USA > Ohio > Greene County > Greene County soldiers in the late war : being a history of the Seventy-fourth O.V.I., with sketches of the Twelfth, Ninety-Fourth, One Hundred and Tenth, Forty-Fourth, Tenth Ohio Battery, One Hundred and Fifty-Fourth, Fifty-Fourth, Seventeenth, Thirty-Fourth, One Hundred and Eighty-Fourth, together with a list of Greene County's soldiers > Part 5
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M. Woodruff, formerly of the Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteers, is steward ; George Davis, druggist ; J. Wilkerson, of Company A, Seventy- fourth O. V. I., postmaster ; and Rev. Mr. Stuff, chaplain.
I also visited the clerk's office. The clerk showed me the books, and the manner in which they are kept. There were about five thousand in the hospital. They are sending away an average of seventy-five men a day. The average rate of deaths is thirty per week. There are fifteen hundred men in the hospital at present. The hospital is under the com- mand of Dr. J. T. Findley.
The Seventy-fourth regiment is now commanded by Major Thomas C. Bell, Colonel Moody having resigned. The health of the regiment is good. The weather continues fine, and all is quiet here at present.
Yours truly.
IRA S. OWENS.
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THE SEVENTY-FOURTH.
On the 10th we started back to Murfreesboro, and marched eight miles and halted in the woods. That night it rained, and we spent a disagreeable night. The next day we marched as far as Lavergne, and halted and spent the night. It rained quite hard that day and it was very disagreeable marching.
On the 14th we went foraging for corn. On our return to camp it rained quite hard, and we got very wet.
On the 16th I was taken sick - had an attack of neuralgia, caused from exposure. The next day I was sent to No. 8 Hospital, Murfreesboro. I was very sick, and remained in the hospital until the 7th of March, when I returned to the regiment.
On the 27th we moved camp west of town, to the fortifica- tions, where we were engaged working until the 21st of April, when we moved camp and joined the brigade, near where we camped first.
On the 25th I was detailed as clerk in the mustering office at General Negley's head-quarters. Captain William Taylor was the mustering officer. He is a grandson of President William H. Harrison. I remained in the mustering office until the 12th . of May, when I reported to the regiment.
May 16th Colonel Moody appointed me ordnance-master of the regiment. Colonel Moody resigned this day. I continued to act as ordnance-master as long as we remained at Murfreesboro.
Colonel Josiah Given, of the Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was appointed colonel of the Seventy-fourth, and took command after Colonel Moody's resignation.
June 24th we received marching orders. Tore up camp and started, it raining, as usual, when we started on a march. We marched eight miles toward Manchester, it raining all the time. We carried our knapsacks, and at night halted and slept in the woods, being wet all through with the rain, which con- tinued all night ; yet so wearied were we that we enjoyed a good rest notwithstanding the rain.
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Next day we started again, and marched some two or three miles, halting on the side of a hill, where we remained all night. Fighting in front. Several ambulances, with wounded men, went to the rear. The fighting was at Hoover's Gap. On the 26th we started again toward Manchester, and passed through Hoover's Gap. ·
In December, 1862, the Seventy-fourth was placed in the Seventh Brigade ( Miller's), Eighth Division (Negley's), formerly part of the center (Thomas') Fourteenth Army Corps, Depart- ment of the Cumberland. The Seventy-fourth went into the battle of Stone River with three hundred and eighty effective men, of whom it lost, in killed and wounded, one hundred and nine, and forty-six prisoners.
On the re-organization of the army at Murfreesboro, Ten- nessee, in February, 1863, the Seventy-fourth was assigned to the Third Brigade ( Miller's), Second Division ( Negley's), Four- teenth Army Corps (Thomas').
Several changes took place among the officers. Colonel Moody, Major Bell, and Captains Owens, McDowell, and Ballard resigned, which made necessary the following promo- tions : To colonelcy, Josiah Given, late lieutenant colonel of the Eighteenth Ohio; to captaincies, Mills, Armstrong, McGinnis, Tedford, and McElravy; to first lieutenantcies, McMillen, Hunter, Hutchinson, Weaver, and Bricker; to second lieuten- antcies, Adams, Scott, Drummond, and McGreavey.
