Complete history of the 46th regiment, Illinois volunteer infantry, a full and authentic account of the participation of the regiment in the battles, sieges, skirmishes and expeditions in which it was engaged, Part 23

Author: Jones, Thomas B., 1841-; Dornblaser, Benjamin, 1828-1905
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: [Freeport, Ill., W. H. Wagner & sons, printers]
Number of Pages: 844


USA > Illinois > Complete history of the 46th regiment, Illinois volunteer infantry, a full and authentic account of the participation of the regiment in the battles, sieges, skirmishes and expeditions in which it was engaged > Part 23


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On the 28th of November we moved camp to Camp Cowan, near Clear Creek, nine miles from Vicksburg. Here the construction of comfortable log barracks was immediately commenced and soon completed, making it one of the most pleasant and comfortable camps it had ever been our good for- tune to occupy.


About the time our barracks were completed General Orders No. 191, A. G. O., Washington, D. C., relating to re-enlisting Veteran Volunteers was received. Vigorous measures were at once adopted by the officers of the regiment to re-enlist the same as a veteran regiment. The enlisted men came forward with great unanimity and promptness. On the 4th of Janu- ary, 1864, three-fourths of the regiment was mustered into the service of the United States for three years or during the war, by Lieut. C. W. G. Hyde, A. C. M., 4th Division, 17th Army Corps, and on the 10th of January Gen. McPherson ordered the regiment to proceed to Vicksburg and em- bark on the Steamer "Planet," then awaiting us.


On the evening of the 11th the regiment was paid by Major Stewart on board of the boat, and the next day at nine and a half o'clock a. m., the regiment, numbering twenty officers and three hundred and thirty-four enlisted men, left Vicksburg for the North to enjoy a thirty days' furlough and to fill up the regiment if possible.


The river as far up as Napoleon, Arkansas, was full of floating ice, which greatly impeded our progress. We passed Napoleon at six o'clock 3. m. on the 15th, Helena at two o'clock and fifteen minutes on the 16th, arriving at Memphis on the same evening at nine o'clock. Left Memphis on the 17th at six o'clock p. m., and arrived at Cairo, Illinois, on the 20th at 11 o'clock a. m. Col. Dornblaser at once telegraphed to Col. Allen C. Fuller, Adjutant General, at Springfield, Illinois, who ordered us to pro- ceed direct to Freeport, Illinois, as our place of rendezvous.


By reason of want of railroad transportation, the regiment was obliged to remain on the boat until noon of the 22nd, when it proceeded by special train on the Illinois Central R. R. to Freeport, Illinois, where it arrived at half past twelve o'clock p. m. on the 23rd of January. The citizens of Freeport and vicinity gave the regiment a most hearty and enthusiastic reception, which will ever be remembered gratefully by every officer and soldier of the 46th.


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After marching through some of the principal streets of the city, and listening to some eloquent welcoming speeches, the regiment stacked arms in the streets and entered Plymouth Hall, where a most sumptuous repast awaited them, prepared by the fair ladies of Freeport and vicinity. When the boys' appetites were appeased, they again fell into line and marched to the barracks on the fair ground one mile west of the city. Adjutant Woodbury had gone direct to Springfield from Cairo to procure the furlough for the men. He arrived at Freeport on the 26th and on the 27th the whole regiment was furloughed for thirty days, when it would again assemble at Camp Freeport.


Recruiting stations were established and recruiting officers appointed in Lee, Ogle, Whiteside and Stephenson Counties, and the work of filling up the regiment vigorously commenced with flattering prospects of success.


The regiment had thus far made a name for itself of which it felt proud, and the noble State in which it in part represents has never been dishonored by it. When it again returned to the field with full ranks, it added still brighter lustre to its name, and continued as heretofore to be an honor to the State.


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PART SECOND.


From the 27th of January till the 1st of March, the officers and men of the regiment vied with each other in laudable efforts to fill up the same. The nine old companies were mostly filled up, and Capt. Crane of Freeport, Illinois, had recruited and organized a new company ("D,") for the regi- ment by authority of the War Department.


On the 2nd day of March the regiment left Freeport with an aggregate of 987 men, and proceeded to Cairo, Illinois, by rail, thence to Vicksburg, Miss., by boat ; thence to Camp Hebron, ten miles east from Vicksburg, and re-joined the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 17th Army Corps. From March 10th until April 5th, the regiment was vigorously drilled and fitted for active service in the field. On the latter date the Brigade marched to Big Black Bridge, twelve miles east from Vicksburg, and reported to Brig. Gen. E. S. Dennis, commanding. April 25th the regiment moved by rail to Vicksburg, and encamped near Battery Ransom, northeast of the city, doing garrison duty. May 4th we started on an expedition to Benton and Yazoo City, Miss., commanded by Brig. Gen. John McArthur, and returned to camp at Vicksburg on the 21st of May.


