USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > History of DeKalb County, Illinois > Part 11
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Major Dutton, in his report of this engagement, com- plimented the bravery and endurance of the subordinate officers and men of the regiment, and' they in turn compli- mented the gallantry and dash of the Major. Captain H. D. Brown, acting Major, with an air of coolness and firmness, assisted in pressing forward the line, and Adjutant D. D. Chandler, always at his post, and constituted the third person
in the regiment's executive trinity. The splendid conduct of these officers on the field was the subject of enthusiastic comment on all hands, after the battle. The line officers were unusually enthusiastic, and led the men forward with the one idea that a victory was to be gained. And the men went in to win, even if it were necessary, to close in hand to hand struggle, which, indeed was done.
Among the trophies of the regiment was one beautiful
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stand of colors, said by prisoners to have belonged to the 12th Louisiana regiment, together with several swords and belts. The colors were captured by Sergeant Melvin Smith and George F. Cram, of Company F, and which capture was reported in the paper as " glory for the 105th."
The colors of the 105th were pierced with bullets, one shot going through the flag staff. The relics taken by the regiment were sent to the headquarters of the army, with the request that they be placed in the State archives at Spring- field.
The casualties were fifteen, six men being killed or mortally wounded, and it was miraculous that the Regiment did not suffer a loss of five times that number in so long and hard fought a battle, and the only manner of accounting for so provi- dential an escape was, that most of the time the enemy were posted on the hill above the 105th, and in firing down the hill their shots were almost invariably made too high.
After the strife had died away and the moon had risen on the scene, an inspection of the grounds in front of the regi- ment and brigade. The sight was fearful. Dying and dead rebels lay in all attitudes of suffering and death. The youth and the middle-aged lay in their gore in groups or scattered about where they had fallen. Two dead rebels were noticed lying side-by-side. The arm of one was stretched upward and the fingers pointing to the moon, as though he would in- «licate to his comrade the way to the abodes of peace. Among the rebel wounded there was a young girl only nineteen years of age. A ball had struck her ankle and she was obliged to have her foot amputated. She bore her suffering heroically, and stated she had been in the service twenty-eight months. Many interesting incidents occurred, which if detailed would fill pages upon pages of history. A member of the regiment casually surveyed the battle grounds, now inside the lines, and offered refreshments to the suffering and dying. To in- quiries as to the extent of injuries, such answers as " Yes, I can't live till morning" issued from tremulous lips, when life's
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fitful fever was nearly over. On the faces of the dead the usual expressions of placid repose, fear, agony or fierce despair, lingered, and altogether the scene was one no pen could portray.
The morning of the 21st dawned on one of the greatest victories of the war, and the footing of the national army on the south side of Peach Tree Creek was equally as secure as its footing on south side of Chattahoocheer.
Lieutenant Willard Scott, jr, of Captain Rogers' Company, with a small party, buried the dead rebels on the morning of the 21st.
During the battle General Ward, commanding the division, had made his headquarters in the valley, near the creek, at a point that commanded a view of the ground where his division fought. The old General was reported as being in ecstasy of delight when the first brigade entered the contest. "See my old Iron Brigade," said he, striking his fists together. "See my old Iron Brigade-see them go in-the best d-d brigade in the service !" The brigade preserved an unbroken line throughout the fight. The entire Corps was elated with the victory, it being gained in open field, the advantages greatly in favor of the enemy.
General Hooker rode along the lines the morning of the battle, receiving the enthusiastic cheers of the soldiers. He afterwards issued a congratulatory order.
General Hood, who commanded the Confederates, is re- ported as having remarked to his men as they were about to move to the attack, that they were going out to " gather acorns ;" alluding to the soldiers of the 14th Corps, who wore a badge representing an acorn. Their purpose was to break through on the left of that Corps, supposing they would meet nothing more than a line of skirmishers in their front. They were not less surprised than disappointed, however, to find themselves among the "stars."
After the burial of the rebel dead by the army on the 21st, the clearing up of the battle field-collection and turning
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over of ordinance and other property,-the troops advanced on the morning of the 22d toward Atlanta, the enemy having fallen back and established himself behind the inner defenses around the city. About one mile from the battle-field of the 20th, a strong line of works were found, the second line of city defenses, which the enemy did not stop to occupy.
