USA > Illinois > History of the Ninth Regiment Illinois Cavalry Volunteers. Pub. under the auspices of the Historical Committee of the Regiment > Part 40
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we found out that he was a Northerner, having come South a few years before the war. fle took us to his house, introduced us to his family, and they gave us something to eat, while he stood guard, as he was not willing to have us remain very long for fear of being found out. After supper, and receiving some kind wishes from the ladies, we bid our host good-bye in the road, and started. My feet were now in bad condition, for it will be remembered I was bare-footed all this time, as neither of my kind friends could provide me with boots or shoes.
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The country at that time was full of guerrillas, and both parties had cautioned us against them. However, we took the road, and whenever we heard any one approaching, eicher real or imaginary, we piled over the fence, and lay there until the way was clear again.
Towards morning I began to give out. My feet became so sore that it was almost impossible to walk, so I told the Lieutenant " to go on and leave me and try to reach camp," but he would not leave me in such a bad plight, sometimes, however, getting ahead of me would wait until I came up. A little before day- light we lay down before some logs. It was quite cool, but as we lay close together and being tired, we got a little sleep, but when we woke up my feet hurt me worse than ever. I hobbled along as best I could. About noon we came to a place that looked familiar, and knowing we were not more than eight or ten miles from camp, the lieutenant went ahead. Reaching camp, a squad of my com- pany, G, with an extra horse, was sent out for me. When we reached the picket, about half the regiment were there.
I was a very sorry looking object. My feet had kept catching on my pants' legs, tripping me up so that I had to keep tearing off the bottom till they only reaclied to my knees, while bleeding feet and a little piece of a straw hat com- pleted the picture.
Of the other squads I will not speak, leaving some of them, if living, to speak for themselves.
A DRILL.
The whole regiment was out on drill by the Colonel, and everything went off nicely. The Colonel put them through various evolutions of battalion and regi- mental drill: march in column by companies by fours, right and left whecis, etc., and the regiment felt quite elated, and were sure they were doing a good service and were a credit to the Colonel and themselves, when suddenly came the order, "Break from right to march to the left to the rear." This was something new to. officers and men. Some of the officers did not catch the order, some of them did not know what it meant, but all thought they must do something. The regiment just at this time was a sight to see, so was Colonel Brackett, The order was given again and again, but the more the officers tried to execute the more muddled the regiment became. The Colonel fairly stormed, but it was no use, and finally came the order: " Officers, take your men back to their quarters, and drill there; parade is dismissed."
THE STRIKE.
One of the incidents of camp life may be stated as follows:
One of the inducements held out to our boys to induce them to enlist was the promise of prompt and sure pay every two months. January, 1802, came, and
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we had, as yet, seen no indications of the Paymaster, and many began to manifest symptoms of uneasiness, which finally culminated in a determination. The dis- contented had talked it up among themselves that they would not stand it any longer, and some were inclined to overt acts. Camp Douglas had a regular mili- tary guard, and the ouly lawful egress was by way of the gate on the east side of camp, and only then with a permit or pass signed by the Colonel or some one in command.
One particular day the boys began to assemble in the north of camp, and by some bold spirits, the proposition was put forth that, "the Government had not fulfilled its part of the agreement by paying at the stipulated time, so that they were not bound to remain soldiers any longer," and moved that they all go out of camp in a body. No sooner said than done. The boys, their numbers now augumented by many drawn by curiosity to see so many gathered in one place, con menced to move toward the gate. Colonel Brackett was out of camp, and Major Sickles in command, and the crowd on their way passed near headquarters. Major Sickles rushed out, sword in hand, and demanded to know " what this mean." Some one, self-constituting himself spokesman, said " they were going home." The Major drew himself up, and wich uplifted sword said in a very tragical manner, " who- ever passed out of that gate would have to pass over his dead body." The crowd was really more in fun than earnest, and as they were only playing bluff, were easily persuaded to return to their quarters. Whether this demonstration bad any effect or not, it is quite certain that the Paymaster was on hand the following week, and we were made happy by the receipt of two months' pay.
WAR REMINISCENCES.
[By Sergeant George W. Olmsted, Company L.]
