USA > Illinois > History of the 57th regiment, Illinois voluteer infantry, from muster in, Dec. 26, 1861, to muster out, July 7, 1865 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
June 11. This morning we break camp and move back towards Corinth. The heat is intense, and the troops are almost suffocated with the dust. This grand army in Mississippi is suffering to-day for water, but they do it without a murmur. Soon we go into camp, and the army will be at rest.
June 12. This morning we are on the march again. moving on Corinth. The dust is stiffling. and the sun pours down its scorching rays upon us, and to add to our suffering water is very scarce. We come to a halt, with orders to rest for the night.
June 13. This morning we start about 3 o'clock. It is much more comfortable marching to-day. We soon come up with our wagon train and stop for breakfast. We do not stop long, but continuing the march through the dust and heat reach the outskirts of Corinth in the evening, the men completely used up, many of them hay- ing fallen by the way-side.
June 14. We remained in camp to-day, and the strag- glers are coming in.
ʻ
---
35
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
June 17. Second Lieutenant J. T. Cook, of Tiskilwa, Illinois, Co. F, resigns and goes north. We feel sorry to lose so congenial a companion.
June 1S. To-day we moved our camp to what is called the Sixth Division Camp, and the routine of camp life is again taken up.
June 20. Captain A. C. Barry, of Wyanet, Ill., Co. K, resigns and goes north.
The following promotions were read on parade for meritorious conduct : First Lieutenant Eric Johnson, to Captain D Company : Second Lieutenant Eric Bergland, to First Lieutenant D Company ; Sergeant P. M. Wick- strum, to Second Lieutenant D Company ; First Lieutenant B. D. Salter, to Captain E Company ; First Sergeant D. B. Kenyon, to First Lieutenant E Company ; Second Sergeant Edward Martin. to Second Lieutenant E Company ; Sergt .- Major Frank W. Cutler, to First Lieutenant I Company, commission to date from April 10, 1862,
1753575
-
CHAPTER IV.
Move to Camp McIntosh-General Oglesby Talks to Co. E-Orders to Have Two Days' Rations Cooked and Twenty Extra Rounds of Ammunition-Enemy Moving on Corinth-The Old Rebel Yell-Adjutant Flansburg's Brave Act-Charge on the Enemy -Ordered Into Corinth-Battle Renewed at Three A. M .- Hot Work-Colonel Baldwin Wounded-Everything Wrapped in Smoke and Flame-Death of the Rebel Colonel Rogers, of the Texan Legions-The Enemy Flying in Confusion-Ordered to Take Charge of Prisoners-Burying the Dead-Poetry by a Rebel Prisoner-Captain Swan Ordered to Vicksburg with Prisoners -Promotions - Fort Robinet-Building Barracks-A Joke on Old Uncle Jas. Haley-Forced March-After the Rebel General Forest-Fifty Miles From Corinth-Waiting for the Trains-Back to Corinth-On Half Rations-Ordered to Burns- ville-Captain Salter Resigns and Goes Home.
July 14. Captain A. H. Manzer, of Malden, Ill., Co. B, resigns.
First Lieutenant Joseph W. Harris, of Co. F. has been detailed on Colonel Baldwin's staff, and has charge of 300 contraband male negroes building corduroy roads in and about Corinth.
From this date nothing occurs but the routine life of a soldier-drilling and doing picket duty. We change camp several times while doing outpost duty, and finally move into what was called Camp MeIntosh, back of the Sulphur
37
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
Springs. The roads are in bad condition, and provisions are scarce. Company E was detailed for picket duty. They refused to do duty until they had something to eat. Captain Salter reported the fact to Lieut .- Colonel Hurl- but, commanding the regiment ; and he to Colonel Bald- win, commanding the brigade ; and he in turn reported the fact to General Richard J. Oglesby, commanding the division. The three commanders assembled at Colonel Hurlbut's headquarters, and Co. E is marched up in front of them. General Oglesby read the Rules and Articles of War to the men, and in tones of thunder asked them if they still refused to do duty. Frederick Bourne, acting as spokesman, stepped to the front and made known their grievances, which were that the sow belly was rotten and the hard tack full of maggots and unfit for food. General Oglesby delivered them a lecture on the duties of a soldier, winding up with the threat : "If you ever refuse to do duty again, I will have every one of you shot. If I don't, damn me!" The captain marched the company to their quarters. and General Oglesby turning to Colonel Baldwin, remarked that he knew by those men's eyes they were as brave a lot of men as ever shouldered a gun. The food was ordered condemned, and afterwards we had better provisions and plenty of them.
