USA > Ohio > The history of Fuller's Ohio brigade, 1861-1865; its great march, with roster, portraits, battle maps and biographies > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
About 10 or 11 o'clock our attention is diverted from the fierce skirmish in our immediate front by the advance of Gen. Price's divisions which are moving out of the woods to our right front, and marching upon the troops and fort which form the right of Rosecrans' line of battle. A splendid sight is that. as one rebel brigade after another moves in fine style over the ground which our position overlooks so plainly. The attack is fierce, and we soon are shocked to see our line give way and retire into the very town. We notice, too, some of our batteries drawn out of position and rapidly pulled to the rear. The guns of Fort Williams and of our own batteries directly in our rear, are all turned to the right, and an enfilading fire sweeps through the rebel hosts with an effect very plainly visible ; but, though disordered somewhat, they move on ; fresh troops pour out of the woods, and we see the rebels rushing over the works on our right, and pouring into Corinth itself. A rolling fire is heard in the streets, and soon after the rebels begin to retire. They stand awhile at the works they had captured, but our boys are coming to the front again from the town. At this juncture, some regiments of Hamilton's division, not previously en- gaged, are thrown forward on the extreme right, where, as finely aligned as if on parade, they are pouring a stream of lead into the rebel ranks. A
-
399
GENERAL JOHN W. FULLER'S ADDRESS.
little later we say to each other most joyously, "Our boys are driving them back again."
But a fiercer fire than ever opens on our own skirmish line and a constant hum of bullets tells us that our time is coming now ; and it proves to be the rebel center moving for the main attack upon the place we occupy. Looking through the trees before us we plainly see the rebel banners and their attacking column advancing. The 43rd changes front forward on its right company, and the 11th Missouri is brought forward and held in reserve. just behind the 63rd Ohio. Our skirmishers are driven back pell- mell upon the line of battle; the artillery with us in Robinett and the artillerists which play over our heads from the rear are firing rapidly, and some of your officers are running along the line ordering you to "Get down and lie low until they are close upon us." In another minute the head of the rebel column coming along the Chewalla road, is seen near by, heading straight for the 63rd and Battery Robinett. Now you rise to your feet and pour into the enemy that steady fire which fills the road with his dead and seems to cause a halt ; for though the rear of his column moves steadily on. the head of it comes no nearer, but appears to melt away. But the enemy is firing too. Along the whole length of the 63rd and portions of the 27th and 43rd, officers and men are falling fast.
Some scenes here witnessed, though almost as brief as if revealed by a flash of lightning, are stamped indelibly upon our memories. Just where the 63rd joins the 27th. three men go down together. One, in the front rank, is lifting his arms high in the air and slowly sinking down. The man behind, and covering the first, sinks as if a thunderbolt had struck him; while another turns around, and with a look of agony upon his face, and trying to walk to the rear, moves but a step and falls. Capt. McFadden of the 63rd shouts out his first command in battle, and is dead. Lieut. Webb, of the 27th, endeavors to repeat the order to "fire low," and while his mouth is open wide, a bullet enters. He throws up his hands and falling on his face, is still forever. But the men not hit heed nothing ; they fire incessantly, and their faces, black with powder, make noticeable their flashing eyes and their set teeth, so that they look like demons.
A minute later. the column in the Chewalla road has disappeared, but a strong force a little farther to the west is approaching the left of Robinett, and is making sad havoc in the ranks of the 43rd. This regiment has hardly finished its maneuvers of changing front, obstructed as is the field with logs and brush, and exposed moreover to a flank fire from the Che- walla road. A glance in their direction reveals a startling picture. Col. Kirby Smith, commander of the regiment, is down, rider and horse together. Some men now raise him up, his face falls over toward us, and we see his cheek is red with blood. Lieut. Heyl, the Adjutant, trying to keep his saddle, clutches his horse's mane but gradually loses his grip, and before a comrade with outstretched arms can reach him, he is on the ground. A dozen more along the line drop in that instant, and the enemy's fire from front to flank is so severe that for a moment a rout is feared ; but only for a moment, for Swayne here takes command of the regiment and is steady- ing the line, and Gen. Stanley, who rode over to the right when he thought that all the fighting was to be done there, gallops back in the nick of time to help. His coming at that critical moment seemed like the arrival of
400
FULLER'S OHIO BRIGADE.
reinforcements. And now this regiment takes sudden vengeance for it- Colonel's fall; for they drive back, with great slaughter, the force which approaches to the left of Robinett, and shoot every rebel who shows his head above the parapet or tries to climb through the embrasures of the battery, when the final effort is made very soon after, to carry that work by storm.
