USA > Indiana > New history of the 99th Indiana Infantry : containing official reports, anecdotes, incidents, biographies and complete rolls > Part 10
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144 New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
The news of the defeat of General Hood at Nashville by General Thomas, greatly cheered the men and the general opinion was, that while there was a great deal of marching yet be done, the real hard fighting was over. They had marched from Memphis to Savannah with side excursions to Knoxville, Rocky Face, the pursuit of Hood, etc., 1,979 miles, and another 500 or 1,000 miles didn't make much difference.
On January 8th, General Logan returned from leave of absence and resumed command of the Fifteenth Corps, relieving General P. J. Osterhaus.
On January 13th, Captain Scott, of Company C, joined the regiment, having been away on leave of ab- sence and being unable to join his company on account of the "march to the sea."
CHAPTER XX.
MARCH THROUGH THE CAROLINAS.
In the report of Brigadier-General John M. Oliver, I find the following diary of the march through the Caro- linas:
January 30, 1865. Broke camp near Beaufort, S. C., . at 7 a. m .; crossed Port Royal river at the ferry on pon- toon bridge; took road through Garden's Corners, past Bridge church and then left-hand road to Pocotaligo; reached camp at 3:45 p. m .; distance seventeen miles.
February 1st. Moved at 7 a. m .; camped near Sand Hill church at 7 p. m .; distance thirteen miles.
February 2d. Started at 7 a. m .; went into camp near Duck creek on Barnesville & Orangeburg road at 4 p. m .; distance 14 miles.
February 3d. Had a skirmish with the enemy, flanked them with a detachment of the 48th Illinois and drove
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March Through the Carolinas.
WM. H. H. SPAULDING, DRUM-MAJOR, COMPANY D. 1863.
Born at Newport, Ohio, about 1840, as he seems to have been named for the first President Harrison, who was elected in 1840 and died in 1841. His parents moved to Toledo, Ohio, when he was ten years of age and four years after moved to Peru, Indiana, where he has ever since resided, being at present the proprietor of the Spaulding Brass and Iron Works, his sons being his partners. He was the drum- major of the regiment and had charge of the band from the first to the end of the service. He writes: "I would like to have you say that the musicians were with the regiment at all times, and in all battles were ready with their stretchers to carry their wounded com- rades off the field no matter where there fell." All know that this is true. The musicians were Paul Dodge, Peter G. Blaney (Marion F. Pierce after November 1, 1864) of Company A; Winfield E. Brewer, of Company C; Alonzo B. Thorn, of Company D; James Anderson, of Company E; Wm. S. Hall and David W. Davis, of Company G; Adin F. Spaulding, of Company I; and Edward Ken- nedy, of Company K. The picture of Comrade Spaulding was taken in August, 1863, near Vicksburg, and he is less changed with the years than any member of the regiment I meet. He is a true com- rade and attends the reunions when it is possible for him to be there, and can make a good speech if necessary.
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New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
them from their position on the opposite bank of Duck creek, taking their camp, etc. We sustained a loss of one man killed and one wounded.
February 4th. Moved at 12 m .; went into camp near Angley's postoffice at 5 p. m .: distance eight miles.
February 5th. Broke camp at 7 a. m .; marched to and crossed Salkehatchie river at Buford's bridge: went into camp near the river at 4 p. m .; distance eight miles.
February 6th. Marched about seven miles, crossed Little Salkehatchie and camped at 7 p. m.
February 7th. Broke camp at 8 a. m. and marched to Bamberg station; destroyed one and one-half miles rail- road toward Midway station; went into camp in reserve at 4 p. m .; distance six miles.
(Lieutenant Drawans, Company C, resigned.)
February 9th. Left Bamberg station at 5:30 a. m .; marched to Holman's bridge, South Fork Edisto river; went into camp at 1 p. m .: distance eight miles.
February 10th. Crossed South Fork Edisto at 5 p. m .; went into camp on road leading toward Columbia,. about one and one-half miles from river; distance two and one-half miles.
February 11th. Moved at 7 a. m .; Third brigade in advance; went into camp at Poplar Springs at 2:30; dis- tance fourteen miles.
February 12th. Broke camp at 7 a. m .; marched to North Fork Edisto river, Third brigade in rear; counter- marched and succeeded in crossing 99th Indiana infan- try over main river in advance of everything. After the Second brigade had gained the other crossing we waded a swamp (one and one-half miles in width and waist deep), and went into camp on Orangeburg & Columbia road; distance nine miles.
(Every man of the 99th got wet in crossing the river as well as in the swamp.)
