USA > Illinois > Yates phalanx : the history of the Thirty-Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Veteran Infantry in the war of the rebellion, 1861-1865 > Part 12
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responded to the call of the President, to uphold and maintain the integrity of the Federal Government, had accomplished more in generalship, in valorous actions, and had done more fighting, marching and effective work so far, that all the "regulars" he had ever seen, met, or heard of.
The captain was just as emphatic and abusive in his denial, until finally the matter culminated in a challenge for a duel, and they were about to adjourn to a room upstairs to fight it out, when another party of officers arrived and put a stop to the disgraceful proceeding. The captain was ordered to his quarters, and the sutler was prevailed upon to return to the steamer. We started out, followed by the sutler, who was still spluttering about having "shatisfacshun out of that reg'lar for his 'spersions against the volunteers."
It was ten o'clock and the night was very dark when we reached the wharf and commenced the ascent of the plank to the schooner, and had nearly accomplished the passage when the sutler made a miscalculation in his footing (although we had use all precaution to help him over safely), and plunged down into the water. We hurriedly called for ropes and a lantern, and it seemed an age before they came, and we begun to fear the man was lost, for no answer had been returned to our frequent calls to know if he was safe. Looking down, after the arrival of the light, he was at last discovered astride a big hawser, but submerged to his shoulders, and the first words of greeting were, "Shay, you fellows! going to let a man drown?" A rope was secured under his arms and he was lifted aboard the schooner, a wetter but a more sober man. His escape was almost a miracle, under the circumstances. Poor fellow! After amassing a small fortune as a sutler, he established a bank at Richmond, Virginia, after its evacuation, and subsequently a banking business in Chicago, where he died some twelve years ago in very reduced circumstances.
Up to May 11 the troops on Folly Island had desisted from sounding "reveille," or giving the "calls," and at this time were only permitted the use of a drum and fife, for "You know the rebels would know where to shoot, you know!" as General Vogdes explained. On this day several officers of the Regiment, on invitation, paid a visit to the New Ironsides, one of the blockading fleet, taking passage on the little steamer Nantucket in company with a large number of naval officers who were reporting for duty from the North. We were very courteously received and shown over the vessel by Surgeon Duval and others. Our attention was directed to the injuries received by the vessel during the bombardment of Fort Sumter, which were very slight, consisting of a few saucer-like indentations in her armor.
May 13 we received intelligence and a few particulars of the battle fought at Fredericksburg, Virginia, which accounts for the firing of minute guns by the enemy today. Later in the day a Charleston paper was received, by means of a float, from the "Johnnies." It contained the news of the death of Generals Hill and "Stonewall" Jackson, and the information that "the Yankees lost 20,000 men and 8,000 prisoners at the battle." On the margin of the paper was also scribbled, "If you 'Yanks' expect to stay on Folly Island to combat the sandflies and fleas until you drive us into the Union, you will have to stay there until hell freezes over!"
Quite an amicable understanding had and still existed between the soldiers on both sides of the inlet, and a good deal of barter was carried on, exchanging coffee for tobacco and trading newspa- pers, which was accomplished by constructing little "dugouts" and "floats" and attaching a sail, and when the wind and tide were favorable, sending them adrift freighted with whatever was to be
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exchanged; and everything was conducted on the "square," but it had to be carried on "sub rosa." When an officer on duty approached, all was changed, and fierce picket firing was indulged in.
The men on advance guard duty at the head of the island and along the border of Folly River had strict instructions how to deal with persons who could not satisfactorily account for themselves, and it was dangerous to be abroad, especially at night, without the countersign; and then it was necessary to be prompt in answering a challenge from the sentinel. It will be remembered that Captain Rodgers, of the Sixty-Second Ohio Volunteers, when Officer of the Day, and when making "grand rounds" at night, was challenged, and failing to answer promptly, was shot while advancing, and died soon after- wards.
