USA > Illinois > History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois volunteer Infantry, Vol. I > Part 19
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This is the way it was done : The six Regiments of the First Brigade were formed in two lines-the first comprising the NINETY-SIXTH Illinois. Colonel Thomas E. Champion, on the right: 115th Illinois, Col. J. H. Moore, in the centre, and the 22d Michigan, Col. Le Favour, on the left. Then came the order to advance. With a yell the first line bounded for- ward on the double-quick. Up and down the little hills and through the kurrow valleys which intervened they pressed hastily forward until they vamne within short range of the Rebel musketry, which opened upon sheia furiously, while the grape and cannister from the battery on the :dge swept cruelly through their ranks.
Almost exhausted with their hurried march and their long continued "oble-quick, the troops recoiled for a moment under that withering fire, bot ere the most timid could think of retreating. Colonel Champion promptly gave the command to halt, lie down, and fire, which was obeyed on the instant. There the line lay for five minutes, responding resolutely to the fire of the enemy. That five minutes was a terrible ordeal for our soldiers, for during that short period their ranks were more than deci- thated. Then came the order to fix bayonets and charge upon the enemy. The andor of the men overeame their fatigue, and. tired as they were, they resumed the double-quick march as they advanced up the ridge, right wu th. face of a galling fire. If a man fell-and many did-he was left !o eurich the soil of Georgia with his life's blood, or, if able, to creep, sobe and unassisted, to the rear ; for none who were able, to march left 'At ranks, which were kept well closed up, and the line was firmly main- $2. bed.
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
By this time the TSth Illinois and 121st Ohio, of the Second Brigade had come up and were advancing on the right of the first, and a little to the rear. Never was support more opportune, for while Whittaker's men were charging up the ridge, the enemy received a well-directed fire from Col. Mitchell's forces, and, when the crest of the ridge was gained, the enemy was discovered retreating in confusion, and their battery had dis- appeared. With a loud huzza we followed them, but not far. Fresh troops were sent against us, and the fire became as scathing as ever. We halted in our advanced position, and held it, while the contending mus- ketry, sharp and incessant, almost stunned the ear. The enemy con- stantly strengthened his lines, and their fire became hotter and quicker. The first line was ordered to fall back. The second line took its place and held the position a short time, when the forces were ordered to retire to the crest of the ridge from which the enemy had been driven.
That was the way the fight, on the part of Steedman's Division, opened on that day. It had gained a great advantage, but it was not to maintain it without a severe struggle. Bragg's Reserves-the flower of the Potomac Army-were sent to dislodge us from our newly gained position. But it availed them not. Battery M, 1st Illinois Artillery, was planted far to the right, in a commanding position, and such was the con- formation of the ground that, as the Rebel lines advanced to the assault, they came under the sure and effective range of our guns. Their battery had been planted in a new position, bearing upon ours, and the continued roar of artillery soon was mingled with the sound of musketry.
Our lines were extended to the right so as to reach and support our battery. which the Rebels were threatening to attack. A general assault was soon made upon our lines, but it proved disastrous to the Rebels. Our grape and cannister made great havoc in their ranks, while our soldiers took careful aim before pulling the triggers of their Enfield mus- kets. The Rebels were badly repulsed, and as they retreated we followed. pursuing them a considerable distance. But while this move exposed us to the fire of their artillery, they were much less in danger from our bat- tery. Other troops, in heavier force, took the place of those whom we had driven, and the batile waged fiercely again until we were ordered to retire.
