USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Indiana > Part 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84
Camp 7th Ind. Vols., Near Funkstown, Md., July 11, 1863.
I last wrote you from Emmettsburg. We left that place the 7th in pur- suit of "Johnny Rebs," crossed the Catoctin Mountains and Cumberland Valley reaching South Mountain pass the evening of the 8th. Our forces were there drawn up in battle order, expecting an attack from the enemy. The rebs failing to pitch into us, our forces advanced yesterday morning. The rebs fell back slowly until they reached Funkstown, where they seemed disposed' to make a stand. Our forces were drawn up in line of battle and things remain in statu quo still. In the afternoon considerable artillery firing and skirmishing took place. No firing yet this morning. Our brigade is in the rear. Troops in front 'have thrown up breastworks. Only a portion of our army is here-perhaps three corps. It is said four corps have gone up the river towards Sharpsburg. Some of the boys expect a heavy battle today or tomorrow; it may take place but I' doubt it; think Lee is over the river on his way to Richmond rejoicing. Correspondents state that Lee's pontoons are destroyed, communications cut off and his capture very probable, &c., but any one with a grain of common sense knows Lee is too shrewd to be without the means of retreat-if it should be necessary. Stories about the killing, wounding and capturing of half of Lee's army are nothing but senseless cards. We whipped them handsomely at Gettysburg and our cavalry have harrassed and damaged them a great deal on their re- treat, cutting out trains and stragglers, but Lee has an army yet and one too not to be despised.
It is reported this morning that our regiment is to be transferred to the 1Ith corps and the Ist goes to Baltimore to recruit. The boys are much exercised over the report, swear they won't have anything to do with "D . d cowardly Dutch." If it prove true, it will be very unjust. Other regiments are rewarded for their men "playing off" straggling and deserting, with rest, while ours, because we have more pluck and keep our ranks full, is kept
Digitized by Google
-
460
JOHNSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
constantly in the field. This was the case when we left Carroll's brigade a year ago.
Washington, D. C., July 21, 1863.
Last Saturday morning I received my papers orlering me to Washington for examination. The boys were just starting across the river (at Berlin). I watched them till they touched the sacred soil, then jumped aboard the cars and reached here same evening. Yesterday I reported to the board, but there are so many applicants that I can't get an examination until to- morrow. Examinations are conducted privately, and are exceedingly rigid, extending to grammar, geography, mathematics, ethics, history, &c. The examination on tactics is very close. One of the clerks said about one out of a hundred applicants succeeded-but I think he is certainly mistaken. I saw a dozen or fifteen applicants this morning, most of them very civil, intelligent fellows-in fact was very agreeably surprised in them.
I am not at all confident of succeeding. I am laboring under disad- vantages. Have had no drilling for six weeks or more and we have. been marching so constantly that I have not had time to even look at tactics-con- sequently I am quite rusty. If I don't succeed it will be no disgrace and I won't regret my trip here; but I intend to do my best. I go back to the regiment after examination and if the board report favorably I will be notified of it by mail in eight or ten days.
Jennie starts for Indiana in morning; her health is poor, hence her visit. She doesn't know whether she will visit Johnson or not. Newt still in Treasury Department. They are preparing to draft here soon.
Distribution Camp, Va., July 28, 1863.
Expect to leave for regiment at eight o'clock in morning. Rations are drawn for us and I guess there is no doubt but we will go. On last Sunday our corps and the 11th and 12th were in camp near Warrenton Junction. I supose we will take the cars to that place and find them somewhere on the Rappahannock. Will Greene and Jim Brown of our company are both here and are going with me-so I won't want for company.
I got my examination on Thursday, was examined closely in tactics, mathematics, geography, history and business correspondence-don't know what the result is-will not be surprised if it is unfavorable, though I think I acquitted myself with honor.
Warrenton Junction, Va., July 30, 1863.
I left Convalescent Camp yesterday morning, took the cars at Alexandria and reached the regiment without accident before night. I found the boys
Digitized by Google
.
461
JOHNSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
in camp and all well: they reached this place on Saturday. Several corps are camped in this vicinity and two or three between us and the Rappahannock. The railroad is repaired and the cars run now beyond this place. The boys had some tough marching, the weather has been very hot; last night we had a fine rain and today it is cool and pleasant. All the regiments, except those from the West, are sending details after conscripts. Don't know why western regiments get none. Suppose they think we can run down another set of eastern dandies without help. I pity the poor conscripts-they will see hard times. The boys will give them no peace.
