USA > Indiana > Greene County > Vicksburg > Indiana. Vicksburg National Military Park Commission. Indiana at Vicksburg > Part 25
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While in "Camp Wayne" Colonel Bickle, who had not accom- panied the regiment to the field, resigned his commission, which was accepted, taking effect October 24, 1862, and Thomas W. Ben- nett, major of the 36th Indiana, was promoted to the colonelcy of the 69th, assuming command November 1, 1862.
The battle of Richmond, Kentucky, had a sobering but bene- ficial effect on the men of the 69th. They realized that war was just what General Sherman said it was, and that if they were to be successful in the future they must study the game, so at this camp was established the policy of drill and discipline, which was never departed from, and which redounded to the credit of the regiment throughout its career.
The regiment left "Camp Wayne" again November 1, 1862, going to Indianapolis for a few days. thence to Memphis, Tennes- see, via Cairo, where it was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 9th Di- vision, 13th Army Corps.
It took part in Sherman's Yazoo expedition, sailing from Mem- phis December 20, 1862, on the old steamer "Sam Gaty," whose dilapidated condition caused its passengers more distress of mind than all of the anticipations of battles to come.
The 69th was engaged in all of the actions at Chickasaw Bluffs and Chickasaw Bayou, December 26-29, none of which were a suc- cess, and it had the honor of covering the retreat of the disap- pointed troops, it being the last regiment to embark, heavily pressed by the enemy, and saved from capture only by the timely arrival of the gunboat "Tyler," Capt. James Pritchard, whose guns swept the cotton fields clean.
Returning from the Yazoo as gracefully as the circumstances would permit, General Sherman lost no time in useless repining, but headed his fleet for Arkansas Post, where it arrived January 10. 1863.
On the 11th of January, the regiment participated in the assault on Fort Hindman, which resultel in the capture of the works, some 5.000 troops, a large quantity of stores and munitions of war and two steamboats. It was the cleanest sweep of the war, not a single one of the enemy making his escape.
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While at Arkansas Post, Gen. P. J. Osterhaus arrived and was assigned command of the 9th Division, which he retained through- out the Vicksburg campaign, until Angust, 1863.
Immediately after the affair at Arkansas Post. the army was transported down to Young's Point, Louisiana, near Vicksburg, on the west bank of the Mississippi, where it arrived January 17th. At that time the river was very high and General Grant hoped that by digging and dredging the high water might be induced to cut through the abandoned "Williams Canal" and thus afford safe passage for the fleet past Vicksburg. The men of the 69th did their share of this work, encamped on sodden ground all the while, and doing their best to keep down a heavy sick list. In spite of the best efforts of the surgeons and the nurses the regiment lost thirty- one men by death in the six weeks it was stationed there.
As the river showed no signs of receding or any intention of taking advantage of the "Williams Canal," the work was sus- pended and the troops were sent to Milliken's Bend, twenty-five miles above Vicksburg, the 69th arriving there March 8th.
Lieut. Col. Job Stout had resigned, taking effect Jannary 21, 1863, and Maj. Thomas S. Walterhouse, February 16th, both on account of wounds received in battle, from which it was impossible to recover while in the field. To fill these vacancies commissions were received at Milliken's Bend, promoting Adj. Oran Perry to lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. John H. Finley, Company A, to be major. On account of a lame foot First Lieut. Maberry M. Lacey waived his promotion to the captainey of Company A and was ap- pointed adjutant.
During the winter there had been several attempts to find a foothold in the rear of Vicksburg on the east side of the river, without success, which determined General Grant to try his for- tunes by the way of the west bank of the river. To General Mc- Clernand, of the 13th Corps, was entrusted the task of finding a route practicable for the passage of the army from Milliken's Bend to New Carthage, or some other point below Vicksburg, where it could meet the gunboats and transports. which were to run the blockade.
The flood was still at its height, the bayous were over their banks for miles, all known roads were out of sight, and the prospect of finding a route without a very wide detour to the west seemed extremely doubtful. The experiment had to be made nevertheless, and it is the especial pride of the 69th that it was chosen for the
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work and that it was successful in every particular. The orders for the detail may be found in "Rebellion Records," Series 1, Vol- ume 24, page 445, and are quoted below :
HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, March 30, 1863. Brigadier General P. J. Osterhaus,
Commanding Ninth Division,
GENERAL: You will order one regiment, armed and equipped with forty rounds of ammunition in their cartridge boxes, and ammunition wagon laden with suitable ammunition, their camp and garrison equip- age and four days' rations to report opposite these headquarters by S o'clock tomorrow, for further orders. I would suggest that the Sixty- ninth Indiana, Colonel Bennett, be detached for the service contemplated.
