USA > Illinois > Yates phalanx : the history of the Thirty-Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Veteran Infantry in the war of the rebellion, 1861-1865 > Part 27
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Division Artillery - Captain Frederick M. Follett, Commanding
Seventh New York Third New York, Battery E First Rhode Island, Battery F
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Appendix III - Federal Forces - May 16, 1864
Fourth United States, Battery D
Third Division
Brigadier-General Edward W. Hinks
First Brigade - Brigadier-General Edward A. Wild, Commanding
First U. S. Colored Infantry Regiment
Tenth U. S. Colored Infantry Regiment
Twenty-Second U. S. Colored Infantry Regiment
Thirty-Seventh U. S. Colored Infantry Regiment
Second Brigade - Colonel Samuel A. Duncan, Commanding
Fourth U. S. Colored Infantry Regiment
Fifth U. S. Colored Infantry Regiment
Sixth U. S. Colored Infantry Regiment
Division Artillery
Third New York Light, Battery K Third New York Light, Battery M Second U. S. Colored Light, Battery M
Cavalry Division
Brigadier-General August V. Kaautz
First Brigade - Colonel Simon H. Mix, Commanding
First District of Columbia Cavalry Regiment Third New York Cavalry Regiment
Second Brigade - Colonel Samuel P. Spear, Commanding
Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment
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YATES PHALANX
Division Artillery
New York Light, Eighth Battery (section)
Unattached Troops
First New York Mounted Rifles
First U. S. Colored Cavalry Regiment
Second U. S. Colored Cavalry Regiment
Thirteenth Company Massachusetts Heavy Artillery
243
1
APPENDIX IV
Confederate Forces May 16, 1864
Department of Southern Virginia and North Carolina
General P. G. T. Beauregard
Ransom's Division
. Major-General Robert Ransom, Jr.
Gracie's Brigade - Brigadier-General Archibald Gracie, Jr.
Forty-First Alabama Infantry Regiment
Forty-Third Alabama Infantry Regiment
Fifty-Ninth Alabama Infantry Regiment Sixtieth Alabama Infantry Regiment Twenty-Third Alabama Battalion of Sharpshooters
Terry's Brigade - Colonel William R. Terry, Commanding
First Virginia Infantry Regiment Seventh Virginia Infantry Regiment Eleventh Virginia Infantry Regiment Twenty-Fourth Virginia Infantry Regiment
244
YATES PHALANX
Barton's Brigade - Colonel Brikett D. Fry, Commanding
Ninth Virginia Infantry Regiment Fourteenth Virginia Infantry Regiment Thirty-Eighth Virginia Infantry Regiment Fifty-Third Virginia Infantry Regiment Fifty-Seventh Virginia Infantry Regiment
Hoke's Brigade - Colonel William G. Lewis, Commanding
Sixth North Carolina Infantry Regiment Twenty-First North Carolina Infantry Regiment Forty-Third North Carolina Infantry Regiment Fifty-Fourth North Carolina Infantry Regiment Fifty-Seventh North Carolina Infantry Regiment First North Carolina Infantry Regiment
Twenty-First Georgia Infantry Regiment
Artillery - Lieutenant-Colonel Charles E. Lightfoot, Commanding
Hankin's Battery (Virginia Light) Rives's Battery (Virginia) Thornton's Battery (Carolina) Virginia
Cavalry
Fifth South Carolina Cavalry Regiment
Hoke's Division
Major-General Robert F. Hoke
Corse's Brigade - Brigadier-General Montgomery Corse, Commanding
Fifteenth Virginia Infantry Regiment Seventeenth Virginia Infantry Regiment Eighteenth Virginia Infantry Regiment Twenty-Ninth Virginia Infantry Regiment Thirtieth Virginia Infantry Regiment
1
