USA > Indiana > New history of the 99th Indiana Infantry : containing official reports, anecdotes, incidents, biographies and complete rolls > Part 2
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In our drilling and learning the manual of arms we were armed with some old muskets that would be as dangerous to the men who aimed them as to those at whom they were aimed, but shortly after reaching Louis- ville we exchanged them for Enfield rifles, about the best guns attainable at the time.
Up to this time we were not soldiers but getting in shape to become soldiers.
At Louisville the organization was completed. Alex- ander Fowler, who was major of the 15th Indiana, hav- ing entered the service as captain in that regiment in the spring of 1861, was appointed colonel and assumed command of the regiment. Richard P. DeHart, who was adjutant of the 46th Indiana, was appointed lieutenant- colonel, but did not join the regiment until it reached Cairo on its way to Memphis. Adjutant John M. Berkey was promoted to major. L. D. Robinson, first sergeant of Company G, was promoted and appointed assistant surgeon. R. W. Cummins was appointed adjutant. Daniel R. Lucas, who was 2d lieutenant of Company C, was promoted and appointed chaplain, the duties of which position he had been in some measure discharging from the beginning of the organization. This completed the commissioned officers and the non-commissioned staff was as follows:
Lorenzo D. McGlashon, sergeant-major; W. N. Sever- ance, quartermaster sergeant; Alva B. Parks, commis- sary sergeant: Martin I. Whitman, hospital steward; W. H. H. Spaulding, drum major; Harry Brewer, colonel's orderly.
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The Organization.
CAPTAIN ANDREW COCHRAN, COMPANY F.
Born November 2, 1822, in Jefferson county, Indiana. Removed to Madison when 22 years of age. Lived there five years, then lived in New Albany two years, when he moved to White county, where he has resided ever since.
At the organization of Company F, he was appointed first lieu- tenant, which position he held until April, 1865. On October 8, 1864, he was compelled to leave the regiment on account of sickness and was unable to join them until they arrived on the coast, when he took command of the company and was appointed captain, April 9, 1865, which rank he held when mustered out with the regiment. He has three sons, all of whom have families. Captain Cochran is now one of the oldest men among the survivors of the regiment and has changed in his appearance less than perhaps any other, as he was forty years of age when he entered the service. A quiet, gentle, good man, everybody that knew him respected Captain "Andy" Cochran, as he was familiarly called. His address is Brookston, Indiana.
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New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
Already we began to feel the effect of the hardships of war. When we left Indianapolis we were compelled to leave some sick men behind, two of whom died there, Robert H. Pebworth of Company H, October 21, 1862, the first man according to the record to die, and Daniel Albaugh of Company I, November 7, 1862. When we left Louisville, November 8, we left some more, two of whom, James Beazell and John W. Taylor, both of Com- pany C, died, the first November 10, 1862, and the other November 14, 1862. The death of James Beazell came with much force to me as he was a neighbor of mine and was one of the twenty-five men who went from Benton county into camp with me. When examined by the sur- geon he was pronounced one of the best specimens of manhood in the regiment and it was thought would be one of the last to succumb to the hardships of the campaign.
There was the usual speculation as to which part of the army we should be assigned, though the general talk of what was facetiously known as the "Castor Oil Expe- dition" led to a belief, which was soon confirmed, that we were to have a part in that great work, the opening of the Mississippi river, so that as our regimental seer put it, "the waters of that mighty river might flow unvexed to the sea." When reminded by the objector that its waters were free enough to go if they wanted to, that it was our boats that wanted to go "unvexed" to the sea, the response was, "There are some men who are as destitute of sentiment as a mule is of music," and that settled the matter.
On the first day of November we drew seventy-two mules and the boys had a great time. Not one of them had ever had a harness on and the task of breaking them in harness and to drive was not an easy one. It was a source of fun, however, and in breaking the mules they broke the monotony of camp life as well. The same day the surgeons were busy vaccinating the men. Though there was no small pox at hand yet it was thought best to be on the safe side and prepare to meet it, as it was
25
The Organization.
LIEUTENANT CARROLL L. SHIDELER, CO. E. 1900.
