USA > Illinois > History of the Fiftieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the war for the union > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
As this history proceeds it will be shown that the regi- ment made a number of rapid movements, notably from Smith- land to Ft. Henry and Donelson, Clarksville, Town Creek, Ala- toona and in the Carolinas.
As will be noted frequently hereafter, while the men were in the field fighting. the women of the north were not idle, but with willing hands labored unremittingly to assuage, as far as possible, the privations and horrors of war. The Fiftieth was not forgotten, as will be seen by the following letter from its gallant Colonel :
/
57
FIFTIETH ÍLLÍNOÍS INFANTRY.
A CARD OF THANKS. QUINCY HOUSE, Jan. 23, 1862. Tu the "Sisters of the Good Samaritan:"
Your kind note, with the package of mittens for the troops, was received to-day. I take this, my only spare mo- mont of time, to tender you the thanks of the entire command for this, one of the most useful presents the soldiers could have received.
The many evidences of regard and sympathy which the Fiftieth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers has received at the hands of the ladies of this city, and the surrounding country, cannot fail to inspire us with a deep and patriotic love of home and the dear ones we leave behind. These substantial tokens of kindness on the part of friends at home will be truly encour- aging to the soldiers in the darkest hours of duty,-and trial.
How happy the thought, could we feel that all among us were as anxious for the welfare and success of the Union Army, and as loyal and patriotic in their feelings, as the ladies of the "Good Samaritans."
In the name of the Regiment I bid vou a kind and affec- tionate farewell, hoping that all the firesides made vacant by our departure, may finally be gladdened by our safe return to home and friends.
- M. M. BANE, Col. 50th Reg't Ill. Vols.
After a stop of one day and two nights at Quincy, the regiment again bade farewell to home and friends and took the Quincy and Toledo train for Cairo, Illinois, via. Decatur, then the rendezvous for troops from the west. As the cattle cars were provided with boards for seats the trip was very comfort- able.
A member of the regiment thus writes: "We passed on through the villages of Fowler, Paloma, Camp Point and Clayton in Adams county, and at all these stations were greeted with cheers and waving of hats. The boys of company B learn- en that orders had been issued that the train should not be (4)
-
58
HISTORY OF THE .
stopped at Clayton, their old home. As the train neared the station it was discovered that company B boys were at the breaks and proceeded to set them and stopped the train, but not until the station had been passed, but the order was given and the train backed up. The spirit of loyalty ran high although all hearts were heavy with sorrow at the dire necessity of parting. In Brown county the news of our coming had not preceded us, and we did not receive the salutations as through Adams county, but all along the route we were wel- comed and bidden God Speed.
"At Decatur the train was switched on to the Illinois Central, and now we were off for the south. It was strange to us boys, to go to sleep in the cars where snow was on the ground and wake up in a country where none could be seen. We arriv- at Cairo on Saturday night and left for Kentucky on Sunday · morning. Of course we, that is the men, knew nothing as to our destination."
At Cairo we found everything crowded with troops on every side. Cavalry, artillery and infantry, all in seeming con- fusion, as though preparing to leave. We arrived in the fore- noon and were at once marched to a boat at the levee. After our teams and camp equipage had been loaded, the regiment comfortably located, the steamer turned her prow up the Ohio, and we learned we were to report to Col. Lauman, at Smithland, Ky., reaching there on the morning of the 28th of January. Here we found the 52d Illinois encamped. This regiment had been with us at St. Joe from December 8th, and had only pre- ceded us a few days. While on our boat at Cairo a steamer, just arriving from up the Ohio, tied up alongside. Among her passengers was Parson Brownlow, who had but recently escaped from the south. He made an address to the troops on our boat that was listened to with great attention.
We arrived at Smithland, a small village at the mouth of the Cumberland, and went into camp on the hills back of the town and on the east side of the cemetery. The 52d Ills. to our right, and near by were two small forts occupied by Iowa troops, who had seen service at Belmont.
59
FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
The ground was extremely muddy and the boys stripped od branches and twigs and collected White Oak leaves for beds christening them Kentucky feathers.
