Author ^t^o^ o 2: K.ZS... jr....... 3'iM. Title Imprint 10 — I7SIT3-9 aro SV Vy >OJ "SV" " •T^Cr'" '-V — '^ — "W — 'a'' "^5" — H^r HISTORY OF THE TH REGIMENT O. V. V. I., FURNISHED BY COMRADES AT THE NINTH REUNION HELD AT ST, MARYS, OHIO, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER iO AND 11 1889. A fti ,-ig>- f^i^rtbi„tga— cSh- rtV-jfo-jto .^f<>> tgi. -t-A /^ fh _£Ci_rfbL. - MONTGOMERY & VROOMAN, PRINTERS, TOJ^EpO, O. ^jmMO^..-^: :LTixr«a?3i REUNION l/' \v^"i \jr A^^^^oo^iAy^ OF^ THE TH H H \ O. V. V. I. ST. MARYS, OHIO. Tuesday and Wednesday SEPTEMBER 10 AND W 1889. TOLEDO, OHIO : MONTrTOMERY Jt VROOMAN, PRINTERS, 189(1. 9956 The folloxving Circular was sent to 7uembers of the Regiment. Ninth Rkunion 37th regiment. HE resident members of the Regiment will spare no efforts to entertain their visiting Comrades and make this Reunion as interesting and successful as any previously held. Our members are steadily decreasing. We can- not expect to meet many more years. Every Com- rade should make a special effort to attend and re- port promptly. " Our Old Flags will be Here.'' " Rally Once Again.'' It will also interest many Comrades to visit the gas and oil wells around St. Marys, which are not ex- celled anywhere. The reservoir is the largest artificial body of water in the world. Our hotels are now ample to entertain all, and furnish excellent accommodations at reasonable rates. PROGRAM. Ttiesday Evening, September loth, i88g. Reception in Town Hall, addresses by Comrades •■ Kommers." ^ ''""' ^"'^ concluding with and pt-Te"" '^ '"^ '° "^^ ^t. Ma.ys Reservoir Committee of Arrangements. iJOiis Jl. Lamdert, Secret,,!-!/ ORDER OF EXERCISES AT REUNION OF 37TII REGIMENT, o. V v I «T. MARV8, OHIO SEPTEMBER Jo AND U, 1889. HaJl^ril r^"''7 ^'•-^^shed at the G A R "all , a]J Comrades are reaue^t^H . ,' ' arrival, to rep-ister r. ^"\'^^,^ ^^ ^^^PO'-t there on Banquet. ^ ' '''"''" ^^^^^^ ^"d tickets to Tuesday, September loth p. n^ ':.uel° n^el^^atT" "1^ ^^^^ "''^^'^ - ^ wi" be Cosed, ^B™ I ^ ^-^^f ' ""- *e doors Wednesday, September mh '-o^^■::•?;rvl'''^™'^'^-"Ha,,. 3:00 p. M. Inspection of Gas Wells 5:00 p. M. Return to Town. 7-30 P. M. Kommers in Town Hall. THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I, Reception to 37th Regiment, O. V. V. I., at Town Hall, St. Marys, Sept. 10, 1889, at 8 P. M.: PROGRAM. Overture— -'Golden Hours." Address of Welcome . . Little Six Band E. F. Gross, Mayor . Major Chas. Hipp Response • • • j ^i, Soug-'-Tenting on the Old Camp Ground."- Quartette and Grand Chorus . . Misses Abbie Smith. Ella and May Manor; Messrs. Elza and Jas. Hmith. Music-In Memoriam-Ziiher Solo Albert Herzing Soug-"The Old Canteen"-Baritone Solo and Chorus . . . Lieut. Fred Krumm Address— "From Camp Brown to Mission Ridge." Comrade John S. Kountz, Past Commander-in-Chief, G. A. R. Recitation ^^^- Elizabeth Mansfield Irving Song-Duett, Soprano and Baritone Miss Nellie and Lieut. Krumm Address— "From Mission Ridge to LarkinsvlUe, Ala." Comrade Wm. Scbulenberg. Song— "The Vacant Chair"- Quartette and (irand Chorus • • • Music-Overture-"Buckeye State" Little Six Band Song-" Just Before the Battle"-Soprano Solo and Quartette Chorus Miss Ella Manor. Address-"Atlanta Campaign." Comrade John H. Puck Song-"Marchlng Through Georgia. "-Quartette and Grand Chorus Address-"From Atlanta to the Sea;" "Through the Carolinas to Washington and Home." . . . Captain Louis E. Lambert. Song-"Tramp, Tramp, Tramp."— Soprano Solo and Grand Chorus Miss Abbie Smith. ,, ,,„„ Little Six Band Musio— Medley BANQUET. Members of the 37th Regiment began to come in September 9th, and by the evening of September loth, a Hvely and goodly number of them, many with their wives, assembled at the Town Hall of St. Marys, which was beautifully decorated with bunting, flags and flowers. The old soldiers and their fami- lies occupied the front seats, while the rest of the hall^ was filled with ladies and gentlemen from St. Marys and surrounding towns. All seats had been reserved for soldiers and ladies, and standing room was all taken up. At 8 p. m. promptly the meeting was called to order by the President, Major Charles Hipp, and opened with the overture. "Golden Hours," by the Little Six Band, of New Bremen. The President 6 THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. then introduced Hon. E. F. Gross, Mayor of St. Marys, who made the following address : Mr. President, Members of the 37th, and Ladies and Gen- tlemen : — The warlike and warring times in which your regiment was formed have passed away, your army corps has dissolved, your brigade has disbanded, and your regiment long since has surrendered to family and home, the soldier boys that war and duty called away. There are, gentlemen, the ties of good-fellowship which now unite and bind you together — good-fellowship which grew up under sacrifices each of you bravely made ; under dangers by you all together, fearlessly and heroically met, and in the discharge by each of you of patriotic duty. To promote that good-fellowship, to keep glowing in all your breasts that af- fectionate regard in which you justly hold each other, and in pursuance of your custom, you have met this evening. In obedience to the wish of the people of this village, as well as in obedience to my own impulse, as Mayor of the Village of St, Marys, and as an individual, I accejDt it as a duty and cherish it as a privilege, to bid you welcome. This is a proud day for St. Marys — proud because your committee has thus for a second time chosen this village for the place of your reunion ; proud that among your members so many of her sons have been enrolled. I trust, gentlemen, that it is pardonable, because I know It to be a fact, that the people of this village and county have ever regarded your regiment with a peculiar interest. In war times after every battle in which you were engaged, the ques- tion we at home asked each other was, " How fared it with the 37th ?" But, gentlemen, had we then seen that tattered banner, then gallantly borne aloft and fearlessly followed — had we seen it in the thickest of the fray, its sacred folds pierced and its trusty staff splintered by ^reason's bullets ; had we seen it rising and falling on the waves of battle, but ever pointing on- THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. Y. Y. I. ward to victory— we could have been no more certain than we were that wherever it was, the 37th always did its duty. Gentlemen, we are proud of your regiment's record, we are grateful to you for the preference shown our village, and we bid you a cordial welcome. Response by the President, Major Chas. Hipp: Comrades and Friends: — When, 24 years ago, we scattered from the tented field for home and fireside, when the martial bonds that held us for four long years were sundered, we carried with us that glorious feeling of Comradeshij), cemented by common dangers and suf- ferings, and to-day we meet, once again, to live over the days when confidently we touched elbows toward the center, where these old fiags then proudly waved. None but family ties can surpass the cords of Comrade- ship ; based on patriotism, tried by fire, proven true as steel, they hold us captive by the silken chords of devotion, respect and honor. Strike from your lives the four years of 61-65, how dreary and common -place appear the others, before and after those stormy times, when it was your good fortune to live and turn a'spoke in the wheel of history; you can proudly claim a share in shaping destiny, in crushing national crimes, in es- tablishing national unity, in breaking the fetters of suffering millions. "Words are tame in expressing the joy we feel in meet- ing and grasping the hands of trusted comrades of many a camp, march and battle. We are now, once more, in camp. Sound the reveille. REVEILLE Song — "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground." Q,u;irtctte with Piano Afoompaniment. Misses Abbie Smith, Ella and May Manor, Messrs. Elza and Jas. Smith. THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. Y. I. TENTING ON THE OLD CAMP GROUND. We're tenting to-night on the old camp-ground, Give us a song to cheer Our weary hearts, a song of home And the friends we love so dear. Chorus — Many are the hearts that are weary to-night Wishing for the war to cease ; Many are the hearts -looking for the right To see the dawn of peace ; . I Tenting to-night, tenting to-night, I . * I Tenting on the old camp ground. I We've been tenting to-night on the old camp-ground. Thinking of the days gone by ; Of the loved ones at home that gives us the hand, And the tear that said : good-bye. Chokus — Many are the hearts, etc. We are tired of war on the old camp- ground ; Many are dead and gone. Of the brave and the true, who've left their homes ; Others have been wounded l">ng Chokus — Many are the hearts, etc. We've been fighting to-day on the old camp-ground ; Many are lying near. Some are dead and some are dying, Many are in tears ! Chorus — Many are the hearts that are weary to-night, Wishing for the war to cease Many are the hearts looking for the right, To see the dawn of peace ; . I Dying to-night, dying to-night I . I Dying on the old camp-ground. I (additional verse.) Since twenty-four years have passed away, And truest peace has come ; Remember to-night the dear ones gone, Who're sleeping in the grave's dark home. Chokus — Many are the hearts full of sorrow to-night. Thinking of the war's dark days ; Mourning o'er the brave dying for the right, Who won Columbia's praise. Who'er sleeping to-night, sleeping to-night. Sleeping on their last camp-ground, They're sleeping to-night, sleeping to-night. They're sleeping in their last camp-ground. THIETY SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. This popular old army song was beautifully ren- dered and enthusiastically received. Music — In Memoriam — "Nearer My God to Thee." Zither Solo. Albert Herzino, Song — " The Same Canteen." Baritone Solo and Chorus. Lieut. Fred. Krumm. WE'VE DRUNK FROM THE SAME CANTEEN. There are bonds of all sorts in this world of ours Fetters of friendship and ties of flowers. And true lover's knots I wean, — The boy, and the girl are bound by a kiss, But there's neveir a bond old friend, like this, We have drunk from the same canteen. Chorus — The same canteen, my soldier friend. The same canteen, There's never a bond, old friend like this. We have drunk from the same canteen. The same canteen, my soldier friend, The same canteen, There's never a bond, old friend, like this, We have drunk from the same canteen. It was some times water, and some times milk, Sometimes apple jack fine as silk. But whatever the tipple has been, — We shar'd it together, in bane — or bliss. And I warn to you friend, when I think of this, We have drunk from the same canteen. Chorus — The same canteen, etc. The rich and the great sit down to dine, And quafT to each other in sparkling wine, From glasses of crystal, and green, — But I guess in their golden potations they miss The warmth of regard, to be found in this, We have drunk from the same canteen. Chorus — The same canteen, etc. We've shared our blankets, and tent together, And marched, and fought, in all kinds of weather. 10 THIHTY-SBVBNTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. And hungry, and full, we've been, — Had days of battle, and days of rest, But this mem'ry I cling to, and love the best, We have drunk from the same canteen. Chorus — The same canteen, etc. For when wounded I lay on the outer slope. With my blood flowing fast, and but little hope. On which my faint spirit might lean, — ! then I remember, you crawl'd to my side. And bleeding so fast, it seem'd both must have died , We drunk from the same canteen. Chorus — The same canteen, etc. Address — "From Camp Brown to Mission Ridge." Comrade John S. Kountz, Past Commander-in-Chief, G. A. R. Dear Comrades: — I WISH I could tell you how my heart rejoices, as once more I look into your faces, and the pleasure I feel in greeting the remnant of our dear old regiment. When Major Hipp, whom we all love, wrote me that I was on the list for an address, I concluded I could do nothing better than give some of my personal observations and experiences from home to Mission Ridge — an undertaking by no means easy, as I kept no record during my service. In going back through the scenes in which we were participants — the camp, the march, the bivouac and the battle — neither time nor occa- sion will permit me more than a brief outline. At the breaking of the rebellion 1 had just passed my fif- teenth birthday. In our town (Maumee, Ohio,) many of the young men promptly responded to the first call for volunteers- How I envied those whose age made them eligible. Those who first went from Maumee enlisted in the Fourteenth and Twenty -first regiments. I watched with much interest the service of those commands in West Virginia; was present in Toledo when the Fourteenth returned, and regarded every man as indeed "a hero." In August 1861, the Thirty-seventh regiment, under the THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, 0. V. V. I. ll call for 300,000 men, was organized at Cleveland, being re- cruited among the Germans of Cleveland, Toledo, St. Marys, Youngstown, Columbus and Chillicothe. A goodly number of Company G were from Maumee. Toward the end of Sep- tember several boys returned for a brief time, previous to the departure of the the regiment for the field. On the last Satur- day in September I met a number who had "donned the blue," among them being Lieutenant Hamm, who said to me, "We will take you with us as a drummer." I was delighted, and going home I asked my father's permission. At first he hesi- tated, but finally gave his consent. On Monday morning I bid adieu to home — to my father and sister it was the last good- bye, both dying while I was in the army; and taking the train for Toledo, where we changed cars for Cleveland, arriving at Camp Brown the same evening (September 30, 1861), I was pretty tired from the day's experience. A short time after our arrival in the camp the bugle signal notified the men that supper was ready, and we formed in single file, marching to the kitchen, where I was given a large tin cup and a tablespoon. The cook with a long-handled dipper filled my cup with coffee, and I was given a slice of bread and a piece of baked salt pork, which constituted my first army meal. The second day after my arrival we broke camp and took the train for Camp Dennison, were we remained about ten days, were mustered into the service and the regiment (Col. Edward Siber commanding) armed and equipped. The drums not having been received, I was given a musket and did guard duty for one night. A mere boy, I must have been an interesting figure, marching up and down in front of the commissary department, with a heavy Springfield musket upon my shoulder. At first, I felt very proud of my position, but the novelty soon wore ofi", and I was glad when relieved. From Camp Dennison we moved to Cincinnati, where we took steamers for Camp Piatt, on the Kanawha river, arriving there and reporting to Gen. Rosecrans a few days later. This camp was located about twelve miles above Charleston, West 12 THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V, V. I. Virginia, and had been occupied by the Thirty-fourth Ohio, for whose colonel the camp was named. A day or two after our ar- rival the drums came, when the drum corps was obliged to put in four hours a day of practice. It was in this camp that I first saw the "Johnnies" — a couple of captured "bushwhackers." They where dressed in homespun "butternut," and to us a great curiosity. At this time the country south of the Kanawha was over- run with squads of rebel cavelry of Jenkins' command, who oc- casionally fired upon passing steamers and then took to the mountains. Col. Siber, determining, if possible, to break up these raids, crossing the river with part of the regiment and occupied Brownstown, from which place scouting parties where sent into the surrounding country. One had started out under Capt. Hipp, with three days' rations, but was recalled by Gen Rose- crans, who considered the expidition too hazardous. About this time there was a report that Capt Hipp's command had been defeated, and Col. Siber reported to Gen. Roscrans that he was going to the rescue of his scouting party, which, a day or two later, returned to camp. Recrossing the river, the regiment proceeded to Cannelton where the forces where organizing for driving the rebel Gen, Floyd out of the valley. This was my first march, and as I carried knapsack, haversack and drum, it was very tiresome although the distance was but about eighteen miles. The col- onel subsequently permitted the drummers to put their knap, sacks on the regimental wagons. We remained in the camp for a few days, then crossing the river, went into camp on the Mont- gomery farm, opposite the oil works at Cannelton. Consider- able excitement was soon occasioned in camp by the report that a member of company C had been shot by a bushwhacker, but when comrade Kopfwas brought into camp, it was learned that he had accidentally shot himself From Camp Montgomery the regiment moved up the val- ley to Loup creek, against the rebel forces under Floyd, and succeeded in foi'cing them to evacuate Cotton Hill. The per- THIETY SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I, 13 suit of Floyd was continued several miles beyond Fayettville, notwithstanding heavy rains, which made the expedition one of great hardship. The streams where high, the men often be- ing compelled to wade deep water; and as it was impossible to get wagons through the mud, troops were without rations for several days. The comrades of the thirty-seventh who parti- cipated in the pursuit of Floyd will never forget the hardships and privations which attended that short campaign. Soon after the return from the expedition, we went into winter quarters at Clifton, where drill, discipline, guard duty and occasional scout- ing occupied the time. In January, 1862, a portion of the regiment went on an ex- pedition to Logan C. H., east of Guyandotte river, where, after hard marching and brisk skirmishing, with rebel cavalry, the place was captured and the war material found was destroyed. This was accomplished with the loss of Capt. H. Goeku and Corporal Behm killed. When on the Guyandotte river our men were occasionally fired at from the opposite side, when Corporal Maulen, of Company B, discovering a small boat, swam the river, (the water being at freezing point,) and brought back the canoe. Several of the Thirty-seventh crossed over in this boat and cleared the woods of bushwhackers. On reaching Logan C. H. the town was found deserted, except a few drunken women, one of whom was the wife of one Hatfield whose sons have recently gained notoriety for lawlessness in that region. The eneri^etic measures of Col. Siber resulted in the suppression of these bands, and many of those who had been engaged iu bush- whacking came into Charleston and took the oath of allegiance Clifton was a delightful place, and as the duties of the men were not arduous our boys were quite content to remain there during the winter. Our Sutler, Mr. Carl Lenk, one of the best in the army, was an excellent provider. 