USA > Illinois > History of the Fiftieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the war for the union > Part 16
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and prisoners are, for the time, in like position. but the guards over the prisoners are standing up alert in storm, the same as at any other time. As suddenly as it came, so it departs, and soon its sullen yet majestic retirement is evidenced only by its faint flashings and the distant rumblings of the thunder.
"April 19th. A rainy day. Our prisoners are sent under guard to Eastport, and we are rid of that encumbrance. The rebel cavalry are hovering around us, anxious to strike, yet afraid. The men employ the time in cleaning their guns and equipments. Early in the forenoon our brigade is advanced into a heavy timber of trees and brush. The purpose of this movement is to ambush the enemy if he can be induced to at- tack our cavalry, which is to go forward and then fall back. But the enemy is too wary and refuses the challenge, so we come back into our camp of the night and morning, and find that the Ohio brigade has arrived, accompanied by four compa- nies of the 7th Kansas, jayhawkers.
"April 20th. Remain in camp and on the 21st a foraging detachment was sent out to Dickerson and report rebel cavalry hanging on the edges of the woods. For pleasure as well as for food, fish-hooks of various sizes and shapes have been shaped into being and the waters of Bear creek are being successfully raided, so we have a supply of fish. Colonel Streight reached our camp to-day with a brigade of mounted infantry. He is direct from Murfreesboro, where General Rosecrans is with his army of the Cumberland. This accession gives us a large force and Forrest will certainly be attended to. The mount of the brigade is, however, not up to first-class lines. Mules, hor- ses of all kinds, ages, sexes and conditions, with old pack sad- dles and every other kind of saddle, contribute to make up the scantily and poorly provided array.
"April 22nd. The command moves at 8 o'clock a. m. The last of the train arrives from Eastport with a section of artillery at 2 p. m., and then the bridge over Bear creek, which had been reconstructed after our crossing a few days ago, is des- troyed, and we start to overtake the command, acting in the meantime, as rear guard. Having marched fifteen miles we go
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into camp on Cane creek at 10 o'clock at night. distant from Tuscumbia seven miles, which place we reach at noon on the 23rd, without opposition. The 1st Alabama cavalry and the Kansas jayhawkers have been at work, and desolation follows in their track. While the Fiftieth was going into camp, some of the regiment went foraging and shortly returned with four- teen sides of bacon and nine hams.
At Cane creek the following order was issued : .
HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, ARMY IN THE FIELD, CANE CREEK, ALA., April 23rd, 1863.
Special Field Order, 1 No. 13. 1
Capt. William Hanna, A. D. C., is hereby detailed and will immediately proceed to take command of the 122nd regiment Illinois infantry, said regiment having no field officer present.
By order of
Brig. Gen'l G. M. DODGE. GEO. E. SPENCER, A. A. Gen'l.
The 25th and 26th were spent in foraging. On the 25th the following order was issued :
HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, ! TUSCUMBIA, ALA .. April 25, 1863.
Captain Hanna, commanding 122nd Illinois infantry, is hereby authorized to confiscate all tobacco found in this town.
By order of
Brig. Gen'TG. M. DODGE. J. W. BARNES, Lieut. & A. A. A. Gen.
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The confiscation of this tobacco made the 122nd the last- ing friend of Captain Hanna, the plug tobacco having been di- vided among the command, and every old soldier who reads this history will recall how a plug of tobacco could warm up a patriot dressed in blue struggling in the field without money and out of tobacco.
On the 27th the command was ordered on the march and taking the Courtland road arrived at Leighton, seven miles. where we were joined by the 7th Illinois, which had been sent to Florence on the 24th. The first brigade being in advance to-
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day we made fifteen miles, arriving at Town creek, where resis- tance came in the shape of a three gun battery, which opened fire upon our advancing lines. Night coming on the brigade went into camp behind a thickly grown hedge fence.
On the 28th the ball was opened by the enemy firing a rifled shell at General Dodge and staff who were on a knoll to our front and right. The sight of these officers, evidently re- connoitering, drew numbers of the command to the same spot, out of curiosity. Over the creek to our front could plainly be seen the rebel cavalry and an officer upon a white horse riding up and down its lines. We were told by prisoners already captured that General Forrest was mounted on a white horse, and such proved to be the fact, for during the day this horse was wounded by the 7th Illinois, word to this effect being later received through prisoners.
