USA > Illinois > The story of the Fifty-fifth regiment Illinois volunteer infantry in the civil war, 1861-1865 > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
On December 28th I was caring for some wounded at a distance from the Fifty-fifth, when I was strongly impressed to go to the regiment. On reaching it Captain Schleich was forming his company to go to the front. As they marched away I spoke to him, urging the utmost caution as the trees were overhung with moss and the enemy secreted behind the levec. I addressed the men also as they passed by, and then returned toward my post of duty; but before half way there, was drawn by an irresistible impulse to rejoin the regiment. On reaching the spot where I had just parted with him, I met the lifeless body of Captain Schleich, borne by his comrades whose hearts were aching and whose eyes were streaming with tears. As in his dream he had stood facing a rebel sol-
-
452
FIFTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
dier about fifty yards away, just long enough to be shot through the heart, and the spirit of my brave and beautiful captain had gone back to God who gave it. So quickly did death come that he fell into the arms of Sergeant Henry Haney, only crying, "I am shot!" He had few equals in in- tellect and all those qualities which form true manhood. His presence was sunshine, and in our darkest days his good cheer had given comfort and inspiration. Beautiful captain, I shall see you again when the throne comes down!
In the gloom and depression of the morning I said to some comrades, "Boys, it would be worth a thousand dollars to see Morgan L. Smith." To our surprise and joy, in a few minutes the general rode through our lines towards the pick- ets. He was cautioned with reference to the sharp-shooters as he passed, but on he went. In less time than it takes to write it, he returned. We noticed that his face was pale, and on looking again I saw blood on his stirrup. He passed in silence, but turning and looking at us cried, "Boys, give them h --- 1!" Among the very bravest generals of the war, he had a natural power to inspire men which was wonderful. From the wound received that day he never fully recovered.
The deep night of the Yazoo was succeeded by a bright day at the Post of Arkansas. Our troops had nearly made the circuit of the enemy's works, when darkness came on. To divert the Confederate commander's attention from the real design, a detachment of men was ordered forward to open fire upon the rebel works. Scarce had the firing begun when a great rebel gun threw some shells over us. My horse was fastened near, but so that he could not step on me as I lay on my blankets, and becoming excited by the glare and roar of the cannon, opened fire on the rebel works with his heels; and I, unable to get away owing to the vigor of his movements, lay there in doubt as to whether the rebel shot or the heels of the Union horse were the most dangerous to me. The next day, before the regiment was engaged, I rode down to the gunboats just in time to see a sergeant train his gun on a big cannon in the fort. I could follow the shot with my eye, and had the pleasure of seeing the third ball hit the
--
..
453
AT ARKANSAS POST.
gun about half way from the muzzle and end its mission of death forever.
Knowing that fearful work was going on at our right flank I hastened thither to assist the wounded, and never were my offices needed more. I found scores of soldiers bleeding in the woods and no ambulances near nor any one to care for them. There were bullets in those woods, and the com- mander of the ambulance corps, being a prudent man, had secured a safe retreat nearly a mile away. On complaining to McClernand's medical director, I received orders to bring up the ambulance corps, and that prudent gentleman came with his train on a gallop at the heels of a new commander. The wounded had scarcely been loaded in when the long, glad shout of victory came up all along our lines, telling that six thousand rebel soldiers were in our hands.
After a season of gladness I went in search of the wound- cd, who by this time had been conducted to the boats. 1 boarded a large steamer and found two rows of wounded soldiers lying the length of the cabin, totally without care. Their bandages wet with blood had become dry, and the wounds were inflamed. In utter amazement I inquired as to the cause of this, and found that the surgeon in charge was drunk. Procuring a vessel of water to moisten their wounds I went the entire circuit of the cabin, and in my rounds saw many who were marked for death. Not a complaint did I hear, however, from all that throng of sufferers; but there were notes of triumph from a few Christian heroes there, which almost alleviated the horror of the situation. The bathing their wounds was all that I could do to ease their sufferings, and I then went around a second time to minister to the souls of the dying. I gave an appropriate tract to the nearest comrade of each mortally wounded man, requesting him to read it quietly to his neighbor.
