USA > Illinois > Yates phalanx : the history of the Thirty-Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Veteran Infantry in the war of the rebellion, 1861-1865 > Part 7
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
Here the men were distributed in churches and other places, until other arrangements could be made; some of the officers, however, took rooms at the St. Nicholas Hotel. Russell's Cavalry Company and Muhlenburg with his artillery had preceded us, and we found these officers already established and ready to show their friends about the city. After remaining at this point for the period of five days, during which time new clothing was issued to the men, and many of our losses made good, we, on January 17, were put on board a train of box and platform cars and started for New Creek, West Virginia, after having been placed in the Second Brigade of General William Starke Rosencrans Division, commanded by Colonel Dunning, of an Ohio regiment, acting Brigadier- General.
New Creek, West Virginia was a small station of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, some seventeen miles from Cumberland. It was situated in a mountainous region and made up of about a
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dozen buildings, including a depot. When we reached there the whole place was a sea of mud, and we were given the privilege of either remaining and making our quarters on board the train of cars or making encampment in the open field. Owing to the condition of the ground it was decided to remain on the cars, and the boys went to work transforming them into "sleepers" and dining cars "a la" Pullman, as fast as their limited resources would allow. The officers were privileged to lodge and find meals wherever they could. Only one tent was erected, and that served for the Adjutant's office. We found a regiment of cavalry here which had been guarding the long trestle railroad bridge at this point, and as frequent attempts to burn this structure had been made it was ordered that, instead of proceeding to Romney, the Regiment should remain here.
Soon after arriving at New Creek we were joined by the Sixty-Second Ohio Volunteers, Colonel Pond, and the Sixty-Seventh Ohio Volunteers, commanded by Colonel A. C. Voris, and from whom we were never afterwards separated until they were mustered out of the service. The officers and men of both commands were fully up to the standard and our ideal of what should constitute good soldiers and "bon camaraderie." The record they made in after years and left as an inheritance to coming generations has more than justified these few words of feeble praise.
Rain fell continuously during the first week of our sojourn here, giving encouragement to those feelings of "nostalgia" and general discomfort that, up to this time, we had been comparatively free from. Sickness came as a floodtide upon us, and after confinement in those horrid box cars it became necessary to take a building and establish a provisional hospital, which was soon completely filled with cases of pneumonia, malaria and typhoid fevers. Dr. Clark, the Assistant Surgeon, was the only medical officer with the Regiment, the Surgeon and the Hospital Steward, Anthony DeNormandie, having remained at Hancock.
The experiences of both officers and men at New Creek, will be remembered as among the saddest and most sorrowful of any that were encountered in their history as soldiers. On or about January 25 a portion of the Regiment participated in a reconnaissance in the direction of Romney and came in contact with a small body of rebel cavalry. A short but brisk skirmish ensued which resulted in no particular advantage to either side. It was undertaken more for the purpose of diverting the minds of the men and giving them needed exercise, and at the same time to let the Johnnies know that the Thirty-Ninth was "still on deck," than aught else. When practicable as well as necessary the old camelback locomotive that was attached to the train and always ready for duty in case of need, would take some of us into Cumberland for supplies or carry sick to general hospital.
On February 7 a most welcome order came to proceed to Patterson's Creek, thus retracing our steps back through Cumberland in the direction of Martinsburg. We were again to be assigned to the command of General F. W. Lander. Colonel Osborn had been offered, however, his choice of three different positions; either to remain where we then were and construct barracks, or go to Cumberland in command of that post or report to General Lander at Patterson's Creek, and take the lead on to Winchester and reconstruct the railway and bridges of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as we went along. Upon consultation with his officers it was decided to accept the latter proposition as offering the best means to get into more active service. Before we could leave, it became necessary to stop and repair the bridge at New Creek, which the day previous had become warped and twisted by
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reason of a flood in that stream. This occupied the most part of two days, and when at last we did pass over it was very crooked and far from safe.
The Regiment reached Patterson's Creek, thirty-four miles distant, safely, February 11, 1862, still occupying the old and dilapidated freight and cattle cars. On reaching this place, the Regiment was placed in the First Brigade of Lander's Division. A large brick structure near the station was occupied as headquarters and another building taken for the hospital.
