USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of companies I and E, Sixth Regt., Illinois Volunteer Infantry from Whiteside County > Part 18
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
. regiment was on a side hill and had about "a foot of raise to every foot of run." Our blankets and shelter tents were on the bullock carts, about a days march be- hind us. It began to rain and we "staked our claim," because we had no tents to pitch, in a steady down pour. A very little wood was secured at the expense of the government and a small fire built at the foot of the hill. the lower end of the company street. Hungry and weary we stood about until long after dark. When completely exhausted we stretched our worn bodies on the wet ground and courted rest and slumber but they were not for us.
In the inky blackness of the night, a herd of pack- mules, wandering about, struck the center of our camp and tramped up the hill right into our midst. After much profanity on the part of the mule-whackers, ably seconded by the drenched soldiers, the long eared quadrupeds were driven away. With little or no rest the night before, and clothing soaking wet for the past forty-eight hours, the men put in a miserable night. The rain continued the next day and when the wagon train, bringing our provisions, came in during the after- noon, the drivers guided the carts off the road at the foot of the hill on which we were "stopping," the cart wheels buried in water and mud. to their hubs. Here the mess tents were pitched. We quickly secured our tents and blankets and made ourselves as comfortable as possible.
Trailing in behind the wagon train came company E. The evening of the afternoon upon which we left Gagos, or Camp "Bull Run," company E was marched in the direction of Ponce some distance to the rear of the division and remained as rear guard of the column
Wagon train and mess tents at the foot of the hill on which tents were pitched at Adjuntas.
277
HOME, SWEET HOME.
until their arrival at Adjuntas. The night that we camped on "Sleeping Pass." the boys of company E bivouaced among the bullock carts. About three o'clock in the morning they were awakened by the rain and they whiled away the remaining hours of darkness and drizzle by singing songs and dancing cake-walks. During the day they advanced to Gagos. sleeping that night in the coffee house or barn which had been con- verted into a hospital. . The following day they marched from Gagos to Adjuntas, covering the distance which had occupied us parts of the two preceeding days.
Following in the rear of the column they saw much the worst of the experiences as the trail was fearfully chopped up and each days delay added many discom- forts to the already troublesome expedition. Carts and their contents had fallen over the brink of the narrow trail. dragging the struggling bullocks with them. Horses and men were with difficulty kept right side up. A gatling gun became overbalanced and went rolling down the mountain. injuring several men and horses. Broken down carts nearly blocked the narrow trail at points. These were some of the scenes as witnessed by the Sterling boys while following in the wake of an army. When they arrived in Adjuntas they were given quarters in a brick shed for a night but were brought out to the camp site the following day. The boys of Company I were given one night of comfort also. and they found an empty building in which they were se- cure from the rain, but it was for a night only.
On the thirteenth, we received the first authentic information regarding the cessation of hostilities. The news was received with cheers and huzzas. The band gave a concert and for the first time since we were mus-
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
tered in, they rendered "Home, Sweet Home." Recol- lections of "Home" flooded our thoughts in an instant. No one had forgotten home and its comforts, but they had put it behind them, because they had come to real- ize that homesickness was worse than malarial fever and we knew "where we were at," so avoided the subject as much as possible. But when our own band boys were given the privilege of stirring the hearts of the men with this hitherto forbidden piece of music. we knew that the end of the war was in sight. To us that meant home, and home meant everything, rest, dry clothing, an abundance of rations, a soft bed with snow white cov- erings, and a happy gathering of loved ones whose faces were growing dearer to our hearts each day and hour. Imagine, if you can, the joy which prevailed in our camp as we gathered in small groups and talked of go- ing "Home." If you have never been there, you can only imagine, you can never know. Our mail had been very light since landing on the island. We were practi- cally cut off from the world and the people way up here in the States knew better what was transpiring in our immediate vicinity than did we ourselves. Our lives were limited to our individual companies and we longed to be released from this oblivion .. If the war was over then our usefulness had ceased. If a warning note had been sounded and the men told there was yet danger ahead for the flag, then we would have put "Home" be- hind us again and never faltered in performing our du- ties until the hour of peril was past.
