USA > Illinois > The story of the Fifty-fifth regiment Illinois volunteer infantry in the civil war, 1861-1865 > Part 38
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CHAPTER XII.
ADVENTURES OF THE FORAGERS.
TO keep a large army in an enemy's country well fed by supplies gathered day by day along the region through which it was marching, required a thoroughly organized and efficient force. Upon the foraging parties devolved a very important part of the campaigns through Georgia and the Carolinas, and a special chapter is therefore devoted to their work and adventures. Could one-half the exploits of even the Fifty-fifth's foragers be told in graphic language, the ac- count would fill volumes with interesting reading.
A detail was made from every regiment, consisting of one enlisted man from each company, under command of a commissioned officer. Only the most daring were selected for this hazardous duty. The life of the army was in some measure in the hands of these men, and they guarded well their trust. Scarcely a day passed but they were required to engage in more or less skirmishing, and often hard fighting was necessary to drive away the Confederate cavalry that hung about the front and flanks of the army. Whenever an opposing force was met too strong for the advance party, they had not long to wait before re-enforcement of others came, and soon the rebels had to leave, and on the double- quick. An officer was placed in charge over the details from cach brigade, but his office was generally a sinecure, for the companies could not be kept together, each striving to get farthest from the column in its chosen direction. He there-
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FIFTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
fore had to content himself with accompanying one of the parties, and his foraging generalship was of little benefit.
The Fifty-fifth detail consisted of the following comrades:
Captain ROBERT OLIVER, Co. C. JACOB W. KEFFER, Co. F.
Sergeant JOSEPH H, MILLS, " A. JASON R. EMERY, " G.
CHARLES S. VANDERVERT,
" B. COLUMBUS C. BIGBEE, " H.
EARL P. GOODWIN, " C. PETER EBERSOLD, " I.
CHARLTON G. EDWARDS, D. L. B. MOHLER,
K.
CHRISTIAN LEIBUNDGUTH, " E.
This force was changed a little at times, but remained practically as given to the close of the war. All proved to be experts in the profession. What they could not find and bring to camp was beyond human sagacity and mule endur- ance. When the Fifty-fifth was short of rations it was cer- tain there was but little to be found in the locality, and the army in general went hungry.
Captain Oliver carried written authority, endorsed by Gen- eral Sherman, by which he and his men could be identified as duly authorized foragers. Such endorsement was expected to afford some protection in case of capture, for the Confed- erates, and even guerillas, would show some respect for Sher- man's signature. His orders were to keep the regiment in supplies, but to leave no family destitute of the necessaries of life; a strict construction of which meant that the army must live if the whole South starved. The instructions were to break all fire-arms, capture all horses and mules, destroy all wagons, carts and implements that night be used in raising crops, and in fact leave the country as destitute as possible of material that could be used in prolonging the war.
In obedience to these orders the men felt compelled at times to do things at which their better natures revolted, but the exigencies of war had to be respected, regardless of con- sequences. When the only family horse was hitched to the carriage, loaded with all the cured meat and sweet potatoes on the premises, and the women broke forth in sorrowful lamentations, the men were often persuaded to yield some- thing to their tears and pleadings. A few incidents only will here be given in the attempt to picture the daily experience of the Fifty-fifth foragers.
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MISTAKEN HOSPITALITY.
One day while they were busily engaged in securing some sweet potatoes, a company of rebel cavalry charged upon them. They mounted, and in the retreat one of the mules balked. The rebels, passing him, pressed after the rest, who led them directly to the regiment, which happened to be near by. The race then took a reverse direction, and it was so rapid that the Confederates did not stop to deal with the man on the balky mule, who continued bravely "holding his position."