What is the commotion on the left of the regiment ? Let us see. Why, it is the gallant Captain Busse returned, and he is giving the boys their receipts for the money he expressed home for them. "Honesty is the best policy." So says Captain Busse.
Eli W. Gamble, Drum-Major, was discharged for dis- ability. and Courtney Warren, of Co. K. was appointed to fill the vacancy.
.
3S
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
' General T. A. Davies returned and resumed command of the 2d Division, and General Richard J. Oglesby of the 1st Brigade.
Aug 31. Second Lieutenant Geo. Welsh, of Princeton, Company H, resigned.
Sept. 3. Captain Eric Johnson. of Galva, Co. D, re- signed and went north.
Sept. 26. First Lieutenant Moses S. Lord, of Co. C. and Quartermaster Edward Hamilton, of the Regiment. re- signed and went north.
About this time the formation of the regiment was changed. Previous to this it had been formed in alpha- betical order. After the change the regiment was formed as follows : A. B, C, D, H, F, K, E, I, G, making Company H the color company. Sergeants Albert G. Thompson and John E. De Lea, of Co. E, who had up to this time carried the colors with so much honor to the regiment and to themselves, were requested to still retain the colors, but refused to do it without having their own company to sup- port them. Company G was made the left flanking com- pany by this change.
First Lieutenant Nathan Linton, of Arlington, Ill., Co. B, was appointed Acting Quartermaster.
Second Lieutenant John T. Larkin reports to his com- pany for duty.
Oct. 1. Adjutant N. E. Hahn, of the Regiment, who had been acting as Assistant Adjutant-General on Colonel
39
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
Baldwin's staff. resigned on account of ill health, and Second Lieutenant Charles W. Rosenthal was detailed in his place for staff duty.
Oct. 2. We received orders to have two days' cooked rations in our haversacks and twenty extra rounds of ammunition. This means business : there is something brewing. Troops were moving all day in almost every direction. It seems that the old 2d Division is collecting together for some forward movement. God only knows how soon there will be a rattle of musketry and a clash of steel ; when more blood will flow, more hearts will bleed and more tears will fall. May the spirit of the Great Jehovah control the wrathful storms and nerve the Union soldier that he may not falter. The 57th is always watch- ful and ready to spring to arms at the tap of the drum.
Oct. 3. This morning before daylight the drums are heard, which tell us that something is demanded of the 57th Illinois. Under command of Lieut .- Colonel F. J. Hurlbut. we take up the line of march through Corinth, and taking the Chewalla road. the guns of the enemy are soon heard in our front. Starting on a double quick, we soon reach a line of old rebel breastworks about three miles from Corinth on the edge of the heavy timber. We are now informed that Colonel Oliver with the 15th Michi- gan has been driven in from Chewalla, an outpost on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad nine miles west of Corinth, by the rebel Generals Price and Van Doren, who, having formed a junction at Ripley. Miss., were moving on Corinth to attack General Rosecrans. The regiment took posses- sion of the old works. forming on the left of the Chewalla road. As soon as we got into position firing commenced
.
1
40
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
on both sides. Colonel Baldwin, commanding the brigade, receiving information from General Rosecrans that it was only a feint of the enemy to cover their movements, the order was given to cease firing. Colonel Baldwin ordered out a line of skirmishers, and Companies K, I and G were moved forward, under command of the gallant Captain Bussee. On moving forward but a short distance, the enemy was met in large numbers. After a sharp fight, the captain. seeing he could not hold his line, gave the com- mand to rally on the right and left flank. opening the front for Bruner's Battery, who poured in a terrific fire of grape and canister. This had the effect of staying the advancing columns for a moment, and gave the skirmish- ing companies time to get into their position with the regiment. We now look across the opening and see the angry legions of the south moving towards our front in terrible array. On they come, and with that old rebel yell fall upon our lines, only to be driven back in confusion. Reforming. they come again with that cold-blooded yell which has to be heard to be appreciated, but are driven back. Reforming, they come again, and taking advantage of an opening on our right succeeded in turning our right flank, compelling us to fall back. While doing so our color-bearer was shot down, and Adjutant Nelson Flans- burg seeing the accident rode up, and taking the colors carried them off the field. His horse became very unman- ageable, but the plucky officer succeeded in saving the colors-a brave act and well worthy of mention. Forming a new line of battle parallel with the Memphis & Charles- ton Railroad by changing our front to the left, we again awaited the onslaught of the enemy. In this line are formed the 7th and 57th Illinois, 16th Wisconsin and 15th Michigan. This is the position of the 2d Division : The
O
.
