USA > Illinois > History of the Thirty-fourth regiment of Illinois volunteer infantry. September 7 1861. July 12, 1965 > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
171
IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.
British about the time Pulaski fell in the service of this country. We had stopped here but half an hour when we were saluted by shells from a rebel gunboat lying in the Savannah river. Five shots were fired in the direction of our bridge, but passed over the road without doing any damage. During the afternoon we heard heavy cannonading south of us, but did not learn the cause. The Ninety-Second Illinois mounted infantry skirmished with Wheeler's cavalry in rear of our Corps."
"Dec. 9 .- The day is cloudy, and a damp, cold northeaster makes the day uncomfortably chilling. It is now past noon, and yet we have advanced but four miles. We are waiting for the pontoons to be thrown across another stream, where the bridge has been destroyed. Four o'clock p. m .: Lieut. Coe, Battery I, Second Illinois artillery, has just been killed by a shot from a rebel battery, stationed on a cross-road about two miles ahead. I was well acquainted with him. He was from the vicinity of Joliet, Ill., unmarried, and of a social disposition. He succeeded to Capt. Barnett's command when that officer was mustered out about four weeks ago. Lieut. Rich is now next in rank and will take command. (Companies B, G, K and E went on picket. )"
"Dec. 10. --- Started out at 8 o'clock a. m. No obstructions in the road. There is firing some distance in the front. Saw Lieut. Coc's battery in the road and his grave at the roadside, as we passed by. He had served six days over his time. We made a road through the fort where the gun was that fired the fatalshot. It is afternoon, and we are ten miles from Savannah. We overtook the Twentieth Corps here, which is near the point where the Savannah and Charleston railroad crosses the river. The ties are burning within 100 yards of us. The rebel forts and earthworks are four miles on this side of Savannah."
"Dec. 11. --- Marched at 7:30 a. m. Marched to within five miles of Savannah, and at 2 o'clock took position behind light breastworks, within 600 yards of a rebel battery at the junction of the Charleston and Savannah and the Georgia Cen- tral railroads. Eight shots were fired down the Georgia Central at us, some of the shells passing over our regiment and some
.
172
THE 34TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY
falling short. The position of the army is as follows: The Sev- enteenth Corps at the extreme right; the Fifteenth next on the left, the Fourteenth next on the left, and the Twentieth the extreme left, with its left resting on the Savannah river. For- aging is nearly ended; our horses were fed on rice straw to-night. The men are now subsisting on rice and beef. A good deal of artillery and musketry firing has been going on all day on nearly all parts of the line."
"Dec. 12. - The ice this morning is an inch thick on water- pails, and the ground is frozen hard. Those who have overcoats and blankets are fortunate. The foragers crossed the river into South Carolina yesterday and found some supplies. A rebel gunboat patrols the river, but the Twentieth Corps has a battery in position on the Georgia side, to intercept transports attempt- ing to supply the city of Savannah. This is the twenty-sixth day out from Atlanta, and it is over a month since we had a mail. Even the Southern papers are not easily obtained. They as usual are full of bombast, stating that Sherman's army is scattered and starving. The army really was never in better fighting trim, and 2co will cover all the loss we have sustained since we started, and the men and animals lived off the fat of the land. . Rations now, however, are reduced to one cracker per day to a man, with all the meat they want. To-day three transports came down the river laden with supplies for the Con- federate army in Savannah. Battery I, First New York artil- lery, brought to' the first boat by firing a few shots, and the craft was boarded from the South Carolina side of the river. Hard bread, somewhat damaged, and other provisions were found on board. The two rear boats took alarm and returned up the river. The brigade was relieved in the afternoon and moved a mile to the right, and took position on the right of the Augusta railroad, and, as usual, camped in a swamp."
"Dec. 13. -- Last night was very cold. The batteries opened early, and an artillery fight was kept up all day. In the after- noon, there was sharp picket firing in front of our brigade, The regiments formed line in their camps, ready for action. Teams were sent to Fort Pulaski to-day for rations. The commissary
173
THE 34TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY
only sells one pound of crackers to officers, and very little bacon. Lonely enough it is in these swamps. Perhaps were I to indulge in scribbling a few of my thoughts, the effect would be as bene- ficial as unburdening the mind to a friend when it is oppressed with grief or melancholy. There will be this difference, how- ever; none may ever read what is written here, and, if they did, would likely derive little benefit from it. I am able to exercise a little philosophy in this peculiar situation, and although not up to standard of the stoics, I derive considerable assistance in the practice of contentment by reading a little every day in The Rambler,' a pocket edition of which I carry with me."
