USA > Illinois > History of the Fiftieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the war for the union > Part 28
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3-13
FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
Jan. 12th. Pleasant. To-day Secretary of War, Edwin M. Sranton, is in the city. Guard mounting at division head- quarters. Kilpatrick's cavalry passed in review before the Sec- rotary of War.
Jan. 13th, Friday. Pleasant. Our camp inspection by Gen. Logan, of Monday, 9th, is heard from and it is pronounced to le in the best condition of any in the division. Another xcore to the credit of the Blind Half Hundred.
Jan. 14th, Saturday. Pleasant. Colonel Hanna assumes command and General Corse visits our camp. Battallion drill st I p. m., and also orders for the regiment to report to-morrow at 7 a. m., for fatigue duty. Two conscripts arrived to-day for uur regiment, direct from Nashville, the advance of our allot- mont that were unable to reach us before leaving Rome.
Jan. 15th, Sunday. Pleasant and cool. The order for this regiment for fatigue to-day, not being explicit, we fell in armed and equipped, at 6:30 a. m. and marched down to the Gulf R. R. depot, reporting for duty with the whole command. It was then learned that some one in making the detail had blun- dered and the wagons and ambulances were returned to camp; the men being relieved at noon, followed them.
Monday, 16th. Pleasant. No grand guard detailed to- day, but instead we have inspection in quarters, which takes place at 2 p. m., followed by dress parade at 4.
Jan. 17th passes as usual ; drilling and dress parade; de- Tails go for rice and on fatigue duty, and on the 18th about the -amo. Coming in off of drill an orderly rode up and delivered to the Colonel, marching orders, to be ready to move a't 8 a. m. to-morrow. With the order he delivered a veteran furlough for Sergeant Geo, R. Logan of company I, which should have been revived by him before we left Rome, he being one of the detail cont home on recruiting service in December, 1863, and entitled to it by reason of veteran re-enlistment. Looking up the Colo- tel saw George passing by and called out, "you long haired cuss of company I. come here. You can go home. The rest of these poor devils have got to pack up for a tramp." Without hesita- ting an instant the furlough was handed back with the remark,
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HISTORY OF THE
"Colonel, please keep that until we arrive at our destination." The Colonel was caught, expecting it to be received with joy. but was pleased at the prompt response, and remarked, "you are one h -- i of a fellow, but if I live you shall have it when we get through."
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The 19th was rainy and muddy. At 9 o'clock we started out from camp, the Fiftieth as rear guard to the brigade and division. As we leave the camp and our comfortable quarters. in the drizzling rain, some one of company H sets fire to his shelter, and soon the quarters of companies F, G and H are consumed. This matters but little to the departing soldiers. who watch it burn as they march away. Half way to the city we are halted, where we remain until 3 o'clock p. m., when or- ders are received for us to march back to camp. Wondering greatly at the cause of this sudden change in the programine. we return, hungry and wet. The sympathies of the fortunate ones was extended to companies F and G, but not expressed for company H, upon whom it was regarded as a huge joke; com- pany F taking out their satisfaction in tall cussing. Ed. Reily of company C, now headquarters orderly, taking sick, was sent to division hospital. We were wondering the cause of our return and learned that the Union causeway, which reaches from Savan- nah north across the rice fields had been repaired and cordu- royed (covered with logs and rails) by General Slocum, with the expectation of our division crossing to it on a pontoon that had been put down for that purpose, and rendezvousing at or near Robertville, in South Carolina, but the heavy rain had caused an unusually big freshet to come down the river, covering the causeway about four feet deep with water and breaking up the pontoons, drowning a part of the mules of the train of the 3rd division that were on the road at the time. This caused a change in the programme, and a crossing was sought further up at Sister's Ferry.
On the 20th, again rainy and cold, the 1st brigade moved out to repair the road, and we remained in camp.
On the 23rd it became clear and cold, with a heavy north west wind. We have battallion drill in the afternoon, and the
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
same on the 24th, when we receive marching orders for the 25th but do not move until the morning of the 26th, when at 9 o'clock we start. We reach the city and are again ordered back to camp, the roads not being in good condition.
On the 27th, with clear weather, we started at 7:30 a, m., marching eight and a half miles along the Augusta railroad, re- pairing the roads by corduroy, and going into camp at dark.
The 28th we moved at the same hour, and doing the same work, going into camp near Eden, having marched eight miles.
On the 29th we started at 8 a. m., the brigade second in the division. The roads are bad, and after making fourteen miles we went into camp near Springfield, Georgia.
