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 25
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But little of interest occurred during the stay. The railroad was opened to Manchester, so that they had regular rations, and also a mail. It was a good place for the study of natural history. The varieties of snakes, lizards, jiggers, and bugs of every shape and color was immense, and all were kept in a state of irritation and discomfort from their bites, or the fear of them.
On the 24th, Uncle Sam's representative-the most warmly loved of all army officers-the paymaster-visited the army, and the 100th drew four months' rations of greenbacks.
On the 2d of August there was an accident in camp, serious and nearly fatal. Just after inspection, one of the regiment was cleaning his gun, when it suddenly went off, wounding John Shoemaker, of Co. H, in the head, fracturing the skull. The ball also passed through several tents, and the hat of a man belonging to an adjoining regiment.
One day part of the regiment went to Manchester as train guard. When they were returning, one of the captains had got a considerable distance ahead, and thought he would try his pistol, and selected as a mark something that looked like a twig on a bush by the road side. He popped away and with his usual skill hit the mark plump on the center. But it turned out that what he had taken for a twig, was the toe of a straggler, who had lain down in the bush with his bare and dirty foot resting on a log, and gone to sleep. The owner of the toe jumped up and danced round and made some fuss. Happily the wound was not serious, and the
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captain dressed it with " greenback " plaster, and made the man promise to keep dark, but the joke got out.
Col. Buell, who was at this time in command of three regi- ments, including the 100th, was exceedingly strict in his discipline of the camp. Not only was this true in respect to foraging, but also in respect to passing through the lines. Strict orders were given to the sentinels to allow no one to pass on any pretense what- ever without a pass and countersign, and, after a certain hour, they were not to be allowed to pass, even though they had both pass and countersign. The colonel was in the habit of visiting a certain house two or three miles outside the lines, where he had discov- ered some very pretty girls. One night, I presume forgetting the orders he had given, or thinking they would not be enforced against himself, he overstaid the hour, and on his return was duly halted. He dismounted, and gave the countersign all right, but was told by Corporal Henry Smith, in charge of the outpost, that he could not pass. Now, the colonel had been very strict in holding officers to account for the enforcement of his orders, and had made himself very unpopular by what seemed to many unnecessary severity. Corp. Smith recognized the colonel, but was none the less will- ing to carry out his orders. He therefore told the colonel that he must lead his horse up and down the beat until he (Smith) was relieved by another detail, when he would take him back to the lieutenant in charge of the post. Buell protested in vain that he was Col. Buell, and swore he would have Smith bucked and gagged if he did not allow him to pass. Smith knew his duty, and told him he could not pass if he was Gen. Rosecrans himself. And so Buell had to pace the sentry's beat under the cocked musket of the corporal, until his hour had expired, when he took the colonel back to the lieutenant in charge of the post and reported. Col. Buell also reported in no very choice or measured terms, but found the lieutenant as strict to obey orders as the corporal was, and the colonel was told that he must remain and pace the beat again until the lieutenant was relieved. The colonel was very wroth, and threatened to have the lieutenant court-martialed. But after storming awhile his wrath exhausted itself, and he changed his tactics, telling the lieutenant he had done right, and was to be commended for his obedience to orders. The lieutenant,
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thinking that the colonel had had enough of his own medicine,' finally let him pass. Nothing was ever heard of the court-martial, and Corporal Smith became very popular in the brigade for his obedience to orders, and was soon after promoted.
