USA > Illinois > Military history and reminiscences of the Thirteenth regiment of Illinois volunteer infantry in the civil war in the United States,1861-65, pt 2 > Part 27
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"It may not prove uninteresting to our comrades here assembled many of whom saw service amid far-away scenes, to listen to a brief history of Comrade Blair's regiment, and as he was one who always was on hand to do his full duty, the regiment's history is in a measure his history."
HISTORY NOT NECESSARY HERE.
"Comrade Blair joined the Grand Ariny of the Republic by muster into Geo. H. Thomas Post, February 29, 1864. The same modesty and quiet steadfastness to duty that characterized him as a soldier, marked his life among us as a comrade. With him the guiding principles of our Order, ' Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty,' were no unmeaning words; but principles to be upheld at all times and places. The resolutions you have this evening adopted express more eloquently your sense of bereavement than any words of mine could do.
"Comrade, farewell ! The swiftly passing days are bring- ing us nearer to the hour when we too shall have left these scenes and rejoined you, at the assembling of the 'Grand Army ' above.
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HISTORY OF THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT
"The text chosen by the preacher at Comrade Blair's funeral contains for us suggestions and admonitions, 'There- fore, be ye also ready.'
"In addition to the above prepared by Adjutant Miller, the following eloquent letter from a fellow soldier of the grand old Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, Geo. G. Knox, Esq, was read and incorporated with the Memorial Services :
"DEAR COMRADES: I have just heard of the death of Thos. M. Blair, once a member of Company D, Thirteenth Illinois Volunteers and a member of your Post. Having carried a musket in the same company with him, I want to add my testimony to his worth as a gallant soldier and a trusty friend. How vividly can I recall Tom Blair to-day as I look back twenty-five years. There he stands in the front rank, near the right of the company, neat in his dress, arms in perfect order, always ready for 'inspection,' a determined look on his face, only a boy in those days, but every inch a soldier.
" How well I can remember him as he appeared when 'on duty.'
"The stern look in his face, never a smile, his whole mind bent on a strict obedience to orders. "Tom's Beat" was kown as a bad road to bring in captured chickens at night.
"Then how many of the old company, could they speak to you to- night, would tell you of his big loving heart, tender as a woman's ; if a man was sick 'Tom' was the first to comfort him, if his bed was hard, Tom's blanket was always ready to make it softer, and his cheerful words and smiling face seemed to do more good than the "blue mass" and "quinine " of the surgeon. I have often seen him on the long hard marches insist on taking the musket from the shoulder of some tired comrade to lighten his load, and he would always divide his ra - tions with a hungry man, and his canteen always had water for a thirsty one. These may seem little things to recall of a comrade who has gone ; but to men who have been in the army they mean a good deal. It re- quires more than mere bravery to be a soldier. Tom Blair was brave- I have heard a man after a battle, in speaking of him, say : 'He is a whole brigade in a fight.' He has that cool courage that gave con fidence to all those about him. He was a general in a private's uniform.
" I have never seen him but once since the war, when he hunted me up here in Chicago ; the hearty shake of the hand, and the ‘God bless you Comrade,' showed me that he had the same loving heart ; and during the hour that we talked over the old army life, his voice would tremble, and his eyes would fill with tears, as he would recall the names of those
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الصرورة
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ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
who had fallen on the field of battle. And now he has gone to join them. What better epitaph can we write over his grave than this :
"A brave soldier, a loving friend, honorably discharged.
" May we all meet him at the great " 'Muster' " on the other side.'' " Yours, " GEO. G. KNOX, " Late 13th Ill. Vol. In'ty.
" CHICAGO, ILL., July 9th, ISS6."
THE GRAND STRATEGY OF COMPANY Q, IN CAPTURING THE PIG.
BY ASA B. MUNN.