On Washington's birthday, February 22, after dress parade, the Regiment was formed in "hollow square" that they might more easily hear the reading of some resolutions that had been drawn up expressive of our feelings in relation to the great victory at Fort Donelson and the bravery of our "Western boys."
RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS: Intelligence has been received announcing in detail the victories gained in the valley of the Mississippi, in which our fellow soldiers of Illinois took such a conspicuous part, showing a courage unsurpassed by that of the heroes of modern or ancient times, and a love for the Union stronger than the love of life; therefore,
RESOLVED: That we, the officers and men of the Thirty-Ninth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, having assembled to celebrate the birthday of the Father of our country, do seize upon this the most appropriate occasion to express to them our sincere and heartfelt thanks for the noble and heroic conduct which they have everywhere exhibited on the field of battle; and that we most heartily congratulate them upon their glorious achievements.
RESOLVED: That we, as soldiers of the Government of the United States of America, will never lose sight of the heroic and patriotic examples placed before us by our fellow soldiers of the West; but by our conduct whenever and wherever we meet the enemy we will endeavor to emulate them, and thus sweep rebellion before us, until peace is restored to this fair land, and the Stars and Stripes again wave over every city, village and hamlet of the thirty-four states of America.
RESOLVED: That while we rejoice over the late victories of our troops we shed tears of sympathy for the fathers, mothers, wives, sisters, brothers, daughters and sons of those who have so nobly fallen in the defense of our country; and that our prayer shall ever be, God protect and comfort them in their affliction, and give them the happy assurance that our civil wars will soon cease forever, and that no more of their friends shall fall in unnatural and fraternal strife.
RESOLVED: That the inauguration of that traitor Jefferson Davis as president of the so- called Southern Confederacy upon this, the birthday of the immortal Washington, is an insult of the deepest dye to the memory of the "Father of Our Country" and to every lover of free
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institutions, and that we pledge ourselves to avenge the insult whenever and wherever we meet him or his emissaries.
The resolutions were adopted amid vociferous cheering and were followed by some speech- making, after which the men were dismissed and we returned to our quarters.
Malaria was abundant, and it became necessary to give the men daily rations of quinine and whiskey. In all our after experience we never encountered so much sickness as existed among the men of the Regiment at this time. We were detained here until March 1, by reason of repairs necessary to be made to the railroad and especially the construction of a bridge over the creek, before we could advance with the train. The order to move was received after midnight, and was accompanied by the following characteristic letter from General Lander:
"Headquarters, 1 a.m., March 1, 1862
"Colonel Osborn: I have entrusted you with a highly important service-that of opening the railroad to Martinsburg. If threatened by the enemy, call on Colonel Pond, or on General Williams at Hancock; the latter may be on the road to Williamsport. You will provide for my tents, camp equipage, horses and forage for them at Cherry Run turnout; but it will be time enough to look out for this when they arrive.
"If the rebels come on you in force, fight under any circumstances, and if you are taken prisoner I will release you tomorrow morning. I start on a forced march across the country to cut them off from Winchester. I commend to your favorable notice Mr. Quincy, who goes down in charge of the repairs of the road. Afford him and the telegraph company all the aid they may require.
F. W. Lander, Brigadier-General"
General Lander's headquarters were then located at Paw-Paw, West Virginia, and this letter is perhaps one of the last he ever penned, for on March 3, while at Alpine Station, intelligence reached us of his sudden death. We were painfully surprised and affected, as we lost in him a valued friend and good counselor. It was presumed that his death was caused by an apoplectic seizure. He had retired on the night preceding in usual health and was found dead by his servant in the morning. The remains were sent to Washington, DC, under proper escort.
General Mann (then a Lieutenant-Colonel) later related a story for Dr. Clark for the Regimental History:
"The troops had all been sent forward from Patterson's Creek, West Virginia, to Paw- Paw Tunnel, except the Thirty-Ninth, which General Lander said he ordered left there to guard the bridge and to send forward material for reconstructing the railroad. The General and his full staff were about ready to leave when I was sent for, in the absence of Colonel Osborn, who had gone to Cumberland.
