USA > Ohio > History One hundred and eleventh regiment O. V. I > Part 13
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The people seemed to be glad that "the cruel war was over," even though it had resulted disastrously to their cause.
We were mustered out of the United States service, but not dis- charged. We were kept upon duty as before for a time ; but, the duties were chiefly formal, as it was understood, that there was no longer any organized force to oppose us.
Somewhere, in the Carolina pine woods, we resolved our brigade into an assembly of citizens, from Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, and had a horse race. I cannot be quite certain about the locality, but the main features of the entertainment is a part of my recollection. There are others who had cause to remember it more vividly.
Somewhere in our campaign through the Southland, our quarter- master, Myron G. Brown, had accummulated a trim built iron gray mare. She was young and a beauty to look upon. Walt. Ostrander and John Gonder, with the other boys about the Colonel's and quar- termaster's quarters, had tested the speed of the animal, and'had pro- nounced her "a racer way up in G." She was regarded in the regi-
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OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
ment with the same unstinted admiration, which always surrounds a young man, who comes well recommended into a strange settlement, and for the first time (and before his blemishes are discovered) mects the assembled mothers and daughters at the country ball.
The boys had been keeping the little animal in training, for some time, in a quiet way, and had bestowed upon her more energy in the way of rubbing down, than they were wont to display upon all of the rest of the stock.
The boys of the 23rd Michigan had a long bodied, long limbed bay, who had many of the physical peculiarities of the greyhound, which they modestly proclaimed to be the fastest horse in the bri- gade. Our boys had found that their gray did not have lung power enough for a long race, but for a half mile, "she was a regular cyclone."
The result was that our boys challenged the Michiganders to a race between the horses, limited to a half mile. The challenge was accepted, and the intrenching tools in the hands of a multitude of eager and excited young men soon cleared and graded a track a half mile long, and running on an air line through the pine woods. The morning of the race, found bets freely offered and taken by both sides. The horses were brought out by the respective sides and placed in position ; when the word "Go" was given, our little gray started like a rocket from a fence post, and clattered through the avenue of overhanging pines with the bay following in a labored lope some distance in the rear. The judges of tl at election, contrary to the practice which has largely prevailed there since, declared the raee won by the gray mare who won it, instead of declaring in favor of the bay, who did not win it, and thereby gave sanction to that ancient Scotch proverb, that "the gray mare is the better horse."
Walter and John and their associates, pocketed the good crisp greenbacks of the Michiganders, and accepted with illconcealed satisfaction the challenge to try conclusions between the same horses in another race. Walt. and John were surrounded by a crowd of their admiring friends, anxious to get safe tips for the next race, and were assured by the managers, that the thing was all one-sided. The gray was unquestionably the fastest animal for a half mile heat in America, or any other place, and the bay wasn't anywhere in sight. "That if the Wolverines wanted to throw away their money on such a galliniper of a horse as that, why, why ! let 'em do it, and we would rake it in easy."
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HISTORY 111TH REGIMENT
The second race, with flourish of bugles, as in the chivalric days of old, was called, and the high steppers pranced down to the wire, took the word and went; but, as singular as it appeared to the Ohio boys, it looked as if the bay was in the air pretty much all the time, only touching her feet occasionally, while the gray was beating a tatoo on the pine needles, "only that and nothing more." The gallant plucky little gray had been ignomineously beaten. What made it so exasperating was, that the bay had done it so easily, and the pockets of the Wolverines bulged out enormously, as they gather- ed in the Buckeye boys bets and double bets, so confidently made upon the result of the prior race.
Walt. and John, solemnly swore that their horse had been dosed in the night; but, what seemed to others, as of more conse- quence, was, that the boys had been dosed in the day-time, by de- livering to them an easy victory on light and cautious bets; and then dropping the upturned corner of the card, when all of the Buckeye greenbacks were in the hands of the stakeholders. The honest; but unfortunate little gray mare, must have missed her hourly rubbing down after that, as she was consigned to the limbo of common horses.
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OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
CHAPTER XIII.
RETURN HOME AND FINAL DISCHARGE .- ANECDOTES .- OMITTED INCIDENTS -ARMY ORDERS, ETC.
Under our order for final discharge, we took cars at Salisbury, upon the Piedmont Railroad and thence to Norfolk, Virginia, where we took boat for Baltimore, Maryland. After the rough ride on the cars through North Carolina and Virginia, the boat ride up Chesa- peake Bay was very pleasant.
