USA > Ohio > Greene County > Greene county in the war. Being a history of the Seventy-fourth regiment, with sketches of the Twelfth, Ninety-fourth, One hundred and tenth, Forty-fourth, One hundred and fifty-fourth regiments and the Tenth Ohio battery, embracing anecdotes, incidents and narratives of the camp, march and battlefield and the author's experience while in the army > Part 2
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CHAPTER III.
Marching Orders for Stone River-Incidents on the March- Battle of Stone River-Marching into Murfreesboro-Camp at Murfreesboro-Exchanging Guns.
On the 26th of December 1862 we received or- ders to march to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where the rebels were in strong force. Accordingly we packed up and started, the Army of the Cumber- land moving at the same time. We were then going to our first battle. We had not marched far before it began to rain and rained very hard. We marched on through the mud and rain until nearly night, when we halted within two miles of Nash- ville. We had prepared our suppers and eaten them, and were preparing to spend the night by spreading our blankets on the ground for beds, when the bugle sounded and we were ordered to fall in. Then we marched some two or three miles farther. passing through the town of Nolens- ville, and halted in the woods. It will be remem- bered that we had neither shelter tents nor gum blankets, consequently we were exposed to all the rain, which continued nearly all night, so that we had to sit up nearly the whole time. The next day
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THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
we advanced on toward Murfreesboro, skirmishing in front, as they had been all the day before, Col- onel Moody urging us on, telling us if we did not hurry up the battle would be over before we should get there. We marched on until we came to the Nashville pike, some eight or nine miles from Murfreesboro. We halted just at night wet, cold and hungry. It was not loug, however, before we had a fire built of rails, and after getting warm and dry we became tolerably comfortable. After get- ting and eating our suppers we prepared to spend the night. After spreading our blankets down on the ground around the fire we addressed ourselves to sleep. During the night the fire popped out on blankets and burned several large holes in them. Rained some during the night. The next day the being Sunday, we rested and spread out our blankets to dry.
Monday, the 29th, the regiment advanced toward, Murfreesboro, except Company C, which was or- dered back to Nolensville, to guard some teams which were sent back for part of the baggage, which was left behind, owing to the bad condition of the roads. We arrived at Nolensville, and loaded the teams, and started back. We had left the town . but a short time when it was entered by some rebel scouts and plundered of everything. Had we re- mained an hour longer, in all probability, we should
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all have been captured. We arrived at the place where we left the regiment, but they had gone on; so we halted and remained all night, and the next morning we advanced toward Murfreesboro, where we found the regiment in line of battle, and skir- mishing going on in front. We remained in line through the day and until about 1I o'clock at night. our position being on the center, amid a thick growth of cedars. About 11 o'clock at night we were or- dered out to support a battery in front. We re- mained in line until morning. It was quite cool, and the ground considerably frozen. I had lost my knapsack, putting it in a wagon the day we arrived on the battle ground, and never saw it any more. Consequently I had neither coat nor blanket. I suf- fered very much during the night with cold. Could not lie down but a few minutes at a time, and dare not go back to the fire, rebels being but a few yards in. I was chilled through and exposed to the ene- my, there being no breastworks. It was consid- ered a mark of cowardice to get behind anything to fight. Had the same policy been adopted then as was toward the close of the war, that is, of build- ing works, a great many lives might have been saved. About 6 o'clock on the morning of the 31st of December, we were relieved by the 37th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. We returned to where the regiment lay the day previous, and com-
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THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
menced breakfast, but did not have time to eat it before we were ordered into line. Not having time to drink my coffee, [ poured it into my canteen, and swung it around my neck. We marched out to fight, forming double column at half distance. We advanced a short distance, when we formed line and were ordered to lie down. Then it was that the balls and the shrieking shells came whistling over us, and there were to be seen batteries wheel- ing into position, orderlies riding back and forth, horses without riders, while the yelling of the rebels like so many fiends, and the roar of artil- lery and musketry, filled the air with horrid din. The battle was raging fiercely. In a short time we were ordered to arise and move forward. We accordingly moved forward in line a few yards, and were then ordered to halt, make ready, aim-fire. Then the Seventy-Fourth opened its first fire on the enemy. For a description of the battle of Stone River, and an account of the same, I refer the reader to "Rosecrans' Campaign with the 14th Army Corps." I was kneeling in a fence corner, loading and firing when we received orders to move to the left to make room for a battery. When I was just in the act of rising, I felt something hit me on the leg, which did not produce much pain at the time, only a smarting sensation. I thought I would say nothing about it. However it began to grow
GREENE COUNTY IN THE WAR.
stiff, and I had not proceeded but a short distance before I had to call for help. I was then helped off the field.
