USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > History of DeKalb County, Illinois > Part 9
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Private Luther L. Hiatt, Company F, the prescription clerk in regimental hospital, a most exemplary young soldier, and a veritable musician, frequently furnished a guitar accom- paniment to the violins and fifes, the whole making up an ex- cellent combination, fully deserving the title of the "105th Illinois String Band."
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The old 105th owes much of its character and popularity, as a whole, to the rare musical powers of those above indi- cated.
Under the able management of Colonel Dustin, the regi- ment rapidly attained to a degree of efficiency in drill and discipline. In the manual of arms the 105th already began to excel, and in the drill grounds the men were readily wield- ed in the school of battalion. The Colonel early taught the rules of health in his advisory speeches to the regiment, and fully set forth the duty and great advantages of education in all things pertaining to the service. Few regiments perhaps were organized with such entire unanimity of feeling as exis- ted in the 105th, and that continued to prevail from this time to the end of the war.
About the time the regiment returned to Gallatin from the Tunnel, Surgeon Potter was detailed to act as Brigade Sur- geon, 1st Assistant Surgeon Waterman shortly afterward taking his place in the regiment as Acting Chief Surgeon.
While at Gallatin and the Tunnel the following additional changes occurred among commissioned officers.
Captain Alexander L. Warner, Company C, of Sycamore, resigned February 17th, 1863; First Lieutenant George W. Field, Sycamore, succeeding as captain. Captain Field after- ward resigned July 11th, 1863; First Lieutenant Charles G. Culver, of Company H, being promoted to the captaincy of company C. Captain Thomas S. Terry, Company E, of Shabbona, resigned March 16th; First Lieutenant Marvin V. Allen, Shabbona, succeeding as captain. Second Lieut. Porter Warner, Company F, York, DuPage, resigned April 17th ; First Sergeant Wm. M. Tirtlot succeeding as Second Lieutenant.
On the 9th of April 1863, while acting as Provost guard, Private Isaac Elsie, Company C, Captain A. C. Graves, was accidentally shot dead by a pistol in the hands of a comrade. This was one of the saddest occurrences that happened to the Provost guards at Gallatin.
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The regiment was paid off about the middle of April, at which time the boys were ready to fully appreciate those fine greenbacks, having not so favorable an opportunity of passing old pain-killer labels and postage stamps as at Scottsville.
Captain J. S. Forsythe, Company H, added a Mr. Samuel Taylor, citizen of Sumner county, Tenn., to his gallant fam- ily of boys, being probably the only regular enlistment in the regiment "from a quarter least expected," during its campaigning in the enemy's country.
Colored inhabitants in the country about Gallatin-then called " contrabands" by the soldiers, came in daily to the Post, many of whom were employed in the hospitals, and on the streets and alleys, cleansing the town. Colonel B. J. Sweet, commanding at Fort Thomas, near the railway depot, employed a number at the fort ; and when too many accumu- lated they were shipped to the front and set to work there.
There were periods of gloom among the people generally while the brigade was lying at Gallatin, the military situa- tion East and West being unsatisfactory, and reported disaf- fection in the North gave rise to the painful reflection that a " fire in the rear" was about to be threatened. But to fight- ing men the prospect had no terrors, as they were anxious to finish disloyalty in front or rear, never counting the cost. It was this spirit, gaining ascendency among the troops of the West, which finally manifested itself in the bold movement that resulted, together with the master strokes in the East, in the complete triumph of the national arms. Notwithstanding the dark times, more or less intensified since the starting out of the 105th in 1862, the spirit of the troops, although de- pressed, never despaired, and the first of May, 1863, brought new victories East and West, when depression gave way to revivifying hope. This was the beginning of the end.
Among the happiest of mortals were the poor, humble " contrabands." Apparently oblivious to effects which made the heart of the soldier sad, they enjoyed their sports, their dances, their out-door gambols. They rejoiced in perpetual
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youth ; neither looking forward nor backward, but living in the hour-ready for any fate. Verily, the very eloquence of life abode in the bosom of the blacks.
