USA > Illinois > Yates phalanx : the history of the Thirty-Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Veteran Infantry in the war of the rebellion, 1861-1865 > Part 22
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We had a summary way of punishing this class. They were told to get up and proceed to their regiment; and calling two men of the guard to take position behind them with fixed bayonets, with orders to march at a "charge bayonet," and if the villains faltered, to run them through, they were told to Forward, march! and they finally concluded to go nimbly to camp.
One other case of this character we will mention. A man from a New York regiment had been lying in hospital for some weeks with what he termed "hip-joint disease." During a meeting of the "Board" he was brought in for examination, and was accompanied by the assistant surgeon in charge of the ward, who stated that the man had been under treatment there for some weeks, and after doing all that he could for him, there was no improvement in his case. The assistant also stated that he had care fully watched the man and had noticed him at times walking naturally, when he thought himself unobserved. Each of the four surgeons constituting the examining board gave his opinion, after a full and free examination, and we all concurred in pronouncing the case one of fraud. Chloroform was administered, and the limb put through all its motions and examined thoroughly, and we were more fully convinced that he was malingering. We told him our conviction, but he stoutly maintained that he was an invalid.
The steward of the hospital was called and directed to place two irons or pokers in the fire, and we would soon cure the man. He watched the irons until they assumed a white heat, and was ordered to uncover his hip, which he did without any protest, and then, one after the other, the burning irons were applied over the hip-joint. He made no exclamation until the third application, when he confessed that he had been "playing off" on the doctors, and if we would let him go he would never do so again. We kept the man in hospital until he recovered from the cautery, and they sent him to his company, where he proved a good soldier afterwards.
December 24, the Band of the Thirty-Ninth came to the hospital in the evening chaperoned by the Hospital Steward Anthony DeNormandie. After some music in front of our headquarters, we showed them the way to the quarters of Miss Barton, where several pieces were played, and at last we were invited in to take a little milk-punch, provided for us, together with a "Christmas eve" collation. After doing the "nice thing" by the band we returned to the writer's quarters, where we found the band of the Eighth Connecticut, who had also come down for a little stimulation. In proceeding farther we met with General Osborn and his acting Assistant-Adjutant-General, Captain Nevins, and at once ordered in eggnog, for this was possible, as we had a large number of hens connected with the hospital and belonging to Surgeon Richardson. The affair was enjoyed amazingly, and the "wee sma' hours" approached before we were permitted to go to bed.
The Thirty-Ninth and Eighth Connecticut Bands took turns in giving us music, and when invited inside were as zealous in appropriating "something to wet their lips." The whiskey was brought from the division commissary, and how they ever got home was a "nine days' wonder" to us.
Before leaving, the bands got considerably mixed, and in playing their "finale" it was impossible to state whether it was "Schubert's Serenade," the "Mocking Bird," or the "Volunteer's Return." However, they did their best, and we have never yet seen members of a band who could not keep their legs, and the necessary "pucker" of lip.
During the winter, although a most ominous quiet had been observed at the front, the men were detailed to go out on picket duty at the front and at the rear near where a cut was being made which
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would save some six miles journey by river, and was known as the "Dutch Gap Canal" of General Butler. The men at work on this canal were continually harassed by the shot and shell of the enemy from the Howlett House battery, and they had the range so completely that it was dangerous to work at any time. The details that were sent there excavated pits in the embankment where they were comparatively safe during bombardment from the battery.
The canal was finally completed, with the loss of many a good man, and had, up to this time, been of no particular benefit, and we counted it as so much lost time.
January 24 we were awakened by the heavy booming of cannon, and at each discharge of the heavy guns our rooms fairly quivered and the window-sashes seemed to have the ague. On getting out of bed in the early morning the cannonading was still in progress and continued for perhaps an hour in great fury.
The occasion was the appearance of the enemy's gunboats. The result was, the destruction of one rebel ram, and two others ran aground in attempting to get down the river to "Dutch Gap Canal," and they, before getting off, were severely injured.
In the early part of February we received some visitors from the North. Among them was Joseph A. Cutler, our former quartermaster, and a Mr. Garrison from Chicago, who had come down on a semi-political mission pertaining to the promotion and commissioning of several officers.