1 am sure no sut- ler could have been held in higher esteem then was he. His assistent, Christ Nopper, was also very popular. My company for a time was quartered in an old frame store on the Hansford 14 l?HlETY SEVJSNTtt EEGIMENT, 0. V. t. t. place, not tar from a stable in which were kept several cows whose milk, through early rising, I was enabled to supply for breakfast coffee. When news of the fall of Donelson was received, many of us felt that the war was about over, and we were not to have an op- portunity for a battle; but our ambition in that regard was fully satisfied as shown by subsequent record. During April my company performed guard duty at Loup creek returning to Clitton toward the end of the month. About this time the Thir- ty-seventh was assigned to the third provisional brigade of the Kanawaha division (Gen. J. D, Cox), and ordered to accom- pany the same on a raid to southwest Virginia, with a view of destroying the Virginia & East Tennessee railroad. Early in May, 1862, we bade adieu to our pleasant quarters at Clifton, and again resumed active campaigning. After the first day's march we went into camp near Louj) creek. The next morning we continued our tramp over Cotton mountain and on to Payetteville where we bivouaced for the night. The following day we made a long and tiresome march to Kaleigh C. H., resuming our march the next day over Flat Top mountain to Princeton, and on to French Mills, the regi- ment arriving there May 14, 1862. Meantime the day before we reached,Princeton, it rained very hard, and being obliged to wade through streams of water, I beg ame quite sick, and was placed in an ambulance. That night we halted on Blue Stone river, about fifteen miles north of Princeton. Not having proper cov- ering, Lieut. Hamm gave me his double blankets. These I re- tained when left at the hospital in Pi-inceton, and a day or two later they came into possession of the "Johnnies." Our hosi3i_ tal was a large frame building on the main road, a short distance from the ruins of the court house. Gen. Cox established his headquarters here, and the few soldiers left behind were placed under command of Maj. Ankele, of the Thirty -seventh. On the afternoon of the 15th the rebels, under Humphrey Mar- shall, advanced on Princeton and attacked our small forces which had taken a position behind the walls of the burnt court- THIETY-SBVENTH KEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 15 house. ■ Our men held the rebels at bay until after dark, when they were driven from their position, some being made prisoners and others scattering to the woods. During this little fight Maj. Ankele was seriously wounded. Well do I remember the men bringing him in and the peculiar sensation I felt at the first sight of a bleeding soldier. About this time Gen. Cox and staff hastened to join his command at French Mill. When the report reached us that our men were driven back, I left the hospital, and with other inmates ran to the woods, a short distance from the town, where we remained un- til morning. It was one of the most unsatisfactory nights I experinced during my entire service. But for the kindness ot a comrade of the Thirty-fourth Ohio, whom I met in the wood, and who permitted me to share his blanket, I would have suf- fered still more. Most of the sick were made prisoners, includ- ing the comrade last referred to. Gen. Cox who had left Princeton the evening before, reached French Mill about 9 o'clock p. ra., and the troops were ordered back to Princeton, where, much fatigued, they arrived early in the morning. The rebels had destroyed our stores and retired about an hour before the arrival of Gen. Cox's command. The previous day, four companies of the Thirty-seventh, five of the Tv/enty-eigth and two of the Thirty -fourth, under command of Lieut, Col. VonBlessingh, were sent up the East Eiver and Wytheville road, to ascertain the rebel force at Eocky Gap, to return the following day. but on learning that the enemy had attacked and driven our forces from Princeton, Col. VonBless- ingh was notified by courier to march direct to Princeton. About 10 a. m. on the 16th, his command came upon the rebels under Gen. Marshall, and after severe fighting, in which the four companies of our regiment lost one officer and 13 men kill- ed, two officers and 46 men wounded, and 14 missing, our forces were compelled to retreat. We heard the heavy musketry fir- ing, and the troops were eager, but were not allowed to go to Von Blessingh's assistance. At 3 o'clock the next morning the di- vision commenced the retrograde movement, and reached Flat 16 THIRTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I- Top mountain the 19th. What was left of VonBlessingh'e command joined us at Blue Stone river, to our great delight. We remained in camp on Flat Top until August, having built comfortable quarters from the bark of the large chestnut trees on the mountain. The camp was cool, and the water was excellent. August 1st the regiment was again on the move, and after a day's march reached Kaleigh C. H., remaining there about three weeks and scouting the surrounding countr}'- During the stay at Ealeigh a number of our men made an ex- pedition to Wyoming C. H. where a detachment of the regi- ment fell into ambuscade and was surrounded, but cut its way out, with loss of two killed and seven captured. The last of August the regiment removed to Fayetteville, where in con- junction with the Thirty-fourth Ohio, it garrisoned that impor- tant outpost. On September 10 it was reported that the ene- my was moving on Fayetteville. Col. Siber, in command of the union troops, ordered two companies of our regiment out on the Princeton road, but the men soon encountered the rebels in heavy force, and were obliged to fall back. At noon Col. Siber's entire command (six companies of the Thirty-fourth and the Thirty-seventh Ohio) were engaged with the confederates, led by Gen. Loring. The fight lasted until dark, but as most of our regiment occupied the breastworks, which had been con- structed the previous year, our casualties were light. During this engagement the drummers carried water to the men from a well on the Fayetteville road, an exceedingly hazardous em- ployment, as we were obliged to pass an open space exposed to the enemy's fire. The Thirty-fourth on our right fought gal- lantly in an open field, and charged the rebels several times, sustaining heavy loss, one-halfof the officers and fully one-third of the men engaged being either killed or wounded. During the night Col. Siber, learning that the enemy was threatening our rear, ordered the buring of government stores, and at 2 o'clock a. m. we moved back on the Gauley road. Gen. Lor- ing's command, consisting of Williams', Heath's and Echols THIETY-SBVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. i. 17 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 firing, 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 Charleston during the afternoQn 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. We crossed Elk river and destroyed the new suspension bridge by cutting the cable*. 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. Puck 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 [31 18 THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O, V. Y. I. the first time after they were assigned to another brigade, and they greeted us with cheers as we passed, a greeting which was heartily 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 tew 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 heating apparatus were pi'ovided. 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 hand he proved too heavy for me, and I was drawn into the river. For- tunately a piece of rope was found by comrades and thrown to rne, which 1 caught and both were i^escued. While at Gauly, Col. Siber was presented witli a beautiful sword and belt by the Thirty-seventh, in recognition of soldierly qualities dis- played bj^ 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 Yiginia, 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 apporance and eliciting favor- able comment from citizens. We pitched tents upon a vacant plat and remained about a week, when we again embarked by steamers and proceeded down the Ohio and Mississippi, reach- ing Napoleon, Arkansas, the middle of January, were, with the Thirtieth and Forty-seventh Ohio and Fourth Yirginia, we for- THIRTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, 0. T. V. I. 19 med the Second brigade, Second divison, Fifteenth army- corps. On the 2l8t 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 seethe 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 her 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, preferring 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 expeuition 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 EoUing 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 the junction of the Sunflower and Rol- ling Fork, and had ordered some infantary and artillery from 20 THIRTY-SEVENTH JREGIMENT, O. V. V. 1. Haines' bluff 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. On 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 gunners 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 be effaced from the memories of those who 8%w it. The boats were under fire for two hours, being hit many times, yet no one was killed and but few wounded- We witnessed this magnificent scone 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 the 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 lo assist Gen Bowen at Grand Gulf Keturning from the Yazoo, our brigade remained at Milliken's Bend a few days, and then marched to Eichmond, crossed the Mississippi and hurried for- ward, overtaking 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 THIRTY-SEVENTH REGmE:^^T, O. V. V, I. 21 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 late 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 fire 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 ola 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 flagon 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 so 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 cross and concentrated fire. I saw Gen, Ewing at the head of the Thirtieth Ohio,, gallantly leading our brigade in that 22 THIRTY SEVENTH BEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 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 were 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 theSdof 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 lor the surrender of this most important position having been agi'eed upon between Grant and Pemberton, the rebels on the morning of the 4th marched out and stacked their arms, while THIRTY SEVKNTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I, 23 we sat bappy spectators on our works. The immediate result of this victory included the surrender ot'Lieut. Gen. Pemberton, and four major and twelve brigadier generals, and from 28,000 to 30,000 men, with 225 sie^e 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, i-eachingthe 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 reconnoissanco 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. On 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. 1 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 Johnt-ton had withdrawn during the night, and we marched into Jackson, where we remained for about a week, the regiment finding quarters in and around the state house. During our stay in Jackson the Thiity- seventh did provost guard duty- After a few days we were ordered to return. The weather was hot, the roads very dusty and water scarce, making the return march very severe. The night we reached Big Black river less than one hundred men were in the ranks when the 24 THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. regiment went into cam}), 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 d iring 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, 1 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 of active 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 luka. 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 4 THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. Y. I. 25 point on the Tennessee river opposite Florence, returning the same 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 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 fiat 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 [41 26 THIETY- SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. night was dark, with a drizzling rain. About midnight all was ready and the signal given to cross, Maj. Hipp'sboat 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 exjilanation 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 Hipp answered, "yes, and captured the picket," Gen. Sherman who was on horseback, surrounded by his stafi", was so elated that he took off his hat and cheered. At this time we embi^rked, 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 THIETY-SBVENTH EEGIMBNT, O. V. V, I. 27 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." 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 strategic 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 men 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 we 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 left my 28 THIKTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. drum and went forward with the regiment. The assult lasted but a few minutes, the firing from the enemy's intrenched posi- tion being simply terrible — grape, canister shot and 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 im the left thigh and bled from the wound until the ground under me seemed saturated with blood. I became very thirsty, but fortunately had two canteens of water4 At my side lay Comrade Weber, of company A, who had been instantly killed. As wc 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 1 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 1 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. I was then placed upon a stretcher and carried to the rear, where the boys gathered around me expressing their warmest sympathy. My leg was bandaged by Surgeon Billhardt and I was carried to a log cabin in the ravine, below the point from which we made the advance. I remained ujDon the porch with other wounded until dark, when I was placed upon a stretcher and taken some distance over the hill, where I was put into an ambulance and taken to a jjoint on the Tennessee river near THIETY-SBVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. 1. 29 the mouth of Chickamagua creek. Here I was laid upon the surgeon's table, and after an examination of my wound the surgeon informed me that my leg was so badly shattered that amputation was necessary, or words to that effect, i objected, but my objection was not heeded; I was then chloroformed and on awakening felt for my leg but it was gone. The next day I asked the surgeon for the bullet, and he told me it was in many pieces, being an English explosive rifle ball. After remaining here about ten days, I was with others placed in an ambulance and taken to the field hospital at Chattanooga. At this time I was 17 years of age. As my regiment belonged to the 15th Army Corps, I will conclude this account of my personal experience at Mission Kidge with a brief extract from General Sherman's official re- port of the operations of his troops during that campaign, as follows: In reviewing the facts I must do justice to the men of my command for the patience, cheerfulness and courage which officers and men have displayed throughout in battle or on the march and in the camp, for long periods, without regular rations or supplies of any kind, sometimes barefooted, without a murmur. Without a moment's rest after a march of over 400 miles, without sleep for three successive nights, we crossed the Tennessee, fought our part of the battle of Chattanooga, pur- sued the enemy out of Tennessee, and then turned more than 120 miles north and compelled Longstreet to raise the seige of Knoxville. I cannot speak of the Fifteenth army corps without a seeming vanity; but as I am no longer its comman- der I assert that there is no better body of soldiers in America than it. I wish all to feel a just pride in its honors." After our removal to the Field Hospital I was about to lose my faithful nurse. Comrade Michael Conely, of the fifty- seventh Ohio, who had been assigned elsewhere. I felt so bad- ly when Comrade Conely informed me that he was thus assigned, that I wept. When the surgeon in charge learned of my great attachment for niy nurse, he continued Conely on 30 THIETY-SEYENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. duty in my tent, and I was tenderly cared for until February, when I was able to use crutches. About this time the wound- ed, who were able to set about were sent to Nashville, and I was obliged to bid Comrade Conely good-bye. I i-emained in the hospital at Nashville about a week, when we were sent to Brown's hospital at Louisville. Desirous of returning home as soon as possible, I had early applied for a discharge from the Army, but did not re- ceive it until May 1, 1864, it being dated April 25. My failure to get it sooner was a great dissappointment to me, as I was anxious to get back to see my only sister, then very ill, and whom I had not seen since leaving home in 1861. She died about a month before my discharge came. As my regiment was returning to the front after their veteran furlough, and passed through Louisville the day I was starting for home, I had the pleasure of seeing the boys for the first time since the battle of Mission Eidge, and for the last time in the service of Uncle Sam. 1 then took a boat for Cin- cinnati, Having been informed by Capt. Shoening that my comrades had most generously provided a purse for supplying me with an artificial limb, I made arrangements for such while in that city and reached Maumee early in May, 1864, after an absence of nearly three years. My comrades, the old scenes have passed as a panorama before me as I have attempted to give you some of my obser- vations and experiences during those memorable days of 1861 to 1864, and I thank God, that it was His pleasure to permit me, in the ranks of the thirty-seventh Ohio, to give my humble service in defense of the grandest and freest Eepublic human eyes have beheld. Song — Solo. Lieut. Fred. Krumm, Address — "From Mission Ridge to Larkinsville, Ala." By Comrade William Schulenberg. Comrades and Fellow Citizens : — In taking up the narrative of personal recollections of the THIRTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. Y. V. I, 31 war, beginning with the Battle of Missionary Eidge, at which point Comrade Kountz, who proceeded me, concluded, 1 beg leave to go over a small portion of the same ground already taken up by Comrade Kountz, for the reason that the most active part that 1 took in the attack on Missionary Ridge began with the crossing of the river the night previous to the attack, which has already been explained. To effect the crossing a detail of men from the different regiments of the 15th Army Corps was made, who in the opinion of the officers, had some experience in boating, for the purpose of rowing the pontoons with the troops across. The detail for this purpose of Co. C, of our regiment, consisted of myself and Comrade Christian and Fred Roettger. The pontoons were taken on wagons to the Little Chicamango River, hidden from view of the enemy across the river, under command of Major Hipp, as already ex- plained. The undertaking was a daring one, and to many it appeared preposterous and foolish that it should be undertaken at all, for they could not believe that it was possible for us to cross the river unobserved by the rebels and that any of the occupants of the boats would ever step upon the rebel shore alive, except as prisoners; but it proved that they were mis- taken and that those who undertook it had the capability to suc- cessfully carry it out. Everything being in readiness we em- barked upon the pontoons, and for two nights kept our positions in them awaiting orders to move, which we did on the third night, with Major Hipp in the lead, and we following with the 55th Illi- nois and other regiments on board. Rowing down to the mouth of the Little Chicamango we entered the Tennessee and crossed about five miles below, under cover of the night, with the result already described by Comrade Kountz, up to the time of his being wounded and brought out. The battle continued in all its fury and the heavy cannon- ading soon set fire to the leaves on the ground and burning some of the unfortunate comrades who were wounded and un- able to escape the terrible doom that stared them in the face. When the fight had somewhat subsided we began to look around 