After passing through the gap, the regiment had a toilsome march through mud and rain. The enemy had been driven back. We waded one creek thirteen times, and marched on until after night. Most of the boys gave out before reaching Manchester, and halted and lay beside the road until morning. I, with several of the boys of Company C, lay all night at the foot of a tree, with no covering, using our cartridge-boxes for pillows. The next day, which was the 27th, we marched into
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Manchester, and I was taken sick. The regiment was sent back to Murfreesboro to guard a wagon-train, but I remained at Manchester quite sick.
On the 28th the regiment was ordered forward. I, with several others, was sent to a house that was formerly used for a rebel hospital, where we remained one week, and then were sent to Tullahoma. While at Manchester, we heard of the fall of Vicksburg.
On arriving at Tullahoma we were placed in the hospital which they were just starting. The accommodations were poor, but better than at Manchester. I remained at the hospital four weeks. The First Ohio Regiment was camped near, and some of the boys would come to see me every day. Meanwhile, the regiment was in camp at Deckherd Station, on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad.
From Tullahoma I was sent to Nashville, to No. 1 Hospital. We arrived at Nashville at midnight, and were conveyed in ambulances to the hospital. I was very much fatigued on arriving at Nashville, having had to sit up all the way from Tullahoma. I was consigned to Ward 3, in the third story. The ward-master and nurses were very kind to me. As soon as convenient I was shown my cot, and lay down, very tired and sleepy, and had just got into a refreshing sleep when the nurse aroused me, announcing something to eat. Hungry as I was, I would rather have slept than eat. I remained in the hospital about five weeks; then was sent to the convalescent camp, about a mile south of the city. Several of the Seventy-fourth boys were sick at different hospitals at the same time, and were also sent to the convalescent camp.
After remaining in the camp a short time I was detailed by General Granger - who was commanding the post at Nashville - as nurse in Hospital No. 8. Here I found it a very arduous duty -much more so than camp duty - attending upon the sick
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and wounded who were brought in from the Chickamauga · battlefield, which required all my time. I got but little rest. Here I formed the acquaintance of several comrades in arms whom I shall never forget. Hard as was the duty to be per- formed, I spent some very pleasant hours while there. We had preaching every Sabbath. There was also quite a revival of religion. Several professed to have been converted.
After having been there several weeks the duty was not quite so hard. I was promoted to ward-master in Ward No. 3, which duty was not quite so hard as nursing. I had more leisure time.
We formed a lyceum in the hospital, and had some very interesting meetings. Once in a while we would give public entertainments in the large hall, or lecture room, which was fitted up with a fine stage, curtains, etc. At first our fare was poor, rations being scarce.
There was not a man in the hospital who liked the surgeon. He was proud, aristocratic, domineering, and mean. He could hardly speak a kind word to any of the nurses. I do not suppose he ever smelled powder or was in a battle. We had a good many just such men in the army. They were remembered afterward. Those who used a little brief authority while they could, fared worse afterward. Many a soldier who was abused by such aristocrats swore vengeance on them, and got even with them. But an officer who was kind, and spoke pleasantly to his men, ever had their respect; and even now, in speaking of certain officers, the remark is often made, "He was a good fellow."
I will mention one incident which transpired in the army. On one of the hard and toilsome marches, when the soldiers- to use a homely expression - were nearly " fagged out," a cer- tain colonel, observing one of his men nearly exhausted, dismounted from his horse and bade the soldier mount, while
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he (the colonel) walked along beside and carried the soldier's gun. The lieutenant colonel observing this, remarked, " Why, colonel, that is not military ! " " I don't care," said the colonel, "it is human." That colonel lives in Greene County at present,. and has the respect of every one who knows him.
I remained at No. 8 Hospital until the Seventy-fourth: returned from Chattanooga on its way home, they having re-enlisted, and were going home on furlough. I was making. out my evening report when some of my comrades came to the hospital and told me that the regiment was at the landing, on its way home, on veteran furlough. I threw down my pen without finishing my report, and told them I was going, too. I imme- diately went to the baggage-room, got my knapsack, and commenced packing it. While so engaged, the surgeon carne along ( not the one, however, who was there when I first went there -he was quite a different man), and asked me where I was going. I told him I was going home. He remarked, "I can not spare you." I told him the reason. He said, "I am sorry ; but I suppose I can not hinder you." I was then released from the hospital, and, after bidding them an affectionate fare- well, I started down stairs. On the way I met Miss Chase, the matron. I bade her good-bye. She gave me both her hands, and said, "Ira, good-bye. You have been a faithful servant here. God bless you."
