USA > Illinois > History of the Fiftieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the war for the union > Part 23
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21st. Quite an excitement was raised to-day about two o'clock p. m. About noon two rebs came to a Mr. Straup's, three miles out on the Summerville road, called the old gentle- man, 60 years of age, to the gate, saying they were sent to shoot him because some Union officers had stopped there one night, telling him to kneel and say his prayers. They made him obey with their guns pointed at his head. His daughter, twelve years old, and grandson, four years old, ran out screaming and
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clinging about his neck, begged them not to kill their father, at , this time the old lady, 50 years of age, fainted; when she revi- ved they were gone. She and the daughter immediately came into Rome, having to wade the creek four times on the way. The old man and little boy took to the woods. Later in the day three more rebs rode up to Mrs. White's, a quarter of a mile from Mr. Straup's and near our picket line; cocking their guns they demanded from Mrs. White and her two daughters, as to where our picket lines were located, and how far in they were withdrawn at night, and it being told them they left. The women were very much frightened and came into town and re- ported at post headquarters. A detail from the Fiftieth being called for, companies C, E and I were ordered out at dark ; company E was posted at the pontcon over the Etowah, and companies C and H, under direction of Major Hanna, going to the front, were posted as a reserve for the pickets. Part of the 9th Illinois mounted infantry went out also, but discovered nothing.
22nd. This morning the Major rode out to the line of companies C and H. Nothing had been discovered, and the details were ordered to camp. Lieut. Blystone of F, and six men, being detailed to bring in Mr. Straups and his household goods. While the Lieut. and his detail were at the house, firing was heard on the picket line near Mrs. White's house. Ten men dashed up, discharged their pieces at the pickets and fled. As soon as possible companies A, D and G of the Fiftieth, and one company of the 9th Ilinois mounted infantry were sent out and took their positions in the brush along the road. It was ovi- dent that the rebs were posted as to our presence. The family of Whites having moved to Rome, leaving their house vacant, the Major sent three companies of his command to occupy it, and ordered that when everything was quiet after dark, compa- nies A and G should withdraw leaving company D concealed in and around the house, with instructions to lie still and when the rebs came up to fire at sight. About eight o'clock they be- gan to appear, but some distance away. first two and three to- gether, then eight or ton, quietly moving forward they halted
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200 yards away, behind a house, and dismounting, advanced on foot to a vacant house on the opposite side of the road from where company D lay, Their dogs discovering the Yankee foe gave the alarm, whereupon Bill Northup stepped through a hole in the fence and the rebels let fly at him with their shot- guns. Corporal Isaac J. Ogle, in command of a squad, called for volunteers to rout the enemy and did so, or, as he expressed it, "we routed them, we scouted them and never lost a man." Driven from the house, the enemy fell back and a scattering fire between company D and the johnnies was kept up all night resulting in the killing of one reb. and wounding two others, one of whom was a citizen who lived near by.
On the morning of the 23rd, the purpose for which the detachment had been ordered, having been accomplished, it re- turned to camp closely followed by a squad of rebels, who dash- ed upon company B's picket line and captured Corporal James L. Robbins, Privates James A. Scoggins, A. B. Noake and Ed- ward Sweed, getting away without a shot being fired. It was reported that the rebel squad was supported by a force num- bering 1000. The Major with companies C, E and I, followed out at once, finding no enemy they went on the Cave Spring road four miles and returned without adventure. News is re- ceived that 1000 wounded are expected from the front and Rome is to be made a post hospital. "Tis a disagreeable duty but must be attended to.
24th. Company H was sent out to picket the Summerville road, after the foraging party then out returned, as the johnnies usually follow them in, and returned on the 25th, reporting all quiet at the front. Companies A and G were then sent out on the Calhoun and Kingston river road as picket out-post, and re- ported that a squall of the enemy had crossed yesterday. The wounded are arriving in very bad condition. Many of them will rest here forever.
26th. The Major and others seem to be considerably an- noyed at the many failures to prevent the forays of the johnnies on our lines, and with fifty men of the "Blind Half" and seven- ty of the 39th lowa, go out at midnight and take a position on
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the Cave Spring road so as to be on hand in the morning. Re- turned at daybreak on the 27th, having seen no enemy. 'Tis certain now that some one inside the garrison has a way of giv- ing information to their friends outside.
