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 31
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co-operated with him in his efforts to recruit a reginient. Capt. John Musser had already commenced the organization of company "A" at Orangeville, and Col. Geo. Walker, of Company "B," at Rock Grove. Of this latter company, John A. Davis, at the request of Col. Walker, who did not feel physically able to endure the hardships of an active campaign, and who I am most happy to be able to greet, and welcome as a guest at this re-union, was elected Captain, although never mustered into the service as such.
Recruiting was at once commenced for Company "C," by Capt. Frederick Krumme, Company "G," by Capt. William Young, and Com- pany "K," by Capt. John M. McCracken. As soon as these five companies had reached the minimum number for a company they were tendered to Gov. Yates for muster and assignment. They were ordered to Camp But- ler, near Springfield, where they arrived on Sept. 10th, 1861, the date fixed as the date of enlistment, although many of the men had enlisted a month or more before. On the 12th of Sept., John A. Davis was commissioned Colonel of the 46th Illinois Volunteer Infantry with full authority to re- cruit the same, and on the 14th, Rollin V. Ankeny was commissioned Cap- tain of Company B, vice John A. Davis, promoted. Company F was most- ly made up of recruits from Clay and Jasper counties and was organized with Thomas Wakefield as Captain. This constituted the 6th Company of the regiment. It was now about the 1st of December, and Gen. Grant was calling loudly and repeatedly for troops to make a strong advance into the South. Troops were hurried forward as soon as the regimental organi- zations were complete. Our battalion of six companies was often called out to do the honors of war to the departing hosts. Col. Davis, chafing under his enforced idleness in the camp of instruction, and his boys, as he called them, all spoiling for a fight, made it necessary to resort to every legitimate expedient to secure four more companies for his regiment. Col. John Dement. of Dixon, the noble sire of a gallant son, of whom your State is justly proud, had the nucleus of a regiment in camp at Dixon. called the Dement Phalanx, with no flattering prospects for a speedy or- ganization. Col. Davis, by the powerful aid of Gov. Yates, succeeded in having these four companies assigned to the 46th and transferred to Camp Butler in January 1862. These companies were lettered and commanded respectively as follows, viz : Company D, Capt. Willian L. Wilder. Com- pany E. Capt. John M. Marble, Company H, Capt. John Stephens, Com- pany I. Capt. Chas. P. Stimson. On December 31st, 1861, Lieut. Col. Wm. O. Jones and Major Frederick A. Starring resigned. John J. Jones, of the Dement Phalanx, was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, and Benjamin Dornblaser, Major. The change from home to camp life, so entirely new and untried to all, caused much sickness and many deaths, before the reg- iment entered the field. Monotony of camp life was seldom varied by anything more exciting than dress parade, battalion or company drill.
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Two companies, A and B, were armed with Enfield rifles soon after going into camp. Early in December, 1861, news came that a boat load of Illi- nois recruits were coming down the Mississippi river to be transferred and credited to the State of Missouri. Gov. Yates did not approve of this, and ordered Col. Davis to take his armed companies, proceed to Alton, intercept the boat, and bring the runaway recruits to Camp Butler, all of which was done in gallant style. When the regiment was fully organized, the work of drilling, arming and equipping the same was entered upon with great zeal by all of the officers and soldiers of the command. Finally after five weary months spent in the camp of instruction, orders came to prepare for the field. On the 11th day of February, 1862, the regiment left Camp Butler and went by rail to Cairo, Illinois. On arrival there it em- barked on board a steamer to join General Grant's army at Ft. Henry, Tennessee. But before the boat reached the mouth of the Tennessee river, the joyful tidings came that Ft. Henry was captured. Our destination was at once changed to Ft. Donelson, Tennessee, in the vicinity of which we landed on the morning of the 14th of February. As this was the first steamboat ride most of the men had ever taken, it was much enjoyed. Especially as the weather was pleasant and the swollen river covered with a large fleet of transports loaded with troops going to the same destina- tion. The march to the rear of Ft. Donelson was a weary one. For lack of wagon transportation. the inen had to carry rations, blankets and cook- ing utensils, in addition to their arms and ammunition. The regiment bivouacked for the night near Gen. Grant's headquarters. During the night the weather suddenly changed, and the shelterless soldiers found themselves covered with snow in the morning. The many who could not sleep, kept fires burning to keep themselves and their sleeping comrades from freezing. Here the first lesson in foraging in an enemy's country was taken, by killing a few sheep that were found in the vicinity. This was done, however, in a bungling and unskillful manner, caused, no doubt, more by reproving consciences, than lack of skill. But I am most happy to be able to bear testimony to the