USA > Illinois > Reunion of the 86th Regiment Illinois Infantry, 1889 > Part 6
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EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
sent to the front by our grand Prairie State in defense of the general govern- ment. And if facts will sustain me in this statement, then I might sit down contented and leave the standing of Illinois soldiers, including our own regi- ment, to the future historian, for I say, and that without fear of successful con- tradiction, that while all of the loyal states did nobly and are entitled to last- ing honor for their defense of the union, Illinois was not behind any, but was in the very forefront from first to last, not only with the number of men fur- nished, but with their intelligence, their reliability, an I their unflinching brav- ery." The history of our regiment, as well as the history of all Illinois soldiers, is well known by all onr loyal friends. Our children know it by heart. As a regiment you never disobeyed orders. Whether it was to get up at 3 o'clock in the morning to stand in the trenches, or to go on the march, or to make a ter- rible charge, you were always there. It is true you did at times organize into small foraging squads of one or two: make raids, on a sinall scale, into sweet potato patches, upon poultry and live stock, but you did it from the purest mo- tives of satisfying an empty stomach and a craving and longing appetite for fresh meat. You did all these things upon the principle that rebel property is liable and ought to be confiscated: besides to impoverish the enemy in every way possible, in time of war, is a legitimate mode of warfare and is the most effectual way to conquer him. Gen. Sherman and the government approved of it; in the last year of the war adopted this very method on a very large scale on our march from Atlanta to the sea. At the very first battle of Perryville, Oct. S, 1862, only one month from the time we left this city, the first shot . was fired by the Eighty sixth from the picket line at early dawn, and almost before the sun had reached the horizon we had stormed and driven a large force of the enemy from an important position. Every battle in which we participated, from the first one at Perryville, Ky., to the last one at Bentonville, N. C .- six- teen in all-has long since passed upon the pages of history. It is with pride and great pleasure I call to memory the fact that in every one of these sixteen battles we were victorious. Our battle flag, together with our regi- mental banner, two glorious emblems of liberty auf union, tattered anl torn are now the property of the government andl in safe keeping in Memorial hall, Springfield. Long years after every one of us have gone to that bourne from whence no traveler ever returns, those grand stands of colors will remind pos- terity how we followed that flag through mud and mire, over hill and dale, through shot and shell. Our children will tell the story of the 6,000 miles we marched through the sunny south, with firm and unwavering steps standing by our colors. Alas! how many of our comrades have fallan by the way- side, have given their lives and their blood to maintain the honor of the dear old flag; the small number present tells the story. As the years of our free nation roll on, the millions of men and women vet unborn will continue to laud and praise the valor and bravery of the heroes who fought and won the battles of IS61 to 1$65. Just as we do now call to memory the heroism of our revolu- tionary fathers who fought and won the battles for Independence more than a century ago. Poets will sing of the heroes in the war against secession. Ora- tors will rise up and on every national anniversary speak with greater elo-
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quence of the brave sons who sacrificed their lives upon the alter of their coun- try for freedom and a nation's honor. Beautiful flowers will continue to grow and bloom, and as often as memorial days shall come our sons and daughters and in turn their sons and daughters will gather them and strew those fragrant emblems of imortality upor the graves of the brave soldiers who carried the muskets for liberty and union. Comrades, I am very glad of the fact that we were participants in the fiercest struggle for human liberty the world has ever known. I thank God welived to see the end of it. My memory reverts back to the days when the confederacy suddenly collapsed. When Lee surrendered to the armies commanded by Grant: when Johnson did the same to the armies under Sherman; when Jeff Davis, the president of the confederacy, was captured. Upon the whole face of the country a brighter and more glorious aspect sud- denly appeared. A mighty wave of gladness swept over the whole country front Maine to California; from the great lakes on the north to the great gulf on the south, Chimes of bells tolled the nation's hymn "My Country 'tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty;" the church bells sent forth their glad peals of joy, proclaiming peace on earth, good will to men. The shouts of the thous- ands of tde veteran soldiers made the earth tremble-soldiers and citizens were wild with joy. They wept, they sung, they praised Him who gave us the victory over secession. Then came the joyous homeward march. The fear of rebel bullets and the nervous strain of mind and body of approach- ing battles and long and weary campaigns was changed to bright visions of glad and welcoming friends at home.
