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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00824 9325
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/historyoffiftiet00hube
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HISTORY
OF THE
1
50th FIFTIETH REGIMENT
Ilinois Volunteer nfantry
IN THE
WAR OF THE UNION.
By CHARLES F. HUBERT, Assisted by Members of the Regiment.
KANSAS CITY. MO .: WESTERN VETERAN PUBLISHING COMPANY. PRESS OF JERRY WARD. 1894.
1755006
F 8349 .1578
Hubert, Charles F 1843-
History of the Fiftieth regiment, Illinois volunteer in- fantry in the war for the union. By Charles F. Hubert, assisted by members of the regiment. Kansas City, Mo., Western veteran publishing company, 1894.
630 p. incl. front., illus. pl., 11 port., double map. 23cm.
1. U. S .- Hist .- Civil war -- Regimental histories-Ill. inf .- 50th. 2. Illi- nois infantry. 50th regt., 1861-1865.
Library of Congress
E505.5.50thH
6 -- 27
D.H.COULTER
on- Rose Ena Ki"
HISTORY COMMITTEE
50th ILL. INFANTRY.
S-E- HEWES . Quincy HP :
O . H. COULTER. Charman, Toxelo, Kas.
C. F . HUBERT. Sec-Fowler !!-
F C. WARD, TAMr Gicve Ill -
G.S. BARTELL . Treas. Camp Paint. IN. J. WANDERSON and Cats. BANK & HANNA Menters ex officio
0
O.H.COULTER
HISTORY COMMITTEE
50" ILL. INFANTRY,
O. H. COULTER, Charman, Topeka, Kas-
S-E. HEWES. Quincy MI. .
C . F . HUBERT. Sec. Forler IN-
F C. WARD, TAN GiCve IN.
G. S. BARTELL . Treas. Camp Point, IN. J. WANDERSON and Cols. Bank & MANHA Menters ex officio
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0
In grateful remembrance of his exhalted patriotism, his unselfish dero- tion to duty, his unceasing and loving care for the sons of Illinois on battle field or in hospital, this volume is dedicated by the survivors of the Fiftieth Illinois Infantry Volunteers to the Memory of the Great War Governor
RICHARD YATES.
In the darkest hour of the conflict his faith in God, and the armed legions of loyalty sent forth by him, never faltered, but in full strength abided unto the end. May this hum- ble tribute of affection and respect be accepted as one Stone in the Monument to his imperishable name.
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5
75.117
PAGE PORTRAITS.
· Fronticepiece -- Committee Group.
PAGE.
Colonel Moses M. Bane 15
Quartermaster William Keal 21
Lieutenant Colonel William Swarthout 40
Adjutant Theodore W. Letton
10S
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas W. Gaines 198
Chaplain Mathen M. Bigger 211
Colonel William Hanna 289
Major Horace L. Burnham 376
Surgeon Henry W. Kendall 440
Assistant Surgeon Albert G. Pickett. 454
General Grandville M. Dodge. 481
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Our Charley 24
Map of Battle Field of Shiloh 94
Barricks at Corrinth, Showing Company A. 183
Wounding of N. B. Armstrong, Company F 274
Union Refugees.
285
Allatoona. 296
The Attact on the 30th Iowa 300
On Kennesaw Watching the Battle at Allatoona.
305
Making Corduroy Road 347
Laying Pontoon 352
Rebel Stockade Near Columbia 353
Forager Skirmishing 360
Action at Bentonville 376
382
General Sherman 397
Chuc.a-Luck Hollow
402
Captain McGillicuddy and the Old Flag 420
Lee Has Surrendered
The Lone Grave 574
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INTRODUCTION.
T HE preparation of a history comprising anything like a correct detail of the services of a regiment during nearly four years of marching and battling for the life of the Nation is attended with marked difficulties.
When this work was inaugurated at the re-union of the Fiftieth at Quincy, Ill., in 18SS, more than twenty-three years had elapsed since the last hostile shot had been fired at the flag. And when soon after the great army of blue returned home and took up the lines of peace, but little thought or care was given to the war just closed, or if its memory was called up at all, it was only as a dread visitation of blood and sorrow, of travail and woe. In short duty to country having been fulfilled the duties to home and loved ones became paramount, and as the years came and went much of the soldier life was forgotten or else grew dim in memory.