-
NELSON FLANSBURG, ADJUTANT.
,٨
41
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
1st Brigade, commanded by General Hackleman, in the centre ; the 2d Brigade, commanded by General Oglesby, on the right ; and the 3d Brigade, commanded by Colonel S. D. Baldwin. on the left. The 57th Illinois, with the 15th Michigan and 16th and 17th Wisconsin, led by General John McArthur, made a charge upon the enemy, but not having sufficient force to protect our flanks we were again compelled to fall back. forming with our brigade. - There ·is a lull now ; the rebels seem hesitating. The heat is intense. There is no water, and the men are famishing. Some of the 57th fall in their tracks, fainting and ex- hausted under the rays of the scorching sun. Teams had been sent to the rear for the purpose of hauling water, but as yet none reached us. While in this condition, we advance, the 57th in the lead, followed by the 50th and 7th Illinois, closely followed by the 15th Michigan. Through the woods they sweep with the power of a terrible whirl- wind. For a half mile or more they surge with a relent- less force, making a fearful inroad among the rebels. At this juncture troops are hurled against our flanks. com- pelling us to fall back. This was a trying hour ; the battle raged furiously and the woods were wrapped in flame and smoke. We now fall back to our former position, and fall-
ing back still further we find the Sixth Division drawn up in line of battle. It now advances and engage; the enemy, and for half an hour the battle rages incessantly. General Oglesby, with the 2d Brigade, and General Hackleman, with the 1st Brigade, charged the enemy, and both go down in the furious onslaught, General Hackleman mor- tally and General Oglesby seriously wounded. Thus we lose for the time being two brave and noble commanders to the Union army. Night now lets fall the dark mantle and the battle for the day is over. General Davies' Divi-
42
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
sion made a brave and gallant stand to-day. During the long, weary hours while his men were dying and famish- ing he fought the whole rebel army and kept it in check. The 57th now had their line of battle formed with the balance of the division on the outskirts of the town, forin- ing between the Corinth Seminary and Fort Williams. The men were completely exhausted, having been on the road since early morning. The ammunition having come up, each man filled his cartridge box and then lay down to rest for a few moments. We are not here long before- Colonel Hurlbut receives orders to move his regiment into Corinth, and although the men are exhausted they are soon in line. On arriving near the town we are ordered to halt, and soon the battle-worn men are down resting : but before their eyes are closed the command is again given to " fall in," and we move to another position. Thus during the long weary night we are kept moving from one position to another, and consequently there is no rest for the regiment.
Oct. 4. At 2:30 A. M. the 57th is formed, with its left resting at General Rosecrans' headquarters, and its right in the direction of Fort Powell. At 3 A. M. a sheet of flame is seen to burst from the rebel battery on the Chewalla road, the first ball entering the Tishomingo Hotel, and kill- ing a wounded soldier. All morning it continues to send forth its glaring light -- the air is full of bursting shell. the heavens seem all ablaze. The two contending armies stand facing each other with bristling bayonets, and wrath- ful messengers still continue to leap from the woods where the rebel monster frowns. As the storm comes sweeping on its track. death follows in its wake. for some brave man is seen to fall either killed or wounded. Our heavy siege
43
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
guns at Fort Williams and Fort Robinet now open on this rebel battery with a roar that is hideous, sending echoes across the field and through the surrounding woods that are unearthly. This battery is soon disabled and the rebels are seen flying to the rear, thus putting a stop to its deadly sweeps. At S o'clock, the 3d Brigade is formed facing north-west, with the 7th Illinois' right resting on the Purdy road. then the 50th and then the 57th, with its left near General Rosecrans' headquarters. Colonel Baldwin having been wounded the afternoon previous, Colonel Dubois, U. S. A., is in command of the brigade. Soon we see the enemy crossing the track of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad in large forces. Berges' sharpshooters are giving them a warm reception. The 7th Illinois moves forward for their support. The battle is now raging. Our artillery is taking position after position, and the guns at the fort are sending forth their messengers of death and destruc- tion. Still the columns of the enemy come marching on. ' The 57th is now engaged. Volley after volley is poured into the enemy's ranks, but it makes no impression, and we are forced from our position. In good order we retired. There is a lull now, and the regiment is marched to the right of the 7th. with our left resting on the Purdy road. A battery in our rear and to our left now opens fire upon the advancing columns of the rebel host. That old rebel vell can be heard on our left. and the 50th is engaged in pouring a death-dealing volley. The yell comes this way and the 7th is called upon to do its duty. And still the rebels come. three columns deep in battle array. With fixed bayonets they fall upon the 57th, and nobly it does its duty. Major Forse is now in command encouraging the men. Adjutant Flansburg rides along the line inspir- ing the men with hope and confidence, and keeping them