Baltimore, Md., September 12, 1863.
The colonel has commenced the organization of another regiment here, we have two companies full. The major went out to Frederick City last week and enlisted a brass band-full member-the picnic furnished means to get them instruments. They play very well and form quite an attraction to our dress parade. At first our parade and drills were witnessed only by colored people, but we now have a good number of respectable white visitors. Since I last wrote several new officers have reported for duty-nearly all from the West-one a Ist Lieutenant from Nebraska. Of five captains present, four are from the West and one from Buenos Ayres, S. A. Lieuten- ants are nearly all from New York. I have not learned the result of Amzi examination-guess it will fail.
Sam wrote me that John Miller, Dr. Donnell's nephew, was also at Washington, undergoing an examination. Miller is a sharp boy and unless rejected on the score of health, will undoubtedly go through.
Briney Barracks, Baltimore, Md., September 20, 1863.
We are still in Baltimore-drilling-receiving more recruits in the way of officers-and getting things in readiness for field service. As yet we do not know our destination, but of course we go somewhere on the southern coast-perhaps not farther south than Portsmouth. I understand the Ist regiment is at that place, erecting fortifications. Since I last wrote we have been reviewed by Major-General Schenck and staff. Reviews almost invaria- bly bring marching orders-but it failed this time. I think the General was well pleased with our appearances. We were also marched through the prin- cipal streets of Baltimore by Col. Briney, to show the citizens what we could make out of the darkies. The "Clipper" gave us credit for making a very soldierly display and adds that " a few such displays will do much towards disarming prejudice existing against colored troops." Col. Briney is organ-
Digitized by Google
462
JOHNSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
izing a second regiment here: he has already between 300 and 400 men. It makes the 7th regiment for this department. We have received a number of new officers during the last week. Field officers are all here. Our Colonel hails from New Hampshire-his name is Duncan-he was formerly Major of the 14th New Hampshire Volunteers. I think from the little acquaintance I have with him that he is a fine man. My Captain reported about two hours since. He come from Illinois, making the third captain from that state; believe he was in the "three months service." I take him to be a very intelli- gent, nice man, but I fear he is deficient in military knowledge. His name is "A. G. Crawford"-he is a teacher by occupation. The two captains have not yet reported. We have a chaplain, a colored man. He is a pastor of the most wealthy and aristocratic church in Baltimore. He preached as fine a sermon last Sabbath as I ever heard from any chaplain.
Yorktown, Va., November 20, 1863.
I see Meade is beginning to move again and there is a prospect of some- thing being done-either a battle or another skedaddle. If Meade intends fight, now is the time to strike. Lee is playing his old game again, keeping up the appearance of a large force, while the main part of his army has gone to assist Bragg and use up Burnside. I hope Meade will make him pay dearly for his temerity, but don't suppose he will, as by so doing, he would assist Grant-which is not the policy of our generals. Butler has assumed com- mand of this department and corps (18th). I am well pleased with the change, and he is very popular with all. He is expected to review the troops here in a few days. Last Sunday we were reviewed by General Wistar; our regiment and the 6th did exceedingly well, for the opportunities we have had (so outsiders say). Our two companies at Williamsburg were in a brush a few days since, in which it is said they did splendidly. A foraging party was sent out by Col. West, consisting of 60 men from our companies and 60 from the 139th New York, with 10 wagons. The men were all put in the wagons when out about three miles from Williamsburg, eight shots were fired at them from a thicket, the 139th doys crouched down like whipped puppies and didn't fire a shot, while our fellows jumped out of the wagon, put a volley into the thicket, and without any orders whatever, charged right in after them; the Bushwhackers beat a hasty retreat, so that none of them were caught; but one of them had to leave his overcoat and hat. Our fellows, thinking it a man, gave it a volley, putting 15 holes through the coat. This tale comes from the 139th boys, who say the "darkies ran in like they were hunting rabbits."
Digitized by Google
JOHNSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 463
Yorktown, Va., January 3, 1864.
Holidays, like Sundays, are unknown in the army. Ma's box hasn't made its appearance yet, which has proved a great disappointment to me. I suppose we can recover the worth of it if it is lost, but I would much rather have the box than the money.
