Class E'Cc ^^ Book _V4^.^ Copyright W: COPYRIGHT DEPOSm ^♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦^ 1 3n ^Remembrance 0i tf)c JSopg iaf)o Jfoustt to Maintain ** 0nt Jflag, 0nt Countrp anb 0nt people *' 1861 to 1865 I a. 31- l^ofainfion, ^ribate, Companp e, ZZh misconsin Vol. Jnfantrp t Copyright, 1912. by A. J. Robinson J ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦^ ipiBi.li iiig3i iTrfflMinnTlff JMPWfJgaMMI jHemorantium anb ^netbotesi of tf)e Cibil Mar. 1862 to 1865 By ARTHUR J. ROBINSON A Private, Co. E, 33d Reg. Wis. Vols. Copyright 1910 r A J. ROBI N SON Q *//, '^ ;j^>K \OU\Tf' ^ { . " f S:>^ : r )t,^i y s .kA - lI' litjiiinc'/ , , , ' VermiTllonvflle XOOOS ThtoS SIEGE AT NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. November 23, 1864, we embark on boat and are sent down tbe Mississippi River to the Ohio River, up the Ohio to the Cumberland River to Nashville, Tenn., where we disembark and are marched through the city to the extreme right of our lines, where we enter camp December 2d, and are put to work building fortifications. A few days thereafter Gen. Hood had us under siege. On December 15th our division is massed in solid column at the center of our lines in a clear, open field, and in plain sight of the enemy. At 3 o'clock p. m. we move forward on Hood's center under a heavy fire of his artillery. We charge and break his line, routing them, they giving way and retreating to the Franklin pike, where they have taken cover of a stone fence, where they rally and hold their ground until the following morning, the 16th. We charge them in their stronghold between the two stone walls, completely routing them and taking 400 prisoners. Then commenced the running fight, they on the retreat to Franklin, Tenn. Two companies of our regiment, Companies E and H, were sent back to Nashville with the prisoners, where we corralled them in a stone quarry for several days, until the 19th, when we were drowned out by heavy rain that flooded the quarry and v/e had to move to the Zolicoffer House, a large hotel, which we turned into a prison. On December 20th, 1864, we are relieved by new troops, 100-day men, and are sent back to our regiment at Eastport, Miss,, on the Tennessee River, arriving on the 23d, where we remained for Christ- mas and until the 2d of January, 1865, awaiting boats of commissary stores. At Eastport we are put on quarter rations and are compelled to live on parched corn, and even had to steal the corn from the mules when they were fed. The country had been stripped of everything by both armies for two years and there was no forage. On January 1st two boats came up the river with supplies. They were greeted with cheers and were soon unloaded. Many a cracker box was smuggled into camp before they reached the quartermaster's tents. The 2d of January, 1865, our wagons are loaded and we are on the march to Memphis, Tenn., where we embark for Helena, Arkansas, which we reach on the 17th of February. We remain at Helena until the 1st of March, 1865, when we again embark on boats for New Or- leans. We arrive on the 10th, and go into camp at Chalamet, the old Jackson battle-ground of 1815. We are flooded out that night by a break of the levee, and on the 11th we march through the city to Lake Ponchartrain, where we embarked on boats for Dolphin Island. The lake is very rough and our boats are beached and we have to wade out through the water breast deep, the swells washing over us. We 40 march down the coast some distance to where the boats can make a landing. We are camped in a cypress swamp over night, re-embarking the 12th, reaching Dolphin Island the 14th; disembark under fire of a rebel fort on the east side of Mobile Bay. Dolphin Island is midway between the mainland of the east and west sides of the bay at the entrance, and is a barren sandbar in the mouth of the bay. Here we are camped until the 2ath, the rebel bat- teries shelling us from the mainland on both sides of the bay. When the tides are out we wade out to oyster beds and gather oysters. On the 20th we embark and sail east to the mouth of Black River, near the Florida shores, go up the river 40 miles, where we disem- bark and march through a dense pine forest to the rear of Spanish FoTt, opposite Mobile, forming a line around the fort the 27th and engaging the enemy. On the 28th the rebel gunboats got range of our lines and sent in shell thick and destructive, one