USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > History of DeKalb County, Illinois > Part 24
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Many fields of sorghum had been planted upon this route ; and the men sustained nature by the stimulating pieces of its stalks which they chewed as they moved along. Two hundred men of this regiment were permanently disabled by this terri- ble march, and multitudes more acquired chronic diseases from which they never fully recovered.
Lieutenant Gilbert L. Barnes and nine privates of Company K died on the march.
The sufferings of the regiment upon this march were not recompensed by the consideration that they had proved of much value to the cause. Arrived at Springfield, Fremont was superceded by General Hunter, the plan of the campaign was changed, Price retired to his mountain fastnesses, at a short distance; and when the regiment had remained a few weeks encamped at Springfield, it marched back again to Tip- ton, Price's army following ours back to Springfield, and then
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to Osceola, where it wintered within thirty miles of our own.
The regiment went into winter-quarters at Smithton, an outpost of Otterville, where was located the headquarters of General Pope's army. Our company, on the 15th of De- cember, occupied for winter quarters an old and roomy ware- house, colder than any ordinary barn; and amid more than the usual discomforts of army life in winter, it passed the time in guard duty.
On the 3d of February, 1862, we moved to St. Charles, Missouri, north of St. Louis-a very exhausting march of seven days-where we took steamers, and, on the 20th, arrived at Fort Holt in Kentucky, whence we moved by steamers to Columbus, Kentucky.
On the 4th of March it occupied Columbus, Ky, and on the 15th moved down to Island Number Ten-a march of forty- five miles, during which we were constantly in conflict with the enemy. In the reduction and capture of that important post the 42d bore no unimportant part.
On the night of April 1st, Colonel Roberts, its commander, with fifty men of the regiment, spiked a battery of six guns of the rebels that had hitherto done a good deal of injury to our troops.
On the 11th of April this formidable fortress surrendered to the Union arms, and on the 14th our regiment, under Gen- eral Pope, moved to Fort Pillow and thence to Shiloh, arriving too late for the great battle.
The regiment was engaged in the famous siege of Corinth, and shared the glory of the capture of that important point ; and it led the advance of the Union forces in pursuit of Beau- regard's flying host, as far as Booneville, Miss.
During this siege Captain Butts, who had been in charge of the Surgeon since the 1st of March, was forced to resign his command, and Robert Raney, a Lieutenant of Company D, was chosen Captain in his stead.
In the battle of Farmington, on the 9th of May, the regi- ment lost two men killed, twelve wounded and three missing. 41
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
The 42d occupied Courtland, Alabama, from July 25th to September 3d, 1862, when it left for Nashville, Tenn., by way of Decatur, Alabama. It had a battle at Columbia, Tenn., September 9th, 1862, and lost one man killed. The regiment arrived at Nashville September 13th.
It remained in Nashville during the siege. On December 10th it marched out six miles on the Nolensville pike. On December 26th it engaged in the Murfreesboro campaign. It skirmished with the enemy December 30th, and was en- gaged in the battle of Stone River, December 31st, with a loss of 22 killed, 116 wounded, and 85 prisoners.
On the 5th of March, 1863, the 42d engaged in the pursuit of VanDorn to Columbia, returning to camp at Murfreesboro on the 14th. On June 24th it entered upon the Tullahoma campaign, camped, July 31st, at Bridgeport, Alabama, and on September 2d engaged in the Chattanooga campaign. It then marched to Alpine, Georgia, thence to Trenton, and crossed Lookout Mountain. It engaged, September 19th and 20th, in the battle in the battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, losing 28 killed, 128 wounded, and 28 prisoners, and retreated to Chat- anooga.
On the 28th of November the regiment was engaged in the battle of Mission Ridge, losing five killed and forty wounded, the 42d being on the skirmish-line during the whole engage- ment. It pursued the enemy to Chickamauga creek and re- turned. It then entered the East Tennessee campaign, and on the 27th of December camped at Stone's Mill.
