USA > Illinois > History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois volunteer Infantry, Vol. I > Part 8
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CHORUS. - Then wrap the flag around me, boys, To die were far more sweet With Freedom's starry emblem, boys, To be my winding sheet.
Oh, I had thought to greet you, boys, On many a well-won field,
When to our starry banner, boys, The trait'rons foe should yield. But now, alas ! I am denied My dearest earthly prayer ; You'll follow and you'll meet the foe. But I shall not be there.
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1.
GEORGE HICKS.
MAJOR AND BREVET COLONEL.
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"OH, WRAP THE FLAG AROUND ME, BOYS."
But though my body moulder, boys, My spirit will be free, And every comrade's honor, boys, Will still be dear to me. There, in the thick and bloody fight, Ne'er let your ardor lag, For I'll be there, still hov'ring near, Above the dear old flag !
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
CHAPTER VI.
The Negro Question - Waiting for News from Stone's River - Drilling Resumed - Visitors in Camp - Pay-day Arrives -Eleven Deaths in- a Single Month - A Heavy Winter Storm - Changes Among the Officers - An Eighty-five Mile March to Louisville - Aboard the Transport, -- The Arrival at Fort Donelson-The Second Battle at that Historic Point-Up the Cumberland to Nashville.
Up to the close of the year 1862 the slavery question con- tinned to be a fruitful theme of discussion ; indeed, for some time following that date the subject was the occasion of numerous orders by both the civil and the military author- ities, and a fruitful source of argument with both citizens and soldiers. On one or more occasions at Danville there was a public sale of negroes, which was quite largely attended by soldiers. Not all of the spectators were impressed alike by the strange spectacle of a human being on the auction block. although to the majority there came a feeling of indignation that was not attempted to be concealed. But the time was at hand when the Emancipation Proclamation was to settle some of the problems of the war, and to destroy the value of the negro as " property." Meanwhile there were more or less incidents occurring that served to show the terrible spirit of the hateful institution. On one occasion, at Danville, Ky .. Captain Rowan and Sergeant Lee, of Company F, went to the hotel to take dinner. The Captain's waiter, or servant, a col- ored man whom he had hired, accompanied them, for the pur- pose of carrying some supplies back to camp, and waited out- side while they ate dinner. On returning to the office at the close of the meal the Captain looked in vain for the colored man. The office, or bar-room, was filled with citizens, who seemed rather amused than otherwise at the Captain's in- quiries as to the whereabouts of the missing "contraband." After some delay the Captain drew a revolver and suggested
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HOW CAPT. ROWAN RESCUED A COLORED MAN.
that he proposed to secure the information requested without delay. Seeing that the officer meant what he said, some of the bystanders vouchsafed the information that a "nigger " had been seen there, but as he did not seem to have any owner, and, moreover, as that office was intended for "gentlemen" and not for "niggers," the intruder had been treated precisely as a stray animal would be at the North, and was in the "pound." Rowan was a resolute fellow, and demanded that the "gentleman " who had caused the servant's imprisonment should immediately take steps looking to his return to the hotel. Very little attention was given to this demand, al- though it was evident that the visitors were somewhat troubled over the situation. There was a moment of painful silence, which was broken by the sound of a souffle in the hall leading from the dining room. The guests bad not noticed that Ser- geant Lee, a powerfully built man, several inches over six feet in licight, and as strong and resolute as he was large, had disappeared from the scene, until the Captain bade them a pleasant "good day," and passed into the hall and out through the front door. In a moment the crowd followed. Arriving on the street they were somewhat taken back to see Lee and the Captain walking toward camp with the head- waiter of the hotel safely in their clutches, the white apron fluttering in the wind, and the bare-headed servant making a feeble show of resistance. Instantly the hotel man started in pursuit, remonstrating against their taking his most valuable "nigger." "Bring back my servant and you can have yours," was Captain Rowan's reply. It did not take long for the boniface to make up his mind that he could not trifle with his Yankee guests, and an exchange was speedily arranged and quickly carried out. This was but one of several ineidents that had amusing features in them.