While thus employed a German captain came in and found three of his own men in a neglected condition. Looking at me with flaming eyes, supposing that I was in command of the boat, he began to curse me. I quietly waited until he had finished, and then informed him of my relation to the wounded. To his profuse apologies, I interposed: "Captain,
454
FIFTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
if what you have said has relieved your mind I rejoice with you, for the case is a desperate one." I then sought the drunken surgeon, intending to end his debauch by an im- mersion in the river. Failing to find him, however, I hast- ened to General Stuart's headquarters and besought him to go to Sherman at once and enter complaint. To end my im- portunity he assented, but feeling intuitively that he would not keep his word, I took it upon myself to go. The general was evidently tired with iny impertinence, and turning upon his heel responded to me, "D ---- n it, chaplain, I am not re- sponsible for the neglect of the doctors." I was as excited as General Sherman, and answered, "General, I am aware of that; but you command all the doctors in this army, and if this is not righted I will publish the whole affair if it costs me my head." It was not long until there was such com- motion among the surgeons as there is among the rats when a house burns down; and it was but a few hours before the sufferers in that cabin were in a clean hospital boat, with wounds carefully dressed and comforts assured; and I wept in the gladness of my heart at what God had done by my hand.
At Young's Point, a few weeks after, I went to General Sherman to get his signature to some papers. He recognized me, and without looking at the papers ordered his adjutant to sign them. Turning to me he said: "Chaplain Haney, whatever I can do consistently to aid you, I will gladly do until the end of the war." Grand old hero that he was-as he is today-he felt that I was right in my appeal for the wounded though I had overstepped military discipline.
We suffered nothing from battle at Young's Point, but the mortality among our soldiers was terrible to contemplate. The papers of the opposition at the North were full of trea- son, while the whole nation behind us appeared absorbed in the pursuit of pleasure or money. This was the time when from the soldiers' stand-point the day grew dark, as if God in displeasure at our national apathy had resolved upon the downfall of the Republic. To get relief to my own soul and to move the Christian power of the North to humiliation, fasting and prayer, I resolved to address several Christian
455
THE BLIND BOY.
ministers whom I had formerly known. After weeks of wait- ing an answer came from one of these, and I sat down with unspeakable gladness to drink in its contents. "Yours re- ceived," so the writer said. "Very glad to hear from you. I learn that you are going up the Red River. I am now en- gaged in the hedge business and want you to get me some seed." In the bitterness of my disappointment and con- tempt I could only think that had I possessed hedge seed by the boat-load, he should have had none of it.
While we were halted a little while at the village of Ray- mond, I seized the opportunity to visit the wounded that crowded a little brick church not far distant. Observing a beautiful boy whose eyes were covered with bandages, I in- quired as to his injury, and learned that a minie ball had entered his left temple, cutting the optic nerve and coming out at his right eye. "I suppose," I said to him, "the sun is blotted out forever to you." "Yes," came quickly in reply, "but I have light within." I was profoundly moved that one so young and beautiful should be thus mutilated, and rejoined, "It is sad indeed, this prospect of walking many years in darkness." "But, sir," said he, "I have light within and it is glorious." From another who was lying wounded in the church at that time, I learned a few years since that the sub- sequent life of the blind boy was a continual triumph through his Master. If I had ever doubted my religion, such con- quests of faith would have ended that unbelief forever.
During the long and painful siege of Vicksburg I was much taxed with the hospital work and care of our own regi- ment, but also gave much time to another Illinois battalion, the chaplain of which had resigned. The health of the men had given way, and utter discouragement was everywhere prevailing. Deaths occurred every day, and cach man who became sick expected a fatal termination of his disease. I resorted to every innocent measure to restore their spirits and fill them with hope. 1 sang and prayed with them; I laughed and related funny anecdotes, and by word and work encouraged cheerfulness until I had the satisfaction of seeing my efforts in a measure successful. My daily visits very nearly cost me my life, however, for their camp was situated
456
FIFTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
in a deep, unhealthy ravine, and so full of malaria that I sometimes wonder at my escape.
