USA > Indiana > The Eighty-sixth regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry : a narrative of its services in the civil war of 1861-1865 > Part 47
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"Lincoln was not a type. He stands alone- no ances. tors. no fellows, and no successors. He had the advantage of living in a new country. of social equality, of personal freedom, of seeing in the horizon of his future the star of hope. He preserved his individuality and his self-respect. He knew and mingled with men of every kind: and, after all. men are the best books. He became acquainted with the ambitions and hopes of the heart. and the means used to accomplish the ends, the springs of action and the seeds of thought.
" Lincoln never finished his education. To the night of his death he was a pupil. a learner, and inquirer, a seeker after knowledge. You have no idea how many men are spoiled by what is called an education. For the most part. colleges are places where pebbles are polished and diamonds are dimmed.
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"Lincoln was a many sided man, acquainted with smiles and tears, complex in brain, single in heart, direct as light; and his words candid as mirrors, gave the perfect image of his thoughts. He was never afraid to ask-never too digni- fied to admit that he did not know. No man had keener wit or kinder humor. He was not solemn. Solemnity is a mask worn by ignorance and hypocrisy-it is the preface, pro- logue, and index to the cunning or the stupid. He was nat- ural in his life and thought-master of the story teller's art, in illustration apt, in application perfect, liberal in speech, shocking Pharisees and prudes, using any word that wit could disinfect.
"Lincoln was an immense personality-firm but not obstinate. Obstinacy is egotism-firmness, heroism. He influ- enced others without effort, unconsciously; and they submit- ted to him as men submit to nature. unconsciously. He was severe with himself, and for that reason lenient to others. He appeared to apologize for being kinder than his fellows. He did merciful things as stealthily as others committed crimes. Almost ashamed of tenderness, he said and did the noblest words and deeds with that charming confusion-that awk- wardness-that is the perfect grace of modesty. As a noble man, wishing to pay a small deft to a poor neighbor, reluct- antly offers a hundred-dollar bill and ask for change for fear that he may be suspected either of making a display of wealth or a pretense of payment, so Lincoln hesitated to show his wealth of goodness, even to the best he knew.
"A great man stooping, not wishing to make his fellows feel that they were small or mean.
"Heknew others, because perfectly acquainted with him- self. He cared nothing for place, but everything for prin- ciple, nothing for money, but everything for independence. Where no principle was involved, easily swayed-willing to go slowly if in the right direction- sometimes willing to stop, but he would not go back, and he would not go wrong. He was willing to wait. He knew that the event was not wait- ing, and that fate was not the fool of chance. He knew slav- ery had defenders, but no defense. and that they who attack
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the right must wound themselves. He was neither tyrant nor slave. He neither knelt nor scorned. With him, men were neither great nor small-they were right or wrong. Through manners, clothes, titles, rags, and race, he saw the real-that which is. Beyond accident, policy. compromise. and war, he saw the end. He was patient as Destiny, whose undecipherable hieroglyphs were so deeply graven on his sad and tragic face.
"Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. It is easy for the weak to be gentle. Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know what a man really is, give him power. This is the supreme test. It is the glory of Lincoln that, having almost absolute power. he never abused it. except upon the side of mercy.
" Wealth could not purchase, power could not awe. this this divine, this loving man. He knew no fear except the fear of dying wrong. Hating slavery. pitying the master- seeking to conquer, not persons, but prejudices-he was the embodiment of the self-denial, the courage, the hope, and the nobility of a nation. He spoke. not to inflame, not to upbraid, but to convince. He raised his hands, not to strike. but in benediction. He longed to pardon. He loved to see the pearls of joy on the cheeks of a wife whose husband he had rescued from death.
"Lincoln was the grandest figure of the fiercest civil
war. He is the gentlest memory of our world."
