USA > Indiana > The Eighty-sixth regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry : a narrative of its services in the civil war of 1861-1865 > Part 4
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THE EIGHTY-SIXTHI REGIMENT,
loss must have been considerable. No special effort was made to apprehend the perpetrators of this outrage. They certainly would not have been hard to find had there been any well directed effort. The Eighty-sixth like most regi- ments had a few men who were ever ready for deeds of vio- lence, and some of these, at least, were cool and unflinching in the face of greatest danger, and attested their courage and their true soldierly qualities at the head of charging columns even with their lives. One of the leading spirits of the raid on the sutler was a member of Company H. He was one of the bravest men in the regiment and finally gave his life on the field of battle.
CHAPTER IV.
CAMP CARRINGTON.
From LaFayette to Indianapolis-Camp Carrington-The Eighty-sixth Mustered In -The BIne Uniform Donned-Camp Equipage Drawn-The First "Hard Tack" Furnished With Arms and Equipments-An Irishman on Guard-One Month's Pay-Orders to March.
The stay at Camp Tippecanoe was short. The regiment was ordered to Indianapolis by rail. The trip was soon made and uneventful save an accident happened by which one of the men was pretty severely injured at Thorntown. The train made a brief stop here and as it started up the man by some means was hurt, though not seriously. How like light- ning from the front where he was hurt, the word ran along down the train to the rear, and what a flush of excitement it created until the minds of those who had friends and broth- ers there were quieted by learning that it was not one of their friends. This man was the first one to receive an in- jury of any kind in the regiment. The remaining distance was speedily covered withont noteworthy incident. The reg- iment disembarked on the site which was then known as
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INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
"Camp Murphy, " and afterwards became famous as "Camp Carrington."* But the change from Camp Tippecanoe to Camp Carrington was no improvement, so far as the camp was concerned, and those who had a high sense of the pro- prieties of life or even a particle of modesty were greatly shocked to be so situated. There was no privacy whatever, and the younger members of the regiment and the naturally sensitive ones found great trials facing them at this place. Here new discoveries relative to a soldier's life were made daily. The men were placed under new restrictions, the camp-guards being under more stringent orders about per- mitting persons to go and come. The military rules and orders were gradually tightening their relentless grip and the free young American was being petrified, as it were, into the veteran campaigner, and he felt it keenly. Still there was little murmuring except by a few tough ones who wanted to go on a continuous jamboree.
At this camp on the 4th day of September, 1862, the Eighty-sixth was mustered into the United States service- born into actual military service from which there was no re- treat. The mustering officer was Colonel J.S. Simonson, of the regular army. The Eighty-sixth were now Uncle Sam's boys in truth and in fact and it was his duty to provide for them. They at once began receiving supplies of all kinds to prepare and fit them for service in the field. They donned the blue, with blouse, pantaloons, and forage cap. They re- ceived tents, haversacks, canteens, cooking utensils, guns and accouterments, and all the equipments belonging to the full fledged infantryman. Here they were very quietly made acquainted with a noted character of the war-the Union soldier's abomination and yet one of his best friends-the "hard tack, " or in other words the army cracker. The first hard tack received came in barrels and were marked "sea
*This camp had previously been designated as "Camp Chris Miller," but upon the arrival of the Eighty-sixth it was known as "Camp Murphy." It was soon afterwards changed to " Camp Carrington" which name it retained until the 'lose of the war. To avoid confusion in the minds of the reader it shall be re- ferred to as "Camp Carrington."
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THE EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT,
biscuit." Many of the boys shouted for joy actually expect- ing to see nice soda biscuits roll out of the barrel when the heads were knocked in. Alas! for human expectations and human hopes. These first hard tack were "as dry as the remainder bisenit after a voyage" and as hard as a deal board. Butter, cream and pie were no more to be had save some execrable dried apple pies which " hawkers" occasion- ally disposed of in camp. These good things of the palate were no more to be thought of than was a sweet restful night's sleep in one of mother's feather beds.