44
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
to their work. Captain Busse is making a stubborn resist- ance on the left ; Captain Conkey, assisted by Lieutenant Barnum, on the right ; and the center is held by the brave Captain Robbins, assisted by Captain F. A. Battey and First Lieutenant William Starling, of Co. K. The right centre is held by the courageous Captain Swan, of Co. C, with Lieutenant Wickstrum, of Co. D. and Captain Van- steinburg, of Co. B ; and the left centre is held by that noble officer, First Lieutenant D. B. Kenyon, of Co. E, and Captain Rattery, of Co. I .- all doing nobly for the love of their country and to keep the flag of that country floating on the breeze. On comes the rebel legions. The 7th has given away on our left, but reforming under the battery still hold the line. The 57th is contesting the ground inch by inch. Many brave men are falling victims. Streams of blood are flowing-the death archer is at work. We stand amid the dead and dying. Smoke from the iron-mouthed cannon rolls everywhere ; everything seems to be wrapped in' flame and smoke. The batteries are doing splendid execution with grape and canister, as they are fighting now at short range. The battle along the whole line is now raging furiously. The earth is trembling around Fort Robinet, wrathful thunder is now rolling from her brazen guns. Colonel Rodgers and his Texan legions have thrown themselves into the ordeal, but like grass before the mower's seythe they are cut down, falling vietims to a wicked ambition. The battle line of the 2d Division is now fighting desperately against fearful odds, hotly con- testing every inch of ground in the streets of Corinth. The regiments are broken up in small squads, commanded by colonels and sergeants. Major Forse with eight companies of the regiment are holding their ground heroically, and Captain Busse with Companies I and G, who have been out
45
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
off from the regiment, now making their way to us, form- ing on the left. Confusion reigns, and darkness is throw- ing her sable wings around the struggling 2d Division. The main fighting of this battle has been aimed against them. The sun is now sinking towards the horizon. Will the battle be lost ? Will this noble army be crushed ? Will the stars and stripes be lowered ? Will the loyal people of the north be compelled to bow their heads and drop a tear over another ill-fated field ? No, such a story will not go to the loyal people of the north. The right wing. under command of General Hamilton, swings around pouring volley after volley into the flanks of the enemy. There is a reaction. The 2d Division rallies again, and lead by General Davies fights with renewed vigor. The rebel lines are seen to waver, and our big guns are mowing them down by the hundreds. Seeing this wavering, a charge is ordered along the whole line. A smile of triumph lights up every countenance. The enemy is driven from the field in confusion, leaving the dead and dying behind. Loud shouts from the Union lines tell us of new victories. The enemy are everywhere routed, and new laurels are perched upon the Union banner. The 57th is immediately ordered into Corinth to take charge of the prisoners cap- tured in the two days' engagement. The prisoners were placed in a large warehouse in the south-east part of town, and Captain Win. S. Swan with a large detail was placed on guard over them. A detail of the regiment was sent with the teams to Camp McIntosh to take down and bring in our tents and other camp equipage, and before dark the 57th had formed a new camp in the close vicinity of the warehouse, in rear of the Tishomingo Hotel, and the worn and almost exhausted men lay down to rest, after their two days hard work.
46
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
Great praise is due our Regimental Surgeons, James R. Zearing and George W. Crossley. for the careful and efficient manner in which the sick and wounded are always treated by them.
Oct. 5. Large details were made to bury the dead and bring in the wounded. Several of the regiment were found in rebel hospitals one mile in advance of where we first engaged the enemy. On Oct. 3d one of these, Henry Schmidt, of G, had his right arm and leg amputated, and was also wounded in the shoulder. We are happy to say that he is still alive, and attended a reunion of the regi- ment at Princeton, Ill., Oct. 7, 1SS5.
The regiment's loss in this engagement was 42 killed, wounded and missing. Three men were shot down while carrying the colors. We are sorry we can not give the names of all who were killed and wounded.
t
The Confederate loss in this engagement was 217 killed, 7,854 wounded and 4,350 taken prisoners.
The Union loss was 315 killed, 1,812 wounded and 232 missing.