As we covered the knoll we saw a puff of smoke and then a shell coming toward us, end over end, finally burying itself in the ground in our midst. At a depth of two feet it was found, and upon examination Captain Richardson of the 1st Missouri artillery, found its fuse set for four thousand yards. Calling up one of his guns, the Lady Richardson, and training her upon the rebel battery he presented his compliments with a returning shell, which striking a brass gun exploded and turned it completely topsy turvey. This sent the rebel battery back to a new position, when the artillery duel reopened, The enemy's shells came uncomfortably close; one struck the bed of the or- derly sergeant of company E, Fiftieth Illinois, from which he had just arisen, and one plowed its way through the 57th, but fortunately neither one exploded. All the same though ex- tremely dangerous, there was a humorous side to the bombard- ment. Everybody was on the alert, and cach arm of the ser- vice acted differently. The artillerymen dismounted, the cav- alry skedaddled to a safe place in the rear, while the infantry spread themselves flat on the ground.
But while all this was going on General Dodge was not inactive. The Fiftieth was ordered into line and company B detailed to prepare a crossing over the creek, which was speed-
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ily accomplished by felling trees from bank to bank. Over this hastily constructed bridge the 2nd and 3rd brigades crossed and, forming in battle line. forced Forrest back a distance of over a mile and a half. The skirmishing continued all day, and at nightfall the two'brigades recrossed to their canip of the night before, leaving, however, the 7th Illinois and 2nd Iowa on the opposite side for out-post duty. During the day our hearts are gladdened by the unexpected arrival of the mail from home. What a joyous treat it is to receive the tender and loving mes- sages from the dear ones whose hearts are in constant trouble because of our danger, and whose prayers to God for our pres- ervation comes from souls wrestling in the Gethsemane's of the land, pleading that the bitter cup may be passed by untasted. And yet every letter bears, not only its message of love, but of loyalty, and from its reading strong men rise up with tear-wash- ed eyes, it is true, but with hearts firmly resolved on duty, whether for weal or woe.
"April 29th. We are now placed on half rations, and in the early hours orders are received, and at 5 o'clock a. m. are in full march for Tuscumbia. It is a disappointment that we could not reach the enemy: a difficult thing for infantry to do with cavalry for an opponent. If we were only mounted, as is the 9th Illinois, we would be placed on equal ground with the enemy, By 3 o'clock p. m. we have reached and passed through Tuscumbia, and for the night camp on Little Bear creek, three miles beyond. There is all around us a picture of "war's wide desolation," which we shall never forget. Between Tuscumbia and Town creek we pass by thirty-eight houses in ruins. We here learn the object of our expedition. We have been holding Forrest until Colonel Streight can get well on the way to Rome, Georgia, there to destroy a foundry and supply depot.
We have held Forrest for three days, but information of Streight's raid having reached him, he is now in rapid pursuit. May our brave boys be successful is our wish.
As to the Streight movements weappend an extract taken from Stories of the War, by John L. Wilson :
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
STREIGHT .- About the middle of that month, April, an expedition composed of the 51st Indiana, 18th Illinois and a part of two Ohio regiments-some 1800 men in all-and com- manded by Colonel A. D. Streight, set out from Nashville on a mission from which great things were expected. This force was called "an independent provisional brigade," and was created for "temporary purposes." Streight's instructions were that he should destroy the railroads, the stores, the manufactories in the rear of the confederate army, and in every way make retreat difficult, if not impossible.
On reaching Dover he disembarked his troops and march- ed them across the country to Fort Henry, on the Tennessee river. Embarking again, he went up the Tennessee to Eastport, where he landed; then moving southward, he joined General Dodge who was moving toward Tuscumbia, on the Memphis & Charleston railroad. It was not intended that he should remain in conjunction with Dodge, but only that he should march with him long enough to create the impression that his troops form- ed a part of that leader's command, and at the proper time to strike off from Tuscumbia toward Russelville or Moulton. On their departure from Nashville, Streight's men were not provi- ded with horses. It was expected that they would be able to pick them up on the way. When they joined Dodge one-half of the command was still on foot. At Tuscumbia the joint forces encountered and defeated a strong body of confederates ; and as his men were well mounted, Streight. without delay, set out for Russelville. Having reached that place he turned east, his ob- jeet being to strike the important cities of Rome and Atlanta in Northern Georgia.