On the 1st of January, 1864, the regiment re-cnlisted as a veteran volunteer organization, and on the 15th it moved to Dandridge. It started for Chattanooga on the 21st, arriving on the 2d of February, whence it moved by rail to Chicago on the 21st. On the 2d of March the men received thirty day furloughs, and, on their return, arrived at Chattanooga April 27th.
The regiment entered the Atlanta campaign on the 3d of May, and was engaged at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairs-
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ville, New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and Lovejoy Station, encamping at Atlanta, September 8th. The total loss on the campaign was twenty killed, eighty-nine wounded, and seven prisoners. On the 25th it moved to Bridgeport, Alabama, by rail, and, October 19th, to Chattanooga, whence they marched to Alpine, Georgia. On the 30th of October, it moved by rail to Athens, Alabama, and marched thence to Pulaski, Tennessee, arriving November 5th.
It commenced its retreat for Nashville on the 22d, engaging with the enemy at Spring Hill and Franklin, and losing twen- ty-four killed, ninety-five wounded, and thirty prisoners. It was engaged in the battle of Nashville on the 15th and 16th of December, losing two killed and eleven wounded, and pur- sued the enemy eighty-two miles, camping at Lexington, Ala., December 31st, whence it marched to Decatur, Ala., arriving January 6th, 1865.
The 42d remained at Decatur till April 1st, when it pro- ceeded by rail to Bull's Gap, Tenn., and thence marched to Blue Springs, where it remained two weeks, and then proceed- ed by rail to Nashville.
On the 15th of June it moved by rail to Johnsonville, Tenn., and thence by water to New Orleans, and camped at Chal- mette, June 23d. On the 18th of July it proceeded to Port Lavaca, Texas, whence it went to Camp Irwin, where it re- mained a month, and then returned to Lavaca and went on post duty.
The regiment was mustered out on the 16th of December, left Indianola on the 20th and New Orleans on the 24th, ar- riving at Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois, January 3d, 1866. On the 10th it received its final pay and discharge.
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Men of DeKalb County in the 42d Illinois Inf.
COMPANY K.
CAPTAINS. Jesse D. Butts, DeKalb, resigned April 8, 1862. Joseph W. Foster, DeKalb, honorably discharged May 15, 1865.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
Joseph W. Foster, DeKalb, promoted.
James N. McClellan, South Grove, term expired Feb. 20, 1865.
Jeremiah G. Beard, Somonauk, mustered out as Sergeant Dec. 16, 1865.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS. Gilbert S. Barnes, Kingston, died Oct. 24, 1861. James N. Mcclellan, South Grove, promoted.
SERGEANTS.
James N. Mcclellan, South Grove, promoted 2d Lieutenant.
Shuin W. King, DeKalb, killed at Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863.
James H. Dupee, Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Perry Rowan, Franklin, killed at Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862. CORPORALS.
Moses L. Benies, DeKalb, mustered out September 16, 1864, as private. Charles H. Stuart, Kingston, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Robert Lenox, DeKalb, discharged Nov. 15, 1863, for disability. John Lundall, DeKalb, trans. to Veteran Reserve Corps, March 15. 1865. Lyman H. Needham, DeKalb, died in Andersonville prison, Sept. 1, 1864. Orlando M. Benson, killed at Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
Henry B. Gurle, DeKalb, discharged Nov. 14, 1862, for disability. Stephen Olney, Kingston, discharged Feb. 14, 1863, for disability. MUSICIANS. Ethan Allen, Sycamore, discharged March 26, 1862, for disability. Ephraim II. Hornbeck, Mayfield, deserted Nov. 7, 1861.
PRIVATES.
Austin Amasa C., DeKalb, discharged Jan 5, 1862. Arst Frank, Kingston, died at Chattanooga, March 13, 1863. Alba George, Pampas, deserted July 3, 1862. Aurner William R., Kingston, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864. Brainard Anson, Kingston, died at St. Louis Dec. 11, 1861. Bates Stephen H., Kingston, discharged May 12, 1862, for disability.
