USA > New Hampshire > A history of the Eleventh New Hampshire Regiment, Volunteer Infantry in the rebellion war, 1861-1865, pt 1 > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
At our right, and some distance away. stood the black- ened walls of the state-house, that was burned one year or more before-a monument marking the terrible desola- tion of war. As we marched down the broad street, with waving flags and gleaming bayonets, the Second Brigade band poured forth some of its best notes upon the morn- ing air, and brought the most violent rebels to their doors to see us pass, and look upon troops better dressed and better drilled than their own army, which they had just seen depart from their midst in a flight of utter disorder, a perfect " skedaddle." The moving of the troops and the loud strains of music vividly reminded me of the old song so common in the days of the Mexican War :
" Under the walls of Monterey At daybreak the bugles began to play."
The citizens-what few there were left of them-looked sour and sad : they doubtless wished us in that place where huge fires are made of brimstone by experienced firemen, and are kept burning day and night the year round. They held a handkerchief to their faces as
106
ELEVENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
they watched the long lines of blue sweep past. L. re- marked that some of the young ladies smiled upon him, - and he made up his mind that they would all " go in for the Union to a man." Many of the dry remarks we made caused a smile to creep over their faces, where tears were trickling only a short time before.
The colored people were in their glory. No big tears rolled down their ebony cheeks : they whooped, danced. sung, and husked their white ivories as they cheered " Mass'r Linkum's men." They had been living in con- stant fear while the rebel army held the city ; but on that morning they looked as though they had a big load lifted from their shoulders, and they were wild with joy. From their very souls they felt that " the year of jubilee " had come, and the long-looked-for day had dawned when they could run and awaken .. Nicodemus of old." so often mentioned in the old song. We made no more halts, but hastened onward. each regiment trying to be the first to enter the panic-stricken town, while
" Drums and trumpets echoed loudly, Waved the crimson banners proudly."
As we had expected, the rebel army had really evacu- ated the city, and had retreated to Meridian. The strong picket force they left to watch the movements of the Union army up to daylight, together with many others of their army, hid in the woods with the citizens for the sole purpose of being taken prisoners. They informed us, when captured, that they were tired of fighting. had seen all the war they cared to, and were glad to fall into the hands of the Union army. We reached the city in a very short time .- in less time than I can tell it .- finding many of the large blocks in flames : many of them were piles of smoking ruins. Had not the Union boys taken hold and extinguished the flames, in a few hours more
1
107
A WHISKEY BET.
they could have said very truthfully, " Black ashes note where our proud city stood." The burning of everything to prevent its falling into our hands was cutting their own fingers badly without injury to us ; but that was the work of the rebel army, and was severely denounced by those who were left in the city. During our stay in that place we occupied Court-house square, where we stacked our guns and watched the fury of the flames across the street. On the back part of the square the prisoners were placed under guard until they could be paroled.
Very early on Monday morning, July 20, the Ninth Corps started on the return march to Milldale and Sny- der's Bluff, where we were to take boats and return to the promised land of " Old Kaintuck." The general com- manding the Ninth Corps, and another general whose name I have forgotten, bet a canteen of whiskey that one could march his corps back to Milldale in less time then the other. A canteen of corn juice was a very small quantity for two generals to bet on in such extremely hot weather, nevertheless it was done. As one brigade after another moved away, we bade good-bye to the fields, the woods, and the valleys. and gazed upon the distant spires of Jackson for the last time while engaged as soldiers of the illustrious " Uncle Sam." We did not expect to go so far south again during our term of ser- vice, consequently we were bidding adieu to Dixie. the land of the magnolia and cotton, to go to other green fields and pastures new, not forgetting that we had shared with her people .. hard times down in Dixie." And yet, perhaps our next campaign would be just as severe, wherever it might chance to be.
We had a little something in the way of rations issued to us the night before, Sunday evening, and more were promised for the next morning. On the morning of our departure we were all on our feet and equipped by day-
108
ELEVENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
light, but saw no rations. There were no more rations to issue to the troops, but every man received half a candle. which caused some sport and a good deal of swearing. "Got so many candles that the mules can't draw 'em, and they are packed off upon us to carry !" growled L. It is rather laughable, as we think of it now ; but we saw instances of that kind very often then. so it was nothing new. The last thing before leaving camp the shout was raised that the mail had arrived. Although it was a small one, there were many white-winged missives distributed, it being the first mail we had seen during the campaign. The letters were precious mementos from the homes so far away, and where we all prayed to be when the cruel war was over.