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"General Lander met me in the hall of his headquarters and directed my attention to a very stringent and vigorous order he had published, prohibiting marauding on the part of our troops, and ordered me to see that it was obeyed. I had seen some Generals before that, and have seen a great many since, but I think I never saw one who appeared at that time. His splendid tall form was the commanding figure in a field of which his large, well-equipped staff was the impressive background. I listened to the General's instructions, and realized that weighty responsibilities were crowding heavily upon my shoulders. I was fresh, and had never before stood face to face with a live General. when he concluded what he had to say, I promptly saluted and boldly said, 'General, I will try and see your order's obeyed.'
"Try! God damn your soul to hell! Try! What in hell do you mean, Sir, by such talk? Is that any language for a soldier to use, damn you!' and each oath was emphasized by a terrible stamp of his foot.
"I looked for a way to escape from his severe presence a large rat-hole in the floor afforded momentary hope; but at last my wits came to my rescue, and straightening myself up to more than full height, as I now remember, I gave the most graceful salute possible, and in tones that I meant should be heard, I said, 'General Lander, your orders shall be obeyed to the letter!'
"The General immediately extended his long, sinewy hand, and clasping mine warmly, said, in subdued tones, 'That is right, Colonel; that is soldierly! I bid you good bye, and hope we shall soon meet again.'
"But we never did. General Lander was a corpse ten days later, but his impressive lesson was of great service to me. I never thereafter allowed myself to think of trying to execute a military order."
General Mann also wrote, "At this same post (Patterson's Creek) Captain S. W. Munn was ordered to Paw-Paw to fill detail on a 'general court-martial' to try Colonel Ansel, of the First Virginia Cavalry. General Lander had started his troops from Paw-Paw across the country to attack Jackson at Winchester, and was anxious to get there before General Banks should from Harper's Ferry. Ten miles out, he met the enemy at Bloomery Gap, and ordered Colonel Ansel to 'Charge' them. It was charged that the enemy showed some 'pluck,' and Colonel Ansel fell back with his regiment in great confusion.
"General Lander was rushing to the front, and meeting Colonel Ansel, ordered him in arrest, and taking command of the Regiment led it in person to a nice victory, capturing some seventy-five rebels and dispersing the rest. Lander wired the facts to Secretary Stanton, and asked for instructions. Secretary Stanton had just assumed the duties of the War Office, and was not as familiar with military law as he became in later years. He telegraphed Lander to order the Colonel tried by court-martial, and if found guilty of cowardice in presence of the enemy, have him shot at once. The entire army and the country at large were shocked at the order, for at that time no persons could be legally executed for military offenses, except on the approval of the sentence by the President of the United States.
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"The court-martial was ordered, however, when Captain Munn arrived he found that Colonel Ansel had no counsel to defend him. Munn's high ideas of law and justice led him to suggest that counsel be furnished the accused before he was forced to trial, and arrangements were consummated whereby Munn was relieved from the court and assigned to the defense of the accused. Colonel Ansel was found guilty as charged, but Munn succeeded in getting him off with loss of pay and rank, and dismissal from the service. The Captain's good reputation made at home as a criminal lawyer now became noised abroad in army circles in the field, and he was frequently called upon to defend delinquents."
We left Patterson's Creek on March 1 on board the same old train of cars, our duty being to protect the workingmen while making repairs to the road. The first stop for any length of time was made at Sir John's Run in the early morning of March 2. Taking advantage of this halt, Lieuten- ant-Colonel Mann and Dr. Clark got permission to go over to Bath, and getting their horses from the car started.
On arriving at Bath a great many changes were noticeable in the appearance of things since January 4, the date of the advent of the rebels. Old Colonel Strother had died, his death being hastened by the outrages committed by Jackson's troops in consequence of the outspoken sympathies of his family for the Union cause. His home had been pillaged from cellar to garret and much valuable property destroyed.
