USA > Illinois > History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois volunteer Infantry, Vol. I > Part 11
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The fighting lasted until two o'clock. Col. Atkins' Bri- gade, the NiserY-Sixin leading, marched out across the river at four o'clock, following the retreating forces some four or five miles. Men and horses lay where they had fallen as the column filed ont through town and past the picket lines. A short distance out an advance goand was thrown forward, and a little later four Companies of the Regiment were deployed as skirmishers, but the enemy did not resist the advance. although there was some skirmish firing on the part of the troops directly at the left of the Regiment. Just at dusk the Brigade halted. in line of battle, along a stone wall, only a short distance from where a heavy force of the enemy had made a stand npon a line of hills that lay af right angles to the pike, remaining in that position until abont ten o'clock r. M., when they returned to Franklin, reaching camp about midnight.
On the eleventh the cavalry moved out to the front and engaged the enemy, the sound of firearms being heard in camp a considerable part of the day. Their expedition was fairly snecessful, quite a number of prisoners being taken without serious logs to the Union force-
Sunday, April 12. Chaplain Woodworth again preached. Everything was quiet at the front, and the usual dress parade was had in the evening. All of the time during the stay at Franklin heavy guard details were required to picket the rear of the little army, but south of the river the picketing was done by regiments and not by details.
Tuesday, April 14, the Regiment was on picket on the south side of the river, having its headquarters at the cotton press, which afterward became historic ; the line being formed at the very point where, a year and a half liter, Hood's forces charged with such dash and courage against the lines of the
117
A MAN KILLED ON PICKEL.
1863]
4th and 23d Corps, only to be beaten back so terribly defeated as to be of little further service to the Confederacy. It was anything but agreeable weather, as rain fell much of the time throughout the day and night. During the day everything was quiet on the line, but at night there was more or less firing, and James M. Scott, of Company F, was killed. The advance line, under the ouler of their commanding officer, fell back a short distance, and the relief post was aroused, but no further trouble occurred during the right. Nost night a rebel was shot, close to the spot where Scott fell, by a mem- ber of the Regiment that relieved the Newsry-Sixrn on the morning of the sixteenth. Ho was crawling up to the lines, probably intondling to kill another Yankee.
Wednesday, April 15, the Regiment returned to camp and spent the day in resting and cleaning up. On the siv- teenth the remains of Scott were buried with military honors. He was but twenty. and had always been a favorite in the Regiment. The fimeral was an impressive one, the entire command attending the services. In the afternoon there was battalion drill.
Friday, April 17, Maj. Terrell visited the camp and gave the men four months' pay each. His visit was most welcome. for the officers and soldiers had long been Short of fiinds. The first questions with most of the men after receiving thei! pay, were. What shall I do with it? How shall I send it home? How much of it can I spare? As a rule, 810 or more of the 852 received by the privates was sent home through the Stare Agent, an officer appointed by the Governor to look after the Illinois troops. At that time the express companies would make no guaranty of safe delivery, as on a portion of the route northward they considered the risk too great. Many had sutlers' bills to pay, and a few retained a little change to invest in chuck-lick and draw-poker. During the day there were rumors of an attack by the Rebels, but quiet was maintained.
The next week was spent rather quietly, although almost every day heavy details were made for work on the fortifica- tions. Friday, April 24, the Regiment was again on pieket
118
HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
across the river, having a quiet time. On the twenty-sixth Captain J. P. Black, of Company E. resigned. First Lientenant William F. Taylor was promoted to Captain, Second Lieutenant Halsey H. Richardson to First Lientenant, and First Sergeant Sidney B. Funk to Second Lieutenant. Two days Inter First Lieutenant Samuel II. Bayne, of Company HI, resigned, and was succeeded by Second Lieutenant Joseph L. Pierce ; First Sergeant George F. Barnes being promoted to Second Lieu- tenant.