REPORT OF THE EXPEDITION.


Headquarters 1st Brigade Yazoo Expedition, Vicksburg, Miss., May 22nd, 1864.


Captain W. F. Randall :


Assistant Adjutant General.


Captain :- I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this Brigade in the Yazoo expedition :


At five o'clock a. m. of the 4th inst., the 1st Brigade, consisting of the 46th Illinois Infantry, Lieut. Col. John J. Jones commanding, and the 76th Illinois Infantry, Col. Samuel T. Busey commanding, left camp and pro- ceeded via Jackson road to Hebron, Mechanicsville and Benton, which we reached on the 7th. The enemy seemed disposed to dispute our possesion of the place. The 1st Brigade marching in the rear was ordered up, leaving two companies with the train, and formed by your order in a field east of the town and in the rear of the 124th Illinois Infantry of the 2nd Brigade. The enemy, however, soon fled before our advance and left our troops in quiet possession of the place.


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On the morning of the 8th Gen. McArthur went to Yazoo City to com- municate with General Slocum at Vicksburg, leaving me in command during his absence. At about two o'clock p. m. of the 9th, a scout reported the enemy advancing in a large force on the Lexington road. I at once formed my Brigade and Bolton's Battery on that road and requested Col. Coats of the 2nd Brigade to form it on the Canton road, which was prompt- ly done. Major Mumford with his 5th Illinois Cavalry dismounted, passed around my left, deployed as skirmishers and drove the enemy across to the old Lexington road, from which a few well directed shots from Bolton's Battery drove them pell-mell into the timber beyond the field. Major Cook of the 3rd U. S. Cavalry, (colored) with a portion of his command, also drove to the shelter of the woods a small force of the enemy who were advancing via Pickett's plantation towards the right of my Brigade. After posting a strong picket, I ordered the troops to camp.


On the morning of the 12th, I was ordered by General McArthur to re- main at Benton to guard the approaches by the Lexington road with the 1st Brigade and one section of Bolton's Battery, whilst he with the other troops went to Moore's Ferry, on the Big Black, via the Canton road, on a recon- naissance, returning the same day. At five o'clock A. M., on the 13th, the expedition started for Vaughan's Station on the Mississippi Central Rail- road, the Ist Brigade in the advance. The cavalry advance encountered the enemy at Luce's plantation, five miles southeast from Benton. I ordered the 76th Illinois forward to support a section of artillery commanded by


Lieut. Nichols, who, together with a line of skirmishers from the 76th Illinois Infantry, drove the enemy from their position. The column then moved forward in its regular order of march along the road about one and a half miles, when the enemy was again found posted in a strong position with three pieces of artillery. I at once pushed my Brigade forward to an open field, forming the 76th on the left and the 46th Illinois Infantry on the right of the road, throwing forward two companies each as skirmishers, while at the same time Lieut. Nichols, with a section of artillery posted on the right of the road near the timber, opened a vigorous and well directed fire upon the rebels' battery, which was soon silenced and compelled to retreat. I then moved forward in a line of battle with skirmishers well advanced -- expecting to encounter the enemy at any moment -- fully a mile to the plantation houses where I halted to await orders. The General com- manding, finding the enemy gone, permitted the troops to rest and refresh themselves after their weary march.


After a halt of an hour and a half, the column again moved forward to within two miles of Vaughan's Station and encamped for the night, the enemy making but a feeble resistance to our advance. On the 14th we moved via Decenville to Benton, and on the 15th to Yazoo City, where we


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remained until the morning of the 18th, when we proceeded via Liverpool, Sartatia and Haine's Bluffs to camp at Vicksburg, where we arrived at ten o'clock a. m., having marched over two hundred miles.


The only casualty I have to report in my command, is that of Sergeant Eells, company "D," 46th Illinois Infantry, who was killed on the morning of the 14th while acting as a scout, for which he was well suited, and in which capacity he had rendered much valuable service.


Although the march was a long one and rendered wearisome by the heat and dust, but very few complaints were heard, and whenever a fight was expected every man was found in his place ready and eager for the fray.


The officers of this command, including my personal staff, are entitled to great praise for the able and prompt discharge of every duty devolving upon them.