February 11, Mr. Garrison took his departure for Washington via Norfolk to see Lieuten- ant-Colonel Mann, and was accompanied to the landing by several officers, including General Osborn, who was to accompany him to Norfolk on a few days "leave of absence." The Regimental Band had preceded the party and met them at the boat.
In this connection is mentioned a little incident that happened during the evening on board the gunboat Hunchback, were the band, Surgeon Clark and Dr. Woodward had been invited. The following version of the affair from the pen of Edward Conley, a former member of the band from Wilmington, Illinois, and who was the editor of the Wilmington Advocate, but not of the Joliet Signal, is inserted:
"On the evening of February 11 the Band proceeded on foot from the Brigade encampment on the New Market road, near the outer defenses of Richmond, to the 'landing' at Deep Bottom-about four miles distant, with a view of visiting the medical purveyor (Dr. Woodward, of the Thirty-Ninth), and his barges on the James River, and of seeing Colonel Osborn and his Chicago guest off to Norfolk on the steamer Thomas Powell. On arriving we gave some music, and as soon as the Powell departed we descended the hatches of the purveyor's barge, where a genial and hospitable circle, including Surgeon Clark, greeted us. The evening passed with vocal and instrumental music, pleasant repartee and general hilarity; all, however, within the bounds of decorum.
"At about eleven o'clock, a signal lantern appeared on the Hunchback, a 'double-ender' gunboat lying off a 500 yards distant, guarding the approaches to 'Four mile Run,' and forming the extreme right of the Union lines, at that time. To be brief, our Band and the officers were invited on board; and having accepted the courtesy, were conveyed to the vessel
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in a cutter and the captain's gig, the former for the Band and the latter for the 'shoulder straps.'
"The crew were in their hammocks and asleep, but not so the commander, Captain Fyfe, a splendid specimen of humanity, six feet in his stockings, if an inch, a handsome, swarthy, robust, daredevil sea-captain of the regular services.
"The officers of the vessel had now assembled in the cabin, and the immediate program may be easily guessed. Music, wine and song ruled the hour; there was indeed 'a sound of revelry by night'.
"Captain Fyfe felt 'mellow' and hurled his jokes at the volunteer service generally; as though volunteers on land or sea were a sort of nondescript when compared with 'regulars.'
"The Band, being his guests, threw aside rigid formality, and parried his thrusts freely; in fact, all in the cabin appeared to have ignored or forgotten the existence of such a thing as rank for the time.
"Suddenly a gong sounded, and all hands beat to quarters. The men sprang from their hammocks and rushed to their respective posts, armed for action, in a moment of time. We 'land-lubbers' thought that an attack had certainly been made on the line, not having noticed the Captain secretly and quietly giving the command to 'beat to quarters' a few minutes previously.
"We were assigned a place on the larboard bow; while a platoon of sailors with cutlasses line the starboard wheel house and gunwales, supported by a platoon of musketeers in the rear.
"Captain Fyfe, jolly enough, raised his trumpet to his lips and gave the command, 'Repel boarders!' which rang out on the frosty midnight air like a clarion; then in succession came the commands, 'Fire!' 'Board with cheers !! ' At the second command a volley of musketry shook the vessel, and the report resounded for miles around, through Federal and rebel camps alike. The next command was heartily responded to by the jolly tars with echoing and re-echoing cheers. It was with difficulty that the Captain was restrained by Dr. Clark from firing his heavy broadside Dahlgen guns.
"The band looked on in amazement, just realizing the fact that all these noisy and alarming proceedings with an imaginary rebel craft were for our surprise and entertainment.
"Soon the ship was hailed from the shore and a cutter came alongside conveying an aid from General Weitzel, commanding all the forces in that vicinity. The officer stepped on deck and said: 'The Major-General commanding sends his compliments to Captain Fyfe, and desires to know the cause of this alarm and firing.'
"Captain Fyfe responded: 'Give General Weitzel my compliments; tell him I'm at the top of my profession, and have such a lot of damned green Ohio volunteer recruits on this vessel that I sometimes have to drill 'em all night; also say to your superior officer that I have instructions from the Navy Department to drill my men whenever I choose, and damn me if I don't do it! Good morning, Sir.'
