USA > Illinois > History of the Fiftieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the war for the union > Part 11
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"Our loss was 355 killed, 1.841 wounded and 324 prison- ers and missing."
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Having thus given in a general way the account of the battle the story of the Fiftieth will be proceeded with.
The division of General Davies, of which the Fiftieth was a part, was composed of three brigades. The first brigade un- der command of Brigadier General Hackleman, including offi- cers, numbering 1,097 men; the second brigade, under Brigadier General Oglesby, numbered 720; the third brigade, under Col. Baldwin, of the 57th Illinois, numbered 1,117 men and was composed of the 7th, 50th and 57th regiments Illinois Infantry. As will at once be observed the brigade was weak in point of numbers.
On the morning of the 3d of October the brigade of which the Fiftieth was a part, fell into line before daylight and stack- ed arms. Leaving the camp in charge of those unable to march. At daylight the command "forward" was given and the brigade moved rapidly towards Corinth, and passed through the town out by Fort Robinett and the house in the timber now known in the history of the battle as the "White House," to a position about two miles out in front. A participant in this movement and a member of the Fiftieth, thus writes of what followed :
"While moving to the front there suddenly fell upon our ears, low cannonading and the low sharp roll of musket firing. Immediately the brigade was halted and we were thrown into line of battle, and in obedience to orders loaded our guns. Near by were three pieces of artillery, being a part of Buel's 1st Mis- souri battery. In battle formation we marched out one and a half miles farther to the front, and failing to discover the ene- my we were ordered back to our original line to support the above battery. The 7th and 57th Illinois of our brigade, had been advanced to our left on the Chewalla road, and no sooner had we settled into our position as a support to Buel's guns than we heard these regiments engaged in heavy firing. At this mo- ment General Davies, commanding our division came galloping up and ordered the Fiftieth forward to the support of Col. Bald- win, commanding our brigade. We advanced on the double quick and soon came up to where the 7th and 57th were in line along a ridge. Just as we arrived Col. Baldwin was slightly
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wounded in the hand but was able to direct the point where our presence was most necessary. Upon which Col. Baldwin retired from the field and General McArthur took command. The as- sault by the enemy was hotly made, and his advance as hotly contested. To add to the difficulties the 17th Wisconsin had become broken and were retiring to the rear singly and in squads. The men were not panic stricken nor demoralized but were easily reformed and gave a good account of themselves the rest of the struggle. (
"As the Fiftieth swept by into its position on the left facing west, its ringing cheers were taken up by its associate regiments. the 7th and 57th. Within a few moments its line was established. skirmishers deployed, bayonets fixed, knapsacks unslung and piled together in front of each company, and thus we stood waiting for the assault we had every reason to believe would soon fall upon our brigade. Oglesby's brigade lay to the right of our brigade, and the rebel attack first struck his center with massive force, and though gallantly resisted, yet yielding to superior numbers, his troops were forced slowly back, and as it receded left the right of our little brigade in the open air. and exposed to a tremendous cross fire from a rebel battery and force of infantry on our right and somewhat to our rear, We held our position in the main, the right of our brigade being refused to cover our rear, now heavily threatened by the rebol infantry. But the pressure from the enemy in our front be- comes constantly more marked and severe. Slowly our skir- mishers are falling back. Oglesby on our right has yielded to superior numbers and has fallen back; the roar of battle has passed to our rear. We are in a perilous position, and if we maintain our ground are liable to capture. Deeming it necessary to take up a new line in the rear, the 7th and 57th having been forced from their position on our right Col. Swarthout, riding down the line gives the command, "At- tention, battalion; in two ranks left face; right shoulder shift arms; forward, double quick, march ;" and leaving our knap- sacks to the enemy we retire about an eighth of a mile, when be Colonel commands "file loft," then "by file left into line,"
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which movement was finely executed, and the boys came into line as coolly as if on dress-parade. Our new position brings us facing north, with Col. Oliver of the 15th Michigan, com- manding the second brigade of our division, in line on our right Here we awaited the attack of the enemy which soon came The enemy under the immediate command of Gen. Van Dorn. in greatly superior numbers, swept forward to the attack, and with such force that our lines were broken and compelled to re- tire, which was accomplished in good order. Our new division formation was now as follows :
"The first brigade on the right, commanded by Gen. Hac- kleman; the second brigade, commanded by Gen. Oglesby, in the center, and the third brigade, Col. Baldwin, on the left, and all facing north and north-west.
