USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of companies I and E, Sixth Regt., Illinois Volunteer Infantry from Whiteside County > Part 7
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
mined minds and a settled purpose. and, inexperienced as we were in the trials and possible dangers of war, we were alive to the situation and with our hearts in the work which was before us and a just God to watch o'er and protect us, we felt that all would end well.
With the last tender good-byes and good wishes of our friends and relatives still ringing in our ears, it naturally left us somewhat low spirited, but the dull- ness was soon dispelled and as we rolled into Dixon at eleven o'clock we were as jolly as a pleasure party.
We were backed over the Y to the Illinois Central tracks avoiding the march between depots and giving us through car service to Springfield, which was mnch appreciated by us.
We were ordered to lay here, awaiting the arrival of company M of Galena, General Grants old home.
Companies I and E, headed by the Sixth Regiment Band, marched down town to company G's armory and were lunched by the patriotic people of Dixon. The lateness of the hour having no apparent effect on the number or enthusiasm of the throng which had gath- ered to witness the departure of their own soldier boys and we were treated royally.
At four o'clock the following morning, April 27th, companies I and E enforced by G of Dixon and M of Galena, boarded the cars for the final ride to Spring- field. We were given a very creditable run from Dixon, making but few stops. We picked up company K of Lamoille at Mendota, this making a heavy train of eleven coaches, all crowded, and three large box cars of baggage.
Company L of Freeport, which had been following us with a very light train passed us here,
107
ENROUTE TO SPRINGFIELD.
As we reached the coal mining district the boys be- gan to arouse themselves, and as we neared LaSalle miners began to pop up all around us on both sides of the swiftly moving train : from every direction we could see them with the small lamps attached to their caps and dinner buckets in hand, soon they would be lowered into the bowels of mother earth, there in the darkness to toil through the long weary hours, digging out the fuel which might ere long furnish the power to drive. our mighty warships across the trackless ocean in search of our wily enemies, the Spaniards.
At every town along the route crowds had gath- ered to cheer us as we sped by. "Old Glory" could be seen on every hand. It caused hearts to beat a trifle quicker and heads to be thrown back and a very war- like spirit would steal o'er us as we heard the cry of "Cuba and freedom." The country between LaSalle and Clinton is quite flat and considerable of this section was under water.
Arriving at Clinton we were backed over onto the Springfield branch and ran down to the lunch counter. We were given fifteen minutes to lunch, and soon the station grounds were covered with boys with both hands full of food. We found another large gathering here to greet us.
Changing engines we were again on the road with but a few miles intervening before reaching our destina- tion. Our train was compelled to run quite slow at sev- eral points through this section on account of heavy rains having caused several washouts, and at one point in particular the roadbed had been carried away entirely for a stretch of about fifteen rods, but had been tempor- arily repaired.
108
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
At eleven fifteen we entered Springfield. The State Fair Grounds being some distance from where we enter- ed the city, we were picked up by a switch engine and run down to Camp Tanner, as the rendezvous at the Fair Grounds had been officially designated by Briga- dier General Barkley, Post Commander. A draw bar was pulled out of one of the coaches which caused a de- lay of nearly two hours. We marched into the camp
grounds at one thirty p. m. Nearly all of the State troops had arrived in advance of our delayed train. The Third and Sixth regiments were assigned quarters in the Exhibition Building ; the First, Second, Fourth and Fifth were located in the various buildings scattered about the grounds. The Seventh was under tents in the center of the race course. Governor Tanner, Commander-in-Chief of the State troops, established headquarters in the Dome Building. The Commissary Department was located in the Poultry Building, separated from our quarters by a long high bridge that spanned a wide, dry ravine which coursed through the grounds.
Sixth Regt on practice march at Camp Tanner, Springfield.
109
ARRIVAL AT CAMP TANNER.
CHAPTER IV.
