USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer County : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc., gathered from mattter furnished by the Mercer County Historical Society, interviews with old settlers, county, township and other records, and extracts from files of papers, pamphlets, and such other sources as have been available : containing also a short history of Henderson County > Part 39
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In his memoirs, speaking of this place, and events here, Gen. Sher- man says: "The woods were so dense and the resistance so spirited that Hooker could not carry the position, though the battle was noisy and prolonged far into the night. This point, 'New Hope,' . . was four miles northeast of Dallas, and from the bloody fighting there
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for the next week was called by the soldiers .Hell-Hole.' The night was pitch-dark, it rained hard, and the convergence of our columns toward Dallas produced much confusion. I am sure similar confusion existed in the army opposed to us, for we were all mixed up. I slept on the ground, withont cover, along side of a log, got little sleep, resolved at daylight to renew the battle, and to make a lodgment on the Dallas and Allatoona road. if possible, but the morning revealed a strong line of intrenchments facing us, with a heavy force of infantry and guns. The battle was renewed, and without success." Descrip- tive of the style of fighting, he continues: "All this time a continual battle was in progress by strong skirmish-lines, taking advantage of every species of cover, and both parties fortifying each night by rifle- trenches, with head-logs, many of which grew to be as formidable as first-class works of defense. Occasionally one party or the other would make a dash in the nature of a sally, but usually it sustained a repulse with great loss of life. I visited personally all parts of our lines nearly every day, was constantly within musket-range, and though the fire of musketry and cannon resounded day and night along the whole line, varying from six to ten miles, I rarely saw a dozen of the enemy at any one time, and these were always skirmishers, dodging from tree to tree, or behind logs on the ground, or who occasionally showed their heads above the. hastily-constructed, but remarkably strong, rifle- trenches."
Companies A and F were detailed to build breastworks, and before daylight the regiment was brought to the line and engaged with a will in the same task. A thick fog obscured everything ; still the enemy's sharp-shooters were able to annoy severely the working parties, and Capt. D. W. Sedwick was ordered forward with company E to drive them away. He advanced to within a few yards of the rebel breast- works before discovering his proximity to them, and before he could withdraw had several men wounded. Posting his company behind trees and logs the rebel marksmen could not long endure the intense and accurate fire of the Spencer rifles. Company E was relieved early by company C, and this at one in the afternoon by company K. Capt. Sedwick had seven men wounded that morning. Battery M, 1st New York artillery, had been brought up to our line and kept in constant activity two or three hours, and the rebels, to silence or check its firing, planted guns nearly opposite in their intrenchments. Information of this, coming to Col. Smith, he strengthened the skirmish-line with eight picked men, who were instructed to cover the guns, which could be seen through the foliage, with a torrent of lead, to prevent their use or removal. Gen. Hooker approved this and ordered that it be continued
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with vigor, and at five o'clock the skirmishers were reinforced by twenty more marksmen. At eleven o'clock at night the rebels attempted to remove them, but were frustrated by the terrible fire con- centrated on them from the Spencer rifles. The guns were held by occasional reliefs until the afternoon of the 27th, when the regiment was relieved by the 111th Pennsylvania. When the Spencers were gone the enemy got his battery off.
Moving to the right half a mile and joining the brigade on the right of the corps, we waited till after dark for orders, and then were placed behind breastworks, where we lay till the next morning, and were relieved by the 73d Ohio. Company F had one man wounded here just as the relief was taking place. The rebels opened on us warmly as we retired, and we had not more than reached a location 300 yards in rear, for rest, when they showed awakened activity, and " several rounds of grape shot were fired by them, and the little iron crab apples barked the trees and rattled around so thickly it was mar- velous no one was hurt." Finally, dropping a little farther to the rear, we camped for the night. Loss during the four days, 4 killed and 14 wounded.
At ten at night on the 29th the 102d was ordered half a mile to the right to close a gap between the 15th and 20th corps, and on the morn- ing of the 31st was relieved by the 129th Illinois, Col. Case. At noon of the 1st of June, being relieved by troops from the 15th corps, we moved with the brigade three miles to the left. Thus had passed a week in the "Hell-Hole," and thus ended our share in "the drawn battle of New Hope church," so-called by Gen. Sherman. .