That element in any military force in the field, which has been designated as Company Q is not necessarily composed of the bummer element, as has been generally supposed, by a great many who know nothing by experience of army life, it is generally composed of some of the bravest and best soldiers in the army ; it really means nothing worse than that the average Company Q man, when not on duty, laughs at the idea of being forced to stay in camp because there is a guard stationed around it, or, if he is not a prohibitionist, of filling his canteen with ditch-water when there is something of a deeper color, and richer flavor in the commissary department.
He does not think that a Union soidier should be forced to eat salt-side pork all the time when there is a fine pig on a neighboring plantation, whose proprietor and two sons are in the rebel army.
He can't bear to hear a rebel rooster crow in the morning before the reveille, and will, doubtless, take measures to abate the nuisance.
The most unprotected women and children have nothing to fear of abuse, personal indignity, or insult, from a member of Company Q, for, at heart, he is a gentleman. He is even æsthetic in his tastes ; can be profoundly moved by the con
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لعلة"
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HISTORY OF THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT
' cord of sweet sounds ; has an artistic appreciation of a beautiful landscape, and has an open soul for the storage of all that is rich in tone, tint, or perfume of flowers, and all beautiful things.
On a delicious Indian-summer afternoon, when the lan- guorous atmosphere was only disturbed by the droning hum of bees, and all nature was peaceful enough to convert the most pessimistic grumbler into cheerfulness, Company Q, of the Thirteenth Illinois started out for
ADVENTURE, OR PERADVENTURE
forage. The company consisted of Charley Man, of Company B, George W. Sutherland, or " Curley," as he was usually called, and Ed Vining ; the two latter of Company I, and probably one or two more, but names now forgotten. It was during the march along the Memphis and Charleston railroad, of Sherman's Fifteenth corps, the delay of which caused Gen- eral Grant so much anxiety, as he desired to bring on the battles about Chattanooga before Sherman could possibly reach him.
Company Q had been leisurely traversing a patch of woods where from the gnarled branches of the live-oaks there hung streamers and festoons of the Spanish moss which, gently stirred by the breath of wandering forest-winds, looked so uncanny and weird as to suggest the long flowing beards of Druid priests while officiating at the sacrificial altar in the sacred groves of ancient Britain, when they came out to a clearing wliere was a small plantation. There was a log house, evidently the master's house, with a gallery in front, a half dozen smaller cabins or quarters, an old negro was follow- ing a most primitive plow, drawn by a brindle mule whose harness was made of corn-shucks. Negro, mule, plow and harness intimately related to one another according to the eternal fitness of things. A noble magnolia shaded a spring- house, which would naturally suggest to Company Q, possi- bly sweet-milk, but certainly bonny-clabber, which was equally welcome to the boys.
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ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
A crape-myrtle stood by a side-window, blossomless now, but its polished bark suggestive of the delicate beauty of its fringe-like pink blossoms of an earlier part of the season. Two venerable looking China-trees flanked the gap in the Virginia fence which answered the purpose of a gate, covered with clusters of berries, whose fermented juice intoxicated the rob- ins who daily got drunk on them and were easily captured by hand.
Company Q had taken in all the details of this quietly beautiful scene much sooner than it takes to write it, when, all at once,
SHOUTS AND SQUEALS RENT THE AIR,
and what was the astonishment of our heroes, to see a large squad of some new Iowa troops chasing a fine shoat up to the open space in front of the house, and trying to capture it. A slatternly woman in a sun-bonnet, which was neither an orna- ment nor a detriment to her beauty, rushed to the gallery and strode up and down, vociferating and chewing her snuff-swab alternately, where she was soon joined by a couple of young girls, so frouzy as to easily indicate their parentage ; besides nearly a dozen young negroes from the quarters, while the yelps of a yellow dog added variety to the scene.
