USA > Illinois > History of the Ninth Regiment Illinois Cavalry Volunteers. Pub. under the auspices of the Historical Committee of the Regiment > Part 2
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NINTH INDIOS CAVALRY VORESTERRE
of Corporal, who was supposed to be hederposted then the moon, and to have studied up the " Cavaly digli on food" Ami I remember well we used to like to chill well but to The west make of the field. and often come back with two or three profs of Inan milk. There was a cow pastore on that side.
The regiments were assigned to quarters in what was called " Camp Fremont." but. October fith, moved to Camp Douglas
The winter was approaching . and der finner : bocad for 200 The carpenters were busy preparing confortable pourtoys you their reception, and created twelve long Mables. rade cataldo of holding a hundred or more. 'These Buildings Wobegon Joy al 100 west and south of the camp, and some like bloodred font Trocos Company questers. Svou fine compania de lovFra No 0000 pleted, and all wore well moulton. We were promide forma in the selection of the mount, in living for Who thoroughly understood their duties as respecter. The nochlor nepector was assisted. most of the time. I Captant La R. Gotas. of Com pany E, a most excellent judge of hope. Felles. i way. passed their rigid seruting, thent were not Send ami wolf Diod for the service. Soon we were finished with om Medlem saddles, the best in the world, and envals dell legati effet Now Colonel Brackett was in his demont fort on ciation in the school of the trooper, muantal besson, and quy cited on systematically and regularly.
A very large proportion of our new axto find The sender und had been used to i bras All right Avec. The & somde nhat excellent horsemen. As I look back now. It appears for we that our regiment, as a whole made splendid process. Tras we had some rather heavy weight will work. It. de fire to whom it was a severe strain to mount our tall horses. For though for a time we witnessed many amusing combients. it was not long before all were at least Think good hogarpey. god The large proportion sat their steeds like " Ceplates."
In the various parades through the city, cach company with horses of uniform color (Coleid Beachett with his bellians -und at the front of the column), the Ninth Ilinois Chontey wos : fine a body of men as oge woldd med jo a lit- Wig and ise celved many compliments for their Smile gro wennd.
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Many of the officers and mien wore Chicago onttions, To people manifested great pride in then splendid regiagent, mot fol much to make ourcamp life pleasant. In the daily routine of com life, and the various duties and exactions of @ schlier's 107. cich mi camp, there was much that was mofotonon. but many voce cheered by visits from friends from home and the people of the city, very many of whom came to cupp to seethe guy soloor boys.
During the fall and winter, the kager part of the men ag posing the regiment had received sunt fidongle, and rivaal home and friends, but in January. 1.62. nearly or quite gul lot been called back, as it was expected that we Somdil rosder matching orders at any moment, and besent to the Front dod this was a consummation devantle wielen be all The Codpont and every man in the regiment ven a rapidly are myong the photo when the Ninth Regiment Hints Coalgy oslo receive Hoa arms, equipments, de. and be or Wood : , though.
During the latter part of the pried shot ile Nantb Dumois Cavalry were in Camp Douglas, there was consideration dicon tent among both officers and nico of wheed sx onyt to lonb ve necessary delay in moving out resistent to the front; diesem bers of the regiment not realaber or appre somng the storestore work devolving upon both the General Gospogreat and The Song as well, to bring into the bee ki movi prigenty ofvip tle fono body of troops then being organizer The no longer followfor are taken from a large number on Oh at Sprogdedl and go to show that those having the best interests of the resumen al heart were thoroughly in sympathy with a " forward movemon
COLONEL :- I send Major Sickles to Sprite hold saving the Corner of yourself, about starting may regiment it pos ere, away from the place- We sa all getting tired out here, and wish to go interactive servies. I know yun will do anything you can to bolji na.
A telegram to Gybered Halleck from von of the Gaymir would, I Think. accomplish the object. Phase assist Maior Stokke, and greatly billige
Your obclient servant,
[Sioned ] To COLONEL J. H. Tror
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NINTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY VOLESTEGRE
(H10460, JJAmary 10, 1802 ) To His Excellency Richard Yates, Governor of Days:
Snc -- The Ninth Regiment Ilinois Covsky, which I love the boyer tiesin- mand, is now full and ready to tale the field. I am most anxious to go Into active service, and this feeling is shared by every officer and man in the Hogy- ment. I would, therefore, most respectfully one of you to toloroph to Gestel Halleck, tomovemy Regiment at once to St. Louis or Chiro, or to Each other putns as you and the General may think best.
[Signed]
Jam, your nost choli it ervom. Armor C. BHACKETT Colonel Jung I Hans's Gredley
CHAPTER II.
