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 29
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Dec. 4th. Rations run out and we have to forage, and on the 5th we go past Robinson's mill to the little Tennessee, which we cross near a deserted place called Morgantown ; forage again, and so we go on marching, camping and foraging until we reach the vicinity of Knoxville, the night of Dec. 7th.
" Our advance came up with the rear guard of Longstreet at Louden, but he raised the siege of Knoxville, and slipped away through Bulls gap into Western Virginia. Some fault was found with Granger because the corps did not make better time, but I guess those who made the march thought they went fast enough. It must be remembered that this march had been made by our corps after two months of short rations, the exhausting fighting in front of Chattanooga, and on Mission Ridge, and the chase after the enemy without any rest. The boys were many of them almost barefooted and all thinly clad, and much of the time on deficient rations. We had left with the expectation of returning soon and were allowed no transportation for extra baggage, only one wagon to a regiment, and hence were poorly prepared for a winter in East Tennessee. But this we soon learn is to be our lot. We stay about Knoxville while the force which was here has gone in pursuit of Longstreet.
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Dec. 12th. Marched to Louisville 14 miles. We had to wade the little river, which made the boys squeal some the water was so cold. Went into camp at Louisville at 7. This is a small place of about fifty families."
The 100th was then detailed by Gen. Wagner to take posses- sion of the mills at Louisville, and forage the country for provis- ions and grain, and to grind the grain for the division. Each day a captain and a squad of men were sent out to forage. The com- manding officer always charged the detail not to be hard on poor people, but at the same time to be sure and not come back empty. The captains of the 100th were all humane men and no doubt exe- cuted their orders in the most gentle and judicious manner, but I guess it would have been " poor picking " after them !
After staying here about two weeks the regiment was ordered to join the brigade at Blair's cross roads, about 20 miles above Knoxville. So we cross the Holston and go back to Knoxville and take quarters in an old college. Get supper, draw rations, and then are ordered to fall in again and we march down to the railroad, get aboard some cattle cars and go about 20 miles to a place called "Strawberry Plains." The night was dark as Egypt. The rain poured down in torrents, and it was freezing cold ; and no one knew where to find rails and water, those indispensable ar- ticles for a soldier's bivouac. At last Capt. Stewart, with Co. A, having pressed through the blackness, rain and sleet, found a rail fence, and the 100th having made their coffee, lay down in the rain once more happy. We left some men in Knoxville with such bad shoes that they could not travel. Wehear that the rebels have been reinforced, and that they mean to take Cumberland Gap, and that our corps has been sent down here with Burnside's (now Fos- ter's) to prevent them."
And here, in this delightful region so beautifully named, the bare mention of which will call up such delightful reminiscences of fruit and flowers in the minds of many a soldier, the brigade remained until the 13th of January. Frequent changes were made in the camps, as the necessities of wood and forage required. Much of the time the rations were very scanty, and had to be supple- mented from the country, itself not very flush. The corn had to be foraged and ground, many of our boys turning millers. But
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ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.
they could run anything, from a sewing machine to a factory. In the mean while the surgeon of the regiment (Dr. Woodruff) arrived, who had been in Libby since Chickamauga, and many of the con- ยท valescents had come up.
By the way, there was quite an interesting episode occurred in the history of our boys about the last of December. The conva- lescents of the corps (now Granger's) that had been left at Chatta- nooga, together with some that had returned to that point from their furloughs, including in the number about sixty of the 100th, among them Adjutant Rouse, Capts. Bartlett and McDonald, and Lieut. Col. Waterman, the latter in command of the detachments from seven regiments of Wagner's brigade. They marched from Chattanooga on the morning of the 24th of December, working their way through mud and rain and storm to rejoin their com- mands.
On the 28th they were at Charleston, and were moving out of the town in front, when they were attacked by a division of Wheeler's cavalry, some 5,000 strong. Our convalescents were hastily got into position, skirmishers were sent out and opened upon the enemy who were dismounted and posted upon the hills, which were covered with a second growth of timber, in front of our boys, and from which they poured a steady and well directed fire. Our forces held them in check a couple of hours until they had got their train safely over the river. when the order to charge was given, and the convalescents went in with a yell. The rebs delivered a heavy fire, and then turned and run, but before they could mount their horses, our boys captured one hundred and twenty-six men, and six officers, including two colonels and the inspector general of Wheeler's staff. The rest took to the hills at the top of their speed. The rebel citizens on the way had provided a lunch of the best which could be got, in anticipation of the visit of Wheeler; but had to take the second table, as prisoners. The convalescents joined the brigade on the 12th of January.