Let the simple truth be told. That retreat, in fact, that whole batt !! in which our Division was engaged, was not conducted with precisely the same order observed ou a dress parade. I have read of such thing. : I have heard of troops acting with arctic coolness and impassability under the most galling fire, minutely observing every direction of the tactic -. It may be so, but it was not so with our Division on that day. When the men were ordered to advance they kept their line pretty well, but there were many whose eagerness carried them ahead of it, and some who- timidity kept them in rear of it. In retreating, the men paid but little attention to keeping their lines well dressed, and had the appearance ! ! a mass rather than a line. Nay more ; some of the troops on the le :: actually broke, and were thrown into some disorder. But it is al->
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true that when the desired point was gained the troops were readily halted and rallied with but little difficulty. Once, the 115th Illinois- which did exceedingly well that day-seemed unable to rally ; but Gen. stredman was near at hand, and, seizing the colors from the standard bearer. advanced toward the enemy, saying to the men : "Boys, I'll carry your flag if you'll defend it !" They rallied around him and did Doble deeds. There was not one instance of failure to rally the troops, though the leaden hail fell so thick and fast among them that nothing but their native heroismi and the animating courage of their officers could have kept them up to the work. Let it not be forgotten that on that afternoon there was but little fighting, except upon Thomas' lines, whose right Steedman held, and on the right the fiereest fighting apparently was done. There was nothing to prevent the enemy from sending almost vrerwhelming forces against us, and we learn from prisoners, and we Judge from the incidents and character of the contest, that they were Szhting Steedman with the odds of at least three to one in their favor. Thomas was holding their whole army in check, saving from irretrievable Haster the Army of the Cumberland ; and there was nothing akin to a boliday parade in the terrible momentum of their assaults to break through that bulwark, or the heroic cudurance with which our soldiers met and repulsed them. More depended upon the individuality of the saldier than upon the harmnouions movements of regiments and brigades. This was felt by our officers and soldiers. There was little manœuvering, but there was a great deal of fighting. There was no waiting for com- Finds in detail-no firing of volleys by platoons and companies. When we had gained a position in advance, and the line was halted in view of the enemy, the men fired at will, each intent only on doing his own duty w.il. After that repulse another assault was made, and with the same realt. The Rebels advanced, were checked; we drove and followed thin until fresh troops were arrayed against us, and we in turn were forced to retire. But this time we drove them further, and kept them at 's longer than before. One of our regiments, the NINETY-SIXTH Lunois, pursued them nearly half a mile, and held that advanced position until it began to receive an enfilading fire from some of our own troops.
Thus the contest continued until dark, and all the time we held the nage. Sometimes a regiment or more would fall back beyond the ridge, LI enough always remained to hold it. At last Gen. Thomas gave the . Net to retire, but it failed to reach a portion of the NINETY-SIXTH ichhvis and a remnant of the 121st Ohio, who at the time occupied a Anation on the right, somewhat advanced beyond the line, and there, for A considerable time, they continued to fight with unabated vigor. The i Met to retire was at last given to this devoted band, who reluctantly left Erir position. That closed the fighting for the day. We retired from 'er feld, not knowing that the enemy was at the same time also retreat- ,2x baffled and discouraged, in fact, beaten. So the bloody field was left Www.rupied that night. No, not wholly unoccupied, for James T. Guppy, « Private of Company D, NINETY.SIXTH Illinois, not knowing that our
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
troops had fallen hack, slept upon the battle field, and, next morning, as he awoke, found a Rebel surgeon near him looking for Rebel dead, and who advised him, if he ever wished to see his Regiment again, to hurry on to Chattanooga. The fight was over, and while the Union army wa- sad the Rebels were not exultant. The fight was over, and Steedman's Division had made its record. It had done more than that. Said Gen. Thomas to Gen. Steedman : "You have saved my Corps."
That was a deed worthy to be proud of, for, from what disaster did not that Corps save our army and our cause !
But there was little feeling of pride that night among the troops of the First Division of the Reserves. We were busy reckoning up our losses, and they were appalling ! The long list of killed and wounded is a sad proof of the trial by fire to which, that afternoon, our Division was subjected.
Was ever such havoe made with a staff as that which Gen. Whitta. ker's suffered ? There were eight of them, including the General. Three were killed, three wounded, one captured or killed, and only one escaped. How often has it happened that a Regiment, in one afternoon's engage- ment, has endured a greater loss in killed and wounded than the NINETY- SIXTH Illinois? It took into battle 415 men. It lost 49 killed and 12i wounded-considerably more than one-third. Of its 23 field, staff and line officers engaged, 11 were killed and wounded. It happened that thx! Regiment, during the fight, was always in the front line, and was greatly .exposed to the enemy's artillery, but. under the cool and able leadership of Colonel Champion, it maintained its place, and, with the 121st Ohio. was the last to leave the field.
Whittaker's Brigade of six Regiments lost nearly one thousand men. killed and wounded, and Col. Mitchell's Brigade of four Regiments lost nearly four hundred.
There were many noble men who fell on that hard-fought field -- many who deserve special mention. I know but few of the many, yet let me speak of two or three.
Capt. S. B. Espy, Assistant Commissary on Gen. Whittaker's staff, was a very lion that day. He was advised to remain with his trains ; but, too noble spirited for that, he remained on the field, fearless of danger. doing wonders in cheering and rallying the men under the destructive fire of the enemy, He was one of Illinois' noble sons, and his loss is severely felt.