fact, and which should be made historical, that while the boys of the 46th never became conscienceless, they improved vastly in the art and science of for- aging. After taking a very unsatisfactory breakfast at an early hour, on the 15th, the regiment was ordered to report to Gen. Lew Wallace, on the ex- treme right of our line. At this point the rebels had made a desperate but unsuccessful attempt the day previous to break through our lines and escape. Gen. Grant had reasons to believe that another attempt would be made and made the necessary disposition of his forces to repulse it. On the way many ambulances filled with wounded men were met, and fre- quent and heavy firing was heard at the front. It was by no means cheer- iul music to march by, and none of us were just then spoiling for a fight as much as when we were safely housed in Camp Butler. The regiment,
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however, reached its position early in the day and was held in reserve, ready to move promptly to any threatened point. Evidences of the conflict of the 14th were all about us, such as disabled cannons, broken muskets, shreds of clothing and blankets, and many pools of blood where the wounded had lain until they could be moved from the field. The enemy was so closely pressed on all sides during the 15th, that they could not spare a force strong enough to make a successful break to get away. Hence the regiment was not called into action, but was subject to oc- casional cannon shots from the front, one of which exploded a shell in such close proximity as to cause the death of one man and the wounding of two others. This was the first time the regiment had been under fire, and its effect was more terrifying than disastrous, but it taught us to know ourselves better than we had ever done before. The timid became brave and the braggart cowered with unmanly fear.
Quartermaster David S. Pride did everything in his power to supply the regiment with rations, but as teams could not be had, he brought all the hard bread to our bivouac that he could carry on his horse. We returned to our camp of the previous night, to get what could be had to eat. At dawn of the 16th, the regiment was again on its way to the front carrying everything that was brought from the landing, except the rations, which had all disappeared. When the position of the previous day was reached, white flags were observed on the rebel works. Without halting we marched through the works to the Cumberland river at the little town of Dover, and guarded the stores on the landing until they could be distributed and stored. The regiment had had a famine, now it was hav- ing a feast. Our army transports landed the supplies with which they were loaded, and at once carried away the thousands of prisoners that had been surrendered to our army. The regiment was quartered in houses and sheds while on duty here, and fared sumptuously every day.
All of the companies except A and B, were armed with the Harpers Ferry buck and ball cartridge musket, and as the larger part of the cap- tured small arms were in custody of the regiment, a prompt exchange was made for better guns. In anticipation of another march Col. Davis pro- cured two four mule teams, all that could be had out of the capture. It was none too soon for on the 19th of February the regiment marched to Ft. Henry on the Tennessee river, and occupied some log cabins built by the rebels. These log cabins were filthy in the extreme, and situated on low, wet, ground near the river, which, while the regiment was in camp here, overflowed its banks most of the time. Sickness prevailed to an alarming extent, and deaths were numerous. The camp and garrison equipage of the regiment was sent around to Ft. Henry by boat, and on the 6th of March we embarked for Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. The Tennessee river was very high, the transports very much crowded, and the water very unhealthy, all of which tended to increase rather than
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to lessen the sick list. There appeared to be a special fatality attending this expedition. Almost every day soldiers fell overboard and were drowned. The 46th lost at least three in this way. One morning when we were preparing to disembark I saw two men who had fallen overboard at the same time from separate boats, float down the angry stream and finally disappear forever. On the 18th of March the regiment disembarked and went into camp a mile and a half from the landing. Having but two light teams, it was an arduous task to carry all of the tents and bag- gage of the regiment to camp and to put it into army regulation shape.
As the regiments landed and went into camp they were at once as- signed to certain brigades and divisions. The 46th together with the 14th and 15th Illinois and 25th Indiana composed the 2nd brigade of the 4th division. Brigadier Gen. S. A. Hurlbut commanded the division and Col. James C. Veatch of the 25th Ind., the brigade. Up to this time the move- ments of the regiment had been mostly by boat. Now long marches and frequent battles were in prospect. Col. Davis here drew wagon transpor- tation and kept the regiment busy drilling, and otherwise exercising. to improve its efficency and promote health. Considerable quiet rivalry arose between the regiments of the brigade and division, each seeking to excel in every soldierly quality which was so soon to be put to the severest test.
