115th regiment ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
CORNELL
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
Cornell University Library E505.5 115th
History of the 115th Reginnent Illinois
olin
3 1924 030 904 076
Cornell University Library
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HISTORY
115'^^ REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Isaac Hknry Clay Royse, LL. B.
Late Second Lieutenant Company E
ILLUSTRATED
Edition Limited to 500 Copies
Published by the Author
WITH
Authority of the Regimental Association
Terre Haute, Ind.
1900
S
Copyrig-ht, 1900, By I. H. C. Royse.
Linotype and Press of
Windsor & Kenfleld Publiahiaf Co.,
Chicago.
PREFACE.
Many of the survivors of the 115th Regiment IlHnois Volun- teers had long wished for something in the way of a perma- nent record of the organization, campaigns, battles and achievements of the old regiment. A regimental association had been formed as early as 1876, and frequent reunions had been held at which the subject of a regimental history had been as frequently discussed. Several unsuccessful attempts had been made to secure a committee that would undertake the task. Finally, at the reunion held at Decatur, 111., in 1894, after much solicitation on the part of the members of the regi- mental association, and assurances of the hearty co-operation of all, the writer, in an unguarded moment, consented to un- dertake the work. Had he then realized, even in a moderate degree, the difficulties to be overcome, and the labor re- quired to collect the material and prepare such a history, no amount of persuasion could have induced him to make the attempt.
An earnest effort was made to get the addresses of all the survivors of the regiment and to secure from them personal incidents, anecdotes, accounts of the special service of indi- viduals and companies and other facts of interest. The sur- vivors of the regiment were also urged to furnish biographical sketches and invited to send their portraits. These requests met with a very liberal response, as the numerous sketches and portraits of our comrades will testify, but it is a matter of sincere regret to the author and to all interested in the history, that so many are necessarily omitted from this part of the book.
Free use has been made of all material received. In order to avoid repetition of the same general facts and incidents it has been deemed best to incorporate in the general narra- tive the statements of many individuals, rather than to insert
iv PREFACE.
tliem as separate narratives. Therefore the several accounts of marches, campaigns, and battles that would in the main be applicable to the entire regiment, have been incorporated in the general history of the regiment. Any other course would have made the work too bulky and too costly. For the same reason it has been found necessary to very greatly condense many of the sketches that are printed separately. For taking such liberties the pardon of all concerned is most earnestly sought. No other course seemed possible under the circum- stances. In making selections the author has used his best judgment, all the time striving to be entirely impartial and perfectly just to all. Among the several companies he has done what he could to give ecpal and exact justice to all. If more space is given to some than to others the reason is that the comrades of those companies responded more freely than did the others. Necessarily the author's own personal ob- servation and knowledge were limited, although he was with the regiment nearly all the time from the beginning to the end.
It was impossible for the author to have personal knowledge of the many interesting occurences in the companies other than his own, and if such incidents have not been supplied him he should not be censured for their omission. If he has seemed to give more prominence to his own company it is not because he wished to do so, but because he had more perfect knowledge of that company.
The biographical sketches have been compiled from infor- mation furnished by the comrades and their friends. In some instances they appear in the language furnished, while in others they have been rewritten, enlarged from other sources, or condensed as seemed proper.
The writer has not only drawn freely from the sketches and correspondence of the members of the regiment, but has made free use of the Century War Papers and other histories within his reach. He has made as diligent study as his time would permit of the original reports and correspondence bearing on the operations of the armies of which the iiSth was a part, and has made a conscientious effort to state the facts. Aided by several visits to the battle-field of Chicka-
PREFACE.
mauga and a careful study of the ground in connection with the official reports of the operations of the various divisions and brigades engaged, he has given an extended account of that great conflict. His only apology for giving so much space to that one battle and to the operations of other com- mands, is that it seemed necessary to do so in order to show the true value of the services of the iisth on that occasion.
The author desires to acknowledge the very valuable assist- ance rendered him by very many of the members of the regi- ment and their families. To all who have contributed in any way to the success of the undertaking, he extends his most hearty thanks. Maj. F. L. Hays and Adjt. Allen Litsenberger, respectively president and secretary of the regimental associa- tion, have been particularly helpful. Sergt. A. B. Leeper of Company A, Sergts. E. H. Martin and Finley Behymer of Company B, Thomas Stone and George W. Rhodes of Com- pany C, William Tyson of Company D, Robert Bivans and J. M. Waddle of Company E, Capt. Z. C. Patten and Lieut. S. K. Hatfield of Company H, are all deserving of special mention in this connection. The author is greatly indebted to Judge G. S. Robinson for his journal of the campaigns of the 115th, to Cyrus M. Imboden for his "Eight Months' Service", to Lieut. J. C. Youngken for a history of the movements of Com- pany C, to Maj. Samuel Hymer for a history of Company D, to Capt. Jno. W. Dove for a sketch of the service of Com- pany G, and to Captain Rutherford, Company L and Captain Slocum, Company B, for similar records of their companies, from all of which the author has drawn freely in the prepara- tion of the history.
He also desires to thank Capt. W. H. Newlin, author of the history of the 73d Illinois Volunteers, for valuable informa- tion from the office of the Adjutant-General of Illinois, and to make proper acknowledgment to the Robert Clark Co. of Cincinnati, which kindly furnished the maps and illustrations appearing on pages 86, 90, 98, 100, 106, 114, 118, 122, 178 and 182.
The author makes no claim to literary merit for the work. The only purpose has been to present in a simple manner
vi PREFACE.
such a narrative of facts as would show in some degree the real character qf the services of the regiment, and put in a permanent form the record of its achievements. When it is remembered that his work has been done at odd moments and in the evenings between days devoted to business and pro- fessional work, without any hope of pecuniary reward, his critics will be disposed to be lenient, and perhaps overlook imperfections that would otherwise receive attention. He has tried to be impartial and to make his work as nearly correct as possible in its statements, yet he feels conscious of many im- perfections, and doubtless the reader will find many errors, possibly some that may seem inexcusable. All that is asked in such cases is that the reader will make his own corrections and bear in mind that it is much easier to see errors after the thing is done than to avoid them in dong it.
I. H. C. ROYSE. Terre Haute, Ind., July, 1900.
CONTEXTS.
Chapter — Page.
I. INTRODUCTORY i
II. EARLY PART OF THE WAR 6
III. ORGANIZATION OF THE iisTH ILLINOIS 13
IV. THE JOURNEY TO RICHMOND, KY 27
V. MARCHES IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. ... 40
VI. AT NASHVILLE AND FRANKLIN 54
VII. FRANKLIN TO TULLAHOMA 69
VIII. CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN 84
IX. BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA 97
X. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH 112
XI. REPORTS OF THE BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA. 139
XII. AFTER THE BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA 162
XIII. CHATTANOOGA TO MISSIONARY RIDGE 175
XIV. SHELL MOUND TO BLUE SPRINGS 188
XV. BLUE SPRINGS TO RESACA 199
XVI. ATLANTA AND AFTER 212
XVII. OPERATIONS IN TENNESSEE 228
XVIII. NASHVILLE AND AFTER 236
XIX. THE LAST OF OUR SERVICE 249
APPENDIX.
SPECIAL ARTICLES 257
Sergeant Shively — Chickamauga and Siege of Chattanooga — Closing Scenes of the Battle of Chickamauga — Special Service of Company G — Battle of Nashville and Pursuit of Hood — Colonel Poteet's Recollections of the Battle of Chickamauga — In Rebel Hands — Southern Prisons — Pris- on Life — Experience of Robert Young — In Southern Pris- ons— Company D at Buzzard Roost — The Attack on the Blockhouse — Capture of the Ferry-Boat — Special Service of Company H — The Pioneer Corps — Thomas J. Chas- tain's Scare.
ROSTER 288
BURIED IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES 405
HISTORY OF THE 115th ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY.
The IT 5th Regiment of Illinois \'olunteer Infantry was a part of the country's patriotic response to President Lincoln's calls for six hundred thousand more men in the midsummer of 1862. The great American Civil War had been in progress more than, fifteen months and the talk of a "sixty days cam- paign," a mere "breakfast spell," was no longer heard. We shall better understand these two calls for more men, each for three hundred thousand, one quickly following the other, by a brief review of the preceding events and of the causes leading up to them. We must know something of the circum- stances attending the breaking out of so gigantic a war, as well as a little about the cause of it.
As to the cause, the explanation is given in a single word, Slavery. The institution of human slavery was planted in our Southern States soon after the first settlement of the country. It had grown and spread so rapidly, and attained such power, that very early in the 19th century its influence was felt in every part of the iand. It had become a sort of despotism in both church and state. No one had the right to question its legitimacy, and anyone who dared to make the least criticism of the system was an abolitionist and not to be permitted to live in the favored South. The friends of slavery were not content with being let alone. They had always controlled all parties in politics, and determined at all hazards to continue to do so. This could be done only by extending the "sacred"
2 THE FIRST OPPOSITION.
institution into the new territories. For that purpose the jMexican War was brought on ; in that interest the national domain extended. Slavery was already established in Texas. The next step was to take it to the broad, rich plains to the west of the Missouri. The interests of the slave power were superior to all others. The new states must yield to its authority, whatever the cost of blood or treasure. Even the North was expected to obey its commands. Amazing as it may seem at this day, nearly all of the politicians of the North were afraid to say a word against it. The slave interests had controlled the nomination and election of every President for many years, and it was a common saying that, "The Presi- dent must be either a Southern man, or a Northern man with Southern principles."
The first real opposition to the rule of the slave power was manifested in 1854 in the efifort to check the extension of slavery into the new territories of Kansas and Nebraska. The North had just begun to realize the danger of further submis- sion ; the arrogance of the Southern politicians was beyond endurance. The organization of the Republican party followed in 1855-6. It was pledged to the doctrines: No extension of slavery and free labor for the new territories. So rapidly did the movement extend and so popular were these sentiments, that the young party came surprisingly near carrying the presidential election in 1856. The slave party was aroused and the denunciation of everything Northern was heard in all parts of the South ; all who did not bow down before the god Slavery were denounced as abolitionists, and threats of seces- sion soon followed. All departments of the Government were used to further the ends of slavery. The people of the North looked upon the threats of the Southern politicians as merely a means of continuing themselves in power. Very few be- lieved that the "fire eaters" could drag their States into actual hostilities ; no real rebellion was thought possible. However, the Southern people were rapidly becoming more and more united in their devotion to the "sacred institution" and the South was becoming more and more domineering, while public sentiment in the North was rapidly crystallizing around the
LINCOLN ELECTED. 3
central ideas of the supremacy of the Union, and of free thought, free speech and a free press. In the presidential cam- paign of i860, the Calhoun- Yancey type of Southern leaders used all the means in their power to commit the South to some plan of secession in event a Republican should be elected. By appeals to passion and prejudice, and in all possible ways they sought to prepare the Southern mind for such action. They had determined never to submit to the rule of a Republi- can President, however fair his election or however large his majority.
The election of November 6, i860, insuring the choice of Abraham Lincoln as President, put them to the test, and the loyalty of the Southern people as well. While many in the North sympathized with the South, there were very many true Union men in the Southland. Excitement ran high in all the Southern States ; the lines were soon drawn, and the leaders called upon all to show their colors. Those accus- tomed to ruling North and South alike, as with a rod of iron, did not stop at the manner of carrying their purpose. In many localities it was made dangerous for the man who dared to stand by the Union. As early as December 20, i860, a little more than a month after the result was known, South Carolina, in a convention called for the purpose, passed an ordinance of secession. Six other states, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas, quickly followed with similar action.
On the 4th of February following, on the invitation of South Carolina, delegates from these seven states assembled at Mont- gomery, Ala., to organize a Southern Confederacy. Four days later a constitution was adopted, and the day following Jefferson Davis was elected President of the Confederate States of America, and on the i8th entered upon the duties of his office. Thus, the rebellious government was organized and in operation fourteen days before it was possible for President Lincoln to perform any official act. Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas joined the Confederacy a little later, being driven into the movement by the leaders rather than going of the free will of the people. Strong efiforts
4 THE CONFEDERACY ORGANIZED.
were made to carry with them the border-states, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri, but without success.
The military spirit prevailed in the South to a much greater extent than in the North. In the South free schools were un- known, and academies and private schools afforded the only means of obtaining an education. This gave the military academy an excellent field ; the pride of every town and village was its military company. In some states, as in Virginia, the entire militia — all able bodied men between i8 and 45 — was enrolled and required to assemble for drill and muster at least once or twice a year. In the North the free school had dis- placed the private school and academy, and there was but little demand for the military school. There were no slaves to monopolize the labor market and the people regarded labor as honorable ; the men of the North were occupied at work and business, and had little time to spare for military matters. It is therefore not surprising that the Southerners were boastful of their military superiority ; they doubtless really thought that "one Southern man could whip three Yankees". The entire winter following the election of President Lincoln was occupied throughout the Southern states in promoting the war spirit. Military companies were organized in every part of the land, and musters and drills were the regular order of the day.
The War and Navy Departments of the United States Government encouraged these preparations, their chiefs being in hearty sympathy with the cause. As far as possible, the army and navy were so distributed as to be the least hindrance and of the greatest advantage to the South. The army had been sent to the far frontier in Texas, New Mexico, Utah and other parts of the far West, and there were no troops in the vicinity of the capital. The navy was scattered in distant parts of the world. What munitions of war the nation pos- sessed were largely in the forts in the Southern states, con- venient for use by them.
The disloyal states did not wait for the inauguration of the hated Lincoln, but early in the year, while their friends were in office, began seizing the forts and military stores within their borders. About the time that Jefferson Davis was inaugurated
SEIZURE OF UNITED STATES FORTS. 5
President of the Confederacy at Montgomery, the Texas Rangers were taking possession of the United States forts and arms in that state, most disgracefully surrendered by General Twigg, the officer in charge. By the 4th of March all the United States forts and arsenals in the seceding states, except- ing only Forts Moultrie, Sumter, Pickens and Monroe, had been seized by the rebels. A majority of the cabinet and many members of Congress were either avowed secessionists or in sympathy with the cause. During all these preparations the people of the North remained passive, hoping that with the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln the storm would blow over and the threatened disruption of the country be averted without the loss of blood. While the South was so active in military affairs the North continued in its peaceful pursuits. All hoped for peace; some advocated peace at any price, saying, "Let the wayward sisters go." President Buchanan declared there was no constitutional authority for coercing the states to re- main in the Union. In this gloomy condition of the country Abraham Lincoln entered upon his duties as President, with firmness for the right, and a quiet determination that the laws should be enforced. The new President earnestly tried to show the Southern people that justice would be done them and all their rights respected.
CHAPTER II.
EARLY PART OF THE WAR.
On the 1 2th of April actual hostilities were begun by the Confederate forces, under General Beauregard, firing on the garrison of Fort Sumter, commanded by Maj. Robert Ander- son. A terrible bombardment followed and in less than two days the garrison capitulated, leaving the fort in ruins. The telegraph flashed the news to all parts of the country and the slumbering patriotism of the North was aroused. Flags went up over many public and private buildings ; public meetings were held and patriotic addresses delivered. April 15th the President issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers to serve three months. The free states responded with re- markable promptness, and in a few days thousands of men in excess of the call offered themselves. Very soon the border- land was lined with military camps ; the military spirit was no longer confined to the South. An army was soon assembled in Washington, and in the latter part of May crossed the Poto- mac and occupied Alexandria, Va. Another force under Gen. B. F. Butler, occupied Fortress Monroe. About the same time General McClernand occupied Carlo, 111., and Gen. Nathaniel Lyon organized a force at St. Louis, Mo.
About June ist, Gen. T. A. Morris entered West Virginia with a brigade of Indiana Volunteers, and on the 3d defeated 1. 000 Confederates at Philipi. In the latter part of June Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan assumed command of thfe army in West Virginia, and on July nth a brigade of his force, under Gen. W. S. Rosecrans, fought the battle of Rich Mountain, defeating about 1,000 rebels under Colonel Pegram and cap- turing the remnant of them two days later. These operations were heralded over the country as great victories, entitling
FIRST BATTLES. 7
General McClellan to the first rank in the command of our armies. We now know they were little more than skirmishes. In the meantime General Patterson occupied the vicinity of Harper's Ferry with i8,ooo men opposed by the distinguished Confederate leaders, Gens. Joseph E. Johnston and Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson, with a similar force. General Lyon had driven the rebels from the suburbs of St. Louis to the southwestern part of the State, and a loyal state government was established in the place of that under the rebel Gov. C. F. Jackson. The Confederates had occupied Columbus, Ky., and the neighboring towns with a strong force under General Pillow. The Confederate capital had been established at Richmond, Va., and General Beauregard was assembling a rebel army in northern Virginia, threatening Washington.
In obedience to the authority of Congress and the Presi- dent's call, many thousands of volunteers were marching to the front. The resources of the Government had been taxed to their fullest capacity in bringing into the field, equipping and arming these large bodies of men. It took time to equip such an army, but to the civilian, McDowell's army of 35,000 men seemed to have been wasting time at Alexandria and Ar- lington. The country was impatient at the slow progress ; politicians and editors thought the war a breakfast spell. In their view, sixty or ninety days would suffice to bring the rebels to terms. The cry, "On to Richmond," was heard on every hand. The army was composed of raw, undisciplined volun- teers, many of them three months men whose terms were about to expire ; their officers, with few exceptions, were equally ignorant of the art of war. Though so poorly prepared for battle. General McDowell was forced to the front.
He met the enemy under General Beauregard at Bull Run on July 2ist, and a hotly contested battle followed. At one time Beauregard thought himself defeated and began planning his retreat, but General Johnston had slipped away from our General Patterson in the Shenandoah Valley and came to the relief of the hard pressed Confederates with several thousand fresh troops. The tide of battle turned and the Union army was routed. Thus the first considerable battle of the war was a
8 APPEARANCE OF GRANT.
disaster to the National arms. The Confederates were greatly elated and many, who had hesitated, now boldly espoused the rebel cause. The friends of the Union were at first depressed, but realizing that a war was upon them, and better appreciating the magnitude of the undertaking, their patriotism was greatly stimulated and a new impetus given to the enlistment of men throughout the North. Congress immediately authorized a call for 500,000 volunteers, and appropriated $500,000,000 for their support. "Organize" and "drill" were the watchwords in all parts of the land. Major-General McClellan was called to the command of the Army of the Potomac, and with great pomp and display, he entered upon the difficult task. Being really a fine organizer and disciplinarian, and having great resources at his disposal he soon had a magnificent army in position along the Potomac facing Richmond. The people shouted, "On to Richmond," but the daily report for many months was, "All quiet on the Potomac."
On the loth of August Generals Price and McCullough, hav- ing resumed the offensive, met Gen. Nathaniel Lyon at Wil- son's Creek near Springfield, Mo. A spirited battle followed, resulting in the defeat of the Union forces and the death of the gallant General Lyon. The Union army retreated to Rolla and the victorious rebels reoccupied central JVIissouri, capturing Lexington after a gallant defense by Colonel Mulligan. Gen. John C. Freemont, now in command of the Army of the West, finally came to the rescue, but not in time to prevent the escape of the rebels to the southern line of the State.
About this time Gen. U. S. Grant was beginning to attract attention. He had shown ability in the organization of the Illinois Volunteers. He conducted an expedition down the Mississippi and captured Belmont, nearly opposite Cokmibus, Ky., but was compelled to beat a hasty retreat with some loss. Kentucky reluctantly saw her neutrality slipping away. Gen. Robert Anderson, in recognition of his services at Fort Sumter, had been given the command of the Federal army in Kentucky. Many regiments of Kentucky volunteers were organized to do valliant work for the Union. At the same time the rebels were making the most possible of the "dark and bloody
THE WINTER OF 1862. 9
ground." Bowling Green and other points in southern Ken- tucky were occupied, and many dashing young Kentuckians entered the rebel service. Gen. W. T. Sherman succeeded to the command of the army in Kentucky, but soon lost it under the charge of insanity, because he reported that 200,000 men would be required for a successful campaign. Gen. Don Carlos Buell then assumed command, with Gen. George H. Thomas as second. In November Gen. H. W. Halleck succeeded General Freemont in command of the Western armies, with headquarters at St. Louis. The year closed with the Union army numbering 650,000 men, occupying the lines from the Potomac under McClellan, through northern Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky, to the southern line of Missouri.
The opening of 1862 found General McClellan with his splendid army, lying quietly on the Potomac, where he re- mained all winter drilling and organizing it. In his front, near the old Bull Run battle-field, was Joe Johnston with a smaller force, occupied in a similar manner. Gen. Albert Sydney Johnston, the most prominent Confederate officer in the West, was operating in Kentucky with headquarters at Bowling Green. General Buell in his front, was actively pushing the enemy. General Garfield defeated a Confederate force under Humphrey Marshall, at Prestonburg on January loth, and Gen. George H. Thomas on the 9th defeated General Zolli- coffer's army of about 12,000 men at Alill Spring, Zollicofifer himself being among the slain.
Early in February General Grant moved up the Tennessee River with an army of 17,000 men, and on the 6th captured Fort Henry, and on the i6th compelled the surrender of the rebel stronghold. Fort Donelson on the Cumberland, with all its arms and stores and 15,000 men. This compelled General Johnston to abandon Nashville and take up a new line on the Memphis & Charleston R. R. and left the Union forces in pos- session of all of Kentucky and central Tennessee. The Con- federates were still in possession of New Madrid, Mo., and Island No. 10, but on March 3d General Pope moved against them with 20,000 men well equipped. Supported by Com- modore Foote and a fleet of gunboats. General Pope sue-
10 THE WAR IN THE EAST.
ceeded in cutting off the retreat of the enemy, and on April 8th captured the entire force of 7,000 men. After the capture of Fort Donelson General Grant moved to the south and took a position on the Tennessee River near Pittsburg Landing. General Mitchell, with a division, seized Huntsville, Decatur and Bridgeport, in Alabama. General Buell was ordered to support General Grant with 37,000 men from Bowling Green and Nashville. Gen. A. S. Johnston was at the same time concentrating a very large Confederate force at Corinth, Miss., General Beauregard being second in command.
On April 6th the two armies met at Shiloh Church, or Pitts- burg Landing, and a desperate struggle, lasting two days, fol- lowed. General Johnston was killed. The Union forces, badly beaten on the first day, were greatly strengthened on the second by the arrival of General Buell's Army of the Ohio, and the Confederate troops were forced from the field. The losses were nearly equal, ten or twelve thousand on each side. The Confederates, now under Beauregard, retired to Corinth where a stand was made till the last of May, when that place also fell into the hands of General Grant. Fort Pillow was abandoned, Memphis surrendered, and the Mississippi was opened to the Union fleet nearly to Vicksburg.
The Army of the Potomac had spent many months getting ready for action, but no event of importance had occurred, ex- cept the disaster at Ball's Bluff in the latter part of October. Gen. T. J. Jackson was in command of the Shenandoah Val- ley, while Gen. Joe Johnston commanded the Army of North- ern Virginia. General McClellan, still in command of the Army of the Potomac, early in April transported the flower of his army to Fortress Monroe and began his celebrated Peninsular campaign. On May 3d he captured Yorktown, after a siege lasting a month. The Confederates made their next stand at Fort Magruder and Williamsburg, inflicting upon us a loss of two thousand or more men, while they lost nearly as many and contintied their retreat. McClellan continued his march "on to Richmond". Johnston had an army of about go,ooo men and McClellan about the same number, but Johnston had all the advantages of position. On May 31st, Longstreet and
BRAGG'S KENTUCKY RAID. H
Hill met McClellan in the battle of Fair Oaks, with much loss on both sides and little gain to either. A short rest fol- lowed. General Johnston having been wounded, Gen. R. E. Lee succeeded to the command of the Confederate armies. General McClellan was busy reorganizing his forces, while General Lee strengthened his by calling Stonewall Jackson from the Shenandoah Valley with 30,000 men. From June 26th to July 2d was fought the seven days battle from Gaine's Mill to Alalvern Hill. One position after another was taken by the Confederates, until at the close, our army was back on the James River below Malvern Hill. The victorious Confed- erates suffered the greater loss, a total of 18,000 men, while our loss was about 16,000.
In the latter part of June, 1862, Halleck's Western army numbered nearly 150,000 men, the greater part being in the vicinity of Corinth, while General Mitchell occupied Decatur, Huntsville and Bridgeport, in Alabama, and General Morgan, Cumberland Gap, Tenn. All north of these lines was in our possession. In July General Halleck was called to the supreme command of the armies at Washington, and General Grant succeeded to the command of the Armies of the Tennessee and Mississippi. General Buell had command of the Army of the Ohio and General Rosecrans had succeeded General Pope, who had been transferred to Virginia. In the meantime Beau- regard and Bragg had an army of over 100,000 men posted south of Corinth, Vicksburg, Jackson, Chattanooga and Knox- ville.
Buell attempted a movement on Chattanooga and East Ten- nessee, but almost before he had started Bragg was moving northward through Chattanooga with an army of more than 35,000 men, with Louisville on the Ohio as his objective point. When Buell was advised of Bragg's plans he hastily turned northward with the hope of intercepting his adversary. The two movements became a race for the Kentucky metropolis and it was very doubtful which would reach that point first. In the meantime Kirby Smith had turned Cumberland Gap and was marching into central Kentucky. The Confederates had again become very aggressive both in the East and in the
12 CALLS FOR VOLUNTEERS.
West ; in fact, an invasion of the North was seriously threat- ened. The people of the North began at last to realize that they were engaged in a great civil war. They had learned by sad experience to appreciate the strength and bravery of the armies of the South. Even the politicians who had expected to suppress the rebellion and conquer the South in ninety days had, in a measure, come to their senses. A feeling of real earnestness had taken possession of the people. They had learned to see the true character of the task before them. Their patriotism was aroused to the highest degree. The call of President Lincoln early in July, 1862, for 300,000 volunteers, quickly followed by a call for 300,000 more, was truly a call to patriotism. It appealed to the business man, the professional man, the merchant, the mechanic, the teacher and the farmer. The idle and adventurous classes who could be induced tO' go to war had already gone. The later calls came to men of homes and families who loved the quiet of their firesides to go forth in defense of home and country ; to men who had much to sacri- fice. The answer came quickly and with enthusiasm, and the cry ran through all the North, "We are coming. Father Abra- ham, 600,000 strong.'' All classes responded and the men came from the farm, the factory, the office, the schoolroom and even from the pulpit. Many left lucrative positions and prosperous business enterprises to accept a place in the ranks at $13.00 per month. Public meetings were held and patriotic addresses made in every town and village. The flag floated over many public and private buildings. Companies and regi- ments came forth as by magic. In the midst of their harvests farmers stopped their machines and laid down their implements t(5 go to the recruiting rally, and there enlist for' "three years or during the war." Lawyers left their cases untried, mer- chants left their customers to be waited on by others, preachers left their congregations or took them along so far as they could, to join the Union hosts.
CHAPTER III.
ORGANIZATION OF THE iisTH ILLINOIS.
In such times and amid such scenes the 115th Regiment of IlHnois Volunteers began its career. It is hard to tell just when or where the first steps were taken. Squads and com- panies were formed in many places at the same time ; yet, probably the real beginning was at a great patriotic rally at Decatur in July, very soon after the President's call was issued, when the city was filled with people from all the surrounding country. Among those prominent in the movement was Rev. Jesse H. Moore, then pastor of the First Methodist Church at Decatur. Nathan W. Tupper, a prominent and popular lawyer of Decatur, had been urged to take command of a Macon County regiment, but declined to do so because of a promise made to his brother when he went to the field in the 41st Illinois Regiment, that if he should be disabled or slain his family should be properly supported. This brother having given up his life for his country, Nathan Tupper felt that his first duty was to make good that pledge. The citizens then turned to Mr. Moore and, after much solicitation, he was in- duced to take the lead in the organization of a regiment. After agreeing to undertake it he was not slow in entering upon the work. In the meantime the admirers of Mr. Tupper persisted in their determination to have him command a regiment ; sev- eral companies then forming preferred him for their colonel. He was assured by men of means that if he would consent to their plans, not only his pledge to his brother would be re- deemed by them, but that if he should be disabled or killed, they would see that his family was well cared for. The pres- sure was too great, and Nathan W. Tupper became the colonel
14 COMPOSITION OF THE REGIMENT.
of the ii6th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, and instead of one regiment, two were raised. The ii6th was for the most part from Macon County, as were two companies of the 115th.
How our ten companies were drawn together, the writer is unable to say. They came from eight different counties, and as many different parts of the state, yet they were composed of men of the same classes, each company having much in its composition that was common to all the others. In religion, the Methodist Church predominated to such an extent that we were sometimes called the "Second Methodist Regiment," the 73d Illinois being known as the first. Like the 73d, it was noted for the number of Methodist preachers on its rolls of officers and men, there being several of them besides the colonel.
In nationality the regiment was almost entirely American, though it contained a few Irishmen and a few Germans. As to occupation, the farmers were greatly in the lead, though we had many school teachers, merchants, clerks, mechanics and shop men. They were men of character and among the best in their several communities. Though only a few were per- mitted to fill official positions, there were many men in the ranks who were capable of filling any position in the regiment. The several companies were all organized in August, 1862, most of the men being enlisted between the 6th and 20th of that month. The following sketches of the organization of the several companies were compiled from letters and contribu- tions from members of the various companies, and such other information as the writer has been able to get. In some cases the information obtained was very meagre, leaving him to guess at the facts ; he has made the best use of the facts ob- tainable. If the sketches are not satisfactory to the comrades they must take the censure.
Company A was organized early in August at Taylorville, 111. Capt. John W. Lapham, Lieut. Arthur C. Bankson, and Lieut. Jesse Hanon were the leading spirits in the work, though ably and earnestly assisted by Sergeants Gore, Hammer, Jones and others. It was mostly made up of the sturdy farmers of Christian County. The writer regrets that he is unable to give
Brevet Brig.-Gen'l Jesse H. Moore, Colonel 115tlL 111. Vols.
COMPANY ORGANIZATIONS. 15
the details of the making up of this gallant company and its transfer to Camp Butler. They have not been furnished to him and his personal knowledge was limited.
Company B came from the adjoining county of Shelby, and v/as recruited about the same time as all the other companies, in the first half of August. Lieut. George A. Poteet of the 14th Blinois Volunteers was home on leave of absence on account of wounds received at the battle of Shiloh. Having sufficiently recovered to engage in the recruiting service he obtained au- thority to raise a company. In this he was efficiently assisted by Eleazer Slocum, E. D. Steen, E. K. Schwartz, Finley Behymer and others, all prominent young men of Shelbyville. On the gth of August the organization was completed by the election of George A. Poteet as captain, Eleazer Slocum as first lieu- tenant, and E. D. Steen second lieutenant. The next few days were spent at home getting ready for the long absence. Plans had been suddenly changed ; the school-teacher had to turn over his charge to the trustees ; the farmer must give instruc- tions as to the disposition of the crops. Who can appreciate how busy those days were? On the 12th the company re- assembled at Shelbyville to take the train for Camp Butler. The city was crowded with the friends of the new soldiers, come to bid them farewell. The trip to the camp on the San- gamon River was quickly made ; then came the bustle of draw- ing camp equipage and setting up tents and fixing for camp life. The boys had the experience of preparing their own meals without the convenience of mother's kitchen and pantry. A fruit can for a coffee pot, tmground coffee without a coffee mill, and other equally important things lacking, made the work of the new cook anything but delightful pastime. This company was given a place near the 73rd Illinois, commanded by Col. J. F. Jacquess, with the expectation that it would form a part of that "Preacher Regiment." Because of some disa- greements as to its position, the company was soon removed to another part of the camp, where it soon became the nucleus of a new regiment that later received the number 115. Very soon other companies joined it and its history became that of the regiment.
16 COMPANY ORGANIZATIONS.
Company C was the product of Wabash County and vicinity down in the valley of the river of that name, nearly opposite the celebrated Posey County of Indiana. David Williams, a merchant of Friendsville, had received a commission to raise a company, and on the ist of August began the work in great earnest. In this he had a number of excellent assistants, the most prominent being John W. Hill of Bridgeport, and Eph- raim Kingery of Mier. The first three to enlist were S. W. McConnell, W. J. Litherland and Joseph Shearer, who entered the lists on the first day. The company gained rapidly from that on and soon had its full complement. As with the other companies, C's men came from the shops, stores, farms, schools and college halls, representing the best citizenship in the land. There could be no truer men nor more loyal citizens. They were moved by no spasmodic sentiment, but by a deep and fer- vent love for home and native land. At the request of Captain Williams the members of the company assembled at Olney on August 22d and organized, by electing David Williams, of Friendsville, as captain, Ephraim Kingery of Mier, first lieuten- ant, and Gideon L. Utter of New Hope, second lieutenant, — all of Wabash County. But a few days were spent at Olney : one of them being Sunday the company attended church in a body and heard an inspiring sermon by the Rev. John Crozier on the text, "Acquit yourselves like men ; be strong and fight" A few days later the company took position with the other com- panies of the iiSth at Camp Butler. Captain Williams was a well known business man, highly respected for his even temper, kindness of heart and faithfulness to duty. He naturally won the confidence and respect of his superiors as well as of his men. Lieutenant Kingery had been a miller, and though not so well known, his character was such as to win the esteem of all who knew him. Lieutenant Utter was the social good fel- low of the company. Of course it was not long until he was well known in the regiment.
Company D was made up in an opposite portion of the State, being mostly recruited in Bainbridge and Frederick Town- ships in Schuyler County. Rev. Stephen M. Huckstep, Chris- tian C. Bridgewater, Luther M. Hobart and Seth Farwell were
COMPANY ORGANIZATIONS. 17
the leaders in the work of recruiting the company, each draw- ing to it a squad or detachment of men, which, when united, constituted this splendid company. Nearly all were native Americans and residents of Schuyler County. Nearly all of them were farmers and as Major Hymer says, "Of the right kind of material to make good soldiers."
Their subsequent history proved this to be true. On coming together for organization. Rev. S. M. Huckstep was chosen captain. Christian C. Bridgewater, first lieutenant, and Samuel Hymer, second lieutenant. Hymer was one of the last to join the company, but he had lived in the county from boyhood, and was well and favorably known to nearly all the men. He was greatly surprised at his election, as he had not sought the place. Luther M. Hobart, to whom much credit is due for his work in making up the company, accepted a position as ser- geant, which he filled with great credit until he was promoted to be hospital steward. The incidents of recruiting, attending the rallies, listening to patriotic oratory, parting from friends, and "starting for the war," were doubtless much the same as with other companies. On the 15th of August the company arrived at Camp Butler and soon became a part of the iiSth Regiment.
Company E, though mainly from Macon County, contained a number of men from Christian County and a few from other counties. The company was organized at the village of Macon, in Macon County, August 13, 1862. The work of recruiting was commenced nearly two weeks earlier by Rev. John M. Lane, Joseph Q. Adams and I. H. C. Royse. Hand-bills an- nounced public meetings at the various school-houses. Mr. Lane and Mr. Adams both being detained at home most of the time by private business were thus prevented from taking an active part in recruiting. For that reason most of the work of enlisting the men of the company was done by Mr. Royse. A week of hard work brought a number to the point of enlisting, and on the 6th of August ten or a dozen were sworn in, Mr. Royse taking the first place on the list. The numbers rapidly increased from that on, so that by the nth sixty names were on the roll. In the meantime David S. Moffatt and Adam C.
18 COMPANY ORGANIZATIONS.
AUinson, both prominent and wealthy farmers, had recruited a number of men in their neighborhood, a few miles west and northwest of Macon. So many squads were forming that it was impossible for all to make full companies. Fearing that our company might not easily secure the required number, an invitation was given the AUinson and Mofifatt men to join us, which was promptly accepted. An election was at once held, resulting in the choice of the following officers : Captain, John M. Lane; first lieutenant, David S. Mofifatt; second lieu- tenant, Adam C. AUinson.
It may not be out of place to explain how it occurred that the one most active in recruiting the company, and who ad- vanced the money to pay the expenses, was left without an office. He had not aspired to any place higher than second lieutenant, and was not particularly anxious for that. He was most interested in securing men for the service and freely gave all his time to- that work, without soliciting anyone to support him for office ; also, he was a comparative stranger to most of the men, while Moffatt and AUinson were old settlers, and well known to nearly all. While he was busy making out enlistment papers, they were around shaking hands with the boys. Naturally they had the lead, and seeing it, he declined to be a candidate.
On the 20th the ladies of Macon presented the company a beautiful flag, Miss Sarah Coltra making the presentation speech, to which Captain Lane responded on behalf of the company. Col. J. H. Moore and Capt. J. S. Post, of Decatur, were present and made patriotic addresses. A vote being taken, it was unanimously decided that the company should ask to be attached to Colonel Moore's regiment, the iiSth. On the 25th orders came lequiring us to report at once at Camp Butler. The time for "good-bye" to mothers, wives, sweet- hearts and friends had come. Many of them were at the station to see the boys off. It was easy to talk of going to the war in the excitement of the recruiting and shouting for the flag, but the farewells were not so easily said. The stoutest hearts were affected and tears flowed freely. A short run of ten miles on the Illinois Central Railroad brought us to Decatur and thirty-
LiEUT.-CoL. WILLIAM KINMAN Killed in the battle of Chickamauga.
COMPANY ORGANIZATIONS. 19
five miles more on the old Great Western, now the Wabash Railway, brought us to Camp Butler.
Company E was not greatly different from the other com- panies, so that the following analysis of that company will apply as well to most of the others. Thirty-three were mar- ried and seventy unmarried. In age, five were from sixteen to seventeen ; thirty-two from eighteen to twenty ; twenty-two from twenty-one to twenty-four ; twenty-five from twenty-five to twenty-nine; twelve from thirty to thirty-four ; five from thir- ty-five to thirty-nine ; one forty and one forty-eight years old. In nativity, twenty-five were of IHinois ; twenty-five of Indiana ; sixteen of Ohio ; eleven of Tennessee ; eight of Pennsylvania ; four of New York ; three of Virginia ; three of Kentucky ; and one each of Vermont, Maryland, North Carolina and Switzer- land. Thus, all were Americans but one. In occupation, Cap- tain Lane was a Methodist preacher ; J. Q. Adams was a local (Methodist) preacher; Daniel H. Prettyman was a Christian preacher ; John H. Breeden was a lawyer, perhaps the only one in the regiment ; J. F. Hedges, James M. Martin, Fred- erick S. Gilhousen, Joseph R. Edmonds, I. H. C. Royse, and several others, had taught school, though designated as farmers.
Company F was the result of the union of two companies, each too small to muster alone. One of these was made up at Decatur and the other at Ramsey. Capt. F. L. Hays was the moving spirit in the Decatur company, and one Captain Rich- mond of the other. The recruiting scenes were much the same as in the other companies. Mustering meetings were held, and the fife and drum made to do> service ; these meetings usually resiilted in a number of new accessions. The Decatur squad, still too few in number to pass muster as a company, chose Frank L. Hays as captain, and on the 26th of August went into camp at Camp Butler. Captain Richmond's wing, recruited about the same time, was more pretentious. It had more men than the other and elected a full complement of officers, and went into camp about the same time as the De- catur company. There was soon much dissatisfaction with Captain Richmond. Charles H. Griffith, afterwards captain,
20 COMPANY ORGANIZATIONS.
led the opposition. Captain Richmond soon found he was not sure of his position, and concluding that discretion was the better part of valor he quietly went home, followed by a number of his friends. A consolidation was then easily effected with the Decatur boys. A new election was held, resulting in the choice of Frank L. Hays of Decatur as captain, James Smith of Montgomery County, first lieutenant, and Matthew Freeman of Shelby County, second lieutenant ; the two latter were of the original Ramsey company. Thus Company F was finally permanently organized. Captain Hays had been a member of a military company in Ohio when a boy ; he had some experience and much military spirit and at once led the company to a prominent place in the regiment. A strong effort had been made to have the Hays squad join the ii6th, but the 115th was finally selected as their choice.
Company G was organized at Shelbyville, where, Capt. S. Barlow Espy, then a merchant of Shelbyville, opened a re- cruiting office in his store early in August, and from that time forward vigorously pushed the work till the organization was completed. Very soon Captain Espy had more than fifty names on his roll. In the meantime several other gentlemen began recruiting, one J. L. Douthit and one Henry Sutton taking an active part, without entering the service themselves. John W. Dove, John M. Baker and several others actively as- sisted in the recruiting service, resulting in enrolling several squads, all of which several attempts at forming companies were consolidated with Captain Espy's company. On the 15th of August an election was held, resulting in the choice of the following officers : Captain, S. Barlow Espy ; first lieutenant, John W. Dove ; second lieutenant, John M. Baker ; orderly sergeant, Oilman M. Sturtevant ; duty sergeants, Richard B. Smith, Benj. E. Sutton, Oliver H. Durand and William W. Hall. About the 20th of August the company received orders to report at Camp Butler, near Springfield. The company was promptly assembled at Shelbyville, and the farewells to friends were given. Many tears gave evidence of the sadness of part- ing with wives, sweethearts and friends, but patriotic duty called, and soon the company was moving as rapidly as the
COMPANY ORGANIZATIONS. 21
railway could take it to the rendezvous. On arriving at Camp Butler, the company was assigned to Col. J. H. Moore's regi- ment, and went into camp with the other companies.
Company H was organized at Delavan in Tazewell County, in the early part of August. It was composed of about the same material as the other companies. It was the work of a number of patriotic citizens, Henry Pratt, Silas Parker, John Reardon, Joseph J. Slaughter and Stephen K. Hatfield being most conspicuous. Finding it difficult to fill the company to the maximum, they started to Springfield on the 14th of August with only 67 men, with the hope that others would be added. Common farm wagons furnished the transportation to Atlanta, where they took the train for Springfield. Thence to Camp Butler the journey was made as best they could, most of them going on foot. The boys of the 73d recruited from the same locality gave them a warm welcome and quarters for the night. Within a few days several recruits were added, making 73 in all. On the 23d an election was held, resulting in the choice of the following officers : Captain, Henry Pratt ; first lieutenant, Silas Parker ; second lieutenant, John Reardon. On September 3d the ladies of Delavan presented the com- pany a fine silk flag and a splendid supper, which were accom- panied with speeches and much general merriment. When the time for mustering in the regiment came, the company was still short of the required number of men. Being unable to recruit the men without too much delay, the colonel hit upon the expedient of borrowing men for Company H from other companies. By this means, the company carried on its rolls several men who really belonged to other companies in every way but the matter of legal muster.
Company I was also the result of the union of two squads. Capt. William Kinman, already a hero of three wars, assisted by James A. Rutherford and others, recruited part of a com- pany at Jacksonville and even elected officers : William Kin- man, captain ; James A. Rutherford, first lieutenant, and Cyrus L. Kinman, second lieutenant. This company numbered 65 men, too few to muster. At the same time another company was being formed at Meredosia, in the same county, by Simon
22 COMPANY ORGANIZATIONS.
P. Newman and others. It also being too> small, the squads were brought together with the understanding that the Mere- dosia squad should name the captain and the first lieutenant, and the Jacksonville contingent the second lieutenant, Captain Kinman taking the chances for a field office, while Lieutenant Rutherford wa^ expected to take thirty men from the Jack- sonville squad and join the loist regiment, in which he was expected to be first lieutenant. This plan was only partly car- ried out. Simon P. A^ewman was made captain ; James S. Samuels, first lieutenant, and Cyrus L. Kinman, second lieu- tenant ; but for some reason Lieutenant Rutherford refused to go to the loist, and declared he would rather remain in the company, even as a private. However, about thirty of the Jacksonville party withdrew from the company and went to the loist regiment. When once organized, the company was ready for the rendezvous and at once took the train for Camp Butler, where it was assigned to the 115th regiment.
Company K came from Menard and Sangamon Counties, but was organized at Athens. The details of its organization have not been furnished and hence but few particulars can be given. James Steele of Athens was chosen captain, Sylvester M. Bailey of Salisbury, first lieutenant, and Philip Riley of Springfield, second lieutenant. These officers were probably most active in bringing the company together, and should have the credit. Though largely composed of Americans, Company K had a number of Irishmen or men of Irish descent.
Camp Butler was situated in the woods near the Sangamon River, on the line of the Great Western (now the Wabash) Railway, about five or six miles east of Springfield. It was the most important of the camps of rendezvous for the Illinois Volunteers and was a busy place nearly all through the war. There were a few rough frame buildings used for the storage of camp and garrison equipage and army supplies, but the troops were sheltered in tents. At the time the companies of the 115th reached the camp a considerable number of regi- ments were already there ; among them the 73d, 82d, 91st and 107th that are now remembered. They were all there for the same purpose as ourselves, that of organization, equipment
Brevet Col. GEORGE A. POTEET, U. S. Vols. Lieutenant-Colonel, 115th III. Vols.
AT CAMP BUTLER. 23
and discipline. Some were almost ready for the field, others had just arrived and more were coming. The 73d left for Kentucky soon after our arrival.
The work of organizing and equipping our regiment was pushed with great vigor. Each day brought something new. The officers were supplied with wall tents with a fly, or double roof, that made quite a comfortable home as well as office for them. The men had bell tents or wedge tents, the former large enough to hold ten or twelve men, while the latter would furnish room for from four to six men. A very complete outfit of camp kettles, pans, cups, tin plates, etc., was issued to the several companies. The officers usually employed a cook, who rigged up a kitchen in the rear of the officers' tent, and pre- pared such meals for them as they were able or pleased to buy supplies for. It should be understood that officers of the army are expected to furnish their own outfit, excepting tents, and also to provide their table with provisions and other sup- plies. They furnish their living, but are allowed to draw com- mutation of rations. The enlisted men have no such privileges, but draw rations in kind. The companies were divided into messes of such number each as seemed desirable, ranging from four or five to twelve or fifteen men to the mess. The rations were drawn by the orderly (or first) sergeant and distributed to the several messes. At the beginning some of the com- panies employed a company cook who prepared meals for the entire company, all living in common. That method did not last long, however, as it was found inconvenient except in per- manent camp. In the messes the cooking was usually done by the men, each taking his turn at that service.
Drilling was the daily occupation. The awkward squad could be seen at all hours of the day, in every direction, making a desperate efifort to learn the position of a soldier, the manual of arms and the various movements of the company. Usually a portion of each day was given to company drill and another to battalion drill. The colonel, having had no military ex- perience, contented himself with the executive work pertaining to the command of the regiment, and left the work of drilling the regiment entirelv to Lieutenant-Colonel Kinman and Ma-
24 REGIMENTAL OFFICERS.
jor Poteet, the former having had experience in the Black Hawk and Mexican Wars, and the latter having served more than a year in the 14th Illinois Volunteers.
The several companies being fully organized and in their proper place in camp, on the 26th day of August the regiment was organized by the selection of the following officers : Col- onel, Jesse H. Moore, of Decatur ; lieutenant-colonel, William Kinman, of Jacksonville ; major, George A. Poteet, of Shelby- ville ; adjutant, John H. Woods, of Alton ; quartermaster, Benj. F. Farley, of Athens; surgeon, Enoch W. Moore, of Decatur ; first assistant surgeon. Nelson G. Blalock, of Mt. Zion ; second assistant surgeon, James A. Jones, of Delavan ; chaplain, Arthur Bradshaw, of Decatur.
The colonel, lieutenant-colonel and major were elected by the commissioned officers of the regiment, in the same man- ner that the company officers were elected by the men of the several companies. The stafif officers were nominated or rec- ommended by the colonel, and together with all the other officers of the regiment, received their commissions from the governor. After the first organization of the regiment, elec- tions were rarely held, vacancies being filled by appointment and commission by the governor, usually on the recommenda- tion of the colonel. The rule in Illinois was that promotions were made within the company and regiment, taking the next in rank, unless for some cause, one lower in rank was recom- mended by the colonel or selected by the governor. Promo- tions were rarely, if ever, made from one company to another, or from one regiment to another, so the ambitious company officer was compelled to wait till a vacancy occurred in his own company. In that way it frequently occurred that a capable, deserving officer remained in the same position throughout his service, simply because the officer next above him would not die, get killed, or resign, and was unable to secure promo- tion. The promotion of Captain Poteet to be major left a vacancy in the captaincy of Company B, which was promptly filled by the promotion of Lieut. Eleazer Slocum. At the same tune Lieut. Erasmus D. Steen was promoted to the first lieu- tenancy and John Beauchamp to the second lieutenancy.
Brevet Maj. ELEAZER SLOCUM, U. S. Vols. Captain, Company B.
MUSTERED IN. 25
These changes occuring before muster, they all appeared on the rolls as original officers of the company. The following non-commissioned officers of the regiment were appointed by the colonel : Sergeant-major, Wood W. Peddecord, of De- catur ; quartermaster sergeant, Charles W. Jerome, of Shelby- ville ; commissary sergeant, Allen Litsenberger, of Decatur ; hospital steward, Addison C. Douglass, of Macon ; principal musicians, W. H. Kolp, James T. Roberts.
While in Camp Butler many of the married men and others having important business were granted furloughs to go home and visit their families and adjust their business afifairs for the long absence. Others went home because of sickness, some of whom died, and a few others were never able to return to service. Sundays were much occupied in receiving visitors from home. The visitors generally brought well filled baskets, making many of the boys glad to see the good things prepared by their mothers and sisters. One of the most exciting scenes at Camp Butler was a little battle between the men of the 82d regiment, composed almost entirely of Germans, and commanded by that gallant German, Col. Fred Hecker, and those of the 91st regiment, as exclusively made up of Ameri- cans and commanded by Colonel Day. The Germans f esented some fancied insult of the Americans, whether from too much bad beer or an excess of regimental pride, we shall not attempt to decide. A pitched battle followed, resulting, however, in no serious loss to either party, as it was soon quelled by the camp commander and his provost guards, consisting of three companies of Missouri three months men.
The regiment was formally mustered into the United States service for "three years or during the war," on the 13th of September, by Lieut. Ferd. E. de Courcey of the regular army. This was done by calling the regiment into line and publicly administering the oath of service to the entire regiment. Pre- viously "muster-in rolls" of the several companies had been prepared in triplicate. These were on large sheets of paper about twenty by thirty inches and gave the name, rank, place of residence, age, occupation and much other information per- taining to each of the men of the several companies, and were
26 EQUIPMENT.
certified to by the mustering officer. One copy of these rolls was sent to the adjutant-general of the army, at Washington, and became the basis of the permanent record of the regiment that is kept in that office ; another copy was filed with the adju- tant-general of the State of Illinois for the State record. Pre- vious to this mustering we had all been sworn into the service on our enlistment. After the "muster in" we were fully in- ducted into the services of the United States, and subject to go wherever the President might order. The daily drills were continued, uniforms were issued to the men, and the officers were equipped in regulation style at their own expense. At last the regiment was armed, but with the most clumsy musket known to the service, the old Remington rifle of .69 caliber, which was carried till after the battle of Chickamauga.
CHAPTER IV.
THE JOURNEY TO RICHMOND, KY.
While the 115th was engaged in preparation for the service, important mihtary operations were going on, both in the East and in the West. General Grant was pushing his first cam- paign against Vicksburg. General Pope had been assigned to the command of the Army of Virginia, operating against Stonewall Jackson, in the valley of the Shenandoah, while General McClellan, reduced to the command of the Army of the Potomac by the assignment of Halleck to the command of all the armies, instead of threatening Richmond, had been giving all his attention to the defense of the National capital. Numerous battles had been fought along the Virginia fron- tier ; Lee had made his first attempt at Northern invasion and had been turned back by the desperate struggle at Antie- tam on the i6th and 17th of September, in which there was a loss of 10,000 on each side. McClellan, so long the idol of the army, had fallen in popular estimation and about that time was superseded by Gen. A. E. Burnsides. Washington was still confronted by a powerful Confederate army and no sub- stantial progress had been made in the effort to relieve the capital of the constant menace. The war had grown to great proportions, and in the South almost every able-bodied man had been forced into the service.
As General Buell moved northward, the whole of Tennessee, south and east of Nashville, was abandoned. A single divis- ion was left for the defense of the State capital, and by forced marches General Buell rapidly brought the rest of his army to the vicinity of Louisville. Bragg had made a triumphant march through Tennessee and Kentucky. The garrison at Munfordville, under General Johnson, had been captured and
28 DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO.
the Confederates were hopeful of cfossing the Ohio River. As a part of the general movement, Generals Price and Van Dorn, with a considerable force of Confederates, were making a demonstration against Grant and Rosecrans in the neigh- borhood of Corinth, to prevent them from reenforcing Buell. Gens. John H. Morgan and N. B. Forrest, with their cavalry divisions, were ranging through southern and central Ken- tucky, gathering up horses and supplies and everywhere haras- sing the Union forces in every possible manner.
The strong post at Cumberland Gap, under command of Gen. George W. Morgan, was besieged by General Steven- son's division of Confederates, while Gen. E. Kirby Smith with a force of about 16,000 infantry, cavalry and artillery passed by and moved rapidly in the direction of Richmond and Lexington. General Morgan failing to provoke General Stevenson to battle, and finding his supply of forage and ra- tions failing, on the 14th of August abandoned the place after destroying all Government property that could not be moved. In order to avoid Kirby Smith's forces, he retreated into northeastern Kentucky to Grayson and Greenupsburg.
The department of the Ohio had recently been formed, in- cluding the States of Ohio, Indiana and a part of Kentucky, under command of Maj.-Gen. H. G. Wright, and Maj.-Gen. William Nelson had been placed in command of the forces in central Kentucky. The troops under his command were mostly new regiments hastily collected. Many of them had never been drilled as such, and the officers were mostly with- out military experience. Three brigades of such troops, com- manded by Brig.-Gens. M. D. Manson, Charles Cruft arid J. F. Jackson were concentrated in the vicinity of Lexington and Richmond. On the 2gth of August, General Manson in command of this force met the advance of Gen. Kirby Smith's army at Rogersvillle, six or eight miles south of Rich- mond. A short skirmish ensued, followed by a fierce assault the next day, which was too much for General Manson's raw troops. He was compelled to fall back to Richmond, con- tinuing the fight in his retreat ; a brief stand was made at the cemetery, but the superior forces of the enemy soon drove
THE iisTH STARTS FOR THE FRONT. 29
the Union Army on through the town and over the Ken- tucky River without any further effort at resistance. There being no opposition, Gen. Kirby Smith moved rapidly through the blue-grass region, the pride of Kentucky ; Lexington, Paris and other towns were occupied and soon his advance was within sight of Cincinnati. The boldness of his move- ments and the near approach to the Ohio, even threatening so important a place as Cincinnati then was, caused the great- est excitement throughout the Northwest. The cities of Cin- cinnai and Louisville were in wildest alarm. For the defense of these cities a provisional army of recruits, citizens, soldiers and new regiments was hastily assembled under Gens. A. J. Smith, Lew Wallace and Gordon Granger.
The 115th was ready for service and was needed in Ken- tucky. On the 4th of October the order came to break camp and hasten to the front. The packing was quickly done and our camp and garrison equipage was soon on board the cars. The natural route was by the Wabash Railway to Lafayette, Ind., and thence direct to Cincinnati, but that road had more work transporting troops than it could well do and hence had no cars for us. We were thus compelled to take the Chicago & Alton Railroad and make the circuit via Alton and thence by the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railway through Terre Haute and Indianapolis. It was after midnight when our train of thirty freight cars, loaded inside and on top with bluecoats, moved off toward the southwest. At dayhght we were passing through the fertile prairies of Macoupin County and at 10 o'clock were at Alton. A short stop and a hasty breakfast from our haversacks, and we were soon on the way eastward. Necessarily our progress was slow when compared with the speed of modern express trains. There was more to be seen from the top of the cars and many were venturesome enough to ride there; this was a dangerous thing to do, as became painfully evident that day when our first accident oc- curred. One of the boys, perhaps not more careless but more unfortunate than the rest, fell from the top of a car, crushing his right leg so that it was amputated when we reached Shel- b3'ville. Here Companies B and G were at home and had a
30 ARRIVAL AT COVINGTON.
pleasant visit witli friends. A bountiful dinner had been pre- pared for them, which they were then in condition to enjoy in the highest degree.
We passed Terre Haute at midnight and at 8 o'clock the morning of the 6th arrived at Indianapolis, where we were most hospitably treated by the citizens. To say that we were tired and hungry is putting it mildly. As soon as the train reached the siding of the (now) Big Four railroad, just east of Virginia Avenue, the boys hurried out to find something to eat, at bakeries and restaurants, but none were near. The people living in the vicinity quickly appreciated the situation and without formality took the strangers into their homes, and soon the whole regiment of nearly a thousand men were given a hearty breakfast. The entire neighborhood took part in this generous hospitality, everyone within reach seeming anx- ious to help. The heartiness of the reception gave us all an excellent opinion of Indianapolis, and it was long remem- bered and talked of. Soon after breakfast the journey was resumed via the Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad (now the Big Four) and without special incident Cincinnati was reached at 5 p. m. The time had now come to sling knapsacks and take up the real march. Those knapsacks were not mere tri- fles either ; they were large and capable of great expansion and were well filled with all sorts of articles, supposed by kind friends to be useful in soldier life, but which we soon found a great burden. The knapsack, with blanket and rubber poncho strapped on top, together with cartridge box, ammunition, gun and trappings, weighed from forty to sixty pounds to the man.
From the depot we marched up Third Street, perhaps a mile, to Walnut Street, and thence across the Ohio River on a pon- toon bridge constructed of coal barges, to Covington. March- ing through the principal streets of that city and out on the high ridge in its southern borders, our company found a place for bivouac on the side of a hill in dust and dirt too deep for any use that we could think of. We were already loaded with the dust from the streets through which we had marched and so took the camp ground without complaint. The citizens of
Capt. JOHN M. LANE. Company E.
BUELL'S PURSUIT OF BRAGG. 31
Cincinnati and Covington had gone through such a terrible fright that they were dehghted to see reenforcements, and thronged the streets as we passed, giving us the most hearty expressions of welcome.
The art of living in camp had not yet been learned. Our camp equipage had not arrived. Neither food nor water was to be found, and the only thing left for us to do that night was to go supperless to bed, if the place we had to lie on could be so called. That was a pretty rough beginning, but quite passa- ble in comparison with what was before us. Tired boys can sleep under great difficulties and we slept soundly that night. The next day a camp was selected for us on pleasant, sloping ground near the Licking River, and here we remained twelve days making active preparations for field operations. The scare was already over. Gen. Kirby Smith had changed his mind, if he ever intended attacking the place. After gathering up all the serviceable horses the country afforded and such other supplies as he could ^ke with him, he moved ofif south- ward to join the forces of General Bragg.
General Buell having secured large accessions to his army from the new regiments pouring in from Indiana, Illinois, Wis- consin and Michigan, and thinking himself ready for offen- sive operations, began his advance on General Bragg Octo- ber 1st. General Bragg's army was then in the vicinity of Bardstown. Soon after leaving Louisville, the several divis- ions of Buell's army began to meet the enemy's skirmishers, but no serious opposition was met till near Perrysville. The battle of Perrysville followed on the 7th and 8th of October, in which much severe fighting occurred, with a loss of 4,000 on each side in killed, wounded and captured. The Confed- erates retired during the night following, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. Bragg took up his retreat into Tennessee, the principal part of his army passing out through the Cumberland Gap and down through East Tennessee. General Bragg first made his headquarters at Morristown and then at Chattanooga and finally at Murfreesboro, where his army was concentrated in the latter part of November. After following Bragg through Danville and Lebanon to Crab
32 MARCH TO LEXINGTON.
Orchard, General Buell's army gave up the pursuit and con- centrated near Bowhng Green, with the view of preventing any movement of the enemy on Nashville.
While at Covington our regiment was given daily drills. The awkward squad was coming to be less in evidence, and the soldierly movements of the companies more common. The practicing of the piano student may be a great nuisance to her neighbors, but it is nothing compared with the noise and racket made by our musicians practicing on the bugle, fife and drum. The most discordant notes were heard in every direc- tion and at all times of the day, until silenced at night by the sound of taps. The quartermaster's department was ex- ceedingly busy at that time ; wagons, teams and all other necessary equipments for a campaign were issued to the regi- ment.
In the meantime the Army of Kentucky had been formed of the troops in that part of the State, and Maj.-Gen. Gordon Granger placed in command. On the i8th orders came to prepare for the march. It was our first movement of the sort, and with our immense stock of camp and garrison equipage and our want of experience, it took a long time to pack and get our outfits loaded. Each company had its own wagon, and the regimental headquarters three or four. Our regiment then numbered nearly a thousand men, so that when on the road in line of march, followed by our dozen or fifteen wagons, it made quite an imposing procession. Although the orders came early in the day, it was nearly sundown when we got under way. We proceeded through the outskirts of Coving- ton to the Lexington pike, and thence south on that splendid road a distance of five or six miles, where we turned into a field and made camp for the night. It was then nine or ten o'clock, and little time was lost in preparing camp, all being soon in the forgetfulness of sleep. The night was warm and pleasant and all enjoyed a good night's rest. In honor of our colonel, the place was named Camp Moore.
Early on the morning of the 19th the camp was aroused by the shrill notes of the bugle. Although it was Sunday, the march was to be resumed, and we soon learned that Sunday
MARCH TO LEXINGTON. 33
as the same as any other day while on march or campaign ; e day was never allowed to interfere with what the com- ander deemed necessry in military operations. War is a vork of necessity," and the march, campaign and battle went 1 regardless of the sacred day. That Sabbath day's journey as a distance of eleven or twelve miles over the dry dusty ke. It was a pleasant day, but with our heavy loads all ?re quite tired when we turned into camp in a beautiful Dods pasture that Gen. Kirby Smith and his Confederates id occupied for the same purpose but a little more than two eeks before. We called the place Camp Kinman, in honor
our Lieut. -Col. William Kinman. A strange flag having :en seen in the neighborhood, two companies were sent out
reconnoiter, but returned without finding any rebels. In at early part of our soldier experience it was supposed neces- ry to pitch tents every night, and if there was any straw or ly in the neighborhood it was brought into service as ;dding. As we were in loyal Kentucky, great care was taken at none but the "top rails" were taken as fuel. a
Early on the 20th the journey was continued on the Lex- gton pike as far as the village of Crittenden, and thence ' a common country road in a southeasterly direction to- irds Falmouth, on the Kentucky Central Railroad. This is a very hard march ; the road was over hills and hollows, id very dusty, and the country through which we passed was most destitute of water, because of the long drought that id prevailed. Many of the men became footsore and lame; me hired wagons to haul their knapsacks and other luggage, large number straggled behind, too lame and tired to keep I with the regiment. After eighteen miles of such march- g, all were glad to turn into a field near a little creek for e night. The day was not without relief in the way of lusing incidents, however. In the course of the march me of the boys observed some peach trees of a late variety, en laden with ripe fruit. It did not require orders to take em into the field, and soon many pockets and haversacks sre well filled. Major Poteet, seeing the breach of discipline, illed in loud, sharp tones, "Out of that," which made the
34 MARCH TO LEXINGTON.
timid ones scamper at a lively rate, while in a lower tone the major called to those nearest him, "Bring me some," a cause of great merriment for those who heard it. Others, thinking we were already in the enemy's country and that there was no harm in "pressing into the service" such of his property as could be made useful, extended their operations much farther than the peach fields. Following out this idea, a squad brought in about twenty head of fat cattle and as many sheep for a change of diet, and several horses for pack service. Colo- nel Moore was not ready for such warfare, and as soon as made aware of their doings, placed six of the boys under arrest and restored all the property to its owners.
Early the next morning the march was resumed. The weight of the knapsacks, guns and accouterments seemed greater than ever. All were disposed to lighten the load ; every- one tried to make the march less wearisome, but as the day wore on the loads only seemed heavier and the feet more tender. It was a great relief when we went into camp about four o'clock at Falmouth. We there found about 7,000 men in camp, under command of Maj.-Gen. Gordon Granger. Two days were spent at this place resting our sore feet and weary limbs. While at Falmouth, Dr. James A. Jones, our second assistant surgeon, first joined the regiment, he having been commis- sioned after we left for the field.
On the 24th the march was continued toward Lexington. The roads were as dusty and over as dry and hilly a country as before, yet the day's march covered a distance of eighteen miles, and night overtook us at Robinson's Station, on the Licking River. Several of our men had been left at Falmouth in the hospital, sick from overexertion. The ladies of the place, learning that the hospital was short of supplies and that the sick were in need, came to their relief with the best the town could supply. The next day we made a shorter march ; about four o'clock in the afternoon it began to rain and we went into camp adjoining the town of Cynthiana. The boys had by this time learned somewhat how to adapt themselves to circumstances. As soon as arms were stacked, all went to work with a will to make ready for the night — some pitching
MARCH TO LEXINGTON. 35
Its, others bringing water or making fires, while others ought straw from friendly stacks in the vicinity. Very soon were in shelter, comfortably quartered and ready for a )od night's rest.
The rain turned to snow in the night, and on the morning the 26th we found the ground covered to a depth of three or ur inches. It was Sunday again, but not a day of rest for . The snow delayed our movements and it was nine o'clock fore we got fairly started on the road. And such a road ! le snow melting and being tramped into the dust soon made ud shoe-top deep. This was perhaps the most slavish day's arch of all our term of service. We were under Uncle Sam's ders and could not lie by, either for Sunday or for muddy ads. Long before night many of us were so fatigued that ch mile seemed the last that it would be possible to travel ; t, hoping each succeeding mile would end the day's journey, :w courage was gained to make it. Toward night the skies :ared and it turned freezing cold. We continued the tramp itil about 8 p. m., when we went into camp in some fields ar Paris. It was quite dark and all of us were entirely igno- nt of our surroundings. In spite of the difficulties, bright es were soon burning, water had been found, the kettles :re steaming with cofifee and plenty of straw had been secured r bedding.
The next morning, October 27th, was cool and clear. About g'ht o'clock we took up the line of march, with every indica- 3n of a full day's work ahead of us, and the possibility of aching Lexington by evening. Instead of that we had a ;son in the uncertainties of military operations. It was a mmon experience that we were to remain in camp when ; expected to move forward ; and when we had fixed up mp for a comfortable stay of months or for winter quarters, 2 immediately received orders to go. The result was the iys soon learned to be ready for whatever might happen, le march would begin with entire uncertainty as to whether r a few miles or for many. When the army went into camp . went to work with great vigor to make the place comforta- e, taking as much interest in fixing up as if orders had been
36 RESTING NEAR PARIS.
received to locate for the season, the chances being quite as great, so far as the rank and file knew, for a march the same night or the next day as for any more definite stay.
On the morning referred to we moved ofif with as much spirit as at any time in our soldier career. We soon reached the city of Paris, marched through it and beyond, a distance of about two miles. Then the army was halted and put into camp in the adjacent woods pasture, for which this part of Kentucky is famous. The farmers of this blue-grass region had done much for the army by making beautiful camp grounds. Nearly all the woodland in that part of the State had been enclosed, cleared of all underbrush and well set in blue grass. These pastures, studded with fine old walnut, poplar and sugar maple trees and well watered by lasting springs, were like great parks inviting us to enter and be comfortable. It should be said, also, that the Kentucky farmers usually treated us with genuine hospitality. They somewhat ob- jected to the habit the boys had of taking the "top rail" off their fences, and the liberties some took with their poultry yards and beehives, but did not seem disposed to make much trouble about it.
There was one interest, however, that was more sacred to them, and with which they did not want any interference. That was their pet institution, slavery. If anyone attempted to disturb the relation of the slaves to their masters it was sure to raise a pretty big row. Our regiment had its first experi- ence of that sort on the march from Robinson Station to Cynthiana. A fine-looking slave boy came into our lines seeking his liberty. He met real friends in Captain Steele of Company K, Sergeant Sloane of Company E and other ardent abolitionists of the regiment. They kept the boy in hiding for some time, while his master was scouring the country in his efforts to recover his property. It is probable that his efforts were in vain, for that boy was making himself useful to the Yankees the last we heard of him.
On the 28th we moved forward again and about 3 p. m. reached Lexington. We marched through some of the prin- cipal streets to the Georgetown pike, and out on that road
NELSON G. BLALOCK, M. D.
Assistant Surgeon.
THE ARMY OF KENTUCKY. 37
lOUt three or four miles to the httle village of Sandersville, lere we went into camp and remained until the 13th of No- raber. The time was spent in drilling and organizing the Dops, nearly all new regiments like our own. General orders quired us to drill five hours a day. On October 31st we id our first "muster for pay" ; that is, complete pay rolls of e several companies were made, very much like the original nuster in" rolls but with columns showing when last paid, lount to be deducted on account of clothing and balance due ,ch soldier, and a column on the right for the signature of e soldier receiving the pay and the name of a company iicer for witness. These pay rolls were made every two onths, and the operation called "mustering for pay." How- er, because of scarcity of funds, we were not paid until long terward.
The organization of the Army of Kentucky was completed iring our stay at Sandersville, as follows :
ARMY OF KENTUCKY. Maj.-Geii. Gordon Granger, Commanding.
FIRST DIVISION. Brig.-Gen. A. J. Smith, Commanding. FIRST BRIGADE. SECOND BRIGADE.
ig.-Gen. S. G. Burbridge, Com- Col. W. J. Landrum, Command-
manding. ing.
3d Ohio Infantry. 77th Illinois Infantry.
5th Ohio Infantry. 97th Illinois Infantry.
3th Ohio Infantry. io8th Illinois Infantry.
3d Wisconsin Infantry. 19th Kentucky Infantry.
SECOND DIVISION. Brig.-Gen. Q. A. Gilmore, Commanding. FIRST BRIGADE. SECOND BRIGADE.
■ig.-Gen. G. C. Smith, Command- Col. S. A. Gilbert, Commanding.
ing. 44th Ohio Infantry.
2th Illinois Infantry. looth Ohio Infantry.
Sth Michigan Infantry. 103d Ohio Infantry.
2d Michigan Infantry. 104th Ohio Infantry.
5th Ohio Infantry.
^8 MARCH TO RICHMOND.
THIRD DIVISION. Brig.-Gen. Absalom Baird, Commanding. FIRST BRIGADE. SECOND BRIGADE.
Col. John Coburn, Commanding. Col. P. T. Swayne, Commanding. 33d Indiana Infantry. 92d Illinois Infantry.
85th Indiana Infantry. 96th Illinois Infantry.
19th Michigan Infantry. 115th Illinois Infantry.
22d Wisconsin Infantry. 14th Kentucky Infantry.
In addition to these twenty-four regiments, the Army of Kentucky contained many new regiments not yet assigned to any brigade or division. Besides the company and battalion drills there were occasional brigade drills to familiarize the troops with the movements of larger bodies of men.
On the 13th of November our division broke camp and started on the march for new locations, some regiments going to Nicholasville, some to Mount Sterling and Winchester and others to Danville, while our regiment was ordered to Rich- mond, a fine, rich town of some 1,500 inhabitants, 26 miles nearly south of Lexington. Our route was over the Rich- mond and Lexington pike, and being a very fine road through a beautiful country, we did not look upon this march as any hardship. On the way we passed the old homestead of Henry Clay, called "Ashland." In its day it had been a splendid plantation of 600 acres, stocked with the finest horses and cattle produced in that far-famed blue-grass region, but now its glory was gone. It was a military camp, and the sage's mansion was the headquarters of the commander. Fine blue- grass farms with large, comfortable-looking farm-houses lined the pike on either side. These farmers were mostly "truly loyal" to the old flag, in profession at least, though few of them really enjoyed the presence of the bluecoats. Before night we had covered half of the journey to Richmond and bivouaced in a pasture about two miles from the Kentucky River.
The bugle called us from our slumbers at four o'clock the next morning, and at an early hour we were crossing the Kentucky River at Clay's Ferry, named in honor of the free soil patriot, Cassius M. Clay, whose splendid plantation lay on
MARCH TO RICHMOND. 39
e right of the pike, a mile or so south of the river. Mr. Clay ing then a general in the Union army and of national repu- tion as a politician and statesman, his stately mansion was
object of interest to us as we passed. At three o'clock we tered Richmond, and, greatly to our delight, saw the stars d stripes floating from nearly every house. Many were muinely loyal, while others joined in the demonstrations of ;lcome through motives of policy. It was the first Union giment they had seen since the battle, when the bluecoats jnt flying through their streets hotly pursued by the rebels.
few of the wounded were still there in the hospital, or in ivate houses, under the care of Federal surgeons who had mained with them. Who can imagine their pleasure at our iming! Marks and signs of the battle were apparent on ery side. Spots and streaks on the marble slabs and monu- ents in the cemetery adjoining the town on the south, made ' the bullets of the contending forces as they fought through e city of the dead, were specially noticeable. There were any bullet holes in trees and fences and other evidences of e deadly conflict.
CHAPTER V.
MARCHES IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE.
We were assigned a camping ground in a woods pasture about a mile south of town, and were soon as comfortable as we knew how to make ourselves, but we did not yet know how to make a camp comfortable, much less healthful. The officers were quite as ignorant of the requisites of healthful camp life as were the men. One of the worst evils was the making of beds of straw on the damp ground in the tents and using them for days without airing. This ignorance brought its penalty in sickness and death ; one hundred were left sick at Lexington, unable to march, and soon after our arrival at Richmond, 150 more were on the sick list. On December 1st we moved our camp to a beautiful poplar woods pasture adjoining the cemetery and only a half mile from town. It vv'as a splendid camping ground and our boys quickly made preparations to enjoy it ; the tents were put in order, chim- neys and fire places built and in every way preparations were made for a long stay. We had many pleasant days and some amusing incidents while at Richmond. The weather was gen- erally pleasant and though we were mostly occupied in drill- ing, we found opportunities for a pretty general inspection of the surrounding country. The citizens usually treated us in the most hospitable manner. The writer well remembers some fine turkey dinners partaken of at the home of Mr. Doolin, a wealthy shoe merchant in the place, made doubly en- joyable by the company of his amiable daughter. Miss Nannie Belle, and his most agreeable niece. Miss Sarah J. Thurman. Also an incident of a country ramble in company with Ser- geant Sloane of Company E. We came to the home of a
IN CAMP AT RICHMOND. 41
Ir. Bronson, a brother-in-law of Gen. L. H. Rousseau, and lund some soldiers of the 14th Kentuck}' regiment helping lemselves to the poultry, honey and other good things with hich the splendid farm abounded. This we thought hardly I good form, considering the hospitable treatment we had ;ceived, so assuming an air of authority we ordered them jt, and, strange to say, they promptly obeyed our command. Irs. Bronson was so delighted at our interference that she ivited us to a most excellent dinner that had been prepared ir some visiting friends.
The more prominent citizens of Richmond were especially iendly in their manner toward us. Judge Goodloe, a promi- ;.'nt Unionist, frequently visited the camp, sometimes bring- ig his daughters with him. The young ladies were fine sing- 's and enlivened the camp on such occasions with stirring itriotic songs. On Sundays many of us attended services in le town churches, and were always given a cordial welcome. : was not an uncommon thing to find one of our preacher Bficers in the pulpit filling the place of the pastor. Of course y daily drills we were learning something of the duty of sol- iers. Still there was much to learn among both officers and len. The 14th Kentucky Infantry and 21st Indiana Battery ad joined us, and Colonel Moore being the senior officer resent, became post commander. This gave rise to a rumor lat he had been made a brigadier-general, and some of the nowing officers saw a chance for some fun in the matter and icouraged this idea, industriously circulating the story that ieutenant-Colorlel Kinman had been promoted to colonel id Major Poteet to lieutenant-colonel, and, of course, the :nior captain would be major. A meeting of the officers was ild to ratify this, as they claimed, most natural result, peeches were made complimenting the senior captain and )ngratulating him on his early promotion. A case of wine as brought in and a high jollification occurred over the event, owever, the senior captain was the only one not in the secret
the affair. He was too good and unsuspecting to believe at his fellow officers would be guilty of practicing any decep- 3n on him.
42 A FALSE ALARM.
The merry-making came to an end at the sound of taps, and soon all the camp was dark and quiet and most of the officers and men were in their bunks. But the fun of the night was not over. Rumors had been heard from time to time that Gen. John Morgan was making a raid in southern Ken- tucky and was liable to make a run into the blue-grass region at any time. These rumors were more or less a subject of con- versation among the boys and were frequently in their minds. The night in question the usual guard surrounded the camp. About an hour after all had become quiet a solitary shot was heard out in the field to the south of our camp. Immediately the sentinel nearest fired his gun and the guards all around the line followed his example in quick succession. It was our first alarm ; all were in bed and many asleep. At the sound of the first shot the drum corps tumbled out and most vigor- ously beat the long roll. Imagine, reader, if you can, the ex- citement and confusion that followed. The haste of dressing at the time of a hotel fire is not to be compared to the speed with which the men got into their clothes that night. And such expressions as were heard meantime ! "Now we'll see who'll fight," "Let the cowards go to the rear," "Who is on the sick list now,'' and similar exclamations were heard right and left.
The lieutenant-colonel was promptly in position calling the several companies to their places in line. He directed the major to take charge of the left wing and cautiously move for- ward over the ravine that ran along the south side of our camp, sending skirmishers in advance, whil€ he in command of the right wing made a similar demonstration farther to the right. The firing had ceased and the skirmishers found no enemy in front. It soon became apparent to all that it was a false alarm. Many of the men fired their guns to add to the sport, and soon all were back in their tents. The cause of the alarm was long a secret, in fact, was not exten- sively known to the end of our service, but finally became known to a few. Captain Slocum was officer of the day and Sergeant Whittaker sergeant of the guard. They decided to continue the sport of the evening longer than the others had
CHAS. W. JEROME. ENOCH W. MOORE, M. D.
R- Q. M. Surgeon.
Lieut. A. LITSENBERGER. Adjutant. Maj. JNO. W. LAPHAM. Chaplain RICHARD HOLDING.
IHii
NEARLY A DUEL. 43
inned, and at the same time test the speed of the regiment getting ready for action. Their plan was well laid. The ser- ant, apparently by order of his superiors, went to the first lard and told him an attack was not unexpected, and that if
heard any firing in front he should discharge his gun as a jjnal. The next man was told the same thing, and so on ders were given all around the line. Of course the sergeant ed the shot in front and the guards in regular order did the st, all except the captain and sergeant being ignorant of the heme.
While at Richmond, Rev. Richard Holding reported to the giment as chaplain, Chaplain Bradshaw having resigned be- use of disability. Chaplain Holding remained with us but few months, however. His health failing, he returned his mmission to the governor, without being mustered and went ime. He was too conscientious to be mustered into the rvice when he knew he was not able for the work. About e middle of December the rumors of an expected raid from ;n. John Morgan's cavalry being renewed with appearance of ath, we were reenforced by the second brigade of the sec- id division, composed of the 44th, looth, 103d and 104th hio regiments, a battery and a regiment of cavalry, they tak- §• position on the ridge near Danville pike, to the west
the town. All the beautiful poplar and sugar trees in the ove lately occupied by our camp, were felled to the ground
give range to our artillery. "Fatigue" parties were regu- rly detailed and soon considerable show of breastworks ap- :ared.
About this time another "contraband" incident gave excite- ent to the camp. A slave boy, ungrateful for the kindness
his master or caring more for liberty than the "old Ken- cky home," sought refuge from his pursuers with our regi- ent. Captain Steele and Sergeant Sloane were again con- licuous as the slave's friends, and active in devising means r keeping him hid from his master. The latter came to the imp in a great rage hunting his "lawful property." He was xompanied by a lawyer named Stone, who was not only :alous in his efforts to serve his client, but very severe in
44 AT DANVILLE.
condemnation of all who might in any way be responsible for the concealment of the boy. He was prepared to take him on a writ of habeas corpus, but it was finding before taking. Captain Steele resented Stone's insinuations as to "negro thieves," and made some caustic reference to- the lawyer's methods of practice. The gentleman's honor was, touched and a challenge was at once sent to our freedom loving captain to settle the matter in the "only way known to gentlemen." This Captain Steele as promptly accepted, and through his second designated pistols as the weapons.
This history will not tell what would have been the result if the duel had taken place, for the colonel, getting a hint of the affair, ordered Captain Steele tO' take command of the guards, which kept him on duty, and gave no opportunity for a meeting with his adversary till the next day. In the mean- time we had received marching orders, and by noon were on the road toward Danville, the colonel taking very good care to see that the captain was continuously with his company. The road was one of those celebrated Kentucky pikes, over a gently rolling country, through that lovely blue-grass re- gion. The day was fine and by nightfall we had covered a distance of ten miles, and had pitched our tents on a beauti- ful wooded slope. The 14th Kentucky and 21st Indiana Bat- tery came with us, the Ohio brigade following later. The next day we had a moderate march of about a dozen miles, passing the town of Lancaster and some other villages with- out incident of note. The next morning, December 22d, we resumed the march and at three or four o'clock reached Dan- ville, and went into camp adjoining the town on the south- west. Here we found an army of some 10,000 men including the other regiments of our brigade, the 92d and 96th Illinois Infantry, also the other brigade of our division, Col. John Co- burn commanding. Col. P. T. Swain having been ordered to his regiment. Colonel Cochran, of the 14th Kentucky, being the senior colonel, was now in command of our brigade.
Danville was one of the best Kentucky cities and the home of many of its prominent citizens. Among them the fearless Unionist and celebrated divine, the Rev. Robert Breckinridge,
A MORGAN RAID. 45
D. D., was conspicuous in many ways. He was a leader in the work of holding Kentucky to the Union, and thought it entirely consistent with his sacred calling to take the stump for his country and do all in his power to rally his people under its flag. He was the uncle of Vice-President John C. Breckinridge, then a Confederate major-general, and the father of Col. W. C. P. Breckinridge, since prominent in Con- gress. The writer had the honor of doing a day's guard duty in front of Dr. Breckinridge's house, and the pleasure of receiving a very nice lunch from the hands of Mrs. Breckin- ridge during his stay. Center College, a prominent institu- tion of learning under the care of the Presbyterians, is located at Danville. Naturally its influence went with Dr. Breckin- ridge in support of the Union.
On the 29th another Morgan raid was reported ; this time he was in fact moving upon the town of Lebanon, twenty-eight miles distant. General Baird was ordered to move our divis- ion of two brigades and twO' batteries to the support of the garrison at Lebanon with all practicable speed. We were quickly in Hue and on the way, but soon after the march was commenced there began a steady pour-down rain which con- tinued all day. However, we moved forward regardless of the weather and before night we had covered more than 15 miles and halted for the night. Soon after dark the rain again poured down in torrents, fairly flooding our camp. It was a fearful march that day and an awful night. The next morn- ing at two o'clock orders were received from General Baird for the iiSth, accompanied by one other regiment, to move without encumbrance in hopes that we might reach Lebanon in time to succor the garrison, but by the time the column was ready to move, the general received a dispatch that Morgan had already captured the force at Lebanon, and was then making a hasty retreat toward the South. There being no oc- casion for our presence at Lebanon, as soon as our breakfast was over, the division started on the return march to Dan- ville, which we reached a little before night and resumed our respective places in the old camp.
46 DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND.
That was a trip filled with experience in real soldier life. Much loss was suffered by disease contracted by exposure to the storm. Second Lieut. A. C. Allinson of Company E was taken down with fever from that cause, from which he did not rise for many weeks, and was then compelled to resign because of continued disability. Although Danville is an ex- ceptionally healthful place, and good health prevailed generally among the citizens, because of our exposure and ignorance of proper camp life, great numbers of our men were taken from us by disease. The doleful funeral march was heard almost daily, and many of our most valued men were left in the Danville cemetery. Among them were three stalwart broth- ers, Benjamin, Michael and James Ramsey, of Company E. They had been looked upon as the finest specimens of physical manhood in the company, and the most able to stand hard- ships, from the fact that they had been brought up on the farm and accustomed to hard work. Measles was the greatest scourge. Great numbers were so afflicted, and many cases turning into pneumonia proved fatal. At one time nearly two-thirds of the regiment were in the hospital or on the sick list in camp.
