USA > Illinois > Will County > Fifteen years ago; or, The patriotism of Will County, designed to preserve the names and memory of Will County soldiers, both officers and privates - both living and dead: to tell something of what they did, and of what they suffered, in the great struggle to preserve our nationality > Part 11
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During the fight while one of Co. D was loading his gun, a rebel captain demanded his surrender, but hardly had he got the words out of his mouth, before he was shot dead by one of Co. H, and the reb. himself that it was surrendered.
Some of the mounted rebs. rode up to a teamster of the 20th, and demanded his surrender, " Surrender," he replied, "h-l ! that's played out," and putting a whip to his team he drove away in triumph, saving two good mules for " Uncle Sam."
The Times' correspondent says, under date, September 2nd, 1862, " Yesterday two regiments 20th and 30th, stationed at Es- tenaula were sent out to attack Villepigue in the rear. They came upon him about seven miles from Jackson, and after a short engagement, waged at most wonderful odds in favor of the enemy, gave him a severe drubbing, putting him to an inglorious rout. We lost about a half a dozen in killed, and less than fifty wound- ed. The enemy left one hundred and fifty dead bodies on the field, and the wounded are estimated at two or three hundred."
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Col. Lawler's official report of Britton's Lane, accords great credit to Captain Frisbie, commanding the 20th ; and to Sur- geon Goodbrake for his skill and attention to the wounded.
After " Britton's Lane" the 20th returned to Jackson on the 4th of September.
This fight at Britton's Lane was a very curious affair. I here copy from a communication of Surgeon Bailey some further ac- count of it, especially of his own adventures :
"The chaplain and myself rode into a ravine where there appeared to be some wounded men brought, seemingly the only place where they could be safely placed. At this juncture, there was an onward movement of the train, and we followed. In a few moments some one came running up, saying that a wounded man had been brought to the ravine spoken of, and required assist- ance. I turned my horse, and, with the chaplain, rode back. Before reaching the spot, however, there came a body of men towards us, firing down the ravine. My horse was frightened and became unmanageable, and ran at full speed across the ravine and up a steep hill. When at the top, I saw an ambulance with the yellow flag. As we were approaching the spot, we were suddenly surrounded by a force of rebels, who, with leveled guns, demanded our surrender, which, of course, was the only thing we could do, though the thought of being prisoners to the rebels was not at all agreeable. We were soon ordered to follow our captors. No pro- testations of ours, that we were non-combatants, availed-go we must. We were taken to a secluded place in a ravine, where we were out of the way of the bullets, which were still flying lively. Here we found about two hundred men that they had taken on this and the day previous. My captor soon proceeded to exchange an old, broken-down mule for my fine animal, to which I had become much attached, and I saw her no more.
" About 3 p. m., the firing ceased, and we were uncertain as to the result of the conflict. We soon began to move. We went through cotton fields, and all kinds of ground, before reaching the public road, and then started southward, with an occasional halt. We went on till midnight, and then encamped. It was a fearful ride for one who had just recovered from an attack of sickness, and
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who was hardly able to sit up. (And on that old mule ! This was the unkindest cut of all !- ED.) Many of our comrades were sick, some wounded in the day's fight. The poor fellows were constantly goaded on by their captors, and often threatened with the point of a bayonet, if they did not make good time. Remarks more express- ive than elegant, were frequently made, and all epithets imaginable heaped upon the yankees.
" Tuesday morning, our friends rose early, and at break of day we were on the move. I had not been able to sleep much, but had lain awake listening to the full and sonorous breathing of our good chaplain, who seemed to take things more philosophically than I could. During the forenoon, I interviewed the commander of the rebel forces, Gen. L. C. Armstrong, in reference to our release. He expressed a willingness to make out our parole papers, as soon as there was time. It was evident that he was afraid of pursuit. About 4 p. m., we stopped about ten miles from our former camp on the Estanaula. Here the general made out his paroles, and then we went on about a mile further and bivouacked for the night, upon the plantation of Dr. Watkins, who was sup- posed to be a Union man, and consequently must be at the expense of keeping the general and his staff, and the commissioned officers who were prisoners, about twelve in number.
" We were given a supper and breakfast by our captors, being allowed to come to the second table. To men who had fasted two or three days, the question of etiquette was not so important as that of time.