In a certain temporary camp in Kentucky, in the autumn of 1862, a couple of citizens approached two soldiers of the Regiment, and, after some parleying. made an offer of $100 if the soldiers would deliver two colored men who were in the camp into their custody. The proposition was, that at a given hour the negroes should be brought to a designated spot in the
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
woods not far from a certain spring. The soldiers agreed to consider the matter and let them know. Once away from their tempters the boys began . to reason concerning the matter. The inducement was certainly a strong one. One of the boys suggested that. as pay-day had been long deferred, it would be very handy just then to be able to send $100 to his mother, who really needed the money, and remarked that the negroes . would have no trouble in running away again if they cared much for their freedom. Still they were a little loth to sur- render these escaped slaves into bondage, and had some com- punetions of conscience. But they reflected that it was not much worse for them to force the citizens into a contract that might be advantageous to the soldiers than it had been for the citizens to force the negroes to labor through long years with- out compensation. As the result of their deliberations they concluded to demand $200 of the citizens, and at the same time secure the liberty of the escaped slaves. In accordance with the plan formed. they took two comrades into the secret. toll the negroes of what they proposed to do. and notitied the citizens that for $200 they would surrender the fugitives. This proposition was accepted and the plan carried out. After the $200 had been received by the soldiers the citizens started off with their slaves, the latter apparently feeling greatly dis- tressed. They had gone but a short distance when the soldiers who had been taken into the secret suddenly sprung out from a clump of bushes, confronted the citizens with a pair of revolv- ers. demanded that they raise their hands and stand perfectly still, and called to the colored men to run for camp. All of the orders were obeyed, and the negroes, in accordance with previously arranged plans, left that part of the country in the early evening, and were not seen again until the Regiment took up its line of march the next morning and had proceeded for some miles.
The writer does not seek to justify this action, but. as a faithful historian, can hardly omit to mention the circum- stance.
New Year's Day, 1863, was bright and pleasant. and there was considerable jollity in camp. Col. Atkins, of the 92d
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PAY-DAY AND THE PAYMASTER.
Illinois, was serenaded and responded with a pleasant speech. which was listened to by a large portion of his own command and the NINETY-SIXTH Regiment. At this time there were a number of visitors to the camp from both Lake and Jo Daviess conties, several ladies among the number, most of the latter being the wives of officers. On the third, Companies I and B came in from their Kentucky River scout. From that time until January 26 there was no move on the part of the Regi- ment. There was considerable drilling, the men taking up the bayonet exercise.
It was the understanding that pay-day in the army should come once in two months. However this may have been the paymaster did not come as frequently as that. He had been long expected and once had arrived in camp, but as it was just at the time of the Lebanon expedition he did not remain to pay off the troops, going to another camp, and returning to Danville January 15. Pay-day had been so long deferred that it was hoped and expected that he would pay the men up to December 31. The Government had been very heavily taxed, however, and, being short of funds. instructed the paymasters to settle up all accounts to October 31. 1862. Most of the men had overdrawn their clothing accounts, so that the amount received by the privates was generally about twenty dollars .- a very small sum for men with families at home dependent'in any considerable measure upon their wages for support.
There was quite a heavy storm prevailing throughout a considerable part of the 15th and 16th of January .- a severe rain being succeeded by sleet and snow. The trees were coated with ice for several days, and the ground thickly cov- ored with snow. As a consequence the camp was left in bad hidition, and there was but little drilling during the remain- der of the stay at Danville.
The unfavorable news from the Army of the Potomac, in Derember, when the Union forces were obliged to retire from Fredericksburg and the Rappahannock, after sustaining a loss 1. 3 compensated for in direct results, had been a great disap- 5. intment to all, for it was confidently hoped that with the
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
heavy reinforcements that had been sent to Gen. Burnside from the troops enlisted during the summer and antuinn, that oft-bafiled army would be able to overcome all obstacles and make its way to Richmond. The disappointment over, all eyes were turned toward Gen. Rosecrans and the Army of the Cumberland, who were reported to have moved out from Nashville in search of the enemy, determined to drive him to a less threatening position than that which he had occu- pied for some months. But the news was slow in coming.
while anxiety deepened as the days went by. At last word came that the advance had been entirely successful, and that the advantages gained had been very decided. About the same time the report gained currency that the armies under Gens. Grant and Sherman had captured Vicksburg, and there was great rejoicing, but the latter report proved untrue.