Yorktown, Va., January 10, 1864.
Everything remains in "statu quo." The 11th Connecticut Volunteers have re-enlisted in the veteran corps and go home in a day or so. It is the chat at headquarters that we take their place. They are now garrisoning Fort Gloucester on Gloucester Point.
One of our pickets a few nights since shot a Bushwhacker. The fellow came out of the bushes and fired at the darkey, who immediately returned the compliment-next morning they found the Bushwhacker dead with gun in hand. This took place at Williamsburg. We don't furnish any pickets here.
The work on the fortifications progresses slowly ; bad weather prevents us working more than two or three hours a week.
Last week five or six of our officers met and organized a little prayer meeting, to meet weekly (Thursday nights). Their names are: Chaplain Hunter, Surgeon Mitchell, Captains Crawford, Maltby and Parrington and Lieutenant Barner and myself-all church members-the Chaplain and Sur- geon are Methodists, Captain Maltby a Congregationalist, Captain Crawford a United Presbyterian, Lieutenant Barner I think is an Episcopalian-a fine fellow anyway-left a $1,400 clerkship in Washington to accept his present position.
I see in the "Times" (N. Y.) that Indiana's quota is full, so I suppose the draft did not take place. This speaks well for Hoosier patriotism. And Senator Howe proposes calling out 1,000,000 men for ninety days to liber- ate prisoners, &c. All I have to say is that he is making himself appear supremely ridiculous. It is a most laudable object, but men can't be drilled so as to be prepared to take the field in three months-much less take Rich- mond-better call out half a million for three years.
Gloucester, Point, Va., January 17, 1864.
In my last I spoke of the probability of our regiment going to Glouces- ter. The IIth Connecticut left for home last week and on Wednesday our regiment moved over and took their place. Our company was left behind for a few days to guard some property. Companies are all over now and we are stationed inside the fort. We are in every way much better situated than
1
Digitized by Google
i
464
JOHNSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
we were over the river-excepting the officers-we don't find tents quite so convenient or comfortable as our houses were but still we are getting along finely. Lieutenant Appleton and I have a very good wall tent.
Duty will be somewhat heavier here, as we have some picketing to do, and also some fatigue. To give you some idea of an officer's expenses, I will say that boarding costs us five dollars a week and clothing is proportionately high. Don't know how long we will remain here.
Yorktown, Va., January 24, 1864.
When I last wrote, our regiment was over at Gloucester Point. Last Tuesday we were relieved by the 16th New York Artillery and ordered back to our old camp; the next day the 5th Colored Troops arrived from Ports- mouth and a brigade was organized under command of Col. Duncan. The brigade consists of our regiment and the 5th and 6th. Adjutant Bailey goes on the Colonel's staff as Acting Adjutant-General and Quartermaster Wilber as brigade quartermaster. I have been detailed as acting adjutant and Lieut. Barnes as acting quartermaster. The whole arrangement is temporary and should a brigadier come we will all gracefully subside to our former posi- tions. The new kind of business comes a little awkward, but I think I will like it very well. An officer on staff duty temporarily is entitled to a horse, so I made out my requisition for one, which came back this evening ap- proved. Tomorrow, if the post quartermaster has any, I will get one.
Lieut. Col. Rogers returned this evening. He has been home on 20 days leave of absence. It is rumored that we are to have another raid, and from the preparation they are making, I think it very probable. Several regiments have come up from Fortress Monroe and Newport News last week. You will probably soon hear of us about Bottoms Bridge and the Chickahominy.
Yorktown, Va., January 31, 1864.
I got my horse from the quartermaster, but failed to get my equipment. Will supply myself the first raid we make. We had quite an exciting little affair in camp today, in the shape of a fight between our regiment and the 6th-ill feeling has existed between the men of the regiments for some time, so today the 6th pitched in to our boys, half a dozen of them, and took some wood from them which they were carrying to camp. Our regiment, seeing the game, broke over the guard line and went to the rescue; the 6th followed suit, and the consequence was a free fight, in which a good portion of both regiments was engaged; sticks, rocks and bricks flew around in the most lively manner. Our boys soon drove them back over their guard line and we
Digitized by Google
465
JOHNSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
then managed to stop it. Fortunately nobody was seriously hurt, though a good many were badly bruised.
Camp Fourth U. S. Colored Troops, Yorkton, Va., February 21, 1864.