"The day had grown hot; our canteens were empty, and we were suffering for water. Our situation was desperate in the extreme, and it was evident from the roar of battle to our right we were cut off, or nearly so. It was apparent that the enemy was swinging to our rear with the intent of capturing us. To prevent this there was but one course left, and that was to at- tack the moving lines of the enemy, break him up, and drive him back, to cover a retreat if necessary. As the brigade pre- pared to charge Lieut. Col. Rowett of the 7th said to his line, "Boys if we cannot break their line, they can have my life." The 17th Wisconsin moved first at a slightly left oblique, fol- lowed in close order by the 7th Illinois, the Fiftieth in rear.
"With loud cheers the gallant regiments rushed to the attack, and their impetuous daring was fully rewarded, for the enemy after a stubborn resistance turned and fled, closely pur- sued, to their line of reserves. The Fiftieth reached the ridge and halted, standing in line as a target for the enemy. Of course the charge of the 17th and 7th could only go so far: the enemy falling back gathered fresh strength and soon turned to repel the assault which had been so gallantly made, and ad- vancing his lines enveloped both flanks, necessarily compelling a retrograde movement by the Union line. The Fiftieth, dur- ing all this time was not idle, but its front line on its knees,
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poured lead into the advancing lines of the enemy compelling a halt. But their greatly extended lines were rapidly pushing past both our flanks and reaching our rear, compelled a retreat, which was accomplished in good order. It was at this moment of the struggle that Henry J. Dailey of company A, and Mark Spencer of company H, were killed and John Colwell of compa- ny D, wounded. As the Fiftieth slowly fell back it had hardly gone an hundred feet when Corporal John W. Alexander, one of the color bearers, bearing the State banner, fell mortally woun- ded., As the banner dropped from his dying hands. Corporal David Laughlin of company B, one of the color guard and Pri- vate C. F. Hubert of company D. sprang forward and caught the colors, saving them from capture. Poor Alexander was placed in as comfortable a position as possible and left to his fate. Here Color Bearer Sinclair Watts of company K, en- deavored to rally the men on the colors, but without success, it being impossible to accomplish such a result. Nevertheless the Fiftieth preserved s. mething of a formation, and when it had reached the railroad track it was met by General McArthur, who, having assumed command of the brigade, observing the color's with only its guard and a few men, called out as he lifted his Scotch cap. "What regiment is this?" and being informed it was the Fiftieth he at once, with the assistance of the officers of the regiment, placed the colors in position, and in a few mo- ments the regiment was in line and ready for work.
"So far as the Fiftieth was concerned, its hard fighting was over for the day. Having reformed the battle line as the pressure of battle erased on our front. the regiments were moved slowly by the right of companies to the rear through the camps of Stanley and Hamilton, back to the college buildings where we bivouaced for the night.
"The loss sustained by the division of which the Fiftieth was a part. was fearful to contemplate. All three of the brig- ade commanders had been stricken down, and at least one third of the number who went into the battle in the morning were either dead or wounded. Under these circumstances the divis-
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ion was placed in reserve for the next day's battle, but as the sequel will show it was early on the battle line.
"It was a miracle that saved the brigade from capture on the 3d; and it will undoubtedly go down into history that its escape from capture was not only due to the skill and coolness of the officers, but in a large sense to the splendid courage and discipline of the rank and file.
""To reform a broken line in the face of an advancing force of the enemy and its fire of musketry, and to hold that line in position, is an exhibition of valor and soldierly bearing as re- markable as it is in operation brilliant."
Sergeant Edwin Tyler of company C, and now of Great Bend, Kansas, writes, under date of December 20th, 1892:
"As to the relative service rendered by our regiment dur- ing the time of my service with it from August 20th, 1861, to September 27th, 1864, the battle of Corinth on October 3d and 4th, 1862 was the most severe. On the 3d while on the skirmish line I saw General McArthur's horse shot down under him. The struggle on these two days was the most sanguinary of any battle I was in. That the regiment acted superbly with regard to presence of mind in preserving formation and obedience to commands equalling, under the trying circumstances, any regi- ment in the service, I attribute to its drill lessons under Col. Swarthout."