"On the 15th of January, the corps started for the French Broad Country, either in hopes of getting better forage, or to feel of Longstreet. On the 16th, went into camp a short distance from Dandridge, a sleepy old town about the size of Chattanooga.
"On the 17th, our regiment was called up at four, and ordered
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to fill their cartridge boxes and get breakfast. There was fighting at the front yesterday. It is said to be only four miles to Long- street's line. We are ordered to stay in camp. In the afternoon we hear firing at the front which continues until after dark. We are ordered to be ready at a moment's notice. After dark we "fall in," supposing that we are to cross the " French Broad," which is but a little way off. But we soon find that we are taking the same road we had come on. We think we are going back a lit- tle to protect the rear, but we keep on without stopping, except for a few moments to rest. We keep on, the roads are slippery with mud, and rough and uneven with the rocks. It is the worst of marching, bad enough in daylight, but in darkness, just horrible. The men fall out one after another by the way, unable to keep up. We get so sleepy that we can hardly keep awake. And thus we go on all night, that is, part of the force, for many fall out, and lie down to sleep. Toward daylight we stop and rest awhile, and start on again early the 18th, and go on to Strawberry Plains, cross the Holston on a new bridge, make a short halt, and then go on four miles, go into camp, draw rations, and get sup- per, and thus ended the memorable retreat from Dandridge."
This was one of the most fatiguing marches ever made by the 100th. The encounter with Longstreet's corps was unexpected. It was not supposed that he was so near. But his forces were driven through the day, and our army would probably have held the advance, but for the discovery made, that for some reason or other, through somebody's neglect, the ammunition train had not come along, and that on inspection they were found with an average of less than twenty rounds, and an immediate retreat was ordered. But there is a comical side to the affair, for it was afterward as- certained that Longstreet was also retreating just as hastily in an opposite direction, so when the sun of the 19th rose on Dandridge, it found the vicinity free from the presence of both armies, except a detail of our boys that had been put to work grinding corn in the vicinity. These were quite surprised to find themselves in possession of the country, and they made their way leisurely back to the army without molestation. After various marches the regi- ment went to Louden, the 25th of January.
While encamped at Louden the veteran fever broke out in the
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ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.
brigade, and four regiments being eligible went home. Those who were left fixed themselves up as comfortably as they could, built good brick chimneys to their tents, and remained here until the 16th of March, passing the time as best they could. Part of the 51st Ind. (the non-veterans) were temporarily attached to the 100th. When they left to join their old regiment again they passed resolutions of thanks for their courteous treatment. While at Louden they heard from some of the boys taken prisoners at Chickamauga. A man from the 6th Ohio, made his escape from the Danville prison, where he saw and knew the two Noble boys who were confined there, and he reported them well. The man had made his escape from prison, and after getting outside had passed himself off as one of Morgan's men, getting passes, rations and transportation to Longstreet's front, and when Longstreet fell back he straggled out and got into our lines.
The sojourn of the regiment in East Tennessee during the winter of 1863 and 1864 was a tedious one. It was hard work to make the time pass profitably and pleasantly. The weather was much of the time cold and rainy ; the men were deficient in clothing and often the rations were poor and scanty. And al- though they had to forage, and to cut and haul their wood, and to gather and grind their corn, yet much of the time they were idle. It would be strange then if some of them did not find the words of good old Dr. Watts true, and if while having a rest from the assaults of the rebels, they were not subjected to the attacks of the father of the rebellion-the chief of rebels. For whether with Milton we dignify this personage as-
" The Prince, the chief of many throned powers, That led the embattled Seraphims to war,"
or, with Burns, call him
" Auld Hornie, Satan, Nick, or Clootie,"
of his existence there is little room to doubt, since he leaves the evidences of his personality and malicious activity everywhere and all along the track of human history.
