YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

Purchased from the income
of the bequest of
WILLIAM ROBERTSON COE
Honorary M.A. 1949, for
material in the field
of American Studies.

B. F. TRAVIS.

The Story

of the

Twenty-fifth Michigan,

By
B. F. TRAVIS, in
Lieutenant Twenty-fifth Michigan.

KALAMAZOO, MICH.
KALAMAZOO PUBLISHING COMPANY.
1897.

COPYRIGHT, 1897,
BY
BENJAMIN F. TRAVIS.

DIVISION I.
J MICHIGAN, j • • .
Gi5* G^* t^* (*5* t^* t*5* (^* ^* V" V^ t&* W™ to?* fl^* 6^* V* t^* (^*

AUGUST, 1862.
It is now about thirty-five years since I enlisted into the
United States military service as a volunteer, to render what
service I might he. enabled to in the preservation of the Union
and against the great Southern rebellion. Thirty-two years
have passed away since the close of that gigantic war, and
within that time a generation has advanced upon the stage of
action in the national life and progress, that was too young
during those warfare days tj have shared in its labors, trials
and perils for the preservation of its existence; or. has sprung
into being since then, who manifests a curiosity in the excite
ment, the history, stories and incidents of those gone-by days.
To gratify the wishes of such a class, and also to again
recall those events to the memories of some of the old soldiers
who had a share in bringing them about, it will be my aim to
set forth in the following narrative, in as plain Anglo-Saxon
words as I fnay be able to command, my own personal exper
ience for a period of nearly three years out of the four, during
which the struggle was maintained. I hope also, to sprinkle,
here and there, many an episode of my regimental comrades,
weaving in, as well as I can, from the records and history of
the regiment in which it was my lot to render military service.
The war had been raging for more than a year before I
took an active part ^herein. I kept a nearly complete journal
of my own experiences and parts performed, as well as of my
observations upon the events of the day, together with my
associations with many others with whom I was necessarily

6 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
connected, and now propose to place that journal in a more
readable form, together with such additions as a perusal of the
same may suggest to my recollection of those events occurring
at the time these journal jottings were made., As much of the
history of the 25th Michigan Infantry as the records will
supply, and which will be consistent with the aim and end of
my story, will be woven in from first to last. To give that
phase of a soldier's life through which I passed as an actor
and a witness, will reduce the matter to something near a text
book for such a life in the most of its bearings.
I expect to descend into many of the details connected
with a soldier's life, that may seem quite insignificant to many
of my readers, and yet could not be easily omitted and leave
the tale of service complete. This will involve many and
various views of the character I had to perform, growing out
of the emergencies in which I sometimes found myself volun
tarily or involuntarily placed.
I can not hope to make my story complete without giving
it in its entirety, from the beginning to the end of my service,
as seen by those who served side by side with me, and who
were the living witnesses of it. If I shall needs to drop in,
here and there, some incidental phrases in illustration of the
service, that shall be lacking in some commendatory views of
character, I shall ask "the reader to defer judgment until the '
end of the volume, when the declarations, admissions and
confessions can be thrown together, just comparisons made
and proper conclusions reached. Perfection cannot be accorded
to the character of anyone. It is not within the laws of human
nature to be favored with that constitutional possession. I
therefore may have been somewhat remiss in my duties to the
service, society and the world generally, which I cannot deny,
and whatever these derelictions may have been during the
while covered by this period of my biographical existence, I
shall not hesitate to set them out in the several places where
they belong, and not suffer the story to be spoiled, as they say,
for relation's sake, even when I take that relationship upon
myself.

MICHIGAN. 7
To offset and balance accounts, I shall, e're I close, claim
a little credit for myself, seeing that I was faithfully present
with my regiment throughout its whole term of service,
excepting one short interval at the close of the war, (the
reasons for which absence will be given in their proper place,)
and walked the whole distance upon every march it made,
when present with it. I also had the good fortune to have
never been entered on the sick list, as unfit for duty.
Having thus weighed anchor, nothing is left now, after
spreading sail, but to plunge forward into the tracks of the
bellum days, nor rest until return is made and the end reached.
The war had been carried on for more than a year, with
varying success upon either side, but with considerable ground
gained and several substantial victories won in favor of the
national side. Yet midsummer of the second year of the war
found the national cause in the deepest gloom and disappoint
ment. Its proudest, most numerous and best equipped army,
, one of great strength in all its appointments, had suffered
itself to be foiled and defeated, besides being threatened with
destruction to such an extent as to require another and an
immense force to maneuver for its rescue. This second army
was just as badly defeated and forced to retire to the defensive,
when a union of the two armies was made and a reorganization
was effected. Then, through the blunders of the enemy,
which was indifferently taken advantage of by the talented
and brilliant commander of the northern forces, an important
victory was only barely gained in the battle of Antietam,
from the field of which the beaten foe was permitted to retire
aricl recuperate at his leisure.
This was in the east. In the west the outlook was more
promising. At the beginning of the war, the seceders vir
tually held the States of Kentucky and Missouri as their
northern line. Kentucky had been as good as regained, and a
portion of Tennessee also, while Missouri lay under but a
feeble pressure from the southern quarter. These states were
subject to rebel raids, but not to any permanent occupation
from their forces.

8 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
Pending these times, the nation was in an agony of the
deepest and most dismal despondency. Voluntary enlistments
to supply the losses sustained by the army, had been slow, and
the reverses to the northern forces had begun to create a
re-action. There were many rebel sympathizers in the north,
and they made loud talk in favor of the rebellion, and against
the loyal cause in the north. It certainly was a dark hour,
and a most trying time for those who had the conducting of
affairs on the side of the Union. The President, at the urgent
request of the governors of the loyal states, made an additional
call for three hundred thousand men.
To answer this call, six regiments qf infantry were assigned
as a quota, to the State of Michigan. As soon as proper
arrangements for recruiting could be made, numerous mass
meetings were held all over the state. Drums were set beating
to arms, and pledges for bounties were made. The bounties
were raised and paid over as an inducement for the volunteer
soldiers to enlist and leave immediately for the seat of war.
These bounties were temporary helps to those leaving families,
and they were enabled to enlist with less hesitation than if
compelled to wait until some remuneration could be received
from the army service. The summer's harvest was finished, so
that in the spare time following, the quota of the state troops
was soon filled up and passed over to the national forces.
The congressional regiments began with the 18th infantry
and ended wifh the 23d; while the 24th was raised in the City
of Detroit. How the 25th was raised, the following extract
from "Michigan in the War" will be taken for a full explana
tion: "It was found, after the organization of the several con
gressional district regiments had been completed, that more
companies had been offered than places had been provided
for, and the 25th was constituted from the surplus. It was
ordered to rendezvous at Kalamazoo, and H. G. Wells, Esq.,
placed in command of the camp." Now what this command
amounted to, above a nominal one or that of a sinecure, I have
never been abl^ to divine. In one place in the book of "Mich
igan in the War," it states that a certain man was appointed

MICHIGAN. 9
camp commander to "supervise the organization of regiment."
In the case of the 25th, the colonel organized his own regiment.
Here, as an act of justice due to the patriotism of the
soldiers of the 25th Michigan, permit me to digress a step
from the main story. A few years ago, at the time of Judge
Wells' death (who was president of the court for the distribu
tion of the Alabama claims), the writer of his obituary stated
that he raised the 25th Michigan Infantry. If such was
the case, I have never been able to learn that he ever enlisted a
single man for that regiment. As a member of one of the two
companies enlisted in Kalamazoo County, of which county he
was a resident, I know that he did' not enlist the first man for
it; and as for the other company, after due inquiry, am satisfied
that the same is true of that one also. The other companies
came from widely separated localities through the state. I
should not have mentioned the matter here, had it not been
published widely through the state; and I believe that, could
Judge Wells arise and speak for himself, he would disown the
assertion. It was the patriotism of the hour that enlisted the
soldiers of that day, and not the influence of any particular
man. It is therefore in no wise agreeable to those who devoted
themselves to the national cause, to be robbed of their hard
earned honors, and have them heaped upon those who already
have a sufficiency of them for an elevated station in life.
From the outbreak of the war, I had several times deter
mined upon enlisting into the army, and as often, from causes
arising at the time, delayed doing so. On the thirtieth day of
July, 1862, I attended a mass meeting held in the park at
Kalamazoo, where the several speakers urged the northern
cause in the strongest possible terms, and the patriotic offer
ings were so generous that there was no room left to hesitate
any longer. Reflecting upon the gloomy situation of the
country and the appeal, of those in authority, for more help to
maintain the government, with the enthusiastic offerings of the
crowd present, I, too, was brought under the magnetic influence
of the hour, and on returning to my home in Galesburg, settled
my mind to enlist with the army.

10 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
To raise a company demanded a considerable outlay of
time and money, and more of the latter than I was able to
bear, if I expected to start with a commission. In fact, there
were already too many who were ready to go if they could get
a commission, and were just as ready to alternate by staying at
home, if they could not get a commission at the start. So I
thought it best to take the place next below, save the expense
and await promotion. Several combinations for company
officers had been formed in and around Galesburg, and I chose
the one wherein F. T. Sutton was to be the captain, Edwin
Childs to be first lieutenant, and Samuel Fisher, second lieu
tenant. From what I knew of the trio, I concluded that the
first and third would stay but a short time, and in that con
clusion I found afterwards that I was not mistaken.
Recruiting went forward, while I was the first to enlist.
The company was not full, even at the end of August, when it
was ordered into camp at Kalamazoo. It was the first com
pany on the ground, arriving Saturday, August 30, 1862. The
National Park was taken for the camp, which was abqut a mile
and a half from the depot. Our march thither lay through-the
heart of the village. The people filled the streets for a long
distance, and gave us a hearty welcome as we passed them On
our way to camp. If they were not going to war themselves,
they assured us by their cheers, that they would stand in
support of our mission, which gave us no little pride and
encouragement for the future.
We were duly piloted to the camp ground by our future
adjutant, who assigned us to our quarters, exercised us a
little in drill, established a guard, and left soon after, followed
by the company officers, who did not make their re-appearance
until the next Monday morning, September 1. As first ser
geant, this left the responsibility of the command upon me.
The camping ground in National Park was as fine a place
as could be selected for the organization of a military force.
It consisted of about eighty acres, with a broad one mile racing
track. The camp wa6 fully a mile from the center of the
town, and was on its southeastern outskirts. The 6th and 13th

MICHIGAN. 11
regiments had been previously organized there, and the horse
stables for the use of exhibitors had been enclosed and pro
vided with bunks, to be used as sleeping apartments and
habitations for the soldiers. So we had no tent service while
in camp there. Other buildings on the ground supplied the
officers and men with headquarter arrangements, storage for
supplies, dining hall and other conveniences.
The absence of the officers left me in charge of the camp,
with little or no authority with which to support myself in the
enforcement of obedience and discipline. Guards were set to
environ the camp where the high fences did not form an
enclosure, but guards as they were, were only figure heads.
We were of course without arms, and ortly a set of raw recruits
imbued with the wildest notions of their new-born privileges,
because of having metamorphosed themselves from the status
of a citizen to that of a soldier. The laws protected them, as
soldiers, from arrest to a greater extent than they did as
citizens. With such notions, it was a difficult task, with one of
my rank, to bring them into subjection to their new situation
within any approach to what military discipline demanded.
Besides, I had not been in command of the company hereto
fore, it having been organized but a few days, and as I had
been considered by the men only as one of their own lot, and
not above an equal with themselves, I could hardly enforce a
command among such a party of men. They were, as yet,
unable to understand the requirements of strict obedience tp
military discipline.
The next day was Sunday, the last day of August, and an
eventful one to me. It seemed as if the wicked never ceased
from troubling and that the weary had no rest. The trials,
difficulties and responsibilities of military life, leaped, Minerva
like, into existence at the very start. The day was beautiful,
and many of the men, cooped up in camp -with their thoughts
back at home, wanted something with which to engage their
attention, and so called on me to go to the village, get them
some papers, or whatever else I could find of a readable
character, to take up their thoughts and pass away the time.

12 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
The printing offices were not open on this day of the week, so
I called upon Mr. Hascall, the publisher of the Gazette, at his
residence, who kindly gave me what papers he happened to
have at his house. With these I returned toward camp, and
on passing the Park House, opposite the entrance to the horse
grounds, I found some half dozen of our men there. I tried
to get them to go back to camp with me, but they had
evidently gone there for the purpose of getting warmed up
with liquor, and were determined to stay there until they could
get it. They flattered, caressed and praised me without
limit, and promised me that if I would treat them once, they,
would then go back with me to their quarters. Believing that
they would keep their promise, I treated them immediately,
and found just as immediately that I had made a fatal mistake. v
They understood the rules and habits of the drinking business
better than I did, and had one of experience for a leader. No
sooner had they become possessed with one drink, than they
obstinately refused to go back with me as they promised, but
called upon one of their number to take his turn and treat
around, until each one had done his part; and I guess they did
it to the full of the measure and to overflowing of the brim.
I found that it was of no use to make any further efforts to '
get them away from the bar, and was forced to leave them
with their drinks, and returned to camp alone.
I had not been back more than half an hour before those
men came also, apparently well warmed up by intoxication.
Among the lot there was one man, John Galligan, who had
taken enough into his insides to drive out his very nature, and
exercised it by knocking, cuffing and quarrelling with every
one with whom he chanced to meet. I persuaded him to take
a walk with me, when I urged him to keep quiet and sober
down. He seemed to be sensible of his condition, promised to
retire to his bunk and keep still. Thinking that he would
keep his promise in good faith, I returned to mine also, to
engage in reading, writing or something of the kiftd. I had
been there but a short time, ere I was called out to quell a
disturbance. E. C. Hathaway was on guard at the gate; Galli-

MICHIGAN. 13
gan undertook to pass the guard, and being resisted, struck
him on the head with a club. This was an outrage that could
not be overlooked, and I ordered him to be taken to the guard
house. But no one appeared to be willing to obey, so I had
to take hold of him myself. He resisted to his utmost, and
not until a few blows had been administered to him, was he
overmastered, taken to the guard house and put under guard.
The guard seemed to have no appreciation of his duties, as he
left his post, taking his prisoner with him to walk around the
grounds, and allowed him to possess himself with a butcher
knife from the eating tables.
About this time, two men rode into camp and questioned
me in regard to some matters pertaining to the regiment and
camp, which excited my curiosity, and I asked them if they
were connected with or were members of the regiment. Upon
this, one of them introduced the other as colonel of the 25th
Michigan. The same was Orlando H. Moore, a captain of the
6th United States Infantry, and late lieutenant colonel of the
13th Michigan. I accepted him according to announcement
and received some instruction from him in regard to my duties.
Immediately the guard having Galligan in charge, came along
by us( when he made an exhibition of his drunken ravings.
This attracted the attention of the colonel, who inquired into
his case, and after due information, ordered him to be kept in
the guard house until further orders.
Such was Colonel Moore's introduction to his new com
mand. Likewise was Galligan's case disposed of. But not his
vengeance against me. He flourished the knife in his possession
before the guard, and swore he had procured it to rip me open.
These threats being reported to me, I directed the sergeant of
the guard to keep a, close watch upon him. I then procured a
rope to tie him with, for safety; but on reflection, concluded to
let the guards take care of him as long as possible, before
resorting to such forcible means to keep him down. He had
certainly exhibited a very bad temper, both by threats and
actions, and I did not feel that I could trust him. His naturally
ungovernable temper had worked him up toi such a pitch that

14 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
he raved like a madman every time I happened in his sight.
With these disturbances, the day passed wearily away, and
gave me a strange and not very agreeable introduction into
my new professional calling; a demand for the exercise of
authority that I seemed hardly able to enforce, as matters
then stood before me. It was my first Sunday of military life
and .responsibilities. There is something in a name that com
mands respect for him who carries it. The dignity of an office
renders the multitude obedient to the officer, as clothed "with
the power of the law to duly enforce his orders. My position
at that time hardly gave me that dignity among a set of
fellows who were in the passage or transition from a state of
civic liberty to that of military discipline.
SEPTEMBER, J 862.
On Monday morning, September 1, I found myself still in
charge of matters as I had been the day previous, and have no
recollection of the return of the company officers, or that they
even returned at all on that day. From the style that I have
the events of the day journalized, I should be inclined to say
that they did not; at least that I was relieved of any responsi
bility by them. But I did receive some assistance from the
adjutant, who came around in the morning, and whose presence
seemed to give more impressive authority to me, in my direc
tions to the men in the conduct of camp affairs. They gave a
more hearty obedience, with the co-operation of the other non
commissioned officers, to the directions I found necessary to
give, to carry out the details of duty. Being then at the head
of all that were there present, the adjutant appointed me as
officer of the guard, which, when known to those in camp,
made things move much more smoothly than they had prev-,
iously done. The adjutant informed me that other companies'
would begin to come in before the close of the day, and would
continue to do so from day to day until the regiment was
filled up.
These accessions to our number came during the after
noon, and before night, three companies had joined us.

MICHIGAN. 15
Although the companies were not lettered for a week or more
afterwards, I shall find it more convenient to designate them
by the letters that were subsequently settled upon them, as
they enter and report themselves. About two o'clock, Com
panies F, from Niles, and K, from Buchanan, heralded their
approach by the beating of drums. I received them by
drawing up my company into line with colors flying (our
company had a flag), and introduced them into camp, upon
which the adjutant assigned them to their quarters, as he had
done to us, in the row of horse sheds which had been fitted up
for them. One hour later, the same signals were repeated, and
Company A, from Marshall, was added to our lot. The guards
were ordered to be increased, and I immediately called upon
the new companies to furnish their share in the new demand.
On the second, two more companies, C, from Berrien, and
H, from •Osht'emo, came in. Companies H and E (our own
company), were made up in Kalamazoo County, the. latter
from the village of Galesburg. Six companies were now in
camp, with their officers, the colonel and adjutant. With
these officials present, things began to look somewhat like the
home of the soldier. They assume more the appearance of a
military character, as drilling is immediately commenced, with
all the companies present.
Reveille at break of day was sounded on the bugle and
beaten on the drums: The bugle again called the sick to
report at eight o'clock, guard mounting at the same hour, and
company drill at nine, while the call for the first sergeants to
assemble and copy the orders of the colonel, through the ser
geant major, was given at eleven o'clock, so that the orders for
the regulations of the camp and the duties of officers and men
could be read to the various companies before breaking ranks
for dinner. In the afternoon came battalion drill, commanded by the
colonel. This usually occupied two or three hours .of the
afternoon, when later on and near the close, came dress
parade, which closed the military day.

16 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
Dress parade is prescribed by the army regulations to be
held daily, at any time the commanding officer may direct.
It is a sort of regimental review, when the regiment is expected
to appear at its best. The companies are formed in the order
of battle, with the adjutant and music on the right, the sergeant
major on the left, and the commanding officer at a convenient
distance ih front of the center. After coming into proper
position, the troops await the music to beat off down to the
left and return, when the adjutant steps down to the center
and out in front of the commanding officer, receives verbal
reports from tbe first sergeants as to the presence or absence
of the men, delivers them to the officer present and retires to
the rear, when the commanding officer exercises them in the
manual of arms or dismisses them to their quarters, as he may
choose. Dress parade in itself seems to be rather a holiday
regimental show.
Again, having been on duty continuously for three days,
in charge of the camp and guards, I was relieved on the
morning of the second, and offered a pass to go home with, if
I chose to do so, and stay over night, which, of course, I was
glad to accept. On returning next day, I found that while
absent, there had been a row in the company. How it began
and was carried on to its close I did not learn. None of the
officers were present. The captain promised certain bounties
to the men when they enlisted, and they began to distrust him
and doubt about getting them; declaring that they would
never muster until those promises were made sure. The
uproar came to the knowledge of the colonel. He met the
men, heard each one for himself, and to quell the disorder,
threatened to have them drummed out of camp.
The third finds three more companies joining us. They
were Company B from Kent and Ionia Counties, and Com
panies D and G from Three Rivers. Company I, from Holland,
fills out the regiment before the end of the week.
A system of orders begins to be outlined for all the regular
routines of camp life and for the rapid organization of the
regiment, fitting it for service in the field. The confused mass

MICHIGAN. 17
of men who had so recently exercised the independent freedom
of the citizen, was fast settling into the orderly discipline of
the soldier. They responded cheerfully twice a day at roll
call, that of reveille in the morning and of tattoo at night, and
half an hour later; at the call of taps, put out their lights for
sleep. This was only in regard to physical drill and discipline.
They seemed to reserve to themselves their former mode of
language. Human nature will out, an'd there is no exception or reserve
to be made in regard to time, place or circumstances. Collect
a crowd of men together for a certain purpose, and be it for
their own advantage or for that of some one else, the purpose
or object is likely to be lost sight of; jealousies are pushed to
the front, and as a body, they are never satisfied with the condi
tions in which they have placed themselves. They can never
accept the inevitable and submit themselves to the situation of
things. They will find fault, sometimes with reason, but mostly
without, at every little happening to them
Our present crowd was no exception to the rule. Here
was a full regiment of soldiers, or rather in the transitory
move thereto, enlisted with the most patriotic ardor; volun
tarily surrendering for the time being, the liberties of the
citizen and accepting the restrictions of military life; who have
offered and placed their lives between the life of the nation
and death — the noblest sacrifice the individual can make for
the public good. Yet dissatisfaction, grumbling and growling
was the order of the day. Such a phase of uneasiness always
leads to insubordination, and should meet with a pronounced
reproof from the officers who are most immediately in contact
with them. The manner and conduct of an officer in the per
formance of his duties develop a very striking influence upon
the manner and conduct of his men, and ought to be exercised
for the best good of the service. It becomes my duty in this
instance to record a reverse 6f the position, when I find the
officers waving their men on to a mutinous conduct, siding in
with and giving encouragement to that degree of fault finding
that brings reverential authority into disrespect.