The weather was changeable, the first days very warm, then suddenly cold ; the inventive genius of the boys began to work, and soon could be seen chimneys projecting from the sides of the tents. built of mud and sticks. while the interior wa- warmed by furnaces constructed out of flat stones foraged from the cemetery near by. The plan of the furnace was sim- ple enough. A trench was dug from the middle of the tent to the chimney and over it was laid the marble slabs. As long as it lasted the furnace was a success, but the stone soon crumbled from the heat and had to be frequently replaced. Details were made from the Fiftieth for provost duty in the city, also fatigue duty. On one occasion company D was sent as a guard up the river on a steamer for a barge of wood for camp. On this trip one of the company fell into the river and came near drowning. There was a good deal of sickness but nothing fatal, and the general health of the camp was fair.
Wednesday, February 5th, we were ordered to break ramp. This order had been expected for some days, yet when received occasioned considerable excitement, and was obeyed. with alaerity. We were soon on board the Belle of Memphis. under command of General W. H. L. Wallace. We recall him standing on the hurricane deck of one of the steamers yelling lustily to the officers of the 52d Ills. why they could not get to their boat as quickly as the Fiftieth had, although it had cov- gd a greater distance from camp than the 52d.
We were soon off down the Ohio river, touching at Paducah, 12 miles below, at the mouth of the Tennessee.
Here we learned that Fort Henry was our destination. It was a pretty sight to see the procession of steamers moving grandly from the Ohio into the Tennessee, bank full, and per- mitting several boats to move side by side. There was nothing to dispel the beauty and harmony of the sight until all at once the low booming of cannon was heard far to the front, pro- "aiming a battle. We were "within sound of the guns," and
60
HISTORY OF THE
then our rollicking spirits for fun was changed to that of a sober realization of the duties before us. We were about to en- gage in the stern realities of war.
As we drew near to where the gun boats were engaged with the fort we could see the smoke from the great guns as they belched forth, and often we could follow the shell by its thin blue streak from its fuse, then the explosion filling the whole country with its mighty voice.
The troops were landed on the east, near the mouth of a creek about five miles below the fort. General Grant's boat, the "New Uncle Sam," tied up to our boat.
On the next day, the 6th, we moved up the ereek as sup- port to a battery. The road was soon impassable, the artillery down to the axles. Our regiment was obliged to assist in pull- ing both horses and guns out of the mud.
By night we had succeeded in investing the rear part of the works but the enemy had gone, they having ascertained General Grant's intention of surrounding and capturing them, had taken time by the forelock and made good their escape to Donelson, twelve miles away.
We camped that night on the outworks about two miles from the fort. #Before leaving Smithland, we had been ordered to prepare to move in light marching order, and had packed our overcoats and extra clothing in boxes expecting them to follow us. Many of us had no blankets, all our baggage being with the wagons, the night was cold but the boys were tired, and as they lay in rows upon the ground they forgot all suffering in sleep. Large fires were built at the foot of trees, suddenly and without warning, there fell a large tree burned through, killing one of another regiment in bivouac near by, then the fire spread in the leaves with which the ground was thickly strewn. Not- withstanding the danger the tired soldiers slept, and the next morning the ground was black and bare save where the men had slept. A number of the Fiftieth used their cartridge boxes for pillows and when, the next morning, they viewed the deso- lation round and about them, and saw the shriveled remains of
61
FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
their boxes, it seemed marvelous that the amunition had not exploded.
On the 7th the regiment marched into the Fort. The mud and water had ruined our boots and shoes, so we were on the lookout for anything in the foot-wear line that would prove better than what we had.
L. W. McClelland of company D, was so unfortunate as to have his shoes burned while trying to dry them the previous night. Me. was afflicted with squint or cross-eyes; the boys would say the safest place would be directly in his front. Well Me. was passing along a slough filled with back water when he www protruding from the edge of the water, the foot of a boot nearly new. As he took hold and pulled it seemed to come rather hard, but this he attributed to its being filled with mud. All at once it yielded when, lo, and behold, it held a human foot and part of a leg, shot off in the battle. Mc. dropped boot and all and. running to camp hid under his blanket; at least that is as his comrads tell it.