At noon on the 2d a rainy period, which extended to the last days of the month, began with a descending torrent. An hour later the brigade again took up the movement to the left, and proceeding two and a half miles was formed in order of battle in support of the 2d brigade, before which the enemy fell back stubbornly. The other regiments were more exposed and their loss was considerable. Brigade Surgeon Potter, of the 105th Illinois, was killed by a shell. The 3d was rainy; the troops were out of rations; another move was taken three miles to the left. Next day another short move was made. Then on the 6th a march of five miles brought us to the Wet Tortugas, where we raised a breastwork and lay in the rain till the 15th. Rations were short, and ox-tail soup and damaged "hard tack " in request. At one in the afternoon the brigade was thrown forward, with the 102d on the skirmish-line, companies E, F, G and I deployed, the rest in reserve. Crossing an ample field the rebel skirmishers were driven from their outposts in the edge of the woods. Retreating to strong posts on
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higher ground they held out a stubborn resistance, but our men pressed up under a brisk fire to within fifty yards, and at the next advance they drew off. The most important casualty was the wound received by Capt. Isaac McManus.
This place was known as Golgotha church, and it was here that Col. Smith received a flesh wound on the 16th, which sent him to the rear till the 10th of August, when he rejoined the regiment before Atlanta. The loss in the 102d during the two days' operations was thirteen wounded, including the officers named. Alluding to these operations Gen. Sherman says : "On the 15th we advanced our gen- eral lines, intending to attack at any weak point discovered between Kenesaw and Pine Mountain; but Pine Mountain was found to be abandoned, and Johnston had contracted his front somewhat, on a direct line, connecting Kenesaw with Lost Mountain. On the 16th the general movement was continued, when Lost Mountain was abandoned by the enemy."
We pause to give the general's description of how breastworks were built: "The enemy and ourselves used the same form of rifle-trench, varied according to the nature of the ground, viz : the trees and bushes were cut away for a hundred yards or more in front, serving as an abatis or entanglement ; the parapets varied from four to six feet high, the dirt taken from a ditch outside and from a covered way inside, and this parapet was surmounted by a 'head-log,' composed of the trunk of a tree from twelve to twenty inches at the butt, lying along the interior crest of the parapet and resting in notches cut in other trunks, which extended back, forming an inclined plane, in case the head-log should be knocked inward by a cannon-shot. The men of both armies became extremely skillful in the construction of these works, because each man realized their value and importance to himself, so that it required no orders for their construction. As soon as a regiment or brigade gained a position within easy distance of a sally, it would set to work with a will, and would construct such a parapet in a single night."
On the 17th the right of the army, composed of the 20th and 23d corps, the latter slightly refused on the flank, swung forward in a kind . of grand left wheel in the direction of Marietta. It will not be for- gotten how Butterfield's division hunted its way through the low bushes and tangled timber to conceal its .own movement ; for, as Gen. Sherman explains, the enemy's "position gave him a perfect view over our field, and we had to proceed with due caution." On reaching open ground we formed our camp, and lay here till the morning of the 19th, when the bugle sounded the "general," to "pack up our knapsacks and get ready to go." It was here that we witnessed the shelling of a deep
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forest by a number of our batteries occupying two tiers upon a lofty and extensive range, one holding the crest, the other half way down the side on a ledge or shelf. For adaptability to the purpose and the occa- sion the position was all that nature could have made it, and with so many guns in operation, all in full view, the effect heightened by the exhibition beyond, the sharp explosions of shells, and the white puffs of lurid smoke rising above the trees, whose tops were lower than our feet, as we stood on the summit, was such an incident in war's realities as is not often seen. The enemy was sullen, responding only occa- sionally with his field-pieces, but his sharp-shooters were active and did some execution.
