USA > Illinois > Historical sketch of the Forty-Fifth Illinois Regiment : with a complete list of the officers and privates and an individual record of each man in the regiment > Part 1
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45TH" TH"
ILLINOIS.
6
Its Wor Record and Private History.
ΧΆ
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF THE
FORTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS REGIMENT,
WITH A COMPLETE LIST OF THE
OFFICERS AND PRIVATES
AND AN
Individual Record of Each Man in the Regiment.
By Capt. JOHN M. ADAIR, Lanark, Illinois.
LANARK : CARROLL COUNTY GAZETTE PRINT. 1869
E505 . 5 45 thA
0 125309 12 min 45
PREFACE.
ANNUAL RE-UNION OF 1869.
FREEPORT, ILL., SEPTEMBER 28TH, 1869.
Pursuant to appointment a business meeting was held at the Howard House, at 41/2 o'clock, P. M. The society was called to order by Major J. J. Palmer, senior Vice President, and on motion Lie ut. J. A. Rollins was appointed Secretary, pro tem.
On motion the association then proceeded to the election of officers, for the ensuing year. On motion of Capt. Evans Blake a committee consisting of one member from each company represented was appointed by the chairman to nominate officers to be elected.
The committee made the following report :
President, Gen. John E. Smith ; Vice Presidents, Major J. J. Palmer, of Rockford, Col. M. M. Miller and Gen. W. R. Rowley, of Galena, Capt. D. O. Reid, of Rock Island, Lieut. C. F. Dnbs, of Freeport, Capt. J. M. Adair, of Lanark, Sergt. K. E. Olds, of Warren, Capt. B. F. Holcomb, of Galesburg, Lient. E. L. Lawrence, of Belvidere.
Recording Secretary and Regimental Historian, Capt. J. M. Adair, of Lanark ..
Corresponding Secretary, J. C Glenat, of Galena.
Treasurer, Luther Smith, of Rockford.
Chaplain, Wm. D. Atchison.
The report of the committee was adopted and the officers named declared duly elected.
On motion of Giles C. Hard, it was unanimously agreed to exclude all intoxicating drinks from the table at the banquet in the evening.
At the request of Col. Miller and Sergt. Crummer, the association decided upon Galena as the place of the next meeting, and the time fixed to be the 29th day of September, 1870.
On a motion being made to extend an invitation to all soldiers of other regiments, and the citizens in the vicinity of Galena, it was unanimously adopted.
A motion then prevailed for the appointment of a committee of five to draft resolutions of respect to the memory of our deceased comrades since the last annual re-union. The chairman appointed the following : Sergt. Crummer, Col. Miller, Capt. Blake, Capt. Adair, Lieut. Lawrence.
A tax of Fifty Cents was levied upon each member present for contingent expenses.
On motion the meeting adjourned to meet at 71/2 o'clock, in Hettinger's Hall, to hear the history of the regiment read, and to receive the report of the committee on resolutions.
EVENING-The association reassembled at the hall at the appointed time. The history of the regiment wasread by Capt. J. M. Adair, of Lanark, and was listened to with marked interest and attention; the members acknowledging their appreciation by a vote of thanks. Col. Miller from the committee on resolutions submitted the following which were adopted.
WHEREAS. The Supreme Ruler of the Universe in his divine wisdom has taken from our number since our last annual meeting, our former comrades Major Gen. John A. Rawlins, late Secretary of War, Chas, D. Evans, Pr. Co. D., Wm. Wheland, John G. Anger and Joseph Powell, privates Co. B. Therefore be it resolved
1st, That in the death of Gen. John A. Rawlins, our first Major, we mourn the loss of one who way prominent in organizing our regiment. A brave soldier, true friend, wise statesman and devoted lover of his country, who living gave utterance to and dying was a practical exponent of the sentiment "it is sweet and fitting to die for one's country."
2d RESOLVED, That in Charles D. Evans, Wm. Wheland, John G. Augur and Joseph Powell, we mourn the loss of brave and efficient soldiers, who when their country called, promptly answered, and faithfully served whenever and wherever duty required.
3d. RESOLVED, That we will ever cherish and revere their memory, and that we shall ever protect and care for the widows and orphans of these our beloved comrades who have fallen for their conntry.