Monday, April 27, the Regiment was detailed for wood- chopping and started for Brigado Headquarters, when there was an alann, and the order was given to countermarch and prepare for a fight. They immediately marched to town. crossing the river on the pontoon bridge, but were at once directed to countermarch and again started for camp. On the way they were a second time ordered to the front, this time crossing the river on the railroad bridge and taking up position near the depot, where they remained in line for an hour or more. Meanwhile the cavalry, under Col. Watkins. which had been out on a surprise visit to some Rebel camps, sent word that all was going well, and the NINETY-SIXTH Was ordered to return to camp and proceed with its woodchopping. Enter in the day the cavalry returned with 128 prisoners, 300 horses and mules, eight wagons, and a complete camp outfit for quite a force, the expedition having been remarkably : necessful.
The experience of the Repiment in the woods that day was an interesting one. The column, when it left its position near the depot, passed out near its camp and up over the side of Roper's Knob, halting on the plantation of a man whose family was living quietly under the protection of the old Flag while he was serving as an officer in Bragg's army at the front. On the plantation was a beautiful forest or park of some forty or fifty aeres, embracing a great variety of timber. including oak, el, ach, hickory, cottonwood, maple, beech. and probably other kinds. The trees had been nicely trimmed. there being hardly a branch lower than twenty feet from the gronind : but the Rebel forces had been threatening to make
119
SHELTER TENTS RECEIVED.
1863]
a dash upon the camp from the direction of this timber, and the commander had determined to make that plantation in- passable for cavalry. The Regiment, probably numbering 600 mon, received about one-half that imber of axes, and were accordingly counted off in two reliefs. Then began the work of destruction, 300 asemen raining heavy blows upon these beautiful trees. Usually two men worked on the same tree, and it was a musical chorus as the sharp and heavy axes rained their rapid blows npon the doomed forest. In ten minutes there was a crash ; then another and another. until they came in such rapidity that the sound of falling timber was almost continuons. This was kept up all through the forenoon sud until the middle of the afternoon, special pains being taken to fell the trees in such a way that their tops should interlace and cross each other. When one relief had worked an hour the other relief would be called up and go 10 take its place. It really seemed almost too bad to destroy this beantifid park, but the fact that its owner was a Rebel, and that cufting the timber would protect one side of the camp from attack. entirely reconciled a great majority of the men to the destruction of the beautiful forest. By four or five o'clock in the afternoon there were hardly a dozen trees standing. the few remaining being in a position where they could not be readily reached, owing to the fact that the tops of offer trees had fallen all around them. Not an accident ocenrred that was at all serions, although there were some narrow escapes from falling trees.
Wednesday, April 20, the Regiment received shelter faits, and turned over to the Quartermaster the large Bell tents drawn at Danville. There was much feeling among the men regarding the matter, as they were strongly prejudiced against the shelter tents, or, as they were then called, the "dog tents" or "pup tents"; but the order had been received, and most of the other regiments about Franklin had already made the change. Orders were given to strike the Bell tents, but no sooner were they down than a tremendous rain storm set in. There had been little preparation for the change, and as a result the men were obliged to pack up their things.
120
HISTORY OF THE 96Th REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
Most of them put on their ponchos and endeavored to pro, tect their earthly effects until such time as the rain should cease, and they be permitted to go to the timber, some dis- tance from the camp, and secure tent poles. Showers were frequent all day, but in the intervals between them the touts were erected, and the men made themselves at home. During the afternoon Gen. Granger came riding along near the color line. In an instant the men began to disappear, much as prairie dogs on the western plains dive into their holes when a trav- der approaches, while all along the line there came the great est possible variety of barking, whining and yelping that con be imagined. The probable intention, so far as there was any plen in it. war to impress the General with the fact that they know that these were " dog tents." The General looked indig- nant but said nothing. In a very short time, however, the men were more than reconciled to the change, and at no time in their after experience would they have voluntarily given up these shelter tents for any others over made. Perhaps these tent- should be described at this point. To each man was given a piece of cotton cloth, five feet six inches square. The edges were made double, by a strip three or four inches wide being sewed across them. At each of the two lower corners a loop of rope was fastened so that stakes might be driven through them into the ground. At the upper odge there was a ros of buttons and button heles. Two men would button their pieces of tont together, drive a pair of stakes four and a half feet in length into the ground, lay a pole six feet long across the top of the erken, and over there place their tent, fasten- ing the lower corners to the ground with tent pins. There being no protection at the ends they were certainly very thoroughly ventilated, but they were easily pat up, and at the end of a march there was no waiting for the wagons to como up before the mea could be provided with shelter. In case of a storin they were easily shifted so that the rain could not sift in on the sides, or, if it was impracticable to change the position of the tents, then a poncho could be fastened on the windward side. Usually, where there was a probability of remaining ir camp for more then a day, four men would join together and
C. W. POMEROY,
COMPANY K. (Copied from a war time photograph.'
