USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 33
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Private Luther L. Hiatt, Company F, the pre- scription clerk in the regimental hospital, a most exemplary young soldier, and a veritable musician, frequently furnished a guitar accompaniment to the violins and fifes, the whole making up an excellent combination, fully deserving the title of the "105th Illinois String Band."
The old 105th owes much of its character and
popularity, as a whole, to the rare musical power of those above indicated.
Under the able management of Colonel Dustin, the regiment rapidly attained to a degree of effic- iency in drill and discipline. In the manual of arms the 105th already began to excel, and in the drill grounds the men were readily wielded in the school of battalion. The colonel early taught the rules of health in his advisory speeches to the regi- ment, and fully set forth the duty and great ad- vantages of education in all things pertaining to the service. Few regiments perhaps were organized with such entire unanimity of feeling as existed in the 105th, and that continued to prevail from this time to the end of the war.
About the time the regiment returned to Galla- tin from the Tunnel, Surgeon Potter was detailed to act as brigade surgeon, First Assistant Surgeon Waterman shortly afterward taking his place in the regiment as acting chief surgeon.
While at Gallatin and the Tunnel the following additional changes occurred among commissioned officers.
Captain Alexander L. Warner, Company C, of Sycamore, resigned February 17, 1863, First Lieutenant George W. Field, Sycamore, succeed- ing as captain. Captain Field afterward resigned July 11, 1863, First Lieutenant Charles G. Cul- ver, of Company H, being promoted to the cap- taincy of Company C. Captain Thomas S. Terry, Company E. of Shabbona, resigned March 16, First Lieutenant Marvin V. Allen, Shabbona, suc- ceeding as captain. Second Lieutenant Porter Warner, Company F. York, DuPage, resigned April 17, First Sergeant Wm. M. Tirtlot sue- ceeding as Second Lientenant.
On the 9th of April. 1863, while acting as Pro- vost guard. Private Isaac Elsie, Company C, Cap- tain A. C. Graves, was accidentally shot dead by a pistol in the hands of a comrade. This was one of the saddest occurrences that happened to the provost guards at Gallatin.
The regiment was paid off about the middle of April, at which time the boys were ready to fully appreciate those fine greenbacks, having not so favorable an opportunity of passing old pain-killer labels and postage stamps as at Scottsville.
Captain J. S. Forsythe, Company H, added a Mr. Samuel Taylor, citizen of Summer county, Tenn., to his gallant family of boys, being prob-
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ably the only regular enlistment in the regiment "from a quarter least expected" during its cam- paigning in the enemy's country.
Colored inhabitants in the country about Galla- tin-then called "contrabands" by the soldiers, came in daily to the Post. many of whom were em- ployed in the hospitals, and on the streets and alleys, cleansing the town. Colonel B. J. Sweet, commanding at Fort Thomas, near the railway depot, employed a number at the fort ; and when too many accumulated they were shipped to the front and set to work there.
There were periods of gloom among the people generally while the brigade was lying at Galla- tin. the military situation East and West being unsatisfactory. and reported dissatisfaction in the North gave rise to the painful reflection that a "fire in the rear" was about to be threatened. But to fighting men the prospect had no terrors, as they were anxious to finish disloyalty in front or rear. never counting the cost. It was this >pirit. gaining ascendancy among the troops of the West, which finally manifested itself in the bold move- ment that resulted, together with the master strokes in the East, in the complete triumph of the national arms. Notwithstanding the dark times, more or less intensified since the starting out of the 105th in 1862, the spirit of the troops. although depressed. nover despaired, and the first of May. 1863. brought new victories East and West, when depression gave way to revivifying hope. This was the beginning of the end.
Among the happiest of mortals were the poor, humble "contrabands." Apparently oblivious to the effects which made the heart of the soldier sad. they enjoyed their sports, their dances, their out- door gambols. They rejoiced in perpetual youth : neither looking forward nor backward. but living in the hour-ready for any fate. Verily. the very eloquence of life abode in the bosom of the blacks.
The garrison at Gallatin was subject to alarms from John Morgan's raiders, occasionally, when the army wagons would be quickly interlocked in the streets, forming a barrieade. But John never came near enough to see these formidable obstruc- tions. An offended Tennessee portess. and a hater of the Provost Marshal-Major Scarritt, really a wonderfully austere man-made the following al- lusion to these alarms. in a parody on "Maryland, My Maryland":
"The Yankees they get scared at night, Blockade the streets with all their might :
Would'st know the cause-old S-t's tight. Gallatin ! My Gallatin."