shell killing nine men in Company B. We moved our camp out of their range. In this camp Aide Swift was shot through t*he neck and was taken off the field, supposed to be dead, but revived when prepared for burial and was taken to the hos- pital. He recovered, returning to the company at Vicksburg the day we were mustered out of the service, a much alive boy and a great surprise to his brother. Captain P. H. Swift, as well as the entire company. His wound was a source of great benefit to him, as he was relieved of an impediment of speech, stuttering, of which he was en- tirely cured. We besieged the fort until the 8th of April, when we made a charge at midnight into their works, to find it evacuated except for a small line of pickets, whom we took prisoners. Fort Blackly, a twin fort 4 miles up the bay, was also taken tlie same night. The 10th of April Mobile surrendered and our fleet ran the block- ade and chased Admiral Sims up the Tombigby River, where they had destroyed their fleet and taken to the woods. The 12th of April there was great rejoicing in our camp, as we had just heard of the capture of Richmond and Petersburg, Lee and JoTinson on the run, with Grant in hot pursuit. It was with cTieerful hearts and buoyant spirits we re- ceived orders on parade the evening of the 12th to be ready to march in the morning on to Montgomery, Alabama. The morning of the 13th of April, 1865, we were on the march to Montgomery, Alabama. Our route was through heavy pine forests for two days, when we entered an open farming country rich with forage, and we were living on the bounty of the land— watermelon and roast- ing ears. The third day's march a negro came to my mess and told me of an old planter who had secreted a lot of meats, hams and bacon, 41 in his cornfield. Freeman and I, accompanied by fhe negro, went in search of the meat, which we found buried in the cornfield between the rows. They had dug a pit about twelve feet long and two feet wide and cased with boards three feet deep, which was filled with fine hams and side meat, packed in ashes and straw, covered with boards and earth, which they had cultivated over in plowing the corn. We were afraid that it might spoil if left there, so we helped ourselves to as much as we could carry and hurried back to camp, and others of the boys were soon on our trail and the box was soon empty. On the 16th of April we met some paroled prisoners on their way home, who gave us the first news of General Lee's surrender to Gen- eral Grant. The air was rent with cheers, hats were thrown up, with a shout from every throat, and our band strikes up with "Home, Sweet Home," and "The Girl I Left Behind Me." The following day we entered the small town of Enterprise, where we captured a printing office that had one side of a four-column four- page folder printed with rebel news and the news of Abraham Lin- coln's assassination. This was very sad news to us and we could hardly believe it to be true until it was confirmed by our own papers a few days later, when we arrived at Montgomery on the 23d of April. ODE ON THE DEATH OF LINCOLN. What means that solemn dirge I hear? What means those mournful sounds? Why toll the bells the awful knell of fate? Ah I why those sighs that do my fancy sate? Where'er 1 turn the general gloom appears; Those mournful badges fill my soul with tears. Hark! — yonder rueful noise! — 'tis done! 'tis done! — The silent tomb enshrouds our Lincoln! Must virtues exalted, yield their breath? Must bright perfection find relief in death? Must mortal greatness fall! — a glorious name! — By the vile assassin's treacherous hand? The august chief, the father and the friend, — The generous patriot — the humane man; The People's glory, America's pride. There lies enshrin'd our immortalized Lincoln! We remained at Montgomery awaiting our transports with com- missary supplies. We found the place evacuated and a general gloom over the citizens. We found a large quantity of Confederate paper 42 money at the court-house there — "A promise to pay after the ratifica- tion of a treaty of peace" — which the boys used to gamble with, and the stakes were often up into fhe thousands. On the 30th our fleet arrived and to us were issued new clothes, rations and ammunition, and we were ordered to be ready to march the morning of the 1st of May to Tuskegee, Alabama, 40 miles south- west of Montgomery on the Tombigby River, where we