Another incident of some little interest occurred, while the division was stopping at Hillsboro. We have spoken of the colonel's habit of visiting outside the lines. This was at a fine plantation, owned by a rebel whose name we will call Smith, al- though it might have been Jones, or something else. This man found it for his interest to be very loyal now, and very polite, es- pecially to the officers of the army, and thus he got his family and his possessions protected. Now it happened that he had some very sweet things in and about his fine mansion. Inside were some very pretty girls,-while outside there was a fine stand of some twenty bee hives, well stocked with honey. Now, I need not say that soldiers, whether officers or privates, are very fond of sweet things. This would be only to say that they were hu- man. But the officers would of course have the inside track with the girls,-as no others could get the entree of the house. Noth- ing therefore was left for the privates, but to go for the next sweetest thing, to-wit-the honey. So it happened one night, that while the brigade commander was playing sweet with the girls in the house, some of the privates " confiscated " two or three boxes of the old reb's honey. The did the job so carelessly that the loss was discovered in the morning, and the old man made his com- plaint to the officer, wlio at once relieved the lieutenant, who had charge of the detail, with a severe reprimand. He then ordered Lieut. N. to take a new detail, and charged him most emphati- cally to allow no foraging-threatening to have him cashiered, and his men shot, if anything of the kind was done. As the lieuten- ant left headquarters with his men, the A. A. A. G., who hap- pened to be a well known captain of the 100th, repeated the order in a very impressive manner ; but the boys imagined they saw in his eye, a slight wink, which they interpreted to mean-" do not forage-but if you must, be sure and not to get caught." Well, the lieutenant placed his pickets, and with those who were off duty, bivouacked in the old man's verandah, and the night passed quietly. The old man slept without anxiety, on the assurance of
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the officer, who sparked his girls meantime, that all would be right: But it happened that in this detail was a private who was a skilled workman, a man of science and experience, and during the night he carefully removed the tops of some of the hives, emptied them of their luscious load, and then replaced them so carefully that no traces of the theft were visible. The old man took a look in the morning at his bee hives, but everything looked right, and he remained in blissful ignorance of his loss. " He that is robbed, not knowing it, is not robbed at all." How long this state of happy ignorance continued, is not known. But it lasted until the 100th was well on its way over the Cumberland mountains, and the honey was among the things that had been.
Early on the morning of the 16th of August, orders came to get ready to march at once. All was forthwith bustle and work, and by nine o'clock everything was ready, and at ten the army was again on the move.
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An amusing incident occurred on starting. Since lying at Hillsboro, headquarters mess had rejoiced in the possession of a cook of the "cullud " and female " persuasion "-a great fat negress, who had come into camp from the adjoining country, and being really a good cook, had been employed in that capacity. She was a great admirer of the a ljutant, pronouncing him the " hansummest man she ever sawed." Well, when " Aunt Emma " had got mounted on her old mule, with her kettles, pails, coffee pots, and other utensils strapped to the saddle, and all her personal paraphernalia as well-all nearly covering the mule out of sight, her red bandanna coiled over her head a la Turk, and her clothes streaming in the wind, and her impedimenta clattering by her side, she made a conspicuous, if not a military show. She now mani- fested her regard for the adjutant by trotting her old mule up past the regiment, and taking her position by his side! The expres- sion of mingled mirth and vexation on the face of the adjutant, the shouts and snickers of the men, and the grieved look of poor old Emma as she fell back to the rear on being politely informed that that was her position-all made a scene over which the boys have had many a laugh-then and since.
The day was extremely hot, and starting on a fast walk, many were soon used up, being nearly sun-struck. At half-past four,
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they were at the foot of the mountain, eleven miles from Hills- boro. All took a good look at its steep and rugged sides, and dreaded the morrow's work, past experience having taught them that it would be no easy job to get the train up the mountain. The order for the next day was given out : reveille at three, march at four o'clock, and the men went to bed early to gather strength for the task before them.
The next day more than fulfilled their expectations. The regi- ment was marched part way up the mountain, stacked arms, and turned in to work again reinforcing the mules, pushing and pull- ing at the wagons. The road was full of sharp turns, and the ascent at times almost perpendicular. They passed a splendid spring part way up the mountain which comes out of the ground, flows quite a stream, and after going away down the side, disap- pears in a hole in the rock. The wagons had to be partially unloaded, and two trips made for each load. The first one was not concluded before midnight. The regiment was then allowed to rest, and most of them fell asleep in their tracks, when one of those strange and unaccountable panics broke out, the origin of which, at the time, no one could tell. It started, no one could tell why, where, or how, but all at once the men found themselves running around in the dark, stumbling over the rocks and each other, and for a few moments all was confusion and appreliension of something, they knew not what. Some were under the impres- sion that the returning teams had run away, and they were in danger of being run over. But the scare soon ended, with nobody hurt. It was afterwards found that some mule driver ran over a soldier sleeping in the road, who started up from a sound sleep, half awake, and made such an outcry as to arouse the rest and create the panic.
