USA > Illinois > History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois volunteer Infantry, Vol. I > Part 6
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The remaining days, until the arrival of the detachment under Colonel Champion. were passed without incident of especial note. The camp regulations were strict, and drilling was vigorously begun. Colonel Clarke was a strict discipli- narian and disposed to see that all orders issued for the gov- ernment of troops were literally obeyed .. He had been a school-master through all the early years of his manhood, and some of the men thought him too strict. This criticism came to his knowledge, and he was frank to talk with his offi- cers and such of his men as he knew best personally about the matter, so that a pretty good understanding was reached. Later on, officers and men came to know each other better. and the soldiers learned that it was absolutely necessary in order to discipline that the soldier should subject himself to. the officer. This much can certainly be said, that long before his death those who had been disposed to criticise him came to see that his orders were, after all, best for the men. They learned that he was a man of high character and fixed princi- ples, and that he meant to do just what was right and honorable. by those under his command, and by the citizens near the- camp or on the line of march.
It is now necessary to turn back and see what the other. five Companies of the Regiment, under Colonel Champion ..
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
had been doing since Colonel Clarke's command left Camp .Champion.
On Wednesday, October 29, at a little before nine o'clock. Companies B, C, D, I and K, under the command of Colonel Champion, left their comfortable quarters in Covington Bar- racks, where a week had been so pleasantly spent, and started .on the trip to Lexington. Already the radical change of diet and mode of life was beginning to tell on the men, and each Company left a half dozen or more of their number in the various hospitals. in the neighborhood. Marching to head. quarters, definite orders were received, and the column passed out through Covington and near Fort Mitchell, where a rest of half an hour was taken. Two miles further on there was a stop for dinner, after which the command marched to the fair grounds near Florence, halting about half-past three o'clock in the afternoon and occupying the amphitheatre. The distance made was about ten miles, and the trip a rather leis -. urely one. There was plenty of wood and water, and the Battalion had a delightful camping place.
Thursday, October 30, the column started about 7 A. M., and made sixteen miles, passing through Walton and camping near Crittenden at a little after 5 p. M., in an open field. Wood and water were scarce and had to be carried about a mile. The march was through a beautiful country a part of the way, there being many fine plantations. Many of the people showed their loyalty by coming out and waving flags or cheering. At other places they stood sullenly and silently, their looks indicating a displeasure they dared not voice. It was amusing to witness the actions of the negroes at these latter places. Keeping partly in the rear of the buildings so as to be out of sight of their masters, they would swing their hats and dance or otherwise manifest their joy, but without daring to shout. This second day's march was quite severe on the men, and many were lame and foot-sore when camp was reached.
Friday, October 31, the column started at S A. M., and passed through Crittenden, Dry Ridge and other hamlets, and .camped near Williamsburg, making about twelve miles. At
59
ARMY RATIONS SUPPLEMENTED BY FORAGING.
this latter place a beautiful young lady, dressed in a costume made up of the stars and stripes, came out to cheer the soldiers on their way. It was a pretty tableau, and heartily was the beautiful and loyal lady cheered in return. There were but few springs along the route, and most of the wells were deep but dry. At some points details were sent ahead and teams impressed to draw to the roadside barrels of water taken from springs or ponds. Some of the men quietly left the ranks and "'drew" sweet potatoes from the fields or gardens along the route. There was a suggestion at many points of the poet's dream of heaven, when he said :
" Of the women there seemed an innumerable throng,
But the men you could count as they passed along."
For while there were from six to ten women at about every house there was hardly a white man to be seen. Just at night two men, believed to be Confederate soldiers or bushwhackers belonging to Morgan's command, were captured and sent under guard to the Provost Marshal at Williamsburg. The regular army rations were somewhat low, but there was a good variety of fresh meat in camp next morning, and a few "seeesh " rails were burned to cook it with. Water was not only very scarce but very muddy, being drawn from cattle ponds. The men came into camp in much better condition than on the previous day.
