two miles in radius, when the enemy wasagain found occupying in force a line of finished redoubts, whichhad been prepared for more than a year, covering all the roads leadinginto Atlanta. Here it was, that under the leadership of theirnew commander, Hood, they made a desperate assault on our lines,but only to be repulsed with terrible slaughter. But this battle ofthe 22d of July cost us 3,722 killed, wounded and prisoners, andamong the dead was Major general McPherson. The enemy lefton the field an aggregate loss of 8000 men. And so the days passed,fighting and erecting breastworks, until on the 1st day of September,when as we were in front of Jonesboro, a small town below Atlanta,the rebels came out of their works and offered us battle. Theenemy attacked with Lee and Hardee's corps and after a contest ofover two hours withdrew behind their works, leaving over 400 deadon the ground, and his wounded, of which about 300 were left inJonesboro, making his loss not much less than 2,500. Orders wereat once given for all the army to turn on Jonesboro. About 4 p. m.of that day Gen. Davis, our corps commander, was all ready,102and we assaulted the enemy's lines across open fields, carryingthem and taking as prisoners Govan's brigade, including its commanderand staff and two four-gun batteries. The next morningthe enemy was gone. He had retreated further south. About twoo'clock that night the sounds of heavy explosions were heard in thedirection of Atlanta, distance about twenty miles, with a successionof minor explosions and what seemed like the rapid firing of cannonand musketry. These continued for about an hour, and againabout four a. m. occurred another series of similar discharges, apparentlynearer to us, and these sounds could be accounted for onno other grounds than that of a night attack on Atlanta by GeneralSlocum, or the blowing up of the enemy's magazines. Rumors beganto arrive, through prisoners captured, that Atlanta had beenabandoned, and that Hood had blown up his ammunition trains,which accounted for the sounds. On the morning of Sept. 2nd acourier arrived from Gen. Slocum, reporting that the enemy hadevacuated Atlanta, blown up seven trains of cars and retreated onthe McDonough road, and that he, Slocum, held possession of thecity. On the 7th of September the entire army went into campsgrouped about Atlanta, our brigade having reached the city onthe night of the 3rd in charge of nearly 1700 prisoners captured atJonesboro, was posted in the suburbs of the city. Thus was completedand sent down to history another of the great campaigns ofthe war.
103
CHAPTER XXVI.
Our victorious march from Chattanooga to Atlanta, was a militaryoperation, whose successful close would have turned the heads of theFrench. It was made through a country presenting great naturalobstacles, sufficient to deter a general of average qualities, and thesenatural defences the enemy had strengthened by a series of remarkableworks, before each of which some generals would have pausedto lay siege. But our leader, with the soldiers under his command,proved equal to every emergency, and the campaign ended with gloryto our arms. Immediately after occupying Atlanta, Gen. Shermanposted the Army of the Tennessee, in the neighborhood ofEast Point; the Army of the Ohio, at Decatur, and retained theArmy of the Cumberland to hold the city. Thus stationed we werepermitted to enjoy the rest we so greatly needed. Although nearlyall the inhabitants of Atlanta, whose circumstances permitted themto go, had left that city previous to its occupation by the Federalforces, yet a great many remained both by choice and necessity. Itwas determined to make a grand military post of Atlanta, and asone of the first measures to this end, General Sherman directed thatall non-combatants must leave the city at once. He knew that theinhabitants of Atlanta could not subsist long in the city without theaid of the Government, and his line of communications was too longand precarious to permit him to divide the rations of his soldierswith citizens. He therefore issued an order commencing thus: "Thecity of Atlanta being exclusively for warlike purposes, will at oncebe vacated by all, except the armies of the United States, and suchcivilian employes as may be retained by the proper department ofthe Government." This order may appear to be harsh and vindictive,yet it was not only justifiable, but absolutely necessary. Themayor and two members of the city council of Atlanta, petitionedGeneral Sherman to revoke it, to which petition he made the followingreply, than which a more noble defense of his order, could not104be made. As this letter of General Sherman's seems to us to be ofmore than common interest, and as it will undoubtedly be highly interestingto the reader who scans these pages, we will insert it here:
Headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi
In the field, Atlanta, Ga., September 12, 1864.
James M. Cahoun, Mayor; E. E. Rawson and S. C. Wells,
representing City Council of Atlanta, Gentlemen:
I have your letter of the 11th, in the nature of a petition, to revokemy orders removing all the inhabitants from Atlanta. I haveread it carefully and gave full credit to your statements of the distressthat will be occasioned by it, and yet shall not revoke my order,simply because my orders are not designed to meet the humanitiesof the case, but to prepare for the future struggles, in whichmillions, yea hundreds of millions of good people, outside of Atlanta,have a deep interest. We must have peace, not only in Atlanta,but in all America. To secure this, we must stop the warthat now desolates our once favored and happy country. To stopwar, we must defeat the rebel armies that are arrayed against thelaws and constitution, which all must respect and obey. To defeatthese armies we must prepare the way to reach them in their recesses,provided with the arms and instruments which enable us toaccomplish our purpose. Now I know the vindictive nature of ourenemy, and that we may have many years of military operationsfrom this quarter, and therefore deem it wise and prudent to preparein time. The use of Atlanta for warlike purposes is inconsistentwith its character as a home for families. There will be no manufactures,commerce or agriculture here for the maintenance offamilies, and, sooner or later, want will compel the inhabitants to go.Why not go now, when all the arrangements are completed for thetransfer, instead of waiting until the plunging shot of contendingarmies will renew the scenes of the past month? Of course, I donot apprehend any such thing at this moment; but you do not supposethat this army will be here until the war is over. I can notdiscuss this subject with you fairly, because I cannot impart to youwhat I propose to do; but I assert that my military plans make itnecessary for the inhabitants to go away, and I can only renew myoffer of services to make the exodus, in any direction, as easy andcomfortable as possible. You cannot qualify war in harsher termsthan I will. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and thosewho brought war on our country deserve all the curses and maledictionsa people can pour out. I know I had no hand in making thiswar, and I know I will make more sacrifices to day than any of youto secure peace. But you cannot have, peace and a division of ourcountry. If the United States submits to a division now, it will not105stop, but will go on until we reap the fate of Mexico, which is, eternalwar. The United States does and must assert its authority,wherever it has power, if it relaxes one bit to pressure, it is gone,and I know that such is not the national feeling. This feeling assumesvarious shapes, but always comes back to that of Union.Once admit the Union, once more acknowledge the authority of theNational Government, and instead of devoting your houses, andstreets and roads, to the dread usages of war, I and this army becomeat once your protectors and supporters, shielding you fromdanger, let it come from what quarter it may. I know that a fewindividuals cannot resist a torrent of error and passion, such as hasswept the South into rebellion, but you can point out, so that we mayknow those who desire a government, and those who insist upon war,and its desolation. You might as well appeal against the thunderstorm,as against these terrible hardships of war. They are inevitable,and the only way the people of Atlanta can hope once more tolive in peace and quiet at home, is to stop this war, which can alonebe done by admitting that it began in error and is perpetuated inpride. We don't want your negroes, or your horses, or your houses,or your lands, or anything you have, but we do want and will havea just obedience to the laws of the United States. That we willhave, and if it involves the destruction of your improvements, wecannot help it. You have heretofore read public sentiment in yournewspapers that live by falsehood and excitement, and the quickeryou seek for truth in other quarters, the better for you. I repeatthen, that by the original compact of Government, the United Stateshad certain rights in Georgia, which have never been relinquished,and never will be; that the South began war by seizing forts, arsenals,mints, custom houses, etc., etc., long before Mr. Lincoln wasinstalled, and before the South had one jot or tittle of provocation.I myself have seen in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and part ofMississippi, hundreds and thousands of women and children, fleeingfrom your armies and desperadoes, hungry and with bleeding feet.In Memphis, Vicksburg and Mississippi, we fed thousands uponthousands of the families of rebel soldiers left on our hands, andwhen we could not see them starve. Now that war comes home toyou, you feel very different; you deprecate its horrors, but did notfeel them when you sent car loads of soldiers and ammunition, andmoulded shell and shot to carry war into Kentucky and Tennessee,and desolate the homes of hundreds and thousands of good people,who only asked to live in peace at their old homes, and under thegovernment of their inheritance. But these comparisons are idle. Iwant peace, and believe it can only be reached through union andwar, and I will ever conduct war purely with a view to perfect andearly success. But, my dear sir, when that peace does come, you106may call on me for anything. Then will I share with you the lastcracker, and watch with you to shield your homes and your familiesagainst danger from every quarter. Now you must go, and takewith you the old and feeble, feed them and nurse them, and buildfor them, in more quiet places, proper habitations to shield themagainst the weather, until the mad passions of war cool down, andallow the Union and peace once more to settle on your old homesat Atlanta.
Yours in haste.
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major General.
CHAPTER XXVII.
An armistice of ten days was agreed upon by Gens. Sherman andHood for the purpose of carrying out this order. All who desiredto go south were furnished transportation to Rough and ReadyStation by Gen. Sherman, where they were received by the rebelforces. All those preferring to go north were also furnished by himwith transportation. This being completed, Gen. Sherman beganthe reorganization of the army, with a view to future movements.We were re-clothed and equipped, and the stains and marks of ourlong and arduous campaign passed away.
On the 23rd day of September the division of which the 3rd brigadewas a part, under command of Gen. J. D. Morgan, began aforced march to north Alabama via Chattanooga in pursuit of Gen.Forest's cavalry, then as far to our rear as middle and west Tennessee,and whose presence daily jeopardized our "cracker line." Thecommand returned on the 15th of November, having been gone 48days, and completed, as is claimed by those who made it, one ofthe most difficult and laborious marches of the war. It was not107the good fortune of the writer to be with the troops on this trip,and he is obliged to refer the readers to the subjoined reports forsuch detailed information as they contain, assuring you, however,that the 125th bore itself as grandly as on all other occasions. Inthe meantime we will try to tell you what the army encamped inand about Atlanta was doing, as to this we were attached during thecampaign first mentioned. As an army we rested here in our camptaking our ease, eating our rations, and wondering when the buglewould again sound the "forward." On the 28th of September,Sherman became convinced that the enemy intended to assume theoffensive. He sent Thomas to Nashville to organize the new troopswho were arriving there, and a new line of works around Atlantawere completed, which would only require a small garrison to hold.And now we come to the relation of the grandest campaign thathas ever been made in modern times. Like the Roman generalwho burned his ship, on landing on the enemy's shores, so that hisarmy could have no avenue of retreat, so Sherman, when his ordershad been carried out and everything was in readiness, on the 12thday of November, 1864, severed his communications with the north.On that day the last train of cars whirled rapidly past us, speedingover bridges and into the woods as if afraid of being left helplessand alone in the deserted land. At Cartersville the last communicationby telegraph with the north was severed. It bore the messageto Gen. Thomas at Nashville, "all is well." The army withwhich Sherman made the "march to the sea," was composed of thefifteenth and seventeenth corps, forming the right wing, under Maj.Gen. O. O. Howard, the fourteenth (our corps) and the twentiethcorps forming the left wing, under the command of Maj. Gen. H.W. Slocum, making an aggregate strength of 60,000 infantry; onecavalry division, to aggregate 5,500 men, under Brig. Gen.Judson Kilpatrick, and the artillery reduced to the minimum, onegun for 1000 men. On the 16th we left Atlanta with Gen. Shermanin person, and moved by Lithonia, Covington and Shady Daledirectly on Milledgville, the capitol of the state. All the troopswere provided with good wagon trains loaded with ammunition andsupplies, approximating twenty days bread, forty days sugar andcoffee, a double allowance of salt for forty days, and beef cattle108equal to forty days' supplies. The wagons also were supplied withabout three days forage in grain. All were instructed, by a judicioussystem of foraging, to maintain this order of things as long aspossible, living chiefly, if not solely, upon the country, which wasknown to abound in corn, sweet potatoes and meats. But on thenight of the 15th, before leaving Atlanta, a grand and awful sightwas witnessed by many beholders. By order, the chief engineerdestroyed by powder and fire all the store houses, depot buildingsand machine shops. The heaven was one expanse of lurid fire:the air was filled with flying, burning cinders. Buildings coveringover two hundred acres of ground were in ruins or in flames. Everyinstant there was the sharp report, or the smothered burning soundof exploding shells and powder concealed in the building, and thenthe sparks and flames shooting away up in the black and red roof,scattering the cinders far and wide. These were the machine shopswhere had been forged and cast, cannon, shot and shell that hadcarried death to many a brave boy. These warehouses had beenthe receptacle of munitions of war, stored to be used in slaughteringthe men who were now witnessing their destruction. The citywhich, next to Richmond, had furnished more material for prosecutingthe war than any other in the south, existed no more as a meansof aid for enemies of the union. Nothing remained but its dwellinghouses and churches. On the 8th day after leaving Atlanta,that is the 23rd, we marched through and occupied Milledgville, thecapitol of the state. The legislature had been in session, but onhearing of our approach it broke up and fled. The alarm of itsmembers was communicated to the people, and the place was practicallydepopulated, no one remaining but a few old ladies and gentlemenand the negroes, the latter welcoming with glad shouts thearrival of the union army, filling the air with such exclamations as:"Bress de Lord! Tanks be to Almighty God, the yank is come.De day ob jubilee hab aribed." And then they would grab any fellowwho happened to be near them, and hug him liberally. But wewere not to remain here; two or three regiments were detailed, underthe orders of the engineers, to destroy certain property designatedby the general commanding. The magazines, arsenals, depotbuildings, factories of one kind and another, with store houses, large109amounts of government property, and some 1700 bales of cottonwere burned. Private houses, however, were respected everywhere,even those known to be the property of rebels then in the field.One or two citizens, who were known to have been in the rebelarmy, were made prisoners of war, but the surgeons at the hospitals,the principal of the insane asylum and others expressed their thanksthat such good order was preserved in the city. From here ourcorps marched to Sandersville, which we reached the next day,skirmishing most of the way with Wheeler's cavalry.
On the 3rd of December we were in the neighborhood of Lumpkin'sstation on the Augusta rail road; all were ordered to march inthe direction of Savannah; our corps following the Savannah riverroad. There was no fighting, save once in a while a little skirmish withrebel cavalry. The only battle, if so it may be termed, was foughtby General Kilpatrick's cavalry, supported by General Baird's divisionof our corps, with Wheeler's cavalry in the neighborhood ofThomas' station, whom Kilpatrick whipped handsomely. We weredrawing near Savannah, and the country became more marshy anddifficult, and more obstacles were met in the shape of felled trees,wherever the road crossed creeks, swamps, or narrow causeways;but the negroes who had flocked to us were utilized, and armed withaxes and shovels, formed into pioneer companies, and with incredibleswiftness they would remove the obstructions. No oppositionfrom the enemy worth speaking of, was encountered, until we werewithin about fifteen miles of Savannah, where all the roads were obstructedwith felled timber, earth works and artillery. The roadswere sandy, and straight almost as an arrow. One afternoon as wewere marching along, we were surprised by the whizzing of a shell,which came flying down the road over our heads, and then anotherand another. The brigade was quickly moved off the road by theright flank and formed in line of battle. Lieutenant Coe, in commandof our battery, with his usual rashness, went tearing up theroad on his horse to find position for his guns. He saw the rebelworks stationed in the center of the road ahead of him. Sittingthere on his horse, fearless of danger, looking for a good positionfor the battery, a solid shot came whirling along and tore his rightshoulder off, killing him instantly. The sergeant took command, and110soon our battery was giving them as good as they sent. We wantto record it here, that we thought our battery, "I" company, of the2nd Ills. artillery, was the best in the service. It had been undergood discipline, and was as an effective body of men as we ever sawwhile in the army. We had been together ever since we left Louisville,and some of our boys had been detailed for duty in the battery,so we had come to regard them as part of ourselves.
Our line of battle with skirmishers thrown out, had now advanced,but owing to a large, deep swamp in our front, and the lateness ofthe afternoon, as it was nearly dark, we halted for the night. In themorning, the skirmishers advancing, found the works deserted. Wewere now getting very close to the city, and on the 17th, GeneralSherman dispatched to Savannah, by flag of truce, a formal demandfor the surrender of the place, and on the following day received arefusal from General Hardee, who was in command. We receivedorders to closely invest the city, and to reconnoiter well the groundin our front, and make all preparations for assaulting the place. ButHardee recognized the utter impossibility of holding the town withall his supply sources cut off, and an enemy in front of him who hadsuccessfully marched through the heart of the Confederacy, evacuatedthe city on the night of the 20th, first blowing up and burningthe rebel iron clads and three transports. On the 13th of December,communication with the fleet in Tybee, Warsaw and OssabawSounds, that had been watching and waiting for us, was opened up,and on the same day Brigadier General Hazen with the second divisionof the fifteenth corps, carried by assault Fort McAllister, mannedby two companies of artillery, and three of infantry, in allabout two hundred men, and mounting twenty three guns and onemortar. Savannah lay at the feet of its conquerors. The fruits ofthis almost bloodless campaign, a campaign that would have beencreditable to the genius of a Napoleon, or a Wellington, were Savannah,a city of twenty thousand inhabitants, and of great importanceto us as a harbor; more than 1000 prisoners, 150 guns, 13 locomotivesin good order, 190 cars, a very large quantity of ammunitionand material of war, 3 steamers, and 3,200 bales of cotton.All this General Sherman offered to President Lincoln as a Christmasgift. There were also more than 15,000 slaves gathered into our111lines, some of whom proved of great use to the army. Such werethe great results of the capture of Savannah, but the greatest werethose made possible only, by this success.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
We remained at Savannah nearly a month, refitting and repairingfor the next campaign. Christmas day was passed here, but therewas no Christmas trees, nor did any Santa Claus appear to rewardus for our good behavior. We had been paid off before leavingAtlanta, and consequently there was a good deal of money in camp,and the "chuck-a-luck" gamesters were in the height of their season.Gambling was positively against orders, but all the same itwas carried on, and wherever a squad of men could be seen groupedtogether, you might be sure there was a chuck-a-luck board in fullplay. The guards detailed to arrest these fellows, had a lively timeof it. Every point of strategy of which they were cognizant, wasemployed to bring the offenders to justice. Coming on them by aflank movement, surrounding them, or approaching them by a directcharge on the double quick. All their manœuvering generally cameto naught, for some one was always on the lookout, and was sure tosee the first appearance of danger, and with a shout would give thealarm, when all would take to their heels, leaving the pursuers to reflecton the uselessness of their endeavors. But sometimes the guardswould make a capture, and march the luckless offenders off to headquarters,where, after receiving a lecture on the immoral practice ofgambling in general, and of chuck-a-luck in particular, he wouldbe ordered to stand on a barrel, or carry a rail on his shoulder for afew hours.
112Savannah is a beautiful city, the streets are wide and lined with liveoak trees, with promenades beneath them, and the dwelling housesare very handsome, the yards and gardens are filled with the richestand most varied kind of plants and shrubs. Here we saw the monumenterected to the memory of Count Pulaski, a beautiful shaft,covered at its base with appropriate inscriptions, recording, in lettersof stone, the memory of him in whose honor it was raised. Thecity has some charming parks, and when not on duty, we would passthe time rambling around and noting all that was to be seen. Hereone day the writer and a comrade, having secured the necessary pass,proceeded to the river, and obtaining a boat, pushed off, bound ona visit to the gunboat Wissahickon, then anchored in the stream belowthe city, her crew being employed in fishing for torpedoes whichthe rebels had thrown into the channel of the river, in order thatthey might blow up our vessels as they proceeded up the stream tothe wharfs. We had a pleasant row, and an equally pleasant visitwith the officers and crew. We were the first of Sherman's menthat they had seen, and they were very anxious to know the particularsof the march; we told them our adventures since leaving Atlanta,which seemed greatly to excite their wonder and admiration.We left the Wissahicken with kindly feelings for all on board, andas we pulled up the river back toward the city, we sang:
"The Army and Navy ne'er sever,
But still to their colors prove true,
It's the Army and Navy forever,
Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue."
We arrived safely in camp, feeling that we had passed a pleasantday.
When we arrived at Savannah we were the proud owner of a verylarge red rooster, whom we named "Jeremiah," but for short wegenerally addressed him as "Jerry." He was a character, if ever arooster could be termed such, and if he had not acquired a greatknowledge as the man's chickens who, on account of his manymoves and changes, they had got so in the habit of having their legstied, that they would, whenever they saw a covered wagon, run intothe front yard, fall on their backs, and cross their legs ready for tieing;if Jeremiah had not learnt this much, he still was very easily113managed, and would stand round of a morning while "Dick," ourdarkey, was loading down our pack mule with blankets, and othernecessaries, getting ready for the march, and when it came time for"Jerry" to be lifted to his place on top of the load, he would makeno objection, but would suffer himself to be tied on securely, andthere he would ride all day. This had come to be such an every daymatter, that it was almost a second nature to him, and his amazementwas great, when day after day passed, and he was not calledon to take his accustomed place on top of our portable treasures."Jeremiah" waxed-fat, and would every now and then express hissatisfaction at the situation, by a shrill crow. But the boys weregetting tired of him, for in spite of our endeavors "Jerry" wouldsomehow manage to get in our tents, and sleep, and at the first dawnof day, his crow would ring upon our ears. This was all rightenough while we were on the march, but now that we were in camp,they failed to appreciate it, so threats of vengeance were loudly made.We begged and plead for him, but all to no purpose, "they werenot going to have that miserable rooster crowing in their ears everymorning," they said, so finally we had to yield to the pressure of publicopinion, and gave the order for "Jerry" to be executed, whichwas accordingly done, and we whetted our teeth to devour him."Jeremiah" was undoubtedly an old bird, for constant boiling allday, failed to render him tender. But we had a feast, all the same,as "Jerry," after being cut up in small pieces, and having for accompanimenta large piece of pork, and a handful or two of hardtack,made a camp kettle full of food. We picked poor "Jerry's"bones clean, thereby proving, although in different words, the truthof the old adage, "the big roosters eat up the little ones."
114
CHAPTER XXIX.
Here at Savannah we fared sumptuously on oysters and fresh fish.Every evening the negroes would come up to the city from themouth of the river, with their boat loads of oysters. These we purchasedat the rate of one dollar per bushel, and taking them to campwould throw them on the fire, and let them roast, the opening ofthe shell indicating when the bivalve was thoroughly cooked. Manya feast of this sort did we have while there. But our feasting andmerry making was rudely ended by the bugle one morning soundingthe call to "strike tents." Everything was ready, and we were nowto leave Savannah, and commence the march which ended at Washington.The city of Savannah and the forts around it were transferredto Gen. Foster, commanding the department of the south,and on the 19th of January, 1865, all preparations were completedand the march commenced. The weather was very bad, the Januaryrains had commenced to fall, swelling the Savannah river, overflowingits bottoms and making the roads miserable. This made nodifference, however, to our general, so we marched up the river toSisters Ferry, but owing to the high state of the water, and thedifficulty in laying the pontoons, we did not succeed in getting everythingacross, until the first week in February. And now we enteredon the soil of South Carolina, and the feelings of the men wereopenly expressed as they stepped off of the pontoons, by the declarationthat now they were in the state which had caused moretrouble than any other state in the union. We were behind the restof the army owing to the difficulties encountered in crossing theSavannah, and so we had to march rapidly to overtake the rightwing, but at last we caught up with it. Foraging was again theorder of the day, we were compelled to subsist off of the countrythrough which we passed. Every morning a detail of two men fromeach company would be made, making twenty men to a regiment.They were put under command of a commissioned officer, and115would leave camp about an hour before the army moved. Thesemen would strike off into the country around and gather up all theprovisions they could find, and towards evening would turn theirsteps towards the roads on which the corps was marching. Theywould come into camp in all styles of transportation. Here wouldbe a couple of fellows, who in their wanderings had found a finebuggy or carriage; hunting up a mule or a horse, they would hitchhim to the vehicle, and loading it down with the proceeds of theirday's search, would come gravely riding into camp amid the laughterof all who saw them. Or some other squad had come across a gristmill, and if there was no grist on hand to be ground, they wouldsoon procure some from somebody's corn-field or granary, and startingup the machinery would grind it in good workmanlike style,load it into an old wagon or anything they could find and bring itinto camp, burning the mill to the ground, however, before leavingit. Others would make their appearance riding on some old muleor horse, which they had picked up, loaded down with hams, bacon,chickens, sweet potatoes or whatever they could find. By thesemeans we were provided with plenty of food and in great variety.The army occupied four roads travelling parallel to each other, andthe location of each corps could be easily known by the cloud ofsmoke that hovered over it by day, and the light of the camp fireswhich lit up the heavens at night. Our march through South Carolina,often recalled to our minds the wanderings of the children ofIsrael in the wilderness when the Lord went before them by day ina pillar of cloud, and by night in a pillar of fire. Our line ofmarch extended over a strip of country nearly sixty miles in width,and with the exception of the negro huts, this land was stripped ofeverything. There were undoubtedly many acts of wanton crueltyand villainous outrage committed by some, but the mass of thearmy was opposed to such actions, and loudly condemned them.Of course, in an army the size of ours, there were all phases of humanity,and it was plainly seen that the members of regiments,which had been made up in some of our large cities, were oftenerguilty of acts of violence than men from regiments which had beenformed in the agricultural parts of the country. This was entirelylogical, as the reader can easily understand. The weather still continued116 rainy, and the roads were terrible, often requiring the severestlabor on the part of all to make them passable for our teams, bycorduroying them. At last we reached the banks of the Congaree,on the other side of which the city of Columbia, the capitol of thestate, was situated, and on the night of February the 15th, theenemy amused themselves by shelling our camps from a batteryposted on that side of the river. And now we come to a matter,which, although not having any particular bearing on the regiment,as we did not come within two miles of the city, still as a part ofthe army then in front of Columbia, we must suffer in commonwith other regiments from the stigma the rebels sought to castupon our arms, by the destruction of that city by fire on the nightof the 17th of February. Major General Howard had received ordersfrom the general commanding, to destroy absolutely all arsenalsand public property not needed for the use of our army, as well asrailroads, depots and machinery useful in war to an enemy, but tospare all dwellings, colleges, schools, asylums, and harmless privateproperty. The day of the occupation of Columbia was clear, buta tremendous wind was blowing. One brigade of our army was inthe city and properly posted. Citizens and soldiers were on thestreets, and good order prevailed. General Wade Hampton, whocommanded the rebel rear guard of cavalry, had, in anticipation ofthe capture of Columbia, ordered that all cotton, public and private,should be moved into the streets and fired. Bales were piled everywhere,the rope and bagging cut, and tufts of cotton were blownabout in the wind, lodged in the trees and against houses, so as toresemble a snow storm. Some of these piles of cotton were burning,especially one in the very heart of the city, near the court-house,but the fire was partially subdued by the labor of our soldiers. Beforeone single public building had been fired by order, the smolderingfires, set by Hampton's orders, were rekindled by the wind andcommunicated to the buildings around. About dark they had beganto spread and get beyond the control of the brigade on duty in thecity. A whole division was brought in, but it was found impossibleto check the flames, which by midnight, had become unmanageableand raged until about four a. m., when the wind subsiding, theywere brought under control. Gen. Sherman in his report says:
117"I was up nearly all night and saw Generals Howard, Logan andWood and others laboring to save houses and protect families thussuddenly deprived of shelter, and of bedding, and wearing apparel.I disclaim, on the part of my army, any agency in this fire, but, onthe contrary, claim that we saved what of Columbia remains unconsumed.And without hesitation I charge General Wade Hamptonwith having burned his own city of Columbia, not with a maliciousintent, or as the manifestation of a silly "Roman Stoicism," butfrom folly and want of sense in filling it with lint, cotton and tinder.Our officers and men on duty worked well to extinguish the flames,but others not on duty, including the officers who had long beenimprisoned there, rescued by us, may have assisted in spreading thefire after it had once begun, and may have indulged in unconcealedjoy to see the ruin of the capitol of South Carolina. Thus endsthe account of the destruction of Columbia." We shall not enterinto any discussion of the matter, as we firmly believe, along withGen. Sherman, that it was all caused by the folly or ignorance ofGen. Wade Hampton.
CHAPTER XXX.
It was now the 21st of February, and our wing of the army hadreached Winnsboro, where we went to work destroying the rail roadup to Blackstake's depot, and then turned to Rocky Mount, on theCatawba river. From the 23rd to the 26th, heavy rains fell swellingthe rivers, and making the roads almost impassable. On the26th we reached Hanging Rock, and made preparations to cross theriver, but the heavy rains had so swollen the stream, that our pontoonbridge broke, and we had hard work to restore it. At last we118succeeded, and were put in motion for Cheraw, which place we enteredon the 3rd day of March; the enemy retreating across the Pedeeriver and burning the bridge. Here we found much ammunition,and many guns which had been brought from Charleston onthe evacuation of that city. These were destroyed, as also the railroad bridges and trestles as far down as Darlington, when we wereagain put in motion for Fayetteville, North Carolina. The weatherstill continued bad and the roads fearful, but we reached there onthe 11th of March, skirmishing with Wade Hampton's cavalry thatcovered the rear of Hardee's retreating army. During the night ofthe 9th, Hampton made a dash on our cavalry on our left flank atdaylight and captured one of their camps, and the house in whichGeneral Kilpatrick had his headquarters. But Kilpatrick escapedin his underclothes and rallying his men on foot in a swamp near by,succeeded in routing the enemy, regaining his artillery, horses, campand everything, save a few prisoners whom the enemy carried off,leaving their dead on the ground. All that day, the cavalry boyswho had made their escape after being taken prisoners by the enemy,kept coming into our line of march, some of them without hats,coats or shoes, all of them on foot. But they soon left us and returnedto their command. Their appearance, however, was ludicrous,and their accounts of how they came to be captured, weregenerally the same. The way in which it happened was this: Duringthe night of the 9th, General Kilpatrick had divided his threebrigades to picket the roads. Hampton, detecting this, dashed in atdaylight, and made the capture. The 12th, 13th and 14th, werepassed at Fayetteville, destroying the arsenal and the vast amountof machinery which had formerly belonged to the old Harper's FerryUnited States arsenal. Every building was knocked down andburned, and every piece of machinery utterly broken up and ruined.On the 15th of March we again moved forward, the cavalry marchingin advance and skirmishing heavily with the enemy's rear guard allday. Next morning we again advanced in the same order, and developedthe enemy with artillery, infantry and cavalry, in an intrenchedposition in front of the point where the road branches offtowards Goldsboro through Bentonville. Orders were given to pressforward and carry his position, only difficult by reason of the nature119of the ground, which was so soft that horses would sink everywhere,and even men could hardly make their way. Line of battle wasformed as quickly as possible, and skirmishers thrown out, who soondeveloped the position of a brigade of Charleston heavy artilleryarmed as infantry, posted across the road behind a light parapet,with a battery enfilading the approach across a cleared field, butthey retreated in confusion, leaving in our hands three guns, and 217prisoners, of which 68 were wounded and left in a house near bywith a rebel officer, four men and five days rations. One hundredand eighty rebel dead were buried by us. Hardee retreated on theroad to Smithfield. This was the battle of Averysboro. We lost12 officers and 65 men killed, and 477 wounded, but no prisoners.On the night of the 18th we went into camp on the Goldsboro road,twenty-seven miles from Goldsboro, and about five miles from Bentonville,where the road from Clinton to Smithfield crosses the Goldsbororoad. The enemy was badly defeated, and all indicationspointed that he would make no further opposition to our advance,but subsequent events proved that such was not the case. We werenow marching on Goldsboro, in North Carolina, our objective point.On the morning of the 19th, we pushed forward to Bentonville, encounteringon the road, and driving them before us, Dibbrell's cavalry,until within a few miles of the town, where we found the whole rebelarmy, strongly posted, under command of Johnston himself. Gen.Sherman had gone, that morning, with his staff and escort, over tothe right. He was promptly advised as to how matters stood, andwe were ordered to act on the defensive until Blair's corps coulddraw up, and the three remaining divisions of the fifteenth corpscould come in on Johnston's left rear, from the direction of Cox'sbridge. In the mean time we received word, by courier, that Schofieldand Terry would be able to reach Goldsboro by the 21st. Orderswere sent to Schofield to push for Goldsboro. By daylight onthe 20th, General Howard, leaving his wagon train with sufficientguard, was marching rapidly on Bentonville. And now we come tothe battle of Bentonville. Our advance guard, consisting of twobrigades, was vigorously attacked, and driven back on our main body,by the enemy, who thereby gained a temporary advantage, and capturedthree guns and caissons from General Carlin's division of our120corps. As soon, however, as General Slocum ascertained that hewas confronted by the whole rebel army, he deployed the seconddivision of our corps, to which our regiment belonged, and broughtup on our left the second division of the 20th corps, arranging thembehind hastily constructed barricades, and holding them strictly on thedefensive. Kilpatrick with his cavalry also came up at the sound ofartillery, and massed on our left. In this position we repulsed,without giving an inch of ground, six distinct charges of the combinedforces of Hoke, Hardee and Cheatham. Our artillerygot into position, and played on the rebel ranks as they came up tothe charge, doing fearful execution; the slaughter was terrible.Johnston had moved the night before from Smithfield, leaving all hisunnecessary wheels behind him, and but with little artillery, with theintention of overwhelming our left flank before it could be relievedby our other column coming to our assistance, but Johnston had notyet learned that the eye of Sherman was always on the watch, andthat he was prepared for any emergency that might arise. Duringthe night of the 19th, Gen. Slocum got up the wagon train with thetwo divisions guarding it, and General Hazen's division of the 15thcorps. This reinforcement made it impossible for Johnston to overwhelmus. The right wing encountered the rebel cavalry, as it wascoming to our support, but drove it with serious loss until the headof the column encountered a considerable body behind a barricadeat the forks of the road near Bentonville, about three miles east ofthe battle field of the day before. This force was quickly dislodgedand the intersection of the roads secured. These movements whichwere being made were all accomplished by 4 p. m. of the 20th, whenwe opened out to the astonished gaze of General Johnston, a completeand strong line of battle. His intention of crushing and capturingour left wing, was completely foiled, and instead of being theaggressor, he found himself placed on the defensive, with Mill creekin his rear, spanned by a single bridge. It was General Sherman'sdesire to hold the enemy in position until Generals Schofield andTerry could advance and cut off his retreat, thus completely "bagging"him, so he did not press him to battle, but continued to annoyhim with the skirmishers, using the artillery freely on all thewooded ground in front, and feeling strongly for the flanks of his121position, which were found to be covered by swamps. All of ourempty wagons were sent to Kinston for supplies, and all other impedimentswere grouped south of Goldsboro, near the Neuse river,while the main army were held ready to fight the enemy if he shoulddare venture out of his works. A weakness in the enemy's positionhad been developed, of which advantage might be taken, but thatnight he retreated on Smithfield, leaving his pickets to be taken prisoners,many dead unburied, and wounded in his field hospitals.Pursuit was made on the morning of the 22nd, two miles beyondMill creek, but was then stopped. Our loss in this engagement was1,646 killed, wounded and missing. The enemy left 267 dead unburied,and 1,625 prisoners. For a more detailed account of theoperations of the brigade and regiment, the reader will please toconsult the reports attached to this history. By the evening of the24th, our army was encamped at Goldsboro. On the 25th, only fourdays after, the rail road from Newbern was finished, and the firsttrain of cars arrived, bringing ample supplies of all descriptionsfrom Morehead City. It will never be known with any degree ofcertainty, the amount of injury done the enemy in this campaign, orthe quantity of guns, and materials of war, destroyed. We hadtraveled the country from Savannah to Goldsboro, with an averagebreadth of forty miles, and had consumed all the forage, cattle, hogs,sheep, poultry, bacon and corn meal that lay in our route. Thecampaign was ended on the 21st day of March, by the junction ofthe three armies and the occupation of Goldsboro. We went intocamp, where clothing, and supplies were issued to us as fast as theycould be brought up from the coast.