We were then given a train of cars upon the Pennsylvania Railroad, and passed through the state upon our national holiday, the 4th of July. The people of Pennsylvania had been given a taste from the bitter cup of war during Lee's Gettysburg campaign, and were correspondingly thankful that the war had closed. At every town in the interior of the State where we stopped, the citizens flock- ed to our train with baskets of provisions and pails of coffee, and fed us as long as we had capacity to eat. The fresh white bread and golden butter, revived the memories of our mother's cupboards at home. We bad seen and tasted nothing like it, since mid-summer, 1862.
Without incident of importance, we arrived at Cleveland, Ohio, on the 5th of July, 1865. We had been gone nearly three years. and were feverishly impatient to get away, and meet those who so anxiously awaited our coming at home.
We were marched out to the low level valley, eastward of the publie square, and again went into camp. Every officer of the regiment was busy making out the muster-out and pay-rolls, and the necessary returns of camp and garrison equipage, clothing, guns and equipments, so as to receive proper credit upon the books of the Commissary and Quartermaster's departments. For five days we were detained in making up accounts and getting our pay. As
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HISTORY 111TH REGIMENT
soon as the pay-rolls were made up the enlisted men got their pay, and for the last time receipted thereon for the munificent salaries promised to them, for the privilege of standing as marks for rebel bullets.
When it came to the final hand shaking between officers and men, who would never be reunited again on earth, the scene is not easily described. Men who for nearly three years had stood side by side on the battle field, who had saved each other from death or capture, who had nursed each other in sickness, and had preserved, unbroken, the tenderest life friendships in health, were to separate, perhaps for ever. In the eyes of men who came back powder-burn- ed from the lines at Franklin without blanching, notwithstanding the utmost repression, tears started and voices trembled with emotion. Some, not daring to trust themselves for a final farewell. slipped away and were gone; others, who were to travel over the same road, spent the interval before train time in making purchases for loved ones at home, or with locked arms, sang their favorite campaign songs, as they moved about the streets. The citizens showed the utmost hospitality to every man who wore the blue, and opened their houses to them day or night. Pictures were taken and exchanged, the last farewells said, and the old regiment disappeared forever.
The elastic system under which we were born and reared, received us again as citizens, and we took up, each for himself, the burdens which we had laid down three years before. These burdens were less irksom, perhaps, because of the satisfaction which each individual felt, in having paid in full and rounded measure, his debt of citizenship to the best government on earth.
As an appendix to the description of the battle of Franklin, and as sustaining the statements there made, I here give some of the correspondence and orders issued prior to the battle :
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO, } FRANKLIN, TENN., NOV. 30, 1864. )
CAPT. BRIDGES:
The Commanding General directs that you report four (4) bat - teries from your command to Brig. Gen'l J. D. Cox, for position on the line.
Yours respectfully,
J. A. CAMPBELL,
Major and A. A. G.
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OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
This corresponds with my statement as to the amount of artillery employed in the battle.
At 8:45 a. m., of November 28, General Schofield wired General Thomas that all of his forces were on the north side of Duck River. "I think I can now stop Hood's advance by any line near this, and meet in time any distant movement to turn my position, etc." How this prediction was sustained we have already seen.
Fifteen minutes later he telegraphed General Thomas: "I am in doubt whether it is advisable, with reference to future operations, to hold this position, or to retire to some point from which we can move offensively. Of course we cannot seeure the river here, etc."
Twenty-five minutes later he telegraphed : "I have all of the fords above and below this place well watched, and guarded as far as possible. Wilson is operating with his main force on my left. The enemy does not appear to have moved in that direction yet, to any considerable distance Do you not think the infantry at the distant crossings below here should now be withdrawn and cavalry substituted ? I do not think we can prevent the crossing of even the enemy's cavalry, because the places are so numerous, etc."
Suppose Cooper's command 30 miles below us, had been brought up promptly and placed above our left flank, and a company of cavalry substituted, Hood's head of column could not have reached Spring Hill, ten miles in our rear, without our knowing it.
The same day General Schofield further wired General Thomas: "The enemy was crossing in force a short distance this side of the Lewisburg Pike at noon to-day, and had driven our cavalry back across the river and the pike at the same time. The force is reput- ed to be infantry, but I do not regard it as very probable. Wilson has gone with his main force to learn the fact, and drive the enemy back if practicable."
The former dispatch appears to have been sent at 3:30 p. m., as appears by the following answer from General Thomas to General Schofield : "Your dispatch of 3:30 is just received. If General Wilson cannot succeed in driving back the enemy, should it prove true that he has crossed the river, you will necessarily have to make preparations to take up a new position at Franklin, behind Harpeth, immediately, if it becomes necessary to fall back."
