USA > Ohio > Auglaize County > Saint Marys > Ninth reunion of the 37th Regiment O.V.V.I., St. Marys, Ohio, Tuesday and Wednesday, September 10 and 11, 1889 > Part 2
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brigades, was reported 10,000 strong. How gallantly the Thirty- fourth and Thirty-seventh, numbering less than one thousand, defended themselves against such overwhelming numbers and escaped capture, is matter of history. At daybreak on the 11th we reached Cotton Hill, where a short stand was made and some shot thrown into the ranks of the enemy, who, in solid column, were marching in the valley below. When our guns commenced tiring, they sought cover. Our forces continued down the Kanawha, with the enemy close upon us. On the evening of the 12th we reached Brownstown and crossed the river during the night in a heavy rain. The next morning we continued the retreat, with the confederates a short distance behind on both sides of the river, reaching Cuarleston during the afternoon of the 13th. Loring's men appeared on the oppo- site side of the Kanawha about the same time, and commenced sending shot into Charleston, frightening its citizens. who where running in all directions for safety. Wo crossed Elk river and destroyed the new suspension bridge by cutting the cables. The enemy was kept at bay till dark, to enable our large train of 700 wagons, filled with supplies, to get well under way, when we resumed march, which continued during the night and until we reached Ravenwood.
Crossing the Ohio, we marched to Racine, and at Pomeroy were royally treated by the citizens. Leaving Pomeroy we proceeded to a point on the Ohio about four miles above Galli- polis, where we remained a few days and recrossed the river, going into camp at Point Pleasant. The losses of the Thirty- seventh at Fayetteville and on the retreat in killed, wounded and missing, was 67, many of the missing being teamsters and train guards. At Point Pleasant we received between sixty and seventy valuable recruits, mostly young men. Among those assigned to my tent were John H. Puek and Ernst Torgler, with whom I soon formed an endearing friendship.
The middle of October found us again advancing up the Kanawha, under command of Lieut. Col. VonBlessingh. The second or third day out we met the Thirty-fourth Ohio, for [3]
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the first time after they were assigned to another brigade, and they greeted us with cheers as we passed, a greeting which was hoartily returned by our men, who remembered the gallant conduct of the Thirty-fourth at Fayetteville. Our march was continued to Charleston, where we remained a few days and then proceeded up the river, passing familiar camps and arriving at Gauly about the 20th of November, where we expected to re- main for the winter. We built stockades upon which to place the tents, and all sorts of beating apparatus were provided.
In December, 1862, the weather was very cold for two or three days, freezing over the Kanawha, and one morning a comrade of Simmons' battery ventured too far out on the ice, broke through, when, seeing him in the water, I went to his assistance. Lying down on the ice and reaching him my band ho proved too heavy for mo, and I was drawn into the river. For- tunately a piece of rope was found by comrades and thrown to me, which 1 caught and both were rescued. While at Gauly, Col. Siber was presented with a beautiful sword and belt by the Thirty-seventh, in recognition of soldierly qualities dis- played by him at Fayetteville, and as a token o! the high regard of the regiment.
December 30, 1862, we were ordered to Charleston, where we embarked by steamers for Louisville, Ky., bidding adieu to the Kanawha valley and the picturesque region of West Viginia, where we saw very severe as well as pleasant service. On reaching Cincinnati, Col. Siber, who had for two or three months commanded a brigade, again assumed command. New Enfield rifles were furnished at Cincinnati in exchange for the old Springfield muskets. Arriving at Louisville, we disembarked and marched through the principal streets, the Thirty-seventh presenting a fine apperance and eliciting favor- ablo comment from citizens. We pitched tents upon a vacant plat and remained about a week, when we again embarked by steamers and procceded down the Ohio and Mississippi, reach- ing Napoleon, Arkansas, the middle of January, were, with the Thirtieth and Forty-seventh Ohio and Fourth Virginia, we for-
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med the Second brigade, Second divison, Fifteenth army corps.
