USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Historical sketch of the Chicago Board of Trade Battery, Horse Artillery, Illinois volunteers > Part 2
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In front, at short musket range, a cedar thicket, about 400 yards in extent, resting on a gentle incline toward the west, which began with the cedars on the east. This thicket was so dense that dis- mounted men could not form until the open ground toward the enemy was gained. The road through the cedars was narrow, the evergreens meeting overhead. The rebel artillery, consisting of two twelve-pounder howitzers and a three-inch rifled gun, was placed at a bend in the road, four hundred yards down the incline. This distance left them outside of the cedars, so as to have an enfilad- ing fire on any troops emerging therefrom. As no gun at the top of the incline could be depressed so as to be brought to bear on the rebel guns, to insure any execution our artillery had to be placed fifty yards to the front. The rebel artillery no longer sweeps the road. Our troops have passed the cedars. their lines enfiladed. Fifty yards down the incline, beneath the cedars, within three hundred and fifty yards of the enemy. their weight of metal as five to one. Our percussion shells explode in their midst. A caisson goes up; but the enemy fights with a will. A three-inch shell strikes our trail. Every man is swept from his place. . All are wounded. Another shot, and our gun is disabled. Lieutenant Stevens, in com- mand, hurries to the rear, and willing hands, amidst a hell of fire roll the second gun into position. It opens, and the slaughter is such there is none to serve the rebel guns. The dismounted men charged, and the enemy fled. October Sth, in pursuit. 9th, found the enemy entrenched at Sugar Creek. Charged and routed them
and pursued hotly to Tennessee River. Gen. Thomas reported: " This pursuit is unsurpassed for its energy, bravery and endurance." October roth to 15th, marched to Deckard for C. and Q. M. stores. Found none. Countermarched to Maysville and lived off the
country. October 20th. Capt. Stokes relieved of command to take position in Q. M. Dept. November, moved to Huntsville and Battery again united. December 2d, Lieut. Stevens ordered to Nashville in interest Q. M. Dept.
The other four guns of the Battery moved November 7th from Smith's Cross Roads. Tenn., via Bridgeport, and, after various stops, went into camp at Huntsville, Ala., November 25th. Here recruited horses and rested. moving December 24th toward Pulaski, Tenn. Camped there on 27th. Lay in camp at Pulaski, Tenn., from December 27, 1863, to January 12, 1864; from Pulaski a large part of our division re-enlisted, and went home on 30 days' furlough. On the 14th we reached Huntsville, Ala .. and went into camp until February 2d, when the old guns and equipments with the harness were shipped by rail to Chattanooga. Gen. George H. Thomas, having declared "we had earned two or three new batteries," gave an order for a battery of Rodmans. February roth left Huntsville with the horses for Nashville, Tenn .; on the 24th were fitted out complete with battery of new 3-inch Parrotts, harness, etc. Leaving camp March roth, marched back to Huntsville, Ala. On April 4th started as guard to 200 wagons, being escorted by the 3d brigade of the ed division cavalry: reached Columbia, Tenn., on the Sth. going into camp with the whole division now in command of Brig. Gen. K. Garrard. April 30th left for the front by the way of Shelbyville, Farmington, Tullahoma, Deckard, and over the Cumberland Moun- tains at Cowan: crossed the Tennessee River at Bridgeport, going over on the top of the railroad bridge as far as it was built, and the rest of the way via pontoon. Camped the 7th at Nick-a-Jack cave. having thoroughly explored which, we destroyed the rebel saltpetre works at its mouth. Moved by the way of Chattanooga to
La Fayette, Ga., where the whole 2d division cavalry. Army of the Cumberland, came together, most of the division having crossed Lookout Range; from the 11th to the 17th were continually on the scout, and on right flank of the army, going as far as Rome, Ga .: on the 19th made a forced march of 20 miles toward Kingston, Ga .. pressing Polk's rear guard, and getting to the Etowah river bridge in time to shell the rebels off and save it from destruction by fire; from Etowah were day and night in the saddle on the left wing of the army. At one time were 60 hours on picket duty without relief. In June, rations were very short, the men receiving four crackers to last five days; were forced to steal corn from the horses. Were in action June 8th, 9th, 11th, 15th, 18th, 20th and 27th. July 3d passed through Marietta. Ga., driving the rebels to and through Rosswell, capturing that place, and destroying the large cotton factories there. July roth crossed the Chattahoochee River: 18th, started on a raid. and tore up six miles of the Augusta & Atlanta Railroad south and east of Stone Mountain, getting back safely. On the 20th went into the main line. filling a gap between McPherson and Thomas. On the 21st the centre section went on a raid; 22d was a terrible day ; we were in camp at Decatur. Ga., with the wagon trains of the 15th 17th and 23d army corps, and they had as guard a brigade of infan- try and a section of the 3d Michigan battery under a Col. Sprague. . Suddenly at noon the rebel Wheeler's cavalry division attacked the camp. We formed battery in our camp, and got into action just where we were.