About this time I witnessed a beautiful incident. On en- tering the hospital one day I saw a young soldier from New York reading a well-worn copy of the New Testament. 1Ie had been taken up from the streets when a ragged urchin by a pious school teacher, educated and brought to Christ, and now as he lay wounded sought consolation in the word. The next day I found him again engaged with his testament, and received the facts of his history from his own lips. His eyes filled with tears at mention of his teacher. "O," said he, "if she could only know how glad I am now that I am dying for my country, that she brought me to Christ." As I came in the third morning his eyes were set and he seemed uncon- scious. He gave no answer to my greeting, and the nurse informed me that he had not noticed anything since sunrise. I took the little testament which was carefully laid against his left breast and passed it before his vision, That moment his eyes began to follow it, and then looking me in the face he glanced towards his breast, indicating that he wished to die with the word of God upon his heart. I leaned over his form and said, "My boy, you love this book;" and as he died he whispered, "Yes, O yes!" I placed it again over his heart, and his happy spirit went triumphantly unto its reward.
At Camp Sherman we prepared as soon as possible for regular religious services. At the meetings many of the men were happily converted. One incident of this period made an indelible impression upon my memory. At the con- clusion of a discourse upon the experimental evidences of the Christian religion, a confirmed sceptic came to me, and with a depth of emotion that brought the perspiration in beads upon his face, remarked, "Chaplain Haney, this is the most wonderful thing that I ever heard of." "Why, my friend," said I, "what is the matter?" The sermon had been an attempt to show that the most illiterate were capable of exercising a rational faith in the Christian religion, and re- lated almost entirely to the operations of the Holy Ghost within the human breast. I began with the first ray of divine conviction, and tracing as best I could the subsequent steps
457
AT CHATTANOOGA.
in the holy way, concluded with the profounder experiences of the mature Christian character. Behind the sceptic sat an old negro who, as each successive step was explained from the pulpit, ejaculated, "Dat's so! Bress de Lord, dat's so!" This was the mystery that confounded my sceptical friend, and he continued: "That stupid old slave could no more have made the points in your sermon than he could have made the world; but the moment you brought them out he saw that he had a corresponding experience in his own heart, and from this time on, chaplain, you may count me in to be a Christian." His name was Samuel Bunnel, and he belonged to Company D of the Twelfth Indiana. In February, 1887, I learned from one of his old comrades that he was converted before reaching his tent, and as the result of this wonderful change in heart and life, brought many of his fellow soldiers to the cross. In less than twenty days from his conversion he died in the triumph of the Gospel.
Before crossing the Tennessee River above Chattanooga, we had a service of prayer, and as the result there were some in those boats who were assured of protection, although en- gaged in one of the most hazardous undertakings of the war. Others were not so confident. I remember a surgeon fresh from the North who was with us. Before leaving the Chicka- mauga his face blanched and his knees began to tremble as he said: "As soon as we strike the river we shall be blown to pieces." As his fears increased his body bent lower, until at length he lay prone with his face to the bottom of the boat. God's hand was over that expedition, however, and our brave boy's landed in the face of the rebel army unnoticed and un- hurt. Soon joy filled our hearts, as from boat to boat the news passed on that the rebel pickets had been captured without the firing of a gun. Hearing this, the terror-stricken man rose up and made a sickly attempt to yawn as though just aroused from refreshing slumber, and as his teeth ceased to chatter, said, "Well, I've had quite a nap!"
Our little brigade was soon followed by Sherman's entire army, and we were ready to attack Bragg's right flank at Missionary Ridge. As we were advancing upon the enemy's pickets through a region thickly covered with underbrush, J
1
.. . .
458
FIFTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
met General Giles A. Smith who had advanced beyond his post of duty. "Chaplain," said he, "if I were you I would not go into that brush, for it is full of bullets." I heeded his warning and he retired a little to the rear. Here he stood facing the enemy, when he was so severely wounded that he never fully recovered. A gentleman, a patriot, a skilful bri- gade commander, may his name be revered as long as this country endures!
