USA > Illinois > History of the Fiftieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the war for the union > Part 4
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That regiment had been for sometime engaged in guard- ing the Hannibal & St. Joe R. R .. at important points. As many of its members were from the same portion of Illinois as the Fiftieth. there was a natural affiliation between the two or- ganizations; the more strongly cemented in the after years of struggle, privation and danger.
At St. Joo the regiment was quartered in houses that had
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been vacated by rebels who, upon the approach of the Union troops, had fled to the south. In place of furniture, boxes were used for chairs, and bunks were built up in the rooms, and soon everything was in comfortable shape. Details were made for the bakeries and an abundance of soft bread supplied. It be- gan to be clear to us that a soldier must be versed in all things to a certain degree; that he must sew, cook, wash, keep house, and in the more direct military. line, become efficient, not only in drill and duties of a soldier, but as well an expert in the laying out and construction of fortifications. In this latter duty all the troops at St. Joe were for weeks engaged and strong works were raised on the heights above the city. The fact that the. city was threatened daily with attack, nerved the workers to renewed effort, so it was not long until defences. sufficient in strength to resist any probable assault, were com- pleted and occupied.
It was at this point that the regiment was furnished with transportation, in the shape of wagons and mules. Quarter- master Wm. Keal drew thirteen wagons, one for headquarters, one for hospital, one for his own department, and one for cach company. He also drew six mules for each wagon; seventy- eight in all. These mules were fiery and untamed, and had no knowledge of restraint from halter or bridle. They were loose in a corrall, and to get them out it was necessary that a large detail of men should be made, to assist the Quartermaster.
Well, it was a picnic certain and sure, and not unaccon- panied by danger, for as the mules were cornered their heels beat a lightning tattoo upon the earth and air and sky, but all the same they were roped, harnessed and hitched up, albeit the biting, bawling and kicking went on. And then with single line in hand, the driver mounted the near wheel mule and, locking the hind wheels of the wagon, which was filled with a load of shouting, roysterous boys. cracked his black-snake and let 'em go. Down the street they went, snorting, rearing. their heels fanning the air ; and so kept on and on until, after a few hours they came back into camp subdued, and ready for busi- ness. One of the teams followed the fortunes of the regiment.
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
from St. Joe to Washington, in 1865. It was handled and driven by Wm. McCormack, of company E, familiarly known Hi- "Blue Buck." Three span of beautiful sorrels, they were the pride of the brigade as well as of the regiment.
As the service lengthened out, the allowance of transpor- tation for each regiment was reduced from time to time, until bat one wagon and six mules was allowed to a regiment; but "Blue Buck's" sorrels remained, although many efforts were made to have them turned in for use at higher headquarters.
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While on the subject of mules, it may be interesting to insert a reply from Richard Deighton, company D, acting regi- mental blacksmith, in answer to a question as to what is the duty of a regimental farrier :
C. F. HUBERT, Fowler, Ill. :
DEAR SIR:
I will try and answer your kind letter; your "request" to give the "duty of a Farrier." The duties of a regimental farrier are many and perplexing in time of war.
In the first place he must be a "mechanic :" it requires -kill of a particular kind to shoe a mule, especially such as we received at St. Joseph, Mo., in 1861. Sixty head were run into a corrall and turned over to the Quartermaster. I don't think mit one of them had ever seen a rope until started to the shop to be shod.
Verbal order No. 1 from the Q. M. to farrier: "These tanles must be shod and branded U. S. before we can work them." .
He sends ten soldiers, not with guns, but with ropes 50 or Go fret long, pulling and tugging at an innocent mule, trying to at him to the shop, and 75 small boys in the rear. Then comes Q. M. Keal in the "wake" to see the fun ; he standing one block away calling out in a loud voice, saying. "please be as expedi- tous a's possible. Thus came all the mules and were shod.
Did the farrier do his duty? Ask him to-day and he will tell you that he feels the effects of "by-gone" days in his bones.
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Please ask Col. Hanna what he said to the mule he bran- ded near Mooresville, Ala.
The responsibility attached to the duty of a farrier is no small matter, taking everything in consideration, as I said be- fore, in war times.