Confederate Forces - May 16, 1864
245
Clingman's Brigade - Brigadier-General Thomas Clingman, Commanding
Eighth North Carolina Infantry Regiment Thirty-First North Carolina Infantry Regiment Fifty-First North Carolina Infantry Regiment Sixty-First North Carolina Infantry Regiment
Johnson's Brigade - Brigadier-General Bushrod R. Johnson, Commanding
Seventeenth/Twenty-Third Tennessee Infantry Regiment
Twenty-Fifth/Forty-Fourth Tennessee Infantry Regiment Sixty-Third Tennessee Infantry Regiment
Hagood's Brigade - Brigadier-General Johnson Hagood, Commanding
Eleventh South Carolina Infantry Regiment
Twenty-First South Carolina Infantry Regiment
Twenty-Fifth South Carolina Infantry Regiment
Twenty-Seventh South Carolina Infantry Regiment
Seventh South Carolina Battalion of Sharpshooter's
Artillery
First Company, Washington Artillery Second Company, Washington Artillery Third Company, Washington Artillery
Fourth Company, Washington Artillery
Cavalry
Third North Carolina Cavalry Regiment
Colquitt's Division
Brigadier-General Alfred H. Colquitt
Colquitt's Brigade - Colonel John T. Lofton, Commanding
Sixth Georgia Infantry Regiment Nineteenth Georgia Infantry Regiment Twenty-Third Georgia Infantry Regiment
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YATES PHALANX
Twenty-Seventh Georgia Infantry Regiment Twenty-Eighth Georgia Infantry Regiment
Ransom's Brigade - Colonel Leroy M. McAfee, Commanding
Twenty-Fourth North Carolina Infantry Regiment
Twenty-Fifth North Carolina Infantry Regiment Thirty-Fifth North Carolina Infantry Regiment
Forty-Ninth North Carolina Infantry Regiment Fifty-Sixth North Carolina Infantry Regiment
Artillery
Macon's Battery Martin's Battery Payne's Battery (improvised)
Cavalry
Seventh South Carolina Cavalry Regiment
Whiting's Division
Major-General William H. C. Whiting
Wise's Brigade - Brigadier-General Henry A. Wise, Commanding
Twenty-Sixth Virginia Infantry Regiment
Thirty-Fourth Virginia Infantry Regiment Forty-Sixth Virginia Infantry Regiment
Fifty-Ninth Virginia Infantry Regiment
Martin's Brigade - Brigadier-General James G. Martin, Commanding
Seventeenth North Carolina Infantry Regiment
Forty-Second North Carolina Infantry Regiment Sixty-Sixth North Carolina Infantry Regiment
Cavalry Brigade - Brigadier-General James Dearing, Commanding
Seventh Confederate Cavalry Regiment
2
Confederate Forces - May 16, 1864
247
Sixty-Second Georgia Cavalry Regiment Fifty-Ninth North Carolina Cavalry Regiment Sixty-Fifth North Carolina Cavalry Regiment Barham's Virginia Cavalry Battalion
Artillery
Blount's Battery Bradford's Battery Caskie's Battery Graham's Battery Kelly's Battery Marshall's Battery Miller's Battery Pegram's Battery Slaten's Battery Sturdivant's Battery - Albermarle (Virginia) Wright's Battery - Halifax (Virginia) Young's Battery
248
YATES PHALANX
1
249
APPENDIX V
COMPANY HISTORIES
&
SUMMARY
OF
CASUALTIES
250
YATES PHALANX
2
Appendix V - Company Histories
251
History of Company A
This company was enlisted in the early part of April 1861, during that exciting period following the firing upon Fort Sumter, and within three days many more men had been enrolled than could be taken in one company, so that selection was made in securing what was considered the best material for soldiers. The election for officers resulted in the choice of-
Sylvester W. Munn for Captain. Joseph W. Richardson for First Lieutenant. Leroy A. Baker for Second Lieutenant.