The ascent was completed by half-past nine o'clock the next morning, and a rest was given until one o'clock p. m. In get- ting up the mountain, the boys lost and had to throw away much of their baggage. Headquarters mess lost their provision box. The colonel lost his favorite camp chair. The adjutant and major lost their cots, and all, their tents. About the seventh day rations began to give out, and the boys were put on three-fourths allowance ; but they would not stay put, and
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occasionally a gun was heard to go off, and soon after two soldiers would be seen coming into camp, the one in front with a pig on his shoulder, and the other behind him with fixed bayonet, as if taking him to the provost. But, somehow or other, they failed to report, and the pig disappeared very mysteriously, and headquar- ters did not inquire very closely into the addition to their supper.
They then marched again about nine miles, going past Tracy City. This is a small town of abont forty houses, and is noted for its coal mine, and a railroad ; a branch of the C. & N. R. R. runs to it for the coal.
Next day, the 19th, reveille at three. The regiment was detailed to guard supply train, and had to wait for it until nine, the rest of the division starting at six. The road was rough, and much work was required to help the mules. After a march of fifteen miles, they went into camp. Next morning started at daylight with the train, and got across the mountain about noon. It took thirty-six hours to get up the mountain, one and a half miles, and the distance across diagonally was twenty or twenty-five miles-a rugged and wild country, with here and there a log hut. The mountain was infested with rattlesnakes, huge and venomous ; some were killed having eleven to thirteen rattles, and three or four feet long. They found a fine stream of water on the top of the mountain.
Those having an eye for beautiful scenery were now amply repaid for all the toil of the ascent and crossing, by the view which lay spread out in the valley at the foot of the mountain. A most beautiful valley, with cultivated farms and orchards, dwellings, &c., was below them ; and there also lay encamped that portion of the army which had preceded them, the tents looking in the dis- tance uo bigger than a man's hat. But the descent had yet to be made, and not much time can be spared to gratify the eye. Going down was not as easy as rolling off a log. Indeed, it wis more tedious and dangerous than the ascent. The road was very crooked, and filled with gullies, boulders, &c. Four hours were required for the regimental ambulance to get down. The regi- ment camped in the valley at the base of the mountain, at a point known as " Thurman's," a cluster of only two or three houses. Our army had captured a few rebels, and also rescued four or five
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Union men, whom they had condemned to be shot, our cavalry get- ting there just in time to save them.
The valley is one of great beauty and fertility, lying between two ranges of the Cumberland mountains, and four or five miles in width. Its correct name is said to be Chee-quasch-chee, of course an Indian name, which has been corrupted by the people into "Squatch," "Squash," and most generally "Sequachee." The valley is sixty miles long. It is a wonderful peach country, and the boys arrived in the height of the season, and indulged freely in the luxury. Quite a business is done here in making up a good share of the product into peach brandy. Some of the boys tried their hand at distilling it, and, I am afraid, at drinking it, too. It is said to be a rather rough liquor when new. In this valley were also several tanneries which had been busy tanning leather for the confederate army.
Gen. Wood here issued a congratulatory order to his division for the splendid manner in which they had accomplished the late tedious march.
The camp of the 100th was pitched in a most beautiful and romantic spot. Near by, gushing out from the foot of the moun- tain, was a large and beautiful spring, which supplied the division. with water. Close by was the range of mountains over which they had just come, while across the valley was another range of about the same height, although not quite so precipitous. A little to the northwest was a long and rugged range of rocks, cut up with ravines, which in the changes of light and shade during the long summer's day, formed most beautiful pictures, needing but little aid from the imagination to seem an elevated and fortified city, with its walls, battlements, and towers, frowning defiance upon the beleaguering hosts below.
