USA > Indiana > Historical sketch of the Sixty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers : with personal recollections by members of Company D, and short biographies of brigade, division, and corps commanders > Part 10
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was a small piece of corn bread, with a quart of soup for twelve men, which we carefully divided by spoons- ful, each man watching carefully to get his share.
After staying here a month, we were taken to the boat, and sailed to-City Point, where next day we were exchanged, and went on one of our steamers for Annapolis, Md. One of the first men I met there was Robinson, of Company B, who showed me a list of the killed, cut out of the Cincinnati Gazette. Among the number was Harvey Caldwell, Company D, 68th In- diana. I told him I was like the Irishman, who, when he heard he was dead, "knew it was a lie as soon as he heard it." Here we were sent to the St. John Hospi- tal, and there washed and given clean clothes-the first in two months-clean beds and plenty to eat. I can- not tell how happy we were for all this, and to be back again in "God's country." We left there December, IS, 1863, and in a few days were at home on Christ- mas day-happy.
V .- BY O. H. P. MOHLER.
In January, IS64, after the siege of Knoxville, Tenn., had been raised, our division marched to Strawberry Plains, where I was detailed with a squad to take charge of a large quantity of stock and provisions, on a plantation across the Holston River. The river was too deep to wade, and it was too cold and rapid to swim ; so we · tore down a log cabin near the river, made a raft out
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of it, and crossed over. We found the rich old planter had everything he could wish-chickens, turkeys, potatoes, of both varieties, hogs, cattle, corn and hay, all in abundance. He also had a little water mill to crack corn for his negroes. We were a happy set of fellows, for it was the first good thing we had struck in this campaign. The first thing, was to get the mill going. We found an old darkey who could run it. And so we guarded and lived in good style, until orders came for us to load up and bring in the balance. There was enough to fill up ten or twelve wagons, and we were gladly welcomed back to camp by our hungry comrades there.
VI .- BY W. M. SOUDER.
It was in the winter of IS63, while in camp at Nashville, Tennessee, that some fourteen of the Rush- ville boys were messing together in one of those large bell tents. We had for our officer in charge, Sergeant Lester, whose duty was to draw the rations for our mess and see that we did our duty-policing, keeping our guns clean and everything in good order. The Sergeant was a real good fellow, but he had been a teacher, was a Yankee, and did not at all times under- stand our motives ; and we thought liim a little too strict in discipline for a volunteer. Nevertheless, all went along good-humoredly until, one day, he drew
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from the commissary department a very poor piece of beef. The boys examined it, and were not hungry enough to eat it. The good Sergeant thought it might beat nothing in an emergency, and set it away in a camp kettle, just inside the tent door, to await such time as our hunger would make a demand for it. In the night some of the boys thought it would be a good joke to lay the Sergeant's boots on it for a cover. At reveille the Sergeant could not find his boots ; but in marching out to answer to his name at roll call, he saw the boots on the kettle, and in his indignant way, not thinking they were his own, threw them over into an adjoining place, where they were "lost to sight and memory dear."
VII .- BY D. S. FLEEHART.
After the East Tennessee campaign, when we were detached for duty at Chattanooga, and had a perma- nent camp there from then on until the close of the war, it must not be supposed that we remained in camp doing guard duty all the time. While that was our home, we were not at home very much. When the regiment went out it was always in light marching order, sometimes with forty or sixty, and frequently one hundred, rounds of ammunition. A few men were left in camp-those who were not able to go, and they guarded our quarters while absent. I believe it was never my luck to be left in camp but once. Our duties
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took us over many hundreds of miles; to Atlanta, to Knoxville, to Nashville, and into Alabama, to where Birmingham now stands. We had skirmishes with Forrest's, Wheeler's and Rhoddy's cavalry forces, and Hood's army, in battle at Decatur and Nashville ; and after the last battle pursued them to near Tuscumbia, Alabama, and captured a part of the wagon train.
VIII .- BY A. W. EARNEST.
