USA > Illinois > History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois volunteer Infantry, Vol. I > Part 4
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Saturday, September 6. dawned gloomy enough, the weather being lowery and the camp almost flooded. At an early hour the drums beat reveille, and there was roll-call by Companies. Immediately thereafter the men, actuated by a common impulse, started for the river, and, being provided with soap and towels, in a few moments the river bank was thronged with men engaged in the laudable undertaking of washing their hands and faces. Tin cups were used, one com- rade pouring water upon the hands of another in school-boy fashion. Pocket combs and pocket mirrors were brought into requisition, and the men soon completed their toilets and returned to their barracks. This experience was repeated morning. noon and evening during the stay at Rockford, and, for that matter, during the entire period of service. The breakfast that morning was rather an informal one. Coffee had been made in the big, sheet-iron camp kettles, and was served out to the men in tin cups. There was an ample sup- ply of genuine hard-tack and both salt and fresh meat. The meal over, the men set about making tables and seats, to be used when future meals were served. The forenoon. was largely occcupied in procuring Quarter-Master's stores, and in distributing cooking and eating utensils. . In the afternoon there was Company drill. lasting for an hour and a half. At
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
this time only the officers were in uniform. the enlisted men being in citizens' clothing, except that here and there a mili- tary cap appeared.
Sunday, September 7, was quite unlike the usual Sunday at home. A large portion of the men were permitted to go to the city and attend church, and in a few Company quarters sermons were read in the afternoon and prayer meetings held in the evening ; but still there was more or less necessary work, for rations had to be issued and wood provided, and in the afternoon each Company was marched to Headquarters and $13 paid to each member by Lientenant Tibbitts, of the. Regular Army. It had been agreed that the men should each receive a month's pay in advance, and this payment was a carrying out of the promise.
Monday, September 8, there was the usual routine of camp duty, and a detail was made from each Company for fatigue duty, the men thoroughly policing, or sweeping, the grounds about the barracks. Muster rolls for bounty and premium were made out. Company and squad drill occupied a con- siderable part of the day. In the evening the officers had a " School," where they undertook the task of mastering the intricacies of military text-books. Few of them had had pre- vious military experience, and Major Brown, a resident of Rockford. was employed to instruct them. This evening school for officers was continned with considerable regularity for two or three weeks.
Tuesday, September 9, the Regiment was called upon for its first detail for guard duty, five men being asked for from each Company : during the day two hundred gray army blankets were issued to the Regiment, and given to the men most needing them. In the early evening the Regiment had its first dress parade. The Adjutant and Sergeant Major, having had previous military experience, readily formed the line, and the parade was gone through with quite creditably. albeit somewhat awkwardly.
Wednesday, September 10, there were many visitors to the camp, and on Thursday a picnic was had which was sadly interrupted by an almost continuous rain. A few of the
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1752977 ARMED WITH ENFIELD RIFLED MUSKETS.
visitors thought it would be a nice thing to share the experi- ences of the soldiers, and so remained in camp for the night. But it was noticeable that very few cared to repeat the experi- ence, most of them preferring hotel fare and hotel beds to hard-tack and the soft side of an unplaned pine board.
Friday, September 12, and weekly thereafter, quite a num- ber of the officers and men were given furloughs for five days, and permitted to return to their homes. In the afternoon occurred the first battalion drill, which, by the aid of the Adjutant. Major Brown, Lieutenant Johnston, - a former officer of the olst Illinois, - and others, was gone through with quite creditably. Saturday. September 13, was full of hard work, there being squad drill. company drill, battalion drill and dress parade.
Sunday, September 14, was spent rather quietly. There was Company inspection at ten o'clock, and in the afternoon there was preaching in the grove by the Chaplain of the 74th Illinois, nearly the entire encampment attending. In the early evening there was considerable excitement all through the camp with regard to the Sutlers. It was alleged that these Sutlers had issued checks which they refused to redeem, and also that they had passed counterfeit money in making change. Not a few of the soldiers were disposed to take the law into their own hands, but wiser counsels prevailed and quiet was restored. The excitement was renewed and increased next day and evening, and there was danger that the Sutlers' tents would be demolished. As a result, the men were ordered to quarters at eight o'clock, and all found outside after that hour were taken into custody by the patrol guards.
