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 3
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And fighting then shall all be o'er. And peace triumphant reign.
We will now resume the march again.
After passing through Hoover gap the regiment had a toilsome march through mud and. rain, (the. enemy had been driven back), waded one creek thirteen times, and marched on until after night. Most of the boys gave out before reaching Man- chester, and halted and lay beside the road untili morning. I, with several of the boys of Company C, lay all night with no covering at the foot of a tree, using our cartridge-boxes for pillows. . The next day, which was the 27th, we marched into 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 wasordered for ward. I with several others, was sent to a house that was formerly used for a rebel hospital where we re- mained one week, and then were sent to Tullehoma. While at Manchester we heard of the fall of Vicks- burg. On arriving at Tullehoma we were placed in the hospital which they were just starting, and. the accomodations were therefore not good, but better than they were at Manchester.
I remained at the hospital four weeks. Mean- while the regiment was in camp at Deckherd Station, on the Nashville and Chattanooga railroad.
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GREENE COUNTY IN THE WAR.
From Tullehoma I was sent to Nashville, to No. 1 hospital. We arrived at Nashville at midnight, and were conveyed in ambulances to hospital No. I, east of town. I was very much fatigued on arriving at Nashville, having to sit up all the way from Tullehoma. I was consigned to Ward 3, on the third story. Here I was treated very kindly by the ward-master and nurses. As soon as con-
venient I was shown my cot. [ lay down very tired and sleepy, and I had just gotten into a re- freshing sleep when the nurse aroused me, an- nouncing something to eat. Hungry as I was I would have rather slept than eat. I remained in this hospital some five weeks, when I was sent out to the convalescent camp, about a mile south of the city. I remained there a short time, when I was detailed as nurse in No. 8 hospital, by Gen- eral Granger, who was commanding the post of Nashville. Here I found it a very arduous duty -much more so than camp duty. Attending
upon the sick and wounded, who at that time were being brought in from the Chicamauga battle field, required all my time. I got but little rest. Here I formed several acquaintances, comrades in arms, some of whom I shall never forget. As hard as was the duty to be performed, I spent some very pleasant hours while there. We had preaching every Sabbath. During my stay in the hospital
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TILE SEVENTY FOURTH.
there was quite a revival of religion, several pro- fessing to have been converted. We also got up a lyceum. When I first went there our fare was quite meager and poor. There was not a man
who liked the surgeon of the hospital. He was aristocratic, proud and mean, and could hardly
speak a pleasant word to any of the nurses.
I
don't suppose he ever smelt powder or was in a battle. I withhold his name, because the name of all such men should be forgotten. They should not be countenanced by community. Sometimes the men became very indignant at him, and at such times his shoulder straps were all that saved him.
I remained at hospital No. 8 until the Seventy- fourth regiment returned from Chattanooga on its way home, they having reinlisted and were going home on furlough. I was performing the duty of ward-master and was making out my evening re- port when some of my comrades came to the hos- pital and told me that the regiment was at the landing. I threw down my pen and told them I was going too, and in a very short time I had packed up, bid adieu to the hospital and started for the regiment. I found them on board the boat ready for a start, and that same evening I re-en- listed and in an hour afterwards we were steam- ing down the Cumberland, bound for home-yes,
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GREENE COUNTY IN THE WAR.
home, sweet home. O, how glad we felt, how joyous to think that we were on our way home to. see our loved ones once more. It was the 26th day of January, 1864, when we left Nashville. I should have stated before this that on the reor- ganization of the army at Murfreesboro, Tennes- see, in February, 1863, the Seventy-fourth was assigned to the third brigade, (Miller's) second division, ( Negley's )
fourteenth army corps,
(Thomas'). At this place several changes took place among the officers. Colonel Moody, Major Bell, and Captains Owens, McDowell and Ballard resigned, which made necessary the following promotions : To colonel, Josiah Given, (late lieutenant-colonel of the 18th Ohio) : to captains, Mills, Armstrong, McGinnis, Tedford and McEl- roy ; to first lieutenants, McMillen, Hunter, Hutch- ison, Weaver and Bricker ; to second lieutenants, Adams, Scott, Drummond and McGreary. On arriving at Xenia, about the last of January, the regiment was received with great honors and dem- onstrations of joy by the good citizens of Xenia .. who assembled at the depot to welcome them back, by whom a bountiful repast was set before the. soldiers, which they ate only as hungry soldiers can eat. The regiment was granted a furlough of thirty days to visit their friends, reassembling at Xenia on the 17th of March. Before leaving for the field'
THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
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 reorganized, numbered, with the addition of one hundred new recruits, six hundred and nineteen men.