We went back the same way we came. But it was getting to be a hot place in the rear. Balls and shells were flying thick and fast around us, striking trees, and cutting off leaves and branches. The rebels were getting around, and we scarcely knew which way to go, for fear of running right into their midst. At last we got out to the pike. On our way we stopped in an old building where several of our wounded boys were. The rebels soon com- menced shelling us ; so we had to get away as fast as we could. We proceeded about half a mile,
when we were overtaken some ambulances, where I was taken in and taken to the field hos- pital, five miles distant. Some of the boys who read this will remember the field hospital at the brick house, near Stewart's creek. It was im- possible to supply all the wounded with tents. Rails were hauled and thrown in piles similar to farmers when they wish to build fence, and large fires built apart. The wounded were brought and lain by these fires. Men were wounded in every conceivable way, some with their arms shot off, some wounded in the body, some in the head. It was heart-rending to hear their cries and groans. One poor fellow who was near me was wounded in
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the head IIe grew delirious during the night, and would very frequently call his mother. He would say : "Mother, O, Mother. come and help me !" The poor fellow died before morning with no mother near, to soothe him in his dying moments, or wipe the cold sweat from off his brow. I saw the sur- geons amputate limbs, then throw the quivering flesh into a pile. Every once in a while a man would stretch himself out and die. Next morning rows of men were laid out side by side ready for the soldier's burial. No weeping friends stood around, no coffin and hearse to bear them away to the grave, no funeral orations delivered; but there, away from home and kindred, they were wrapped in the soldiers' blanket, a trench dug, and their- bodies placed side by side, like they fought. a few shovelfulls of earth thrown upon them, when they were left alone.
Through the kindness of Sergeant A. Cosler, I. fared pretty well. He procured an old blanket for me, and I lay by the fire all night. I soon got able to hobble around by the help of a stick. I re- mained at the hospital until Saturday, the third of January. It rained that day and became very dis- agreeable at the hospital. Having no shelter, I resolved to try to get back to the regiment. Ac- cordingly I started toward the front. Being lame, I made slow progress. I had not gone far before I
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came up to a squad of men guarding muskets which had been picked up on the battle-field. I had lost my gun during the battle, or rather I gave it to a soldier to carry for me when I was going to the rear, and he sat it down by a tree and left it. I ap- proached the officer who was in command of the squad, and told him I had lost my gun. He told me to go to the stack and select one for myself. I se- lected a nice Enfield rifle, nearly new, and took it and went on toward Murfreesboro. On arriving at the front, which was the afterpart of the day, I was puzzled to find the Seventy-Fourth, as I had been informed they had moved their position, but after passing several regiments and brigades, I inquired of some soldiers of an Indiana regiment if they knew where the Sth Division (General Negley's) They informed me that the division was only a few yards ahead of me, the left resting on the river. They were preparing supper when I came up ; I spoke to them and asked them if they could give a wounded soldier something to eat, as I had caten nothing since leaving the hospital in the morning. They replied that they did not have much, but would divide with me and give me some- thing. I wish I knew the name of that regiment. Such generosity is not always found, and especial- ly among soldiers who are living on quarter rations. I ate a hard tack and a small piece of meat, thanked
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THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
them, and then set forward again. After the bat- tle of Stone River the soldiers had a hard time to get something to eat ; as much as twenty-five cents was often offered for a single hard tack. Money could not buy rations. They could not be had.
