USA > Indiana > The Forty-Fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, history of its services in the war of the rebellion and a personal record of its members > Part 15
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Our surgeons devoted themselves to the care of the wounded day and night, without thought of self, the consciousness of doing their duty alone supporting them through their labors. Soon after, Surgeon Rerick's health gave way. . When I saw him in an ambulance, completely broken down, being conveyed to a steamer, I said to myself: "That is the last I shall see of our brave surgeon." But no. He returns, a mere skeleton
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in appearance. I could not greet him as cordially as he so richly merited, for thinking : "Why did you come back here to die !" In this I was mistaken, however. There are yet, I hope, many years of work left for him to do.
I feel inclined to give here some extracts from a few of the many letters of prominent citizens of Fort Wayne, giving the estimate held at that time of the services of the Forty-fourth.
" APRIL 22, 1862.
COLONEL REED,-I feel like tendering to the 44th my hearty thanks for the glorious part taken by it in this battle (Shiloh) and the Donelson fight, by which every citizen of the county and the district has been honored. When I think of the peril of our cause and our Govern- ment, indeed, at Pittsburg Landing, and the narrow escape we made only through the bravery of our troops, I am almost overcome with emotion. It may be un- manly, but I confess to you that I have shed tears of joy my heart melts with gratitude to the brave men * and with gratitude to God, who overrules all, for the heroism with which they received and withstood the shock of the traitorous hosts. I can understand now better than ever before why it is that military heroes are so honored by the majority of men. It is right. It is honorable to our human nature that men who leave their quiet homes * * * and place themselves in the breach, and save their country by exposing themselves to such danger as this, should be honored."
Another :
" Indinna soldiers generally have a proud reputation throughout the country, and I think it is no exagger- ation to say the 44th now stands No. 1 of the list. With pride I recall all their unprecedented deeds of heroism
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in the late battle. With tears I mourn the sacrifice of so many heroes. All honor to the living and dead."
Yet one more :
“* * * I will embrace it, to return to the noble 44th. My most sincere thanks for the distinguished service rendered in the terrible battle of Pittsburg Landing. It was a terrible ordeal that you were called to pass through ; but, thank God, the officers and men showed themselves equal to the emergency. The praise of the regiment is in the mouth and upon the tongue of every man, woman and child in the county. * The 44th ought to be recruited, * * but all seem fully im-
pressed * * * that going into the service means some- thing more than being dressed in uniform, drawing rations, and living in a tent. * * * The return of quite a number of your wounded men serves to give an ink- ling of the stern realities of war."
Enough. "Those scraps are good deeds past-for- gotten as soon as done." Ita est.
I shall have to leave the other side of the medal covered until a more fitting opportunity for singing the praises of " the martyred General " Milligan and his ghostly heroes, drilling by starlight, with traitorous thoughts intent-nor fife nor drum to quicken their steps and aid their fast-oozing courage while marching to the music of the wind-start in alarm at the watch- dog's honest bark. Hist ! What's that ? Away ! The moon is up ! Scatter ! Where are these heroes now ?
I would gladly, if time and space permitted, dwell at more length upon the scenes that cling to memory with a halo, from contrast with excitement of a different kind. Pittsburg Landing presented the most stirring ap- pearance. The eyes of the Nation were directed to this
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miTIL
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one point. Immense crowds flocked hither from all over the broad land. Steamers loaded with all that our army craved, from our long abstinence from civilized com- forts, were pushing their way through those already there, crowding the river fuller with shipping than New York harbor at the busiest season. When a fresh arrival was sighted there was a rush to be the first to board her, to secure the longed-for prize, either eatable or drink- able. What a scramble I made over the decks of a score of intervening boats, accompanied by Major Stoughton, Captains Williams, Heath, and others, to be the first to reach the deck of a steamer just arrived on the outer line of boats-the objective point a barrel of lager ! The " charge of the light brigade " was tame in comparison. We had the advance, and our charge successful,-and it cost dear-in cash. We bore off
in triumph two half-barrels, which were on tap as soon as the bank was reached, and drunk to the health of all good fellows by the men of the Forty-fourth fortunate enough to be present. A toast to our wounded recalled us in time. The second cask was at once hurried off, and reserved for their benefit. Whose pen can describe the difference in taste of that lager and the glass you deliberately walk up to the counter-drink-and lay down five cents ?