At 6:00 p. m. General Schofield again telegraphs: "The enemy's cavalry in force has crossed the Lewisburg Pike and is now in possession of Rally Hill. Wilson is trying to get on the Franklin
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HISTORY 111TH REGIMENT
Pike ahead of them. He thinks the enemy may swing in between him and me, and strike Spring Hill, and wants Hammond's brigade to halt there, etc."
Hammond's brigade was a cavalry command which was sup- posed to be on the way from Nashville.
On the 29th, at 3:30 a. m., General Thomas telegraphed General Schofield : "I have directed Hammond to halt at Spring Hill and to report to you for orders, etc. I desire you to fall back from Colum- bia and take up your position at Franklin, leaving a sufficient force at Spring Hill to contest the enemy's progress, until you are securely posted at Franklin." Directs troops below to be withdrawn and retire to Franklin. Reports the nonarrival of General A. J. Smith's command.
Four and one half hours after receiving this dispatch, Schofield ordered General Stanly with two divisions of the 4th Corps back to Spring Hill.
At 8:20 a. m., of the 29th, Schofield telegraphed Thomas that Wilson reports the enemy's infantry crossing at Huey's Mill, 5 miles above. That he had sent out an infantry reconnoissance to learn the fact. If it proves true, I will act according to your instructions of this morning." Then requests that orders be sent to General Cooper at Centerville, from Nashville, as "he fears a message from his force might not reach him."
No7. 29th, at 1:00 p. m., requests Thomas to "have pontoons put down at Franklin at once."
Nov. 30th, 5:30 a. m., General Schofield telegraphs General Thomas : "I hope to get my troops and material safely across the Harpeth this morning. We have suffered no material loss so far. I shall try to get Wilson on my flank this morning. Forest was all around us yesterday, but we brushed him away during the evening and got through. Hood attacked in front and flank, but did not hurt us."
At 9:50 a. m. he telegraphed further: "Half the troops are here (at Franklin), and the other half about five miles out coming on in good order, with light skirmishing. I will have all across the river this evening. Wilson is here, and his cavalry on my flank. Do not know where Forrest is, etc."
At noon, Nov. 30th, Schofield wired Thomas: "I am satisfied that I have heretofore run too much risk in trying to hold Hood in check, while so far inferior to him in both infantry and cavalry.
.
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OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
The slightest mistake on my part, or failure of a subordinate, during the.last three days, might have proved disastrous. I don't want to get in so tight a place again, etc."
At 3:00 p. m. the same day, Schofield wired General Thomas : "I do not believe I can hold Hood here three days, I can doubtless hold him one day, but will hazard something in doing that. Hc has a large force in my front, probably two corps, and seems pre- pared to cross the river above and below. I think he can cross to-morrow in spite of all my efforts, and probably to-night if he attempts it. A worse position than this for an inferior force could hardly be found, etc." Also-"It appears to me that I ought to take position at Brentwood at once. I have just learned that the enemy's cavalry is already crossing three miles below, etc."
General Thomas answered : "Send back your trains to this place at once, and hold your troops in readiness to march to Brent- wood, and thence to this place as soon as your trains are fairly on the way, so disposing your force as to cover the wagon trains, etc."
General Schofield then answers requesting ammunition and A. J. Smith's Division sent to Brentwood Hills.
At 7:10 p. m., Nov. 30th, General Schofield wired General Thomas as follows: "The enemy made a heavy and persistent attack with about two corps, commencing at 4:00 p. m. and lasting until after dark. He was repulsed at all points, with very heavy loss, probably 5,000 or 6,000 men. Our los ; is not, probably, more than one fourth that number. We have captured about 1,000 prisoners, including one brigadier general, etc."
General Thomas replies : "It is glorious news, and I congratu- late you and the brave men of your command. But you must look out that the enemy does not still persist, ete."
The above closes the correspondence, and completely sustains the claim hereinbefore made that the battle of Franklin was, upon our part unexpected. That the flank movement of Hood at Spring Hill was unexpected. Whatever else may be said of General Scho- field's strategy, one thing was demonstrated; he was cool and unexcited in the midst of peril, and modest in the extreme, in the presence of an unlooked for success.
