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 39
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After the fight the battery moved on to Nashville, reaching Crab Orchard Oct. 16th, and the city of Nashville Nov. 1, and Mill Creek, six miles south of Nashville, Nov. 22d. During their stay at this last point they were sharply engaged with the enemy three times without loss. Dec. 10th they were relieved from duty in Sheridan's division, and returned to Nashville where they went on garrison duty and were attached to Col. Dan. McCook's brigade.
During the winter Capt. Barnett filled the position of chief of 54
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artillery and inspector of stock at Nashville. On the 30th of June the battery moved to Murfreesboro to repel a threatened at- tack upon that place, and remained until July 19th when it re- turned to Nashville. Capt. Barnett's position was of great advan- tage to the battery, as they got the choicest horses.
August 20th, it left Nashville with 2d brigade, 2d division of reserve corps of Gen. Granger, and proceeded through Franklin, Columbia, Pulaski, and Athens to Huntsville, where it arrived September 4th. During this march, the mounted men of the battery with a few mounted infantry acted as scouts, scouring the country, capturing guerillas, foraging and harrassing the enemy.
The country through which they passed, was one of the finest in all the south. It consisted of large cotton plantations, the owners of which were among the richest and proudest of the ar- istocracy of the confederacy. Here dwelt in splendid mansions, surrounded by trees, shrubbery, and flowers, the Polks, the Arm- strongs, the Hilliards, the Webbs, and the Pillows. Here they had long lived in ease and plenty, protected in the enjoyment of the wealth and ease which they derived from the unpaid toil of the slave, by the very government they were now seeking to over- throw. In the back ground of these mansions were the negro huts, barns, gin houses, etc., which formed quite a village on every plantation, and stretching out beyond were large fields of the staple, which they fondly believed was still king; and rich pas- tures where grazed the cattle and horses which the demands of their cherished " cause" had yet left to them.
The foraging detail was in command of H. B. Plant, and their great need at this time was horses. They were accordingly calling at all the plantations in search of them. Among others which they visited was that of Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, the hero (?) of Fort Donaldson. The general of course was absent fighting (or running) for the " cause." Some horses were seen in a pasture near, and on inquiry of the overseer he said they were all colts, none of them fit for artillery horses. But on examination a couple were found which the lieutenant thought might answer his pur- pose, and therefore concluded to take along, offering-as a grim joke-to give the usual receipt, which carried a promise to pay on proof of loyalty. This, however, was declined, as probably of lit-
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tle avail to a man who was a general in the confederate army. They then visited the stables but found nothing more except a pony, which some of the boys wanted very much to take along for the pet of the battery to ride; but the lieutenant declined tak- ing anything which would not be directly useful to " Uncle Sam." The overseer assured Lieut. Plant these were all the horses left upon the place, and he was about leaving when he heard a most expressive " whinny " from behind the barn, and on going round, and the whinny being repeated, it was responded to by another animal, and lo ! coming out from behind the stacks was a span of beautiful, sleek, fat, and large blooded horses, all unconscious of the fate in store for them. The lieutenant directed a look of mingled surprise and inquiry to the overseer, who, somewhat em- barrassed, hastened to explain that "these were Mrs. Pillow's carriage horses, which of course no one would want, as they. were old family horses, and of no use except to draw Mrs. Pillow's carriage, having never been subjected to more vulgar work. Of course no gentleman would think of taking them." But the lieutenant couldn't see it in that light. They looked as though they could draw Uncle Sam's pop-guns, as well Mrs. Pillow's carriage, and he thought he would take them along. And now comes from the house a request that the officer in commaud would step in and see Mrs. Pillow; and accordingly the lieutenant was ushered into the august presence of the wife of Gen. Pillow, who condescended to plead to a yankee officer, in behalf of the " poor old carriage horses, that had belonged to the family so long, and which had until now been spared by both parties in this cruel war; and which "surely no gentleman would take." Lieut. Plant heard her patiently, and asked her if she had any protec- tion papers, to which she somewhat indignantly replied that her husband was a general in the confederate army. He told her he must take the horses ; Uncle Samuel was greatly in need of them -needed them much worse than she did-and he thought by their appearance they would be very useful, notwithstanding their great age. And so at the risk of being considered no gentleman by the wife of a rebel, who was engaged in the genteel business of trying to overthrow the government that had educated and pro- tected him, he took them along. We here state for the consola-
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tion of Mrs. Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, (if she still survives) that they served the battery long and well, helping to draw one of its guns at Chickamauga and Mission Ridge, and for aught I know, on the Atlanta campaign, and the march to the sea. And when the rebel general presents his claim against Uncle Sam for those horses, he can refer to this history for proof.