On the 21st we moved down the river to Young's point, op- posite Vicksburg, where the regiment put in some time in dig- ging canal. Early on February 2d we were surprised to see the ram Queen of the West steaming down the Mississippi, passing the confederate batteries, and although under fire nearly an hour, having one gun dismounted and ber cabin knocked to pieces, the Queen, colors flying triumphantly, made the passage. During our stay in this swampy camp our colonel gave careful attention to our sanitary condition. He would not permit the men to draw flour until ovens were pro- vided, preterring hard tack. No doubt his wise precaution saved the lives of many men. Hard-tack and beef soup consti- tuted healthful diet, as results in this case proved. While in this camp the regiment lost but two men, while the dead march was heard daily in the regiments around us, and thousands of the army of the Tennessee found their last resting place in the narrow levee of the Mississippi.
About the 20th of March our division was ordered to Gwinn's Plantation, to take part in an oxpecition in connection with Commodore Porter up Steel's bayou and through Black Bay- on to Deer creek and Sunflower river, for the purpose of getting in to the Yazoo, above Haine's bluff, and secure advantageous posi- tion for operation against Vicksburg. Embarking on boats, we proceeded up Steel's bayou some distance, then turned into Black bayou, a narrow stream greatly obstructed by the limbs of oak and cottonwood trees. After a few miles of progress through these obstructions, we reached Deer creek and then disembarked, marching thence to Hill's cotton plantation.
On the evening of the 18th Com. Porter, with ironclads, mortarboats, and tugs, was within a few miles of Rolling Fork. The next morning rebel sharpshooters had so swarmed the woods that Porter's situation became critical, while the enemy had erected a battery at tho junetion of the Sunflowerand Rol- ling Fork, and had ordered some infantary and artillery from
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Haines' blutf up the Sunflower. Gen. Sherman having been advised of the condition, hurried forward the Thirty-seventh and other troops, who arrived just in time to rescue the fleet, which Porter had made up his mind to destroy, to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy.
Further effort in this direction being useless, we embarked . on the gunboats and reached our camp at Young's point on the 27th. The failure of this expedition was a great dissa- pointment, as its success would have been of great importance to Gen. Grant in his movement.
After our return to Young's point, Gen. Frank P. Blair assumed command of our division. (u the night of April 16th the transports and barges in tow ran the batteries at Vicks- burgh, led by Commodore Porter with the Benton. The rebel gunnors poured hot shot and shell into the Benton, houses in Vicksburg being set on fire. lighting up the river so the boats could be plainly seen. It was a grand sight, and the burning of the Henry Clay about this time added to the picture that will never bo effaced from the memories of those who saw it. The boats were under fire for two hours, being hit many times, yet no · one was killed and but few wounded. Wo witnessed this magnificent scene from the levee opposite Vicksburg.
On the night of April 22d more steamers, loaded with sup- plies, and, protected as before, passed the batteries, one of the boats (the Tigress) being hit and sunk. The last of April our corps was ordered up tho Yazoo to threaten Haines' Bluff, while Grant was attacking Grand Gulf. This move accomplished its purpose effectively, creating confusion in Vicksburg, and caus- ing Pemberton to recall a large force which he had sent to assist Gon Bowen at Grand Gulf. Returning from the Yazoo, our brigade remained at Milliken's Bend a few days, and then marched to Richmond, crossed the Mississippi and hurried for- ward, ovortaking the divison May 17th. We passed over the battlefield of Champion Hills, which the enemy had so stub- : bornly contested the day before. Dead rebels, dead horses, broken caissons, canteens and muskets were scattered over the
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field. That day we picked up a number of Loring's command, who seemed anxious to be captured. On the afternoon of the 18th we reached Big Black river, where the few rebels who were trying to prevent our crossing were soon brushed away, and we continued our march, arriving in rear of Vicksburg lato that night, having made the distance from Grand. Gulf(be- tween eighty and ninety miles), in just three days.