On the 19th the enemy, holding on to Kenesaw mountain, con- tracted his flanks to cover more completely Marietta and the railroad ; and the right wing moved forward in another grand swing eastwardly, our own division, and perhaps others, executing a variety of perplex- ing maneuvers through the dense pines, and under conflicting orders. The 102d was refused on the extreme right of the corps, and company C held the skirmish line this and the following day. The men worked till midnight building breastworks. To work the whole night was a common occurrence. ' Rains continued frequent and excessive.
On the night of the 20th the men had scarcely fallen to sleep when they were roused up and ordered to move. This time it was but a short distance and only to straighten the line. Again were the soldiers building breastworks until midnight ; before they were finished orders came to cease using the axes and to be ready to march at six in the morning. The forenoon of the 21st was spent waiting in the rain for the order to move ; finally Gen. Hooker directed that the men be set to strengthening the works.
From eleven o'clock of the 22d the day was full of surprises and lively operations, and tremulous throughout with impending battle, which fell just at evening upon the first division (Williams'). At the former hour the brigade was formed for the support of the third brigade, Col. Wood, and we were under a chafing fire for several hours ; and in the meantime double-quicking across a plowed field to the timber, where we threw up a parapet of rails just behind Wood's men. The afternoon was passed in moving short intervals to the right and making barricades and traverses each time. The last one was finished at one o'clock next morning ; at four the command was relieved and soon moved a mile to the right ; at noon it moved still farther to the immediate vicinity of the Kulp house, some three miles due west from Marietta. Casualties in the 102 on the 20th and the 22d were one killed and four wounded.
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We lay here a little retired from the main line until nightfall of the 26tl. At that time the brigade relieved the front line and held it till the evening of the 29th, when it withdrew to the third line for rest, and its place was taken by Wood's brigade. Gen. Butterfield was relieved this day and Gen. Ward succeeded to the command of the division. Col. Harrison assumed command of the brigade.
We have reached the end of the month during which copious rains have scarcely intermitted for twenty-four hours at a time.
At dark on the first of July we exchanged places with the second brigade, which was on the second line.
The rebel chieftain having detected Gen. Sherman in the first stage of a movement for the possession of Kenesaw mountain and . Marietta, similar to the one which gave him Atlanta, fell back sud- denly during the night of the 2d of July within his defenses on the north bank of the Chattahoochee. The commanding general had so well calculated the effect of his strategy that he was expecting the retreat and had issued orders, which were received that night, for the troops to be ready to march at daylight. Starting out in the morning, Capt. Sedwick in advance with companies E, F, G and B, as skirm- ishers, we took the road leading to Marietta, and struck the enemy's rear-guard of cavalry a mile from the town. Capt. S. directed the movements of his command with his accustomed prudence, and kept up a running attack until he had driven them through the town, which he occupied an hour in advance of any other troops. From this time till the 6th we moved leisurly toward the Chattahoochee. We stopped that day within two miles of the river, and on the Sth began policing our camp under orders from brigade headquarters. At this place we . got first sight of the church spires in Atlanta. By climbing trees we could see them plainly in the distance, and we strained our eyes for the largest view.
The last of the enemy's forces crossed in the night of the 9th, and thenceforward the contending pickets were on opposite banks of the river. In front of our division the murderous fire between them ceased by mutual agreement. The foes basked within a stone's throw of one another ; occasionally they talked across, and always mani- fested the best of feeling. Swimming across from one to the other got to be a practice ; papers were exchanged, and traffic in coffee and tobacco was carried on. The. "Yanks" had the coffee, and the "rebs" the "weed." Gen. Ward, distrustful of this familiarity, forbade it in a special order. But the boys, tired of the constant strain, did not renew the firing.
On the evening of the 17th we crossed the river at Paice's ferry
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and camped three miles on the other side. Next day we went two and a half miles farther south, and at three on the morning of the 19th threw up breastworks. Having orders to occupy the range of hills south of Peach Tree creek, the brigade moved on the 20th, and a little after noon it filed along the northern base, the line of march for some distance being swept by the severe fire of the rebel skir- mishers. At length a halt was made, and the men threw themselves on the side of the hill under the scorching sun for a rest, and the cooks engaged in making coffee on the creek bottom.
