USA > Indiana > New history of the 99th Indiana Infantry : containing official reports, anecdotes, incidents, biographies and complete rolls > Part 9
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128 New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
Thursday, September 8th. Marched out at 8 a. m. to East Point, got there about noon; went into camp; it was told that we would stay here some time and com- menced cleaning up quarters. General Grant and the president paid their compliments to this army for the taking of Atlanta.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE PURSUIT OF HOOD.
The pursuit of General Hood which begun Ocober 4th, was a part of the service in which the regiment marched 270 miles, and that has attracted as a campaign but very little attention from the country. It was one of those hard, tramping campaigns in which there was much marching and little fighting. General W. B. Ha- zen was in command of the division at the time of its commencement, then known as the Second division, Fif- teenth Army Corps. The Third brigade was under the command of Colonel Fowler, and Captain Gwin in com- mand of the regiment, succeeded by Major Homan.
Perhaps the best report of the campaign is that of General Hazen, who says: "At 9 a. m., October 4th, we left camp at East Point, Georgia, and marched for Ruff's Mill across the Chattahoochie, continuing the march to a point three miles southwest of Marietta where it ar- rived on the 5th, remaining till the 8th, when it moved three miles north of Marietta where it remained until the evening of the 10th, when it marched toward Rome via Allatoona. At that point Colonel Fowler's brigade (the Third), was put on cars and sent forward. The division arrived at Rome the 12th, and next day marched toward Ressaca, reaching that place and passing through it and Snake Creek Gap on the 15th. We passed Villanow the
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The Pursuit of Hood.
LIEUTENANT JOHN C. PARKS, COMPANY I. 1900.
Bori May 30, 1844, Miami county, Indiana. His first ten years were spent with his parents and with the Miami Indians, and was known as Chief Gabriel Godtrey's Wapeciet, or "pet white boy," and the old chieftain with his long, white hair and careworn looks, still visits him at his place of business in Peru. He was raised on a farm until he enlisted. He was appointed corporal, and at Louis- ville was appointed one of the color-guards and served as such until Atlanta fell when he was appointed 1st sergeant, and served as such until the muster out, when he received a commission as lieutenant. Was injured by the explosion of a shell at Kenesaw and so was mounted and put in command of a foraging party, and thus became one of Sherman's "bummers" on the "march to the sea." He is a moulder by trade and when able, has engaged in foundry work at Peru and other places since the war. In February, 1868, he was married to Miss Emma L. Arrasmith, who, with three children, two sons and one daughter, all of them of age, still lives to be his com- panion in life's work. Comrade Parks is a thoroughgoing comrade, attends the reunions and takes a lively interest in everything that pertains to the honor and fame of the 99th Indiana. Address, Peru, Indiana.
130 New History of the Ninety- Ninth Indiana Infantry.
16th and stopped for the night in Ship's Gap on Taylor's Ridge. On the 17th we moved to Lafayette, on the 18th to Summerville, on the 19th to Alpine, and on the 20th to Galesville, and on the 21st moved out seven miles on Little river and went into camp, where we remained till the 24th, when the division with the first of this corps went in the direction of Gadsden on a reconnoissance. On the 25th this division, having been left in reserve at Blount's farm, was ordered forward to form on the right of the First division which was five miles in our front, deployed and sharply engaged the enemy with artillery from points considerably in front of the infantry line. Taking a right hand road, Colonel Wells S. Jones' bri- gade was deployed while marching and moving forward without any halt or use of any artillery. Wheeler's en- tire force was driven from a strong line of railworks and to a point near the town of Gadsden. There were four men wounded in this affair. The division returned to its former camp on Little river where it remained until the 29th, when it crossed the Chattahoochie and took up its march in the direction of Atlanta, arriving at Cave's Spring the 31st. Number of miles marched during the month, 270. The march was resumed November 1st, and on the 5th the division arrived at Smyrna camp ground near the Chattahoochie, where it remained, receiving payment and breaking up railroad, till the 13th, when it moved across Turner's Ferry and the White Hall, two miles west of Atlanta." -- War Records, serial 77, page 745.
In his report of the advance on Rome and the line of railroad, General John M. Corse says: "General Howard sent a brigade from Second division, Fifteenth' Corps, commanded by Colonel Fowler which arrived on the cars about noon of the 11th and was placed in camp ready for any emergency. General Sherman arrived on the 12th and his army encamped within three miles of Rome. On the 13th, by order of General Sherman, I moved my division, augmented by Colonel Fowler's brigade and Colonel Spencer's regiment of cavalry, across the Etowah and with Colonel Hurlbut's brigade
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CAPTAIN KELLOGG M. BURNHAM, COMPANY A. 1900, aged 70.