Saturday, November 1, the command started at 7 A. M .. and marched seventeen miles, camping near Jones' Tavern. The day was quite warm, and the men pretty well used np when a final halt was made. An incident of the evening was the enlistment of the two deserters from the rebel army men- tioned in the sketch of Company C. Many criticised the action, but the officers concluded to take the risk, and after .events fully vindicated them.
Sunday, November 2, the Battalion broke camp at 7 A. M .. and marched six miles, camping on Eagle Creek. As but five days' supplies had been taken, the regular rations were about exhausted. The Quarter-Master purchased beef, corn and wheat in the neighborhood. and a mill near camp was set in motion by some of the men in charge of Sergeant Schooley,
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
an experienced miller, Corporal John Lee acting as engineer ... and by evening four hundred pounds of flour and a like amount of corn meal had been ground ont and issned. The steam whistle at the mill was sounded repeatedly, and soon all of the colored people of the neighborhood and of Georgetown vil- lage seemed to be approaching the camp, apparently thinking that the whistle proceeded from a fleet of Lincoln gunboats that must be coming up the diminutive creek. Many of the young colored men desired to accompany the command, and. as a natural result, more or less trouble ensued. Most of the Generals in the department at that time were in partial sym- pathy with the "peculiar institution," and strict orders had been given requiring officers to surrender any negroes who might be found in the camp whenever their alleged owners demanded them. The fugitive slave laws were at least nomi- nally in force, and commanders of regiments who refused to obey these laws not unfrequently found themselves the princi- pals in vexations law suits. Some of these suits were not concluded until long years after the war was over, occasioning considerable personal expense and trouble to those involved. But with the NINETY-SINTH Regiment officers there was never litigation, Colonel Champion being too good a lawyer to allow himself or his officers to be involved in law suits. Nearly all were radically opposed to slavery, and the negro who sought refuge in the camp was protected, but in such a manner as not to involve any one in a legal way. Usually a camp guard was established whenever the Regiment went into bivouac. often, as it seemed, more for the purpose of excluding citizens from the camp than to prevent the soldiers from going outside. Not unfrequently citizens would come to the guard line and ask, or even demand, to be admitted to headquarters. but whenever it was suspected that they were negro hunting they were excluded and compelled to return to their homes without taking the negroes who had sought their liberty. A few negroes followed the command from Eagle Creek. most of them being employed as cooks for the officers.
On the second. learning that the plantation of a Confederate Major was but two miles distant. abont forty men, in charge of
61
ADMINISTERING THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.
Lieutenant Montgomery, of Company D, set out in the early evening on a foraging expedition. Arrived at the house, the soldiers quietly deployed about the buildings, while the Lieu- tenant and a half dozen men who had brought their muskets with them rapped at the front door. Some ladies came to the door, and, in response to the officer's inquiry, asserted that there were no men in the house. Unfortunately for the truth of this assertion. a man appeared at the head of the stairway just at that moment and demanded to know what was wanted. The Lieutenant asked him to come to the door, which he did with manifest reluctance. They told him that they were a detachment from the command encamped on Eagle Creek. . and that. being short of rations, they had come for a few bushels of potatoes, at the same time saying that if he was a . loyal citizen a receipt would be given so that he could collect pay. He pretended that there were no potatoes on the planta- tion. It happened, however, that a negro who had previously been interviewed, and who accompanied the expedition as its pilot, had assured them that in a field adjoining the buildings were numerous "pits" of potatoes. The Lieutenant asked the man to remove his hat, raise his right hand and repeat after him the oath of allegiance, which he did. The oath was a very lengthy one, the Lieutenant injecting numerous excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, Webster's orations and such other literature as he could call to mind, in apparent good faith, but really to gain time for the boys who were reconnoit- ering. Before he was half through there was a loud outery from the poultry, and the citizen was becoming very anxious. As soon as the extended oath was concluded he appealed for protection, and begged the officer not to allow the men to take his poultry. The officer, leaving the man under guard, ran to the outbuildings, and in loud tones demanded that the forag- ing should stop, saying that they had come for potatoes, not for poultry ; but, seizing a grain bag, called in an undertone to the men to hand him some chickens and turkeys. which he crammed into the sack. As soon as the noise ceased he turned his game bag over to some of the men, returned to the citizen and told him that he had better go in the house for the night,
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
but that, having taken the oath of allegiance, he could come to the camp next morning, bring two or three reputable citi- zens of known loyalty to establish his identity and character, and get pay for his potatoes. The citizen quickly made his way to the house, but never came to camp for his pay. and inquiry revealed the truthfulness of the first information that the entire family were notorious secessionists. Meanwhile . the pr tato field had been visited and the men were on their way to camp. A soldier, in writing of the affair, said : "The men from Company O brought in thirty chickens, ten turkeys, a lot of dueks, four bushels of potatoes, a churn full of syrup and twenty quarts of honey, which, considering that it was the only Company in the Regiment that ever laid claim to being especially . good,' must be considered a pretty fair showing.' As the other four Companies each had an equal number of men in the expedition, it can be judged that the affair was a pretty successful one.
