USA > Indiana > New history of the 99th Indiana Infantry : containing official reports, anecdotes, incidents, biographies and complete rolls > Part 5
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On Friday, August 7th, I wrote:
"I am now duly installed in my tent and back at the old stand franking letters, writing letters, visiting the sick, etc. Yesterday was a day of thanksgiving for the triumph of our arms, and we had a division meeting with more than 2,000 soldiers present. Having just returned from the north I made them a patriotic speech."
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Battle of Jackson.
WILLIAM MUSSELMAN, COMPANY I. 1900.
Born May 22, 1844, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania; parents moved to Miami county, Indiana, when he was ten years of age, where his boyhood days and youth were spent on his father's farm; enlisted in August, 1862, at the age of 18 years; he was with the regiment from its organization to its muster out and participated in all the battles in which the regiment was engaged. At the close of the war he returned to the parental home in Richland township, where he engaged in farming on the home place until 1872, when he purchased a tract of land where he now lives, and has a farm of four-hundred and fifty acres, all highly improved in one body; he makes a spec- ialty of breeding thoroughbred Red Polled cattle, having at the present time a herd of forty head. He has been twice married and has four children, Samuel, Mary, Franklin and William; he was married to his present wife, Miss Priscilla Foor, December 5, 1873. He is at the present time trustee of Allen township, Miami county; his address is Macy, Indiana, and he is a true comrade.
CHAPTER VIII.
AT CAMP SHERMAN.
On Sunday evening, August 23rd, I wrote:
"Lieutenant-Colonel DeHart is in command of the regiment in the absence of the colonel, and seems to be doing very well. We have some sick men now, and I spend some time each day in the hospital. Asa Yeoman of Company E died on the 15th, and to-day I attended the burial service of Sergeant Andrew F. Robey, of Com- pany I, a good man, and immediately after buried a man of the 97th Indiana, their chaplain being away on leave. Captain Brewer, of Company C, resigned, and his resignation was accepted on the 8th. This will make Sergeant Scott a lieutenant. I visited Chaplain Munn, of the 100th Indiana, a day or two ago, he having resigned on account of ill health. Assistant Surgeon L. D. Robinson has also resigned. I preached this forenoon to a good audience. We have been having a division meeting for some time, but I want to preach some to my own regiment. George Parker, another one of my 'Benton boys,' is to be sent north, and I think he will go home to die."
On Sunday evening, August 30th, I wrote:
"With the help of Quartermaster-Sergeant Severance and Sergeant Dunham, of Company E, we have organized an 'Army Church' during the past week, composed of the religious men of all churches in the regiment. I have been preaching every night when the weather would permit. I baptized two men in Black river on Tuesday. Have a good place there not far from camp. On Wednes- day I baptized two more, Sylvester King, Company C, and Shaw, of Company K. At the service to-night two more came forward, and I am to baptize them to-morrow. The religious element in the regi- ment is strong now and increasing. On the 4th of the month, while I was away, Nicholas Newman, of Company A, was drowned in Black river, and yesterday I attended the burial service of Wallace L. Defrance, of Company C, who was drowned while bathing in the same stream. I also attended burial service of Thomas B. Emery, of Company E, 97th Indiana, yesterday.
"Last evening about 9 p. m. I heard a confusion and bustling in camp, and as I stepped out of my tent, who should I see but
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At Camp Sherman.
Colonel Fowler, and then came the regiment in the dark, marching up and surrounding us. The fifes and drum's were wildly playing, three rousing cheers were given, and a general time of congratula- tions followed, for as one soldier expressed it, 'Father has come back.' I did not think it possible for a man to have the power over the hearts of so many men as he has in this regiment. Any of them would die for him, I believe. I need not say that his return is to me as the coming of a brother."
On Tuesday evening, September 1st, I wrote:
"Our meeting still goes on. I baptized two yesterday and one to-day. Regiment mustered for pay yesterday. Colonel Fowler 'is in command of the brigade. I see my old chums, Sergeant Irelan and Scott, of the 12th Indiana, nearly every day. We are all, officers and men, getting quite well acquainted with our companion regiments, and there is a great deal of visiting back and forth. I . like Colonel Catterson, of the 97th Indiana, very much. I have just learned that we are to move our camp about a half mile from where we are to-morrow, and that that will necessitate the close of my meeting."