Up to a short time before the battle of Chicamauga, I was with the company in the performance of all the duties required in camp and field. During the cam- paign I was detailed as a cattle-guard at brigade head- quarters, and was not in that battle ; but my duties were so near and exciting that we felt the effects and did some very rapid manœuvering to escape capture. We were under great difficulties, for the long wagon trains and hundreds of stragglers filled the road, and the roar of the near conflict kept our nerves strung up to a high pitch. Soon after this, I returned to the company, and with the others endured the starvation siege at Chattanooga, and was with it in the advance and capture of Missionary Ridge. I was not well enough to go on the march to East Tennessee, imme- diately after, and remained with the convalescents of . the 4th Army Corps.
About the middle of December we started with the
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wagons and camp equipage to join our corps, near Knoxville, and on the 27th, while in camp near Cal- houn, we were suddenly attacked by the Rebel Gen- eral Wheeler and his cavalry. Colonel Laiboldt, of the 2d Missouri Infantry, was in command of our force of convalescents, and by a brilliant charge routed Wheeler and captured about 150 prisoners, with small loss to our force. Orderly-Sergeant James A. Smith, known as the tallest man in our regiment (he was six feet six inches), was in command of all the men of the 6Sth Indiana, and was conspicuous in this fight. He was carrying a sword of Captain Mauzy's, which had belonged to Colonel King, who had used it in the Mexican war. This he was waving in command, when a ball passed through his hand and through the sword and scabbard. But we came off victors, and the sword was soon restored to its owner, who now has it and shows it as a precious relic. We got to London with our prisoners on the. cold New Year's day-January 1, 1864-and on the 15th, rejoined our commands at Dandridge. In February, I was detailed to go with Bridge's Battery of Illinois Light Artillery, and took part with Sherman's army in his advance to near Atlanta, where, on account of sickness, I was sent back, and soon rejoined the company at Chatta- nooga. I was in the fight at Decatur, Ala., resisting the advance of Hood's army on his way to Nashville, this being the last engagement I took part in. After the Nashville battle. I was furloughed for thirty days.
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IX .- BY J. H. MAUZY.
It was my fortune to be called upon to perform nearly every kind of service that could fall to the lot of an infantry line officer. In the campaign of IS62 under General Dumont, in Kentucky, opposing the advance of General Bragg's army, there was almost continuous night and day work-on the march, con- structing defensive works, or on the picket line, and finally a prisoner with nearly all the regiment at Mun- fordsville, followed by life in parole-camp, drilling. In January, 1863, I took part in the cold and perilous guarding of supply boats down the Ohio and up the Cumberland to Nashville, and there in tent-life in the slushy snow and mud, which brought on a fever and two weeks in a hospital.
After this, I was detailed as Brigade Inspector on the staff of Colonel Dan. McCook, whose command picketed the city to the south and east. This line of several miles I had to ride daily. I had, also, to report daily the condition of all the troops in the camps ; every few weeks make an inspection of all the troops in the command ( arms, accoutrements, camp and garrison equipage, etc., ) and, when on the march, put out the picket lines. Our regiment was detached from Colo- nel McCook's command in April, and sent to Mur- freesboro. In May, at Colonel King's request, I gave up my position, and, on returning to the regiment, was appointed to the same position in the 2d Brigade, 4th
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Division, 14th Corps, and was on duty with it during the whole of the campaign which ended with the battle of Chicamauga, where Colonel Ed. A. King, its commander, was killed, September 20, 1863. Colonel M. S. Robinson then commanded it until the reorgan- ization of the army, in October, when the 6Sth Indiana was assigned to General Willich's ( Ist ) Brigade, 3rd Division, General Wood, of the 4th Army Corps. I then returned to my company. Next day ( October 21 ) I was ordered to take a guard of fifty men and escort about that number of wagons in a train for supplies, to Stevenson, Ala. We had a hard time on account of rainy weather, muddy roads, and, worst of all, so many mules perishing from starvation. But, after many vicissitudes, we got back to Chattanooga, November 12, and were kept busy during the next ten days preparing for battle. In the advance, on the 23d and 24th I was with the picket lines, and in the final assault, on the 25th, commanded companies A. and D.
During the night, orders were received to get ready to go to the relief of General Burnside, who was shut up in Knoxville by General Longstreet. We moved rapidly in light marching order, through the rain, and often in the night, and with little to eat, getting there after Longstreet had made his attack and been re- pulsed.
