USA > Illinois > Yates phalanx : the history of the Thirty-Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Veteran Infantry in the war of the rebellion, 1861-1865 > Part 4
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"The well-laid plans of mice and men Gang aft aglee;"
and so in this instance we suffered disappointment. Had we crossed the river, the example of General Patterson, who was our predecessor, would not have been followed, for we had no sympathy with the rebellion.
November 10, 1861, there was some indication of an attack, judging from the preparation they were making on the opposite bluffs, but it eventuated in nothing but a scare.
A little episode in our history grew out of the matter, however, which was very personal in its application. At about nine p.m. the "long roll" sounded through camp, and it being our first experience with it, and unusual excitement and commotion was soon established. Every man fully believed that the "Secesh" were coming full tilt, from the fact that various rumors during the day had prepared them to give credence to almost everything. While the alarm was being sounded, the men were seen slinging their knapsacks and grasping anything that would serve as a weapon before taking their place in the line that forming, and, strange to say, a perfect alignment was made in the space of three minute's time. The band came out with their instruments in one hand and a carpetbag in the other, each member looking somewhat bewildered. The females in camp, and there were several, the wives of enlisted men, who had come out as laundresses, was in a maze of bewilderment and fluttered about with bundles of clothing in their arms and slung over their backs, fully intent on preserving their effects from what would soon be (in their belief) a plundered camp.
After the line was formed, the Regiment was put in motion and maneuvered about for some little time, when it was dismissed by the Colonel with some explanations.
The men were unanimous in considering it a good joke, but confessed to a bitter disappointment that their fears had not been realized.
While we were at Williamsport we made the acquaintance of David Strother, but more familiarly known as "Porte Crayon" from his pen and pencil sketches. He at the time was engaged in scouting, and frequently made his appearance at the Potomac House where he would spend a social evening. We took much pleasure in entertaining him, well knowing him as a literary acquaintance and a staunch Union man in his sentiments and actions. He was afterwards on the staff of Major-General Banks, and before the close of the war had the commission of Colonel. In the later part of November
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1861, Colonel Austin Light left the Regiment by order of the War Department. The reasons for his dismissal are well known to many who were present with the Regiment at the time, and therefore it would serve no-good purpose to repeat them here.
What was reported as to Colonel Light's conduct while a Corporal in the U. S. Army, may or may not have been true. Even if it were, it is the opinion of the writer (who was acquainted with all the circumstances) that there was no justification for his removal.
The order caused a painful surprise. The men had become much attached to him, for he was an efficient officer and a kind-hearted man. The men marched in a body to headquarters to bid him goodbye. The Colonel thus addressed them:
"Fellow Soldiers, Officers and Gentlemen of the Thirty-Ninth: It has pleased the War Department through the influence of some political intrigue, I know not how else, to deprive your Colonel of his command. As I leave you, I must say that I have found you soldiers such as command my respect and such as I should be proud to lead against the rebels now in arms. I must now bid you farewell."
As he passed through the ranks, on his departure, every head was bared and much sorrow expressed in many ways.
As soon as it was known that our "Light" had gone out we went to work to get a new Colonel.
The company officers were at first bitterly opposed to supplying the vacancy by promotion, and held a meeting on the night of December 4, in the parlors of the Potomac Hotel for the purpose of choosing a man to fill the vacancy. The first choice was William J. Wyatt, of Illinois, and the second Thomas Morgan, of the same State; but notwithstanding this action on their part, the Governor promoted Lieutenant-Colonel T. O. Osborn to Colonel, Major Orrin L. Mann to Lieutenant-Colonel and Captain S. W. Munn of Company A, to Major, and matters were soon adjusted to the satisfaction of all parties.
December 5, Colonel Leonard of the Thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment, commanding the post, received orders from Washington to send forward, without delay, all the troops he could to reinforce General Kelly, at Romney, West Virginia, who was said to be creeping down to engage the rebels and reopen the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
We had not as yet received our arms, although assured that they were at Hagerstown, and consequently could not go to the assistance of General Kelly.