122
CHAPTER XXXI.
On Monday the 10th of April all preparations were completedfor our further advance. On the 11th we moved out of camp andmarched about seven miles, and on the next day the 12th, the marchbegan in earnest. Foraging was continued as heretofore, but orderswere given to use more prudence, and not go in advance of the advanceguard, but to look more to the right rear for our supplies ofcorn meal, bacon, etc. Our wing, the left, was to aim straight forthe railroad bridge near Smithfield, thence up the Neuse river to therailroad bridge over that stream, north east of Raleigh, then toWarrenton where the army would concentrate. Johnston had hisarmy well in hand about Smithfield. It was estimated at infantryand artillery, 35,000; cavalry from 6,000 to 10,000. We pressedthe enemy closely, and by 10 a. m. of the 13th, our corps enteredSmithfield closely followed by the 20th. Johnston had loadedhis trains on the cars and retreated, burning the bridge over theNeuse river at Smithfield. The pontoons were brought up and thecrossing of the army commenced without resistance.
Here it was that the glorious news reached us that Lee had surrenderedhis army to General Grant at Appomattox. We hadarisen at the usual hour, and the bugle sounded the assembly, whenoff to our left cannonading and shouting were heard; we could notaccount for it, what did it mean? A staff officer of our brigade,with an orderly, was dispatched to find out what was the meaning ofthe cannonading. He returned with the startling and welcome newsthat Lee had surrendered. We could hardly believe it, and finallyconcluded it was a camp rumor, but our doubts were soon dispelledby Capt. Wiseman, the division adjutant general, hastily riding upand requesting Col. Langley, in command of the brigade, to drawup the command in close column by regiments. The request wasquickly complied with and he then proceeded to read to us the officialannouncement of the surrender. What a sight was then witnessed.123 For a time all discipline was cast aside and we made thepine woods ring "with the glad tidings of great joy." The artilleryboys had seized the guns of the battery and were sending forth fromthe grizzly mouths of the cannon, round after round. The officerswere seized and carried around on the shoulders of the men, strongmen wept and embraced each other, and the air was filled withknapsacks and hats flung up in the exuberance of our joy. Wefelt as if the war was over, as for Johnston's army we had no fear ofthem, for we knew that we would run him like a rat to his hole, beforemany days would pass. Were we going to get home at last?Was the cruel war over? These were the questions asked on allsides. We moved out of camp that morning in the highest possiblespirits. General Sherman issued orders to drop all trains, and wemarched in pursuit of Johnston to and through Raleigh, the capitolof the state, reaching that place on the morning of the 13th. Duringthe next two days the cavalry and the different corps were pushedforward, menacing the enemy in front, flank and rear, with Johnston'sarmy retreating rapidly on the roads from Hillsboro toGreensboro, Johnston himself being at Greensboro. Thus mattersstood when Gen. Sherman received a communication from Gen.Johnston, requesting an armistice, and a statement of the best termson which he would be permitted to surrender the army under hiscommand. To this Gen. Sherman promptly returned answer:
"I am fully empowered to arrange with you any terms for thesuspension of the hostilities, as between the armies commanded byyou and those commanded by myself, and am willing to confer withyou to that end. That a base of action may be had, I undertaketo abide by the same terms and conditions entered into by Gens.Grant and Lee, at Appomattox court-house, Virginia, on the 9thinstant."
These pages were intended to be a history or record of a singleregiment in Sherman's army, but as it is intended, also, to be a recordof all the events happening to that portion of the army ofwhich our regiment was a part, we have inserted some things amongour pages which perhaps may not seem at a first glance, to thereader, to be pertinent to the subject, but which will, we trust, onsecond thought be considered admissible. We have followed thefortunes of our arms from Kentucky through Tennessee, Georgia,124South Carolina and North Carolina, and before we arrive at homewill have to go into Virginia and the District of Columbia, so fromthis on we shall record events as they happened, without considerationaltogether as to the particular movements of our own regiment,for we think that the affairs which happened in such close successionat the close of the rebellion are all matters of interest, andshould always be kept alive in the memories of our people, showinghow a great rebellion that had been secretly coming to a head forthirty years was crushed, the perpetrators of it allowed to live,through the magnanimity of our government, and slavery in Americaforever blotted out; removing from our national banner theodium which had rested on it by this foul blot, but which now floatsover all our land as the emblem of the free, and respected in everyport and harbor of the known world. With this apology, althoughwe do not think it will be deemed necessary by our readers, we willproceed with our writing. The dispatch, to which we have referred,from some cause or other was delayed, and Johnston's answer wasnot received until late in the day of the 16th. In Johnston's replyhe requested an interview with General Sherman near DurhamStation, with a view to arranging terms of capitulation. GeneralSherman fixed the time for the interview at 12 m. on the 17th.The meeting was held according to appointment, and Johnston acknowledgedthe terms to be fair and liberal, but asked the considerationof additional facts. He stated that the treaty betweenGens. Grant and Lee had reference to a part only of the confederateforces, whereas he proposed the present agreement should includeall the remaining armies of the rebels, and thus the war should beat an end. He frankly admitted that the cause was lost, that therewas no longer any hopes for the success of the confederacy, andthat slavery, state rights and every other cause for which the warhad been inaugurated was lost, never to be recovered. He desiredthat the fragments of the confederate armies might preserve theircompany and regimental organizations, and be marched to thestates where they belonged, in such order, to prevent their beingbroken up into predatory bands to overrun the country and vex theinhabitants; that this was a favorable occasion to inaugurate thebeginning of a period of peace and good will between the people125destined to live under the same government. The proposal was amost flattering one, calculated to dazzle the mind and awaken thepride of almost any man, laying claim to the possession of the mostordinary ambition. To be the happy instrument of bringing againto his country, so long devastated with violence, rapine and death,the glorious boon of peace, by a single stroke of diplomacy, was ofitself sufficient to place the author in the front rank with the greatestmen of his time, and hand down to posterity his name as the saviorof his country. Such a brilliant vision may have flitted before themind of Sherman. But did these men have the necessary authority?Could they bind their government, their superiors, to such terms asthey might arrange between themselves? Gen. Sherman thoughtnot, but Johnston assured him that having the rebel secretary ofwar, Breckenridge, with him, and it having been Mr. Lincoln's repeateddeclaration, that he was willing to negotiate a peace withany person who could control the rebel armies, he saw no reasonwhy so desirable an end should not be consummated, and askedthat the conference might be adjourned over until the next day, toenable him to confer with Breckenridge. This was agreed on, andthe conference was adjourned until the next day at 12 m. at thesame place.
CHAPTER XXXII.
On the 17th of April, the same day on which General Shermanwas negotiating with Johnston for the surrender of the rebel armythen under his command, we received the appalling news of the assassinationof our beloved president, Abraham Lincoln. It cast agloom over us all, and to say that our hearts were saddened by the126news, would express the sentiment that was felt in too meagre terms.We felt, individually, as if we had lost a near and dear friend.
Our army was encamped, as we have before stated, on the southernbank of the Neuse river, pending negotiations, of which we wereall aware, of the surrender of the army which we had followed solong, and to which we had given battle on many a bloody field.But now, on that Sabbath afternoon, all was still, no noise could beheard, and if one had not known that a large army was encampedthere, they never would have suspected it; the silence was awful,men spoke to each other with bated breath; the glitter of the eye,and the tension of the mouth, were indications that were terrible tobehold. What! after all our marching, after all our fighting, afterall the hardships and privations we had endured, after the four longyears of bloody war, during which time our President had sat in thechair of State, and with a wisdom never excelled, and but rarelyequalled, had guided the Ship of State aright, after all this, and nowthat the blood which had been shed, the treasure that had been expended,the arduous labors which we had undergone, were about tobe rewarded with the crown of victory, was he not to welcome hisboys home again? We could hardly realize it. But the reactioncame; the news was true, and it was the feeling in every breast, thatvengeance on the people, who, by their mad actions had brought allthis trouble on us, must be executed. The Neuse river only lay betweenus and Johnston's army, it would have been a matter in whichour army would have rejoiced, to cross the river and wipe those menfrom off the face of the earth. They were the upholders of thecause that had brought, in its bloody train, the assassination of ourPresident, and blood could only heal the sorrow it had caused. Allthat was needed to cause the slumbering volcano to pour forth itsstreams of devastation and woe, was some leading spirit to burst therestraints of discipline, and the beautiful city of Raleigh would soonhave been but a heap of blackened ruins. Such were the feelings ofGeneral Sherman's army when that sad news first fell upon us likea funeral pall. But for fear of an outbreak, orders were issued denyingthe report, and it was so horrible, we were willing to believeit, and the smothered rage cooled down to unexecuted threats. Atthe appointed time on the 18th, negotiations were resumed between127Generals Sherman and Johnston. After the first meeting GeneralSherman had conferred with his principal officers, all of whom favoreda treaty on the basis proposed by Johnston, and General Shermanhimself drew up the following memoranda or basis of agreement:
"Memoranda or basis of agreement made this 18th day of April,A. D. 1865, near Durham's station, in the State of North Carolina,by and between General Joseph E. Johnston, commanding the Confederatearmy, and Major General William T. Sherman, commandingthe army of the United States in North Carolina, both present.
First. The contending armies now in the field, to maintain theirstatu quo until notice is given by the commanding general of eitherone to his opponent, and reasonable time, say forty-eight hours, allowed.
Second. The confederate armies now in existence to be disbanded,and conducted to the several state capitols, there to deposit theirarms and public property in the state arsenal, and each officer andman to execute and file an agreement to cease from acts of war,and abide the action of both state and federal authorities. Thenumber of arms and munitions of war to be reported to the Chiefof Ordnance, at Washington City, subject to future action of theCongress of the United States, and in the mean time to be usedsolely to maintain order within the borders of the states respectively.
Third. The recognition by the Executive of the United Statesof the several state governments, on their officers and legislaturestaking the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States,and when conflicting state governments have resulted from the war,the legitimacy of all shall be submitted to the Supreme Court of theUnited States.
Fourth. The re-establishment of all Federal Courts in the severalstates, with powers as defined by the Constitution and laws ofCongress.
Fifth. The people, and inhabitants of all the states to be guaranteed,so far as the executive can, their political rights and franchise,as well as their rights of person and property, as defined bythe Constitution of the United States, and states respectively.
Sixth. The Executive authority of the Government of the UnitedStates, not to disturb any of the people by reason of the latewar, so long as they live in peace and quiet, abstain from acts ofarmed hostility, and obey laws in existence at any place of their residence.
Seventh. In general terms, war to cease, and a general amnesty,so far as the Executive power of the United States can command,128or on condition of disbandment of the Confederate armies, and thedistribution of arms, and resumption of peaceful pursuits by officersand men as hitherto composing the said armies. Not being fullyempowered by our own respective principals to fulfill these terms,we individually and officially pledge ourselves to promptly obtainnecessary authority, and to carry out the above programme.
(Signed) W. T. SHERMAN.
Maj. Gen. Comd'g Army of the U. S. in N. C.
(Signed) J. E. JOHNSTON.
General Comd'g C. S. Army in N. C."
CHAPTER XXXIII.
This memoranda was satisfactory to all present at the conference,as a proposition to be forwarded by special messenger to the President,who called a special meeting of the Cabinet to take it intoconsideration. The cabinet at once rejected it. This disapprovalwas communicated to General Sherman by General Grant, who wasordered by the President to proceed immediately to the headquartersof General Sherman, and direct operations against the enemy.The dispatch was received by General Sherman on the morning ofthe 24th, and he immediately gave notice to General Johnston asfollows: "You will take notice that the truce, or suspension of hostilities,agreed to between us on the 18th instant, will close in forty-eighthours after this is received at your lines." He also wrote Gen.Johnston at the same time: "I have replies from Washington to mycommunication of the 18th. I am instructed to limit my operationsto your immediate command, and not attempt civil negotiations, I,therefore, demand the surrender of your army, on the same terms aswere given to General Lee, at Appomattox Court House, Va., the9th of April, instant, purely and simply." Within an hour after the129reception of General Grant's dispatch, a courier was riding rapidlywith this notice and demand upon General Johnston. Gen. Shermanalso issued orders to the army to be in readiness to march at12 m. of the 26th, on the routs previously described.
These arrangements were already made when General Grant arrivedat Raleigh. He informed General Sherman that he had ordersfrom the President to direct all military movements, but that he wasso well pleased with the situation, that he concluded not to interfere,and would leave the execution of the arrangements alreadymade, to General Sherman. And now, comrade, whoever you maybe, who read these pages, what do you think? This book is notwritten for any political purpose, not in the least. We are writingabout the times that are past and gone; about the days when wemarched side by side together through the land of the cotton andthe cane. When our glory and our pride was "Uncle Billy," whomwe would have followed to the end, wherever that may have been,and you know it. He had been our guiding star in God's hands.Under him we had gone through campaigns only equalled, but neverexcelled, in the annals of war, and now, on the eve of the consummationof our labors, the "laurel wreath" was to be snatched fromhis brow, and instead of being permitted to execute the will of thegovernment as determined upon by the administration, he was to seeanother placed in the position which by right was his. It seemedhardly fair then, and even at this late day, we cannot think it was.We are no politician, we are not learned in the mysteries, the devilments,and the general cussedness of state intrigue, but we say thatW. T. Sherman was the grandest man that ever led an army of theUnited States, or any other country, and he showed his grandeurand his nobility by brushing to one side, as he would the passingwing of a mosquito, the hint of incapacity that was sought to befastened on him by those grand and mighty warriors, who, in theircushion bottomed chairs at Washington, dared for one instant to insinuate,that it was they who had guided us through the brake, andthrough the swamps, from the hillsides of Kentucky, to the walls ofRichmond, by their orders to our general and our leader. But weknew only Sherman. God bless him, wherever he may be. He isa hero and a nobleman, not by a long line of ancestral descent, perhaps,130 but by that God given inspiration that makes him so. We believethat our comrades of former days, feel with us an intense loyaltyto William Tecumseh Sherman, a true patriot whom the tinsel,and the glare, of worldly intrigues, could not swerve from the pathof duty. Excuse us, dear reader, for this little variation, this viewthat we may have given you to the secret chamber of our heart, wecan not help it, we love the man of whom we have been writing,and the honor of having been a soldier under his command, will beone which our children's children, as they come after us, can reflectupon with pride and glory. But we have forgotten, it seems to us,who we are, we have been talking to you about an individual, themost glorious—stop—we will wait until to morrow to go on with ourwork, we must not forget the humble position we occupy, that of givingto you a record of our lives as an army organization.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The bearer of General Sherman's message was an unwelcomevisitor at the headquarters of Gen. Johnston. Johnston was powerless.He could neither fight nor retreat, his army was deserting himhourly. Already more than ten thousand of his followers had lefthim, with their guns, horses, mules and wagons. He must eitherdisperse his army or surrender it on the terms proposed by Gen.Sherman on the 25th. He invited Sherman to another conference,with a view to surrender. Gen. Grant being the ranking officer,then present, it was his province to take the lead in the negotiations,but he preferred that the entire business should be consummated byGen. Sherman. Write it down in letters of gold, that there wasone man, at least, at those times, who was a man by nature, andcarried a man's heart in his bosom. Thank God! that in our day131and generation, we do stumble across men, although farther apartthan many mile stones, who are willing to give "the spoils to thevictor." Accordingly another interview was arranged to take placeat the hour designated for the termination of the truce. Final termswere conducted at this conference, substantially the same as givento Lee, and the second grand army of the cotton aristocracy wassurrendered to the United States. The number of men surrenderedand paroled was in the neighborhood of 25,000; 108 pieces of artillerywere parked, with limbers, caissons, etc., complete; little ammunitionwas captured. About 15,000 small arms were given up.On the 26th day of April, 1865, the surrender of the last rebel organizationwas effected, peace brought to the land, and the horriblewar, which was conceived in sin and brought forth in iniquity, wasover. Fellow soldiers, you who wore the gray, shake hands, youwere brave boys, you were brought into this unholy and unrighteouswar by men who were so unscrupulous as to the means wherebythey attained their ambitious projects, that your heart's blood wasbut as water in their sight. All honor to your dead, your valor, andyour bravery. To your leaders, to the men who by their specioustalk and winsome flattery moved you to the struggle, we have nothingto say, leaving to the God of nations and of worlds their record.He in His own good time will settle with every one for the deedsdone in the body, whether they be good or whether they be evil.
Well, for us the war was over, and like Othello, "our occupationwas gone." By easy marches we at last reached Richmond, the"city of the hills," that like ancient Rome, as thought the hearts ofmany of her citizens, at the breaking out of the war, "should rulethe world." And as we marched through her streets the thoughtcame into our mind why "we are Romans." It was but a momentarythought, that we came as conquerors, and was soon swept fromour minds by the idea that we were merely a large body of police.There had been a big riot, the biggest kind of a fuss, and we hadcome to bring the offenders to justice, and that was the end of it.Brothers and comrades, is that all of it? No! comes up the voiceof the century. Do you call the striking of the fetters from off 4,000,000slaves nothing? Do you call the blotting out of our children'sschool atlases the "Mason and Dixon's line," which they132used to read there and wonder what it meant, nothing? Do youcall the establishment of our government and free institutions on arock as firm as the "Rock of Ages," nothing? Do you call theevidence we have given to the world, that we are a free and enlightenedpeople, nothing? Hold on, let us rest at that a moment.The war did amount to something, didn't it, you old hardtack eater.Shake hands over the trouble and thank God that we are home atlast.
We are almost done now, we have come all the way from Danville,Illinois, through Kentucky, with her neutrality; through Tennesseewith her splendid water, apple-jack and loyalty in the easternpart, but the middle and western were bad; through Georgia,with her rice, and pea-nuts; through South Carolina, with hersweet-potatoes: through North Carolina, with her tobacco and tar;through Virginia, with her clay hills and murmuring waters, until wehave at last arrived at Washington with her red tape and capitolairs, but, all the same, the seat of government of the United Statesof America, the land of the free and of the oppressed. But wewill stop, we hear some one calling to us to pull that eagle in. Weobey, as a good soldier always does. After taking part in the grandreview at Washington, our regiment "struck tents" for the last timeand went to Chicago.
CHAPTER XXXV.
The Saturday after we arrived there, we marched down to Unionhall about 11 o'clock in the morning, and took up position in frontof the orchestra. After the band of the Veteran Reserve Corps haddiscoursed some of their sweetest music, we were addressed by T.B. Bryan, Esq., president of the Soldier's Home, and of the executive133 committee of the great sanitary fair. Mr. Bryan said it was hisprivilege in the name of the city and the sanitary fair, to welcomeus most cordially and sincerely. As he was to be followed by theirdistinguished commander, there was no need for him to speak of ournoble deeds. He wanted us, however, to understand that the menand women of Chicago were equal to those of any other city inearnest and hearty love for the soldier. Whatever disaffected peoplemight say to the contrary, we would find that the women of thiscity, had toiled as no other women had ever toiled, to sustain andcheer, to comfort and support, the soldier. If regiments had at anytime come here unnoticed and unknown, it had been from no faultof theirs. He would now introduce to us our old and tried commander,General Sherman. The announcement was received withgreat applause, which increased as the General stepped to the front.General Sherman then addressed us as follows:
"Fellow Soldiers: I regret that it has fallen to my task tospeak to you, because I would rather that others should do what ismost common to them, and less so to me. But, my fellow soldiers,it gives me pleasure to assure you that what the president of thisfair has told you just now, is true; that a hearty welcome awaitsyou wherever you go. Many people think you want bread and meat,but your faces and my knowledge tell me that you prefer the wavingof handkerchiefs and the applause of the people, to all the breadand meat that fills the warehouses of Chicago (cheers). Those soldierswho are now before me, know where bread and meat can andwill be found (laughter). All we ask, and all we have ever asked, isa silent and generous acknowledgement of our services, when renderedin the cause of our country. And fellow soldiers, when youget home among those who will interest you more than any thing Ican say, just call back to mind where you were twelve months ago.You remember Kenesaw Peak, and the Little Kenesaw. It is nota year since you stormed them, and lost my old partner and friend,Dan. McCook. That was on the 27th day of June, 1864. In June,1865, you stand in the midst of Chicago, surrounded by bright colorsand ladies and children. Then you were lying in the mud, therocks and the dirt, and you knew there was an enemy we had tofight with and conquer, and we did not exactly know how to do it(laughter). But we were patient; we reconnoitered; we watchedtheir flanks; we studied the ground, and in three days we had Johnstonand his whole army, pinned; he retired, and we did not givehim a chance of stopping until he had put the Chattahoochie betweenus and him. That is a lesson for you. Temporary defeat is134nothing when a man is determined to succeed. You are not conquered,you never can be conquered when the mind is clear and determinedin its purpose; you must succeed, no temporary defeat cancause failure. You all remember that on the fourth of July westood close to each other, and we told them then that theywould have to go farther than Atlanta, for we should continue to goon (cheers). You will remember how their pickets told us they hadreinforcements. Yes, but what? They had one of our corps—Schofield's(laughter). Before General Johnston knew, or dreamedof it, I had reinforced his side of the Chattahoochie, by Gen. Schofield's23rd corps. From this, my fellow soldiers, I want you tolearn the lesson, no matter where you are, to-day or to-morrow, bykeeping a purpose close in your mind, in the end you will succeed,whether it be in military, civil, social, or family affairs. Let no difficultyappal you, let no check alarm you, let your purpose in life be clearand steadfast, keep in view the object and design of your life, andjust as sure as you are now before me in health and strength youwill succeed. You are now returned to your homes, and the tasknow allotted to you is that of the future. The past is disposed of,it may soon be forgotten; but the future is before you, and that futurewill be more glorious than the past. Look at your own stateof Illinois, look at the city of Chicago, it is hardly as old as any ofyou, for twenty-five years ago a little military garrison was here, atwo company post, and now it is a city of palaces, of streets, railroads, etc. You, the men of a city almost the second in the UnitedStates of America, are to assist in directing the affairs of this country.You have the patience and industry, and more than that, youhave organization, discipline and drill, and if I have been instrumentalin teaching you this, in maintaining discipline, order andgood government in the army which I have had the honor to command,I am contented; for on this system, and on this high tone ofhonor which pervades your minds, must be built the empire ofAmerica (loud cheers). I did not wish to address you, but I believethere are no others here who desire to speak, and therefore I ask youto accept what is given in heartiness, a full, joyous welcome home toChicago. I know it is genuine, for I myself have experienced it.Feel you are at home, and that there are no more rebels, no moreraking fire, no more shot, but that you have done with them forever.Good morning."
At the conclusion of the speech there was loud and long continuedcheering.
Colonel Langley replied as follows:
"I can assure you in behalf of the Illinois regiment before you,that your welcome, the welcome of the people of Chicago and of135the people of the state of Illinois, is fully appreciated by these soldiersnow returned home. They have, to some extent, known thegood to be derived from such associations and organizations as thesanitary commission, and I believe that no city in the union hasshown a deeper interest or more generous feeling toward the privatesoldier in the ranks, than has the city of Chicago. It seemedto be her chief purpose to secure to the soldier all those comfortsso essential to his recovery from a bed of sickness, and from woundsreceived in battle, and the result of this kindness is that your offeringssent out to them have always been duly appreciated, and theheart has swelled with gratitude toward the kind and loyal peoplewho have remembered the soldier in his distress. It ill befits me,who has been in the field for the last three years, to make a speech,but in a blunt soldier way will speak of these brave boys. Thisregiment now before you I have had the honor to command. Ihave known the men composing it for a long time; they are thesterling men of the country. My long acquaintance with them enablesme to say, that never were there braver soldiers sent into battleagainst the enemy (cheers). Out of four Illinois regiments in the3rd brigade, 2nd division, 14th army corps, they were one. Theywere engaged first in the battle of Perryville in about three weeksafter entering the service. Then in the battle of Chickamauga;against Mission Ridge, and again in the different skirmishes nearBuzzard's Roost Gap. And on the 27th of June, 1864, the timeto which General Sherman alluded, they made a deadly and fearfulassault against the enemy's works on Kenesaw Mountain, and failed,but they did not turn their backs on the enemy and run. Insteadof retreating, they took to their spades, and, within sixty-two feet ofthe enemy, threw up intrenchments, and from there, with their sharp-shooters,at last drove out the enemy. Again at Jonesboro, they assaultedthe same men we failed to drive out at Kenesaw Mountain.They were driven out and captured at Jonesboro, and thus securedthe capture of Atlanta. They have endured as much of marching,did as much campaigning, took as many chickens, hams, and otherthings, as any regiment (laughter). And they have been able toconsume as much as any; for by casting your eye over them, youwill see that they are men of strength and capable of devouring agood deal of South Carolina subsistence (renewed laughter). Letme assure you that these men have a home interest which will demandof them their earnest, sensible attention, of which fact theyneed not be advised, and when they return to their homes you willfind many of them who did not claim any particular high standingin society before, will rank now above many who remained at hometo preserve their morals (laughter). They will go home and returnto their former avocations in life, and pursue them with an energy136and industry proportioned to the love they exemplified for the countrythey so long, so ably and so well defended.
I assure you again that the cordial and sincere welcome whichyou have tendered us, is heartily appreciated, and in behalf of theregiment, I thank you, and all those who have aided in the kindwelcome extended to them."
The proceedings ended with three cheers for the regiment, andthree for General Sherman. We then marched to Bryan hall, afterwhich we repaired to the Soldier's Rest for dinner, and then marchedback to camp Douglass.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Here we were mustered out of the service and paid off on the30th day of June, 1865, this we learn from our old discharge, andwe also read on that piece of imitation parchment (no objection tohis being re-enlisted is known to exist), but may the good God, whohas guided us through this struggle, who inspired our leaders, andfinally gave us this victory, grant that there may never be any moreneed of our services as soldiers, unless it may be to defend the landwhich gave us birth, from some foreign invader. Comrades of companiesA, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and K, fare you well, and mayGod bless you. We have together trod the weary road which, withso many other boys like ourselves, has led us back at last to homeand peace. The way at times was dark and dreary, the clouds hunglow and black. We missed ever and anon from our sides the formsof those we loved, and with whom we had held daily converse, butthey are gone, and the stately pines of the southern part of ourland sing a refrain over their graves. Some of their resting placeswe are ignorant of; they died amid the fury and the smoke of battle,but thank God their souls still live, and he who lays down his life137for his friend is only imitating the example set by the Great Master.If I have written anything in these recollections of our army lifethat is in the least hurtful to any one's feelings, if I have in anyway at all harmed you, forgive me, for such has not been my intention,and knowing me as many of you do, I trust you will believewhat I tell you about this part of it. And now with a heartfelt desirethat when your camp-fires burn low, as God grant they nevermay, and your three days rations run out long before the time, asthey used sometimes to do while we were on the march together,come over to my fire and thrust your hands into my haversack, andif by chance it should prove to be empty, I will order out my detail,for I have got them now, comrades, and forage for you till yourwants are all supplied. Good-by and may God bless you.
Non nobis! Domine non nobis! sed nomine tuo da Gloriam.
ROME.
Leaving the main army at Resaca our brigade moved off in thedirection of Rome, Ga., which lays on the south bank of the Coosariver. The work on which we were ostensibly to be engaged, wasthe repairing of certain railroad bridges. But whether this workwas absolutely to be done, or whether our march was but a "blind,"we do not know, at any rate we took up our line of march for thatpurpose, but had not begun work on the bridges, before orders cameto move with all possible speed. We reached the city of Romelate one afternoon. The rebel army was found drawn up in line ofbattle, but our fellows with cheer and shout charged their lines, drivingthem across the river and out of the town. Here we went intocamp for a few days. Rome is a pretty town, and had been thecenter of a good deal of business before the war, but now all waschanged. Provost guards were immediately detailed to preserve order,but in spite of all this the boys, with the instinctive love of138foraging that animates a soldier while in the enemy's country, managedto obtain many luxuries in the shape of tobacco, etc. We gotpossession of the theater, a minstrel company was formed andseveral entertainments given, the admission fee being twenty-fivecents. The theater was crowded nightly, and the entertainmentwas much better than we have witnessed at other places with betterfacilities. The bank was also occupied, but nothing of course wasfound excepting sheets of confederate money just printed, apparently,but not signed. Some of the boys went to work filling themout, putting down the names of "Timothy Fitzpoodelle," as president,and "Johnny Cometalety" for cashier, or any name whichwould come into their heads. These confederate bills were passedby many of our boys on the citizens afterwards for such things asthey wanted, the citizens taking them for genuine, and indeed theywere as good as any of the balance of the confederate money.Some fellows got into the printing office, and, being printers bytrade when at home, issued a newspaper filled with spread eagle editorials,and exhorting the editor and owner of the property to comeback to the union and give up the cause of secession. Thesepapers were intensely loyal, as might be supposed, and were in allprobability, as they were intended they should be, very disgusting tothe chivalry. Here also we were shown the hotel, a square, two-storybrick building, from the upper verandah of which the rebelsexhibited Mrs. Dr. Mary Walker to the shouting and yelling crowdin the street below, whom they had captured a short time previously.But Atlanta was the cry, and so one bright morning we left Romewith its pleasant memories behind us.
A CONFEDERATE CHRISTMAS.
The following is an account of a Christmas dinner held under therule of the confederate government in 1861. The individual who139helped to celebrate the day, herewith gives the testimony which enablesus to set before you, what Christmas meant in those days, andwhat it cost:
"The dinner of 1861," he says, "did not differ materially from itspredecessors in the 'piping times of peace,' and though in 1862 thefeast was home-made, it was enjoyable. Turkeys were only elevendollars a piece, and salt had fallen to thirty-three cents a pound.The yule log was attainable at fifteen dollars per cord; wines wereto be had by the very rich, and sorghum rum, or apple, peach, orblack-berry brandy, cost thirty dollars a gallon. A few toys were leftin the stores in the cities, and fire-crackers, essential to the southernfestival, were five dollars a pack. By 1863, the closest search ofSanta Claus revealed no play-things, and fire-crackers indicatedgreat wealth, or reckless extravagance. The few turkeys in the marketwere forty and fifty dollars a piece; whisky, or sorghum rum, foregg-nog, cost seventy-five or eighty dollars per gallon; sugar wasfive and ten dollars a pound, and flour one hundred and twenty fivedollars per barrel. With gold at 2,800, a plain Christmas dinner fora large family, cost two or three hundred dollars. In 1864, whenChristmas fell on Sunday, gold was at 5,000: flour was six hundreddollars per barrel; sugar, two dollars an ounce; salt, one dollar apound; butter, forty dollars; beef, thirty-five to forty dollars; wood,was one hundred dollars a cord. A Christmas dinner at a countryhouse, near Richmond, is described thus: The four gentleman werein uniform, the three ladies in home spun. They had for dinner athree hundred dollar ham and the last turkey on the plantation, valuedat one hundred and seventy-five dollars, with one hundred dollarsworth of cabbage, potatoes and hominy. Corn bread was served,made of meal at eighty dollars a bushel, and salt at one dollar apound. The desert was black molasses at sixty dollars a gallon, andafter a cup of tea, real tea, worth one hundred dollars a pound,treasured up for the occasion, as a surprise, and not sassafras; therewas coffee at discretion made from sweet potatoes cut into littlesquares, toasted and ground down."