On another occasion, as they rode up to a fine house, the lady of the mansion met them with smiles and courteous greeting at the entrance. On demanding the keys of the. smoke-house and other buildings in which the provisions were locked from the slaves, she readily gave them up. Af- ter a good supply had been taken out, she invited the soldiers upon the porch, and her two daughters passed around plates of cake, which each of the boys accepted with a more or less graceful bow and hearty thanks. Captain Oliver asked if any of the rebel cavalry had been around lately. The women seemed amazed at the question, and asked: "Ar'nt you Hampton's men?" He replied, "O, no; we belong to Sher- man's army." With terror-stricken countenances they retired into the house, exclaiming in unison, with bated breath, "Are you Yankees?" Being answered in the affirmative, one of the girls asked, "Which is Sherman?" The stalwart captain was pointed out to them, at whom they gazed in evident awe. As many of the men wore southern suits, the mistaken iden- tity was not unreasonable. Some horses had been found in the woods which were soon harnessed to a wagon heavily loaded with a variety of supplies. By this time a hundred other foragers had come up, but ours did not remain to see if the cakes held out. They afterwards frequently addressed their commander as General Sherman, and more than once thereafter he was introduced to astonished natives by that title.
At a place called Long Town, between Columbia and Camden, the advance foragers had been surrounded and sev- eral captured. Those who escaped, in falling back met our foragers, and reported that their lieutenant and a number of
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FIFTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
men were prisoners and under guard at a plantation. Others soon came up, when all deployed and soon surrounded the house, turning the tables on the rebels by taking them pris- oners. The lieutenant who had been for a brief time in bondage, quickly, in a tone that said "delays are dangerous," ordered a rebel to take off the blue uniform in which he had been parading while guarding the owner, and was soon clad in his own garments again.
At this plantation our party loaded a six-mule team with hams and flour, and went back to the other end of the town, where the army had begun to come into camp. The vicinage was a succession of rich plantations for three miles along the highway, and the party spent that night at a wealthy planters, where several young ladies entertained them by singing Con- federate songs.
In the vicinity of Camden provisions were far from abun- dant, and our foragers travelled a long distance from the column to secure supplies. A heavy fog coming on, they were lost for three days. The first day they captured eleven horses and mules, and a colored man was put upon each ani- mal. The second day they reached Camden just at night, when by chance they were informed of a quantity of liquors buried in a field three miles beyond. Captain Oliver resolved to obtain something with which to load his colored troopers, and the party went on until the field was found, and began digging. They were soon rewarded by finding the liquors, which were mostly in glass bottles. Every negro had on two or three pairs of pantaloons, having thus prepared himself with surplus clothing for the journey to freedom when Sher- man should come along. The captain ordered them to take off all but one pair; strings were tied around the bottoms of the legs, the bottles were placed in them, and the trousers thus loaded were straddled over the backs of the animals in front and in rear of the riders. In this manner each negro carried several bottles, and the cavalcade presented a very ludicrous appearance. One of the horsemen, who had got too much of the captured stimulant inside the clothes he still wore, being mounted upon a fractious mule, began to fly about in an erratic way. One of the bottles hit a tree and
421
RUNNING A GRIST-MILL.
the crash of the glass frightened the animal. For a little time he kept his place near the others, but soon smash went another bottle as it struck a pine beside the road, and the mule became so ungovernable that it ran away with rider and bottles, and was never seen afterwards. The company reached the regiment on the night of the third day at Lynch Creek, which we were then engaged in bridging. When the men came from their work in the water, each was given a half gill of the contents of the bottles, which was a timely treat.
As the army approached the coast food grew more and more scarce, and only the most reckless and persevering for- agers could secure a sufficient quantity. One day about March 10th, our men had been unable to obtain anything. At ten o'clock in the forenoon they heard of a grist-mill thirty miles ahead, and it was immediately determined to push on and reach it. The country was infested with rebel cavalry, yet this brave band, every member a hero, made the thirty miile ride before sunset. They only thought of their comrades who depended upon them for rations. The pro- prietor of the mill, a planter, was greatly surprised at their coming, and acknowledged that he had not expected to see any of Sherman's army for two or three days. He was told that the whole force was close at hand. Being asked if he had a miller, he answered in the affirmative, and sent for him. "I see," said Oliver, "you have abundance of grain, and to that I can help myself. How long is it since any Confeder- ate troops were here?" "A squad just rode away," replied the planter. "Well," said the captain, "I must then send across the creek for a regiment to be brought to protect us while we are at work in the mill." This of course was ex- pected to impress the fact upon the mill-owner that it would be good policy for him to prevent, if possible, any attack by the rebels. A citizen was rarely found who would not do all in his power to avoid a fight around his own house. Oliver added: "It all depends upon yourself, if you would save your property. If any of us are injured upon your planta- tion, Sherman will burn your buildings to the ground when he arrives."