18 TWENTYrFIFTH MICHIGAN.
The living for the soldiers was furnished and? prepared by
contract, and was as good or better than what was provided
for in the army rations. It was well prepared and served upon
tables in as good order as most of the men had received at
home. The men had nothing to do when the bugle sounded
the "meal call," but to fall in, march to the tables and satisfy
themselves with the fullness of food. It was, perhaps, better
and more complete than half of the men had left behind them
on leaving home. Yet this did not answer. They complained
that the butter was too strong, and that the meat was unfit for
the table. This was true of the butter (although hardly strong
enough to run alone), and how true of the meat, I do not
know, as I did not partake of it.
As to the butter, this was something on the bill of fare not
to be found in the army rations, so that a complaint against
that was out of place. I tried to pacify their mutterings, tell
ing them that they would soon pass to where they would not
fare as well as they were faring at the present time, and that
the government would furnish them no butter with which to
satisfy a fastidious taste; that they would have to accept of
more miserable cookery, or do that part of the business for
themselves. I failed to convince them that they had better
take up with such fare as they were getting and be thankful
for it at that. They replied that they were living in a land of
plenty, where better fare could be furnished, and "they'll be
d- — -d if they wo'uldn't have it." But the infection started by
the few enveloped the most of the men, and their mutterings
soon grew into actions. The pepper was thrown into the butter
and everything else was mixed up and overturned except the
tables. The outbreak first occurred at the breakfast hour.
Thus having given vent to their dissatisfaction and evidently
satisfied their spite, the most of the company left the tables
for their quarters, without breakfast. Captain McKinney of
Company K, took his company to the Park House, just outside
the entrance gate; and furnished one meal for his men at his
own expense.

MICHIGAN. 19
The uproar had spread and seized upon the greater part
of the regiment. The captains of most of the companies
encouraged this mutinous conduct and ordered the sergeants
to report their companies on the "sick list," and unfit for duty.
I handed in the instructed report accordingly, and the other
sergeants doing likewise, soon brought the matter to the ears
of the colonel, who ordered the officers abetting this affair,
into his presence He told them that he should enforce orders
at all hazards, censured them for having given countenance
and support to such rowdyism as they had in their commands;
that it was but the breeding of riotous conduct, to the destruc
tion of all law and order. Thereupon affairs took a better turn
and the morning reports went in, "companies fit for duty."
So much to illustrate a case of mind or faith cure, mate
rialized by "Doctor" Moore.
Such was the settlement, but not the outcome, of this
action. It was but a day or two afterwards, that this
mode of feeding the regiment was thrown up, and the com
panies had to feed themselves. Cooks were detailed from
each company to prepare food for the men. The companies
fell in, single file, marched in turn with their tin cups and
plates, to a hole in the side of the cook house, where they had
to wait until their allowance could be doled out to them,
one by one, when they could step aside, food in hand and
coffae in cup, to dispose of it at their leisure. Whether or n°t
they were better suited with the new arrangement, need not be
dwelt upon. The change was made, and like the laws of the
Medes and Persians, was beyond reversal. They had bitten
off their own noses and had to submit to the disfigurement
and inconvenience of getting along without them.
In the progress of affairs, the day of muster came on the
eleventh. Every man had been sworn in on enlistment papers,
but to be passed into the United States service, an officer of
the United States army, duly appointed for that purpose, had
to muster the officers and men in by companies, and again
swear them in. Owing to a shortage of time and numbers, -but
eight companies were mustered in on the eleventh, and not

20 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
until the twenty-second was the regimental muster completed,
at which time every man had been paid one-fourth of his
bounty, one month's pay and $2.00 premium. The premium,
I suppose, was all right and just as it should be, but I never
learned why it was given and paid over to the soldiers. The
uniform was furnished on the seventeenth, and on the nine
teenth, Enfield rifles, which completed the equipment, placing
them in readiness, and awaiting orders for service in the field.
While thus waiting, both company and battalion drill was
carried on daily, with all the spare time well put in; company
drill in the morning and battalion drill and dress parade in the
afternoon. The regiment soon became very proficient in that
part of its duties, and the men became soldiers as practiced by
them, in more than one sense of the word. Foraging on their
own account was a duty they took upon themselves without
orders. Many of them managed in some way to get out of
camp at night, and return before morning,, with their commis
sary department well supplied with fruit, honey and chickens.
Once, about half way between the two daylights, some of
the men roused me up, to show me good proofs that they had
captured the means of making a pot-pie. The person whose
roost furnished the chickens on this occasion, has since become
a neighbor of mine, and I had not learned the facts of the raid
upon that particular victim until twenty-eight years after it had
taken place. You may imagine his surprise when he found, in
the morning, that his chickens had vanished so suddenly,
under cover of darkness that nothing but their heads were left
as a token that they had once been there, but had nothing
further to say. Another party that had taken a hive of bees,
near the river, became a little fearful of being caught, and in
their hurry took for the river, made a slip down the bank and
were well drenched. They thought themselves well repaid,
notwithstanding the misfortune, as the bees were drowned and ,
the honey secured. I mention these little incidents to show
what a curse the presence of an. army is to any country, when
it is not amenable to civil jurisdiction, whether it be in friendly
or hostile occupation.

MICHIGAN. 21
Another feature of preparation for the service was the
besieging of the camp with hawkers, peddlers and quacks,
preaching into the soldiers the need of providing against
disease and discomforts of the service, in order to sell and
round out a profit on conveniences and medicines as prevent
ative of disease and accident; just as if the government had not
been informed sufficiently and made the necessary provision
for every emergency. Of course, these fellows had some trade
and left a considerable lot of their traps and medicines in
camp, for high equivalents in money, thereby securing life and
safety for their customers.
Here occurs an episode in the otherwise new state of.
affairs, though in no way connected with them. Another, but
not a military exhibition, took place on the ground, on the
twentieth. A herd of twenty- two buffaloes had been placed in
the camp enclosure, and a buffalo hunt advertised. A large
crowd was present, and a guard line was established to keep
the people back. There was no imaginary wildness about the
show. The animals, probably driven a long distance, had
sobered down to the tameness of a lot of old cows. They were
grazing about like cattle when the hunter rode in among them,
without creating the least commotion. Indeed, after singling
out his victim, it required a great amount of maneuvering
before the hunter could excite a retreat in the animal in order
to give him a chance for pursuit. This accomplished, they
plodded on, side by side, for a while, when the brutah part of
the exhibition began.
The hunter, in imitation of the Indian, and not one whit
more merciful, armed with a lance, began to make his thrusts
at the helpless animal. During the first fifteen minutes, he had
made five passes with his lance upon the back and haunches of
his victim. Although this was being enacted'at a considerable
distance from where I stood, I could see large courses of blood
streaming down the sides and legs of the wounded brute. It
was doubtful which was the greatest brute; the one by nature
or the one who had cast aside the human and taken up that of
the animal. A last effort was made with the lance, but the

22 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
mark was missed, the lance dropped from the hand of the
hunter, and the pistol was resorted to. Three shots were fired
before the fatal one closed the life of the animal, and he fell
in the seal of death. It even took five minutes to get him to
the ground after the last shot was fired. Such an exhibition in
a civilized country needs no comments. The end had been
reached and the crowd withdrew.
Being now ready for the field, orders for moving were
expected, but rumors preceded orders. Orders were received
by the colonel on the twenty-seventh, to move on the twenty-
ninth; but changes were made daily, so that we did not actually
get started until the first 'day of October.
Packing up and getting ready to leave, became in their
turn the chief orders for attention. Friends and relatives of
the men made their farewell visits. The colors had not yet
been received, but being ready for presentation, the regiment
made its first march to the park in Kalamazoo, passing through
long streets crowded with people, who gave a cheering pride
in their presence as onlookers to the ceremony. The colors
were presented by the Honorable H. G. Wells, in behalf of the
citizens, with exhortations befitting the occasion. The speech
was equally responded to by Colonel Moore. Swords als,o
were presented to the colonel and lieutenant colonel, who like
wise acknowledged the gifts in a becoming manner.
The ceremonies being duly completed with patriotic
devotion, and the promised cup of loyalty full to the brim and
overflowing, the regiment marched back to camp, assured in
the minds of the men that if they could not emerge from the
service three years hence with a crown besprinkled with honor
and glory, it would be no fault of theirs.
The regiment as now organized, was complete, with the
strength of 896 officers and men, commanded as follows:
FIELD AND STAFF.
Orlando H. Moore, colonel; Benjamin F. Orcutt, lieuten
ant colonel; DeWitt C. Fitch,, major, resigned April 12, 1864;

Charles H. Brown, adjutant, resigned June 16, 1863; Bol

lver

MICHIGAN. 23
Bp.rnum, surgeon; Francis M. Oakley, first assistant surgeon,
discharged February 23, 1864, died March 17, 1892; John N.
Gregg, second assistant surgeon, discharged October 23, 1864;
John M. Ridlon, quartermaster, mustered out; Albert L. Pay-
son, chaplain. COMPANY.
Company A. *Charles B. Pratt, captain, mustered out
August 15, 1865; Orange Bugbee, first lieutenant, discharged
April 15, 1864; *Norris J. Frink, second lieutenant, resigned
October 29, 1863.
Company B. Samuel L. Demorest, captain; Frank R.
Chase, first lieutenant, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps,
resigned November 19, 1863; Asa W. Slayton, second lieuten
ant, resigned June 19, 1864.
Company C. Charles E. McCollister, captain, resigned
March 13, 1863; *Jacob Ewalt, first lieutenant, discharged
October 28, 1864; *Edwin F. Kimmelli second lieutenant,
resigned September 23, 1864.
Company D. Julius C. Cross, captain, resigned April 7,
1863; Henry McCrary, first lieutenant; John Gilchrist, second
lieutenant. Company E. *Frank T. Sutton, captain, resigned March 4,
1863; Edwin Childs, first lieutenant; Samuel Fisher, second
lieutenant, resigned February 16, 1863.
Company F. Spencer L. Lansing, captain, discharged
October 28, 1863; Gideon Frisbie, first lieutenant, discharged
September 24, 1864; Arthur M. Twombly, second lieutenant,
resigned September 18, 1864.
Company G. William Fulkerson, captain, resigned April
17, 1865; John B. Handy, first lieutenant; Darius D. Thorp,
second lieutenant, discharged October 28, 1864.
Company H. *Hiram Cook, captain, resigned December
9, 1863; John H. Wells, first lieutenant; *Alvin N. Cook,
second lieutenant, discharged January 4, 1864,
Company I. William E. Dowd, captain, died February 17,
1863; Martin DeBoe, first' lieutenant; Jacob O. Doesburg,
second lieutenant, resigned December 6, 1863.
•Deceased.

24 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
Company K Martin V. McKinney, captain, resigned July
26, 1863; *John Tennant, first lieutenant, discharged June 14,
1864; Franklin D. Weaver, second lieutenant, died April 2, 1864.
The non-commissioned officers were: Edward M. Prutz-
man, sergeant major; Phillip D. Miller, hospital steward;
Edwin R. Wilbur, quartermaster sergeant; John S. Conant,
commissary sergeant; Watts Mead, bugler.
It is somewhat in advance, but I may as well note here
the changes of officers and promotions from the ranks, up to
the time of the mustering out of the. regiment and the close of
the war. This from the fact that I shall have to make frequent
mention of their names in the continuation of this narrative.
It is much better to group the list collectively, than to set them
forth individually.
Company A. Sergt. Abner Van Dyke to sergeant major,
February 2, 1863, thence to a commission in the 102d Colored
Troops. Company B. Sergt. James A. Sage to first lieutenant,
April 7, 1864. Sergt. Henry Hill to second lieutenant, January
1, 1865, and to first lieutenant, March 21, 1865.
Company C. Lieut. Ewalt to captain, March 13, 1863.
Lieut. Edwin F. Kimmel, to first lieutenant, March 13, 1863.
Sergt. Clarence M. Howe to second lieutenant, March 13, 1865,
first lieutenant, November 1, and to captain, November 12,
1864. Sergt. Joseph L. Carlisle to second lieutenant, February
24, 1865; first lieutenant, February 24, 1865.
Company D. Lieut. McCrary to captain, April 7, 1863.
Lieut. Gilchrist to first lieutenant, April 7, 1863, and to captain
Co. K, January 1, 1864. Sergt. Harvey C. Lambert to second
lieutenant, February 23, 1864, and to first lieutenant, January
1, 1865. Company E. Lieut. Childs to captain, March 4, 1863.
Sergt. Benjamin F. Travis to second lieutenant, February 16,
and to first lieutenant, March 4, 1863. Sergt. *Charles Bradley
to a commission in a Kentucky .battery, September. 28, 1863.-
Paul R. Baldy to quartermaster, in 102d Colored Troops.
*Deceased.

MICHIGAN. 25
Company F. *Sergt. Charles Woodruff to second lieuten
ant, April 2, 1864; first lieutenant, April 7, and to adjutant,
May 14, 1864. Sergt. Irving Paddock to second lieutenant,
November 1, 1864; to first lieutenant, November 2, 1864, and
to captain, May 8, 1865. Henry C. Bond to second lieutenant,
November 2, 1864, and to first lieutenant, May 8, 1865. Henry
Kimmel, second lieutenant 12th Michigan, February 18, 1863,
to first lieutenant, March 15, 1864, and to captain 30th Infantry,
November 28, 1864.
Company G. Lieut. Handy to captain, May 8, 1865.
Sergt. John G. Gilbert to second lieutenant Co. E, March 4,
1863, resigned April 25, 1864. Sergt. Wm. Cole to second
lieutenant, March 21, and to first lieutenant, May 8, 1865.
Sergt. Ashbel W. Snyder to quartermaster sergeant, January
1, 1864; to second lieutenant Co. I, March 6, 1865; not receiv
ing commission until after the close of the war, was not
mustered into office.
Company H. Lieut. Wells to captain, December 10, 1863.
Sergt. George W. Finlay to second lieutenant Co. I, June 17,
1863, and to first lieutenant 30th Infantry, December 31, 1864.
Sergt. Albert Wager to second lieutenant, January 4, 1864, and
to first lieutenant, January 5, 1864. Sergt. Valorous A. Bryant
to second lieutenant, November 1, 1864, and to first lieutenant,
February 24, 1865. Sergt. Lorin C, Hill to second lieutenant
Co. A., January 1, 1865, and to first lieutenant, February 24,
1865. Wm. C. Wooley to commissary sergeant, April 7, 1863.
Company I. Lieut. Martin DeBoe to captain, February
17, 1863. Sergt. John Kramer to second lieutenant, February
17, 1863, and to first lieutenant, June 17, 1863. Charles F. Post
to a commission in the 35th Kentucky Infantry.
Company K. Sergt. Norris M. Merrill to second lieuten
ant, June 1, 1864.
From non-commissioned staff:
Edward M. Prutzman to second lieutenant Co. I, February
2„ 1863; to first lieutenant and adjutant, June 17, 1863. Com
missary Sergt. John D. Conant to second lieutenant Co. D,
April 7, 1863. Quartermaster Sergt. Edwin R. Wilbur to

26

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

BOLIVAR BARNUM, Surgeon.
Died November 6, 1881.

(1863.)

second lieutenant, January 1,
1864, and to first lieutenant,
.February 24, 1864. Hospital
Steward Philip D. Miller to
second lieutenant, November
1, 1864, and to assistant sur- *
geon, January 1, 1865.
It will be noticed, that of
all those promoted from the
ranks, there was but one
resignation; that of Lieut.
Gilbert; and he did it almost
at the point of death, dying
but a short time afterwards.
Dr. Barnum was a surgeon
well posted in his profession, of fine p rceptions, quick, and as
I believe, correct in his conclusions, possessed with the
ability of making an impression of hopefulness in his patients,
where any was to be had, inspiring the best  ,  -
of cheer for recovery.
Of Dr. Oakley, I should judge that he was
a man of solid intelligence in his line of busi
ness, of good judgment, and always made an
effort to succeed in every case^he was called
upon for practice.
Dr. Gregg was with us more. He was the
most gifted and favored of all. I never was Fis*N.?st "su^eo"*'
on the sick list, but consulted with him in his Died Mar.3^, 1892.
professional service several times, and always
with the satisfaction that he was equal to his
responsibilities. The 25th was eminently equipped in its
medical branch of the service.
, At a reunion of the soldiers and sailors of
 ., , ls|t Southwestern Michigan, in the summer of 1890,
NoTofWhkS. Senator Stockbridge told the following:

michicaN. 27
"I came near going to the war myself. When the 25th
Michigan was being made up, Governor Blair wrote me a
letter, saying, 'I have made out a commission for you, as lieu
tenant colonel of the 25th Michigan, and want you to accept
of it.' I left my lumber business and returned to Kalamazoo,
to consult with friends and consider the matter. Benjamin F.
Orcutt being in the place, was then out of business, wished to
go to the war, and wanted the position. Having been to the
Mexican war, he had had that much of experience over me.
At the same time, I was met by a delegation of citizens,
headed by Judge Wells, who pleaded his case for the same
reasons, and asked that both of us go to Governor Blair and
have Orcutt commissioned for the place. On looking the
matter over, I concluded that I had too much at stake to leave
to the care of others, and felt willing to surrender in his favor.
We made an appointment before the Governor, and gave him
a full statement of the case, with my wishes for his appoint
ment. The Governor, after a patient hearing, looked the
matter carefully over, sized us up in comparison, and in view
of Mr. Orcutt's better looks and experience, gave him the
commission. Thus you see how near I came to being a soldier
in the war."
This was the way our lieutenant colonel was appointed,
serving most of the time with us. He became a general
favorite and received the familiar name of "Uncle Ben."
About the major, I have nothing good to say at present,
and reserve my criticisms and opinions, good and bad, on him
and other officers, until the occasion demands. I set out with
the intention of relating events in their appropriate places, and
those concerning myself to form no exception. I shall pursue
this policy to the end, without fear or favor to anyone.
One thing more belongs here, for it was the beginning and
cause of a sequence to be related hereafter. Anything to beat
the rebels, we thought, and everything in that line would be
classed within the rules of virtue. It will be recollected that
in the early history of the state, Wild Cat banks, flourishing
upon a worthless basis, issued for circulation a large amount of

28

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

BENJAMIN F. ORCUTT. (1863.}
Lieut-Colonel 25th Michigan. Killed Dec. 12
1867, while sheriff of Kalamazoo Co.,
by an escaping prisoner.

Wild Cat money. This, with
two other kinds of about
equal value, called Counter
feit and Red Dog, was, about
twenty-five years before, the
currency of the state. I
never fully learned what the
Red Dog was.
A few years ago, at the
annual picnic of the pioneers,
one of the speakers related a
story to illustrate the pinch
ing times experienced by the
early settlers, in which he told
of a farmer who went to the
store to buy a pair of boots.
Although the customer had enough of the Wild Cat to offer,
he was told that it coul'd not be taken for the boots; that of
the three kinds of money, he preferred to have the bogus to
that of the Wild Cat or Red Dog. This money, after a while,
reached a point so far below par, with a set of worthless and
speculative banks without any basis, whatever, for redemption,
that it was finally retired and stored away, perhaps for future
use. Well, after a resting spell of twenty-five years, a lot of it
was brought to the distant southland, and the camp well
supplied, as a reserve in cases of emergency; myself, as well
as others, handling quantities pf it there.
The 25th Michigan, although a regiment of 896 men, was
but little above the minimum of 844, while the maximum was
1024. At that time, a regiment might have a colonel, lieuten
ant colonel, major, adjutant, quartermaster, surgeon, assistant
surgeon (the 25th had two assistant surgeons), a sergeant
major, quartermaster sergeant, commissary sergeant, hospital
steward and a chaplain. Ten companies composed a regiment,
each company to consist of a captain, first and second lieuten
ants, a first sergeant, four sergeants, eight corporals, two
musicians, one Wagoner, and from sixty-four to eighty-two
privates. Thus there might be from eighty-three to one hun
dred and one officers and men in a company.