In the battle of Shiloh, which was fought on the 6th and 7th of April 1862, the 46th took a conspicuous and honorable part, losing over half of its officers and men in killed and wounded, and receiving the thanks of the commanding generals. Among the wounded were Col. Davis, Maj. Dorublaser, Captains Musser, Stephens, Marble, Young and McCracken, Lieuts. Hood. Barr, Arnold, Ingraham and Howell. In this action the "Fighting fourth division" of Gen. Hurlbut achieved a reputation for bravery to which it added in every field in which it was engaged till the close of the war. The conduct of the regiment at Shiloh is fully set forth in the following extracts from the reports of commanders whose names are attached thereto:
HEADQUARTERS 2ND BRIGADE 4TH DIVISION,
LIEUT. COL. JOHN J. JONES,
April 9th, 1862.
Commanding 46th Ills.
DEAR SIR :- I beg to thank you and the officers and the soldiers of the 46th Illinois Infantry for their noble conduct during the action of Monday morning last, when your lamented colonel so promptly responded to my request to take a position in iny command, and so gallantly led you in the face of the enemy with so fatal a result to himself. My heartfelt sympathies are with you in your severe loss, and your soldierly conduct shall receive a fitting notice in my official report.
I am, sir, truly yours, C. C. MARSH,
Col. 20th Ill. Infty. Commanding Brigade.
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Col. Davis was shot through the lungs, and no one supposed that he would survive, but his iron will with careful nursing brought him through, and enabled him to join his command six months later. Capts. Musser and Stephens and Lieuts. Hood, Ingraham and Howell, all died of their wounds. The commanders noticed the regiment as follows : *
* *
* *
"Col. Davis, Lieut. Col. Jones, Major Dornblaser, of the 46th Illinois Infantry, each displayed coolness and courage in resisting the heavy columns thrown against them. Major Dornblaser was wounded and compelled to leave the field early on the first day. Col. Davis was severely wounded on the second day while gallantly fighting in Col. Marsh's brigade, and was carried from the field. Lieut. Col. Jones took command and conducted his regiment with skill and courage until the battle closed.
(Signed) JAMES C. VEATCH, Col. Commanding Brigade."
REPORT OF GEN. S. A. HURLBUT.
The general commanding tenders his heartfelt congratulations to the ' surviving officers and men of his division for their magnificent services during the two days of struggle, which, under the blessing of God, has resulted in victory. Let the division remember that for five hours on Sunday they held, under the most terrific fire, the key point of the left of the army and only fell back when outflanked by overwhelming numbers, pressing through points abandoned by our supports. Let thein remember that when they fell back it was in order, and that the last line of resist- ance in rear of the heavy guns was formed by this division. Let them remember that on the morning of Monday, without food and without sleep they were ordered forward to reinforce the right, and that whenever either brigade of this division appeared on the field of action, they were in time to support the broken phalanx and to hold the line. Keep these facts in your memory, to hand down to your children when we conquer a peace, and let it be the chief pride of every man in the command-as it is of your general-that he was at Pittsburg with the Fighting Fourth Division.
By order of Brig. Gen'l. (Signed) S. A. HURLBUT.
Reports Hurlbut's order,
SMITH D. ATKINS,
A. A. A. Gen'1, 4th Div.
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After a battle so terrible in its results it is not at all surprising that the regiment was demoralized. Col. Davis and Major Dornblaser were absent wounded, and Lieut. Col. Jones was taken so seriously ill that he was taken to a hospital. This left the 46th without a field officer in command, and most of the companies in charge of lieutenants, and even sergeants. When the march on Corinth, Miss., was commenced on the 30th of April, Lieut. Col. Cam, of the 14th Illinois, was assigned to com- mand the 46th. About the 20th of May 1862, although suffering from wounds I returned to the regiment and assumed command.