Comrades and fellow citizens, as we contemplate the great events that transpired from 1860 to 1865, we are forced to the unmistakable conclusion that no nation ever existed whose history is so renowned as the American na- tion; no nation has ever so triumphantly, so gloriously settled such important questions; no nation ever made such rapid progress in civilization and christi- anity. Way back in the musty ages of the past, Rome, at one time, boasted that to be a Roman was to be a king. We can truthfully boast to be an Ameri- can is to be greater than a king. All the greatness of the ancients was over- throwu. The American nation never will be overthrown. Ever since the landing of the Pilgrim fathers it has been demonstrated beyond all doubt, that whatever controversies have or may spring up, have and always will be settled in favor of right. The great Gol of the universe has assuredly endowed the American citizen with a most extraordinary and wonderful nature. One of the most prominent characteristics of the A nerie in is his love of country. Let a ruthless foe attempt the overthrow of his sacred rights and it needs not the edict of king or potentate to march on to war, he flies to arms on his own ac- cord. In the true and strict sense of the word, he is always a volunteer soldier. At all times ready to abandon any pursuit in which he may be engaged and fight for the stars and stripes. Herein lies the superior strength of the Ameri- can nation over all other nations. Every man, woman and child is a patriot, loves the old flag.
Comrades, we want every school house in this broad land of ours to be an intellectual fortress; every college and church a bulwark where our youth shall
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EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
be taught to reverence the old emblem of liberty and frown down any attempt to supersede it by another on any occasion, and from whence they may be sent forth, not only as intelligent citizens, but as citizens loving the whole country more than party politics; righteousness more than wickedness. Over all .of these institutions and school houses we want the star spangled banner to wave its triumphant folds until all he world shall acknowledge the supremacy of the United States of America. To the thousands of aliens who have and con- tinue to come to our shores to enjoy the privileges of the greatest and best country on earth, we would say welcome, but at the same time insist on every one of thent to become true and loyal citizens; to respect the sacred institu- tions purchased by the blood of our fathers and sealed and delivered by the blood of their sons.
I cannot let this opportunity pass without saving a word in regard to what the government is doing for the soldiers in the way of pensions. Let us be thankful for it. The dependent pension bill which is now in operation is good. A service pension, however, would come nearer recognizing what the soldiers actually deserve. It is a candid fact that the government entered into a sol- emn contract with the soldiers, if they would put down the rebellion they should receive $13 per month. Every month's service the soldiers gave to the government was worth $13 in gold as much as money that was loaned the gov- ernment was worth dollar for dollar in gold. Will you listen to what Gen. Butler said at the recent G, A. R. encampment at Boston. He said: "Much is said about the duty of the soldiers to be grateful for the bounteous generosity of the government in the matter of pensions. I deny that the veterans have any such duty. All the veterans asked of the goverment was to keep its con- tract with us, which was that we should be paid in gold, that we were anxious to do what we could to save the country; that we drove no sharp bargains with the government as did the banker and broker. We took no bonds. They did an I had all the war debt of the government paid in gold with interest from the beginning. We were paid in greenbacks, and were obliged to take them or cur wives and children would starve. We didn't want to embarass the gov- ernment while the war went on. All the war debt has been paid in gold ... principal and interest. Now, all we ask is the difference between greenbacks and gold when we were paid our $13 a month, or what the pay was, should be inade to us by the government precisely as they paid the rest of the war debt. according to their sacred contract, the law of which stands on the statute book today, and has never been repealed. My comrades ought to demand and stand together in the demand, not as a political question, but as a question of justice, and that we be paid that which is due us-no more, no less." You will agree with me that on points of law, Gen. Butler is good authority. If the ballots of our countrymen were goverened by the same spirit and enthusiasm that sent the softiers to the front to fight with bullets and bayonets, they would have long since received their just dues.
Led by Lieut. McGinnis "everybody" sang "Marching through Georgia" with vim and enthusiasm.
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1
THIRD REUNION
The Daughter of the Regiment recited "Corporal Bill."