It may be mentioned here that the colored man who acted as pilot was James Joyce, who remained with the Regiment until Nashville was reached, and then went North with Lieu- tenant A. B. Partridge, living in Lake county until his death, which occurred about 1875.
Monday, November 3, the Battalion was called in line early, fired off their guns by volley, and marched fourteen miles, camping at two o'clock P. M. on Elkhorn Creek, near the residence of ex-Gov. Robinson. The village of George- town was reached early in the day, and the country passed through was the most beautiful portion of the Blue Grass Region. Several negroes were following the Regiment, and at. Georgetown citizens undertook to stop them, but failed in their efforts.
Tuesday, November 4, reveille sounded at half-past four. the column tiling out of camp at six A. M., and marching to Lexington, ten miles, arriving about eleven o'clock A. M. The other five Companies came out to meet Colonel Champion's command, and escort it to camp.
It was a very pleasant meeting when the two battalions rate together at Lexington, and the Regiment was again con-
63
TROUBLE IN THE REGIMENTAL KITCHEN.
solidated. For many days the boys compared experiences. and related to each other the incidents that had happened during their two weeks' separation. There had been consid- erable irregularity about the mails up to this time, but here the accumulated letters were received, and an immense mail distributed.
The Regiment remained at Lexington until November 13. It was not a time of leisure, but rather of hard work, for drill- ing was pushed with great vigor, the men being out for many hours every day when the weather would permit, either in squads, companies or as a regiment, and perhaps at no other point was more rapid progress made in acquiring military knowledge. The weather was cold much of the time, and one or two light snow-storms occurred. but this did not interfere very materially with the every day drill. At dress parade the men were required to wear overcoats. Rations were abun- dant, and of very good quality, but there was much trouble concerning the matter of cooking them. Up to this time the plan had been for each Company to keep its coffee, beans, rice and some other articles together, and men were detailed to serve as Company cooks. There were usually two for each Company. Many of these cooks were not experts in their line, and much of the cooking was simply execrable. Three times out of four the beans or rice would be burned. The big black kettles had to be used for cooking both meat and coffee, and often there was a film of grease upon the top of the kettle of coffee. the sight of which was not well calculated to serve as an appetizer. The matter was discussed by officers and men. and finally permission was given to break up each Company into messes, the men to take turns in cooking. This arrange- ment proved more satisfactory, although too many cooks spoiled many a broth. However, a few developed into excel- lent cooks in every Company, and when the Regiment was in camp as a rule it fared pretty well. During the stay at Lexington there were frequent reviews of the Brigade and Division, and dress parades were held almost every evening. large numbers of people coming out from the city to witness. the evolutions of the battalions.
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
There were few in the Regiment, and probably but few in the army then eneamped in the neighborhood, who did not visit the tomb and monument of the great statesman, Henry Clay, and no doubt hundreds of soldiers copied the inscription upon the coffin, which reads: "I can, with unshaken con- fidence, appeal to the Divine Arbiter for the truth of the declaration that I have been influenced by no impure purpose ; . no personal motive : have sought no personal aggrandizement. but that in all my public actions I have had a sole and single eve, and a warm, devoted heart directed and dedicated to what, in my best judgment, I believed to be the true interest of my country." This monument is 35 feet square at the base and considerably more than 100 feet in height, and is surmounted by a statue of the man whose memory it is intended to perpetuate.
