USA > Wisconsin > History of the First Wisconsin Battery Light Artillery > Part 4
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FRANK L. GREENE.
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Story of the First Wisconsin Battery.
. Cumberland Gap he was either killed, lost, stolen or sold by some one. His owner came for him, but he would not leave camp. Finally the owner said he would give the dog to the Battery if the boys would tell how they got the chickens out of the brick hen house, which was securely fastened and locked. That was explained by Rifenberg as a very easy thing. There was a small opening in one end of the house for the chickens to enter. This hole was on a level with the roost. The boys would run a pole through this aperture alongside the roost, then with another stick cautiously work the chickens off the roost on to the pole and then draw them out within reach. That was a Yankee trick the Kentuckian had not heard of.
Another tells the dog episode thus: One night Freeman and Hitchcock took seventeen geese from under a house in which a family was sleeping, and carried off the big dog that was sup- posed to defend the feathered treasures. Jack! Who can forget his pleasant, intelligent face and handsome coat and form ? He ran a hog through the first rebel battle line we ever saw, and rejoined the center section on the fly. And Heenan, the bow- legged fice? At Oak Hill, Ohio, the boys, not having been paid in months, sold Jack several times to visiting farmers, but he returned, until one time he was sold once too often, and we all mourned. One night at Louisville Jack came into a tent just at taps, covered with mud. and lay down on Billy Adams's blankets. The boys left him there and put out lights, chuck- ling over the scene to ensue upon Billy's advent. Billy stum- bled in from guard at 11 o'clock and groped his way to his blankets, when the boys heard: "Why, here is old Jack. Yes, he was going to sleep with Billy, wasn't he? Fine old fellow." And the pair of muddy comrades slept until the next relief.
One day soon after we had become settled in camp some men called for the purpose of reclaiming some runaway slaves which they thought might be hiding about some of the men's quarters. It was before the Government had settled its policy concerning the capture and return of human chattles, and the men did not know what to do in the matter, but concluded to let the men look. The fact is. one or two of the negroes were either in camp or in the cornfield adjoining it. As the master was about to enter a tent in which was one of the slaves, the latter was hurried out the back side and into a tent which had already been examined. None were found in camp. One of the officers of the 3d Battery and some of their men were very indignant and threatened to use force if the slave-hunters did not at once leave camp. They soon left for the city, saying they would return with authority to make a thorough and sat- isfactory search. But we never heard anything further from them.
We shortly drew six wagons with six mules to each, which
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furnished employment for a few of the men and amusement to the balance, for the performances consequent upon the attempt of green and awkward men to handle and work awkward and headstrong mules was the next thing to a three-ring circus. However, the men shortly came off victors and were soon effi- cient muleteers-in both word and deed. The greatest diffi- culty experienced was in finding drivers willing to serve as such, the boys failing to see the affinity between a mule driver and a soldier. A comrade writes:
Captain Foster called for ten drivers, volunteer or detail I remember not ; anyway ten of us fell in. Walker. Scott, Green and myself were from the right of right. The Captain marched us to the Government corral and then we knew that we were after five six-mule teams, wagons and harness, complete. A helper said "Right this way," and Walker and Green disap- peared within. In a moment a gray mule with Green astride came tearing out of the door, through the gate into the main corral, braced to a quick halt, threw his heels straight at the 2-o'clock sun, gathered them under him and hopped four feet five inches into the air, coming down like a saw horse; up six feet seven inches into the circumambient and came down on the _ pavement like a wooden Christmas model horse; up into space nine feet three inches and when he lit stiff legged tore across the corral, en route jumping onto a young "man and brother" with three feet, crushing him into the mud, and kicking him with the other, missed just one stride and tore up against the fence. Scott turned to me with a faraway sorry-I-enlisted look in his wide open brown eyes and whispered, "Do they all act like that ?" I encouragingly replied that I thought they did, and looked for a back gate, a board off the fence, or a conven- ient cramp. The gray mule was still near the fence between Green's legs. When it came to a question of stick-to-it I'd back Frank L. against any of Uncle Sam's livestock. Walker came out astride a slapping great mule that needed the prod of an army spur to wake him up. This encouraged us, and with the assistance of the helpers we soon harnessed, hitched and off. I rode Walker's lead and "she was a darling." His near swing settled back and never walked a step from corral to camp- slid, braced back. over the macadam. In response to queries and greetings Walker answered that he had gotten him in wrong end to.