First, he must see that all the horses and mules are pro- perly shod and fit for duty. Second, that all wagons and am- bulances are in good repair, the ones under his jurisdiction, and in fit condition for transportation. He should always accom- pany the teams when on a journey and attend to all breakage.
I have given it to you as I understand the U. S. Army Regulations.
Respectfully yours, RICHARD DEIGHTON.
On the 9th day of December the following orders were issued :
HEADQUARTERS COMMAND, ST. JOSEPH, Mo., Dec. 9th, 1861. 5
General Orders, { No. 21. Captain Gaines, 50th Illinois,
Captain Murphy, Mo. Cavalry:
You will proceed with all of Captain Murphy's company and a detachment of Major Joseph's, in the direction of Union Mills, returning within three days. Arrest all those against whom there is satisfactory proof of disloyalty, seize all arms found in possession of disloyal men, and make full reports of charges, witnesses and attending circumstances in the case of every one arrested. They will also return all property taken, of whatever description, to the Post Quarter- master with a full statement of the circumstances under which taken.
By order R. F. SMITH, Col. Com'd'g Post. At once preparations were begun and rapidly completed,
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
and the command of Capt. Gaines was on the march. The pur- poso of the expedition was to capture or break up a party of 40 men under Major Burnham, who were to meet at his house at day break of the 10th, and from thence join the rebel army. Marching all night the command, about 5 o'clock A. M., reached a large house and halted while a small detachment of the cav- alry rode up to it, whereupon two men ran out of the rear and took safety in the brush near by, two shots being fired after them. The firing alarmed the men, who were in wagons which had been seized along the way, and they quickly responded to `the order to fall in. The Captain of the cavalry detachment, a German rode up and down shouting "fall in coompany C., fall in my dutch coompany." Some of the wagons had stopped in mud holes and the men in their sudden fright jumped in up to their knees, causing one of them to shout out, "what next, Captain? those who have'nt fell in have jumped in."
At day break the command had reached within close proximity to the rebel rendezvous; the road here run south on the east side of Burnham's farm, then west about 80 rods to the house. The infantry deployed on the north side and in skir- mish line, well supported by a reserve, marched across a corn- field, the corn having been cut up and shocked. In the mean- time the cavalry dashed down the road. In a moment there was an alarm at the house and men could be seen running to the field, to the right of the infantry, and hiding in the corn shocks. While a number mounted horses and fled in the opposite direction. Swiftly advancing across the field the in- fantry captured Major Burnham and eleven of his men. A daughter of the Major, handsome, tall and strong, for a woman, met the force as it filed into the yard. She held in her hand a raw-hide riding-whip. Coolly surveying the soldiers as they crowded around her, she suddenly pounced upon John Mc- Glaughlin of company D., as inoffensive a man as could be found, and struck him a number of times with her whip; the men formed a circle and shouted, "give it to him, give it to him." John took the castigation as a joke even if it did hurt. When the irate female had expended her wrath she ran
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crying into the house. The return to camp was without inci- dent. The Captain made due report of the expedition, and matters resumed the even tenor of camp lite.
On the 16th of December the following orders were is- sued :
HEADQUARTERS 50th ILLINOIS REGIMENT, ST. JOSEPH, Mo., Dec. 16, 1861. Captains Hanna and MeGillicuddy:
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You will provide your companies with five (5) days rations and be ready to proceed to Savannah, ear- ly to-morruw morning, and when you are located, report to these headquarters. You will protect Union men in that vicin- ity, arrest all those against whom there is satisfactory proof of disloyalty; seize all arms found in the hands of disloyal men, and make full reports of charges, witnesses and attending cir- cumstances in the case of every one arrested. You will also re- turn all property of whatsoever description, that may be taken, to the Post Quartermaster with a full statement of the circum -- stances under which it was taken.
By order WM. SWARTHOUT, Lieut. Col. Com'd'g 50th Ill. Reg't.
