USA > Illinois > History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois volunteer Infantry, Vol. I > Part 5
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An incident which occurred the morning after the arrival
46
HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
of the command at Camp Champion is worthy of narration here. As has been stated before. there were an unusual num- ber of tall men in the Regiment. On the morning in question, before the tents arrived. and while the men were in the open field, some discussion arose as to the comparative height of two or more of them, and a wager was made. Considerable talk resulted, and finally about all of the tall men in the com- · mand were brought together. The wager settled, such of the crowd as were convivially inclined marched over to the tavern, arriving there just as a sleepy bar-tender, who barely knew that a new regiment had arrived during the night, was preparing for his day's work. As the crowd entered the bar- room, the taller ones ducking their heads as they passed through the low door-way, the bar-tender eyed them, first with astonishment, then with trembling, but managed to gasp out : " Where did you-uns all come from?" Being told that they were all from Northern Illinois, he asked : "Be the whole regiment as tall as you-uns?" He was solemnly assured that this was only a fair sample of the command, and also informed that the Minnesota and Wisconsin troops were even taller. A further suggestion was added that if he sympathized with the Confederacy he might do it a service by sending word to Jeff Davis of what the rebels might expect when these regiments of giants got into the field. The bar-tender was awe-stricken. and tremblingly set out the drinks, even forgetting, it is said. to collect his pay.
During the day many visited the forts and batteries. strolled among the large vineyards in the neighborhood, or visited the cemetery and entertained themselves by reading the quaint inscriptions on the tombstones. After the first day a camp-guard was established, the line closely encircling the grounds. The sentinels were each given a beat, and required to walk back and forth upon it after the style of the Regular Army. None of the enlisted men were allowed to go in or out without passes, signed by the Colonel, unless accompanied by a commissioned officer. Troops farther toward the front did the picket duty. The sentinels were required to call ont the hour after taps, and so, at regular intervals all through
47
DRAWING SIX-MULE TEAMS.
the night, the ery would be taken up : "Post No. 1, twelve o'clock, and all is well ; Post No. 2. twelve o'clock and all is- well," -- and so on, taking up the different hours as they came. This was all very well in theory, but the practice was aban- doned when more active duties came.
The Regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division, Army of Kentucky, Col. P. T. Swayne, of the 99th Ohio, being placed in command of the Brigade. The other Regiments of the Brigade were the 92d Illinois, 115th Illinois and 14th Kentucky.
On Saturday, October 11. a large detail of men was sent to Cincinnati for mules and wagons. Their experiences were novel, and, at times, exciting. The mules were in a large corral. Many of them were but three years old and entirely unbroken. They had to be lassooed and drawn up to a post or tree by main force, and were harnessed with much diffi- culty and not a little danger. Hitching six of them to a large army wagon was not an easy task. The animals were afraid of the wagons, of the harnesses, of the men and of each other. Usually two or three that bore harness marks or gave other evidence of being at least partially broken, were selected and put into each team ; but it was with great trouble that a start was made. When a team had been hitched up the wagon wheels were locked and a man stationed at the head of each mule. Then the driver, armed with a rawhide whip, mounted the near wheel mule, and grasped the single line leading to the bit of the near leader. With most of the men this was an entirely new way of driving, and some of the teamsters were scarcely less awkward than their mules. By dint of some daring and considerable swearing the train was made ready, and the procession started. There were some thrilling adven- tures on the way, and a few incipient runaways, but no serious accidents. The crossing of the river was accomplished with much difficulty, the timid mules being induced to step upon the pontoon bridge only by considerable persuasion. But the trip was finally made, and some time after dark the motley procession reached the camp. The teams were unhitched and unharnessed with only a little less difficulty than had attended
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
the hitching up. The mules were then tied to the wagons and fed, and the detail dismissed. The men comprising that detail were a tired lot, and some of them declared that they would prefer to charge a battery rather than to repeat the day's experiences. The mules were a wiry set, and for many days thereafter those who wanted a little genuine excitement could find it by visiting the wagon train and assisting in harnessing and hooking up the long-eared' but exceedingly useful animals. One team was allowed to each Company, and seven teams in addition for the use of the Regimental officers, and the trans- portation of ammunition and rations. Besides these there were two ambulances, with a pair of horses to each.