" On Wednesday morning, about nine o'clock, we took leave of our rebel friends, and made our way back to the river. Thursday noon, we reached the battle field of Britton's Lane, and then learned the results of the battle. The dead rebels were not yet all buried, and the ground and lanes were strewn with dead horses. Our wounded had been taken to Jackson the day before, and we slowly made our way to the station at Medan. Wednesday and Thurs- day nights we spent with families along the route, We were received as kindly as could be expected under the circumstances, and on Friday we reached Jackson.
" At the time of the battle of Britton's Lane, the 20th could not have had more than 350 men who carried muskets, and I do
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not think the 30th had any more. The entire Union loss is given in the Medical and Surgical History of the rebellion, as five killed ; 51 wounded, and 52 missing, and the confederate loss as 179 killed and 100 wounded. These figures show a remarkable instance of good firing. We had but two six-pounders with us, and prob- ably about 100 cavalry, so that our entire force did not probably exceed 800 fighting men. Now, as to the number of those engaged on the other side. In conversation with their officers, we were told that Gen. Armstrong had at least 6,000 men, and some of them claimed 10,000. At any rate, there was a much superior force in numbers. I was told by a confederate captain that some of their men were killed at a distance of half a mile, and that in some instances the same bullet would kill or wound several men. I asked one officer why it was, that, with such a greatly superior force, they did not surround and bag the whole of us. His reply was, that they supposed we had a much larger force. It appears that the boys of the 20th, with the two cannons, made fearful havoc before the 30th came up, and when they came to the front, the rebs. supposed it was a heavy reinforcement.
" Taken altogether, this was one of the most remarkable battles of the war, and it is said to have been so considered by Mr. Lin- coln.
" All the houses in the vicinity were full of the wounded who could not be moved. Where we stopped on Thursday there were a number, and frightful cases they were. A surgeon was in attend- ance, who told me he had scarcely a dose of morphine or opium to administer. Having some morphine in my pocket, I divided with him, reciprocating a like favor shown to me on Tuesday by one of their surgeons, who had given me bandages with which to dress the wounds of some of our men who were prisoners."
Dr. Bailey, had sent in his resignation in August, his health being much impaired, and on the Sunday after his return, he received notice of its acceptance, and on the 8th of September, bade the regiment farewell. The doctor afterwards served the cause ably as a hospital surgeon at Quincy. What disposition the doctor made of that old secesh mule, he forgets to tell us! He certainly ought to liave taken him home as a trophy.
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The last of August, Maj. Bartleson resigned, and was mustered out for promotion in the 100th regiment, of which he had been chosen colonel.
The regiment left Jackson, Nov. 8th, and arrived at Lagrange, Nov. 11th. Nov. 27th, left Lagrange, and arrived at Holly Springs the 30th. Left Holly Springs Dec. 1st, crossed the Tallahatchie Dec. 3d, and reached Oxford. Returned to Tallahatchie Dec. 24th, 1862.
CAMPAIGN OF 1863.
Jan. 5th, 1863, the regiment received orders to be ready for a move, and at 9 a, m. left with the army for Holly Springs, which place was reached at dark, and the regiment went into camp. Next day marched to Coldwater, seven miles. Next day marched to Lagrange, nineteen miles, and staid until the 10th, when we marched on the railroad track to Moscow, ten miles, and then leaving the track, we marched on a road parallel with it, and went into camp on a beautiful plantation. On the 11th, marched to Colliersville, twelve miles, and went into camp at 4 p. m. Here we remained until the 20th, when we left with brigade, and marched twelve and a half miles towards Memphis, going most of the way on the railroad track, and passing through Germantown, camped in the woods. The roads were very bad. Many men had to be left at Colliersville, to come on the cars, on account of their shoes being worn out, and the ground cold and muddy.
Jan. 21st, marched 11 miles, and went into camp in a pleasant spot, about one mile from Memphis, in a large grove. Mud knee deep on the march, though through a beautiful country, which began to show indications of spring.
Here we remained in camp until the 20th of February, receiv- ing new clothing and tents, and doing some scouting and detatched service, &c. While here, some of our men, who had been taken prisoners at Britton's Lane and parolled, rejoined the regiment.