I have failed to relate at the right time an incident which has a place in my recollection, and I will give it here. One day, while we were yet at Camp Allen, a splendid war-horse, caparisoned to correspond, was led into camp. My courage, like Bob Acres', oozed out
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at the palms of my hands as I looked upon him, but I had to face the music. The charger was presented in due form, as a fitting testimonial, etc., etc., from my friends, Hon. Samuel Hanna and Samuel H. Shoaff, Esq., of Fort Wayne. How I ever got through the trying ordeal is more than I can tell ; but to mount and display him to the gaze of the admiring on-lookers was the feather that broke the camel's back-impossible.
When at Donelson, my friend Surgeon Martin had a fine large black horse, that he very much wished to have wounded in battle. As I did not want my horse shot, I yielded to his solicitation, and exchanged horses with him for the time being. His horse was not shot ; while mine, in the excitement attending our first battle, was ridden about so furiously that my orderly, Andrew Jackson Strohl "Dad," "resigned " on the spot, when the horse was delivered to his care. With tears he swore the horse might go to the devil,-and he did.
In giving my recollections as I have, without definite plan, or giving to them other consideration than I do while writing, I find that many incidents long forgot- ten come back to memory, which I should like to relate if space permitted. As we go forward in life, our earliest impressions grow brighter as we recede from them.
Just now, what transpired while we were yet at Camp Allen stands out as on printed page. Our lamented Lieutenant-Colonel, Baldwin J. Crossthwaite, to whom the regiment owed the proficiency it acquired in drill,
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returns to life, and is before me, in plain view while he marshals his regiment in the intricate evolutions so imposing to the uninitiated. He had served as officer of cavalry in the Mexican war, and was an able tactician, whose knowledge of the details of army life was of the greatest benefit to us. He had brought with him from Mexico a disease that would have prevented most men from attempting service again, but his patriot- ism led him to disregard his own comfort and health ; he chose rather to sacrifice his life in his country's cause. He died at his home in Angola, while our guns were thundering at the gates of Donelson-a fit requiem for so true a soldier and patriot. His memory is cherished in the hearts of the brave men who honored him for his many virtues.
The Hon. Charles Case had represented our district two terms in Congress. He used all his large influence and ability in the furtherance of his country's cause. He took the position of Adjutant of the 44th, to fit himself, by actual service in the field, for higher and more important duties. In pursuance of this, he soon accepted a position on the brigade staff. His health . gave way, from exposure at Donelson ; and while at his home on sick leave he was commissioned Major of a cavalry regiment, and soon after was commissioned Colonel of the 129th Indiana.
Our Chaplain, Dr. ,Green C. Beeks, at the time of his acceptance of the chaplaincy, was presiding elder of Fort Wayne circuit. As an eloquent preacher his prom- inence gave him much influence, which he used in the enlistment of men for the regiment. Having been for-
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merly a practicing physician, his knowledge and skill rendered his services valuable at all times. He was with us at Donelson, and devoted himself energetically to the care of our wounded. He accompanied the regi- ment to Pittsburg Landing, was taken sick on the way up the river, and sent to the hospital, thence to his home, where he lay at death's door for many months. His health was so much impaired that upon his return to his regiment he found himself unequal to the duties of his position, and resigned his commission and re- turned to his home at Fort Wayne.
George W. McConnell, Esq., of Angola, Steuben County, was a gentleman of high standing, who accepted the position of Quartermaster of the 44th, and used his best efforts for the good of his country by devoting himself to the health and comfort of the men of the regiment with untiring zeal. Upon our getting fairly under way in the field, he resigned his commission; in February, 1862. He is remembered with the kindliest feelings of regard by all.