Company Q, took in the situation at a glance and double- quicked across an intervening corn-field to the field of glory. The new troops were closing on the pig, in line, while
COMPANY Q WAS ADVANCING IN COLUMN,
Charley Man in the advance, "Curley" in the center, and Ed Vining as a convenient reserve, and all in easy supporting distance of each other. This peculiar disposition of their force, moving on to a field of battle in column, instead of in line, Company Q has never explained ; but its leaders, when interrogated on the subject, would only grunt out something to the effect that these tactics had their advantages. Rail- fences, unfortunately for the pig, outflanked him on both
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. HISTORY OF THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT
right and left, and he was skirmishing for position when Company Q threatened his rear. Already, in imagination, the new troops were reveling in bright visions of ham, tender- loin, liver, sausage, souse, and pig's-feet ; but the pig's strat- egic feat might possibly prevent their securing the edible pig's-feet.
Although not well drilled, the new troops could just make out to rally-by-fours, but the pig could rally on-all-fours ; and then deploy to the right or left as the emergency demanded The pig came near making a fatal movement in attempting to form square in order to prevent a bayonet charge, but which, fortunately, the new troops did not observe before the pig de- ployed with such celerity that the new troops declared that there was considerable more than one pig. The pig far ex- celled the new troops in "grand strategy," but Company Q far excelled the pig.
The two rival forces were now gradually closing on the pig, who was obliged to maneuver for time. The pig's entire body was now fairly bristling
WITH SCORN AND CONTEMPT FOR THE YANKS,
and his case seemed desperate indeed, as he stood sullenly fac- ing the new troops ; and while he could perceive no chance to save his bacon, he seemed determined to die game ; and coolly and deliberately moved by the right of companies to the rear, into column, and halted just a little in front of Charley Mann, who was at the head of Company Q's column, and with des- perate calmness, he stood for a moment as if dazed, or as if act- uated by some lofty sentiment or high moral purpose. There was a wicked gleam in his eye, and Charley Mann also ob- served that there were two curls in his tail where only one had been before this, Charley Mann took to mean swift and imme- diate mischief ; and, throwing down his gun, he braced him- self with his legs wide apart as if he had concluded to grab the pig if he should come on.
"Curley " saw that the critical moment had come ;
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ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
dropping on his left knee and at the same time calling to Charley Man to stand still a minute, he took a quick sight and fired directly between Charley Mann's legs and killed the pig.
One can hardly tell which most to be astonished at, the audacious and dangerous strategy of Company Q, the monu- mental stupidity of the new troops, or
THE ESPRIT DU CORPS OF THE PIG.
The new troops were astonished and amazed ; but Com- pany Q did not seem to regard it as anything out of the com- mon run of foraging experience. They immediately advanced and gathered up the pig and serenely left the field.
Charley Mann stoutly maintains to this day, that this was the nearest he ever came to being shot.
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CONFUSED REBELS.
In the fall of 1861, while the Thirteenth was lying in temporary camp, near Rolla, Missouri, having crossed the Gasconade river, Comrades James Keat, Valentine Cortz, Ed. Barnard, Patsey Ward, and myself went out foraging and to see what we could learn of the enemy. We got several miles from camp, when night came on and we lost our way. Searching for shelter for the night we found a deserted log cabin, which we gladly occupied. I had an earth floor, and old fashioned fire-place, with puncheons loosely laid over head, with a square hole in one corner and a ladder leading to the attic. There was also a hole about three by six feet left in the puncheons directly in front and over the fire places, the puncheon projecting beyond the joists quite a distance.
We made a temporary fire boiled our coffee, and ate our scanty supply of hard tack, and with still unsatisfied stomachs we turned in, for the night, having first placed a guard outside to warn us of approaching danger. After having been asleep
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HISTORY OF THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT
some time we were suddenly aroused by our guard, and noti- fied of the approach of horsemen, and we all took to the attic, with our arms and accontrements, pulling the ladder up after us, thinking it best to use caution until we had ascertained whether the coming party were friends or enemies. Riding up to the door, they entered, and, from their conversation, we learned that they were bushwhackers and hunting for " Yanks" and consequently no friends of "we ' uns," and as there were some eight or ten of them we kept as still as our beating hearts and rapid breathing would allow ; our respira- tions seeming to our excited imaginations like the laboring of an engine, while the seconds were minutes and the minutes hours as we were held captives by the unwitting enemy below.