"Our Band saw the 'situation' at once and took leave of Captain Fyfe for the shore, where we felt safer, and soon were toddling back to camp over four miles of corduroy road, and
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reached our bunks just before sunrise. The following day the New York papers reported 'heavy firing was heard last night near Deep Bottom. Troops were put in the trenches and awaited an attack until daylight.'
"The affair was signaled and telegraphed to General Grant's headquarters at City Point, and we afterwards learned that Captain Fyfe was arrested, tried by court-martial, and finally sent with the Hunchback out of the James to the coast of Hatteras, with loss of pay for six months.
"So much for the spree and Captain Fyfe's entertainment of the Thirty-Ninth Band."
February 19, we at the hospital, not having much to do except making "sectio cadaveris" of the dead who were brought to us with a new malady called "spotted fever," which takes men off suddenly, turned our attention to removing a bullet from the hip of Surgeon Richardson's horse where it had remained since May 16, 1864. The horse was cast and the bullet removed, and it is presumed that the poor brute felt grateful.
During the evening a large body of "rebels" came within our lines, consisting of two colonels, six captains, and 250 enlisted men. They all deserted in a body. They expressed themselves as having no confidence in the success of their arms; that the Confederacy was built upon sand, and the tidal-wave that Grant and Sherman were sending was fast crumbling the whole fabric of their superstructure.
February 21, official news came of the occupation by our forces of Branchville, Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina, and at noon 100 guns were fired along our line. The Richmond papers of that date acknowledged the fact of the surrender of these places, and they seemed to know that the "bogus Confederacy" was fast falling.
Day after day succeeded with unvarying uniformity-the same duties to be performed at the front, in camp, and elsewhere. In fact, life was monotonous, and we all wanted a change. To be sure there was novelty enough in the various circumstances that were daily occurring to keep us from brooding, but we were in haste for active service to commence that we might finish the work so near completion and return to our homes.
During the long winter in camp we had been comfortably housed and provided for. The daily routine of duty was made as pleasant as possible, and there was ample time and opportunity for amusements and social interchanges, and we made many valuable friendships with officers and enlisted men from all parts of the Union. The paymaster did not forget us, and came regularly through the winter bringing us the "promises to pay" of "Uncle Sam," and his arrival was always the anticipated event of all, the sutler especially. After pay day, old scores were settled, furloughs applied for and granted, and games of "draw poker," "seven-up," etc., indulged in by many without limit, and 'every thing was lovely' for a short time.
March 11, the Division was again called out to witness the execution of a soldier who had been guilty of deserting to the enemy. He had been tried, found guilty, and was sentenced to be shot to death with musketry. The day previous two others had been shot for a like offense, and others were yet to follow if they were not pardoned.
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The Division was formed in hollow square, and in one corner a grave was dug and a coffin placed near it. After all was in readiness the man, who belonged to a New York regiment, a bounty-jumper and a most reckless piece of humanity, was brought forward and commanded to kneel on his coffin. After his arms had been secured and his eyes bandaged, a firing party consisting of twenty-four men in two platoons was marched up within six paces of the victim, and when the signal was given by the commanding General, the officer in command of the firing party gave the order, "First Platoon! make ready! aim! fire !! " and twelve muskets belched forth a volley that completely riddled the man. Dr. Barlow, Sixty-Second Ohio, and Dr. Clark stood within three paces of him, and when the orders were given we watched the man closely, but not the least tremor or motion could be detected except the nervous twitching of some of the facial muscles.
Immediately after the volley the surgeons went to the man, or rather to the corpse, to see if life were extinct. The firing party had done their work well. We found that nine bullets had penetrated the body-two through the heart; six within a circumference of four inches of it; and one through the brain. When the volley was fired the man jumped up and backwards at least four feet. If the volley that was fired had not done its work, the other platoon behind would have finished it, as was necessary on the day previous when the two that we have mentioned were executed. One of the men was killed, the other only wounded, and it was necessary to put him in position again.
