USA > Indiana > History of the One hundred and sixty-first regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry > Part 11
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Night fell over the Logan, a Company C man fell into the water, and in the morning the rest of the regiment started in two bodies to the place of torture. We were first subjected to a long wait, in which they let loose on us about sixty millions sand gnats, that bit and stung worse than Morro fleas; then the men marched in to an open space and prepared such baggage as they carried with them for the cauldron. It is only fair to say the fumigating authorities had their own way about it all; not the least concession of any character would they make unless some petty condition was complied with. If you only had one laundered shirt it must have all the starch steamed out of it in the fumigatory process, unless you wore it, in which case it didn't need fumigation. Blankets which were aired almost every day must be steamed into worthlessness, but clothes and overcoats that hung for months in the tents passed without it. At first men were stripped and dressed in pajamas to stand around like hospital convalescents, while their every piece of clothing went in the cylinder; but this got wearisome for the management and such care- fulness was afterward dispensed with, but such articles as were steamed got two hundred and twenty degrees for twenty minutes, and the most skeptical had but to lay the tip of his little finger on them as they emerged to be most thoroughly convinced that every flea, United States gray- back and every vermin of every kind, carrying concealed about his person any contagious microbes of smallpox or yellow fever, had suffered a most horrible death; but they deserved it all for what they did to us in Cuba. Any leather that went felt in awful little when it came out, as
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the accompanying cut will fully demonstrate to a careful observer.
Most leather goods were dipped in a solution of water, bichloride of mercury and sodium chloride and dirt, while boxed articles were sprinkled with sawdust, moistened with a solution of formaldehyde or some such concoction of sim- ilar name; it was a big nuisance and a regular April fool but no doubt a great life saving station and all its attendants worthy a medal of honer from its superintendant to the small boy who slipped the officers red chalk to O. K. unfumigated goods, for if those terrible microbes who came with us, transportation free, from Cuba had ever got loose, the entire south would have been overwhelmed with an appalling loss of life. We might in return for courtesy received, suggest to its worthy proprietors an excellent motto "a thing worth doing is worth doing well." Per-
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sonal fumigation being over, at 2:40, with empty stomachs, we embarked on the Santee and, assisted by the Dauntless, made our way up to the city wharf. Wagons were ready to haul us to camp and at 6 P. M. we came up with the rest of the regiment gone on before, with a camp laid out on the ground formerly occupied by the Forty-ninth Iowa. The tents were old ones of every description, left behind by the regiment that had previously gone to Cuba; at camp Columbia we had better tentage than any regiment in the Seventh Army Corps, besides the men, the officers also having each one a large (hospital) tent, but here we tum- bled into what ever was at hand and, unwashed and unkempt, froze around till our washpans and blankets were released from quarantine. The regiment came over with- out a sick man and this deprivation caused more sickness than the steaming of those imaginary bacterial microbes ever prevented, but a soldier must have a heart for any fate and so with hearts that were cheerful because the time was short and because the stiff winds that chilled them through and through were American and therefore better than the balmy breezes and warm sunshine of Cuba, the men began the last chapter of their experience in the war they had undertaken to assist.
CHAPTER XI.
MUSTERING OUT MONTH.
CAMP HOMEWARD, April 2-30, 1899.
The evening of April Fool's day found the regiment once more together and when Sunday, the 2d, dawned, a month of hard work stared everybody in the face; the guard played guard mount, and next day the regiment played parade, after which the colonel said a few words and business was on in earnest thereafter. There was plenty eating every where and the messes were never formed, but at a meeting of officers on the 5th it was announced that suitable arrangements could be made with the genial Holmes couple who had been in the restaurant business all the way to Cuba and back, and a decision reached which drew all the regimental officers around their well spread table three times a day for $5 a week. The same day the baggage came from the place of its retention by the fumigating authorities. The officers had gone frozen by night and unkempt by day, until the bedding and wash- pans arrived; the stuff came and every man had to hunt his own-it brought with it a smell that hasn't left it yet and which so infected the bedding that when a man tucked it under his nose for the night he expected to wake up in the morning axphixiated or chloroformed or in a condition that might be worse. But the rough part of it all was that many articles of value never came at all; one thing is evident, they were either lost or stolen-the reader may form his own opinion, but in either case the responsibility is not hard to fix.