And there was a Quarter-Master Sergeant, William S. Bean, who, like Capt. Espy, chose the field of danger rather than the post of safety. II might have remained in the rear, and the breath of censure could not have touched him; but he was right where the bullets flew thickest and fastest, and did the work almost of a General in encouraging the bold and animating the timid. He was a genuine hero.
Capt. Wells, of the 113th Ohio, and Lieut. Col. Kinman, of the 115:h Illinois, were two of the best men and bravest soldiers who yielded up their lives on the twentieth on their country's altar.
٩٩ ٧٠ ٠٣٠ ٠٨٠١٧٨٠
JOHN G. SCHAEFER, FIRST SERGEANT, COMPANY A.
В уличной гибзалза терп
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And the scores of privates, corporals and sergeants, men of families, who had left all-wife, children, home-for their country, from a pure seuse of duty ; young men, who left college walls and the merchant's desk, and the plow, and the anvil, all because their country called them, to face death on a battle field ; darling sons, the hope and stay of widowed mothers, whose early death will break more than one sorrowing heart- what of these ? Alas ! too many such there are-as brave, as heroic, as truly martyrs as ever died in the cause of humanity-to mention here by name. Would you know them ? Read the list of the killed !
We will not, in our sorrow for the heroes dead, forget the surviving brave. These, thanks to a merciful Providence, are even more numerous than the dead. Among the many who did well, Gen. Steedman, and Major Smith, and Capt. Moe, of his Staff, merit special praise. And Gen. Whittaker and Col. Mitchell, and their Staff Officers, and the Regimental Commanders, are most highly honored by the soldiers, for they Were brave and unflinching leaders.
Let me refer to two men in humbler positions. One is Lieutenant C. W. Earle, commanding the Color Company of the NINETY-SIXTH. He wood by the colors throughout the fight, and, though all but two of the . { olor Guard were killed and wounded, and the colors were cut to pieces by the bullets and grape and cannister that pierced its folds, he faltered not one instant. He is a Second Lieutenant, and but a boy, yet few full- grown men, in much more exalted positions, excelled him in cool, cheer- fal courage.
The other is Capt. Clason, of the 121st Ohio, who, with the little remnant of the Regiment, fought so stubbornly and unyieldingly to the very last, preserving their colors and keeping them afloat proudly in the Isee of the enemy, until the last shot was fired.
And Col. Le Favour, who led his 22d Michigan on a bayonet charge, after they had expended all their ammunition, should not be forgotten when the roll of honor is made out. But time and space would fail to Bume every man who flinched not from his duty on that memorable day. The 44th Indiana, the 40th, 98th and 89th Ohio, and the 7th Illinois-all "! Steedman's Division-has each its list of heroes.
Enough that, at that critical hour, the Reserve failed not. And it could have done more had it beon necessary, for Col. McCook's Brigade # s+ not engaged. As to our Division, it has confidence in its officers, while they are proud of their men ; and it is now ready to test its mettle again with a Rebel foe. It is with not a little of pride that I can write "! such a Division, and its fight on the twentieth, parra pars fui .*
MILES.t
· Of which I was a small part. + A soldier.
14
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE.
NOTE .- To write fully of the experiences of each of the members of the Regiment who participated in the battle of Chickamauga is Impracticable, if not impossible, for it would require a volume to record what would be of interest. And yet, it does not seem best to omit these per-onal incidents altogether, even though but a few can be rescued from the oblivion into which the years are rapidly passing them. Naturally those which are the best known to the writer are such as occurred in the Company of which he was at the time a member, or to individuals whom he knew most intimately or has met most frequently in the years that have intervened These, if any, must be recorded. It is hoped that no one will attribute the mentions to favoritiem or the omis- sions to a want of appreciation on the writer's part of the genuine merit of those whose names do not appear. It was simply impossible that any one man should know more than a minor portion of the incidents that would be of interest while a battle was raging, or that, -- entertaining no thought at the time of writing of them, -he should cherish any considerable portion for a score of years, or gather more than a fraction of them in the limited time now at the command of THE EDITOR.