In a short time I was at the landing, and found the regiment on board the boat, ready to start. I re-enlisted ; and in an hour afterward we were steaming down the Cumberland, bound for home-yes, home, sweet home. Oh, how glad we felt to think that we were on our way home, to see our friends and loved ones once more! It seemed that the boat could not go fast enough.
It was on the 26th day of January, 1864, when we left Nashville. We arrived at Xenia about the last of January.
5
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"The regiment was received with great honors and demonstrations of joy by the good citizens of Xenia and vicinity, who assembled at the depot to welcome them back, and by whom a bountiful repast was set before us, which we ate as only hungry soldiers can eat. Oh! what a joyful time it was! Fathers and mothers here met their sons, sisters their brothers, and wives their hus- bands, in loving embrace. But in some respects it was sorrowful as well as joyful; for some had been left behind. Some had fallen in battle ; some had sickened and died; and others, who still survived, had not re-enlisted. The regiment was granted a furlough of thirty days, to visit their friends, re-assembling at Xenia on the 17th of March.
Before leaving for the field the regiment passed resolutions returning their hearty thanks for the kindness with which they had been treated. The soldiers of the Seventy-fourth will never forget the good people of Xenia.
The regiment being re-organized numbered, with the addi- tion of one hundred new recruits, six hundred and nineteen men.
The Seventy-fourth, once more ready for the field,. started for the front on the 23d of March, 1864. And now came another trying time. Friends bade each other adieu - many for the last time. It was much harder to leave home than at first.
I will now quote from my journal, kept on the march :
Thursday, 24th. Left Cincinnati on steamer. Rained at night. Slept on top of the boat.
Friday, 25th. Landed at Louisville about six o'clock this morning. Marched from the boat to the Soldiers' Home. An amusing little incident occurred while marching through the streets of Louisville An Irishman, a few paces in advance of me, was indulging in a smoke. Having, as he thought, extin- guished the fire in his pipe, he put it in his pocket; but pretty soon a strong smell of something burning was experienced. The
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Irishman, however, kept marching on. After a while he remarked that he smelled burnt rags; and, clapping his hands behind him, he drew his coat tail around, exclaiming, at the same time, "Be jabbers, and it's meself that's burning !"
Saturday, 26th. Left Louisville about three o'clock P. M. for Nashville, Tennessee. Rode all night. Arrived at Nash- ville next morning about daylight.
Sunday, 27th. Marched through the city to the south side, and camped near our old camp-ground. Drew shelter-tents. Went back to town and visited No. 8 Hospital. Here I met several of my former acquaintances. They received me very kindly, and introduced me to the ward-master as their old ward- master. I stayed all night with them, and enjoyed a good night's rest on a nice, clean cot, which was very refreshing after being up all the night before.
The next morning I ate a good breakfast, and then started back to camp. We drew rations that day, preparatory to starting on the march to Chattanooga. Rained at night.
Tuesday, 29th. Started on the march to Chattanooga, by way of Murfreesboro; from thence to Shelbyville, Tennessee. Not being used to heavy marching, the first day or two our feet became very sore and painful. At Shelbyville we heard Gov- ernor Andrew Johnson make his celebrated Union speech.
Monday, April 4th. Arrived at Tullahoma.
Thursday, 7th. Crossed the Cumberland Mountains. From the top of the mountains a fine view of the valley below is had, stretching for miles, as far as the eye can reach - plantation after plantation, verdant fields, and small streams of water which resemble threads of silver. We camped at night in Crow Creek valley.
Friday, 8th. Arrived at Stevenson, Alabama, and remained all night. Here I ascended the mountain about half way up, and had a splendid view of the country.
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-
Saturday, 9th. Embarked on cars for Chattanooga, having marched from Nashville. There is splendid scenery along the route from Stevenson, Alabama, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. We passed Shell Mound, the mouth of Nicajack Cave, and the famous Lookout Mountain. We arrived at Chattanooga after night. It was dark, and rainy, and cold, and as we had no place to go we had to remain near the railroad, in the mud and rain, without shelter, while, doubtless, generals and high officials, who were getting big pay, were quietly snoozing in their tents. In the morning we went to the Soldiers' Home for breakfast. Question - Why could they not have taken us there the night before ?