The garrison at Gallatin was subject to alarms from John Morgan's raiders, occasionally, when the army wagons would be quickly interlocked in the streets, forming a barricade. But John never came near enough to see these formidable obstructions. An offended Tennessee poetess, and a hater of the Provost Marshal --- Major Scarritt, really a wonderfully austere man-made the following allusion to these alarms, in a parody on " Maryland, my Maryland : "
" The Yankees they get scared at night, Blockade the streets with all their might ; Would'st know the cause-old S-t's tight. Gallatin ! My Gallatin."
On the 1st of June, 1863, the regiment and brigade were transferred from Gallatin to Lavergne, by railroad, a point about twenty miles south-east of Nashville, on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. Here the regiment was engaged in guarding and drilling. Early one dark morning the camp was alarmed, and the 105th sprang to their guns at the call of Colonel Dustin, whose voice sounded out clearly through the darkness, "One hundred and fifth ! fall in ! quick !" But the alarm proved false, and the troops were ordered to their quarters.
Some tedious drill exercises were gone through with herc daily, closing in the evening with dress parade.
The regiment, after stopping at Lavergne one month, was ordered to Murfreesboro, but returned to Lavergne the last of July, and from thence to the city of Nashville, on the 19th day of August, relieving a brigade of troops under command of General Morgan. Here the 105th was placed in charge of Fort Negley, being quartered inside the works. The regi- ment was on constant duty here until its final departure from Nashville, guarding the city and Fort Negley, and being under a system of daily drill.
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BREVET BRIG. GEN! E.F. DUTTON. 105 TH | LL.VOL
Chicago Lithographing Co. Chicago
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Destined to remain at Nashville about six months (arriving there, as above stated, August 19th, 1863, and remaining until February 24th, 1864), the regiment had time to perfect itself in drill, and make many acquaintances in the city. It was its good fortune to exchange the inferior Austrian musket, with which it had been armed, for the Springfield rifled musket, a nicer and more serviceable weapon.
The brigade was attached to the Eleventh Army Corps, Major-General O. O. Howard, commanding, while at Nash- ville.
Many officers and men were detailed from the regiment for special duty. Major Dutton was detailed by order from Washington, on the Board to examine applicants for positions as officers in colored regiments, remaining on that Board from October or November, 1863, until the opening of the Atlanta campaign, May, 1864. As an evidence that the 105th was well drilled, some thirty-three of its members passed a satisfactory examination, and most of them were commissioned and did good service as officers in colored regiments.
Lieutenant-Colonel Vallette was detailed on court-martail for some time ; also Captain A. C. Graves, Co. D, and Captain John B. Nash, Co. G. Captain S. F. Daniels had previously been detailed as Acting Commissary of Subsistence at brigade eadquarters. Acting Surgeon A. Waterman was detailed in a small-pox hospital.
Many enlisted men were detailed as clerks at the different headquarters in the department, filling important places.
The following changes occurred among commissioned offi- cers : First Lieutenant Henry B. Mason, of Sycamore, Co. C, resigned, September 6th, 1863, Second Lieutenant John W. Burst, of Franklin, succeeding as First Lieutenant. Second Lieutenant Hiram S. Harrington, of Franklin, Co. G, resigned August 2nd, 1863, while the regiment was stationed at La- vergne, and died soon after his return home, Sergeant James S. Hasburgh being brevetted Second Lieutenant June 7th, 1865.
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While at Nashville the regiment was numerously visited by its friends from the north, several of the officers' wives, and the wives of some of the enlisted men, being among the guests of the regiment. While visiting at this point in company with her mother, a little daughter of Chief Surgeon (Acting Brigade Surgeon) H. S. Potter, died. Colonel Dustin and staff, the line officers and many soldiers of the 105th, together with a regular escort, attended the funeral, accompanying the remains to cemetery and depositing them in a vault. She was a child of some twelve summers, of almost angelic brightness, the pride of a father's and mother's heart. Said she, shortly before the moment of dissolution : "If I die will I see any- body :" to which question the hearts of those around her intuitively answered, "yes." The attendant circumstances ; the time, place, manner of services, interment ; the character of the mourners and sympathizers,-all together made the occasion one of peculiar interest, and long to be remembered for its intensified sadness. How much is wrapped up in the human heart may be estimated by those who participated in the solemnities of that occasion, and through their sympathetic relations with the near bereaved were made to feel the uses of adversity. Perhaps the recollection of similar bereavements, more directly concerning themselves, gave a finer point to the pains of the heart.