Company B had discovered among the captured arms, a lot of new muskets. The officers succeeded in transferring their old for the new muskets, which were called Austrian rifles and were of a. different calibre. The deal was a poor one for the arms were worthless. Not near as good as the old ones discard- ed by the company. In exchanging the amunition the men were ordered to empty the old into a cask furnished by the Quartermaster for that purpose. One of the men, smoking a pipe, dropped a spark which ignited one of the cartridges, ex- ploding all of them, and wounding several of the company, of which Isaac Frey was so severely wounded that he died Februa- ry 18th. at Paducah, Ky.
Writing to the Hannibal, Mo., Messenger, Capt. T. D. Mc- fillicuddy thus tersely describes the investment and capture of Fort Henry :
FORT HENRY, TENN .. Feb. Sth.
DEAR MESSENGER :- "We have met the enemy and they are ours." Fort Henry has fallen and great was the fall thereof. Yes, Fort Henry is in the hands of the Federal army,
62
HISTORY OF THE
and the American flag floats triumphantly from the mast- head of the flag staff of the fort that but a few hours before had the secession rag floating to the breeze. Your humble ser- vant had the exquisite pleasure of seeing the rebel rag go down, and the flag of our country go up.
Now having given you the facts in the case. I will try to give you the particulars in brief : On Tuesday morning, Febru- ary 4th, our regiment and the 7th Indiana and 13th Missouri, were ordered to Fort Henry. We arrived at a landing three miles below the fort. at 6 o'clock the same day. Here we found several thousand troops. Our division was under command of Brig. Gen. Wallace, and the other in command of Gen. Grant. Gen. Wallace's division took up the line of march on the west side of the Tennessee river, and Gen. Grant's on the east. We joined Gen. Grant's division, and were in line of march the next morning at 10 o'clock. We had two regiments of cavalry and two batteries of artillery. The two divisions started about the same time to attack the fort. In connection with these two di- visions were three of the invincible gunboats, which did the ex- ecution.
The storming of the fort commenced at 11.45 A. M., and continued one hour and ten minutes. When they took down their secession flag our gunboats ceased firing. and the rebel General Tilghman sent his Adjutant to the Commodore. The purport of his errand was a surrender. In the meantime their infantry and light artillery were trying to effect their escape, which was cut off by our division. We then marched into the fort, and I assure you that those that did escape made a hasty retreat, for they left everything, even their dead. The walls of the entrenchments must be twelve miles around, and the main fort must occupy twelve acres, surrounded on three sides by water. In this space were their big guns, consisting of fifteen 32 pounders, one 128 pounder. and one rifled cannon, a 32 poun- der .. The guns are in perfect order, with the exception of the rifle cannon, which exploded during the engagement, killing four men. Three magazines full of powder were also found in the fort; also stacks of ball and shell. The value of the ball
·
63
FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
shell and powder, is estimated at from six to eight thousand dollars.
In the fortifications in the rear of the fort the space was weeupied by infantry. We found about 200 log buildings and 500 splendid tents, just as good as the best I know of, and a great deal better than the Illinois 50th have. Their commissa- ry was well supplied with sugar, coffee, rice and meats, all of which fell into our hands. The cavalry captured nine field pieces and horses in their attempt to escape. We captured ' about 250 prisoners, and killed, as far as we have been able to learn, 50 or 60. It was an awful sight to one like myself, who never saw the like before, to see dead strewed all over the ground-men without heads and arms, one-half of a man in one place and the other half in another; eyes, tongues, hearts and brains scattered promiscuously on the ground. We took Brigadier General Tilghman, two Colonels, one Major and four Captains prisoners. The prisoners were all sent to Cairo, or some other point. Our loss in this, engagement was eight men on the gunboats and one cavalry. This is true as far as I can Warn. I must close: but I suppose by the time you get this we shall be in Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland river.
Yours truly. T. D. MCGILLICUDDY, Co. K. 50th Ill. Infantry.
.
1
CHAPTER VI.
.
Ft. Henry after its Capture .- Gen. Tilghman .- The Advance on Donelson .- Its Investment .-- Operations of 3d Brigade, Smith's Division .-- Privation of. and Heroic Endurance of the Troops. - How the Companies off Duty Kept Warm .- Col. Bane rises from a Sick Bed .- The Assault on the Works and their Capture .- The Surrender of Fort Donelson .-- " Worse than the Infernal Regions."-Incidents .- Capt. McGillicuddy's Letter .--- Report of Col. Cook.