"In one of the numbers, allusion is made to the disparity between the activity with which the mind conceives plans and the slowness of our ability to execute them, the case of Cæsar being cited, who, amidst his stupendous ideas, found time enough during the slow execution of those grand schemes to study the stars. I am inclined to think that two things are fav- orable to this study here in front of Savannah. One is that the vault of heaven is open to us on every clear night as we lie on our backs (and this circumstance invites attention), and the other is that time will be given before the surrender to make repeated observations of the heavenly bodies. It must be ad- mitted, however, that the successful prosecution of any study requires one should feel a sense of security, which is far from being the case just now, while shells are exploding on all sides of us. There is no God in war. It is merciless, cruel, vindic- tive, un-christian, savage, relentless. It is all that devils could wish for, and it is painful that the existence of this war compels a reversion of the favorable opinion we had formed of the onward march of civilization: Were it not that one's mind has power to turn from scenes like these to contemplate the quiet and peace of home, with its endearments, its friendships and security, with a hope that they will some day be restored to us by a kind Providence, to live thus would be the sum of misery. It seems to me I would welcome with a sort of rapture the New- foundland dog, Prince, that used to rest his large muzzle on. the rug before the hearth at home. We know the busy world moves
.
-
.
174
IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.
on beyond our military lines; that children are born and men die; that the bridal and the tomb are making havoc with fond hearts; that men babble, newspapers lie, statesmen squabble, ships and trains are in motion with the freight of commerce; that there are quiet Sundays and well-disposed sermons, well- dressed congregations, gossip, holy-days, feasts and fun-but these things are for others, not for the soldiers. The One Hun- dred and Eighth Ohio went on picket in the afternoon."
"Dec. 14 .-- [Enderton's diary. ] Our fare to-day is rice, with the hull on, and all the beef we can eat. Have to use swamp water for cooking and making coffee. We put the rice in bags and beat with sticks to get the hull off. It takes about half of our time, and then we cannot get it clean. There is much artillery firing, the same as at the siege of Atlanta. We hope soon to draw army rations, as we have communication (by way of the fleet) with supplies, for the first time since we left Cartersville (Nov. 13th)."
"There are thousands of negroes with our army, who left their masters while we were on the march. It appears that the slave women are more anxious to be free than the men, and many a slave mother has carried her little child in her arms, endured the hunger and hardships of the march, to be free. An order from Gen. Sherman was read to the troops, stating that Fort McAllister was taken yesterday, with all of its garrison and armament, by the Second Division (Hazen's) of the Fifteenth Corps, opening up communication with the fleet and the outside world."
"Dec. 15. - Two hundred deserters came into our lines yes- terday. [NOTE: Some of these were Union soldiers, captured a year or more previously, who took an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy and waited an opportunity to escape.] Companies A, F, I and C went on picket, and were stationed along the east side of the Savannah and Ogechee canal. Lieut. Heath, of Company A, made an agreement with the enemy's pickets that notice should be given by either side before firing on the other."
1
175
IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.
"Dec. 16 .- Gen. Morgan (Division commander) gave orders to begin firing on the pickets in front, and Lieut. Slaugh- ter, of Company F, gave the notice agreed on, but no attention was paid to it and our line opened fire, which was replied to with two pieces of artillery, exploding shells unpleasantly near. We were relieved from picket after dark."
Dr. Hostetter says: "Rations continue short. Some of the men have only unhulled rice and fresh beef. The regiment uses two beeves each day. The cattle we brought with us from Chattanooga. Foragers, who had been out three days, came in at 12 m. with sweet potatoes. . They report having been out twenty-six miles across the Ogechee river."
"Dec. 17 .- [Dr. Hostetter. ] To-day we received the first mail since leaving Cartersville, Ga. Of course, everyone was eager for letters, and, as the mail was large, it tried the patience to wait for its distribution. Another event of to-day was an order dismounting the foragers and turning over all horses and mules to the quartermaster's department, and sending all negroes to Port Royal, excepting such as are in the employ of the Gov- ernment or are servants to officers. The latest Northern papers are of November 30th. To-day, too, we learned, for the first since the election, how many states voted a majority for Lin- coln, and an authentic account of the capture of the privateer Florida. The attempt to burn the city of New York by seces- sionists was likewise first made known to us through the North- ern papers. I omitted to mention in yesterday's record that I have taken into my service a smart little darkey, about 10 years old. He can gather wood and carry water, and curry Tom's mule. This morning I asked him whether he wanted to stay with me or go to Port Royal, He replied, 'I wants to stay; I don't know whar dat oder place is.' So I said he might stay."