The health of the command at this time was excellent, the measles having run their course, 353 cases having been treated in the short space of two months, aside from other diseases.
The mortality list was small indeed, the only deaths in the command being Lieutenant Joseph Richardson, from typhoid fever; Private William Parrish, of Company G, from organic disease of the heart; and Private Henry Hoisington, Company B, from tuberculosis.
Thanksgiving Day came, bringing with it a suspension of all but necessary duties, and likewise a considerable number of turkeys and chickens whose age, lineage and previous history were not especially inquired into, having been provided by the genius who watches after the wants of the soldier. Several officers were invited to dinner in town with the officers of the Thirteenth
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Making Encampment
Massachusetts; others dined at the house of Captain Kennedy, of the First Maryland Infantry. In the evening a grand ball was held at the Globe Inn, and largely attended, but did not prove particularly interesting, on account of the scarcity of women for partners. But a "stag" dance being better than no dance at all, the fun was continued until the small hours of a very foggy morning in more senses than one.
4
Courtesy of the National Archives
.
Colonel Thomas O. Osborn
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Reminiscences of Surgeon S. C. Blake
"When the Regiment arrived at Williamsport, Maryland, two female spies came into camp and asked to see the commander of the post. These two women were sisters. One of them was a single woman and the other was a widow. From their appearance, they had been exposed to severe weather, and had been on a hard tramp. They had also evidently been camping in the woods, as their clothes were soiled and badly torn, and they looked as if they had no opportunity to wash their faces and hands for a number of days. These women claimed to be Union spies, and told our commander that they had important information to impart in reference to the strength, condition, and position of the enemy on the other side of the river in Virginia. It turned out that the women were what they represented themselves to be. We found out that they were sisters, born and reared in Martinsburg, West Virginia, but had been faithful to the Union and loyal to their country, and were ready to sacrifice even their lives for its preservation. The oldest sister, some few weeks after they came to us, while making a visit to the enemy's camp, were arrested and tried as a spy, but were so ably defended by a Confederate officer, a companion and friend, from childhood, of the brave and loyal women, and who was also a very able lawyer, that she escaped punishment.
"These were remarkable women-intelligent, brave, and loyal to the cause of the Union. They had been loyal to the Nation from the commencement of its trouble, and did not fail to make known their patriotism to their neighbors. As soon as the war commenced these patriotic women placed the National Flag over their front door, and would not allow it to be taken down, although it was often undertaken; but the brave women defended it, saying they would defend it with their lives; and although a military guard was placed at their house and kept there until our army entered Martinsburg, the guard allowed it to remain rather than have a fight with women. So all persons who entered their house had to pass under the United States flag.
"For some weeks before our army entered Martinsburg we had missed the return of our fair spies, and had come to the conclusion that they had been arrested and perhaps executed, but we found them safe and ready with a warm welcome for us. They had been so perfectly guarded since the trial of one of them for being a spy that they could not come to us.
"It so happened that the lady who was tried for being a spy had an opportunity to show her gratitude to her Confederate friend who so ably and gallantly defended her. When our Regiment entered Martinsburg, this friend, who was a Major in the Confederate army, was captured with a friend who was a surgeon in that army. When Major Munn and Surgeon S. C. Blake arrived at Martinsburg, these ladies besought them to use their influence with the commanding officer of the place to secure a parole for these officers, who were then occupying a cell in the county jail. In consideration of the services rendered by the gallant Major in behalf of our loyal friend, which no one else would undertake for her, Munn and Blake gladly used their offices to secure their parole, and succeeded, to the delight of all, especially the lady whose life had been saved by the Major's earnest efforts.
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Making Encampment
"These brave and patriotic women should certainly have a prominent place in the history of our country."
The following incident will show how little true conception our volunteer army had of the discipline and rigid enforcement of army regulations necessary for efficient and effective service in actual warfare. Soon after we arrived at Williamsport, Maryland, an extensive epidemic of measles broke out in our Regiment. About 500 of the Regiment had the disease, most of them, however, in a mild form; and as it was mild and pleasant weather, only about ninety were obliged to be taken care of in the hospital.