MARCHING ORDRES DUPAETUNG FOR BESIOR BARRILVORE, AL- PLAG PRESENTATION - ARPINAL AF CAMERE DAGENS OF FREE THOUSAND PRISONERS - OFFERT OF ARY TO THELLO PARTURE FOR PHAT KNOB NO. - ARING AF REE ME TION, MO. -- ASSIGNED TO THE GIRLBAND OF GENERAL STON
O N the faith of February. 1.42 the calls to mike Pompeo arrived. We had not. However, receped off vous, 00 yet all were glad of a change.
The objective point was Benton Banner. M. Louis. Non where it was supposed our final obfit for goll service srl be made. Everything in cump was lovely. both the way activity incident to the remond mal transport of su the a regiment.
The start was made February 16th, de var day of the Bill of Fort Donelson, which was that day siecendoand to The law coming man, " Unconditional Somender Great" The moms ment of the regiment occupied three days to baglato va the Sixteenth. Seventeenth, and Liche wolf, om alo St. 200 d' Alton Railway. It requires one hundred and they von transport the nearly cheven randy di men and women Lovetre fie dred horses, and the stores belonging to the regytient.
Before the Ninth Jeff Chicago, Miss Flommer D. Somma daughter of Hon. I. Young Scanlon, and the sley of Lox tenant Scammon, of the Ninth, presented the register will beautiful standard. Colonel Brackett, in behalf of The reglerne. responded with the following letter from Boston Bingobe, Mn.
HEADQUARTERS NINTHE RESIDENT TROIS CANSIEV.
To MISS FLORENCE A. D. SOMOS .- In belialf of the officers hand meal Ninth Regiment of Illinois Cavalry, it gives me pleasure to thank god fath beautiful standard which you leave presented to three line -
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NINTH REINOI CAVALLI VOLUNTEERS.
of the brave " on every feld. We shall shield the the frogs all datoer. Thay motto of your family. Confido in Domino, i adapte as the Best ofher hand. With a sincere trust in the Lord, and a faith that He will, in His over pred dinic, give back to us the blessings of peace and a Umton more prosperous and poppy than ever.
Again I thank you for the standard, and prontir you that whatever itny happen to us, it shall never be dishonored.
I am, with great re pect, your obedient servant, (Signed).
The writer. then Quartermaster-Sergeant of the regions. was left at Chicago by Captain Price to arrange some basdnes in his department. and was in Camp Douglas when five thousand prisoners arrived from Fort Donelson. These were a very defiant set of men, especially considering that they had just beett nicole taken in by the Yankees, whose process they affected to de spise so much. Having finished the business entrusted to me. Friday, February 21st, in company with Major Sickdes Captain Chidester, and Adjutant Waterbury. I started for St. Louis, ar- riving there about 12 M. February 221. We found the city of gala array, and the soldiers from the barracks parading in fine. style; the cavalry especially, and the Ninth among them, show- ing up gayly, and being reviewed by Major General Halleck from his headquarters. It was said to be the line parade ever soon in St. Louis, and I was proud of the splendid appearances of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry. After dinner found the regimend al Benton Barracks, about your mailes out ; also, about five thousand other troops preparing for the frost. Here the Ninth were Joesiel. and were rapidly receiving their outfit of gotera supplies .- wagons, mules, and a full outfit for the field. There w& m ceived our first arms, a regulation sabre, and Colt's navy, and the Remington, revolver for each trooper, and about ong hummel . Hall's carbines. Everything being in readines in a fost days. February 26th, five companies of the Ninth left St. Louis In the Iron Mountain Railroad for Pilot Knob. Mo., one hundred miles southeast. On the 25th, five more companies moved out, and March 1st the last of the regiment (having been obliged to wait the return of cars from Pilot Knob) were sent forward. Here we completed, as far as possible, the outfit of the recumbent, two hundred and four miles. thing Jour anne water. wel genes.
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HISTORY Of THE.
. quartermaster's supplies. This being the last offlying je. we here organized our mule train for the first time, To ilm most of us, it was amusing in the extreme to see the men who were detailed as wagoners and teamsters capture the makes in the corral; some bad to be caught with a lamp, and then Ines nessed to the great army wagons, six miles to each. A good portion of them were wild as deer, never having pont a leonor, much less had one on then backs. Many will racall . 18it Banks, the jolly wagoner from Company E. who, wie a large fund of good humor, combined with shrewd common mec, pluck, and perseverance. accomplished wonders.