Born in Washington county, Pennsylvania; moved to Rensselaer, Indiana, in 1853; enlisted August 11, 1862; was appointed corporal and was assigned to the colors; was promoted sergeant, June 14, 1863, and given charge of the regimental colors; carried them until May 1, 1864, when he was relieved to perform the duties of first sergeant; was commissioned second lieutenant on the first day of May, 1865; was mustered out with the regiment. After the war lived at his old home until 1876, when he moved to Butler county, Kansas, where he has been in the stock business, principally handling sheep. Has raised a family of three boys and five girls, all of whom are living near him except the youngest girl, who died at thirteen years of age. Comrade Shideler has been quite an active man in politics, holding several official positions, and is a man of energy and ability. His address is Leon, Kansas.
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New History of the Ninety- Ninth Indiana Infantry.
expected we would farther south. In a letter written that day to my wife I say:
"We are something of a literary regiment judging by the way they write. I mail about 400 letters a day and over 600 on Sunday, and it makes considerable work for me as I have to frank a great many of them. The Government has kindly provided, on account of the difficulties in the way of the soldiers purchasing stamps, that by the frank of an officer the letter may be sent and the recipient pay the postage at time and place of delivery."
CHAPTER II.
FROM LOUISVILLE TO MEMPHIS.
The regiment left Louisville, November 8, on the transports Mary Miller and Ollie Sullivan, and reached Cairo on the 13th as the river was very low and navigation difficult. Here we were joined by Lieutenant Colonel DeHart and Adjutant Cummins. Going on to Columbus we reshipped on a large transport called the J. B. Ford: after running a few miles it was foggy and we anchored for the night. We passed Island No. 10, New Madrid and other points of interest at that time. We landed that evening at Fort Pillow and the boat tied up for the night. At daylight we started for Memphis where we landed at 3 p. m. on Saturday, the 15th.
An extract from a letter I wrote to my wife next day was as follows (It is dated Sunday, November 16, 1862):
"The J. B. Ford landed us at wharf at 3 p. m. yesterday, we then had to unload the boat and move out here to camp, where we arrived a little after dark. We did not pitch our tents last night and have been busy all the forenoon clearing off the ground and pitching our tents; we were all very tired, but since we have got settled I am feeling better. We are getting down into the land of Dixie for certain now. We have an excellent camp here in the edge of the woods south of the city. Did not see much of the city as we passed through, but have to go down with the mail this afternoon and will have an
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From Louisville to Memphis.
DR. ABNER D. KIMBALL. 1900.
Born January 24, 1839, in Coshocton county, Ohio. Came to. Miami county, Indiana, in 1850; worked on a farm until seventeen years old; began the study of medicine in 1857; graduated at Rush Medical College in the winter of 1860-61; located at Converse, Indiana; volunteered as a recruit in October, 1864, in Company I, 99th Indiana regiment; recommended for first assistant surgeon in the regiment; was with the regiment from Atlanta to Washington; was then trans- ferred to 48th Indiana, and commissioned first assistant surgeon; mustered out of service in July; returned to Converse and engaged in the practice of medicine up to 1884, at which time located at Marion, Grant county, Indiana; continued in the practice until May 20, 1890, at which date he was appointed surgeon of the Marion branch of the National Soldier's Home, and has served there ever since. Dr. Kimball is a thorough physician; graduated also at the close of the war at the Bellevue Medical College, New York, in the session of 1868-69. The soldiers of the National Home are sure of a kindly medical attendance as long as Dr. Kimball remains with. them.
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New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
opportunity to look around. There are a good many troops here and we are to be brigaded with the 97th Indiana, Colonel R. C. Catterson commanding, the 70th Ohio, Colonel J. R. Cockerill and the 53rd Ohio, Colonel Jones.
"We have now got our field and staff divided off into messes, as follows: No. 1, the colonel, major and chaplain. No. 2, the lieu- tenant-colonel, adjutant and sergeant-major. No. 3, the quarter- master, quartermaster-sergeant and commissary-sergeant.
"I beg into think I shall like the service better after I get used to the change unless I do like the Irishman's horse, 'die in getting used to it.' Impossible to have any service to-day as all are so busy. I wish you could take a peep into our tent and see how cosily we are situated, it is not a palace, or a home, but it shelters us from the cool air without."
We remained at Memphis until November 26, when we started on what we afterward called the "Holly Springs Campaign." The enemy was reported to be strongly entrenched on the Tallehatchie river and General Grant was in their front on the north coming down from Grand Junction, General Sherman, with our corps organized at Memphis, was to move south-east and strike them on the flank.