"From the musketry and cannonading on our right, late this afternoon, there must have been quite a fight, the result of which we may learn to-morrow. Some shells were thrown in near our regiment to-day, but without doing any damage. A commission
1
176
THE 34TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY
came to-day for J. B. Robinson, quartermaster sergeant, appoint- ing him quartermaster, with the rank of lieutenant. Lieut. R. J. Thompson, of Company K, is applying to be mustered out, term of service having expired. Col. Ege received the news to-day of the death, November 25th, of his only child."
"Sunday, Dec. 18 .- Rumor says the firing we heard yes- terday resulted in the capture of Port Jackson. It is strange that the Northern papers of November 1Ith should declare the burning of Atlanta and the fact of Sherman's army starting for a raid, when we did not leave Atlanta till the 16th of November. It is a fact that the rebels are always advised in advance of a move of this kind by the vanity of Northern editors, who think they enhance their own importance by making it appear they are in possession of such important secrets. There is not the least doubt that much damage has accrued to us from this species of unconquerable vanity. It may not have done us much harm in this case, yet it is not improbable that the formidable works now in our front would never have been made had it not been for the leakiness of the Northern papers. It is no wonder the. Generals have so little patience with newspaper correspond- ents."
The 19th and 20th of December were marked by no events of special interest. In the darkness of the early morning of the 21st, Gen. Hardee, with his troops, evacuated the city of Sav- annah after spiking all of his artillery, which was left in the various positions, together with large supplies of ammunition. His route of escape was by a road leading out of the city into South Carolina, not occupied by our troops. The city was first occupied by the Twentieth Corps. All of the forts surrounding the city were thoroughly equipped with both light and heavy artillery, well supplied with ammunition, and had these forts been well manned with veteran artillerists, instead of so large a number of Georgia militia, the taking of the place might have proved a hard proposition. Large numbers of cars and engines were left behind by the enemy, as well as military supplies of various kinds; also many Confederate soldiers remained behind,
-
FROM ATLANTA TO THE SEA
Durhand
N' TH TaylorsV(
R
1
Burnes V
1
15 Ardy Corps
471
Marion
Newton
Concord
Trova
Coal Fickt
FAYETTEVILLESER
- Chaton
TeDecatur
Shelby
Stoves Br
Columbus
Neveland
Sngcastors
MMosshock
Linnberton
Spartanbs
Chesterfield
Marlboro
Longest
Gruen
WILMINGTON
Állíjay
Behon(
Laurens
Spring 1l
Y. JOH
Anderson
Alst.ya .* \Pi
CarDesV.
Cokesbury
Helena
Abbeville,
COLUMBI
Sumpter V.
Cauttuy
Lexington
rec flunct.
D
L
Aderente V.
Athens
Edgetiell
trongton
Aiken
BoundIn
ATLANTA
Applimiton
AUGUSTA
Barnwell Banker
Br
+ Ridee
Muhson
Cation
Mainesboro
Jinhory Hal
AF. MOULTRIE
CHARLESTON TY. JOHNSON
Rubrik
Sylvania
Zebulon
Forsyth
Gordo
arborurl
Phonulelon
Macon
Expo -Sprissfin
KnoxY
Statenboroy
NELTOY HEAD
fr. Valley
15 Arany Corps
Butler
PYrrY
-T PH PULASKI
Reids V
ANNAH
....... Chivalry
1
FINDALLISTER
. Vernon
FROM SAVANNAH TO GOLDSBORO
wer's
Natten
Gibs
3. Liglesey's
G
'as
Montoy
.Windsor
Canulen
Fre
Conwayboro,4
Jasper
Rutherfordtono
adkins
Carthage
COLDSRONO
Salisbury
Ashboro
Pittsboro
RALEIGH
0
Dublin
Beanfin
C
nicelid
Tades
rups Br.
177
IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.
rather than to farther follow the declining fortunes of the Con- federacy.