Early in the engagement the horse ridden by Gen. J. B. Steedman was shot. As the animal fell the General was thrown violently forward, and badly bruised on the head and face, the injuries being such as to cause the blood to flow freely and give the commander the appearance of having been badly wounded. Gen. W. C. Whittaker, commander of the Brigade, was struck in the abdomen, his injury being painful but not so serious as to take him from the field for more than a half hour or so. He thought himself mortally wounded for the moment, and his words, -which he supposed were his last ou earth. -- were of good cheer to his command, and an enconr- agement to them to do their duty. Rarely has a Staff fared so roughly as did that of Gen. Whittaker. Capt. S. B. Espy, of the 115th Illinois, Acting Brigade Commissary, and Lieut. Mason, of the S4th Indiana, who was serving as an Aide. were killed outright. Capt. James Allen, of the 40th Ohio. who was in the English army at the siege of Lucknow, and who had been decorated by the Queen for bravery, was severely wounded through the arm. Lieut. John M. Moore, of the 84th Indiana, and at the time A. A. A. General of the Bri- gade, was shot through the thigh and crippled for life. Lieu- tenant G. W. Pepoon, of the NINETY-SIXTH Illinois, -then an Aide, and who, although continually riding the lines, was the only one who escaped unharmed, -left the field at dark in charge of Lieut. Moore, walking or riding beside him, and
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helping to hold him on his horse until Rossville was reached. Captain Charles E. Rowan, of the NINETY-SIXTH, was captured on Saturday afternoon, and Lieut. Jesse Hannon, of the 115th Illinois, was captured just before the battle closed on Sunday.
In the Regiment no mounted officer escaped except the Colonel, and he was twiee dismounted. The gray horse which he took from Illinois, but which had been disposed of some time previously, was finally brought and bore him safely from the field. Toward the elose of the fight, and when the line had been reduced to a mere skirmish line, the Colonel took a musket and used it for a time, the soldiers loading it for him. Always his presence was an inspiration, and his position so conspicuous that it was marvelous how he escaped. Major J. C. Smith, on staff duty, had many thrilling experi- ences and narrow escapes. but rode safely through the storm. Sergeant-Major Quinn rode into the battle a horse from which a Rebel Major had been shot at Franklin. Early in the fight Quinn was wounded, a bullet passing through his shoulder and lungs, and so disabling him that when the lines retired he was left in the enemy's hands. He was subsequently paroled and furloughed home, meeting death by drowning a few months later. Quarter-Master Sergeant Bean was shot from his horse while bravely riding the lines, and instantly killed.
The experiences of the Color Guard were almost without precedent. Nine men moved forward under the flags in the Erst charge on Sunday afternoon, and a tenth subsequently joined thein. Only one retired that evening, all of the others having been killed or wounded. Color Sergeant M. M. Bruner, of Company HI, was disabled by a raking shot across his breast and through one arm. Corporal David Isbell, of Company A. had an arm shattered. Turning to leave the field he was again struck and doubtless killed, as he was not afterward 1card from. Corporal Hamilton Whitney, of Company B. Maped until almost night. but was then shot through, and left for dead upon the field, but fortunately survived, being paroled and sent to Chattanooga ten days later. Acting Color Corpo- ral Squire Inman, of Company C. was badly wounded in the lg. and left on the field, where he died within a week. Cor-
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
poral William F. De Graff, of Company E, was severely wounded in the leg, but survived, only to be mortally wounded in a subsequent battle. Corporal Walton Reed, of Company F, was killed. Corporal John A. Robison, of Company F. lost his good right arm. Corporal J. W. Swanbrough, of Company G, carried the regimental flag into the fight, and bore both flags from the field, being uninjured, except from the bruises occasioned by the falling branch of a tree, although the flags were literally riddled and the flag-staff's splintered in his hands. Corporal Ward L. Morton, of Company II. who was sent to act with the Color Guard after the disabling of Ser- geant Bruner, was killed. Acting Color Corporal Thomas A. Conlee, of Company K, was wounded in the shoulder. It must ever remain a mystery how Corporal Swanbrough escaped that day. In every advance the colors waved at the very front. and whenever the line became in any way scattered the flag was the rallying point. Once, after the line had been forced back- ward, there seemed a disposition not to halt just where ordered, but to form a line a little to the rear. "John, " said the Colonel, addressing Corporal Swanbrough, "can you carry the colors a little farther up the ridge?" and the reso- lute color bearer started forward, while the men quickly gath- ered around him and formed the line even farther to the front than had first been planned. His example, and the fact that the line was moving, gave them courage, and they made ready response.