Having proceeded several miles, the sound of opposing skirmishers warned the troops, who were marching by the flank toward the city, that the " Johnnies" were about to make further resistance. The regiments were immediately formed in battle line and marched forward to within sight of the rebel defenses, when a halt was ordered and strong earth- works thrown up. The country through which this short advance was made was prolific of blackberries, which were left to the "bummers." After the brigade was halted he 105th found itself on the erest of one of the numerous hills for which the face of that region is noted. This position proved to be the most exposed of any regiment in the brigade, it being elevated and directly opposite a rebel battery. The boys quickly constructed earthworks here in order to protect themselves from the harrassing fire of the enemy. A battery was placed immediately behind the works, which made the position of the 105th an interesting one. So soon as the guns were in position a deliberate fire was opened on the opposing battery, which elicited immediate reply from the latter. For a while the boys of the 105th found it behooved them to " lie down" and " grab a root," until the novelty of the situation wore away. After dark the rebels made two dashes into the piekets in front of the brigade. And so-on the 22d of July, 1864, the seige of Atlanta commenced.
The position of the command here was about one or two miles north-east of the Georgia Railroad which connects Atlanta with Marietta and Chattanooga. A direct forward movement would have brought the brigade into the northern suburbs of the city. On the 23d the enemy shelled the regiment and battery at intervals all day and at night. Next
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day the same, the battery replying occasionally. The pickets were again alarmed in the evening. The same routine of artillery firing and dashing among the pickets was gone through with on the 25th.
The picket line in the brigade front was somewhat in advance of the line on the right and left. A deep ravine running from the enemy's works traversed the left of the brigade line, and lead into the rear of the picket reserve post. The line might have been flanked here had the rebels been disposed to attempt it. This made this advanced position one demanding constant and close watchfulness. The rebels made a strong dash on that part of the line on the night of the 24th, when a heavy fire of musketry took place. Lieutenant Trego, of the 102d Illinois, was in charge of the outposts at that time, several of his men becoming frightened, fled to the rear, but the Lieutenant rallied the balance and under the enemy's fire gallantly urged them to stand firm, which they did. Soon the rebels were repulsed, after which the Lieutenant found that the reserve post had been abandoned by all but Lieutenant Willard Scott of the 105th, and a few men. It appears that two heavy lines of rebels were repelled by a skirmish line, which had been ingloriously deserted by the most of the supporting force.
The lines were advanced and now entrenchments made during the first three days. On the night of the 26th the division moved back some distance in reserve, the 105th occupying some abandoned works. On the 28th orders were received to move around to the right of the general line for the purpose of supporting General Howard's forces, who had become heavily engaged with the enemy, but before the command had arrived within supporting distance, word was sent to return to camp; the rebels having already been successfully repulsed.
During the battle on the extreme left on the 22d, the noble commander of the Army of the Tennessee, fell-James B. McPherson. That command had constituted the flanking
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army, and on the way from Chattanooga to Atlanta applied the key to the locks of rebel positions. The news of Mc- Pherson's death was received along the lines amid express- ions of disappointment and with feelings of sorrow.
General Hooker called the officers of the Third Division together on the 29th, and bade them farewell, informing them that he had been ill used, and could no longer remain in com- mand of the Twentieth Corps. The officers and men reluct- antly parted with the dashing old General, who had seemed every way worthy of his "stars."
On the 29th the Third division moved around to the right some six miles, to support other movements and to protect the flank of the army near the Montgomery and West Point Railroad. The brigade supported a division of the Fourth Corps, under General Jefferson C. Davis, while the latter took up a new position. Moved in rear of that division and constructed breastworks at a right angle with the main line, protecting the flank and rear. Remained here doing picket duty and working on fortifications until the 2d of August, when the command moved back along the left of the lines, and on the 3d relieved the First division of the Fourteenth Corps, behind the front line of works, and near the Georgia Railroad ; the left of the 105th rested on the railroad track.