140
BAD MEAT.
While in camp at Nashville, at one time, the meat issued to uswas not up to the standard, but was, on the contrary, far below it.One day there was issued to us bacon, which was actually alive withmaggots. All of a sudden in the quarters of company I, therearose a terrible hub-bub, men shouting and yelling, cries of "Hi,hi!" "Get out of here!" "Go on, go on," etc., etc. We allran down there, the colonel and all, to see what in the world wasthe matter, when we found Capt. Vinson, with his company, surroundingthe pile of meat which had been issued to them, and withtheir bayonets fixed were going through the motions of driving thebacon out of camp. It was almost lively enough to march. Thecolonel could not at first understand what was the matter, but soonsaw the point when he examined the meat. It was ordered to bedestroyed and better bacon was obtained.
At another time company I was called on to go with the quartermaster'steam to chop wood for camp use. Capt. Vinson refusedto honor the detail from his company, alledging that we did notcome down there to chop wood, and that there was no necessity forit any way, as there were cords of wood, already chopped and cordedup, standing outside of the line. Quartermaster Ayers got a littleriled at this, and off he went to Colonel Harmon to report that thecaptain of company I refused to furnish him a detail to chop wood.It was not long until an order came requesting the captain's presenceat regimental headquarters. Away went the captain and reportedto the colonel what he knew in regard to the wood, for hehad seen it with his own eyes. He returned to his command, anddirectly the colonel, mounted on his horse, with the quartermasterby his side, was seen riding off in the direction of the picket line.They soon returned, and the consequence was that the teams wentafter the wood without the detail. But quartermaster Ayers did notlike the refusal of the captain to go with him, and the consequence141was company I received a supply of wood that was very lasting, butof not much use for cooking purposes, as it would not burn.Whether the quartermaster intended it, or not, was not known, butthe wood furnished company I, at that issue, was mostly green buckeye and cottonwood.
PUBLIC EXECUTION AT NASHVILLE.
While we were staying at Nashville, desertions became frequent,the boys would go off in squads. It was not the intention on the partof most of them to remain away for good, but they longed to seehome once more, and after being absent from the command a weekor two, would return. This was contrary to all military disciplineand must be stopped. Orders were issued threatening the extremepenalty of army law, if such behavior was continued, which wasdeath. But still desertions were frequent; and so one day an orderwas read at dress parade to the regiments of the garrison, notifyingthem to be present at the execution of a soldier belonging to the10th Michigan, who had been tried by court martial for desertion,found guilty, and ordered to be shot. The execution was to takeplace the next day at 12 m., and all the troops in the city were tobe present. Accordingly at the appointed hour we arrived at theplace where we were drawn up into line, the flanks covered by theartillery and cavalry. An ambulance escorted by a mounted guard,soon arrived at the place, on the inside of which was the prisoner,and his coffin. Disembarking, his coffin was carried before him tothe spot for it to rest. The prisoner was taken to view his grave,which had been dug at the foot of a small bush not far off, and returning,he seated himself on his coffin. The shooting detail marchedout and took position ten paces in front of him. The sergeantof the squad approached the prisoner and proceeded to bandage hiseyes with a handkerchief, in doing which he was assisted by the prisoner142 himself. He then returned to the head of his squad. At theword "attention, take aim," here the prisoner motioned with hishand, pointing to his heart, "fire." The twelve rifles cracked as onegun, the prisoner fell back across his coffin, dead. There was not,so it seemed to us who were the unwilling spectators of the scene,a movement of the body. Death was instantaneous, and the soulof the soldier passed to God who gave it. It was a solemn scene,and impressed us all deeply. But the execution was over, the regimentswere marched off to their quarters, and the affair was ended,to be talked over many times, afterwards. We thought it horrible,but could not fail to see the justice of it, as we all knew the penaltyof desertion was death. It is needless to add that the lesson was asalutary one, and desertions became less frequent. Still the questionarose how can the crossing of the river be effected by any one,unless assisted by some friend outside of our own camps. So thedetective branch of the service was called upon, and finally they unearthedthe man who was causing all the trouble. He was a doctorin the city, a rebel of the deepest dye. It seems this fellow wouldmake out false paroles for all who applied to him for them, andwould direct them to a certain spot on the river's bank, where theywould find a man with a boat who would ferry them across thestream. Once over, their paroles would insure them safe conduct,and they would proceed home at their leisure. This doctor was arrestedand confined in the penitentiary in the city, but what furtherwas ever done about it we never learned.
DRAWING RATIONS.
One evening after we had arrived in camp, while we were in Kentucky,orders were given us to go for rations. Each company hadits commissary sergeant, whose duty it was to attend to this branchof the business. He would call on boys enough for his purpose,143and proceed to the brigade commissary with their pots and pans,anything in fact that would hold the supplies, and receive from himthe amount of food coming to the company, when on carrying it tothe company quarters, each man would receive the amount due him.On the evening to which we have reference, we were called on bythe sergeant to go with him for rations. Of course we complied.Arriving at the brigade commissary's headquarters, we found acrowd waiting there, who had come on the same errand as ourselves.Standing close by was a large barrel filled with shoulders. It attractedour eye immediately, for the shoulders and hams were keptfor the officers use, as it was not supposed, perhaps, that a privatesoldier could eat such food. That barrel of shoulders had a mightyattraction for us. We approached nearer to it, and finally were recliningagainst it. In some way our arm and hand got inside of it,and our fingers, those wicked fingers, quickly closed around theshank of a shoulder with a vice-like grip, simultaneously it wasdrawn out, and then with a conviction that we had better go to ourquarters, we "lit out." We got there with our shoulder safely, andcrawling into our tent, were proceeding to hide our treasure under ablanket, when a hand was laid upon us, and a voice said, "Gohalves, Bob." We nearly jumped through the tent with surprise.We thought that we had done a very clever piece of foraging, butour departure with the shoulder from the commissary's had beennoticed by our commissary sergeant, John Lockhart, and as Johnhad a tooth for such food, he had followed us up to get a share. Wedivided and then returned for our rations. The next day, as wemarched along, we had a good dinner with what was left, and hopedthat an opportunity would soon offer to replenish our haversack inthe same way.
BLUE RIDGE.
The event which we are about to relate, happened when for thefirst time we were placed on picket guard, at Covington, Ky., wewere stationed three on a post, with strict orders for one at least toremain awake at all times. The countersign that night, was "BlueRidge," and about nightfall we received it. One of our boys, veryanxious to do his duty properly, was on post when the "grand144rounds," as it is termed, was made; at midnight, hearing the approachingfootsteps, and, perhaps, feeling the fate of the countryresting on his individual shoulders, he halted them when they camenear. "Halt," he cried, "you can't pass here unless you say 'BlueRidge,'" Poor Jake, that word was dinned in his ears for many along day after, and in fact he went by the name of "Blue Ridge"for the balance of the time we were in the service. At daylight weroused up, and looking off in the direction of our front, saw in thedistance a farm house; this brought to our minds visions of breakfast,so after a short conference together, we picked up our guns andmarched off, leaving the picket post to take care of itself. We wentto the farm house and called for breakfast, which we got and paidfor, and then returned to our post. Whether our absence was everfound out or not, we never ascertained, and in fact did not care, butit was not long before we learned that this was not the way in whichpicket duty should be performed.
RAIDS ON THE SUTLER.
It often happened that we ran out of money, for we would not bepaid off, perhaps, for six months at a time, and at such times wewould get in terrible straights for tobacco, and such things, and thesutler's goods would be a terrible temptation to us. There theywere, arranged in good style back of his counter, caddies of tobacco,piles of canned goods, candy, cheese, crackers and lots of goodthings. But we could not get them, unless a particular friend of thesutler, without paying cash. The temptation some times was toostrong, and if the sutler proved to be of a niggardly disposition, wewould conspire to make a raid on his institution. On a night agreedupon, the conspirators would assemble, and going to the sutler's tent,each fellow would take his place at one of the ropes by which thetent was staked to the ground, and at a given signal, each rope that145held the tent, would be cut, letting the tent down upon its occupant,and as he was endeavoring, the best he knew how, to get out, theboys would be making off with his goods, and then what a feast wewould have. Such affairs did not often happen, and if we did succeedin cleaning him out, he would soon stock up again, and, perhaps,not be so penurious with the boys in the future. But these sutlersmade enormous profits. We distinctly remember paying fourdollars per plug for navy tobacco, eight dollars for a shirt, worth perhaps,a dollar and a half, and other things in proportion.
JOHN KIRSCH AND TOM MAKEMSON'S RICE TRIP.
While we were lying in front of Savannah, Ga., two members ofcompany I, John G. Kirsch and Tom Makemson, came to the conclusionone day, as food was scarce in camp, to go out into thecountry and see what success they could have in obtaining somethingto eat. They procured a mule apiece and away they went.They had not travelled far until they came to a rice plantation, andriding up to where they saw a squad of darkies, they opened up negotiationswith them for the purchase of some rice at ten cents perquart. The darkies were willing to sell and our warriors were willingto buy, provided, however, that they could not obtain it by othermeans. They each had a sack apiece, and soon the darkies hadfilled John's sack, and he had placed it on his mule, remarking tothe colored gentleman, who had measured the rice out to him, thathe would go the picket reserve yonder, which was in plain sight, andget the money to pay for it, and bring it back to him. Off Johnstarted. By this time Tom had got his sack filled, and getting it onhis mule, climbed up saying: "He wondered what in the worldwas the reason that fellow didn't come with that money; he was along time sure, and he guessed he had better go and hurry him up,when they would both return and settle." The darkies let him go,146but he had not gone far until it dawned upon their minds "dat demyanks aint goin' for to pay us for dat rice at all," and immediatelythey started in pursuit, big, little, old and young, and their dogs after"dem ar yanks," shouting and yelling for them to come back andpay for "dat ar rice." They thought they could head the boys off,but it was no use. Tom had a mule which was inclined to be balky,but John got behind him with a stick, and by dint of beating andshouting managed to make him go. They were making good time,with the darkies in full pursuit, when they came to a little branchthat crossed their line of retreat. It was but a very short distancein width, and into it they plunged, thinking it was not deep, but inthis they were badly mistaken. John's mule went under ears andall, and he gracefully slid off and got to shore the best way he could,wet through and his bag of rice at the bottom of the branch orbayou. Tom managed to get out all safe and together they madetheir way to camp. But not a word was said. John was shiveringwith the cold, his rice gone never to be recovered, and Tom notdaring to laugh for fear of his life. The darkies gave up the chaseand left the boys to make the best of their way to camp. But thestory leaked out, and they were twitted unmercifully afterwardsabout their rice expedition. John was captured shortly afterwardsand taken to Andersonville, where he remained three months, butwas finally released and arrived home safe. Tom is now in Kansas.
MRS. DR. MARY WALKER.
While we were in camp at Lee and Gordon's mills, our camp wassurprised one day by the appearance of a person, whom, if dress wasto be the index of the sex, it would have been hard to determinewhether, whoever it might be, was male or female. But it proved tobe the notorious Mrs. Dr. Mary Walker. She had appeared at Gen.Thomas' headquarters, at Chattanooga, desiring to be placed on duty147in the front, as surgeon or assistant surgeon. She had come fromthe hospitals at Washington, where she had done good service, andwhere her services were acceptable. But the doctor was ambitious;she had more of Mars than Venus in her composition, and desireda commission with the rank of surgeon, and duty in the field. Shehad been sent by General Thomas to report to Col. Dan. McCook,our brigade commander, for duty, and here she was. Her appearancewas indeed curious, and excited not only the surprise, but thethe merriment of our boys, who, although they had seen many curiousthings in their army life, had never seen the like of this before.Her dress consisted of a low crowned fur hat, with a garment somethingsimilar to a cloak, bound with a girdle at the waist, and reachingdown a little below the knees, from beneath which a pair ofblack cloth pantaloons appeared; a small foot, covered with a neatlyfitting boot, finished up the picture. When on horseback she bestrodethe animal like a man, and unless a person knew who she waswould have readily passed for one. Her face was boyish, and so faras our judgement went, was neither good looking or very bad. Shewas a lady in her deportment, but how it ever happened that a womanshould desire to occupy the position she craved, was beyondour comprehension. To be in the midst of such scenes as weretranspiring daily, camp life, camp customs, and camp conversation,would, we should think, have been quite contrary to the female longings.She was very punctilious in regard to military etiquette, however,and carried it so far that the boys got disgusted with her. Shewould demand from a guard the same military treatment as if shehad been a general officer. This the boys most generally accordedto her, more out of a spirit of politeness, than anything else. Butone day she ran across a fellow who had no polite notions in hishead about such matters, who believed only in saluting those towhom he was compelled, by military law, to yield such homage. Shehad gone out to the picket line, and had started around it, perhapson a tour of inspection, or, perhaps, merely for a ride. Going alongthe line, she came to a man on post, who, to all indications, neithersaw or heard her, but kept on diligently walking his beat. The doctorcame up and rode by. Stopping her horse after she had passed,and riding back to the guard, she said: "Soldier, why don't you salute148 me?" The guard, looking at the doctor from head to foot, replied:"Who in h—ll are you?" and immediately resumed his walk.The doctor was beaten, and so badly beaten, both by astonishment,and, perhaps, rage, that she rode back hastily to headquarters, asmad as a woman can ever get, to report to Col. Dan, what she consideredan outrageous insult. But Col. McCook upheld the soldierin his military behavior, as the doctor amounted to nothing more, ina military point of view, than any other citizen, although deprecatinghis action as ungentlemanly. If there was any balm in this forher wounded feelings, she was welcome to it; at any rate, it wasall she got. Not long after this the doctor went outside of our linesto visit a sick woman, and while there she was captured by the rebels.We never saw her more, and were glad to get rid of her.
THE "MONKLY FOX."
When in camp, or on the march, there was always some one whocould extract a laugh for the boys out of the veriest nothing, andsuch a fellow was very often a regular blessing. Such a chap wasIke C——., a quiet, unassuming fellow, broad shouldered and bigfisted, and an excellent soldier. But he had the gift of makingmore fun than commonly falls to the lot of mortals. One timethere had been a detail made from the regiment, while at Nashville,to escort to Louisville a lot of rebel prisoners. Ezra R——. wasfurnished from company B, and after he returned, had marveloustales to tell of what sights he had seen on the road and while inLouisville. One evening he was in a tent surrounded by a lot ofboys relating to them his adventures. Ike C——. was there withthe rest. Ezra had just finished telling of some monstrosity he hadseen in Louisville, and according to his description the like hadnever been heard of before. It stood up when it sat down, and hadfeelers like a cat-fish on its nose. It was a marvelous creature149whatever it was. Ike listened patiently until he had got enoughand went out. Just outside the door of the tent he encountered afellow, and the following conversation ensued: "Say," says Ike,"you ought to go in there and just hear Ezra R——. tell of whathe saw in Louisville. It beats anything you ever heard tell of; hesays he saw something up there that sat down when it stood up,and every time it blowed its nose it blowed cat-fish out of it." Thiswas all said in such a loud voice that every one inside the tent couldhear it, as it was intended they should. Out came Ezra with therest at his heels. "Where's that Ike?" he cried, "he just told anawful lie about me, he said I told the boys that when I was at Louisville,that I saw something that sat down when it stood up, andevery time it blowed its nose it blowed cat-fish out of it; I neversaid it at all—." Ezra was going on to explain, but the boys couldnot wait to hear, they fairly yelled and shouted with laughter. Theidea of there being such a creature, and to see Ezra get so awfulmad was fun enough for them, and it was a long time before Ezraheard the last of his trip to Louisville. At another time, while onthe march, one day Philip L——. was relating to a comrade, as wemarched along, about a great chase that he and his brother oncehad at home after a fox. Phil said it was a terrible fox, the biggestever seen in those parts, etc., etc. Ike C——. happened to bePhil's file leader, and a little while after Phil had finished his story,and we were marching quietly along, nothing much being said byany one, Ike broke out:
"Say," addressing the fellow next to him, "did you ever hear ofa monkly fox?"
"Never did," was the reply.
"Did you hear that story Phil L——. told about his brother andhim chasing a monkly fox, that had a dash-board under his tail,what a heavy fox it was?"
The bait was grabbed by Phil.
"I never said anything about a monkly fox with a dash-boardunder his tail, Ike C——., and you know it."
"Well now," says Ike, with assumed innocence, "if that don'tbeat all; didn't I hear you tell about it, how you and your brotherchased a monkly fox with a dash-board under his tail, once?"
"No, you never did"
150The fun for those who were listening as they marched along, wasgrowing fast. Still Ike held to his version of the story, with an appearanceof the greatest candor, still Philip denied, getting madderand madder, and at last Ike capped the climax, by saying that Philknew he did tell it, and when they got into camp he could prove itby Lieutenant Wilson, who was then in command of the company.All right, they would wait until they got to camp. Accordinglythat night as quick as the orders were given to break ranks, awaywent Phil after the lieutenant. Says he: "Lieutenant, did youever hear me tell about the time that my brother and I chased amonkly fox with a dash-board under his tail, when we were athome?" This was too much for the lieutenant, who broke into ahearty laugh at the absurdity of the question, and told Phil to goback to his quarters and not come bothering him about such matters.Phil was ready to fight almost anything but Ike C——. Ike's fistswere larger than suited Phil's requirements, but he breathed out allkinds of vengeance against him, and the monkly fox with a dash-boardunder his tail was a standing joke for a long, long time.
ROAST GOOSE.
One morning when in camp in Kentucky, as we were walking upthe color line, on which the guns were stacked, we saw under a stackof guns in front of company G's quarters, a dead gander. As wepassed along we reached down and grabbing the gander round theneck, kept on. We got to our company with our prize in safety,and hunted up the captain's darkey, and promised him a dime anda piece of the gander, if he would cook it for us. He accepted theproposition and took charge of the bird. In a short time we wereordered to fall into line for company inspection. The right of thecompany rested on a big pile of logs that were making a splendidfire. As the order to "right dress" was given, we cast our eyes to151the right, and lo! and behold! there stood the captain's darkey withour gander. Elevating him by one leg, he would hold him over thefire until the heat would compel him to change, when he would holdhim by the other, every once in a while jerking him up, and pinchingpieces of the flesh out with his fingers, and eating it to see if itwas cooked. He had not half picked it, and the gander lookedvery much as if it had received a coat of tar and feathers. At timesthe darkey would get tired holding, and then he would rest himselfby placing the fearfully mistreated bird on top of his wooly pate. Ikept watching him, taking a peep at him as often as I could. Atlast I nudged the fellow next to me, he looked and saw, and nudgedthe fellow next to him. Then the captain, seeing that somethingwas going wrong, happened to turn his eyes in the same direction,also. There stood the darkey, as black an one as ever we saw, lookingreflectively into the fire, with the mutilated gander perched onhis wooly head. It was too much for the captain, even; he smiled,and then for a moment we all laughed, but the darkey was drivenaway and order restored. I never knew what became of my gander,nor did I care, after having seen him treated in such a manner, butif our memory serves us right, some of the boys made a raid on thedarkey after inspection was over, and captured what was left of it.
THE RESCUED NEGROES.
On our march through Georgia and South Carolina, the negroesswarmed to our lines. Here they came in all styles and conditions,some of them presenting a pitiful sight, while the appearance ofothers was comical in the extreme. Here would be a mother, bareheaded, and bare footed, her clothing in rags and tatters, carrying ababe in her arms, while two others were clinging to her dress, doingall they could to keep up with her. Here would be two, a man anda woman, probably his wife, in "ole massa's" carriage, dressed up152in "ole massa's and misses'" clothes that had been left behind when"massa and misses" fled before the approach of our army. Hitchedto this buggy or carriage would be an animal, either a horse or amule, such an one as would be described as an architectural animal,with fluted sides, and a hand rail down its back. But what caredPomp and Dinah for the appearance of the stud as long as he wouldbear them on to liberty? There they would sit, laughing and chattingtogether, dressed in finer clothes than they had ever beforeworn, as happy as happy could be, keeping up with us while onthe march, and going into camp when we camped at night. Manyof these negroes were put to serviceable uses as pioneers, others ascooks, etc., but employment could not be furnished for the half ofthem, and they were getting to be an incubus to the army. On ourline of march we often had to cross bayous of great depth and considerablewidth. When we arrived at such places, the pontoontrain would be ordered up and a bridge thrown across, over whichthe army marched. Gen. J. C. Davis, our corps commander, thoughtthat by stopping the negroes as they came to the banks of the bayou, andholding them there until the army had crossed, and thepontoons had been taken up, they could be kept back.
So orders to that effect were issued. A guard under command ofMajor Lee, the provost general of the corps, was stationed on thebank of a bayou and every negro, unless an officer's servant, or incharge of a pack mule, was halted and held there until the rearguard of the corps had crossed, then the pontoons were taken up,and the darkies left behind. It seemed to be a cruel order, but itwas necessary, for our rear was very generally followed at a safe distance,however, by roaming bands of guerillas and bushwhackers,and it is to be feared that their usage of these unfortunate creatures,whenever they fell into their hands, was cruel in the extreme, andthey themselves dreaded falling into the hands of their old oppressors.The consequence was that the next day the darkies againmade their appearance, seemingly stronger than before as to numbers.How they managed to cross the bayou, infested as thesebayous were with alligators, we do not know, but cross they did,and again took up their line of march with us as before. They hadoutwitted the general and were bothered no more in their endeavorsto obtain freedom from persecution and oppression.
153
PERSONAL MENTION.
In giving the reader some instances of special acts of heroism,the writer has not the slightest wish or disposition, far from it, to unjustlydiscriminate against the same meritorious qualities displayedby others. On the contrary, he would be only too glad to makeparticular mention of all such, even at the risk of swelling this bookbeyond its intended proportions, but unfortunately for him, the writeris not informed of all such acts, nor the peculiar circumstancesunder which they were made manifest. All who did their duty, werenecessarily brave and true. Those who did grandly under extraordinarycircumstances, were possibly no better soldiers, but were incondition to more brilliantly display these qualities; and as theirconnection with the regiment gave them their opportunity, so shouldtheir deeds become the property of the regiment, and their memoryour common heritage.
154
LIEUTENANT GEORGE SCROGGS.
Lieutenant George Scroggs was a young officer of more than ordinaryintelligence; quick to apprehend duty, and bold in the executionof commands. We first remember him as our sergeant major,and how he used to rattle the boys out of their blankets, longbefore daylight, during the cold season when we occupied the suburbsof Nashville. Afterwards he was commissioned as lieutenantof company E, then detailed on the division staff, first as ordnanceofficer, and then commissary of musters. Time, experience, andnatural aptitude, served to teach him what the duties of a staff officershould be, until, perhaps, no officer on the staff of the divisiongeneral, understood them better. All who were engaged in it, willremember the battle of Bentonville, N. C., on March 19th, 1865.How the third brigade was sent from its intrenchments by GeneralMorgan, and thrown out towards the Goldsboro road, to intercept155the rebel column then in hot pursuit of Gen. Carlin's retreatingforces. How the right wing of the brigade was struck, and doubledback on the center and left, and finally retreated to the batteries beyondthe open field. How, too, we soon rallied and reoccupied thelost ground, each man carrying a rail, and began the work of intrenching.How communication with General Morgan, and thefirst and second brigades was cut off, leaving Lieut. Scroggs andCaptain Stinson, of Gen. Morgan's staff, with our brigade, unable toreach their command. In this dilemma, instead of seeking a saferetreat as they might, and too many would have done, until communicationwas opened with their own general, they at once reportedto Col. Langley for duty as volunteer aids. You will also rememberthe fact that constant firing, threatened every minute, our stock ofammunition, and the equally constant firing of the enemy, made apassage to our supplies across the open field to our rear, exceedinglyhazardous. The colonel had already ordered two or three staffofficers, and as many orderlies, beyond the hill for ammunition, butwith no good result, though reports came back to him that it hadbeen ordered, and the wagons were on the way. Shortly an orderlyreported that two wagons were just over the crest of the ridge, butwere afraid to go further, and had refused to do so. The colonelimmediately dispatched Lieut. Scroggs to proceed and bring thesetwo wagons at all hazards. The moment he received the order, hesank his spurs into his horse, and dashed across the field towardswhere the insubordinate drivers were supposed to be, through a perfectstorm of bullets and exploding shells, until he disappeared fromview beyond. Every heart at the front beat with intense anxiety.We had already been ordered to economize our supply. Some wereentirely out of cartridges and were borrowing from others. A fewrounds to the man had been obtained from a brigade of the 20tharmy corps, and these were nearly all gone. Our position becamecritical, but in a few moments, looking again to the rear, we saw thebrave lieutenant returning at the same speed with which he had left usand with him were the wagons and ammunition so much desired,and looked for by all, moving to the threatening motion of George'ssword. They were just in time, for our firing could have continuedbut little longer, and they were welcome in proportion to our danger.156George had found the wagons as he expected, and immediately orderedthe teamsters to mount and follow him, but their fear still deterredthem, and they refused, and only obeyed the commands whenhe drew his sword, and in language more forcible than elegant,threatened them with vengeance more terrible than rebel bullets hadpower to inflict. Towards sundown the lieutenant was severelywounded in a further attempt to reach his commanding officer. Thisafflicted him more or less during the remainder of his days. Preciselyhow far he was instrumental in saving the honor of the brigade,and the lives of many of the members by his timely execution ofso important an order on that bloody 19th of March, may never beknown, but the memory of a brave act, voluntarily performed inthe face of grave danger, merits our highest commendation, and wecheerfully place this tribute of respect upon the recently made graveof Lieutenant George Scroggs.
SERGEANT S. C. ABBOTT.
Numbers of our readers will remember Sergeant S. C. Abbott, ofcompany H. Always in earnest about everything he undertook, impatientof delay, anxious to end the job and go home about hisbusiness, which greatly needed his attention. He was perhaps olderthan the average of the regiment, a very intelligent man, and hadpreached to some extent before entering the service. Some time inthe fall of 1863, he applied for a furlough, urging business considerations,but after a good deal of delay, his application was returned—"denied."He received the information just as the regiment wason the march to a new camp, the route to which, took us nearly byGeneral Thomas' headquarters at Chattanooga. The sergeant, vexedat the delay, and mortified at the refusal of his request, concludedto cut all red tape, and go in person to General Thomas withhis application. He accordingly broke ranks, went alone to the157house the general was occupying, passed by every sentinel, andburst into the august presence of the great army chief. Holding hisreturned application for a furlough in his hand, his whole mannerevincing the desperation of his purpose, he thrust the offending endorsementunder the very nose of the commander of the armies,and demanded, as one having authority, to know what the languagemeant, and why his application was refused. He was referred to theproper officer for explanation, but he would accept no reference,and in an impassioned appeal to grant the favor he asked, he struckthe tender side of the good old general's nature, who at once, withhis own hand, we believe, erased the offensive word, "denied," andwrote thereon, "granted;" and the over rejoiced sergeant was soonhomeward bound, filled with thoughts of love for good old "Pap"Thomas. This was not our purpose, however, in introducing SergeantAbbott to your notice. The above may be called an act ofboldness, "cheek," "strategy," or what you will, but surely therewere few men who would have taken the risk. We remember thisdaring soldier on other occasions. At the close of the battle ofMissionary Ridge, and while we were pursuing General Manny'sbrigade of rebels across a small, boggy stream, just about dark, toour front and left were standing some ammunition wagons, abandonedby the enemy. They were necessarily in the line of ourmarch, but as we approached them, one of the wagons was discoveredto be on fire, and nearly full of fixed ammunition, not yet removedfrom the boxes. The regiment immediately swung to theright, to avoid so dangerous an enemy. Some one had the presenceof mind to call for volunteers to help extinguish the fire before itshould communicate to the powder, and produce the explosion thatwould have been inevitable, and possibly disastrous to human life.All shrunk involuntarily from the task, but the sergeant, well towardthe right of the regiment, and in comparative security, at once randown to the left, and promptly answering, "I will go," suited hisaction to the word, and in a moment was fighting down and conqueringthe fire with no more concern, or trepidation, than if he wasadjusting it for cooking his rations. His act was justly applaudedby all who witnessed it. It is a pity so brave a man should gothrough life maimed as he is, but he met the common fate of the158soldier, and was severely wounded July 20th, 1864, at Peach Treecreek, and will probably carry the missile intended for his death, inhis body so long as he lives. On the morning after that battle, thesergeant had gone a little to the front, to spy out where some rebelsharp-shooters lay concealed, and were firing upon our men. Hesucceeded in locating them, and was in the act of pointing out theirposition to Colonel Langley, when he was wounded. This was thelast service he did with the regiment, as the severity of his woundnecessitated his discharge, and he left us regretted by all his comradeswho had learned his sterling qualities.
LIEUTENANT JOHN J. WHITE.
We want to give a slight tribute to the memory of a very braveyoung officer of company F, Lieut. John J. White.
This young man had enlisted in his company as a private. Hewas young, intelligent, a stranger to the company at its organization,but his soldierly bearing, intelligent comprehension of duty, and itsprompt performance, soon attracted attention to him as comprisingthe material suited for a leader, and he was promoted to a lieutenancy.At the crossing of the Sand Town road in front of Atlanta,August 7, 1864, the lieutenant was in command of company G, undertemporary detail for that purpose. The short advance made byour line at that place, was accomplished in the face of a galling fireof musketry and artillery, not less than half a dozen batteries of theenemy, centering their fire upon our exposed ranks. Men were fallingin every direction and the scene was for a time simply terrific.Our position once reached, the men were ordered to lie down. Theconfusion of getting into position doubled the line in some partsand left gaps in others. Lieutenant White was actively endeavoringto get the left to give way so as to let all of company G intoline, and in meeting with opposition he stepped a few paces to the159right to inform the colonel of the situation, and was just in the actof saluting him with his sword, when a shell from the enemy crashedthrough his right shoulder, tearing the arm from his body, from whichwound he died in a few hours. Amid the storm of battle, whenbrave men expose themselves only from necessity, that coolness andmental collection that enables an officer to remember all the refinementsof discipline, even to the salutation of his superior, is aquality to be admired, as it evinces a talent so essential to commandunder the most trying circumstances. Lieutenant White was of amodest and retiring disposition, ordinarily, but in action was the impersonationof true courage. He was beloved by all who sharedhis more intimate fellowship, and his death cast a gloom over theregiment. May peace forever brood over the land that holds the remainsof the brave soldier.
OUR COLOR BEARERS.
Who but brave men would solicit the honor of carrying the colors,or who of any other quality would not murmur if ordered to thatpost of great responsibility and danger? Yet who ever heard aword of complaint from James H. Simpson or James M. White?Whether in the bright sunshine or under the storm cloud, in campor on the weary march, on the defence, or in the deadly assault, onthrough to victory or defeat, they never swerved or faltered, but alwaysstood true to their great trust, until the last hostile gun wasfired, and these brave boys returned their battle and storm scarredemblems to the government they had so nobly served. How in thedesolation of the conflict, the right and left flanks, when the burdenof the fight seemed to be almost an individual one, would cast theireyes towards the center, and learning that "our flag was still there,"caught a new inspiration and redoubled their energies for the victory.And now as we reflect that our nation's banner waves triumphantly160over all this broad land, the emblem of peace and law, and as ourhearts swell with gratitude and just pride over this grand consummation,let us not forget the honor due the men whose heroism duringthe perils of war kept our flag from the pollution of traitor hands.
ASBURY D. FINLEY.
It would not do to forget in this connection the name of AsburyD. Finley, private of company A. No truer heroism was ever displayedthan by this young man on the Peach Tree creek battle-field.The 85th Illinois, commanded by Major Rider, was sent forwardacross a narrow corn-field and into position, as ordered by Col. Dilworth,then commanding the brigade. Our regiment was orderedto advance to near the edge of the corn-field and support the 85th,and although only a short distance apart, we could not see the 85thfor the standing corn. We had remained in this position for sometime, when it became apparent that the rebels were on the groundformerly occupied by the 85th, though we had received no notice ofthe removal of the latter regiment. In this state of doubt, and tomake sure of the situation, Col. Langley called for a volunteer togo forward, learn and report the condition of things to the front.It was a task that even brave men would not covet, but at onceFinley rose and offered to go. Receiving his instructions he startedthrough the corn-field. But the result and the colonel's appreciationof the act, and his impressions after the lapse of more thansixteen years, we will give in his own words taken from a personalletter to Mr. Finley of date February 14th, 1881:
Champaign, Illinois, February 14, 1881.
A. D. Finley, Esq., Catlin, Illinois.
My dear sir and comrade: * * * * I well rememberand can not forget how on the 19th day of July, 1864, at PeachTree creek, when I was anxious to know whether the 85th Illinois161was still in our front beyond, and I called for a volunteer to go forward,ascertain and report, that you very promptly offered to go,and did go, until you were captured almost in my sight. I rememberthat you were detained for a long time a prisoner and that whenyou returned to the regiment you were very much emaciated. ThatI believed then and still believe you had suffered during your incarceration,all the torments of Andersonville. I also remember howgrateful I was for the services you so bravely rendered to the wholeregiment, and possibly the brigade, for your capture showed me thatthe rebels were occupying the very ground I had reason to supposewas covered by the 85th Illinois, and enabled me to adjust my linefor greater security until ordered to retire by the brigade commander.I could say very much more, if necessary, as reasons satisfactoryto me, why your case should be regarded with great favor bythe government you aided so much to defend and save.