In the latter part of May the blockage running steamer Ruby, was stranded on the bar at the mouth of Light House Inlet. She had stranded about midway between Morris and Folly Island and had been abandoned by her crew. The rebels had already made several excursions to her, carrying away a good deal of merchandise, and several officers of the Thirty-Ninth had decided to make a voyage of discovery, under cover of night, and see what was to be found. A boat crew was collected under the command of Major Linton, and they started out, moving with a good deal of care so as not to be discovered and thus draw fire from the rebels. The vessel was reached without any mishap, and they were soon in undisputed possession. But what was their chagrin and annoyance when they discovered that all the matches they had brought along had become wet and therefore useless. Nevertheless, they were not going back without making some kind of examination to find out the character of the cargo. They went to work upon their senses of feeling and smelling and were soon rewarded by finding some pineapples and cigars, and last, but not least, some bottles of fine Scotch whiskey. Helping themselves to as much as they could carry, they left and got back all right.
This expedition proved so successful that after a few days it was followed by another, being accompanied by the two assistant-surgeons of the Regiment. The visit was so timed as to take advantage of the ebb tide. They proceeded out to the bar, where the boat was left in charge of one of the party, while the others clambered aboard.
The man who had remained with the boat as sentinel had secured the "painter" by placing his foot upon it, and was so intent on some other matters that he had not noticed the incoming tide, and before he was aware, the water was bubbling at this feet and the boat floated away, painter and all. The party on board the Ruby were hastily notified, and prepared for the return trip before the tide should effectually cut off retreat. It was a most ludicrous as well as disagreeable position to be placed in, and no telling when the rebels might appear. They could now wade for some distance along the bar, but before reaching the shore there was a stretch of deep water that would necessitate swimming. All of the party excepting the Second Assistant-Surgeon, Doctor Woodward, reached the shore without much trouble, and Woodward came along gallantly until within thirty feet of the shore when he found his strength ailing him and cried, "Help! Help !! I sink !!! " The large number of men on the beach who had been watching the enterprise now made an effort for his recovery, and some twenty men, joining hands, walked off into the water in his direction, and the foremost link of this human chain succeeded in grasping this old disciple of ancient God of Medicine and Healing, Aesculapius, helped him to dry land; but what was the chagrin of man and the laughter of others when they found him to be weighted down with a heavy plate looking-glass slung about his neck, and several
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pineapples in his coat pockets, together with other small trash that he had accumulated while on board, but not least of all was a calf skin hat-box containing a hat that he had kept possession of, and it is presumed that if he had sunk beneath the waves, that hat-box would have been his companion.
The doctor's troubles did not end here, however, for the next morning the matter came to General Vogdes' ears, and he in his supreme majesty ordered the doctor under arrest, and to report at once to headquarters. Under the shadow of two bayonets the doctor walked down to the foot of the island to confront the General. The result of the examination was that Doctor Woodward should report to the head of the island and remain until further orders, without daring to transgress limits. The head of the island was constantly exposed to the shot and shell that were daily thrown from Morris Island, and the troops, in order to protect themselves, erected bomb-proof shelters over excavations in the sand, and it was in a place of this character that our second assistant surgeon was located for some six weeks.
Occasionally a number of us would ride up to the head of the island after sunset to see our friend and get some idea of the progress of operations, and would invariably call to see the doctor, who was making the best of his banishment, but pleading meantime, most energetically for a reprieve. We could not stop long in endeavors to console him, for shot and shell were flying briskly around us; however, we gave him encouragement, and would do our utmost to get a pardon from the General. His looking-glass was still present and reflecting upon him; also the hat and hat-case; but the pineapples had been gobbled. After the doctor's release, which happened a few days after this visit, he magnanimously fractured the looking-glass, and after rubbing off the film of quicksilver, took several pieces down to the foot of the island and had an ambrotype taken on them of him- self-portrayed with a pipe in his mouth and a very distressed look, as commemorating his vigils at the head of Folly Island.
The doctor might have escaped this punishment if he had used a little diplomacy by sharing the fruits of his gathering with the General. Vogdes had heard of these expeditions and what had been captured, and he one day remarked to an officer, "Colonel, I hear that the men at the head of the island are going out to that blockade runner and get lots of fruit, cigars and liquor. It's a little strange that none of it has found the way to these headquarters." He felt slighted, and the accidents of this last expedition gave him the opportunity to visit vengeance on someone, and Woodward proved to be the one. After this he authorized an expedition to go aboard and take what cargo was left, but it proved too late to get any of the delicacies. It, however, brought from the vessel a large quantity of white cotton cloth, which was mostly turned over to the medical department for bandages and dressings.