By order of Major General McClernand,
WALTER B. SCATES,
Lieutenant-Colonel and Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, MILLIKEN'S BEND, March 30.
Colonel Bennett,
Commanding Sixty-ninth Indiana Volunteers,
COLONEL: Besides your own regiment, you will have command of de- tachments of cavalry and pioneers for the purpose of the important ex- pedition with which you are charged. The main purpose of the expedi- tion is to open a practicable communication for our forces via Richmond, La., between this camp and New Carthage. Of course, the shortest route, whether by land or water, all other things being equal, would be prefer- able. It is certain that there is a navigable communication between Rich- mond and New Carthage, by Roundaway and Bayou Vidal, and it is also believed that there is a road along the bank of Roundaway Bayou almost the whole distance. That route which you can make available for the passage of troops and trains with the least labor and in the shortest time you will select and make available at the earliest practicable moment. The detachment of pioneers, as already mentioned, will be at your command for that purpose, and Lieutenant William R. McGomas, aid-de-camp and engineer on my staff, will give any assistance in his power. If a prac- ficable route can be found, you will not only consider it with reference to passage, but also with reference to its capability of defense, and for this purpose you will select and report suitable sites for posts or garrisons along it. If no practicable route can be found, you will immediately re- port that fact.
Starting tomorrow, yon will march to Richmond, and upon personal examination you will decide, in view of military considerations, whether you will encamp on this or the other side of Roundaway Bayou. Upon reaching the bayou at Richmond, it may be found expedient to cross the cavalry first, and send it forward rapidly, under orders, to scout the country around Richmond, as far as water will permit, for the purpose of capturing hostile parties, preventing the destruction of cotton and other
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property, verifying the names and political antecedents of its owners, and bringing in beef cattle.
All cotton abandoned by its owners or forfeited by treasonable acts. may be brought in and condemned by a Provost Marshal for the use of the United States, in which case the particular lot of cotton, and the facts relating to it, will be reported to these headquarters. You will also re- port to these headquarters daily of the progress of your operations. Any reinforcements you may request will be promptly forwarded. While you are authorized to draw provisions and forage from the country, giving re- ceipts to owners, payable upon satisfactory proof of their loyalty at the end of the rebellion, you will be strict and prompt to prevent marauding. Let nothing be taken except by your orders.
Until otherwise ordered, you will report to these headquarters, through your Division Commander. Brigadier-General Osterhaus.
Your obedient servant,
JOHN A. McCLERNAND, Major-General Commanding.
The expedition, which was placed under the command of Colo- nel Bennett, as noted above, was composed of the following named organizations: A squadron of 2d Illinois Cavalry, with howitzer battery, Captain commanding; a pioneer corps of 200 men, with yawls and pontoon boats, Captain Patterson, and the 69th Indiana, Lieut. Col. Perry. This force left Milliken's Bend March 31, 1863, at 8 a. m., arriving at Roundaway Bayou, opposite Richmond, Louisiana, about 2 p. m., which was crossed in boats by a battalion of the 69th, under the fire of the enemy, who were driven through the town into the country beyond. For the next two weeks the troops were engaged in exploring the country in boats and locating roads. during which time they built over 2,000 feet of bridges and corduroy roads. The scout boats brought in- formation that the enemy was occupying a fine camping ground four or five miles south, and its capture was determined upon. A large scow, which had been used as a ferry boat by the planters, was secured, its ends and sides armor-plated with thick boards, the ends pierced with port-holes, through which the brass howitzers showed their muzzles, the motive power being side oars, after the fashion of war galleys of old. Manned by Companies A and F. the ferocious looking craft paddled through the woods and over the fields, accompanied by small boats, carrying Generals McCler- nand and Osterhaus, the field and staff officers of the 69th, except the major.
