THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY "I give thtfe Books for the founding of a College in this Colony" DUPLICATE, ofthe John T, NortonlXu n OlTHf Of A HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-THIRD REGIMENT OK ILLINOIS INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS: ITS SERVICES AND EXPERIENCES IN CAMP, ON THE MARCH, ON THE PICKET AND SKIRMISH LINES, AND IN MANY BATTLES OF THE WAR, 1861-65. INCLUDING A SKETCH IN FULL OF THE VALUABLE AND INDISPENSABLE SERVICES REN- DERED BY OPDYCKE'S FIRST BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, FOURTH ARMY CORPS, IN THE CAMPAIGN IN TENNESSEE IN THE FALL OF 1864, "EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE MOVE- MENT FROM COLUMBIA TO NASHVILLE, AND pring Hill ant) jfranhlin. INCLUDING MANY OTHER INTERESTING MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES, THE LATTER BEING MADE UP OF RECITALS OF INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES OF CAPTURE, IMPRISONMENT, AND ESCAPE, AND AN ACCOUNT OF THE VISIT OF JAMES F. JAQUESS, COLONEL OF THE SEVENTY-THIRD, TO RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, IN THE SUMMR& OF 1864. PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE REGIMENTAL REUNION ASSOCIATION OF SURVIVORS OF THE 73d ILLINOIS INFANTRV VOLUNTEERS. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1890, BY W. H. NEWLIN, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 3*73.4- OFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE ON THE ALTAR OF THE COUNTRY. of qll who tost th.eir lives ii^ tXe service of their country , in t^e ^.rnf\tes of tt\e T^nion., this "work, is DEDIGATED by of th,eir G0R\raS2 ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE. UPRISING OF THE PEOPLE, 3 MARCHING TO MEET THE ENEMY, 16 PONTOON- BRIDGE, CINCINNATI, OHIO, . 83 SHOOTING OF GENERAL NELSON BY GENERAL DAVIS, 86 JACK'S TROUBLE WITH THE MULE, 94 CAPITOL BUILDING, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 116 SUPPORTING SKIRMISHERS, 224 PLANTING THE FLAG ON MISSIONARY RIDGE, 266 FORTY-TWO STAR FLAG, 281 BATTLE-GROUND AT FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE, 422 BATTLE-FIELD, COTTON GIN, FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE, 443 ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN, 513 PORTRAITS. COLONEL JAMES F. JAQUESS, Frontispiece. W. H. NEWLIN, ") PAGE. D. F. LAWLER, /-Committee on Regimental History, 10 J. W. SHERRICK, ) ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 19 GENERAL PHIL. H. SHERIDAN, 102 GENERAL ALEX. McD. McCooK, 128 SERGEANT-MAJOR H. A. CASTLE, 130 ORDERLY SERGEANT D. A. SMITH, COMPANY C, 226 GENERAL WILLIAM S. ROSECRANS, . 256 CAPTAIN TILMON D. KYGER, 258 SAM. B. GARVER, COMPANY D, 296 GENERAL WILLIAM T. SHERMAN, 358 CAPTAIN G. W. PATTEN, 455 GENERAL GEORGE H. THOMAS, 486 MAJOR WILSON BURROUGHS, . . 531 LIEUTENANT W. H. NKWLIN, 624 BRIGADE FORMATION. THE first brigade the 73d was in, embraced three other regiments, viz.: the 100th Illinois, and the 79th and 88th Indiana, commanded by E. N. Kirk, colonel of the 34th Illinois. The second brigade organization which included the 73d. also included the 44th Illinois and the 2d and 15lh Missouri Regiments, commanded by Colonel Lai- boldt and Colonel Schaefer. For all, or nearly all, the remainder of its term of service, the 73d was associated in brigade organization with six other regiments, viz. : the 36th, 44th, 74th, and 88th Illinois, the 24th Wisconsin, and the 125th Ohio, commanded by Colonel Frank Sherman, General Nathan Kimball, and Colonel (Brevet Brigadier-General) Emerson Opdycke. There was a brigade formed a short time before the battle of Missionary Ridge when the army was re- organized that embraced all the regiments included in the two last brigade organizations above, except the 125th Ohio. It included nine regiments, the 22nd Indiana being one of the nine; but that regiment was soon sent elsewhere. In the course of time, the 2d and 15th Missouri Regiments dropped out, and the 125th Ohio came in, leaving the seven regiments as last above named. The 21st Michigan was for a short time in our brigade. MARCHING TO MEET THE ENEMY. A HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-THIRD REGIMENT OF ILLINOIS INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS. CHAPTER I. PRELIMINARY REMARKS RENDEZVOUS ORGANIZATION OF "THE PREACHER REGIMENT" COMPLETE ROSTER DUTY, EXPERI- ENCE, AND INCIDENTS AT CAMP BUTLER. THE call of President Abraham Lincoln for three hundred thousand volunteers, dated July 6, 1862, was the " bugle-note " that summoned the men and boys of the 73d to the field. Almost immediately steps were taken to secure enlistments in the several companies. The regiment, as organized, was credited to the State at large. The reason for this was, probably, the fact that so many counties were represented in it. With two exceptions, no county furnished more than one com- pany ; and in some of the companies more than two counties were represented. There were ten companies in the regiment, representing not less than ten coun- ties; each of at least ten counties being represented in the regiment by a full company, or a considerable fraction thereof; while two or three, or more, counties were represented by smaller squads and individual members. Company A was raised in Sangamon County, though 2 17 18 COUNTIES WE "HAILED" FROM. Coles, Christian, and Tazewell Counties each had one or more representatives in it. Company B was raised principally in Tazewell County, though Fulton, Henry, Mason, Memird, Mont- gomery, Sangamon, and Shelby Counties each had one or more representatives in it. Company C was raised in Vermilion County, Edgar and Ford Counties each being credited with one man. Company D was raised in Piatt County, one recruit being from Tazewell. Company E was raised in Vermilion County, Cham- paign County being credited with three men. Company F was raised principally in Logan County. Menard, Sangamon, and Woodford Counties each being represented. Company G was raised principally in Schuyler and Jackson Counties, with representatives in the Company from Adams, Brown, McDonough, Stephenson, and San- gamon Counties. Company H was raised principally in Adams and Pike Counties, though Brown, Hancock, and Sangamon Counties were represented in it. Company I was raised principally in Sangamon County, with additions to it from the counties of Adams, Montgomery, Macoupin, Jackson, Gallatin, and Saline. Company K was raised in the counties of Jackson and Saline, with some two or more men from each of the counties of Franklin, Gallatin, Williamson, and Perry. Some twelve or fifteen counties had quite a respect- able representation in the regiment, Sangamon and Ver- milion Counties having the largest ; while nearly or quite as many more counties were represented by smaller squads and individual members. CREDITED TO STA TEEXPLANA TION. 1 9 So many counties being represented in the 73d, justly entitled it to the distinction of being credited to the State at large. The complete roster of the regi- ment, which appears herein, shows more particularly the several localities in the State that contributed to its ranks. How came it that a territory so great in extent, or localities so far apart, were drawn upon for ABRAHAM LINCOLN. material for this regiment, when several other regi- ments were being raised at the same time ? We do not assume to be able to give the true answer to this question ; but will venture two or three possible rea- sons, or explanations, which may sufficiently answer it. Within one week from the date of the call for three hundred thousand men, the active work of securing 20 THE PREACHER REGIMENT. enlistments and raising companies began. On the part of many volunteers or squads and companies of such, there was, doubtless, an ambition, or desire at least, to get into the first, or one of the first, regiments or- ganized in the State under that call. This may have been one reason ; but another and more probable ex- planation may be found in the following statement, viz. : James F. Jaquess, late chaplain of the 6th Illinois Cavalry, was authorized by Governor Richard Yates, early in June, 1862, to raise a regiment of infantry vol- unteers. By reason of his connection with the Illinois Methodist Episcopal Conference, as a minister of the gospel, and later as president of the Illinois Female College at Jacksonville, which was under the super- vision and patronage of the Conference, Rev. Jaquess had become widely and favorably known in the central portions of Illinois. In many, if not most, of the neighborhoods and localities from which the 73d was recruited, the solicita- tions and appeals, the " drumming up " for volunteers, were made and participated in by ministers of the gos- pel, either in the regular or local work. This fact may have been due, in some instances, to Colonel Jaquess's influence, remotely if not directly. At any rate, when the several companies and fractions thereof reached Camp Butler, they, and the " preachers in charge," easily and naturally drifted into Colonel Jaquess's "Preacher Regiment," the 73d Illinois.* *More companies and squads wanted to join the 73d than could be accommodated. An "overflow meeting" had to be started, and, as a result of this, two more regiments the 115th and the 117th were formed. Rev. Jesse H. Moore was the colonel of the 115th. At one time the project of a Preacher Brigade was broached ; but, for want of time, and for other reasons, the matter was dropped. PRIORITY OF MUSTER-IN. 21 Another fact is probably also accounted for in the foregoing statement, which is that the large majority of the men of which the regiment was- composed were young men boys between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five years and came, in large measure, from the educational, school, and Church walks of life. We do not wish to be understood as intimating that the farm, and shop, and business generally were not rep- resented in the regiment; for these were largely rep- resented in it. Enlistments in the several companies dated from July 12 to August 17, 1862, as a rule; the exceptions being mostly in cases of recruits sent to the regiment in the field. The dates of the reporting of the several companies, and parts of companies, at Camp Butler, varied from about July 24 to about August 18, 1862. By the latter date, all the companies, excepting Com- pany E, had the number of men necessary to entitle them to muster in, while some of the companies had more. To expedite matters, hasten the muster-in of the regiment, an arrangement was effected whereby Com- pany C, from Vermilion County, " loaned " to Company E, also from Vermilion, some fourteen men. This en- titled the regiment to muster-in, the companies having an average of more than eighty-five men. Accordingly, on the 21st day of August, 1862, the 73d Illinois Vol- unteers was mustered into the service of the United States for the period of three years, by Captain Ewing, of the 13th United States Infantry. The roster of the 72d Illinois, as it appears in the revised reports of the adjutant-general of the State, shows that regiment as having been mustered into service August 21st, the same day that the 73d was mustered in, while the historical 22 AN ACC USA TION DENIED PREPARA TION. sketch of the regiment distinctly states, it was mustered into service August 23d, and started the very same day for Cairo, where it arrived on the 24th. If the roster be correct as to date of the muster-in, then the 73d has equal claim with the 72d to being the first regiment mustered into the United States service from the State of Illinois, for the term of three years, in the year 1862 ; and, if the historical sketch be correct, then the 73d has superior claim to that honor. The 71st Illinois was the last three-months regiment, and the 74th Illinois was not mustered into service until September 4, 1862. At Bloomington, Illinois, recently, we met a com- rade who had served in the 114th Illinois. On finding we had served in the 73d, he said : "And your regi- ment stole our number ; we were to have had the num- ber you got." We replied that we did n't know so well about that. We admitted that our regiment might have "foraged" or "flanked" his regiment out of the number it expected. We hardly think the "Preacher Regiment" ever stole anything; that is, until after it was numbered. The fond, reluctant farewells having been spoken, the last glances having been taken, and the sad sep- arations from familiar scenes and hearth-stones having been effected, the men of the several companies which were included in the 73d were organized, drilled, and disciplined, preparatory to admission into the service of the General Government. In addition to becoming accustomed to camp life and fare, becoming inured to the use of " army rations," the regiment, or details from the companies which, later on, composed it, did duty daily in guarding Confederate prisoners, of whom there were some two or three thousand at Camp Butler EXPLANATORY OF ROSTER. 23 at the time. This duty, and camp-guard and fatigue duty and squad and company drill, occupied the time up to about August 20th. On and before this date, the last proceeding, prior to the muster-in, was had the exam- ination of the men by the medical authorities. This examination was, to all appearances at least, conducted in a thorough manner, though but very few of the men were pronounced unfit for army service. There were a few men, we remember, who were doubtful, as were also their messmates, as to whether or not they would pass this medical examination. Some of these, on being pronounced fit for service, were very well pleased. As many in the volunteers of the 73d lived near their county boundary lines their homes in one county and their post-offices in another it is quite probable that a few counties are credited herein with men they did not furnish. In the roster, under the head of "Res- idence," the name of the post-office is frequently given instead of the name of the county in which the resi- dence was located. In ascertaining the names and number of the counties that furnished volunteers to the 73d, we looked to see what counties certain towns and post-offices were in, thus including in the list, no doubt, a few more counties than we should. All errors of this kind corrected, it would still appear that very many good counties were represented in a very good regiment by very good men. On August 21, 1862, as before stated, the regiment was formally mustered into the United States service. The complete roster of the field and staff, commissioned and non-commissioned, and of the several companies, both commissioned and non-commissioned, including re- cruits, as shown on the rolls of the 73d, is as follows : 24 ROSTER SAME AS IN ILLINOIS REPORTS. O \ co ** co 22 ^ -^ CO ^^ ftc So 02 2 ^co So** * . O .^ l> lO j3 w kJ^ *^ ^" ^> 2 t>H CO oo i'85 X rig 00 i sis oo ^ ||l S ^ ~ d S *"" oc SD o^J i 1 CM" H a) -^ U *Q o> - os - a> S s o~2f 2^2 as 5 Q) a 1-9 r ' f |_ o ^ ~* 1-9 t^ S ^ -2 H^ s bo CJ S rs OS O "^ ft i-s "S 03 -5 "S S " "S S *o "s "o ^ "^ O 5? co O -O EH - o fc 1 8 ' ~'6"S o> 0) c c 53 1 , .s" rt 1 |^|1 c 2 5 03 'fc 1 '55 '53 2 a^ a) . . o |5^ 1 35^ p s s u >(* < X CM co oc CM CO CO CO COCO oo oo co CM' co' -f co co co oo oo oo 1C s CM' -co' - us CO CO CO oo co -co 1 > f-( S r^ t c i I i i r i i IH i i i i i i i i a ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ m K ^ ^ u (/) CM i co CM "-O* CM ^ -( . . _c5 bb co Q 1 3 ' CC TO' CM i CO CO i j CS 60 60 q bC u c bll ^!? g Q< B ^>^> > S ^ H 8 Q -< <;^-5 < -^ < OD ^ . bi'i .'> '> C T O W O "^ C "" * S rt CO Q gi q g -2 cs .5 .S-3.8 & i( n 'O.S^ ,2 03 *s O 1 S S f- O*03O .5 "5 S s s '1 o's O*S o s H 3 u y > - . CO NAME AND RAN: COLONEL. es F. Jaquess . fEUTENANT-COLO] j. F. Northcott . ,iam A. Presson es I. Davidson . MAJORS. iam A. Presson c h- i liam E. Smith . mas Motherspav jon Burroughs . i-^l '1 QUARTERMASTE es W. L. Slave n S hj gra S' ^ = o ^j "S-^S 2 30 a CS P5^H? ^ ^ H ~Z 2o^o^ e ROSTER FIELD AND STAFF, 25 d MK W gH c a o.g && A II s a S o o^ o i i i w g S i i 1-1 rl 3 B _ 8 s" co "a i i "3^ "S Q "3 "S 3' B "s 3 p co 3 c-5 13 "3 O ^ O GO 0-3 O 'S O 'O CHAPLAINS. i S. Barger ... c N. Jaquess . . s . . . . o s < 'o ' S Q. M. SERGEANTS. tnas J. Window. . es B. Wolgermutl ert J. Alexander . COM. SERGEANT. y M. Hoskinson . HOSPITAL STEWARD er Presson . . . . o O *- SC W C 02 a> M f 1 *-3(-l "CLJ G 02' o 3,0 ^3 S H^tf ,2 M "3 PQ 26 ROSTER SAME AS IN ILLINOIS REPORTS. H 83 i CO CO of 1C CD CO r ~ t rH rH s cxf rH 8 rH o 55 II ua 2 O 3 1-5 ^- C ^ bC m o E P w oo at o as 1 2 3 3 tu 5 t; oi cxi C> fe 1-5 M ^^ S _-; a r^H . ^ ^ i DO K- ^^ O OJ 1-5 a, CD cc cT s: CD CO I 00 CO ~ ' CC : os 3 3 bbj tJosb 3^33 iii 60 3 rQ s a O cS -2^ a a -s g c K C I H ROLL OF COMPANY A. 27 ^ w W OJ-H a> QQ CN^ 3 = CM - - - 55- CX| - CXI- 60 60 60 60 60 S 3 3 ^J 3 *! *j > fcc >i 60 60 60 60 60 M UU) 60 60 60 6C60 60 60 60 tc 3535 3 3 3 S S S S 3 3 3 33333 3 60 to 60 60 E C s_ a 3 ^J 3 -u O 3 & f> * J-J " & " n O * * * co CO CO W CO .2- - - .a ~ 1 02 w CO ffi a ' .2- - - - OQ "S " r^ *~ 'S ^ o -2 b " * OS Si O >H O V^ ^> ^ o ,3 {">) ** c5 Oi -3 a 5 W. .2 cG o 5 .2 cz "C ?^ c^ ^ V s 3 CQO o> s^: o * OQOOS 2 . . . Q) . . . M H K2 m fl ~ & . . aju a " SERGEANTI a >, *HJ o j S? OD -> i a | o >Q H S5 o i-s 1 W -" * cS'u^^? 3 3 >>^ a> cp w cs .~ cs ^ <5 * SCM G ^ CO^ 1 ^ a - - V>.2* -S * ^^-g^^S-^ :^ o o o .2j- S3 .'O S3 IW>,$fcMWN ^ O * S 1 ^ C g S3 . ^S^-S^^t:^ , o p-T X o ss _^ i OTTS'S'S o^OrSo o 15-50 1,1 FEE'S 1-9 1-0 >5S I* OJ 0) _ ^^^^^^^^^^^^"'J O "o CCScoocooJO co 13 "^ o E gs W (M CO CD CO GO s 3 S 00 CO 4)=N- 2 331** SB-j.S^ S 5^3 - ~ S - j ' T3 S'o" O Or o" cS F 3' O ty O 'd" O^ OQ > g j D 'O ^ "O tap 08 .'G S)^ ^"O 0^ j; -g 2 = 2 QO ?'"5x k 5JS^'* S"!^ 3 03 4s v ^ *^ a "^ ~*~* "~" *-' ~~ ~~ ~~~ ** S w 2 3~ s .2' . oo o co 3 co s ro 3 to ao fl ^_ 3 grn OJiMCMiM (M(M!M IMIMC^I bcbobcbc tebiobo bebcbo bo 3333 333 333 3 ? . g ... 2 . . . be ? . . . gp . s? . 3 So 3 3 3 3 3 o 02 s o -e ' 03 '02 ' "O,. fl '" m U * *-'s" - s -^'s" *- H -H.H l = 0^2 o4S o 00 (D S c O OS w ^~ oS tc.S .QO 'o ce'o Jrl.l'g o'- .S .2 C . m a .2 q} rt ^ OS -*- CLv. ^ Q^J3 .2 s eo CO "! -; - S S <^ ci^ u 05 ' ^^ < >-"~ l o; 1 i co a> .tnS B ' | Bo ^ ^ "'S 5 r4" S 1 -| ! ^'S M< 8* p "p _^ If p^g 2 g j d 3 . -"oS " JH . 'S'oS " "O ca>'u"ao ,2 c i> O) C CD "3 C o2 '8 S o i C Q -HOGS SHQ tfS PH c o O 9 1 1C Tf ' . PH . j? . 01 ^ *3 QC ^-i SB ' MH ri -rt - 'ft ^^ HH S * ^ C3 ^^ '* O w NAME AND ts * SP-S *?^ Q. ir: " o.5 o^O^ ^Q ^^ h^ ^ Q^ o3 hj!"^^ c' ^* ^ "2 fc a; S * FIRST LIEUT arvey Pratt MW^SoQEHHE-t^^^ pq O W K PH PH 02 pq ROLL OF COMPANY B. 31 ^73 22 o ~ c ^ 36 o> "8 00 3 SiC P M M SX CJO S3 gg > (M si t^ CO CM O5 T-H !M SM 1-1 t>- CO (M CO * IO CO i i > * ^ 3 S S S 3 ^ ^^^^^-^ ^S 3 . rt .2 1- 1 a 03 " S o ' 'C ' rrt ' ' ' 2 "^ cs.Sos-" fl c c II tf 1 E * ! ' IT! c .2 i5 ^ LIEUTE^ McCor SERGEA Patten tGEANTS . . T3 ^ fl G is o 03 ^ 0^3 H >> 0:73 o> OQP^ .PORALS. oorhead o p "rt 3 43 'O 3 - ' S '1 lflsl M SICIANS. - S OJC >-. ^o IS 05 ^ 2 'S ^ ^ ^3 g 1 a CO ^' 8 ^ W SpM*j ^<5^ fe LJ S H^ S 32 MORE NAMES OF COMRADES. . = | =-.6 9 . - gs a>e8 * 60 g s g O^ O CD CO CD CO CD CD CO CD CD CD Ma co co oq co GO co co oo oo co COGOOOGOOOOO cocooooo oo op W p QJ c^ a Q HM 5 CC (N I-H" C^J 55 (M CO gj s g S' w a- . a K ? g fl -2 -6 2 '5 S , ^_ _ Q 03 cc"S F^Q cj eqocQQoQ__ CQQ M E 3 | | ^<1<1<1WWWWMMWWM M 30 FULL RANKS AT THE BEGINNING. 33 '37'S > 9 -9~'9" 2 Q-o J o-s o_3 o~ o ns-o tj-oO 2 |i. a: i 00 gq -* >-.**<*.*..*.*,.,>.>*.>..*.***>. CO CO CO CO CO CD CD CD CO CO CO COCOCOCOCOCDCOCO CO CO CO CO CO CO oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo co oo oo oo oo oo oo t>Tv. tC- cric\. r-r ..i-r- - - co c O "^ 1 ; :| : : w : ; : : :: ; :: : :| :.gi : : : :| : : ^a 2 afg ^5d -a2 a 2 ctc-ti^ c-s^-S $ a gS CUsJ-gP-icj CCSPM^O PH-SS^ ^ ^ -S^gS o>.2 il" ililii 5 111 I 3 i lilli QQ ogQ-gjMcoQ " ' ^* ' h-^ ' ' 'O . s " & 2 -i ^ ;sHf^|J :8^*|^g^M^I ri ^ 8 li^^l|^ i i!f!!li Ifll^llitl liyiiliJPIg- hljlCiP II tfll ^11^.5111 fe -$ 111 *-HI 34 WE WELCOME THE RECRUITS. > z. a o o tu o w o or 2 CD S .00 ^ -a IH ,. CO ~*;-S-.-H,-.~ g -g S " '' Mustered out, June 12, 18 Transferred to 44th Illinois Transferred to 44th Illinoi (( II Transferred to 1st U. Killed, Nov. 30, 1864 Transferred to 44th Mustered out, June Mustered out, May Discharged, Feb. 9, Transferred to 44th CO CO CO oo QO oo CO CD oooo * . CO Oi- r-l 3 "*. 11 Resign Muster Nov. 28, ; *^ os c m ||1 3^-0 SSI as d esigned, romoted. esigned Mustere Peach 20, w Resigned, Nov Promoted. f Promoted; \ amauga. omoted Q .- O T3 ce a - a G a >, os o-S" J2 ^ ^ "^ 3 ?