On the 12th of April, 1864, we started again on the march, and marched out to Graysville, Georgia, where we went into camp, remaining there until the 3d of May, 1864, when we broke up camp and started to Ringgold, Georgia.
On the night of the 6th there was a splendid illumination. of the Fourteenth Army Corps. A candle was placed in front of every tent-some on poles and trees ; also, large fires were built in every street in the vast encampment. It was a grand and imposing sight.
On the 7th of May, 1864, the great Atlanta campaign was commenced. I will refer to my journal from time to time, in order to give the particulars of that march.
Saturday, May 7th. Marched this morning, at daylight, for the front. Formed line of battle at Tunnel Hill. Fighting in front. On picket at night
Sunday, Sth. Marched again, and halted in the woods near " Buzzard's Roost."
Monday, 9th. Advanced, again, about two miles. Com- menced an attack on the rebels. Heavy skirmishing. The Seventy-fourth under fire. Severely shelled by a rebel battery
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on the mountain. One man killed and several wounded. Among the wounded was Adjutant M. H. Peters.
Tuesday, 9th. Still fighting. Rebels strongly fortified. Went back to the rear, in the afternoon, for rations. Returned to the front. Regiment in line of battle.
Here let me remark, one has a peculiar feeling, standing in line of battle, expecting every moment to be ordered forward, it may be to certain death. It is no use to run back, for in a battle it is about as dangerous in the rear as in the front. I have known instances where men were killed in the rear, while the front would escape unhurt.
We had left our knapsacks at the foot of the mountain before being ordered forward. We halted on the side of the mountain, and remained in line all night. Our lodging that night was not the best. The accommodations were very poor. We had orders to sleep on our arms, and not to take off our cartridge-boxes. The side of the mountain was steep, and covered with little, sharp stones. I threw my gum-blanket on the ground, unbuckled my belt, slipped my cartridge-box around for a pillow, and, with my gun at my side, slept soundly. When I awoke in the morning I had slipped about two feet down the hill, and the regiment was anything but in line. We soon, however, straightened up and got in line again, ready for action.
Wednesday, May 11th. Went out on skirmish-line at daylight. Very steep climbing. Remained on skirmish-line all day. Heavy firing in the afternoon. Rebel shells fell very near us. Marched to the rear at midnight, and remained until morning.
Sherman, leaving one corps in front of Buzzard's Roost, marched the rest of his army to Snake Creek Gap, about sixteen miles, thus flanking the enemy. The rebels, as soon as they found it out, left, and fell back to Resaca.
At Buzzard's Roost the Seventy-fourth lost sixteen men
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killed and wounded. At Resaca we had another battle, in which the Seventy-fourth lost nine men killed and wounded.
On the 15th the rebels left Resaca, leaving many of their dead on the field. Here we captured a large amount of corn- meal.
The morning of the 17th of May we left, in pursuit of the rebels. Crossed the Coosa River. Passed through the town of Calhoun. Halted, and remained all night on the side of a hill, in the woods.
Marched next day, and halted at night and built fortifi- cations. Weather very warm.
On the 23d of' May we arrived at the Etawah River. The march, that day, was a hard one, it being very dry and dusty, so much so that we could not see from one end of the regiment to the other.
Before coming to the river we got word that we would have to wade it, the rebels having burned the bridge. When we arrived at the bank of the river we found it even so. I suppose the Etawah is something near the size of the Great Miami River. Some of the boys prepared to wade, by taking off their shoes and pantaloons. Others went right in, without taking off any- thing. I did so myself. When about half way across, where the water was nearly breast deep and running very swift, I thought I would go ahead of some who were ahead of me, when I stumbled and fell, losing my gun, and getting a complete wetting, filling my haversack with water and soaking my hard- tack. I recovered my gun, which would not have been of much use, should we have had occasion to use it.
It was a ludicrous sight to see the Seventy-fourth wading the river. If some artist had been present and sketched the scene, it would have made a laughable picture for some of our pictorials.
One man of our regiment thought he would not wade the
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river, but mounted on behind one of the boys, who was riding a mule. When about half way across, the mule stumbled and fell, throwing them both over his head, completely ducking them. When we got over to the other side the dust was all washed off.
We stayed an hour or so, and by the time we started again we were dry, it being very hot. After all, it was an advantage to us, for we were relieved of the dust ; and the bathing caused us to feel very much refreshed.