While the 43rd is thus engaged, Col. Rogers, commanding the Texan Brigade, rides out from the woods and with his troops moves along the Chewalla road heading for the battery and the 63rd. Another moment his horse is shot, and he is coming along the road on foot. His leading color sergeant falls, when Rogers, picking up the colors, continues to advance with flag in hand. A cloud of rebel skirmishers on either side of the road are firing heavily on the 63rd and left wing of the 27th, until 48 per cent of the men of the former regiment are killed or wounded, and the line is so much thinned that Col. Sprague and I, standing behind. can look right through it and distinctly see the advancing rebels now close at nand.
I shall always recollect how well Sprague looked at that eventful moment. Tall, and commanding in appearance, with sword in one hand and pistol in the other, he stood as a painter likes to portray an officer in battle. I shall remember too, looking at the face of the rebel Col. Rogers, when not distant more than 30 yards, and noting the peculiar expression it bore. He looked neither at the right nor left, neither at his own men nor at mine; but with eyes partly closed. like one in a hail storm, was marching slowly and steadily upon us ; and there flashed through my mind this question, "Is he stupid with drink, or is he simply resolved to calmly meet a fate which he foresees?" Before there was time to answer to myself this question, the rebel column in the road seemed to gain some tremendous impetus from the rear, for it suddenly rushed on like a great wave, threaten- ing to sweep into the gap which had been shot through the 63rd and to carry the redoubt by storm. The supreme moment had now come; and I turned to give the signal to the 11th Missouri in reserve and close behind. The leader of this regiment, perhaps ten minutes earlier, had received his orders ; they had been sung out over the heads of his men so that every soldier in the ranks knew what was wanted and there was no need to repeat them now. "Forward!" shouted the Major as the regiment sprang up, and I had to run to the right to let them pass. With a short, quick step, and alignment perfect. they filled up the gap which the enemy's fire had made, charging the rebel column on the head. The 27th, under Spauld- ing, which had lost heavily, yet still was full of fight, joined by a plucky remnant of the 63rd, rushed forward at the same moment, charging the column obliquely on its left flank, when in an instant the whole scene changed. Rogers, with many of his men, lay dead before us, and those who were not prisoners, were flying back to the woods. One moment, the rebels seemed to be swarming over us in thousands, our own lines looked thin and weak, we seemed threatened with destruction; the next, most of the living of the foremost rebels were our prisoners, a few hundred, appar- ently, were running to the forest, while our boys seemed to have swelled into many thousands.
In the melee, this banner of the enemy (pointing to a captured flag displayed in rear of speaker) was captured by a private of the 27th Ohio,
401
GENERAL JOHN W. FULLER'S ADDRESS.
Orrin B. Gould, of Co. G, who, I am glad to see, is here tonight. But there was one red flag. I think the banner briefly borne by Rogers, which escaped us by a miracle. Some bold Texan had picked it up almost from beneath our feet, and throwing the staff across his shoulders, ran in zig- zag manner for the woods. He dodged behind a log a moment here, then behind a stump there; he was fired at by twenty men or more, and once, whether hit or not, tumbled headlong when striding a fallen tree. Yet he escaped with the banner after all; and as he passed over the ridge out of our sight, some of the boys who had missed him gave him the cheer that was due a hero.
