USA > Illinois > History of the Thirty-fourth regiment of Illinois volunteer infantry. September 7 1861. July 12, 1965 > Part 9
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The officers generally encouraged re-enlistments. The regi- ment had become much reduced in numbers, and the probabili- ties were that many recruits could be obtained by the return to their homes of those who had now seen more than two years of active service. Re-enlistments were begun, and by the 23d of December the requisite minimum of three hundred had signed the muster rolls, and the old regiment had "Veteranized."
The men who survived to this time, who had followed the colors through the vicissitudes of the various campaigns, were
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of the quality worthy the name of "Veteran." They had con- sidered all of the conditions of the country, and the stage of the war and the probabilities of its conclusion. It was apparent that the government deemed the services of experienced men of great importance, and that the war was not likely to terminate before the expiration of the term of those who enlisted in 1861. The men felt that the war was a conflict upon which they entered very near the beginning, and some obligations rested upon them to see the end of it.
The re-enlistments by companies were as follows: A, 43; B, 35; C, 23; D, 45; E, 19; F, 39; G, 32; H, 34; 1, 35; K, 15; total, 320.
The comrades who did not re-enlist had good reasons for their course. They would have opportunity to strike many a hard blow during the next eight months, and an opportunity to enlist again after finishing their first term. Their choice was respected and their decision kindly regarded by those who re-en- listed.
The "Veterans" were mustered January' 3d, 1864, by Capt. C. O. Howard, Eighteenth infantry, A. C. M., Second Division, Fourteenth A. C., and, on the morning of the Sth, crossed the river and started down the railroad track towards Stevenson. The morning was crisp and frosty and walking on the ties diffi- cult, but home was in the mind's eye and no obstacle could hin- der us from reaching the goal. We reached Whiteside station at "Falling Water" near the middle of the afternoon, where we found the Seventy-Fifth Illinois infantry in very comfortable quarters, which they had occupied for some time, having built a trestle bridge across the stream and the adjoining narrow but deep valley.
The bridge was 170 feet in height, and was planned and its construction superintended by Maj. James A. Watson, of the Seventy-Fifth Illinois. It was a work creditable to the work- men, and quite in keeping with their usual style of doing thor- oughly whatever they undertook.
O
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RAILROAD BRIDGE AT WHITESIDE STATION, TENN.
We were quite disappointed at not finding cars ready to transport us to Nashville, and were obliged to remain over night in bivouac across the stream from the camp of the Seventy- Fifth, but many of the comrades found comfortable quarters with friends in that regiment. The night was cold, but fuel being plenty, our condition was not at all serious, and was soon forgotten the next afternoon after boarding the cars which were sent to us. The journey homeward was delayed at Nashville four days and at Louisville three days for lack of transportation, the delays giving opportunity for investments of the hard-earned dollars, which seemed burdensome, and something to be parted with as soon as possible.
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At Louisville, the provost guard was very officious, and tried to shut us up in barracks, a proceeding resented and resisted at the point of the bayonet. A squad of ten or twelve guards, in charge of a sergeant, formed line and marched slowly with leveled guns and fixed bayonets against a group of our boys, who formed line and dressed, and stood like statuary until the slowly approaching line of bayonets was within a yard of their breasts, when a halt was called and the two lines stood facing each other with unflinching gaze. The sergeant, seeing that our unarmed men were more than a match for his squad in . cool determination. not to be dominated by a set of coffee- coolers and city bums, although armed and under orders, marched his squad away, leaving our men "in the field."
The provost guards, as a rule, were the disreputables and irresponsibles of the army, who, on some pretext, got to the rear and found a detail as guards in as favorable a place as pos- sible. The Seventh Illinois infantry passed through Louisville, en route home on veteran furlough, the previous week, and had a serious conflict with the provost guards, handling them with- out gloves, but losing one man killed in the melee.