The First Sergeants again became a little lax in their duties, and for a night or two some of the Companies turned out for evening roll-call without arms. The eyes of the officers at Regimental Headquarters were open. however, and the Orderlies were summoned to the Adjutant's tent, and that official gave those who had violated the rule of the camp & little time for reflection, placing them under arrest, but sub- sequently releasing them without punishment. Another time they were given a lecture upon the subject of reporting their Companies on dress parade as " all present or accounted for." when. as a matter of fact, more or less of those who should have been present were not in line. However, the relations between the Adjutant and the First Sergeants were never strained or unpleasant, but the latter learned that they must not trifle with their superior officers or neglect their full duties in matters of this kind.
A part of the time flour was issued to the men in lieu of bread, but the results were not entirely satisfactory. Some of the Companies effected an exchange with a local bakery, and were fairly pleased, while others detailed men to do the baking. Later on these men became experts, and many a brick oven was constructed, excellent "soft bread" being made by the Company cooks.
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FREQUENT DEATHS. - RUSIGNATIONS AND PROMOTIONS.
Toward the close of the stay at Camp Baird the weather was so cold and disagrecable, and the camp ground became so wet and muddy, that the camp guard was dispensed with for a night or two. The men were obliged to remain inside their tents and keep up rousing fires in order to have any comfort. Fortunately the mails, which had been missent to Cairo and Memphis for some weeks, were returned about this time, and as a result almost every man had a handful of letters and a bundle of papers with which to while away the otherwise tedious hours. Cards were also used a great deal, and an occasional game of "chuck-luck" was indulged in, particularly during the week following the visit of the pay- master.
Sickness continued to weaken the Regiment all through the month, and deaths among members of the command were very frequent. Not all died at Danville, for a few had been sent to hospital elsewhere, or had been left at points where the Regiment had previously camped. James M. Beall, of Com- pany A ; James Brown, Alfred Collins and George Rix, of Company B; Corporal Edwin A. Bartles and Samuel Clem- ents. of Company C; William Hubbard and Brainard E. Strong, of Company E : Leroy Demmon and Freeman James, of Company G, and James D. Lester, of Company K, all died in January, or during the early days of February. The remains of nearly all were taken North for burial, but a few were interred in the public cemetery at Danville.
Chaplain Jonathan M. Clendenning resigned on the twen- ty-third, and his place was not filled for several weeks. Owing to the protracted illness of Surgeon Charles Martin and Second Assistant Surgeon Daniel A. Sheffield, Captain David Salisbury, of Company B, who was a physician, was detailed to assist First Assistant Surgeon Evans in the care of the sick. . First Lieutenant Rollin H. Trumbull, of Company B. resigned, and Second Lieutenant Allen B. Whitney suc- ceeded to the place thus made vacant. An election was ordered for Second Lieutenant, which resulted in a tie between Cor- porals Wait and Folsom, whereupon the Colonel recommended to Governor Yates that First Sergeant Evangelist J. Gilmore
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
be commissioned, which was done. Colonel Champion was quite ill for a time, and took up quarters in town, leaving the Regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Clarke. A number of the line officers were also sick, and took up quar- ters at private houses.
Sunday, January 25, marching orders were received. the destination being Louisville, Ky. All soldiers not able to march were sent to the hospitals in the city, and the usual preparations made for breaking camp. Six days' rations were issued, a considerable part of the provisions being loaded upon the wagons. Many were the regrets at leaving Danville, for during the two months in which the Regiment had been camped there most of the officers and a few of the enlisted men had formed pleasant acquaintances among the loyal people of the town.
