USA > Illinois > History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois volunteer Infantry, Vol. I > Part 7
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The drought, which had been very severe all through this region, having been interrupted by only one or two light showers and two or three snow-storms, was now thoroughly broken. A rain-storm set in on the seventeenth, which pre- vailed for many hours, and was supplemented by frequent heavy showers during succeeding days. The camp became a sea of mud, and the surroundings were most gloomy. On one occasion a citizen came into camp, and on his invitation a member of Company H accompanied him to the village and drank a glass of wine. Soon after returning to camp the soldier became alarmingly ill, and it was believed that he had been poisoned. The surgeons succeeded with much dithi- enlty in saving his life. One day a couple of men having in charge about twenty horses passed through the town, going southward. The officers became suspicions afterward that the horsemen might be Rebels, and the Colonel, with five men, started in pursuit, bringing them back to camp. They pro- tested their loyalty and were allowed to go for witnesses, but never came back, and their horses were turned over to the Government Quartermaster. There was occasional firing on the picket lines at night, but no casualties occurred, unless it may have been to stray porkers or poultry.
On the eighteenth Colonel Swayne was relieved from the command of the Brigade. Hle was an admirable soldier,
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
and did excellent service. but was not at this time very popu- lar among the officers of the command, probably more because of the fact that his own regiment was not in the Brigade than for any other reason. He was succeeded by Col. Cochran, of the Fourteenth Kentucky.
Thursday. November 20. Colonel Champion was directed to send two Companies to Danville, ten miles distant. Com- panies C and I were chosen, and on reaching their destination were assigned to quarters in the Baptist Church. During the following week or more they were given pretty heavy duty, large details for provost guard and funeral escorts being required daily. There were many sick and wounded of both armies in the city. and to preserve order among the convales- cents, prevent escapes of Rebels who had so far recovered as to be able to travel, and furnish escorts for from two to six funerals daily, would have kept them busy ; but in addition to these duties they were obliged to scout and picket outside the city, and more than once were called out. expecting an attack from Rebel cavalry hovering in the vicinity.
The main body of the Regiment was kept busy at Harrods- burg, scouting, doing guard duty and drilling. The Confed- erate prisoners were accustomed to watch the drill, and mani- fested much interest. heartily applauding any especially well executed movement, and laughing at the occasional errors of commanders or their men. One night there was some excite- ment because of the firing of two shots from the Rebel hos- pitals, the bullets whistling past some of the camp guards. An investigation was made, but no arms could be found in the hospitals.
The camp at Harrodsburg was known as Camp Clarke, being named in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Isaac L. Clarke. Captain J. P. Black, of Company E, was assigned to duty as Provost Marshal of the post, remaining on duty in that capac- ity for several weeks.
On the 24th the resignation of Captain Thomas A. Green. of Company F, was accepted, and he returned home. First Lieutenant Charles E. Rowan succeeded to the Captaincy of the Company, Second Lieutenant Nelson R. Simms was pro-
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71
THE REGIMENT PUBLISHES A NEWSPAPER.
moted to First Lieutenant, and Sergeant William Dawson to Second Lieutenant. This was the first change among the com- missioned officers after the organization of the Regiment.
On the 25th occurred the death. in hospital, of Hiram Hollister, of Company B; and on the 30th, at the residence of J. W. Cardwell, Esq., Frank Pool. of Company E, died from pneumonia. The latter was a brother of Lieutenant Pool, of Company A.
During the stay at Harrodsburg some of the members of the Regiment took possession of the office of The Kentucky Press, and set themselves at work to publish a newspaper. issning The Soldier's Letter. It was a five-column paper, and 2,500 copies were issued. Captain George Hicks, of Com- pany A, had editorial charge of the publication. His assist- ants were Corporals Christopher HI. Berg, of Company A, Edmund S. Stevens, of Company D, and John A. Boothby. of Company H, and Privates John W. Connor, James Ed- ward James and Anderson S. Allison, all of Company A. These men were all practical printers. The paper contained a complete Roster of the Regiment, a sketch of the organiza- tion. camp experiences and marches of the command up to that time ; also brief biographies of the field officers, a sketch of Colonel Daviess. for whom Jo Daviess County was named. a description of Harrodsburg, several patriotic poems, some humorous communications, several illustrations, -including the Williamsburg lady with the flag wrapped about her, - more or less local news, and an apology because the paper was not larger so that other articles, ready for the press, might be given to the world through its columns. The issue was speedily exhausted. the boys purchasing the paper at five cents a copy to send to their friends at home. In 1885 several members of the Regiment living in the vicinity of Galena, Ill., issued a duplicate edition, and numerous copies of the original and the duplicate are to be found among the posses- sions of the soldiers of the Regiment.