The following order issued by Colonel Moore, commanding our brigade at the battle of Franklin, is sufficient evidence of the good conduct of our regiment in a very trying position :
-----
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HISTORY 111TH REGIMENT
HEADQUARTERS 2D BRIGADE, 2D DIVISION, 23D ARMY CORPS, } NASHVILLE, TENN., DECEMBER 2, 186-4.
GENERAL ORDERS, 2 1
No. 7.
It is with feelings of the deepest gratitude that the Brigade Commander congratulates the gallant officers and soldiers of the entire brigade upon the great victory achieved on the battle field at Franklin, Tenn., November, 30th, 1864. An unbroken line of steel composed of the 8th Indiana, 11Sth Ohio, 107th Illinois, 23rd Mich - igan, 129th Indiana, and 111th Ohio regiments was formed, with the entire brigade front, without a reserve, to engage the rebel force, which was from three to five times their number, and which advanc- ed to the charge with three lines of battle, extending along the whole front.
The repeated, desperate, and determined charges of the enemy were every time successfully met, and with a heroism unsurpassed in the annals of war, they advanced but to be driven back with terrible slaughter-they advanced upon a line of steel.
The heroic spirit which inspired the command was forcibly illustrated by the gallant 111th regiment of Ohio infantry, on the left flank of the brigade, when the enemy carried the works on their left and stood firm and crossed bayonets with them, holding them in check. This is not mentioned to discriminate between the gallant regiments of the command, but by way of illustrating the heroic bravery of the entire command, for all along the line, at different points, at different times, a hand to hand conflict ensued, even to capture and recapture of the colors.
A late hour closed the conflict upon your front, and a nation's gratitude will be your reward.
We can but drop a tear for our brave companions who fell so nobly upon the battle-field, and express a deep sympathy for their loved ones at home.
By command of
COL. O. H. MOORE.
HENRY H. HALL,
Captain and A. A. G.
Four hundred and thirty-two officers and men were mustere d out with the regiment at the expiration of its term of service. This number were composed in great part of officers and men, who had been continuously with the regiment for duty through its cam - paigns. About seventy-five of this number had returned to us from detached duty and from the hospitals. For the last year of the regiment's term of service, there was seldom to exceed 325 guns in
143
OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
the hands of men present for duty. Of the officers who were mus- tered at organization, the regiment had lost by dismissal, promotion, resignation, discharge and death :
From Field and Staff, .
10
3
" B,
3
" C, 66 3
" D,
3
3
" E. " F, 66 16 3
" G, Both of its Lieutenants, . 2
66 " H, Its 1st and 2d Lieutenants, . 2
" I, All of its original officers, . 3
" K, Two of its original officers, 2
Total, 37
Of the original 39 officers mustered in under Commissions, only 8 remained in the regiment in any capacity, viz :
1. Lieutenant Colonel Isaac R. Sherwood, late Adjutant.
2. Major Thomas C. Norris, late Captain Co. B.
3. Major Lyman A. Brewer, Surgeon.
4. Captain Patrick HI. Dowling, late 1st Lieutenant, Co. H.
5. Captain Henry J. McCord, Co. G.
(. Captain Jobn W. Smith, Co. II.
7. Captain Jeremiah Bowlin, late 2d Lieutenant, Co. K.
8. Captain William H. Beal, late 1st Lieutenant, Co. B.
Of the above named officers, Surgeon Brewer had been per- manently detached as Brigade Surgeon.
Major Thos. C. Norris from about the close of the Atlanta Cam- paign, had been absent sick, until after we had taken the field in the Campaign of North Carolina.
Capt. Dowling was absent on detached duty during most of our active campaigning. First, under detail in Ohio to send forward recruits, by special order. Second, as Brigade Inspector.
Capt. Smith was detached under the same special order detach- ing Capt. Dowling, and was afterward on detached duty at Division Headquarters. Hence our original officers present for duty with the regiment were reduced to five.
Promotions from the Company Sergeants had filled all of the
,
From Co. A, all of the original officers,
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HISTORY 111TH REGIMENT
vacancies which under army regulations could be filled. As our companies had been reduced below the number, which by army regulations entitled them to a full complement of officers. new musters were restricted to two officers to each company. For this reason a considerable number of Sergeants carried commissions, and occasionally commanded companies, while drawing pay according to their non-commissioned rank.
The following is the number of officers and men in the regiment at muster out:
Field and Staff, Commissioned and Non-commissiond, . 11
Co. A. ) Officers, . 3
Enlisted men, 47
Co. B. 7 Officers, .