Disorder prevailed, and it was impossible to learn anything regarding our future movements. The com- missary sergeants went immediately on a foraging expe- dition: food was scarce. but success finally crowned their efforts and by night we had coffee boiling and meat cooking. As we were weary and somewhat hungry our first meal in camp was relished by all, and our drooping spirits were soon revived. Accommodations for lodging were poor. and we were initiated in our soldier life by turning in on plank and cement floors with newspapers for coverings. Considering the gigantic task of mobol- izing eight or ten thousand troops from all over the State within twenty-four hours after the call, we felt that we were fortunate in securing the attention that was ours and we did not complain.
With the dawn of the following day, order and com- parative quietness succeeded where chaos and confusion had reigned. We awoke to find sentinels patrolling thie quarters, and everything had taken on the aspect of a soldier camp. Rubbing our eyes and looking about we wondered if we were dreaming; the last notes of "reveille" were vibrating through the large building, and after thoroughly shaking ourselves we realized the stern reali- ty of our position. As a rule the boys met the situation
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
in a matter of fact way and readily adapted themselves to their surroundings. moving about. attending their duties quietly and in such a manner as might well have led the casual observer to believe that soldiering was an every day experience in the lives of many of these men.
The first act of General James H. Barkley. in com- mand of the entire Illinois National Guard, until such time as the entire organization was turned over to the government. was to issue his first general order as follows: "By direction of the commander-in-chief, Governor John R. Tanner I hereby assume command of this post. The staff of the Second brigade will act in their respect- ive departments at this post."
"The camp will be known in the official correspond- ence as Camp Tanner. The necessary orders for running the camp followed. Under the order Lieutenant J. Mack Tanner was appointed post adjutant. Lieutenant Colonel George N. Krieder. post surgeon. Major Lincoln Du- Bois, post commissary. Other members of the staff were: General William Clendenin, inspector general. Lieu- tenant Colonel Henry Davis, assistant inspector general. Lieutenant R. D. Loose, Lieutenant George Pashfield. Jr., Lieutenant Ricard, aides."
We were governed by the following service calls: Reveille, 5:30 a. m.
Fatigue call, =
6:00 a. m.
Mess call, -
6:30 a. m.
Sick call, - 7:00 a. m.
Drill call, - 8:00 a. m. Recall. 9:30 a. m.
School call, ( officers ) 10:30 a. m. First sergeant's call. II :00 a. m.
Mess call,
12:00 m.
I.N.G.
BENJ. EICK, 2nd Lieut .; Co, I, Vol. Present Rank, Capt. I. R. P. Sixth Inf., III. N. G.
111
EXPERIENCE AS RECRUITS.
Drill call.
- 1:30 p. m.
Recall.
3:30 p. m. 4:30 p. m11.
Guard mount. - -
Mess call. - -
Assembly parade.
- -
5:00 p. m. 6:00 p. 111.
Tattoo, - -
Taps. -
9:30 p. m. 10:00 p. 111.
Major Anthony and his corps of assistants were busily engaged in establishing a hospital and equipping it with the necessary cots and blankets. securing a supply of medicines and otherwise preparing to receive the sick which experience had taught them would surely come. These arrangements were completed none to soon. as the volunteers, many of them unused to the severe training they were given, succumed to the heat and only the prompt and effective treatment received at the hospital prevented a number from serious illness.
The first few days of drilling. to the unitiated. was found to be hard work and had a tendancy to dampen the ardor of a few of the less patriotic. A number of them found that it would be impossible to remain with the reg- iment as circumstances were such as necessitated their presence at home and although they regretted very much to leave us yet they were compelled to do so.
Men in squads and full companies. marching and countermarching covered the camp grounds. Troopers and mounted officers galloping here and there gave a very war-like appearance to the camp.
April twenty ninth. companies I and E were given a preliminary examination. Company E came through the test without the loss of a man while company I had seven rejected. This examination was given us by Major An-
112
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
thony and his assistants.
On Saturday, April thirtieth. the Third and Sixth regiments were ordered out for their first long march. It had rained considerable since our arrival and the roads were in bad condition; this added to the other diffi- culties of not being fully prepared for the call made it quite severe for the boys. They made a grand showing. coming in from the five mile tramp with as regular a step and unbroken line as when leaving camp. Orders were issued to continue the practice marches each day and gradually increase the distance to from ten to twenty miles. This was necessary to work the men into con- dition for actual service.