On the 30th of December we had another Morgan alarm, our pickets being driven in on the Lebanon pike ; we were ordered to be ready for action at a moment's notice. The next day our cavalry brought in 52 of Morgan's men as prisoners. About that time Company I, under command of Captain New- man, was sent to Boone Cave to guard the bridge across the Kentucky River at that point. After a few days of that duty the company was ordered to Dick River Bridge, between Camp Dick Robinson and Danville, where it remained guard- ing that bridge, and incidentally sampling Kentucky honey, poultry, etc., until the regiment was ordered to leave Danville. On the 30th of December First Lieut. Arthur C. Bankson, of Company A, resigned on account of physical disability. Sec- ond Lieut. Jesse Hanon being promoted to the position and Sergt. Joseph B. Gore to the second lieutenancy.
In the latter part of October, 1862, Maj.-Gen. Don Carlos Buell was relieved of the command of the Department of the
First Sergt. G. W. SUMTER. Company K.
MURFREESBORO. 47
bio, and Maj.-Gen. W. S. Rosecrans was given the command the Department of the Cumberland, composed mainly of the me troops. Orders were at once issued for the concentration the army at Nashville. Six divisions were then at Bowling reen, Ky., and others at Glasgow and points in that vicinity, sneral Bragg's advance was at Murfreesboro, Tenn., threat- ling Nashville. Although General Rosecrans found his army uch in need of rest, drilling, discipline and re-equipment, the gency of the situation led him to move as quickly as possible, ashville had been in a state of siege since Bragg's advance to Kentucky, and was not relieved till the arrival of Mc- jok's and Crittenden's corps on November 9th. On November 7th the Army of the Cumberland was re- ganized, Maj.-Gen. G. H. Thomas being placed in command the center, composed of the divisions commanded by Gener- 3 Rousseau, Negley, Dumont and Fry. Maj.-Gen. . D. McCook was given command of the right wing, with e divisions of Generals Sheridan, Johnson and Davis, while [ajor-General Crittendon was given the left wing, composed the divisions of Generals Wood, Palmer and Van Cleve. Iiese wings subsequently became the 14th, 20th and 21st rmy Corps respectively. The Louisville & Nashville Rail- ad was again open and being vigorously used in behalf of e Government. Before the middle of November, General osecrans had established his headquarters in Nashville, and as pushing the work of preparing his army for an effective impaign into the enemy's country. Numerous skirmishes icurred from time to time. Early in December, Col. A. B. oore surrendered his command of 1,400 men at Hartsville ■ the Confederate General Morgan, a disgrace long keenly felt ' our army. About that time Gen. D. S. Stanley, recently Dm the Army of the Tennessee, assumed command of the valry forces of the department.
General Bragg had his headquarters at Murfreesboro, thirty iles southeast of Nashville, and his army was encamped in e vicinity, with outposts at Lavergne, Nolensville and Tri- le. The course of Stone River is from south to north to a jint a mile or so west of Murfreesboro and thence nearly
48 BATTLE OF STONE RIVER.
northwest. The Nashville pike and Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad run nearly northwest from the town, crossing each other at a sharp angle a mile west of the river, and both keep- ing near the course of the river for some distance. The Wil- kinson pike runs slightly north of west and the Franklin road directly west. The country to the west of the river is rolling, partly cleared but containing extensive cedar thickets. Such was the field of the Battle of Stone River.
On the 26th of December General Rosecrans began his for- ward movements. The next day Sheridan's and Johnson's divisions of McCook's corps drove Hardee from Nolensville and Triune, while General Wood took Lavergne and pushed on to the neighborhood of Stone River, on the Nashville pike. On the evening of the 30th the two armies were in po- sition ready for action. General Bragg had advanced his army to the west side of the river. Cheatham's and Wither's divis- ions of Polk's corps occupied the center, covering the Wil- kinson pike. Cleburn's and McCown's divisions of Hardee's corps were posted on his left near the Franklin road, while Breckenridge's division was on the right covering the Nash- ville pike and extending across the river. The Union forces, also in three corps and not greatly differing from the Confed- erates in strength, were in position not more than a mile to the west of them. General McCook commanded the right wing, consisting of Johnson's, Davis' and Sheridan's divisions in that order from right to left ; Rousseau's and Negley's di- visions, under General Thomas, were in the center between the Nashville and Wilkinson pikes ; Crittenden's corps, composed of Palmer's, Wood's and Van Cleve's divisions constituted the left wing and extended from the Nashville pike north across the river and confronted Breckenridge's position.
Hardee's left extended far beyond McCook's right, which gave him a great advantage. At daylight on the 31st Hardee's Confederates attacked McCook's right with great fury. Wil- lich's brigade, on the extreme right, soon gave way, General Willich being captured in an attempt to join his brigade. Kirk's brigade, next to the left, quickly followed, the gallant General Kirlt being killed. The conflict soon became general
BATTLE OF STONE RIVER. 49
all along the line from the right to the center. Brigade after brigade gave way before Hardee's and Polk's exultant Con- federates, until our right had been carried back two or three miles, so that the entire right and center faced the south at right angles to their position in the morning.
In the meantime, in accordance with Rosecrans' plan of bat- tle. Van Cleve's division of Crittenden's corps had crossed the river with the view of attacking Breckenridge's division, but before much progress was made Rosecrans was advised of Mc- Cook's reverse and recalled this movement, sending two brig- ades of that division and one of Wood's division down the Nashville pike to the support of McCook's right. About the same time, Thomas' corps, taking advantageous ground in the new position, repeatedly repulsed the assaults of the enemy, inflicting great loss on them. Although the Confederates had greatly the advantage in the first half of the day, every point they gained was at great cost of men. So badly were they hurt that when night put an end to the first day's conflict they were ready to quit.
The next day was devoted by the Union forces to reor- ganization and preparation for renewing the battle. The Con- federates were gathering up the wounded and burying the dead. Bragg hoped Rosecrans would retreat and gave him time to do it. On the 2d of January, finding the Union forces still there, he ordered Breckenridge to attack the Union left, which he did with great vigor, but was repulsed with much loss by a portion of Crittenden's corps ; in this engagement the artillery played a conspicuous part. The retreat of Bragg's army began that night, and the next morning found them well on the way to Tullahoma, where General Bragg made his next stand. Not being ready for a further advance, the Army of the Cumberland went into winter quarters at Murfreesboro and vicinity.
There was no longer need of any considerable force of Union troops in Kentucky. The field of military operations had shifted to middle Tennessee. The Confederates had been put on the defensive, and the objective point of the next movement of
so MARCH TO LOUISVILLE.
the Army of the Cumberland was the stronghold, Chattanooga. Naturally the Army of Kentucky was ordered to Tennessee.
The march to Louisville began on January 26th, and we occupied nearly five days in covering the distance of 85 miles, the route being by way of Harrodsburg, Lawrenceburg and Shelbyville. A few regiments were left to guard the sacred soil of Kentucky, among them the 14th Kentucky Infantry that had thus far been brigaded with us, but with these ex- ceptions the entire Army of Kentucky was in the movement. The daily march was about 17 miles, quite enough to make us sleep well at night. The usual drafts on Kentucky straw stacks and beehives were made. One incident is brought to mind. As the day was well nigh spent and it was thought we would soon go into camp, some of Company E observed a bee-shed at the end of a farm-house, in which, from the number of hives, they supposed the stock of honey entirely too great for the needs of the family, and so planned to return and take care of the surplus. It was quite a while, however, before the halt was made, but unmindful of the distance, the boys started back as soon as possible. Though already quite tired, and finding the distance much' greater than they supposed, they kept on for perhaps three or four miles from camp ; fin- ally the place was reached and passed a few hundred yards, to give the appearance of a party of stragglers far in the rear of the main body. Then the party divided, two of them going boldly up to the house and asking permission to warm, while the remaining three each took a gum full of honey and started down the pike. It soon came the turn of the "bold ones" to be put to their metal, for the man of the house having learned that other soldiers had taken his choicest honey, became sus- picious and accused them of being of the same party, which they stoutly denied. To add to their discomfort, two or three butternut-clad natives came marching down stairs into the room in a very threatening manner. However, persistent de- nials and a pretense at being insulted by the insinuations, saved the boys from further trouble and they, being sufficiently warmed, were soon making long strides to catch up with the honey party.
ON TRANSPORTS. 51
On the 31st the command marched through the city of ouisville and down to Portland, three miles below the city, here the entire force was embarked on transport steamers, le 115th being given two small steamers, the "Leonora" and e "New York." Companies A, C, D, F, H, and I were aced on the "Leonora," and B, E, G and K on the "New ork." The fleet consisted of all sorts of river steamboats 3m the great "Jacob Strader" and "Telegraph No. 3" to the tie stern-wheelers common on the smaller rivers. The work
■ loading the troops and camp and garrison equipage occu- ed two days.
February 2d the voyage was begun. Among the rank and e there was much speculation as tO' our destination, whether )wn the Mississippi to join the forces in front of Vicksburg,
■ to Nashville to reenforce the Army of the Cumberland. 11 doubts were removed, however, when we reached the outh of the Cumberland River and our fleet turned up that ream. It was then clear that we were to form a part of Rose- ans' gallant army. In the convoy of eight gunboats our ■et started up the Cumberland early on the 4th. Very soon imors came of a fight at Fort Donelson, and a little later e began to meet floating bales of hay — several hundred of em which the natives were trying to capture.
About 2 p. m. we reached Fort Donelson, and learned of e gallant defense of the place made by the 83d Illinois In- ntry against 5,000 or more Confederates, under Generals 'heeler and Forrest. The Union forces of about 700 infantry id a field battery of four guns and two siege pieces held their ■ound with a loss of 13 killed, 40 wounded and 8 captured, hile the Confederates left 150 dead, many wounded and 70 ■isoners. Possibly the timely arrival of four gunboats at the ;ad of our fleet had something to do with the hasty retreat ' the Confederates. We were permitted to go ashore and ew the famed battlefield of the previous year and the fort lat yielded to "Unconditional Surrender Grant." The Con- derate dead were still lying as they fell, presenting a ghastly ght to us, who had never seen any real war. The next day ir fleet moved forward, a portion of the boats being lashed
52 ARRIVAL AT NASHVILLE.
together in pairs. The fleet, consisting of more than sixty- vessels, filled the river as far as the eye could reach. We passed some very fine scenery, high bluffs and bold precipices. Among the objects of interest were Forts Riley and Zollicof- fer, built by the rebels and abandoned after the fall of Fort Donelson. Near Harpeth Shoals we saw the wrecks of two steamers that had been burned by the enemy a short time be- fore our arrival. In the afternoon of the 7th we came in sight of Nashville, the most conspicuous object being its famed State Capitol.
With flags flying, drums beating and hearty cheering from the thousands of soldiers covering a half a hundred decks and the adjacent shores, our fleet was moored in front of the city. But not a word of welcome came from the citizens. They did not want us and did not care to make any demonstration on account of our coming. Early on the 8th our command began tmloading. We had been so crowded on the boats, and the cabins had thereby become so foul that all were heartily glad to leave them. It had been too cold to sleep on deck without discomfort, and the great number of men lying on the cabin floors, as well as crowding all the berths every night, made the air so impure that many were ready for the hospital by the time we were permitted to breathe pure air again. All were anxious to be on land, hence they made rapid work of it, and soon after noon we were marching through the city and out on the Franklin pike about three miles, where we went into camp near a small creek. The ground was wet and un- inviting as a place of residence, but we made the best of it. Straw for bedding was out of the question, as none could be found. Weeds and the boughs of trees were made to do service.
The poisons taken by the men while on the boats began to bear fruit in a rich harvest of typhiod fever, pneumonia and similar deadly complaints. The regimental field hospital — a tent about 30 by 50 feet — was soon full and many were sent to the general hospitals in Nashville. From these places very many were carried to their long home in the soldiers' cemetery.
LOTON G. WILLIAMS. Company E.
SICKNESS IN THE REGIMENT. 53
The writer was one of the sufferers from typhoid fever, with :rong symptoms of pneumonia. Judging by the results with oth- rs having similar symptoms, nearly all of whom died, the sur- eons thought there was very little probability of his recovery, t was their habit to visit all the patients in the hospital in ie morning and then hold a consultation as to the treatment equired. One morning the usual round had been made and ie three surgeons, Drs. Moore, Blalock and Jones were in arnest consultation. For want of a better place, they stood
little distance from the rear wall of the hospital, and there ^ent over the list of the sick. Each gave his opinion, reme- ies were suggested and lines of treatment discussed. The Titer lay in the part of the tent nearest the doctors, and hav- ig made a small slit in the tent that he might be able to see
little of the outer world, through it he heard the voices, and aving very good ears, he listened with perfect attention to le doctors' comments, well knowing they would soon reach is case. Finally his name was called by the assistant sur- eon, acting as clerk, and Dr. Moore remarked, "Well, of ourse, Royse will die. We can do nothing for him here. E he were at home there might be some chance for him, ut what hope is there in this tent ?" Then it was suggested liat he be sent to one of the general hospitals in the city, diich was agreed to, and the doctors passed to the next name, ^his did not suit the party most interested. He had heard too luch of the numbers carried out to the cemeteries from those ospitals, and determined to interpose a demurrer to the pro- eeding. Very soon Dr. Moore came in and in a kindly tone egan to tell that patient about how much better he could e cared for in the general hospital, and of the desire to make im more comfortable by his removal. Imagine the doctor's urprise when the patient informed him that he knew his case letter than the doctors and was not going to die if given a fair hance, at the same time making it known that he had over- leard the consultation. He protested stoutly against being aken from the care of the doctors and nurses who knew him. i.s a matter of course, he was master of the situation, and re- nained in the field hospital till able to walk out.
CHAPTER VI.
AT NASHVILLE AND FRANKLIN.
As soon as we were well settled in camp the usual routine of drilling was resumed. Occasional foraging expeditions went to the country to look for something better than the army rations. Hogs in the vicinity were particularly "re- bellious," and our boys made it a rule to allow no hog to be "disloyal to them." Consequently, the regulation hardtack and bacon diet was frequently changed to fresh pork and corn dodger. One day an angry citizen — professedly "truly loyal" — came to camp and reported that a squad of the 115th men had butchered and carried off his hogs in the presence of one of our officers, Captain Steele, who refused to interfere when re- quested to do so. The captain, as will be remembered, was noted for his disposition to fight rebels in the most vigorous manner possible, and was not careful to select mild methods or soft weapons. He had not left his comfortable home merely for the purpose of protecting rebel property, and he did not propose to soil his hands with any such service.
Lieutenant-Colonel Kinman, who was then in command of the regiment, the colonel having gone home on a brief leave of absence, had seen service enough in the Black Hawk War and in Mexico to know the value of discipline. In his view it would not at all do to permit an officer to quietly observe such depredations without an effort to prevent them. He at once ordered the adjutant to place the offending captain un- der arrest, but the plucky captain refused to submit because the adjutant was his inferior in rank. The lieutenant-colonel then directed a senior captain to put him under arrest, but again Captain Steele determined that he would not yield, and
DISLOYALTY AT THE NORTH. 55
he saw his superior officer approaching, he tried to destroy ; sword by thrusting it into the ground and wrenching it )m side to side in the hope that he would break it, and so ve no "sword" to surrender. However, the brave but ex- able and indiscreet captain was no match for the powers that ;re over him. His case was summarily disposed of without ; formality of a trial, he being dismissed from the service by der of General Rosecrans, on recommendation of the lieuten- t-colonel.
While at Nashville our brigade was reenforced by the addi- in of two splendid veteran regiments, the 40th Ohio and th Indiana. These regiments had seen much service in stern Kentucky and with General Morgan at Cumberland ip. Our brigade now being made up of the 92d, 96th and 5th Illinois, 40th Ohio and 84th Indiana, under command Col. Smith D. Atkins, of the 92d Illinois. The latter regi- snt remained with us only till midsummer, being then Dunted and attached to Wilder's brigade. The other four giments remained together till the end of their service, ley were thus associated in their greatest conflicts and were lown as the "Iron Brigade" at the battle of Chickamauga. lough several other regiments were afterwards attached to e brigade, the original four were always more closely asso- ited in friendly feeling, and always wanted to be together if al work was expected. They constituted the brigade, as ey looked upon it, the others being only attached to it for nvenience.
The winter had been noted for disloyal demonstrations in me of the Northwestern States. Societies known as the Cnights of the Golden Circle" had been organized. These ganizations, though conducted in the strictest secrecy, had any sympathizers, especially in southern parts of Indiana d Illinois. They were hostile to the plans of the Government r the suppression of the rebellion. They discouraged enlist- ents and opposed the draft ; in fact, they were opposed to erything the administration did towards putting down the bellion. They were active politicians, and by reason of the sence of so many of the most pronounced Union men in
56 ^ PATRIOTIC RESOLUTIONS.
the army, they were enabled to carry a majority of the legis- lature in some of those States.
It was a time when the army needed encouragement, per- haps the darkest period of the war. In such a time these opponents of everything done by loyal men were busy in the legislatures of Indiana and Illinois trying to secure the passage of resolutions condenming the operations of the government and calling for a cessation of hostilities. It was during our stay at Nashville that news of these proceedings came to us. The patriotism of the soldiers was most thoroughly aroused. Meetings of the various regiments were held and resolutions adopted, condemning in the strongest terms the disloyalty thus manifested in the North. The 115th passed them nearly unanimously, though truth requires it to be said that a few voted the other way. The 92d and 96th Illinois and 84th Indi- ana gave them a unanimous vote. As a reminder to our comrades of the way they then looked on such things, the resolutions are here given in full.
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, We, the officers and soldiers of this command, have, in common with our comrades in arms, cheerfully periled our lives and every earthly interest, to save to ourselves and to our posterity, a country and a Government, the same which, in historic times, were bought with blood, and established by that quality of wisdom which, though human, seems divine ; and.
Whereas, A number of intriguing demagogues at home have recently, by word and act, sought to create disaffection among us, block the wheels of wise legislation, excite dis- content in the public mind, and, in every way, to baffle all earnest efforts to conquer the rebels ; therefore,
Resolved, That we hold in utter detestation that clique of miscreants in the loyal States, who, under the garb of assumed loyalty, use the stolen revenue of arch treason to excite petty treason in their own communities ; who have no censures save for the officers of our government, no complaints save that energetic measures are employed to crush the rebellion, no
PATRIOTIC RESOLUTIONS. 57
aspirations, save to embarrass our executive and legislative departments, and engender mutinies in our armies, and no hopes save for an ignoble peace and the substantial triumph of the rebels ; that we regard them as enemies to our country and mankind, who, to accomplish their hellish purposes, would not hesitate to blot forever from the hopes of man the cher- ished thought of self-government ; and that they merit the scorn of all loyal citizens and true-hearted soldiers, combining, as they do, the deep guilt of the traitor with the essential mean- ness of the coward.
Resolved, That, despite the frenzied efforts of our foes before us and the despicable intrigues of our other foes behind us, we will abate not one jot of faith or hope ; but, believing the maintenance of our government is worth all the cost ex- pended in its establishment, we emphatically assure all traitors at home, that not until we have undergone a seven-years' struggle (if need be) will we cease this contest, and not until v/e have experienced such sufferings as were bravely endured at Valley Forge, will we begin to murmur. By all the sac- rifices already made and hardships endured by us, by all the sufferings of our comrades in hospitals and camp, by all the precious blood which has encrimsoned our Eastern and West- ern waters, by all the hearths made desolate and heart-strings rent asunder because of this wicked rebellion, we do solemnly pledge our honor as Americans and soldiers to see this contest through to a successful issue, or yield up oiir lives a willing sacrifice to our country's weal.
Resolved, That we are utterly opposed to any armistice or cessation of hostilities until our glorious flag of thirty-four stars waves triumphantly from the dome of every Capitol in our land.
Resolved, That we fully and unequivocally endorse the pol- icy of our civil rulers in using all necessary means to strike decisive blows at the unholy rebellion, and to bring the war to a speedy, sure and glorious termination, so that traitors in the South may meet with deserved punishment, and damnable traitors in the North may be brought to a terrible justice, "that hemp be not created in vain."
S8 CAPTURE OF COBURN'S BRIGADE.
Resolved, That to the loyal millions who encourage us in our efforts, who sympathize with us in our hardships, and who re- joice with us in the successes of our armies, we tender such heartfelt gratitude as soldiers, facing a hostile foe, only can feel.
Resolved, That to Governor Todd of Ohio, Governor Mor- ton of Indiana, and Governor Yates of Illinois, we extend our hearty thanks for their ceaseless labors in behalf of the soldiers from their respective States.
Gen. C. C. Gilbert's division took position at Franklin. Col. John Coburn's brigade of our Baird's division was stationed at Brentwood, half way to Franklin, while the remainder of Baird's division remained in camp at Nashville. General Rosecrans' army had spent the winter in the vicinity of Mur- freesboro without special incident, except occasional skir- mishes with the enemy.
About March ist Colonel Coburn's brigade, composed of the 33d and 85th Indiana, 19th Michigan, 22d Wisconsin and i8th Ohio Battery, was ordered down to Franklin and joined General Gilbert's forces. On the 4th General Gilbert ordered Colonel Coburn's brigade, together with three regiments of cavalry, to move out on the Columbia pike to Spring Hill, to reconnoitre the position of the enemy, in co-operation with a similar force from Murfreesboro. They had not gone more than four miles, when they met the enemy's skirmishers, who made only a slight resistance. The force bivouaced that night on arms, and on the following morning the forward movement was resumed. Although General Gilbert had -been repeatedly notified that there were indications of a large force of the enemy in front and to the east of the Louisburg pike, no re- enforcements came. In fact. General Van Dorn's army of some 10,000 men, with a large force of cavalry, confronted this gallant brigade. As General Coburn's columns approached the hills near Thompson's Station, the enemy appeared in large force and a fierce battle ensued. Several times were the rebel assaults repulsed, the battle flag of Armstrong's brigade being taken by the 19th Michigan, with a number of prison- ers. Finally, being severely pressed by such overwhelming
JOURNEY TO FRANKLIN. 59
mbers in front and on the right and left, and at the same ne vigorously attacked in the rear by General Forrest's di- ;ion of cavalry, General Coburn was convinced that further sistance would be at the cost of the lives of his brave men, d to save them from destruction ordered a surrender. The 4th Ohio being in the rear, guarding the ambulance and am- unition trains, and the iSth Ohio Battery, which retired just
time to save itself, together with the wagon trains of 80 ams, escaped to Franklin. The brigade lost 378 in killed id wounded, and death by exposure. In addition, about 300 were captured. General Coburn estimated the enemy's ss at 500, while Van Dorn reported it as 357. At our camp near Nashville the sound of the artillery was stinctly heard as the battle progressed. Our brigade, as lual, was on drill. About the middle of the afternoon orders me to report at the railroad track within ten minutes, with 60 lunds of ammunition, two days' rations in haversacks and ady for action. This was received with great cheering, and ■eaking ranks, there was a grand rush for the tents and com- issary department. Very soon long trains of cattle cars came eaming down the track, and as they came to a stand the men led on with the enthusiasm of a crowd of boys going to a cnic. It took but a few minutes to load the trains, and we ere soon speeding our way to Franklin. We were too late, Dwever, to be of any service to General Coburn's gallant rigade. On reaching Franklin the news of the disaster jickly spread through our ranks, and many severe criticisms ere made on the conduct of General Gilbert for his failure to !nd reenforcements to General Coburn.
It was a relief to get out of the cattle cars, even on the 3ft muddy ground, in the drenching rain that was falling, lur tents and camp equipage being still at Nashville, we sent a miserable night. The next day we selected camp round along the Nashville pike, about three-quarters of a lile north of Franklin. Our wagons with camp equipage ar- ved in the afternoon, and we soon had our tents in order, nd by night, with the aid of a good supply of hay and straw athered from the neighborhood, were once more quite com-
60 PURSUIT OF VAN DORN.
fortable. The next two days were spent in vigorous prepara- tions for an aggressive campaign against the enemy. Several train loads of soldiers arrived from Nashville. Gen. P. H. Sheridan's division of McCook's corps had come frpm Eagle- ville, near Murfreesboro, and was in camp within a mile or so of Franklin. Gen. Green Clay Smith's brigade of cavalry was also there. Gen. Gordon Granger had removed his headquar- ters from Nashville to FrankHn and had taken command of the forces, then numbering nearly 10,000 men.
General Rosecrans was eager to punish Van Dorn's force for the capture of Coburn's brigade. The wires were kept warm carrying orders to General Granger, in preparation for the work. Finally the order came, on the evening of the 8th, to move on the enemy the next morning. Seventy rounds of ammunition had been given each man, and three days' rations distributed. All luggage not absolutely necessary for such a campaign was left behind in charge of the sick. The reveille sounded at 4 a. m. on the 9th, and by seven the entire com- mand was in motion. As we approached Thompson's Station, the scene of General Coburn's capture, our cavalry began skir- mishing with the enemy's advance. They quickly gave way, however, and at night our force bivouaced at and near Spring Hill. Our brigade being in front, occupied some stubble fields a mile or more south of the village. A strong skirmish line was at once thrown out. A cold lunch was eaten and, weary from the fourteen miles' march, the boys of the iiSth were soon taking a good sound sleep on the piles of weeds they had gathered.
About midnight a steady rain set in and about the same time a large detail of the 115th, including Company E, was or- dered on the skirmish line, where they stood in the flat beech woods, in the drenching rain, till relieved about seven o'clock the next morning. The enemy being only a short distance in front, constant vigilance was required. After the rain sub- sided the forward movement was continued. The enemy mak- ing only a show of resistance, was finally driven across Ruth- erford Creek, about four miles north of Columbia. Something of an artillery duel followed, between our batteries and those
maj. frank l. hays.
Capt. Company F.
RETURN TO FRANKLIN. 61
of the Confederates, across the creek from hill to hill, which lasted several hours. Towards night a terrific, down-pouring rain set in and continued till midnight. Having no tents, shel- ter was made by leaning rails against one supported by two dog-wood forks driven in the ground, upon which hemlock boughs were spread and these covered with rubber blankets. In front of such improvised houses great fires, made also of rails, were built. Hemlock boughs were also spread over the ground to such thickness as to keep the men out of the mud, and at the same time make their bed. Some spent the greater part of the night turning first one side, then the other to the fire to get their clothes dried. It cleared ofif in the latter part of the night and the morning of the nth was clear and cold. The two armies remained in the same position, the artillery exchanging occasional shots without material damage to either party. The enemy was evidently unwilling to give battle, and our force being already advanced considerably beyond the posi- tion of our main army at Murfreesboro, General Granger de- termined to return at once to Franklin.
Early on the 12th the long lines of forage wagons, followed by the ambulance trains, were moving northward on the Franklin pike. They were quickly followed by the columns of infantry and artillery, protected by the cavalry on the flanks and in the rear. Our rations were exhausted, so we started on that hard march of 18 miles without breakfast, and con- tinued it without dinner. The rebel cavalry quickly followed us, ready to pick up any stragglers that might fall exhausted by the way. Towards evening we arrived at Franklin, and re- turned to our camp.
Soon after that General Sheridan's division returned to its position near Murfreesboro. General Granger immediately began the work of fortifying Franklin. A little hill on the north side of the Harpeth River, opposite the town, was se- lected as the site for a strong fort, which was named Fort Granger, in honor of our commander. Working parties were detailed daily from all the regiments, and these details were so large that the men came on fatigue duty about every third day. So many men were then absent in hospitals and una-
62 BUILDING FORT GRANGER.
ble for duty on account of sickness, that the details for guard duty also required the men to take their regular turn at that "pastime" about every third or fourth day. Between standing guard and working on the fortifications, we were kept quite busy through the three months' sojourn at Franklin. Fre- quently an entire regiment was ordered out for picket duty. General Van Dorn, having resumed his former position at Spring Hill, had his scouting parties constantly hovering around our lines, and frequent slight skirmishes occurred.
On April loth Van Dorn's cavalry drove in our pickets and charged through the streets of the town, nearly to the pontoon bridge, within a few hundred yards of the fort. This was not done, however, without a spirited resistance by the 40th Ohio Regiment then on that picket line. This regiment held an immensely superior force at bay until its ammunition was exhausted, the engagement lasting two hours. In the meantime the balance of our brigade crossed on the pontoon bridge to the support of the 40th Ohio, the whole of General Baird's division following. At the same time General Stan- ley's cavalry division crossed the Harpeth about two miles above town and attacked the enemy on the Louisburg road, drawing his attention away from us, but Stanley was driven back to the north side of the river by the greatly superior num- bers that assailed him. The rebels gradually withdrew from our front by way of the Louisburg pike and thence to their camp at Spring Hill, we following them four or five miles. Finding they had gone to quarters, our forces quietly returned to Franklin. Our loss, mostly in the 40th Ohio, was 10 killed, 10 wounded and 26 captured. The enemy left 19 killed and 35 wounded on the field, besides those carried ofif.
It was our first sight of the enemy, nearly all of General Granger's command being composed of new regiments, but all behaved well under fire and gave some indication of what might be expected of them. Many men whose names were borne on the sick list, turned out for action, thus proving the truth of the saying that ''every regiment can muster more men for pay and for a fight than for any other duty."
CHANGES IN OFFICERS. 63
Many changes in the officers of the regiment occurred about this time. The resignation of Second Lieut. Adam C. Allinson of Company E, which occurred on February 28th, has been mentioned. He was succeeded by First Sergt. Jesse F. Hedges. First Lieut. James Smith of Company F resigned on February 6th, and Second Lieut. Matthew Freeman was promoted to the vacancy, and First Sergt. William P. Slocum was made second lieutenant. Another change came to Com- pany F on March 30th, by the death of Lieutenant Freeman, Lieutenant Slocum being advanced to the first lieutenancy and Sergt. David Reed to the second lieutenancy. The va- cancy in Company K, caused by the dismissal of Captain Steele on March 3d, was filled by the promotion of Sergt. Alanson Pierce. First Lieut. Silas Parker of Company H resigned on the 1 2th of March, Second Lieut. John Reardon and First Sergt. Stephen K. Hatfield being respectively promoted to the first and second lieutenancies. On March 23d First Lieut. James S. Samuels of Company I resigned, and on the next day Capt. Simon P. Newman of the same company resigned. Second Lieut. Cyrus L. Kinman being promoted to the cap- taincy, Sergt. James A. Rutherford to the first lieutenancy, and Corp. Spencer P. Compton to the second lieutenancy. On March 25tli First Lieut. David S. Moffatt of Company E resigned, and Sergt. James A. Whittaker was promoted to the position. Second Lieut. John Beauchamp of Company B died on March 26th, and Corp. Ezekiel K. Schwartz was promoted to the position. On April ist Quartermaster B. F Farley resigned. Quartermaster Sergt. C. W. Jerome being pro- moted to the position. On April loth Adjt. John H. Woods resigned and Commissary Sergt. Allen Litsenberger was pro- moted to the place. Surgeon Enoch W. Moore resigned on the 17th, the office remaining vacant till July. Dr. Charles W. Higgins was appointed in June, but declined the com- mission, after which Dr. Garner H. Bane of Quincy, formerly assistant surgeon of the 50th Illinois Volunteers, was ap- pointed to the place. Colonel Moore earnestly protested against Dr. Bane's appointment, but after he had made his acquaintance and had learned of his excellent qualifications,
64 CHANGES IN OFFICERS.
he very frankly admitted his error and commended the wisdom of the governor's action. On April i6th Company H had an- other change caused by the resignation of Capt. Henry Pratt, the promotion of Lieutenant Reardon to the captaincy, and of First Sergt. Joseph J. Slaughter to the first lieutenancy. On May 1st Hospital Steward Addison C. Douglass was dis- charged to accept an appointment as contract surgeon. On May nth another change occurred in Company E, by the resignation of Capt. John M. Lane and the promotion of Lieutenants Whittaker and Hedges, and of Sergt. L H. C. Royse respectively to the positions of captain, first lieutenant and second lieutenant. On May 26th First Lieut. Christ C. Bridgewater resigned, and Second Lieut. Samuel Hymer was made first lieutenant, and First Sergt. Michael P. Jones was made second lieutenant. Thus in eight months 2 officers had died, I was dismissed, 16 had resigned and 15 enlisted men had received commissions. Nearly all these changes had oc- curred within three months. There were also changes in the rolls of the enlisted men: Ninety-four had died, nearly one- tenth of the ejitire regiment ; 90 had been discharged because of physical disability, and 28 had disgraced their uniforms and country by desertion, making a loss to the regiment in eight short months of 212 enlisted men and 19 officers, or a total of 231, or about 23 per cent. Who can imagine the comments of the sensational newspapers if the volunteer regiments in our late Spanish war had suffered such losses from exposure and disease as did this regiment ?
On the 22d of April we gave up our wedge and bell tents, and from that time forward lived in the army shelter tents, commonly called "dog tents." A tent of that sort, designed to shelter two men, was made of two sheets of canvas, each about five feet square, buttoned together and stretched over a ridge pole about one inch thick, the lower edges of the can- vas being staked to the ground, and the ends of the tent left entirely open. Such were the quarters of both officers and men, excepting three wall tents for regimental headquarters, during the last two years of our service. About the same time our transportation was reduced to two wagons for each regi-
WORK AT FRANKLIN. 65
merit, barely sufficient to haul the officers' desks, mess chests and satchels or traveling bags, and the cooking utensils for the enlisted men. All other articles, such as blankets, shelter tents and clothing were carried by their owners.
In addition to the daily work on Fort Granger, the adja- cent forests were cut down to give a clear range for our artillery. The "fort" had become quite a formidable affair. It was made of strong earth embankments, surrounded by a ditch about twenty feet deep and twenty to thirty feet wide. Outside of that, stakes were driven in the ground a foot or so apart, covering several rods in width, all pointing outward at an angle of about 45 degrees, with the outer ends made quite sharp. Outside of these the tops of oak and hickory trees were placed close together, the limbs trimmed and points sharpened, and these also pointing outward. These tree tops and limbs were made fast to the ground by means of stakes driven in across and beside them, thus making an assault on the fort no easy matter.
The reserve for the pickets on the south side was in front of the Carter House on the Columbia pike, near the cotton gin. This was the spot afterwards so hotly contested in the battle of Franklin, Nov. 30, 1864, when so many of both armies gave up their lives. The army of Van Dorn, about 10,000 strong, continued at Spring Hill and vicinity, his cav- alry outposts being at Thompson's Station, and often advanced to within a short distance of our lines. General Rosecrans continued his headquarters at Murfreesboro, with his army stretching from Triune, past Murfreesboro to some distance beyond. General Bragg's forces were at Tullahoma and Shel- byville, and his outposts on the hills towards the Union lines. At the end of March the department of the Cumberland con- tained a total force "present for duty,'' including the garrisons at Nashville, Carthage and other points, of 99,623 men. At the same time General Bragg's army in our immediate front, according to his returns, numbered 65,583.
On April 27th, at i a. m., our cavalry was ordered out on the Columbia and Carter Creek pikes, followed and supported by our brigade. About daylight the cavalry surprised the
66 DRILLS RESUMED.
Texas Legion, posted eight miles from Franklin, and captured 120 officers and men, 300 horses and all their wagons and camp equipage. Our brigade halted a few miles from town and returned as soon as it was learned we were not needed, arriving in camp by the middle of the forenoon. Soon after this we learned of General Van Dorn's death, the news being brought in one morning soon after daylight, by Dr. Peters of Spring Hill. He reported that he had found the general and his (Peters') wife in a compromising situation, and at once shot and killed him. Knowing that he would be in danger if he remained within reach, he hastily mounted a horse and rapidly rode through the lines, and as soon as it was light enough the next morning, reported himself to our pickets, and was brought in to headquarters. He was not especially loyal to the Union, but was very anxious for the protection our army afi'orded him.
Early in May an incident occurred in Company E that created considerable excitement for a while. Eli McVey had been sick several days, when one morning the surgeon visited him and found him broken out with smallpox. It was the first case reported in that army and, as may be imagined, it made quite a scare. In obedience to the surgeon's orders, he was removed to an open field, a half mile from camp, where a shelter tent was set up for his home, and his brother sent out to take care of him. Fortunately, McVey's was the only case in the division, and he recovered as rapidly as could have been expected in a hospital under the most favorable circum- stances.
As the forts approached completion, about the middle of May company and battalion drills were resumed. On the 19th we had our first brigade drill, Col. Smith D. Atkins of the 92d commanding. Gen. Absalom Baird witnessed the drill, and expressed himself highly pleased with our perform- ance. On the following day General Baird took command in the brigade drill, giving us the benefit of his skill as a tacti- cian. Being a graduate of West Point Military Academy, he was perfectly at home in such maneuvers. Later on target practice was taken up to train the men in the art of using
Rev. M. S. KAUFMAN, Ph. D. Corporal, Company F.
REMOVAL TO TRIUNE. 67
their muskets. A target about two by four feet was placed in front of each company at 150 yards distance, the men tak- ing turns firing, and the result being noted by a man in a deep pit in front of the target. At first only one shot out of five and one-half hit the target, then one in five, one in four, and one in two or three. After some days' practice the companies were moved back to 200 yards distance, then to 250 yards and then to 300 yards. In this way the skill of the men was tested at the various distances. Some of the best shots hit the target three or four times out of five, even at the longer distance.
General Rosecrans was now most earnestly pushing his preparations for a forward movement upon the enemy. With this in view, he began the concentration of his forces to the vicinity of Murfreesboro. On June 2d Gilbert's and Baird's- divisions broke camp and marched to Triune, about half way to Murfreesboro, leaving Col. John P. Baird, of the 8sth In- diana, in command of the post at Franklin, with a garrison of only a regiment or two of infantry, as many of cavalry, and a field battery, besides the heavy artillery — a very small force compared with what had been there for three months. Gen- eral Steedman with his brigade had spent the spring in the vicinity of Triune, and on the day after our arrival went intO' camp near our division, making in all a considerable army.
On the 4th of June General Granger put the infantry and artillery through a grand review. The force of twenty-three regiments of infantry and five or six batteries made a splendid appearance. The day was clear and hot, and as the men and officers were required to keep buttoned up to the chin and girt about with belts, sashes and accouterments, it may well be- imagined they realized the heat. While our corps was on re- view at Triune, the Confederates, under Forrest, Armstrong and Starnes — three brigades — made an attack on Franklin. Colonel Baird opened upon them with the big guns of the fort and kept them at a distance until reenforced by Van Derveer's brigade of infantry. The cavalry charged the rebels about one and one-half miles east of Franklin and drove them across the Harpeth River and beyond the Louisburg pike, killing and wounding a number, and capturing twenty-eight,.
68 ATTACK ON FRANKLIN.
the approach of night stopping the pursuit. Our total losi did not exceed ten men. Van Derveer's and Campbell's brig- ades having returned to Triune, Colonel Baird's little force consisting of fragments of the 33d and 85th Indiana, iQtl Michigan and 22d Wisconsin (mostly convalescents lately re turned to duty), the 78th Illinois Infantry, 6th Kentucky Cav- alry and 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, were kept in constant ap- prehension of a return of the rebel forces.
CHAPTER VII.
FRANKLIN TO TULLAHOMA.
Towards evening on the 8th of June two mounted officers in federal uniform appeared at the picket line on the Triune road and asked to be conducted to the post headquar- ters, saying they were officers of the inspector-general's de- partment at Washington. On appearing before Colonel Baird, they represented that they were Col. Lawrence W. Or- ton and Maj. George Dunlap of the United States Army, spe- cially detailed by the adjutant-general to make inspection and report on the condition of the armies in the departments of the Ohio and Cumberland, and as credentials presented orders signed by E. D. Townsend, assistant adjutant-general, with passes, and a request from General Rosecrans that they should visit and inspect his outposts. They also represented that they had missed the road from Triune and had run into the rebel picket lines and that Colonel Orton had lost his coat containing all his money.
Naturally they were courteously received. They seemed to want nothing more than directions for their journey to Nash- ville and the loan of some money, about $50, to cover ex- penses until they could draw from the Government. Colonel Baird was generous hearted, and although quite short of funds himself, not having been paid for a number of months, by borrowing of his post adjutant, Lieut. George E. Farring- ton and others, he made the loan required.
Very soon the visitors took their leave without making any inspection whatever. But Colonel Baird, a very great lawyer that he was, began to think over the matter, and the more he thought the more suspicious he became that the visitors were
70 A REMARKABLE INCIDENT.
not as represented — but spies. Without a moment's hesitation when his thoughts had taken him thus far, he ordered Col L. D. Watkins, of the 6th Kentucky Cavalry, accompaniec by Adjutant Farrington and two orderlies to follow the twc gentlemen and overtake and bring them back. It is needles; to say the order was quickly obeyed, and though remon strating earnestly against the delay, seeing nothing else to do the visitors as promptly returned to headquarters.^
In the meantime Colonel Baird had telegraphed Genera Rosecrans, inquiring if there were such United States officers and received reply in the negative. He then telegraphed ; short account of their conduct, and received a prompt reply signed by General Garfield, chief of staff, that the men wen undoubtedly spies, and ordered that they be tried at once b; court martial, and if guilty, "hang them before morning."
The court martial was at once formed, with Colonel Jordai of the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry as president ; Lieutenant Colonel Van Vleck, 78th Illinois Infantry ; Lieutenant-Colo nel Hoblizel, 5th Kentucky Cavalry, and Capt. W. T. Craw ford, 85th Indiana Infantry. Lieutenant Wharton was judg' advocate, and the adjutant, Lieut. G. E. Farrington, 85th In diana, clerk. The men were promptly put on their trial, whicl had not progressed far, when Colonel Watkins, from curiosit}' drew Colonel Orton's sword from its scabboard and discov ered that the inscription was the name of Colonel Orton, "C S. A." Seeing the uselessness of further concealment of thei real character. Colonel Orton confessed that they were Con federates, but denied that they were spies in the ordinary sense They gave their real names, the colonel as Lawrence Ortoi Williams, a graduate of West Point and a former officer ii the 2d Regular Cavalry, who had served on General Scott' stafif in the Mexican War, but was then a colonel in the Con federate army; "Major Dunlap" was Lieut. Walter G. Peters Colonel Williams' adjutant. Colonel Watkins at once recog nized the colonel as a former classmate at West Point, am the colonel then acknowledged that he had known Colone Watkins at first, and was fearful that Watkins would remem ber him.
Hon. E. R. RIDGELY. Sergeant Company C.
RESERVE CORPS ORGANIZED. 71
Of course the court found them guilty. Colonel Orton was then permitted to telegraph General Garfield, "Will you not have any clemency for the son of Captain Williams who fell at Monterey?" and protesting innocence as spies, and beg- ging for his friend. Colonel Baird also telegraphed their re- quest tor death as a soldier by shooting, rather than as a crim- inal by hanging. The reply came at 4 :30 a. m., "The general commanding directs that the two spies if found guilty be hanged at once, thus placing it beyond the possibility of For- rest profiting by the information they have gained." At nine o'clock Colonel Baird telegraphed: "General Garfield, chief of staff. The men have been tried, found guilty and executed in compliance with your order."
That was a sad night for Colonel Baird and his associates. He was convinced they were no ordinary spies, but that they had some mission to the North more important than inspect- ing such a post. They had upon them a memorandum of the names of commanding officers and posts in the Northern States. They admitted the justice of their sentence, but re- fused to disclose their true object. Their conduct was cer- tainly singular. The colonel's name, as he gave it, was "Law- rence Orton Williams," but his name as carried on the rolls of the United States Army was "William Orton Williams," while his name as given in his official reports in the Con- federate service, as colonel commanding a brigade of Con- federate cavalry, was "Lawrence W. Orton." He said he was a first cousin to Gen. R. E. Lee, which turned out to be true, and that he and Lieutenant Peters were both descendants of Mrs. Martha Custis Washington, and of very prominent fam- ilies of Georgetown, D. C.
On the same day the spies entered Franklin, the Army of Kentucky was stricken from the list of army organizations by general order from department headquarters, and the "Re- serve Corps" was formed in its place, composed mainly of the same troops, — the only changes being that Gen. George Crook's brigade was transferred to the fourth division of the 14th corps, the 124th Ohio Infantry and the 125th Ohio In- fantry to the 2ist army corps, and the troops composing the
72 THE RESERVE CORPS.
fourth division of the 14th army corps to the "Reserve Corps.' The reserve corps, as thus organized, under command 0 Maj.-Gen. Gordon Granger, w^as constituted as follows:
First Division, Brig.-Gen. Absalom Baird commanding. First Brigade, Col. Smith D. Atkins commanding.
92d Illinois, Lieut.-Col. B. F. Sheets. 96th Illinois, Col. Thos. E. Champion. llSth Illinois, Col. Jesse H. Moore. 84th Indiana, Col. Nelson Trusler. 40th Ohio, Col. Jacob E. Taylor. i8th Ohio Battery, Capt. Chas. C. Aleshire.
Second Brigade, Col. William P. Reed commanding.
78th Illinois, Maj. William L. Broaddus.
98th Ohio, Lieut.-Col. John S. Pearce. 113th Ohio, Lieut.-Col. D. B. Warner. I2ist Ohio, Lieut.-Col. H. B. Banning. 1st Illinois Artillery, Battery M, Lieut. G. W. Spencer
Third Brigade, Col. John Coburn commanding.
33d Indiana, Lieut.-Col. J. M. Henderson. 8sth Indiana, Col. John P. Baird. 19th Michigan, Col. H. C. Gilbert. 22d Wisconsin, Col. W. L. Utley. gth Ohio Battery, Capt. H. B. York.
Second Division, Brig.-Gen. James D. Morgan commanding.
First Brigade. Second Brigade,
loth Illinois. 8sth Illinois.
i6th Illinois. 86th Illinois.
6oth Illinois. i2Sth Illinois.
lOth Michigan. S2d Ohio.
14th Michigan. 2d Illinois Artillery,
loth Wisconsin Battery. Battery I.
Third Brigade.
i8th Michigan.
22d Michigan. lo6th Ohio. io8th Ohio.
1st Ohio Artillery, Company E.
AN ATTACK. 73
Third Division, Brig.-Gen. Robt. S. Granger commanding.
First Brigade. Second Brigade.
83d Illinois. I02d Illinois.
27th Kentucky. 105th Illinois.
71st Ohio. 129th Illinois. I02d Ohio. 70th Indiana.
13th Wisconsin. 79th Ohio.
2d Illinois Artillery, Battery H.
Third Brigade.
3d East Tennessee. Sth East Tennessee. 6th East Tennessee.
In addition to the forces of the reserve corps, Brig.-Gen. James B. Steedman's brigade of infantry, and Brig.-Gen. Robert B. Mitchell's division of cavalry were stationed at Triune, all under command of Major-General Granger.
At ten or eleven o'clock on the morning of June nth the Confederates came over the Harpeth River and vigorously at- tacked our pickets, but were quickly repulsed by General Mitchell's cavalry and driven back over the river. Our di- vision was hastily formed and marched out to support the cavalry. Our total loss of killed and wounded was only 28, while the Confederates left 23 dead on the field, besides a considerable number wounded, who were carried away with them. Two days later the cavalry made a reconnaissance to the south of the Harpeth River, our brigade supporting at a respectful distance, but without finding the enemy.
On the 14th, at i a. m., the 115th and other regiments of General Baird's division were called into line and ordered supplied with two days' rations and sixty rounds of ammunition to be ready to support a cavalry reconnaissance that General Granger had ordered to Steam's Mills, some miles southeast from Triune, but no further service being required, the infantry returned to their quarters. An amusing story was told of Col. James Brownlow, of the 2d East Tennessee Cavalry, who had been ordered to join in the scout of the cavalry. He fully meant to obey the order, but was quite as good a sleeper as fighter. That night he was particularly sleepy and was not
74 VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN.
aroused by the signal, but slept soundly till daylight, just as the cavalry force was returning to camp. He instantly realizec liis fault, and rushing out of his tent in his night clothes, he leaped upon his horse, without saddle, and galloped over tc General Granger's headquarters to confess his neglect, make such poor apology as he could, and submit to the general's orders. Fortunately General Granger had enjoyed a gooc night's sleep himself, and was in his best humor. The cavalr) had returned in good shape, and the work had been done a; well without Colonel Brownlow's command as if he had beer with them. Therefore, the general was not disposed to dea harshly with him, and merely ordered him to go to his quarter; and get his clothes on.
During our short stay at Triune the time not required it looking after the enemy was well occupied with the battalioi and brigade drills. Colonel Moore had already become quite proficient in the drill maneuvers of the regiment and made ; very fine appearance on horseback on these occasions. Gen eral Granger was not popular with the men. He was ; graduate of West Point and a strict disciplinarian, but ap peared over fond of display, and our volunteers could see nc use for much of what they called "red tape." General Bairc was also a West Point man and a thorough disciplinarian, bu his manner was more agreeable and he was more considerati of the wishes and feelings of his men and quite popular witl them. There did not seem so great a distance between hin and the volunteer officers.
General Grant had been pushing the Vicksburg campaigi all the while we were at Franklin. Since May i8th he ha( Vicksburg in a state of siege with General Pemberton's arm; imprisoned within the fortifications. Gen. Joe Johnston witl a large force was some fifty miles east of Vicksburg, con stantly threatening General Grant's rear. If he could get mei enough he would raise the siege. Rosecrans was apparentl; lying idle at Murfreesboro, so that if Bragg could spare th' men, Johnston would do the work. All sorts of rumors wer^ in circulation among Rosecrans' generals and other officers, a to the reenforcements being sent from Bragg to Johnston.
Brevet Maj. JOHN REAKDON, U. S. Vols. Captain, Company H.
TULLAHOMA CAMPAIGN. 75
On the 8th of June General Rosecrans took his generals into council, by sending to each a confidential communication, inquiring : First, Has the enemy in our front been materially weakened by detachments sent to Johnston ? Second, Can this army advance now with strong or reasonable chances of fighting a great or successful battle ? Do you think an advance likely to prevent further reenforcements being sent against Grant? Do you think an immediate advance advisable?
These questions were answered in as many ways as there were generals. Some advised delay, others an advance, others caution. The War Department was urging an advance. The result was that on June 23d General Rosecrans issued orders to all his corps commanders to move forward on the follow- ing morning. General Crittenden's corps was to move to near Bradyville; General Granger's to take the old Middle- town road to Christiana ; General McCook's on the Shelby- ville pike ; General Thomas' corps on the Manchester pike.
Early on the 23d the reserve corps broke camp ; the sick were sent to hospitals at Nashville, and the convalescents to camp at Murfreesboro. Three days' rations were taken in the haversacks and sixty rounds of ammunition were carried by each man. The orders were "to move in light marching order, taking the smallest practical amount of baggage, and leaving all extra wagons in park at Murfreesboro." By 8 a. m. the column was moving in the direction of Murfreesboro, but owing to bad roads, wagons breaking down and the like, we made poor progress. After a march of twelve miles, at about 10 p. m. we halted seven miles southwest from Murfreesboro, and bivouaced. This put us in close touch with the rest of the Army of the Cumberland, ready for the forward movement of the morrow.
On the same day Gen. R. B. Mitchell's cavalry division moved south from Triune and drove in the Confederate pickets upon their infantry line, with sharp skirmishes at Eagleville, Rover and Unionville. At the same time General Palmer's division of infantry and a brigade of cavalry moved out from Murfreesboro, on the road leading toward Manchester. On the 24th the general forward movement began all along the
76 TULLAHOMA CAMPAIGN-. »
line. General Bragg had his headquarters at Shelbyville, the principal part of his infantry being there, and at Wartrace. A range of hills extends from east to west some eight or ter miles north of Shelbyville, dividing the valley o.f Duck Rivei from the headwaters of Stone River. The roads from Mur- freesboro to Shelbyville, Wartrace and Manchester passec through certain gaps in these hills. The several corps of Rose- crans' army moved forward on these several roads, the reserve corps on the right on the line of the Shelbyville pike.
Several hours were consumed preparing rations, the ordei being to take three days' rations in haversacks. By noon th( column was in motion, although it had rained since four tha morning. That part of our march being over ordinary country roads, very muddy, we found it tiresome work. Very sooi General Stanley's cavalry in our front encountered the enemy and brisk skirmishes ensued, continuing most of the afternoon Finally about up. m., in spite of rain and mud, we reachec the Shelbyville pike near Christiana. The 115th regiment wa; immediately ordered to the front on picket, half the regimen being kept on the outposts and the rest held in reserve. Tin enemy's pickets, a little more than one-fourth of a mile in 6u: front, were near enough to keep us on the alert. Being with out shelter, and the rain falling in torrents most of the time, ou: men had but little rest.
About 9 a. m. the next day we were relieved from duty, bu without much relief from the discomforts of the situation, fo we bivouaced in the adjacent walnut grove, on land almos perfectly level, upon which the water stood in many places hal shoe-top deep. The rain continued without slacking a momen till late in the day. At night "beds" were made by putting down rails, three or four to the man, to keep out of the water in some instances softened a little by hemlock boughs spreac on them. A favorite plan was to lay a sap or flat rail, in th' m.iddle with a heart rail on either side, to keep the "sleeper from rolling ofif into the water.
We rested the 26th, but on the 27th moved forward on th Shelbyville pike to Guy's Gap, preceded by the cavalry 0 Maj.-Gen. D. S. Stanley, General Baird's division of infantr;
CAPTURE OF MANCHESTER. 77
supporting. A show of resistance was made at Guy's Gap by a Confederate battery supported by cavalry, but when charged by Stanley's cavalry they soon gave way and hastily retreated to their rifle pits within three or lour miles of Shelbyville. They were again charged and routed by our cavalry, who drove them through the town and over and through the river, great numbers of them being drowned in the effort to escape. The Confederate loss, killed, drowned and wounded, was some- thing like 200, while about 500 were taken prisoners.
General Baird's division remained at Guy's Gap, ready to move when and where needed, until the return of the cavalry with their prisoners. That was our first sight of any con- siderable number of rebel prisoners. The 84th Indiana was detailed to escort the prisoners to Murfreesboro, while the rest of the division returned to the walnut flats near Christiana.
While these operations were in progress, the corps of Gen- erals Thomas, Crittenden and !McCook were moving as rapidly as the condition of the roads and the weather would permit against the Confederate extreme right. Liberty Gap was oc- cupied by General McCook's corps on the 25th after a sharp skirmish. About the same time Genei'al Reynolds' division of the 14th corps surprised and captured Hoover's Gap, on the road leading to Manchester.
On the 27th the greater portions of the 14th, 20th and 21st corps had reached the vicinity of Manchester, and Geneial Rosecrans had established his headquarters at that place. By this time General Bragg, seeing that his right was being turned rapidly withdrew his forces from Shelbyville and War- trace and took position at Tullahoma. This movement began on the night of the 26th, and from the orders given, it must have been an exciting rush to the rear.
Immediately after the capture of Manchester, General Wild- er with his brigade of mounted infantry was ordered to the rear of Bragg's army. He attacked a force of rebel cavalry near Elk River, and after skirmishing several miles, he crossed the Elk River at an unprotected point, swimming his horses over, and transporting his mountain howitzers on a raft to the opposite side of the stream. He soon reached Decherd
78 CAPTURE OF MANCHESTER.
and tore up the railroad track, burned the commissary stores and destroyed a trestle. At the same time the 14th corps moved south from Manchester, also threatening Bragg's rear. General Bragg, finding it impossible to meet all of these ad- vances, on July 1st abandoned Tullahoma and transferred his headquarters to Decherd. This position was soon found un- tenable and the retreat was continued over the mountains, Gen- eral Bragg hastily moving his headquarters to Chattanooga.
On June 29th our division moved through Guy's Gap, camping one day about two miles north of Shelbyville, and on the 30th occupied the town, the 115th being on the bluff over which the rebel cavalry had been forced into Duck River only a few days before. While we were there two of the drowned men came to the surface and floated past us. A large pro- portion of the citizens of Shelbyville seemed glad of our com- ing. The stars and stripes floated from many of the houses, and many handkerchiefs waved a welcome to us as we marched through the town. This greeting gave us an excellent opinion of the place, and many hoped for a long stay. In this they were disappointed, for early on July 3d we were in line of march for Wartrace, the junction of the Shelbyville branch with the main line of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, eight miles distant. A terrific rain storm very soon broke upon us, and all the creeks and branches were quickly flooded. Even the dirt road we traveled was almost like a river. We were moving in obedience to orders, however, that did not permit a little matter like a rain storm to interfere. Wet and muddy we pushed along, once wading a stream almost shoulder deep, and several times wading streams two or three feet deep, making fairly good time, and early in the afternoon ar- rived at Wartrace and went into camp in a beech grove over- looking the village of about a dozen houses. Colonel Moore, having obtained a twenty days' leave of absence to visit his home in Illinois, Lieut. -Col. William Kinman was in com- mand of the regiment.
We were scarcely settled in camp at Wartrace, when the news came of the capture of Vicksburg and Pemberton's sur- render to Grant, quickly followed by the news of the great
GENERAL WHITAKER IN COMMAND. 79
victory at Gettysburg, and the hasty retreat of Lee's army towards Maryland and Virginia. At first it seemed too good to be true, but as the confirmatory despatches became known among the troops, their joy was unbounded and the camps rang with cheers in celebration of the victories. The darkness that had so long hung over us seemed to be clearing away, so that we could see the beginning of the end. The doubting took new courage and all looked forward to other successes await- ing us with the hope that before many months should pass the Confederacy would crumble to pieces. With such news we felt better able to endure the storms and mud and were made to take a more cheerful view of our situation.
Very soon after our arrival at Wartrace, the g2d Illinois was mounted and assigned to the famous Wilder's brigade, and Col. Thomas E. Champion, of the 96th Illinois, the ranking colonel of the remaining regiments, assumed command of our brigade. General Granger had removed his headquarters to Murfreesboro, distributing his forces at the intermediate points, and taking command of the garrisons and posts along the hne in reserve, as the name of his corps implied. The 14th, 20th and 2 1st corps had occupied Tullahoma and other points between that and the Tennessee River. A rest was now in order, that the troops might be made ready for another forward movement.
Soon after the close of the Tullahoma campaign, Gen. Ab- salom Baird was relieved from the command of the first divis-- ion of the reserve corps, and Brig.-Gen. Walter C. Whitaker was assigned to the command. General Whitaker was a typical Kentucky gentleman — high-spirited, ambitious, and an excellent judge of the well-known Kentucky beverage. He entered the service as a colonel of the 6th Kentucky Infantry, but by gallant conduct soon attained the command of a brigade.
As soon as the Confederates were driven out of middle Tennessee, a strong force of men was set to repairing the rail- road and in a short time the trains were in regular service trans- porting supplies to the front. The first train reached Elk River on July 8th, and but a few days more sufficed to open
80 REVIEW OF THE BRIGADE.
the road to the Cumberland Mountains. The Nashville 8 Chattanooga Railroad was then a poor affair. The rails wer( of an inverted U section and laid on logs or stringers placec lengthwise of the track, instead of being on cross ties. Thi rails were badly vvorn, and at best the trains made very poo time and that, with great hazard to all on board. Then ; favorite pastime of the rebel guerrillas was the tearing up o these tracks, displacing rails and destroying trestles. In thi way the trains were frequently ditched, notwithstanding tin greatest care and foresight.
On July 14th Major Poteet returned to the regiment, hi having been left at Triune on account of sickness. He wa accompanied by Dr. Garner H. Bane, the new surgeon. Wi soon found that Dr. Bane was not only an excellent physiciai and an affable gentleman, but an expert in surgery. On thi i6th Colonel Moore returned from leave of absence and re sumed the command of the regiment. On the 17th, the Ii5tl received its regulation regimental colors and battle flags ; prio to that time a flag belonging to Company I had been used While at Wartrace the company and battalion drills were kep up whenever the weather would permit. On July 31st leave of absence were granted Lieutenant-Colonel Kinman, Majo Poteet and Lieutenant Bailey of Company K, and they starte( for home. Dr. N. G. Blalock having tendered his resignation received his discharge and left at about the same time.
The 3d of August was a great day for our brigade, the occa sion being a visit of the department commander, Maj.-Gen W. S. Rosecrans, accompanied by General Garfield and othe members of his staff, who reviewed the brigade. The general expressed themselves as greatly pleased with the excellent ap pearance and soldierly bearing of the troops. General Rose crans added greatly to his popularity by riding along the lini and talking to the officers and men, telling then it was one of the finest brigades in the service. Thi 6th of August was observed as a day of thanksgiv ing and prayer, in obedience to the proclamation 0 the President. After the singing of "The Star-Spangled Ban
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ON GUARD DUTY. 81
ner" and other patriotic songs, and a prayer by the chaplain. Colonel Moore delivered an eloquent patriotic address.
On the 7tli, Company E, in pursuance of orders from brigade headquarters, marched with Company F, 84th Indiana, under Captain Grubs, and Company G of the 40th Ohio, Captain Beach, to the Duck River bridge, about five miles south of Wartrace, for the purpose of guarding the bridge and pre- venting its destruction by predatory bands of rebel cavalry. After a few days Company E was ordered to Normandy, some three miles further south, to perform like service at the bridge over a creek at that place. The company went into camp on a hill overlooking the bridge it was intended to protect, and there remained, having a spell of real "feather-bed soldiering" till September 3d. There were no troops nearer than Tulla- homa, about eight miles to the south, and none but the two companies mentioned between there and Wartrace. The coun- try was well supplied with fruits, vegetables, fowls and honey, and the people were willing to sell at moderate prices.
The only incident of unusual interest was an attempt to capture a Confederate soldier named Davidson, who was re- ported by a "reliable contraband" to be visiting his family about three miles farther up Duck River, expecting to return with a load of letters from the home folks to their friends in the rebel army. After midnight Lieutenant Royse took fifteen men, and under guidance of the faithful negro, surrounded the Davidson residence and waited till daylight, only to find that the object of their search had left his home early in the night and was resting in one of the friendly forests near by. Though then compelled to return to camp without his prisoner, Lieu- tenant Royse had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Davidson at Wartrace in the autumn of 1895. The next Saturday night a number of the boys returned to the Davidson plantation, and brought away an ample supply of chickens, honey and other provisions for Sunday. Not hking the liberties thus taken, Mrs. Davidson called in some of her neighbor women and organ- ized a "court of inquiry." Taking one or two of them as assistants, Mrs. Davidson came to Normandy to see, as she said, how the men "lived in camps." Of course they were re-
82 RETURN TO TULLAHOMA.
ceived with great politeness. Billy Henry, divining their er- rand, organized himself into a committee of reception, anc showed them the tents in which the men lived and slept, ther the officers' quarters to see how they lived. They were curioui to know how the men got along with their cooking, so Bill} took them around the rear of their tents and showed then- how clean the cooking utensils were, and in fact how clean the entire camp was. It is needless to say they went away with the highest opinion of Company. E. As they passed through the village they told some friends that the soldiers at Nor- mandy were too gentlemanly to be guilty of stealing chickens and honey, and that the rascals evidently had come from Tulla- homa.
The rest of the 115th remained with the other regiments oi the brigade at Wartrace till August 12th. The 40th Ohio was still left there to garrison the place, while the remainder of the brigade was ordered forward to Elk River, which they reached toward evening of the second day. They went into camp on the south side of the river near the site of the railroad bridge lately destroyed by the rebels. The ist Michigan Engineers and the pioneer brigade were then very busy rebuilding the bridge and putting the railroad in good runnmg order. Among the troops at Elk River was a negro regiment just being organized and drilled for the service. Considering the short time since they had left the plantations, their proficiency in drilling was remarkable. The camp of the iiSth was on a high, bare ridge in the broiling sun, and here our boys exhibited the true characteristics of a soldier. Without waiting to learn whether the stay would be long or short, all went vigorously to work to make a shelter from the sun. Posts were set at convenient intervals along the front and rear of the rows of tents, and upon these poles were laid to support hemlock and pine boughs. Scarcely was the camp made cozy and comforta- ble, however, when orders came to break camp, and on August 1 8th we began a retrograde movement towards Tullahoma, which point was reached before noon. This was an unpopular move, because the boys wanted to get the benefit of their labor
AT TULLAHOMA. 8
in fixing up the camp, but more because of their dislike of the backward movement.
The 40th Ohio had already come to Tullahoma from War- trace, and the 84th Indiana and i8th Ohio Battery came in the next day. The boys of the 115th began at once to put up awnings to protect their quarters from the sun, and to make camp comfortable, much the same as at Elk River, all un- mindful of the feet that the march might be resumed the next day. Company H was ordered to the trestle over the Little Nance, two and one-half miles south of Tullahoma, to guard it from injury by the marauding bands of rebels so frequently prowling around and liable to do mischief if not watched. The stay at Tullahoma was cut short by an order, on August 23d, to proceed by rail to Fosterville, some six or eight miles north of Wartrace. However, the train was ready before the regi- ment, and went ofif without its load of passengers. As a result the trip had to be made on foot, as usual. Company H rejoined the regiment in time to move with it, and all got started about 9 p. m., and marched to Normandy and went into camp near Company E. That company, as well as the others, was greatly delighted at meeting again, though but for one night. The next morning the regiment, leaving Company E at its post, marched to Wartrace, where the men were permitted to take passage on the top of a train of freight cars, which gave them a ride to Fosterville.
Here Lieutenant-Colonel Kinman and Major Poteet re- turned to the regiment, greatly benefited by their brief visit to friends at home. At the same time our new chaplain, Rev. W. S. Crissey of Decatur, joined the regiment. The men, having acquired much skill in making themselves comfortable in their dog tents, were soon at home and ready for a long or short stay. Company B was detailed to do guard duty at a bridge some three miles to the north, Company E rejoined the regiment on the evening of September 3d, after a weary march from Normandy. Though glad to be with the regiment again, the company was loath to leave the pleasant acquaintances made at Normandy, and especially the good fare enjoyed so bountifully while there.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN.
General Rosecrans, having completed the repair of the rail road and the rebuilding of the trestles and bridges, and havinj fairly well equipped his army, deemed himself ready for an ag gressive campaign.
General Rosecrans' army consisted of the following organi zations :
14th Army Corps, Maj.-Gen. Geo. H. Thomas commanding Four divisions, commanded by Generals Baird, Negley, Bran nan and Reynolds.
20th Army Corps, Maj.-Gen. A. McD. McCook command ing. Three divisions, under Generals Davis, Johnson am Sheridan.
2 1st Army Corps, Maj.-Gen. Thos. L. Crittenden command ing. Three divisions, under Generals Wood, Palmer and Vai Cleve.
Reserve Corps, Maj.-Gen. Gordon Granger commanding One division of three brigades, Gen. J. B. Steedman.
Cavalry Corps, Gen. R. B. Mitchell commanding. Two di visions, under Col. E. M. McCook and Gen. Geo. Crook.
In all thirteen divisions, the whole efifective force being a follows :
Officers. Men. Total.
Infantry 3,180 50,179 53-359
Cavalry 557 9,594 10,151
Artillery 139 4.053 4,192
Total 3,876 63,826 67,702
General Rosecrans' lines extended from the head of th Sequatchie River, in East Tennessee, to Athens, Ala., a dis
POSITION OF FORCES. 85
tance of 150 miles, with his main force along the Cumberland Mountains, near the line of the Nashville & Chattanooga Rail- road.
Major-General Burnside, commanding the Army of the Ohio, had entered East Tennessee, and occupied Knoxville and all the country above Loudon. This army was under orders to co-operate with General Rosecrans when the time came to strike a blow.
Bragg's army occupied Chattanooga and vicinity, with head- quarters at that city. General Buckner's corps had been driven down the Tennessee valley from Knoxville to Loudon by the approach of Burnside, and soon after formed a junction with Bragg's army near Chattanooga. Bragg's army consisted of four corps of infantry, Polk's, Hill's, Buckner's and the re- serve corps, containing in all nine divisions of infantry, and Wheeler's and Forrest's cavalry of four divisions. The whole effective force, as shown by the Confederate returns, was as follows :
Officers. Men. Total.
Infantry 3,099 36,5S8 39.6S7
Cavalry 1.275 15428 16,703
Artillery 165 3,388' 3,553
Total 4,539 55,374 59,913
This does not include Longstreet's corps, which joined Bragg on the 19th and 20th of September, in time to par- ticipate in the battle of Chickamauga. It will be seen the Union forces shghtly outnumbered the Confederates until Longstreet's arrival, after which the Confederates had the ad- vantage in numbers. Of course it must be understood that a considerable portion of each army was detained garrisoning pdsts in the rear, so that the whole force could never be en- gaged in a battle.
The general course of the Tennessee River through East Tennessee is from northeast to southwest, the range of the Cumberland Mountains being parallel thereto about twenty or thirty miles to the west. Walden's Ridge extends in the same
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Theater of the Campaign for Chattanooga.
VIEW OF THE COUNTRY. 87
direction, nearer the river, and is separated from the Cum- berland Mountains by the valley of the Sequatchie River. A few miles below Chattanooga the river suddenly changes course to the west and northwest, passing through the gorge at the southern end of Walden's Ridge, and thence continues its general course to the southwest. Sand Mountain or Rac- coon Mountain, and Lookout Mountain, separated by the deep valley of Lookout Creek, continue towards the southwest, as a continuation of Walden's Ridge, the river below Chatta- nooga being on the northwest side of the mountains. These mountains are elevated about 2,200 feet above sea level, and some 1,200 to 1,600 feet above the valleys adjacent.
Missionary Ridge, elevated about 500 feet above the valley, extends from near the Tennessee River four or five miles above Chattanooga, a little west of south, a distance of about fifteen miles, terminating a short distance west of Crawfish Springs. Chattanooga Creek runs parallel to this ridge, between it and Lookout Mountain, emptying into the Tennessee River near the base of the latter. The West Chickamauga Creek or River runs in the same general direction on the east side of Mission- ary Ridge from south to the east of north, the upper portion of its valley being known as McLemore's Cove. Pigeon Mountain extends in the same general direction east of the Cove, and La Fayette is in the valley of Chattooga River east of Pigeon Mountain. All these mountains were passable only at certain depressions, called passes.
Chattanooga, the headquarters of Bragg's army and the ob- jective point of Rosecrans' campaign, then a town of 2,000 or 3,000 population, is situated on the south bank of the Ten- nessee River three or four miles above the point of Lookout Mountain. Being hemmed in by the mountains, it was looked upon as a place of great natural strength, and easily defended by a comparatively small force. The Cumberland Moun- tains, the Sequatchie Valley, Walden's Ridge and the Ten- nessee River were all to be crossed in a direct approach to Chattanooga. Part of these obstacles could be avoided by fol- lowing the line of the railroad to the southeast to Stevenson, Ala., and thence northeastward. Here Sand Mountain and
88 MOVEMENT AGAINST CHATTANOOGA.
Lookout Mountain intervened. Such were some of the ob- stacles to be overcome by Rosecrans, in his attack upon the enemy's stronghold.
Sheridan's division of McCook's corps crossed the Cumber- land Mountains and occupied Stevenson and Bridgeport as soon as the railroad was repaired, about August ist. On the i6th the general forward movement began. The 21st corps moved in three columns : Wood's division went via Pelham to Thurman's in the Sequatchie Valley nearly north of Chat- tanooga ; Palmer's to Dunlap, farther up ; Van Cleve's to Pikeville, near the head of the valley. The 14th corps was in two columns, Reynolds' and Brannan's divisions from Uni- versity north of Cowens, over the mountains and down Battle Creek to its mouth ; Negley's and Baird's via the railroad to Stevenson. The 20th corps also was in two columns : John- son's division from Salem, some twenty miles south of Decherd, to Belmont, near the Tennessee River, twenty-five miles below Bridgeport ; Davis' division along the line of the railroad to Stevenson.
On his. arrival in Sequatchie Valley, General Crittenden sent Hazen's brigade of infantry to reconnoitre the neighborhood of Harrison's landing, about twelve miles above Chattanooga ; Minty's cavalry brigade to reconnoitre as far up the river as Washington; Wilder's brigade of mounted infantry, sup- ported by Wagner's brigade of infantry, to make a recon- naissance directly opposite Chattanooga. All these move- ments were completed by the 20th or 21st. General Wilder's brigade alarmed the Confederates in Chattanooga very greatly, by throwing some shells into the town while they were engaged in prayer, it bemg Fast Day.
This movement over the mountains, directly against Chat- tanooga and to the river above, had the desired effect, in lead- ing the rebels to believe the main attack would be made in that quarter. However, Rosecrans had other plans. The rest of Crittenden's corps moved down the Sequatchie Valley and joined Thomas' corps at Battle Creek, all concealed from the rebels by Walden's Ridge and the Raccoon Mountains. On the 2d, 3d and 4th of September, these two corps crossed the
MOVEMENT AGAINST CHATTANOOGA. 89
river at Shell Mound, Bridgeport, and Caperton Ferry, Thomas' corps moved forward at once, over Sand Mountain, and occupied Trenton, Ga., on the 5th. The next day John- son's Crook, eight or ten miles farther south, and Steven's Gap in Lookout Mountain were occupied. McCook's corps had begun crossing the river at Caperton Ferry, opposite Stevenson, and at Bridgeport as early as August 29th, and on September 3d Davis' division reached Will's Valley, and on the 4th Johnson's division reached Winston's Gap in Lookout Mountain, 42 miles south of Chattanooga and 25 miles from Caperton's Ferry. On the 8th Broomtown Valley was occu- pied, and on the gth Davis' division moved on Alpine and Sum- merville, Ga., 25 to 30 miles south of La Fayette, and 50 miles from Chattanooga.
No sooner had McCook and Thomas crossed the Tennessee River than Bragg was advised of the fact. He then saw that the real movement was against his rear and left, and that his communications to his base of supplies were threatened. His fears were intensified when he learned that Trenton, McLe- more's Cove, and even the gaps and valleys beyond were oc- cupied by the Union forces. Though reenforced by "two small divisions" from Mississippi, he feared to divide his army. The Union army must be intercepted in its course to Dalton, and the line of railroad to Atlanta. Therefore, he began the evacuation of Chattanooga on the 7th, and had reached Craw- fish Springs on the 8th, leaving only a small cavalry force in observation at Chattanooga. Crittenden's corps, after cross- ing the river at Shell Mound, reconnoitred the adjacent moun- tains to Lookout Valley, and early on September 9th, being advised that the enemy was leaving Chattanooga, crossed over the point of Lookout Mountain and occupied the city. The infantry brigades of Generals Hazen and Wagner, and Wil- der's brigade of mounted infantry and Minty's brigade of cavalry, which had occupied the Tennessee Valley opposite Chattanooga, continually changing position to magnify their strength, crossed the river and joined the rest of the corps soon after its arrival. General Rosecrans, believing that Bragg's army was in full retreat, ordered Crittenden to make
Movements in McLemore's Cove.
MOVEMENT AGAINST CHATTANOOGA. 91
a vigorous pursuit, leaving General Wagner in command of the post, with his brigade as garrison. General Crittenden moved forward, with Palmer's, Van Cleve's and Wood's divis- ions, but instead of following Bragg directly south on the La Fayette road, he pushed on towards Tunnel Hill and Dalton, — two of the divisions going as far as Ringgold, and Wilder's brigade to Tunnel Hill, or beyond.
Bragg's headquarters were moved to La Fayette on the loth, and the principal part of his force was near there in the Chat- ■ tooga Valley, east of Pigeon Mountain, Buckner's corps had come down from the Hiawassee, crossing by way of Ringgold, ahead of Crittenden's advance, and joined Bragg's forces near Peavine Church, about six miles southeast of Crawfish Springs. A glance at the map will show how easily Bragg could have taken Rosecrans' army in detail, and literally have worked its destruction. His force was in a compact body in the vicinity of La Fayette, while Rosecrans' army was scat- tered over a distance of sixty miles, McCook's corps being at Alpine and in Broomtown Valley, 25 miles to the south, while Thomas' corps was in McLemore's Cove, directly across Pigeon Mountain, less than ten miles away, and Crittenden's corps was hunting for the enemy in the neighborhood of Ring- gold. Fortunately for our cause, General Bragg did not know his advantage. He would not believe that any Union infantry were south of him ; certainly he had no idea of McCook's dan- gerous position. Another fortunate fact was that Bragg's corps commanders were never ready to act when he gave them orders. In the meantime Rosecrans awoke to his peril. He learned that his enemy was not on retreat, but that his own army was in danger of destruction, and that his only safety lay in the rapid concentration of his forces. On September 1 2th Crittenden's corps was rapidly withdrawn from Ringgold, across Peavine Creek and the Chickamauga, to Lee & Gor- don's Mills. General McCook began a wonderful forced march northward from Alpine, joining General Thomas in McLe- more's Cove on the 17th. On the i8th the movement was continued down the valley to Crawfish Springs, McCook's corps being still several miles behind.
92 STEEDMAN'S BRIGADE.
Let us look again at the reserve corps. The third division Erig.-Gen. R. S. Granger commanding, was left to garrisor Nashville and adjacent points. The third brigade, Gen. Johi Coburn's, of our first division, and the first and third brig ades of General Morgan's division, were scattered along th( line of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, and remainec on that duty until after the battle.
Three brigades with Maj.-Gen. Gordon Granger, the corpi commander, at their head, were destined to play a much mon important part in the campaign. Two of these of the firs division, Brig.-Gen. James B. Steedman commanding, wen composed as follows :
1st Brigade, Col. Thomas E. Champion commanding. 96th Illinois, Lieut.-Col. Isaac L. Clarke. 115th Illinois, Col. Jesse H. Moore. 84th Indiana, Col. Nelson Trusler. 40th Ohio, Lieut.-Col. Wm. Jones. 22d Michigan, Col. Heber Le Favour. 89th Ohio, Col. Caleb H. Carhon. i8th Ohio Battery, Capt. Charles C. Aleshire.
2nd Brigade, Col. John G. Mitchell commanding. 78th Illinois, Lieut. Col. Carter Van VIeck. 98th Ohio, Capt. Moses J. Urquhart. 113th Ohio, Lieut.-Col. D. B. Warner. I2ist Ohio, Lieut.-Col. Henry B. Banning, ist Illinois Light Artillery, Battery M, Lieut. Thos Burton.
2d Brigade, 2d Division, Col. Daniel McCook commanding. 85th Illinois, Col. Caleb J. Dilworth. 86th Illinois, Lieut.-Col. Daniel W. Magee. 125th Illinois, Col. Oscar F. Harmon.' S2d Ohio, Maj. James T. Holmes. 69th Ohio, Lieut.-Col. Joseph H. Brigham. 2d Illinois Light Artillery, Battery I, Capt. C. M. Barnett.
The 22d Michigan and 89th Ohio were only temporarily at tached to Whitaker's brigade, and in like manner the 691 Ohio was temporarily attached to McCook's brigade. Whe Rosecrans crossed the Tennessee with his three advance corp;
FORCED MARCH TO ROSSVILLE. 93
these three brigades moved forward to support them, as the reserve might be expected to do. The 115th left Fosterville on the 5th and camped that night at Wartrace, the next night at TuUahoma. At dayHght on the 7th it was again on the road, followed by the 84th Indiana and 40th Ohio. At Decherd the 96th joined our column and all reached Cowen Station, near the foot of the Cumberland Mountains, by nightfall. The next morning reveille sounded at three o'clock, and very soon afterward the brigade was on the march up the mountain side. At Tantalon, on the south side of the mountain, the second brigade joined us. Twelve miles of mountain climbing made the men weary for the night's rest in Crow Creek Valley. Another day's march brought us to Stevenson, Ala., and the following day to Bridgeport, on the Tennessee River, at the crossing of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. Here a day's rest was given the troops, which was greatly needed. Having marched so far through heat and dust, they were glad of an opportunity for a good bath afforded by the river. All knapsacks, officers' carpet bags and all other luggage that could possibly be spared on a rapid march, were stored at Bridgeport. Orders came to move in "light marching order." It was now understood that Bragg was on the retreat. The query was, "Would he attempt to make a stand this side of Atlanta ?"
At sunrise on the 13th, the column was under way, moving up the Tennessee River towards Chattanooga, having crossed to the south side on the 12th. Supposing the commissary department would keep up with the command, the men car- ried very little of rations. At any rate, what they carried was mostly consumed during the day's march, and when a short halt was made for supper and rest near Whiteside, at about 10 p. m., very few had anything more than a little coffee. The night was dark and the road rough, and in places quite steep. The army was already concentrating in Chickamauga Valley, and our three brigades were needed. No time could be lost, so our rest was short, and before midnight the column was moving forward up the mountain. Daylight found us in Look- out Valley, in plain view of the grand mountain of that name.
*^4 FORCED MARCH TO ROSSVILLE.
At eight o'clock a halt was made for breakfast, but as our commissary train had fallen far behind, it was the play oi Hamlet, with Hamlet left out. The haversacks were mostlj empty. Some had a little cofifee, but most of us had nothing but a little corn, then quite hard, gathered from the fields A'ery soon the bugle gave the command "forward." On a more leisurely journey, the lovely scenery would have attracted attention. The bold palisades of old Lookout rising to oui right, the Raccoon Mountains to our left, and the rocky brows of Walden's Ridge in front, across the Tennessee, with the valleys intervening, presented a picture of surpassing beauty Of course they would not be passed unnoticed, but we were then on an errand of business, and too much in a hurry tc spare the time tO' take them in. Before noon the columr passed over the point of Lookout Mountain, and immediatel) took a bee line across Chattanooga Valley towards Rossville Ga., leaving the city of Chattanooga two or three miles to the left. From the mountain we had an excellent view of Chat- tanooga, Missionary Ridge, the Tennessee Valley and Wal- den's Ridge beyond. The day was warm, the roads dusty, and the men very tired and sleepy from the long march withoul food or rest. About the middle of the afternoon the command bivouaced in the woods adjoining Rossville on the south Many were almost exhausted. Hungry as they were, withir an hour all were sound asleep. Not even the usual detail o: pickets was excepted. And how that night's sleep was en- joyed ! The sun was high in the heavens before anyone was seen stirring.
Finally the sleep was over and the boys began to look foi something to eat. There was nothing in sight. The wagons had not reported, and the only resource was the country, which fortunately was well supplied. Some one started the rumoi that we were expected to live off the citizens, and very soon the foragers were busy, and large quantities of fresh beef, veal, pork and poultry^ potatoes, honey, etc., were coming to camp The firing on the "cattle brigade" sounded like heavy skir- mishing, and when the cause was made known to General Granger there was excitement at Rossville. His regular armj
Capt. JESSE HANON.
COMPAXY A.
FORAGING FOR FOOD. 95
ideas of discipline would not tolerate anything of the sort ; the ofifenders must be arrested and punished. The first order was that a patrol of the cavalry escort be sent out to bring in the foragers, but the only result was that when a soldier was met laden with provender, he was warned to sHp in through the rear part of camp and avoid the roads. Soon learning that his effort was a failure, other cavalrymen in charge of officers were sent out. Of course the orders were then obeyed, but most of the food had been safely housed, and the boys were getting a good square meal. Not so with the hundred or more unlucky fellows who were caught and taken to headquarters. Their loads were piled near headquarters, and they were tied to the fence and to trees. The news spread rapidly, and with it intense excitement among the boys. Large crowds soon gathered around the big spring, near the fence surrounding headquarters. Possibly General Granger scented difficulty. At any rate, he soon discovered that the prisoners all belonged to General Steedman's division and turned the matter of disci- pline over to that officer, saying he expected all the guilty men to be severely punished. When this action was reported to Colonel Moore he was wrathy, too. He had had some of the "mutton," and was not willing that the enterprising boys who brought it should be punished. With fire in his eyes, he rushed over to General Steedman's headquarters, where he learned that an order had been issued for the release of the men under arrest with a mild reprimand in the way of a suggestion to not do so any more. Colonel Moore inquired of General Steed- man whether he supposed General Granger really intended to have the men whipped. An affirmative reply made the colonel boil with anger. With great energy and emotion, he said, "General, it would not have been permitted. I had made up my mind I would die before one of my men should be whipped." "Stop that! Stop that! Go to your quarters," was the general's prompt reply. "I will obey you. General," said the colonel, as he left the tent, "but I meant what I said." His remarks were meant for the general only, but went by "telegraph" all through the camp, and by the time the colonel reached his headquarters, the 22d Michigan band was there
96 FORAGING FOR FOOD.
with a great crowd, serenading him. The colonel was a splen- did speaker, and responded in a thoroughly patriotic address reviewing briefly the hard march they had gone through anc suggesting the battle that might be expected very soon. He urged upon them the supreme importance of discipline anc obedience to orders of superiors. No mention was made o the arrest of the men, nor of their sudden release, and at th< close of the speech the band struck up a patriotic air and the crowd was soon scattered to their quarters, all in the best o humor.
