USA > Illinois > History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois volunteer Infantry, Vol. I > Part 36
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On the eleventh the Regiment went out abont thirteen miles with a forage train, loading the wagons south of Deca-
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
tur. The start was at daylight and the return at dark, mak- ing a hard day's march.
Monday, September 26, the Brigade went out with a forage train, leaving camp about noon and going into bivouac at sun- down in an orchard near Stone Mountain. Next day the march was continued for two or three miles, when a halt was made. While the wagons were being loaded Rebel cavalry made their appearance, and a lively skirmish ensued in which the 21st Kentucky had several men wounded. The enemy were driven into the timber and then, the train being loaded. the return march was safely made, camp being reached a little before sundown.
Dress parades were held daily for a fortnight, and on Fri- day, September 30, there was a Division review and conse- quently a day of hard work. A few officers and men in each regiment received twenty or twenty-five-day furloughs. Gen. Whittaker returned and was for a few weeks in command of the Division. There had been rumors of a raid in the rear for two or three days, and on Sunday, October 2, it was learned that the entire Rebel army had crossed the Chatta- hoochie. Orders were issued by Gen. Sherman to move at midnight, the Twentieth Corps to remain and garrison Atlanta. A heavy rain storm prevailed during the night, and the start on the part of the command, to which the NINETY-SixTH was attached, was delayed until daylight of Monday, October 3. The column passed through Atlanta and out on Marietta street, marching all day in the rain and mud, crossing the Chatta- hoochie and camping for the night, behind the breastworks which the Regiment had confronted three months before at Smyrna Camp Ground. The distance traveled was about twenty miles.
Tuesday, October 4, the command remained in camp until noon, and then marched about nine miles northward past Mari- etta. camping behind the Rebel breastworks west of Kenesaw Mountain, almost directly opposite the point where the Regi- ment had its night fight June 20. It was there learned that the Rebels had possession of the railroad from near Kenesaw to Allatoona and had captured the garrisons at Big Shanty
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FOLLOWING HOOD'S ARMY.
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and Ackworth, among the prisoners being Jared Blodgett, of Company G, who had taken advantage of a brief furlough to visit a brother in the 15th Illinois, then on duty at Ackworth, and who remained a prisoner until near the close of the war.
Wednesday, October 5, the Regiment moved northward about eight o'clock, passing through the breastworks it had defended from June 20 to June 23. It was evident that there was trouble ahead, for the march was a slow and cautious one and the troops were kept well in hand. The column finally halted and the lines were formed, the NINETY-SIXTH camp- ing on the east slope of Pine Mountain, behind the old Rebel works. Gen. Sherman was near at hand, watching with anxiety the outcome of the engagement in progress at Allatoona Pass, and from a position near the Regiment, it is understood, caused to be signalled to Gen. Corse the historic message: " Hold the Fort for I am coming!" The smoke from camp fires and from the burning of railroad ties and fences, and the more distant smoke from the battle raging about Alla- toona from ten o'clock A. M. until nearly two o'clock p. M .. gave evidence, were any wanting, that the entire Rebel army was in front. Gen. Sherman directed the Twenty-third Corps to advance on the left, hoping to cut off the retreat of the enemy, meanwhile holding the other troops in readiness to move in such direction as circumstances might require.
The battle at Allatoona resulted disastrously to the enemy, the garrison repulsing every attack and compelling them to retreat. Eventually they took up their line of march and moved northwesterly, going toward Rome. They had done their work upon the railroad well. for 35,000 new ties and six miles of iron were required to put it in repair ; but ten thou- sand men were set at work, and in one weck the break was closed. About this time four companies of the 40th Ohio were mustered out, their term of service having expired.
Thursday and Friday the main army still waited. Satur- day, October 8, late in the afternoon. the bugles sounded the order to move forward, and the columns marched out, camp- ing late in the evening near Ackworth. Gen. Whittaker was on Kenesaw Mountain when the movement began, and for a
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
time Colonel Champion commanded the Division. The night was unscasonably cold and the troops had a foretaste of winter.
