USA > Illinois > History of the 57th regiment, Illinois voluteer infantry, from muster in, Dec. 26, 1861, to muster out, July 7, 1865 > Part 4
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returning at a quick step, when James Haley, the old bass drummer, stubbed his toe, falling forward and rolling on top of the drum. He slid off sideways, and on a double quick caught up with the band, again striking up the time. A general laugh ran along the line, and Colonel Hurlbut tried hard to look the martinet. as he stroked his long red whiskers to hide the smile on his countenance. After parade. many of the boys congratulated " Uncle Jemmie " on his dexterity.
Dec. 18. All is commotion. At 9 o'clock P. M., we receive orders to have three days' rations in our haver- sacks, and be ready to move at a moment's notice. At 10 o'clock. we are on the march with the whole available force from the garrison, under command of General G. M. Dodge. The night is dark. We march briskly : it seems to be a forced march. At 3 o'clock in the morning. we come to a halt. and the men are soon asleep on the roadside. At daylight we are np and on the march again, without any breakfast. We arrive at Purdy. Tenn .. about noon, where we halt and have dinner and a few hours rest. Purdy is a beautiful town in western Tennessee, thirty miles north- west of Corinth. and four miles from the Mobile & Ohio Railroad. The drums are now beating. and the regiment again falls in line. Rumors are rife that there is a fight at hand : that the rebel General Forest, who has out of our communication with Jackson. Tenn .. is at hand. We move forward twelve miles, but not finding the enemy we go into camp, weary, footsore and hungry.
Dec. 20. This morning we leave camp about 9 o'clock. and march briskly all day. We are now in the rear of Jackson. Tenn .. a small town on the Mobile & Ohio Rail-
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road. We go into camp after dark. the men falling in their tracks and going to sleep.
Dec. 21. We move from camp on quick time. with the expectation of meeting General Forest's command. We are now about fifty miles from Corinth. Our command numbers about 2,000 men, and should we run across the Tennessee raider will make short work of him. At noon we reach Lexington. We halt here and eat dinner, after which we move on again, reaching the town of Pinch (con- sisting of two houses and a blacksmith shop) about sun- down. where we camp for the night. It is the old story of "infantry after well-mounted cavalry."
Dec. 22. There seems to be a change in the tactics to-day. General Dodge discovers that the enemy has withdrawn hastily from Jackson. The general finding it impossible to pursue the enemy further on account of the 'condition of his men, takes up the line of march towards Henderson Station, twenty miles distant. We march all day, and go into camp for the night five miles from the Station.
Der. 23. This morning we break camp and march across Beach River into Henderson Station. The First Brigade. under General Sweeney, has taken the train for Corinth, and it is said will return for us. Thank the Lord. "Small favors thankfully received. and larger ones in pro- portion." We are thirty miles from Corinth. and will wait patiently for the train. It returns at 2 o'clock. and the 57th Illinois, with the brigade, embark for Corinth. where we arrive about 5 o'clock and go into camp. The railroad running to Jackson. Tenn,, is now cut, closing all com-
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munication with the north, and in consequence the com- mand is ordered on half rations. Corinth is now isolated, as it were, from the rest of the world-with no news, no mail, and on half rations. It may be a legitimate mode of warfare ; but the enemy will find it difficult to starve the boys out, though we are in an almost desolate country. Captain G. A. Busse with a large detail was sent on a foraging expedition, taking with him the brigade teams, returning late at night loaded with corn and other pro- visions. Several other foraging expeditions were sent out, and though the surrounding country was poor the teams always came back loaded.
Jan. 5, 1863. To-day we received a mail from the north, and a smile lights up the faces of the boys of the 57th. Every one seems anxious to hear from home, having now been cut off from all communications for three weeks. Though the mail came it brought us no provisions, and we are still on half rations.
Jan. 6. Another train arrived to-day with provisions. but not enough to give full rations, and the boys are still living on "corn dodger " in small doses.
Jan. 11. The trains are now running regularly, and full rations are restored, and the routine of camp life goes on.