CHAPTER VI.
Return to the Front-Incidents-Arriving at Nashville-Leav- ing for the Front-Arrival at Chattanooga-Camp at Grays- ville, Georgia-Breaking Camp-Starting on the Atlanta Campaign-Fight at Buzzard's Roost-Incidents of the Battle.
The Seventy-fourth. once more ready for the field, started for the front on the 23d of March, 1864. I will now quote from a 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 6 o'clock this morning. Marched from the boat to Soldiers' Home. An amusing little incident occur- red while marching through the streets of Louis- ville. An Irishman, a few paces in advance of me, was indulging in.a smoke, having, as he thought, extinguished the fire in his pipe. He put it in his pocket, but pretty soon a strong smell of some- thing burning was experienced. The Irishman. however, kept marching on. After a while he re- marked that he smelt burnt rags, and on cla pping his han'ls behind him, he drew his coat-tail around,
THE SEVENTY FOURTHI.
exclaiming at the same time, " Be jabbers, and it's. meselt that's burning !"
Saturday, 26th. Left Louisville about 3 o'clock"
Arrived at. P. M. for Nashville. Code all night. Nashville next morning about daylight.
Sunday, 27th. Marched through town to south side and camped near our old camp ground. Drew shelter-tent. Went to No. 8 hospital and. staid all night.
Monday, 28th. At Nashville. Rained at night .. Drew rations preparatory to starting on march to. Chattanooga.
Tuesday, 29th. Started on march to Chatta- nooga by the way of Murfreesboro ; from thence. to Shelbville, Tennessee. At Shelbyville heard Andrew Johnson make his celebrated Union speech:
Monday, April 4th. Arrived at Tullehoma. Thursday, 7th. Crossed the Cumberland Moun- tains and encamped in Crow Creek valley.
Friday, 8th. Arrived at Stevenson, Alabama, and on the 9th embarked on cars for Chattanooga, having marched from Nashville.
There is splendid scenery along the rout from Stevenson, Alabama, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. We passed Shell Mound, the mouth of Nicojack Cave, and, as probably all my readers are aware, Lookout Mountain, at Chattanooga. We arrived
GREENE COUNTY IN THE WAR.
at Chattanooga after night, it being dark, rainy, and cold, with no place to go to. We had to re- main near the railroad until morning, when we went to the Soldiers' Home for breakfast. Why they did not take us there the night before I do not know.
On the 12th we started again on the march and marched out to Graysville, Georgia, where we went into camp, remaining there until the 3d of May, when we broke up camp and started to Riggold, Georgia. On the night of the 6th of May there was a splendid illumination of the fourteenth army corps. A candle was placed in front of every tent, some on poles, some on trees, and large fires in every street in the vast encamp- ment. It was a grand and imposing sight. On the 7th of May the great Atlanta campaign was commenced. I will refer to my journal from time to time in order to give particulars of that march.
Saturday, May 7th. Marched this morning at daylight for the front. Formed line of battle at Tunnell Hill. Fired a few rounds from the battery. Very warm day. A great many new blankets and overcoats thrown away. Rebels left Tunnell Hill. Fighting in front. On picket at night.
Sunday, 8th. Marched again and halted in the woods near " Buzzards' Roost."
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THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
Monday, 9th. Advanced about two miles. Commenced an attack on the rebels. Heavy skirmishing, the Seventy-fourth under fire. Se- werely shelled by a rebel battery ; one man killed and several wounded, among whom was Adjutant M. H. Peters.