On the 20th, went on board the steamer Continental, at 10 a. m., but did not leave the harbor of Memphis until the 22d, at 9 a. m. Then, after a fine sail down the Mississippi of 340 miles, landed at noon of the 23d at Lake Providence, and marched four miles along the bank, bivouacking in a pleasant camp. We
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remained in this camp until April 18th, foraging some, but gener- ally doing nothing but routine duty. We were visited by some notables, civil and military, who made speeches, &c.
On the 18th of April, went aboard the steamer Continental, started down the river, and arrived at Milliken's Bend about 11 a. m. of the 19th. Country low, but inviting. April 21st, nine out of the regiment went as volunteers on the boats to run"the block- ade. Many more volunteered, but only nine from the 20th were accepted. The brigade was reviewed by Gov. Yates, who made a speech.
The history of the 20th, from this time to the 6th of May, will be best understood by copying entire a letter from Sergt. James F. Branch, of Co. F, to his wife :
" IN CAMP, BIG BLACK, 30 MILES SOUTH OF VICKSBURG, MAY 6TH, 1863.
" We started from Milliken's Bend on the morning of the 25th of April, at 9 o'clock, and marched to Carthage, below Vicksburg. We marched nine miles and encamped. The roads were in good order ; ten days before, they would have been impasable. It was through a swampy country, and it was plain to be seen that if it rained we should have fun. And sure enough, on the night of the 26th, it began to rain in earnest, continuing all night. We were without tents, and were well soaked by morning. But no matter, we started on in a terrible thunder storm. Companies F and E were rear guard. It rained all day, and of all the roads I ever saw, ours was the worst. That day we passed over a hundred wagons stuck in the mud. We were drenched with water all day. We made six miles, and encamped on an old deserted plantation, and slept in a bed of raw cotton, without blankets, and in our wet clothes. I slept first-rate, got up in the morning all right, and started on again. We made ten miles that day, and encamped at Perkins' plantation, on the river, below Vicksburg. Perkins was U. S. senator six years ago. When he saw the yankees coming, he set fire to all his buildings, &c., and left for Grand Gulf, twelve miles below.
" We lay there until midnight, then started down the river bank, and arrived opposite Grand Gulf at 2 p. m., and the same evening we crossed the river on the gun-boats and transports, which
.
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had run the blockade before we left Milliken's Bend. We landed six miles below Grand Gulf and encamped. General McClernand had crossed before us, and marched out the same night. On the morning of May 1st, we started at six o'clock out into Mississippi. We had gone about six miles, when boom ! boom ! from the front, told us of work ahead. The men quickened their pace without orders, and for four miles we marched so fast that the men began to drop from the heat. Some six or seven were sun-struck. About that time, Gen. Smith (commanding the brigade) came back and asked us if we could stand it to go three miles further, saying that we were badly needed in front; that the rebels were holding Gen. McClernand very closely, and he must have help. We all said 'Go ahead,' and the next three miles were made on the double- quick, the noise of musketry and cannon increasing all the while, and at noon we unslung our knapsacks, loaded guns, and were marched to the front. The adjutant took command of the regi- ment, and we lay under fire for three hours, without any chance to retaliate ; we were held as reserves. One regiment after another was sent to the front, to try and dislodge the rebels from a high hill (Thompson's hill) which they held. The hill was covered with houses, and full of deep gullies, surrounded by deep ravines, while the side hills were covered with canebrake, so thick that you could not see a rod. Every regiment that went into that canebrake came out badly cut up and in confusion. It was no use trying to take the hill from that front.
All this time the 12 pound guns of the rebels were making bad work among our boys, and could not be silenced by our guns. At 4 p. m., the 20th and 45th were called in and sent to the left rear of the coveted hill. We went and lay in a deep ravine await- ing orders when Gen. McPherson came down and gave the fol- lowing order-"Swing that 20th around so that its left will rest on the right of the 15th, and go up that hill and give the rebels h-11."
Quick as thought we swung round and started up the hill, so steep and thick with canebrake that we had to draw ourselves up by the cane, and when we were at the top we were within 15 rods of the rebel battery. The order was given to fix the bayonets and charge the battery. We did so with one of those peculiar wild
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TWENTIETH REGIMENT.
yells, but when within five rods of the guns, a line of rebels rose as if out of the ground just behind the guns, but they did not get time to fire a gun. We stopped short, and without waiting orders, fired a solid volley into them, and what we did not kill or wound, left on the double quick.