The arms furnished were the Enfield rifle, a first class piece for that day, a really good serviceable gun, not easily got out of order, and one which the regiment retained throughout its term of service. As soon as the arms and acconterments were received at the arsenal and the men marched back to camp. came the examination of the implements of warfare. It was an inspection more extensive, more rigid and thorough than any inspector ever gave them subse- quently. There arose at once a discussion of the merits of the gun which was continued so long as there was one who was not fully satisfied. Nothing thus far had created so much interest in camp as these instruments of death. The motives that had actuated the men and caused their enlist- ment now seemed apparent. With some, these guns were to be the agents in their hands to help save the Nation from destruction, with others idea of punishment was more predominant and they were to be the instruments of terror to traitors and rebels, and with others they were to aid in help- ing free the negroes, and to a still fewer in number they were to be simply appliances of destruction of their fel- low man and to enable their possessors to plunder and pill- age. Fortunately the latter class was very few in number and were usually condemned and somewhat held in check by their comrades.
The various parts of the gun each man carefully exam- ined for himself, and thus he made himself thoroughly ac- quainted with it in all the details of its parts and their work- ings. From tip of bayonet to butt of stock no portion or part
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INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
escaped the closest scrutiny and examination. Perhaps as a rule the bayonet came first in the investigation, and from tip of blade to bridge of socket no part escaped the examination -nothing was missed by the newly fledged soldier. The blade, socket, stud-mortise of socket, and clasp were all scan- ned closely and fully comprehended before this part of the arm was laid aside and another taken up. It is unnecessary to relate the details of this searching inspection and exami- nation of the arm, but from muzzle to butt, lock, stock, and barrel, band and band-spring, sling and sling- swivel, trigger and trigger-guard, ram-rod and its groove were all thoroughly examined and their relations and func- tions noted. Of the appendages of the gun the wiper, the ball-screw, the screw-driver, the spring-vise, and the tom- pion, all were speedily passed under the scrutinizing gaze of a thousand Hoosier eyes and their fitness for the purpose for which they were intended fully discussed, as were the cartridge-box and its magazines, its straps and plates, and hooks for fastening belt. So the whole paraphernalia of the newly fledged soldier was critically examined.
Again orders for drill had been promulgated and some feeble attempts were made in this direction. Now that they had their arms the boys felt that they ought to be put through the manual of arms, and then company and battalion drill as soon as possible. A little drilling was done, but it was very little as all were too busy drawing supplies and getting ready for the front. So the time ran on at Camp Carrington.
A little incident occurred at this camp before the men had drawn arms. It shows the mettle of the Hoosier boys and that they intended to do what they believed to be their duty. The camp-guard had been established and strict orders given to the guards to allow no one to cross the guard-line except at the gates with properly signed passes. Of course the raw recruit thought this order meant just what it said, and accordingly supposed that no one was to be allowed to pass in or out over the line, be he a private or Major-General, not knowing that field officers were by mili-
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THE EIGHTY-SIXTII REGIMENT,
tary rules excepted. Well, General Carrington was riding round on a tour of inspection and thought to ride into the camp of the Eighty-sixth. He rode up to the guard-line and naturally supposed that the guard had been properly instructed and knew sufficiently of military matters to admit him. But he had struck the wrong man. Attempting to cross, the guard halted him, but he rode up quite near to the guard and informed him who he was, and that on account of his rank he was entitled to pass-to enter camp at will not- withstanding the instructions from the Colonel to allow no one to pass in or out. But no, the guard was firm and insist- ed he could not pass into camp over his beat. The General became impatient and attempted to ride forward into camp regardless of the guard's threatening attitude and warnings to keep off. Now, came the fun. The guard quite as deter- mined as the General seized the bridle-rein of the General's horse, reined him back upon his haunches and struck the General himself a heavy blow on the left arm and shoulder with a stout cudgel with which the guards were then armed. The General now thoroughly aroused spurred his charger furiously forward, causing him to break away from the guard and so rode into camp. This little episode was witnessed by many of the boys who scarcely knew what to make of it. The General himself was very much excited, asked the com- pany to which the soldier belonged, his name, and sought his Captain and then Colonel Hamilton. All expected to hear him severely denounced and perhaps ordered a severe punishment for his gross blunder. But on the contrary the General commended him highly for his great firmness in doing that which he believed to be his duty and recommended that he be promoted to corporal immediately if there was a vacancy, and if not as soon as a vacancy occurred.