32 THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. Y. Y. I. after the missing ones of our company and found quite a num- ber unaccounted for, which we naturally f?u2)po8ed were wounded and lying near the rebel works among the burning leaves, my brother being among the missing with comrades Herbst and Meyer. After disarming, we cautiously advanced towards the rebel works as a rescuing party, using the standing timber as much as possible for protection, and here let it be said to the credit of the rebels, that even in this hour of excitement they remember- ed that we were on a mission of humanity, for as soon as they ob- served that we were unarmed and the work in which we were engaged, one of the rebel officers invited us to advance, promis- ing us that no harm should befall us as long as we came unarm- ed and engaged in removing our wounded comrades, and passed the order along the line of his men in our frouut not to fire upon any who were .thus engaged. We took the officer at his word and advancecl unmolested and brought out all we could find. In the meantime our missing comrades were attending to the wounded whom they had carried to a place of safety in a deep ravine below the ridge out ol reach of rebel bullets. The battle continued and finally the enemy under tover of the night re- treated and left us mastex-s of the field, and then only did I learn the extent of the damage done, which far exceeded my esti- mate and probably never would have known what horrors and sufferings resulted from the Battle of Missionary Ridge had it not been for a little circumstance with which I became con- nected the next morning, after the escape ot the rebels, when orders were given to persue them at once. I was requested by Major Hipp to proceed to a certain place designated by him to look for his field glass which he had left hanging on a fence near the battle field the day before. I proceeded on my errand and approached an open field which presented to my view a scene in which the horrors of war were depicted in all its de- tails and one that I have oftener recalled to my mind then any- thing to which I was an eye witness during the whole war. There was spread out before me several acres covered with dead and dying soldiers who had been gathered from the battle field THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 33 by a large force of men detailed for that purpose. A number were engaged in digging long and deep trenches, in each of which some forty or fifty were laid to rest; others were pre- paring them for burial and tying cards to them for future ref- ference, on which their names, company and regiments were written if known. A number of them were yet alive, who had been left upon the field for dead or had for the time being been abandoned by the field physicians as hopeless cases, to die upon the field, as they were over worked in attending to those who in their opinion had any show for life. These poor comrades were lying prone upon their backs, some merely breathing and unconscious of their fate, while others in their agony would at times roll over upon each other and bring forth heart rendering groans and prayers for death to relieve them. I departed from the scene with a heavy heart. I found the field glass and re- turned to the regiment and a little later we were on the march in pursuit of the enemy, with three days' rations, but for want of a sufficient supply, we drew only a half ration of crackers and coffee. It was also recommended to reduce the weight of our knapsacks as much as possible, and in consequence many of us carried nothing but a rubber and woolen blanket besides what clothes we wore, which we afterwards regretted, for before we returned to where we could get supplies, we were nearer naked then clothed, nor were we accompanied by a provision train, as there was neither train or provisions at the time of our starting in pursuit, to carry along, and we had to subsist upon what the country afforded and what little the enemy in their flight had been unable to carry off' or destroy. We caught up with a portion of Bragg's Army the first night and captured part of his provision train loaded with corn meal which we ap- propriated to our own use and for a short time the slapjack business flourished as long as the meal held out. After that our bill of fare was not noted for quality nor quanity; with all the effoi'ts of ourselves and foraging party, who were not slow in getting anything if it was anywhere to be had, we could hardly gather enough to keep soul and body together; at times [5] 34 THIKTY-SBVENTH EBGIMBNT, O, V. V. I. we were so hungry and weak that we could not sleep for want of something to eat, at least that was the condition I found my- self in at different times. One night a company of Cavalry camj)ed near us and when all were apparently asleep I slipped up to one of their horses and robbed it of part of its feed, an ear of corn, and made a meal of it, which enabled me to sleep the balance of the night. With all our hardships and fatigue we managed to keep up with the rebels, and frequently had to urge them a little, but thej'^ managed to keep far enough ahead to pre- vent any eerious conflict. The incidents on the route were many, but not of a note- v/orthy nature. The weariness of our march was at times broken by the good naturedness of some of the officers and men by insti- tuting a little wholesome sport to drive away the blues, whenever an opportunity presented itself. Promiment among them was General Morgan L. Smith, who nevei- lost an opportunity to dis- play his good humor, when by so doing he could add anything to cheer his weary followers. On one occasion when riding at the head of our column, he stopped short, commanded halt, stack arms, open ranks, rode through the center and informed us that a hand to hand combat was awaiting us within a few min- utes, and to at once prepared ourself for the fight; that he had Spied a rebel in a thicket just ahead of us whom he wanted cap- tured, and that he was positive that he would resit and perhaps make his escape if we failed to do our full duty, and as he want- ed him alive we were to surround the ticket without arms to prevent any one from shooting him. We dej)loyed as skir- mishers closing in on the center where he had proceed- ed us and pointed out to us a little gray squirrel on a little sapling, surrounded by numerous other little saplings with no large trees near, by which he could make his escape. Wc began to chase the so-called rebel from sapling to sapling when finally after a great deal of yelling, stone and club throwing, the squirrel dropped to the ground and was quickly picked up alive by one of the boj^s, when one of the comrades ask the General how he knew the squirrel to be a rebel; he replied that he could tell by THIETY SEVEKTH EEGIMENT, O. Y. V. I, 35 the uniform he wore. We again took up our march with re- newed spiril, and at night pitched our blankets for tents, (we had none) in and around the barn yard of a farmer. The old fellow sized us up and no doubt concluded that the way we eyed his hen-house, that there was danger that bis remainirg chickens might be persuaded to desert him during the night, unless something was done to prevent our coming in contact with them, and at once attempted to play the Union racket, by claiming to be a Union man, and entitled to have his property protected during our stay, and inquired of me to whom he must apply for a guard. I referred him to General Smith, who just then came riding along. He halted the General and after a bow that almost doubled him up, stated his case. The General listened very attentively for a minute and then replied in his rough manner: "What, what, fight and guard you both, no sir." "But Gen- eral, I am a Union man," said the Farmer. "Union hell," re- plied the General, "you are all Union men when you want pro- tection and your cussed rebels are not about." "Please Generab only protect the chickens; my wife is sickly and likes nothing better then chickens." "Dont doubt it" replied the General, "if there is anything that my boys like better then chickens, it is more of them; am I right boys," addressing himself to us who were standing around. We replied in the affirmative, and the General rode off without furnishing the guard. How the chick- ens fared you can imagine. We resumed our march and followed the enemy to within a few miles of Knoxville, Tennessee, when General Burnside had been exchanging salutes with the rebel General Longstreet^ who had on the 28th day of November attacked Burnside at Knoxville, and was repulsed with great slaughter, after which ho withdrew, two daj's before wo arrived to relieve Burnside. General Sherman and other officers rode into Knoxville and finding it in full possession of our forces and the enemy gone, ordered a return, and the about-face march again. On our return from Knoxville our course led us over a portion of the Smokey Mountains of East Tennessee, and we again had to 36 THIETY- SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. subsist upon what the country afforded, which however was no improvement over our previous route. A pint of corn meal a day was a large average. The roads were rough and rocky and our foot-gear began to give out, and our clothes compared fav- orably with Nasby's suit after he deserted the Union Army and joined the rebels, who exchanged his new blue suit for one of gray which consisted chiefly of holes with here and there a rag around them; very appropriate for the summer season, but rather airy at the time, as it was December and verj^ cold. We finally arrived at Chattanooga almost naked and nearly starved; the weather was intensely cold and the ground frozen and it became impossible for those without good foot-gear to proceed any further overland, and yet many miles from our destination; but no dispair, remembering that where there is a will there is a way, we were not long in finding the way. We took possession of a number of pontoons that were anchored at Chattanoga upon which the foot sore were embarked, taken down the river to the mouth of Mud Creek, up the creek to Bellfoute, Alabama, where we were again joined by the rest of the army, who had taken the overland route. I having made the trip on the river as one of the orsman detailed for that purpose, we arrived there almost a day in advance of the troops on foot. Here we went into camp without shelter of any kind and nothing to eat. This was on the New Year's night of 1864, so well remembered by the people of the North, as the coldest night that ever opened the door of a New Year. It must not be supposed that it was as cold in Alabama as it was in the North here, nor must it be forgotten that the cold wave of 1864 had visited the Southern states more severely than any had ever done before, and that spending the night in the open air hugging our little camjD fires, blinded with the smoke of green wood, that we had to use for want of any other, was anything but pleasant. The next day we made good use of our lungs in yelling for hard-tack and sow-belly whenever a Commanding General came in sight, but it was of little avail. The officers tried their best to get provisions, but were unable to get any- THIRTY- SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V, I. 37 more then just enough to keep soul and body together. The second day our Regiment was ordered to proceed up the rail- road some eight or ten miles, to pull down by hand a crack- er train, that for want of a locomotive could not otherwise be brought down. The order was received with delight and was readily obeyed. The 37th Regiment was never very slow in charging upon anything, much less a cracker train. It was not my lot to accompany the Regiment on this pleasant expedition, having been detailed to do picket duty near the camp. They returned with the cracker train a little after dark, the same day, and the distribution of the crackers began soon thereafter and amounted to three crackers for every two men. When the roll was called for drawing our rations it was found that my brother Ben and Comrade Wm. Wiedman were missing. I made inquiries of what had become of them, but no one knew anything about "them anymore than that they had been in ranks all day and were not missed until after dark. I drew my brother's portion of the crackers in addition to my own, and returned to my post on picket. An hour or so later, I heard the approach of some one cautiously coming through the timber towards me. The night was dark, and nothing could be seen five feet away. I waited until the object came within the reach of my gun, locating it by the sound of the breaking of twigs and underbrush, through which the object was coming, drew up my gun and commanded "Halt, who comes there." the answer came quick enough, but not in the usual form of "A friend with the countersign," but instead "Yes, who comes there. If you knew that the comer bad something to eat you wouldn't be so particular, about, who comes there." I recognized the voice of my brother and al- lowed him to advance without any other countersign. He was accompanied by Comrade Wideman, each bearing on their backs some dark object which they dropped at my feet and upon examination, I found in their rubber blankets a box of crackers that had in some way deserted the cracker train. That night we attended a surprise party— surprised our inner- man. 38 THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V, V. I. We soon afterwards again broke camp and proceeded ftir- ther and stopped at Larkinsville, Alabama, as we supposed for the winter, and began to build shelter of whatever material we could find and before long some of us were in comfortable quar- ters; when we were again called upon to abandon them, after a short staj^. During our stay there we made a scouting tour among the mountains on the other side of the Tennessee Eiver, the home of the Moon,8hiners, and spent a few days among them incpecting their stills and the proof of their highwines, which proved strong enough to knock the pins out from under some of the inspectors, so much so that they imagined they heard the command of "Lay down"' and governed themselves accordingly, and when the command was given to fall in some of them had fell in so much that it was with difficulty to get them to obey ihe command. General Smith came along and amused himself by assisting in getting them into line, and whenever he found one that he could not persuade to get up, he would detail two men to raise the drows}^ comrade to a sit- ting position and have the men rub his ears with all their might, and if the first application failed to have the desired effect, he would order a second, which would generally bring them to their feet. The next day, while stoj^ping on the way side for rest the General rode up and inquired how we all felt after the charge on the highwine the day before ; he was told that we were ready to make another like charge. He then re- marked that he hoped we would all re-enlist. This was at a time when efforts were made to re-enlist by regiments whose term of service was drawing to a close. He was informed that if he himself would stay and guarantee that the highwine would hold out, we would all re-enlist and see the game out. This remark seemed ^to please him and he promised to stay with us and do the best he could. After our return to Larkins- ville from this expedition, we broke camyj and returned to Cleveland, Tennessee, where a large majority of the regiment re-enlisted for three years more or during the war. While at Cleveland I was informed that in conformity THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 39 with an order from the War Department, I, with Major Hipp ana three others of the i-egiment, had been assigned as trans- ferers of substitutes from the State of Ohio to the seat of war. and to hold myself in readiness to start for Columbus, Ohio, and report myself for duty ; bat before we started Northward we again returned to Larkensville, Alabama, where I shortly afterwards, in company with the other comrades assigned for that purpose, took leave from the regiment. We arrived at Columbus, in due time and reported for duty. The next day after our arrival I found myself returning to Chattanooga, Ten- nessee, with a car load of substitutes, of which a large major- ity were Canadians ; who were at the time pouring into the States from Canada and entering the service as substitutes, on account of the large sums of money that were being paid for substitutes. Upon my arrival at Chattanooga 1 learned that the 37th Regiment had passed through a few days before, on their way homo on a Veteran Furlough for thirty days and be- fore I could return to Columbus they would be enjoying the happy welcome among the dear ones at home. I longed to join them and share their happiness ; and upon my return to Columbus I made application for a few days leave of absence. I staled my case to Major Skills, commandment of Tod Barraks, under whose charge I was and he informed me that it would give him pleasure to grant my request if it was at all possible but under the state of affairs he could not do so at present. The Barraks were over crowded with substitutes who were sorely needed in the field and he had not force enough to trans- fer them as rapidly as they should be and that he had already assigned me a squad with whieh I was to leave that day and that perhaps on my return the chances for a short furlough would be better; aud so I was doomed to content myself with imagination of what a glorious time my comrades were having at home. Finally after thi-ee trips south 1 obtained a three days leave of absence, which allowed me one day at home, as the other two were taken up in coming and returning. On my 40 THIRTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. Y. V. I. arrival at home I found a hearty welcome and enjoyed my lit- tle furlough with great satisfaction and on the following day again bid adieu to home and friends, and returned to my post at Columbus, and again entered upon my duty of transfering substitutes. The regiment's thirty days furlongh having expired a tew days after my visit home, they returned to the field for duty. On their return to the field Major Hipp passed through Colum- bus for the purpose of having himself and the rest of us re- lieved from transfering substitutes and return to the field with the Eegiment. He succeeded in so far as himself and the other three were concerned, who happpened to be in Columbus at the time, and joined the Regiment. 