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CHAPTER TEN
"But at what a cost!"
June 1, 1863, Private Fowler of Company K was seriously injured by the falling of a heavy branch from a tree severed by the passage of a shell fired by the enemy. Several accidents of a similar nature occurred while we were on the island. Some days previously a Negro boy, servant to one of the regimental officers, had been killed by the passage of a shell through camp.
When our soldiers were not busy with the spade or on picket duty, they spent a large portion of their leisure, even intruding on bed hours, in playing poker or some other game of chance, and many were the dollars lost and won. Beans were the prevailing currency until the Paymaster arrived, when each individual bean, representing so much value, was cashed. These set-downs or squat-downs to a game of poker, euchre or "seven-up" were frequent among both officers and men, and the invariable accompaniment was a canteen of commissary whiskey or some vile concoction from the Sutler. Gatherings of this character were sometimes attended with unpleasant results. Some Veterans will remember the shooting of a Lieutenant of the 100th New York Volunteers at the quarters of Lieutenant Holt of the First Maryland Cavalry in a wrangle over a game of cards. A witness to the affair thus described it to Doctor Clark, who was called to attend the wounded man: "You see, they were drunk! and got into a skirmish over the game, and all at once Lieutenant Holt, of the cavalry, snatched a pistol from the table and said, 'Damn you!' 'I will shoot you!' And sure enough, the pistol exploded and we thought we had a dead man; but he rallied. The Lieutenant was badly shot through the face. He was taken into the hospital, and after recovery received a leave of absence for sixty days. He never returned to his regiment, resigning his commission. He was badly disfigured for life.
Gambling was prohibited in the command. Yet it was not and could not be wholly suppressed, although a careful watch was always kept and punishment often inflicted. The regimental sutlers also came under surveillance from the fact that they were constantly selling intoxicating liquors under false names, which were brought into the department in cases that were variously marked as "boots and shoes," "preserved fruits," etc., and it was found necessary to appoint a "Board of Administration" to examine their goods and govern their prices. This board convened as occasion justified, but generally once a month. The sutlers protested vigorously against the rulings of this "Board," but it was futile. It was doing a much-needed service to the soldier who with his $13 per month could ill afford to pay such outrageous prices as were demanded for little comforts. Beside, their traffic in sweets and other indigestible goods wonderfully increased the sick list, pandering to the perverted appetites of the soldiers with their displays of edibles, giving, as it were, "stones for bread."
June 14, Generals Gillmore and Seymour made their appearance on the island, and clearly operations were to be commenced in earnest. Since the bombardment of Fort Sumter, when nothing of importance was accomplished, there had been but little done in the matter of effecting the
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reduction of the forts in Charleston Harbor. Gillmore had succeeded General Hunter in the command of the land forces, and Admiral John Dahlgren had superseded DuPont, who had never been very sanguine after his first attempt and failure. It was fully understood that Gillmore should pursue his own plans, untrammeled by any outside influences, and he and Dahlgren were to cooperate.
Troops were arriving daily in large numbers, and we began to consider than an active campaign was about commencing in which there would be some serious fighting. There were in the Department of the South at this time some 18,000 troops, all well drilled and disciplined, and of the very best material, all being volunteers who had enlisted in 1861 for the purpose of putting down the Rebellion-not hirelings or drafted men. Only about 11,000 of these troops could be concentrated for active service, for it must be remembered that Gillmore had a coast line of 2,500 miles to picket and garrison.
The plan of operations to be pursued was, first, to take the south end of Morris Island; second, to reduce the forts on Morris Island; third, to destroy Fort Sumter, and then, with the help of Dahlgren, to threaten and demand the surrender of Charleston. These plans were all feasible and were eventually most effectually carried out, but required a vast sacrifice of life, as is now known.
Heavy ordnance and ordnance stores were continually arriving, chiefly 100-pounder Parrott guns and 15-inch mortars. The battery at the head of Folly Island, made of sand and marsh sod, was soon completed and ready for its guns, and by July 1 there were forty-eight heavy guns were in position; and so quietly did the work progress that the rebels were totally unconscious that such a thing existed until it was uncovered on July 10, and spoke for itself in a way that produced much discomfiture to the rebels. The enemy undoubtedly knew that we were being reinforced, for they were more active and annoying, not a day passing without their opening up with a shower of shot and shell, which would continue for an hour or two, and at intervals during the night.