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In the spring of 1863. the SIst Ohio and 57th Illinois, with one hundred teams, went about five miles to the south of Burnsville. where there was a large lumber mill and several piles of lumber. The Sist Ohio remained at the mill. and the 57th Illinois proceeded to Burnsville to receive and ship the lumber to Corinth. A train of Hat
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cars being sent out from Corinth. Co. E. Captain D. B. Ken- yon commanding, was sent to guard a large trestle-work, over which the train had to pass. The regiment remained here about a week and took the train for Corinth, the SIst Ohio going back with the teams. This lumber. it after- wards appeared. was for the purpose of building quarters for the different regiments at the garrison.
Feb. 13. William S. Hendricks, Second Lieutenant of Co. I, resigned.
Feb. 2S. Captain B. D. Salter, of Co. E, resigned and went home.
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CHAPTER V.
Charges Against Colonel Baldwin-The Trial-Its Result an In- justice-The Colonel's Farewell Address to the Regiment-Build- ing Barracks-On Another Raid -Dinner at Iuka, Miss .- Bear Creek-Good Foraging-Kansas Jayhawkers-Tuscumbia, Ala. -- Another Skirmish - A Grand Scene - Marching Back to Corinth - Success to Colonel Streight and his Boys-Pioneer Corps-Arrival at Burnsville-The Sick, Lame and Lazy- Dress Parade-Promotions-On Review-A Deserter Executed -The Youngest Drum-Major in the Service-On a Raid to the Hatchie River-The Martial Band - Marching Orders-Arrival at Pulaski, Tenn .- More Promotions-Captain Conkey with Co. A, on Artillery Duty-Captain Swan with Co. C, Excellent Millers-Captain Vansteinburg Provost Marshal-Winter Quar- ters-Discussing the Proposition to Re-enlist.
In the fall of 1862 charges were preferred against Colonel S. D. Baldwin for cowardice by known personal enemies. men who would not follow him into battle. but were generally found in the rear keeping the cooks in proper discipline, or doing other detached duty out of the way of the whizzing minnies. While we have no wish to defend Colonel Baldwin in some of his actions with officers of the regiment. and while we all have our faults. Colonel Baldwin not excepted. yet no member of the 57th Illinois who participated in the Battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth with the regiment while in action under com- mand of Colonel Baldwin can say that he is a coward and will not stand under fire. No braver officer ever un-
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sheathed his sword in the defense of his country, and the officers who were found with their companies in time of action are his friends, and sympathize with him in this unfortunate affair. The charges, which were actuated by malice and jealousy. were referred to Captain George S. Nash, Judge Advocate. The report made by him to the general commanding (G. M. Dodge) was that he was not able to ascertain any facts in proof of the charges : that the witnesses' statements were in direct contradiction thereof, and highly complimentary to the conduct of Colonel Baldwin in the various engagements in which he had participated. General Dodge dissolved this court and immediately convened another to try these same charges, notwithstanding the report of the Judge Advocate, who re- garded them as frivolous in the extreme. They were pressed to trial. and most astonishing to all who knew our brave colonel the court-martial resulted in conviction. the finding thereof being " To be cashiered Mar. 31, 1863." All this time Colonel Baldwin's conduct was praiseworthy and magnanimous. He ever courted trial, feeling the charges to be of a frivolous nature, and knowing that the best way to bring vindication would be to urge trial rather than to throw any obstacles in the way. He did not even call his leading witnesses, officers of high rank, who were on the field of battle with him. and who would have cheer- fully testified in his behalf, and have saved him from the deep humiliation which followed as the result of this trial. Feeling that a great injustice was done a brave officer, an appeal was taken to the President of the United States in behalf of our unfortunate Colonel by some of the most substantial and patriotic citizens of Chicago, including Congressman Arnold. accompanied by letters from three members of the court that tried him, denouncing the pro-
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ceedings of that court, and also letters from officers in the regiment. The representations made to President Lincoln on behalf of Colonel Baldwin by those who knew him best, and the high estimation in which he was held by those under his command, as well as all the people of the state, convinced the President of the great injustice done him.
May 31, 1863. The President relieved Colonel Bald- win of any disability resting upon him and pointed out ,the way for his restoration, by referring him to Governor Yates, of Illinois, for re-commission.
June 11. Governor Yates without hesitation re-com- missioned him Colonel of the 57th Illinois Infantry, his old regiment.