Sunday, October 9, there was but a short march, and it being given out that the command would perhaps remain some time, a good camp was laid out and fixed up during that after- noon and the next day. Monday, at half past three, the order was given to march immediately. and before night the Regi- ment had passed Ackworth and Allatoona, going over the bloody battle field of five days before. There was still abund- ant evidence of the fierceness of the struggle. Many of the Regiment met and talked with acquaintances from the 12th Illinois, who had shared in the engagement, and from them learned some particulars of the fight. Gen. George C. Rogers. then Colonel of the 15th Illinois, who had many acquaint- ances among the Lake County boys, stood by the roadside near the huge buildings where were stored a million rations. and to capture which the Rebels had made the desperate and repeated assaults. As soon as he recognized his former neigh- bors and friends he ordered a barrel of whisky from the Post Commissary, had the head knocked in, and gave every one from Lake County an invitation to join in celebrating the vic- tory and the unexpected meeting. The men halted for but a moment, but somehow the word spread backward along the column, and it is understood that every officer and soldier who passed Allatoona that night .- and there were two or three entire Corps,-claimed to hail from Lake County and to have a personal acquaintance with the General.
The Regiment crossed the Etowah river on the railroad bridge about dusk, and some time after dark camped near Cartersville, having marched thirteen miles. Rations were issned a little after midnight, and but little opportunity given the "government people" for sleep.
Tuesday, October 11, the command started at dayligh .:. passing near Cassville, halting at Kingston at noon, and in the afternoon marching through town and out a short distance oh the road toward Rome. Colonel Champion was here unwell that he could no longer continue with his command. but went north by train ; Lieutenant Colonel Evans, of the 21 -!
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FOLLOWING HOOD'S ARMY.
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Kentucky, taking command of the Brigade. An immense mail was distributed, the first for a fortnight, and the camp rang with cheers.
Wednesday, October 12, brought one of the longest con- tinnous marches in the Regiment's experience. The column moved at seven o'clock, but was greatly delayed by the wagon trains which crowded the road. After most of the wagons had passed, the infantry was ordered to the front, and through thickets and over rocks and hills at the roadside made their way past the teams, marching rapidly for some time. Then came one of those annoying experiences so common when large bodies of troops were marching on a single road. As it transpired, a broad, unbridged creek made its way across the road. The advance, instead of bridging the stream, broke into single file and crossed on a log. This interrupted the march. the troops in rear halting a moment and then moving forward a rod or two, only to be halted again, and again moved forward. This was continued for hours, and the NixErr-Sixm, being near the rear of the column, was thoroughly tired out with this annoying method of marching when they neared the stream. The disgust of the men when they found what a trivial thing had caused so provoking a delay, found expression in language not entirely elegant. The command was marching left in front, as the enemy was supposed to be on the right of the road, and when the stream was reached, Company B never broke ranks. but waded through in solid column. The other companies followed, and the Regiment was the first to keep closed up in passing the watery obstacle. Those ahead were either running or walking rapidly to close up the long column, which had strung out for miles. Everyone was angry, and the NINETY-SIXTH, by a common impulse and without orders, resolved to keep in ranks. It was nearly sundown when the stream was crossed, and the heavy firing in the direction of Rome, toward which the column was marching, indicated heavy work ahead. At a rapid walk, occasionally breaking into a double quick, the resolute men pressed on, passing many stragglers, and subsequently the
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
remnants of several regiments, until from being the rear it was the front of the Brigade. For some miles the fences on one side of the road were on fire, and tired men were resting and warmning themselves, the night being cool. At nine o'clock the broad field of light in front indicated that the troops in advance had gone into camp. The rapid march had continued up to this time, although the firing in front had ceased as darkness came on. Gen. Stanley, commanding the Corps, stood at the roadside as the command neared it designated camping ground two miles from Rome, and asked : "What brigade is this ?" "This is no brigade ; this is only a regiment," was answered by one of the men. " What regi- ment, then ?" he asked ; and on being told, he remarked : " Well, that NINETY-SIXTH must be a good one, for it numbers more men prosent than any Brigade that has come in to- night." With scarcely a halt, except the brief and annoying ones occasioned by the wagon train and the unbridged stream, the Regiment had made twenty-eight miles, and almost every man was in his place. They were a tired lot, however, and glad of an opportunity to rest.
