USA > Illinois > History of the Thirty-fourth regiment of Illinois volunteer infantry. September 7 1861. July 12, 1965 > Part 2
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begin, usually resulting in all six of the mules getting hopelessly entangled in their harness and piling up in a heap. In the course of time the teams became thoroughly trained and won the admiring respect of the whole army. Probably no monument has been erected to the faithful army mule, but his services were beyond praise and were actually indispensable.
Confederate camps had been established at various points along the railroad south of Camp Nevin-one about ten miles distant-one at Green River and another at Bowling Green. All of these were under command of General S. B. Buckner. No engagements were brought on until the army advanced to Mumfordsville, on Green River. . The proximity of the enemy produced a degree of interested watchfulness, while on picket duty, that was of especial usefulness to the troops as a matter of training.
The paymaster, always a welcome visitor, made his first call on the regiment November 28th and settled accounts to November Ist; a goodly share of the money going into the pockets of L. King Hawthorne and John A. Tuttle, regimental sutlers.
About the 9th of December the evacuation of Camp Nevin was begun and by the 17th the troops had all advanced south- ward to Mumfordsville, on Green River. The march to Muin- fordsville was attended with an incident which will linger in the minds of all the comrades of the brigade, so long as inemory lasts. The appetite of the soldier is a thing never to be ignored, and that it should desire a variety of food is just as true in the army as elsewhere. Straggling is impossible of restraint, and a considerable number of the men improved the opportunity to supply the needs of the inner. man by appropriating chickens, geese, potatoes and other edibles while on the march. The difficulty began when these self imposed burden bearers approach- ed camp, and they were promptly met by the Provost Guard and "run in. " A log house became their bastile, where they were lodged. The "Goose Phalanx" was organized with Gus Ogden of the Thirtieth Indiana as Commander-in-Chief, who issued his burlesque orders with all the pomp and ceremony of a real
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commander. Dress parade was held, orders concerning conduct while upon the march were issued, with ridiculous penalties for disobedience. The wing of a goose was thrust out from each side of the house to symbolize the right and left wing of the Phalanx, and the whole proceeding took such a humorous phase that no severe penalties were inflicted.
Although but little more than three months had elapsed since the regiment had been mustered into the service, the work of depletion had begun, by death front disease, discharge for disabilities, details on detached duty and absent sick in hospitals. The ranks, and list of names at roll call gradually grew shorter and so it continued until more than two years afterwards with the added cause of "killed in battle" and "disabled from wounds" when the remnant, still inspired by the same lofty patriotism which prompted their original enlist- ment, added to their persistent determination to see the thing through, to the number of more than three hundred re-enlisted for another term of three years. They returned from their veteran furlough with ranks well filled with recruits, but the work of depletion continued, from all the causes incident to a soldier's life in active campaigning.
In the advance of the army from Camp Nevin to Mumfords- ville, small bodies of the enemy were encountered, but no serious resistance was made. The railroad bridge across Green river at Mumfordsville had been destroyed by the Confederates, and the banks of the stream being high and precipitous, a good deal of difficulty was encountered in securing a position for the pontoon bridge, which was placed across the river for the accommoda- tion of the few troops stationed on the south bank, for outpost
duty. Colonel August Willich, of the Thirty-Second Indiana infantry (German regiment), had organized a pioneer corps from his ranks whose service was of especial importance in the con- struction of a temporary bridge across Green river, and on that account his command occupied the south bank of the river. On the 17th of December, a portion of this command, temporarily under command of Lieut. Col. Henry Von Trebra, was impetu- ously attacked by Col. Terry's Texan Rangers. In the German