1 being away on a trip South was left behind, and on my return Major Skiles refused to re- lease me and I was continued on the force for nearly seven months, always on the road to and from the seat of war. Fin- ally I was relieved and assigned to a desk in the forwarding office at Tod Barraks in Columbus, Ohio, to work on muster roils; which position I held to the end of my term of service, which ended with the close of the war, and returned to mj^ home with the satisfaction • of knowing that Victory was ours and proud of having been a member of the 37th Ohio Vol. Infantry. Comrades, I am glad and happy to-night that we have been permitted, after these many years, to meet once more under more pleasant circumstances, with the knowledge that the friendship formed in camp and cemented by deeds of valor on the battlefield, have not been forgotten, and will not as long as life last. We were comrades in scenes that tried the souls and courage of as all, we were associates in a struggle that gave new birth to the Republic. Is it any wonder then that the men who were soldiers in the days when they were the Idols of the people, because in their hands lay the safety of ^the country, now look back to those exciting days with pride and pleasure. We would not be true men if we forgot the past ; we were com- rades then and we are comrades now, and will be until the THIRTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 41 roll is complete beyond the skies. We are growing old and have no longer the smell of powder smoke in our nostrils, but we are as ready now to share our last crust with a needy com- rade as we were to divide the last bit of hardtack when the supply train failed to come in on time. As veterans of the war we are proud of the granduer and progress of our country and as we gather around our comrades, as we do to-night,who has a better right to recall the scenes of Camp, Campaign and Bat- tle than we who by our united efforts, made the present pros- perity of our fellow citizens not only a possibility but a solemn and glorious fact. Let us hope that the peace so dearly bought has come to stay and that we may be permitted to enjoy many more like meetings, and that the men of the North and South, with true brotherly feeling, will stand shoulder to shoul- der in support of our magnificent Eepublic, ready to carry the musket and the sword in united strength against any foreign foe that may dare to menace our common and glorious Flag. Song — " The Vacant Chair." Quartette and Chorus. THE VACANT CHAIR We shall meet, but we shall miss him. There will be one vacant chair; We shall linger to caress him, While we breathe our evening prayer. When those years ago we gathered, Joy was in his mild blue eye; But a golden cord is served, And our hopes in ruin lie. Chorus— We shall meet, but we shall miss him There will be one vacant chair ; We shall linger to caress him, When we breathe our evening prayer. At our fireside, sad and lonely, Often will the bosom swell, At remembrance of the story. How our noble soldier fell ; How he strove to bear our banner Through the thickest of the fight, And upheld our country's honor. In the strength of manhood's might. Chorus— We shall meet, etc. [61 42 THIETY-SEYENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. Recitation — " The Drummer Boy of Mission Ridge." (By Special Request.) Mrs. Elizabeth Mansfield Irving, THE DRUMMER BOY OF MISSION RIDGE. THE SERGEANT'S STORY. BY KATK IJROWNIiEE SHERWOOD. [To Johns. Koiintz, Commander of the Department of Ohio, O. A. R. this story of his experience at Missionary Ridge, while serving as Drummer Boy of tlie.37th O. V. I.— the story being that of the Sergeant who bore him from the field,— is dedicated, as a slight testimonial to his courage on the field of Battle, and his fidelity to the veteran's bond of union— "Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty."] Did ever you hear of the Drummer Boy of Mission Ridge who lay With his face to the foe, 'neath the enemy's guns in the charge of that terrible day? They were firing above him and firing below, and the tempest of shotand shell Was raging like death as he moaned in his jiain, by the breastworks where he fell. We had burnished our muskets and filled our canteens, as we waited for orders that morn— Who knows when the soldier is dying of thirst where the wounded are wailing forlorni? — When forth from the squad that was ordered back from the burst of that furious fire Our Drummer Boy cameand his face wasaflame with the light of a noble desire- "Go back with your corps," our Colonel had said, but he waited the moment when He might follow the ranks and shoulder a gun with the best of us bearded men. And so when the signals from old Fort Wood set an army of veterans wild, He flung down his drum which spun down the hill like the ball of a wayward child. And so he fell in with the foremost ranks of brave old Company G, As we charged by the flank, with our colors ahead, and our column closed up like a V; In the long, swinging lines of that splendid advance, when the flags of our corps floated out. Like the ribbons that dance in the jubilant lines of the march of a gala day rout. He charged with the ranks, though he carried no gun, for the Colonel had .said nay, And he breasted the blast of the bristling guns and the shock of the sickning fray; And when by his side they were falling like hail, he sprang to a comrade slain. And shouldered his musket and bore it as true as the hand that was dead to pain. 'Twas dearly we loved him, our Drummer Boy, with a fire in his bright, black eye. That flashed forth a spirit too great for his form, he only was Just so high,— As tall perhaps as your little lad who scarcely reaches your shoulder.— Though his heart was the heart of a veteran then, a trifle, in may be, the bolder tftmTY-SBVENTH REGIMENT, 0. V. V. I. 43 He pressed to the front, our lad so leal, and the works were almost won, A moment more and our flags had swung o'er the muzzle of the murderous gun- But a ranking fire swept the van and he fell 'niid the wounded and the slain, With his wee, wan face turned up to Him who feeleth His children's pain. Again and again our lines fell back and again with shivering shocks They flung themselves on the reble works as the fleets on the jagged rocks; To be crushed and broken and scattered amain, as the wrecks of the surging storm . • Where none may rue and none may reck of aught that has human form. So under the Ridge we were lying for the orders to charge again, And we counted our comrades missing and we counted our comrades slain; And one said, "Johnnie, the Drummer Boy, is grievously sliot and lies Just under the enemy's breastworks; if left on the field he dies." Then all the blood that was in me surged up to my aching brow, And my heart leaped up like u ball in my throat, I can feel it even now, And I swore I would bring that boy from the field, if God would spare my breatli. If all the guns on Mission Ridge should thunder the threat of death. I crept and crept up the ghastly Ridge, by the wounded and the dead, With the moans of my comrades right and lofi, behind me and yet ahead, Till I came to the form of our Drummer Boy, in his blouse of dusty blue, With his face to the foe, 'neath the enemy's guns, where the blast of the battle blew. And his gaze as he met my own, God wot, would have melted a heart of stone, As he tried like a wounded bird to rise, and placed his hand in my own: So wan and faint with his ruby red blood drank deep by the pitiless sward. While his breast with its fleeting, fluttering breath throbbed painfully slow and hard. And he said in a voice half smothered, though its wispering thrills me yet, "I think in a moment more that I would have stood on the parapet. For my feet have trodden life's rugged ways, and I have been used to climb Where some of the boys have slipped 1 know, but I have never missed a time. "But now I nevermore will climb, and Sergeant when you see The n:ien go up those breastworks there, just stop and waken me: For while I cannot make the ckarge or join ihe cheers that rise, I may forget my pain to see the old flag kiss the skies." Well, it was hard to treat him so, his poor limb shattered sore. But I raised him to my shoulder and to the Surgeon bore; And the boys when they saw us coming each gave a shout of joy. Though some in curses clothed their prayers, for him, our Drummer boy. When sped the news that "PMghting Joe" had saved the Union right, With his legions fresh from Lookout: and that Thomas massed his might And forced the reble centre; and our cheering rang like wild; And Sherman's heart was hapijy as the heart of a little child; When Grant from his loafty outlook saw our flags by the hundred fly, Along the slopes of Mission Ridge, where'er he cast his eye; And our Drummer Boy heard the news and knew the might j- battle done, The valiant contest ended, and the glorious victory won; Then he smiled in all his agony beneath the Surgeon's steel. And joyed that his blood to flow his country's woes to heal; And his bright, black eyes so yearning, grew strangely glad aiul wide; 1 think that in that hour of joy he would have gladly died. Ah, ne'ei" again our ranks were cheered by our liKle Drummer's drum, 44 THIETY-SEVENTfl EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. When rub, rub, rub-a-dub-dub, we knew that our hour had come; Beat brisk at morn, beat sharp at eve, rolled long when it called to arms, With rub, rub rub-a-dub. dub, 'mid the clamor of rude alarms! Ah, ne'er again our black-eyed boy looked up in the veteran's face. To waken thoughts of his children safe in mother love's embrace! O ne'er again with tripping feet he ran with the other boys,— His budding hopes were cast away as they were idle toys. But ever in our hearts he dwells, with a grace that never is old. For him the heart to duty wed can nevermore grow coldl His heart, the hero's heart, we named the loyal, true and brave, The heart of the soldiers hoar and gray, of the lad in his Southern grave! And when they tell of their heroes, and the laurels they have won. Of the scars they are doomed to carry, of the deeds that they have done; Of the horror to be biding among the ghastly dead, The gory sod beneath them, the bursting shell o'erhead; My heart goes back to Mission Ridge and the Drummer Boy who lay With his face to the foe 'neath the enemy's guns, in the charge of that terrible day; And I say that the land that bears such sons, is crowned anddowerea with all The dear God giveth nations to stay them lest they fall. O glory of Mission Ridge stream on, like the roseate light of morn, On the sons that now are living, on the sons that are yet unborn! And cheers for our comrades living and tears as they pass away! And three times three for the Drummer Boy who fought at the front that day. Song — " Just Before the Battle." •Soprano Solo and Quartette Chorus. Miss Ella Manor. JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE, MOTHER. Just before the battle, Mother, I am thinking most of you, While upon the field we're watching, With the enemy in view — Comrades brave are I'ound me lying. Fill'd with tho't of home and God: For well they know that on the morrow Some will sleep beneath the sod. Oh I long to see you, Mother, And the loving ones at home, But I'll never leave our banner, Till in honor I can come. Tell the traitors, all around you, That their cruel words we know, In every battle kill our soldiers By help they give the foe. Hark! I hear the bugles sounding, 'Tis the signal for the fight, THIETY-SBVEKTH BEGIMENT, O. V. V. I, 45 Now may God protect us, Mother, As he ever does the right . Hear the "Battle cry of Freedom," How it swells upon the air, Oh, yes we'll rally round the standard Or we'll perish nobly there. Farewell, Mother, you may never press me to your heart again ; But O, you'll not forget me. Mother, if I'm numbered with the slain. Farewell, Mother, you may never, you may never, Mother, press me to your heart again; But O, you'll not forget me, Mother, you will not forget me if I'm number'd with the slain. Farewell, Mother, you may never, you may never. Mother, press me to your heart again. But O, you'll not forget me, Mother, you will not forget me if I'm number'd with the slain. Address — " Atlanta Campaign." Comrade John H. Puck. Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen: — You all doubtless know that it is a soldier's duty to obey orders, so in this case v^^hen our worthy President and Com- rade, Major Hipp, asked me to give the 37th Regiment and my own personal experience of the Atlanta Campaign, I hesitatingly complied with his request, knowing my inability to do justice to the subject, and will briefly recount the marches, battles and exploits as I remember them. It will of course be impossible to give the exact dates of battles and incidents as they happened, as for the most part I have to rely wholly upon memory. As the Comrades all know the Veterans of our Eegiment and those of us known as the recruits of 'G2, after having had a most delightful furlough ot 30 days duration, said good-bye to our wives and sweet-hearts the last days of April 18G4 and started for the front. Our first trip was from Cleveland to Cincinnati where we ar- rived late in the afternoon, or about dusk, and where we were quartered for the night in the 5th Street Market House. After a strong guard had been put out, (made up from our own boys), 46 THIETY-SETENTH REGIMENT, 0, V. V. L our officers left us and I presume looked up more congenial quar- ters, but as you will doubtless remember the guard that was put out was of no avail, for the boys were in Ohio and would not be guarded, for 1 remember that when Company G was called on to furnish her quota of men for camp guard. Comrade Molen- koj)l, who was our orderly sergeant, read off the names of the detail, mine was among them, but as our orders were not string- ent enough to allow us to resort to force, we of course were powerless to keep the men in camp, for as soon the officers were all gone the men also started to go and as they would leave in squads of from ten to twenty, we of course could not hold them; after most of the boys were gone I remember we of the guard stacked our muskets and also went away wherever inclination led us. I will here say that this was the only instance where, so far as I know, any member of our Regiment deserted his post, or refused to do the duty he was ordered to do. Our next move southward was to Louisville, Ky., which trip was made without any special incident worth mentioning, but our next trip was of a more exciting nature; we were to be remind- ed that we were soldiers, and that our business was of a more serious nature. As you doubtless remember our Regiment was put aboard four passenger coaches at Louisville, and attached to the rear end of a long train of freight cars that was filled with new troops. As 1 remember it, our train pulled out of the depot a little after dark and all went well until at or near mid- night when those of us that were uwake were aware of the fact that something was wrong for the tram came to a sudden stop near Mumfordsville Ky., and after detaching the passenger coaches, pulled out and left us standing on the track; but the worst was to come, for it seems that the engineer running at full speed around the curves that are so frequent in roads running through a rolling country had broken the train in several places, the last two coaches running independently by themselves, and the rear coach, which was filled by the officers of the regiment, jumped the track and rolled down an embankment of quite a THIETY-SEVBNTH EEGIMENT, O. Y. V, I. 47 heighth and in which our regimental clerk, E. Butter, was killed and a number of the officers were more or less severely h urt. The second last coach kept the track and ran down grade at a high rate of speed and as it struck the cars left standing on the ti'ack, it made a complete wreck of all and quite a number ol boys were severely hurt. The next day we were brought to Nashville by a special train without further incident; from Nashville we went to Chattanooga, where we arrived {^if memory serves me right) about May 3rd or 4th and where we were newly equip- ped with Springfield rifles and marched within a few days to the field of action. Our first encounter with Johnny Eeb was at Resacca, Ga., May 13th, and our regiment was for the most part of that day and until the 16th, in line of battle. On that day we fought the battle of Resacca and Company G lost their Captain, who was so severely wounded on the skirmish line that he died the fol- lowing day. Next came Dallas. May 25th where our part was not quite so dangerous, as our regiment was in the supporting column and happily for us, our line was not called on. June Ist found us at or near New Hope Church, at which place we were also in the supporting line and where some of us witnessed the shot fired from one of our batteries that killed the rebel General Polk, for I distinctly remember that a num- ber of us boys were lying on the ground near a battery when General Sherman came along, field glass in hand, taking a view of the situation and after looking intently for several minutes in one direction he inquired if there was a battery near and when an officer of the battery reported to him, Sherman asked him to look in the direction indicated, saying that he saw a recon- noitering party, and directed him to load one of his peices with shell and fire. This shot, as was afterwards ascertained, killed the Reverend General Polk of the rebel army. From this time until June 17th, when we were at Big Shanty the regiment was constantly at the front, engaged in picket duty, 48 THIRTY SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. and frequently in short sharp skirmishes. From June 18th to 29th we were in front of Kennesaw Mountain and on the 27th of June we were in the general assult that was made on the rebel stronghold, and many of you doubtless remember with what misgivings and doubt we went into this assult, for to me it seemed impossible to successfully storm the mountain, for a force of one thousand men could easily hold it against ten thousand. June 30th we were on the move again, for it was found that the rebels had abandoned their position on the mountain caused by our army coming on their flank, and after one or two days march, we came to the Chattahoche river, which we cross- ed during a heavy rain and thunder storm, going into camp late in the afternoon, on what I should term the south shore of the Chattahoche. From this place we marched still further to the Jeft, in the direction of Stone Mountain and many of the boys thought that we were to make another assult on a moun- tain but our fears were soon quieted, for instead of attacking rebel soldiers on Stone Mountain we were ordered to attack a rebel rail road known, I believe, as the Atlanta & West Point rail road. Many of you doubtless remember how diligently we went to work to destroy the road, tearing up the track, build- ing fires and heating the rails in the center and then twisting them into all kinds of shapes, in many cases twisting the rail around small saplings and leaving them in that position, (I will here say that in 1880 I had occasion to travel this road from Montgomery, Alabama, to Atlanta, Ga., when I saw quite a number of the rails still in that position.) From this place (Stone Mountain) we mached in the direction of Decator, Ga. but soon swung around further to the left, leaving Decatur in our rear and as you doubtless remember, encountered the rebels in strong position, some three to four miles from Atlanta, but General Sherman was at hie old tricks again and pressed them upon their flanks, forcing them to retreat, for on the morning of July 22nd, it soon became known that the rebels in our front were gone and we were early on the move to follow THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, 0. V. V. I. 49 them, but as we came to their abandoned line of works, it be- came evident that our further advance would be disputed. Our regiment's position was in the front of a 2^ story brick-house that stood about two hundred yards to the right of the Decatur & Atlanta rail road, and from twelve to fifteen feet back of the breastworks. Of this house, it was said that some enthusiastic rebel, (I have forgotten the name,) was building when the war broke out, that he should have said to his workmen, that they would first go and whip the Yankees and then come back and finish the house. (I will say here that the house was never fin- ished.) But to resume my story, General Morgan L; Smith, our Division Commander, had his headquarters at this house, and much of the conversation between staff-officers was overhead by us. I remember that Major Hipp, who was in command of the regiment at the time, made suggestions to General Smith about barricading the rail road, and burning a collection of houses, and outbuildings that stood to the left oblique in our front. But General Smith would not have it, saying that the buildings would come handy for hospital use, and to barricade the rail road would be labor lost, as he was confident that we would take dinner in Atlanta; but we were doomed to disappoint- ment, the dinner that General Smith promised us that day was not realized until the first of September. It must have been near 2 P. M. when we could see that the rebels were making active preparations for an attack, when Major Hipp asked for volunteers to go into the brick house as sharp-shooters, some twelve or fifteen of our boys