The Colonel's disability having been removed by the President. and being regularly re-commissioned by the Governor of Illinois, he immediately went to the front and applied for muster and assignment to duty. The result of commendable action on the part of the Colonel to once more render service in the field, as implied by his appli- cation for muster and assignment, is further proof of his patriotism. General Dodge, commanding the post at Corinth, Miss., where the regiment was then stationed, and whose conduct pending the trial and following was not free from prejudice and personal feelings, placed Colonel Baldwin under arrest upon his reporting to the front for assignment to duty, and next day sent him to Memphis, Tenn., to report to General S. A. Hurlbut, com- manding the department, who refused to muster him in, under cover of an order previously issued by the War Department that the regiment was too small to muster
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three field officers. and thus a great wrong was done a gallant officer by a government he tried to save. The reputation of a noble man and brave officer was thus blasted, and at the same time the regiment lost their much esteemed commander and the Union a valiant defender.
Colonel Baldwin first entered the service of the United States in April. 1561. On the 21st of the same month he left Chicago for Cairo, Ill .. with an expedition under Gen- eral R. K. Swift. and held the rank of Brigade Inspector. After his term of service (3 months) he returned to Chicago and raised the 57th Illinois, and was mustered in as its Colonel Dec. 26, 1861. He participated in the Battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh in command of the regiment. On the second day of Shiloh he commanded the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, which command he retained through the Siege of Corinth and Battle of Corinth. At the close of the Battle of Corinth he was recommended for promotion by Generals Davies, McArthur, Webster and Oglesby, which recommendation was approved by General U. S. Grant. and by him forwarded to Washington, D. C. Those officers who had made the charges against the Colonel continued their prosecution or persecution. completing their con- spiracy by causing the defeat of his confirmation as Brigadier-General. after his name had been sent to the United States Senate by the President. The charges of cowardice on which he was found guilty were : Leaving his regiment at Fort Donelson and going to the landing to procure provisions for his starving regiment : and not going on the field of battle the second day at Corinth. Miss .. Oct. 4. 1862. for which he gave his reason to the general commanding in his report at that time. We have to-day in our possession the dying confession of one of the
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officers, a captain, who appeared against Colonel Baldwin when on trial, in which he acknowledges that he perjured himself for the purpose of throwing the Colonel out of the service.
COLONEL BALDWIN'S FAREWELL ADDRESS TO HIS REGIMENT.
CHICAGO, ILL., Oct. 3. 1863. To Major E. Forse and the gallant Officers and Men of the 57th Ill. Vol. Inf. :
Through the press, and the Official Report of your Colonel. the world has heard of your patriotic valor and constant zeal in the cause of our unfortunate country. Your privations, trials, sufferings. valor. fatigue and fortitude have been conspicuously manifested : your fidelity and constaney, throughout your entire history as a regiment. has won the admiration of every true patriot. While we humbly bow in obedience to the decrees of Heaven. we may deeply mourn the loss of our comrades, in the Battles of Donelson. Shiloh and Corinth.
On the field of Shiloh, you stood against a leaden storm hurled by twice your numbers in front and ronted your enemies, although cross fires from a well supported battery were mowing you down. You were driven to the rear, but not in disorder : you retired dressing on the colors, not however until they had received thirty-four balls, and the whole color. gnard was shot down. Out of four hundred and eighteen. one hundred and ninety-six were killed and wounded.
At the Battle of Corinth. with the 15th Michigan and the 3d Brigade. von stood the brunt of the combined force of the rebel army. On that day you sustained the reputation you had so gloriously won. With pride, satisfaction and pleasure I have announced to the public your brilliant victories. Implicit obedience to your superiors has been the soul of your discipline, and has given energy and snecess to your regiment.
While I bow in obedience to the decree of a font conspiracy. may the God of battles guide and protect you in all patriotic motives. Bo
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assured that every patriot, and the mothers, wives and sisters in our distracted country will welcome you home. and forever honor you for the sacrifices you have made. May your commander be worthy to lead so noble a band of heroes as you have proved yourselves to be. As I have left yon I deem it a privilege to tender my heartfelt thanks for the many acts of kindness manifested to me. Your strict obedience to all orders, and ready compliance to rigid discipline im- parted by me while in my command. will ever be cherished as a token of respect ; and in whatever sphere of life you may be thrown. may you find as true a friend as your late commandant, is the sincere wish of your friend.