On the 1st of June. 1863. the regiment and brigade were transferred from Gallatin to La- vergne, by railroad. to a point about twenty miles southeast of Nashville, on the Nashville and Chat- tanooga Railroad. Here the regiment was en- gaged in guarding and drilling. Early one dark morning the camp was alarmed, and the 105th sprang to their guns at the call of Colonel Dustin, whose voice sounded out clearly through the dark- ness. "One hundred and fifth! fall in! quick !" But the alarm proved false, and the troops were ordered to their quarters.
Some tedious drill exercises were gone through with here daily, closing in the evening with dress parade.
The regiment. after stopping at Lavergne one month, was ordered to Murfreesboro, but returned to Lavergne the last of July, and from thence to the city of Nashville, on the 19th day of August, relieving a brigade of troops under command of General Morgan. Here the 105th was placed in charge of Fort Negley, being quartered inside the works. The regiment was on constant duty here until its final departure from Nashville, guarding the city and Fort Negley, and being under a sys- tem of daily drill.
Destined to remain at Nashville about six months (arriving there. as above stated, August 19. 1863, and remaining until February 24, 1864,) the regiment had time to perfect iself in drill. and make many acquaintances in the city. It was its good fortune to exchange the inferior Austrian musket. with which it had been armed. for the Springfield rifled musket. a nicer and more sery- iceable weapon.
The brigade was attached to the Eleventh Army Corps. Major-General O. O. Howard, command- ing, while at Nashville.
Many officers and men were detailed from the regiment for special duty. Major Dutton was de- tailed by order from Washington, on the Board to examine applicants for positions as officers in colored regiments, remaining on that Board from October or November, 1863. until the opening of the Atlanta Campaign, May. 1864. As an evi- dence that the 105th were well drilled, some thirty-
CAPT. R. A. SMITH.
SERG. DEXTER WESSON.
CAPT. H. C. WHITTEMORE.
A. S. KINSLOE.
JOHN BECKER.
E. P. SAFFORD.
JOHN CULVER.
REV. N. W. HERMANS.
ELIJAH CURTIS.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTUR, LENOX HILDEN FOUNDATIONS. -
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
three of its members passed a satisfactory exam- ination, and most of them were commissioned and did good service as officers in colored regiments.
Lieutenant-Colonel Vallette was detailed on court-martial for some time: also Captain A. C. Graves, Company D, and Captain John B. Nash, Company G. Captain S. F. Daniels had previous- ly been detailed as Acting Commissary of Subsist- ence at brigade headquarters. Acting Surgeon A. Waterman was detailed in a small-pox hospital.
Many enlisted men were detailed as clerks at the different headquarters in the department, fill- ing important places.
The following changes occurred among commis- sioned officers: First Lieutenant Henry B. Ma- son, of Sycamore, Co. C, resigned September 6, 1863, Second Lieutenant John W. Burst, of Franklin, succeeding as First Lieutenant. Sec- ond Lieutenant Hiram S. Harrington, of Frank- lin, Co. G, resigned August 2, 1863, while the regiment was stationed at Lavergne, and died soon after his return home, Sergeant James S. Has- burgh being brevetted Second Lientenant June tatlı.
While at Nashville the regiment was numerous- ly visited by its friends from the north, several of the officers' wives, and the wives of some of the enlisted men being among the guests of the regi- meni. While visiting at this point in company with her mother, a little daughter of Chief Sur- geon (Acting Brigade Surgeon) H. S. Potter, died. Colonel Dustin and staff, the line officers and many soldiers of the 105th, together with a regular escort, attended the funeral, accompanying the remains to the cemetery and depositing them in a vault. She was a child of some twelve sun- mers, of almost angelic brightness, the pride of a father's and mother's heart. Said she. shortly before the moment of dissolution: "If I die will I see anybody?" to which question the hearts of those around her intuitively answered "yes." The attendant circumstances; the time, place, man- ner of services, interment ; the character of the mourners and sympathizers-all together made the occasion one of peculiar interest, and long to be remembered for its intensified sadness. How much is wrapped up in the human heart may be estimated by those who participated in the solemn- ities of that occasion, and through their sympa- thetic relations with the near bereaved were made
to feel the uses of adversity. Perhaps the recol- lection of similar bereavements, more directly con- cerning themselves, gave a finer point to the pains of the heart.