< a '"= .2 S - ,_qCO C_ao O "S S" (M rH' - rj -O" ft'S -s-'gg 1 a o c4^3 8 2 -2 SS g M 00 Z DH 1! ^5 a CO CO co co 3 O 0> > 5*3 oo 3 o o O G O O O c a c fc a 23;2. a o cs a>.aj O O PTAINS McNul Kyger - a il 13 a .' a 5 a s .2 .^ a ?- o o ^3 H ,3 CS O .5 S s a SH ^ 05 OS' 8 36 THEIR NAMES ARE RECORDED. oo .j-te - Sc3 5 >>> H' ^t^Sllal'f f .2 ^-"-s S fc S 9 ja S g fl -Is ~ 1j ^ w o . OT-S 2 2 ^ "S o> feii&nii .CO Oco '~K2 i co l ij: r -- 3 S O O llfligilMMSlii"^"- si 02 OS O> HQQQ pllll!l|ttllliISIfi !> ^m^s 3.2 ^^ .S s ^.S .2.2.2 S * 2 ij ^ o ao a ^ a r- IS 1" II 0> DO) |, g," o O o ao a o aO a O J O O O O O 0> > ot> gpl 3 ill 1*3 BHM GQ ^C W H ^ ^ <^ 3 . <5<|pqpqpqw ; aj -cSlso' s;eqpqpqfqooofi "STEADY" IN THE CENTER. 37 - .j VV? 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'ssg^flfsf. !lfeisi- r 5 i d 8 .s^rfWjr I ?sfj3i ^tf ^ ^ * r ~^ ^ K-* o" S> oo * ^ P3 *> rj[ "> fe 3) 1 "" 1 ^ P" fl J5 ^^o^-oO^S CD'C ^ rt C3 r O ^ (^ C3 Q) r ^ ^ * C8 ^^ r ^ ^ ^,*y CH 'w flj O * -^ ^3 r ^ ^ CC p^- ^^rt *5 rr i Q ^j T^ A) p_rf ^2 ?v <3? 1> jj^ -*^ _^ ^ t Q^ 4? j^ ^ OSOI-S^ ^^^^^B*^^ rS*^ " "X-C'S'S ^. ^ OQ S ^ "tf o GO P C JZ *- o S ^O 03 'O & W C r-X 1 3 a M o I fi_ t, co CD CD CD CD CD" CD CD" CD" co" CD" co" cc > co" CD i ! ^^ QOOOCCCCOOQO oooooo oooooooocoooi C Hi ?s - c gtio C r-< i-( i t C " i I (M Cq i 1 r-t 0 . K cs s w^ OK H ^ E o illil tf |SS|^1 '& sS|5l-S5&;^l5-gss^^ s | ^ I H - | ffi ^l Q 62^|^^= fl.-il j T> D a 5 o O O > z, rt a "FALL IN," COMPANY D. 39 I ^* 1C CO "i. * 5 "Ss I co co IS j 4 -s oo oo I-H ^H a S S o 3 ^ w . O OQ ^T ic'co" I-H ""H "a t-Too 3 ^S co fl'rO C< i-H 00 5 ^* CO ** 10 > ; a >1 - E ^rS "So? OO nrT CO oo . s -> TD O eo ,_, ,_ ec"7l !^f ii rf ^ a 3 Wounded ; dis Died at Nasliv l*ll 111 o^>a>2^ '-'Scj 2* *" C to ^ > Q a a .2^ Mustered out, M Transferred to ii Promoted, Maj Wounded, Frai Promoted. Resigned, Mar Mustered out, Resigned, Dec, Promoted. Promoted, 2d -9 **! -<^<1<5 ^CB . B c* a> ^ RECRUITS. Bostwick, John : . Blackburn, Sam'l V Cook, Charles W. . Cook, William R. . Hollingsworth, Geo, Maudlin, James T. . Miley, George . . . Moore, James E. . Purdum, Benjamin Thornton, Isaac R. . Thornton, Merida . Willison, Aaron . . CAPTAINS. Thomas Motherspa\ Jonas Jones . . . . FIRST LIEUTENA1S Jonas Jones . . . . Henry A. Bodman . Harrison M. Alvorc SECOND LIEUTENA Reuben B. Wincheg Henry A. Bodman . FIRST SERGEAN Henry A. Bodman . 40 THE PI ATT COUNTY COMPANY. s o 73 2 .2 ~ce S S -'a' o o C OB'S co "SB I* Q (M (M (M CD CD CD CO 00 00 (N IN (N CD CD CD oo oo oo >> si >> >> s> ti ^ 1-5 -"J 1-5 t-5-5 01 J2 c 1 cj "c g S SMPH o O- .'S II S^ is ? _w S -B ' 01 TJ t3 hn S. Jone artin V. B. s5 i o 2 ^5 | SI11^?JJ S_S S s c c -2>' Illlllll | 5^2 ^ S aS cj O c c -Or oes-fc-s-t.5- cJeS| l> t to C ' 3 .,' S 5) qa>e3 fl"ao 'O'ao'o'oD'O'O'coC'O'O'd'co S'So'O ' _^Q C^ ^1 C^-l C^l O-l C^J C^ C^ C^l C*-I ^1 ^1 C*l C^ C^ C^J C^J C^J C^l C"? _-_,,,_.,,_._,_. _- CO CO CO CO CO CO CO O CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO 000000000000000000000000000000 oooooo oooo coooooocooooooco oo C<> CO C^l (M i I > >> >i > si ti ^> si &b >> ti ^ ti s '5'3 'p'S s ^'s s ^*P ^'fl ^ > . >> ^J -*J a o e fl S3 o a> o O c3 S S ; ; ; w -^ -^'w ' 'g | ; ; ;| :s . . : M 2 fl .2-g t^rt^ii*'!: ; : : .' s |l| : .gg "Sort s ^ M 5 . w g | SS^3^03--J ^ P^^^O^ ^2^^ pjfl^ c 5^JJ|9J^'J5rf B Irfl 42 ALL ACCOUNTED FOR IN SOME WAY. ggs- ;**: ta o> 05 - ~r -10" c c ** c J2 ^Ti^co"t>-"cD"t--"'^"' Tco"- co"t>-"co~i>""3 - cd t~- co"^ ^ ic o cb -S3 i 3 3 S ""3 ^ "3 S" ^"'3 "3 'B'S'B 3 "3 s3 h w o or >, ^ o r> *, v. v ^ .. , JJ I ^|; ; : 1^ 5W>>ajfl , w ^^ g , H _ H^j K*" ^^ ^ O- O -k aj r^ aQ^di-^iOd^^r^GScOfir^e ^^ r? _ " '< T3s^iflF5a>S Ki 9SJJ' a 2=*5 -'S' 5 = S g-2 g ^^l^ ll -S jl*l llll W ^^ - EH, m Bi- ,F3 j [ jfaPjf7.,>i5 l T i 8 S 4 ! g-^7- ^Eg S^ = ^^g-fi^ ^ a 5 ^ S 5 5-g gS-vS^ll 3=!=3So;;S i'S ^'=1 WC33 O.F COMPANY E. 43 o cj g m aj o> ^ ^ S O 3 S Q Q o I-.-. s E a (M TJ< (M sss i CD CO CD i co oo oo si si si o s a -i . u s s J2 fl "s o O eS ^ -2 SS So G a c o -2 -2 "5 "S lliamson, John lson, Samuel . ley, Charles M. ley George . . ger, Jesse . UITS. m D. . am M. c = i; o **$ ~to-< G .S *r (fcj ^1 CC o o o w IH 0, 6 o .2 co a 00 03 i-l (U o| o" 2 a 0, . Q 'O ~ 00 i , S oo c 11 r I . . CO 2 e "S * a -" a ^s" oo .JS a .oj-s BH "~ 11 t-5*^ OS * *T^* * ^T* ! ^ f ^H "*^ ^j -*J 0> 0) ^2 "/- o O QQ . '"I Promoted Mustered Promoted, Mustered Resigned, Resigned, 1 S Promoted Mustered S S 0) a a li co co oo co oi a o> a a "S "S "S "S "a a a a . a a o O aj o o s S s 1 8 s c H (^ 'S A 25 3 2 CAPTAINS. son Burroughs .... rles Tilton FIRST LIEUTENANTS. rles Tilton ph M. Dougherty . . ECOND LIEUTENANTS. id Blosser erPresson FIRST SERGEANT. i S. Jack SERGEANTS. ph M. Dougherty . . m.Robertson .... .-, 08 - oo >-3 1 00 > j^ 2S a; a ^O Ol-5 fin "dS ~-.'-2 44 A VERMILION COUNTY COMPANY. z. a 6 o o tL O or w h w o or 3" ON ^^ O) 0) h a II SI s^ .o 'O'rt OJ^ T3 S 1 t 00 O 3 !8,.a* ^Sfc.&SS sl^ill 6 CO_- CO 'O CD 3 coO QO ..oo i I s. s 1 g, - g" g 1 ' -o 2 SSSSS I. - 3 03 3 SH O . S ss l d xoo (N (N T3MH ^ ^ ?l P ^ o - >- . . _ |5 w g ssrajs !"">* aa^a fc ^.^. Jlsl ^3"So33c33*-2o3 CB _j~ , >t~ O " cS O FAIRMOUNT AND GEORGETOWN REPRESENTED. 45 3 c^ cq c4 c<5 c4 co co co co CD CD CD CD co" CD CD" CD" co" co CD coco'co'coco'co'cocDcococD" co oo oo co co co co oo co oo oo oo oo oo oo co co cc co co co co cc co oo co co r-Tic'r-T CD ~ ~ e^fcTc^T co" oi"co""r-ror^-r- icToo"io'co*'r-ror-rio'r-r- si ab si si si si si si t si si 3 3"5 3 3 333 3 33333 '7333333333333 * g~ j j jg j gj *a a P a^.-a-5a g ^S 0>3 3 SS-B.S^ ^ op O 7S O (H O O <]} ^ i, O o> C ~. a3 . g= sog- ^^-r:ag |. -.s_ S 5 ; a g be- |SMa"" go- .i o .is a .is " .i .*: o fi .*; s o .5 rf 05 "o3 ''S 'oS .P "ci *03 05 O '[j 08 OJ 'cj 05 P p| '-L. pT-| ^ |T] p-Tj Q ^ [V[ ^ OJ SiC - ^4a C . rr> .: W W rt a " ,3 o> $ a i-sjS- 2 53 P 3 "*^ T 4 rt ^? ^ O *?* . " ' : *- ("1 / iT T 1 *Z: c j fl\ Q *H p ^w^8i 46 THE RECRUITS CAME EARLY TO s fl > s P* PH ^H > S O S|*fc ol^fl- Ss-Si"lf ; PH-I-J -r _; ft o> . P./-S oo sXi-i "^ S gcj^; p^aba>QQ d" -n> -g jj ^ J2 ^-SM^^S- Js^Js ^ lillli mi .g.w g g.oo o .2 g.2.2 * S |9 s a fl Discharged, A Mustered out, (M jq o o It o H W O Of QtK 2a CD CD CD CD CD CO CD CD CD CD CO CD CO oooo oooo oooooooooo oooo oooo be >t ti bboi) bti titibboti t e bO bt S ff If g lo 'I l^g-g |g Z'S * *a > -u c 5 c WfaOfaQ I ! ! ^ |3j.s . . . ^ .' ....'.. .^ 11 i Meharry, Hilkis Timmons, Cyru ACCOUNTED FOR IN VARIOUS WAYS. rgean P*2^j *_** =3 3 . O ,2 S "' A ^ W B O 9 5^55 - 03 1 Ifo bbo " teT3 as OlB.S -a c-s ' a Ij i II.. 11 ni ^2 WM APT ont lsop George M Edwin Alls Edward W FIRST LIEUTBN iam Barrack ah Anderson II Edwin Allsop John Spindler g d S -^ < >>_ o g^ff ^3 111^ ills ^1^5 1 &C 48 HOSE A, ISAAC, JACOB, LEV I, NOAH, PETER. Mustered out, Jun o i 3 C C o * S o I 0, M i N - o T-I ic t- co o"oo o"- t^'o't^' Q 1-i-g TH (M rH rH i I IN > bb ci ^> ci si) ob ci bb tab bb si bb bb ^> ^> bb bb^bb 2 cS ^3 S^DSP S 3 5P3PS'^ r 33 (3^=! H P w o or U M ^ JH ^^ ^ O ... CD ^ 3 S Jo 'g 3 C"SC^gj22--3 r 5 p OJ- PSOiffaitHiU- f 1^1"S : 3 fi 1 fo '' ; o' ; o^ ; 3 ^ "" sSfl^S *:of3 0*30. 'S 53 ri b 9 ilsfiiillti-feld^ltllll! sgs gw .^l|il|||'8 B^tfllsijJml 3 s S S -if-! i-45*!>l!- 5- 1? TO l^ 4 B |! C! Cl! 1 5i|.ii f ifll T3^ OK flCc4o3e3Oi.oSo3 O O^3^3SSOo33e8O.2 W^ <1<<(1- 3 oopo33 HH'QQ'QS QSnSt oi 1 r-t ciicbbbc bbbbbbbb>bb >>bb bb bb>bbbbbbbb bb S-rt^ 33 3 3-75 33 333 3^ 3^3 3 3*3 3333 3 !-;<) J4***"*"^J "" M a S fl ^ a K-^g g c 'g 8 d Kg '$ S'S' j-,^ w^ 'wS^^v5^5^ ^ fc.S B ^ i ^ ^.^s 2 "o5 " "c8 O _O "S _O "Js .2 O 2 2 ^.8 * -S *O _O _O ^ PQS OoS PQoQO-iS CC DO C3 i-jS ffi S DnS !S .O o p . g o a a P-2 1 ^ ti PJ^JW i|,| ^0 >;^^H g-s-^. 13J I a I s-s i-ii || o 1 ?^^ s 8 s 1 ? sa s i|j& ig a s SSS^JcWWWMWM^3SSSSSSSSSgS!l^fS&;^^ 4 50 -SO WERE ABSALOM, BENJAMIN, ENOCH, a 3 1-5 G^H 08 C t I l 1 o5 ^5 ^2 * "^IZj * Sefw , g ^"oo ,2 O co ic co ic co i CO CO CO CO CO < oo oo oo oo oo < 21 2 I 3 S- 8 G t M O. COCCCOCOCOCOCO cOCOCOCOCOCOCOCO cDCOCOCOCO ^g oo oo oo oo op oo oo oo oo co oo oo co oo oo oo oo co oo co dS O t, a o6io"o t>To co~i>~- - i>Too''c^co"Oi co"co~co"co""od so~cd .j. *H-S >6b>>!sbti) ticisi)>ti)ti5iti EH -g 33^3^33 333-53333 W Q O Of gp 'S ' ' ' ' ' = e 1 Z_ _ t * s?~S siS'i^'S-^'csS 2 S > S p^ 2^ gS W_*OQ M pQS ' O ' ' j, J g . g " L ! * " O/^ o3 ^ 08 O * S " ^ 05 n ^* ^*i " w 2 o a; - til in! pqpqpqooKoD EPHRAIM, DAVID, AND JONATHAN. 51 rt o fl Redu ~ 2t3 a ^ -6 HH x S . o a ,'Jf* 1 ? r J*i-*rf w ^_ L SJ z H . iM CO CO S88 3 CM 3 M 3 o'> 3 " d O 1) 60 01 3 ^S > '3 '> jd= ^J3 CO o CO 3 S3 ill j'2 a"' i :| 3 0) * 1^ OQU 3 ^ 0> ?a 1 1 Sf a IIP- ECOND LIEUTE h Warringto iam H. Dodg H. McGrat Uria Will John ,5 ^ ST SERG S. Curtis Patri . >>s a |I|J2 |a*ga 1 W^HW 00 alaa * a 03 as *^ M *rH '^H ii?l L le : OR To n son haf n . wig Goo e x S a r H w e a . nl O . O uben atrick S John L. Br George W John Qui Sylvester George 52 ARNOLD, AS USUAL, WENT WRONG, * ^ .2.2 ago S.2Sn3!=igs 5.o ss. s5 S 3 s .0.3 c QQ 1 o ] i o fei 6o B. 5 p s Q . CD CD CO CD CO CO* CO CO CO CD SO CO CO CD CO CO CO CD CJD CO CD CD CO clD Q j^S oo oo cq oo oo oo co oo oo oo oo oo oo oo co co oo co oo op oo oo oo O c3 g *"- O'CC'O O5 r-i'r-i"cD CO"T-H"CC --H"o6'eo'(M -i CN T-H C<1 i I i-H i I i I C<) ^H T I g-a^||||^ s I& ili^l^ll|l4H|1l^-^lli II IlilillllilJUlillllJllij THEY CAME FROM ALL THE REGION ROUND ABOUT. 53 CO CO CO O CO CO CO CO CO CO COCOCOCOcOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOcOCOcO CO OO QOCOOOOOQOCOCCOOOOOCOOOOOQOOOOOOOCOQOCOOOOOCOOOOOCOCOOOCOOOOOGO 2 >> bb bb >> ti sb >> ti a >? &>>>>>> i^> 5sbbb&b>>>^6b>.6cbcbCfl sbS S ^* ^^ F^ r^ ^T r^ r^ ^^ r^ " ^7 ^ "^ ^"H !* r^ *"~* t-^ F^ f^ ^^. ^-* rt ^^ p^p^F^^^f^^T^^ 54 JOSIAH, SAMSON, JOSEPH, h w o or ssbi bb >>fl si >a s bb 3 s s 03 3 33 3 s s a, a? o oo ^3 OD C oo a 3 -tJ 3 MiO >. CD Jj _00-rt G 1 " 1 " fe " Q I* oo c3 O 00 -4J O> .ggTJ C B O o> 5 0) 0); * OB -*-^ ** - 00^ H CO _OJ C5_OQ ^g CS Q H S P H S ftft * * CD CD oo co boos G 'Z. a ftj- W - - O 00 5 * O q HS R il ah . rick , Jo a e g^Sl' W SS 00 --; w - .yzij a^^^ft ss^ci^a Iliill 03 ,_< ^ ,x [> *3 pqpqwMwH H 01-5 11 I 'OS C a CO C8 O cs >-5^ DC ELIJAH, AND URIAH JOINED US. fl P 1-5 15 o 94 a tc 2 s s w eT>>S II s . > ~ fl a g .SP.SP3 'OD "ao o omo Mustered Transferr OO IO I-H i If lit 1 1 bb fl fl coco oi c-lHC5 ^ ^ bo c3 ^* ci) bo bo ^* bo qj 03 C 4, C3 ff P p "^ fl CO CO2 00 t^ OOs CO >> bib tb tb ti tb 5 fl fl s P o i-H 00 , 1 tb tb fl ' ii> (O fl ^2 fl 05 .O r C*- Q> nS .^- ul ** .5 o ^ ^5 ' (2 . 3 S^ a] a) btbfl o'o a^ Jpq II O 03 i-St-J . OJOD a- W Th 56 JOSHUA AND SIMEON LIKEWISE. . - 111: ..cocao^S ^-13 --^> -flco^ r. i> g - 1 r-. - -H 5S cS 0) CO = 1 S W " K. I o o o of h o or O S S 5 t t tt SflP _ " ^-T- "X^ iO r^* CO ** QO r** CD D D S P P 5 O < JO . 2 ft 2 02-^ S a, 1 ^ i isT OQ ;* 1 O> S? ->O ^S3 t rH 03 CO "^ -u - O) 00 ^ .fl a s ^< m i p g . * . 3 iO 1C 1C <2 co co co 5 oo GO oo FH rH i 1 1 = -!H .2S^o .S-e* ^.1 ic -a | "P.xco n co Oi^ Jg "2 So GO C^ ^ OQ CO ^j o of C^~> ! 1 ^ j /*v-T cS ^ CQ -C^l i NJ BkoffH ; ^^ ^ rr^ ^sss^ sti^MStf H fl SrH g . . i-seOHsCO *r ci *r w 5 ^.r^^i-H S 9 a fa a a 5Q oQ-o ^' Illllllta SCfgOJ-c ! _ A ft* ' ab ti ti ti bb jii C3 S S 5^ S D S 3 S3 b b b t &o sc ti t ab fee ^ j = a sT\ I .s-| ^ .| 58 LA FAYETTE SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE SO. o O o> oo - 3 - 8 2 . CDIC - = 11 a> a> -s-s CLi jj gg I CO CO CD CO ' i oo oo oo oo i ,- co oo oo ti bb Ji ^> ti >* ob SOS "3 S' S3 o 'O O, _ 20-- -, - ^ - S , V, -H C ^^ S .5 =* SKW s.-SC'E 3 .29 0, S frg ^^ o 02 oo 3 3 O, O S'6 tosoOO OsOpOO^ai SO s bb s 3 ~L 13 *""' 03 S' I 1 f coco oo 35 i-H i-H N (N sg s S> be bb bb bb bb D'S SSS S S bD 3 111 =i 03 -a i. ** hi 03 c >.n. 3 2 S a * SPS -r O SECOND LIEUTE James M. Tu Calvin R. W Adna Phel p in ps < . H s s, %1 s ^ at a 13 ^ "o S ^ III* SERGEANT hn N. Willia m. V. Greenw isha T. McCo illiam B. Croo y oi b W'53 ai^ ^'d be Jame Ro as f" H ft ^ a o 2o R. 5s 5 Cha Anderson, Be 60 THE "LOANED MEN" RE-TRANSFERRED. or w h O or Too"'ar i-Tr-T^oo* i-ToToo"- CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO co oo oo co oooo ao oo oo oo oo oo - - IO I>- O5 t>- i I N N i i .H QQ> t> a > a> ; 9 C rQ-pCC oi ;is 00 .~ Io J= fi SSSo^-- s s tj ^ i -. JSHM;" o S^Kn/SJ ^i ^^ -I ^o . ^.^00 o> - _ O> C c^^ 3^: o _*O^ ss 3 3^ 9 |Woc s a a ?Sil ^S? fl'S^'o" ST3T3 2 .O S2^ -s* II^I ^"9 OQI-5 . >i O C Sgll a^ *!- tT 01 a O ' " r"^ S . . a> . .'-' g . . K 9 ofe $ .-zi&.lg .a- S|| Hl| 1 ^-S'- || -5 -OMaj fc->-S^^a}te hH a. a> *T C-s S -f * fla-4Jajai^2w_5 . .SiScoszflOirS^J a-s-s 5^ THE RECORD AS MADE SOME MEN DESERTED. 61 >>>>> ^ .rt ** ^ 2SS + CQ - . *** _ ^ '*l5g'*' c * "0^9*2^ - 1 - 1 go ogV'-^ ** 6 ftfrf*^tfl5*s! a rH T-I OJ fl rt irtnr* I Q n3~fl S-e^-S-r- a--T3 'd co 2 LJ'-'S'S E 6C73T3 O> < -'' 5 o ona'TT'J 3 - co cpT3T3 rc5 ' T 3'd Si,J^ Siv'd . ^^jjfc.^CSaj* 1 ^^?*?*? 10 ^ a , 3 a 1 a)ns r on'oi-sa>aj.2"S 1 2 P S5S 5-S l_|MHHI-HI-HCOOOCiO 0^,rt t _.CD hHI-l-IH-IHHHHhHl-S*-s)-3l-}l-j OD^ 02 -a^^r^f^i<-* fi-3*3 B sa g -S > ^-g o pa S >-c'> : . iPHOQcoco^H 62 ROLL OF COMPANY K. z, tt a E. O O or ID h W O or 7 co~_a -T3 1 ** :-2 ^^ ^8 a 8-0 s P 'O -'o t3 w (U-a a> a, 0) &C5 60 - ^"^ 3 " a> o a> aa o cc * OQ fl 05 O W N C<| C I ^ OS ^^ f^ . ^ . "S O> ^ "S t P"H f^ Resigned, Mustered 111 III I 5 1 O O CO CO co oo I-H i-H CO CO CO CO CO CO i-H i I i-H c<5 > +3 03 I O a aj 08 . -. -*j 3 -gjQwwai -33 -3 go-s"s' oo > Op- bBo O -i (^ O O D A X jl 00 --M-O HftrfR 0> bf>o> C - OD O o3 ^ *H H S S ^S3 3 S ' O O .--a O O g .- Ill 11 ft J ilililii 3 O_ 3 3^5 O gs QP S g _-.. _. (M bb >> bb bb bb bb S3 13 p'S 3 3 3 D rt ' o 'So *J T+ <-> o .S o OQ j C' OD o o 0, o or w H W O or o * o 3 ea I* >> si ti ii ti ci >> bi -s^ss s 3 be ti ab ob >i >> >>>oc a a & s p g*3 ' s bbti >> 2 SOME YEARNED FOR THE "FLESH-POTS." 65 .-s 9 d <- 3" IS . ~ B 66 CONCLUSION OF THE LIST OF NAMES. '"'-SS UUP fl r* 3 w* wu ^r o ~o c a a "= 2^g s = n & S3 I s g o P 93 (M CC (M co co co co co oo J S rH iH i i i S r-T- tfT-T- . i-T- - o IM (M- . ^^ 1 ei> o M P i . be H ' rS .S S V. C - & 03 c C ^ a<^ g . (">> l~| r 1 03 _ cS H , oo5r:g-SSr2> >5 >>2 f> S K? . os o $ . S -5 -< CE - - - ~ CO 00 CC GO 00 CC OC t^. O5 1C C5 Oi lO < = o h c e, MEN ACCOUNTED FOR. 67 In this roster are, no doubt, a number classed as recruits who were on hand, ready for muster, August 21, 1862; but as in the case of W. H. Bullard, Com- pany A being minors, and without a permit to join the army, signed by parent or guardian, could not be mustered. Bullard enlisted August 4, 1862, was made corporal, but being without permit at time of muster-in of regiment, his muster into service did not take place until after he obtained permit, which was on August 22d, he being mustered in the evening of that day. Some of these so-called recruits were in at the begin- ning and remained to the end, as did Bullard. The foregoing roster is the same as that found in Volume IV of the Revised Reports of the adjutant-gen- eral of the State of* Illinois. The total number of men, including officers and recruits, mustered into the 73d Regiment of Illinois Infantry Vol- unters, from the beginning to the end of its service, was, according to careful count, ..... 972 Killed in battle, . .... 53 Died of wounds, . . ... . . 45 Died of disease, . . . . . . 102 Died in prison, . . ... . . 16 Discharged on account of wounds, .... 36 Discharged on account of disability, . . . 146 Transferred, and promoted, to other branches of service, 129 Resigned service, 29 Dismissed, ........ 1 Dishonorably discharged, ...... 1 Deserted. ........ 31 Unaccounted for, . .... ... 6 Missing, and supposed killed, ..... 4 Mustered out at close of war, ..... 373 079 f 9 & The foregoing table would, perhaps, more properly come in at the close of this history. We prefer to give it in connection with the roster, for convenience in case of verification. The roster discloses the fact that 68 INCIDENT AT CAMP BUTLER. Company K furnished a few men to Company I, to make up to the latter company the number requisite to entitle it to muster-in. After the muster-in of the regiment, its stay at Camp Butler was brief. We will close this chapter by recording a few facts and incidents in the experience of the regiment while there. As has been already noted, a part of the duty per- formed by the regiment at Camp Butler was guarding Confederate prisoners. One day a detail of ten or a dozen men was called for, to do duty inside the barracks, and outside too, guarding squads of Confederates. The detail was made, and put under the charge of a ser- geant, who reported to the proper officer inside the barracks. The detail was directed to " rest at will," in a certain place. Soon after this the sergeant was called on for three or four guards, to watch a squad of prisoners while performing some sort of fatigue duty digging graves for some of their unfortunate comrades, perhaps. Later he was called on for three or four men to guard a squad of Confederates while taking a swim in the Sangamon River. The men were fur- nished as required, and started with some twelve or fifteen prisoners for the " swimming-hole." The " John- nies" were counted, or supposed to have been, as they hurriedly passed through the barracks gate, going out. In the course of an hour, or less time, the guards, with the prisoners in charge, returned, and the latter were counted as they, less hurriedly than before, passed in- side the barracks. The guard at the gate alleged that the squad of prisoners coming in was not as large by one or two men as the squad going out. Whether true or not it was so reported, and the guards were SA BBA TH SEE VICES. 6 9 forthwith lodged in the guard-house and the sergeant ordered to "consider" himself under arrest. This was probably about the first experience of any of the 73d in the guard-house. Whether any Confederates really escaped or not is not certainly known. Surely none were drowned, as there were no " duds " of "butternut" hue left on the river bank. While speaking incidentally of the rebel prisoners, we will quote what is said of them directly, under date of July 25, 1862, in a diary we have at hand (Kyger's) : "Camp Butler is a piece of ground surrounded by a plank fence about twelve feet high. It contains twelve acres, and the west half is the encampment of the rebel prisoners, some twenty- three hundred in number. They are a hard-looking class, unin- telligent, but look hardy, and are nearly all large men." The 73d being the " Preacher Regiment," we will quote from the same diary, under date of July 27, 1862, as follows: "The first Sabbath morning in camp. Called together by the drum and fife. Had prayers and called the roll. At eleven o'clock \\ r e were called together by the drum and fife for preach- ing. Played two tunes and sung, which by the way was quite a singular way to commence meeting. During the sermon, preached by V. J. Buchanan, muskets were heard firing on all sides; the soldiers were discharging the old loads from their guns. Had dinner, and at three o'clock we were again called together and had a sermon by Davies, by the way a good one ; and had some lady visitors to hear him ; quite a crowd present. Time passed off pleasantly ; all social, and good fellows well met. Now, while I write, Lieutenant Davies is taking down the names of those who want to belong to Church. He took fifty-five names." The work done by Lieutenant Davies in the line suggested is something that he need not regret; doubt- less he recalls it with no small degree of satisfaction. 70 "DRUMMED OUT OF CAMP." Religious services were persevered in by the "Preacher Regiment" for quite a period of time, not only at Camp Butler, but later on, as opportunity offered and preach- ers remained with it willing to lead them. The chap- lain of the regiment had a number of brother preachers a dozen at least among the officers, who could aid or relieve him in the duties of his position ; but after the lapse of six or eight months he had to assume almost the entire responsibility of his office, Colonel Jaquess occasionally supplying his place. A day or so before the regiment was mustered in, a man was found in one company who had reconsidered the matter of entering the military service of his coun- try, and concluded that he would not be mustered or sworn into service. As soon as his determination was certainly known, the fife and drum corps of his com- pany, re-enforced perhaps by that of other companies, collected quite a crowd, and with the repentant volun- teer a little in advance, he was promptly drummed out of camp, and escorted part of the way to Jim Town, the nearest railroad station, now Riverton. The name of that man does not appear on the rolls of the reg- iment. Had he entered the service fully he might have made a splendid soldier; or he might now be accounted for as a deserter, as some thirty odd of the regiment now are accounted for, either justly or unjustly ; there are instances of both no doubt. We can imagine certain reasons which may not justify or excuse the crime of desertion, but at the same time might serve to palliate the offense or lessen its punishment. The regiment was not supplied with arms at Camp Butler, except for use temporarily while drilling, or on duty in and about the barracks. In the matter of uni- PRELIMINARIES AND DETAILS. 