But I must hurry on. I find that I have more than filled the space allotted me, and I much fear that, in traveling over the same ground as our Historian, I have been repeating what has already been far better ren- dered. I wish much to add a short chapter on the "Siege of Corinth," and then bid a long farewell to the "Iron Men" of the 44th Indiana.
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CHAPTER V.
GENERAL BUELL had not forgotten us, and did not fail to reclaim the regiments of our brigade. I was or- dered to report to him, which I at once did in person. I found him a solidly-built, soldierly-looking martinet of about 5 feet 7 ; shoulders well back, breast thrown out, head erect-in feeling, an embryo Napoleon. I was referred to his chief of staff, and by him directed to report to our former division commander. General Thomas L. Crittenden was a true Kentucky gentleman, every inch a soldier-plain, straightforward and unpre- tending, his only thought being to do his whole duty to his country. He esteemed every brave man as a friend and comrade. I have known of his telling his chief of staff that he deserved to be shot, for marching his troops an unnecessary long distance on a blistering day, the hot southern sun heating our rifles so as to be almost unbearable to the touch. His sympathies were with the men, to whose care and comfort he devoted himself without stint. Himself and family were looked upon with the warmest feelings of regard by all his soldiers. They moved amongst us like the patriarchs of old, their presence giving a home and kindred feeling to all. In battle he was a Saladin,-with his only child-a boy of some seven years-on his horse behind him, he would have cut his way with his good sword through a host.
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General Buell took exceeding good care to provide for us a brigade commander after his own heart. Gen- eral Von Blank was a West Pointer. A man of sedate and sober aspect, exceeding tall and gaunt ; his length of leg greatly out of proportion to the trunk- dangling about, when mounted, in a supple-jack fash- ion. His face was small and sharp, his lower jaw receding ; but his prominent, peaked chin made amends for this evidence of indecision. 'To be soldierly, he chewed tobacco in a feeble way. His eyes were small and faded, gray in color, and covered with large, gleaming spectacles. When he looked at you while speaking, your mind was so distracted by trying to decide to what to compare him, it was difficult to understand what he was saying. As he ambled around on his fat horse, he was as a whole an object fearfully and wonderfully made up. The " boys" very irrever- ently called him " Old Double Eye."
He had, from some sort of conscientious scruples about fighting, as he said, resigned his commission in the army rather than take part in the Mexican war. Afterwards his conscience had given him so many twinges for dishonoring his country's draft for the debt he owed it, that he had resolved to wipe it out now,- and here he was, in all his glory. It goes without say- ing, that he was an immense tactician, but his specialty was "orders."
He soon set himself about organizing a school for the instruction of his Colonels in all the lore he had imbibed. An order was promulgated that each and every Colonel appear at brigade headquarters at 7 P. M.
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sharp. This, as a matter of imminent peril, was dis- cussed in committee of the whole. One of the Colonels had in other days commanded a brigade. He felt the indignity deeply. To be called upon to attend school- and night school at that-and be put through his paces by this "slab-sided dotard." was a little too much. Another of the Colonels had for years "taught the young idea how to shoot." To be thrust back into a pupil,-would see him d- hanged, first ! The other two, being of more pliable natures, and not having had the same advantages, reported as directed. The Gen- eral, with imposing deliberation, opened school by placing himself at his camp desk with book in hand, and demanded what we knew of the recusants. We smoothed down his ruffled mane with assurances of their presenting themselves on a future evening. We soon got in accord when we found the General relied upon his tactics entirely, and was easily led to read the whole question and answer to us. Our report led the other Colonels to reconsider their determination, and we pre- sented ourselves in a body. The General's digestion was at fault, probably, -- after a time he propounded a difficult problem that we professed our inability to dem- onstrate, and asked that he would expound for us. The General looked wise, adjusted his glasses, read, but could not find the right place-commenced again, got con- fused, blundered. School closed. Other duties pre- vented a re-opening.