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The first week was intensely chilly, especially at night for men fresh from Cuba, and all the rusty oil stoves of former Savannah days were started on the burn; a certain lieutenant of Company F, with honors fresh upon him, built his camp fire upon the floor of his tent, but the ma- jority of the officers spent the nights in town previous to the arrival of their blankets.
Captain Beckert, of the Sixteenth United States, the mustering out officer for the regiment, had made his ap- pearance and was busy with the inspection of company books and records. While Surgeons Gerrish and Wilson were busy at medical inspection of the Fourth Virginia men the men of the One Hundred and Sixty-first were marching by companies to a building in the camp of the Two Hundred and Second New York, where a board of medical examiners, con- sisting of Surgeons Pead and Old, of the Fourth Virginia, and Tetamore, of the One Hundred and Second New York, under direction of Surgeon Howard, of the United States Army, endeavored to find out how many of those who enlisted able bodied were crippled at the close of the war. The men who reported themselves as sound were passed with little or no examination, while those who re- ported unsound were tested as to the genuineness of their disability. The arrangement was a mutual protective con- cern; it began Friday, the 7th, with Company G, and ended Monday, the band and the staff being examined the last day.
The day for turning in ordnance stores had been set for Wednesday, the 12th; accordingly, Tuesday was the last day with guns and good use was made of the time. At 9 A. M. the regiment marched to the Dale Avenue camp with the purpose of making a regimental call on the First North Carolina and the Second Louisiana; Colonel Durbin, in a neat speech, spoke of the good feeling entertained by
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the Hoosiers for the men from Carolina, of the pain in breaking associations that had been so friendly and wishing Colonel Armfield and his men God-speed, he said good-bye for the regiment. There were cheers for the regiment, cheers for the brigade which Colonel Armfield commanded and cheers for the Seventh Army Corps. Arms were stacked, and while the men spent half an hour talking of Cuba and of home, the officers of the regiments mingled in social and farewell intercourse. On the return march a like scene occurred at the camp of the Second Louisiana, where the Indiana men were warmly welcomed by the " Tigers " from the south. Lieutenant-Colonel DuFour made a touching little speech which was warmly and loudly applauded by the men in ranks. He declared that he was glad to see that all sectional feeling had been wiped out and that the northern men had it in heart to thus visit the regiments from the south and wished that everything good might attend the Hoosier boys as they went back to their homes in the north.
Wednesday was a picture taking day and in the midst of the greatest rush of business, for the order had come for the turning in of all ordnance stores; before the captains' tents the guns were stacked and the knapsacks, haversacks and canteens were placed in piles of five, and after Lieuten- ant Guignard, of the Fourth United States Artillery, had passed along to inspect them they were snugly packed away in boxes and Uncle Sam's wagons came along and took them away. Each company was in possession of ordnance stores to the amount of about three thousand dollars. Six companies completed this work on the 13th, and six on the 14th. On the 13th the first attempt since leaving was made to mount the guard without arms; it was not an easy thing to do and the men that gathered round to watch had a little fun at the guard's expense. During these days neither
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pen can describe nor words can tell the awful agony of toil through which the captains and their clerks were passing, burning the midnight oil out of their lamps and the energy out of their lives in preparing the muster rolls for the men to sign; there were only five of them for each company and the men pitched horse-shoes while the officers worked and when they were signed, every one of the five by every man in the company, they were subjected to a board of ex- aminers composed of the lieutenants, who labored through them and sent them back for needed correction.
For the men the following week was one of monoto- nous waiting, going out perhaps at drill time for a little exercise and spending the rest of their time at the popular game of quoit pitching or in trying to borrow a dime to take them to town and back. In the forenoon of the 17th the officers of the One Hundred and Sixtieth Indiana paid their respects to the regiment by a visit to its officers. They called at the colonel's tent where it was suggested that Chaplain Vigus, of the visiting regiment, excuse him- self in order to call on the chaplain of the One Hundred and Sixty-first, who was at that time in his own tent; the chaplain considerately did so.