CHAPTER IX.
BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA.
The i6th was spent in a general inspection and review, and in practical preparation for real work. Each man was given sixty rounds of good ammunition, defective cartridges being thrown away. Rumors that Crittenden's corps had fallen back several miles, and that skirmishing at the front was of daily occurrence added interest to our work. On the 17th General Steedman with six regiments and a battery, made a reconnais- sance as far as Ringgold. From the hills beyond that village he was able to see a great cloud of dust rising from the roads leading from Tunnel Hill towards La Fayette, and he pru- dently retired as quickly as possible to the west side of the Chickamauga, and returned to Rossville early the next morn- ing. We shall better understand what is to be said about the battle by a little study of the ground on which it was fought.
The battle ground was among the hills and in the valleys near and along the Chattanooga and La Fayette road, be- tween the west fork of the Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, from eight to twelve miles south of Chattanooga. It will be seen, by reference to the map, that the Chickamauga is a very crooked stream, its general course being in a north- erly direction. Missionary Ridge extends in the same general direction from a point two miles west of Crawfish Springs in the north part of McLemore's Cove to the Tennessee River, the distance from the Chickamauga to the Ridge being from four to six miles. Rossville, the old home of Chief John Ross of the Cherokee Indians when that noble tribe lived in Georgia, is at the west entrance to Rossville Gap in Missionary Ridge, four miles from Chattanooga. The Chattanooga and La Fay- ette road, leading through this gap and turning southward at
Chickamauca Campaign Skeletonized.
TABLE OF DISTANCES. 99
its junction with the Ringgold road, its course being almost due south from Cloud's Spring to Lee & Gordon's Mills, was the central line of the action. The Crawfish Springs road, crossing the ridge at McFarland's Gap, two and three-fourths miles south of Rossville, leads southeast two and one-half miles to Vittetoe's place, and thence nearly south, at a distance of about one mile from the La Fayette road, to Crawfish Springs. The names of the other roads referred to will be apparent from the names of the places connected by them. The battle field proper extends from Cloud's Spring, on the La Fayette road, two and one-half miles from Rossville Gap, to Lee & Gordon's Mills, and from Jay's Mill on the east to the Crawfish Springs road on the west, including more than 7,000 acres of land.
The following table of distances, with the aid of the map, will enable the reader to form a pretty clear idea of the ground covered by the several movements.
Chattanooga to Rossville 4.00 Miles.
Rossville to McAfee Church 3.00 "
Rossville to Cloud's Spring 3.20 "
Cloud's Spring to McDonald's 75 "
McDonald's to Kelly's field 82
Kelly's field to Poe's place. , 72 "
Poe's to Brotherton's 25 "
Brotherton's to Viniard's i.oo "
Viniard's to Lee & Gordon's Mills 1.50 "
Kelly's field to Jay's Mills 1.50
Kelly's to Winfrey's i.oo "
Viniard's to Widow Glenn's 75 "
McDonald's to Reed's Bridge 2.50 "
Widow Glenn's to Kelly's 2.00 "
Viniard's to Hall's Ford i.oo "
Viniard's to Jay's Mill 2.80 "
Viniard's to Alexander's Bridge 2.45 "
Snodgrass Hill to McFarland's Gap 2.45 "
Snodgrass' House to Kelly's 62 "
Snodgrass' House to Brotherton's. 1.30 "
Snodgrass' House to McDonald's 1.34 "
Snodgrass' House to Cloud's 1.70 "
Snodgrass' House to Widow Glenn's 1.80 "
Chattanooga to Lee & Gordon's 12.00 "
Lee & Gordon's to La Fayette 13.50 "
The National Park and its Approaches.
FEDERAL MOVEMENTS. 101
A valley extends along the Crawfish Springs road from Vit- tetoe's south ; east of that there is a range of low hills from Widow Glenn's northward to the base of Snodgrass Hill. Thence eastward the land generally slopes towards the La I'ayette road. From that road to the creek the country is mod- erately rolling, with considerable spaces of nearly level land. There were cleared fields at Cloud's, McDonald's, Kelly's, Poe's, Brotherton's, Viniard's, Glenn's, Dyer's, Vittetoe's, Snodgrass' and MuUis' places, with large tracts of timberland between them. From the La Fayette road to the creek there was a continuous forest, except Kelly's, Brock's, Winfrey's and perhaps a few other small fields. There was a dense forest between Snodgrass' house and Kelly's field. Snodgrass Hill was in native woods, including both north and south slopes, as was all the country between there and Missionary Ridge. From Snodgrass' house to Cloud's there was a series of cleared fields.
In the afternoon of the i8th of September Whitaker's brig- ade marched out the Ringgold road with the view of taking possession of Redhouse bridge over the Chickamauga, if it could be done without bringing on a general engagement. On reaching Spring Creek, a half mile beyond McAfee church, the advance was fired on by Scott's brigade of Forrest's cav- alry corps. A line of skirmishers from the 96th Illinois and a section of Aleshire's battery drove the Confederates before them a half a mile or more, but with a loss of one killed and three wounded on our side. Night coming on, and the Con- federates having withdrawn from our front, we rested there under arms, till four o'clock the next morning. The command then quietly withdrew to McAfee church.
At the same time our brigade was thus operating on the Rossville and Ringgold road, Gen. Bushroad Johnson's divis- ion of Hood's Confederate corps was on its way from Ring- gold to Lee & Gordon's Mills via Reed's bridge. At Peavine Creek, some three miles from the bridge, they met Colonel Minty's cavalry brigade, which disputed their passage so stoutly that it was late in the afternoon when they effected a crossing of the Chickamauga. Colonel Minty having called
102 FEDERAL MOVEMENTS.
for support, Col. Ed. McCook's brigade supported by Colonel Mitchell's brigade, pushed out the Reed's bridge road, reach- ing the vicinity of Jay's Mill about the time the rear of John- son's division was moving off towards Lee & Gordon's Mills, but in time for a brisk skirmish with McNair's brigade, cap- turing 22 prisoners. The command bivouaced there under arms, supposing that only a single Confederate brigade had crossed the creek. Early the next morning the 69th Ohio drove the rebel guard from the bridge and destroyed it, after which these two brigades retired to the vicinity of McAfee church, to rejoin Whitaker's brigade.
The i8th was also a busy day with the other three corps of our army. All day and all night the troops were on the weary march getting into position to meet the enemy, or to intercept him in his efforts to return to Chattanooga. Baird's and Brannan's divisions of General Thomas' corps made a won- derful march that night, from three or four miles south of Crawfish Springs, via Widow Glenn's place and across Dyer's farm to the woods east of Kelly's farm. Night marches are necessarily tedious ; a broken wheel or axle may delay the whole column for hours. All in uncertainty as to what mo- ment the obstruction may be removed, the weary men stand and wait. A trivial matter for daylight marching becomes a serious hindrance in the darkness. These brave men, with the sturdy Thomas at the head of the column, pushed steadily forward, and in spite of difficulties, at 7 a. m. on the 19th, were taking position beyond Kelly's field. In the evening of the i8th Crittenden's corps took position near Lee & Gordon's Mills, Wood's division on the right in front of the mill, Van Cleve's next, extending down the river, east of the La Fay- ette road, and Palmer's division on the left, fronting north- east, his left resting on the road a half mile south of Viniard's. Gen. J. J. Reynolds' division of Thomas' corps left Pond Spring, ten miles southwest of Crawfish Springs, at 4 p. m. on the i8th, and marched all night, breakfasting near Crawfish Springs the next morning. At the same time General Neg- ley's division of Thomas' corps moved down from Owen's ford, two or three miles south of Crawfish Springs, and took position
CONFEDERATE MOVEMENTS. 103
opposite Glass' Mill. McCook's 20th corps was ordered for- ward from Steven's Gap and arrived at Crawfish Springs early on the 19th, Gen. R. B. Mitchell's cavalry being farther up the cove taking care of the extreme right.
General Bragg had repeatedly given orders for an attack on portions of the Union forces while so scattered from Alpine to Lee & Gordon's Mills, but as often failed to secure their execution. General Bragg's plan was to concentrate his army near the Chickamauga, opposite Lee & Gordon's Mills, and if possible throw his force between Rosecrans and Chattanooga. Rosecrans seeming to realize somewhat the character of Bragg's plans and the danger to his army, was hastening to concentrate his forces in the valley below Crawfish Springs in order to forestall General Bragg's movements. On the i8th Hill's corps was in position opposite Glass' Mill, Polk's corps was opposite Lee & Gordon's Mills and Buckner's corps at Thedford's ford and, as we have seen, Bushrod Johnson's di- vision was marching from Ringgold to near Lee & Gordon's. Longstreet's corps, from Virginia, was hastening to Bragg's assistance and was then approaching Ringgold. On the af- ternoon of the 1 8th Walker's corps attempted to cross at Al- exander's bridge, but being hotly resisted by Wilder's mounted brigade which tore up the bridge, he was compelled to cross at Byram's ford, a mile farther down. The creek was passed during the night and the corps bivouaced a half mile west of Alexander's bridge. During the night and very early in the morning of the 19th Stewart's and Preston's divisions of Buck- ner's corps crossed the Chickamauga at Dalton's and Hall's fords and took position in column by brigades in the bend of the creek southeast of Viniard's, facing west. Gen. Bush- rod Johnson's division and General Law's division of Hood's corps had bivouaced in line of battle on Buckner's right, about a half-mile east of the La Fayette road, their left being near Lee & Gordon's Mills and Alexander's bridge road, east of Viniard's. Cheatham's division of Polk's corps also crossed at Dalton's ford very early on the 19th, and formed line in rear of Buckner and Hood, near the Chickamauga.
104 POSITIONS OF TROOPS.
The interesting fact is now well known that while Brannon's and Baird's divisions were making that night march from Crawfish Springs to Kelly's place, passing a little west of Viniard's, Hood's corps of two divisions was lying in the woods a thousand yards east of Viniard's, each wholly uncon- scious of the proximity of the other. Also, while Buckner's corps and Cheatham's division were taking position in the river's bend, but little more than a half-mile southeast of Vin- iard's, and Hood's corps was resting to the north of them, Wilder's brigade was in bivouac several hundred yards east oi Viniard's and very near the Confederate lines, without being molested.
Thus we see on the morning of the 19th of September Buckner's corps was massed near the Chickamauga, northeast of Lee & Gordon's ; Cheatham's division was in reserve to his rear and right ; Hood's corps was in position parallel with the La Fayette road, extending a half-mile north of the Alex- ander s bridge road; Walker's corps was between Cheatham and Alexander's bridge and Byram's ford ; Forrest's cavalry was along the Reed's bridge road near Jay's saw mill, Hind- man's division of Polk's corps and Hill's corps being within easy supporting distance opposite Lee & Gordon's and Glass' Mill.
Confronting this array, Rosecrans had Crittenden's corps near Lee,& Gordon's, and Brannan's and Baird's divisions east of Kelly's field, with a gap of two and a half miles between, entirely open to such operations as the Confederates might care to make. McCook's corps and the divisions of Negley and Reynolds were yet miles away, the nearest being at or about Crawfish Springs, while Granger's corps was at McAfee church, three miles or more north of Kelly's.
Bragg being ignorant of Thomas' movements, and suppos- ing Crittenden's corps the extreme left of the Union army, planned an attack in great force on his left flank, hoping to crush him before help could arrive. Rosecrans supposed Bragg's army was still east of the Chickamauga and was plan- ning to occupy the bridges and fords below Lee & Gordon's, and prevent his crossing. Apparently General Rosecrans did
THE BATTLE. 105
not expect a battle at the time it came, for he does not seem to have had any plan of battle.
The battle opened on Reed's bridge road near Jay's mill, three or four miles farther north than Bragg expected. Col. Daniel McCook, as he was retiring to Rossville Gap with his two brigades, observed the approach of Thomas' corps, and hastened to report the condition of afifairs in front, giving his opinion that a single Confederate brigade had crossed the Chickamauga the evening before and might easily be captured, since Reed's bridge had been destroyed. General Brannan's division was at once ordered forward on the Reed's bridge road ; General Baird's division at the same time formed on the right of Brannan, and moved eastward from the Kelly place. At the time these movements were being made, For- rest's cavalry corps was making a reconnaissance along the west side of the Chickamauga, in the vicinity of Reed's bridge. As Brannan's division was advancing to the east, and northeast on Reed's bridge road and to the left of it, about 8 a. m., it met Pegram's division of Forrest's corps, dismounted. Croxton's brigade was soon hotly engaged. Van Derveer's brigade quickly swung to the right, followed by Connell's brigade, and very soon the whole division was in action.
General Forrest, finding that his forces were being steadily driven, hurried in person to call for infantry supports. Wil- son's brigade of Walker's corps was found near Alexander's bridge and ordered forward to support Forrest's left. Soon after Ector's brigade of the same corps was brought up and sent in on Wilson's left. While these two infantry brigades were coming to Forrest's assistance, Baird's division joined in the action on Brannan's right. Thus commencing on the Union left, the forces joined in battle from- left to right on the Union line, from right to left on the Confederate, until the bat- tle raged from Reed's bridge road to the south of Viniard's. Walthall's and Govan's brigades came in next to the left of Wilson and Ector, and were met by Johnson's division of Mc- Cook's corps, which had made a hasty march from Crawfish Springs and moved into Hne of battle to the right of Baird.
THE BATTLE. 107
Cheatham's splendid division of five brigades, which had moved north and taken position in reserve in the rear of Hood's corps about lo a. m., was ordered into action about noon, reheving Liddell's division that was being sorely pressed. In the meantime Palmer's division of Crittenden's corps came rapidly down the La Fayette road, passing within a few hundred yards of the still idle Hood's corps, and hur- ried forward into action on the right of Johnson. About the same time Reynolds' division of Tomas' corps reached the La Fayette road at Poe's and went into action, Turchin's brigade to Palmer's left and Edward King's to his right. About this time, also, Stewart's division of Buckner's corps came in to the left of Cheatham's division, to be met by Van Cleve's division of Crittenden's corps, which had followed Palmer from Lee & Gordon's. Bushrod Johnson's and Law's divisions of Hood's corps next entered the fight on Stewart's left. Davis' division of McCook's corps reached Widow Glenn's at noon and was sent into action on Van Cleve's right near Viniard's. Next came General Wood's division from Lee & Gordon's after 3 p. m. ; then General Negley's division came from Glass' Mill and occupied a gap in the center at 4:30; lastly the gallant Phil Sheridan with his division came into action on the right at 5 p. m. Thus the battle swept from the Union left to right till nearly the entire strength of the two armies was engaged.
At the beginning Brannan's division drove Forrest's cav- alry, dismounted, nearly a mile, but on arrival of the infantry brigades of Wilson and Ector, the Union advance was checked and the contest became furious. Croxton's brigade of Bran- nan's division was forced to fall back, when Baird's division advanced upon the Confederates and drove them some dis- tance, capturing 200 prisoners. Govan's brigade struck Scribner's near Winfrey's, capturing four guns of its battery and forcing it to, the rear; at the same time Walthall's brigade broke the fines of King's regular brigade and took his bat- tery, which was soon after retaken in a gallant charge by the 9th Ohio of Brannan's division. Croxton's brigade again com- ing to the front, struck Govan in the flank, both Govan and
108 THE BATTLE.
Walthall retiring in haste. Thus the battle raged on the left, a continuous roll of musketry and roar of artillery from 8 or 9 a. m. till noon, with varying results, but with terrific losses on both sides.
Cheatham's division came into action about noon, three brigades in front and two in reserve, his right resting on the Alexander's bridge road near Winfrey's, his left extending southwest to within a third of a mile of the La Fayette road. Johnson's and Palmer's divisions met this array in gallant style, and the terrific fighting extended all along the line, from Winfrey's through the Brock field along the low ridge to the right. The splendid veterans of Cruft's, Grose's, and Hazen's brigades were a full match for Cheatham's southerners. By three o'clock Johnson had fought his way to the Winfrey house, where he remained without much opposition till night. The Union forces farther to the right were not so fortunate. Stewart's division pressed Van Cleve across the La Fayette road at Brotherton's, and Palmer was compelled to retire to the La Fayette road, near Poe's. The battle raged furiously along the lines east of Viniard's, and to the north along the La Fayette road, from one or two o'clock till night. After a desperate struggle, Davis' division was forced across the La Fayette road at Yiniard's, the gallant Colonel Heg being killed, while rallying his brigade in an effort to check the Confederate advance. The arrival of Wood's division at 4 p. m. turned the tide, and the Confederates were again driven to the east side of the road. Cheatham, Stewart, Preston, Bushrod Johnson and Hood made a desperate effort to take and hold the coveted La Fayette road, and Johnson, Palmer, Reynolds, Negley, Davis, Van Cleve, Wood and Sheridan most splendidly contested the prize.
Forrest and Liddell had enough by the middle of the day and quiet reigned on the Union left most of the afternoon. Brannan and Baird were withdrawn to the west of the La Fayette road, while Johnson's division still remained near Winfrey's, supported by Baird's till late in the afternoon. Cheatham's division was resting quietly in their front to the southeast. The battle seemed over for the day, when suddenly
THE BATTLE. 109
in the dusk of the evening a furious assault was made on John- son's and Baird's Hnes by Cleburne's division, which had hastily crossed the Chickamauga, wading through water waist deep. Cheatham's division joined in this "night battle" and an hour's struggle ensued, amid great confusion, the contest- ants being guided each by the flash from the other's guns, without valuable results to either, but with the loss of two most valuable general officers, Gen. Preston Smith of the Confederates, and Colonel Baldwin of the Union forces, both brigade commanders. Generals Johnson and Baird finally withdrew, their divisions to the Kelly field, leaving Cleburne's force the cold comfort of bivouacing on the lost ground in their wet clothes.
The brigades of Colonels McCook and Mitchell had joined Whitaker's early in the day, at McAfee church. The iiSth spent most of the day resting on the slope opposite the church, anxiously listening to the roar of the battle, a little more than three miles away. The roll after roll of musketry, scarcely to be distinguished from the roar of distant artillery, made it evident that a terrific battle was in progress.
The 84th Indiana supported by the 40th Ohio and a section of the 1 8th Ohio Battery, was advanced beyond the Little Chickamauga to keep watch on the movements of the enemy in that direction. They soon encountered the enemy's pick- ets, who were driven into camp after a brisk skirmish. De- sultory firing was kept up till one or two o'clock, when the Confederates, Scott's cavalry brigade, made a vigorous attack on the 84th Indiana and 40th Ohio, compelling them to retire across the creek.
In the meantime the 115th having been ordered to their support, was moving at double quick down the roacl leading from McAfee church towards Ringgold. The dust in the road, almost shoe-top deep, soon arose in such clouds as to hide the moving column. Just as the 84th and 40th were crossing the creek, hotly followed by the Confederates, not far away, the 115th rushed forward into line to the left of the road, within 200 yards of the creek. The land sloped gently towards the creek, and was covered with a dense growth of low brush
110 THE BATTLE.
scarcely waist high, among scattering forest trees. The iisth promptly obeyed the command to lie down, and remained concealed till the 84th and 40th had passed through their ranks. But no sooner was the front clear till they were up and sending a shower of bullets into the ranks of the aston- ished rebels. A few volleys sufficed to send them reeling back in the direction they had come. Knowing their superior strength. Colonel Moore hastily faced about and began a movement to the rear. This was not much more than begun, however, when the Confederates returned to the attack, only to be met by the withering volleys of the 115th, which again sent them to the rear. Again was the retreat resumed, and again the Confederates returned to the attack, but were once more repulsed by the 115th, now well supported by the other regiments of the brigade ; the further progress of the enemy was stopped, and our three brigades bivouaced again near the church.
The 115th lost four wounded and one captured, by remain- ing behind to care for his wounded brother. The loss of the enemy must have been considerable, as they were exposed to a terrific fire. This was the first real battle for the 115th, yet it must be said the coolness with which the men lay waiting for the 84th and 40th to pass through their ranks, their steady fire and solid line presented to the enemy until the close of the fight proved them already soldiers worthy to be called veter- ans.
The night was spent at the edge of the woo'ds, too near the enemy to permit the comfort of fires, though the air was quite cold to our boys in their light-weight clothes and scant supply of blankets. We slept under arms, such sleep as was permit- ted, ready at any moment for action, but without disturbance. The Confederates in our front had probably been ordered to support their friends in front of General Rosecrans. 11 was a busy night to both armies. Longstreet had arrived and Bragg hastily called a council of his generals. He "ventured" as General Hill says, "upon that hazardous experiment, a change of organization in face of the enemy." He divided his army into two wings, giving to the right Hill's and Walker's
PREPARATIONS FOR THE NEXT DAY. Ill
corps and Cheatham's large division of infantry and Forrest's cavalry corps, under the command of Lieutenant-General Polk, and leaving to the left wing Buckner's and Hood's corps and Hindman's division of infantry, and Wheeler's cavalry corps, under the command of Lieut. -Gen. James Longstreet. Bragg's- plan of battle was not greatly changed. He directed General Polk to begin the second day's battle by a daybreak attack on the Union left, the battle to go forward by successive attacks from the Confederate right to left. It was an all night's task to get into position.
While these preparations were going on among the Confed- erates, the Union generals were equally active. General Rose- crans held a conference with his generals at the Widow Glenn's. Plans were adopted for further concentration of his forces. Major-General Thomas' corps together with the divi- sions that had joined him were to remain in front of the Kelly farm. McCook's corps was to take position along the La Fayette road to the right of Thomas, while two divisions of Crittenden's corps were to be held in reserve. General Rose- crans does not seem to have made any "plan of battle." As on the first day, his only plan seemed to be to hold the enemy in check, and prevent him from passing over or by our forces into Chattanooga.
As with the Confederates, much of the night was consumed in these preparations, though probably most of the men got some sleep. It is said "Pap" Thomas, resting his head on his hand and with his trappings about him, took a nap at the base of a big oak tree. All were weary enough to sleep, even though under great difficulties.
CHAPTER X.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH.
The early morning found the Union army taking position along the La Fayette road, which continued to be the prize of the battle. The original organization by corps was only partially maintained. Maj.-Gen. Geo. H. Thomas had com- mand of the left wing, composed of Baird's, Johnson's, Palm- er's and Reynolds' divisions, extending in a circular line around the north, east and south sides of the Kelly farm, in the Older named, counting from left to right. Of these, Baird's and Reynolds' divisions were of his own corps, Johnson's was of McCook's 20th corps, while Palmer's was of Crittenden's corps. Baird's left extended nearly to the La Fayette road, a fourth of a mile north of the Kelly farm, while Reynolds' right, facing southeast, rested on that road.
Brannan's division of Thomas' corps connected with Rey- nolds' on the right, his left resting on the road and his right parallel with the road but 200 yards to the west of it. Neg- ley's division came next, extending south across the Dyer road and west of Brotherton's. Sheridan's division, also facing east, was in front of Widow Glenn's, Wilder's mounted brigade being farther to the right, while Van Cleve's, Wood's and Davis' divisions were placed in reserve near the Dry Valley road, almost directly west of Dyer's place, or in the rear of the center of our army. All this right wing was under the direct command of the department commander, Gen. W. S. Rosecrans, who had his headquarters at Widow Glenn's.
The Confederate lines were formed from their right to left in the following order : Forrest's cavalry was far to the right and east of Cloud's Spring. Then came Breckinridge's divi- sion in front of the Union left (Baird's division), but lapping
CONFEDERATE LINES. 113
some distance over. Cleburne's division was next to the left in front of the Kelly place. Then came Stewart's division facing the La Fayette road, opposite Poe's. Bushrod John- son's division came next to the left a third of a mile east of Brotherton's, with Hindman's and Preston's divisions farther in the same line. Walker s corps was in reserve in the rear of Breckinridge, while Cheatham's division occupied a similar position in rear of Cleburne. Cleburne's division was the left of Polk's wing, while Stewart's was the right of Longstreet's.
The Confederate position was well hidden by the almost continuous forests that extend along the east side of the La Fayette road. Bragg moved his headquarters to the west side of the Chickamauga, not far from the place where the battle began on Saturday morning. During the night the Confeder- ates were reenforced by the arrival of the distinguished leader, Lieutenant-General Longstreet, with McLaw's division of his corps and Gist's brigade of Walker's corps. Generals Polk and Hill failed to obey Bragg's order to attack at daylight. Hill said he did not hear of the order until eight o'clock the next morning, that the lines were not formed and that his troops were delayed in getting rations. Polk's version is that he issued orders to Hill at ii 130 p. m. to attack the Union left at daylight, but that his aids could not find Hill, though searching all night. Each blamed the other.
The Chickamauga valley was wrapped in a dense fog that morning that did not lift until eight or nine o'clock — other- wise the sky was clear. Hill says Bragg had made no in- spection of the lines, nor reconnaissance of the Union posi- tion, while General Rosecrans had personally inspected his entire line. He found the divisions of Wood and Van Cleve of Crittenden's corps, and Davis' division of McCook's corps near the Dry Valley road, and directed them to move forward and to the left. Bragg's front overlapped the Union lines both on right and left. Baird's, Johnson's, Palmer's and Rey- nolds' divisions had made good use of the night in erecting rough barricades of logs, rails, stumps and stones along their front, which made a valuable protection against the assaults of
OPENING OF THE BATTLE. 115
the enemy. There were no rifle pits, nor any defensive works on any other part of the hne.
The contest finally opened at about 8 :30 to 9 a. m. by the advance of Breckinridge's division from the northeast against Baird's division, supported by Gen. John Beatty's brigade of Xegley's division, which had just taken position on Baird's left, extending to the La Fayette road south of McDonald's. The attack was furious and the battle soon involved the whole of Baird's division. The Confederate right quickly passed the La Fayette road, and facing south, made a desperate effort to occupy the woods to the west of Kelly's field in Thomas' rear. Stanley's brigade of Negley's division was hurried to the left, coming just in time to check the Confederate advance. In the meantime General Cleburne's division, in pursuance of Bragg's plan, had joined in the battle by attacking Johnson's front. Stewart followed Cleburne in the attack, and assault after assault was being made on the entire four divisions in front of and around the Kelly farm. The Union left was in a critical condition, and General Thomas seeing the peril, has- tily called for reenforcements.
General Brannan's division was ordered to support Thomas, but at that moment the attack of Stewart was just opening on Brannan's front, and seeing the need in his own position, he notified Rosecrans and at the same time partially complied with Thomas' request by sending Van Derveer's brigade in great haste down the La Fayette road towards the Union left. It came in the nick of time, and joining with Beatty's, Stan- ley's and Barnes' brigades, drove the Confederates back east of the road north of the Kelly farm. The four Union di- visions under General Thomas most gallantly held their posi- tions. General Helm, a brigade commander in Breckinridge's division, was killed early in the day. General Adams, another brigade commander of the same division, was severely wounded and captured. General Deshler, commanding a bri- gade of Cleburne's division was killed, and many field officers were killed and wounded, showing how severely the Confeder- ates were punished. i
116 GAP IN THE LINE.
In the meantime Gen. Thos. J. Wood's division of Critten- den's corps had moved forward to the position previovisly oc- cupied by Negley's division to the west of the La Fayette road, near Brotherton's, joining Brannan's division on the right. About the same time Gen. Jeff. C. Davis moved for- ward to the right of Wood's division, General Sheridan's di- vision being still farther to the right and rear. General Van Cleve's division also moved forward and to the left in the rear of General Wood's division. General Thomas was calling for help and General Rosecrans was as rapidly as possible con- centrating his force in that direction, determined to support the imperilled left at all hazards. It will be remembered Gen- eral Brannan had been ordered to Thomas' relief, but had been detained in line by the attack of Stewart's Confederates. Gen- eral Rosecrans, supposing Brannan had gone, ordered General Wood to "close up on Reynolds as fast as possible and sup- port him," intending Wood to take the place Brannan had oc- cupied. But General Brannan's division was still in line to the right of Reynolds. Without waiting to report the facts to Rosecrans, and for further orders, but in an attempt at literal obedience. General Wood withdrew his division from the line and moved by the left flank in rear of Brannan, towards the rear of Reynolds' position.
Without attempting to locate the fault, it may truly be said this was the fatal mistake of the battle. A gap of nearly a half mile in width was opened in the Union line. At about 1 1 a. m. General Wood's division was rapidly moving by the left flank in rear of Brannan's division. General Van Cleve's di- vision was a few paces farther to the rear, seeking a place to be of service. Laiboldt's and Lytle's brigades were in rapid motion by the flank from the extreme right to reenforce Thomas on the left. Gen. Jefif. C. Davis' division, which had taken position on the right of Wood's division, was hurrying to fill the vacant space.
Gen. James Longstreet commanding the Confederate left wing was impatiently waiting orders to attack. Stewart's di- vision on his right had already been engaged. Gen. Bushrod Johnson's provisional division was next to the left in the woods
ROUT OF THE RIGHT WING. 117
Opposite Brotherton's, with Hindman's next and Preston's di- vision still farther to their left. At the moment the unfortunate gap was opened, and while the other Union divisions on that part of the line were in motion, as above recited, General Longstreet, without the slightest knowledge of the Union weakness, was ordering an attack on that part of our line. Be- fore Colonel Buell's brigade of Wood's division had moved its length towards the left, Bushrod Johnson's division was pouring through the fatal gap, and a furious assault was made on Buell's brigade while thus engaged in its flank movement. About the same time, Hindman's division assaulted Davis' and Sheridan's divisions with terrible effect. With a wide open gateway and with the Union troops to the right and the left of it, moving by the flank, it was an easy thing for the Confed- erates to sweep the field and drive our troops to- the right and left before them. As vigorous a resistance as possible was made, but nothing could check the wild rush of the Confeder- ates. Our lines were soon shattered, brigades and regiments were intermingled, so that little appearance even of any or- ganization was maintained. The gallant General Lytle at- tempted a stand on the well known hill now bearing his name, but it was only for a moment. The brave general was slain and his brigade was again put in rapid motion to the rear. Portions of Wood's and Brannan's divisions swung back at right angles with the former position, and were soon carried to the northeastern portion of Snodgrass Hill. Other portions were carried with part of Van Cleve's, Davis' and Sheridan's divisions over the hills to the westward and to Rossville. Gen- eral Negley became separated from his two brigades and took charge of the artillery that had been massed on a hill in the north part of the Dyer farm. Tlieir position soon becoming untenable, many horses being killed, and without supports of any kind, as many of the guns as could possibly be moved, were taken, under General Negley's direction, over Snodgrass Hill, and thence as rapidly as possible through McFarland's Gap to Rossville.
The right wing of our army thus broken and routed has often been referred to as "AlcCook's and Crittenden's corps".
PREPARATION FOR THE AFTERNOON. li9
That, however, is only partly true. Generals McCook and Crittenden as well as General Rosecrans, were caught in the stampede and carried back to Rossville. General Sheridan's division of three brigades and General Davis' division of two brigades, of McCook's corps, followed them. Gen. Samuel Beatty's and Colonel Dick's brigades of Van Cleve's division, and Colonel Buell's brigade of Wood's division of Crittenden's corps, excepting only fragments of several regiments, were also among the routed. On the other hand, Johnson's division of McCook's corps, and Palmer's division of Crittenden's corps, were doing gallant service all day on. Thomas' line in front of Kelly's place. Barnes' brigade of Van Cleve's di- vision assisted in the repulse of Breckinridge on Baird's left and remained on that part of the line till evening. A large part of Marker's brigade and a detachment of the 58th Indiana of Buell's brigade of Wood's division joined in the defense of Snodgrass Ridge and remained there till evening. Nor were McCook's and Crittenden's corps the only ones in the dis- aster. Sirwell's brigade of Negley's division of Thomas' corps, excepting the 21st Ohio, which was left with General Brannan, followed their division commander to Rossville. Connell's brigade of Brannan's division of the same corps, excepting some fragments of the 82nd Indiana and 17th Ohio, were also carried away in the disaster.
By twelve o'clock or a little later Bushrod Johnson's and Hindm.an's divisions had passed the Dry Valley road south of the Vittetoe house in pursuit of Davis' and Sheridan's di- visions, over the hills to the west. Very soon, however, they despaired of success and returned to the hills east of Vittetoe's, where they reformed their lines and prepared for the after- noon's work. The Confederates were in possession of all the fields between Snodgrass Ridge and Widow Glenn's. In the eagerness of their pursuit, the Confederates had failed to no- tice Wilder's brigade near Widow Glenn's, which remained unmolested in that vicinity until near evening. About noon General Brannan, with fragments of three regiments of Crox- ton's brigade and a portion of the 82nd Indiana and 17th Ohio of Connell's brigade of his division made a stand on the east-
120 THOJ^IAS' POSITION.
em eminence of Snodgrass Ridge. His command was soon in- creased by detachments and stragglers from the several regi- ments of Beatty's and Dick's brigades of Van Cleve's division, and of Buell's brigade of Wood's division. Conspicuous among these were the squads of the 9th Kentucky, under Col- onel Cram, and the 17th Kentucky, under Colonel Stout, of Beatty's brigade, and small portions of the 44th Indiana and 13th Ohio of Dick's brigade. The most important of these additions, and the only complete regiment of them all was the 21st Ohio of Sirwell's brigade of Negley's division, left by that general at Brannan's recpest. General Brannan was further strengthened by Colonel Stanley's brigade of Negley's division, which, after gallantly assisting in the repulse of General Breckinridge's division northwest of the Kelly place, had re- tired to Snodgrass Ridge, and taken position to Brannan's left, towards the Snodgrass house. This entire force, known that Sunday afternoon, as "Brannan's division," occupied only the northeastern eminence of Snodgrass Ridge, and num- bered scarcely 1,500 men. General Wood's division, then re- duced to Harker's brigade, and that greatly thinned by loss of killed, wounded and stragglers, made several gallant efforts to check the onward rush of the enemy. But the number of the enemy was too great, and though severely punished at times, their progress was not seriously interfered with till Snodgrass Ridge was reached. General Wood hastily put his remaining brigade in position to the left of Stanley's brigade, extending down the ridge from Snodgrass house, where it did splendid service.
Major-General Thomas' four divisions, commanded by Baird, Johnson, Palmer and Reynolds, remained in position at their breastworks encircling the Kelly farm. Every as- sault of the Confederates had been repulsed in splendid style. After the break to his right. General Reynolds had been com- pelled to retire his right somewhat so as to face to the south, and extending a short distance across the La Fayette road. The space from Reynolds' right to Wood's left at the foot of Snodgrass Ridge, a distance of more than half a mile, was wholly unoccupied by Union troops at this "noon hour", as
MOVEMENTS OF THE 115TH. 121
well as nearly all the afternoon. Thus our Union line had be- come, on the left, a semicircle, with its center to the east of Kelly place, and its right resting on the La Fayette road south of the farm. Then a gap of a half a mile to the west, and then Wood's and Brannan's divisions, as above recited. Beyond Brannan's forces, which occupied that part of the hill now marked by the observation tower, and to the east of it there was nothing to oppose the progress of the enemy. All the Union troops in that quarter had passed on towards Ross- ville.
Breckinridge's, Walker's, Cleburne's and Stewart's divis- ions still confronted the Union left. Hood's corps had joined in the pursuit of the broken Union right, and was now bat- tering at our devoted band on Snodgrass Ridge. Longstreet was preparing to turn the Union right by crossing Snodgrass Ridge to the right of Brannan, and attacking him in the rear. That done, Thomas' left wing would have been at his mercy. Ammunition was being distributed to Hindman's and Bush- rod Johnson's divisions, near the southern base of the ridge, and very soon Longstreet would be putting his plan into ex- ecution. The ridge to the right of Brannan must quickly be occupied by Union troops or the day was lost.
But what of the 115th at this time? It had spent the night, as before narrated, with its brigade under Gen. W. C. Whit- aker, at the edge of the woods a little east of McAfee church. Soon after day coffee and hardtack were served. All were im- pressed that a day of hard fighting was before them. Some were eager for the fray, others were more serious. Among the latter was our brave Lieut. -Col. William Kinman. He had distinguished himself in the Black Hawk and Mexican W^ars and none doubted his courage. But that morning he looked toward the battle in a way different from all his past experience. The writer remarked to him that he was more serious than usual. His reply was, "Yes, I am. We shall have a desperate battle today, many of us will be slain, and I ex- pect to be among the number." Seeing how earnest he was, the writer tried to cheer him up by saying, "Oh no, Colonel, you will go through it all right, and live to fight many other
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battles." "No," said he, "I feel a definite impression that this is my last day. I had it upon my mind when waking, and it has constantl}- been with me since. I never felt so before. 1 have been under fire a number of times, without ever having the slightest feeling that I would be killed. Now I feel certain that I shall not live through the day." And all that could be said by the writer and some others who joined the party seemed of no avail. What a brave spirit must have possessed him, with such impressions on his mind, to ride up Snodgrass Hill, leading the charge, only a few hours later.
The scant breakfast disposed of, preparations for the con- flict at once followed. Inspections of arms and ammunition were carefully made, and each man supplied with sixty rounds of cartridges. The 115th was armed with the old fashioned Remington .69 calibre musket — a heavy and undesirable, yet very destructive weapon. All the other regiments were sup- plied with the more modern guns, Enfield and Springfield rifles. All were in good condition and supplied with good bayonets. The 96th and iisth Illinois, and several other regi- ments of the division, had never been in a real battle, but had been under discipline more than a year, and many of the men were anxious for a fight. Our brigade of the 40th Ohio, 84th Indiana, 96th and 115th Illinois had been strengthened for the day by the 22d Michigan and 89th Ohio, which were unable to join their respective brigades. The six regiments made up as fine a brigade as any of our armies could boast of. The division had been under arms all night, and all the time, in a measure, ready for battle ; but as the morning wore on the lines were kept more perfectly formed. Occasionally positions changed. All were listening for the noise of battle. When it began and its roar of artillery increased, and the rolls of mus- ketry became louder and more continuous, the interest and im- patience of officers and men increased. Apparently there was no enemy in our immediate front. The battle was three miles or more to the south. The sounds of battle were moving west- ward. This was perhaps about the time Breckinridge crossed the La Fayette road. Apparently the Union lines were get- ting the worst of it. Our orders were to protect the extreme
124 MOVEMENTS OF THE iisTH.
left, but we were too far away to be of direct service. That Thomas needed us was apparent to all. Finally Generals Granger and Steedman determined that we must not longer remain idle. About lo :30 or 1 1 o'clock the column was put in motion, Whitaker's brigade in the lead, closely followed by Colonel Mitchell's brigade. Col. Daniel McCook's brigade was left near McAfee church to take care of any approach of the enemy to that vicinity. As we passed the big spring near the church, many canteens were filled with water, which was of priceless value later in the day. The column moved at "quick time' through the fields and woods towards the field of battle. Our course was a little west of south, about a mile' and a quarter to the crossing of the La Fayette road. General Forrest covering the extreme right of the Confederate line, observed our approach and at once made a demonstration to interrupt our further progress. Our brigade moved rapidly up the hill and formed line of battle near the Hein house, about 400 feet west of the road, facing the east. Our skirm- ish line soon drove the Confederates back and proved that it was merely a demonstration for delay. General Granger at once determined that it should fail of its purpose and ordered the column forward. At the same time orders were sent to Colonel McCook to bring his brigade forward and look after any movements of the Confederates in our rear. We soon passed the Cloud Spring, and chased the rebel skirmishers away from the Union field hospital, which had been in their possession some hours. About noon, or a very little after, the iisth passed over the hill a few hundred feet to the west of the spring, near Colonel Cloud's residence. The Confederate cavalry was in plain view, less than half a mile to our left. The roar of battle was still moving westward. Still ignorant of the fate of our right wing and still without orders from his su- periors. General Granger directed our two brigades forward on the double quick. Our, Whitaker's, brigade still in the lead, closely followed by Mitchell's brigade, moved at right flank down the hill and through the little valley a third of a mile west of the road, directly towards the Snodgrass house. From Colonel Cloud's to the Snodgrass Hill is a mile and
MOVEMENTS OF THE iisTH. 125
a half, and our course was mostly through cleared fields. Our movement was even more than a double quick. Urgent busi- ness was before us and speed was necessary. Then, General Forrest's cavalry was galloping around only a short distance to our left — an additional incentive to a rapid movement. As the column entered the open field directly west of the McDon- ald place, a rebel battery opened upon us from the rising ground a little east of the La Fayette road, and gave us a vigorous shelling all the while we were passing. The flash from the guns could be plainly seen to our left, and was watched with great interest by our boys as they hurried along. There was a little rise in the ground between us and the bat- tery, just enough to put us out of danger wheii lying on the ground. So, when the flash was seen, the whole line would quickly fall, and instantly the shells would go shrieking over us, sometimes exploding only a little distance away ; and as quickly the column would rise again and resume its forward movement. Major Poteet was disposed to reprove the boys for these precautions, until one of the shells passed very near him and exploded a little beyond. After that he thought it well enough to "dodge a little" We did not escape without loss, however, for Captain Huckstep of Company D received a wound from which he died a few weeks later. The colonel's orderly and some others of the 115th were also wounded, all of the regiments suffering some loss from that battery.
We were then moving directly toward the Snodgrass house. To our left, after passing the McDonald place, was a thick forest extending to the La Fayette road, nearly half a mile to the east. Colonel Marker's brigade was in line of battle to our front, his right extending up the slope towards the Snodgrass house, and his left down towards the woods, facing southeast. General Thomas, from his headquarters at Snodgrass house, had seen our approach, but being uncertain whether it was friend or enemy, sent a staff officer to learn the fact. Imagine his delight to be informed that two fresh brigades had come to his assistance. Our line had halted in rear of Barker's brigade and was taking a little nmch needed rest. General Thomas was not yet fully aware of the disaster to the right.
126 ON SNODGRASS HILL.
and was at first disposed to send our two brigades into action to the left of Harker's brigade, to drive the enemy from that part of the hne. It was about i p. m., and General Thomas then became aware of the critical situation on Brannan's right, and the approach of the enemy, as before narrated. His plans were quickly changed. Our division was moved rapidly to the right of the Snodgrass house, up the little valley to the northwest of the celebrated ridge. Whitaker's brigade was quickly formed in two lines, the front line being composed of the 96th Illinois on the right, the 115th in the center and the 22d Michigan on the left. In the second line the 40th Ohio was on the right, the 84th Indiana in the center and the 89th Ohio on the left.
While the formation was going on, after the iiSth was in position, we were permitted to lie down and take a moment's rest. It was also a moment of activity on the other side of the ridge. Bushrod Johnson and Hindman were at that mo- ment moving up the southern slopes. Longstreet's plan to take Thomas in the rear was being put into execution. From our position we could hear the "hum" made by their move- ments. It was apparent that the clash of arms would soon come. It was certainly a serious moment, but there never was a time so serious as to prevent John Darmer of Company E having a little fun. While his comrades were trying to rest, he was making grimaces to show how "scared" he was.
It was an oak forest, the soil poor and gravelly, and then having but little underbrush. The conditions have made slow growth in those trees and the visitor to Chicka- niauga Park now sees them not greatly larger than they were then. The hill was not steep till near the summit. The part of the ridge in our front extended from northeast to southwest, so that we faced southeast.
The lines were soon formed and the commands, "atten- tion", "fix bayonets", "forward — double-quick — march" were sounded from right to left by bugle tones. General Steedman, on his faithful charger directly behind the 115th, gave the signal for the "Union yell" as our lines, with gleaming bay- onets, started on the charge up that now historic hill. We
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The Fight on Snodgrass Hii,i, Stjnpay Afternoon,
128 ON SNODGRASS HILL.
have often heard of the "rebel yell", but the yell of that charge certainly equalled their best. Doubtless the rebels coming up the opposite side of the ridge were showing their skill in that line in great style at that moment, but we were making too much noise to hear it. It was a race for the crest of that ridge, with the chances about equal. On rushed our column, bearing a little to the right, slackening pace a little at the steep- est part, but never wavering till the summit was reached, about four hundred yards from the starting point. As our lines rolled over the crest, the Confederates were in plain view, in some places scarcely more than sixty yards distant. For a moment the clash of bayonets seemed inevitable, but we had the advantage. Every man presented a bright bayonet, while many of the Confederates were without that weapon. The men in that plight could not stand against our advancing line of steel. The intense excitement of that moment can be real- ized or appreciated only by those who have had similar ex- perience. After a volley the Confederates gave way, closely followed by our front line, a distance of perhaps eighty or one hundred yards dovv^n the southern slope. A Confederate cap- tain, who was in our front at the time, in going over the ground with the writer in 1890, expressed his opinion that our farthest advance in that charge was at least one hundred and fifty yards from the crest. This view is supported by the testimony of many of our own comrades, yet the writer prefers the more conservative statement.
The retreat of the enemy before us was certainly far from a rout, for as soon as we halted, they turned upon us with the most terrific musketry fire ever seen in any battle. For twenty minutes a musketry duel, with all the fury imaginable, raged between our lines, with fearful losses on both sides. Being unable to stand it longer, the Confederates withdrew to reform their lines, and our front line fell back a little beyond the crest, allowing the second line to pass to the front.
In the meantime Colonel Mitchell's brigade having passed in the rear of our brigade, moved forward and engaged the enemy on the ridge to our right, facing south. In getting into position, by some means the right of Colonel Mitchell's brigade
ON SNODGRASS HILL. 129
got in between the right wing of the 96th Illinois and the rest of that regiment. Supposing the repeated commands "give way to the right" came from the ofificers of the 96th, the right wing continued moving to the right until it occupied an ex- posed position on the high ground on the extreme right of the division, where it remained till the close of the engagement. Both officers and men seem to have been ignorant of the sepa- ration, but supposed that the 96th regiment was on the ex- treme right.
The boys of the 115th were exceedingly glad to get even a short rest. Many improved the time in taking a hasty lunch of hardtack and raw fat pork. The reader may think it pretty hard fare, but those of us fortunate enough to have a little, thought it very sweet. It is wonderful how such work sharpens a young fellow's appetite. While we lay along the side of the hill, the second line now in front lay at the crest watching for the approach of the enemy. The Confederate force engaged in this conflict on Snodgrass Ridge consisted of Humphrey's, Kershaw's, Anderson's, Gregg's, Johnson's, McNair's, Deas' and Manigault's brigades, in the order named from their right to left. Humphrey's and Kershaw's brigades confronted Brannan's command. Gen. Patton Anderson's, Gregg's and Johnson's brigades were in front of General Whitaker's brigade and McNair's, Deas' and Manigault's against Mit- chell's brigade. Anderson's brigade, composed of the 7th, 9th, loth, 41st and 44th Mississippi Infantry and 9th Battal- ion Mississippi Sharp Shooters, covered the front of the iJ5th. These eight brigades of Confederates were reenforced between four and five o'clock by Kelly's, Trigg's and Grade's brigades of Preston's division.
Assault after assault was made on our lines, each time re- pulsed with great loss. Very soon the second line, now in front, was greatly thinned and hard pressed. Perhaps in all not thirty minutes had passed, when the 115th was again called into action, going in just a little to the right of its for- mer position, to give room for the 89th Ohio on our left. The fwo lines were now sufficient for one line only. From that time on the battle raged with incessant fury, but Whitaker's
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brigade held the crest of the ridge with slight exceptions till after 5 p. m. Mitchell's brigade had a more varied experience. Sometimes it was forced back a little, but each time quickly rallied and regained the lost ground. In one of these charges the i2ist Ohio captured the colors of the 22d Alabama, which had been too bold in its advance.
The south spur of the ridge made a favorable position for Dent's and Everett's Confederate batteries, which enabled them to rake the depression to^ the left of Mitchell's brigade, making it warm for the 96th Illinois, 40th Ohio and the right of the 115th. All this time the battle was raging with almost equal fury all along the front of General Brannan's position. Some time after the reserve corps entered the conflict, Van Derveer's brigade came to Brannan's assistance. It had done splendid service on Baird's left earlier in the day, but being no longer pressed on that line, and hearing the roar of battle on the devoted ridge, hastened to rejoin its division. A detour of a mile or more through the woods and fields to the north and east of the Snodgrass house brought it to Brannan's right, where it entered the line to. the left of the 22d Michigan, great- ly to our relief. The center of the 115th, the center of Whit- aker's brigade, was on the high point in the ridge, next south- west from the present observation tower. The curve in the ridge at that point, together with the ravines extending down toward the Confederate position, at both our right and left flanks, as well as the spur in the ridge in front of Mitchell's brigade, gave the 115th a peculiarly exposed position. It was necessary for our line to be on the crest in order to do efifective work. But being there exposed it not only to the murderous fire of the enemy in front, but to an equally destructive fire from the slopes beyond the ravines to the right and left, as well as from their artillery planted on the crest of the south spur.
It was a continuous musketry duel between the 115th and its opposing Confederates, with waves of more or less fury. The enemy was frequently driven beyond the foot of the hill, but as frequently returned to the charge with great prompt- ness. Occasionally the impetuous assaults of the Confederates forced us a little from the crest. Major-General Rosecrans,
132 ON SNODGRASS HILL.
in his official report referring to the battle on this part of the line, says : "The fight on the left after 2 p. m. was the fight of the army. Never in the history of this war at least, have troops fought with greater energy and determination. Bay- onet charges often heard of but seldom seen, were repeatedly made by brigades and regiments. The fury of the conflict was nearly as great on the fronts of Brannan and Wood, being less furious towards the left."
Maj.-Gen. T. C. Hindman, who commanded the troops in our front, in his official report, speaking of the arrival of Preston's division, in answer to his call for reenforcements, says : "These brave troops as they arrived were conducted by officers of my staff to the right of my line, and promptly ad- vanced, in conjunction with the rest, upon the enemy. From this time (4 :20 p. m.) we gained ground ; but though now commanding .nine brigades, with Kershaw co-operating, and all in action, I found the gain both slow and costly. I have never known Federal troops to fight so well. It is just to say, also, that I never saw Confederate soldiers fight better."
As showing the effect of the work of our two brigades the official report of Gen. Bushrod Johnson, referring to Deas' and Manigault's brigades that had been driven back to the foot of the hill, and which were requested to return to his support, is quoted : "Lieutenant Marchbanks (his aid) reports that Brigadier-General Deas replied, 'that on consultation with General Manigault, they had decided that it would not be safe to put their commands in the same position without the sup- port of fresh troops.' " Further speaking of the character of the conflict, he says : "Over three hours passed in this conflict, in which officers and men toiled on and mamlfested more per- severance, determination and endurance than I have ever be- fore witnessed on any field." It must not be supposed that our lines were dressed as on parade, and that our men fired in vol- leys in pursuance of regular commands "load — ready — fire." The men loaded and fired at will. Each man handled his gun in his own way, getting in as many and as effective shots as possible. Sometimes the whole line lay close to the ground, loading and firing without rising, in this way doing very de-
ON SNODGRASS HILL. 133
structive work without being exposed to the shower of bullets passing overhead. At other times the men would step back a few paces from the crest, load their pieces, and then step brisk- ly forward till a good aim would be secured, fire, and as quick- ly repeat the operation. At one time the writer observed Ser- geant Aylesworth of Company K going far to the front in or- der to get a good view of the enemy, and remonstrated against his rashness, and urged that he should be more prudent. Within a few minutes he saw the hfeless body of the daring sergeant lying some paces in front of our line. There was such a constant shower of bullets passing over our heads, most- ly from ten to fifty feet above us, that almost any moment leaves, twigs and pieces of bark would be seen falling from the trees. About 4:30 p. m. the want of ammunition began to be seriously felt. The cartridge boxes of dead and wounded comrades were emptied ; soon many men were entirely out of ammunition. Our ammunition train had been appropriated by other divisions, and there seemed no possible source of sup- ply. About that time Preston's fresh division of three brigades appeared in our front and began a furious assault. Our lines were greatly thinned. The men of various regiments were intermingled in many places. The most natural thing occurred ; General Whitaker's brigade began to retire from the hill. Every man that could find a cartridge was using it to the best advantage. Even those without ammunition were but slowly moving to the rear. In this way the iiSth had fallen back possibly 75 or 80 yards from the crest, when Gen- eral Steedman came galloping along the line, and inquired of Colonel Moore why he was not holding his ground — why re- treating. To which Colonel Moore replied: "We are out of ammunition, give us ammunition and we will hold the hill against all odds." The general responded, "Give them the bayonet then". With great promptness Colonel Moore gave the commands "fix bayonets", "forward double-quick march", and with equal promptness, worn, wearied, reduced in numbers as they >vere, the boys of the iiSth obeyed the command. As we started forward. General Steedman seized our colors and carried them a short distance in the charge, giving great en-
134 ON SNODGRASS HILL.
thusiasm to the men. Thus, without ammunition, that vohm- teer regiment was led in that charge up Snodgrass Hill, to the crest and beyond, even driving Preston's fresh troops to the valley below. This was the celebrated "Flag Incident" told in so many ways in reports, war articles and histories. Gen- eral Rosecrans, in his of&cial report puts it in the first charge, saying, "quick as thought he directed his advance brigade upon the enemy. General Steedman, taking a regimental color, led the column." Most writers upon the battle have followed his statement. It certainly sounds grand to speak of the commanding general going into battle, leading his advance regiment, carrying its colors. But it does not detract a particle of the well-merited praise from the general to tell it as it oc- curred, that he carried that flag in the last charge of the day, and by the side of the equally gallant colonel of the regiment, assisted in leading his broken, weary troops to a final triumph over their assailant.
The Confederates were stunned by the impetuosity of the charge. They doubtless attributed it to large reenforcements of fresh troops. Perhaps they thought it wise to take their bearings before renewing the contest. They at least were content to rest a while and permit our brigade to quietly re- main on the crest of the ridge, enjoying its honors. Well did Rosecrans characterize this conflict on Snodgrass Hill after 2 p. m. as the battle of the army, for comparative quiet pre- vailed nearly all the afternoon in front of Baird's, Johnson's, Palmer's and Reynolds' divisions, which still held their posi- tions about the Kelly farm. Bragg's right wing was so badly used up during the early part of the day, that he did not think it wise to make any further attempts on that part of the line. Longstreet says, in his official report : "About three o'clock in the afternoon I asked the commanding general for some of the troops of the right wing, but was informed by him that they had been beaten back so badly that they could be of no service to me" About five o'clock General Thomas began withdrawing his left wing. As General Reynolds, in this move- ment, was passing through the woods to the west of Kelly's place, he encountered a large force of rebels, which, being
ON SNODGRASS HILL. 135
charged by Turchin's brigade, were soon driven beyond Baird's left. As Baird's, Johnson's and Palmer's divisions were withdrawing from the line, they were all attacked with more or less vigor, but without serious loss. Turchin's and Willich's brigades were strongly posted to cover this retreat, and by 6 130 the entire left wing was in full retreat on the sev- eral roads leading to McFarland's Gap. This being accom- plished, orders were given for the withdrawal of Wood's, Brannan's and Granger's forces. This was accomplished as rapidly and in as good order as possible, under the circum- stances. On receiving the order our brigade quietly dropped back from the crest of Snodgrass Ridge, a little after sunset, passed the little ravine at its base and formed line on the next ridge. As this movement was made we supposed all the other troops had preceded us, as we heard no firing on either right or left. It seems, however, that was an error. By some strange fatality the command to withdraw failed to reach the 22d Michigan, 89th Ohio and 21st Ohio. These regiments oc- cupied the depression in the ridge next to the left of the 115th. About dusk the brigade began the retreat toward Rossville, taking the road leading to McFarland's Gap. About the same time Trigg's brigade of Preston's division, meeting no opposi- tion on the ridge, crossed over through the depression to the right of the ground formerly occupied by the 115th, and wheeling to the right, soon appeared in the rear of the 22d Michigan, 89th and 21st Ohio, while Kelly's brigade of the same division was attacking in front. A portion of each regi- ment made a successful, though desperate, break for liberty, while the remainder, finding themselves surrounded, were com- pelled to surrender.
Private G. S. Robinson of Company H, now a judge of the Iowa Supreme Court, had assisted some wounded comrades back to the ambulance corps, and in attempting to return to the regiment passed through the lines of the 22d Michigan, towards the position formerly occupied by the 115th on the hill. The 21st Ohio had formed a line near him, and about that time a Confederate line came on the hill and opened fire, in which Judge Robinson was severely wounded. Being
M O 0
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RETREAT TO ROSSVILLE. 137
helped a short distance by a soldier of the 2ist Ohio, and having dragged himself a little farther till exhausted, he was compelled to lie there until morning. Judge Robinson says he witnessed that last contest between the 22d Michigan and 89th Ohio and 21st Ohio and the Confederate line, supposed to be Kelly's brigade, and that that was the last firing in the battle of Chickamauga. He must have been within a few rods of those regiments when they surrendered, and could well have heard it if any fighting was going on in the position occupied by Van Derveer's brigade in the afternoon.' Judge Robinson says no further firing occurred. Therefore, it is fair to con- clude that General Brannan was mistaken when he contended that his troops remained on Snodgrass Hill after the capture of these regiments, and that "he sent the 35th Ohio to hold the position, which it did successfully against a subsequent attack of the rebels." (See his letter to Major McMahan in the his- tory of the 2 1st Ohio.) The statement in his official report, written very soon after the battle, before his perceptions were in any way afifected by controversy, that "Shortly after sunset I withdrew, without molestation to Rossville", is perhaps cor- rect. Why should General Brannan remain on the hill an hour or more after the other troops had withdrawn ? General Thomas had given orders at 5 :30 for the withdrawal of Baird, Johnson, Palmer and Reynolds, and had personally visited the woods east of Snodgrass Hill and directed Turchin's and Wil- lich's brigades to cover their retreat. General Thomas then says, in his official report : "These dispositions being made, I sent orders to Wood, Brannan and Granger to withdraw from their positions" Note the order of names. It was the order they occupied from left to right. General Thomas was then near Wood's left. It is more than probable the order to retire was received first by Wood, then by Brannan and then by Steedman. Brannan had the orders, and if he kept his troops there until after those three unlucky regiments were captured, it certainly shows neglect of his orders. From all the evidence, it seems well estabhshed that General Brannan's troops were withdrawn from the hill and started on their way to Rossville about the same time General Steedman's did, and that the
138 RETREAT TO ROSSVILLE.
three regiments named were left there by mistake, in ignorance of the order to retire.
The retreat to Rossville was made without much regard to order. Many wounded were to be carried or in some way helped in their efforts to escape capture. Otherwise, every- one was taking care of himself. Not much attention was given to regimental or brigade organizations. All followed the stream leading to Rossville. On the way the writer passed Lieutenant Steen being carried on a stretcher by four of his faithful boys. He had been severely wounded by a minie ball passing through his body, and was utterly unable to help himself. When asked about his condition, he said, "I expect to die, but I do not want to die among the enemy". General Sheridan's and Davis' divisions had been pretty well reor- ganized. The others having made the retreat of five to six miles through the woods in the night, had scarcely the sem- blance of an organization. The men stacked arms by squads rather than by regiments. All were desperately tired, hungry and thirsty. Some searched for water, while others were hunting for wounded comrades. All sought rest on the ground as soon as possible.
CHAPTER XL
REPORTS OF THE BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA.
Lieutenant-Colonel Kinman was killed in the first charge, while fearlessly cheering the regiment forward. He fell with- in a few feet of the spot now occupied by the iiSth monument, being shot through the body. While being ministered to by some of the men, he expressed to Captain Rutherford the opinion that his wound was fatal. A moment later he received a second shot which passed through his forehead, and imme- diately expired. About the same time Capt. S. Barlow Espy of Company G, then brigade commissary on the stafif of Gen- eral Whitaker, and serving as voluntary aide-de-camp during the battle, received a fatal shot while courageously riding along the lines, carrying orders and urging the troops forward. In that first charge Company E lost three of its best and bravest men, all killed near the same spot, the farthest advance of the company on the south side of the hill. The first to fall was Private Meyers J. Ashmead. Corp. James Johnson and Private Henry J. Ruby fell a moment later. All died without a struggle.
About this time Private John O. Darmer of the same com- pany, received two wounds in quick succession, threw down his gun and began dancing around and swinging his hands, much the same as he had done in pretence of fear just before the assault began. So well did he imitate his ordinary fun- making pranks, that Lieutenant Royse thought he was at his old tricks, and sharply ordered him to "take up his gun and go to work". Lieutenant Bailey of Company K was also wounded about that time. For a time it was supposed he was left with the dead on the south side of the hill. In this con- nection a daring act was performed by First Sergeant Ayles-
140 INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE.
worth of Company K, who asked permission of the colonel during the lull in battle after the first charge, to go over the hill to tr)' to find Lieutenant Bailey and bring him away. He failed to find the lieutenant, but while making his search .he looked up the hill towards our line and observed three rebels with guns in their hands, engaged in searching the Union dead for valuables, wholly unconscious of his presence. Quick as thought he drew a bead on them and commanded them to drop their guns and throw up their hands, which they prompt- ly did. He then deliberately marched them before him into our lines, his prisoners of war. When asked by Colonel Moore why three of them surrendered to one, they replied, "He had the drop on us, and neither of us wanted to die".
Robert Bivans of Company E had been on duty at the col- onel's headquarters. Seeing a battle ahead, he insisted on re- turning to his company, that he might have his share in it. Having no gun, he had no chance to fight, until a wounded man of the 40th Ohio, handed him his Springfield rifle. From that on Bob was in the front till late that afternoon when, just as he was taking aim for a good shot, a bullet went through the elbow joint of his right arm, and ended his active service as a soldier.
Elmer E. Robinson of Company H fell mortally wounded and was left on the field. His last words were: "If I die, tell father I died doing my duty."
Sergeant Alfred Shively of Company F was conspicuous for his bravery. Colonel Moore, in a letter, says : "When last I saw this young man, he had rushed some distance in advance of his company of brave comrades, for he had as brave men by his side as ever stood in battle, waving his hat and shout- ing, 'Come on, boys, the day is ours.' I trembled for his safety in his exposed position. The carnage about this time was terrible. And there he went down. His comrades are of the opinion that he was instantly killed."
During the rest after the first charge a wag among our officers, observing a bullet hole in Captain Lapham's sword scabboard, the sword then shining through it, asked the cap- tain how the bullet got through without breaking the sword.
INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE. Ul
It did not occur to the captain, who was not ready at seeing a joke, that his sword was doing duty out of the scabboard at the time, and he replied, "Well, that is strange, surely."
The conduct of officers and men was of such high order, arid nearly all of them so distinguished themselves in the ac- tion, and were so deserving of commendation that it would be difficult to do justice to them b}- mentioning their names, without naming nearly the entire regiment. It may not be amiss, however, to say that Col. Jesse H. Moore well earned his title, the "fighting parson" He was constantly in the thickest of the battle, riding fearlessly from one wing to the other and encouraging the regiment to valiant deeds by his presence, words and example. Chaplain Crissey is especially deserving of mention for his devotion to the care of the wounded. Henry Roberts of Company E, a recruit received while that company was at Normandy and not yet mustered, must not be omitted. He had been conscripted into the Con- federate army in East Tennessee and had been compelled to fight against his country, till an opportunity came to de- sert them in Middle Tennessee in the summer of '63. He wanted to make amends by fighting for his country, and after much insistance on his part, was sworn into the company. How well he proved his loyalty is attested by his brave, earnest work that afternoon. No one was more courageous, none more active. His untimely death at the hands of his old Con- federate regiment, after a hasty drumhead court martial, a few days after the battle, was most keenly lamented by all who knew him. Being one of the unfortunate captives from the ferry-boat opposite Lookout Mountain, strangely enough he was marched past his old comrades, who recognized him. We may be pardoned for mentioning another soldier of Com- pany E, Samuel W. Quick, who was noted for his quiet, inof- fensive disposition. So much was this so that any amount of good-natured cuffing and abuse were given him by those who vv'ould make fun at other's expense, without the slightest re- taliation or resistance on his part. It had come tO' be thought that Sam Quick was a coward, and would be sure to run at the first show of battle. Not so with the record. When the
142 THE LOSSES.
« test came that Sunday afternoon, Sam was in the front Hne
loading and firing in the most deliberate manner, without the least evidence of fear. Men fell all around him without chang- ing his conduct, and thus he fought till ordered away. Never after that did any one question his courage or in any manner offer him indignity.
Lieut. David Reed, really in command of Company F, tl'.ough the first lieutenant was on the field, was conspicuous for his bravery and the ability with which he handled his com- pany in the action, until he fell mortally wounded.
General Whitaker and his staiT — eight officers — were all killed or wounded, except one. General Whitaker was slightly wounded in the abdomen, but was stunned by the shot and while uncertain of the character of the wound, turned the command of the brigade over to Colonel Champion of the 96th. He was soon informed by the surgeon that his wound was not serious, when he promptly returned to the command of the brigade. Captain Espy, his commissary, and Lieut. J. B. Mason, aide-de-camp, were both killed ; Lieut. Jesse Hanon of Company A was wounded and captured ; Capt. James Allen severely wounded, and Captain Rowen captured. One only escaped — Lieut. G. W. Pepoon of the 96th, acting aide-de-camp. Capt. William C. Russell, assistant adjutant- general on the staff of General Granger, was killed while carry- ing orders through the thickest of the battle. He fell near the center of the 115th, at the crest of the ridge.
The loss on both sides was appalling. That of Whitaker's brigade, 49.31 per cent, as shown on the tablet placed on the ridge by the Chickamauga Commission, has rarely been ex- ceeded in the world's history. Almost all its loss was suffered in that one afternoon, while most other brigades had much loss on Saturday and on Sunday in the forenoon, yet the loss of this brigade far exceeded that of any other brigade in the battle. The return of the casualties attached to General Rose- crans' report, made from the most reliable information then obtainable, gave the loss by brigades as follows :
capt. s. barlow Espy.
Company G. Killed at Chickamaugua.
THE LOSSES. 143
Baird's Division —
Scribner's 732
Starkweather's 606
King's 839
2,177
Negley's Division —
John Beatty's 310
Stanley's 215
Sirwell's 266
791
Brannan's Division —
Connell's " 442
Croxton's 938
Van Derveer's 810
2,190
Reynolds' Division —
Wilder's 125
E. A. King's 484
Turchin's 343
952
Total 14th Corps 6,110
Davis' Division —
Carlin's 651
Heg's 696
1.347
Johnson's Division —
Willich's 535
Dodge's 536
Baldwin's 568
1,639
Sheridan's Division —
Lytle's 460
Laiboldt's 389
Bradley's 517
1,366
Total 20th Corps 4,352
Wood's Division —
Buell's 651
Barker's 392
1,043
144 THE LOSSES.
Palmer's Division —
Cruft's 290
Hazen's Soo
Grose's S17
1,307
Van Cleve's Division —
Sam Beatty's 331
Dick's 279
Barnes' 299
gog
Total 2ist Corps 3.259
Steedman's Division —
Whitaker's 1,326
Mitchell's 461
D. McCook's 34
1,821
While these returns have been proved by subsequent re- ports to be in some respects inaccurate, and really far short of the actual loss sustained, they are quite sufficient to show the relative casualties of the different commands. It will be seen that the loss of Whitaker's brigade in that one afternoon was greater than that of the entire divisions of Negley, Rey- nolds, Wood, Palmer or Van Cleve in the entire battle of two days. That it was more than twice that of any other brigade excepting only Scribner's, King's, Croxton's, Van Derveer's and Heg's, and it exceeded Croxton's by 388, Van Der- veer's by 516, Scribner's by 594, King's by 487 and Heg's by 630.
In this connection it will be interesting to notice the loss of the Confederate brigade in our front that afternoon, taken from their official returns published in the Rebellion Record.
Hindman's Division —
Anderson's 568
Deas' 729
Manigault's 539
1,836
Johnson's Division —
Johnson's 373
Gregg's 577
McNair's (no return)
9SO
THE LOSSES. 14S
McLaw's Division —
Kershaw's 488
Humphrey's 152
Hood's Division —
Robertson's 57°
Benning's 488
Law's 390
Preston's Division — ,
Gracie's 668
Trigg's 281
Kelly's 310
Stewart's Division —
Brown's 480
Bate's ". 604
Clayton's 619
640
1,448
1,259
1,703
Total Longstreet's left wing (infantry) 7,836
The loss of the iiSth, as shown by Rosecrans' official re- port, was :
OfBcers killed 2
Enlisted men killed 20
22
Officers wounded 9
Enlisted men wounded 142
151
Total killed and wounded 173
Officers captured i
Enlisted men captured 9
10
Total loss 183
The same report gave the loss of the 96th Illinois at 225 ; fifty of them being in the list of captured and missing, would leave its total killed and wounded at 175, or two more than that of the 115th.
146 THE LOSSES.
The total loss of the other regiments of Whitaker's brig- ade was :
84th Indiana, including 13 captured or missing 133
40th Oliio, " II " " " 132
22d Michigan, " 247 " " " 389
89th Ohio, " 158 " " " 250
Thus it will be seen that the loss of the 115th of killed and wounded far exceeded that of any other regiment in the brig- ade, excepting only that of the 96th Illinois.
The same report gives the loss in Mitchell's brigade at the following figures :
78th lUinois, including 62 captured or missing 156
98th Ohio, " 13 " " " 63
113th Ohio, " 12 " " " 131
I2ist Ohio, " 7 " " " 99
While these reports are pretty nearly correct in the aggre- gate of loss, in most cases they come far short of the actual mortality. No examination has been made of the subsequent reports and records as to the other regiments, but in the case of the 115th, which has been examined with a great deal of care, it is found that the mortality was about double the num- ber stated in those first reports. It is to be presumed the same will be found to be true of the other regiments. This is accounted for by the fact that many men were reported missing who were in fact mortally wounded and died on the field. And others reported wounded, died of their wounds within a short time after the battle. Inasmuch as the adju- tant-general's reports for Illinois do not mention the wounds received by those who recovered and continued in the service to be mustered out with the regiment, the names of all the wounded of the 115th cannot be given. However, from the various records and reports, and from personal knowledge of the writer and entirely reliable information received from other comrades, it is possible to give the names of nearly all of our honored wounded. The list of killed or mortally wounded, as given below, is taken from the various reports on file in the adjutant-general's office at Washington, and from
KILLED AND MORTALLY WOUNDED.
147
the adjutant-general's reports for Illinois, and it is believed to be very nearly correct. It is very much regretted that the names of all the wounded cannot be given. The following is the list of names as complete as it could be made :
OFFICERS KILLED OR MORTALLY WOUNDED.
Lieut. -Col. William Kinman.
Capt. S. Barlow Espy, Company G.
Capt. Stephen M. Huckstep, Company D.
Second Lieut. David Reed, Company F 4
ENLISTED MEN KILLED OR MORTALLY WOUNDED.
Company A: Sergt. Horatio N. Keep,
Private Edward D. Cowgill,
Private Vincent Messier 3
Company B : Sergt. John H. Davis,
Private William Reese,
Private Rand H. Thompson 3
Company C: Corp. Frederick Gadde,
Private Wilber F. Brown,
Private Thomas J. Freeman 3
Company D: Sergt. Geo. A. Gillette,
Private Francis M. Dupee,
Private John M. Smedley,
Private William A. Smedley 4
Company E: Sergt. Geo. N. Junken,
Corp. James Johnson,
Private Myers J. Ashmead,
Private David T. Clements,
Private Henry J. Ruby,
Private William Rutledge,
Private Wm. D. Thompson 7
Company F: Sergt. Alfred Shively,
Corp. Alexander Lutrell,
Corp. Milton Woollard,
Private Sylvester L. Roberts,
Private David M. Rookard 5
Company G: Sergt. Richard B. Smith,
Private Wm. C. Alexander,
Private William Duncan,
Private George Fancher,-
Private Simon A. McNair,
Private Thomas J. Nance,
Private Thomas F. Stout 7
148 WOUNDED OF THE 115TH.
Company H: Corp. James P. White,
Private Frank H. Myers,
Private Elmer E. Robinson,
Private John Waldron 4
Company I: Private EHjali Jackson,
Private Thomas H. Jackson.
Private John T. Slatton 3
Company K: First Sergt. Ezra M. Aylesworth,
Sergt. Wm. B. England,
Corp. James B. Strode,
Private Wm. L. Hide 4
Total killed or mortally wounded 47
OFFICERS WOUNDED.
Capt. John W. Lapham, Company A.
First Lieut. Jesse Hanon, Company A.
First Lietit. Erasmus D. Steen, Company B.
Second Lieut. L H. C. Royse, Company E.
Second Lieut. S. K. Hatfield, Company H.
First Lieut. Sylvester Bailey, Company K 6
ENLISTED MEN WOUNDED. Company A: Sergt. Wm. F. Gore,
Corp. Ed. W. Paine,
Private R. S. Allamon,
Private Joshua B. Bankson,
Private James Devine,
Private Joseph Easley,
Private James D. Johnson,
Private Richard Lee,
Private James McCrary,
Private David Throckmorton, 10
Company B: Corp. Leigh R. Lucas,
Private Samuel Barrett,
Private Wm. Leach, Captured,
Private George Lenover,
Private Joseph Moomey, Captured,
Private Solomon Moomey,
Private Larkin Moyer, Captured,
Private John Murdock,
Private Levi M. Myers.
Private Wm. M. Myers,
Private George L. Nicholas,
Private William H. Reed,
Private J. C. Stumpf, Captured 13
WOUNDED OF THE 115TH.
149
Company C: Sergt. John H. Williams, Sei-gt. John W. Hill, Private Seneca W. Crowell, Private Geo. Myers, Private Thomas Stone
Company D : Sergt. James A, Deal, Captured, Corp. Chas. Barker, Corp. Perry P. Tolle, Private William Bowman, Private William Harlow, Private Humphrey Muck, Private John Parish, Private Jacob Stoneking, Private James Thompson, Private Anson W. Underhill
Company E: Sergt. Frederick S. Gilhousen,
Sergt. Hyman L. Housley, Captured,
Corp. Joseph R. Edmonds,
Corp. Wm. L. Hurst,
Corp, John T. Stark,
Private Robt. Bivans,
Private Chas. M. Breeden
Private John Cummings,
Private John O. Darmer,
Private Wm. F. Elder,
Private Ira Goodrich.
Private Americus Graham,
Private Chas. B. Hamill,
Private Wm. G. Henry,
Private Bennett Hurst,
Private Newton W. McReynolds,
Private Finley Murphy,
Private James Sloan
Company F: Corp. Chas. C. McComas, Muse. Charles Goodman, Private Jacob A. Helms. Private Cyrus M. Imboden, Private James Jones
Company G: Corp. Samuel S. Kelly,
Corp. Albert R. Thornton, Private Harvey Devore, Private Wm. J. Freeman, Private Wm. S. Gallaher, Private Frederick W. Lepkey, Private Wm. R. Pritckett,
150
WOUNDED OF THE nsTH.
Private John W. Sharrock,
Private Charles Wakefield
Company H: Corp. Z. C. Patten,
Private Joseph Davis,
Private Wm. H. Green,
Private Lewis Johnson,
Private Geo. W. Leaser,
Private Valentine Meyers, Captured,
Private Philip Polling,
Private Gifford S. Robinson, Captured,
Private Wesley Trollope,
Private Samuel Sunderland
Company I: Private David Angel, Captured,
Private Henry Bridgeman,
Private James R. Brown,
Private John S. Clark,
Private Thos. W. Cowand,
Private James Elliott,
Private Benjamin F. Finney.
Private Frederick A. Hillig,
Private Samuel P. Metcalf, Captured,
Private Henry Telkemeyer,
Private Wm. A. Way, Captured
Company K: Sergt. James A. Walters,
Corp. James W. Swearingen,
Corp. Hugh J. Allinson,
Private Jacob A. Allison, Captured,
Private Ed. R. Center, Captured,
Private Wm. B. Edens,
Private Geo. W. Goltra,
Private Thos, J. Hargis,
Private Michael Megher,
Private James R. Roberts,
Private Henry S. Terrill,
Private William Wells,
Private William Mc. Wilson
■13
Colonel Moore's official report of the part taken by the IT 5th in the Battle of Chickamauga, for some unaccountable reason, failed to reach the War Department until recently, and therefore did not appear in its proper place in the Rebellion Record, Vol. 30, Part I. On observing its omission, the author communicated the fact to the colonel's family, who made search among his war papers and found the original draft
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Sergt. a. B. LEEPER.
Company B. With His Chickamaugua Relics.
COLONEL MOORE'S REPORT. ISl
of the report. This was forwarded to the record division of the War Department and it has since been pubHshed in a sup- plemental volume, entitled Chapter 64, Part I, at page 81. It is herewith given in full.
Headquarters 115th Regiment 111. A'ol. Inf. Camp near Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 27, 1863. Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, First Brigade, First Di- vision, Reserve Corps, Army of the Cumberland. Sir : — In compliance with orders, I have the honor of sub- mitting my official report of the part my command took in the engagement of Saturday, September 19th, near McAfee's church, on the Ringgold road, southeast of Chattanooga, and also in that of Sunday, September 20th, on the La Fayette road in the Chickamauga Valley.
On the 1 8th of September we moved out from Rossville with first brigade of first division, reserve corps, Brig.-Gen. W. C. Whitaker commanding. The command had moved only about two and one-half or three miles on the Ringgold road when it was fired upon by the pickets of the enemy. Soon after, the column still advancing, a brisk little engage- ment ensued participated in chiefly by the 96th Illinois In- fantry and a portion of the i8th Ohio Battery, which, how- ever, soon ended in consequence of the darkness of the night setting in. Meantime the head of my column having ap- proached the ford of a small stream, the regiment was halted, and in compliance with orders, formed a line of battle on the left of the road, the right resting on the road so as to cover the ford, the left by a deployment, reaching one-fourth of a mile to another road, to prevent a flank movement by the enemy. Here my command bivouaced for the night undis- turbed. A little before dawn of the following day, I was or- dered to fall back about one half a mile, which I did in good order.
On the afternoon of Saturday, the 19th inst., the 40th Ohio and 84th Indiana, with a section of the i8th Ohio Battery became engaged with the enemy upon or near the ground occupied the previous evening. My regiment was ordered
152 COLONEL MOORE'S REPORT.
to advance to the support of the 40th Ohio Volunteers, which was being hard pressed by the enemy advancing in force. I moved rapidly down the road, and fortunately reached the scene of action in time to form line of battle, cover the re- treat of the 40th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and check the ad- vancing foe. Here the engagement was quite spirited, but short, the enemy falling back almost as soon as my command opened upon him. Knowing that he was in force, and suspecting a flank movement, I fell back some 30 yards, and commanded my men to lie down and wait until we could more perfectly discover the designs of the enemy. Here I received orders to fall back. I brought my men ofif the field in tmbroken line of battle, and took position nearly on the same ground occupied before making the charge. In this engagement my command behaved nobly. Here ended our labors for that day. I lost four men wounded and one cap- tured, in consequence of remaining behind with his wounded brother. All the wounded were brought into camp and prop- erly provided for.
On the morning of the 20th inst. my regiment was placed in front and on the extreme right of all the forces in the vicinity of McAfee's church, now increased by the arrival of the second brigade, first division, with the 22d Michigan and 89th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and second brigade, second division, reserve corps, all under the command of Brigadier- General Steedman, and were waiting an expected attack of the enemy. About 11 a. m., however, this whole force was ordered toward the La Fayette road to reenforce the 14th army corps, which, with detachments of 20th and 21st corps, v/as being hard pressed by the enemy, who had massed his forces on either side of the La Fayette road in front of Gen- eral Thomas. The available force of the reserve corps moved off in fine order and in excellent spirits at quick time and eager to engage the enemy. Arriving on the contested ground, it was ascertained that a heavy force was forming on the extreme right of General Thomas with a view of turning his right and cutting him ofif from Chattanooga. With sin- gular skill and precision, the first division, reserve corps, un-
COLONEL MOORE'S REPORT. 153
der command of General Steedman, was thrown upon the extreme right just at the time and on the precise ground where most needed. In passing to this position along an open field, our forces were subjected to a heavy cross fire from a battery on our left, east of the La Fayette road. Here fell Capt. S. M. Huckstep of Company D, severely wounded in the thigh. My orderly riding near me was also wounded, and a private of Company A. From this position so oppor- tunely chosen, the whole division simultaneously charged the rebel lines and handsomely drove the enemy from the con- tiguous hills. My regiment moved forward on the front hne of battle with the 96th Illinois Infantry on my right and the 22d Michigan on my left. In this first charge my regiment suffered severely, both in killed and wounded. Here fell Lieut. -Col. William Kinman, a brave and gallant officer, calm- ly and fearlessly cheering on the battle. Being hard pressed and much fatigued in connection with the front line, I caused my regiment to fall back and again form in the rear of the second line. This done, I again charged to the crest of the hill. The second line fell back and reformed, and again charged up the hill, but farther to the right, as the enemy persisted in attempting to turn our right flank. In this charge my command suffered more severely than at any other period during the conflict, but my men fought the more stubbornly and persistently until their ammunition was exhausted. They then sought the cartridges of the wounded and dead, and con- tinued to hold their position on the hill till ordered to retire The enemy, however, was too severely punished to venture anything like a forward movement. I have to say that the officers and men under my command behaved most gallantly. My aggregate loss in killed and wounded and missing is 168. The missing, with the exception of two or three, are supposed to be killed. The engagement in which my command partici- pated on Sunday, the 20th inst., commenced about twenty minutes past one in the afternoon and continued until after sunset, during all which time my men were under fire, with the exception of short intervals occupied in changing posi-
154 GENERAL WHITAKER'S REPORT.
tions. I wish in conclusion to state that the conduct of the general officers in command was in the highest sense heroic. Herewith find a list of commissioned officers killed and wovinded :
Killed :
Lieut. -Col. William Kinman.
Capt. Stephen B. Espy (on stafif of Gen. Whitaker), Com- pany G.
Wounded :
First Lieut. Jesse Hanon (on stafif of Gen. Whitaker), Com- pany A.
First Lieut. E. D. Steen, Company B.
Capt. Stephen M. Huckstep, Company D.
Second Lieut. I. H. C. Royse, Company E.
Second Lieut. David Reed, Company F.
Second Lieut. Stephen K. Hatfield, Company H.
First Lieut. Sylvester Bailey, Company K.
The number of enlisted men in action on the 19th and 20th was 390 to 400 ; of officers, field, staff and line, 27.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JESSE H. MOORE, Colonel Commanding- 115th 111. Vol. Inf.
The following extract is from the official report of Brig.- Gen. W C. Whitaker, commanding the brigade :
"On the morning of the 20th (Sunday), General Granger visited the command. About nine o'clock firing was heard in the direction of Crawfish Springs, on the Chickamauga. About ten o'clock the firing of cannon and musketry took such direction as to force us to the conclusion that our forces were being driven.
"Orders were, given to me to march my brigade, and the 22d Michigan and 89th Ohio, which were then attached to my command for the day, to the aid of General Thomas, on the Chickamauga near Crawfish Springs. With alacrity and en- thusiasm the men marched under a hot sun, and through clouds of dust up the La Fayette road, until they found the rebel mounted infantry drawn up in line of battle to intercept
GENERAL WHITAKER'S REPORT. 155
our progress. They had already reached the rear of General Thomas' command and had possession of the field hospital, which they had most inhumanly shelled when filled with our wounded, killing my personal friend, the gallant Dick Rock- ingham (lieutenant-colonel of my brave old regiment, the 6th Kentucky Infantry), who was lying in it wounded.
"Line of battle being formed by us, and advancing, the enemy retreated. My command was then moved by the flank in two lines, three regiments in the first and three in the sec- ond line, at nearly double quick time, up the valley for near a mile, under a heavy fire of shell from a rebel battery. Several were killed and wounded.
"Arriving between 12 and I p. m. at the point occupied by General Thomas, we found him sorely pressed, and yielding stubbornly tO' superior numbers. I was directed to drive the enemy from a ridge on which he had concentrated his forces in great numbers, supported by artillery, and was seriously threatening the destruction of our right by a flank movement, forming my command in two lines, the 96th Illinois on the right, the 115th Illinois in the center, the 22d Michigan on the left of the first line ; the 40th Ohio on the right, the 84th Indiana in the center, and the 89th Ohio on the left of the second line.