1th. RESOLVED. That these resolutions he placed upon the records of our association, and that a copy of the same befurnished by the secretary for publication in the various counties where companies of the 45th were raised.
On motion the chairman was instructed to appoint a committee of three, whose duty it shall be to make arrangement for the publication of the historical sketch of the regiment in pamphlet form for distribution among the surviving members and friends of the regiment. The chair appointed Capt J. M. Adair, Sergts. W. F. Crummer and Luther Smith as such committee.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE FORTY-FIFTH REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS.
By Capt. JOHN M. ADAIR.
Read at the Second Annual Re-Union of the Regiment at Freeport, SEPTEMBER 28th, 1869.
DEAR COMRADES AND FRIENDS OF THE 45TH-At the re-union of the Regiment last fall, without my knowledge or consent I was selected as "Regimental Historian" perhaps as a penalty for not meeting with you at the first re-union. No one was more disappointed than myself at not be- ing able to meet with you, but circumstan- ces prevented. My only regret is that your choice did not fall upon some one more capable of carrying into effect your wishes, and more competent to have entertained you at this time upon such an interesting and important subject. However your choice fell upon me and with pleasure I ac- cept the task, hoping that I shall succeed in giving better satisfaction to yon than I have to myself in the brief sketch I have prepared. Before commencing my sketch allow me to make a word of explanation. A full history of the 45th would have re- quired much more time and thought than I could have devoted to its completion, and when finished would have been too volumi- nous to read upon a single occasion like the present. So I have waived the formal- ity of historical narration, and have adopt-
ed a series of suggestions of facts connected with our history, going over the whole ground as near as possible, stopping only to touch upon the different events trans- piring by the way. I shall depend upon my hearers to supply the deficiency in their own minds as I proceed and at the close if I have aided you in recalling some of the scenes of the past and refreshed your mem- ory upon a subject dear to all of us I shall be well paid for my trouble.
Few of us if any can realize that eight long years have come and gone, since the most of us, were in our first camp at Gale. na. Eight years ago the 5th of this month the first companies took up their quarters at camp Washburne. Eight long and eventful years, yet low short they seem,- to look back. "Three years or during the war" seemed interminable to look forward to then ; but to-day it is eight years and more and here we are, a goodly number of us-thank God, met together, to live over again, in a few hours the history of our "association in the war," and to talk about the things that transpired in those days, in the light of our after experience. The cir-
Historical Sketch.
cumstances attending the organization of ty made a liberal donation for immediate the "Lead Mine Regiment" as it was first called, were peculiar, and not altogether favorable. About the 1st of June, 1861, a formal tender of an independent rifle regi- ment from this Congressional district, to ! be commanded by Col. John E. Smith aid to the Governor, was made by the Hon. E. B. Washburne, to the Secretary of War .-- This tender was made in obedience to the patriotie impulses of the people in all parts of the district. The auspices for a speedy and effective completion of the organiza- tion of the regiment, were at that time most favorable, but the government unconscious of the magnitude of the contest into which it was about entering, declined immediate acceptance of the proffer, and the project was in a manner abandoned. Companies already full united with other organizations, and those in process of formation were dis- banded.