After taking the first hill, we were ordered to the foot of the second. In descending we were exposed to a storm of shells from the heights beyond, and in the confusion of the moment our colonel ordered us to lie down. The rebel bat- teries could not have had a more inviting mark, and shell after shell came crashing among us until the air was filled with dust and smoke. It seemed as if annibilation was before us, and knowing that a few rods further towards the enemy would place us out of danger from artillery, I shouted, "Col- onel, why don't you take the men to the foot of the hill?" This brought an order to march forward, and when out of range we had opportunity to reckon up our loss. It is diffi- cult to say whether we were more amazed or delighted to find that but three had been wounded.
On returning from Knoxville, Tennessee, whither Sherman had been sent to relieve Burnside, we were compelled to sub- sist on the country. Our colonel had not detailed a sufficient foraging party to supply the regiment. One night I met the officers of the line coming in a body to headquarters. On inquiring the object of their visit, one of them replied, "We are going up to settle with that - old Swede. Our men have marched all day and some of them have eaten nothing since yesterday." Lest trouble should result from the stormy interview which I saw was about to take place, I prevailed upon them to allow me to speak to the colonel for them. Finding him in excellent humor, I had no difficulty in getting his permission to lead a foraging party the next day and cov- enanted to supply the regiment by noon.
That night the soldiers supped on faith, and in faith they slept. In the morning I started out, with Joe Presson as my sergeant. Arriving at a beautiful home, we were met by the
459
IN EAST TENNESSEE.
father and mother and two daughters. In reply to my ques- tions the father said that they were Union people and had three sons in the Federal army. Having observed that nearly all the inhabitants of the South became Unionists in the presence of our soldiers, I continued my interrogations. Upon this, one of the girls brought out the portraits of her three brothers, all of whom were dressed in Federal uniforms, and also a number of letters from them. "There," said she, and the tears began to fall, "look at these pictures and read these letters if you don't believe that my brothers are in the Union army." Presson had meanwhile gone through the house without formality, and upon returning said: "Chaplain, I find some very nice bacon here. How much shall I take?" Of course under the circumstances I forbade his taking any. As he turned reluctantly from the bacon, as well as from several turkeys upon the fence, his face formed a picture that rises vividly before me as I write.
In a little valley which we soon reached I heard a young man say to his mother, "There are more coming; be ready." I learned upon approaching the woman that she had been sending her son down to the moving column since morning inviting hungry soldiers to come to her house to get refresh- ment. After her cheerfully giving us all that we requested, I sent Presson across the valley to get further supplies, and I entered the house. "Strange as it may seem to you," I said to the family, "J am a Methodist preacher, and thought I would come in and talk with you about Christ." An aged woman sick unto death was lying there upon a couch; but on hearing my remark she sprang up in bed and shouted aloud, praising God that she was permitted to see a Christian minis- ter once again.
In our rambles we soon came upon an old mill and in it ground a quantity of corn meal, and in due course of time we returned to camp with bountiful supplies. The varied in- cidents of this expedition, most of them so pleasant, make its memories among the most precious to me of any of the war.
Passing down to Tellico Plains we crossed a beautiful mountain stream. I noticed among our pioneers a number
460
FIFTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
of feeble men who were unable to wade the stream, as the water ran nearly breast high, so to assist them J remained behind the command and took them across upon my horse. The last one that I took over evidently found it difficult to express his gratitude, but was at length, I think, cqual to the occasion. Said he, "I have a beautiful sister at home, and when the war is over if you will come down you may marry her, by all that is good and great." Ncar our camp that night was the grave of an old lady who was shot because she in- sisted on waving a Union flag. In all our marching through the South we were never hailed with such gladness as that which met us among the hills of Tennessee. "O, sir," said a poor old man, as his voice trembled with feeling, "I have not seen that dear old flag for three years. God be praised, it shall yet wave!" The face of his aged wife was radiant, and having brought all that she had to give the soldiers as they passed, she literally danced like a girl. Women and girls came for miles, bringing baskets of provisions and other tokens of love and loyalty to the flag. I remember seeing one beautiful girl standing at the forks of the road, waving a little flag. Not a word could she say, but the joyful tears which rolled down her cheeks will not be forgotten by one of the soldiers who tramped so wearily by that day.