We started off on the long march that morning as though we were pursued by the rebel army; nor did the pace slacken. but rather increased. until we reached our destination. " What does it all mean?" we asked ; and the answer we received was, " The boats are all waiting on the Yazoo river to take you back to Cairo." But the whole story was a black lie gotten up to hurry us on, as we were all very anxious to soldier on the soil of Ken- tucky once more. In consequence of the rapid march- ing, with no halt for rest or rations, under the extreme heat of a July sun, as a matter of course many were obliged to fall out. We all hung together pretty well until about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. when we were forced to look out for ourselves ; and very soon soldiers from every regiment in the army could be seen scattered along the way-side. When night came on, no halt was made. It was the same rapid march onward ; and, as we did not know anything about the whiskey bet, we were all more puzzled than ever to know why we were so hard pushed, especially since we were going away from the enemy and there were no rebels in our
109
A STRAGGLING MARCH.
front ; and what it could all mean was a mystery. Long after dark we took the matter into our own hands for a while. and fell out to spend the night by the road-side, thinking that we had marched far enough that day, the distance being over twenty miles. The place where we stopped was near Brownsville, a dirty Mississippi village. and nearly deserted save by the old people and by the blacks.
The army was so badly scattered that when we halted for the night we were all in a confused mass. Many of the soldiers did not stop at this place, but continued to trudge on in the darkness; but as the men of other regiments came up and saw us resting, they exclaimed, "Fell out for the night. boys?" and, upon receiving our answer. they quickly dropped from the ranks. remarking as they did so, " Boys, we're with ye !" We started on again at an early hour the next morning, being a little ahead of the lark, and the way we marched that day was a terror to all soldiers, and astonished the natives. About 5 o'clock that morning two or three of the Second Brigade band made a halt,-after marching two or three hours .- and prepared to make coffee. When they were about ready to ask a blessing over what little there was spread before them. General Parke rode up, and asked, " What are you doing here?" "Making coffee," was the answer. " What corps do you belong to?" inquired the general. " The Ninth." was the reply. " Well. d-n it! don't you know that the Ninth Corps is stretched all along the road for six miles? Get up and go on !" roared the general, as his eyes flashed from the effects of the canteen of whiskey he had bet. " Yes, we will," answered the boys, and at once prepared to do so, but as soon as the general was out of sight they made their coffee all the same. contented to let the corps stretch out another six miles. All the troops started for the day's
---
IIO
ELEVENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
march at an early hour, and all day we measured off the miles with our feet at a lively pace, and sun-strokes were frequent.
The route back to Milldale was not the one we marched over in going to Jackson. By the change we found more water by the road-side, which aided us very much ; but when I say more water, I do not wish to be understood as saying that we found enough to keep us from suffering, by any means. Long before noon the entire army was marching to suit its own convenience, lagging behind no more than could be helped, not know- ing how near the rebel guerillas were to us, watching our movements. There was no order at all during the march, owing to the rapid way it was commenced. The army was so scattered for miles that the only adequate description would be, " completely demoralized." A regi- ment is always supposed to be where the commanding officer or the colors are, but on that march no one could tell where that was. We hardly knew to what regiment we did belong. I asked a colored teamster if his wagon was a Ninth Corps wagon, and his answer was, "Dun- no, massa, dunno," which made it very certain that the teamsters were all demoralized as well as the troops.
About all we did know on that day was that we were on the march, or, more properly, on the double-quick : we were very certain of that. A strong rear-guard, with strict orders to drive any man along who fell out, as is always the case when on the march, followed the long and straggling line of blue, but it did no good : they themselves were all used up, and straggled as badly as the regiments they were supposed to push along, and very soon there was no rear-guard at all. When we asked a brother soldier, whom we overtook on the dusty road, " To what regiment do you belong? " very likely his answer would be, " I used to belong to the
III
THE "HOG RAID."