responded, being mostly from Company C and G, I being among the num- ber. Upon reaching the upper story of the house we immediate- ly distributed in the different rooms and began to break holes through the walls to enable us to fire upon the rebels as they advanced, and none to soon, for we had hardly made our port- holes of sufficient size to enable us to see and fire through when the rebels advanced in solid columns, but by the steady fire poured into them, they were forced to retreat. I will say that I have always been of the opinion that if General Smith had [71 50 THIKTY SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. heeded our Major's suggestions, that our Division would have been spared the humiliation of being driven out of their works, something that had never happened to them before. It seems that the rebels only retreated far enough to come under shelter of the houses before mentioned and from there marched onto the rail road track and also a wagon road running parallel with the rail road, and there being a deep cut in both w© could neither see or hurt them and I am confident that if a battery with proper support had been stationed at these roads the rebels never could have broken our line, but as there was neither a battery or infantry there, the rebels had an easy task of it, for they marched through our line with right shoulder arms and opened fire on our line at right angles and with such tell- ing effect that our line soon gave way and the rebels again oc- cupied their works. It was in this engagement that I had the most thrilling experience of any battle that I was ever engag- ed in during my whole service, for we in the house were in blissful ignorance of what was going on below. We had been ordered to keep a sharp lookout in our front, and the house not having any openings in the sides towards the rail road we could not see what was going on on our left and I presume those of you who were there were too busy just then to pay any attention to us; in fact you might not have known that we were in the house, but we were there and as we thought were doing our duty in watching our front ready to fire on the first rebel who would dare to show himself. We of course expected that if they would make another attack they would make it in the same direction as the first one, but as from 15 to 20 minutes went by and no rebels in sight we supposed the fight was over when all at once we heard firing on our left but as it only last- ed a few minutes. We paid very little attention to it, never dreaming that we were in danger, or that our line could be broken, but after several minutes we became uneasy, we want- ed to see what our boys below were doing, so one of the boys in the room I was in leaned out of the window, in order to see the works below, when to his horror he discovead that our boys THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMBNT, 0. V. V, I. 51 were gone and the works full of rebels. Upon learning this fact we hurried down stairs as fast as we could, but upon reach- ing the 2nd floor we found that the rebel soldiers were already in the house and some of them had started to come up stairs. Here was a dilemma; to stay in the house meant certain capture and perhaps many months in rebel prisons and to jump from the 2ud story window there would be but a very slim chance to escape, for we did not know but what the rebels were already watching every window in the house; but there was no time to investigate^ if we were going to try to escape we must act, so I with perhaps a half dozen more, made a break from the windows and jumped down, not knowing but what the rebels were to take us in. The house as I remember it had five windows on the side we jumped out, and I chose the center window, I being in the lead of two more boys of my company. I will state here that when we went to work in the morning to change front to the rebel works, our Eegiment unslung knapsacks and pilled them up in the rear of the house and I jumj^ing out of the window came down upon a large pile of knap-sacks, which of course broke my fall but sent me sprawling on the ground and as I rose to my feet there were several rebels standing at the corner of the house to my right who commanded me to halt but without taking a second thought I started on a dead run and think better time was never made than I made in that run of perhaps four hundred to five hundred yards. After running this distance, I overtook a small squad of our boys and no rebels being in sight we started to where one of the boys said our regiment was, but we had only gone about a hundred yards when General Logan came riding along ordering us to stay where we were and in less time than it takes me to tell it he had gathered from 1200 to 1500 men from I should saj^ at least a half dozen regiments. After forming this mixed force into line and making a short speech we went forward again with a will, charging our lost position, coming out the woods a little to the left of the brick house and capturing a number of priso- ners. Our regiment was in this position until July 25th, when 52 THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. we started on the march again, this time going to to the right wing of Sherman's army. I well remember how, on the night of July 27th, at I should say, 7 or 8 o'clock, we were halted and told that we would stay long enough to cook our supper, but as soon as we had our fires nicely started and before our coffee came to a boil the rebels commenced shelling us from Fort Walker and so accurate was their fire that we had to abandon our coffee cooking and start on the march again without our suppers. At or near midnight we finally went into camp, from where we again started early in the morning of the 28th, on which day the regiment was in the battle known as Ezra Chapel where our honored President and Comrade, Major Hipp, lost his left arm and where I lost my friend and bunk-mate, Henry Linneman, who was so sev- erely wounded that he died within a fiewdays. The battle of Ezra Chapel deserves more than a mere mention. Our regiment was on the extreme right and became engaged with the enemy at about 10 A. M. Some three or four companies of our regiment were sent out on the skirmish line, the Major, our commander, remaining at his post with the regiment. Our skirmishers soon found that the rebels were too niimerous for them, for the rebel left extended quite a distance beyond our right and coming at them from both front and flank forced them to fall back to our main line. Just at this moment when everything was confusion our Major was wounded and was seen fialling off his horse, and but for the brave act of our color-bearer, Comrade Ernst Torgler, would have been captured by the rebels, for the rebles were now charging our main line and for the time being it had to fall back; but happily for us reenforcements were at hand, extending our right so that we soon not only regained our position but forced the i*ebels to retreat for some distance. From July 29th to Aug. 28th, the regiment lay in the trenches in front of Atlanta doing picket duty and such other duties as falls to a soldiers lot, having more or less killed and wounded every day. I remember of an incident that happened the latter part of August; the Comrades doubtless remember that a little THIHTY-SEVENTH EBGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 53 to the right in our rear there was quite a ravine that we took when going after water and wood, knowing just where to go to be out of harms way; well, early one morning a regiment of Zouaves was being moved from the left to our right, and as the colonel came to this ravine, some of our boys said to him that he was on dangerous ground and that he had better take his regiment up the ravine, but he thought he knew what he was doing and kept his line of march but soon found to his sorrow that he would have done better to have heeded our advice, for as the rebels opened out on the regiment with shot and shell the colonel and his staff unceremoniously dismounted and footed it with the soldiers on the double-quick to cross the danger spot, which was a distance of about three to four hundred yards, and many were the shouts that went up trom our regiment seeing the boys run. I remember a particularly small soldier who turned a complete somersalt caused by a cannon-ball. About August 28th General Sherman made his last grand move for capturing the city. Our company or the most of it was on picket,, when towards evening our picket force was doubled and the moving of troops began; a part of the army was sent to the rear re-crossing the Chattahooche river and the balance of the army, the 14th, 15th and 17th army corps started south- ward. Our picket line had orders to stay and keep up appearances, just as long as possible, which we did until near midnight when by the force the rebels sent to find out if possible what theyankees were doing, we were forced to retreat, marching all night long until near morning of the 29th, when we caught up with the regiment, but we got no rest for Sherman was in a hurry and the regiment was on the march all that day until late at night. The next day, August 30th we struck Johnny Keb again about ten to twelve miles west of Jonesboro, and the regiment was in line of battle all day, steadily driving them back until within about one and half miles from Jonesboro, where they had a strong line of entrenchments; we made our last move forward after dark where we lay on our arms for the night. The next morning with day-break we were up and commenced building 54 THIKTY-SEVEKTH REGIMENT, 0. T, T. I. breast-works which we completed at or near noon, for I re- member that Fredk Brucksieker and myself were just through with our dinner, a part of which we foraged between the lines, when the rebels brought a train load of soldiers out of Atlanta and as the train stopped in full view of our line, I being among the curious ones that wanted to see everything that was going on and stepping partly on top of our works in order to see bet- ter, I was struck with a rebel bullet that sent me to the rear for four months, but I had the satisfaction of knowing that Atlanta was ours and that the back bone of the rebellion was broke. Thanking the Comrades and all present for their kind atten- tion, 1 will add that losses the regiment sustained in this nearly five months campaign from Eesaca to Jonesboro, in killed, woun d- ed and prisoners was nearly 100 men out of a total of about 400 that started in at the commencement of the campaign. Song — "Marching Through Georgia." tiviiirtette. MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA. Bring the good old bugle, boys ! we'll sing another song- Sing it with that spirit that will start the world along — Sing it as we used to sing it fifty thousand strong, Willie we were marching through (Jeorgia. Chorus — "Hurrah ! hurrah ! we bring the Jubilee! Hurrah ! hurrah ! the flag that makes you free !" So we sang the chorus from Atlanta to the sea, While we were marching through Georgia. How the darkies shouted when they heard the joyful sound ! How the turkeys gobble which our commissary "found !" How the sweet potatoes even started from tlie ground, While we were marching through Georgia. Chorus — Hurrah ! hurrah ! etc. Yes, and there the Union men who wept with joyfull tears, When they saw the honored Hag that they had not seen for years; Hanlly could they be restrained froui l)reaking fortli in cheers, While we were marching through Georgia. Chorus — Hurrah ! hurrah ! etc- "Shernian's dashing Yankee boys will never reach the coast!" So the saucy rebels said, and 'twas a handsome boast; THIETY SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I, 55 Had they not forgot, alas I to reckon with the host, While we were marching through Georgia. Chokus— Hurrah! hurrah! etc. So we made a thro ugh fare for Freedom ami her train. Sixty miles in latitude— three hundred to the main; Treason tied before us, for resistance was in vain, While we were marching through Georgia. Chorus— Hurrah ! hurrah ! etc. Address— " From Atlanta to the Sea." "Through the Carohnas to Washington and Home." Capt. Louis E. Lambert. Mr. President, Comrades and Friends, Ladies and Gentle- men: — I will not tell you all in detail, as it would take too long to do so. I will simply outline the balance of our service, com- mencing from the battle of Jonesboro, which, of all the many battles that were fought during the Atlanta campaign, has finally resulted in the capture of Atlanta. Jonesboro was entered by us on the 1st of September, 1864, and by night Atlanta was occupied. We persued the enemy as far as Lovejoy Station, at which place the rebel field hospi- tals showed part of the woi*k that we had done in this battle; piles of amputated limbs were laying there 10 feet high and thousands of poor Johnnies were suffering. From here we re- turned to East Point, September 7th, where we went into camp for a short rest. The rebel forces under General Hood were now moving to^vards our rear, where they tried to cut our E. K. communication and means of supplies. Their movements were however too well watched, and every attempt was gloriously repulsed. Forced marches were made over northern Georgia and Alabama, and the enemy's cavalry encountered near Gads- den, Alabama, on the Coosa Eiver. On the advance of our Bri- gade, in line of battle, the enemy retreated in such haste, that it was useless for infantry to attempt the pursuit. The regi- ment then returned to Euffins Station. The great march through Georgia to the Sea was at that time forming, and our 56 THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. energetic commander, General W. T. Sherman, had ordered up to Atlanta all the troops that could be spared, leaving behind an army under General Thomas at Nashville, Tennessee, suffi- ciently strong to hold in check, and wind up the rebel forces under General Hood. On the 13th of November, 1864, our regiment marched in- to Atlanta to draw the necessary outfit for the long march, and on the 15th we started with the army, breaking off all commu- nications with the North, and our relatives and friends at home- Our grand army, which steadily moved forward, but never backward, with its great Chief, marched through the heart of the confederacy, and feared nothing. The route of our Eegi- ment passed over McDonough's Indian Springs, near which place we crossed the Ocmulgee Eiver, thence through the towns of Hillsboro and Clinton, where we performed in company with the 15th Michigan Infantry, valuable service in preventing the enemy's cavalry from crossing the road leading to Marion, in view of capturing and destroying one of our division trains at that time packed in the town of Clinton. Covering the rear of the division, we marched the following day toward Griswold, and having crossed the Georgia Cen. E. E.we passed through Ir- vinton. We crossed the Oconee Eiver on the 26th of November, and after marching through extensive swamps, arrived at Sum- mertown on the 30th. Continuing our line of march through the low SAvampy lands of Georgia, along the southern side of the Ogeechee Eiver, we crossed the Connouchee Eiver on the 9th of December. In marching through these swamps, it was not so pleasant as it is to move along on good solid road. Many miles of corduroy roads we were obliged to build, by cutting down the trees, in order to bring up our artillery and wagon trains, and often for weeks, we had not a dry stitch on our back, wading through creeks and rivers, sometime up to the neck, and raining day and night, and not a dry spot to lay down on, when we halted to rest a few hours at night. However we endured all hardships cheer- fully, we were determined to save our country. We then reach- THIETY-SBVBNTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 57 ed the Savannah & Gulf E. E. of which we destroyed many miles. We had no use for railroads in that part of the country, and consequently they disappeared as far as our army could reach them. Bridges we found but very tew as the enemy had burned them, if they had time enough to do so; that how- ever would not prevent us from moving steadily forward. Where the rivers were too swift and too deep to wade through, we would swim across on horses or on mule back, or build pon- toon bridges in face of the enemy's fire. Eecrossing the Con- nouchee Eiver, we passed the Ogeechee and advanced to with- in nine miles of Savannah. We were now close to the sea coast, and hard fighting an- ticipated. Extensive rice fields are in this section of Georgia, which furnished us plenty of food for man and horse, aod re- placed the sweet potatoes, turkies and chickens, which often had greeted us during our march through Georgia. On the 13th of December our brigade was detailed to recross the Ogeechee Eiver at King's bridge, to advance on Fort Mc- Allister, and take that stronghold by storm. This Fort was supposed by the enemy impossible to be taken by assault, as it was strongly built, many obstructions in its front, and the en- tire grounds surrounding the Fort for a long distance over which we must pass, were planted with torpedoes. These tor- pedoes however we had partly removed by prisoners, which we captured in the act of planting them. The bugle was then sounded and the command, "forward, double time, march," and the solid lines moved forward, under the most fearful fire and impassable obstructions ; but there was no halt, until the Stars and Stripes were planted on top of the parapets and the Fort was ours. To be in possession of this Fort, was of the greatest importance to our army in carrying out General Sherman's great plans. We were now in connection with our fleet, and again in communication with the North, and we received mail from our relatives and friends at home who were anxious to learn of our whereabouts. And another dear old friend and companion, [81 58 THIETY-SBVENTH EBGIMENT, O. V. V. I. who we had missed for a long time, welcomed us hear : our good old pork and beans, and hard tack. After some days rest our division again marched to the Savannah & Gulf E. E. and comj)leted its destruction for many miles down into Florida. On our return to Savannah, we received orders to report at headquarters of the 15th Army Corps, to take part in the contemplated attack on Savannah. In the night however the enemy evacuated the city. We then went into bivouac, and oc- cupied our time in drilling and perfecting our equipments. Onthe 19th of January, 1865, the 37th Eegiment was ordered to march to Fort Thunderbolt, on the Savannah Eiver, where we embarked on gunboats for Beauford, South Carolina, which we reached on the 22nd. At this place the regiment went into camp and engaged in taking our division train out of the trans- ports then lying in port at Beaufort. On the 30th, the regiment escorted this train to Pocotalico, and from thence marched to McPhersonville, where we joined our division on the march through South and North Carolina. In South Carolina we found great bitterness against us, and the high rivers and flood- ed swamps also added to our hardships. On this march we crossed the Coosamatee, the Big and Little Combahee, the South and North Edisto Eivers, often wading through water up to the armpits, and in this way attacking the enemy in fortified posi- tions. When we reached the South Edisto Eiver which is broad and deep, we found the enemy strongly fortified onthe opposite side, and as usual the bridge burned; so of course they thought, here the Yanks cannot get hy, for on both sides of the road, and at least a mile in breadth along side of the river were thoee swamps, flooded by the high waters. They opened a heavy artillery fire upon us, and their infantry did the beet they could. But the Yanks thought different. We brought up some of our artillery on our side of the river, and fired away at them, and made them believe that we were really foolish enough to think that we couldn't drive them from there. In the meantime while our artillery kept up firing we waded through