It was under these circumstances that a committee was appointed with instructions to prepare and publish a regimen- tal history. Without any desire to in the least reflect upon the comrades composing that committee, it is the fact that but lit- tle was accomplished by it, beyond the gathering of some data by its secretary. Virtually, however, nothing was done. At the re-union of the regiment held at Camp Point. Illinois, in 1891, a new committee was organized, with O. H. Coulter, as Chairman and Chas. F. Hubert, Secretary. A plan was adopted which comprised first the raising of a guarantee fund ; second, the price of the book was fixed at two dollars per copy and sub- scriptions were solicited, one dollar to be paid at the time the order was given, the remaining dollar upon delivery of the volume. Thus a fund of several hundred dollars was obtained, and active work begun, which involved not only a mass of cor- respondence with members of the regiment in which especial interest was urged in behalf of the undertaking, but the gath- ering of data from every source at command. The response
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
to the urgent appeals of the committee for assistance was, to say the least, disappointing, and often the out look was dark and uninviting. The committee, however, happily recognized the importance of a beginning, and so a contract was entered into for the printing of the work and the first few chapters were written, set up and submitted as a sample, the recep- tion of which was highly encouraging. From the very in- ception of the undertaking it was resolved that the history should contain nothing that would in the least justly offend the name or memory of any member of the regiment, living or dead, and the purpose was equally well defined that the adven- tures, marches and battles through which the regiment had passed should be held as nearly as possible to the fact.
If there should be criticism upon the part of comrades that the history is guilty of omission in not recounting many in- teresting scenes and incidents in which the regiment participated . the committee offers in defense the simple fact that a complete account of each days service would swell the history of the Fiftieth into volumes, for this was not a holiday regiment, its service was not in the rear and within safe lines, but always at the front and often upon the extreme edge of danger. If any comrade feels that he has been slighted, or that some deed of bravery by his fallen comrade has been passed over without notice, let him be gentle in his judgment for upon second thought he will find that he is largely to blame, for the call was made upon him as upon all, from the least to the greatest, for whatever information they were posessed and willing to furnish in order that full credit and glory might be given.
So with all its imperfections this story of devotion to country and flag is submitted. The labor in its creation has indeed been a labor of love. With reverence due to their great sacrifice have the names of our beloved dead been embalmed on the pages now committed to the future, and in the same spirit, impelled by the same high minded purpose as moulded the dear old "Blind Half Hundred" into one of the best regiments Illinois sent to battle, the committee closes its trust, know- ing that the men who made the name of this proud and loyal
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8
HISTORY OF THE
regiment to shine as the stars in the firmament, and their descendants, will ever stand at the out-post of freedom's citadel, faithful sentinels for liberty and law.
Col. M. M. BANE, Col. WILLIAM HANNA and Lieut. J. W. ANDERSON, Members Ex-officio.
Ó. H. COULTER, C. F. HUBERT, G. S. BARTELLS, S. E. HEWES, F. C. WARD, Committee.
The undersigned deem it but just to add to the above in- troduction the sense of their high appreciation for the able and efficient services of Comrades O. H. Coulter and Charles F. Hubert.
As Chairman of the committee Comrade Coulter by the exercise of his skill and energy and often at his own expense forced this undertaking to a successful issue.
Comrade Hubert, as secretary has practically given three years to this work. His correspondence has run up into hun- dreds, if not thousands of letters, and he has without regard to personal comfort or expense employed every means at his com- mand whereby material for the history could be obtained. Every page, every incident of camp; march or battle has been examined, criticised, corrected and revised by him, and in a spirit that may be justly tormed heroic he has so fulfilled his duty as to merit the high approval of his country as well as of his comrades.
J. W. ANDERSON, M. M. BANE, WILLIAM HANNA, Members Ex-officio. G. S. BARTELLS, S. E. HEWES, F. C. WARD, Committee.
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CHAPTER I.
N TO one man in the country was more responsible for the sentiments and conditions prevailing at the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion than John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina. It was his forceful and persistent efforts which so changed the sentiments of the people of the south, and especially of his own state, as to make it possible to defy the Federal authorities. and denounce the authority of Congress as was done during the notorious nullification agitation in 1832. It required such a brave and determined man as President An- drew Jackson, with threat to hang Calhoun, to avert the crisis which was then upon the government.