The valley, as we have said, is one of the most fertile in the state. Besides the peaclies, which seemed to grow spontaneously by the roadsides, and even in the timber, were found apples, green corn, melons, berries, and chickens, in great abundance. Near the base of the eastern range flows a stream of the same name as the valley. In this valley the army enjoyed a fortnight's rest, which was very grateful after the passage of the mountains. Frequent details were sent out to forage for man and mule. The valley was
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also fertile in other respects than those' we have named, as will appear from the following incident :
During the stay in the valley, Capt. Nelson was sent out with a detail for forage. Crossing the Sequachee Creek, he followed it down the valley for a few miles, but on ascertaining that a detail from another division was sent out before him, and had left but poor picking, he struck off to the left into another valley which debouched into the Sequachee. Going up this about five miles, the party came into a cultivated clearing, where they found peaches growing in abundance by the roadside. While the boys were har- vesting these, the captain made his way to a plantation not very far off. Here he found a large, two-story double log house, built of hewn logs, with great outside chimney stacks at either end, the roof and verandas covered with "shakes "-all in the usual style of a southern well-to-do farmer. Sitting in the porch was an old man apparently about sixty years of age, and in the door was a pale-faced woman some ten or fifteen years younger. The captain, being invited to " have a cheer," entered into conversation with the couple. The old man said he had taken no part in the war, but was in favor of the old flag. The woman complained of hav- ing the " ager." The captain gave her some quinine, telling her how to take it, and assuring her that it would cure her in a few days. She seemed a little afraid of it at first, saying that she never " hearn tell " of it before; she had liad a "right smart chance of the ager," but she had always "got shut " of it by taking "roots and yerbs." But after seeing the captain taste of the powder, and being assured of its efficacy, she "allowed" she would try it. While this conversation had been going on, a lot of children, of all ages, sizes, and sexes, had been gathering around, all of them tow- headed, and dressed in the butternut linsey woolsey uniform of the country. The captain, supposing that they had gathered in from the neighboring plantations to have a look at a live yankee, jocosely inquired of the old man if these were all his children, and was astonished with a prompt affirmative reply. On giving voice to his surprise and incredulity, he was still more astonished by being assured that these were not all-that they had twenty-four chil- dren, all living-all born of the same mother, five pair being twins. The old man " allowed," morever, that they " mought " have"
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more yet ! On the captain's rejoining his inen and telling what he had seen, he was thought to be romancing, until the sight of the old man with his flock coming down through the grass confirmed the story.
When they got back to camp, of course such a phenomenon was reported around the camp fires, and many, both officers and privates, made old man Oomans a visit, and were introduced to the " 24th Tennessee Infantry," as they most appropriately named the patriarchi's flock.
This seems a big story, but then we always did get big stories from Tennessee !
Certainly one of the vices of modern, fashionable society had not yet penetrated into this retired region !
On the 22d, there were two excitements. The first was occa- sioned by an order of Gen. Wood for the selection of 100 men and officers from the regiment to go upon a hard and dangerous expe- dition. The regiment was formed in line, and a call made for volunteers. Many more than the required number stepped forth. The strongest were selected, and ordered to get ready at once with three days' rations and sixty rounds of ammunition.
The same number went from the other regiments of the bri- gade, making a force of four hundred, in charge of Col. Buell. The reported danger and secrecy of the movement, (none but the commander knowing its destination or object) made it quite ex- citing, both for those who went, and those who remained in camp. The next excitement came after dinner just as the boys were dis- cussing the one of the morning over their post-prandial pipes. An orderly came up in haste, with orders to fall in immediately, as a large force of cavalry was advancing, and was only five miles distant. Tents were forthwith struck, baggage packed with haste, and everything got ready to receive them, and thus the regiment remained until evening, and then rebuilt their tents.