But I must do the young lieutenant the justice to say that this was an act of bravery greater than that of facing the cannon's mouth, for Mrs. Pillow was supported on this occasion by a bevy of young ladies, handsome and well dressed, who looked with wonder, scorn and indignation upon the Yankee lieutenant who could thus treat a lady ! To face a battery of such eyes as were then turned upon him, required some pluck.
I believe there is a tradition in the battery that the lieutenant was not quite so hard hearted, with a young and pretty widow that he encountered on another plantation, who claimed to be in favor of union, even with yankees ; and who got the lieutenant to do pretty much as she wanted him to. In fact he did not confis- cate a single hoof. N. B. At this time the lieutenant was " fancy free."
While in the vicinity of Athens, Ala., a melancholy incident occurred. This was the loss of one man from the company, by an accident, George Mather, of Joliet. A scorpion had crawled into his boot during the night, and on his drawing it on in the morning stung him. The sting of this insect is not usually fatal, although extremely painful. But in this case the foot commenced swelling immediately and rapidly. His comrades under the direction of a surgeon, administered to him copious draughts of whisky, a supposed antidote. The poor fellow, being thus stung internally as well as externally, died. I think it would take a more than average coroner's jury to decide whether it was the sting of the scorpion, or of the whisky that killed him.
In respect to the scorpion, let me say for the information of those who are not acquainted with the " varmint," that it belongs to the arachnida, the second class of articulates. Perhaps he would be better understood if I was to say that he is a kind of elongated spider, having his body terminated by a caudal appendage, in which there is a curved and very sharp sting, which effuses an
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acrid and poisonous fluid. Like the locust described in the apo- calypse, his power is in his tail.
After reaching Huntsville, the battery was ordered to proceed to Chattanooga, which they did by way of Stephenson, Bridgeport, and Lookout Mountain, arriving at Chattanooga, September 13th, and marching on the 14th out to Rossville, five miles south. Dur- ing the march they averaged 25 miles per day. From the 17th to the 20th, the battery occupied various positions protecting Ross- ville, and Gen. Thomas' line of communications. After the re- treat of McCook's division, they were in the thickest of that terri- ble fight on the 20th, when the rebels so desperately attempted to dislodge Thomas and Granger. At one time they were almost en- tirely unsupported, and repelled an infantry attack with charges of double canister which did fearful execution.
A brigade of regulars which was the support of the battery, broke and run as soon as the enemy pressed hard, leaving the bat- tery for a time without any support. The 85th Ills. seeing the condition of things, and having often been with the battery, asked the privilege of supporting them which was granted, and with the battery held the position, which was one of great importance to our army, enabling it to pass through the mountains, although the battery was at the time in the range of three rebel batteries, and was charged furiously four times in as many hours. On the evening of the 21st, they fell back with the army to Chattanooga, and on the 24th were ordered to cross the river and take position seven miles above Chattanooga to guard a ford against a strong force of the enemy on the opposite side of the river. On the 27th of Oct. they performed a night march with the force that captured Lookout Valley, and Raccoon Heights, and on the 3d of Nov. returned to their former position. Nov. 24th they took part in the attack on Mission Ridge, and were in the left wing of Sher- man's army. In this engagement the battery was in command of Lieut. Plant, Capt. Barnett being North. During the fight, while the battery was on one side of a swamp called Crawfish swamp, just at night, Grant and Sherman were standing near the battery, when an officer rode up and asked if he should go back and secure quarters for the night. " No," said Grant, "if we do not get pos- session of those buildings (pointing to some which the rebels still
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held, on the opposite side of the swamp), then I shall stay at the foot of this tree."
Well, the boys got possession of the houses before dark, and Gens. Grant and Sherman, and their staffs, were not obliged to stay under the trees. The battery took part in the pursuit after the rebel army, going as far as Ringgold, and returning, took part in the march to the relief of Knoxville, after which they returned to Chattanooga.