The soldiers of the army of the Union although unable thus to analyze and point out the elements of greatness in the character of their beloved leader felt in their hearts his greatness and his goodness-the influence of his mighty intellect and his great heart, and loved him as man has sel- dom or never been loved by the rude soldiery and the com. mon people of any country. It was a dark day for the army when it knew that Lincoln was no more-foully murdered by the hand of an assassin. The men felt that a leading light had been put out and henceforth, during the rest of this war. they must grope ou without its beneficent and cheering ray. Sad and sorrowful were the camps. Even the joyful news
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of the great victories recently won could not dispel the gloom the death of Lincoln caused. Time alone could heal the wound. An eloquent writer says of the death of Abra- ham Lincoln:
"Foreign nations, too, joined in the general grief. Of all the rare and wonderful revelations of human emotion elicited by the march of great events, during the last four years, that with which the sentient world quivered in response to the outrage perpetrated upon the American peo- ple, on the 14th of April, was the most marvelous. The blow which murdered Abraham Lincoln not only wounded the heart of the Western Continent, but stirred humanity to its profoundest depths throughout the civilized world -- not with sympathy merely for the peculiarly bereaved nation, but with the rage and anguish of a personal wrong and loss."
If then people of foreign countries felt so keenly the death of this truly great man how must his children, the Union soldiers, have suffered when they knew of their loss. Pen cannot describe it or tongue tell of the deep heart- aches felt by thousands of soldier patriots when they heard of his taking off.
On the 19th of April General Tillson's command arrived at Jonesboro and the command was relieved. On the 20th at 10 o'clock orders were received to march at noon. At the appointed time the division filed out upon the road, march- ing westward. It was the same old rapid pace as aforetime when going to meet the enemy. and steadily maintained. The command bivouacked about 6 o'clock p. m. There seemed to be some haste about this move. On the 21st reveille was sounded at 3:30 a. m. and the command started out upon the road at 5:30. The pace was a speedy one, few halts being made. The command passed through Green- ville and perhaps five miles west and bivouacked for the night. On the next morning reveille was sounded at 3 o'clock. The Eighty-sixth had the advance and was on the road marching at 5 a. m. Passing through Midway without halt the column pressed on and reached Bull's Gap about noon and bivouacked. Here rumors flew from bivouac to
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bivouac with almost lightning speed. These were various and varied. The war was practically over- the men of 62 were to be mustered out and sent home. Much excitement consequently prevailed. The command remained here at Bull's Gap during the day of the 23d. Were ordered aboard the cars at midnight, and the train rolled westward at 1 o'clock on the morning of the 24th, but only proceeded about seven miles, lay until after daylight, and then ran to Knox- ville by 3 p. m. The train remained on the side track at Knoxville until about 3 p. m. on the 25th, when it again pulled out, westward bound. Reached Chattanooga at 3 p. m. and remained until 5. Only running a part of the night daylight found the train about eight miles northwest of Ste- venson. Alabama. During Wednesday. the 26th. the train made slow progress and reached Murfreesborough about > p. m. and finally disembarked a few miles out from Nashville about 1 o'clock a. m. on the 27th. After breakfast Knef- ler's brigade marched about two or two and a half miles in a northerly direction to a camping place which was finally located about 10:30, and camp laid off in in regular order.
At this camp the Eighty-sixth spent the rest of its time in the service of Uncle Sam until duly mustered out-drill- ing, being inspected or reviewed. performing picket duty. but in a very easy slip-shod manner, as the officers and men well knew that there was now no armed enemy near to molest or make them afraid. The drilling and inspecting was probably done to prepare the men for the final Grand Review, as it seemed now quite certain that the days of cam- paigning and fighting for the Eighty-sixth were forever past.
On the 29th of April came the word of the surrender of Johnston's army to General Sherman, as had been expected for some days. This was the climax of the collapse of the Confederacy, and it was simply impossible now for the South ever again to collect and organize an army to do battle for the cause of secession. It was thoroughly routed and beaten. and it recognized and acknowledged the fact. The order for the Southern soldiers is final and it is: " Ground arms!"' Let
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it be said for them that they were brave. but they were beaten in fort and in field.