Judge Pendleton and family were still there and gave them hearty welcome, together with the sad tale of the wholesale destruction of the effects of the Union sympathizers in the town. Bath was neutral ground at this time, and they did not care to tarry long, especially after learning that the rebel cavalry frequently made a dash into the town; but regarding the importunities of their friends consented to remain during the night and were furnished with a room in a remote part of the big house by a Mr. Randolph, a son-in-law of Strother. In the early morning they returned safely via Alpine Station, where the Regiment had proceeded.
On leaving Alpine the train passed on to a point called Back Creek where a bridge needed repair, and here it was obliged to remain for some time.
While patiently awaiting a forward movement it was apparent that the larder of the field and staff was about depleted, and something must be done in the matter of compensation, otherwise known as foraging. We made up a party of four persons, exclusive of the guide who was to conduct us to the plantation of a noted secessionist six miles distant. We started at sundown, well mounted and armed "cap-a-pie," for it was rather a dangerous experiment, knowing the enemy's scouts to be in the vicinity but it suited our adventurous and somewhat reckless dispositions, and especially our brave Adjutant Walker, who led the party. Reaching the place after an hour's ride we rode into the yard, dismounted, and the Adjutant and Doctor Clark approached the door, leaving our companions on guard outside. The door was opened by the lady of the house, who bade us enter, which we did and stated our business as being in search of articles of contraband of war, and an officer of the rebel army that was supposed to be in the house. We were told to search and satisfy ourselves.
On opening the door of an adjoining room we were somewhat startled to find seated at the supper table three stalwart men, and on the wall were slung several guns. We were a trifle disconcerted at
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this discovery, but speedily regaining our equilibrium we held a moment's consultation, the result of which was for Clark to step to the door and order, in their hearing, an imaginary sergeant to take a file of men and examine the premises surrounding, the Adjutant at the same time placing the occupants of the house in arrest and forbidding them leaving their seats. We had absolutely surprised this group of men, and by a little strategy kept them in subjection; otherwise, some little unpleasant- ness might have occurred. After a little time Clark left the house to participate in the search for provender, leaving Walker on guard. He found that the balance of the party outside had secured several chickens and had disturbed a family of ducks, and to-a-man, were busy in chasing them about the yard, hurling stones and other missiles until a half dozen or more were captured. The noise and clatter of the chase from men and ducks could be heard plainly, and did not exactly tally with the profession we had made, and Walker's position in the house was not envied; however, it was carrying out our plan of operations. After visiting all the outhouses our plunder, when we were ready to start, amounted to six chickens, six ducks, a tub of link sausage, a pot of honey and a sack of hickory nuts, which were all bagged and sent forward to camp. Now, how to get away was the question. It was finally agreed that two of us should go in and announce loudly to Walker the result of our search and state that we considered it necessary under the circumstances to place a guard about the house for the night, or until we could receive instructions from headquarters. This arrangement, Walker said, met with his views, and he would himself go and consult superiors. On leaving the house we loudly admonished the sentinels (imaginary) to allow no one to leave it, and them mounting our horses sped back to camp, or rather the railway train, which we reached in safety.
Before leaving the house, however, a noise under the bed attracted our attention, and on lifting the valence we beheld a young lady who prayed us to spare her life. On assuring her that we had no intention of committing any outrage, she came out, stating that "she would rather be killed than scared to death!" She was much frightened, but soon regained something like composure.
We remained at this place for several days, guarding the road, making expeditions to various points and watching the heavy-laden trains of soldiers passing on to Martinsburg.
While at this point Lieutenant Rudd came in from a scouting expedition bringing two prisoners, two horses, and a large number of turkeys, chickens, etc. One of the prisoners was a member of the Virginia Legislature, and the other, a member of Colonel Ashby's cavalry who was home on furlough. The experiences of the party were pleasing to hear. His first captive was found in a bin of oats, the man having covered himself completely, and his appearance when called upon to report was most ludicrous.
After the repair of the bridge at Back Creek we advanced several miles to Cherry Run where another bridge spanning the deep and narrow stream needed reconstructing, and the Regiment left the cars and made a temporary encampment.