Here too after being mustered into Uncle Sam's family the men received one month's pay, thirteen dollars, and one- fourth of their promised bounty, twenty-five dollars. Most of this money was sent home by a majority of the boys for the use of their families, their wives and children, or their parents and younger brothers and sisters, or to be kept for
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1506642
INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
them until they should return home. There were a few however, on the other hand who were reckless and not dis- posed to look ahead who retained their money and squan- dered it in gambling and drink. Others spent it in supposed luxuries. They soon had neither money or anything to show for it, and by their indulgence had in a measure unfitted themselves for the performance of the duties of a soldier in the field. Thus the few days at Indianapolis soon wore away. Some were preparing themselves to be serviceable soldiers, others were laying the foundation for a hospital career from the first. A few spasmodic attempts at drill were made, but the constant hurry and rush upon the part of officers to make out requisitions and to receive and distribute necessary supplies prevented anything like systematic in- struction. All felt the great need of this training, but there was so little time for it, that the instruction they did receive was of small practical value. The men greatly needed to be made familiar with the manual of arms, the company and battalion drill. The latter was not attempted so short had been the regiment's stay in camp. Therefore the Eighty- sixth practically knew nothing of drill when it was called to go to the front.
Almost daily now trains would go by bearing "the boys in blue" from camps in other parts of the State and from other States to the front. Cheers from the train for the camp would make the welkin ring, and answering cheers from the camp would resound again and again. These outbursts of enthusiasm told how thoroughly the Northern heart was aroused. How the grand and true spirit of patriotism had, at last, by its fervor welded and made as one mighty brother- hood this people and bound them in indissoluble bonds for country, home and loved ones. Each succeeding train-load of passing blue-coats had a tendency to make the boys grow impatient to go forward to meet the enemy. They knew too that they should soon follow their comrades gone before. There was a demand for more troops for the field. General Braxton Bragg had skillfully turned the flank of Buell's com- mand in the vicinity of Bridgeport, Alabama, and was now
36
THE EIGHTY-SIXTHI REGIMENT,
marching rapidly on the most direct route for Louisville, Kentucky, with his main force, while another portion of his command under the noted General Kirby Smith was advanc- ing upon and threatening Covington, Kentucky, and Cincin- nati, Ohio. High hopes of the South centered on this raid. Bragg intended to carry the war this side the Ohio. The Northern States were to be the theater of war instead of the Sunny South. There was a perfect furore of excitement in and around Cincinnati, and, in fact, all over the Northern States. Buell was denounced as a traitor to the cause he pre- tended to serve. He was accused of being in league with the enemy, and of every conceivable weakness and folly. There was certainly no truth in any of these charges beyond possi- bly that of extreme caution and indecision similar in degree and kind to that of Mcclellan in the East. But there was a truth on the other side which was overlooked by the Union army and the people of the North in general. Bragg was in fact a much more able commander than the people of the North gave him credit. The truth was Bragg had played his part thus far with consummate skill and judgment, and had in his favor, which greatly promoted success, the friend- liness and sympathy of a large majority of the people of the country through which his army was passing. These ad- vantages permitted Bragg to avoid all engagements, and, no doubt, gave rise to the charges against Buell by those who were unfriendly towards him.
The great excitement in the North, and especially of the Northwestern States, caused the people to urge and boldly demand that the threatened cities be made secure-that suf- ficient troops be at once sent forward to defend and protect them from the approaching enemy. The excitement at Cin- cinnati was truly at fever heat and great demands were made by her people upon the government for aid, while the citi- zens turned ont almost enmasse to defend their homes from the would-be invaders. General H. G. Wright was in com- mand of the department, and General Lew Wallace was in command of Cincinnati and Covington, and the troops in the trenches defending them. General Heth, of Kirby Smith's
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INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
command, took position a few miles south of Covington on the 6th of September. This increased the excitement in that locality as a matter of course. But this was the farthest point north that any considerable force of that command reached.