Now the Eighty-sixth had its regular Sunday inspection, company drill of week days, and dress parade on fine even- ings. On Friday, May 5. there was company drill in the forenoon, and brigade review in the afternoon. The follow- ing day the men were notified to prepare for Grand Review, to take place on Monday, the 8th. On Sunday, the 7th, there was company inspection in the forenoon and brigade review in the afternoon. It rained Sunday night and nearly all day Monday, therefore the Grand Review was postponed. Tues- day morning was clear and fine and the orders were for the Review. The Eighty-sixth started for the review grounds about 7 o'clock a. m. The lines were fully established about 10 o'clock. It then waited for the reviewing officer, General George H. Thomas. After being reviewed in line General Thomas took his place upon the stand, the line was broken into columns of divisions and thus marched by the stand. This completed the review and the regiment was marched at once to camp. There were about 15,000 men in line march- ing in review, and it made a splendid pageant. General Thomas profusely complimented the Fourth corps on its sol- dierly bearing. It was certainly a fine exhibition of a mili- tary parade, precision of military movements and evolutions.
Major General George H. Thomas on May 10 issued General Orders No. 30, in which he congratulated the Fourth army corps as follows:
The General commanding the Department tak 's pride in conveying to the Fourth army corps the expression of his admiration, excited by their brilliant and martial display at the review of yesterday.
As the battalions of your magnificent corps swept successively before the eye, the coldest heart must have warmed with interest in contemplation of those men, who had passed through the varied and shifting scenes of this great, modern tragedy, who had stemmed with unyielding breasts the rebel tide threatening to engulph the land-marks of Freedom; and who, bearing on their bronzed and furrowed brows the ennobling marks of the years of hardship. suffering and privation, under- gone in defense of freedom and the integrity of the Union, could still preserve the light step and wear the cheerful expression of youth.
Though your gay and broidered banners, wrought by dear hands
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far away, were all shred and war-worn, were they not blazoned on every stripe with words of glory-Shiloh, Spring Hill. Stone's River. Chicka- mauga, Atlanta. Franklin. Nashville. and many other glorious names, too numerous to be mentioned in an order like this.
By your prowess and fortitude you have ably done your part in restoring the golden boon of peace and order to your once distracted but now grateful country, and your Commander is at length enabled to give you a season of well earned rest.
But soldiers, while we exult at our victories. let us not be forgetful of those brave, devoted hearts which, pressing in advance, throbbed their last amid the smoke and din of battle; nor withhold our sympathy for the afflicted wife, child. and mother. consigned, far off at home, to lasting, cruel grief.
After this, the final Grand Review, there was no drill- ing for the Eighty-sixth. The men were through with that drudgery, for it became a drudgery when they never again expected to be called ont upon the field of battle. Hence- forth only picket, guard duty. and inspection was to be their work while they remained here.
On Sunday. May 14. a dispatch was received announcing the capture of the arch traitor, Jeff Davis. This was another point made. which in the ranks of the Union army caused universal joy. for he was looked upon as the head and front of the offenders of those who had tried to disrupt the country. By many Union sol- diers he was regarded as the devil turned loose upon the earth. Had many organizations captured him, since the assassination of the beloved Lincoln. they would have taken summary vengeance. But fortunately for Davis, and per- haps for the credit of the whole country. he fell into hands more humane and merciful.
On Saturday, June 3. the officers of the regiment began making the " Muster Out" rolls. It was now an established fact that the Eighty-sixth was to be "mustered out" very soon and sent home. This was cheering news and the boys were in great glee. All felt that it was a good and sufficient reason for rejoicing. and fun and frolic was largely indulged in. On the 4th and 5th the work on the rolls was pushed, being completed on the latter day.
Major General Thomas J. Wood. the commander of the
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THE EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT,
Fourth army corps, through his Adjutant General, Captain M. P. Bestow. issued General Order No. 47, dated near Nashville, Tennessee, June 6, 1865, which was in the nature of a farewell to the Eighty-sixth. The same order was issued to the Seventy-ninth. The following is the order: To the Officers and Soldiers of the Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteers:
The order from the War Department directing the muster out of troops whose terms of service expire before a certain date, will soon terminate the official relation which has so long existed between us. I contemplate the approaching separation with feelings of sadness, and I cannot allow it to take place without expressing my warmest thanks and sincere gratitude for the noble conduct which you have ever dis- played while under my command. Participation in common dangers, and in privations and hardships, has united us in the bonds of indissolu- ble friendship. I will ever cherish as among the brightest passages of my life the memory of our past association. You have done your duty as good soldiers and patriots, engaged from the highest motives, in the noblest of causes. You can now return to your homes with the happy reflection that the mission which called you into the field, namely. the suppression of the armed resistance of treason and rebellion to the gov- ernment, has been fully, nobly and honorably accomplished. Noble soldiers, your work is finished, now rest from your labors. Each one of you will carry home with you my highest esteem and kindest wishes for your future welfare. May happiness, prosperity, health and success wait on you throughout the remainder of your lives.