Of course there was no regular hospital in a small village like Williamsport, consequently Surgeon Blake was obliged to extemporize a hospital. The ninety patients in this hospital were very sick and caused the attending surgeons a great deal of anxiety. Among others, Company A had quite a number of very sick members. Captain Munn, of this Company, afterwards Major of the Regiment, was very solicitous about his men, and anxious that they should have the best of care. He, like many other officers, had recruited his company from among his neighbors and acquaintances, and was prompted by his warm heart and patriotic zeal to promise the wives, sisters, and sweethearts of the recruit that he would see that they were well-taken care of, and especially when they were sick or wounded; and now it seemed to these officers the time had come for the fulfillment of this promise.
Surgeons Blake and the writer fully appreciated the responsibility so suddenly thrown upon them, and were obliged to make very stringent rules for the government of the hospital, and in order to prevent interference with their duties, Surgeon Blake issued an order that no one should visit the hospital unless having a pass either from the Surgeon or Assistant Surgeon. As soon as these officers learned this fact they were very angry, and boldly announced that no damned surgeons were going to interfere with their looking after their men, and that they would soon convince these surgeons that they would visit the hospital when they pleased.
Consequently a number of officers, headed by Captain Munn, in a very determined and boisterous manner started for the hospital. Upon arriving at the door of the hospital they were halted by a guard, who of course had not seen much real service, and as his superior officers demanded to pass, the guard was trying to persuade them to desist and first get a pass; but Captain Munn told the guard that he would give him to understand, and also Surgeon Blake, that no damned surgeon could keep them from visiting their men when they please. DeNormandie, who was then Hospital Steward, hearing the noise at the door of the hospital went to discover what the trouble was, and Captain Munn informed him, the Doctor taking up his new Springfield rifle and stepping back a few feet, placed the gun to his shoulder, saying, "Captain Munn, you are my friend and the Captain of my company, and you ought to know better than to attempt to force a guard; and I can assure you that unless you have a pass from one of the surgeons you cannot enter his hospital, and if you attempt it I will put a bullet through your body or the body of anybody else who attempts it."
Captain Munn afterwards said that the "old Doc," as he called him, showed by his eye that he meant business. These officers, now more enraged than ever, started for the headquarters of the Commander of the Regiment, Colonel T. O. Osborn. As it happened, Colonel Osborn, with the Colonel of the Thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment, and other officers, was visiting Surgeon Blake
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at his quarters, and while pleasantly conversing about affairs of the command, in rushed Captain Munn with his fellow officers, and in great excitement began to abuse the surgeons and especially Surgeon Blake, telling the Colonel what an outrage had been committed towards himself and comrades. To the great chagrin of both Captain Munn and his comrades, the Colonel coolly informed them that he had no control over the medical department and look at the Army Regulations, and see what sort of a position they had placed themselves in.
On the next morning after this episode, as Surgeon Blake was sitting on the front porch of his quarters, he saw coming down the street a little squad of officers, but they looked very meek and were apparently in very earnest conversation about some serious affair. When they saw the Surgeon, Captain Mann called him to one side, and in a most anxious manner asked him what he was going to do about the affair of last night. The Surgeon, with an apparently offended air, very coolly said to the Captain that he had not yet determined what he would do about it. Whereupon the Captain in an excited manner replied that he had heard that the Surgeon intended to have them all court-martialed; and then in a most imploring way, said, "Blake, do you know that if you call a court-martial we shall all be shot? The regulations say that to attempt to force a guard while in active service shall be punished by death! For God's sake, let's settle the matter". We made damned fools of ourselves, and will assure you that we will never be guilty of such foolishness again.
Surgeon Blake, after keeping them on the anxious seat for a few days, never had occasion to mention the matter again.
This incident did more to establish discipline in the Regiment than anything that ever happened to it.
It is gratifying to be able to state that every man who was sick at that time recovered, and that this severe attack of sickness thoroughly established the surgeons in the confidence of the entire Regiment, which was never lost during the war.