Arms and accontrements were received by the Regiment on the 16th, and issued to the Companies the following day. The arms were the Enfield rifled muskets, and were as good a weapon as was then in general use. Many Regiments at that time had to put up with old Austrian or Belgian muskets, and the NINETY-SIXTHI was regarded as fortunate in seenring new Enfields. Some of the guns needed to have their sights filed down and their locks adjusted. Fortunately there was a practical gunsmith in the command, in the person of Sergeant
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. . V. 1.
Geo. II. Burnett, of Company B, and he was detailed for this work, so that in a few weeks all were in admirable condition. About this time it came to the knowledge of the officers that there was more or less gambling in camp. Very strict orders were issued prohibiting all games of chance, and in some of the Companies even card playing was forbidden in the bar- racks. On the 16th Colonel Champion for the first time took sole charge of the Regiment during Battalion drill. conducting it admirably considering that this was his first attempt. On the 1Sth the Regiment had its first drill and dress parade with arms.
On the 19th some of the mer were given permission to attend the agricultural fair, then in progress at Rockford. During this and succeeding days drill was kept up according to the following order: Officers' drill from eight to nine, and guard mount at the same hour ; Company drill from nine to eleven ; Battalion drill from two to four ; Dress parade at half past five ; Officers and non-commissioned officers' drill and recitations in the evening.
On the 20th. clothing. received direct from the Assistant U. S. Quarter-Master at Philadelphia, was issued, each soldier receiving a dark-blue dress coat, sky blue pants, woolen shirts and socks, cotton drawers and felt hats ; such as had not been previously supplied were provided with blankets, and all who wished drew shoes. The clothing was of good quality, except the pants, which were shoddy enough. With the hats were sent brass bugles, eagles, tas-als, letters, numbers and feathers. Some of the experiences with the new uniforms were ludicrous enough. Often tall men found themselves the possessors of very short pairs of pants : large men had coats with sleeves reaching but little below the elbows, and small men were pro- vided with coats the sleeves of which reached far below the finger tips. But by dint of considerable swapping the majority found themselves fairly fitted. In nearly every Company was someone who had worked at tailoring. These men, being excused from other duty, set about with needle and scissors making the clothing fit. and in a day or two, all made a very presentable appearance. The guns and equipments were
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THE PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION.
bright and clean. and the clothing new, so that the transforma- tion in the appearance of the Battalion was complete.
September 21st brought with it the usual Sunday morning inspection. and in the evening there was dress parade. Large numbers of men visited the churches in the city, and others attended the religious services held on the grounds.
On Monday. the 22d. light blue overcoats were issued. They were of regulation pattern, with capes, and a great com- . fort in cold weather. In the afternoon the Regiment was drilled for the first time in the manual of loading. -- Major Brown acting as drill-master.
Tuesday, the 23d, the Regiment marched to town and escorted a large picnic party to camp. Most of the visitors were from Jo Daviess county, but there were quite a number from Lake county as well. Next day The Rockford Register published the following very complimentary notice :
THE NINETY-SIXTH REGIMENT .- This fine Regiment have received their uniforms, and were down town on Tuesday on parade under com mand of Major Brown, and presented a splendid appearance. With the Major as drill-master, who has seen service, the Regiment has made rapid proficiency in its drill, doing credit to themselves and Major B., who has shown himself an excellent officer. It is composed of a splendid looking set of men, of whom Jo Daviess and Lake counties may well be proud. We acknowledge the compliment of a military salute while pass- ing the office.
The newspapers of the 23d contained the Proclamation of President Lincoln. in which he gave warning to the rebels that unless hostilities ceased within one hundred days he should declare the slaves free. This proclamation provoked much discussion, and. strange as it may seem at this day, not a little criticism, a few men in every Regiment declaring that they would not fight in what they termed a " nigger war." As a rule, however, the action of the President was most heartily endorsed, and officers and men alike " thanked God and took courage."
The 24th and 25th were passed without incident of especial note. Major Brown continned to assist at the Regimental drills each afternoon. Like many other men, the Major had a hobby ; his was what he termed the "obstacle movement."