the water, cov- THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. Y. V. I, 59 ered trom sight by trees and brush, about four miles below, where we crossed the river on horses and mules, on trees that we cut down, and any way we coirtd get across. This took over four hours, duriog which time we were continually in the water. On the opposite shore we formed into line, and marched quiet- ly up to the rear of the enemy, and when we reached the pro- per point, we stormed them from the rear. We took them so by surprise, that they thought the world was coming to an end; they di-opped their arms, and we capitured every one of them. From here we marched directly into Columbia, the Capitol of South Carolina, and after crossing the Congaree Eiver we biv- ouaced five miles south of Columbia. On the 16th of February, after an engagement with the enemy, we crossed the Saluda River 4 miles above Columbia, and entered the city on that day. We crossed the Broad River February 18th, and for two days were engaged in destroying the Columbia & Charleston R. R. On the 20th we continued our march, crossing the Wateree River and wading Lynch Creek, which had assumed the dimensions of a river, on the 26th. At this point our regiment was compelled to halt until March 2nd to allow the balance of our division to come up; freshets having carried away some of our pontoon bridges, and retarded the march. On the 7th we entered Cheraw, S. C, and crossed the Great Pedee River. On the 8th we crossed the state line of North Carolina. After having passed the head waters of the Little Pedee, Lumber River and Little River, our regiment was ordered to escort General Howard's headquarters and pontoon train of the Army of the Tennessee on the extreme right, which we brought safely into Fayettsville, N, C, March 11th. On the 14th we crossed Cape Fear River, our regiment marching on the road leading to Clinton, where we had an en- gagement with the enemy's Cavalry, On the 17th we reached Beaman's Crossroads, and our army drew up near Goldsboro, and on the 19th we participated in the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, which was our last battle that we fought, al- though we did not then know that it was the last. 60 THIRTY- SEVENTH EEGIMEKT, 0. V. V. 1. On the 24th of March we crossed the Neuse Eiver and went into camp two miles east of Goldsboro. Here we received the glorious news of Lee's surrender to General Grant. On the 18th day of April, 1865, the rebel General Johnston surrend- ered his entire army, and all remaining rebel armies, to General Sherman ; and now the war was over. Our joy was extremely great. Our army then marched over the battlefields of the eastern army, via Richmond, Va., to Washington, where our whole army passed in review before the President and his Cabinet. This was the grandest review, and the largest body of military ever assembled at one place in the United States. Thence we were transported by rail to Louisville Ky., where we expected to be mustered out. However there was more work for us in store. Maximilian, with the French army was still in Mexico, and it would not do for us to allow him to remain there. So our Bri- gade, the 2nd of the 2nd Division of the 15th Army Corps, (of which Corps we here on our left breast wear the badge, repre- senting the cartridge box with 40 rounds, which indicates that every soldier in the 15th Army Corps was always prepared to meet the enemy, with not less than 40 rounds of bullets,) was ordered south once more. On the 24th of June we embarked on steamboats, and float- ed down the the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, this time taking a pleasure tour through the country, where two years before we had been fighting our way. We steamed up the White River to Duvalls Bluffs, Ark., and thence transported by rail to Little Rock, Arkansas, where we arrived on the 4th of July. Here we awaited further development, and occupied our time in drill- ing and camp duties. We missed the sound of cannon and musket firing which had furnished our ears with their familiar music for four long years. On the 7th day of August we received orders to be mustered out and sent to our homes. This was glorious news for us, our duties had been performed in all details. The French army had withdrawn from Mexico, and now we could be spared. THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. Y, I. 6l Peace prevailed all over our country, and we then started home- ward. Oar regiment was sent to Cleveland, Ohio, whei-e it was organized on the 3rd of August, 1861, and discharged on the 2l8t of August 1865. All comrades bid farewell to each other and returned to their firesides to once more enjoy a rest under shelter and roof. We enrolled 1133 healthy and stout patriots in our regi- ment and we came home with 189 men, of whom many were perforated by bullets. In conclusion I will say: that, during the four years service our regiment had operated in the confederate states of West and East Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Miss- issippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South and North Carolina, every reble state excepting Missouri and Texas, and I feel proud of having served and fought with the 37th Regiment, Ohio Vet- ran Volunteer Infantry, and having had an opportunity to serve my country in the time of need, as a relic of which, I with many of my comrades, bear the scars of wounds received on the field of battle. Song — " Tramp, Tramp, Tramp." Soprano 80I0 and Chorus. Miss Abbie Smith. TRAMP! TRAMP! TRAMP! In the prison-cell I sit Thinking, mother dear, of you, And our bright and liappy home so far away ; And the tears they till my eyes. Spite of all that I can do, Tho' I try to cheer my comrades and be gay. Chorus— Tramp, tramp, tramp ! the boys are marching Cheer up comrades they will come, And beneath the starry tiag, We shall breathe the air again. Of the free-laud in our own beloved liouie. 62 THIETY-SBYEKTH EEGIMBNT, O. T. V. 1. In the battle-front we stood, When their fierces charge they made, And they swept us off a hundred men or more ; But, before we reached their lines, They were beaten back dismayed, And we heard the cry of victory, o'er and o'er. Chorus — Tramp, &c. So, within the prison-cell. We are waiting for the day That shall come to open wide the iron door And the hollow eye grows bright. And the poor heart almost gay. As we think of seeing home and friends once more. Chorus — Tramp, &c. Music — Medley The Little Six Band, This closed the entertainment for the evening. The regiment formed, and, headed by the band, marched to the Dieker House, where arrangements were made for the BANQUET. The dining room and adjoining halls were pre- pared to seat all the Comrades at once. The tables were tastefully decorated, and an elegant and sub- stantial repast awaited the veterans, as is shown by the following SCHNABEL-WEIDE. J. W. Keuthan, F'oragkr. OYSTERS. Raw. FISH. Stewed. Jlack Bass, Butter Sauce, with Parsley. 8«L,ID ORITB. ROaSTS. Beef. Turkey. Spanferkel. Beef. Turkey. Chicken THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. O. V. V. I. 63 Herring. COLD MEATS. Ham. Beef Tongue. Boast Veal. POTATOES. In Uniform and Mashed. CHINESE EGGS. SALADS, t'liiclien. Potato. Celery. Tomatoes, Beets, Pickles, Etc. Slaw. Grapes. FRUITS. Peaches. Oranges. Bananas. Nuts. Cake. Ice Cream. Candy. CHEESE. Fromniage de Brie. Hot Tea. Coffee. Wine— Delaware. Swi«s. Iced Tea. Cigars. After the first assault on the tables had been successfully made, volunteer songs and addresses were in order, interspersed with music by the Little Six Band, and concluding in the early hours of the dawning morning with a march to the different quar- ters of the guests, and seranades by the band. The following toasts had been arranged for the banquet, but owing to the absence of some, and the late hours, they were dispensed with : " Princeton, W, Virginia," — David Fritz. " Fayetteville," — John Mollenkopp. " Retreat to Pomeroy,"— Dr. L. S. J. Gessner. " The Charge of the Suttler's Brigade,"— Carl Lenk. " Charleston, W. Virginia," — Andrew Kohler. " Recruits of '62,"— W. H. Birkenhauer. " The Army Mule," — Theo. Voges. " In the Assault on Vicksburgh," — Christ, Schnell. " Resecca," — Gustave Lambert. '• Kenesaw Mountain," — George Weber. " How I Captured Atlanta,"— Dr. A. Billhardt. 64 THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. At lo A. M., September nth, the members of the Regiment met at the Town Hall for the transaction of business. The roll of members were called, and the following answered to their names : Aberle, Joseph, Co. G Stryker. Ohio Altenberger, Joseph, Co. F Upper .Sandusky, Ohio Aue, Christ, Co. C and wife New Bremen, Ohio Bastel, Jacob, Co. F Upper Sandusky, Ohio Beck, William, Co. K Toledo, Ohio Behm, Fred, Co. C St. Marys, Ohio Billhardt, Dr. Adolph W., Asst. Surgeon and wife; Upper Sandusky, O Birkenhauer, W. H. Co K Toledo, Ohio Bodenmiller, George, Co. B Toledo, Ohio Bonner, Nic, Co. K and wife Hamilton, Ohio Brodberk, Math, Co. C and wife St. Marys, Ohio Buchhotz, Fred, Co. C and wife St. Marys, Ohio Dickmann, Fritz, Co. C New Bremen, Ohio Da'hring, Henry, Co. C Buckland, Ohio Ehlen, John, Co. C Piqua, Ohio Finke, Henry, Lieut., Co. C New Bremen, Ohio Fischer, John, Co. K and wife Hamilton, Ohio Flath, Philip, Co. F Lima, Ohio Friedrickfe, Anton, Co. C and wife Minster, Ohio Gerding, Bernhard. Co. I Glandorf, Ohio Gerster, Henry, Co. K Blanchard, Ohio Hemann, H. H., Co. C Lima, Ohio Heusch, Fred, Co. C and wife St. Marys, Ohio Hipp, Charles, Major and wife St. Marys, Ohio Htervischer, Wm , Co. C and wife New Bremen, Ohio Huber, Andrews, Lieut., Co. K Hamilton, Ohio Hummel, Fritz, Co. H and daughter Wapakoneta, Ohio Kiefer, John, Co. C Wapakoneta, Ohio Kiefer, Nic, Co. C Wapakoneta, Ohio Kohler, Andrew, Co. C and wife Wapakoneta, Ohio Kolter, Fritz, Co. K and wife Wapakoneta, Ohio Kopf, Michael, Co. C Le Moyne, Ohio Kountz, John S., Co. G Toledo, Ohio Krebs, Frank, Co. K and wife Hamilton, Ohio Krueger, Louis, Co. B Toledo, Ohio Krumm, Fred, Lieut., Co. D Columbus, Ohio THmTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 65 Lambert, Louis E., Capt., Co. G and wife St. Marys, Ohio Melcher, John, Co. H Peru, Ind. Moser, Henry and wife Wapakoneta, Ohio Nellis, Louis, Co. G Toledo, Ohio Nohl, John A, Co. K Carey, Ohio ^ Pape, Wm., Co. F New Bremen, Ohio Prange, Chas., Co. C wife and daughter St. Marys, Ohio Puck, J. H., Co. G and wife Toledo, Ohio Roettger, Fritz, Co. C New Bremen, Ohio Rosengarten, John, Co. F Cranberry Prairie, Ohio Sanzenbach, D. Co. B Toledo, Ohio Sanzenbach, John, Co. B Toledo, Ohio Schaefer, Henry, Co. C wife and daughter New Bremen, Ohio Scherer, George, Co. G Toledo, Ohio Schmidt, Henry, Capt , Co. C and wife Wapakoneta, Ohio Schneider, John, Co. C Wapakoneta, Ohio Sehuette, J. B. Co. C Larkington, Ohio Schulenberg, Ben, Co. G New Bremen, Ohio Schulenberg, Henry, Co. C and wife St. Marys, Ohio Schulenberg, William, Co. C and wife New Bremen, Ohio Stelzer, Christ, Co. K Columbus, Ohio Tellmann, Fred, Co. C and wife New Bremen, Ohio Thiemann, Wm., Co. C New Breman, Ohio Torgler, Ernst, Co. G and wife Toledo, Ohio Wagner, Peter, Co. C wife and daughter New Bremen, Ohio Weber, George, Co. K Hamilton, Ohio Weber, John, Co. K Toledo, Ohio Weber, Valentine, Co. B Toledo, Ohio Weiler, Jacob, Co. C Wapakoneta, Ohio Wieser, Henry, Co. C !St. Marys, Ohio Young, John, Co. G Toledo, Ohio INVITED GUESTS. Dieker, Fred and wife St. Marys, Ohio Felz, Lorenz Wapakoneta, Ohio Gross, Hon. E. F. Mayor St. Marys, Ohio Herzing, Albert St. Marys, Ohio Hollings worth, J. J. 11 0. V. C St. Marys, Ohio Irving, Mrs. Elizabeth Mansfield Toledo, Ohio Krein, Frank, Mo. Vol. Inf St. Louis. Mo. Mott, S. R., Col. 118th. 0. V. I St. Marys, Ohio [91 66 THIETT-SBYENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. Romeis, John C. and wife Toledo, Ohio Tschudi, Wm., 28th O. V. I. and wife New Bremen, Ohio VonSeggern, Christ and wife Cincinnati, Ohio Wintzer, Chas. and wife Wapakoneta, Ohio Wittmann, Jacob Dayton, Ohio Letters of acknowledgement, regret, &c., were received from the following members : Baerhold, Fred, Co. A Cleveland, Onio Bruesholz, Joseph, Co. K Brownston, Ind. Eppenauer, Anton, Co. E Nevada, Mo. Gessner, Dr. L. S. J., Asst. Surgeon Fremont, Ohio Gotterdam, Casper, Co. D Columbus, Ohio Jones, Gen. Wells S, Brigade Commander "Waverly, Ohio Kramer Valentine, Co. E Chillicothe, Ohio Kropf, Rudolph J. Co. D Chicago, 111- Kuenzelmann, Jacob, Co. E Chillicothe, Ohio Lemley, G., Co. I Youngstown, Ohio Lenk, Carl, Sutler Toledo, Ohio Liebemann, Mrs. Anna, widow of Fred Liebemann, Co. A, Lindsey, Ohio Mollenkopf, John, Co. G Maumee, Ohio Moritz, Carl, Capt., Co. B Tracey City, Tenn. Nieberg, Theo., Lieut., Co. C Columbus, Ind. Phillippar, Fred, Co. G Chesterfield, Ohio Reiter, Wm., Co. C Linnville, Iowa Renninger, Louis, Co. H Stetson, Mich. Ringler, Dr. E., Surgeon Saginaw, Mich. Thoman, Hon. L. D., Chicago, 111. Votteler, H. J., Lieut., Co. A Cleveland, Ohio Weber, George, Co. K St. Louis, Mo. Weste, Wm., Capt., Co. C • • •• • Nat. Mil. Home, Ohio Young, Gen., C. L Toledo, Ohio Zimmer, Chas., Co. E Chillicothe, Ohio On motion of J. H. Puck, the Regiment proceed- ed to elect officers to serve until the next meeting, and Major Charles Hipp and Capt. Louis E. Lam- bert were re-elected as President and Secretary, by acclamation. On motion, it was resolved that the proceedings THIKTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 67 ot this Reunion be published in pamphlet form, and that each member present contribute towards the ex- pense thereof. Comrade J. S. Kountz moved that a vote of thanks be given to the local members of the Regi- ment. ^ At the general request of the Regiment, Com- rade Birkenhauer read his address to the toast " The Recruits of '62," which was enthusiastically received, and ordered to be printed with the proceedings. Dr. A. Billhardt was also requested to furnish a copy of his address " How I Captured Atlanta," and John Melcher on "Prison Life at Anderson- ville," for publication. The Regiment then adjourned to meet again after dinner. Louis E. Lambert, Charles Hipp, Secretary. President. PIC-NIC. At I p. M. all members present with their wives and families, and accompanied by the Little Six Band, boarded the canal boat " Homer Meakham," under command of Comrade Fred. Behm, and started gaily for the St. Marys' Reservoir; afterwards took the woods tor a social Pic-nic, and inspected some of the many natural gas wells in the vicinity. Returning at sun-down, a procession was fornied, including all the ladies and children of the party, and preceeded by the band, marched to the G. A. R. Hall, the headquarters of the Regiment, where most of them bid each other farewell and returned to their homes. A few of the old guard mustered later in the evening for the KOMMERS, where the evening was passed with songs, stories and 68 THIETY-SfiVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. reminiscences, such as old soldiers only can appreciate. „2lc^, tc^ bin fo mitbe" Song and Chorus. Stntitjort auf benSoaft: S)ie er[ten JRettuten be§ 37.(3. beut= fd^en 3iegtment§) O. 58. 11. bei bem SSanfett tca^renb ber 9teunion be§ genannten 9tegiment§ in ©t. Wtaxi)^ O. am 11. a§i Oiegiment atisuioerben ; mand)e I)atten ftc^ ^tuar fd)on in ta^ 111. unb anbere 9tegimenter onroerben lafjen, n)eld)e jur felben Qtxt aufgemad)! tuurben, jeboc^ ba biefelben worjogen, einem beutfd)en 3tegimente an3uge^bren,n)urbe3^nen ber Uebertritt in ba§ 39. ge)"tattet. 3)ie fo angewovbenen JRefruten fotlten fobalb al§ moglic^ jum Stegimente gefdjicft raerben, ha lel^tere^S mit einigen anoerenOtegimentern in 3Seft SSirginta ftotionirt war, unb Don einer [tarten 3febenenmad)t gebrcingt, fic^ in einer fo fet)r unangene^meu Sage befanb. ®er (Srfte, melc^er biefe Siefrutenlifte unter5eid}neten, roar ©rnft :3urglflr, fpater Sergeant unb 5-a()nentrager, roeld) lelUeve Stetlung berfelbe roa^renb einer langeren 3eit betleibete, ai§> irgenb ein anberer g-a^nentrciger be§ 9?cgiment§. (5r roar e§, ber SKajor 4">ipp am 28 3"'i 1864, in ber 6d)Iac!^t bei Sltlanta, roo le^terer feinen 3[rm oerlor, worn blutigen ©d)Iac^tfelbe fd)leppte, feinen 9trm uerbanb, unb uieHeic^t beffen Seben rettete. 3Benn er audj Lifters §unger unb 3)urft lttt,unb ber j^a^nenftod iiber f einer §anb abgefc^offen rourbe, fc^ien boc^ fiir ilju teine ^lugel gegoffen geroefen ju fein, benn ju Snbe beS ^I'ries ge§ roar feine ^aut noc^ unoerle^t, unb er brad)te einen guten 9tp))etit ^u $aufe. ®er 3 'D e i t e auf ber Sifte, roar ber nor einigen Qa^ren oerftorbcnen |)enn) St)rifjman, and) er aoancirte fpdter 5um Sergeant, Sommiffari) ©ergant, unb Orbcli) ©ergant, ber ebenfal(§ ben il'rieg biS ju ©nbe mitmadjte. THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I, 69 StUe 'ilZamen Ijier ju nennen, bin id) ntd)t im Stanbe, benn e§ ift fc^on fo knge I)er, uiib ic^ I)a6e bte Xiamen ber meiften v>ergeffen, abet ben le^ten, bet biefe Stfte unterjetc^nete, tann id) nie oergefjen, e§ wax bev immer lufttge Sanger unb ^cieggbmber, Xatier ^aoerbufd), roelc^et geroi^ jebem im ^Regiment burc^ jeinen unuberiutnbt'c^en |)umor unb feine erftaunlic^e ®utf)evsig!eit befannt . iDurbe. Sn ber le^ten SSoc^e be§ 9Jionatg September 1862, fam bie Orber 5um ©inriicfen in ba§ 3iegiment. ©tefelbe rourbe Bon aden roiUfommen ge= ^ei^en, ba man be§ Diden $8ummeln§ miibe, fid) banad) fe()nte, jum ^Regiment ju fommen unb ®ien[te 5U t^un. ©0 !am enblic^ bie Beit ber 3t6reife. ®ie Scene auf bent Union S3a()n§of, rao bie 9te!ruten Don it)ren g-teunben unb Sefannten Vlbfd)ieb not)men, roirb gejoife jebeni fo lange er lebt im (5)ebad)tnife bleiben. 5Sie fpciter bet)anptet wurbe, foften bie S^ranen einen S'Ufe ¥^ auf ^e»n 33oben be§ SSa^n^ofe^ gc= ffoffen fein. SSafjrfc^eintid) l^atten uiele bamal§ fd)on eine ?t^nung baoon, bafj fie fid) gegenfeitig jum le^ten mal gefet)en I)atten. ®ie atefruten loaren namtid) aUe junge Seute im 9(ltcr mn 20 bi§ 24 ^a^ren, unb mit StuSna^me eine§ ein^igen unDerbeirat^et. Siefer Se^tere t)atte fid) einen Sag uor ber ^tbreife toer^eiratfjet, um fid) feinen Sd)al^ 5U fid)ern, tt)at)renb atte Itbrigen iual)tfd)einac^ be§ SoIba= tenfprud)e§ eingebenft roaren: „(Sin anber Stobtc^en, ein anber SRdbc^en. Stl§ bie SReftuten auf bem abfat)renben ©fienba^nsuge faum 10 9Kei(en won ber .^eimat^ entfernt waren, unb ef)e nod) bie leljiten fid) bie 9tbfc^ieb§tbranen uon ben "!>lugen getvorfnet f)atten, ma(^te ber uniiberroinblidje §aberbufd), mit einem Sobler unb rao^lgefullter Slafc^e, (bie i^m ein gnter greunb alg 2tnben!en mitgab,) bie Dtunbe, inbem er bie (5JefeIIfd)aft mit folgenber 9(nfprad)e in ()eitere Stimnmng uerfelUe: „a3uabe, luenn niir ^um 9iegiment fumma, motle mer be 9?ebel§ omol jeiga, roie mer fe jfammen!loppt, mer rooUe be ^riog glei 5U l£nb bam en. Spater fanb er au§, ba^ e§ nid)t fo fd)neQ ging al§ er bac^te. Seiber ift and) er, roie fo uiete anbere, uor etnigen ^a^ren jur „®rofeeu 9trmee" abge^^ gangen, unb ift e§ it)m nid)t me^r gegijnnt, an unferen fcbonen 9teunion§ X^eil ju ne()men. ®er erfte 3tn^alt§pun!t unferer 9teife nad) bem 9?egiment luar in un= ferm Capitol, Solumbug, D^io, roofclbft bie ©inmufterung ftattfanb. ©a^ evfte fanfte(?)9^ad)tlager auf bem fteinenen Unterbett in bem i?apitoIgebaube, hai luuo [)ier geboten murbe,gab alten einen guten 58orgcfd)macf,iion ben un§ beuorftel)en= ben 93equemlid)teiten be§ SoIbatenIeben§, am fommenben 9Korgen fat) jeber ou3, aU ^atte er 33Iafen auf bem afiiden. 70 THIETY-SEVBNTH EEGIMENT, O. V. Y. I. 3Soti ^iet ging bk S-a^rt toeiter nad) etncinnati. |)let rourbe un§ „u6er bem 9i6ein" ein me^r einen 58tet)ftaII al§ etner menfd)Iid)en SSofinung a^nltcftes ©ebdube pm Ouartier angerotefen, in t»el^em roiv un§ balb genotfitgt fa^en, mit ©toden ^u beioaffnen, urn nid)t Don ben 9tatten aufgefreffen ,^u wtx-- ben. Urn ba§, Tlaa^ ber 3tnne^mlid)felt uoH ju macfien, rourben bie JRefruten burd) eine 'iBadje gejiuungen, im ^nnern be§ ®ebaube§ ju bleiben. |)ier fublten iBir ^um er|ten mal, bafj miv unferer golbenen 5-vetf)eit abgefd)rooi-en flatten. 