The expedition passed New Carthage under water. and at Ion plantation, owned by Mr. James, encountered the Confederate
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pickets and chased them to their camp at Perkins' plantation, a couple of miles below. Ion plantation was high and dry. It con- tained acreage enough to hold a large army, and it was deter- mined to hold it all hazards. The next morning, April 8th, the rest of the 69th came forward and the day was spent in erecting saw-log barricades against the enemy. Every day for a week the rebel artillery shelled the position, while their infantry made dem- oustrations that seriously threatened the success of the expedition. To add to the peril, a rebel gunboat appeared in the water front and kept the little force in a very anxious frame of mind for one day. It was saved from shelling by the close proximity of the mansion of Mr. James, an ardent friend of the enemy, and whose two sons were officers in the Confederate force at Perkins.
The tension was finally relieved by the passage of the batteries at Vicksburg, on the night of the 16th, by the gunboats and trans- ports and their arrival at Ion plantation at noon next day. Early next morning the 49th and 69th Indiana, supported by the gun- boats, made a reconnoissance to Perkins' plantation, which they found had been abandoned by the enemy the night before. Per- kins' plantation had several hundred acres of fine camp ground, a river front with a good landing, making it an ideal place for assem- bling an army.
Hither came the 13th and 17th Corps, occupying several days in closing up, during which time a number of additional trans- ports ran past the Vicksburg batteries, providing sufficient trans- portation for the movement General Grant had in mind.
It was while camped at this place that Chaplain Alvin I. Hobbs resigned, because of nervous prostration, caused by overwork in the hospitals at Young's Point. The men of the regiment were very fond of him and parted with him with sincere regret. Here also was received four months' pay, the bulk of which was sent home with the chaplain.
On the 28th of April the 13th Army Corps embarked on trans- ports and followed the gunboats to the vicinity of Grand Gulf, where it watched the bombardment by the gunboats until night- fall, when it disembarked and marched across the neck of land to Hard Times, where it met the gunboats and transports again and was ferried over the river to Bruinsburg on the afternoon of April 30th. Marching all night with the rest of the division to gain the high land back of the river, the 69th was one of the first to engage in the battle of Port Gibson, which was an overwhelming victory
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for the Federal forces. Further maneuvering by the army during the next two weeks resulted in the victory at Champion's Hill, May 16th, in which the 69th had a prominent part, having the good fortune to be in position favorable to the pursuit of the enemy, during which it captured over 2,000 prisoners and seven stand of colors. The pursuit was pressed until late in the night, the 69th bivouacking in an advanced position near Edwards Station.
The next day, May 17th, the enemy was found to be strongly entrenched at Black River Bridge, and Gen. M. K. Lawler, 2d Brigade, 14th Division, was ordered to dislodge or capture them. Having but four regiments in his brigade, General Osterhaus loaned him the 49th and 69th Indiana, a distinction which was regarded by the troops engaged as a great compliment. The result of the assault was the capture of the works with about 5,000 pris- oners and twenty pieces of artillery.
Being disabled by a piece of shell at Black River, General Os- terhaus was, for a few days, succeeded by Gen. A. L. Lee.
Retreating from Black River, the enemy had taken refuge be- hind the line of works outside of Vicksburg. Hoping to profit by their demoralization and quickly end the campaign, General Grant ordered an assault on the morning of May 19th, which failed of success. Among those seriously wounded was Gen. A. L. Lee, commanding the 9th Division, who was immediately succeeded by General Osterhaus, who had just arrived on the ground. This was followed by another assault on the morning of May 22, also unsuc- cessful, during which the 69th Ist two of its most valued young officers, Maj. John II. Finley and Lieut. Henry Stratton, Company E. The next day Colonel Bennett left for home on sick leave, and was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel Perry, who, with the exception of four or five months, retained command to the end of the war.
The commanding general having decided to settle down to a siege of Vicksburg, General Osterhaus, with the 9th Division and a force of cavalry and artillery, was ordered back to Black River to protect the rear, and the 69th on the morning of the 23d took up the line of march with the rest, and for the next six weeks did strenuous duty along the banks of the Big Black.
Immediately after the surrender of Vicksburg, the troops at the Big Black, reinforced by the bulk of the army which had con- ducted the siege, the whole under command of General Sherman, crossed the river and drove the Confederate army under Johnston back to the works at Jackson. During the advance, July 4th to
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10th, the 9th Division leading, the 69th took part in all of the actions that occurred, also performed efficient service during the siege of Jackson, July 10th to 17th.
Leaving Jackson, July 21, 1863, the 9th Division returned to Vicksburg, where General Osterhaus, having been made a major- general, was transferred to a larger command.