"Both fines advanced at a double quick pace against the enemy. The conflict was terrific. The enemy was driven near half a mile. Rallying, he drove my command a short dis- tance, when he in turn was driven again with great loss. Both lines had been thrown into the conflict on the second charge, and the whole line kept up a deadly and well directed fire upon the enemy, who fought with great determination and vigor. The 96th Illinois, Colonel Champion, fought with bold impetuosity, efficiency and gallantry. The 22d Michigan, Colonel Le Favour, after fighting for near three hours, having exhausted their ammunition, boldly charged into the midst of overwhelming numbers with the bayonet, driving them until overcome by superior strength. The 115th Illinois, Colonel Moore, deserves notice for its courage and bearing. The entire command bore themselves like veterans, under a
156 GENERAL STEEDMAN'S REPORT.
most withering, murderous fire of musketry, grape and can- ister for over three hours, firmly maintaining their ground until we were directed to retire, which was done in fair order, the enemy retiring also at the same time.
"My command has the honor of bringing from that gory field the flags of our brave corps commander and of our gal- lant division commander, all proudly floating by that of the First Brigade. Our loss was heavy. It could not be other- wise. We fought, as I have been informed by prisoners, three divisions of the enemy, two of which were from Longstreet's corps. They fought like tigers, and with a zeal and energy worthy of a better cause."
An extract from the report of Brig. -Gen. J. B. Steedman, commanding the division, and one from the report of Maj.- Gen. Gordon Granger, commanding the corps, will also throw light on the struggle in which the iisth took such a gallant part.
From the report of General Steedman :
"On the morning of the 20th, McCook's brigade was or- dered on to the road leading from the Ringgold road to Dyer's Mill. At half-past eleven o'clock, General Granger becoming satisfied, from the heavy and receding sounds of artillery, that the enemy was pressing the left of our line severely, ordered me to move to the battle-field as rapidly as possible with two brigades of my command. General Whitaker's and Colonel Mitchell's. I moved at once, and after marching five miles, with the enemy's cavalry on my left flank, and shelling my troops for two miles of the distance, Major-General Granger ordered me to move to the right of General Brannan's division, which order was promptly executed, and the moment my troops were in position they moved on the enemy, and after a severe fight of about twenty-five minutes the enemy was driven from his position, and my troops occupied the ridge from which they had forced the enemy. Slight skirmishing was kept up for about three-quarters of an hour, when the enemy attacked us furiously, and after severe fighting for about half an hour we reptilsed him, but in a few moments he renewed the attack with increased vigor, and was again re-
Capt. ZEBOIM CARTTER PATTEN. Corporal Company H.
GENERAL GRANGER'S REPORT. 157
pulsed. Determined to get possession of the ridge, he imma- diately attacked us again, and for about one hour fought des- perately, my troops maintaining their position against supe- rior numbers until six o'clock, when, having expended our ammunition (the extra ammunition which I had with my com- mand— 95,000 rounds^having been taken to supply General Brannan's troops, who were out), my troops fell back, under orders, slowly and in good order. After retiring to the second ridge in the rear of the one on which they had fought, and resting half an hour, finding the enemy did not attempt pur- suit— all firing having ceased on both sides — they retired under orders to Rossville, and occupied their former camp."
From the report of General Granger :
"At about I p. m. I reported to General Thomas. His forces were at that time stationed upon the brow of and hold- ing a 'horseshoe ridge.' The enemy was pressing him hard in front and endeavoring to turn both his flanks. To the right of this position was a ridge running east and west, and nearly at right angles therewith. Upon this the enemy was just forming. He also had possession of a gorge in the same, through which his men were rapidly moving in large masses, with the design of falling upon the right flank and rear of the forces upon the Horseshoe Ridge. General Thomas had not the troops to oppose this movement of the enemy, and in fif- teen minutes from the time when we appeared on the field, had it not been for our fortunate arrival, his forces would have been terribly cut up and captured. As rapidly as possible I formed General Whitaker's and Colonel Mitchell's brigades, to hurl them against this threatening force of the enemy, which proved to be General Hindman's division.
"The gallant Steedman, seizing the colors of a regiment, led his men to the attack. With loud cheers they rushed upon the enemy, and, after a terrific conflict lasting but twenty min- utes, drove him from his ground, and occupied the ridge and gorge. The slaughter of both friend and foe was frightful. General Whitaker, while rushing forward at the head of his brigade, was knocked from his horse by a musket-ball, and was for a short time rendered unfit for duty; while two of
158 GENERAL GRANGER'S REPORT.
his staff officers were killed, and two mortally wounded. Gen- eral Steedman's horse was killed, and he was severely bruised, yet he was able to remain on duty during the day. This at- tack was made by our troops, very few of whom had ever been in action before, against a division of old soldiers, who largely outnumbered them ; yet with resolution and energy they drove the enemy from his strong position, occupied it themselves, and afterwards held the ground they had gained with such terrific losses. The victory was dearly won, but to this army it was a priceless one. There was now a lull in the battle. It was of short duration, however, for within thirty minutes after we had gained possession of the ridge, we were impetuously attacked by two divisions of Long- street's veterans. Again the enemy was driven back, and from this time until dark the battle between these two opposing forces raged furiously. Our whole line was continually envel- oped in smoke and fire. The assaults of the enemy were now made with that energy which was inspired by the bright pros- pect of a speedy victory, and by a consciousness that it was only necessary to carry this position and crush our forces to enable him to overthrow our army, and drive it across the Tennessee River. His forces were massed and hurled upon us, for the purpose of terminating at once this great and bloody battle. But the stout hearts of the handful of men who stood before them as a wall of fire, quailed not. They understood our perilous position and held their ground, determined to perish rather than yield it. Never had a commander such just cause for congratulation over the action of his troops.
"The commanding officers of all my regiments, with but one exception, and of all of my batteries, behaved nobly. Be- low I give a list of those most conspicuous for efficiency and bravery, and deserving special mention : Colonel Champion, 96th Illinois Infantry; Colonel Moore, 115th Illinois Infan- try ; Colonel Le Favour, 22d Michigan Infantry ; Colonel Carlton, 89th Ohio Infantry; Colonel Banning, 121st Ohio In- fantry; Lieut. -Col. Carter Van Vleck, 78th Illinois Infantry; Lieutenant-Colonel Warner, 113th Ohio Infantry; Major Broaddus, 78th Illinois Infantry (killed); Major Yager, 121st
GENERAL THOMAS' REPORT. 159
Ohio Infantry; Lieutenant-Colonel Sanborn, 22d Michigan Infantry (wounded) ; Captain Urquhart, commanding 98th Ohio Infantry (wounded) ; Captain Thomas, who succeeded to the command of the 98th Ohio Infantry, and who was killed ; Captain Espy (acting), commissary of subsistence, first brig- ade, first division, reserve corps, killed ; Captain Hicks, 96th Illinois; Adjutant Hamilton, 113th Ohio Infantry, and Cap- tain Moe, assistant adjutant-general ; Major Smith, Lieutenant Blandin and Captain Hays, all on Brigadier-General Steed- man's staff."
The following from the report of Major-General Thomas, commanding the left wing, and from the report of Major-Gen- eral Rosecrans, commanding the department, will also help the reader to understand the character of that contest.
From the report of General Thomas :'
"About the time that Wood took up his position (on the brow of Snodgrass Hill), General Gordon Granger appeared on my left flank at the head of Steedman's division of his corps. I immediately dispatched a staff officer, Captain Johnson, 2d Indiana Cavalry, of Negley's division, to him with orders to push forward and take position on Brannan's right, which or- der was complied with with the greatest promptness and alac- rity. Steedman, moving his division into position with almost as much precision as if on drill, and fighting his way to the crest of the hill on Brannan's right, moved forward his artillery and drove the enemy down the southern slope, inflicting on him a most terrible loss in killed and wounded. This oppor- tune arrival of fresh troops revived the flagging spirits of our men on the right, and inspired them with new ardor for the contest. Every assault of the enemy from that time until nightfall was repulsed in the most gallant style by the whole line.
"By this time the ammunition in the boxes of the men was reduced, on an average, to two or three rounds per man, and my ammunition trains having been unfortunately ordered to the rear by some unauthorized person, we should have been entirely without ammunition in a very short time had not a small supply came up with General Steedman's command.
160 GENERAL ROSECRANS' REPORT.
This, being distributed among the troops, gave them about ten rounds per man.
"General Garfield, chief of staff of General Rosecrans, reached this position about 4 p. m., in company with Lieuten- ant-Colonel Thruston, of McCook's stafif, and Captains Gaw and Barker, of my staff, who had been sent to the rear to bring back the ammunition, if possible. General Garfield gave me the first reliable information that the right and center of our army had been driven, and of its condition at that time. I soon after received a dispatch from General Rosecrans, direct- ing me to assume command of all the forces, and, with Crit- tenden and McCook, take a strong position and assume a threatening attitude at Rossville, sending the unorganized forces to Chattanooga for reorganization, stating that he would examine the ground at Chattanooga, and then join me ; also that he had sent out rations and ammunition to meet me at Rossville."
From the report of General Rosecrans :
Describing the contest on Snodgrass Ridge, the general says : "Then the enemy in overpowering numbers flowed around our right, held by General Brannan, and occupied a low gap in the ridge of our defensive position, which com- manded our rear. The moment was critical. Twenty minutes more and our right would have been turned, our position taken in reverse, and probably the army routed. Fortunately Major- General Granger, whose troops had been posted to cover our left and rear, with the instinct of a true soldier and a general, hearing the roar of battle on our left, and being beyond the reach of orders from the general commanding, determined to move to its assistance. He advanced and soon encountered the enemy's skirmishers, whom he disregarded, well knowing that, at that stage of the conflict, the battle was not there. Posting Col. Daniel McCook's brigade to take care of anything in the vicinity and beyond the left of our line, he moved the remain- der to the scene of action, reporting to General Thomas, who directed him to our suffering right.
"Arriving in sight. General Granger discovered at once the peril and the point of danger — the gap. Quick as thought he
GENERAL ROSECRANS' REPORT. 161
directed his advance brigade upon the enemy. General Steed- man, taking a regimental color, led the column. Swift was the charge and terrible the conflict, but the enemy was broken. A thousand of our brave men, killed and wounded, paid for its possession, but we held the gap.
"Two divisions of Longstreet's corps confronted the posi- tion. Determined to take it they successively came to the assault. A battery of six guns placed in the gorge poured death and slaughter into them. They charged to within a few yards of the pieces, but our grape and canister and the leaden hail of our musketry, delivered in sparing but terrible volleys from cartridges taken in many instances from the boxes of their fallen companions, was too much even for Longstreet's men. About sunset they made their last charge when our men, being out of ammunition, rushed on them with bayonet, and they gave way to return no more. The fury of the con- flict was nearly as great on the fronts of Brannan and Wood, being less furious toward the left."
CHAPTER XII.
AFTER THE BATTLE.
The battle of Chickamauga is remarkable quite as much for what it might have been as for what it was. General Rose- crans' plan to flank Bragg out of Chattanooga was doubtless a wise one ; on the contrary, the assumption that Bragg was in full retreat upon Atlanta, and the scattering of his forces over so or 60 miles from Chattanooga to Broomtown Valley while his enemy was in fact well concentrated in the valley near La Fayette, was little less than a blunder. Bragg's wis- dom was shown in keeping his army well in hand ; his folly, in neglecting so excellent an opportunity as Rosecrans' ex- tended lines gave him to attack and destroy his enemy in detail. His weakness was the inability to have his orders for attack carried out by his corps commanders, while Rosecrans was making frantic efforts to bring the scattered divisions of the Union army together. Rosecrans is entitled to credit for being able to concentrate his forces in the face of such an en- emy. Rosecrans planned well to get Bragg out of Chatta- nooga, but when confronted by a powerful enemy in Chicka- mauga Valley had no scheme of battle ; he seems to have had no plan except to try to keep his forces between Bragg and Chattanooga. Bragg had a definite plan of battle ; he sup- posed Rosecrans' left to be at or above Lee & Gordon's Mills, and his idea was to cross the Chickamauga a mile or two farther down, and by successive attacks on Rosecrans' left flank, double the Union army back and take a strong position between it and Chattanooga. Bragg was surprised at the attack on his cavalry far to his right by Baird's and Brannan's divisions on Saturday morning, and was so disconcerted by it that he permitted Cheatham's division and Hood's and Buck- ner's corps to lie idle all Saturday forenoon, while there was
COMMENTS ON THE BATTLE. 163
a gap two and a half miles wide in the Union forces in their front. A reconnaissance in force by Johnson's division to- wards Viniard's and Brotherton's would have shown Bragg his opportunity. This, followed by a vigorous attack on Crit- tenden's corps to their left by Buckner's corps and on Baird and Brannan to their right by Cheatham's division would have routed Rosecrans' army Saturday forenoon. We have seen how a much smaller gap accidentally made in the Union lines at the same place on Sunday morning resulted in the com- plete rout of the Union right, not because Bragg or his gen- erals knew about it, but by reason of the coincidence that Longstreet was at that moment making an attack upon what he supposed a solid line of battle, instead of the gap left for him by General Wood. Another lost opportunity for Bragg was the gap of a half mile in width between Reynolds' right and Wood's left, which remained all Sunday afternoon because Thomas had no troops to fill it — simply ready for the Confed- erates to walk through and apparently an invitation for them to attack Thomas' corps in the rear. Stewart's division spent most of the afternoon in front of that harmless gap, entirely ignorant of its existence. That weak spot in the Union lines was not molested while Longstreet's dozen brigades were assaulting Snodgrass Ridge and being so repeatedly driven to lis base. Thus the ignorance of the Confederates as to the Union position, bad generalship on their part and the good luck of the Union army saved it from destruction on several occasions. Bad luck on our side rather than good generalship on the part of the Confederates, turned the Union right. Again our good fortune was shown in the arrival of Steedman's division at the moment when Bushrod Johnson and Hindman v/ere moving over Snodgrass Ridge to attack Brannan in the rear.
We have seen that at that hour, i p. m., there were no Union troops remaining on Snodgrass Ridge anywhere to the south or west of the high spur on which the observation tower now stands. General Negley's division, the last previously there, had gone to Rossville, Van Derveer's brigade did not reach Brannan till about two hours later. General Brannan was
164 COMMENTS ON THE BATTLE.
occupying that northeastern spur of the ridge with fragments of many regiments of diiiferent commands, numbering scarcely 1,500, while his only other supports were Stanley's and Mark- er's depleted brigades, extending down the slope past the Snodgrass house, numbering not more than 2,000 men. With this small force Brannan and Wood would have been at the mercy of Bushrod Johnson's and Hindman's eight or nine brigades then greatly elated at their victory over the Union right. Attacked in both front and rear with such overpowering numbers, the force then holding Snodgrass Hill would soon have been routed or captured ; then the exultant foe could easily have turned eastward and taken Thomas' four divisions in the rear, while Polk was pressing them in front. It was indeed a critical situation. The whole army was in the great- est peril. General Thomas was still unaware of the fate of our right wing. He knew of the gap between Wood and Rey- nolds, and was anxious to fill it. The Confederates were be- ginning their assaults on the front of Brannan and Wood. Just then a cloud of dust is seen to the north. First anxiety as to whether the column approaching is friend or enemy, then joy at the sight of our two full brigades, and the general hast- ened to direct us to what seemed the most needed place — the gap to the left of Wood's division. But before the movement was more than directed, the appalling danger on the right began to be seen. Quickly the order was changed, and Steed- man's division was in its deadly conflict on the ridge to Bran- nan's right. It is generally conceded that Steedman's division saved the day to the Union Army. If General Thomas was the "Rock of Chickamauga,'' Steedman's division was the granite base that supported the rock. Without in the least detracting from the glorious record of splendid fighting by other com- mands, it is but just to say that by far the most deadly conflict of the battle, if not of the entire civil war, was on Snodgrass Ridge that Sunday afternoon. The front of Whitaker's brigade was the center of that conflict, and when it is remembered that the 115th was in the center of Whitaker's front line, and remained in the thickest of the fight until the close of the battle, it will be seen how important a part our regiment took
COMMENTS ON THE BATTLE. 165
in the battle. So well was this recognized at the time, that General Steedman on the following morning delivered his di- vision colors to the iiSth, to be carried for the day as a mark of honor. With this record, the survivors of the 115th may be excused for taking pride in the achievements of their regiment in that memorable battle.
The time when Whitaker's brigade entered the battle has been a matter of some controversy. Some official reports place it as late as 3 p. m., and that hour is implied from Rose- crans' report ; Brannan puts it at 3 130 p. m. ; Wood says "between two and three o'clock ;" but Thomas says it was immediately after Wood took position on the ridge, and Wood states that was at i p. m. Several Confederate reports speak of Granger's arrival as late in the afternoon, but they give an account of several hours' terrific fighting on that part of Snod- grass Ridge, immediately north of the Vittetoe place, before the arrival of Granger's corps. We have seen that was im- possible, because there were no Union troops on that part of the ridge after Negley's retreat until our two brigades occu- pied it. It was our two brigades that put up such a terrible fight for them. What they supposed to be reenforcements of fresh troops was doubtless our second charge.
It is conceded the break at Brotherton's occurred at 11 a. m. and that the Union troops were driven at great speed over the Dry Valley road to the hills beyond. After the first few moments nO' stand to speak of was made. It certainly did not take long for the Confederates to cover the mile, or such a matter, to the Vittetoe place — an hour was more than enough. Another hour would surely cover the time taken to reform their lines and move towards Snodgrass Ridge. Colonel Moore says we began the assault at one o'clock. Col. S. B. Moe, then General Steedman's assistant adjutant-general, says he looked at his watch, and that it was just twelve o'clock when we passed Cloud's Spring on ouf way to the battle. We all know we went at double quick time nearly all the way, and that from Cloud's to Snodgrass House is only about one and one-half miles. That would make it not later than one o'clock. Nearly all the generals, Union and Confederate, speak of more
166 COMMENTS ON THE BATTLE.
than four hours' battle. General Whitaker says we arrived at the point occupied by General Thomas between twelve and one o'clock ; General Granger says, "About i p. m. I reported to General Thomas ;" General Steedman says, "I reached Major- General Thomas and reported to him at half-past one o'clock ;" Colonel Mitchell, commanding the second brigade, says, re- ferring to his brigade, "At one o'clock an order was received to form line of battle."
Taking all the evidence into consideration, we must con- clude that the first charge was made not later than about i :30 p. m. and that the generals commanding other divisions and corps, as well as the Confederate generals, were misinformed as to the time.
The conduct of the gallant soldier, and as he afterwards proved to be, most capable commander, Gen. Phil. Sheridan on that afternoon, was, to say the least, remarkable. After reforming his command at McFarland's Gap within sound of the struggle on Snodgrass Ridge then in progress, and hav- ing at his command Davis' division and the stragglers from Negley's and other divisions, he declined the opportunity — even request made of him — to go direct to the aid of the de- voted band on Thomas' right. He could easily have done so, and have been in action by four o'clock. His arrival at that time would have routed the enemy and have made Chicka- mauga a glorious victory for the Union arms. Instead, he chose to make the long circuit by way of Rossville Gap, which barely brought him to Cloud's Spring at 7 p. m., after the battle was over and our army was in retreat.
Another remarkable circumstance of the battle was the loss, not by death, wounds or capture, but by straying away from its commander, of Gen. John Beatty's brigade. In the fore- noon it splendidly assisted in the repulse of Breckinridge on Baird's left. After some hours' gallant fighting, the brigade separated into two portions, and one made a detour through the valley northwest of Snodgrass Ridge and joined Negley in his retreat, while the other portion took a different route and also fell in with the general retreat that took place after the break on the right. General Beatty, having lost both wings
JOHN GORE. First Sergt. WM. F. GORE. Lieut. JOS. GORE.
GEORGE G. LARGE. All of Company A.
AFTER THE BATTLE. 167
of his brigade, joined the forces on Snodgrass Hill and did good service in rallying the Union troops.
The Confederates had been so badly used up and the battle continued so late in the evening that they were not aware of our retreat until the next morning. Bragg was then so dazed that he was afraid to make pursuit, and thus failed to take advantage of our weakness. As before narrated, our army was in a sad plight that Sunday night after the battle. The wounded were lying on the ground and on heaps of weeds in every direction. The army seemed a mass of men rather than an organized force. Many regiments were separated in de- tachments ; brigades were divided in the same way. As late as eight o'clock the next morning Gen. Absalom Baird came riding past the iiSth, inquiring for different regiments of his division, trying to get them together. He had eaten nothing since early the day before and gladly took a tin cup of black cofifee and a biscuit that were offered him. All was hurry and confusion. Such of the wounded as could readily be moved were hastily .started for Chattanooga. Surgeons were busy dressing wounds. No one seemed to think of further battle ; certainly we were ill prepared to receive an attack. Fortu- nately, as usual, Bragg did not know our condition, and an- other splendid opportunity for him was neglected. As the forenoon wore away our brigades and divisions began to take form. A skirmish line had been sent out on Mission Ridge early in the day; later a line of battle supported it. In the meantime Rosecrans was making vigorous preparations for the defense of Chattanooga. During the night of the 21st the army was quietly withdrawn from the ridge and concentrated immediately about the city. Not all of it, however, for Com- panies C and H of the 96th Illinois and Captain Meagher's Company H of the 40th Ohio, which had been placed on skirmish line on the ridge with some other detachments, in all seven officers and about one hundred men, were allowed to remain without notice of the retreat. Towards noon the next day, after the Confederates had passed through Ross- ville Gap and were taking position around Chattanooga, they were discovered, surrounded, and made prisoners.
168 CARE OF THE WOUNDED.
On the 22d the first brigade, indudmg the 115th, marched through Chattanooga, across the Tennessee River, and went into camp opposite Brown's Ferry, a httle below "Moccasin Point."
All the churches and other public buildings and many dwell- ings in Chattanooga were converted into hospitals. Many of the wounded had no shelter of any kind, but were left lying on the ground in the front yards of residences or wherever most convenient to unload them from the ambulances and wagons. A lieutenant was left all night on a stretcher near the walk leading to a dwelling temporarily tised as a hospital, supposed to be mortally wounded and certain to die before morning. But he survived the cold and neglect, and showed sufficient signs of life to attract General Steedman's attention, as he rode past on the morning of the 22d. The general at once ordered the nurses to take him in the house and to give him proper care. Strange to say, he recovered from it all and may be yet living to tell the story.
Lieutenant Royse had been wounded in the left shoulder by a fragment of a shell a little before that last charge, when Steedman carried the flag, but continued with his company until the next morning. Colonel Moore then observed his wound and ordered him to Chattanooga, and while the regi- ment was moving out on Missionary Ridge on the 21st he was on his way over the dusty road towards the city. The whole country between Rossville and Chattanooga had been tramped and worn by the thousands of troops and army wagons, till the road seemed a very wide one. Wide as it was, it was thronged that day with ambulances and wagons, and wounded men on foot and on horseback — all very anxious to get tO' a place of safety. Being able to care for himself, Lieutenant Royse, after a night's lodging in a house filled with wounded, on the morning of the 22d went to the church a short distance north of the old Crutchfield house, where he found Surgeon Garner H. Bane, busy with important surgical operations. The surgeon informed Lieutenant Royse that he had neither eaten nor slept since the battle, but with many other surgeons
INVESTMENT OF CHATTANOOGA. 169
had constantly worked day and night, being sustained by the excitement and an occasional sip of brandy.
The siege was at once on. Very soon the Confederates had taken position on Missionary Ridge, with their advance line extending across the valley to Lookout Mountain, threaten- ingly near our works. The Union forces were working night and day putting the old rebel forts in order, building new ones, digging trenches, and throwing up earthworks. The whole place was on ''rush orders." As early as the 24th the Con- federates were on Lookout Mountain and had taken possession of the road to Bridgeport. Thus our lines of communication to Nashville were cut off, except the very difficult one over Wal- den's Ridge and down Sequatchie Vallej', a distance of sev- enty-five miles of little used mountain roads to Stevenson, Ala.
The difficulty of securing supplies for such a large army at once apparent, and the danger that the Confederates who were daily receiving large reenforcements would attempt to take the place by storm, made it imperative that all the wounded who were able to travel should be sent to the rear. The clan- ger of the situation becoming known to the wounded through the excited surgeons and nurses, what was very nearly a stam- pede to the North began on the 23d. Every man at all capable for the journey, and very many so badly wounded that to attempt it was at the imminent risk of life, scrambled for a chance to get away. All the ambulances and wagons avail- able were soon filled. Hundreds with arms and legs bandaged, and many more or less severely wounded but whose wounds had received no attention, took to the road afoot. And thus the crowds streamed over the pontoon bridge and up the slopes of Walden's Ridge. The jolting of the ambulances and wagons was excruciating to the badly wounded, but re- gardless of the cries of pain the procession moved on. A dozen or more died that night and were buried in rude graves, without coffins or ceremony, on the summit of the ridge. The next day's march brought them down into the Sequatchie Valley, and late on the third day they were at Bridgeport, Ala. Then there was a long wait, some of the men in field hospitals
170 AN INCIDENT.
and many more on the ground without shelter, till railroad transportation could be provided to take them to NashviUe to the hospitals. Here the good work of Governor Morton of Indiana was shown to great advantage. As soon as the tele- graph had brought the news of the battle into his executive chamber he hastened the organization of a corps of volunteer surgeons and nurses and sent them to the front. These met the wounded at Bridgeport and were indeed like good Samar- itans to them.
An incident of this march of the wounded over Walden's Ridge may be worth mentioning. W. G. Henry of Company E, who was so badly wounded that he could not help himself, was lying on a bed of straw in a big government wagon, the most comfortable transportation at his command. Five or six others, less severely injured, occupied it with him. All went fairly well, though it may be imagined the jolting over stones and ruts was not particularly soothing to the wounds, till a turn was reached in the descent to Sequatchie Valley. There the road was cut out of rock and was barely wide enough for one team to pass. A perpendicular wall of rock rose at one side, while on the other was a precipice nearly as steep, per- haps three hundred feet to the bottom. This dangerous sit- uation was enhanced by the fact that the roadbed inclined from the mountain wall towards the precipice at a pretty steep grade. As this particular wagon reached the narrowest place, the rear wheels began sliding towards the edge until it was almost within the breadth of a tire of going over, when the wagon was brought to a stand. Soon all who could help them- selves were out, but poor Billy Henry was left to the chance of a whirl down the mountain. He could not get out of the wagon, and there were not well men enough in the party to lift him out. Imagine, if you please, his state of mind as his wounded companions and the driver discussed ways and means for holding the wagon from going over till the narrow place should be passed, and what a relief it was to all when it was safely over.
While the wounded were traveling over the mountain, the remnant of the 115th was going into camp opposite Brown's
CAPTURE OF THE FERRY-BOAT. 171
Ferry, a little below the ball of the foot on the "Moccasin," opposite Lookout Mountain. The 96th Illinois, 84th Indiana and 40th Ohio went into camp opposite the mouitain. Com- pany D was sent a mile or two farther up the river, to keep watch on the operations of the enemy, and there they re- mained until the time of the battle of Wauhatchie.
On the 24th the regiment met a severe loss in the killing and capture of a detail that was taking an old ferry-boat down the river past the mountain. Lieut. Joseph Gore of Company A was in charge of a detail from the various companies, in all some forty men, who were ordered to get the boat oiif a reef some distance above the point of Lookout where it had lodged, and bring it down to Brown's Ferry. They got the boat loose at 10 a. m. on that day, and at i p. m. started down stream. The boat was propelled by mule power and all went well till opposite the point of Lookout Mountain. Although the rebels had as yet made no demonstration on the mountain. Lieutenant Gore was apprehensive of danger and was taking all possible precaution against an attack, while fearlessly obeying his or- ders. As they passed the narrows opposite Point Lookout, the rebels opened on them. One of the mules was killed at the first volley and the boat was disabled. In its helpless condi- tion, the boat was rapidly carried by the current to the moun- tain side of the river. Seven or eight of the men jumped over- board and tried to swim ashore, but all were killed or drowned excepting J. A. Brady of Company F, who kicked his clothes off in the water and succeeded in reaching our shore in safety. All the others were made prisoners.
The siege of Chattanooga was very soon quite an accom- plished fact. The Confederate line of investment extended from the Tennessee River above the city, along the west base of Mission Ridge and across the valley to Lookout Mountain and the river below. Thus our communications were com- pletely cut off, except by one or two difficult passes over Wal- den's Ridge. By such means it was very difficult to supply so large an army and very soon the rations ran low. The enemy's cavalry were constantly harassing our supply trains. In one of their raids, about the ist of October, R. Q. M. Lieut.
172 CAPTURE OF UTTER'S PARTY.
C. W. Jerome and several hundred other Union soldiers, with a supply train coming up Sequatchie Valley en route to- Chat- tanooga, were captured by Gen. Joseph Wheeler. The prison- ers were put on a forced march to McMinnville and a little be- yond, where they were hastily paroled, because Wheeler did not know what else to do with them. They soon found their way to Nashville, and thence back to the front by railroad to Stevenson, and again over the mountains. Forage be- came so scarce that many hundreds of our mules died of over- work and starvation. It was said that so many of them died on the trail between Stevenson and Chattanooga that if arranged head and tail touching, they would have made a continuous line the whole distance.
As the enemy had possession of all the country south of the river, and the narrow valley between Walden's Ridge and Chattanooga was quickly stripped of everything at all suitable for food, our opportunity for foraging was small indeed. Quar- ter rations of fat pork and hardtack were not sufficient to sat- isfy hunger and the boys wished for some of the good things afforded by the country beyond the river. Opposite the camp of the iiSth was a range of low hills, and beyond that some distance of fairly level cultivated farm lands, in a sort of valley between Lookout and Raccoon Mountains. It was known that the rebels occupied Lookout Mountain, and that perhaps bands of their cavalry occasionally passed through the valley, but it was not supposed that any force was kept nearer than the mountain. At least some of the men of the 115th thought ■ it would not be extra hazardous to go over the river and assist in taking care of the corps. Lieutenant Utter offered to con- duct a party, and Colonel Moore consented that a volunteer squad of twenty-five or thirty might go. After passing the hills, the country seemed clear of the enemy and all peaceful. They soon found an abundance of sweet potatoes, and fruit in an orchard near by, and were rapidly helping themselves. All unmindful of danger, Lieutenant Utter was busy digging sweet potatoes with a bayonet, when, to his surprise he heard a shot, quickly followed by others. One of the bullets struck the bayonet on which his weight was resting, causing him to fall
I^iEUT. G. Li. UTTER. Company C.
LIEUTENANT UTTER'S ESCAPE. 173
to the ground, but unhurt. His men seeing- him fall thought he was killed, and attempted to escape by flight, but were all captured. The lieutenant was soon on his feet and giving the rebels an exhibition of his speed. He soon outran them and was making well for liberty when, just as he was entering the woods, a squad of rebel cavalry came along and made him prisoner. Lieutenant Utter's story of his "prison Hfe" and escape is worth narrating. His captors took him with them some miles up Lookout Valley in a cove amid cedar trees to their camp. He was placed in charge of the guard, and was soon on good terms with its members. The night bemg cool the guard reserve sat about a fire, only one man being on duty with gun in hand, while the others enjoyed Lieutenant Utter's funny stories. He had a large fund of anecdotes of adven- tures, hairbreadth escapes and the like, and seemed in special humor for telling them. The guards had not had so much fun in a long while, and laughed heartily at every story. There was method in the lieutenant's fun, however. He had noticed that one of the guards had no cap on his gun, so he kept on with his stories till that man came on duty. Then at the cli- max of one of his best, when all were convulsed in laughter, he made a break for liberty and again gave them an exhibition of sprinting. Though quickly recovering from their surprise and as quickly sending a volley after him, he was too far away for danger. Of course the whole camp was alarmed and at once made energetic pursuit, but without avail. Utter had taken shelter under a wide-spreading cedar, where he re- mained unnoticed by them until all was quiet, when he set out for the river. He made good time till well down the valley when, to his horror, he heard the yelping of hounds in pur- suit. The thought of being torn by bloodhounds was terrible. Raccoon Mountain was to his left ; if he could reach that he might from a steep place fight them with stones. Again his legs did him good service ; the mountain was reached and he climbed some distance up its side. In the meantime the hounds had given up the chase, if in fact they were on his trail at all, and he was glad to take a rest. While thus waiting he heard voices and soon observed a squad of rebel cavalry pass-
17+ LIEUTENANT UTTER'S ESCAPE.
ing around the side of the mountain a few rods below him. They were soon gone, however, and he again started for the river. Again he was on the range of low hills near the river and a new danger was before him. A rebel picket line had been placed along the side of the hill, and the guards were passing back and forth on their beats. Fortunately they were wholly ignorant of his approach. To pass that line was the problem. But Utter was equal to it. Watching the oppor- tunity when the sentinels, in walking their long beats, were farthest apart, he quietly slipped past the line and was soon down to the water's edge. Another difficulty was before him. How was he to cross the river? He would perish if he at- tempted to swim in the cold water. It was nearly daylight, and in great anxiety he waited, hoping that he might see some of the boys and by signal get them to come over for him. Soon he heard the sound of paddles in the water, and in a moment saw a skiff coming a little above him. In a whisper he called, "Come in here," but the man in the boat was frightened and began pulling out in the stream. He was in agony at the thought of being left to his fate while so near his friends. If he made a loud noise the rebels would hear him and would certainly take him. Again he called in hoarse whisper, "Come here, for God's sake, and save me ; it is Gid Utter, come and get me." This appeal had its effect and he was quickly in the boat and on his way to the regiment.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHATTANOOGA TO MISSIONARY RIDGE.
The effect of the siege was more and more severely felt as time wore on. The "cracker line" was so easily interrupted, the mules were so, poor and the task was so great that it was impossible to keep the men supplied all the time with even quarter rations. Sometimes a day or two were passed without anything to relieve the hunger except a little corn stolen from the mules, which was roasted and most greedily devoured. To add to the hardship of the service at that time guard duty was very severe, the detail coming about every second day. Lieu- tenant Litsenberger being unable for duty, Lieut. E. K. Schwartz acted as adjutant most of the time while the regi- ment was at Brown's Ferry. At that time there were only twenty-one commissioned officers present for duty, including field and staff, and about 258 enlisted men — a small number compared with our roll when we entered the service.
Meanwhile great activity had prevailed along the Union lines surrounding Chattanooga. A chain of excellent earth- work forts was constructed, covering all approaches to the city. Very heavy details for "fatigue duty" on these works were made daily. Some of these defensive works remained until recently, when the wants of the growing city required their demolition. Generals Wood, Negley, Sheridan and other commanders of Chickamauga were honored in the names of those forts. The War Department responded promptly to the calls for help, and as early as the 21st of September, the day after the battle, ordered all possible reenforcemems to be sent to Rosecrans from the Department of the Tennessee. On the 22d Grant ordered John E. Smith's division to proceed at once to the Department of the Cumberland. The same day Hurl- but's corps was ordered to the same destination. The Presi-
176 FOURTH CORPS ORGANIZED.
dent telegraphed Burnside to hurry his army to Rosecrans' reHef. On the 23d the general-in-chief ordered the nth corps, Gen. O. O. Howard commanding, and the 12th corps. Gen. Joseph Hooker commanding, both under command of General Hooker, to proceed by rail to the relief of General Rosecrans to protect his line of communications from Nashville to Bridgeport. On the 29tli three thousand of Howard's corps passed through Nashville, on the way to the front. On Octo- ber 1st the nth corps reached Bridgeport and the I2tli was passing Nashville. On the 3d Hooker was at Stevenson. Oti the 7th the bridge over the Tennessee at Bridgeport was com- pleted, and the nth and 12th corps from that on made good progress towards the relief of Chattanooga.
General Baird had been relieved of the command of the first division, 14th army corps, on the day after the battle, because of the return of Gen. L. H. Roussau, its former com- mander, and not for any fault of General Baird. In fact. Gen- eral Baird was highly commended in general orders for his "prudence and ability displayed while in command, for the unflinching courage and ability with which he carried his troops into action, in the battle of Chickamauga."
On September 28th Generals McCook and Crittenden were relieved of command by order of the War Department, and a court of inquiry was ordered to investigate their conduct in the battle of Chickamauga. General Negley was relieved later and a like court of inquiry called.
On October 9th the 20th and 21st corps were consolidated with portions of the reserve corjDs (including our brigade), constituting a new corps known as the 4fli army corps, under the command of Maj.-Gen. Gordon Granger. The new corps consisted of three divisions of three brigades each. Maj.-Gen. John M. Palmer was given command of the first division, of which our brigade still commanded by Brig.-Gen. W. C. Whit- aker was the second. The first brigade was commanded by Brig.-Gen. Charles Cruft, and the third by Brig.-Gen. WiHiam Grose. They were three splendid brigades, as fine as any in the army. Our second brigade was composed of our old quartette, the 96th and 115th Illinois, 40th Ohio and 84th
CAPTURE OF BROWN'S FERRY. 177
Indiana, with the 8th Kentucky, 51st and 99th Ohio and 35th Indiana added. Maj.-Gen. Phil. Sheridan was assigned to the command of the second division, and Brig.-Gen. Thomas J. Wood to the third. These three divisions made a very strong army corps, numbering about 20,000 men.
On October i6th, by General Order 337 of the War Depart- ment, Maj.-Gen. W. S. Rosecrans was relieved of the command of the Department of the Cumberland, and Maj.-Gen. George H. Thomas assigned to the command. By the same order the Military Division of the Mississippi was created, composed of the Departments of the Ohio, the Cumberland and the Ten- nessee, and Maj.-Gen. U. S. Grant was assigned to the com- mand. On the 19th General Rosecrans issued his farewell ad- dress to the officers and soldiers of the Department of the Cumberland, and announced his successor in most complimen- tary terms. At the same time General Thomas assumed com- mand of the department. General Grant arrived at Stevenson on the 22d, and the next morning started for Chattanooga via the Sequatchie Valley and over Walden's Ridge, reaching his destination on the evening of the 24th. On the 26th Gen. Charles Cruft was assigned to the command of the first divis- ion, 4th army corps, with headquarters at Rankin's Ferry, the first and third brigades being with him. Soon after that Maj.- Gen. David S. Stanley was assigned to the command of the first division, and General Cruft returned to the command of the first brigade.
'On the night of October 27th^ 1,800 men under Brig.-Gen. W. B. Hazen in sixty pontoon boats floated quietly down the Tennessee, past the Confederate pickets on Lookout Moun- tain without being observed, and landed on the south bank of the river at Brown's Ferry, surprised the enemy's picket and captured the hills adjacent, with a loss of only four or five wounded. At the same time a similar force under Brig.-Gen. W. F. Smith, chief engineer, with materials for a pontoon bridge had crossed the "Moccasin" to Brown's Ferry and were taken over in Hazen's boats, so that daylight of the 28th found the hills opposite the camp of the 115th occupied by 4,000 Union troops, and by 10 a. m. a good pontoon bridge
AT BROWN'S FERRY. 179
across the river was ready for our use. On the same morning Maj.-Gen. Joseph Hooker at the head of the nth and 12th corps entered Lookout Valley from Bridgeport via White- sides, and about midnight following, attacked and drove the Confederates from a strong position at Wauhatchie. Early on the 29th our brigade, under General Whitaker, went over to Wauhatchie to assist General Hooker, remained a day and night, and then returned to camp at Brown's Ferry.
On the 31st Lieutenant Royse and Corporal Edmunds of Company E returned to the regiment. Though still suffering from his wound and unable for field duty. Lieutenant Royse was so anxious to see the boys and learn of their welfare, that he left the officers' hospital at Nashville and came to the front without leave of the surgeon in charge. At Stevenson he met Edmunds and Sergt. David Porter of Company H, both anx- ious to get to the front, but delayed by orders forbidding any one to go forward except with trains accompanied by an es- cort. The three were not long in maturing a plan to evade the orders. Edmunds and Porter drew their regular two days' rations as if for use in transient camp, while Royse purchased at the commissary enough more to supply them for the jour- ney to Brown's Ferry. With only this preparation and with- out arms except Royse's revolver, scarcely worth carrying, the trio set out on their journey. The first night they found shelter in an old blacksmith shop in the Sequatchie Valley. The next day they passed Jasper and started over the moun- tain. Night overtook them in a valley between spurs of Wald- en's Ridge, where they lodged in an old house and supple- mented their army rations with stewed chicken, a bird that Edmunds pursuaded a woman to present to him. Though having met no Union soldiers since leaving the valley and entirely ignorant of their surroundings they all slept soundly through the night. The next morning as the journey was continued up a very steep winding path, first to the right and then to the left, the stillness of the mountains was broken by the sound of a voice far above them, calling: "Lieutenant Royse, what the hell are you doing down there ?" The mystery was soon cleared up when Col. Nelson Trusler of the 84th In-
180 AT BROWN'S FERRY.
diana, appeared from behind some large rocks on his way down the mountain. He had resigned and was on his way home. On the summit they found a United States signal sta- tion with a guard. By this time their rations were gone and they were getting quite hungry. An opportunity to buy ra- tions seemed at hand, but to their request the lieutenant com- manding said, "We have none to sell. We have been on short rations for six weeks, but if you are out, we are glad to give you a share." With such generous treatment they declined more than a noon ration and hurriedly moved forward. The afternoon was full of adventures and dangers, crossing swollen mountain streams on slippery logs and over more slippery rocks, but with the camp of the ii5tli only a few miles away they were not to be long hindered by such trifles. About dark of the third day they entered the camp, and received the hearty greetings of their comrades. After a general hand- shaking and when the rush of questions and answers had somewhat subsided. Lieutenant Royse asked Captain Whita- ker when supper would be ready, but got poor comfort in the answer, "We have had nothing but parched corn yet today, and that is all gone."
Colonel Moore was glad to give Lieutenant Royse easy duty, and as Lieutenant Schwartz was badly needed with his company and in the harder service on the picket line. Lieu- tenant Royse was at once put in charge of the adjutant's office. Adjutant Litsenberger, having resigned on account of physical disability, left for home a few days later. Early on the 1st of November the brigade broke camp and started on the march to Shell Mound on the Tennessee River, within a half- mile of the northwest corner of the State of Georgia, the northeast corner of Alabama, fifteen miles distant. The iiSth moved off at the head of the column, across the pontoon bridge and over the hills beyond. Very soon an obstacle was met in the Lookout Creek too deep to ford. Colonel Buell was quickly on the scene with a detachment of the pioneer brigade, and at once began the construction of a temporary bridge. General Whitaker was impatient at the seeming slow progress and offered to Colonel Buell a company of men to
MARCH TO SHELL MOUND. 181
help in the work, which, being accepted, the general called on Colonel Moore for a detail, and Acting Adjutant Royse as promptly reported the leading company for the work. Not content with that, General Whitaker began ordering the men about, much as a boss would at a house raising. Colonel Buell resented that as an interference with his duty and called on the general to get out of his way. That was too much for General Whitaker's Kentucky blood, and he proposed settling the matter in Kentucky fashion. Colonel Buell said, "You are a brigadier-general and I only a colonel. We are not on equal terms." Instantly the general took off his coat and threw it on the ground, saying, "There is the brigadier-general, here is Walter C. Whitaker ready to fight you on equal terms." Buell replied, "My duty is to build this bridge. After that is done I will talk to you," and went on with his work.
Very soon the bridge was done, and the column moved on without further incident. It was a laborious march over the rough mountainous roads and took until late the next day to reach Shell Mound. The brigade at once went into camp along the river bottoms between the river and Sand Moun- tain, and in the cove near Nickojack Cave. The 115th was assigned a place near the railroad station. Supplies had been ordered up from Bridgeport, and two days' rations were promptly issued to the hungry men. The eagerness with which the men received and disposed of those rations was re- markable. With many the two days' supply lasted less than a day. Fortunately the next day an issue of five days' rations was made.
The first brigade under the command of Col. T. D. Sedg- wick went into camp at Bridgeport, while the third brigade, commanded by Col. P. S. Post, remained at Whitesides. Gen- eral Cruft's division headquarters were located at Shell Mound. The Union forces being in possession of the entire line from Bridgeport to Brown's Ferry, including Lookout Valley, the railroad was rapidly put in order. The most difficult place was the gorge at Whitesides, which required a trestle no feet high. Very soon an abundance of supplies were pouring into
Chattanooga — Lookout Mountain — Missionary Ridge.
FORCES IN THE TENNESSEE VALLEY.
183
Chattanooga and no further complaints of short rations were heard.
Major-General Sherman's forces were now nearing Bridge- port. On November i6th General Sherman wrote, "I have made the junction, and lived well on Confederate corn and pork. My own corps, the 15th, is at Bridgeport in fine order." From the i8th to 20th the road was full of Sherman's men marching to the front. The Ii6th Illinois Infantry, mostly from Macon County, was among them. The 115th boys from the same county (E and F) gave them a hearty welcome.
At this time the Union army in the Tennessee Valley, at or near Chattanooga, was constituted as follows :
4th Army Corps present for duty 22,000
nth 1 2th 14th iSth 17th
6,370 9,200 19,250 12,800 4,000
Total infantry 73,620
Cavalry Corps, Army of the Cumberland 6,200
Cavalry Corps, Army of the Tennessee 200
Artillery, Engineers, etc 5,000
Total men for duty 85,020
Total officers S.poo
Grand total 90,920
This force, however, included the garrisons at Chattanooga and all along the railroad back to Nashville.
On the 23d twelve regiments of the second and third brig- ades left Shell Mound and Whitesides, to join Hooker in his attack on Lookout Mountain. The ustli Illinois, and 84th Indiana Infantry and Sth Indiana Battery remained as garrison at Shell Mound, Colonel Moore commanding the post. Since its arrival at Shell Mound, the second brigade had worked incessantly fortifying the place, so that the little garrison was now well protected. The 30th Indiana Infantry, 77th Penn- sylvania Infantry and Battery H, 4th U. S. Artillery of the
184 LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.
third brigade were left as garrison at Whitesides, under Lieut.- Col. O. D. Hurd of the 30th Indiana. The first brigade, Col. D. A. Enyart commanding, remained in camp opposite Bridge- port. Maj.-Gen. D. S. Stanley, who had been assigned tO' the command of the first division on the 20th, remained at division headquarters at Bridgeport, commanding these garrisons, while Brig.-Gen. Charles Cruft went to the front in command of that part of the division that was to participate in the ap- proaching battles.
The troops thus assigned to General Cruft were the 8th Kentucky, g6th Illinois, 40th Ohio, 3Sth Indiana, 51st Ohio and 99th Ohio of the second brigade, commanded by General Whitaker, and the S9th, 75th and 84th Illinois, 9th and 36th Indiana and 24th Ohio of the third brigade, commanded by Col. William Grose — in all 3,134 officers and men. They par- ticipated with General Hooker in the capture of Lookout Mountain on the 24th and 25th, the second brigade making an especially brilliant record, for it had the honor, through the 8th Kentucky, of first placing the United States flag on top of the mountain. General Cruft says, in his official report : ''The storming of Lookout Mountain must rank as one of the most splendid achievements of the war." The battle of Look- out Mountain, sometimes referred to by poetic license as "the battle above the clouds," certainly presented a wonderful scene to those permitted to look on from a safe distance. The line of battle, with Whitaker's brigade on the right, extended in a quarterly direction from high up the side of the mountain almost directly beneath the palisades, while the left covered the wagon road that leads around the point of Lookout. In such manner the line of bluecoats swept around the point of the mountain, driving the Confederates from one position to another until they were forced to fiee across the valley to Mis- sionary Ridge.
The way was now open for the assault on Missionary Ridge. General Sherman's corps had crossed the river above Chatta- nooga and had captured the northern end of the ridge. The 4th corps, Maj.-Gen. Gordon Granger commanding, that is, Sheridan's second division and Wood's third division, ad-
MISSIONARY RIDGE.
185
vanced in front of Fort Wood toward Orchard Knob, being the center of the Union Hne. The 14th corps, General Palmer commanding-, was next to the right, and the nth corps, Gen- eral Howard commanding, was in reserve in rear of the 4th corps. Orchard Knob being taken. General Howard's corps advanced to the left of the 4th corps. As soon as Lookout was carried. General Hooker's command, including the two brigades of our division, moved over the valley towards Mis- sionary Ridge, in the direction of Rossville, taking position
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Brevet Maj.-Gen. CHARLES CRUFT.
on the extreme right. Towards noon on the 25th the whole line moved forward and engaged the enemy in his rifle pits near the base of the ridge. The orders were to take the rifle pits and hold that position prepared for an assault when all should be ready. The first part of these orders was soon exe- cuted. The rebels were on the run and our men could not resist the temptation to follow them. So without orders, Sheridan's division rushed forward up the hill. The other di- visions to the right and left caught the spirit and quickly joined in the movement. General Sheridan "could not order those officers and men who were so gallantly ascending the
186 MISSIONARY RIDGE.
hill, step by step, to return." On they went till the summit was reached, Bragg's headquarters were captured and his armv sent scampering southward. Grant was amazed as he stood on Orchard Knob and looked at the long line steadily going up the steep hill in the face of a withering fire of grape and canister. "Who ordered that charge?" inquired General Grant, but no general was then willing to admit that he did. History answers that the private soldiers both ordered and executed it, quickly and gallantly supported by their officers of every grade.
Grant says in his official report : "These troops moved for- ward, drove the enemy from the rifle pits at the base of the ridge like bees from a hive — stopped but a moment until the whole were in line — and commenced the ascent of the moun- tain from right to left, almost simultaneously, following closely the retreating enemy, without further orders. They encoun- tered a fearful volley of grape and canister from near thirty pieces of artillery and musketry from still well-filled rifle pits on the summit of the ridge. Not a waver, however, was seen in all that long line of brave men. Their progress was stead- ily onward until the summit was in their possession."
The Confederate forces were now in full retreat toward Ringgold, Ga. Here the gallant Phil Sheridan showed his ability as a military leader by at once making a vigorous pur- suit. Nine pieces of artillery were captured by him, then a severe fight was necessary to overcome the resistance of the Confederates, and again they fled and more artillery was abandoned. The next day the pursuit was continued in force, many prisoners being taken and large amounts of army stores and equipments, and many pieces of artillery captured. This was continued until the enemy was driven and scattered among the hills beyond Ringgold. Our loss in the battle was :
Officers. Men. Total.
Killed 69 684 753
Wounded 393 4,329 4,722
Missing or captured 27 322 349
Total loss S.824
MISSIONARY RIDGE. 187
The loss of the enemy, kiUed, wounded and missing, as reported by him was 6,687, which perhaps was for less than the real loss.
Our captures included more than 6,000 prisoners, 40 pieces of artillery, 6,000 stands of small arms and 55,000 rounds of ammunition.
While these operations were going on about Chattanooga, the Army of the Ohio under Major-General Burnside was in a state of siege at Knoxville. General Longstreet's corps having gone to the assistance of the Confederates in that dis- trict, had quite completely invested the place and it had be- come a question of only a few days when Burnside's forces would be out of food and compelled tO' surrender. Grant was compelled to discontinue the pursuit of Bragg, in order to send relief to Knoxville. As soon as the battle was over he ordered Granger to prepare his corps for -a forced march with 20,000 men, but the next day, thinking Granger a little tardy in his movements, he ordered Sherman to take his corps with Granger's and move with all speed to the help of Burnside. Although the 15th corps had made a long fatiguing march and at once entered the battle of Chattanooga, the boys went forward without a murmur, and very soon Longstreet was made to think Virginia a safer place for his army.
CHAPTER XIV.
SHELL MOUND TO BLUE SPRINGS.
The 115th had all the while remained at Shell Mound. It was not permitted to share the glory of the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, for its duty was elsewhere, it kept open the lines of communication to our army's base of supplies, a service quite as valuable as that of the regiments on the front line. So far as engaging in battle was concerned, the 115th had had such a double portion at Chickamauga that most of the men were c[uite content to do patriotic duty in a more quiet way, and give others a chance for glory. Lieu- tenant Riley of Company K, however, being aide-de-camp on the staff of General Whitaker, participated in the whole cam- paign, and was commended by that general for untiring de- votion to duty.
While at Shell Mound we had heavy work for a considerable time throwing up breastworks and putting the place in con- dition for defense. Our line of works crossed the old "Shell Mound," from which the place took its name. This made it necessary to dig down the mound which had stood for many centuries. After the removal of five or six feet of earth, it was found that beneath this covering, the mound was made of clean river shells, so laid as to shed the water, and that ex- cept the outer courses, the shells were hard and well pre- served. Buried deep in those shells were numerous skeletons, perhaps the bones of celebrated chieftains of the mound build- ers' age. The colonel's headquarters while commanding the post were in a log cabin of the primitive Tennessee type, lo- cated near the railroad station platform close to the river bank. The men were soon comfortably quartered in tent cabins, part of logs and boards and part of their shelter tents. Our boys were wonderfully ingenious in making the best of the limited
VISIT OF GRANT. 189
means at their command. Stones, sticks and mud served to make chimneys to their quarters. Though comfortable while in camp, they often had pretty rough times on the picket line. The bottom occupied by the camp was about one-half mile wide; then rose Sand Mountain about 1,200 feet high, on the summit of which our picket line was placed. Not permitted to have fire, the men on the outposts suffered much, almost every night that winter. Their suffering was extreme, however, that terribly cold last night of December, 1863, and first morning of 1864, — well remembered all over the North. The temperature fell to zero or a little below, and they were not warmly clad and had but one blanket each. The boys who were on the line that night deserve a pension what- ever their health may be now.
An interesting feature of our life at Shell Mound was the daily "call for rations" from the poor of the surrounding coun- try. Their supplies of food were all gone, both armies having had a hand in the work of taking it. While acting as post ad- jutant, Lieutenant Royse had a daily reception at his office. Their complaints were heard, a record made of their names, and orders issued on the commissary for rations. In this way 5,469 rations were issued to people of that vicinity. Some had seen better days, but all were then in need. All were dressed in garments not only home spun, but of cotton of their own raising and picking. It was amusing to see the girls and women chewing their snuff sticks. Snuff dipping seemed a common practice among all classes of women, while many chewed and smoked tobacco.
Some time after the battle of Chattanooga, General Grant was returning from a trip to Nashville in a special train of one car and an engine. On arriving at Shell Mound he was compelled to stop and wait a few hours for the repair of a culvert or trestle, that had been damaged that morning by a detachment of rebel cavalrymen. Very soon the news that Grant was there spread through the camp, and a large crowd assembled around the railroad near the general's special car. They wanted to see the great general, but no response came to their cahs. Determined to see him if possible, a party of the
190 PROMOTIONS IN THE REGIMENT.
boys came into headquarters and reported to Coloned Moore the situation. The colonel promised to do what he could, and asked Post Adjutant Royse to go with him to the car. Being refused admittance by the guard, Colonel Moore turned to the side of the car with the view of calling to the general through the window, when General Grant stepped off the car at the other end. The colonel had never seen him and was surprised at his appearance. He was dressed in the regulation uniform suit of a general of his rank, but it was old, worn and dusty; his hat was of the "slouch" variety with a simple cord about it, also worn and dingy, as were his shoulder straps. His coat was unbuttoned, and in every way he looked the man of hard work. The colonel in his surprise remarked to Lieutenant Royse in a low tone, "Is it possible that is General Grant ?" At that moment the general and colonel approached each other, the colonel remarking, "I am Colonel Moore, commanding this post," to which the general responded by modestly saying, "My name is Grant."
An hour of free conversation ensued. The general first asking after the health of the troops and how they were situ- ated ; then the prospect for opening the road in his front The colonel asked as tO' the progress of the war, and though not disclosing any of his plans, greatly to our surprise, he talked with much freedom about it. He said, "We are making as good progress as could reasonably be expected. We began the war with untrained officers and men. ~^ It is expected that a carpenter's apprentice will work at his trade at least three years before he is fit to be called a mechanic. We have been learning the trade of war, and after about three years, are just ready to do effective work. We shall from now on make better progress, and a year or two more should nearly com- plete the job." We were greatly impressed by this conversa- tion. Apparently the reticence that we had heard so mitch about was confined to matters he wished to keep from the public.
The death of Lieutenant-Colonel Kinman left a vacancy, which was promptly filled by the promotion of Maj. George A. Poteet. He was not only in Hne of promotion, but his merit
PROMOTIONS IN THE REGIMENT. 191
and fitness for the position were recognized by all. Xo one questioned the propriety of his promotion. Not so with the vacancy left by Colonel Poteet's promotion. Capt. John W. Lapham of Company A was senior captain and claimed the right to be promoted to the position of major. He was sup- ported in his aspirations by Capt. David Williams and several other officers, and was the choice of a large proportion of the men. Captain Slocum of Company B, the second in rank, was also an aspirant for the place, and in addition to the support of several officers, was decidedly the choice of the colonel and lieutenant-colonel. Others favored Captains Reardon and Hymer and Lieutenant Steen. A settlement of the question was attempted by an election held by the commissioned officers on October 9th, while the regiment was watching the opera- tions of the rebel guns on old Lookout, which resulted as fol- lows: Captain Slocum, 9 ; Captain Reardon, 7 ; Captain Lap- ham, 5; Captain Hymer, 2; Lieutenant Steen, i.
No one had a majority, but on Captain Slocum's plurality, the colonel sent forward Captain Slocum's name to the gov- ernor for appointment with a very strong personal endorse- ment. A number of officers, believing that further ballotings should have occurred until some one received a majority of all, and wishing to delay the appointment until a choice could be determined by such method, sent a request to Governor Yates to withhold the appointment until the officers should agree. Captain Lapham's friends were very active in his be- half, and numerous letters and petitions recommending Cap- tain Lapham were forwarded to the governor. This contro- versy engaged the attention of the regiment until about the time we left Shell Mound, the final result being that Captain Lapham obtained the position on the ground of seniority. First Lieut. Jesse Hanon was then promptly promoted to the captaincy of Company A, and Second Lieut. Joseph B. Gore to fill the vacancy thus made as first lieutenant. The vacancy in the captaincy of Company D, caused by the death of Cap- tain Huckstep, was filled by the promotion of First Lieuten- ant Hymer ; Second Lieut. Alichael P. Jones was moved up to the place thus left vacant. Lieut. W. F. Slocum of Company
192 STRENGTH OF THE REGIMENT.
F resigned November 28th, and First Sergt. Jacob Porter was promoted to the place. The vacancy in the captaincy of Com- pany G made by the death of Captain Espy was filled by the promotion of First Lient. John W. Dove, Second Lieut. John M. Baker being moved forward to the first lieutenancy. Capt. Cyrus L. Kinman of Company I resigned October 19th, and First Lieut. James A. Rutherford was promoted to the posi- tion. Second Lieut. Spencer P. Compton taking the place vacated. First Lieut. Sylvester M. Bailey of Company K re- signed December 28th on account of wounds, and Second Lieut. Philip Riley was promoted to the vacancy.
Thu.^ the two months after the battle of Chickamauga was a period of many changes in the ofificers of the regiment. By these changes and promotions, and because of the greatly reduced number of men in the several companies, bringing them below the limit, Companies A, D, F, G, I and K were left without second lieutenants. Company C being already in that position.
The strength of the regiment, present for duty, as shown by reports on file in the adjutant-general's office, was :
Oct. 20, Officers, 18; Men, 286; Total, 304.
Nov. |
10, |
21; |
" 315; |
336. |
Nov. |
20, |
21; |
" 317; |
" 338. |
Dec. |
10, |
23; |
" 337; |
" 360. |
Dec. |
20, |
21; |
" 341; |
" 362. |
Jan. |
10, |
20; |
" 334; |
354. |
Jan. |
20, |
24; |
" 340; |
364. |
The term of service of the 8th Kentucky expired while we were at Shell Mound, and that regiment left us for home. About the same time the 21st and 23d Kentucky were ordered to our brigade. There were many points of scenic interest in the vicinity of Shell Mound, as it was nestled in between spurs of the great Cumberland mountain chain. Among the most important of these was Nickajack Cave, the entrance of which was only about one-half mile from our camp. From it flowed a considerable creek which was navigable for canoes a distance of a mile under the mountain. One day Colonel Poteet, Cap-
WILLIAM TYSON, Company D.
AT SHELL MOUND. 193
tain Hayes and Lieutenant Royse made a partial exploration of the cave, spending the entire day wandering through its wonderful passages and caverns. Some chambers passed through, hung with immense stalactites, were both grand and beautiful. After several miles of such caverns had been passed, they seemed at the end, when a narrow passage was discovered just large enough to allow a man to pass through it and leading downward at an angle of about 45 degrees. At a depth of one hundred feet or more, this passage opened out into an immense cavern, three or four hundred feet wide and a half mile or more in length, with ceiling a hundred feet or more in height at places. The bottom was nearly level and covered with fine sand, washed in bars, as commonly seen in river beds, but was perfectly dry and there was no indication of any recent flow of water. A sense of loneliness came over the party as they looked about and saw no footmarks, excepttheir own — being perhaps the first human beings that had ever entered that chamber — and realized that they were several miles from the entrance, with 1,200 feet of rocks above them. One of the features of our camp life at Shell Mound was the numerous boxes received from home. What a joy such visitors were to the happy recipients, and even to the whole mess to which they belonged ! The ordinary routine of hard- tack, fat pork and cofifee, with occasional soup thickened with desiccated vegetables, was very tiresome. There was a won- derful craving for a change — anything for a change. But think of the delight at receiving a good large box filled with cake, jellies, jams, fruits and the like. All the friends were sure of a portion. There had been a general quiet all along the line after the battles about Chattanooga. The time was oc- cupied in getting ready for the forward movement in the spring. Many of the old regiments had reached the end of their terms of enlistment. Most of them "veteranized", re- enlisted for another term of "three years or during the war". The rule was to give all such a "veteran furlough" and let them visit home before beginning the new term. In this way our department was kept reduced in numbers "present for duty" the greater part of the winter.
194 MARCH TO BLUE SPRINGS-
General Bragg had been relieved of the command of the Confederate army in our front, and on December iSth Gen. Jospeh E. Johnston assumed command. With headquarters at Dalton, General Johnston at once began the most active preparations for the spring's operations. He also spent the winter in improving and strengthening his army. In the latter part of January our division, now again in command of Brig.-Gen. Charles Cruft, was ordered to take position near Cleveland, and the second and third divisions of our corps, which had spent the late fall and winter in East Tennessee, were ordered down to the same vicinity.
On January 26th the 115th, together with the rest of our brigade left Shell Mound, passed through Chattanooga on the 30th, camped a day or two at Tyner's Station and on February 3d moved on to Ooltawah, and thence on the 5th and 6th to Blue Springs, five or six miles south of Cleveland on the line of the Georgia Railroad. As the division moved over the hills into the valley and marched to the camping grounds of the various commands at Blue Springs it made a splendid show. Some loyal Tennesseeans stood looking at the approaching columns were amazed at the numbers, and were heard to ex- claim, "No wonder the South is overrun !" "See the hordes of bluecoats !" "There is no end to them !" It was really a splendid division, and to persons not accustomed to seeing large bodies of soldiers, it doubtless appeared a great host. General Whitaker being absent, Colonel Moore was in com- mand of the brigade, Lieutenant-Colonel Poteet being in com- mand of the regiment. The regiment was soon in quarters as comfortable as usual. We were in a loyal community, and all were glad to avail themselves of the market our troops made for their produce. We were equally delighted at having our messes occasionally furnished with the country supplies.
The Confederate army was concentrated in the vicinity of Tunnel Hill and Dalton, as proved by a reconnaissance made by General Palmer in the latter part of January, hence Dal- ton was our objective point. Though actively strengthening his position, and doing all in his power to increase the efifec-
MARCH TO RINGGOLD. 195
tiveness of his force, General Johnston was on the defensive. On the other side General Grant was steadily moving out his lines and with all possible energy was preparing for an aggressive forward movement. The veteran regiments were returning to duty with many accessions from raw recruits, as well as discharged men reentering the service after recov- ery from sickness and wounds. General Grant wanted to pre- vent Johnston from giving even temporary assistance to the Confederates in other departments. He also wanted more exact knowledge of the force and position of the Confeder- ates, and that they should be kept busy. For these purposes, he ordered General Palmer to make a demonstration upon the enemy's position. Our division, Gen. Charles Cruft com- manding, was ordered to join Palmer's corps with Long's cav- alry near Catoosa Springs and Ringgold, and participate in the movement.
Washington's birthday was celebrated by the forward move- ment of our effective force, while the quartermaster's de- partment and hospital with sick and convalescent, were sent to Cleveland for safety. Red Clay was occupied that night by our division, the 14th corps being at Ringgold. The 23d brought the two wings together at Tunnel Hill, the Confed- erates being driven through Buzzard's Roost Gap after some brisk skirmishing. Occasional skirmishing continued through the 24th, at one time portions of our di- vision reaching a point within three miles of Dal- ton. On the 25th a heavy line of Confederate infantry appeared in our front, showing clearly that the enemy had a superior force and was prepared for any attack we could make. The purpose of the demonstration had been accomplished, and after spending the day in such skirmishing as would develop the actual position and strength of the enemy our command returned to Blue Springs, while the 14th corps resumed its position at Ringgold and vicinity. The loss in our brigade was I killed, 29 wounded and 4 missing, the total loss of the division being 74. General Cruft handled the division in ex- cellent style, as did General Palmer the expedition.
196 CHANGES IN COMMANDERS.
On returning to Blue Springs the 115th went into camp on a hill about three-fourths of a mile east of the former position. Our camp was in plain view of the range of mountains sepa- rating Tennessee from North Carolina. It was interesting to see the snow on the mountains glistening in the sun, while the buds were bursting forth in the forests, and all was spring- like in the vicinity of our camp. On the 22d of March we had a better appreciation of the mountain climate, in a fall of snow to the depth of ten inches. The trees were then green and the forests fragrant from the honeysuckles and azaleas blooming in great abundance. The next morning the sun came out warm as before, and before night the snow was gone. Winter and summer thus brought together presented a remarkable spectacle.
About this time many changes occurred in our commanders. General Grant having been promoted to the rank of lieuten- ant-general, created by special act of Congress, in recognition of his splendid victories in the battles about Chattanooga, on the i2th of March was assigned to the command of the armies of the United States. At the same time Gen. W. T. Sherman was assigned to the command of the Military Division of the Mississippi, while Maj.-Gen. J. B. McPherson succeeded to the command of the Department of the Tennessee. Maj.-Gen. H. W. Halleck, on surrendering the command of the armies of the United States, was made General Grant's chief-of-staff.
On the 4th of April the nth and 12th corps were consoli- dated as the 20th army corps, and placed under the command of Maj.-Gen. Joseph Hooker. Maj.-Gen. O. O. Howard, for- merly of the nth corps, succeeded Major-General Granger in the command of the 4th corps. Maj.-Gen. John M. Schofield was assigned to the command of the 23d corps, Maj.-Gen. Philip H. Sheridan having been transferred to the Army of the Potomac, Maj.-Gen. John Newton was placed in command of Sheridan's old division. Maj.-Gen. George Stoneman was placed in command of the cavalry corps. About that time Maj.- Gen. D. S. Stanley returned and resumed command of the division, and Brig.-Gen. Charles Cruft resumed command
>1N |
•\ |
-^ |
|
^' |
|
^ |
/ |
Judge CHARLES C. McCOMAS. First Lieutenant Company F.
IN CAMP AT BLUE SPRINGS. 197
of the first brigade of our division. Brig.-Gen. W. C. Whita- ker had also returned to his command.
The stay on Red Hill near Blue Springs was quite a pleasant one for the 115th. It was the time of year most pleasant in. that latitude. The people in the vicinity were as agreeable as possible; most of them were devoted Unionists and seemed pleased to have us there, and soon many of the boys made pleasant acquaintances among the girls of the neighborhood. While at Blue Springs the division was given a thorough course in target practice. In this the regiment would be drawn up in line opposite a line of targets the size of a man. In front of each target was a pit deep enough to hide a man, whose duty it was to note and mark the shots. The men in a company would take turns firing, each shot being thus marked as deliv- ered. A company in that manner would make three or four rounds firing in a forenoon's practice. The practice began at a distance of one hundred and fifty yards from the targets, and was gradually increased until a distance of perhaps four hun- dred yards was reached. A record of the best shots was made and reported from the various regiments to division headquar- ters. The boys of the 1 15th took pride in the fact that Orderly Sergt. J. M. Martin of Company E made the best average of all in the entire division.
By May ist the Department of the Cumberland was well equipped for the proposed forward movement. The 4th corps, Major-General Howard commanding, was in the vicinity of Cleveland ; the 14th, Gen. John M. Palmer commanding, was in front of Chattanooga and near Ringgold, while the 20th corps, Gen. Joe Hooker commanding, was in Lookout Valley. The three divisions of our 4th corps were commanded by Gen- erals Stanley, Newton and Wood, respectively. The brigade commanders in numerical order, in the several divisions, were : First division, Cruft, Whitaker, Grose ; second division, F. T. Sherman, Wagner, Harker ; third division, Wilhch, Hazen, S. Beatty.
Our second brigade retained our favorite quartette, the 40th, Ohio, 84th Indiana, 96th and 115th Illinois, with the 21st Ken- tucky, 35th Indiana, 51st and 99th Ohio. The Army of the
198 IN CAMP AT BLUE SPRINGS.
Cumberland then had something over 6o,oqo effective men. In addition to this splendid army General Sherman had with him for his proposed campaign, the Army of the Tennessee, 24,500 men under Maj.-Gen. J. B. McPherson, and the Army of the Ohio, 13,500 men, under Maj.-Gen. J. M. Schofield, mak- ing a grand total of nearly 100,000 men. At that time the Confederates in our front, under the command of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, with headquarters at Dalton, numbered but little more than 50,000 present for duty. This force was rapidly in- creased, however, until by June loth more than 80,000 men were in the struggle to check our advance.
CHAPTER X\'
BLUE SPRINGS TO RESACA.
On the 2d and 3d of May, 1864, General Sherman's splendid army broke camp and began the memorable Atlanta campaign. The Army of the Tennessee moved out on the right via Lee & Gordon's Mills, Palmer's 14th corps moved forward from Ringgold, while our 4th corps marched out from Cleveland and vicinity by way of Catoosa Springs, all directed towards the enemy's stronghold at Dalton. The march of the 115th from Blue Springs to Catoosa Springs was without special interest. It was apparent to all that we should soon meet the enemy in battle or compel his retreat. Capt. James A. Whita- ker was under arrest for some youthful indiscretion, but in- sisted on remaining with the regiment, though deprived of his command, saying he would fight with a musket if not per- mitted to command his company. Finding he could not in- duce the captain to go to the rear, the colonel made a strong effort to have him released at least temporarily. Many signal messages were waved by the flags between the headquarters of Generals Stanley, Howard and Thomas, until finally the answer came from General Thomas, "Restore him to duty, and if he behaves well as a soldier in battle I will take care of the charges". The result was that nothing further was heard of the "charges", as the captain's conduct in the battles that followed was all that could be asked.
We found Catoosa Springs, about six or seven miles from Tunnel Hill, a delightful place for camping for the two days we were permitted to rest there. The springs, thirty-one in number, broke out of the earth at the foot of the hills sur- rounding a little valley in which were situated a hotel and a large number of cottages. The place had been a noted resort
200 BATTLE OF ROCKY FACED RIDGE.
before the war. The various springs had names indicating the particular mineral predominating in them, thus the white sulphur, yellow sulphur, iron, chalybeate, etc. One spring only was without a name, because its waters had no special quality. Once when many Southerners were there and only one "Yankee" among them, he was bantered to show his "smartness" by selecting an appropriate name for the nameless spring. He promptly responded, by writing on the board that had been prepared for it, "Chautmobousga" Of course its meaning was the next question, and it took twO' whole years for those fashionable southerners to discover that the Yankee name was composed of alternate letters of the words "Ca- toosa" and "Humbug."
As the various army corps came in touch in their approach to Tunnel Hill the whole line moved forward on May 7th. The Confederates attempted resistance at Tunnel Hill, but soon gave way on the approach of the 4th and 14th army corps in line of battle. Their next stand was on the Rocky Faced Ridge and at Buzzard's Roost Gap. General Sherman's plan was to make a strong show of direct attack upon Dalton, hence Howard's and Palmer's corps were at once pushed forward in line of battle into the valley near the Confederate position. At the same time the Army of the Tennessee was making di- rectly for Resaca via Snake Creek Gap, some twenty odd miles farther south. A wonderfully brilliant exhibition of fireworks occurred on the "face" of the Rocky Ridge, about eleven o'clock at night on the 8th. To keep the enemy occu- pied, and continue the play of direct attack, General Sherman had ordered a show of attack that night. The weather was warm and cloudy and the night very dark. The scene that was presented when the enemy's line of battle along the brow of the ridge opened fire and gave volley after volley to the foe supposed tO' be climbing the ridge, may be imagined but hardly realized in its grandeur, as we saw it that night from the valley below. In these feints considerable real fight- ing occurred, and several times detachments of our troops actually reached the summit, though it was never General Sherman's intention to do more than to keep the enemy busy
BATTLE OF ROCKY FACED RIDGE. 201
while he turned the position by the movement through the gaps farther south.
On the 9th General McPherson passed Snake Creek Gap and appeared before Resaca, but he found that place well de- fended, and thought it prudent to fall back to Snake Creek Gap. This strengthened Johnston's impression that the ob- jective was Dalton, so he retained most of his army at Dalton and on the ridge. We remained in the valley watching the gap and the ridge, and from their position on the mountain they must have had an excellent view of our operations. Daily skirmishing and watching was our occupation till the night of the 12th. General Johnston had finally discovered Sherman's plan, and hastily withdrew from Dalton and con- centrated his forces at Resaca, to meet General Sherman's ad- vance, which was then rapidly pouring through Snake Creek Gap. The greater part of Sherman's army was then within striking distance of Resaca, General McPherson being sup- ported by Hooker's and Schofield's corps. On the morning of the I3tli a thin line of rebel cavalry was all that hindered our progress, and that gave way on the first approach. Our corps rapidly moved down through Buzzard Roost or Millcreek Gap, and by noon was passing through Dalton. There was a con- stant skirmish between our advance and the enemy's rear guard, just enough to keep us on the alert, but no determined resistance at any time during the day. At Tilton some of the boys of the 115th, in searching the post office, found a newspaper dated the previous October, which gave an ac- count of the trial and shooting of our brave Henry Roberts on Lookout Mountain in the latter part of September. Night found us eight or ten miles south of Dalton in a country of occasional cleared fields but mostly a dense forest. It was a warm, cloudy, dark night. All of us were glad of a chance forest. A strong skirmish line was thrown forward, the enemy's skirmish line being but a few hundred yards beyond. It was Lieutenant Royse's luck to be ordered out to command the line in front of the second brigade. In the pitch darkness it was quite a difficult task to get the line in proper position so as to. connect with those of other commands to the right and
202 MARCH TO RESACA.
left. Finally the line was adjusted and all became quiet. While one-third of the men were on duty the other two-thirds remained at the reserve. In order that all should get as much rest as possible the reserve was permitted to lie down under arms and sleep, with the order that if an attack should occur all should rally to the support of the outposts. It can be imagined how soundly those boys slept that warm night till about three in the morning when a detachment of rebel cav- alry rode into our line, and then how quickly every man sprang to his feet and dashed forward through the darkness and brush to the sound of the muskets in front. The reception was more than the rebels expected and they hastily sought the company of their comrades. The skirmish had been sufficient, however, to put our brigade in line of battle ready for our support. After that, all was quiet again and soon every man not on duty was again asleep.
On Saturday morning, the 14th, our corps moved on south- ward toward Resaca, the second brigade in advance with the 115th at the head of the column. A brigade of cavalry served as an advance guard and opened the way for our progress. At the same time the other four corps of Sherman's army, under McPherson, Hooker, Palmer and Schofield, were rapidly ap- proaching Resaca from the west. The village of Resaca is situated on the north bank of the Oostanaula River, 16 miles south of Dalton. The Oostanaula js formed by the junction, a few miles above Resaca, of the Cosawattee from the east and the Connasauga from the north. At Resaca the course of the Oostanaula is from east to west, but immediately below the village it turns south and by a long bend almost touches Calhoun, a half dozen miles south of Resaca. The Chattoo- gata Mountains extend nearly north and south about six miles west of the Dalton and Resaca road, the northern part being known as Rocky Faced Ridge, the only passes being Buz- zard Roost Gap on the road from Tunnel Hill to Dalton, Dug Gap six or eight miles farther south, and Snake Creek Gap about six miles nearly west of Resaca.
General Johnston's army occupied a line of hills two to three miles from Resaca extending from the river southwest of the
Frame Buhding — Regimbntai, Headquarters at Resaca, Ga.
L,oG Cabin — Regimental and Post Headquarters at Shell
Mound, Tenn.
204 BATTLE OF RESACA.
village north and east in a semicircle to the Georgia & At- lantic R. R. The wagon road from Dalton to Resaca passed these hills about a third of a mile west of the railroad.
The battle began at the advance of the Army of the Ten- nessee across Camp Creek early on the 14th. Very severe fighting followed which extended to the left, involving Hook- er's, Palmer's and Schofield's corps. Our division, the first of the 4th corps, Maj.-Gen. D. S. Stanley commanding, occu- pied the extreme left, while Wood's and Newton's divisions were on another road some distance to our right. As our column reached a point some four miles from Resaca our cav- arly advance met a strong force of the enemy, cavalry and in- fantry, which proved too strong for them. Quickly the 115th was thrown forward into line, supported by the rest of the brigade, moved forward in line of battle with skirmishers in advance. As quickly the Confederates fell back to their sup- ports. By that time our entire corps was in line of battle con- necting on the right with Schofield's corps and completing the Union line.
Cruft's brigade, the first, occupied a hill to the left of the road, his left refused so as to face eastward, and constituted the extreme left of our army. Whitaker's brigade came next extending from the summit of the round hill occupied by Cruft's right, across the road in the hollow and to the top of the hill on the right, General Grose's brigade being still farther to the right. The 115th was on the left of Whitaker's brigade, adjoining the 31st Indiana, which occupied Cruft's right. The left of the 115th was on the highest part of the hill; the line of the 31st Indiana was at an obtuse angle with ours and for want of room its right lapped our left by the length of a company, it being thirty paces to our rear. While in that position we could distinctly hear the movements of the enemy in our front. It was apparent to all that the Confed- erates were massing a large force on that part of their line with the view of turning our left. In order to meet them Gen- eral Stanley called for reenforcements and at that moment Williams' division of Hooker's corps was rapidly coming to our assistance. The enemy's -skirmishers soon appeared in our
BATTLE OF RESACA. 20S
front, skulking through the brush carrying their guns at a trail. Some thought them deserters ; we thought otherwise and opened fire on them. A number fell, one too far advanced to escape was captured, and the rest hastened back into their line. The one poor fellow we captured was greatly exercised for a while, for after he had thrown up his hands and we had ceased firing the 31st Indiana on our left continued firing for a minute or so, greatly to his discomfort. Seeing the exposed position of the left of the regiment. Colonel Moore hastily or- dered that wing back to the line of the 31st, at the same time moving a little to the right to make room. Scarcely was the movement completed when the Confederate line of battle — two ranks deep — composed of Stewart's and Stevenson's di- visions, a force more than four times as great as the brigade and a half that confronted them, came in sight and opened a furious fire upon us. It seemed a sheet of fiame along their whole line, as volley after volley came from them. We had barely time to return a few volleys when they were upon us, yelling like Indians. Cruft's brigade gave way and the left wing of the 115th followed. As we crossed the road in the valley an effort was made to reform our lines and resist their further advance, but a glance up the hill toward the position we had left revealed only an advancing line of fire too heavy to withstand. The 5th Indiana Battery was in good position on the hill to our rear waiting for a clear front. They seemed to be inviting us to come to them ; at least we went, some- what in advance of the rebel line that was rapidly following us. They had failed to notice our right wing on the knob to the right of the road, but swept past in pursuit of our left wing and the first brigade. As we went up the hill several attempts were made to make a stand, but nothing could be done against such odds. When the summit was reached and the front of the battery was cleared the Confederates were coming at a rapid rate. It was just as they entered an opening that gave a good view that Captain Simonson's 5th Indiana Battery opened upon them with grape and canister, with tell- ing effect. It was a most exciting affair. The left wing of the 115th to the right of the battery and Cruft's brigade to the
206 BATTLE OF RESACA.
left, hastily making breastworks of logs and from such protec- tion pouring a withering musketry fire into their approach- ing enemy, too busy to see the approach from their rear of Williams' division of Hooker's corps which was coming at more than double-quick with the gallant "Fighting Joe" Hooker in the lead. As the general approached the battery he shouted, "Give them canister, boys, the 20th corps is com- ing to help". While the opinion has been expressed by high authority that the 5th Indiana Battery and its own infantry supports would alone have checked the rebel advance, the ar- rival of Williams' division at that moment was a wonderful relief. A moment more and the enemy was retreating across the hollow and over the hill beyond much faster than he had come. In the meantime the right of the regiment, under com- mand of Capt. F. L. Hays, maintained its position on the hill to the right of the road, though vigorously attacked from the south by a strong force of the enemy. That ended the battle of the 14th.
The 115th slept that night on the slope of the hill in front of the position occupied by the battery, each soldier with his gun at his side ready for action. At daybreak on the 15th, Company A commanded by Lieutenant Slaughter of Company H, temporarily assisted by Lieutenant Royse of Company E, was ordered onto the skirmish line in position a little in the rear of that occupied byCruft's brigade and the 115th the even- ing before. Quiet prevailed nearly all the morning except an occasional exchange of shots by the skirmishers, the time be- ing occupied in getting ready for the work of the day. Our di- vision was put in line on the hills to the right of the road and Hooker s corps was given the left of the line including the road and the scene of our fight the evening before. The skirmishers had received no notice of these changes and were not a little surprised to see General Butterfield's division of Hooker's corps moving through their line to the front about nine o'clock in the morning. Lieutenant Royse being in charge of the reserve at the road, inquired of General Butter- field if our detachment should report to our regiment, as we seemed to be relieved of duty as skirmishers, to which he re-
BATTLE OF RESACA. 207
plied, "Your division has changed position and is now a mile distant to the right. You could not find it if you tried". Be- ing asked for orders, he directed the line to remain as it was, and to stop all stragglers not wounded who might be found going to the rear and order them back to the front. The brigades commanded by Generals Benjamin Harrison and John Coburn were in advance. They moved down the road through the gap to the right of the position occupied by the 115th at the time of the attack the evening before and at once assaulted with great fury the enemy's position on a hill beyond, which was occupied by a strong battery well sup- ported by infantry. As those brigades crossed the field in the valley and charged up the hill they met a most terrific fire of musketry and artillery. The bullets fliew fast and thick through their ranks and over their heads, thousands of them reaching far beyond our skirmish line and making our posi- tion almost as dangerous as the front. On they went until almost in the mouth of the enemy's guns, when the greatly su- perior numbers behind very strong earthworks' made it im- possible to go farther, and those gallant men were forced back to the hills we had formerly occupied. Naturally great numbers of stragglers were hastening to the rear and our boys in obedience to General Butterfield's order did excellent serv- ice in checking their course and directing tlteir officers to take them back to the front. One of the generals remarked that our skirmish line had done better service in that way than the same number of men could possibly have done in the hottest of the battle. While these operations were going on, a brisk fire was kept up nearly all along our line, extending to the extreme right. General McPherson was pressing the enemy's left and rear, and Generals Schofield, Palmer and Howard were giving a vigorous fight on their part of the line. Though not so de- structive as in Hooker's front, there was real battle almost all day on our entire line. The night of the 15th our regi- ment was in a position in the second Hne on the same hill occupied the day before to the right of the road, with five or six batteries of artillery massed in our front on the crest, and remained there under arms ready for an attack at any moment.
208 OCCUPATION OF RESACA.
Several hours of quiet enabled the men to get into a sound sleep which they enjoyed until near midnight when the whole park of artillery, 25 to 30 guns, opened on the enemy's works and brought our boys to their feet with the suddenness of a flash of lightning. It was merely intended to cover an attack by Newton's division for the purpose of learning if the Con- federates were still there. After a few rounds the artillery ceased firing and we again laid down to rest. That was the end of the battle of Resaca, for before daylight the Confeder- ates were in full retreat and soon were beyond Resaca. It is difficult to state the losses of this battle as the reports of cas^ ualties cover a period of two or three months. Perhaps 3,000 to 3,500 for each side, killed and wounded, would not be over- stating it. First Lieut. Jacob Porter and First Sergt. James B. Berlin, both of Company F, were among our killed ; the total loss of the iiSth was about 25.