February 13th. Broke camp at 9 a. m. and marched toward Sandy Run postoffice; went into camp at 5 p. m .; distance thirteen miles.
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March Through the Carolinas.
ANDREW J. CLAYTON, COMPANY D. 1883.
Born November 23, 1843, in Miami county, Indiana, near Peoria, on a farm where he was reared. Enlisted in Company D, and served in all the campaigns. After the war he spent four years on the plains and in the Rocky Mountains in the service of the Western Union Telegraph company. Had a rough time with the Indians. Came back to Indiana and married Miss E. J. Wright and went into the service of the C. B. & Q. railway for nine years, then went to New York and engaged in building telegraph lines for four years. He says: "I then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and went into the grocery business with a partner, who left one night and I had the sack to hold, so I went to railroading again and have been agent here at Tenaha, Texas, for over fourteen years. We have a son and daughter, both married, and I am four times grandpa and proud of it." The picture above was taken in 1883, the nearest one to his army life. I found among my war papers the diary of Comrade Clayton, and have freely used it in this new history and shall take pleasure in returning it to him, as it is a relic that his grandchil_ dren will prize. Address, Tenaha, Texas.
148 New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
February 14th. Moved at 7 a. m .; marched to within eleven miles of Columbia; distance seventeen miles.
February 15th. Marched at 8 a. m .; crossed Conga- ree creek at 5 p. m. and went into camp on right of First division; distance, six miles; enemy shelled our line in the rear from the bluff across Congaree river.
February 16th. Moved at 9 a. m. and halted oppo- site the city of Columbia; the 99th Indiana and 15th Michigan were sent to hold the crossing of Saluda creek, and after a short skirmish with the enemy, we succeeded in crossing about dark and camped on the banks of Broad river; distance seven miles.
February 17th. Left camp at 3 p. m., crossed Broad river, and marched through Columbia, which was form- ally surrendered that morning by the mayor, the main forces of the enemy having evacuated the city the night previous.
February 18th. At 4 a. m. the Third brigade was called out to suppress riot, did so, killing two men, wounding thirty and arresting 370. The 15th Michigan and 99th Indiana destroyed one mile of Columbia & Charleston railroad; sent the 70th Ohio and 48th and 90th Illinois to destroy one mile, from eight to nine-mile post, on same road.
February 20th. Left Columbia at 8 a. m .; marched easterly on road to Traveler's Rest; leaving that place to our right, we turned north toward Liberty Hill. Went into camp at 5 p. m .; distance twenty miles.
February 21st. Broke camp at 7 a. m .; marched twenty-two miles; camped at 8 p. m.
(The "bummers" of the 99th brought in 1,000 pounds of pork and three barrels of flour that day.)
February 22d. Left camp at 8:30 a. m .; arrived at Wateree river, at Peay's ferry; crossed brigade in pontoon boats; went into camp across Singleton's creek, two miles from the river; distance eight miles.
(Captain Heath and Lieutenant Myers detailed in Pioneer corps.)
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March Through the Carolinas.
CAPTAIN GEORGE HOLMES GWIN, COMPANY F. 1862.
NOTE .- This picture shows the captain as he was when he entered the army. The sketch on page 15 has some wrong dates. His commission in the militia was August 25, 1853 instead of 1857, and was in Company B, 4th regiment, second military district of Indiana. He also recruited Company F entire, being appointed by Governor Morton July 22, 1862, for that purpose, recom- mended by Judge Charles H. Test and others.
February 24th. Marched twenty miles; went into camp at 10 p. m. one mile from Camden.
February 25th. Broke camp at 8 a. m. and marched to Pine Tree church on Camden and Society Hill road; went into camp at 12 m .; distance eight miles.
February 26th. Left camp at 9 a. m. and marched to and waded Lynch's creek at Kelly's bridge; water very high and rising; Second and Third brigades crossed and went into camp at 5 p. m .; no wagons got over; distance ten miles.
(While lying here on the 27th David Cameron, Company C, and Jacob Stephens, Company H, were captured. They were after- ward paroled and mustered out with the regiment. Cameron has died since the war.)
150 New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
February 28th. Commenced to build bridge; made good progress; stopped work at dark.
March 1st. Moved at 3 p. m .; arrived at Kellytown; went into camp at 5:30 p. m .; distance six miles.
March 2d. Marched at 3:30 p. m. and went into camp at 8:30 p. m .; distance four miles.
March 3d. Moved at 7 a. m .; crossed Black creek at New Market; camped at Campbell's mills on Juniper creek at 7 p. m .; distance twenty miles.
March 4th. Broke camp at 7 a. m. and marched to Cheraw; went into camp at 5 p. m. on the right of the First division, on the ridge to the left of town; distance thirteen miles.