Thursday, November 27. the Regiment was ordered to Danville, but in view of the fact that it was Thanksgiving Day permission was given to defer the move until Friday. Quite
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
liberal preparations were made for Thanksgiving, and nearly all fared sumptuously. The Ninety-second Illinois were not as fortunate, being compelled to march. instead of celebrating the day in camp.
At eight o'clock on the morning of Friday, November 28. the main body of the Regiment took its leave of Harrodsburg and marched to Danville, ten miles, in two and one-half hours. Companies A and E were left on duty at the former place for a short time, Captain Hicks being in command of the post. and Captain Black continuing to act as Provost Marshal. The next day Companies C and I. which had been quartered in a church at Danville, joined the Regiment in camp, a half mile from the village. About fifty men were left in the hospital at Harrodsburg, quite a percentage of them having measles. Most of the men rejoined the Regiment within a few weeks. Danville was really a very pretty city at that time, having numerous large business blocks, churches and seminaries, and was a stronghold of Union sentiment.
From the 28th of November until the 26th of December the Regiment made no general movement, but lay in what was named " Camp Baird." in honor of the General command- ing the division. Company and battalion drill was kept up with as much regularity as the weather would permit. and inspections and dress parades were frequent. There was a show storin early in December, and some of the officers impro- vised a sleigh, found some sleigh-bells in town. and enjoyed a ride about the camp and in the city. Enlisted men con- tented themselves with snow-balling. A few days after the arrival at Danville. Colonel Champion called the men together and stated his wish to make the guard details lighter, closing a short address by saying that if they would promise not to leave the camp without permission he would reduce the camp guard from 64 to 27. The boys quickly agreed to it, and gave three rousing cheers for the Colonel.
The shoddy pants before alluded to had not been replaced up to this time, except in a few cases where the wearers were exposing too much of their anatomy, but on the eleventh all who needed trousers were supplied. There was much atten-
73
THE WINTER QUARTERS AT DANVILLE.
tion given to the personal appearance of the command all through the winter, perhaps all the more because of the fact that a number of ladies .- wives and mothers of the soldiers. --- visited Camp Baird. some of them remaining several weeks.
There was keen disappointment when news came of the disaster to the Union forces under Gen. Burnside at Freder- icksburg, on the Rappahannock, and the want of success on the part of the expedition under Gen. Sherman, sent against Vicksburg. Up to this time hopes had been entertained that the war might be brought to an honorable close within a few months after the calling out of the 600,000, but these reverses convinced all, or nearly all. that the war was to be prolonged. All eyes were now turned toward the Army of the Cumber- land, then mainly in the vicinity of Nashville, and under the connand of Gen. Rosecrans. It was understood that they would soon make a forward movement, and there were strong hopes that with them it would be victory and not defeat.
The little wedge tents were used up to the 18th of Decem- ber, at which time Bell tents were drawn, five or six being allowed to each Company. Prior to this, Company K had obtained some large Sibley tents, found near the battle-field of Perryville. The men had by this time learned to make themselves quite comfortable in camp. Walls of various ma- terials, such as boards, rails, stone and brick, were built to the height of from two to four feet, and good fire-places with chimneys were constructed in nearly all of the tents. A few sheet-iron stoves were used. Sometimes excavations two or three feet in depth were made, the dirt thrown out being used to bank up the tents. This latter arrangement was deemed unhealthy, however, and was discouraged by the officers and surgeons.