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Barber Daniel, DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Benies Aaron B., DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864. Brown James W., DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 18, 1864. Brigham Artimus, Somonauk, re-enlisted as veteran. Brigham Jeremiah G., Somonauk, re-enlisted as veteran. Collier John, Kingston, died at Evansville, Ind., June 11, 1862. Connaughton Thomas, Kingston, deserted June 11. 1862.
Connaughton Roger, Kingston, deserted June 11, 1862. Conner Allanson, Malta, discharged Jan. 19, 1863, for disability. Campbell David, Milan, missing after the battle of Chickamauga. Decker William H., Kingston, died at Farmington May 29, 1862.
Dairs William, Kingston, died at Tipton, Mo , Dec. 4, 1861. DeLaTour George W., Milan, transferred to Company B. . Edmonds John D., Milan, killed at Chickamauga Sept. 20, 1863. Edmunds Edward B., Milan, re-enlisted as veteran.
Fish Mortimer A., Sandwich. mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Fish Enos, DeKalb, died at Smithton, Mo., Jan. 11, 1862.
Fish Chester, DeKalb, transferred to 55th Ill. Inf. Sept. 5, 1861.
Frost George R., Clinton, trans. to Sappers and Miners, August 29, 1861.
Fowler Jay, DeKalb, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Feb. 22, 1864. Garlock Wm. E., DeKalb, discharged April 26, 1864, as Sergeant, wounded. Green Israel J., Sandwich, trans. to Veteran Reserve Corps, Feb. 10, 1864. Gorham Edward, South Grove, re-enlisted as veteran.
Hanson Peter, South Grove, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Hendrickson Oscar, DeKalb, re-enlisted as veteran.
Hannegar Nathaniel, DeKalb, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Hodges John H., mustered out Sept. 16. 1864.
Kimball Lorenzo, DeKalb, disch. Nov. 25, 1862, to enlist in 4th U. S. Cav. Kennady Melvin, Squaw Grove, missing after the battle of Chickamauga. Lemley Peter, Kingston, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Martin Daniel G., Afton, discharged Jan. 16, 1862.
McGlin Edward, Afton, deserted June 11, 1862.
McCann John F., Cortland, mustered out May 12, 1865. Miller August, Afton, transferred to Sappers and Miners, August 29, 1861. Mott William, Sycamore, discharged July 5, 1864, for disability.
Perry Henry, Sycamore, discharged July 8, 1862, for 1862, for disability.
Perry William N., Sycamore, died at St. Louis, Mo., May 23, 1862.
Perry Hale, Sycamore, died at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 10, 1862.
Peterson John, DeKalb, died at Smithton, Mo., Jan. 6, 1862.
Patterson John W., DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864. Redding John, DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Roleson Lewis, Kingston, trans. to Sappers and Miners, August 29, 1861. Russell Robert W .. Genoa, discharged Dec. 26, 1862, to enlist in 16th U. S. Rogers Richard S., South Grove, trans. to Vet. Reserve Corps, July 15, '64. Rostrop J. Peters, DeKalb, re-enlisted as veteran.
Stroup Julius, DeKalb, disch. Nov. 25, 1862, to enlist in 4th U. S. Cavalry. Stephenson Francis, DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864. Snell Benjamin, Mayfield, deserted August 23, 1861.
Sams Henry, Mayfield, re-enlisted as veteran.
Shannon Gilbert, South Grove, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Stout Aaron, DeKalb, discharged Jan. 13, 1862, for disability.
Tibbetts Aaron G., Kingston, discharged July 12, 1862, for disability. Tyler William P .. DeKalb, died at Tipton, Mo., Dec. 31, 1861. Taylor Joseph, Mayfield, re-enlisted as veteran.
V'dburgh Addison, Mayfield, discharged Feb. 11, 1862, for disability. VanNess Oscar, Afton, discharged Jan. 26, 1862, to enlist in 16th U. S. A. Wolrod Charles, Afton, discharged March 24, 1862, for disability.