In the evening of this day the flag pole that was set up in front of Colonel Bryan's headquarters at Camp Cuba Libre in place of the one that was not set up met with a sad fate; other men have secured lumber for canes, but it was in the bright light of day, but this was done under the cover of night; it only goes to show what crimes are com- mitted in the name of politics; the said flag pole had come all the way from Jacksonville intact, but the Bryanitically inclined officers who, in army life generally, live pretty close to where the flag pole ought to go, could not resist the temptation to reduce it to walking-stick lengths which will now come into possession of Bryan disciples and 16 to I
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will make them believe all the harder in his princi- ples because they have a cane made from his flag pole, and Major Smith is willing to leave it to all sound thinking people if that was not a greater crime than losing eighteen dollars on a bluff or smuggling mahogany posts out of a hospital tent.
The nextday the colonel went to Washington; the men did not know exactly for what, but they knew all railroad agents had been forbidden to do business in the regiment and they were a little curious and anxious to know what the commanding officer would have to say when he returned; he came back on Sunday, the 23d, and after dinner the officers' call was blown and the Colonel told them in substance the purpose and result of his mission. It had resulted in an invitation from the President of the United States for this regiment to return home by way of Washington, at which place he would take pleasure in reviewing it. The Secretary of War had also expressed a desire to see again the regiment whose splendid appearance and marching had called from him on previous occasions words of such high commendation. The trip was to cost the men no more than a ticket the shortest way home and would afford to them perhaps the opportunity of their life- time to see the capital city of the nation with its interest- ing and historical sights. The officers then gave an expres- sion, after which the men were called before the colonel, and he told them the same things requesting them to think the matter over and give their company commanders an expression at retreat and roll call. It was accordingly done and the answer came in an almost unanimous desire to accept the President's invitation.
The next morning witnessed a new departure in the guard mount: Lieutenant-Colonel Backus was officer of day, Major McGrew mounted the guard, Adjutant Tichenor was
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acting sergeant major, and the captains accompanied each the detail of men from his company; the boys expected o have a laugh but the major fooled them; however, they had it the next morning when Colonel Durbin was made officer of the day and Lieutenant-Colonel Backus took his turn at mounting the guard; the boys meant no discourtesy to their superior officer, but they simply couldn't help but laugh. In the morning Lieutenant Johnson distinguished himself by championing the cause of the despised and abused colored woman. The Fourth Virginia men were engaged in the unmanly and shameful conduct of tossing a poor defenseless colored washerwoman in a blanket. For shame! Let it be a man, boys, even though he be white,
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but a woman is a woman, be her color what it may, and a good black woman is a thousand times better than a bad white one. The Savannah Morning News of the 27th,
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said: "It was reported last night that a woman who was in a delicate condition was tossed in the Fourth Virginia camp day before yesterday, and that yesterday she died." How true this report was we do not know, but apart from any serious consequence the act was a disreputable out- rage, indecent and disgusting, and the conduct of those men a disgrace to their own color; to a man of true senti- ment it was funny, but gratifying, to see the colored wash- woman run to the Indiana camp because she knew the Hoosiers would protect her.
On April the 10th General Lee had issued his last General Order to that portion of the Seventh Army Corps still in Cuba. It was as follows:
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH ARMY CORPS, - CAMP COLUMBIA, HAVANA, CUBA, April 10, 1899.
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 24.
The order has been received which moves the last regi- ment of the Seventh Corps across the sea to be mustered out of the service of the United States. The ranks of its organization are forever broken. The record made by the officers and men will be forever preserved. The pages of military history of their country will inscribe the deeds of no troops who won a greater reputation for discipline, drill, and manly discharge of duty, soldierly conduct and cheer- ful obedience to all orders.