While in camp at Strawberry Plains, I was ordered to take a number of wagons, with a guard, and forage the country for supplies. I returned in the night with
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only part of the wagons loaded. Next morning I was ordered to report at headquarters. General Willich asked me what were my orders the day before. I told him "They were to take the wagons and load them with forage off the country." "Did you do it?" he asked. I replied, " All that I could find that day. He said, " Did your orders specify any time to return?" I answered, "No, but thought that was the right thing to do." He then said, " You are a young officer, and I will give you another chance. Take these wagons and go again." We marched off in the direction of the North Carolina line, and were gone several days, until we got every wagon heaping full of anything we could find that was good for men or horses to eat. It so gladdened this old veteran of many wars and wounds to have plenty for his soldiers, that I received the place of Brigade Inspector on his staff, January 8, 1864.
General Wood soon after went home on a leave of absence, and General Willich, who was next in rank, commanded the division for a short time. About the middle of February he went to Cincinnati, to have a cancer cut out of his lip, and another officer and my- self were appointed Aids-de-Camp, and accompanied him. Shortly after our arrival there, we received per- mits to go to our homes, and remain until further orders from him. In April, I was ordered to meet him at Indianapolis, and, after grand entertainments, which were given him by his German friends at Mad- " ison and Louisville, we returned to Chattanooga.
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At the reorganization of the army, in April, IS64, the 6Sth Indiana was detailed for garrison duty at Chattanooga. In May, I requested to be relieved, and rejoined the regiment. May 20, I was detailed to the command of a guard and a train loaded with rebel prisoners, for Nashville. July 9, I was appointed by order of Major-General Steedman a member of a Military Commission for the District of Etowah, to try Thomas Jolly, a rebel spy, and such other prisoners as might be brought before it. We were in session until in January, 1865, and as the district extended from Stevenson to the front, there was no lack of cases.
February 14th, I was detailed by order of General Steedman as 'Judge Advocate of a general court martial. Among the celebrities ordered to our court for trial were General (and Prince) Felix Salm-Salm, Colonel Millington and Lieutenant Colonel Corbin. Previous to this (February 2) I was detailed by the commander of the post, Colonel C. H. Carlton, to take charge of the refugee camp, north of the river, which I visited daily, reporting its condition and require- ments. The court occupied the "Dyer House," and sat until in May. Lee Goodwin and N. T. Ploughe were detailed as orderlies. June 1, I visited the Chica- mauga battlefield, in company with Surgeon Wooden and Lieutenant Carson. June 20, 1865, I received an order to take charge of the rolls and records of the regiment and report to the A. C. M., 3d Division, 4th A. C., and we were mustered out of the United States service on that day.
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X .- BY SAMUEL C. PEGG.
It is easy to tell over our trials and sports during the war, but to try to write them up in good connec- tion is another thing.
I recollect that, shortly after we marched out as prisoners at Munfordsville, Ky., and laid down our arms, I filled my pipe and asked a "Johnny " for a match. He gave me to understand, with an oath, he " didn't carry Yankee tricks." When we got back to the Ohio river, after a series of long, weary marches, I told the boys I could swim that "creek" easy enough ; and to show them that it could be done, I pitched in and swam across to the Indiana side, and then back again.
At the battle of Chicamauga I was anxious to be in a battle, and would not have staid out if I could have done so honorably ; but after that I never had any hankering. Saturday night, Wesley Chalfant and I were put on picket, with orders not to fire unless the rebels advanced. When the fog began to rise, Sun- day morning, then came the Johnnies, and Wesley said, "Sam, yonder they come, thick as hail." I don't think they were sixty yards off. Chalfant blazed
away, and fell back in good order. I took good aim and fired. In getting back through a cornfield, it seemed to me they shot off' about every stalk, but fail- "ed to bring me down. The next we knew we were
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cut off with Negley's Division, and I did not get with my company until we reached Chattanooga. Then came a long siege of starvation, and then the battle of Missionary Ridge. We went up the Ridge with a will, but I doubt very much if any started on that memorable charge without a feeling of "Who will care for mother now."
I talked with a "Johnny " on top of the Ridge, who had both thighs broken by a musket ball. He said that when he saw our army forming by Ft. Wood he thought we were going to have review ; but when he saw the colors unfurled and the advance made, he knew what was up. I asked him if he thought we would climb the Ridge. He said he "would have bet as much on it as on four aces ;" that he had a notion to run, and he now wished to God he had.