58on ©incmnatt gtng bie Steife nad) ©aUipoli?, D[)io, in befjen Mf)e, er^altenen^Zadinc^ten ^ufolgejid) bas. ^Regiment au§ 2Beft SSirginia surudgcjogen t)atte. ®ie iloraiuanne luurbe namltd) in ©tncinnatt in einen regelmii^igen SSie^ barren (gattle Sar) gepadt, lelUerer eineni ^JJofi'agier^uge ongef^angt, unb jo wmben bie er[ten JRefruten beg 37. O^io Siegtment im ©taote D^io tt)ie Od)fen ^erunitron^portirt. Gine fol^e 93eCyanbIung iDottte jeboc^ ben jungen, an ciuiliftrteg Seben geiuo()nten Dtefruten ni^t be^agen, unb gab of)ne SBeitereg SSeranlaffung ju ^^^lanen fiir ©efertion. ^ni ^fu juurbe bie uorbere SSanb be§ Od&fenwagenS Sertviimnievt, einev bev SJefraten befeftigte eine 6d)nur an ben Soljen (Suppling ^in) ber ben SBagcn mit bem ^afjagierjug Derbanb, bet bev ncidiften paffenben ©efegen^eit wurbe ber 33oIjen in bie §6^e gesogen, ber 3ug braufte ba^in, unb bie Sfetvuten maren wieber freie 9Jtenfd)en. 2)od) bie grei^eit war uon lurjer S)auer; bev ^ugfuijrev entbedte feinen SSevluft, tom juviid, unb gegen ba?^ SSev-- fprec^en auf ber nac^ften Station anftdnbige Srangportation ju evl)alten, (iviaS bann aud) gefdiat)) evgaben fid) bie Stetvuten in ir)r a ©omp. 65. in ben burd)gemQd)ten C^efedjten am meiften ge= litten ^Qtte, unb ©omp. ^. toon 3(nfang an nid)t nod war, |o ha)] Ie(5terc ben 9?amen ^riippel (Sonip. fii|rte. S)nv^ bie erl)dtene SSerftartung rcnrben beibe Sompagnien in bliit)enben 3i'fta"f> geff&f- ""^ ^^r Sieiname ^riippel Sonip. won (Sonipanie ^. t)i.irte auf. ^n furjev 3eit \mt fein Unterjdiieb me^r sn)ifd)en ben alten ©olbaten unb ben 5Re!ruten roQl)r5unef)men, tuenn jeboi^ ^ie unb ia et»ua5 Dovfam t»a§ ntd)t fein foUte, t)Qtte e§ immer ein 9ie!rut gct[)an, inenn aud) i-»or= fc^dft^^maljig ge^anbelt reurbe. ?ruf le^tereS Sesug net)menb, ftnb mir jelber Srafle borgefommen, roo^on ic^ einige fo furj loie ini3glid) bemet!e, inbein i(^ aucb einer won ben 6(5 9}efruten wax. ?(!§ ©beinian*^ 9trmee gegeniiber 9?icf§burg, fpatev ©oung'^ ^oint gutannt, anfam, balte e§ fid) getroffen, bafe ba§ 37. Siegiment bie aufeere 'H&aiit fteben mufste, unb e§ fiigte fid),bQf5 id) einer berfelben roar. SSir jogen be§ SSov^ mittagS auf (^sicfet) dufeeie 3Bad)e, befamen Orber§, ntd)t ^olt ju rufen, fonbern afle^o, n)o§ fomntt ju fcbiefeen. <(l'aum ftanb idi eineStunbe auf nteinem^:isoften,aI§ ber nad)fte ^Noften, mld)tx auf ber Setoee ftanb, mic jurointte, ju itjm ju !ommen ; id) lief biniiber, unb 5U meinem (Srftaunen fat) id) jemanb, birett auf ber Seiiee auf un§ ju fom= men. 35Bir beriet^en, tDa§ ju tbun, unb einigten un§, Orber gemcife ju fd)ief5en. ^cb nebme ibn auf'^ ^orn, mein eollege fd)ieBt in bie Suft, liiuft er bawon, fdjiefje id). lauft er nid)t bauon, fo laffen mir ibn fommen. 9iad)bem nun ber geinb na^e genug nmv, f^iefet mein (SoUege in bie Suft, ber ^erl mad)te einen fiird)terlid^en©prung in ben SSalb.unb id) fd)iefeenad),)me ,vuifd)enun§ ausgemadit mar. ^aum maren bie 8cbiiffe gefatlen, fo mar fd)on ©berman'§ gan,^e ?(rmee in ©d)lad)llinie, bie 4iauptmad)e !am, ging iioriDart-3, urn ben geinti auf= ,^ufud)en, nub brad)te einen 'Jfigger, nad) bem mir gefdioffen batten, fonft mar nid)t^:j 3u finben. 9iadibem imube unfere iTrber toeviinbert: „.s>alt ^u rufen." 28ir beibe murben am niidiften Worgen, nad)bem mir abgelLift maren, Hon Oberft ©iber uevbort, unb iimrben mit ber 33emerfung abgcfpeift, er batte gleid) gebad)t, baf? e§ aktruten maren. ^urje ,(]eit nad)ber mar id) auf Somp 3Bad)e im @oung'§ ^oint am eonufari) 3e(t, birett b'ut^'r bem ^eit imn €berft ©iber. (S§ batte furj lunber jiemtid) geregnet,unb fo maren uerfcbiebene 2BafferpfiiJ>en auf meiner a)tarfd)linie. 3d) fanb e§ fiir unnijtbig beftanbig burcb biefe SBafferpfii^en ju geben, unb fe^te 72 THIETY SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. nii^ auf eine unferer fleiner ^ononen (fogenannte ^ad 3I§§ SSattert)) melc^e neben bem (Jomifar^ ^tit ftanben. ^aum fi^e id) ba, al§ ber Dberft ©iber au§ feinem ^e't fommt, fte^t mid), unb fdjreit, bo^ man e§ ^mei 9)?eiien f)bren fonnte : „'^&l fenne teine Sd)i[bmQd)e bte fi^en tbut", „6orpovQl Don ber 5Sad)e." ®ie j^olge roar: 3 mit ben ©raurbden nbrblid) toom S^atta^ood)ee=5-Iu& gritnblid^ aufgeraumt unb folgten benfefben auf ben f^erfen bi§ in ba§, .'perj toon ©eorgia. Sim 21. 3|ult ritdEten toir in einer langen ©d^lad^tlinie toon 2)ecatur toor unb trieben bie Dftebellen toon ©teinmauer gu Saufgraben, ^tuar langfam aber fid^er, fo bafe loir an jenem Sage nur 3 Tltikn meftlid^ in ber 9tic^tung toon Sltlanta toorbrangen. Unfer SfJegiment fpejiell loar mit ©eneral 9)?c'ip^erfon, an ber ©pi^e boranreitenb, ben SirailleurS auf bem f^ufee gefolgt. ^Serfuc^^roeife THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V, I. 75 wurben etnige ^ugdtt Don S)e®ra§'§ SBatterie in bie ®egenb ber ©tobt abge» feuert, unb ber ^iel^junft tnar in ber Sfjat gliidlid) erreid)t ttjorben, toon bem id) mid) ju iiberjeugen am na^ften Sage ©elegenfjeil ()atte. 9tbenb§ legten lutr un§ ^in 3um ©^lafen, ttie fd)on fo oft jutoor, mit sufammengerafftem £aub fiir tiffen unb bem 6temenf)immet al§ ®ecfe. 3lm frii^en SSJZorgen be§ 22. murben toir au§ fiifeen Straumen toom Sd^a^ ba^eim, unfanft aufgeruttelt. „Wuffte^en ! ®te aiebeQen ^aben fid) toon ben ©d^anjen in ber gront auriidgejogen ! Wuf nai^ Sttlanta !" SBir na^men un§ nid)t einmal |^eit, ben iibUd)en 9}iorgen=^affee auf ^o^Ien toon naffein ^olj ju brauen, unb fo, ber ^rocebur ber ^od)tunft entt)oben, bie Slugen frei toon 9{aud), toaren mir jam Slufbrud) fd)nell geritftet. „§o, melc^e Suft ©olbat p fein!" ©ofort erftiirmten mir ben feinbefreien ^yuqtl, beffen befeftigten §of)e^)unft tt)ir ebenfaHS geroumt fanben. ®ie 2;ruppen i)atten fii^ tt)a£)renb ber toorI)erge= ^enben yia auf bem rec^ten, 9)?c^[)erfon auf bem linfen i^lnqd unb ©c^ofiel im ©entrum. ®a§ 17. 5lrmeecorp§ unter ©eneral SSIair roar im 5lufmarfd)tren nad^ bem aufeerften linfen ?^Iiigel begriffen. S)a§ 16. lrmeecorp§, commanbiit toon ©eneral S)obge, befanb fid) juerft jur unmittelbaren 3ted^ten beS 15. ©orp roar aber burd) bie SBorroart^beroegung ber ganjen Sinie, rooburd) ber fix enger gejogen rourbe, au§ berfelben etroa§ berauSgebrangt unb beorbert roorbei., einen Iinf§ unb fiibbftlid) toon ber 3tugufta=:S8a^rt gelegenen .^iigel, ber aU em ftrategifd) roic^tiger ^unft toom General Seggett bie 9?ad)t jutoor genommen ror ben roar, ftanb^aft ^u fatten. ©o fam i>a^ 16. SorpS faft Winter ba§ 17. -i ftef)en, toon bem e^ burd) ^oljtanb in einer S3reite toon etroa einer t)alben SDlt getrennt roar, llnfer 15. Gorp§ unter Sogan roar, lute id)on oben errofi^r 76 THIHTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. fubftontiell ber (Sifenbafin gefolgt, bie faft in meftltcfier 3tt(^tung nad) ?ltlanta fii^rte. Qm Siec^ten ftanb bie 1. ©iinfion (®eneral 3Boob§), unb ungefd[)t eine aJieile ajeiter ^nxM ©c^ofielb mit bent 23. 6orp§, ju golge befjen bie 2;ruppen= fette in norblid^er Sxi^tung Don un§ unterbrod}en tuar. llnfere 2. 33rigabe ber 2. S)i»ifton bilbete bo§ ©entrum be§ 15. 9trmeecor:|)§ unb na^m eine ^jrominente ©tellung ein. ®a§ 37. Oljio 9igt., ju bem meine 3Senig!eit ge^orte, Ie{)nte ftcf) jur Sinfen an bog 47. unb biefeg ttjieber bem 54. an, neben bem \xd) ein tiefer eifenba^n--®ut(^fcf)nitt befanb. 9te^t§ Don un§ mar Se®rafe'§ Satterie oufge= fa^ren, abgepro^t unb fertig jum geuern. Unmittelbar £)inter un§ ftanb ein SacEftein^auS unb ttor un§ ein meifeangeftricfteneS gromef)au§, umgeben Don ©eftrijpp unb Sciumen auf medenformiger 33obenformation. 9?ocl) meiter vox un§ lauerten bie ©onfoberirten un§ anjugreifen. 9Kit einem Sdjnapg in ber j^elbflafc^e unb gefteigerter SSernid^tungSmut^ njotlten fie un§ jmeifetfo? abid)Iacf)ten. Siefelben mufsten fic^ eben bie ©tra^e nad) bem Often, bie luiv bereit^ abgefperrt fatten, 5u ijffnen unb bie 58erbinbung§Iinie mit ber 33afi§ i^rer 3iiful)ren miebei fier^ufteden fud)en. Sfflxx fdjeint e§ je^t, al§ l^abc man un§ ©iinbenborfe bamal§ ba^in gelodt, mo man un§ gerabc fiaben mottte, mit ber ?lbfid)t, un§ beim erften '?(npraU DoKftcinbig ju anniC)iIiren. 3)ie Dom geinbe aufgemoifenen (Srbmerfe, bie if)m al§ Sedung gebient fatten, mur= ben fiir ung offenbore $8lofefteflung, ba bie Srufttue^ren Winter un§ unb bufd^igeS fd)(ud)ttge§ Xerrain, jum SSerfted einer ^Ingriff-J^Gotonne roie gefc^affen, fid) nor un# befanben. ®ie einfadjften 51>orfid)t§maferegeIn maren aufeer ?(d)t gelaffen morben. 5)o§ 9t.93.S. ber 5lrieg§miffenjd)aft )d)ien wergeffen ju fein, 9(nftatt 'ipionieren ©djaufein in bie S^iiwiit ju geben, nnfere prefcire Sage ju Derbeffern, Dertdnbetten mir folbatifc^ Ieid)tfinnig bie toftbare Qdt. (Sinige fangen fogar — un\> \)a^ max mit ec^tem ®algen()umor : „9J?orgenrott)! Sliorgenrot^ ! Seuc^teft mir jum friif)en Sob ? SSalb mirb bie Srompete blafen, 2)ann muj^ i^ mein Seben laffen, ^c^ unb manri)er Samerab ! 5?aum gebac^t, faum gebad)t, SSar ber Suft ein ^nb gemac^t ! ©eftern nod) auf ftoljen 9toffen, fieute burc^ bie Sruft gefc^offen, 9Jcorgen in i>a§i tii^Ie ®rab!" 2Si '•'.; jpater belefirt murbe, maren tuo^I -^tuftolten jur aSertt)eibigung THIETY-SBVBNTH REGIMENT, O. V, V. I. 77 getroffen roorben. "^d) max jeboc^ nic^t im ©tanbe, ba§ Stefultat toon metnem befc^ranften ©efic^tStretfe au§ ju entbeden. Sliir, bem t)inter bet Sinie 33eftnbs lichen fc^ien e§, al§ ob fein Spaten angerii^rt, feme ©d)o[Ie (Srbe aufgetoorfen, fein 93aum gefiiQt wurbe; ol§ roenn ratr un§ eben im SSeroufetfetn unfetev ©cf)Iag= fertigfeit unb ©c^ufeberettfc^aft ner^altniftmdfeig ftd^er fu()Iten. .^oc^ftenS rourbe eine Sivaitleurlinte au§gefcf)ic!t, lueil ba§ eben fo gebrfiuc^licl) roar. XroU an= fcf)eiuenber ©orglofigfeit beutete oUe§ bavauf ^in, bafe e§ etmaS geben wiirbe ; e§ lag fo ju fagen in ber Suft. 28ie ic^ fd)on frii^er bet folci^en ©elegen^eiten get^an ^atte, orientirte id) micf) auf eigene i^auft in SBetreff unferer relatiuen ^ofilion, urn ju fe()en, wie man |ic^, roenn'g loirtlid) Io»gef)en fottte, geljbvig beden, unb im gaUe, bafe ber 3(u§gang eine jdjiefe ®e[taft anna^m, eine 3Irt |)intert^iir ftnben tonnte, burc^ bie man [id) auf franjoj'tfdie SSeife 5uriid5U5ief)en t)ermod)te. Wit fo(d)en ®e= banfen befd)aftigt, be[tieg id) bet)uf§ einet 9tecogno|cirung, uon oben ^erab baS ®ad) be§ fd)on genannten im 33au begtiffenen 33adftein^aufe§. Unb mirf(i(^ t)on bort au^ erblidte id) ein ©efite, i>a^ \id) in einer ni5rblid)en 9tid)tung fjinjog, unb berounberte gleid)5eitig bie feften SKauern be§ ^aufeS, burd) bie (yefd)ofje nic^t iuof)l bringen fonnten. §inter bem §i"|e war man ftdjer geborgen; ber ^[a^ roar fiir ein temporareS gelb^Sajarett) ganj befonber§ geeignet. ©in ^cber begreift, bn^ man ein ioI(^e§ nid)t in ber g-ront Dom Kegiment aufid)lagen tann. S)o§ meine 23efiirc^tungen uon einem nabenben 'Jtngriff begriinbet roaren, rourbe in gang furjer 3eit bemonftrtrt. 5Sie nad) briidenber S^roiite eineS ^eifeen @ommettage§ ber beftige ©turm oft plij^lic^ geroaltfam ^ernorbric^t, fo begann mit roiiber f^urie bie ©d)Iad)t uon^aianta. SieSanoncn bonnerten juevft am ciufeerften linfen ("Vliigel, jroar nod) roeit Don un§, mo ba§ 17. (SorpS faum ^ofto gefa^t i)aben tonnte unb roie id) fpciter erfu()r, oom getnbe tt)eilroeife umgangen roorben roar. ^Salb er* fd)ien jebod) ba§ ©d)lad)tengetiimmel un{)ei(Der!iinbenb nof)er unb niiber fom= menb. Sauter ert(angen bie Somumnborufe unb saf)Ireid)er fauften unb beul^ ten, brauften unb pfiffen bie ©efc^offe, gleid) unf)eimlid)en SDamonen, iiber ba§ im t)etlen ©onnenfd)ein baliegenbe ©d)racbtfelb. 2)a§ Hngliid fc^reitet f^neK ! 2)ie JirailteurS in unferer Jyront fielen eiligft juritd unb berid)teten atbemloS, ba^ fid) ber Jeinb aucb unmittelbar tjor un§ maffen()aft jufammenjie^e. S)er ©onnerlaut ber ©efdiiitie jur Sinten rourbe ftarfer unb braufte tornaboglei^ beran. §ier mufi id) bemerten, baf3 bie ©tarte unfereS Gorp^3 einigermafeen ge= fc^road)t roorben roar, ba Oberft 2Bangc(in^3 23rigabe auf Orbre won IK^v^erfon —unb ba§ roar fein letter !6efe()I— abcommanbirt roorben roar, bie Siide jroifdjen 78 THIETY-SEVBNTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. 1. bem 16. unb 17. 5Irnieecorp§ ju fullen. ©ne raeitere ^Brigabe unter Dbetft aJtorttn wurbe fpciter ebenfaHS nac^ bem Itnfen gliigel entfonot. 3n3tt)tfcf)en brang bie ^unbe ju un§, ®eneval 3Rc^f)erfon fet gefaUen. 3(^ fo^ ©enerol fiogon, bem bur^ beffen Sob ba§ Cibercommanbo ber ^Irraep t)on 'Jenneffee jugefallen mar, 58efef|Ie auSt^eiten, 9tbiutanten obfd)ic!en, Sru))* penforper birigiren, mit ber ?[bfic^t bie ©turmflut^ ju ftemmen. 9JZe^r 9)lu= nitton murbe ^ergef^offt unb bie Safcfien mit 100 ^ationen gefiillt. '^Jac^bem ^arben unb |)oob ouf unfere linte gfanfe anftiirmenb biefetbe juriid gebriingt fatten, bradjen be§ geinbe^ Sd)aQren unler i3ieut. 51. ^. ©temart, ber ^ol!'§ aUe§ ©orpS commonbirte, gerabe toor un§ in unge[tiimer SBeife tjeruor. Bunt ®Iii(f fUr un§ maven beibc ?(ngriffe nicl)t gteii^jeitig unternommen morben, benn bann ^atte bie 9tffaire fp^r fc^Iimm oblaufeu fiinnen. llm ben finfenben Wtutl) bet su $:obe ge^e^ten ^o^nie^ «eu ju beteben unb beren Sourage frifd) onju* fad)en, fc^ien e§ gebraud)Iic^ 5U fein, mie id) fd)on friifter, 5.93. bet S)ona§ be* merft l)atte, nov einer geplanten 9lttarfe ^u fiinftlic^en SSiitteln ju greifen. 3)enn offenbar [)otten biefelben bei biefer cyelegen^eit eine boppelte ))}otion uon Duar= tiermeifter=38^i§tel) gejogen. SC3ir felbft, ber 3ieg{ment«=SopIan nid^t ouSge* f(^lofien, fannten ja ?tUe beffen Xragmeitc. 5Butt)entbrannt imb mit ®eftd)tern gerot^et, mimmelten fie bur^ ben obcngenannten (£ifenba[in=3)urd)fd)nitt ber un* begreifltc^er SBeifc meber befefligt U'orben mar, noc^ iiertf)eibigt rourbe, ba ber= jelbe toon Sruppen ganjlid) entbliifet mar. ©leidijeitig ftiirmten fie moffig auf ber fiibnd)en Seite ht?- grofien meif?en ?;rame^aufe§ ^erDor unb bireft auf un§ I08. 3)iefe§ l^dtte eben fd)on am SKorgen rofitt merben follen; unb haS^ wax eine anberc Unterlaffung^fiinbe. ^n einer furjen ©panne 3eit murbe bie ©ituotion unertraglid). illeingeme()r=5-euer fnatterte. S)er fanbige 93oben murbe burd) bie einfcfttagenben i?ugeln bud)ftab(tc^ auigemiif)It. S)te 93atterie jur Sinfen ber (Sifenba^n mar fampfunfdf)ig gemorben, beren ©efpann oon SJfauIefeIn erfd)offen unb aJJunition Derfd^offen. Unfere Srigabe, bem 93eifptel ber Sruppen jur SinTen folgenb, brad) flufenmeife ah; einjelne fielen juriid, anbere folgten, gan5e (Sompognien retirirten unb juletit befanb fic^ unfer cigenes JRegiment im ®efci^minbf(^ritt ouf bem 5Riid,^ug. 3c^ fonnte Don bort, mo id^ ftanb, nur einen ffeinen X^eil be§ ©d)Ia(^t= felbe§ iiberfe^en unb bie 9[u§bet)nung unferer temporiiren 9JieberIoge nic^t er= meffen. 3)od^ fpielten fic^ auf bem fleinen gelbe uor mir red^t fomifd^e ©cenen ab. 9?od) fe^e id^ Ieb(}aft nor meinen 9(ugen einen ©ergeant, id) glaube er mat Don (Somp. ^., mie er im Saufen plb^Iii^ ftel}en blieb, fe^rt mac^te, jielte unb feuerte, al§ ob er, ber einjige, bermo^te, ben nad)bringenben Saufenben ein §alt ju gebieten. ©ofoct nal^m er fd^Ieunigft bie glud^t mieber auf unb blieb THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I, 79 anf^einlic^ untoetle^t. 3Kir f(^ien e§, al§ ob ber ^rcinb bie le^te ^ugel tm fiaufc berfc^offen l^atte, ober fic^ nicbt |^eit ne^men fonnte, ba§ ©cttje^r loieber ju laben. 3)a fa() ic!^ ©eneral 9)Jovgan 2. ©mtf^, ber im 33eten mit grower "^-txiiQ' !eit begabt war, lute ev |)immel unb (£rbe anfle[)le, bie Seute jum (Ste[)en ju be* luegen. Slber oil fein iBefc^troren war tootgeblic^. Scf)on umringte man i^n unb ftac!^ nac^ t^m unb bem ©cf)tmmel, ben et ritt, mit 58ajonneten; ba gab er bem '^pferbe bie Spoten unb galo^jpirte bauon. — ^^ gfaube, er mu^ fet)r weit fortgeritten fein; mtr ttjurbe erjaf}!!, ba'i\ er nie luieber ju fetner S)lOtj'ton juriicE^ fei^rte. Unb a\§ id) ben Sieutenant 9}au Dom So^toner 2Bod)enbIattd)en, tm ttoHen Siiicfjuge begriffen, mit mifttarifc^er Scbneibigfeit burd) ha^ g-enfter be§ §aufe§, gerabe iiber mir, mit 3;obe§nerad)tung fpringen fat) unb ba§ SBeite ju geminnen fud)te, ba bad)te id), jeht ift aud) beine gett gefommen, jeW t)at e§, ttie man fid) beim 9tegimente au^jubritden pflegte, gefd)ent. (Sd)on ttiete ber Unfrt= gen maren in ben Saufgraben Dor bem 33adftein^aufe toon ben 3tebellen aufge* gabelt roorben, fo unter Wnbern mein ^reunb ber ©apitan iSd)uI^, ber mit ben ^Idnflern at^emIo§ suritdgefallen mar. ©r {)atte fid) ouf bem mdtn lang ^in= geftredt unb feud^te unb ftof)nte: „3d) !ann nic^t mebr! 5?omm toie e§ wolle ; mir ift 5lIIe§ einerlei, tobt ober lebenbig \" Slber ouci^ ernfte, tragifd) enbenbe ©cenen luurben mir Dor bie 9(ugen ge= fu^rt. ®er ©d)lad)tentob mar an SSiele ^erangetreten, bie auf bem 93ette ber t^re if)r jungeS Seben flatten nieberlegen muffen. ®dc^ mo mar bamalS btc 3eit sur ^lage? Unter ben Sobten befanb fi^ and) ber arme ^aul SSittid). ©r mar bur^ ben ^opf gefd)offen tcorben. 9lu§ ^ietat fiir bie §etben, bie auf bem ©^tad)tfelbe biteben, prafentirt ba^ ®emet)r! ©enfet bie 3af)nc! SSerglefet eine S^rane! 9tuft i^nen nad): ^fe^re ben Wanen unferer gefaUenen ^ameraben!" ®emi5[)nlid) mar id) bei foldien be§ aifenfd)en 33rabour erprobenben 3tffai= renber crfteim 2aufen; boc^ Wxtn id) an ienem Sage ber Icfetc ju fein, nid^t meit ic^ braoet mar al§ bie Wnbern, fonbern einfad) au§ bem ©runbe, bafe i^, ba icf) mit 3Sermunbeten befdiciftigt mar, ben llmfang unb fatalen 5tu§gang be§ feinblid)en lleberfaU§ nicfjt friif) genug erfannte. Sd) muf? ^ier, ftolj auf meine f^arben, gleic^mte Dberft ©iber ouf fein preufeifd)e§ 3)Zajor§=iiatent, ^in.sufitgen, baf; id) gerabe bamoB gri3feere§ SSertrauen ouf bie llnbesminglidjfeit unfereS fiege^^gemiffen §eere§fc^oaren, unb namentUd) auf bie erprobte Sapferteit unfere§ ftrommen 9tegiment§ fe|ite al§ je juDor, sumal ba mir feit bem SRudjuge Don g^oljetteDille nur imtner DormcirtS marfd)irt maren. ®er Ueberntac^t mufe man jebod) jueid)en. 5lud) ic^ mar enblicfi berett, f^crfengelb ju geben. 3(ber »oc§ e^e ic^ meine Wlu^t gefunben ^otte, befanb 80 THIETY-SEVENTH KEGIMENT, O. V. Y. I. fic^ ber ^einb a»uifd)en mir unb meinem Sfegtment, imb nut bet @tle unb bem ©tiirmen jenev tjatte id) e§ ju ucrbanfen, bafe id) nid)t ouf ber ©telle erfc^ofjen ober fofovt eingetoirfelt luuvbe. ^u bev Xijat legte einer au§ einem Itupp uor= iiberge^enber ©olbaten ba§ ®ettief)t auf mi^ an, luutbe abev Don feinem Sieute- nant am ©d)ie^en tjerr)inbert, inbem btefer auf bie luei^e 'i^anbage ^inbeutete, bie id^ aum 3eid)en, ba^ id) mic^ auf ©nabe ober llngnabe ergeben ijabs, ()od) in ber Suft fd)tuang. Sie betrad)teten mid) bereitS „^or§ be combat" unb liefeen mid^ in tiefen 5Betrac^tungen iiber be§ 9)Jenfd)en ©d)idfaI§=S:iiden einfad) fte^eu. 2Seifd)iebene 9kttung§plane burd)treu5ten mein ®e^irn. Sin (Sntfc^Iujj mujjte f^ueE gefofst unb rafd) au§gefii^rt luerben. Unter bog |)ou§ ju fried^en, tt)a§ Slnbere, bebrongtiuie fie luaren, getf)an gotten, fiel mir eben in metner jugefpiUs ten Sage nid)t ein. 3" ^ei' Slu^t nur lag mein C">eit ! ®a gefd)n)inb, nad)bem ber grijf5te ©c^roarm Dorbeipaffirt mar unb bas ©etiife fic^ etma§ entfernt I}atte, befann ic^ mid^ ouf bie bergenbe ©d^Iud)t gen 9Zorben, unb Kerfucftte biefelbe, fo fd)uen aU mid) bie SSeine Iragen fonnten, ju erreicften, urn auf einem llmmege juriid 5um SRegiment ju gelongen. ^Ingefpornt Dom "Jriebe ber ©elbfter()altung unb biirftenb nac^ golbenet ^-rei^eit rannte id) an ®e®rofe'§ 33atterie Dorbei, beren ^ferbe ,^ufammengefd)offen morben moren unb befe^alb ttid)t fatten fortgc= fc^afft merben fonnen, unb lief - - fd)nurftrady in Die .'oanbe eine§ 6 grufe meffeus ben 9?ebetlen=©ergeanten, ber mic^ gonj gemiit^lic^ fi^agte, me id) ^inrooOe. Slt^emloS crmieberte i^, bafe id) im 93egriff fei, 5(tIanto ju nel)men. S)al)in ju gelangen, fbnne er, mir entgegnenb, ben SSeg meifen, unb un^bflid) unb aufbrings lid) mie er mar, bot er mir feine unermiittfd)te S3egleitung on. So manberten to'ix 9trm in 9Irm nocft ?(tlanta. ^er Siimmel f)atte jo ouf biefe SSeife eine c^ormonte ®elegent)eit, uom ©c^(ad)tfelbe fic^ megjubriiden. 9hm meine ^erren unb Somen, ©ic merben fd)on longe etrat^en ^oben, bo^ id) on jenem un»erge|5(id)en Jage ?