"We then went ahead, took the guns, killing and capturing the gunners. I straddled one of the guns and fired two shots after the retreating rebels. Then we started to follow them, and found a squad lying in a gully, which we captured. That set me to thinking and I broke out on my own hook, and found seven rebels hidden in one gully. They had their guns which I ordered them to throw down. All but one did so. He started to run down the ravine. I hailed him but he would not stop, and I shot him dead. The other six I took to the rear, and gave them over to the captain, who had a squad already. We took over seventy- five men prisoners on that hill. This was on the left.
All this time the fight was raging terribly on the right, and McClernand could not rout the rebels. He sent to the left for Stephenson's brigade of our division. They went over and charged the hill and took it, as we had ours, in less than an hour. So you see Logan's division turned the day in our favor.
"On the right, left and centre we followed our advantage closely, and chased the rebels all day until dark, when as we raised a steep hill we were greeted by a rousing volley from the brow. The 20th and 30th Ill. claimed that hill; formed and advanced, fired one volley, when the graybacks skedaddled, again leaving us in possession of the field, and their commander mor- tally wounded. We lay on our arms that night, and thus ended the first of May, 1863.
" But the best is yet to be told. Not a man of the 20th was either killed or wounded in the charge or pursuit ! A miracle surely, for I have never seen the bullets fly thicker. We killed their commander Gen. Tracy, captured a colonel, several captains and lieutenants, and 650 privates, and killed and wounded through the day, 3,000.
The entire Union loss through the day was about 400 killed and wounded ; none of our force were taken prisoners.
" May 2nd we started in line of battle with the 20th deployed 16
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as skirmishers, and went two miles in that order, but found that the rebs had run, and we marched into Port Gibson, as pretty a little town as I ever saw, of about 2,000 inhabitants in peaceful times. Here the rebs had burned the wire bridge and R. R. bridges, and run away. Logan's division took a circuit of nine miles in order to get there and head them off, but they were too fast for us, and we started on again, marching half the night to cut them off at Greistone Ferry, but they gave us the slip again.
" On the 3d of May we crossed Big Bayou Pierre on an iron bridge which the rebels failed to destroy, and marched one and a half miles, when we were brought up all standing by six shells dropping into us from the front. We immediately lay down, while our batteries tried the rebel batteries. While lying there we went to sleep, and slept for an hour while the shells were fly- ing over us both ways. At the end of an hour I was woke up, and we formed in line of battle, and advanced to take the rebel batteries. But when we got to them, they were not there,-gone again ! So we pushed on another while when the rattle of mus- ketry, and the whiz of bullets told us of another blockade. We pitched into it in earnest. The 20th was detached to support a battery, which we did in fine style, being entirely out of danger, for the rebels run again as soon as our batteries opened on them. They had no idea of making a fight, but wanted to detain us until their forces, which were evacuating Grand Gulf, could get by us on another road. After we routed them Logan's division was ordered to take the Grand Gulf road, and try to cut off their re- treat. We traveled half the night to do so, but they were too fast for us. We picked up a good many stragglers, captured over 10,000 pounds of meat, many horses, mules, etc., but the main force had crossed the Big Black before us about an hour, and planted artillery on the opposite side to prevent our crossing. They shelled the camp of the 30th Ill. yesterday morning, killing and wounding twelve men. Our batteries opened on them, when they ran as usual.
" We are now waiting here for rations, ammunition and 50,000 more men which are on the way. Grant is going to make a clean thing of it this time. It cannot fail. There is not a man in this army that would for a moment doubt that we shall take it, and
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that soon. Grand Gulf was thought to be a Gibralter until we crossed the river, when it fell by its own weight. Our gun boats had tried three times to take it. When the rebs left we captured two 128 pound columbiads, two six-inch rifled guns of superior English make. All the ammunition they use against us is of Eng- lish manufacture.
Two negroes ran away from Vicksburg yesterday, and came in. They say the rebs are moving their commissary stores to Jackson, Miss.
The weather is very hot through the day, but the nights are cool. Five nights since leaving Milliken's Bend I have slept in wet clothes, without blankets. Our blankets were in the wagons, and the wagons stuck fast in the mud. After the battle I went into a house and simply and innocently took a good doubl blanket, promising to pay when the independence of the southern confederacy was acknowledged by Father Abraham."