Monday, January 26, reveille sounded at half-past three o'clock in the morning, and the camp speedily became full of activity. A start was made at half-past six, the column pass- ing out through Danville and Harrodsburg, the latter place being passed about noon. As the Division was to march toward; and not away from, its base of supplies, there was an abundance of transportation for all baggage, and the knap- sacks of the men were loaded upon the wagons belonging to the Brigade supply train. This was a great relief to the men. and enabled them to march more comfortably and more rapidly than they otherwise could have done. It was understood that Louisville must be reached by Saturday night, and as the dis- tance was about eighty-five miles, this would make the daily average a little more than fourteen miles. The time was shortened, however ; the first day's march being about seven- teen miles, the column going into camp at a little after two o'clock, near Salvisa. The day was thoroughly disagreeable. a rain-storm prevailing much of the time, and lasting through- out the night, turning into snow next day. The pikes were in good condition, so that the ind was not deep, but the road was wet and slippery, and covered to the depth of an inch or two with a limestone paste about the consistency of thin mor- tar. The camp ground for the night seemed to have been
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THE MARCH TO LOUISVILLE.
strangely selected, for, in a region full of meadows, and where the ground was broken so as to admit of abundant drainage. the Regiment was halted in a plowed field so badly drained that water was standing on many parts of the ground. For- tunately there were some oat stacks near at hand, which were speedily taken into the tents, and the men were able to make themselves comfortable beds.
Tuesday, January 27, found the camp early astir, and at seven o'clock a start was made. The teams had a trying time in getting from the camp ground to the pike, and large details of men were required to lift upon the wheels, or unload the wagons that were hopelessly stalled in the mud. This occa- sioned some delay, but once fairly started the march was rapid. and by three o'clock seventeen miles had been reeled off. The day being cold and snowy a ration of whisky was issued about noon. This was the first occurrence of this kind in the Regiment's experience. That night there was consider- able forage in camp, the men ascertaining from negroes who of the residents in the vicinity were disloyal, and then levying contributions from the poultry houses and sweet potato bins.
Wednesday, January 28, the Second Brigade had the advance, the 14th Kentucky leading, and the NINETY-SIXTH being next. The Kentuckians were veterans, and had made many long marches. As they left camp in the morning they declared their intention of leaving their Illinois comrades long before night. Taking a long, swinging gait that well befitted the immediate posterity of Daniel Boone, they counted off the miles so rapidly that it soon began to tell upon their own number. for the stragglers were quite as numerous from the leading regiment as from the one immediately following. The grit of the NINETY-SIXTH was up, and they crowded hard upon the heels of their leaders, ever and anon calling to them to go faster. But such work was senseless, and. after a time. the officers used their authority to check the speed somewhat. but by two o'clock, at which time the head of the column went into camp, a distance of eighteen miles had been traveled. The men were thoroughly tired and heartily glad when camp was reached. The principal towns passed during the day were
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Hardinsville and Clayville. During the march whisky was- again issued. The snow had fallen to a depth of three or four inches, and it was necessary to scrape it from the ground before the tents could be made comfortable. To those who were strong and well marching in the mud and camping in the snow was hard and tiresome enough, although many were in excellent spirits and made the camp merry with song and shout ; but in each Company were a few who were weak and ill, and for such these experiences were very trying.
Thursday, January 29, the Second Brigade was at the rear of the column, the NINETY-SIXTH leading the Brigade. There was no foolish racing, but a leisurely march of seventeen miles, camp being reached at four o'clock. The villages passed were Shelbyville and Boston, the former the reputed home of the hero of " Uncle Tom's Cabin."
Friday, January 30, the NINETY-SixTH had the rear of the entire column, and did not leave camp until eight o'clock. The day was pleasant. and for the first time since leaving Danville the command had the sunshine in which to march. Middletown was passed early in the day, and the outskirts of Louisville reached at three o'clock, where a halt was made for the night, the command having made about fifteen miles. The entire trip was made in a day less than had been antici- pated. The artillery did not halt, but went immediately to the boats. The 14th Kentucky was here detached from the Brigade, Col. Cochran being assigned to an independent command in his own State. This necessitated a change of Brigade Commanders, and Col. Smith D. Atkins, of the 92d Illinois, being next in rank, assumed command. Colonel Champion, who had come from Danville by stage and rail, here rejoined the Regiment. Word was received of the death, at Danville. of Lieutenant Montgomery, of Company D, who had been left ill, but who had not been regarded as in a eriti- cal condition until two days before the Regiment started. The announcement caused universal sorrow, for he had from the first been one of the most popular officers in the line. In his last hours he was attended by his wife, who on the first intel- ligence of his illness had started for the South. The vacancy
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THE REGIMENT EMBARKS FOR NASHVILLE.
occasioned by the death of Lieutenant Montgomery was filled by the promotion of Lieutenant Hastings; First Sergeant Theodore F. Clarkson being commissioned Second Lieutenant.