Companies D, I and K were detached from the Regiment on the 11th and sent to guard forts in the vicinity, all of these detachments being under the command of Major Smith. Company D was sent to Beechwood Battery. Company I to John's Hill Battery, and Company K to Fort Shaler. A few days later fifty men of Company B were sent to Fort Mitchell. Several of the Companies had their first experience in target shooting on the 11th.
Sunday, October 12, was spent rather quietly. There was Company inspection in the forenoon, and in the evening one or more prayer meetings in the vicinity of the camp. An elegant sword was presented to Colonel Champion by the members of Company E, Captain Black making the presenta- tion address.
October 13 the Companies took up their regular drill, and one or more of them began the skirmish drill. On the 14th there was a sword presentation to Sergeant Major Quinn, and a saddle presentation to Colonel Champion. On the 15th there was an inspection by Major Flint, and. while the Regi- ment was on dress parade in the early evening, Brig. Gen. Absalom Baird, who was commanding the Division to which the Regiment was attached, rode up and watched the proceed- ing, complimenting both officers and men upon their soldierly bearing, and expressing surprise on being told that the Regi- ment had been in the service less than six weeks. Forty
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4ª
J. C. SMITH.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL AND BREVET BRIGADIER GENERAL.
49
THE FIRST LONG ROLL.
rounds of ammunition were issued to each man, and the First Sergeants had a light sword added to their outtit.
News came at this time of the death, from typhoid fever, of Henry W. Ostrander, of Company G. He was taken sick at Camp Fuller, and went to his home at Rockland, in Lake County, and died October 12. This was the first death in the Regiment.
The principal incident of the 16th was an alarm at night. The "long roll " beat at about eleven o'clock. The Companies were hastily formed, and the command proceeded to the parade ground. There was some excitement and not a little mixing up of boots. hats and equipments in the haste to fall in, but the line was formed in a surprisingly short time and with as little confusion as was to be expected. The alleged cause was the tiring upon an outpost in front of Fort Shaler. It was not so accepted by the citizens and eivil authorities at Covington and Cincinnati, however, for they believed it to be a mere ruse on the part of the Colonel to test the promptness and coolness of the officers and men of his Regiment. It hap- pened that the alarm was taken up by other camps in the neighborhood, reaching the city and causing intense excite- ment there. Few knew it at the time, but it afterward leaked out that this little episode came near costing the Regiment its commander, and losing to the army the splendid services afterward performed by the gallant Colonel Champion. The civil authorities were so exercised that they demanded the head of the officer who started the alarm, and were pacified with the utmost difficulty. The Regiment was kept in line for about an hour, and then sent to camp. On the whole it was a good lesson, for the men afterward made it a rule to know where their boots and hats were when they retired for the night.
About this time some of the troops that had been forced to retreat from Cumberland Gap arrived and went into camp in the neighborhood. They were a tired, ragged and foot- sore lot of men, having made a long and rapid march.
An event that will be remembered by the line officers of Company C happened on one of the days while at Camp 4
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
Champion. A fine hog was missed by a loyal farmer, and the presence of bristles and the odor of fresh pork was deemed sufficient to warrant a strong suspicion that certain members of the Color Company had sought to vary the monotony of army rations. The hog was estimated to be worth $30, an amount that the officers quietly paid ; but the affair leaked ont. and for a time the boys of Company C were the butt of numerous jokes. They learned one important lesson, how- ever, which was that when it was impracticable to burn or bnry hogs' bristles, they should at least take them into the street of some other Company.
On one occasion a detail was sent out to ent wood, going several miles from camp. A roadside booth attracted them. and finding that both beer and cider could be bought, some of the men indulged in a glass or two of their favorite beverage. That night two of the men were terribly sick, with every symptom of having been poisoned, and their lives were saved only by the most strenuous exertions of the Surgeon of the Regiment. Investigation revealed the fact that these two meu were the only ones who had drank cider. and it was conti- dently believed that some Rebel. too cowardly to fight, had sought their lives. A scouting party visited the locality at daylight, but the man who sold the cider could not be found, although the booth was watched for several days and nights. He had probably gone South, or concealed himself in Cincin- nati to await the removal of the Regiment.