But the seeds of nullification and states rights were sown in the minds of the people who were over jealous at the pros- perous prospects of the busy Northern people. Contemporane- ously was the growing agitation of the slavery question, with the famous Dred Scott decision. in which Judge Taney affirmed that negroes were not citizens, and that Congress had no power under the constitution to forbid slavery in the territories, and that "negroes have no rights which the white man is bound to respect." The south was being wrought upon by the hot head- ed politicians and the dealers who were reaping fortunes out of the slave traffic. No story was too preposterous to be told about what the anti-slavery advocates would do should they succeed in freeing the slaves: prejudice was so wrought upon as
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10
HISTORY OF THE
to quickly germinate the seeds of treason and secession so in- dustriously scattered over the fair Southland by Calhoun and his followers. "John Brown of Ossawattomie," had boldly seiz- ed the government arsenal at Harper's Ferry, and with a hand- ful of men had fortified himself therein, hoping to be joined by an army of slaves from that region, whom he would arm and set to fighting for their own freedom. His effort proved that, as with Lopez in his descent upon Cuba, those whom he would help did not look with favor upon his bold scheme, and after a short encounter with the government forces, in which ten of his men were killed and he several times wounded, he was fore- ed to surrender, was tried by a Virginia court and executed by Gov. Wise. at Charlestown.
But the John Brown incident only served to crystalize :sentiment both in the south and in the north, and when in 1860 the "sectional president," as Lincoln was called in the south, was found to be elected, the leaders of the south made hasty preparations to put into effect their loud threats of secession. Men were busily engaged all over the south organizing, arming and drilling; public meetings were of daily occurrence, at which the doctrines of Calhoun were loudly advocated ; army officers of southern birth resigned and offered their services to the proposed "confederacy"; ordinances of secession were hur- riedly passed by many of the southern states; government property, arsenals and arms in those states were forcibly seized ; the "Confederate States of America" proclaimed an indepen- ·dent government, with Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, as presi- ·dent.
This was the situation when President Lincoln was in- ducted into his office, March 4th, 1861. He and his friends hoped to avert war, and thought to bring the rebellious element back into the Union. In that hope the government at Wash- ington failed to inaugurate any definite policy. leaving all things in doubt. On the other hand the rebels had been and were very active, getting men and munitions of war in readi- ness, by seizing in January 1861, Fort Macon, at Beaufort, S. C. The United States works at Wilmington. The U. S. arsenal at
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
Taylorville. Forts Caswell and Johnson, in North Carolina. Forts Pulaski and Jackson, and the arsenal at Savannah, Ga., Fort Morgan and the arsenal at Mobile, Ala., Forts St. Phillip. Jackson and Pike. the Custom House and Mint at New Orleans. The arsenal at Baton Rouge, Banancas and the U. S. Navy Yard in Florida, and the arsenal at Augusta, Ga.
Active hostilities began on April 12th, when Beauregard. who had command of the rebel troops at Charleston, S. C., be- gan the bombardment of Fort Sumpter, which after sustaining a heavy fire for thirty-four hours, was forced to surrender. The little band of sixty-four loyal men under Major Anderson and Captain Abner Doubleday, fired a salute of fifty guns to the flag before hauling it down, and were then permitted to march out and board a steamer for the north, taking with them every article of private property as well as their arms and flags.
The bombardment and surrender of Fort Sumpter went through the north like an electric shock. The sturdy, placid people of that section viewed with more amusement than alarm the bombast and wild threats of the leaders of the south, and the secession ordinances of the states, together with their provisional governments, were looked upon as parts of an extensive bluff. The audacity of the leaders in in- citing the rougher classes to commit all kinds of outrages against people of anti-slavery sentiments, had long been a com- mon affair, and these warlike incidents were believed to be but the indications of a more energetic policy in this direction.
But the firing upon the flag at Sumpter woke the north from its lethargy ; indignation rapidly succeeded astonishment. and before the surrender of Anderson's little band, the whole north was aglow with a fire of Patriotism never before known nor equalled. The news of the fall of Fort Sumpter found the citizens all through the north assembled in mass meetings, in which party lines were in a moment obliterated. These meet- ings resolved themselves into "war meetings," and before the smoke had cleared away from the dark and battered walls of Sumpter, companies were organized and the wires were busy with the tenders of men and money to meet the treasonable
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HISTORY OF THE
uprising against the government. The call for 75,000 was twice filled before it was formally made. Never was there known among men such a spontaneous uprising ; men left every known station and avocation in life, eager to meet and overcome the hosts of treason.