1 have the honor to be, Sir, Very Respectfully, your Obe't Serv't, B. DORNBLASER, Col. Commanding Brigade.


The regiment remained quietly in camp, drilling and performing picket and camp duty until the 1st of July, when it went out with another expe- dition, commanded by Major General Slocum.


REPORT OF THE JACKSON EXPEDITION.


Headquarters 2nd Brig. 4th Div., 17th A. C., Vicksburg, Miss., July 13, 1861.


Capt. W. E. Kuhn.


A. A. A. Gen'l, 1st Div., 17th A. C.


Captain :- I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this Brigade in the late expedition to Jackson, Miss., and return.


In compliance with orders from Brig. Gen. E. S. Dennis, commanding 1st Division, the Brigade consisting of the 46th Illinois Infantry, Lieutenant Col. Jones commanding, and the 76th Illinois Infantry, Col. Samuel T. Busey commanding, left camp at 3 A. M. on the 1st instant, and pro- ceeded to Big Black Bridge, where we had to await supplies and the build- ing of a pontoon bridge across Big Black. Left Big Black on the morning of the third, and reached Clinton on the 4th inst. at noon, meeting with but little opposition from the enemy. During the afternoon quite a large force of rebels took a position about one and one half miles east of Clinton, on the Jackson road, and made several sallies on the pickets.


Early on the morning of the 5th inst., the enemy was encountered by the advance, and driven back to within three and a half miles of Jackson, when they made a stand, using several pieces of artillery with great skill


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and accuracy. The 76th and five companies of the 11th Illinois Infantry , guarded the train. Col. Coates moved his Brigade by a circuitous route to the left to gain the enemy's flank. At the same time, by Gen. Slocum's order, I moved the 40th and four pieces of artillery commanded by Lieut. Moore, through a thick belt of timber, on the left of the Jackson road, thereby gaining a commanding position, and by a few well directed shots from the Battery, drove what was left of the enemy, from the ground. I advanced with the force at my command and occupied the Rebel position without further opposition. After resting several hours to enable the other troops to come up, the Brigade marched into Jackson in splendid order and encamped on the south side of the city.


At four P. M., of the 6th, the troops left Jackson on the same road they came; the cavalry in advance followed by this brigade. Near the junction of the Clinton and Canton roads, three miles from Jackson, and near where the enemy was posted the day before, they were discovered advancing in heavy force, evidently with the intention of gaining a position to prevent us leaving by this route. Major Mumford, with his cavalry, attacked them with great spirit. and held them in check until this Brigade could be brought up to his support. Forming the 16th Illinois Infantry on the right of the Canton road and the 76th Illinois Infantry on the left, with Lieut. Nichols' section of Artillery in the center, I advanced under a heavy fire about a half a mile. Here Lieut. Nichols posted his section, supported by the 76th and opened a vigorous fire upon the enemy ; while the 16th moved for- ward and took a position on a hill farther in advance, and within short range of the enemy's line. A brisk fire was kept up on both sides until darkness closed the work. During the engagement Capt. Clingman of A. Co., 46th Illinois Infantry, was severely wounded through the leit arm. Lieut. Moore made repeated attempts to plant his section of Artillery in advance near the 40th, but found every prominent point so completely commanded by the sharp-shooters that he was compelled reluctantly to withdraw. After posting a strong picket, I ordered the brigade back to a less exposed po- sition and cucamped for the night.


Next morning at four o'clock, by order of Major Gen. Slocum, I moved the brigade across a field in a northwesterly direction to take possession of a house held by the enemy on the previous evening, to enable our train to pass out on the Clinton road. The leading regiment, the 76th Illinois, had advanced but a short distance beyond our position of the previous evening when it was brought to a stand by a heavy force of the enemy strongly posted in a ditch behind a hedge, from whence they poured into our ranks a murderous fire. Finding that the enemy's front extended beyond either flank. I formed the 40th on the right of the 76th and advanced a line of skirmishers along my whole front. In this position with Lieut. Moore's section of Artillery in rear of the 76th Illinois Infantry, the Brigade kept the enemy fully engaged over two hours, until the train had safely passed.


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The Sth Illinois Infantry, posted a short distance on the left of this !: gade, received orders and had moved out to follow the train before I had received a similar order, which enabled the enemy to throw a large force on our left. The 76th moved off by the left flank under shelter of a rail fence, which at the same time concealed the enemy. With great presence of mind, Lieut. Col. C. C. Jones, of the 76th Illinois Infantry, ordered his men to fire on them as soon as their position was discovered, and drove them back in confusion. The 46th changed its front and charged across the field under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry to the shelter of the woods, and then marched out upon the road to the next hill, where they were again vigor- ously shelled by the enemy. The 76th, after repulsing the enemy, moved directly to the road exposed to heavy fire, and soon after joined the brigade.