DIVISION II.

e£* b5* w* (£* w* t3* it" t^* t2" (3* i£* (^* e£* (£* t£* t^* t£* (^*
| KENTUCKY. 3
i5* (^* ti?* t^* t^* t^* ^* {(?• ^* t^* tp* i£m t£& (^6 5^5* ^6 (,3* {^?

OCTOBER, 1862.
October 1, and we are to bid a farewell to the State of
Michigan and be off for the war. The few days of prepara
tion enabled us to move out of camp at half past eight in the
morning for the depot of the Michigan Central railroad, and
just before noon, left for "Dixie." As a regiment, this was the
first and last ride we had upon such cars, until we returned to
the state at the close of the war.
The route from Michigan City was to the southward, the
people along the route cheering and waving us on to meet the
rebel foe. Even the little girls had their flags to wave in salute
as we speeded by. Through the capitol of the state, the city
of Jeffersonville was reached on the night of the second. The
next afternoon we were settled on the then famous "Camp Joe
Holt," on the north bank of the Ohio at the foot of the falls,
and where the year before, Gen. Rousseau had organized his
brigade of Kentuckians. It seems that the delicate loyalty of
Governor Magoffin, and the public opinion ruling in Kentucky
the year before, could not permit the violation of the common
wealth by the presence of the Union soldiers. S° the Union
element of the State of Kentucky had to pass over to the
Indiana side of the Ohio ere it could organize itself in defense
of its principles. . Around this nucleus, under a gallant leader,
the Kentuckians rallied and afterwards made a noble defense
for the Union. The opposing element of that state made a
good record dn the other side also.

30 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
One day only was spent in this camp, when we crossed
the river, marching through the city of Louisville, then about
three miles south of the city, where we camped, being provided
with the Bell tent for shelter. Opposite Louisville, where the
Ohio is fully half a mile wide, a heavy pontoon bridge had
been laid but a short time before, to secure a safe retreat in
case the city should fall into rebel hands. The rebels had
approached very near the city, causing no little consternation
to the residents. The bridge afforded us a very convenient
mode of crossing. to the south side of the Ohio river.
Just before this time, the armies of Bragg and Buell had
had a race for Louisville, with the rebel Bragg in the lead, who
for some reason or policy best known to his own strategy,
turned off when nearing the city, to the southeast, followed by
Buell, and halted at Perryville, about seventy miles from
Louisville, where a sanguinary battle was fought and Bragg
pushed into a retrograde movement. On Buell's outward
pursuit of Bragg, and soon after the battle at Perryville, Louis
ville was filled with stragglers from the federal army. Being
idle in camp, we were called upon to pick up these stragglers,
detailing a large squad of men as provost guards for this pur
pose. I was in that guard about half of the time, busy all the
day and half the night, ranging through the city, picking up
every loose soldier, taking them to the barracks, whence I
believe that the most of them were let loose the next day, to
be picked up again. With all our efforts the numbers did not
seem to diminish. It was a hateful and disagreeable duty to
perform', for, after the end of the day, at midnight or later, our
beds of repose were alternately on bare floors or the barracks,
or stone sidewalks in the open air, without covering in either
case. In spite of the exhaustive labors of the day, lengthened
far into the night, and the rattling of army wagons over the
pavements all night long, tired nature swept us into a repose
that refused to be disturbed by bedlam itself.
Such were the duties we were first called upon to perform
in the line of warfare, for the suppression of the rebellion.
But a baby campaign was in waiting for us that gave a little

MICHIGAN. . 31
warlike training, although, we went through it without fighting.
On the fourteenth, Col. Moore received orders to take seven of
his companies, scour the counties of Owen and Henry, and rid
them of guerrillas.
Companies A, B, C, E, G, H and I were selected, and the
following midnight went by rail to Eminence, forty-one miles
east of Louisville. Here we left the train and started on our
first march. After going about two miles, we were halted
where the road went through a gorge, with the woods on either
side massed thickly with underbrush, making a fit place for a
guerrilla ambuscade. Up to this time, our guns had never been
loaded. Col. Moore now ordered us to load, and gave some
advice as to how we should conduct ourselves in case of a
battle, or where we should be surprised by a hidden foe. That
a volley might be given us suddenly by a hidden foe, with
every advantage upon his side, would naturally start a few
anxious thoughts in such inexperienced soldiers as we were.
Completing this . precautionary measure, we resumed the
march and reached the little village of Bethlehem before night,
where, in expectation of our arrival, the good people had
prepared an excellent supper, seasoned with, the best of coffee.
Gratitude was the best and only gift we could return for their
generosity, and led by Lieut. Slayton, the men cheered their
appreciation. The weather was very mild and our bed was
on the ground, with nothing but the heavens for a canopy.
We met but few Union men here. The most of the people
had taken sides with the rebellion, and to clinch their decision,
sent large recruiting forces to the rebel army. We met a few
home guards, who said that they "had to pack their arms
around with them to keep the guerrillas from committing out
rages, against the Union people."
We were now in a lawless section of the country, and the
recent presence of the rebel armies of Bragg and Kirby Smith
in the vicinity had given a gregt deal of boldness and activity
to the rebel element that existed there. It was then reported
that one county alone had furnished twelve to fifteen hundred
men for the rebellion, while not more than thirty had taken up

32 . TWENTY-FIFTH MICHI.GAN.
the Union arms. This was apparent; many of the houses were
deserted and but few people, besides women and children,
were seen during the campaign, and few of these women
made a remark, except to jeer for the north and cheer for .the
south. Bad, crooked and stony roads lay before us for the
coming day. The bugle called the assembly at midnight, and
we were soon on the march. It was twelve miles to Gratz, on
the Kentucky river, over roads that in places were apparently
in the primitive state of nature, and so covered with large
stones, that the wagons could barely be drawn over them.
Sunrise found us at the river, where we had breakfast; then
crossed and climbed the rocky banks of the other side. The
'% J
™ season had been so dry that the river was very low and
narrow. There was a ferry here, but as the ferryboat seemed
to lay on the bottom, and reached nearly across, only a few
planks were needed to connect the shores. We halted here
» until noon, and for the first time, threw out our pickets. A
march of ten miles more took us to Owenton, the county seat
of Owen County, which was to be our base of operations for
the campaign. How extensive these operations were, or were to be, I
shall not attempt to relate. Suffice it to say, that some scout
ing was done, a few horses and other things picked up, con
demned as contrabands of war by those who took them, and
carried away. Enough foraging was done also, to supply our
wants at the expense of the country. The first night after
reaching Owenton, a squad of rebel sick, who had been left by
Kirby Smith, about thirteen miles away, was reported to Col.
Moore. He called for volunteers to capture the gang, and the
officers of Co. B. responded, with three men, who took horses
where they could find them, and after an all night ride,
captured two prisoners (leaving the sick), four horses and a few
geese, who, having hissed at the blue uniforms, were declared
rebels, and prisoners of war.
The home of a Dr. Adams, who at that time was a Union
refugee in Indiana, was headquarters for the "upper ten" of

KENTUCKY. 33
our forces, while the troops were quartered in the court house.
Rebel families were numerous, and were made to furnish the
best the land afforded; a proper share being taken to the
Doctor's house, where it was served in a manner to challenge
the appetite of the most dainty. Although not at that time a
commissioned officer, but backed by the mater familias, I was
not backward in seating myself at the loaded tables among the,
officer's, and share the best they yielded.
Adjutant Brown could scowl and frown without an effort;
a mark of nature — a peculiar feature spread upon his. counte
nance by the force of his very existence. So, when he saw me
among the "shoulder straps," or,' if you will have it, "at the
feast without a wedding garment," he passed some of those nat
ural sparks of his, but without any word of explanation. I
needed none, as I understood him perfectly without it, and as
I was there by the invitation of the good Mrs. Adams, and
later by the Doctor, I continued to relieve the table legs of
my share, and made the house my headquarters, except when
engaged in camp and guard duty. This phase of a warlike
campaign, without any hostile experience, made it a very
desirable one, and the end was much regretted.
We reached Owenton on Thursday afternoon. I was
sergeant of the guard on Friday and Sunday, marching out of
the village on Monday. While there, many good stories were
told by foraging parties, of the jolly times they had when
ranging outside, so that I was desirous of going also. On
Saturday, I obtained a pass from the captain, for the absence
of myself and a few men, and took a ramble for a few miles,
just for the good of the thing and to see the country. To
make the most of our trip, we called at several houses on our
Tvay, spending a little time at each in a social call. A little
before noon, about two miles from camp, we chanced to stop
at a Dr. Mundy's. a brother of Col. Mundy, of the 23d Ken
tucky. Dr. Mundy was absent, but his genial wife urged us to
stay to dinner. Time being no object, we accepted the invita
tion. The Doctor soon returned, giving us a hearty greeting,
and while the slaves were preparing dinner, the conversation

34

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

CHARLES H. BROWN.
Adjutant.
Now of Grand Rapids.

naturally drifted to passing
events. He said he was for the
Union, although a slaveholder;
he did not care to continue the
institution, as he thought the
expense of slavery greater than
the profits, and would not exert
himself in the least for either
side. Also that many of those
who had left to join the rebel
ranks, had but followed the
natural results of their educa
tion. They thought slavery
was theirs by an inherited
right, of which they were not'
to be deprived without their consent. Thus, to resist an
infringement upon their imaginary rights, they were driven
into the ranks of the rebel army, to fight against such an
invasion. The dinner was more than well served, and after one or
two hours well spent in talking and feasting, we thanked them
for their hospitality, and took our departure. We wandered
about, out of curiosity, through field and road, reaching the
village at dark.
My leave of absence being unknown to the adjutant, and
unsanctioned by him, I was found to be missing by that
officer. Perhaps the frowns he had been accustomed to
bestow upon me, had so accumulated as to call his attention to
my absence, made without his knowledge or approval If it
could not be accounted for with a legitimate reason, a penalty
was on hand for me. On my return, I was questioned by wKat
authority I had gone outside the guards and remained out the
whole day? I told him that I had permission to go; but as
the captain had asked me to keep still as to who gave it, I
would not tell him by whose authority I went out. There
upon, as a recompense for that degree of reticence on my
part, I was assigned to guard duty the next day.

KENTUCKY. &5
As for guerrillas, we did not meet with or hear of any, but
took a few convalescent rebel prisoners, who had been left in
the neighborhood a few weeks before, when Kirby Smith had
njade his foray there. Rumors, without truth, came that the
rebel raider, Morgan, had captured Lexington and was moving
towards us. Col. Moore, deeming his force too inferior, ahd
not well enough equipped to resist a defeat and capture, did
not think it prudent to make a needless exposure for such a
loss, where there was no good defensive position, and decided
to save the command.
Accordingly, on Monday morning, the twentieth, after
a three days' service here, we started for Warsaw, on the Ohio,
to return thence by steamboat to Louisville.
Starting soon after midnight, we came to th'e little village
of Sparta, thirteen miles out, at sunrise, where we halted for
breakfast. There was a little grocery store here, and those
men who needed tobacco were ready to buy. They were well
supplied with the Wild Cat money, spoken of heretofore, and
concluded to test its value with the unsuspecting grocery man,
who had $20.00- or more in silver. His tobacco was in large
plugs, looking more like sole leather than something to chew.
For these plugs he charged $1.00, which was considered rather
highj but considering the true worth of their money, they
readily took $4.00 in silver and a plug of tobacco for a $5.00
Wild Cat note. Trade immediately became lively; a one., two
or five dollar Wild Cat was handed out for a plug, the change
returned in silver, and the customer walked quickly away,
until all the silvers was given out, and even some of the Wild
Cat bills paid back in change.
The trader soon found out the real value of the money he
had taken in, but as he could not point out his lucky custom
ers, had to take the legal view that possession is nine points,
and the coin the tenth point. He was well satisfied with
the volume ot trade, but when he looked up the spout for his
profits, he could see nothing but wild cats. The war had been
carried within the gates of the city where the invaders had
made the handsome captures. He was handicapped from

36 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
exercising the lionship of the ancient Spartans, although a
Spartan himself, and beseiged the colonel for redress, who
was astonished at the financial resources and ability of his '
regiment. The colonel was just as much wanting in ability to
render redress, as the trader was to secure it. A compromise
was effected, however. Somewhere on our expedition, a rebel
mule had been condemned by his captors and brought along.
This prize of war was offered and accepted; the injury was
wiped out. The mule, not having been consulted in the trans
fer, unlike that of Balaam, made a silent protest, setting his
foot down as a veto, and was seen to take his place in the
ranks of his northern friends, ere they reached the Ohio, that
afternoon. But this was not the end of the affair. The colonel, sur
prised at the abundance and use made of this money, ordered
the men searched and the money destroyed. The orders were ,
not executed until the men had ample time to dispose of it.
Mine was hid in the coat lining of a comrade; some thrust in
gun barrels, of course spoiling it, and Various other ways
resorted to in order to save it. In some way, I was not
searched, but some spiteful one informed the colonel, who
questioned me about it. I had none at that time and told him
so. Thus the monetary disturbance in the regimental money
market was settled for the present, but was leveled at me in a
more serious manner, about a month after, which I shall
explain later.
The march was resumed before noon, and we reached
Warsaw in time to make it our resting place. If our commis
sary department was supplied with army rations, we were not
made aware of it; in fact, I think we had neither commissary
or supplies. Evidently, beyond our own haversacks, we had to
levy contributions from the country until we returned to
camp at Louisville.
In Warsaw, Col. Moore told' the citizens that they must
provide food for the men, and orders were issued to form in
squads, go through the village and select their boarding place.
Eight of us found a place suitable for our number at the resi-

KENTUCKY. 37
dence of David Story, who at that time was either in the rebel
army or hiding in the woods to avoid arrest, leaving the women
the only occupants. They could talk secession and rebellion
enough to amuse, and also furnish an enjoyable festive
entertainment. The markets were liberally drawn upon to
supplement what was lacking at home, so we were more than
satisfied with our reception. Knowing that they would be
called upon for breakfast, we were invited to call for the next
meal. Most of the men slept in the court house, but many of
us preferred a bed on the ground, under the trees. The first
frost of the season had occurred the night before, and the air
was so cold on the banks of the Ohio, before morning, that I
had little sleep, but having become accustomed to soldier life,
felt somewhat refreshed, despite the cold.
Breakfast must have been served in a very willing spirit,
judging from the variety, quantity and style, and the absence
of objections from our hostess made it certain. It seemed too
bad to be intrusive guests upon such hospitality, and I felt
that I could not leave too many good wishes for better times,
nor too many thanks for the favors shown us.
On the morning of the twenty-first, we steamed down the
river on board the "Mariner." The water was low, and the
boat moved so slowly that we did not reach Carrollton, at the
mouth of the Kentucky river, until just before nightfall. The
boat stopped here, and a foraging party was Sent out, returning
with two beeves and a lot of bacon, and a rebel grocer contrib
uted a sack of coffee and a barrel of sugar. We seemingly
put into port under a stress of circumstances, to provision up;
this accomplished, we steamed on. The men were hungry and
wished something to eat before going to bed, but Capt. Demo-
rest was the only officer whom I noticed attending to the
wants of his men. Lieuts. Chase and Slayton Spent the night
before in procuring flour, from which enough bread was baked
to supply Co. B, until its return to Louisville, next day. I
was besought to have the spoils divided, but could do nothing
without authority,' and left for the lower deck to rest among
the discontented men, who went to sleep without supper,

38 TWENTY-FIFTH, MICHIGAN.
although there was enough provisions on board to have feasted
them to satisfaction.
Through a long continued drouth, the river was so low
that we were aroused shortly after midnight, to walk about a
mile around a section of the river where the water was very
shallow. Just as the boat was turning in shore, it struck a
sand bar, which delayed us until eleven o'clock in the morning.
During the delay, the beef was laid out where every man
could help himself. The meat was put on a stick, held over
the fire, and broiled, roasted, toasted, or whatever you fnay
choose to call it, which satisfied their hunger to a certain
extent. One more ride, and we landed in Louisville at one
o'clock. We reached camp an hour later, glad to get back,
and received a cheering welcome from those who had been left
behind. Thus closed our first, our baby campaign, while we
felt that we had made as much history as if we had been
veterans of a year's service.
In this you have the story of the first-born campaign of
the 25th Michigan. I do not assume to say that it covered
itself with honor, glory or the spoils of conquest. Perhaps
a little of each. Out of the far-famed report of Caesar in the
words, veni, vidi, vid, we can only report with the first two;
for we found no enemy to conquer. Neither did we suffer
ourselves to be conquered. Bear with patience, my thoughtful,'
reader, for we took no downward step from this lofty beginning,
but made our after progress onward and upward until the close
of the war. The campaign had lasted eight days, and on the
twenty-third we ceased from our labors and rested.
On the twenty-fifth of October, a brigade was formed,
consisting of the 25th Michigan, the 97th and 99th Indiana,
and rumor had it that Col. Moore had been made a brigadier
general and placed in command. The brigadier part only
budded, without a show of fruit. But, to maneuver his
brigade, the colonel moved the camp of the 25th about a
mile distant, where the field was more suitable for ,the evolu
tions of a brigade, It was broken up a few days afterwards,
when the Indiana regiments were sent to the army below, and

KENTUCKY. 39
we never. met them again. The end uf the month brought the
first muster for pay, which in army life happens every two
months. Then, if he can, the, paymaster puts in his appearance
and pays the soldier his dues. Although the muster and state
ment is made out once in two months, it is frequently the case,
particularly in active campaigns, that the money is not paid
for four or six months. But on the whole, the government
was very prompt. NOVEMBER, *862.
The camp was located on the edge of a large open field,
southwest of the city, well adapted for drilling. The Indiana
troops had left for other parts, and the Anderson Troop, the
15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, had arrived upon the ground. The
25th was busily engaged in tactics, preparing for more serious
work; patrols and escort duty included. Colonel Pope, of the
15th Kentucky, who was wounded at Perryville, had died of
his wounds, and on the seventh was buried in Cave Hill ceme
tery. The 25th Michigan furnished the escort and did the
military honors for the dead. The cemetery, southeast of the
city, was a most beautiful place, containing many handsome
vaults and monuments. One in particular attracted attention;
a female figure, in an attitude of invitation, sitting beneath a
roof, supported by four pillars, and inscribed "Bonny Castle."
As beautiful as was this sacred city, dedicated to the ever
lasting repose of the dead, it was fated to suffer the ruthless
i touch of war. The necessities of attack and defense were no
respecters of time or place. It lay directly in line of the city's
defensive operations when Bragg, a month previously, had
threatened the city with the advance of his rebel army.
Ditches were dug and defensive works thrown up wherever a
commanding position appeared to the best advantage. Lines
of works ran through the cemetery from side to side; nor
halted, nor turned aside for a tomb or monument. The graves
were laid bare or buried deeper. The stones and monuments
were toppled over or hidden from sight, as the ditches or
works were excavated or built up. The desecration of so
beautiful a spot was a sorrowful and pitiable sight. The stern

40 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
realities of war had silenced everything in contravention of its
own imperial will, and asked no permission to execute its
resistless orders. Its fury had swept aside all opposition with
the force of a whirlwind. It was at a time when might makes
right. Reason was cowed into silence — submission to the
inevitable — and thanks that the situation was no worse.
Those operations had been but recently executed, and
were fresh at the time we were there as an escort to the dead.
On the approach of the hostile armies toward the city as an
objective point, the alarm for its safety demanded immediate
and decisive action for its defense. Hence, the lines of
defensive works were run out and erected wherever the
position seemed likely to secure the city from attack and
capture. Private" rights and claims were swallowed up for the
public good, and nothing was allowed to stand in the way of
the greatest safety. When the line approached the cemetery,
it was turned neither to the right or left, but was extended
directly through it regardless of the works of art or nature
that lay in its path. Everything had to subordinate itself to
one common interest, ard await repairs. The pressure of the
occasion excused the apparent deeds of vandalism. This sight
presented but one of the solemnities of actual warfare, and I
could not retire from its view and escape the profound impres
sion that war is the head and front of barbarism, on whatever
side you may look at it.
One of the results of the foray of Kirby Smith into Ken
tucky was the retreat of the Union forces from Cumberland
Gap, and the command of that part of the country given into
the hands of the rebels. The region in and about Cumberland
Gap had been a harbor for the Union refugees from east
Tennessee, where, and from which place, several regiments of
Tennesseans had been made up. Their retreat had been
toward Cincinnati. But about this time some of them had
been brought down to Louisville and camped near us. Here
the paymaster made them a visit soon after their arrival and
paid them off. Like a good many other soldiers, on receiving
money the first thing' is to get rid of it if they can. Nor does