This was the situation in Kentucky when on Saturday, September 6, the Eighty-sixth received orders to be ready to move at a moment's notice. Soon a second order was re- ceived to move on the following day, Sunday, September 7. All was excitement now. The crisis of meeting the enemy - seemed undoubtedly to be at hand.
CHAPTER V.
"GRUMBLE HILL."
From Indianapolis to Cincinnati-Breakfast at Fifth Street Market-Across the River-Covington-Ludlow-Camp Mitchell-Newport-The First Bivouac- Camp Wallace-" Grumble Hill"-Company Il On Picket-Wallowing in the Ditches.
After breakfast Sunday morning, September 7, Sibley tents were struck and everything packed, ready at the tap of the drum to depart for the front. But the train was not yet ready. The day was consumed in waiting until 5 o'clock when the train rolled out for Cincinnati over the I., C. and L. Railway. It proved to be a very "slow coach, " and many of the boys whenever it stopped would jump off and run to ad- jacent orchards and lay in a supply of apples. Such boyish pranks as these were performed as long as daylight lasted. Thus time and train trundled on together until night, when the boys became more quiet, for up to this time they had been in a hilarious mood, singing, shouting, and having a boisterous time generally. Some of the more staid members of the regiment tried to sleep after night came, but the at- tempt was vain. After a long tedious ride about 4 o'clock Monday morning, September 8, the command was landed at
THE EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT,
Cincinnati. Tumbling out of the cars more than half-asleep the boys immediately dropped down upon the platform of the depot for " forty winks" of sleep.
Weary with the night's ride the boys slept late, but at length they were aroused and began to move about. They went in squads to the river and performed their morning ab- Intions and returned to the station. The regiment here in a great city was at a loss to know what to do for breakfast. There was no fuel provided and many of the men were timid and did not know how to look for it. Later on the most timid man in the regiment would easily have found an abundance. So they stood round the depot not knowing what to do. Fin- ally. however, after long waiting the command came, "fall in, " "shoulder arms," "right face," "forward march," and they began a slow straggling march eastward, filed left up Vine street, climbed the hill and finally reached Fifth street Market House where the good people of the city had pro- vided for them a good meal. After breakfast the regiment was marched down the street in the direction of the river to a hotel, and were there addressed by Brigadier-General Mal- lon D. Manson, who was then a paroled prisoner, having been captured at Richmond, Kentucky, August 30. After the speaking the regiment continued its march to the river, crossed to Covington. Kentucky, on a pontoon bridge and proceeded down the river. Passing through Ludlow, a mile or more. it bore off to the left and camped. The day was warm and the loads were heavy. The men had been on their feet almost the whole day and were entirely inexperienced in marching, and many of them found it exceedingly tiresome, in fact, many fell behind the regiment on this, its first march. These stragglers were greatly fatigued and much chagrined at the thought of not being able to keep up, but they mostly came in before dark. The camp here was designated as Camp Mitchell. The regiment now barely had a taste of marching, but many, at least, were fully satisfied that when it was undertaken in earnest that there was not one bit of amusement about it-not, at least, for raw troops. The teams were soon on hand and tents were put up. After supper, the
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INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
events of the day were discussed until "taps," when all re- tired hoping for a good night's rest. Not long after lying down an alarm was given and the regiment was called out as was supposed to give battle. After standing to arms for some time, and neither seeing or hearing anything indicat- ing the approach of the enemy, the regiment was permitted to break ranks and again retire.
The following morning was quite cool but otherwise pleasant. There was a number of the regiment reported sick this morning. Marching in the heat of the day, heavily loaded, and then lying at night upon the cold, damp ground produced internal congestions. The changes in food and drink caused many to suffer with camp diarrhoea, accom- panied in some cases with considerable fever.