I found the Seventy-fourth near the river. The boys appeared glad to see me, and it is certain I was glad to see them. Soon after I arrived they were called out, but soon returned. It was expect- ed that the rebels would make an attack, but they did not. No doubt they had enough of the Yan- kees, as they called the Union troops. That night it rained again, and I slept but little. Next morn- ing, which was Sunday, it was ascertained that the rebels had gone. It was a very quiet day compared to what it had been for a few days past. We re- mained near the river until near evening. That night some one stole my Enfield. We received or- ders to march, as we supposed, into Murfreesboro, late on Saturday afternoon. We went over the field so hotly contested, and no one only those have been over a battle-field after a hard fight, can form an idea of the spectacle it presents. Numbers of dead men and horses strewn over the ground, like old logs in a clearing or deadening. Guns, knapsacks, pistols, cartridge boxes, &c., and squads of burying parties gathering up the dead were to be seen on every hand. We moved up to the rebel breast-
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GREENE COUNTY INN THIE WAR.
works, where we halted and spent the night among the dead who were lying all around us.
Next morning, the 5th of January, 1863, we marched into Murfreesboro, with colors flying, and bands of music playing. We marched through the town and encamped near by on the Manchester road. The next day I was detailed with several others as guard at Colonel Miller's headquarters. Here I remained at headquarters until the 7th of February, when we started for Nashville to ex- change arms. We bivouaced on the battle-ground that night. The marks of the contested field were very plain. Near where we lay I saw a ramrod sticking in a tree, it having penetrated clear through. The tree was some six inches in diameter.
Sunday, the 8th, we arrived at Nashville. In company with Sergeant Baldwin, I went over to the 125th Illinois hospital, and spent the night with an old friend, Mr. Benjamin Fagan, formerly of Ohio. We exchanged our old Prussian rifles for Enfields.
CHAPTER IV.
Working on Fortifications-Resignation of Colonel Moody- Colonel Josiah Given takes Command-Marching Orders.
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 La- vergne, and halted and spent the night. The next day we marched into Murfreesboro and to camp. It rained quite hard that day, and it was very dis- agreeable marching. On the 14th, we went for- aging 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 no doubt from exposure. The next day I was sent to No. 8 hospital, Murfreesboro. I was very sick. I 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 fortifications, 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 mus- tering office, at General Negley's headquarters ..
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Captain Taylor was the mustering officer. He is a grandson of the lamented President, Gen. William H. Harrison. I remained in the mustering office until the 12th of May, when I reported to the reg- iment. May the 16th, Col. 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 18th Ohio Volunteer Regiment, was appointed Colonel of the Seventy- fourth, and took command after Colonel Moody's resignation.
June the 24th, we received marching orders; tore up camp and started, it again raining, as usual when we started on a march. We marched eight miles toward Manchester, it raining all the time. We car- ried our knapsacks, and at night, halted and slept in the woods, being wet all through by the rain, which continued all night. L'et so wearied were we, that we enjoyed a good rest, notwithstanding the rain. Next day we started again, and marched some two or three miles, and halted on the side of a hill and remained there all night. Fighting in front. Several ambulances with wounded men went to the rear. The fighting was at Hoovers' Gap.
On the 26th we started again toward Manches- ter, and passed through Hoovers' Gap. In De-
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THE SEVENTY FOURTHI.
cember the Seventy-fourth was placed in the 7th Brigade (Miller's), 8th Division (Negley's), former- ly part of the center (Thomas's) 14th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland. The Seventy- fourth went into battle of Stone River with three .. hundred and eighty effective men, of whom it lost in killed and wounded one hundred and nine, and. in prisoners forty-six.
CHAPTER V.
Letters-List of Killed and Wounded at Stone river-Poetry- Sent to Nashville-Hospital Life-Veteran Organization- Reorganization of the Army -Veteran Furlough-At Home- Reception.
I will here subjoin a letter written soon after the battle :
"THE KILLED, WOUNDED AND MISSING OF THE SEVENTY-FOURTHI .REGIMENT.
"HEADQUARTERS 74th REG., O. V. I., MURFREESBORO, TENN., January 10th, 1863.
""MESSRS. EDITORS :- We copy from a report from the commanding officer the following names of men killed, wounded and missing, in the two late en- gagements before Murfreesboro. The battle was one of the hardest and most terrible of the war. Our men suffered severely both before and after the fight, having to march through mud and rain, and being obliged to lie out in the cold and wet with- out tents or blankets.