KENTUCKY. ' 41
it take them long to find something attractive for the exchange.
The same is equally true of the majority of people who
receive a stated sum at stated intervals. The temptations to
scatter their money upon the flowing tide were not wanting.
Watches, pistols and the like were in good demand so long as
there was money to buy them with. Since our, muster into the
service we had received no pay, and were not likely to get any
for some time. But we had the Wild Cats, and the temptation
to pervert the use of them was too strong for resistance with
many of our men. The Tennesseans, after loading them
selves with superfluities of this class, were about as anxious to
get rid of them as they had been to get rid of the money with
which they had been purchased. So the tide of trade ebbed
and flowed between their camp and our own; — ebbed in Wild
Cats to the Tennesseans, and flowed backward to our camp in
pistols and watches from the duped and innocent Tennesseans.
Trade had become quite active, and thrived extensively with
the margins of value balancing heavily on the side of the 25th
ere the sufferers had been made aware of the inequality.
Natural results followed as soon as the losing party realized
how he had lost in the barter. Restitution was sought, and
with the best of reasons, where something was given under an
imposition and nothing of value obtained in return. Com
plaints soon reached regimental headquarters, and demanded
attention. The captains were ordered to go through their
companies, pick up the wandering articles and restore them to
their owners. I had dealt in some of the money in the role of
a broker, but never had passed any of it for its apparent value;
yet, for some reason, I was singled out to suffer the penalty
and bear the sins of the trespassers. The ownership of Wild
Cat funds had been almost universal through the camp.
There were days when the buying and selling of the money
was pursued with vigor — one day in great demand, the next
day nobody wanted it. From this I tried to study up that
species of insanity, panic or epidemic that would suddenly
seize upon a crowd, and then just as suddenly leave it pos
sessed with opposite opinions. I could get at no base from

42 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.,
which to calculate, with proportions, my sides and opposing
angles, so dropped the investigation without conclusions,
satisfied that it was something akin to the grain and stock
gamblings of the present day. The possession of the Wild
Cats was innocent enough so long as the money was held
among our own men, and' the want of its value known. The
evils of its circulation began only when passed upon the
innocents at its apparent value. Had it been passed only upon
the rebel element and further down in the seat of war, which ,
the original design of its primitive owners, no one would have
condemned the use of it. As it happened, it might be com
pared as likened to a stream with too big a swell, which over
flowed its banks and went to the flood. I never knew, I never
will be able now to learn, why I was singled out for the atone
ment. Rumors of trouble flew ahead, and I was made aware
of what I might expect. On the eighteenth of November
Adjutant Brown called at my tent and informed me that I
might consider myself under arrest, with orders to report
myself at the Colonel's tent for trial by court martial, and at
the same time gave me, the parol of the camp, and requested
me to confine myself to the grounds accordingly. This
arrangement placed me upon the privileges of a commissioned
officer instead of being sent to the guard-house as an enlisted
man. The board of court martial was made up of Lieutenant-
Colonel Orcutt, Major Fitch, Captains Pratt and Dowd, the
latter as judge advocate. The president was the' senior
officer and. the judge-advocate, or prosecutor, the junior
officer, consistent with military law in such case made and
provided. The charges were that I had dealt in, and had been
guilty of, passing the Wild Cat or bogus money. I stood, the
trial, which began the next day, taking up that day and part of.
the day after before it was closed. The president was inclined
to sit and hear with the silence of a judge on his part. Not so
with the Major. None of the board were possessed of a knowl
edge of the legal system of putting questions in the conduct of a
trial. They could not touch me'with their proceedings without
breaking over all well established rules and informing the

KENTUCKY. 43
witnesses just what they wanted them to say. Otherwise they
conducted the prosecution by asking leading questions. I
certainly objected to such a mode of procedure, and the Court
was so much blocked that it could not or did not know how to
proceed. It could not be proven that I ever had any of the
money as charged, except by one witness, who testified that I
had sold some of it to a certain person, who, when called upon,
denied of ever having received or bought any of it of me.
Nothing had been proved, nor was the judge-advocate able to
prove anything in a straight-forward manner against me.
Getting out of the track of examinations so often, and being
as often recalled, I was directed to retire at one time when. the
Colonel was present, so that he might be consulted. But I
didn't learn that they got any satisfaction from him. To the
last there was no change or improvement in the course pur
sued. Being foiled at every turn made, the Major lost his
temper (or it may be possible that he came to his natural state
of temper) as he broke out and ordered me into silence. That
was a matter for the president and not for him to assume, and
had I then known my rights as I afterwards learned them, I
should have had a clean record of conquest over them by
claiming the rights accorded me by law. Military law and
discipline is exercised and enforced, more than half of the
time, in a most unwarranted and arbitrary manner, and not
justified by the rules of army regulations or the military laws
of the United States, so that it were better that I submit to the
imperial will of the Major than to venture too far into the then
unknown rights of my case. It was no less than a gag by
military force, and I was then unable to resist, coming, as it
did, from one who, in the line of service, had been invested by
law with a high command over me. Hence afterward the trial
was nothing but an ex parte affair. Seeing this, on a little
reflection and after being advised by Captain Pratt, I thought
it might be better to confess to the brokerage of the money
exchange than to take my chances for such a conviction as the
court — really headed by the Major — in its line of policy might
find against me. I did so, and that brought the trial to a close
on the twentieth.

44 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
As to the decision, I was kept in suspense until the
twenty-sixth, when an order of court martial was read on dress
parade, for my reduction to the ranks. Although there was a
seeming reality about the affair, I felt that it was only a farce.
but had to accept if -as one of the incidents of military life.
There was not another man in the company who was qualified
to conduct the company business and keep the records in
proper shape, beside myself, By that order I was only a
private, but was called upon as much as ever to perform the
duties of the office. Even while under arrest and trial, the
only relief I had was from drill service. The captain tried it,
and found himself unable to make his morning reports without
me. He could not work out a balance of his figures with a
clear account.
The attest and trial kept me under less restrictions than
when in the full fledged performance of military duties. In
one respect I was free from military orders and had much of
the. time to myself, with the freedom of the camp. Passes
were granted me at any time when applied for, absence from
camp to visit the city, day or night, without question, and
I was respected the same as if nothing had happened. I was
the time being, a private, and went out on drill and dress
parade, and then told to take my accustomed place as first
sergeant. Once, while under arrest and on parade, through
the city, the major condescended, to speak to me: regarding a
tactic movement, while I was in the ranks and quite appropri
ately under his orders. Four days after my reduction, I was
notified that I would soon be re-instated.
DECEMBER, 1862.
General Boyle was in Command of the District of Ken
tucky. On the second of December, he called upon the 25th
for review, but after we had made an appearance and were in
waiting for him, he was suddenly called away. Seeing that
we were in trim for action, Col. Moore had us make a circuit
of the city before returning to the camp. Three days later the
order was repeated, including the Anderson Troop. The 25th

KENTUCKY. 45
was placed in the lead, and the review maneuvered much to
the satisfaction of the general, after which we again made the
circuit of the city. Our companies were full enough to sweep
the street to the sidewalks. Being one of the guides, I was at
the outer edge, when from a point just ahead, there came the
exclamation of an Irishwoman, "Is there an Irishman in the
ranks?" Well, there was; Wilson Bradley, at my side, was
always good natured and ready for fun. He was a lawless and
awkward soldier, but when reproved, he had such a store of
wit that he generally came out ahead. So when his pride was
touched by the old lady's voice, he responded, "Yes, I'm the
Irishman." "Well then, God bless you," she said, as our steps
carried us by. This was the last regimental parade at Louis
ville that year.
The Anderson Troop of cavalry, who had been our neigh
bor for a month, struck tents on the eighth and started for
Nashville, thence to Murfreesboro, on Stone river, where three
hundred saved their reputation in the battle that soon after
took place there. The other seven hundred, for some unsup
ported reason, refused to go into the battle, and thereby justly
incurred the displeasure of General Rosecrans. The same
day, we received orders to march to Munfordsville.
Although by the court martial a private, I had not really
been reduced from first sergeant. The ninth of December, the
retention of that post came in an order of Col. Moore,
re-instating me, it coming as mysteriously as the orders for
arrest and court martial had come, three weeks before. Being
under orders and expectations of moving out, the men who had
accumulated many things that would have to be left behind,
began to make the most of them by feasting and having a
good time generally. The sick and those unable to stand the
march were sent to hospitals until fit for duty. This thinned
the ranks considerably. Capt. Sutton was one of the rear
column. This made Lieut. Childs the head of the company.
We struck tents, packed up and moved out about twelve
miles on the tenth, and the next day reached the mouth of
Salt river, about twelve miles further. Here, at West Point,

46

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

WILSON BRADLEY. (1865.)
Co. E; trans, to V. R. C, April 10, 1864.
Now of Augusta.

was the parting place for the
officers whose wives had lived
with them at Louisville, and
accompanied them to this place,
from where they returned north
ward the next morning.
Always feeling, when making
an advance, that we were about
to pass into an unknown beyond,
that I would like to make a last
communication to the friends
left behind, I occupied the
evening in writing letters, to
be sent back in the morning
bythe retiring ones. I was rather late and had to burn my
candle beyond the call for "taps.'' Capt. Lansing, officer of
the day, saw my light and wanted to know why it was burning. ,
I told him and asked to use it a little longer, but he exclaimed:
"My God, man, we are in the enemy's country, and it will
never do to inform the enemy of bur location." The enemy
was then beyond Nashville, more than two hundred miles
away. We finally concluded that my small candle, in the
middle of the camp and under a tent, might not >lead the
enemy to an attack, so I was permitted to harmlessly violate
the army regulations and make up my mail for the morning.
Another march of ten miles on the eleventh, to a camping
place, found me so footsore from wearing my boots, instead of
the army shoes, that every step caused me pain. Up to this
time I had worn boots from a matter of pride, not liking the
appearance of the shoe. On our Owenton campaign, my shins
swelled up and pained me so much on a twenty-two mile
march that I could hardly get into town, and now, on a march
of thirty miles in three days, I was worse than before. In ante
bellum days, I had often walked twenty-five to thirty miles a
day in boots, with no inconvenience, but this marching was
different. Dr. Barnum advised a pair of army shoes, as the
only cure. I took his advice, and soon felt as if I had taken a

KENTUCKY. 47
dose of the elixir of life. The shoes were as they say, "like an
old shoe," and since that time I have never worn boots.
It was at this, camp that the men were tested as to their
readiness and spirit to fall-in for battle at the long roll of the
drum or bugle sound of the assembly. It had been the prac
tice with many a regimental commander to sound a false alarm
and put their men upon their mettle, that they might actually
realize just how quickly they could prepare for and repel the
attack of a surprising foe. The design was circulated among
the officers, and as the company commanders each felt a pride
in bringing his own company first into line, all preparations
were completed for the move, so far as could be done without
giving the men a knowledge of what was expected of them.
I understood the intended move and directed the men to lay
down with their guns by their sides. No lights were allowed
that night, and darkness found the men on the ground for
sleep. After a short period of sleep, I heard a few shots from
the outside pickets who spread the alarm, followed by the
bugle and the long roll of the drum, at which I was up and
had the company in line in almost less than no time. The
officers had probably not retired at all, for they were on hand
as soon as the company was ready for them and gave spirit to
the move as they put their companies on the line. Apropos, I
might as well mention here that when the regiment was halted
for camp it was drawn up on what wds called the -color-line,
from which each of the companies filed out at right angles, to
form the company line for their tents, one end of the company
line resting on the color-line. This arrangement is so that the
line of rally for the regiment, in case of a sudden call, would
be already known to every man in it. There was no difficulty
but what every one might get into his place with promptness.
The whole line was formed in probably less than two minutes
and ready for action. The Colonel was on hand just as soon
and as he rode along the line complimented his men for their
promptitude in response to the call, and informed them that it
was a false alarm, the purpose of which was to acquire the
assurance of just how much confidence they might have in

48 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
themselves; and dismissed them with the request that they
might improve upon themselves the next time, as probably the
next alarm would not very likely be a false one.
Although plenty of rations were issued to the men, yet
some of them had to try their hands in foraging on their own
account; Ed. McElhany, then a teamster of Company H, and
a hard pet, who comes 'to the front again next April, while
getting what honey he thought belonged to him out of a
farmer's beehive, exchanged his share of the honey for; a
charge of bird-shot from the farmer's gun, and hurriedly
carried the shot in his legs to the surgeon, who picked out
what he could and counted them for him. The fellow thought
he got enough shot out of the old farmer to pay him for the
honey he left behind in the hive, as the old man was out a
charge of powder and shot, and he was only out in the night.
The march to Munfordville was made in short stretches of
ten to twelve miles a day, and in good weather, till the morn
ing of the fifteenth, when it began to rain just after starting,
and kept at it, with a slow but steady downpour, all day.
Through this we kept steadily along until within four miles of
Munfordville, when we were halted and kept standing for an
hour or so in the rain. The men asked to be marched forward
and make the place before halting for the night. But no.
Colonel Moore hact a pride to be satisfied. His men were in
no condition to enter a post of that importance, and give a
good impression of themselves. The rain and mud had dis
arranged their good feelings and appearance too much to place
themselves beside well ordered camps at the post. What
induced him to decide upon such a course of action I never
learned. It was so utterly and entirely opposed to all his sub
sequent selections for camping that the inconsistency cannot
find an explanation, and had he realized the misery and suffer
ings his men had in store for them that night, his heart would
have shrunken from the execution of his own orders. Ever
afterward he carefully looked for the best locations, in regard
to health, wood and water, that could be had, and would march
his regiment out of the way to get at them. But this time an

KENTUCKY. 49
unexplainable freak must have taken him. We were marched
back a short distance and turned into a field of corn-stubble
where the rain had saturated the soil into mud shoe deep.
Here we were drawn up to form camp, we did not need to
stack .arms, the mud being so deep as to hold them upright
without locking them together. The Colonel charged us that
when caught in a rain storm we should hold up our heads and
face it like soldiers. The sentiment was very pretty, but the
experience of it was just as depressive. The tents and baggage
were unloaded in the rain and mud. • Evergreens and corn
stalks, as wet as they could be, were sought for bedding, and
we prepared for the night as best we could, but without a com
forting supper. No water was known to be within a mile, and
as we had company cooks at that time, I could not ask them to
carry water that distance for the whole company, after the
fatiguing march of the day. So dry crackers compelled a
satisfactory supper.
With nothing but the dismal storm to engage their atten
tion, the men made their beds as best they could, when dark
ness came, and, reeking with steam, with the rain pattering on
the tents, they passed the night as best they could. Shoes,
blankets, clothing; everything was soaked with water. Writh
ing about as well as our crowded condition would permit, I at
last worried myself to sleep. Waking up after awhile, I
thought it was nearly morning, or, at least, ought to be. I had
not taken my shoes off for fear of putting them on wet again
in the morning, and preferred to keep them on, wet as they
were, without the disagreeable job of removing and replacing
them. I could hardly stay in my bed, yet feared to rise,
dreading to lie down again in the water-soaked bedding. The
time arrived when I could hold out no longer. I arose and
found that Lieutenant Childs had a light in his>tent, with a fire
in a tunnel-shaped sheet-iron stove, where I was permitted to
sit down, dry my clothing, and stay till morning. It was then
but eleven o'clock when I sought his tent, but had hardly
seated myself near the stove before I heard Strong, one of the
men, agonizingly cry out in his bed: "It is all for the love of
country."

50 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
With all these drawbacks, some of the men went out on
foraging expeditions for themselves, sometime during the
night. Soon after I entered Childs' tent, a plate of honey was
handed in, and six men, of Company F, I think, were marched
under guard behind the wagons, because they foraged for
themselves instead of looking to the Commissary for their
supplies. With more than two and a half years' service there
after, I never had a repetition of this night's experience.
The rain ceased before morning, the Weather became
cooler, and the mud had hardened a good deal, so that march
ing was much easier than on the day before. As it was, the
men fared slim for breakfast, and must have been pretty dry,
for some of them satisfied their thirst out of the water stand
ing in the mud holes of the wagon tracks. Two hours' ,
marching, however, took us to the end of our journey, where a
little time prepared us for the service again.
Munfordville was a place of considerable importance as a
strategic point on the military map. It was here that the
Louisville & Nashville railroad made a crossing upon a high
bridge over the Green river. This line of railroad furnished
the supplies for Nashville as a base 'for the armies below. The
destruction of the railroad bridge here would have been a
serious matter in breaking the communications of the army
beyond Nashville. The place was naturally of great strength
when well fortified, and was occupied by several infantry regi
ments, as well as being the base of several cavalry regiments.
The importance of the place to preserve the communi
cations of the armies in the field made it equally important for
the rebel raider — Morgan — to destroy the bridge and make a
break in the army supplies for the front, if it were possible.
This Morgan was attempting to do at the time of our arrival.
We had hardly settled ourselves when, at the end of two
days, preparations were begun to give him a suitable reception.
He did not get right along, but we got out every morning, fully
equipped and into line — sometimes as early as two to four
o'clock — where we stood waiting for a call from him. In the
meantime defensive works were put up and we felt a great
deal safer.

KENTUCKY. 51
The next day Morgan maneuvered around us, but kept at
a proper distance, finally moving to the north. After driving
in our cavalry, he advanced in that direction and assaulted a
small stockade eight miles nortward, at Bacon Creek, which
he captured by the use of artillery. He then moved further
on out of hearing. In this raid he succeeded iu destroying
the railroad in several places and breaking our communications
for several days. This arrangement of Morgan's left us in a
watchful quietude for several days, with arms in hand, as we
had done before.
During this threatening attack of Morgan's, the 25th
Michigan, by Company B, under command of Lieutenants
Chase and Slayton, supervised by Colonel Moore, maneuvered
in an attack by them upon Morgan's advance, skirmishing with
and driving it back, with a loss to Morgan of two men, which
he was seen to carry off on his horses. Captain Demarest's
attention was taken up in commanding the artillery stationed
in our camp.
JANUARY, 1863.
Things settled down again into the usual monotony of
army life until the fifth of January, when, after receiving orders
the night before to march for Nashville, the day was spent in
preparing for it. But we didn't go, and nothing was ever
heard of it again. But there was a guerrilla in the neighbor
hood, named Hamilton, who was giving some trouble. The
next night the 25th was started out to disturb his operations,
reaching Cave City at three o'clock a. m. By ten o'clock
nothing could be seen of him, or his whereabouts learned, so
the return trip was made. At Horse Cave we halted for dinner,
visited the caverns, and by seven o'clock p. m. we were back
in camp at Munfordville.
Apropos, right here, upon good authority, I insert the
following item showing cost in suppressing the rebellion.
Set yourselves thinking why the cost of the war was so
great.

52 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

"CTnsriTEiD States,
In Account with One of the Loyal Patriots, Dr.
To use of Five Acres of Land, or there
abouts, occupied by the 25th Michigan from Dec.
15, 1862, to Jan. 10, /S6j, — 25 days, - $600.00
Received Payment,
{Signed) LOYAL PA TRIO T.

