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 26
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AS TOLD BY F. M. LOLLAR.
When the command came for the 46th regiment to storm the forti- fications at Blakely, Alabama, April 9th, 1865, company F. climbed out of the "rifle pits" and started on a run. The ground was rough and in jumping off a log my sword scabbard got tangled up with my legs and threw me headlong. Tom Carter said "There, the captain's down," but that was not a time for looking after dead men and Tom hastened on to help get possession of the fort. I picked myself up and got in on time. After the surrender the roll was called and every man in ranks (no casualties) answered promptly, "Here." That was a proud day for Com- pany F.
I have read of men whose lives were saved by a new Testament, watch or other articles, but Fred Shuler's life was probably saved by his "to- bacco." It was some time after he was wounded at Shiloh before Fred thought of his tobacco, and when he took it from his pocket he exclaimed, "By hell, dey shoots my tobaccy."
TOLD BY M. J. WHEELER.
I was left on duty at Grand Ecore, La., with Corporal W. L. Wakefield and two men of Co. I. One day a "Secesh" captain came in and took oc- casion to abuse the Yankees in good fashion. Whereupon a Co. I man picked up a weight, knocked him down and kicked him out of the house.
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We were alone in that part of the country and did not need to remain Inger, and not knowing but trouble might grow out of this affair, hailed the first boat going up the river. The boatmen ignored our signal, where- upon we fired into the boat; and it swung round, we got on board, and were soon with the company at Shreveport.
AN INCIDENT OF THE BATTLE OF HATCHIE.
The enemy had planted a battery, so that it had range of the bridge over the river between our troops and themselves. The officers, I remem- ber, tried to get a new regiment to cross the river to charge this battery, but when they were under fire, they failed them, and it became necessary to call upon more seasoned troops. The orders to us to take their place came from some officer who had not been in the custom of bringing them, a change having been made in the division commanders, and, on this ac- count, our officers did not know them and failed by some misunderstand- ing to issue the order. When the officer returned to headquarters and re- ported that he could do nothing with the 46th, Capt. Fox said he would undertake the matter. Coming up on the gallop, he issued the orders, and, drawing his sword, led the old 46th across the bridge, which deploying to right and left, charged directly on the enemy, our battery following us on the run. and dismounting two of the enemy's guns before they could get away. I remember as we climbed the stumpy hillside, I fell prostrate over one of the stumps, and I heard Lieut. Shaw say, "There goes Charley," but I was there with the rest when the crest of the hill was reached.
AN INCIDENT OF THE SIEGE OF BLAKELY.
Lieut. Byrne was watching the enemy one afternoon, when we were under fire. and I was so situated that I could see him and he didn't see ":«. He was behind a tree to get the protection of the same, as the sharp- shooters were keeping a close outlook, and it was not safe to be in the open, and no one run such risk, unless it was necessary. The mud was sticky at the time, and it occurred to me that this would be a chance to play a good joke upon the lieutenant. So I rolled together a number of clay balls, and. when the lieutenant was not looking, I would spot the tree he was behind with one of the clay pellets I had made, and it was famous to see him dodge. he thinking that the enemy had located him behind the !ree. It was some time before he discovered the trick I was playing on him, and, when he did, he said. "You little rascal." We used to laugh over it afterward, but at the time the lieutenant couldn't sce the joke.
Charles Boyd, Sergeant Co. F.
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FROM COMPANY G.
I have been asked to contribute something as a member of the 46th. I do not wish to boast of anything and thereupon will devote a little space in reference to the Guard House. At Camp Butler, in the early part of our service, .the guard house, which, properly speaking, was a tent set aside for the use of the guards, who were detailed to do duty at the camp; for the accommodation of the soldiers during their term of twenty-four hours, as shelter from the sun and storm, and the headquarters and resting place for those relieved from duty. The guards were divided into three reliefs, first, second, and third, two hours on duty and four off. It was the designated place for the officer of the guard and his list of non-commis- sioned officers, who were assigned to do duty under direction of the con- missioned officer in charge for the day.