Among the sober experiences in the military school at Nashville was that of brigade drill. The evolutions of a brigade are similar in detail to those of a battalion, a much larger plat of ground being required in the execution of the movements of the former. In these movements General Ward's brigade presented a scene of considerable activity and interest, on the flats in the southeast- ern suburbs of the city. It was a pleasure, often- times, for the regiments to drill together ; to re- ceive instruction with each other from the same teacher, and perfect themselves by united prac- tice. Never were men more agreeably associated in any cause.
General Ward to us presented the appearance of a rather short and chubby Kentuckian of fifty years, quite unprepossessing, yet it appears not without some qualifications that made him popu- lar and respected throughout his command. As a speaker he made up for the lack in looks by his singular suavity and eloquence; and it is said he displayed fine sensibilities in the care of his com- mand. Many of the boys of the brigade declared that the general was an old granny; but he was generally called "Old Pap Ward," or "Pappy Ward." To many he was a grim-looking old Gen- eral.
At a general meeting in the capitol at Nash- ville, largely attended by citizens and soldiers, on the night of the 8th of January, in honor of the battle of New Orleans, Governor Andrew John- son, Colonel Dustin and others, made appropriate speeches. The gentlemen named were the princi- pal speakers; their eloquent consideration of the gallant repulse of the British by the Americans under General Jackson, supplemented by patriotic stirring up the hearts of the people to a sense of the importance of preserving our national life. Expressive resolutions were adopted.
A distressing occurrence on the night of the 14th of February sent a thrill of excitement through the camp on the following morning as it awoke to a knowledge of the shocking details. Sergeant Taylor, of Company E. Captain M. V Allen, commander, had been found in the railroad
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cut, dead, appearances indicating that he was the victim of a most fonl murder.
On the 23d of February, 1864, orders were re- ceived at regimental headquarters to be ready to march the following morning. So, at four o'clock the regiment arose at the sound of drums and fifes, took a last breakfast at its pleasant old eamp at Fort Negley, bade farewell to Nashville at eight o'clock, and with General Ward at the head of the brigade and Colonel Dustin at the head of the regiment. the march for Wauhatchie Valley was commenced. the column moving out of town on the Murfreesboro pike. The following is a brief diary account of the march :
February 24th .- Moved about ten miles, the weather being pleasant, marching agreeable. Turned into camp about three o'clock, afternoon. Boys had lively time catching rabbits. The nu- merous camp fires of the brigade made a cheering evening sight.
25th .- Started at early dawn. Arrived at Stewart's Creek, where part of the 102d regiment, of the brigade, was stationed. Camped here at one o'clock. marching about ten miles.
26th .- Arrived at Murfreesboro at twelve o'clock-eamped.
27 th .- Moved about thirteen miles, camping at one o'clock afternoon. After the tents were pitched, Private O. Whitlock. Company F. while resting before the tire at regimental headquarters. by chance espied a sack of coined silver on the sur- face of the ground immediately between his feet. It had been partially worn away from long ex- posure to the elements. leaving the treasure bared to attract the passerby. The lot embraced twenty- five dollars American money. including one spu- rious half-dollar. It was distributed among the officers and men of the regiment.
28th .- Moved about seventeen miles. passing through Shelbyville at noon. and camping five miles beyond at half-past two o'clock. The peo- ple of Shelbyville seemed glad to see the "Yan- kees."
29th .- Moved about fourteen miles, through alternate rain showers, turning into camp near Tullahoma at three o'clock. This day's march was very severe on account of rain, mud and cold. In the evening the rains turned into the consist- eney of sleet, making it very difficult to start fires, the country being bare of fences the soldier's fa-
vorite fuel. Great logs had to be eut, and tree tops used for kindling. and some "comparative freezing" was endured before the camp was made comfortable. The men slept hard, or hardly slept, this night.
March 1st. - Weather wet and cold-march not continued. A portion of the division train stuck in the mud during the storm-considerable suffer- ing-some of the boys sick.
2d .- The march continued at 8 o'clock. Weather clear, roads muddy. Camped near Elk river bridge. after proceeding about nine miles.
3d .- Moved at seven o'clock-weather pleas- ant-roads more passable. Passes through De- chard, on the N. & C. R. R .. turning into camp at foot of Raccoon mountains, beyond Cowan, at two o'clock. afternoon. Distance marched. ten iniles.