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regiment were many officers and men who had seen service in the old country, and the drill and discipline of the regiment was excellent. The charges of the Texans were met and repulsed handsomely, and they were compelled to withdraw, leaving the victorious Germans in possession of the field, but with a loss of 12 killed and 28 wounded. The official report of the enemy showed their loss to be much less, but citizens stated that the loss was 49 killed and nearly 70 wounded. This little affair caused a good deal of excitement in the camp, and had a whole- some effect on all. The Union forces engaged numbered 414, while the entire force of the enemy engaged and within support- ing distance was fully 2,000. The army was ready and eager to engage the enemy, but no further opportunity was offered and the troops were constantly being prepared for future service by drill, guard, picket and fatigue duties. With experience came better conditions, both for the officers, and the men in the ranks, as well as in hospital accommodations, which were required to a considerable extent. . The wet winter season was very trying to men more used to the dry, bracing atmosphere of a northern climate, and the sick list was at times discouragingly large. The first location of the regimental camp was unfavora- ble, being on ground too low and flat to drain readily, and another site was selected on higher ground, nearer to the town and partly overlooking it from the north. The original .wedge" or "A" tents were exchanged for the Sibley tent, conical in form, IS feet in diameter and 13 feet high, having a covered ventilator at the top. On the 24th of December, Gen. Thomas J. Wood, whose home was in Mumfordsville, was relieved from the command of the brigade and placed in command of a camp of instruction at Bardstown, Ky., and Col. Kirk, of the Thirty- Fourth, was put in command of the brigade in the absence of Col. John F. Miller, Twenty-Ninth Indiana, who was ranking colonel in the brigade. For a portion of the time that the regi- ment was at Mumfordsville, Lieut. - Col. Bosworth was engaged as acting inspector of the brigade, leaving the regiment under the command of Major Levanway. He filled the position to the credit of himself and the satisfaction of the men, and won
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their confidence and esteem by his quiet, dignified and consid- erate treatment of them.
The efficiency of the troops at Mumfordsville was enhanced by various means other than drill and the ordinary duties. A Board of Examination of officers was established January I, 1862, consisting of Brig. Gen. R. W. Johnson, Col. E. N. Kirk and Col. B. F. Smith of the First Ohio Volunteers to act for the Second Division. All officers suspected of incompetency were required to report to this board, and were subjected to a rigid examination. Some, being aware of their unfitness for duty, resigned, rather than to submit their chances to the exami- nation. Only one officer of the Thirty-Fourth resigned during this period and none were dismissed for incompetency. A pioneer brigade was formed by a detail of one first and one second lieutenant and fifty men from each brigade, and all were placed under the command of Col. W. P. Innis, of the First Michigan Mechanics and Engineers. A signal corps was also organized, consisting of four second lieutenants and eight non- commissioned officers or privates from each brigade, who reported to Lieutenant T. S. Dumont for organization and instruction. A provost marshal's department was also estab- lished under command of Capt. Orris Blake, of the Thirty- Ninth Indiana infantry. Several reconnoissances were made for the purpose of ascertaining the position of the enemy, who, since his encounter with the Thirty-Second Indiana infantry, had been contented to remain at a respectful distance of several miles from our front. None of these expeditions led to hostilities. Other portions of the Army of the Ohio had come in conflict with the Confederates and were gratifyingly successful. On the LIth of January, Col. James A. Garfield had an engagement at Middle Creek, Ky., and drove the enemy from his position into the mountains, with a loss of baggage and stores and many killed and wounded. Col. Garfield later became Chief of Staff for Gen. Rosencrans, and showed by faithful service his fitness for a seat in Congress and the presidential chair, both of which positions he filled with much honor and credit, losing his life by the hand of an assassin while President. Also, Gen. George H.
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Thomas, who afterward commanded the Army of the Cumber- land, with his division attacked the enemy under command of Gens. Crittenden and Zollicoffer, at Mill Springs, Ky., January 19th, and completely routed them, inflicting heavy loss in killed and wounded and capturing fourteen pieces of artillery, about fifteen hundred horses and mules, with large quantities of sup- plies and munitions of war. The report of these victories pro- duced great enthusiasm amongst the troops and inspired in the hearts of many the hope of a speedy termination of the war, but little did they know of the realities of the future, or the weary marches, aggregating thousands of miles, which lay before those who should endure unto the end.