The President's assurance, had the war with Spain continued, that the Seventh Corps would have been selected to lead the assault upon the Havana lines, proves that the Corps possessed the confidence of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, a confidence shared by his fellow countrymen.
It is gratifying to review the career, and remember the
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harmony which existed among the forty thousand soldiers who answered the roll-call at Tampa, Jacksonville, Savan- nah, and Cuba. Whether it were the "Volunteers " who afterwards at various times broke ranks, and resumed the duties of American citizenship, or the "Regulars," whose standards are still flying, and who are now the advance sentinels of American progress and civilization, -sol- diers of the North and South took the sunshine and storm of camp together, and marched side by side under one flag, in one cause, for one country.
Their cordial support and unvarying kindness to the Corps Commander will be gratefully cherished, and though his military connection with comrades and soldiers be severed, the connection that binds him to what concerns their lives, their prosperity and success in days that are to come will never be broken.
May health and happiness crown their days, and when their thoughts sometimes wander back to Camps Cuba Libre, Onward, and Columbia, may their hearts beat quicker as they remember they once marched under the banners of the Seventh Army Corps.
FITZHUGH LEE, Major General U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.
This order was communicated to the One Hundred and Sixty-First Indiana Volunteer Regiment by the Col- onel on the morning of the 22nd and with it came also his own last General Order:
HEADQUARTERS 16Ist IND. VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, IN CAMP NEAR SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, April 22, 1899. GENERAL ORDER No. 8.
In communicating to you General Order No. 247, Havana, Cuba, April 10, which is the farewell order of our
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recent corps commander, General Fitzhugh Lee, your com- manding officer desires to add his personal testimony, and convey to you in order his parting words of commendation of your services to your country-leaving your homes and your civil pursuits with only one thought and ambition, and that to answer the call of our President to maintain the honor of our flag and punish the insult offered in the destruc- tion of the battleship Maine and the murder of part of her gallant officers and crew. You gave to the world that you were ready, willing and anxious to make any sacrifice re- quired of you, coming as you did unacquainted and unedu- cated in military affairs or training and attaining to a high degree of proficiency speaks more than words of mine can convey. Your services have been truly honest and faith- ful; by your intelligence, desire, devotion and hard work, you were quickly made acquainted with the details of drills and maneuverings necessary. By your conduct and sol- dierly deportment and bearing you attracted to your- selves favorable notice. In your camp conditions, in which none excelled you in neatness, tidiness and sanitary condi- tions, you received the favorable commendation of your su- eriors. In your drills, tactics, parades and reviews you have had the plaudits of men, the compliments and highest praise of officers of the highest grade, including the Honorable Sec- retary of War. These favorable expressions belong to you. They have been honestly and honorably earned and will be pleasant memories in years to come. You are not return- ing to your homes battle-scarred, and I believe I voice the feeling of each one of you when I say that our regret is that no opportunity was afforded to add to honors, bravery and gallantry under fire and in battle, and we must quit the service with the consolation that what was given us to do we did cheerfully and to the best of our ability. In part- ing as soldiers, let us always cherish the kindliest feeling
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and consideration for each other, that feeling of comrade- ship which in after years will link us together as brothers. In going to your homes in the pursuits of civil life carry with you the assurance of your colonel that you are en- shrined in his heart's affections and for each officer and man of the regiment he has the highest personal regard and his prayers and strong desire shall always be for your welfare, and wherever you may go may heaven's choicest blessings be yours.
Thanking you for your willing obedience to orders and requirements, whatever their character, at all times.
YOUR COLONEL.
On Wednesday evening the officers were the guests of Colonel Durbin at an elaborately spread banquet in the ban- quet hall of the DeSoto. Sergeant-Major Starr was the ranking officer in camp and between the hours of 7:30 p. m. and I a. m. wore his " blushing honors full upon him" in a manner becoming the only sergeant-major who ever commanded a regiment. The officers went to the city at 7:30 in two cars especially reserved for them at Liberty street, marched to the hotel and were soon gathered around tables formed in a hollow square and most beautifully dec- orated with potted flowers. It was a notable and joyous occasion, every man was happy, and yet every one was touched with a solemn feeling as they realized that the gathering was a farewell one and that the associations that had for the past ten months bound them together were about to be broken and the habiliment of the soldier laid aside for the dress of civil life. Between the servings there was jovial conversation and fun poked at everybody, and at the close of the repast the following toasts were responded to:
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The American Soldiers-Lieutenant-Colonel Backus.