Il was always the rule when the infantry met cavalry going to the rear to shout out, "enemy in front, cavalry to the rear," and on the morning of the 3d one of the first intimations of danger ahead came from cavalrymen passing to the rear which made James Collins of company D, remark, "yes, boys, the rebels are out there, the cavalry are runnin'." A noble looking young cavalryman overhearing the remark replied, "yes there are more-rebels out there than you will want to see."
Old Hannibal, the Colonel's famous war charger, received his second wound in battle just as the line was crossing the railroad.
Lieut. J. C. Rogers picked up a revolver as he went over the railroad and handed it to Chaplain Bigger, who remarked I
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will use it if opportunity offers. And so he would if the occa- sion had required.
James Jimison had a bullet pass through the bottom of his canteen, spilling his water and leaving him high and dry, and frantic with rage. .
F. M. Behymer of D, and Elijah Kendall of A, were, on the night of the 2d, sent out to strengthen the pickets. After being relieved in the morning they tried to find their regiment, but it had advanced to the front, and to a part of the field im- possible for them to reach. In their search they found the reg- imental baggage train. Dick Hardisty, regimental teamster, proposed to them that they find and fill some barrels and he would haul a load of water to the regiment wherever it might be. No sooner said than at it they went, and were soon on their way to the front, passing through the reserve at Robinett they drove to the sound of battle. Meeting wounded and stragglers they inquired for the regiment and were told that it was cap- tured. Soon a battery came flying back, and wheeling into ac- tion, opened fire and was replied to by a part of a rebel battery. The result was the water supply was between two fires and mat- ters were getting dangerously hot when an artillery officer rode up and ordered them to "get out of this," and they got. Dick declares to this day that he turned his team on three feet of ground. But Kendall and Bohymer continued to search for the regiment until they were assured of its capture when they join- ed the 9th Illinois and did good fighting. At night while in search of water they suddenly came upon a camp-fire, and be- held Captain Hanna and the Fiftieth not over sixty yards from the 9th. The regiment had but just arrived and were then go- ing into bivouac.
Capt. Hanna was on Gen. MeArthur's staff at this time.
In the history of the 7th Illinois infantry, page 96, the action of Davies' division on the Bd is thus fittingly set forth : "General Davies' division made a fearful swing to-day During the long weary hours while his men were famishing and dying, he fought the whole rebel army and held it in check.
"Where was Rosecrans with Hamilton and Stanley, when
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the second division was struggling as warriors have but few times struggled on this continent?
"They may have been where duty called. We trust they were. It may have been necessary for the second division to alone stem the angry current, and to-night we feel glad that we never let the old flag go down, but kept her up to gladden the hearts of many brave men. as their life blood ebbed away on the field of fearful carnage."
There is no question but that the second division bore a noble part that day. Its loss, terrible in fatality, attests this. Never were braver men led by braver officers. In the very thickest of the fight, a part of Mower's brigade was moved up to the support of the division, but before they could be deploy- ed into line they became panic stricken and broke in confusion. It was endeavoring to rally these men that Generals Hackle- man and Oglesby were wounded. The former received his death wound while thus rallying troops to sustain his gallant brigade. His last words were, "I am dying, but I die for my country. If we are victorious send my remains home, if not, bury me on the field."
On some kind attentions being bestowed upon the sorely stricken Oglesby, he said, "Never mind me, look yonder (point- ing to the enemy ). T have lived to see my troops victorious." And the chivalric Colonel Baker, of the 2d Iowa, who fell mor- tally hurt while charging at the head of his regiment, "I die content," he said. "I have seen my regiment victoriously charg- ing the enemy." Is it any wonder that men fought as men sel- dom do unless inspired by such leadership. And it is to the glory of the division also that as those noble men went down others as noble and true sprang into their places, and took up their work where they had laid it down. Having gone into bivouac for the night the regiment was called into line about 10 o'clock and marched over to the north side of Corinth, and then again about 1o'clock it was marched from one point to another until at 2:30 in the morning it was halted near Gen- eral Davies' headquarters, where officers and men were ordered to net. it being understood that owing to the division having
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borne the brunt of the battle of the 3d, it would be held in re- serve. And so the men tired and worn threw themselves down upon the ground and fell into a dreamless sleep, only to be awakened by the rude sound and shock of battle long before the stars grew dim with the glory of the coming moro. For hardly had the brave men fallen into sleep before the sky was aflame and the earth shaken with exploding shells from rebel batteries. which, during the night, had been moved up and planted near the Purdy road.