Tuesday, 10th. Still fighting. Rebels strongly fortified. . Went back to the rear in the afternoon for rations. Returned to the front. Regiment in line of battle. IIere let me remark, one has a peculiar feeling standing in line of battle, expect- ing every moment to be ordered forward, it may be, to certain death. For one I can only say that at such a time I did not feel like running. It was almost as dangerous in the rear as the front, if not quite as much so, in a battle. Only those who have experienced it know anything about it. Wc had left our knapsacks at the foot of the moun- tain 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 moun- tain was steep and covered with little sharp stones. I threw my gum blanket down on the ground, un- buckled my belt, slipped my cartridge box around for a pillow, and with my gun at my side slept
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GREENE COUNTY IN THE WAR.
soundly. When I awoke in the morning I had slipped about two feet down the hill, and the reg- iment was anything but in line. We soon, how- ever, straightened up and got in line again, ready for the rebs.
CHAPTER VIR
March around to Snake Gap-Battle of Resaca-Crossing the Etawah river-Altoona Mountain under Fire-Colonel Neil- ling Wounded-Double Breastworks.
Wednesday, May 11th. Went out on skirmish line at daylight, very steep climbing. Remained on skirmish line all day. Heavy firing in the af- ternoon. Rebel shells fell very near us. Marched to the rear at midnight and remained until morn- ing. Sherman leaving one corps in front of Buz- zards' Roost, marched the rest of his army to Snake Gap, about sixteen miles from Buzzards' Roost, thus flanking the rebel army. The rebels, as soon as they found it out, left Buzzards' Roost and fell back to Resaca. At Buzzards' Roost the Seventy-fourth lost sixteen men killed and wound- ed. At Resaca we had another battle, in which the Seventy-forth lost nine men killed and wound- ed.
On the 15th the rebels left Resaca, leaving many of their dead on the field. Here we cap- tured a large amount of corn meal. The morn- ing of the 17th of May we left Resaca in pursuit of the rebels, crossed the Coosa river. passed
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GREENE COUNTY IN THE WAR.
through the town of Calhoun, halted and remained all night on the side of a hill in the woods. Marched in daytime and halted at night and built fortifications. Weather very warm. On the 23d of May we arrived at Etawah river. The march that day was a hard one, it being very dry and dusty ; so much so that one could not see from one end of the regiment to the other, Be- fore we came to the river we received the word tthat 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 boots and pantaloons ; .others went right in without taking off anything. I did so myself. When about half way across, where the water was nearly breast deep and run- ning very swift, I thought I would go ahead of some that were ahead of me, when I stumbled and fell, losing my gun and completely wetting my- ·self and filling my haversack with water, and soaking my hardtack. I recovered my gun, how- ·ever. It was a ludicrous sight to see the Seven- ty-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 picto- rials. One man of our regiment (I will not name
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THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
him) thought he would not wade the 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 and completely ducking them. When we had got over to the other side the dust was all washed off. We staid an hour or so to dry off, it being very hot ; so by the time we started again we were dry and felt 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 di- rectly 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 until night, when we went back to the rear. While going to the rear, Colonel Neibling, of the 21st 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.
. CHAPTER VIII.
Retreat of Rebels-Following Them Up-Anecdote-On the March-Thunder-Storm-On Picket- Advancing the Line- Incidents.
On the 2d of June we were ordered to the front again. Econ after we were in line, a ter- rific thunder 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 silenced, 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 brig- ade not far from us. I will now refer again to my Journal.
Friday, June 3d. Relieved in the morning by left wing of the regiment. Went back into breastworks and got breakfast. Staid until night. Went on skirmish line.
Saturday, 4th. Went on skirmish line again at daybreak. Shot several rounds ; very muddy in ditch. Rained considerably. Fighting on our left. On reserve at night.
Sunday, 5th. Rebels left this morning. Some
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THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
sharp shooting. Milton Bennett, of Co E, was killed while cleaning his gun. Rebels left at 8 o'clock this morning. Went over to rebel lines, or rather what had been their lines. Notwith- standing that the rebels were driven back and had retreated from place to place and were de- feated at every point, still they told the most ex- travagant stories and published the most arrogant lies. in order to deceive the people and keep them in good spirits. At every battle they told how they had whipped the Yankees. This reminds me of the story of the little Negro, who was de- scribing a wind storm : "Why, massa, dere was de tremendusest, post mowerfulest win' stom dat you eber heah. De win' blow'd so hard dat it blow'd de har-de har-off of one man's head ! Ya'as, de har all off one man's head ! "De har !"' "Now. Sam, you lying rascal, why didn't the wind blow your hair off?" "Why-why-you'se allers bodderin' white folks when dey'se tellin de trufe-why dar was a man stan'in' a holdin' my har on ! Ya'as a man a stan'in-a man ""' "But why wasn't his har blown off?" "O dar was a nudder man a stan'in' a holdin' his har on! Ya'as a nudder man." "But why wasn't his hair blown off?" "Kase-why-w-why-(you'se bodderin' yourself about de win' stom)-why dar was a little boy a standin' a holdin' his har on.
