USA > Indiana > The Forty-third Regiment of Indiana Volunteers : an historic sketch of its career and services > Part 4
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BY SERGEANT, JOHN C. MOSS.
A FTER a lapse of a few short years, I again step upon the stage to greet my comrades. By request of the brave boys of the 43d and our gallant Commader, William E. McLean, I will travel once more the long weary marches in the wilderness, climb the rugged mountains, cross the desolate prairie, and press on to Little Rock, to greet the Stars and Stripes, which float so proudly over our Nation to-day. At each Reunion the roll-call shows some brave boy mustered out. The ranks are thinning, but the hand clasp is just as warm, the fire of patriotism burns just as brightly as in 1861. My life has plowed along like a river, but the ocean of oblivion is near; former scenes, incidents, and memories, will then sink beneath its billows, but the work accom- plished by the "boys in blue," will live on and on forever.
In February, 1861, I, like many other boys of my age, (being then but seventeen), thought that I could learn more, see more, and, in short, could accomplish more among strangers than among friends. So, in accordance with these views, I informed my folks that I was going to leave my parental roof and obey the command of the late Horace Greely: "Young man, go West." Hence with
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grip in hand, I bade them adieu, and was soon enroute for Terre Haute, the first point in view. I reached the above place the 21st of the month. After a short rest I pushed on to Paris, Ills., where I found myself among strangers and penniless; for the 50 cents I had on starting had been expended. I now felt that I must procure work soon, or I might realize the feelings of a hungry boy. Fortunately, however, I secured a situation with Mr. Milo Hawkins, six miles north-west of Paris.
Just at this time it was the prevailing belief that War between the North and South was inevitable. I had already decided that if War was declared I would enlist at the first opportunity. And this was soon presented. I was informed that Captain Ridgley was organizing a Com- pany of three months' men at Paris. On reaching Paris I was somewhat embarrassed, but was not long in making my business known. I learned that Captain Ridgley was to speak at the M. E. Church that evening, after which a call would be made for Volunteers. When he had finished his address, which was full of patriotic sentiments, he an- nounced himself as ready for the reception of Volunteers. I, having forgotten my timidity, rushed forward and was among the first to enlist. At this time I knew not who would be our officers and cared not, for I was moved by justice, and did not want to see the flag of this grand old Republic insulted, and felt it was my duty, as an American citizen, to lend my assistance, for the perpetuation of this Republic, for which so many brave men laid down their lives. The company organized was mustered into the 12th Illinois, but I being sick at the expiration of my enlistment was mustered out and returned home.
In September, 1861, I assisted in recruiting the 43d Re- giment, and especially Company "G"., of which I had be- come a member. About the 1st of September, 1861, our
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Company was ready for organization. Chas. W. Moss was chosen Captain, Dr. Wyatt Ist Lieutenant, Jonathan M. Johns 2nd Lieutenant, and Joseph Wilgus Orderly Ser- geant. The other non-commissioned officers were ap- pointed by the Captain. Let us say just here that our Company was composed of just 101, one-hundred of whom were as good men and boys as ever shouldered a musket. Within a short time we were ordered to the front. We reached Evansville November 25, 1861. From this place we went to Spottsville, Ky., thence to Calhoun. From Calhoun we went to Owensborough, and from there to South Carrolton, Ky., where we fortified. Our next move was back to Calhoun. Thence on to Owensborough on a forced march to reenforce the troops stationed at Fort Donelson; but before reaching there we were ordered to report at Evansville. On reaching the last named place, we were ordered to assist in opening the Mis- sissippi. We remained with the fleet during the fall of Island No. 10, New Madrid, Fort Pillow, Memphis, Helena and Vicksburg. Preparations had been made for a grand celebration at Helena on the 4th of July, 1863. And it was a grand affair to be sure! The Rebels, under Generals Price, Marmaduke, and Shelby, appeared upon the ground, and a hotly contested battle ensued, in which were killed about six-hundred Rebels, our loss being light.