Our use of canister was fearful in its effects: but having no sup- port, the rebels came over fences and around buildings, and we lost eight men out of thirty-two: but held them so long that not a wagon was captured. On the 27th started on another raid, getting round
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Atlanta to Jonesboro. Gen. Stoneman having gone south, we retraced our way to Decatur. Rations for 22 men 7 days was 50 pounds hard bread. From August Ist to 15th occupied position in the line circling Atlanta, and took our share in its destruction. On the 17th, guns 1, 3, 4, and 5 with the Ist and 2d brigades, 2d divi- sion cavalry, reported to Gen. Kilpatrick, at Sandtown, on the right of the line : at 6 o'clock p. m. on the 18th, we started to make the raid around Atlanta, and to cut the railroads running into the city. Kilpatrick, instead of using the battery belonging to his own divi- sion. placed us in the advance of the column in the movement to Lovejoy Station, then, when the command was entirely surrounded, used us to open the way for his troops to retreat, then to cover his retreat. JVe lost 5 men, burst one gun, broke axle of another, throwing gun into a river, but captured and brought away a 6-pounder. We reached Decatur on the 22d,-4 days and 3 nights in the saddle. having made a complete circle around Hood's army and the city of Atlanta. Ist Lieutenant George I. Robinson com- missioned captain August 22d, 1864. When the army moved south of Atlanta, were with the rear guard, and on the flanks until Sep- tember roth. when we went into camp at Cross Keys. having been moving almost daily since April 30th. September 2 ist broke camp, going through Atlanta out on the Sandtown road. October 3d, moved through Atlanta, north to the Chattahoochee River, crossed on pontoon (which swung in a raging stream) safely, reaching Marietta at noon on the 4th, where we halted; some of the command went on top of Kenesaw Mountain, and were present when Gen. Sherman signaled to Gen. Corse at Altoona his world-wide known message "Hold the fort: I am coming. W. T. Sherman." Moved on the 9th. going from flank to flank, or back to the rear. as needed, to
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keep off Forrest's and Wheeler's rebel cavalry. On November 1st, all good horses were turned over to Kilpatrick's division, and we moved north to Chattanooga, which place was reached on the 5th ; on the 13th went by rail to Nashville, Tenn. December Ist, having .
received new horses, we moved our camp into the city; and, as Hood's army threatened the city, we went into the breastworks. Maj .- Gen. J. H. Wilson was now in command of the cavalry corps. On the 15th, were on the extreme right in the battle of Nashville. We did not lose a man ; our division captured 1,200 prisoners, IS pieces of artillery, 200 wagons, and drove the rebel left 5 miles, halting for the night on the Brentwood pike, following next day to Franklin. The bridge over the Duck River having been destroyed, we could not get across until the 23d. On the 24th, were on the skirmish line all day, and in action almost every hour ; lost one man killed : drove Hood's rear guard 21 miles, and by our quick and accurate firing saved the long covered bridge over Richland creek. During the night the rebels did not stop, but by 11:30 a. m. we had overtaken them, and our shells threw them into fearful disorder, and we captured 14 wagons of ammunition, and they threw into Elk river 7 guns, and into Duck River 17 guns. The roads were in fearful condition. Hood's army having crossed the Tennessee River, we marched to Waterloo, Ala., going into camp at a place called Gravelly Springs. Here gunboats and transports brought us rations, and we remained in camp until March 22, 1865 ; then. being fully and well equipped, and still attached to the 2d division cavalry, Army of the Cumberland, we commenced our last great move, going through Frankfort and Russellville, crossing Big Bear Creek to Jasper. March 29th we safely forded the Big Warrior River, a wild, rough stream, where many men and horses of our
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cavalry were drowned; crossed the same day the Little Warrior River. Water so deep that the powder was taken from the limber chests, and carried on the shoulders of mounted men. Crossed Cahawba River on the ties of the railroad bridge, 40 feet above the water, taking the horses from the guns, leading the horses over, and running the guns by hand. Each day we drove the rebel cavalry : but they did not succeed in making a stand that required the use of our guns