The expedition which went out returned just at night next day, well worn out, having traveled fifty-six miles up and down the mountains. The object had been to capture a steamboat that had run aground on the Tennessee river, and been deserted by the crew ; but the rebels liad succeeded in getting it off a few hours before their arrival. They were within seven miles of Chat-
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tanooga, and brought back a paper of the 20th. On the route, which was through a region of much interest, they found mag- nificent springs coming out of the sides of the mountain so large and copious as to run mills. They had a very hard and fatigu- ing trip. Some of the boys got so sleepy marching in the night that they actually slept on the march, and lost their guns while traveling along.
Elder Crews left the regiment while it was in the valley, and gave the boys his farewell address, August 25th. Before we take leave of the chaplain, we must tell one more story of him: While the regiment was lying near Pelham, he thought he would take a bath. He selected a spot which seemed secure from observation, and was enjoying the luxury, when some soldiers, that belonged to another division, and did not know him, came along and spied his gray head in the water. They took him for some old codger of the country, and thought they would have some fun at his expense. So they commenced throwing sticks at him, and ordered him to come out. He remonstrated with them, very mildly at first ; but when, instead of desisting, they began to throw stones, the chaplain thought that forbearance was no longer a grace, and he stepped out and went for them. When they saw his elan, and his well-developed muscles, they wheeled and effected a hasty retreat.
The division remained at Thurman's until Sept. 1st, when at 6:30 a. m., it again took up the march. The road was exceed- ingly dusty, marched twenty miles and camped at 3 o'clock p. m. at Jasper, where they stayed until nearly night the next day. Near Jasper is a large and interesting cave, called " Peter's Cave." This was explored by Sergt. Holmes and others, to the extent of a quarter of a mile. He speaks of it as very beautiful. There was a large round room, the dome of which could not be dis- cerned with the light they had, but a stream of water came down from it with a deafening noise, no aperture could be seen. On a subsequent visit a passage was found and the cave was explored a mile and a half further, and an opening found coming out in another part of the mountain. Saltpeter was manufactured here by the rebels.
Just at night, Sept. 21, orders came to march to the river seven
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or eight miles distant. It was a very dark night, and their pro- gress was slow, reaching the river about midnight. The crossing was made on small flat boats which had been captured a few days before. The brigade did not all get over until nearly daylight, and camped about a half mile from the river, in the finest crop of weeds ever seen, so tall and thick that one tent could not be seen from another. This point was known as Shell Mound, from a mound near by. A small brick depot was the extent of the town. A large cave called Nickijack, was near by in which the rebels had manufactured saltpeter quite extensively. It was said by some of the inhabitants that the cave had been explored for seven miles, and others said that it was fourteen in extent. It is second only to the Mammoth Cave, both in extent and beauty. Near this place also is the place where the states of Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee touch each other, and it is marked by a stone monu- ment, and one can-if he has large feet-stand in three states at the same time. Many of the boys availed themselves of the op- portunity.
On the afternoon of the 5th, the brigade moved eight miles along the railroad. On one side were high rocks, sometimes two hundred feet high, and on the other river. On the 6th, went to Wauhatchie, a station on the North Carolina and Trenton railroad, in Lookout Valley. On the right lay Lookout mountain, and along its ridge could be seen the signal stations of the enemy. All sorts of rumors were rife in camp. They were now within seven miles of the " Gibraltar of the west," as the rebels regarded Chattanooga. A rebel mail and two prisoners were captured here. That night, after most of the men had got to sleep they were awakened and ordered to move back about two miles, rested there until 3:30, when the men were called up again, ordered to cook breakfast without fires. This was a liard job to do, but hard tack and bacon made the meal. The regiment then stood at arms until sunrise, when they were allowed to build fires and have their coffee. The position was then changed a little, and the day spent waiting. Col. Harker's brigade of the division, during the day made a reconnoisance, going about a mile beyond the halting place of the previous night, when the enemy opened upon them with three guns, killing one man, and they returned. Our bri-
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