Saturday, January 31, the command marched some three or four miles to the landing and halted. After some consultation the Regiment was divided, the right wing-Companies A. F, D, I and C-going upon the steamer . R. B. Hamilton ;" and the left wing-Companies H. E, K, G and B-going upon the steamer " Nashville." Colonel Champion and Adjutant Blodgett accompanied the right wing, and Lieutenant Colonel Clarke and Major Smith the left wing. Then began the work of loading the camp equipage. There were large details to take the wagons to pieces and stow them away, together with the tents, mess-chests, extra ammunition and rations, in the holds and upon the decks of the vessels. The mules and horses were placed upon the lower decks. and the soldiers, packed as thickly as they could well be, occupied such space as was not filled with baggage. The work of loading required nearly the entire day. Fires were built on shore, and the cooks spent the thne in boiling the rations of meat, it being under- stood that there would be little or no opportunity to cook any- thing but coffee on the trip. How tired the men became of " cooked rations." Everything was " boiled," usually until werdone or scorched, and the rations became terribly dis- tasteful, especially to men who were half sick or homesick, - and there were many of either kind. The homesickness -vemned to have increased as the troops neared "God's coun- try." as the soldiers were ever wont to call the region north of the Ohio River. Those who were seriously unwell were taken to hospitals ; others were allowed in the cabin, such staterooms as were not required by the officers being assigned . those regarded by the Surgeons as least able to endure the rigors of the deck passage. So great was the discontent, that in every regiment in the Division there were a few desertions. When the rolls were made out. February 1, the NINETY-SIXTH was ten inen short, that number having left between Danville add Louisville, or while passing Smithland : several others having on the trip a few days later, at or near Fort Donelson.
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HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
Strict orders had been given that no negroes be taken aboard the boats, but the officers assumed that they had a right to take their hired employés, regardless of color, and set them at work to help in carrying the baggage aboard. Once on the boat, few of the negroes left, and those who did were not compelled to, but acted as they chose in the matter. Other regiments had a great deal more trouble with the negro than the NINETY-SIXTH, but it is doubtful if many regi- ments aided more slaves in escaping from bondage.
During Saturday and Sunday all the troops in the Divis- ion were loaded on the large fleet of transports. The steam- ers took on coal, filled up any unoccupied space in their holds with government stores, and during the night dropped down the Ohio River about ten miles, and tied up on the Indiana shore until morning, when a large amount of baled hay was taken aboard, the bales being set up on end to protect the boilers in case of an attack from the shore. The pilot houses Were protected by boiler iron. During Monday more coal was taken on, at Cannelton, Ind. The weather at this time was thoroughly disagreeable, rain and snow alternating, and the wind blowing fiercely. Those who had been assigned to quarters upon the upper decks found their positions well nigh unendurable ; indeed. most of them gave up trying to keep warm there, and sought refuge in the holds of the steamers, where they could at least be out of the wind.
On Tuesday Evansville and Shawneetown were passed, and early in the afternoon the mouth of the Cumberland River was reached. Up to the time of leaving Louisville there had been much speculation as to the destination of the command, some thinking that the Division was to be sent to reinforce Gen. Grant or Gen. Sherman, then operating on the Mississippi, and others firm in the opinion that Nashville and the Army of the Cumberland were to receive this substantial reinforcement. But at Smithland all doubt was set aside. It had been announced that the boats would tie up for the night at the last-named point ; but the sullen sound of distant can- hon could be heard, and they kept on through the night up the Cumberland, for word had been received that the enemy.
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