"Dec. 22. - [Dr. Hostetter's diary. ] Bugles sounded rev- eille at 5 o'clock. The morning is freezing cold. Marched at 7 o'clock. Delayed in the road by the dilatory movements of our First brigade. Moved one and a half miles towards the city and went into regular laid out camp, on the south bank of the Savannah and Ogechee canal. In the afternoon, went to town with Adjt. Weld and Maj. Walker. Savannah is the finest Southern city I have seen. Its streets are wide, shaded with rows of live-oaks. South Broad street has an arcade formed by two rows of live-oaks through its length, in the center of the street. Numerous parks, well shaded with the live-oak and China tree, are formed at street crossings. Pulaski's monument is a work fit to commemorate such a hero. He is carved in relief on the east side, in marble, in a falling position, his horse rearing. With his right hand he grasps his sword firmly, and with his left is stanching his wound on the right and lower part of the abdomen. His head is bare and the expression of his face that of a pang. Overhead is the American eagle, with closed pinions, perched upon two shields, the right resting on one with the Polish arms, the left on one with the arms of Geor- gia. On the west is a duplicate eagle and shields, with the in- scription :
PULASKI, THE HEROIC POLE, WHO DIED FROM WOUNDS RECEIVED AT THE SIEGE OF SAVANNAH, OCT. 9, 1779.
"We rode the length of the street fronting the river. Three steamers came in, the first vessels of any kind bearing the stars and stripes since the war began. It is a much handsomer city than Atlanta, and evidently once a place of great wealth. The evergreens gave the city and the enclosed parks the appearance of the verdure of summer, although the day was very cold. The arched railway bridges on the north side are very substantial and
178
THE 34TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY
firm structures. They are built of brick, as are the depot build- ings and machine shops. Large quantities of rice and cotton were burned in the city."
Enderton's diary: "The regiment went on picket at 9 a. m. on the 24th, relieving the Seventeenth New York Zouaves, of the First brigade of our Division. The First and Second Divisions of the Fifteenth Corps were reviewed by Gens. Sher- man, Dodge, Davis, Osterhaus and other prominent Generals, in the streets of the city. The regiment was relieved from picket about 10 a. m. on the 25th, by the Fifty-Second Ohio, of our Third brigade, Col. Dan McCook's Old Invincibles, the Fifty-Second being his old regiment."
The stay of Gen. Sherman's army in Savannah until Janu- ary, 1865, was not marked by any events of special importance. Supplies were brought in by the fleet of transports, which had been for some time laden and waiting an opportunity to enter the port. A few officers received leaves of absence on account of sickness, Col. Ege being of the number, and left January 7th, leaving Maj. Peter F. Walker in command of the regiment. A considerable number of recruits and convalescents arrived to partially fill up the depleted ranks of all companies in the regi- inent. Opportunities were afforded for amusements of civiliza- tion, such as concerts, theatricals, strolls through the city and along the wharves, meals at hotels and restaurants, and for vis- iting friends and acquaintances in other parts of the army. To many the opportunity to worship in the various churches of the city was like refreshing water to a parched and thirsty soil. There were men who were truly the disciples of the "Man of Gallilee" before they went into the army, and came out after nearly four years' service, refined by the testing of their faith and the steadfastness of their lives.
The Fourteenth Corps was reviewed by Gen. Sherman in the city, December 27th. The review was witnessed by thous- ands of citizens, soldiers and negroes. On the same date the news was received of Gen. Thomas' complete victory over Hood's army at Nashville, Tenn.
179
IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.
Under date of December 26th, Dr. Hostetter records some facts and thoughts pertaining to the Commander that are worthy of preservation, and, having been written from personal knowl- edge and observation, must prove interesting to the reader of these lines, thirty-seven years or more afterwards:
"Failure or success determines man's right to be remem- bered. Three years ago General Sherman was believed by some to be insane when he expressed it as his opinion that to take Kentucky and keep it would require two hundred thousand men. To-day he is the successful conqueror of Georgia, and a million tongues are speaking his praises. Sycophants write adulatory puffs and wonderful descriptions of his personnel, while those who once doubted his sanity, now always knew that he was the greatest and most remarkable general of the age. Perhaps men watch General Sherman now more closely to find good qualities than they did plain Bill Sherman. When scorning Bill, they probably were in search only of bad qualities, but now have leaped to the opposite extreme, and can see only goodness and greatness. Thus far he has not been spoiled by the popular tornado of praise that is blowing him, and it is to be hoped it will not whirl him so as to make his head giddy."
