USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > History of DeKalb County, Illinois > Part 13
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At the close of the campaign, Major Brown, who had commanded the regiment, complimented the officers and men for their good conduct throughout; their rapid and steady marching; their willingness to facilitate the passage of the teams over the roads, and for the alacrity with which they responded to all details.
On the 26th of December, orders were received to prepare for another campaign. A little curious to know which point they were to " go for" next, the officers and men set about the work of preparation promptly. They casily pursuaded themselves that the rebellious soil of South Carolina would be their next field of operations ; and they were elated with the idea of punishing that constitutionally hot-tempered region.
The first brigade was reviewed on the 29th of December by Colonel Smith, of the 102d Illinois, commanding tempo- rarily. The Twentieth Corps was reviewed by General Sher- man on the 30th, in the streets of Savannah.
On the morning of the 31st the third division left camp, crossed the river to Hutchinson Island, opposite the city, and immediately procceded to the channel, about a mile distant, next to the South Caralina side. The weather was unfavor- able-the low ground and muddy roads rendering it imprac- ticable to proceed with the work of pontooning, the channel being broad and the waters boisterous. The second and third brigades were ordered back to town to remain until operations for crossing could be resumed as soon as the weather would admit. The first brigade remained on the island. A few shots were exchanged with Whecler's men, who were on the other side. A man in Company A, Corporal Spafford R. Deford, was mortally wounded and died the next day. This
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was the first fatal thrust from South Carolina. A gun was planted, and a few shells sent over, when the boys had the satisfaction of witnessing a stampede of rebel cavalry.
The entrance of the new year, 1865, into the annals of time, and the entrance of the first brigade into the State of South Carolina, came together. January 1st, the brigade crossed from Hutchinson Island to the South Carolina side, in small boats and barges ; proceeded some five or six miles into the country, and camped at a fine but deserted place of a Dr. Cheever, formly a wealthy South Carolinan. The doctor (now deceased) had realized as high as $700,000 annually on his rice plantation through which the brigade marched. The mansion is a very large two-story gothic, and elaborately fin- ished. Many of the plants and shrubs remain-fitting re- minders of former clegance and refinement. Brigade head- quarters were situated here. Major Brown, commanding the 105th, used the overseer's house for regimental headquarters -- a building of no mean pretensions, even for an overseer. All the other buildings were pulled down for wood.
While encamped near Cheever's farm, the good Chaplain of the 105th, Daniel Chapman, resigned, January 8th, and left for his home. On the 10th the regiment shifted its position in order to enjoy better grounds and more room than was possible in the old fortifications. On the night of the 16th, a wagon-load of shell oysters, fresh from the coast, was issued to the regiment. On the 17th the division moved on and occupied Hardeeville, a point twenty milles from Savannah, on the Charleston and Savannah Railroad. While here the troops were treated to four days incessant rain. On the 20th the camp of the 105th was so nearly inundated that it became necessary to move it. At this place the regiment received one hundred and forty-three new Springfield guns with accoutrements, which were distributed among all the companies.
Captain Martin V. Allen Company E, was honorably dis- charged, January 20th 1865, on account of wounds received before Atlanta.
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Lieutenant Colonel Dutton, Surgeon Waterman and Lieutenant John Ellis, Company K, arrived on the 22d from the North, where they had been on leave. The Lieutenant Colonel brought through two large boxes and several valises of articles from the friends of the regiment, which were received with great satisfaction ; much credit being due that officer for their safe arrival to these apparently godless regions.
At Hardeeville, Lieutenant Colonel Dutton relieved Major Brown. In this new and dangerous march the fine military abilities of the Lieutenant Colonel were particularly desirable, and his characteristic dash, coupled with the coolness and fidelity of the Major, was worthy of the good cause for which it was being exercised.
The last drill of the First brigade came off on the 25th of January, while at Hardeeville. Here the boys of the various regiments joined in the work of burning more buildings. A church edifice was destroyed by fire.
On the 29th, the troops moved for Robertsville, the Third division in rear of the First. Marched rapidly about fifteen miles, camping at sundown. On the 30th a five-mile march brought the command to Robertsville, where it turned into camp at noon.