Meanwhile Dodge had had better success. When Streight set out for Rome and Atlanta, he (Dodge) struck off to the south, and having made a sweeping raid in Northern Alabama and Mississippi he returned to his headquarters at Corinth.
On the 30th we take an early start and arrive at Bear creek, eighteen miles, by noon, where we go into camp, the afternoon being spent in foraging in the midst of plenty. The rapid march to the front and the return this far has worn us out, we are weary and foot-sore, if not hungry, so everything in the shape of a pack animal is brought into service to lighten our load. Every company has its mule, and some companies are better provided. On these patient assistants to liberty and freedom are packed blankets and other equipage until the re-
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semblance assumes the magnitude and appearance of an ele- phant minus the tusks and trunk. Thus reconstructed, the mule had to exercise great care in traveling, for woo to him if by an unlucky step he fell, then all conditions were reversed, and it was heels up rather than head and ears.
Company G was unfortunate in that its burden bearer, loaded with blankets, slipped in crossing Cane creek. Securely was the baggage fastened to his back, and so when he went down he made a complete change in standing at least, for he lay anchored on his back with four feet fanning the air, and there he would have remained until judgment day had not some of the teamsters rushed in to his assistance, and after a struggle set him right again and sent him on his way, wetter if not wiser in his day and generation.
"May 1st. Five o'clock in the morning and we are marching, our brigade in advance. The bridge we cut away in our advance has floated down the stream a mile and a half and lodged against the abutments of the railroad bridge, so we march down, and after some work, cross safely over, and by eight o'clock are on our way to Iuka, distant ten miles, where we arrive at noon and dine, then away we go and near the set- ting of the sun reach Burnsville and camp. The driver of the headquarters wagon, a company B man, is not forgetful of his company comrades, so having during the day, captured a sixty pound porker, it is quietly put in possession of that company. There are plenty of hogs running wild and the Blind Half Hun- dred go a gunning for some of them, for which our Major is put in arrest. We are ravenously hungry and at first mad that our Major should be arrested, but all is changed when at nine o'clock a train arrives from Corinth bringing plenty of food and bearing back our sick and disabled comrades. who, with the Major, reach Corinth at daylight. , As for us follows who are well, we roll ourselves up in our blankets, and possessed of full stomachs once more, sleep with "the stars of heaven shin- ing kindly down," only to be aroused at an early hour and soon march for Corinth, our home. At five o'clock we march into camp amid the cheers and salutations, happy to be back once more and find those we left behind all right. and well, The Major also being relieved from arrest.
CHAPTER XII
Camp Duties, Drill, Policing and Guard-Amusements -- A Queer Game -- Letter Writing-Independence Day -- Surrender of Col. Dick Rowett -- Death of Lieut. Marshall-Proclamation of the President -- Congratulatory Orders over the Surrender of Vicksburg and Victory at Gettysburg -- A Happy Time-Present of Guidons from Mrs. Col. Swarthout and Sister-Military Execution -- All Quiet in Front.
S' UNDAY, May 3rd. "The day was spent in resting, cleaning up and writing home the incidents of the march, all of which were interesting to friends, being in details a com- plete history of the expedition.
"May 4th. A certain number of furloughs to enlisted men from each regiment has been ordered, and the struggle for the favor is carried on by the men with deep intensity. To-day orders were received to send the names of those recommended to division headquarters, upon which final action may be taken. A number of the Fiftieth are in the lucky list and already have their faces turned, in anticipation, homeward.