Among the sober experiences in the military school at Nashville was that of brigade drill. The evolutions of a brig- ade are similar in detail to those of a battalion, a much larger plat of ground being required in the execution of the move- ments of the former. In these movements General Ward's brigade presented a scene of considerable activity and interest, on the flats in the south-eastern suburbs of the city. It was a pleasure, oftentimes, for the regiments to drill together ; to receive instruction with each other from the same teacher, and perfect themselves by united practice. Never were men more agreeably associated in any cause.
General Ward to us presented the appearance of a rather
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short and chubby Kentuckian of fifty years, quite unprepos- sessing, yet it appears not without some qualifications that made him popular and respected throughout his command. As a speaker he made up for the lack in looks by his singular suavity and eloquence ; and it is said he displayed fine sensi- bilities in the care for his command. Many of the boys of the brigade declared that the General was an old granny ; but he was generally called "Old Pap Ward," or "Pappy Ward." To many he was a grim-looking old General.
At a general meeting in the capitol at Nashville, largely attended by citizens and soldiers, on the night of the 8th of January, in honor of the battle of New Orleans, Governor Andrew Johnson, Colonel Dustin and others, made appro- priate speeches. The gentlemen named were the principal speakers ; their eloquent consideration of the gallant repulse of the British by the Americans under General Jackson, supplemented by patriotic and touching allusions to the crisis of the hour, stirring up the hearts of the people to a sense of the importance of preserving our national life. Expressive resolutions were adopted.
A distressing occurrence on the night of the 14th February, sent a thrill of excitement through the camp on the following morning as it awoke to a knowledge of the shocking details. Sergeant Taylor of Company E, Captain M. V. Allen, com- mander, had been found in the railroad cut, dead, appear- ances indicating that he was the victim of a most foul murder.
On the 23d of February, 1864, orders were received at regimental headquarters to be ready to march the following morning. So, at four o'clock the regiment arose at the sound of drums and fifes, took a last breakfast at its pleasant old camp at Fort Negley, bid farewell to Nashville at eight o'clock, and with General Ward at the head of the brigade and Col. Dustin at the head of the regiment, the march for Wauhatchie Valley was commenced, the column moving out of town on the Murfreesboro pike. The following is a brief diary ac- count of the march :
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February 24th .- Moved about ten miles, the weather being pleasant, marching agreeable. Turned into camp about three o'clock, afternoon. Boys had lively time catching rabbits. The numerous camp fires of the brigade made a cheering evening sight.
25th. Started at carly dawn. Arrived at Stewart's Creek where part of the 102d regiment, of the brigade, was station- ed. Camped here at one o'clock, marching about ten miles. 26th. Arrived at Murfreesboro at twelve o'clock-camped.
27th. Moved about thirteen miles, camping at one o'clock afternoon. After the tents were pitched, Private O. Whit- lock, Company F, while resting before the fire at regimental head quarters, by chance espicd a sack of coined silver, on the surface of the ground immediately between his feet. It had been partially worn away from long exposure to the ele- ments, leaving the treasure bared to attract the passerby. The lot embraced twenty-five dollars American money, inclu- ing one spurious half-dollar. It was distributed among the officers and men of the regiment.
28th. Moved about seventeen miles, passing through Shel- byville at noon, and camping five miles beyond at half-past two o'clock. The people of Shelbyville seemed glad to sce the " Yankees."
29th. Moved about fourteen miles, through alternate rain showers, turning into camp near Tullahoma at three o'clock. This day's march was very severe on account of rain mud and cold. In the evening the rains turned into the consis- tency of sleet, making it very difficult to start fires, the country being bare of fences, the soldier's favorite fuel. Great logs had to be cut, and tree tops used for kindling, and some "comparative freezing" was endured before the camp was made comfortable. The men slept hard, or hardly slept, this night.
March Ist. Weather wet and cold-march not continued. A portion of the division train stuck in the mud during the storm-considerable suffering-some of the boys sick.
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2d. The march continued at 8 o'clock. Weather clear, roads muddy. Camped near Elk river bridge, after proceed- ing about nine miles.
3d. Moved at seven o'clock-weather pleasant-roads more passable. Passed through Dechard, on the N. & C. R. R., turning into camp at foot of Racoon mountains, beyond Cowan, at two o'clock, afternoon. Distance marched ten miles.