Here in the morning, at about 9 A. M., the pompous ceremony, known as mounting the guard, participated in by the Adjutant, Sergeant Major, and the officers of the incoming and outgoing guards, and was a very dig- nified and important affair. Here the soldier was required to pay the strictest attention to every instruction, for on this in after service de- pended the fate of war. At their headquarters, there was, in many in- stances, another tent for the use and accommodation of the fellow who forgot to secure a pass to leave the camp and for the fellow who forgot to obey or for conduct unbecoming a soldier, and in fact for all cases of mis- demeanor. Of the latter little tent I was familiar. I do not wish to boast that I was the first to experience the comforts and soothing shelter of this small tent, nor that I was the advance guard honored by being the only one there, why, my good friends, all the other companies in the regiment were represented and I with the others accepted the good intention of the officers to do us good. Why, one good boy of Company B felt a little resentful and said that if his mother knew how the officers were treating him she would give them the devil. This same imprudent tell- tale gave the information to the officers. Oli, Great Scott! there was a re- laxation all along the line from right to left. I can't say positively that this threat was the cause, but the guard tent was well represented at different times and did not cease to be an addition to the guard tent proper during the service.
While at Memphis, Tenn., the attractions to visit the beautiful city were irresistable. A pass for three out of a company at one time was the limit. And how could seventy-five or more men wait their turn in order to see and mingle in the big city with all of its attractions! What was the use of a small tent to confine the transgressors. Those fellows that had shoulderstraps and were not afraid of our mothers constructed a guard house of railroad iron or rails built up about five feet high. On the top the
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rails covered the whole space, placed together, on top of these cross rails Hold these in place, and for an entrance a rail was used as a lever to let out one of the rails or more. In this way one guard could take charge of all in confinement, and no danger of any escaping without assistance from the outside, but it was laughable to see some of those big fellows make the entrance after opening the doorway. They ought to have known better as hig as they were. One old comrade asked me if I was ever in the Overton Hospital at Memphis. Why no, I said, but I was in the Irvin block. There are not many now living that remember this place, except a few of Company G., who made several calls there soon after pay day, but to say that Company G were the only ones that put up at the Irvin is preposterous.
FRANK T. WILSON, COMPANY G, LEAVING HOME.
Leaving home is one of the first battles to fight or to overcome for the boys, who constituted the great army for the Union. I know that my leav- ing will not differ much from many others, but the impressions left still remain with me and will be cherished and remembered, as long as life lasts. My experience is that of a young boy, I was fifteen years and five monthis old when I enlisted, October, 1861. I may have forgotten some other things, anniversaries and birth days, but I never have forgotten that October day in 1861, when I left my home to be a soldier.
We arose at dawn that morning as was the custom on the farm. My father excused me from the usual work of doing the chores that morning, saying that they would have to do them alone after that. My mother helped me select some articles of clothing, some writing materials, needles and thread to take along; but I was not interested in what I was to take along, but was thinking more about my home leaving and the dear ones from whom I would soon be separated. Even the domestic animals, the flock of sheep that I cared for and fed, were visited and I thought that morning their wool looked so fine and soft as they gathered around me, expecting something from my hands. I thought the little lambs on the green had never gamboled with such glee as they did that morning. I looked at the hill. where in the Winter there was a coasting place for the boys and girls and where we met Saturday afternoons. I knew they would meet there again and I would not be there for three long years.
I visited the creek where I played in summer time and made the water wheels, and floated out our little toy boats, and caught minnows with hooks made out of pins. The dam was there in which I used to bathe. I went a little further to the forest, where I trapped the quail and rabbits, and on still further until I had a last view of the old school house and play
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ground, but I thought I would not be there, and that my school days would be passed. Next I visited my little sister's grave and thought of the bleak day in winter when we laid her little form away, and how the winter snows covered the little mound next day. I seemed to more fully realize that little May was dead. My long tramp that morning should have given me a good appetite for breakfast, but I could not eat, nor could any of the family. My sister and mother went into another room to hide their tears. These old mothers have nearly all gone, but at the time we hardly realized the intense love they had for their soldier boys. In bidding them good by I could not say a word.