Here the entire battery, numbering 65 men, declared their purpose to re-enlist, and on the 8th of January, 1864, they left Chattanooga, and arrived at Springfield on the 16th, and received a thirty days' furlough.
The battery rendezvoused at Camp Erwin, Joliet, Feb. 16th, and having recruited up to 130 men, left this city for Chatta- nooga on the 14th of March, 1864. The battery got back to Chattanooga from the return furlough the 18th of March, having been absent just two months. During this interval great changes had occurred in the condition of the army. It was now fully sup- plied with rations, and Sherman was evidently preparing for some onward movement. Supplies, ordnance stores, and all the essen- tials of such a campaign were being collected. The first few days after their return were occupied in getting every man, horse, and gun into their proper places, and in drilling the new recruits.
March 21st, moved out six miles into Lookout Valley. That night there was a heavy fall of snow, nearly one foot in depth, for which the men were poorly prepared, having but few tents put up. On the 26th Lieut. Rich arrived from Springfield with more recruits.
During some of the first days of April, the battery practiced target shooting, which was witnessed by some experienced artillery officers, who gave the boys the credit of doing some of the best shooting they had ever seen. April 9th moved out to Gordon's mills, and joined their old command, viz: 2nd division, 14th army corps, and April 25th received orders to be ready for busi- ness, and on May 2d broke camp and entered upon the Atlanta campaign.
We have pretty full minutes of the movements of the battery
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during this campaign, but we are compelled to condense them to a meager sketch.
The battery was in action May 5th, at Tunnel Hill, when a shell exploded within a few feet of Capt. Barnett and Brig. Gen. Davis. On the 10th and 11th it was hotly engaged, and on the 12th passed through Snake Creek Gap. On the 15th it was again in action, and on the 18th had skirmishes near Rome. On the 26th arrived near Dallas and had some fighting, and on 27th, 28th and 30th, was in line of battle. June 7th near Ackworth, lost two men captured while foraging. On 15th, 16th and 17th, kept up brisk firing. On the 18th shelled the rebs on Kenesaw, Gen. Sherman and Palmer superintending the business. Contin- ued the shelling on the 21st.
A correspondent of the Chicago Tribune has this notice of the battery at this time.
" Yesterday afternoon the rebels opened quite an extensive ar- tillery fire from a battery placed on the top of Kenesaw mountain; but it was soon silenced by battery I, 2d artillery (Ill.) which did some of the best shooting your correspondent has yet seen. The sky was dark and cloudy, and as the shells burst over the rebel batteries, the flash could be seen, resembling a vivid streak of sharp forked lightning. The effect of each shell was to make the rebel gunners retire to a place of safety, from which they would once in a while run out and fire their pieces. But our boys had them in a tight place, and kept up so vigorous a shelling that the rebels were obliged to give it up altogether."
From the 21st to the 27th, the firing was kept up vigorously. The battery did its share on the 27th of June, losing two men, and kept up active firing until the afternoon of July 2d, when it moved to the right, marching till midnight. July 4th, was again engaged, and came near getting into a scrape. One of the rebel batteries used gun-cotton, which makes but little noise or smoke, and battery I being in advance, and to the left of another Union battery, the latter supposed the rebel shot came from bat- tery "I," and opened on it. The bugler, G. Putney, did not let the grass grow under his feet, while he ran back and let them know they were hitting their best friends.
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July 5th, the battery advanced again, and soon found the ene- my behind another line of works, and commenced shelling, one. gun being on the skirmish line. The enemy's sharpshooters make it pretty warm for our men. Gen. Sherman was up on the skir- mish line, standing by one of the guns of battery I. Corp. J. Q. A. King had just fired the piece, and was standing a little one side with his hand on his hip, looking over to see the effect of his fire, when a ball passed through between (akimbo) and his side, and wounded one of Gen. Sherman's orderlies. One of the men of the battery called the general's attention to the fact. His only reply was that he could not help it.