The men of the Thirty-Ninth were about worn out by constant picket and fatigue duty, with loss of sleep, and were ordered to Cole's Island for a rest, the Sixty-Second and Sixty-Seventh Ohio Volunteers taking its place at Camp Seymour. July 7, the Field Hospital was organized near the head of the Island, and prepared to receive wounded men, Surgeon William Brown, of the Seventh New Hampshire Volunteers being placed in charge, and Surgeon M. S. Kittinger, of the 100th New York Volunteers, and Surgeon Clark, of the Thirty-Ninth, detailed as operating surgeons. The weather was generally fair, with a temperature ranging from 87° to 96° in the shade, but the nights were cool, and it was always comfortable to sleep underneath a blanket.
July 8, orders were received to be prepared to move at a moment's notice. Tents were struck and all the camp equipment placed in care of the quartermaster. The sick and wounded were ordered sent away to Northern hospitals, and the ambulances and hospital tents were taken to the field hospital. This was all accomplished on the evening of the 9th, and we patiently awaited the signal to attack. Meanwhile General Alfred H. Terry, in command of some 3,000 men, among whom was the Thirty- Ninth Illinois, was sent over on James Island to divert the attention of the enemy.
Brigadier-General George C. Strong had already selected six regiments to make the assault on Morris Island. They were the Forty-Eighth New York, Seventy-Sixth Pennsylvania, Sixth and Seventh Connecticut, Third New Hampshire, and Ninth Maine Volunteers, and they were in place on Folly River where the boats were in waiting to convey them across the inlet. General Vogdes had
"But at what a cost!"
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command of the reserve force, consisting of the Sixty-Second and Sixty-Seventh Ohio, Eighty-Fifth Pennsylvania, 100th New York, and Battery B, First U. S. Artillery. The batteries at the head of the island were commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson and Major L. L. Langdon, First U. S. Artillery.
THREE HUNDRED-POUNDER PARROT GUN BATTERY ON MORRIS ISLAND, S C
Operated by Detail from Thirty - Ninth Illinois, in Command of Lieutenant A B HOFFMAN, Co. F.
The hours of the night of the 9th passed very slowly and very quietly away, but at sunrise, the morning of the 10th, thirty-two guns and fifteen mortars opened fire upon the Confederates, and a few minutes later four monitors had taken position and opened with 15-inch and 11-inch guns on the rebel left, and four howitzer-launches pulled into position and opened on the enemy's right; and for three hours the fire of sixty guns was concentrated on the rebel position. About seven o'clock General Strong was signaled to advance, which was done in a gallant and vigorous manner, and in twenty minutes his boats were in the surf on the Morris Island shore, with the loss of only one boat and two men wounded. The regiments formed quickly after leaving the boats, and, with General Strong at their head, pressed forward, driving the rebels out of their first and second line of rifle-pits. On they swept, victorious, over the sand dunes, past the old Beacon House and up to within rifle shot of Fort Wagner, where the rebels had hurriedly retreated and made a stand. Dr. Kittinger and the writer witnessed most of this assault from the "Lookout" near the head of Folly Island, and only retired when the wounded were brought to the hospital, which was near by.
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BEACON HOUSE. .
Three-fourths of Morris Island was now in our possession, and the whole of it might have been had the troops pushed on, according to a rebel account, which says: "Only a little dash on the part of the Union army would have given them the whole of the island. All they had to do was to press on with even one-half of the troops they had landed. In my opinion it did not justify their excess of prudence; fortunately, however, it saved us."
Our losses in this affair were fourteen killed and thirty-nine wounded. The Confederate loss was 294, of whom 127 were prisoners. We captured twelve guns, several flags, and many tents and small arms. A pontoon bridge was now thrown across the inlet, and the reserves and other troops ordered across. Another hospital was also established at the other end of the island.