"May 5th. Orderly Sergeant Isaac. MeNeil, company H received his commission to-day as second lieutenant. He will make a splendid officer. There is general rejoicing over Burn- side's order No. 38 relative to the Cincinnati Enquirer, and other copperhead papers published in the north. The order is a blow at treason stronger than could possibly be delivered by guns in battle. It is strange that there is any party north so
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far forgetful of duty to country and flag as to give aid and en- couragemont to Clement L. Vallandigham and his co-conspira- tors. And yet at this very time when the life of the nation is hanging as upon a thread ; when brave men are dying in battle, in hospital or in prison, it is alas too true, that strong organi- zations are being formed in the northern states, the avowed purpose of which is to strike the defenders of the Union in the back while they are compelled to face an honorable foe at their front. Why does not a just God smite the wretches to the ground.
But while treason is at work in the rear the loyal men in blue are not idle at the front, for to-day under orders from Gen. Dodge, Sergt. Maj. Theo. Griffin, of the 50th, is assisting in the organization of a company of negroes to be attached to the 1st Alabama colored cavalry, and when the company has been duly organized he will be commissioned its first lieutenant. The air is full of rumors of the capture of Richmond, and cheers upon cheers are resounding through the camp; on the 10th word comes that Richmond has fallen and that the flag of the Union is floating over that stronghold of treason, whereat there is great rejoicing, and so continued until the contradiction from official sources destroys the grape vine, and set us back again in the trenches.
"May 12th. By telegraphic dispatch Major Gaines is no- tified that a commission has been issued for him as Lieutenant Colonel, Captain Hanna as Major, John M. Cyrus as Captain, and Win. C. Ross and Samuel Lockwood as first and second lieutenants of company E.
"May 14th. Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas, U. S. A., arrived from Jackson, Tennessee. To-morrow the command will pass in grand review before him. The camps are being po- liced and everything put in good shape.
"May 15th. The day has been passed in drilling and passing in review bef re General Thomas. During the course of the review the troops were massed in close column by regi- ments in front of General Dodge's headquarters, when General Thomas stopped forward and, after acknowledging the salute
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LIEUT. COL. THOMAS W. GAINES.
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tendered him, delivered an eloquent and soul stirring address upon the progress of the war, east and west, and presented a most hopeful view of the situation. He was cheered to the echo, and was evidently well pleased with his reception. After him came Major General Oglesby, who never speaks without setting his hearers afire. Speeches were also made by Colonels Bane, Sweeney, Cornyn and General Dodge, in which he stated that he had received authority to raise as many negro regi- ments as he could find men to organize. All of which is re- ceived with general satisfaction by the boys in the ranks who have come to the sensible conclusion that Sambo is as good food for powfler as is his white brother.
"May 16th. Orders received at regimental headquarters to send to division headquarters the names of four enlisted men suitable for commissions in the colored regiment being organ- ized. This makes five in all, so the regiment loses the follow- ing enlisted men : Private George H. Butler, company D; Pri- vate Frederick Becker, company F ; Private Charles E. Overton, company G, and Sergeant Harry A. Huston, company K.
On the 21st the furloughs for members of companies B, C, E, G, and K are received, those for the other companies be- ing disapproved.
The Major. one sergeant and six men are detailed to go to Alton, Illinois with four prisoners, senteneed by a court martial at Memphis, to confinement during the war. A guerrilla cap- tain was also placed in his charge for the same destination.
The time in camp is given to general improvements of grounds and quarters. The barracks are well built, with an eye to health and comfort. The streets are swept every day. All litter and rubbish is hauled away and deposited outside the lines a distance of two miles from camp. There is squad, com- pany and regimental drill daily. The best of order and disci- pline prevails, and the regiment is daily complimented for its well arranged and healthful camp, as also for the soldierlike appearance of its members. At dress parade it is interesting to note the size and interest of the crowd of civilians as well as soldiers who gather to witness the drill of the regiment in the
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manuel of arms. Harper's Weekly and other illustrated war papers are taken by many of the regiment, and when read are used for decorating the walls of the barracks.
There is a spirit of barter and sale in the air. The citi- zen is wild for coffee, and therefore this sight is beheld on every side. the coffee grounds of yesterday are spread out to the allur- ing touch of sun and wind, and when thoroughly dry are dis- posed of for luxuries not down on the ration list. Tobacco and snuff go hand in hand with coffee. and these combined form a trio invincible in their appeal to the citizen, male and female, who readily give in exchange a liberal supply of corn bread, beans, potatoes, chickens, butter, eggs and other products per- taining to civilization. The days come and go pleasantly enough ; beautiful May days, devoid of trouble and danger. The duty is light and in all respects easy in nature and charac- ter, and is confined to guard duty in town, police duty in camp and company and regimental drills.