27th. Our vidette pickets, the 1st Alabama, across the Ostanaula, were fired upon to-day. More sick arriving from the front. We received orders to move our camp outside of town. and on the 28th packed up and moved to the pine thicket east of town on the banks of the Ostanaula. Large numbers of sick arrived and every house in the city that could be used had been seized for hospital purposes. Major Hanna was ordered on a foraging and reconnoitering expedition, to start at five o'clock a. m. on the 3rd, with sixteen wagons, 100 of the the 1st Ala- bama cavalry and details from the 39th Iowa, the Fiftieth and 57th Illinois, in the direction of Cedartown, distant twenty miles.
As related by one of the participants: The expedition started on Sunday, July Brd, with 150 infantry, 150 cavalry and 16 wagons. Having proceeded twelve miles we came upon a party of rebels belonging to the Sth Texas rangers, dismounted, their horses tied to the trees in the woods by the roadside; dashing down upon them, the advance captured eight of their horses and one man. While a mounted party of the Fiftieth moving on the left as tankers, had captured three mules at a house near by. Three miles further on the command was divi- ded, the cavalry going to Cedartown, about five miles to the left, while the quartermaster with the train and infantry was directed to the plantation of Mr. Burns, situated on the road running from Cedartown to Cave Springs, a village a few miles to our right. The distance to Mr. B.'s was one mile to the right. Proceeding, the wagonmaster with the train, by some misunder- standing, neglected to take the proper road that Q. M. Harbison with his escort of Q. M. Sergeant Albert Jordan, Privates W. S. Woods, of G ; F. C. Ward, of C, and "Our Charley," the orderly, all mounted, had taken.
This party, proceeding, soon came to and crossed the Cave Springs road, that, at this place, ran in a northwesterly (18)
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direction, and a short distance off from the road came to a house. On the porch stood two beautiful young ladies. These at once attracted Wood's attention, and he at once entered into conversation. While the Q. M. and Jordan proceeded to the barns to look for stock and forage, Ward went at once to inspect the smoke house at the rear, while Charlie enquired of the la- dies if there was any confederate soldiers near, and receiving a somewhat evasive but negative reply, opened the carriage gate and rode into the yard to reconnoiter. A negro woman, speed- ing across the yard, was hailed and asked "If there was any confederate soldiers near," halting she replied in a loud voice, "Lor' no, massa, dey's all done gone" -- and drawing near the mule upon which was the orderly, again exclaimed "dey's all done gone, massa, when dey see you all's comining." Then in a low voice she said "look out dar, massa, dey's up stairs, dey's up stairs"-and fled. Turning quickly he caught a glimpse of one preparing to fire, and instantly had him covered. Then calling to Woods, directed him to tell the young ladies to inform their guests that if they did not surrender in two minutes we would burn the house. Ward was directed to place his men behind the fence, while Harbison and Jordan, who had discovered the horses in the barn, were hurrying to place us on our guard, catching the idea from Ward, began to give orders as if placing men in position on the opposite side of the house. The orderly then hastened to the support of Woods, arriving just as two rebels dashed out of the front door, with revolvers in their hands, who at once surrendered, and then asked where our men were, were much chagrined when told, "here we are."
They proved to be part of the same squad that had cap- tured the company B men on the 23rd of June, one having on a hat and one a shirt belonging to Scroggins and Robbins. About this time the boys with the wagons had reached the road a mile to the east, where they found a force of rebels feeding their horses. Exchanging a few shots, the boys fell back with their wagons, to where the cavalry had left them, and halted. By this time the three rebels had been secured the Q. M. had discovered their horses in the barn, also quite a deposit of wheat,
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and dispatched the orderly for the wagons to come up, suppos- ing them to be about a mile away. He had not gone fifty steps before he was fired upon by a rebel who was some distance in advance of the rebel squad that had been stirred up by the in- fantry with the wagons, a few moments before, which evident- ly believing that the attacking party was a part of a general advance, were retreating on Cave Springs. As soon as the man had fired he dashed back to the squad, a short distance in the rear, which delivering a scattering fire in the direction of the orderly, fell back in considerable confusion, and turning to their left, crossed over a field. The lone orderly was in a perilous position and not knowing what to do, whether to advance or retreat, he fired after the fleeing rebels. Suddenly and right near where he had halted, a man, mounted on a horse and lead- ing a pack-mule, broke out of the brush into the road. In the confusion he had ridden the wrong way. In a moment he was halted and, having surrendered, to the orderly, said there were about twenty-five in the squad. Returning to the house with his prisoner, our party hurried to the train with four prisoners, five horses and the best pack-saddle in the corps. As soon as possible the quartermaster moved his train to the house and loaded up the wheat, and awaited the return of the cavalry un- der Major Hanna, who, coming back over the road upon which he had advanced, was astonished and alarmed to note by the wagon tracks that the train had been out to the front, and, evi- dently, had turned back, and parted, then turned back again to the front. Fearful that his boys had been captured, he dashed after them, expecting every moment to strike the enemy, when suddenly he found the quartermaster and his command all safe, loading wheat and forage.
