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 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
After the regiment had recruited to 750, it left (March 15th,) for Washington, by the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne R. R., once more saying good-bye to friends and relatives, and after a safe and pleasant trip, arrived at Washington. After spending a quiet Sabbath in the city, it marched over the famous long bridge, and went into camp at camp Grant, Arlington Heights.
The regiment remained for some weeks in camp at this place, enduring the discomforts of a Washington spring, which consisted of mud, rain and snow, in about equal proportions. The time was spent in drilling recruits, and in the routine of camp duty, and in witnessing the practice of the artillerists at the neighboring forts. The thundering of the cannon, and the terrific shrieking of shells, being new to the recruits, gave them an inkling of the experience that awaited them. While here, the regiment raised by subscription $600 for instruments for a brass band which had been organized by members of the regiment,
While here the 39th was temporarily brigaded with the 25th, 62d, and 67th Ohio regiments. Col. Pond of the 62d being in temporary command. At a review of the brigade by Major Gen- eral Casey, the 39th was highly complimented by him. A squad of recruits from Springfield, Illinois, was also received at this time.
On Monday, the 25th of April, the regiment struck tents once more, marched to Alexandria, and embarked on board the " Mon- tauk," for Fortress Monroe. After a pleasant voyage they reached the Fortress on the next morning, and proceeded immediately to Yorktown-the place made historic by Gen. McClellan, as well as by Washington and Corwallis. Here they were rejoined by the members of the regiment who had not veteranized, and who
171
THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT.
had remained behind at Hilton Head. The regiment was now assigned to the first bridade, first division, 10th army corps.
The regiment had now come into a region of great historic interest. On the James River, about fifty miles from its mouth, was planted in 1607, the first English settlement in our country. On the site of the present city of Richmond, was the capital of Powhattan, the great chief of thirty tribes, where, in his royal resi- dence of twelve wigwams, he dwelt in regal state, as proud as any of his successors ; and here originated that beautiful legend, con- cerning the rescue of the great founder of the Smith family by the beautiful Pocahontas. (We would tell the story -- but we have a suspicion that it would not be fresh.) At Williamsburg was the old colonial capital of Virginia, where Patrick Henry uttered the thrilling words, (since occasionally quoted,) "Give me liberty, or give me death." Near by, on the shore of the Pamumkey was the home of that charming widow, to whom the great Washington struck his colors, while a little to the north on the Rappahannock grew the famous cherry tree. At Yorktown was settled the ques- tion of our independence by the surrender of Cornwallis. And now in these days the 39th was to aid in enacting new events, and in set- tling new questions which were to add new interest to the region -- to make it still more historic. At Hampton, an old town near the mouth of the James, Captain Baker strolled into an ancient grave yard surrounding the ruins of an old brick church which had been burned by the rebels, and here he found a moss grown grave stone which would have delighted Old Mortality himself, on which was the inscription, "Under this stone lies the body of Captain Willis Wilson, who departed this life the 19th day of December, in the year 1701, it being the 128th year of his age." This man was then 32 years old when Captain Newport brought over the Jamestown settlers-the 105 persons, 48 of whom were " gentlemen,"-Captain John Smith being one. It is not unlikely that Captain Wilson came over at the same time and was one of the 48 gentlemen. I wish I knew. He died five years before the birth of Franklin. He no doubt enjoyed the honor of being the oldest inhabitant of that quaint old town for several years. Surely he must have been "fully ripe" when the great reaper "gathered him in." I wonder if he smoked !
.
172
HISTORY OF THE
The regiment left Yorktown for City Point, on the James River, Wednesday, May 4th, at which place it arrived on Thurs- day evening. Friday morning the army disembarked without any opposition, and then took up the line of march, (the 39th being in the advance,) for a dense pine forest known as Wier Bottoms, within fifteen miles of Richmond. The day was ex- cessively warm, and the road soon became strewn with discarded blankets, overcoats, etc .; everything which could be dispensed with to lighten the load, with the usual recklessness of the sol- dier, being thrown away. During the next few days the army had considerable heavy skirmishing, capturing trains, prisoners, etc., and tearing up railroad tracks. Gen. Gilmore was in com- mand of the corps.