While at Munfordville the 25th was posted on a barren
hill, north or north-east of the village, and was there just
twenty-five days in midwinter. During this time the men were
sheltered in the Bell tent, which, by raising up about two feet
or less, afforded nearly double the room that it would when
on the ground. For this purpose poles were laid down in cob-
house fashion, or slabbed up in short lengths set stockade
style, or even stone walls, and the tents placed thereon. This
foundation was then banked up with earth to make the tents
more comfortable. Besides digging up the earth, breastworks
extensive enough to protect the regimental front were thrown
up at the time of Morgan's approach.
At the time we left, the grounds were turned over to the
26th Kentucky, which regiment sent guards to prevent the
leveling of any of these enbankments till they could be used
for the benefit of our successors.
I do not know how long the ground was occupied for war
purposes after we left, but the above account of $600.00 for
damages was duly proved, presented and paid. Any consider
ate person would conclude that $600.00 should have bought
the whole village' at the time we were there. It had no
strategic bearing upon the war only as a necessity for the
preservation of the railroad bridge there, which was 1029 feet

KENTUCKY. 53
long and 120 feet above the water. No large army could long
be maintained further to the south but a short time unless this
bridge could be kept intact.
We did not remain at Munfordville much longer. On the
tenth we set out again, this time for Bowling Green. We
crossed Green river, and about nine miles out we halted at
Horse Cave for the night. Many of the men visited the cave,
which was entered by a broad passage descending at an angle
of forty-five degrees westward, and to a depth of fully two
hundred feet. The opening or passage-way was filled with
large blocks of stone which had fallen from the strata oV layers
of rocks above, the rock from each layer falling out a little
further under from the mouth than from the layer above it,
forming horizontal arches in the roof of the passage-way.
I went down with Captain Cook and Sergeant Finley, of
Company H. We did not venture far for fear of getting lost.
Lights of other visitors could be seen not far away. The dark
ness was so intense that a single candle was scarcely visible
more than a few feet away. Its feeble rays were almost
swallowed up in the blackness that seemed heavy enough to be
felt. The darkness was so intense that sight could scarcely
penetrate the ebon air by the aid of the feeble rays of our
candles, even or only down to the rocks we trod upon. It
seemed as if the darkness had been packed in and pressed
down ever since the birthday of the first geologic period of
the past. Its density was so heavy that had I a bottle with me
I should have been tempted to cork in a quantity of it to send
home as a souvenir of my visit.
In one chamber the rough or rock-piled floor was covered
with huge rocks that had fallen from above that, laid in such
confusion as to almost obstruct our powers of locomotion. The
moisture dripping upon them formed a slime that made it
repulsive to squeeze between or climb over them. After
climbing around among these rocks awhile, I found a small
cavern or opening near and just above the entrance, and run
ning in the opposite direction from which I entered the cave.
Along by the .foot of the entrance ran a small stream of

54

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

FRANK R. CHASE. (1868.)
Lieutenant Co. B. Now of Smyrna.

water. Up this cavern, so
low that I had to stoop and
crawl at times, I went for
quite a distance. Fearing
that I might lose my light,
and being without means of
relighting, I turned back, but
not until I found a crab in a
small pool of water in the
floor of the cavern. This
specimen of life had no need
of color here, nor of eyes
either. However, that it
once had eyes was shown by
black spots in place of them,
overgrown with a white, trans
parent shell. An hour or so in this dismal cave satisfied me,
and I returned to the surface and retired for the night to get
what sleep I could by lying down beside the fire on a single
pole, with a foot touching the ground on either side to preserve
my balance and keep from falling off.
On the eleventh we made the distance from Horse Cave
to a place called Dripping Spring. The only right of pos
session the name had that I could find consisted in the water
of a spring flowing over the rocks, with a farm house by it.
For the first time since crossing the Ohio, I saw in this house,
situated in the country parts of Kentucky, a cook-stove such
as are common in every house in the north. The southerners
are accustomed to the use of primitive fire-places and baking
kettles instead of the stove.
Somewhere along the road during this same day we passed
a "deserted village." It was a small collection of houses and
out-buildings by the wayside, among which not a single human
being made an appearance. Its dilapidation was such that its
desertion might have been in ante bellum. days and not from
causes emanating directly from the existence of the war. I
can venture no opinion as to what should have brought about
such a state of things.

KENTUCKY. 55
The next morning after we had started, for a mile or so
we saw a newly-made grave by the side of the road, and
within the road fences. It was supposed to be that of a
soldier who had either been shot or had died there and was
buried on the spot. There was no mark to reveal the contents
of the grave. It was in the track which the two hostile armies
had followed each other about three months before. Its
location there was all supposition to us, as no one was to be
seen from whom any information rtiight be gathered giving
reasons for its existence. If "here rests his head upon the lap
of earth, a youth to fortune and to fame unknown," it seemed
pretty sure to remain so until time should start anew from
eternity again.
We reached Bowling Green on the twelfth at two o'clock
p. m., and after a march of about forty-two miles from Mun
fordville, camped on the south side of the Big Barren river
west of the railroad and near the bridge.
The village of Bowling Green had at that time, I should
think, about two thousand inhabitants, and was in a very,
Slovenish condition. The advance of the rebel armies had
wintered there the year before till after the fall of Fort Donel-
son, when Grant's advance up the Cumberland on Nashville
cleared them out. They left their marks, though in the shape
of some slight fortifications which were then in existence.
Having become settled in camp in the midst of winter,
there followed the most depressive and gloomy period we
encountered while in the service. Disappointments at, no one
^ knows what! The want of pay, which had been expected for a
long time! The sickness which followed the inaction of life in
military camps, an ordeal always following the change of life
with the entry of new troops in the service, and caused 'chiefly
from ignorance of the needs and demands for sanitary con
ditions, contributed very largely to the general discontent and
homesickness. It takes from six months to one year to put a
body of new troops into a well seasoned condition and prepare
them to withstand the diseases incidental to the exposures of
a soldier's life. During this probationary season the percent-

56 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
age of sickness and mortality stand .fearfully high. Hence, it
is much better and safer for new recruits to enter old rather
than entirely new regiments or organizations., In the former
they can save themselves a great deal by following the advice
and examples of their comrades, while in the latter they
seldom learn except by experience, and that invariably at a
heavy cost to themselves and the service. Two-thirds of the
deaths from disease, and nearly half of those discharged, I
find to have occurred with us before the first day of the fol
lowing July, coming thick and fast about this time, following
soon after exposure.
Idle rumors, ever fruitful in breeding a depressive mental
disease, were seized upon, nursed, cultivated and spread about
to Undermine and overturn the truth. Nothing that was braced
up with reason could be believed and acted upon. Rumors
that could be shaped to suit the wish, brushed aside every
obstacle that stood in the way of the delusive hopes they
created. Arguments were of no avail to settle this unnatural"
disease of the mind and restore it to its normal condition.
The discontented ones were determined to have a certain state
of affairs to exist and would have nothing short of it.
To support these abnormal notions, the worst season was
upon us. Every factor that could be supplied by nature, and
devised by the art of man, was made to converge its forces and
deepen the gloom. Without adequate preparations to meet
them, rain, snow and mud, quickly followed by cold weather,
sorely tested our endurance. The tents were in a dilapitated
condition, and other comforts were likewise. We had fully
a foot of snow on the ground and no means of warming the
tents, or alleviating our sufferings. The only thing to do, when
not on. duty, was to lie down, wrapped in blankets, and wait for
warmer weather. A fire of green wood, with more smoke than
warmth, did but little to better our condition. Days and
weeks passed before a change for the better was realized.
The good and ever watchful general commanding the
post, distant more than one hundred miles from any armed
force of the enemy, thought to make our position doubly safe,

KENTUCKY. ' 57
and so, during the deepest snow and coldest weather, such as
would entirely check the movement of troops, ordered that
the men stand on the color line, under arms, for an hour before
daylight, when the troops could have been assembled for
battle in less than five minutes. The picket line was more
than a half mile from the camp, giving plenty of time for an
alarm on an approach of the enemy. But I suppose it was a
military necessity at the expense of the health of the common
soldier, to stimulate the circulation of his blood. With all
these disagreeable conditions to face, what wonder then, for
discontent and home-sickness.
One day, when the regiment was called out for fatigue
duty, Co. G could muster but six men. Co. B was above the
average. Snow came on January 15 and was a toot deep the
next morning. By reference to the diary of C. M. Slayton, of
that company, I find these words: "Formed in line of battle at
six this morning; Co. B gets put nine men." The next morn
ing, the 17th: "Formed in line of battle; get out twenty-eight
men." The other companies could do but little or no better
than Co. G.
About the same time, the message of Governor Seymour,
to the legislature of New York, found its way into camp, and
was well circulated among the men. The policy and recom
mendations outlined therein, whipping up the administration
in the conduct of the war, gave the discontented a vigorous
hope or the realization of their wishes to leave the army,
regardless of consequences. They caught at every flying straw
to float their delusive hopes. As they had enlisted for the
19th and 20th Michigan and other congressional regiments,
and eventually assigned to the 25th, they were too loosely in
the service to be held there, and concluded that they had a
right to go home, and should do so, whenever they thought
best. I tried to reason with them on the futility of attempting
such a course and told them, that by being mustered into the
25th Michigan, their enlistment papers had been superseded,
and their argument of having enlisted in another regiment
would not do. It seemed as if there were none so deaf as

58 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
those who would not hear, and none such idiots as those who
would not understand. However, a change was brewing for
the better. There is a magic influence in the bearing and
dignity of some men that commands the attention and respect
of those who are in their presence. They have a talismanic
influence that compels the crowd to obedience. Colonel
Moore was endowed, to a considerable degree, with such a
qualification. He had left for Louisville the day before his
regiment had left Munfordville for Bowling Green, and did
not rejoin it again until the twenty-second, after an absence of
two weeks. The Slayton diary of that date furnishes the
following: "The Colonel came back this afternoon and we
gave him three hearty cheers. We missed him [the] same
[as we] would a father." Lieutenant Childs at that time used
about the same language. We mended from that hour. In
his absence the snow had come and gone, and with it some of
the causes that had fostered the depressive times had also
passed away. The-day was brightening a little. He began to
cast about immediately to improve the condition of his men.
They realized the fact, gave him their confidence, and ceased
their grumbling. After selecting a better camping ground, to
the south-west of the village, he set his men to clearing it and
setting up low stockades upon which to set their tents. On
removal of camp we were to have a new lot of tents to supple
ment the worn and weather-beaten ones then in use. After
building a stick and mud fire-place and chimney in the stock
ade, the new house, as it were, was complete as soon as the
new tent was placed on top of it for a covering. A blazing
fire opposite the entrance, and the floor penned off for beds,
made a cheerful and happy home for a dozen soldiers to army
tent the rest of the winter. This new order of things caused
the men to forget their sorrows, and gave them more hopeful
prospects for the future.
On the twenty-ninth Company B was transferred from the
regimental camp to duty at the jail and barracks near by, as
provost guards in the village, and in charge of prisoners and
government property near there. They held the post of duty

KENTUCKY. 59
during the remainder of our service at Bowling Green. The
remainder of the regiment moved to its new camp.
FEBRUARY, 1863.
February being the shortest month, I suppose my record
must be short. This brevity is due, however, more to the
monotony of camp life than to the age of this little month.
Better times began to be manifest after changing camp,
which was now done, when we had a set of new and wholesome
tents, instead of the old and ragged ones, which were con
demned and left behind in the old camp. The elevation of
the tents upon the stockade gave double the room inside,
and with a cheerful fire made the quarters snug and cozy;
These comforts were well appreciated, for the weather grew
cold and continued so the remainder of the month.
The paymaster made us a visit and paid us up to January
first. It was the first money (excepting Wild Cats) the men
had received since the payments of bounties and premiums at
Kalamazoo. The money enabled them to procure some veget
able luxuries to counteract the jaundice and similar com
plaints following the long continued diet of dry bread and
such other food as the army rations furnished. Those who
had taken to the yellows soon got out of them and returned to
their natural color again. Musical books and instruments
were purchased and a greater sense of satisfaction prevailed as
music pealed forth from the squads in nearly every tent.
Music has its charms for the mind, and never fails to super
sede distress with happiness for the time being. And so it
was here when all who could joined their voices in the chorus
to testify to the influence of music for the dispersion of
gloomy thoughts.
Improvements were very slow in coming along. The
regiment had been very much depleted by sickness, and felt
its weakness. It seemed to have nearly the full amount of
duties to perform as if it had been of full strength. The main
duty at Bowling Green was that the troops take care of them
selves. One would think that to be an easy task — that a set

60 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
of men had nothing to do but take care of themselves, every
thing for the purpose being provided. But that was not so
easily done. Either there were too few troops for the station
(but I think there were enough for the demands of the post)
or else the picket lines were too much extended. To have
them properly manned required too great a draft upon the
several camps, and too often to allow much, if any, relief to
the men from their constant labors. The situation should
have required less guard duty. The position or location of
the various detachments should have been sufficiently central
ized or contracted to have been effective for the object of its
location, and at the same time require the least amount of
picket duty. It is poor discipline for an army to have no
safeguards for its security, even in a country where there is
little or no danger. It is a necessary part of its government
that should not be dispensed with. Its make-up has a repel-
lant force that will soon work its dissolution if it is not made
to feel the full force of a guard to bind it in a single mass. The
danger of dissolution is met arid repelled by an efficient picket
guard, which alarms the main body against surprise and cap
ture, and at the same time keep the main body from desertions
and within call for any emergency.
I make no pretences to a knowledge of the situation of
the troops at Bowling Green, or the number there at that time.
Although not brigaded at the time, I think there must have
been enough to make a brigade. But one thing I do know;
our picket duties were too extensive for the situation and the
abilities of the men to perform them. My office in the com
pany was such as to relieve me from the duties of the picket
guard, requiring my presence in camp, and without an enforced
absence. Yet I was called to go on picket duty about once in
three days. The posts were too numerous for the men that
could be furnished, many of them having but two reliefs,
instead of three.
In command of a section of the line, my place was with
the reserves, but I often left that post to relieve an overworked
and weary sentinel. This too, at times when the chilling blasts

KENTUCKY. 61
of snow were rigorous beyond the climate. While every other
feature of the surroundings was conducive to the recuperative
energies of the regiment, the picket duty and exposure was a
balancing power against it. If the men were recovering from
their recent weakness, it was imperceptible. Discharges for
disability and losses by death were frequent, causing a thinning
of the ranks which was plainly apparent. But the morals had
improved and cheerful prospects prevailed, which sooner or
later yield their just rewards. The crisis of every life was
being passed, that seasons the soldier into the service of
warfare. Two months or more had elapsed since the captain had
been left at Louisville, on the sick list. He was endeavoring
to get a resignation, but for some reason had to make his
appearance with the regiment, and for some further unknown
' reason, took up his residence in town, about a half mile from
camp. The second lieutenant had the same object in view,
and also went to town, rooming with the captain until the
latter's resignation had been accepted, dated February 16, 1863.
Years never will reach eternity; they belong to time.
They have their beginnings and endings, measured by a single
flight of the earth in its orbit around the sun. The conven
tionalities of man give them an artificial beginning, and to
close up with the beginning of the next. Nature claims the
same and with a preferential right. She sets the machinery of
the heavens in operation and teaches man the harmony of the
arrangement, and how to regulate his affairs of life by its
lessons. All animated life is under the influence of time; that
of man through reason, and that of the brutes through instinct,
by which its every movement is directed.
The angels are said to have their loves; so has the human
race, and so, too, have the lower animals. They, as well as
the upper orders, have the beginnings and endings of their
year. They make their loves, choose their mates and teach
the elements of their nature to the lovers' and the would be
beloved who take reason for their guide. They open up their
new year in the present month of February, and signal the

62

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

FRANK T. SUTTON.
Captain Company E
Deceased.

embryonic lover to haste the
offer to his valentine; to offer
his love and poetry to the
maiden of his choice. The
ardent youth, the embryonic
lover, wakes at the signal,
first seeks his love with some
mysterious form in secret
missive from an unknown
hand, ere he shall pull at the
sympathetic strings of a
throbbing heart. He wraps
up his love in the form of a
valentine, hies it away and
watches to see or learn if he
can venture more and find a
sympathetic chord in waiting
for him.
Love and poetry have a part in war as- well as in the
milder and more peaceful avocations of life. The single man
in army life thinkst of his youthful days; thinks of the little
maid with whom he played in childhood's time. Wonders if,'
when he is in distant lands, she will send a thought or wish, to
smooth the hardships of his stormy life. Though little in his
mind before, the force of nature bids him think of some fair
one he has left behind; nor does he feel inclined to resist the
force, but drifts before it, submissive to his fate. The girl he
left behind, wakes to find within her breast the same tuneful
lyre, strung with tones of heavenly love for him she little
dreamed of, until distance set the influential thought in motion.
She did not know she loved him until the crisis of a soldier's
life took her heart away with him, beating in sympathy with
his own. She loved him and showed it; he loved her and told
it. Actions and words in unison, with no influential opposing
force, settle everything without a negative to intervene.
Thoughts come to expressive feelings, and they to missive
words between the lovers. Many of those who had not sealed

KENTUCKY.

63

their connubial loves with the nuptial tie before they had
joined the army, were reminded in mid-February, by the face
of nature, that St. Valentine came as usher of their own, their
new year. They seized the chance and took the time now set
apart, to place their loves in Cupid's bow, whence he was
expected to shoot them on golden tips, to the ones they had
left behind. One, as a sample, is enough. A young man of
our company, light-hearted, hopeful and an agreeable 'compan
ion, had left his "Nellie" behind, and wishing to send her a
valentine, told me his thoughts, that I might put them in verse.
I told him that I must have something more to work from, so
after he had produced her picture and a couple of letters, I
wrote the following: TO NELLIE.
The rose that blooms so fresh and fair,
Amid the brighter day of June,
The rose that fills the summer air
With fragrant, rich and sweet perfume,
With all its charms — fancied and real —
Stands forth; but only to compare
With thou alone, for whom I feel
Deserves from me a gentler care.
Like that, the queen of flowers that spring
From earth's cold bosom, to uprise
And grow, and bud, and bloom; to bring
The joys of pleasure and surprise.
Like that, I firmly say, my heart
To speak the fullness of my mind,
Declares sincerely that thou art
The only queen of womankind.
As I would snuff that fragrant flower,
To gather in its rich perfume,
So would I, 'neath some shady bower,
Claim thee a partner of my dream;
A dream, to live and wait awhile
On earth, till death shall end the strife,
Where thou canst, with a gentle smile,
Smooth down my thorny path of life.

64 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
As partners in this life, we'd be
For each, a helper on the way;
I feel that thou wouldst be to me
Like as the sun is to the day,
The glory and the beauty there; ,
He shines supreme above, us here,
So, dost thou shine as bright and fair,
A gem to me as pure and dear.
I can but see thy lovely face
In picture, formed by tint and shade,
Wherein the magic charms I trace;
So full of sweetness there arrayed,
That I confess, I surely feel
For thee, all that I said before,
When such a picture does reveal
The beauty of the rose and more.
And thou, the rose for which I live,
The one great brilliant of my life
For which I would all others give,
Secured by strength, and toil and strife;
Be thou to me that one great balm
That heals up every mortal pain,
A gentle guiding star, to calm,
To cheer me till we meet again.
So much from one whose thoughts were for the girl he
had left behind him. More love might have been expressed,
and perhaps within bounds also, but it would not do to have
too much of a good thing all in one spot. Something should
always be kept in reserve for emergencies. His future lovely
missives would be influenced by the results of the one above.
The married soldier was a fixed up fact in love, already settled,
but the great majority were on the other side, possessed with
the same feelings, but with their dreams centered around no
particular one. Love, with many, is a matter of silence and
secrecy, yet I have no doubt but that mischievous Cupid
trained his golden arrows upon most of the single warriors,
and made many captures. His weapons were those of war
fare, by which he could make himself an appropriate com
panion in the camps of the soldiers, but being the son of a
voluptuous beauty, he took on and practiced the heritage of

KENTUCKY. 65
nature when he inspired his victims with the dream of luxur
iant and peaceful times.
Perhaps many a lonely soldier had his love already
selected, perhaps many had none. Such facts or conditions
might have been possible. Ventures for the verification of
matters dwelt upon in the connubial line were made in a broker
age sort of way- through the papers at the north. The Waverly
Magazine, of Boston, seemed to take the lead in that line pf
business. Ladies would advertise for correspondence with the
soldiers. Responses were never wanting, and I presume that
the aims and ends of the notices were almost always accom
plished. But some of the soldiers preferred to advertise for
themselves, seeking correspondence, and were, no doubt,
equally satisfied, although some of them took on an unexpected
form. The tradition (I will so call it.) in one case says that a
certain soldier, in search of connubial bliss, advertised as many
others did, and received many letters from would-be fairy
friends. Of course, he must decide who was to receive the
revelation of his desires. The selection was made, and after
an exchange of sentiments, opinions, hopes and views, he asked
for her picture. He got it, but what! It was the likeness of a
bearded face, instead of the fair features he had expected.
That was enough, and it is no trouble to guess at the result.
Lord Bacon infers that married men make the best
soldiers, as he found that "generals, in their hortatives, put
men in mind of their wives and children." I cannot say that
I agree with that man, so eminent in wisdom; for so far as I
have had personal knowledge, they were the most numerous in
the black list of deserters. I should judge that the loves of
the others, unconfirmed with the legal seal, gave the strength
of a patriotic devotion to the service that enabled them -to
return with a clear record, worthy of the nuptial reward in
store for them.
The government preferred the single to the married
soldier, but was compelled to accept the latter for the service,
and made provision for him as such. ,

66 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
MARCH, 1863.
February, as well as the week, and a goodly nurtiber of
our men, went out together. The latter on picket arid the two
former on the records of time. It was fine weather, and
muster day for the last two months, the mustering officer
going the rounds of the picket line, to see that every man who
was not in camp and present with his company, answered to
his name. I was on picket at that muster. The usual time for
duty having expired and the relief posted, we returned to
camp on Sunday morning, with an addition to our number.
A masculine sized ferni ale slave of the purest ebony shade, had
left her master, coming from whence no one knew, and struck
the picket line at Sergt. Bradley's post. On his return to
camp, she followed him as closely as a hungry calf follows its
mother, even with him into his tent, and seated herself before
the fireplace. She could not be induced to stop or turn aside,
and hung to him as if bound by fate, until within the tent.
When spoken to, she remained speechless. This conduct of
the woman placed the sergeant in such a ludicrous situation,
as to make them both the butts of a budget of jokes, too full
for digestion, from all who could crowd around the tent to see
the show. The slave was not disturbed, but maintained the
silence of a brute, amidst an uproar equal, perhaps, to that of
the Ephesians over the goddess Diana.
Here then, was a living statue of ebony, the living repre
sentation ofthe original cause for the American conflict; the
war of the great rebellion. She was a person, a human being
born into the condition of a brute, whose small spark of.
reason, at the best, had been crushed and bound down to the
lowest grade, from whence the smallest hope of rising towards
the level of human existence was barely possible of a realiza
tion. That small spark of reason must have seen a little hope
for improvement, else she would not have risked the move
that brought her into camp. The slave, descended from an
outcast and crushed down race, kidnapped from a distant and
benighted land, where darkness of the deepest kind had