A band, composed of natives, marched out to our camp and serenaded us. Among other selections, was one, composed and written by their leader. The words sang the praises of General Miles and the "Americanos."
279
"CAMP MUD."
The musicians twanged and tooted at this piece of music very earnestly and appeared to be carried away with the realization that they were. or in a short time would be, our countrymen. We were as well pleased as they were but just at that period our thoughts were not with the happy natives. but wandering back to "Old Illinois."
-"Thy prairies and thy valleys, Illinois,
Illinois."
The rains continued to come on schedule time and the side hill became a toboggan slide. The company streets extended from the bottom to the very top of the hill. Just back of them, on a flat, was the regimental officers quarters. At the foot of the hill, and to the right, General Garrettson and his staff had their tents pitched, while the troops of the Massachusetts regiment were quar- tered in buildings along the road, near our camp. One battalion of regulars, which formed a part of the division, was also given quarters in the buildings.
In the course of our stay at this camp the officers and men made many trips up and down this hill. Slipping and sticking in turn, the dignified officers performed many acrobatic feats which surprised even themselves, in making the decent. The men looked on and grinned but said nothing. After once making the start it was a certainty that the soldier would reach the bottom of the hill before stopping. but it was a question as to which end he would land on. In forming in company front for roll call or inspection of arms, each man in turn acted as a pillar for the man above him and if some one had giv- en the first man a shove the whole line would have top- pled over like a row of ten pins. This camp was given the name of "Camp Mud."
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
The town of Adjuntas had a population of about one thousand souls, possibly fifteen hundred. The peo- ple were kind to us but we found more Spanish sympa- thizers here than were met along the coast. They were awed by the soldiers and gave us no trouble, but their actions and looks were readily understood by our men. The demand for the American flag was growing and the natives were trading fruits and tobaccos for envelopes and writing paper which were decorated with the stars and stripes. They wore the bits of paper pinned to their sleeves and breasts an stuck them in their hats, proudly proclaiming themselves "Americanos."
Although peace was not declared as yet, we imag- ined that we would not advance farther but soon return to Ponce, there to embark for home. In this we were disappointed and on the sixteenth of August we broke camp and marched north to Utuado. The battalion of regulars and one battalion of the Sixth Massachusetts boys, had preceded us. The march was a long, hard one and we covered nearly eighteen miles over a trail that was in many places, being cut out by the force of the na- tives.
As we hove within sight of the camp grounds the Sixth Mass. Band came out to meet us and we swung along the road at a lively pace. We stood in the rain for some time until the site for our camp was pointed out to us. Our shelter tents were pitched nearly a mile from town on a flat near the bank of the Arecibo river. This stream was in every respect more of a river than any oth- er encountered on the island.
The bullock carts were abandoned at Adjuntas. the trail was impassible for them and the supplies were car- ried forward by pack mules. It was surprising the
Typical Porto Rico Peons and habitations.
281
ARRIVAL AT ARECIBO.
amount of weight the drivers strapped to the backs of these animals. They trotted along, the contents of the boxes strapped to their pack-saddles, shaking and rat- tling, the chuck-a-chuck beating regular time to the movements of the mules. The drivers of the pack mules were not enlisted men but were hired by the govern- ment at a salary of from thirty to fifty dollars per month, according to the rank which they held in the out- fit. They were typical westerners and appeared to be thoroughly acquainted with the business. It requires no little skill and training to securely fasten the boxes to the pack-saddles. If the fastenings became loosened, the animal would stop and wait for the driver to come up and rearrange the trappings.
A number of ambulances were worked over the trail and a few miles from Adjuntas one of them rolled over the edge of the narrow way and went tumbling and twisting down the mountain. smashing the wagon and killing a horse. One of the pack mules, sure-footed as they appeared to be, lost his balance and found a lodg- ing place among the tree tops below us.
