USA > Ohio > A history of the Eleventh regiment, (Ohio volunteer infantry,) containing the military record of each officer and enlisted man of the command -a list of deaths-an account of the veterans-incidents of the field and camp-names of the three months' volunteers, etc., etc > Part 5
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*The Eleventh was placed in Scammon's Brigade after the capture of Col Moore.
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The laurel being in places almost impenetrable, the Regiment became somewhat disorganized, but Col. Coleman rapidly reformed the broken ranks, and moved forward to the fray. Some forty of the men, with a couple of officers, became sparated from the command in the dense thickets, and, encountering rebels in all directions, did some very effective independent fighting.
The ever-changing features of the battle-field after a time again threw our Regiment together, and it took its place in the line formed for a general advance. At the sound of the "charge" the Kanawha Division moved forward, and engaged in deadly conflict with the truest and bravest soldiers of which the "Confederacy" could boast, who were commanded by Gen. D. H. Hill. So dense was the laurel that the troops were obliged, in many places, to move in single file, and our lines consequently became much broken. However, the men moved forward, and when separated from their commands each one acted for himself, and struck where he saw his blows were most needed. Simmons' and McMullen's (Ohio) batteries were driven close up to the rebel ranks, and being handled with consummate skill and bearing, rendered efficient service on this hard fought field.
After the rout of the rebels, the Division fell back and reformed for the purpose of repelling a threatened attack on the left. A fresh brigade of Union troops arriving about this time, drove the enemy back with considerable slaughter. The Regiment bivouacked in line of battle- one rank guarding while the other slept, or rather rested, as the night was too chilly for sleep-the knapsacks, blankets, &c., having been left in the rear.
Gen. Reno, commanding the Ninth Corps, was killed by a rebel sharpshooter, late in the day. The command of the
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corps was then given to Gen. Cox, and of the Kanawha Division to Col. Crook.
The wounded were sent to Middletown, where general hospitals had been established. To many of the citizens of that place-especially the noble women-the wounded men of the Eleventh are under lasting obligations. All was done for the relief of the sufferers that the most heart- felt sympathy for the men and the cause could do, and many recovered, who, under less kind and constant atten- tion, would in all probability have died.
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CHAPTER XIV.
On the afternoon of the 15th, the Division was again in motion. The enemy was found in force at Antietam Creek, and on the 16th, arrangements were made by both McClel- lan and Lee for
THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM.
Early on the morning of the ever memorable 17th of September, Co. F was sent out on the skirmish line, with instructions from Col. Coleman to watch the enemy very closely, and to immediately inform him or Col. Crook of any movements made by them. Capt. Teverbaugh had scarcely given the necessary instructions to his company before a lively musketry fire was opened by the rebels from their works below the bridge at Antietam Creek, which was returned by the right of his line. After a short time Acting Adjutant Curtis came forward with an order for Capt. T. to withdraw his company, move to the right and act as a reserve to Company C, then skirmishing under command of Capt. Street. While the men were moving in obedience to this order Col. Coleman came riding along on his favorite horse, "Old Bull," presenting a conspicuous mark to the rebel sharpshooters. Upon the advice of Capt. T. the Colonel dismounted, as he was unnecessarily
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exposing himself, but alas! the precaution was of but tem- porary avail.
It must be borne in mind that our Regiment formed part of that wing of the army commanded by General Burnside, whose forces were required to perform the hardest task of all. The Eleventh had been engaged at intervals all the morning, and when the order came for Burnside to attack, took its place in the line for the forward movement. The order was to "carry the bridge, gain the heights beyond, and advance along their crest to Sharpsburg, and reach the rear of the enemy." The bridge was a stone structure, twelve feet wide and one hundred and fifty feet long, with three arches. Six thousand rebels were in splen- did position across the stream, their artillery swept the bridge, the approach to which was a narrow road. On the other side the country was much broken, a limestone ridge sheltered the rebels, and behind every rock and log were sharpshooters in great numbers. Skirmishers were thrown out, and the column moved forward. Simmons' and McMullen's batteries were raining their deadly missiles among the rebels' ranks, who in turn sent volley after volley from their muskets and artillery in the faces of our advancing troops. Bravely the men struggled forward, but in vain. The steady stream of canister poured from the rebel cannon forced the line to waver, and finally to fall back.