KENTUCKY. 67
obscured the brain with the most fearful superstitions, older
than human records, was now still more ignominiously crushed
by the force of a civilized oppressor, who strove to keep its
mental condition as near its original state of darkness as
possible. Robbed of every metaphysical opportunity, the
slave could advance but little above the status of the brute;
was held and treated as such in almost every respect, by a
merciless and exacting master, who, fearful of being deprived
of the rights he claimed out of the wrongs of slavery, resorted
to every device his selfish mind was capable of bringing into
action, to preserve his ownership and mastery over the helpless
being under his control. Laws were enacted and organized
force applied in behalf of the mighty against the weak, until
shame began to work a reaction in favor of humanity. The
arbitrary demands of the master to extend his tolerated privi
lege, crowded the nation beyond endurance.
Every protest against the growing wrong had been dis
regarded, and when the means had been initiated by which the
expanding evil could be checked, the nation became divided
as to the extent of its natienality, not by the suffering ones,
but by the transgressors. War followed, and here we are in
the midst of it. The glove thrown down by the slave holding
class as a challenge to arms, was out of the necessity of the
case, picked up by the law and order side in preservation of
their rights, and to prove that their rights were founded upon
reason alone — eventually, too, that no right could be founded
upon a wrong. Slavery grew, Out of a wrong, and could satisfy
no right, nor give any reason for its preservation. It was a
condition that could be maintained by force alone. These
claims for the rights of slavery could only be met, overthrown
and settled by the sword, the arbitrament of war.
As slavery provided a means towards the ratification of
that natural desire of domination of one being over another,
the slaveholder, after having dominated his tyranny over the
helpless slaves, had an additional desire to dominate his insa
tiable will over those »of his fellow countrymen at the north,
who disagreed -with his notions of rights and privileges. This

68 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
desire took such an active form that the tolerative class was
driven to draw the line which bade the slaveholders that they
might jcome just so far and no farther. ¦ Accustomed to brow
beat and overcome every obstacle, such a check was more than
could be borne by the slaveholder, and war was the immediate
result. But I have almost forgotten to dispose of this fugitive
from bondage, while discussing in my philosophic drops. The
opportunity for a lively time among a lot of men, hungry for
diversion from the severity of the past few weeks, was not to
be neglected. The merriment spread through the camp until
it reached the ears ofthe colonel, who ordered her to be brought
to his tent. By his direction, she was passed as a servant,
into one of the hospitals in the village.
A small expedition being ordered, twenty-five men were
detailed from Co. E. The country around us was infested
with guerrillas, who gave a great deal of trouble, and I believe
picked off many a solitary soldier in blue. One of our own
company was missing, and was never accounted for, the only
theory being that he had started for home and was killed by
these murderous ruffians. There was no safety in holding,
courts without military protection. A judge was about to hold
court in the village of Franklin, about twenty miles south of
Bowling Grsen, but rumored threats that he would be seized
and carried off were so strongly circulated, that he did not think
it safe to attempt it without a guard. For this duty our detail
was sent, with Lieut. Childs in command.
This was on the second of March. On our way, the train
stopped at a small station, where the guerrillas had partly
destroyed a train the day before. One car, loaded with mules,
was set on fire, burning the animals. An eye-witness of the
scene reported that some of the mules broke from the car,
covered with flames, running around in their agony until they
fell dead. Such a sight was sport to the guerrillas, who, lack
ing men to kill, turned their attention to the unoffending
mules. But it was more barbarous to burn a carload of animals
than it was to catch a northern soldier and cut his throat. The

KENTUCKY. ' 69
repulsive sight of a lot of mutilated brutes, scattered near the
half burned cars, could not be avoided, and I did not wonder
that help was called for. by courts of justice, in the administra
tion of the civil law. Such a deed of savagery called for a
greater administration of justice than could be rendered, with
out some protection of its sacred office.
On arrival at Franklin, we were quartered in the court
house and assigned by ones and twos among the citizens for
our living. Two of us were sent to a Mr. Kirby, and afterwards
to Dr. Burtrees. At both places we met with the best treat
ment and social good will. I do not remember whether any
opinions of the war were advanced at either place, but at the
latter, I met a very clever school teacher, who was a rampant
secessionist, and not afraid to set forth her views.
After two days, rumors came in the evening that a force of
1400 rebels were moving against us and would make an attack
upon the court house before daylight. The judge requested
Lieut.- Childs to telegraph for thirty more men. Lieut. Wells,
of Co. H, arrived with his men early in the evening. Things
looked suspicious, as several citizens confirmed the report that
an attack was to be made. Daylight came after a watchful
night, but no rebels. The judge felt relieved, the excitement
subsided, and the thirty men returned to Bowling Green. The
other detail returned after a five days' absence.
The resignation of the captain was accepted on the
fourth, and on the eighth he came from his stopping place in
town, made his last appearance in camp, and returned home.
There were many drawbacks to the national cause in the
progress of the war, but the inefficiency of officers made a very
serious item that did a deal of mischief, with delay in closing
the rebellion. What wonder, then, that the war dragged along
for four weary years, when it might have been ended much
sooner, had the much boasted patriotism of this class of men
been reduced to feats and actions, instead of swamping and
paralyzing the government as far as they were able.
Nothing beyond the usual routine of camp life occurred
until near the end of the month, when the regiment received

70 . TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
orders to return to Louisville. We took the train at one
o'clock on the morning of the 27th, but at Lebanon Junction
received orders to proceed to Lebanon, and reached that
village just before dark. Rain was falling, so we were lodged
in some empty buildings, and next day made camp on the
southern outskirts ot the village.
We soon found the reason for diverging from Louisville.
The rebels had made a foray across the Cumberland, from
beyond Somerset and around Danville, and captured horses,
cattle and supplies generally. They had left too soon for us
to overtake them, but other troops were in advance, and needed
our support. A brigade was made up of the 25th Michigan,
12th, 16th and 20th Kentucky, and the 9th and 11th Kentucky
Cavalry, under command of Gen. Manson, and made the dis
tance' of thirty miles to Danville, on March 30, by five o'clock
in the afternoon. That was a very severe march for men who
had been idle in camp all winter, but the day was cool and
favorable for the work. Our regiment was quartered in a
church and many of the men who were unable to stand the
strain of the march came straggling in until a late hour in the
night. Some were so exhausted that they had to remain until
our return. The next day we passed through Stanford and to
Hall's Gap, on the top of an arm of the Cumberland mount
ains, a 'distance of sixteen miles, by half-past one in the
afternoon, where, in a snowstorm, we halted for the day.
APRIL, 1863.
The weather had softened, the sun shone warm and the
snow was gone before noon, when we received news that the
rebels had been beaten and much of the booty recovered,
before they could cross the mountain. We returned to Dan
ville, starting at noon and arriving at night. Time was not so
urgent on. the return, so we had a day and a half from Danville
to Lebanon, instead of one day, as before. That was fast
enough, as we were in a very poor condition and unfit for a
forced march of any kind, and especially this one of over sixty
miles, which, though of short duration, made many men chafed

i ¦)

1 KENTUCKY. 71
and footsore. Capt. Demarest, of Co. B, was so badly affected
in his knees that he could not bend them, but kept his place in
the ranks. I presume it was painful, but he made such a
ludicrous appearance, that I was guilty of playing the mimic,
to the amusement of the crowd. The march had not troubled
me, so I could easily mimic. To raise a little merriment at the
expense of another, even in misfortune, was allowable in the
army. A shocking bit of of news awaited our return. Ed. McEl-
hany, the one who had received a wound while marauding for
honey, had himself fired a shot that caused a sorrowful tragedy.
Camp guards were kept up by those left behind, the same as
usual. On the night of March 31, McElhany met Stephen E.
Gilbert, of Co. C, whose beat adjoined his own, and ordered
him to halt, firing at the same moment, killing him instantly.
Gilbert had no time to answer the challenge from McElhany,
who should have known that it was the guard on the next beat,
and that both were pacing to their connecting ends, I will not
at this time opinionate my belief. If he could -see well enough
in the dark to shoot, he could just as easily have decided
whether his victim was a guard like himself, or an enemy
* approaching from without. As it was, the unfortunate tragedy
settled a gloomy feeling over the camp.
General Burnside had just been appointed to the command
of the Department of the Ohio, and had to transfer his old
command, the 9th Army Corps, from the Army of the Potomac
into Kentucky. We now first met a portion of that corps at
Lebanon. We found on return to camp, several Michigan
regiments for our neighbors, -among which were the 2d, 8th,
17th and 20th. In two of these I found Adjutant J. D. Sumner,
of the 8th, since, for a long time, colonel of the 3d regiment of
state troops, and Captain J. C. Burrows, of the 17th, who since
that time has been so well known in public life as to require
no further mention. This was the beginning of Burnside's
East Tennessee campaign, that did not come off until the next
fall. It would have been conducted to an end sooner, perhaps,
had not his old army corps been ordered by Gen. Halleck, soon

72 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
after, to go down the Mississippi to help Gen. Grant in the
siege of Vicksburg.
The object of our march to Danville and beyond being
accomplished, we took the train to Louisville on the fifth,
arriving at night and lodging in the depot.
The purpose of our return to Louisville was to take charge
of the military prison. The barracks surrounding the prison,
in which we were to be quartered, were in poor condition, so
we camped outside the city until they could be repaired.
On April 7, comes a part in the regiment's history in
which I was one of the most interested. Vacancies had occurred
among the commissioned officers in several companies, and
had not been filled, this being the first batch of promotions
issued. Co. E. had two vacancies. 'Lieut. Childs was made
captain, while I was given commissions as second lieutenant, to
date from February 16, and as first lieutenant, to date from
March 4, 1863. Sergt. J. J. Gilbert of Co, G, was commissioned
as second lieutenant, dated March 4, to fill the vacancy I had
passed over. The order for these promotions was read to the
several companies, and then on dress parade. It seemed very
different to me, from the order of court martial concerning
myself, read on dress parade on November 26 of the year
before, within fifty .rods of the same spot.
On the sixteenth, we moved into the completed barracks.
Our duties were as guards at the prison, responsible for
the safe keeping and re-delivery ot as many prisoners as
received. We also had a lesser duty as a patrol guard, whose
duty was to pick up such straggling soldiers as could be found
in the city, who could not give a satisfactory account of them
selves. A good many soldiers were gathered in that way and
taken to barracks No. 1, to be forwarded to their proper com
mand. The city seemed to be filled with these lawless absentees
from the army, and required a large provost guard to subdue
them. One day was like another, and sometimes the same
men would be picked up again. I have no doubt but that the
condition of Louisville in this respect, was much the same as
the other border cities near the seat of war. An officer as high

KENTUCKY. 73
as the colonel of the 23d Kentucky had been in charge of
barracks No. 1, to receive and dispose of the men, when an
officer getting half the pay would have done as well. But
wars are not to be carried on cheaply. Many an officer of the
highest rank and pay has some of the softest spots in the
service. •>
Col. Moore, in addition to commanding his regiment, was
provost marshal ofthe city, havirg a mi itary oversight for its
welfare. There was also Major Somebody, whose duties must
have been very important, as it required a coach to take him
from one office to another. In fact, there were so many
offices and officers that it would be a difficult task to analyze
the system that engaged all of them.
General Burnside was in command of the Department of
the Ohio, but I think his headquarters were at Cincinnati.
Gen. Hartsuff had the 23d Army Corps, and as that was scat
tered all over Kentucky, I suppose he was at home almost
anywhere. Another command, the District of Kentucky, was
commanded by Brig. Gen. Boyle, who had his headquarters at
Louisville, with his lesser brigadiers scattered through the
state. How Brig. Gen. Boyle and Major Gen. Hartsuff exer
cised their commands over the same troops in harmony, I
can not see; the lesser rank a district, and the higher rank a
field commander. We did not seem to be wanting in officers
of the higher grade back here, two .hundred miles from the
fighting line, to carry on a war great enough for any nation.
But I suppose the strategy of their location was understood by
the powers behind the throne. The location of a military
prison at Louisville was for the purpose of receiving rebel
prisoners captured beyond Nashville, or anywhere else to the
southward, and then' transferring them to the different military
prisons scattered through the north, for safe keeping or
exchange, according as they were assigned. Large numbers
were there at times; and then again the prison would become
nearly depleted by a transfer to some other point. Prisoners
selected for immediate exchange were usually sent to the far
east, to be returned to the rebel armies by way of Fortress

74 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
Monroe. The escort for such a detachment of prisoners was
furnished by the regiment, and was a pleasant duty on which I
was not fortunate enough to serve.
MAY, 1863.
Where a person or number of persons have settled down
to a particular calling and followed it for some time, the daily
routine becomes monotonous, without variation, and affairs
assume a condition that correspondents call a scarcity of items.
So it was with us now, and in less than a month, our duty
was but a repetition of the day before. The prison was quite
full, although the armies had been doing but little against each
other. Louisville, like almost every other city, -had its dens of
vice where drinking and gambling were carried on; where all
the allurements were offered to ip crease their custom. As a
.usual thing, the soldiery furnished a large share of their trade,
and it became a necessity for the provost marshal to break up
that kind of entertainment for the soldiers, as far as his
authority would permit. Complaint was made of one place in
particular; Mayfield's, at the corner* of 11th and Walnut streets.
I was known to be on the temperance side, and was ordered by
the provost marshal to look up the matter complained of. I
sent one of our men, Hardy, ahead to investigate and join the
game if necessary, for my inclinations were too well known to
succeed unless I -skirmished first. I followed soon after, and
found a collection of soldiers engaged as I had expected, but
one of the gamblers saw me before I could enter, and divining
my purpose, gave the alaim. The room was vacated before I
could get in and catch them, but I gained the information
sought and furnished it to the provost marshal.
The daily detail of provost guards furnished by the 25th
was a small one. I was often in charge, with orders from the
provost marshal. One night, after a squad had gathered a
number of prisoners, one of them attempted to escape. He
was ordered to halt, but paying no attention, was fired upon
and instantly killed. This was to be regretted, although the

KENTUCKY. 75
exigencies of the case demanded some such action to enforce
the military law. The guards were armed, and every soldier
understood what the consequences were when an escaping
prisoner refused to halt.
Many officers as well as soldiers, were on the streets, the
same, probably, as in all the border cities. Whether they were
properly absent from their commands is unknown to me, but I
know that many of the soldiefs were unable to show a lawful
absence. To gather and return such portions of the army as
were loose in many cities, required a large and active force,
which, prisoners and guards together, weakened considerably
the fighting line at the front. Officers of a high rank were
assigned to posts in the rear where little or no duties appeared
to demand attention. No command for any particular rank,
was necessary to order the business done there. Likewise,
major and brigadier generals were appointed to posts and
departments north of the Ohio, entirely out of reach of the
war, except during Morgan's raid, and he was pursued and
captured by troops from south of the Ohio. When their
services were required for the direction of divisions and bri
gades in the fighting line, their places were filled by officers
one or two grades below. Perhaps their ability was as great
or greater, and the country better served, yet it was an injus
tice that any officer should receive the honor and pay, while
the duties were performed by a subordinate. The idea must
have prevailed in Congress when it was enacted that there
should be no more than seventy major generals and not over
two hundred brigadier generals, that serving in their proper
place, and allowing for disabilities, this number was sufficient.
It was a waste of time, rank and pay, and added to the draw
backs in the progress of the war.
Col. Moore, although expected to be with his regiment,
was made provost marshal of Louisville, and entered upon his
office determined ,that all the duties should be properly
administered; perhaps too much so, as subsequent events
proved. To exercise his authority demanded a very delicate
use of his judgment, and the treatment of every case without

76 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
any general line of policy, circumstances altering cases. There
had been in Louisville a large element in favor of the rebellion,
and its influence was well seated still. It plainly showed itself in
the daily press, and the criticisms on the adrhinistration in the
directing of the war, were crumbs of comfort for the enemy, and
were getting too strong to be overlooked. There are so many
things so strangely interwoven in the education and make-up of
society, that they can not be immediately superseded or set
aside in a peremptory manner, without giving cause for an
•uproar. Actions of officers creating a serious disturbance of
well settled customs, in any community, should come gradu
ally and with the logic of geometry; should be ordered by the
chiefs and not by their subordinates. The necessity for such a
course had been demonstrated by the revocation of the orders
of Gen. Fremont in Missouri; those of Gen. Hunter in South
Carolina, and those of Gen. Burnside in the suppression of' the
Chicago Times. The president reserved such serious move
ments as proper for himself alone.
Also, Gen. Boyle was in command of the District of Ken
tucky, with his headquarters at Louisville. Whether his
course of action in the conduct of affairs in his district was to
be approved or disapproved, is not the question here. It was
enough that he was Col. Moore's superior, and having
appointed him, could also revoke the appointment. Under
such circumstances, it would have been best for the colonel to
overlook some of his military duties, as he understood them,
which, if enforced, would disturb the customs of the people,
or consulted his superior. But he felt justified in his course
and acted accordingly.
Kentucky was still a slave state, the president not deeming
it best to interfere with states not then in rebellion. Though
causing the rebellion, slavery was treated as in ante bellum
days. The army was there to uphold the civil administration
of the law not in conflict with the war. It was not a part of
their duty to neutralize the civil law, when that law did not
hinder the actions of the army. Perhaps Col. Moore did' not
see the matter in that light when, upon his own judgment, he

KENTUCKY. . 77
ordered a slave auctioneer to sell no slaves at a sale then
advertised. He also directed a city paper to cease its attack
upon the administration. This brought a mass of printed
matter against him, and Gen. Boyle appointed Major Fitch in
his place. These events brought to a crisis the growing dis
agreement between Gen. Boyle and Col. Moore, which gave a
very serious turn to the life of- the 25^1 Michigan, and a most
enviable reputation as a regiment, as I shall soon show.
JU1ME, 1863.
I wish to diverge a little from my story, in connection
with a fact related by the adjutant general of the state, when
closing up the career of the 25th in the "Red Book of Michigan
in the War." The story of "Frank Martin" is related there.
While the matter of personal description is true enough, the
writer was very much misinformed, and had Gen. Robertson
known the true character of that personage, she never would
have been known to the public through that channel. The
subject is out of place in that book, as we may infer hereafter.
To my recollection, she made her appearance at our barracks
about the first of June, although I find these words in the
Slayton diary, dated May 1: "Saw Frank Martin, the woman
soldier; she was around the barracks, acts as orderly to Gen.
Boyle." At that time she was thought to be a heroine, a
reputation that ensured her a favored reception everywhere.
Her appearance was simply a visit and she was never lodged
with the regiment. I saw her but two or three times before I
left with half of. the 25th, a few days later, for Green River.
Meeting her again, more than a year later, I reserve a further
notice, and opinions of amazons generally, until I arrive at
that point in my narrative, and insert another character of the
same stripe who came into notice soon after the former
presented herself.
Col. Moore's make-up was such, that when checked in an
action which he thought essential, after mature consideration,
he chafed and fretted. He very naturally thought he was
doing well in regard to his interference at the slave auction

78 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN. , '
and sending the note to the Louisville fournal; that Gen. Boyle
was wrong in depriving him of the means of executing what
he thought were his instructions. I could agree with him
most heartily in his opinions of duty, while I might not be
able to commend his independent action, without consulting
his superiors, learning how far he could go and have their
support. The breach between the two officers grew, instead of
lessening, as the colonel imprudently criticised the actions of
his superior officers, and might possibly been subjected to a
.review under the sixth article of war. But his case was soon
otherwise disposed of.
At this time there was a line of military posts, east and
west through central Kentucky, for the more effective safety
of the Ohio base of army operations. There seemed to be an
opening in this line, south of Lebanon and along Green river.
Into this opening Col. Moore was ordered, with Companies D,
E, F, I and K, half the companies of his regiment, but far
from being full, numbering but 210 men, for many who were on
detached duty were detained at their posts. We left Louis
ville for Lebanon on June 11, then marched to Green River
Bridge and halted there on the 14th. The camp was formed
in the woods a little north of the bridge, on the route from
Lebanon to Columbia. The intervale from the river was about
fifty rods wide, the woods extending up the hills.
On leaving Louisville, there was issued to us the shelter,
or what is called a dog tent (nicknamed "pup tent"), 'for the
first time. It consisted of two pieces of cloth about four feet
square, fastened with buttons. These, when strung over a
low ridge pole supporting the peak, made a shelter for two
men, although three frequently accommodated themselves in a
single tent. In more permanent camps, we sometimes raised
the floor a foot or more, upon poles laid across crotches, with
bark for a bed, when it could be obtained. This was a sanitary
advantage, better than lying on the ground. This was the
only tent used during the two remaining years of our service.
They were so light that every man carried at least a part of a
tent with him, being ready to put up a residence as soon as a