4th .- Ascended the mountains, and after pro- ceding several miles on the wrong road, the col- umn was turned and marched down a deep ravine to the right one. Reached Tautalou three o'clock, afternoon. a point on the railroad ninety-four miles from Nashville. Heavy rain fell in the night.
5th .- Owing to the failure of the teams to reach camp last night. consequent on the blunder of starting on the wrong road yesterday. the march was not continued until noon. Distance made. four miles.
6th .- Moved at early dawn. Pleasant weather, good roads. Distance about twelve miles. Ar- rived near Stevenson. Ala .. at two o'clock. Troops received their mail matter.
tth .- Passed through Stevenson, proceeded to a point within sight of Bridgeport. Ala .. and camped. Distance twelve miles, turning in at twelve o'clock.
sth .- Remained in camp.
9th .- Resumed the march at daylight, passing through Bridgeport and across Tennessee river, reaching Shell Mound at noon. Took dinner near the mouth of Nick O'Jack Cave, one of the out- cropping curiosities of nature. The boys briefly explored the interior of the cave entrance. It was found to exceed Lost River Cave at Bowling Green in the spaciousness and grandeur of its passages. During the war the Lafayette Courier gave the following account of the rather thrilling experience of two Indiana soldiers in this eave:
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"While General Joe Reynolds' division was en- camped near Nick O'Jack Cave-about ten miles from Bridgeport, on the Tennessee river-two of the boys of the 72d Indiana regiment who en- tered the cave on a "reconnoitering expedition" lost their way in the mazes of the cavern and were unable to get out. They remained in the cavern two days and nights, and were finally res- cued from a horrible death by means of a brass band playing through the long ventilated cham- bers. The lost men, hearing the music, were en- abled to find their way with some difficulty to their companions. During their wanderings they had stumbled upon the bodies of two men. who were afterwards searched for and brought forth from what had been a living tomb. They proved to be two rebel soldiers in uniform, one wearing that of a lieutenant, the other in a private dress. They appeared to have been dead some time, yet their bodies were in a most complete state of preserva- tion."
10th .- Continued this march at nine o'clock. Weather warm after a night of rain. Roads very rough and hilly, the marching rapid and exhanst- ing. Passed Whiteside Station and Sand Moun -. tain. Distance about sixteen miles, passing through romantic country, arriving in Wanhat- chie Valley and at the end of the tedious march. Major-General O. O. Howard came out and met the brigade.
The next day (March 11th) the regiment was assigned a position on a hill-slope in Lookout Val- ley, near Wanhatchie Station, there to rest and make ready for a grand movement against the Confederate Army under General Joe Johnston.
The march from Nashville to Lookout Valley was accomplished in sixteen days, inclusive of two whole days on which no progress was made. The grounds of the 105th at that point were laid out with nice precision, and the camp tastefully orna- mented with evergreen boughs throughont. The individual members of the regiment visited the lofty heights of Lookout Mountain, from the highest point of which the territory of seven states can be seen. The eye rests upon a landscape to the north embracing the Cumberland Mountain range, stretching from the left of the Valley to the northeast, until its outlines blend with the color of the far horizon ; the waters of the Tennessee next from the foot of Lookout, closely hugging
the great range, winding along for many miles, is finally lost among its spurs; then further east is presented an expanse of diversified scenery, includ- ing Chattanooga city, fields, hills, valleys and woods, the smoke of the distant towns rising above the country at various points. On the whole the view is one of indescribable grandeur.
The brigade-now called the first-had been transferred to the 11th A. C., under General How- ard, as before stated, and was reviewed in the val- ley by Generals Howard and Hooker on the 19th of March.
On the 22d of March a rare effect in the shape of a snow storm was produced by nature's untiring forces. Commencing in the night the fall of snow continued until noon of the following day, cover- ing the ground to the depth of one foot. For the time and place this was something extraordinary. Sometimes the weather was quite cold, at others disagreeable.
Adjutant David D. Chandler, one of the most energetic and best looking in the Eleventh Corps, having been on duty constantly, here received the favor of a detail for the purpose of repairing to the north to secure instruments for the Brigade Band. He performed the duty, not failing to re- turn to the regiment in time to enter on the At- lanta campaign. In every battle and under the harrassing daily skirmish fire of the opposing forces, during that campaign, this officer proved himself to be one of the best to endure and to dare. Second Lieutenant A. H. Fisher, of Company 1, Captain J. O. Locke, filled the adjutant's office until the return of the adjutant, on the 1st of May.
