USA > Illinois > History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois volunteer Infantry, Vol. I > Part 26
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Wednesday, January 27, the march was not resumed until about noon. a delay being made to allow the wagon trains to pass through that purgatory of transportation known as " The
285
1864]
THE MARCH THROUGH CHATTANOOGA.
Narrows." The road through this portion of the route, which is bad enough at best, was worse than usual, and so trying upon both teams and wagons that but a half dozen miles were traversed by the infantry in rear, the camp for the night being near the high trestle bridge at Whiteside or Falling Waters. On the twenty-eighth the march was a leisurely one, the camp. for the night, which was reached at three p. M., being at the base of Lookout Mountain. Lookout greeted the command with the familiarity of an old acquaintance, and seemed to promise the soldiers a gracious reception if they would honor him with another visit.
The invitation was accepted at seven o'clock on the morn- ing of the twenty-ninth. The gay and easy march over the "nose " of Lookout was in striking contrast with the toilsome climb over the same " nose," several hundred feet nearer the rocky eyebrows, two months before, for the engineers and pioneers had built a fine macadamized road of easy zig-zag slopes and ample width, and though not at that time entirely completed it was an Appian Way compared with the former road, and made the march over the mountain seem like a triumphal procession. The march through Chattanooga was with drums beating and the new colors unfurled. Passing Orchard Knob a halt was made for the night at the foot of Missionary Ridge. There were visible many traces of the November battle, bullets being picked up here and there, while fragments of shell were so frequent as to indicate that there had been a somewhat lavish use of iron on the part of the Union batteries in Chattanooga, both during the siege and in the battle. Those of the men not too weary with the march wandered along the slopes, halting at intervals to count the bullet holes in trees or stumps, or picking up relics of the sanguinary contest, until nightfall shut out the view, and the bugle warned them back to evening roll call.
Saturday, January 30, the command crossed the historic ridge. halting to rest upon its summit, and when the extreme strength of the Rebel position was seen, all admired, more than ever before, the valor which had driven a determined enemy from such a natural stronghold. At noon it began to
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
rain, making the roads very disagreeable ; but the march was not a long one, for before night the column halted and went into camp at Tyner Station, nine miles from Chattanooga, on the Knoxville railroad. A good camp was fixed up, and although Sunday brought a severe rain storm the men made themselves comfortable. Several Rebel deserters came to this camp, each telling a pitiful tale of short rations and gene- ral dissatisfaction in the Southern army, reports that subse- quent events did not confirm. These deserters were sent under guard to Chattanooga and thence to Nashville or farther north. The railroad was being rapidly repaired toward Cleve- land. and on Monday the first train passed Tyner. Mrs. B. G. Pierce, wife of Surgeon Pierce, came to the Regiment, remaining for some weeks.
Wednesday, February 3, the Regiment again broke camp, marching six or eight miles, and halting at Ooltewah. It was given out that this was to be a permanent camp, and much pains was taken in the erection of cabins, small, straight pine poles being used for the walls, and the canvas tents being spread over them for roofs. Inside were bunks, and fireplaces were improvised beside the doorways. Boards were not abundant, but cracker boxes made a partial supply of material for doors, and, where other material could not be obtained, blankets or pieces of tent were used to shut out the wind or rain. Guard duty was quite heavy, as Rebel cavalry hovered in the neighborhood and threatened the camps of the scattered troops. But the camp, which Thursday had seen so carefully erected, was abandoned on Friday, the Regiment marching eight miles, going in the direction of Cleveland. Colonel Champion, who had just returned from leave of absence, assumed command of the Brigade, and Adjutant Blodgett acted as Assistant Adjutant General.
Saturday, February 6, the command marched four miles in a rainstorm, camping at Blue Springs, not far from the railroad which runs from Cleveland to Dalton, connecting the Chattanooga and Knoxville with the Chattanooga and Atlanta railroad. The next day was spent in fixing up a camp in the grubs upon a side hill. There was not a little apprehension
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FORMATION OF THE VETERAN CORPS.