The programme for the forenoon being exhausted, extemporaneous speeches were made by comrade N. S. Haynes, Capt. Hazard of the 137th New York Regt., comrade A. P. Webber, and Lieut. E. C. Silliman. The remarks of the latter were so eloquent and pathetic that a motion carried requesting him to write them for publication, which he did as follows:
LIEUT. E. C. SILLIMAN'S ADDRESS.
Comrades: We have heard incidents related today in the experience of . army life, some of mirth and jollity, some solemn and pathetic. We have heard how we felt at Perryville in our first battle, how hungry we were at Chicamauga, how you could track us in east Tennessee by the blood upon the ground, you have been told of the terrible day at Kenesaw, of Sherman's march to the sea and its many wonderful incidents; you have been told in our splen- did annual address that on sixteen fields our regimental colors were victorious and never hishonored.
Much of this we term unwritten history. Contrades there is much unwrit- ten history. There are battles not upon the record, battles unwritten. Yes, many battles-the battles of the mother and the wife.
Many of us enlisted from the country. During the war you all remember how anxiously we looked for the mail. Yes comrade Weber, comrades Major aud McGinnis you know how your families sent by a neighbor for the mail during those terrible days. Can you picture farmer Burns going to town? All the neighbors along the road sending for the mail. He is coming home-he sees a mother standing at the gate. How anxious the look that inquires "is there any mail for me?" "Yes, a paper." How quickly opened-there has been a battle in the department John is in -- how rapidly she runs down the list of wounded, dead and missing ! Johu's name is not there, "Thank God be is safe !" O, the agony of that prayer. Was it not a terrible battle ?
Farmer Burns drives on, up the road a quarter of a mile he sees a soldier's wife standing in the middle of the road, watching as he turns the corner. She steps back to the gate and waits-yes waits. She asks with palid face, "Is there no mail?" "None !" he answers. God bless you comrades, the battle of that wife -- from the front gate to the front door was a Chickamauga that you and I never saw. The battles of the wife and mother were terrible. There was no skirmishing from noon until night -- one deadly volley, one continuous Eight. And comrades there are some mothers and wives you and I know whose battle is not yet over. During the busy cares of the day they may be only up- on the skirmish line, but, when the quiet shades of night sink around you and i, then as she casts a look at the vacant chair, and in memory looks away toward the south, the battle is on in all its fury.
I remember when the Eighty-sixth came home -- how our friends "greeted us' I also remember wives and mothers anxiously looking along the line, for wie, who would never come ! They knew he was reported dead, yet it seemed Le must come with the rest of the boys. Comrades, you know some of those face today. And their battle has been twenty-eight years long, and will not
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EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
end until they are mustered out, and veteran upon the other shore. Comrades we forget sometimes and leave unwritten the history of grand events -- great battles. Yes, I believe the hardest battles of the war were the battles of the mother aud the wife, and they are unwritten history. God bless the soldier of many battles -- the mother and the wife.
Adjourned for dinner.
AFTERNOON.
Assembly call by the band.
Commander Dawdy called the meeting to order and Col. A. L. Fahnestock responded as follows to
KENNESAW.
Commandes of the Sith Illinois, and dear comrades: I will endeavor to describe the part taken by the eighty-sixth Regiment, in the assault on Kenne- saw, June 27th, 1864. My effort in describing this charge made on the enemies strong works on that day, will not be as interesting as it should be to you, for no man can tell, nor pen describe a charge of Infantry arrayed and armed with the most destructive implements of war; officers with sword anl pistol; the men in line with the musket, bayonet and deadly minnie balls, charging in mass five lines deep, with the Union cheer, "Victory or death." Let us think for a moment, the feelings of a soldier on being notified that the enemies works must be assaulted and taken at the point of the bayonet, and the chances of being killed or wounded. His thoughts are of home and dear friends he will possibly never see again; then he trusts to God and nerves himself for battle like a true American soldier.
Now comrades consult with each other, should anything happen to them, what word to send to father, mother, wife and children, sister, brother or lover. And the awful suspense before a battle. My request to Adjutant L. J. Dawdy was, if anything happened to me, take care of my effects and my old mare Molly, and I would do the same by him.