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
The Regiment would be marching in line of battle when he would call out : " Fourth Company, obstacle ! By the right flank to the rear into colminn. march !" At this command the Fourth Company, or whatever Company had been designated. would break files to the rear, leaving a gap in the line, and when the imaginary obstacle had been passed would double quick back to its place. So far as can be remembered this movement was never executed after Major Brown left ; but this much can at least be said, that long before leaving Camp Faller every Company in the Regiment had been through the movement and knew how to pass around an obstacle.
On the 26th. knapsacks were issued to the men, and the little keepsakes which had occupied the corners of the bunks, or been carried about in pockets, were safely stowed away in these receptacles.
Sunday, the 2Sth. the Regiment escorted the 74th Illinois to town, the latter Regiment embarking for Louisville. In the afternoon there were religious services in the camp, con- ducted by Rev. J. M. Clendenning, who had enlisted as a Private in Company K. but had been appointed Chaplain of the Regiment.
Monday. the 20th. there was a large party of visitors in the camp from Lake county. The Regiment received haver- sacks and canteens, which completed its outfit.
Tuesday, September 30, there was a formal sword pres- entation to Lieutenant Colonel Isaac L. Clarke, the sword being the gift of the members of Company G. A large bay saddle horse had been purchased by his Lake county friends. and was received about the same time. The Lake county boys received one-half of the $40 county bounty which had been voted them in cash, and a county order for the remainder which was soon redeemed. The Jo Daviess county soldiers had been paid son each before leaving their county. It being the last day in the month, the First Sergeants of the several Companies were called upon for their monthly reports.
Up to this time a few furlonghs had been granted to mem- bers of each Company every week, but on the 1st of October the commander of the Regiment, having been notified to hold
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THE LAST DAYS AT ROCKFORD.
his command in readiness to proceed to the front, sent tele- grams to the local papers in Lake and Jo Daviess counties, notifying absentees to return immediately to camp. The early days of October were very busy ones, both Regimental and Company commanders seeming determined to put their men in the best possible condition for field service. The officers were already gaining confidence in themselves, and the men were becoming quite proficient in their drill.
Sunday, October 5, there was a careful inspection of the barracks and grounds with a view to promoting the utmost cleanliness, and the following day Major Smith, Captain Hicks and Lieutenant Loughlin made a very careful examination of the clothing of the men, the shoddy pants being declared an imposition on the soldiers.
Tuesday, October 7. the Paymaster again came to camp, and each man was given $25, that being the amount of Gov- ernment bounty allowed them. The same day marching orders were received, the Regiment being notified that they were to leave for Louisville, as it was then understood. The following day the destination was changed to Cineinnati. During the evening some difficulty arose between members of the NINETY-SIXTH and 92d Illinois, in attendance upon a party in the city of Rockford, which resulted in a personal encounter between several enlisted men and a bitterness of feeling which caused a renewal of the difficulty on two occasions after the Regiments had reached Kentucky. Subsequently these diffi- culties were explained, and the Regiments became the best of friends.
On the whole, the stay at Camp Fuller brings up few but pleasant memories. The Regiment made rapid progress in drill and obedience to orders, and when it left for the front, after nearly five weeks in its camp of instruction, it was much better fitted for field service than the average regiment which had been in camp for so short a period. Nearly all had suf- fered to some extent from colds. the result of sleeping in the damp barracks, and the entire change of diet had affected many unfavorably. However, but very few had been sent to the large brick building outside the camp grounds, over which
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
waved the yellow hospital flag, and but two or three from a Company were left behind because of sickness when the com- mand started for the front.
There were many sad leave-takings on the grounds during- the last day or two at the camp. All knew that the war was. to be fought in earnest from that time forward ; that it was. no holiday affair upon which they were entering, and that only stern duty awaited them. How well they bore their part in the years succeeding that October day when they took up their line of march for the South, the following chapters will attempt to tell.
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OFF FOR THE FRONT.
CHAPTER III.
Off for "The Front"-A Rain-Storm Eu Ronte-The Trip to Cincinnati- A Tedious Night March-Happenings at Camp Champion-The Tents Erected-Episode of the Tall Men-A Skirmish with Mules-Detach- ments Sent to the Forts-More Presentations-A Night Alarm- Fresh Pork that Had to be Paid For-Unfortunate Explosion of a Shell - Five Companies Sent to Falmouth and Five to Covington- An October Snow-Storm - Visits From the Father and Son of General Grant.