The mails are regular and are loaded with cheering and loving missives from home. There are some who never or sel- dom receive a letter, to remedy this difficulty and to lighten hearts as well, it is suggested that all who desire, place the names of young ladies in a hat from which the lonely soldiers may draw out names, with the understanding that they are to be written to. At once there is a change in the character and demeanor of the hitherto neglected; the mails bring answering replies to their modest letters, hardly expectant of a reply, which coming lifted clouds of darkness from weary hearts and did not end with that. but led the lines of two lives nearer to- gether till they merged in one forever and a day. Nor is it true that hearts alone in camp were cheered, for in the northern land there was many a fair maiden who eagerly availed herself of the opportunity of answering a letter addressed to her by a soldier in the field, who albeit a stranger, was to all intents and purposes, her brother in that he was battling for her as well as others in the land. Her letters were gladly written and happily received. In every line they breathed of courage, loyalty and hope, and many a poor boy felt the blood leap with renewed
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life through his veins as he read the soulful and loving lines from a sweet and loyal maiden, who wrote like this: "I have often wondered whether there were any of our sokliers who hadn't a friendly correspondent, full of home greetings and friendship. A relative, who has just returned on furlough, in- forms me that such is the case, so I write you. If you could see the anxious faces of our mothers. as they meet in groups, just after a battle. and talk over the fate of the poor fellows that have fallen, with tears in their eyes, as though each was an own son. How they meet and scrape lint and prepare bandages ! Your heart would be filled with love for them and with hope that a cause supported by the prayers and work of such a noble womanhood, cannot and will not fail." Were not those words touching, eloquent and soothing? Not to forget also her closing injunction : "Oh, yes, don't forget to vote for Union candidates this fall. The northern copperheads are talking of resisting the draft. If so, we may have need of your services out west."
The amusement, however, was not of this class alone. Betting in many ways, based on different schemes and devices, was indulged in. An officer going one day from his company to regimental headquarters, passing a group of soldiers on the parade ground, who seemed busily engaged at something. stopped and discovered a board on which was drawn a circle a foot in diameter, and then. beheld a novel game. Each one participating in the gains or losses, was to place a gray-back at the center, and the one reaching the edge first, won the stakes. Bill Northup took from his vest pocket a goose quill and emp- tying its occupant at the center, said : "See my race horse", and pointing to it he slowly withdrew his hand, his louseship following without hesitation, winning the race. Whereupon, Bill placed his treasure in the quill and raked in the winnings. The secret of success in this particular instance was that Bill's racer had been in the quill for some time, without anything to eat, and therefore, taking up the scent of its owner's fingers, made a grand rush for supplies, thereby winning a victory.
Progress seems now to be the aim of the regiment and "Exelsior" the motto. Protof their record, the officers an (13)
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men of the regiment are leaving no means by which the char- acter and tone of the organization may be advanced. There is a unanimity of feeling among all, that the Fiftieth shall stand at the head in drill and discipline.
The ladies who have honored and enlivened the camp by their presence are returning home and their absence is missed in more ways than one. While with the regiment they were constant in their attendance upon the sick, and many a poor boy has felt the benefit of their presence and gentle ministrations.
Captain Haselwood also returns home, his company not having the number of men required for a Captain. June 19. To-day the 7th Illinois drew mules upon which it is to be mounted, by order of General Dodge. The purpose is to strengthen our scouting force and this noble organization will prove a valuable assistant in keeping our lines of communication as well as our front free from guerrilla raids and attack. But these marauding and irregular bands are active and unceasing in their predatory excursions.
In a skirmish on the 22nd. with a large force under Roddy, the 9th Illinois mounted infantry and the 11th Illinois cavalry lost forty men by capture, capturing, however, in re- turn, one Lieutenant Colonel and twenty-eight prisoners.
On the 23rd, citizens of Purdy and Bethel arrived in camp, having been driven away from their homes by guerrillas.
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