Early on the i6th the Union army began pouring through Resaca and across the Oostanaula in pursuit of the enemy. McPherson's- Army of the Tennessee crossed near Calhoun and took the lead. Then it was "on to Atlanta" in real earnest. It was near ten o'clock when the 115th halted at Resaca and took possession of the place as its garrison. The first task, a sickening one indeed, was gathering up the dead of both armies and consigning them to mother earth. It was no in- considerable work and required several days to accomplish. On that first night after the battle it was the writer's fortune to be on duty as officer of the guard in charge of the picket line on the hills to the west and northwest of Resaca which had been hotly defended by the Confederates against the at- tacks of the Army of the Tennessee. Many of the enemy had lost their lives along this line, and were still lying there. As officer of the guard, it was his duty to "make the rounds" of the guards, a distance of something like two miles. The only light to guide him in his lonely journey was that given by the stars. Climbing over fallen timber and through the brush of the forest, he was every minute or two confronted with the form of a dead Confederate, some lying on the back with face turned up, others bent over logs, some with the rifle yet clasped
Rev. F. D. BAKER, D. D. Company B.
OCCUPATION OF RESACA. 209
in their hands — all as they had fallen in the roar of battle. Imagine a more gruesome task or one more harrowing to the imagination !
Another duty participated in by the 115th was the gathering up of the abandoned muskets and other war material from the battle-field. Several thousand stands of arms were thus brought in and ricked up like cord wood near the old railroad depot. The railroad bridge across the Oostanaula, consisting of five spans supported on stone piers, had been destroyed by the Confederates and had to be rebuilt before our supply trains could pass over. It was late that Monday afternoon, the i6th, when Sherman's chief engineer, in command of a regiment of engineers and mechanics, arrived on the ground and began work on the bridge. In anticipation of such work great quantities of sawed timber and other suitable lumber had been accumulated at Chattanooga and perhaps many cars were already loaded and ready for the word. Be that as it may, the sound of the battle had scarcely died away when train loads of bridge material were speeding toward Resaca and before dark hundreds of men were rushing the work of put- ting that material into the form of a railroad bridge.
Before leaving Resaca General Sherman asked his chief engineer how long it would take to have the bridge ready for the trains to pass over and being told four or five days, the general sharply replied, "I will give you until Thursday night." To the surprise of all, the commissary trains were rolling over that bridge several hours in advance of the gen- eral's limit. The general knew the material that made up that regiment of engineers ; it was organized for quick work. With the completion of the bridge Resaca became a way sta^ tion on the great line to Atlanta. The 115th in command of Colonel Moore was left alone except for the wounded and sick in the field hospitals and their force of surgeons and at- tendants. After the burial of the dead and the storing of the arms we had only the routine of garrison duty. The dailv guard duty, policing of camp and similar work occupied our time, not dififering much from our camp life at other places
210 OCCUPATION OF RESACA.
except that we were required to be constantly on the alert and the men were not allowed to go far from camp.
Capt. Frank L. Hays of Company F had been promoted to be paymaster, with the rank of major, and had received his commission some days before we left Blue Springs. A battle was then expected quite soon and he was not willing to leave his company until he had been in battle. So he left his major's commission lie in abeyance and went with his company through the thickest of the fight as its captain and command- er, remaining with it until no more battle was in sight. When he found the regiment established in garrison duty at Resaca, he cast aside his captain's shoulder straps, put on those of a major and severed his connection with the regiment. This left Company F without a commissioned ofificer, Lieutenant Porter having been killed in the battle. Lieutenant Royse was assigned to the command of the company until new of- ficers should be commissioned and qualified. This turned out to be a very responsible position, for it carried with it the command of a section of artillery in charge of a sergeant, which, with Company F, was immediately afterwards assigned to duty as the garrison of the fort on the hill on the east side of the road north of the river, which commanded the bridge and its approaches. It was a strong earthwork constructed by the Confederates, and with its little garrison of one com- pany of infantry and a section of artillery was quite safe against the attacks of several times their number. The com- pany was pleasantly situated and enjoyed duty at the fort until July 1st with only one little disturbance by the rebels. It was at night, as usual, after all but the sentries were quiet in slum- ber that a detachment of rebel cavalry rode into our picket line. Company F did itself credit in the promptness with which it responded under arms for action. Our picket fire was active for a few moments and sufficient to make the enemy hurry away as rapidly as possible.
Colonel Moore's headquarters were in a one-story frame house, the best of the village, situated on a knoll a hundred yards east of the station. It still stands as a monument of the war days, showing many marks of the battle. Company
OCCUPATION OF RESACA. 211
F's fort is also in quite good preservation. Thirty-five win- ters and summers have only moderately reduced its embank- ments.
The regiment enjoyed a fine exhibition of fireworks during the stay at Resaca, which came about in an amusing manner. The rebels had made use of a frame church a quarter of a mile west of headquarters as an arsenal and it was still piled full of artillery ammunition, mostly percussion shells of a pattern not serviceable in our guns. Being of no value to us and re- garded as a menace to the camp, Lieutenant-Colonel Poteet, then in command, sought information of a West Point grad- uate, an artillery lieutenant, as to the best means of getting rid of the stufif. The lieutenant replied, "Set fire to it." "But would it not cause a dangerous explosion?" "Oh, no," said the lieutenant, and went on with a scientific dissertation about the impossibility of combustion without air, and as the shells were sealed air tight they might be heated red hot with no danger of explosion. The lieutenant-colonel, anxious to be convinced, gave permission to fire the church and burn the rebel ammunition, and soon after dark that night the flames were seen leaping high in the air. Then the lieutenant warned the colonel to see that the men were kept at a safe distance, for his "science" was likely to make a fine exhibition. At first the loose powder flashed and urged on the fire, then the fire went on more quietly and the shells really began to get red hot, and the red iron was flying in every direction, sometimes looking like rockets as they sailed through the air. At first a single shell at a time with short intervals between exploded, then several at orice, then by the dozens following in rapid succession. Thus the noise and the spectacle continued until several thousands of shells were disposed of. We all enjoyed it and laughed at the lieutenant's ruse to get an opportunity to make the display.
CHAPTER XVI.
ATLANTA AND AFTER.
The Atlanta campaign went straight forward after the bat- tle of Resaca. Howard's 4th corps with Stanley's division in advance led in the pursuit, the other corps closely following. The Confederates resisted the Union advance with a very strong skirmish line, almost like a line of battle, and occa- sionally so stubbornly held their ground that a battle seemed imminent. Thus almost a constant skirmish was kept up. General Johnston had planned to make a stand at Cassville, but finding his flanks turned moved on across the Etowah River to Altoona Pass, which was regarded as a very strong position. In the meantime Gen. Jeff. C. Davis with his divi- sion had pressed forward to Rome, which he captured without serious opposition.
On May 23d Sherman crossed the Etowah and again turned the enemy's flank, moving to the right of Altoona. The con- tinued skirmishing was resumed, sometimes almost amount- ing to a battle. The engagement on the 24th at New Hope Church Was very severe and the loss quite heavy on both sides. On the 8th of June Gen. F. P. Blair arrived with two divisions of the 17th corps, 9,000 strong. The Confederates were in strong position at Kenesaw Mountain and vicinity. Here a series of important battles were fought, continuing from day to day with serious loss on both sides, till the 2d of July, when the Confederates were forced out of their works and continued their retreat upon Atlanta. On the 5th of July our forces occupied Marietta and on the 12th Howard's corps began to cross the Chattahoochie River, General Johnston having fallen back to Atlanta. On the 20th Howard's and Hooker's corps were furiously assaulted at Peach Tree Creek, the battle last- ing throughout the afternoon and resulting in the repulse of
DEATH OF MTHERSON. 213
the Confederates at all points. The loss was very heavy on both sides, the Union killed and wounded amounting to 1, 600. The Confederate loss was perhaps greater, as 200 dead were found in front of Newton's division alone, while nearly 400 prisoners were captured.
The 2 1st of July was spent in concentrating our forces and getting them into proper position. The Union left under Mc- Pherson was advanced to a position three or four miles east of the city. Thomas moved his corps forward fronting the rebel breastworks north of the city, while Schofield's corps filled the space to the Army of the Tennessee. The Confeder- ates were equally active. Hardee's corps withdrew from the line in the night, marching through the city and thence south and east until the morning of the 22d found it in posi- tion in front of McPherson's left flank. Dodge's division was returning from a reconnaissance towards Decatur marching in column of fours and without warning that a full corps was in line of battle to their left. But being tried veterans, at the first shot our boys faced to the left in a good line of battle and at once went into action. The loud roar of musketry and artillery quickly called General McPherson to the scene and put the other divisions into line of battle. General McPher- son first galloped forward to Dodge's position, and seeing that division doing fine work, he, after sending the most of his staff off with orders to the division and brigade commanders, hastened through the forest with his two remaining staff officers towards Blair's left. It happened that Cheatham's Confederate division was just then approaching at that point and was upon him before their approach was known. He gave no heed to the call to surrender, but wheeled his horse and attempted to ride out of the trap, only to fall instantly killed. One of his orderlies was wounded and captured, the other escaping to carry the news to his friends. The battle raged furiously till night, when the Confederates again yielded the field. The losses, however, were about equal, nearly 4,000 on each side. General Logan, as senior major-general, had succeeded to the command of the Army of the Tennessee till the close of the battle, but on the 27th the President assigned
214 SPECIAL SERVICE.
Maj.-Gen. O. O. Howard to that command, Maj.-Gen. D. S. Stanley of our division being given the command of the 4th corps, and Brig.-Gen. Nathan Kimball the command of our division.
Our lines immediately drew closer around Atlanta. The Army of the Tennessee moved around to the right and took position to the west of the city jtist in time to meet the Con- federates in the battle of Ezra Church on the 28th. Again the enemy gave way and withdrew to the protection of his works. The siege was now on. For a month Hood bravely held his defences. All that time our line was pressing closer and closer and Sherman had been gathering strength in men and supplies. General Hooker had resigned the command of the 20th corps, to be succeeded by Maj.-Gen. H. W. Slo- cum ; General Palmer retired from the command of the 14th corps, and was succeeded by Gen. Jeff. C. Davis.
On August 25th Sherman resumed active operations. While Thomas was moving on the center the Army of the Tennessee moved around to the right, crossed the West Point Railroad and by the 31st engaged the enemy at Jonesboro. Seeing his communications about to be cut off, General Hood now aban- doned Atlanta and hastened into the interior of Georgia.
In all this campaign the 4th army corps took a most con- spicuous part, and no portion of it did better service than the second brigade of the first division. Though the iisth had been given the responsible duty of taking care of our com- munications and protecting the great supply line, quite a number of the regiment on special detail were in the front all the way. Among these are now recalled Lieut. Philip Riley of Company K, in command of a company of pioneers, and J. W. Long of Company E, an orderly on the brigade staff. Early in July the 115th was relieved from garrison duty at Resaca and ordered to Tunnel Hill, where we arrived the next day. Shanties were made from material taken from abandoned houses and fences, the colonel took up headquar- ters in the village hotel, and all were made as comfortable as need be. Soon after that Capt. Charles H. Griffith and Lieut. Wallace G. Mills of Company F received their commissions
DEATH OF DR. JONES. 215
and entered on duty, relieving Lieutenant Royse from com- mand of that company.
Very early on the morning of the nth of July a report was brought in by a citizen that a band of rebel guerrillas were crossing the country west of town, apparently intending to cut the railroad bridge about two miles north of town. The colonel at once ordered Lieutenant Royse with Company E to make double-time up the railroad and, if possible, intercept them. It was scarcely sunrise when the company reached the point of expected mischief, just in time to see the Confederates scampering up the hill to the right. The purpose was accom- plished, however, for the appearance of the company had scared the rebels away before any serious damage was done. The company at once made pursuit, but with the usual disad- vantages of infantry trying to follow cavalry. Their route led over the hills to the valley east of the village, where it was learned that the rebels had made their escape after murdering Dr. Jones. Not knowing the nearness of the enemy the doc- tor with a few assistants, all unarmed, had hurriedly gone to the pastures in the valley to bring in the regimental horses that were out there grazing. As they were hastening toward camp with their charge the rebel band came dashing into the valley right upon them. Determined to make his escape if possible. Dr. Jones put spurs to his horse and as he was riding at full speed attempted to make his horse leap a wide, deep ditch. It was wider than he had counted upon and his horse fell heavily against the opposite bank. While struggling to free himself the rebels overtook him and, though seeing his helpless condition, fired upon him, inflicting wounds from which he died soon after. After taking all the horses they could catch and capturing one or two men the rebels hastily left the valley — going southeast — just in time to avoid a con- test with Company E which was rapidly approaching.
Not long after our arrival at Tunnel Hill Company H, com- manded by Capt. John H. Reardon, was sent up the road nearly half way to Ringgold, where it remained guarding a railroad bridge nearly all the time the regiment was at tlie Hill. This company also had quite a brush with the same band
216 AT TUNNEL HILL.
of guerrillas, Lieutenant Hatfield and three or four oth- ers being captured. About the same time Company D, under Capt. Samuel Hymer, was given the duty of holding the blockhouse in Buzzard's Roost Gap. That left only about 275 men to garrison the town and protect the stock of quartermaster's and commissary supplies constantly accumulating at that place ready to be forwarded to the front. The camp duty was heavy and the utmost vigilance was re- quired. Yet the 115th greatly enjoyed their stay of nearly four months at Tunnel Hill. The natives were quite friendly. Many of them sympathized with the Union cause, while those of the most extreme rebel spirit wanted to be friendly for the profit they might derive from it. Very soon a lively trade sprang up between our boys and the citizens ; coffee, sugar, meat, beans, rice, etc., were freely exchanged for milk, butter, eggs, chickens, vegetables, fruit and the like from the neigh- boring farms. One of the most frequent visitors to the camp for that purpose was a bright little girl of ten or twelve years, named Trammel, whose father, a Confederate colonel, had been killed in the war. Some of our readers may be glad to know that she is still living at Tunnel Hill, and has been post- mistress for a number of years. It is wonderful how quickly the boys of the 115th made themselves at home and the quiet village soon felt their presence in many ways. The colonel's mess was well served by his cook from the hotel kitchen. Many other officers took board with the citizens. Captain Whitaker, Captain Slocum, Lieutenant Royse and some oth- ers took meals with the Tyrrell family, where they fairly feasted on chicken pie, sweet potato pie, apple dumplings and other dainties. Mr. Tyrrell was an Irishman and generously loyal to his adopted country.
The Methodist Church was at once occupied by Chaplain Crissey without the formality of a "call" and regular services held, including the midweek prayer meeting. The Masonic Lodge Hall was temporarily open to the public and simply to keep it from going to waste a debating society was organized and regular meetings held, both to the profit and amusement of its members. To fill in the off time, frequent dances were
AT TUNNEL HILL. 217
given, in which the ladies of the village joined. With such camp life the little matter of going on guard every second or third day was made quite tolerable. Many amusing things occurred, which there is not space to relate. One of the most laughable was a mishap that occurred to one of the young officers at dinner at the colonel's headquarters when General Sherman and some other prominent generals were the guests of honor. Some one told an amusing story at which all laughed heartily, none more than the young man in question — till his false teeth fell from his mouth upon his plate. Though very funny to the others, the accident was most mortifying to him.
One day in the autumn Captain Rutherford and Lieutenant Utter accompanied two young ladies chestnutting on the spurs of the mountain southeast of the village, some two or three miles away. After gathering the delicious nuts for some time they became thirsty and began searching for a spring. Captain Rutherford and his companion being some three hun- dred yards in advance of the others came to> the point of the ridge where a spring was supposed to be without finding it. With the view of searching for the spring the captain asked the young lady to remain there until he would run down the hill some distance, which he did at a rapid trot, taking a course at an angle about 45 degrees from the direction they had come. Lieutenant Utter seeing the captain running alone at once concluded he was getting away from a squad of rebels, and without waiting for further information, he turned to the young woman with him, saying, "Here, take my pocket-book ; I can't be with you always," and made rapid strides after the captain. Of course it was too good to keep, and the story was soon known in the regiment.
The ditching of a train or the tearing up of a piece of rail- road track by the rebel cavalry was a frequent occurrence. One day as Company E, in command of Lieutenant Royse, was returning from Company D's blockhouse where they had escorted a load of supplies, and while they were passing a peach orchard loaded with luscious peaches, which lay between them and the railroad, a train was seen coming around the
218 ATTACK ON DALTON.
curve from the tunnel. Some of the boys wanted to gather a portion of the fruit, but the lieutenant caring more for his duty, kept them in line. A moment later a crash was heard, then the hissing steam from the ditched locomotive, quickly followed by shots from the train guards and the band of rebels that had done the mischief. Company E was quickly deployed as skirmishers, and went on the double-quick to the rescue of the trainmen. That was a scene in the play not counted on by the rebels. Wanting plunder rather than a fight, they hastily took to the woods no richer than before. That was a valuable object lesson to Company E on the importance of strict dis- cipline on such expeditions.
On the I4tli of August we had more than usual excitement. Gen. Joe Wheeler with a force of about three thousand cav- alry appeared before Dalton on the other side of Buzzard's Roost, only seven or eight miles away. That post was garri- soned by the 2d Missouri infantry and some small detachments from other regiments, in all about 450 men, commanded by Colonel Laiboldt. To General Wheeler's demand of immedi- ate surrender, the colonel replied, "I have been placed here to defend this post, not to surrender." And right well did he defend jt against Wheeler's repeated attacks which lasted through the afternoon and night, till that noted raider gave it up as a bad job and retreated through Buzzard's Roost Gap. In the meantime a dispatch had been sent to General Steed- man at Chattanooga calling for reenforcements. All the while the iisth had been under arms awaiting an attack, should Wheeler take Dalton. About midnight a special train brought five regiments from Chattanooga, with General Steedman in command. This hastened Wheeler's departure from the neighborhood, and they were gone before our infantry could get near enough to hurt them.
The Union forces were now in possession of Atlanta and encamped all around the city. Sherman was again recuper- ating and supplying his army for the next campaign. Of course there was a great desire among the officers and men of the iisth to see Atlanta. Among the first to have that pleas- ure was Colonel Moore. On his return, the regiment assem-
A VISIT TO ATLANTA. 219
bled at headquarters and eagerly listened to a speech describ- ing the jungles through which the Union army had forced its way, the seemingly impregnable fortifications that surrounded the city and the scenes of the conflicts of the 20th and 22d of July. A little later Lieutenant Royse and Orderly Martin of Company E were given a pass to the captured city. They found the city in total darkness at night, the whole population having obeyed Sherman's orders and left the city, excepting only a few Union families who remained to keep boarders for the accommodation of our officers. Of course Royse and Martin put up at the great hotel, the Trout House, but the supper of boiled beans, hardtack and black cofifee for a dollar made them hunt other quarters. Fortunately a walk of a single square brought them to one of those Union boarding houses, at which General Slocum and his stafif were the prin- cipal guests. Having the general's orders on the commissary, it may be imagined that boarding house was well supplied. The principal residences in the city were occupied by our generals as headquarters. General Sherman occupied a large square house on Peach Tree Street. The house still stands, and with its large columns and double balconies looks much as it did when Uncle Billy was planning his march to the sea. While Sherman was thus engaged. General Hood was organ- izing his forces for a grand raid in Sherman's rear, with no less an objective point than the city of Nashville, with possible visions of a feast at Louisville or farther north.
A small garrison occupied Altoona, another Kingston and another Resaca. The 44th U. S. colored troops, under Colonel Johnson, occupied Dalton. Captain Hymer and Company D were still in the blockhouse in the gap, and the 115th under Lieutenant-Colonel Poteet remained at Tunnel Hill. With- out help, these small garrisons would have been no obstacle to Hood's force of more than 30,000 men. However, Uncle Billy was not long in ignorance of the scheme. He deter- mined to take care of it without altering his own plans for the winter picnic in Georgia. He therefore ordered the 4th and 23d corps, under General Thomas, to look after the move- ments of General Hood towards the north.
220 HYMER'S DEFENSE OF THE BLOCKHOUSE.
About the ist of October General Hood crossed the Chat- tahoochie and rapidly moved north along the railroad towards Chattanooga, capturing Big Shanty, Ackworth and other posts on his way. On the 5th he attacked Altoona, which was gallantly defended by General Corse with a few regiments of infantry and a small force of artillery. By that time Sherman was thoroughly aroused by Hood's audacity, and was in pur- suit with a large part of his army. At the time of the attack on Altoona Sherman had reached Kenesaw Mountain within sight of the beleaguered garrison and signaled General Corse, "Hold the Fort, I am coming." Finding Sherman hot on his trail Hood withdrew from Altoona and continued his march northward. On the 13th he reached Dalton, capturing its colored garrison without resistance, and at once moved up the valley and demanded the surrender of Company D's block- house. Captain Hymer thus describes their approach and the result : "I had received orders to hold the gap and not sur- render to any force. In anticipation of such an attack we had been supplied with plenty of rations and ammunition, and a large tank inside the blockhouse was constantly kept filled with fresh water. General Bate led the advance and appeared before us at i p. m. on the 13th of October. His adjutant- general, Captain Carter, appeared on the mountain side with a flag of truce, but not recognizing its character I shot his horse from under him. Soon they brought up a battery of brass field guns and opened on the blockhouse with great fury, with both artillery and musketry. I at once placed my men, one-half at the port holes and the other half serving them with loaded guns. This soon silenced their guns, but they quickly opened again in a less exposed position. In the mean- time the rebel infantry had passed over the spurs of the mountain, and had us completely surrounded. By three o'clock no less than 6,000 infantry and a battery were pour- ing shot and shell into the blockhouse. Thus the battle raged all that afternoon and evening. Now a man falls, then an- other, but the brave boys of Company D stand to their port holes, picking ofif the rebels in large numbers with their trusty rifles. As night came on the surrounding hills were
Brevet Maj. SAMUEL HYMER, U. S. Vols. Captain Company D.
HYMER'S DEFENSE OF THE BLOCKHOUSE. 221
lighted by the rebel camp fires. Finally the firing ceased and I looked at the result of the battle. Five of my men were dead and nearly all the rest more or less wounded. The blockhouse was torn to slivers, and the earth covering pour- ing in upon us. All was then still as the grave excepting the groans of the wounded. I decided to await results. We were done fighting, but we had held the entire rebel army more than ten hours, had enabled Sherman to inake ten hours' gain on the enemy, and had saved our regiment at Tunnel Hill. I then placed all my men that were still able, at the four sides of the ruined blockhouse to watch for an assault. Very soon I saw a flag shaking over the railroad grade ten steps away. To our challenge, the reply came, 'A flag of truce'. I then went out and found it was Captain Carter of General Bate's stafif. He came up on the grade saying, T was afraid to be seen, as you have shot at everything in sight. This is the third time I have tried to come to you with a flag of truce.' He then presented to me the following demand :
In the Field near Dalton, Ga., October 13, 1864. I am commanded by Major-General Bate, C. S. A., to demand the surrender of this fort and garrison. Your officers and men will be treated as prisoners of war. Your defense has been gallant, and any further resistance will be an unnecessary effusion of blood.
Theo. Carter, Captain C. S. A.
"Upon this I endorsed my acceptance as follows :
I accept the terms, believing further resistance hopeless. Samuel Hymer, Captain Company D, iisth III. Infantry, Commanding.
'T told Captain Carter his men must not enter the block- house until we had time to pack up and march out. We spent a half hour putting on our best clothes, packing up our valu- ables and throwing guns and ammunition in the creek in the rear. We then marched out in line. 'Is that all the men you have?' said the officer, to which I replied, 'No, there are five dead, and twice that number wounded still in the fort'. He exclaimed, 'Oh, we thought there were two or three com- panies'."
While the fight was going on at the blockhouse, eight com- panies of the. 115th, numbering less than 300, were listening
222 ATTACK ON TUNNEL HILL.
with great anxiety at Tunnel Hill. Company H was still at the bridge three miles above. Without artillery or fortifica- tions, our little band was poorly prepared to meet Hood's 30,000. However, we had not been advised of Hood's ap- proach, and supposed the attack being made was by Wheel- er's cavalry, not more than 3,000 strong with nothing heavier than six-pound guns. Determined to make as big a show as possible, a large part of our force was kept on skirmish line. Finally when the firing ceased we were uncertain whether it meant a surrender, or the retiring of the enemy from the contest. McCauley, the Union scout, was then called into service and given a sure-footed, active horse ; he was soon on his way over the northern slopes of Rocky Faced Ridge and around to the south side of the town of Dalton, to the home of his brother-in-law. Finding the town full of sleep- ing Confederates, the truth was apparent that Hood's army was there. Confirmed in this by his relative, he rode rapidly back to Tunnel Hill, where he arrived at about four o'clock in the morning. It was a relief to know what was before us, though that knowledge most strongly suggested a term in a rebel prison.
Telegraph communication with Chattanooga, thirty-one miles away, had been cut off early in the evening. There were no supports nearer, except a few companies guarding Gov- ernment stores at Ringgold and other stations. Our latest orders were to defend the place, and Lieutenant-Colonel Po- teet was determined to do it, — yet when made aware of the fact that Hood's army might be expected at daylight he hesi- tated to subject the regiment to capture without consultation with his officers. He, therefore, called a hasty council of his officers and submitted the facts. His own view was sup- ported by all present, except one or two, and they quickly joined in a unanimous decision to make all possible defense and take the consequences. Fully realizing that our capture was a foregone conclusion the next hour was spent in hur- riedly making ready for a long trip in the South. Many put on two suits of underwear and the most durable suit of clothes, so as to be as comfortable as possible while visiting our
RETREAT FROM TUNNEL HILL- 223
Southern brethren. Valuables were taken to the homes of citizens to be concealed from the expected captors. In the meantime the pickets were strengthened and the lines ex- tended, so that as vigorous defense as possible should be made. The Confederates were already in motion and our guards could distinctly hear the noise made by a column moving around the southeast border of the village, and at the same time a similar movement was heard towards the west. Evidently we were being surrounded, and our fate would soon be known. Fortunately the Chattanooga road was still open and good use was then being made of it.
Major-General Schofield, then in command of Chattanooga, had been advised of the approach of the Confederates, and being unable to communicate by telegraph, had despatched two couriers, well mounted, to bring his orders to us. At the moment of greatest peril when our capture seemed cer- tain, about five o'clock in the morning, those messengers dashed past our guards, not certain whether they were friend or foe and disregarding their challenge, rode with all speed to the center of town near headquarters. In another moment General Schofield's order, "Abandon all stores and save your men if possible", was known to the officers and men there assembled. Colonel Poteet at once put the regiment in mo- tion. Messengers were sent to all parts of the skirmish line, warning the men to withdraw as quietly and as rapidly as pos- sible, and overtake the regiment without unnecessary delay. Never was an order more promptly obeyed. There was no time to save anything. An attempt at burning the many thousands of dollars worth of Government stores in the depots and in the cars on the tracks would only have resulted in warning the enemy of our retreat, and almost certainly have secured our capture. We were quickly under way in good style. Though presenting a straggling line for a while, the most distant skirmishers soon caught up with the body of the regiment. As the light of day streamed over the hills we were nearing Ringgold, and not long after that we had passed the village and were climbing the hills beyond. Thus far it had been a rapid march, and it was well for us that it was so.
224 RETREAT FROM TUNNEL HILL-
for as we neared the summit of the hills to the northwest of Ringgold, the Confederate cavalry could be seen approach- ing on the opposite hills that we had just left. Apparently they had not been long in learning of our movement and starting the pursuit. However, Hood's delay at Buzzard's Roost Gap, caused by Hymer's stubbornness, had brought Sherman almost within striking distance, making it impera- tive that General Hood should attend to more important busi- ness than following the little band of the 115th. So, after ap- propriating so much of the Government stores as his men could use or carry and burning the rest, he hastily moved westward towards the Alabama line. And his cavalry that were in our pursuit, not caring for a fight with infantry and being ignorant of our numbers, soon gave up the chase. Our march from that on was more leisurely. As we approached McAfee Church some of us recognized the ground on which we met Scott's rebel brigade on the first day of the battle of Chickamauga. About three or four o'clock we stacked arms in Chattanooga, a very tired lot of men after our 31 miles forced march. The next day the escape of Hood's army into northern Alabama was known, and the day following the 115th returned to Tunnel Hill and resumed its old position.
The defense made by Captain Hymer and the brave boys of Company D of their blockhouse in Buzzard Roost Gap is worthy of special mention. That gap afforded Hood his only way through the mountains, as General Sherman was too close on his track for him to return and avail himself of the route via Snake Creek Gap, and to attempt to pass to the north of Rocky Faced Ridge would have invited certain destruction. The gap was so narrow and the mountain sides so abrupt that it was impossible for his army to pass the gap without first taking the blockhouse. But 45 brave men under the lead of an officer who knew no such word as surrender as long as re- si.'-tance was possible, were there to dispute his passage. For 45 men to hold such a position nearly twelve hours against an army of 30,000 men with more than 70 pieces of artillery, is certainly a fact worth a place in history, and well merited was the brevet rank of major given Captain Hymer by President
WITHDRAWAL NORTH. 225
Lincoln, and the medal of honor voted him by Congress for his gallant conduct.
It is also remarkable that the 115th, so small in numbers, was permitted to hold its position, within three or four miles of the gap, from one o'clock in the afternoon until five the next morning in the presence of such a force, and then to slip away without the loss of a single man.
Hood's northern campaign had the effect of alarming the whole North. Thomas with the 4th and 23d corps was watch- ing his movements, and doing all possible to obstruct his northward course. Sherman doubted Hood's purpose to at- tack Nashville, but was unwilling to start on his "March to the Sea" till he knew more certainly his enemy's purpose. After following him to the Alabama line or a little beyond Sherman felt safe in leaving Hood to the care of Thomas, and boldly turned back to the South. Rapidly concentrating his army along the line of the Georgia Railroad with head- quarters at Kingston, Ga., General Sherman was soon ready to break away from his northern base and live off the coun- try. That the railroad might not be of service to the enemy. General Sherman ordered the track to be torn up from Kings- ton north. The iisth was designated to assist in that work, and early in November marched down to Kingston. On the 1 2th General Sherman started southward to begin his march to the sea, and the 115th northward, bringing up the rear of the contingent intended to look after Hood. Lest the enemy should profit by the loose rails, they were carried forward by the men the length of a train, and loaded on the cars and taken to Chattanooga. In that way the entire road from Kingston to Chattanooga was taken up. Nearly two weeks were consumed in this laborious task. In the meantime the news went abroad through the country that the Union army was withdrawing to Chattanooga. The two armies had so devastated the country that but little was left for the support of the poor people. The result was that thousands of refugees came flocking to us from every direction, asking permission to go with us, that they might be fed and cared for. Great numbers of freight cars were sent down to haul them away.
226 WITHDRAWAL NORTH.
Refugee camps were established at Chattanooga for their ac- commodation, and thousands of the destitute women and chil- dren were in that way kept from starving. Some of them had the appearance of a good deal of intelligence and of hav- ing seen better days, while the greater number were very ignorant and but little appreciated the seriousness of their situation. An amusing yet pathetic incident occurred while we were at Calhoun tearing up track and shipping refugees. A woman with six or eight children occupied a part of one of the freight cars in a train, waiting for the whistle to sound "go". But the engineer had to wait for orders, and the train remained on the side track more than a day, the children being fed by our men. One of these, a bright-eyed little boy about three years old, took a fancy to Joe Edmonds of Company E, because Joe in his kindness of heart had shared his rations with him. Wherever Joe went about his duties the little fel- low tagged along. Finally Joe went to the spring, a few hundred feet away, for a pail of water and his little charge went along. Now it so happened that orders came and the train moved off while they were gone. The mother at once began to take account of her flock, but on finding the little boy was gone seemed very little concerned about it, and merely called to some of the soldiers near to take good care of the boy if they found him. Fortunately, and by mere chance, Joe was sent to Resaca the next morning on some special duty and of course had to take his charge with him, and to his great relief found the refugee train on the side track, and was thereby enabled to return the little boy to his mother.
While working north from Resaca, our boys had an oppor- tunity to re-visit the battle field. It was interesting to trace the lines occupied by the respective armies. There were at that time many relics of the battle lying scattered through the woods and fragments of shells, broken muskets, pieces of ac- couterments and the like were frequently found. Less agree- able relics were occasionally met with, consisting of bleached bones of some soldier who had lost his life in the conflict, and
TO CHATTANOOGA. 227
whose body had not been found when the dead were being gathered for burial.
By the 20th we had reached Dalton. From there we were ordered to our old quarters at Tunnel Hill. On the 25th we were taken to Chattanooga by railroad to prepare for a cam- paign in middle Tennessee to meet any force of Confederates that might appear on the line of the Nashville & Chattanooga. Railroad. Major-General Steedman then held 5,000 men at Chattanooga in readiness to move as General Thomas might order.
CHAPTER XVII.
OPERATIONS IN TENNESSEE.
After leaving Georgia, General Hood made a short stop at Gadsden, Ala., and then pushed on towards Decatur, but without making any serious effort to take the place he moved on down the valley to Florence. There he expected to find supplies of food, clothing and ammunition for his army, but was greatly disappointed. General Hood's army remained at Tuscumbia and Florence, gathering supphes and recuperating their forces as best they could tiU near the middle of Novem- ber. On the 15th the army began crossing the Tennessee, and by the 20th was moving northeast towards Lawrenceburg and Columbia.
In the meantime General Thomas was concentrating his forces on the line of the Nashville & Decatur Railway. About November ist the advance division of the 4th corps began to arrive at Pulaski, a country town some 25 miles south of Columbia. On the 14th General Schofield reached Pulaski with a part of the 23d corps, and though junior to Major- General Stanley in rank, he assumed command of the forces because of being a department commander. As rapidly as possible the Union forces were withdrawn from Decatur, HuntsviUe and other points south of Pulaski and concentrated at that place. It was then known that General Hood with three army corps, commanded respectively by Generals S. D. Lee, N. P. Stewart and B. F. Cheatham, was marching towards Columbia, in spite of the terrible weather that prevailed. To meet that force and intercept its progress towards Nashville, General Schofield had his two corps of not more than 20,000 infantry and about 5,000 cavalry. On the 23d the Confeder- ates reached Lawrenceburg and on the same day our forces
MATTHEW J. VERNER. Company B, Headquarters Orderly.
ADVANCE TO FRANKLIN. 229
started towards Columbia. From that on the two armies were in a race for Nashville with the advantage in favor of the Con- federates. Before General Schofield's advance reached Co- lumbia, our cavalry had met and engaged that of the enemy only a dozen miles to the west. By a rapid movement, Gen- eral Cox's division kept the rebel cavalry out of Columbia until General Stanley joined him at that place on the morning of the 24th after a brisk march of 30 miles in less than 20 hours.
Only a short stand was made at Columbia. Finding the Confederates moving northward on his flanks General Scho- field crossed Duck River on the 26th and pushed on towards Franklin in an effort to keep ahead of the enemy. Soon after- ward the Confederates effected a crossing about three miles above. With superior forces of both infantry and cavalry, the enemy made it very uncomfortable for General Schofield and his command. Late in the evening of the 29th the last of our army reached Spring Hill to find a large portion of the enemy almost abreast of them with their camp fires lighting the adjacent hills. Before midnight General Cox led the ad- vance towards Franklin and by daylight the last of the Union force was well on the way.
On the 27th General Thomas inquired of Steedman whether he could throw his 5,000 men into Tuscumbia and destroy the enemy s pontoon bridge, evidently expecting soon to have the pleasure of sending him on that service. To that. General Steedman promptly replied that he thought he could, and proposed to take us down the river on transports con- voyed by two gunboats, saying he would start on the 29th. All this was quickly changed, for before we reached Steven- son General Thomas had come to the conclusion that the ex- pedition down the river was too dangerous, and ordered us over the Cumberland Mountains to Cowen, where we waited a whole day for orders for the next move. How our impatience would have been increased if we had known of the exciting events then taking place at Franklin and what a relief to Gen- eral Schofield it would have been if we could then have come to his assistance. In the meantime General Grant was doing
230 BATTLE OF FRANKLIN.
all he could to send help. Gen. A. J. Smith's left wing of the i6th corps had been ordered from Missouri to aid in repelling Hood. In order that these reenforcements might be hurried forward, General Grant sent his chief-of-sta£f, General Raw- lins, to St. Louis to give personal attention to the matter. But Smith had to march across the state of Missouri and did not get away from St. Louis till the 24th. Schofield was anx- iously looking for him at Spring Hill or Franklin when Smith was some days' journey from Nashville.
On reaching Franklin General Schofield's first effort was to get the Government property over the Harpeth River, before the Confederates could bring forward force enough to make an attack. From the previous conduct of the rebels it was not expected they would bring on a real battle — but in that, he was mistaken. He says in his report: "The enemy fol- lowed close after our rear guard, brought up and deployed two full corps with astonishing celerity, and moved rapidly forward to the attack.''
Franklin, the county seat of Williamson County, then a town of about 1,500 inhabitants, lies on the south side of Har- peth River, 18 miles from Nashville. The Columbia pike leads directly south from the outskirts of the town. At the edge of the town, on the right of the pike, looking south, was Carter's house, familiar to the boys of the 115th as the location of the picket reserve during their frequent calls to that duty in the spring of 1863. On the other side of the road, not a hundred yards away, was the celebrated cotton gin house. To the south of these was a cotton field, almost level, extending a third of a mile, and beyond a woods pasture with scattering trees. A little farther out was a range of hills. As the rebels approached, our advance was in position to the right and left of the pike along those hills beyond the woods. Our main force was in a semicircle about the town, the 4th corps on the right and the 23d on the left, the center being near the Carter house. Cheatham's corps appeared in our immediate front on both sides of the Columbia pike while Stewart's corps was on his right coming down the river. General Lee's corps being in reserve.
BATTLE OF FRANKLIN. 231
About 4 p. m. of the 30th Gen. Patrick Cleburne formed his division in two lines and immediately began a terrific assault upon our lines. The two brigades of Wagner's division sta- tioned out on the road were no match for Cleburne's im- petuous lines. On they came with furious yells, taking hun- dreds of prisoners and chasing the others across the field to our hastily prepared works near the gin house. Owing to the danger of killing our own men, our force defending that part of the line could offer no resistance till their front was clear, and then the enemy were dashing upon them with loud and exultant shouts. In a moment the Confederates had crossed the slight breastworks and were making havoc of our regi- ments to the right and left. Some new regiments were panic stricken and for a time the rout of our army seemed imminent. But fortunately a splendid brigade of veterans under command of Col. Emerson Opdyke was in reserve near at hand. Quick- ly the tables were turned. So bravely and steadily did Op- dyke's men move into the breach and so vigorously were they supported by our.Kimball's, division and General Cox's division, all led by our gallant corps' commander. Gen. D. S. Stanley, till he was himself severely wounded, that the rebels were soon sent scampering back over the cotton field, terribly punished, great numbers being slain in the open ground in front of Carter's house and the gin house. Several hundred were captured before they could get outside the works. The loss of Confederate officers was very great; Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne was killed near the pike while leading the charge ; Brig.-Gen. John Adams was shot from his horse while riding over the Union works ; Brigadier-Generals Cranberry, Strahl and Gist were also killed ; Major-General Brown and Brig- adier-Generals Cockrell, Quarles, Carter, Manigault and Scott were severely wounded. In addition to these six colonels and a number of other officers were killed, and thirty-two other officers were wounded, including fifteen colonels. The entire Confederate loss was 1,750 killed, 3,800 wounded, and 702 cap- tured. Our total loss was 189 killed, 1,033 wounded and 1,104 captured. Among the spoils of war were 33 stands of Con- federate colors. The 44th Missouri Infantry suffered most
232 WITHDRAWAL TO NASHVILLE.
severely, having 34 killed, 37 wounded and 92 captured. Well may Franklin be called the hottest little battle of the war.
Finding it impossible to make a further stand at Franklin against the odds that confronted our force General Thomas ordered the withdrawal of the army to Nashville. This move- ment was begun at midnight, soon after the close of the bat- tle, and by evening of the ist of December the hills surround- ing Nashville were being occupied. General Steedman's pro- visional division, including the 115th, quietly rested in the woods near Cowen all day of the 30th. In the evening orders came to hasten to Nashville and immediately the command was rushed on board the long lines of freight cars that were waiting for our use. It was a wearisome, all-night journey in those crowded box cars. We passed Murfreesboro at ten or eleven o'clock in the morning, where the officers had break- fast in the railroad dining room, and the men made coffee or bought it as best they could. Rumors came of a battle to the west of us, and of the approach of Forrest's cavalry in an attempt to cut us of?. Then we hurried forward again but were often delayed awaiting orders and for the trains ahead of us to get out of our way. About sundown our train reached the southern borders of Nashville and we went into bivouac on the hills tO' the right of the railroad. It was for- tunate for us that we made such good time, for that night the Confederates came following our army from Franklin and took position only a Httle way to our front.
General Steedman's command was called a provisional di- vision, and was made up of colored troops, one-year men, re- turned convalescents organized into battalions, and a few veteran regiments like our own. These were organized into brigades. General Benjamin Harrison being in command of one and Colonel Moore of another ; Lieutenant-Colonel Po- teet was in command of our regiment. The value of a few veteran regiments in such a force can easily be imagined. With such an enemy in front it was quite important that our picket line be composed of trained soldiers. The result was that our boys were almost constantly on the skirmish line. One night the entire regiment was on the skirmish line near
RETURN TO THE BRIGADE. 233
the Franklin pike. In front of us, about half way to the rebel line, was a large residence, elaborately furnished and owned by a Dr. Wood. The colonel's headquarters were in another large house a few hundred yards to the rear which had been abandoned by its owner. Our boys did faithful work watch- ing the enemy from behind a substantial fence till the gray dawn of morning, when some venturesome fellows went down to the doctor's house to see that his affairs were in good shape. Finding the pantry and cellar well filled with food, they at once put themselves on duty to save them from the enemy. Of course others came, and before sunrise the 115th was partak- ing of more than an ordinary breakfast, making use of silver teaspoons and plated forks, and using elegant glass goblets in disposing of the wine they had saved. Soon after that Dr. Wood came along and commended the boys for their enter- prise and courage, saying he did not care to go in there for anything, however valuable. He then offered a reward of $10 for each piece of parlor furniture or oil painting the boys would bring out for him. Very little was saved, however, for soon his house was fired by the enemy. We quickly tired of such continual picket duty, and were clamoring loudly to be returned to our own brigade from which we had been absent since the battle of Resaca. Colonel Moore presented our de- sires to General Steedman in forcible terms, only to be told that we could not be spared from his command, and that he declined to transmit the request to General Thomas. That general was near at hand, however, and was not unapproach- able, and Colonel Moore being determined to have his re- quest heard was not slow in taking advantage of that fact. The order at once came from department headquarters rehev- ing Colonel Moore from the command of his provisional brigade, and directing him to report with his regiment to Whitaker's brigade. Our return to the company of the old 96th was like a family reunion. The brigade had changed somewhat since we left it. The 84th Indiana had been trans- ferred to the third brigade, and the 40th Ohio was being mus- tered out of the service by reason of the termination of the period of enlistment. The 35th Indiana, 21st and 23d Ken-
234 PREPARING FOR BATTLE.
tucky and 45th and 51st Ohio remained in the brigade, and Brig.-Gen. W. C. Whitaker was still in command. The boys of the g6th and 115th regretted very much to lose the 40th Ohio and 84th Indiana, for we had been together so long that those four regiments had a peculiar attachment for each other. Our line extended in a sort of circle from the river above the city across the hills past the present site of Vanderbilt University to the river below. General Steedman's division occupied the left, his right resting on the Franklin pike. The 4th army corps, commanded by Gen. Thomas J. Wood, in the adsence of General Stanley, came next, while the left wing of the i6th corps, under Gen. A. J. Smith, occupied the right. The 23d corps, commanded by Maj.-Gen. John M. Schoiield was in reserve. The 115th was on the Granny White pike, near the old Acklin mansion, where it threw up a line of earth- works that remain to this day. Our only shelter for line ofifi- cers and men were the regulation "dog" tents. The weather was terrible for a period of ten days. Snow, sleet and freez- ing cold weather prevailed in turns, one or two mornings the temperature being down to zero. The army had been on a long summer campaign, far from its base of supplies, and very few had been supplied with overcoats and winter cloth- ing, and with all that, the only fuel came from the few green shade trees at our command. It must be remembered the rebels had possession of the forests outside, and were not sup- posed to be on sociable terms with us. All through that cold spell the quartermaster's department was most actively en- gaged supplying the troops with clothing and blankets. It was a daily rush for precedence at the depot of supplies. Each division, brigade and regimental quartermaster was pressing his special claims and the needs of his command. And all that time General Grant and the impatient authorities at Washington were urging General Thomas to move on the enemy. General Thomas knew too well it was impossible to move in our condition without the most cruel hardships to his men. And "Pap" Thomas was a real father to his soldier boys, and though it might send him to- the rear in disgrace he had the courage to take the consequences and go right
PREPARING FOR BATTLE. 235
on getting ready for work before attempting to move. In the meantime, and for just once, the patient, persistent, per- severing Grant had entirely lost his patience. Logan was or- dered to Nashville to take the command, and had gone as far as Louisville on his way, when Thomas was finally ready and the ice had thawed enough to enable the men to move with- out slipping and falling. And then Thomas was moving on the enemy in such a way as to show that Logan was not needed.
The Confederate army occupied the line of hills in our front, General Cheatham's corps on their right, General Lee's in the center, and General Stewart's corps on their left. By the 14th of December our army was fairly well equipped for a campaign and fortunately for General Thomas the weather had moderated and the ice was rapidly melting away. Orders were quickly issued to the corps commanders tO' be ready to move at the break of day the next morning.
CHAPTER XVIII.
NASHVILLE AND AFTER.
General Thomas' plan of battle was all that could be ex- pected of a master in the military art. Major-General Smith, commanding a part of the i6th corps, was to form his troops on the Hardin pike and make a vigorous assault on the enemy's left. Major-General Wilson's cavalry corps was to form on General Smith's right as soon as an opening could be made and move on the enemy's flank, turning it if possible. The 4th corps, under the command of Brig.-Gen. T. J. Wood, was to form on the Hillsboro pike, co-operate with and sup- port General Smith on his left. The 23d corps, under Major- General Schofield, was held in reserve in the center and to co-operate with General Wood. Major-Genefel Steedman's provisional division was to occupy the left of the line and co- operate with the rest of the army as circumstances might re- quire. The quartermaster's troops being an armed force of employes of the quartermaster's department, under command of Brigadier-General Donaldson, were also> held in reserve on the hills in the rear.
The reveille was sounded at four o'clock on the morning of the 15th, and at daylight the army was in motion. We were favored by a dense fog which enveloped the entire region till late in the afternoon, entirely concealing our movements from the enemy. The battle opened by a feint against the enemy's right by Steedman's division, which had the desired effect of drawing Hood's attention to that part of his line and causing him to concentrate his forces in that direction. So thoroughly was Steedman's movement taken in earnest by the enemy that it brought him quite a brisk engagement, which lasted for some hours. Before Hood had time to recover from his surprise at the attack upon his right. General
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 237
Thomas was making his real assault upon the enemy's left. General Smith's corps rapidly moving forward and wheeling to the left, pushed the enemy before it until several lines of the works were taken. Two divisions of General Schofield's corps were then thrown in on Smith's right to support General Wilson's extended line. These three corps were moved rapid- ly to the left, driving the enemy before them as far as the Hillsboro pike, capturing several batteries and many prison- ers on the way. Montgomery Hill was a strongly fortified position from which the rebel batteries commanded portions of the HillsborO' pike. The 4th army corps was formed in front of that position, the second division, commanded by Brigadier-General Elliott, on the right, our first division un- der Gen. Nathan Kimball in the center, and the third division under Gen. Sam Beatty on the left. A terrific artillery fire had been kept up all along the line between our batteries and those of the enemy from the time the fog had cleared away. In this the great siege guns in our forts in the rear actively par- ticipated, in deep bass tones amid the higher notes of the light artillery and the rattle of musketry. Of course all Nash- ville was in the greatest excitement. All who possibly could wanted to see the battle. Many thousands were on the hills and prominent points watching the movement of troops and listening to the roar of the battle. Soldiers rarely see much of a battle. Their engagements are such as to give them no opportunity, — and rarely do citizens and non-com- batants have such a chance. The battle of Nashville was an exception. Its surrounding hills are so situated as to give a splendid view from their summits of the field of operations of our troops on that occasion. It was a distant view, for most of them did not care to approach very near the line of battle.
As General Smith's corps approached the Hillsboro pike in its operations, the 4th corps began an assault on Montgom- ery Hill and the works in our front. Post's brigade of the third division was assigned the task and honor of taking the hill, which it did in splendid style, being well supported by General Streight's brigade of the same division. The entire
238 BATTLE OF NASHVILLE.
line of the corps then pressed forward and was soon actively engaged. Very soon Kimball's division found itself in front of a strongly fortified hill. General Grose's brigade was on the right, Colonel Kirby's on the left and Whitaker's in reserve, — all formed in two lines of battle. The country in our front was quite open so that our movements were in plain view of the enemy. At 4 p. m., the division having steadily advanced to the foot of the slope, began a furious assault on the hill. Grose's and Kirby's brigades charged the hill in fine style, being closely supported by Whitaker's brigade, and never halting till the hill was taken and the enemy driven in disor- der from his position. Several pieces of artillery, many small arms and 300 prisoners were captured. The Confeder- ates had gradually given way from their left and shortened their lines until they had passed the Granny White pike. Af- ter the contest of the early forenoon General Steedman's di- vision had slowly but steadily pressed the enemy, keeping up a strong skirmish fire all along the line, until it occupied a position a mile or two in advance of that in the morning. At the close of the day's fight the 4th corps rested on the Granny White pike and a little east of it, the i6th and 23d corps extending to the southwest, with Wilson's cavalry ad- vanced on the HillsborO' pike, six miles from Nashville. Numerous batteries and large numbers of small arms and prisoners had been captured, while our loss had been com- paratively small.
During the night General Hood transferred Cheatham's corps to his left, putting Stewart's in the center and Lee's on his right, at the same time withdrawing his lines to near the base of the Brentwood Hills, his right resting on the Overton Hill, on which rather formidable breastworks of earth and logs were erected. These were made difficult of approach by a strong line of abatis and other obstructions ex- tending around the east and north slopes of the hill.
General Thomas lost no time in reporting to the War De- partment the victories of the day. On the 9th of December General Grant had issued an order that, "Maj.-Gen. J. M. Schofield relieve at once Maj.-Gen. G. H. Thomas in command
Lieut. EZEKIEL K. SCHWARTZ Company B.
THOMAS CONGRATULATED. 239
of the Department of the Cumberland". On the same day this order was supended, but on the 13th the following order was issued :
Headquarters of the Armies of the United States,
City Point, Va., Dec. 13, 1864. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan, United States volunteers, will proceed immediately to Nashville, Tenn., reporting by telegraph to the lieu- tenant-general his arrival at Louisville, Ky., and also his arrival at Nashville, Tenn.
By command of Lieutenant-General Grant.
T. S. Bowers, Assistant Adjutant-General.
On December 15th at 9 p. m. General Thomas sent the fol- lowing dispatch to the War Department :
Major-General Halleck, Chief-of-Stafif:
Attacked enemy's left this morning; drove it from the river below the city, very nearly to Franklin pike, — distance about eight miles.
Geo. H. Thomas, Major-General.
At midnight the Secretary of War telegraphed :
To Major-General Thomas:
Please accept for yourself, officers and soldiers of your command, the thanks of this Department for the brilliant achievements of this day. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
At the same hour General Grant sent this message :
Washington, Dec. 15, 1864, 12 Midnight. Maj. -Gen. Geo. H. Thomas, Nashville:
Your dispatch of this evening just received. I congratulate you and the army under your command for today's operations, and feel a conviction that tomorrow will add more fruits to your victory.
U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General.
The next morning the following came from the President :
Washington, Dec. 16, 11.20 a. m. To Major-General Thomas:
Please accept for yourself, officers and men the Nation's thanks for your work of yesterday. You made a magnificent beginning. A grand consummation is within your easy reach. Do not let it slip.
A. Lincoln.
What a change the day's work had wrought in the tone of the Washington dispatches, and how modest was General Thomas' report of his victory ! Anticipating the defeat and
240 THE SECOND DAY.
perhaps rout of the enemy on the following day, General Thomas promptly gave orders to Generals Wilson, Smith and Schofield to be ready for a vigorous pursuit as soon as the Confederates' line should be broken. The 4th corps was di- rected to advance to the Franklin pike and connect with Gen- eral Steedman's division and advance on the enemy's position.
Very early on the i6th the 4th corps advanced as ordered and soon encountered the enemy. As the i6th corps had the honor of taking the lead on the first day, it was but fair that the 4th corps should be in the front in opening the con- flict of the second day. The 4th corps had not been without credit for its part in the work of the 15th, as shown by Gen- eral Grose's charge on that well-fortified hill, and the steady, destructive work done along its entire front and the many guns and prisoners captured. But on the i6th its many charges upon the enemy's strongest positions, and the succes- sion of victorious assaults made, in which regiments, brig- ades and divisions vied with each other as to which should capture the greatest number of men and guns, gave it the right to special recognition.
The second division, General Elliott commanding, was on the right of the corps, connecting with General Smith ; the first division, General Kimball commanding, occupied the cen- ter, while the third division under Gen. S. Beatty was on the left, connecting with Steedman's division at the Franklin pike. General Smith's command was in front of very strong works still occupied by the enemy, so there was not much fighting to the right of the 4th corps until afternoon. All our bat- teries were brought to the front in the most advantageous positions, from which the firing was constant and most ef- fective. During the forenoon the Confederates replied to us with artillery and musketry in the most spirited manner. Their batteries on Overton Hill were specially active. Soon after noon an assault of this position was ordered to be made by our third division, and General Steedman's colored brig- ades. Post's brigade, that had gained so much honor in the capture of Montgomery Hill on the first day, was designated to lead in the charge with Colonel Thompson's colored brig-
THE SECOND DAY. 241
ade, being supported on the right by the third brigade com- manded by Col. Fred Knefler.
The approach to Overton Hill was a gentle slope, a dis- tance of four hundred yards through scattering trees in one of those beautiful woods pastures sO' common in middle Ten- nessee, until very near the enemy's works, where the ascent became much steeper. At the signal for the charge the as- saulting column started up that hill with a steadiness and de- termination worthy the highest commendation. It is true Colonel Post's brigade was composed of veterans who had seen many battles, but the colored troops had never known a real battle — some of the regiments had never been tuider fire. The hill was defended by a division of Confederate veterans, commanded by Major-General Clayton, and a strong battery of artillery. As the assaulting column advanced it received the most terrific fire of grape, canister and musketry, sufHcient to strike terror and dismay into the stoutest hearts. Un- mindful of the danger and the large number of men that were falling, including their gallant brigade commander. Colonel Post's brave men rushed on, keeping abreast of their equally brave colored comrades, until very near the enemy's works, in some places within forty or fifty feet, when they were com- pelled to turn back. It was not a rout, however, for those hues were soon reformed ready for the successful assault of Overton Hill that followed a little later.
Soon after the charge on Overton Hill the 4th, i6th and 23d corps began a series of successful assaults upon the enemy's lines, resulting in their crumbling away, beginning on their left and rapidly extending to the right. Every charge of our exultant brigades hastened their going. Having recov- ered from their repulse, Beatty's division and the colored troops renewed the attack on Overton Hill and were soon re- warded by seeing the enemy flying in great confusion through the gaps in Brentwood Hills. In these splendid results of the second day, our division, under Gen. Nathan Kimball, had a prominent part, capturing many guns and prisoners. Our brigade captured over 600 prisoners, more than 600 small arms and six pieces of artillery. The 115th was with its brig-
242 PURSUIT OF HOOD.
ade, Whitaker's in all its operations, and though much of the time in the second line, it was as much exposed as any and suffered more loss than any regiment in the brigade except two. Colonel Moore was in command throughout the battle, and again proved himself justly entitled to be called the fight- ing parson. Lieutenant-Colonel Poteet was division officer of the day and was highly commended by General Whitaker for his coolness and bravery. Company B did splendid serv- ice on the skirmish line. Company D was commanded by Lieutenant Hedges of Company E, Captain Hymer being still a guest of the Confederates in Libby Prison. Captain Whita- ker being so indisposed as to be unable to command his com- pany, and Lieutenant Royse being in charge of the quarter- master's department, the command of Company E devolved on First Sergt. J. M. Martin, who proved himself well worthy a commission. Where all, both officers and men, displayed such cool determination under the most trying circumstances, it is impossible to name some as more worthy of commenda- tion than others. The entire regiment fully deserved the high commendation given by its commanders in their official re- ports.
The 4th corps took the lead in the pursuit next to General Wilson's cavalry, following closely after the flying foe through a most disagreeable cold rain that began before the close of the battle. Night coming on, we bivouaced among the Brent- wood Hills, some eight miles from Nashville. All were so tired that we slept soundly in spite of the discomforts of our situation. While we were thus resting, the poor Confeder- ates, many without shoes, were hurrying along, their advance reaching Franklin before morning. Early on the 17th we re- sumed our march in pursuit of the enemy, our corps again keeping close to the cavalry. It rained nearly all day and the mud was terrible, but we dashed into it and made the best of the situation, not slacking our pace for any obstacle. Our rapid march soon brought us upon the enemy's rear guard, a portion of General Lee's corps, of whom we captured several hundred together with three additional pieces of artillery. That night the infantry bivouaced at Franklin while a bridge
PURSUIT OF HOOD. 243
was being built. The cavalry being able to ford the Harpeth, pushed on three or four miles farther. At Franklin we found almost all the houses flying the red flag, being used as hos- pitals for the care of the 2,000 Confederate and 300 Union wounded, left from the battle of Franklin and still unable to be moved. On the i8th we continued the pursuit 18 miles to Ru.therford Creek, where we were again delayed by high waters and the want of a bridge. A similar delay occurred at Duck River, so that we were unable tO' cross that stream till the night of the 23d. The Confederates, though somewhat hindered themselves by the high waters, continued their re- treat from Columbia on the 21st, Hood's headquarters being at Pulaski when we crossed Duck River. From Pulaski the Confederates took the nearest course, a southwest direction, for the Bainbridge crossing of the Tennessee River near Tus- cumbia. In this way they were compelled to take to the coun- try roads, soon cut up so that their artillery sank to the axles in the mud, and many of the guns and caissons being left stuck fast as they hastened to make their escape. While Gen- eral Hood and his advance were leaving Pulaski, his rear guard was being closely followed by us. Occasional skirm- ishes, the capture of worn-out Confederates and picking up deserters and stragglers and taking care of abandoned wagons, artillery and small arms left by the enemy, was quite suf- ficient to make our march interesting nothwithstanding the terrible weather. On Christmas we passed through Pulaksi and through the terrible mud six or eight miles beyond. At Pulaski General Whitaker left us to take his seat in the State Legislature, to which he had been elected the November pre- vious, and Colonel Moore assumed command of the brigade. By that time Hood was crossing the Tennessee and his army was straggling all the way from a few miles ahead of us to the river. The daily skirmish and capture of men, wagons and guns continued until we had passed Lexington. Learning that the Confederates had succeeded in crossing the river and had broken up into bands so that it was impossible to overtake them the pursuit was abandoned and on the 29th we turned back towards Pulaski. After a day's rest we started for Hunts-
244 AT HUNTSVILLE.
■ville, Ala. New Year's day, 1865, was spent at the crossing of Elk River. The building of a bridge gave us another short rest, but on the 3d we moved on to Athens, Ala. The next day's march of twenty miles brought us within five miles of Huntsville. The following day we moved through the city and went into camp near the base of the beautiful Rose Moun- tain. Between the mountain and the city there was a lovely cove, sheltered from the north winds by the mountain as it was, and having a number of fine springs of pure soft water, it made an excellent camping ground for the troops. The first brigade of our division was placed at the upper end of the cove, the third brigade at the far side or against the mountain, and our brigade on the slope next the city, sO' that the three brigades of the first division were in a semicircle around the cove. The weather had been quite cold during our march from Pulaski to Huntsville, and as we had no camp equipage other than what each man carried for himself, there was no little suffering among our men. Even the shelter tents were very scarce. That the men might be made comfortable or- ders were issued tO' the several quartermasters to go out into the country and bring in any lumber they might find with which to build quarters. In that way we soon had comforta- ble huts for all our men, though at the expense of the plank fences and out buildings of the country for a distance of six or eight miles in every direction. Mrs. John Patten, occu- pying an elegant country place about a half mile north of town on the Meridian road, had secured an order for the protection of her home, which was made to do service in protecting her fine plank fences also, till Lieutenant Royse, acting as regi- mental quartermaster of the 115th, came along with his wagons in search of lumber for our boys. He could see no reason why her fences should remain while others were taken, and Hmiting her orders to their strict intent, he procured for the iisth the best lot of lumber that could be found in all that rich neighborhood.
Huntsville was in every way a lovely little city of five or six thousand inhabitants. Its mountain scenery at one side, and the most fertile and beautiful valley twenty miles in ex-
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AT HUNTSVILLE. 245
tent on the other, in the highest state of cultivation and occu- pied by tlie wealthiest planters known to the South, made it the most desirable residence city in the entire State. The luxuriant, dark green foliage of the splendid magnolia and live oak trees that lined its streets, and the clear streams of fresh water running in its gutters, together with the fine shrubbery and beautiful lawns surrounding its elegant homes, gave the place a peculiar charm to us. We were glad to make winter quarters in such a place, and although we had taken their fences, the people seemed rather glad to have us there. The bitter feeling towards the "Yankees" was apparently gone. Even the young ladies seemed pleased to receive the attentions of the Union officers and soldiers, and it is reported that the winter's sojourn of the 4th army corps at Huntsville resulted in the capture of a number of the fairest young women of the place. The churches were especially cordial and held out all possible inducements for the soldiers to attend their services. The Rev. Frederick A. Ross, D. D., was then pastor of the Presbyterian Church. He was a very able preacher for any city and his sermons were enough to draw many of us to his church very frequently. The weather was simply perfect during nearly all the rest of the winter. Bright sunny days, with only slight frosts occasionally at night was the order week after week. Of course our stay there was con- sidered delightful soldiering. The days for drilling were past for us and the rebels had been so demoralized by their de- feat at Nashville that they gave us no trouble, and guard duty was light. Many of our convalescents were sent out to plan- tation houses to guard them against the depredations of the more lawless soldiers, which gave them the advantage of good home living, a great help to the recovery from sickness.
The mountain that overlooked the city, and all the valley for twenty miles or more, was an object of great interest to our men, large numbers strolling to its summit. Another inter- esting feature of Huntsville was its big spring that burst out from the foot of the hill from beneath the city, within a few squares of the court house. A volume of water, — sweet, clear and beautiful, and large enough to supply the city with water
246 AT HUNTSVILLE.
and power to run the pumps to carry it through the water system, — with surplus water enough to feed a canal, rolling out of the hill and away towards the river was enough to at- tract the attention of the dullest visitor. Ten weeks were quickly passed under such circumstances. While all were having a good time, the quartermaster's department had been active re-supplying the corps with all that was required for the comfort of our army, consistent with the duties of an active campaign. On March 13th orders came to break camp and take to the cars for a trip to East Tennessee.
While we had been engaged in these operations through Tennessee and North Alabama, and taking it easy at Hunts- ville, Sherman had been making his grand march through Georgia. After leaving us at Kingston November 13th, he broke up the railroad tO' Atlanta as effectively as possible, de- stroyed everything in the city that could serve the rebellion, and at the head of a magnificent army of four corps of infantry and Kilpatrick's division of cavalry, in all 68,000 strong, he boldly started through the heart of the enemy's country. Meeting no opposition worthy of the name, it was a real picnic all the way to Savanah. Hardee's defense of Savanahwas scarce- ly more than a pretense, and on the 21st of December Sher- man triumphantly entered the city and established a new base of supplies. After a month spent in refitting his army, Sher- man started forward on his march toward Virginia. The Confederate army was not enough to seriously impede his progress, and by the middle of February he was nearing Co- lumbia, the capital of South Carolina, which was quickly taken and mostly destroyed. On the 13th of March, as we were breaking camp at Huntsville, Sherman was approach- ing Fayetteville, North Carolina; Schofield with the 23d corps had reached the coasts of that State, and was hasten- ing to form a junction with Sherman's forces, while Gen. Joseph E. Johnston was mustering all the Confederates possi- ble to meet them.
At the same time Grant was beginning his last move on Richmond. The crisis of the Confederacy was at hand. Hood's army had been dispersed and there was really no
MARCH EASTWARD. 247
longer any Confederate army in the west worthy of our seri- ous attention. Richmond and Lee's and Johnston's armies were the only objects to be sought after. Of course our des- tination was the same as Grant's, Sherman's and Schofield's. That was a real "on to Richmond" The 4th army corps was quickly loaded on trains and transported to Strawberry Plains, eighteen miles above Knoxville. Then after two or three days' rest we resumed our journey on foot in strictly light marching order, every encumbrance that could possibly be spared being cast away. We had frequently received orders cutting down the allowance of transportation, but now a clean sweep was made of everything, both for officers and men, ex- cept such articles as might be easily carried by their own- ers. Our valued mess chests with stock of china, and other things needful were given to our camp visitors on the moTn- ing of our departure.
Our journey was through the Switzerland of America. The Allegheny Mountains to the east and the Cumberland range to the west, with the beautiful valleys of the Tennessee and French Broad Rivers between afforded all the variety of scenery one could desire. Then the welcome given us by the people was really refreshing. Though in one of the slave States, the people of East Tennessee were as intensely loyal to the Government as were those of Ohio or Michigan. A few days' march brought us to Shield's MiUs, nearly midway be- tween Bull's Gap and Greenville. Corps headquarters were established at Greenville, and the corps put in camp between that place and Shield's Mills. We were on waiting orders, but anxious to move. It was becoming apparent that we were not needed in Virginia. Grant and Sherman and their vic- torious hosts seemed able to manage the affair without help. At first our camp life seemed dull ; we had grown tired of the routine of camp duties, and were constantly looking for exciting news. In that case we did not have to wait long, for on the 3d of April news came of the fall of Richmond and Petersburg, the flight of the Confederate president and the rapid pursuit of Lee in his retreat towards the southwest in the hope of joining forces with Johnston. One exciting report
248 LEE'S SURRENDER.
followed another until on the evening of April 9th the wires flashed the news of Lee's surrender to us. Quickly the mes- sage was set in type and printed on little slips, which were sent by runners to all the divisions, brigades and regiments. Soon after an order came from General Thomas to all our batteries to fire a salute of 100 guns in honor of the victory. Whether ordered or not, the writer is not certain, but almost the en- tire command joined in a musketry salute of many thousands of guns. Bedlam seemed broken loose; the whole camp was in wild excitement, firing guns, shouting, cheering and run- ning from camp to camp. Gen. Nathan Kimball commanding our division went on the grand rounds of his several brigades. Starting with his own staff mounted, he received accessions from the headquarters of the several brigades and regiments, until he soon had a great escort, as jolly a cavalcade as can well be imagined. "Taps" were not sounded, and it was late at night when the camp became quiet and all had gone to quarters.
The rejoicing over Lee's surrender continued several days. That subject was upppermost in all minds, and the conversa- tion in every group of officers and men naturally turned to the absorbing topic. The latest news and all the particulars of the surrender were eagerly inquired after. What will be the next move? What will Johnston do? were among the ques- tions frequently asked. That the bottom had fallen out of the rebellion seemed certain. The opinion prevailed quite gener- ally that our term of military service would soon come to an end.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE LAST OF OUR SERVICE.
The army had only partially recovered from the excitement and celebration of the victory when the message came, on the morning of the i6th, announcing the assassination of Pres- ident Lincoln. It came with such suddenness — seemed so strange, so unnatural — that the report was at first discredited. Few could believe such an act possible. But very soon the confirmation came in the unmistakable announcement of the Secretary of War. All feeling of rejoicing over the capture of Lee's army at once gave way to the keenest sorrow and mourning for the Nation's loss. A sense of bereavement seemed felt by all as strongly as upon the death of the most intimate friend. It was looked upon as a national calamity, too great to be comprehended. The motive for the dastardly crime was as deep a mystery as the act. Officers and soldiers in meeting each other spoke in subdued tones, and with every manifestation of the most poignant grief. It seemed to most of them that no one, however unfriendly to the Nation, could think of such a crime without feelings of horror and execra- tion of the deed.
While such sentiments prevailed generally among the troops, there were some exceptions. A heutenant of one of the Kentucky regiments came to the brigade commissary for a canteen of whisky. While he was being served by the com- missary sergeant, he remarked that he wanted the whisky to drink in celebration of the death of the tyrant President. Of course the sergeant was greatly shocked, and as soon as the lieutenant was gone reported the fact to Colonel Moore, the brigade commander. The writer was then acting aide-de- camp on the brigade staff, and temporarily in charge of the assistant adjutant-general's office, and was present when the
250 JOHNSTON'S SURRENDER.
colonel received the report. The colonel was immediately most deeply affected. His indignation knew no bounds and the intensity of his feelings could not easily be described. Those whO' knew him may imagine the tones with which he directed the acting assistant adjutant-general to detail a ser- geant and four men to bring the offending lieutenant to head- quarters at the point of the bayonet. It is needless to say the order was promptly obeyed, and in a very few minutes the officer came marching into the colonel's headquarters in front of five fixed bayonets, notwithstanding his protestations against being arrested except by an officer of his rank. Trem- blingly he pleaded that he was only joking, but the colonel replied that if he was in earnest he should be tried and shot as a traitor, but if only jesting he was too big a fool to wear shoulder straps in the United States army, and that the least he could do was to resign for the good of the service. He at once acted as advised, and within a few hours his resignation was accepted and he went out of the army in disgrace.
Sherman and Schofield had joined forces at Goldsboro and were marching on Raleigh, when news came to them, on April 1 2th, that Lee's army had surrendered. On the 17th, as Sher- man was on his way to meet Johnston for a conference in response to that General's request, he received the news of the President's assassination, which he at once communicated to the Confederate leaders. They were all deeply affected, and seemed to regret it as much as our own people. The capitula- tion of Johnston's army very soon followed, and the last army of the Confederacy of any importance was disbanded, the men being permitted to take their horses with them to their homes, to assist them in making a crop, as Grant had suggested with reference to Lee's men. The surrender of the remaining Con- federate armies scattered throughout the south and west soon followed, and the great Civil War was at an end.
Preparations were quickly begun for the muster out and disbanding of our Union armies, excepting such small portion as might be deemed necessary to preserve order in the South until civil authority should be fully established. Nearly all were impatient to get home. Soldiering was dull business to
GRAND REVIEW. 251
our citizen soldiers when there was no enemy in the field. Orders came for the removal of our corps tO' Nashville. The 115th, with the other regiments of our brigade and division, made the journey by rail in as comfortable a manner as the miserable equipment of the road would permit, and on May ist went into camp on the banks of the Cumberland River, about four miles below Nashville, in what was named Camp Harker.
Major-General Stanley had returned to the command of our corps and had established his headquarters in a grove of stately poplar and sugar maple trees, on the Hardin pike near our camp. He was always popular with the boys, and they were determined to get up a monster torch-light parade in his honor. Without the assistance, knowledge or consent of the officers, about dark one evening the enlisted men formed in line by regiments, brigades and divisions, in charge of mar- shals of their own choosing, and with flaming torches marched up the pike, presenting a most brilliant spectacle, to the en- trance of the general's headquarters, and thence in through the grounds, winding around his headquarter tents like the coils of a rope, until the entire corps became a solid mass about him. Of course the general was delighted, and in response, expressed his admiration for the splendid achievements of the corps and his thanks for their call, but excused himself from making a speech. Colonel Moore was then called for, and in his usual able and happy manner congratulated them upon the great name they had made for the corps and upon the prospect of their early return to their homes, tO' resume their places as citizens of the Republic. After several other speeches, the men quietly returned to their several camps.
On the 9tli of May the 4th army corps, 20,000 strong, passed in grand review before Major-General Thomas, on the fields between the Hardin and Hillsboro pikes. General Thomas and the other reveiwing officers sat on their horses on the gentle slope of a hill, while the many regiments of the corps marched by in column by division. The reviewing party was backed and flanked by a great concourse of spectators, many having come from distant northern States to see the final review of our corps. Cheer after cheer arose from the assem-
252 GRAND REVIEW.
bled throng as regiment after regiment marched by. The. iiSth was carrying the torn and tattered colors it had borne through months of campaign and battle, and when it came near the reviewing party, the cheers were loud and long. "See the battle-scarred flags," "They have seen service," and sim- ilar expressions greeted our ears all along the crowd as we passed. General Thomas gave expression to his feelings in general orders issued the next day.
Headquarters Department of the Cumberland, Nashville, Teiin., May lo, 1865.
The general commanding the department takes pride in conveying to the fourth army corps the expression of his admiration, excited by their brilliant and martial display at the review of yesterday.
As the battalions of your magnificent corps swept successively be- fore the eye, the coldest heart mvist have warmed with interest in contemplation of those men who had passed through the varied and shifting scenes of this great modern tragedy, who had stemmed with unyielding breasts the rebel tide threatening to engulf the landmarks of freedom, and who, bearing on their bronzed and furrowed brows the ennobling marks of the years of hardship, suflfering and privation undergone in defense of freedom and the integrity of the Union, could still preserve the light step and wear the cheerful expression of youth.
Though your gay and broidered banners, wrought by dear hands far away, were all shred and war torn, were they not blazoned on every stripe with words of glory — Shiloh, Spring Hill, Stone River, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville and many other glorious names too numerous to mention in an order like this! By your prowess and fortitude you have ably done your part in restoring the golden boon of peace and order to your once distracted, but now grateful country, and your commander is at length enabled to give you a season of well earned rest.
But soldiers, while we exult at our victories, let us not be forgetful of those brave, devoted hearts, which pressing in advance, throbbed their last amid the smoke and din of battle; nor withhold our sym- pathy for the afflicted wife, child and mother, consigned far off at home to lasting, cruel grief.
By command of Major-General Thomas.
William D. Whipple, Assistant Adjutant-General.
From that on the officers of the regiment were kept busy getting ready for the muster out. Accounts were to be made to the departments, guns and equipments to be inspected and
Lieut. I. H. C. ROYSE Co. E., llSth III. Vols, 1863.
MUSTER OUT. 253
all government property to be turned over to the proper cus- todians. The muster-out rolls required much time. They were made on large sheets, and gave the military history of every man borne on the rolls of the company from the begin- ning. It was no small matter to get the facts together from the company records to make such a document. When com- pleted five copies were required. At last, all being ready and having passed the scrutiny of the mustering officer, and re- ceived the signatures of the regimental and company com- manders, we were legally mustered out of the service of the United States on the 12th day of June, 1865 ; that is, the rolls bore that date, but we were not finally disbanded or given our discharges until the 27th day of the month, to which day our time was counted by the paymaster in our final payment.
As soon as the final muster out was over, the 115th marched to the Nashville station and took the train for Illinois, via the Louisville & Nashville Railway to Louisville, thence to Mitchell, Indiana, and thence to Sandoval, Illinois, by the O. & M. Railway, thence over the IHinois Central to Decatur and the Great Western to Camp Butler. At Sandoval Colonel Moore telegraphed Mr. Jasper J. Peddecord, the veteran banker of Decatur, that the 115th would pass that city about 4 p. m. Now it had been a custom at Decatur on receipt of any exciting war news to ring the Court House bell after a certain manner. Mr. Peddecord thought the coming home of the 115th news enough, so he hastened to the old Court House and gave the bell a vigorous ringing. The people quickly responded in great numbers, filling the "old square," when Mr. Peddecord read the message he had received, and called upon the citizens of Decatur to give the 115th a royal welcome. They were dismissed with the suggestion — "Go home, get ready and meet the 115th at the depot with a good dinner." Colonel Moore had not expected more than Mr. Peddecord, and possibly a few friends, at the depot — certainly he had no expectation of what occurred. Apparently the whole city was there, and such a spread of good things as they brought was enough to astonish every one. Roast tur- keys, chickens, fruits, cakes, pies, ice cream, in quantities not
254 HOME.
only to satisfy the ravenous appetites of the iiSth boys, but an abundance for two or three other regiments on special trains following us. Tliere never was a more patriotic city nor one more lavish in its hospitality to our citizen soldiers than Decatur, and never did those qualities show to better advan- tage or receive higher appreciation than on that occasion.
The run to Camp Butler was quickly made and we found ourselves in the woods near the old camp ground. Then came a few days' rest while the paymaster checked up our accounts preparatory tO' final settlement. On the 27th of June, 1865, the final pay was received, hasty good-byes were said, and with much hearty shaking of the hands of comrades, all started for their homes from which they had been absent so long. As an organization in the service of the Nation, the 115th Regiment Illinois Volunteers was no more.
The readiness with which the American volunteers resumed their former position or took to new or enlarged spheres in civil life at the close of the great civil war, has been a marvel to many Americans and to all foreigners. The soldiers of our regiment were no exceptions tO' the general rule, but first they sought their homes where they received the warmest greetings known to men. Among the many public receptions given them was a grand celebration of the home-coming of the regi- ment, held in the park at Decatur. On this occasion eloquent orations were delivered in which the achievements of the reg- iment were reviewed in glowing terms and to which General Moore responded in his usual happy manner.
An incident of the home-coming illustrating the character of the men composing the regiment is perhaps worth a place in this closing chapter. The men had been ten months with- out pay and were nearly all destitute of money when leaving Nashville for the North. That the men of Company E might have a little money for necessaries on the way. Lieutenant Royse borrowed $100 of the colonel and reloaned it to the men, from $2 tO' $5 each, without taking any receipt or making a memorandum of who had received it or how much each had taken ; but that made no diiTerence, for every dollar was re- turned when they received their pay at Camp Butler.
AFTER THE WAR. 255
Only a short time was spent in receiving greetings and visit- ing friends. All were anxious to be settled and at work again. Many at once returned to their old vocations, while many others having a wider outlook in the world's affairs, acquired by their army experience, sought new occupations and pro- fessions and new fields of operation. Many returned to school and college ; others went to college who had never before thought it possible. All entered the struggle for success in civil life with as much interest, if not as much excitement, as when they went up Snodgrass Hill, and the result shows that they have made as good citizens and have attained as high positions in business, social and public life as any similar number of men in the country. The survivors of the iiSth may well point with pride to the after-war record of its men, as shown in some slight degrees only, in the sketches following in these pages.
As early as 1876 a reunion association of the survivors of the regiment was formed at Decatur, and frequent reunions have since been held. About ten years ago a resolution was adopted to hold these meetings annually, and since then reg- ular annual reunions have been held, those of the last three years being held at Springfield, on Old Soldiers' day, and the day previous, during the State Fair.
The present officers of the association are Major Frank L. Hays, president, and Adjutant Allen Litsenberger, secretary, both of Decatur, 111.
APPENDIX.
SPECIAL ARTICLES.
SERGEANT ALFRED SHIVELY OF COMPANY F. From a letter to H. B. Durphe, Esq., from Colonel Moore.
I can testify that he was one of the best men I ever knew, in every relationship he sustained in the army. He fell late in the evening on the bloody field of Chickaraauga, after having shown on that ever memorable Sunday, as well as on the day previous, the most sublime and astonishing courage. His patriotism and love of country were boundless. The severest toils, sacrifices and privations were endured by him with the utmost cheerfulness. His own interests were in many respects the last he looked after. The comfort and security of others seemed often to engross his mind to the exclusion of his own personal convenience. His aim was the farthest possible re- moved from selfishness. He was emphatically honest, gener- ous, high minded, honorable ; he was a man of uncommon sympathies, tender and kind to his sick and suffering com- rades, and ever ready to minister to their wants when in his power. I had intended that, if he was killed in battle, his body should not be left in a strange land — but how little do we know what sort of fate awaits us or our friends when we go out with our lives in our hands to meet in deadly conflict the enemies of our country. I did not know that my brave Alfred had fallen till that bloody battle-field was in the posses- sion of the foe. Pressed by overwhelming numbers, whom we had fought for five hours, and out of ammunition, we were compelled to fall back to another position, leaving our dead and many of our wounded behind. His brave lieutenant- colonel, William Kinman, was buried by strangers on the same field, forever consecrated by the blood of brave men.
258 AT CHICKAMAUGA AND CHATTANOOGA.
who scorned danger for love of country. When last I saw Alfred Shively he had rushed some distance in advance of his company of brave comrades — and he had as brave men by his side as ever stood in battle — waving his hat and shouting, "Come on, boys ; the day is ours !" I trembled for his safety in his exposed position. The carnage about this time was terrible. And there he went down. His comrades are of the opinion that he was killed instantly. I must not neglect to state that on my recommendation he had been ordered to Nashville to take a position as a commissioned officer in a regiment of colored troops. The order came a few days before the great fight, but he declined going till after the battle, for every lofty spirit in our grand army seemed to covet the privi- lege of participating in what, to all appearance, promised to be the great battle of the war.
CHICKAMAUGA AND SIEGE OF CHATTANOOGA. From a letter to H. B. Durphe, Esq., from Colonel Moore.
Much that I have said in reference to Sergeant Shively is applicable to others, for my brave boys deserve the highest praise. They have rendered their regiment immortal. There are no better disciplined men in the army, none more obedient to orders, none more patient amidst the scenes of suffering. They have not had a blanket, or even a shelter tent since we left Bridgeport, September 12th. Our baggage was ordered up after the fight, but was lost with the train captured October 2d by Wheeler, who has since paid dearly for the whistle, and our facilities for transportation are so poor that I have not been able to supply them. As serious as these privations may seem to the friends at home who sit around cheerful fires, sleep on soft beds and gratify their appetirties with the choic- est productions of a land of plenty, I am persuaded that you could find nowhere a merrier or more cheerful crowd than can be seen every day in my camp. My men, with but few excep- tions, are hearty and absolutely growing fat on three-quarters rations. A sad group we were, however, the morning after the battle when we numbered the lost, and looked upon our
Capt. JAS. a. RUTHERFORD.
Company I.
CLOSING SCENES OF CHICKAMAUGA. 259
wounded whom we had brought along with us through the darkness of the night to our camp at Rossville ; and many the tears that were shed. We talked but little, for our hearts were too full for utterance. We were not discouraged, for we knew we had won the day, though we had abandoned the field at night. The enemy by vastly superior numbers has pushed us sorely, but utterly failed to grasp the prize for which we had so desperately striven. Will those whose privilege it has been to enjoy the peaceful quiet of home while the shrill clarion of war has been sounding through the land honor the war-torn citizen soldier as he returns with laurels won on fields of blood, and acknowledge him gratefully as their own and their coun- try's defender?
CLOSING SCENES OF THE BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA. By Judge G. S. Robinson of Iowa, then a private in Company H. A rebel line of battle soon appeared, formed across the ridge at about the point where our center went over in the first charge and faced east. Firing commenced and in a few moments I was wounded and disabled for further service. I dragged myself eastward a short distance. Soon after that the 2 1st Ohio advanced over me in magnificent style, going westward. According to the reports they broke the rebel line, but as they had almost no ammunition were soon forced back. , One of them helped me a short distance and left me. While lying there I saw Sergeant Housley of Company E, going from tree to tree making his way east. I called to him to help me off if he could, but I presume he thought he could not, and he soon disappeared in the twilight. He was the last man of the iisth I saw on the field and was game to the end. I believe he was captured. Sergeant Van Hague of Company H, who became separated from the regiment while assisting the wounded, says he was with the 22d Michigan a little farther to the left, and fired all but his last round with them. This was the last fight- ing on the field, and the 115th was represented in it. I was on the ridge all night, but no rebels passed over it, excepting the force which captured portions of the 22d Wisconsin, 21st and 89th Ohio, and they soon withdrew.