1864]
at this time for the safety of this part of the line. Quite a large proportion of the members of many of the regiments organized in 1861, and who had served more than two years, had "veteranized," as the act of reenlisting was called, and were absent on furlough, so that the army was, for the time being, greatly weakened, and it was thought that the Rebels might take advantage of this fact and seek to break the lines in the vicinity of Cleveland. Several recent demonstrations -on the part of their cavalry had tended to confirm this belief. and the troops at Blue Springs were kept well in hand and ready for any emergency that might arise. Reveille sounded early each morning, but the old practice of standing in line through the damp and chilly morning hours was not revived, although the men kept on their accoutrements and were in- structed to have their canteens and haversacks filled, so that they could march at a moment's notice.
There were few measures during the war that gave eri- dence of greater wisdom and forethought than the originating and adopting of the act under which the reenlistment of the volunteers of 1861 was secured. Nor was there any event that gave more eloquent testimony to the devotion and cour- age of the American volunteer soldier. The men who reen- listed in Tennessee had experienced all the hardships inci- ·dent to severe campaigning, and all the dangers of repeated and terrible battles. They had, during the autumn and early winter, fought three desperate engagements. For weeks they had been on short rations. Even at that time they were, at many points, subsisting on such provisions as could be obtained in the war-worn and not over-populous region about Knoxville and Loudon. The weather was desperately cold. Indeed, many of them were enduring hardships and severities such as were hardly equalled at Valley Forge. But in the face of these hardships, with the certainty that it meant more toilsome marches and terrible battles. these brave men, at the call of the President, responded,-in some Regiments almost unani- inously, -and reenlisted for another three years. As promised, these veterans were given a thirty days' furlough to their .homes, and at the time now written of only the non-veterans, -
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
as those who did not re-enlist were called. - and the troops that could not "go in again," not having yet served two years, were at the front. Hence it was necessary that the utmost watchfulness should be observed. Consequently the country between Cleveland and Dalton was tramped over almost daily by reconoitering parties.
Monday, February S, the NINETY-SIXTH was ordered out to scout the country toward Dalton, and left their camp at Blue Springs about four o'clock p. M., marching eight miles and going into bivouac. Next morning the march was resnmed, the command going four miles farther, and to within two miles of the Rebel lines, and then returning to camp. No organized force of Rebels was encountered, but there were evidences that they were not far away. It was remarked by soldiers that most of the citizens along the route were loyal. and at one point the ladies came out and sang patriotic songs. The weather was pleasant, and while the march was rapid and fatiguing, the inen seemed to enjoy it rather than other- wise. On their return the camp at Blue Springs was nicely policed. and many cabins were erected during Wednesday and Thursday.
On Friday, February 12, the NINETY-SIXTH, the Sith Indiana and a Battery were again out on a scout, going to Red Clay, on the Georgia line, and halting for dinner on the very spot where the Rebels had breakfasted. That afternoon they returned to Blue Springs, and on the following Sunday Companies A, F, D. E and K were again out, going over nearly the same ground. The weather was rainy and their trip an unpleasant one. The troops now threw up some entrenchments at Blue Springs.
Tuesday, February 16, the Paymaster came to camp, and each of the men received a small handful of crisp greenbacks. A rain storin prevailed for a day or two, and was succeeded by severe cold weather.
On Saturday Companies B, C, G, H and I went out on a scout, under command of Captain James, marching about thirteen miles and returning the same night. The resignation
JOHN H. HOLDEN. COMPANY A.
ИЗАТОЧЕН ИНОЕ
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THE DALTON RECONNAISSANCE.
1964]
of Lieutenant Funk, of Company E, who had been disabled at Chickamauga, was accepted on the twentieth.
Sunday, February 21, there was a heavy snow squall, and the weather was very disagreeable, making the order to march the following morning a most unwelcome one. Three days' rations were issued, with orders next day to have them last four days. On Monday the camps were early astir, and the First Division, which was encamped about Blue Springs and Cleveland. took the roads leading southward, camping for the night near Red Clay Station. The NINETY-SixTH did not leave camp until about nine o'clock A. M., and halted at three o'clock. The march was not directly to the destination mentioned, but in a roundabout way; the purpose being to scour the country and prevent any force of the enemy from getting in the rear of the marching column. The Regiment was on picket at night. Simultaneously with this forward movement of the First Division of the Fourth Corps, the Fourteenth Corps moved forward farther to the right, going by way of Ringgold. At this time Gen. Sherman was on his famous Meridian expedition, and this movement on the part of these four Divisions from the Army of the Cumberland was intended as a diversion in his favor. It had been reported by deserters and captured Rebels that Gen. Johnston, who had relieved Gen. Bragg in command of the forces in North- ern Georgia. had dispatched two Divisions from Dalton to reinforce Gen. Polk, at or near Meridian, and it was the pur- use of Gen. Thomas to either capture Dalton or compel Gen. Johnston to recall these forces.