Finally, from Robertsville, the grand movement commenced in earnest. After remaining at that place two days, the Twentieth Corps "launched out" further into the native regions of " Secessia," on the morning of February 2, 1865. In the order of march the Army of the Tennessee, Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps, were on the right, the Army of Georgia, Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps, on the left, and the Cavalry Corps still further to the left. The Corps moved on roads parallel with each other, in five columns.
The troops set out with the feeling that, inasmuch as more campaigning and raiding was necessary to close up the rebel- lion, they were rejoiced to know that South Carolina was to be the field of operations, and they resolved that she should be pretty thoroughly overhauled, and that rebellion should 23
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soon "play out " all around. The "bummers " especially, resolved themselves into a "committee of the whole on the State of South Carolina," and determined to " go it on their own hook," as they did through Georgia-only more so.
On the morning of the 2d, the Twentieth Corps moved forward, the 105th regiment in advance of the column. The regiment soon run against rebels. At two o'clock afternoon, as the column was approaching the small town of Lawtonville, the advanced two companies was suddenly fired into by a strong force of Wheeler's cavalry. Immediately two more companies of the 105th were deployed as skirmishers and advanced, but the enemy being found strongly posted behind barricades and a line of thick woods bordering a marshy creek, the entire regiment, together with two companies from the 129th Illinois, on its left, was deployed and Lieutenant Colonel Dutton in charge, ordered to advance. With the other regiments of the brigade in supporting distance, the skirmishers deliberately advanced across the open fields on either side of the road, under a heavy fire, driving the enemy out of his works to the suburbs of the town. The skirmishers kept up a sharp fire at the rebels as they advanced, and by a slight wheel to the right and another advance on the run, through the swamp and timber, in which was a dense growth of underbrush and running vines, the enemy's position was flanked and the rebels driven through, and a mile beyond the town. Some artillery was used with good effect.
This fight was almost wholly made by the 105th. The advance was conducted with order and decision, and of course with success. The regiment and the two additional companies deployed, made a line about one-fourth mile in length, which as it coolly moved forward, firing, presented the appear- ance of men going through the evolutions of skirmish drill. There were eight casualties in the regiment, and six men had their clothes pierced with bullets. Colonel Dutton and Lieutenant Melvin Smith, commanding Company F, were among the lucky ones who were simply wounded in the clothes.
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Several of the enemy's dead were left in the hands of the regiment or brigade, and it was ascertained that several more, with their wounded, were carried off by them.
It was afterwards learned that the whole of Wheeler's rebel cavalry, three or four thousand, were posted at Lawtonville, and that they were determined to stoutly resist the passage of our troops at the swamp near the town. The enemy retreated during the night, while the First brigade camped on the famous little battle-field of Lawtonville.
The march was resumed in the morning at 10 o'clock, the regiment in the rear of column. Beyond the town a large and elegant dwelling was passed. The house was splendidly furnished with rich carpets, a library of books, piano forte, and furniture of the number one kind. The grounds were laid out tastefully and highly ornamented with various kinds of shrubbery. This was the property of a rebel officer, and had been the headquarters of the rebel General Wheeler. Ere the rear of the column had arrived it was discovered that the house was on fire. It seems it had been fired in accordance with orders given by proper authority.
The column proceeded on the Barnwell road, nine miles, and camped at Crossroads.
On the 4th moved ten miles. Good weather, country higher ; well supplied with water. Forage in abundance. The foragers and "bummers" in high spirits. All the country for a space of about sixty miles being overrun by the army as it sweeps on. The boys bring into camp at night, bacon, sweet potatoes-or " yams"-chicken, fresh pork, molasses, butter, and many other eatables. The " bummers" help themselves to any kind of valuables within reach, people burying their jewelry, watches, money, etc.
Sunday, 5th February .- Weather delightfully clear and mild. The first brigade moved out in advance of division, guarding wagon train. Proceeded ten miles, camping near fifteenth corps. Better country.
On the 6th, weather cloudy and raining. Moved out late
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in the morning. Crossed Combahee river, passing through rebel fortifications, from whence the fifteenth corps had driven the rebels.