On April 22, 1862, we left our camp, where we had so long remained, and around which so many memories clustered, and moved forward three miles and reported
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· to General Crittenden. From this time forward we were almost constantly in front and on picket duty, and · skirmishing with the enemy, changing camp almost daily, constructing roads, cutting down timber, build- ing bridges, throwing up entrenchments, etc., had but a tithe of which been done while we were doing nothing but waiting for the enemy to attack us at Pittsburg Landing, our position would have been impregnable, while now there was as little use of all this wasted labor, our heavy picket line being three to four miles in ad- vance, and almost continuously fighting as the enemy were slowly driven back. When we had arrived within six miles of Corinth there was immense artillery firing ; heavy siege guns were got into position on eminences, and thundered away at space. The black-bearded, short and stout General P. would climb a tree or some other elevation, and with a field-glass at his eye sean the enemy's earthworks, six miles away, to decide whether a breach was made. This booming of big guns came to be a lullaby to which the men would fall asleep as quietly as a babe on its mother's lap. At other times we were called into line of battle half a dozen times a day, during which time there would perhaps be fierce skirmishing, as the enemy were gradually, inch by inch, driven back ; and at no time was there any good reason why we should not have moved forward to within point blank range of our siege guns and opened fire upon their works and at the town of Corinth, unless it might have been in deference to'the wish of General Buell that the rebels should not be hurried too much. Almost every day afforded us the amusement of throwing up
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breastworks and skirmishing, while the rebels were mak- ing up their minds which way they should go.
May 30th we were on picket at an old log meeting- house on the main Corinth road, when explosions and dense clouds of smoke and dust within the enemy's forti- fications indicated evacuation. I rode forward within plain view, could see no guns or troops, and returned and informed General Crittenden. Next day we occu- pied the camp of the 19th Louisiana, in Corinth.
June 4th we marched, with three days' rations in our haversacks, following the rebels' line of retreat as far as Booneville, Mississippi. We returned by way of Iuka, stopping here until June 14th, when we took up our line of march for Florence. We went into camp on the Tennessee River near Tuscumbia, where we spent some time, while our army was building block-houses and other fortifications, from Mississippi to Georgia ; thence to Athens, Huntsville, and to the Tennessee River at the corner of the three States of Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, and went into camp at the junction of a little 'stream called Battle Creek with the Tennessee River, a few miles west of Chattanooga.
While on this long, weary march under the scorching rays of the southern sun-a cloud of dust following us by day, and all manner of creeping things to annoy us at night-the men would manage to pick up some crumbs of comfort, in spite of the surveillance of " Double Eye " or Don Carlos, who rode from rear to front with his staff, and did not fail to note any irregu- larities as he passed. One day : " Colonel, I see many
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of your sergeants without their guns. Why is this?" " They are in command of their companies." " Where are the company officers ?" " Killed or wounded in battle." " They should carry their guns instead of a sword." "Am I to consider that an order ?" After evading a direct reply for a time, he finally said "No," and passed on.
Among the hills and in the hollows, all over the South, are ragged nooks where the scouts and " bum- mers " knew by instinct apple-jack, peach and bourbon must grow, in the nature of things, and of course must somehow be unearthed from its caché. Canteens were very handy. If one was thirsting for a drink of water, and asked one of the men for his canteen, he would say, " Haven't any," and would call out for a canteen of water to be sent to the front. After some delay some one in the rear would pass forward his canteen. When put to your lips for a good long drink, you would sputter, cough, and grunt "Whisky !" If good, you would finally become reconciled.
An army passing through an enemy's country will have some of the good things, eatable or drinkable, if there are any within five miles on either side of the line of march. The unhappy man with a well-stocked cellar on the line of march will go thirsty for the balance of that year. I have seen men rush to a stagnant, swampy mud-hole, get down on their stomachs, and drink water that the horses would not touch.
One day, while halting, one of the men spied a baby in a house near by. He was off like a shot, secured it, and brought it out, and it was passed from one to an-
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other, was caressed and kissed as never was babe before. The poor mother stood trembling, in an agony of fear lest it never reach her arms again. On another occasion the sight of a baby raised a shout that caused its fright- ened mother to clutch it and run off and hide out of reach, and no persuasion could induce her to return with it.