Tuesday, February 23, the command began fixing up a cump, but were shortly ordered forward, and at two o'clock i. M. again took the road, marching until nine o'clock in the evening and making nearly fifteen miles. The cavalry had some brisk skirmishing at the front, and the Fourteenth Corps met with some resistance farther to the right. The Union citizens were quite demonstrative, some of them even bring- ing out flags, which had doubtless been hidden for at least three years. Women swung their bonnets and men hurrahed for the Yankees and the Union, manifesting great delight.
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
One man, who claimed to be ninety-eight years old and to have been a Captain in the war of 1812. was almost frantic in his ejaculations when the Old Flag came in sight.
Wednesday, February 24, rmnors were abundant. and every one seemed anxious, for it was reported that the enemy was in heavy force near at hand, and partially in their rear, while the Union forces were apparently scattered. The Brigade, under command of Colonel Champion, retraced it- steps. leaving their advanced position at ten o'clock A. M .. marching three miles and halting near Lee's Cross-roads for a short time, and then, with other portions of the Division. pressing off toward Tunnel Hill, nearly four miles. Heavy skirmishing on the part of the Fourteenth Corps was heard. but when the column arrived in sight of the fortifications the Rebels fled. During the afternoon the Brigade counter- marched to Lee's, and went into camp at dusk, having marched about twelve miles.
Thursday, February 25, reveille sounded at two o'clock A. M., and at four o'clock the troops were on the road. Cross- ing a long ridge the column turned southward, marching toward Dalton, at first in column. and then in line-of-battle. The Division of Gen. Baird and other Union troops were passed, and as soon as the formation was complete the entire army pressed forward. The lines began to move about nine o'clock A. M., the NINETY-SIXTH at first having position on the left of the second line of the Brigade. The advance was very rapid for a mile or more. the ground passed over being a series of low hills, most of them heavily timbered. The Rebels were soon encountered. but the skirmishers pushed them back in an admirable manner, keeping up a rapid fire and hardly halting at all. While the lines were thus advancing. Josia !! Moulton, of Company G, was wounded in the face. Franci- T. Robinson, of Company A, was wounded in the foot. Henson Moore, of Company H, was wounded in the hand. It became apparent that the Rebel main line was nearly reached, and the troops halted at the crest of a wooded ridge, the skirmishers keeping up a rapid fire. This position was occupied throughout the entire day, and at no time for
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CASUALTIES OF THE CAMPAIGN.
ten hours did the firing cease. The Rebel skirmishers at intervals would tauntingly call from their pits : .. Chicka- manga !" or "Ilere's your Dalton! Come and take it!" The Union skirmishers would shout in reply : "Here's your Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge." From behind trees and logs they continued to send their leaden compliments back and forth. The soldiers in the main line lay upon the ground, just enough at the rear of the ridge to be protected. It is all very pleasant to lie upon the grass in the shade for an hour or two if the surroundings are agreeable and the weather pleasant, but when the ground is bare and damp, the weather chilly, the danger considerable and the time prolongs itself into many hours, a prostrate position becomes monotonous ; and so it proved on this occasion. for the day seemed intermi- nable.
While Lieutenant Pepoon, of the Brigade Staff, was recon- noitering directly in front of the Regiment he drew the fire of the Rebel skirmishers, but escaped injury. One of the bullets, however. sped past its mark, striking Sergeant Henry J. Harriman, of Company K, in the head and causing his instant death. The Sergeant was a gallant soldier and worthy to command a Company or even a Regiment, and his death caused great sadness in the command. Toward night light lines of breastworks were thrown up, the men using fence rails, stones and logs. These works were not to be used. how- ever, for at eleven o'clock that night, it was determined that Dalton should not be attacked with the force then under Gen. Thomas. The army marched back ten miles, bivouacking at four o'clock near Lee's house, after a continuous march of abont twenty-four hours, nearly one-half of the time under fre. The distance traveled during the time had been about twenty miles. When the line left its position at Dalton. Charles C. and Harry Menzimer, of Company A, were asleep behind a log a little in the rear of the pickets, and were not missed until daylight. Neither happening to hear the column muove they slept on, unconscious of danger, until daylight, when they were awakened by the Rebel cavalry and made
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
prisoners. Charles subsequently died in prison, and Harry escaped after enduring many terrible experiences.