S. D. BALDWIN. Late Colonel 5;th II. Vol. Inf.
The 57th Illinois built very substantial quarters in rear of Fort Robinet, consisting of log houses 20x28 feet. with a cook-house and dining-room attached. They were built uniform, and made a very pretty camp. While in this camp there was a great deal of sickness, and in June Isaac N. Bishop was commissioned Second Assistant Sur- geon of the regiment. The principal reason for so much sickness seemed to be the water used by the regiment, which ran through an abatis between the town and Fort Robinet. To overcome this an artesian well 80 feet deep was sunk to the rear and centre of the regiment's camp. The water coming from this well was of a bluish color and very strongly impregnated with iron.
April 14. We receive marching orders and every- thing is excitement again. Orderlies and aids are riding around as though the enemy was not far off.
April 15. It is an old saying that "the early bird catches the worm." The 57th is on deck before sunrise. but the 3d Brigade is ordered to bring up the rear, and in consequence we are slow in leaving Corinth. A heavy
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force under General G. M. Dodge is now on the tramp, headed for Burnsville. which place we reached after dark, and went into camp fifteen miles from Corinth. It is rumored that the expedition is going to Decatur, Ala. It seems evident that some bold move is contemplated.
April 16. This morning we were on the move by 6 o'clock. We halted at luka. Miss .. for dinner, which place is noted for its mineral springs, and then continued the march and went into camp about dark five miles from Bear Creek.
April 17. We were on the march this morning by daylight toward Bear Creek. We halted a few hundred yards from the creek, when a battery was placed in position on the hill and opened fire on the enemy, on the opposite bank, causing them to fall back in confusion. The troops now commenced crossing the creek, and when the 57th came up we removed our clothing and waded across. After dressing. the march was again taken up toward Tuscumbia Valley, and we went into camp about five miles from Bear Creek.
April 18. About 9 o'clock this morning the 3d Brigade took the backward track toward Bear Creek, going into camp about two miles this side of it, remaining there the balance of the day and night. The foraging was good, and the boys lived high.
April 19. The rain poured down in torrents last night, giving every one a general wetting. The enemy is now lurking in our front, and the 3d Brigade changes its position, and is secreted in the brush for the purpose of ambushing the rebels in case of an advance by them. In
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the evening we received reinforcements from an Ohio Brigade and the Kansas Jayhawkers. It is rumored that we will go forward toward Tuscumbia Valley again.
April 20. We remained in camp all day trying to make ourselves comfortable. There were no demonstra- tions to-day.
April 21. We lay in camp all day. Reinforcements are expected. and all sorts of rumors are rife. Foraging is good, and the boys are living in hotel style.
April 22. The command is still in camp. The orders are to keep close to camp, as we are expecting to move at any moment. Colonel Streight's command. consisting of a brigade of mounted infantry, came up this evening from Murfreesboro. There is some bold movement contem- plated.
April 23. The order " forward " was given this morn- ing. and we started off with a brisk step toward the Tus- cumbia Valley again. Some plantations having been set on fire by the Kansas Jayhawkers and Alabama Union Cavalry. the smoke could be seen curling above the tree tops for quite a long distance. Go it Jayhawkers. We marched slowly all day, and went into camp early in the evening.
April 24. This morning we are up early, and soon on the move. We arrived at Tuscumbia, Ala .. at noon. This is a beautiful town in northern Alabama, noted for its springs of water that leap from the rocks like gushing and swelling fountains. After marching through the town, we camp for the night. Foraging is good and the boys are happy.
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April 27. We remained in camp until this morning, when we again took up the line of march to Lexington. ten miles south from Tuscumbia. Arriving there about noon. we had dinner and started off again. About 4 o'clock we come up with the rebel forces, and a sharp skirmish was had with them. driving them back to Town Creek. We went into camp one mile from the creek.