The Rebels had made a strong demonstration toward Rome, while their main army moved to Resaca, as was after- ward learned, and at two p. M. of Thursday, October 13. the Federals moved eastward, retracing their steps for a few miles and then turning northward and marching until midnight, making about thirteen miles, and camping south of Calhoun.
Friday, October 14, the Regiment marched seventeen miles, passing Calhoun and Resaca, and camping for the night at the breastworks it had constructed at the opening of the battle of May 14 .- exactly five months before. The Rebels had demanded the surrender of the garrison at Resaca, and, upon its being refused, had destroyed such of the railroad as they could reach, and then moved around the village, going northward and occupying Snake Creek Gap. At the same time a force was sent against Dalton, where were some large hospitals. Some slight defense was attempted. but eventually the garrison surrendered, about one thousand.
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FOLLOWING HOOD'S ARMY.
number was Edwin hospital for several
weeks. Je remamed at Datton, the Rebels not even requiring a parole.
Saturday, October 15, an important mission was assigned to the NINETY-SIXTH and the other Regiments comprising the Corps of which it was a part. Moving to the right, it marched rapidly up the railroad to the vicinity of Tilton, where occurred a halt of two or three hours, while a reconnois- sance was made. Then the troops turned sharply to the left and crossed Rocky Face and another ridge, gaining the flank of the Rebels in Snake Creek Gap about sundown. As the Regiment reached the top of the second ridge the sight was one to stir them with peculiar emotion. In the valley below were long columns of the enemy, marching rapidly northward, thousands of men being almost in rifle range. The Regiment, with other troops, raised a shout and dashed part way down the hill, but the officers in command, fearing the small force might be captured if they ventured too far, checked the advance. Twilight was rapidly deepening. and the rear of the Rebel column soon passed and disappeared in the darkness. The Regiment then descended into the valley and made its camp for the night beside the rocky creek. The distance traveled was about twelve miles.
Sunday, October 16, the Regiment marched six or eight miles, overtaking the Rebel rear guard, capturing a few pris- oners and camping near Ship's Gap, about one mile from Villanow. The command lay in camp all of the next day, other portions of the army making reconnoissances. Orders were issued for all men and animals not fit for severe service to be sent to Chattanooga. Forage was abundant, and every- one had fresh meat and sweet potatoes.
Tuesday, October 18, the Regiment marched twenty-four miles between daylight and dark, crossing Taylor's Ridge and camping near Summerville. The men stood the long march remarkably well, and there were but few stragglers.
Wednesday, October 19, the command remained in camp
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HISTORY OF THE 26TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
until late and then marched five or six miles, passing Sum- merville.
Thursday, October 20, twenty miles was accomplished, and the camp of the Regiment was made at four o'clock, two miles from Gaylesville, Alabama. Here the Army rested for nearly a week. Three days' rations of bread, meat and coffee were issued, with orders that they must last five. This was no hardship, however, as forage was abundant in the rich valleys of that pleasant region. Details of from twenty to twenty-five men, under competent officers, were sent out from each regiment to procure supplies, and returned with an abundance of sweet potatoes, meat, molasses and honey. Strict orders were issued prohibiting the pillaging of houses or the wanton destruction of property not of value to the armies. The guard duty was light, as the troops were well massed, and all who spent that delightful October weck at Gaylesville will ever cherish pleasant memories of the last days in which the Fourth Corps was under the immediate command of General Sherman.
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LAST DAYS WITH SHERMAN.
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CHAPTER XXIII.
Parting with Gen. Sherman-Abundance of Forage -- A Rapid March Northward-Crossing the Chickamauga Battle Field-At Rossville and Chattanooga - Westward by Cars-The Trip to Athens-Anxiety as to the Situation-The Rebels Near-Fording Elk River-The March to Pulaski-Ragged but Resolute -- Entrenching Again-Paid Off.
ALTHOUGH the stay at Gaylesville was one of comparative rest to the rank and file of the army, to their commander, Gen. Sherman, it was a period of great activity, for he was completing plans for his March to the Sea. His purpose was to leave only the Fourth Corps, with such detachments as were at Chattanooga or points farther north and west, for the defense of Tennessee. He fully believed that Gen. Hood would be compelled to turn southward and follow him through Georgia.