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Wright Benjamin, DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 28, 1864. Wright George H., DeKalb, re-enlisted as veteran. Wittemore Anson W., DeKalb, discharged March 26, 1862, for disability. Wilson Charles S., Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Wright William, DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Yarwood N. B., Kingston, discharged Dec. 26, 1862, to enlist in 16th U. S. VETERANS.
Beard Jeremiah G., DeKalb, mustered out Dec. 16, 1865, as Ist Sergeant. Brigham Artemus, Victor, mustered out Dec. 16, 1865, as Sergeant. Depue James H., Spcamore, 1st Sergeant, died at home March 22, 1864. Edmonds Edmond B., DeKalb, mustered out Dec. 16, 1865, as Corporal. Nichols Charles, DeKalb, mustered out Dec. 16, 1865, as Corporal, wounded. Sams Henry, DeKalb, mustered aut Dec. 16, 1865.
Taylor Joseph, Mayfield, mustered out Dec. 16, 1865, wounded,
Wright Geo. H., DeKalb, mustered out Dec. 16, 1865, as Sergeant, wounded.
Fifty-Second Illinois Infantry.
Fifty-Second Illinois Infantry.
The 52d Illinois Infantry Regiment was organized at Ge- neva, Kane County, Illinois, under the superintendence of Colonel I. G. Wilson, and was mustered into the United States service as an organization, November 19th, 1861, by Lieuten- ant J. Christopher, U. S. A.
The regiment left Geneva with 945 men, under Colonel I. G. Wilson, with orders to proceed to St. Louis, Mo., via Chi- cago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, November 28th, 1861. They arrived at St. Louis November 29th, and went into quarters at Benton Barracks. While at Benton Barracks, Colonel Wilson's resignation was tendered and accepted. On the 8th day of December, the regiment, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Wilcox, embarked on the cars for St. Joseph, Mo., by way of Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, and arrived at St. Joseph December 10th, 1861.
The several companies of the regiment were stationed along the road from St. Joseph to a point four miles east of Came- ron, making a distance of thirty-five miles to be kept open by our regiment. The regiment was thus employed until Janua- ry 16th, 1862, the headquarters being at St. Joseph. The duty performed was hard and tedious, owing to the intense cold weather and the limited supply of camp and garrison equipage.
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FIFTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
On January 16th, 1862, we left St. Joseph, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Wilcox, with orders to proceed to Cairo. We went by rail to Palmyra, Mo., and from there marched to Quincy, on the railroad, covered with nine inches of snow, and ice underneath. Many of the men came near perishing on the way, and undoubtedly would, but for an engine being sent baek several miles to pick up the stragglers. We left Quincy January 19th, and arrived at Cairo on the 20th. On the 24th we were ordered to Smithland, Ky., where we arrived on the 26th, and went into camp.
On the 7th of February, Colonel T. W. Sweeney of the regular army assumed command of the regiment, and on the 16th, in obedience to orders received, we embarked on boat for Fort Donelson, Ky., where we arrived early on the morn- ing of the 17th, just in time to be assignedl to the unpleasant duty of guarding rebel prisoners.
On the morning of the 18th, the regiment, on several dif- ferent boats, loaded with prisoners, started down the river for St. Louis, where we arrived on the 20th, and were then order- ed to proceed with the prisoners to Springfield and Chicago. After delivering the prisoners at the above places, the regiment rendezvoused at St. Louis, March 7th.
On the 13th of March, we left for the army of the Tennes- see, via Cairo and Paducah, arrived at Pittsburg Landing, March 18th, landed on the 20th and went into camp. The regiment was here attached to the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, Colonel Sweeney commanding the brigade and General Smith the Division.