From Pilot Knob, Mo., commenced our first field experience March 0, 1862, and our march into Dinle began. As We would our way on those pleasant spring days, how file it really seemed that we were actually in an enemy's country. The long line of cavalry, with their sabre: and ains pleining in the bright sun. the handsome standard of the regiment. the gas guidons of each company, then the long line of wagons estoy . ing a large amount of ammunition, camp equipage, and store. formed a picture long to be remembered.
The first objective point was Greenville. Mo. and a Dans with supplies started in advance for that place, with an eroor under the command of Lieutenant Blakemore. The roman of the regiment soon followed, and arrived at Pervos Starter on the Big Black River: Marek 18th Hoe then on& dowry: bio as it did not seem to be in operation just at this Note: when the river was reached Colonel Brackett was somewhere Hear flor center of the columnu, and Company A, being in advance manter the command of their Captain. Burgh, and as they had no endir to halt, plunged into the stream, and crossed in safety to the opposite side. The other companies followed closely; and. though the stream was broad, and in some places pretty doop. the most of them crossed in safety. It was not long, Bottled. before the banks became badly demotalked with such a large body of horsemen climbing up the banks, and quite a manby became not only wet but very muddy, the Colonel with the rest. so it can easily be imagino ! that :I were not in the para pon ud mood.
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NINTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY VOLETEERES.
Reaves Station, where the regiment remained for some time is fifty-five miles from Pilot Knob and thirty five from the SEule of Arkansas.
Here we were assigned to the Thin! Bugade of Goux. Frmol- Steele's Division, serving in the district of Southend Micours. The Brigade as formed here was composed of the Fifth Illinois Cavalry, Colonel Wilson; the Ninth Illinois Cavales. Colonel. Brackett ; the First Indiana Cavalry, Col. Conrad Baker kite ward Governor of Indiana) : the Thirty third Ilinois Infmarcus. Col. Chas. E. Hovey; and the Thirty -eighth Jiinois Infodey. Colonel Carlin.
Here we learned that a large force of Confederate troupe bras concentratol at Pocahontas, Arl., and we expected to cruiter then there. Our camp was very pleasantly studied in the woods. and near the river, which was here very swift. Later the troops took possession of the ferry, and it was run by means of IL impe so arranged thet the current of the stream was the notise power. We paid no toll here, though we were made glad by the pense of the United States Paymaster, and this was the last timesur. ing our term that we were paid according to contract in poejo.
The question of rank and promotion falways a vexations ono in the volunteer services was one that the Ninth Illinois Cavalry could not escape, and as more or less feeling was engonder tom- by, Colonel Brackett addressed the Following iefter to then Ad. jutant-General of Hhnois, to know officially of what prone ho stood, and what action would be taken In the authorities of Sprite field in regard to contusions in the regiment. The lejte mbo the point, and very judiciouely worded.
CAMP AT BLACK RIVER. MO , JEVICH 15. 3505_
COLONEL: I wish to know what course the Goventer and yourself web to have adopted, relative to promotions and appointments in this restaurant, Ithink the method adopted in the United States Army is the best dare, leaving it in the Colonel to reward merit, and bravery, where and when deserveit. always entitles an officer to promotion and should not be overlooked sehrgut there are grave reasons to the contrary. Seniority glad ment are the prideged claims for promotion, and hereafter I will act in Jeverdance with thị shove thổest it is the wish of the Governor and yourself that I should do other wise.
Your obedient servant
[Signe]
March 22d. General Stedomvived in pain and it was carey' ed that we should immediady move forward We did act. his ever, until the 8th of April. when weniebed cold exemplos, 500 encamped on two side hill . by the silent a teratand any of water. This place was wrong in house of our edoil, They Brackett." . April 16th, the writer was sent toSt. Louis and then termaster business, and rejected the report again ment Reco hontas, Ark., the latter part of the month. April 2The angel at the Currant River, which is the State line between Me non and Arkansas.
From Reeves Station. Mo .. to Pospodle. Ark. v. Jul ta marous skirmishes with Copaj. Sleeper's Computerde Company, capturing a number of puissant with an los moutarde. Ar rived at Pocahontas April Both, where Goed Stool i cum following order, which shows very cloudy the delle total No- glove fashion in which at that time the wo Tor Lho sayogry von of treason and rebellion was then being contingted ;
GENERAL ORDER NO. 1. 1
1. The attention of all offers of the com hagy
No. 3, series 1961, Headquarters Department of Vront profiling fordas slaves and unauthorized persons front conboy with the line.
2. Straggling on the march is positively pr difael, and att tras Jons syl be severely punished. No property of any de gripe from citizens without compensejos. Sunteme )
tion of this order will in free n girhas . Howyouare By order of Brigade General Piel HI stele [Signed]
J. M. PLOVE.
May 4th. In camp at Bird's Point, Atk., fifteenmile, Ilom Jacksonport, which place the command expected to reach the west day. Two companies sent forward as an advance
CHAPTER IL.