In this forward movement Col. Coleman received the wound which caused his death in a few hours. In advance of his men, cheering them on, and closing up their broken ranks, he fell with his face to the foe.
Burnside sent to MeClellan for reinforcements, but none were given him. He was ordered to " assault the bridge and carry it at all hazards," and again the lines were formed
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for the desperate work. The Eleventh had found shelter in an orchard, where, after their nearly empty cartridge boxes were replenished, they formed for whatever duty fell to their lot. They were soon in line again.
With more than human endurance the men rush forward. The bridge is carried, the rebels are driven from their retreat, and flee in confusion from our victorious troops. Following up the requirements of the order received in the morning to advance along the crest of the heights to Sharpsburg, Burnside's troops follow up the advantage gained, fighting at every step. Lee, weakening the left of his line, concentrated a heavy force against Burnside, with the intention of cutting him off from the main army. The position of our troops was a desperate one, but they fought on. Burnside again sends for help, saying he "must have more troops and guns. If you do not send them I can not hold my position half an hour."
Porter's corps and a division of Franklin's corps had not participated in the battle and were near at hand, but McClellan sent word to Burnside that he had no infantry to spare. He gave permission, however, for the troops to fall back to the bridge, but said if that was lost, all was lost.
Fighting till dark the troops are then recalled, falling back near the bridge. Had they remained where they last fought, Lee could have accomplished his object and cut them off from the army.
It is not the province of this work to discuss the merits of movements not immediately concerning the Eleventh Ohio Regiment, and hence we close our account of the battle of Antietam here. Although the fighting raged furiously in all portions of the field, it is generally conceded that the hardest work done that day was done by that wing
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to which the glorious KANAWHA DIVISION was attached. The "Burnside Brigade" was the "key" to the whole affair, and to retain that the rebels fought most desperately and persistently, but they had men to contend with "in whose vocabulary there is no such word as fail."
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Our men were satisfied. Their longings for the "pomp and circumstance of glorious war," on a more extended scale than they had been accustomed to among the moun- tains, were gratified. The comparison between the men (as soldiers) composing the army of the Potomac and those who came from the West was in no wise disparaging to the latter. The daily marches from Washington to Antietam were very light, and while the discipline maintained in our Division was perfect, and there were no stragglers to bc picked up by the provost guards in the rear, the Eastern troops lined the road-side by hundreds. The "Army of the Potomac" was a magnificent one, and it made a record that will live while free government endures, but if a com- parison can fairly be made on the basis of the marching. fighting and other qualities shown from the 27th of August to the 18th of September, 1862, by the men from the East and those from the West, we can say without prejudice that the greatest meed of praise must be awarded to the latter.
The invasion of the North by the rebel army being so determinedly objected to, Lee turned his face toward Richmond, walking away from our victorious army at his leisure.
West Virginia had been almost stripped of troops, and it became necessary that they should be returned. The rebels were again in possession of the Kanawha Valley, making good use of their time in running the salt works,
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securing a good supply of this, to them, much needed article. A small force had appeared as low down as Point Pleasant, attacking the few troops at that place, who, after a vigorous fight, drove the rebels away. In their retreat they met Major Waggoner, a venerable gentleman and staunch Union man well known to most of the Eleventh, and murdered him in cold blood:
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CHAPTER XV.
On the 8th of October our Division started for the scene of its former exploits. Gen. Burnside issued a General Order thanking the Kanawha Division for the valuable assistance rendered in defeating the rebels, and compli- menting the men on their fine discipline and many soldierly qualities shown during the compaign.
Gen. Cox preceded the command a few days, having bidden the men adieu on the 5th, assuring them that they would soon be together again.