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CHAPTER FOUR
"The hour had not yet come"
The days passed uneventfully by, the hours filled out with the monotonous routine of camp duties, with the exception of the stir occasioned on arrival of arms for the Regiment in the early part of December. They were the Springfield rifle, a most excellent and serviceable weapon, and the men were jubilant over the possession, having considered that they were only half soldiers with no means of offense or defense.
December 15, 1861, the Regiment broke camp and departed for Hancock, Maryland, some 16 miles distant, the camp and garrison equipment being transported by canal-boat. It arrived at Hancock on the following day, after bivouacking at Clear Spring over night, and at once crossed the Potomac River to Alpine Station, West Virginia, having orders to guard the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
The various companies of the command were distributed as follows: Companies A, B, C, and F at Alpine Station and vicinity; Company E at Sir John's Run, six miles distant up the road in the direction of Cumberland; Company G, at Great Cacapon Bridge; and Companies D, K and I at Bath (also known as Berkeley Springs), six miles in the interior, back from the river. The Regimental Headquarters were established at Alpine, taking possession of the vacant house belonging to Johnson Orrick, then a member of the Confederate Congress, and who had removed his family to Richmond. The hospital was also established at this place. The Orrick mansion was spacious and roomy; but nothing had been left behind to facilitate the comforts of keeping house, being an exception to the quarters found by the company officers at Bath and other places. There was, however, good stabling for horses, with plenty of hay and grain.
The cold December days and long dreary nights here were full of surmises and expectancy, with now and then a stirring rumor of the approach of the enemy. Aside from this, there was nothing to excite or amuse. By way of variety, an occasional dance would be indulged in, and many will remember that it was while quartered in the Orrick house that Colonel Osborn learned his first steps in the contra-dance from Phil Lace, the band leader; and so captivating did it prove for the gallant Colonel that it was reported that he was often seen, in the dead of night, careering around with his shadow reflected on the wall by the light of a candle. But this, doubtless, was somewhat imaginative.
Alpine Station consisted of a few straggling houses. The only family of any prominence left there was the Swan family, made up of father, mother, and two daughters-all pronounced rebel sympathizers. The old gentlemen was such a dyed-in-the wool rebel that he was accommodated with quarters in the calaboose over at Hancock in charge of Captain Fox, who commanded a detachment
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less bitter in her hatred of the Yankees, and there was little reason to doubt that she possessed among her other accomplishments, that of a spy, and she was placed under constant surveillance. The Western men found considerable more favor in her eyes, however, than those from Massachusetts, and at time she was disposed to be most gracious. The Assistant Surgeon of the Regiment had especially ingratiated himself, and she had so worked upon his sympathies that he received permission from Captain Fox to take her father home to spend Christmas day; and in this way the doctor and a few others got a solid dinner. But the doctor did not enjoy it overmuch, having to keep the old gentlemen in mind all the time, being responsible for his safe return at a specified hour.
Some earthworks were thrown up near the Orrick house, for the protection of headquarters it was supposed, that was christened Fort Osborn; but there was never occasion for their use.
The men of the various companies stationed at Alpine and other places were kept constantly busy, often being sent out in scouting parties and frequently returning with prisoners and horses, or whatever else was considered contraband of war. The men rather seemed to enjoy it, too; for in this way the commissariat was often replenished with something more palatable than pork and hardtack. It will be remembered that when a scouting party under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Mann was out on the road leading to Martinsburg they overhauled the house of a noted secessionist, bringing to light from the cellar some five barrels of old applejack, which, by order of the Colonel, was condemned to make a puddle in the road, notwithstanding it was fifteen years old and the party very thirsty. All they succeeded in getting, however, was a good long smell.