April 28. To-day we expect the enemy to dispute our passage across Town Creek. The troops are now in line, and skirmishers are deployed toward Town Creek, and soon the rebels are discovered with considerable artillery across the creek. The enemy opens upon us with their batteries while we are advancing. Our batteries are soon brought into position and do some splendid work. For an hour a fierce artillery duel is kept up by the contending forces. with little harm to our side. The division is drawn up in line of battle with the intention of crossing the creek. The artillery fire now ceases, and the division crosses to the other side and forms a line of battle. The skirmishers move forward, closely followed by the division, which moves slowly and in order. presenting a grand and imposing scene : but it all ended with a slight skirmish. The cunning Roddy would not stand. but retreated into the mountains, leaving General Dodge in undisputed pos- session of the Tuscumbia Valley. The division re-crossed Town Creek and went into camp for the night.
April 29. This morning we take up the line of march back toward Corinth. Our supplies are running short. and we are on half rations. The roads are hilly and the weather is warm. We discover to-day that General Dodge's object in staying in Tuscumbia Valley so long was
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to engage the attention of the enemy while Colonel Streight made a raid into Central Georgia. He is now far on his way, and we wish him success. This evening we passed through Tuscumbia, and went into camp three miles beyond. The men are considerably fatigued, and go to rest very soon.
April 30. The command is on the move this morning at sunrise. We march all day, and reach Town Creek that evening, and go into camp. The water being high the Pioneer Corp build a bridge for the teams and men to cross, working all night.
May 1. The march is taken up early. the 3d Brigade in advance. Crossing the creek, we arrive at Iuka about noon, where we stop and have dinner and wait for the teams to come up. After the teams come up, we resume the march toward Burnsville. where we arrive in the evening. and go into camp. the men somewhat weary. Some of them are barefooted. their shoes being entirely Worn out. What means these shouts from the surround- ing hills that are now rending the air ? We listen and hear a train coming up the road from Corinth. It comes loaded with supplies, and we will now have plenty to satisfy the cravings of the inner man.
May 2. We are up early this morning, and after send- ing the sick. lame and lazy by rail to Corinth, we start for that place ourselves, reaching there about 5 o'clock, and never were poor weary soldiers so glad to reach camp as the boys of the 2d Division.
May 3. After cleaning up camp, the Colonel ordered a dress parade, when the following promotions were read :
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First Lieutenant D. B. Kenyon. to Captain E Company ; Second Lieutenant Edward Martin, to First Lieutenant E Company ; First Sergeant Win. Wayman, to Second Lieu- tenant E Company : Sergeant Ed. D. Haggard, to Second Lieutenant I Company.
From now on nothing occurs but the routine of camp life. The companies are drilling hard, as there is a flag offered to the best drilled company in the regiment, and each is anxious to secure the prize.
July 23. This morning we are ordered on review at S o'clock in the large field to the south-east of Corinth, to witness the execution of a deserter named Johnson. from Company A. Ist Alabama Cavalry. At the appointed time the troops are all in line, the sun is intensely hot, and from the movements of the troops it is very dusty : soon the pro- cession. with the unfortunate man. appear at the right of the column, a brass band playing the dead march; then the company of which he was a member: then four men carry- ing his coffin. the prisoner following, assisted by the Chap- lain of the 66th Indiana: and then came the detail of twelve men who were to carry out the sentence of the Court Mar- tial -- that he be shot to death --- passing along the line of the troops from right to left. The procession then marched to the center of the column, the place of execution. The prisoner was placed upon his coffin in a sitting position, a solemn and impressive prayer was offered by the chaplain after which he was blindfolded: the executioner's take their position : the Provost Marshal gave the command and the unhappy man was launched into eternity. May his igno- minious death prove a warning to all those who might be tempted to do likewise.
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The Mobile & Ohio Railroad has been abandoned by the Government, and we are now receiving our supplies over the Memphis & Charleston Railroad.
In August Captain John Phillips, of Co. A. was author- ized by the Government to raise a colored regiment at Corinth, Miss .. and on Nov. 21. 1863, he was commissioned Colonel of the 1st Mississippi Colored Infantry, by the President.
Aug. 31. Courtney Warren, of Buda, Ill., Drum-Major of the Regiment. was discharged for disability.
Sept. 1. Wm. W. Cluett was appointed Drum-Major of the Regiment. claiming to be the youngest major in the army, being then sixteen years and two days old.
In the middle of September the 2d Division started on a raid to LaGrange, Tenn .. passing through Holly Springs. and on to the Hatchie River, in pursuit of the rebel General Forest, compelling him to retreat south-the com- mand returning to Corinth.
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