On the 12th was fought the battle of Raymond, in which our 20th also took its part. This was fought by our forces under Gen. McPherson, and the rebs under Gen." Gregg, and was a very severe engagement, ending in our success. The second brigade of Logan's division, (in which the 20th was placed,) was early ordered forward to attack the enemy which had been found posted too strong for the cavalry to dislodge. The brigade ad- vanced and held its ground against a superior force. The other brigades of Logan's division were brought up, aided by the 8th Michigan battery, and the rebels fell back to a position just in the rear of Farnsden's creek.
Gen. McPherson at once ordered an advance upon that posi- tion. Gen. Dennis' and Gen. Smith's brigades moved forward, and a severe though brief conflict ensued, in which the 20th Ill. fought most desperately, and lost heavily, but the rebels were forced from their ground.
During this desperate struggle the rebels attempted to turn our left flank, and very nearly succeeded. The fight on the left was fearful. The 20th Ill. had fired forty rounds of cartridges, and still held the enemy at bay. Their colonel had been mortally wounded while urging on his men, but not one of his heroes fal-
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tered. At this critical moment, Stephenson's brigade came to the rescue and the rebels gave way, and fled towards Raymond. The 20th lost the only field officer in this engagement, Col. Richards, who was mortally wounded. The 2d lieutenant of Co. C was also killed, and fifteen privates, three of wliom, Israel J. Waters, Henry Mitchell, and Wm. Shugar, were from this county.
May 14th, after a short, sharp fight of three hours, the enemy was again defeated under Gen. Joseph E. Johnson, and retreated, and our forces had possession of the capital of Mississippi. In this the 20th took part, but was not seriously engaged.
On the 16th, occurred the battle of Champion Hills, or Baker's Creek, which was fought with the rebels under Pember- on. This was a very important battle, and the rebels were in strong force and well posted. The Union loss was 3,000. But our victory was complete and decisive, opening up the way to Vicksburg. Logan's division was in the most desperately fought part of the field, and stood the brunt of it without flinching.
During the battle, an officer was sent to Gen. Logan, to inquire how it was going. " Tell Gen. Grant," says he, " that my division cannot be whipped by all the rebels this side of h-11."
In this fight, the major of the 24th Iowa, known as the " Meth- odist regiment," was wounded, and walking slowly off the field, he captured a rebel and made him carry him on his shoulders to the provost marshal's headquarters.
May 17th, there was a closing fight at Big Black Bridge, in which we were again successful, and soon after, Vicksburg was effectually invested. Pemberton had retired his army behind the defenses, with great loss of men and munitions of war.
The 20th arrived before Vicksburg the 19th of May, and had a full day's share of skirmishing in taking up its position, and from that time out, to the final surrender, took its full share in the labors and dangers which attended the memorable siege.
Much has been written upon the siege of Vicksburg. I shall attempt no description of its general features, and only relate a few incidents that occurred in the experience of the 20th regiment. It would be impossible to convey an adequate idea of the harrassing, exhausting nature of the service which was rendered by the 20th, in common with all parts of the investing army. To lie day and
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night in the trenches, in the heat of a southern summer, under the fire of the rebel forts, and with two 10-inch guns (84-pounders), four 24-pounders (McAllister's battery), and eight 10-pound guns, all the while being fired within twenty rods, was, to say the least, disagreeable. This was the kind of berth the boys of the 20th had got into. The rebels were, of course, as active as the Union army, and were constantly sending over their metal in various shapes, while their sharpshooters were ready to take advantage of the slightest exposure on the part of any of the men.
One day the rebels opened on the 20th, with a new battery of 10-pound guns, with which they kept things lively for a while, until McAllister's 24-pound guns got the range of it and soon silenced it. An officer, with his field glass, saw the rebels carry back fifteen dead men from the battery.
The rebels also planted a mortar somewhere out of range in a ravine, with which they threw over a very ugly kind of shell as big as a water pail-extremely disagreeable to meet. On one occa- sion, one of these shells fell in a tent, where two men were asleep, and exploded, and, strange to say, neither were hurt. Another time, one of these ugly visitants exploded in the camp, while the boys were getting their dinner, and scattered eight, ten, and four- teen pound fragments around in an exceedingly careless manner, happily, however, doing no other mischief than knocking over the camp kettles in which the bean soup was cooking.
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