May your future be as happy as your military life has been glor- ions! To each one of you, individually, and all, collectively, I bid a kind, a friendly good-bye.
May God bless you!
In the afternoon, on the 6th day of June, 1865, the Eighty- sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was Mustered Out of the United States Service, by Captain Phitip Reefy, of the Nineteenth Regiment. Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Muster- ing Officer for the Third Dicision, Fourth Army Corps. Army of the Cumberland.
On Wednesday the 7th. Colonel George F. Dick went to the city of Nashville to make arrangements for procuring transportation home for the regiment. He went again on Thursday, the 8th, and returned before noon reporting everything all right, and that the start would be made that after- noon. At 12 o'clock noon, the regiment broke camp and marched to the city. got aboard the cars about 5 o'clock p. m.,
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INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
crossed the Cumberland river and left Edgefield at 6 p. m. The train reached Louisville, Kentucky, at 5 a. m. on the 9th. The regiment crossed the Ohio river and landed on Hoosier soil at 11 a. m. All were in great good humor and as the companies filed out upon the Indiana bank off the ferry boat they cheered lustily. They were nearing home and were heartily glad. Glad that the war was over, that the rebel- lion was crushed, and that they had lived to see the Govern- ment triumph in its great struggle, and to see the dawn of peace. They took a train at Jeffersonville for Indianapolis which place was reached about 6 o'clock p. m. on the 9th. The regiment marched directly to the Soldiers' Home where a good supper was provided. The following morning the regiment marched to the State House and were there pub- licly thanked by Governor Oliver P. Morton in behalf of the State. General George D. Wagner replied for Colonel Dick in behalf of the regiment, and the regimental stand of colors was placed in the archives of the State. Soon after the con- clusion of these ceremonies the Colonel marched the regi- ment to the arsenal where it turned into the United States authorities its guns and accouterments. Many of the men turned in the same gun that they had drawn there three years before. After thus disposing of their fighting equipments the men were marched directly to Camp Carrington almost on the identical spot of ground on which they were camped when mustered into the United States service by Colonel J. S. Simonson September 4, 1862. The 11th was Sunday and therefore nothing was done. The boys took the day easy. They were waiting to receive their pay.
The Eighty-sixth entered the field with 39 commissioned officers and 917 enlisted men. During the latter part of 1564 it received 41 recruits, making a total of 999. Two commis. sioned officers were killed and one died from the effects of wounds. Among the enlisted men 238 were killed and died from disease and wounds, 48 men deserted from its ranks. 67 were transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, 10 to the Engineer Corps, and 5 to the Mississippi Marino Brigade. There were mustered out with the regiment 302 men. the
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THE EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT,
remainder having been discharged on account of wounds and other disabilities. The recruits were transferred to the Fifty-first Indiana regiment. Of the Indiana regiments that served only three years, the Sixty-ninth lost from all causes by death the largest per cent. of enlisted men. the Ninty- third the next largest per cent. and the Eighty-sixth the third largest per cent.
The regiment had two Colonels, four Lieutenant Colo- nels, three Majors, two Adjutants, two Quartermasters, two Chaplains, two Surgeons, three Assistant Surgeons, twenty- three Captains, thirty-one First Lieutenants, twenty-eight Second Lieutenants. Of these thirty-nine were original appointments, and sixty-three were promotions. The total number of commissioned officers was one hundred and two.