After a few days the column was moved forward to Drury's Bluff, and the 39th was placed on the extreme left of General Butler's command, and was not brought into action until the 14th, when it supported a battery, and had two killed and seven wounded. On the 15th had some casualties from sharpshooters. On the 16th our entire force was driven back. The 39th was at one time completely surrounded by the enemy, but succeeded in cutting its way out, suffering great loss. To use Gen. Butler's words, "The 39th fought most gallantly, and suffered most se- verely." In respect to this action, a correspondent of the Wil- mington Herald, (E. D. Conley), one of the new members of the regiment, writes :
"On Saturday morning, at 2:30, we were ordered to " fall in," with two days' rations. We marched eight miles, and halted on the R. & P. R. R., eleven miles from Richmond. Firing was already going on, and the 39th proceeded at once to the extreme left of the Union line, under a heavy fire, to support the 5th N. J. battery, which was shelling the rebel earthworks, two miles from Fort Darling. After a stubborn resistance, the rebels were driven back from a thick pine wood to their strongholds. Here an open field of three-fourths of a mile intervened between the two armies. Col. Osborn received a ball in his right elbow, but kept the field for hours, until compelled to leave from loss of blood. The rebels made two charges after dark, but were repulsed. Night came on,
1
173
THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT.
and the rebels returned to their defenses. Sunday there was des- ultory firing by the sharpshooters, and the time was improved by the 39th in intrenching themselves. Monday, the 16th, the bloody work began again in earnest. The rebels were in possession of the railroad which ran through the battle-field to Richmond. At daylight the enemy opened with heavy cannonading. A heavy fog shut them from sight until after sunrise. Our right wing was pressed hard by the rebel cavalry that had advanced under cover of. the fog, and after repeated charges, broke the Union line at a point where we had no artillery. About 8 a. m., as the right was giving way, two regiments on the right of the 39th fell back in disorder, and the 81st New York was ordered away from our left, leaving the 39th on the extreme left, and compelling them to stretch out and occupy the rifle pits vacated by the N. Y. regiment. At this moment, on came the enemy in heavy columns, but the 39th was ready to receive them. The adjutant ordered the boys to hold their fire until the enemy was within 300 yards, when we delivered a fire that mowed them down, and threw their ranks into confusion. They rallied and advanced a second time, and were treated to the same reception. It was here, that while standing upon the earthworks, cheering on our men, that Adjutant · Walker fell, and Major Linton soon followed. At one time the enemy got in our rear, after the command had devolved upon Capt. L. A. Baker, and he was called upon to surrender. The demand was answered by a volley and a cheer. The army finally fell back to our fortifications, and it seems the rebels were not anxious to follow. The 39th was the last regiment to leave the field, and was thought to be captured by the commanding general."
The entire loss in the regiment was nearly 200. 1
On the 20th of May the regiment was again ordered out, to dislodge the enemy from some temporary work near Wier Bot- tom church, which was accomplished in a most gallant manner, being entirely successful. The 39th captured a large number of prisoners, including Gen. Walker, who was seriously wounded. In this engagement, Lieut. Col. Mann was wounded, and the regi- ment was left without a field officer. The entire loss of the regi- ment was about forty killed and wounded. The following is &
174
HISTORY OF THE
list of casualties to Will county men in these engagements of the 14th, 16th, and 20th of May, 1864 :
KILLED:
Silas Benton, Co. E; Elisha Carr, Co. E.