Regiment, but cuss my brass buttons if I know where I do belong to-day." That march was a severe one, and there are many of the old comrades living to-day who were there, and they can testify to the facts as I have stated them.
We marched until a late hour that night, and bivouacked in a large field of corn, such as is common in Missis- sippi, about three miles east of the Big Black river. In that immense corn-field were countless numbers of sol- diers-many thousands in all-belonging to many differ- ent regiments. Upon the outside, and also among the troops, was a large number of horses and mules, belong- ing to the supply trains and ambulances. In fact, it was one perfect jam of soldiers, horses, mules, and wag- ons, covering several acres. The night was really passed in one of the worst places we had seen that day ; . for lying on rows of corn was not very comfortable, you may rest assured.
It must have been near midnight when most of the troops arrived there, and the writer was about to say, " Now I lay me," when he heard the loud command at some distance away, and echoing far and wide, then caught up by the officers. "Fall in, men ! for God's sake fall in ! the rebels are coming !" A Dutchman from a Pennsylvania regiment ran past me, shouting at the top of his voice, " Mein Gott in Himmel ! we ish gone up dish time!" while another frenzied Teuton ran in the opposite direction calling to his comrades, " Come on mit me. Tunder und blixen, we vash gone to der tyful. sure !" All the while could be heard the orders from the officers, " Fall in, men, lively !" and then we heard the order to " Fix bayonets !" all of which passed much more quickly than I can tell it. With all the excitement it was truly laughable.
We soon found that it was not a rebel raid, but a hog
----
-
II2
ELEVENTH .NEW HAMPSHIRE.
raid. A large number of hogs ran out of the woods at some distance south of us with that " Ough ! ough !" so common in hog language, and the horses and mules be- coming very much frightened broke and ran for dear life toward the sleeping army. With all the tramping of so many horses and mules, no wonder we thought the rebels were charging upon us. We had a long laugh over the matter. it being the first thing of the kind that ever happened to us in all our army life: and at this late day the ". hog raid in Mississippi " lives fresh and green in the memory of those who were there, and who will never call it to mind without a laugh. The. Second Bri- gade remained in a piece of woods in a valley all the next forenoon. At noon the march was resumed, when we crossed the Big Black river. A violent thunder-shower · came up about five o'clock, and the rain fell in torrents. We went on our way slowly over the muddy roads. going up a long hill. The mud was deep and dark- ness coming on, so we were obliged to stop for the night by the roadside. An old cotton gin near by was packed with troops, while many made their beds for the night upon the wet grass, with the black, floating clouds for a covering. We were up with the lark the next morning, and were soon on the march. The day was scalding hot. and at noon we feasted on green corn and peaches. In many places we found ripe figs growing in the yards of the wealthy planters. The colored people who lived along our line of march were very glad to see us, and, when we informed them that Vicksburg and Jackson had fallen, they were wild with delight, and exclaimed, " Golly ! what'll ole mas'er say now?" Their very looks plainly told that there was freedom on the old plantation for the first time. In the afternoon we reached our old camp at Milldale. as straggling and tired a lot of men as ever was seen. There we rested for a
113
HORACE CLINTON BACON.
few days in the shade of the oaks, from which the long gray moss drooped so gracefully ; and near by the green cane-brakes grew in great abundance.
BIOGRAPHIC SKETCHES.
CAPTAIN HORACE CLINTON BACON.
Horace Clinton Bacon was born in Newton, Mass., December 14, 1823; was educated at Phillips Exeter academy, studied law with Hon. John S. Wells, was admitted to the bar May 3, 1850, and commenced the practice of law under the firm name of Wells & Bacon. He was a member of the staff of Governor Nathaniel B. Baker in 1854, with the rank of colonel. In I855 he took up his residence in Sioux City, Iowa, where he remained until 1860, when he removed to Epping, N. H., from which place, without enlisting, he was commis- sioned, September 4, 1862, captain of Company A, Elev- enth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers. He was with the regiment at Fredericksburg, and a portion of the time afterward was judge advocate upon the staff of General S. D. Sturgis, commanding the Second Division. Ninth Corps. At the time of Morgan's raid at Cincin- nati. in 1863, he was provost marshal of Central Ken- tucky, and was in command of twelve hundred men. He was honorably discharged from the United States service "on account of disability from wounds received in action," by special orders No. 204, of the War Depart- ment. June 11, 1864, and was discharged from the hos- pital June 15, 1864.