The large tents proved very pleasant and convenient. In the evening each one was a most cheerful place. Bright tires blazed in the improvised fire-places, and bayonets, stuck En. the ground, were used as candlesticks. From the center- poodles hung the aceoutrements, and on racks built for the pur- i've lay the shining Enfield muskets. The men, lounging on their blankets spread upon the clean straw, told stories, pro-
HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, IL.L. V. I.
pounded conundrums, read. sang, or played cards. checkers. or chess. as their humor dictated. until tattoo and taps sent them to bed. Thousands of letters were written and received. and the arrival of the mail each day was the signal for a gen- eral turnout of the command. Many daily papers were taken. and the soldiers, during that winter at least, knew what was going on throughout the country almost as well as their friends at home. In the evening the camp, as viewed from a little distance, was a pretty scene. The tents, standing in regular rows, and each lit up from within, were a pleasant study.
Early in the month Lieutenant C. A. Montgomery, of Company D, was detailed on the staff of Col. Cochran. as Brigade Commissary. and Lieutenant George W. Pepoon. of Company K. as Aide de Camp.
Almost daily details were sent into the country, often for tive or six miles, to cut wood, which was hauled to camp in army wagons. This duty was quite severe, as the choppers were required to walk one way, and sometimes both ways. A heavy picket line was established all about the camp, but as there was no large force of Rebels in the neighborhood the reserve posts were allowed to keep up good fires, although heavy screens of evergreen were placed in front of them so that they should not be too plainly visible from points outside the lines. On a few occasions, when an attack was appre- hended. these fires were extinguished. to the great discomfort of the men. the long winter nights passing most drearily.
On the night of December 10 a rumor reached camp that a portion of Morgan's command was in the near vicinity. and Company C was hastily sent down town to gnard a building where ammunition was stored. The picket lines were doubled and every preparation made to give the noted cavalryman a warm reception should he see fit to pay the camp a visit ; but he did not come, and next day all was quiet. There was frequent firing on the picket lines at night. cattle and horses wandering near the outposts being frequently mistaken for cavalrymen by the zealous gnards, and sometimes even trees and stumps being tortured into imaginary enemies. Undoubt- elly more or less of this shooting was purely wanton, the
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THE ROUTINE OF DAILY DUTIES.
men firing their guns as much for their own amusement as because they thought a real enemy was approaching. It should be remembered, however, that many of the soldiers were mere boys, from sixteen to eighteen years of age, and as it was known that there were mimnerons bands of cavalry in the neighborhood, it is hardly to be wondered at that in the long and weary watches they became a little over-anxious and imagined any object they might see outside the lines a scout or spy attempting to reach the camp. As a rule, one-third of each guard detail was kept on ontpost. one-third kept awake and under arms at the reserve post. and one-third allowed to sleep beside the fires.
All through the winter the camp regulations were very strict, no one being allowed to pass the limits of the camp without written permission. Reveille sounded every morning at half-past five o'clock. Roll-call followed immediately, every man being required to take his place in line in the Com- pany street, those failing to respond being placed on extra Anty. Then followed preparations for breakfast. after which the grounds were thoroughly policed. At half-past eight came guard-mount, a part of the detail being assigned for picket duty, a part for camp guard, and a part for provost Auty in the city. These latter men were required to arrest all citizens and soldiers found without written passes in the day- time or the countersign at night. At half-past nine Company drill was begun. continuing from one to two hours. In the early afternoon there was Battalion drill, and at half-past four vame Dress parade. At half-past seven occurred the final rol-call. and at eight o'clock came taps, which was the signal for all lights to be out. After a time the First Sergeants be- rame a little careless as to the manner in which the evening r Al-call was responded to. It was not that they meant to be willfully negligent, but rather because of their real kindness " heart. At first those who had been on guard the night HHfore were exensed from coming out and forming in line ; then wine soldier answered to the name of another; a stormy night came, and the Sergeants made the usual noise in the streets, while the men answered from the tents ; next night
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
the same form was gone through with, although there was no storm. A week passed in this way, but one evening the First Sergeants were summoned to Regimental Headquarters. When all had arrived Colonel Champion made a little speech, which ran about as follows: " I understand that there has ** been some deviation from the prescribed rule in the matter "of the evening roll-call. I have only this to say : If the " present First Sergeants are unable or unwilling to obey the " orders heretofore made, I have no doubt that I shall be able "to find men in each Company who can and will. Good "evening, gentlemen."