The following day, Sunday, great crowds of visitors swarmed into camp. It was estimated that nearly fifty thousand people, exclusive of the soldiers, were on the grounds that day. They gazed at us as though we were curiosities. We looked hard in return, searching for a familiar face in the throng. Sometimes we were re- warded with a smile and a nod only to chase the donner up to find it was a case of mistaken identity. The com- pany mess tents were pitched on a hillside, facing the high bridge. During mess the bridge was lined with people watching us devour hard tack and sowbelly. During the Sunday dinner. one of the boys remarked, "They look at us as though they thought we were a lot of Indians." and another member retorted . What are we but a lot of Indians?" A running fire of friendly rep- artee was kept up continually between the soldiers and their smiling, good natured visitors.
Fully one half of the men had not the first mark of a soldier in their dress. and excepting the officers, hardly a man was visible who possessed a complete uniform.
-
Center of race track utilized as drill and parade grounds at Camp Tanner, as viewed from the ampitheater.
113
DEVELOPMENT OF THE MEN.
It was a very noticable fact that while the volunteer who was fortunate in securing a uniform, was the recipient of many bright smiles and shy glances from the ever pres- ent fair visitors, and much sought after by the ladies' affable. inquisitive, gentleman companions; the comrade at his side who had recently staked him with his last quarter, but who was decked in the garments of an or- dinary citizen, with. perhaps the exception of possessing a pair of government socks, met with a cold stare and a "sir!"' that caused him to have cold feet, if he ventured to reply to any of the hundreds of questions which were plied to the "real soldier." Feeling himself growing smaller each moment the un-uniformed volunteer retired to some quiet corner to reflect on the ways of mankind. the while consoling himself with the thought that al- though he was minus the outward mark of Uncle Sam.s' servants he was full to overflowing with fight that mo- ment. and he nursed his injured pride tenderly until sought out by his more fortunate comrade who greeted him with a merry twinkle in his eye and the encouraging remark, "cheer up comrade. it may not be true." His spirit, dampened for the time but naturally buoyant, soon re- vived and the rebuff thoughtlessly given was forgotten.
The first few days passed quickly. The company commanders were kept hard at work preparing their men for the physical examination, securing and issuing clothing and ordnance supplies, making up preparatory muster rolls and finding apparently endless work before them. The men settled down to the task of making soldiers of themselves. They were earnest students in the school of war and worked steadily. becoming more proficient in the drill and maneuvers with each day. The officers were all old members of the National Guard
114
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
and as a rule were well versed in the teachings they be- stowed on the less tutored but willing man in the ranks It was with much pride and pleasure that the officers witnessed the gradual development of the men as they were slowly but surely transformed from an awkward throng into an army of trained troops. True, a few days schooling could not bring about the desired result in attaining such a thorough training as is expected of the regular army man, yet the regular was the ideal for the time being. of the volunteers and setting their mark high and grasping every opportunity to make their ad- vance as rapid as possible, they more readily mastered the difficulties which presented themselves and they forged ahead at a pace as unexpected as it was desired by the officers in command.
The practice marches were continued each day but the stormy weather which prevailed prevented them from making the distance as originally planned. To the men who had several years of service in the National Guard to their credit. the work came with less fatigue than to those who were receiving their primary teach- ings in the school of war and it was pure grit alone that pulled many of them through when at times it appeared that they were unable to endure the severe training giv- en them.
The First regiment of cavalry was among the troops early upon the scene. This with the seven regiments of infantry which were there, completed the mobolization of the Illinois troops. In view of the fact that this State was not represented in the artillery branch of the ser- vice, and the eager desire of the batteries to go to the front, Governor Tanner took energetic action to include the artillery in the first call, and was rewarded with suc-
1
115
EQUIPPING THE VOLUNTEERS.
cess by receiving instructions from the Secretary of War, April twenty ninth. authorizing him to furnish one six gun battery of light artillery. in addition to the seven reg- iments of infantry and one of cavalry as previously in- structed.