YORJMOST WO
121
SURPLUS TEAMS SENT TO NASHVILLE.
1863]
put up their tents so that they would lap each other. As the days grew longer and the weather became hotter the men erected shades above these tents. Crutches were set in the ground and poles laid across them, evergreens or the limbs of other trees being ent and placed over them. In this way the camp was protected from the direct rays of the sun, and the quarters made not only very comfortable; but really very pleas- ant to look upon.
Thursday, April 30, was a day set apart by President Lincoln for fasting and prayer throughout the nation. The command- ing General issued an order directing that the day should be observed ; as a consequence there was no formal drill, but, in the forenoon, it being the last day of the month, there was muster and inspection. In the afternoon the Chaplain preached an excellent sermon. Toward evening the other Division was called in line, and started out toward the front, the cavalry. under Col. Campbell. accompanying them. There was expectation of the capture of a rebel camp, but next day the troops returned without having accomplished all that was bitended. although they had taken part in a lively engagement and routed the enemy, capturing a few prisoners. Riumnor had it that a citizen had notified the camp that the Yankees were coming, just in time to prevent a surprise and capture.
As the men were to carry their own tents from this time forward, there was no longer need of so many Regimental wagons. Accordingly orders were issued to turn over to the Quartermaster at Nashville all surplus teams, leaving four to each Regiment. Friday, May 1, the extra teams and wagons of all the troops at Franklin were given in charge of Lien- tenant Burnett, of Company B, who, with a large detail of guards. escorted them to the rear. As they neared Brentwood the enemy's cavalry were seen hovering on the flank, watch- ing an opportunity to rush in and capture or destroy the train. The troops at Brentwood were notified and came to the rescue. so that no trouble resulted, although for a time the danger was imminent: They went into park at Brentwood, and next day proceeded to Nashville, where a delay of some days
.
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. J.
occurred before the receipt of the busy Quartermaster could be obtained. The detail then returned to Franklin by rail.
Monday, May , the Regiment was again on picket. During the day the artillerymen were practicing with their guns from the fort, firing directly over the picket line. One shell burst close to the line, the fase probably having been en: too short, but no harm was done. All was quiet through the night and until toward morning, when there was a little firing by the cavalry videttes in front.
There had been considerable seurvy in the Regiment from the time of leaving Danville, but potatoes and other vegeta. bles had been issued, and the command was now in much better health. There was but little drilling except before day- light in the morning, but ahnost every day there were heavy e details at work upon the fort or at Roper's Knob, or in cut- ting timber in the neighborhood, so that the men received sufficient exercise, and were really in good health.
Newspapers coull be had at ten cents each. Those from Nashville were usually received the day on which they were published ; those from Louisville the day after their issue from the press ; while those from Cincinnati and Chicago were front two to four days old. As both money and time were plenty these papers found ready sale, particularly during the carly days of the month. when all eyes were turned toward the army of the Potomes, as it again essayed to take Richmond. Great was the disappointment when news came that Fighting Joe Hooker had met with disaster at Chance Borsville, and his army had again been withdrawn toward Washington.
On the sixth the Regiment was detailed for wood chop- ping, and cut down a large amount of timber in rear of Roper's Knob. The day was rainy and unpleasant, and the work any- thing but agreeable. The season had now so far advanced that the trees were ahnost in full foliage, and small grain was approaching maturity. The river was so near to camp that the men could bethe with little trouble, and for an hour jast at dusk daily there was a lively scene not far from camp, many taking their first lessons in swimming, and enjoying the spor: with keen zest.
123
1803]
How TO MAKE " SLAP-JACKS."