On the Sth of August the brigade to which the 69th was attached embarked for Port Hudson, where it arrived the next evening and remained until the 19th, when embarking on the steamer "St. Thomas," it sailed for New Orleans and landed at Carrollton, a suburb, on the evening of the 20th. An army was gathering here for an expedition against Texas, by the way of western Louisiana, and the time was principally spent in drill.
The 69th had the honor of assignment to the right of the 9th Di- vision on the grand review of the 13th Army Corps by General Grant on September 2, 1863. It was held on the great plain back of Carrollton, and was a function the splendor of which was never equaled at any other time during the service of this regiment.
The Teche campaign having gotten under way, the 69th took the cars at Algiers, opposite New Orleans, Sunday, September 6th, and arrived at Brashear City, on Berwick Bay, the same after- noon, at which point the army was getting together for its final start to Texas, via Franklin, New Iberia and Opelousas.
About this time Capt. George H. Bonebrake, Company C, re- ceived his commission as major, vice Finley, killed.
The trip through the beautiful Teche country, the last home of Evangeline, was something in the nature of a picnic because of the lovely landscape, the delightful climate and the friendly disposi- tion of the inhabitants, who seemed to hold no grudge against the invaders. When the army arrived at a point some distance be- yond Opelousas, it turned back because of lack of water on the vast plain which had to be crossed, and it jogged back by easy stages until it reached Algiers, November 23d. The military authorities had decided to try the gulf route to Texas, landing on the coast at the mouth of the Rio Grande. with the intention of capturing the coast defenses by the rear.
On Wednesday, November 25, 1863, the 69th, accompanied by other regiments of the brigade, General Lawler in command, em- barked on the steamship "St. Mary," and after a stormy voyage. occupying several days, made an ineffectual attempt to land at Corpus Christi, which was finally abandoned, the fleet sailing fur-
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ther east and landing the troops at Decrow's Point, Matagorda Bay, December 1st. This proving a good base, a large number of troops were gathered here for the invasion of Texas, and it was here that the famous "cold snap" of January 1, 1864, nipped the fingers, toes and ears of the boys in blue, reminding them of "Home, Sweet Home."
A few days later the division moved up the bay to Indianola. where it remained for six weeks, and from which point the 69th regiment, with a section of artillery and a company of Texas scouts, made several incursions into the back country, bringing in over 1,000 head of fine cattle, a large quantity of lumber and over twenty wagon loads of dry hides, an extremely valuable commodity at that time.
By this time the military authorities at New Orleans had changed their minds again, and all the troops except the 1st Divi- sion had been recalled to New Orleans to take part in the Red River campaign, the 1st Division to march across the country to Tyler, Texas, and meet the main body there. With this object in view the troops of this division were directed to assemble at Mata- gorda Island. In obedience to this order the 69th Indiana broke camp at Indianola at 5 a. m., Sunday, March 13, 1864, and arrived at the ferry connecting with the island at 3 p. m.
The ferry was a raft made of pontoon boats, carrying about three companies at a time. The distance between shores was about 300 yards, and a stiff tide was running in. Two loads had crossed safely, but on the third trip the float swamped in midstream, car- rying with it Companies B, G and K of the 69th, together with the camp followers. Dr. W. B. Witt, assistant surgeon; Lieut. Joseph Senor, Company K, and twenty-one enlisted men were drowned, while the rest were saved with great difficulty, many of them being carried a mile away before assistance could be rendered. The fol- lowing day, the 14th, Dr. D. S. Evans, surgeon, received notice of the acceptance of his resignation, on account of ill health, which left the regiment with but one medical officer, Assistant Surgeon Jacob S. Montieth, who, though in ill health himself, remained on duty until mustered out in July, 1865, dying at home a few weeks later, a victim of his conscientious devotion to duty.
On the 10th of February, 1864, 101 of the enlisted men of the 8th Indiana, who did not care to re-enlist in the "veteran" organ- ization, were transferred to the 69th to serve until the "veteran" organization should return from its furlough. They were assigned
.
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to companies most in need of them until July 7th, when orders were received to return them to the 8th Regiment at Algiers, Louis- iana. To Adjutant Lacey was assigned the duty of making the transfer.