Monday, 30th. We find the weather very cool. Start at 6 a. m., and at 8:30 halt in the village of Springfield. It has been destroyed by fire. At 11:30, the division having preceded we follow as rear guard, with company F as rear guard to the regiment, and go into camp two miles from Sister's Ferry, the crossing selected for the 20th and 15th corps. We received or- ders to clear un camp and expect to stay here a short time; the 16th and 78th Illinois, of the 14th A. C., are encamped about three miles away.
Tuesday, Jan. 31st. Warm and pleasant. Camp is put in good order and regular details ordered for guard and fatigue duty.
Feb. 1st, Wednesday, found us putting our camp in good order. The 20th A. C., on the opposite side of the river repair- ing the roads. Agunboat stationed in the river to assist or cover the crossing. The enemy have planted many torpedos along the road, making it exceedingly dangerous to move troops ; four burst to-day in taking them up, killing four men of the 20th A. C. Dress parade again at 4 p. m., this sort of business nettles the boys, who begin to think that the Fiftieth is imposed upon by so much parading, but the efficient way in which the regi- ment is moved somewhat compensates them for the extra labor.
Feb. 2nd. Clear and warm. Brigade review and drill at 10 o'clock by General Corse. Dress parade at 4 p. m., and then more rain.
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ـ ا ملكيته
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Feb. 3rd. Rain, rain, rain, more rain. A foraging party out, also a detail for fatigue across the river. Eight torpedos are taken up.
Saturday, Feb. 4th. Received orders to move at 10o'clock and at 1 o'clock we are ready. At 4 p. m. the 20th A. C. move out and we follow soon after, our brigade in rear of the divi- sion. We crossed the river on the pontoons after dark, and over about a mile and a half of very rough corduroy road, and bivouacked on a sand ridge one-half mile from the river. Such a night march as this will ever be remembered; stumbling along in the dense darkness, touching one another to keep our places in the road, through the timber, on a narrow causeway where. if one stepped off at the side he would sink to his waist in mud and water; but we got through at last and 9 o'clock found us in camp, having fairly started at last to invade South Carolina.
Feb. 5th, Sunday. Warm and pleasant. Lay in camp until 5 o'clock p. m., when we pulled out; the brigade in the center of the division. After dark we marched over a corduroy three miles long, going into camp at 9 o'clock p. m., in a field wholly destitute of rails and no wood to burn, and were glad to receive orders to move at 6 a. m. to-morrow.
Feb. 6th, Monday. Cloudy. Start at 6:30 a. m. Passed through Robertville, eight miles from the river. Every house in the village, excepting a church, has been destroyed by fire, by troops in advance. To-day we have built a bridge, a great deal of corduroy and removed many trees felled by the enemy across the road, to obstruct our progress. Camp at 5 p. m., having marched eight miles. Our division is moving by itself across the country to form a junction with the corps from Pocataligo.
Feb. 7th, Tuesday. Rain again. Starting at 9 a. m., we march slowly; wagons getting stuck in the mud crossing the swampy ground. This is the Black Water, about three miles wide. This swamp was crossed by an advance Union brigade a few days ago and the enemy driven out. We go into camp at Hickory Hill, a small elevation, the first rise of ground we have found since leaving the river, having marched ten miles.
Wednesday, Sth. We start this morning at 6:30, and
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
MAKING CORDUROY ROAD.
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proceed slowly, building a great deal of corduroy. At 4 p. m. we cross a large swamp called Whippie; huge cypress knees protrude from the dark, gloomy waters, and the place is sug- gestive of evil spirits. At 7 p. m. we are in camp two miles from the Little Salkahatchie swamp, and are ordered to be ready to move at 7 a. m. to-morrow; Capt. Burnham of compa- ny C, is detailed as aide de camp to General Corse, and Lieut. Starrett assumes command of the company.
Thursday, 9th. Companies F and G are detailed as train guards. Clear and cool. We start at, 7 a. m., 3rd brigade in advance, Fiftieth in rear of the brigade. March two miles to the Great Salkahatchie swamp, where we rested for the train to close up and prepare for the crossing. This was done by rais- ing the ammunition and other perishable articles in the wagons as high up as possible, and, with great difficulty, it passed through. The men, with their ammunition held above them, plunged into the cold water. Having crossed the swamp we march three miles and camp. Very cold and muddy.