The disaster of Bull's Run gave a new impetus to governmental sluggishness, and on the 23d of July, a telegram was received by Col. Smith from the Secretary of War, announcing the acceptance of the Regi- ment, if ready for marching orders within 15 days ; and afterwards extended to Sept. when Major Smith took us in hand and 10th. The material which had been so ready at call a few weeks previous, was now, by cause of the delay unavailable, and the country appeared to be already strip- ped of serviceable men. Yet when the call was made it was responded to in a manner creditable to the noble sentiment of the 3d District. A mustering officer was assigned by the War Dept. to muster in the troops, and the work pushed speedi- ly forward. I question whether any of us can repress a smile when we recall the ' what was to be done. Presently our curi- awe inspsiring effect which the presence of that august personage-as we then regard- ed him-Lt. Goodwin had upon us. He was the first specimen of a soldier I had ever seen out of the picture books, and I regarded him as the greatest hero of the age. The supervisors of Jo Daviess coun-
wants, and the fair ground near Galena was turned into a camp of rendezvous, and christened "Camp Washburne." On the 5th of Sept. 1861, companies "A" & "B" went into camp; company ' C" on the 8th and Co. "D" on the 9th. Lient. W. T. Fro- hock was assigned to the immediate com - mand of the camp. On the 18th Co. "G" was escorted into camp in due military style, company "E" on the 24th, myself a private in the ranks, and company "F" followed soon after, which completed the compliment, so far as "Camp Washburne" was concerned. Here was the starting point of our real regimental history. Here was our first experiences of a soldier's life, and we thought them hard enough at the time. Had we known what we had to en- dure before our terms had expired, how contentedly we would have adapted our- selves to the circumstances. Here we first tasted of soldier's fare and lodging which we denounced as barbarous. Here we took our first lessons in squad, company and battallion drills. In about a week we knew more than there was in the books, and were just about ready to graduate
we found out that we did'nt know half so much as we thought we did. On the 31st of October, sixty-one, a further organiza- tion of the regiment was effected by com- pleting the roster of field officers. Then we drew our "Enfield" Rifles of which we all were very proud. You remember how proudly we shouldered them one pleasant afternoon, and marched down to Galena and halted in line in front of the custom house. We were all very curious to know osity was satisfied by the presentation in the name of the ladies of Galena, of two splendid banners. They were accepted in the name of the regiment by Col. Smith and in the course of his remarks promised that they should never trail in the dust or be tainted with dishonor and you sanction-
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Forty-Fifth Regiment.
ed his word by cheer upon cheer. That was the first time we flung our banner to the breeze, and marched back to camp with our flag proudly floating. Boys, can you go to Galena and tell those ladies that you kept those promises sacred ? Did the 45th ever desert her colors, or disgrace the flag she bore ? Her record furnishes the answer. The memory of this period ofour | would gladly dwell upon it longer, but I am reminded that other scenes crowd each other in quick succession, along our jour- ney through those long eventful years of war, and are claiming our attention. I must hasten on to meet them, or my time will be gone before I am half through.
honor, I think, at least we had worked hard for it. At Cairo we imagined we were in the heart of the enemy's country, and the most rigorous discipline was ad- hered to, as a poor calf which undertook to pass the guard line without giving the countersign, found out to its sorrow. One of the boys of Co. "E" shot it dead for this breach of discipline. Our next move was soldier life gather so thickly and fast that I ; up the Ohio and Tenn. rivers, and on the 4th of Feby. we pitched our tents in our first camp in the field. Few of you have forgotten camp Halleck, or the rain storm which leveled nearly all our tents that night. Fewer still have forgot'en the boom, boom of the cannon in the direction of Ft. Henry, the next morning when Com- Thus partially organized, the battalion which heretofore had been known as the "Lead Mine Independent Regiment," was assigned to the state, by the general govern- ment, and thereafter known as the 45th Ills. Vol. Infty. The regiment was order- ed into camp at Chicago, and moved there by Rail on the 22d ot Nov. The breaking camp at Galena and the parting with friends that night at the depot, need not- be mentioned by me to be remembered by all of you. As soon as barracks could be com- pleted we were assigned quarters in Camp Douglas. In the mean time we rendez voused in the Wigwam, a villianous place to be cooped up in. Soon after reaching Chicago Co. "I" joined the regiment and while in camp, companies "H" and "K" were assigned, which completed our organ- ization, and raised our numbers to the pro- portion of a full grown regiment and who dare say we were not equal to the best of Illinois' honest boys in looks and valor .- When the organization was completed a resolution was adopted adding Washburne to the name of the regiment in honor of E. B. Washburne who had rendered such efficient aid in organizing the regiment .- July 12th, 1862 we left camp Douglas for Cairo, with the reputation of being the best drilled regiment in camp, a merited modore Foote opened fire from his gun boats It was the first hostile shot we had heard in this or any other war, and that peculiar indescribable excitement had so taken possession of everybody, that what- ever eccentricities were displayed that morning, nobody can be held responsible therefor. There is something mysterious about that peculiar excitement felt on the eve of the first battle, which I have never heard explained satisfactorily. Every one who has ever been in a battle has experi- enced it, yet I never have seen any one who has been able to describe his feelings. The march to Ft. Henry through the mud and water, over the hills and hollows of that region, sometimes wading streams, swollen by late rains, in the month of Feb. are among the recollections of the war, not the most pleasant. When we reached the Fort late at night, the rebels had gone. The night turned suddenly cold and then the most of us remembered that we had left our blankets and overcoats be- hind, and what rations we had put into our haversacks had been eaten on the march. Cold, hungry and disappointed, we shiver- ed around our camp fires that long dreary night, and began to realize what an earnest cruel thing a soldier's life was. But it was our first experience and we knew nothing
4
Historical Sketch.