Rations were fairly abundant, and there was a great improve- ment in the methods of cooking theri. A brick oven was constructed by every Company, and much of the beef issued was nicely roasted, instead of being boiled. Flour was issued and "soft bread " baked, the cooks using peach loaves in place of hops, and finding them a very good substitute. Bis. enit, pancakes and even cookies were indulged in. The fol- lowing recipe for making pancakes-or "slapjacks," as they were called --- is copied from an old letter of one of the Publi- cation Committee of this work : "To one quart of water add one teaspoonfal of salaratus (bought from the sutler at 35 cents a pound), three tablespoonsful of vinegar, and stir to a thick paste with flour : then salt to taste. It makes them bet- ter to let them stand over night before cooking." The rations issued consisted of salt pork, bacon, fresh beef. hardtack, flour. beans, dried peas, coffee, sugar, candles, vinegar, rice, salt. pepper. and sometimes black tea, molasses and potatoes. On the march or in active campaigning many of these articles were omitted. but the hardtack, salt meat and coffee could generally be expected once in three days, that being the usual period for which rations were issued.
During the month Dr. Frederick W. Bvers, who had been commissioned Second Assistant Surgeon, joined the Regi- ment, thus making full the medical staff of the command. Second Lientenant Hiram W. Farnsworth, of Company G. resigned, and was encceeded by First Sergeant James O. Haven :.
On the twenty-seventh the resignation of Captain Alexan- der Burnett. of Company HL, was accepted, First Lieutenant Joseph L. Pierce being promoted to the place made vacant : Second Lieutenant George F. Barnes being commissioned First Lieutenant, and First Sergeant Charles II. Yates being promoted to Second Lieutenant. This made an entire change of the commissioned officers in that Company within a period of less than four months.
On the eighth Colonel Champion returned from an absence of some weeks, having been home on sick leave. During the tenth the Chaplain did double duty. preaching two ser-
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
mons, a somewhat unusual undertaking for an army Chaplain. On the eleventh there was an inspection and grand review of the troops. On the twelfth the Regiment was wood chopping, and a large amount of work was done. On the fifteenth drill was taken up with a little more regularity. On the six- teenth the Regiment was on picket again across the river, but all was quiet. On the nineteenth occurred the first full- fledged Brigade drill, the troops having to march about two miles to find a piece of level ground on which they could maneuver, and all be in sight of their commander. On the twentieth there was a vory strict inspection of the camp and of the arms of the men, and the same day three regiments, including the NiserY-Sixru, had target practice. On the twenty-first there was a Division drill. under Gen. Baird, which occupied the greater part of the afternoon.
Sunday, May 24. the usual religious services were held iu camp, and in the evening there was a Brigade dress parade. On the twenty-sixth the Regiment was again on picket on the south side of the river, and had a quiet time. On the follow- ing night there was some excitement on the line, and the Regiment was called at three o'clock, expecting an attack which did not materialize. The weather for the last half of the month was dry and pleasant, although quite warm at times, the camp becoming very dusty. On the twenty-ninth occurred a heavy rain, which laid the dust and purified the air some- what. Sunday, May al, there were religious services, and following this quite an excitement because of a report that the Regiment was to move.
About the time the command first moved to Tennessee occurred what came to be known as the " nine months fever." In calling out the troops the year before, President Lincoln had stated that 300,000. or one-half of all asked for. would be accepted for nine months, and several of the Lastern States filled their quotas with men recruited for that period. It was held by many that it would be entirely anfair to require flinois to continue men in service for a longer period than did the Eastern States. Of course every man in the Regiment was gilisted with the distinct understanding that he should remain
125
THE NINE MONTHS FEVER.
1863]
for three years should his services be required for that period, but with each obligation was coupled the phrase " unless sooner discharged," and many saw in those three words the loop hole by which they were to be permitted to return home simultaneously with the nine months' troops at the East. Not a few came to believe that they were really to be sent home. There were mischievous men in every Company who would assume that such was the case, and argue it by the hour, knowing all the time that their arguments had no real fon- dation. Some of these men would report. with apparent can- dor, that when on guard at Brigade Headquarters, and while near Col. Atkins' tent, they had heard some discussion of the subject, and were sure the officers believed that they were going home. Next day they would report that Colonel Cham- pion had been overheard to say that there was good reason to believe in the nine months' theory. On the whole the discus- sion was most unfortunate. for many a man grew homesick as he heard the oft-told tale, and conceived the idea that the authorities were doing him an injustice in retaining him in the service beyond nine months. Not until the nine months had fully passed did the last ray of hope depart from a few in almost every Illinois Regiment organized under the calls of 1862.