71 form, clothing, camp and garrison equipage, some delay was met with, and much trouble and annoyance expe- rienced. This was probably occasioned by the demand for such a.rticles being greater than the supply. There was some hitch or delay in issuing the first commissary stores, rations, bread, beans, and bacon to some of the companies or squads on arriving at Camp Butler. One company, we know, did not partake of its first break- fast in camp until ten o'clock, though arriving there at four o'clock, six hours earlier in the day. After the ex- hibition of some perseverance and patience, as well as of impatience, the regiment was fully furnished with all supplies needed before it reached " Dixie." Of course the distribution of clothing and the don- ning of uniforms furnished the regiment with consider- able fun and merriment. The experience of the 73d in this respect was similar to that of all other regiments. When a man selected a uniform that was too small or too large, the inquiry would be, " Where's the man that will fit this suit?" or " Have we got a man that will meet the, requirements of these 'breeches,' and leave nothing to spare?" "Here's a suit that was made for Walter Scott, or David McDonald," according to size, an extra small suit being suited to Scott, while an extra large suit was required to suit " Mac " If an extra large pair of shoes was found in the invoice to Com- pany C a pair too large for ' ; Mac," for instance no uneasiness was felt, and no hesitation either, at striking a trade for that pair in Company D with "Commodore Foot." A little time only was required to make all needful adjustments of the man to the clothes, or the clothes to the man ; or if more was required, there were some tailors in the regiment one anyhow, Suycott, in 72 ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF DRILL. Company C who could " cut down," " fill in," " piece out," or do all the " ripping " and " sewing up " that was indispensable to comfort and a soldierly appearance. The time of the regiment put in to the greatest ad- vantage and credit while at Camp Butler, was the time spent in drilling. The regiment had the advantage and good fortune of possessing a good drill-master in the person of its Major, William A. Presson. In mat- ters of drill and strictly military maneuvers and move- ments the major was very proficient, and he had a singular tact and directness in imparting his knowledge to others. He laid well the foundation for a well- drilled regiment, by enabling it to perfectly perform all the simpler and essential evolutions. We hazard little hi saving that few, if any, regiments left the prepar- atory camp for the front during the war that were bet- ter drilled than the 73d Illinois. Touching this point, we shall show in a succeeding chapter, in its order accord- ing to date, what General P. H. Sheridan had to say. We must not omit detailing one little incident that occurred before the companies of the regiment, had been instructed in military tactics. It occurred inside the barracks one morning, at guard-mounting. One of our fifers the one who officiated as fife-major of the reg- iment manipulated the fife at this particular guard- mounting. The music he made was, if possible, more perfect than his step was graceful. The adjutant who superintended the mounting of the guards, desiring to recognize and compliment our fifer on the superiority of his music, saluted him, making a simple, graceful, military salute. Wherepon our fifer, instead of return- ing the salute or keeping right on with his music, turned to his left, advanced to the adjutant, and shook LOCAL BOUNTY EXPLANATORY NOTES. 73 hands with him. "And you shook hands with the ad- jutant?" was a remark addressed' quite often to Major Huffman during his three years' service. But the major only intended to be polite ; he was not going to be outdone by an adjutant. Each enlisted man of the regiment received forty dollars at Camp Butler twenty-five dollars advance bounty, two dollars "premium," and one month's ad- vance pay, thirteen dollars. The two companies from Vermilion were paid a bounty by that county, each married man receiving twenty-five dollars, and each unmarried man ten dollars. NOTE 1. Of the 373 men mustered out, June 12, 1865, quite a number, perhaps an average of five or six men to the company, had not for some time seen active service with the regiment, but were sent to it in order that they might be mustered out with the others. NOTE 2. This being intended as a history of the services of the 73d, not much space is devoted to a detail of events occurring before the regiment reached the theater of active operations. We preferred to give space to the roster, thus showing the complete organization. 74 "BROKE CAMP" THE FIRST TIME. CHAPTER II. LEAVE CAMP BUTLER JOURNEY TO LOUISVILLE CAMP JAQUESS ARMS AND OTHER SUPPLIES ISSUED MULES, TOO CAMP YATES HARD MARCH GO TO CINCINNATI AND COVINGTON RETURN TO LOUISVILLE. THE 73d having been as fully equipped and as well drilled as was the rule in cases of volunteers leaving the preparatory camp, little was left to be done in the way of final preparations, after its muster-in, before starting for the front. The urgent need of additional forces in the field probably hastened the supply of transportation for the regiment. On the sixth day after its muster into serv- ice, the regiment was provided for in this respect. On the twenty-seventh day of August, 1862, we broke camp for the first time, and withdrew in " good order " from Camp Butler, leaving nothing of value in the line of war material behind. A train, consisting of about twenty cars, with an engine in both front and rear, was found on the track of the Toledo, Wabash and Western Railroad, ready for our accommodation. We mounted this train, and very soon after getting "stowed away," in position, the precautionary notice, " All aboard," was given; it pulled out, and we sped on our journey from the " Prairie State." Whether notice of our coming was sent on in advance we can not say, but at most of the towns and stations on the way crowds had collected to witness what was then becoming a rather usual spec- JO URNE Y BY RA IL. 75 tacle, the passing of troops on their way to the scene of actual conflict. Our train, perhaps, being a " special " instead of a regular train, was the real explanation of the interest and curiosity manifested at the different points. We were, however, greeted with cheers and huzzas, and many " Godspeeds " and " God bless you's." Not only at the towns would these exhibitions of interest and approval be manifested, but from many a cottage home in the country, and on the farms near the railway, a hat, bonnet, or handkerchief would be seen to wave to us an encouraging farewell. After leaving Camp Butler and Jim Town, perhaps the only points where we received accessions to out- numbers were Bement, Fairmount, and Danville. These places being in the midst of or near to localities which had furnished volunteers to the regiment, a few men who had availed themselves of the privileges conferred by a " French leave " to go home and make some final dispositions and adieus, probably got aboard at each point last named, as our train came along. Most of the men volunteering from Sangamon County and the counties north, south, and west of Sangamon, had fixed up business, and attended to all these tender and deli- cate matters at home before the muster-in of the regi- ment. Soon after passing Danville we were beyond the limits of Illinois. At Lafayette Junction, near Lafay- ette. Indiana, we changed direction, our train was " switched off" to another railroad and headed for Indi- anapolis. Manifestations of a cheering and encouraging character, similar to those we had witnessed in Illinois, also greeted us on our way through the " Hoosier " State. These manifestations, as well as the change of 76 INCIDENT OF TRIP TO THE FRONT. objects and scenery, and discussion and speculation in respect to the future, served to mitigate the sadness or preoccupy the minds of the men, thus preventing the sadness, which it was expected they would feel on finally getting away from their homes. But little time had been lost at intermediate points before reaching Lafayette Junction, but the rate of speed at which our train had traveled was not very high. We reached Indianapolis late in the day. At this point some delay was expected, because unavoidable. While necessary details were being looked after, and arrangements for our transportation southward were being made, dark- ness came over us. Shortly after nightfall, our long train was cut in two. Owing to the deficiency and imperfection of the light, but few men in the regiment were ;iware that our train had been divided, and they were near the point on one or the other of the two cars, where the severance was made. Each section was moved about considerably, backward and forward, while most of the men supposed our train was moving as a whole train. Finally the two sections, came alongside each other, and the inquiry, " What regiment is that ? " "What regiment is that?" was propounded by the men on each train to those on the other. It so happened, the men on both trains gave the wrong answers to the questions propounded. Strange thing, too, for soldiers to do. Taking those answers as a correct indication, several States were represented on the two trains, and were sending troops south at the same time. The answers as made provoked a shower of additional ques- tions from either side, and the men soon found they were all soldiers from Illinois and belonged to the same WE "PLAYED" SOLDIER A LITTLE. 77 regiment. Most of the talk, however, was indulged in after this discovery was made, there being a real deception at the start. Late in the night we left Indianapolis for Jefferson- ville, arriving at the latter place early on the twenty- eighth day of August, 1862. We got through break- fasting, north of the Ohio River, and had not long to look or loiter around before crossing to the south side of that stream, in a vessel used for ferrying purposes. The heat of the day was mostly endured in the streets of Louisville. Some time before night-fall our first camp-ground was selected, and we marched to it, and made preparations for our first night's rest on Southern soil. Next day the boundaries of the camp were definitely determined, and space assigned to head-quarters and to each com- pany. The camp was located not very far from the Louisville and Nashville Railroad depot, and was named " Camp Jaquess," in honor of our colonel. Tents were put up in order, rations were issued, and a camp-guard established, though the guards had no arms to use while doing guard duty, other than clubs and revolvers. Of the former, quite a number were picked up and used in lieu of guns and for fuel ; and of the latter quite a num- ber were in the regiment, owned chiefly by the officers, commissioned and non-commissioned. While still desti- tute of arms, other than those just mentioned, the reg- iment was called on for men to perform guard duty at points remote from the city and our camp. Whether this duty was regarded as necessary, or merely im- posed as a means of disciplining the men and initiat- ing them into military " mysteries," we do not know. We do remmeber there were some grave intimantios 78 MORE NOISE THAN DAMAGE. as to the importance and danger possibly belonging to or connected with the duty to be performed. The very best revolvers therefore were in demand by those men who were trusted to the extent of being charged with this duty. Much solicitude was felt and expressed a.s to whether or not the revolvers would "miss fire" just at a time when a minute was worth more than an ordinary life-time. The "loads" in those revolvers were not discharged at any other marks, so far as we know, than stumps, board fences, and embankments ; nor were any of the guards attacked or run into by anybody or anything more formidable than milk and fruit men and wagons; these, of course, failed to get into the city, being turned back at all points where our guards were posted. Some of the men, after doing duty like that a few times, doubtless began entertain- ing the idea they were full-fledged veterans. But if so, they soon learned better. By the time we were getting fairly settled in Camp Jaquess, and beginning to have some crude notions, more definite ideas about soldiering, we received our ordnance stores, also tents, wagons, harness, mules, ambulances, and medical supplies. Soon after the dis- tribution of these, we received orders to march. Cloth- ing and some other supplies furnished by the quarter- master, we had received at Camp Butler. We did not get away from Camp Jaquess, however, without pass- ing one Sabbath-day, August 31, 1862, which was appro- priately observed by the regiment. The arms issued to the regiment were the Belgian or Austrian musket, caliber No. 58 ; the former, we think, was the pattern or kind of musket we received. It carried a bullet, three buck-shot, and all the powder CAMP JAQUESS AND CAMP DICK YATES. 79 necessary to make the ball and shot go somewhere. These muskets were rather heavy, and, with bayonet, cartridge-box, and forty rounds of ammunition added, one of them made quite a burden for an ordinary man to carry. At this stage of our service, too, a knapsack and its contents was no small matter, nor was a haversack containing three days' rations much less. We moved from Camp Jaquess early in September, having remained there about one week. Camp Dick Yates, located some three and one-half or four miles eastward from Louisville, was our next stopping-place. We got our quarters and camp comfortably arranged and in order by September 5th. From this fact we judge that our change from our first to second camp in Kentucky took place either on the second or third day of Sep- tember. At Camp Yates we found quite a number of troops, all new regiments like our own. The several regimenls were drilled some and organized into brigades ; one division only being formed. Between the fourth and tenth days of September, two notable events in the experience of these new troops occurred. The memoranda at hand does not disclose which of these two events occurred first ; it matters little, but the memorable inspection at Louis- ville probably came first. The command was ordered to Louisville for the purpose of submitting to an in- spection. The men were required to march with packed knapsacks and all other accouterments. The wagon- train accompanied the command ; it was to be inspected also. Arrived in the city, after a fatiguing march; the weather being very warm and dry, and the loads the men carried, in many cases, being " simply immense," " beyond all precedent," it could not have been other- 80 "COLD SHOULDER" TO BAGGAGE. wise. We were halted in the street, knapsacks were unslung, and the inspecting officers proceeded to busi- ness. The officers made thorough work of it, going through knapsacks and each wagon. Many articles were thrown out of knapsacks, articles of utility and value in almost any place, convenient in camp perhaps, but not essential or indispensable to soldiers while on the march. From the train valises, trunks, and many other superfluous articles were thrown out. A large trunk landed on the sidewalk, taken from one wagon of our train, and which belonged to one of the corporals, was the subject of much comment. The chief object of this inspection evidently was to reduce the amount of stores to be transported by the trains or carried on the backs of the men to something like reasonable pro- portions. The inspection ended, and the command re- turned to camp. On the return march many of the men dropped out, being extremely wearied, some of them not reaching camp until the next day. The other event deemed noteworthy occurred im- mediately after we received intelligence of the defeat of the Union forces at Richmond, Kentucky. Our command was required to make a hasty march in the direction of the scene of the late disaster. After some- thing more than a day's march we met the retreating forces. After they had passed by, we started on our return march to camp. This little jaunt was also pretty severe on the new troops, water being scarce or hard to find, and the dust correspondingly abundant. At Camp Dick Yates, on September 7th, Colonel Jaquess officiated as chaplain ; at least he preached a sermon, and had for hearers a great many soldiers, be- sides those of his own regiment. He used as a pulpit MISTAKES A LITTLE PREMATURE. 81 the porch of the large residence-building where the general head-quarters were located.* The 100th Illinois and the 79th and 88th Indiana Regiments were associated with our own in brigade or- ganization, while at Camp Dick Yates. The officers and men of the different regiments of the brigade were sub- ject to detail to serve as staff-officers, clerks, and order- lies at the brigade head-quarters. Those officers and men detailed to do duty in the capacities named, were detailed temporarily only, and sent away from their companies to discharge certain duties for the time being, or during the pleasure of the brigade commander. We know this all very well now ; have known it quite a long time; learned it very soon after entering the first brigade we were in, Colonel E. N. Kirk command- ing. Colonel Kirk had to have staff-officers, clerks, and orderlies. Of these the 73d furnished its share. A first lieutenant and a duty-sergeant were detailed from one company to serve as staff-officer and clerk, respect- ively, at brigade head-quarters. A mistake was made in supposing these details created vacancies in that company. We copy the original draft of an order issued from our regimental head-quarters: " HEAD-QUARTERS 73d REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS, ) CAMP DICK YATES, September 5, 1862. J " Tilmon D. Kyger is hereby appointed second lieutenant of Company C, 73d Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, a vacancy having occurred by the promotion of Lieutenant M. D. Hawes to the general's staff." * We remember very well that the colonel preached from the porch of the head-quarters building, but we have no recollection whatever as to the text chosen as a basis for his remarks, if we ever knew it. The colonel seemed " perfectly at home " while addressing an audience, and always enlisted the attention of soldiers, or civilians either for that matter, when privileged to hear him. 6 82 LEAVING CAMP DICK YATES. There was a mistake made in issuing the order at all, there being no vacancy, and there was a mistake in the order itself, as Hawes was first lieutenant, not second ; it was sought to make Davies first lieutenant and to advance Kyger to the place thought to be made vacant by the promotion of Davies. The position thought to be made vacant by the duty sergeant's ab- sence from the company, was promptly filled by the promotion of a corporal over three sergeants. It was well the corporal had his laugh first, or he would have had none on this score, as when the error was discov- ered he had to resume his accustomed place, and the sergeants aforesaid had a laugh. We give this scrap of history by way of illustrating how egregiously green green troops were. What was learned in this instance was well learned, and never forgotten. Immediately after our return march, covering the retreat of those forces which had been defeated at Richmond, Kentucky, we were again placed under marching orders. On September 10, 1862, we left Camp Dick Yates and marched to Louisville. At seven o'clock P. M. were ordered to march forthwith to the Jeffersonville landing. In the vicinity of this landing we remained until the morning of September llth. The weather was ex- ceedingly dry, the dust being not less than two inches deep at the point where we passed the night. Early on the llth we learned Cincinnati was our destination, and soon after crossed the Ohio River to Jeffersonville. We boarded the cars at Jeffersonville at 10.30 o'clock A. M. and started northward. Eight miles out we were delayed by the smashing of a trestle-work as it was being passed over by a train ahead of ours. Three THROUGH SOUTHERN INDIANA. 