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This was our situation when, at half-past three, the order was given to fall in. In a few minutes word came from those at the top of the hill that the rebels were coming. At that instant a rider was seen coming down from the right, in rear of the line, at full speed, brandishing his sword. It was discovered to be Col. Harrison, and in a moment more was caught the command, "Forward !" It was a magnificent sight to those who saw the "Old Iron Brigade" go up the hill that day in a counter onset.
The engagement was fought mainly by the 20th corps. The forma- tion of the line on which the shock fell was in the following order beginning on the left: Newton's division, 4th corps ; Ward's, Geary's, and Williams' divisions, 20th corps; and one brigade of Johnson's division, 14th corps. The 20th corps met the enemy without protec- tion of any kind; the other commands fought behind light .parapets. The former also had not established its line, and was caught without a premonition while in the act of change; the second (Geary's) division was but partly deployed, some of the regiments were closed en masse,
· drawing rations and cooking. The first (Harrison's) brigade was en- tirely on open ground, the right and left flanks resting against wooded eminences. It was on the right of the divison and was arranged with the 102d on the right, and the 79th Ohio and the 129th Illinois in suc- cession toward the left. The 105th Illinois and the 70th Indiana were in the rear, but when the left of the brigade was hotly engaged they advanced and took part in the hand-to-hand combat. On the right of the 102d was a battery which opened the battle in our front as soon as the enemy debouched from the woods, and before the main line reached the summit. When the column halted on the ridge there was a sudden and tumultuous roar as if it had been the crack of doom. The open vista was swarming with the enemy advancing steadily with- out skirmishers, in the Russian style, in deep masses, and in easy musket range. In front of the 102d was a clump of trees and a stream ; the latter bent north across our line, forming a ravine having long slop- ing sides. The brigade lay across this ravine with its flanks resting
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above and overlooking the center. The stream turned the rebels off from the immediate front of the 102d, and this regiment was free to take an oblique and enfilading fire which was directed to the left upon the crowded columns pressing the brigade in that quarter. The 79th Ohio, on the left and the battery on the right, were obliged to concen- trate theirs on the same ground. The effect of this converging fire was appalling. The rebels went down by scores. Ragged gaps were torn through their ranks faster than the men could close up. They fire as they come bending down to catch the least of the storm and looking toward the torrent that comes from the Spencer rifles. Their flag bearers crowd to the front and press forward, waving their colors defiantly to encourage and animate men who move amidst rampant slaughter as if they had come to die. As flags go down they are picked up by new carriers who flaunt them and urge on with marvel- ons fortitude. The battery, the 102d and the 79th have wrapped the hill whereon they stand in lambent flame. With desperate energy the whole brigade is gathering the largest advantage on the first equal field. But what can check that surging, resistless assault? The col- umn has passed the line and the ordeal of our enfilading and plunging fire rolls on wildly to dash itself against the unsupported ranks of the 70th, the 105th, and the 129th. The shock would have overborne these regiments but for the terrible reduction of the enemy's numbers before the commingled encounter. At length, forced to yield the field, the bleeding, decimated remnant returns in precipitate disorder only to run again the gauntlet of that withering fire which broke the rebels' strength but could not daunt their courage.
While the events we have described were taking place on the left, a threatening situation was developed on our right. Geary's division being unexpectedly assailed before it was well in position, the brigade connecting with Ward's division was forced back, and the rebels came upon our right flank, enfilading the line, momentarily capturing the battery at the head of the 102d, and firing one or two ineffectual shots down our ranks. They were evidently about to fall upon our rear when an aid dashed up to Capt. Wilson who was commanding the regi- ment (Lieut. Col. Mannon being sick but on the field), and told him that if he remained in that position his command would be captured in less than five minutes. But no heed was given to this, and in a few minutes more the brigade that had given way was rallied and recovered its ground. The battery at one time in the hands of the foe, was taken down the hill under whip and spur, but was brought back to remain.
The heavy work of this battle was done in an hour. Hood's and Hardee's corps were the assailing force. The carnage was frightful.