At Cedartown the cavalry, under Hanna, surprised, and upon his refusal to halt, killed an agent of the rebel govern- ment, who was employed to collect supplies, captured one man, a large mail, several horses, fifty pounds of . English gunpowder and 3600 caps. Marching towards Rome seven miles the whole command camped for the night.
At seven a. m. on the 4th, started for Rome, reaching
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1
camp at nine a. m., with over forty-seven head of stock and six johnnies.
Resuming the routine of events we record :
At ten o'clock the brigade, with all other troops in camp, were ordered out and passed General Vandever in review. After review was over word came into camp that the foraging party had been followed by the rebels close to the picket line, and a force of cavalry was at once sent out in pursuit, but failed to overtake the enemy.
July 5th. Major Hanna having made a report of his ex- pedition, General Vandever ordered him out on a like expedi- tion, with 300 men, to march the next day, an account of which is as follows :
6th. Starting at 5 a. m. with 150 1st Alabama cavalry, 140 of the 3rd brigade, including companies F and I of the Fif- tieth, and ten wagons, all bound for Cave Springs. Five miles out the advance ran into a squad of rebs, capturing one horse and man, who told us he knew we were coming, but would not say how large a force was in front of us. Reached Cave Springs about noon and sent out pickets. Holding the infantry at Cave Springs the cavalry, with two wagons, under Major Hanna, pro- ceeded to Cedartown, ten miles distant. The cavalry, proceed- ing half a mile out, met an old citizen who lived near, who said there were no rebs in the neighborhood, and that he lived in town ; he was riding a horse from which the cavalry made him dismount, and, allowing him his saddle, took the horse, he going over the hill to the left.
Two miles further on, as the road made a circle to the left, it brought us to within three-quarters of a mile of where the old man dismounted, on the opposite side of the ridge. Two of our advance, belonging to the 1st Alabama cav., seeing some horses near a house about three hundred yards to the left, went down to it, found a reb,, who surrendered, and leaving him with a soldier the sergeant went around the house for another one that he saw; when he passed the corner he was seized by three men, who shooting at him, shot his horse through the nose and him in the leg. Then two of them ran around the house and
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the one who had surrendered caught his guard's gun, another wrested his revolver from him and shot him twice. It was done in a moment of time.
As the men came up they found the old citizen who claim- ed to live at Cave Springs, sitting on the fence, a prisoner. Tak- ing a lot of meats, horses and mules from here, and firing the building as it appeared to be a rendezvous as well as a place for storing provisions, we went on to Cedartown. We passed Mr. Burns's, and at the place where the boys with the train had stirred them up on Sunday, the advance was again fired upon by three rebs. Dashing ahead one of them and two horses of the 11th Texas rangers were captured. On to Cedartown was the word, and we went in with a dash. As we went in four rebels dashed out. We secured quite a number of horses and mules, and returned to Cave Springs about ninep. m. During our absence the Fiftieth, while on picket, were fired on by a squad of about twenty-five. The body of the Alabamian had been brought into camp and buried by the road-side, under a large tree, with his name and regiment marked on a board placed at the head of his grave.