I forget whether I wrote about the 22d Colored Troops joining our brigade. They came in about ten days since from Philadelphia. Their colonel was formerly colonel of the 137th Penn. nine months. Vols. I saw him at the battle of Chancellorsville. We have four regiments now in the brigade. The 6th has temporarily been detached and sent to Williamsburg. Colonel Dun- can and Colonel Ames (of the 6th) are now on board of examination for in- competent officers; the board is sitting in Yorktown. Colonel Draper of the 2d North Carolina Colored Volunteers, has had the name of his regiment changed to the U. S. C. T. and has had his officers ordered before this board for examination. The result is two-thirds of them will be recommended for discharge for incompetency. Colonel Rogers has, made application to have three or four of our officers cited to appear for examination by them. Two more of our captains have gotten themselves into hot water. Captain Maltby has been recommended by Colonel Rogers. Colonel Duncan and General Wistar, to General Butler for dismissal, for giving the countersign to his sister while here on a visit. He asked to be allowed to resign and his resigna- tion was approved by all the commanders at this post. It is now in Butler's hands; don't know what disposal he will make of him.
Charges have been preferred against Captain Dillenback for making a false return of clothing. These charges are also in Butler's hands, and it re- mains to be seen what action he will take. No recommendations have been made yet to fill the vacancy in "B" Co .; think under the circumstances I will take the captaincy, providing always I can get it.
I have nothing new or very interesting to write. We follow the same monotonous routine day after day-Company drill in forenoon, battalion drill in afternoon, with fatigue every third day-since I have been Acting Adjutant I escape all but battalion drill.
Today we had our Sunday inspection in forenoon and this afternoon Lieut. Barnes and I went out riding-went half way to Williamsburg and then back again, and got into camp just in time for dress parade.
Last week we finished our church and tonight the men are holding a prayer meeting in it. They are very excitable and demonstrative in their worship; they are now singing. and I think with a favorable wind, they would (30)
.
1
Digitized by Google
466
JOHNSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
be heard five miles. Officers have been busy with their pay rolls for several days; tomorrow we are to be mustered for pay, for January and February. Captain Maltby's resignation has been accepted, and he has been honorably discharged from the service. This makes two vacant captaincies in the regi- ment. As yet no measures have been taken to fill them. Col. Rogers prom- ises to forward recommendations in a few days. Wolfe, after being cashiered, went to Washington and has been trying to get reinstated. He writes home to Monmouth, where Crawford comes from, that he has succeeded, but I don't believe it. I see Grant has all his columns in motion again except Schofield. I fear Sherman will meet with disaster before he reaches supplies; his move- ment is the boldest of the war so far-not excepting Wistar's late Richmond raid. It would be a grand thing if Grant should demolish Polk's and Johnston's armies, and then cap the climax by taking Richmond and Lee in rear, while the army of the Potomac lies snug in winter quarters.
Getty Station, Va., March 7, 1864.
.
Since I last wrote you we have been constantly on the move. Last Tues- day we marched with four days' rations up the peninsula to meet Kilpatrick. We left camp at four o'clock and marched all night, through a cold, drench- ing rain most of the time and over heavy roads. We reached New Kent Court House next day at three o'clock-marching forty-three miles in twenty- three hours. We met Kilpatrick's forces near Baltimore Crossroad, and we returned to Yorktown Saturday.
Our brigade was the first colored troops they had seen and of course they regarded us with much curiosity, but they manifested a very friendly spirit, cheered lustily as they passed, and assured us if we had been with them they would have gone into Richmond "like a D-n."
Shortly after getting into camp on Saturday we were ordered to march again; this time we went in a new direction. Saturday night we took trans- ports and next morning found ourselves at Portsmouth. We disembarked and came out here yesterday on the cars-we are now three miles from Ports- mouth. Kilpatrick's cavalry came down with us. It seems Old Ben got scared-thought the rebs were coming down on Norfolk and Portsmouth, so we were ordered down. Kilpatrick has been out to Suffolk and reports no rebs to be found, so we are expecting and hoping for orders to return. Gen. Berry and the 7th are here. They leave this a. m. for Hollow Head.