A full battery of six pieces, to wit, two twelve-pound Napo- leons, two six-pound smoothbores and two twelve-pounder howitzers, were issued to us, together with horses for one sec- tion of two pieces (the section now. under the revised tac- tics, consists of one piece), but drilling was instituted and maintained whenever the weather would permit, but only one section at a time. Finally the full complement of horses was
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procured, when drilling began in earnest. Captain Foster, in his anxiety to have his Battery excel, was wont to drill his men "on the jump," which was a mistake then. Later it was emi- nently proper. One day while testing the rapidity with which we could load and fire Billy Morrison, No. 1 of the right of the right section, failing, in his haste, to clear the muzzle of the gun with the head of the rammer, lost his grip, and reach- ing back to regain it just as Ed. Hewitt pulled the lanyard, was sent whirling to the front with lacerated hands. He was discharged, but afterward came up with us at Vicksburg carry- ing a gun and knapsack in the 23d Wisconsin Infantry. More caution was now observed by both officers and men and our progress in efficiency was in every way satisfactory. We still think that the above composition of a field battery, for close work and infighting, to be the best yet devised, the only ob- jection being the non-conformity of ammunition.
While we were striving our best to master the intricacy of battery maneuver a Regular battery camped for a few days near us, and Lieutenant Webster thought it would be a splen- did opportunity to get some valuable pointers by both observa- tion and inquiry, for which purpose he one afternoon visited said camp in full dress. For some time he stood and watched the drill, the Regulars being utterly oblivious to his presence. As the men were dismissed he approached an officer of his own rank and sought to engage him in conversation, but he merely cast a contemptuous look in Webster's direction and left with- out a word. From that time to this he avoided Regular Army officers below the rank of Brigadier-General, for he never met one of that or higher rank who was not at least gentlemanly in his intercourse with his fellowmen. But he had the satisfac- tion some years later, while temporarily in command of the Battery, of entering into a competitive drill with two Regular batteries and one volunteer battery from Massachusetts, and of carrying off the honors, too; the judge upon that occasion being Brigadier-General Arnold, an artillery officer of the Regular Army.
The teamsters were armed with French revolvers which would send a ball clear through a tent-if you stood close enough for the powder to burn a way for it. For the purpose of offense, defense or suicide they were nowhere as compared with the "unloaded gun."
The non-commissioned officers were given .44 Colts and the drivers were hung to cavalry sabers. Except the Corporals and Sergeants, for close work, the connoneers were the better armed, for they could gather dornicks or clubs, with both of which they were more familiar than they were with firearms.
Here, too, we met the camp fakir in all his glory. The most persistent of the class was the man with the bullet-proof vest.
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It was warranted to protect against rifle, musket or pistol balls. If he sold any in the Battery no one else ever found it out. Eph. Hackett finally told him he would purchase if the vendor would put one on and let him, Eph., take a pop at him with his .44. That was the last of the steel armor vendor in the camp of the 1st Wisconsin Battery.
About this time occurred the capture of Fort Henry, the Federal victory at Roanoke Island, and the defeat and death of General Zollicoffer, all of which encouraged us to think that the beginning of the end of the rebellion had come. Some were sanguine that when we again broke camp it would be to retrace our steps for Wisconsin. How little did we then know or realize all that was before us, or the magnitude of the conflict upon which we were about to enter. The experiences of the next three years taught us much that we had never dreamed of.
Although the camp was four miles from the city the attrac- tions for that place were so great that many of the boys would "run the guards" and make frequent visits thereto.