arrived the evening of the third. At Tuskegee we enter into provost duty of the city and patrolled the country to quiet disturbances between the planters and the negroes, a. duty of reconstruction between the planter and their former slaves. I was sent out the first week 12 miles from the city en a duty of straightening out a difficulty with the negroes. They entertained the idea that they were to possess the lands of their former master and were about to dispossess him, and wben I at- tempted to reason with them they accused me of being an imposter and not "Massa Lincoln man", as they termed it, and I had to resort to my rifle for protection and arrest the leader and take him to head- quarters. We had daily calls to quiet such troubles while we remained at Tuskegee We remained at Tuskegee, Alabama, doing provost duty tbe remainder of our service. We had gained the good will of the citizens and were treated cordially by them. There were a great many of the Confederate soldiers returning to their homes there and they were very friendly and glad that the cruel war was over. We had organized an opera club, which was made up of both sides, Yank and Reb, and had plays every week. A great many of our boys were smitten by the Southern belles and I feared they would forget the girls they left behind in old Wisconsin. Time passed on, gay and festive, with social parties at the resi- dences nearly every day while we remained at Tuskegee. We carried no arms, except when on duty, and there was no sign of military strife. The Blue and the Gray were mingled as one common brotherhood with a congenial, friendly spirit. The morning of the 23d of July, 1S65, we received orders to march to Montgomery to embark for Vicksburg, where we arrived the 31st. We entered camp in the city, turned over our arms and were mustered out of the service on the 9th day of August. 1865. We were paid and embarked for "Home, Sweet Home," on boat to Cairo, by rail from Cairo to Madison, Wis., where we arrived the 16th of August and were disbanded to go at will to our several homes. At Madison we were greeted by parents, wives and sweethearts with a joyous greeting, mingled with tears of joy and happiness. But there were also sad recollections brought vividly to mind. There were mothers draped with mourning also there to meet us, broken down with grief, with the question unspoken, "Where is my boy?" "Where did you leave my boy?" There had many a poor boy been left on a southern field, with mothers mourning their demise, and the question was hard to answer and brought forth many a sympathetic tear from those who were for- tunate to return uninjured. Brother Hiram and I reached home the evening of the 17th of August and took our parents completely by sur- prise, as we had not written them any news of our coming, and we preceded the published news, as our regiment had reached Madison without forewarning the state of our coming. Joyous was our meeting and many a fond embrace by mother, over- joyed by the safe return of her two boys. There was also a brother and three sisters there to welcome us home and admire our bright blue uniforms and brass buttons. Emma, a little tot of two years, was most especially pleased with the bright brass buttons, and many an amusing question was asked. That evening the whole family knelt around the family altar, father, mother, three brothers and three sisters, overjoyed with thanksgiving to the Supreme Creator who had spared us all to meet again. Fold up the banners! Smelt the guns! Love rules. Her gentler purpose runs. A mighty nation turns in tears The pages of her battle years, Lamenting all her fallen sons. W. H. Thompson. THE AMERICAN FLAG. . Composed by A. J. Robinson, Nov. 21, 1909, Portland, Oregon. Unfurl our banner, keep it waving, Ever keep it proudly waving. For our forefathers truly saved it From the trample of the foe. Ever keep it floating proudly Before the nations of the world, For it was our forefathers' symbol That made old England tremble In the days of seventy-six. Unfurl our banner, keep it waving Over the land that gave it birth. Let no nation dare assail it. From the Atlantic to the Pacific Coast, In the days so dark and gloomy, We marched forth six hundred thousand To protect and save its honor From the thraldom of its foe. Guard and protect its freedom evermore. Unfurl our banner, keep it waving. Keep it proudly to the breeze; Let it float from every flagstaff, Let it float from every dome; Throughout our broad expanse of country Let "Old Glory" proudly wave. We the boys of the past sixties Gallantly protected it through the past; Let no traitor dare insult its folds. Unfurl our banner, keep it waving, Freedom and right shall ever rule. We are now one united people, No despot dare tread on our shores. The example at Havana harbor, By the treachery of Old Spain, When she sank our ship in slumber. On a peaceful mission sent. Americans never forget the Maine. 