Born February 1, 1830, in Berlin, Ohio. Came to Lake county, Indiana, in 1853, and it has ever since been his home. His grand- father, Joseph Burnham, was a captain in the war of 1812, and his grandfather on his mother's side, was Rev. John Norton, also in that war. They were all Scotch Presbyterians of the straitest sect. He says in a letter: "I was married in 1855 to Eunice Wheeler, a sister of Colonel John Wheeler, of the 20th Indiana. We were only permitted to rear one son to manhood, Harry, who was born in 1865, and died in September, 1897. My wife died in 1881, and now at 70 years, I am traveling the road alone." On page 50 will be found an account of his sickness. He continued faithfully in the service for another year, but was compelled to resign February 29, 1864. Captain Burnham is a man of fine character, genial dis- position and loves his comrades. He spends his winters in Florida to get away from the cold, spending four months last winter at Jack- sonville and on the East Coast. His address is Lowell, Indiana.
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in advance, the other three brigades in supporting column, the cavalry on the flanks, we advanced on Cave's Spring for the purpose of developing the character and strength of the enemy's force lying near the pontoon bridge on which they crossed over the Coosa. Arm- strong's and Gholson's brigades of cavalry of Jackson's division opposed us for about seven miles with but very slight loss to ourselves. The enemy were driven back toward Cave's Spring by the infantry, while I sent the cavalry to a point opposite Coosaville where Hood had his pontoons, which were found to be gone and no enemy there."-War Records, serial 77, page 769.
On this march, October 30th, four men, Thomas Rodgers and Andrew J. York, of Company G, Henry C. Lindley of Company I, and Wm. Bray, of Company H, were captured and all taken to rebel prisons. The first three were exchanged at Vicksburgh, went north on the Sultana which was wrecked, but were all fortunately saved. Comrade Bray was exchanged and joined the regiment May 30, 1865. Thomas Rodgers now lives at Hesper, Kansas; York at Grayville, Ill .; Henry C. Lind- ley died sometime after his return from the war. The whereabouts of Wm. Bray is unknown.
CHAPTER XVIII.
MARCH TO THE SEA.
The march from Atlanta to the sea as a military campaign was one of the most original in conception, boldness of purpose and success in execution, of any campaign during the war. The distance from Atlanta to Savannah by the Georgia Railroad was 294 miles; the distance by the wagon road was considerably farther, in
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March to the Sea.
LIEUTENANT FREDERICK W. DRAWANS, COMPANY C. 1ยบ00.
Born March 30, 1835, in Medrin, Posen Province, Prussia, where he was reared. When 15 years of age his father died leaving him to care for his mother who lived on a small farm. When 19, entered the Second Regiment of Guards, King William's body guard, to per- form his three years of military service. He was stationed at Ber- lin and gained the rank of corporal and afterwards sergeant Af- ter his service he remained one year on the farm. In 1859 he came to America, settling in LaPorte county, Indiana. He entered the service in August, 1862, and was appointed sergeant, and was soon after made color-sergeant, carrying the colors for a year and a half when he was appointed 1st sergeant, and in March, 1864, he was commissioned 1st lieutenant. He resigned January 31, 1865, to at- tend to private business in Germany. He was in command of the company during the "march to the sea, " Captain Scott being absent on leave. "Lieutenant Fred," as he was called, was a good soldier. Married in 1865, to Ann A DeWitt; to them were born two children, a son and daughter. The son died in 1898, aged 30 years. Address, Valparaiso, Indiana.
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fact the 99th Indiana marched, in going from Atlanta to Savannah, 346 miles by actual count. The campaign was made by what was known as the Army of the Ten- nessee, composed of a right wing, commanded by General O. O. Howard; the Fifteenth corps, commanded by General P. J. Osterhaus, General Logan being absent on leave; the Seventeenth corps, commanded by, Major- General Frank P. Blair, Jr .; the left wing, called the Army of Georgia, consisting of the Fourteenth Army Corps, commanded by General Jefferson C. Davis and the Twentieth Army Corps, commanded by General Alpheus S. Williams; the two corps being commanded by Major-General Henry W. Slocum. The returns of this army on the 30th of November showed 55,329 infantry, 5,036 cavalry and 1,812 artilery; a total of 62,204; the 99th Indiana was in the third brigade, second division, 15th Army Corps, commanded by John M. Oliver, colonel of the 15th Michingan Infantry. I give his diary of the campaign.