Details were made and sent into town to gather up the "ab- sent-without-leave," but they more frequently brought in some one who was permitted to wander at will, or was on some proper and legitimate business, while the professional absentees were seldom found. The provost guard of the city would occa- sionally pick up some of the boys and keep them in the provost guard house for the night. One night Frank Downes, than whom there was never a more conscientious, exemplary soldier, either off or on duty, had gone to the city to attend church and was picked up by the provost and spent the night in the guard house, while a dozen or more of the harrum-scarrums were having a good time "doing the town." The fact was that the latter were posted and knew how and when to evade the guards, while the former, being conscious of his freedom of wrong intent and of his innocence of the violation of camp dis- cipline, was easily captured.
On the 1st of March we were notified that there was a steam- boat at the levee ready to receive the Battery. But as we had not yet received all our horses we could not move. Meantime every available moment was utilized in drilling. By some means Captain Foster learned of a plantation several miles away which was large enough to permit firing a six-pounder without danger of infringing upon other property, and had received an invitation from its owner, a Mr. Dorsey, who was a strong Union man, to visit the plantation and shoot to our heart's content. The invitation also included Drury's Battery.
Bright and early one morning the two batteries took the road for Dorsey's. The latter gentleman had invited a number of friends, including several ladies, to be present and help en- tertain the Yankee volunteers, and had prepared a sumptuous
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repast for the inner man. He owned a large number of slaves, all of whom were yet with him, and who suspended work to witness the drill and to assist in looking after the interest of the distinguished visitors. Mr. Dorsey stood by the door as we entered his large and hospitable mansion and said to the officers: "Walk in, gentlemen, help yourselves to something to drink. and pass into the diningroom; if you are not worth feeding you're a d-d poor lot of men, so pitch in and help yourselves."
After target practice, and the two batteries had given an exhibition drill, Mr. Dorsey exhibited some of his fine stock- the famous Gold Dust horses-of which he then owned up- wards of 50 valued at $1.000 each. 1
There were present that day a daughter and her husband who made no secret of their strong secession sympathies, but Mr. Dorsey told them right out that the North was right and would succeed. We afterward learned that the son-in-law aforesaid was at that time an officer in the Confederate army.
On the Sth of March Lee Drury's Battery, equipped with siege guns, left for Nashville, after which we never met them again.
March 28th we were notified that the Battery had been as- signed to the Seventh Division of the Department of the Ohio, Brigadier-General George W. Morgan commanding, and on the following day received marching orders for April 1st.
The authentic news that we were soon to make a forward movement-that, in fact, we were, on the 1st of April to take cars for Lexington. Ky., from whence we were to march across the country to Cumberland Gap-was hailed with pleasure, and as we had a complete outfit for traveling we were anxious to get on the road.
On the morning of April 3, 1861, we broke camp and wended our way to the station in Louisville, where the horses, mules, wagons, artillery, camp and garrison equipage and personal effects of the members of the Battery were loaded on the cars. There were 112 horses, 36 mules, six army wagons, an ambu- lance, six guns and carriages with their complement of cais- sons, battery wagon and forge.
It was a novel experience to us, it being the first time we had "moved" since receiving our equipments. The six wagons, which were supposed to carry commissary stores and feed for the animals, as well as camp and garrison equipage, were loaded to "the guards" with the latter and the personal effects of the men. Every man had his knapsack full and then had some- thing stored in the limber chests of the guns and caissons or the wagons. The commissioned officers each had a trunk and a valise or carpetbag. There were extra suits of clothes, boots, books, cooking utensils, and various articles of bric-a-brac
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too numerous to mention. There was a sheet-iron stove for each tent, besides heavy iron pots and skillets for each mess. The writer of this, among other things, had a copy of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. It is but stating a fact, however, to say that the 1st Wisconsin Battery moved more truck on that occasion than they did upon any other, for from the time it "struck the road" until it came "marching home" every time it changed its position some article was abandoned as superfluous which had previously been thought to be indispensable. Dur- ing the last year of its service instead of six wagons to carry camp and garrison equipage it required but one, and that car- ried, in addition, commissary stores and grain for horses. The men carried their effects on their horses and the latter were not overloaded.
CHAPTER V.
"We'll chase old Zollicoffer over the mountains And I think he'll come no more."