March 30th, marched 37 miles; April Ist, 47 miles. This day the rebels set fire to the pine woods, and we had to go through them for a half-mile at a gallop: fortunately, no horse fell, and none of the men were seriously burned; but it was almost a miracle that no caisson was blown up. The rebel cavalry under Gen. Roddy made a stand in the afternoon, when we got into action, quickly capturing 3 pieces of artillery, and our support capturing 200 prisoners, and a train of cars loaded with forage. April 2, 1865, Sunday, day never to be forgotten while any member of the Battery lives. A march of 20 miles brought us to the works in front of Selma, Ala., when 1.200 men of the 2d division cavalry, armed with their Spencers, charged and captured the works, driving 7,000 men out of the works, taking 2,300 prisoners, and all the artillery. The Battery fired over the charging line until the works were carried, then moved into the city with the charging line and materially helped the rebels out of the city. April 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th was spent destroying the artillery and carriages in the breastworks and forts, throwing all the ammunition in the arsenal into the river. On the night of the Sth we burned the arsenal, foundry and machine shops. Left Selma 6 o'clock morning of the 11th, going toward Montgomery, Alabama. Marching was exceedingly severe on men and horses, we having but 33 hours sleep
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out of ros consecutive hours. Captured Columbus, Ga., the night of the 1Sth. We had the advance, as we always had when any fight- ing was expected, made 58 miles. halting twice only. On 19th. marched 42 miles (100 miles in two days), going into Macon. Ga .. and camping two miles out on the Columbus road; 23d, rumor of Lee's surrender: 25th, rumor of the shooting of President Lincoln. May 3d we had confirmed the rumor through a New York Herald only five days old. May 9th we remained in camp while the 4th Michigan cavalry (of our division) went after Jeff Davis. On 13th they returned, having captured his family, himself, and others of the Confederate Cabinet. On the 23d (the war being over) we started north, marching through Atlanta, Marietta, Kingston, Dalton. to Chattanooga, 254 miles. Loaded the guns on cars, while the horses and postilions went with the cavalry to Nashville, Tenn., 151 miles. June 23d, left Nashville by rail, arriving in Chicago at 3:30 a. m. on 27th. At noon were received on 'Change by the Board of Trade. 8 o'clock that evening were given a banquet in the Metropolitan Hall. June 29th reported at Camp Douglas, but allowed to go to the city afterward. July 3d paid in full and mustered out to date June 30, 1865. The Battery marched 5.268 miles; traveled by rail 1,231 miles. Were in II of the hardest battles fought in the West. Were in 26 other battles. Were in action 42 times while on scouts. reconnoissances, or outpost.
That you may know in what esteem we were held by all the Generals under whom we served, we have only to bring to mind one incident: Gen. George Crook said: "I thank the command for their good behavior in every particular. So long as I have had command of you I never had a single complaint made against the Chicago Board of Trade Battery. I never saw so well drilled or so
good a battery in action as you are, all gentlemen. and act the gen- tleman at all times." By special orders our flags (these flags being the first carried by an artillery company. and then by special orders) had placed on them "Stone River," "Elk River," "Chickamauga," "Farmington," "Dallas," "Decatur," "Atlanta," "Lovejoy," "Nash- ville," "Selma." The flags (two) were placed in the vault of the Chamber of Commerce in Chicago, and in the great fire of 1871 were destroyed. All papers in the possession of Gen. James H. Stokes, our first Captain, were destroyed in the same fire. The company books, orders, etc., were burned in 1878, at the destruc- tion of Captain George I. Robinson's residence in Milwaukee, Wis.
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Dedication Services Chicago Board of Trade Battery Monument, Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, Thursday, May 30, 1901
V ROSEHILL Cemetery, Chicago, stands a massive granite monument erected to the Chicago Board of Trade Battery by its surviving members. This impressive and beautiful memorial in its simplicity is significant of the power of the Battery's guns and of the unassuming fighting qualities of its members. It bears the names of the more celebrated actions which made the Battery famous. It was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1901, and was unveiled by Miss Clara Nourse, daughter of John A. Nourse. Secretary of the Chicago Board of Trade Bat- tery Memorial Association, in the presence of a large concourse of people.
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Order of Exercises
Assembly
E. L. PRESCOTT Bugler
Prayer
REV. W. M. LAWRENCE
Report of Secretary
J. A. NOURSE
Address President Association
B. F. NOURSE
Unveiling of Monument .CLARA NOURSE
Floral Tribute to Our Dead
MEMBERS OF THE BATTERY
Address President Board of Trade
W. S. WARREN
Taps
E. L. PRESCOTT
Bugler
P. L. AUTEN, Marshal
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Prayer By Rev. William M. Lawrence, D. D.