83 cars were thrown off the track, and rolled into a ravine. We remember this delay very well, as, while waiting, some of us repaired to a farm-house near the railroad and got an " old-time " dinner, the first meal we had taken under a roof since leaving home. We left Sellersburg, Clark County, Indiana, at 5.15 o'clock P. M., and two hours later arrived at Seymour. At about midnight, we were again on the way, bound PONTOON BRIDGE, CINCINNATI, OHIO. for Cincinnati, eighty-four miles distant. The train consisted of twenty-five cars, each car " closely packed " with soldiers. We reached Cincinnati at six- o'clock on the morning of September 12th, and marched immedi- ately to the Fifth Street market-place, and took break- fast. At eleven o'clock we marched down to the river and crossed on a pontoon bridge made of coal-boats and 84 AT CINCINNATI COVING TON, KY. plank. Our marching through the streets to the river attracted general attention and excited favorable com- ment, and many inquiries as to whether our regiment was an old one or not. Shortly after this a very fine en- graving was produced representing or showing the reg- iment as it appeared when passing on to the pontoon bridge. In the streets of Cincinnati we met a few soldiers who had been separated from their commands since the battle at Richmond, Kentucky, of August 30th. Escaping capture, these men had fled before the ad- vance of Kirby Smith's army to Cincinnati for safety. One of these men, David M. Haworth, of the 3d East Tennessee Infantry, being acquainted with many of the soldiers in Company C, of the 73d, remained with them until about October 1st. Again pressing Kentucky soil, we marched through Covington, and pitched our tents in the eastern suburbs of town. The people of Covington, as well as those of Cincinnati, were entertaining great fears of an attack by Kirby Smith. Many citizens turned out and helped to throw up fortifications. It appears, from a diary at hand Kyger's that the regiment had either battalion or company drill on Saturday, September 13, 1862. The entry for September 14th we copy in part as follows : " Received marching orders at 5.15 o'clock A. M., and at 7.45 o'clock A. M. the regiment moved off down the turnpike, and crossed over Licking Creek. Halted at eleven o'clock A. M. for further orders. I write this from Fort Licking, on a high eminence ; the fort has two cannon, one twenty-four pounder and one thirty- pounder, commanding the Lexington turnpike, the eastern entrance to the city. From this point I can see fortifications on all the hills around. View most splendid. We pitched our tents in the orchard near the fort." D UTY AT AND NEAR CO VINO TON. 85 We might quote still more, but as the experience and the events for another week did not materially change, this will suffice. The attack on the part of the enemy, which at first seemed imminent, did not material- ize; and the excitement and apprehension among the people subsided and disappeared. Our stay at Covington and in the neighboring coun- try did not cover two weeks' time. We do not re- member, and the data at hand do not show, whether any other regiment accompanied the 73d from Louis- ville to Covington or not. There certainly was no other regiment on the same train with our own. We found at Covington a number of regiments, mostly, if not all, new ones, and very recently recruited, and just ar- rived from their rendezvous camps. Among these was the 125th Illinois Volunteers, Colonel 0. F. Harmon com- manding. A large part of this regiment, and a smaller part of the 73d, were recruited in the same county. While at Covington. nothing beyond the most tempo- rary organization was accomplished or attempted, the necessity for the concentration of troops or war material at this point having passed away. We find this state- ment, however, in a diary from which we have already quoted. Under date of September 12th, it says: "We are to go into General Wallace's Division. Glad of that!" Our experience about Covington was very similar to that at Louisville, both in respect to reports and rumors afloat and the nature of the duty done, though at the former place the duty was on a somewhat larger scale. On or before September 28th we had reached Louis- ville, returning to that point from Covington by way of Cincinnati and Indianapolis. We may have reached Louisville as early as September 25th, or even a day 86 RETURN TO LOUISVILLE REORGANIZATION. or two earlier, but not later than the 28th. We arrived there at about the same time, within a day or two, of the date of the arrival of Buell's army, which was on the 26th. In Kyger's diary, under date of September 29th, we find this entry : "General Jeff. C. Davis shot General Nelson at the Gait House this morning, at eight o'clock. The insult arose from Gen- eral Nelson slapping General Davis in the face. Davis drew a pistol, and shot ; the ball entered Nelson's breast, and he died in about twenty minutes. From the best information I can get, Davis was justified in shooting. The insult was too much to bear." After the arrival of Buell's army at Louisville, only a few days elapsed before the general forward move- ment was initiated. These days were spent in recuperation, and in the interchange of civil- ities between the sol- diers, old and new. The reorganization of the army was also ef- fected during this time. The new regiments were distributed among the old in the formation of brigades ; three old regiments were deemed sufficient to keep the 73d straight, or " hold it level," as the saying goes. The 44th and 73d Illinois, and the 2d and 15th Missouri Regiments constituted the 35th brigade of the army, or corps, as reorganized. This brigade was assigned to Sheridan's Division, the llth in number. SHOOTING OF GENERAL NELSON BY GENERAL DAVIS. HEALTH OF THE MEN INCIDENT. 87 Preparatory to the movement about to be made, those soldiers who were sick or in any way incapaci- tated for the march, were sent to the surgeons for ex- amination, and if found sufficiently disabled, they were sent to the hospitals for treatment. The 73d had been outside of Illinois and in the military service at this time but a trifle more than one month. The change of water, its scarcity and inferior quality, as well as the change in diet, the extreme heat and dryness, and the dust, all combined to deteriorate the health of the new troops. Yellow-jaundice and many other disorders pre- vailed to an almost alarming extent among them. The 73d was not an exception to the general rule, and fully one-tenth of the men were left behind when the reg- iment left Louisville, on the first day of October, 1862, and a number of these were discharged. We have alluded to the fact of encountering David M. Haworth, of the 3d East Tennessee Regiment, in the street in Cincinnati. He remained with our reg- iment, in Company C, for quite three weeks, and ac- companied us to Louisville. Late in September a mem- ber of Company C received a letter from Illinois, witjh. another letter inclosed, addressed " David M. Haworth," simply. The Company C man was urged to take par- ticular pains to find Haworth and deliver the letter to him, as he was missing, not having been heard from since the battle at Richmond. There is nothing unusual or strange about this, unless it be the fact that Haworth was sitting next the man and talking with him at the time the letter was received. The urgent request was easily and readily complied with, much to Haworth's gratification. There was no intimation in either letter that the writer had learned Haworth was with us. 8 8 SICKNESS RE UNION. Soon after this, Haworth found opportunity of rejoining his command. At Covington quite a number of our men were taken sick, and left in hospitals at Cincinnati when the regiment returned to Louisville. In the course of a week most of these men were forwarded to Louisville by boat, down the Ohio. Kyger was one of these. From Kyger's diary we copy a portion of the en- tries for September 26th and 27th : "Cincinnati. Reported to Captain Fletcher again at ten o'clock A. M. He sends me with thirty-seven men on the packet to Louisville, Kentucky. Started at twelve o'clock noon. Passed down the river very pleasantly. Boys all seemed well pleased. Had dinner and supper for the soldiers and cared for them in such a style as they said they had not been since they were in the service. Run on a sand-bar, about thirty-three miles below the city. Staid two hours. I had the soldiers spread down their blankets and pile down for the night. "Ohio River, September 27, 1862. Morning cloudy; nearing Louisville; in sight of the water- works. Arrived at 8.30 o'clock A. M. with all my men. Reported them to Captain Ottis and then to Captain Holiday, at Barracks No. 1, in Louisville. Disposed of all my men satisfactorily ; men all came forward to shake hands with me when parting, and gave me many thanks for the care I had taken of them. R. B. Drake, myself, and two others started for the 73d Regiment Illinois Volunteers. Found the city alive with soldiers. Arrived at camp east of town ; found the boys at three o'clock P. M., and had a glorious meeting, such a one as I never had before. Met a number of the boys of the 25th, 35th, and 125th Illinois Regiments. Raining ; slept in a Methodist church with Lieutenant Davies, Frank Cook, Will Frazier, Ed. Eakin, and J. Judd." The same diary, under date of Sunday, September 28th, states : "Our regiment ordered out on picket duty; all gone that are able. "September 30th. Rumored attack by the rebels on the CATCHING UP WITH THE COMMAND. 89 Bardstown Road, but rumor not generally believed. General Nelson was interred near the city to-day." Kyger was again left behind when the regiment moved with the army on October 1st. He did not leave Louisville until October 10th. He caught up with the regiment one week later. Quite a number of the regiment, fully a hundred, perhjips more men, caught up with it at the same time, October 17th. We can. not do better, perhaps, than to quote a few entries made by Kyger, in his diary, under dates from October 1st to 17th, inclusive. We give the more important and interesting items in a somewhat condensed shape. The entry for October 1, 1862, is : "Morning clear and beautiful. Our regiment ordered to move, with almost all the troops about Louisville that are able to go. It is thought to be a general move after Bragg. Regiment left camp at nine o'clock A. M. " Thursday, October 2d. During the day our pickets had a skirmish about eighteen miles out. " Friday, October 3d. Found the boys left in camp all right. The rebels were attacked at Mount Washington to-day and driven ; do not know whether we lost any men or not. Our forces are out twenty miles and moving on. " Saturday, October 4th. Raining this morning; we send seven men to the regiment. There are one hundred and twenty-three men of the regiment left, unfit for duty. " Tuesday, October 7th. Called up by Doctor Pond to see how many would do to go to the regiment; pretty nearly all able. " Wednesday, October 8th. Morning bright and clear. Pressed a hog ; had some for breakfast ; do not object to such press from ' secesh.' " Friday, October 10th. At 2.15 o'clock P. M. we started for our regiment, one hundred and sixty strong. Marched out on Bardstown pike five miles ; pitched two tents, and find ourselves very comfortable for the night. " Sunday, October 12th. At Mount Washington, twenty-two miles from Louisville, we halted and pressed four teams to haul 90 FROM KYGER'S MEMORANDA. our feeble boys. We met quite a number of paroled prisoners passing on their way to Louisville. After we left Mount Wash- ington, we passed several places where they say they have had skirmishes. At one place we plainly smelled the carnage. A farmer told me the rebels had left their dead unburied. We passed on to Coxe's Creek, and camped on the north bank, pitched our tent, and Stephen Newlin killed a hog. Our captain had ascertained that there was a 'secesh' farmer living a mile and three-fourths away. He took a squad of men and went back. The old woman told our boys that she would like it if they would all get killed. The captain bought the farmer's cow and gave a receipt on the United States for her, with a statement in same about what the old lady had said. When the old man came down next morning he declared himself all right and would not take the receipt. Our captain told him if he was right he had been wrongly accused, and he had better prove up his loyalty. We went off and left him. " Monday, October 13th. We still keep meeting paroled prisouers, and prisoners confined, hauled in wagons in great numbers, who were captured at the battle of Perryville. Many wagon-loads of guns passed also. Stopped to camp forty miles from Louisville, in a widow woman's front lot. The woman has two sous in the rebel army. She made serious objection to our stopping, but to no effect. Major Presson (73d) came along at three o'clock P. M., going home wounded in the forearm at the battle of Perryville. " Tuesday, October 14th. We captured a secesh; he was going to join Bragg's army. When he saw us coming he struck out on a leafy road. We sent a squad after him ; run him about a mile and a half, caught him, and brought him up. He belonged to the 36th Mississippi, and, according to his admission, has been in the service since August 15th. He does not like the service. We take him down with us to our regiment. " Wednesday, October loth. Near night we passed Major Mor- gan, the rebel guerrilla's brother (a colonel in his brother's division) ; sharp fellow; says they are fighting for a dissolution of the Union and are going to have it. We halted for the night, after march- ing eighteen miles, on the bank of Doctor's Fork, one mile and a half from Chaplin'.s Hills battle-field, in the immediate vicinity of the point where the battle commenced. We passed one hundred and nine paroled Union prisoners, who had been left in the hos- pital at Cumberland Gap, when Morgan left. ANOTHER REUNION. 91 "Doctor's Fork, at east side of Washington County, Thursday, October 16, 1862. Morning foggy and cool. Started at 6.15 o'clock A. M. ; marched on. Looked over the Perry ville battle- field. The heavy skirmishing had commenced one mile and a half south-west. Saw signs of musket-shooting on the trees and fences along the road. Occasionally we saw where limbs had been taken off trees by cannon-balls. Looked as though the balls had been shot a long distance. Just as we passed over a hill we discovered trees which were just riddled with balls. Saw some graves. Passed on down a slope, and on rising a hill on the other side we saw plain signs of the battle ; rebels buried alongside a stone fence. We passed on, and beheld the battle-field as it stretched out along the gentle slope to our left. The road we are on was the extreme right, and near where our 73d Regiment stood. The battle-field was about five miles long, and the heaviest fighting was near the extreme left. " Friday, October 17th. Morning most beautiful. Started at six o'clock for Crab Orchard. Passed through Stanford, county-seat of Lincoln County, a small "secesh" place. Passed on through Walnut Flats, and arrived at Crab Orchard at five o'clock P. M., a distance of eighteen miles; good march for the day; stood it well. Met the boys at their camp one mile and a half from the place ; found them very anxious to see us. Lieutenant Hawes was sick and Lieutenant Davies absent, sick. Never felt so glad to meet a crowd of boys ; had a full description of the battle they had gone through before we slept. " Saturday, October 18, 1862. A very pleasant morning. Visited the 125th Regiment; found Holloway's company down with the 'blues,' wanting to go home. Returned to the regi- ment ; dress parade at five o'clock." Henry A. Castle, of Company G, has made a con- densed statement covering the period of his service in the 73d, a portion of which we incorporate in this chapter, as follows : "Before the 1st of September, 1862, we were hurried off, half organized and entirely unarmed, to Louisville, Kentucky. How deficient we were in organization, and even in the knowledge of elementary military rules, one little incident will testify. At Springfield, having shown some proficiency in making out muster-in 92 H. A. CASTLE'S EXPERIENCE. rolls and consolidated returns, I was temporarily detailed as a clerk in the office of the regimental adjutant. On our hasty departure the adjutant remained behind. I, a private soldier, acted as adju- tant for twenty days, signing all reports, countersigning all orders, and performing all his functions. No one, not even the twenty lieutenants eligible to promotion, questioned my right. At last a martinet brigade commander, who had spent a week carefully in- structing me, was so chagrined when he accidentally learned he had wasted his teachings on a person but one grade in rank above an army mule, that he at once ordered our colonel to detail a pair of shoulder-straps to hold intercourse with him thereafter. This in turn so offended my own eminently civilian sense of dignity, that I promptly ' resigned ' my clerkship, absolutely refused to tell Mr. First Lieutenant what to do in the office, and left him to flounder until the adjutant returned. At Louisville we were to meet Buell's army, and confront Bragg's, on their historic free-for- all race from the Tennessee River to the Ohio. Between that date, September 1st, and the 1st of January following, I went through all the experiences of inaction in camp, sickness in hospital, toil- ful marches through Kentucky and Tennessee to Nashville and Murfreeaboro, battle, and wounds. It was the longest and hardest four months of my life, and yet I think upon the whole, the most enjoyable. "Quickly armed and slightly drilled at Louisville, we were rushed out to cover General Nelson's disorderly retreat from Richmond, Kentucky ; then hustled off to Cincinnati and Coving- ton to help repel Kirby Smith's threatened raid ; then, after a few days, whirled back to Louisville to form a part of Buell's force, soon mobilized into the Army of the Cumberland ; then forward in pursuit of Bragg to Perryville and Crab Orchard, and thence to Bowling Green and Nashville, which we reached early in No- vember. My premonitions as to sickness were speedily realized. I was left behind in Cincinnati, in a hospital, half delirious with the aches and burnings of incipient typhoid fever. This was happily averted, but not without two or three weeks of illness and conva- lescence, during which I sounded all the depths and shoals of hos- pital life in its worst phases ; that is, far to the rear. For I found as a summing up of this and subsequent experiences elsewhere, that the sick and wounded received their best care in the battle- field and in its immediate vicinity, where discipline was strict, sur- geons skillful, and battle-mate nurses tender ; whereas north of the " WHERE THERE IS A WILL, THERE IS A WAY. 1 ' 93 Ohio, where there was every facility for better treatment, what with drunken and brutal doctors, thieving ward-masters, and care- less nurses, the situation could too often only be described in the muscular Saxon which the revised edition of the Scriptures has prematurely discarded. "I wrestled with three Cincinnati hospitals, and was finally hoisted out to a convalescent camp thirty miles further north. Here the tedium and little villainies of the situation were seriously aggravated by the knowledge that my regiment was marching into Kentucky ; that a battle was imminent ; that there was danger of the Rebellion being put down before I had succeeded in shooting anybody, thus defeating the whole object of my enlistment, and leaving me an object for the other boys to point and peck at. Ac- cordingly I availed myself of the first dark night to do a very repre- hensible thing. With two or three comrades, I decamped ; rode to Cincinnati tramp-wise on a freight-train, and to Louisville ditto on a steamboat ; dodged the provost-guards of both cities, and sev- eral guerrilla bands on Kentucky turnpikes ; performed feats of strategy enough to have made a large military reputation in a little affair like the Mexican War, and, after tribulations unutter- able, overtook the army, alas ! too late to help whip Bragg in the battle of Perry ville, where our fellows had their baptism of fire, and where not to have been, was, for the ensuing two months, a reproach almost too bitter to be borne." * The tents furnished to the 73d were the Sibley tent the large cone-shaped tent, with tripod and center-pole. These tents were issued to the regiment while at Louisville. Wall-tents were provided for the use of the regimental and each company head-quarters, respectively. Camp and garrison equipage, including tents, camp-kettles, and mess-pans were issued a little before we drew our mule -teams and wagons. The latter were necessary to enable us to move with all stores and equipments. It seemed to be a question at first whether it was the business of the mules to haul what the soldiers could not carry, or the business of the soldiers to carry what the mules did not haul. The 94 GIVE THE MULES FULL CREDIT. later experiences in the army, we think, proved that the soldier had the best "knack" of shifting his bur- den. The mule performed an herculean task, and accomplished much toward the suppression of the Rebellion. Of course, he had to be drilled and disci- plined, be prodded, goaded, and persuaded; but he got in his work pretty well withal. He was the recipient of many lashes, and bore many stripes; and while the ways and means of his torture and maltreatment were various, he had only one mode of redress, and that often ineffectual. In his resort to this mode or method of redress no drill would have made him more per- fect. He was an adept in that line, a skilled artist ; superior almost, at least not inferior, to the muskets we car- ried. It was a very JACK'S DIFFICULTY WITH THE MULE. hftrd j^ one thftt ^ quired much patience and perseverance, to hitch up and break six raw mules. The mule can hardly be said to have been a volunteer, except in the matter of kicking. He had to be drafted, "impressed," and "conscripted," to do service. The breaking of six mule-teams was equal almost to a minstrel show; attracted as much attention; provoked as much merri- ment, and imparted more knowledge. With a little help, an occasional lift, and push from the soldiers, the mule performed his part, which was by no means incon- siderable, in carrying on the war. THE "DARK AND BLOODY GROUND." 