The full muster-roll of 103 men was immediately forwarded to Springfield, for registry by the Adjutant-General of the State, and it should, by reason of precedence, have been assigned to the Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but through some favoritism a second company, raised at Joliet received the place. The majority of the men who had enlisted were anxious to enter into active service, and the company was practically disbanded, many enlisted in the Twentieth Illinois and other organizations that were preparing to take the field. A sufficient number, however, remained behind to form the nucleus for another company. The Thirty-Ninth Illinois Infantry were organizing in Chicago and this company was offered a place as soon as the War Department would accept the Regiment.
After the first battle of Bull Run notice was received that the Thirty-Ninth was to be accepted, and measures were at once taken to recruit; and on August 5, 1861, Captain Munn with about fifty men proceeded to Chicago, and upon presentation of the muster-roll to Captain Webb, U. S. A., they were mustered into the service of the United States and assigned as Company A, Thirty-Ninth Illinois.
The Company was made comfortable in quarters in the building known as the Republican Wigwam on Market Street, and remained there until about September 1, when the Regiment encampment was established on vacant grounds on Indiana Avenue, near 26th Street.
The men forming this company were principally from the vicinity of Wilmington, and mostly farmers, or farmers' sons. They made earnest and loyal soldiers, ever maintaining a good state of order and discipline, each man contributing his due share in making the record of the Thirty-Ninth Regiment the peer of any that the State sent forth.
The Company took part in every battle in which the Regiment was engaged, as well as having several independent skirmishes in which it won commendations not only from its immediate commanders but from general officers.
It re-enlisted as veterans in January 1864, at Hilton Head, South Carolina, for three years, or during the continuance of the war.
Summary of Casualties
Killed in battle
6 Died of wounds 10
1
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YATES PHALANX
Died in prison
2
Died of disease
14
Lost limbs
6
Wounded
36
Discharged for disability
30
Transferred
7
Deserted
11
Taken prisoner
12
Mustered out at expiration of service
21
Re-enlisted as veterans
97
Recruits
61
Returned at muster-out of Regiment
57
History of Company B
This company was organized at Bloomington, August 12, 1861. After the old Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry had served its three months on the banks of the "Big Muddy" and at Cairo, Illinois, those who did not wish to re-enlist for the three years' service returned to their homes with their honorable discharge in pocket, feeling in a measure unsettled as to what they would do. The news of the first battle at Bull Run spreading over the country as fast as electricity could carry it-a battle and a defeat-so excited and stirred up the feelings of the boys that it soon decided the old members of Company K of the Eighth Illinois who had seen service as above mentioned, to re-enlist, and thus they became the nucleus of Company B, Thirty-Ninth Illinois Volunteers. These men were George T. Heritage, Al. C. Sweetser, James Gibson, D. F. Sellards, L. D. Kidder, Harvey Bailey, James S. Haldeman, Stephan Johnson, and others whose names we cannot at present recall. After a few days active work in recruiting we had a sufficient number on the rolls to call a meeting, which was held at No. 214 North Front Street, for the purpose of electing officers and perfecting the organization. At this meeting, which was largely attended by those who had enlisted, the following officers were chosen:
For Captain, Isaiah W. E. Wilmarch. First Lieutenant, David F. Sellards. Second Lieutenant, James S. Haldeman.
The company proceeded to Chicago, where it was assigned to the Thirty-Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers as Company B, having at that time 34 enlisted men. While at Chicago thirty-six more recruits joined it before muster into the United States service October 11, 1861.
Company B participated in all the movements and battles the Regiment was engaged in, and won for itself an enviable reputation for soldierly conduct. At the battle of Drewry's Bluff on May 16, 1864, when the troops on the right of the line had been driven back, and the men on the right of our
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Appendix V - Company Histories
own Regiment were giving way file by file, stubbornly contesting every inch of the ground, and as the men of Company B were dropping back until Alexander Paul was reached, Sergeant Joseph Hallett said to him, "Aleck, there is no orders to retreat; hold your ground!" and then drawing his revolver and covering the "color bearer" commanded him to return with the colors, and at the same time called upon the Regiment to rally-which it did in grand style; and while the right of the line was making rapid strides to the rear, the Thirty-Ninth alone was advancing on the enemy and keeping his left in a spirited engagement, so much so, that General Alfred H. Terry was heard to say, "In the name of God! what troops are engaged on our left?"