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Taking into account the time and number engaged, and the number put hors de combat, it was the most sanguinary battle of the campaign. The field on our left front was covered with the slain, and it would have been no trouble to walk over it without stepping upon the ground. Gen. Sherman reported 500 rebels dead. In the hospital of the third division were over 600 wounded rebels, and most of them bore more than a single wound. The enemy's loss was estimated by Gen. Hooker at 6,000; our own loss was 1,907. The favorable position of the 102d shielded it from heavy loss. Two were killed and nine wounded. But it had done unexampled execution ; 5,000 rounds of Spencer ammunition alone were estimated to have been used. The brigade captured three stands of colors. As soon as the fighting was over, Gen. Hooker sent word that the third division had saved the day, and thanked the first brigade for its gallant behavior.
After the battle, when prisoners were taken and asked how many were left in their army, their sad answer was : "Enough for another killing."
Hood having fallen back to Atlanta, on the 22d our lines were advanced and contracted around the devoted city, the first brigade occupying a place three-fourths of a mile east of the railroad. The 102d was warmly shelled until the evening of the 25th, and had two wounded. Advancing a hundred yards it was under fire twenty-four hours and one severely wounded. It then moved to the rear and right, taking a place in the second line, where it was shelled more vigorously than ever. During the progress of the battle on the 28th the division was ordered to the support of those engaged ; but this was countermanded and the troops marched back, the first brigade going into camp east of the railroad. On the following morning the division marched to the extreme right of the army and formed a line perpendicular to the rear to protect the flank. On the 2d of August, being relieved, it marched back, and next day was assigned a position on the left of the 14th corps and just west of the railroad. The line was advanced a short distance on the 5th and the 13th. Col. Smith rejoined the regiment on the 10th.
On the 25th orders looking to the placing of the main body of the army south of Atlanta and directly upon Hood's communications were received, the defense of the Chattahoochee being assigned to the 20th corps. The signal for withdrawal, previously arranged, was for the field-bands to begin playing, as usual, about twilight, and close the evening performance with Yankee Doodle precisely at eight, when the columns were to move noiselessly out of the intrechments. The bugles sounded "retreat " at the customary hour, of eight, and half
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ASA W. RANSOM
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an hour later "tattoo." How impressive and tremulous those long strains ! Our brigade moved a mile to the rear and lay there till half past two in the morning. The pickets remained at their posts till near daylight. We reached the river just as day broke forth.
In the afternoon of the 27th our brigade crossed to the north side of the river, and was separately disposed, the 102d being stationed behind a light parapet which the rebels once threw up on the heights. On the night of the 1st of September we lie in our bunks listening to the explosions in Atlanta. They tell their story. Next day the city is formally surrendered to Gen. Ward; and "Atlanta is ours and fairly won."
The following from Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, the ablest com- mander in the confederacy, will be interesting to those who toiled and fought so valiantly against his consummate generalship; and none who were arrayed against his own men will doubt the justness of his tribute to their military virtues. Alluding to the Atlanta campaign, he is reported to have said : "There is nothing in the history of war that can equal many of the maneuvers of that important campaign. History does not record such marvelous ability to overcome obstacles and prepare the pathway for any army as were exhibited on many occasions by Gen. Sherman's engineers. It was just four days from the time they reached the Chattahoochee river and pointed out the standing timber to the vigorous axmen, before they had trains moving across the river over a substantial bridge several hundred feet long [and nearly a hundred feet high], but of unhewn timber. Again, in North Carolina, they marched nine miles a day and corduroyed every foot of the road, a feat never before approached in the history of army movements. Gen. Hampton came to me one day and said he had obstructed a cut in the North Carolina railroad in such a manner as to prevent Sherman's advance some week's ; but we were never able to discern that it any way interfered with his progress. I look upon the ability of the army under my command with its meager resources of everything to make successful warfare, to resist Sherman's march as well as it did, as an achievement worthy of their matchless valor and endurance. No soldiers ever suffered and endured more for their homes and country ; none ever fought harder or with greater bravery."
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