95 CHAPTER III. FORWARD MOVEMENT HARD MARCHING WATER SCARCE DUST ABUNDANT REBELS NUMEROUS BATTLE OF CHAPLIN HILLS CRAB ORCHARD MARCH TO DANVILLE, LEBANON, BOWLING GREEN, AND MITCHELLSVILLE CAMP AT NASHVILLE ON TO STONE RIVER. DURING the month of September, 1862, the Confed- erate forces, under Bragg and Kirby Smith, roamed pretty much at will over Kentucky. At Richmond, Munfordville, and other points, smaller bodies of our troops had been whipped and "gobbled up" by them. The resources of the State were indiscriminately levied upon by the enemy ; hogs, cattle, fowl, farm products, and manufactured articles were collected, appropriated, and carried off. When Bragg's immense train was heavily loaded, it was made the chief business of his army to guard it, bring it up to some point where its contents would be doled as daily bread to the hungry Confederates. The spectacle was here presented of men fighting for a cause, or country, for nothing, and boarding themselves. Strange as this may now seem, it was equally strange that the rebel hordes were allowed to pass beyond the limits of Kentucky with their booty. While traversing the State, the arms- bearing or neutral citizens were appealed to by Bragg to join his army. Women, old and young, were ex- horted to influence their husbands, sons, and brothers to flock to the Confederate standard. The sequel shows 96 CAMPAIGN HARDSHIPS. that the husbands, sons, and brothers did not join or flock to any great extent. Kentucky was more " neutral " perhaps than was suspected by either party to the contest. On October 1, 1862, the Union army, under General Buell, was put in motion, and started in pursuit of Bragg's army, with the purpose, it would seem, of driving it from Kentucky, not of capturing or destroying it. The new regiments incorporated into Buell's army swelled its numbers to nearly one hundred thousand men. The 73d broke camp, and moved out with the brigade and division at nine o'clock the morn- ing of October 1st. The brigade was commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Liabold, the division by Brigadier- general Philip H. Sheridan, and the corps by General C. C. Gilbert. Delays were frequent during the first day's march. Our first stop was in the street, before leaving Louis- ville behind us. Getting under way finally, the halts were not more frequent perhaps than prudence would have dictated in the case of new troops not yet accus- tomed to "foot" traveling. Being on the right of the army, our column moved southward on the pike, bearing somewhat to the left, with Bardstown, the county-seat of Nelson County, as our first destination, that being the last known or supposed location of the main body of the " chaps " we were looking for. Two or three nights and days passed. The turnpike being very hard, notwithstanding the dust carpet an inch thick, the weather being warm, the water scarce and impure, made the march extremely wearisome. The result was fruit- ful of sore feet and aching limbs, and a unanimous ver- dict that "Jordan am a hard road to travel." Other ailments still more disabling were produced, and the STRAGGLING AND FORAGING. 97 ambulances were in demand. Many guns and accouter- ments were piled on, or hanged on, the wagons in the train to relieve the limping and foot-sore soldiers, and just that much added to or imposed upon the invincible mules. Many of the men, however, were proof against the hardships of the march ; came off well, and halted at night, professing an ability as well as a willingness to "jog along" for an hour longer. Straggling was in vogue too, though sought to be prohibited by orders. Straggling to the rear, as a rule, was of necessity, or involuntary ; straggling to the front, or either side, was generally willful, and had for its motive forage, curi- osity, or adventure. No matter how plentiful or good Uncle Sam's rations were, or how punctually issued, something " cabbaged " or foraged from a farm-house or a barn-yard was a little bit more palatable, and par- taken of with greater zest and relish. Then, telling just how the "foraged" provisions were obtained ; detail- ing the several steps and maneuvers made and the schemes and tricks resorted to in obtaining them, op- erated as an appetizer, and served as sauce while de- vouring the full-sized meal. The advance of the army overtaking or coming in contact with the rebel cavalry, and engaging and driving it, perhaps checked the strag- gling to the front, and foraging to some extent. By October 6th we had marched some sixty-five or seventy miles, had left Bardstown some distance in our rear, and passed Springfield, and were pushing, not only the cavalry, but the main body of the enemy's infantry. According to some able critics on this campaign and its management, the enemy might or should have been pushed harder, " driven to the wall," or captured, thereby saving or preventing the battle at Murfreesboro. 7 98 INDICATIONS OF BATTLE. The need of more time on the part of the enemy in which to get his large supply-train out of the way, or well on the way, and the need or desire on the part of our army for better water and more of it, and perhaps, also, a desire to deal the enemy a blow more or less se- vere, may be reckoned among the causes, if not consid- ered the real, immediate objects of the battle at Perry- ville. Whether a collision with the enemy, at Perry- ville or elsewhere, was a part of General Buell's plan or not, such collision was precipitated, and a battle there on October 8, 1862, was the result. There were a few instances of insubordination in the regiment while on the march, just prior to the bat- tle of Perry ville. These we shall not particularize. In one case we have in mind, a non-commissioned officer was reduced to the ranks ; in another case, a private was given to understand that his offense would be for- given if he carried himself creditably through the ex- pected battle. In the case we refer to the forgiveness was fully earned. Early on the morning of October 8th, the indications of an engagement were unmistakable. Before the set- ting of the sun we were to undergo a new trial, be subjected to a new and a severe test. Feelings stole over us that can be better imagined than described. Some of our number would fall, lose their lives before the day's combat should close ; others would be wounded and maimed, and compelled to suffer disabilities from that day on to the end of their lives. Who will fall ? For whom, and for how many, will this day be the last of earth ? Who will be maimed and wounded and have disabilities inflicted upon them ? were ques- tions which arose, and kept suggesting themselves in "BA P TISM OF FIRE" A T PEER Y VILLE. 99 our minds. It was a solemn retrospect and review of all the past of our lives, and, if possible, a still more solemn forecast and taking of chances for the future. We were away from the pike, off roads, and in line of battle early in the forenoon. We changed position moved forward, or to the right or left, as the movement of troops in our front, or to our right or left, neces- sitated. At about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, the 2d and 15th Missouri Regiments became hotly engaged, and in less than an hour, lost from forty to fifty men, mostly wounded. The 44th Illinois and our own reg- iment were lying in easy supporting distance while the fighting was going on. After this there was an ad- vance and a change of position on the part of our brigade. In making this advance we passed to the right of the pike, and for a time occupied a position alongside a stone-fence. Later the 73d was, from some cause, advanced in line of battle and unsup- ported across an open field, and for a very brief time held a position near a rebel battery preparing to open fire. But little farther off were the rebel infantry. Had five minutes more elapsed before the hasty with- drawal of the regiment from this exposed position, the effect would have been disastrous ; one new regiment would doubtless have been " gobbled up," and not with- drawn at all. The withdrawal of the regiment was not a moment too soon. The placing of the regiment in this advanced and exposed position was a grievous blunder ; at least we have never heard, or heard of, any explanation or reasons that would justify or excuse the movement. While the regiment was being rapidly moved to its proper place in the line of battle, the en- emy had completed his dispositions for an attack ; this 100 NARROW ESCAPES AND LOSSES. done, he waited not, but opened immediately with his artillery, which was effectively replied to by our bat- teries. The 73d was assigned a position in the front line to the right of the 44th, the 2d and 15th Mis- souri Regiments being posted immediately to the rear as supports ; the order of the forenoon, as to our bri- gade, being thus reversed. Between the right of the 44th and the left of the 73d, a section of battery was in position ; and near at hand also was the 125th Illi- nois, ready to meet any emergency that might unex- pectedly arise. An order was received by Colonel Jaquess, directing some change in the position of the 73d. The battle was fairly on, and this order being misconstrued at least not properly executed the reg- iment was mistakenly conducted several yards to the rear of the position intended for it to occupy. Under the circumstances, the two Missouri regiments inter- preted the hasty move as evidence that the 73d was panic-stricken. The mistake was soon rectified ; the 73d quickly found and filled its proper place, much to the surprise and gratification of the Missourians. We had been slightly engaged just before the mistake was made. We became engaged at once, and actively so; the engagement continued with but slight, if any, abate- ment for nearly two hours. The losses sustained by the regiment in the battle of Perry ville fell principally on the companies near the regimental colors Com- panies C, I, E, and H. The losses were one killed and ten wounded severely ; of these, six died sooner or later. There were several slight wounds, "grazes," and " close calls." Of " scares," we probably had as many as any regiment ever had in an introductory en- "WAR MEANS KILLING." 101 gagement. For the names of the " killed," " wounded," and "died of wounds," consult the roster, in chapter i. The day was nearing its close when the battle ended, and we rested for the night on the ground where we had fought our first battle. The conduct of the regiment in the battle was heartily applauded by the " old soldiers " of our brigade, especially by the Missourians. The field in our immediate front, and farther away, evidenced the fact that we inflicted on the enemy a heavier loss than we suffered. Prisoners captured in our front bore testimony to the same fact. "Aim low," "aim low;" " war means killing," were the precautions given by the colonel, and emphasized and insisted upon by the company commanders. Hence it was that with our " kicking " muskets, plenty of powder, one large ball, and three small buck-shot at each fire or discharge we did good execution. At page 220 of Volume II, of " The American Con- flict," we find the following description of that part of the battle of Perryville in which the 73d actively engaged : "The charging rebels now struck the left flank of Gilbert's Corps, held by R. B. Mitchell and Sheridan, which had been for some little time engaged along its front. The key of its position was held, and of course well held, by Brigadier-General Philip H. Sheridan, who had been engaged in the morning, but had driven the enemy back out of sight, after a short but sharp contest, and had repulsed another assault on his front ; advancing his line as his assail- ants retired, and then turning his guns upon the force which had just driven Rousseau's right. And now General Mitchell pushed forward the 31st Brigade, Colonel Carlin, on Sheridan's right, and charged at double quick, breaking, and driving the enemy into and through Perryville, to the protection of two batteries on the bluffs beyond, capturing fifteen heavily-laden ammunition wagons, two caissons with their horses, and a train-guard of one hundred and forty ; 102 'GREELEY'S AMERICAN CONFLICT." retiring amid the rebel confusion to this side of the town, and thence opening fire with his battery as darkness came on. . . . " At six A. M. next day Gilbert's Corps advanced by order to assail the rebel front, while Crittenden struck hard on his left flank ; but they found no enemy to dispute their progress. Bragg had de- camped during the night, marching on Harrods- burg, where he was joined by Kirby Smith and Withers, retreating thence southward by Bryantsville to Camp Dick Robinson, near Danville. Bragg ad- mits a total loss in this battle of not less than twenty-five hundred, in- cluding Brigadier-Gen- erals Wood, Cleburne, and Brown, wounded; and claims to have driven us two miles, captured fifteen guns, four hundred prisoners, and inflicted a total loss of four thousand. Buell's report admits a loss on our part of four thousand three hundred and forty-eight nine hundred and sixteen killed, two thousand nine hundred and forty-three wounded, and four hundred and eighty-nine missing ; but, as to guns, he concedes a loss of but ten, whereof all but two were left on the field, with more than one thousand of their wounded, by the rebels." It seems that Bnigg either got all the fighting he wanted, or was more intent on getting away with his plunder. Though lightly pressed, his haste was such that he left over one thousand of his sick at Har- rodsburg ; also twenty-five thousand barrels of pork LOOKING OVER THE BATTLE-FIELD. 103 and other supplies at different points. He slipped out of Kentucky by way of Cumberland Gap into East Tennessee, destroying on the way many valuable stores, owing to the roughness of mountain roads and the- lack of transportation. He finally went into winter- quarters at Murfreesboro, no doubt expecting to be left alone for a longer time than he was so left. The 73d moved early, on October 9th, with the bri- gade. We did not get entirely away from the battle- field for a day or two. Opportunity was afforded to view the field and to seek out the points where the fight raged the fiercest. At these points many of the rebel dead were still lying as they had fallen. Had they been disturbed or handled at all, they would probadly have been buried. Some appalling sights, were looked upon. Many who beheld them never again improved a similar opportunity. This was enough in that line. Missing sadly those of our number who had been taken from our ranks by the chances of battle, we fol- lowed on, filling the place assigned us in the line of march, until we reached Crab Orchard. While waiting at Crab Orchard a number of the regiment who had been left at Louisville and other points, came up. The entry in Captain Kyger's diary, under date of October 16th, discloses this fact: "Marched on through Danville, and camped three miles beyond. Met H. A. Castle, coming to conduct us to the regiment." The stop here was not solely for the purpose of affording rest to the soldiers, but partly to await developments, and learn the direction we should take when we next broke camp. The country about Crab Orchard was hilly and 104 P URS UIT S TOPPED CHA NGE OF DIREC TION. broken, and farther on, in the direction of Cumberland Gap, it was still more rough and mountainous. As it turned out, however, we proceeded no farther in that direction. Sunday, October 19th, was the last day of our stop at Crab Orchard. The day was a pleasant one, and the regiment appeared on dress parade in the afternoon. The next morning was a bright one, with some frost. Marching orders were received early, and by seven o'clock we were ready to move, not knowing where we were going. Getting started, we marched quite sixteen miles, and camped on Clark's Creek. On the morning of October 21st we waited until all the troops and trains passed us. Being assigned to do duty as rear- guard, we got under way at ten o'clock, traveled slowly, and reached Danville, the county-seat of Boyle County. Resumed the march, taking the pike leading south-west, to Lebanon, the county-seat of Marion County. We found it hard work to march sixteen miles as rear-guard. We went into camp at Rochester Springs, in Boyle County, at nine o'clock P. M. The train was nearly seven miles in length, when stretched out and moving along the pike. Many of our men struggled some distance in advance of the regiment. The numerous and sometimes tedious delays, occa- sioned by the snail-like movement of the train, were annoying, and exhausted the patience of some of the boys. On reaching Rochester Springs, we had marched one hundred and thirty-eight miles since leaving Lou- isville. We marched twenty miles on Wednesday, October 22d. In the course of the day we left the pike, and marched across to the Rolling Fork of Salt River. ON THE- MARCH SOME WINTER WEATHER. 105 Located a camp on the south bank of a beautiful stream, but had a scant supper, on account of the fail- ure of train to come up. At this camp, which was seven miles from Lebanon, we remained until October 25th. On October -24th we had battalion drill, and drew our overcoats. Started at 6.30, on the morning of October 25th, on the road to New Market, seven miles south-west of Lebanon, and nine miles from our starting-point. We arrived at New Market, and went into camp in the vicinity at three o'clock P. M. During the day we had passed through an unproductive country ; the surface was hilly and rocky, covered with " jack-oak" timber and some chestnut. Rain fell during the afternoon, but changed to snow at night. The snow was quite three inches deep on the morning of Sunday, October 26th. Being much cooler, on account of the snow, it was found that by keeping a mess-pan well filled with live coals, sitting in a tent, much comfort could be obtained. The day was one of general discomfort ; however, there was much work done by the officers, although it was Sunday. Lists were prepared in each company of the regiment, for roll-call purposes, and to make out morning reports from. One cause of disappointment was the failure to receive a mail since leaving Crab Orchard. At nine o'clock P. M., orders to be ready to march at six o'clock to-morrow morning were sent around. .Rations were immediately drawn, preparatory to the march. The night was a cold one, and corn-stalks were brought into use, to afford us protection against the severity of the weather. On the morning of October 27th the ground was frozen to the depth of an inch. At six o'clock A. M. we marched out on the Lebanon and Glasgow 106 EARLY RISING FREQUENTLY REQUIRED. turnpike, passing in a south-west direction, not very far from the Muldraugh Hills, a high range, which traverse this part of Kentucky. We soon passed into Taylor County, going through a hard-looking, deserted town, named Saloma. Our march was continued, and at night we camped in Green County, all very nearly tired out. Marched at six o'clock on the morning of the 28th, fol- lowing the road leading to Glasgow Junction. We passed through a hilly and an unproductive region, and one town called Summerville. In the Green River bottom we came up with other troops, including the 21st, 25th, and 125th Illinois Regiments, and also Gen- eral Sill's Division. By this date the opinion was pretty general that our destination was Nashville, Ten- nessee. When at New Market we were changed, or transferred, from the corps we had been in (Gilbert's 14th) to McCook's 20th Corps. Our brigade remained the same as before, however. We camped on bank of Barren River, the night of October 28th. Next morn- ing we were up soon after three o'clock, having orders to march at five o'clock. On this date a heavy mail was received, the first for many days. On the 29th we left camp at sunrise, marched twen- ty-two miles, the longest march made to date, and camped for the night within five miles of the Mammoth Cave. On this day's march, many of the men, including some line officers, were compelled to drop out and fall behind. Some of the boys who had been straggling in advance were overtaken. We remained at the camp of October 29th until the morning of the 31st. This camp was the same as that occupied by Bragg's army, when advancing northward, making its raid. October 30th, our knapsacks and some GENERAL ROSECRANS ASSUMES COMMAND. 