On May 20, at Ware Bottom Church, Virginia, it did noble service, losing several men in killed and wounded. At this battle Lieutenant Al. C. Sweetser acted as Adjutant to the Regiment. On June 2, 1864, while it was on duty at the front near Ware Bottom Church, Lieutenant Sweetser was wounded through both legs. It took an active part in the battle of Darbytown Cross-Roads, Virginia, losing heavily in killed and wounded. Captain Heritage was severely wounded in this action and to his credit be it said, he entered into the engagement after his term of service had expired, and his order for "muster out" was at brigade headquarters.
At the time the Regiment was preparing to assault the rebel works, Companies B and G formed the Fifth Division of the Regiment under command of Lieutenant Harrington of Company G. The Lieutenant's term of service had expired, and not feeling willing to undergo the risk of his life, he turned his command over to Sergeant Joseph Hallett of Company B, remarking, as he did so, "I am a citizen, and by God it is getting too close for me, and I shall go where there is more room!" He did not stand long on the order of his going either, but went at once. Some may think that Lieutenant Harrington showed the "white feather," but we that knew him could vouch to the contrary, and we felt that under the circumstances he was fully justified in thinking the course he did. The company followed the fortunes of the Regiment through to its final "muster out" at the close of the was, and ever maintained a high order of discipline, especially after Captain Heritage was called to the command. It was always ready and willing for duty, and in its performance evinced those sterling qualities that give it the name of the "Old Reliable."
Summary of Casualties
Killed in battle
6
Died of wounds
5
Died in prison
1
Died of disease
6
Lost limbs
3
Drowned
1
Wounded
34
Discharged for disability
33
Transferred
3
Deserted
10
Taken prisoner
13
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YATES PHALANX
Mustered out at expiration of service 34
Re-enlisted as veterans 28
Number originally enlisted 94 Recruits 56
Returned at muster-out of Regiment
45
History of Company C
This company was organized and principally enlisted at Pontiac, Livingston county, Illinois, in the month of July 1861, through the efforts of John Gray, Simon S. Brucker and others. It numbered sixty-four men when it was offered to the Thirty-Ninth Regiment, and was the second company to be quartered in the Wigwam after Company A, although there were a few men, the nucleus of Company D, being recruited by S. S. Linton there at the same time. At the date of its muster into the United States service it numbered ninety-four men, eighty-three of them from the vicinity of Pontiac, and eleven recruited in Chicago.
The company was made up of first-class material, having in its ranks several men who had seen service in the British army; but it had not been fortunate in the selection of its officers, and there was more or less disaffection, and at times even mutinous conduct among its members up to the time that Lieutenant James W. Wightman was promoted to the captaincy, May 26, 1862, when it became almost perfect in discipline, and proved itself one of the most efficient companies of the Regiment.
It was one of the companies stationed at Alpine Station, West Virginia in the early part of January 1862, where they met a portion of the Confederate force under Jackson and Loring, and where they met their first baptism of fire and water, being compelled to make a hasty retreat and struggle through the icy water of the Potomac river across to Hancock, Maryland, the other companies being A, B, and F.
On March 21, 1862, this company, under command of Captain Gray, was sent out with one company of the Thirteenth Indiana in command of Lieutenant Hurd, on picket duty about two miles from Winchester, Virginia, the line extending from the Strasburg to the Front Royal turnpike. They had been out nearly twenty-four hours when they became aware of the approach, in force, of the enemy, which proved to be General Jackson's army. Word was immediately sent to General Shields. After several hours' skirmishing with Ashby's cavalry, in which two men of the Company were taken prisoners, Corporal Albert Fellows and Private William Hadley, the Company fell back until it met the advance of Shield's Division, when it again advanced, driving the cavalry back to Kernstown, where they were held in check until the following morning, March 23, which ushered in the battle of Winchester.