Up to the time of leaving Adjuntas each company had carried its cooking outfit with it. When leaving "Camp Mud," orders were given to the forces working about the mess tents to pack the outfits in such a manner as to make them portable by pack mules. The order was misconstrued in some instances and the camp stove and cooking utensils were stored in the large chests as usual, and instead of being forwarded with the troops, they were taken to a store house and put away with other heavy camp equippage, which could not be moved forward when the bullock carts were abandoned.
When we arrived at Utuado, and order was estab-
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
lished in the camp. the cooking outfit of some few of the companies failed to put in an appearance and the cooking was thrown upon the men. If the supply of fuel had been adequate, the task of preparing our rations would have been a trifling matter. As it was, we searched far and near and in a very short time every stick of firewood was picked up and burned. Not far from our camp was an open shed and stored in this we found several tons of sugar-cane which had been run through the mill. It was wet, mouldy. and full of small insects, and when coaxed for an hour burned like a wet rag. It was the only available fuel at that time and we were compelled to use it or nothing. Little groups of men gathered in the company streets and kneeling about the smouldering fires, attempted to make their coffee.
The coffee was issued to us in the kernel, along with a meager quantity of hardtack. Arising early in the morning and by dint of much fortitude, the coffee was pounded between a couple of stones, a slow fire started with the cane stalks, and with a strong pair of lungs for a blower, with no accidents occurring. a pint of muddy coffee, which had never come to the boiling point, would materialize by the noon hour. If anything was expected at the supper hour, preparations for the mess must be commenced immediately after dinner. To those who do not understand the meaning of the term "mess," it is only fair to state that to fully compre- hend its reference, one must exist for a month or so on the rations issued to an active army in the field. If, at the end of that period, you do not come to the conclu- sion that the application of the term "mess," is not only appropriate, but stands alone as an expression which de-
283
"FORAGING."
fines the breakfast, dinner, or supper of the average sol- dier. than any attempted explanation on our part would prove futile. For a number of days the soldiers existed on "recollections" and "anticipations." with flat coffee and buggy hardtack for desert. The bill of fare for the morning "mess" consisted of coffee and hardtack, with a change at the noon mess to hardtack and coffee, while at night hardtack alone was served.
With hunger gnawing at their stomachs, some of the men seized every opportunity to secure something eatable. One of them. a sixfooter with broad shoulders, a giant as compared with the average native Porto Ri- can, made a trip to the town with the avowed intention of not returning until he had secured both food and drink. He was penniless, but nerved to desperation, he in some manner, juggled a rum seller out of several drinks of firewater, and started in search of an eating house. Selecting the one which he judged would set an elaborate table, he entered the place. stalked over to a small table and seated himself. He wore no coat, and picking at the breast of his blue shirt, he attracted the attention of the proprietor and repeated .Americano, Porto Rico."
With a few such exclamations and some sign lan- guage, he gave the little yellow man to understand that an "Americano" and a Porto Rican was one and the same and that they were brothers. Then he ordered dinner. Everything that he thought the house might contain and was eatable he ordered brought to him. Throughout the meal he kept pulling at the blue shirt and repeating ·Americano, Porto Rico." When everything in sight was eaten, he arose. and started for the door. The little native ran over and placed himself in front of the big
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
soldier, hurled a jargon of meaningless words at him and attempted to stop his progress toward the door. The burly man in blue forged straight ahead and ex- pressed his brotherly love for the wrathy native hy gent- ly pulling at the blue shirt and repeating "Americano, Porto Rico."
The tender feeling of brotherly love was pleasant 10 the natives under some circumstances, but it would not compensate the proprietor of the house for the dinner eaten by the soldier, which, based upon the rates usually charged the invaders, footed up to something like three or four dollars, Porto Rican coin. Clenching both hands the native shook his fists in the face of "Major," as the soldier was known by his comrades, and made a more determined effort to hold him until he had se- cured pay for the meal. "Major" was slow to anger but he wanted to get out and continue the search for food. Reaching out one brawny arm he grasped the hand of the native, twisting him to his knees on the floor before him and with an oath, he again repeated "Americano, Porto Rico." and with the disengaged hand plucked once more at the bosom. of his blue shirt. The native fairly screamed with pain as the twisting process continued and the instant he was rc- leased he jumped to his feet and backing away from the soldier, motioned for him to get out and out he went.