The first death in the camp, and the second among the members of the Regiment, occurred at Lexington,-George Bryan, aged 19 years, and a member of Company II, dying from typhoid fever.
FL.
ADDISON B. PARTRIDGE. FIRST LIEUTENANT COMPANY C.
65
FROM LEXINGTON TO HARRODSBURG.
CHAPTER V.
Southward to Harrodsburg-Kentucky River Scenery -- A Halt at Shaker- . town-The Stay at Camp Clarke-Visits to Perryville Battle Ground -- Recovering Federal Property-Issuing a Newspaper-Marching to Danville-In Winter Quarters at Camp Baird-Occasional Alarms at Night -- The First Sergeants Lectured-Breaking Camp by Fire-Light -The Lebanon March-A Terrible Rain Storm - The Night at "Camp Wet" -- The Return to Danville. - Frequent Deaths Among the Sol- diers -- A Scouting Expedition -- Close of the Year 1862.
Thursday, November 13, the Regiment struck its tents. packed its knapsacks. loaded its wagons, left its fire-places and straw beds, and again started out upon the march, breaking camp at seven o'clock or a little later, and taking position at the rear of the column. It was a beautiful day, and the road lay through an attractive and highly cultivated region. The distance traveled was fourteen or fifteen miles, and the camp for the night near Nicholasville. A large number of men had to be left at Lexington, owing to siekness, and others were really too unwell for so long a march. although, with com- mendable phuck. they persisted in remaining with the Regi- ment. As a consequence the ambulances were crowded before the day's march was ended. Field and staff officers walked a considerable part of the time. allowing those who were foot- sore or imwell to ride their horses. Some of these officers carried one or two muskets for tired members of the command. a favor that was fully appreciated. The camp that night was in a pretty grove near a spring, and as there was an abund- ance of straw in the neighborhood the men made themselves Very comfortable. Next morning the column passed through Nicholasville. making their start at eight o'clock. Toward noon, on nearing the Kentucky river, the country became more broken. The pike lay along a deep gorge or ravine, descend- ing for a mile or more until the river bottom was reached. On one side of the roadway, at a point where the column
5
HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
halted, the rocks rose precipitately to a great height. and on the other side was a deep chasm, down which the waters dashed themselves into a spray and disappeared beneath the over- hanging boulders. Even those who had visited the Rocky Mountains grew enthusiastic at the unexpected scene, and admitted that the view was one of true grandeur. Great lavers of rock surmounted each other to the height of hun- dreds of feet, and here and there little white cedars, so beau- tifully green, cropped out from the crevices in the rocks, while all about icicles were pendant from the vines, greatly enhanc- ing the beauty of the surroundings. Fifty feet above the road a horse was drinking from a spring. and it was a question with many as to how he reached the place or in what way he was to leave the spot without falling.
The river was reached at noon, and the command went into bivouac until its turn came to be ferried across the stream. There were two boats, each of which would accommodate abont one company, and in these the crossing was made with- out mishap, except that once a boat ran aground. cansing a little excitement and some delay. The distance traveled that day was about eight miles, and the camp for the night was made at Brooklyn, on the river. The scene from the camp was a most beautiful one, and will not pass from the minds of those who witnessed it until memory fails. Looking across the river the tall cliff's rose precipitately for hundreds of feet, giving the impression, as night came on, of a vast thunder cloud rising up against the sky.
Saturday, November 15, the command marched ten or twelve miles, halting at Harrodsburg. The first few miles lay through a broken country, emerging from which Shaker- town was reached. This village, inhabited by the sect whose name it bears, was a novelty. The houses were not especially numerous, but all were large and substantial, and some of them bore dates. 1811, 1814 and later years, indicating con- siderable antiquity. The apparel of both men and women was drab or gray material, made up in the plainest manner junsible. The women all wore shaker bonnets. It was notice- able that nearly all the inhabitants were either quite old or
67
VISITS TO THE PERRYVILLE BATTLE-FIELD.