On Sunday, October 19, a few members of Company K were sent ont in front of Fort Shaler on a reconnoissance. Finding a percussion shell, but supposing it to be an ordinary cannon ball, they were examining it, when, being carelessly dropped, it exploded with terrible effect. wounding five of the Com- pany, some of them quite seriously, and fatally injuring a citizen who stood by. The wife of the citizen was also seri ously injured. A more circumstantial account of this accident may be found in the sketch of the Company in another part of this work.
The same day five Companies of the Regiment were ordered to guard a wagon train about starting for Falmouth,
51
THE COMMAND DIVIDED-THE GRANTS' VISITS.
Ky. They were Companies A, E, F, G and H, and were under command of Lieutenant Colonel Clarke. These Com- panies marched to Covington, but, as the train was not ready, returned to Camp Champion for the night, and on the follow- ing day, Monday, October 20, made a final start, having in charge one hundred or more wagons loaded with supplies for troops in that region. The same day Company K. returned to camp from Fort Shaler, Company C taking its place.
Wednesday, October 22, Companies B, C, D, I and K marched to Covington, and on reporting at headquarters were directed to commodious barracks just vacated by the 33d Indiana, remaining until the 29th. Detachments were left at several forts, but joined the command during the week. On the 24th occurred a rain to partially relieve the terrible drouth that had prevailed for two months or more, and on the night of the 25th there was a snow-storin which was quite heavy, con- sidering the latitude and the time of year, some three or four inches remaining on the ground at daylight, but all disappear- ing within a few hours. There was some brisk snow-balling while it lasted, the men enjoying the sport with keen zest.
During the stay at Covington Barracks, Jesse Grant, Esq., $
of Cincinnati, and Master Fred Grant, of Galena, the father and the son of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. called once or twice, spending some hours with their Jo Daviess county acquaint- ances. Fred's first visit was made alone. A boy, mounted on a pony, came riding up to the gateway leading to the grounds surrounding the barracks. The entrance was guarded, and the soldier on duty asked the visitor for his pass. The boy replied that he had none, whereupon the Sergeant of the Guard was called. This officer chanced to be Sergeant Thomas J. Smith, of Galena. As he came to the gate he recognized the visitor. and remarked : " Why. that is a son of Gen. Grant, and doesn't need a pass. Let him in." The boy was rather quiet and modest than otherwise. although quite a hero in the eyes of the soldiers owing to the distinguished achievements of his illustrious sire.
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
CHAPTER IV.
Five Companies Start Southward-Hard Pikes ex. Tender Feet-March. ing and Tenting in the Snow-A Muddy Cut-Off -- Loyal Whites and Enthusiastic Blacks-Five Companies Sent via Williamsburg and Georgetown to Lexington -Slaves and Slave-Hunters-Milling for the Military - A Night's Foraging-The Regiment Reunited - Experiences at Lexington -Visits to Henry Clay's Monument -- The First Death in Camp.
MONDAY, October 20, Companies A. E, F, G and H again took np the line of march, with Falmouth as their supposed destination. They were under command of Lieutenant Colonel Isaac L. Clarke. Lieutenant Samuel HI. Bayne, of Company H. was assigned as acting Adjutant, and Lieutenant William Vincent. of Company A, as acting Quarter-Master. First Assistant Surgeon Moses Evans accompanied the battalion and cared for the health of the men. This was not to be a march in the cars or on boats, but on foot, the men carrying well- filled knapsacks, haversacks containing from one to three days' rations, canteens of water, forty rounds of ammunition. bayonets, accoutrements and heavy muskets. Many of the officers had taken trunks with them to Kentucky, but strict orders were issued that they must not be put in the wagons, and, as there was no other method of transportation, they were sent back to Cincinnati and stored, most of them being subse- quently returned by express to Illinois, although a few were again in camp in Central Kentucky. Doubtless some of them are still in Cincinnati.