The march from "Camp Burnside" to Hagerstown was a terrible one. It was conducted in the most wretched man- ner, and without any regard whatever to the condition of the men. The sun was scorching hot, the dust deep and stifling, water scarce, and halts only allowed at long inter- vals. The men were wearing the same clothing (or what was left of it) they had on when they left the Kanawha, and but few opportunities for washing having been en- joyed, it may be inferred that their sanitary condition was not as good as it might be. Hundreds of men who had gone through many forced marches without flinching, failed to bear up under the combination of circumstances which rendered this criminally foolish forced march one of such intense suffering. Gen. Scammon (recently promoted) has the credit of conducting that march, and is prayed for
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to this day in the manner peculiar to soldiers who desire special blessings to particular persons !
On the 10th, Gen. Stuart, commanding the rebel cavalry, while making his "grand round" of Mcclellan's army, passed through our train, which was in the rear. The col- umn was halted and n force sent back, but Stuart passed on, doing no damgage to the train, which was then put in front. Arrived and remained at Hancock till the 13th, when the Division embarked on cars of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad for Clarksburg, which place was reached in two days. The Eleventh went into "bivouac" camp near the town, the tents not arriving till the 22d.
Capt. Lane was sent to Ohio to recruit for the Regiment before the command left the Kanawha valley. So success- ful were his efforts that two full companies were speedily raised. After the death of Col. Coleman, the officers sig- nified to the Governor of Ohio that Capt. Lane was their choice for Colonel, and in accordance therewith he received a commission as such, to date from the 17th of September, 1862. On the 20th of October the two new companies joined the Regiment at Clarksburg, Col. Lane arriving and taking command about the same time. The officers of the origi- nal Company E having resigned, and that company having become very much reduced in numbers, the balance of the men were "distributed around" among the other compa- nies of the Regiment. Since leaving Camp Dennison the Regiment had no "I," and accordingly the new companies were lettered respectively "E" and "I," the former com- manded by Capt. Lewis G. Brown, of Cincinnati, and the latter by Capt. Jos. P. Staley, a former officer of the Regiment.
The tents were received on the 22d, and on the 23d the Division train arrived. The train was brought through
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from Hancock, guarded by Company C, temporarily com- manded by Lieut. Achuff, who had sufficiently recovered from the injuries received at Frederick City to be able for duty.
Left Clarksburg on the 25th, marched eleven miles, and camped near Weston, in a plowed field. The weather was very disagreeable-a cold rain and sleet falling-and as the men were much worn down and really suffering from. exposure, it was thought best to issue a small quantity of whisky. On the 28th "Curly" was accidentally wounded. It is not necessary to inform any member of the Eleventh who Curly is, but for the benefit of those not so well posted we give the inscription on the badge always worn by him :
3 am Company A's Dog. Whose Dog are Dou?
(Curly's exploits will be found fully recorded under the proper Company heading.)
The roads were becoming bad, and on the 29th Company B was detailed to better their condition, which required rather severe labor. On the 1st of November the Regi- ment camped on "Devil's Half Acre," near Elk river. The suspension bridge was found to be damaged, telegraph wires torn down, and other improvements of the country considerably injured by roving bands of rebels.
November 2d the Division arrived at Summerville, where the Eleventh soon went into winter quarters. The day we arrived at Summerville, Gen. Crook ordered a detail of a corporal and three men to guard one miserable hog, the property of a no less miserable citizen of this miserable country ! Rations had been very scarce on the whole march from Clarksburg, and none at all were to be had till the 4th, when flour was issued. From this time up to the 10th the boys subsisted on batter cakes, at which time 5
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the accustomed "hard tack" was received and heartily welcomed.
The rebels at Lewisburg sent out scouting parties in the direction of our posts on Gauley and New rivers, some- times in considerable force. For some days an attack was expected at Summerville, and on the 17th Sergeant Butler, of Company B, was sent with a squad of men to Carnifex Ferry, with instructions to report the approach of the enemy. Remaining three days, and no rebels showing themselves, the Sergeant was recalled ..
On the 22d our Regiment went into winters quarters at Summerville, and the next day work was begun on the "fortifications" about the town.
Major Jackson having resigned, Capt. Ogden Street was promoted to be Lieutenant-Colonel, and Capt. Asa Higgins to be Major-the first to date from September 17th and the latter from October 1st, 1862.