In the latter part of June, 1862, the regiment had left Jacksonport, Ark., not stopping for dinner, but marching till late before going into camp. Our fires were built, and we were about to have our supper, when the bugle sounded "boots and saddles." Thirty-five of Company L responded and traveled lively for about eight miles. I forgot that I was hungry.
Up to this time I bad never heard a rebel gun or "yell." The Colonel acted anxious too. About sunset the fun began. I had charge of the second platoon, and when Company L was called for, I had a queer feeling up under my hat; but little time to think much about it, as at the very first volley that Company L received, my horse was shot in two places (the neck and leg), and Olmsted was a dismounted cavalryman. Soon the "retreat" was sounded, and that move- ment was executed so promptly that no one whom I asked bad time to let me ride with him. Finding that I could not keep up, I made a flank movement and took to the canebrake. In crossing a bayou I fell off alog into the water. I was in no mood for a bath, especially where there were rebs to watch as well as snakes, but I got out and kept quiet until it was still, then I could hear the rebs talk, but could not tell what they said, but somehow I felt "we-uns were whipped," and that I was in rather an unhealthy place. I had studied army tactics somewhat, but could not tell what move to make to avoid capture.
At this time I seemed to lose all my patriotism, and thought if I was only at home -. somehow I wanted to see my mother -- then the country might go to
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pot. I held a council of war (with myself). It was thought best to go back over the same floodwood bridge. I got back safely. By this time it was quite dark, and I was lost in that awful canebrake. Again I had that same queer feeling in my head. I wandered around a long time, and walked perhaps & mile, when I saw a borse standing beside a road with a saddle and bridle on. I captured him at once, but on my attempting to mount, the poor fellow reeled, and upou exami- nation, I found it was my own horse. He had hobbled on threc legs. I tried to take the bridle off, but his jaws were locked. I took the saddle off his back and hid it. (The Chaplain of the Thirty-third Illinois Infantry found it, but on my describing it closely, gave it back.) Then I started on, and came to a road. Here I had no tactics to help me, but by feeling with my hands, I knew that our horses were shod without toe corks on front feet. I found the right direction, and at sunrise the next day I met an infantry regiment. Then .all at once my patriotism came back. I was mad all over, and ready for another scrimmage with the rebels, of which I had a plenty before I was mustered out at the expira- tion of my term-of service, November 12, 1861, as Sergeant of my company.
Comrade W. P. Ott of Company F furnishes the ground work for the following incidents:
A CHRISTMAS DINNER.
December 25, 1863, the regiment had been scouting north of Moscow after the rebel General Forrest, and were eight or teu miles out. Christian Jergens and E. P. Ott concluded to do a little foraging for themselves to replenish their larder for a Christmas dinner.
The orders of Captain Perkins were very strict in regard to the straggling from the column. But these two valiant troopers took the chances, and shipping out marched out one mile, and parallel with the column. They soon came to a fine large plantation, and going into the house, asked for something to eat. Here they were informed by the lady that they had been having a little Christmas din- ner, and had eaten everything in the house. Just at this time, the whole regi- ment marched up and camped, and in a few minutes, the house was overrun with soldiers who were hungry, and also searching for something to cat. Nothing was to be found, but there was a large cupboard which was securely locked and the lady of the house had the key in her pocket, stoutly declaring that there was nothing in it. She was asked by Sergeant Covill, very politely, to unlock it, who also told her, that if there was anything in it, they certainly would take nothing away. Finally the cupboard was unlocked, and found to contain a goodly sup- ply of Christmas goodies, turkies, cakes, mince pies, etc., which was no doubt intended for their friends with General Forrest. The Ninth boys quickly confis- cated the lot. Sergeant Covill got a roast turkey, Ott a large cake, and a crock of milk, and taking them to Company F's camp got up an elegant Christmas din- ner, inviting Major Gifford and Captain Mock to participate with the boys of the mess, which was then MI. J. Covill, Mort. Anderson, Jerry Gay, and E. P. Ott.
"CRAMPING" A BARREL OF FLOUR.