At three different times while I was in the South my fam- ily visited me. Their sojourn in camp has ever been remem- bered with pleasure by them, and greatly added to the joy of my own life in the army. Each of them formed an undy- ing love for our grand old regiment, and the entire future of my sons was moulded favorably by those months of associa- tion with our patriot soldiers.
Before the capture of Atlanta, through the kindness of General Logan I was permitted to return to the North for the purpose of recruiting the regiment. Having been elected by the veterans to be their colonel, it was found necessary under existing laws to add to our numbers before we could muster in a full corps of officers. I remained with the regi- ment long enough, however, to witness the crowning outrage of our campaigning, viz: the arrest of Captain Shaw for hes- itating to obey an order of General Lightburn, which it would
461
BROKEN PROMISES.
have been a crime for him to have executed. With more manhood and patriotism and courage in an hour than Light- burn was capable of possessing in a lifetime, our true, good captain was left under a cloud for twenty years-a cloud that at last has lifted through the untiring efforts of his surviving comrades: May his children's children be blessed to the latest generations.
Upon arriving at Springfield I immediately reported at the office of Governor Yates, only to find that he was in Chicago attending the democratic convention. Taking the next train for that city I presented my papers to him, and he promised to see me the next day. The republican central committee and the governor feared that the welfare of the country would be in danger if any more loyal men left Illinois before the election. The draft was soon to take effect, and they proposed that if I would speak in certain doubtful districts I should have two hundred men from the draft. In addition to this they agreed that as many men as voluntarily reported to me might be sent on to the regiment. Believing that every- thing depended upon the re-election of President Lincoln and a republican majority in Congress, I accepted their prop- osition and spoke through two districts until the campaign was ended. A large number of recruits voluntarily reported to me and were sent on to Springfield. At the close of the campaign I received a note from the Secretary of War stat- ing that he was painfully disappointed in the result of the draft, and could not furnish the two hundred men as agreed. Much chagrined I hastened to Springfield only to find that nearly all of the recruits who had voluntarily reported to me had for some reasons not been sent to the regiment. I be- lieved then and do now that they were sold to the highest bidder by dishonest officials. In view of these facts I re- quested to be mustered out of the service. When Sherman's army had reached the sea my request was complied with.
My election to the colonelcy was unsought and contrary to my expressed wish; but the appreciation of the regiment shown thus, and in a thousand other ways, fills me with grati- tude. To be identified with such a body of men and in such a cause is honor enough for one life, and to me a source of
1
462
FIFTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
unfailing pride and joy. After these years I only regret that I was separated from the veterans in their last triumphal march; and yet it must have been God's will, and I do not murmur. The years have come and gone, and our ranks are very thin. Our comrades are sleeping on many a field that their valor won, and most of us who remain are worn and grey. May the good God who gave us victory grant a glori- ous reunion to the old Fifty-fifth in the land of never-ending peace !
-
APPENDIX.
ROSTER OF THE FIFTY-FIFTH INFANTRY.
INTRODUCTION.
IT is probable that some inaccuracies as well as many omissions will be discovered in the following roster. This ought not to be thought strange in view of the fact that twenty-two years have clapsed since the muster out of the regiment, and that many of the company documents have been lost or destroyed. It has been found impossible to supply all deficiencies from the uncertain memories and notes of surviving com- rades. The efforts of the committee have been, however, directed to the reduction of errors to a minimum. Competent and interested men have been found among the living of nearly all the companies, who have labored zealously to correct these records. Prominent among them may be mentioned: J. B. Ridenour, Curtis P. Lacey, Robert Oliver, Jacob Fink, John Warden, Joseph Hartsook, Peter Roberts, J. August Smith, and John Averill. The late reprint of the report of the Adjutant-General of Illinois, though very imperfect, has been an invaluable assistant. Many of its omissions and errors will be found rectified in these pages. Luckily copies of all the regimental reports of battle casualties have been preserved, and every man hit by rebel missile and so reported by name at any time has been duly credited in this roster.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.