My heart was heavy as I left the old home. When we arrived at Free- port, there was a large crowd, a cannon was booming. flags were flying, bands were playing and processions were marching, but it had no attrac- tions for me. My heart was in that home. I never knew when the noon hour had come and had not thought of it. At about 4 o'clock in the after- noon father came to me and said he was talking to the Captain, who in- formed him the train would not leave until 9 or 10 o'clock that evening and that he could not stay. He gave me a pocket bible and told ine to read it some every day and to be a good soldier and asked God to bless me. I took it but could not say a word. I watched the team as they went up the street and when lost to view I sought a back street and sat down on the outside of the side walk and gave way to my feelings in a flood of tears.
The next four and a half years of my life were spent in the army, and participated in all the battles, sieges and marches with the regiment, and was mustered out Jan. 20, 1866.
But the home leaving, if a sad one, was repaid to me many times over on the home coming with a corresponding degree of joy and gladness. When the news of the surrender of Lee and the confederate army was an- nounced, there were no bounds to the rejoicing and the loud demonstrations by Company G knew no bounds. Anything to make a noise was brought into use; the old camp kettles were beat upon by pieces of wood and for many days the rejoicing continued. In fact, I was looking forward with great anticipation of soon being a inan. for I had attained the age of 19 years and 8 months and had a right to rejoice, for I was nearing my majority.
AS TOLD BY ONE OF COMPANY H.
Pat. Nugent, of Company H, was a son of the Emerald Isle. While at Memphis he often visited the city with permission and many times without a pass, but succeeded in having his canteen filled with good old rye. His step was unsteady and the boys took occasion to tantalize old Pat, which
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had the tendency to make him mad. He would go to his tent, load his gun and start as a sentinel watching for his tormentors. On one occasion, while returning from the city with two canteens filled, he came to the quarters of Company B, where an alignment was waiting to tease him. John Mingle, of Company B, came to his rescue and said, "Now boys, I want you to leave Nugent alone. My name is Nugent," at the same time stepping up to Pat to shake his hand, "my parents came from Ireland when I was a baby." Pat said, "Sure, we are some kin by this time." Mingle was asked by Pat to take a taste, which he did. "Now," said Mingle, "go to your quarters and if the boys disturb you, call on me." Some time about 9 o'clock Pat returned to Company B, making inquiry for Nugent's tent, where Mingle was again permitted to taste the content's of Pat's canteen. Ever afterward he was called Corporal Nugent of Company B.
AS TOLD BY JAMES MCGURK, OF COMPANY K.
About 2 o'clock P. M., on Monday, April 7, when Col. John A. Davis was so severely wounded. Daniel Kinney and I carried him to the rear about ten rods. Wlien assistance came, we placed the Colonel on a blanket and two other comrades aided in taking him back to a log house, where the surgeons were. We were all the time under a heavy fire. A shell from the enemy, which had nearly spent its force, came bounding on the ground. We narrowly escaped by getting out of the line of its course. Many may scout at the statement that a ball could be dodged, but the facts are as stated.
AS TOLD BY JAS. MCGURK, MEMBER COMPANY K.
While occupying the line of the Memphis and Charleston rail road, some 25 mile east of Memphis, and there being no movements of the en- emy, some of the officers of the brigade with the 46th got up a select party and made arrangements to have a pleasant outing one evening at a planter's residence just outside the picket line. Requisition was made on the Quartermaster for supplies necessary, to be furnished at a pleasant gathering of the kind, where a banquet would be had of delicacies furnished by the ladies of the plantation. The secret few, who were invited, gave away the time and place of the social gathering.
After the social time indulged in by the planter's household in the way of music and song. the table was spread, the demijohn placed nearby to furnish the material always indulged in at a southern plantation home ;
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everything was ready to sit down and partake of the repast, when lo, a volley of musketry was heard nearby, then scattering shots and the com- mand to surrender. A break was made for the horses, the guards were ordered to camp; the well spread table was abandoned. Soon in came Company K, with their Captain in command. A large clothes basket was found, into which was placed the supper. Two men carried this, while two more carried the demijohn, containing the old rye.
The Captain of Company K interviewed the officers of the 46th next morning, and all declared that they had a narrow escape.
AS TOLD BY WM. N. CANADAY, A MEMBER OF 8TH IOWA INFANTRY.