Atlanta is now in sight-nine and a half miles distant. From July 6th to 9th, the boys had a rest, and on the 9th and 10th did some firing. On the 16th received new guns, the old ones being inspected and condemned. Each gun had fired over twelve hun- dred shots on the campaign. On the 17th, crossed the Chattahoo- chie, and on the 26th, took position within three miles of Atlanta, having had more or less fighting while moving up. Almost con- stant firing was then kept up until the 7th of August, when the battery built their breastworks within 300 yards of the rebel guns. Having changed position and built breastworks several times, the boys were pretty well used up, and in building the last works they put in a large lot of old rails. They had reason to repent of this the next day, when the rebs opened on them pretty lively, and making some good shots set the old rails flying about their heads " promiscuous," and giving some pretty hard scratches, but nothing serious. But they thought they would leave the rails out next time, as they did when they rebuilt during the night. Dur- ing the night two men were wounded ; hard fighting all day (the 9th). August 10th, the battery threw shells all day into the rebel lines ; one of the men-Jack Riley, of Joliet-was wounded. Poor Jack is dead now, having died since the war ; and here let it be said of him, that whatever else he was, or was not, he was a good soldier, brave, and always on hand, doing his duty in the battery promptly and well. August 11th, cannonading kept up by the battery all day ; two men were wounded, Metter and Olson. August 12th, sent over a few salutes in the morning, and in the afternoon the infantry on the picket lines formed a tempo-
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rary truce, and exchanged coffee and sugar for tobacco. Geyer, of Joliet, one of the men wounded on the 9th, died this day.
Skirmishing and firing continued until the 27th, when another flank movement was made, and the battery went with the divis- ion to Jonesboro, where it had another brisk fight. On the 3d of September, the boys got the news of the evacuation of Atlanta. The battery had now fired 1,439 rounds to each gun, on the cam- paign of four months, and had been in an almost continuous battle since May 2d.
Sept. 28th, the battery received orders to be ready to move in the morning, and on the 29th, loaded the guns, etc., into the cars, and started for Chattanooga, where it arrived at 11 a. m. the 30th: Oct. 1st, went by cars to Stephenson, and from there to Huntsville, at 7 p. m., where they disembarked from the cars. The rebels demanded the surrender of Huntsville, but this was not conceded, and the rebs went on to Athens, which had been re-occupied after its surren- der on the 24th of September. Oct. 2d, the battery was again placed on the cars, and started for Athens, but found about three miles out, the track torn up and the telegraph down. It took all night to repair, but it was accomplished by daylight of the 3d, and they went on to within three miles of Athens, when they got off the cars, and returned. Camped in Athens that night. On the 4th, started for Florence, Ala., and arrived at the Elk River at 3 p. m., which was found very high. Camped for the night at Rogerville, it raining in torrents: Oct. 5th, marched at 6 o'clock, roads very muddy. Oct. 6th, a detachment sent on scout, and went within one mile of Florence, heard distant can- nonading. The country was very beautiful. Oct. 8th, heard more cannonading, and had some skirmishing with the rebs, who were on the opposite side of the river. Oct. 9th, a slight frost, the first of the season.
Oct. 10th, battery commenced return to Chattanooga, where it arrived on the 14th, and went into camp. Here they met the 100th regiment on its way to Nashville.
On the 18th, commenced return to Atlanta, foraging on the way. At Kingston drew new horses and fresh greenbacks. Had a review of the artillery of the 14th corps by Captain Barnett, act- 55
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ing chief of artillery, and were ordered to prepare for another campaign.
On the 12th Captain Barnett resigned, and the command of the battery fell upon Lt. A. W. Coe, (Lt. Plant having resigned at the commencement of the campaign.) Nov. 13th, passed Al- toona Station, the 2d division of 14th corps tearing up the rail- road ; thus cutting loose from all communications behind. On the 14th, passed Kenesaw Mountain, and on the 15th were again in Atlanta.
On the 16th left Atlanta, smoking behind, with their faces sea- ward, and on the 18th passed Oxford and Covington. Gen. Sherman traveled with the corps, (14th). The roads were good. Two divisions still tearing up the railroad; the fires from the burning ties lighting up the darkness at night. Camped on Arcola river.
And so the boys pass on with the 14th corps, skirmishing, for- aging, camping and corduroying until Dec. 9th, which brings them within fifteen miles of Savannah. Here they had brisk skirmishing, in the course of which Lieut. Coe, commanding the battery, was killed by a rebel shell. He was literally torn to pieces, and had only time to say, " My God, boys, I am killed." They buried him with masonic honors, at evening, building a rustic enclosure of small pine logs about the grave; and there sleeps a brave and patriotic man ! On the 10th and 11th moved on to within five miles of Savannah, with heavy cannonading.