4th. Ascended the mountains, and after proceeding several miles on the wrong road, the column was turned and marched down a deep ravine to the right one. Reached Tautalou three o'clock, afternoon, a point on the railroad ninety-four miles from Nashville. Heavy rain fell in the night.
5th. Owing to the failure of the teams to reach camp last night, consequent on the blunder of starting on the wrong road yesterday, the march was not continued until noon. Distance made, four miles.
6th Moved at early dawn. Pleasant weather, good roads. Distance about twelve miles. Arrived near Stevenson, Ala., at two o'clock. Troops received their mail matter.
7th. Passed through Stevenson, proceeded to a point within sight of Bridgeport, Ala., and camped. Distance twelve miles, turning in at twelve o'clock.
8th. Remained in camp.
9th. Resumed the march at day-light, passing through Bridgeport and across Tennessee river, reaching Shell Mound, at noon. Took dinner near the mouth of Nick O'Jack Cave, one of the outcropping curiosities of nature. The boys briefly explored the interior of the cave entrance. It was found to exceed Lost River Cave at Bowling Green in the spaciousness and grandeur of its passages. During the war the Lafayette Courier gave the following account of the rather thrilling experience of two Indiana soldiers in this cave :
" While General Joe Reynolds' division was encamped near Nick O'Jack Cave-about ten miles from Bridgeport, on the Tennessee river-two of the boys of the 72d Indiana
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regiment who entered the cave on a "reconnoitering expedi- tion," lost their way in the mazes of the cavern and were unable to get out. They remained in the cavern two days and nights, and were finally rescued from a horrible death by means of a brass band playing through the long ventilated chambers. The lost men hearing the music, were enabled to find their way with some difficulty to their companions. Dur- ing their wanderings they had stumbled upon the bodies of two men, who were afterwards searched for and brought forth from what had been a living tomb. They proved to be two rebel soldiers in uniform, one wearing that of a lieutenant, the other in a private's dress. They appeared to have been dead some time, yet their bodies were in a most complete state of preservation."
10th. Continued this march at nine o'clock. Weather warm after a night of rain. ,Roads very rough and hilly, the marching rapid and exhausting. Passed Whiteside Sta- tion and Sand Mountain. Distance about sixteen miles, pass- ing through romantic country, arriving in Wauhatchie Valley and at the end of the tedious march. Major-General O. O. Howard came out and met the brigade.
The next day, (March 11th,) the regiment was assigned a position on a hill-slope in Lookout Valley, near Wauhatchie Station, there to rest and make ready for a grand movement against the Confederate army under General Joe Johnston.
The march from Nashville to Lookout Valley was accom- plished in sixteen days, inclusive of two whole days on which no progress was made.
The grounds of the 105th at that point was laid out with nice precision, and the camp tastefully ornamented with ever- green boughs throughout. The individual members of the regiment visited the lofty heights of Lookout Mountain, from the highest point of which the territory of seven States can be seen. The eye rests upon a landscape to the north em- bracing the Cumberland Mountain range, stretching from the left of the Valley to the northeast, until its outlines blend
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with the color of the far horizon ; the waters of the Tennessce next from the foot of Lookout, closely hugging the great range, winding along for many miles, is finally lost among its spurs ; then further east is presented an expanse of diver- sified scenery, including Chattanooga city, fields, hills, valleys, and woods, the smoke of distant towns rising above the coun- try at various points. On the whole the view is one of inde- scribable grandeur.
The brigade-now called the first-had been transferred to the 11th A. C., under General Howard, as before stated, and was reviewed in the valley by General's Howard and Hooker on the 19th of March.
On the 22d of March a rare effect in the shape of a snow storm, was produced by nature's untiring forces. Commenc- ing in the night the fall of snow continued until noon of the following day, covering the ground to the depth of one foot. For the time and place this was something extraordinary. Sometimes the weather was quite cold, at others disagreeable.
Adjutant David D. Chandler, one of the most energetic and best looking in the Eleventh Corps, having been on duty constantly, here received the favor of a detail for the purpose of repairing to the north to secure instruments for the Brigade Band. He performed the duty, not failing to return to the regiment in time to enter on the Atlanta campaign. In every battle and under the harrassing daily skirmish fire of the opposing forces, during that campaign, this officer proved himself to be one of the best to endure and to darc. Second Lieutenant A. H. Fisher, of Company I, Captain J. O. Locke, filled the Adjutant's office until the return of the Adjutant, on the first of May.