Pursuant to these orders the two companies, under com- mand of Captain Hanna, marched to Savannah, arriving at which point he at once placed the town under martial law, for- bidding all persons to leave, and seizing all horses belonging to sympathizers with the rebellion, giving vouchers showing cause of seizure to'those claiming ownership. A report of his opera- tions was transmitted to and approved by his commanding of- ficer at St. Joe., who warned him to keep his men elose in hand. Mounting his men on the captured horses Capt. Hanna made a rapid reconnoisance of the surrounding country, and as a result the region thereabout was cleaned out of rebels, who, on the ap- proach of Capt. Hanna's command, lit out for further secessia. One prisoner was taken. At first he was thought to be a spy, but this proving to be an error he was mounted on a bareback mule and brought into camp, where, after the examination, he
...
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
was released on a parole in the usual form, with the addition that he solemnly swore, so help him God, that he would, unto the end of his life, not only take, but read, the New York Tri- bune.
Thus rolled away the closing days of 1861. While the health of the regiment was, as a rule, up to a high standard, vet a number were stricken down, and some had to be discharged and sent home. The sick left at Chillicothe, and who had be- come convalescent, reported for duty. The drilling, policing, guard and picket duties were constant and severe. The weather was both cold and stormy, and the men suffered greatly, espe- cially with rheumatism. Robert Colwell of company D. was carried to the hospital on a door, there being no stretchers. One of the sufferers, writing home about this time, said: "We are now learning something of what our predecessors had to undergo in establishing this government for us to defend. Our pickets are stationed, necessarily, in all kinds of weather. The weather is very cold, and the elements pitiless. Every fourth day the call for picket or patrol comes. Our patrol or police guard have charge of all public buildings and property, and squads are marching through the streets at all hours of the night, with orders to arrest all who are without passes. But no matter the privation or danger, we of the Fiftieth are in to stay."
The fortifications having been completed, were occupied by the 16th Illinois. The strictest of military law prevailed. All out after 10 o'clock at night without pass or countersign, were subject to arrest. All watchfulness incident to the occu- pation of an enemy's country, was exercised, and both drill and discipline went hand in hand for the perfection of the troops there stationed.
In obedience to orders, General Jeff. C. Davis arrived and quietly took command. The same night the theater was crowd- ed with soldiers when General Davis entered. One of the 16th Illinois perceiving him, called out "three cheers for Jeff. Davis." Instantly he was struck and knocked down by one of the Fifti- eth, but when explanations followed, the irate Fiftieth apolo- .
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gized, and the two became fast friends. The incident was the talk of the following day.
It possibly is, but then it may not be, fully known how the Fiftieth came to be called "The Blind Half Hundred."
Edwin M. Taylor of company B, a corporal in H, and two or three more were minus an eye, and there were sev- eral squint and cross-eyed comrades. All of these were as act- , ive and brave as any in the regiment. but the fact of so many being so affected, together with the other fact of the number of the regiment, gave it a title by which it will ever be known. "There was an additional reason, the 16th Illinois enlisted under the ten regiment call and had been mustered in the 24th of May, 1861. Naturally its members, officers and privates, assumi- ed the air of veterans, and many were the stories they told of "moving accidents by field and flood," which had characterized their months of service. They related with characteristic detail how they had made a pathway through Missouri, marked with blood, of chickens and hogs, and with conscious grace dubbed themselves the "bloody 16th." Co. E of the 16th and H of the Fiftieth were recruited from the same part of Illinois, and many of the men of the two organizations were intimate. In fact the two regiments excepting Co. I of the Fiftieth, had mem- bers from the same localities. Strango as it may appear, dis- sentions grew up out of this very fact of near relationship, and many fights were engaged in with about equal results. One night a corporal of Co. H of the Fiftieth, having charge of a patrol, arrested a party of belated 16ths and a row sprung up during which a brick was thrown, resulting in the injury of the eve of one of the Fiftieth, from this in addition to the facts above detailed, came the appellation of "The Blind Half Hundred."
One evening the camp of the Fiftieth was thrown into the most rapturous excitement, caused by the return of Capt. Win. M. Gooding of Co. C., and with him his bride, a most lovely and accomplished young woman. Her appearance in camp was like a benediction from home, and as she moved
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
about the camp the light of her countenance brought sunshine to the boys.