Private Jenkins, of Company I, with a comrade from an- other regiment, while foraging, moved ahead of the column, and at sundown found themselves very near the camp of the rebel General Wheeler. Having been unsuccessful forag- ing, they determined not to return to camp without some trophy. A rebel Lieutenant and Sergeant having rode out of their camp, came near the boys, who demanded their sur- render. With' reluctance! they complied, were made to dis- mount and deliver up their revolvers and sabres. Jenkins and his comrads mounted their horses, requiring the "John- nies" to walk into the "Yankee" camp, which they did in " good order." This was a " feather in Jenkins' cap."
On the 8th the command reached the Charleston and Augusta railroad near Grahams, captured two prisoners and destroyed the track, heating many of the rails red hot and winding them around the trees.
On moved our boys, weary but triumphant, through vary- ing weather, cold, stormy and sleety on one day, mild and charming with the beauties of a southern spring on the next. We passed through Williston February 11th, forded the icy cold South Edisto river on the 12th, near which Lieutenant John Ellis of Company C, while in charge of a foraging party captured three rebel soldiers. The 14th and 15th the rain froze as it fell, making most uncomfortable marching and wretched camping. The brigade also met with some resistance from the retreating enemy. We camped in sight of Columbia, the capitol of South Carolina, on the 16th, and after some cannonading and skirmishing, passed the city on the 17th, the army burning a portion of it.
The whole surface of the country seemed on fire and the smoke was dense enough to be uncomfortable. Crossed the Saluda river on a pontoon bridge on the 18th, and were stationed'as a guard to protect the pontooneers until the
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bridge was removed. By this time our bummers were elegantly arrayed in broadcloths and satin, and marched in carriages more or less elegant, drawn by confiscated steeds. Happy bummers ! Scouring the country in advance of and around the army they formed a protective force of real service in furnishing information and preventing attack. Reached Broad river on Sunday, the 19th; and here orders were receiv- ed to prepare for a continuation of the campaign for forty days. All unnecessary baggage must be thrown aside, and even the wall tents abandoned. Reluctantly the boys unbur- dened their wagons, loaded with captured valuables, and the wagons subsequently carried only army supplies.
The troops had now worn out their shoes, and many were hatless, ragged, barefoot and dirty too, for the soap had become exhausted. "Forty days more," and "what will Old Billy do when the soles of our feet give out too ?" was the question, but they soon recovered from their dissatisfaction and moved on jolly and contented. We guarded the pon- tooneers at Broad river ; and marehed all of the night of the 20th, arriving at Winnsboro, where we passed in review before Generals Sherman and Slocum. The 105th led the advance on the 22d, encountering Butters rebel cavalry and driving them. Private Fisher, of Company B, here captured a pris- oner with two horses and equipments. General Sherman was at our division headquarters to-day, and while there received news of the capture of Charleston. Crossed the Wateree river at midnight and were thoroughly drenched with a shower.
On the 24th we passed over a wretched corduroy road, which had been built by our pioneers from small pines that worked the mud beneath into a batter which gushed up in fountains as our mules drew the heavy wagons over their rough surfaces.
Right here let us give due credit to these faithful dumb brutes-unhonored heroes whose toils, lacerations and star- vations were so seldom thought of, yet whose services were as indispensable as our own, and whose bones lie bleaching on
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all of the battle fields of the South, together with those of our own comrades.