The belief that a sixty days campaign would wipe out the disorder prevailed at Washington, and rested in the heart of the loyal people. But whether for short or for long. Illinois responded gloriously, and her sons went forth marching and shouting for flag and country. Scarce a month. however, had passed ere it had become a settled fact that a long. grievious and bloody war was at hand to be fought out to a conclusion, at great expense of life and treasure.
Illinois on the 12th of April. 1861, was possessed of a population of over one-and-a-half millions. She was rapidly springing forward to the first among the states, not only in population but as well in the intelligence, loyalty and bravery of her people, and in her vast resources of wealth. Crowned with splendid possibilities. In all those resources which go to make up a great state she stood second to no other state in the Union, and when on the 12th of April, 1861. the hosts of trea- son assaulted the flag of the Union. Illinois, though hoping for peace, was prepared for war so far as men were concerned. ; She had no munitions of war, she had no supplies ready at hand for an army in the field. she had no army, not even the skeleton of an organization, but she had hundreds and thousands of men as noble as ever marched or braved the dangers of a battle, who were ready, as were the minute men of old, to spring at the call to the defense of the imperilled nation, its assaulted majesty and power.
On the 15th of April. 1861. the following dispatch was sent to him, who was forever after to be known and loved as the Great War Governor :
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 15th, 1861.
HIS EXCELLENCY, RICHARD YATES :
Call made upon you by to-night's mail for six regiments of militia for immediate service.
SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.
Immediate compliance in letter and spirit was had. The legislature was called in special session and at once orders were issued for the raising of the six regiments called for. The res- ponse was as grand as the purpose was noble. Within a week ten regiments had perfected an organization and were ready for orders.
On the 19th of April the sixth Massachusetts marching through Baltimore were assailed by a mob and a number killed and wounded, and on the same day Governor Yates received or- ders from Washington to send a brigade of troops under a Brig- adier General. to Cairo, Illinois. In May, 1861, another call for three hundred thousand troops was issued by the President, for three years or during the war, and on the 22d of July fol- lowing, congress then in session, authorized the President to call into service five hundred thousand troops. and on the 28d of July the following correspondence took place :
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, July 23d, 1861.
HON. SIMON CAMERON,
Secretary of War.
SIR :- Being advised that you are receiving tenders of additional troops, I desire to tender you for Illinois, thirteen additional regiments of Infantry, most of them now ready for rendezvous, three additional regiments of Cavalry, and one additional battallion of Light Artillery.
Illinois demands the right to do her full share in the work of preserving our glorious Union from the assaults of high handed rebellion, and I insist that you respond favorably to the tender I have made.
RICHARD YATES.
On the same day, and in response to the patriotic de- mand made by Illinois, through her grand Governor, the fol- lowing dispatch was sent from Washington :
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HISTORY OF THE
WAR DEPARTMENT, July 25th, 1861.
GOVERNOR:
I have telegraphed to-day accepting your patriotic offer of thirtsen addi- tional regiments of infantry, three additional regiments of cavalry and one ad- ditional battallion of artillery, advising you that if you so desire you can provide for and equip them if you can do so with advantage, as respects economy and dispatch, It is absolutely necessary that the officers should be capable and reli. able men, and to this end the department wishes it understood that it will re- voke the commission of all officers who may be found incompetent for com. mand. You will please telegraph immediately to the Adjutant General at Wash. ington, where and when these troops will be ready to be mustered into service, in order that an officer may be detailed for that duty without delay.
I appreciate the patriotic spirit of your people as evinced in your noble offer, and doubt not that they will prove equal to every demand that may be made upon them in behalf of the preservation of our Glorious Union.
I am, Governor, with high respect,
Your obedient servant, SIMON CAMERON. Secretary of War. Under this authority the offer made by Governor Yates, was at once filled. and the following regiments mustered into service for three years :
32d Col. John Logan.
26th Col. Loomis. 27th Col. Buford. 38th Col. Carlin. 28th Col. Johnson. 43d Col. Paith.
29th Col. Reardon. 45th Col. Davis. 30th Col. Fouke. 48th Col. Haynie.
31st Col. John A. Logan.
19th Col. Morrow.
50th Col. Bane.
Also the Third. Sixth and Seventh Cavalry.
COL. MOSES M. BANE.
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CHAPTER II. 1
Organization of Adams County Regiment-Rendezvous at Camp Wood-First Experiences as a Soldier-Mustered into the United States Service-Draw- ing Uniforms-The Old Harper's Ferry Muskets-Disgust of the Men- Having their Pictures Taken.