WOUNDED AND MISSING:
Adjt. Joseph D. Walker, of Lockport, wounded by a musket shot in the bowels, and died in five hours. Co. A-A. H. Carrigan, wounded, died June 3d; Henry Bowen, severe and missing; James Wilcox, slight ; Corp. John Holton, slight ; Henry Ruppenthal, arm amputated; Wm. Willard, slight; Daniel Ashton, missing; F. Bronchet, missing ; Claus Arhues, slight ; M. Coons, missing ; Andrew Sybert, missing; James Dobson, severe ; Samuel Proud, slight; Wm. Baxter, severe; Harvey Tracy, missing; Barton S. Walters, missing; Ira Nichols, severe and taken prisoner; Daniel Daly, slight. Co. C-Michael McNally, slight. Co. E-2d Lieut. Elisha S. Kings- bury,_left arm amputated; Sergt. T. Gronigal, severe and missing, (died); Sergt. David M. Hansom, missing; Sergt. John L. Ripple, missing; Hugh R. Snee, severe and missing ; James Gillett, severe ; James Nelson, severe ; Dilton Lee, missing; Henry_Ohlhues, severe; Reuben Slayton, missing ; George H. Dunn, slight; Frank M. Corbett, slight; Wm. Baxter, severe and missing; Almon Merrill, severe; Lawrence Baker, mortally; George W. Morgan, severe; Howard Johnson, severe; Moses Mayer, severe; Alpheus Rogers, arm amputated ; James Munroe, slight; Wm. F. Hertzog, slight; Orson C. Porter, slight. Co. G-Corp. N. B. Kendall, severely wounded and left on the field, reported mortally, but recovered; Henry Frank, concus- sion ; Sergt. Horace T. Corwin, slight; James B. West, slight. Co. A -- May 26th, Lieut. Burrell, severely wounded.
On the 2d day of June the regiment was again called out, and had a severe engagement on nearly the same ground as on the 20th of May, and its losses were nearly the same, about 40. The losses- from our county were : Co. A-Corp. Thos. DeLine and Wm. H. Reed, taken prisoners ; Frank Abrams, missing.
Many of those reported missing in the above lists, experienced the delights of rebel prisons. Andrew Sibert and David H. Han- som perished in Andersonville. Barton S. Walters and Thomas DeLine lived to get into our lines, but never recovered from their sufferings. Smith died at Annapolis, April 1st. DeLine came home, lingered awhile, and died.
On the 16th, 17th, and 18th days of June, the regiment came into collision with the famous Longstreet corps, near the Richmond and Petersburg pike, and fought them night and day. Here Capt. O. F. Rudd, of this county, was killed, and the regiment lost in the three days' fight about 35 in killed and wounded. Sergt. W. J. Harris, of Channahon, was also mortally wounded, and died on the 17th.
·
175
THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT.
Monday, June 20th, the regiment was ordered to Jones Land- ing, on the James river, where a pontoon bridge was thrown over, and the regiment crossed to the south side next morning. The 25th it proceeded to Point of Rocks, went on board transports to Wilcox Landing, to make a diversion in favor of Sheridan. Find- ing their services were not needed, they returned. Remained at Bermuda Hundred until the 14th day of August, when they crossed to the north side of the James at Deep Bottom, and operated in conjunction with the 2d corps of the army of the James, under the direction of Gen. Grant, in a reconnoisance toward the works near Richmond. They fell back at night across the James, and on Monday, the 15th, recrossed a mile below, and again advanced on the enemy at Strawberry Plains, near Malvern Hill. Not much was done on Monday, as the day was very hot, and some were sun- struck. They were visited by Grant, Hancock, and Butler.
On the 16th the brigade was ordered to charge the works at Deep Run at the point of the bayonet. The assault was made by. the brigade most gallantly, but it was met by a resistance as stub- born and fierce. Even after the assaulting column had mounted the works, the enemy maintained a hand-to-hand fight. But suc- cess at length crowned our brave boys, and the lines of the enemy were broken, and a large number of prisoners captured. But it was at a fearful expense. In perhaps fifteen minutes' time, the 39th lost 64 men, and came out of the encounter with only two of the officers left on duty that appeared on a roster of 28, when they left Washington in the spring.