I think I find evidences of his presence in East Tennessee at this time in the journal of one of the boys where I find frequently
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such entries as these, " Read 'Black Hawk' or the 'Hunter's Scalp ;' Read the 'Black Knight' or the ' Wandering Bohe- mian ;' Read ' Sweeney Todd ' or the ' Ruffian Barber," etc., and so on, through a list of similar titles of blood and thunder novels of the Sylvanus Cobb school-to the number of forty or fifty. I know the Christian Commission had their colporteurs at work trying to get better reading into the hands of our soldiers, but I am afraid they did not penetrate into East Tennessee, or that the devil's colporteurs got ahead of them. It is a nice question in casuistry whether the reading of such trash was better or worse than idleness or card playing.
One of the great comforts of the soldier while in winter quar- ters, as well as when on his campaigns, was his coffee. If the boys could get plenty of bacon and hardtack, and rail fences to make their fires, and water to make their coffee, they would never grumble or sigh for the luxuries of civilized life.
And then the pipe ! Far be it from me to encourage the use of tobacco, but if George Trask, himself, could have seen the com- fort which the soldier derived from his pipe, I don't believe he could have found it in his heart to deprive him of it-at least not until the war was over. Surely the army, if anywhere, was just the place for tobacco. The active out-door life of the soldier would go far to neutralize the subtle nicotine. Mother earth would absorb his foul expectorations as kindly as she would his blood, and quickly cover up the stain, and utter no reproof. And then he was in no company but that of men as dirty as himself. No clean, sweet woman, whether mother, sister, wife or sweetheart, was there to take offense at his stained mouth, or feel disgusted at his tainted breath.
And I am not sure that I would not be willing now to make this compromise with his satanic majesty, viz: that if he would keep whisky and its congeners out of this world, he might do his worst with tobacco, nasty as it is !
But better times are in store for the 100th, for on the 16th of March it was ordered to Athens, Tennessee.
REGIMENTAL HISTORIES.
CHAPTER VIII.
HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH REGT .- CONCLUDED.
ATHENS TO JOLIET. MARCH, 1864, TO JULY, 1865.
A Good Time at Athens-Sunday Parades-The New Adjutant-Sergt. Smith Bags, a Reverend-Must Leave Again-Tender Partings-Atlanta Campaign-Catoosie Springs-Rocky Face-Under Fire-A Good Boy Killed -About Sergeant Holmes-Dalton-Under Fire-Before Resacca-Rebels Flanked-Gathering of Stars-Across the Oostenaula-Adairsville-Kings- ton-A Rest-Advance Again -In the Front-Casualties-Capt. Burrell- Private Jewell-Col. Bartleson's Arrives-Rebels Flanked Again-Ackworth -Casualties-Flanked Again-Bishop Polk ; who killed him-Rebels With- draw-Sherman's Flanking Machine-A Brilliant Charge-Flanked Again -In Front of Kenesaw-Casualty -Saddest Day of All-Summary of Cas- ualties-Assault of June 27-Incidents-Casualties-Special Mention-Back in the Rifle-pits-Rebels Flanked Again-Marietta-Smyrna Camp Ground -Casualties - Vining's Station-Rossville-Across the Chattahoochee-Buck- head Cross-roads-Peach Tree Creek Fight-Casualties-On the 22d-Gen. Thomas' Order-Before Atlanta-Capt. Stewart Stops his Jaw-Adjutant Rouse-Lieut. Schoonmaker-Condition of Regiment-Another Flank Move- ment-Down to Lovejoy-Atlanta Ours-Incidents -- Back to Atlanta -- The Boys Wash Up-A Sunday's Rest Broken-Back to Chattanooga - Various Movements-On the Old Camp Ground -- Various Marches-Stephenson- Pulaski-Fight at Spring Hill-Franklin Battle-Casualties -- Back to Nash- ville-Two Days' Battle-Casualties -- Chasing Hood-Winters at Huntsville -Goes to Knoxville-Beyond-Glorious News-Effects-The Sad News- Returns to Nashville-Review of 4th Corps by "Old Pap"-Homeward Bound-Receptions -- Addenda.