An incident may here be mentioned of the 43rd. When the rebels made their final effort to break through our lines. Lieut. Robinett of the battery, severely wounded in the head, fell senseless under one of his guns. At this, most of his men ran to the rear. A moment later some of the men of Co. A, of the 43rd. entered the battery and aided the few brave fellows who had stood theh ground to man the guns. The enemy was now retreat- ing and in the excitement a little drummer passed directly before the bat- tery and jumped upon a log to see the rebels run. A piece had just been sighted, and "ready, fire" followed before the little fellow was discovered. When the smoke cleared up we saw that both his legs were torn away. Somehow there seemed a sting in the recollection thaat men of his own regiment had fired the shot. And now came Col. Noyes of the 39th, who was so far to the right that his men could only get an oblique fire, asking permission to bring his regiment to the Chewalla road where they could take a hand when the next assault should come. Two minutes later the regiment was across the road, but the battle was over.
That thrill of ecstasy which victory brings was here intensified by an act of the commanding general. Rosecrans had lost his temper when the troops attacked by Price had temporarily given way, and had hardly time to become appeased by their subsequent good conduct. Still nursing his wrath, and having seen VanDorn had met with a different reception at the hands of this Brigade, he was disposed to extol the men who fought near Robinett at the expense of those who had fallen back. So, riding to the crest we occupied and pointing to the right, he said, "I have just come from a part of the field where some of our troops retreated like old women ; but now I know, not only from what I heard and what I saw from a distance, but also from these piles of dead along your front, that I am in the presence of brave men. So brave, that I take off my hat in your presence and thank you, in our country's name, for your great valor." No soldier who had heard those words will be likely to forget them, nor the appearance of Rosecrans as he addressed us, hat in hand.
. During the afternoon the brigade was ordered to reconnoiter to the front. We felt our way for two miles or more. till we reached the rebel hospital. Here we rescued Col. Mower, of the 11th Missouri, who, early in the day, mistaking the enemy's troops for ours, had been wounded and taken prisoner.
After the battle came McPherson, with a brigade of infantry from Jackson, Tenn. He had been compelled to make a wide detour and came to us through Farmington. His troops were fresh and he was accorded the advance, when the next morning we moved forward in pursuit of the
402
FULLER'S OHIO BRIGADE.
retreating rebels. We heard artillery at the Hatchie, where Ord had ine: and stopped them, but were not close enough to prevent VanDorn's escape across the river to the south. That night, when several officers were !! McPherson's tent, a courier brought dispatches and some mail, and there McPherson received his commission as a Major-General. McPherson seemed surprised at this and said "he had not earned his first star vet." When we had advanced as far as Ripley, the army was ordered back to Corinth, Gen. Grant deeming it not prudent to push farther. Here, quietly in camp for several days, we had time to measure and to mourn our heavy losses.
When Gen. Grant's army moved southward for the rear of Vicksburg. the Brigade, now joined to Hamilton's division, moved on the left. Through Holly Springs we marched, and on to Oxford. Here, late one evening. the infantry was ordered to take the cars forthwith for Jackson in our rear. Next day three trains, each bearing a regiment, reached Jackson, Tenn. The other had been halted at Bethel on the way. Forrest, the great Con- federate raider, had crossed the Tennessee and destroyed our rail connection with the North, and we had come to aid in driving him away. After some marches and counter-marches we found ourselves near the enemy. Col. Dunham, of Indiana. was sent ahead to intercept his march at Parker's Cross Roads, and we were to follow the next morning. At four o'clock we started and marched till daylight when a halt was made for breakfast. That over, we moved on, and soon the sound of cannon in our front advised us that Forrest was attacking Dunham's brigade. And then began a strug- gle in which legs told. Within an hour and a half you marched seven miles without a halt with ranks well closed; and when a hill was reached whence Forrest's men and guns were seen, you formed in line of battle on the double quick, and went down for them with such good will that every rebel gun unlimbered and in action was yours in five minutes, and Forrest's forces were galloping away. Not all, however. for many had dismounted in the fight, and their horses left in the rear were ours, and their riders must surrender. You captured here six guns, four hundred horses and three hundred and sixty officers and men of this bold raider's command. Among the officers was Major Strange, of Forrest's staff, who demanded exemption from arrest. He was under a flag of truce, he said, and claimed to be paroling some of Col. Dunham's men, who had surrendered. We knew nothing of any surrender, nor any flag, and of course we held him prisoner. And it is due to Col. Dunham here to say. that he denied all thoughts of capitulation. This action happened on the last day of 1862. A more momentous battle, then raging at Stone River, so absorbed the public mind, that your defeat of Forrest was hardly noticed. Yet Forrest was not beaten every day.