Lieutenant Vincent, of Company A, was severely wounded in the leg while using a musket. Josephus Metcalf, of Con pany A ; Eli Thayer, of Company D, and George W. Dimick. of Company E, were each struck on the head and stunned. regaining consciousness only to find themselves prisoners Each endured a long confinement, and the two last named died without ever rejoining the Regiment.
In Company B. Charles Fox fell while calling encourag ingly to his comrades to go forward. Near him fell Thoma- Potter and William Kimball - all fatally shot in the fir-' charge. Emery Dart was among the bravest, but suddenly disappeared, and was doubtless killed outright, although w
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one noticed him as he fell. John H. Cruver had an arm shat- tered at the elbow early in the afternoon, which disabled him for further service. W. W. Tower was severely wounded in the leg, and long disabled, but returned to receive a fatal wound a few months later. Sergeant Bangs tarried too long when the Regiment fell back, and, in the momentary confu- sion, missed his command and found himself with the 22d Michigan. Taking part with them in a charge, he became a prisoner with a large portion of that regiment. Sergeant Whitmore was badly wounded in the shoulder, but returned in a few months, and was subsequently killed.
Lieutenant Earle, commanding Company C, was wounded in the arm, but did not leave his command. On Tuesday morn- ing. before the surrender of the skirmish line on Missionary Ridge; he was again hit, this time on the wrist, but not dis- abled. John Fidler, of Company C, was wounded in the hand or arm, and turning to leave the line was again hit and instantly killed. Sergeant Murray was struck in the shoulder near the spine, and so badly paralyzed as to render him entirely helpless. He lay between the lines all through the afternoon, and in this trying position was subsequently twice wounded. His great fear was that, in his helpless condition, he would be burned to death from the fires catching in the woods, and at his earnest request a Rebel soldier scraped away the leaves and drew him upon the bare ground. Corporal Lewis HI. Bryant was at one time of the opinion that the lines were retreating too far, and thrusting the butt end of his musket against the ground, began reloading, muttering between his teeth that he wasn't going back another step. In a few mo- ments a bullet passed through both his legs, and he was com- Delled to go to the rear. Henry P. Barnum was terribly shot through the face, and for a few moments was inside the Rebel littes. He was bleeding profusely, and terribly thirsty, when a soldier in gray, at his request. gave him a drink from a can- leen. Fearing that he would bleed to death, and remember- ing that some one had told him that if ever severely wounded he must cord the injured member, he tried to devise some way by which he might tie a handkerchief or canteen strap
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HISTORY OF THE 9TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
about his neck and stop the hemorrhage, but before his experi- ment had proceeded far the Union lines again advanced, and he was sent to the rear, but received very little attention for some days. Leonard S. Doolittle was very severely wounded through the leg, below the knee, in the last advance move- ment. George Farnsworth, of Company G, assisted him to his feet and fairly carried him until he had fainted from pain and loss of blood. The Rebels were close upon them, and reluctantly the brave soldier laid down his unconscious bur- den. Doolittle was a prisoner for about ten days. William Bonner was shot through the body in the first charge, and subsequently carried a short distance to the rear, where he doubtless died. Corporal Lewin had a long, raking shot on the shoulder and back, but rejoined the Regiment next day. and after the capture on Missionary Ridge was the sole rep- resentative of the Company with the command.
In Company D, Sergeant McKey was instantly killed. Ser- geant Quigley, who had previously served for many years in the Regular Army, was fatally shot, doubtless dying in a few hours. Elias Hosley was shot through the body. That night some of his comrades assisted him to the rear a long distance, and until he begged them to desist, saying that he could not endure the pain. Making him as comfortable as they could. they left him, with other wounded, at a house. where he died a few hours later. Edmund Stevens, who had been hurt by the shell that disabled Lieutenant Clarkson. fought on until shot through the body. He was left for dead upon the field, but subsequently revived ; was exchanged in a few days, and eventually recovered, although never again able to take his place in the field. Corporal Orson V. Young. whose heel was severely bruised by the fragment of a shell. limped around all of the afternoon, fighting bravely to the last, although his injury was such that he would have been fully justified in going to the rear. Lieutenant Clarkson. whose face and jaw had been terribly cut, and whose wound was thought at the time to be fatal, was carried to the ridge and placed in an ambulance. He recovered in time, but bore serious sears to the day of his death. John C. Thompson's
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