The abrupt termination of the Colonel's address fairly dazed his auditors. but it was not many seconds until all had filed out of the tent into the darkness, each feeling very much as if he would like to find a very small hole somewhere into which he could crawl. The rolls were called in due form from that time until active campaigning and thinned ranks rendered it unnecessary.
Christmas was spent quite pleasantly in the camp, with ample rations, and was indeed with many quite a merry day. Just after the evening dress parade, orders were received to march at daylight next morning. The men who were thought to be unable to march were sent to the hospitals in town. extra rations were issued. and everything put in order for the start. Between three and four o'clock next morning reveille was sounded. Then followed breakfast, after which the tent stakes were all drawn, except barely enough to hold the can- vas houses in position, and at a given signal every tent went to the ground and was rolled up and placed in the wagons. It was a weird sight as that canvas village disappeared. All abont were blazing camp-fires, which served to make the out- side darkness more intense. The huge army wagons standing here and there, the men moving around in the uncertain light, the braving of the mules, the shonting of the drivers, the sounding of the bugles, the rattling of the drums, the merry faces of the eager soldiers, as they piled the boxes and tables and heaped the floors of the tents high on the blazing fires. destroying all the little camp conveniences -- not caring to
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77
THE MARCH TO LEBANON AND RETURN.
Have them for the enemy, and not dreaming that they would again occupy the same ground within thirty-six hours-formed a strange spectacle, and one not easily described.
At a quarter before six o'clock, and while it was yet quite dark, knapsacks were slung and the men filed into line by Companies and marched to the parade grounds. There was a little delay, but at half-past six the column moved forward. All were eager to know the destination of the Division, but those who could tell would not. The column, embracing wearly the entire Division, moved out toward Lebanon, over a good macadamized road. The weather was mild, and in the early morning not unpleasant. Abont nine o'clock. however. a drenching rain set in, increasing in violence and making the march a most severe one. General Granger and his staff were riding at the head of the column. They had good. fresh horses, and were no doubt in a hurry to get to the end of the march. It seemed then as if they had little regard for the comfort of the men, for through that drenching rain. when every moment made overcoats and knapsacks heavier, they plodded on at a fast walk, for miles together, without giving them an opportunity for rest. Rumor had it that Morgan was in the front, and that this body of troops was to reinforce the garrison at Mumfordsville. Plainly there was great haste, for rarely have men been so overmarched. It was as if infantry was trying to keep up with cavalry. Through Ing miles the men cheered and sang to keep up their spirits. bat as their loads grew heavier, their limbs tired. their feet wore, and their judgment confirmed their impression that they were being imposed upon, many of them became moody and marched in silence. The General at last took the hint. and made several stops. At half-past two or three o'clock, the rain, which had been coming in torrents, began to abate somewhat, and when. at four o'clock, after traveling fifteen or sixteen miles, the column filed to the right into a muddy cornfield, and it was announced that this was to be the camp. it had entirely ceased for the time being. That was a camp to be remembered. At every step the men sank into the ground to their shoe-tops. Striet orders were issued by Gen.
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
Granger against taking the rails composing the fence for fuel, but the officers commanding the Regiment very properly told the men to take the top rails and that they would be responsi- ble. Fuel was actually essential to the comfort of the troops after sneh a march and in such a camp-ground. Gen. Granger ordered details to be sent out to chop wood, and a score or more of tired soldiers followed the wagons to the timber and ent and loaded wood to be brought to camp. They worked hard and returned late with their green fuel, that was not to be burned. for the "top rails" had been used long before the wagons arrived. The General used some " cuss" words in his discussion of the Volunteer officers, but evidently con- cluded that discretion was the better part of valor, and re- trained from having any prolonged contest over the little matter of a few fence rails. A stack of hay, a pile of straw. a large quantity of cornstalks. and. these failing, a stack of oats. were carried into the tents of the soldiers. all disappearing within twenty minutes. In this way the men kept themselves out of the mud, and it was really surprising to see how com- fortable they had made themselves within an hour after their tents were up. Hardly was the camp established before the rain again began to fall in torrents, continuing for some hours. At ten o'clock in the evening two regiments and a battery were ordered forward to Lebanon without baggage and in great haste, but before they had started the order was coun- termanded, and they returned to their tents.