During this action, a private of Co. G, Henry M. Hardenburg, encountered the color sergeant of an Alabama regiment, when a desperate conflict took place for the colors. After a sharp struggle of some minutes' duration, Hardenburg was the victor, having dispatched the rebel sergeant, and captured his colors, not, how- ever, without receiving divers wounds himself. He presented the captured colors to Gen. Birney, commanding the corps. General Butler, on hearing of the affair, promoted him to a lieutenancy in a colored regiment. But he did not live long enough to assume the position, as he was himself killed at Petersburg, two days before the commission arrived.
The entire loss in this engagement in the 39th, was 104 in
176
HISTORY OF THE
killed, wounded and missing. The casualties to Will county men, were Capt. L. A. Baker, in command of the regiment, shot. through the leg, so severely as to necessitate amputation.
Lieutenant N. C. Warner, of Co. E. was severely wounded and suffered amputation of a leg. Corp. H. E. Sartell, of Co. E, Sergeant Joseph S. Evans, and Charles H. Jackson, of Co. E. were also wounded, the latter.losing an arm. Corp. Wm. Butter- field, Co. A, killed, and private John Berden.
In the latter part of August, the regiment went into the trenches in front of Petersburg, where it was on duty, and under fire almost constantly, night and day. In the latter part of Sep- tember it moved with the corps north of the James, and on the 7th of October met the enemy near Chapin's farm, where it was . assaulted behind some hastily constructed breastworks. But the enemy was repulsed in threesuccessive assaults with great slaughter.
On the 13th of October, the 39th shared in the charge made under command of General A. H. Terry, upon the enemy's works near Darlington road, seven miles from Richmond. The regiment went into this fight near 250 strong, out of which number they lost 60. Several officers were killed. Indeed, the fight left the regiment again with but three commissioned officers on duty. In this engagement we lost Geo. W. Yates, of Co. A, from Wilming- ton. He had been promoted color sergeant for his bravery, and fell with the colors in his hand. Some one passing rapidly by him in the charge, seeing the flag, seized the staff to take it along. Sergt. Yates, though dead, held the staff with so firm a grasp that his body was dragged some distance before the muscles relaxed sufficiently to let go.
On the 29th of October, the remnant took part in a reconnois- ance near the same place, and had a brisk engagement with the enemy. In November, Colonel Osborn returned to the regiment, although not fully recovered from his wounds. He was placed in command of the brigade, and the command of the regiment de- volved on Lieut. Plimpton, who was promoted captain. All the field officers that survived, were off duty on account of wounds.
During the winter, the regiment remained behind the intrench- ments, on the north side of the James, and was equipped anew. It had some skirmishes during the winter. In March, it received
177
THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT.
about 100 recruits, and on the 27th took part in the movements which resulted in our final victory over the rebel army in Vir- ginia.
On that day, it struck tents before Richmond, and made a forced march to the extreme left of the Union lines. Next even- ing passed Sheridan's camp, and the headquarters of the army of the Potomac, where all was busy. Going a few miles further, it went into camp, having marched 37 miles. Monday morning, it advanced to a position near Hatcher's Run.
Heavy skirmishing, sharp shooting, etc., occupied the next three days, while Sheridan's cavalry was operating on the south side of the railroad, gobbling up prisoners by thousands. Satur- day night, April 1st, preparations were made for a grand advance on Petersburg ; and Sunday morning the ball opened, the enemy falling back to Fort Gregg, the key to the rebel works around Petersburg and Richmond. This was a work of great strength, surrounded by a ditch six feet deep and twelve wide, and defended by the picked men of Lee's army. It was assigned to the 1st brigade to charge and take the fort, Col. Osborn of the 39th being in command. With wild cheers the brigade advanced under a galling fire. The fighting was terrific. The 39th was the first regiment to gain the ditch, (a ditch six feet deep and twelve wide, to get out of which they had to dig footholds with swords and bayonets,) and stockade, and then the parapet. The sup- porting column came up in line of battle, but the enemy did not surrender until the General in command of the fort was felled to the ground by a clubbed musket in the hands of a sergeant, and our troops were inside the works, and the colors of the 39th floated from the parapet.