The next day (4th,) Colonel Dustin arrived from leave of absence in improved health, and assumed command of the regiment. His return was hailed with delight by all, especially as he brought with him numerous packages for distribution among the officers and men, from the friends of the regiment. Major Dutton and Captain Brown were on the 4th mustered in as Lieutenant Colonel and Major, respectively, having been previously recommended for those positions. The promotion in the field of those brave and popular officers gave great satisfaction to the regiment, as experience had developed in them rare executive powers and good soldierly qualities.
The regiment remained in the trenches until the night of the 25th, when the entire Corps fell back to the Chattahoochee
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river, and the main army moved to the right, seizing upon the only railroad left to the rebels, which resulted in the capture of Atlanta.
While lying in the trenches before Atlanta the energies of the troops were severely tested by the hard labor necessary for the construction of heavy works, abatis, etc. A battery -being portions of Captains Smithi'and Geary's-was located behind the fortifications with the 105th regiment, and the boys in addition to strengthening their works were detailed to assist the battery men in building extra works for the bet- ter protection of the gunners from the shells of the rebel guns. A strong fortification, about six feet high, was con- structed with logs and dirt, in the form of a semi-circle, long enough to receive four guns with ease, the officers and men of the regiment detailed for the purpose, working at night in order to avoid the fire of rebel sharp-shooters. The battery frequently opened on the rebel defenses, which were in plain view, making the regiment " bob" their heads down occasion- ally, as the fragments of rebel iron came screaming through the air in close proximity to their respective persons. Now and then a shell would burst immediately over the "bummer's" quarters, further to the rear, sometimes disturbing the equi- librium of that class of "bummers " who would like to " get through safe if they could."
Amid the perils of the situation there were always found a few humorous spirits whose forte seemed to be to relieve, by some timely joke or "flash of merriment," the pains of the hour. Many a poor, despairing mother's boy had never seen his earthly home again had he not been made to forget his troubles by the wit or facetiousness of these happy fellows. In the different companies of the regiment were many such characters. No difficulties overcame them ; they were constitutionally cheerful, and capable of extracting good cheer out of every occasion. Endurance was born of cheerfulness, and so they fainted not.
On the 9th, the guns along the lines opened and kept up a
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steady fire nearly all day, on the rebel defenses and the city. The rebel battery replied in the evening to the salutations of the guns of Captains Smith and Geary. Almost constantly, day and night, the regiment was exposed to the fire of sharp- shooters, the balls falling all about the grounds behind the works, now and then striking a man. In this way Corporal J. L. Gage, of Company H, Captain J. S. Forsythe, was mortally wounded on the 12th, and a faithful colored cook of Company K, Captain A. F. Parke, instantly killed while eating his dinner, on the 14th.
On the morning of the 13th, Second Lieutenant Augustus II. Fischer of Company I, a most excellent young officer and esteemed comrade, was killed on the skirmish line in front of the works. His loss was deeply felt by all the officers and men of the regiment ; especially by the members of Company I., who had shared the dangers of conflict by his side, and respected him for his bravery. Lieutenant Fischer will be remembered for his genial temper, his unswerving fidelity, and his self-sacrifice.
On the evening of the 16th, while superintending some work near the fortification before his company (E), Captain Martin V. Allen was severely wounded in his right arm, by a bullet from a sharpshooter. A number of men were mor- tally wounded on the skirmish line.
The skirmish line was in such close proximity to the enemy that the men had to exercise the utmost caution, and expend much labor in building rifle-pits for the security of the pickets and skirmishers. The enemy seemed to take especial excep- tions to the operations of the men at this point in the lines, and kept up a steady, severe, and almost incessant fire for several weeks. Being accustomed to take shelter behind cer- tain houses near their own lines, they gained some advantage in firing upon our men. Efforts had been made with the rebel pickets to stop this firing by mutual agreement, without suc- cess. On the night of the 18th Corporal Herman Furness, of Company C, and two comrades of the 105th, equipped
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with combustible material, proceeded cautiously out and set three of the buildings on fire, burning them to the ground. It was well and bravely done, after which picket-firing was finally stopped by mutual consent.