On Saturday, September 5th, I wrote:
"Lieutenant-Colonel DeHart has gone home on leave and Major Berkey is in command of the regiment. Ephraim Loman, of Com- pany E, a good man, died on the 2nd. Yesterday our entire division was reviewed by General Sherman, and it was a grand sight to see the fifteen regiments and three batteries all in line. The weather in the middle of the day is very hot, but the mornings and evenings are comfortable. Major Berkey, Quartermaster Cathcart, Hospital Steward Whitman and about thirty others are going home on leave next week."
On September 10th, I wrote:
"While attending a burial service and talking in the sun I had a slight sunstroke and have been quite sick. The doctor says I must stay in my tent in the daytime and go out at night for a few days, as the sun gives me an intolerable headache when I go out. I have some fever with it, but think that is better."
On Thursday evening, September 17th, I wrote:
"I am better than when I wrote last, but not able to do full work yet.
"Yesterday our wagonmaster took two teams and five men out for some forage in the country, where they were captured by guer-
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New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
rillas. Three men managed to escape, but the wagonmaster and two men were made prisoners and are now on their way to Dixie."*
On Monday, September 21st, I wrote:
"Our furloughed men and officers are beginning to return and they are telling of good visits at home. I preached yesterday to a good audience from Psalm 84, 10th and 11th verses, on 'A Doorkeeper in the House of the Lord. ' "
On Wednesday, September 23d, I wrote:
"It seems we can't all be well at once, for I no sooner got well than Colonel Fowler gets sick. Has been in bed most of the time for two days with a fever. The health of the regiment is good, but we have lost some good men, Francis M. Brummett, of Company I, dying on the 15th, Adam Mock, of Company A, on the 11th, John Lorey, of Company A, on the 21st, and Joseph L. Laforce, of Company E, on the 17th. It seems so easy for men to die here. I am at the hospital every day, and the surgeons and nurses do all they can, as I know, but it seems of no avail."
On Friday, September 25th, I wrote:
"The colonel is much better to-day, and it is reported we are to march soon, and if that is the case he says he will be all right again."
*As an illustration of what war means take these three men and their fate. Wagonmaster H. H. Haskins died in Andersonville prison October 20, 1864, bear- ing the privations of that horrible place more than a year before he suc- cumbed. He was a bachelor and over forty years of age Justice Barthol- omew, of Company A, captured with him, died in the same prison August 22, 1864, while Jacob A. Treisey, of Company H, was sent to Richmond, Va., where he died April 7, 1864. Not one escaped a prison death.
CHAPTER IX. FROM CAMP SHERMAN TO CHATTANOOGA.
On Wednesday morning, September 28th, from Vicks- burg, I wrote:
"We are going to join General Rosecrans at Chattanooga. £
We were busy all day Saturday getting our sick ready to be taken to the depot to bring them by railroad to this place, and that evening Colonel Fowler ordered Dr. Butterworth and myself to go with them. At 3 a. m. yesterday morning, while it was cool, we started from camp with about fifty convalescent men and came six miles to the railroad, reaching there at sunrise. Left there on train at 8 a. m. and reached here at 11 a. m. We got eight of the sickest men on the hospital boat, but the rest are here with us, camped by the depot, which is a rough stone and brick building, and damaged by shot and shell during the seige. The river is full of boats and regiments are going on board to go up the river. From where I sit this morn- ing I can see all the 'pride and pomp and circumstance of glorious war.' Wagons innumerable throng every highway, officers galloping here and there dressed in gay and fancy uniforms; generals with their staffs, and the usual amount of half cavalry, half mounted infantry, called the 'body guard,' following in their train, all riding at a break neck speed, as if the salvation of the country depended on their getting there in time. Ever and anon the shrill fifes and rattling drums peal forth their notes until it makes one almost wish they were born deaf. Everybody is in a hurry, a great deal of which is useless. Our division will be here to-morrow, and it looks as if we would have to wait for boats."
On Sunday morning, October 4th, I wrote:
"We are on board the steamer Glasgow going up the Mississippi. Our regiment reached Vicksburg on Wednesday, the 30th of Septem- ber, and we had to wait there until yesterday before our transport came. O, but it was a tedious wait, but everybody was in a good humor at the prospect of going north and the hourly expectation that the boat would come. Colonel Fowler has been quite sick all the week, but is a little better now. Sergeant-Major McGlashon has been promoted to adjutant, and Orderly Harry Brewer appointed sergeant-major, and Will Martin, of Company C, made colonel's orderly. We have a good, large, fast boat, but the orders are to
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New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
keep all the boats together, and some of them are as slow as tar. We have quite a good many citizen passengers, so the cabin is full. I cannot preach to-day, but I got a fine lot of magazines and papers from the United States Christian Commission at Vicksburg which I have just distributed and everybody is reading.