Enlisted men, 29
Co. C. Officers, . 2
Enlisted men, 47
Co. D. ) Officers, . 2
Enlisted men, 47
Co. E. 1 Officers, . 1
Enlisted men,
43
Co. F. Officers, .
Enlisted meu, 43
Officers, .
2
5 Enlisted men, 47 2
2
Co. I. Officers, .
Enlisted men, . 37
2 Co. K. Officers, .
Enlisted men 33
Total, 432
There are some curious facts illustrating the doctrine of chances among the companies in a regiment. Co. HI, lost the first man kill- ed in battle. At the battles of Reseca and Franklin, in which the regiment suffered most, Co. II. was absent ou detached duty. Only two additional casualities appear on the records, although several were slightly wounded.
Upon a memorandum book kept by me at the time, I find an entry in the hand writing of John Kelley, of men wounded at Reseca not on the records, as follows : Philip Miller, Co. F; Calvin
2
Co. G. 2 36 Enlisted men, Co. II. Officers,
2
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OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
Musser, Co. F, in leg; Jacob Traxler, Co. C; John P. Barton, Co. D; Conrad Heiser, Co. D; John J. Whitaker, Co. D ; William Smith, Co. K, slightly; Casper Sirolf, Co. E; Isaac Grubb, Co. E; Frank R. Sherman, Co. B.
From this record it also appears that Companies G, H and I were not engaged in that battle, having been detailed to guard trains.
From the same record I find the following additional list of casualties in the engagement on the Dallas line, when we charged through the retiring lines of the 23rd Michigan and 107th Illinois :
Richard Smith, Co. A, in right side ; David Speaker, Co. A, in forehead, slight; Richard Priest, Co. D, in arm, slight ; Madison Rhodes, Co. E, in right arm, slight; Sergeant Hiram T. Rice, Co. F. in left hip, severe ; Bradley Gould, Co. G, in right shoulder ; Chas. Rump, Co. HI, slight in abdomen ; Sergeant Hugh Campbell, Co. I, slight ; John Cary, Co. I, slight through hand; John Marsch, Co. E, slight in hand; Corp. Harrison A. Arnold, Co. C, in neck, severely ; Philip Bush, Co. C, slightly in left leg; Philip Miller, Co. F, in hand, finger amputated; Corp. Edward E. Hale, Co. F, in left leg; William HI. Laribee, Co. F, in left leg ; Daniel Bear, Co. F, in right hand ; Joseph Bodenmiller, Co. E, in hand; Corp. William Replogle, Co. E, in right shoulder.
It appears from the forgoing that in these two actions 28 men received wounds, whose injuries were not carried upon the rolls. The like proportion in the other engagements in which the regi- ment participated, would increase this list to over one hundred.
The same record shows enlisted men present for duty May 22, 380, and on May 29, only 307, showing a loss of 73 men.
HOMESICKNESS AND ITS CURE.
When in camp at Bowling Green, Ky., the following incident occurred :
We had a lieutenant noted throughout the brigade, as one of the largest and strongest men in the command. He entered the service leaving behind him a wife and two children. He had at the time been in the service about a year, and having but little duty to perform, had got into the habit of brooding over his enforced ab- sence from home. He became homesick, peevish and fretful, and imagined that he was really ill and must go home. He took the
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HISTORY 111TH REGIMENT
orderly into his confidence, charging him with the duty of procuring ยท for him a leave of absence. There was an ex-doctor in the regiment acting as hospital stewart. The ex-doctor promising silence, was let into a consultation as to ways and means. It was understood that a leave of absence could only be procured upon a certificate of disability, signed by the Post Surgeon. The ex-doctor decided, that, as all of the lieutenant's symptoms indicated pretty vigorous health, a set of artificial symptoms must be produced.
To that end the doctor scorched the patient's tongue with acid, and then gave him a solution of sulphate of zinc to hold in his mouth, until it precipitated sufficiently upon the unruly member to form coating. The process was very unpleasant, but the patient being assured that it was necessary, submitted with such fortitude as he could. After the operation was completed, the lieutenant was as- sured that his tongue looked decidedly bilious, and that part of the preparation was satisfactory. It was then suggested, that the one symptom, would not alone be sufficient, and hence it was necessary that he take a stimulant to increase his pulse. The lieutenant sug- gested whiskey, but the committee promptly decided that on account of the odor, that would not work. The ex-doctor prescribed about 20 grains of quinine instead. The lieutenant vigorously protested, but being assured that " no quinine, no leave of absence." With many grimaces the patient consented and took the quinine. with the same general effect as that exhibited by the whale in Jonah's ease.
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