November 15th. Left White Hall at 10 a. m .; marched in a southerly direction, passing through Rough and Ready; camped near Tucker's cabin, Henry county, at 5 p. m .; marched fourteen miles.
November 16. Left camp at 6 a. m., passing through McDonough; camped two miles south of town at 5 p. m .; marched sixteen miles.
November 17th. Marched from 3:30 p. m. until 12:30 at night; the troops marched to the left side of the road while the wagon trains and artillery took the road; marched seventeen miles.
November 18th. Resumed our march at 8 a. m. and camped at Indian Springs at 1 p. m., distance six miles.
November 19th. Left camp at 3 a. m., marched to the Ocmulgee river and crossed on pontoon bridge; halted for the night near Hillsboro; arrived in camp at 4:30 p. m .; distance marched fifteen miles.
November 20th. Marched at 10 a. m., passing through Hillsboro, camped five miles south of town; arrived at 7 p. m; distance marched twelve miles.
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March to the Sea.
ALONZO B. THORN, MUSICIAN, COMPANY D. 1863.
Born February 9, 1844, in Coshocton county, Ohio; came with his parents to Miami county, Indiana, in 1856. Enlisted as a mu- sician and went the entire round with the regiment, saying: "The regiment never marched five miles from the beginning to the end that I was not with it." This tells the story of his faithful service in a few words as well as a volume could tell it. He was married July 12, 1867, but was so unfortunate as to lose his wife by death July 13, 1890, and has remained unmarried since. He has three sons and two daughters living. The above picture was taken at Moscow, Tennessee, in 1863. Comrade Thorn is a great friend to all his old comrades and says: "I hope to meet them all at the next reunion." Address, Amboy, Indiana.
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New History of the Ninety- Ninth Indiana Infantry.
November 21st. Resumed march at 6 a. m .; rained all day; roads in a terrible condition; passed through the town of Clinton and camped within nine miles of Macon; marched thirteen miles; left Fifteenth Michigan infantry at Clinton to guard roads leading to Macon until the trains had passed; about 4 p. m. they had a sharp skirmish with Breckinridge's brigade of cavalry and re- pulsed them with the loss of two men wounded.
November 22d. Broke camp at 8 a. m., marched in a southeasterly course, crossing the Macon & Augusta railroad which has been destroyed by our troops; camped on the Gordon road; the enemy attacked the first divis- ion and were repulsed: the 15th Michigan infantry re- ported at 6 p. m. Marched this day sixteen miles.
November 23d. Marched at 9 a. m. in the direction of Gordon by a circuitous route; reaching camp at 12 m .; took position and fortified; marched five miles.
November 24th. Left camp at 9 a. m. arriving at Irwinton at 3 p. m .; marched five miles.
November 25th. Resumed our march to the Oconee river; passed through the town of Irwinton; arrived at the river at 4 p. m .; the ememy being posted on the oppo- site bank prevented our crossing; artillery was placed in position and opened on their works; the 90th Illinois and 99th Indiana were detailed to picket the river: the Seventeenth army corps joined us at this point; the Fourth division and pontoon trains also arrived; dis- tance marched twelve miles.
November 26th. The enemy evacuated the opposite bank of the Oconee at 12 o'clock at night. At 6 p. m. crossed the river, marched two miles and encamped.
November 27th. Marched in a northeasterly course and encamped at Irwin's cross-roads at 12 m .; distance marched eight miles.
November 28th. Resumed march and encamped; distance fifteen miles.
November 29th. Marched eighteen miles; roads in a terrible condition on account of rain.
November 30th. Marched fifteen miles; had to cor- duroy and bridge roads continually.
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March to the Sea.
AMOS MILNER, COMPANY B. 1898.
Born in Fayette county, Indiana, September 9, 1834. Was en- gaged in farming but enlisted in 1862, and served through the war, a faithful and true soldier. In 1868 moved to Kansas, and has lived in and near Madison, Greenwood county, ever since, living on his farm up to 1893, and since that has lived a retired life in the city of Madison. Comrade Milner has been twice married; his first wife dying in 1861, he was married in 1865, to Phebe Ann Blakely. He has two sons living. Comrade Milner says: "Company B suffered more because they were charged twice while on the picket line and nearly all killed or wonnded." The badge on his picture shows that he is a G. A R. man, "a friend of his comrades and the flag." Address, Madison, Kansas. His brother, William, of the 99th, died in February, 1885, in Lyon county, Kansas, leaving a wife and seven children.
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December 1st. Left camp at 7 a. m. passing through Cannouchee postoffice and camped at the junction of the Jones Ferry on the old Savannah roads, arriving at 5 p. m .; marched fourteen miles.