It was the custom of Commissary Davenport to sauc five days' rations of four
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and hard tack, while in camp, and the boys rather preferring flour, and not hav- ing a plentiful supply of Uncle Sam's greenbacks, E. P. Ott, of Company F, con- cluded to do a little foraging on the Commissary. Sunday night after fortifying himself by attendance at divine service, he requested the sentinel to waken him at one o'clock A. M. At the appointed hour he slipped out of his tent, and moved cautiously to the Commissary quarters. The flour was in barrels in rear of Com- missary-Sergeant Walker's tent. Quietly approaching the tent, Walker's sonor- ous breathing assured them they would not be discovered, and Ott detaching a barrel rolled it down hill to the quarters of Company F, and dividing it into four equal portions, one for each mess, carried the empty barrol into the camp of the Sixth Illinois Cavalry near by. The next day the four bags of flour were taken to a baker, who furnished them with bread as they required while it lasted. This deed of ill-repute has laid on the conscience of Comrade Ott, and now even at this late day, he being a good Christian and knowing that " open confession is good for the soul," he having reformed, promises that if the Commissary will forgive him this time, he will never steal another barrel of flour from him. This occurred at La Grange, Tenn., in the fall of 1863.
Another incident was that of confiscating some potatoes from an old sesesb near Germantown :
A few members of this same virtuous Company F corraled a negro who was cultivating cotton, and set him to digging potatoes, while they sat on the fence overseeing the job. Soon the old planter came out, and began cursing the negro, when he was informed that the negro was in the employ of the soldiers. Hle still stormed and said, "He had no potatoes to sell," but finally said they were worth a dollar anda half per bushel. When they got the potatoes they wanted, the boys handed him a Confederate bill for five dollars. The old fellow asked "If that was a greenback," and was told " No," that "he being a rebel should be willing to take that." The old fellow followed them to camp, but the boys got in ahead, and changing hats for caps, their jackets for blouses, he could not identify the culprits. At roll call Captain Perkins gave them a severe lecture in the presence of the old planter, but when the rebel had left, he told the boys "They might steal all they could from the rebels, only they were to be sure that they were not caught at it."
A QUEER FREAK OF LIGHTNING.
While the regiment was on the march, June 8, 1863, near by Byhalia, the weather had been very bad, and raining with heavy thundering and lightning, when suddenly a tremendous peal startled the whole regiment. It was not known where the bolt had fallen, and the column was moving on again, when a man from near the rear came galloping to the front, shouting "Stop the column" Going back to the ambulance train, a most singular sight was observed. There was the ambulance, and two men sitting on the driver's seat unhurt. Two horses that had been drawing the vehicle, dead, and one horse belonging to one of the sick men (Lieutenant McMahon) hitched to the rear of the ambulance also dead; all three horses killed by the same shaft of lightning, and the men between uninjured.
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How that thunderbolt managed to perform this feat, I leave for more scien- tific men than myself to explain, but the fact remains the same, and no doubt inany comrades who read this account will remember the occurrence.
The following sketch is written from memory, after twenty- four years from time the occurrence narrated took place, by Thomas W. Eaton, of Company E, Ninth Ilinois Cavalry:
We landed at Memphis, Tenn., Friday night, April 29, 1861; went into camp Saturday, aud Sunday, May 1st, about eighty of the regiment were mounted and armed with Colt's revolvers, and sent as a body guard to General Sturgis, who was in command of an expedition of about five thousand infantry into Mississippi. The command left Memphis Sunday evening, May 1, 1864, and marched one week and laid by Sunday, May Sth, to let the infantry rest.
E. G. Ball, a new recruit of Company E, and myself received permission of our commander to ride out in the country and forage. We went out two or three miles from camp and stopped at a man's house by the name of Jackson, and there Comrade Ball and myself were captured by two rebel soldiers and one old guerrilla, who marched us two days and turned us over to General Chalmers, seven miles north of Oxford, Miss., and the next day we were taken to Oxford and turned over to the Provost-Marshal. There were in our party three ( Ball, myself and a young maa from the Seventh Indiana Cavalry), and in the course of two days four more unfortunates were brought in, two from the Second Michigan and one each from the Tenth Missouri and Sixth Tennessee Cavalry.