S O sang the blind boy at Lexington, and as the Battery marched away a girl standing at the junction of streets turned away, clapped her apron to her eyes and wailed out : "Oh, my An-to-n-e-e !"
We left Louisville about 1 p. m. and arrived in Lexington at 9 p. m., and remained in the railway depot the balance of the night.
The next morning we were marched to the fair grounds, about one mile from the business part of the city, where we went into camp, and where we remained one week. The sun shone out occasionally and we learned, beyond question, that the whole of the United States were not for the Union nor for the "old flag."
The Union people, of whom there were a goodly number, were overjoyed to see us, for since the Federal troops that had previously been there had left that vicinity the "Secesh" had become very impudent. Infantry and cavalry had been through there repeatedly, but ours was the first battery of artil- lery to pass through that country, and most of the people hav- ing never before seen a company of artillery, we were the cen- ter of attraction and our drills were always attended and wit- nessed by hundreds of the citizens of Lexington. The last drill was given in presence of several military officers who had then seen service at the front, and we were strongly commended for our efficiency.
Here we found the 22d Kentucky and 33d Indiana regiments, with whom we were to march across the country. The 22d was recruited in eastern Kentucky and were well acquainted through that region. It was commanded by Colonel D. W. Lindsay, a gentlemanly, scholarly officer, and one who com- manded the confidence and respect of all. This regiment had been in service over much of the ground which we were to pass.
The 33d Indiana was commanded by Colonel John Coburn, who was afterwards promoted to Brigadier-General. This was one of the largest regiments ever in the field. It was said that every company not only had its full quota of men, but a few extra to take the places of those who might die, be killed or discharged. Be that as it may, go where you would, day or night, early or late, to church or theater. you would find men with 33 on their hats. It is not impossible that there may be some of those men now roaming through that country sport-
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ing that cabalistic 33 on coat collar or hat band. It was not only a large regiment, but its members were great foragers and stragglers. It was no unusual thing to see them come into camp or bivouac with at least every third or fourth man car- rying a fowl, a pig, ham, piece of side meat, sack of potatoes, dish of honey. preserves, or something else to eat. While they were hard to beat at straggling and foraging. there was one other thing in which they had no superiors, if equals, in the whole volunteer army, and that was in rallying to their colors when there was prospect of a fight.
Let them be ever so widely scattered, and let a picket shot be fired, or any alarm given or the long roll sounded, and every man would be in his place with bayonet fixed. cartridge box full and in place in less time than most regiments would get there from their own company quarters. This regiment had also seen service and was, we believe, in the expedition that resulted in the death of General Zollicoffer, and participated in the battle of Wild Cat.
Just here Captain Foster came his nearest to the Plutotorian shore. The guards were posted with loaded musketoons, and a horse had died in agony that day. Cameron was posted over the stock tied along the high board fence from 5 to 7 p. m. Foster exhorted him to vigilance, saving the town was a secession nest and the horse was undoubtedly poisoned. As it was getting fairly dark Carl came to an about-face at the end of the line of horses. While making the turn he caught sight of a man ten yards away, seemingly dropping to a squatting posi- tion. He came clear about, cocking the piece, clapping it to his shoulder, in one motion. and had the trigger half pulled when Foster's voice came through the gloom. "It's all right. It's I." The fraction of a second and an ounce ball would have crashed through him, plumb center. Cameron did not get over the hor- ror of it for many a day. and Foster won't know until he reads this of facing the muzzle of a loaded gun with the trigger half pulled.
On the 26th of March we had been assigned to the 18th Bri- gade. Army of the Ohio. Department of the Cumberland. The brigade was composed of the 33d Indiana. 19th Kentucky and 42d Ohio and 1st Wisconsin Battery, Brigadier-General James A. Garfield commanding.
Two days thereafter General Garfield was ordered to report in person to Gen. Buell, at Bowling Green, and consequently we never saw him.
While in camp at Louisville we had first exchanged the brass six-pounders and the 12-pounder howitzers for six 20- pounder Parrotts, and then those for four three-inch Rodman and two 10-pounder Parrotts, the Parrotts going to the center
JAMES BURKE.