A start was made about eight o'clock A. M., Companies A and F taking the lead of the train as an advance guard. Company H was placed near the center of the train and Com- panies E and G in the rear. The distance traveled that day was about eleven miles over the Alexandria turnpike. This macadamized road was excellent so far as the wagons were
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MARCHING TOWARD CENTRAL KENTUCKY.
concerned, but decidedly hard on the feet of the men, and, as a result, many were very sore and lame when the final halt was made. The camp that night was in the fair grounds at Alexandria. The men were made very comfortable, although the water at this place was not agreeable to the taste, being taken from a huge cistern. However, it was an improvement on the water taken from ponds at other points, and the camp was pleasantly remembered.
Tuesday, October 21, an early start was made, the order of march being the same as on the previous day, except that the position of the Companies was changed. The distance traveled was fifteen miles. As there were a few empty wagons in the train the knapsacks of the men were carried, thus reliev- ing them greatly. A part of the way the column marched upon the dirt road, which was much easier for the sore and tired feet than the pike had been. About four o'clock in the afternoon there was a riffle of excitement growing out of the report sent to the commander of the detachment by the advance guard that several horses were tied in a ravine a little off from the pike, indicating the presence of rebel cavalry in the vicinity. Captain Clark and about a dozen men of Com- pany G volunteered to reconnoitre. Once away from the colunm and finding that there was no truth in the report, the Captain concluded to indulge his inclination to roam over the country, and so led off on a long detour. After a tramp of four or five miles the party returned to the column without having found either horses or soldiers. Their trip was a hard one, and they were pretty well fagged out when they returned to the train. Many of the farmers along the route through that part of the State treated the soldiers quite liberally with apples, and often provided meals for those who left the column. The camp that night was on Flour Creek, and was a very comfortable one.
Wednesday, October 22, the column started at about nine o'clock, passing over a very hilly and stony road and reaching Falmouth about noon, camping near a branch of the Licking river where was an abundance of good water. On the march quite a percentage of the men were employed in chaining the
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
wheels of the wagons, so that the train might safely proceed down the long and steep hills.
At Falmouth the wagons were unloaded. and the men gen- erally supposed that they would remain in camp for several days. Such proved not to be the case, however, for on Thursday at about noon, to the surprise of all, the wagons were again started out and the battalion ordered to accompany them. They made about sixteen miles, camping at Robin- son's Station near the railroad. The roads were quite hilly, requiring considerable chaining of wagon wheels, and this afternoon's march proved a very severe one.
Friday, October 24, was a day of rest, the soldiers improv- ing it by washing their clothing and cleaning up generally. Notwithstanding that strict orders had been issued to the con- trary, there was considerable foraging; but, as a rule, only known secessionists suffered. About 100 men were at work rebuilding the trestle bridge burned by the rebel Gen. Morgan a few weeks before. During the day the wagons were again loaded, and on Saturday, October 25, the command marched to Cynthiana, where several other regiments were camped. The day was an unpleasant one, some rain falling, and after going into camp a corn-field was visited and a large amount of fodder appropriated, the men spreading it on the bottoms of their tents to keep them off the wet ground. In the even- ing it began to grow cold, and by bedtime snow was falling. In the morning the ground was covered to the depth of nearly six inches, but the snow had piled up around the bottom of the tents, keeping out the wind, and the men slept more comfort- ably than on any previous night. The snow rendered the work of preparing for the march quite slow, and it was ten o'clock when the column started out on Sunday morning. On the pike arms were presented to the 19th Michigan and 115th Illinois as they passed to take the advance, the battalion then falling in the rear of the line. Passing through Cynthiana the column had proceeded about ten miles when Gen. Baird ordered this detachment and the 92d Illinois to take the dirt road to Paris, as it would save some two or three miles in distance. It was a great mistake, for the snow had wet
55
CAMPING IN THE SNOW.
up the clay to the depth of two or three inches, making it ter- ribly sticky and unpleasant. Not unfrequently the men lifted their feet from their shoes. and in some instances were obliged to march barefoot or go back to the wagons and ride. A soldier wrote : "Every time we lifted our feet from the clay it awaked an echo not unlike the sound of a pop-gun." The entire distance traveled that day was sixteen miles, one-third of which had been over this clay road. The day was cold and unpleasant, the march a very severe one, and the stragglers from the ranks, owing to the great fatigue caused by the muddy roads, were more numerous than on any previous day. Arrived in camp somewhat late, the men had a most disagree- able task before them. The snow still lay deep upon the ground, and they were obliged to clear it away and pitch their tents. They did not then know as well as they learned after- ward how to make themselves comfortable, and to many the night was a most cheerless one. However, they set about most diligently to fix up their temporary quarters and prepare for supper. Hinge fires were built in front of the tents to dry the ground ; straw was procured from neighboring planta- tions for beds, and at least a portion of the command passed the evening and night quite pleasantly.