107 other equipage came up from Louisville. Many of the men took the opportunity and risk of visiting the Mam- moth Cave. At night, orders were received requiring us to mus- ter at 6.30 o'clock the next morning, and march at eight o'clock. This was the date of the assumption by General Rosecrans of the command of the Army of the Cumberland. While at this camp we were two miles from Glasgow Junction. On the morning of the 31st we mustered, in accordance with orders, but did not march until nine o'clock. We moved out on the road toward Bowling Green, our regiment in rear of brigade. We passed through a better farm- ing country than we had for several days. The farms looked as though they had been well attended to before the war, but neglected later. Pools of nice, clear water were found in this part of Kentucky. Many of these pools, or basins, were of regular formation, the rock walls, in many cases, being artificially constructed. We marched seventeen miles the last day of October, and went into camp ten miles from Bowling Green. We started on the march at eight o'clock, the morn- ing of November 1, 1862, our 2d Brigade in front of division. We found the country improved in appear- ance as we neared Bowling Green. On our route no demonstrations of loyalty on the part of citizens were anywhere to be seen. We reached Bowling Green shortly after noon, crossed Big Barren River, went down on the Bowling Green side, and went into camp near the old rebel fortifications built the previous winter. Some signs of ingenuity were visible on examining these forti- fications, but they were, not regarded as being very strong. We had marched twelve miles to reach this 108 PECULIARITIES OF THE COUNTRY. camp, since leaving our last one, making two hundred and forty-five miles we had traveled since leaving Louisville. November 2d and 3d, 1862, we remained in camp. Pay-rolls were made out, and the time was taken up in making and receiving calls on and from acquaint- ances in other regiments. Many who were sick and unable to march, were sent to the hospitals which had been established in Bowling Green. This town had nearly, if not quite, five thousand inhabitants in its better days. Frank Blue, who formerly lived in George- town, Illinois, and was acquainted with many members of Company C, was unexpectedly met at Bowling Green. Blue was serving as a member of General Rosecrans's detective force. We marched at eight o'clock on the morning of No- vember 4th. We moved out on the pike leading to Nash- ville, Tennessee. One mile from Bowling Green we came to Lost River, which, to all appearances, is an immense spring or body of water, which at this point bursts from its rocky, subterranean confines, bubbles forth, and springs to the surface and flows in a strong, visible current for fifty yards or more from where it rises, and then sinks away and is again lost to sight. Continuing our march, we passed through a country, first somewhat rough and barren, then becoming more level and productive. Good two-story farm-houses were occasionally to be seen, but no indications of loy- alty to the Union were anywhere shown by the cit- izens. After marching fifteen miles, we went into camp at four o'clock P. M. Early on this date, it being the date of the biennial or Congressional elections, the sense or political prefer- ences of the men of our regiment were ascertained. PRESIDENT LINCOLN INDORSED. 109 The vote stood nearly ten to one in favor of the Union ticket. Here Colonel Schaefer assumed command of the brigade. On the morning of November 5th we started on the march at 6.30 o'clock. We moved through a fine farm- ing country, and many little Union flags were displayed in front of houses as we passed. We crossed the line between Kentucky and Tennessee at noon, and as we did so, the soldiers of the 73d raised the " yell " for old Tennessee. The last town in Kentucky that we passed through was Franklin, the county-seat of Simp- son County, and the first town in Tennessee we marched through was Mitchellsville, a small town in Sumner County, four hundred yards, or a little more, south of the State line. After penetrating two miles into Ten- nessee, we came to a point where the woods were on fire, and fences and barns were being burned. The fire raged through the woods in a fearful manner, and just at this point we were almost suffocated with smoke and dust ; two regiments of cavalry passed and kicked up the dust in great clouds, regardless of our comfort. It is supposed the fire was started by a squad of rebel cavalry in order to annoy and hinder our advance. After completing the day's march of about seven- teen miles, we went into camp near a small stream of water. We received confirmation of the truth of the report of the blowing up of a tunnel on the railroad, twenty-nine miles from Bowling Green, by Morgan's marauding band, on the night of November 3d. This portion of Tennessee was unattractive ; the houses were nearly all old-fashioned, and built of logs, and in bad repair. The soil was thin and the timber a scrubby "jack-oak." 110 THE MARCH IN TENNESSEE. At 6.30 A. M., November 6th, our march was re- sumed. We made good time, and passed through two or three small, almost deserted, towns ; and some of the farm-houses were tenantless also. There were some ap- prehensions of an attack on our advance before the day should close. These arose from the credited reports of the day before, and proved ill-founded. In the after- noon we passed through another deserted town named Goodlettsville. Seven persons, white and colored, were all that could be seen in the village. Our men were very tired, but we passed on rapidly, and by nightfall we ended a twenty-three miles march, and camped within ten miles of Nashville. Late in the day we saw a woman who had been placed under guard. As she marched along, she would exclaim, " Save my husband !" " Save my husband !" It was ascertained that this woman was the wife of a rebel spy, who belonged to Morgan's guerrillas. At the general head-quarters this woman pleaded, on her knees, for the safety of her husband, and claimed he was a Union man. Very likely. Near Tyree Springs, General Woodruff's division was' attacked by a small body of the enemy. The trouble was soon over ; the rebels withdrew, after the killing of one of their number. Of our force only a few men were engaged, and no loss was suffered beyond that occasioned by slight wounds. At nine A. M., November 7th, we moved out on the wav to Nashville, but soon a halt was called to allow ./ a section of a wagon-train to pass ; then we moved on, the remainder of the train having been halted. This wagon-train was nearly two miles in length, and was on its way to Bowling Green to get rations, the railroad NASHVILLE INSPECTION AND REVIEW. Ill being out of repair, owing to the damages done to it by squads of raiding rebels. We arrived near Nash- ville at four P. M., and went into camp in a fine body of timber lying east of the Cumberland River. Snow fell during the day, but changed to drizzling rain. We learned that the enemy had made three attacks on the city since August. On Saturday, November 8th, some more work was done on the pay-rolls of the several companies of the regiment. On Tuesday, November llth, the city of Nashville was visited by a number of men of the regiment. Some returned to camp much disappointed in the appearance of the city. Nothing but the State-house seemed to meet the expectations which too highly colored and exaggerate 1 descriptions had raised in the minds of the visitors. The State-house, however, com- pensated in part for deficiencies in other respects about the city. It is located on a prominent elevation, and constructed of magnificent gray limestone ; has a large representatives' hall, a senate hall, and library-room, besides many offices and smaller rooms on two floors. It is visible from distant prominent points, and also affords a fine view of the city of Nashville and the sur- rounding country. Wednesday, November 12th, an inspection of arms was had in our camp. The inspection was made by a captain of the 24th Wisconsin. Arms were not found in first-class condition ; they were in better condition for service, perhaps, than they appeared to be. Next day the army was reviewed by General Rosecrans. This review afforded us an opportunity of seeing other general officers, including McCook, Sheridan, and Wood. Rosecrans informed us how to proceed in 112 CAMP AT EDGEFIELD. obtaining what might be needed in any line of supplies. He said : "First, bore your captains; and if they don't get you what you need, then bore your colonels ; and if your colonels do n t attend to it, then bore your generals, brigade and division commanders ; and if they neglect you, why then come and bore me, and I'll see to it at once." After this inspection and review, nothing unusual occurred in the experience of the regiment until November 22d. The intervening time was spent in doing camp and picket duty, in drilling, and in draw- ing, cooking, and devouring rations. Sickness prevailed to some extent, and the regiment was represented in the hospitals. The domestic and social cares and duties incident to camp-living had to be looked after and attended to, which, with all the aforementioned duties, came near occupying the time. What time was left over unoccupied after all these other matters had received due attention, was spent in talking war and politics. Of course, none of the " Preacher Regiment " played cards. On Saturday, November 22d, we received orders to move. Accordingly we broke camp at Edgefield, where we had been encamped since November 7th, and moved seven miles south-east of the city of Nashville, and located a camp in a splendid grove, near a large spring of good water. The new camp was named " Mill Creek." The camp was marked out, and tents and quarters put up and arranged with a view to our remaining several weeks. On November 24th, Doctor A. M. C. Hawes, of Georgetown, Illinois, visited the regiment, to visit his son, sick in the hospital, being his special errand. The PICKET D UT YEXAMINA TIONS AND DRILL. 113 doctor, however, dealt out a good deal of medicine to ailing soldiers for whom he had done like work while they were yet citizens. Other citizens of Illinois also visited us on similar errands. About this time quite a number of resignations among the officers occurred, and an equal number of promotions. The roster, found in chapter i, shows these and all other similar changes that took place during the term of service of the regiment. The night of November 27th, those of the regiment who were on picket had their first glimpse of rebel camp-fires, only three-fourths of a mile distant; the rebel pickets, as a matter of course, being posted still nearer, and visible by daylight. November 30th, an examination of quarters and the camp was had, and both found in good order and con- dition. Early in December, the field and line officers of the regiment were subjected to a rigid examination by officers of higher authority and rank. Various rumors were set afloat as to the outcome of this exami- nation. The crop of resignations may have been slightly augmented by it. On Tuesday, December 2d, the companies of the regiment were drilled by officers of the 2d Missouri Regiment. We have authority for saying that we dis- liked the drill as we were put through it by these officers. These officers, probably, either disliked the duty they had been assigned to do, or were disposed to make use of their opportunity to " pop us through pretty lively." December 3d, the regiment, or a portion of it, was again on picket. The bayonets of the rebels, glistening in the sunshine, could be distinctly seen from the point where we were posted. Seven shots were fired by the 8 114 UP EA RL Y LINES OF BA TTLE. rebel pickets at Company A. The fire being returned promptly, the rebels withdrew to cover. None of our men were hurt. December 7th, our arms were again inspected and found in better condition than before. Same day orders were received to have three days' rations in our 'haver- sacks and await further orders. December 8th, we were fully expecting to start on a forward movement or to be attacked by the enemy. We were called up at five o'clock on the morning of December 9th, and required to put on our cartridge- boxes, and keep them on until eight o'clock. We went on picket, however, at seven o'clock, at the same point where we had previously stood. We had instructions to keep a sharp lookout for the enemy. At eleven o'clock we distinctly heard artillery firing to the north-west of our position in front of Davis's division, which continued about an hour. At fifteen minutes to one o'clock our pickets were fired on by the enemy's cavalry in many places along the line ; and one piece of artillery was planted on the pike in our front, which threw two shells in our direction. We were ordered to form line of battle ; we did so, and remained in position about fifteen minutes, until ordered to retreat or take shelter in the edge of a heavy timber lying westward from our first position. A dash by the rebel cavalry was expected. We formed in line of battle in the edge of the woods, but were soon ordered to a point nearer camp, where we formed the third time. At 3.30 o'clock we formed in line of battle the fourth and last time for the day, in a position which had been selected by our colonel and pronounced by the general to be a good one. At five o'clock we "DOG-TENTS" AWARDED A COLD RECEPTION. 115 resumed our position of the morning, and held it until relieved at nine o'clock on the morning of December 10th. On the 10th the same sort of demonstrations were made as on the previous day. On the llth we were under orders to be ready to meet the enemy on short notice. All quiet, however, during the day ; no attack was made, and it was thought the enemy showed signs of falling back. On the 12th our forage-train went out four miles to the front ; those in charge of it, on returning to camp, reported that the rebels had retreated. The report was undoubtedly correct, or the train would not have returned without an engagement or "set to" of some kind, between the train-guard and the enemy. December 12th was a notable and historic day in the experience of our regiment. Disgust, evident and unconcealed disgust, was created all through the ranks that day, by the issuing from the regimental quarter- master's department of the " shelter-tent," or " dog- tent," or "purp-tent." Well, the estimation in which the " dog-tent " was first held by our soldiers was such that, if it changed at all, it would modify and soften, and become less severe in kind. Poverty and meagerness of language was about reached or discovered, when the boys quit making drafts upon it to find words with which to express their contempt for the little " dog-tent/' On December 10th, Major Presson, who had been wounded at Perry ville, arrived in camp. On the 12th, we had battalion-drill, conducted by the major. In the matter of drill, the regiment seemed to awaken and take on new life under the skillful handling which the major was able to give it. Another good thing the major did, soon after his return, was the establishment 116 EXPERIENCES OF AN ENLISTED MAN. of a school of instruction for the commissioned officers of the regiment. This school, though continued but a short time, resulted in permanent good. From Decem- ber 12th to 24th, the daily life and experience of the regiment was but a repetition of that gone through before that time at Camp Mill Creek. From a paper, entitled " The Experiences of an En- listed Man," prepared by Henry A. Castle, who became sergeant-major of the 73d, and served as such until he was wounded and disabled in tfye battle of Stone River, CAPITOL BUILDING, NASHVJI,I,E. we copy that portion which relates to matters pertaining to the regiment, while it was near Nashville, not already treated upon : " We reached Nashville early in November, relieving the be- leaguered garrison under Negley and Palmer, and within a few days the Army of the Cumberland, now commanded by General Rosecrans, was concentrated in and around that city. Nashville was amply protected by frowning fortifications on the surrounding heights. Her beautiful white marble capitol, on so lofty an em- inence that sometimes, seen from a distance, it seemed to swing in the clouds, .was a sight ever to be remembered. We were finally encamped south of the city, and for the first time in our FROM ONE EXTREME TO ANOTHER. 117 experience, really settled down to habitual camp routine, devoting six weeks to the long-deferred requisites of organization, drill, and discipline. All the lights and shadows of camp-life there passed over us. Our veterans of one long campaign and one bloody battle were yet raw recruits in most that pertained to mili- tary life. They had much to learn, and more to suffer. They got up the harmless, necessary mutiny against shelter-tents and spoiled meats. Many of them had the small-pox, and a consider- able majority of them had the measles the latter epidemic caus- ing more deaths and disabilities than battle, march, and dysentery combined had been able to effect. " Drills, almost incessant ; grand guard duty at least bi-weekly ; scouting, foraging raids, and sporadic expeditions, no whither that any fellow could find out, left little time for rusting or rest- ing, but soon made soldiers of the farmer-boys, clerks, and students. We became hardened, roughened, and toughened physically. As winter approached, as the hardships increased, and our comforts dis- appeared, a squad of us would refer frequently to our luxurious entry into the service. We had spent the night before enlisting at the Chenery House, the leading hotel at Springfield. We, at the time, thought the transition sudden, from the hair-mattresses of the hotel to the bare plank of a floored tent at Camp Butler. But now, alas ! even a dry plank, or a tent larger than a chicken- coop, was a dimly recollected luxury. Mud and snow, occasionally qualified by a rubber-blanket and a few pine-boughs, formed our nightly couch, and the weeping, cloud-curtained heavens our most familiar canopy." The paper we have quoted from was read before the Minnesota Commandery of the Loyal Legion in Feb- ruary, 1887, by Comrade Castle. Farther along in this history we shall take occasion to draw upon this paper for additional facts and descriptions. The losses accru- ing to the regiment, from disability and death, resulting from the diseases which prevailed during its stay at Mill Creek, will sufficiently appear on examining the roster, found in chapter i. At four o'clock A. M., December 24, 1862, we re- ceived orders to pack up and be ready to march at a 118 CHRISTMAS, 1862 FOR WA RD MO VEMENT. moment's warning. The order was complied with at an early hour. The wagons were loaded with such camp equipage and other stores as could be dispensed with on the march. This done, there was enough left for the soldiers to carry. In case of an attack by either army, the train, accompanied by the invalids, was to go nearer the city. At eleven o'clock we were called into line of battle, forming about one hundred yards from our old camp. We remained in line until near three o'clock P. M., and were then marched back to camp to spend the night Christmas eve. The camp-fires were numerous, and they burned brightly. Much talk was indulged in, and the changed conditions and surroundings, as well as the changed prospects, of this Christmas for us, from those of the last one, were fully dwelt upon. We were up early on Christmas morning, and re- ceived orders to pitch tents. In obeying this order, more care was taken than would have been had we known it was only for one day and night that we did so. On the morning of December 26th, at five o'clock, we received orders to march at seven o'clock. We moved out at eight o'clock, the 73d in rear of the brigade. Nearly all the forces in front of Nashville participated in this forward movement. We moved on the pike, in the direction of Nolensville. At ten o'clock rain began falling, and later increased to the full proportions of a general shower. We marched on, apparently indifferent, but not really so, to the storm. As we could distinctly hear the artillery firing to our front, there was something not very far away which served to divert our attention from the rain and the discomforts of the toilsome march. Shortly after noon RECONCILED TO " DOG-TENTS." 