Friday, 10th, was clear and cold. Started at 6 and with rapid marching made twenty-two miles, our brigade in the rear. Having gone into camp we were ordered to be ready to move at. 6:30 a. m. to-morrow. At the beginning of this campaign the foraging parties had become a fixed organization, and consisted of a detail of twenty men from each regiment in the brigade, under command of Captain Henry Ahern of the 7th Illinois, assisted by a Lieutenant of the 39th Iowa, and Sergeant Geo. R. Logan of company I, of the Fiftieth, in charge of regimental detail. This squad was mounted upon horses or mules picked up along the route, and were a brave band of boys, doing active duty as scouts, flankers, foragers and, in general, watching for the safety of the command as well as providing for the inner man. Their duties were arduous, but cheerfully performed. Early in the morning, before the command was in motion, these gallant fellows would be on the move. Striking out on the flanks, with ever watchful eyes and a general forward move- ment, they would descend suddenly upon some out-of-the-way place, and probably capture some skulking cavalryman er pick-
44.
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
"t, or perhaps find a well filled larder, which would at once be loaded into the owner's wagon, or taken on their animals, and conveyed to the roadside where the regiment to which it was assigned would find it with a guard as they came up. It was considered in these days, a great favor to be detailed as a for- ager.
February 11th, Saturday. Company F is detailed as brigade train guard. The acting sergeant major was allowed to go with the foragers. The 15th and 17th corps are moving on the same road. The 15th corps in advance, reaching the South Edisto river, find that the bridge has been destroyed ; a pontoon ix laid and the foraging party, having taken the advance, cross the river and load up with a good supply of bacon, hams, pota- toes, corn and fodder, which is taken to the roadside near the pontoon, to await the arrival of the brigade to which it belongs. Here they learn that the 4th division had turned to the right some miles back, and were crossing at Biniker's bridge, six miles below, with a part of the 17th corps, and that the command moving on this road all having crossed, the bridge was being taken up. At the request of the Cap- tain the few boards taken up were replaced and the foragers re- crossed with their forage, and set out to re-join their division, leaving, however, the acting sergeant major and five others, who had been delayed in obtaining a lot of hams, and did not arrive until the bridge was nearly up. So bidding adieu to the pon- toniers it was decided to go across the country and intercept the line of march below. Arranging themselves in military order, with one man in advance and one in the rear, they started, and about three miles out their advance was fired upon by a johnny who, with several others, ran into the swamp. The reserve hur- ried to the front and the squad passed safely without further trouble, and soon reached the road to the bridge along which we beheld the pontoon train moving. Upon inquiry we learned that the forage party had not crossed on their pontoon, and fears began to be expressed that they had been taken in by Wheeler's cavalry, who were following in our rear. It appeared later that in going down on the other side, they had to make.
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quite a detour, and when they arrived at the river they found our troops had crossed and the pontoon was gone; the river is deep and very swift, and difficult to cross on such animals as they had, especially the mules, so they secured some log troughs at a farm house near by, and in these conveyed their portable articles, tieing their animals together in bunches of five, with one fastened to a long rope, succeeded in swimming them across, one of the boys losing his outfit as the only mishap. The party came into camp after dark. The regiment with the division, followed the fortunes of the 17th corps, and having crossed the South Edisto, moved on rapidly towards Orange- burgh.
February 12th. Clear and cool. Started at 6 o'clock. the Fiftieth in advance of the brigade and division, Gen. Logan at our head. Moving rapidly twelve miles, we go into camp one and a half miles from the North Edisto river, near Popular Spring. In our front the enemy had posted himself with a battery, behind a rampart of cotton bales and earth, with the purpose, evidently, of disputing our right of way, but was driven off without much trouble. The 1st division advancing to the left engaged the enemy, and by 2 p. m., we had secured the crossing, where a pontoon was at once laid and the troops began to move out, going into camp five miles from Orange- burgh, having captured three rebels, who claimed to have been conscripted. While at this crossing Gen. John A. Logan was observed riding his black horse along the skirmish line select- ing a position in which to place the pontoon. We were afraid that a Minnie would catch him, but he escaped unhurt.
Monday, Feb. 13th. Pleasant. Received orders to get ready to move as soon as possible, and at 7 we started, as rear guard, our regiment was last over the bridge. Our way lay through a pine forest that was on fire, and the smoke was very dense. After marching sixteen miles we went into camp at 4 p. m., in battle order. Water is very scarce. Gen. Sherman is with our corps to-day, and as he passes the boys cheer him heartily.