260 CLOSING SCENES OF CHICKAMAUGA.
I was surprised the next morning to see the rebels in pos- session of the field. Early in the morning I was carried to the Snodgrass house on the east end of the ridge. The house was of logs, small, and filled with federal wounded, as was the ground outside. The surgeons were so few that my wound, a severe one, was not dressed during the four or five days I was there. About the third day a rebel officer rode up and said that some of our wounded had been discovered in the woods, who had been without care of any kind since they were wounded, but no help could be furnished. There was no shelter outside the hospital for those at the house. Our dead on Snodgrass Hill were carefully collected by Longstreet's men and buried, and rails were hauled and fences built about the graves. That was not true, I am told, of our dead in the vicinity of Kelly's farm, few if any of them being buried. When being taken from the Snodgrass house to the Cloud hospital, some five or six days after the battle, I saw one of our dead, bloated, lying in Kelly's field where he fell, not twenty yards from the La Fayette road, which was then a great thoroughfare. At Cloud's there were a few tents, an abundance of water and rather more care for the wounded. Quite a number of the 115th men were there. On Sunday, the 27th, just a week from the time I was wounded, my wound received the first attention it had been given by a surgeon, excepting one bathing the day before, and I have reason to believe that I was among the fortunate wounded. Some had not then been brought in from the field. On Tuesday, the 29th, I was paroled, and with some 2,500 others was sent into our lines at Chattanooga.
Among the incidents of the battle may be mentioned the following: Sergeant Aylesworth of Company K was conspic- uous for his bravery, even tO' rashness, and was killed while in front of our lines trying to bring in a rebel as prisoner. I have heard it said that he had succeeded in bringing in five that way before he was shot. Sergeant Shively of Company F is said to have been killed while in front of his company cheering them, with his hat on his gun. Elmer E. Robinson of Company H fell mortally wounded and was left on the field.
SPECIAL SERVICE OF COMPANY G. 261
His last words, spoken just before the regiment was with- drawn, were : "If I die, tell father I died doing my duty." A young officer of another regiment at our left received his death wound and said : "I shall die, but that is nothing if we beat them.''
SPECIAL SERVICE OF COMPANY G. By Captain J. W. Dove.
Company G was on detached service on several occasions. During the summer of 1864, while the regiment was at Tunnel Hill, Company G was sent up the railroad to intercept a party of rebels who were attempting to ditch a train and after a short skirmish the rebels were driven away. The company had its full share in all the service of the regiment. At Chick- amauga the company lost 19 men killed and wounded, out of a total of 36. Captain Espy being on staff duty, Lieut. J. W. Dove had command of the company, and of course continued in command after his prom.otion to captain, after the battle of Chickamauga.
Among the incidents illustrating the heroism of the men of Company G, the conduct of George Fancher should have a prominent place. Never strong, he was taken quite ill while near McAfee Church, on the 19th, but refused to be sent to the hospital. On the morning of the 20th the surgeon directed that he be sent to the hospital as being too sick to remain with the command, but with tears in his eyes he pleaded that he might remain and share the battle with his comrades, saying, "I want to be with the boys if there is a battle." I permitted him to have his way, but how he stood that rapid march to Snodgrass Hill is a mystery to me. He kept his place in line, bravely doing his full part, until a ball struck him and killed him instantly.
Captain Espy had been acting brigade commissary, but had been ordered to return to his company ; he knew a great bat- tle was expected, and asked that the change be deferred till after the battle, saying to the lieutenant, "What the company is you have made it, and I do not want to come now and take
262 NASHVILLE AND AFTER.
all the chances of honor from you." His conduct in the battle was worthy the highest honors. Remaining on the staff, he fell while carrying an order from General Whitaker to Colonel Moore.
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE AND PURSUIT OF HOOD.
(A letter from Colonel Moore to his wife, dated Huntsville, Ala., January ii, 1865. Colonel Moore then commanded the second bri- gade of the first division of the 4th corps.)
On the morning of December 15, 1864, just at dawn, we moved from behind our fortifications around Nashville to attack Hood, who was entrenched in our front about one mile distant. The day was warm and damp, and a dense fog so obscured our movements that the enemy was not apprised of our intentions till our skirmish lines struck his. Brisk skir- mishing commenced about nine o'clock and continued to be m.ore lively till toward noon, when our artillery opened and the battle commenced in earnest and waged till about four in the afternoon, when the rebel line gave way in complete rout and the day was ours. It was too late to pursue with any advan- tage that night, but we had already captured a large number of prisoners and several pieces of artillery. Many advantages had been gained earlier in the day, which greatly encouraged our forces, but the whole line was not carried till late in the evening. We went into camp that night on ground previ- ously occupied by the enemy. The whole region round was vocal with vehement cheering and the bands discoursed the most lively patriotic airs, but about ten o'clock at night tired nature yielded to repose, and all became as silent as the grave. The next morning we were early awake, and had dispatched breakfast and were again in line of battle before sunrise. Mov- ing out to see what had become of the enemy, the first im- pression was that he had fled. We threw out skirmishers and advanced in line of battle, and found after marching about two miles that he had taken up a new position in our front, heavily entrenched and prepared to give battle. We crowded up nearer and nearer, the noise of the conflict gradually in- creasing till about ten o'clock, when along different sections of
NASHVILLE AND AFTER. 263
cur line the battle became fierce. Our heavy guns kept up a constant and sublime roar, while the very earth trembled for miles. It was the most magnificent scene I ever witnessed. The air was sometimes absolutely clouded with smoke. The whistling of bullets and the unearthly scream of shells would have been terrific to the uninitiated. Still our brave army crowded on, heedless of danger and confident of victory. About two o'clock the rebel left was broken, and by three we had taken possession of the entire line, driving the enemy like chaff before the whirlwind. It was a glorious sight to see the stars and stripes borne onward that day and planted upon the battlements of the enemy. On this day, as we had about one hour of daylight left when the rebels gave way, we pur- sued with vigor and made many captures of men, small arms a'nd prisoners. Our brigade captured over six hundred pris- oners, six or eight hundred small arms, and six pieces of artillery. It commenced raining about four in the afternoon and rained almost all night, but fortunately for us it was not cold. We camped about six miles from Nashville, and were so tired as to sleep soundly almost regardless of the rain. Early on the morning of the 17th we took up the line of march along the Franklin pike, our cavalry in advance. It rained nearly all day, and the mud was everywhere, so that there was nothing left but to plunge in and make the best of it. We marched rapidly, overtook the enemy, and captured quite a large number of prisoners, and three additional pieces of artillery. The infantry went into camp at Franklin, but the cavalr}' fording the Harpeth River, pursued three or four miles beyond. During the night we built a bridge across the Harpeth River and on the morning of the i8th again set out in pursuit and marched sixteen miles toward Columbia. At Franklin 2,000 rebels wounded at the battle of Franklin fell into our hands with all their hospitals. We found there also about 300 of our wounded, who were unavoidably left in the enemy's hands when we fell back, on the 30th of November. You may be sure they were glad to see us.
The battle of Franklin was one of the bloodiest of the entire war, and was terribly severe on the enemy. Our loss was
264 NASHVILLE AND AFTER.
nearly 2,000, and his 7,000 or 8,000 killed, wounded and cap- tured ; he lost six generals killed, one captured and three or four badly wounded. I passed over the battle-field and had never before seen such terrible signs of destruction. There were more men killed and wounded at Franklin than in the two days' fight in front of Nashville. The reason of this is that the enemy at Franklin repeatedly charged our works over a smooth open field. The charges were every time repulsed with most fearful slaughter.
On the night of the i8th we camped within eight miles of Columbia. During the afternoon of this day our cavalry again came up with the enemy and captured another squad of prisoners. On the morning of the 19th we again broke camp, but marched only two or three miles, having to wait for a bridge to be built across Rutherford's Creek, six miles north of Columbia. On this day we again had rain, and in the after- noon the weather became cold and stormy. Dr. Bane and I took shelter in a private house, where we remained till after dinner the next day. In the afternoon we crossed Rutherford's Creek and marched to within sight of Columbia, where we were compelled to wait for pontoons upon which to cross Duck River, the enemy having burned the bridges in his retreat to delay our pursuit. On this day, the 20th, the weather grew colder, and the night was exceedingly uncomfortable, cold and stormy. Wood, Lieutenant Peddecord, and I slept in a simple shelter tent, and scarcely escaped freezing. Next morning, learning that we would remain in camp all day, we sent back three miles to the wagon, and had our wall tent brought up and our little stove, when we were made secure against the storm. We spent the night of the 21st of December com- fortably and all of the 22d. The weather continued very cold Night came on, but we were well prepared with wpod, and our beds were made down for another comfortable night's rest, when we were informed that the pontoon bridge was finished, and that we had to cross the river that night. The bugles sounded, the tents were all struck, and the march commenced. We, however, went into camp after crossing the river and marching about two' miles beyond. I suffered severely with
NASHVILLE AND AFTER. 265
cold that night, but by the aid of our camp fires we soon thawed out and sought rest in sleep. The ground was cov- ered with snow that had to be removed before making down our beds. Next morning, the 23d, found me well, however, and able for my allowance of hardtack and fat meat. After breakfast I was summoned to take command of the brigade. General Whitaker having started home to attend the Kentucky Legislature. This day my brigade had the advance of all the infantry, and after marching four or five miles we came upon the rear guard of the enemy and skirmished with them, and soon put them into flight, killing a rebel captain. This was the last time that our infantry came in sight of the retreating foe. In the evening we came into camp, having marched about six miles. The next day we marched twelve or fourteen miles, and went into camp about two miles south of Linville, on the road between Columbia and Pulaski. This was Christ- mas Eve ; I slept in a stable and slept well. This day our cavalry had several skirmishes with the rebel rear guard, inflicting some damage, and receiving some. The next day, Christmas, we pushed on vigorously and our cavalry again came up with the enemy and killed several. We pursued six or eight miles beyond Pulaski on the Florence road, and in the evening our cavalry had quite a fight with Forrest, in which we lost several horses and men captured, and some men killed and wounded. But in turn we captured quite a squad of prisoners, and killed and wounded some of the enemy. I was fortunate enough to get my quarters on Christmas night in a house, and slept alone in an old fashioned feather bed. This was grateful, for the day had been a dismal one and the night was wet and cold. Owing to the wretched condition of the roads, our trains did not get up, and we were compelled to lie by the next day to wait for rations. So the night of the 26th T again occupied the feather bed.
The cavalry pursued on the 26th, and again overtook the enemy and captured another lot of prisoners. But for want of rations they were compelled to lie by on the 27th, and hence we overtook them in the evening of that day, and camped in the same vicinity on a stream called Sugar Creek, about twenty
266 NASHVILLE AND AFTER.
miles south of Pulaski. On the morning of the 28th we again set out and marched to Lexington, a little town twenty or twenty-five miles from the Tennessee River. Our cavalry pushed on nearly to the river and ascertained that the rebel lear guard, by marching day and night, had succeeded in crossing and had taken up their pontoons. The pursuit was then given up, as it was not our intention to follow beyond the river. The morning was pleasant, but it became quite cold by night. We lay in camp this day and also the next, awaiting supplies and orders. Here I was quite ill for about twenty- four hours.
On the 31st we again broke camp and, turning westward, started for Huntsville, Ala. We marched over difficult roads, about fifteen miles. It was a cold, inclement day, and we were late getting into camp. But we soon made ourselves com- fortable with big fires as luckily the wood was abundant. The next morning, January i, 1865, we marched to the Elk River and stopped to build a bridge across that stream. Here we remained till nearly noon of the 3d, during which time I for- tunately again had my quarters in a house. We then crossed, and marched ten miles to Athens, Ala., and camped for the night, my quarters being in a nice but deserted mansion. On the morning of the 4th we were again on the march, and starting early, made about twenty miles and camped five or six miles from this place. The weather was still cold. About noon of the 5th we reached Huntsville and went into camp, where we are at present.
The country through which we passed from Nashville to Pulaski is very sightly and well cultivated, and had not suffered greatly from the war until this fall and winter. But now it has had its full share, as we foraged heavily all along our entire route as a matter of necessity, and besides the rebels had been subsisting upon the country ever since they entered it. The majority of the inhabitants have heretofore sympathized with the rebellion. After passing Pulaski we entered a more barren and less interesting territory, inhabited chiefly by a common class of uneducated people, who seemed to know but little in reference to the nature of the war. It was the most densely
Lieut. E. K. SCHWARTZ. Adjt. W. W. PEDDECORD.
LiEUT.-CoL. G. A. POTEET. Capt. JAS. a. WHITAKER. Capt. PHILIP KILEY.
Maj. frank L. HAYS.
NASHVILLE AND AFTER. 267
timbered country I ever saw, and cultivated only in the little valleys along the streams which traverse this region of south- ern Tennessee and northern Alabama. Athens is a pretty place, and has been a town of wealth and taste ; the country about has been in a pretty thorough state of cultivation. Be- tween Athens and Huntsville the country is only fair, but on aj)proaching Huntsville we entered one of the most romantic and lovely valleys I ever saw. This whole valley has been a model, in former days, of civilization, refinement and beauty. The city of Huntsville was once a gay, fashionable and beauti- ful city, filled with refined and well educated people, and the country for miles around was adorned with costly mansions and splendid farms. But the rough hand of war has done sad work in this locality. Upon the whole, we have had a cam- paign of almost unexampled severity, but its results have been of sufficient importance to compensate us for all our sacrifices and suffering.
COLONEL POTEET'S RECOLLECTIONS OF THE BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA.
The Reserve Corps under command of Major-General Gran- ger occupied the extreme left of the army at McAfee's Church. On the evening of the 19th we engaged the enemy, losing six men. On the morning of the 20th, finding no enemy in his front, General Granger moved his command to the support of General Thomas. Between twelve and one o'clock we en- gaged the enemy on Snodgrass Hill, with continuous fighting until dark. The men had exhausted all their ammunition, and had to supply themselves from the cartridge boxes of the killed and wounded. The regiment made several charges with fixed bayonets, and with the assistance of two guns of Battery M, Illinois Artillery, held the ground until dark, when General Steedman sent Lieutenant Pepoon, inspector-general on his stafif, to pilot the regiment ofif the field. In retiring from the field, I met General Palmer and shook hands with him. I have seen the general several times since, and he told me that the iiSth was the last regiment to leave the field. He promised to give me a written statement to that effect, but has neglected
268 PRISON LIFE.
to do it until now. So many have claimed to be the last regi- ment off the field, he has concluded not to commit himself in regard to the matter. I am certain, however, there were none of our troops on our right or left, or in our front, when we left the field, for we rested quite a while after coming off. There was no more fighting, and no regular command came off the field near us that could be seen. The enemy moved up and occupied our position, after we abandoned it.
" ' IN REBEL HANDS.
By Captain Jesse Hanon.
I was brigade provost-marshal on the staff of General Whit- aker, performing the duty of aide-de-camp, when late in the evening of September 20, 1863, I think after the last gun was fired, I was captured. Lieutenant Pepoon, also serving as aide on General Whitaker's staff, and I had just taken to the rear Lieutenant Moore, our brigade assistant adjutant-general, who was supposed to be mortally wounded. I left Lieutenant Pepoon to care for Lieutenant Moore and hastened to return to my post of duty, but in doing so ran into the line of battle of the enemy. The woods being full of smoke I was unable to distinguish them from our own troops.
A miserable night and day on the battle-field among the wounded and dead and then a hard march brought us to Ring- gold at midnight, the second day after the battle. Then to Atlanta and then to Richmond in the usual route of a prisoner of war with its hardships, and only occasional oases in the desert of misery made by kindness of rebel officers. At times the provost guard divided their sweet potatoes with us. Once or twice I was given liberty on taking a parole not to escape.
On our way to Richmond I fell in with Major J. R. Muhle- mann. General Palmer's adjutant-general, with whom I messed for more than twelve months. Of the Christian fortitude and piety of Major Muhlemann I never can speak in sufficient terms. He would sometimes rebuke us for what seemed wrong, but only with a look of pity and love. He was one of the few men I ever knew who' could not endure the least
PRISON LIFE. 269
vulgarity. He would not speak to the one offending-, but would quietly rise and move away. He was as modest and tender as the most refined woman.
We arrived at Libby prison on the 30th of September and took quarters in the lower Chickamauga room, which will be understood was one occupied by Chickamauga prisoners. I doubt if any other building the size of Libby has ever con- tained men of a greater variety of talent and a wider range of professions and occupations — military men, statesmen, ora- tors, doctors of divinity, doctors of medicine, lawyers, college professors, architects, painters, sculptors, poets, musicians, actors, bankers, merchants, farmers, and mechanics — the best, most learned and most skillful in every walk in life
Our fare was poor and meager in quantity. Corn-bread of unbolted meal, a few cow peas badly bug eaten, sometimes a little rice, occasionally a little wormy bacon or hash made of very poor beef or mule meat constituted our rations, never having any vegetables of any kind. After the visit of the famous John Morgan, who had enjoyed the fare of Northern prisons, our rations were materially increased. It will nat- urally be asked how we spent our time I answer, 'In ways as various as idle moments suggest in other walks of life.' We had books, magazines and the daily papers, scientific lec- tures by college professors, schools in German and French and in the sciences, religious services oil Sunday by Chaplain (now Bishop) C. C. McCabe and others, lectures by Neal Dow and others. We had many games such as cards, dominoes, chess and checkers. The drama was also cultivated, we hav- ing among our number as fine talents as the country afforded. A fine orchestra contributed to our entertainment. No one without such experience can form an adequate idea of the wonderful resourcefulness of those prisoners and of the talent displayed. Some who had not completed their college course continued their studies in spite of hunger and suffering.
After seven months at Libby we were removed to Macon, Ga., and after the fall of Atlanta, to Savannah, and thence to Charleston. Here we were placed, some in the work house, some in the marine hospital, and the rest in the jail yard, it
270 PRISON LIFE.
being intended that we should thus be under the fire of the Union guns and prevent damage to the city, but it never had that effect, as our gunners knew our several locations and no prisoner was ever hurt by our guns. Our next stop was at Camp Sorghum near Columbia, so named from the burnt molasses which constituted our principal diet. At this camp we suffered intensely and here I became very ill with rheu- matic fever brought on by long exposure to cold and storm, from which I came very near answering the last roll call. I will never forget a kindness I then received from Captain Cooper of the Confederate army, a brother mason, who gave me $20 Confederate money with which I bought a half-pound of butter for $7, a half-dozen eggs for another $7, and six biscuit with the remaining $6. The prisoners having a little money bought some beef to make broth for the sick. A cup of broth with an egg broken in it as long as my stock lasted was a great treat to me, and it is probable. that the change of diet saved my life. From Camp Sorghum they took us to the Asylum grounds. On the approach of Sherman about the middle of February, 1865, we were again given a railroad journey, and while the train was moving Lieut. Joseph Gore of my company made his escape and succeeded in reaching Sherman's army. We arrived at Charlotte, N. C, on the i6th of February full of hope for an immediate exchange, but other horrid scenes were yet to pass before us. At Raleigh we met the poor fellows who had survived the horrors of Anderson- ville as they were being taken in train loads to the point of exchange. At Goldsboro a great many not dead but unfit for exchange were taken from the trains and left in an open field without shelter to suffer and die under a pitiless sky. On the first day of March, 1865, we passed through the lines nine miles from Wilmington. Many tears of joy were shed at be- holding the flag for the first time in nearly eighteen months.
SOUTHERN PRISONS. By James F. King. The story of Southern prison pens forms a chapter of Amer- ican history that North as well as South might well forget.
PRISON LIFE. 271
How they could exist in a civilized land, I cannot under- stand, but the history of the 115th Ilhnois would be incom- plete without some record of the patriotic sufferings of those who died beneath the rebel flag. That "they died patriots and that honor was dearer to them than life, one little incident will prove. It was at Florence, S. C, our last prison pen. Four of us, all of the 115th, were occupants of a hut about six feet square, made of slabs split from the sides of the last avail- able tree in the stockade, and on which we worked all night on our arrival there. They were held upright by some sand heaped on the outside and covered with remnants of some old blankets. It was very cold and the December rains beat into our dwelling, making it a wet and chilly burrow, yet we were rich compared with thousands who had nothing but the sand and sky. We were skeletons eaten with gangrene and rotting with scurvy, shaking with chills, burning with fever and getting too weak to eat the raw meal, or tO' longer fight the lice that now swarmed over us. We had been through Libby Prison, Danville Prison, Macon, Charleston and Anderson- ville. The deaths were thirty to sixty daily. Now the rebel sergeants, who called the roll, came to us with this story : "Lee has whipped General Grant and Great Britain has recog- nized the independence of the Confederate States ; you all will die here and we do not want to hold you prisoners any longer. The war will be over in a few days, and we will let you take the oath of allegiance to the Confederacy, take you out and give you tents, wood, and the same rations as our own men." Of fifteen thousand men some twO' hundred or three hundred took that oath. We four of the 115th talked it over and took a vote. "All opposed to taking the oath say 'aye.' " Four weak voices responded "Aye," and the honor of the 115th was not tarnished by us.
Seven days after the battle of Chickamauga at Brown's Ferry, seven miles below Chattanooga, I left the regiment and crossed the river for forage, under orders from Colonel Moore, the squad consisting of about fifteen men in charge of Lieuten- ant Utter. • We were ambushed, fired upon and, save two or three, captured by Longstreet's sharp-shooters ; one of our
272 PRISON LIFE.
number, a member of Company B, fell dead in his tracks. We were taken first to Libby Prison ; later tO' another tobacco factory known as the "Smith Building." Besides these were the Pemberton building, Castle Thunder and one other to- bacco factory or warehouse used as prisons. The walls were heavy and the windows heavily bound. Built to accommodate slave labor, they were well adapted for war purposes. While en route from Richmond to Danville, by purloining the caps from the guns in the hands of two of the guards in our car, and leaping from the moving train into the rain and darkness, I made my escape. Trying, with the aid of the stars, to make the Union lines by way of Cumberland Gap — after five days and nights of extreme effort and suffering — I was recaptured.
As to the treatment and accommodations in the prisons : First, we were robbed of everything that would help to sustain life ; money, jewelry, clothing, knife, comb, canteen and haver- sack had to be given up. At Atlanta we were robbed again, again at Libby, again at Danville. After that we were not worth searching. Many were coatless, hatless and without shoes, hundreds, if not thousands, without pants. In this condition more than four thousand creatures that once were m.en were turned into Andersonville to be the prey of vermin, disease and starvation.
At Richmond we had hydrant water ; at Danville we carried water from the Dan River ; at Charleston we secured water b;v' digging holes five feet deep ; at Andersonville and Flor- ence, our supply was from the brooklets that flowed into the swamps and which were at once our sewer and drinking sup- ply, and the sewer of the rebel camp above. We never had vessels in which to warm water, nor fuel, nor soap to wash clothing. The lice multiplied by millions, by pints and quarts, and we fought them as best we could, but could not conquer them. Thirty-three years have passed, and I bear their marks.
The ration was so small that strong men died of starvation, while weaker ones survived. The bread at Richmond was good, and sometimes the meat ; at other times the meat was putrid, blue in color and announced its coming a block away. It was beef, mule and salt pork. Often no meat was issued,
PRISON LIFE. 273
and in lieu thereof we had pease, sweet potatoes, rice or mo- lasses. For lack of vessels of some kind in which to receive these, many men were obliged to use the remnant of a blanket, a shirt, or take off trousers or drawers and knot the legs to form a bag, into which the steaming rice, pease and sweet potatoes were shoveled.
But for the shreds of blankets and clothing stretched on little sticks, there was practically no shelter. Thousands who had rags enough to cover a part of the body could secure no sticks on which to stretch them ; of these, some burrowed in the sand. These burrows were protection in dry weather, but the frequent storms filled them with water and caved them in. The rain literally washed the sand over the bodies lying on the hillsides in the stormy nights, and the hot sun caused the flesh to open in great cracks, where flies and maggots made their homes.
In Richmond and Danville there was some medical atten- tion given prisoners ; in the stockade practically none. Rebel doctors burned our gangrene ulcerations with an acid that made them smoke, but did not check the disease.
To cross the dead line or to touch it was death. To escape and to be recaptured was to be torn by the hounds, bucked and gagged, placed in the stocks or in the chain gang. These punishments often ended in death. The favorite punishments of Captain Wirz were the stocks and the chain gang. The commandant at Florence hung those who had tried to escape by the thumbs. I heard their shrieks thiough the long nights. As I passed down the hill at Andersonville one day, the crowd was pouring water over the naked body of a man sitting on the sand. He was torn and bruised from head to foot ; his face, breast, back and limbs were covered with bites. "I could have fought off the dogs," he said, "but they covered me with their revolvers and set them on me until they were tired." But the saddest sight to me was the chain gang, wearily walking down and up the hill. Where one went all must go, bareheaded, almost naked and chained together with heavy iron balls between.
274 PRISON LIFE.
War is cruel and terrible, and our Civil War was no excep- tion. There is something thrilling in the idea of troops rushing to battle. We felt it as we saw the columns of our division rising and falling over the hills and valleys of hostile States. We felt it on those tiresome marches when covered with dust, guns carried at will, accoutrements all awry, suddenly bright muskets flashed in position, cartridge boxes shifted around and we fell intO' step, because the notes of the "Star Spangled Banner" came ringing down the column. We felt it as we went into action at Chickamauga, but this had all passed away v/hen in unromantic furrow of corn and cotton field we saw the stiffened forms of our comrades of the day before, or when in the prison stockades these remnants of men with hollow eyes and shrunken lips tried to smile and sustain the courage and patriotism of one another.
After a prison experience of not quite fifteen months, I was one of ten thousand of the weakest cases sent North on special parole. I can yet see the look of mingled joy and despair on the faces of my three comrades of the 115th, as I passed the double gates of the stockade — joy for me who was going home ; for themselves, no hope. I never heard of them again, but I still see them try to smile through the prison grime on their faces. I sec their parting salute, and hear their "Good- bye, Jim ! Good-bye."
PRISON LIFE. By J. M. Waddle, Company E.
We reached Atlanta September 27th, making the trip from Dalton in box cars. We were taken tO' the stockade and searched at the gate ; then turned in and the gate closed after us. We remained there until October 4th, when we were taken through Augusta to Richmond, tO' old Libby Prison. We were marched in and searched again, and then marched out and put in the old tobacco warehouse across the street. On the 14th of November we were again stowed in box cars, and on the 15th arrived at Danville, Va., where we were put in an old tobacco house, for safe keeping. The smallpox was
ROBERT BIVANS.
A. W. BIDDLE. WM. G. HENRY.
JOSEPH M. WADDLE.
All of Company E.
PRISON LIFE. 275
raging there and Albert Ruby of Company E became one of the victims. We spent the winter in that miserable prison. Although Albert Ruby recovered from the smallpox, many others died, including Nicholas Bumgardner of our regiment. On April 14th they put us on the road again, taking us first to Petersburg, thence through Raleigh, Salisbury, Charlotte, Columbia, Augusta and Macon, to the notorious Anderson- ville. Our first impression on entering the stockade was that we were being put in with a lot of negroes, but on closer in- spection we found they had been white men once, but were blackened by sitting around pitch pine fires, which they had to do to keep warm. When we entered the prison April 20, 1864, the prisoners were dying at the rate of thirty per day. In July the deaths were from seventy-five to one hundred per day. The most, common diseases were diarrhea, scurvy, gangrene and smallpox. I had the scurvy and suffered very much with it, but was removed to the hospital, where I could get some green things to eat, and became better. Albert Ruby was again very sick, but finally recovered. William C. Darmer, Albert Ruby and myself, all of Company E, and John Nance of Company G stuck close together. I will not attempt to describe the awful sufifering of the prisoners at Anderson- ville — that has been well done by others. On September loth we were delighted to leave the horrid place, arriving at Au- gusta, Ga., the next day. Our journey was continued east- ward to Charleston, where we were put on the cars again and run from one place to another, finally reaching the prison pen at Florence, S. C. On the 2d of October, they tried to get us to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederacy. I told them I would die first. Some of the boys took the oath, think- ing they would have a better chance for escape. On the 27th of November they marched us out of the stockade and the rebel doctors made an examination to find who among us were nearest dead. The result was they selected 1,000 of us and marched us to the depot and started us on the cars to Savannah, Ga., where on the last day of the month .we were loaded on board a steamer and started down stream. We soon came in sight of the stars and stripes floating over the Ameri-
276 PRISON LIFE.
can fleet. Our joy was beyond bound, our emotions inde- scribable at seeing deliverance so near and beholding once more the flag of our country. Weak as we were, we did some hearty cheering on being transferred to the Union transports, which meant that we had been exchanged. The first thing that we did was to strip oS our old clothes and throw them overboard, and after a thorough scrub, we appeared in new clothes. Then came a ration of hot coffee and crackers, and we began to feel that we were in God's country once more. On the 4th of December we arrived at Fortress Monroe, and on the 6th at Annapolis, Md., where a brass band met us at the wharf and escorted us to the barracks. As soon as we were a little recruited they took us to College Green, where we remained until able tO' travel. Then furloughs were given us. I arrived at home on the 2d of December, a year and three months from the time of my capture.
EXPERIENCE OF ROBERT YOUNG, COMPANY H.
I was one of the party captured September 24, 1863, in the attempt to take the ferry-boat down to Brown's Ferry. After being searched and robbed of our valuables, we were taken to Richmond, Va., by way of Atlanta and through the Carolinas. On arrival at the capital of the Confederacy we were put in the Pemberton building, an old tobacco factory. We were then searched and our money, watches and other valuables taken, under promise that they would be returned when we should be exchanged or paroled. It is needless to say the promise was never kept. I had a five dollar greenback, which I carefully hid in my clothes, and offered them eighty-five cents in script, which they refused to take, as I told them it was all I had. That $5 when invested in bread fully compen- sated for the lie I told. We had a great time trading with the guards. A dollar in greenbacks was worth ten dollars in Confederate money. The eagerness of the Confederate guards to get Union money led some of our soldiers into sharp prac- tice, by way of raising the denomination of bills, a $1 bill being frequently raised to a $10 and passed off on the guards as
PRISON LIFE. 277
such, no great care being taken in scrutinizing the money. In that way the smart boys secured much good bread and tobacco without seriously disturbing their consciences. In November we were taken to Danville and there kept in prison until April 14, 1864. We were then taken to Andersonville, Ga., where eight or ten thousand prisoners were confined in a stockade covering only a few acres. In June or July the number of prisoners reached thirty thousand. I endured all the horrors of Andersonville known to any that were able to survive it. The story would be too long to give the details.
One-half of the prisoners had no shelter of any kind what- ever, and all suffered greatly for want of food. To' add to the horrors of the situation, the prison was infested with a lot of our own men who would overpower the weak, take their rations and leave them to die. Such robberies were frequent, some of the gang not hesitating at murder. Finally a police squad was formed among the prisoners, and about fifty of the robbers were taken out and tried by their fellow prisoners and six of them were condemned to be hanged for their crimes. On the i2th of July a gallows was erected and Captain Wirz, the prison commandant, delivered the six culprits to the other prisoners to be dealt with as their sense of reason, justice and mercy should dictate. The catholic priest begged that they might be spared. As they were about to ascend the scaffold, one of them tried to run away, but he was soon captured and led up with the others, and they were all hanged together. After that we had better order among us and the rights of the weak were more respected. The terrible diseases, typhoid fever, dropsy, scurvy and diarrhea constantly prevailed in the camp, and the daily death list was frightful. As the men died they were carried on blankets to the dead house and thence to the cemetery, each being numbered and his name written on the death roll ; many were marked unknown. Nearly fourteen thousand of our brave boys were left buried in that prison graveyard. It was a time of great rejoicing when we marched out of the prison pen, September 10, 1864, and started towards Charleston. We were then confined in a field at a race course, being guarded by the 5th Georgia regiment. We
278 PRISON LIFE.
were removed from there to Florence, S. C, where about twelve thousand prisoners were confined, the death rate being almost as great there as at Andersonville. In November about two thousand were paroled ; I being the twentieth man from the gate when the number was completed, was compelled to wait for another chance. I had become so weak from want of food that when I finally left Florence I had tO' be assisted to the railroad, which Joseph Large and James Shaw of Com- pany A did to the best of their ability, for which I now desire to return them heartfelt thanks. It was then January, 1865. We stopped at Wilmington, N. C, on the day the Union army was fighting at Fort Fisher, and could hear the siege guns very distinctly. They then hurried us out of Wilmington to Goldsboro, our army entering the place soon after we left. We remained at Goldsboro until about March ist. There be- ing no stockade, we were confined in a woods by a guard line thrown around us. Our fuel was green pine wood, and as it rained most of the time we had more smoke than fire, and a very uncomfortable time indeed. Soon after that we were numbered by thousands and paroled, and passed through the lines at Cape Fear River, some ten miles from Wilmington. I had been a prisoner for 525 days. From Wilmington I was taken to Annapolis, Md., and from there soon tO' Benton Bar- racks, near St. Louis ; thence to Camp Butler, where I was mustered out on June 14, 1865. I was never exchanged, but was mustered out as a paroled prisoner.
IN SOUTHERN PRISONS. By William Tyson. The history of the 115th being already well supplied with incidents connected with the Southern prisons, I will content myself with a very brief outline. Our tour through the South was much the same as that of others. As we marched into Selma, Ala., the sidewalks were lined with Southern women waving their handkerchiefs at the rebel guards and shouting, "Here's your Yankee ! Here's your Lincoln dogs ! Here's your nigger officers !" From Selma we had a steamboat ride to Cahaba and were then sent to Millen, Ga., by way of Mont-
PRISON LIFE. 279
gomery. When Sherman was on his march to the sea he sent General Kilpatrick to rescue us, but the rebels learning of it, hurried us down to Savannah, thence to Thomasville, and from there marched us across the country to Andersonville, a dis- tance of about sixty miles. A pack of ten or twelve blood- hounds followed our trail until we were safe in Andersonville, which we reached on the 26th of December, having marched through creeks and swamps filled with ice much of the way.
As I have not seen them published elsewhere I submit here- with the
RULES OF ANDERSONVILLE PRISON.
1. There will be two daily roll calls at the prison; one at 8 a. m. and one at 4 p. m.
2. The prisoners are divided into detachments of one hun- dred men each. Five detachments will constitute a division.
3. Each division must occupy the grounds assigned to it for encampment. No huts or tents must be erected outside the camping grounds.
4. Each detachment must elect a sergeant. The five ser- geants of a division will appoint one of their number to draw the rations of the whole division.
5. The sergeants are responsible for the cleanliness of their encampment. They will each day make a detail from among their men to police the camp throughout. Any man refusing to do poHce duty will be punished by the sergeant by bucking him for the rest of the day.
6. No rations will be issued to any division unless all the men are present at roll call. The sergeant in charge of the detachment must report every absentee. If he fails to do so, and the missing man makes his escape he will be put in close confinement until the missing man is recaptured.
7. The sergeant of a detachment will report all the sick in his detachment and will carry them, after roll call, to the re- ceiving hospital. After examination by the sergeant in charge he will leave those who are admitted and carry the others back. He will at the same time take charge of those belonging to his division who may be discharged from the hospital.
280 AT BUZZARD ROOST.
8. The prisoners have the privilege of writing twice a week. No letter must be over one page in length and must contain nothing but private matters.
9. Any prisoner has the right to ask an interview with the commandant of the prison by applying to the sergeant in charge of the gate between the hours of 10 and 11 a. m.
10. The sergeants of detachments and divisions must re- port to the commandant of the prison any shortcoming of rations.
11. No prisoner must pass the dead line or talk with any guard on post or attempt to buy or sell anything to the sen- tinel, the sentinels having strict orders to fire at any one passing the dead line, if attempting to speak to or trade with them.
12. It is the duty of the detachment sergeant to carry any men, who should die in quarters, immediately tO' the receiving hospital, giving to the hospital clerk the name, rank, regiment and State of the deceased.
13. To prevent stealing in camp the prisoners have a right to elect a chief of police, who will select as many men as he deems necessary to assist him. He and the sergeants of the divisions have a right to punish any man who is detected stealing. The punishment shall be shaving of one half of the head and a number of lashes, not exceeding fifty.
These rules were secured by A. J. Terrill of Company D, to whom I am indebted for them.
Our mess in Andersonville consisted of Sergeant Jacoby, P. A. Zimmerman, A. J. Terrill, M. P. Julian and myself. While we were there John S. Smith was taken sick and died on February i, 1865. On the 2Sth of March, 1865, we left that villainous pen and were sent to Vicksburg for exchange, and were thence transferred to St. Louis, paid off, and furloughed home.
COMPANY D AT BUZZARD ROOST- By Major Samuel Hymer. Soon after the regiment came to- Tunnel Hill in July, 1864, Company D was assigned to guard a bridge at Buzzard Roost
CHRISTIAN D. COWGILL. Sergt. H. N. keep. EDWARD D. COWGILI,.
CHRISTIAN D. COWGILL. ROBERT YOUNG.
All of Company A.
AT BUZZARD ROOST. 281
Gap, a little more than half way from Tunnel Hill to Dalton. At that time there were no fortifications in the place and the company was kept busy for some time making log breast- works for their defence. In August a company of engineers arrived and with the aid of Company D built a very substan- tial blockhouse. The company occupied a row of tents on the bank of the creek near the blockhouse, being ready to enter that stronghold in case of need. The company had three miles of railroad to patrol and keep open, which, with other duties, kept them very busy day and night. Frequent raids were made by Confederate cavalry and the company occasionally had slight skirmishes with them, without loss, however. On one occasion a horse was killed and its rebel rider severely wounded.
General Wheeler came in the valley some time in Septem- ber with quite a force of cavalry and attacked Dalton, but the garrison, making stout defence, held them in check until the arrival of General Steedman with a force from Chattanooga. After General Hood left Atlanta on his raid on the North the country about Buzzard Roost was constantly filled with rebel scouts so that we were compelled to be always on the alert expecting an attack.
As my account of Hood's attack on our blockhouse is given in substance in the body of the history, it is not necessary to repeat it here, but an incident is worth mentioning. Squire Bechtol of Company D was illiterate, but proved to be the smartest man in the company. When the blockhouse was captured he lay on the ground groaning and appearing to be badly wounded, and would not let anyone touch him, so he was left there with the wounded and after the rebels were gone with the prisoners, he managed tO' come to, having only feigned injury.
After the surrender we were taken to General Bate's head- quarters, where we were asked many questions. The next morning after the capture a detail from Company D buried the dead. The wounded were taken to a house nearby and left there to make the most of their condition, while the rebel army moved on.
282 AT BUZZARD ROOST.
We were fairly well treated by our captors and recognition made of our gallant defense, being permitted to retain our side arms and most of our personal effects. The company went on a tour through the Confederacy, via Selma and Montgomery, Ala., to Millen, where Lieutenant Jones and myself were separated from the enlisted men. By special exchange fifteen of the men were sent North and the others left to take their chances in Andersonville and other prisons. Lieutenant Jones and L with other officers were sent to Camp Sorghum, near Cloumbia. There we met Captain Hanon and Lieutenant Gore of Company A. As Sherman ap- proached we were taken to Charlotte, North Carolina, sev- enty-five men being put in each box-car. At Charlotte many prisoners made Iheir escape, the guards not being any longer careful to prevent it. I preferred to wait a little longer and be exchanged, which occurred soon after, and Lieutenant Jones and I came to Annapolis, Md. After a visit home we were ordered to Benton's Barracks, near St. Louis, where we met the remnant of Company D, which had been ex- changed at \^icksburg, and were soon after discharged.
THE ATTACK ON THE BLOCK HOUSE. By William Tyson.
On October 13, 1864, Hood's army of nearly forty thousand came to the blockhouse. It was a beautiful day and we had been very busy all of the forenoon fixing up winter quarters, as we expected to remain there all winter. We borrowed a yoke of oxen and a cart to do our hauling with and as Anson Underbill was an expert at driving, we put him in charge of the team. We were getting along nicely until about noon, when we saw some men ride up on top of the hill, about a quarter of a mile south of us. At that distance we could not make out whether they were friends or foes, but surmised that they were rebels, and every fellow broke for the blockhouse. Captain Hymer said, "Give them a few shots and we will find out who they are." Four or five others of the company and I stepped out about thirty feet in front of the blockhouse, raised
AT BUZZARD ROOST. 283
our guns and fired. We had hardly more than discharged our pieces, when out of the woods to our right a volley from the rebel guns rang, and the balls came flying thick and fast all around us. We broke for the blockhouse on the double quick. About this time Anson Underbill drove up with the team and Captain Hymer called to him to come in. Anson said, "Wait until I unhitch the oxen", and he stayed out there as un- concernedly as though there was nothing the matter, un- hitched the team, took off the yoke, turned them loose and came inside. The rebels opened fire on us with musketry and artillery. One hundred and thirty-three cannon balls were fired at the fort; yet, this little band of Spartans held the rebels in check for ten hours, when they were finally forced to surrender. Along about nine o'clock at night the firing had ceased on both sides, and everything had become perfectly quiet. The moon was almost full, and was just be- ginning to shine around the spur of Rocky Face Ridge and lighten things up, when the rebels were seen approaching by the way of the bridge. The sentry on that side of the block- house halted them and asked them what they Wanted. They replied that they wanted us to surrender. Sergt. Andrew Jacoby and Robert Stewart went out and met them on the bridge, and wanted to know who they were. One of them answered that he was General Bate's aide-de-camp and wanted us to surrender. He took Jacoby and showed him the men lying along side the railroad embankment with lumber to cross the ditch on, and sharpened rails to stop up the port holes with, and told him if we did not surrender they intended to charge on us and set fire to the fort and burn it down. The sergeant came back and reported to Captain Hymer what they had seen, when Captain Hymer went out and held a consultation, and agreed on the terms of surrender.
In this engagement five were killed, six wounded and thir- ty-seven taken prisoners. Nathan Jones was shot through the forehead with a musket ball. Joseph Boyd had his left arm torn ofif at the shoulder with a cannon ball ; he lived an hour or more after he was shot, making a pitiful noise all this time and begging for some one to shoot him and put him
284 AT BUZZARD ROOST.
out of his misery. Fielden Loe had has head blown off with a cannon ball. John Parish hfld his left arm shot off with a cannon ball, between the elbow and wrist, and was badly bruised on the left side with a piece of timber. Wilham Dixon had the flesh all torn off the inside of his left leg above the knee by a cannon ball ; his body was warm the next morn- ing when we went to the blockhouse to bury him. Patman Zimmerman, two others whose names I have forgotten, and myself were detailed the next morning to bury the dead. We dug a grave about six feet square just south of the road in a nice blue-grass plat, then carried them out and laid them in it, side by side, wrapped their blankets around them and covered them up. They have all been taken up since then and removed to the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, and are buried in Section K.
We never knew how many we killed of the rebels ; some said thirty-five, while others said we did some very wild shooting; that we shot away over them. We marched out of the blockhouse about ten o'clock at night. The moon was shining very brightly and the first thing I noticed was the cannon balls which had struck the fort and bounded back. There was at least a good two-horse wagon load of them ly- ing around on the ground. The southeast corner of the fort was all torn into splinters from top to bottom. We were soon surrounded by the rebel guards and a howling mob of Con- federate soldiers. They would ask us, "What regiment do you'ns belong to?" We told them we belonged tO' the 115th Illinois. "Well, we thought you'ns were Illinois boys. You just fit like hell." They wanted to trade us out of every- thing we had. I had on a brand new hat that had been sent to me from home ; along came a Johnny and said, "You've got a pretty good hat. I guess we'll trade," and with that he jerked it off my head and slapped his on in place of it. I afterwards learned that he took it off a Union prisoner at Misionary Ridge about a year before. It was all full of holes, and the rim hung down in my eyes. I think I must have had on the poorest hat in Hood's army.
SPECIAL SERVICE OF COMPANY H. 285
CAPTURE OF THE FERRY BOAT. By J. M. Waddle, Company E. As we neared Lookout Mountain, a regiment of Long- street's men arose and poured a volley of bullets into our boat. The first volley wounded our mules and some of our men. A few who were good swimmers leaped into the river and attempted to swim to the opposite shore, but a fierce fire was kept up at those in the water. F. J. Philbrook of Com- pany G succeeded in reaching the shore in safety, the others being killed or drowned in the attempt. Our boat, being dis- abled, turned round and round and rapidly drifted to the shore. The rebels then ordered us to jump off and tie the boat, and we were then taken to Longstreet's headquarters. Henry Roberts of Company E, who had deserted from the rebel army and joined us at Normandy, Tenn., in August previous, was among our party. When they took our names he gave his nickname, "John Wilder." They then marched us farther up the mountain, soon passing a Hne of battle. As we came near them Roberts remarked, "There is my old regiment." I told him to draw down his hat over his eyes. He did so, but they recognized him and immediately called to the ofScers, who handcufifed him and marched him away. We learned from the rebels that he was shot a short time afterwards. After marching us to Bragg's headquarters and taking our rubber blankets and other equipments from us, they started us on our journey southward.
SPECIAL SERVICE OF COMPANY H. By Lieutenant Hatfield. Of the detached service of Company H, that at Greenwood Mills, a few miles north of Tunnel Hill, is the most noted. The Michigan engineers had built the blockhouse there for the purpose of protecting the bridge across the creek at that place. While there William C. Work was accidentally killed, being run over by the cars. He was one of our best sol- diers. The most important event was the guerrilla raid on the 9th of July, 1864. They had approached the railroad, and
286 PIONEER CORPS.
lay waiting and wishing for a train to be derailed, and its pas- sengers to be thrown into the trap. In command of a squad, I was hurrying down the road, and as we passed into the cut near the little bridge, a motley crowd of men arose before us, firing at the same time. Samuel Sloop of Company A was shot through the body, James W. Watson of Company H received a wound in the head and face, and Jeffrey Oliver was shot through the chest, from which wound he died a few days afterward. Before he was shot, Oliver threw up his hands, saying, "I surrender, I give up", but Captain Harvey, in command of the rebels, paid no attention to the call, and shot him, as above stated. This was the party of raiders that captured James Shaw and Joseph Large of Company A. The prisoners were soon relieved of their money and their captors hurried over the hills to the valley, where Dr. Jones was mur- dered by them. The shooting of Dr. Jones and Private Oli- ver was wilful and cold-blooded murder. Company H re- mained at Greenwood until after the rebels had turned back from Atlanta and had captured the blockhouse garrisoned by Company D. It joined the regiment in the retreat to Nash- ville, but soon returned to its post, and soon after went to Adairsville, Ga., Captain Reardon commanding the post. While there Captain Reardon received the following tele- gram from General Sherman, "This is the rain I have been looking for. When it is over I will be off."
THE PIONEER CORPS.
The following list of pioneers, detailed from the 115th to serve in the advance work for Sherman's army in the Atlanta campaign, is furnished by Corporal Charles Hill of that de- tachment. They did efficient service in that line until after the capture of Big Shanty, when they returned to the regi- ment.
Lieut. P. Riley, Commanding, Company K. Corporal Charles Hill, Company A. Nicholas C. Madison, Company A. Samuel Barrett, Company B. Jacob Hinebough, Company C.
CHASTAIN'S SCARE. 287
David Reel, Company C- William Markman, Company C. James R. Thomas, Company D. Joseph Colister, Company D. George Gregory, Company D. John H. Herdman, Company E. John W. Myers, Company E. Henry Warren, Company F. Isaac Jones, Company F. Patrick McGuire, Company G. Elisha Tuttle, Company G. Wm. H. Giger, Company I. C. Hogland, Company I. George Keller, Company H- Daniel Denien, Company K.
THOMAS J. CHASTAIN'S SCARE. Thomas J. Chastain of Company B was greatly frightened while on picket one night, in the woods opposite Resaca. While sitting on a log, dividing his thoughts between home and the loved ones, and the duty of watching for the John- nies, he heard a frightful noise approaching him. While un- decided whether a rebel or a fox were the cause, a streak of red and green ran up the inside of his pants, adding greatly to his fright, but before he could move, it shot out of a con- venient hole, and leaped up a sapling near by. He then saw a huge lizard that appeared to him at least a foot long. He then realized that it was enough to scare any one, but now thinks of it as a very ludicrous incident.
ROSTER.
This roster is intended to account for every man who ever was connected with the regiment, excepting deserters only. To save space the date of enlistment is omitted as to all who entered the service at the organization of the regiment, and the date of muster out is omitted as to all who were mustered out with the regiment, hence in all cases, if no date of enlist- ment or enrollment is given it will be understood that the person named enlisted in August, 1862, at the organization of the particular company, and if no date of muster out or discharge is given, and the person is not reported as having died in the service, it will be understood that he was mustered out with the regiment on June 11, 1865, and was finally dis- charged with it at Camp Butler, Illinois, June 27, 1865. The residence given is that at which the person named was last heard from. In some instances those reported as dead are possibly still living, while a number of those reported as living have probably died since last heard from. An earnest en- deavor has been made to have the roster accurate ; if errors are found let them be charged to those who, having the facts, failed to furnish them. Deserters are omitted because their names could not be included without giving the fact of their desertion, and it was desired not to enter into that branch of the history of the regiment. It has not been attempted to give the final discharge or muster out of those marked transferred to other companies.
JOSEPH R. EDMONDS.
Company E.
TOBIAS FINKBINE.
Company B.
RICHARD UTTER.
Company C.
Lieut. JOSEPH J. SLAUGHTER.
Company H.
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
JESSE HALE MOORE, Brevet Brigadier-General, Colo- nel 115th Illinois Volunteers. General Moore was born in St. Clair County, Illinois, April 22, 1817. He came of a patri- otic family, his grandfather having been a soldier in the War' for Independence and seen the surrender of Lord Cornwal- lis at Yorktown, while his father and two or three uncles did good service in the War of 1812. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm and in the common schools of the vicin- ity. After graduating from McKendree College in 1842, he began teaching, serving as principal of the Georgetown and Paris Seminaries and as president of Quincy College until 1856. He was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church when quite young, and while devoted to his school work, he found time for theological study, and in 1846 en- tered the ranks of the ministry as a member of the Illi- nois conference of his church. He soon became known as a pulpit orator of marked abiUty, and was in great demand for special occasions, resulting in his transfer to the regular work of the ministry in which he acceptably served several leading churches. In August, 1862, while serving as pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Decatur, he yielded to the earnest solicitations of many prominent citizens, and con- sented to take command of a regiment of volunteers, and was commissioned colonel of the 115th Illinois Regiment. The ability he had shown in the management of young people in the seminary and college was now turned to good account in the organization and training of men for mihtary service. He commanded the regiment in all its battles and in nearly all of its campaigns, the only exceptions being when he was in command of the brigade or of military posts, and a few short absences on leave to visit his home. His courage and ability were shown and recognized in every battle, and his faithfulness to duty and his untiring devotion to the welfare of his regiment was manifested in every campaign. In the battle of Chickamauga he fearlessly led his regiment in the repeated assaults on the famous Snodgrass Hill, his horse
290 FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
being twice shot from under him, and receiving the highest commendation of the generals commanding. He commanded the post at Richmond, Ky., in November and December, 1862 ; at Tullahoma, Tenn., in August, 1863 ; at Shell Mound, Tenn., in the winter of 1863-64; at Resaca, Ga., in May and June, 1864, and at Tunnel Hill, Ga., from July to October, 1864. Also, he commanded the old "Iron Brigade," the sec- ond brigade, first division, 4th army corps, from the close of the battle of Nashville till the regiment was mustered out in June, 1865, well earning the brevet rank of brigadier-gen- eral given him by President Lincoln in April, 1865, "for gal- lant and meritorious conduct on the field of battle."
At the close of the war General Moore resumed his duties as a minister of the gospel, serving as presiding elder of the Decatur district from 1865 to 1868. He was a delegate to. the General Conference in 1868, in which he took a conspicu- ous part, being made a member of the Book Committee, one of the most important bodies in the church. In 1868 he was elected a representative from the 7th Illinois district in the 41st Congress, and was re-elected in 1870. In his Con- gressional career, General Moore was a consistent and pow- erful supporter of the administration of General Grant, and an ardent advocate of his reconstruction policy. In his sec- ond term he was chairman of the committee on pensions, a distinction seldom conferred on a second-term member. In 1873 he was appointed United States pension agent at Spring- field, which position he held till 1877, when the office was consolidated with that at Chicago. He then returned to the work of the ministry in the Illinois conference, until failing health compelled him to take a rest. He took an active part in the campaign of 1880 in support of General Garfield for the presidency, and 'was strongly endorsed for the posi- tion of commissioner of pensions, but the President thought otherwise and appointed him United States consul to Calao, Peru. He accepted the position, and with his wife, two sons and daughter-in-law went to his post of duty, where for two years he battled for the rights of his countrymen, the war between Chili and Peru being in progress during the whole
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 291
period. His courage was again put to the test when that terrible scourge, the yellow fever, became epidemic in Calao. Instead of fleeing to the mountains, he remained at his post ministering to the needs of his countrymen, until stricken with the disease on July 6, 1883, and on July nth following he passed peacefully away surrounded by such of his family as had gone with him to South America. He was temporarily buried in Bella Vista Cemetery, near Calao, but in 1885 was transferred by the United States Government to his former home at Decatur, 111., where all that is mortal of the old colo- nel of the 115th Ilhnois Volunteer Infantry lies quietly await- ing the final reveille.
WILLIAM KINMAN, Lieutenant-Colonel. Colonel Kin- man was born at Fort Knox, near the present city of Vin- cennes, Ind., May 6, 1812. His parents, Levi and Susannah Kinman, among the earliest settlers of western Indiana, had made their home in the forest near the Wabash River, till driven into the fort by bands of hostile Indians who had gone on the war path in the hope of reward from the British. Soon after the close of the war Levi Kinman and family re- moved to western Illinois and made a new settlement in what is now Pike County. In that far wilderness, forty miles from the nearest "grist mill," surrounded by Indians, often hos- tile, and subjected to the hardest usage of frontier life, Wil- ham Kinman spent his boyhood, his only opportunity for education being in the school of adversity. When twenty years old he received from Governor Reynolds of Illinois a commission as second lieutenant of the Illinois troops, for serv- ice in the Black Hawk War, and it is said served in the same command with Abraham Lincoln. After the great chief was captured, he returned home and attended school at Illinois College, Jacksonville, making part of his expenses by work for the college. He then returned to Pike County, and soon after that married Miss Ann Shin, the daughter of a pioneer Methodist preacher, and settled on a small farm near Grigs- ville, 111.
292 FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
In the Mormon War he agam entered the service, being a first lieutenant in the second battalion Illinois Volunteers. In June, 1847, he was commissioned a captain in Company K, 5th Illinois Volunteers, for service in the Mexican War, and marched with Col. Sterling Price from Independence, Mo., over the plains tO' Mexico, participating in several engage- ments. At the close of the war he again returned to civil life and settled on a fine farm near Jacksonville, where he filled many important positions, being for several years president of the County Agricultural Society. In 1861 he served as a commissioner, under appointment of Governor Yates, for the distribution of arms to Illinois troops. In 1862 he took an active part in the work of recruiting men for the service, espe- cially in raising a Morgan County regiment, the loist. Com- pany I of the iisth was largely the result of his labor, though he declined to take an office in it, expecting a commission as a field officer, which was received on his election to the posi- tion of lieutenant-colonel of the 115th regiment. Colonel Kinman was for a time its drill master and military trainer. Having had experience in three wars, he was familiar with the duties of an officer and with what should be expected of a soldier ; hence Colonel Moore was glad to avail himself of his services in all such matters. He particpated in all the service of the regiment till the battle of Chickamauga, except during a few weeks' absence because of sickness. He com- manded the regiment some time while at Nashville in the winter of 1862-63, and afterwards at Wartrace. To him much of the credit is due for the drill, discipline and efficiency of the regiment, which gave it such a glorious record at Chick- amauga, Resaca, Nashville and other battles. Noted for his kindness of heart and affable disposition that made him al- ways easily approached by the humblest soldier, he was strict in discipline and firm in the discharge of every duty.
Colonel Kinman knew no fear and never hesitated to go wherever duty called. In the assault on Snodgrass Hill he rode forward with the regiment, cheering the, men on in the charge. As he was thus riding from right tO' left of the regi- ment, when bullets were flying thick and fast, he fell mor-
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 293
tally wounded and a moment later was instantly killed by a second bullet. Capt. James A. Rutherford says of his death : "It was in our second charge; I was keeping my men in line and seeing that all did their duty, and while thus busy I heard a rattling noise near me and looked to see its cause ; I saw that Colonel Kinman had just fallen from his horse. I went to his assistance and asked if he was badly hurt, to which he replied, 'Yes, mortally wounded in left breast,' and then said, 'Raise me up' ; as I attempted to do so, before he had time to speak another work, a second shot struck him in the forehead and he straightened out dead." His son, Capt. C. L. Kinman, speaking of his death says, "He had just rid- den along the line encouraging the men tO' stand firm. The last I saw of him alive, he passed into a cloud of smoke to the left of Company I. He had been dead an hour before I knew it. When I found his body it was near General Thomas' headquarters, to which place it had been carried by Perry L. Van Cleve of Company I, and Perry P. Tolle, Humphrey Muck and Charles Barker of Company D. I wrote his name and regiment on a piece of paper and pinned it on him. Be- ing unable to do more for him, I returned tO' the regiment." And thus the body of our brave lieutenant-colonel was left on Snodgrass Hill. He was never afterward identified, and with- out doubt lies among the unknown that were removed to the National Cemetery at Chattanooga.
GEORGE A. POTEET, Brevet Colonel U. S. Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel iisth Volunteer Infantry. George AUran Poteet was born October 12, 1837, at Rockville, Parke County, Indiana. His father, Dr. Allran Poteet, was born in Mountain Home, Rutherford County, North Carolina; his mother, Aceneth Sill Poteet, was born in Shelby County, Ky., where they were united in marriage. Shortly after this Dr. Poteet removed tO' Indiana and located at Rockville. In 1842 the family removed to the northern part of the State, locating at Rensselaer, Jasper County; in 1844 they again removed to Monticello, White County, and in 1864 returned to Rock- ville, where Mrs. Poteet died in 1847. Dr. Poteet died in
294 FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
1852 at Montezuma, Ind. George's education was received in district and public schools. He was tendered an appointment to West Point as cadet by Congressman John G. Davis, of Indiana, but because of the serious illness of his sister, was unable to accept.
Colonel Poteet was a resident of Shelbyville, III, at the breaking out of the war. He enlisted as a private under Capt. Cyrus Hall on May i, 1861, but was mustered in as sixth sergeant May 11, 1861, in Company B, 14th Illinois Volun- teers, in the State service for thirty days, unless sooner re- quired for the United States service. On the 25th of the same month he was mustered into the United States service for three years ; September 21, 1861, he was promoted to first lieutenant of Company B, and assigned to duty on the staff of General Palmer as acting commissary of subsistence, in which capacity he served in the campaign in southwest Missouri. In February, 1862, he returned to his company, arriving at Fort Donelson one day after the surrender. He was with his company in the battle of Shiloh, and was severely wounded the first day of the battle, April 6th. When able to travel, he returned home on leave of absence, but before he was able for field duty, he heard his country's call for more men, and took the lead in recruiting a company sub- sequently known as Company B, iisth Illinois Volunteers, of which he was elected captain. On going to Camp Butler he took an active part in the organization of the regiment, and was mustered in as major. He was conspicuous for gal- lant conduct in the battle of Chickamauga, and at its close was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. He served with his regi- ment in all its campaigns, being in command of the regiment most of the time after the close of the Atlanta compaign, until it was mustered out in June, 1865. About that time the President conferred on him the brevet rank of colonel of United States volunteers, for bravery and meritorious con- duct in the battles of ShiJoh, Chickamauga, Resaca and Nash- ville.
He was married December 24, 1861, to Miss M. B. Smith of Paris, Monroe County, Mo. After being mustered out of
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 295
the service June ii, 1865, he returned to Shelbyville, 111., en- gaging in business there. He removed to Mexico, Mo., June, 1868. Later he was appointed postmaster at Mexico, and served four years. In 1884 he removed to Kansas City, Mo., and has since been engaged in clerical work in a railroad of- fice, and as freight inspector, for the Western Railway Weigh- ing Association and Inspection Bureau, waiting for the final muster out. His address is No. 1234 Indiana Avenue, Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN W. LAPHAM, Major. Major Lapham was born in Decatur, 111., December 18, 1832, and died in California in the summer of 1887. He was educated at McKendree Col- lege, after which he studied medicine and practiced his pro- fession at Taylorville, III, until he entered the service. He served as captain of Company A until after the battle of Chick- amauga, when he was promoted to be major. After the war he studied theology and became a member of the Illinois con- ference, in which he did faithful service until 1884, when fail- ing health compelled his retirement.
JOHN H. WOODS, Adjutant. Lieutenant Woods was born in Alton, 111., in 1839; he was graduated from Shurtlefif College in i860, studied at Yale College, and taught in Grey- lock Institute in Massachusetts, and in the Collegiate Institute, New Haven, Conn. He was appointed adjutant of the regi- ment on its organization, and was an efficient officer until his resignation, April 10, 1863. Most of the time since then he has been professor of Latin in the Illinois Deaf and Dumb Institution at Jacksonville, 111., but is now in charge of the pub- lic Hbrary in that city. Professor Woods has all his life been a devoted student, and in his writings has given to the world many proofs of his broad and accurate scholarship. He has been active in literary circles in Jacksonville, and is recog- nized as one of its leading citizens. It is a matter of regret to Prof. Woods' comrades that he has put such a modest esti- mate on his military services as to cause him to hold aloof, ap-
296 FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
parently, from all association with the organization most dear to them.
ALLEN LITSENBERGER, Adjutant. Lieutenant Lit- senberger was the second to occupy the office of adjutant. He was born in Hancock County, Ohio, July 6, 1840, and came with his parents to Illinois in 1846, locating in Clin- ton. In 1859 he went to Decatur, which has since been his home. He enlisted in Captain Hays' company in 1862, but was one of those loaned to fill up Company H, and wa:s mus- tered in with that company. He was soon after promoted to commissary sergeant, in which capacity he served most effi- ciently until April, 1863. On the resignation of Adjutant Woods, he was promoted to that position, which he filled in an able manner until after the battle of Chickamauga. On account of failing health he then resigned and returned to Decatur. Since the war he has been engaged in the book business in Decatur.
WOODFORD W. PEDDECORD, Adjutant. Lieutenant Peddecord, a son of the well known banker, Jasper J. Pedde- cord, of Decatur, 111., was born and reared in that city. He was appointed sergeant major at the organization of the regi- ment, and was promoted adjutant to date from November 30, 1863, in which position he served till the close of the war. Af- ter that he engaged in business in Decatur, where he died June 18, 1897. "*
BENJAMIN F. FARLEY, Regimental Quartermaster. Lieutenant Farley served as quartermaster till April i, 1863, when he resigned and returned home ; he is believed to be dead.
CHARLES W. JEROME, Regimental Quartermaster. Lieutenant Jerome was born in Onondaga County, New York, September 8, 1828. When six years of age, his par- ents moved to Illinois. Charles passed his early youth on the farm, attending the common school — never over three
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 297
months in the year. At i8 he entered McKendree College, working his way through, and was graduated in 1852. He then engaged in teaching, as assistant in the Danville Semi- nary, Danville, 111. ; afterwards as principal of the Shelby Male and Female Seminary, Shelbyville, 111. He was married in 1858 to Miss Eugenia A. Jerome, of Bath, N. H. They have two children, Charles M. and Carolina O. In 1862 he rehn- quished the principalship of the institution, and enlisted as a private in Company B, 115th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. At Camp Butler he was appointed quartermaster sergeant, and at Franklin, Tenn., April i, 1863, he was promoted to first lieu- tenant and regimental quartermaster, which position he filled till the close of the war.
Lieutenant Jerome was conscientious, faithful and diligent in performing the duties of his position. His chief object v/as to supply his fellow soldiers with every comfort within reach. In the fall of 1863, in company with a large supply train crossing Walden's Ridge en route to Chattanooga, with supplies for the nearly famished Union soldiers, he was captured by the rebel General Wheeler. The prisoners were put on a forced march to Jasper, thence to McMinnville, and thence a few miles across Collins River, where they were has- tily paroled and ordered North. Lieutenant Jerome, with a squad belonging to his brigade, soon found his way back to Nashville, thence to Chattanooga, and his command, having been absent just three weeks. His parole not being given in accordance with the "cartel," was not considered valid, and he resumed his duties again. He remained with his regiment un- til the close of the war, sharing its hardships and its successes.
He then resumed the profession of teaching, and for six- teen years, occupied the chair of Latin and Greek in the South- ern Ihinois Normal University at Carbondale. His health fail- ing, he removed to Sioux City, la. The climate proving too severe, he removed to Florida and engaged in the orange cul- ture. In this latitude his health was very materially restored, and in September,»i895, he accepted the position of principal of the Dixon Academy at Shelbyville, Tenn. His health again failing, he was compelled to give up all work, and is now
298 FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
living quietly with his son at No. 13 Baltimore Place, At- lanta, Ga.
ENOCH W. MOORE, Surgeon. Dr. Moore was born near Waterloo in Monroe County, 111., December 7, 1821. He was the seventh of a family of ten children, of one of the earhest American famiHes to settle in Illinois, his father, James Moore, having been the first white male child born of American parents within the limits of the State. Dr. Moore's mother was the daughter of Col. William Whiteside, also a pioneer of that county. After receiving a good academic edu- cation, he attended the medical department of St. Louis Uni- versity, where he was graduated in 1853. He then practiced his profession at Carlisle, 111., until he removed to Decatur in 1856. On the organization of the iisth regiment he of- fered his services to his country, and was made surgeon of the regiment, with the rank of major. He was an eminent physician, and was greatly beloved by all the regiment. He served with the regiment until compelled to resign because of ill health, April 17, 1863. He then returned to Decatur and after recovering his health, resumed the practice of his pro- fession, which he continued until his death. May 19, 1899. Dr. Moore was married in 1854 to Miss Anna B. Lockwood, of Philadelphia, Pa. Dr. Moore died at the home of his daugh- ter, Mrs. S. D. Allen, Cleburne, Texas, where he was visiting.
GARNER H. BANE, Surgeon. Dr. Bane was from Pay- son, 111. ; he v?as commissioned June 17, 1863, and served till the final muster out. He had been assistant surgeon of the 50th Illinois Infantry and was a most skillful surgeon. He is reported to be dead.
NELSON G. BLALOCK, First Assistant Surgeon. Dr. Blalo'ck was born in North Carolina, February 17, 1836; he was educated in the common schools of his native State, and spent one year in college in Tennessee. ^After leaving the Tennessee College, he was married August i, 1858, to Miss Pantha Durham, an accomplished and estimable lady, who
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 299
proved a true helpmate to him. From college he went to Mt. Zion, Macon County, 111., where he practiced his profes- sion until the spring of 1862, when he entered the 115th Illi- nois as assistant surgeon; he remained until August, 1863, when ill health forced him to abandon the service. May 18, 1864, his wife died, leaving two children, one of whom, Yancy C, still lives. Dr. Blalock was married the second time De- cember 10, 1865, to Miss Marie E. Greenfield, at Mt. Zion, 111. Through his untiring industry over five thousand acres of what was one time a barren alkali desert has blossomed forth into waving fields and fruit orchards. In 1881 he harvested ninety thousand bushels of wheat and barley. His fine fruit farm near Walla Walla, Washington, is a living monument to his sagacity and enterprise. This farm contains five hundred acres, of which four hundred acres are set out in fruit ; sixty acres of this bore fruit in 1892, from which he reahzed the neat sum of $10,000. In company with two other gentlemen, the doctor is now engaged in opening to cultivation a tract of land containing 4,500 acres situated near Castle Rock, on the Columbia River, on the Washington side, and known as Long Island, all of which will be planted in orchard, alfalfa, etc. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1889, and assisted in framing the present constitution of the State. Dr. Blalock was unanimously elected President of the World's Fair Commission for the State of Washington, and executive commissioner ; after this appointment he devoted all his energy, time and means to the end that Washington might be properly represented at the World's Fair. He is now president of the Blalock Fruit Company and president of the Northwest Fruit Growers' Association, having been elected seven years consecutively. He is also president of the Walla Walla Canning Company, and resides at Walla Walla, Wash.
CLARK E. LOOMIS, First Assistant Surgeon. Dr. Loomis was from Chicago ; he was commissioned August 17, 1864, and served till the close of the war. He is now prac- ticing his profession at Eugene, Oregon.
300 FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
CHARLES W. HIGGINS, Centralia, III; commissioned as surgeon June 8, 1863, but declined to be mustered.
JAMES A. JONES, First Assistant Surgeon. Dr. Jones was from Delavan, 111. ; he was commissioned second assistant ' surgeon, October 3, 1862, and was promoted on the resigna- tion of Dr. Blalock in July, 1863. He was murdered by rebel guerrillas near Tunnel Hill, Ga., July 9, 1864.
ARTHUR BRADSHAW, Chaplain. Mr. Bradshaw was a veteran preacher of the Illinois conference, having been pre- siding elder and pastor of the leading churches. He was the first chaplain of the iiSth, but his health failing him, was compelled to resign December 30, 1862. He died soon after the war.
RICHARD HOLDING, Chaplain. Air. Holding was born in Kentucky in 1808. In 183 1 he entered the ministry and for many years was a faithful preacher of the Methodist Episco- pal Church in Kentucky and Illinois, being thirty-seven years in the active ministry. He patriotically offered his services as chaplain of the iisth, being commissioned January i, 1863, but after several months' faithful service, finding his health insufficient, he returned his commission in July without being mustered and without receiving any pay for his services. He died very suddenly at Vermillion, 111., July i, 1868.
WILLIAM S. CRISSEY, Chaplain. Mr. Crissey was from Decatur; he was commissioned July 20, 1863, and served till the muster out. He died at Decatur, April 2, 1882.
JAMES COFFIN, Sergeant-Major. Was musician of Company I till November 30, 1863 ; he now resides at Wil- sey, Kans.
WILLIAM N. HARRIS, Quartermaster-Sergeant. Pro- moted from private in Company K, April i, 1863. Last known residence. Glen Elder, Kas.
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 301
DAVID P. TRAVIS, Commissary Sergeant. Promoted from corporal of Company B April ii, 1865, and was mus- tered out with the regiment. He is now a traveling salesman and resides at Pana, 111.
ADDISON C. DOUGLASS, Hospital Steward. Dis- charged May I, 1863, to be contract surgeon. He died at Minneapolis, Minn., in 1898.
LUTHER M. HOBART, Hospital Steward. Sergeant of Company D ; succeeded Dr. Douglass May i, 1863, and was mustered out June 11, 1865. He died in Allen County, Kansas, about 1890.
WILLIAM H. KOLP, Principal Musician. Mustered out June II, 1865; now resides at Elwin, 111.
JAMES T. ROBERTS, Principal Musician. Appointed from Company K and served till the muster out. Now resides at Greenview, 111.
COMPANY A.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. JESSE HANON, Captain Company A. Captain Hanon was born in Christian County, Illinois, April 14, 1830. His father, with a widowed mother, had settled in the neighbor- hood when he was eighteen years old, being the first white inhabitants of the county. The log school house was the captain's college. He was a farmer at the time of his en- listment. He took an active part in recruiting Company A and was elected second lieutenant. He was promoted to first lieutenant on the resignation of Lieutenant Bankson and was advanced to the captaincy on the promotion of Captain Lap- ham, after the battle of Chickamauga. In April, 1863, Lieu- tenant Hanon acted as adjutant of the regiment until Lieuten- ant Litsenberger was mustered, and was then assigned to duty on the brigade staff as provost marshal, in which posi- tion he did excellent service till the battle of Chickamauga. At the time of the advance on Snodgrass Hill, Lieutenant Hanon was in charge of the ambulance and ammunition trains, which he was ordered to place at proper distance in the rear. Having performed this duty he hurried to the front to find our division hotly engaged in battle. He at once en- tered on duty as volunteer aide-de-camp on General Whit- aker's stafif, in which he performed gallant service carrying orders to the various regiments along the line of battle. While thus engaged he was captured and remained in the hands of the enemy, enduring all the hardships of the Confederate prison pens until March i, 1865, when he was exchanged at Wilmington, North Carolina. Since then the captain has been a farmer most of the time. He served his county one term as superintendent of schools, and has served his town several times as supervisor. He was a democrat until the close of the war, but since then has been a republican, though never dis-
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COMPANY A. 303
posed to politics as a profession. The captain was married to Miss Missouri A. Minnis, of which union three children sur- vive, William F., John E., and Cyrus E. Hanon, a daughter, Mrs. Alice E. Murphy, of Palmer, 111., having recently- died. The captain's wife died at their home in Morrisonville, 111., March 12, 1897, after a life of great devotion as wife, mother, neighbor and friend. Since then Captain Hanon has resided with his sons at Flora, 111., where he is extensively engaged in fruit growing.
ARTHUR C. BANKSON, First Lieutenant. From Tay- lorville ; resigned December 30, 1862 ; believed to be dead.
JOSEPH GORE, First Lieutenant. From Taylorville ; promoted from second lieutenant September 20, 1863; was first sergeant until December 30, 1862. He was captured with the ferry-boat party September 24, 1863, and remained in rebel prisons till the spring of 1865. He now resides in Taylorville,
in.
SERGEANTS.
WILLIAM F. GORE, First Sergeant; was sergeant till December 30, 1862 ; resides at Taylorville, 111.
WILLIAM J. JONES, Taylorville; discharged July, 1863.
ABNER RUSH, Springfield; discharged March 9, 1863; resides at Lincoln, Neb.
SANFORD G. HAMMER was one of the most efficient and honorable soldiers of his regiment. He enlisted at Taylor- ville in 1862, and was faithful to every duty until discharged for disability April 30, 1862. Since the war he followed the occupation of a locomotive engineer, and was instantl)' killed while at his post of duty as engineer on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R. near Eubanks, 111., July 15, 1896, in a head-end collision. Sergeant Hammer's remains were brought to Decatur, where they were received by the com- mander of the post, Maj. F L. Hays, and other comrades of the regiment, who gladly turned out in his honor. From there his body was removed to Taylorville, and interred with due honors two days later. Comrade Hammer frequently at- tended the meetings of the survivors of the 115th, greatly to the pleasure of his comrades.
304 COMPANY A.
HORATIO N. KEEP, Rosemond; died October 4, 1863, of wounds received in the battle of Cliickamauga.
GEORGE LARGE was born November 25, 1841, in Noble County, Ohio, and in 1856 came with his parents to Christian County, 111., and settled in what is known as Buckeye Prairie. He served until the regiment was mustered out, being in every skirmish and battle from the beginning to the end, and third sergeant of his company at the muster out. He was married in 1868 to ^Nliss Mary Ann Cleary, from which union he has five children; his wife died in 1896. He has been a farmer since the war, making a specialty of sheep raising. He now lives in Taylorville, 111.
JAMES H. McCOY was born in New Philadelphia, Ohio, April 13, 1837, being a son of Dr. V. C. McCoy and a grand- son of Rev. James McCoy of Jeiiferson County, Ohio. His mother's father, Hon. Horatio Hunt, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and a prominent politician. Sergeant McCoy re- ceived a public school education and spent some time at Ober- hn College. Having removed to Illinois, he enlisted in Com- pany A at its formation, and was appointed corporal, and in April, 1863, was made sergeant. He was present in every march and battle, and was never in hospital or absent from the regiment except on duty. His wife and two children re- mained at home and did not see him during that time. After the war he farmed a while, but his health failing he engaged in mercantile business for a time. In 1882 he lost his sight and since then has been totally blind, residing in Pana, 111., where he is always glad to receive a call from his comrades.
ALFRED B. LEEPER was a native of Ohio, born in 1837. With only a common school education he became a successful teacher. He came to Illinois a few years before the war and settled on Buckeye Prairie, near Taylorville. He enlisted as private, but was soon promoted to sergeant. He was with his company in all its campaigns, and was a splendid soldier. He claims to have fired the last shot from the regiment in the l)attle of Chickamauga. Since the war he has resided on his farm, a very fine one, near Owaneco, 111., and has ever since been a farmer, and the same time doing much work as a
COMPANY A. 305
drainage engineer. He is a mason and prominent in the work of the order. He has always been prominent in work for the promotion of patriotism ; is a member of the G. A. R., and has been commander of his post. He is also one of the founders and a prominent officer in a new order called the Comrades of the Battle-Field. His address is Owaneco, 111.
ROBERT M. SHAW, Taylorville ; promoted from private; reported drowned since muster out.
EDWARD W. PAYXE, Rosemond ; promoted from cor- poral; transferred to veteran reserve corps May i, 1864; re- sides at Rockford, Mich.
CORPORALS.
WILLIAM YOUNG, Stonington ; discharged March 18, 1863 ; resides at Fort Scott, Kan.
FERDINAND F. YOUNG, Taylorville ; died at Richmond, Ky., December 25, 1862.
EDWIN YOUXG, Taylorville; resides at Centralia, Mo.
JAMES M. SPATES, Taylorville ; resided at Pawnee, Neb., but lately removed.
LEANDER BRADLEY, Taylorville, where he now resides.
CHARLES W. HILL was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1842, and removed to Rosemond, 111., in 1859. In 1861 he enlisted in a three months' regiment, but was rejected because the quota of the State had been filled. He was again rejected in 1862 because too small, but again enlisted at Camp Butler in 1862, and was with the regiment in all its marches, skir- mishes, and battles until the regiment stopped at Resaca, Ga. He then served with the pioneer corps until Sherman's army reached Big Shanty, after which he returned to the regiment and remained with it until the close of the war. He removed to Jersey City in 1879, and is at present in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad, in the freight department. Comrade Hill seems to have been a Saturday man ; he was born on Saturday, decided to go to war on Saturday, started to go to the field on Saturday, made his first march in Kentucky on Saturday, fought his first battle on Saturday, and arrived at home on Saturday when the war was over.
306 COMPANY A.
DAMD DENTOX, Taylorville ; resides at MillersviUe, 111.
DAVID JAR\'IS was born at Antioch, O., January 4, 1838. In 1859 he removed to Pana, 111. During the first month's ser- vice he was detailed for the hospital department, in which he served seven months. In March, 1863, he returned to his company and remained with it until mustered out at Camp Harker, Tenn. He is now living at Spencer, Ind., and by occupation is a farmer.
DANIEL L. KITCHAM, Taylorville ; reported dead.
DAVID THROCKMORTON, Taylorville ; last at Colum- bus, Kan.
MUSICIANS.
CHRISTIAN D. COWGILL, Taylorville; discharged April 30, 1863 ; resides at Terre Haute, Ind., where he has been actively engaged in the tinware business for many years.
JOSEPH LARGE, Taylorville ; was prisoner of war ; re- sides at Winlock, Wash.
WAGONERS.
FRANCIS M. SHERRELL, Taylorville ; died at Coving- ton, Ky., October 22, 1862.
JOSHUA BOWMAN, Taylorville ; died at Beardstown, 111., in 1897.
PRIVATES.
ALAMON, ROBERT S. ; died since muster out.
ALLEN, SAMUEL J. ; resides Moweaqua, Illinois.
ANDERSON, SAMUEL T. ; drowned at Brown's Ferry September 24, 1863.
BRADLEY, GEORGE W. ; enlisted December 6, 1864: transferred to 21st Illinois June, 1865 ; resides at Pana, 111.
BABER, JOHN M.; died at Taylorville, October, 1868.
BAKER, MARTIN V. ; died at Lexington, Ky., December 10, 1862.
BANKSON, JOSHUA B., discharged April 25, 1864, on account of wounds ; died in Kentucky.
BANKSON, WINFIELD S. ; discharged February 23, 1863. Reported dead.
COMPANY A. 307
BRODERICK, JAMES ; not heard from.
BUGG, WILLIAM ; resides at Taylorville, 111.
CALLOWAY, ACHILLES R. ; discharged March 25, 1865, on account of wounds ; resides in Hastings, Neb.
CHASTIAN, JAMES M.; enrolled December 6, 1864; transferred to the 21st Illinois June 5, 1865 ; resides at Cherry- vale, Kan.
CHASTIAN, THOMAS J.; resides at Cherryvale, Kan.
CHILDS, WILLIAM H. ; was prisoner of war; resides at Kansas City, Mo.
CLARK, EDWIN; died of wounds near Philadelphia, Tenn,. March 24, 1863.
COFFEY, BONAPARTE; died at Danville, Ky., Janu- ary 23, 1863.
COFFEY, ISHAM ; resides at Oberlin, Kan.
COWGILL, EDWARD D. ; died of wounds at Chattanoo- ga, September 30, 1863.
DE MOSS, CHARLES : enrolled December 6, 1864; trans- ferred to 2ist Illinois; resides at Oil Field, 111.
DEMIXG, LEONARD; died at Richmond, Ky., January 14, 1863.
DEVINE, JAMES ; discharged on account of wounds May 2'/. 1865 ; last heard from at Wilcox, Neb.
DENTON, MICAGER ; died at Morrisonville, 111.
EASLEY, JOSEPH ; discharged on account of wounds July 19, 1864; died at Soldiers' Home, 1894.
FRALEY, JEROME B. ; discharged May 11, 1863 ; died in Nebraska.
FLEMING, BENJAMIN ; resides at Ottawa, Kan.
GORE, JOHN; died October 15, 1899, at Taylorville, 111.
GERMAN, CHARLES W. ; resides at Springfield, 111.
HARRIS, ELIJAH M. ; discharged June 4, 1863 ; died at Edinburg, 111.
HASLETT, GEORGE ; died at Cleveland, Tenn., March 28, 1864.
HATFIELD, JOHN H. ; died in Edinburg, 111.
HAVERFIELD, ALVIN ; enrolled December 6, 1864. died at Huntsville, Ala., March 6, 1865.
308 COMPANY A.
HOLLO WAY, DANIEL A. ; enrolled May 2, 1864; trans- ferred to 2 1 St Illinois ; last at Lineous, Mo.
JOHNSON, ISAAC ; died at Lexington, Ky., November 11, 1862.
JOHNSON, J AS. D. ; discharged on account of wounds De- cember ID, 1864; resides at Springfield, 111.
JONES, JOHN : discharged January 19, 1863 ; resides at Burlington, Kan.
.KELLY, JASPER N. ; discharged April 20, 1863 : resides in Edinburg, 111.
KELSAY, STANTON ; transferred to engineer corps, July 29, 1864; resides in Louisville, 111.
LANGLEY, ALFRED C. ; last heard from at 2631 Ridge Avenue, Chicago, 111.
LANGLEY, THOMAS J.; enrolled October 18, 1864; re- sides at Taylorville, 111.
LARGE, JOHN ; resides at Keith, Okla.
LAWTOX, JAMES ; resides at Valparaiso, Neb.
LEE, RICHARD ; resides at Edinburg, 111.
LANE, DANIEL ; transferred to V. R. C. ; died at Lines- ville, la., September, 1899.
MARTIN, GEORGE A. ; last heard from at Lineous Mo.
MARROW, JAMES ; resides at Columbus, Kan.
McAFEE, ROBERT J. ; born in Morgan County, 111., in 1844; removed to Christian County in 1859 and enlisted in Company A August 15, 1862, in which he served until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He served a while as teamster and then as brigade orderly. Was with the regiment in all its battles and came out without a scar. In 1867 he married Miss Anna Large, and has seven children living. His postoffice address is Rosemond, 111.
McCRARY, JAMES ; resides at Taylorville, 111.
McCUNE, WILLIAM ; killed by guerrillas March 11, 1865.
McELROY, JAMES ; resides at Morrisonville, 111.
MrDOXALD, SAMUEL G. ; died at Franldin, Tenn., April 27, 1863.
MESSLER, VINCENT ; died of wounds at Chickamauga, Tenn., November 4, 1863.
CO.MPANY A. 309
MADISON, NICHOLAS C. ; reported dead.
MILLIGAN, JESSE G. ; died at TaylorviUe, 111., in 1867.
MITCHELL, DANIEL M. : wounded in battle ; last heard from at Benton, 111.
MORRIS, WILLIAM A. ; last heard of at North Enghsh, la.
OLLIVER, JEFFREY ; died of wounds at Tunnel Hill, Ga., July 12, 1864.
ORR, SAMUEL M. ; discharged June 19, 1863; died at Owaneco, 111.