In an instant sleep had vanished and the regiment, with the rest of the command, wide-awake was resting on its arms. It is a difficult task to describe a bombardment and especially when it occurs in the darkness. During the night the enemy had planted three batteries on the ridge overlooking the town from the west, just where the hills dip into the flat extending to the railroad depot, and it was these guns that opened fire at or near 3 o'clock in the morning. There was but little time lost in replying to this early but not unexpected assault from the artillery. It was known that the enemy in heavy masses had bivouacked not six hundred yards from the Union lines. hence the attack so early begun found the 2d division expectant and ready. The flash of the enemy's guns clearly located their position to be within easy range and General Davies at onee ordered Lieut. Green to open fire upon them with his ten pounder Parrott guns, using shells with five seconds fuses. In a few moments the enemy's fire slackened, whereupon General Davies ordered six seconds fuses, with such effect that by day- break the batteries were silenced effectually and were of no more use during the day.
The position assigned to the division was from the north garden fence of the house in the rear of the earth-works. and the earth-work pierced for the six guns in command of Lieut. Green and an irregular line running along and across the Purdy road to within 250 yards of the Mobile and Ohio railroad. The total number of officers and men composing the division on that morning was 2.283, with 11 guns and 233 artil- lerists, men and officers, and it was with this small force of
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men, wearjed and jaded from the battle of the 3d, that the de- fense of the most vital part of the line was intrusted. Never was trust better founded.
The loss sustained by the Fiftieth in the contest of the day before had greatly weakened its lines, but nevertheless the gallant mon, under direction of their officers, took position with that steadiness of step always the crowning characteristic of veterans. All the men of the regiment unfit for daty were sent, by direction of Surgeon Kendall, to the canvalescont camp in the rear, and among them was Lieut. W. K. Hazelwood of company D; that company, now under Lieut. J. C. Rodgers, at day break occupied the right. In taking position the regiment was formed in double column at half distance, and advanced about three hundred yards, where it was formed behind a slight barricade of logs, brush, boxes and empty barrels, which extou- ded along the Purdy road and nearly facing the M. & O. rail- road.
Col. Sweeney was in command of the first brigade. (Hac- kleman's) ; Colonel Mersy of the second brigade, ( Oglesby's) and Colonel DuBois of the third brigade, ( Baldwin's).
The line of defense occupied by the division was some- what curved and was as follows :
The first brigade with Powell's battery was on the right, facing the enemy north and north-west; the second inigade in the center facing north-west. and the third brigade formed a curve facing north-west and west; the 7th Illinois on the right, the Fiftieth Illinois in the center and the 57th Illinois on the left. To the right of the 7th were two guns of battery B. Ist Missouri artillery, protected by an carthwork, in front of which was a ditch five feet deep and ten feet wide. In our front the trees had been felled and carried away, leaving the ground thickly dotted with stumps and covered with sprouts and weeds of the past summer's growth. To the front six hundred yards. lay the line of the Mobile and Chio railroad, and the opposite side gently sloped down to it. thus leaving the whole landscape open to the unobstructed view of the brigade as it lay in line. Across the low ground in front of the brigade and distant about
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a mile, was the White House where the battle of the day before had closed, while to the left lay in sullen majesty. Forts Wil- liams and Robinett. Across the open ground and in the edge of the woods to the front and right of Davies' division, and near where General Hackleman had met his glorious death on the 3d. the rebel troops could be easily distinguished massing for a -- sault, as subsequently disclosed these were troops under the im- mediate command of Van Dorn. And now as the hosts of trea- son were forming for the work of death, the lines of loyalty, all formed and ready. lay watching the dreadful preparation. There was scarcely sound of stir among the waiting thousands ; words were spoken in whispers, and even so were the commands, when necessary to be given. But silent as were officers and men who made up those lines of loyal blue, they were not as dumb driven cattle, all unconscious of the mighty and bloody drama soon to be enacted. Each loyal heart knew full well that soon the aw- ful silence would be broken with the not less awful sounds of battle, and each loyal heart in that brief time of waiting recon- secrated itself to country and to flag. Oh sacrifice without measure. Oh consecration to duty excelled only at Calvary. how can words express the glories which surrounds a man wil- ling to die for country and his fellow-man.