On the 18th a battallion of the Fiftieth was ordered to raport to General Prentis at Palmyra, and borne by the Han- nibal & St. Joe R. R., quickly reached the point of destination. The weather was intensely cold and every means and artifice was resorted to in order to make anything like comfort possible. Box cars are bad enough in summer, but in December, past description. Arrived at Palmyra, the battallion was quartered in a large brick warehouse on the left side of the street going down to the town from the depot. During the trip some stoves had been captured during the frequent stops made on the road. These became useful in quarters, holes for the pipes being punched through the walls, and all worked well when the wind favored.
On December 23d, the impending danger having passed, the battallion was ordered back to St. Joe. The stoves so oppor- tunely appropriated, were taken along and made use of to the great comfort of the command. The train encountered a terrible fall of snow, and was often blocked in the cuts, the men being compelled to assist in clearing the track; the result was intense suffering, many having their feet badly frosted and some frozen. But finally the home camp was reached and the joy felt can only be appreciated by those whose lives have been furnished with like experiences. On the 23d of December, John A. Cotle, company D, died; stricken by measles. His was the first death in the regiment, all the others having been in hospital, so this marks the first funeral in which the regiment took part. In a letter under date of the 25th, the ceremonies attending his burial are thus recounted :
"This soldier had been down with measles, grown better, then suffered a relapse from exposure, and on the 23d had fallen asleep. On the 24th we marched to his funeral. His company led the column, marching with arms reversed, the body imme- diately preceding it. At the grave the coffin was lowered, the Chaplain made a few remarks, then eight of his mess with load-
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ed muskets, discharged their pieces directly into his grave, then the benediction followed by a return to quarters."
Christmas came and was passed with all the jollity inci- dent to the time and consistant with military rules and regula- tions. The loved ones at home had not forgotten their beloved and day by day prior to the holy day, package after package had been received, not to be opened until Santa Claus had come and gone. It was a sore test to the appetite, especially when possessed by hungry men, to be compelled to wait until the morning light should usher in the glad day, but faithful to their trust the men did wait. And then such an opening, such a spread of good things, never before so gladdened the eye nor filled the heart with joy, and hungry stomachs with satisfac- tion. And there were lots of things beside eatables; socks, drawers, little nick nacs of every kind, formed and fashioned into being by loving fingers, for the dear boys who, through much suffering and danger, were standing a living wall between homes and peace, and war's wide desolation, a tower of strength for country and for flag. God bless the women of that day, their hearts were right, their loyalty without flaw, their purpose as strong and lasting as are the foundations of the Eternal Hills.
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CHAPTER V.
Camp Life at St. Joe .- The Bakery .- Thanks for Barrel of Molasses .- Capt. Hanna's Dinner to his Company .- Ordered to the South, via. Hannibal and Quincy. - The Halt at Quincy .-- Loyal Reception .- Off for Cairo .- Arrival There .-- Ordered to Smithland .-- Grand Movement to Fort Henry -- Its Investment and Capture .-- Scenes and Incidents.
T 7 THE early days in January, 1862, were passed in the usual routine of duty. Company and regimental drill were of regular performance, and guard and picket service were as regular as the rise and fall of tides. There were plenty of provisions but the hard-tack was none of the best, and to rem- edy this flour was issued. and George Lester of company C, was detailed as chief baker. In the performance of his duty he took possession of one of the largest bakeries in the city, and calling around him an efficient corps of assistants. he produced as if by magic, an abundant supply of good bread.
The Orderly Sergeant of each company acted as commis- sary of his command, receiving in bulk for the company, the provisions the requisition allowed. In turn he distributed to the company messes, each composed of from ten to fifteen. Each mess kit was made up of three camp kettles of different sizes, so they could be packed one in the other, three large mess pans, made out of sheet iron, tin plates, knives and forks, and spoons, large and small, a box was made for sugar with a sub- division for coffee, and a sack for beans was ready at hand, and tin cups always the friend of the soldier, were issued in suffi-
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cient number. The supply of cooking utensils was not of the best, but sufficient for present necessity and demand, and under the fast accumulating knowledge of camping and camp life, furnished all that was required for comfort and health. The pleasures as well as the privations of a soldier life were tasted if not well understood, and many a gallant fellow here learned the lesson which afterwards came with its reward. The citizens were not very loyal, but always respectful, and while their doors were closed and their windows darkened, yet they knew enough to treat with becoming respect, the men who poorly sheltered and largely deprived of many of the common necessaries of life were yet. in patriotism and refinement, eminently their supe- riors.