We have often tried to conjecture what the feelings of that man was when he was made to kneel on that coffin that was to enclose him, and near the grave that was to contain him, and especially when he heard the snap and decisive commands that were so soon to send him on his last journey. They must have been terrible beyond expression.
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"There was some terrible hot work going on."
March 12, 1865, the First and Second Divisions of the Twenty-Fourth Army Corps, under the command of General John Gibbons, the only representatives of the Corps in the Army of the James, were reviewed by General Grant. Many ladies in carriages were present; also many notables from Washington.
General Grant had a numerous and brilliant staff with him; the day was fine and the troops were in excellent spirits and trim. Our Brigade, in command of Brevet Brigadier-General Osborn, elicited much admiration for their soldierly bearing and behavior, and was commented upon much to its advantage. The balance of the Division appeared fully as well and the occasion was one of satisfaction to all concerned.
March 17 General Grant and staff, on their way to the front, stopped at the hospital. The General dismounted and came forward unattended and was met by the writer. He said that he wished to write some dispatches and requested the favor of using the desk for the purpose. He remained for nearly half and hour, writing several orders, and after inquiring for the nearest telegraph station took his departure. While he was seated at the desk we had an excellent opportunity to observe the Commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States. He wore his uniform coat unbuttoned; a slouch hat encircled with a gilt cord; but had no sash or sword on his person. He was not arrogant, conceited or at all formal in speech or manner; and to one ignorant as to who he was and the position he occupied, and not bearing the insignia of his rank, he would have passed for some ordinary mortal connected perhaps with the commissary or quartermaster's department. His face wore a look of anxiety, but withal there was an expression of satisfaction noticeable, as if affairs were progressing in the right channel. We looked upon this man, who was burdened with so great a responsibility and on who the hopes of a great nation were centered, with feelings approaching to awe and wonder as well as admiration, and heartily wished him God-speed in his efforts to crush the great rebellion. Before the General took his leave he asked for a drink of water, which was given. After he was gone, an officer who had been present wished to know why he was not given something stronger, as he looked tired and dusty; but we felt somewhat diffident in the matter, although having seriously thought of doing so.
After dinner we rode to the front to witness another grand review of the "Army of the James" by General Grant, Secretary Stanton, Secretary Seward, Generals Ord and Gibbons, and there was also present a large number of ladies.
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In the evening we received a visit from Generals R. S. Foster, commanding the First Division, Thomas O. Osborn commanding the First Brigade; and Colonel Dandy of the 100th New York Volunteers. They expressed themselves as well pleased with the review and the compliments that had been paid the troops under their command, and as Colonel Dandy expressed it, "were feeling like green bay trees!" but after being introduced to the several varieties of Surgeon Richardson's "milk punch" it was difficult to say how they felt; possibly they felt as if a cyclone had struck them, for they gathered themselves together and silently rode away.
March 21 orders came to prepare for a move, and we were directed to turn over tents and camp equipment. The sick and disabled were to be examined and sent away, and everything foretold of forced marches and lively times for the Army of the James. Over 400 sick and disabled were sent to hospital at Fort Monroe.
March 26 General Sheridan with his cavalry arrived and crossed the James River at Deep Bottom. President Lincoln also came and reviewed the First Division, Tenth Corps.
March 27 the order came to move, and the troops marched out of their winter quarters fresh and active at sundown. We were in motion all night and part of the succeeding day, making 40 miles, and reached the extreme left of the Army of the Potomac and expected to remain in the place of the Second Corps, but on the 29th were again ordered to move.
Here again is introduced the narrative of Captain Homer A. Plimpton, commanding the Regiment at this time, which fully describes the movements and operations of the Thirty-Ninth from March 27 to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox April 9, 1865. There is also presented the official report of Brevet Brigadier-General Osborn, who commanded the First Brigade, First Division, Twenty-Fourth Army Corps.
Extracts from a letter written near Richmond, Virginia April 28, 1865.
"When we crossed the James, which was on the night of March 27, we marched to the defenses on Grant's left, which we occupied, while the Second and Fifth Corps, with Sheridan's cavalry, moved farther to the left to initiate the long talked of movement which was to wrench the strong holds of Petersburg and Richmond from the grasp of the enemy.