Very truly,
J. W. LANGLEY.
The above letter was written in support of an application for apension, because of disability incurred while Finley was a prisonerat Andersonville.
HARVEY S. TRYON.
Another instance of true courage and manhood was exemplifiedin the military life and character of Harvey S. Tryon, for a longtime a private of company H, but when mustered out, a sergeant.We do not remember this man as specially brilliant in feats of arms,or in the performance of some peculiarly delicate or dangerous militaryduty, but still a hero in the highest sense, and his memory willbe respected as such by all christian men and women who knew him,or shall read this estimate of his christian character. It may besaid of him, as probably of very few, if any, others, that during his162entire three years service, performing at all times every military dutyrequired of him, amid the levity, and too often vulgar profanity ofthe camp, he never omitted his higher duty to the God of his salvation,whom he had vowed to serve. His faith was simple, pure, andfirmly grounded. His religious convictions were never compromisedor suffered to lie in abeyance, but without ostentation, or self-righteousdisplay, he moved in the midst of his comrades their bestfriend and safe counsellor, and a daily example of a true life. Hehad the respect of all who knew him, and his pious influence was reflectedupon all who came in contact with him. Since the war hehas been continuously preaching the gospel truths he so happily illustratedin his life and character while a soldier. Heroism in thisline being so rare in army life, we cannot refrain from saying thismuch of one who so fully exemplified it in our regiment.
SERGEANT WM. L. THRALLS.
Another brave boy was Sergeant William L. Thralls, of companyB. We say boy, for he was only that in years, yet he was endowedwith all the qualities of a grand manhood. In camp, and at alltimes, a gentleman in his deportment; in action, brave, cool, andintelligent. He had attracted the attention of his superior officers,and was to have been recommended for a lieutenancy. In the firstonset at the battle of Jonesboro, he was wounded in the leg, and inendeavoring to leave the field, was offered assistance by his comrades,but this he refused, telling them to stick to their guns, as hewould not let them leave the field on his account. This circumstancehappened under the eye of Colonel Langley, who there andthen commended him for his bravery, and offered to send one of themusicians with him, but no he would not accept, refusing with theinborn politeness of a natural gentleman. The colonel pointed himwhere our hospital was, and the brave young sergeant dragged himself163 off the field. When nearly at the hospital he received a mortalwound through the body, of which he shortly died. We will give,in the colonel's own language, his last sad interview with our braveyoung comrade. He says:
"After night, and when I had reported my position to GeneralMorgan, I went to look up Thralls, for his coolness impressed me allthrough the fight. On finding him I learned that after nearly reachingthe hospital, he had received another wound through the body,of which he must shortly die. I was shocked to hear it for I greatlywanted that boy to recover, so that I could give him the promotionI intended for him, and he so well deserved. I bent over hisdying form, gently touching him, and spoke his name. Upon recognizingme he roused a little and expressed much delight that Ihad come to see him. He first asked me how the battle had gone,and upon being told, he seemed greatly gratified. He begged to beassured that I was entirely satisfied with his conduct, and upon beingtold that he was the first man that I had ever seen who refusedhelp from the field, and that such denial evinced a discipline so unusual,and a spirit so unselfish, as to make his conduct specially commendable,and that as a true soldier he had done his whole duty.He seemed content, was willing to die for his country, and be at rest,for he was suffering most intense pain. With a sad heart I badethat boy farewell."
Yes, poor fellow, he was loved by us all, and we deeply mournedhis death. It is such men as these whose company is an honor tothe living, and over whose memory we meditate with saddenedthoughts. But to that galaxy of bright names on high, to which somany names were added during our terrible war, we feel assured thatthe name of William L. Thralls, is also there, shining with the effulgenceof glory. Brave soldier, true comrade, faithful friend, farewell.The pines of Georgia wail a mournful requiem over your lastresting place, but your better part has gone to God who gave it;this is the assurance that the bible gives, and we believe it. Sufficeit to say, that no braver name appears on the muster roll of companyB, than Sergeant William L. Thralls, and what more glorious epitaphthan that which comes after: "Died of wounds received at Jonesboro,Ga., September 2, 1864."
164
THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.
As we have before stated, we were garrisoning the city of Nashvillewhen we received the Emancipation Proclamation, and duringthe one hundred days that ensued between its publication and enforcement,there was considerable stir in army circles as to the proprietyand legality of such a measure. In our own regiment theofficers held a meeting for the purpose, as it were, of ratifying theProclamation, at which the following resolutions, by Colonel Langley,were spread before the meeting for its approval and adoption:
Resolved, That we are as ready and willing to aid the Commanderin Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, in carryingout his proclamation to emancipate the slaves in certain territorytherein mentioned, as a necessary war measure, as we are to aid inthe execution of any order from the War Department.
Resolved, That he who fails to see written in unmistakable characters,the doom of slavery as a consequence of the war, must betotally blind to the great panorama of events which daily pass beforehim, and he who would avoid confusion and anarchy, must also seethe necessity of organizing and disciplining slaves, made free by militaryauthority; and further, if organized and disciplined, the greaterror we commit as a nation, by not employing such persons, somade free, to the most advantageous purposes in crushing out thepresent rebellion, even if it be to arm and fight them against the rebellioushosts that oppose us.
But these resolutions seemed too radical, and many opposed themstrongly. However before three months rolled around, the very menwho were the bitterest and loudest in their denunciation of them,at the time, were seeking for commissions in colored regiments.The resolutions pointed out, with true prophetic utterance, thecourse which the government pursued in regard to the slaves, but atthe time they looked to some as being altogether wrong. Temporaet mores mutantur.
165
RESOLUTION PASSED BY SENATE AND HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE
OF LOUISIANA.
Headquarters Military Division of the Miss.
Goldsboro, N. C., April 7, 1865.
Special Field Order. | } |
No. 49. | } EXTRACT. |
The general in chief announces for the information of this armythe following resolutions received:
Whereas, The official announcement of the fall of Charleston,the "cradle of secession," has been received, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate and house of representatives of the stateof Louisiana in general assembly convened, that we tender our mosthearty thanks to the gallant officers and men of the army of theillustrious Sherman, who under God have been the instruments ofthe accomplishment of so glorious an achievement. Be it further
Resolved, That in the late glorious victory of Gen. Sherman, werecognize the hand of God, as directing the affairs of our country,and as an evidence of the speedy return of peace.
[SIGNED.] SIMON BELDON,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
[SIGNED.] J. MADISON WELLS,
Lt. Gov. and Prest. of the Senate.
Approved March 3rd, 1865.
By order of Major General W. T. Sherman.
[SIGNED.] L. M. DAYTON, A. A. G.
ORDER RETURNING THE THANKS OF THE PRESIDENT
TO GEN. SHERMAN AND THE ARMY.
Headquarters 14th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland,
Near Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 6th, 1864.
Orders.—The general commanding directs that the following order166be published to all the troops composing the army of the Cumberland.
Headquarters Military Division of the Miss.
In the field near Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 6th, 1864.
Special Field Order. | } |
No. 66. | } |
I. The general in chief communicates with a feeling of just prideand satisfaction the following orders of the president of the UnitedStates, and telegram of Lieut. Gen. U. S. Grant, on the hearing ofthe capture of Atlanta.
1st. | Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C., Sept. 3rd, 1864. |
The national thanks are rendered by the president to Major GeneralW. T. Sherman and the gallant officers and soldiers of his commandbefore Atlanta, for the distinguished ability, courage and perseverancedisplayed in the campaign in Georgia, which, under thedivine favor, has resulted in the capture of the city of Atlanta. Themarches, battles, sieges and other military operations that have signalizedthe campaign must render it famous in the annals of war,and have entitled those who have participated therein to the applauseand thanks of the nation.
[SIGNED.] ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
President U. S.
2nd. | Executive Mansion, Washington City, Sept. 3rd, 1864. |
Ordered: First. That on Monday the 5th day of September,commencing at the hour of twelve o'clock m., there shall be givena salute of one hundred (100) guns at the arsenals and navy yardsat Washington, and on Tuesday the 6th day of September, the dayafter the receipt of this order at each arsenal and navy yard in theUnited States for the recent brilliant achievements of the fleet andland forces of the United States in the harbor of Mobile, and inthe reduction of Fort Powell, Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan. Thesecretary of war and secretary of navy will issue the necessary ordersin their respective departments for the execution of this order.
Second. That on Wednesday, the seventh day of September,commencing at the hour of twelve o'clock m., there shall be a finalsalute of one hundred (100) guns at the arsenal at Washington andat New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburg, Newport,Ky.; St. Louis, New Orleans, Mobile, Pensacola, Hilton Head andNewbern, or on the day after the receipt of this order, for the brilliantachievements of the army under command of Major GeneralSherman in the state of Georgia and the capture of Atlanta. TheSecretary of war will issue directions for the execution of this order.
[SIGNED.] ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
President U. S.
167 | |
3rd. | City Point, Va., Sept. 4th, 9 p. m., 1864. |
Major General Sherman: I have just received your dispatchannouncing the capture of Atlanta. In honor of your great victoryI have ordered a salute to be fired with shotted guns from everybattery bearing upon the enemy. The salute will be fired withinan hour amid great rejoicing.
[SIGNED.] U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant General.
II. All the corps, regiments and batteries composing this armymay, without further orders, inscribe "Atlanta" on their colors.
By order of Major General W. T. Sherman.
[SIGNED.] L. M. DAYTON,
Aid-de-camp.
ORDER ANNOUNCING SUSPENSION OF HOSTILITIES.
Headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi,
Army of Georgia, Raleigh, N. C, April 27, 1865.
Special Field Order. | } |
No. 65. | } |
The General commanding announces a further suspension of hostilities,and a final agreement with General Johnston which terminatesthe war as to the armies under his command, and the countryeast of the Chattahoochie. Copies of the terms of the conventionwill be furnished Maj. Gens. Schofield, Gilmore and Wilson, whoare especially charged with the execution of its details in the Departmentof N. C., Department of the South, and at Macon andWestern Georgia. Captain Jasper Mayres, Ordnance Department,U. S. A., is hereby designated to receive the arms, etc., at Greensboro,and any commanding officer of any post may receive the armsof any detachment, and see that they are properly stored and accountedfor. General Schofield will procure the necessary blanksand supply the other army commanders, that uniformity may prevail,and great care must be taken that all the terms and stipulationson our part be fulfilled with the most scrupulous fidelity; whilethose imposed on our hitherto enemies, be received in a spirit becominga brave and generous army. Army commanders may atonce leave to the inhabitants such of the captured mules, horses,wagons and vehicles as can be spared from immediate use, and thecommanding general of armies may issue provisions, animals, orany public property that can be spared to relieve present wants, and168to encourage the inhabitants to resume their peaceful pursuits, andto restore the relation of friendship among our fellow citizens andcountrymen.
Foraging will forthwith cease, and when necessity for long marchescompels the taking of forage, provisions, or any kind of publicproperty, compensation will be made on the spot, or when the disbursingofficers are not provided with funds, vouchers will be givenin proper form, payable at the nearest military depot.
By order of
Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman.
(Signed) L. M. Dayton,
Asst. Adjt. Gen.
ORDER FOR THE GRAND REVIEW AT RICHMOND, VA.
Headquarters 14th Army Corps, Army of Georgia,
Manchester, Va., May 8, 1865.
Special Field Orders. | } |
No. 41. | } |
Division commanders will, if possible, obtain all necessary supplies,and move their supply trains through Richmond to-morrow,and park them in the vicinity of Hanover Court House, to-morrownight.
On the following day, May 10th, the Army of Georgia will marchthrough the streets of Richmond in review before Maj. Gen. H. W.Halleck, commanding the military division of the James, the 14tharmy corps in advance. The column entirely unincumbered withwagons, will be formed as follows: 3rd division, Brevet Maj. Gen.Baird commanding. 2nd division, Brevet Maj. Gen. Morgan. 1stdivision, Brigadier Gen. Walcott. The head of the column will beat the pontoon bridge and ready to move at 7:30 a. m. The columnwill cross the upper pontoon bridge, move up 17th street to Carystreet, down Cary to 21st street, up 21st to Main street, up Main to13th street, up 13th to Capitol street, through Capitol to Grace st.,up Grace street to Adams street, and thence to Brooks avenue.
The troops will be reviewed with knapsacks, and will carry at leastone day's rations in their haversacks. The troops, marching at rightshoulder shift, will come to a shoulder arms before passing the Statueof Washington, near the capitol, and will continue the shoulder untilpassing the reviewing officer, who will be near the same point.Upon passing all troops under arms, or general officers, the usual169compliment of coming to a shoulder will be paid. When the widthof the street will permit, the troops will march in column of companies.Neither band nor field musicians will turn out before thereviewing officer.
After passing through the city, the troops will encamp the samenight in the vicinity of Hanover Court House. All pack mules,wagons and ambulances, not sent through the city before the 10thinstant, will be massed near the bridge, and will, under the supervisionof the chief quarter master of the corps, cross the lower pontoonbridge at the same time the troops are passing on the upperbridge, move down Water street, to 22nd street, up 22nd to Franklinstreet, up Franklin street to 19th street, up 19th to Mechanicsvilleturnpike, from which road they will join their commands withoutinterfering with the march of the troops.
By order of
Brevet Maj. Gen. J. C. Davis.
(Signed) A. C. McClurg,
Lieut. Col. and Chief of Staff.
GENERAL SHERMAN'S FAREWELL ORDER TO HIS
ARMY.
Headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi.
In the field, Washington, D. C, May 30th, 1865.
Special Field Order. | } |
No. 76. | } |
The general commanding announces to the armies of the Tennesseeand Georgia, that the time has come for us to part. Ourwork is done and armed enemies no longer defy us. Some of youwill be retained in service until further orders. And now that weare about to separate to mingle with the civil world, it becomes apleasing duty to recall to mind the situation of national affairs,when but little more than a year ago we were gathered about thetowering cliffs of Lookout mountain, and all the future was wrappedin doubt and uncertainty. Three armies had come together fromdistant fields, with separate histories, yet bound by one commoncause, the union of our country, and the perpetuation of the governmentof our inheritance. There is no need to recall to yourmemories Tunnel Hill, with Rocky Face mountain, and BuzzardRoost Gap, with the ugly forts of Dalton behind. We were inearnest and paused not for danger and difficulty, but dashed through170Snake Creek Gap and fell on Resaca, then on to the Etowah, toDallas, Kenesaw, and the heats of summer found us on the banksof the Chattahoochie, far from home and dependent on a singleroad for supplies. Again we were not to be held back by any obstacle,and crossed over and fought four heavy battles for the possessionof the citadel of Atlanta. That was the crisis of our history.A doubt still clouded our future, but we solved the problem,and destroyed Atlanta, struck boldly across the state of Georgia,severed all the main arteries of life to our enemy, and Christmasfound us at Savannah. Waiting there only long enough to fill ourwagons, we again began a march which for peril, labor and results,will compare with any ever made by an organized army. The floodsof the Savannah, the swamps of the Combahee and Edisto, the highhills and rocks of the Santee, the flat quagmires of the Pedee andCape Fear rivers were all passed in midwinter, with its floods andrains in the face of an accumulating enemy, and after the battles ofAverysboro and Bentonville, we once more came out of the wildernessto meet our friends at Goldsboro. Even there we paused onlylong enough to get our clothing, to reload our wagons, and againpushed on to Raleigh and beyond, until we met our enemy suingfor peace instead of war, and offering to submit to the enjoined lawsof his and our country. As long as that enemy was defiant, normountains, nor rivers, nor swamps, nor hunger, nor cold had checkedus, but when he who had fought us hard and persistently offeredsubmission, your general thought it wrong to pursue him farther, andnegotiations followed which resulted as you all know in his surrender.How the operations of this army have contributed to the finaloverthrow of the confederacy and the peace which now dawns onus, must be judged by others, not by us, but that you have done allthat men could do, has been admitted by those in authority, and wehave a right to join in the universal joy that fills our land becausethe war is over, and our government stands vindicated before theworld by the just action of the "volunteer armies of the UnitedStates."
To such as remain in the military service, your general need onlyremind you that success in the past was due to hard work and discipline,and that the same work and discipline are equally importantin the future. To such as go home, he will only say that our favoredcountry is so grand, so extensive, so diversified in climate, soil andproductions, that every man may find a home and occupation suitedto his taste, and none should yield to the natural impatience sure toresult from our past life of excitement and adventure. You will beinvited to seek new adventures abroad, but do not yield to the temptation,for it will lead only to death and disappointment. Yourgeneral now bids you all farewell with the full belief that as in war171you have been good soldiers, so in peace you will make good citizens,and if, unfortunately, new war should arise in our country,"Sherman's army" will be the first to buckle on its old armor andcome forth to defend and maintain the government of our inheritanceand choice.
By order of
Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman.
(Signed.) L. M. Dayton,
Asst. Adjt. Gen'l.
REGIMENTAL REPORT OF ATLANTA CAMPAIGN.
Headquarters 125th Regt. Ills. Vols.,
Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 7th, 1864.
Sir: In compliance with orders I have the honor to submit thefollowing report of the part taken by this command in the recentcampaign, from its commencement in May, until its arrival at Atlantaon the 4th instant.
In order for me to make this report nearly accurate, I must dependmainly upon the notes of Col. O. F. Harmon and Lieut. Col.James W. Langley, respectively, commanders of the regiment fromthe commencement of the campaign until the first day of the presentmonth, when the command fell to me.
Forming a part of the 3rd brigade, 2nd division, 14th army corps,this regiment, commanded by Col. O. F. Harmon, numbering fourhundred and forty-nine effective men, left Lee and Gordon's mills,Ga., on the 3rd day of May last, where it had being doing, in connectionwith the brigade commanded by Col. Danl. McCook, out-postduty, and marched to Ringgold, where it joined the divisioncommanded by Brig. Gen. Jeff. C. Davis. After a day or two ofrest at the last named place, the forward march was resumed andcontinued until we faced the enemy before Buzzard Roost Gap, onthe road to this point, skirmishing with the retreating foe at differentpoints, and at Buzzard Roost we were most of the time, during severaldays, actively engaged with the enemy's skirmishers, but lost nomen. The regiment participated in the flank movement throughSnake Creek Gap, which move gained Buzzard Roost. This marchwas long and tedious, but was borne by all cheerfully and withoutcomplaint. At Resaca we met the enemy and were engaged activelywith him. The regiment occupied a temporary line of works immediatelyin front of, and but a few hundred yards from, the works172of the opposing forces. Here, as in previous instances, every mandid his duty, until the flight of the enemy from Resaca, on thenight of the 14th of May, opened the following morning a new fieldof labor. An expedition to Rome, Ga., was fitted out for our division,and on the morning of the 15th, the regiment was detailedwith one section of battery I, 2nd Ills. Arty., to command and guardthe division supply and ordnance train in rear of the marching columnof the division to that city. The regiment took no part in thefight at Rome on the 17th; arrived with its important charge on thefollowing day; remained at Rome doing various duty until the 24thday of May, when the entire division took up its line of march towardsDallas. Joined the army of the Tennessee, to which the divisionwas temporarily attached, near the last named place, on the26th day of May. The next encounter with the enemy, was atDallas, on the night of the 27th of May, when we were attacked bya superior force while engaged in relieving the 22nd Ind., who weredoing picket duty. The enemy succeeded in capturing, owing tothe unavoidable condition of the lines at that moment, fourteen enlistedmen, and one commissioned officer, and wounding three others,enlisted men. But this temporary disaster was quickly, though butpartially, compensated, by the capture of one captain, one lieutenantand twenty-five enlisted men from the enemy. On the followingmorning the pickets drove the enemy back with a loss of twentykilled and wounded, but two men wounded on our side. Until wereached Kenesaw Mountain on the 27th of June, nothing worthyof note occurred, although we daily faced the foe. At KenesawMountain, on the morning of the 27th of June, the regiment, inconnection with the brigade, formed part of the attacking columnthat was on that day hurled against the enemy's works. The 125thregiment was the foremost in the brigade. The conflict was shortand bloody, and it is painful to record that a repulse to our forcesalong the entire line, was the result. Never fought troops betterthan on that day, and attention is called to the casualties in this commandalone, which were one hundred and twenty in the short spaceof twenty minutes, nearly one half of which were in the list of killed,and also that the brigade rallied within sixty yards of the enemy'sworks, threw up intrenchments under a heavy fire, and held themuntil the night of July 3rd, when the enemy evacuated their linesand retreated towards Atlanta. In the above mentioned engagementwe lost several brave officers and men, chief among whom wasthe colonel of the regiment, of whom it may not be inappropriatehere to remark that a braver or more efficient officer in line of hispeculiar duties, the army of the Union does not contain. The commandat this point devolved upon Lt. Col. James W. Langley, whocommanded the regiment through the engagement at the Chattahoochie173 river, July 5th, and at Peach Tree creek, on the 19th ofJuly, in both of which it was actively engaged, and subsequentlyuntil, in the midst of the battle of Jonesboro, Sept. 1st, when Col.Dilworth, brigade commander, was wounded and carried off thefield, the command of the brigade devolved upon him (Lt. ColonelLangley), and that of the regiment upon myself. During the wholeof the engagement at Jonesboro, the officers and men exhibitedcourage worthy of the cause for which they fought. The regimentwhile yet under command of Col. Langley, reached the crest of thehill just in front of the rebel battery engaging the enemy in the openfield, contributed greatly in aiding the 2nd brigade on our left toscale the enemies' works. Here they fought with the desperation ofmen determined to win, and they did win, though not until my regimenthad lost an officer and three men killed, thirty enlisted menwounded, some six or eight of them mortally. At dark the regimentwas formed in line with the 85th, 86th and 110th Ills., whenwe built a strong line of works. The troops were marched to Jonesboroand put in temporary camp. The regiment and brigade wereordered to Atlanta, Sept. 4th, in charge of nearly two thousand prisonerscaptured in the Jonesboro fight, and went into camp at thisplace, where it now remains, and it is sincerely hoped, that if thecampaign is over, it will remain until, in the opinion of the powersthat be, it is needed in the field for active operations.
I respectfully submit and herewith transmit, a list of casualties inthe command since May 3rd, up to the close of this campaign. Inconclusion I would say in behalf of the officers and enlisted men ofthis regiment, that they, with few exceptions, most manfully andsoldierly in every engagement in which the regiment has participated,stood up and faced the foe, while many fell dead on the field.It would be difficult to make special mention of names, and do amplejustice to all and injustice to none. A grateful country will rewardthem all for their noble services. The survivors of Kenesawand subsequent battles, can never forget our patriotic dead, ColonelHarmon, Captains Fellows and Lee, and Lt. McClane, fell at theformer place where duty called them. At Peach Tree Creek, Lieut.Jones, of company D, commanding company B, died as he hadlived, a true christian soldier. Lieut. White, who so nobly fell atthe crossing of the Sand Town road, was loved and respected by allwhose good fortune it was to have his acquaintance. Again atJonesboro, the daring and faithful Captain Charles fell in the dischargeof his immediate duty. So, too, Sergeant Thralls, who formore than two months, had commanded company B, wounded inthe leg during the hottest of the engagement, received his fatal woundfrom a stray bullet while his wound was being dressed. My confidence174 in him as a company commander, was always firm, because Iknew him to be a brave man.
Very Respectfully,
Your obdt. servant.
(Signed.) G. W. Cook.
Captain commanding regiment.
List of casualties in the 125th regiment Illinois volunteer infantryfrom May 3rd to September 6th, 1864:
May 11th, Buzzard Roost, Ga., 1 enlisted man wounded.
May 15th, Resaca, Ga., 1 enlisted man wounded.
May 31st, Dallas, Ga., 1 commissioned officer missing, 5 enlistedmen wounded, 14 missing.
June 27th, Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., 4 commissioned officers killed,1 missing; 50 enlisted men killed, 63 wounded, 6 missing.
July 5th, Chattahoochie River, Ga., 1 commissioned officerwounded.
July 19th, Peach Tree Creek, 1 commissioned officer killed, 1 enlistedman killed, 3 wounded, 1 missing.
August 5th to 12, before Atlanta, Ga., 1 commissioned officerkilled, 3 wounded; 13 enlisted men wounded.
Sept. 1st, Jonesboro, Ga., 1 commissioned officer killed, 6 enlistedmen killed, 29 wounded.
RECAPITULATION.
Commissioned officers killed | 7 |
Commissioned officers wounded | 4 |
Commissioned officers missing | 2 |
Enlisted men killed | 57 |
Enlisted men wounded | 115 |
Enlisted men missing | 21 |
—— | |
Total | 206 |
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed.) Geo. W. Cook,
Captain Commanding.
175
REPORT OF SAVANNAH CAMPAIGN.
Headquarters 125th Regiment Illinois Volunteers,
Near Savannah, Ga., December 29th, 1864.
Sir: In pursuance of orders, I have the honor to respectfullysubmit the following report of the operations of my command fromthe fall of Atlanta to the fall of Savannah:
Reached Atlanta on the 4th day of September last, at which pointit remained in a state of inactivity, resting from the fatigues incurredon the previous campaign, until the 29th of same month when, inconnection with the brigade, it started for Florence, Alabama, byrail, via Chattanooga, Huntsville and Athens, to check the advanceof Gen. Forrest, who was marching through that district. It didnot proceed as far as Florence, owing to its having been orderedback to Huntsville on train guard duty, and upon returning was preventedfrom rejoining the balance of the troops composing the expedition,by the rapid rise of Elk river.
Remained at Athens until the return of the brigade from Florence,performing while there daily picket duty. Left the formerplace on the 13th day of October and reached Chattanooga on the14th. Remained at the last named point four days, when we startedfor and rejoined the corps at Galeville, Ala., on the 22nd. Remainedat this place several days, when the column was headed towardAtlanta, Ga., which we reached Nov. 15th, having made short haltsat Rome, Kingston and Cartersville. Between the last named placeand Atlanta, the command was engaged in "demoralizing" the railroad,the extent of which will be found in subjoined recapitulation.
On the 16th of November, having obtained a thorough outfitand forming a part of the left wing of the grand army, it started forthe "new base." Reached Savannah 21st inst., upon the previousevacuation of the city, and went into camp about two miles fromthe place, where it now remains ready at any moment to "striketents," hoping that its next field of operations will be South Carolina.With the exception of a slight skirmish with the enemy infront of Louisville, Ga., nothing occurred to disturb the equilibriumof the march between Atlanta and Savannah. During the entiremarch the command subsisted upon supplies found in the country,(which were abundant) with the exception of five days issue fromthe regular supplies, thus destroying vast quantities of material belonging176 to the enemy, and contributing much to the bone and muscleof the army.
Forage was obtained to subsist all animals including those captured.
This command destroyed no cotton or gins owing to the fact thatsuch duty was not assigned it. Deeming negroes an encumbrancethey were prohibited from attaching themselves to the command.
I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant,
(Signed.) Geo. W. Cook,
Captain Commanding Regiment.
Number of miles railroad destroyed | 2 |
Cotton | none. |
Gins | none. |
Number of horses captured | 6 |
Number of mules captured | 25 |
Supplies obtained and brought to Savannah | none. |
Enlisted men killed | 1 |
Enlisted men wounded | 1 |
CAMPAIGN REPORT FROM SAVANNAH TO BENTONVILLE.
Headquarters 125th Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
Goldsboro. N. C, March 28th, 1865.
Captain: I have the honor to submit herewith a report of theoperations of my command from the day on which it left Savannah,Georgia, until I assumed command of the brigade on 19th day ofthe present month:
January 20th, 1865. My command left camp at 7 o'clock a. m.and marched 8 miles on the Louisville road, and went into campwhere we remained four days. On the 24th of January regimentwas ordered on fatigue duty, cut poles and built 350 yards corduroyroad.
January 25. Left camp at 7 a. m. and marched 18 miles.
January 26. Left camp at 7 a. m. and marched over very badroads for 8 miles. Encamped for the night one mile north ofSpringfield, Ga.
January 27. Left camp at 7 a. m. This and the 22nd regiment177Indiana volunteers were detailed as train guards, both under mycommand. Guards and trains were delayed nearly all day at theconfluence of several small streams called the "Runs." The commandreached camp at 10 p. m., having marched but five miles.
January 28. Left camp at 8 a. m. and marched to within onemile of Sister's Ferry on the Savannah river, where we went intocamp and remained until February 5th at 6 p. m., when the commandcrossed the river and encamped on the South Carolina side,where it remained until February 8th, when we marched at 7 a. m.and camped at night at Brighton, having travelled only 7 miles, butover very bad roads.
February 9. Left camp at 7 a. m. and marched rapidly all dayover good roads. Made 20 miles and went into camp at 5 p. m.
February 10. Left camp at 6:30 a. m., marched 20 miles overgood roads and went into camp.
February 11. Left camp at 6:30 a. m. This and 22nd regimentIndiana volunteers were detailed as train guards under my command.Marched through Barnwell and reached camp late, having madeabout 12 miles.
February 12. Left camp at 6:30 a. m.; passed through Williston,on the Augusta and Charleston railroad, about noon. Marched 18miles and encamped at night on the Edisto river.
February 13. Crossed the Edisto at 6:30 a. m, and worked onthe north side three hours building corduroy roads. Went intocamp two miles beyond the river at 10 a. m., and marched again at1 p. m., moved five miles and went into camp for night.
February 14. Left camp at 6:30 a. m. and marched 20 miles,crossing north Edisto in the route.
February 15. Left camp at 7:30 a. m., marched 20 miles and encampedat night two miles from Lexington.
February 16. Left camp at 6 a. m.; marched to near Columbia,S. C. On the afternoon of this day the command made a retrogrademovement five miles and encamped at night on the south sideof Saluda river.
February 17. Left camp at 6 a. m., crossed the Saluda, marched20 miles and encamped for the night on Broad river.
February 18. The command crossed Broad river at 9 a. m. andwent into position on the north side to the left and front of the 2ndbrigade At 3 p. m. I was ordered with my regiment to make areconnoisance towards the Winnsboro road. Went about four miles,crossed Little river, and with one company pushed skirmishers asfar as directed. I then withdrew, recrossed Little river and returnedto camp.
February 19. The command tore up and effectually destroyed475 yards of railroad track and ties and marched four miles.
178February 20. Marched at 6 a. m. and encamped on Little river.
February 21st. Left camp at 2 p. m. This and the 52nd Ohioregiment, were detailed as rear guard for the corps train. Reachedcamp at 11 p. m., having marched 15 miles.
February 22nd. Marched 6 miles and went into camp.
February 23rd. Marched 10 miles and went into camp.
February 24th. Crossed Catawba river. Regiment worked allday assisting wagons out of the mud and corduroying roads.
February 25th. Worked all day on roads.
February 26th. Worked five companies all day on roads.
February 27th. No move. Worked five companies one half dayon roads.
February 28th. Left camp at 1 p. m. Assisted part of corpstrain up the hill on north side of Catawba river, after which the commandmarched five miles as train guard, and reached camp at 10 p. m.
March 1st. Left camp at 6 a. m., and marched 21 miles.
March 2nd. Left camp at 6 a. m., and marched 13 miles.
March 3rd. Left camp at 6 a. m. This regiment with the 52ndO. V. I., under my command, were detailed as train guards; passedover some very bad roads, and reached camp at 10 p. m., after amarch of 23 miles.
March 4th. Left camp at 6 a. m., and encamped on the GreatPedee river at 4 p. m. The regiment worked at corduroying roadsuntil after dark. The command remained in camp until March 7th,at 2 p. m., when it moved down to the pontoon bridge, which itcrossed at 4 p. m., after which it marched one and one half milesand went into camp for the night.
March 8th. Left camp at 6 a. m. Marched 25 miles and wentinto camp at 6 p. m.
March 9th. Left camp at 8 a. m. This regiment, and the 52ndO. V. I., and one section of the 19th Ind. battery, all under mycommand, marched as rear guard for the corps train. CrossedDowning creek at 3 p. m., and destroyed the bridges. The vanguardof the enemy came up before the destruction was complete,but upon observing us, it retired. My command did not reach campthat night We assisted wagons out of the mud until 3 o'clock ofthe morning of March 10th when the jaded and exhausted animalsgave out, and the guards rested by the road side until day light, whenwe resumed the labor of assisting wagons over the bad roads. Wereached the division camp at 8 a. m., where we rested one hour andthen resumed the march in column. Marched 15 miles and wentinto camp at 4 p. m.
March 11th. Left camp at 9 a. m. Marched to within two milesof Fayetteville, N. C, and went into camp at 2 p. m.
March 12th. Left camp at 6 p. m. Crossed the Cape Fear river179at 9 p. m., and went into camp behind rebel fortifications on thenorth side.
March 13th. Moved two miles for change of camp.
March 14th. Remained in camp all day.
March 15th. Left camp at 9 a. m. Marched 12 miles as rearguard for trains.
March 16th. Left camp at 6 a. m. Marched about 8 miles andmet the enemy strongly entrenched near Black river, ready to disputeour further advance. My regiment went into position about 2p. m. on the right of the second line. At 4 p. m. I moved in reserveof the brigade and at sundown took position on the left of the frontline for the purpose of filling a gap then existing between the 1stand 3rd brigades. I established my line within 74 yards of the enemies'line of fortifications, and constructed works. My loss was oneman wounded severely. The enemy retreated during the night.