On the 6th and 7th of April, 1862, the regiment was en. gaged in the bloody battle of Pittsburg Landing, or "Shiloh," Major Henry Stark commanding until 3} P. M. of the first day, when Captain E. A. Bowen assumed command in obedi- ence to orders from Colonel Sweeney, commanding brigade. The regiment distinguished itself on several occasions during this battle, It was in the hottest of the fight during a great part of the first terrible day. While gallantly urging on his 42
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
men, with an utter disregard of his own safety, Captain E. M. Knapp of the DeKalb Co. company was shot through the body and mortally wounded. Our loss was 170 in killed, wounded and missing, outof 500 who went into the fight.
At the siege of Corinth, the regiment took an active part, Colonel Bowen remaining in command from April 7th to May 8th, at which time Lieutenant-Colonel Wilcox return- ed from the north. About May 8th, we were transferred to the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, commanded by Colonel Sweeney.
During the siege of Corinth, the regiment became very much reduced by sickness, wounded, death, &c. ; could carry no tents, and were consequently exposed to the heavy rain- storms of that season.
May 30th, after the enemy had evacuated Corinth, the division was ordered to Farmington to join General Pope. The following day we started in pursuit of the enemy ; pro- ceeded to Boonville, twenty-five miles south of Corinth; re- turned to Camp Montgomery, two miles south of Corinth, June 13th, 1862; went into camp ; remained here until after the battle of Corinth, October 3d and 4th, 1862.
The 2d and 6th divisions, constituting the garrison of Cor- inth, August 11th, under command of Major E. A. Bowen, proceeded to Pocahontas, Tenn., to disperse Colonel Faulk- ner's rebel cavalry, and to seize and bring in all cotton found in the country. They found no camp of the enemy, as re- ported, but secured fifty-five bales of cotton, and returned to Corinth on the 17th of August. The distance marched was fifty miles, and, owing to the extreme hot weather and dusty roads, it was very fatiguing.
September 17th, all the forces stationed at Corinth moved out to attack the rebel force under General Price, at Iuka, Miss. On the night of September 19th, we bivouacked in line of battle three miles east of Burnsville. The next morn- ing we advanced three miles, formed in line of battle, threw out skirmishers, and found that the enemy had left our front ; then marched without interruption to Iuka. General Rose-
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crans, advancing on another road, met the enemy before, and defeated him, driving the rebels out of Iuka early in the morning before our arrival. After a short rest at Iuka, the entire command made a forced march back to Burnsville. September 21st, fearing that Price might attempt to reach Corinth before our return, we made another forced march to Corinth, arriving at four o'clock that afternoon. The last day's march was very severe on the men : the day was hot, and many became utterly exhausted. The total distance marched was fifty-six miles. The regiment took an active part in the battle of Corinth.
Early in the morning of October 3d, we left Camp Mont- gomery, Colonel Sweeney commanding the regiment; marched through Corinthi and formed in line of battle one and a half miles from the town, where the combined forces of Price, Van Dorn, Villipugue and Lovell attacked our forces. During the first day's fight, four separate lines of battle were formed : the enemy, by dint of superior numbers, forcing us to retire until the fourth line was formed in front of Fort. Robinett. The fighting was most desperate through the day : the heat was intense, and many of our men were sun-struck. At one time the whole command seemed nearly overpowered by the extreme heat of the sun.
The most desperate engagement of the day took place at the third line, in the afternoon, the rebel force being com- pletely scattered by the galling fire poured into them. They soon threw in fresh troops, however, and forced us from that position.
During the engagement at the third line, Adjutant Brainard was killed, also General Hackleman, commanding the brigade. Colonel Sweeney was then assigned to the command of the brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel Wilcox assumed command of the regiment. During the night of the 3d, we changed posi- tions several times, thus preventing all possible chance of obtaining the rest so much needed. Before daylight of the 4th, the enemy commenced shelling the town, and having
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HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.
obtained the exact range, their shots were effective. In half an hour, their guns were silenced by our batteries. At 10 A. M., the enemy emerged from the woods in two columns, one upon Fort Robinette and the other upon redoubt Richardson, where the 52d was posted. Rapidly they came, in splendid style, firing as they advanced, and taking advantage of the ground to our front and right, succeeded in gaining possession of the redoubt, causing the artillery horses with caissons to stampede in great confusion. Finding the troops on the right of the redoubt had given away, the 52d was ordered back, and soon after, the entire division followed its example. Re- tiring some two hundred yards, the 52d rallied while yet cx- posed to the fire of the enemy, and immediately began to ad- vance, followed by the entire brigade. The ground lost was retaken, all the guns recaptured and turned upon the enemy, and successfully worked by men of the 52d. The entire command bivouacked on the ground that day and night. The loss of the regiment during both days' fight, was seventy killed and wounded.