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FIFTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
A lot of grain was taken to the mill, and the miller set at work grinding it, while the men fortified the place, making defences so strong that many would have bitten the dust if an attack had been made. About eight o'clock in the even- ing the old planter came down to the mill, surprised to see it looking more like a fort than anything else. He wanted the captain to go up to the house for supper and stay all night with him. Oliver excused himself, stating that he should have various duties to occupy him as soon as the army came up, speaking as though the column was three-not thirty -- miles back. The excuse was accepted and the planter went back to the house, while the men worked all night assisting the miller and strengthening their fortifications, fully expect- ing an attack.
The next morning the planter came down and invited the captain to cat breakfast with him, which he did. The fam- ily consisted of the father, two daughters of eighteen and twenty, and one son about fifteen years old. Another son and the lover of one of the girls were in Lee's army.
The captain asked them if they had anything buried about the premises. They replied, "Not anything." Oliver then said, "Do not deceive yourselves; we don't want anything that belongs in the house, and if you have property buried dig it up, put it in the house, and I will place a guard over it and everything will be safe." At noon the son was sent to the mill to invite the whole party to a dinner which the young ladies had prepared especially for them. They accepted the invitation, a part going at a time, as they did not propose to be led into a trap. That bountiful dinner, served by female hands, made them think of home. The girls sat at table with them, and were as jolly as if entertaining their best friends. At night the captain was again invited to sleep in the house, but excused himself by saying, "My place is with my men."
They had been at the mill twenty-four hours, and, strange to say, not another Union soldier had put in an appearance, and happily none of the enemy. Close watch was kept at night, and in the morning breakfast was prepared by the fam- ily and partaken of by the men, taking turns as before. Peter
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423
NOTHING BURIED.
Ebersold was placed on guard at the house, preparatory to the coming of the bummers, who were expected to arrive soon, and Captain Oliver repeated his admonition of the morning before, saying, "If you have anything buried it will surely be found today, as the treasure-seckers will be along soon." "O, no, we've nothing buried," they persisted in say- ing. About ten o'clock some bummers arrived, and began thrusting their bayonets into the ground about the garden. An iron kettle was soon found, containing forty dollars in silver, a watch and a quantity of Confederate money. The old planter came down to the mill with a down-cast face, and said to the captain, "They have found it." "Found what?" he asked; and was told about the concealed money. The captain laughed, and again warned him: "They will find everything that you have hidden. If you have anything inore concealed, get it into the house and my guard will pro- tect it;" but the answer was, "There is nothing more."
At noon all ate dinner at the house again; the boys began to feel very much at home, and they had some fun in twitting the girls upon their ill success in hiding things from the Yankees. About two o'clock the planter appeared again at the mill, and reported: "They have found it." This time a lot of trinkets belonging to the girls had been uncarthed. He came three or four times during the afternoon and said, "They have found it," until there was apparently nothing more to be found. The girls dolefully told of their lost treasures, and said: "After this we will believe a Yankee, for you have always told us the truth, and did not permit a sol- dier to set his foot inside the door of the house." That night the troops were camped all around them.
The mill was kept running night and day, and turned out a large quantity of flour and meal for the army. Just before our party were prepared to leave the next day, a mounted man came along and asked Oliver what facilities he had for transporting provisions, etc. The captain replied that he had impressed all the planter's horses, mules and wagons to carry the supplies to camp. The cavalry-man then told him that he had found two kegs of peach brandy out in the swamp, and had knocked in the head of one and filled his canteen.