March 17th. Left camp at 8 a. m. Forded Black river andBlack Mingo creek, and after a march of 10 miles, went into campfor the night.
March 18th. Left camp at 5:30. Marched 11 miles and encampedat 1 p. m. for the afternoon and night.
March 19th. Left camp at 9 a. m., and marched about four milesdown the Goldsboro road, at which point we left the road and turnedto the right. Moved about one half mile in this direction andwent into position on the right of the second line, in which positionwe remained about two hours, when we, with the brigade, were orderedout, and directed to push across to the road to our left. Inthis movement the brigade was in single line with my regiment onthe left. After wandering through numerous swamps, over brush,vines and briars, we reached a position and formed line parallel withthe road. This advance was disputed all the way by rebel skirmishers,to meet which I ordered out as skirmishers, two companies commandedby Capt. Halloway. Our new formation on the road wasscarcely completed, when heavy firing on the right of the brigade,denoted that the contest was to be a severe one. Stepping into theroad and casting my eye in the direction of the firing, I observed astrong column of the enemy, four lines deep, moving against thepoint where I supposed the right of the brigade rested. My suppositionssoon proved correct, and after a brief contest, I observedthat the right was giving away before the advance of the rebel column.At this instant a line of rebels struck my front and that ofthe left wing of the 22nd Ind. on my right. This line was met byour troops without yielding an inch, and after a severe fight of fiveminutes, the rebels fell back and were easily kept at bay, by a strongline of skirmishers. But not so on my right, for by this time themain column of the enemy had advanced to within one hundred180yards of the right of my regiment, and the left wing of the 22ndInd. on my right was beginning to give way. My position was fastbecoming untenable, besides I was apprehensive that the confusionincident to a repulse on the right of the brigade, might result to theenemy's advantage, in making many captures, and I determined atonce to defeat, as far as possible, this object, and at the same timebetter my own situation, to do which I immediately executed achange of front to the rear, on left company, and then presented afront direct to that of the enemy. This movement was not executedby the entire regiment at once, nor after the approved system ofbattalion drill, but by detaching two companies at a time from theright and placing them on the new alignment. In this way I keptmost of my line continually firing upon the advancing column. Thischange, which gave me the advantage of a direct fire, induced theenemy to move by its left flank and deploy his four depth column toa double line formation, which movement again threatened my right.On noticing this I again changed front to the rear as before. Findingmyself nearly surrounded and with no prospect of support, I directedmy regiment to retire firing, which was bravely done as it hadmaintained every position in which it had been placed. My left,which had not up to this time moved ten feet from its original positionon the Goldsboro road, was the last to withdraw, nor was thisdone until the first line of the enemy was within fifty yards of mytwo left companies, when they deployed as skirmishers and fell backfiring. I have no wish to make a bright picture for my regimentbeyond what the facts will justify. I have commanded it under verycritical circumstances on former occasions. I have witnessed theconduct of many regiments in perilous situations, but I never saw abody of troops act with greater coolness, or more heroic daring,than the 125th Ills, manifested on the eventful 19th instant. Whenthe enemy's firing was hottest, my men were most earnest. Not oneman left the ground until ordered to do so. Every man seemed toappreciate that the efforts of the regiment were being bent towardsthe safety of the brigade, and every man was determined to do allin his power for that object. Far be it from me to claim a higherquality of bravery for my men than belongs to other troops of thebrigade. If I were even disposed to be jealous of the prowess of myown command, I could say nothing to disparage the claims of otherregiments to equal bravery with my own. They were suddenly attackedwithout warning, and in a position where their flank was tooboldly exposed, not to tempt the utmost efforts of the enemy to fallvigorously upon it. Once started they were easily pressed back.Being made aware of the situation on the right, I prepared my commandfor any emergency. While all the officers and men of mycommand did nobly, yet I cannot forbear to call special attention to181the conspicuous bravery of Captain Geo. W. Cook, acting field officer,and adjutant Wm. Mann, for their eminent services in preservingat all times a good alignment and directing the fire of differentparts of the line. I also commend to your notice, W. Blackeney,sergeant major; George W. B. Sadorus, of company E; BartonSnyder, sergeant of company I, and Louis Taft, corporal of companyE, whose cool bravery and noble daring, won for them the admirationof all who saw them. When my regiment withdrew as faras the open field to the rear, I observed that Captain Snodgrass,commanding the 22nd Ind., had formed the basis of a new alignment,about three hundred yards to the rear and left of the first position.I determined at once to form my regiment on his left, anddirected the colors to be placed on that prolongation, and formedline accordingly. While this was being done, you reported to methat General Fearing was wounded and disabled for further command.I immediately turned the command of my regiment over toCaptain Cook, and by virtue of seniority in rank, assumed commandof the brigade.
The subsequent operations of the regiment, will be reported byCaptain Cook.
I am, Captain, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant.
(Signed) Jas. W. Langley,
Lt Col. 125th Regt. I. V. I.
To Charles Swift, Capt. and A. A. A. G,
3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 14th A. C.
BENTONVILLE TO GOLDSBORO.
Headquarters 125th Illinois Infantry.
Goldsboro, N. C., March 30th, 1865.
Captain: I have the honor to submit to you a report of the operationsof this command from the 19th inst. up to the time of itsreaching this place. Owing to the casualties in the 3rd brigade,2nd division on the 19th, I was ordered to take command of thisregiment at about 3 o'clock p. m., just as the regiment had beenwithdrawn from a position parallel with the Goldsboro road. Col.James W. Langley had reformed the regiment in the open field onthe left of the 22nd Indiana; here I took command and had everyman get a load of rails, and then moved the regiment forward tothe edge of the timber, where we built temporary works; the 22nd182Indiana joined on our right, and a portion of the 20th A. C. on theleft. We scarcely had time to get our temporary works completed,when the enemy advanced, as we supposed in two lines of battle.But they were handsomely repulsed. I never saw men and officersfight with more determination to win, than at this time. Here ourloss was one man killed and one wounded. We then sent outskirmishers in our front and remained over night. At 8 a. m. onthe morning of the 20th we were moved to the right, in rear of the1st brigade, in works the regiment had built on the 19th. Here wewere ordered to send 20 men and two non-commissioned officers tobury the dead. They buried 27 rebels, including two officers, andcarried two wounded off the field. At 8 p. m. my regiment wasmoved on the front line on the left of the 2nd brigade, the 86th Illinoison my left. Here we formed temporary works. We picketedour immediate front, built skirmish pits, and strengthened our works.Twenty-first—nothing of importance transpired to day but picketfiring. I had one man wounded. On the morning of the 22nd,we found the enemy had gone. We marched 8 miles in directionof Goldsboro and camped for the night. Twenty-third—marchedat 8 a. m.; arrived at this place, after marching 13 miles, at 7 p. m.Since, we have been resting from our labors. With this I forward areport of the casualties in the command during the campaign up tothe 23rd inst.
I am Captain Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant,
(Signed.) Geo. W. Cook,
Captain Commanding Regiment.
List of casualties in the 125th Illinois infantry during the latecampaign commencing January 20th and ending March 23rd, 1865:
March 19th,'65, commissioned officer wounded, 1.
March 19th, enlisted men killed, 2; wounded, 11; missing, 6.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed.) Geo. W. Cook,
Captain Commanding Regiment.
Goldsboro, N. C., March 30th, 1865.
183
Roster of the 125th I. V. I
Name and Rank. | Residence. | Date of Rank | Date of muster | Remarks. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Colonels. | ||||
Oscar F. Harmon | Danville | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 4, 1862 | Killed in battle June 27, '64. |
James W. Langley | Champaign | May 10, 1865 | Not mustered | Mustered out (as Lieut. Col.) June 9, 1865. |
Lieut. Colonel. | ||||
James W. Langley | Champaign | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 4, 1862 | Promoted. |
Major. | ||||
John B. Lee | Catlin | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 4, 1862 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Adjutant. | ||||
William Mann | Danville | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 4, 1862 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Quartermaster. | ||||
Alex M. Ayres | Urbana | Aug 29, 1862 | Aug. 29, 1862 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Surgeons. | ||||
John J. McElroy | Catlin | Dec. 24, 1862 | Resigned April 14, 1864. | |
Chas. H. Mills | Champaign | April 14, 1864 | June 29, 1864 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
1st Asst. Surgeons. | ||||
Chas. H. Mills | Champaign | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 4, 1862 | Promoted. |
Owen Wright | Mason | Aug. 21, 1864 | Aug. 21, 1864 | Resigned April 8, 1865. |
2nd Asst. Surgeons. | ||||
DeWitt C. Hentou | Myersville | March 1, 1863 | Not mustered | Never joined regiment. |
Joel F. Erving | Kewanee | May 14, 1863 | May 18, 1863 | Resigned February 3, 1864. |
Chaplains. | ||||
Levi W. Sanders | Vermilion co. | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 4, 1862 | Killed at Caldwell's Ford, Tenn., Nov. 17, 1863. |
Geo. K. Buesing | April 25, 1864 | July 17, 1864 | Died October 13, 1864. | |
Captains Co. A. | ||||
Clark Ralston | Danville | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned January 17, 1863. |
Jackson Charles | Danville | Jan. 17, 1863 | March 30, 1863 | Killed in action Sept. 1, '64. |
Jas. P Brown | Danville | Sept. 1, 1864 | May 2, 1865 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
First Lieutenants. | ||||
Chas. Jackson | Danville | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Promoted. |
Harrison Low | Danville | Jan. 17, 1863 | Mar 30, 1863 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Second Lieutenants. | ||||
Harrison Low | Danville | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Promoted. |
James P Brown | Danville | Jan. 17, 1863 | Mar. 30, 1863 | Promoted. |
Captains Co. B. | ||||
Robt. Stewart | Newell | Sept 4. 1862 | Sept. 3. 1862 | Resigned December 18, '62. |
Stephen D. Connover | Ross | Dec. 18, 1862 | Feb. 1, 1863 | Honorably discharged May 15, 1865. |
First Lieutenants. | ||||
Wm. R. Wilson | Newell | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned September 10, '64. |
Benj. F. Bonedrake | Newell | Sept. 10, 1864 | Jan 17, 1865 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Second Lieutenants. | ||||
Stephen D. Connover | Ross | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Promoted. |
Jas. A. McLean | Newell | Dec. 18, 1862 | Feb. 1, 1863 | Killed in action June 27, '64. |
Captains Co. C. | ||||
William W. Fellows | Danville | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Killed in action June 27, 64. |
Andrew W. Ingraham | Danville | June 27, 1864 | Sept. 9, 1864 | Died February 15, 1865. |
First Lieutenants. | ||||
Alexander Pollock | Danville | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned December 24, 1863. |
Andrew W. Ingraham | Danville | Dec. 24, 1862 | Feb. 22, 1864 | Promoted. |
David M. Hays | Vance | June 27, 1861 | Sept. 9, 1864 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Second Lieutenants. | ||||
James D. New | Vance | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned January 2, 1864. |
Captains Co. D. | ||||
Geo. W. Galloway | Georgetown | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
First Lieutenants. | ||||
James B. Stevens | Vermilion co. | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept 3, 1862 | Resigned September 6, 1863. |
Oliver Finley | Georgetown | July 19, 1864 | Sept. 5, 1864 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
184 | ||||
Second Lieutenants. | ||||
John L. Jones | Vermilion co. | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Killed in action July 19, '64. |
Captains Co. E. | ||||
Nathan M. Claak | Champaign | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Honorably discharged January 13, 1865. |
G. W. B. Sadorus | Sadorus | April 20, 1865 | May 20, 1865 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
First Lieutenants. | ||||
Wm. G. Isom | Champaign | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned February 8, 1864. |
Geo. Scroggs | Champaign | Feb. 8, 1864 | Promoted Adjutant 60th Reg. Mustered out June 26, '65. | |
Second Lieutenants. | ||||
John Urquhart | Sadorus | Sept. 3, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned January 20, 1863. |
Martin V. Stone | Champaign | Mar. 30, 1863 | Mar. 30, 1863 | Resigned June 22, 1863. |
Geo. Scroggs | Champaign | June 22, 1863 | July 13, 1863 | Promoted. |
Captains Co. F. | ||||
Fredrick B. Sale | Newcomb | Sept. 3, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned January 24, 1863. |
John B. Lester | Newcomb | Mar. 30, 1863 | Mar. 30, 1863 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
First Lieutenants. | ||||
John B. Lester | Newcomb | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Promoted. |
Wm. R. Shoup | Newcomb | Jan. 24, 1863 | Mar. 30, 1863 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Second Lieutenants. | ||||
Alfred Johnson | East Bend | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned January 11, 1863. |
Wm. R Shoup | Newcomb | Jan. 11, 1863 | Feb. 1, 1863 | Promoted. |
John J. White | Newcomb | Jan. 24, 1863 | Mar. 30, 1863 | Killed in action near Atlanta, Georgia, Aug. 7, 1864. |
Captains Co. G. | ||||
John H. Gass | Catlin | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned December 30, 1862. |
Josiah Lee | Fairmount | Dec. 30, 1862 | Jan. 31, 1863 | Resigned February 7, 1864. |
Marion Lee | Fairmount | Feb. 7, 1864 | Mar. 23, 1864 | Killed in action June 27, '64. |
Newton Norris | Danville | June 27, 1864 | Sept. 5, 1864 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
First Lieutenants. | ||||
Ephriam S. Howell | Catlin | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned January 22, 1863. |
Marion Lee | Fairmount | Jan. 22, 1863 | July 28, 1863 | Promoted. |
Elisha Littler | Catlin | Feb. 7, 1864 | Mar. 26, 1865 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Second Lieutenants. | ||||
Josiah Lee | Fairmount | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Promoted Captain. |
Marion Lee | Fairmount | Dec. 30, 1862 | Jan. 31, 1863 | Promoted. |
Newton Norris | Danville | Jan. 22, 1863 | Promoted Captain. | |
Captains Co. H. | ||||
Pleasant M. Parks | Urbana | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned April 16, 1864. |
John C. Harbor | Champaign | April 16, 1864 | Nov. 1, 1864 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
First Lieutenants. | ||||
David A. Brenton | Middletown | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned January 1, 1863. |
John C. Harbor | Champaign | Jan. 1, 1863 | Feb. 8, 1863 | Promoted. |
Saml. M. Dunseth | Urbana | April 16, 1864 | Nov. 2, 1864 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Second Lieutenants. | ||||
John C. Harbor | Champaign | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Promoted. |
Saml. M. Dunseth | Urbana | Jan. 1, 1863 | Feb. 8, 1863 | Promoted. |
Captains Co. I. | ||||
Levin Vinson | Pilot | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned February 29, 1864. |
Edwd. B. Kingsbury | Feb. 29, 1864 | Mar. 23, 1864 | Died of wounds Aug. 18, '64. | |
James H. Trimmel | Pilot | Aug. 18, 1864 | April 9, 1865 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
First Lieutenants. | ||||
John K. Vinson | Pilot | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned November 21, '62. |
Edwd. B. Kingsbury | Nov. 25, 1862 | Dec. 16, 1862 | Promoted. | |
James H. Trimmel | Pilot | Feb. 29, 1864 | April 9, 1865 | Promoted. |
Geo. A. Clapp | Pilot | Aug. 18, 1864 | Nov. 2, 1864 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Second Lieutenants. | ||||
Stephen Brothers | Pilot | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned March 27, 1863. |
James H. Trimmel | Pilot | March 27, '63 | April 20, 1863 | Promoted. |
Captains Co. K. | ||||
Geo. W. Cook | Catlin | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
First Lieutenant. | ||||
Oliver P. Hunt | Dallas | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Second Lieutenants. | ||||
Joseph F. Crosby | Catlin | Sept. 4, 1862 | Sept. 3, 1862 | Resigned June 22, 1863. |
William B. Galway | Dallas | June 22, 1863 | Resigned October 15, 1864. |
185
One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Ills. Vols. Reg't.
Three Years' Service.
NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.
Name and Rank. | Residence. | Date of enlistment. | Date of muster. | Remarks. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sergeant Majors. | 1862. | 1862. | ||
Edward B. Kingsbury | Danville | July 16 | September 3 | Promoted 1st Lieut. Co. I. |
George Scroggs | Champaign | Aug. 8 | September 3 | Promoted 2d Lieut. Co. E. |
Benj. F. Bonebrake | Vermilion co. | Aug. 10 | September 3 | Promoted 1st Lieut. Co. B. |
Thomas W. Blakeney | Catlin | Aug. 13 | September 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Q. M. Sergeant. | ||||
David H. Beasley | Champaign | Aug. 14 | September 3 | Mustered out July 29, 1865; was prisoner. |
Commissary Sergeants. | ||||
Harvey J. Steward | Vermilion co. | September 3 | Reduced at his own request, and assigned to Co. K. | |
Bernard G. Parks | Champaign | Aug. 8 | September 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hospital Stewards. | ||||
Benjamin F. Fagan | Newcomb | Aug. 7 | September 3 | Discharged June 18, 1863. |
Abram A. Sulcer | Catlin | Aug. 11 | September 3 | Pro. Ass't Surgeon 11th Ill. Inf. |
Edwin J. Draper | Danville | Aug. 14 | September 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Principal Musicians. | ||||
William A. Payton | Vance | July 20 | September 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Curtis H. Tanzey | Pilot | Aug. 12 | September 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY "A."
Name and Rank. | Residence. | Date of enlistment. | Date of muster. | Remarks. |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Sergeant. | 1862. | 1862. | ||
James P. Brown | Danville | Aug 13 | Sept. 3 | Promoted 2nd Lieutenant. |
Sergeants. | ||||
Sylvester Hooten | Danville | July 18 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
William A. Myers | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as 1st Sg't. |
Spencer Shumate | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Discharged May 6, '63, as private; on account disability. |
John Brody | Danville | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Corporals. | ||||
William D. Huffman | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as private. Absent on furlough. |
Isaac M. Emile | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Trans. to Inv. Corps. |
Bluford S. Graves | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. Furlough. |
John Collihen | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Died, Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 6, '62. |
William F. Henthorn | Danville | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw Mt., June 27, '64. |
Jacob Grimes | Danville | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as private. |
John H. Martin | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | M. O. July 1, '65, as private; was prisoner. |
Joseph Megee | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 4 | Died at Danville, Ky. |
186 | ||||
Musicians. | ||||
Nathaniel Clyne | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Died at Gallatin, Tenn., Jan. 24, 1863. |
Isaiah Cummings | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Privates. | ||||
Bensel, John H. | Danville | July 18 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Barnhart, Jonathan | Danville | July 18 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 10, '63; disability. |
Bryant, Robert S. | Danville | July 18 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 30, '62. |
Beck, Ferry | Danville | July 18 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Beatly, George | Danville | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw Mt., June 27, 1864. |
Bonnet, John | Danville | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Callihan. Sanford P. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Disch. March 8, '64; disability. |
Conner, James W. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Disch. March 21, '63; disability. |
Clingin, Nathan | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Died at Quincy, Ill., Jan. 9, '64. |
Curtis, Andrew J. | Danville | Aug. 1 | Sept. 3 | Missing at Kenesaw Mt., Ga., since June 27, 1864. |
Clymon, Hyram | Danville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Trans. to Inv. Corps Sept. 14, '63. |
Cooley, John B. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Cummings, James | Danville | July 28 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 15. '63; disability. |
Cook, Alonzo H. | Danville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Jan. 6, '63; disability. |
Cole, George S. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as Sergeant. |
Douglas, Thomas S. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 3, 1863; disability. |
Draper, James S. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. Furlough. |
Fugit, John M. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out July 1, 1865; was prisoner. |
Fagan, Marlon | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Corporal. |
Finley, James | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Finley, Asbury D. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Fletcher, Ferris | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Gillelan, Wilford H. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Gouge, Kavanaugh W. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Guthrie, Michael | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 13, '63; disability. |
Highotte, George L. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Disch. March 11, '63; disability. |
Henderson, Obediah | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hortley, Amos A. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Jan. 14, '63; disability. |
Hathway, George | Danville | July 26 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 9, '64; wounds. |
Hill, James W. | Danville | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hooten, Charles B. | Danville | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hensley, James F. | Danville | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hart, Joseph | Danville | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Jordan, Dudley | Danville | July 24 | Sept. 3 | Trans. to V. R. C., July 29, '64. |
Knight, Johnson F. | Danville | July 18 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Linn, Francis M. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Disch. March 11, '63; disability. |
Layton, Andrew J. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Lafferty, Patrick | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Corporal killed at Kenesaw, June 27, '64. |
Lafferty, William H. | Danville | Aug. 2 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out May 18, 1865. |
Lope, Jesse | Danville | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died in Andersonville prison, Oct. 1, '64. No. of grave, 10,179. |
Ludington, John G. W. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as Sergeant. |
Lope, Zachariah | Danville | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Low, Hollingsworth | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Mann, Sylvester B. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Milliner, Gerard | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Jan. 13, '63; disability. |
Morman, Charles C. | Danville | July 17 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Meadows, William | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Morgan, Evans | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. Furlough. |
McFarland, James H. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Morgan, Alford C. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
187McGregor, Gregor | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Olehy, Dennis | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Olehy, William J. | Danville | July 17 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. as Corp'l. |
Olehy, George W. | Danville | Aug. 17 | Sept. 3 | Disch. June 10, '63; disability. |
Phillips, John | Danville | July 17 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Jan. 17, 63; disability. |
Quillen, James W. | Danville | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Deserted Oct. 3, 1862. |
Ramsey, Mordecai | Danville | July 17 | Sept. 3 | Deserted May 7, 1864. |
Rodgers, Samuel | Danville | July 17 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 20, 1863; disability. |
Shumate, William | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 5, '63; disability. |
Shumate, Daniel | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 5, '63; disability. |
Smith, William H. | Danville | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Smith, William | Danville | July 20 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 10, '63; disability. |
Tennery, Cyrus F. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as Corporal. |
Wilson. David D. | Danville | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Disch. March 7, '63; disability |
Williams, John | Danville | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Wilson, William F. | Danville | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 10, '63; disability. |
Wooley, George C. | Danville | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. Furlough. |
Recruits. | ||||
Butt, Nathaniel | Deserted June, 1863. | |||
Graves, Joseph | Died, Chattanooga, Nov. 14, '64. | |||
Lafferty, Edward M. | Mar. 30, 1863 | Mar. 30, 1863 | Killed at Kenesaw, June 27, '64. | |
Pruett, Willis | Danville | Trans. to V. R. C., July 29, '64. |
ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY "B."
Name and Rank. | Residence. | Date of enlistment. | Date of muster. | Remarks. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sergeants. | 1862. | 1862. | ||
John W. McKibben | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Oct. 23, 1862. |
John R. Lockhart | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 20, 1863. |
Newell Duncan | Middle Fork | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, Pvt. |
James A. McLean | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Promoted 2d Lieutenant. |
Corporals. | ||||
Ransom McLean | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as Pvt. |
Henry D. Parks | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died at Gallatin, T., Feb. 6, '63. |
James Duncan | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged June 16, 1863. |
Charles S. Carter | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 23, 1863. |
Thomas J. Price | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged June 7, 1863. |
George A. Collins | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 17, '63, as Sergeant. |
Geo. W. Cunningham | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Dec. 10, '64, as Sergeant; wounded. |
Jarret W. Cunningham | Grant | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville, Tenn., April 26, 1863. |
Privates. | ||||
Adams, Robert | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died of wounds at Atlanta, Ga., June 11, '64, in enemy's hands. |
Bean, Levi | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as 1st Sergeant. |
Bell, Elijah R. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Nov. 22, 1862. |
Biehler, James E. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 15, '62. |
Biddle, Ephraim W. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Bigham, Martin L. | Jordan | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged March 20, 1863. |
Bonebrake, Benj. F. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Promoted Sergeant Major. |
Brewer, William | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Feb. 12, 1863. |
Brown, Henry | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 21, 1863. |
Brown, John | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Oct. 23, 1862. |
Carter, Isaac | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Carter, Marion | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Deserted Oct. 15, 1862. |
Carter, Zachariah | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Sergeant. |
Chandler, William F. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died at Richmond, Va., from inhuman treatment in prison. |
Cox, John W. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 18, '62. |
188Cox, Joseph M. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Trans. to V. R. C. May 3, 1865. Mustered out Aug. 22, '65, as Corporal. |
Edwards, Jacob H. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Elwell, Alexander | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Etchison, Jacob | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Oct 23, 1862. |
Fisher, James H. | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died at Louisville, Ky., Dec. 5, 1862. |
Fisher, John | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Gillan, Joshua C. | Middle Fork | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died of wounds rec'd at Big Shanty, Ga., June 30, 1864. |
Grider, Albert | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 28, '63. |
Gutches, James H. | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hamlin, David B. | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged May 24, 1865. |
Helmick, Benjamin | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Killed, Kenesaw, June 27, '64. |
Keith, William | Blunt | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville, Jan. 1, 1864. |
Kelley, Patrick | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Feb. 3, 1863. |
Kimball, William H. | Blunt | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
King, William C. | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. as Corp'l. |
Lang, George W. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Must'd out July 1, '65; was pris |
Leonard, Philip | Blunt | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Leonard, John F. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Lewis, Charles A. | Carroll | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Dec. 24, 1862. |
Lockhart, Joseph C. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Corporal. |
Marsh, Daniel A. | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 23, '62. |
Marshall, John H. | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
McElhany, Felix. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Moore, James R. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 2 | Mustered out June 9, '65. as Corp'l. |
Morrison, Dennis. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Norton, Scott. | Grant | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. as Serg't. |
Peak, Uriah W. | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Ritchie, Samuel A. | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Absent, sick at M. O. of Reg't. |
Ritchie, James | Mound, Ind. | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Sergeant. |
Rohrer, Ezra P. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Rogers, Robert M. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. as Serg't. |
Ross, Hiram W. | Danville | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Aug. 16, 1863. |
Ross, Isaac F. | Grant | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Corporal. |
Ross, James T. | Danville | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Trans. to V. R. C., Sept. 1, '63. |
Ross, Nelson E. | Grant | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Sanburn, Richard J. | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Shaw, Loring D. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Smith, Charles W. | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Smith, Martin V. | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw June 27, '64. |
Starr, John B. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | 1st Serg't. Died at home Mar. 2, 64. |
Starr, Simon | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Dec 26, 1862. |
Steward, Harvey J. | Edgar Co. | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Promoted Commissary Serg't. |
Thralls, William L. | Blunt | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Serg't. Died of wounds received at Jonesboro, Ga., Sept 2, 1864. |
Watkins, Isaiah | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Weiford, David G. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Wiggins, George W. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Dec. 26, 1862. |
Wiggins, Jacob W. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Corporal. |
Wiggins, James P. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Wilson, Amos A. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Williams, Abner S. | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Deserted Oct 2, 1862. |
Williamson, Rignel G. | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died Danville, Ky., Nov. 2, '62. |
Willey, Richard | Grant | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 10, '62. |
Yocum, John | Ross | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Feb. 12, 1863. |
189Yates, John | Newell | Aug. 10, '62 | Sept. 3, '62 | Killed at Kenesaw June 27, '64 |
Young, Leonard | Grant | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Dec. 26, 1862 |
Young, Isaac | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died at Gallatin, Nov. 29, '62. |
Recruits. | ||||
Huddleson, William | Ross | Dec. 1, '63 | Dec. 1, '63 | Disch. Oct. 24, '64, wounds. |
Jones, John W. | Vermilion Co. | Died at Nashville, Dec. 17, '62. | ||
Knox, James | Newell | Mustered out June 9, 1865 | ||
Rutledge, Abraham | Ross | Nov. 23, '63 | Nov. 23, '63 | Trans. to Co. B, 60th Ill. Inf |
Sheets, Franklin | Ross | Dec. 21, '63 | Dec. 21, '63 | Trans. to Co. B, 60th Ill. Inf |
ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY "C."
Name and Rank. | Residence. | Date of enlistment. | Date of muster. | Remarks. |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Sergeant. | 1862. | 1862. | ||
A. W. Ingraham | Danville | July 16 | Sept. 3 | Promoted 1st Lieutenant. |
Sergeants. | ||||
Jas. H. McKee | Danville | July 16 | Sept. 3 | Private. Disch. Nov. 9, '63, for promotion in 5th Ky. cavalry |
Josiah H. French | Danville | Aug. 1 | Sept. 3 | 1st Serg't. Killed at Kenesaw Mt., June 27. 1864. |
Wm. J. Davis | Danville | July 22 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Oct. 23, '62, as 1st Serg't. |
David M. Hays | Vance | July 22 | Sept. 3 | Promoted 1st Lieutenant. |
Corporals. | ||||
Henry C. Gardner | Danville | Aug. 1 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out May 15, '65, as pvt. |
Joseph W. Sennit | Danville | Aug. 1 | Sept. 3 | Discharged April 18, 1863. |
James G. Payton | Vance | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as 1st Serg't. |
Thomas J. Cox | Vance | Aug. 3 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 18. '63. |
Augustus H. Keric | Danville | Aug. 3 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville April 8, '63. |
James Ellison | Rossville | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Nov. 10, 1862. |
Wm. E. Martin | Danville | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Discharged May 2, 1863. |
Julius T. Culbertson | Danville | Aug. 14 | Sept. 4 | Discharged May 5, 1863. |
Musicians. | ||||
Charles Last | Danville | Aug. 3 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Wm. A. Payton | Vance | July 20 | Sept. 3 | Promoted Principal Musician. |
Wagoner. | ||||
John Devore | Danville | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 16, 1863. |
Privates. | ||||
Allman, Levi | Vance | Aug. 1 | Sept. 3 | Died April 2, 1865; wounds. |
Bloomfield, Saml | Pilot | Aug. 1 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 10, 1863. |
Board, George | Vance | Aug. 20 | Sept. 3 | Corp. Trans. to I. C. Sept. 1, '63 |
Backman, Isaac | Blount | July 22 | Sept. 3 | Died Sept. 26, 1864; wounds. |
Blevins, Clark M. | Vance | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Bogart, John | Vance | Aug. 21 | Sept. 3 | Died at home, April 7, 1863 |
Baker, Isaac S. | Danville | Aug. 21 | Sept. 3 | Died at Harrodsburg, Ky., Nov. 19, '62. |
Barker. Wm. M. | Danville | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Discharged March 3, 1863. |
Cushman, Jonathan | Vance | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Absent, sick, at muster-out of Regiment |
Cruzan, Benjamin | Danville | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Oct. 23, 1862. |
Deakin. Wm. M. | Vance | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Discharged July 24, 1863. |
Dickson, Simon A. | Pilot | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville June 2, '63. |
Deakin, John | Vance | July 22 | Sept. 3 | Absent, sick, at M. O. of Reg't. |
Dobbins, Saml. S. | Danville | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 25, '65; wounds. |
Davis, Geo. W. | Ross | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Jan. 15, 1863. |
Draper, Edwin J. | Danville | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Promoted Hospital Steward. |
Fellows, Henry | Vance | July 22 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 18, 1863. |
Frownfelter, A. W. | Danville | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Disch. March 14. '63, as Corp'l. |
Flaugherty, Owen | Danville | Aug. 21 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Grannshaw, Abram | Danville | Aug. 3 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. as Corp'l |
Gray, Matthew | Vance | July 22 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. as Serg't |
Gray, David | Vance | July 22 | Sept. 3 | Corp. Killed at Kenesaw July 1, '64. |
Gray, William | Vance | July 22 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw June 27, '64 |
190Gardner, Wm. B. | Danville | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 20, 1863. |
Hart, George | Vance | Aug. 20 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Heller, A. J. | Danville | Aug. 1 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out July 1, 1865. |
Hoover, Albert W. | Grant | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw June 27, '64. |
Holycross, Wm. | Danville | Aug. 1 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Johnson, Charles Vance | Aug. 5 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 28, 1863. | |
Kingsbury, E. B | Danville | July 16 | Sept. 3 | Promoted Sergeant Major. |
Kilpatrick, Jas. D. | Danville | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Kimball, Nelson | Danville | Aug. 20 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out July 1, 1865, as Serg't; was prisoner. |
Lucas, William | Vance | July 22 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Mapes, Marcellus | Vance | July 20 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 22, '65. |
McCarty, Jas. S. | Vance | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Deserted Dec. 4, 1863. |
McCoy, Saml. P. | Danville | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Mead, Charles | Grant | Aug. 1 | Sept. 3 | Killed, Caldwell's Ford, on Tenn. river, Sept. 29, '62. |
McVey, John | Danville | Aug. 20 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as Corporal. |
Masters, Jas. L. | Danville | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | A deserter from 39th Ind. arrested and returned to his com. Dec. 12, '62. |
Mathews, Thos. A. | Danville | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Must. out June 9, '65, as Serg't |
Mins, Chas. K. Jr. | Vance | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Must. out June 9, '65. |
Majors, Samuel | Blunt | Aug. 21 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Dec. 20, '64, as Serg't; disability. |
O'Toole, Peter | Blunt | Aug. 1 | Sept. 3 | Must. out July 22, '65; was pris. |
O'Toole, Samuel | Newell | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Nov. 2, 1863. |
Oliver, Robt. W. | Newell | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Absent sick at muster-out Regt. |
Perry, Commodore | Ross | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 26. 1863. |
Prickett, Oliver | Danville | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Pfitzinger, Jacob | Danville | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw June 27, '64. |
Radcliff, Felix | Vance | July 22 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 18, 1863. |
Richards, R. E. | Danville | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Discharged March 18, 1865, as Serg't; wounds. |
Shepherd, George | Vance | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Trans. to Inv. Corps Sept. 1, '63. |
Shepherd Isaac V. | Vance | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw June 27, '64. |
Southard, John B. | Danville | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Absent, sick, at M. O. of Reg't. |
Short, James P. | Peru | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw June 27, '64. |
Smith, Chas. S. | Danville | July 25 | Sept. 3 | M. O. July 1, '65, as Corp'l; was prisoner. |
Shanks, John D. | Grant | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Died Sept. 7, '64; wounds. |
Thair, Nathan | Grant | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Trans. to marine service, Mar. 11, '63. |
Wallen, Jacob | Pilot | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Trans. to Inv. Corps Sept. 1, '63. |
Wilkins, William | Vance | July 22 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as musician. |
Wolf, Michael A. | Danville | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as Serg't. |
Winning, Geo. H. | Grant | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65. |
Winning David M. | Grant | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Died Andersonville pris., Sept. 14, '64. No. of grave, 8,755. |
White, Wm. A. | Danville | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 27, 1863. |
Webb, John | Georgetown | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Recruits. | ||||
Bates, Thomas | Danville | Discharged Mar. 3, '63; disabil. | ||
Buesing. Geo. K. | Danville | Dec. 29, 1863 | Dec. 29, 1863 | Promoted Chaplain. |
Black, William | Danville | Dec. 29, 1863 | Dec. 29, 1863 | Trans. to Co. C, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Calvert, Hutchinson | Vermilion co. | Died at Nashville Dec. 18,'62. | ||
Lord, Oscar D. | Chicago | Oct. 5, 1864 | Oct. 5, 1864 | Trans. to Co. C. 60th Ill., Inf. |
McCue, Thomas | Danville | Deserted Sept. 13, 1862. | ||
O'Connor, Wm. | Danville | Nov. 18, 1863 | Nov. 18, 1863 | Trans. to Co. C, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Williams, William | Danville | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
191
ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY "D."