A long and weary march behind the rebel cavalry came next. There was no hope that infantry could overtake Forrest's well mounted force, but orders must be obeyed. We had no train, and nothing in our haversacks; so we waded through the knee-deep mud, scaled with thin ice, camping each night near to some mill, where we ground corn enough to last a day. The sequel proved that this march cost more lives than we had lost in fighting Forrest.
403
GENERAL JOHN W. FULLER'S ADDRESS.
From the Tennessee River, where the retreating rebels crossed, we marched to Corinth. Here the garrison was living on half rations. But when Gen. Dodge learned how you had suffered, saw how you needed food and rest, full rations were issued you and tents and clothing, till we had cause to thank our stars that our lines had fallen in such pleasant places, and we had Dodge for our commander.
When Grant directed everything at Memphis to come to him at Vicks- burg, the Ohio brigade was ordered to march and garrison the former city. This was your single "soft spot" of the war. Excepting this, your lot was always at the front ; but here for some months you lounged in camp, guarded the gardens, flirted with the ladies, and seldom missed a "good square meal."
When Sherman, coming up from Vicksburg with the 15th corps, started across for Chattanooga, Gen. Dodge was ordered to fall in and march with his command. Dodge asked that we might join and move with his division. The order directing this was grateful. We were tired of the dullness of camp in Memphis and gladly turned our faces again toward Corinth. Stopping at Corinth but a day we moved onward to Iuka, and reported there to Sherman. When Sherman started eastward, we awaited Dodge, then crossed the Tennessee with him and marched as his advance. camping some miles ahead of the division, and exchanging signals every night with rockets.
We had marched on through Pulaski, when a courier from Gen. Sher- man brought orders for us to halt and put the Nashville road in order. Next morning the brigade moved south to Prospect, where the railroad crosses the Elk River, and encamped for the winter. There you re-enlisted as veterans and from Prospect went to spend the holidays with the dear ones at home.
Returning again to Prospect, you soon moved further south, and early in the spring you crossed the Tennessee and took possession of Decatur, Alabama. This movement, made at night, was novel to us and full of interest. Some seventy boats, secretly moored in a little stream flowing into the river some miles above, were quietly filled with men; the first taking as many as it would carry, who in line of battle should stand on the extreme right of the Brigade; the next, those who would stand next, and so on ; the last bearing those whose place was on the left. Three regiments filled the boats. The oars were muffled and skilled oarsmen from the ranks were chosen, who, as soon as we had landed, were to re-cross the river and bring more troops. We floated with the current, each boat following its leader in close order so quietly that even the ducks, covering the river for miles, not once took the alarm. When we reached the point where a friendly picket advised us we were nearly abreast the town. every boat, at the command "by the left flank" headed for the southern shore, the oars- men pulling their best strokes. A few shots were fired by the rebel out- posts as we landed, but so well was the arrangement carried out, that the regiments were up the bank and in line of battle within two minutes.
Day was just breaking, a dense fog shut everything from sight. Col. Sprague was directed to sweep round to form the left and approach the town from the southwesterly direction. Col. Swayne followed, so as to approach from the east, his right resting on the river. The 9th Illinois
404
FULLER'S OHIO BRIGADE
had been sent to cross below the town, and was to cover the westerly side from the Courtland road to the river below; and thus we hoped to stop all avenues by which the Johnnies could escape. But, like many other plan- dependent for success upon the exact co-operation of two columns, moving independently, this failed. Sprague had been cautioned not to let his left extend beyond the Courtland road, for fear that in the dense fog he might be firing on the 9th Illinois, or be fired upon by them. But the Illinois regi- ment was delayed in crossing and thus a gap was left through which the enemy escaped. Sprague killed a lieutenant on the wing, as it were, when they were running, and it was said wounded some others, but neither Swayne nor Churchill got a single shot. But now we found the boats inadequate to span the river, and a dozen more must be constructed to com- plete the bridge which would connect us with our base. As we had not a gun nor horse across as yet, we were somewhat nervous, and lost no time until the bridge was finished the next day. We also strongly fortified our position, after which we occasionally marched out a couple of miles or so to skirmish with the enemy.