On the 25th Captain Culver with his foraging party dashed into Lancaster, fifteen miles aside from our column-the first to enter that city. He secured a large supply of dried fruit and other luxuries. We camped for a day at Hanging Rock waiting for the Fourteenth Corps to come up the river. This Rock was so named from the fact that the British here hung six American soldiers after one of the battles of the Revolution. Hard marching for the next week; from ten to seventeen miles a day, much of it being done in the night. On the 4th of March we crossed into North Carolina, and rested on Sunday, at Colonel Allston's plantation, where we were delighted with the luxury of a supply of soft soap. On the 9th, reached a country devoted to the manufacture of tar and turpentinc-a wilderness of lofty pines. Immense quantities of this material were set on fire, and huge columns of black smoke rising from the forests told that lava-like stream of tar or rosin were burning like the emissions of a volcano. On the 9th a heavy thunder storm-a muddy stream forded and no fresh provisions, -for the first time since we left Robertsville, we lived on hard bread. On the 11th the 105th was detailed to work on the road, and several miles were corduroyed. In camp at Fay- etteville on the 12th, and from here we sent letters home and were reviewed by General Sherman, passing through and camping a short distance out. On the 16th we fought the battle of Averysboro ; the day was stormy, the roads terribly muddy. We started early on our march, and before noon the troops encountered a large force of the enemy within a few miles of Averysboro, when at he engagement tookplace. The First brigade was deployed on the left of the forces engaged, the left wing of the 105th, under Captain Forsythe, being deployed as skirmishers in front of the brigade, while the right remained in column in rear of the left of the brigade. An advance was immediately made, under heavy skirmish fire, for about five hundred yards to the enemy's works, when a charge
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was ordered ; at the same time the right wing of the 105th, under Lieutenant Colonel Dutton, was ordered to the extreme left and forward to protect the flank and strengthen the skir- mish line. It moved as directed with alacrity, and cut off from retreat and captured a twelve-pounder Napoleon gun, which the Colonel, with some of his gallant men, turned on the enemy, giving him half a dozen shots in his disordered and retreating ranks. The works were charged and carried in splendid style, when the line halted till other troops were brought to connect with the left, prior to another advance. When the brigade advanced again, the 105th moved in the second line, the whole line pressing up within one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy's main line of works, under a heavy fire of small arms and cannon. Here the regiment and brigade bivouacked during the remainder of the day and night, throwing up a line of works during a rain storm. The battle on the right was successfully waged, and in the night the enemy retreated-well whipped.
Lieutenant Colonel Dutton, assisted by Major Brown and Adjutant Chandler, was equal to every emergency. Captain Forsythe handled the skirmish line with admirable success, and the line officers and men displayed their usual courage and fidelity. Adjutant Chandler had the front of his hat torn by a bullet, narrowly escaping with his life.
The regiment lost six killed and sixteen wounded, according to Lieutenant Colonel Dutton's report. Among the former was the gallant Orderly, Linus Holcomb of Company A, Captain G. B. Heath, whose life gradually ebbed away after he was brought from the gory battle-field.
Surgeon Waterman again had his hands full, in caring for the wounded. His skill was measured by the sad duties of the hour, and not found wanting.
In a large dwelling in rear of the field where the brigade fought, a hospital was located, where the wounded were being dressed. There were numerous amputations --- the yard being strewn with legs and arms; and the dead and dying were lying around --- a dreadful wreck of human forms.
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The casualties in the division numbered two hundred and fifty-six : First brigade eighty-three ; Second brigade, fifty ; Third brigade one hundred and twenty-three. The loss of the evening was heavy. The troops buried one hundred of the rebel killed.
Before the battle a party of thirty foragers from the 105th, preceding the column, charged on one of the enemy's earth- works, driving him out and killing one man --- a very creditable affair.
The regiment did their duty nobly, and in token of their gallantry at this point and in the Atlanta campaign, Colonel Dutton their commander, received from the President the appointment of Brigadier General by brevet, the appointment dating from the date of the battle.
On the 19th the battle of Bentonville occurred at which we were assigned position on the left. We threw up earth- works in double-quick time, but the attack was made on the night, and our line was not assaulted. The rebels were defeated with fearful slaughter.
Resumed our march on the 22d and crossed the Neuse river on the next day. Here we met General Terry's eastern troops, whining because they had been without communication and no mail for a week. We consoled them by telling them we had been in the same condition fifty-one days.
We arrived at Goldsboro on the 24th, and our long march for the time was ended. We had marched five hundred miles in fifty-five days, resting only six days ; had crossed twelve large rivers and numerous smaller streams. The foragers of our regiment had captured, on the march, twenty tons of meat, ten tons of flour, and sweet potatoes, with other luxuries, to an extent that cannot be estimated. All of the officers with their men by turns participated in the work of foraging.