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In the morning the weather was colder. There was an early reveille and breakfast. Plainly the commanding officers were uncertain what to do, for there was much marching and countermarching, but within an hour or two the column was headed for Danville and made the march over the ground passed by them the day before, camping at four o'clock in the afternoon on the identical grounds they had vacated so recently. How the boys wished then that they had not burned their boxes and gun-racks and tables and tent floors! How- ever. they made the best of the situation, and fitted up their tents in good order. This trip was very severe upon the men. and following it many were siek. For a time it was supposed
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79
Two COMPANIES SENT TO HICKMAN BRIDGE.
that the movement was intended as a diversion to hold the Rebel force in Kentucky, and prevent their reinforcing Gen. Bragg, then contending with the Army of the Cumberland at Stone's River. It afterward became known that the Rebel Gen. Morgan had tapped the telegraph wires and sent bogus dispatches to Gen. Granger, hurrying him forward to Lebanon, himself marching off toward Kentucky River at his leisure. , picking up more or less horses and gathering in a few recruits. A day or two later two Regiments of the Division repeated this march to Lebanon and return.
Tuesday, December 30, Companies B and I were sent out on a scout to the Kentucky River, a battery of artillery accom- panying them. There were also several infantry companies. from other regiments, thoir destination being Hickman Bridge, about fifteen miles away. They had a most disagree- able march in the cold rain storm. They were absent from the Regiment for some days, but did not find any organized enemy. On the night of December 31, there was a rumor of trouble on the picket lines. and the men were required to sleep under arms all night. Next day the teams were kept harnessed and the men under orders to be ready to fall in at a moment's notice, but still no trouble came.
On the thirtieth Captain James H. Clark, of Company G. resigned and returned home, whereupon First Lieutenant David L. James was made Captain, and Second Lieutenant Benj. G. Blowney was promoted to First Lieutenant. An election was held for Second Lientenant, First Sergeant Hiram W. Farnsworth and Sergeant James O. Havens being the principal rivals. The latter received the most votes and en- tered upon the duties of the position ; but within a few days, and before a commission had been issued, a contest occurred in Company B which resulted in a tie vote, whereupon the vote in each Company was disregarded. and, upon the recom- mendation of the Colonel, the Governor of the State issued commissions to the next in rank, and First Sergeant Farns- worth became Second Lieutenant. Sergeant Havens being appointed First Sergeant.
Following these severe winter expeditions many were
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
prostrated by sickness. From the very organization of the Regiment there had been frequent cases of measles, men being left sick with this disease at almost every stopping place. Mumps, pneumonia and typhoid fever were also common, and deaths were very frequent.
Those dying during the month were, Henry H. Swan, of Company C. December 3: John Chope, of Company D, De- cember 8 ; Richard Wilton, of Company D. December 19; Robert Pollard, of Company K, December 19 ; Terhan Shaffer, of Company E, December 29 ; the latter at Harrods- burg : all of the others at Danville. In several instances the parents and near friends of sick soldiers came to attend them, but in two or three cases arrived too late to find their loved ottes living. In most cases the remains were taken North for burial. It was an invariable custom to provide a military escort to the grave in ease of local burial, and to the express office when the bodies were sent home. Religious services. were held, and a quartet or choir always furnished music. The selection most frequently sung was :
OH, WRAP THE FLAG AROUND ME, BOYS.
Oh, wrap the flag around me, boys, To die were far more sweet With Freedom's starry emblem, boys. To be my winding sheet. In life I loved to see it wave And follow where it led, And now my eyes grow dim, my hands Would clasp its last bright shred.
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