(tlonta nid)t einnaf)m, fonbern nad) ?ftlanta genommen muvbc. S§ mirb 3()nen ober aud) au§ bem Obigen t(ar ge= morben fein, ba| an biefem meinem 9KiBgefd)id, bog man in ftubentifc^er ?(u§ brud^meife 'iped) nennt, nur (il)arle» .sMpp unb bie ii brig en ©enerale ©d)ulb moren. ©omit mar ic^ olfo ein ©efaugener unb a(§ foldier bie unfveimiHige SlDontgarbe toon St)erman'i? 5lrmee, unb menn biefe mir nur gefolgt mare, fo miirbe an bem Sage 5ttlanta obfolut genommen morben fein. ^ttbeffen mat mof)t unfere ©teHung toom SDtorgen am fpaten 9tad)mtttage juritderobert morben unb biejenigen, bie fid) oerfroc^en f)atten, maren mieber jum 58orfd)ein gefom= men. ^it f)ingegen £)atte mutterfeelenaltein, menn ic^ ben 9iebeIIen=©ergeanten nid^t mitred^ne, ben SSormorfd^ angetreten unb bereitS toon ber ©tobt felbft SBefife THIETY-SEVBNTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 81 ergrfffen. ^n meinetn S)un!el ma^nte ic^, ba% bte ^ungfrauen t)on ?(tlanta, ge» Meibet in SSei^, uerfamntelt tuoren unb mir jujubeften : „SBir winben btr be§ ©ieger§ ^ranj mit oeilc^enblauer Seibe!" 3)od^ rcoju bie SEufion? ^uriirf jur graujamen aSirflicfiteit. 9)leme ou&eve ©rf^einung liefe ?iae§ ju >Dunf(f)en iibrig. man ficitte mid) ef)ei- fiir einen 3:ramp be§ fieutigen XageS ^alten fonnen, al§ einen >r)o()I6eftaaten 9lttarf)e ber 3Ser. ©taaten ?trmee, unb ba banial§ jeneS @efc[)(ecf)t norf) nic£)t ejctftirte, tt)urbe man micft paffenb mit einem Sumpen tiergticfjen tiaben, ber gonjlid) t)er= fommen roar. SQJeine Uniform mor fcljcibig, faft serlumpt, §emb felt aJtonaten nicE)t geroe^feft, ©trumpfe t)offnung^Io§ jerrifjen, ©d)u[)fo[)Ien obgelaufen, Soms miffariat fcf)(ed)terbing§ nid)t in Sic^t, bie ©anteene Dom fjabgierigen 3-ii{)rer be= raubt, fein pfennig @efb in ber Safcfie. 9)?eine SO^ontur unb ooUe 3lu§ruftung o(§ ^tfjiftenjarst be§ 9tegiment^3 ^atte i(^ fammt bem Coffer, gemofe einer @ene= raforbve, in ©ecatur juritcflaffen miiffen, rao alle ©pur bation uerloren ging. 2Bentg[ten§ erroieberte ber Quartiermeifter auf einen 93rief meiner (S'^au, bie in- 3n)iW)en Don meiner ©efangenna^me gefjort ijattt unb born 2Sunfd)e bei'eelt toar, tt)entgften§ ein ^ilnbenfen an mid) ,^u baben,bafe atle meine |)obfeligfeiten ipurIo§ toerid)tt)unben feien, bod) trb[tenb binjufiigte, bajs im SBirrroarr be^- ^riegeS foId)e SSerlufte unbermeiblid) feien. SSa^rfc^einfic^ maren bie ©ffeften bei &th= gen^eit eine§ feinblidien 9teiter4leberfa[(^ imter ^S^eeler in S)ecatur fammt anberm ^lunber mit tierbrannt raorben. ®oc^ ba biefer ^at)anerie=5(ngriff Horn Oberft ©Prague 3uriidgefd)Iagen tnorben mar — nur brei SBagen gin^en tjerloren — fo mufe metn §ab unb @ut entroeber auf einer ber 3 3'U^ien geroefen fein, ober befinbet fid) je^t noc^ in Secatur. 3d) befdjulbige bureaus nid)t unfern SSerpfleger unb Sieferanten tjon „^orb tad" unb bem anbem Singe, mein Unents be^rlid)fte§ anneftirt ju baben; al§ SSeute roar e§ eben ben gu^rleuten in bie ^onbe gefaQen, unb ein jeber uon un§ 37'em meife, mag ba§ bebeutete. 9Baf)tenb ba§ 9tegiment mit ©f)erman ben befannten ©pa^iergang nac^ ber ©ee unterna^m, mufete icft im ©^arlefton 5lrbeit§^aufe, beftimmt fiir 9?igger, am §ungertud)e nagen, im ^erter fc^mad)ten unb ben bittern ^eld) be§ ^'rtege§ Ungemacfi auf bie 9?eige leeren. 3)oc^ mer fann be§ SJienfc^en ©d)idfal ergriinben ? S)ie ^arjen fpinnen bie ^aben. 2)er UnfaH mar tuabrfd)ein[id) einer won jenen ©egen, ber au§ ben SBoIs !en font unb fiir un§ in iiert)iillter ©eftatt erfd)eint. 90?an foil fid) bofiir beban= fen, o^ne ju uermbgen, ben reeflen 2Bertf) ju erfennen unb bie gLittIid)e 23ei§beit ju miirbigen. .S^atte id) meinen fd)a^baren .fibrper fernerbin al§ ^ielfcfietbe fur bie 9iebeflen bloSfteCen muffen, rocire Dietteidit berfelbe je^t ein ?lfd)en^aufen. ®ag [111 82 THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O, V. V. I. 9?iftfo war grofe unb bie ©efa^r na^e, in einem ber nSrfiften Sreffen crfc^offen ju tcerben, ober am ©nbe in ben ©umpfen ber ©aroIinaS ju tierfinfen. M§- bann ttjore e§ mtr ni^t bergonnt geroefen, on bent ^eutigen glanjenben geftc t^eiljunel^men. S)a§ ifl bie neunte unb ic^ befiird^te bie le^te Oieunion be§ britten beut« ft^en SRegimentS ijon O^io. 5tuf aHe gaEe fann bie ^eutige tjon einer moglic^ fcrneren Sufammenfunft beffen SSeteranen ni(f)t ubertroffen luerben. Sd) bitte fcf)(iefelic^ atte 2(ntt)e[enben aufjufte^en, ba§ ®Ia§ ju ergreifen unb ein breifac^eS bonnembeS ^od) auSjubringen, juerft auf ba§ 2Bof)I unfereg 37. 3iefliment§, bann auf bag beg 5DJajor |)ipp, beg im "^rieg unb f^rieben iiber ung mac^enben gii^rerg unb gegenroartigen treuen §iiterg ber Ueberbleibfel beg gtegimentg, unb jule^t auf bag SBo^I ber iiberiebenben Sameraben tton @t. SKar^g unb Umgegenb, fowic ber guten 93iirger unb SDamen biefer feftlic^ ge* fc^miidten ©tabt, benen Slllen toir neben bem fliicf)tigen, naturlirf)en ®ag,befton« bigeg, felfenfefteg ®liicf unb 28o^(erge^en wiinfdfien. 93itte ni(f)t ^u tiergeffen, bie ®ldfer ju leeren. THIETY-SBVENTH KEGIMENT, 0. Y. V, I, 8^ Eight Menlhs a Prissfier in Andersenville^ -BY- JOHN A. ](IEI.CH£R, Late Private (.'ompany H., 37th Regiment, Ohio Infantry. By request of Major Chas. Hipp and the survivors of the 37th O. V. I., who held their 9th Eeunion at St. Marys, O., on the 10th and 11th of September, 1889, it was unanimously re- solved to prepare as far as possible a history of our regiment, and I shall give as briefly as space will permit and my memory serves me, an outline of the sufferings and privations, which some forty-five comrades of the 37th Ohio endured during their confinement in prison. It will be impossible for me to give exact dates and figures, as my mind was considerably weakened during my imprisonment, but I shall give facts as they occur to me as I write them. It was on the 22d day of July 1864, near Atlanta, Georgia, when that gallant General, McPherson, fell, and some of our men where on picket duty with Capt, Shultz Co. H., in com- mand, that several hundred of us were surrounded by the rebels and made prisoners, and among them between forty-five and fifty from our regiment, myself among the number, also Capt. Shultz and Dr. A. Billhardt, I was immediately taken in charge by a young rebel lieutenant, who plundered me of everything I possessed, then marched me with another comrade towards Atlanta. On our journey we met Maj, General Hood and his staff, who commanded us to stop, when he addressed his con- versation to me, making inquiries about our lities and tbrces; 84 THIETY. SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. but I can say that all the information he obtained from me on that source he was welcome to. He thanked me very kindly, looked through his field-glass, and rode away on a gal- lop, with his staff. It was a brilliant sight, as I beheld them in the distance. On our march to the city we met a number of regiments going to the front, and as they passed us, some would greet us with curses and others would look at us with pity. We finally came to Atlanta, and were taken to a place which at one time had been a slave pen, and there I again met my comrades, but under different circumstances, we were prisoners. The next morning we were ordered by an officer in command to form in line, whem our name, company and regiment were recorded, and after some rations were issued to us we were left to console ourselves as best we conld. We were free to talk with the guards,and from all 1 could discover from their conversation, they had not much hope for their future. They treated us very kindly, the best they could under circumstances, — and 1 will mention here, that this rule applied to all old soldiers in general. The next day we were given a liberal supply of rations, consisting of corn bread and bacon, and then proceeded on our march to Macon, Ga. One incident in particular occurred on this march which will bear mentioning and which will show the enthusiasm and loyalty of the Southern people in their cause. We were march- ing on our way through a village by the nameof Jonesbqrough, the inhabitants turned out en masse, and the women would carry the rebel banners in the midst of us, curse us, even spit in our faces and follow us for three or four miles, all the time keeping up their abuse. We at last reached Macon and were again put in prison. Here the officers were seperated from us and taken to Charles- ton, S. C, and we were take aboard some filthy stock cars and then proceeded on our journey to Andersonville, Ga. After a run of about sixty miles we stopped in a clearing^ THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V, I. 85 where there were about a half dozen houses. We learned this was Andersonville. We were taken from the ears to an open piece of ground east of the station, where we could see at the distance of about a quarter of a mile an immense stockade. We were ordered to form in line, when an officer on a gray horse rode up to us with revolver in band and with an oath command- ed us to obey al! orders. I was just then talking to a comrade in the rear, when this same officer rode up to me, with his re~ volver drawn, and in broken English said: "You d— d Yankee —of a b— , stand in line there, or I'll kill you." I then learned that this was Capt. Wirz, commander of the prison. Again our name, company and regiment were taken down. We were formed into detachments with a sergeant over each ninety men when we were ordered to march toward the big stockade. As we neared the wall of great squared logs and massive gates, which were to shut out hope and life from nearly all of us for- ever, we beheld the ghastly sight near the gate of a number of dead, the eyes of which shone with a stony glitter, the faces black and pinched with pain and hunger, the long matted hair and fleshless frame swarming with lice, gave us some idea that a like fate awaited us on the inside. The rebels, knowing our desperation, used every precaution to prevent a break; the ar- tillerymen stood at their canister-shotted guns, which was trained to sweep the gates. All being ready the huge bolts were drawn, the gate swung open on its massive iron hinges, and as we moved into that hell on earth, we felt that we were cut off from the world and completely at the mercy of our cruel keepers. There were over 1,700 men that day (July 28, 1864) put into prison, making in all about 35,000. We were march- ed up to the east side of the prison, where there seemed to be some vacant space,— somewhere near 1,700 men to the acre— where we were left to our fate. We of the 37th Ohio were formed into the 123d detachment, and numbered 42 comrades. We stayed and talked and slept together, and tried to cheer and comfort one another, till our ranks were broken, and one after another died for his country. 86 THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V, I. Inside the prison, about twenty feet from the stockade, was what they called the "dead line," This the prisoners must not touch; or go beyond, under pain of death, I will here relate an incident that occured the first day of my experience in Andersonville. We had drawn our rations that day, consisting of a half pint of corn meal. Some of us had a tin cup left, and we were debating how to manage and get some wood and cook our meal, when a comrade saw some chips of a stump lying inside of the dead line, remarking they would do for a starter. He was warned not to cross the line by some of the older prisoners, but not heeding them and not knowing the rules he was shot down and killed by one of the guards not more than five feet from where I was standing. I shall never forget that day, and the sorrow and gloom it cast over me. We helped and provided for one anothere's com- fort as best we could, but as time would pass our sufferings would increase, and our number would grow less. We were not provided with shelter, but instead had the starry heavens^ for our sheiter,and the sandy soil, alive with verniint and lice for our couch. The crowd was growing denser every day, the rations less and water worse. The sun poured down with tropical heat, which reduced the quantity of water in the creek: the human filth had accumulated and stopped the passage of water through the stockade. It backed slowly, and spread this mass of tilth out over the low ground occupied b}'' some of the prisoners. About this time Col. C. F. Chandler, of the rebel army, was sent by Jeff Davis to inspect Andersonville Prison, and in his report he says: "I called the attention of Capt. Wirz and Gen. Winder to the frightful mortality that must certainly follow the crowded and filthy condition of the prison, and pointed to them how this could be remedied, to all of which Winder replied, 'The present arrangement is good enough, as it is having the desired effect and if let alone, will soon thin the prisoners out so that there will be plenty room,' " .■ i.i THIETY-SEVENTH KEGIMENT, O. Y. Y.\t. 87 The result was that Gen. Winder was promoted to General in Command of all the prisons in the Confederacy. Time was moving slowly, and we were rapidly sinking into depravity. Men in our condition were sure to be peevish and irritable, and the best of friends would quarrel over a trifling matter. The mental condition of the majority was melancholy, beginning in despondency and tending to a kind of stolid and idiotic indiff- erence. The death rate was over 130 a day for the month of August, among them about tifteeu from our regiment. Early in September a rebel Colonel came inside. He said: "Prisoners there is going to be a general exchange of prisoners, and we shall exchange you as quick as possible, commencing to- morrow morning." We wept for joy and seemed to take new life. That night the oflScers stood at the big gate and the names of those who were to be exchanged were called out; and as each one's name was called he would walk out of the prison with renewed hope and life. It so happened that the name of a comrade of my company was called, and having died some time before, I an- swered to his name and then walked out a free man,as I thought. Soon after that my name was called, and no one answered to it, I was reported dead or missing. We were given rations, put into the stock cars, and were soon, as we supposed, on our way to God's country, — but oh, what a delusion! We were taken to Savannah, Ga.. and from there moved from one prison to another, the most of the time on foot; march- ing us until we would give out, then rest for the night and pro- 'ceed the next morning. On this march we lost a number of comrades, whom we buried by the wayside as best we could. After marching and counter-marching to keep out of reach of Sherman, we finally, what was left of us, reached Andersonville Prison again on Christmas morning, December 25, 1864, Ah what a disappointment to us! If I had had my preference that day to choose between Aif- dersonvilleand hell, I certainly should have preferred the latter. And to add to the horrors already endured, it began to' grow 88 THIKTY-SEVENTH KEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. colder, freezing ice in the creek. We were now getting des- perate, and we seemed to lose hope, and our ranks were thin- ning out very last. About this time they sent officers in with the tempting offer of liberty and large wages to take oath of allegiance to the Confederacy, and I am sorry here to admit that some complied with their wishes, but knowing the circumstances, I can be charitable, and not attach any blame upon them. We called together the remainder of the 37th regiment, and when the roll was called, nine of us answered to the call. When that pro- position was discussed, whether we should join the rebels and perhaps live or remain in prison and surely starve to death, it was a moment of life or death with us. After discussing and deliberating the matter fully we resolved, each and every one of us remaining of the 37th, not to surrender, but to suffer death before surrender, and as I am the only survivor of the forty- two of our regiment living to speak for them, and to their glory and credit of the 37th Kegiment of O. V. I., that they were loyal to their country and never flinched, but scornfully replied: "You can to your worst, we will never go back on the old Stars and Stripes." It was sometime in January when the last man otmy regi- ment died, and I was left alone of all my comrades. I shall not attempt here to describe my feelings. It simply would be impossible. I will leave that to the imagination of the reader. 1 wandered around, not knowing where. Coming to my senses again, and looking around me, I found myself in the hospital which the rebels had provided near the prison. Here I fared better; we at least had tents, and were not exposed to the ele- ments; there were also two doctors to attend to our wants, — but alas! they were powerless, as they had no medicine to give us, excepting a little camphor, whiskey and decoction of some kind of bark. The doctors often expressed their regret that they had no more medicines. I shall also give here an incident worthy of mention : We were visited one day by two Sisters of Charity from THIETY-SBVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 89 Macon, Ga. They gave us one-halt a loaf of bread each, and prayed for us, making no distinction as to our religion, either catholic or protestant, but had a word of comfort and cheer for each and every one. God bless them. And I will state here that from all the denominations in existence these were the only two members that visited us. Day by day my mind grew weaker, and life became a blank to me. When I regained consciousness, I found myself in the hospital at Vicksburg, Miss., where they told me we had been paroled and were once more among friends. 1 was two months in the hospital at Vicksburg, and from there was transported to the hospital at Jefferson Barracks, near St, Louis, Mo. Af- ter staying there for six weeks I was pronounced well enough to make my journey home. I have passed over this picture rapidly, giving but an out- line of the subject, and consequently pruned the description as much as possible, not even mentioning the names of true and noble men who were my constant comrades, and whom I have seen endure the most terrible pangs of starvation, their shrunken and almost naked frames shivering with cold and faces pinched with pain and hunger, and finally die for their country. Comrades of the 37th O. V, as we meet from time to time at our reunions, the few of us that have been spared, let us remember those comrades of ours who sleep in their lonely graves (per- haps some of them marked "unknown") and if we cannot strew flowers on their graves, let us drop a tear in silence to their memory. 37th regiment OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. THREE YEARS' SERVICE HIS Regiment was organized at Cleveland, Ohio, from September 9, 1861, to March 1, 1862, to serve three years, On expiration of its term of service, the original mem- bers (except veterans) were mustered out, and the organiza- tion, composed of veterans and recruits, retained in the service until August 7, 1865, when it was mustered out in accordance with orders from the War department. Only a partial official list of battles in which this Regiment bore an honorable part has yet been published by the War Department, but the following list has been compiled after careful research during the preparation of this work : PRINCETON, W. VA., . . May 15-18, 1862. WYOMING C. H., W. VA., . . August 5, 1862, FAYETVILLE, W. VA., . . September 10, 1862. COTTON HILL, W. VA., . September 11, 1862. VICKSBTJRG, MISS., (Siege of and Assaults), .... May 18 to July 4, 1863 JACKSON, MISS., .... July 9-16, 1863. MISSION RIDGE, TENN., . . November 25, 1863. RESACA, GA., .... May 13-16, 1864. DALLAS, GA May 25 to June 4, 1864. KENESAW MOUNTAIN, GA., . June 9-30, 1864. KBNESAW MOUNTAIN, GA., (Gen- eral Assault), .... June 27, 1864. ATLANTA, GA,, (Hood's First Sortie) July 22, 1864, ATLANTA, GA., (Ezra Chapel or Second Sortie), . . . July 28, 1864. ATLANTA, GA., , , . . July 28, to September 2, 1864. JONESBORO, GA. . . . August 31 and Septem- ber 1, 1864. BENTONVILLE, N. C, . . . March 19-21, 1865. \^'