Friday, February 26, camp was broken at about noon, the Brigade to which the NINETY-SixTu was attached marching in the direction of Tunnel Hill, and forming line where the halt was made on Wednesday. This position was maintained until nine o'clock p. M., when a retreat was again ordered. Fires were kindled along the road. by direction of the officers. to deceive the Rebels into the belief that the troops were going into camp. The march was a rapid one, the final halt being made on Chickamauga Creek about one o'clock A. M. The distance traveled was abont eight miles.
Saturday, February 27, the troops remained in camp until afternoon, when they again moved, marching to within two miles of Ooltewah. The distance traveled was about ten miles, and the column did not halt until after dark. The Rebels followed closely, and near the Ringgold road consider- able skirmishing could be seen and heard on the left across Chickamauga Creek. An attempt was made to decoy the enemy into an open field by sending a wagon train toward them, but without avail. A sad accident occurred during the afternoon, Lientenant Havens, of Company G, being very seriously wounded by the accidental discharge of a musket in the hands of a soldier in Company B. The bullet passed through his shoulder, and it was at first feared that the wound would prove fatal. All regretted the occurrence, but none more sincerely than the non-commissioned officer who chanced to have the gun in his hands. The Lieutenant recovered, but was disabled for several months, and still suffers from the effect of the injury.
Sunday, February 28, the column marched to Blue Springs. reaching there at noon and occupying the old camp ground. The Rebels did not follow. The distance traveled was about twelve miles. The Regiment had now been out for a full week, and its service had been very trying. The marching. which had been rapid at times, had aggregated one hundred miles, and as there had been an unusual amount of night
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AGAIN IN WINTER QUARTERS. 293
work, the men were glad to be in camp again and given a little opportunity for rest.
Monday, February 29, a severe rain set in, and the day was a very disagreeable one, but most of the men were per- mitted to remain in camp and made themselves as comfortable as circumstances would permit. Quite a number of men. most of them having honorable scars, were arriving daily from the various hospitals. A leave of absence had arrived for Major Hicks just before the reconnoisance, but he pocketed it until the campaign closed, starting for home on the return to Bine Springs.
Tuesday. March 1, the NINETY-SIXTH left Blue Springs at nine o'clock A. M., and marched to Cleveland, a distance of abont four miles, going into camp a little outside the village on a side hill close by the railroad track. For almost the first time in its experience the Regiment made a very fortunate move as regards a camp ground, finding the winter quarters recently vacated by the Sith Illinois in excellent condition. They had but to put their shelter tents on these buildings for roofs and clean up a little litter, and they were in excellent condition for living. If the 84th Illinois boys knew how thoroughly their comrades of the NINETY-SIXTH appreciated this unusual state of things, they must certainly have felt com- pensated for any loss of pleasure they might have enjoyed had they pursued the usual custom, and upon being ordered to leave camp burned up their lumber. The day was rainy and cold, and the men regarded themselves as extremely for- tuinate. From that time until the 23d of April the Regiment continued to occupy this camp. Every few days the heart of some one was made happy by the receipt of a twenty days' furlough. Generally these favored ones were men having families at home, but occasionally the rule was varied and single men were given leaves of absence. A heavy line ot rifle pits were dug around camp, details of men being at work alnost daily strengthening it. A number of recruits came to the Regiment from Lake and Jo Daviess Counties about this time.
On the Sth of March the members of the command were
*
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HISTORY OF THE 26TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
made to rejoice by the receipt of the intelligence that Captain Rowan, of Company F, and Lieutenant Earle, of Company C, both of whom had been prisoners of war since the battle of Chickamauga, had escaped from prison and reached the Union lines. Both of these officers were very popular in the Regiment, and the news of their escape was enthusiastically received.