Before starting on the Atlanta campaign, the forces were reorganized. and you found yourselves in different brigades. So here the Ohio Brigade passed out of sight. Yet in their new positions these regiments had other struggles and other triumphs. At Resaca, the 43rd, under Swayne, was specially distinguished, and again before Atlanta. At Dallas, the 27th had opportunity to show its old time valor. At Nickajack, this regiment. under Churchill, and the 39th now led by Noyes, charged the rebels in their works and drove everything before them. It was a costly charge, for with many other gallant souls, Noyes was shot down. He only lost a leg, but it was a total loss to us, since he never rejoined his regiment. At Decatur, the 63rd fought valiantly against great odds, till Swayne could bring the trains to a place of safety, and won fresh laurels for themselves and also for their old commander Sprague.
Before Atlanta, on the 22nd of July, the 27th and 39th rendered their greatest service of the war. A great opportunity was here made most of Upon the valor of the 16th corps rested the safety of all our trains, and perhaps that of a part of the Army of the Tennessee. It is safe to say no regiments of the corps had more responsibility in the great battle than did these two; none certainly proved truer to their trust. Twice they charged the enemy who essayed to take possession of the open field where they were fighting, and twice they drove him back ingloriously to the woods.
After Atlanta we all marched down to the sea. When coming home- ward through the Carolinas, the 43rd lost the services of its commander. Swayne, as brave-and what means far more-as faithful an officer as any in our ranks. When that cannon shot destroyed his leg and we sent him in an ambulance to the rear, we hardly dared hope that we should meet again. Soon after this event we were made joyous by the surrender of Joe Johnston's army, the last obstacle which stood between us and those homes and loved ones we were longing to rejoin.
I have been reminded, especially when attempting to describe the battle whose anniversary we have chosen for this gathering, of an old adage which says that "no two soldiers ever saw a battle with the same eyes."
405
GENERAL JOHN W. FULLER'S ADDRESS.
If some soldier in the ranks or some officer in the line of file-closers, listen- ing tonight, has heard of incidents he did not notice; or, what is quite probable, if his own eyes took in some thrilling scene which to him seems as important as anything I have mentioned, and he is wondering why it is omitted, it will only be another proof of the truth of that old proverb. I have thought it better on an occasion like this, standing before so many witnesses whose opportunities to observe were as good as mine, to give, faithfully as I could, simply those pictures which live in my own memory. What was observed by others, I leave for them to tell.
It is difficult in such a sketch as this to call by name even those who were prominent. Yet Churchill, commander of the 27th, in the great battle of Atlanta; Lynch, next in rank, shot through and through, yet still most mercifully spared; Brown, heading the 63rd until shot down on that same day; McDowell and Weber, gallant leaders of the 39th; and Parks of the 43rd, always conspicuous in a fight ; these seem to suggest themselves.
But who shall call the roll of the brave boys who fought these battles ? -the names of those who died, or of those who lived to see the end? Men of the ranks, you did the work, and yours it is to fully share the honor of every victory won. In all the skirmishes and combats, in all the battles which now belong to history, you who bore the musket, share equally with those who carried the sword a measure of such honor as is due. But there was one act in the great drama of the war which was played by you alone. One picture stands before us whenever we turn back, which is grander than all else ; a scene in which no officer appears-a movement of the rank and file. It is no direct assault upon the enemy, yet it does more to rob him of all hope than any battle of the war. 'Tis when the expiration of the soldier's term of service is drawing nigh, and no sign appearing that the war will end, our Government, with fresh alarm asks "What shall be done when the old soldiers are discharged?" It is when our President, trusting the men who first responded to his call, looks in their ranks once more, and calls upon these private soldiers, who for thirty weary months have toiled and fought, to enter the lists again; this time for all the war.
For awhile these ranks are silent. They are thinking of those North- ern homes they long so much to see; of those dearest ones of earth, so near to them while dreaming, so far off when awaking.
The North, with bated breath, listens for the response. The South, with fatal blindness, is gathering her last strength to give the fatal stab to the nation's heart. The monarchies across the sea are watching with a scornful smile for the downfall of the young Republic.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.