Premonition -- I will relate a few incidents and give you the narues to show that there is something in the soul of man that foretells approaching danger.
A short time before we made this charge I had business with our Brigade Commander, Col. Daniel McCook. It was a beautiful evening and when I was returning to my quarters he accompanied me part of the way. He said he would soon be killed as it was about the time for him to die I told him not to think of it. There was several of his family killed and I supposed it preyed on his mind, and told him probably that was the reason. No, he said, it is my time now to die. I told him to forget it and all would be well. No, Col., good bye, come and see me again, said he. Shortly after this conversation we made the assault on Kennesaw and he gallantly led the charge on to the rebel works and was mortally wounded and died. We lost a brave officer, a good citizen, a true friend to his country and to his men that served under him.
I will now give you my opinion of the charge on Kenesaw mountain. When we left camp marching out to take position on the hill, a reporter for a New
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THIRD REUNION
.
York paper rode by my side. He said to me, that the ist Brigade of our divi- sion was to charge the rebel works, and our brigade would be on reserve. I told him that was too good to be true, that we generally had the hard work to do. I am satisfied the reporter stated the facts, but think that Col. McCook having implicit confidence in the fighting qualities of his brigade offered to charge and carry the works. The change was made and our brigade was as- signed the post of honor, and the death of our commander, and the brave men under him attest their bravery as they fell and died on and near the enemies work's. The charge on Kennesaw Mountain was made on Monday morning, the 27th day of June, 1864. The sun rose beautiful and clear, to be seen for the last time by many of our brave boys. My orders were, to leave knapsacks and all camp equippage and sick in camp, take nothing but canteens filled with water. This order to a veteran soldier meant ready for battle. We left camp at 7 o'clock in the following order: $5th Ills., commanded by Col. Dillworth. 125th Ills., commanded by Col. Harmon, S6th Ills., by myself. 22nd Ind., by Capt. Snodgrass, 52nd Ohio, by Col. Clancy. We marched but a short distance when Col. McCook's Orderly informed me he wished to see me. I rode for- ward and reported to him. He was sitting by a tree, and when all the Regi- mental Commanders were present. he said, Officers we are going to charge the enemies works. Addressing Col. Dillworth of the $5th Ills., he said, you will command the skirmish line; to Col. Harmon of the 125th Ills., you will lead the advance on first line; Col. Fahnestock you will lead the second line, and assist Col. Harmon to carry the works in front, then deploy your regiment to the left and occupy the rebel works on your left .; to Capt. Snodgrass of the 22nd Ind., you will lead the third line and Col. Clancy of the 52nd Ohio will lead the fourth fine. Now return to your commands and notify your men and we will carry the enemies works. Have the men load their guns, but not fire a shot until we get on the works, but use the bayonet. He was looking at me and I said to him, Col. we will do all we possibly can; saluted him and re- turned to my command.
I called together the officers of my regiment and gave them the same orders I received of Col. McCook, then notified the men that we would assault the rebel works and not to fire their guns but go right over the works, and gave the order to load at will. We then marched and took our position on a hill facing the enemy-their position was on a ridge or spur of Kenesaw mnoun- tain. We lay down and waited for the signal guu, having several men wounded while laying there, showing we were in close proximity to their sharp shooters. Having been sick and under the surgeon's care for a week the hot sun was more thon I could endure, so I stepped in front of Col. Harmon's regiment into the shade of a small bush, when Col. Harmon and Capt. Fellows of McCook's staff came to me and we three knealed down on our left knees, forming a triangle, when Col. Harmon said, "will we carry the works?" I told him it was my opinion we would fail, it was too late in the day, the enemy had re- inforced their works, and we had too far to run, the extreme heat would over- come our men and they could do but little after we got there, and made the remark that should we fail in carrying the works that I would surrender-my
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EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