The following verses were composed by a rebel soldier while imprisoned in the warehouse under Captain Swan :
It was on the third day of October, The sun rose clear and bright, We marched upon the Yankees, And dared them out to fight. When within three miles of Corinth. We formed our battle lires : We deployed out our skirmishers. The enemy to find.
47
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
They bravely came to meet us. And yet we feared them not at all, For our officers had told us Their forces were very small. General Van Doren made the attack With fifteen thousand men, And General Price brought up the rear Eleven thousand strong.
The Yankees saw our movements, And towards us made a dash : Their cannon roared like thunder, And the timber loud did crash ; Great clouds of fire and smoke Went curling up on high ; Yet onward was on orders, To victory or die.
.
We charged one regiment, A band of daring boys, And if I remember rightly. It was the fifty-seventh Illinois ; They tried to drive ns back. But they found it would not do, And we made another charge On that daring Yankee crew.
There was our gallant Colonel Rodgers, A most determined man. He died while on their breastworks. With our cherished flag in hand. On our left was Colonel Johnson, Then acting brigadier. Who lead the Mississippians. The men who never fear. HIe lead the charge in person, Upon the enemy's works, And died a gallant hero Ere he reached their fort.
It was while in this charge I was taken prisoner of war. And to the rear I was marched. While the cannon loud did roar. I was treated most kindly,
1
1
.
48
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
Which I never shall forget, And if I ever meet any of the fifty-seventh boys, I'll do the same, you bet.
Oct. 9. Col. S. D. Baldwin with a detail of 120 men of the regiment, assisted by Capts. W. S. Swan, G. A. Busse. First Lieut. Frank Cutler and Adjutant Nelson Flansburg. with Quartermaster-Sergeant W. T. Gray left Corinth and proceeded to Columbia, Tenn., by rail with 1600 prisoners taken at Corinth. and reported to Gen. G. M. Dodge, Com- mander of the Post. who ordered them to proceed down the river with their prisoners to Memphis. furnishing them transportation by boat. Arriving at Memphis Colonel Baldwin reported with his command and prisoners to Gen. Wm. T. Sherman, who ordered them to proceed down the river to Vicksburg, Miss. Colonel Baldwin turned the com- mand over to Captain Swan, who carried out the order. Baldwin and Busse going north on leave of absence. On arriving at Vicksburg Captain Swan turned the prisoners over to the proper authorities, receiving in return 500 Federal paroled prisoners which he conveyed, under orders. to the parole camp at St. Louis, returning to the command at Corinth Nov. 4th. At the same time a detachment of the regiment proceeded south under command of Lieut- Col. F. J. Hurlbut, to a point on the Mobile and Ohio Rail- road called Baldwinville, with 300 prisoner, which he turned over to the Confederate forces. The command re- turning to Corinth.
Oct. 29. Second Lieut. William Brewer, of Walnut. Ill .. Co. K. resigns.
Nov. 10. Colonel Baldwin and Captain Busse return and resume their respective commands. the former to
49
HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS.
the command of the Third Brigade, consisting of the 7th, 50th and 57th Illinois, and the 22d and SIst Ohio.
The following promotions were made for meritorious . conduct : First Lieutenant Nelson Flansburg, to Adjutant ; First Lieutenant Nathan Linton, to Quartermaster ; Second Lieutenant William F. Conkey, to First Lieutenant A Com- pany ; Sergeant Eli Barnum, to Second Lieutenant A Com- pany ; Second Sergeant Linas Vansteinburg, to Captain B Company ; Private George N. Barr, to First Lieutenant B Company ; Second Lieutenant Moses S. Lord, to First Lieu- tenant C Company ; Sergeant Frederick Laycock, to Second Lieutenant C Company ; Second Lieutenant P. M. Wick- strum, to Captain D Company ; Sergeant George E. Rodeen, to Second Lieutenant D Company ; Sergeant Andrew Anderson, to Second Lieutenant F Company ; Second Lieu- tenant John H. Weirick, to First Lieutenant H Company ; Sergeant Wm. Gale, to Second Lieutenant H Company ; Sergeant Charles Rattery, to Captain I Company ; First Lieutenant Harlan Page, to Captain K Company ; Sergeant Wm. Starling, to First Lieutenant K Company ; Sergeant Jacob S. Carver, to Second Lieutenant K Company.
We remained in camp uninterrupted until the middle of November, when we were ordered to move to the rear of Fort Robinet. It is said that our division will garrison Corinth for a time, and in view of this the 57th is building barracks and making their quarters more comfortable for winter.
While on dress parade in this camp, Colonel Hurlbut in command, the regiment standing at parade rest, and the band having passed down the line on slow time was
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.