The Company did excellent service wherever engaged, and participated in all the battles in which the Regiment took part.
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Appendix V - Company Histories
Summary of Casualties
Killed in battle
7
Died of wounds
2
Died in prison
4
Died of disease
7
Lost limbs
4
Wounded
32
Discharged for disability
27
Transferred
2
Deserted
8
Taken prisoner
13
Mustered out at expiration of service
18
Re-enlisted as veterans
39
Number originally enlisted
89
Recruits
62
History of Company D
This company was organized at Rochelle, by Samuel S. Linton. The larger portion of it was recruited from Ogle county, and some were from Lee county. It was among the first to be assigned to the Thirty-Ninth Illinois, and was for some weeks quartered in the old Republican Wigwam, on Market street, Chicago. At the time of its muster into the United States service it numbered some 88 young, robust and enthusiastic men. They were mostly farmers' sons, used to hard labor, and in good circumstances. They enlisted believing that their country needed their services, not for the novelty of wearing a uniform and enjoying camp-life, and their conduct throughout the whole war evinced how earnest and sincere was their devotion to their imperiled country. It was the first company to meet the advancing force of the enemy under General Jackson near Bath, Virginia, January 3, 1862, holding them in check for some hours, and finally retreating in good order with the loss of a few men taken prisoners.
This company was without a peer in skirmish tactics, consequently was often sent forward upon that duty, and did noble service. Nearly three-fourths of the members re-enlisted at Hilton Head, South Carolina, January 1, 1864, as veterans, and during the continuance of the war it proved a most prominent factor in all the battles and assaults the Regiment was engaged in. It is impossible, in the brief space allotted, to give a detailed account of its movements during the four years and two months of continuous service at the front. Suffice it to say that it was never found wanting when called upon, and never failed to do its full duty; and now, after more than a score of years, the few survivors look with pride and satisfaction upon what they helped to bring about, namely, a united, happy, and prosperous Nation.
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YATES PHALANX
Summary of Casualties
Killed in battle
10
Died of wounds
6
Died in prison
2
Died of disease
10
Lost limbs
2
Wounded
42
Discharged for disability
31
Transferred
4
Deserted
13
Taken prisoner
15
Mustered out at expiration of service
12
Re-enlisted as veterans
43
Number originally enlisted
88
Recruits
60
Returned at muster-out of Regiment
67
History of Company E
Some time in May 1861, soon after Stephan A. Douglas had returned to Illinois and made his memorable speeches in support of the Union, a band of young men in Wesley township, Will country, united and formed at the Wesley school-house a company which was called the "Florence Rifles." They met each Saturday afternoon for drill in company evolutions, and were uniformed in blue blouses. This continued up to some time in August, when they began to look for a Regiment in which to enlist for the war.
A company that had been formed at Wilmington, some six miles distant, and which had joined the Thirty-Ninth, or "Yates Phalanx" (Company A), had some influence in determining their choice of a regiment, and on September 12, 1861, they proceeded to Chicago, and entered that regiment at Camp Mather, forming the nucleus of Company E. While at Camp Mather the Company received a number of recruits from different places in the State. October 11, 1861, the membership numbered forty-six men. While at St. Louis, Missouri, Lieutenant Warner was sent home to recruit for the Company, and succeeded in taking quite a number of men with him when he rejoined his regiment at Williamsport, Maryland, in November 1861. The Company, however, never received its full complement of men until the return of the regiment from South Carolina on its "veteran furlough."