Our route home was via Indianapolis and Lafayette, Ind., and Decatur, Ill., at which point our train was transferred to the Illinois Central R. R., and the home stretch for Dixon ended about 11 p. m., January 20th, 1854, and we dropped off into a great depth of snow and genuine northern winter. Our coming was expected, and a well-warmed ball was ready for our recep- tion. So, also, were other warm places of smaller dimension, where inner comforts were dispensed for a consideration. One of those who presided over a place just mentioned, desiring proof of what was alleged would result from indulging in speech of the kind designated as "copperhead," gave expression to a few words of that sort and found himself flat on his back, heels in the air and an unfinished sentence in stock, to be disposed of later. He squared himself with the boys by saying he was only seeking confirmation of what was so frequently said would occur when the boys got home.
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The good people of Dixon furnished the regiment with a substantial and very acceptable dinner on the 21st, after which there was a rush for the home circle and the society of family and friends. We had perhaps imagined that the hardships of war fell only on those at the front, and it was something of a revelation when made to realize that the parents, wives, children and friends at home were passing through the deep waters of sorrow and anxiety over lost ones and those who were still at the post of danger, with the uncertainties of war before them. In many instances, all the responsibilities of business, and the farm, were resting upon female members of the family, in addi- tion to the weary days and sleepless nights that now, in some cases, for a brief period were to be turned into days of rejoicing.
Recruiting began at once and continued so long as we remained at home. The country had become pretty thoroughly gleaned of material for making soldiers. A good many boys, who had looked at the men who left in 1861 with longings diffi- cult to restrain, now considered themselves eligible for enlist- ment. Their ages had increased in proportion to their desires, and many a youth who was only 13 or 14 years old two years previous, was now IS, and their word was not questioned when they said they were. After the war was over, it was discovered that many of them were not even 17, and one is known to have been two months under 15 years old. The "vets" took a fath- erly interest in these lads, and made all kinds of promises to look after their welfare, and by their experience helped them in many ways, but when the lads in the "pony platoon" stacked arms after a hard day's march, and came up in as good shape as the best, it was a revelation not dreamed of. In these later days, when we look upon schoolboys who are older than many who enlisted in our ranks in 1864, and became soldiers in every sense of the word, we wonder at the possibilities of American citizenship. However, a parallel was found in the ranks of the Confederates, and in greater proportion.
Our numbers were not increased by recruits to the extent anticipated, only 184 being enlisted, distributed between the
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companies as follows: A, 35; B, 20; C, 21; D, 44; E, 4; F, 15; G, 8; H, 22; I, 9; K, 6.
The regiment assembled at Dixon, Ill., and on February 29th took cars for Chicago, arriving in the afternoon; marched through the city with colors flying and our drum corps doing its level best. We felt our importance and our right to the atten- tion of the public, as the protectors of the citizens and business of the great city, as well as of the country at large. Alas, for our egotism! If any noticed us, it was apparently only those whose progress through the street was impeded by our line of march.
Our passage to the front this time was somewhat more lux- urious than when we left Camp Butler, in October, 1861. Passenger cars were provided and our journey was resumed in the evening, expecting to find ourselves in Louisville in the morning, but sunrise found our train side-tracked about thirty miles from Chicago, and Louisville was not reached until five o'clock in the evening. We reached Nashville March 2d and were detained over the 3d and 4th, waiting transportation, reaching Chattanooga at II p. m. on the 5th, remaining in the cars until morning, and then marched out to Rossville, just across the line in Georgia, and joined our brigade.
We now realize that we are fastened for three years more (unless sooner shot); that we have had our holiday; that some have "danced" and now are "paying the fiddler;" that we are again under military discipline, where mince pie, doughnuts and paper collars are out of order. Our brigade consists of Thirty- Fourth and Seventy-Eighth Illinois, Ninety-Eighth, One Hun- dred and Eighth, One Hundred. and Thirteenth and One Hundred and Twenty-First Ohio regiments, with John G. Mitchell, colonel of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio, in com- mand. We had never met our brigade commander until now, and were naturally anxious to know something of his make-up. First impressions were favorable, and the more we knew of him within the next fourteen months the more convinced were we that he was made of the right stuff. He was a blonde,
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and small of stature, but the quality was in him, and he never failed us nor disappointed our confidence.