119 we came to the camp very lately occupied by a con- siderable force of the enemy. The vigorous shelling of the woods, and other dem- onstrations by our troops, had induced the withdrawal of this force. We arrived at Nolensville in the after- noon, and passed one mile beyond, and went into camp for the night. Marching on quick time through the rain and mud, made us all very weary. Our camp was on a part of the ground which had been skirmished over early in the day. It was here that we had our first experience in using the " purp-tents." The weather was such that the seeming inadequate shelter which they afforded was very acceptable, and not deemed so utterly inadequate after all; at least, a few of the boys who had thrown away or refused to carry a half tent, very much regretted, and also repented, their hasty action. Even a "dog-tent" should be given at least one fair trial before being unceremoniously condemned, cast aside, and spit upon. Owing to the rain, much ditching, just at the inner edges of the tents, had to be done in order to prevent overflow by water of the sod or dirt floor of the tent. One spade or shovel had to do duty for several tents, the num- ber of tents greatly exceeding the number of tools at hand for ditching purposes. Picks and axes were made to do service a little out of their line on this occasion. During the day our cavalry captured one piece of ar- tillery and three prisoners, our loss being one man killed and three wounded. The enemy's loss not ascer- tained, further than above mentioned. The morning of December 27th found us enveloped in fog. The weather and the condition of the ground was deemed very unfavorable for the work we had in hand ; 120 IN CONTACT WITH THE ENEMY. but we were committed to the job, and had to take things as they came. Perhaps the enemy had some disadvantages to contend with, too. " Shelling of the woods" in our advance began promptly at 7.30 o'clock. At ten o'clock the 73d moved forward and took position in the rear of the bri- gade. An hour later we moved still farther to the front, reaching the place where the rebel pickets had been posted the preceding night. This was also the place where the artillery firing of the early morning began. Our next move was to a point one-half mile to the front. While on the way to this position we saw one of our cavalrymen who had been killed in the morning; also a few rebel prisoners. After waiting an hour, we moved one-half mile, and formed in line of battle to the right of the road leading to Triune, two miles distant. Directly after forming in line, rain began falling rapidly, but our artillery still kept on firing and moving for- ward as the rebels retreated. Some twenty minutes after taking position, the 73d was ordered to move through a corn-field and halt in line, on the left of the brigade. While executing this movement, rain fell in torrents, and the mud was not less than four inches in depth. Nothing but the date or the time of year sug- gested the idea of a holiday excursion. But regardless of our discomfort and the many impediments to our moving in line of battle, we pushed on, expecting soon to become engaged, as our skirmishers were busy only a short distance in advance. On moving from the last position, we passed through a fine woods-pasture, and on through another corn-field. We remained in the latter place but a short time before receiving orders to A QUIET SABBATH. 121 march back to the woods-pasture and go into camp. By night-fall the rain had ceased and the clouds had disappeared. The cannonading also discontinued at about the same time. Our brigade commander, Colonel Schaefer, in giving directions for our last movement for the day, said : " Go back to the bush, and camp." Those of us who had shelter tents, stretched them, built fires in front, and made other preparations for comfort, not neglecting coffee and other rations. The last sounds arising from the contention between the hostile forces for the day were those produced by vol- leys of musketry on the skirmish line. The weather, on the morning of December 28th, was clear and frosty. It being Sunday, respect was had to the order of President Lincoln not to make a forward movement on that day. We accordingly re- mained quietly in camp until Monday, the 29th. One report current through our camp on Sunday was, that there were ten thousand rebels waiting at Triune to give us battle as soon as we again moved forward. The first report on Monday was to the effect that the enemy had evacuated Triune. This report being fully verified, we moved out at nine o'clock, taking another road leading to the Murfreesboro pike, said to be some thirteen miles distant. Our move- ment was necessarily a slow one, as our trains were heavy and the roads muddy. We passed over a nice rolling country during the forenoon; then we came to a high ridge or eminence, from which we could look out over a valley extending toward Murfreesboro. This valley was covered with cedar-trees, and on either side were towering hills, which seemed to constitute a range, having the appearance of distant mountains. We 122 RAIN A B UNDANTEA TIONS SCARCE, passed down into this valley, and found it uninhabited. Huts built of cedar logs, for use of lumbermen, could be seen at intervals on the march. We did not reach the opposite side of the valley until after dark. The roads being rough, muddy, and slippery, made the march extremely difficult and wearisome. The artillery- men found much work and trouble in getting their bat- teries through. Near seven o'clock we turned aside, and went into camp in a corn-field, within five miles of Murfreesboro. Our camp was to the left of the pike. We were greatly fatigued on halting for the night, and were, if possible, still more disappointed when in- structions not to allow the kindling of fires were sent around. We were obliged to allow water, crackers, and raw meat suffice for our suppers. The ground being soft and damp, the abundant corn-stalks were found very useful in preparing for the night's rest. After making all preparations possible, we retired for the night, fully expecting to be awakened early in the morning by the roar of the enemy's cannon. Before morning, rain fell, slightly wetting our blank- ets, and causing us to feel a disagreeable chilliness. A short time before halting at our resting-place of December 29th, we passed the point where there had been a sharp cavalry skirmish during the day, in which thirty of our men were killed and wounded. The rebels were driven back with considerable loss; but as they carried their dead off the field, the extent of their loss was not ascertained, but it was thought to be at least equal to our own. This fight may be said to be the first j or part of the first, that took place before Mur- freesboro proper, as the result of it was the driving in FOLLOWING THE RETIRING ENEMY. 123 t of the enemy's cavalry pickets, which were strongly supported by a reserve force. The weather being very cool on the morning of Decem- ber 30th, and our blankets and clothing being damp, we were allowed to start fires that we might warm ourselves and make coffee, and treat ourselves to a "half-way" decent breakfast, not expecting to be per- mitted to partake of another uninterrupted meal that day. It was thought our next move would carry us on to the battle-field, as the enemy was strongly posted only one mile and a half away. At 8.30 cannonading commenced, and at 9.15 we moved forward fully one mile, reaching a heavy woods, where the battle for the day on our front commenced. The rebels were posted in these woods, and made an obstinate resistance to our advance skirmishers. Our artillerymen sent shells and shot shrieking and tearing in the direction of the enemy. Our skirmishers kept advancing from tree to tree, the rebels being compelled to give way. Our brigade formed the first line of battle in these woods at eleven o'clock A. M., with another brigade in our front, which did the skirmishing, and kept slowly moving on and pressing the enemy back. At this stage of the proceedings a drizzling rain set in. " Trust in God, and keep your powder dry," was suggested by somebody as the proper thing to do under the circum- stances. It certainly was not improper for the "Preacher Regiment" to observe the first part of this injunction, though the latter part was perhaps more faithfully heeded. At 2.45 P. M. we were ordered to take position im- mediately in rear of our batteries and facing in a south- 124 ONE OF MANY INCIDENTS. east direction. By three P. M. the musketry firing to our right and front grew more constant and steady. The battery we supported threw shells at the enemy in front of Jeff. C. Davis's division, which was heavily engaged. At one time* Davis was compelled to fall back to get ammunition ; but as soon as supplied, his division recovered the lost ground, driving the enemy before it, and inflicting a severe loss by so doing, but probably not much greater than it suffered. The 25th Illinois, three companies of which were from Ver- milion County, was in Davis's division, and engaged in the hottest of this fight, getting several men of the three companies, A, B, and D, wounded, but none killed. Here James Frazier, of Company A, of the 25th, was in the advance, and was ordered by Lieutenant West to fall back from his advanced and exposed position ; but instead of stopping at the proper place, Frazier told one of the boys he was going back after his overcoat. He went on to the rear, and got in company with a soldier who was slightly wounded; and finding a blind horse, they both mounted him and " disadvanced" on Nash- ville. We mention this incident, for a twofold purpose : first, for the reason that it is recorded in the diary, upon which we are relying for data in preparing this por- tion of this history ; it being so recorded evidences the completeness and reliability of the diary itself, also the particularity and attention to details with which it was kept, day after day. Second, there were numerous simi- lar cases to the one mentioned. Not all of those soldiers who, during the battles of Stone River, betook them- selves to the rear were cowards or "panic-stricken." Many of them, as in the case cited, were no doubt doing duty a little out of line, and recklessly, and not EVE OF A GENERAL ENGAGEMENT. 125 being thoroughly disciplined, or permitted to act some- what independently, were offended and concluded to allow the battle to go on without their co-operation if not allowed to co-operate in their own way, "you know." We wish it understood now that the writer did not see Nashville until April, 1864, after having once left there with his regiment on the movement to Murfreesboro. At 4.15 P. M. our brigade moved to the right across a corn-field, forming in a narrow strip of timber, and fronting the east, to the left and rear of Davis's division. We left the battery we had been supporting; but it kept on firing until after dark. At 6.30 we had orders to make one small fire to each company. Even this was quite a favor, as a north wind prevailed, ac- companied by rain, and we were all cold and becoming more so. Our supply of rations was very scant, aver- aging not more than two " hard-tack " to the haversack. Some of the officers and men had picked up some Con- federate potatoes, which helped a little toward patching up a bit of a supper. There was some parching of corn that night, too. We did not become actively or actually engaged on December 30th; but we were under fire at differ- ent times and places, and kept in a state of suspense and expectation of being called upon to do or un- dertake something desperate, or at least something we had never done before. It was evident our experi- ence at Stone River was to be entirely dissimilar to that we had undergone at Perry ville, where we had little else to do but load our pieces, and " whack and bang away" at the enemy. Several of the division teams and wagons of Sheridan's train had been captured 126 PRELIMINA R Y EXHOR TA T10NS. during the day, among them two or three which con- tained blankets and other useful articles belonging to the 73d. The loss of these fell mostly on the officers ; but the failure to draw rations, also due to the capture of a part of our train, entailed a loss on the men as well as on the officers. On Wednesday morning, December 31st, the weather was quite cool and the sky partially clouded. At dawn our brigade was ordered to change position. We moved immediately, and took position in an open field to the left and front of the position we had just left. We formed in line of battle fronting the east, the 44th Illinois being in our front. By this time the battle was on; heavy firing, both artillery and musketry, was going on to our right. An order from General Rose- crans was read to us by the acting adjutant, in which the soldiers were exhorted to stand firmly during the day. The results of yesterday's battle had been all the commanding general could wish ; the men had conducted themselves bravely, and done good execution. The country was watching us and expecting us to do our whole duty. Major Presson addressed us in a few apt and well- chosen words, cautioning us to keep cool, take deliber- ate aim, and fire low, and adopt the motto, " Murfrees- boro or die." The major's speech was abbreviated some- what by the apparent urgent necessity for action on our part. Just at this point we could see many wounded men coming from our right front, making their way to our rear. Some of them were limping, having been wounded in the lower extremities; others who were wounded in the hand, wrist, arm, or shoulder could get off with greater rapidity, if not with greater ease or JOHNSON'S DIVISION SURPRISED. 127 comfort; while still others, more seriously wounded, were borne on stretchers to a place of supposed safety. On the abrupt conclusion of our major's speech, Captain Bazell, of the 2d Missouri, arrived, and by order of Colonel Schaefer, took command of the right wing of the 73d. This was, perhaps, deemed necessary, as the regiment was yet quite large, and our colonel and adjutant were both absent. It was certain, however, that the regiment was comparatively new, and inex- perienced in making movements and military evolutions while under fire. The two wings of the 73d were separated, the right wing forming in line of battle some two hundred yards to the right lying flatly on the ground in rear of the 44th Illinois; the latter getting an oportunity to fire a few rounds at the enemy, which privilege was denied us. The left wing of the regiment had fallen back and taken position so as to be able to assist in defend- ing a battery in an expected contingency. On the extreme right of our army General John- son's division held position in line. Next, to the left, was Davis's division ; then came our (Sheridan's) divis- ion, posted to the left of Davis, and holding the left of the line of McCook's corps. Johnson allowed himself and his troops to be thoroughly surprised very early in the day, losing his artillery, while the unharnessed horses were being watered a little to the rear. Many of his men were captured, among them General Willich, one of his brigade commanders. His division fled precipitately, compelled to do so under the circumstances, making little if any resistance to the advancing Confederates. This state of affairs permitted the rebel assault to strike Davis's division with increased impetuosity and violence. 128 SHERIDAN'S DIVISION AROUSED EARLY. GENERAL A. M'D. M'COOK Davis, having had some warning of what might be ex- pected, was ready to offer a stubborn resistance to the enemy ; but was unable to hold him in check, notwith- standing the fact that por- tions of Johnson's division had rallied and were begin- ning to "show fight." Being struck on its right flank, and thus exposed to a destructive enfilading fire, Davis's division was com- pelled, in turn, to fall back, but in less disorder than Johnson's. The reb- els followed closely, in regular order, in two or more lines of battle, greatly encouraged, and apparently flushed with the prospect of perpetrating a Western " Bull Run." Had Johnson been as wary and consid- erate as Sheridan, we might have been spared the dis- aster which our right wing suffered at Stone River. From a paper prepared by Henry A. Castle, from which we have already quoted, we quote again as follows : " We were warned to be ready for battle at day -break on Wednesday morning. An hour before this time, General Sheri- dan, on foot and alone, went the whole length of our division line, visited each regimental commander, saw personally that the men were aroused and under arms, posted his artillery, and made everything ready well in advance of the time named in his orders. Nearly an hour after day-break the attack came on Johnson's division, a few hundred yards to our right. Driven by the over- whelming force of the onset, Johnson, and then Davis, fell back, throwing the augmented weight of the enemy on Sheridan, who was now relied on to check him until new dispositions could be CAPTAIN ALSOP, OF COMPANY F, KILLED. 129 made, or the disaster retrieved. Sheridan held his ground until flanked and pounded out of it, then stubbornly retreated across an open cotton-field where he left one-third of his men, killed and wounded, and two of his brigade commanders." We have noted the fact that the two wings of our regiment were separated, the left wing going back to help support a battery. Just when the two wings were reunited we are not able to determine ; but they were not apart a very great while. The right wing was lying in readiness for action in rear of the 44th Illinois, as already stated. The 2d and 15th Missouri Regiments were driven back from a battery they were supporting, but very soon rallied, retook the battery, and hauled it away by hand, the horses having all been shot. Then we were all ordered to fall back, which we did, and formed in line of battle in the woods in which we had been posted the day before. We re- mained in this position but a few minutes before receiving orders to fall back to the pike. We executed this movement under a heavy fire, and Captain Alsop, of Company F, was killed, and many others of the regiment wounded. We crossed a high rail-fence however, it was not so high after we crossed it and soon after formed in line of battle in the edge of a thick cedar woods. This brings us up to 8.30 o'clock A. M. only in the day, so rapidly were events trans- piring. Here we plainly saw rebel flags and two lines of battle, with bayonets fixed advancing rapidly, with the " rebel yell" accompaniment. We here improved an opportunity by delivering an oblique and terribly effective fire on the charging enemy. Many of the rebels were killed and wounded, the remainder turned and ran; but our fire did not slacken until they passed 130 THE CEDAR THICKET. beyond the range of our guns. Before we were aware of it, the other three regiments of our brigade got away from us, ami there were some apprehensions as to the safety of our position, although we had just aided in repelling a charge in our front. It is quite probable the two wings of the 73d had joined before this point HENRY A. CASTILE, Sergeant-Major 730! Illinois Volunteers, from December 26, 1862, to April 17, 1863. was reached. Some time elapsed before we found the brigade. In falling back, we found the cedar woods so thick, and so filled with rock and caverns and fallen trees, that it was almost impossible to get through it. The ominous sounds of the fiercely waged battle seemed to come to us from all sides, so that we endeavored to preserve the semblance of a line, while making our diffi- OUR REGIMENT RETIRES IN ORDER. 