Just back of the lines, several thirty-two pound parrot gun were operating almost continually night and day, for some weeks, shelling the city of Atlanta and the rebel defenses. Occasionally shells from these guns would prematurely ex- plode before reaching our own lines, the pieces scattering in all directions among the men of the 105th, causing some an- noyance, but no one was hurt by them. With additional danger it was amusing to hear the boys crying, " Hello ! fire in the rear !" "Lie down !" " Grab a root !"
On the night of the 25th, the command withdrew from be- hind the works -- the Brigade Band playing " Yankee Doodle " and other airs by way of a parting courtesy to the "Johnnies." During the night, as if suspecting the troops were retiring from their front, the rebel pickets fired at the 105th skirmish- ers occasionally, and inquired, " Are you there ?" To which inquiry they received a ready affirmative, " Yes, we are here." Whereupon the rebels would respond, " We just wanted to be sure about it-don't want you to get away without our knowledge of the fact." While this conversation was going on the whole army was moving from behind the works, and the rebels soon found themselves outwitted. The 105th pickets failed to get the order to retire during the night, and remained at their several posts until about daylight in the morning, long after the troops and other [pickets had gone.
The command moved back to Chattahoochee river, after being on the road all night, arriving at early dawn. On the 26th bivouacked on the south side of the river, and on the 27th crossed the river and took up a position near the rail- road track, between the 33d Massachusetts and 129th Illinois regiments, where the 105th went into camp. Here the regiment with axes and hatchets hewed out a fine camping-place in the
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woods. Together with the balance of the brigade the 105th guarded army supplies, ammunition and corps teams.
On the morning of the 2d of September, Brigadier-General Ward, division commander, entered the city with a portion of the Third division, and the mayor formally surrendered to him all that was left of Atlanta. The regiment was moved back to the south side of the river, near the railroad bridge, where it remained in camp until the morning of the 16th of September, when all the regiments of the brigade except the 105th, moved to Atlanta and re-joined the division, the 105th re-crossing the river and camping close to the railroad track a few hundred yards from the river. Here, again the boys fitted up good quarters, and thoroughly policed their camp grounds, which were located pleasantly, facing an almost unobstructed view of the Chattahoochee river and valley for a distance of about eight miles.
With the capture of Atlanta, what is called the " Atlanta campaign" ended. The entire army had, amid tempests of fire which burst forth at various points, and under a steady rain of bullets for four long months, swept majestically down from Chattanooga to Atlanta, over mountains, rivers, and a con- tinuous succession of hills and ravines. The country between the two places named, constituted one great battle-fieid for upwards of an hundred miles. While in camp on the south side of Chattahoochee river, on the 10th of September, the following congratulatory order of the Major-General com- manding was read to the 105th, while on dress parade for the first time in four months. General Sherman in general terms summed up the achievements of the army, thanked the officers and men for their indomitable courage, their perseverance and fidelity, and paid an eloquent tribute to the memory of fallen comrades .
From the 16th of September to the 14th of November the 105th remained encamped at Chattahoochee river, near the railroad bridge, as already mentioned.
Colonel Dustin was placed in command of the first brigade
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on the 18th of September, Colonel Harrison having been ordered to Indiana on special business. Lieutenant Colonel Dutton succeeded in command of the 105th. Subsequently General Ward received leave of absence for thirty days, when Colonel Dustin suceceded that officer in command of the division, Colonel Smith of the 102d Illinois commanding the brigade.
The changes occurring among the commissioned officers during the campaign and while the regiment rested at Chatta- hoochee river, were :
Lieutenant-Colonel II. F. Vallette, Naperville, DuPage county, resigned June 18th, 1864, Major E. F. Dutton, De- Kalb county, succeeding as Lieutenant-Colonel ; mustered August 4th, 1864.
Captain H. D. Brown, Company A, Sycamore, was pro- moted Major June 18th,-mustered August 4th, First-Lieu- tenant George B. Heath succeeding as Captain.
First Assistant Surgeon Alfred Waterman, Warrenville, promoted Chief Surgeon, June 2d ; Second Assistant Surgeon George W. Boggs, Naperville, succeeded as First Assistant Surgeon.