As the winter began to wear away, rumors of a forward movement of the Western army began to reach the camp at Muinfordsville, and the anticipation of active service brought gratification to those who now considered themselves soldiers fitted for any duty or emergency. The advance of Gen. Grant's army on Forts Henry and Donaldson was the signal for breaking camp and, on the 14th of February, 1862, the line of march was taken up in the direction of Louisville, much to the wonder and surprise of the man in the ranks. The weather was chilly and disagreeable at night and when the rays of the sun had thawed the slightly frozen ground, the quality of Kentucky mud was made apparent, not as an aid, to the first experience of " hoof- ing it" under a heavy load of gun, accoutrements and the sup- posed to be necessary outfit for personal comfort of the man. A march of sixteen miles closed the weary day and the men made such dispositions for the night as best they could. About two.inches of snow covered the ground, and the first day's march as an army was not voted a picnic. Reveille at four o'clock the next morning. turned out a lot of foot-sore, half-rested patriots who expected to march at five o'clock, but instead began to learn that lesson of patience so frequently necessary to practice in future months and years. - At one o'clock the line of march was taken and eight miles made over the same road traversed the previous day, and another night of discomfort put in, and on the following morning an early start was taken and Mum-
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fordsville was passed at sunrise and, continuing on to about two miles south of Green River, the column halted and, the teams being up, tents were pitched. The next day gave us a weary march of eighteen miles through mud sufficient for the creation of a whole nation of people, if the method had not been long ago abandoned. The troops remained in camp about five days, during which time many of the men visited the famous Mam- moth Cave and Diamond Cave, both . of great interest and notoriety. On the 23d, Bowling Green was reached and tents pitched. Gen. O. M. Mitchell's Division had the honor of being first to arrive, finding the enemy gone. On the 24th, Col. John F. Miller, of the Twenty-Ninth Indiana, who had been absent sick since December 24th, returned and assumed command of the brigade, being the ranking colonel, and Col. Kirk resumed command of the Thirty-Fourth. The railroad which had been destroyed in our front was being repaired in our rear and trains arrived soon after, and supplies were brought forward. Orderly Sergt. Peter F. Walker, of Company C, who had been in Gen. Hardee's camp at Bowling Green as a spy, rejoined the regiment on its arrival.
The Cumberland river was crossed by the regiment March 3d on steamboats at Nashville and, moving out two miles south of the city, Camp Andy Johnson was established and occupied until the 16th of March, making seventeen miles that day and sixteen the next and camped until the 22d, arriving at Columbia, Tenn., on the 23d of March.
On the 16th of March, Col. John F. Miller, in command of the brigade since February 244th, was assigned to the command of the garrison at Nashville, and Col. E. N. Kirk again took command of the brigade and continued in command until severely wounded at Shiloh, April 7th. Col. S. F. Stumbaugh, of the Seventy-Seventh Pennsylvania, took command April 8th.
While the army was in Camp Andy Johnson, considerable indignation amongst the men was created by a general order to return to their masters all slaves who should be found in the camp. All discussion of the slavery question was prohibited and all of the rights of owners were carefully observed as to the
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"peculiar institution." One bright young fellow, who felt the impulses of freedom arising within him, was with the regiment a day or two and afforded a good deal of amusement to the boys by his skill as a plantation dancer, but great was his astonish- ment when Johnnie Allison, of Company A, was induced to step upon the tail-board of a wagon, which had been used for the pur- pose, and execute some scientific dancing-master flourishes not laid down on the plantation curriculum.
The army remained at Columbia about ten days in order to rebuild the bridge across Duck river, which had been destroyed by the retreating enemy. Lieut. - Col. Bosworth superintended the rebuilding of the bridge, and by his energy pushed the work to completion in the shortest possible time. He recklessly, as we thought, exposed himself to personal injury by wading into the stream the better to superintend the work and set an exam- ple to the men who were employed about the bridge. He was taken quite seriously ill and was obliged to make the journey from Columbia to Savannah, on the Tennessee river. in an am- bulance. He was granted leave of absence and died soon after reaching his home in Illinois. It has always been the opinion of the officers and men of the regiment that he would have been a worthy commander and a hard fighter.