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FIFTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
He suggested that the captain might secure the other un- broken. This Oliver at once did, and sending for the planter asked him if he had any liquors on the place. He stoutly affirmed that he had not a drop. "Very well, then," rejoined the captain, "these kegs of brandy must belong to some one else. A bummer has just found two hidden in the woods, and I will take one to my command." The old man was dumbfounded, and ejaculated, with an oath, "That is the last."
Before leaving the whole party went to the house to say good-bye to the girls, who had treated them so well. Not- withstanding they were taking all the horses and wagons, leaving the place destitute of anything to raise a crop with, the family plead with the men to stay another night, as they considered themselves safe so long as they remained. The old planter took the captain by the hand and said: "If you will only stay there is nothing I have but what I will frecly give you."
In trying to reach the regiment the wagons got stuck in the mud, when the captain went ahead and sent the regi- mental wagon to the rescue, in the middle of the night. The party and provisions arrived in camp at four o'clock in the morning, receiving hearty welcome for they had been given up as lost.
On one occasion an old mare had been hitched to a cart loaded with sweet potatoes, when the aged lady who owned them begged the men to leave the mare and cart, 'as she had nothing else to go to mill with.' Her daughter spitefully exclaimed: "Mother, it is no use your saying any thing more, they will take them any how." This taunt had the desired effect, for the captain ordered the animal left. Then the girl said: "Mother, your prayers did move them." In fact it was the girl's challenge of their generosity that won the concession.
The account of an adventure on March 19th, near Benton- ville, N. C., shall be given in Captain Oliver's own language:
The division was marching on the road from Lee's Store, and I took the road to the left. We travelled until about ten o'clock in the forenoon before meeting any opposition. A picket was then seen standing at a cross road which led to the main highway upon which the division was marching. We rode up until he halted us, and found ourselves near a
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425
A NARROW ESCAPE.
rebel general's headquarters. We galloped away upon the road to the left and received a parting volley by which, fortunately, no one was hit. Having gone about two miles we came to a fine plantation well stocked. Here we loaded two carts with provisions and I directed Ebersold and Edwards to hitch the horses to thein when they had finished eating, and follow the road in the direction of the troops; I took the other eight men and proceeded about two miles further to the front, reaching another plantation where we saw a dozen or more rebel cavalry, but they fled leaving us in possession. We here got three or four sacks of flour and started back.
When about half way to where Ebersold and Edwards had been left we saw a soldier standing in the centre of the road. I did not like his looks, but we rode on until we got quite close, when his comrades began to come out of the woods and soon filled the road. They were dressed in blue uniforms, and we rode up to within ten rods of them when they commanded us to surrender. We could not think of complying without an attempt to preserve our freedom. I told the boys to throw away the provisions with which they were loaded, and we made for the swamp. I wanted to get around the enemy and reach the other two men, thinking they might not have moved yet. We took a circuitous route through the swamp and the rebels had the road, but we reached the men first. I put out two guards to keep a look-out while we made haste to hitch up and get away.
Just as all was ready a whole brigade of Hampton's cavalry rode right over us, and we were completely mixed up with them. I cannot fully explain how any of us got out of the place. The bravery exhibited by every one of that handful of men will never be forgotten by me. A rebel captain rode up within six feet of me and pulled his revolver to shoot, when Henry Joslin ran up and caught his leg and said: "D -- n you, what are you about ! don't you know you are shooting your own men?" I have no doubt but that act saved my life for the bullet just missed me. I shouted to the boys to take care of themselves. All hap- pened to be dismounted except myself, and therefore I was powerless to assist them in any way. I did not for a moment expect to escape, but l resolved to make the attempt at all hazards, for it would probably be death if taken. We understood that Hampton had given orders that foragers should receive no quarter. They had me so cornered that all there was for me to do was to try the mettle of my horse. I put the spurs to him with all my force, and started towards a high fence which it seemed like an impossibility for him to surmount, but the leap was successfully made by the frightened animal. Up to this time many shots had been fired at me, and how they all missed will always be a mystery.