At eighta. m., on the 7th we started for home, taking the lower, or Coosa road. Six miles on our way we beheld a small force approaching, waving a white flag. Placing the wagons in position for de- UNION REFUGEES. defence, with the infantry du- ly stationed behind them, the supposed enemy was allowed to send forward two of their number who made known that the squad, numbering twenty-five, were loyal refugees escaping from
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rebel conscription. They reported many Union people in the centre of Georgia, and that General Pillow has caused over 150 Union men to be killed because refusing to go into the rebel army. We reached Rome at eight p. m., turned over eighty-seven horses and mules, and eighty-five contrabands, or niggers as they are called now, some nearly white.
We will now return to the course of daily events to show that the recruits were not to be deprived of the lots of fun prom- ised them when enlisting :
July 8th. Lieut. Col. Gaines tendered his resignation. His health had become so broken that when we left Athens he was detailed as provost marshal at Pulaski. He had been with us here but a short time. The 7th Illinois having rejoined the brigade dismounted, the word was soon spread in camp that the crampers were here.
On the 9th some of the 7th Illinois crampers had com- pany D's bread, smoking hot from the oven. The conclusion was that the vandal act must have been done by some of their recruits as the old vets knew better.
10th. Company B was relieved from out-post duty across the Etowah by the 7th Illinois and returned to the regiment. Dress parade.
11th. A detail was sent out to stack wheat. 'Tis a change from the regular duty.
12th. The sick were improving in the hospital. Deaths . numbered about five per day. Orders were issued directing the arrest of all enlisted men found in the city without a pass.
21st. A returned foraging party, out for corn, reported 600 rebels on the Summerville road. The wires were cut be- tween Rome and Kingston, and a train derailed and captured.
22nd. It was reported that Atlanta had fallen at four o'clock this morning, and in honor of the glorious event our garrison flag was set flying on Court House Hill.
23rd. Instead of Atlanta being captured we learned that a terrible battle was fought, Hood having attacked our left ; that General MePherson was killed and our division ( the 2nd. 16th A. C.) was cut all to pieces and captured. The full ex-
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tent of the disaster was unknown, and our garrison flag floated at half mast.
24th. An orderly of the 1st Alabama was killed while outside the pickets. Notice of the resignations of Lieut. Col. Gaines and Lieut. Cornelius Kitchen of company I, being accep- ted on account of ill health, was received and on the 25th Col. Gaines bade farewell to the regiment. His departure was a matter of sincere regret. A brave and loyal man had been lost to the service. In camp, upon the march and in battle, he was always to be found where duty called. As he returned to his home in broken health, the good wishes of the regiment follow- ed him. In like manner the regiment lost a fine officer in the departure of Lieut. Kitchen, compelled by ill health to leave service. Five fine dwellings were burned along the road where the 1st Alabama soldier was shot yesterday.
Aug. 4th. Major Hanna had fallen seriously ill, a mat- ter of great concern to the regiment
7th. Having been paid off the reign of chuck luck began, and before "lights out" sounded many of the boys were lighter in pocket than they were just after their interview with the paymaster.
18th. The variable weather during the past three weeks still continued. The day was pleasant, and a certain exhilera- tion was felt when the rumor reached camp that a body of 5000 rebels were advancing to an attack upon Rome.
15th. Colonel Rowett, 7th Illinois relieved Colonel Cum- mings and assumed command of the brigade.
19th. A foraging party of the 7th Illinois was attacked, and after a sharp skirmish were driven back, losing Lieutenant Billington of company C, killed, and two privates of company D, wounded, with Dr. Felty and train captured.
20th. Major Hanna returned from Kingston bringing. with him a fine bass drum.
21st. Six companies of the Fiftieth, under Major Hanna and six companies of the 7th Illinois, all under command of Colonel Rowett, started at 2 p. m., on a scout towards Kings- ton. Nine miles out went into camp in rain and mud. Had
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1 corn, apples, peaches and beef in plenty. Guerrillas still hoy- ered about and great watchfulness was required, in spite of which a soldier was shot while on picket.
22nd. Returned on Van Wert road.
23rd. Major with two wagons and seventy-five men r --- turned to camp loaded with vegetables and fruit.
27th. Taking a detail, the Major went out and brought in 100 bushels of peaches. During the day saw two negroe -. one dead, who had been shot by the rebels.
28th. Some of the sick boys from the hospital dined at headquarters, and the general health of the regiment was good.