quite young. The column halted for a time in the village streets, and the soldiers talked with the citizens, the latter answering all questions freely. It was learned that no mar- riages were allowed among the people, and that the population of the village was kept up by the adoption and education of orphan children from all parts of the country. Upon arriving at mature years these wards were given permission to go else- . where and adopt a different mode of life if they saw fit. a privilege of which nearly all availed themselves. scarcely five per cent. consenting to remain and take upon themselves the vows of celibacy. These people took no part in the stormy scenes attending the rebellion, being opposed to war on prin- ciple, but it was a well established fact that all of them were opposed to the institution of slavery, and in hearty sympathy with the North. A few weeks before, the Rebel forces had levied heavy tribute upon them, taking considerable live stock. somne goods, and, it was even said, more or less money.
The command arrived at Harrodsburg about one o'clock. and camped a few rods from a large hospital filled with Rebels. wounded at the battle of Perryville. This being the first lot of uniformed Rebels with which the Regiment had come in contact, there was much curiosity on the part of the men to sve and converse with them. Many of the prisoners were quite defiant and sancy, and as quick to enter into an argu- ment on behalf of " Southern rights" as were their Yankee visitors. There were about 1,500 Confederates in town, most of them being quartered in buildings or barracks.
Perryville was about ten or eleven miles from Harrods- burg. and not only many public buildings, but numerous pri- vate residences were filled with the sick and wounded of both Armies, left there immediately following the battle of the Sth of October. Before the command had been there many hour-, men starting out from the camps found muskets, tents, -addles and other articles quite numerous among the citizens. some of them being secreted and others openly displayed as relies. This coming to the knowledge of the officers, detach- Ments were sent out, in some instances remaining for a day or two. and gathering up large quantities of camp and garrison
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
equipage,-several wagon loads of muskets, many horses and mules and a few tents being the more valuable artieles recov- ered. On these expeditions many got their first glimpse of the horrors of the battle-field. In some instances the dead remained unburied, and at many places the rain had washed the dirt from the bodies of those buried in the shallow graves, leaving feet, arms and heads exposed to view. There were many dead horses here and there through the woods, and the stench arising from their decaying carcasses was terri- bly sickening. The enemy had occupied a portion of the battle ground for the night, and had made an attempt at burying their dead. but the work was not very thoroughly done. Nearly all the Union dead had been carefully buried. and their graves plainly marked with wooden head-boards.
On one of the trips to Perryville the soldiers encountered a somewhat unusual experience. When five miles from camp they learned of a shooting atfair that had just taken place, and, on going to a house pointed out by a guide, found a woman greatly excited because of threats made against her life. It transpired that the woman bad shot a citizen, and the neighbors were threatening revenge. The facts, as developed, were. that her husband, who was a Union man, had been engaged to run a grist-mill. The proprietor of the mill was a Secessionist. Some controversy had previously arisen, and was uot settled at once. On this occasion the owner of the mill had ridden to the house on horseback, and inquired for the miller. Something in his language or actions convinced the woman that his mission was not a friendly one, and, seizing a gun, she ran toward the mill to warn her husband. The man spurred his horse, and was apparently attempting to ride over her. when she pluckily turned and shot him dead. The case was investigated sufficiently to convince the officer that the statements of the woman were true, and the couple were given a gaard to accompany them to a place of safety. This was but one of very many tragedies among citizens growing out of cho-e troublous times, and but for the timely arrival of the soldiers it is probable that a half dozen lives might have been required to settle the existing feud.
69
INCIDENTS OF THE STAY AT HARRODSBURG.
The Regiment, with the exception of Companies Cand I, remained at Harrodsburg about a fortnight. Sunday. the first day in this eamp. there was inspection in the forenoon and dress parade in the evening. During the afternoon religious services were held in an old church, Chaplain Clendenning preaching to the large congregation. composed mainly of sol- diers. It was said that nearly all the members of the congre- gation who formerly worshipped there were in actual sympathy with the rebellion. The church had been cleared of its pulpit and a portion of the seats, so that it could be used as a store- room by the army quartermaster. The pulpit, therefore, had to be improvised, and it was somewhat suggestive when the men piled up boxes of ammunition upon which the Chaplain could lay his Bible and unroll his manuscript.
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