Our next point of attack was Little Rock. The Confeder- ates learning of our advance, abandoned the city, of which we took possession without bloodshed. We remained until the spring of 1864. The army, under the command of Major General Frederick Steele, took up the line of march for the purpose of co-operating with Gen. Banks at Shreveport, La., known in history as the "Banks Ex- pedition." We moved with little opposition until we reached Camden, Ark., where we went into camp. On our
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march, however, cccured the engagements at "Prairie de Ann" and Elkin's Ford. Gen. Banks, with the co-oper- ation of Porter's Fleet, met a series of disasters that ended in the failure of the movement against Shreveport. The loss, in men and material, was heavy, and the vessels, in consequence of a fall in the river, were only saved from capture or destruction, by a dam being constructed across the river, by which the boats were able to go over the falls. After the disaster at Shreveport, the Confederates con- centrated their forces against Gen. Steele. On the 21st of April we received orders to be in readiness to escort a wagon train, consisting of over 400 wagons to Pine Bluff. The 43d regiment when it left Camden numbered a little less than 400 men. It was under the immediate command, at the time, of Major Wesley W. Norris. Col. William E. McLean being detained on special duty at Camden, and Lieutenant Col. John C. Major being absent from the com- mand. The entire force consisting of three regiments, to-wit : the 43d Indiana, the 36th Iowa and the 77th Ohio, and one other company of the Ist Indiana cavalry all un- der the command of Lieutenant Colonel Francis N. Drake, of the 36th Iowa. Col. Kitridge, of the Iowa regi- ment, and Col. Mason, of the 77th Ohio, both being absent also from their commands. Col. McLean was to join the command the day following. The entire force guarding this bulky wagon train, stretching along as it did more than one mile, numbered about 1,200 men. The command was on the road as soon as the wagons could be put into position. We moved on uninterrupted the first day and went into camp at what is called Moro Swamp that night about six o'clock, at least two hours before we should have gone into camp. Having sent scouts ahead, we learned from them that the enemy was a short distance in front, and supposed to be in force. A consultation was held,
D. A. ORMAN, ist Lieutenant Co. "A."
THOMPSON BROWN, Co. "F" 43d Ind, Vols., Cloverdale, Ind.
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which resulted in a decision to proceed until we should meet the Rebs., and repulse them if possible. At 9 o'clock next morning we were ordered to march, the 43d in ad- vance of the wagons. We had gone about three miles when we met the foe. Company G was deployed to bring on the attack. We were not long in attracting their at- tention, for we had scarcely made a movement before we encountered a rebel regiment. The preliminaries were few. Very soon the fight begun in earnest. The sound of musketry stilled the din of both horse and wagon. The scene became terrible. Those to whom we were endeared by months of suffering and hardships together, were fall- ing on all sides never more to rise. But a short time had elapsed before the Confederates had their lines so formed as to compass our forces. Our company went into the fight with 33 as noble men as ever did military duty, 23 of which fell within the first thirty minutes of this fierce and disastrous struggle. The missiles of death were so thick that escape seemed impossible. The boys fell side by side, crossed each other, and in fact were found two and three deep in the depressions, thus presenting a most heart-rend- ing scene. The battle raged for four hours, but sur- render we did not. The artillery stood at their guns until the last one save the Lieutenant, was shot down, and he received a seyere wound. His last act before receiving the fatal shot was to send one more storm of grape and canister at the advancing foe, yet he knew that to face them was almost certain death. When last I saw him he was weep- ing bitterly for the unfortunate boys of the 43d, who had been his constant companions for many months of peril and anxiety. We did not surrender as a company, but were taken two or three at a time. They would charge on us, capturing a few, and we would return the compliment by a volley from our muskets. There were about fifty on the
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field who had not surrendered when Major Norris proposed to cut our way through the rebel lines or die in the attempt. We were within about 100 yards of Gen. Shelby's command, and were just ready to attempt the last desperate effort for freedom when a member of Com- pany C displayed his handkerchief from the end of his ramrod. Seeing this the rebels closed in and we were prisoners of war. The first thing they required of us was to exchange clothing. As they marched us off the field I saw a number of my comrades already stripped of their clothing-not a thing left upon them to serve as a winding sheet. And permit me to say right here to those who had friends killed at the battle of Marks Mill, that they were robbed of their clothing and left three days to bleach before interment. Some rebel commander is responsible to his God for this brutal conduct, unparalleled by any save the savage.