45 Unfurl our banner, keep it waving; Now, it's up to you, young men, To protect and shield its glory Through the strife of coming years. Let no despot dare insult it Throughout our country's broad domain. Keep a watchful vigilance o'er it; Shield and protect o'er sea and land; We now pass it to your strong arms. THE CONFEDERATE FLAG. Furl that Banner, for 'tis weary. Round its staff 'tis drooping dreary; Furl it, fold it, — it is best; For there's not a man to wave it. And there's not a sword to save it, And there's not one left to lave it In the blood which heroes gave it, And its foes now scorn and brave it; Furl it, hide it, — let it rest! Take that Banner down! 'tis tattered; Broken is its shaft and shattered. And the valiant foes are scattered, Over whom it floated high. Oh, 'tis hard for us to fold it. Hard to think there's none to hold it, Hard that those who once unrolled it Now must furl U with a sigh! Furl that Banner — furl it sadly; Once ten thousand hailed it gladly; And ten thousand wildly, madly, Swore it should forever wave — Swore that foemen's swords could never Hearts like theirs entwined dissever. And that flag should float forever O'er their freedom or their grave! Furl it! For the hands that grasped it, , And the hearts that fondly clasped it. Cold and dead are lying low; And the Banner — it is trailing, While around it sounds are wailing Of its people in their woe; For though conquered they adore it. Love the cold dead hands that bore it, 46 Weep for those who fell before it, Pardon those who trailed and tore it; And oh. wildly they deplore it, Now to furl and fold it so! Furl that Banner! True, 'tis gory, Yet 'tis wreathed around with glory, And 'twill live in song and story Though its folds are in the dust! For its fame on brightest pages, Penned by poets and by sages. Shall go sounding down the ages — Furl its folds though now we must! Furl that Banner, softly, slowly; Treat it gently— it is holy For it droops above the dead; Touch it not— unfold it never; Let it droop there furled forever — For its people's hopes are fled. —FATHER RIAN 47 6\) lyi^ JACOB SNYDER, THE TRAMP. 'n^ By A. J. Robinson, Co. E, 33d Wis. Vol. Inf. Mine name vos Jacob Snyder, By eighteen sixty-two, Und I goes imd fight mit A. J. Smith So good as 1 can do. I lifed by der Visconsin state, Vere grows der Milwaukee beer, Und wood makes full timber trees, Und bears und porky-pine and deer; Dere's huckleberry bushes, too. Und schnow most all der year. Ven dose gruel war vos ober By eighteen sixty-five, I scoots me off mit Texas stade, Und makes me much to thrive; I gives dose peoples somedings else. As vot dey gets pefore. I sells them medisons and drugs, Und paints, und glue, und hellebore; Und prints von leedle newspaper, Besides dot doctor store. Und now I goes me all about. Comes eighteen ninety one. I climbs dese Rocky Mountains Und sees me Voshington; I goes me Callervorny bye Und opp dose Oregon. I meets much peoples everywhere So far I goes those roads along — Blendy Chickens, Rabbits, Ducks, Und Fishes all er along. Und now bes I must ouscospled Comes nineteen hundred and eight. I scoots me oud der Eastern stades — Mine old Visconsin home, Und visits mit mine kinderfolks, Und stay mit dem der vinter. I visits mit der peoples roundt, Und have much fun mit kinder, Und travels all der country roundt, Und sells mine leedle book. 48 Hjf^:':^ The Drummer Boys Dream. ^♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦» ♦♦♦♦ ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦^ I ®m jHotto: ^ **0nt Jflag, 0nt Country J anil ©HE people" I J 0\i ! TLoriQ map &f)t toabe 0\itv tlje f)omc of ti)c farabc, (Dber lanli, anb sea, anb ocean; !lnb toitJ) Ijonor rare ^i)t is receifaeb eberptofjere, Jgp eberp lanb anb nation. I iarttjur 3J. JRobinsion, ^ribate Company €, 33b MiiL. Vol. Unfantrj) \. ^♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦t»«*»«»»»^