ARRIVAL AT JAURSSPORT, ART. - COLONEL MATERA. COM SLEEPERS GUERRA -- A NOTE of WHITE -- 099 00 AND PRINGER- VAGY AT WADDELL FAIM.
TAAY 6, 1852. The Ninth: Ilgois Cavalis arrived at support. Arka. after a long, but of the Whole food togo ant, march from Blot Knob, No. of just two months diman
The town has been one of enosidejable hopecare. de antly situated on the north bank of the Black Jour, wer wp it forks with the door and apppopping Is ort Wrote in sixty miles from Pocahontas. and shout one prpotted blogs show distant From Memphis and Little Rock, amit same women miles from Batesville. Ans, where Gigpeal Chilis and a fare army. The First holland Cavalry. being in fler . most sharp skirmish with Hooker's men in the town. Eddig do and capturing a member of prisoners. In thes vienudy vat to Colonel Matlock in command of the ligger part of the Groom bands ready to pick of our sollers on ni decisions, die Codes Hooker, his trusted Lientefont, al Bas comdalle bas hundred and forty mon; independent Cavalye. Je maks to Guerillas, bushwhackers, and murderers, we found the ah De
Had it not been that Mas. Hooker was bonne no Des tino patrick's on our line of march as we get into town. got the- been able to send word to her husband of our Troops porcento would have been sure to have captured tiresmord Goorithe Ton Mrs. Hooker I met soon after. A fine opponings and iou Dem WOman.
The citizens here were all very strong in their secession somthe ments, which they took no pains to conceal. The gromen ospecialty being outspoken. It appears that quities winy Days of jovens of ladies had formed an organization, muito of nebol bac it
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hated Yankees did come they would not speak to them toolow not circumstances.
When the advance of the Ninth marched into town, the rebdl soldiers having disappeared in the woods, the ladies of couleur woman-like, had some curiosity to see what kind of mettons their invaders (barbarians they supposed then, to beyvere. Com tain Burgh wheeled his command into lave in front of a pensar! looking white house, There was congregated a model of I. die, and saluting a middle aged lady respectfully sommel -is op would allow her servants to give thema donk of water ?" Hlere wws a dilemma. This was evidently a gonfieman, comnicolle ost ine favor. She could not help replying, so the inquired "if he would not prefer a drin !: : [ buttermilk : " The Plain doering mented. she brought it out and politely layer the logsel Hoje dechanel a dramatic scene, a woman rushed out of a hotte detres the street exclaiming. " Don't drink it. It is poisoned. They to biler secosh."
The Captain was too gallant to refuse the prodont drink. av. 1 it proved to be harmless. The woman, However, was perfectto right in warning us of the danger. It was Ms, Aobecnie. 10 the wife of a Union man, who was a scout for cone army. wod both were with us for a long time; Mr. Nowcome doing sel able service in his capacity as a scout, knowing avery ramt and by-path in the country, and his wife sang un' erine for our sich and wounded, and cheering priny a poor dicomeon ! Tropse from his despondency back to life and Death.
When the Ninth Illinois Cavalry went into comp at Jadon port, there were but few men left in the town. a elf Lose some. were able to bear arms were either in the Confrhrane army of members of some of the bushes hacking -quando, wishing the to selves independent troops. The other portion of the division moved on to Batesville, where they joined the forms of Major General Samuel R. Curtis, known as the army of The Southwest. of which the Ninth formed a part. Col. Brackett was left in command at this place, which formed the extreme rust front of the army; and was instructed to keep back, and, 19 far as possible. rid the country of the hordes of Gue Mak and & hangon con tol crate troops were to be found.
The citizens of Jacksonport kept upushow of timeet Dwant our soldiers, but were not able to concord their cont feelings of hatred for the " marauding Yanks" and wens conditie civis: information to their friends in the bridges to out change piores.