While the division was awaiting orders at Matagorda Island, there was a great rivalry between regiments in drill, guard mount and dress parades, which resulted in a competitive drill under direction of a board composed of the following named officers : Col. W. D. Washburn, 18th Indiana; Maj. L. B. Huston, 23d Iowa, and Capt. A. B. Cree, 22d Iowa. The following named companies were entered: Company K, 16th Ohio; Company C, 34th Iowa; Company I, 49th Indiana; Company A, 69th Indiana, and Com- pany K, 114th Ohio. Six points of excellence were allowed, No. 5 indieating the highest mark of merit in each. The drill took place April 14, 1864, in the presence of the whole division, and Company A, 69th Indiana, won in a total of 24. General Lawler, annonneing the result in General Orders No. 11, added: "All companies are entitled to praise. The report reflects great credit on the com- panies of the 69th Indiana, 34th Iowa and the 16th Ohio, showing that they have attained a degree of proficiency in drill and sol- dierly appearance highly praiseworthy and worthy of the emula- tion of the brigade."
A steamship from New Orleans brought the news of Banks' de- feat at Sabine Cross Roads, together with orders for Lawler's Di- vision to reinforce it via New Orleans. Losing no time the 69tl Indiana took passage at Matagorda Island, April 20th, on a dilapi- dated tramp steamer, the "Alabama," and after a stormy passage, during which it narrowly escaped shipwreck, arrived at New Or- leans, April 23d, where it transferred to the steamer "Polar Star" and arrived at Alexandria at 9 p. m., April 27th.
The coming of Lawler's Division was a fortunate thing for Banks' demoralized army, as it immediately took the field, drove Diek Taylor's victorious troops back for twelve miles, where it held them until Banks' troops could be reorganized, the 69th taking part in all of the actions covering the movement. From the 12th of May until the 20th the regiment performed various duties in connection with protection of the camp and fatigue duty on the Bailey Dam, which was built for the rescue of the gunboat fleet.
The return of Banks' army from Alexandria to the Mississippi River began May 12th, covered by Lucas' Cavalry Division, sup- ported by Lawler's Infantry Division, and was the most exhaustive
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service ever experienced by the 69th Regiment, the enemy display- ing a most persistent activity day and night until finally checked by defeat at Bellow Bayou. The army reached Morganza Bend, May 20th, and during the ensuing summer the 1st Division, to which the 69th still belonged, was engaged in keeping the Missis- sippi River open to traffic, military and commercial. The regi- ment took part in the expeditions to Atchafalya, White River, St. Charles, Natchez and Baton Rouge, finally being ordered from the latter place to Dauphin Island, Mobile Bay, where it reported to Gen. Gordon Granger, commanding the District of South Ala- bama, on December 7, 1864.
Wilson's Cavalry was making a raid from the Mississippi River. which was threatening Mcbile. in support of which General Gran- ger, on the 14th of December, sent a brigade composed of the 69th, four other regiments and a battery of artillery to the mainland near Pascagoula, where connection was made with a portion of the cav- alry. A scouting party, composed of the 69th Indiana and one company of cavalry, succeeded in approaching within eleven miles of Mobile, but the force under General Granger being too small to accomplish any practical results, it was withdrawn to Pascagoula on Christmas night.
While at Pascagoula, January 22d, the regiment having fallen below the standard in numbers, was consolidated into a battalion of four companies, under Special Orders No. 4, M. D. W. M., Jan- nary 4, 1865, numbering 350 officers and men, retaining the follow- ing named officers :
Lieut .- Col. Oran Perry. Lieut. Maberry M. Lacey . . Lieut. William Mount Capt. J. S. Montieth
Commanding. Adjutant. Quartermaster. . Assistant Surgeon.
Captain. 1st Lieutenant. Joseph G. Messick,
2d Lieutenant.
Co. A. George C. Garre:son,
Alex. Horney.
Co. B. Lewis K. Harris,
John Macy,
William M. Reeves.
James E. Huston,
Charles C. Shredon.
Co. C. David Yount, Co. D. Joseph R. Jackson,
Cordon W. Smith,
N. B. Cogshall.
The supernumerary officers mustered out were :
Col. T. W. Bennett,
Major George H. Bonebrake,
Capt. John Linville, Co. B.,
Capt. W. Wingett, Co. G.,
Capt. Robert K. Collins, Co. I.,
Capt. Jesse Holton, Co. K.,
Lieut. John Goodnow, Co. I.,
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