March 5th. Marched at 5 p. m., crossed Great Pedee, and went into camp at 8 p. m .; distance four miles.
(Adolphus German, Company F, who was captured July 22 at Atlanta, escaped and joined the regiment that day.)
March 7th. Left camp at 12 m. and marched to Crooked creek and camped at 5:30 p. m .; distance ten miles.
March 8th. Broke camp at 7 a. m .; marched to Laurel hill; went into camp at 3 p. m .; distance four- teen miles.
March 9th. Left at 7 a. m .; crossed Lumber river on pontoon bridge; camped near Bethel church at 5 p. m .; distance fourteen miles.
March 10th. Marched at 3 p. m .; corduroyed roads for nearly four miles; distance to brigade headquarters from yesterday's camp, three miles.
March 11th. Marched at 8 a. m .; crossed Rock Fish creek and camped on Little Rock Fish creek, seven miles from Fayetteville, at 5 p. m .; distance seventeen miles.
March 12th. Marched at 7 a. m .; camped south of Fayetteville at 12 m .; distance six and one-half miles.
(A dispatch boat came up from Wilmington and the regiment sent out mail, the first for nearly two month, during which they had marched 443 miles.)
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March Through the Carolinas.
JOSEPH WILLIAMS AND DAUGHTER, COMPANY C. 1899.
Born July 7, 1841, in Highland, West Virginia; was living in Benton county, Indiana, when he enlisted in Company C, being one of the "Benton county boys." He went through all the campaigns and was one of the most efficient of "Sherman's bummers" on the "march to the sea." Returned to Benton county and October 11, 1866, was married to Lucinda J. Atkinson, Chaplain Lucas per- forming the ceremony. Remained there until 1878, when he moved to South Bend, Nebraska; lived there three years; then moved to Lancaster county and lived five years, when he bought a farm near Palmyra, in Otoe county, Nebraska, and has lived there ever since. Has four sons and one daughter living. The picture of the daugh- ter is given with his. There will be found an incident by Comrade Williams on page 58. He is a great friend of his comrades and is Commander of Post 54, at Palmyra, Nebraska, his home.
152 New History of the Ninety- Ninth Indiana Infantry.
March 14th. At 3:30 p. m. crossed Cape Fear river and camped on Warsaw road at 7 p. m .; distance three miles.
March 15th. Marched at 11 a. m. on Goldsboro road; camped at Bethany church at 5 p. m .; distance nine miles.
March 16th. Moved at 8 a. m .; crossed Black creek; went into camp at 7 p. m. near Wesley chapel; distance eight miles.
March 17th. Moved at 7 a. m .; camped at Peter's cross-roads at 3 p. m .; distance eight miles.
March 18th. Moved at 5:30 a. m .: crossed Cohera creek and went into camp at 2 p. m .; distance fifteen miles.
March 19th. Moved at 1 p. m .; marched in direction of Everettsville until 11 p. m .; countermarched at 1 o'clock at night to reinforce the Fourteenth and Twentieth corps, who had engaged the enemy. Distance twenty-four miles.
March 21st. Changed position, relieved skirmishers, put up lines and took part in the engagement of that day. Captain Hare, of 70th Ohio, a brave and gallant officer, was killed near the left of our division line.
March 22d. Marched on direct road to Everettsville about ten miles; camped at 5:30 p. m.
March 23d. Marched eight miles and went into camp six miles from Goldsboro.
March 24th. We crossed the Neuse river and ended a campaign in which the command has shown an endur- ance and steady faith in themselves, their cause, and a confidence in their great leader such as I believe no troops have before felt. The casualties of the brigade have been two officers killed and one wounded; men killed, one: wounded four; missing, twelve; making a total loss of twenty. The number of miles of road corduroyed by the brigade was: 15th Michigan, three miles; 70th Ohio, three miles; 48th Illinois, three miles; 90th Illinois, three miles; 99th Indiana, four miles .- War Records, serial 98, page 309.
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From Goldsboro to Washington.
While at and near this point some changes in regiment occurred. 'Captain Walker, of Company H, was relieved as A. A. A. G. of bri- gade and Lieutenant Thomas J. Barlow, of Company H, detailed as A. A. D C. of the division on General Hazen's staff. Lieutenant Walker, of Company F, and Lieutenant Miller, of Company B, re- signed and were honorably discharged.
Surgeon Butterworth, Sergeant-Major Brown, Captain Walker of Company H; Benjamin Martin, of Company E; William Beeker, of Company F; Enoch Scotten, of Company G; Francis Tillotson, of Company A, and others went home on leave.