Name and Rank. | Residence. | Date of enlistment. | Date of muster. | Remarks. |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Sergeant. | 1862. | 1862. | ||
Oliver Finley | Georgetown | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Promoted 1st Lieutenant. |
Sergeants. | ||||
William J. Brinkley | Georgetown | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Geo. V. Baker | Georgetown | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Feb. — 1863, as private: disability. |
Edmund W. Eakin | Dallas | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | 1st Serg. Absent, sick, at M. O. of Reg't. |
Elim Golden | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Private. Tr. to Inv. Corps, Sept 1, '63. |
Corporals. | ||||
Isaac E Parks | Georgetown | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as Sergeant. |
Martin L. Hill | Dallas | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Noah Long | Dallas | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Private. Tr. to E. Corps, Aug. 15, '64. |
Jacob B. Clifton | Vermilion co. | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June, 9, '65, as Sergeant. |
Wm. J. Stevens | Vermilion co. | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Disch. March 22, '63, as private; disability. |
Carroll Moore | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Private. Killed at Atlanta, Ga., July 19, '64. |
Jordan J. Drake | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Serg't. Absent, sick, at M. O. of Reg't. |
David S. Tucker | Georgetown | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Disch. June 16, '63, as Serg't; disability. |
Privates. | ||||
Alexander, Harvey | Vermilion co. | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Corporal. |
Brennan, Patrick | Vermilion co. | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Black, Franklin | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died at Chattanooga, T., July 5, '64; wounds. |
Bisner, Cornelius | Georgetown | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out July 15, 1865; was prisoner. |
Baily, Chas. R. | Vermilion | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Cowen, Wm. C. | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | ||
Cook, Frank | Georgetown | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Canaday, H. D. | Georgetown | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Clipson, John C. | Vermilion | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out May 18, 1865. |
Clary, Robt. | Vermilion | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Jan. 27, '65 as Corp'l; disability. |
Cook, Zachens | Vermilion | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Eng. Corps, Aug. 24, '64. |
Caton, Richard | Vermilion | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Oct. 24, 1862; disability. |
Cotton, Allen | Georgetown | Aug. 19 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Douglas, Payton | Georgetown | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Absent, sick at M. O. of Reg't. |
Downs, John W. | Georgetown | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Aug. 1, 1863; disability. |
Dye, John S. | Georgetown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | M. O. May 22, '65, as Corp'l. |
Dillon, George | Georgetown | Aug. 31 | Sept. 3 | Absent, sick, at M. O. of Reg't. |
Draper, John | Georgetown | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville March 1, '63. |
Donnovan, Chas. | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Dickerson, F. M. | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Corp'l. Died at Nashville, Dec. 6, '62. |
Elliott, Eli | Elwood | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Died at Louisville, Nov. 16, '62. |
Fleming, Martin | Georgetown | Sept. 3 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Jan. 27, 1863; disability. |
Frazier, William | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Glaze, Samuel | Georgetown | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw June 27, '64. |
Gauts, John J. | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Guess, Thomas | Georgetown | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw June 27, '64. |
Golden, Richard | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as Corp'l. |
Gauts, Henry C. | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died, Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 10, '62. |
Gephart, J. M. | Dallas | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Graves, John L. | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died at home Dec 3, 1864. |
Hinton, Benjamin | Vermilion | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hinton, William | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hesler, A. J. | Georgetown | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Haworth, Solomon | Georgetown | Aug. 23 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hayett, Jas. H. | Vermilion | Aug. 11. | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
192Hall, James R. | Georgetown | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Mar. 19, '63; disability. |
Jordan, Geo. W. | Georgetown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Jonesboro, Sept. 1, '64. |
Kistler, J. J. B. | Vermilion | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
King, Thomas | Georgetown | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as Corp'l. |
Lamar, James | Georgetown | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw, June 27, '64. |
Lamar, Frank | Vermilion | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Died, Resaca, May 16, '64; w'ds. |
Lockett, John W. | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out May 17, 1865. |
Loveall, Eugenius | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville, April 10, '63. |
Long, Wm. L. | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Long, Chas. F. | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
McClure, Geo. W. | Georgetown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Oct. 25, '62; disability. |
McDonald, A. A. | Pontiac | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Disch. May 4, 1863; disability. |
Melton, William | Georgetown | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Died at Edgefield, Nov. 9, '62. |
Martin, John M. | Georgetown | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Disch. March 9, '63; disability. |
Morgan, Sylvester | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Inv. Corps, April 30, '64. |
Ogden, Jas. H. | Georgetown | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Died, Bowling Green Dec. 11, '62. |
Preble, Thomas | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out July 17, 1865. |
Parker, Thos. M. | Dallas | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw June 27, '64. |
Rednour, John S. | Georgetown | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Dec. 16, '64; disability. |
Roberts, James | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died, Bowling Green Dec. 27. '62. |
Rowland, Thos. J. | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died, Danville, Ky., Nov. 1, '64. |
Rugg, Peter | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Ridnour, Samuel | Georgetown | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Jan. 27, '63, as Corp'l; disability. |
Swank, John W. | Georgetown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Sweeney, Joseph | Georgetown | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Shoemaker, Sanford | Danville | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Jan. 27, '63; disability. |
Shearer, Josephus | Danville | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Disch. April 11, '63; disability. |
Swank, R. H. | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Sept. 1, '63. |
Thompson, Abram B. | Georgetown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Jan. 27, '63; disability. |
Whitlock, Wm. | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Disch. May 7, 1864; disability. |
Wallingsford, Jas. E. | Georgetown | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Committed suicide at Edgefield Aug. 10, '63. Supposed insane. |
West, William | Dallas | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Corp'l. Died at Chattanooga, Aug. 3,'64; wounds. |
Weer, Wm. R. | Perryville | Aug. 22 | Sept. 3 | Disch. July 30, '63; disability. |
Whitcomb, E. T. | Georgetown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Oct. 24, '64; disability. |
Recruits. | ||||
Hinton, Thomas | Selma | Sept. 13 | Sept. 13 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hughes, Jas. O. | Dallas | Died at Nashville July 22, '63. | ||
Moore, George | Georgetown | Sept. 8, '63 | Sept. 8, '63 | Disch. Jan. 14, '64; disability. |
Moore, Charles | Georgetown | Nov. 18, '63 | Nov. 18, '63 | Trans. to Co. D, 60th Ill. Inf. |
ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY "E."
Name and Rank. | Residence. | Date of enlistment. | Date of muster. | Remarks. |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Sergeant. | 1862. | 1862. | ||
Martin V. Stone | Champaign | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Promoted 2d Lieutenant. |
Sergeants. | ||||
Thomas Poage | Sidney | Aug. 15 | same | Absent, sick, at M. O. of Reg't. |
George Scroggs | Champaign | Aug. 8 | same | Promoted Sergeant Major. |
G. W. B. Sadorus | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | same | Promoted Captain. |
William Wilsey | Champaign | Aug. 6 | same | Disch. July 14, '64, as private; disability. |
John F. Waters | Champaign | Aug. 6 | same | Mustered out June 9, '65, as pvt. |
Eli S. Cook | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | same | Died at Nashville June 7, '64. |
Jas. H. Simpson | Champaign | Aug. 7 | same | M. O. June 9, '65, as Sergeant. |
James M. Story | Champaign | Aug. 8 | same | Killed at Kenesaw June 27, '64. |
J. A. Harrison | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | same | Died at home March 2, 1863. |
William Humphrey | Sidney | Aug. 19 | same | M. O. June 13, '65, as Serg't. |
J. Frankenberg | Champaign | Aug. 4 | same | M. O. June 9, '65, as Sergeant. |
Geo. T. Williamson | Sidney | Aug. 15 | same | Disch. Aug. 20, '64; disability. |
Musician. | ||||
John Rowe | Sadorus | Aug. 15 | same | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Jan. 5, '64. |
193 | ||||
Privates. | ||||
Ashby William | Sidney | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Disch. March 14, '63; disability. |
Applegate, Samuel | Champaign | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Burris, Wm. L. | Sidney | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Burns, Frank | Champaign | Aug. 19 | Sept. 3 | Absent, sick, at M. O. of Reg't. |
Breese, Leonard | Champaign | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Deserted Oct. 9, '62. |
Boak, William | Champaign | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Bates, Daniel W. | Danville | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Died, Chattanooga July 15, '64; wounds. |
Cade, William | Danville | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Died, Nashville Nov. 21, 1862. |
Coble, John H. | Danville | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Custer, Thos. W. | Sidney | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Campbell, Wm. N. | Champaign | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Died, Bowling Green, Dec 1, '62. |
Campbell, Jas. O. | Champaign | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Bentonville, N. C. March 19, '65. |
Culbertson, Hugh | Champaign | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Darah, Samuel | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Deer, Thomas | Sidney | Aug. 22 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Dooley, James | Homer | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Died. Big Shanty, Ga., July 1, '64; wounds. |
Ellers, James | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Invalid Corps, Jan. 5, '64. |
Fieg, John | Champaign | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Discharged at Nashville, Tenn. |
Gibson, William | Champaign | Aug. 4 | Sept. 3 | Died in Georgia, Sept. 2, 1864; wounds. |
Gilmer, Alexander | Champaign | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Inv Corps, Jan 5, 1864. |
Gill, John | Champaign | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Absent, sick, at M. O. of Reg't. |
Harrison. Geo. W. | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Must. out July 1, '65; pris. war. |
Harper, Robt. | Champaign | Aug. 2 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Jan. 27, '63; disability. |
Harlan, John | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Johnson, Levi | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, 1865. |
Kendell, William | Champaign | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. March 3, '63: disability. |
King, Ransom B. | Sadorus | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Laughlin, Moses T. | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Lewis, Thomas W. | Champaign | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
LaCost, John | Danville | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Deserted Nov. 5, 1862. |
Linsey, George | Sadorus | Sept. 4 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Sept. 21, 1864. |
Monroe, Chas. B. | Champaign | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Corporal. |
McKean, Victor | Champaign | Aug. 1 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Mar. 14, '63; disability. |
McKinney, John W. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Disch. May, 4, '64; disability. |
Miller, John H. | Champaign | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Disch. July 8, 1863; disability. |
Myers, Geo. W. | Danville | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Miller, H. J. | Sidney | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died at Savannah Jan. 15, '65. |
Pierce, Daniel | Champaign | Aug. 5 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Jan. 5, '64. |
Peabody, George | Champaign | Aug. 6 | Sept. 3 | Disch. July 23, '63; disability. |
Reed, Francis M. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Absent, sick, at M. O. of Reg't. |
Ramsey, Hugh | Champaign | Aug. 2 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville May 14, '63. |
Reynolds, T. M. | Champaign | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 2, '65; was prisoner. |
Ruckman. Geo. A. | Sidney | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Stults, John | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Mar. 8, '65, as Corporal; disability. |
Shervey, Henry | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Apr. 20, '63; disability. |
Silvers, William | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Died at Goldsboro, N. C., April 5, '65; wounds. |
Shafer, Philip | Champaign | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Deserted Oct. 9, 1862. |
Stacker, James | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Disch Feb. 24, '63; disability. |
Smith, Squire | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Shue, Samuel | Champaign | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Taff, Jas. L. | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as 1st Serg. |
Taylor, George | Sidney | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Died, Chattanooga, Aug 2, '64; wounds. |
Urquhart, Parden | Sadorus | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 20, '65; was pris. |
Williams, John | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Died at Louisville Jan. 13, '63. |
Williamson, David | Sidney | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Wilson, Jacob | Sidney | Aug. 22 | Sept. 3 | Killed, Jonesboro Sept. 1, '64. |
Weckmire, William | Sidney | Aug. 4 | Sept. 3 | Absent, sick, at M. O. of Reg't. |
194Wibley, William | Champaign | Aug. 2 | Sept. 3 | Disch. May 18, '63; disability. |
Williams William | Champaign | Aug. 5 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Wilson, John | Champaign | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Deserted Oct. 9, 1862. |
Welch, Joseph | Champaign | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Mar. 22, '65; disability. |
Whitfield, Lewis | Champaign | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Yates, Samuel B. | Champaign | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Yates, Louis | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Jan. 5, 1864. |
York, Charles | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Died at Chattanooga Dec. 9, '64. |
Young, M. M. | Sadorus | Aug. 19 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Jan. 6, 1864. |
Recruits. | ||||
Danford, Nelson | Champaign | Mustered out June 9, 1865. | ||
Latour, Henry | Sadorus | Aug. 12 | Aug. 12 | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Jan. 5, 1864. |
Lindsey, Wm. L. | Danville | Dec. 30, '63 | Dec. 30 | Died, Chattanooga, July 14, '64; wounds. |
Roberts, John W. | Champaign | Disch. Feb. 2, '63; disability. | ||
Stults, Geo. A. | Champaign | Mustered out June 9, 1865. | ||
Troy, Martin | Danville | Deserted Nov. 4, 1862. |
ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY "F."
Name and Rank. | Residence. | Date of enlistment. | Date of muster. | Remarks. |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Sergeant. | 1862. | 1862. | ||
William R. Shoup | Newcomb | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Promoted 2d Lieutenant. |
Sergeants. | ||||
Joseph H. White | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as 1st Sergeant. |
James Smith | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Died at Bowling Green, Dec. 19, '62. | |
Hugh Mitchell | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. | |
Royal A. Sizer | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Bentonville, N. C., Mar. 19, '65. |
Corporals. | ||||
Henry M. Rudolph | East Bend | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Serg't. Killed at Kenesaw, June 27, '64. |
Hugh C. Minnix | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Joseph Dickson | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Joseph C. Pancake | Newcomb | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Died, Harrodsburg, Dec. 4, '62. |
James M. Johnson | Newcomb | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as pvt. |
Thomas Chism | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as pvt. | |
James M. White | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as Serg't. |
Nathan F. Trotter | Newcomb | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65, as Serg't. |
Privates. | ||||
Abbott, Jordan | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Absent, sick at M. O. of Reg't. |
Ater, Zachariah | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw, June 27, '64. |
Beasley, David H. | Champaign | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Promoted Quartermaster Serg't. |
Beaughman. A. J. | East Bend | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Brown, Stephen C. | East Bend | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Mar. 20, '64; disability. |
Champion, Lyman E. | Middleton | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Christy, Richard | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, 1865. |
Chism, Jacob | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, 1865. |
Caldwell, John | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Died, Harrodsburg, Oct. 30, '63. |
Coffman, Wm. E. | Newcomb | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Died, Bardstown, Nov. 20, '62. |
Cole, Thompson | East Bend | Aug. 14 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Jan. 16, '64; disability. |
Evans, Edward | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Fenters, Eli | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Fagan, Benj. B. | Newcomb | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Promoted Hospital Steward. |
Fagan, Edwin | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Fisher, John M. | Newcomb | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Accidentally killed at Chickamauga Sta., Nov. 26, 1863. |
Fry, George | Newcomb | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865 |
Gross, Aaron | East Bend | Aug. 2 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Sept 30, '63. |
Henderson, Parson | East Bend | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Feb. 10, 1863. |
Herron, H. L. | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Pris. war. Captured Dec. 15, '64. |
Howard, G. W. | East Bend | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Houston, A. J. | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
195Houston, Benj. | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hummell, Philip | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Irelan, Moses | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Jackway, Geo. W. | Pilot | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Transferred to Co. I. |
Jeffries, James | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Jess, William | Newcomb | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Died of wounds received at Kenesaw, June 27, '64. |
Jennings, William | Newcomb | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Died at Louisville, Dec 18, '63. |
Kirsh, John G. | Pilot | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Transferred to Co. I. |
Kelly, Thomas | Park co., | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 23, 1865. |
Ind. | ||||
Lesher, Isaac | Newcomb | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Lynch, Wm. F. | Champaign | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Mavoney, Ithamas | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Louisville, Nov. 29, '64. |
Merrill, H. M. | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Killed, Kenesaw, June 30, '64. |
Myers, Frederick | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out, June 9, 1865. |
Myers, Henry | Pilot | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Discharged March 21, 1863. |
Mitchell, John | Pilot | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Miller, Josiah | East Bend | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Miller, Alfred | Newcomb | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Nickelson, Charles | East Bend | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville, Dec. 3, '63. |
Newell, John W. | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Eng. Corps, Aug. 10, '64. |
Osburn, Christian | Newcomb | Aug. 21 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Peofley, Jonathan | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Died at Louisville, Nov. 12, '62. |
Perkins, Jas. L. | Middleton | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Pugh, Marshall | East Bend | Aug. 10 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Rowen, Philip | Newcomb | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Robbins, A. B. | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Corp'l. Died, Rome, Ga., May 30, '64. |
Rowe, Wm. S. | East Bend | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Discharged June 4, 1863. |
Randolph, Chas. W. | Newcomb | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Snell, Clark B. | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Transferred to Co. I. |
Stephenson, S. G. | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Stout, James | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Showalter, Jonathan | Newcomb | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Strouss, David | Newcomb | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Scott, Edwin | Newcomb | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Died, Harrodsburg, Nov. 25, '62. |
Taylor, John Q. | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Dec. 13, '64 as Corp'l; wounds. |
Vangordon, D. S. | East Bend | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Warfield, Richard | East Bend | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville, Dec. 12, '62. |
Waugh, David | Champaign | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville, Apr. 12, '63. |
Weaver, W. B. | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | M. O. May 15, '65, as Corp'l. |
Weaver, Hiram D. | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out July 4, 1865. |
White, John J. | Newcomb | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Promoted 2d Lieutenant. |
Whitney, Jas. L. | Newcomb | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Feb. 5, 1864. |
Woolsey, Alonza A. | East Bend | Aug. 9 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Woodcock, James | East Bend | Aug. 7 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Sept. 30, '63. |
Williams, Richard | East Bend | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Recruits. | ||||
Barton, J. N. | Newcomb | Feb. 2, '64 | Feb. 2, 1864 | Tr. to Co. A, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Barton, Stephen | Newcomb | Feb. 2, '61 | Feb. 2, 1864 | Killed at Kenesaw, June 27, '64. |
Campbell, Thos. J. | Middleton | Nov 17, '63 | Nov. 17, '63 | Tr. to Co. A, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Fenters, Samuel | Middleton | Nov. 17, '63 | Nov. 17, '63 | Tr. to Co. A, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Fetty, Newton | Newcomb | Aug. 3, '63 | Sept. 4, '63 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hites, Jas. O. K. | Middleton | Nov. 17, '63 | Nov. 17, '63 | Tr. to Inv. Corps Nov. 17, '64. |
Jess, Thomas | Middleton | Dec. 2, '63 | Dec. 4, '63 | Disch. Feb. 21, '65; wounds. |
Latter, Alexander | Middleton | Dec. 2, '63 | Dec. 4, '63 | Tr. to Co. A, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Osburn, Christian | Rantoul | Nov. 17, '63 | Nov. 17, '63 | Tr. to Co. A, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Ray, John S. | Newcomb | Mar. 30, '64 | Mar. 30, '64 | Tr. to Co. A, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Stout. Martin | Middleton | Nov. 17, '63 | Nov. 17, '63 | Tr. to Co. A, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Woodcock, John L. | Cairo | Dec. 3, '63 | Dec. 3, '63 | Tr. to Co. A, 60th Ill. Inf. |
196
ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY "G".
Name and Rank. | Residence. | Date of enlistment. | Date of muster. | Remarks. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sergeants. | 1862. | 1862. | ||
Newton Norris | Danville | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3. | Promoted 2d Lieutenant. |
A. A. Sulcer | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Promoted Hospital Steward. |
Henry Cotten | Georgetown | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged Feb. 14, 1863. |
Elisha Littler | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Promoted 1st Lieutenant. |
William Hart | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Died at Nashville, April 2, '63. |
Corporals. | ||||
Franklin Guymond | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Deserted at Louisville, Ky. |
Wm. Hawkins | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | M. O. June 9, '65, as Serg't. |
Samuel Zortman | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Serg't. Killed, Marietta, Ga., June 27, '64. |
Marion Lee | Fairmount | Aug. 11 | same | Promoted 2d Lieutenant. |
John Todd | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Serg't Killed, Marietta, Ga., June 27, '64. |
Joseph Buckingham | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | M. O. June 22, '65, as Sergeant. |
Jeptha K. Turner | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged. |
Franklin McKinsey | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | M. O. June 13, '65, as private. |
Musicians. | ||||
Joseph Ship | Fairmount | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged at Nashville. |
Joseph Crosby | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged Nov. 15, 1862. |
Wagoner. | ||||
Andrew C. Hignett | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Privates. | ||||
Burgoyne, Jas. H. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Bently, Thomas | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged March 17, 1864. |
Boggest, H. M. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Died at Nashville, Dec. 22, '62. |
Culp, Marion | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged March 7, 1863. |
Clayton, J. J. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | M. O. June 9, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Culp, J. D. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | M. O. June 9, 1865. |
Clearwater, Richard | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged Feb. 23, 1863. |
Davidson, John G. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged at Nashville. |
Darlin, Alphias | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Darlin, E. P. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged Feb. 11, 1863. |
Eacret, Samuel | Danville | Aug. 11 | same | Tr. to Inv. Corps Oct. 29, '63. |
Evans, T. L. H. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Tr. to Inv. Corps Oct. 29, '63. |
Flougher, William | Fairmount | Aug. 11 | same | M. O. June 9, '65, as Sergeant. |
Felmley, William | Pilot | Aug. 11 | same | M. O. June 9, '65, as Corp'l. |
Gee, Mathias | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | M. O. June 9, 1865. |
Griffith, Samuel | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Died, Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 16, '62. |
Harness, Joshua | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | M. O. June 9, '65, as Corp'l. |
Herring, Henry | Danville | Aug. 11 | same | Died at Nashville, Nov. 6, 1862. |
Herring, Elisha | Pilot | Aug. 11 | same | Killed near Marietta, Ga., June 27, '64. |
Hall, Marvin C. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged Dec. 5, 1862. |
Keeny, Thos. A. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Died at Perryville, Oct. 8, 1862. |
Keeny, Jas. W. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged March 7, 1863. |
Lyman, Warren | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Killed near Marietta, Ga., June 27, 64. |
Lenover, John | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Sept. 16, '63. |
Littler, Cyrus R. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Leaky, Geo. M. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Loman, James | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Died, Nashville, March 23, '63. |
Lasew, William | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged Jan. 23, 1865. |
Lyman, Jonathan | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Sept. 16, '63. |
Lloyd, Henry | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Littler, John | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Killed, Marietta, June 27, '64. |
Littler, Edwin | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Died, Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 25, '62. |
McHenry, Timothy | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Died, Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 6, '62. |
Neel Jacob N. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Killed near Marietta, Ga., June 27, '64. |
Nire, Adam | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged at Nashville. |
Ogle, Francis M. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 15, 1865. |
197O'Neal, Thomas | Danville | Aug. 11 | Sept. 3 | Killed near Marietta, Ga., June 27, '64. |
Ogden, Jos. C. | Danville | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Ogden, Jas. F. | Danville | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 22, 1865. |
Oflett, Gabriel | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Died at Louisville Dec. 30, '62. |
Piper, Wm. H. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged Dec. 12, 1862. |
Parker, Charles | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Parker, Robert | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Pate, Lazarus N. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Reynolds, John W. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged Feb. 12, 1863. |
Swoap, B. F. | Danville | Aug. 11 | same | Died at Nashville, Dec. 1, '62. |
Shephard, M. B. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged Feb. 15, 1863. |
Stansbury, Amos | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Spangler, Wm. | Danville | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Smith, John D. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Killed at Jonesboro, Sept. 1, '64. |
Sullivan, Patrick | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Died Chattanooga, July 26, '64. |
Stearns, John H. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Deserted Dec. 5, 1863. |
Scott, William | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Trans. to Pioneer Corps. |
Smith, John N. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged Oct. 23, 1862. |
Snider, William | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged at Nashville. |
Swain, Samuel | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Killed, Marietta, June 27, '64. |
Swain, Marion | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | M. O. June 9, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Stobangh, Alexander | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Deserted at Louisville, Ky. |
Sampson, H. R. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Deserted at Louisville, Ky. |
Tanner, Isaac | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | M. O. July 1, '65; was pris. |
Tash, Jesse | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Died at Nashville, Dec. 17, 1862. |
Thorp, Joseph C. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | M.O. June 9, '65, as Corp'l. |
Worden, Henry | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | M. O. June 9, '65, as Serg't. |
Williams, A. J. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Killed, Marietta, June 27, '64. |
Wright, Edward | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Williams, William | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged Dec. 12, 1862. |
Williams, David | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged Feb. 18, 1863. |
Wilson, Benj. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Died March 27, 1863. |
Wilson, James | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Discharged Dec. 12, 1862. |
Walker. Isaiah G. | Catlin | Aug. 11 | same | Died Chattanooga, Jan. 11, '64. |
Recruits. | ||||
Love, William | Catlin | Discharged Jan. 6, 1863. | ||
Puzey, Thomas | Catlin | Dec. 19, '63 | Dec. 19, '63 | Trans, to Co. G, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Simpson, John | Catlin | Aug. 11, '62 | Sept. 4, '62 | M. O. June 9, 1865, as 1st Serg't. |
Turner, James | Vermilion | Mar. 8, '64 | Mar. 8, '64 | Trans. to Co. G. 60th Ill. Inf. |
ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY "H."
Name and Rank. | Residence. | Date of enlistment. | Date of muster. | Remarks. |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Sergeant. | 1862. | 1862. | ||
John W. Hill | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | ||
Sergeants. | ||||
Samuel M. Dunseth | Urbana | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Promoted 2d Lieutenant. |
Augustine Blacker | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 1, '64. |
William Padgett | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Died June 16, 1864; wounds. |
John F. Sims | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Discharged March 20, 1863. |
Corporals. | ||||
Stephen C Abbott | Middletown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Jan. 4, '65, as Sergeant. |
Benj. F. Wingard | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | M. O. May 13, '65, as private. |
Adam Harper | Piatt Co. | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as Serg't. |
Highland F. Hewes | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Captured May 21, 1864. |
Ephriam J. Scott | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Died in prison hospital, Atlanta, Ga., July 3, 1864. |
Isaac J. Coon | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Must. out June 9, '65, as Serg't. |
James B. Ray | Middletown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Died Sept. 22, 1864. |
Bernard G. Parks | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Promoted Commissary Serg't. |
Privates. | ||||
Acree, Joseph W. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Must'd out June 9, '65 as Corp'l. |
Alvis, Joseph | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Died Feb. 2, 1863. |
198Blue, John W. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Oct. 23, 1862. |
Black, Peter | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Brown, James | Middletown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Baker, John | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Died in Andersonville prison Jan. 26, 1865. No. of grave, 12,530. |
Burnett, Seth L. | Middletown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Bond, Blackburn | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Carter, John | Middletown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Feb. 24, '65; disabil. |
Cappis, William | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | M. O. July 1, '65; was pris. |
Coon, M. H. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Crabtree, Peter | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Disch. on or about Feb. 14, '63. |
Curtis, Alvin F. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Conter, Elisha W. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Discharged July 29, 1863. |
Case, Charles | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Cannon, Jas. W. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Transferred to Co. I. |
Coon, Joseph | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Coon, Thomas | Vermilion | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Aug. 30, 1863. |
Coon, Peter | McDonough | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 22, 1863. |
Coon, Henry | DeWitt | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Oct. 23, 1862. |
Campbell, John | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Deserted Dec. 4, 1862. |
Davidson, H. W. | Middletown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as Corp'l. |
Davis, Wm. I. | Piatt Co. | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Captured Nov. 30, 1864. |
Downs, Noble | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Dickson, Andrew | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | M. O June 9, '65, as Corporal. Absent, sick. |
Davis, Edward | Piatt Co. | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Danforth, Nelson | Piatt Co. | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | See Recruits Co. E. |
Ensminger, Saml | Piatt Co. | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Edwards, H. T. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Feb. 14, 1863. |
England, Albert | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | |
Gulick, James P. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Gordon, B. F. | Piatt Co. | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hughes, David F. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Died in Andersonville prison, Sept. 28, 1864. No. of grave, 9,962. |
Hard, R. F. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865 |
Hadfield, Joseph | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw, July 1, '64. |
Johnston, John | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Died in Andersonville prison, Apr. 21, 1864. No. of grave, 9,458. |
Johnston, Richard | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Knapp, Thos. J. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Corp. |
King, Granville C. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
King, David | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Feb. 28, '63. |
King, Isaiah J. | Edgar Co. | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Captured near Dallas, Ga. |
Kesler, Joseph | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Died Dec. 7, 1862. |
Kaffer, Peter | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Must'd out June 9, '65, as Serg't. |
Laughlin, Samuel | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Must'd out June 9, '65, as 1st Serg't. |
Luman, Surl L. | Middletown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Means, William | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Died of w'ds rec'd Sept. 22, '63. |
Morris, John D. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | |
Mallory, George | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Minnear, Elias | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Disch. on or about Feb. 14, '63. |
McCall, W. H. H. | Middletown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Mortimore, S. C. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Deserted Feb. 2, 1863. |
McMahan, W. M. | Middletown | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Disch. on or about June 1, '63. |
Mahlone, S. E. | Piatt Co. | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Feb. 10, '63. |
Manford, John | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Transferred to V. R. C. |
Purtle, John | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 2, '65; disability. |
Pitman, Dubois | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Missing at Kenesaw, Ga., since June 27, 1864. |
Phillips, James | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out May 26, 1865. |
Polston, Jacob | Vermilion | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | M. O. July 1, '65; was prisoner. |
Polston, John | Vermilion | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw, June 27, '64. |
Polston, William | Champaign | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
199Robinson, William | Piatt Co. | Aug. 8 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Smith, John | Champaign | Aug. 8 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Smith, Oliver H. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Tryon, Harvey S. | Champaign | Aug. 8 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Serg't. |
Vest, Samuel | Middletown | Aug. 8 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Waterman, Henry | Champaign | Aug. 8 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Waterman, Theodore | Champaign | Aug. 8 | same | Discharged March 24, 1864. |
Wright, George | Champaign | Aug. 8 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Wright, William | Champaign | Aug. 8 | same | Died of accidental w'ds in '62. |
Weston, N. | Aug. 8 | same | ||
Williams, Daniel | Champaign | Aug. 8 | same | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Recruits. | ||||
Hardin, Albert G. | Died at Bowling Green, Ky., in 1862. | |||
McCormick, J. H. | Chicago | Oct. 8 '64 | Oct. 8, '64 | Trans. to Co. H, 60th Ill. Inf. |
ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY "I."