In conformity with this authority battery A of Dan- ville. Captain Philip Yeager, commanding. and equipped with modern breech-loading 3-2 inch guns, was ordered to report at Camp Tanner. April thirtieth, for the pur- pose of being mustered into the United States volunteer service. The battery arrived in camp that night.
On May first. Governor Tanner made an effort to have battery B. of Galesburg. included in the first call from this State, but the War Department declined to in- crease the quota from Illinois.
Equipping the volunteers with the necessary cloth- ing and ordnance supplies was found to be a serious problem. Secretary of War, R. A. Alger requested the State to turn over to the general government. all of the uniforms in possession of the Illinois organizations, also the arms and equipment for the time being. General Reese. anxious to assist the government in every manner possible. at once entered the market for campaign hats, leggins. shoes and ponchos, and as rapidly as these ar- ticles could be obtained they were issued to the troops.
The United States, and every State in the Union. were buying clothing and equipments for their troops. Nearly the entire amount of these articles that were on hand had been purchased at the first intimation of war. and it was conceded to be almost an accomodation on the part of the manufacturer to listen to proposals of ans kind. By sending agents to Chicago and St. Louis. the State secured enough hats. shoes, leggins, blankets and
116
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
ponchos, to not only relieve the most pressing needs of the troops, but to fit them out fairly well for practical field service. May ninth, Governor Tanner received a telegram from Secretary Alger in which he said, "we wish everything you can furnish. as the government is going to have hard work to equip its troops in time for service." This demonstrated that even the government could not purchase or manufacture equipments as rapidly as the necessity demanded.
Upon receipt of this advice. the State officials re- doubled their efforts to secure such additional clothing and equipage as was not habitually issued to the Na- tional Guard, and were required for the volunteers, and all concerned labored night and day to bring the Illinois volunteers under National control at the earliest possible moment.
Thus it may be seen that while the rank and file of the volunteers were perspiring in the broiling sun, step- ping on one anothers heels in a vain effort to be graceful in the evolutions of a soldier; preparing and eating their meals in the rain and mud and sometimes more than half inclined to rebel at the restrictions placed over them; the Commander-in-chief, and his staff, together with the large corps of assistants were receiving the brunt of the work. They felt that they were responsible to a great degree for the health and condition of the thousands of volunteers who had streamed in upon them even before the arrangements were completed as to what disposition should be made of them until such a time as they could be turned over to the government. They were in duty bound to care for those men and the numerous obstacles which they met and overcome represented no small vol- ume of labor. They were hampered by the shortage in
--
The Sixth I11., marching to church in a body at Camp Tanner.
117
EQUIPPING THE VOLUNTEERS.
supplies of all kinds and only by dint of energetic work with little or no rest were the men fed and clothed. That Illinois was the first State in the union to report its quota of volunteers as ready for field service was due to the tireless and continued efforts of the State officials to this end.
i
118
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
CHAPTER V.
The regular routine of work was continued day after day and as the men grew more accustomed to their duties they found a certain amount of pleasure in performing them. It required but a short time to form many new acquaintances among the men of the various regiments; and the hours off duty were spent in the large buildings where the practical joker was much in evidence, and the rafters fairly shook with the continued laughter and mer- riment of the hilarious. fun loving boys. There was no lack of sport and from early morn until taps. Indian war dances accompanied by the regulation whoop, glove contests and amateur theatricals followed upon each other closely.
The entertainment which received the most attention and was put into more general practice, until every man was initiated was termed .hot-foot," or "cheese-malee." It consisted of running the gantlet between two long lines of young fellows with well developed muscles. Each man in the lines armed himself with a strong stick or can- teen strap and as the victim gathered his energies and shot down the narrow lane he received a warming that was remembered for some time, and if he succeeded in escaping punishment from the upper end of the line he was given the full degree by the remaining ones, and as the instruments of torture were plied one after another
119
INCIDENTS OF CAMP LIFE.
in rapid succession the candidate increased his momentum and shot by the last man with the speed of a race horse.