The service of the Eighty-sixth Indiana must speak for itself. It will ever remain an honorable page of history in the Great War of the Rebellion. Its hardships and priva- tions, its marches, skirmishes, battles and sieges, were some of the most notable of the war. What it endured in the great march in pursuit of Bragg was certainly not excelled by any, and was only equaled by its new companion regi- ments. The forty-one of its dead left on the bloody field of Stone's River attests its baptismal fire. Its three days by Chickamauga's crimson waters and through all that san- guinary struggle have been told in words. Yet these but faintly paint the picture. Nothing in the history of the entire war takes rank with the assault of the Eighty-sixth and Seventy-ninth on Missionary Ridge for indomitable, dar- ing courage and fortitude, lying just outside of the enemy's works, only a ramrod's length, and fighting the enemy with- out giving an inch until the reserves approached. The siege in Chattanooga, followed by the bitter cold winter and semi- starvation on the bleak hills in East Tennessee were truly trying events and endured like Spartan heroes. Then fol- lowed the ever memorable Atlanta campaign with its marches, skirmishes, battles and sieges, and great tactical movements, and then in turn followed by the race after Hood, terminating in the glorious battle of Nashville. The
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assault on Overton's Hill by Knefler's brigade, the Eighty- sixth in the advance, was almost as heroic as the assault on Missionary Ridge, and would have been fully as much so, if the enemy had had the courage to stay and fight. The his- tory of no organization from the State of Indiana, or any State, can probably furnish evidence of greater fortitude than was exhibited by the Third brigade, Third division, Fourth army corps, of which the Eighty-sixth Indiana formed an honorable part.
The glowing memories of Stone's River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Dandridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Kingston, Cassville, New Hope Church, Pick- ett's Mills, Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna Camp Ground. Chat- tahoochee River, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's Station, Columbia, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville will ever fill the hearts and minds of every mem- ber of the Eighty-sixth Indiana with pardonable pride.
When the heroic citizen soldiers were remanded to the duties of civil life, the Eighty-sixth Regiment, Indiana Vol- unteers, passed from organic existence, to live in history, matched by many but surpassed by none. Many who went out with the regiment did not return. They were left on the hills and by the streams of the South. Their heroic deeds and last resting places will often be brought to mind in fond remembrance.
" By fairy hands their knell is rung; By forms unseen their dirge is sung ; There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray. To bless the turf that wraps their clay."
And as the Eighty-sixth Indiana disappeared so melted away the grand regiments of all the States, an army strong enough to conquer a hemisphere. The heroic organizations merged into the mass of the people and were seen no more. The deeds of this grand army had filled the civilized world, and European statesmen looked on in wonder. It was one of the grandest armies that ever bore on its bayonet points the destines of a king or nation-a consolidation and embod- iment of power seldom witnessed; and yet, while the gaze of the world was fixed upon it, it disappeared like a vision, and
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when one looked for it he saw only peaceful citizens engaged in their usual occupations. The veterans of the rank and file, whose battle shout had rung over scores of bloody fields, could only be found now by name as one, bent over his saw and plane, another swung his scythe in the harvest field, or plied his humble toil along the streets. It was a marvelous sight, the grandest the world ever saw. It had been the people's war-the people had carried it on, and having fin- ished their own work, quietly laid aside the instruments with which they had accomplished it, and again took up those of peaceful industry. Never did a government on earth exhibit such stability, and assert its superiority over all other forms, as did this Republican Government of ours, in the way its armies disappeared when the struggle was over.
On the 12th of June, 1865, the men were paid and the Eighty-sixth disbanded. Good-byes were said and the boys started for their several homes. That separation was not without sadness. There are few ties on earth that are as strong as those that bind the hearts of men who so long marched, and fought and suffered together. The Eighty-sixth Indiana was now a memory! That was all. But if only a memory it will last as long as a single member of that organization sur- vives.
We've been teuting to-night on the old camp ground,- Thinking of days gone by; Of the loved and the true who left their homes And the tear that said, "Good-bye!"
GEORGE FREDERICK DICK.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE TWO COLONELS.
George Frederick Diek-A Sketch of His Early Life-Captain of a Boy's Military Company in Cincinnati-His Fire Company-In Business-Answers the First Call of the President-A Captain in the Twentieth Indiana-Hls Services In That Regiment-Made Lieutenant Colonel in the Eighty-Sixth-Ils Career With That Regiment to the Close of the War-Orville s. Hamilton-A Brave Man, but Wanting in Military Genius-A Bit of Secret Istory Never Before Told or Written-A Tribute to His Memory.
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