Since the war closed he has been superintendent of schools at Epping ; then removing to Lawrence, Mass ..
S
II4
ELEVENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
was elected from that city a member of the Massachu- setts legislature in 1872 and 1873, and a member of the state senate in 1874. He was for several years one of the land commissioners of Massachusetts, and in ISSo commenced the practice of law in Boston. Since 1882 he has not practised his profession on account of increas- ing disability. He resides in Lawrence, Mass. Captain Bacon received a severe wound in the head at Freder- icksburg, leading his men most gallantly in that terrific slaughter. From the effects of this wound he has had long years of suffering.
LIEUTENANT GILMAN B. JOHNSON.
Gilman B. Johnson was born in Epsom, N. H., July 24, 1834, and received his education in the schools of that town and Epping, in which town he resided at the breaking out of the war. On September 4, 1862, he was commissioned second lieutenant of Company A. Eleventh New Hampshire Volunteers. He participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg, was with the regiment in its Kentucky and Mississippi campaigns, and then went over the mountains with it to Knoxville, taking a promi- nent part in the entire East Tennessee campaign. Lieu- tenant J. F. Briggs having resigned as quartermaster of the Eleventh Regiment, Lieutenant Johnson, who had been acting as quartermaster, was, at the request of all the officers of the regiment. commissioned quartermaster of the Eleventh Regiment, April 22, 1864, at Annapolis, Md., which position he held until the muster out of the regiment, June 4, 1865. Lieutenant Johnson brought to the discharge of his duties as quartermaster untiring energy and activity, and amid all the dangers of the last campaign, ever brought his train through in safety. He won the regard of his superior officers, and was officially
Jewell D. Litton
115
SEWELL D. TILTON.
complimented near the close of the war as being the most faithful quartermaster in the Second Division.
Since the war he has resided most of the time, and still resides, in Concord, where he has been engaged in the boot and shoe business, selling throughout the state. He was a member of Governor S. W. Hale's staff. with the rank of Brigadier-General, in 1883-'S4, and was elected commissary-general for the state. He was for several years elected quartermaster of the Veterans' Association at the Weirs. In 1888 he was chosen one of the aldermen for the city of Concord for two years, and was reelected in 1890 for the same length of time. He took a very active and prominent part in the erection of the Regimental Head-Quarters building in connection with the Ninth New Hampshire Volunteers, at the Weirs, and to his efforts is largely due the elegant home of the regiment by Lake Winnipiseogee.
CAPTAIN SEWELL D. TILTON.
Sewell D. Tilton was born in Deerfield, N. H., December 9, 1824, and lived there until 1853, when he removed to Raymond, N. H., where he resided until his death. He was at one time adjutant of the Eighteenth Regiment, state militia, and in 1857 was one of the selectmen of Raymond. His occupation was that of a farmer. In August. 1862, in connection with Lieutenant Isaac H. Morrison, of Deerfield, he assisted in raising a company which was designated as Company B. for the Eleventh Regiment. He was commissioned captain of the company. September 4, 1862, and followed the for- tunes of the regiment, save at Fredericksburg, being then ill, until July 30, 1864, when he was severely wounded while in command of the regiment. After the
I16
ELEVENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
return from Mississippi and while the regiment lay at London, Ky .. he received a furlough of twenty days. and returned to his home. At its expiration he reported at Cincinnati, and was ordered to report to Colonel S. G. Griffin, commandant of the post at Camp Nelson, Ky. He with other officers was placed in charge of a large supply train. cattle and horses, and a large number of convalescents. for Knoxville. Ile reached Cumberland Gap the day Longstreet surrounded Knoxville, and could proceed no farther until the siege was raised. During the siege of Knoxville he was engaged under General A. B. Willcox in guarding the fords of Clinch river and the passes in the Clinch mountains, East Ten- nessee-a service full of dangers from exposure, and with liability of being killed by the guerillas who infested that region, as he travelled alone from post to post looking after the pickets. After the siege was raised he rejoined his regiment, and was in command of it until relieved by Colonel Harriman. He participated in the heavy battles during the last campaign in which the regiment was engaged. and was prominent in capturing the rebel bat- tery at the Shand House on the morning of June 17. 1864. He was in command of the regiment at the explo- sion of the Mine on the 30th of July following, where he received a severe wound, preventing his doing any further duty in the field.