After this came our march to Knoxville, that fear- fully cold winter. One night while on picket I was relieved, and went back to the reserve, but they were gone. I hurried to camp, and found the regiment all in excitement with orders to "skin out" for Knoxville. I will always think a Johnny relieved me that night. After our return to Chattanooga, I was detailed at General Steedman's headquarters, where I had a very good time, for a soldier, until the war was over.
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XI .- BY SAMUEL B. JONES.
September 19, IS63, in the battle of Chicamauga, I was knocked out of time on the first line occupied where our company suffered so terribly. While tak- ing aim at a rebel color-bearer, I was struck by a musket ball, which passed through my left hand into my right arm, lodging in the elbow joint. Seeing I could do nothing more, I started to the rear. Just as I got in the rear, I looked up and down our lines, and I thought that half of our men were lying on the ground, dead. Working my way back, I saw some of our company being helped to the rear, and felt as if I had got off pretty well, as I was able to take my- self. Going on (I do not know how far), I came to the headquarters of General Rosecrans. He and his staff were mounted, ready to start. I passed close by the General, and he, seeing my condition-the blood running down from my wounds, over my clothes to the ground ; a pitiable sight, no doubt-turned. to his surgeon, saying : "General, get down and bind up that man's wound, before we start; he is bleeding to death." This he did, gave me a drink of water, and then remounting they started on a gallop to the front. I lay down on the porch of the house and rested awhile. The blood being stanched, I felt somewhat better, and again renewed my journey toward the rear. After going some distance, I came to a large brick
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house, which was used for a hospital. I went through it, and the sight of men shot to pieces in every con- ceivable shape was one which beggars description, and one I hope never to be called on to witness again. Thinking it was almost full enough, I went out in the yard. This was about full, also; but as night was coming on, I began to look for some place to roost. Finding a place where some men who were slightly wounded had built a fire, near the fence, I got a board, and putting one end through and the other on the ground, I sat astride of it, leaning against the fence, and so passed the night amidst the crying and groans of the suffering and dying ; for it was the last night on earth for many a poor fellow. Day at last dawned, to disclose sights more harrowing, if possible, than the evening before ; for the ambulances had been bring- ing in the wounded all night.
Shortly after daylight I came across Theodore Ploughe, who told me where our division hospital was. I made my way to it, and found there many of my own company. Soon we heard the booming of can- non and the rattle of musketry, which told that the conflict was still raging ; and so it was all through the day. In the evening it came closer and closer, the bullets striking the trees about us, and we began to think we were all to be slaughtered in a pile ; but shortly the firing ceased, and General Wheeler and staff rode up, and demanded the surrender of the hos- pital. The surgeons were drawn up in line, relieved of their swords and pistols, and then they rode away.
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Soon after, a spluttering Lieutenant with a squad of men rode up and ordered the surgeons to fall into line. Dr. Wooden begun to explain that he had surrendered to General Wheeler, when the Lieutenant jerked out his pistol, and with an oath ordered them to deliver up their overcoats and hats. We all expected to be robbed, but they left after robbing the surgeons. Right here I want to say that Surgeon Wooden and others then showed what kind of heroes they were ; for they went for days bare-headed in the hot sun over the battle field, gathering up and caring for the wounded, and then worked all night in the hospital, assisting those who were suffering the most. All this time they endured the pangs of hunger. I got a little negro boy to hunt some corn and parch it, and with a few spoonfuls of boiled wheat I kept soul and body together. A great many died. It was my privilege to be with that brave and generous comrade, Caleb Lee, to the last. He was shot in the shoulder, the ball ranging into his chest. He lingered for four days in great suffering, and was buried near the tent in which he died. Day after day, for ten days, witnessed such scenes. Then an ambulance train came to take us to Chattanooga. There was joy then. The only sad thing was to leave our brave surgeons, who had vol- untarily remained to care for us, to be marched off South as prisoners, while we were going to our friends. The man that was in the ambulance with me died in the night, and when daylight came I found my companion a corpse. After getting into Chatta-
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nooga, the first man I saw was Dr. Mauzy, of Rush- ville, and soon my comrades found me, and did every- thing in their power to make me comfortable. I staid in Chattanooga until some time in January, 1864, when I was sent back to Nashville, then to Evansville by boat, and on June 29, 1864, I was discharged at Indianapolis.