James H. Hooker was one of the principal organizers at the first attempt at the formation of a company, and it was he who bestowed the name of the "Florence Rifles." He did but little active service in recruiting, but furnished considerable money for the purpose. Lewis T. Whipple, who had picked up some knowledge of the "Scott Tactics," was the principal drill master.
At the election for officers held at Camp Mather, Chicago, James H. Hooker was elected Captain; Lewis T. Whipple First Lieutenant; and Norman C. Warner Second Lieutenant.
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Appendix V - Company Histories
Company E was noticeable from the fact that the majority of its members were below the average stature of men, and there were many mere boys in the ranks; but what was lacking in this respect was more than compensated for in their soldierly spirit and behavior.
At the time General Jackson made his raid on the Union troops stationed on the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Alpine Station, and other points, Company E was stationed at Sir John's Run, some six miles distant from Alpine, and held that place for the period of six hours against a brigade of the enemy, thus preventing their entrance into Maryland at that point. It took a prominent part in all of the battles and skirmishes with the enemy that the Regiment participated in, and acquitted itself most gallantly and heroically, as the record shows.
Summary of Casualties
Killed in battle
11
Died of wounds
5
Died in prison
3
Died of disease
7
Lost limbs
7
Wounded
41
Discharged for disability
25
Transferred
3
Deserted
16
Taken prisoner
13
Mustered out at expiration of service
4
Re-enlisted as veterans
42
Number originally enlisted
58
Recruits
78
Returned at muster-out of Regiment
59
History of Company F
The manner of recruiting Company F was not unlike that by which the other companies were brought into the service. Orrin L. Mann has the credit of enlisting the first body of men who formed the nucleus of the company which afterwards took the letter F in the Regiment. He was very active in this direction until he aspired to the position of Major, when his recruits were turned over to Amasa Kennicott, who continued the recruiting and was elected Captain. The men forming the company were principally from Cook, Lake, and McLean counties, and mostly farmers. They were a fine body of men and did most excellent service during the war.
It first met the enemy at Alpine Station on January 4, 1862, being the most advanced company at that post on the road leading to Bath. On the approach of the rebel cavalry from Bath this company, which was stationed at the summit of the mountain road from Alpine, fell back until it
258
YATES PHALANX
joined Company A, where they most effectually routed a large squadron of Ashby's cavalry. Forty of the original members re-enlisted as veteran volunteers at Hilton Head in January 1864, and forty- five members of the company returned home at the muster-out of the Regiment.
Captain Amasa Kennicott became tired of the "pomp and circumstance of the war," resigning his position in August 1862. He was succeeded by John W. McIntosh, who was dismissed from the service early in 1863. Lieutenant A. B. Hoffman was then promoted to the vacancy, but left the service at the expiration of his three year's term. The company came home under the able leadership of Captain R. S. Botsford.
The company made a good record, and the surviving may well feel a just pride in its military history.
Summary of Casualties
Killed in battle
10
Died of wounds
9
Died in prison
4
Died of disease
7
Lost limbs
2
Wounded
42
Discharged for disability
29
Transferred
7
Deserted
10
Taken prisoner
12
Mustered out at expiration of service
8
Re-enlisted as veterans
40
Number originally enlisted
75
Recruits
69
Returned at muster-out of Regiment
45
History of Company G
This company was recruited at Chicago, commencing on or about August 6, 1861, having been organized by the Rev. W. B. Slaughter, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Oscar F. Rudd and Amos Savage, who were elected as its commanders. It did most excellent service in whatever position it was placed, which may or may not have been in part attributable to the fact of its having a Slaughter and a Savage as leaders, and as a consequence its list of casualties were numerous, it having lost seventy-four officers and men in killed, wounded and taken prisoners.
At the time of the Jackson and Loring raid, January 4, 1862, the company was stationed at Great Cacapon, Virginia, to guard the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad bridge, being subsequently re-enforced by part of Company E; and while there, repulsed a whole brigade of the enemy, holding it in check
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Appendix V - Company Histories
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