KENTUCKY. 79
halt was made. He was as well equipped for shelter as the
snail, supplied by nature with a house on his back. The
shelter tents are said to have been first used by the allies
in the Crimean war, in 1853.
Here we settled down to enjoy ourselves, and at the same
time serve the purpose of our coming. Drills and other work
pertaining, to camp life were carried on, and were more enjoy
able than burdensome. But it was not without its anxieties.
Rumors came that the rebels were preparing for an advance,
and that a raid was likely to strike the line at our post. It
seemed as if so small a band as ours had been stationed there
as a bait, and for the purpose of inviting an attack. There
were no other troops nearer than Glasco or Munfordville, thirty
miles away^ If Col. Moore could be captured there, it would
seem to satisfy his superior officers, who would then be rid of
him for a time. I thought so at the time, and have no reason
to change my belief after a lapse of more than thirty years.
Thrown into such an exposed situation, really that of a vidette
to the main forces, the last report became excitable. The first
alarm was given at the lower picket post down the river, just
after dark on June 20. It was enough to keep us under arms
until eleven o'clock, when the alarm was found to be false, and
we retired for the night.
Rumors came thicker, assuming a tangible form, and on
the twenty-seventh, positive news reached us that the rebels
had crossed the Cumberland river south of us, probably not
more than thirty miles distant. On the thirtieth, we heard
cannonading to the westward, towards Munfordville, about
two hours before sunset, which led us to suppose that the
rebels were trying to destroy the railroad bridge at that place.
On Saturday, three days before, so heavy a rain had fallen, as
to raise the river to a level with its banks. As the bridge was
but a temporary affair, to replace one previously destroyed,
the strong current pushed it down the stream. I watched it
on a Sunday morning, as it slid quietly along the rocky bed, as
easily as if it had been greased to smooth its passage. The
loss of the bridge cut off communication from the south side

80

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

of the river, and it was neces
sary to restore it as soon as
possible. Lieut. Tennant, of
Co. K, started building a ferry
boat, but the trouble was to
get a rope across the raging
flood. When it was decided
to start a ferry, I went back
to camp. Returning soon
after, I was asked to get the
rope over, no one else caring
to try it. The only way was
to swim the stream with a
small cord between my teeth,
which would be enough to
drag the rope after it. The
current was swift and made
the task a venturesome one,
but I felt confident that I
could keep above water and
make the shore somewhere,
if I should fail to 'take the
cord with me. Both cord and rope were on the south side,
so I would first have to swiih over after them. Although
the river was perhaps not more than one hundred feet wide, I
went a considerable distance up the river and struck out into
the boiling flood. With the best swimming I could do, I only
made the opposite shore at the south end of the bridge.
Taking the cord between my teeth, I swam back, reaching the
north side just as the cord tightened. Then the rope was
hauled over and the boat started a day or two after.

PETER E. DEAL.
"This soldier was born the sixth day of
December, 1827. He enlisted the seventh day
of August, 1862. He served the first year in

Kentucky and Tennessee; then was transferred ie gi
duty at Indianapolis, Ind.. also at Camp Doug-

into the Veteran Reserve Corps; done guard

las, 111., and on the detective corps to the close
of the war. Then was discharged at Spring
field, 111., with great honor. This is what his
discharge says: 'This soldier discharged his
duty faithfully and is deserving of great credit,
and we recommend him to the society of the
good.' " Now of Kalamazoo.

JULY, 1863.
As before stated, our camp was about fifty rods north of
the river, without a defensive feature, and in case of an attack
would be at a disadvantage, even with equal numbers. On the
south side of the stream, above the bridge and to the eastward,

KENTUCKY. 81
the banks rose directly from the water for a hundred feet, but
not so to the westward. Just at the south end of the bridge, a
stockade, holding about thirty men, crowned the bank so as to
command the bridge. To reach this stockade, the Columbia
road bore to the west as it left the bridge, circled to the south
and east to make the grade to the stockade, reaching there at
the top of the bank. The circle was fully half a mile long,
the road then running east along the ridge which formed the
river bank, where, after a slight descent and a turn to the left,
to go around the head of a. ravine, it continued eastward.
To the right and south of the road, the ground descended
and was covered by woods. After the road left the river, a
small oblong field of about five acres was left between them,
with a half acre of timber at the west end. All else was woods,
except to the east, including a strip of woods and bushes on
the high banks.
Another remarkable feature was Tebb's Bend, where the
river made a circle of twelve or fifteen miles, passing within
a quarter mile of its own course as it passed the open field
above the bridge, forming a peninsula which made a strong
position for such a force as ours. The land, after descending
to the south, continued in an open field to where the. river
made its return course.
Col. Moore was convinced that a crisis was approaching,
and no time must be lost. Rumors were now certainties, and
after looking the situation well over, he laid a line of breast
works across the lower eastern end of the field, running north
from the road towards the river, nearly across the field and
about fifteen roads in length. The south end rested with the
head of the ravine close in front, which with the woods,
covered about half the works. The road made a turn close to
the right of the works and passed along half way before it
turned arbund the head of the ravine to the east.
About dark on July 1, the colonel took seventy-five men
across the river to fortify this chosen position. I was among
the number who were throwing up the works, while the others
were felling the trees in the grove at the west end of the field,

00to

Battle Map of Green River.
I-First camp north of the river. 2-Bridge. 3-Ford. 4-Stockade. B-Hospital. 6-Gore of fallen timber. 7-0uter works. g-Ravines.
9-Rebel artillery. — - Lines within which the battle was fought, including the log building seized by the rebel skirmishers to begin the fight.

HWZH xl

HPC

n 5>z

KENTUCKY. 83
whichwas the key of the position and made a surer defense
against a cavalry charge. By perseverance and steady labor,
the works were completed by eleven o'clock that night. We
slept on our arms, just as we were, fpr the remainder of the
night. Capt. Childs, with twenty men, relieved the night
workers and, they returned to camp. He and his men contin
ued felling trees all the next day, along and south of the road,
so that if cooped up and out of view on the gore of timber, we
could make a strong resistance, more so because the enemy
could not estimate our numbers.
I was officer of the day, in charge of the guards, on the
third, when positive information came that the enemy, of the
rebel raider Gen. Morgan's division, had arrived at Columbia,
twelve miles distant, and then advancing, had camped but three
miles from us at night. Also, that a force of rebels had crossed
the river and were at the north of us. Col. Moore took the
command to the south of the river, excepting twenty-five men
under my charge, and those required for loading and unloading
the wagons in removing camp to the south side, which he
ordered me to have completed during the night. He went
over and placed his men for the coming battle. The water
had subsided and we were able to ford the river just below the
bridge, which was very opportune in the present emergency.
I placed a vigilant guard north of the camp, and at dark began
moving. It was a busy night, but by daylight, July 4, the last
wagon had started, and calling in the guard, was following in
the rear, when, while crossing the flat in the first streak of sun
shine, at precisely 4:35, the first shot was, fired and the battle
begun. This was the opening of the warlike campaigns of the
25th Michigan, which continued to the end of the war.
As informed, the enemy was Morgan's raiders, the terror
of Kentucky ever since the union troops had occupied the
state. He had been a gambler, a horse jockey and a sportive
man generally. He was well versed in horseflesh, and replaced
his worn-out horses with those he found on the route. The
rapidity of his movements had usually crowned his raids with
success, in burning bridges to hamper the movements of our

84

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN

ORLANDO H. MOORE.
- Colonel 25th Michigan.

E. M.FRUTZMAN. (18B3.)
Adjutant.
Killed at battle of Resaca,
Ga„ May 14, 1864.

WM. C. WOOLEY. (1868.)
Commissary Sergeant.
Now of Bannister.

HARVEY C. LAMBERT. (1865.)
Lieutenant Co. D. Wounded at battle of
Green River. Now of Marcellus.

Men who fought at Green River.

KENTUCKY. 85
troops, cutting, our lines of communication between the north
and its armies in the field, and the destruction of public
property generally. His officers have said that this raid was
under orders of Gen. Bragg, whose army had been confronting
Gen. Rosecrans, to the south of Nashville, for six months in
seeming idleness. It was for the purpose of securing some
favoring movement for him as the emergencies of a successful
raid might open up. He had a roving commission with an
independent army, to move about anywhere within the state,
and under orders from Bragg not to cross the Ohio river. The
capture and sacking of Louisville was within his plan. It was
said that the division under Morgan numbered seven thousand
men. However that may be, after several detachments were
sent in different directions, to create diversions as to his move
ments, he was known to have crossed the Ohio afterwards,
with three thousand, five hundred men. Two brigades were
spoken of in the several accounts given from his side, as
having been engaged in the present conflict.
About half way down the hill, south of the breastworks
and west of the ravine, was a spring which formed the head of
another ravine leading to the first, but a short distance aWay.
Capt. Childs and his men had cut the timber on these ravines
to discomfit the foe and protect our flank.
The battle opened by driving in our pickets stationed
along the road to the east and the seizure of an old log house,
fifty rods to our front, from whence a well directed fire was
kept up. A good deal of firing wag also kept up from the
approaching rebels on each side of the road, covering their
ordnance. About a third mile distant, the road turned to the
left, behind some buildings, and was lost to view. Here Mor
gan planted his cannon and opened fire, the first shell crashing
through the works, which were too slightly built to withstand
the use of artillery, being intended only as an outer defense. Two
men of our company were wounded, one dying two weeks
later from losingan arm. Only two more shots were fired from
the cannon when it was taken from the field. It was now 6:30
o'clock, when Morgan waved a flag of truce and sent Col.

86

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

WM. L. THOMAS. (1880.)
Sergeant Co. D.
Wounded in shoulder, Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864.
Now of Witt's Foundry, Tennessee.

JOSEPH GAULT. (1868.)
Sergeant Co. E.
Wounded at battle of Green River.
Deceased.

EDWIN CHILDS. (1863.
Captain Co. E.
Now of Scotts Station.

SEAMAN S. BRISTOL. (1865.)
Sergeant Co. E.
Deceased.
Men who fought at Green River.

KENTUCKY. 87
Alston, his chief of staff, with the following notej demanding a
surrender: Headquarters Morgan's Division, )
in the field in front of green rlver stockade, \
July 4, 1864.
To the Officer commanding Federal Forces at Stockade near Green River
H ridge, Kentucky:
Sir: — In the name of the Confederate States Government, I demand an
immediate and. unconditional surrender of the entire force under your com
mand, together with the stockade. I am very respectfully, sir,
JOHN H. MORGAN,
Commanding Divison CaV., C. S. A.
Col. Moore met him in front on horseback, and answered
verbally to this demand, that: "As it was on the Fourth of
July, he could not entertain the proposition." He might have
added that "it was too early in the morning.",,
The beater of the flag must hive preferred a surrender to
a fight, for he said: "I hope you will not consider me as dic
tatorial on this occasion; I will be frank with you. You see
the breach we haye made in your works with our battery; you
cannot expect to repulse Gen. Morgan's whole division with
your little command. You have resisted us gallantly and
deserve credit for it, and now I hope you will save useless
bloodshed by reconsidering your message to Gen. Morgan."
To this the colonel replied: "-Sir, when you assume to know
my strength, you assume to know too much. I have a duty tp
perform to my country, and the presence, of this day supports
me in my decision; therefore can not reconsider my reply tp
Gen. Morgan." After shaking hands, the rebel officer said:
"Good bye, Col. Moore, God only knows who may fall first."
They then turned their horses and galloped away. The battle
was immediately renewed with a desperate determination on
each side; in fact, it had not really ceased during the confer
ence of the truce, for the rebels had fired a few shots and made
some advances on our lines.
When Col. Moore returned, he gave his men to under
stand what they must expect, and told them to. rise and pick
off the rebel gunners; and I guess they did, for the rebels
afterwards said that the bullets spattered their cannon at such

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

JOHN H. PAYNE. (1862.)
Corporal Co. E.
Now of Galesburg.

CHARLES SHOOK. (1862.)
Now of Scotts Station.

N. H. ELWELL. (1863.)
Sergeant Co. E.
Now of Climax.

CHARLES BURBANK. .(1866.;
Co. F.
Now of Pipestone.

Men who fought at Green River.

KENTUCKY. 89
a fearful rate that eighteen of their cannoneers were killed.
Not another shell was fired,, and their artillery was taken from
the field. We had, no artillery, but the character of the ground was
such that the rebels had to plant theirs within musket range
before they could bring it into action. . That was too warm for
them and only three shots were fired. The rebel general Basil
Duke said, that if we had fought them from the stockade, they
could have easily shelled us out: In this he was mistaken, for
had we been in the stockade, they would have had to approach
from the north side of the river, because it would be necessary
to approach so close before using the artillery, that we would
have had a better command of it than at the other point.
So much has been said about the stockade, that I wish to
say that it was a very insignificant work of defense, and could
not afford fighting shelter for mure than thirty to fifty men,
and was only designed to cover the bridge at the river crossing.
For that purpose it was situated on the crown of the high river
bank overlooking the bridge, open to the north and surrounded
by woods. Upon the failure of the truce, the battle grew more and
more furious. The firing increased and diminished as it was
sprinkled with rebel yells when they gained an advantage or
were checked or beaten back from an assault. Creeping around
to the left, under cover of the river banks, they gained an
enfilading fire upon our works, while on the right they swarmed
up the ravine like locusts. Here was the most desperate part
of the battle, and here the rebel dead lay thickest on the field.
It stood us well in hand to prevent our right from being out
flanked, for in such a case, we would have been completely
surrounded, except the river at our back. Col. Moore had
seen this emergency and ordered his men, that when such a
threatening move should occur, to divide to either side of the
field in falling back, so that the field would be clear for the
action of the main force, stationed among the fallen trees at
the west end. Those of the right wing took to the woods on
the side hill and obstinately contested, from every tree, the
advance of the rebel forces.

90

TWENTY- FIFTH MICHIGAN.

G. W. FINLAY. (1863.)
Promoted from 1st Sergeant Co. H. to Sergeant
Major; to 2d Lieut., Co. I, June 17, 1863,
to 1st Lieut., 30th Mich.,. Dec. 31, 1864.
Now of Independence, Kas.

N. H. MERRILL.
Sergeant and later Lieutenant, Co. K.
Now in Pension Bureau at Washington.
Men who fought at Green River.

Col. Moore held to his horse
and was everywhere when
most needed to direct the
fight and encourage the men.
A bullet passed under his
leg and along the side of the
horse.Jinjuring the animal so
that it had to be exchanged
for another. Our right had
been heavily pressed and
resisted the foe equally as
well, although their lines were
too full and long for us, and
began to outflank and lap
around us. Cal. Moore, see
ing a rebel' standing near a
stump, capping his gun,
turrted to a group of our me*n,
saying: 'There's a man
getting ready to shoot me;
if one of you has a loaded
gun, -take care of him." A
member of Co. D leveled at
him, put a bullet through his
head, and sent him sans cere-
monie to Pluto's festive board.
It was seven o'clock when
the advance of the rebel left
w.is crowding and threatening
our right too seriously to pass
unnoticed. Co. I, under
Capt. DeBoe, had been held
in reserve, and was deployed
as skirmishers on our right,
down the side hill to the
river flat, to check the enemy
at that point. On the ridge

KENTUCKY. 91
and through the field, the fight was raging furiously. Our men
were hidden in the fallen timber, where the rebels had made
seven charges and as many times were driven back. They at
one time reached the timber, but were unable to hold it, and
went back as best they could.
The east end of the field made a slight descent and
screened the enemy from view when repulsed and gave them a
point to rally before returning to the charge. They were still
within hearing, and the officers could be heard swearing at
the men for being such cowards, and urging them to renew the
attack. Each charge was made with less vim, as no success
had been gained and nothing but a bloody repulse awaited
them. It was natural for the heart to weaken when the hands
failed to gather the fruits of their labor.
Here it was that the rebels lost some of their best officers.
Capt. Trebble, with sword and pistol flourishing his men to the
charge, aided by all the expletives he could command, was
sent across the river Styx in old Charon's boat, Hardy of Co.
E, being the ferryman. It was in the last charge that they
reached the fallen timber and fought from the edge of it. But
they did not know the strength, or rather the "weakness of our
force, and failed to push the advantage. It is discouraging,
for men intent on victory, to be compelled to climb and sur
mount an obstruction exposing him to a deadly fire. Our men
were so well screened and stood to their places with such
determination, that nothing but retreat was left for the enemy.
Col. Moore had ordered me, that when through moving
the camp, to remain with twenty men and guard the ford below
the bridge from a possible attack. Concealed with us were
eight or ten men of the 8th Michigan and 79th New York,
stragglers from the 9th Army Corps, in charge of Lieut. Hogan,
of the 8th Michigan. The 9th Army Corps had been sent to
help Grant in the early part of June, for the siege of -Vicks
burg, and some of the stragglers had been picked up and were
at work at this point rebuilding the lost bridge. There were
more men of the Hogan party somewhere in the vicinity. At
7:30 o'clock we were ordered to join in the battle.

92 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
We climbed the bank and were speedily on our way to
action. We met many wounded, among them Lieut. Twombley
of F, resting by the roadside with a wounded leg, who told
me, with much emphasis, that he guessed I would get enough
of it in the front. We were soon in line for action. Our men
had fallen back considerably in the last charge, and the rebels
had gained a slight foothold in the edge of the timber,' doing
their best to move forward. I noticed that Childs and Tennant
and all the others, were making every effort to start their men
forward and regain the lost ground.
Just as we got in line/the firing ceased in our front, where
the fallen timber hid the enemy, while down the hill at the
right, Capt. DeBoe had climbed to the top of the fence, nerving
his men to drive ahead. This they were doing in a style
wprthy of emulation. The cry of reinforcements was shouted
along the line about this time, which was a matter Col. Moorq
had previously ordered, when any reserves might appear, and
the rebels on the retreat, at the same time the bugler sounding
an advance. These actions so demoralized the enemy that
another charge could not be organized. Soon after the
advance was sounded, the colonel bugled a halt. I asked him
why he had halted us. He said that he thought the rebels had
failed in a direct assault and were trying to draw us into an
ambuscade; that he was not strong enough to risk it. It was
now eight o'clock. On the main field the last gun had been
fired and the battle was at an end, Col. Moore announcing that
the rebels were completely whipped.
The completion of the work at this time of the day, made
it only a before breakfast duty, although that meal was deferred
to a later hour, as the cook became a little excited and let the
coffee boil over; but it was ready about mid-forenoon.
I crept cautiously from tree to tree below the road, until I
had a view of the works across the field and saw that all was
clear. The men went into the works again, although the sun
was beating down fiercely. In about a half hour, horsemen
were seen at the further bend of the road, and it was thought
to be the prelude to another onset, but soon a flag of truce was

KENTUCKY.^ 93
sent forward, and permission asked to bury the dead. The
privilege of receiving the dead outside the lines was granted,
nothing more, but they did not return to carry out their request.
A short time after the battle had ceased, a sudden firing
was .heard at the bridge. A body of rebels north of the
bridge, having waited a little during the silence following the
battle, thought, of course, that we had been captured, and came
out of the woods to look after their interests, when the Hogan
party, still concealed at the bridge, opened fire and emptied
two or three saddles. That satisfied them, and they made for
cover as rapidly as possible.
It was afterwards learned, that during the battle the rebels
had two regiments in reserve, which they tried to bring up to
. the charge after the last repulse. But their courage had
melted at their comrades' repulse, and they would not go.
Another regiment was on the north side of the river, to capture
us when we should be driven from our position and undertook
to escape towards Lebanon. They had looked for such an
event and felt sure of making us prisoners.
Within an hour after the battle, I went out to look at the
rebel dead, and found most of them shot through the breast
and head, and even now the mouth, nose and eyes of the dead
were filled with insects. Destruction, mortification and decay
had begun its work speedily. The location of the wounds
showed the accuracy of our aim. The heat of the sun brought
on a heavy rain before noon, but we lay in the trenches all day
and night, in readiness for another battle.
We were still in the works the next day, and towards noon
heard the report that another attack was to be made. I was
the senior officer in command, and had the men line the top of
the breastworks, to screen themselves when raising their heads
to fire. The report was followed by a message that Gen.
Shackelford and his brigade were near. This was good news
and secured our safety. No more troubles from the south, for
the general soon arrived and we were called into camp before
night. The dead of both sides were buried and orders were
given to move northward on the morrow.