December 2d. At 8 a. m. marched on the Savannah road crossing Scull's creek and encamped in Bullock county; distance ten miles.
December 3d. Marched and encamped on Lott's creek; distance five miles.
December 4th. At 8 a. m. resumed march in a south- erly course ; at 3 p. m. some mounted foragers of the division were attacked by some 600 cavalry near States- boro and driven back until the enemy encountered the 70th Ohio infantry, who were in advance as guard for pioneers corduroying the road. The 70th Ohio gave them one volley, after which the rebels hastily retreated, leaving six killed and one wounded in our hands; our loss was slight; we encamped at Statesboro; distance marched, fourteen miles.
December 5th. At 9 a. m. marched in an easterly direction and camped at 6 p. m .; distance thirteen miles.
December 6th. I was ordered to march to Jenks' bridge to secure the crossing; left camp between 6 and 7 a. m., leaving all my trains but four ambulances, two wagon loads of ammunition and the tool wagon. Upon arriving at the river, found the bridge destroyed. The 15th Michigan and 70th Ohio took position on the river bank; the 48th Illinois and 90th Illinois and 99th Indiana were put into position, face to the rear, with a section of artillery from the Third division on a hill back of the river half a mile; distance marched fifteen miles. Stacked arms and went into camp at 12 m .; the vigor of the troops and their earnest efforts to reach the river, secure the bridge and strike the enemey's cavalry enabled us to make this march with astonishing quick- ness. When we arrived at the camp of the Third divis- ion, which was one mile and a half nearer Jenks' bridge than our camp, we waited an hour and a half, at least, for the artillery, which had not been notified that they
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March to the Sea.
JACOB TRITT, COMPANY D. 1862 (As he was at 18 when he entered the service. See page 43.)
were to accompany the expedition; this delay in the outset and some skirmishing on the way left the actual marching time less than four hours.
December 7th. We were ordered to the Cannouchee river to hold and save the bridge across the river if possi- ble; we met the enemy's pickets on Black creek; skir- mishing commenced and continued for twelve miles until our mounted force arrived at the bridge which they found in flames. The officers and men in the command seemed determined to-day to strike the enemy's cavalry who had some twenty-three prisoners whom they fed on sorghum stalks. At Black creek the obstructions in the ford were removed so that our ambulances and ammunition
140 New History of the Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry.
wagons crossed the ford before the troops could get across on the stringers of the still burning bridge; the enemy were pushed so hard they could not destroy the bridge across Mill creek at all. At one place near Bryan county court house the men waded in four ranks through a swamp 300 yards across, up to their waists in water. We captured two prisoners and five horses; the mounted force with one regiment of infantry remained at the river and the rest of the brigade camped at Eden (Bryan county court house); distance marched, twenty miles. Lieutenant-Colonel Berkey, 99th Indiana, who was in command of the mounted force of the brigade (sixty men) conducted the operations of the advance with great skill and perseverance.
December 8th. At daylight enemy opened with artil- lery and shelled the woods fiercely, hurting no one; skirmished with them all day; sent a detachment of the mounted men to effect a crossing up the river which they were unable to do; the skirmishing across the river was kept up so fiercely that the enemy in two nights and a day could not destroy the bridge across the two lagoons which was 600 feet or more across; if they had been destroyed, we could not have reached the Gulf railroad or saved any portion of King's bridge without making a march of thirty miles. The behavior of the officers and men during this expedition was highly praiseworthy. We had no skulkers. The balance of the division and pontoon train joined us here and commenced to put in artillery during the night.
December 9th. The enemy left during the night but before leaving opened a brisk fire of artillery and mus- ketry; at daylight was ordered to secure and hold King's bridge across the Ogeechee: I at once commenced to cross my brigade over the Canouchee by ferrying them in pontoon boats and swimming the horses. It took us nearly two hours to cross. Pushed rapidly for- ward for eight miles to King's bridge but were unable to save but part of it. We then returned to Way's station to camp, leaving two companies of 48th Illinois to guard
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March to the Sea.
the crossing and prevent further destruction of the bridge. We received orders to destroy all trestles on the railroad; also the railroad bridge across the Ogeechee; we destroyed fourteen trestles varying from thirty to 150 yards long, and the Gulf railroad bridge across the Ogeechee, a magnificent bridge 500 yards long, took eighteen prisoners, finishing our work at 9:30 p. m.
December 10th. Left Way's station at 5 a. m. and re- turned to the Canonchee river, re-crossed, and marched to the Ogeechee river and crossed at Dillon's ferry and encamped within ten miles of Savannah; distance marched eighteen miles.