The siege of Corinth had commenced, by throwing up elaborate earth- works ten miles from the entrenchments of the enemy. The siege was conducted upon strictly scientific principles. Advances were made by our forces, as soon as our last line of earthworks were fully completed, and would in no case exceed two miles, when another line, if possible, more elaborate, had to be erected. The siege, however, was a grand military success. Not only was the entire rebel army driven out, but had also taken away all of their guns, great and small, camp and garrison equipage, forage and ammunition. The 46th made no captures of any kind, save and except a set of dishes for his mess by the chaplain on Sunday morn- ing, May 30th. On the 1st of June the army passed through the town of Corinth, on its way to Memphis as we believed. On the 2nd we went into camp six miles west of Corinth, and did not leave it till the 10th. Here the paymaster visited us for the first time since the 46th went to the field. To say that the paymaster was a welcome guest, was putting it exceeding- ly mild. Everybody was happy, for even those who had no money due them knew where they could borrow, or obtain it in some other way. The men were advised to send all of the money home that they could spare. The chaplain (Teed) was detailed as agent to carry it home for them, and the greater number availed themselves of the opportunity. The regi- ment marched leisurely across the Hatchie river through Grand Junction, to what was known as Collarbone Hill near Lagrange, and went into camp on the 24th of June.
On the 30th of June an expedition commanded by Gen. Sherman. started out on a reconnaissance toward Holly Springs, Mississippi. On the 3rd of July the brigade went into camp near Cold Water creek. Caval- ry was sent out in every direction, but no enemy was encountered. Fruit, vegetables and chickens were abundant, and everybody was once more happy. The 4th was celebrated very quietly in camp, until about 4 o'clock p. m., when an alarm was sounded, caused by a report that the enemy was approching from the direction of Holly Springs. The report proved false, but tents were struck and baggage loaded quicker than the 46th had ever done it before. After a very hot and dusty march, the regiment returned to camp on the Gth of July. On the march out, our cavalry were much annoyed by guerillas or small squads of the enemy firing on them from
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the shelter of plantation houses and outbuildings. Many of these buildings were burned on the return march, being the first illustration of "war's desolation" the regiment had seen up to this time. Rebel property, build- ings, crops, provisions, and even cisterns and wells of water were guarded, rebel owners were permitted to search the camps for runaway slaves and lead them out like cattle. Many of these crops were afterwards gathered for the use of the rebel army. On the 17th of July the 46th commenced the march to Memphis, where it arrived on the 21st. The 4th division had been guarding the Memphis & Charleston railroad from Grand Junc- tion to Germantown, but was now relieved by other troops. While at Memphis new clothing was issued, and another payment made by the pay- master. The clothing and money was much needed, and "filled a long felt want." On the 27th of August the regiment with other troops made a scout towards Hernando, Miss., but met no enemy, and returned to camp next day. On the 6th day of September our division left Memphis, and marched by way of Raleigh. Union Station, Big Muddy, Hampton, Dan- ville, Whiteville and .Pleasant Creek, to Bolivar, Tennessee, where we arrived and went into camp on the 14th of September. Lieut. Col. Jones had returned to his regiment and assumed command, and on the 21st of September Col. Davis also returned, but as he was still suffering from his wounds he did little active duty for a time. When the tents and baggage of the 46th were sent from Ft. Donelson to Ft. Henry, a part of it was stored at Paducah. This was now much needed, as a large part of it was. private property. Col. Davis ordered me to go to Paducah and look it up. I did not return to the regiment until the 6th of October. On the 27th of September Gen. McPherson reviewed all the troops in his command, and as they had all been lately paid. newly clothed, and well fed. they made a splendid appearance. On the 4th of October the 4th division marched towards Corinth, which place was being besieged by a large force of con- federates, commanded by Price and Van Dorn. After a desperate and bloody battle, the enemy was repulsed. and in their retreat, attempted to cross the Hatchie river near the village of Metamora. Here on the morn- ing of the 5th of October, just 25 years ago this day. the 4th division met the enemy and drove back what were not killed and captured. The 46th was in position on the right of the 2nd brigade, supporting Bolton's Battery. After an hour's shelling by the batteries, the infantry were ordered forward and at a double quick. advanced under a heavy fire of artillery across the bridge. Gen. Hurlbut promptly formed his division and drove the enemy from the field in such haste that they had to abandon much of their train, baggage and guns. Col. John A. Davis and Lieut. M. R. Thompson, acting adjutant, were both mortally wounded. and died on the 10th. Gen. Veatch in his report of the battle of the Hatchie, complimented his brigade very highly as follows: "The field and staff officers of every regiment appeared to do all that could be done to render