PAINE, ANSON; born at South Hadley, Mass., April i, 1842. He served as clerk in a store several years, and then re- moved with his parents to Pana, 111., in i860. He was with the regiment in its march through Kentucky in the autumn and winter of 1862-63, and at Franklin at the time of the rebel at- tack in April, 1863. He was discharged April 23, 1863, because of failure of eyesight. He was an efficient soldier while he re- mained with the regiment. Since the war he has been engaged in business at Rosemond, 111., where he now resides.
RUSSELL, JOSEPH ; resides at Ramsey, Ih.
RUSSELL, NEWTOX J.; enrolled February 25^ 1864; transferred to the 21st Illinois; resides at Taylorville, 111.
SHARP, SAMUEL H,; died at Nashvihe, Tenn., February 21, 1863.
SHAW, JAMES ; was a prisoner of war ; mustered out July I, 1865 ; died in St. Louis, Mo.
SHETLER, JEREMIAH ; resides at Litchfield, Neb.
SLOOP, SAMUEL; discharged November 23, 1864; last heard of at Gypson, Kan.
SOWERS, EDWARD T. ; resides at Taylorville, 111.
STEVENS, ANDREW J.; enrolled December 6, 1864; transferred to the 21st Illinois; resides near Hutchinson, Kan.
SL^LLIVAN, JOHN ; was a prisoner of war ; died since the war at Taylorville, 111.
WATKINS, ENOS ; resides at Vanderville, 111.
WILLARD, BENJAMIN F. ; not heard from.
WILLIAMS, WILLIAM B. ; died at Nashville, Tenn., March 24, 1863.
COMPANY B.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
ELEAZER SLOCUM, Captain Company B. Captain Slo- cum was born of New England parents at Norwalk, Ohio, No- vember 5, 1837. He attended the city schools till sixteen years old and then clerked in a dry goods store for a while, and then removed to Shelbyville, 111. Soon after the firing on Fort Sumter he enlisted in Company B, 14th Illinois Volunteers, under Col. John M. Palmer, founght in southwest Missouri imder Fremont and participated in- Grant's Tennessee cam- paign, including the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. Soon after that he was taken sick and sent to the hospital at Jefferson Barracks, and later discharged. On the call for 600,- 000 men he assisted Colonel Poteet and others in recruiting Company B of the iisth, and on its final organization he was elected captain. Having a natural aptness for military drill and discipline, in his service in the 14th he had become thor- oughly familiar with the company and battalion movements, hence he was not long in bringing Company B to a high de- gree of perfection in all those matters. This was especially noticeable in the skirmish line. On one of those occasions they were put in great peril by a mistake. It was on the night of September 18, 1863 ; Captain Slocum was officer of the guard. In the darkness they nearly ran into General Whitaker and his staff, who supposed them to be Confederates, and the general ordered his men to fire on them, but the officer in charge hap- pened to belong to the 115th and knowing Captain Slocum's voice did not obey the order. On the 20th, as the regiment was on its way to Snodgrass Hill, Captain Slocum with Com- pany B was on the skirmish line shielding the regiment from the attacks of Forrest's cavalry as it moved past Cloud's Spring. In the struggle on Snodgrass Hill Captain Slocum
First Sekgt. JOHN WEEKS.
Sekgt. ELGIN H. MARTIN. Sekgt. FINLEY BEHYMER.
Sergt. JAMES G. HOLDING. COEP. ROBERT HOLDING.
All of Company B.
COMPANY B. 311
had command of the left wing, after the death of Colonel Kinman. After that, being the senior captain, he was fre- quently called upon to discharge the duties of major. In the contest for the succession to that office, after the promotion of Major Poteet, Captain Slocum received a pluralit)- of the votes cast, and was strongly favored by Colonel Moore for the position. Failing of promotion, he continued in the com- mand of his company till it was mustered out. He then re- turned to Shelbyville, 111., where he was some time in busi- ness. After that he served as railway mail clerk for some years. His health failing, he accepted a place in the National Military Home, first in the branch near Milwaukee, but at present in the home near Dayton, Ohio. His address is Na- tional Military Home, Ohio.
ERASMUS D. STEEX, First Lieutenant, Brevet Captain, U. S. Volunteers. Captain Steen actively assisted in the for- mation of Company B and was an efficient officer in the com- pany until the battle of Chickamauga. While gallantly lead- ing his men in the action on that eventful Sunday afternoon Lieutenant Steen was very severely wounded by a musket ball through the abdomen. Supposed to be mortally wounded he was carried from the field by his comrades to save him from dying among the enemy. However, to the surprise of all who saw him after receiving his wound, he endured the jolt- ing of the transfer from McFarland's to Chattanooga and the weary months in hospital and so far recovered that he is now able to do some business. After returning to the regi- ment his wound still so far disabled him that he was unable for duty and resigned his commission on April 20, 1865, and returned home. He was some time in business in Shelbyville and later several years in business at DanviUe, 111. He then spent several years as excursion agent for various railroads, residing in Chicago. He was married before entering the army and has several grown children, — a son being in part- nership with him, a daughter, the wife of Judge Thompson of Danville, 111., and two daughters at home. He is now in the real estate business at Room 38 Merchants' Building, and re- sides at No. 240 Hampden Court, Chicago.
312 COMPANY B.
EZEKIEL K. SCHWARTZ, First Lieutenant, was born in Lewistown, Pa., December 9, 1838. He was educated in the public schools at that place, and in the Lewistown Acad- emy. He removed to Illinois in April, 1859, and taught school in Macon and Shelby Counties. He enlisted in Shelby County as a private in Company B in August, 1862. He was soon made a corporal, and on March 26, 1863, was promoted to be second lieutenant, and on May 11, 1865, was promoted to first lieutenant. Lieutenant Schwartz was in the regiment in all its campaigns and battles, excepting a short time in the spring of 1865, when he served as aide-de-camp on the staff of the brigade commander. He is deserving of the highest com- mendation for his patriotism and courage displayed on the battle-field, and for his faithfulness in all his duties of the several positions occupied by him. He was mustered out with the regiment in June, 1865, and at once, like a good soldier, returned to the duties of civil life, and engaged in farming, a short distance north of Shelbyville, 111. He was married December 27, 1866, and resided on the same farm until Octo- ber 20, 1892, when he removed to Findlay, 111., where he engaged in general mercantile business, in which he is still employed.
JOHN BEACHAMP, Second Lieutenant, died March 26, 1863.
SERGEANTS.
JOHN WEEKS, First Sergeant, was a native of Illinois, having first seen the light near Greenville, Bond County, Feb- ruary 3, 1 83 1. He was reared on a farm, where he received the education common to the young people of his vicinity. In 1851 he began teaching school in Montgomery County, 111. In June, i860, he removed to Shelby County, where he con- tmued teaching until he enlisted. He efficiently assisted in organizing the company and was elected first sergeant. He was with his company in all its campaigns and battles, except- ing the battle of Nashville. At Chickamauga he rendered valuable assistance to Captain Slocum in directing the move- ments of the company after Lieutenant Steen was wounded.
COMPANY B. 313
Sergeant Weeks was the only one of his mebs that passed through the battle unhurt. It was to Sergeant Weeks that General Steedman handed the regimental colors after carrying them only a few rods in that last charge at Chickamauga, and he carried them right bravely to the top of the hill. At the close of the war he returned to Shelbyville, and was imme- diately employed in the same school where he taught before enlisting. In October, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Sevilla J. Sill, of Hennepin, 111., from which union he has seven children living, five sons and two daughters. His eldest son is a sailor in the New York, London and Aus- tralian trade. In 1881 he gave up school teaching and became postmaster at Tower Hill, which position he held nearly eight years. He was then a justice of the peace for eleven years. He is now resting from his labors at Tower Hill, 111.
JAMES G. HOLDING, eldest son of Chaplain Holding, was born June 3, 1839, in Kentucky, receiving his education in the select schools of that State and at the academy at Me- chanicsburg. 111. He enlisted in Company B at its organiza- tion, two of his brothers, Carlisle B. and Robert, being also in the army, as well as the father. He was a sergeant and faithfully discharged his duty and came through to the end without being wounded, though at one time receiving a shot through his cap. He maintained his Christian integrity throughout the service. In 1866, he was married to Miss Anna C. Snyder. For a number of years he served as mail clerk on one of the railways. On June 16, 1880, he answered the last roll call and was buried at Grandview, 111., leaving a widow, two sons and a daughter surviving. His family is now residing at Oberlin, O.
JOHN H. DAVIS was mortally wounded in the battle of Chickamauga and died September 28, 1863.
WALLACE W. ARCHER resides at Austin, Tex.
ELGIN H. MARTIN was born in Ohio June 5, 1842, and came to Illinois in 1858. He was one of four brothers who served the United States in the Civil War. The first brother enlisted in the 14th Illinois, May, 1861, and died in November the same year. The second brother took the vacant place
314 COMPANY B.
in the same regiment and was severely wounded a month later in the battle of Shiloh. In July, 1862, Elgin H. enlisted in Company B and participated in all its marches and engage- ments until February 24, 1864, when he was severely wounded in the battle in front of Rocky Face Ridge, Ga., which perma- nently disabled him from carrying a musket and thereafter his service was mostly on detached duty. He was made sergeant after the Chickamauga campaign, and later had command of the provost guard of the "Iron Brigade." Since the war Ser- geant Martin has been continuously connected with the press. During President Harrison's administration he served as post- master of Shelbyville, 111., where he now resides.
FINLEY BEHYMER was born in Clermont County, Ohio, March 11, 1829. His opportunities for an education were limited to the district school. He served an apprenticeship of three years at the carpenter's trade, near Cincinnati, after which he served as foreman for his employer. In 1852 he came to Indianapolis, where he worked a year on the Bates House, the Blind Asylum and the Capitol. He then returned to Cincinnati, and January 5, 1854, was married to Mrs. Susan Leach Ashcraft. In 1857 he removed to Shelbyville, 111. He has there carried on the business of a contractor and builder until the present time, except his three years' absence in the army. In August, 1862, he assisted in recruiting Com- pany B, and was elected first corporal, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant Februar)' i, 1864. He was with his company in all his campaigns, except when on detached ser- vice. He claims the honor of serving as a commissioned offi- cer in the battle of Wauhatchie, October 29, 1863, and of commanding the regiment a part of a day at Shell Mound, on New Year's day 1864, by order of the colonel, while all the officers were celebrating a short distance away. He was ap- pointed color sergeant June 2, 1864, and was highly com- mended for gallant conduct in the discharge of his duty, espe- cially in the battle of Nashville. On muster out of the regi- ment, he returned to Shelbyville, and still remains one of its most respected citizens.
CO-MPANY B. 315
CORPORALS.
WILLIAM H. CARROL was severely wounded in the bat- tle of Nashville December 15, 1864, and died of his wounds at Jeffersonville, Ind., February 6, 1865.
HERMAN SAGEBIEL is said to reside at Dayton, Ohio,
GEORGE W. FRINGER is a physician and resides at Pana, 111.
WILLIAM KINNEY; discharged March 31, 1863; re- ported dead.
HENRY C. ENDICOTT ; resides at No. 1320 Third Street, San Diego, Gal.
JOHN MURDOCK was born in Scotland July 12, 1824, and came to America in 1857, and located at Shelbyville, 111., where he followed the occupation of expert weaver in silks, satins, and similar fabrics. Loyal to his adopted country, he enlisted at the organization of Company B, and was a faith- ful soldier, taking his full share of all duty until the final discharge of the regiment. He was wounded at Chicka- mauga. At the close of the war he returned home and re- sumed his former occupation. He was thoroughly honest in all circumstances of life, and commanded in the highest degree the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. He died at Shelbyville, May 5, 1893, leaving two daughters, Isabel and Mary Murdock, who reside at Shelbyville.
ABRAHAM S. DUTTON resides at Stafford, Kan.
JOHN FRAZER; transferred to invalid corps September I, 1863; reported to have died at Shelbyville, 111.
CHARLES LEIGHTER; discharged January 23, 1863; not heard from.
BENJAMIN TRUIT ; resides at Assumption, 111.
LEIGH R. LUCAS was born at Bloomington, 111., October 14, 1843, where he received a common school education. After the breaking out ol the war, he removed to Shelbyville, 111., and enlisted at the organization of Company B. He was wounded at Chickamauga, and spent some weeks in the hos- pital in Nashville as a result. On recovering he rejoined his regiment at Chattanooga, and was with it until the close of the war and final discharge. He now resides at Springfield, Ohio.
316 COMPANY B.
SOLOMON YOUNG ; resides at Bladon, Neb.
FRANKLIN THORPE was promoted from private ; now resides at Cliapman, Kan.
ROBERT S. HOLDLNG, a son of Cliaplain Holding, has been in many parts of the far west. Was at Gold Hill, Colo- rado, when last heard from.
MUSICIANS.
MATTHEW J. VERNER was born in the city of Phila- delphia, June 5, 1847, 3-nd while very young his parents re- moved to Illinois. At the age of seven he was left an orphan, and lived with friends until twelve years of age, after which he resided with his brother in Shelby County, 111., until he enlisted at the age of fifteen, in Company B as musician. How- ever, he shouldered his gun with the rest of his company and gallantly participated in the battles of Chickamauga and Resaca. In 1863 he was appointed brigade orderly, and acted as such until mustered out. Matthew Verner was well known to all the regiment for his polite deportment and ready dis- charge of duty as orderly, and for his soldierly qualities. On being mustered out in June, 1865, he returned to Shelbyville, 111., where he attended school until March, 1868. He then removed to Eureka, Kan. ; in 1887 he removed to Kansas City, Mo., where he now resides, and is senior partner of the live stock commission firm of Verner & Scroggin. While in Kansas he held the office of registrar of deeds for four years, and was sherifif four years. He was married in Shelby Coun- ty, 111., in 1869, to Miss C. A. Pugh, and has two children. He is a prominent citizen of Kansas City, and a thirty-second degree mason.
LEWIS C. BEEM ; not heard from since muster out.
WAGONER.
LARKIN MOYER was a prisoner of war. He died at Shelbyville, 111., in 1868.
PRIVATES.
AKINS, JOHN H. ; discharged July 23, 1863; resides at Cowden, 111.
COMPANY B. 317
AM LIN, MILO J. ; resides at Ionia, Jewell County, Kan.
ARNOLD, ISAAC ; died at Danville, Ky., March 2, 1863.
AUSTIN, JOHN ; died at Nashville, Tenn, April 3, 1864.
BAKER, REV. FLETCHER D., D. D. ; was with the regi- ment from the beginning to the end of his service, never miss- ing to exceed ten days from duty. On leaving the army he attended school at Valparaiso, Ind., and then at DePauw Uni- versity. He entered the Northwest Indiana conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in September, 1871, and removed to Kansas in 1878. He is now presiding elder of the Con- cordia district. He is a member of the G. A. R. and is active in this work. He married Miss Ella Vanarsdel in 1872. They now reside in Concordia, Kan.
BAKER, JOSEPH G. ; resides at Kiowa, Kan.
BAKER, THOMAS ; was transferred to the engineer corps July 25, 1864; said to reside at Good Hope, 111.
BARGY, ARBEN ; not heard from.
BARRETT, SAMUEL; died at Lakewood, III, August, .1897.
BRIGHT, GEORGE W. ; enrolled November 25, 1863; transferred to the 21st Illinois; reported dead.
CALHOUN, JAMES R. ; died at Danvihe, Ky., February 4. 1863.
CORLEY, JOEL ; resides at Thurber, Reno County, Kan.
COWGILL, JOHN W. F. ; died in Portland, Ore.
FINKBINE, TOBIAS ; born in Butler County, Ohio, Oc- tober 14. 1841, where he received a common school educa- tion. In the spring of 1857, he removed to Illinois and set- tled on a farm near Shelbyville, where he assisted his father in farming, until he enlisted in 1862 in Company B, in which he served faithfully until the close of the war. In 1867 he returned to Ohio, where he was married and settled on a farm near his old homestead, where he still resides, his post- office address being Oxford, Ohio.
GAR\TN, CHARLES ; died at Danville, Kv., January 10, 1863.
GINGER, JOSEPH C. ; discharged December 13, 1862; said to reside at Mode, 111.
318 COMPANY B.
GADDIS, WILSON ; died at Pana, 111, October 6, 1862.
HENRY, ELEAZER ; died at Danville, Ky., January 23, 1863.
HILDEBRAND, SPENCER; transferred to 21st Illinois; reported dead.
HORNBECK, CURTIS; discharged April 3, 1863; re- ported dead.
JACKSOX, DANIEL; died at Franklin, Tenn., April 29, 1863.
JARVIS, LOSCEN ; died at Triune, Tenn., January 22, 1863.
LEACH, LA FAYETTE ; reported at Findlay, 111.
LEACH, WILLIAM ; died of starvation in Andersonville prison, September 10, 1864; grave No. 8,464.
LEIST, WILLIAM C. ; died at Franklin, Tenn., April i8, 1863.
LENOVER, GEORGE ; died August 14, 1876.
LOGSDEN, JOSEPH ; born in Homes County, Ohio, Oc- tober 28, 1839, and removed to Illinois in early life. He en- listed in Company B at its organization, and was a brave soldier, serving with his company and participating in all its battles and marches till the final muster out. After the war he removed to St. Mary's, Mo., where he died August 21, 1896, his wife and seven children surviving.
McDANIEL, CHARLES ; discharged July 23, 1863 ; said to reside at Holliday, 111.
McHALL ,WILLIAM ; died at Danville, Ky., January 19, 1863.
MOORE, JOHN W. ; died at Danville, Ky., January 26, 1863.
MOORE, JOHN ; died at Tullahoma, Tenn., September 8, 1863.
MYERS, LEVI M. ; killed at Brown's Ferry, Tenn., Sep- tember 25, 1863.
MYERS, WILLIAM M. ; resides at Assumption, 111.
McNEELY, THOMAS B. ; born in Shelby County, Ind., December 11, 1844, and removed to Shelby County, 111., in 1859. He received a good common school education and
J. J. PURKEY. WM. H. CARROLI<.
JOHN MURDOCK. FRANKLIN THORPE. THOMAS B. McNEELY.
All of Company B.
COMPANY C. 319
enlisted with the company at its organization, and was with it until the muster out. He was wounded in the battle of Nashville, and is justly proud of his army record. He mar- ried Miss Martha E. Taylor in 1866, and has a family of ten children. He is a successful farmer and stock raiser and resides near Beecher City, 111., where he is always glad to welcome his comrades.
MOOMEY, JOSEPH; was prisoner of war in Libby and Andersonville seventeen months ; died at Arkansas City, Kan., February 6, 1898.
MOOMEY, SOLOMOxX : discharged April 20, 1864, on account of wounds received in battle ; resides at Bartlesville, Cherokee Nation, I. T.
NICHOLAS, GEORGE L. ; discharged May 31, 1864, for wounds received in battle ; resides at Wynoose, Wayne Coun- ty, 111.
PAGE, NICHO.LAS ; died at Franklin, Tenn., May 2, 1863.
PAGE, WILLIAM ; died at Franklin, Tenn., April 26, 1863.
PATTERSON, THOMAS S. ; transferred to engineer corps July 28, 1864; not heard from.
POTEET, ISAAC; discharged April 21, 1863; supposed to be dead.
RANKIN, DAVID; died at Danville, Ky., January 27, 1863.
REID, WILLIAM H. ; resides at Stewardson, 111.
REID, JAMES ; enrolled November 25, 1863 ; transferred to the 2ist Illinois; resides at Shelbyville, III.
REESE, WILLIAM ; died October 12, 1863, at Nashville, Tenn., of wounds received in battle.
REYNOLDS, WILLIAM J. ; enrolled November 25, 1863 ; transferred to the 21st Illinois ; resides at Cowden, 111.
ROBINSON, GEORGE ; died at Tower Hill, III, May 6, 1886.
SELBY, JOHN A.; resides at Tower Hill, 111.
STOTLER, HENRY ; died in Cincinnati, Ohio, November, 1862.
STOTLER, WILLIAM ; died at Covington, Ky., October 21, 1862.
320 COMPANY B.
STUMPF, JOHN C. ; resides at ShelbyviUe, 111.
TAYLOR, BAZEL W. ; born in Knox County, Ohio, Feb- ruary 21, 1841. He enlisted at the organization of the com- pany. He was with the company and participated in the bat- tle of Chickamauga and other engagements near Chattanooga. He was transferred to the veteran reserve corps April 10, 1864, in which he remained until the close of the war. He now resides at Holliday, III.
TH0:MPS0N, HAMILTON; not heard from.
THOMPSON, RAND H. ; killed in the battle of Chicka- mauga, September 20, 1863.
TRAVIS, EZRA J. ; has been United States mail contractor in Chicago and New York ; office on Michigan Avenue, Chi- cago.
TRAVIS, HARVEY M. ; died at Nashville, Tenn., Novem- ber 19, 1863.
TRAVIS, WILLIAM I.; discharged April 14, 1864; sup- posed to be dead.
WADE, WILLIAM H. ; died at Franklin, Tenn., April 20, 1863.
WAGONER, JOHN; died at Danville, Ky., January 15, 1863.
WEAKLY, EMANUEL J. ; reported residence Washing- ton, Kan.
WHITE, HAWLEY ; reported residence Red Wing, Minn.
WILLIAMS, JESSE ; reported residence La Fontaine, Kan.
YOUNG, JEREMIAH ; reported dead.
COMPANY C.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
DAVID WILLIAjMS, Captain, was born in New York in 1831, and with his parents moved to Wabash County, 111., in 1837, where he resided until 1862. He then gave up a good position to enlist in the service of his country. In August ol that year he raised a company of as good fighting men as ever graced an army, and leaving his wife and family, went into the service. For three years, without intermission, he devoted his time to the care of the men under him. He was a Republican when he enlisted, and has ever since advocated publicly and privately the principles of that party. His record in the army was that of a faithful soldier and commander. He was ever watchful for the welfare of his command — in which he had few equals and no superiors. He now resides at Wynnwood, I. T., and is engaged in the real estate business.
EPHRAIM H. KINGERY, First Lieutenant; resigned September 7, 1863; resides at Mendota, 111.
GIDEON L. UTTER, First Lieutenant; promoted from second lieutenant September 7, 1863 ; resigned December 2, 1864. He now resides at Mt. Carmel, 111., and is engaged in real estate business.
JOHN C. K. YOUNGKEN, First Lieutenant, a graduate of Hanover College, was enrolled as a private in Company C ; was promoted to commissary sergeant in April, 1863, in which position he did efficient service till promoted to first lieutenant April 10, 1865. On returning from the army he served several years as principal of the Friendsville (111.) Seminary. He then removed to Ventura, Cal., where he now resides, engaged in the lumber business. He is married and has grown children.
322 COMPANY C.
SERGEANTS.
JOHN S. MUNDY, First Sergeant ; reported to be residing- at \Miiterite, Grayson County, Tex.
JOHN M. BROWN; discharged April lo, 1863; died at Olney, III.
HUGH H. FRY ; discharged May 23, 1863 ; resides at Al- bion, III.
EDWIN UTTER; discharged May 13, 1863; resides at, Frederick, 1)1.
LEWIS GEISLER ; died from accidental fall from car at Knoxville, Tenn., April 20, 1865.
GEORGE W. RHOADES ; born April 23,' 1837, in Rich- land County, 111. In 1843 h^ removed with his father's family to Edwards County, 111., where he was reared on a farm, and received the usual limited country school education. He learned the carriage and wagon making trade, which he fol- lowed until he enlisted in the army. He was married to Miss Caroline Mundy in the spring of 1862. He enlisted in Com- pany C at its organization. He was detailed on the color guard, and carried the colors part of the time, until sent to the general hospital at Louisville on account of rheumatism. He was with the company through the campaign of 1863, until the beginning of the Atlanta campaign. In the battle of Chickamauga, in which five of the nine color guards were either killed or wounded, he was slightly wounded in the right hand. He was promoted for gallant conduct to the po- sition of sergeant, which he occupied at the time of muster out. He removed to Mt. Carmel in 1890, where he now re- sides, and is a member of T. S. Bower's Post of the G. A. R., in which he has filled all the chairs.
HON. EDWIN REED RIDGELY, son of William S. Ridgely and Ann Eliza Crowell Ridgely, was born May 9, 1844, near Lancaster, Wabash County, 111. His parents were farmers, and he shared the lot of a pioneer farmer's son, help- ing to clear away the timber, enlarging the farm, replacing the log cabin in which he was born with a brick dwelling, and con- structing barns. His education was acquired during the few weeks of winter weather at the district school in the village of
COMPANY C. 323
Lancaster. At the age of eighteen, August 12, 1862, he en- Hsted in Company C as a private, immediately going with his company into active service, sharing its fate and that of the regiment without asking or receiving furlough or leave of absence to the end of the war ; in the meantime he was promoted to sergeant. During the entire three years his com- pany was never under the enemy's fire without his presence, rifle in hand, doing his share of the fighting. Sergeant Ridgely had a thrilling experience at the battle of Nashville. While the Union lines were charging the enemy's works and a Con- federate battery immediately in front of the 115th was pour- ing shot and shell into its ranks, a shell struck in front of his position, throwing much earth against him, knocking him down and leaving him for a time unconscious. After some minutes he proceeded to rejoin his regiment, which had con- tinued the charge, and was then halted about 400 feet in ad- vance. As he crawled forward to his company his comrades expressed astonishment, as they supposed the shell had cut his body in two. After leaving the army he spent a short time with his parents, then participated with others in a contract to build a large school house at Olney, learning the brick mason's trade while thus engaged. Later he attended school at Batavia, 111., but his health failing, he removed to Girard, Kan., and with his brother Stephen R. Ridgiey, engaged in general mercantile business, which they have pursued almost to the present time. In the meantime he carried on the cattle business, making several trips over the trail to and from Texas, California, Oregon and Washington. In 1896 he was unani- mously nominated by the People's party as its candidate for Congress for the 3d Kansas District, and was also nominated by the Democratic party, and after a heated campaign, elected by 4,500 majority. He was nominated and re-elected in 1898, and is now, in 1900, serving in the 56th Congress. At the time of the Civil War he was an abolition Republican, but joined the Greenback party in 1876, because of the financial question, and has continued with its successor, the People's party, and steadily grown more and more positive and favor- able to its policy. His present residence is at Pittsburg, Kan.
324 COMPANY C.
JOHN W. HILL; died at Bridgeport, III, September 5, 1899. ;
GEORGE C. SHEARER ; born in Franklin County, Mass., in 1827, and came to Illinois in 1859. He enlisted at the or- ganization of the company, and was with the regiment iri all its service and battles. He was one of the most faithful sol- diers, and brave to a fault. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. He died at his home in Mt. Carmel, 111., January 8, 1898.
JOHN H. WILLIAMS; enrolled as private; promoted to sergeant ; discharged June 15, 1864, on account of wounds re- ceived in battle ; died at Bridgeport, 111., in 1870.
CORPORALS.
WILLIAM LAUTERMAN ; died at Danvihe, Ky., Febru- ary 8, 1863.
GEORGE T. KELSEY ; reported dead.
HAMILTON HINKLE; died at Richmond, Ky., Decem- ber 29, 1863.
FREDERICK GADDE ; killed at Chickamauga, Septem- ber 20, 1863.
MOSES DUTY ; died at Nashvihe, Tenn., April 2, 1863.
RICHARD UTTER ; born near Mt. Carmel, 111., October 7, 1847, Slid lived on the farm until 1862, when he enlisted at the organization of Company C. His education was obtained in the old country subscription school, and by his own exer- tions at home. He was one of the faithful of Company C throughout its service, and made a record equal to the best. At the close of the war he worked at a mechanical trade four- teen years. Since then he has been a commercial salesman for many years, but is now in the real estate business at Mt. Carmel, 111. He was married to Miss Molly Seed, of St. Fran- cisville. 111., September 18, 1887. In 1892 she died, leaving a son two years old, who has been his father's traveling com- panion ever since.
WALLACE A. FREEMAN ; resides at Cards Point, 111.
GEORGE H. HIGGINS ; resides at Berryvihe, 111.
LEWIS L. RUNYON : resides at Friendsville, 111.
NICHOIjAS PETERS. THOMAS STONE, 1863.
G. C. SHEARER. THOMAS STONE, 1899.
All of Company C.
COMPANY C. 325
ALBERT KNOLL ; promoted from private ; discharged March 19, 1863 ; resides at Olive, Orange County. Cal.
DANIEL B. RIGG; died since muster out at Beimont, 111.
JOSEPH SHEARER; died July 11, 1900, at Mainville, Ohio, and was buried at Mt. Carmel, 111.
FRAZIE A. CAMPBELL; discharged November 3, 1863; resides at Bridgeport, 111.
BENJAMIN F WARNER; resides at Willow Springs, Missouri.
JOHN W. HAM ; enlisted as private ; promoted corporal ; reported to be residing at Grayville, 111.
MUSICIAN.
HENRY GARD ; was in Andersonville prison; reported dead.
WAGONER. JOHN MULL; reported dead.
PRIVATES.
ARMSTRONG, EPHRAIM ; enrolled January 28, 1864; died at Tunnel Hill, Ga., October 24, 1864.
BAIRD, FRANKLIN ; transferred to veteran reserve corps April 30, 1864; died since muster out, at Keensburg, 111.
BARRIER, ABRAHAM ; address Box 444. Eureka, Kan.
BARRINGER, ABEL; killed by lightning since muster out, at Enterprise, 111.
BANTER, JAMES H. ; discharged August 4. 1863; died at Keensburg, 111., December 15, 1897.
BRINES, FRANKLIN; transferred to 21st Illinois; re- sides at Mount Carmel, 111.
BROWN, WILBUR F. ; died October 14, 1863, of wounds received at Chickamauga.
BURROUGHS, REV. JAMES GREENE ; born near Rhil- ipstown, White County, 111., December 17, 1837. He was the youngest of ten children, and was left an orphan when but two years old. Early in life he determined to be a minister, and thereafter bent all his energies toward equipping himself for that work. He had been preaching successfully for sev-
326 COMPANY C.
eral years in Illinois and Indiana, when he heard his country's call and enlisted in Company C at Bridgeport, 111., August 8, 1862. He shared in the marches, battles and honors of his regiment until mustered out June 11, 1865. He immediately returned to his life calling, .which he faithfully prosecuted, until recently he was compelled to retire because of failing health. In May, 1866, he was married to Miss Margaret McCondie at Taylorville, III. This union was blessed with four children, two sons and two daughters. He now resides at Berkley, Va., awaiting the summons to the "roll call up yonder."
CANADY, JAMES M. ; resides at Emerson, Iowa.
CLIXES, WILLIAM ; reported dead.
CLODFELTER, ALLEN ; born in Edwards County, 111., October 16, 1840. He received the common school educa- tion of that county, and enlisted in Company C August 22, 1862. He was with the regiment in all its campaigns and battles until mustered out of the service in 1865. He then re- turned to Edwards County, III., where he has since been en- gaged in farming. His postoffice address is West Salem.
CLODFELTER, EMANUEL; transferred to engineer corps April 24. 1864; resides at Atlanta, 111.
CROWELL, SENECA W. ; transferred to veteran reserve corps April 30, 1864; died at Friendsville, 111.
DELL, JOHN : discharged March 23, 1863 ; not heard from.
FOREMAN, SAMUEL ; reported at Wichita, Kan.
FREEMAN, THOMAS J. ; died at Chattanooga October 16, 1863, of wounds received at Chickamauga.
CARD, CHARLES; discharged June 18, 1863; died at Cards Point, 111.
GILLESPIE, JOHN ; resides at Bridgeport, 111.
CLICK, JOHN ; died at Shell Mound, Tenn., December 5, 1863.
GOULD, WILLIAM H. ; was on detached duty; died at Friendsville, 111., January 24, 1894.
HARE, THOMAS ; enrolled January 28, 1864 ; transferred to 2ist Illinois; resides at Cards Point, 111.
HALLOCK, JOHN ; resides at Harrisburg, 111.
HIGGINS, JOHN; died at Olney, 111., in 1870.
COMPANY C. 327
HAMMAKER, JOHN ; discharged April 6, 1863 ; resides at Olney, 111.
HART, JOHX W. ; discharged June 18, 1863; said to re- side at Grayville, 111.
HILL AARON; died in Andersonville prison September 15, 1864; grave No. 8,830.
HINEBAUGH, JACOB; died at Bridgeport, 111.
HOWELL, JASPER ; discharged May 7, 1863 ; resides at Sherman, Tex.
KRONEMILLER, JACOB ; resides at Sumner, 111.
LINDSEY, BENJAMIN ; died at Triune, Tenn., June 22, 1863.
LITHERLAND, GEORGE W. ; resides at Tell City, Ind.
LITHERLAND, WILLIAM J.; died since muster out.
MARKMAN, WILLIAM ; resides at Olney, 111.
MARKMAN, CHRISTIAN; died at West Salem, 111., in 1892.
MEYERS, GEORGE; resides near Olney, 111.
MILLER, JAMES W. ; resides at Bridgeport, 111.
MILLER, MOSES J. ; discharged June 18, 1863 ; is a farm- er ; resides three miles southwest of Carmi, 111.
MILLER, WILLIAM I.; died at Danville, Ky., January 24, 1863.
MULL, RICHARD; died at Richmond, Ky., January 4, 1863.
NUMBY, JOHN; enrolled January 28, 1864; transferred to 2ist Illinois ; died in Texas since muster out.
NUNLEY, ABSALOM ; died since muster out, in Texas.
PETERS, NICHOLAS ; resides at Mt. Carmel, III.
PICKERING, JOSEPH N. ; is a cooper and resides at No. 311 Depot Street, Vincennes, Ind.
PIXLEY, EDWARD ; born and reared on a farm in Wa- bash County, 111. He enlisted at the organization of the com- pany, and was with his company in all its service, except a short time that he was absent on special duty. At the close of the war he came home and went to farming, and has made a success in life, and is a highly respected citizen. His resi- dence is Friendsville, 111.
-528 COMPANY C.
PIXLEY, ISAAC; enrolled March 15, 1865; transferred to 2 1 St Illinois; reported dead.
POSEY, LANE W. ; discharged July 18, 1863 ; died at Mt. Carmel, 111., in 1864.
PRICE, GEORGE B. ; was mustered out May 12, 1865, on account of wounds ; died at Bridgeport, 111.
RAMSEY, JACOB ; died at Cards Point, III, in 1894.
REEL, DAVID S. ; died at Mt. Carmel, III, March 20, 1899.
REIBER, ANDREW ; transferred to veteran reserve corps September i, 1863 ; resides at Allendale, 111.
RIGG, EDWARD D. ; died at Mt. Carmel, 111., in 1888.
RIGG, WILLIAM V. ; transferred to engineer corps July 8, 1864; reported residing at Belmont, 111.
ROSE, JOHN D. ; died at Mt. Carmel, 111., February 16, 1900.
ROSE, REUBEN G. ; died in Texas.
RUPPER, CHRISTOPHER; died at Neallyville, 111., in 1899.
SHARP, JASPER; resides at Hoodville, 111.
SHOAF, JOHN ; resides at Olney, 111.
SHEPARD, ALBERT; was born and brought up on a farm near Lynn, Wabash County, Ind., and enlisted in Com- pany C at its organization, and served with the company throughout its service. After the war he married and settled on a farm near his native place, and made a success in life. He died May 3, 1900, loved by all who knew him. He was a Christian in deed, and his life was an open book. He was an active worker in the church and Sunday school.
STONE, THOMAS; born December 29, 1838, on a farm, and has spent all his life farming. His education was ob- tained in the district school. His record in the army is the same as that of his company, he having been with it in all its service. He had his gun shot in two, and was wounded in the right arm ; he received a slight wound in the face at the battle of Chickamauga ; he was also wounded in the face at Resaca, Ga., and was knocked down in the battle of Nash- ville, together with nine others, by the explosion of a shell. In all his service he was never on extra duty or under arrest.
COMPANY C. 329
Since the war Comrade Stone has resided on his splendid farm four miles west of Mt. Carmel, 111., where he has taken an active interest in the afifairs of his community. He has been especially active in the Grand Army, and in matters for the betterment of his comrades.
TAYLOR, JAMES R. ; enrolled March 15, 1865; trans- ferred to 2ist Illinois; resides at Bridgeport, 111.
TURNER, GILBERT H. ; was born in 1844, in Ohio, and moved to Mt. Carmel, III, in 1851. He enlisted in Company C at its organization and served the full time of the regiment. He went in as a private and is thankful that he came out the same. He was an efficient soldier, and has every reason to be proud of his service. He married in 1867, and removed to Neosho Falls, Kan., in 1872, where he took up a home- stead. Later he removed to Greenfield, Mo., where he now resides on a farm.
WHITE, FRANKLIN L. ; discharged April 25, 1863 ; re- ported dead.
WILEY, JAMES ; reported dead.
WOOD, NILES A.; died at Lexington, Kan., November 23, 1862.
WRIGHT, DAVID M. ; discharged April 23, 1863 ; died at Hutchison, Kan., June 20, 1898.
COMPANY D.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
STEPHEN M. HUCKSTEP, Captain, was a prominent minister, and member of the Central Illinois conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the time of his enlistment. His religion was of the type that carried with it the love of country in the highest degree. When his country was in dis- tress he heard its call, and promptly responded at the head of a company of men, which became Company D of the 115th. Captain Huckstep was equally at home in the duty of a soldier as in that of a minister, and was most highly respected by all who knew him for his faithfulness in every duty. He was leading his company in the doublequick from Colonel Cloud's place toward the Snodgrass Hill, soon after noon on Sunday, September 20, 1863, and when opposite the McDonald Place, a ball from an exploded shell pierced his thigh, causing a terrible wound, from which he died on the 9th of December following. By the aid of his brother, James M. Huckstep, of the same company, and others, he was placed in an ambulance and removed to Chattanooga. He there remained in a hos- pital tent, attended by his brother, until after the battle of Chattanooga, when he was removed to the officers' hospital at Nashville, where death came to his relief.
SAMUEL HYMER, Brevet Major, the second captain of Company D, was born in Harrison County, Ind., on May 17, 1829, and removed with his father's family to Schuyler County, 111., in 1837, where he resided on a farm until he entered the service. His education was such as the district schools af- forded, supplemented by brief terms in the Rushville schools. At the organization of Company D he was chosen second lieu- tenant very unexpectedly to himself, and on the resignation of Lieutenant Bridgewater, May 28, 1863, he was advanced to the
COMPANY D. 331
first lieutenancy, and on the death of Captain Huckstep, De- cember 9, 1863, he was promoted to the captaincy of his com- pany. As first heutenant he commanded his company after the wounding of Captain Huckstep, and did vahant service throughout the battle of Chickamauga. During the siege of Chattanooga Captain Hymer's company occupied a position above Brown's Ferry, where it remained several weeks with- out tents and with not more than half a dozen blankets to the company, constantly watching the operations of the rebels on Lookout Mountain. Though always an efficient officer and faithful in every duty, the crowning glory of Major Hy- mer's service was the defense of the blockhouse at Buzzard Roost Gap, which has been given at length in its proper place in this history. For this splendid service, the President gave him the brevet rank of major, and as further mark of distinc- tion Congress conferred upon him a medal of honor "for most distinguished gallantry in action at Buzzard Roost Gap, Ga., October 13, 1864." In transmitting the award the secretary of war uses the following language : "This officer, with only forty-one men under his command, defended and held a blockhouse against the attack of Hood's army for nearly ten hours, thus checking the advance of the enemy and insuring the safety of the rest of his regiment, as well as that of the 8th Kentucky Infantry, then stationed at Ringgold, Geor- gia." Major Hymer's experience while a prisoner was much the same as other Union officers in similar circumstances. He was taken with his company after the capture to Jacksonville, Ala., then to Selma, then to Montgomery, and thence to Macon, Ga. Here five of them, including the major, escaped, but he was soon captured and returned to the stockade. The major's experience in his journeys from place to place, and the many incidents of his prison life would fill a volume, but want of space prevents riving them here. He was finally paroled and sent into our lines at Wilmington, N. C, and was thence taken to Annapolis, Md., by steamer and thence taken to his home in Schuyler County, 111., by railroad, and was discharged May 15, 1865. In 1866 he removed to Miami County, Kan., and engaged in farming and stock raising. He
332 COMPANY D.
soon took interest in politics, and served as township assessor, a member of the Kansas legislature, township treasurer, and director of city schools. In 1882 he removed to La Cygne, Lynn County, Kan., where he resides, and is an honored cit- izen. For many years he has been a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
CHRIST. C. BRIDGEWATER, First Lieutenant; re- signed May 26, 1863 ; died about 1877.
MICHAEL P. JONES, First Lieutenant; was first ser- geant ; promoted to second lieutenant May 26, 1863, and to first lieutenant December 9, 1863 ; was captured with the com- pany at the blockhouse and shared prison fare with the others. He removed to Texas and died about 1890.
SERGEANTS.
JAMES A. DEAL, First Sergeant ; promoted from cor- poral ; captured and suffered with the others of his company in Southern prisons. After the war he removed to Kansas, living several years in Miami County, but now resides at Baldwin City.
GEORGE FRISBY; died in June, 1895.
ROBERT STEWART; was prisoner of war; now resides at Tecumseh, Okla.
ANDREW JACOBY; was prisoner; now resides at Fred- erick, 111.
GEORGE GILLETTE ; killed at Chickamauga September 20, 1863.
ALVA BOND ; now resides at Beardstown, 111.
CORPORALS.
DANIEL W. SMITH; died at Franklin, Tenn., May 2, 1863.
FRANCIS BANKS; discharged May. 11, 1863; not since heard from.
CHARLES BARKER; wounded and prisoner; died in Kansas.
PERRY P. TOLLE ; transferred to veteran reserve corps July 20, 1864; resides at Rushville, 111.
GARRET LANE ; not heard from.
MICHAEt DACE, Company D, STEWART WELKER, Company D.
JOHN WREN, Company D,
G. W. EIiI/ER, Company F.
COMPANY D. 333
GEORGE MASTERSON; died in Missouri in 1889.
OVERTON PARK ; now resides at Rushville, 111.
ANDREW JACKSON ; died at Huntsville, Ala., February I, 1895.
JAMES THOAIPSON ; resides La Cygne, Kan.
RICHARD SCOTT; died at Rushville, III, 1895.
PATMAN ZIMMERMAN ; was prisoner ; supposed to be at Louella, Okla.
MUSICIAN.
WILLIAM RHODES ; died in 1882 at Keokuk, Iowa.
WAGONER.
JAMES BUCKLES ; resides at Rushville, 111.
PRIVATES.
BARKER, ANDREW; resides at Morrell, Kan.
BECHTOHL, SQUIRE; was a prisoner of war; mustered out July I, 1865; died at Rushville, 111.
BENNETT, WILLIAM R. ; resides at Winfield, Kan.
BOWLING, WILLIAM; died at Danville, Ky., January 25, 1863.
BOWMAN, WILLIAM ; resides at Rushville, 111.
BOYD, JOSEPH E. ; killed at Buzzard Roost, October 13. 1864.
BRIDGEWATER, ANDREW ; died at Jeffersonville, Ind., February 8, 1865.
BRIDGEWATER, ELIAS; died at Cleveland, Tenn., March 10, 1864.
BRYANT, JAMES M. ; was a prisoner of war ; mustered out July I, 1865 ; resides at Elreno, Okla.
BRYANT, JOHN: discharged February 7. 1863; died at Pleasant View, 111.
BUCKLES, ELISHA; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Sep- tember 29, 1864.
BYERS, MONROE; died at Danville, Kv., January 22, 1863.
CAMPBELL, GEORGE W. ; said to reside at Rushville, [11.
334 COMPANY D.
COKENOUR, ALFRED; discharged October 24, 1863; heard from in 1899 at some place in Kansas.
COLLISTER, JOSEPH ; was a prisoner of war; mustered out July I, 1865; was drowned in Illinois River.
COLVIN, GEORGE W. ; died at Bowling Green, III, April, 1890.
CROSS, GEORGE W. ; resides at Layton, 111.
DACE, EDWIN W. ; resides at Rushville, 111.
DACE, MICHAEL; was born in Rich Woods, Mo., in 1839, and was brought up on a farm until 18 years of age. After that he served an apprenticeship as a wagon maker. In August, i860, he came to Rushville, 111., for two years. He enlisted in Company D at its organization and served as a private until the final muster out in June, 1865. His life as a soldier was characterized by coolness and bravery, and noth- ing pleases him more now than to relate to his children, and others, those deeds of valor that were enacted on the field or in camp during the time of his service. After his discharge he returned to Rushville, and again followed farming for more than twelve years. Being disabled by rheumatism, which pre- vented him from further following that occupation, he took up the carpenter's trade and has followed it ever since. He now resides at Rushville. He has always been faithful to liis country, and is a staunch Republican.
DEAL, STRATHEARN; died at Danville, Ky., January 27, 1863.
DIXON, WILLIAM; killed at Buzzard Roost, October t3, 1864.
DUPUY, DANIEL T. ; died at Pleasantview, 111.
DUPLY, FRANCIS M. ; killed at Chickamauga, Septem- ber 20, 1863.
DUPUY, JAMES -C. ; was a prisoner of war; resides at Pleasantview, III
FADS, SAMUEL ; died at Rushville, 111.
EVERHART, SAMUEL; discharged April 30, 1863; died at Rushville, III, March 27, 1895.
FAGAN, PATRICK ; died at Frederick, 111., in June, 1884.
GOREE, MARTIN ; died in California.
COMPANY D. 335
GREGORY, GEORGE; resides at Rushville, III.
HARLOW, WILLIAM; born near Mammoth Cave, Ky., in 1827, of Scotch and German ancestry, his grandfather, Sher- wood Harlow, having been a soldier in the war for Independ- ence. He was a brave soldier, ever ready for duty, yet of quiet disposition, faithful to his friends and generous to his foes. He was severely wounded in the battle of Chickamauga and was again badly wounded at the Blockhouse October 13, 1864, from which he died in the hospital at Jeffersonville, Ind., January 2, 1865. He was twice married, two children of the last marriage, Mrs. William Louderback of Sheldon's Grove, 111., and Mrs. Jesse Buck, of Beardstown, 111., still survive and are proud of their father's army record.
HERRON, WILLIAM ; resides at Englewood, Mo.
HOWELL, THOAIAS S.; enlisted March 17, 1865; trans- ferred to 2ist IlHnois; died June 11, 1896.
HUCKSTER, JAMES M. ; a brother to Captain Huckstep ; was mustered out May 29, 1865. He is a dentist by profes- sion and resides at Jacksonville, 111.
ISHAM, FRANCIS D. ; at Soldiers Home, Quincy, 111.
JACKSON, JESSE; enlisted March 11, 1864; transferred to 2ist Illinois; supposed to reside at Oak Arbor, Wash.
JACKSON, JOHN D.; resides at Xeodesha, Kan.
JACOBY, CHRISTOPHER; resides at Frederick, 111.
JONES, NATHAN; killed at Buzzard Roost, October 13, 1864.
JULIAN, MILTON P. ; was a prisoner of war ; discharged July 19, 1865 ; resides at Coolidge, Kan.
LAMASTER, CHARLES ; was a prisoner of war ; mus- tered out July I, 1865 ; died at Frederick, 111., September 8, 1898.
LENOVER, ALEXANDER; discharged March 24, 1863; resides at Rushville, 111.
LENT, JEREMIAH ; discharged December 24, 1863 ; died since muster out.
LOE, FIELDEN: killed at Buzzard Roost, October 13, 1864.
336 COMPANY D.
MILLER, HENRY; transferred to engineer corps August 15, 1864; reported dead.
MONNETT, WILLIAM ; died at Danville, Ky, February 15, 1863.
MOORELAND, JOHN; was a prisoner of war; mustered out July I, 1865; resides at Rushville, 111.
MUCK, HUMPHREY; was wounded; mustered May 18, 1865 ; reported dead.
MYERS, DANIEL; discharged April 12, 1863; died at Rushville, III, in 1866.
NEWELL, JAMES; discharged April 20, 1864; died at Rushville, 111., in 1865.
PARISH, JOHN; killed at Buzzard Roost, October 13, 1864.
PICKENPAU, JOHN; transferred to engineer corps August 15, 1864; resides at Wayland, 111.
ROBERTSON, JAMES W. ; was prisoner ; now resides at Rushville, 111.
ROOT, JACOB ; resides at Kilburn, 111.
RUSSELL, ISAIAH; reported dead.
SMEDLEY, DAVID L. ; discharged April 12, 1863; re- sides at Beardstown, 111.
SMEDLEY, JOHN M. ; killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
SMEDLEY, THOMAS I.; was prisoner of war; mustered out July I, 1865 ; resides at Frederick, 111.
SMEDLEY, WILLIAM A. ;died at Chattanooga, Tenn., October 15, 1863, of wounds received at Chickamauga.
STARK, JOHN ; discharged March 7, 1863 ; residence un- known, possibly Beardstown, 111.
STEPHENS, ELIAS; enlisted March 11, 1864; was a pris- oner of war; mustered out July i, 1865; last heard from at Genda Springs or Bitter Creek, Kan.
STONEKING, JACOB; discharged October 7, 1864; re- ported to have died in Missouri.
STONEKING, W. P. ; transferred to veteran reserve corps September i, 1863; reported tO' have died at Camp Chase, Ohio.
COMPANY D. 337
SMITH, JOHN S, ; died in Andersonville prison February I, 1865 ; grave No. 12,566.
STEPHENS, JOHN M. ; was a prisoner of war ; mustered out July I, 1865; reported dead.
TERRELL, ANDREW J. ; was a prisoner of war ; mus- tered out July I, 1865; resides at Beardstown, 111.
TYSON, WILLIAM; born April 2, 1841, in Bainbridge Township, Schuyler County, 111. His early life was spent on the home farm, attending the common country schools of that vicinity, where he received an education sufficient to enable him to teach several schools. At the age of sixteen years he accompanied his parents to Missouri, where he lived on a farm until the breaking out of the Civil War. On the 27th day of June, 1861, he enlisted in the United States service in Company D, Cass County Regiment of Cavalry, Missouri Home Guard Volunteers, for "three years or during the war ;" and was discharged at Harrisonville, Mo., February 28, 1862, by reason of General Order No. 25. During this service he participated in several skirmishes, but no regvilar battles. He was one of the soldiers whO' helped to guard the first wagon train of provisions to Lyon's army after the battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo. Soon after his discharge he started to Illinois and was obliged to cross the entire state at a very dangerous time of the war. On August 12, 1862, he re-enlisted in the army as a private in Company D, 115th Illinois. He was with his company and regiment all of the time and did his full share of marching and fighting, the scouting and picketing, the digging and suffering, as well as the foraging and picnicing. He participated in the battle of Franklin on April 10, 1863. He was in Rosecrans' campaign from Murfreesboro to Tulla- homa from June 23 to June 30, 1863 ; in the battle of Chicka- mauga, September 18, 19 and 20, 1863, and in the Dalton raid under General Palmer in February, 1864. He was in the charge on Tunnel Hill, May 7, 1864, and in the battle of Re- saca. May 15 and 16, 1864. He was one of that brave little band of forty-two men who formed Company D under Captain Hymer's command, and who held their own against such fear-
338 COMPANY D.
ful odds at Buzzard Roost Gap, and was there captured with them October 13, 1864.
TEEPLE, JACKSON ; discharged April 20, 1863 ; died at Rushville, 111., in 1883.
THOMAS, JAMES R. ; resides at Woodburn, Oregon.
TYSON, GEORGE W. ; died at Resaca, Ga., May 21, 1864, of wounds received in battle at that place.
UNDERHILL, ANSON W. ; was a prisoner of war ; mus- tered out July I, 1865 ; died in Kansas.
UNDERHILL, WILLIAM B. ; residence at Rushville, 111.
WELKER, STEWART; postmaster of the regiment throughout its service. He is now one of the proprietors of the Welker Meat Co., and resides at Council Bluffs, Iowa. His address is No. 307 Main Street.
WREN, JOHN; born in Schuyler County, III, in 1835, where he received the common school education. He en- listed in Company D at its organization, and served faithfully till the close of the war. He was loaned to Company H and was made a corporal. He was a good soldier and naturally takes pride in his army record. Since the war he conducted a ferry on the Illinois River till 1885. After that he carried on a farm. He was married in 1887 to Mrs. Mahala Herm and now lives in a comfortable home at Beardstown, 111. He is always glad to meet his army comrades and is a frequent visitor at the reunions.
COMPANY E.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
JOHN M. LANE, Captain, was born October 26, 1826, in Madison County, Ohio. His father, Rev. Joseph Lane, was a teacher and local preacher of the Methodist Church. At nineteen. Captain Lane came to Illinois and settled near Dan- ville. He was educated in the Danville Seminary and later studied for the ministry, being licensed to preach in 1853. He became a member of the Illinois conference and after filling several churches, was pastor at Macon, 111., when Com- pany E was formed, of which he was unanimously elected captain. He maintained his Christian character in the army, and frequently preached to the regiment and in the churches where it was stationed. He resigned May 11, 1863, because of ill health. When able to do so, he resumed his position in the conference, rendering efficient service until his death, August 7, 1867, which occurred at Jacksonville, 111., where he was buried in Diamond Grove Cemetery. His widow and two children, William J. and Margaret, now reside in Jacksonville.
JAMES A. WHITAKER, Captain; promoted from ser- geant to first lieutenant March 25, 1863, and to the captaincy May II, 1863. On being mustered out he returned to Macon, 111., where he died the following year.
DAVID S. MOFFITT, First Lieutenant; resigned March 25, 1863 ; and returned to his farm in Macon County, 111., where he died a few years later.
JESSE F. HEDGES, First Lieutenant ; promoted from first sergeant to second lieutenant February 28, 1863, and to first lieutenant May 11, 1863. He commanded Company D from October 15, 1864, till mustered out. After returning home he removed to Colorado' and died at Salina in that state April 3. 1876.
340 COMPANY E.
ADAM C. ALLINSOx\, Second Lieutenant; resigned February 28, 1863, because of ill health. He was a native of Illinois, of English parentage, and at the organization of Com- pany E was the manager of a farm of 1,500 acres owned by himself and brothers, two miles west of Macon. On returning from the army he resumed his place on the farm. A few years later he removed to Missouri and engaged in business. He now resides on a small farm at Table Rock, Neb.
ISAAC H. C. ROYSE, Second Lieutenant ; was born at Kingwood, W. Va., November 23, 1838, of old pioneer New England stock. Although his father, John Royse, long the county surveyor of Preston County, W. Va., was a native of \'irginia, born near Winchester, December 19, 1795, his grand- father, Moses Royse, was a native of New York, and his great- grandfather, Aaron Royse, born January 3, 1734, was a native of Connecticut, as was his father, Moses Royse, who was born in the year 1700. New England genealogy and tradition trace the Royse family back to Robert Royse, who came from Eng- land to Boston in 1634. Aaron Royse removed with his parents to the interior of New York when he was but a youth and when that region was yet the hunting ground of many Indians, and was brought up to the business of Indian trading and Indian fighting. Naturally he became a soldier in the Colonial wars, and was in Col. George Washington's com- mand at Braddock's defeat near the present city of Pittsburgh, July 9, 1755, being one of the few who escaped. Being a friend and associate of Washington, and residing near him at Alex- andria, Va., after 1775, it is quite probable that he was in the Revolutionary War, though certain proof of it has not been found, because of the destruction of the Virginia military records at the burning of the State Capitol.
Lieutenant Royse had no school privileges until he removed with his father's family to Washington County, Ohio, when he was fifteen years of age, and after that only such as could be obtained in the country schools in the brief winter terms when the weather would not permit work on the farm. In that way, supplemented by study at night by the light of pine knot fires, he was enabled to pass the examination for a teacher's
COMPANY E. 541
license and taught one term of school in the winter of 1859-60. Then followed a brief flat-boat experience, in a cruise of a trading boat from Zanesville, Ohio, to Madison, Ind., in the spring of i860, and the summer of that year at hard work on the farm of Isaac Goodwin near Utica, Ind. In October, i860, he removed to Macon, 111., where he spent some time as clerk in his brother's store. He took an active part in the recruit- ing of Company E and was the first to enter his name on its rolls. He served as musician a short time, then as private, then as sergeant, and on May 11, 1863, was promoted to the second lieutenancy. He had made the company muster rolls and kept the company books from the beginning and con- tinued to do so until the end. He commanded his company some time at Normandy, Tenn., in August, 1863, during the captain's illness, as well as at several other times, and was in command of it at the final muster out. He had command of Company F and a section of artillery stationed in the fort overlooking and guarding the bridge over the Oostanaula River at Resaca, Ga., for nearly two months after the battle at that place. He served as adjutant and as quartermaster in the absence of those officers, and was post adjutant while sta- tioned at Shell Mound. In the spring of 1865 he served sev- eral weeks as aide-de-camp on the staff of General Moore. While never rising higher in rank than second lieutenant, for want of a vacancy, he had a greater variety of service than falls to the lot of most officers in the same length of service. He was with his regiment in all its service excepting six weeks in hospital and on leave because of severe wounds received at Chickamauga and his brief service on the brigade stafif, and participated in all its battles.
/\t the close of the war he spent one year at Pleasant Hill, Mo., in the real estate business, at the same time carrying on a livery business. He then spent two years in the University of Michigan, graduating from the law department in 1868. He practiced his profession one year in Kansas City, Mo., and then removed to Paola, Kan., where he practiced law five years, having part in some of the most important litigations then pending in that state, both in State and Federal Courts.
342 COMPANY E.
In 1874 he removed to Terra Haute, Ind., where he continued the active practice of his profession until within the last five years. In 1890 he took a leading part in organizing the Mechanics' Building Loan & Savings Association of Terre Haute, of which he has ever since been president, and which has grown under his management to be an important finan- cial institution, much in the nature of a savings bank in its methods of business. In 1894 he organized the Terre Haute Trust Company, of which he has since been president, and to which he is now devoting most of his time. After the or- ganization of the trust company his former business was or- ganized into a corporation and continued under the name of the I. H. C. Royse Company, he being its president and giving a little time to its management, the principal work being done b)' others.
A Republican in politics because of the party's principles, and always taking a lively interest in politics from the stand- point of a citizen. Lieutenant Royse has never sought office, and the only official positions held by him have been those of county attorney for an unexpired term in Kansas, and the same office one year in Vigo County, Ind., and one term of four years as trustee of the Indiana State Normal School, all by appointment. He has been active in church and Sunday school work ever since his return from the army, being a Methodist. He has served as steward and trustee of his church nearly all that time, and was several years superin- tendent of its Sunday school. He has also been active in State Sunday school work, having served two terms as presi- dent of the State association. Since 1890 he has taken an active part in the reform of building and loan association methods, being one of the organizers of the United States League of Local Building and Loan Associations, of which, he was vice-president the first two terms. He is now president of the Indiana State League of Local Building and Loan As- sociations.
He was married soon after his graduation in 1868 to Miss Sarah Jackson of Ann Arbor, Mich., of which union three children are living: Minnie L., the wife of Guy M. Walker,
Sekgt. R. G. MIDDLETON. JAMES T. KING.
Lieut. DAVID REED, as Private. Seegt. ALFRED SHIVELY.
All of Company F.
COMPANY E. 343
an attorney of New York ; Clarence A., a lawyer and teacher in the Law Department of Denver University, Denver, Col. ; and Herbert E., secretary and treasurer of the I. H. C. Royse Company, residing at home with his parents at No.- 507 North Seventh Street, Terre Haute, Ind. He is a member of the G. A. R. and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and takes an active interest in all matters affecting the welfare of his comrades.
SERGEANTS.
JAMES M. MARTLX, First Sergeant, was an efficient offi- cer, always at his post of duty, was with his company in all its service. The commissioned officers of his company being on other duty or absent, he commanded the company in the battle of Nashville. Some time after the war he removed to Kansas, locating at Olathe. His health failing he accepted a place in the National Military Home near Leavenworth, Kan., where he may now be found.
JAMES SLOAN ; died in Indian Territory in 1879.
JAMES M. POPE; died at Danville, Ky., December 31, 1862.
EDEN T. CLEMENTS ; born in Greencastle, Ind., January 8, 1834. His first vote was for John C. Fremont for President. He moved to Macon County, 111., in i860, settling on a farm near Blue Mound. He enlisted as a private, was soon pro- moted to corporal, and afterwards to sergeant, and served the full term, being mustered out with the regiment. Since the war he has resided near Blue Mound, 111., and has held many offices, being postmaster 20 years, police judge four years, village clerk two years, township assessor four years. He is now census enumerator for that district, and resides at Blue Mound.
GEORGE N. JUNKEN ; mortally wounded and left on the field at the battle of Chickamauga.
FREDERICK S. GILHOUSEN ; born in Indiana County, Pa., August II, 1834. He spent his boyhood on the farm, attending the country schools a few brief terms at intervals until his seventeeth year, when he had his first experience as a
344 COMPANY E.
school teacher. Between farming, lumbermg, study and teach- ing he passed a varied life until the Civil War. He enlisted at the organization of Company E, August i6, 1862, and served in the most faithful manner with his company until it was mus- tered out in 1865. His efficient service was recognized in his promotion to the position of sergeant. Every one in the com- pany appreciated Fred Gilhousen's conscientious devotion to duty. He was always ready for every service, and was never known to shirk any task, however difficult. He was with his company and did valiant service in the battle of Chickamauga, being severely wounded by a musket ball, toward the close of the battle. On being mustered out he returneed to Kahoka, Mo., and resumed the profession of school teaching. In 1867 he entered the ministry in the North Missouri conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which relation he did efficient service until 1875, when failing health obliged him to retire from the work. Since then he has resided with his fam- ily at Kahoka, Mo., leading, as he says, an uneventful life. In politics he is a Prohibitionist and has been honored with the nomination of his party for the position of judge of the court in his county, but of course without hope of election.
DANIEL W. ALLINSON, a brother of Lieutenant Allin- son, was a native of Illinois, a son of a prosperous farmer- preacher, who resided two miles west of Macon. He made the best of his opportunities and acquired a good common school education. He enlisted in Company E at its organization, and shared all its service till the muster out, and is deserving of the highest commendation for gallant conduct as a soldier. At the close of his service he returned to his farm near Macon. Some years later he went into the drug business at Macon, which he successfully conducted ten years, being postmaster of the town six years of the time. His health failing, he sought relief on the plains of South Dakota, where he perfected a claim to 320 acres of land. The climate being too severe, he removed to Los Angeles, Cal., in 1887, and later to Nordhofif, Cal., where he resided and carried on a fruit farm, till he an- swered the final roll call November 21, 1896, leaving a widow and four children, two boys and two girls. Mrs. Allinson and
COMPANY E. 345
three of her children now reside at La Delle, S. D., a daughter having died soon after her father.
HYMAN L. HOUSLEY; wounded and captured in the battle of Chickamauga and spent a long term in Southern prisons ; now resides at Hepler, Kan.
JOSEPH Q. ADAMS ; was a local preacher in the Metho- dist Church and a faithful soldier ; died at Nashville, Tenn., March 15, 1863.
CORPORALS.
BENJAMIN RAMSEY; died at Danville, Ky., January 17, 1863.
MICHAEL RAMSEY ; died at Lexington, Ky., November II, 1862.
RANDALL R. ADAMS ; died at Moweaqua, 111., July 3, 1897.
JOHN T. STARK; died in Iowa in 1877.
CHARLES M. BREEDEN was a genial gentleman, a good soldier, and after he left the army an efificient business man, being a valued employe of Deer, Mansur & Co., in St. Louis, Mo. He took an active part in the management of the cele- brated St. Louis fairs for many years. He died in St. Louis, July 28, 1899, and was buried by his comrades in the cemetery at Decatur, 111.
JOHN A. BARNES ; engaged in farming at Boody, III, for many years ; now living on a farm near Storm Lake, Iowa.
PHILIP CLEMENTS ; born in Boone County, Ind., Sep- tember 9, 1844, and moved with his parents to Illinois in 1849, settling near Mt. Auburn, 111. He removed to Macon County in 1857, 3-'^'i enlisted in Company E at its organization. He was an efficient soldier and shared in all the honors of his company from the beginning to the end, being mustered out in June, 1865. He was one of the 13 survivors of Company E who stacked arms at the close of the battle of Chickamauga, after the deadly work on Snodgrass Hill. Since the war he has devoted his time to farming and stock raising, his post office address being Stonington, 111.
JOSEPH R. EDMONDS ; enhsted as a private and served with the regiment until it was mustered out of the service in
346 COMPANY E.
1865. He commenced teaching school soon after his discharge from the army and continued teaching till 1888, when he was elected circuit clerk and recorder for the County of Christian, 111. Since the expiration of his term of office he has been engaged in the real estate business and is now located in De- catur, 111.
WILLIAM L. HURST ; born in Shelby County, Ind., No- vember 14, 183 1, and removed to Christian County, III, in 1854. He enlisted in Company E at its organization, and par- ticipated with it in the battle of Chickamauga, where he re- ceived a gun shot wound in the left leg, fracturing the bone. He was then taken to Quincy, III., and remained in the hos- pital until discharged on account of wounds, August 3, 1864. When he had sufficiently recovered he engaged in farming, which he continued to follow as long as he was able to do so. He has been unable to work for the last 15 years. He now resides at Independence, Kan.
JAMES L. HIGHT ; transferred tO' the veteran reserve corps April 30, 1864. After returning from the army he spent some years farming near Macon, 111., then engaged in business in Macon, and later in banking in the same place, being the head of the firm of J. L. Hight & Son, bankers.
JOHN H. HERDMAN ; returned to the farm at the close of the war and now resides near Taylorville, 111.
JAMES JOHNSON : killed at Chickamauga September 20, 1863.
MUSICIAN.
JAMES A. RUBY; was a prisoner of war many months, suffering all the horrors of Andersonville and other Southern prison pens. He is now a locomotive engineer and resides at No. 99 North Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, 111.
PRIVATES.
ABRAMS, FRANCIS M. ; is a farmer residing near Blue Mound, 111.
AMSLER, JOHN ; discharged June 29, 1863 ; reported dead.
COMPANY E. 347
ARMSTRONG, JOHN A. ; is a farmer residing near Ma- con, 111.
ARMSTRONG, MADISON S. ; died at Nashville, Tenn., September 3, 1863.
ASHMEAD, MYERS J. ; killed at Chickamauga Septem- ber 20, 1863.
BIDDLE, ALEXANDER W; was born near Jonesbor- ough, Tenn., April i, 1833. After completing his education at Washington College, he went West and located at Macon, 111., about the year i860. He was with the regiment in its cam- paign in Kentucky where he was soon taken sick and sent to the general hospital at Lexington. Being an invahd, he was transferred from active service to the veteran reserve corps and retained at the hospital as clerk and druggist until he was discharged for disability, May 24, 1865. Among his official papers are found many letters from the physicians in charge of the ho'spital, expressing appreciation of his able and faith- ful services for nearly three years. He was postmaster at Ma- con for several years, and in 1869 formed a partnership with a comrade, Robert Bivans, and engaged in mercantile business for several years, under the firm name of Biddle & Bivans. He sold out about 1876 and invested in farm lands, and in 1888 moved to Lawtey, Fla., where he engaged in fruit growing. He was an earnest advocate of the temperance cause, was delegate to the National Prohibition Convention at Cincinnati in 1892, and at Pittsburg in 1896, and was chairman of the state executive committee for Florida at his death.
He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and served as lay delegate to the General Conference held at Cleveland, O., in 1896. His anxiety for the cause of Christianity was evidenced shortly before his death by the gift to the church at Lawtey of all his Florida property, amounting to about $5,000, including his beautifully furnished home for a parsonage. He died at Lawtey, September 15, 1897, and was taken to Macon, III, for interment. He was married to Miss Dora E. Frazee at Macon, III, December 8, 1867. To them was born one child, Estella W. He is survived by his wife, daughter and two grandchildren, Dora and Eva May.
348 COMPANY E.
BREEDEN, JOHN M. ; the only lawyer of the regiment and the oldest man in the company ; the father of Corporal Breden ; was a native of Alaysville, Ky. His health failing he was dis- charged January 5, 1863, and a few years later died at De- catur, 111.
BIVANS, ROBERT; born May 14, 1842, in Franklin County, Ohio. He inherited honesty and industry, and ac- quired the education afiforded by the Ohio public schools. Ambitious to better his fortunes, he came to lUinois in 1859 and located on a farm in the southern part of Macon County. He was with his company in all its campaigns until the close of the battle of Chickamauga. During the summer of 1863 he was on detached duty at regimental headquarters, and al- though not required to carry a musket, his patriotic spirit did not permit him to remain an idle spectator when a battle was on, so when the regiment moved on the enemy near McAfee Church on Saturday, September 19, 1863, he secured the Springfield rifle of a wounded man of the 40th Ohio, and en- tered the line of battle with his company, where he remained, doing effective work until shot down by the enemy. In the des- perate charges on Snodgrass Hill, Comrade Bivans was among the most daring. He was ever at the front, loading and firing his piece in the most deliberate manner, as if entirely uncon- scious of the dangers of the situation. Late in the afternoon, at the moment of taking aim, a shot passed through his right elbow, shattering the bones and crippling him for life. The writer of this history was present at the time and witnessed Comrade Bivan's brave conduct, and gladly makes this refer- ence as justly due for his gallant behavior at the most critical moment of the conflict. Comrade Bivins was fortunately carried to the rear in time to escape capture, and was taken to the field hospital opposite Chattanooga, where he remained till February, 1864. He suffered terribly because of erysipelas and blood poisoning following the resection of his elbow joint, which resulted in a large abscess in his left chest, destroy- mg the lung. Reduced to a mere skeleton from his wound and resulting disease, he was finally discharged at Quincy, 11!., March 23, 1865. He then returned to Macon, III, and re-
CO-MPANY E. 349
sumed his place among its citizens, being highly respected by all. He was postmaster at Macon for a number of years, until a ruler came to the throne "who knew not Joseph," and gave the place to another. After that he engaged successfully in agriculture, mercantile and insurance business. On May 25, 1871, he was married to Miss Flora A. Sweeny of Fulton County, 111. They have two children, a son and daughter, both grown to maturity. Since 1895 he has not been able to do any business on account of his wounds and failing health. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and earnest in the faith. From his earnings and his pension he has a comfortable living, residing at Decatur, 111.
CLEMENTS, DA\TD T. ; mortally wounded on Septem- ber 20, 1863, in the battle of Chickamauga and died on the field.
CLEMEx\TS, MILTON H. ; discharged December 14, 1862; resides at Sun City, Kan.
CRAFTON, John; died at Nashville, Tenn., March 4, 1863.
CROOKS, GEORGE W. ; died at his home November 6, 1862.
CUMMINGS, JOHN; died near Blue Mound, 111.
CUMMIXGS, JAMES H. ; resides on a farm near Blue Mound, 111.
DARMER, JOHN O. ; born in Shelby County, Ind., March 28, 1840. He removed to Illinois in 1853, and lived in Chris- tian County till he entered the service. He was of a genial disposition, always doing something for the amusement of his comrades, and always ready to lend a helping hand. He was in the thickest of the fight at Chickamauga, till terribly wounded, receiving two shots within a minute, which disabled him for active field service. He was finally discharged because of his wounds May 15, 1865. After his discharge he returned to Christian County, 111., but removed to Champaign County in 1869. He followed farming as an occupation until 1898, when he removed to Champaign City and engaged in the real estate business, which is his present occupation.
DARMER, WILLIAM C. ; left the farm to enter the serv- ice in August, 1862, and was one of Company's E's most faith-
350 COMPANY E.
ful men until discharged. After the war he returned to Chris- tian County, 111., and resumed the occupation of a farmer. Later he removed to Champaign, 111. In 1895 he removed to Dalhs County, Iowa, and settled on a farm near Perry, where he now resides. He has a family of eight children.
DE ATLEY, ALFRED H. ; died at Nashville, Tenn., March 3, 1863.
DE ATLEY, JOSEPH A.; enhsted January 22, 1863; transferred to 21st Ilhnois ; died at Sandorus, 111., May 16,
1873-
ELDER, WILLIAM F.; enlisted January 28, 1863; was severely wounded in the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863, and discharged on account thereof January 2, 1865. He now resides at Boody, 111., supported by his pension.
GOODRICH, IRA ; was born in Putnam County, Ind., May 6, 1834. He was brought up on a farm and has been a farmer all his life except while in the army. He enlisted in Company E at its organization, and served with it until mustered out in 1865. He did valiant service in the battle of Chickamauga, where he was severely wounded. He owns a good farm near Coatesville, Ind., where he now resides, enjoying the confi- dence of all who know him.
GOODRICH, OLIVER P. ; died at his home in Christian County, III, October 16, 1862.
GAY, DAVID H. ; discharged April 16, 1863 ; removed to Missouri.
GREEN, ROBERT L. ; died at Nashville, Tenn., February I, 1865.
GILHOUSEN, WILLIAM H. ; brother of Sergeant Gil- housen ; born in Pennsylvania in 1842, where he received the usual common school education. He joined Company E as a recruit on February 29, 1864, and served until the regiment was mustered out of the service, participating in all of its cam- paigns and battles of that period. In June, 1865, he was trans- ferred to the 2 1 St Illinois, and appointed clerk to the medical director of the 4th army corps, and went with that corps to Texas, serving in tht same capacity until he was mustered out in December, 1865. In January, 1866, he located in Kahoka,
WM. GILHODSEN. "WILLIAM L- HURST.
BENNETT HURST. JOHN O. DARMER.
All of Company E.
COMPANY E. 3S1
Mo., where he resided until 1877, when he removed to The Dalles, Ore., where he had excellent success in the photograph business. After ten years residence in Oregon, in which he had taken and perfected a claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land, he returned to Kahoka, Mo., where he now re- sides with his wife and a family of six boys and two girls, the youngest sixteen years of age, all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with their parents. He is in poor health, but still carrying on the photograph business. He has abiding faith that when the roll is called "up yonder" he will meet all his comrades of the iisth.
GRAHAM, AMERICUS; enlisted February 10, 1863 ; was an efficient soldier, participating with his company in the bat- tle of Chickamauga in which he was wounded, and other en- gagements. He was transferred to the 21st Illinois in June, 1865, and remained with it until final muster out in December, 1865. He is now engaged in live stock business, and resides at Spicer, Col.
HAMMILL, CHARLES B. ; was killed by cars at Decatur, 111., some years after the war.
HENRY, WILLIAM G. ; was severely wounded in the battle of Chickmauga, but recovered in time to do much more valiant service with his company. Always ready for any duty that presented and always cheerful, he was one whom every- body liked. On leaving the army he removed to Iowa, settling at Emmettsburg, where he has carried on the drug business with much success. He has served his county as recorder of deeds and clerk of court, and is a highly respected citizen. A son followed his example by doing service in Cuba in the late Spanish war. His address is Emmettsburg, Iowa.
HOLLIXGSWORTH, SHELBY ; was transferred to the 2ist Illinois; now resides at Virgil, Mo.
HUGLE, JOHN L. ; died at Nashville, Tenn., September 14. 1863.
HURST, BENNETT; was born in Shelby County, Ind., in 1842, and removed to Christian County, 111., in 1854. He received a common school education, and enlisted in Company E at its organization. He was wounded in the left wrist in
3S2 COMPANY E.
the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863, causing the total disability of his left hand, which prevented further active service. After recovering sufficiently, he did hospital service at Nashville until mustered out in July, 1865. He removed to Ft. Scott, Kan., in October, 1865, and served as a salesman for McDonald Bros. Later he purchased a farm, on which he remained until 1881, when he sold out and removed to Inde- pendence, Kas., where he still resides. He has been in the employ of the Rock Island Lumber & Manufacturing Com- pany for several years. He was married to Miss Mary E. Shoup in 1869.
JACOBS, JAMES C. ; is now a successful farmer living near Macon, 111.
LONG, REV. JOSEPH W., D. D. ; was well known as brigade orderly in which capacity he did excellent service. In the battle of Chickamauga his coolness and bravery were specially commended. At the close of the war he studied for the ministry of his church, the United Presbyterian, and has since devoted himself to that work, having successfully served important churches in Illinois, Kansas and Missouri, being now pastor of the United Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Mo.
LOVEL, LEMUEL J. ; died at Franklin, Tenn., May 10, 1863.
MARKWELL, WILLIAM A. ; born in Christian County, 111., in 1847. He received a common school education, and as- sisted his father on his farm until 1862. He served with his company through all its service, and was mustered out in 1865. Since the war he has carried on the business of farming until 1893, when he purchased a comfortable home at Bement, 111., and has since been engaged in the dairy business. In 1867 he was married to Miss Mary M. Crowe, and has one son and five daughters.
MEYERS, JOHN W. ; is a farmer residing at Blue Mound, 111.
McVEY, ELI; died at Knightsville, Ind., in 1891.
McVEY, LEVI ; killed by a runaway team near Lathem, 111., in 1893.
COMPANY E. 353
McREYNOLDS, NEWTON W. ; discharged February 25, 1864, on account of wounds received in battle; resides at Hav- iland, Kan.
MURPHY, FINLEY; reported dead.
PATRICK, THOMAS B. ; died near Moweagua, III.
POPE, ZACHARIAH ; died at Lexington, Ky., Novem- ber 10, 1862.
PRETTYMAN, REV. DANIEL H. ; was a minister of the Christian Church; died at Danville, Ky., in February, 1863.
QUICK, SAMUEL W. ; resided at Cedarville, Kan., when last heard from.
RAMSEY, JAMES; died at Danville, Ky., January 11, 1863.
RANDALL, GARRETT B. ; died near Blue Mound, 111.
ROBERTS, HENRY; enhsted at Normandy, Tenn., Sep- tember I, 1863; had been conscripted into the Confederate army, but always loyal to the Union ; he deserted at the first opportunity and sought service in the Union army. He was conspicuous for his bravery in the battle of Chickamauga. On Septemebr 24, 1863, he was captured with the ferry-boat party and being recognized by his old Confederate comrades, was tried and shot as a deserter.
ROBERTSON, JEREMIAH H. ; transferred to engineer corps August 15, 1864; not heard from.
ROSE, JOHN V. ; died at Resaca, Ga., May 26, 1863.
RUBY, HENRY J. ; killed in the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
RUBY, LEVIAS ; died at Franklin, Tenn., April 23, 1863.
RUSH, FRANCIS M. ; not heard from.
RUSH, WILLIAM E. ; died at Danville, Ky., January 31, 1863.
RUTLEDGE, WILLIAM ; mortally wounded in the battle of Chickamauga.
RUGH, SAMUEL ; born in Pennsylvania in 1840, and re- moved with his parents to Cass County, Ind., in 1853, and thence to Macon County, 111., in 1854, where he resided on a farm until his enlistment. His army record was equal to the best — being faithful to every duty and with his company in all
354 COMPANY E.
its service. At the beginning of the Atlanta campaign he was detailed in the ambulance corps and while the regiment was at Tunnel Hill, Ga., he went through another campaign with Sherman's army, helping to care for the wounded in all the battles in which his brigade was engaged. After the war he spent sixteen years in mercantile business in Pennsylvania. He then returned to Macon County, 111., and resumed his old occupation of farming, on the old homestead near Boody, where he still resides.
RUTLEDGE, SILAS ; was born in Dixon County, Tenn., May 5, 1837, but was reared in Christian County, 111. The country being sparcely settled, he had very few opportunities for an education, except in farm work. He enlisted August 13, 1862, in Company E, at Macon, 111., and participated with his company and regiment in all their campaigns and battles. He was wounded at the battle of Resaca, May 16, 1864. After his discharge he returned to Illinois and resided on a farm in Macon County until November, 1870, when he removed to Sedgwick County, Kan., where he has since been engaged in farming. He has been honored with election to the State Legislature and to various local offices. He was a Republican in politics until 1889, when he joined with others in the reform movement in Kansas. His postoffice address is Colwich, Kan.
SMITH, ISAAC B.; died at Richmond, Ky., January i, 1863.
STARK, JESSE M. ; reported to be at Persia, Iowa.
TETER, SAMUEL ; discharged January 24, 1863 ; now resides at Shickley, Neb.
TRAVES, JAMES E. ; died at Franklin, Tenn., April 22, 1863.
THOMPSON, WILLIAM ; mortally wounded and left on the field at the battle of Chickamauga.
WADDLE, JOSEPH M. ; born in Ohio County, W. Va., December 9, 1843, where he resided until fourteen years of age. He then removed with his parents to Christian County, 111., where they lived on a farm until his enlistment in 1862. He was one of the Christian County group that came to Ma- con and joined Company E at its organization. He was with
COMPANY E. 355
the regiment in all its service until September 23, 1863, partici- pating with it in the great struggle of Chickamauga and being one of the thirteen well men of Company E who stacked arms at Rossville at the close of that battle. He was of the party withLieutenant Gore which attempted to take the ferry-boat past Lookout Mountain, and was captured. The story of his capture and prison life is told elsewhere. On returning to the regiment, Comrade Waddle resumed his place with Company E until its muster out in June following. In March, 1868, he was married to Miss Margaret L. Terrill, of Wheeling, W. Va. After the war he settled on a farm near his father's home in Christian County, 111., where he was a devoted farmer until 1883, when he sold out and removed to Pawnee County, Neb., and again settled on a farm near Pawnee City, where he still resides with his wife and family of three boys and three girls.
WEATHERFORD, WILLIAM H. ; mustered in Com- pany H to make up its number, but always regarded himself as an E man ; is now postmaster at Boody, 111.
WEST, JAMES M.; discharged July 9, 1863; resides at Blue Hill, Neb.
WHITE, GEORGE T. ; discharged April 18, 1863 ; after- wards enlisted in a battery, and was killed in the battle of Atlanta.
WHITE, LEVI ; discharged August 6, 1863. He was born in Ohio in 1823. After returning from the army he lived on a farm in Macon County, 111., till 1872, when he removed to Reno County, Kan., and lived on a farm till his death January 20, 1885.
WHITE, WILLIAM ; discharged February 4, 1863 ; now in Illinois As3dum for Insane at Jacksonville, III.
WHITE, WILLIAM F. ; a son of Levi White ; enlisted January 28, 1863 ; was discharged April 13, 1863, and was drowned in Sangamon River, near Decatur, in 1883.
WILLIAMS, LOTON G.; born in Oxford, N. C, June 28, 1836. In 1842, his parents removed to Illinois and he had the experience of the pioneer settlers of the Prairie State. His opportunities for an education were limited, but he was
356 COMPANY E.
taught the trade of a blacksmith, at which he was engaged at the time of his enhstment. He was married and had two chil- dren when he left home to join in the defense of his country. He shared in all the hardships and service of his company, was ever ready for the severest duty and was highly respected by all his comrades. When mustered out of the service, he returned to Christian County, 111., and resumed the work of his trade, which he followed most of his life. He now lives near Stonington, 111., within two miles of where he was brought up, and is engaged in farming.
WOOD, NEWELL; died in California in 1893.
WOOD, FRANCIS E. ; discharged December 27, 1862; now resides in Decatur, 111.
YOUNG, PETER C. ; died at Taylorville, III, in 1872.
COMPANY F.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
FRANK L. HAYS, Major, Captain Company F. Major Hays was born August 23, 1836, in central Ohio. His par- ents, Thomas and Abby Hays, were both natives of the same State. Both of their fathers were quite prominent in the Federal Army in the War for Independence. Major Hays was educated at the Ohio' Wesleyan University, at Delaware, O. At fifteen he was elected and received a commission from Governor Todd as second lieutenant of an independent mili- tary company, known as the Olentangy Guards. The officers were : Captain, Eugene Powell ; first lieutenant, James Crawford ; second lieutenant, F. L. Hays. A coincidence worth noting is that, in the Civil War, Captain Powell be- came a brigadier-general, Lieutenant Crawford a colonel, and Lieutenant Hays a major. At nineteen years of age Major Hays came to Decatur, 111., then a small town, and engaged in the dry goods business, and with the exception of his army life of three years, continued in the same business until 1889. It was the summer of 1862 before Major Hays was impressed with the fact that it was necessary that the United States Government should have his services, and he at once com- menced raising a company. On August 6, 1862, with fifty other young men of Decatur, he was sworn into the service as a private soldier. Lacking the full number of men, the company went to Camp Butler with only a temporary organ- ization. On consolidation with the company organized by Captain Richmond at Oconee, Major Hays was elected cap- tain. He commanded his company until March, 1863, when he was appointed inspector-general on the stafif of Brig.-Gen. Absalom Baird, division commander, in which position he continued until General Baird was transferred to the 14th corps.