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GREENE COUNTY IN THE WAR.
Ya'as, a little boy a holdin' his har on !" . "But why wasn't the little boy's hair blown off, you black scamp?" "Why-why, golly, don't you see plain nuff how it was ? Why dar was a man wid a bald head a stan'in' a hol'in' his hair on!"
June 6th. Marched after the rebels. Marched on until about 10 o'clock, and halted and remained in the woods all day and night.
June 7th. Moved about 200 yards up in the woods and put up tents. Some rain in the even- ing.
Juue S!h. In camp. Drew rations. Received mail.
June 9th. In camp. Inspection of arms. June 10th. Started on the . march again. Marched out of camp and rested. Resumed the march again. Thunder shower. Rained quite hard.
June 11th. Rained this morning. Captain Armstrong joined us this morning. Marched in line of battle through the woods, Halted and commenced fortifying, but quit and marched on about a mile. Maneuvered around considerably during the night, but finally got into position and built breastworks ; then camped for the night.
Sunday, 12th. A very wet and disagreeable day ; consequently the chaplain did not preach.
Monday. 13th. The chaplain, by request of
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THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
the 'regiment, preached a thanksgiving sermon, which was afterward printed and published.
Tuesday, 14th. Went out on picket at 6 o'clock. A. M., and then advanced the line. After stand- ing picket two hours we were thrown forward as. skirmishers and came near being shot. As we neared the rebel lines we were marched in column. down a road, trees and bushes on either side, and although there was no firing in front, yet we could: hear the skirmishers on our right and left. We were going to fill up a gap and had advanced farther than we supposed, when suddenly there came a zip, zip, and whistling of bullets about out ears. We did not wait then for the command to deploy as skirmishers, but every man hunted a tree and we went to work, and, strange to say, although the balls whistled very close to us, not a. man in our squad was touched. But the same bullets that were fired at us went on to the regi- ment, killing one man and wounding another. That was the day, I think, that the rebel general ,. Polk was killed. He was killed by the 6th Indi- ana battery. I think that was the battery, al- though I may possibly be mistaken. It is said that General Sherman, seeing a group of rebel. generals on Pine Mountain, rode up to the lines and inquired for a battery. He was told that one was close at band. He ordered it brought up,.
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GREENE COUNTY IN THE WAR.
placed in position, loaded and discharged. ' He then ordered it loaded a second time and dis- charged. Then says he, "That will do," and im- mediately rode off. That battery was immediately in our rear, and the balls went over our heads. That afternoon I stood up behind a tree, scarcely large enough to protect my body, from 2 o'clock in the afternoon until after dark, loading and fir- ing my gun. The tree was skinned in several places by rebel bullets. We loaded and fired at will, no officers being there to give orders. It was when the privates were on picket that they were their own men : they were not often troubled with officers.
An incident transpired that afternoon which I will relate : Not far from the tree where I stood a soldier was squatting down behind a tree, when a bullet from a rebel gun penetrated the ground immediately under him without touching him. As readily may be supposed, he immediately rose to his feet and got on the other side of the tree. An old. gray-headed man belonging to another regiment, (I cannot say what one ), some rods in the rear, seeing the man jump up so quickly and change his position without any orders, came down to where our picket was standing, and on learning the cause of the sudden movement, the picket guard telling him he thought the bullet
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THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
came from a rebel sharpshooter in a tree, and pro- ceeded forthwith, as he said, to see if he could not find out where that fellow was. He was gone a few minutes, when he returned and told the man he might sit down again, as he did not think he would shoot any more, intimating as much that he had fixed him.
CHAPTER IN.