"Wednesday, October 7th. We are still on the boat and have just left Helena. Nathaniel Matthews, of Company F, fell overboard at 7 p. m. last night and was drowned, at least our boats sent out failed to find him. It is a beautiful sight to go on the upper deck and see all the boats running along together and the boys never tire of it."
From Memphis, Tennessee, Friday, October 9th, I wrote:
"We arrived here yesterday afternoon, just five days from our going on board at Vicksburg. Camped on the wharf last night and this morning we came out two miles east of the city to a beautiful grove where we are now camped. It is now definite that we are to go to Chattanooga. Major Berkey and the other officers and men on furlough joined us here. Quartermaster Cathcart, Hospital Steward Whitman, Lieutenant Downs, of Company E, and how many others I don't know, were married while they were at home. Love and war go together, and no one can blame them. How the lights and shadows mingle in a soldier's life! Your letter telling me of the death of Holton and so many of my old chums at Chicka- mauga is an awful shadow. I suppose from what I hear that the mail to-day brought to more than fifty of our men accounts of the death of relatives or friends in that terrible battle."
On Sunday evening, October 11th, I wrote:
"Our regiment left this morning at 7 a. m. to march to Corinth. Colonel Fowler was unable to make the march and I remained with him and a lot of convalescent men and will go by rail some day this week. Quartermaster Cathcart and Sergeant-Major Brewer are here with us."
From Iuka, Mississippi, Saturday, October 17th, I wrote:
"Our company left Memphis on the railroad on Thursday morning and reached Corinth at 8 p. m., and yesterday at noon we came to this place, arriving about 7 p. m. We are one hundred and eighteen miles east of Memphis and twenty-five east of Corinth. It is a famous watering place, with springs giving forth five different kinds of water, and is called the 'Saratoga of the South.' The large hotels are now in use as army storehouses and headquarters for officers. I forgot to tell you that General Smith has been
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From Camp Sherman to Chattanooga.
relieved and General Hugh Ewing appointed to command our divi- sion, now on the way here from Memphis."
Sunday evening, October 18th, I wrote:
"I preached this morning at a union service in a church near our camp. Had a good audience. Chaplain Eckles, of the 4th Iowa, preached in the afternoon, and Chaplain Griffith, of the 53rd Ohio, at night."
Tuesday evening, October 20th, I wrote:
"The regiment came to-day and we are altogether once more. Got a large mail and all heard from home. The people at home have no idea of the circumstances surrounding men in the army or the privations soldiers are called upon to endure. They do not com- plain, but it is pretty hard to get up in the morning, sit down by a smoky fire, eat hard-tack for breakfast, march all day, eat fat pork for supper, and lie down on the hard ground and go to sleep wrapped in a single blanket, with no covering but the sky above."
From Florence, Alabama, Friday, October 30th, I wrote:
"Tuesday, the 27th, we started from Iuka and marched eight miles to Eastport, on the Tennessee river. Here we spent all the afternoon and night, getting across the river on gunboats. The troops having got over a little after dark, we marched on three miles to Waterloo, Alabama, and bivouaced for the night and not a wagon came up. Having no blankets, our field and staff had to sit up all night by the fire with no supper. It was so cold that if we went to sleep we would freeze and so we had a hard night. Another such a night would finish some of us and I am sure it would me. It was the worst I have seen in the service. The night at length passed away, and about daylight the wagons came up and we had a very good breakfast, put up some tents and took a nap. Waked up at 10 a. m., had an early dinner and at 12 m., started on the march, 10 miles to Gravel Springs, reaching there about dark. Had a good supper and slept well. Yesterday, October 29th, we started early and passing through Cypress Mills, camped at Florence, the dis- tance being 16 miles. At Cypress Mills we saw a large number of women, who had worked in the factories there before their destruc- tion the year before by our army. We arrived here in time to pitch our tents and get settled before night. Yesterday there was a fight going on all day south of the river, as we could hear the cannon all the time. A lot of rebel prisoners were brought in to-day. I just saw one squad consisting of a major, five lieutenants and six privates.
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New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
The people here are suffering from the effects of the war, and do not have much to eat. We shall stay here a day or two, I think."