Name and Rank. | Residence. | Date of enlistment. | Date of muster. | Remarks. |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Sergeant. | 1862. | 1862. | ||
Jas. H. Trimmel | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Promoted 2d Lieutenant |
Sergeants. | ||||
Alfred Atwood | Pilot | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Feb. 9, '65, 1st Serg. |
Samuel Hardisty | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Mar. 19, '63; disability. |
Geo. A. Clapp | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Promoted 1st Lieutenant |
Daniel Gibson | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Died at Edgefield, Nov. 25, '62 |
Corporals. | ||||
George Young | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Died, Louisville, Nov. 29, '62 |
Levi W. Coughton | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as private |
Henry Armentrout | Pilot | Aug. 15 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 4, '63; disability |
Barton Snider | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as 1st Serg't. |
Jarrett Davis | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as Sergeant |
Thos. Mackemson | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as Sergeant |
Robert Michael | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw, June 27, '64 |
Daniel D. Cannon | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as private |
Musician. | ||||
Curtis H. Tanzey | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Promoted Principal Musician |
Milton C. Cannon | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as Corp'l. |
Wagoner. | ||||
Daniel B. Sanders | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Oct. 24, '62; disability |
Privates. | ||||
Acton, David A. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65 |
Alton, Preston | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Acton, John W. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Died, Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 2, '62. |
Alexander, W. W. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 3, '63; disability |
Blevins, Geo. W. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865 |
Burd, Wm. F. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as Serg't. |
Brown, Jacob | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 17, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Burd, Adrian P. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865 |
Babb, Gideon | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Eng. Corps, July 29, '64 |
Brittingham, A. W. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865 |
Cosairt, John | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Died at Edgefield, July 28, '63 |
Carmack, John | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Corp'l. Killed, Kenesaw, June 27, '64. |
Cannon, John T. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865 |
Dancer, Elias F. | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville, Jan. 9, 1863 |
Dove, Abram C. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865 |
Durham, Samuel | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. July 18, '63; disability |
Disert, Joseph | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Eng. Corps, July 29, '64 |
Dare, Philip H. | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865 |
Elkins, Stephen | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Died, Harrodsburg, Nov. 11, '62 |
Gilliland, Reason | Blount | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865 |
Hewitt, Eli M. | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. for promotion, Mar. 23, '64 |
200Hardisty, N. W. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Mar. 7, '65; disability. |
Huston, John | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865 |
Hillary, Jas. P. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Feb. 25, '63; disability. |
Hillary, Francis J. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. May 6, '63; disability. |
Hardisty, A. S. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. June 19, '63; disability. |
Hollett, Hiram | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hughes, Isaac | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Hoboy, Eisha | Blount | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Howard, John W. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Serg. |
Herring, John | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Hannahs, Thomas | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Holeman, I. H. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Jones, Harlin | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Kane, Matthew | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Liggett, Lawson | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. May 31, '65; disability. |
Liggett, Nelson | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Inv. Corps, June 21, '64. |
Lourance, Whitacher | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Lourance, Jonas | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Lane, William | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Laflin, Amos W. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Masters, Jacob F. S. T. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Miller, Jas. W. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Moody, Joseph | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Oct. 24, '62; disability. |
Mauslar, J. W. | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Miller, John | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 30, 1865. |
Madole, William | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Odey, Newton | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Osborn, Uriah | Pilot | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Sept. 16, '63. |
Parnell, John W. | Blount | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Nov. 10, '63; disability. |
Pilkinton, Charles | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Rutledge, Isaac S. | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Paroled pris. Died, Annapolis, Md., March 10, 1865. |
Rowe, John | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Rees, Wm. M. | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Died at Atlanta, Sept. 23, '64. |
Starr, Peter L. | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Dec. 12, 1862. |
Sanders, Newton | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Sanders, Levi W. | Middle Fork | Aug. 15 | same | Promoted Chaplain. |
Smoot, Nathan J. | Danville | Sept. 3 | same | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Taber, Jesse | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | same | Died, Gallatin, Jan. 23, 1863. |
Vansandt, H. G. | Pilot | Aug. 12 | same | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Waugh, William | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | same | Died at Louisville, Nov. 5, 1862. |
West, William | Pilot | Aug. 12 | same | Died, Bowling Green, Ky., Jan. 7, '63. |
Wilson, John G. | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | same | Died at Big Shanty, Ga., June 29, '64; wounds. |
Walker, Andrew | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | same | Mustered out May 20, 1865. |
Waugh, David W. | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | same | Died, Danville, Ky., Nov. 1, '62. |
Waugh, Vains | Middle Fork | Aug. 12 | same | Supposed disch. and re-enlisted in 86th Ind. Vols. |
Recruits. | ||||
Ballard, Josiah | Middle Fork | Dec. 15, '63 | Dec. 15, '63 | Died at Camp McAfee Church, Ga., Feb. 6, 1864. |
Ballard, Henry | Middle Fork | Dec. 15, '63 | Dec. 15, '63 | Trans. to Co. I, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Cannon, James W. | Absent, sick, at M. O. of Reg't. | |||
Clark, W. W. | Middle Fork | Mustered out June 9, 1865. | ||
French, Louis T. | Middle Fork | Mar. 7, '64 | Mar. 12, '64 | Trans. to Co. I, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Harper, B. F. | Middle Fork | Died at Nashville, Jan. 28, '64. | ||
Jackney, Geo. W. | Disch. Feb. 27, '63; disability. | |||
Kirsh, John G. | Must'd out July 1, '65; was pris. | |||
Kirkhart, Michael | Blue Grass | Dec. 22, '63 | Dec. 22, '63 | Died Chattanooga, July 15, '64. |
Liggett, John | Middle Fork | Dec. 15, '63 | Dec. 15, '63 | Trans. to Co. I, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Moore, James | Catlin | Dec. 29, '63 | Dec. 29, '63 | Trans. to Co. I, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Snell, Clark B. | Mustered out June 9, 1865. | |||
Tansey, Verlin G. | Quincy | Feb. 23, '64 | Feb. 23, '64 | Disch. Feb. 20, '65; disability. |
Watson, Milton | Pilot | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
201
ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY "K."
Name and Rank. | Residence. | Date of enlistment. | Date of muster. | Remarks. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sergeants. | 1862. | 1862. | ||
Ezekiel B. Timmon | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Discharged July 17, 1863. |
Wiliam B. Galway | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Promoted 2d Lieutenant. |
Peter S. Burk | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to regular army. Dec. 16, '62. |
Isaac N. Adams | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Died, Chattanooga, Nov. 4, '64; wounds. |
Thomas Guthrie | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Disch. July 13, 1863. |
Corporals. | ||||
James M. Cook | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as 1st Serg't. |
Thos. L. Douglas | Danville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65. |
Wm. M. Marity | Indianola | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Discharged April 10, '65 w'ds. |
A. J. Woolcot | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
David M. Woolen | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Nov. 1, '63. M. O. April 13, '65; disability. |
T. A. Baker | Indianola | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as Sergeant. |
William Jamison | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as Sergeant. |
Thos. W. Blakeney | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Serg't. Promoted Serg't Major. |
Musicians. | ||||
Eli Shephard | Danville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Nov. 1, '63. |
Saml. R. Tilton | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Privates. | ||||
Anderson, Joseph | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Argo, Wm. J. | St. Joseph | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw, June 27, '64. |
Bell, John V. | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Blakney, Jas. W. | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Boon, Wm. J. | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Disch. May 4, 1865; wounds. |
Barnard, John | Danville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Brown, John | Vermilion | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville, Dec. 7, '62. |
Barnett, Thompson | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Crosby, S. J. | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Oct. 17, 1862. |
Cabbage, John | Danville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Cole, Commodore P. | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to reg. army, Dec. 10, 1862. |
Conover, John R. | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out May 26, 1865. |
Denton, John | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw, June 27, '64. |
Davidson, John S. | Danville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Died, Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 20, '62. |
Dowers, Washington | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Died at Chattanooga, July 6, '64; wounds. |
Elsby, Nehemiah | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Evans, Jesse A. | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Evans, Strader | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw, June 27, '64. |
Earls, Mordicai | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Foster, A. M. | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Feb. 15, '64; w'ds. |
Fields, Thos. S. | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Gibson, Philip M. | Danville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Gibson, James | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | M. O. July 1, '65; was prisoner. |
Guthrie Geo. | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Gibson, Abyram | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Gibson, Garrett | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Henson, W. P. | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Nov. 29, '62; wounds. |
Harrison, W. M. | Perryville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Died at Gallatin, Jan. 13, '63. |
Hoyle, James | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Died at Nashville, June 8, '63. |
Herald, V. G. | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Hildreth, Alvin | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Holt, Wm. H. | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Jumps, Theodore | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Jumps, John W. | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Died, Jeffersonville, Oct. 4, '64. |
Kiger, Charles | Danville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Kiger, Henry | Danville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Kelly, Jas. N. | Rockville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Disch. Mar. 14, '65; wounds. |
Leach, Geo. T. | Indianola | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Vet. Eng. Corps. |
Leach, Henry C. | Indianola | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
McCartney, Isaiah | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Oct. 18, 1862. |
Martin, Wm. H. | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Died, Chattanooga, July 26, '64; wounds. |
McCorkle, N. M. | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Trans. to I. C., Nov. 1, 1863. |
202Miller, Andrew | Danville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
McMillen, J. G. | Danville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
McMillen, George | Danville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw, June 27, '64. |
Mitchels, Jasper | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Mills, Richard | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, '65. |
Mills, Adam H. | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Killed at Kenesaw, June 27, '64. |
Orr, Wm. W. | Bloom | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Died, Big Shanty, Ga., June 28, '64; wounds. |
Ogden, William | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, 1865, as Serg't. |
O'Bryant, W. W. | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, 1865. |
O'Bryant, Asberry | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, 1865. |
Pettis, John | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Deserted Nov. 6, 1862 |
Porter, Henry S. | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, 1865, as Corp'l. |
Richardson, R. T. | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Oct 27, 1862. |
Rogers, John A. | Perryville | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Ramsey, Joseph | Indianola | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Deserted Aug. 7, '64. |
Ritter, John | Indianola | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Oct. 18, 1862. |
Spry, J. W. | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Spicer, William | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Died at Gallatin, Dec. 25, 1862. |
Shewman, F. N. | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Stunkard, W. N. | Indianola | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Studley, H. H. | Indianola | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to V. R. C., May 1, 1864. |
Scott, Thos. W. | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Tabor, Alfred | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Feb. 28, 1863. |
Thornton, J. | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, '65, as Corp'l. |
Trosper, James | Georgetown | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Tr. to Inv. Corps, Nov. 1, '63. |
Thornton, David | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Feb. 20, 1863. |
Thomas, W. H. | Dallas | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | M. O. June 9, 1865, as Serg't. |
White, William | Catlin | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Oct. 23, 1862. |
Whitehead, W. M. | Indianola | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
Wilson, Jesse | Indianola | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
White, Jas. R. | Indianola | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Mustered out June 9, 1865. |
West, Benj. F. | Indianola | Aug. 13 | Sept. 3 | Discharged Jan. 30, 1863. |
Recruits. | ||||
Bishop, Austin B. | Georgetown | Mustered out June 9, 1865. | ||
Hinson, Franklin | Collier | Mar. 30, '64 | Mar. 30, '64 | Tr. to Co. K, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Jenkins, Eli | Catlin | Mar. 20, '64 | Mar. 29, '64 | Tr. to Co. K, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Jenkins, W. F. | Springfield | Feb. 23, '64 | Feb. 23, '64 | Tr. to Co. K, 60th Ill. Inf. |
McMullen, W. M. | Middle Fork | Dec. 29, '63 | Dec. 29. '63 | Trans. to Co. K, 60th Ill. Inf. |
McNutt, Joseph | Dallas | Deserted April —, 1863. | ||
Nicholson, John | Danville | Feb. 19, '64 | Feb. 19, '64 | Tr. to Co. K, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Richardson, S. F. | Catlin | Dec. 29, '63 | Dec. 29, '63 | Tr. to Co. K, 60th Ill. Inf. |
Rotroff, Thomas | Indianola | Died at Nashville, Nov. 27, '62. | ||
Stewart, H. J. | Reduced from Commissary Serg. at his own request. M. O. June 9, 1865. | |||
Sheuman, R. W. | Georgetown | Feb. 19, '64 | Feb. 19, '64 | Trans. to Co. K, 60th Ill. Inf. |
UNASSIGNED RECRUITS.
Name and Rank. | Residence. | Date of enlistment. | Date of muster. | Remarks. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unassigned Recruits. | 1862. | 1862. | ||
Gray, Joseph | Middle Fork | Dec. 29, '63 | Dec. 29, '63 | |
Glandon, Sterling | Middle Fork | Dec. 15, '63 | Dec. 15, '63 | Died Camp Butler, Feb. 12, 64. |
203
INTRODUCTORY.
Believing it would prove interesting and profitable to all the oldmembers of the 125th, we have concluded to append the official reportsof the brigade since the beginning of the Atlanta campaign;and the fact that they were made by the only surviving field officerof the regiment, who, as lieutenant colonel, commanded the brigadethrough more than ten months of its greatest perils, will not, wefeel very sure, detract from their interest.
By the opening of the campaign, the regiment and brigade werevery nearly rid of their weakly men and inefficient officers, andwere well prepared to engage in the arduous duties before them.
Prior to the spring of '64, the whole brigade was largely in theschool of preparation, but from that time forward, always in the fieldof labor and danger.
It must be remembered that official reports are limited to the recitalof acts done by the whole body, or some portion of it, in obedienceto orders, or the general plan of operations, and a descriptionof the performance of such acts, but the commander may not,like the independent historian, indulge in generalities, individualopinion and criticism, or extended personal mention. This differencewill be more apparent when the reader compares the reportswith the author's accounts of the same subject matter.
With this introduction, we present the official reports of our mostimportant campaigns.
BRIGADE REPORT FROM LEE AND GORDON'S MILLS
TO ATLANTA, GA.
Headquarters 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 14th A. C.,
Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 9th, 1864.
Captain: Pursuant to directions from division headquarters, ofdate the 6th instant, I have the honor to report, so far as my information204 extends substantially, the operations of this brigade fromthe 3rd day of May, 1864, when it struck tents and broke camp atLee and Gordon's mills, until its arrival at Atlanta on the 4th dayof the present month. Being the fourth brigade commander sincethe campaign began, and having served on the corps staff for sometime before, and up to, the 27th day of June last, I am compelledto rely largely for data, upon the necessarily confused memorandaof the different commanders who preceded me.
On the 3rd day of May last, the brigade, comprising the 22ndInd. Vet. Vols., 85th, 86th, 110th and 125th Ills. Vols., and the52nd Ohio Vols., commanded by Col. Dan. McCook, left Lee andGordon's mills and marched to Ringgold, Ga., where, toward night,it crossed the Chickamauga river and joined the division commandedby Brig. Gen. J. C. Davis, and bivouacked until the morning ofthe 5th of May, when it marched out to near Catoosa Springs andencamped until the morning of the 7th, when it marched beyondTunnel Hill about two miles, part of the time under heavy fire fromthe enemy's artillery. On the morning of the 8th of May, the brigademarched towards and confronted the enemy's skirmishers guardingthe entrance to Buzzard Roost Gap. May 9th, supported the1st brigade skirmish line. May 10th, the brigade lay under firefrom the enemy's sharp-shooters until evening, when it moved to thefront, and relieved the 1st brigade, with the 52nd Ohio deployed asskirmishers. May 11th, remained on the line until dark, at whichtime we were relieved by a brigade of the 4th corps, and moved upthe valley about two miles and bivouacked for the night. May 13th,at day break the brigade with the division marched toward Resacaby way of Snake Creek Gap, reaching the mouth of the Gap, aftera tiresome march, at about 8 o'clock p. m.; continued the marchuntil nearly 2 o'clock a. m. next day, when the command halted untildaylight, took breakfast and moved beyond the line of intrenchmentstowards Resaca, where it rested until evening. Took up positionat night in rear of 1st division, 14th corps. Moved into linenext day, and confronted the enemy in his works at Resaca. Remainedthus until the enemy evacuated that place, when this brigadewith the division was ordered to Rome. The march commencedearly, the 3rd brigade in rear, with the 125th Ills. detailed asguards for the division train; went into camp on the left of the Romeroad. The brigade resumed the march on the next morning at daylight,following the 2nd brigade, and arrived within two miles ofRome at 5 o'clock p. m., where the enemy was reported to be in hisworks in full force. Col. McCook immediately disposed the brigadein order of battle as follows: the 22nd Ind. and the 86th Ills.,as front line, the 52nd Ohio and 85th Ills., as second line, withthree companies from the 22nd Ind. thrown forward as skirmishers.205The front line occupied an elevation of ground known as Howe'sHill, with the left resting near Howe's house. The lines were butjust formed, when the enemy made a vigorous attack upon the 22ndInd., throwing it into some confusion, and forcing its right backabout sixty yards, where it rallied behind a rail fence. A part ofthe 86th Ills., in the mean time, was pouring a well directed firefrom its right, into the enemies advancing lines. This had the effectto check them; at the same time the 52nd Ohio advanced andrelieved the 22nd Ind. By this time it became so dark that butlittle could be discovered of what was going on, but by continuouslyadvancing the skirmish line, it was soon ascertained that theenemy had retreated to his main works. To be prepared for an attackin the morning, a light line of works was constructed, but wasnot needed, for during the night the enemy evacuated his intrenchedposition, and moved across the Ostenaula river, burning the bridgesafter him. On the morning of May 18th, the 85th Ills. crossed onthe floating debris of the bridge, and occupied the city of Rome.On the following day the entire brigade crossed on newly constructedpontoons, and encamped in the suburbs of the town, where itremained doing various duties until the morning of the 24th of May,when the brigade, with the division, marched toward Dallas, reachingthe latter place about noon, May 26th, and took up positionabout one half mile to the left of town, where if remained until thenext morning, when it moved with the division to the mouth of —— Gap.Here the brigade was placed in single line, with the 125thIlls. deployed as skirmishers. At about 10 o'clock on the night ofthe 27th of May, the enemy attacked the skirmish line and capturedone commissioned officer and fourteen enlisted men, when a countercharge was made which resulted in the capture of two commissionedofficers, and twenty seven-enlisted men from the enemy. Theofficers and men of the 125th Ills., on this spirited occasion, displayedthat high degree of coolness and bravery so essential to success.The brigade lay in this position for several days, holdingworks. June 1st moved toward the left, and relieved a brigade ofthe 23rd corps, remaining in this new position under a constant firefrom the enemy, until June 4th, when it moved about three milesfurther to the left, and, with the division, rejoined the corps. Thebrigade performed the various duties imposed upon it; sometimesskirmishing with the enemy, changing position, building fortifications,or holding those built by others, but all without taking anyactive part in any general engagement, until on the morning of the27th of June, when it was disposed in order of battle as follows:85th Ills. deployed as skirmishers, with lines of battle composed offirst, the 125th Ills.; second, the 86th Ills.; third, the 22nd Ind., andfourth, the 52nd Ohio. These dispositions were made in an open206field, little more than half a mile from the works to be stormed.The 2nd brigade was formed on the right, and Gen. Harker's brigadeof the 4th corps, on the left. At a few moments before nine,the command "forward" was given and responded to by the bravemen of the brigade with a will and determination to succeed whensuccess is possible. The movement began in quick, and continuedin this time for near one third the distance, when the step waschanged to double-quick. The lines moved with marked precision,until they reached the foot of an abrupt hill where they encountereda marshy creek lined on either side with shrubs and thickly mattedvines. The command relieved itself as rapidly and orderly as possiblefrom this confusion, and turning its face towards the enemy,rushed forward across an open field extending to within fifteen rodsof the point of attack. Here it entered a skirt of light timber, andfrom this point also commenced an ascent of the ground. On, andup the brave men rushed with their gallant leader at their head, untilsome of them reached the base of the enemy's parapet. Nothingdaunted they struggled to scale the works. In their efforts to dothis, some were knocked down with stones and clubs hurled at themby the enemy. Here the gallant McCook fell, mortally wounded,while present with, and cheering his men on. Shot and stoned downcompletely exhausted by the length and impetuosity of the charge,the brave men reformed their lines a few steps in the rear, and partiallyunder the crest of the hill. While this was being done, Col.O. G. Harmon, of the 125th Ills., left the command of the regimentto Maj. J. B. Lee, and placed himself at the head of the brigade.But hardly did he enjoy this new command five minutes,when a musket shot from the enemy pierced his heart, and in a fewmoments his remains were borne from the field. Col. C. J. Dilworththen assumed command, and after adjusting his lines to his satisfaction,he ordered works to be constructed, the front line of which didnot exceed sixty yards from the enemy's strong line of works.
The loss to the brigade in this bloody encounter was four hundredand ten, nearly all of which occurred within the short space oftwenty minutes. These casualties fell heaviest upon the 125th Illinoisand 52d Ohio. By three o'clock p. m. the men were shelteredby their new lines of works and were confronting the enemy assharp-shooters. At four o'clock of the same day, upon my requestto be relieved from duty at corps headquarters, I returned to andtook command of my regiment. From this point forward in my reportI am chiefly reliant for information on the notes and memorandaof Col. Dilworth. After the confusion of the battle was over,the brigade was disposed thus: The 85th Illinois on the right, connectingwith the 2d brigade; the 22d on the left, connecting withGen. Harker's brigade; the 125th Illinois in the center, and the 86th207Illinois and 52d Ohio in reserve. The lines remained the same untilthe morning of the 28th, when the 125th Illinois was relieved bythe 86th Illinois, that in turn was relieved on the morning of the29th by the 52d Ohio. On this day a cessation of hostilities waseffected, and arrangements made, under flag of truce, by which thedead between the lines were removed or buried. On the 30th undermy personal supervision a new line of works was constructed withinfrom five to seven rods of the enemy's strong works. From thisposition our sharp-shooters did excellent service, many of them usingan invention called the "refracting sight," the testimony infavor of the use of which at short range was abundant. The brigadedid duty here until the morning of the 3rd of July. The enemyhaving again abandoned his works, we marched through Marietta,thence in a south-west course about five miles toward Atlanta. Wehalted and encamped here for two nights. On the morning of the5th of July, we advanced again about five miles towards the railroadbridge over the Chattahoochie river. Upon our arrival within aboutthree miles of the bridge, we came up with the enemy's skirmishers.The 3rd brigade was put in position in a heavy wood, connecting onthe left with the 2d brigade. As soon as the lines were formed, Iwas ordered forward with the 125th as skirmishers. The line was atonce established and waited for support on the right, which was latearriving. About five o'clock, all things being ready, the line advancedat the double quick across an open field, and charged the enemies'skirmishers behind works at the verge of the woods on the oppositeside. Routing them from these, we drove them in confusion totheir main line of fortifications, our own line pursuing to within lessthan three hundred yards. The enemy made three unsuccessful attemptsto drive our line back. As soon as it was dark the 86th Illinoisrelieved the skirmish line, and by morning were well entrenched.The other regiments of the brigade moved forward to the road andthrew up works. The command remained in this position, eachregiment in its turn doing picket duty until the morning of the 10thof July, when a little before daylight the bridge over the Chattahoochieriver was discovered to be on fire, and no enemy in our front.Col. Dilworth was ordered to made a reconnoisance with the 86thIllinois, and accompanied it in person as far as the river, meetingwith no opposition, when he returned with all but two companies,which he left at the river as pickets. On the afternoon of the sameday the brigade moved down to the Atlanta road and went intocamp on the right and within one mile of the railroad bridge, inwhich position we remained doing picket and guard duty until themorning of the 18th, on which day we crossed the Chattahoochieriver on a pontoon bridge at Paces' Ferry, and about five milesabove the railroad bridge. On the same day we crossed Nancy's208creek, and advanced skirmishers from the 22d Indiana as far asPeach Tree creek near Howell's mill. The brigade bivouacked forthe night on the Atlanta and Pace's Ferry road.
As the 19th of July was an eventful day in the history of this brigade,I choose to incorporate in this report the minutes of its operationsmade by Col. Dilworth at the time:
"This morning I was ordered to form my lines in rear of skirmishline and push across the Peach Tree creek. This was done by placingthe 52d Ohio in advance, crossing the creek on a log, and movingout across the field and over the hill. Here we found an entirebrigade of rebels and a portion of another. The balance of ourbrigade crossed, 1st, 85th Illinois and went to the assistance of the52d Ohio on the left, and found a heavy force. Next came the 125thIllinois and moved forward to the crest of the hill. Next the 86thIllinois and formed on the left. The 22d Indiana at the same timecommenced crossing on our right and connected with the 52d Ohioskirmishers on the right. Word was sent to Gen. Davis for assistance,at the same time information was received that the enemy weredrifting to the right. Col. Langley, of the 125th Illinois, was orderedto form on the right, which he did at a double-quick, and justreached the top of the hill as the enemy were ready to attack, andafter a fire from the 125th the rebels were driven back from theright. That night entrenchments were thrown up, and the men remainedon the ground getting in the wounded."
The brigade lost in this day's operations two hundred and forty-fivemen, killed, wounded and missing. These losses fell heavieston the 52d Ohio, 22d Indiana and 85th Illinois. The morning ofJuly 20th found the brigade well fortified, and about noon two sectionsof Capt. Gardner's battery were put in position, which withthe aid of sharp-shooters from this and the 2d brigade, succeeded indriving the enemy from his works. On the same day the 110th Illinois,Lieut. Col. Topping commanding, reported for duty and wasput in line on the right. July 21st Col. Dilworth was ordered tomake a reconnoisance with one regiment. He ordered out the125th Illinois and connected with Col. Mitchell's brigade on the leftand Gen. Morgan's on the right; moved too far to the right; foundrebels near Moore's house on the Marietta and Atlanta road and returnedto camp. July 22d—No enemy in our immediate front.Moved towards Atlanta to within two and a half miles of the city.Heavy cannonading to our front and left. Went into camp at nightin reserve. July 24th—Relieved a regiment of Gen. Beard's divisionwith the 125th Illinois. Remained in this position with a slightchange of camp until the morning of the 28th of July. One regimenton out-post duty daily. July 28th—In connection with thedivision made a reconnoisance to Turner's Ferry, intending to strike209the enemy in left flank, but being misled by an inefficient guide, thedivision took no part in the engagement of this day. After a longmeandering and weary march, we returned late at night to near ourold camp. From this date forward our duties were various. Webuilt several lines of works, did picket duty, and changed positiontowards the right and front about three miles, and went into positionin the evening, connecting with Gen. Baird on the left, 125thIlls. on the left, and the 22nd Ind. on the right of the front line,with the 85th Ills. on picket. On the following morning the picketline moved nearly three quarters of a mile to the front, and tookfifteen prisoners with no loss to us. The main line moved forward,still keeping up the connection with General Baird on the left, andalso connecting with Col. Mitchell on the right. Four companies ofthe 52nd Ohio relieved the 85th Ills. pickets. July 6th; brigade insame position, the enemy almost constantly shelling our lines. Atnight seventy-five men from the 110th Ills. relieved the 52nd Ohioon picket. I quote below, substantially, Col. Dilworth's minutes ofthe operations of the brigade on the 7th of July:
"Received orders about ten o'clock, that the division was toswing to the left, and that the movement would begin on the left.About noon I went to the lines and saw General Baird, who said hecould not advance until evening. As soon as he had gone I receivedorders that Gen. Morgan had commenced the movement on theright, and for me to conform my movements to Mitchell's. I thenwent to the right, and found Col. Mitchell had advanced. My skirmishline was advanced, and the 125th Ills. was ordered forward,the 52nd Ohio was ordered up also. The 22nd Ind. advanced andconnected with Col. Mitchell on the right and facing north-east. Atnight the 86th relieved the 110th Ills. on picket."
In gaining this new and important position, the brigade was exposedto a galling fire of musketry and artillery from the enemy'slines, and with but little chance to us to return, successfully, thefire. The brigade took possession of, and extended its lines across,the Sand Town road, and as speedily as possible erected strong fortifications.The loss to the brigade in this day's operations, wasforty-two officers and men killed and wounded. Nothing of furtherimportance than frequent changes of camp, and position in line,and picket duty, occurred until August 20th, on which day the brigadestarted at day break and marched to the rear lines of works ofthe 23rd corps, where we lay in close column for two or three hours,when orders came to move out. The whole division moved towardthe right of our lines, with this brigade in advance. We marchedrapidly to the line of the West Point rail road at Red Oaks; toreup track, and cut the telegraph wires in sight of a large force ofrebel cavalry. Returned to camp at night after making a march of21022 miles, most of the time in heavy rain and mud. From this timeforth, the brigade performed its usual duties until August 26th,when we broke up camp and marched out with the division to contributeour remaining efforts to turn the enemy's left, and destroythe Macon rail road, the last and only line of transit for subsistenceto his army at Atlanta. By the last of August it was very generallyconceded that the enemy would tender us battle, as usual, on hischoice of ground, and within his strong fortifications. On this lastnamed day, we marched to an encampment for the night near TurtleSwamp, on the left of the Atlanta and Jonesboro road. On thefollowing morning, early, we moved across to, and down, the Roughand Ready and Jonesboro road toward the latter named place, to apoint about one half mile south of Flint river. Here the brigademoved to the left in an open field, and formed in order of battle asfollows: First line, 22nd Ind. on the right, 125th Ills. in the center,and the 52nd Ohio on the left, except three companies of the 52ndOhio, which were deployed as skirmishers; the second line comprisedthe 85th, 86th and 110th Ills. About 2 o'clock p. m., thebrigade moved by the right flank across a difficult slough, and reformedits lines on the crest of a hill beyond, and under a heavyfire from the enemy's artillery. From this point we discovered thatthe enemy were in strong force and well intrenched along the lineof the Macon railroad. At about 3 o'clock p. m., our line advancedthrough a thick skirt of woods to an open corn-field beyond,swinging gradually to the right as it advanced down the slope beyond,until our course was nearly south. We moved to within onefourth of a mile of the enemy's line of works, and engaged his skirmisherswith our own, while the main line was struggling to cross aswamp at the foot of the slope. As soon as a crossing was effectedthe enemy's skirmishers were vigorously attacked and driven to theirmain works. In this valley the first line built temporary workswhich it held but a few minutes, when it again moved forward. Apart of the 52nd Ohio, charging with the 2nd brigade, aided in takinga rebel battery in their front. The 22nd Ind. and 125th Ills.advanced in quick time to the crest of the hill, where they encountereda line of rebels concealed among the standing corn. Thesetwo regiments became at once hotly engaged. The contest for afew moments appeared doubtful, and might finally have turned infavor of the enemy, but for the success of the 2nd brigade on ourleft. As soon as this success was known, not one moment was lostby the 22nd Ind. and 125th Ills. in charging the enemy's line, whichfinally yielded and broke, the men running in confusion to their intrenchments,but just in time to find themselves our prisoners. Afterdriving the enemy back some six or seven hundred yards to theirsecond line of works on the rail road, and the woods to the west of211the rail road, our lines were about being reformed, when Col. Dilworth,commanding the brigade, received a severe wound, and wascarried off the field. As soon as notified of this fact, I assumedcommand, and as rapidly as possible reformed my somewhat brokenlines. Going a few rods to the left and rear, I met Captain Swift,brigade inspector, coming forward with the 85th Ills. from the secondline. This I put to work to turn the rebel fortifications, andmake them available to us in the event of a counter assault. Meetingwith other members of the brigade staff, I directed them to bringforward the 86th and 110th Ills. as rapidly as possible, and holdthem in readiness for further orders. In the mean time I drew fromtheir former positions, the 125th Ills. and 22nd Ind., to give themsome rest. At this juncture Col. Mitchell represented to me, thatthe enemy were massing in his front with a view to an attack, andasked me to send him some assistance. Knowing the importanceof holding the hill we jointly occupied, I immediately sent him fivecompanies from the 86th Ills., and seven from the 52nd Ohio. Ina few minutes the other battalion of the 86th Ills., also went to hisassistance. This force remained with Col. Mitchell about one hour,and I depend on him to do them justice in his report.
Between the right of the 2nd brigade and the left of the 15thcorps, was a gap in the lines about one half mile wide. The threateningdemonstrations of the enemy in front of this gap, showed theimportance he attached to it, and I determined to throw all myavailable force into, and as far as possible close, it up. I accordinglymoved the 125th Ills, to the right and front, as far as the crestof the hill, putting it nearly in the same position it occupied whilefighting half an hour before. I then moved the 85th Ills. to theright, and the 110th Ills. to the left of the 125th, and directed themto put out as many sharp shooters as could be made available, toannoy and keep back the enemies' skirmishers, while the main linewas ordered to construct works. The firing was kept up until dark.Several times the enemy attempted to advance, but were drivenback to their works by the unerring aim of our guns. On the returnof the 86th Ills., and the 52nd Ohio, from the assistance of the2nd brigade, I put the first in position on the right, with the rightwell refused. The 52nd Ohio and 22nd Ind. were placed in reserve.Each regiment furnished pickets for its front, the entire picket linebeing under the especial charge of Captain Burkhalter, brigade provostmarshal. These dispositions, in my opinion, rendered our positionperfectly secure. At night the enemy abandoned his works,leaving his dead unburied, and wounded uncared for. Our loss inthis day's fight was one hundred and thirty-five killed and wounded.The loss fell heaviest on the 22nd Ind. and 125th Ills.
We advanced about 10 o'clock to Jonesboro, went into position212on the left of the rail road and town, where we remained untillate in the day of Sept. 3rd, when I received orders from MajorGen. Davis, commanding the corps, to remove the brigade to Atlantaon the following day, to guard prisoners of war, and as escortto corps hospital trains. Arrived at this place on the afternoon ofSept 4th, with 1674 prisoners, and trains. Reported pursuant toorders, to Maj. Gen. Slocum, and went into camp on the west sideof town, where the troops have remained doing no duty since.