Almighty God, Our Dear Heavenly Father and the Father of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ: Assembled on this sacred day -- this day of beautiful thoughts and precious memories, we desire to rec- ognize Thee as the Giver of every good and perfect gift. We thank Thee for our land, for our Country, for our homes and for our citi- zens. We thank Thee for their patriotism that led them in the hour of their country's peril to think no sacrifice too great to offer in her behalf. We thank Thee that this spirit was not confined to class- but that our young men, our merchants and our professional men gladly rushed to the defense of their homes and kindred, and hesi- tated not to redden the green field with their blood in the mainte- nance of righteousness. We thank Thee that above the desire for gain was the devotion to State and Nation. We thank Thee that those who came to the help of the Nation were those who had loved liberty in other lands and those who were the children of our free schools and reverently placed their all for the honor of their flag.
We thank Thee that the conflict is ended. We thank Thee that we have one land, one nation and one flag; that throughout the whole domain we are all brothers. We come before Thee on this beautiful day and in this place of hallowed resting to ask thy bless- ing upon us as we dedicate this monument to the beloved memory of those of this Battery who have passed on before and to the honor
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of those who are still with us --- all one in life here and hereafter. We pray Thee as men behold it their hearts shall be warmed to appreciation of the services which this stune recalls. May the youth and the children as their eyes fall upon it be led to love their land and the principles for which it stands. May real patriotism be so awakened in their minds that love of country shall never be sur- passed by love of possession. Oh our God, preserve in this memo- rial our ancient faith in Thee as the Lord of Lords and the ruler of men. Preserve our homes, our schools and our honor and conse- crate our new lands to the mighty service for which these heroes gave their lives.
So let our land show forth truth and the Glory shall be Thine, Father, Son and Spirit ! Amen !
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Extracts from the Report of the Secretary of the Chicago Board of Trade Battery Memorial Association
COMRADES OF THE CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE BATTERY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRADE, COMRADES OF THE ARMY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
S SECRETARY of the Chicago Board of Trade Battery Memorial Association, it becomes my privilege to submit a report regarding the erection of the Monument which we are assembled here to dedicate.
To refresh the memory of our Comrades. and as there may be with us today some friends who may not be familiar with the history of the stirring times of 1861 to 1865. I will give a short sketch of the organization and service of the Battery.
When the President of the United States on July 6, 1862, called for three hundred thousand soldiers, ten members of the Chicago Board of Trade, on July 16th, signed a request to the President of the Board to call a meeting to recruit a battery to be known as the
Chicago Board of Trade Battery, and pledged their support and money for the purpose.
The meeting was called at the rooms of the Board of Trade. cor- ner of Wells and South Water streets, July 21, 1862. Second Vice President John L. Hancock presided, and announced the object of the meeting.
C. H. Walker, Jr., introduced resolutions in harmony with the call, which were adopted. A muster roll was presented bearing the legend, Chicago Board of Trade Battery. Eight names were enrolled for three years or the war. The muster roll was entrusted to S. H. Stevens, and an adjournment carried.
Thus was established a precedent by a commercial body that resulted in placing in the field the Chicago Board of Trade Battery. Illinois Volunteers.
Att enthusiastic meeting was held on the evening of the 22nd, and sixty-three names added to the roll. On the 23d the roll was again opened, and at 4 P. M. was closed with one hundred and eighty names enrolled, and many persons waiting to sign. A tele- gram was sent President Lincoln :
BOARD OF TRADE ROOMS, CHICAGO, July 23, 1862.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States :
The Board of Trade of this City have within the last forty-eight hours raised $15.000. Recruited a full Company of Artillery.
Signed. J. L. HANCOCK. C. H. WALKER, JR .. S. H. STEVENS. WM. STURGES. GEORGE ARMOUR. H. W. HINSDALE.
July 24th : The Company assembled at the City Armory and occupied the drill room.
August ist: Captain J. Christopher, U. S. Army, selected one hundred and fifty five men from the one hundred and eighty enrolled, and mustered them into the United States service as the Chicago Board of Trade Battery, Illinois Volunteers.
JAMES H. STOKES was elected and mustered as Captain.
August end : Marched in review past the Board of Trade rooms on South Water Street to camp at what is now 37th Street and Stanton Avenue.