AT about nine o'clock on the morning of Wednesday. October S, 1862, THE NINETY-SIXTH REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOI- UNTEER INFANTRY bade adieu to Camp Fuller and marched to the depot of the Chicago & North-Western Railway. The morning was not a pleasant one, and on the march a dreneli- ing rain set in which dampened the persons but not the ardor of the troops. The people of Rockford were thoroughly patriotic, and, notwithstanding the rain, flags were waving everywhere, while men, women and children came out to cheer the soldiers and add their " God bless you, boys," to their good-byes. At the depot there was some delay, so that it was eleven o'clock or a little later when the two trains required to convey the Regiment finally started. The trip was not a rapid one, and it was about five o'clock when Chicago was reached. Many friends of members of the Regiment had been advised of their eoming, so that on arriving at the depot in that city the soldiers were accorded quite a reception. Numerous packages containing dainty lunches were brought to the cars by the visitors, and these gifts were highly prized. Officers and men availed themselves of the brief stay in the city to purchase such articles as were needed to complete their- outfits, or to write hurried letters to loved ones at home. The two trains were finally consolidated, three engines attached. and at half-past nine o'clock in the evening a start made for Cincinnati. There were eighteen passenger coaches and four
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
or five baggage ears, the latter filled with mess chests, officers' horses and other necessaries. With so heavy a train the run was a slow one. The trip was without incident or accident of especial note. Lafayette, Indiana, was reached at about eight o'clock next morning, and Indianapolis at noon. At the latter city there was a large camp, embracing infantry, cavalry and artillery. As this rendezvous was passed lusty cheers were . given by those in camp and responded to by the Regiment. At every station where the train stopped the citizens came out and watched the soldiers with much interest, and often there was a waving of flags and a cheer from the patriotic people. At eleven o'clock on Thursday night, October 9, Cincinnati was reached. The men were thoroughly tired with their long ride in the crowded cars and glad of the order to "fall in," for they were at least sure of a change, if not of a rest. Few had slept at all the previous night, as there were two in every seat, and not all were disposed to be entirely quiet. Some had lain down in the aisles and dozed for an hour or two, but there had been little restful sleep since leaving Camp Fuller. The arrival at Cincinnati was apparently unannounced. for there was no one at the train to receive the Regiment or give orders what to do or where to go. The men marched out upon the street, and as soon as the column halted stretched themselves upon the sidewalks, where many slept a little, although the autumn air was cool and there was no protection. At last the officers' horses were unloaded, and a start made for headquarters. There another delay occurred, and then, definite orders having been received and a guide provided by Gen. Granger, then in command at that point. the march was resumed. The guide proved to be no other than the father of Major J. C. Smith of this Regiment, who was at that time a member of the Second Kentucky and on duty at Gen. Granger's headquarters. He piloted the Regiment to camp, and remained with it for some hours.
Going down the bank to the long, pontoon bridge that spanned the Ohio river orders were given to break step, so as not to strain the frail, floating structure, as might be done should all continue to step together. The river was wide, and
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FIRST EXPERIENCES IN DIXIE.
this bridge. being the first one of the kind ever seen by a great majority of the command, attracted close attention, and it would not be untrue to say that a few, at least. were slightly timid as they stepped upon it, and felt relieved when solid ground was again reached.
As the column passed up the southern bank of the river the soldiers assumed that. notwithstanding Kentucky's alleged neutrality, they were in Dixie, and despite the lateness of the hour and the severe fatigue to which they had been subjected they made the night air ring with shouts for the Union and the old flag beneath whose folds they marched. Passing through a portion of Covington they crossed Licking river to Newport, and. with an occasional brief halt for rest, made their way to the Two-Mile House, an ancient tavern whose name indicates its distance from Newport. The entire march did not exceed five miles, but as the roads were very hilly and terribly dusty, and the men not only greatly fatigued but gen- erally pretty heavily loaded, it seemed much longer, and all were heartily glad when the head of the column filed to the right into an open field, and word was passed along the line that this was to be their camping ground.