On the 26th we arrived at the Altoona Mountains, where we were again under fire, shells bursting very near. We were ordered across a field directly in front of the enemy, and, although much exposed to shells and bullets, not a man was hit. We proceeded a few rods, and were ordered to lie down. We remained in line all night, when we went back to the rear.
Colonel Neibling, of the Twenty-first Ohio, was wounded by a cannon-ball. His arm had to be amputated.
After retreating to the rear, we built what we called double breastworks; that is, we fortified on both sides of us, as we were on an elevation, and exposed to rebel fire on both sides.
In the engagement of the 27th of May, 1864, the conduct of the Seventy-fourth, and other regiments of the Third Brigade, elicited from the division commander the following commenda- tory notice :
HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS, NEAR DALLAS, GEORGIA, May 28, 1864.
COLONEL :- General Johnson desires to express to you his high appreciation of the gallantry exhibited by the noble troops of your brigade in the night engagement of the 27th instant. The admirable spirit displayed by them on that occasion is, above all things, desirable and commendable. Soldiers animated by such courage and fortitude are capable of the very highest achievements.
(Signed )
E. F. WELLS, A. A. G.
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On the 2d of June we were ordered to the front again. Soon after we were in line a terrible storm arose, and the rain fell in torrents. It seemed that the artillery of the skies and that of earth vied with each other. At last the batteries were silent; but the awful roar of the thunder, the forked lightning, and the dashing rain still continued. Some three or four men were killed by the lightning, in a brigade not far from us.
I will now refer to my journal again.
Friday, June 3d. Relieved this morning by the left wing of the regiment. Went back into breastworks and got breakfast. Stayed until night. Went on skirmish-line.
Saturday, 4th. Shot several rounds. , Rained considerable. Very muddy in the rifle-pit. Although it was very disagreeable, still we had our fun. Some of the boys concluded to play a trick on the rebels; so they would take off their blouses and caps, put them on their ramrods, and elevate them just above the top of the works, when the Johnnies would send a volley at them. They would then drop them as though they had been shot. We imagined we could hear the rebs saying, "There goes another d-d Yank." This was continued some time, until they found out the trick. Fighting on our left. On reserve at night.
Sunday, 5th. Rebels left this morning. Some sharp shooting. Milton Bennett, of Company E, was killed this morning while cleaning his gun. Although not in front, still a shot would come over us once in a while, and the sharp "ping " of the Minnie-ball, as well as the coarser sound of the cannon- ball, could be heard. Went over to the rebel lines, or, rather, what had been their lines. Notwithstanding they had been driven back, and retreated from place to place, defeated at every point, still they told the most extravagant stories and published the most arrogant lies in order to deceive the people of the South and keep them in good spirits. Yet the rank and file
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of the rebel army were discouraged, and would have given up long before the war ended, had it not been for their leaders. A southern gentleman, not a great while ago, who had been a soldier in the rebel army, while taking on this subject, remarked that they hated Jeff Davis probably as bad as we did, and would have shot him had they the chance. Notwithstanding they were enemies, and on the field we shot at them, still there were some good fellows among them; and when not engaged in battle we would often trade with them, while on picket, meeting each other half way. We gave them coffee, and they would give us tobacco or cornmeal. Sometimes we would trade papers, when we had them.
I will give a little incident that transpired once, although not in our regiment. I got it for truth : One morning, while our boys were preparing breakfast, I suppose the aroma of the coffee - something scarce with the rebs-greeted the olfactory organs of some of them who were on duty not far from the Union lines. A Johnnie got up on the works and shouted over, " Hello, Yanks! what are you doing over thar ?" " Getting
breakfast," was the reply. " Got any coffee ?" " Yes." " Will you give a feller some if he will come over ?" " Yes ;
leave your gun." '' Honor bright ?" " Yes." And over he came. "Why," said he, "you fellers live pretty well, don't you ? Always got this much to eat ?" " Yes," was the reply. [I guess they stretched the blanket a little here. -- AUTHOR. ] They invited him to stay and get breakfast. He did so. After breakfast he said, "I believe you live better than we do. I believe, if you will let me stay, I'll not go back." He did stay, and made a good Union soldier, and was finally mustered out as such.
June 6th. Marched after the rebels. Marched on till about ten o'clock, and halted and remained in the woods all day and night. .
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June 7th. Moved about two hundred yards up in the
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