131 cult retreat through the jungle. The roar and din of the conflict seeming to increase or to draw nearer, we formed line of battle in the midst of the cedar thicket some three hundred yards from and facing the position we last held. This was at nine o'clock A. M. We remained in this position but a short time ; but while waiting, we witnessed the skirmishers in our front taking shelter which the numerous trees afforded; they fell back slowly, firing at the rebels as they would discover themselves, and advance from similar shelter. We were ordered to "about face" and march on through to the east side of (he thicket, where we re-formed or corrected our line, and immediately opened fire on the enemy, posted some two hundred and fifty yards dis- tant, sheltered behind fences and the ruins of a large brick house. It was now a quarter to ten o'clock. Comrade Castle's " paper" describes the events occurring since 8.30 o'clock in the following language : " When we reached the dense cedar thicket our regiment formed at its edge, behind a mass of logs and stumps, under orders from General Rousseau, who came along raving with excitement, or drink, detached us from Sheridan's command without the latter's knowledge, placed us in an exposed but really effective position, and went off, leaving us to our fate. Here we repulsed several desperate charges by the triumphant rebel hosts, remaining until again flanked and nearly captured, when we fell back slowly through the thick cedars, without orders, purpose, or a ray of knowledge as to what was transpiring outside the limits of our short line of sight. Under us the surface was piled with rocks and rent with caverns ; above us the thick, green foliage inter- cepted the sunlight. Around us", at every point of the compass seemingly, the roar of battle was deafening, at an unseen though not great distance ; while nearer, as far as we could see, the woods were filled with disorganized masses of troops, flying they knew not whence or whither, but utterly panic-stricken and uncontrol- lable. . Our regiment kept well in line, as it fell slowly back, but 132 CONFUSION IN THE JVNQLES CASUALTIES. all around us, and often breaking through us, was a yelling mob ; officers weeping or swearing, soldiers demoralized and shivering. If there was anything more disgraceful at Bull Run thau the scenes I witnessed in those cedars, I have not seen it described ; and yet, half an hour later, on emerging into the open field and the sunshine, these same men gathered together and fell into the ranks as promptly, and fought through the remainder of the battle and the remainder of the war so heroically, that this little episode, even to the few who ever heard of it, was but a fly-speck upon the record of their achievements. When we had nearly passed througli these cedar woods we were found by an aide, sent by Sheridan, who had finally missed us, marched us to our assigned place in the reorganized and impregnable line of battle, where we resumed our bloody work under more favorable auspices. It was now only ten o'clock in the forenoon, so rapidly had events proceeded." Probably the other regiments of our brigade paid no attention to Rousseau, which may explain how it was that the 73d "got left." At ten o'clock, or a little earlier, John Dye and James H. Yoho, of Company C, were killed. These and other casualties to the regi- ment occurred by ten o'clock, and before we left the last position hel(J, on taking another along the railroad. Immediately after suffering the losses mentioned, we received orders to fall back, as the rebels were making a flank movement and coming on us in such strong force that it was thought useless to attempt longer resistance from that point. Our new position gave us the advantage in ground, and the protection of a ditch and an embankment formed by the construction of the railroad. We soon discovered the appearance of the enemy in the edge of the woods we had just left. They directed a heavy fire on our position, but their shots being too high, did little damage. At eleven o'clock we were posted in rear of a battery which was vigorously throwing shell into the woods to our front. While in this position we remained inactive, MAJOR PRESSON FALLS REPULSE OF THE ENEMY. 133 and became somewhat rested from our weariness, the effect of physical exertions. Before this time many of the regiment had "given out," become exhausted, and were left to take their own time and chances for re- cuperation. In two or three cases not much rest was found for the " tired " men until they reached Nashville. Our next move was along the railroad toward Mur- freesboro, to a position similar to one we had previously held. As we were going into position, Major Presson was struck by a ball or piece of shell, and knocked off his horse. He came- into the ditch with us, but soon becoming sick was compelled to go to the hospital. We remained in this position until near one o'clock, firing steadily from the top of the embankment, which was considerably higher than our heads, stepping up to fire, then falling back to load. While here we dis-. covered a column of men coming up the railroad from the direction of Murfreesboro. Apparently they were dressed in our uniform and moving on us. They did not fire, but getting nearer we could distinguish the Confederate flag. We then took a position away from the railroad, in a cotton-field, and lay down to wait the arrival of the Confederates within easy range of our pieces. They came steadily forward, until their heads began to show above the embankment; then we fired. We kept on firing for the space of ten minutes' time, when the enemy fell back, leaving several of their number dead in the ditch. In this part of the day's work the 73d lost one man killed and two wounded. Our ammunition becoming nearly exhausted, we were moved to another position to the rear, in the skirts of a woods. This move was made at 1.30 o'clock. Our 134 ADVICE FROM ROSECRANS. stay in this position was brief, owing to the danger we were exposed to without being able to inflict any dam- age in return. Grape, solid shot, shell, and spent musket-balls seemed to be not only hunting for us, but actually finding us. A fragment of shell struck John J. Halsted, of Company C, on the back of the head, inflicting a painful but not mortal wound. Colonel Schaefer, our brigade commander, was killed, the ball passing in at the lower part of the right ear and corning out at the left ear. We very much regretted his loss, as we had confidence in his skill and generalship. Lieutenant-Colonel Laibold, of the 2d Missouri, succeeded Schaefer as brigade commander. After refilling our cartridge-boxes, we lay down flatly in the new position, some two hundred yards to ,the rear of our last one, which had proven so unten- able. At about two o'clock there was a lull in the fight; both sides ceased firing for nearly a half hour. Then an artillery duel began, and continued until dark. Deadly missiles kept dropping among our men. Of the brigade, three men were killed and six wounded. At this point General Rosecrans came along. He halted and addressed to us a few words, combining caution, advice, and encouragement, in what he had to say, about as follows : " Too much ammunition has been wasted during the day. Here- after I want you to wait until you can see the whites of their eyes ; then take good aim ; aim low; shin them. One wounded man is worth three dead men. Do this, and nearly every load will tell. Make a bayonet charge every chance you have, for the rebels won't stand the cold steel. In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred the party that makes a bayonet charge is successful." The commanding general was, to all appearances, as cool and composed as though the battle was not going on. MORAL EFFECT OF "SHAM" RE-ENFORCEMENTS. 135 During the twilight hour we drew one cracker to the man. We had but little to eat during the day, and part of that little was picked up off the ground where left by some wounded man or panic-stricken in- dividual. The haversacks of the dead, in some instances, contributed to the scant supply. By the time dark- ness had fully settled over us all firing had ceased, and there was a perfect calm, except as broken by cheering over the arrival or supposed arrival of r.e-enforcements. At eight o'clock P. M. we moved out to the pike, three-fourths of a mile distant, to a point where we could have fires and draw rations ; the position we left being occupied by troops that had done little or suffered little during the day, and could, better than we, pass the night without fires and coffee. At 8.45 o'clock P. M. we were at our new position, sitting around nice, bright fires, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the brigade teams, which should bring rations. At the same time great rejoicing and much cheering was indulged in on account of the continued marching of troops along the pike. The " moral effect " of heavy re-enforcements arriving from Nashville must certainly have been produced on both armies before Murfrees- boro that night. Whether any re-enforcements really arrived from Nashville, is a question we can not deter- mine authoritatively. At eleven o'clock P. M. the expected rations arrived, and by the time the old year was finally departing, we welcomed in the new year by partaking heartily of a full meal. We very much en- joyed our rations of crackers, side-meat, and coffee. The meat we broiled by holding it with a stick over the hot coals; and our coffee was partaken of without sugar. The losses of the regiment during the day, as 136 PREP A RA TIONS D UR1NG THE NIGHT. ascertained up to midnight, were twenty killed, fifty wounded, and thirty missing. General Rosecrans passed twice during the night, for the purpose of inspecting the lines. He reported that the position of his army, for defensive purposes, was better than that held by it on the previous morn- ing. During a fraction of the night we sat around our fires, sleeping as best we could, leaning on our hands, our elbows resting on our knees. We did not over- sleep ourselves, but the little rest we got was very helpful and advantageous, as during the day the resources of our strength had been heavily drawn upon and needed replenishing. With but few exceptions, we have followed the for- tunes of the 73d in all that is here recorded concern- ing the battle of Stone River. It may be well to devote some space to events which transpired beyond, but still not far from our own sphere of operations. In the "American Conflict," Vol. II, page 274, we find this passage, summing up the work of December 31, 1862, as accomplished by Sheridan's division. The passage occurs immediately after two similar ones treat- ing of the work, or misfortunes rather, of Johnson's and Davis's divisions respectively, and reads thus: " Sheridan's division fought longer and better ; but of his bri- gade commanders, General J. W. Sill was killed early in the day, while leading a successful charge, and Colonels Roberts and Schaefer at later periods each falling at the head of his brigade while charging or being charged. This division fought well throughout, but was pushed back, nearly or quite to the Nashville turnpike, with the loss of Houghtaling's and a section of Bush's battery." In more than one account of the operations prelim- inary to and including Stone River, that battle is treated, not as one, but as several battles, extending, from first REVIEW OF WORK. 137 to last, over a full week. Beginning with December 28th, almost every foot of ground as we advanced was contested by the enemy. Each of the commanding generals had given orders to attack the other December 31'st, early in the morn- ing. "Breakfast at daylight and attack at seven o'clock," it is said, were the orders of Rosecrans ; while Bragg's orders, according to the same authority, were " Breakfast in the dark, and attack at daylight." Both orders, literally construed and executed, per- mitted breakfast to the Confederate army, while the Federal should do without. The attack was made according to Bragg's order, and struck Kirk's brigade of Johnson's division first. Kirk very soon needed assistance, and called on Willich's brigade, the next and last one to the right. But Willich was absent from his command, and the call was not responded to. On his way from Johnson's head-quarters, Willich was made prisoner and his horse shot. Kirk fell, mortally wounded. Of the two brigades, nearly half were killed, wounded, or captured. Johnson's division was enveloped in disaster, only Baldwin's brigade re- maining, and that powerless to turn or stay the rebel advance. The rebels, already strong, received additional strength. Baldwin's brigade resisted gallantly, but briefly, and then fell back, just in time to escape capture. The enemy continued to advance, and though re-en- forced from his reserve, his progress was slackened some as. Davis's division became engaged. The advantage gained early in the morning by the enemy, due to the suddenness and momentum of his attack, enabled him to push Davis's division back ; but by this time he was 138 SERIOUS WORK AN HISTORIC DAY. beginning to pay pretty dearly for ground and what- ever else he wrested from our forces. The enemy ad- vancing in deep masses made it next to impossible for the firing by our troops, as they retreated, to prove ineffectual. Davis's center and left brigades, com- manded by Carlin and Woodruff, and Sheridan's right brigade, commanded by Sill, acting unitedly, were suc- cessful in checking the rebels, and not only that, but drove them back. They re-formed their lines, and being re-enforced, charged again, and were again driven back by the three brigades of Carlin, Woodruff, and Sill. In a counter charge, successfully led by General Sill, that officer was killed. At the same time Post's bri- gade, of Davis's division, repelled an assault by part of Cheatham's men. During all this time Sheridan was busy, working not only with his own division, but any and every- where. The battle raged with undiminished and undi- minishing activity. Sheridan's division became hotly engaged. Colonel Roberts, another of his brigade com- manders, lost his life. Several assaults were repulsed, and but for the turning of the right flank, and the con- sequent havoc and panic created in its rear, possibly Sheridan would have withstood for a still longer time, the attacks on his front; but, as it was, he wns com- pelled in turn to fall back, taking his time, and doing so with some judgment and deliberation. This brings t us down to that part of the struggle already sufficiently dwelt upon for the purposes of this history. Up to this point Sheridan's division had been industriously fight- ing for four hours, perhaps, barring the time spent in getting back through the cedar thicket; and many of his regiments were out of ammunition the second time. DEATH OF SCHAEFER AND GARESCHE. 139 Very soon after obtaining a supply of ammunition for his brigade, Colonel Schaefer was killed, being the third and last of Sheridan's brigade officers, or com- manders, to meet such a fate. The right of Rosecrans's army, or what was left of it, having in great measure re-formed and re-established itself, and having received help from the center and left wing, the disasters of the early part of the day were beginning to be repaired and compensated. In the course of the day, and while examining his left, General Rosecrans was grazed by a fragment of shell, doing him little or no damage; a piece of the same shell, it is thought, took off the head of his chief of staff, Julius P. Garesche.* In officers, the losses of our * A solid shot, Sheridan says, took off the head of Colonel Garesche. He may be correct, but a shell bursting into fragments would be more likely to take off the head of one person and then kill or wound two or more others in the same squad. " While my troops were lying here, General Rosecrans with a part of his staff and a few order- lies rode out on the rearranged Ijne to supervise its formation and encourage the men, and in prosecution of these objects, moved around the front of my column of attack, within range of the batteries that were shelling me [us] so viciously. As he passed to the open ground on my left I joined him. The enemy, seeing this mounted party, turned his guns upon it, and his accurate aim was soon rewarded, for a solid shot carried away the head of Colonel Garesche, the chief of staff, and killed or wounded two or three orderlies. Garesche's appall- ing death stunned us all, and a momentary expression of horror spread over Rosecrans's fac?, but at such a time the importance of self- control was vital, and he pursued his course with an appearance of in- difference which, however, those immediately about him saw was assumed, for undoubtedly he felt most deeply the death of his friend and trusted staff officer. No other attacks were made on us to the east of the railroad for the rest of the afternoon, and just before dark I was directed to withdraw and take up a position along the west side of the Nashville pike, on the extreme right of our new line, where Roberts's brigade and the 73d and 88th Illinois had already been placed by McCook. The day had cost me much anxiety and sadness, and I was sorely disappointed at the general result, though I could not be other than pleased at the part taken by my command. The loss of my 140 CONCURRING TESTIMONY AMERICAN CONFLICT. army during the day were very great; and so many of these losses occurring early in the morning, con- tributed not a little to the confusion which overtook our extreme right in the very outset of the engagement. According to arrangement and division of the matter for this work, we end this chapter with the year 1862; and embrace in the next chapter the history of the regiment made during the year 1863. brigade commanders Sill, Roberts, Schaefer, and Harrington and a large number of battery and regimental officers, with so many of their men, struck deep into my heart. My thinned ranks told the woeful tale of the fierce struggles, indescribable by words, through which my division had passed since seven o'clock in the morning; and this added to our hungry and exhausted condition, was naturally disheartening." (Vol. I, Sheridan's Memoirs, pages 234-5.) "And when later in the day the storm of battle rolled around to our center and left, falling heavily on Palmer's and Wood's divisions, Rosecrans was there, directing, encouraging, and steadying, though the head of his chief of staff was blown to pieces by a shell while riding by the general's side, and three or four others of his staff, or escort, were wounded one of them mortally and as many more lost their horses." (American Conflict, Vol. II, page 278.) "PANIC" AMONG WILD ANIMALS. 141 CHAPTER IV. STONE RIVER CAMPS BRADLEY AND SCHAEFER CAMP-LIFE PICKET DUTY FORWARD MOVEMENT ALL SORTS OF DUTY AND EXPERIENCE ON TO CHICKAMAUGA CHATTANOOGA MISSIONARY RIDGE EAST TENNESSEE CLOSE OF RECORD FOR THE YEAR 1863. IN the preceding chapter, though considerable space is devoted to the active work of the 73d in the battle of Stone River, yet very many interesting if not im- portant matters are not only not described, but not mentioned. Among these, of merely an interesting kind, the "demoralization" of the wild turkeys, and the "panic" among the rabbits, might be classed. Never, before December 31, 1862, had. the natural and peace- ful occupants of the dense cedar thickets been disturbed by a commotion so great, so unnatural, and appalling, as that created, on that day, near Murfreesboro. In their apparent supreme dread and terror, turkeys and rabbits might have been caught by the participants in the deadly combat. Smaller birds fluttered, and shrieked unnaturally and piteously, so great was their consterna- tion and fear. The deafening roar of the cannon, the incessant rattle of small arms, the demon-like yell of men in the charging lines, and the clouds of drifting smoke, presented a scene which no words or picture can fully portray. No wonder, then, that the peaceful and retiring denizens of the free forests and air shrank from or amid the pandemonium of strife which raged on that memorable day. 142 LINE OF BATTLE DESCRIBED. Between the ending of active operations of the regi- ment on December 31, 1862, an