Occasionally the monotony of camp life would be dis- turbed, if not broken, by an expedition for forage or a rapid march after bush-whackers.
During these camping days the tedium and indeed the longing for home, was daily relieved by the letters from the loved ones at home. What member of the Fiftieth can ever forget the thrill of joy that permeated his very being at sight of a letter bearing his address, how quickly he had it in his pos- session, and with eagerness he opened and read its every line. Cheering words, loving words, from hearts sore pressed with anxiety, yet how bravely written, and with what loyalty to country, and flag. Not letters alone were received, but things substantial, as witness the following :
CARD OF THANKS IN THE QUINCY HERALD. i
ST. JOSEPH, Jan. 1st, 1862.
EDITOR OF THE HERALD :- Sir: The members of compa- ny B, Capt. Smith, of the Fiftieth Reg't Ills. Vol's, through your columns, return their sincere thanks to the citizens of Clayton and vicinity, for that barrel of molasses that was re- ceived at the St. Joe depot a few evenings since. May they live long and die happy, are the wishes of the members of Co. B.
On New Year's day Co. E was invited to partake of a sumptuous dinner at the Sanders House, provided by Captain
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Hanna and his Lieutenants. The thought of a spread. for the company was a happy one and was, of course, highly appreciated by the men.
When the holy Sabbath day came round permission to attend church was freely given to all who wished to attend in the city, and by many the privilege was availed of.
On Sunday the 12th of January, a number of officers of rank from the east were in camp in an official capacity, and the regiment was ordered out for inspection at half past eight, and vit was eleven o'clock before the parade was dismissed. The weather was very cold and many of the men were frost bitten. This experience was a rough one, but it gave a foretaste of what was in store in the future.
On the 13th, died, N. J. Culp of Liberty, Adams county, and a member of Co. D. The company passed resolutions of respect, and it was agreed that crepe, for seven days, should be worn on the left arm. The Quincy Whig and Republican of the 23d contained an account of his death together with resolutions from the New Liberty Lodge, I. O. G. T.
By letters as well as rumors, the regiment was kept daily in a state of agitation in expectation of more active work. The rebels had seized the Mississippi from Cairo down to the mouth and were heavily fortifying Columbus, Ky., twenty miles, and Island No. 10, fifty miles below Cairo. All this pointed to early and active work further south. On the 21st all doubt was settled, for the regiment was ordered to board the cars and that night arrived at Hannibal.
The next day the line of march was taken up for Quincy, twenty-two miles distant. The march was one of the bard- est ever made by the regiment. The roads were horrible for foot travel, for a fresh snow of about four inches had fallen and the weather suddenly turning warm, it began to melt early in the day, and by the middle of the afternoon marching was in slush and mud. All the little rivulets crossing the road, were filled to overflowing, and it was not until nine o'clock at night that the regiment, weary and hungry, arrived at Quiney and
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found quarters in the Court House and City Hall, the latter on corner of 6th and Main.
Many friends flocked to the City, to see their boys, and a number went home to spend the night, but the uncertainty as to destination which surrounded all movements held the regiment ready on the instant for marching orders.
As was expected the halt at Quincy was short. One day and two nights. Writing of these times and of the return to Quincy, a member of the regiment says: "The reader should recall the fact that at first we were to be known as the Adams county regiment. Then after mustering we were known as the Illinois 50th, and as such left Quincy, as already recorded. Af- ter taking the field in Missouri, in 1861, we assumed the proper name, viz: 50th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. We return to Quincy as soldiers having seen service, and with the name, "The Blind Half Hundred," bestowed upon us in deri- sion, it is true, forever come to stay, and always to be proud of."
The Quincy Herald of January 23d said :
"We herald this morning the return of the Fiftieth, or Adams county regiment.
Tuesday morning they received orders at St. Joe. and yesterday evening they reported here. We expect them to leave to-day. This is certainly fast work in this respect. at least we question much if the movement of troops during the war can find a better example of celerity of movement."
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