Our non-veterans, who, in the absence of the regiment, had been assigned to the Seventy-Eighth Illinois infantry, were returned to their respective companies, much to the gratification of all concerned. Having had such a rattling good time our- selves, we sympathized with them, who had been denied the same privileges. About six months later, the sentiments of each party were entirely reversed. They, who survived, were going home, to act their own pleasure about returning, while the "vets" consoled themselves that they were held for only two years and three months more.
A good many of our recruits, who were left at Dixon on account of not having been mustered, joined the regiment during the first half of March and were put on drill and duty, soon being able to take their places in the company ranks for regi- mental drill and dress parade. Several cases of small-pox devel- oped within a week after return to camp, some of them proving fatal. Everybody was vaccinated, which prevented an epidemic, no cases developing, except from the contagion at home. The principal events of the month were the arrival of a brass band for our brigade, on the 15th, and a snowstorm, eleven inches in depth, on the 22d of March, which disappeared within two. days.
Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman assumed command of the Mili- tary Division of the Mississippi, which embraced the Depart- ments of the Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee and Arkansas, March 18th, and about the close of the month came down from his headquarters at Nashville to Chattanooga, and made plans and arrangements for getting large quantities of supplies forward for the summer campaign. It required 130 carloads to be deliv- ered at Chattanooga daily through the month of April to supply the army and to accumulate a surplus sufficient to warrant an advance.
The latter part of the month of April brought indications pointing to a vigorous campaign. We packed our overcoats, extra blanket and clothing, and shipped them back to Bridge-
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port to be stored. Orders were issued forbidding officers to have a tent, or any baggage except what they could carry on their person or their horses. Gen. Sherman had transportation, for himself and staff, only for the flies of their tents, without the poles.
The various Divisions and Corps of the Army of the Cum- berland began to move forward towards Dalton, and take posi- tion in proper order for a combined movement on the strong position of the enemy at Buzzards' Roost, about midway be- tween Tunnel Hill and Dalton. Our cavalry was well down at the front, observing the enemy and doing vidette duty. The Ninety-Second Illinois mounted infantry, acting with the cav- alry, sent a detachment to guard Nickajack Gap. The enemy barricaded the gap in their rear and placed a body of troops behind the barricade, and in the night another body of infantry attacked in front, driving them back against the barricade, where a murderous fire was opened upon them. Several were killed, a good many wounded and a few taken prisoners. One of the latter, R. J. O'Conner, of Company B, was shot by a Confeder- ate lieutenant because he could not get to the rear fast enough to suit his captor.
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CHAPTER VI.
On Monday, May 2d, 1864, the Division broke camp and moved out beyond Ringgold, and on the 5th advanced about one and a half miles south of Taylor's bridge. The regiment, with arms and accouterments, returned to Ringgold and turned over the old "Enfields" and drew new Springfield rifles of modern pattern, caliber 44, the best with which the regiment had been equipped.
The army is rapidly concentrating and taking position, the Fourth Corps on the left of our position, with the Twenty-Third Corps still farther to the left. The Twentieth Corps, under command of Gen. Hooker, is on the right, and the Fourteenth Corps, Gen. John M. Palmer, in the center. It is reported that the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Corps are near by, ready to take their place when the grand parade shall begin, preparatory to the opening of the show. Our army is supposed to number about 100,000 men, with 250 pieces of artillery.
On the evening of the 6th, orders were received to march at daylight the following morning, with three days' rations in haversacks and five days' rations on wagons, each man to carry 150 rounds of cartridges. The movement was carried out, driving the enemy's skirmish line to within about one mile of their lines of defense. But little opposition was met and no haste was manifested in the advance, the way being felt out cautiously. Companies A and F were on picket during the night. The advance was continued the following morning, leading over Tunnel hill, which was occupied the previous day by the Fourth Corps. After advancing to within about a mile of the western entrance to Buzzards' Roost, the regiment was put in the front and Company B on the skirmish line. The direction was a little east of south. The right of the skirmish line rested along the foot of a hill sloping towards the east or
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northeast, the left extending out well into a valley about one- fourth mile in width. East of the valley, and parallel with it, was an abrupt rise of ground, terminating nearly 100 feet higher than the valley. Beyond and east of this rise of ground, for perhaps 40 rods, was gently rising ground, terminating at the foot of "Rocky Face Ridge," which rose abruptly several hun- dred feet higher than the valley, the top being about three- fourths of a mile from the center of the valley.