After the surrender of Jackson, Mississippi, July, 1863, there was about one ton of ammunition captured by this regiment. Private P. A. Smith, of Company A, generally known now as Pa. Smith, of the Scranton, Ia., Journal, was one of the five men detailed to select what could be used for our own forces and to destroy the remainder. He built a fire about one rod from the pile and proceeded to burn it in small quan- tities, and he was cautioned about the method he was using in handling the ammunition. Being somewhat contrary, he failed to use the precaution in handling the explosives and set fire to the whole lot at once and was immediately elevated into the air, and when he came down, all singed and scorched and afire, his comrades ran to his assistance. Some said it was Pa Smith, others said it was a man from the moon. He was not seriously burned but received a good lesson. Today he is hale and hearty and one of the prominent men of the Iowa G. A. R.
AS TOLD BY CHAPLAIN BISHOP, OF THE 37TH ILLLINOIS, GEN. J. C. BLACK'S OLD REGIMENT.
Rev. Bishop was a student in theology and had prepared for the ministry before the war. Coming from Kentucky to Indiana, and after- ward to Illinois, where he resided, in the Fall of '62, and where the 94th Ill. was organized, he enlisted in the defense of the Union and served in the ranks with distinction for one year. His regiment being brigaded with the 37th Illinois, Gen. Black's old veterans were without a Chaplain and the General, always looking out for every want of his men, sought out the Colonel of the 94th and inquired if he had a man in his regiment that
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would be a good Chaplain for the 37th. "Why," said the Colonel of the 44th, "we haven't a man in our regiment but what would make your regi- ment a good Chaplain." Chaplain Bishop served acceptably in the old 37th to the close of the service and was familiar with the foragers, and needed no instructions in eating chicken or hog.
MAJ. GEN. JAMES B. McPHERSON Commander 17th Army Corps.
HON. JOHN H. ADDAMS who assisted in organizing 46th Regt.
COL. JOHN DEMENT who assisted in organizing 46th Regt.
PLATE XXVIII
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MAJOR GENERAL JAMES B. McPHERSON.
Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson was born in Sandusky, O., Nov. 14, 1828. He graduated at West Point in 1853, the first in his class and en- listed in the engineer corps. He was made Captain in Aug., 1861, and Brigadier General of volunteers in May, 1862. He was aide to Gen. Hal- leck late in 1861, and chief engineer of the Army of Tennessee, during service at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth and Inka Springs. In Dec. 1862, he commanded the 17th army corps with great ability, having been made Major General in October. He did admiral service under Gen. Grant in the Vicksburg campaign (1863) and was made Brigadier General in the United States army in August. He was also active and efficient in the Atlanta campaign in 1864, distinguishing himself everywhere as a Commander of the Army of the Tennessce. He was killed while recon- noitering in the Confederate lines, July 22, 1861.
BIOGRAPHY OF GEN. J. A. LOGAN, STATESMAN.
Gen. John A. Logan was born in Jackson county, Ill., Feb. 9, 1826, and received a common school education. He served in the Mexican war and was raised from the ranks of private to that of Licutenant and Quar- termaster. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1852, was in the Illinois legislature and in congress from 1859 to 1862. He was a private in a Michigan regiment at the battle of Bull Run (July, 1861). He re- turned to Illinois and raised the 31st Illinois Infantry, of which he was commissioned Colonel. He was wounded at Fort Donelson, and the fol- lowing month (March, 1862) was made a Brigadier General. In April of the same year he was promoted to Major General and commanded a division at the Vicksburg and Atlanta campaign (1863-1864). He was one of the most successful volunteer Generals.
He was again elected to congress in 1866 and remained in the house till March 4, 1871. when he entered the senate, having been elected to suc- ceed Richard Yates. At the expiration of this term, in 1877, he was de- feated for reelection, but in 1879 he was a successful candidate and held his seat by reelection in 1885 till his death. In 1884, he was a republican candidate for Vice President of the United States on the unsuccessful ticket headed by James G. Blaine.
Gen. Logan died in Washington, D. C., Dec. 26, 1886. He was an ag- gressive and effective speaker and took an active part in the senate on the reconstruction, and the impeachment of President Johnson. He was elected Commander of the National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1868.