CHAPTER XXI.
FROM GOLDSBORO TO WASHINGTON.
The regiment remained near Goldsboro until April 10th, when they marched seventeen miles in the direc- tion of Raleigh; on the 11th went on twelve miles, on the 12th fifteen miles, on the 13th fifteen miles, and on the 14th reached Raleigh, where they went into camp near Raleigh and remained in that vicinity until May 1st.
On the 12th the announcement was officially made of the surrender of Lee to Grant on the 9th at Appomattox, and there was great rejoicing among the troops. All knew it was the beginning of the end of the confederacy. From the 18th to the 26th hostilities were suspended be- tween the armies of Generals Sherman and Jolinston, about which there was much controversy, the Secretary of War and General Shermen having a heated contro- versy over the terms to be granted. On April 26th the confederate army of North Carolina was surrendered at Bennett's house, near Durham station, North Carolina, and that was the end of the war. The terms were the same as those given to Lee by Grant.
On the 17th of April General Sherman issued Special Field Order No. 56, announcing to the army the assas- sination of President Lincoln on the evening of the 14th.
154 New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
Captain Heath has sent me an official copy of that order that he received as commander of the Pioneer corps. It is a relic of the old days. The old order makes the as- sassination on the 11th instead of the 14th, the telegram to General Sherman making the mistake, as General Sherman afterwards explained.
The march to Washington is thus reported by Gen- eral W. B. Hazen, commander of the Second division:
May 1, 1865. Broke camp in accordance with orders at 5:30 a. m., and went into camp near Louisburg at 1 p. m., distance nine- teen miles.
May 2d. Left at 8:30 a. m., went into camp at Shady Grove at 4:30 p. m .; distance twenty miles.
May 3d. Marched to Warranton, nine miles, thence to Robin- son's ferry on the Roanoke, fourteen miles, making twenty-three miles in all.
May 4th. Marched at noon, crossed the Roanoke and camped at Pendleton's bridge on the Meherrin river; distance seventeen miles.
May 5th. Marched at 5 a. m. through Laurenceville to a point three miles beyond the Nottoway river; distance twenty-seven miles. May 6th Marched on Boydton plank to Picter's run within six miles of Petersburg; distance eighteen miles.
Here we have a march of 124 miles in six days, an average of twenty-one miles a day, and taking into con- sideration that a whole army corps was moving together on the same road, it is a remarkable march. The next report of General Hazen is:
May 9th. On the 7th moved the camp from Picter's run to within a mile of Petersburg; on the 8th lay in camp; on the 9th marched to Proctor's creek, a distance of eleven miles. Were re- viewed by General Howard while passing through Petersburg.
May 13th. Lay in camp near Manchester, Virginia, the 11th and 12th; on the 13th moved across the James and through the city of Richmond and went into camp. a mile beyond the Chickahominy river; distance twelve miles.
May 14th. Moved to Hanover court house, a distance of nine miles.
May 15th. Marched twenty-two miles, crossing the Pamunkey and also the Mattapony at Reedy Mills bridge.
May 16th. Marched twenty-two miles, going into camp five miles from Fredericksburg.
May 17th. Marched to Fredericksburg, crossed the Rappahan- nock river and went into camp on Aqua creek; distance twenty miles.
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From Washington to Indianapolis.
May 18th. Marched seventeen miles, going into camp two miles from the Occoquan river.
May 19th. Marched fourteen miles; crossed the Occoquan and ·went into camp four miles from Alexandria.
The regiment remained here and in vicinity until May 23d, when they moved to the vicinity of the Long bridge to take part in the grand review of May 24th.
On the 21st Captains Farrar and Powell received their commissions as colonel and lieutenant-colonel, but were only mustered as lieutenant-colonel and major. They had filled the positions of colonel and lieutenant- colonel from the 8th of January, more than four months.
Lieutenant John T. Ramey, of Company F, died at City Point May 13, 1865, having only received his com- mission on April 20th before. He was a faithful soldier, went through all the service and died when the war was over.
The grand review has been so often described that I need not repeat it here, only to say that the 99th did not get their new flags and so carried the old flags, if flags they might be called, that had only a few tattered stripes on broken and splintered staffs. The men of the 99th did not care much for the opportunity of displaying themselves, but regarded it as a sort of necessary exhi- bition to close in a formal way their period of service.
CHAPTER XXII.
FROM WASHINGTON TO INDIANAPOLIS.