Information received almost daily from various sources gave indication that the enemy was preparing to attack in force. Encounters frequently took place with the rebel cavalry and we were kept in a state of constant expectancy and vigilance. Night alarms were frequent-generally resulting, however, in nothing more than a momentary panic and a disturbance of rest among those off duty. "The hour had not yet come," but we felt it to be approaching. The detached companies at Bath were exceedingly well provided for. Company D, Captain Linton, was quartered near the bathhouses. Whether they improved their opportunities to keep clean is somewhat uncertain. Company I, Captain Phillips, was stationed upon Warm Spring ridge, over looking the town, and the captain and his lieutenants occupied a large three-story stone house, the former occupants of which had left behind much costly and elegant furniture, such as mahogany bedsteads, large mirrors, marble-top tables, etc .; and when we had occasion to visit his quarters the Captain did the honors in regal style. Company K, Captain Woodruff, was also stationed on the ridge, and fared sumptuously, while Lieutenant Muhlenburg, in command of a section of battery of the Fourth U. S. Artillery, occupied the courthouse. He used to remark that court was in session every day and at all hours, and that there was a standing invitation to call up and see his friend Judge Applejack at any time.
All will remember Muhlenburg and the good service he rendered with his two pieces at Bath and Hancock, January 3 and 4, 1862. He was small in quantity but immense in quality a jovial, breezy fellow, and a smart, intelligent and brave officer. Death claimed him sometime in 1863.
Bath, or Berkeley Springs, had been the great "watering place" and summer resort for Southern people, and the inhabitants had received their principal support from the many pleasure seekers. It is situated at the foot of Warm Spring ridge, and lovely scenery surrounds the place. The house at the Springs was occupied by the Strother family, and in it was a large collection of paintings executed
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"The hour had not yet come"
by "Porte Crayon" and mostly sketched by him while on a tour through Italy. The Strothers were a loyal family, as was also that of Judge Pendleton, living near by. They always extended a hearty welcome and fully sympathized with our presence among them.
On January 2 an expedition was sent out from Bath to reconnoiter and ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy. After proceeding out on the Martinsburg Road some six miles it returned without encountering anything in the shape of armed rebels.
During the morning of the ensuing day a Negro came into camp and reported to Major Munn that the whole of Jackson's army was moving on Bath and that the advance could not be more than five miles distant.
Acting upon this information, Captain Linton, of Company D, with sixty men, was ordered out on another scout. Major Mann, with several cavalrymen, accompanied it. After proceeding some four or five miles in the direction of Martinsburg, the advance of what proved to be Jackson's forces was met and a lively skirmish ensued, which resulted in one man being wounded and nine taken prisoner. The enemy was held in check for some time by the excellent management of Captain Linton, who divided his command into some five or six sections, each under command of a sergeant, and made a show of a much larger force than was present, and by their excellent knowledge of the skirmish drill, for which this company was noted, it made good its retreat from the large and constantly increasing numbers of the enemy. Major Mann, who was wounded, had a narrow escape from capture; the good running qualities of his young stallion saved him. The company made good its return to Bath, reaching there after dark, and was not followed by the rebels.
The news reached camp in a very exaggerated form, and by the time it reached Alpine Station it had become alarming. The writer had gone, late in the afternoon, to visit some patients in the hospital across the river at Hancock, and was returning when he met Surgeon Blake and Colonel Bowles, the latter of whom gave an invitation to go over to his house and listen to some music that Lieutenant Brucker and his daughter were executing in great style.
We accepted, remaining at the house until nine p.m., when we started to cross the river to Alpine. On reaching the ferry we heard a great call for the ferryman from the opposite shore. The first voice recognized was that of Chaplain McReading, who was vociferating most lustily, "O-o-o ferryman! Ferryman! For God's sake come over quick! The Thirty-Ninth has been cut all to pieces!" Then followed a stronger and more excited voice that we recognized as belonging to Lieutenant Belcher, of Company K. He was shouting like a "Stentor"-notwithstanding the presence of the chaplain: "Ferryman! O-o-o ferryman! God damn your soul, why don't you hurry up with that boat! Do you want to have us all gobbled up?" The ferryman was in his shanty, but had retired for the night and was totally oblivious to all the noise; but we speedily roused him, thinking that some great disaster had overtaken the troops at Bath, and were soon in the skiff and across to the opposite shore, where we met two of the most frantic and impatient men ever encountered. All that could be learned was that all the troops at Bath were all cut to pieces, Major Munn a prisoner, and that they were going for the Eighty-Fourth Pennsylvania regiment, that had that afternoon reached Hancock from Williamsport.
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