In pursuance of his plans Gen. Sherman caused the railroad to be repaired from Atlanta to Chattanooga, and ordered all sick and wounded soldiers to be sent back. Surplus artillery, wagons and animals were also hurried to Chattanooga, and the army was put in light marching order. The wagons retained at the front contained little except ammunition and the more necessary rations, the latter not in large supply, as it was determined that the soldiers should live mainly upon such provisions as it was known must be abundant in the coun- try to be passed. The main body of his forces left Gayles- ville toward the last of October, the Fourth Corps going northward, the others via Rome toward Atlanta. The Second Division of the Fourth Corps, which had been sent by rail to Chattanooga shortly after the fall of Atlanta, was marched southward to Alpine and then, meeting the other Divisions of the Corps, retraced its steps. Meanwhile the Army was liv- ing better than ever before, for the country was full of pro- duce, and all were instructed to "forage liberally." Certain
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
it is that the NINETY-SIXTH never lived so well as during stay about Gaylesville, and the Surgeons declare
complete change of diet had done more fc.
Regiment than they had deemed possible.
After Gen. Sherman had started southward became cer- tain that Gen. Hood was still determined upon an aggressive campaign into Tennessee and was not likely to follow the Fed- eral forces through Georgia. Upon arriving at Rome, at the earnest solicitation of Gen. Thomas, who had been sent to Nashville to look after the defenses of that region, the Twenty- third Corps was diverted from the main colunn, marched to the neighborhood of Resaca and Dalton, and taken thence by rail to Nashville and out toward Columbia and Pulaski.
At Atlanta Gen. Sherman reorganized his Corps to some extent, burned everything in the city that could make it valu- able to the enemy as a military point, destroyed the railroad to Chattanooga, and, November 16, set out on his march to Savannah. It was a brilliant movement, and one destined to live in song and story to the end of time. But the troops left in rear, to battle with Gen. Hood, were fated to endure harder marching, shorter rations and more severe fighting during the two months immediately succeeding the separation at Gayles- ville than were the soldiers under the immediate command of Gen. Sherman. Indeed the two Corps, with a comparatively slight reinforcement, were to meet, in two desperate engage- ments, almost the identical forces that for four long months had resisted Gen. Sherman, with seven Corps, in his move- ment upon Atlanta. Not only were they to race with them upon the march and meet them in battle, but they were to overthrow and send them, routed and hopeless, to the far South.
But to return to the Regiment. Thursday, October 27. the NINETY-SIXTH, with the other troops comprising the Fourth Corps, left camp at Gaylesville about S o'clock A. M., and marched to a point a little south of Alpine, a distance of fif- teen miles. The night preceding was rainy and the roads were consequently in bad condition. Capt. Burnett, of Com- pany B, who with fifty men had been guarding a bridge seven
ยท
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THE MARCH TO LA FAYETTE.
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miles from camp, joined the main column that night, after a hard march across the unfamiliar country. Fortunately their orders and directions were so explicit that they had no trouble in finding the way. Capt. Rowan, of Company F, who had been out for a day or two with a foraging party, and whose. absence had been so prolonged as to cause some apprehension lest he and his associates had fallen into Rebel hands, came into eamp, late at night, with an immense amount of forage, including nearly a barrel of honey. His men being over- loaded, a pair of oxen had been impressed, and the wagon to which they were attached was loaded down with bacon, sweet potatoes and other palatable articles.
Friday, October 28, the Corps made a march of twenty- four miles, passing through and across several rich valleys and camping near La Fayette.
Saturday, October 29, the command marched at daylight and made twenty-three miles, passing along the La Fayette road across the Chickamauga battle field, and camping at Rossville. It was familiar and historic ground, but the march was so rapid and the men so fatigued that but few ventured to leave the ranks and go over that portion of the field where the NINETY-SIXTH met its bloody baptism a little more than a year before, and where so many of its members were sleeping their last long sleep in unknown graves.