U NDER the call of President Lincoln for 500,000 men to en- list for three years, or during the war, in suppressing the rebellion, it was decided to raise one regiment of men from Adams County. Illinois, to be known as the Adams Coun- ty regiment.
Hon. K. K. Jones, editor of the Whig-Republican. of Quincy. Dr. M. M. Bane, Col. Morris and C. A. Warren were the moving spirits in the work and they. with others, held meetings in various parts of the county for the purpose of creating inter- est and enthusiasm in the work. Provisional companies had already been organized at Beverly, Kingston. Liberty, Quincy and other points in the county, and the officers and men of these companies attended the meetings and assisted greatly in promoting the cause.
In the latter part of July the officers and men of these organizations, or provisional companies, decided, if they would accept a regiment from Adams county. that they would form a part of it, and in accordance therewith mado arrangements to rendezvous at Quincy on the 15th of August, or as soon as the War Department had signified that their service would be accepted.
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HISTORY OF THE
On August 2nd. O. H. Browning, who was in Washington, notified K. K. Jones, by wire, that the War Department had authorized Governor Yates to accept all regiments offering their services and that the Adams county regiment would be accept- able no doubt. The next day he wired as follows :
WASHINGTON, D. C., Aug. 3. 1861.
To K. K. JosEs, Quincy, Ill ..
Regiment accepted. Be ready in fifteen days,
O. H. BROWNING.
This was the word that had been looked for and set eve- rybody to work. The disastrous battle of Bull Run had just been fought and the country awakened to the fact that war was not the plaything that it had been regarded by many up to that time. Nowhere was there a more determined spirit that the rebellion must be suppressed, at any hazzard, than in Adams county, that had set out to send one entire regiment into the field. Recruiting was pushed with vigor, everywhere in the county. By the 13th of August several companies had rendez- voused at Quincy. and others had gone into camp in the imme- diate vicinity of their organization, awaiting further orders. Subsequently these orders came for them to assemble at Quincy. and by the 20th seven companies had gone into camp, which had been designated Camp Wood. and located on the high blutf . one and a half miles from the public square in Quincy, and overlooking Quiney Bay, just west of where the Illinois State Soldier's and Sailor's Home is now located.
Dr. M. M. Bane, by general consent. took command of the camp, though the details of assigning the companies, as they came into camp, the placing of matters in shape for regi- mental organization. and many other matters of importance. were performed and successfully carried out by Wm. Swarthout. who afterwards became Lieut. Colonel of the regiment.
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Camp life had now begun for the Adams county boys, who had started out with the fixed determination of doing their share in the great war drama, that had but barely com- menced and in which they were destined to play an important part before the curtain rung down.
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
The noisy drums were never a moment late in rousing the camp at six o'clock reveille. Drowsy, half dressed men would turn out in double rank in front of their quarters to an- swer to their names at roll call.
The Orderly Sergeants were very careful to see that every man answered "here," or. if he failed to answer, and his absence was not accounted for, or he was not on duty, away he would go to the guard house, or be put on "double duty," cleaning up the camp. etc. Orderly Sergeants were greatly feared by the Adams county boys-in the early days of their service.
Then came breakfast-breakfast, with its black coffee without cream from the spring house, which those farmer boys had been used to all their lives. Bakers' bread without butter, instead of Mother's good old "salt risin'" spread with butter fresh from "old brindle's" milk. A few days of such life and many an Adams county boy felt that sleeping in a feather bed was preferable to sleeping on the ground, or on a plank, and there were many longings for home and its comforts.
The first days. or weeks in camp, was by all soldiers, "sorter tryin" on their patriotism; a kind of cooling of their ardor. or desire to clean out Jeff. Davis and his horde in a couple of weeks. But they soon got used to their surroundings: their homesickness wore off and they were as well contented as though they were at home. The Adams county boys lived to see the time, many of them, when life at Camp Wood was re- garded as a huge pienie as compared with their after experi- ence.
On September 4th notice was received in camp that a Chaplain had been appointed for the regiment. This was im- portant information, as a large majority of the Adams county regiment. as it was yet called. were religious men-as yet, and the advent of a Chaplain, a preacher, officially charged to look after their welfare, was anticipated with the same anxiety that the early pioneers of Adams county looked forward to the com- ing of the circuit rider. A great many of the regiment were already acquainted with the Chaplain, Rev. Matthew M. Bigger
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