The column moved forward with but little further opposition, until within about two miles of Clinton, where the enemy charged our rear and were repulsed with great loss, by the 11th Illinois Infantry, commanded by Capt. Vore and Lieut. Moore's section of Artillery. The 46th was ordered to support the 11th, but reached the ground only in time to fire a volley after the retreating foe. The 46 !!: Illinois then relieved the 11th as rear guard, which position it held alternately with the 76th and 8th Illinois Infantry during the day. The enemy were seen several times during the day drawn up in line, but they evidently thought "discretion the better part of valor," and wisely kept out of range.


We arrived in camp at Vicksburg on the 9th without further annoyance.


It is with pride and pleasure that I refer to the conduct of the officers and soldiers of my command, many of whom were for the first time under fire. Not one left the ranks or flinched from duty during the engagement, unless compelled to do so from wounds or exhaustion. It is enough to say of them that every man did his whole duty. The field and line officers were all at their posts and did their duty so well that a few cannot be mentioned without doing manifest injury to the others.


To Lieut. Col. Sheetz and his noble regiment, the 8thi Illinois Infantry, I am under great obligations for relieving my regiments as rear guards, after they had become so completely exhausted from long continued fight- ing and marching as to be almost unable to proceed further. Lieuts. Moore and Nichols of Bolton's Battery, are deserving of much credit for the able wanner in which they handled their respective sections while with this brigade.


Of my personal staff, Lieuts. Woodbury, Arnold, Hughes and Seizicks, I cannot speak in too high terms of praise. Prompt in the discharge of every duty, fearless of danger, they communicated every order with such coolness and precision that they could not fail to be understood.


The list of casualties in this brigade has been forwarded.


Very respectfully your Obe't Servt,


B. DORNBLASER, Colonel Commanding Brigade.


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ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.


The casualties in the regiment were as follows, viz: Killed, three; wounded, thirty-six ; captured, one; missing, three; total loss, forty-five. Our wounded received but little care until our arrival at Big Black. Here their wounds were carefully dressed and every attention possible given to them. During the night of the 8th of July, the sick and wounded were re- moved to the hospital at Vicksburg, and on the 9th, the troops marched to their camps'in the city.


The wounded of the command that fell into the hands of the enemy were very kindly treated, so much so that it was spoken of in the highest terms of praise by the wounded men, and as soon as they were able an amicable exchange of prisoners was appointed. The ceremony of exchange took place just outside the old fortifications of the city and was the occasion of much good feeling among the prisoners.


July 21st, Maj. Gen. Blair's General Order No. 5 was received, or- ganizing the 1st Division, 17th Army Corps, the 2nd Brigade of which was composed of the 11th, 40th and 76th Regiments of Illinois Infantry, and Col. Dornblaser of the 46th placed in command.


July 29th, the 46th, together with the 76th Illinois Infantry, embarked on board the steamer "Adams" and proceeded down the Mississippi river to Morganza Bend, La. The division encamped on the river bank and con- structed shades and arbors for shelter from the burning sun. Drill and picket was the order, the latter of which was a very necessary as well as a rather delicate duty at times, from the fact that the enemy made frequent raids upon our picket lines from their camps on the Atchafalaya.


On the night of the 8th of August, Lieut. Col. Jones and two hundred men of the 46th went out on a scout and captured twelve gay and festive rebels who, not dreaming of danger, fell asleep into the hands of the blue coats, and were brought into camp on the 9th.


On the 13th of August, General Canby's order No. 93 was promulgated, assigning the regiment to the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 19th Army Corps. The brigade to consist of the 8th, 11th, 46th and 76th Regiments of Illi- nois Infantry, and the 7th and 30th Missouri Infantry, and to be com- manded by Col. B. Dornblaser, of the 46th Illinois Infantry, General Den- nis to command the Division, and General Reynolds the Corps.


Lieut. I. A. Arnold and Lieut. H. H. Woodbury were placed on the brigade staff, the former as A. A. Q. M., and the latter A. A. A. Gen.


The Division was ordered to embark on transports on the 23d of August and proceed to Port Hudson, La., where it arrived on the morning of the 24th. See report.


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Headquarters 1st Brig. 2d Div., 19th A. C.


Morganza, La., August 29th, 1864.