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COL. JOHN DEMENT.
(Biography furnished by his son, Henry D. Dement.)
John Dement, Dixon, Ill., organized four companies which were con- solidated with the companies raised by Col. John A. Davis, of Freeport, Ill. The companies of Col. Davis were called the Freeport Companies and the companies of Col. Dement were called the Dixon Companies. During the organization of the Dixon Companies, Col. Dement was elected a mem- ber of the constitutional convention of 1861, and every member of that convention signed a petition addressed to Gov. Yates requesting the ap- pointment of Col. Dement as a Brigadier General of Volunteers. All his friends and himself believed that he would be appointed. Therefore he consented to the consolidation of the companies that he had raised with those Col. Davis had raised, and Col. Davis to be Colonel of the regiment and John Jones, of the Dixon Companies, to be Lieutenant Colonel. Col. Dement was not appointed Brigadier General, for the reason that Illinois had all the brigadiers it was entitled to, on account of the number of regiments it had sent into the service.
The subject of this sketch was born at Sumner, Gallatin county, Tenn., in 1804, and moved with his father to Franklin county, Ill., in 1813. At the age of 26 he was elected sheriff of the county. At 28 years of age he was elected a member of the Illinois General Assembly, at Vandalia, Ill., and by that body elected State Treasurer, which position he resigned at the request of the citizens of Vandalia to oppose the removal of the State Capital to Springfield. Mr. Lincoln was the leader of the Long Nine that were trying to make the removal, and finally accomplished it.
In 1833, he married a daughter of Gen. Henry Dodge, of Wisconsin, but at that time commanding a regiment in the regular army at Ft. Leaven- worth, Kan. In 1833, he commanded the Spy Batallion, composed of citizens of Southern Illinois, and rode from Vandalia to Dixon Ferry on horseback. On their arrival at the latter place they were ordered north by Gen. Zachary Taylor, some fifty miles, to ascertain the whereabouts of Black Hawk and his band. The second night after leaving Dixon's Ferry they reached the stockade at Kellogg's Grove. The next morning they fought Black Hawk and his entire band in the open and were driven into the stockade, from which they repulsed the Indians. They lost three killed and found five bodies of the Indians in the vicinity, dead.
He received his title of colonel by reason of the command that he held in the Black Hawk war and having been on Gov. Reynold's staff. In 1836, he moved to the lead mines in the vicinity of Galena, was Democratic clector from that district in the presidental election of 1844. For his ser- vices in this capacity, he was made receiver of public moneys by the presi-
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dent and held this position during the incumbency of all Democratic presi- dents and until all the government land in that part of the State was dis- posed of. He was a Democrat in politics, and though living in Republican counties, he was three times elected to constitutional conventions of Illi- nois. The last two he was made temporary president. He died in April, 1883. There, survived him his widow, one son, and two daughters. The son, Henry D. Dement, was twice elected to the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly and once to the State Senate. Was eight years Secre- tary of State, and is now a U. S. P. O. Inspector, at Chicago, Ili. His two daughters reside in Dixon, Ill., the older, Mrs. E. C. Parsons, the other, Mrs. George H. Squires.
HON. J. H. ADDAMS.
Hon. John H. Addams was born July 12, 1822 in Berks county, Pa. He received his early education in the Common Schools and, with a com- prehensive course at an acadamy at Tappe, Pa., was well prepared for active life. In 1844 he came to Stephenson Co., Ill., and located at Cedar- ville and established himself in business as a flour and grain dealer and miller. In 1847 he took a prominent part in calling a convention of land owners and business men of the district which resulted in the completion of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. In 1854 he was elected to the State Senate as a republican and held his seat continuously for sixteen years retiring in 1870.
He was an associate of Col. John A. Davis, the latter a member of the House of Representatives at the same time. Mr. Addams took an active part in the support of the Union during the war and was instrumental in raising and recruiting the 46th Ill. Infantry. He devoted his time and money in fitting out volunteers for the Union cause, not only aiding in forming the 46th, but in organizing all the other regiments that received men from Stephenson County. A true friend of the soldiers, he never allowed families of soldiers to suffer for supplies or fuel during their term of service.
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