On one occasion, when away down in Mississippi, Alabama, or some other God forsaken place, when on half rations, fresh meat had grown to be one of the things that memory dwelt upon with longing. A little party found a slab-sided land shark roaming the woods, and soon brought it down to fresh pork. While in the very act, red-handed, the General pounced down upon them. In passing I was hailed by his Adjutant, and taken to the spot. The General stood aghast at the enormity of this breach of "orders," and went on lecturing the men upon the heinousness of the crime. I did not interrupt him, wanting time to think of some way out of the dilemma, but could find none, other than to charge back upon him the folly of expecting men with guns in their hands to resist such temptation, when living on half rations of "sow-belly and hard-tack." When ordered to prefer charges against the men, I bluntly refused, telling him that if he wanted it done he must do it himself-that I considered it an act wor- thy of commendation. Whether the boys sent him a roast, and thus mollified him, I do not remember. I heard no more of it, at all events.
Another time, after marching all day, n detail was ordered for guard duty. Upon inquiry I learned that
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it was to guard the house of a prominent rebel. I directed the Adjutant to pay no attention to it. Some hours after, the brigade Adjutant rode over to learn why it was not furnished. I told him we came out to fight rebels, not to guard their property. Of course the 44th stood badly at court. Its Colonel was looked upon as most insubordinate, and a good opportunity awaited for his overthrow. I attended this same " court " on occa- sion, and saw richly-appareled secesh ladies drive up in grand style-their coachman and courier in livery- alight, present themselves to the commander of a Union army, who bowed himself to the very ground-the slightest intimation of their wishes a command to be obeyed.
We remained for some weeks in camp at Battle Creek, guarding the river-the rebel pickets on the opposite shore.
Many incidents of interest, happening here, time and space will not permit my dwelling upon ; but one incident I will give. General Buell was by instinct, if not by birth, possessed of all the chivalry of the true Southerner. Within our camp was the residence of an an officer in the rebel army. His family, living in our very midst, were on intimate terms with the officers and men of our army, and were fully informed of all going on about them. Their slaves, cattle, horses, sheep and all other property were guarded with scrupulous care. The wife of this rebel officer, desiring to visit her hus- band, was, after some weeks, passed over the river within the enemy's lines, by order of General Buell. This lady was escorted by myself and others to the
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river. She was undoubtedly expected by her friends on the other side. This took place while General Bragg was getting ready for his invasion of Kentucky ; and when fully prepared he marched his army north, leaving Buell to follow at his leisure-which he did, abandoning all of his immense line of fortifications and railroad bridges, for the benefit of our Southern brethren. Then commenced the great foot race for Louisville, which was won by Buell, while Bragg was bagging the game on the way and capturing many thousands of federal troops.
After waiting at Louisville to reorganize, and for the large reinforcements the loyal North hurried to his aid- while Bragg and his army overran Kentucky-at length Buell leisurely moved his army into the neighborhood of the enemy, but carefully avoided giving battle.
When we reached Perryville, Bragg forced a fight with a portion of our army, and a whole hecatomb of lives of brave men was sacrificed-for what ? Let Don Carlos Buell answer. He was not even aware, for some hours, that there was a battle in progress ; which might possibly indicate that Bragg ungenerously failed to give due notice of his intentions. Our division was within easy reach, and for hours in line of battle, awaiting orders to move forward into the fight. At last they came.
Away down in memory's depths I can see that chiv- alric Kentuckian, Colonel H-, move to the front of his brigade,-his face newly shaven, his long hair smoothly combed back from his martial brow, mus- tachios freshly waxed, and twisted into rat-tails on each
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side his face ; his chapean-bras in hand, and with it gently beckoning forward his brave knights to the charge as he backed his caracoling steed with the skill and grace of a knight of old in list of tournament,-when lo ! the enemy were on their winding way in full retreat -the cravens.
We arrived only to find the battle-field strewn with the slain. Never was such a ghastly sight as was here presented-in cold blood to be called to look upon the slaughtered thousands-the enemy gone.
This was Buell's first and only battle. To him alone belongs the credit of this massacre. He was displaced from command, and compelled to render an account be- fore a tribunal presided over by-General Lew. Wallace.
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