Again on the March-Building Works under Fire-Approaching Kennesaw Mountain-Grand Sight-Leatherbreeches' Bat- tery-Supporting the Same.
On the 15th of June we again advanced, driv- ing the rebels before us. We then halted and fortified.
June 16th. Moved to the right and drew some rations. Pretty sharp shooting on the right. Heavy cannonading in the afternoon, supposed to be shelling the rebel train.
June 17th. Advanced again about a half mile. Built works. Heavy fighting. Took fourteen prisoners to-day. Drew rations. Heavy skir- mishing at night.
June 18th. Advanced again. Got under fire of rebel shells and bullets. Built works under fire. Three of the boys wounded to-day, among them Sergeant T. C. Hook, of Company A. Rained very hard while lying on our faces in line of battle.
June 19th. I was on picket and went out to. the rebel works, but the rebs were gonc. Our pickets followed them about two miles, when we
.
THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
returned again to the regiment. We were then approaching Kennesaw Mountain, the Seventy- fourth being in the rear. It was a grand sight, as we approached the mountain, the shells from our batteries exploding on the side of the mountain, and the rebel shells from its top. From our stand- point the scene was sublime and grand beyond de- scription. A battle raging between two contend- ing armies is a grand and awful sight. It has been described more than once, but to participate in it is different. Perhaps my own experience will . tally with many others. When it is certain that we will shortly have to be engaged in deadly strife the mind has many misgivings, and we dread it, not knowing but that we are rushing on to certain death. Then it is we think of home and our loved ones, and if a man ever prays, it is then. I know that I prayed as fervently on the battle field as I ever did before or since. But when once engaged one loses all dread or fear, and thinks of nothing but driving the enemy, and it is not until he has passed through the conflict that he has time to reflect. When the ground is strewn with the dead and dying, he begins to feel again, and if he is inclined to be grateful, his heart will swell with gratitude to God for his kind and pro- tecting care in preserving his life through the terrible conflict. But how many hundreds and.
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GREENE COUNTY IN THE WAR.
thousands seem never to think of this. I have heard men curse and swear on the eve of battle, or even when engaged, and some even die with a curse on their lips. But it is not my purpose to moralize. Men know their duty, and if they do it not, I feel that I am not to blame. I leave this with other men, who think they are called to this work.
June 20th. The Seventy-fourth in the rear.
Drew rations. Moved a short distance and put up tents, with orders for inspection at 4 o'clock. Cleaned guns. Were ready for inspection, when "we received orders to move right away. We moved in front to Leatherbreeches' or Buckskin's battery. This Leatherbreeches' right name was Captain Dilger. He was the most skillful and plucky officer in the Union service. When the war broke out Captain Dilger was an artillery of- ficer in the Prussian service. A short time after the battle of Bull Run, an uncle of Dilger (a mer- chant in New York) wrote that the present was an opportune time to visit America, etc. Dilger was desirous of studying war as carried on in the Western world, and to this end procured leave of absence for a year. As soon as he arrived he joined the Army of the Potomac, as an artillerist, and commanded a battery. As his year drew to -a close he managed to get his leave indefinitely
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THE SEVENTY FOURTH.
extended. The term of his battery, the 1st Ohio artillery, having expired, he was ordered to Cin- cinnati to be mustered out of the service. His next appearance with his battery was under Gen- eral Hooker, and by the name of Leatherbreeches, or Buckskin, he became known to every officer and soldier in the Army of the Cumberland.
In all the battles which occurred from Lookout Mountain to Peach Tree Creek, Captain Dilger was on hand. He was the first to open fire on the eve of a battle, taking his guns nearly up to the skirmish line. On the eventful day of the Hooker and Johnson contest, Captain Dilger took his guns up to the skirmish line and for half an hour poured a raking fire of grape and canister into the enemy. So conspicuous and marked were his movements that he became at one time the target for three rebel batteries, and lost seven . . men during the day. He fired by volley when he got a good thing, and the acclamations of the in- fantry drowned the reverberation of the cannon's roar. On all such occasions Captain Dilger im- pressed every one by his fine appearance. He always wore close buckskin breeches with top boots and stood by his gun in his shirt sleeves during battle, eliciting the admiration of the whole army by his coolness and intrepidity in action. I have seen him sitting in a porthole of the works,
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