While at Memphis the measles still continued and about a hundred men were lost to the service. The hospital service at Memphis was fairly good but somehow the exposure left those who recovered from the measles in a weak and exhausted condition so that many of them were never able for duty no matter how much they desired to remain in the service. Among those who died at Memphis and as a result of the sickness there were the following:
Company B .- James M. Bussell.
Company C .- Ether A. Cook.
Company D .- Moses Arnold, John F. Connett, Samuel Kitts- miller.
Company E .- John D. Wyatt, William Brown.
Company F .- Hallett Barber, Archibald McLane.
Company H .- Ira Calvin, William Shelly, John B. Ralston, Anderson Lamb.
The following were discharged as the result of the
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From Louisville to Memphis.
ROBERT B. LANK, COMPANY C. 1900.
sickness there and many of them lived only a few years. and never recovered their health:
Company A. Wm. Parkhurst, Ferdinand Rice.
Company B .- Peter Hedrick.
Company C .- John A. Bushong, Henry J. Bushong, Miller Blach- ley, William Hannebuth, William F. Frame, Robert B. Lank, Henry Rowland.
Company D .- Oliver Kissman, George Griffy, Eli Howard, William W. Warwick, Elwood Ward.
Company E .- William T. Board, John Reynolds.
Company F .- George W. Dyer, William G. Downs, Jacob H. Downs.
Company G .- James E. Evans, Oscar W. Avery, Reuben W. Lane, Solomon Linnville, James H. Monett, Jacob Myers, Henry Rushton.
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New History of the Ninety- Ninth Indiana Infantry.
Company H .- Alexander C. Cochran, Robert Hackley, Elliott Budd, Joseph Clark, William F. Parsons, George L. Parsons.
Company I .- Robert Rose, George W. Keim.
Company K .- John Vannatta.
CHAPTER III. HOLLY SPRINGS CAMPAIGN.
We left Memphis, November 26, 1862, and marched eight miles southeast.
In looking over the old letters I wrote to my wife while on the campaign, I find so many things that give a picture of our life at the time so much better than I can write it now that I prefer to copy them. Of course in reading them you must remember that the times were dark in our country's history, and many things looked far different to us then from what they do now. No man can understand this history unless he is willing to put himself back there and see how it appeared to the men of that time. And any man who will put himself back there and see what faith in their country those men had, will learn more of what true patriotism is than he can ever know otherwise.
On the 29th I wrote the following from "South Branch of Coldwater Creek, Saturday p. m., November 29, 1862:"
"I write you to-day, though I do not know when I shall be able to mail it as our communication by way of Memphis is not very safe, on account of the guerrillas, and we have not yet formed a junction with the army of Grant. We left Memphis about 10 a. m. Wednes- day, marched eight miles and camped for the night in a very good place. We started early Thursday, and marched fifteen miles to the north branch of Coldwater creek and camped on the south side of the stream. Yesterday we marched thirteen miles to the south fork of the creek, where we are now camped. We had a stirring time about noon yesterday. Our regiment was the advance guard of the army
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Holly Springs Campaign.
JAMES L. GERRISH, COMPANY A.
1900.
Born November 15, 1836, in Boscanen, Merrimac county, New Hampshire. Educated at Merrimac Normal Institute and at Wabash College, Indiana. Moved to West Creek, Lake county, Indiana, in the spring of 1856. Enlisted, August 12, 1862, in the 99th Indiana. Served for a time, on detached service. He was mustered out with the regiment at Indianapolis, June 5, 1865. Married, February 15, 1866, to Miss Dier of Wheaton, Illinois. In 1891 moved to Ham- mond, Indiana, and June 15th, was appointed tagger in the Bureau of Animal Industry, which position he now holds.
Comrade Gerrish was one of the number that we called our . genuine yankees, he was a yankee, but at the same time a true American soldier and patriot. His address is Hammond, Indiana.
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New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
and it was reported that the rebel pickets were in sight. We formed in line of battle and waited for the rest of the army to come up. We supposed a fight was on and I now know what it feels like to think about going into battle. I do not believe I should run, but the feeling is rather peculiar. The major (Berkey) was in front with two companies of the regiment and was fired upon by some guerrillas but without effect. The major returned the fire and he had the honor of capturing one of them, the first prisoner on the march. We were delayed about two hours, when we resumed the march and had no further trouble.