Tuesday, 14th. Pleasant. Formed at 7:30 and marched
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
ning miles. The 1st and 2nd division met the enemy and drove them three miles, and into their works on the north side of Congaree creek, near Columbia. As they retired they partially destroyed the bridge over this creek. At 3 p. m. our corps had captured the works on the creek, and the bridge, which was at once repaired, and by 5 o'clock p. m. we were over and in camp inside the works, in a field covered with mud and ooze left from a recent freshet, and without wood to burn. 'Twas a dreary night passed in the mud, two miles from the city of Columbia. Off to the left was to be seen the stockade, wherein many a poor fellow had laid down his life for his country's flag. We have a cook at headquarters, a colored man, captured from his master yesterday, who has on his porson an old silver watch said to have been given him by some Yankees who had escaped from this stockade a few months before. He relates that he helped to pilot a great many from his house down the river to as great a distance as he could safely go, and get back before day without being discovered; one of these gave him this watch. His story strongly appears to be true. Off to the right was sven the city of Columbia with the rebel camp fires burning brightly; between us and them runs the Congaree river, the city being on the north bank. Crossing the river is a bridge pro- tected by a strong and well constructed fort. So difficult was it to move troops in this locality that it was not until the morning of the 15th that we were enabled to appear in force in front of the city, and by this time the fine bridge was burned,
On the 16th, clear and pleasant. Company F is detailed as guard to the brigade train. We receive orders to move for- ward at S o'clock. It was a grand awe inspiring sight to see our troops moving in lines of battle, and large bodies in close column moving in supporting distance across the plain. Citizens were seen moving hurriedly about the streets of the city, and bodies of rebel cavalry was transferred rapidly from place to place. Wo found the enemy had retreated across the river during the night, and our line of battle moved on, bearing off to the left, up the valley. An effort was made to place a pontoon in position on
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the river, to cross into the city, and as the train passed down our front a well directed fire from the enemy's batteries caused them to swerve and hurry out of range, not, however, until one shell exproded, killing four mules attached to one of the pontoon wagons. During this feint on the front of Columbia the troops on the left had been busy, and a pontoon had been placed over the Saluda three miles above the city, over which we crossed at dark and went into camp one mile out. We were now between two rivers, and skirmish firing was continuous, with frequent forward movement of the command.
February 17th. Clear again. The firing was brisk both in front and rear; in front by the defenders of the city, and in our rear by the rebel cavalry, who were trying to divert our attention. We lay in camp until noon, ready for busi- ness. The enemy had estab- lished a hospital here, and many of their dead were left unburied. We drew here from the division train, two days rations, with instructions to make it last four days. Dur- ing this time our pontoons were Jaid over Broad river ; it and the Saluda forming the Congaree, just above the city. LAYING PONTOONS. The pontoons are laid under fire of rebel sharp shooters, and very soon the command was in motion. Having crossed the bridge, the enemy fell back rapidly, and moving on, our advance. under Colonel Stone 25th Iowa, commanding Brd brigade, 1st division, 15th A. C., met the Mayor and city officials, who had come out for the pur- pose of surrendering the city. The troops marched on into the city, our brigade in advance, and passing along the main streets found that an immense quantity of cotton, which had been piled along the streets, had been fired and the citizens were en-
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
deavoring to extinguish the flames with the hose attached to their fire engines, but the troops moving on rendered this a fruitless task, and the high wind wafted the flakes of burning cotton to the buildings, which soon became a mass of flames. We were marched through the city, out upon the Camden road two and a half miles, where we camped. As the advance enter- rd and marched through the city, a stray shot would be fired at them by some of the rebel cavalry, who would then dash away. . The conflagration at night was a magnificent sight. Be- fore leaving the city many of the rebel cavalry began to plun- der the people. . Drunken soldiers also became unmanageable, and, despite the efforts of Gen. Wood's division, the greater part of the city was destroyed. Upon entering the city, Gen. Sherman gave orders to spare all dwellings, colleges, asylums and private property, while the arsenal, railroad depot, machine shops and other property that could be made use of by the enemy were to be destroyed. These instructions were obeyed on the 18th and 19th; the destruction of the private property being caused by the fires started by the retreating enemy on the 17th.
SHARPAHOGYNG
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CHAPTER XX.
"What's Massa Sherman?"-Guying the Sergeant Major-Burning Turpentine Still-Lynch 'Creek-"Death to all Foragers!"-Successful Foraging -- .Cheraw-The Great Explosion-Arrival at Fayetteville, N. C -- Off for Goldsborough -- Wading the River --- Preparing for Battle-Bentonville -- Goldsborough-"Richmond has Fallen"-The Recruit's Experience.