HE one and a half months sojourn of the regiment at ATHENS, Tenn., is regarded by both officers and privates, as the brightest period in their army life. Sandwiched between the tedious winter at Strawberry Plains and Louden, where cold and wet, hunger and sickness, tried their patience and endurance,
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and the summer's Atlanta campaign, in which they were almost without intermission, under fire ; it was like the oasis in the desert -the one green spot in their military experience, which still re- mains a pleasant memory. There were many things which com- bined to render their stay here very agreeble. Athens is one of the prettiest towns in East Tennessee, beautifully located on the Knox- ville and Chattanooga Railroad ; a county seat of considerable educational advantages and culture. The inhabitants moreover were generally loyal, and did not turn their backs upon the " boys in blue ;" but, on the contrary, opened to them their hearts and homes. The boys found here that there was a meaning in the term, "Southern hospitality," of which they had begun to doubt. Here they fixed up a nice camp, built a redoubt guarding the rail- road, on which they mounted two six pound James rifled guns. They had quite a miniature army, for they had for cavalry, half a dozen butternut clad scouts, not snowy, but true blue, despite the butter- nut. The trains from Chattanooga to Knoxville, stopped half an hour for dinner, which gave an opportunity to see a great many celebrities, civil and military. Among the rest, was Governor Andy Johnson, who made a speech to the boys, although not at that time, "swinging around the circle." Gen. Sherman stopped on one occasion and inspected the camp, pronouncing it the best kept camp he had ever seen. The lamented Major Bowen writing home from Athens at that time, playfully says :
" We are living as well as anybody need. Rations are plenty. Butter and eggs from the country abundant. We board at a first- class hotel, have a husk mattress to sleep on, and a shingle roof over our heads. Is not this gay soldiering? Our mess consists of Col. Waterman, eminent for executive ability ; Major Ham- mond, eminent for practical knowledge of men and things; Cap- tain Bowen, eminent for poetical and musical ability ; Dr. Wood- ruff, the most eminent practitioner attached to the 100th Illinois, and Adjutant Horne, eminent for subdued and gentlemanly de- portment in presence of the ladies, all men of acknowledged valor and coolness in battle, and great proficiency in military science." Maj. Bowen also describes a wedding party to which the mess was invited.
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ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.
The influence of the place and its society was soon manifest in the appearance of the regiment. All, the officers and privates, began to " slick up," as boys, old or young, will, when there are pretty girls about. Boots were blacked, clothes were brushed, heads were groomed, paper collars sported, etc., things which the boys had almost forgotten how to do. When not on duty they were permitted to go down town and form the acquaintance of the inhabitants, among whom, as more than one soldier's letter testi- fies, were many pretty girls. These letters show also that these Athenian damsels found the tender spot in many a soldier's heart. Several parties were given to which many were invited, and I have no doubt that it became apparent to the Athenians that the 100th, not only knew how to mount their
-" barbed steeds To fight the souls of fearful adversaries,"
but that they could also,
-" caper nimbly in a lady's chamber, To the lascivious pleasing of a lute."
I have heard it said that more than one of the boys came near losing his heart, and forgetting the girl he had left behind him. Indeed, one member of the regiment was married here. This was Charles Styles, of Manhattan, who, though he never surrendered to . 'a rebel, struck his colors to a pretty Athenian widow. Poor fel- low, as we shall see, his wife was soon a widow again !
The feeling of good will seems to have been mutual. The citi- zens used to come up to witness the Sunday afternoon dress parades, and were so well pleased with the regiment that when a forward movement began to be talked of, they presented a petition to the de- partment commander, asking that the 100th regiment might be left as a permanent guard. I don't know whether the girls signed this petition or not, but I have no doubt they prayed for its success. The journal of one of the boys, a non-commissioned officer, has these and similar entries very often about these days : "Went down to see the C -- girls," and " called on the B- girls,- good union girls !" He also speaks of many "sad and tender
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partings, and even tears," at leaving. I have no doubt that there is even yet in many a woman's heart in Athens, though now mar- ried, and surrounded with children perhaps, a tender memory for some boy in blue, whose name was then on the roster or muster roll of the 100th. However this may be, the boys of the 100th have not forgotten those pleasant days, and still speak of them with gusto. It is said that Byron's-
" Maid of Athens ! ere we part,
Give, oh give me back my heart," &c., &c.,
was a favorite morsel of poetry with them at the time, and was often rendered, with slight variations.
One incident which occurred at one of the Sunday dress pa- rades of which I have spoken, I must not omit to record. Offi- cers and privates were making their best appearance. The acting adjutant, for reasons which I guess were not purely military, was especially well got up. A stranger, struck with his distingue air, enquired of a street gamin, " Who is that fine looking officer with the white gloves ?" To which the boy replied with great en- thusiasm, " oh, that's the feller what hugs our handsome school- marm."