"To-day we are lying here in camp waiting for communications to be opened with General Grant which our scouting parties are now trying to effect. I heard General Sherman say to-day that we would soon join Grant; if that is the case we will have an army of about one hundred thousand men and I am sure there are not enough rebels in Mississippi to whip us. The weather is good and it is as mild as I ever saw it in Indiana in September. It is reported that the enemy will show fight when we reach the Tallehatchie river; hope they will as the boys are anxious to fight; they say if we have to fight let us do it and have it out so we can go home to our wives and babies. I could not get a horse fit to ride, but I have got a mule and he is all right, a trim good pacer and broken to the saddle. The 12th Indiana is in our division and I see my old chums, William Irelan and Harvey Scott, quite often."
. My next letter was as follows: from "Chulahoma, Mississippi, December 1, 1862."
"I wrote you on Saturday from Camp Red Bank giving an account of our three days march from Memphis. I met General Denver, our division commander, this morning, and he told me we would prob- ably have an opportunity to send out letters to-morrow. Yesterday morning we started on our march to this place arriving here at 3 p. m. Chulahoma is a small town in a heavily timbered country. We have been lying still to-day while our scouting parties are trying to locate the position of the enemy. We are all in hopes they will fight near here but the impression is gaining ground that they will not. We had a very hard rain last night, but our tent did not leak so we were all right.
"General Sherman's headquarters are near ours, and I saw Gen- eral Grant when he called on him to-day. They had a long consul- tation, but their conclusions no one but themselves know, of course. His pictures give a very good idea of his appearance. I guess the boys are all writing from the way the letters are coming in, and I must spend a couple of hours in franking them."
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Holly Springs Campaign.
EZRA K. FRIERWOOD, M. D. 1900.
Born in Clark county, Ohio, December 29, 1844, moved to Grant county, Indiana, in 1851, from where he enlisted in company I, 99th Indiana, August 15, 1862, not quite eighteen years of age. Went through the war and was mustered out June, 1865. Began study of medicine and graduated in 1869, and has practiced in Miami, Howard and Wabash counties ever since. At present located at Greentown, Howard county, and is United States Examining Surgeon for Pensions at Kokomo, Indiana. He was a faithful sol- dier, one who felt the danger and yet withstood its hardships. In a line to me he says: "The picture of Colonel Fowler in uniform brings vividly to my mind the days of 1864 in the trenches about Atlanta where it required the nerves of steel and the fortitude of a giant to perform the exacting duties of a soldier." This expressive sentence tells the story that makes every man a hero who endured that campaign.
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New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
On December 20, from camp on Yacuapatafa Creek, I wrote as follows:
"We are here in camp cut off from the outside world. My last letter from you was dated November 20. On the 2d we marched to Wyatt, where we had to remain three days to build a bridge across the river. There we met our first really hard times. Our trains did not come up and it rained and then it poured and we had to sleep on the ground without tent or covering. Even the stars were not above us to look at for the clouds were too thick and heavy.
"On the 5th we marched to College Hill, twelve miles, where we found a good camp and remained until the 11th. On the 7th we were reviewed by General Grant and many of our men saw for the first time the man of whom the people are talking so much. He doesn't look half as much like a general as Sherman or McPherson. On the 9th General Sherman made our regiment a short address the same as to all the regiments, and he goes back to Memphis to engage in some other campaign. I learn that now we are to be in General James B. McPherson's command of the 17th Corps. On the 11th we marched to Clear Creek, twelve miles, and on the 12th came to our present camp. While at College Hill we found a large church and ยท Chaplain Griffith, 53d Ohio; Munn, 100th Indiana; Sullivan, 70th Ohio; Captain Moore, 40th Illinois, and myself each preached a ser- mon to a very large audience. Think some good was done."
" We had to leave some comrades by the way, and when I think of it I wonder how many will live the conflict through. Samuel Collins, of Company C, from Valparaiso, and Alison Graham, Com- pany G, from Groveland, were buried on the way, and on the 17th I attended the funeral of a German belonging to Miller's Indiana Battery, who are camped near us. He was cutting down a tree for wood when it fell on him and killed him. I sometimes wonder if they will find their graves on a foreign soil in the end, or whether the Stars and Stripes for which they died will wave over them. I believe in God and so I must believe they have not died in vain.