"The Sixth and Ninth Corps broke the enemy's line on the morning of the 2nd, when we were called upon to hasten to the assistance of the Sixth Corps, the principal part of which, after breaking through the works, had swung to the right towards Petersburg.
"Our Division, the First, commanded by General R. S. Foster, of Indiana, went through the line on the double quick, and passed the Sixth Corps, charged two of the enemy's redoubts, capturing them and turning the guns upon the flying foe. We advanced to within a short distance of a stronghold or work called Fort Gregg, where the enemy made a bold stand. This was a key to all the forts about Petersburg, and its capture necessitated the fall of the city, as well as Richmond.
"Fort Gregg commanded five other forts. It was built upon a high prominence, the country about it open, affording no covering. It was an enclosed fort; surrounding it was a
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ditch ten or twelve feet deep and same in width. It was garrisoned with nearly 500 picked men who swore to hold the fort against all odds or die in the attempt. General Lee visited the fort about two hours prior to our arrival and exhorted them to hold it at all hazards, for the salvation of Petersburg and the safety of Richmond depended upon the fate of that fort; and nobly did they endeavor to carry out his instructions, but it was all in vain. They were not counting on meeting with Western men in the coming conflict.
THE ASSAULT OF FORT GREGG, APRIL 2, 1865.
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"Our Brigade, composed of the Thirty-Ninth Illinois, Sixty-Second and Sixty-Seventh Ohio and 199th Pennsylvania Volunteers, was soon in position in line of battle, ready to try its mettle. As soon as we started, the enemy arose from behind their parapets, where they had been compelled to keep down by our sharpshooters, and poured into our ranks a destructive fire of musketry and grape, which mowed down our men most unmercifully; but we faltered not. On we went; we reached the ditch, the Thirty-Ninth reaching it first, and was first in planting her colors upon the fort; and, by the way, our colors are to be sent to Washington to have an eagle, cast for the purpose, placed upon them, by our Corps Commander, General Gibbons, in honor of the event. Into the ditch we plunged; it was there we encountered a difficulty unforeseen when we started. The steepness and slippery nature of the sides of the fort for a time rendered futile all our efforts to scale them. The excitement that now prevailed beggars description. The men were nearly frantic in their attempts to gain the top of the works. The enemy continued to fire grape and minié balls at all who attempted to come to our assistance. It was only by digging footholds with bayonets and swords that we were enabled to work our way up inch-by-inch, fighting all the time. We finally gained the top of the parapets, and now the fighting was hand-to-hand, and continued for twenty-four minutes by the watch. It was the first time since entering the service that I ever thought it necessary to use my revolver in battle; this time I made good use of it, as I stood near our Colors and fought the enemy on the parapet. I was one of the first of the officers to enter the fort, and was not even touched by the missiles flying on all sides of me. When we rushed over the top the sight was truly terrific-dead men and the dying lay strewn all about, and it was with the greatest difficulty that we could prevent our infuriated soldiers from shooting down and braining all who survived of the stubborn foe. Not a rebel escaped; those not killed were captured.
"Immediately after the capture of Fort Gregg, two others nearby were evacuated. And during the night succeeding this, Petersburg was abandoned; and no sooner did we hear of that than the announcement ran along our line that Richmond, too, was ours, and Lee's army was on the retreat for Lynchburg.
"Our Brigade and Division gained quite a reputation in this brilliant affair at Fort Gregg. It was witnessed by thousands of spectators in both armies, who crowded by surrounding hills and housetops; and the Thirty-Ninth Illinois stands Number One in the Brigade.
"Out of 150 men, the number I took in of my Regiment, the balance being on picket duty at the time, sixteen were killed outright and forty-five wounded; six of whom, I understand, have since died. They lie buried where they fell. -
"It has appeared good in the eyes of the commanding generals to reward your friend the writer for what they were pleased to denominate 'gallantry at the battle of Fort Gregg.' At least my Brigade Commander informed me, soon after the affair was over, that my name had been sent on to Washington to the War Department, with a recommendation for B- revet-Major, and also to the Governor of Illinois, for the regular commission as Major in my Regiment."
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