Nothwithstanding the forced march the first day out from the mouth of the Antietam to Hagerstown, the rebels were not caught in a trap on the Kanawha. Probably the idea of intercepting their retreat at Gauley Bridge had en- tered the brain of some one invested with authority, and for a whole day that object was kept in view! While the sun shone blistering hot, the dust penetrated the eyes and ears and nostrils of the weary troops, and every surround- ing circumstance was adverse to rapid movements, the men were rushed forward to head off the foe, then many long miles distant. But after that day of suffering the project fell through. The weather became cold, exercise was needed, and then the troops shivered about their bivouacs in the rain and sleet, without shelter, without sufficient fires, and without adequate rations.
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CHAPTER XVI.
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THE COLD KNOB EXPEDITION.
On the 24th of November the Eleventh started from Summerville on the expedition to Cold Knob, at which point a rebel force was stationed. Considerable trouble was experienced in crossing Gauley River, but the difficulty was surmounted and the men marched on through the rain and sleet and snow, which began to fall about noon. Thir- teen miles* were marched the first day, and the night was spent in a most uncomfortable bivouac, as the men were in light marching order. Snow fell during the night to the depth of some ten inches, and the next day's march was a hard one indeed. The route lay over a rough mountain path now completely covered with snow, but competent "native" guides were leading the column, and through the snow-storm that blew in their faces the men struggled on, over the rough stones, through thickets and deep gullies cut by mountain torrents, till late in the night. The march was necessarily conducted in single file, and the utmost care was required to keep the men together. At one time the line was broken in consequence of a man tumbling over a precipice. Stopping to assist their comrade, the rear became detached from those in front, who, unconscious of the
. Distances were kindly furnished us by Mr. M. Luther Sheets, of Co A, whe kept a diary, which he wrote up each night.
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accident, pressed forward. Col. Lane was soon informed of the mishap, and one of the guides was sent back to find the lost party. A "connection" was soon made, and the march resumed. About 9 o'clock at night the point desi- rable to attain on the second day was reached. The cold had increased to such a degree as to cause most intense suffering among the men, who were wet to the skin and greatly fatigued with their twenty-mile march. But little fire could be allowed, as the enemy were not far distant, and care was necessary to prevent them from discovering the movement. If ever guards were to be pitied, those men who were detailed for duty that night deserved an additional amount of sympathy.
The Second Virginia Cavalry (Union) was to move from Camp Piatt and form a junction with the Eleventh at this place on the 26th. Moving some two and a half miles from where the men had passed the long, miserable night, our Regiment waited for the appearance of the cavalry.
The cold had continued to increase during the night, and was becoming fearful-the men in danger of freezing, in fact, many of them had fallen into that drowsy state, the certain precursor of death from cold. Col. Lane formed the men and marched them around in a circle on the double- quick. This had the effect desired, but some of the men suffer to this day from the effects of exposure on "Cold Knob."
Hour after hour passed but the cavalry came not, and it was feared that they had missed the road, or had not started at all. However, about noon they arrived, but their horses were in poor condition for service, many having entirely given out. Col Paxton declared the expedition a failure, and ordered Col. Lane to return to Summerville. Major Powell, of the cavaly, and Col. L., insisted on going ahead
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to where the rebel camp was supposed to be, then about five miles distant. Permission being granted by Col Pax- ton, who was the senior officer, the troops proceeded-the infantry in advance.
Proceeding in this order for a few miles the rebel pickets were encountered, who slowly retired. Not dreaming of a cavalry force being in rear of the infantry, the rebel pickets made no particular haste in giving the alarm. Soon the inner pickets were met and firing began. Major Powell immediately advanced with the cavalry to the front, scattered the rebel guards and dashed into their camp, taking the enemy completely by surprise. Nearly two hundred prisoners with their horses, accoutrements, supplies &c., were captured, and the camp destroyed.
The cavalry returned by the route they had pursued in going out, and our Regiment, also, over the route it had traveled. Our rations being consumed, Daniel Carson, of Company A, was sent to Summerville to bring them forward. The storm of snow and sleet still continued, and wading through the snow, slipping and falling over the now concealed stones and other obstructions in the path, the men toiled on the "home stretch," arriving on the 28th, the cavalry, with the prisoners, having already got in. Carson was met returning with provisions some miles out from Summerville. He deserves much credit for the faithful and expeditious manner in which he performed the difficult duty assigned him.