At Goldsboro the regiment was newly equipped, and that portion of "Sherman's greasers" as the eastern troops contemptuously called us, put on a better appearance. The
HON. JAS: H. BEVERIDGE, OF SOMONAUK.
(Zarago Lithographing Co. Chicago,
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"bummers" who were flush of funds having " cramped " watches, jewelry, and money during the raid, donned the best attire and patronized the sutlers' shops extensively.
On the 29th, and again on the 5th of April, parties of our regiment were sent on foraging expeditions, taking forage from within two miles of the fortified lines of the enemy, but losing several men captured and one killed.
On the 6th of April news was received of the capture of Richmond, and the joy of our boys may be more easily imagined than described.
On the 10th we found another campaign begun. We moved to Smithfield, where the surrender of Lee's army was announced. We were after Johnston's army, and on the 13th we reached Raleigh in the pursuit. Here reports were circu- lated of Johnston's surrender, and amid the joyful excitement came the heart-rending tidings of the assassination of President Lincoln.
On the 22d the twentieth Corps were reviewed in Raleigh, and on the 14th it became known that Johnston had surren- dered his army upon terms that were not approved by the President, and that we were about to "go for " "Johnston's Johnnies " again. Next day we marched thirteen miles on the road to Holly Springs, but on the day following we remained in camp, as Grant and Sherman had gone forward to meet the rebel General and have a new conference. On the 24th we joyfully marched back to Raleigh, elated with the assurance that Grant's negotiations had been successful-that satisfactory terms of surrender had been made-and that the great war was substantially at an end.
Now " On to Richmond."
We marched gaily along, blessed with warm, bright beautiful weather, pleasantly greeted by the people on the route, full of gratification at the glorious termination of the war.
We pass Williamsborough, cross the Roanoke into Virginia, cross again the Meherin and the Nottaway rivers, and on the Oth of May rested a day, two miles from Richmond. On thic 24
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11th we passed through Richmond ; well treated by the people. On the 12th crossed the Chickahominy swamp; on the 14th, crossed the Little and North Anna rivers, and received orders to burn no more fences. The young daughters of the Old Dominion greeted us with waving handkerchiefs, and the colored people were everywhere jubilant. On the 15th, we camped on the Chancellorsville battle ground where human bones and skulls lay bleaching in the sun.
On the 17th we were near Manassas Junction, and on the 18th passed through Fairfax Station, crossing the far-famed Bull Run, a broad shallow stream of pure water with a hard gravelly bottom. On the 19th camped three miles from Alexandria where we remained till on the 24th, we took part in the grand military pageant at Washington. Here Major Brown, Captain Church, and Assistant Surgeon Beggs joined the regiment, having been absent on leave and detached service.
The army of the Potomac was reviewed by the President and Cabinet on the 23d, and General Sherman's army on the 24th, the streets lined with immense crowds of people who greeted us with constant cheers and waving handkerchiefs. The Washington papers especially, commended the drill of the 105th, and the ladies favored us with a shower of boquets. We camped four miles out of the city until the 6th, eu- ploying our time in visiting Washington, and on the 7th of June, 1865, werc mustered out of service.
On the 8th we took cars for Chicago, arriving at Pittsburg about 2 A. M., where we were met by a brass band and a committee of citizens, escorted to the City Hall and entertained with ample refreshments. Generous, thoughtful Pittsburg; long will you be remembered for your kindness to the war worn and weary. What a contrast we met in Chicago. We arrived at the same hour. It was dark and raining ; no one met us or could tell where we were to go. The officers were in a train behind, and Sergeant-Major Whitlock, who found himself the ranking officer, could not find a place to put his
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men. They could not be admitted to the Soldiers' Home, to the Barracks, nor anywhere. The officers soon arrived and found that no notice had been taken of their telegram advising the coming of the regiment. The boys "adjourned " to the Illinois Central Depot where a friendly policeman suffered them to lie on the floor 'till morning. Then we started for the dirty barracks, to which we were finally ordered, at Camp Fry. As we marched through the same streets through which three years before we had gone out one thousand strong-our regiment now reduced to hardly half that number, was ordered off the side-walk into the streets by the police. The policemen were pushed aside with hearty soldierly denunciations of all policemen and Chicago generally.
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