ORT HENRY taken and occupied. The flag of treason down and the flag of Union up and flying, was indeed an inspiriting sight. The rebel General Lloyd Tilghman, who had surrendered Fort Henry, was one of the high toned blue blooded rebels who had, or effected to have, a supreme contempt for the Northern Mudsills, and at Paducah, where he was at one time in command, he boasted that "with two guns and fifty men he would come down to Cairo and take General Prentiss." After his capture, a newspaper. reporter stepped up to the General, who was on board General Grant's boat, the New Uncle Sam, and the following colloquy ensued :
"General, will you be kind enough to give me the correct spelling of your name?"
Gen. T., very haughtily. "Sir, I do not desire that my name should be made use of at all, in connection with this atfair, except as it may appear in the reports of General Grant."
Reporter. "I only desire, sir, to have it spelled correctly in the list of prisoners."
65
FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
Gen. T. You will oblige me, sir, by not making any mention of me in your correspondence."
At which he turned upon his heel and left the news gath- «rer alone in his glory.
On the 12th of February the army which invested and captured Fort Henry, began its advance upon Fort Donelson. A portion took boats and proceeded by water, but the greater portion of the army moved by land to the investment of the fort. distant twelve miles from Henry. By the capture of Henry, General Grant's forces were in the rear of Donelson, and . when formed, our line extended from near the town of Dover, above, to a creek just below the fort.
The Fiftieth was assigned to the brigade commanded by Colonel John Cook of the 7th Illinois Infantry, and in General (. F. Smith's division. This division was on the extreme left, and our brigade the centre, the Fiftieth on the right. And in this formation the brigade went into camp for the night.
The next morning we moved up into line; the day was warm and pleasant. Our place in the line was in a ravine run- ning parallel to the enemy's works, and distant from them about 600 yards. While there was heavy skirmishing all along the lines, we were not disturbed, and becoming satisfied that they were to remain for the night in the same position, the men stacked arms and gathered huge masses of leaves, with which the ground was covered, for bedding, but alas, "the best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft aglee," for just as the task of preparation for the night had been completed, our regiment was ordered to move, and out on the wintry air there rang : "Atten- tion, Fiftieth." "Take arms." "Right face." "Forward march," and we moved up the ravine the length of a regiment, giving place to another regiment, which not only occupied our old place but our beds as well.
We had to make the best of it, and as orders were issued forbidding the lighting of fires, and commanding the utmost silence it may be readily understood that our lot was not a pleasant one. Notwithstanding orders, the men gathered in knots and recited the incidents and casualities of the day.
:
66
HISTORY OF THE
Many had experienced close calls, for the skirmishing sounded like a battle, and indeed was a battle. A number of our officers while escaping, had yet experienced the sensations which sur- round "a close call." Col. Swarthout had a hole in his coat, and Adjutant Brown, Capt. Gaines, Lieut. Rodgers, Chaplain Bigger and several others had their clothes pierced with leaden missiles sent them with the compliments of the "Johnnies." A Sergeant of the Sharpshooters fell near our lino shot by a red shirted Texan.
After dark the weather changed and a drizzling rain, soon changing into snow, added to our discomfort, began falling. By eleven o'clock it was at freezing point and had become intensely cold.
The companies not on duty moved to the rear and kept moving around until nearly daylight, when dawn and rebel bullets bade them take to cover. Just at dawn the regiment had permission to fall to the rear for the purpose of making coffee, but just as our fires were started and the coffee about to be made, we were ordered back into line, and there all day re- mained under fire from the enemy's guns. At times the monot- ony was broken by permission given to some of the men to go out to the skirmish line and take part in the engagement there going on. The enemy's sharpshooters were vigilant and dan- gerous to our peace and safety, as many a poor fellow could testify. Outside the enemy's works and from behind a large stamp a bit of red Could be seen now and then, and the sight was always followed by a puff of smoke and a whiz by our heads, evidently made by a very large ball.
All day long Co. B remained on the skirmish line and proudly and defiantly maintained their position. Thus passed the day, and when night came we were ordered to the rear where we had fires and cooked and eat our supper. Although our fare was scanit and plain, yet it is no doubt true, that never was a meal so well enjoyed. When it was finished we made ourselves as comfortable as possible.