Our division took position on Graveyard road, a short dis- tance from the confederate defences, Gen. Steele being on our right. At 2 o'clock on the 19th the firing of artillery was the signal for a general assult, when our men made a vigorous at- tack along the whole line, but it was not successful. Our regi- ment sustained considerable loss in this charge, Lieut. Wintzer and several men being killed, and Lieut. Col. VonBles- singh, Lieut. Langenderfer and a number of the men wounded. In this engagement I saw Col. VonBlessingh walk up and down the line of the regiment perfectly indifferent to rebel bullets. The drum corps assisted the wounded off the field and were more or less exposed to the rebel firo This assault having been unsuccessful, Gen. Grant determind to make an- other on the 22nd. At 10 that morning the army moved to the attack. Our brigade crossed the old Graveyard road and, headed by a storming party of 150 volunteers provided with poles, axes and ladders, rushed forward, Gen. Hugh Ewing in the lead. A portion of the party reached the ditch in front of the rebel parapet, but as their boards where too short, but few reached the fort. I saw some of that brave band plant our flag on the rebel parapet, where it waived till night, as any at- tempt to seize it would have been certain death. Many of the storming party were killed in that terrible assault, their dead bodies 80 obstructing the narrow road that it was difficult to pass. At this point the fire was so distructive that our brigade sought shelter in the slope of a revine a few rods from the rebel , works. To advance was almost sure death from the enemy's eross and concentrated fire. I saw Gen. Ewing at the bend of the Thirtieth Ohio, gallantly leading our brigade in that
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charge, and I greatly admired his personal bravery. Gen. F. P. Blair, our division commander, was also at the front person- ally directing his men. During this engagement the work of getting the wounded from the field and supplying water to the men was most hazardous; yet the drummers discharged such duty faithfully. The losses were severe, our Division suffering more severely than any other. The result of the second at- tempt demonstrated that the enemy's position was too strong to be carried by direct assault, when Gen. Grant determined up- on a regular siege. Our regiment occupied a position in a ravine two or three hundred yards from the enemy's defense, and wero under fire from the time of investment until surrender. After Col. VonBlessingh was wounded, the command of the regiment devolved upon Major Hipp, who was always very popular with the men. Col. Siber who had been absent in the north, returning the latter part of June and assumed command.
About this time I received the sad news of my father's death, but as it would have taken me more than a week to reach home, I did not apply for leave of absence.
The labor of digging trenches and building earthworks was kept up, and were continually pushing our works nearer and nearer the enemy, finally getting so close that our men could easily converse with them, and often exchanged hard-tack for tobacco.
June 25th an attempt was made to blow up the enemy's par- apet, which had been undermined in front of Ranson's brigade; but it failed. Another attempt was made July 1, which was successful, destroying the fort, besides killing and wounding a number of men occupying it.
On the 3d of July white flags were seen on some of the rebel works, when the firing along the line ceased. These signals were a pleasing sight to us, and the news soon spread along the line that Vicksburg was about to capitulate. The terms for the surrender of this most important position having been agreed upon between Grant and Pemberton, the rebels on the morning of the 4th marched out and stacked their arms, while
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we sat happy spectators on our works. The immediate result of this victory included the surrender of Lieut. Gen. Pemberton, and four major and twelve brigadier generals, and from 28,000 to 30,000 men, with 225 siege and field guns, and 30,000 stand of small arms. The losses of the Thirty-Seventh in the assaults of the 19th and 22d and subsequent siege were 19 killed and 75 wounded.
July 5th we turned our faces toward Jackson, reaching the Big Black the same night, and on the 7th continued to Clinton, arriving in front of Jackson the 19th, after a very fatiguing march, the heat being intense and the roads dusty. After a reconnoissanee by a portion of the Thirteenth corps on the 11th, in which it lost nearly six hundred men, the siege was confined to artillery firing.
Ou the night of the 15th Col. Siber sent word for me to come to his quarters, when I accompanied him to our outer line. There was a good deal of stir in Jackson, and the colonel was under the impression that the rebels were evacuating. . We remained for two or three hours, during which time we rested for a while, I being under the same blanket with the colonel. I shall never forget how careful he tucked the cov- ers about me. We had lain but a short time when the colonel arose, and walking up and down, seemed to be listening in- tently. I fell asleep, and after an hour or two Col. Siber awoke me, and we returned to camp. I felt highly complimented by the colonel's calling on me to accompany him that night. The morning of the 17th proved that Col. Siber's surmises were correct, for it was found that Johnston had withdrawn during the night, and we marched into Jackson, where we remained for about a weck, the regiment finding quarters in and around the state house. During our stay in Jackson the Thirty- seventh did provost guard duty.