"On the morning of the 28th, we took up our line of march to the scene of the conflict, skirmish- ing through the day, and at 11 o'clock at night we
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THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
were ordered out to support a battery, and there we lay on the cold ground without fire until sunrise. I think I suffered more that night, than I have suf- fered in one night during the war. At sunrise we were relieved, but after swallowing a hasty break- fast, in fact, some not eating anything, we were ordered out again, and in a short time we were engaged in deadly conflict with the enemy. Our position was on the left center, in a dense growth of cedars, hiding, to some extent, the enemy from our view. . We, however, soon had the privilege of giving them the contents of our guns, and with our trusty and brave Colonel Moody, and gallant Ma- jor Bell, and Adjutant Armstrong, the Seventy- fourth went in with a will. Colonel Moody's horse was shot from under him, and he narrowly escaped with his life, his clothes being cut in several places. A ball struck his pistol which no doubt saved his life. But at all times he was cool, not appearing the least excited, and giving his orders with great firmness. The men also stood up to the work with- out flinching. I think the Seventy-fourth deserves great praise for the manner in which it acted during the fight. Some of our brave boys who went into that fight fell as martyrs to their coun- try. But their blood has not been shed in vain. Every drop that they have shed is a lasting memo- rial of their undying love for their country, and
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GREENE COUNTY. IN THE WAR.
their memories will be held sacred for generations to come. General Rosecrans, General Negley and General Miller passed the highest encomiums on the Seventy-fourth. General Rosecrans said he believed the Seventy-fourth was a "fighting regi- ment," and if every division and every brigade had done as well as General Negley's and Colonel Miller's, we would have whipped them out the first
day. Several of our officers lost their horses. Major Bell and Adjutant Armstrong lost theirs. There were a great many horses as well as men killed. As you no doubt will get a statement of the losses on both sides before this reaches you, I will close.
" Yours respectfully, " IRA S. OWENS,
" Private Company C, 74th O. V. I."
The following are the names of the killed, wounded and missing, in the battle of December 31st :
KILLED.
Company A .-- Corporal Isaac I. Smith. Pri- vates Wyat H. Jones, and Jacob Bushert. Total,'3.
Company F .- Sergeant William H. Smith and Private B. G. Hughes. Total, 2.
Company I .- Private John Hawkins.
Company K .- Corporal John D. Halson.
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THE SEVENTY FOURTHI.
WOUNDED.
Colonel Granville Moody, slightly.
Company A .-- Sergeant A. C. Mahan, slightly. Corporals Samuel Schooley and James R. Hayslet. Privates, Daniel S. Wilson, Barney Walters, Mich- ael McMarrah, Jesse Curry, Jacob Shields., To- tal, 8.
Company B .- Sergeant James McCann, slight- ly. Privates, John A. Leiss, seriously ; William H. Pratt, Ephraim Dickenson, Jacob Wildermott, and Jessie Stevens, slightly ; Henry C. Edwards and James Bone, badly (wounded accidentally). Total, 8.
Company C .-- Privates, Ilenry G. Forbes, Wm. T. McDaniel, Philip Tracey and Ira S. Owens, slightly ; Alfred Harold, badly ; James H. Seldom- ridge, wounded badly in the back ; Charles M. Wolf, in the arm; Chauncy White, in the leg ; Samuel T. Miller, accidentally in the foot. Total, 9.
Company D .- Privates, Philip Minehart, mor- tally ; John L. Collins and Andrew R. Galloway, slightly ; J. Coppie, leg (since amputated), P. Cas- tello, J. McCune, William McAfee, F. Hunter and A. Ames. Total, 10.
Company E .- Corporal John Cox. Privates, Ed. C. Snider and Wesley Snider. Total, 3.
ยท Company F .- Captain Walter Crook, Lieuten- ant M. H. Peters. Sergeants Enos H. Walters
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GREENE COUNTY IN THE WAR.
and Cyrus Phillips, Orderly Sergeant Charles C. Dodson, Corporal David Bansman, Edon Schumer, Privates, John Elder, George W. Beck and Patrick MIcConor. Total, 10.
Company G .- Orderly Sergeant M. K. McFad- den, Corporal L. Baker. Privates, Hiram Cox, John .Handy, William Chambers and J. C. Mans- field. Total, 6.
Company H .- Captain Joseph Ballard, First Lieutenant David Snodgrass, First Sergeant Ra- per A. Spahr, (since died), Corporals Philip Stumm and Albert F. Johnson. Privates, Calvin Curl, (since died), Dudley Day, Joseph Wyburn, John A. Donald and Augustus Houmard. Total, 10.