But a short time elapsed after becoming prisoners of War until we found ourselves waiting further orders. Here I found ten of Company G whose fate had been to survive the battle and to experience that which was worse than death-prison life in a rebel stockade. It was now about sunset, and we had eaten nothing since sunrise. Our new commander, a Col. Hill, ordered us into line. The order, "forward march," was then heard. A strong guard was placed on each side. In this manner we marched all that night and the next day until we reached the Washita River, where we were allowed to rest until the next moril- ing. Our supper consisted of a small piece of Johnny cake, the preparation of which could best be described by the American citizen of African descent. This was the first food we had tasted since the morning of the battle-a space of 36 hours. "Marks Mill"' marked the first and only disaster suffered by the 43d Regiment, in all its history.
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THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MARKS' MILL DISASTER. WHO SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR IT?
T N regard to the unfortunate events which led to the capture of the "McLean Brigade" at Marks Mill, I re- flect the universal sentiment of the officers of the 43d with whom the subject was discussed. The entire responsibility of the Camden disaster must be charged to the officer in command, Lieutenant Colonel Francis M. Drake of the 36th Iowa. The orders which he had received from Col. McLean, explicitly given, and of which every officer of the 43d was familiar, was for the command not to go into camp until communication was made with Gen. Clayton's forces at Pine Bluff. Contrary to this explicit order, Col. Drake went into camp about 6 o'clock, or really before that, as it was before sundown. Had he continued the march for three hours longer he would have crossed the Saline River, and got into full communication with Gen. Clayton. What was his special object in disobeying this explicit order can only be conjectured. If he really want- ed a fight, he was accommodated to a much greater extent than he could have anticipated. At 6 o'clock in the event- ing, after the brigade had gone into camp, information was received that the enemy, in full force, was approaching, and that they would be between our forces and the Saline River by day light the next morning. Drake called a council of war at which practically all of the officers of the brigade were present, and this fact was made known to them. Col. Drake, however, closed the consultation by declaring that they would remain in camp, meet the enemy in the morning, and give them a thrashing. While this in-
ยท
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action upon part of Col. Drake in not continuing the march was the supreme disaster to "McLean's Brigade" it was what saved Gen. Steele's poor demoralized army, in its hurried retreat from Camden back to Little Rock. To the main body of that army it was a God send. Had Drake continued to march and got into Pine Bluff, the enemy, experiencing no opposition on their march, would have easily got between Steele's retreating army and Jenkins' Ferry, and the inevitable result would have been the cap- ture of Steele's army, and the irreparable loss to the Union cause of the whole trans-Mississippi department. Had Col. McLean been personally present with the brigade, instead of having been on special duty assigned him by Gen. Steele at Camden, the disaster to the brigade, it was be- lieved by all, would not have occurred, but a still greater disaster would have befallen Steele's army. In making this statement I simply reflect the universal sentiment of every officer and almost every man of that brigade so often expressed. Colonel Drake was wounded in the engage- ment. The wound and the good services which he had before rendered at the battle of Elkins' Ford, and the further fact that he was overwhelmed by greatly superior numbers at Marks Mill, made him subsequently, Gover- nor of the great State of Iowa. It is well, however, to re- flect that Col. Drake was an ardent supporter of the politi- cal party so long in ascendency in that State. The loss of the greater part of the "McLean Brigade," at Marks Mill, was, however, the salvation of Steele's army at Jenkin's Ferry. From that standpoint it was a great Union victory.
The third day we marched into Camden, the place we had left on the 23d. We were crowded into an old cotton house and required to remain there several days, when we were ordered to Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas. The march to our new home in the "Lone Star State," was begun cheer-
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fully ; for any thing was, we thought, better than our condition in the cotton house. Major Hill was a gentle- man, and treated us the best he could under the circum- stances. The guards, too, were good fellows, and allowed us all the privileges they dared. We crossed Red River at Shreveport. Nothing unusual occurred on our journey. On reaching "Camp Ford" we were counted as so many cattle, and turned into the stockade, which consisted of 8 acres, enclosed with a palisade of split pine logs, 8 feet of which protruded from the ground. Just outside was placed a strong guard. On the inside a line was drawn, ten feet from the fence, known as the "dead line." The 43d was consigned to quarters in the southwest corner of the enclo- sure. The first day was spent in inspection, forming ac- quaintances, etc. I learned that there were 3,608 prisoners within the stockade, consisting of all nationalities, and from every State in the Union.