about making ourselves comfortable, With the knowledge of further experience, we can now look back, and realize how little we knew then, and how much we had yet to learn. - Next came Donelson with a more terrible and bloody experience, but with the same lack of wisdom in taking care of our bodily comfort. You remem- ber how we unslung our knapsacks five miles from the scene of action, occasioned by a few cavalry shots in the advance .- The suffering and exposure resulting from this foolish act cost us more lives than rebel shot on the battle field.
success or failure, in case we had charged. Again we find ourselves in line to talk over our first engagement, and wait events .- They came that night, in the shape of a rain and snow storm, a freeze up, and a picket skirmish, which will not soon be forgotten. The next day and and night was bitter cold, but not much fighting on our line but sharp shooting, in which the "boys" of the 45th took a lively hand, with their long range guns. Saturday the ball commenced on the right, bright and early in dead earnest, and the 45th took her tull share of the blunt of that desperate fight. But the three days fight is ended and late Saturday evening we are retired some distance to the rear where we rest as well as we can on the snow and ice cover- ed ground, with a scanty supply of blank- ets and provisions.
On the morning of the 13th of Feby. we stood behind the guns which fired the first shot into Donelson, from McAllister's battery,on the hill we bivouacked the night before. We then moved off to the right and took up the position which we occupi- ed during the day's fight. I have time to The next morning was the Sabbath, and a brighter and more beautiful morning never dawned. The 45th awoke to the glad news that the white flag proclaimed a cessation of hostilities and soon the mes- sage come, that the Fort had uncondition- ally surrendered to Gen. Grant. The 2d Brig. had the honor of leading Grant's victorious army to take possession of the prize, and I remember how grandly the old regiment looked that morning as they marched in, with their saber bayonets glis- tening and reflecting iu the bright rays of the sun, until it looked like a long streak of sunshine itself. refer to but one or two incidents connected with the history of this remarkable siege, in which the 45th took such a gallant part. On Thursday, about noon, you will remem- ber we were ordered forward of the main line to the support of the 49th Ill. which was getting the worst of it, to our left, and front. At the command we moved for- ward proudly and grandly with an un- broken front down across the open field, and up on the other side to within fifty feet of the enemy's works. This was our first experience under fire, and gallantly the 45th stood the first shock of battle .- I can hardly realize now in looking back It is remarkable that this day so beauti- ful and fair, was the only good day that we had while we encamped at Donelson, if my memory serves me right. The weath- er wasmiserably wet, cold and disagreeable all the time we remained. The colors of the 45th were the first to be planted on the ramparts of Fort Donelson, and as we mounted the works and looked down the Cumberland and watched the transport fleet coming up, I thought it one of the grandest sights I ever saw. We had won upon the scenes, how raw troops, such as we were then, could display such dauntless courage and cool, almost reckless bravery. And when a charge on the breast works was abandoned as impracticable at that time and place, and we were ordered to re- tire to our former position, the coolness, amounting almost to impudence, in which it was done was something truly remarka- ble. You will remember our stopping on the way back to take a survey of the posi- tion and to speculate upon the chances of | a great victory but at a fearful cost. The
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Forty-Fifth Regiment ..
beautiful sunlight of heaven, beaming out in all its splendor, played upon the upturn- ed features of hundreds of our brave boys in death's embrace on the field where they fell, as if in the attempt to win them back to life. But the sun of their lives had gone down forever, casting its shadow of dark- ness and gloom in so many once happy homes in our own dear state. This was the price paid for the victory, and the 45th had contributed liberally of the sum.
On the 4th of March we again take up our line of march through snow and rain, over almost impassable roads for the Tenn river where we embarked on the trans- ports again, which are to convey us further on to repeat the scene on other fields. You remember well the trip up the river; the camp at Savanna; the expedition to Pin Hook and return; the leaving of our camp at Savanna, just when Sergt. Swartz had got the bake ovens finished; and then on to Pittsburg Landing; our camp at that place; the battallion drill again and many other things of interest which I have no time to mention, but which you will run over in memory half a dozen times while you sit here.