In this assault 150 men of the 39th were engaged, the rest be- ing on other duty. Of these 150, sixteen were killed, and now lie buried where they fell, and forty-four were severely wounded, some of whom died afterwards. Among the killed was George W. Burton, of Co. E, of Wilmington, who had mounted the para- pet alone, under a raging fire, and fell pierced by three balls. The president and Gen. Grant witnessed this charge which occu- pied twenty-four minutes. For the gallantry displayed by the 39th, a magnificent brazen eagle, cast for the purpose, was placed 23
178
HISTORY OF THE
upon the regimental color staff at a subsequent review, by Major General Gibbons. The color sergeant, Henry M. Day, of Wil- mington, who was severely wounded while placing the colors upon the fort, received a medal of honor from the war department.
Thus flanked and defeated, the rebel army retreated, and on Monday morning April 3d, our army marched into Petersburg. The fleeing foe was promptly pursued, the 39th joining in the chase in advance, on the line of the south side railroad, marching one day forty miles, General Grant accompanying the column. The brigade took part also in the action of the 9th, in which Os- born's old war horse, " Mack," was killed under the General by the explosion of a shell. In this its last engagement, the regiment had several casualties, as given below.
And now as a fitting close to all its fierce combats and weary marches and campaigns, the 39th had the glorious privilege of witnessing the surrender of Lee at Appomatox Court House, when the " back bone of the rebellion" was finally and effectually broken.
But little now remains to be said. The regiment was occupied a few days in guarding the spoils of the rebel army. It was then ordered to Richmond, where it had the satisfaction of tread- ing the streets of the proud rebel capital until August, when it moved to Norfolk, Va., where it remained until Dec. 6th, wben it was mustered out of service, and on the 7th started for Spring- field, Ill., where it arrived via Chicago, on the 12th.
On the 16th, the regiment was assembled in chapel and sur- rendered its flag,-which it had borne so bravely on many a bloody field, and which had never been polluted by rebel hands, -to the State. The adjutant general thanked them for their gal- lant record and valuable services to the State and country, con- gratulating them on the happy termination of their honorable and patriotic service. The following are the casualties in compa- nies A and E in the last actions. In action of April 2d, 1865 :
KILLED:
Co. A-Samuel A. Proud, of Channahon; Hugh Rourke, of Channahon; Co. E-George W. Burton, of Wilmington; Henry Olhues, of Florence. WOUNDED:
Co. A-Serg't. Wm. A. Keepers, of Wilmington; Serg't. Henry M. Day,. of Wilmington ; Corp. Ernest Holtz, of Wilmington; Cornelius S. Wil-
:
179
THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT.
lard, of Channahon, lost an arm ; Sergt, Wm. Cumberlick ; Nicholas Smith, (died). Co. E-Ralph Babcock, Alexander Anderson, (substitutes) ; Serg't. Wm. F. Kelly, of Wesley.
In action of April 9th :
WOUNDED :
Co. A-James Hopkins. Co. E-Theo. F. Axtell, of Wesley; Eden R. Strobe!, (a substitute) ; Martin V. Harderman, of Wilmington.
Of the field color guard organized in the spring of 1864 at Washington, not one survived the battle of August 16th, 1864! Lieut. N. C. Warner, who himself lost a leg at the assault on the enemy's works August 16th, 1864, and who now resides at Rockford, Ill., says, " Theodore Gronigal was chosen color ser- geant of the regiment, and bore the national colors at the battle of Drury Bluffs, and was wounded and fell into the hands of the enemy, and is supposed to have died. He was magnificently brave. George W. Burton, Almon Merrill, Walter Van Bogert, Alexander Gray, Henry Olhues and Thomas"Stewart were boys just old enough to pass muster, and belonged to substantial fami- lies of Wilmington and vicinity, and all perished in battle from wounds received, and I remember them as conspicuously brave." To which statement we add, that N. C. Warner is entitled to the same compliment which he bestows upon his comrades. He was struck down as we have related August 16th, 1866, with the regi- mental colors in his hand, and was breveted major for his gal- lantry.