One of the thrilling incidents connected with the camp in the valley, was that of a large forest tree blowing down dur- ing the prevalence of high winds in the evening of March 28th. The tree fell across several of the tents of Companies D and I, crushing them to the ground. Beyond the smash- ing of a few simple articles of furniture, no further damage
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was donc, as fortunately, for the moment, the tents were un- occupied.
While in the valley drill duty, inspection and reviewing was the order of the day. On the 13th of April the regi- ment was visited by Major-General Joe Hooker, and during the night Colonel Dustin and the regiment were serenaded by the 79th Ohio regimental band. Major-General George H. Thomas reviewed the brigade the following day.
About the middle of April the military designation was changed, and from that time until the close of the war the command was known as the Fisrt Brigade, Third Division, 20th Army Corps, then under General Hooker. On the 18th of April Major-General George II. Thomas, commander Army of the Cumberland, embracing Hooker's corps, honor- ed the camp of the 105th with his presence. The regiment participated for the first time in division drill on the 21st.
On the 22d the band of the 33d Massachusetts regiment of the division, very friendly to the 105th, paid the camp a visit and treated it to some excellent music. The 105th officers visited the 33d on the 26th of April.
Among the officers sick or disabled at this point were Colonel Dustin, Acting Brigade Surgeon Potter, Captain T. S. Rogers, Company B, and Captain S. F. Daniels, Company F, the latter having accidently broken his leg below the knec, while engaged in a game of ball. The Captain, although anxious to enter with his company on the approaching cam- paign, was prevented from doing so in consequence of the severity of his wound. Ile was sent to Camp Dennison at Columbus, Ohio, where, as soon as his condition would allow, he was detailed for duty as Post Commissary, we believe, remaining at Columbus during the balance of his term of servicc.
While in camp at Wauhatchie, or soon after, the following additional changes occurred among commissioned officers :
First Lieutenant William II. Jeffers, Company D, Downer's Grove, resigned May 5th, 1864, Second Lieutant Luther L.
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Peaslee, Naperville, succeeding as first lieutenant. Lieutenant Jeffers resigned in order to take a position as Major in a colored regiment.
Second Lieutenant John H. Swift, Company D, resigned March 16th, Sergeant Jacob Ostrander, of Paw Paw, being breveted as Second Lieutenant, June 7th, 1865.
First Lieutenant Samuel Adams, Company F, Wayne, Du Page, resigned April 13th, Second Lieutenant William M. Tirtlot, Milton, succeeding as first lieutantant.
Captain John B. Nash, Company G, Franklin, resigned July 17th, 1864. First Lieutenant John M. Smith, Burling- ton, was promoted captain but not mustered.
On the 25th of April the Colonel received orders to prepare for active service in the field.
The regiment and brigade again participated in division drill, near General Hooker's headquarters, April 28th, going through the motions as a battle, firing blank cartridges.
Received marching orders on the 1st, and on the 2d of May, 1864, the march for the immediate front commenced. Here was the opening of one of the boldest and most remark- able campaigns ever engaged in by any army, and whose end resulted in the complete, great, glorious triumph of the national arms.
Some of the Confederates are reported as afterwards dc- claring that " Old Sherman ascended Point Lookout and gave the command, attention-creation ! by kingdoms right whecl -march !" And then it was reported that after General Johnston had followed his retreating policy, during the cam- paign, the Confederates declared " that their army was com- manded by ' Old Billy Sherman,' that they invariably moved when Sherman gave the command, and Johnston only super- intended the details of the movement.
As indicated above, the regiment and brigade broke camp and commenced the march at six o'clock in the morning, moving around Point Lookout, passing Chattanooga, through Rossville, over the Chickamauga battle-ground, camping ncar
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Lee's and Gordon's Mills-distant from the camp at Wau- hatchie about 19 miles.
On the 3d of May the entire regiment was detailed for picket duty, the command remaining at this point until the following morning, when the march was resumed; proceeding about twelve miles, camped near Ringgold, Ga., within a few miles of rebel pickets. Remained in camp on the 5th. On the 6th marched a number of miles, camping near where the rebels captured and murdered a number of national pickets belonging to the 92d Illinois regiment.
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