We were placed in a three-story building east of the court house for about two and a half weeks, when the man from the Sixth Tennessee, who was called "Martin," and I arranged to escape by tying two blankets together, the only ones we had. We had one man le under the window and hold the end of the blan- ket, while we slid down on the outside. We had to drop about fifteen feet to the ground. White we were doing this the other prisoners were telling stories to the guards in the building, and one sitting in the doorway. After reaching the ground we crept out of town in the darkness, and hid in the tamarac bushes; lay there until the moon arose before we could take our bearings for Memphis. We trav- eled all that night, and about sunrise we came to the Tallahatchie River, and were obliged to follow the river down for about two miles before we could cross, after which we made the best time we could, abd marched all that day, the second night and the second day until about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, when we hap- pened to be walking in the road bed of a disused railroad, when we asked an old man who stood at his front gate for "something to eat," and he said he would
"go to the house and get us something." I then asked him "if there were any Confederate soldiers about." He said there was a whole company of them just one and a quarter miles north, at Hernando, Miss. We concluded not to wait for anything to eat, but undertook to get into tall timber just as soon as possible, and we had gone about six hundred yards north when there was a man rode out from the same house that we had stopped in front of and pursued and overtook us about a quarter of a mile north of the gate. We parleyed with him but a very short time when he pursuaded us to start back toward Oxford with him, but we had not
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gone more than two or three hundred yards, when Imade a spring leap and caught bim around the body above the bridle arm, clasping both hands above his revolver arm. His horse took fright and jumped from under him and left us both on the ground, when we wrenched the revolver from his grasp and made him get on his feet, and we ran him two or three miles, until he was completely run down and tired out. We drove him out one side in a cornfield, and then we ran for a mile or more and hid until dark before we would make another move. When it became dark we marched that third night until we were about seven miles due south from Memphis, when it came daylight, and on account of the thickly populated coun- try we could make but slow progress, and we wandered around until we came out on the Pigeon Roost road, eight miles east of Memphis, when we were over- taken by a battalion of the Second lowa Cavalry, and came into Memphis with them about 10 o'clock at night on the fourth night ont, making a little over three days and nights that we had not had a mouthful of anything to eat.
I brought in the revolver I captured from the rebel and afterwards sold it to Joseph Allen of our company, E, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, Veteran Regiment.
The following incidents are taken from the advance sheets of work termed: "Four Years in the Cavalry Service by a Corporal of Company E, Ninth Illinois Cavalry."
[P. B. Bowser.]
"We had no sooner crossed the Currant River into Arkansas, in April, than I was detailed with nine men to report to a Lieutenant of Company M for escort duty, to proceed into the country to procure forage. Similar details were made from other companies, so we numbered a sum total of fifty men. We took along about twenty-five six-mule teams. The roads were good, the country fine and the land of the richest quality. We bowled along the bard roads at a round pace, and at about 5 o'clock in the evening went into camp. As we had been very short of rations, we brought nothing with us, intending to forage off the country. Each squad went in a different direction to procure supper at some plantation, and with orders to look out for corn. I was determined to get a good supper for my men, and so I took the main road, and we started off at a slow gallop, and we were soon five or six miles away from camp. We knew nothing of any other troops anywhere near us, but on reaching the top of a hill, on look- ing below us, we saw a number of armed men come out of the woods, probably about fifty. They were foot soldiers, and cavalry was no match for them on such ground, as we were in a long narrow lane. As they were in their shirt sleeves mostly, and as it was growing dark, we could not distinguish the color of their uniforms, if they wore any. We looked at them but a moment, when some one of the boys said but the single word "rebels," when we all wheeled our horses, and were not long in getting out of that lane, as we were all splendidly mounted. I had a good horse, and being a good rider and light, easily kept in the advance, but as we rode along I began to think it would not do to go back to camp without at least showing fight. So after great efforts on my part, and only by drawing my revolver and threatening to shoot if they did not obey me, I succeeded at last in getting my little band halted. We then discussed the question, and concluded
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to go to the end of the lane, where there was a clear open space, and form and wait until the supposed enemy came up. If they proved to be rebs, we would fight them, slowly retreating until reinforced, if not all the better. By this time they were in sight, and the first thing we observed was a white flag stuck on the end of a bayonet, so we slowly moved down the Jane to meet them. It was a squad of men under a Lieutenant belonging to the Ninth Wisconsin Infantry, who had been over to Doniphan ou some business and lost their way. As soon as they were near, the Lieutenant asked: "Say, Corporal, did our boys lose anything you went back after?" We, of course, had our fun over it, but they were glad to see us, and we were glad they were not rebels.