His first impulse was to sit down and think the matter over but he no sooner found a resting place than he con- eluded it would be more convenient to remain on his feet and for the first time since his arrival at camp he longed for the luxury of the old arm chair with its downy cush- ions and padded back. Very few escaped this treat as the men were considerate to a fault and partiality would not be tolerated. The good things were not for the few but were equally distributed to all. To struggle or pro- test was to eventually bring an extra portion to the friendless victim, and as misery loves company he added his mite to the working team and took his revenge on the hapless and helpless ones who soon came darting down the course.
At night the scene was an animating one. In the building with us was the Third regiment. in all nearly two thousand high spirited young fellows and it was im- possible to keep them quiet. Promptly at ten o'clock the bugler of the Third would step out on the stair landing at the upper end of the building and blow taps, and as the men of his regiment snuffed the burning candles they cheered his efforts to the echo. Immediately afterward. the bugler of the Sixth would appear at the opposite land- ing and repeat the call for the benefit of the men of his regiment, and among the hurrahs of our boys the flicker- ing flames of the candles in our quarters disappeared. This friendly rivalry between the buglers of the Third and Sixth and their supporters continued throughout our stay at Camp Tanner. For a few moments after taps. deep silence reigned throughout the building. then e voice from some far away corner would ery out "have a
120
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
good time and e-n-j-o-y-y-y yourself," then a perfect bed- lam would break loose. A multitude of voices with one accord, joined in a chorus, most hideous and unearthly. Cat calls from the back yard fence, watch dogs, growling and barking on the front porch, hoot owls in the neigh- boring trees, the mooing of cows and bellowing of bulls in the barn yard lot, added to the caw caw, of the crow, the cry of the chicken hawk, the quack of the duck and the gentle cooing of the turtle dove, formed a combina- tion that baffles description and nearly drove the officers frantic. In vain they would command silence, and taking a still hunt down the rows of reclining figures in an effort to locate the source of the pandomin they found every one quiet and to all appearances fast asleep. Returning to their sleeping quarters the officers would fall into a doze to be rudely awakened by a repetition of the noise. This was repeated until the boys grew weary of the sport and one after another they dropped asleep to dream of home and the treasures which they knew were stored away in the cellars.
The Young Mens Christian Association of Spring- field, put up a large tent shortly after the arrival of the troops and regular services were held throughout the life of Camp Tanner. Writing material was furnished gratis, to those desiring it and the large tables were well occu- pied during the long evenings and leisure hours of the day. Good literature was never lacking and the kind- ness in general, shown us by the young men in charge demonstrated the fact that they were deeply in earnest in the work.
The second Sunday in camp was a repetition of the preceding Sabbath. The regiment attended church ser- vice in the race track amphitheatre at eleven o'clock in
Tossed in a blanket, or the ups and downs of a volunteer.
121
SURGEONS SOUND STERLING BOYS.
the morning. The service was led by Chaplin Morgan. of the Sixth. The customary afternoon practice march was taken in the morning. After church the men were given their liberty until six o'clock in the evening when they assembled for dress parade. Great boxes and bar- rels of delicacies had been received from homes of the soldiers the day previous and a day of feasting was theirs. From all directions the relatives and friends of the boys came in.
The boys of company E received a liberal share of the edibles and their visitors were numerous. They ate. drank, smoked and made merry. and for hours the rela- tives and friends from home were busily engaged an- swering questions. The visitors with well filled pockets, graciously feted the boys until the hour of departure arrived when they bid them good-bye and left them feel- ing lonely but happy.
Company I boys searched the crowds in vain for a familiar face, and ate hard tack and sowbelly with poor grace. washing it down with army coffee: a good substan- tial, one course dinner without trimmings of any kind. To them the hardtack was tougher and the meat fatter than ever before and they eyed their more fortunate com- rades with ill concealed envy. It was a sorrowful day for them but their time was yet to come: they had no means of knowing it and they felt that they had been forgotten. They were not in want of anything in par- ticular, the inner man was well supplied and clothing plenty. but among this cheerfulness. the evidence of which could be seen on every hand. a feeling of depres- sion came over them which would not be shaken off.
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