The morning of the 15th found us again to the front, where we spent the forenoon the same as the day before, but
67
FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
old red shirt, as the man behind the stump was called, exposed himself a little beyond the danger line and as a result was cut off in the midst of his sins, to the intense gratification of his enemies.
During the afternoon a general movement was made against the enemy's works.
The Fiftieth was sent to the support of Col. Lauman's brigade on the left.
-
When the order came Col. Bane, who was sick, was lying down by the fire. Springing to his feet he shouted, "Attention battalion." "Take arms." "Two ranks, left face." "Forward, double quick, march."
The line of the charge being a left oblique, we were mixed up with another regiment engaged in making the same general movement, during which three of our companies, A. F and D, were cut off from the regiment.
Col. Bane soon found himself unable to proceed, and as Col. Swarthout was siek, the command of the regiment devolved upon Captain Gaines, with Captain Hanna acting as Major, and he at once assumed command of the detached companies.
Our general direction, or line of advance, led us over two steep ridges and across two deep ravines, the timber had been cut low and the limbs trimmed so as to impede our progress. The enemy covered this portion of the field with a six gun bat- tery which swept the ground, in many places with terrible ef- fret. As we moved across this ground under a fearful fire, we passed over many bodies of the 25th Indiana, who had fallen in the engagement of the first day. Their bodies had lain in the sun until swollen and distorted, they were almost past re- cognition, added to this they were frozen solid.
In the confusion caused by the other regiment crossing our line of movement and entangling us, the three detached companies had partially lost their bearings, but Lieut. Hazel- wood, commanding company D, observing Adjutant Brown in the distance, headed for him and joined in the advance. As we swept over the ridges we could plainly see the artillerists load- ing their guns, pulling their lanyards and feel the rush of the
.
68
HISTORY OF THE
grape-shot as they flew over our heads, crashing through tree tops knocking off limbs, or what was worse, striking down brave men as they went rushing to the front, some never to rise again.
We reached the works to the left just as General Lau- man's brigade had taken them. Here we found our division commander, General C. F. Smith, who was turning a captured battery upon the enemy.
As we lay under the shelter of the works the bullets from the enemy would strike our bayonets like so much hail. After reforming it was deemed too late to make a forward movement and our brigade was moved back to the timber for rest, and building great fires we passed a more comfortable night, and Sunday morning found us ready for the great work before us.
It was understoad that our brigade was to take the sec- ond line of works. Heavy skirmish firing had been in progress all the morning, and when our brigade was formed in line of battle for the assault and we moved slowly up the hill in our · front, determination was set in every face. Near the top of the hill we were halted, a shell burst high above us and a piece of it struck Gideon Hadley, Co. C, fracturing his skull.
All were ready, the halt being deemed only for the get- ting ready for the final spring. There was no talking; every man grasped his gun with a firmer hold; all waiting for the command to go forward, when suddenly a great commotion was noticed in our front, and looking we saw white flags all along the enemy's works, and then tumultuous cheering came run- ning down our lines, and was caught up by us, and was kept up until the very heavens seemed to ring with joy.
What a change there was; the pent up strength prepara- tory for the assault where death was to reign triumphant gave way to feelings that may be imagined but never described. Swiftly the command came to move forward, but not to the death, and as we went over the works with shout and cheer, no gun was fired. It was a grand holiday. Once inside the works we found the rebels had constucted comfortable log houses, all of which were taken possession of and housekeeping set up.
-
1
>
69
FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
Details were made and placed around enclosures, inside of which were thousands of prisoners.
We were especially fortunate in being allowed to ex- change our arms for excellent guns made. at Richmond, Va., after the Springfield pattern, the most of them had not been unpacked.
Among the prisoners was an old man, too old to be in the service. Lieut. Rodgers asked him how he canie to be in there, and he replied "for self protection, not from choice." Asked how it looked the night of the bombardment, he replied "If the infernal regions had been turned loose it could not have been worse."
Some of us went over that part of the field where the enemy tried, and so nearly succeeded, in cutting their way through, and there we found a Union soldier standing guard over his dead brother, a rebel.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.