"Whenever a man writes or attempts to write up a great genius whose merits stand acknowledged, the writer looks to me like an expectant ass braying for forage. Such see some- thing in the eye, in every motion and gesture, not common to other men. I would here undeceive those who have been mis- led by such representations of General Sherman. He differs from most men by being more plain. He dresses plainly, talks plainly, fights plainly, and reaches results so plainly that after they are reached they look as simple as setting an egg. on end, which all could do after seeing Columbus do it. Sherman, accosted by a teamster as he was bathing in the Chattahoochie river, with 'Water is cold, eh?' answers, 'Not very, sir,' was not very wonderful at all-just what was true, probably-but the teamster finds out it was General Sherman, and his surprise is that General Sherman talks very much like other men, and, unlike many lesser lights, deigned to answer a teamster. It must be
1
180
THE 34TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY
confessed, however, that sometimes the General is a little eccen- tric. He has been known to leave his escort and headquarter tents without telling anyone where he was going, and perhaps not return for several days. His anxious staff knew he was out, but did not know where. Bye and bye they hear that he was seen by some straw-stack, near the picket line, or where he had a fine view of the charge at Kenesaw, or Fort McAllister, or he was seen on the left wing, or center, walking down the railroad track, as at Buzzard's Roost. His staff indulge him in these habits, and his brave army is quite accustomed to meet him walking and chatting with some of his officers. He is slightly built and not at all majestic in his mien. That he has had as much trouble to control his own impulsive disposition as he has had in subduing his enemies in arms, I think he would confess; but he has been singularly successful in both, and deserves well for the former as for the latter. The simplicity of his character classes him with men who are not afraid they will be under- rated. Such men feel that their greatness does not depend on assuming to be any other than what they seem. Had General Sherman never distinguished himself for want of opportunity, he yet would be Sherman. His proprium had all the elements of the Sherman that he is, yet he might have passed his life and mankind known little of him."
"Men's biographies should be written when the battle of life is over. There are many reasons for this. So long as man lives he may do something unexpected. What is done is secured. "
" "Not heaven itself upon the past has power,
For what has been, has been, and I have had my hour.' "
"It is an honor to have led victorious armies in one's coun- try's cause, but is it not also an honor to have given one's sword to the defence of one's country, though it may have been unsuc- cessful? What is the verdict of the world? Alas! failure leads to the lethean wave of oblivion, and success to fame's immor- tal niche."
" Venture and win, and wealth adorns your statue;
Venture and lose, and even fools laugh at you.'"
181
IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.
EXTRACTS FROM AN ADDRESS TO THE REGIMENT BY LIEUTENANT
COLONEL PETER EGE.
HEADQUARTERS THIRTY-FOURTH REG'T ILL. VET. VOLS.
NEAR SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1865.
OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE THIRTY-FOURTH ILL. VET. VOLS. :- Once more the wheel of time, the last click of the midnight hour, has been heard, and the year of 1864 is only to dwell in memory, or on history's page. With this bright Sabbath morning we enter on another year. A fit day to bow in humility to Almighty God, and thank Him for His kind protection from the many dangers through which we have passed, sur- rounded as we have been by those who would not only break up this Government -. one of the best known to the world-but would willingly take our life-blood and saturate the flag of our country in it. A fit day, this, to acknowledge the power of Him who doeth all things well.
Your regimental commander deems it but a mark of respect to the brave officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of this noble regiment to thank you, one and all, for the uniform kindness he has received at your hands since it has been his privilege to command you. He feels proud to congratulate you on this New Year's day, but there is a feeling of sadness that will ever linger in our memories when we recall the year just passed. The ames of the noble dead who were the brightest among us, such as Capt. John A. Parrott, who fell in the fatal charge; Capt. Amos W. Hostetter, than whom no braver man ever drew a sword, foremost where duty called; and the many other brave inen whose graves tell us too plainly where the battle raged in all its fury. Sergts. McCarty, Stewart and Miller; Corporals Griffin, Slater, Rarey, Abrams and Geidner; Privates Meredith, Forsyth, Spencer, Wales, Burdick, Hacker, Lascerte, Traver, Clark, Berlin, Smith, Schmucker, Rexroad, Richards, Welty, Walker, Brandt, Cherry, Trembly, Zoller, Steepleton and Garwick, all are now numbered with the slain.
Others have fallen victims.of disease, and now, too, slum- ber on this dearly-bought Southern soil, far from home and
182
THE 34TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY
loved ones. Still the countenances of the many who are maimed for life, or are suffering from severe wounds, are fresh in our memories, and call to mind the battlefields of Resaca, Rocky Face Ridge, Rome, Dallas, Kenesaw, the siege of Atlanta, and Jonesboro. As we cast our eyes to the old flag, decked as it is with its starry wreath, we remember that it was to save its silken folds they fell.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.