After a few days we were ordered to return. The weather was hot, the roads very dusty and water searce, making the return march very severe. The night we reached Big Black river less than one hundred men were in the ranks when the
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regiment went into camp, but during the night the stragglers came up and were present at roll call the next morning (July 24th).
While on orderly service (and I may mention here that in · the Thirty-seventh this was exclusively the duty of the drum - mers), one day during our stay in camp Sherman, I learned from Adjutant Neburg that the colonel was about to appoint a color-bearer for the new regimental flag, and knowing that my bunk mate (Comrade Torgler) was ambitious to carry the ban- ner, I recommended him to the adjutant, who in turn made like recommendation to Col. Siber, and Torgler was appointed.
In September 1863, we were enjoying a season of rest and reorganization at Camp Sherman, near the Big Black river, after months ofactive and successful campaigning against Vicks- burg and Jackson, Miss., and as it was a delightful camp, and our duties not arduous, consisting mostly of drill and guard duty, we were content to remain here during mid-summer. But our situation was too delightful to be of long duration. After the memorable battle of Chickamagua, the army of the Tennessee, Gen. W. T. Sherman commanding, was ordered to Chattanooga.
Near the close of the month we bid adieu to our pleasant quarters at Camp Sherman and marched to Vicksburg. where my regiment, the 37th Ohio Infantry, embarked on the steamer Nashville for Memphis, arriving in the city of the Magnolias early in October. After remaining here about a week, we be- gan the long march to Chattanooga, passing through German- town, Jackson, Lagrange, and other towns in western Ten- nessee. On October 13th we halted at Pocahontas and held state election, the regiment giving practically its unanimous vote for John Brough, the Union candidate for governor of Ohio. The following day we resumed march to Corinth, Miss., where we received four months' pay, and thence to Iuka.
· The confederate general Forrest appeared in our front about this time, the 37th with other troops, driving him off. We made a short stop at Tuscumbia, Ala., marching then to a
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point n the Tennesseo river opposite Florence, returning the samo night and continuing the following day to Cherokee sta- tion, and thence to Eastport, where we crossed the Tennessee. Our command then pushed forward through Florence, Pulaski and Fayetteville, reaching Bridgeport on. the 18th of Novem- ber, 1863. After a short stay here we marched to Chattanooga, going into a concealed camp on the west side of the river, about four miles above. When the regiment had stacked arms, Comrade William Smith of my company and I started back to Chattanooga, about four miles, to visit the Maumee boys of the 14th Ohio, and whom we had not seen since leaving home more than two years before. Though it was late and the pon- toon bridge over the Tennessee was guarded, we succeeded in 1 .. . . getting safely over, and after wandering about Chattanooga for some time, reached the camp of the 14th about 9 p. m. The boys were both delighted and surprised to see us, we remain- ing with them that night. In the morning we learned that it would be impossible to cross the river without a pass, so we called upon Col. Phelps of the 38th Ohio, who commanded the brigade of which the 14th was a part and he kindly gave us the bit of paper which enabled us to return to our camp. Col. Phelps was killed three days later while gallantly leading his brigade in the assault on Mission Ridge. The 23rd was spent in camp, from which we had a splendid view of Chattanooga, and also witnessed the movement of Hooker "above the clouds" on Lookout Mountain. That night we re- ceived three days' rations and marched down to the river.
About that time the Tennessee was swoolen by rains and the current was rapid. Upwards of 100 flat boats had been floated into South Chicamaugua creek, about four miles above Chattanooga, designed for a pontoon bridge. Our major was placed in command of the detail, having in charge the boats and was ordered to cross the river, secure a landing, continue dispatching the boats back and forth until two divisions had crossed, and then turn the boats over to the pioneer corps, under Gen. "Baldy" Smith, who were to build the bridge. The
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night was dark, with a drizzling rain. About midnight all was ready and the signal given to cross, Maj. Hipp's boat lead - ing the fleet, John Hess, of Company E, 37th, being his com- panion. The major pushed well into the river and, after a while, headed straight for the south shore, and, on nearing the point where it was proposed to land, a picket fire was discov - ered and they headed directly for it. Our men hurried out of the boats and up the bank, surprising and capturing all the rebel pickets but one. The surprise was so complete that the "Johnnies" scarcely realized the situation. At this time a rebel videt came up at full speed, shouting, "The Yanks are coming." He was promptly dismounted and invited to join his comrades just captured. Maj. Hipp recrossed to the other side followed by the flat boats. On getting back the darkness made it difficult for him to find our troops and he shouted for the second division of the fifteenth corps, when he was immediately answered in suppressed voices to keep still or he would be ar- rested. Having no time for explanation and becoming impa- tient the major cried out: "where in the h-1 is Gen. Sherman?"