The memorable 6th of April finds us in our camp at Shiloh, almost unconscious of danger, and certainly, at the time the blow was struck, unmindful of it. Who of us that was present will forget the morning when the long roll beat the call to arms? The blood quickens in the veins, and the nerves thrill with excitement at the thought. From our scanty breakfast in camp we sprung to our arms to go through with all the horrors of that terrible day. We that are here to-day to live over again these scenes of blood can well consider ourselves fortunate. Many of our beloved comrades who obeyed the summons that morning, on earth, answered to roll call in the army on high at night.
The double quick to the left is still dis- tinct in your memories, where we met not only the cremy, but our own broken and
dismayed troops, flying for life in ever di- rection ; but you faltered not. Amid the shot and shell flying thick and fast our line was formed, and although it seemed use- less, the attempt was made to check the de- termined and resistless foe. The odds was too great against us, and as promptly re- formed in a new position, not a man shirk- ing, or hesitating in his duty. The work of death had already been felt, and good old Capt. Connor, of Co. "D" had received the fatal shot, and others of his comrades had felt the sting of rebel shot. For a short time we held our ground and then again were forced to give way, this time taking position to the rear of our camp ground. Here we made a determined stand, and the metal of the old regiment was tried in a terrible fire ; but she was made of pure stuff, and nobly held her ground. Some of her bravest and best boys, however went down to rise no more, while many more were wounded. Com- pany "B" being in the most exposed posi- tion, lost heavily in killed and wounded in the ranks, and the young aud talented Baugher here received his death wound .- The ranks of Co. "G" were thinned by the murderous blast, and so on throughout the regiment, although the loss was not so. heavy, as in the companies mentioned. A little later in the day another line had to be formed in the rear, and here company "A" saw the gallant George Moore go down with a mortal wound, It was our turn now to assume the offensive for a time, and you remember our first charge up through the brush, after the retreating rebels.
Many a patriot in the confederate cause bit the dust in that charge. I shall never forget the agony ot fear depicted in the countenances of the wounded as we came up to them, which passed into a sigh of re- lief, as we passed by them, without doing them any further harm. The rebels had been taught to believe that the "Yankees" were a species of barbarous humanity, who
6
. Historical Sketch.
would take special delight in bayoneting the wounded, and mutilating the dead .- They were surprised to find us men with kind hearts possessing true manly conrage. I have heard the remark made in the southern states, many times since the war, "That ifthe south had known the north bet- ter there never would have been any war," and I believe it. During the greater part of the first day's fight at Shiloh, the 45th under the trusty leadership of Col. Smith, fought mostly upon its own hook. Some- times we were with the brigade, but often the rest of the brigade would move off and leave us fighting. It did'nt seem to make much difference however, we fought on un- til we were out of ammunition, and when we could'nt get any more, or see anybody else but rebels, the Col. concluded to make his way to the river to replenish our cart- ridge boxes. So we started, you will re- member, left in front, and the rebels follow- ed us so close, that Capt. Polsgrove came up to the Col. and exclaimed breathlessly : "My God, Col. they are not fifty yards from my company, and we hav'nt a shot to de fend ourselves." The Col. replied, "keep cool and don't say anything Capt. the ene- The loss during the two days were 26 killed, 196 wounded and several missing, being over 47 per cent of the whole number engaged my don't know we are out of ammunition and we will come out all right yet." We did come out all right, what was left of us and got back to the river bank without further loss, filled our cartridge boxes, and The evening of the 7th we returned to, and occupied an old camping ground a di- lapidated and dreary looking place enough as seen through the darkness with the dead of both armies strewn thickly upon the ground in every direction. We had gained the victory but we laid down on Monday night sad and mournful; the scourge of moved up to the right of the line then forming for the last engagement of the day. Here we found the brigade again, and took our position in the line which was to either win or lose the day. They did'nt give us much to do in that grand repulse on Sun- day evening, but we were ready, and their reception would have been warm it they battle had taken away our bunk mates and had given us a call. After that we had our supper of "Hard tack" and cheese which good old "commissary" Hard, and Lieut. Bush provided us with. We appre- ciated their kindness for it was the first morsel we had seen since breakfast,-and that was an extremely light meal. We ate our supper and went to bed,-Oh ! SO TIR-
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