358 COMPANY F.
Upon General Steedman assuming command of the division, Major Hays was retained in the same position, which he filled in a most able manner until after the battle of Chicka- mauga. On the reorganization of the army after that battle. Major Hays resumed command of his company. He served several weeks as a member of a court-martial while at Cleve- land, Tenn., in the spring of 1864. On April 6, 1864, he re- ceived a commission as paymaster of United States Volun- teers, with the rank of major, and was ordered to report at Washington for assignment to duty. We were then about to go on the Atlanta campaign, and Major Hays being un- willing to leave the regiment while any fighting was in pros- pect, allowed his commission to remain dormant for the time. He continued in the command of his company in the operations over Tunnel Hill, the fighting at Rocky Faced Ridge and the battle of Resaca. His courage was shown when the two wings of the regiment became separated, when so furiously assaulted by the rebels on Saturday afternoon. May 14th, and Major Hays assumed command of the right wing as the senior officer present, and held the hill on which he was posted, while Stevenson's rebels swept past him in hot pursuit of the left wing of the regiment and General Graft's brigade. In that action he was slightly wounded. After the battle, the regiment being assigned to garrison duty at Re- saca, Major Hays returned to Cleveland and accepted his position as paymaster, and at once reported for duty. He was on duty paying troops at Louisville, Ky., and at various points in Tennessee and Georgia, at Indianapolis, Ind., and Springfield and Chicago, III, until February, 1865, when he resigned and resumed the dry goods business at Decatur. In all the positions held by Major Hays, company commander, provost marshal at Richmond and Danville, Ky., inspector- general, acting post commissary at Shell Mound and Chatta- nooga and paymaster — nearly all of them positions of trust, in which he handled large sums of money, receiving and ac- counting for more than a million dollars, besides much Gov- ernment property, — upon final settlement, all of his accounts with the Government were found correct. The only amount
COMPANY F. 359
of indebtedness from him to the Government was thirteen cents, which was cancelled in a very complimentary letter sent him by the second auditor of the Treasury. This is a record of which Major Hays may well feel proud. Since retiring from the dry goods business, he has served two terms as city clerk of Decatur, and has always been prominent in afifairs having in view the welfare of that cit}'. He was married in 1861 to Miss Harriet L. White, of Decatur, a sis- ter of the wife of General, Governor and Senator Richard J. Oglesby. He has three sons and a daughter, — all of his sons being in business. Major Hays still resides in Decatur, is active in the Grand Army, and extends a cordial welcome to all the comrades who come his way.
CHARLES H. GRIFFITH, Captain ; has been a farmer until recently ; now resides in Martinsville, 111.
JAMES SMITH, First Lieutenant ; resigned February 6, 1863 ; died at Oconee, 111., some time after the war.
MATTHEW FREEMAN, First Lieutenant; died March 30, 1863.
WILLIAM F. SLOCUM, First Lieutenant ; resigned No- vember 28, 1863.
JACOB PORTER, First Lieutenant ; was promoted from corporal to first sergeant and then to first lieutenant ; was killed in battle at Resaca, May 15, 1864.
WALLACE G. MILLS, First Lieutenant; born in Gib- son County, Ind., in March, 1835. He enlisted in Company F, August 13, 1862, and was mustered as a corporal. He was later promoted to sergeant, and on July i, 1864, was mustered as first lieutenant to take rank from May 15, 1864. He resigned on account of disability February 14, 1865, and returned to Princeton, Ind., where he married Miss Nancy A. Ayres. He afterwards removed to Ashland, Ore., where he died about 1880.
CHARLES CARROLL M'COMAS, First Lieutenant; son of Charles McComas, a prominent citizen and prosperous farmer of Jasper County, III, a member of the Virginia branch of the McComas family, noted for its bravery in war and public service in time of peace, was born on his father's farm
360 COMPANY F.
August -10, 1846. He removed to Decatur, III, in 1861 ; en- listed in the 115th August 6th — four days under sixteen years of age — and was mustered in as corporal. After the battle of Resaca he was promoted to first sergeant ; later to first lieu- tenant. At the battle of Chickamauga he was severely wounded in the right thigh, while serving as one of the color guard, occupying a position in the center of the regiment. Recovering from his wound, after a six months' stay in the hospital, returned tO' the front and served until the war closed. He then returned to Decatur, where he engaged in business ; reading law at night and later taking a course of law lectures at the University of Michigan. Colonel Moore took a deep and abiding interest in his career, aiding him to gain a foot- hold in his profession and securing him a confidential posi- tion in the ofifice of Hugh Crea, one of the ablest lawyers in Illinois, where he continued his law studies. In 1869 he hung out his shingle and was soon launched in a lucrative practice. The ties of friendship above mentioned grew stronger, and in November, 1870, Colonel Moore gave Charlie his accomplished daughter, AHce, the colonel per- forming the marriage ceremony. Four lovely, talented daugh- ters have been born to them, three of whom are living; the eldest, Helen, a very promising artist, died at nineteen years of age. In 1871 Mr. McComas was elected State's attorney for Macon County. At the close of his term he went with his family to Larned, Kan., where he was immediately elected probate judge. After a time the destitute condition of Kan- sas led him to seek his Eldorado farther west. Going to Albuquerque, N. M., his professional ability was soon recog- nized in his appointment to the ofifice of prosecuting attorney for the second judicial district. He also served as territorial senator, and was author of a number of bills which have be- come laws in New Mexico, the most prominent being the public school law. The demands in his family for better edu- cational advantages led him, in 1886, to Los Angeles, Cal, his present home. The following year he was chosen by the dis- trict attorney as his assistant and, with the exception of one Democratic term, has served in this ofifice to the present
D. S. REEL. 1899. ALLEN CLODFELTER. GEO. W. RHODES.
D. S. REEL. 1864. Ar.1. OF Company C.
COMPANY F. 361
time. The Los Angeles Times says of him: "Los Angeles County has never had so able a prosecutor as we now possess in the person of Judge McComas." Tlie Los Angeles Even- ing Express of November, 1899, says: "Judge McComas has the remarkable record of having convicted more criminals during his long service, as a public prosecutor, than any other officer on the Pacific Coast in a like period of time."
DAVID REED, Second Lieutenant; born near Shelby- ville, O., in 1840, and was brought up on a farm near that place, where he received a good common school education. After teaching school two years at his home in Ohio, in 1861 he came with his parents to Coldspring, Shelby County, 111., where he taught school during the winter of 1861-62. On August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, and upon the organization of the company was elected second sergeant. In January, 1863, he was made first sergeant, and on March 30, 1863, was promoted to the position of second lieutenant. He was with his company and regiment in all of its campaigns, until shot on September 20, 1863, in the battle of Chicka- mauga. While gallantly leading his company in action, of which he was then in command, he received the shot which resulted in his death two days later. Lieutenant Reed was a capable officer and a good disciplinarian, faithful to every duty and greatly esteemed by all who knew him. SERGEANTS.
JAMES B. BERLIN, First Sergeant; killed in battle at Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864.
ISAAC S. KAUFMAN, First Sergeant; after returning home engaged in real estate business in Decatur ; later he removed to Spokane, Wash., in which place he has carried on a very prosperous real estate business for many years, being one of Sponkane's most enterprising and pubhc spirited citizens.
CORNELIUS AMBROSE ; was transferred to the engi- neer corps July, 1864; not heard from since.
ALBERT T. MOORE ; Topeka, Kan.
ALFRED SHIVELY; killed. at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
362 COMPANY F.
WILLIAM R. OREAR; died at Oconee, 111.
WILLIAM W. PIERCE; now a prominent physician re- siding at Danville, 111.
RUSSEL G. MIDDLETON ; born in Coldspring Town- ship, Shelby County, 111., June 14, 1843, where he received a common school education. He enlisted August 16, 1862, in Company F at Oconee, 111., and was with the regiment in all its service except about three weeks' confinement in a hospital at Nashville, Tenn. He was detailed for the pioneer brigade during the siege of Nashville and helped to dig the trenches for the skirmish lines in that engagement. He was mustered out with the regiment and since then has been a farmer. He moved to Nebraska in 1872, to Colorado in 1886, and back to Cass County, 111., in 1888. His postofifice address is Oakford, 111.
THOMAS D. BRANNAN ; died at Resaca, Ga., May 21, 1864, of wounds received in the battle at that place.
CORPORALS.
MILTON WOOLLARD; killed at Chickamauga, Sep- tember 20, 1863.
ALEXANDER LUTTRELL; killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
HENRY DETZENBERGER; discharged February 6, 1863 ; died at Oconee, 111.
GEORGE W. MILLS; a brother of Lieutenant Mills; born in Gibson County, Ind., February 22, 1837; enlisted August 13, 1862, in Company F ; was promoted to corporal and did faithful service with his company until otherwise ordered by failing health. He was transferred tO' the veteran reserve corps March 25, 1864, and was mustered out July 12, 1865. He then returned to Princeton, Ind., where he married Miss Mary A. Ford, and where he still resides with his wife and family of six children, four daughters and two sons.
GEO. W. ELLER ; born July 4, 1846 ; enlisted August 20, 1862, and served with his company until the close of the war. Since that time he has been in the railroad service as
COMPANY F. 363
machinist. He was married at Vincennes, Ind., in 1878, to Miss Martha J. Martin, and has three children. He resides at 107 Elliott St., Evansville, Ind.
ISAAC JONES; born in Coldspring Township, Shelby County, August 15, 1833, and was reared on a farm, his school privileges being very limited. He enlisted in Company F in the Ramsey squad, and was with the regiment in all its marches and battles, except a short while in hospital at Dan- ville, Ky. He was part of a detail of twenty men for service with the headquarters of the 4th army corps in the Atlanta campaign, in which he continued until after the capture of Marietta. Corporal Jones resumed his occupation as a farmer, on his return from the army, in which he is still engaged near Lakewood, 111. He was married in 1865 to Miss Mary A. Ivison, and has a family of five children, three boys and two girls.
REV. MATTHIAS S. KAUFMAN, Ph. D. ; a native of Illinois, his father having been a sturdy business man of Decatur, where he long served as a justice of the peace. He was but a boy when Company F was being formed, and was enrolled as a private in August, 1862. Later he was made a corporal. Having only a common school education, he de- voted every moment of time, not required by his duty as a soldier, to reading and study, in an efifort to prepare himself for usefulness when the war should be over. As a soldier he was universally respected for his character and his devo- tion to principle ; he was ready for every duty and was in the front rank when the battle was on. Soon after the close of the war he entered the high school at Ann Arbor, Mich., from which he graduated in June, 1868. He then took the classical course in the Northwestern University at Evanston, 111., and the Biblical course in the Garrett Institute. Later he spent two years in Boston University, from which he received his Ph. D. degree. Thus equipped, he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving successfully at Ha- vana, 111., Mankato, Minn., Grand Forks and Fargo, N. D., Fall River and New Bedford, Mass., and Providence, R. I., and is now pastor of the Central Methodist Episcopal
oM COMPANY F.
Church in Brockton, Mass. In 1890 Dr. Kaufman made an extensive tour of Europe and Asia, including Great Britain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Palestine and Syria.
JAMES LOWE; not hear from.
JOHN J. WOOLLARD ; died at Pana, 111., in 1890.
MUSICIANS.
CHARLES GOODMAN ; resides at Sterling, 111. EDWARD MOORE ; a son of Colonel Moore ; now re- sides at Los Angeles, Cal.
WAGONER.
JOEL D. SANDERSON ; resides at Bloomington, 111. PRIVATES.
BANDY, DANIEL F. ; reported dead.
BANDY, JONATHAN A. ; reported dead.
BRYSON, JOSIAH; discharged April 5, 1863; resides at Ottawa, Kan.
CAMPLAIN, JACOB C; said to reside in California.
CARTER, JAMES S. ; resides at Decatur, 111. ; was a long time secretary of the regimental reunion association, and is a highly respected citizen.
CASNET, FRANK; December i, 1862; reported dead.
CHEW, WILLIAM L.; discharged April i, 1863; resi- dence not certain.
CLARK, JOHN H. ; discharged June 18, 1863.
CLARK, WILLIAM ; transferred to veteran reserve corps March 21, 1864.
CLINE, ANDREW; discharged May 29, 1863; resides at Bloomington, 111.
CREIGHTON, JOHN A. ; resides at Norman, Okla.
FREELAND, GEORGE C. ; resides at Tacoma, Wash.
GARVER, ABRAHAM M. ; died in Decatur, 111.
GREER, CARROLL; died at Beardstown, III, June 15, 1898.
GOODMAN, EDWIN ; transferred to 21st Illinois ; said to reside in Chicago, 111.
HENDERSON, GEORGE A. ; resides at Ramsey, 111.
COMPANY F. 365
HALBROOKS, WILLIAM P. ; died at Covington, Ky., October 27, 1862.
HELMS, JACOB A. ; discharged January 8, 1865, on ac- count of wounds ; residence Union Grove, Mo.
HENDERSON, WILLIAM R. ; died at Lexington, Ky., November 14, 1862.
HINTON, WILLIAM ; transferred to engineer corps, July 27, 1864; not heard from.
HUFFMAN, JACOB ; drowned in trying to escape from the ferry-boat, September 24, 1863.
IMBODEN, CYRUS M. ; born in Annville, Lebanon County, Pa., January 2, 1845. When eleven years of age he came with his parents to Decatur, 111., where he obtained a good common school education. Later he acquired a good business education in a practical way by clerking for some of the most prominent business firms in Decatur. He en- listed August 6, 1862, in Company F, and was with the com- pany in all its service until the battle of Chickamauga, when he was severely wounded about four o'clock in the afternoon of September 20th, on Snodgrass Hill. Being carried from the field, he became a patient in the hospital, first at Chatta- nooga, then at Stevenson, Nashville and Louisville. He was discharged because of his wounds on February 29, 1864. He then returned to his home in Decatur, where he is still re- siding and actively engaged in business, and is one of the most prominent, public spirited citizens of that city. He has always been active in Grand Army matters, and has been one of the most enthusiastic workers in the reunion associa- tion of the 115th, having been its treasurer for many years.
JONES, ELIJAH W. ; died at Covington, Ky., October 29, 1862.
JONES, FRANCIS M. ; died at Danville, Kv., March 9, 1863.
JONES, JAMES; was wounded in battle; died at Oconee, 111., since muster out.
JONES, MARTIN T. ; died in Texas in 1898.
KRAMER, ELIAS : discharged October 4, 1862 ; died at Decatur, 111., July 4, 1877.
366 COMPANY F.
KEPLER, ANDREW; died since muster out.
KING, JAMES T. ; bom in 1844 in Madison County, 111. His education was received in the old fashioned school house, with benches made of slabs from the saw mill. He was ac- customed to the hard work usual to the farms at that time. At fifteen he secured a position in a book store in Decatur, 111., and attended night school, until he enlisted in August, 1862. Comrade King was one of the most faithful soldiers of Company F, and was always ready for any service, — until his capture, which is related elsewhere. After the war he took a course in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College in St. Louis, where he graduated. He conducted a news agency for some time in Golden City, Col., then built a planing mill, and later a foundry and machine shop. He moved back to Ilh- nois in 1881, and settled near Alton, where he engaged in farming and milling, — but at present is engineer for the elec- tric company of Alton, in which city he resides.
LINN, WILLIAM T. ; transferred to veteran reserve corps, September 5, 1863 ; resides at Herrick, 111.
LOCKWOOD, JAMES ; resides in Oklahoma.
LUTTRELL, THEOPHOLIS ; discharged December 16, 1863 ; died since muster out.
MANLEY, DAVID ; transferred to veteran reserve corps September i, 1863 ; died at Hillsboro, III, in August, 1870.
MEREDITH, JAMES W. ; died since muster out.
MILUM, JOHN; discharged February 6, 1863; resides at Van Burensburg, 111.
OGLESBY, CHARLES E. ; died since the war.
POPE, MATHEW L. ; discharged April 20, 1863; last heard from at Greencastle, Ind.
PRICE, WILLIAM B. ; resides at Oconee, 111.
PRICE, JOHN H.; was born in Shelby County, 111., in 1840. He enlisted August 13, 1862, and served with his com- pany in all its campaigns and was mustered out with it June II, 1865. He is proud of his war record, as well he may be, for it was a good one, and takes an active interest in G. A. R. matters. He now resides at Pana, 111., one of its most highly respected citizens.
Lieut. A. C. ALLINSON. SAMUEL RUGH.
WM. A. AIARKWELL. LEVI WHITE.
All of Company E.
COMPANY F. 367
PRIEST, JOHN : resides at Decatur, 111.
REATL, WILLIAM ; died at Oconee, 111., in 1867.
ROE, GEORGE L. ; died at Franklin, Tenn., April 6, 1863.
ROBERTS, ALBERT M. ; died at Franklin, Tenn., April 25, 1863.
ROBERTS, JOHX P.; enlisted October i, 1862; died at Lexington, Ky., November, 1862.
ROBERTS, RICHARD J. ; discharged January 22, 1863 ; now resides at Decatur, 111. ; has been post commander of G. A. R. and is a highly respected citizen.
ROBERTS, SYLVESTER; discharged April 13, 1863; reported dead.
ROBERTS, SYLVESTER L. ; killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
ROBERTS, WALKER; now resides at Ramsey, 111.
ROBERTS, WILLIAM R. ; died at Danville, Ky., January 15, 1863.
ROBERTSON, JAMES S. ; died at Danville, Ky., Janu- ary 28, 1863.
ROBERTSON, JOHN H. ; now resides at Ramsey, 111.
ROBERTSON, WILLIAM ; now resides at Ramsey, 111.
ROOKARD, DAVID M. ; killed at Chickamauga, Septem- ber 20, 1863.
ROSS, JOSEPH : reported residing at Gilfilland, Kan.
SHULL, RICHARD W. ; was a man of unblemished character in the army, faithful to every duty as a soldier. He resides in Decatur, 111.,- where he has been in the dry goods business almost all the time since he came from the army.
SLACK, FREDERICK W. ; discharged January 15, 1863 ; died since leaving the army.
SLATER, JOSEPH; died at Gainsville, Tex., in 1894.
STAPLETON, JOSEPH; discharged May 11, 1863; re- sides at Assumption, 111.
TITUS, PETER; enlisted September 20, 1862; died at Tunnel Hill, Ga., July 15, 1864.
WALDRON, JOHN W. ; discharged April 8, 1863; re- sides at Pana, 111.
368 COMPANY F.
WARD, LEVI L. ; died at Lexington, Ky., November 17, 1862.
WARREN, HENRY ; died at Cornland, Mo., in 1869.
WOLLARD, CHARLES; died at Tullahoma, Tenn., in September, 1863.
COMPANY G.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
STEPHEN BARLOW ESPY, Captain, was born at Espy- ville, Penn., June 8, 1827, being the ninth in a family of ten children. His father, Patterson Espy, was a lawyer of good education. His mother, Mercy Freeman, was a Quaker from Newark, N. J. His grandfather, George Espy, settled the hamlet Espyville in 1789, after serving through the War of the Revolution, being one of the barefoot boys at Valley Forge. The more remote ancestors on his father's side were all of Scotch-Irish Presbyterian families that settled in Pennsyl- vania at an early day. Captain Espy received an academical education at Frankhn, Pa. In 1846 he came tO' Fort Madison, Iowa, where he engaged in mercantile business with his uncle and brother. In September, 1848, he married Miss Rebecca Cutler, daughter of Judge Cutler, one of Iowa's pioneers. In the spring of 1861 he opened a general store in Shelbyville, 111., where he was in business at the time he entered the ser- vice. He made his store a recruiting office, and soon led to the field Company G, of which he was chosen captain. Cap- tain Espy's ability in the management of his company soon pointed him out as a suitable officer for staff duty, and he was detailed as brigade commissary of subsistence, in which ca- pacity he was serving at the time of the battle of Chicka- mauga. Major George Hicks, of the 96th Illinois, in a letter to the New York Tribune soon after the battle, thus speaks of Captain Espy's conduct in the battle: "Captain S. B. Espy, of General Whitaker's staff, was a very lion that day. He was advised to remain with his trains, but too noble spirited for that, he forthwith went on the field, and, fearless of dan- ger, did wonders in cheering and rallying the men under the
370 COMPANY G.
destructive fire of the enemy. He was one of Illinois' noble sons, and his loss is severely felt." While thus gallantly dis- charging his duty, Captain Espy received his death wounds. It is probable that his body lies in the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, with thousands of others marked "unknown." Our country cannot do too much in honor of such heroes. He was the father of five children, the eldest of whom is the wife of Col. J. B. Morrison, of Fort Madison, Iowa. Two of his daughters, Florence Mercy and Georgiana, now reside with their mother at the same place.
JOHN W. DOVE, Captain, was born November 9, 1837, in Fairfield County, Ohio, where he resided with his parents on a farm until i860. He then removed to Shelby County, 111., where he was engaged in farming when the 115th was organized. He took an active part in recruiting Company G and was elected first lieutenant. Captain Espy being on de- tached service. Lieutenant Dove was the company command- er almost from the beginning. He was never absent from the regiment, and never asked for a leave of absence, and partipi- pated in every battle, skirmish, and march. He was promoted to the captaincy on the death of Captain Espy, and at the close of the war was given the brevet rank of major for gallant conduct on the field of battle. After being mustered out he returned to the farm in Shelby County, but in 1873 removed to Danville, 111., returning to Shelby County five years later. In 1883 he removed to Beadle County, S. D., and in 1895 removed to Alamosa, Colo., where he. now resides on a farm.
JOHN M. BAKER, First Lieutenant, was second lieuten- ant till September 20, 1863. He was an efficient officer and may well be proud of his war record. He is now superintend- ent of the city water and electric light works at Paola, Kan,, which has been his home for several years.
SERGEANTS.
GILMAN M. STURTEVANT, First Sergeant ; reported to be at Dexter, Me., but letters are returned not delivered.
RICHARD B. SMITH ; died at Nashville, Tenn., October 31, 1863, of wounds received at Chickamauga.
COMPANY G. 371
BENJAMIN E. SUTTON ; died at Nashville, Tenn., Au- gust 22, 1863.
OLIVER H. DURAND; born in Elizabethtown, N. Y., April 4, 1841, and settled in Shelby County, 111., in i860, where he taught school until he enlisted in Company G, August 12, 1862. He was elected a sergeant and served in that capacity until mustered out in June, 1865. He then returned to Illinois and resumed the profession of a school teacher. He was mar- ried in 1866 to Miss Eunice H. Amlin. He moved to Kane County in 1871 and engaged in mercantile business, but sold out in 1879 and removed to Jewell County, Kan. He has held important positions in the G. A. R., and has been town- ship trustee, justice of the peace, superintendent of public in- struction, and is now deputy sherifif of Jewell County, Kan., residing at Mankato. Sergeant Durand was a brave soldier in the service, and since the war has been a faithful citizen. He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church.
JACOB C. MILLER; discharged to accept a commission in United States colored troops ; reported to be in Cahfornia.
WILLIAM W. HALL; discharged July 2, 1863 ; resides at Bloomington, 111.
JOHN HAGER ; born in 1841 in Piqua County, Ohio. He removed to Shelby County, 111., in 1854, where he received a common school education. He was a farmer until his enlist- ment. At the organization of the company he was elected a corporal, and later was promoted to sergeant. After the war he lived several years in Illinois, and then removed to Eureka, Kan., in 1870, and in 1880 he removed tO' Emporia, serving some time as traveling salesman for various prominent mer- cantile houses. He was married in 1867, and has three daugh- ters and one son. He is now in business for himself at Eure- ka, Kan.
DAVID ROWLAND ; resides at Cowden, 111.
SAMUEL S. KELLY ; born at Grandview, Ohio, March I, 1820, and died at Shelbyville, III, April i, 1900, 80 years old. He married Miss Esta Mesnard in 1842, and came to Shelbyville in 1861. He enlisted in Company G at its organi- zation, and was elected corporal, two sons, Hugh A. and John
372 COMPANY G.
S., boing members of the same company. He was severely wounded in the battle of Chickamauga, and was promoted to sergeant for gallant conduct in battle. After the war he re- turned to Shelbyville, where he spent the remainder of his life, being widely known as "Kelley the coal dealer," always highly respected for his honesty in his dealings, and his open- hearted generosity tO' his friends and comrades. Six sons survive him out of a family of eleven children.
CORPORALS.
HENRY CLEM; died at Nashville, Tenn., October 30, 1863.
RICHARD H. JONES; died at Nashville, Tenn., March 31, 1863.
JOSEPH DAVIDSON ; died October 17, 1883.
JOHN W. KEELER ; not heard from.
FREDERICK W. LEPKEY ; died at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864, of wounds received in battle May 14.
JAMES REICHART ; resides at Brunswick, 111.
JOHN R. WALLACE ; resides at Ogden, Boone Co., la.
CHARLES T. THORNTON ; resides at Ida, Texas.
ALBERT R. THORNTON; discharged on account of wounds received in battle at Chickamauga; died October 23, 1867.
MUSICIAN.
AMOS WILLSON ; died at Fosterville, Tenn., August 29, 1863.
WAGONER.
MARTIN V. MARSHALL; died since the war at Spring- field, 111.
PRIVATES.
ALEXANDER, WILLIAM ; killed at Chickamauga, Sep- tember 20, 1863.
ANEALS, FRANCIS A.; enhsted November 25, 1863; transferred to 21st Illinois; reported residing in Chicago, 111.
ATKINSON, WILLIAM; resides at Eureka. Kan.
COMPANY G. 373
BARRETT, WILLIAM O. ; enlisted November 25, 1863 ; mustered May 10, 1865 ; not heard from.
BENJAMIN, JOHN J.; resides at Moberly, Mo.
BLACKSTONE, WILLIAM ; resides Mendon, Mo.
BOWEN, HENRY J. ; transferred to veteran reserve corps April 22, 1864; not heard from.
BROWN, GEORGE W. ; died at Richmond, Ky., Decem- ber 12, 1862.
BROWN, HIRAM; resides at Du Quoin, Kan.
BURK, ABRAHAM B. ; was musician ; resides Evansville, Ind.
CARTER, JOSEPH G. ; was a prisoner of war ; mustered out August 7, 1865 ; resides at Port Royal, Ky.
CRADDICK, DAVID A. ; transferred to veteran reserve corps August 15, 1864; now resides at Pana, 111.
CRAIG, JAMES A.; was a prisoner of war; mustered out July I, 1865 ; died since the war.
DEVORE, HARVEY; died since the war.
DUNCAN, WILLIAM ; killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
FANCHER, GEORGE; kihed at Chickamauga, Septem- ber 20, 1863.
FOSTER, CALVIN B. ; died at Nashville, Tenn., Novem- ber 29, 1863.
FREEMAN, WILLIAM; was wounded in battle; trans- ferred to veteran reserve corps ; died at Huron, Ind., October 16, 1899.
FRIZELL, JAMES H.; died at Nashville, Tenn., April 11, 1863.
GABBERT, ELISHA E. ; resides at Stonington, 111.
GALLAHER, WILSON S. ; not heard from.
GALLINO, THOMAS ; resides at Strasburg, lU.
HALL, WILLIAM F. ; has been county superintendent of schools in Pawnee County, Kan., and now resides at Gar- field, Kan.
HANSON, GEORGE W. ; resides at Lawrence, Kan.
HANSON, JOHN W. ; resides at Ellsworth, Kan.
HANSON, MORGAN ; not heard from.
374 COMPANY G.
HANSON, JAMES; enlisted February g, 1864; transferred to 2ist Illinois.
HELMS, GEORGE; died at Nashville, Tenn., June 25, 1863.
HELMS, JONATHAN ; discharged February 2, 1863 ; died at Cold Spring, III, in 1890.
HOPKINS, WILLIAM; resided at Hopkins, III; now dead.
JARNAGIN, LEE; transferred to veteran reserve corps February 11, 1864.
KEELER, HENRY S. ; died September 12, 1869.
KELLY, HUGH A. ; resides at ShelbyviUe, 111.
KELLY, JOHN S. ; enhsted February i, 1864; trans- ferred to 2 1st Illinois ; now resides at ShelbyviUe, 111.
KERNS, GEORGE W. ; enlisted as a private in Company G on August 15, 1862. He was born in Fairfield, Ohio, in 1842. He served with the regiment and was mustered out with it in June, 1865. Having been brought up on a farm, he returned to that occupation, and he now resides at Mode, Shelby County, 111.
KING, ELZA O.; resides at Herrick, Ih.
KINSLER, JOHN; died at Franklin, Tenn., April i, 1863.
LAWTON, JAMES; discharged August 14, 1864; died at Litchfield, Minn.
LOUER, ANDREW J. ; died at Lexington, Ky., Novem- ber 5, 1862.
LOUER, DAVID ; died at Lexington, Ky., November 28, 1862.
LOWRY, THOMAS ; discharged November 25, 1862 ; died since the war.
McNEAR, GEORGE W. ; discharged February 20, 1863 ; resides at Springfield, 111.
McNEAR, SIMON A. ; died at Chattanooga, November 26. 1863, of wounds received in the battle of Chickamauga.
McGUIRE, PATRICK ; not heard from.
MATTOX, JUSTUS ; reported as dead.
MAY, JAMES ; enlisted November 25, 1863 ; died October 23, 1883.
COMPANY G. 375
MAY, WILLIAM C. ; enlisted November 25, 1863 ; trans- ferred to 2 1st Illinois; resides at Britton, Okla.
MESNARD, SOLOMON ; mustered out May 29, 1865 ; re- ported dead.
MILLER, DAVID O. ; died at Tower Hill, 111., February 22, 1900.
MURRAY, ROSALVO D. ; discharged December 19, 1862; not since heard from.
NANCE, JOHN ; was a prisoner of war ; mustered out May 26, 1865 ; resides at Wellington, Kan.
NANCE, THOMAS J. ; killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
NIGH, ISAAC ; died at Humbolt, Kan., in 1899.
PHILBROOK, FLAVIUS J.; born in Lincoln County, Ohio, in 1836. At fifteen years of age he removed with his parents to a farm near Vandalia, 111., where he attended school, and later taught school. In 1858 he married Miss Sarah E. Carter, and located on a farm at Todds Point, 111. He en- listed at the organization of his company, and for three years served his country in the most faithful manner, eighteen months of which time was spent in Confederate prisons. He knew from bitter experience the terrors of Belle Isle, Libbey, Andersonville, Florence and Corinth. In 1871 he removed with his family to Normal, 111., for educational advantages of his children. In 1896 his wife died, and on February, 1898, he answered the last roll call. Four children survive him, Charles F., superintendent of schools at Rochelle, 111. ; Mrs. Gertrude Otto, of Independence, Kan. ; Mrs. Belle Hogg, of Drayton, N. D., and ]\Iiss Cora Philbrook, of Normal, 111.
PIKE, DAVIS ; reported as residing at Narkis, Neb.
PRICKET, WILLIAM R.; not heard from since muster out.
PUCKET, HENRY ; died at Danville, Ky., January 9, 1863.
PURKEY, JOSEPH J. ; born in Franklin County, Ind. He had no opportunities of education, and received none. He en- listed with his company, and served with it until he was mus- tered out. He now resides at Thayer, Kan., and is a farmer b)' occupation.
376 COMPANY G.
READ, ROBERT F. ; discharged April 13, 1863 ; resides at Tower Hill, 111.
REEDER, ISAAC N. ; died at Lexington, Ky., January 21, 1863.
RENXER, JOHN ; born in Shelby County, III, June 9, 1844. The first nine months of his service was spent in the hospital, as patient, nurse and cook, but during the last two years he never missed a roll call, and was ready for every duty. After the war he attended the common schools, and college at Westfield, 111. He was married to Miss Kezziah Richman in 1869. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and is an active lay worker, having been twice president of his County Sunday School Association. He has also been presi- dent of the Farmers' Alliance of his county, and served a term as probate judge. His present address is Rush Center, Kan.
REYNOLDS, CHARLES B.; discharged February 2, 1863; reported at Quincy, 111.
RICHARDS, JOHN T. ; died at Louisville, Ky., February 25, 1863.
SCOTT, JAMES W. ; born March 11, 1823, in Licking County, Ohio. His father, Peter P. Scott, a native of New Jersey, removed to Tazewell County, Illinois, in 1828, where James W. attended school in the log school houses when "sub- scriptions" enough could be raised. He learned the cooper's trade, was married in 1847, went to California in 1850 by the overland route, but returned by steamer via Panama and New York. In 1852 he located on a farm in Shelby County, 111. He served as teamster, and did faithful service until crippled by an unruly mule team, which disabled him for field service. He was discharged on account of disability February 5, 1865. On returning home he resumed the occupation of a farmer, and soon became known as one of the most prosperous and enterprising farmers of the county, often taking the premiums at the county fairs. He has long since retired from active farm life, and resides in a beautiful suburban home at Shelby- ville. III, but still retains an active interest in his comrades.
SHANKS, RICHARD ; died at Covington, Ky., November 19, 1862.
J. C. K. YOUNGKEN.
EDWARD PIXLEY.
A. SHEPARD. All of Company C.
G. H. TURNER.
COMPANY G. 377
SHARROCK, AMOS J. ; mustered out May 29, 1865 ; died at National Military Home near Leavenworth, Kan., in 1899.
SHARROCK, FRANCIS M. ; enlisted November 25, 1863 ; transferred to 21st Illinois ; now resides at Rich Hill, Mo.
SHARROCK, JOHN W. ; born at Beardstown, 111., August 25, 1841. When two years old his parents removed to Texas, but fearing civil war over the slavery question, returned to Illinois in 1855, and settled near Shelbyville. His father and brother enlisted in 1861 at Lincoln's first call in the 9th Illi- nois Infantry, the father dying in the service. He was with the regiment in all its marches, and with it in the battle of Chickamauga in which he was severely wounded in his right elbow joint, a little before the close of the action. The story of Comrade Sharrock's sufferings from his wound, his journey over the mountains to Bridgeport, the kind treatment of cit- izens and comrades, though interesting as a romance, would take too much space. After many weeks in the hospital he returned to his company and did full duty till the final muster out. He now resides at Erie, Kan., where he will be glad to meet any of his old comrades.
SMITH, JOHN ; now resides at Fancher, Ih.
SMITH, WESLEY ; not heard from since muster out.
STOUT, THOMAS F. ; died at Nashville, Tenn., October 9, 1863, of wounds received at Chickamauga.
TOLLEY, ISAAC S. ; resides at Hillsdale, Mich.
TUTTLE, ELISHA; resides at Shelbyville, 111.
WALLIS, JOHN ; died of wounds at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864.
WALLIS, WILLIAM ; resides at Shelbyville, 111.
WATERS, JEREMIAH H. ; died at Richmond, Ky., De- cember 21, 1862.
WAKEFIELD, CHARLES ; born in Shelby County, DL, in 1840. He lived on a farm until the breaking out of the war. He enlisted in Company G at its organization, and was engaged in the battle of Chickamauga on September 19, 1863, when he received a gun shot wound in the left arm, near the shoulder. He was taken in the ambulance to Chattanooga, then went on foot to Bridgeport, forty-five miles, where he
378 COMPANY G.
took a train to Nashville to the hospital. After he recovered from his wound he returned to the regiment, and was with it during the Atlanta campaign and in the battle of Nashville. Since the war he has been engaged in general farming near Lakewood, 111.
COMPANY H.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
HENRY PRATT, Captain, was born in Ohio, and came to Delavan, III, in 1850. He owned a beautiful and productive farm near there, and was a prominent man in the county. He was supervisor for several years. At the organization of the 115th, he left his wife and two little boys to enter the army, and at the end of six months both children were dead. This calamity made him sad and melancholy, and a very severe sickness followed while he was at Richmond, Ky. His fond- est hopes being blasted and his health remaining infirm, he tendered his resignation in the spring of 1863, and returned home. He never regained his former health, and after sev- eral years' residence in Kansas, was killed by a vicious bull.
JOHN REARDON, Captain, was born at Thomastown, County Tipperary, Ireland, January 13, 1840. He came to America in 1850, and lived in Rhode Island for seven years, during which time he was employed in one of the large cotton mills of that State. In 1857 he removed to Delavan, 111., and located on a farm. August 9, 1862, when the Civil War had reached fever heat, he, true to his adopted country, enlisted as private and assisted in the organization of Company H and was mustered into service as second lieutenant. April 21, 1863, he was promoted to first lieutenant, and May 10, 1863, was mustered as captain of the company. Upon the opening of the Atlanta campaign Captain Reardon again distinguished himself in the charge led by his regi- ment upon Tunnel Hill and Buzzard Roost May 7, 1863. He was also engaged at Resaca and other battles during the Atlanta campaign, and also participated in the movement of the 4th corps in Tennessee, and the campaign and battle ci
380 COMPANY H.
Nashville. After the war Captain Reardon settled in Tazewell County, 111., where he became a successful farmer. He was for many years a highly esteemed and leading citizen of Boyn- ton, 111., and occupied many positions of trust. He organized the first post of the G. A. R. in his town, and was its first commander. In 1882 he removed to Peoria, III, and in 1887 to Los Angeles, Cal., where he soon became well and favorably known as a leading citizen. He was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the Commandery of California. He was devoted to his army associations, and rarely missed a meeting of the G. A. R. or Loyal Legion, where his presence v/as always most welcome. While in the prime of his years and usefulness, he was unexpectedly summoned to join the comrades who were killed by his side at Chickamauga, Nash- ville, and more than a dozen other great battles, and he an- swered the call as might be expected of a gallant soldier, a valued citizen, a true comrade and a companion. His family now reside at No. 236 North Flower St., Los Angeles.
SILAS PARKER, First Lieutenant, was so overcome by sorrow because of the death of an only son that he felt justice to the Government required his resignation, which he ten- dered March 12, 1863. He then returned to Delavan and re- sumed the practice of medicine, but lived only a few years.
JOSEPH J. SLAUGHTER, First Lieutenant, was born in Ohio in 1833. His ancestors were from Virginia. He came to Delavan, 111., in the early '50's, a splendid specimen of vig- orous manhood, a veritable hero in promoting what he thought to be right. He married Miss Mary Cook, a woman of su- perior intelligence. They have four children, their daughter Julia being the wife of Mr. Breidenthal, a prominent State official of Kansas. Lieutenant Slaughter enlisted as private, was quickly made sergeant, and later lieutenant. During the absence of the officers of Company A he was assigned to the command of that company, being in command of it at the battles of Resaca and Nashville. By his bravery and courtesy he secured the confidence and respect of all the members of the company. He now lives on a farm near Altamont, Kan., broken in health.
COMPANY H. 381
STEPHEN K. HATFIELD, Second Lieutenant, was born and brought up in Ohio, and came to Tazewell County, 111., in 1851. He enlisted as private in Company H, and was soon promoted to be second lieutenant. He was a faithful and efficient officer, and always willing for any duty, however severe. He was wounded in the battle of Chickamauga, and was captured July 9, 1864, near Greenwood Mills, Ga., to- gether with Shaw, Large, Sloop and Oliver of Company A, and Watson and Brighton of Company H. He remained with the enemy five days, when an opportunity presented itself and he made his escape, reaching our lines after two days. Lieu- tenant Hatfield was married before the war to Miss Eliza Leach, a woman of culture and strong convictions, and not afraid to express them. In the summer of 1864, he was as- signed to the command of the regimental pioneers, and did efficient service in repairing roads and building bridges to make way for the passage of our army. On his return home he was elected county superintendent of schools, serving two terms of four years each. He was internal revenue storekeeper for several years. In politics he is a Republican ; in practice, a teetotaler ; in faith, a Christian.
SERGEANTS.
PRESLEY H. HERRIOTT, First Sergeant, was born in Ohio. Being of a jolly disposition, he had many friends in the company, and no enemies. His merry-making helped to lift the burden on the march, and scatter pleasure in the camp. As a soldier, he stood well in the front rank. Being a little over six feet high, the boys called him Colonel Hecker. He now resides at Evans, Colo., of which place he is postmaster.
DAVID PORTER, First Sergeant, a well-drilled soldier; was promoted to first lieutenant 44th United States colored troops, in which he served with distinction. After the war he removed to Savannah, Ga., where he died several years ago.
JAMES T. McDowell ; bom in Franklin County, Pa., and came to Delavan, 111., some years before the war. He was a fine soldier and pleasant gentleman, an upright man and worthy citizen. During our reconnaissance in front of Dalton,
382 COMPANY H.
in the latter part of February, 1864, he was killed, being shot through the head.
THEODORE VAN HAGUE was a native of New York, and came to Illinois some time before the war, first to Jersey- ville, and then to Delavan. He was a manly, faithful -soldier, prompt in every duty and obedient to every command. After the war Sergeant A^an Hague followed the carpenter trade. He died at Delavan in January, 1896.
ROSWELL WILLCOX ; mustered as a corporal, but soon made sergeant. His geniality and ready wit made him a favor- ite, and his efficiency as a soldier secured him promotion to first lieutenant in the 44th United States colored troops. When last heard from he was in Burr Oak, Michigan.
HENRY R. GALE; born in Rhode Island and came to Delavan soon after the settlement of that place. He left a family to serve his country, and did it faithfully. He now re- sides at Essex, Iowa.
WILLIAM GLEASON; mustered as a corporal, but soon became a sergeant. He was not rugged, but was generally ready for his share of duty. He successfully passed the mili- tary examinations for promotion, but failed to be called. He now resides at Ansley, Neb.
LEWIS M. PATTERSON was a manly soldier, honorable and faithful. He is now a highly respected farmer and re- sides near Delavan, 111.
CORPORALS.
BURNHAM VINCENT was born in the Granite State and came to Illinois in early life. On account of age, he was unable to stand the hardships of the field, and was soon de- tailed for hospital service. After the war he went tO' Larned, Kan., where he died January i, 1900.
DAVID A. JOHNSON was not strong enough for active field duty and was detailed as a printer in Nashville. After the war he resided at Pekin, 111., until his death about the year 1885.
PERCIVAL PLACE left a wife and family to become a soldier. After the battle of Chickamauga he was sent to the
COMPANY H. _ 383
hospital and was discharged for disability J\Iay 14, 1864. He died at Delavan, September 26, 1890.
JAMES L. FISHER ; born in Tazewell County, 111. He left a wife and young son to enter the army. He was wounded by a fragment of a shell on December i6th in the battle of Nashville. He now resides near Table Rock, Neb., a farmer in good circumstances.
SAMUEL L. LAMM; wounded at Chickamauga; now re- sides at Earned, Kan.
WILLIAM C. WORK ; was accidentally killed at Green- wood, Ga., July 29, 1864.
JAMES P. WHITE; died at Chattanooga, October 30, 1863, of wounds received in the battle of Chickamauga.
WILLIAM H. WEATHERFORD ; borrowed from Com- pany E ; now postmaster at Boody, 111.
JOHN WREN ; borrowed of Company D ; now resides at Pleasant View, 111.
ZEBOIM CARTTER PATTEN, Lieutenant 149th New York Volunteers, was born May 3, 1840, in the town of Will- na, Jefferson County, N. Y. He came of Revolutionary, New England stock. His maternal grandfather, Zeboim Cartter, was a colonel in the New York militia in the War of 1812, and got the double "t" in his name from an English ancestor, to whom it was given by act of Parliament, for distinguished services in the royal navy. Lieutenant Patten emigrated to Tazewell County, 111., in i860, and located at Delavan. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Captain Henry Pratt's Company H in the 115th Illinois. He served as company clerk for some time, keeping the company books, making the com- pany rolls and generally serving as captain's assistant. In that way his gun and accoutrements, not being used, were kept bright and clean. While at Danville, Ky., after a hard march, when the boys were not looking their best, the com- mand was ordered out for inspection by General Baird. The general was delighted with the bright appearance of Private Patten's gun and buckles, and ordered him to step tO' the front, as an example to the rest. No one in the company felt the injustice of the general's compliment more than Private Patten
384 COMPANY H.
himself, and after that he insisted upon taking his full share of every duty, however severe. At the battle of Chickamauga he was corporal and color guard, and consequently occupied a most exposed position in the regiment. In the first charge on Snodgrass Ridge, a minie ball struck him in the instep of the left foot, passing through and coming out just below the ankle joint ; he was one of the first men of Company H to be wounded. He was taken from the field a few minutes after he was hurt, and hauled in an ambulance through McFar- land's Gap to Chattanooga, and left in the old Episcopal Church, which was then occupied as a hospital. Here he was the unwilling witness of numerous amputations of legs and arms, getting no attention himself, except a promise that they would cut of? his foot just as soon as the worse cases were disposed of. The next morning Surgeon Jones came to his relief, however, and assured him that his foot should not be amputated. Two days later he started over Walden's Ridge in an army wagon and after three days' journey over the mountains and down the Sequatchie Valley to Bridgeport, Ala., he was given railroad transportation thence to the hos- pitals at Nashville. When able to travel, he was granted a furlough to his old home in Jefferson County, N. Y. After somewhat recovering from his wounds, he was discharged from the service to accept a commission as second lieutenant tendered him by Governor Horatio Seymour of New York, and while on crutches he recruited part of a company, and was assigned to Company H, 149th New York Infantry. He joined his new regiment while it was engaged in the battle of Resaca, and at once went into action. He was not long in the fight, however, until he was again wounded, receiving a shot in the left arm. He continued with the 149th New York in its marches, skirmishes and battles from Resaca to Kene- saw Mountain. His Chickamauga wound becoming so irri- tated by the marching that he was disabled for further ser- vices, his resignation was accepted July 5, 1864. He then re- turned to Delavan, 111., where he remained until the spring of 1865, when he returned to Chattanooga as a clerk in the quar- termaster's department, in which he continued until the close
COMPANY H. 385
of the war. He then engaged in the book and stationery busi- ness in Chattanooga, in which he continued ten years, when he became proprietor and editor of the Chattanooga Daily Times. In 1876 he disposed of his newspaper, to engage in the manufacture of proprietary medicines, and ever since then has been the principal stockholder and president of the Chat- tanooga Medicine Co., one of the largest and wealthiest pro- prietary medicine companies in the country. In addition to managing so large a manufacturing concern, Comrade Patten has found time to enter into the spirit of improvement in the New South, and has been active in all the enterprises for the advancement of his adopted city. He was married in 1870 to Miss Mary Miller Rawlings, daughter of Hon. Daniel R. Raw- lings of Chattanooga. His wife died in 1875, and he remains a widower. He has one daughter, the wife of Mr. J. T. Lup- ton, who, with her husband, are all who remain of Lieutenant Patten's family, occupying one of the handsomest of Chatta- nooga's homes on Fourth Street. Lieutenant Patten is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Loyal Legion, and gives a cordial greeting to all the comrades who pass his way.
MUSICIANS.
ELIAS O. JONES; discharged December 24, 1862; died in Chicago, June 11, 1894.
WILLIAM T. BACON ; died at Franklin, Tenn., April 14, 1863.
WAGONER.
REUBEN WELLER; mustered in as wagoner of the com- pany. He received severe injuries at Danville, Ky., because of which he was discharged at Franklin, Tenn., in March, 1863. From these injuries he has never recovered, being now, as he expresses it, a physical wreck. He now resides at Rich Hill, Mo.
PRIVATES.
AKIN, JAAIES; discharged September i, 1863; resides at Buckhart, 111.
ALBRIGHT, WILLIAAI ; discharged December 15, 1862; resides at Clarence, Shelby County, Mo.
386 COMPANY H.
ALBRO, JOHN H. ; was in Pioneer Corps; resides at Wel- lington, 111.
ARNOLD, GEORGE H. ; died at Lexington, Ky., March 7, 1863.
BIRD, PHILIP A. ; transferred to engineer corps August 24, 1864 ; supposed to be at Lawrence, Kan.
BOSE, ALVIS H. ; borrowed from Company F ; discharged March 31, 1863; died at Glenwood, Mo., January 14, igoo.
BOSE, WILLIAM S. ; a minor, discharged on habeas cor- pus November 3, 1862.
BRANSON, CALEB; mustered out May 20, 1865; resi- dence not known.
BRIGGS, ERASTUS M. ; transferred to veteran reserve corps May 10, 1864; now nearly 80 years old and resides at Delavan, 111.
BRIGHTON, ISAAC N. ; died at Nashville, Tenn., May 31, 1864, of wounds received in battle.
BRIGHTON, JONAS V.; enlisted December i, 1863; transferred to 21st Illinois; resides at Bakersfield, Cal.
CARROL, JOHN J. ; died in Andersonville prison April 22, 1864; Grave No. 666.
CREAGER, CHRISTIAN ; resides at Waynesboro, Pa.
DAVIS, JOSEPH ; resides at Flandreau, S. D.
FARMER, BYNUM; enHsted October 11, 1862; residence not known.
FARRAR, JASPER P. ; resides at Pleasantview 111.
FLEMING, WILLIAM ; a native of Ohio ; was a good sol- dier, and is now a successful farmer near Delavan, 111.
GOODALE, SIMON ; discharged April 3, 1863 ; never re- covered from wounds received in the service and died at Paw- nee City, Neb., September, 1885.
GREEN, JOHN T. ; was an excellent soldier ; resides at Mackinaw, 111.
GREEN, WILLIAM H. ; was severely wounded at Chick- arnauga; resides at Burton View, 111.
HISCOX, EDWIN; not being able for field duty, did spe- cial service in medical department. His daughter is the wife
AMERICUS GRAHAM.
PHIIdP CLEMENTS, 1899. PHILIP CLEMENTS, 1862.
BENJAMIN RAMSEY. MICHAEL RAMSEY.
All of Company E.
COJIPANY H. 387
of Lieutenant Briggs of the United States Army. He is far advanced in years, residing at Delavan, 111.
JOHNSON, JAAIES: died at Nashville, Tenn., March 29, 1863.
JOHNSON, LEWIS; was severely wounded at Chicka- mauga, but recovered and did good service with his company.
JONES, JOHN Y. ; killed at Danville, Kv., February 9, 1863.
JONES, WILLIAM T. ; died at Tullahoma, Tenn., August 23, 1863.
KELLAR, GEORGE J. ; one of the best known men in the regiment. He was the prince of foragers, and his visits outside the line were never postponed on account of orders. He detested authority when it came to such matters. At Rich- mond, Ky., Colonel Moore was greatly annoyed by depreda- tions upon the hen roost and beehouse of a citizen, at whose home he was frequently entertained. The guards were doubled, without catching the offenders. Finally a search of the quar- ters was ordered. Kellar, who knew most about it, became one of the searching party at his own request, and was the most vigilant of the lot. After searching the quarters of the men, he insisted on an inspection of the colonel's kitchen tent, which resulted in finding the contents of a bee gum, greatly to the chagrin of the colonel. No punishment could deter him from his tricks. After the war Kellar returned to the neigh- borhood of Chattanooga, and married a widow, whose love he had won while soldiering in her vicinity. Though wild, as a soldier, he became a steady, good citizen and member of the Baptist Church. He removed to Chattanooga, where he died in 1892.
LAMM, JOHN W. ; enlisted September 30, 1864 ; resides at Jonesburg, Kan.
LEASER, GEORGE W. ; was severely wounded in the battle of Chickamauga from which he sufifered greatly the rest of his life. He died at Armington, 111., February 22, 1882.
MELL, GEORGE; resides at Baker, Brown County, Kan.
MYERS, FRANK H. ; killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
388 COMPANY H.
MYERS, VALENTINE ; was a prisoner of war ; mustered out July 9, 1865 ; now resides at Tazewell, Tazewell County, Illinois.
OLSON, SWAN; was a prisoner of war; reported to have returned to Sweden.
PLACKETT, ALONZO K., a brother of Joshua S. ; en- listed February 9, 1864; was transferred to the 21st Illinois; resides at Osage City, Kan.
PLACKETT, JOSHUA S. ; resides at Osage City, Kan.
POLING, PHILIP ; now resides at Pawnee Station, Bour- bon County, Kan.
PUGH, LEANDER; though suffering much from rheuma- tism, did good service and now resides at Kingson Mines, 111.
QUINLAN, JOHN ; discharged March 20, 1863 ; now re- sides at Decatur, 111.
ROBINSON, GIFFORD S.; born in Tazewell County, Illinois, May 28, 1843. He came of New England stock, his earliest known ancestor being William Robinson, who settled in Massachusetts about 1635, and was a member of the "An- cient and Honorable Artillery" of Boston. His grandfather, Seth Robinson, married a lineal descendant of Myles Standish, John Alden and Priscilla of Plymouth Colony. Seth Robin- son was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and Gifford's ma- ternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812. His father, Israel W. Robinson, was a farmer and settled in Illi- nois about the year 1840. Gifford's youth was spent attending the Illinois public schools and working on his father's farm, until he enlisted in Company H on August 12, 1862. He was with the regiment in all its service from that time until the close of the battle of Chickamauga. Near the close of that battle he went to the rear with a wounded comrade, and on his return to the front, a short time afterwards, he found the division gone and a large part of the ground formerly occupied by it in the possession of the enemy. It was about sunset when a rebel line of battle advanced across the ridee to the west of the point occupied by Robinson, Sergeant Hous- ley, of Company E, and some others, who were like himself seeking their comrades ; they at once opened upon the ap-
COMPANY H. _ 389
proaphing Confederate line, receiving a brisk fire in return. At the second round Private Robinson was severel}' wounded through the upper part of the right tibia. Finding lie could not use his leg, he dragged himself some distance towards the rear, and was lying on the ground near the spot occupied by the 22d Michigan, 89th Ohio and 21st Ohio when they were captured. He dragged himself farther towards the Snodgrass House during the night, and in the morning learned for the first time that our army had fallen back and that he was a prisoner. He was carried to the house by two of our men, who were prisoners, and laid under a tree with many others of our wounded. A few days later he was taken to the Cloud Springs Hospital. It was just a week after he was wounded when he received his first surgical examination and treat- ment. On September 29th he was sent into Chattanooga un- der a flag of truce, and remained there during the siege. ^Vbout the middle of December he was sent to Nashville, and later was given a furlough to his home, after which he was in hos- pital at Quincy, 111., but being disabled for the service, was discharged May 27, 1864. He was compelled to use crutches for more than two j^ears. After leaving the army he taught school a while, attended the Illinois State Normal University a few years, and then spent two years in Washington Univer- sity at St. Louis, from which institution he was graduated in the law department and located for the practice of his profes- sion at Storm Lake, Iowa, in 1869. After eighteen years of successful practice, in which time he had served as county attorney, mayor, member of the Legislature and State senator, he was elected in 1887 a justice of the Iowa Supreme Court for six years and was re-elected in 1893 for a similar term, serving in all twelve years in that exalted position. On retiring from the bench in the autumn of 1899, Judge Robinson engaged in the practice of his profession in partnership with his son at Sioux City, Iowa. He was not permitted, however, to remain long in private life, for soon after the beginning of the year 1900 he was appointed a member of the Iowa State Board of Control, a board of three members which has the management of all the penitentiaries, hospitals for the insane, and other
390 COMPANY H.
benevolent and charitable institutions of the State, the office of the board being in the Capitol at Des Moines. He was married in April, 1872, to Miss Jeannette E. Gorham, who had been four years preceptress in the Kansas State Normal School at Emporia. From this union four children were born, three sons and a daughter. Judge Robinson has for several years been a lecturer in the law department of the Iowa State University, which institution conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. He is now residing in Sioux City, Iowa.
RATHBUX, ELIAS ; now resides at Whiting, Iowa.
REID, JOHN F. ; died at FrankHn, Tenn., May 17, 1863.
RITCHIE, JACOB; discharged December 13, 1862; now reported residing at Sherman, Texas.
ROBINSON, ELMER E., a cousin of Judge "Robinson; mortally wounded in the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
SUNDERLAND, SAMUEL; born in Ohio, and came to Illinois in 1852 ; very badly wounded in the battle of Chicka- mauga, but recovered sufficiently to serve till the final muster out; now resides at Delavan, 111. Lieut. Hatfield says he owes his life to Comrade Sunderland by reason of care of him in a critical illness.
THOMPSON, LORENZO D. ; now in the Soldiers' Home near Quincy, 111.
THORNTON, WILLIAM N. ; died March, 1863.
TOPPING, ALBERT ; transferred to engineer corps July 2j, 1864; died at Logan, Iowa, November 28, 1899.
TROLLOPE, WESLEY ; wounded at Chickamauga, Sep- tember 20, 1863 ; transferred to veteran reserve corps Septem- ber 14, 1864; now resides at Waco, Neb.
TROLLOPE, WILLIAM ; discharged May 12, 1863 ; now resides at Waco, Neb.
VAN NEST, HENRY D. ; discharged May 6, 1863; re- ported at Claflin, Barton County, Kan.
WALDRON, JOHN; mortally wounded in the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863, and left on the battlefield.
WILL, JOHN; died at Streator, 111., in 1894.
COMPANY H. 391
WADE, FRANCIS A. ; transferred to veteran reserve corps September 30, 1863 ; reported died since the war.
WATSON, JAMES W. ; born in Missouri in 1848, and died at Delavan, 111., on January 19, 1900, after a very brief illness. At the time of his enlistment Comrade Watson resided with Mr. James W. Crawford near Delavan, with whom he made his home nearly all the time since the war, and at whose home he died. He enlisted at the organization of Company H and was in the battles of Chickamauga, Tunnel Hill, Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Chattanooga and Nashville, in all of which his record was that of a brave, faithful soldier, universally es- teemed for his devotion to duty. He was followed to his grave by a large concourse of comrades and friends.
'^ WATSON, THOMAS J. ; was discharged October 7, 1864, because of wounds received in battle ; now resides at Lincoln, Illinois.
WHITSELL, JOHN D. ; discharged April 16, 1863; re- ported as having died in Texas.
WORK, EDWARD; discharged April 3, 1863; died in Brown County, Kan., since the war.
YOUNG, ROBERT ; bom August 2, 1838, in Chester Dis- trict, South Carolina. His educational opportunities were very limited. He removed to Christian County, 111., residing in Mosquito Township since 1855, except the period of his army service. He now resides on a farm near Illiopolis, 111. His prison life is given among the miscellaneous sketches in this history.
ZEGLER, EZRA ; was transferred to engineer corps July 27, 1864; not since heard from.
ZUMWALT, JOHN ; discharged April 3, 1863 ; now resides at Watseka, 111.
ZUMWALT, WILLIAM ; died at Richmond, Ky., January 10, 1863.
COMPANY I.
COMPANY I.
SIMON P NEWMAN, Captain ; resigned March 24, 1863; died some time after the war.
CYRUS L. KINMAN, Captain; son of Colonel Kinman; was second lieutenant till March 24, 1863. He commanded his company through the Chickamauga campaign and battle, in which he did splendid service. He resigned October 19, 1863. Since the war he has wandered much through the far West, finally settling on a cattle ranch near Princeton, Idaho, which is his postofifice address.
JAMES A. RUTHERFORD, Captain, was active in the enhstment and organization of Company I, and showed patri- otism of a high order in taking the place of an enlisted man among men he liked, rather than take office elsewhere. He served as sergeant till March 23, 1863, and as first lieutenant from that date till his promotion to the captaincy October 19,
1863. He commanded his company after the resignation of Captain Kinman till the muster out of the regiment. He was with his company in all its service, always ready for any duty required. He was in the thickest of the battle at Chickamauga and was conspicuous for the courage he displayed. Soon after the war Captain Rutherford engaged in the grocery business at Terre Haute, Ind. ; later he was several years in business at Fort Scott, Kan. He now resides at No. 1528 Wyandotte Street, Kansas City, Mo.
JAMES S. SAMUELS, First Lieutenant ; resigned March 23, 1863 ; now resides on a farm near Jacksonville, 111.
SPENCER P. COMPTON, First Lieutenant; promoted from corporal tO' second lieutenant March 24, 1863, and to the first lieutenancy October 19, 1863. He was assigned to duty in the United States Veteran Volunteer Engineers August 4,
1864. He now resides in Hamilton, Ohio.
COMPANY I. 393
GEORGE H. DUNAVAN, First Lieutenant; promoted from sergeant August 4, 1864; he is now a prosperous farmer living near Jacksonville, 111.
SERGEANTS.
LEOXIDAS C. EBY, First Sergeant; discharged in the spring of 1863 ; present residence unknown.
WALLACE SAWYER, First Sergeant; born in western Vermont in 1839. In 1842 his parents removed to Mason Vihage, N. H., where Wallace received his early education. When he was fourteen years old they returned to X'ermont, and located at Rutland. Soon after that Wallace went to Templeton, Mass., where he learned the trade of a tinsmith. In 1857 he removed to Springfield, 111., and resided in that vicinity until the breaking out of the Civil War. He enlisted August 6, 1862, and was appointed sixth corporal. In the spring of 1863 he was promoted to first sergeant, which posi- tion he held until mustered out of the service with the regi- ment. He was conspicuous for his faithfulness in the discharge of every duty, especially in the battles of Chickamauga, Resaca and Nashville, in all of which he performed gallant service. He was married in i860 to Miss Alvira Smith of Jacksonville, 111., who lived but a short time. In 1873 h^ married Miss Alice M. Reeler, and was .soon called to mourn her death. In 1875 he married Miss Emma J. Bailley. They have two daughters. In 1868 he removed to Monticello, Minn., where he now resides, being county agent for the Minnesota Soldiers' Relief Fund.
ALPHEAS A. BRADEN ; mustered out May 22, 1865 ; re- ported dead.
BENJ. F. FIXNEY; now resides at Burhngton, Kan.
WILLIAM J. MULLINS; promoted from private; re- ported dead.
CHARLES L. SiMITH ; promoted from private ; now re- sides at Ashland, 111.
CORPORALS.
THOMAS D. CHAPjNIAN ; transferred to 21st Illinois ; re- ported dead.
394 COMPANY!
JOHN J. MASTERSON; discharged February 2, 1863; resides at Girard, Kan.
JOHN ALLEN; discharged Februar\- 2, 1863; resides at Hepler, Crawford County, Kan.
HENRY BRIDGEMAN; now a prosperous and highly respected farmer residing at Moweaqua, 111.
GEORGE W BURRIS; discharged March 19, 1863; re- ported dead.
JAMES R. BROWN ; now resides at Sinclair, 111.
LYCURGUS EMERICK ; resides at Jacksonville, lU.
WILLIAM H. WILDAY; resides at Meredosia, 111.
WILLIAM J. WILLIAMSON ; resides at Greenfield, 111.
WILLIAM A. WAY ; resides at Virginia, 111.
DAVID C. FEESE was a good soldier and is now a faith- ful Christian citizen, deservedly proud of his military record. He resides at Braymer, Mo.
ROBERT CLINE; resides at Camp Point, 111.
MUSICIAN.
SAMUEL P. METCALF ; was a prisoner of war ; resides at Monrovia, Los Angeles County, Cal.
WAGONER.
GEORGE BROWN ; last heard from at Evansville, Mo.
PRIVATES.
ANDERSON, HENRY C. : reported dead.
ANGEL, DAVID ; was a prisoner of war ; resides at Cha- pin. 111.
BOYD, JAMES ; died at Richmond, Ky., December 2, 1862.
BRIDGMAN, MARTIN ; reported dead.
BRIM, PETER; resides at Meredosia, 111.
BURRIS, WILSON ; resides at Arenzville, 111.
CLARK, JOHN S. ; discharged May 26, 1865, on account of wounds received in battle ; residence unknown.
COWAND, THOMAS W. ; reported dead.
COY, STARRETT B. ; discharged April 8, 1863.
DUVALL, HENRY ; last heard from at East Lynn, Cass Countv, Mo.
COMPANY I. 395
EADS, WILLIAM W. ; resides at Jacksonville, 111.
ELLIOTT, JAMES; died at Quincy, III, August 3, 1864, of wounds received in battle.
FRICKS, HERMAN ; resides at Carder, Mo.
GHORM, GEORGE M. ; resides at Emporia, Kan.
GIGER, WILLIAM H. ; born in Marion County, 111., Jan- uary 9, 1845. He came with his parents to Morgan County, 111., when very young. He served with the regiment through all its campaigns, participating with it in all its battles, and was mustered out with the regiment in 1865. He was married to Miss Sarah Ellen Wilday in 1869, and removed to Toledo, Tama County, Iowa, in 1881, where he resided until a short time before his death, which occurred December 18, 1895.
GILLILAND, AMMON B. C. ; resides at Quincy, 111.
GILLILAND, ANDREW J.; died since muster out, at Kansas City, Mo.
GRADY, JAMES H. ; discharged May 29, 1865 ; died at Jacksonville, 111.
HIGGS, WILLIAM H. ; died at Nashville, Tenn., March 21, 1864.
HILLIG, FREDERICK A. ; severely wounded in the bat- tle of Chickamauga ; transferred to veteran reserve corps April 10, 1864; now resides at Meredosia, 111.
HOAGLAND, CORNELIUS ; resides at Hale, Mo.
JACKSON, ELIJAH; mortally wounded and left on the battlefield at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
JACKSON, THOMAS; resides at Glennwood, Kan.
JACKSON, THOMAS H. ; killed at Chickamauga, Sep- tember 20, 1863.
JAMES, GEORGE ; now resides at Meredosia, lU.
JAMES, GEORGE W. : born in Cass County, 111., March 15, 1842, and was brought up on a farm. He enlisted in 1862 in Company I and was with the regiment in all its service, being with it in the battles of Chickamauga, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca and Nashville. He was married October 25, 1865, and now resides at Meredosia, 111.
JORDAN, HENRY B.; died at Nashville, Tenn., March 5, 1863.
396 COMPANY I.
KINMAN, NEWTON B. ; a son of Colonel William Kin- man ; was born September 6, 1844, in Pike County, 111. He enlisted as a recruit in Company I August 6, 1864, and faith- fully served with the regiment until his death at Huntsville, Ala., February 24, 1865. His body was sent home and buried in Diamond Grove Cemetery, Jacksonville, 111.
KLAFFEY, WILLIAM ; died at Franklin, Tenn., April 30, 1863.
LONG, JOHN ; died at Franklin, Tenn., May 22, 1863.
LONG, MILTON; discharged April 21, 1863; resides at Markham, 111.
LONG, THOMAS; not heard from.
LUSK, MILTON H. ; transferred to engineer corps August 15, 1864; resides at Williamsburg, Kan.
MADDOX, SAMUEL ; resides at Jacksonville, 111.
MAJOR, SAMUEL; died at Richmond, Ky., November
^4, 1862.
MASON, HENRY; died at Louisville, Ky., February 4, 1863.
MAYS. CHARLES ; discharged April 5, 1863 ; resides at Arenzville, 111.
MAYS, ROBERT; discharged September i, 1863; resides at Oakley, Logan County, Kan.
MOON, EDWIN ; discharged to enlist in Mississippi ma- rine brigade ; now resides at Glenwood, Iowa.
MORGAN, HOWARD W. ; transferred to veteran reserve corps ; not heard from.
NAYLOR, WILLIAM H. ; born in Rutland, Eng., in 1844, and died April 9, 1880. He came to America and settled in Morgan County, 111., in 1851, where he lived the remainder of his life, except the three years which he served in the army. He enlisted in Company I at its organization, and was a faith- ful soldier throughout its service. He was converted in 1868 and remained a faithful Christian tuitil his death.
PARMER, JAMES A.; not heard from.
PITNER, LEVI N. ; died at Jacksonville, 111., since return from the army.
COMPANY I. 397
RAHN, JOHN ; discharged April 5, 1863 ; resides at Arenz- ville, 111.
RHEA, WILLIAM; died at Danville, Ky., January 24, 1863.
ROBERTS, JOSEPH J. ; resides at Jacksonville, 111.
SAMUELS, TITUS O. ; reported to be in California.
SCHOONOVER, JACOB L. ; transferred to engineer corps August 15, 1864; resides at Jewell City, Kan.
SHEPPERD, THOMAS W. ; died in Confederate prison at Danville, Va., December 18, 1863.
SINCLAIR, ROBERT W.; died May 10, 1871.
SLATTON, JOHN T. ; mortally wounded and left on the field at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
SMITH, JAMES R. ; resides at Quincy, 111.
TELKEMEYER, HENRY; kilfed in battle at Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864.
VAN CLEVE, GEORGE R. ; enlisted August 4, 1864; re- ported to be dead.
VAN CLEVE, PERRY L. ; is now a successful lawyer re- siding at Blue Mound, 111.
WEBSTER, DANIEL; resides at Meredosia, 111.
WILCOX, JOHN R. ; died at Nashville, Tenn., March 6, 1863.
WILDAY, JOHN ; resides at Arenzville, 111.
WILLIAMSON, SAMUEL E. ; resides at Zenobia, 111.
WILSON, CHARLES W. ; now resides at Anthony, Har- per County, Kan.
YOUNG, WILLIAM F. ; now resides on a farm three miles east of Fort Scott, Kan.
COMPANY K.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
JAMES STEELE, Captain ; was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1835, and came with his parents tO' America when quite young. His grandfather, John Steele, was in the Coldstream Guards and served under Wellington in the wars against Na- poleon. Captain Steele's family settled near Charlestown, Clarke County, Ind., where his youth was spent. In 1853 he went to Springfield, 111., with fifteen cents, his only capital, to make a start in life. He worked on a farm in summer and went to school in winter until prepared for college, and then attended at the old Illinois State University. In 1862, about the time he was finishing a year's school teaching in Menard County, he responded to the President's call, and with Dr. B. F. Farley and others, organized Company K, of which he was unanimously chosen captain. Captain Steele was devoted to the cause of freedom, and lost no opportunity to aid the down-trodden of the colored race. His bravery was unques- tioned, his patriotism undoubted, and had he remained with the regiment until the days of battle, would doubtless have per- formed valiant service. His impetuosity and contempt for the niceties of military discipline caused him to leave the serv- ice in the spring of 1863, in a manner greatly regretted by all his friends. After the war he taught school at Athens, then at Sweetwater, in the same county, but in 1876 retired to a farm, and is now residing in Farmer City, 111. He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and frequently served in the synod and general assembly.
ALANSON PIERCE, Captain ; promoted from sergeant to the captaincy March 3, 1863 ; resigned September 24, 1864. He resided some years at Holliday, 111., and is reported to have removed to Springfield in 1899.
N. B. KINMAN, Company I. D. A. ENGLAND, Company K.
Capt. C. L,. KINMAN, Company I. F. W. GATES, Company K.
COMPANY K. 399
PHILIP RILEY, Captain; was second lieutenant till De- cember 28, 1863, and first lieutenant from that time till his promotion to the captaincy, September 24, 1864. He was in command of a detachment of the pioneer corps in the Atlanta campaign, and served a time on brigade staff. His history since the war is unknown to the writer, though it is reported that he died about twenty-five years after the war.
SYLVESTER BAILEY, First Lieutenant, was a brave of- ficer, and was cheering his men forward in the first charge in the battle of Chickamauga, and had gone perhaps eighty yards beyond the summit of Snodgrass Hill, when he was so severely wounded as to disable him for further service. He resigned on December 28, 1863. After the war he resided some time at Topeka, Kan., and then at Fort Scott, Kan., where he died in April, 1897.
SAMUEL C. ALEXANDER, First Lieutenant ; promoted from corporal to first sergeant, and then to first lieutenant on September 24, 1864. He now resides at Cantrall, Sangamon county, Illinois.
SERGEANTS.
EZRA M. AYLESWORTH, First Sergeant ; a son of Hi- ram and Elizabeth Aylesworth, and a cousin of Col. Elmer Ellsworth, of Alexandria fame, was born in 1830 in Trumbull, Ashtabula County, Ohio, where he received a public school education. He was a man of good literary attainments and wrote well both in prose and verse. He was a faithful member of the Christian Church, zealous in support of all he deemed worthy, patriotic in the highest degree, and enthusiastic in the discharge of all his duties as a man and as a soldier. He enlisted as a private in company K February 5, 1863. His ability, famiharity with the drills, and readiness for every duty, soon marked him for promotion, and he was made first ser- geant. In the battle of Chickamauga Sergeant Aylesworth was conspicuous for his daring; seeming to be destitute of fear, he was constantly leading his company, instead of follow- ing, often going several paces in front of the line of battle in order to get a good aim. During the lull after the first charge.
400 COMPANY K.
while searching for the wounded Lieutenant Bailey, he cap- tured three stalwart Virginians, who were too busy hunting valuables among our dead and wounded to see him until he had the drop on them. Late in the afternoon, while valiantly cheering the men forward and when at least ten feet in front- of the line, he received the shot that instantly killed him. His body was left on the field, and doubtless now lies in the Na- tional Cemetery at Chattanooga, marked "unknown." His only child, a son scarcely three years old at that time, now the Rev. Barton O. Aylesworth, D. D., president of the Colorado State Agricultural College at Fort Collins, Col., and his son, are the only survivors of Sergeant Aylesworth's branch of the family.
GEORGE W. SUMTER, First Sergeant; born in Athens, 111., February 25, 1829. His uncle, Thomas Sumter, fought in the Revolutionary War and was at the siege of Yorktown, and saw the surrender of Cornwallis. His father, Jeptha Sum- ter, was in the Black Hawk war. He was partly educated in the same school that Abraham Lincoln attended. He learned the brick-making trade in Springfield, 111., and afterwards worked in Terre Haute, Ind. He later learned the wagon- maker's trade and worked for a while in New Orleans, then removed to St. Louis, and then to Leavenworth, Kan., where he enHsted in a regiment of mounted riflemen, and crossed the plains to California in 1849 ; there he worked at mining and the carpenter trade until 1854, when he came to Athens, 111. He enlisted with Company K at its organization, and was with the regiment in the battle of Chickamauga, and its other engagements. Since the war Sergeant Sumter has had a varied career in business of dififerent sorts, in which he has made considerable success. He has now retired from busi- ness, and resides at Hawley, Minn.
FRANK W. GATES, who was private, corporal, and later orderly sergeant of Company K, was a native of Kentucky, of German and English descent, and came with his parents to Illinois in 1855. In 1862 he left a young wife to enter the service of his cotuitry, and after three years' service, returned to his home to engage in farming. He has held several offices
COMPANY K. 401
of trust, and is a leading member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He resides near Girard, 111.
THOMAS M'SHERRY; discharged February 14, 1863; resides at Nickerson, Kan.
JAMES A. WALTERS ; reported dead.
WILLIAM B. ENGLAND; killed at Chickamauga, Sep- tember 20, 1863.
DAVID A. ENGLAND; resides at Williams, Iowa.
GEORGE W. HAYS; resides at No. 1325 Edmonson street, Baltimore, Md.
JOHN WALKER; said to reside at or near Donithon, Neb.
CORPORALS.
JAMES P. MORAN ; died at Lexington, Ky., December II, 1862.
WILLIAM F. GIBBS; discharged January 4, 1863; re- ported dead.
JAMES B. STRODE; killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
WILLIAM BAILEY; died at Tullahoma, Tenn., August 31, 1863.
GEORGE W. GOTHA ; resides at Parsons, Kan.
JOHN H. HORNBACK; reported dead.
SEBASTIAN B. SHEPHERD ; resides at Athens, 111.
JOHN A. STRODE; discharged April 20, 1863; resides at No. 913 North Eighth street, Springfield, 111.
JAMES W. SWARANGUIN; discharged March 28, 1864; reported dead.
WILLIAM A. WOOD ; discharged July 30, 1863.
WILLIAM N. BUMGARDNER; died in Confederate prison at Danville, Va., April 10, 1864.
MUSICIAN.
JOSEPH SIZELOVE; discharged July 30, 1863; resides at Dodge City, Kan.
WAGONER. FRANCIS B. ALDRIDGE ; reported dead.
402 COMPANY K.
PRIVATES.
ADAMS, HENRY ; no report.
ALLISON, HUGH; resides at No. 491 E street, San Bernardino, Cal.
ALLISON, JACOB A. ; was a prisoner of war ; resides at Howard, Elk County, Kan.
ALLISON, JAMES M. ; transferred to engineer corps July 18, 1864; no report.
ANDERSON, MILTON; disabled by railroad accident and discharged ; reported as residing in Des Moines, Iowa.
ANSTICE, EDWARD V.; discharged January 25, 1864; resides at Athens, 111.
BOYD, WILLIAM A. ; now resides at Foosland, 111.
BRANNAN, WILLIAM ; reported residing at Davis City, Iowa.
BRIZENDINE, JAMES R. ; transferred to veteran reserve corps December 28, 1864; reported dead.
BURKE, WILLIAM ; resides at TaylorviUe, 111.
CENTER, EDWARD R. ; died in prison at Andersonville, Ga., September i, 1864; grave No. 7,502.
CLARK, TILMAN H. ; discharged June 19, 1863 ; died at Athens, III, May, 1864.
CRANWELL, THOMAS S. ; transferred to veteran re- serve corps December 28, 1864; no report.
DENIEN, DANIEL; born in County of Cork, Ireland, and came to America in 1849, where he was a brick mason until 1862. He enlisted in Company K at its organization, was with it in all its marches and battles, and returned home without having received a wound. He now resides in Shelby- ville. 111., and has a family of sons and daughters, all nearly grown and doing well.
DODD, KENDALL B. ; discharged, date unknown ; no further report.
DURTNALL, JOHN ; an Englishman of good family, was visiting in the United States at the time the iisth was organ- ized. He was an excellent organist, had been organist in a leading church at Birmingham ; was an expert accountant.
COMPANY K. 403
and capable business man. He served as quartermaster's clerk throughout the service of the regiment in a most accept- able manner. It is reported that he returned to England soon after being mustered out.
EDENS, WILLIAM B. ; no report.
FERGUSON, JOHN A.; reported to have died at Mason City, 111.
FERGUSON, JOHN D. ; no report since muster out.
FERGUSON, LEWIS J.; died in Andersonville prison, October lO, 1864; grave No. 10,740.
FERGUSON, WILLIAM; died at Richmond, Ky., De- cember 25, 1862.
FINFROCK, ISAIAH; discharged February 28, 1863; re- sides at Indianapolis, Ind.
GAMBLE, ANDREW; no report since muster out.
GLEESON, MATTHEW; transferred to veteran reserve corps December 15, 1863; resides at Cantrall, 111.
HALL, ANDREW J.; was a prisoner of war; residence unknown.
HARGIS, THOMAS J.; discharged October 9, 1864; re- sides at Niantic, 111.
HENDER, PETER; resides at No. 1006 South Spring street, Springfield, 111.
HIDE, WILLIAM L. ; died at Chattanooga, October 10, 1863, of wounds received at Chickamauga.
JACKSON, CHARLES C. ; resides at Searcy, White County, Arkansas.
JOB, WILLIAM : enlisted January 12, 1865 ; transferred to 2ist Illinois; no further report.
JUDD, NELSON H. ; discharged, date unknown; reported dead.
MADDEN, THOMAS ; no report since muster out.
MARSHALL, SMITH A.; died at Lexington, Ky., No- vember 27, 1862.
MEAGHER, MICHAEL; wounded in battle; reported dead.
MITCHELL, JAMES ; transferred to engineer corps July 25, 1864; no further report.
404 COMPANY K.
MORGAN, JOHN ; transferred to veteran reserve corps December 15, 1863; no further report.
NEALE, JOHN W. ; resides at Berlin, 111.
NEALE, SAMUEL; reported dead.
NEWHART, LAWRENCE; died at Franklin, Tenn., March 30, 1863.
PICKERING, THOMAS ; no report since muster out.
PLUNKET, JAMES ; discharged, date unknown ; reported dead.
POLLOCK, JAMES ; is a successful contractor and build- er at Washingtton, Kan.
REYNOLDS, JOHN T. ; died November 17, 1889.
RIEPE, FREDERICK ; discharged December 6, 1863 ; no further report.
ROBERTS, JAMES R. ; transferred to veteran reserve corps May 31, 1864; resides at Minersville, Cloud County, Kan.
SHEPPERD, JAMES M. ; reported dead.
SHEPPERD, OSCAR F. ; discharged February 29, 1863 ; residence not known.
SMITH, WILLIAM J. ; in Soldiers' Home at Los Angeles, Cal.
TERRELL, HENRY S. ; no report since muster out.
THOMPSON, DENNIS; discharged December 6, 1863; resides at Fancy Prairie, 111.
WALKER, JOHN ; no report since muster out.
WALTERS, WILLIAM M. ; resides in Menard County, 111.
WATERHOUSE, GEORGE C; transferred to veteran reserve corps January 15, 1864; resides at New Albany, Ind.
WELLS, WILLIAM ; transferred to veteran reserve corps April 30, 1864 ; no further report.
WILSON, WILLIAM Mc. ; discharged June 19, 1865; now resides at Brentwood, Ark.
WINGO, LEWIS; discharged, date unknown; reported dead.
BURIED IN THE NATIONAL CEMETERY, NASHVILLE, TENN.
Sharp, Samuel H Co. A Died Feb. 31, 1863 Grave 896 Sec. E.
Williams, Wm. B " A " Mar. 4, 1863 " 10,075 " D.
Austin, John " B " Apr. 6, 1863 " 3,375 " D.
Jarvis,L " B " Jan.23,1863 " 461 " L.
Reese, W " B " Oct. 12, 1863 " 1,361 " E.
Travis, H. M " B " Nov. 19, 1863. .. . " 3,477 " D.
Duty, M " C " Apr. 3, 1853 " 882 " E.
Crafton, J ;" E " Mar. 4, 1863 " 909 " E.
DeAtley,A.H "E " Mar. 2, 1863 " 312 " E.
Green,R.L " E " Feb. 1, 186S " 9,405 " H.
Clem, H " G " Oct. 30, 1863 " 1,061 " E.
Foster.C.B " G " Nov. 29, 1863 " 3,075 " A.
Frizell, J. H " G " Apr. 11, 1863 .... " S27 "SorB
Stout,Thos.F " G " Oct.10,1863 " 1,441 " E.
Sutton, B.E " G " Aug-. 22, 1863.... " 1,256 " E.
Brig-hton, I. N " H " May 31, 1864 " 13,834 " J.
Johnson, J " H " Mar. 28, 1863 . . . . " 380 " E.
Hig-gs, W. H " I " Mar. 31, 1864.... " 1,165 " E.
Jordan, H. B " 1 " Mar. 28, 1863 . . . . " 450 " E.
Wilcox, John R " I " Mar. 4, 1863 " 413 " E.
BURIED IN THE NATIONAL CEMETERY, CHATTANOOGA, TENN.
Anderson, Samuel T Co. A Grave 8,582 Sec. G.
Boyd, JosephE "D " 9,903 " K.
Bridgewater, E "D " 10,706 " H.
Buckles, Elisha "D " 2,125 " F.
Clark, Edwin, -'A " 10,551 " H.
Cowgill, E. D "A " 1,121 " C.
Davis, John H "B " 1,124 " C.
Dixson,W "D " 9,918 " K.
Geisler, Lewis "C " 10,506 " H.
Hide,Wm.L "K " 898 " B.
Huffman, J "F " 8,581 " G.
Jones, Nathan "D " 9,922 " K.
Keep, H. N "A " 517 " B.
Kellar, Geo. J "H " 13,054 " S.
Loe, Fielden "D " 9,921 " K.
McCune, William "A " 10,349 " K.
McNear, S. A "G " 12,076 " D.
Messier, Vincent "A " 1,015 " B.
Parish, John "D " 9.900 " K.
Reed, D., Second Lieutenant "F " 12,885 '* D.
Tyson, G. W "D " 9,949 " K.
Wallis, John "G " 10,237 " K.
White, James P "H " 271 " A.
BURIED IN THE NATIONAL CEMETERY, ANDERSONVILLE, GA.
Carroll, John J Co. H Died Apr. 23, 1864 No. 666
Furgeson, Lewis J " K " Sept. 1, 1864 " 10,740
HiIl,Aaron " C " Sept. 15. 1864 " 8,830
Leach, William " B " Sept. 10, 1864 '• 8.464
Smith, Johns " D •' Feb. 2, 1865 ■' 12,566
There are 889 graves of identified soldiers from the State of Illinois in this cemetery, but only five of the llSth Illinois Infantry.
The foregoing lists were kindlj' furnished by A. B. Leeper.
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