EBRUARY 18th is a beautiful day. We started at 5:30 a. m., down the railroad toward Branchville, tearing up and burning the railroad ties aswe went, for eleven miles, then retraced our steps four miles to Robertson's station, where we went into camp ready for the move to-morrow, having marched fifteen miles. The troops are in fine spirits, all realizing that the head of secessia is crushed, and that we are on our home- ward march. Many amusing incidents may be related by the boys that happened at this time, and the following will show how the fame of "Uncle Billy" Sherman had preceeded him :
Henry Cooper of company C, was at this time in charge of his company's affairs as company clerk. He was a tony sort of a fellow and delighted in fine clothes, and a tidy appearance. Having secured a nicely ironed white shirt with a stand up collar, in some way to us unknown, he marched bravely on at the side of his company, greatly to the amusement of the boys toiling along in the ranks. The negroes, as we marched by the many fine plantations, would gather in crowds, by the roadside to see the "Lineum sodgers" go by, and all anxious to see "Massa Sherman." "Whar's Massa Sherman?" was ask-
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
ed by several. Francis N. Gabriel of company C, or Nute, as he was called, at once said, "there he is;" pointing towards Cooper, who was marching by himself in all pomp and splen- dor, along the roadside, "There is General Sherman; he has just had his horse shot from under him." The negroes im- mediately crowded around Cooper, shouting, yelling, "God bress Massa Sherman." "may the Lawd bress Massa Sherman." At first Cooper seemed to enjoy it, but as the crowd increased it was too much honor for him, he couldn't stand it. "Get away from here-I'm not Sherman!" he yelled, but the crowd continued to increase, of all ages, sex and sizes, exclaiming, "May the Lawd bress the norf," "bress the Lincum sodgers," "bress everybody," (always excepting Jeff. Davis and the con- federacy.) Cooper, in despair, looked towards the company, who were roaring with laughter, declared, "Boys, that joke is too thin." "Git out of here you black devils," he shouted, and by using his fists and feet, managed to clear a passage for him- self, but for the rest of the day he wore a far away look.
Sunday, Feb. 19th. Clear. We start down the railroad at 7 o'clock a. m., destroying it as we go. The citizens along our route have nearly all disappeared, leaving their property in charge of their trusted slaves, and at the mercy of the invaders. The army. like an overwhelming flood, is sweeping over the country ; all roads leading toward Richmond seem to teem with soldiers, passing rapidly north. The foragers are becoming ex- pert in locating hidden property. To-day some of the 39th lowa, at Hopkins' plantation, discovered a large amount of fine -Hverware buried in a garden, estimated to be worth at least $1.000. Often the troops will come to a field or patch of ground recently plowed, deploying as skirmishers, on their own account, they move forward prodding the ground with their ramrods and possibly unearth a box in which may be found a lot of nice bacon or hams, or some valuable property. The safest place these people could have found for their property was in their houses, which were rarely disturbed. Near here H. C. Nichols of com- pany E. and our sergeant major found hidden in the brush, sem tine large mules, which were brought in and turned over
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to Uncle Sam's Q. M. We are well supplied with sweet potatoes and camp to-night two miles from Hopkins' Turn Out, having marched eight miles.
Monday, Feb. 20th. We start at 7 a. m., passing through a barren country or wilderness. Water is very scarce for men and teams. The men suffer much. The day is warm and the roads dusty from much travel ; many of the boys are burdened with articles of plunder found, principally on abandoned plan- tations, or that had been left by others who had carried it un- til tired and cast it away. Articles of silverware, that have been carried along, are thrown into the road, where the heavy wagons crush out all semblance of anything useful, and the tired and thirsty soldier, relieved of his burden, passes on. In the afternoon we came to a large pond of water in a field. It was covered with a green seum, and the ground around its edge was a deep, black oozy mud. Through it into the pond go men and horses indiscriminately, for the welcome water to quench their burning thirst. Here we camp, and in a few moments may be seen some of the men digging holes in the ground near the edge of the pond, while a soldier with musket in hand, sets by to guard it. Thus is constructed wells, four, five, or even six feet deep, with steps to reach the bottom, of which a number are dug. Into the sides of these wells straws or sticks are stuck, and at the bottom is placed a camp kettle into which the filtered water drips, and thus we get our water for breakfast, and the next days use. It takes many such wells to provide sufficient water. Hidden in an out-house on the abandoned plantation, Geo. W. Robb of company D, found an escaped prisoner belonging to the 69th New York, who said he was captured at Fredericksburg, Va., in August, 1864. Having marched twenty-two miles we go into camp near department headquarters.
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