On June 5, 1895, the regiment was mustered out of the service of the United States by Captain John C. Nelson, of the 70th Ohio, A. C. M. Leaving Washing- ton they came by rail to Parkersburg and down the Ohio river on the steamer Nashville to Lawrenceburg, and
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New History of the Ninety- Ninth Indiana Infantry.
from there to Indianapolis by rail, arriving Sunday morning, June 11th. Final payment was made on the 15th, when all departed for their homes.
On Monday, June 12, 1865, the regiment with others received a welcome from Governor Morton and the state authorities on the grounds of the old state house. The words of the governor as we read them now call back very vividly the feelings of the people at that period. He said:
"It is a deep feeling of joy with which Indiana wel- comes her returning soldiers home-a joy prevading every breast in this vast audience. You went forth on a mission you have performed with fidelity and success, and now return to claim the gratitude of your fellow- citizens. If our arms had been covered with defeat in- stead of victory, how different the circumstances under which you would have returned, if you returned at all. You come now when all is peace from the northern frontier to the Rio Grande. The dark cloud of war has given place to the sunshine of peace. The Confedracy has died suddenly of disease of the heart; died almost in a single night, like the gourd of Jonah. Jeff Davis has removed his seat of government from Richmond to Fort- ress Monroe, and instead of being accoutred in the paraphernalia of war, has put on the garments of peace and good will to all. The incendiaries who kindled the fires of the rebellion have been burned in their own houses, and the heat of the conflagration has melted the manacles off their slaves.
"Soldiers, when you went forth to battle for your country, all was gloom and darkness. Our country was full of infidels-men who did not believe in the future of the nation. You had faith; you went forth; you per sisted; you conquered; and now return as the conquering hero returns, and the people are rushing out with open arms to receive you. What were you fighting for? Not for glory, though you have gained enough of that, but for your country. Never before was a war so com-
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From Washington to Indianapolis.
pletely successful. The job has been so well done that even the rebels are beginning to be proud of it. You have done your work so well that you have destroyed the means of renewing the contest for all time to come.
"The American soldier is to-day the highest type of manhood. The French soldier is distinguished for his activity, vivacity and enthusiasm, the Russian for his obstinacy. The English soldier is slow in his move- ments, but possessed of a valorous stupidity, which sometimes renders him incapable of knowing when he is. defeated. The German is noted for his calm, patient and intellectual courage. As the blood of all these en- ters into the composition of the American people, so are- their respective virtues blended in the American soldier. It has been demonstrated in this war that our soldiers. have the elan of the French, the obstinacy of the Rus- sian, the dogged persistence of the English, and the ed- ucated courage of the German.
"The past four years have been productive of immense. results in the field. The rebellion was not to be put down by words and resolutions. Some affect to undervalue the bravery of our soldiers by saying that we outnum- bered the rebels in population. It is true we outnum- bered them but they had their advantages. They did not come to us, we had to goto them. We were unfamiliar with their country, while they knew it well. In making war we had long lines of communication to maintain which they could dispense with. We fought them un- der great disadvantages but our cause was just and we triumphed. You had faith in the justice of your cause, or you could not have stood up under the hardships you were called upon to endure.
"But now we can rejoice in the bright prospects of the nation. The great disturbing element of our politics gone, and gone forever, under the free labor system the South will prosper as it never has prospered before- even as the North has prospered.
"But you are home again and you will not fail of a true welcome. You have doubtless, on the march, in
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New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
camp, or on the lonely picket station, pictured to your- selves the anticipated meeting with the loved ones at home. Your anticipations will be more than realized, and you young fellows, who cannot, as yet, call any woman wife, will not be disappointed. They don't take much to these 'stay-at-homes.' They say they are well enough for escorts to picnics and ice cream saloons and to pay carriage-hire, but when it comes to the substan. tial business of matrimony they beg to be excused. In that case they will take the soldiers, for they know you will make good husbands, for the man that loves his country will love his wife."
The cheering with which this address was received was the best testimonial of its appreciation. When we remember that it was wholly extemporaneous and that the governor was making a speech of welcome every day to some returning regiment, it shows the ability of a master of plain speech. His unceasing care and untiring labors in behalf of the soldiers had given him a warm place in their hearts, and praise from one who knew what they had endured was as an oasis in the desert through which they had passed. As an old veteran of Company B said at its close, with a voice half joy and half sadness, "We are once more in God's country, thank God!" That was his amen and it was enough.
CHAPTER XXIII.
INTERVIEW WITH COLONEL FOWLER.
On the 20th day of December, 1899, I spent the day with Colonel Alexander Fowler at his home, near Bronson, Kansas, and took down from his lips the fol- owing statements of his recollections of the days of the war. I would sometimes put in a question, and so I give
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