One incident of this night march may be of interest. Adjutant Blodgett, who had already served for nearly a year with the 37th Illinois, halted beside the road, and in reply to some remark made by a tired soldier as the column passed. said : "Boys, you are only just beginning to die for your country." There were many longer marches made by the Regiment, and often over worse roads than this Kentucky turnpike, but for many months there were none more fatiguing than this night trip. A few fell out by the way and did not .come up until long after the main body of the Regiment had halted.
It was four o'clock, and the gray of morning was almost upon them, when the camp was reached. The lines were speedily formed, guns were stacked and ranks broken. Officers and men quickly threw aside their equipments, and, without tents or other protection than their light blankets, sought repose. It was their first experience in Dixie, their first night
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
beneath the stars. And they slept soundly. as only tired soldiers can, upon the Southern sod, dreaming, perchance, of homes and friends from whom they had so recently parted, or of the future and the more stirring events upon which they were just entering.
The rest was not a long one. for in two hours the rattling drums aroused the camp and orders were given to " fall in for roll-call," after which preparations were made for breakfast. The meal was prepared under difficulties. The company cooks scrubbed from the big camp-kettles a portion of the dust that had accumulated on the march, found water at the well in the tavern yard, and " foraged " for wood in the neighbor- hood. Coffee, hard-tack and bacon constituted the bill of fare. To the epicure this would not have been a dainty repast, but to the soldier who had for two days lived principally upon this diet, minus the coffee, and who had slept but little for two nights, this was a meal over which thanks might be returned. and one which was certainly partaken of with keen relish.
The main incidents of the day were the drawing of the. tents and the naming of the camp. What were known as. "wedge tents" were provided for the enlisted men. They were small and not so numerous but that all were crowded. six men being placed in each. Two wall tents of comfortable size were issued to the officers of each Company, one to each of the field officers and three to the commissioned and non- commissioned staff and musicians. The tents provided for the enlisted men were not what were expected, but, while disap- pointed in their size and quality, there was little complaint. and all seemed determined to make the best of them. The work of putting them up, although promptly begun, was not very quickly accomplished, for very few were experienced in this branch of soldiering. Men laughed at each other's awkwardness, but upon responding to the suggestion to "try it yourselves. then," were quickly entangled, and found the task one not as easy as it looked. Many a good laugh was- had, but progress was made, and in time all were up. Some- were askew or ont of line and had to be reset, but it was a lesson not soon forgotten, and the experiences of that day were-
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THE DANGER THREATENING CINCINNATI.
often alluded to in after months when the putting up of tents had come to be so much of a science that in ten minutes from the time the wagons containing them arrived in camp all would be in place.
"Camp Champion " was the name given to this temporary rendezvous. the intention being to thus honor the Colonel, who was even then winning the high regard of his men. This camp was a gently sloping but dusty field, and fairly well adapted for all of the purposes of a camp, and a drill and a parade ground. There were numerous and rugged hills all about it. many of them seamed with rifle-pits or surmounted with huge forts or heavy earth-works. in which were cannon of varying sizes. Most of these earth-works and forts were occupied by detachments from the 13th Regulars, which, as it transpired, THE NINETY-SIXTH was to relieve. There was much to interest the men who had come from the prairies of Northern Illinois, for the hills were more steep and numerous than many of them had ever seen before. The vineyards along the hill-sides, the heavy forests prostrate in front of the forts,-having been cut to give the artillery a wider range when it was believed that the Confederates had Cincinnati for their destination, only a few weeks before .- the heavy thirty and sixty-pound guns, all were novelties to the newly arrived soldiers. It should be remembered that this was a trying time in this section. The Confederates were making a desperate effort to force the National troops north of the Ohio river. But three weeks before had occurred the disastrous battle and surrender at Mumfordsville, Ky., and on the very day the Regiment left Rockford the battle of Perryville was fought, but about one hundred miles away. Kirby Smith, with a large force of rebels, had recently approached within a few miles of this very point, and it was even then feared by many that his troops, united with those of Gen. Bragg, would defeat or, possibly, pass the flank of Gen. Buell and make a rush for Cincinnati. The expense incurred in the construction of these earth-works was enormous, Beechwood Battery alone having cost about $200.000, it was said.
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