A little farther down the street he came to the en- trance of a general store and stepping in he saw a box of dried fish near the door. The fish looked something like herring but were much larger, and tied up in bundles. The "major" picked up a bundle and holding it up to the gaze of a clerk, inquired the price of it. The clerk
Hospital Stewards John Kline and Howard Geyer in Porto Rico.
285
THE "MAJOR."
made some reply, and the "major" looked hard at him and said, "Well! I may return before the sun goes down and if I do I'll drop in and pay you," and walked out. During the night some time. he was picked up by an officer and he rested in the city lockup until the next morning, when he returned to camp.
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
CHAPTER XXII.
By the time we arrived at Utuado the men were a sorry looking lot. A number of them were barefooted, and their clothing was hanging to them in shreds. Some few had no trousers at all and went about in their underclothing. With their dilapitated clothing and scraggly beards, they looked more like a gang of bush- whackers than a regiment of Uncle Sam's soldiers. Those that had money to buy with could not purchase clothing as the natives were so much smaller than the Americans that they were unable to find garments large enough for them.
When we were in the States we could get a shave often enough to at least avoid having the appearance of wild men, but on the island it was different and a tonsorial artists outfit, even the most simple, was rarely seen. Some few of the boys had razors that had not seen a strop or hone for months. They had went the rounds of the companies many times since leaving home and were in condition fit to trim corns but not to re- move a tough beard of several weeks growth. Once in a while one of the boys would pluck up courage enough to face the ordeal. The preparations were made by placing a blanket on the ground. Stretching out full length on the blanket, with his face upturned to the sky, the "customer" would close his eyes and
287
STERLING BOYS ON OUTPOST.
await the onslought of the "barber," who, sitting astride the victim, would commence and continue the work in much the same manner as one who was scraping a hog. The man underneath took his medicine with good grace and arose minus his whiskers, but oft times the face ap- peared as though the beard had been taken off with a butchers cleaver.
On the twentieth of August, a detail of men from company E, under command of Lieut. Dillon, marched north in the direction of Arecibo and were placed on outpost duty about seven miles in advance of the troops camped at Utuado. This outpost was stationed at the most northern point reached by any troops in the Porto Rican campaign and but a few miles from the northern coast of the island. The boys were quartered in comfortable barracks which had been vacated by the Spanish but a short time previous. The guards were posted along the main road leading to Arecibo. There was considerable traveling over this route at the time and as the duties of the guards made it necessary for them to halt and search each passer by, they met many of the better class of inhabitants, and among them some few who could speak English. They were told that the Spanish soldiers had retreated from Arecibo in the direction of San Jaun, and that the terms of peace were settled and the war was practically over. The postmaster of Arecibo was made a prisoner by the guards and taken, under a guard, to the general camp at Utuado where he was detained for a time but later released and allowed to continue unmolested.
The boys appeared to enjoy the situation, and were in better spirits than they had been for some time. They were snugly located in comfortable quarters and
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
the weather was exceptionally fine. Upon : referring to Corporal Hoobler's diary, which is authentic as it was posted daily, the weather reports show three con- secutive days in which there was no rain, certainly it was phenomenal, and with dry clothing and an unusual supply of rations, the results of successful foraging expeditions, the men regained their naturaly buoyant spirits and the days slipped by rapidly. At that time it was the supposition of the men that the whole of our division would continue north to Arecibo and there embark for home. The boys of company E, who were on outpost, expected to remain in that locality until the division advanced, but were ordered back to divison headquarters where they arrived on the evening of August twenty-fifth.
While on outpost duty, two of the Sterling boys, George Slade and John Lineberry, composed the fol- lowing poem, dedicated to "Bill Heathcote's Rough Riders."
BILL HEATHCOTE'S ROUGH RIDERS.