This history, brief as it is, needs no concluding words of rhetoric. Our county lost in the 39th four commissioned officers, two of whom were killed on the field. Several others were cruelly maimed. Twenty enlisted men from Will county, died of disease, thirty more were killed on the field or died of wounds. Four died from imprisonment. Many others were wounded and suffered imprison- ment. Surely the Yates Phalanx contributed its full share of precious life and loyal blood to the preservation of the Union. May that life and blood not have been spent in vain !
:
REGIMENTAL HISTORIES.
CHAPTER IV.
HISTORY OF THE SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT; OR, YATES SHARPSHOOTERS.
Will County in the Yates Sharpshooters-Organization-Movements- From Birds Point to New Madrid-Movements-First Blood-Under Fire- Island No. 10-River Sights-Expedition to Fort Pillow-Goes to Hamburg, Tenn .- Siege of Corinth-Battle of Chambers Creek-Casualties-Incidents -Reconnoisance-Evacuation of Corinth-Incidents-Becomes Gen. Rose- crans' Headquarters' Guard-Major Matteson's Death-Capt. Morrill made Colonel-Goes to Iuka-Movements-Battle of Iuka-Pursuit of Price-Iuka -Recruits-Contrabands-Battle of Corinth-Casualties-Incidents-Vari- ous Accounts-Goes to Glendale-Long Stay on Outpost Duty-Incidents- Goes to Iuka-Pulaski-Re-enlists-Comes Home-Recruiting-Becomes a Full Regiment-Promotions-Leaves for the Front-Decatur-Sunny South -Captain Logan's Company-Brigaded-Chattanooga-Forward-Resacca- Snake Creek Gap-Kingston-Van Wirt-Dallas-Casualties-Pumpkin Vine Creek-Ackworth-Big Shanty-Kenesaw, June 27th-Casualties-A Gritty Boy-On Kenesaw-4th of July-Movements-A Friendly Swim- Marietta-Roswell-Nancy's Creek-Decatur-July 22d-Casualties-Inci- dents-What Sherman Says-True Story of the Dispatches-Who Filled the Gap-28th of July-Before Atlanta-Change of Base-Atlanta-Transferred to 17th Army Corps-Chasing Hood-Hard March-One Man Hard to Wake -Snake Creek Gap-Fight-Casualties-Rations Short-Rations Full-Co. G as Foragers-Marches-Return to Atlanta-Joins the March to the Sea- Poole's Station -- Savannah-Poke-em-till-i-go-Northward-Salkahatchie- Orangeburg-Columbia-Fayetteville-Battle of Bentonville -- Major Rey- nolds Wins a Brevet-March Resumed-Washington -- Review-Home -- Something About the Smith's-A Problem in Natural History-Conclusion.
N the 64th regiment, Will county was represented by 16 com- missioned officers, and about 300 enlisted men. We had, therefore, about the same number of Will county men in this regiment as in the 20th.
Capt. David G. Grover, of Co. E, was one of our well-known lawyers, and raised his company here early in the war, in the fall of 1861.
181
SIXTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.
Co. F, of this regiment, was raised largely through the efforts of Joseph S. Reynolds, of New Lenox, a son of one of our oldest and most respected Hickory Creek families, who had just gradu- ated from the Chicago high school at the breaking out of the war. He was assisted by Lieutenant Ward Knickerbocker, also of New Lenox. Mr. Reynolds entered the company as 2d lieutenant, and shared in all its campaigns and exposures, from New Madrid to Goldsboro. He gradually rose first to the command of the com- pany, and then of the regiment. Co. F was raised mainly in the towns of New Lenox, Frankfort, and Wilmington.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.