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victory complete. The line officers so far as their conduct came within my notice, did their whole duty, and the men moved with steadiness and resolute courage not easily surpassed. The loss in killed and wounded embraces many valuable officers. Col. John A. Davis of the 46th, fell severely wounded early in the action, while gallantly leading his regiment in charge. He has since died of his wounds. He was generous, noble and brave, and will be regretted by all who knew him." Those of us who knew Col. Davis most intimately for years before the war as a neighbor, citizen, and representative in the State Legislature, need not be told of his social and mental qualities, nor of his kindness of heart. His short but brilliant military career makes a page in history never to be obliterated. Of Lieut. Moses R. Thompson who was wounded at the same battle and died on the same day that Col. Davis did, I want to say, and to make it a matter of the most enduring record, that he was one of the best and noblest men that ever lived. His memory should be cherished and his name honored by every member of the 46th and by the people of this country. I would fain extend these eulogies, but must proceed as before. After the battle the division returned to camp Bolivar, where almost every- thing else was neglected to the care of the wounded. The bodies of Col. Davis and Lieut. Thompson were sent to Freeport in charge of a detail from the regiment, for burial. Active preparations were now made for a forward and aggressive move. Gen. Hurlbut took command of the post at Memphis and Gen. Veatch of the 4th division. Col. Turner of the 15th Illinois, took command of the 2nd brigade. but before the troops had gone three miles an order came accepting his resignation, which he had han 'ed in some time before. Col. W. Q. Gresham of the 53d Indiana, now commanded the brigade until the return of Col. Cyrus Hall of the 14th Illinois, who was the ranking colonel in the brigade. November 3rd the division marched to Lagrange, Tennessee, and next day the 46th went into its old camp on "Collarbone Hill." On the 21st of October I was commissioned colonel of the 46th Illinois, vice John A. Davis killed in battle. Captain John M. McCracken was afterwards commissioned major in my place. Two companies, D, and I, having become much reduced by casualties of war, were consolidated on the 13th of November, 1862, but the order of consolidation was not received till March 7, 1863. Adjutant E. R. Lord, Capt. Wm. F. Wilder and Lieut. Coe of company D, and Capt. R. D Campbell and Lieut Ballard of company I, resigned. Lieut. Henry H. Woodbury was commissioned adjutant of the regiment. Quarter- master D. S. Pride was made captain of company I, and Hezekiah A. Bullock. 1st lieutenant and Uriah J. Terry, 2nd lieutenant. Sergeant Edwin R. Gillet was commissioned Quartermaster of the regiment, vice Pride promoted. This reduced the regiment to nine companies, and elimi- nated nearly all of the dissatisfied element, on my promotion over Lieut. Col. Jones. November 28th the regiment left camp and marched to old
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Lamar, 29th to Holly Springs, and 30th to near Waterford, Mississippi, where we went into camp. A rumor became current that this camp would be the winter quarters of the reginient, and in consequence, a splendid camp with all the conveniences for comfort was speedily fitted up, but . much to our chagrin we had to leave it on the 11th of December and continue southward, via Oxford to Taylor's Station, on the railroad from Memphis to Grenada, Mississippi. Gen. Sherman had taken a large force down the Mississippi river to Vicksburg and Gen. Grant proposed to aid him by marching an army via Yazoo City to the rear of Vicksburg. But Gen. Van Dorn of the rebel army, through the treachery or inefficency of the commanding officer, captured Holly Springs, the base of supplies for General Grant's army. and destroyed all the stores accumulated there. This compelled a retreat of the Federal army. Hence on the 23rd of Deceniber the northward march was commenced via Oxford. to Hurricane creek. On the 24th the 46th Illinois and 33d Wisconsin, as a train guard .. marched to the north side of the Tallahatchie river. and on the 26th went into camp four miles north. By this time all of our rations had been eaten, supply trains from Memphis had not yet returned, and necessity com- pelled us to scour the country thoroughly for something to eat and feed for our animals. The country had been traversed so much by the troops of both sides, that but little was left. Our principal subsistence was parched corn and a limited supply of hogs that in the language of Capt. Stewart had not "meat enough on them to bait a rat trap." Occasionally some chickens were found, and in one instance, a gallon of apple jack or peach brandy. was confiscated and brought to camp. The first boxes of hard bread that arrived were promptly seized and eaten without spice of unfavorable comment. January 6th, 1863. we again entered Holly Springs. and on the 10th the 15th and 46th started out as an escort to a large am- munition train to Lagrange. Tennessee, where we arrived on the evening of the 11th of January. We were ordered to Moscow, Tennessee, on the 13th, and remained till February 5th, when we went to Lafayette, the first station on the Memphis & Charleston railroad west of Moscow.
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