Amongst the first troops to enter the town was a sinall detachment of the Thirty-Fourth in charge of Lieut. - Col. Bos- worth, and search was made for contraband of war, but nothing was found. Very few of the inhabitants were seen, they having mostly fled before our advance. The doors of the freight house were forced open, but nothing was discovered. The railroad station agent appeared on the scene after the damage was done, and was very indignant at what he deemed an act of vandalism. He was excusable under the circumstances, for the reason that the destructive talent was not developed, and he did not know how much worse destruction would be visited upon property at a later. date by the inoffensive looking fellows who were yet only playing soldier. The following day the regiment crossed the river and occupied the court house and grounds. The law cases in the various offices were thoroughly overhauled and the files
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were assorted and distributed to suit the whims of those who probably never heard of pleas, demurrers, cross-bills and inter- pleaders, but some illustrious names were found signed to legal documents, and they made interesting souvenirs of the occasion. The march from Columbia was resumed at a leisurely pace and continued so until the morning of the 6th day of April, when, about nine o'clock, the boom of heavy artillery was heard off towards the south, and orders came to hurry forward to Savanna, distant about twenty-two miles. Col. Kirk, who was in command of the brigade, led out at a steady four-mile gait and the troops, animated by the stirring scenes in front, as indi- cated by the sound of battle, kept their ranks well closed up. At a halt made for a short time about noon, Maj. Levenway, who was in command of the regiment owing to the severe illness of Col. Bosworth, seemed very serious and reserved, scarcely speaking to anyone. That mysterious foreknowledge of certain death on the morrow had become a certainty in his mind, but the same irresistible power always present in such cases made him cool and collected until the fatal moment came. The brigade arrived at Savanna about eleven o'clock at night, and after standing in the streets for some time, during which a drench- ing shower passed over, went onto steamboats to be transported up the river to Pittsburg Landing. Many wounded had been brought down the river to Savanna, and long rows of white cots were visible in an empty store building as we marched by, rais- ing in the mind of many the question as to whether or not their lot was not better than ours who were yet to take all the chances of battle on the next day.
The men, wearied with their march of twenty-seven miles during the day, dropped down and were asleep very soon after going on the boats, which moved up the river and landed at sunrise on the morning of the 7th of April. The brigade imme- diately went ashore through the disorganized body of men who the day before had fled from the assault of the enemy, and after closing up the ranks and getting into order for the coming events, marched out toward the scene of conflict which had already begun on the left. Gen. Nelson's division of Buell's army had
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The monument erected to the Thirty-Fourth Illinois was erected by the State of Illinois. The photographs were furnished by Capt. Benson Wood, of Company C. The side of the mon- ument looks toward Pittsburg Landing, showing Woolf's Field. The regiment emerged from the woods in the background of the picture about II a. m. and relieved Rousseau's brigade, passed across the field and pond of water two feet or more in depth, and immediately became engaged.
The reverse side of the monument, bearing the inscription, looks toward Corinth. The thicket and water hole is in the background of the picture, beyond the fence. The place where the regiment relieved Rousseau's brigade is about where the monument stands.
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arrived on the battlefield the evening before and had engaged the enemy on our left and held the ground ready for an attack in the morning, which he began about the time of our arrival. Gen. Rousseau's brigade, being in advance of ours, became engaged and drove the enemy some distance, while we followed as his support until about eleven o'clock, when, his ammunition being exhausted, he sent word to Col. Kirk asking to be relieved. Many wounded men had been passing to the rear past our lines, and the continual roar of musketry in front produced the usual nervous sensations in the men incident to the first experience in battle, but the call to the immediate front line was a relief from that always "knee weakening" occupation of supporting a firing line without knowing whether the order to "engage" will come in a minute or an hour.