Digitized by Google
-
JOHNSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
Yorktown, Va., March 27, 1864. 467
You remember I wrote you about the Col. applying to have three officers re-examined; the application was refused, but Lieuts. Worrall & Brown, on learning of the Col's action, immediately resigned. Gen. Butler, instead of accepting their resignations, dismissed them from the service-subject to the approval of the President. We have had an accession of two 2nd Lieutenants during last week. One of them, a bigoted Regular Army Hospital Steward, was examined when I was. I remember him well. The other was appointed by Gen. Butler. My recommendation for a captaincy went in about ten days since Col. Rogers gave me choice of the Adjutancy or Captaincy and I chose the latter; fear I will miss my horse muchly if I get it. Wistar seems to expect active operations shortly. He forbids officers or soldiers bringing their families into the district.
Yorktown, Va., February 10, 1863.
We are just in from another "on to Richmond"-came in late last even- ing. I hoped when we started to be able in my next to tell you how gloriously we charged rebel fortifications, laid the rebel capitol in ashes, captured Jeff Davis, released our 15,000 prisoners, &c., &c. You may smile at the absurdity of such an undertaking, but nevertheless this was the real purpose of our expe- dition. And we confidently expected to accomplish it, but alas, we are doomed to many bitter disappointments. As it is, I can only say we "marched up the hill and then-marched down again" and instead of chronicling desper- ate charges, I can only boast of bully marching. On Friday morning we received orders to march at one o'clock p. m. with six days rations. That night we camped at Williamsburg; next morning our brigade was joined by Col. West's brigade and Gen. Wistar issued a congratulatory address, rather bombastic, telling us we were to accomplish the most daring thing of the war, &c. We left Williamsburg at 10 o'clock, taking the direct Richmond road. About noon Col. Spears cavalry brigade, 1,500 in number, passed us, and dur- ing the day I learned the object of the expedition. The cavalry, by forced marching, were to make a dash on Richmond, take the place by surprise, cap- ture Jeff Davis, liberate the prisoners, burn the city, and then retire with the liberated prisoners; while the two brigades of infantry were to meet them at Bottom bridge and escort them back in case of pursuit; it was decidedly the most daring and original thing of the war; everything depended on the secrecy and celerity of our movements and I believe it would have succeeded if we had not been betrayed. The cavalry pushed ahead; the infantry reached New Kent Court House at midnight and halted during the night; the rebels had
.
Digitized by Google
1
168
JOHNSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
signal lights and rockets going up on all sides; early Sunday morning we pushed on for Bottom bridge, distant 16 miles our colored troops taking the advance; but when six miles from the bridge, we met the cavalry return- ing. When they reached the bridge, they found the whole plan had been exposed by a deserter and two regiments of cavalry and two of infantry with IO pieces of artillery mounted in the fortifications to meet them. In attempt- ing to cross they lost 16 horses and one man killed and ten wounded; they then tried to ford the river in several places, but found it so swampy and obstructed, as to be impassable and so had to beat a retreat. After meeting us a consultation was held and the result was we were "about faced" and re- turned to Yorktown, and thus another "on to Richmond" ended in a fizzle. The result of the expedition may be summed up briefly thus-we marched 100 miles in less than four and one-half days, created an awful panic in Jeff's Capital, and then after showing ourselves impudently within 14 miles of Richmond, returned to camp with the loss of but one man.
Camp 4th U. S. C. T., Yorktown, Va., April 4, 1864.
Gen. Grant was at Fortress Monroe a few days since. I suppose he was giving Butler instructions as to the part we play in the capture of Richmond. It is the general impression that Gen. Burnside's expedition, now at Annapolis, will land somewhere on the peninsula and cooperate with Meade this spring. I received a letter from Sam a day or so since; says they don't fancy the way their Corps was demolished to fill up the others; they now form the 4th Div. of the 5th Corps.
We are putting in our time when the weather permits in drilling. Last Saturday we had Brigade drill. Yesterday we had preaching for the Ist time for several weeks-our time being taken up in raiding inspections and reviews, &c.
Camp 4th, U. S. C. T., Yorktown, Va., April 9, 1864.
We are ordered to Point Lookout, Md .- for what purpose remains to be seen, but I guess to guard rebel prisoners. Our regiment is the only one of the brigade under orders, but the others may receive them before morning. The 2nd New Hamp. Vols. landed here yesterday from Point Lookout and I suppose we will fill their place there. They were sent here, it is said, to pre- vent the regt. from deserting; about 150 deserted within the last four or five weeks.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.