December 11th-12th. Rested in camp.
December 13th. Left camp and marched across the Ogeechee on King's bridge within about one mile of Fort McAllister and formed. The Third brigade formed the center of division line; the 90th Illinois on the right; 48th Illinois in the center; the 70th Ohio on the- left. The 15th Michigan and 99th Indiana were in re- serve: advanced half a mile and halted until 5 p. m., to , enable other troops to get in position, when the order was given to advance and take the fort. The distance. from our line to the fort was about 700 yards through open fields. The taking of this fort was so cheerfully and gallantly done by the troops of this brigade that there is hardly any way to do them full justice. The conduct of Captain Grimes, 48th Illinois, commanding skirmish line, in silencing two of the ten-inch guns bear- ing on our front, by his sharp shooters and his hand to hand fight with Captain Clinch, ought to be noticed in general orders. Captain Smith, of the same regiment,. who rejoined us on the 27th of November, 1864, after es- caping from Columbia, South Carolina, was the first man in the fort and was killed inside of it. He was a gallant officer. The flag of the 70th Ohio was the first on the fort, though the gallant veterans of the 48th and 90th Illinois were there with them almost at the same time ;. both color bearers of the 48th were killed with torpe- does: and the color-bearer of the 70th Ohio was also.
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killed just as he handed the flag to a comrade when climbing over the abatis; the men of this command under fire cannot be surpassed; the only order I gave them was, when the "forward" was sounded to march steadily un- til they reached our skirmishers and then go in. The action lasted twelve minutes and our loss was seventy- six officers and men, killed and wounded. The results of this action were most important; our communications were at once fully established; captures in the fort by division were twenty-four guns, about 200 prisoners, medical stores, quartemaster's stores, a large quantity of ordinance's stores, ammunition and small arms. A garrison flag was taken by Captain Nelson, of my staff, and sent to your headquarters. On the 14th, the 70th Ohio on account of the conspicuous part taken by them in the capture of the fort yesterday, was ordered to gar- rison it.
December 17th. Left camp with three regiments, 99th Indiana, 48th Illinois and 15th Michigan for the Gulf railroad; returned on the 21st having marched forty miles and destroyed seven miles of the road, burn- ing every tie and twisting every rail; on the morning of the 22d our troops entered Savannah; the Third brigade of this division consists of the 15th Michigan Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Hutchinson, commanding; the 90th Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart, commanding; 70th Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel Philips, commanding; 99th In- diana, Lieutenant-Colonel Berkey, commanding; the 48th Illinois, Major Adams, commanding.
I know of no troops in our army that surpass them in heroism and self devotion-but few, very few, equal them. To my staff I have been greatly indebted for suc- cess. Captain La Point, acting as A. A. G .; Captain Nelson, A. A. I. G .; Lieutenant Brown, acting A. D. C. I thank them sincerely for the manner in which they have discharged their duties; Lieutenant John Doyle, acting assistant quartermaster of this brigade deserves special mention. His discharge of duty has been perfect and I would especially recommend his promotion .- "War Rec- ords," serial 92, page 119.
CHAPTER XIX. AT SAVANNAH AND PORT ROYAL.
The capture of Fort McAlister at once opened the way to the sea and Sherman no sooner began to make an investment of the city of Savannah, than General Hardee evacuated it with all the confederate forces, so that General Sherman on the 22d, sent one of his charac- teristic dispatches to President Lincoln, saying: "I beg to present to you as a Christmas gift, the city of Savan- nah, with 150 heavy guns and plenty of ammunition, also about 25,000 bales of cotton." The balance of the month of December and the whole of January was spent in preparations for the march through the Carolinas, the regiment on the 15th of January being transferred about seventy miles from Savannah to Beaufort on Port Royal Island, South Carolina, on the ship George Leary, where they remained until the march began on the 30th of Jan- uary.
Quite a number of changes took place in the officers of the regiment during the stay here. As soon as Sa- vannah surrendered, December 22d, Colonel Fowler was mustered out of service, under general orders, allowing officers of more than three years service, to be honor- ably discharged. Lieutenant James B. McGonigal, of Company I, was mustered out by same order. On the 26th, Major Homan resigned, having served more than three years, and on January 8th, Lieutenant-Colonel Berkey did the same, having served over three years, and this left Captain Josiah Farrar in command of the regiment, which he retained until the muster out, al- though he did not muster as lieutenant-colonel until May 20, 1865. On January 12th, Captain Walker, of Company H, was detailed as A. A. A. G., and Lieuten- ant Stuart, of Company K, as A. A. D. C .. of the brigade.
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