The command being given, the brigade moved forward stead- ily and in good order, and arriving at the edge of a narrow open field about twenty rods in rear of Gen. Rousseau's lines, halted until Gen. Rousseau retired, which he did by the right flank, past the right of the Thirty-Fourth. This consumed so much time that the enemy had an opportunity to re-form his lines and was ready for us before we reached the position just vacated by Gen. Rousseau. No sooner had we begun to advance than the swish of cannister and the droning of musket balls began to give us a new experience, and by the time we had gained the position lately occupied by Rousseau, music by the full band was turned on, and we began to realize that we were earning our thirteen dollars a month. There was a slight elevation of ground cov- ered with some underbrush just in front of the two right com- panies of the regiment, but the remainder of the regiment and the Seventy-Seventh Pennsylvania on our left were in the open in view of the enemy.
Major Levanway, mounted, was just in the rear of the left of the right company, when he was struck by a cannister shot which took away the bone in his neck, and he fell backwards to the ground, his head being turned so that his face was reversed, the back of his head being between his shoulders ; and so, amid the crash and roar of battle, there came to him the close of his
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career, so well begun. His lifeless remains were carried from the presence of his fellow officers and the men who had learned to love and respect him. Capt. E. Brooks Ward, of Company A, having been in ill health for some time, was not with the regiment. Capt. Bristol, of Company B, being the ranking officer, took command of the regiment and fought it gallantly through the remainder of the battle. The attack of the enemy upon our lines was sudden and furious, and the returns for the "butcher's bill" were being handed in with sickening rapidity. Col. S. S. Bass, of the Thirtieth Indiana, which joined the right of the Thirty-Fourth, was mortally wounded at about the same time that Maj. Levanway ,was killed, and very soon after- wards Col. Kirk, who was in command of the brigade, was severely wounded and carried from the field. Col. Dodge, of the Thirtieth Indiana, assumed command.
Col. Willich, commanding the Thirty-Second Indiana, in the Sixth Brigade, marched his regiment in double column by division to the right rear of our regiment and asked leave of Col. Kirk to move his regiment to the front to make a charge. The Thirty-Second was one of the best drilled regiments in our army, and as they passed our right their formation was in excel- lent order, but upon reaching the slightly elevated ground they received a staggering fire from directly in front, which checked them and caused a retreat. The regiment was not deployed into line of battle, but while in solid formation was subjected to a withering fire, such as no troops could long endure. The with- drawal of the Thirty-Second caused some confusion in the Thirty-Fourth, which also received the effects of the fire directed at the Thirty-Second and was also receiving the attention of a battery which directed its attention to the location of our colors.
The fierceness of the attack staggered the regiment, and it wavered and might have been thrown into a panic except for the gallantry and deliberate bravery of Col, Kirk, who, with the only unwounded member of the color guard (James A. Worrell. of Company A), advanced the flag and called on the regiment to rally to the color line, which it did with coolness and delibera-
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tion, and maintained the position, pouring a deadly fire into the enemy with telling effect.
A section of a battery was brought up in rear of the Twen- ty-Ninth Indiana, and going into action, greatly braced up and encouraged the men to renewed effort to drive the enemy from the field, but his 'stubborn resistance gave full opportunity for our initiation into the serious business of a soldier's life and time in which to expend about eighty rounds of ammunition per man. At about four o'clock p. m. the enemy withdrew from the field, beaten and defeated.
The regiment lost 35 killed and mortally wounded and 92 wounded. The brigade retired to the landing and bivouacked for the night. Early in the night rain commenced and con- tinued persistently until morning. The men, wearied with a march of twenty-seven miles the previous day and night, with no opportunities for cooking or even making a cup of coffee, had put in as hard and severe day's duty on the battlefield as the average soldier in time of war is ever called upon to perform; and now that the battle was over, he was by reason of the steady downpour deprived of the possibility of either making a fire on which to prepare a scanty meal, or to lie down to rest his weary body. Some, too weary to resist, gave way to their inclinations and laid down upon the water-soaked earth, and in spite of the soaking chilliness of the rain slept several hours in a water- logged condition. A few men of the regiment, by dint of per- severance, for a time kept a sickly and feeble fire from brush gathered near by, and one of the number, while standing before the fire, slept, and fell forward across the fire and was lifted
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