"You cannot tell how anxious we all are to hear something from the north. We have heard also that our "cracker line" has been cut in the rear, that a coward or a traitor, Colonel Murphy, surrendered Holly Springs to the enemy without a fight. If that is the case we will get no mail for a long time, and will probably go back to Memphis again; we cannot tell. One soldier just came in and told me solemnly that peace was declared and we are going to march back to Memphis for discharge. Of course I do not believe it for there are so many sensational reports that I am getting doubtful about some things I know to be true. You ought to have seen me with a hundred others down by the creek, soap in hand, washing my shirts, drawers, handkerchiefs, etc., as we could get no one to do it. I am learning to be a fair washer, but I am sure I shall never
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Holly Springs Campaign.
1213441
ALANSON W. SNYDER, COMPANY A. 1900.
Was born in Clyde, Wayne county, New York. Parents moved to Lake county, Indiana in 1844. Served in Company A for three years, being slightly wounded on the Atlanta Campaign. After the war spent two years in Lake county, then moved to Minnesota, where he has since resided. Has been employed by the North Western Railroad Company for the last twenty-seven years as a locomotive engineer. Comrade Snyder has always taken great interest in the reunions of the survivors of the old regiment having attended nearly all of them, and is beloved by them all. Address, Waseca, Minnesota
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New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
be a cook. I can put a piece of fat pork on a stick and fry it over the fire, but that is about all. I can never tell you how much I am worried about you, and the fact that I cannot tell when I shall hear makes it worse. The colonel keeps in good spirits as he is an old campaigner and knows how to make the best of everything. He has been writing to his wife and calling me just now said 'Chaplain, give me an envelope, quick.' I asked him what was his hurry. He said, 'I can't read what I've written now and if I don't put it in an envelope at once my wife can't read it.' It is difficult to get lone- some where he is. We are now on short rations and tobacco is scarce. The 'weed' lovers are chewing it fine even if it is plug. It is said orders have been received for us to take the back track."
On the 30th, from Holly Springs, I wrote:
"Hail happy day, we may call this for after a patient waiting, or perhaps I ought to say, impatient, I managed to-day to get our mail by going after it myself and I have just distributed with the help of the orderly sergeant over 7,000 letters to the members of the regiment, the first mail since we left Memphis in November. Your letter informing me of the birth of a son and heir to our home is re- ceived and you know how greatly it has relieved my anxiety about you in the time of your lonely trial and suffering. On the 22d we marched northward taking as we say, the back track and camped between Clear Creek and College Hill. A good many of our men are sick and as we held the advance, we had to bring up the rear on the retreat and it was quite a task to bring them all along safely. On the 23d we marched through College Hill and Abbeville and after crossing the Tallehatchie river went into camp and remained until the 28th. There we spent Christmas and it was not a very merry one you may be sure. We had short rations and a little speechmak- ing and that was our Christmas. On the 28th we marched six miles to Lupton's Mills and yesterday we came here where it looks like we will spend several days. I have been suffering with neural- gia in the head for several days and something like chills every other day, and I begin to sympathize with the poor fellows who are sick. The doctor has given me quinine enough to kill, or cure, and I am not sure which it will do yet. He gave me an emetic on Sunday morning and that did me good, only we had to march in the after- noon and I came near taking cold again as I was rather weak."
On the 31st I finished this letter saying:
"After I quit writing yesterday we moved our camp from the north to the east side of the town. This is the coldest morning we have seen this winter, and the ice is to be seen all about us. Some of our men are quite sick and we are getting them into a house. Colonel Fowler goes away to La Grange where he is detailed on a court-martial leaving Colonel DeHart in command. The town of
37
Holly Springs Campaign.
OTTO GROTH, COMPANY C. 1890.
Born June 3, 1835, in Hamburg, Germany. Came to this country in 1851, and worked on a farm. When the war broke out he enlisted in the 99th, where he served faithfully for three years. He returned home and clerked in a store for three years. October 29, 1868, he was united with Miss Belle Harris in marriage; to them were born six children, three girls and three boys. After marriage he entered into the mercantile business for himself and continued until his death which occurred at Wanatah, LaPorte county, Indi- ana, March 25, 1891. He was baptized and united with the Chris- tian church in December, 1886; was faithful and a good christian man while he lived. His wife and family still reside at Wanatah, Indiana, and sent the picture which appears in this volume as a token of the respect and honor with which they cherish his memory.
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