men should never come back over the open field and be shot in their backs and. murdered. The colonel said he thought we would be successful and capture the works, but agreed with me should we fail he would do as I suggested, sur- render to the enemy. I now destroyed my letters and untied the guerrilla whistle that we used in place of a bugle and put it in my pocket, not wishing to be captured with it. While kneeling I related my dream, that I was engaged in a battle but came out all right. Col. Harmon said, he dreamed he was fighting copperheads in the north, engaged in a big battle and could not tell how it terminated, but felt despondent. The expression of his face and voice told plainly that he feared the result. Capt. Fellows said he dreamed a cannon ball took his right foot off and drawing his right hand accross his foot, and as he spoke the last word the signal gun fired. It was half past eight o'clock A. M .: we were up in an instant, the order was right sholder, shift arms and forward, down the hill. The first brigade of our division was here entrenched, we passed over them and came to a small creek, which we had to jump, or wade, breaking up our line in crossing it: I made a jump and gained the oppo- site bank, when private Zimmerman, of company H. caught me with his right hand and almost shoved me back into the water. He said, let me through; I caught him by the arm, he turned and said, beg pardon colonel, I did not know it was you. He darted ahead and was killed on the rebel works. Think for a moment, under the excitement, with death depicted in his face, a soldier will halt and apologize for so trifling a matter, shows the discipline and bravery of a true American soldier. I shall never forget him. We charged over an open field, through some brush and timber and struck the enemy, but on account of obstruction placed in front of their works we failed to capture them, and the second brigade of our division was repulsed on our right, the support on our left driven back, we hastily separated our men and commenced fortifying and held our position within thirty paces of the enemy's works.
Col. Daniel McCook, mortally wounded.
Col. Harmon of the 125th Illinois, killed.
Capt. Fellows of MeCook's staff, killed.
Private Samuel Bitner, of company I, said before the battle he would be killed and he wished to be shot in the head and his wish was fulfilled to the letter. Private Philip Bansam made the same remark and said it would hurt to be shot in the head and wished to be shot in the heart, and he received the bullet in his heart. Have many other names that could be given that foretold their death.
Col. Dillworth, of the $5th Illinois, now took command of our brigade. Twenty-six brave men of the $6th lay dead at our feet, sixty-one wounded and twelve wounded and captured by the enemy, total loss of our regiment ninety- nine or about every third man of the regiment.
Our sharp shooters were busy until dark, when we commenced rescuing our dead and wounded. The rebels would crawl over their works and rob our dead and wounded. Our past commander , Capt. Jo. Major, was robbed of all he possessed while layinig there wounded uear the rebel works. Adjutant L.
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THIRD REUNION
J. Dawdy was wounded and compelled to surrender. This was a sad day for the S6th and their friends.
There was but little rest as we put in the night fighting and rescuing our dead and wounded that lay between the lines. We felt sad at the loss of so many dead comrades, and we made up our minds to remain there and avenge their deaths.
At night the 125th Illinois took the front line. The morning of the 28th was clear and hot. The 86th relieved the 125th Illinois, and we kept up a continual fire with musketry. While couversing with Col. Dillworth, private Benjamin Prentice jumped over our works to a tree and fired down the line at the enemy. I warned him not to do so, as he would get hurt. He loaded his gun and just as he was ready to fire again I told Col. Dillworth I would not see that man kille 1, so I turned my back and as he rose up to fire a rebel sharp shooter killed him.
We built a small parapet still closer to the enemy by filling cracker and cartridge boxes full of dirt and shoving them in front of the men, thus enabl- ing our men to get closer and form a better acquaintance with the Johnnies that handled us so roughly the day before.
Sergeant Major Darwin E. Ward was wounded this day.
The 29th was clear and hot. The 52n I Ohio relieved us on the front line. Many of our dead lay between our lines, and the stench from the dead bodies became unbearable. The rebels requested that we cease fighting and bury the dead. We notified General J. C. Davis, our commander, and agreed to an armistice until the dead could be buried. The detail was made from both armies, and graves dug on the hill and the dead buried where they fell, the small arms to remain until the contest was decided and to the victor belonged the spoils. I detailed a comradeto rescue and bring in Lieutenant Rodgers' sword, also one to get a roll of money from the person of his dead comrade, and they were both successful. We had a chance to see Generals Hardee and Cheatam. As soon as the last shovel full of earth was placed on the graves all retired to their respective commands, and the word was heads down, and the battle was renewed.
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