After months spent in the hospitals at various points. and a short furlough at his home, he was placed on light duty at New Haven, Ct., as a recruiting officer, where he remained until the close of the war, and was mustered out with his regiment June 4, 1865.
After the' war. Captain Tilton served three years as one of the commissioners for Rockingham county, was for many years a member of the board of education for the town of Raymond, and was a member of the staff of
117
ISAAC H. MORRISON.
Governor Harriman, with the rank of colonel. He was quite prominent in the G. A. R., being at one time sen- ior vice-commander for the department of New Hamp- shire, but declined any further promotion, much to the regret of his friends. He was one of the oldest members in the state of the order of I. O. O. F., in which he had filled many important positions. He died quite suddenly at his home in Raymond, May 20, 1891, and was buried by both of the orders of which he had been such an hon- orable member.
-
CAPTAIN ISAAC H. MORRISON.
Isaac H. Morrison was born in Deerfield, N. H., October 2, 1829, in the house erected by his great-grand- father in 1774. Some of his ancestors were engaged in the siege of Londonderry, Ireland, in 1689. He received his education in the common schools of the town, and at the academies at Pembroke and Hampton Falls. His occupation is that of a farmer.
He enlisted as a private August 15, 1862, and, by the men afterwards organized and mustered into the United States service as Company B, Eleventh New Hampshire Volunteers, was chosen first lieutenant, and received his commission as such September 4, 1862. He was hon- orably discharged from the service September 2, 1864, because of wounds received at Bethesda church, Va., June 2. 1864. Up to and including this battle, he had participated in every one in which the regiment had been engaged, as well as in the skirmishes. He was in com- mand of Company B at the battle of Fredericksburg. re- ceiving three separate wounds. He was also in command of Company B in the East Tennessee campaign, and during the siege of Knoxville was several times brigade officer of the day. When the regiment returned from
I18
ELEVENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE.
East Tennessee, he came by rail in charge of regimental and head-quarters baggage of the Second Division of the Ninth Army Corps.
At the battle of 'Spottsylvania he had command of companies C and I as skirmishers on the advance of the regiment, and captured thirty men and two commissioned officers. At Tolopotomoy creek, on the morning of June 2, he was placed in command of Company I, and still had command when wounded on the evening of that day. July 22, 1864, he was promoted to a captaincy and assigned to Company K, but was not mustered, as he was unable to be with the regiment because of his wounds. The following account. from his own pen, of his record will be read with much interest :
"After leaving our position on the right at Tolopoto- moy creek, we marched by the left in rear of the Second, Fifth, and Sixth corps, and had halted for coffee, but before getting it ready the rebels swung around and attacked our rear. We got into line double-quick, be- hind some old rifle-pits, and sent out a skirmish line. The Ninth New Hampshire was on our right, and a division composed of heavy artillery and dismounted cavalry on our left. About dark we received word that the skirmish line was not complete, and Company A was ordered to fill the gap. I connected with our line on the right, but did not find the skirmishers of the divi- sion on our left. when, hearing the sound of troops a little in advance, I left my men and went to reconnoitre. I advanced some ten or fifteen rods across the corner of a swamp, and found the . rebs' just forming a line of battle. I then turned about, and saw three men advancing towards our lines in a diagonal direction ; they discov- ered me about the same time. I came promptly to them and ordered them forward, and they, in the dark, sup- posing me to be one of their officers, obeyed orders,
119
HOLLIS O. DUDLEY.
and were close to my command, when they turned to shoot me; but I ordered my men to shoot, and they surrendered. I then ascertained that the division on our left had no skirmishers, and I commenced to draw the left of my line back to protect the left flank, when a gun was cocked and the cap exploded close to me. I at once ordered · Come in !' but he did not come, but discharged his rifle, the ball passing through my right arm. My skirmishers fired upon him, and a man was found dead near that spot in the morning. This was the last duty I performed in the service."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.