Gen. Whittaker having returned from Kentucky and assumed command of the Brigade, Colonel Champion took command of the Post, with headquarters at Cleveland. Adju- tant Blodgett was assigned to duty as Post Adjutant. For some time before his injury, Lientenant Havens had acted as Adjutant of the Regiment. He was succeeded by Lieutenant Dawson, and Lientenant Earle took the position on returning. serving until the return of the Colonel and Adjutant.
The position of Post Commander at Cleveland was by no means an ornamental one. Many of the citizens in the vicinity were intensely loyal. The armies had taken all of their live stock and provisions, and in many instances left them abso- Intely destitute. If they remained outside the lines they were continually subjected to unpleasant experiences, as scouting parties from either army were raiding the country. As a con- sequence they flocked to the town and were assigned to the houses of absent Rebels. Upon the Post Commander devolved the delicate task of selecting the loyal and worthy and provisioning them. The disloyal were temporarily cared for. under guard, and either sent to Chattanooga, where they could be more carefully watched, or placed outside the lines where they could go to their Rebel friends. Almost the entire population of the three or four counties contiguous to Cleveland and Chattanooga were fed at Unele Sam's expense for a num- ber of months. Many were sick and had to be treated by the Post Surgeons. An aged citizen. who had been a soldier in the Black Hawk war, died at Cleveland in March, and was buried with military honors, Corporal Gage, of Company (i. having charge of the funeral escort. ·
On the 11th of March the Regiment had its first dress parade for several months. Drill was resumed with consider-
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RETURN FROM LIBBY PRISON.
1864]
able vigor, the Companies or the entire Battalion being out whenever the weather would permit. A general order from Division Headquarters required all of the troops to drill not less than three and one-half hours every day. The Regiment still retained the old habit of getting up before daylight. forin- ing line, stacking arms and wearing accoutrements until seven o'clock.
On the 18th of March the Regiment marched through - town and back. Gen. Whittaker being temporarily absent in Kentucky. Col. Price. of the 21st Kentucky, assumed com- mand of the Brigade, and on the 20th had a grand review in the afternoon.
The 22d is memorable for a very severe snow storm, prevailing throughout the day and covering the ground to the depth of nearly a foot. Commands that chanced to be on the move at that time or that were merely in bivouac suffered greatly, but fortunately the NINETY-SIXTH was in comfortable quarters and not required to do very heavy guard duty, so that it enjoyed the storm rather than otherwise. The men indulged in some very vigorous snow-balling, and some of the officers improvised a sleigh and had a genuine sleigh ride.
About this time several reading clubs were made up, the men contributing a small sum each to a fund with which to pay the subscriptions to a large number of magazines and news- papers, and as a consequence reading matter was very abun- dant in camp. The leading dailies from New York, Chicago and Cincinnati were on the list, and as a result all were kept fully informed of the general news of the day. During the stay at Cleveland there was abundant time and opportunity for reading, but when the campaign which followed was fully begun, the papers were so irregular in reaching their destina- tion and the time of the men so occupied, as to render the periodicals of less service ; consequently most of the subscrip- tions were dropped at the end of three or six months. Cap- tain Timothy D. Rose. of Company K. resigned March 21. First Lientenant E. E. Townsend was promoted to Captain. and Second Lieutenant George W. Pepoon to First Lieutenant.
March 23d, Lieutenant Earle arrived in camp and was
-
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
given quite an ovation, and for many days he was compelled to tell over and over the story of his escape from Libby Prison. Captain Rowan rejoined the Regiment a week later and was most cordially greeted. An elegant banquet was given at Post Headquarters in honor of their return.
There had been more or less small pox in the army for some weeks, and as a precautionary measure every man in the Regiment who could not exhibit a satisfactory scar to the Surgeon was vaccinated.
On the eleventh of April the Eleventh and Twelfth Corp, were consolidated as the Twentieth Corps under command of Major-General Joseph Hooker. Gen. Gordon Granger was relieved from the command of the Fourth Corps and succeeded by Major-General Howard. On the whole the change was well received by officers and men, for Gen. Granger had not been wholly popular, many feeling that his punishment of soldiers for trivial offences was unnecessarily severe. There was at first a little prejudice against Gen. Howard, but this was speed. ily overcome, and he was afterward extremely popular with the officers and men of the entire Corps. His first order was to stop Sunday inspections and reviews, and direct that camp duties on the Sabbath should be as light as was consistent with safety and cleanliness.
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