On Thursday afternoon, November 5th, I wrote:
"We are now on Elk river, between Pulaski and Fayetteville, Tennessee. On Monday, the 2d, we left Florence at 8 a. m., marched fourteen miles and went into camp early at Center Star. Crossed Shoal river at noon; weather fine.
"Tuesday, November 3d. Started 7 a. m., crossed Blue river at 8 a. m., passed Rogersville at 2 p. m., camped on bank of Eel river at 7 p. m., distance 15 miles. Clear and warm.
"Wednesday, November 4th. Started at 6:30 a. m. up Eel river which we crossed at 10 a. m. Passed Gilbertsboro at 2 p. m. and Bethel at 3:30 p m. Camped at Prospect at sundown, distance twenty-three miles. Clear and warm.
"To-day has been one difficult to describe. We started early this morning but about 8 o'clock it commenced raining and kept pour- ing down until we reached Elk river here at noon. There is no bridge here, but our brigade is across and are building a bridge. The river was quite deep, but the boys plunged in and were soon across, saying it didn't make much difference as they were all wet from the rain. We have now at 3 p. m., got our tents up and blaz- ing fires in front of them, and the brigade is 'drying up.' I would give a good deal for a picture of the 99th as they are now, as an Irish soldier said to me just now, 'Begorra, Chaplain, they look like muskrats, an' drowned ones at that.'"
On Wednesday evening, November 11th, I wrote:
"Friday, November 6th, waited in camp at Elk river for the roads to dry off some, but started at noon and marched eight miles, camping at sundown. Weather clear but roads very bad Our headquarters wagon was overturned but no damage done.
"Saturday, November 7th. Started at sunrise, camped at 4 p. m .; distance, thirteen miles, roads still bad but weather clear.
"Sunday, November 8th, started at 7 a. m., passed Fayetteville at 10 a. m., and camped two miles east of town at noon, where we remained over Monday. Monday became what it is at home, 'wash day,' and as the division was camped close together a great many visits were made. I visited the 100th Indiana and took dinner with Captain Bowman of the 12th Indiana."
"Tuesday, November 10, started at sunrise, marched twenty miles and camped at Salem."
"Today we started at daylight and marching twelve miles reached this place at noon, where we are now camped, and I finish this letter as we are to send out mail at 3 p. m. Reaching a rail- road once more we come in contact with the outside world. We feel
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From Camp Sherman to Chattanooga.
that we are nearing Chattanooga, which we know must be our ob- jective point. Lieutenant Wm. Mackey, of Company C, has been dismissed from the service for a matter at Iuka about some sutler goods and as I know the facts I think it entirely unjust; he will go home from here."
From Bridgeport, Alabama, Monday a. m., Novem- ber 16th, I wrote:
"We left Dechard on Tuesday at 9 a. m. and reached the foot of the Cumberland mountains at noon. We commenced the ascent at 1 p. m., and bivouaced at 9 p. m. near the summit, and succeeded by 2 p. m. on Friday in getting into the valley between the mountains .. We passed Anderson on Saturday and Stevenson yesterday, reach- ing this place at 3:30 p. m., and here we are now, where all is hurry and preparation, for we are stripping for the fight which must come."
From this point, on the 17th, the regiment moved out on the right of Lookout mountain with the division going as far as Trenton, Georgia, where a skirmish occurred with some cavalry. On the 20th, Colonel Cockerill, com- manding the brigade, received the following order from General Hugh Ewing, commanding the division:
"Move your command at 8 o'clock this morning via Wauhatchie- to Brown's Ferry, where you will camp to-night, reporting your arrival to General Sherman."
The reader will remember that at this time our regi- ment was in the Third brigade of the Fourth division of the Fifteenth corps, General Hugh Ewing commanding division.
On Monday, November 23rd, from near Chattanooga, I wrote:
"Your letter announcing the death of our dear boy on the 10th instant came this morning. The blow has fallen heavily upon us, and I can only pray God to comfort and bless you. I cannot write- you as I would, for we are in the midst of preparation. We crossed the Tennessee river two miles below Chattanooga yesterday and are now in the Sequatchie valley two miles above, stripped and ready,. and waiting every minute for orders to move."
CHAPTER X.
BATTLE OF MISSION RIDGE.
The official reports as found in volume 31, page 639 of the "War Records," give the best account of the battle of Mission Ridge.