Soon after Company B went on the skirmish line, the posi- tion of the enemy was developed in rifle-pits, with siege guns in place. Sentinels were visible, but very quiet. The skirmish line was re-enforced on the right, by a few men from Company A, and the advance was continued cautiously, with a watchful eye on the siege guus. The sentinels on duty near the guns were as steadfast as the boy that "stood on the burning deck," a fact that soon proved their sectarianism as "quakers," on guard over " quaker guns."
On the rise of ground east of the valley above described, in line of battle, stood a body of Confederate troops, about 1, 000 or 1, 500 in number, all in neat gray uniforms, with arms at "parade rest," their commanding officer at the left of the line, mounted. There was a gentle breeze from the south, which floated the long black plumes on his hat, making, with his fine gray uniform and the glistening trappings on his horse, a strik- ing picture. The Confederate line and the skirmish line were at right angles to each other, the left of the skirmish line being in pen ground, nearest the Confederates.
One of the men on the left, possibly thinking the field of observation as good farther to the right, left his place in the line and moved to the right. Lieut. Cleaveland, who was in coin- mand of the skirmish line, had a remarkably robust voice and wonderful command of "language," both of which were brought into requisition at the supposed abandonment of his place in line by the man referred to. Within a few minutes afterwards, the Confederate officer called his men to attention, and they should- cred arms, came to an about face, and marched off the field and out of sight. It has been a question whether it was the declama-
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tion .of Lieut. Cleaveland, or the appearance of our whole brigade, which caused the speedy retreat of the enemy from our front without firing a gun.
The railroad track runs through the valley above mentioned in a southeasterly direction, making a sharp curve to the east and entering the gorge towards Buzzards' Roost along Mill creek, which passes the foot of the south end of the ridge just vacated by the Confederates. The ridge terminates abruptly, with high banks, the creek being between the railroad track and the bank for a short distance easterly, and only a few feet from. either, but north of the track. South of the track, and rising within a few feet of it, was a round knob, about 250 feet across the base and 25 feet in height, which was occupied by the enemy's pickets.
The brigade followed the skirmish line promptly, and took position in the valley opposite the position lately vacated by the Confederates. Knapsacks were unslung and piled, and the brigade, in line of battle, advanced up the ridge to the top. The Thirty-Fourth was on the right, and so came into the position just vacated. Gen. Mitchell rode down our lines and ordered our colonel, VanTassell, to send a company across the railroad to take possession of and hold the knob referred to above. Com- pany A, being within a few rods of the position, was ordered out on the run. The bank was steep and the creek about 12 to :5 feet wide and 4 feet deep. The pickets, seeing the beginning of the movement, left the place and were well clear of it before they were in any danger. The One Hundred and Eighth Ohio re-enforced Company A, but there was no enemy to resist. Some skirmish firing was done by the brigade at long range, and the affair closed without any casualties. We withdrew at sun- down and went into bivouac, and remained until the following day in the afternoon. Our recruits were given their first oppor- tunity to burn powder and to gain some insight into how it might happen in a real battle. They all did splendidly and with full credit, not only to themselves, but also to the reputation of the regiment.
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Our lines were pressed forward somewhat on the 9th of May. Artillery was brought into use and the position of the enemy was developed to some extent, and more or less skir- mishing occurred over considerable of our front. In the after- noon, a reconnoissance in force was made on "Rocky Face." Companies D and I were on the skirmish line, supported by the regiment. Other regiments of the brigade were also in line. Some opposition developed and there was sharp fighting for nearly two hours, in which the regiment had thirteen wounded, three or four of them severely, one of whom, James Grogan, of Company D, afterwards died at home of his wound.
During the advance up the steep side of "Rocky Face," a regiment was observed closely following ours, and it was soon learned to be the Thirtieth Indiana. It is unnecessary to remind the comrades of the thrill of confidence and satisfaction that was felt at having our old-time allies to back the advance into what was liable to be a severe engagement.