The first wounded men to receive attention were two gunners who were injured by the premature explosion of a gun. They were so mangled that they suffered amputation of both arms; and besides, their sight was destroyed. The wounded were attended to as speedily as possible and sent to the hospital boat Cosmopolitan, at the foot of Folly Island, for transfer to Hilton Head.
It was decided that Fort Wagner should be carried by assault the next morning, and three regiments were selected, the Ninth Maine, Seventh Connecticut and Seventy-Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and General Strong were to lead them. At daybreak on the 11th he had formed the assaulting column of the regiments mentioned with the Third and Seventh New Hampshire Volunteers as reserves. The Seventh Connecticut led the advance and strictly followed the orders given; "But unfortunately," says General Strong in his report, "when the enemy opened fire along the whole line, and within range of 200 yards, the Seventy-Sixth Pennsylvania halted and lay down upon the ground. Though they remained in this position but a few minutes, and afterwards moved gallantly forward, some of them even to the ditch, that halt lost the battle, for the interval was lost and the Seventh Connecticut, unsupported, was driven from the parapet and the force retired."
Our losses were eight officers and 332 men. The loss to the enemy was one officer and five men killed, and one officer and five men wounded. The Confederate force in Wagner at the time was about 1,200 officers and men.
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FORT WAGNER. POINT OF FIRST ASSAULT.
The following Confederate account of this assault was taken from a Charleston paper of July 18, and was written by Colonel Rian, who commanded the rebel picket line that morning:
"At peep of day my attention was called to a dark mass approaching my front. When about twenty-five yards off I ordered the videttes to fire by file, which they did; then the whole battalion rose, formed lines, and gave an almost simultaneous yell. This meant for me 'all right for Battery Wagner,' 'They are coming.' My first line had come to a ready; we could see the beard on the faces of the Federals. Aim! Fire! Then a sheet of flame burst into the advancing line; this doubles up their front, but on comes the body at a double-quick. We fall back, loading as we retire, and form on the left of the second line, coming to a ready, aim- fire! and we poured another volley into their faces. Their front staggers, but on come the survivors at a stately double-quick. We fall back to the third line, the whole battalion coming to a ready; they are now within ten steps of us. Aim! Fire! for the last time. The effect is terrific-it appears as when a wind strikes the stalks of a wheat field. I actually felt sorry for them. It was war, hence fair, but it did seem to me that we were taking unfair advantage of them; they could not stop to fire upon us, for time was all-important to them; their success depending on reaching the battery without delay, and hence they had to receive these dreadful volleys without responding. The enemy dashed on, but barely gave us time to reach the inside of the works before they were repulsed."
After this repulse General Gillmore and Admiral Dahlgren consulted and it was decided that no more assaults should be made until works had been built, and Wagner destroyed by bombardment; and work at once began, building batteries. The Thirty-Ninth had taken no part in these assaults. It returned from James Island on the 11th and made encampment about midway between Fort Wagner and the south end of the island. The Eighty-Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers had been attached to our brigade at St. Helena Island, and Colonel Joshua B. Howell, its commander, being senior in rank, was acting Brigadier-General.
Morris Island is a narrow ridge of sand formed by accumulations from the beach, having an area of about 400 acres. It is wider at its southern than in its northern part, the extremity on Lighthouse Inlet being about 1,000 yards in width. Its surface is irregular and broken by sand ridges or dunes, affording excellent shelter for troops. It gradually slopes inward, terminating in a series of marshes. The northern extremity was very narrow, terminating in what is called Cummings Point, and distant
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from Charleston about five and a half miles. The main channel into the harbor was some 1,200 yards distant and parallel to the island. On Cummings Point was located Battery Gregg, and about 2,000 yards this side (south) was Fort Wagner. Heavy details were made every few days from the Regiment to work in the entrenchments and for grand guard duty at the front. Fort Sumter and the batteries on Sullivan's Island kept us and almost continuous fire across Fort Wagner upon our trenches and not a day passed that one or more men were not killed or wounded. Gillmore, however, soon had some 26 heavy guns in position and vigorously returned the enemy's fire, and in great part put a stop to this constant annoyance, enabling our men to more easily, rapidly and safely push forward the work. Lines of rifle-pits were thrown across the island in front of the batteries and were constantly advanced. Fort Wagner was never silent.
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