After they had placed two of their number as guards and to hold their horses at the door, they began preparing rations, and soon the broiling ham and the baking corn pones were calling loudly to our yearning appetites. We were lying side by side on the broad puncheons, flat on our stomachs, scarcely breathing for fear the enemy would hear us. Patsey Ward commonly called "Sandy," a well-known character in the regiment and noted for his Irish wit and ready resources, was lying beside me. Suddenly he whispered to me, "Ralph, be Jasus, I shmell pertaties." I said, "Hush ! keep quiet or we will be murdered, every last one us." The enticing odor of the baking potatoes, however, was too much for Sandy, and so creeping forward on the puncheon toward the opening in front of the fire-place he craned his neck and peered over to see what was going on below. I tried to keep the rascal back, but he persisted in looking over, until without warning the puncheon tipped and Sandy with his bristling red hair and yelling at the top of his voice was precipitated among the astonished intruders beneath. While Sandy had not the re- motest intention of joining the party below in this unceremo- nious manner, yet his mother wit came to him in time to turn what might have been defeat into victory, and he cried at the top of his voice, "Come on byes, bedad ! we've got ' em." and at the same time each one of us yelling loud enough for
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ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
fifty men, hastened to Sandy's assistance. The demoralized bushwhackers evidently thought that attic was alive with "Yanks," and crowding for the door they mounted their horses and struck out for tall timber, leaving behind some of their arms, hams, corn pones, together with the aforesaid "pertaties" which had been so enticing to Pat's olfactories, and the unconscious cause of this exciting episode. The in- ventory of the " traps" left in our possession included three squirrel rifles, two flint lock horse pistols, two "Arkansaw tooth picks," one butcher knife, one ham and a half, half a side of bacon, together with the corn pones and potatoes. You may rest assured there was no more sleep that niglit, but we all stood guard, and while regaling ourselves over the savory viands left by the enemy, we had the satisfaction of knowing that our terror at the arrival of the bushwhackers was fully equalled by their own at the sudden advent of the red headed angel from above.
At the approach of daylight we wended our way to camp. which was much farther than we had imagined, and were welcomed by our comrades, having learned the valuable les- son that ready wit and a bold front will often win the day, although the odds may be against us.
Zachariah D. Mathuss, correct address.
WE'VE DRANK FROM THE SAME CANTEEN.
There are bands of all sorts in this world of ours, Fetters of friendship and ties of flowers,
And true lovers' knots I ween ; The girl and the boy are bound by a kiss,
But there's never a bond, old friend, like this, We have drank from the same canteen.
CHORUS :
We've drank from the same canteen,
But there's never a bond, old friend, like this-
We have drank from the same canteen.
5
الحر
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HISTORY OF THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT
It was sometimes water, and sometimes milk, And sometimes apple-jack, fine as silk, But whatever the tipple has been, We shared it together in bane or bliss, And I warm to you, friend, when I think of this- We have drank from the same canteen ! Chorus.
The rich and the great sit down to dine, And they quaff to each other in sparkling wine, From glasses of crystal and green ; But I guess in their golden potations they miss The warmth of regard to be found in this- We have drank from the same canteen. Chorus.
We have shared our blankets and tents together, And have marched and fought in all kinds of weather, And hungry and full we have been ;
Had days of battle and days of rest,
But this memory I cling to and love the best, We have drank from the same canteen. Chorus.
For when wounded I lay on the outer slope,
With my blood flowing fast, and with but little to hope, Upon which my faint spirit could lean ; Oh then I remember you crawled to my side, And, bleeding so fast, it seemed both must have died, We drank from the same canteen.
CHORUS :
We've drank from the same canteen,
But there's never a bond, old friend, like this- We have drank from the same canteen.
F8349,125
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