Every man who lives remembers How he read when but a child, Of the soldier up at Bingen Who in death his chum beguiled. How he died without a falter, As he stood in the front line; And he also does remember That fair Bingen on the Rhine.
There are other soldiers dying, Just across the raging brine; In a place called Porto Rico, And they number twenty-nine; They are veterans, are the warriors, And they all have been the rounds, They are captained by "Bill Heathcote, And they came from Sterling town.
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BILL HEATHCOTE'S ROUGH RIDERS.
If the world but knew their courage, And what they dared to do; How seventeen long days they floated Out upon the briny blue, How across Porto Rico they are marching With their tents and ponchos, too, What a tough fight they are making For hard tack enough to chew.
How the Spaniards flew before them, When they heard Reifsnyder chew, How Berlin slowly limped along With but a single shoe, When Slade could march no longer, Because his leg gave out; They hauled him in a two wheeled cart Behind two oxen stout.
And Lineberry had trouble To make the natives understand; But there were many others In brave Capt. Heathcote's band. And there was Leonard Higby Weak and wildered, tired and lame, And yet he never seemed to falter, Kept eating hardtack just the same.
And there were our brave color guards, Cal Lindslay, Street and Strock, Who marched across the island, And never wore a sock. How Barney Buckley chattered, When Anderson lost his hat, And Hankerson, our slimest, Is slowly getting fat.
How Hoobler and Moore became footsore, On one of our long quarters And they languished in the guard house All one sad night down in Ponce. And how, without apparent cause, Sergeant Wildasins tobacco flew, And he is looking for it yet Just to get a single chew.
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
How we marched into Adjuntas While the cold rain on us beat, And we pitched our little shelter tents Upon the hillside steep. And when the mess call sounded Each soldier grabbed his plate, And to get his canned tomatoes Down the hillside he would skate.
And when Sam Feigley looks in the glass, It makes his heart feel glad, When he sees his noble whiskers And he says, "I look just like dad." Sergeant Wagley sits around, And rubs his sun burned neck, And vows he is working harder now Than he ever did for Peck.
There's Latherow and Wilkinson, Whom Uncle Sam hired,
Tis thought he made a big mistake, Because they're always tired. And Jim Burr walks with the grace of a knight, As he climbs the mountain high, And says he is always spoiling for a fight. With some of Sol Seely's pie.
How Macke on the outpost Met a Porto Rican fair, And tried to work a "standin," But Eberle beat him there. And that hard march from Ponce Merricks had good luck of course, And while we toiled up the mountain Ed. Merricks rode a horse.
So now you have heard my story, A tale so sad and true, How they marched through Porto Rico In their little suits of blue. And they're coming back to Sterling Midst their old familiar scenes, To tell about the hard times When they lived on pork and beans.
291
CEMETERY AT UTUADO.
In the few lines above, these boys briefly tell the story of their trip and some of the many incidents oc- curring during their soldier life on the island. The Sterling boys were not dispondent, although the con- struction of the poem might lead some to think so. They were in fact about the most contented lot of men in the regiment, as contentment goes in the army.
During the wanderings of the men, while in the various camps, they witnessed many strange sights. The customs of the inhabitants of the island were pecu- liar in many respects. While encamped at Utuado, a party of boys took a stroll about town and among other things of interest they explored the cemetery. As near as we could learn, there was at that time but one cem- . etery in each province of the island. As a consequence the people living in the country carried their dead for miles on their shoulders to bury them and the death rate among the poorer class being extremely heavy at that time, the sexton was kept very busy attending to the wants of his customers.
The term customers may appear strange as applied to a funeral party, yet when you consider that the sex- ton was also the undertaker it puts an entirely different face on the matter. As an undertaker, the duties of the sexton were to keep on hand a limited supply of rough boxes, which he hired to the person who had a corpse to bring in for burial. He must see to it that he secures the rental on the rude coffins and as it is a custom to bury in the morning, he is charged with the care of the bodies brought in too late and held over un- til the following morning.
The coffins which the natives hire to bring in their dead are simply two rough boards for the sides, with
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