The rebels defeated were the same that had surprised and captured the two companies of the Ninth Virginia at Summerville in August preceding. Their "chickens had come home to roost."
Aside from the usual camp duties and work on the rifle pits that were prepared as a precautionary measure, nothing
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of general importance occurred during the time spent at Summerville.
On the 6th of January, 1863, Sergeant Major Thomas M. Mitchell was wounded by the accidental discharge of a rifle, and died on the 9th.
OFF FOR TENNESSEE.
On the 24th of January the Regiment left Summerville for Loup Creek, arriving at the landing about noon on the 26th. A worse road than portions of the one from Loup Creek to Summerville, especially in winter, could not well be imagined. Precipitous hills to descend and ascend, short curves to turn, with high bluff's on one side and a rocky precipice on the other, mud and "chuck-holes" axle deep, are a few of the stubborn facts to be encountered in the way.
To a dispatch received at Twenty-mile Creek by Colonel Lane from Capt. Kennedy, Assistant Adjutant General of the Division, ordering the Regiment to be at Loup Creek at a certain hour, the Col. responded: "You require an impossibility. We are twelve miles from Loup Creek, and it will take us six hours to make that distance in daylight, and longer at night. Our train is from three to five miles behind, and I have no orders to abandon it. I had no inti- mation of any hurry until 8 o'clock a. m. to-day, and we left before sunrise instead of 8 o'clock as you seem to suppose." It is quite probable that Capt. Kennedy had never traveled the road between Loup Creek and Summer- ville in the winter, or he would never have made the ridiculous request for a regiment to make the march in less than two days. We refer to this matter simply to illustrate some of the absurdities concocted by officers about " Head-quarters!"
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Embarking on the Silver Lake No. 2, at Cannelton, our Regiment for the last time descended the Kanawha, arriving at Gallipolis on the 27th. A fleet of boats was found at this place containing the other troops of General Crook's Brigade, consisting of the Thirty-sixth and Ninety-second Ohio. A rumor to the effect that their destination was the East got in circulation among the boys, which created con- siderable dissatisfaction. They had had enough of service there. The fleet, however, headed down stream, and then hopes were entertained of at least a short visit home.
Cincinnati was reached on the 28th, and although hundreds of the men were in sight of their homes, none were allowed to go on shore. Their friends flocked to the landing, when the boats containing our Regiment were sent across the river! Many of the men succeeded in getting on shore, and taking "French leave" visited their homes, returning at their pleasure. At Louisville, where the fleet arrived on the 29th, others availed themselves of the opportunities offered for "French " reprieves from duty and returned to Ohio. A number of these men to whom the service had become irksome, and which was rendered still more so by the heartless course pursued towards them, never returned, and on the rolls of their commands are reported as "deserters."
If we knew positively on what officer the responsibility rests for the fiendish treatment the men received at Cincin- nati, we should not hesitate to present his name in full. Whoever he is, no matter how high or low his rank was then or may be now, he gave.a specimen of refined cruelty worthy the devils in charge of the slaughter pens of Andersonville. It may be claimed that if permission had been given the men to go on shore time would have been lost and much trouble experienced in getting them on the
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boats again. We dispute this point. It would not have taken half the time that was wasted at other points on the trip for every man in the Division to have spent a week at their homes. And to speak of trouble in getting them back is an insult to the men. They were neither dogs nor machines, and understood their duty as well as any officer, and had such a course been pursued as the most ordinary degree of humanity would have dictated, the trouble that did result might have been avoided. At the very least, permission to grasp the hands of their fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and dear friends, who lined the banks of the river, could have been better afforded than not.
Our Regiment was paid off at Portland, below Louisville, on the 30th, and on the 3d of February arrived at Fort Donelson, where a fight was in progress between the garrison of the fort and the rebels under Wheeler. The Division remained in the vicinity of the fort for several days awaiting orders. On the 7th arrived at Nashville, remaining on the boats for some time. Debarked on the 13th and went into camp three miles from Nashville. On the 24th again headed up the Cumberland, arriving at Carthage on the 26th.
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