General Shields had been appointed to the command of our Division, taking the place made vacant by the death of General Lander, and he had been expected to report for several days. None were more eager for his arrival than the Thirty-Ninth, for we knew him to have been a former resident of our State, and many of us were familiar with his record and reputation made during the war with Mexico.
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Lieutenant Simon S. Brucker, of Company C, had been left with a detail of men near the railway station and he had established his headquarters in a large residence near the depot. About nine p.m. the quiet of camp was broken by the report that rapidly spread to the effect that General Shields had just arrived at the headquarters of Lieutenant Brucker. The night was so mild and bright that Colonel Osborn could not resist the temptation to immediately pay his respects to the old hero.
Lace and the Band were summoned and directed to accompany an informal march of a majority of the Regiment to the place where the General was said to be stopping. Colonel Osborn had instructed Lace to play soon after he and his staff should enter the house, and in due time General Shields should enter the house, and in due time General Shields should also be called upon for a speech. Osborn was met at the entrance to the mansion by Lieutenant Brucker, who, in response to inquires from his colonel, replied, "Yes, General Shields is in the parlor. Walk in!" The party removed their hats, and put on their most soldierly appearance and walked into the room-it was vacant. On the parlor table rested a volume which proved to be a history of the Mexican War, and which Lieutenant Brucker, in answer to many questioning glances, proceeded to open, revealing a fine portrait of General Shields and which he introduced to Colonel Osborn and staff.
The pith of the joke was at once visible to all, and while the Colonel was deliberating just how best to compensate his subordinate for the "chestnut" he had proffered him the band burst out in the most approved style, "Hail to the Chief!"
It was known that calls for Shields would soon follow, and Osborn ordered the Adjutant to notify the command of the disappointment. To this Major Munn entered his demurrer, saying the sell was too good not to be shared by the rank and file. He insisted that as Lieutenant-Colonel Mann could imitate the Irish brogue and blarney to perfection, that he should take his place, at the call for Shields, in the shade of the veranda, and, surrounded by the officers, should make a speech. Colonel Osborn, after muttering a mild reprimand to Brucker, finally acquiesced. The music soon ceased, when "Shields!" "Shields!" "General Shields!" was shouted by several hundred voices.
Without the formality of an introduction the Lieutenant Colonel with approved Celtic accent, retaining his position well in the background, said:
"Me brave boys of the Thirty-Ninth Illinois Infantry-"
Here the balmy air was rent with three cheers and a tiger for General Shields, who by proxy continued to say :--
"Me lips will not express the deep gratification I feel in meeting you tonight. [Cheers] I was once a resident of your great State, and was associated in many public movements with our great Commander-in-chief, Abraham Lincoln. [Cheers] It was my good fortune to lead troops from that great State against the enemy in Mexico, and more gallant men never marched to the music of the Union that were they."
This seemed to electrify Captain Phillips of Company I, who had served under Shields in Mexico, and he shouted out, "That's so! General Shields, and there are several of them chaps here tonight."
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"I am profoundly glad to meet you, veterans and heroes of the Mexican struggle," continued the General, "and only hope that you and your new comrades in arms will prove just as brave and serviceable when, under my humble lead, you face the frowning forts at Richmond, as you did at Monterey. The eyes of the civilized world are on men from Illinois today; and believing your acts will ever honor your State, I bid ye all, Good-night!"
Lace, the leader of the band, was the first to discover the little deception, and he was anything but amiable until he learned that the joke had reached and been shared by all alike. The men enjoyed it.
On March 9, 1862, we received orders to prepare to leave the cars that had been our home for so long a time, and to march forward to Martinsburg, ten miles distant. We had reconstructed the road up to this point, and were now to join the balance of the division which had already passed by us and met General Shields (for a fact, this time), who was to take command of our division at Martinsburg. On March 10 a regiment of loyal Virginia soldiers arrived to take our place, and we moved forward, reaching Martinsburg at four p.m., and were directed to proceed to the courthouse, where, with the greater part of the whole division, we were massed in solid column to receive some remarks from General Shields on the occasion of his assuming the command. His speech is not suffi- ciently well remembered to give it place in this history.
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