One of the thrilling incidents connected with the camp in the valley was that of a large forest tree blowing down during the prevalence of high winds in the evening of March 28th. The tree fell across several of the tents of Companies D) and I, crushing them to the ground. Beyond the smashing of a few simple articles of furniture, no further damage was done, as fortunately, for the moment, the tents were unoccupied.
While in the valley drill duty, inspection and reviewing was the order of the day. On the 13th of April the regiment was visited by Major-Gen- eral Joe Hooker, and during the night Colonel Dustin and the regiment were serenaded by the 79th Ohio regimental band. Major-General
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George H. Thomas reviewed the brigade the fol- lowing day.
About the middle of April the military desig- nation was changed, and from that time until the close of the war the command was known as the First Brigade. Third Division, Twentieth Army Corps, then under General Hooker. On the 18th of April Major-General George Il. Thomas, com- mander. Army of the Cumberland. embracing Hooker's corps, honored the camp of the 105th with his presence. The regiment participated for the first time in division drill on the 21st.
On the 22d the band of the 33d Massachu- setts regiment of the division. very friendly to the 105th. paid the camp at visit and treated it to some excellent music. The 105th officers visited the 33d on the 26th of April.
Among the officers sick or disabled at this point were Colonel Dustin, Acting Brigade Surgeon Potter, Captain T. S. Rogers, Company B, and Captain S. F. Daniels, Company F. the latter hav- ing accidentally broken his leg below the knee while engaged in a game of ball. The captain, although anxious to enter with his company on the approaching campaign. was prevented from doing so in consequence of the severity of his wound. Ile was sent to Camp Dennison at Columbus, Ohio. where, as soon as his condition would allow, he was detailed for duty as post commissary, we be- lieve, remaining at Columbus during the balance of his term of service.
While in camp at Wanhatchie, or soon after. the following additional changes occurred among com- missioned officers :
First Lieutenant William H. Jeffers, Company D. Downer's Grove, resigned May 5th, 1864. Sec- ond Lieutenant Luther L. Peaslee, Naperville. succeeding as first lieutenant. Lieutenant Jeffers resigned in order to take a position as major in a colored regiment.
Second Lieutenant John H. Swift, Company D. resigned March 16th, Sergeant Jacob Ostrander, of Paw Paw, being breveted as second lieutenant, June :, 1865.
First Lieutenant Samuel Adams, Company F. Wayne. DuPage, resigned April 13th. Second Lientenant William M. Tirtlot. Milton. succeed- ing as first lieutenant.
Captain John B. Nash, Company G, Franklin, resigned July 16, 1864. First Lieutenant John
M. Smith, Burlington, was promoted captain but not mustered.
On the 25th of April the colonel received or ders to prepare for active service in the field.
The regiment and brigade again participated in division drill, near General Hooker's head- quarters. April 28th, going through the motions of a battle, firing blank cartridges.
Receiving marching orders on the 1st, and on the 2d of May, 1864, the march for the immedi- ate front commenced. Here was the opening of one of the boldest and most remarkable campaigns ever engaged in by any army, and whose end re- sulted in the complete, great, glorious triumph of the national arms.
Some of the Confederates are reported as after- ward declaring that "Old Sherman ascended Point Lookout and gave the command, attention-cro- ation ! by kingdoms right wheel-march !" And then it was reported that after General Johnston had followed his retreating policy, during the cam- paign, the Confederates declared "that their army was commanded by .Old Billy Sherman.' that ther invariably moved when Sherman gave the com- mand, and Johnston only superintended the do- tails of the movement."
As indicated above, the regiment and brigade broke camp and commenced the march at six o'clock in the morning, moving around Point Look- ont, passing Chattanooga, through Rossville. over the Chickamauga battle-ground, camp- ing near Lee's and Gordon's Mills-distant from the camp at Wauhatchie about nineteen miles.
On the 3d of May the entire regiment was de- tailed for picket duty. the command remaining at this point until the following morning, when the march was resumed: proceeding about twelve miles, camped near Ringgold, Ga., within a few miles of rebel pickets. Remained in camp on 5th. On the 6th marched a number of miles. camping near where the rebels captured and mur- dered a number of national pickets belonging to the 92d Illinois regiment.
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