The answer promptly came through the darkness from the general himself, who was not more than 50 feet away. "What do you want?" The major answered, "I want a brigade ; the boats are in waiting." The general at once asked, "did you make a landing?" Major Hippanswered, "yes, and captured the picket." Gen. Sherman who was on horseback, surrounded by his staff, was so elated that he took off his hat and cheered.
At this time we embarked, and after a short though seem- ly long ride landed on the south bank of the river. Our major continued the work of crossing and recrossing with fresh loads until morning, when two full divisions were on the east bank of the Tennessee. Meantime, our men put in splendid work digging intrenchments. Gen. Sherman, who had crossed in one of the flat boats just behind us, personally superintended the work, and I well remember the general's remark, "pitch in . boys, this is the last ditch; "as he walked up and down the line.
At the dawn of day a pontoon bridge was built over the
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Tennessee and another over Chicamagua creek, near the mouth. That night's undertaking had been grandly accomplished and Gen. Sherman must have been one of the happiest men in Grant's army. In his memoirs (page 374) the General says : "I will here bear willing testimony to the completeness of this whole business. All the officers charged with the work were present and manifested a skill that I cannot praise too highly. I never beheld any work done so quickly and so well, and I doubt if the history of war can show a bridge of that extent (thirteen hundred and fifty feet) laid so noiselessly and so well in so short a time."
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At daybreak we were on the south side of the river strongly entrenched, prepared to meet any force Bragg might pit against us. It must have been both a surprise and a mor- tification to Gen. Bragg when he saw Sherman's army on the morning of 24th securely fortified on the south bank of the Tennessee. I consider this one of the most strategie manoeu- vers of the war, and have always felt a glowing pride in the conspicuous part my regiment bore in that night's work. On the 24th we moved forward with skirmishers in advance, over an open field to the hill near the railroad tunnel, where we fortified for the night. From our position we could see Hook- er's mon on Lookout Mountain, and also had a good view of the Army of the Cumberland on our right. Early in the morn- ing of the 25th wo passed the valley which lay between us and the next hill, where the enemy had massed the corps of Hardee and Buckner, the point of the ridge being held by the gallant Claiburne.
Gen. Corse attacked the enemy's position but it was so . strong that but little headway was made, although the contest for a few minutes was severe. I saw the general carried off the field badly wounded.
During this time our brigade was under cover of temporary · works, from which the enemy had been driven that morning. It must have been near noon when the order was given to ad- vance. As our men moved upon the enemy's works, I lett my
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drum and went forward with the regiment. The assult lasted but a few minutes, the firing from the enemy's intrenched posi- tion boing simply terrible-grape, canister shotand shell rained upon us. The fire was so murderous that it fairly plowed up the leaves and made the very ground seem alive. Twice our forces charged upon the rebel works, and twice our bleeding lines were compelled to fall back. So strong was Claiburne's position in our immediate front that 1,000 men could hold it against ten times their number.
. In this assault my regiment lost forty-one in killed and wounded.
I was hit by a rifle ball in the left high and bled from the wound until the ground under me seemed saturated with blood. I became very thirsty, but fortunately had two canteens of water. At my side lay Comrade Weber, of company A, who had been instantly killed. As we were not very far from the enemy's works and our men had fallen back to the point from which the advance was made a few moments before, my position was not an enviable one, as I lay between two fires. Capt. John Hamm, of company A, who had always been very kind to me, having been told that I lay wounded in front of our line, went over to my company and reported the fact, asking, "who will go and get him out ?" Wm. Smith promptly answered, "I will." Another comrade pointing out the direction in which I lay, he went to the left of the line, and advancing some distance un- der cover of the hill, sprang forward, hurriedly placed me up- on his back, although there was much firing, we were soon under cover of the hill to the left of our line.
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