G. I. ROBINSON and T. D. GRIFFIN were elected Senior and Junior Ist Lieutenants, S. H. Stevens was appointed Orderly Ser- geant.
August 4th : A. F. BAXTER and HENRY BENNETT were elected Senior and Junior 2nd Lieutenants. The non-commissioned officers were appointed and the command was completely organized.
August 11th : Received six James rifled six-pounder field artil- lery guns.
August 13th : Appeared the first time in uniform.
August 20th : Received full equipment of horses.
August 22nd : Drilled the first time with horses.
September Sth : Fully equipped, the battery paraded the streets of the city and passed in review before the Board of Trade.
September 9th : Broke camp and with one hundred and fifty- four men, fully equipped, moved to the front via Michigan Central Ry., arriving in Louisville, Ky., on the 10th of September.
September 15th: Participated in the grand review on Broad- way by General Charles Cruft, this being our first review before a general officer.
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September 16th : Exchanged four of our rifled guns for four smooth-bore six-pounder guns.
October Ist : Moved with the army from Louisville on the campaign to Perryville.
October rith : Our first engagement with the Confederates at Lawrenceburg, firing at the enemy commanded by General Forrest. November - -: The army advanced to Nashville, Tenn., leaving the battery at Bowling Green, Ky.
December 4th: Muskets were issued to the cannoneers, and the Battery moved to Nashville, the cannoneers acting as infantry escort.
December 14th : While a detail of our men were on a foraging expedition they were attacked by Confederates, and one man wounded and six men were taken prisoners, this being our first loss in the war. -
December 20th : Were attached to the Pioneer Division, com- manded by Captain St. Clair Morton.
December 31, 1862, and January 1 and 2, 1863: Were engaged in the battle of Stone River, this being our first general engagement in which the whole Battery was engaged.
January 2d: Volunteers from the battery brought in from between the Federal and Confederate lines a six-pounder gun to replace one of our guns that had become disabled.
In recognition of this daring bravery. General Rosecrans issued an order making the Battery a seven-gun Battery and it so remained until after the Battle of Chickamauga.
May 16, 1863 : Were attached to the Second Cavalry Division. Army of the Cumberland. General John B. Turchin commanding. and under his orders were equipped as horse artillery. being the
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only Battery of this equipment in the western army. The Battery remained with this Division under its various Commanders to the close of the war, participating in all the battles and engagements credited to this celebrated Division.
September 19, 1863: The second section of the Battery, Lieu- tenant Griffin commanding, near Ringgold, Georgia, fired the first gun that opened the Battle of Chickamauga, and were engaged on the left of General Rosecrans' army during the several days of the battle.
September 19th: The first and third Sections were in the rear of Rebel General Bragg's army, near Lafayette, Georgia.
September 20th and 21st : These Sections of the Battery took part in the Battle of Chickamauga, on the right of General Rose- crans' army.
September 22nd : The Battery all united retired through Chat- tanooga to near Washington, Tenn., having fired the last gun of the Battle of Chickamauga and being the last Battery to retire from the field and enter Chattanooga after the battle.
October 2nd to roth: Assisted in pursuit of Rebel General Wheeler's Command from Washington, Tenn., to Florence, Ala., being hotly engaged in the Battle of Farinington. In this engage- ment, owing to conditions of the ground we were able to operate but one gun, thus being pitted against the Rebel Battery as one to five. The first gun was disabled and every man at that gun wounded, then the second gun was brought into action and silenced the Rebel Battery.
February, 1864: Our brass guns being worn out, General George H. Thomas ordered that we be equipped with new guns.
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stating that we had earned two or three new Batteries. We received six ten-pounder Parrot Guns.
One of these guns was exploded during the Kilpatrick raid around the Confederate Army at Atlanta, Ga., in August, 1864. and owing to the disabling of a gun carriage another of these guns was buried near Cotton River, Ga., and the location marked as the grave of a soldier. The four remaining guns were returned to the United States Government at Nashville, Tenn., in June, 1865.
During the advance of General Sherman's Army on Atlanta the Battery was engaged with the Second Cavalry Division in the several battles of Dallas, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek. Marietta, Vining Station, Noon Day Creek, Stone Mountain and Decatur, besides several smaller engagements.
August 18th to 22nd : Were engaged in a raid under command of General Kilpatrick around the Confederate Army commanded by Rebel General Hood then in Atlanta. We lost in this raid five men, exploded one of our guns and dismantled one. Were in our saddles four days and three nights and made a complete circle around the Confederate Army.
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