Captain Theodore S. Rogers, Company B, Naperville, resigned September 30th, 1864, First Lieutenant Lucius B. Church, Winfield, succeeding as Captain. Lieut. Church had been detailed at Gallatin on General Paine's staff, where he remained after the regiment moved from that point. Sub- sequently he was detailed as Post-Quartermaster, and ordered to Paducah, Kentucky, where he remained during the balance of his term of service. Second Lieutenant Willard Scott was commissioned First Lieutenant, September 30th, 1864, but for some unaccountable reason not mustered until June 1st, 1865, within six days of the muster-out of the regiment. Although entitled to enjoy such rank from every consideration of merit and capacity, he sustained his original position in Company B until the end of the war, being the only officer in
BREVET BRIC. GEN! DANIEL DUSTIN OF SYCAMORE.
(Chicago Lithographing Co. Chicago.
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the regiment remaining with it to the end, whose services had not been officially acknowledged and rewarded.
First Lieutenant, John W. Burst, Company C, Franklin, honorably discharged, October 19th, 1864, on account of wounds received at Burnt Hickory, May 25th. First Ser- geant Isaac S. Brundage, Cortland, promoted First Lieutenant October, 18th. First Lieutenant William M. Tirtlot, Company F, honorably discharged, November 28th, 1864, on account of wounds received at Reseca, May 15th. First Sergeant Melvin Smith, Winfield, promoted First Lieutenant, April 13th, not mustered until March 30, 1865.
Captain John B. Nash, Company G, Franklin, resigned July 17th, 1864. First Lieutenant John M. Smith commis- sioned Captain but not mustered.
First Lieutenant Harvey Potter, Company H, Ashbury, DeKalb, resigned August 17th, 1864, First Sergeant Frank II. Cole, Somonauk, succeeding as First Lieutenant.
Captain William O. Locke, Company I, Addison, Du Page, honorably discharged, August 25th, 1864, on account of wounds received at Reseca, May 15th, First Lieutenant George A. Bender, Chicago, mustered as Captain, October 15th.
First Sergeant Henry Reinking, Company I, Addison, commissioned Second Lieutenant, June 7th, 1865, vice Second Lieutenant Augustus H. Fischer, killed at Atlanta, August 13th, 1864.
On the 9th of September, the news of the death of that famous guerrilla chief, John Morgan, was reported in camp, which proved to be a true report, notwithstanding many " grape-vine " dispatches were being received among the boys during the resting spell of the army at Atlanta and vicinity. The same day a report that the guerrilla Wheeler had cut the railroad communications of the army between Atlanta and Chattanooga also proved true, but the only ill effects experi- enced was the temporary stoppage of the army mails, which severed the sympathetic lines between the boys in camp and friends at home.
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A report of casualties pertaining to the 105th was made out on the 10th of September, embracing the names of officers and men killed, wounded and missing during the Atlanta campaign, showing the following numbers : Commissioned officers killed, two; wounded, thirteen ; enlisted men killed, forty-one ; wounded, one hundred and three; missing, two; total casualties, officers and men, one hundred and sixty-one.
The number of officers and men, embracing the whole belonging to the regiment, present and absent, on the 30th of April, 1864, amounted to six hundred and seventy-four ; on the 10th of September, five hundred and eighty-seven. On the former date that number was situated as follows : Present, officers and men, for duty, four hundred and forty-six ; on special or daily duty, seventy-two ; sick, twenty-seven-five hundred and forty-five. Absent, on detailed service, eighty- six; with leave, seven ; sick, etc., thirty-three ; without authority, three-one hundred and twenty-nine; present and absent, six hundred and seventy-four. On the latter date, September 10th, there were, officers and men : present, for duty, two hundred and sixty-three; on special or daily duty, forty-two; sick, thirty-two-three hundred and thirty-seven. Absent, on detached service ninety-six ; with leave, twelve; sick, one hundred and forty-two-250;present; and absent, five hundred and eighty-seven.
The effective force of the regiment on the 30th of April, 1864, or just before the opening of the campaign, embracing commissioned officers and enlisted men, was four hundred and forty-six. On the 10th of September, or just after the close of the campaign, two hundred and sixty-three.
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