Company I .- First Lieutenant Robert Cullen, severely ; Sergeant John Toole. Privates Mich- ael Connell, Terrence McLaughlin and James Mc- Carty. Total, 5.
Company K .- Corporal William Carter and pri- vate David Steith. Total, 2. MISSING.
Company A. - Privates, Alex. Walthal and Charles Hummer. Total, 2.
Company B .- Privates, Patrick McNary, Ed- ward Persinger, George C. McClellan and Charles Lucas. Total, 4.
Company D .- Corporals J. H. McClung and J. Hamilton. Privates S. G. Stewart, Henry Frock
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THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
and William Drummonds. Total, 5. Company E .- Private Isaac M. Keiser. Company F .- Privates Jonathan Townsend, John O'Brien and Jacob Candell. Total, 3.
Company G .- Private Charles Weaver.
Company H .- Corporal Fred. Shull. Privates, Christopher Cline, Morris Haley and Urs Yagge. Total, 4.
Total number of killed, 7; wounded, 78; mis- sing, 22.
1 regret that I have lost the list of those killed on the 2d of January, 1863.
The following letter was also written while at Murfreesboro, to the Xenia TORCHLIGHT :
" A VISIT TO THE GENERAL FIELD HOSPITAL, NEAR MURFREESBORO.
"CAMP NEAR MURFREESBORO, TENN., May 20, 1863.
MESSRS. EDITORS :-- Yesterday morning I left camp and visited the general field hospital, situated one mile west of Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Stone river. The river runs nearly around it, forming almost an island, the ground being in the shape of a horseshoe. Here I found several of the Seventy- fourth boys who are detailed, among them John. F. Reed, formerly of Cedarville, Greene county, who is clerking and partly assisting in the washing and laundry department. Through him I was
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GREENE COUNTY IN THE WAR.
enabled to gain considerable information pertoin- ing to the hospital, and it may be interesting to your many readers to give a description of the same. In company with Mr. Reed, I visited first the washing and laundry department. Here they employ thirty-two females, (colored), and they wash and iron about five thousand articles of cloth- ing per week. Captain Frink's lady, of the United States regular army, superintends this department. I next visited the garden ; it contains about forty acres, and here I found different kinds of veget- ables growing, onions, potatoes &c. The ground is neatly laid out in squares, with streets running each way for vehicles. In the center, where the streets cross I understand it is the intention to plant the Stars and Stripes. George Sargent, of Company C, Seventy-fourth regiment O. V. 1., is ward-master of the hospital, which is divided into eight wards, the streets being about fifty feet wide an avenue between each ward, where the cooking is done. In each ward there is a frame house to cook and eat in; there are two tables in a room. sufficient to accommodate about eighty men at a a time. I partook of their hospitality and ate with them. They have plenty to cat and got up in a good style. There are about twenty ladies here from the northern states, who are administer- . ing to the wants of the patients, and here let me
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THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
say that if I were to be sick in the army, I would rather be here than any where else, with these angels of mercy to attend me while away from home. M. Woodruff, formerly of the 74th Illinois volunteers, is steward; George Davis, druggist ; J. Wilkerson, of Company A, 74th O. V. I., post- master; 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 5,000 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 1,500 men in the hospital at present. The hospital is under the command of Dr. J. T. Findley,
"The 74th 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."
The following lines were also written while at Murfreesboro :
THE VOLUNTEERS.
BY IRA S. OWENS.
We left our homes and friends so dear, To fight for freedom's cause ;
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GREENE COUNTY IN THE WAR.
Yes, for our country's sake we're here, And to protect its laws.
The Union, we will still preserve, Although we have to fight; From duty we will never swerve, But, stand up for the right.
In days of yore, our father's fought, And bled, and died, that we Might share the glories so dearly bought, And that we might be free.
Those patriot sires, that noble band, We'll not forget them, no; They fought and saved our native land, And conquered many a foe.
Then by our country's flag we'll stand, The Union we will save ; O'er North and South, o'er all the land Our flag shall proudly wave.
Since we obeyed our country's call And flew to its relief, It's caused the tears of friends to fall, And filled their hearts with grief.
God speed the time when war shall cesse, When rebels shall succumb, When we shall one again have peace, And traitors hear their doom
For then shall war be heard no more. Then friends shall meet again ;
THIE SEVENTY FOURTH
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