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section. This was an ideal field battery, light to handle, easy on stock and precise and effective.
On the 10th day of April we filed out of Lexington for our first day's march, supported by the 33d Indiana, and wended our way down the smooth macadamized pike to Nicholasville, a distance of eight or ten miles, where we went into camp about 4 p. m. in a pasture lot near the town, which was our first camp in the field. This was the only march of our army experience wherein an official went ahead and selected camping places, provided fuel for cooking and feed for horses, paying for them by vouchers. No man's premises were occupied as a camping ground without a settlement being made therefor and a voucher given for all damage done or supplies furnished.
That is the way we began putting down the rebellion. It is needless to say that another plan was adopted before the "war was over."
When we left Lexington one of the men, Charley Wells, was under arrest for some breach of military discipline. He asked permission for leave to visit a house in town, as he said, to get a watch and some money belonging to him, but was refused permission to go. It was also charged that he had made threats against the life of Captain Foster. As soon as it was dark he slipped out of camp at Nicholasville with the intention of re- turning to Lexington to get his property. This is as Wells stated the case to his comrades. Captain Foster and Lieutenant Kimball, who had been out of camp and were returning, dis- covered Wells, who was trying to hide away from them, ar- rested him and placed him under stronger guard. The Captain believed that it was the purpose and intention of Wells to assassinate him. In the morning Wells was fitted with iron fetters and placed in a wagon, and thus was transported to the Cumberland River, where a court-martial was organized and Wells was tried. condemned, and dishonorably discharged and drummed out of camp. Some years after the war, however, Wells, through some informality in the court-martial proceed- ings, was restored to the rolls and recovered some two or three years' back pay.
At Nicholasville lived a Union man by the name of Brown, and he invited the officers of the Battery to his house, where they were entertained in a very hospitable manner.
The next morning we took the road, or, as it was termed, "the pike," leading toward Crab Orchard. The road was hard and smooth. greatly in contrast to those we were to wade through a few days later. The 33d Indiana had been through one hard campaign in that country, and they were able and willing to teach us some excellent campaign lessons, one important item of , which was that it paid to tramp a mile. if necessary. to get a back load of hemlock boughs for a comfortable bed. No regi-
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ment, new or old, could give us pointers on catering for the inner soldier. We could "catch the hare" and cook it, too; while our bean holes were the admiration of the 33d.
After the first day's march from Nicholasville the pike grew rough and muddy, but the toll gates were maintained with the accustomed regularity of price and distance.
At one place we found a farmer engaged in "threshing" out wheat which he had hauled out to the "pike," which was used as a threshing floor. He used long sticks shaved thin near the middle for beating out the grain. The advance of our column told him he had better get it out of the road. but he "allowed" it would thresh it out nicely for him, so he let it remain. He was right, for by the time that little army with its three regi- ments of infantry and all of the army wagons and the Battery had passed over his threshing floor his wheat was not only threshed, but it was ground, straw and all, and so thoroughly mixed with the dirt from the pike that he was saved all fur- ther trouble in caring for it.
The people along the route would gather in squads to watch us go by and to learn where we were going. We were aston- ished at the ignorance of the white people we found in that country. There were young men who were wearing beards that could not tell the name of the county in which they lived, and one of them, upon being told where the Battery was from, asked if Wisconsin was not a little town up in Indiana. Others wanted to know if Wisconsin was a free State.
One evening it was necessary. for some reason, to let a regi- ment pass the Battery. and Lieutenant Anderson, in order to move it out of the road in the least possible distance, gave the order right oblique, giving the "i" the long sound, this pro- nunciation, which is permissible, having been adopted because it could thus be pronounced in a tone that could be heard far- ther and understood better than the other. There were, as usual, several natives standing by, when one of them, a young man about twenty years of age, turned to his compansion and said: "Hear that d-d fool call obleek oblike?"" As Ander- son was a fine scholar and prided himself upon the proper use as well as pronunciation of words, this criticism was too much for his gravity.
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