CAPTAIN W. E. KUHN,


A. A. A. Gen. 2nd Div., 19th Army Corps.


Captain :- I have the honor to report that in compliance with orders, this Brigade embarked on steamers on the night of the 23d inst., and pro- ceeded to Port Hudson, La., where it disembarked. On the evening of the 24th inst., at five o'clock P. M., the column moved out in the direction of Clinton, La., the 1st Brigade in advance, supplied with five days' rations and one ammunition wagon to each regiment. The command marched all night, only resting at intervals to enable the column to close up, and arrived at Clinton at noon of the 25th. Small scouting parties of the enemy only were encountered, who fled at our approach.


The troops rested until four o'clock P. M. of the 26th, when the return march was commenced, arriving at Port Hudson on the morning of the 24th, and Morganza on the morning of the 29th.


Port Hudson is distant twenty-five miles from here, and from Port Hudson to Clinton the same. The march was a very hard one and the losses sustained by the Brigade were caused principally by men becoming exhausted by the way and being captured by the enemy, who followed in our rear. The following are the losses of the Brigade : 11th Illinois, three missing ; 46th Illinois, two missing; 76th Illinois, one missing; 30th Mis- souri, two missing.


Respectfully your Obed't Serv't, B. DORNBLASER, Colonel Commanding Brigade.


Orders were received, September 2d, to embark early on the morning of the 3d, with all the camp and garrison equipage of the command. Left Morganza at four A. M. on the 4th; proceeded up the river and arrived at the mouth of White River, Ark., without incident of note, on the 8th of September, and went into camp on a large cotton plantation. The ground was speedily cleared of the luxuriant cotton plant and the camp fitted up in splendid style.


On the 13th of September Chaplain Lewis started with the non-vet- crans of A. B and C, whose term of service had expired. They were to proceed to Springfield, Illinois, to be mustered out of service.


The only incident worthy of note occurring during the stay of the Irgiment at the mouth of White River, was a tremendous storm of wind and rain on the night of the 28th, which leveled every tent and flooded the camp with water. The sudden waking up of over two thousand men to


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find their frail shelters swept away and themselves drenched to the skin by the pouring rain, caused a conglomeration of the most hideous and ludi- crous sounds ever heard or made by man. While some were making frantic, yet vain efforts to hold up their tents against the storm, others-and many officers of both high and low degree-could be seen by the vivid lightning's glare, "scudding under bare poles" froin one demolished shelter to an- other, doomed to a similar fate. A company of men in one portion of the camp would hurrah for McClellan which would be answered from another portion by a shout of a whole regiment for Lincoln. A cheer for Valan- digham or Jeff Davis would be answered by a whole brigade with .curses and groans. Slang phrases, such as "here's your mule," etc., etc., were the common utterances of those in busy search of lost clothing, tents and bag- gage. The incidents of the night furnished a rich theme for ludicrous comment and laughter, which served to while away many tedious hours in camp.


A short distance from camp were numerous ponds or lakes containing large quantities of fine fish, the catching of which furnished much sport. The modus operandi of catching them was novel. Twenty or thirty sol- diers would divest themselves of their clothing, arm themselves with clubs of about four feet in length, form a skirmish line across one end of the lake and advance, beating the water and thus drive the fish before them into the shallow water at the other end of the lake, then woe to the unlucky fish that would show his head, his fate would be sure to be sealed by a blow from a club. In the excitement of the chase many a blow aimed at the head of a fish would descend on the head or back of some unlucky biped of an entirely different species. Such accidents would call forth peals of laughter and the injured party would pass it off in the most philosophical good humor.


On the 6th of October the 1st Brigade, 3d Division, 19th Army Corps, and the 46th Illinois Infantry, all under the command of Lieut. Col. Jones, of the 40th, were ordered to embark, to proceed to Duvall's Bluff, Arkan- sas. They left the mouth of White River at sunrise, October 7th, and ar- rived at Duvall's Bluff on the 9th. The regiment went into camp south of the Landing and commenced building log barracks which they soon com- pleted. The regiment was highly complimented by General C. C. Andrews, commanding Post, for its skill and energy in building such neat and com- fortable barracks in so short a time. At this place the regiment also did much fatigue duty on the fortifications, which were extensive and incom- plete. The wet weather and peculiar character of the soil made their duty very arduous. As an offset for this, however, the large number of deer on the prairies nearby afforded profitable amusement for the sportsmen of the command. who brought in five or six fine deer every day they went out, and one day fourteen were killed and brought into the regiment.




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