The broad spreading canopy of heaven, with the sun by day and its moon and twinkling stars by night, was our only shelter. We had no sheds or tents to protect us from the scorching sun or the beating rain. After some days, however, the rebel commander, Col. Allen, issued an order permitting 100 men to pass out of the stockade daily for the purpose of collecting fuel and gathering brush, with which to construct shades. A strong guard accompanied us while in the woods. We soon had our shades completed, which kept off the direct rays of the sun, and for which we were very grateful, notwithstanding this was the product of our own labor. Each morning we fell into line for roll- call. It was the duty of the Confederate Sergeant to make the count, but instead of doing so, he would deputize the First Sergeant of each Yankee Company to call, and he would stand at our back and look over our shoulder to see, as we thought, whether or not we called the roll correctly.
.
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We soon ascertained, however, that he could not read. One morning I decided to test his scholastic ability, so in calling the roll I missed several names, and thus confirmed my be- lief in his illiteracy. This knowledge was of vital import- ance to us.
Major C. W. Moss was taken sick soon after reaching Camp Ford. As soon as he was able he was permitted to pass out of the prison on a "parole of honor". Soon after this he and Major Norris, who was a physician, were assigned duty at the hospital. The sick increased so rapidly that it became necessary to enlarge the hospital. Major Moss was detailed to pass out of prison with ten men to work on its construction, but was required to report at a stated time in the evening. All nurses liad a pass which permitted them to pass out of the stockade, ablibitem. I had been trying to devise some plan of escape, so I bor- rowed a pass from one of the nurses, which I copied, and to see if my plan would work, gave him the pass I had written and kept the original. I went with him to the gate and saw that he passed out all right on the pass I had written. I then felt sure that I could make myself useful. The first persons to whom I furnished passes were Chas. Davis and David Adams. When all was in readiness I accompanied them to the gate, where I beheld them pass out as nurses, unsuspected, to enjoy a ramble. They succeeded in reach- ing the Federal lines at Little Rock after several weeks travel. I passed out several of the boys, one of whom, Otho Hamilton, of our Company, was captured and brought back. The Rebels hung him until he was almost dead, to make him tell who assisted him in his escape, and who escaped with him. He bore the torture manfully, but wouldn't divulge the secret. Had he yielded my life would have paid the penalty. Almost all my companions who were able to travel having passed out, I concluded to try
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my own luck. Capt. Whitridge, Serg. Fisk, John Johns, of Company H., and myself, conferred with Capt. Moss as to our plans, and solicited his assistance. The plan agreed upon' was to go into the woods with the Captain's squad of men, he being allowed to take ten men out to work. At noon he was to return to the stockade with six, and leave us four in the woods. If he was not detected, lie was to return after noon with his full number, ten, so that they would count all right at night. The last day of September, 1864, was the time set to make the trial for liberty. We had gotten all the possible information concerning the geography of the country through which we had to travel. We stored a couple of haversacks with parched corn and jerked beef. We passed out of the prison as previously planned, but did not do much work that forenoon. At noon the Captain returned to the stockade with six men, and the guards asked no questions. In the afternoon he returned with his full number, and when we saw them com- ing we knew that our plans had succeeded. We spent the afternoon in consumating our plans, and just as the sun was sinking behind the western hills, the Captain informed us he would be expected in camp soon. We secreted our- selves in the lap of a tree which had been felled. Captain Moss threw some brush over us, to conceal us from the rebels until we were ready to begin our journey proper. This being done all gave us a parting hand, saying, "our prayers shall be for your success". Just after dark two Rebels from a camp near by came and watered their horses within a few feet of us. We remained concealed until everything was quiet about the camp, and then we emerged from our hiding place and commenced our journey. The night was excessively dark, and flash after flash of light- ning rent the heavens; peal after peal of thunder deadened every sound. This was to our advantage. However, we