So we went on, and about a mile farther came to a plantation owned by a man named Downey, who was very clever, and who invited us in, and we had a very good supper. He was a Union man, of course, so we offered to pay him, and did so, giving him ten cents a piece for our supper in silver, for all that he had two sous in the rebel army under Price.
After loading our wagons with corn, our Lieutenant offered vouchers for all we took. One old rebel would not take his voucher, but we kept his corn all the same. He was a leading planter in that part of the country, and was often ap- pealed to for advice, and yet he could read but little and barely write his name.
A Sergeant of our command entered a house not far from our camp, and see- ing no one on the porch proceeded to enter one of the rooms at the end, when, without warning, whiz! came a hatchet barely missing his head, and fastened itself in one of the logs of the house. The hatchet was thrown by a young lady, the only one of the family at home at the time. The Sergeant did not stay to argue the question, but went at once like the guests at Lady Macbeth's feast.
When we arrived at Pocahontas, we found a deserted printing office, which I, at the request of our Colonel, took possession of and got out a paper. Here General Stelle gave me permission to confiscate paper, etc., and to issue a paper, also furnishing the following brief sketch of his own career:
" General Frederick Stede was born in Delaware county, N. Y .. and entered the military academy at West Point in 1889; graduated as Second Lieutenant in 1843, and made a Brevet First Lieutenant, for gallant and meritorious conduct at the battle of Contreras, Mexico, August 20, 18te. He was with the storming party at Chapultepec, where he received a Brevet Captaincy for gallant cou- duct, was made a Brigadier-General of Volunteers January 20, 1862."
I found a boy named Hall, who had once worked in a printing office, and he. was detailed to help me.
The Colonel suggested that we invite the officers of the regiment to contrib- ute each one a sketch, but as we only remained here a day and night, it was im- possible to do so, so I got ont one paper, selling them at ten cents each, and real- ized about twenty-five dollars by the enterprise.
At Jacksonport a smad of soldiers called at a house for dinner. A young lady met them at the door, and after some sharp talk on both sides, she up and spat in the Sergeant's face, who had charge of the squad, when he immediately knocked her down. The affair was reported to the Colonel, and the boys were at first afraid he would punish the Sergeant, as he had been in the regular service so long, was stationed south, and was thought to be pro-slavery in his views, but
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he only said, "Served her right, I did not bring my men down here to be insulted." So the Sergeant came out all right.
"General Osterhaus stopped at Galloway's for several hours as his command was marching by. He is a splendid looking officer from a German standpoint. Tall and heavy built, closely shaven except a heavy gray moustache, he looks every inch a soldier, and would do for a model for a Prussian trooper, with his high cavalry boots, a private's blouse, caps, spurs and a common heavy cavalry sabre, with nothing to distinguish his rank except a cheap pair of shoulder straps.
" It was a very hot day, and as is always the case on the march, the troops suffered for water. There was a splendid old-fashioned well in the front yard with a windlass, and an old oaken bucket, and I noticed that Osterhaus drew and carried several buckets of water to the fence and with his own hand gave drink to his tired and dusty troopers, and more than all, had a kind word for every one, at least I suppose it was, but it was in German, and I understood but little of what was said."
"THE CAVALIER."
The following extracts are taken from some old copies of the Cavalier, a small paper published at different times "as often as convenient," by P. B. Bowser, George W. Hall, S. B. Davis, and J. F. Netzel, at Jacksonport, Ark., under the supervision of the Provost-Marshal, and by consent of Colonel Brackett. Three old files have kindly been furnished me by Comrade S. B. Davis, now editor of the Starke County Republican, at Knox, Ind.
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