The Volunteer Soldier-Captain Ogborn.
Indiana and her Soldiers-Captain Fortune.
The Indiana National Guard-Major Megrew. Our War with Spain-Lieutenant Welsh.
Phenastine, and why he fed us Quinine-Major Smith,
followed by Lieutenants Gerrish and Wilson.
The Old Army Mule-Quartermaster Brunt.
Cuba and her Senoritas-Lieutenant Ward.
The Value of a Pair of Deuces-Captain Scott.
What we Should Think of Ourselves as Soldiers and Citizens-Chaplain Biederwolf.
How we Won a Home-Major Olds.
The Lieutenant and How He Got There-Lieutenant Comstock.
How the Tenth Infantry made Good Soldiers-Lieu- tenant Owens.
The Folks at Home-Captain Guthrie.
The One Hundred and Sixty-first Volunteer Infantry- Col. Winfield T. Durbin.
It was one of those long-to-be-remembered events; everything was said that could be said and just those things that should have been said; and it is needless to here state the deep appreciation of every one present for the regard and courtesy shown to them by their com- manding officer. The hour hand was at the smallest figure on the dial when the evening was over and the offi- cers returned to camp.
The hard work had slowly come to an end and the few remaining days gave to every one a chance to make any desirable purchases in the city and to pack everything in readiness for the coming of the great day. Arrange- ments had been made for the trip to Washington, the regi- mental horses were sent north over the shortest way, the
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officers had sworn before Captain Beckurts concerning their responsibility for government property and there was nothing more to do.
The last regimental formation was held in the open space by the road. The battalions formed three sides of a hollow square and the colonel spoke to them. He first told them all about the arrangements for leaving; the mus- tering-out was to begin at 9 o'clock the following morning, after which the men would be paid and be at liberty, all reporting at 2 o'clock at the Plant System depot ready to start; he gave to the officers such instruction by which they were to effect with order and dispatch the business of the morrow. He then spoke a few words of parting to the regiment asking that all grievances be laid aside and that the spirit of manliness which had characterized them in their military career go with them into civil life. He wished them all God speed and asked that if in the future by reason of their changed uniform he should fail to rec- ognize them they should pull his coat tail and tell him who they were and he would-the chaplain standing near deterred him he said from saying what he would do. Lieutenant-Colonel Backus called the officers to the front and told Colonel Durbin of a meeting of the regimental officers at which two committees were appointed, one of which was then ready to report. The other committee appointed for the purpose of selecting a suitable remem- brance for the regimental commander was reported at a later date after muster-out, but Major Olds, chairman of the committee on resolutions, stepped out and addressed the colonel in the following appropriate remarks:
COLONEL DURBIN: The meeting which brings us here this afternoon is indeed a sad one. We come here know- ing it is to be the last formation of an organization which has grown dear to the hearts of each and every one of us.
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Friendships formed in the army are stronger than those formed under any other circumstances. This is. doubly true of the friendships formed in this regiment. Ten months ago when we assembled in the city of Indian- apolis for the purpose of organization scarcely any of us had acquaintances in the regiment outside of those mem- bers who came from the immediate vicinities of our home towns. We go forth bearing friendships stronger than any we have ever formed. There are many circumstances which have brought this about, but we, the officers of this regiment, believe it mainly due to the untiring devotion and the efficient and honorable methods pursued by our regimental rommander. True we have put forth our best efforts and have tried to do our duty, but all that would have gone for naught had we not had an efficient and ca- pable leader, -but we had such a leader-a leader who by the strength of his personality, by the earnestness of his purpose and by the support which he was able to com- mand, could unify and strengthen our efforts.
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