31st. A foraging party went out. Dr. Stephens, of Camp Point, Illinois, was a visitor to company E.
Sept, 1st. The foraging party returned well loaded. A sad accident occurred. John Bray of company G, was shot by a drunken soldier of the 7th Illinois.
During the summer and fall in our many raids after for- age, a careful note was taken of the peach orchards, of which there were many. It was particularly noticed that the trees were heavily loaded with their luscious store. By the middle of August the fruit was beginning to ripen ready for use. On many a drive after the cowardly bush-whackers, an orchard would be reached, and then sacks, small and large, and pockets were filled. Peach details were daily made, the camp being thus supplied with green corn and ripe peaches. Then came pumpkin time, when. after a hard rain, the river would be filled with yellow floaters. the boys sitting along the banks watching. would plunge in and snake them out. At this time it was found convenient for the boys of the different messes to have their purveyors. Among them was Horatio Hughes, of company C. William Colwell, of company D, and as an illustration of some of the duties they performed, the experience of John H, Childs. a recruit of company E, now of Wells, Ottawa Co., Kansas, as re- lated by him. will be sufficient : "The want of something more than hard-tack, sow-belly and beans, would prompt us to do many things that in later years would be considered as rather rash. There was a fine field of cara across the Etowah. that we
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COL. WILLIAM HANNA.
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visited, with a number of other boys, after night. for, as you know, orders were very strict against going outside the lines -- but roasting ears were very tempting, and many a night we would go down to the river, strip. and, with a sack in our teeth, swim across, lay on the bank a few moments to reconnoiter and barn if the coast was clear; if all was quiet, would fill our sacks, throw them into the water, take hold of them with our teeth-or two of us, with it fastened to a rail-and tow it across, dress ourselves and, with the assistance of our comrades, carry it to camp and live fine. But the Major never knew of it. He didn't know as much, in that respect, as some other officers did. but we never thought the less of him for that." The corn, fruit and vegetables thus procured and lavishly used, brought the flush of health to many a worn and wasted check, and bet- ter than medicine from surgeon, set anew the rich, hot blood of health flowing through the veins.
Major Hanna is now no more. Lieutenant Colonel is now his rank. Commission received and he celebrated his good fortune by having a battallion drill at three p. m.
2nd. The camp of company B, across the Etowah, was located on a part of the city cemetery. Early in the campaign Gen. Sherman established a general hospital here. Sergt. E. O. Yeldell of company B. was detailed by Major Hanna, to super- perintend the burial of the dead, with a proper detail at his command. He was prompt and careful, and as the list of sick and wounded from the front increased, he was supplied with a further detail of six colored soldiers from the 44th C. S. C. T. Under the direction of our good Chaplain Bigger, whose kind heart made the duty one of love, the dead were properly prepared for and given a christian burial. It was no unusual sight to see the hospital ambulance, bearing five coffins, wending its way to the cemetery, and especially was this so for days after a battle at the front. The dead were buried in tiers and the name of each soldier was carefully recorded, with his company and reg- iment. Among them rests some of the Fiftieth, and in the third tier, William Bray. company G, who was buried to-day. The "Unknown" are buried in the eighth row or tier. Boards,
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painted white, with the name, company and regiment in black , letters, were placed at the head of each grave.
Lieut. Strode of G, resigned and went home. News of Atlanta being taken, with 13,000 prisoners, and Mobile with 10,000, was received with great rejoicing.
6th. A detachment of the garrison, out foraging, was fired upon, losing one killed and six wounded. The boys were interested in securing good weapons and ordered 360 Henry rifles, 16 shooters, at $48.00 each.
Sth. Lieut. Converse was relieved from duty as Acting Adjutant, and Lieut. Blystone of F, detailed.
11th. Adjutant Letton resigned, and thus were changes made.
12th. The -11th U. S. C. T. left for Dalton. Colonel re- ceived orders to move into their camp, which the boys did not like.
13th. The order to change camp was countermanded as the colored troops were ordered back.
14th. The following circular was issued :
HEADQUARTERS 50TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY, / ROME, GA., Sept. 14, 1864.
Circular.
All non-veterans of the Fiftieth regiment Illinois infan- try volunteers, whose time of service has expired, are hereby ro- lieved from all duty until further orders.
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