Dec 12th, within four miles of the city. The 20th corps on the left; 15th and 17th on the right. The 20th captured a wooden gun-boat. On the 13th, the 15th corps captured Fort McAllister. Dec. 18th the battery moved into some works that the infantry had built within 600 yards of the enemy. In the evening they tossed over some of their cast iron, but without much damage. On the morning of the 21st the rebels had left. They had also evacuated the city, and when Sherman entered the city he dispatched a note to President Lincoln, presenting to him the city of Savannah as a christmas-gift. A message which flew on the wings of lightning, carrying joy to all union hearts, and dis- may to the rebels.
December 31st, completed a year's service as veterans. On the
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16th of January, 1865, received orders to prepare for another campaign, and on the 21st started out on the northward march. After marching through swamps and dodging torpedoes, January 27th, went into camp at Sister's Ferry. Gun-boats came up the Savannah to this point, pontoons are laid, and on Sunday, Feb. 5th, they cross the river and camp on the soil of South Carolina. Some of the army are killed and wounded by torpedoes.
On they go through the swamps, corduroying and foraging, passing through Barnwell, Blackwell, and past Columbia, and through Lexington. On the 25th laid by for the roads to dry.
Feb. 28th resumed the march, and camped March 5th, on Big Pedee, three miles above Cheraw, having crossed several rivers, which had to be pontooned. On the 7th crossed the Big Pedee on pontoons, and on the 11th passed through Fayetteville, N. C. Here was a rebel arsenal, which of course came to grief. A tug- boat comes up from Wilmington, On the 16th there was a gen- eral engagement by the cavalry of the 14th and 20th corps. Bat- tery I was in the front on the 18th, in line of battle, but the rebels fell back when the troops advanced. On the 19th the enemy was found in strong force, under Johnson, who attacked the advance of the 14th corps strongly, and compelled them to fall back, when the union lines of battle were soon formed and met the enemy, at- tacking with all his force. The 20th corps came up to the support of the 14th, and the rebels were handsomely repulsed.
Battery I had a good position, and did some good shooting. March 25th in line of battle again, but not much fighting. The rebels seem to have got satisfied, and on the 22d were not visible. This was the battle of Bentonville.
The march was then resumed with 2d division of 14th corps, battery I in advance. The 24th corps came up here from Wil- mington, who thought Sherman's men a pretty hard looking set. No wonder, the boys had not had much time to make their toilets. They were well smoked up with the pine knots with which they made their coffee, and many were ragged and barefoot.
They pass on through Goldsboro, where they stop a few days to get supplies, and here they get a mail, and Lieut. Rich gets his commission as captain of the battery.
Here April 6th, the boys got the news from Richmond. Wan't
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there a hurrah! April 10th, on again, with some skirmishing, to Smithfield, the evening of the 11th. Next day, hear still better news. On the 13th passed through Raleigh, making a fine march through the city, and went into camp the 15th at Avery's Ferry. Here the famous negotiations of Sherman with Johnson, were had. On the 18th came the shocking news of the assassination. April 20th Johnson surrendered, and on the 21st, division marched to Holly Springs. Here the battery was recruited by a one thousand- dollar-bounty man.
May 1st, start on again for Washington, on a race with the 20th corps, and on the 7th reached Richmond-190 miles in seven days-said to be the best marching on record.
On the 8th camped near Richmond, and having no further use for ammunition it was buried. On the 11th resumed march to Washington, which was reached in time to join in the grand re- view of Sherman's army, by the President, Grant and others. Marched via White House, Capitol, Pennsylvania avenue, and re- turned to former camp. May 25th left camp, passed through Washington, and camped about three miles from the city. May 29th got news of Kirby Smith's surrender, which finished up the Confederacy. May 30th turned over the guns and harness, horses, &c., to the proper departments at the arsenal. The men visit the city and see the "lions;" and June 1st start home, via Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Arrived at Springfield the 7th and went into barracks at Camp Butler, and were soon busy making out the last pay, and muster-out .rolls. On the 13th were paid off and discharged ; and those who had been soldiers for the last four years and more, are citizens again ; and those who had been in such close companionship through so many marches,-stood shoul- der to shoulder through so many battles-now bid each other good-bye, often with a tear, and scatter to their several homes, to see the friends from whom they have been separated through the long and weary years.
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