April 10th, the corps experienced a change of commanders, Gen. Granger taking leave and Gen. Howard assuming command. Passing through Athens, Gen Howard expressed his satisfaction with the way things looked. While at Athens the regiment re- ceived a new stand of colors from the U. S. to replace the one carried from Louisville, and which had become so demoralized by shot and shell, that it could no longer be unfurled. The old colors were sent home to Joliet with an eloquent letter, by the lieutenant colonel. The new colors were presented at dress parade with appropriate remarks.
Living a few miles from Athens, outside our army lines, was a wealthy and influential man of the name of Sullens. He was a Presbyterian minister, but a bitter rebel. He showed his faith in the Confederacy by his works. He had become notorious for his agency in getting union men arrested, and for conveying informa- tion to the rebel authorities. He had several brothers in the rebel service, one of whom was a major general. Several attempts had
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ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT.
been made by the union authorities to arrest him, but hitherto he had managed to escape. Col. Waterman, now in command of the 100th, was called upon to procure, if possible, his arrest. He was wanted as a hostage, in order to procure the release of some union men held in durance vile by the rebel authorities.
Col. Waterman selected for this purpose Sergt. (afterwards lieutenant) Henry M. Smith, of Co. B, telling him to select his own detail, and as many as he wanted. Sergeant Smith accord- ingly selected five men to assist him, and after getting posted as well as he could, respecting the location, roads, &c., he started out with the determination to have the Rev. gentleman if he was at home. When within about one mile of the plantation, Smith separated his men, sending them out to the right and left, and giv- ing them such instructions as would bring them near the house from all directions at the same time. After allowing time for the movement Smith approached the house, and with his Henry rifle loaded and capped, he knocked at the door of the Sullen mansion and enquired for his Reverence. Mrs. Sullens had come to the door and said that he was at home. He soon made his appearance, evidently entirely unsuspicious of the errand on which his caller had come. The sergeant soon made his errand known, and told him that he must consider himself under arrest, and also assured him that any attempt to escape would be both useless and danger- ous, as his orders were to bring him dead or alive. He would, of course, prefer to take him without any fuss, but go he must. Sul- lens and his wife both expressed great surprise at this announce- ment, and informed Smith that he was a Presbyterian minister ! But this did not strike the sergeant with the awe which they ex- pected. Smith had seen a Presbyterian minister before, and was himself born a Scotch Irish Presbyterian. He was told that he must get ready to go to Knoxville, and if he wanted to take along any clothing Mrs. Sullens had better get it ready at once. Find- ing the sergeant inexorable Mrs. Sullens poured out upon his head, and on the Yankee officers in general, the vials of her indignation at such cruel treatment. Mr. Sullens declared his inability to walk to the railroad. Smith told him he would call one of his horses that he saw plowing in the field. Various pretexts were resorted to in order to gain time, until Smith gave them five min-
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utes to get ready. Mrs. Sullens asked that her husband might retire to change his clothes, but the sergeant could not allow him to leave the room, whatever changes he made must be done in his presence. This called forth fresh torrents of indignation. At length finding the sergeant inflexible, and a horse having been brought up, his reverence took his departure between two Yankee soldiers, with others in front and rear, all armed. In bidding Mrs. Sullens good-bye, the sergeant assured her that he would take good care of her husband, and would bring back any letter he might wish to send from Knoxville. And so Rev. Mr. Sullens was conducted to the railroad, put aboard a freight train, and in due time delivered over to the provost marshal of Knoxville, who was very happy to make his acquaintance. He was held in cus- tody for some time, until the release of several prominent union men was procured in exchange.
On Smith's return he took back a letter to Mrs. S., and acted as the medium of communication between Mr. Sullens and wife for some little time. This, with the kind manner in which her husband was treated by the authorities at Knoxville, caused Mrs. Sullens to modify somewhat her opinion of Yankee officers, and while the regiment stayed at Athens, Smith was freely supplied with butter and eggs from the Sullen's plantation. When the regi- ment left, it passed by the house ; Smith ran in to bid Mrs. S. good bye, when she thanked him most warmly, and gave him a parting embrace as hearty as his own mother could have given, and which he well remembers.
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