I then struck out after the boys who had made their escape, not know- ing how many had succeeded. I caught up with them and found all safe but Ebersold and Edwards. Just then I heard cheering, and told the boys to make for the swamp, while I would ride back, thinking our ad_ Vance might have come up. I felt distressed that any of the boys were
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FIFTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
captured, feeling that certain death would be their fate. I rode back until I came within about fifteen rods of some troops, and was sure that they were some of our own army, when one of them shouted, "There comes one of those d -- d Yankees !" I turned to escape and they opened fire, wounding my horse so that he was unmanageable. He ran into a pine thicket and between two leaning trees, striking my left shoulder against one, and throwing ine with such force against the other as to knock me to the ground senseless. My right shoulder and head were terribly bruised. I came to my senses soon after my fall and saw my horse about twenty rods from ine running around in a circle; I then made my way as best I could for the swamp to which I had told the boys to go. They had seen my horse without a rider, and had started to look for me. We succeeded in escaping all pursuers and found the regiment in the evening just before it counter-marched to support the left wing which had been fighting all day.
It was long afterwards learned that Ebersold's horse was killed and fell upon him. The rebels pulled him out from under the dead animal, and beat him severely about the head with their carbines, but he was finally rescued by Fred Klein, a captain in the Tenth South Carolina Cavalry, who recog- nized him as a former schoolmate in the Fatherland. Ed- wards was also captured, and both were subsequently paroled and discharged without joining the regiment.
Every member of the party had encounters scarcely less desperate in making his escape. Each looked out for his own safety until all rallied in the swamp, in which the rebels for a time followed them. One shot from Sergeant Mills broke an arm for one of his most persistent pursuers, and others doubtless used their tried weapons to some purpose.
The duty of the foragers ceased after this date. They had faithfully fulfilled their trust, and the regiment had nearly always been well fed by the brave band. The Fifty-fifth drew on the march less government rations than any other regiment of the division, and every surviving member of it present in that campaign will ever hold the services of Cap- tain Oliver and his detail in grateful remembrance, for they held the comfort if not the lives of their comrades in their hands.
The bummers formed an element of the army deserving of some recognition here; for, although their names will not appear in this record, the Fifty-fifth was not without represent- atives in this irregular body. The name was used to desig-
427
THE BUMMERS.
nate self-constituted foragers, and every regiment had its delegates among this class which, at times, would perhaps outnumber the regular detail; and their presence in large numbers often aided the latter in driving the enemy, and securing the food. They would be absent from their com- mands many days at a time, but upon their return they always brought in a good supply of the choicest spoils of the land, as a peace offering for their unsoldierly and improper conduct.
Many of the soldiers were at times without shoes. To such men, by order of the commander, rejected horses and mules were given on which they rode in rear of their respect- ive commands. Being thus mounted it was an easy matter to slip out and join the army of bummers, and many availed themselves of the opportunity, soon developing into the most reckless of their class. These men with their feet wrapped up in old rags would frequently capture boots or shoes, but would sell or give them to a comrade, preferring a ride and their barefooted freedom.
The bummers were always found at the front. Parties of them, without officers, would join together and resist a charge of cavalry, or make an attack upon the enemy, and they were almost always the victors in a skirmish. The advance at Cheraw and Fayetteville was composed of this class, joined with the regular foragers, and what fighting was done in the capture of these places was justly credited to them.
Many, of course, were merely treasure seekers, and in order to succeed in their search it was necessary to be in the van. They speedily overran a town, and were the terror of the inhabitants. Sometimes they would constitute them- selves guards over private houses for a money consideration, and protect the property against the vandalism of their asso- ciates. When the army moved and they abandoned their posts for new fields, it is doubtful whether they received the blessings or curses of those they had protected.
Notwithstanding all that has been said or written deroga- tory to the bummer, his voluntary services at the front and fn's were, at times, of great value to the army. His good deeds often over-balanced his bad ones, and the mantle of charity may well be thrown over him.
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