Colonel Cockerill, Brigade Commander, under date of November 27, reports:
"On the morning of the 24th instant we left our camp on the north side of the Tennessee river and crossed over in boats to the south side and advanced at once to Missionary Ridge preceded by the second brigade of this division; taking possession of the ridge in the evening, the enemy shelled us sharply, where we proceeded to entrench, and by morning of the 25th had a good line of works con- structed, extending from the base to the top of the ridge facing south.
"On the 25th we were ordered to remain in our works and sup- port a battery holding firmly our position if attacked; during the night we remained in our works and at daylight on the 26th, started in pursuit of the retreating enemy. Both the officers and men performed their duties to my satisfaction. Our casualties were three wounded."
All these casualties were in our regiment. Fifty men were thrown forward on the skirmish line in front under command of Lieutenant Ira B. Myers, of Company I, and they were for a time in the thick of the fight. Sergeant William Williams, of Company H, was so seriously wounded that he died December 7 about two weeks after the battle; Christian Ortle (sometimes written Whortle), was wounded and died December 15th after the battle; Sylvester King, of Company C, now living at Clarion, Iowa, was wounded but recovered.
Of this battle General Ewing in his report says:
"On the 24th we crossed the Tennessee in boats at the mouth of the Chickamauga, and, after entrenching moved by the flank left in front on the right of the corps in echelons by division and took possession of Mission Ridge, adjoining Tunnel Hill, the right of
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Battle of Mission Ridge.
Bragg's position, the brigade of Corse held the summit, that of Cockerill the slope and that of Buschbeck, Howard's Corps, attached to my command, continued Cockerill's line into the valley, with Loomis' first brigade in reserve. Of Callender's battery (Battery D, 1st Missouri, Light Artillery, Lieutenant Byron M. Callender, commanding), the 24-pound howitzer, two Rodman and a smooth six were dragged by hand to the summit and went into action, and two smooth sixes placed on the slope; the remaining batteries were in position over the river covering the passage; during the evening and night the troops, aided by the pioneer corps entrenched their front.
"On the 25th Corse led his brigade down the gorge and up Tunnel Hill assaulting and carrying it with great gallantry. We drove the enemy from his entire entrenchments and reduced the larger part to possession. For the extreme southern point heavily massing behind it he contended until nightfall, when he abandoned the position. We transferred a portion of our artillery to the summit after dark.
"In the assault, when at the head of his men, General Corse was wounded and carried from the field, his place being ably filled by Colonel Walcutt, of the 46th Ohio.
"Loomis moved his brigade in line of battle across the open fields under a trying artillery and infantry fire, drove the enemy up the tunnel road and hill south and took and maintained the position assigned him, threatening and opening the way to the tunnel from the flank and rear. The steadiness with which this movement was made and the tenacity with which the position was held, is deserv- ing of high commendation, the attempts of the enemy to dislodge us being signally repulsed. He was ably supported by Buschbeck, a portion of whose troops, under Colonel Taft (73d Pennsylvania), drove the enemy from the Glass houses and followed them to the sum- mit of Tunnel Hill, where they maintained a gallant and prolonged combat with the loss of their gallant commander. The brigades of Matthias and Raum, John E. Smith's division, re-enforced Loomis and Buschbeck and participated in the action with gallantry, Cock- erill in reserve, occupying the entrenchments and supporting the batteries. Four Rodman guns, of Davis' division, re-enforced us on the slope with fine effect. The enemy retreated in the night and at day- break of the 26th, at the head of the corps, we crossed the Chicka- mauga in pursuit, sending our prisoners to the rear without account. Our loss was 71 killed, 546 wounded, 20 missing, total 637."
"Among the killed was the brave Colonel Timothy O'Mara of the 90th Illinois."
In the interview with Colonel Fowler published else- where, will be found an interesting statement concern- ing this battle.
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New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
Some of the biographers of General George H. Thomas, to give him credit for the success at Missionary Ridge, are disposed to underrate the work of the Fif- teenth corps in that battle. It is only necessary for me to say that the official reports show that without Sher- man and the Fifteenth corps the Ridge would never have been carried. C. A. Dana, the assistant secretary of war, was with Grant and Thomas on Orchard Knob, and sent a report to Secretary Stanton at 8 p. m. that day, saying:
"The rebels having sent the great mass of their troops to crush Sherman, Grant gave orders at 2 p. m. for an assault upon their lines in front of Thomas, but owing to the fault of Granger, Grant's order was not transmitted to the division commanders until he repeated it an hour later. Accordingly it was not executed until after 4 p. m., when the nearness of night rendered it impracticable to follow up and complete the victory."-Vol. 31, page 68, of "War Records."
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