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found it very difficult to determine the direction we wished to travel. The only plan by which we could keep our course was by feeling the bark of the trees. In that section the rough bark grows on the north side of the trees, also the moss grows on that side. We desired to travel in a northwestern direction until we should reach the Red River. The next morning found us several miles from Camp Ford. We secreted ourselves during the day, as we thought it would be unsafe to travel then. We even carried on all conversation in whispered tones, as the country was teem- ing with bush-whackers, and we knew not when we might be overheard. Each of us carried a hickory cane, on which we cut a notch each evening. On Sundays we cut a dot. This served as our calendar. These canes, with an old butcher knife, were our only instruments of combat. Sec- tions of country through which we traveled in Texas were thickly settled. Hence it became evident that we must be very cautious. The second day we lay in secret until night, when we partook of what we had to eat, again beginning our journey. We selected the North Star as a guide and pushed on, nothing unusual occuring during the night. Just at dawn the next morning we came to a large planta- tion, which was the last thing we desired to see. We de- cided, however, that we could cross it without the occu- pants discovering us. We succeeded in reaching the fur- ther side but found ourselves between two plantations. Our only chance was to conceal ourselves in a clump of woods which lay between the two premises. Here we lay all day in sight of the houses; in fact saw the negroes pass- ing to and fro, within a few steps of us. We dared not raise up, or speak to each other, but were compelled to lay until night without a morsel to eat or a drop of water. We will leave you to guess the apparent length of that day to 11s. When night came and all was quiet, we arose from
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our concealment and continued our journey. Night after night we traveled, frequently crossing streams which we had to swim. The Twenty-first night of our journey we reached Red River. The stream was wide and had the appearance of being deep. Captains Whitridge and Fisk were not expert swimmers, and were not willing to attempt to swim a stream so wide. We constructed a raft of logs upon which Whitridge and Fisk perched themselves. Johns and I pushed the raft into the current and waded to the opposite shore, having found no swimming water. We landed about a quarter of a mile down the river, after hav- ing a desperate struggle with the current which was very swift. We destroyed our raft, and were not long in get- ting away from the river as we had landed near a public road. At daylight the next morning we found ourselves on a pinnacle of the Ozark mountains. On looking to the east, north, and west we could see nothing but mountains. To the south we could view what seemed to be an endless plain, stretching its endless border far beyond Camp Ford. This country was a wilderness, there being no signs of habitation. The only creatures to break the monotony of our sad and irksome travels were bears, panthers, wolves, catamounts, deer and other wild animals. We had eaten our last morsel of meal and beef days before. Our shoes had become untenable, and our clothes were in tatters. We had yet 300 miles to go before we reached the Federal lines. Barefooted and nothing to eat but acorns, grapes, and fruits, we found it impossible to travel after night, through this rough, rocky country. We rested until noon when we took up the line of march due north. We made a very good headway that afternoon, and camped on a small mountain stream; here Johns caught a small animal re- sembling an opossum. We ventured to strike a fire and soon had its carcass broiling. Our supper consisted of meat
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and grapes. After supper we reviewed our travels, and despite our sufferings decided our present circumstances were preferable to being at Camp Ford. We felt a little independent, for we knew that we could exist for quite a while upon the products of the country through which we were passing.
For 10 days we traveled through this wild trackless country without seeing any sign of habitation. On the 33d day, however, we came to a small opening, which on ap- proaching, we found to be a small field, containing a cabin. On peering from the thicket we were not a little surprised to see a squaw picking peas. On seeing us she ran to the house where we followed her. Fisk, who could talk the Indian language, asked her where the buck was. She mo- tioned to the inner house; on entering we confronted a very tall Indian, dressed in the Federal Uniform. He met us with "how, how", at the same time pointing to seats. We each took a seat near a gun (there was one standing in each corner of the room), intending to use them if necessary. At first he pretended that lie did not understand English. Fisk told him that we were Rebel soldiers who had been in Boyce Co., Texas, on a furlough, and were on our way to Washington, Ark., where the regiment was stationed. He then began asking questions in English; wanted to see our "past" as he called it. We told him that we lost them in the Red River. This seemed to satisfy him that we were Johnnys. He ordered his squaw to prepare us some din- ner, which she soon had ready, and consisted of bread, sweet potatoes, squashes and some kind of meat. We learned from him that we were about 260 miles from Little Rock. After we had finished dinner he invited us to smoke with him. Johns asked him where he got his Uniform to which he replied "that he was in the battle of Marks Mill," and had killed and scalped and robbed one of our
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