We now were a long distance from of base of supply, and to a considerable extent subsisted of the coudes. Stol der, ments and scouting parties were offer sant off. Og one of 10 occasions, while a detachment was on respond in the very of Village Greek. Arka, Private E. L. Jamlings, or Copy De ( was fully murdered by a party of homelandao Ky ber Tol secreted themselves in a cornerib at Copione Pint Flor bar mand was passing through the total Jenkins lov borg for un manageable. and in company with a contade fram whether ". ment the First indiana Cavalo, ma ahead of The door nbos a quarter of a mile. The offer salaire se bild resort, ol Jenkins had five ball in his body. bu Fred all the joy da Their horses were but filled and the cowardis meer fre mi their bodies, and fled before Long 2 0, muy up This More first from our number to be JaDed Trion 1 ; comrades borg their sticker body ina force pose i. we ere long he died. Before he died. amin meaning poolund dbonne which shows the herren and periodic Techrou sing prin death. He grew pate. Sali villig armed. . not codice two rades. " Raise me up boys i want to give there chong for the ad flag." and instantly expired. Tenderly and safe bi comtel bore the poor boy's body back to camp, am! The most dat la in ceived a soldier's burial beneath the oy changing once do banks of the beautiful White River. Hiscompany Sired i celles over his grave, and you's were then solaun's morbi rigt he wer der should be avenged.
The next one to falla victim was Philander W_Primele. or Company G, who was murdered under aniMit offoutesoriere.
May 20th Colonel Brackett, Igeving Inforamting Font . com ... erable quantity of bacon was to be obtained of a Bloodday ana Village Creek. Ark, sent out a detachment of scope five notre men under the command of Lieutenant An F. Brotts. of Chop many G. to bring It into camp This deglitnt Post meat at the dust asted spot, and. It Inportionen to kommen
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HISTORY OF THE
night, camped near the plantation, hang pressola len ol 100kg to bring in the " find." Some time in the mult a citizen informei Lieutenant Brown that there was a lady of five hundred Rebels. "who would make it lively for bin if he dil noi pelamis bebaro morning." In order to be on the safe side. Iverdennut Brown sous- etly woke his little command, and, getting out diweis mole from. proceeded to load the bacon, so as to be ready to start in the only morning. All this time the rain was pouring down in tommie. which continued all night and nearly all the nost day. When the command was ready to start just at daybreak, it was ducor- cred that there was one horse in may mithogy a rider. It proved to be that of P. W. Pringle. After waiting as long as he deenrel it safe to do so. Lieutenant Brown mince Tout, Loving several and diers with instructions to remain, and, if possible. fast the moscow soldier. There was a long swamp to cross, and just as they got to the edge of it. the rebs were upon them, firing with theangeles and shot-guns, as they were in full retreat. The sereratopders at this time were not to leave a borges, and Pimple not show gio up, his house was brought alone. The resto it bi fight. while driving the team of bacon, bad stamped the whole thing bydlet. ing his wagon astride a stamp, and as the job, werestill presne, it was abandoned, and the commeind reached chop Sdely onthe afternoon.
These cowardly attacks, and necles munters by the more- ants, so incensed Colonel Brackett and his officers. thor a dices mined effort to punish them was made. Ir paramant of The determination, detachments and squats wen frequently seite moy with orders to be very thorough in their work.
The next day it was reported to Cologal Bracket that Pringle' body was on an island in the swamp where the & poppins find we him alone, had killed him in a cowardly manger by shooting fon in the back.
May 24th. the regiment moved across Black River an The forks, and camped in the woods on the north sale of the siteum. but few remaining in town. The two companies from Bittesoll were ordered to join the regiment at this time.
May 28th, tive companies of the Ninth Illinois Cosaby. 00My
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considerable force of Rebels at Cache River bridge, and ally a sharp skirmish routed them completely, inflicting sevare penteh- ment upon them. In this engagement. Adjutant Blackburn and Private Frank Tift. Company B. were wounded.
On the same day. Captain Blakemore, with three companies of the Ninth, had a skirmish with some of the Home-Chand 18och whackers on the Augusta road, who were innocently tending a little patch of ground with their shot guns within aray's reach, to finish of any Federal soldier that might come that way. One that was riddled with bullets, and left supposed to be dead, and one taken prisoner.
CHAPTER A.
ABANDONING CAMP AT JACKSAPORTARBEST OF REELL GATOS -- SHELLING ORR COM ROOM TO" GAMOWITS - GUS BOAT EPISODE- PRICE'S ARMS.
BOUT the first of June there will be amon of donge A forces of Confidente trop olis Clarendon and Augusta, also that a cow 's Where comto White River heavily armed sub option ...
our present position was, to say the least, jos at rong fond de no A considerable force was sent out in ler :ko momoral of ! ant Warner toward the Searey, in recomtudine. They are during the night and early getting of 200 . 12. and apostel large force of Coated. rates maying in our dressoir. and then you gunboat was surely coming.
Colonel Brackett decided that we vote jonas amy with a monster of that chamet ... Comp wfor loutile spent Tents, quartermaster and copmissers store and supplies to sorts were speedily loaded into our veronese One of change dragos 2. the train pulled out of camping the word altos at Jacksonport
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