On the morning of October 4th, we started in pursuit of the enemy, proceeding as far as Ruckerville, and returned on the 12th. The total distance marched was seventy-five miles.
On the 13th, the regiment was ordered to the hills of the Hatchie river, to pick up tents, &c., abandoned by the enemy in their flight. The regiment started, tired and foot-sore, having been constantly on duty since the battle of Corinth. It returned October 16th, having marched forty miles.
On December 9th, 1862, the regiment, Major Bowen com- manding, started with an expedition into northern Alabama, to disperse a force of 2,000 cavalry and mounted infantry under Roddy. Our whole force of infantry were in army wagons, twelve men to a team. For ten miles after passing Big Bear Creek occurred one of the most exciting running fights ever witnessed. The enemy were driven from every position, until they fell back upon their large reserve force of artillery and infantry, stationed on the opposite bank of Little
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THE FIFTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
Bear Creek. The enemy burned the bridge, and retired from our front. Having exhausted our ammunition, and deeming further pursuit useless, we returned to Corinthi, arriving on the 14th of December, having traveled one hundred and twen- ty miles in five days, fighting the enemy one day, and driving him before us for fifteen miles.
On the 19th of December, the regiment, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Wilcox, left Corinth with an expedition, under command of General I. M. Dodge, to intercept the rebel General Forrest, supposed to be marching on Jackson, Tenn. Of all the marches ever made by the regiment, this was the most trying and fatiguing. Over one hundred miles were marched in four and a half days, the first forty of which were made without sleep and but little rest. Nearly every man in the regiment returned to Corinth foot-sore and ragged. The expedition served to drive General Forrest northward; and when returning, the Jackson forces intercepted him at Park- er's Cross Roads, and defeated him.
On the 2nd of January, 1863, under command of Major Bowen, we started, with an expedition of General Dodge, to intercept Forrest in crossing the Tennessee river. Ascertain- ing that General Forrest had effected a crossing at Crump's Landing, we returned January 3d, having marched twenty- four miles, mostly in the rain.
January 26th, Captain Joseph T. Brown commanding, left Corinth with an expedition commanded by Colonel E. W. Rice, 7th Iowa Volunteers, for Hamburg, Tenn., arriving that even- ing. We took quarters on board of transports, the men being crowded so close as to be unable to lie or sit down, and a cold rain falling all night. It was very hard on the men. On the 27th we started up the Tennessee river, but soon returned on account of the incapacity of the boat to carry so large a number of troops. We returned to Corinth on the 28th, hav- ing marched thirty-five miles-the object of the expedition unknown.
February 14th, Major Bowen commanding, left with two
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
other regiments, all under the command of the Lieutenant- Colonel of the 39th Ohio Infantry, for a point four miles south of Burnsville, Miss., with wagon train, to procure lumber. We reached the mills in the afternoon of the 15th, but owing to the heavy rains which had been falling for two or three days, only two hundred feet of lumber could be hauled in each wagon, and, even with this small load, it was almost im- possible to get through the swamps, so that we were ten hours in going four miles.
On the 16th we left Burnsville, Miss., for Corinth, on the Farmington road, at four o'clock P. M. About dark a steady rain set in, and continued during the night. The commanding officer continued the march during that day and until ten o'clock at night, halting at Farmington. At times the dark- ness was intense, the men constantly falling down, being un- able to select good stepping-places. We reached Corinth on February 17th, dirty, tired and hungry, having marched for- ty-six miles.
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