The morning hours had come and passed, and it was half past eight, when heavy bodies of the enemy were observed by the Fiftieth moving out from the woods in close column by di- vision, preceded by a cloud of skirmishers. The course of the movement lay across the front of the Fiftieth and in the direction of battery Robinett. The sight presented was massive and awe inspiring. The enemy had previously shelled the town, but with little etfeet, but now the movement began, their guns opened fire with increased vigor, and the air was full of their flying missiles. On moved the enemy and the time for the assault was now only a question of moments, and few at that. An eye witness, and a participant, a member of the Fif- tieth, thus graphically describes the battle seene: "The West- ern Sharp-shooters, (66th Illinois ) of the second brigade are out in front as skirmi hors, and to their right are skirmishers
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from the 7th Illinois. Now they are engaging the skirmishers of the advancing line, but look, look, to our front there are three lines of battle advancing. See them rush at a double quick over the railroad and make for the ravine in our front, bending their heads to avoid the storm of battle. Look over at Robineti, see those assaulting lines, column after column ad- vancing. yelling like demons; but look at Robinett, she is aflame, her guns double shotted are belching forth a perfect avalanche,of death dealing grape and cannister; how each blast like a mighty wind sweeps the plain of every obstruction and drives and tears its way through the solid masses, vainly strug- gling to withstand. and in that effort falling as falls the with- pred leaves before winter's storm. Against such a reaper of death men stand for a moment as if paralyzed and then go back. See that regiment (it is the 2d Texas) moving to the support of the spent and rapidly melting lines. It moves in solid mass superbly to the front. An officer, splendidly mounted, dashing along its front : evidently he is shouting, but his words are swallowed up in the battle's whirl and roar. All at once he seizes the flag and facing Robinett he leads the way and with a rush is climbing the sides of Robinett. Now he is up and plants the flag he has thus bravely carried upon the top, but only for a moment: down so's the brave officer and down sors his flag. one dead and the other a trophy: and thus fell Rogers of the 2d Texas. With his fall the assault on the fort is checked. And now attention to our own front. Our skirmishers are hotly engaged along the live : heavy masses are advancing with the evident intention of breaking our center. Instead of a reserve, as we were to ho, we are on the front and the battle swoops all in front and around us. The advanc- ing lines of the enemy have reached their skirmishers, but there is no halt. it molts into the greater quantity. Our skirmishers are ordered in, so as to give sweep to our artillery; they need no second call, but come back with a rush; brave men they are, but their feeble lines would be as dust before the tornado's breath. Not far to our front advance in splendid array the themy. We can see the glisening touch of sunlight as it
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flashes along the lines. We are lying down, but every eye is fixed to the front, every gun is grasped with firmer hold. Up and down the line moves the officers, in low words, but clear and distinct. the warning orders. "all steady, boys. bo firm. aim low. do not fire until you hear the word." It is easy to order. hold your fire." but in such a presence obedience is impossible: 1 prominent at the front is a rebel flag and Harrison Alexander asks permission to fire at it and as he asks he fires. One shot and the battle is on. The assaulting column hesitates and turns back broken, when all at once, there dashes to the front. with rallying cry, an officer mounted upon a black horse; in a moment man and horse go down, and then down goes the flag. in a moment up again waving defiantly ; this is the 9th Arkan- sas. now broken and falling, and a shout runs up and down our front. When look. look, thore comes the second and third lines the battle is not over, but just commenced; the shoutings of victory are silenced. Again comes the warning injunction. "Steady, boys, aim low, don't waste a shot. Steady, boys. steady." We are ready for them, and confident of success, when awful news comes from the right. We look, and as certain as faith the word is true! Our right brigade has been driven from the field and Powell's splendid six gun battery is in possession of the enemy. Nor is the advance stayed. but nearer and near- er it approaches our right and in a few moments it has reached the two guns on the right of the 7th. Never were guns better or more bravely defended. We can see the gunners swing their rammers high over their heads as the enemy. velling like de- mons. surround and literally smother the little squad of men fighting for their guns. . See the guns are turned on the 7th. Are our own brave men to be slaughtered by our own guns? Yes 'tis true, alas too true. To the gallant men of the 7th no choice is left. It is either to remain and die without resultant good or else fall back and reform. They go back in good order by companies to the rear, double quick, and thus the right of the Fiftieth is left in the air, doubly exposed and unsupported. Lieut. J. C. Rodgers of company D, holds the perilous place: hi- men are as brave as any who ever marched to death, but they
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