There were many marks of the terrific struggle all along the way from the crossing of Chickamauga Creek, at Lee & Gordon's Mills, nearly to Rossville. The shattered trees, the prostrate or burned fences, the mounds where were interred the bodies of the Blue and the Gray, the skeletons of horses, the broken muskets, the disabled gun carriages, were much as when the armies had left the field, except that a year and more had brought decay and partially dimmed the ghastliness of the scene. Strange and exciting memories were revived as the column hurried on. But the soldiers were too practical to lapse into sentiment while hurrying toward new dangers that seemed imminent, for while all was uncertainty as to what the present movement meant, somehow every one seemed
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
to feel that they were to be sent from Chattanooga on some perilous mission.
Sunday, October 30, the command left its camp at Rossville and marched to Chattanooga, halted for a time, and then bivonacked near the base of Lookout Mountain. A few recruits joined the Regiment at this point. Capt. Stephen Jeffers, the former Quarter-Master, who was then stationed in the city, bestowed numerous favors upon the Regiment. The Third Division was ordered to take the train going west, and reached Pulaski November 1.
Monday, October 31, the train having returned, the NINETY-SIXTH, with other troops, was loaded upon the cars about noon and rode through Bridgeport and Stevenson to a point near Paint Rock without incident worthy of note. It had been reported that there was heavy fighting near Flor- ence and Decatur, and that the entire Rebel Army was attempting to cross the Tennessee River. This made the trainmen somewhat timid, and upon the first indication that the cavalry had been upon the railroad track the train came to a standstill. The officers consulted briefly and then ordered a Company out to reconnoitre the front. A partially destroyed culvert indicated that the enemy had been fright- ened off without completing their work. The skirmishers were ordered forward at a rapid walk, sometimes breaking into a double quick. and the train followed them. Soon another halt was made and a fresh detachment sent out, the tired men coming back to the train. In this way a few miles were made. The danger being passed, the skirmishers were called in and the train proceeded to the junction, and thence northward to Athens, which point was reached about seven o'clock A. M. of Tuesday, November 1. There was no one to receive the troops or give directions what to do or where to go, for the small detachment of Union forces had evacu- ated the town the day before. Pickets were posted and the arrival of other regiments awaited. There was much anx. iety lest the Rebels should arrive first, but fortunately they did not come. Tuesday night was cold and rainy.
Wednesday, November 2, the column marched at six
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PULASKI.
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o'clock through the rain and mud to Elkton, making twenty miles. The last act in the day's drama was to ford Elk River, a rapid stream, so swollen by the rains as to bring the water nearly to the armpits of the shorter men. Most of the com- mand stripped off their clothing, and all carried their ammu- nition and watches in their hands. There was much dis- comfort, not ummixed with merriment, in the crossing. A col- ored man, who, being a cook for some of the officers, was loaded down with camp-kettles and other commodities, was tripped up near the middle of the stream and so badly fright- ened that some of the boys declared that he actually turned white. The night was an exceedingly stormy one.
Thursday, November 3, camp was broken in a terrific rainstorm, and the blankets and shelter-tents were so satu- rated with water, notwithstanding the persistent wringing given them, as to be exceedingly heavy. The road was muddy, and when the command reached Pulaski, seventy-five miles south of Nashville, in the middle of the afternoon, al! were thoroughly tired out. The column passed the town on the right and wearily made its way to a long range of hills north of the village. Here the NINETY-SIXTH remained until the 23d. But little clothing had been issued for nearly six months and the men were absolutely ragged. Very many were barefoot, and comparatively few had clothing at all suit- able for picket duty in the severe cold, rainy weather that ensued. Cabins were put up and they could get along fairly well in camp. This was not enough, however, for the officers were apprehensive of an attack, and, as a consequence, heavy picket lines were maintained. Eighty-four men were actually excused from duty at one time because of having insufficient clot hing to properly fit them for the exposure insepara- ble from the picket line. This was in a measure overcome in a few days. Heavy lines of breastworks were built, and for two or three days the right and left wings alternated, working continuously in the trenches night and day. The baggage which had been stored at Bridgeport came up on the 14th and the officers busied themselves with their long-neg- lected ordnance reports and other blanks. The paymaster,
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
who had not been seen for about six months, came to camp and paid off the several regiments.
Friday, November 18, the NINETY-SIXTH, together with the 45th Ohio, went out with fifty wagons after forage, returning without accident or adventure.
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