Monday, October 27, a start was made at nine o'clock, the expectation being that the evening would find the detachment in Lexington, but the column only marched about four miles, going into camp before noon. At Paris, which was passed early in the day, there was a profuse display of flags, indi- cating a strong Union sentiment.
Tuesday morning, October 28, the command started at seven o'clock, passing through a beautiful country. The column halted for quite a time in the city of Lexington while waiting to be assigned to camp. The citizens, and especially the colored people, watched them with much interest, coming to talk with the men. and, in some instances, bringing " hoe cake" and other edibles, and also pails of water, with gourd dippers, which they passed along the lines.
Moving to the outskirts of the city the female seminary was passed, and the young lady students came out, waved their
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, I.L. V. I.
handkerchiefs and hurrahed for the Union. It was interest- ing to note the instant change that came over the soldiers as. the ladies made their appearance. The martial band struck up a lively air. The scattered column immediately closed to the center of the highway, elbows wore touched, the step was taken, the limping gait of those whose feet had been blistered by the long march over the hard pike disappeared, the shoul- ders that had been stooping through the weary miles were quickly straightened, heads were thrown back, the carelessly carried muskets were brought to a " right shoulder shift." and everything in the army regulations strictly obeyed, unless it be that all eyes were not directly toward the front. There was. an inspiration in the presence and approval of the loyal beauties that caused all to forget their weariness and nerved every man to do his best. Could the battles of the war have been fought with such surroundings, instead of in gloomy forests or amid tangled swamps. it is easy to believe that there would have been no cowards ; indeed, it is probable that absolute extinc- tion of one side or the other would have resulted. The column kept well closed up until a halt was made and a camp ground selected at a point where the guide-board read : "George- town 10 Milles."
Wednesday, October 29. the camp ground was changed to a point about one and a half miles from Lexington. The location was a fine one, water being abundant and of good quality, and only about a quarter of a mile distant from camp. The colored people in the neighborhood showed great joy at the arrival of Union troops. An old "aunty" standing by the roadside cried out. " O Lor bless me, I wish I had some thing to gib em ;" and an aged colored man was repeating, as rapidly as he could speak it, "Hurrah for de Union ? Hurrah for de Union !" and once in a while sandwiching the remark, "The Unioners is come." There was a large camp in the neighbor- hood, not less than 20.000 troops being stationed near by. The men assumed that they were to make this a permanent camp, and proceeded to construct fire-places in their tents by digging holes in the ground about one foot square and eight inches deep, with a flue leading to the outside for the smoke.
NICKAJACK, 1863-4.
ROBERT A. SMITH, RIGHT GENERAL GUIDE.
SAMUEL H. SMITH, LEFT GENERAL GUIDE.
ATIME A TRAHOR
MRS. J. C. SMITH.
57
THE CAMP AT LEXINGTON.
to pass off. A few sheet-iron stoves were procured, and a number of brick or stone fire-places were built. The regular rations were supplemented with corn-mcal, bought by the soldiers at the rate of fifty cents per bushel, flour at three cents a pound and molasses at $1.40 per gallon. There was often a surplus of coffee and rice, which was sold to citizens or exchanged for the articles mentioned. Near the camp was a. large grist mill and jeans factory. From these the rebels had taken some $80.000 worth of goods, only a few weeks before. compelling the owners to accept Confederate scrip in payment. The factory was not only a thing of interest to the troops, but a great convenience, for the soldiers were permitted to take warm water from the pipes for the purpose of washing their clothing. a privilege which they availed themselves of with alacrity.
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