During the period covered by this chapter Death was still busy in the ranks, taking off one and another of the connand. A majority of the deaths occurred in the hospitals in and about Nashville, but some of Danville and others at points further north. Those dying were : Robert Neal and Josiah Beall, of Company A ; John J. Price, of Company B; Caleb E. Colgrove and Henry Schnell. of Company O; Corporal John Sluman and Miles Jones, of Company D : Joseph E. Fletcher. James Gunn, Thomas Keyes, John Sage and Albert Demure, of Company E : Daniel Goble. W. Irving Edgerton, William Sturges, Corporal Chauncey Wakefield and Corporal Henry Trefz, of Company F ; Asel Hawkins, of Company G ; J. P. Davis and William Conley, of Company HI; John Ben- nett, John Williams, Humphrey Leslie and Corporal G. W. Roberts, of Company I.
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JHISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
CHAPTER VIIL.
The Swamer of 1863 -- The March to Triune- - Lightening the Knapsacks- Partial Reorganization of the Corps - The Paymaster and the Enemy Arrive Simultaneously-Again Under Fire but at Long Range- Skedaddie of the Sutler's Clerks-Punishment of Sleepy Sentinels -- The Tullahomaa Campaign -- A Succession of Rainy Days-Again Under Fire-Guarding Prisoners to the Rear-The Advance to Shelby- ville -- The March to Wartrace- Close of the Brief Campaign --- Good News from Vicksburg and Gettysburg-A Day of Thanksgiving.
The spring of 1863 bad passed, sunner had come, and goist still reigned along the lines in Middle Tennessee. True, there were alinost daily engagements at some point, but they were on the part of small forces, and their results bad little significance. The main body of the army had mede uo gene- ral movement for a period of nearly five months. Apparently Gen. Rosecrans and Gen. Bragg were each waiting for the other to take the offensive. The Confederate forces were mainly north of Duck River, their infantry being at Shelby- ville and Wartrace, covering Tullahoma, which had been heavily fortified, and was their headquarters and main base of sujadies. Their cavalry was on either flank, with headquarters at MeMinnville of their right, and Spring Hill and Columbia on their left. The main body of Gen. Rosecrans' army was at Mindreesbero, but there were considerable forces of both infantry and cavalry at Franklin and Triune, and a large body of cavalry at the left of Murfreesboro.
The authorities at Washington, growing impatient as the weeks went by, began to demand that an advance be made. and that the war be carried into Alabama and Georgia. Gen. Rosecrans insisted that his force was entirely too small ; that he was especially deficient in cavalry, and that the roads were likely to be so bad that supplies could not be drawn by wagons to a point much in advance of that then occupied by his army. The controversy was mainly between Gen. Halleck and Gen.
127
1863]
THE MARCH TO TRIUNE.
Rosecrans, and became very acrimonious. Some additional cavalry was provided, and a forward movement ordered on the one hand and promised on the other. The work of con- centrating the army began on the first of June.
Tuesday, June 2, the NINETY-Sixin. with most of the other troops comprising Gen. Granger's command, in accordance with orders received the night before, was called in line :t about three o'clock in the morning, standing to arms until daylight, when ranks were broken and preparations made for the march. The men were in high spirits at the prospect of a forward movement. The weather having become so warm that it was desirable to be rid of all surplus clothing and. baggage. overcoats were rolled up, and, with all other articles not regarded as absolutely necessary to comfort in a hot weather campaign, packed in boxes and barrels and shipped by the soldiers to their Ilinois homes. By sunrise tents were down, knapsacks were packed and the men ready to move. A long wait ovanred, however, as Gen. Granger and his staff were not ready, and it was seven or eight o'clock before the column finally moved out across the fields, intend- ing to take the wagon road leading to Trinne.
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