In this review of the history of the third brigade during the latecampaign, I have confined myself thus far, as nearly as possible, toa simple recitation of facts and circumstances; having been absentfrom the brigade a part of the time, and afterwards only withone of its regiments until the late fight at Jonesboro. Special mentionof the conduct of many brave officers and soldiers, would, perhaps,meet with little favor from my feeble pen, even of those whohave distinguished themselves by their heroic and daring behavioron every battle field. So far as I can learn, on the march, and inevery engagement, they all did their entire duty, and the appallingcasualty list, show the sanguinary character of the many conflicts inwhich these troops have taken part. The losses of the brigade footup, since the 3rd day of May last, the enormous sum of ONETHOUSAND AND EIGHTY-TWO, killed, wounded and missing, being littleless than the number now present in the ranks for duty. Thebrigade met with its heaviest loss in the assault on the enemy'sworks at Kenesaw Mountain, June 27th. The number has beenstated previously. There every regiment was engaged, and wherethe contest was hottest, the front line could be claimed by no particularregiment, but was made up of the bravest men from all. AtPeach Tree creek, July 14th, the 52nd Ohio, commanded by Lieut.Col. Clancey, with skirmishers, under command of Major Holmes,did nobly in clearing the heights beyond the creek, thus enablingthe remainder of the brigade to cross and form line free from theenemies fire. In the same engagement, the 85th Ills., commandedby Major Rider, advanced to within a few yards of the enemy'smain line, but could not hold its position. The loss to the regimentwas heavy, but it behaved manfully. The 22nd Ind., commanded,in the early part of the engagement, by Maj. Shea, stood,unsupported, the brunt of a heavy assault, and yielded only as itwas overpowered by superior numbers. Maj. Shea was wounded,and the command fell to Captain Snodgrass, under whose charge ithas been most of the time since. The conduct of this officer, andhis command, were all that could be asked in the late battle ofJonesboro, and as truly may I say the same of Maj. Holmes, whocommanded the 52nd Ohio in the same engagement, until woundedand disabled, when the command devolved upon Capt. Rothacker.213Also the 85th Ills., commanded by Maj. Rider until disabled, whenthe charge of the regiment fell to Captain Griffith. The 86th Ills.commanded part of the time by Lt. Col. Fahnestock, and part byMaj. Thomas. The 110th Ills., commanded throughout by Lieut.Col. Topping, and also the 125th Ills., commanded, through the latterpart of the engagement, by Captain Geo. W. Cook. I wish tobear testimony to the general good conduct and bravery of the severalofficers above named, and their respective commands. I observedseveral striking instances of noble courage and true braveryamong subordinate officers and enlisted men, but want of spaceforbids that I should mention them here. The reports from thecommanders of regiments must suffice. Captains Anderson, Swiftand Burkhalter, and Lieut. Tanner, of the brigade staff, are allknown to the brigade, and appreciated for their coolness and braveryin action. My heartfelt thanks are due to the three last named forthe eminent assistance they so cheerfully rendered me during theengagement on the 1st instant. Captain Anderson, A. A. A. Gen.,while in the discharge of his duties, received a severe wound justbefore the command of the brigade fell to my charge, thus deprivingme of his valuable services.
Our honored dead, of whom from this brigade there are manyhave all received a soldier's burial, and their scattered graves markthe meandering course of our march all the way from Resaca toAtlanta.
I have the honor to be, Captain,
Very respectfully, your obdt. servant.
(Signed) JAS. W. LANGLEY,
Lt. Col. 125th Ills., comd'g brigade.
To
Theodore Wiseman,
Capt. and A. A. Genl., 2nd Div., 14th A. C.
BRIGADE REPORT FROM ATLANTA, FLORENCE, TO
SAVANNAH, GA.
Headquarters 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division,
14th Army Corps, Army of Georgia, near
Savannah, Ga., January 3rd, 1865.
Captain: Pursuant to orders, of date Dec. 28th, 1864, I havethe honor to report substantially the operations of my command,from the fall of Atlanta, up to, and including the, fall of Savannah.
On the fourth day of September last, my command, comprising214the 85th, 86th and 125th Ills., the 52nd Ohio, the 22nd Ind., andthree companies of the 110th Ills. Vols., moved from Jonesboro incharge of the 14th army corps hospital trains, and about seventeenhundred prisoners of war, to Atlanta, reaching the latter place aboutsundown. After reporting to Maj. Gen. Slocum, then commandingat Atlanta, and turning over my prisoners, by his orders I went intocamp to the left of the White Hall road, just beyond the suburbs ofthe city, where I remained until the 29th day of September, when Ireceived orders to move to Chattanooga by cars as rapidly as possible.At about 9 o'clock p. m., I got the brigade on board a trainof cars going north, and arrived at Chattanooga Oct. 1st, at 3 o'clockp. m. General Morgan having previously gone to Huntsville, Ala.,with the 1st and 2nd brigades of the division, I reported in personto Maj. Gen. Thomas, who directed me to proceed to Huntsville asrapidly as I could do with safety. I accordingly started on a trainfrom Chattanooga at sundown, and arrived safely at Huntsville at12 o'clock m., Oct. 2nd and went into camp on the south side oftown, where we remained about two hours, when I received ordersto move to the depot immediately. On going to my command, Ifound it all asleep, a luxury the men had not enjoyed since leaving,Atlanta, three days before. Shortly after arriving at the depot, wecommenced reloading the same cars from which we had disembarkedbut two or three hours previously. At dark the entire divisionmoved towards Athens, six miles when we met with obstructions onthe road that delayed us until next morning, when we again started,reaching within six miles of Athens by noon. Here were other obstructionsin the road, and we disembarked for the last time. Bythe order of Gen. Morgan, I directed Capt. Cook, commanding the125th Ills., to guard the empty trains back to Huntsville, and returnto the brigade by next train. At 2 o'clock p. m., the brigade marchedwith the division to Athens, and went into camp in two lines,facing south-east. It will be seen that my command was three daysand four nights traveling from Atlanta to Athens, and with the exceptionof about six hours of that time they were on the cars, soclosely crowded that none could lie down, even had that been possiblethey could not have slept, owing to the very heavy rain thatfell almost without intermission during the trip. It was the ill fortuneof my brigade, to ride on trains managed by drunken, incompetent,and irresponsible conductors and engineers, who, for themost part, seemed perfectly indifferent to the sufferings and inconveniencethey imposed upon the soldiers, so long as they enjoyedofficial confidence, a profitable salary, and plenty to eat.
On the morning of the fourth of October, the brigade, except the125th Ills., not yet returned from Huntsville, and the 110th Ills., incharge of supplies, marched from Athens toward Florence, fording215the Elk River at Brown's Ferry, about sundown, after which itmarched four miles to Rogersville and encamped for the night.Oct. 5th, marched at 6 o'clock a. m., crossed Shoal creek at dark,and went into camp beyond and within seven miles of Florence.Oct. 6th, the first brigade moved toward Florence at 7 o'clock a. m.but met the enemy's cavalry skirmishers just beyond our picket line.I was immediately ordered to follow with three regiments, leavingone as camp guard. It was with little difficulty that a reconnoisancewas pushed through to Florence, as it was afterwards ascertainedthat the enemy opposing our progress thither, amounted to onlyabout one hundred and fifty men. We reached the town at 1 o'clockp. m., and there learned certainly, what we already suspected, thatForrest had escaped across the Tennessee. At 3 o'clock p. m., wereturned to Shoal creek, reaching there about sundown. On thefollowing morning the entire command with the division returned toFlorence, and went into camp on the south-east side of the town,where we remained two days.
Up to this time, from the date of our departure from Atlanta, itrained heavily every day, rendering the roads from Athens to Florencevery muddy, besides swelling the numerous streams to theirbanks. These streams we were compelled to ford, with the exceptionof Shoal creek, which had a good bridge. The men weredrenching wet, adding greatly to the weight of their loads, and theirsleep, though sound, was the sleep of exhaustion and afforded thembut little rest. Besides many were bare footed and foot sore. Thosewho fell sick by the way side, were left in houses to the care of thecitizens, as we had no means of transportation. The citizens, asfar as I am able to learn, uniformly treated our sick soldiers with agreat deal of kindness. Officers had no comforts or conveniencesabove those of enlisted men, and indulged only in such luxuries asthey could transport by virtue of their own physical strength. Inshort I do not hesitate to say, that our trip from Atlanta to Florence,came nearer tasking to the utmost, the physical endurance ofthe American soldier, than any campaign I ever witnessed, and Icannot withhold the mead of praise so eminently due the braveofficers and men who made it. They performed all that was requiredof them with that characteristic cheerfulness, which has recently becomeso strongly engrafted in the heart of our army. Oct. 10th,we left Florence on our way back towards Athens, marched nineteenmiles, and encamped for the night. Oct. 11th, resumed marchtowards Athens, and encamped for the night within eight milesof the town. Oct. 12th, reached Athens at 10 o'clock a. m., wherethe 125th Ills. rejoined the brigade. We moved two miles east oftown, and went into temporary camp. At 2 o'clock p. m., I receivedorders from Gen. Morgan to detail one regiment to rebuild a rail216road bridge across a branch of Lime Stone creek, which next morningit had completed, and about noon cars began to arrive at Athensto transport the division to Chattanooga. My command got offat 4 o'clock a. m., Oct. 13th, and reached Chattanooga at midnightand went in camp in two lines on the west side of town where it remainedfour days. My first effort was to procure shoes and clothingfor my barefooted and almost naked men. I succeeded in procuring785 pairs of shoes, and a sufficient supply of clothing. Atthe expiration of our four days rest at Chattanooga, we marched, onthe morning of the 18th of October, by the Rossville and Dry Valleyroads, to Lee and Gordon's mills on the Chickamauga river andencamped for the night. Oct. 19th marched to La Fayette andcamped for the night. Oct. 20th, marched south from La Fayetteabout twelve miles and turned to the right, on a road leading toBrown Town Valley, and after fording Chattanooga river, we wentinto camp for the night. October 21st, marched 25 miles on BrownTown Valley road towards Galesville. Oct. 22nd, marched toGalesville, and went into camp north of town, where we joined thecorps and remained five days, subsisting partly on government rations,and partly on the country. Oct. 28th, left camp at 2 o'clockp. m., and marched 8 miles towards Rome and camped for the nightat Missionary station, near the state line. Oct. 29th, resumed themarch at 6 o'clock a. m., and encamped at night on the north sideof the Ostanalla river, and within one mile of Rome, where we remaineduntil Oct. 31st, when I received orders to march to Kingstonas guard to corps train. My command left Rome at 3 o'clockp. m., marched 8 miles and encamped at night on Cedar creek. Resumedmarch at 7 a. m. next day, and reached Kingston within threehours, when it went into camp and remained until November 8th,on which day we marched to Cartersville and encamped south-westof town about two miles, until November 12th, when I was orderedto relieve a brigade of the 2nd division, 15th army corps, at the forton the Etowah river. November 13th, marched to Ackworth, stoppingon the way to tear up and destroy three and a half miles ofrail road track and ties; reached camp at 9 p. m. November 14th,marched by way of Kenesaw Mountain to within four miles ofChattahoochie river. November 15th, resumed march at 6 o'clocka. m., crossed the river on pontoon bridge and reached Atlanta at 1o'clock p. m. This may be said to finish the North Alabama campaign,having been gone from Atlanta forty-eight days, instead offour, as was expected. Before reaching Atlanta, I sent orders toCaptain Hall, commanding a small detachment of the brigade atthat place, to procure guns, accoutrements and ammunition forevery man in his command able to march, and I also had requisitionsmade by regimental commanders, for the amount of such ordnance217stores required to perfectly equip their command. I hadalso an officer detailed from each regiment to take these requisitionsto Atlanta, and give them their personal attention. These were sentfrom Kingston as soon as I received intelligence that we wouldshortly cut loose from our "old base;" but they failed to get themen properly armed, in consequence of the surplus ordnance storeshaving been shipped from Atlanta before their arrival. This left mycommand on reaching Atlanta, short fifty-four guns and accoutrements.From Kingston, also, I directed my brigade quartermaster,Lieut. A. M. Ayers, to proceed to Atlanta and draw his estimate ofclothing and allowance of transportation. This he did to my entiresatisfaction, having procured a sufficient number of shoes to giveevery man two pair; the result of which was, that upon our arrivalat Savannah, I had not a barefoot soldier in my command.
The 3rd brigade, comprising 1721 total commissioned officersand enlisted men present, left Atlanta Nov. 16th, at 12 m., andmarched on the Decatur road 9 miles and camped for the night.Nov. 17th, marched at 7 a. m. by way of Lithonia to Conyer's station.During the afternoon of this day we tore up and destroyedthree miles of rail road track and ties. Nov. 18th, marched at 6o'clock a. m. on the Covington road, and camped for the night threemiles east of that town. To-day the brigade destroyed two and ahalf miles of railroad track and ties. To-day, also, we began tosubsist off the country. Nov. 19th, marched at 6 o'clock a. m.,crossed Alcova river, and went into camp at dark near Shady Dale.Nov. 20th, marched at 7 a. m., and camped at night near EatontonFactory. Nov. 21st, marched at 6 o'clock a. m., and camped atnight on east side of Cedar creek. Nov. 22nd, laid still to-day andlet the 1st and 3rd divisions of the corps pass by. Nov. 23rd, marchedat 6 a. m. with two regiments as train guard, and two as rearguard, and camped at night within two miles of Milledgeville, therear guard reaching camp at half past 9 o'clock p. m. Nov. 24thmarched at 10 o'clock a. m. through Milledgeville, Georgia's capitol,with colors displayed, and bands playing national airs, and campedat night seven miles beyond, on the Sandersville road. Nov. 25th,marched at 6 a. m. to Buffalo creek, where we found the bridge hadbeen destroyed just before our arrival. My command marched atthe head of the division column to-day; upon its reaching this creekI set to work a company of pioneers and two companies of menfrom the 22nd Indiana, and in half an hour had constructed a verygood foot bridge, upon which I crossed the 22nd Ind., and afterwardsthe entire brigade. Leaving my pioneer party to assist Col.Buell in putting down a pontoon bridge for the crossing of trains,we camped at night on Keg creek. Nov. 26th, marched at 6 o'clocka. m., crossed Keg creek and met rebel skirmishers within ten miles218of Sandersville. My foraging party assisted the troops in the advanceto drive the enemy through town. We arrived in town at 10 o'clocka. m., and went into camp on the north side. Nov. 27th, marchedat 7 a. m. on the Louisville road, crossed the Ogechee river, andcamped within eight miles of Louisville for the night. Nov. 28th,marched at 6 o'clock a. m. to within one mile of Louisville, wherewe found that the bridge across Rocky Comfort creek, had beenburnt, and was being repaired by the 3rd division, 14th army corps.At dusk I crossed my command over, marched through the town,and went into camp on the left of the Augusta road, about one anda half miles beyond. Nov. 29th, remained in camp all day. Nov.30th, still in camp at Louisville. To-day I deployed the 86th and125th Ills. as skirmishers, supported by the 52nd Ohio and 22ndInd. and moved forward, covering the Warrenton and Augusta roads.This movement was induced by the presence in our vicinity of smallparties of the enemy's cavalry, that had for two or three days past,been capturing and murdering foragers and other soldiers who wereso unfortunate as to fall into their power. The enemy had, on thenight previous to this movement, captured and killed two men of the85th Ills., and one of the 125th Ills. My line advanced at 11 o'clocka. m. and drove the enemy in fine style, recapturing a small foragingparty with trains from the 20th corps, that had ventured too far out.Pretty smart skirmishing continued for some minutes, when the enemyattempted to break my line, but were repulsed by the 86th Ills.,with the loss of one captain and one private, who were killed outright,and left by the flying enemy on the field. At this juncture,by order of Gen. Morgan, I halted and adjusted my line. Everythingremained quiet until 3:30 p. m., when I received orders tomove forward until my right should connect with the left of the 2ndbrigade, which was moving across towards the Augusta from theWaynsboro road. In this movement my line advanced at the doublequick across a corn-field, to the woods beyond, driving the enemyout of a line of works about two hundred yards in length. It beingdeemed useless to pursue cavalry with infantry, I was directed atsun down to withdraw my brigade, and reestablish my picket lineas it had been in the morning, which I did, the enemy following theskirmish line as it retired. In this day's operations a good deal ofshooting was done by the enemy, but in driving him more than amile, he did not succeed in wounding one of our men. We recoveredthe bodies of the enlisted men murdered the night before. Ihave no hesitancy in saying they were deliberately murdered afterthey had surrendered, as was evinced by an examination of the fatalwounds. One man was shot through the head, the ball entered justabove the left ear, surrounding the entrance the hair was singedclose to the scalp by the burning powder. The other two were shot219through the body; one was shot three times, and the other twice.So close was the weapon held when discharged, that in every instancethe clothing was scorched and burned.
In front of the left of my picket line, stood a cotton gin containingforty-eight bales of cotton, the property of Asa Hoyt, behindwhich the enemy had concealed himself, and fired upon my men inthe morning. Not willing to give him the advantage of that positionlonger, upon the withdrawal of my troops, I detailed MajorHolmes, 52nd Ohio, with a small number of men to destroy it,which they accordingly did, and which fact I reported to you inwriting, while the gin was still burning. This embraces the onlyproperty of any kind burned by my orders during the campaign.Dec. 1st, marched at 10 a. m. as guard to 3rd division train, andreached camp at 11 p. m. Dec. 2nd, marched at 8 a. m. Furnishedtwo regiments to guard the corps reserve artillery and ammunitiontrains, and reached camp at 8 p. m. Dec. 3rd, marched at 9a. m. on Augusta road; crossed Buckhead creek and went intocamp at dark on Mill creek, near Lumpton's station. Dec. 4th,marched at noon in rear of, and as guard to, 3rd division trains;passed through Habersham, and went into camp at 10 p. m. Dec.5th, marched at 7 o'clock a. m.; furnished guard of two regimentsfor corps reserve artillery trains, and camped for the night at 7 p. m.Dec. 6th, marched at 6:30 a. m.; good roads all day. Marchedtwenty-one and a half miles on main Savannah road, and went intocamp for the night Road blocked just ahead of this camp forthree quarters of a mile by fallen trees. At night I made a detailof sufficient pioneer force to clear the road, which they accomplishedby 9 p. m. Dec. 7th, marched at 11 a. m. in rear of, and asguard to, 3rd division trains. Reached camp at Ebeneezer creek at8 p. m. Dec 8th, marched at 7 a. m.; order of march changed.Left all transportation excepting that belonging to brigade and regimentalheadquarters; crossed Ebeneezer creek at 12 m. and awaitedthe building of a bridge over little Kogglies creek; after which wemarched four miles beyond, and went into camp at 8 p. m. In halfan hour afterwards I received orders to return and camp for thenight between the two creeks. Got into camp at 11 p. m. Dec. 9th,marched at 7 a. m., moved four miles and built two bridges overcreeks. Moved about four miles farther on and encountered a sectionof a rebel battery planted in the road, well protected by a substantialearth work. I received orders from Gen. Morgan to sendthe 125th Ills. forward, deployed as skirmishers, on each side of theroad, and develop, if possible, the strength of the enemy. Theregiment thus moved to within one hundred yards of the rebelworks, without drawing a shot from the enemy's musketry, thoughhis artillery played continually upon a piece of our own posted in220the road. The enemy had selected a good position to make a briefstand with a small number of men, having built his works in thecenter, and on either side of the road, just beyond where it dividesa swamp. By direction of Gen. Morgan, I pushed forward the 86thIlls., six companies as skirmishers, until it joined the right of the125th Ills. I then directed Lieut. Col. Fahnestock, commandingthe 86th Ills., to wheel gradually to the left, and if possible get hisright to the enemy's rear. This he did, so far as was in his power,but his whole line was in a swamp, where vines, rank weeds, andundergrowth timber was so abundant, that his progress was necessarilytoo slow to reach the desired position before dark, and at dark,by order of Gen. Morgan, the entire line was halted and establishedas a picket line for the night. During the night the enemy withdrew,and my skirmishers entered his works at daybreak. In thisaffair two men of the 86th Ills. were wounded. Dec. 10th, marchedat 7 a. m.; proceeded five miles in the direction of Savannah,when we struck the 20th army corps column. Went into camp forthe afternoon and night, on the left of the road. Dec. 11th, marchedat 8 a. m. towards the city as far as the five mile post, and turnedto the right and marched about three quarters of a mile, when, bydirection of Gen. Morgan, I went into position in three lines, in reserve,facing south. My camp was as comfortable as I could wish,being on high ground, and in the midst of a pine grove. Dec. 12th,in the afternoon my command tore up and destroyed two and a halfmiles of track and ties, on the Savannah and Macon railroad. Dec.13th, made the road, destroyed yesterday, suitable for a wagon road,after which the brigade did no other duties than furnish train andother guards, until the 22nd of December, the day subsequent tothe fall of Savannah, when my command marched to within one anda half miles of the city, and went into camp in two lines, facingnorth, on the left of the canal, where we now are, making preparationsfor such other work as may be our lot to perform. This brigade,though small, is, perhaps, in as good condition for active operations,as any. There are many officers and men absent, whom Iwould be glad to have returned to their command. While in campat Atlanta during the month of September last, there was perfectedand forwarded a list of absentees, and efforts were being made tosecure their return, but before much could be accomplished in thisrespect, the brigade was put in motion, and only stopped since arrivingat this place. The strength of the command is as follows:
Present: | Commissioned officers, 80. | Enlisted men, 1634. |
Absent: | Commissioned officers, 58. | Enlisted men, 1177. |
Total: | Commissioned officers, 138. | Enlisted men, 2811. |
After two day's marching from Atlanta, I found necessity for aparty of pioneers to clear out and repair bad places in the road. To221meet this end I detailed 30 enlisted men, for whom I could not procureguns, and armed them with spades, picks, and axes. These Iput under command of Lt. Groninger, of the 86th Ills., an officerof the proper spirit and energy to make such a party very useful. Irequired these pioneers to march, each day, at the head of the brigadecolumn, and build rail and pole bridges over small streams, forthe safe and speedy passage of troops, and none will fail to appreciatethe utility of such a force on all campaigns. When once drilled tolabor, they will perform as much work in the same length of time,as three times the number detailed temporarily from the ranks. Onthe 18th of November, I began to subsist off the country, and toprevent, as far as possible, pillaging and marauding, and all mannerof lawlessness, I had details of thirty men, and one commissionedofficer, made daily, from each regiment, who reported at an hourstated, at brigade headquarters, where these details were verified.These I put in charge of a field, or acting field officer, whom Imade responsible for the conduct of his men on that day. I directedthat every thing obtained should be reported to this officer,and by him turned over, if subsistence for the troops, to the brigadecommissary, or if mules and horses, to the brigade quartermaster.By so doing my foragers always obtained plenty and the troopsshared alike in its distribution through the brigade commissary.From a statement submitted to me by Lt. Batchelder, A. C. S., Ifind that from Nov. 16th, until Dec. 16th, inclusive, my commanddrew, per man, of hard bread, 9 rations; peas, 8 rations; coffee, 26rations; salt, 25 rations; sugar, 15 rations; bacon, 4 rations, andsalt pork, 6 rations, beyond which issues the command subsistedfrom the country, and always had abundance. Besides this tabularstatement of issues, I left Atlanta with 150 head of beef cattlevery poor in flesh, and already weak from travel. The forage partiessupplied the command so bountifully with fresh pork, that butlittle beef was consumed on the march, and before reaching Savannah,nearly all these cattle had died along the road, or were abandonedon account of being too weak to travel; but still my droveincreased daily by acquisitions from the country, and on the 12th ofDecember, when my command reached this position, it numberedabout 231 head, large and small, all of which have since been issuedto the troops. My forage details were frequently annoyed bythe enemy, but, by always keeping well together, they were able toresist or drive away a considerable force. On the 30th November,particularly, the foragers of the brigade, under command of Capt.Powers, of the 22nd Ind., were attacked about nine miles fromLouisville, by a party of Wheeler's command, and after a briskfight, drove the enemy away. Towards night of the same day, asthe detail was proceeding to camp at Louisville, with four ox wagon222loads of forage, they were suddenly surrounded by three of Wheeler'sregiments, and after some very severe fighting, succeeded ingetting into camp, with the loss of one man killed and four wounded,and were compelled to abandon their provisions and wagons.On the 29th November, I mounted forty men on captured mulesand horses, and placed the party under command of Captain Harbor,of the 125th Ills., a very brave and efficient officer. These laboredto find where subsistence could be obtained, and to aid theinfantry details in getting it, as well as for the purpose of capturingstock for the use of the army. It is not possible for me to state theexact number of horses and mules captured, as such property wasfrequently taken from my foragers, while on their way to camp, andinformally turned over to Lt. Coe, quartermaster for the division.How many were turned over by orders from these headquarters, togetherwith the number known to have been informally returned toLt. Coe, were: horses, 104; mules, 160; total, 264. These numbersmight have been increased somewhat, had I sent out parties tohunt exclusively for stock, but in nearly every instance such captureswere the labors of my subsistence details.
The number of negroes that followed my column was 160. Ofthese 92 were officers' servants and 68 were refugees. The latterhave been sent to division headquarters pursuant to orders. I submitand call your attention to casualty lists of the north Alabamaand the Savannah campaigns hereto attached. A few of thosemarked "missing," deserve the punishment prisoners of war usuallyget, but it is the misfortune of the service that such men belong tothe army and are counted as soldiers. They were doubtless in theact of stealing something when captured. I suppose every commandhas a few of such men. I know this one has, whom to loosefrom the army is a gain to the government. Nor can I say muchless of some officers in the service, who in spite of their long experience,and in face of positive orders to the contrary, suffer, nay, bytheir passiveness, encourage their men to throw aside the restrictionsof discipline, and become out-laws and brigands. I believe a companycommander should be the best disciplinarian in the service,and should feel that his position, so immediately connecting himwith the rank and file, makes him the surest conservator of the peaceand good order of the army. And an officer who from incompetencyor other cause is not well adapted to teach and maintain agood system of discipline in his command, should be summarily dismissedfrom the service. A few of such in my command I couldcheerfully recommend for dismissal, and do honestly believe the servicewould be promoted thereby. Since the fall of Atlanta thebrigade staff has undergone several changes. Most of the old memberswere absent during the Savannah campaign. Those at present223serving on such duty, without specially naming them here, have allwell and faithfully discharged every trust confided to them. I amalso under special obligations to regimental commanders for theirefforts to maintain strict discipline throughout the entire campaign.I commend them all to my superior officers.
RECAPITULATION.
Number of horses captured, 104; mules, 160; total, 264. Numberof negroes that followed the command, 160. Rations issued onthe Atlanta and Savannah campaigns per man: Hard bread, 9rations; peas, 8 rations; coffee, 26 rations; salt, 25 rations; sugar,15 rations; bacon, 4 rations; salt pork, 6 rations. Amount of railroaddestroyed, track and ties, 11½ miles; cotton destroyed, 48bales; cotton gins, one.
I have the honor to be Captain,
Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant
JAS. W. LANGLEY,
Lieut. Col. Comdg. Brigade.
Theo. Wiseman,
Capt. and A. A. G.
Second Division.
BRIGADE REPORT FROM BENTONVILLE TO GOLDSBORO,
NORTH CAROLINA.
Headquarters 3rd Brigade, 2d Division, 14th A. C.
Goldsboro, N. C., March 30, 1865.
Captain: I have the honor to report herewith the operations ofthis brigade from the hour I assumed command of the same up toits arrival at this place.
A few minutes before 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the 19th, Iwas informed by Capt. Swift, A. A. A. G. of the brigade, that Gen.Fearing was wounded and disabled for further command, when Iimmediately assumed command of the brigade. This was just asmy own regiment came out of the fight and began its formation onthe Goldsboro road, as described in my regimental report. Capt.Snodgrass, commanding the 22d Indiana, had rallied about 100 men,mostly of his left wing, which had remained in better order than hisright. The 125th Illinois almost entire formed line to the left andon the prolongation of the basis of alignment of the 22nd Indiana.I immediately directed two staff officers to find the 52d Ohio and86th Illinois and put them in their order on the right of this newline. While these officers were preparing to execute this order, Idirected so much of the line as was already formed to move forward224to a point by me designated, where the left should rest, and aboutseventy-five yards in advance of the rallying point. I had at thistime but one entire regiment and so much of the 22d Indiana asabove mentioned. These I directed to carry rails and when arrivedat the point to which they were ordered, to advance. I then chosemy defensive line, nearly at right angles with the Goldsboro road,and ordered works to be rapidly constructed. As soon as the workbegan, a brigade of the 20th A. C., commanded by Gen. Robinson,joined my left, and began the construction of a refused line. I thenpassed towards the right and met Capt. James, commanding a portionof the 52d Ohio, and directed him to form on the 22d Indiana.Very soon thereafter Lieut. Col. Fahnestock reported with a part ofthe 86th Illinois, whom I directed to form on the right of the 52dOhio, refusing well his right. By this time I may safely say that notmore than one-half the command was present. I urged regimentalcommanders to bring forward their men as rapidly as possible, andwaste no time in strengthening their works. Cartridge-boxes werenearly empty, and I directed Captain Swift to find ammunitionwherever he could and distribute it to the regiments. This he obtainedfrom the 20th army corps, not being able to find ammunitionwagons of our own division. Men who had become separated fromtheir commands, were rapidly coming forward, so that the line wasnow compelled to yield battalion front to the right. My works werescarcely strong enough to protect men lying down, when the enemy'sskirmishers advanced to within shooting distance, and commenceda lively fire. At this moment a staff officer of the MajorGeneral commanding left wing, met Captain Burkhalter, brigadeinspector, and directed that the line should be thrown back aboutseventy-five yards. This direction I could not obey, even if thepoint, selected by him, had been more advisable, for the main lineof the enemy at this moment vigorously assaulted my works, andwere handsomely repulsed. My line having proved available onceI determined to strengthen and hold it; besides it was the nearestposition I could obtain to the lines of the 1st and 2nd brigades ofthe division, which I knew were then isolated by the intervention ofa heavy rebel column. About half an hour before sundown, Gen.Coggswell, commanding a brigade of the 20th army corps, movedin past my right, and advanced swinging to the left past my front,until his left rested about 150 yards to the front of my center.Here his command became hotly engaged, but maintained firmly itsposition, until darkness terminated all efforts of the rebels to dislodgeit. During the fight in front, my left was attacked by strongcolumns of the enemy, but in every instance they failed to move it.As soon as darkness came on, I directed my line of works to bemade strong, and obstructions placed in front. Though the troops225of this command had been driven back at an early period of theday, I can bear witness to the total absence of anything like demoralizationin the ranks, in the engagement I have attempted to describe.Men were cool and determined, and fought with the energyof heroes. During the night I maintained a good picket line to myfront. On the morning of the 20th, at 9 o'clock, I was relieved byGen. Carlin of the 1st division, and directed to join the 1st and 2ndbrigades. This I did, and took position in reserve. At 9 p. m., byorder of Gen. Morgan, I placed two regiments in temporary workswhich had been vacated by Gen. Baird's troops, and on the followingmorning I moved the two remaining regiments of the brigade,and extended the line across the Goldsboro road. This formationput the brigade in single line with the left much advanced. Here Ihad constructed a strong line of works. This new position placedme about one third of a mile in advance of the 1st division of thecorps, and with no connection on my left, which fact I reported.About 10 a. m. Maj. Gen. Slocum visited my line, and informed methat he would immediately put in troops on my left. Soon after adivision of the 20th army corps was formed, making the connectioncomplete, but did not remain more than half an hour, when it waswithdrawn, again leaving my left exposed. This involved the necessityof refusing the center and left of my line so much, that it threwmy entire line on the south side of, and parallel to, the road. About3 p. m., the enemy opened on my skirmish line with artillery, and atthe same time advanced a line of battle and drove the skirmishersin. The line of battle advanced to within shooting distance of mymain line, but hastily retired upon receiving our fire. The most ofmy line was so close to that of the enemy, that lively picket firingwas kept up all day. At night the enemy retreated, and my skirmisherswere the first to enter his works at daybreak, which fact Ireported to you at once. On the 22nd instant the brigade marchedas far as the Neuse river, and encamped for the night. On themorning of the 23rd, it crossed the Neuse and marched as trainguard to this place, where it reached its present camp, on the northside of the city, at dark. In order to show, to some extent, thedamage done to the enemy in the fight of the 19th instant, I haveto report that on the next day, details from this brigade, for thatpurpose, buried 112 dead rebels, including 8 commissioned officers,on our front alone. Other duties were required of the troops beforethe dead were all buried. The casualty list of the brigade, pursuantto orders, has been forwarded. My grateful thanks are due toCaptain Swift, A. A. A. G., Captain Burkhalter, A. A. I. G., andLieut. Tanner, A. D. C., for the efficient services they rendered meat the critical moment when I assumed command of the brigade,and their subsequent conduct on the field only added luster to their226long acknowledged bravery; also to Captain Stinson and LieutenantScroggs, of the division staff, who were, during a portion of theengagement, cut off from their commander, and served me to excellentpurpose as volunteer aids, until communication was openedto Gen. Morgan's quarters.
I have the honor to be Captain,
Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant
JAS. W. LANGLEY,
Lieut. Col. Comdg. Brigade.
To
Theo. Wiseman,
Capt. and A. A. G.
Second Division.
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
- Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors.
- Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.
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