XII .- BY GEORGE SMITH,
In the battle of Chicamauga, Isaac Dale, my inti- mate comrade, and myself agreed to stand by each other, if either should be wounded. In the first day's fight, he was severely wounded and fell. We were forced back. About sunset, I started to hunt him up. There were so many wounded who wanted water and help, that I gave all I had, and went on to where I thought we had engaged the enemy. While helping a wounded man to a better position there, I was at- tracted by voices crying, "Come over," " Come over." I looked up, and saw a line of rebels not over seventy- five yards away. My first thought was of Libby prison. The next was to run, and run I did. I struck out at right oblique, and it seemed to me like a whole regiment was firing at me, the air was so full of rebel bullets ; but not one of them hit me. Up to this time it had not occurred to me that I was outside our own lines. I ran into Wilder's Mounted Infantry, who wanted to know the situation. I told them to go ahead, and in a few moments they were into the con- flict.
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XIII .- BY THOMAS T. PATTERSON.
. After the battle of Hoover's Gap, I. got sick, was sent to the hospital, and remained there until Decem- ber, when I joined in the East Tennessee campaign with my company. At Chattanooga, I was detailed to go with the provision train of Sherman's army. Starting from Ringgold, Georgia, I was present at most of the battles fought from there to Atlanta. At Resaca, where General Willich was wounded, he had the band play when he was carried off the field of battle. We could forage and do a great many things that we could not do while with our regiment-our officer telling us not to let him see what we had. I was shooting hogs, one day, in a little woods, when an old lady hailed me, and said she had protection papers. I asked her, "Who from ?" She answered, "General Bragg." I told her, " All right, you will get paid for your hogs."
XIV .- BY L. T. STEWART.
On the 15th of November, 1863, I was detailed as driver of an ammunition wagon, and ordered to report to General T. J. Wood. Our first duty was to bring up a pontoon bridge to throw across the Tennessee river, above the point of Mission Ridge, for Sher- man's army to cross upon. After that battle we were
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ordered to Knoxville with ammunition for Burnside's army. From there we drove a great deal, going as far as the Virginia line, and then to Cleveland, Tenn., where we recruited our teams and prepared for the Atlanta campaign. During the battle of Resaca, while delivering ammunition to the 66th Illinois Regi- ment, my two swing mules were shot. At the battle of Pumpkin Vine creek, myself and fourteen others, and their teams, were ordered to the front with ammu- nition. We had to drive through a very narrow place, in plain view of the rebels, and our white wagon cov- ers made a good target for their batteries. They made it so hot we cut loose our mules and got back the best we could. That night, under cover of darkness, we succeeded in pulling our wagons out backwards. My wagon lost the two front wheels. At Marietta, I got a pass and returned to the regiment, and carried a gun until I was discharged. I was in the battle of Nash- ville and several skirmishes, but luckily received no wounds. -
XV .- BY W. F. ALDRIDGE.
I was in the battle of Missionary Ridge, and in the . East Tennessee campaign immediately after. We made a raft of logs, crossed the Holston river near Strawberry Plains, and went to a farmer named Vance. And what a good time we had on Christmas -old hen, potatoes and sorghum molasses. On "the
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cold New Year's day" we gathered corn. We had a rough time marching and camping in the rain, mud and snow. I don't think I ever saw the rain fall as fast as it did when we routed Wheeler at Dalton. I was in the battles at Decatur and Nashville, and in the pursuit of Hood's army. After this I got a fur- lough. When I returned from home to the regiment, I was detailed to work in the gardens, the war being over.
XVI .- BY S. C. POPPINO.
At the crossing of Elk river, in the Tullahoma campaign, I borrowed a revolver and started on a foraging expedition. The first game I found was an old goat with two kids, upon which I took compas- sion, and passed her by. Soon after, I found a fine cow, which by her looks I knew to be fresh. I fol- lowed her to where her calf was, and it soon fell at the crack of my weapon. Soon George Ritchie came up, and I told him I would go to a cabin which was in the distance, across a deep ravine, get a bucket and milk the cow. I did not get the bucket, but captured two rebels. I have not space to give the details ; but suffice it to say we had a feast when we returned to camp. On this campaign I contracted a chronic diar- rhœa, and for it and the wound in my left knee, re- ceived at Chicamauga, I receive a pension. I partici-
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