The railroad crossed Mill creek on a trestle bridge, about one hundred rods from the western entrance to the gorge, and the bridge was utilized by the enemy in damming the creek, causing a back-flow covering several acres along the border of the stream, principally on the south bank. Orders from Depart- ment Headquarters were sent down through regular channels to our brigade commander to attempt the destruction of the dam. After the reconnoissance on "Rocky Face," the regiment, with other troops of the brigade, returned to bivouac near the entrance to the gorge. About 11 o'clock that night, Col. Mitchell called . on Col. VanTassell for a small party to make the effort to destroy the dam. Col. VanTassell called on Company A, with the result that Sergt. Winters was selected, and he chose as his companions in the expedition, Garwick, Coryell and John Crich- ton. Col. Mitchell and Col. VanTassell accompanied them to the skirmish line and gave them instructions what to say in case of capture. (See Appendix and Col. VanTassell's report, Sept. 8th, 1864.)
The roth and rith were passed in bivouac in the position taken on the 9th. Gen. McPherson, having on that day moved
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with his command to the right, passing through Snake Creek Gap, took position across the railroad in the rear of Johnston's army, above and near Resaca, but finding the enemy, as he thought, in too great force for him to meet alone, he withdrew about three miles to the mouth of Snake Creek Gap, and forti- fied there.
On the 12th, the Fourteenth Corps moved out, following the course of McPherson's command, marching until two o'clock in the night. The following morning we moved out through the gap into comparatively level but heavily wooded country, and were delayed for some time, apparently waiting for orders while held in ranks. During this time, Gen. Kilpatrick was brought in an ambulance from the front, wounded, his horse also being
wounded. Gen. Hooker, at the head of his column, came to our line, on the right flank of it, and inquired of Col. VanTassell what troops were in his front. He presented a fine figure, mounted on a thoroughbred, with fine trappings, and was him -- self in full uniform, his ruddy countenance well set off by the snow-white hair and mustache. About three o'clock in the after- noon, the brigade "piled knapsacks" and marched in a north- easterly direction towards Resaca, passing McPherson's rifle- pits, and halted for the night in the woods.
On the 14th, we were in line early in the morning and marched in an erratic manner, which was probably maneuver- ing, but it seemed to be a useless waste of energy and time, for there was a severe battle being fought in our front. The uproar was steady and heavy, artillery doing its full share in the general chorus. A great many wounded men passed by us, going to the rear, and our advance was steadily pushed until, about two o'clock, a portion of the brigade, including the Thirty-Fourth, was formed in line of battle and moved forward through the thick underbrush. The One Hundred and Eighth Ohio was on the right and the Thirty-Fourth Illinois next.
Arriving at the top of a high hill, about two o'clock, we had, through the thick brush, an occasional glimpse for a moment of a line of rifle-pits, eighty rods distant and directly in our front, but no enemy was visible. We did not halt, but kept in fairly
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good order and moved down the hill into an open field near the foot of the hill. As soon as our lines were fairly developed in the open, two or three guns of the enemy opened on us at very short range. A shell exploded in the tenth company of the One Hundred and Eighth Ohio, killing and wounding eleven men. The lines made a rush to the cover of a dry creek bed, a little farther to the front, and obtained such protection as could be found, at distances varying from 600 to 1, 000 feet from the forti- fications of the enemy.
Our battery was brought into position on the hill just in our rear, and opened fire, which was returned vigorously, The men in the ditch could see the Confederate gunners when they "stood by" to serve the guns, and their skill in action was more admired than the compliments sent our way. For some reason our battery went out of action in a few minutes, but the Johnnies found targets in their front and persisted in practice, although we had become convinced that they were experts, and would gladly have excused them for the rest of the day. A steady fire was kept up from our lines, which was moderately answered by musketry and an occasional shot from the artillery. We had not been in position many minutes before the fact developed that troops had been thrown into the same position in the morn- ing, and an attempt to take the enemy's works had been disas- trously defeated. The advance had been pushed farther to the front than our lines now were, but the withdrawal must have been made in a good deal of confusion. Many men, most of whom were wounded, were lying concealed in the high grass and weeds, and behind logs or any available protection, between our lines and the rifle-pits of the enemy. Some of them crept back to our lines while the firing continued and others remained concealed until after dark before coming in.
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