Orders were received to march before noon. The regi- ment was soon on the road, leaving behind the tents and the sick. Crossing Licking river the command passed to the southeast of Newport, and having marched some six or seven miles was halted in an open field, where it remained until the following day. The boys were now being initiated into the duties and mysteries of marching, camping, campaigning, and of the bivouac. Tuesday and Tuesday night, September 9, the Eighty-sixth experienced its first true bivouac with naught but the sky and stars above. The next morning was pleasant and the men lounged around the bivouac fires dis- cussing the probability of a battle at this place until about 10 o'clock, when the regiment recrossed the river back into Covington and took position on a high hill just south of the town and about a half mile from it. This was designated as Camp Wallace. Here the boys were far from being pleased with their environment and much grumbling was indulged in in the ranks. These complaints became so numerous and vigorous that the place came to be known as "Grumble Hill." Again the wagons failed to arrive with the tents and the regiment indulged itself with another bivouac. This hill was already intrenched, therefore the Eighty-sixth formed its line just inside the works and so bivouacked to be ready to " fall" into the ditch and defend the hill to the last
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THE EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT,
in case of an attack. Reports were flying still thick and fast of the enemy's approach with intention of making an attack upon the place. Nerves were consequently on a constant strain. On the morning after the regiment's arrival at this camp on "Grumble Hill" it began raining and the trenches were very muddy. Notwithstanding the rain and the mud, every hour or so an alarm would be given that the enemy was approaching and the men would be ordered into the ditches, there to wallow in the mud. But Kirby Smith had no intention of an attack, and was even at that time with- drawing his forces. The nerves of all were in a state of ex- treme tension, and this with the real hardships of loss of sleep and wallowing in the mud was extremely wearing on the constitutions of the men. Even after nightfall the camp would be alarmed by the command "Fall in, Eighty-sixth." The enemy is almost upon us. " At once the regiment would rush into the muddy trenches. If men were ever justifiable in indulging in profane remarks here was the occasion on "Grumble Hill." Some nights they would be allowed scarcely any sleep, so busy were they falling in and out of the ditch. Thus the men were nearly worn out with drag- ging up and down and watching for the iron-hearted enemy who was every coming in a "tiger-footed rage" to tear them to pieces and devour them bodily.
Looking back now at these trials in the light of experi- ence, all of this constant worry and annoyance was a great injury to the men of the Eighty-sixth. This no doubt, sent many a man to the hospital, not a few of whom secured dis- charges and thus weakened the organization in point of num- bers, and greatly discouraged others that remained, and in that way did harm to the spirit of the regiment that required time to fully overcome.
On the 12th inst. the tents came up. Thenceforward what little time there was for sleep on " Grumble Hill"' was with a little better protection from wind and rain and the chill of the night air. The regiment had been here at or near Covington five nights without tents and this was felt to be quite a hardship. Later on little would have been
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INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
thought of such deprivations. By whose orders the men were thus bedeviled no one will probably ever know, but through ignorance or spite or some other equally culpable motive the regiment was most shamefully managed and mistreated. Some time during the 14th it was announced that the regiment was under marching orders. A great shout went up from the overjoyed Hoosiers who were besides themselves almost at the prospect of getting away from "Grumble Hill.
On the morning of the 16th of September, Company H, Captain Milton Bell in command, was detailed to do picket duty for the regiment. Let the dairy of a member of that company tell how that duty was performed and how some of the company were employed: "The company (H) received orders to go out as pickets. We went out about three miles on the pike and stopped for the reserve or company head- quarters at a fine house from which an 'old secesh' had been taken and left everything that we wanted to use. Our men were soon placed upon the line. The Second-Lieutenant, Uriah Thomas, took a squad of thirteen men and started on a little scout on our own responsibility. The men stripped themselves of all necessary luggage that they might be in the best possible trim for making good time if by chance they should come across too strong a squad of the enemy. Pressing forward at a good pace we soon covered some four miles from our reserve station and came to a suitable place to get our dinners. We had a good dinner and all the apples and peaches we could eat, as well as all the milk we could drink, something we had not had since leaving home. After scouting around over the neighborhood for some time, always keeping a sharp lookout for the enemy, we concluded to lay in a supply of something nice to eat and then return to the post of our duty. So we killed a nice shoat and secured a number of chickens and returned to the picket station. Up to this time everything had gone along pleasantly enough without the appearance of an enemy. About dark we feasted on "hard tack," fresh pork and chicken. Soon after this our relief went upon the line to do sentinel duty. Reported attempts of "bushwhackers" firing upon the sentinels here
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