94 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
As to the respective losses. We had but two hundred and
ten men, all told. Out of these there could not have been over
one hundred and seventy guns in the fight. I had twenty men
with me at the ford until the battle was substantially over,
while six men were a,t a ford down the river, as a picket guard.
Then adding the sick, a small percentage of which are always
on hand, the hospital staff and teamsters, I think it would be.
safe to give the above mentioned number, or even less. Out
of these, three were killed on the field, three died before the
next morning, and twenty-three wounded. One of the latter,
the first one wounded, died about twelve days later, making a
total loss of seven lives.
It is difficult to make a correct estimate of the rebel
losses, and I can only estimate from those found on the field,
and information supplied by the surgeon left in charge of their
wounded and residents of the vicinity. We found twenty-eight
dead within our lines, and twenty or more were seen floating
down the river. These were shot while on the steep river bank
and rolled into the water. The surgeon admitted that they
had buried thirty. I do not think it would be any exaggeration
to put their loss at one hundred killed and two hundred
wounded. We found no dead outside our lines, where a good
many must have fallen, as fighting continued for some time
before our men retired from the works in front. Their artillery
would not have been silenced so soon if the destruction of life
had been less. The losses were as disproportionate as the
numbers engaged. Among the killed were seventeen officers,
of which at least three were field officers.
It is an interesting feature of a battle for those engaged,
to yell their courage to a fighting point, when on the offensive,
and seemed to be indispensable on either side. The defense,
if they intend to hold their ground, have enough to do to load
and fire, without yelling. The yell from those making the
assault reveals the intention; the silence of the defense, except
from the guns, reveals the dogged determination to maintain
their position until overpowered, or some other cause shall
have brought defeat. Knowing the usual custom of a rebel

KENTUCKY. 95
charge, Col. Moore instructed his men to come down to busi
ness and let the guns make all the noise, as cheering might
reveal their weakness in numbers; to do their best with every
rebel that showed his head.
Gen. Morgan was a Kentuckian, and in his own country;
we have the best reasons to believe that he had been informed
of our strength, and his movements support that belief. The
officer bearing the flag of truce seemed to have some knowledge
of our weakness; they spared no efforts, inquiring of citizen
-and slave. One slave answered that "they must have had
heavy reinforcements during the night, as I heard the rumbling
of wagons all night long." During the battle, Col. Moore was
his own bugler; the sound of the bugle induced the enemy to
believe that we had a full brigade, and were able to carry a
band of music. It is certainly discouraging, during the tide of
battle, to hear the triumphant defiance of an inspiring march
floating from the other side. From the information received,
Gen. Morgan probably made a correct estimate of our force,
but the stout resistance he met, forced him to believe the story
told by the old slave. He subsequently found where and how
he had b;een deceived, for he complimented Col. Moore on
his generalship, on several occasions, and promoted him to a
brigadier general, as an expression of his admiration.
We were, no doubt, sent to Green River Bridge by Gen.
Boyle, with the idea that Col. Moore, with such a little band,
could not avoid a capture, which would safely put him out of
the way. Such is my opinion, based on what I have heretofore
said, believing that the general wished to get rid of him. Gen.
Hobson's brigade had been stationed at Columbia, making one
of a chain of posts facing the south. His brigade had been
moved to Glasco, thirty miles southwest, which left a gap in
the line to be filled by our diminutive force; seeming too small
to head off such a force as the rebels would bring.
This battle and repulse of the terrifying raider of Ken
tucky, was the first serious check he had received, and the
beginning of his downfall, so it will not be far out' of place to
follow him to the end.

96 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
His force was cavalry and movements were rapidly made.
As soon as he realized his defeat, he crossed Green River with
his entire force and made for Lebanon,_ thirty miles north;
arriving early the next morning. With his usual promptness,
he attacked the 20th Kentucky, numbering but three hundred
and fifty men. They fought like Kentuckians, and without
any defensive works, held him back for seven hours, when
they surrendered, but only then to save the village from
the flames which had been started to dislodge them. He ran
his prisoners ten miles north, to Springfield, in the middle of
a hot day, where he let them loose on parole. Two prisoners,
overcome by the heat, were knocked on the head and left dead
by the roadside. Thence he went to Bardstowh' and west to
the Ohio river, where, at Brandenburg, he captured a passing
steamer and crossed the river. The crossing of the Ohio was
the crossing of a disastrous Rubicon, and thence like Crassus
among the sands, passed one degree too far into the enemy's
country. , He had intended to capture Louisville, but the time lost
at Green River led him to believe that the city had bfeen suffi
ciently forewarned to give him a warm reception. So he sent
a small force in that direction to maneuver near the city, to
avoid any more serious obstacles in his movements toward the
Ohio. Once over the river and "carrying the war into Africa,"
he moved at random. Passing to Corrydon, Indiana, and north
to the neighborhood of Salem, he turned eastward through
Seymour, nearly touching Cincinnati, and thence in a course
parallel with the Ohio river until near Buffington Island, where
he came to the river and attempted to again enter .Kentucky!
Having been hard pressed towards the last by a pursuing force,
he was headed off before many of his men had reached the other
side of the river. His army was fast melting away, the result
of his constant labors, night and day. Although neariy
surrounded, he slipped away and struck out for the north and
east, nearly succeeding in reaching the upper corher of the
state, where he was captured on July 26. It was strange that
he held out so long and made such a distance before his

KENTUCKY. 97
pursuers pressed him so close as to keep him constantly in the
saddle and in flight. He probably held out so well by recruit
ing his broken-down steeds from the country as he passed
along. Notwithstanding the fact that he < destroyed many
of the bridges over which he passed, he was given no rest by
his pursuers, day or night, until the capture, which ended the
career of this presumptious rebel and his host.
The news of his capture was flashed over the country, and
at our distant and retired post, we heard of it on the night of
the same day. The assembly was sounded by the bugler, the
men falling in line fully expecting a battle. But they were
only called upon to' learn the happy news, that what they had
begun in the check of this great raider, had ended in his capture.
So, after a few hearty cheers, we were dismissed to our tents
and to sleep. The raid rubbed his great cavalry division down
to a very small affair, for he surrendered with only three
hundred and sixty-four men, about one-tenth of the number he
took with him over the Ohio.
A few official documents in regard to the battle would not
be out of place at this time, and I begin with an order from the
colonel to his men. Headquarters 25th Michigan Infantry, )
Battlefield of Tebb's Bend, Green River, Ky. f
July 4, 1864. )
Special Order, )
No. 42. \
My Brave, my Noble Men : It is with pride and pleasure that I con
gratulate you uppn the great victory won to-day. While you numbered but
two hundred, the enemy numbered thousands. Being advised of their
strength and of their advantages in having artillery bearing upon us, their
demand for a surrender was answered with a response that echoed the feel
ings of the gallant little band of the 25th Michigan Infantry that was about
to engage them.
Our brave companions who fell, fell gallantly fighting for their country
and in defense of the starry flag. Their names, deeply inscribed on the
pages of memory, will be wreathed over in brightest laurels of fame, and
though 'tis hard to part with our noble dead, we know that "'tis sweet, in
the cause of one's country to die."
Although no marble slab have we placed o'er their heads to mark their
last resting place; although no monumental pile have we erected o'er their
graves, yet in the hearts of the people our own peninsular state, will be
erected a monument that will perpetuate their names to all eternity.
By order of
\ COLONEL O. H. MOORE,
Ed. M. Prutzman, Lieut, and Adit.

98 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
Col. Moore's pride seemed wrapped up in his command, .
for, in perfect consistency with the foregoing order, when upon
being congratulated by the citizens just after the battle, upon the
victory he had gained, he modestly raised his hat and replied
that "it was not himself, but his men who had won the victory."
The following appeared in the Louisville fournal of July 21:
"FIGHT BETWEEN COL. MOORE AND JOHN MORGAN.
"Too much praise cannot be ascribed to the gallant Col. Moore and his
noble men, for their meritorious conduct in this fight. Morgan had ten men
to our one, and yet was defeated with heavy loss. We give below, Col.
Moore's official report of the battle:
'Headquarters 25th Michigan Infantr-y, \
Battlefieldof Tebb's Bisnd, Green River, Ky. {•
July 4th, 1864. )
'Colonel : I have the honor to report that I have had a fight with the
rebel general, John Morgan.
'I did not move my command from where it was encamped on the
north side of the river, until Morgan's advance had entered Columbia. I
then moved forward to occupy the ground I had previously selected, and
had the night before prepared for the fight, which was one and a half miles
in advance on the Columbia road, south side of the river. I did not, at any
time occupy the stockade, which was far in my rear, but gave battle on the
narrows entering the bend.
'I engaged the enemy's force this morning at 4:30 o'clock. Early in the
engagement he opened on our breastworks with a battery, and after firing
a shot disabling two of my men, he sent a flag of truce. * * * I sent a
reply to John Morgan that the "Fourth of July was no day for me to enter
tain such a proposition." After receiving the reply, he opened with his
artillery and musketry. My force, which occupied the open field, were
withdrawn to the woods, where they engaged the enemy with a determina
tion not to be defeated. The battle raged for three and a half (3}£) hours,
when the enemy retreated, with a loss of fifty (50) killed and two hundred
(200) wounded. Among the killed were Col. Chenault, Major Brent and
another major, five (5) captains, six (6) lieutenants, as near as can be estimated.
'The conflict was fierce and bloody. At times the enemy occupied one
side of the timber, while my men held the other in almost a hand-to-hand.
fight. The enemy's force consisted of the greater part of Morgan's Division.
My force was a fraction of my regiment, consisting of two hundred (200)
men, who fought gallantly. I can not say too much in their praise.
'Our loss was six killed and twenty-three wounded.
'After the battle I received, under a flag of truce, a dispatch asking
permission to bury their dead, which request I granted, proposing to deliver
them in front of our lines. The detachment of forty men under Lieut.
Hogan, 8th Michigan Infantry, held the river at the ford near the bridge,
and repulsed a cavalry charge made bythe enemy, in a very creditable
and gallant manner.
"The gallantry of my officers and men in the action was such that I
cannot individualize. They all did their duty nobly, and the wounded
were treated with the greatest care and attention by Ass't Surgeon J. N.
Gregg, of my regiment, whose fine abilities as a surgeon are highly appre
ciated. I am, colonel, very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
ORLANDO H. MOORE,
Lt. Col. Geo. B. Drake, Ass't Adjt. Gen., Col. 25th Mich. Infty.
Lexington, Ky.

KENTUCKY. 99
In alluding to Lieut. Hogan and forty men, Col. Moore
labored under a mistaken impression, either from Hogan's
braggadocio or, being desirous of giving credit to all engaged,
he sent his statement before he had time to learn of the true
situation at the bridge.
On our arrival at the bridge, on June 13, we found Lieut.
Hogan and about forty men, engaged as I have before noted,
but they were not all in the fight. I do not know where the
others were. I was within a few rods of these men during
most of the battle, and when I left to join the fighting line,
there were not more than ten or twelve of them, concealed
behind a stone wall they had placed across the roadway at the
south end of the bridge. They were screened in single line, in
a space not wider than the single driveway.
Hogan was a brag and of great self-importance, boasting
soon afterwards that the colonel was indebted to him for
the victory, in terms so abusive and insulting that the colonel
was forced, in self-defense, to express himself against this
officious and quarrelsome lieutenant. His report of Hogan
and his forty had already gone in when he learned the truth
of the matter and was too late to be changed. That Hogan
was quarrelsome and of a vicious nature, may be inferred from
the closing of his career by assassination. The victim of
assassination usually incurs the ill will of him who commits
the deed. In response, acknowledging the report of Col. Moore:
"Headquarters 23d Army Corps, )
General Orders / Lexington, Ky., July ij, /86j. \
No. 12. J

"The general commanding the corps hereby extends his thanks to the
two hundred officers and soldiers of the 25th Michigan, under Col. Moore,
who so successfully resisted, by their gallantry and heroic bravery, the
attack of a vastly superior force of the enemy under the rebel general .John
Morgan, at Tebb's Bend, on Green River, on the 4th of July, 1863, in which
they killed one-fourth as many of the enemy as their own little band
amounted to, and wounded a number equal to their own.
"The general also desires to commend in the warmest terms, the
officers and soldiers of the 20th Kentucky regiment under Lt. Col. C. S.
Hanson, who at Lebanon, Ky., for six hours sustained a most unequal
contest with the same force, only fielding when entirely surrounded and
the town burning over their-heads, further resistance being impossible.
"By command of
"MAJOR GENERAL HARTSUFF.
"Geo. B. Drake, Ass't Adj't. Gen.
''Official: S. M. Howard, Capt. and A. D. C"

100 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
The companies engaged in the battle were: Co. Di Lieut.
John Gilchrist; Co. E, Capt. Edwin Childs and Lieut. Travis;
Co. F, Capt. S. L. Lansing and Lieut. Twombley (wounded);
Co. I, Capt. Martin DeBoe and Lient. Kramer; Co. K, Lieut:
John Tennant and Lieut, F. D. Weaver.
But there was a slight offset against my presence. I was
at the river bridge and ford, and did not get into the fighting
line, as I have before related, until the battle was virtually over.
Whatever these two hundred men of the 25th Michigan
did to repulse the rebel host and thereby to retard its progress,
was a duty, however well performed, pledged from them to
the country at large. But there was one great city that ought
to be more tjian thankful to them for their extraordinary efforts
to save it from the great terror of Kentucky. That city was
Louisville, then a city of seventy thousand people, which Mor
gan had intended to capture and pillage. This part of his
program fell through. It is claimed that the battle of Green
River and the preparation therefor, delayed him thirty hours,
which enabled the city, being forewarned, to prepare a defense.
It was thereby saved from the designed attack, for Morgan,
knowing well the precious value of time under such circum
stances, hesitated in his approach and then abandoned the
attempt to gain such a coveted prize, where millions of army
stores awaited capture and destruction. And now the genera
tion of that day is fast passing away, yet the city of Louisville
is under a debt of gratitude to a portion of the 25th Michigan
and the gallant 20th Kentucky, who held the rebel freebooters
long enough in check to free their city from the visitation of
this great raider.
From the the Kentucky (Lexington) Loyalist;
"We have obtained the journal of Lieut. Col. Allston, Morgan's chief of
staff, who was captured by our pickets on the fifth, and brought to this city
on the seventh. The journal is complete from the morning of the first to
noon of the eighth, at which time he was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio.
'Newmarket, July 4.— A day of gloom to our entire command. How
many who rose this morning so full of enthusiasm and hope, now 'sleep the
sleep that knows no waking.' The sun rose bright and beautiful.. The air
was cool and balmy; all nature wore the appearance of peace and harmony.
While riding along, affected by the.stillness of all around, Capt. Maginniss,
the adjutant general, rode up and remarked, 'hoW dreadful to reflect that

KENTUCKY. 101
we are marching on to engage in a deadly strife, and how many poor fellows
would pass into eternity before the setting of yonder sun.' I have no doubt
the poor fellow was moved to the reflection by one of those unaccountable
presentiments which are so often the harbingers of evil. (Before dark he
was a corpse.) About sunrise we drove in the enemy's pickets and were
soon near the fortifications, which had been erected to prevent our crossing.
General Morgan sent in a flag of truce and demanded a suriender. But
the colonel quickly remarked: 'If it was any other day, he might consider
the demand, but the fourth day of July was a bad day to talk about sur
render and he must therefore decline.' The colonel is a gallant man, and
the entire arrangement of his defense entitles him to the hightest credit for
military skill. We would mark such a man in our army for promotion.
'We attacked the place with two regiments, sending the remainder of
our forces across the river at another ford. The place was judiciously
chosen and skillfully defended, and the result was that we were repulsed
with severe loss; about twenty-five killed and twenty wounded.
'Among the killed, as usual, were our best men and officers, including
Col. Chenault, Major Brent, Capt. Trebble, Lieuts. Cowan, Furguson and
another lieutenant whose name 1 do not now remember. Our march thus
far had been very fatiguing; bad roads, little rest or sleep, little to eat and
a fight every day.
'About three o'clock, as I rode on in advance about forty yards, I heard
the general exclaim something in a very exciting tone, which I could not
understand, and at the same time heard the report of a pistol. I turned,
and great God, to my horror I saw Capt. Maginniss falling from his horse,
with the blood gushing out of his mouth and breast. His only remark was:
'Let me down easy.' In another moment his spirit had fled. He was killed
iby Capt. Murphy, because Maginniss, by the direction of Gen. Morgan, had
ordered Murphy to restore a watch taken from a prisoner. Thus was the
poor fellow's language of the morning dreadfully realized. 1 was terribly
affected. I had seen blood flow freely on many a battle field. My friends
had been killed in the morning. But this caused a deeper impression and
shock, than any occurrence I ever witnessed. Truly, this has been a sad
day. Gen. Morgan looks haggard and weary, but never despairs.' "
An uplifted cap and sympathetic tear is due to the char
acter of the vifctim of the unbridled temper of such a ruffian as
Capt. Murphy. Though Capt. Maginniss may have been
unwittingly engaged in a bad cause, yet the purity of his
motives demands a certain degree of respect for his conduct.
We can not deny the credit due to one who is engaged in the
commission of well intended deeds, when, in the performance
of that mission, he loses his life. He dies like a martyr; wan
tonly robbed of his life. Had Morgan's men been made up of
like characters, his plundering crew would not have been so
much feared by the people who suffered from his raids. Capt.
Murphy was ordered in for court martial, but escaped before
night. One more little incident and I am done with the battle of
Green River. It was in regard to the capture of Sergt. Merrill,
of Co. K. The day before the battle, he was taken so violently

102 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
ill as to be sent outside the camp and lodged in a log house,
which accounts for his not having been moved froni camp with
the other sick men. The next morning he heard "heavy firing,
the first intimation he had of anything unusual. It was some
time before he could figure out the situation. Then he started
for the regiment, and finding the old camp deserted, kept on
toward the river, where he was captured. He was taken to
Morgan's headquarters and closely questioned as to the com
mander, the size of the force and such other matters as might
be useful to the rebel chief. They threatened him with a short
shrift, should his answers prove untrue, yet he braved the
threats and determined to be ready for any emergency that
might be necessary to save the command. He was asked:
"What force have we been fighting?" "Five companies of the
25th Michigan." "Is that all?" "It has been, but not now."
"Have reinforcements come to you?" "Yes; two regiments of
infantry, a battery of six guns and the 2d Michigan Cavalry
will soon be here." He was then sent up the road, meeting
Generals Morgan and Duke, who betrayed signs of uneasiness,
as if they had been informed of what he had said, and soon
gave orders to cease fighting, and went beyond Campbellsville
before stopping for the night.
The evening was spent in pleasant conversation, during
which Morgan queried as to the situation at Louisville, and
was assured that, during the last three days, enough troops
had arrived from Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, to enable the city
to withstand any force that, could be brought against it. He
was then paroled and left there. Merrill's capture, ho doubt,
proved a strong factor in saving Louisville from sack and
pillage. After so long a time, I must needs return to my narrative.
Capt. DeBoe had been detailed to bury the rebel dead, which
was done by placing them all in one trench, with nothing to
distinguish one from another. The title of 'unknown' will be
theirs until the resurrection. Our own dead were properly
buried with military honors, and with as good grace as the
sorrows of the ocassion would permit.

KENTUCKY. 103
The wounded had been immediately cared for by Dr.
Gregg, with all the skill and attention that eminent surgeon
could command. We had no ambulances, so baggage wagons
were used for the wounded, making them as comfortable as
possible. It was proposed to take the feather beds from a
house near our camp, but the good wife would not listen to
such a proposition. War is the same everywhere; might
makes right, force overcomes opposition, and the protests of
the weak count for nothing. The feather beds were taken for
the comfort of the wounded, to be returned after the men had
been taken to a place of rest. We started about noon of the
sixth, with our train heavy only in the pain and misery of the
unfortunates, and reached Campbellsville at four o'clock,
where we were obliged to halt and provide a hospital for those
who could not stand a further journey.
To make proper provision for them detained us till the
next afternoon, when we moved northward again, and reached
the top of Muldraugh's hill about nine o'clock. Here we
stopped for rest, expecting to wait till morning. Pickets were
set and the men lay down to sleep. I was placed in charge of
the picket line. I took my place without any objections,
though I had severely sprained my ankle that afternoon and
was hardly abie to walk — telling the adjutant that if the enemy
should make an attack upon us and drive the pickets in, that I
might be found missing.
We had not been on picket more than an hour when
several citizens came in with reports that a large rebel force
was on our track and was bound to overtake and capture us.
With these reports and rumors they were partly right and
partly wrong, as we shall presently see. The camp was called
to the march again, and after a weary and tiresome time we
went into Lebanon just before daylight, where we lay down on
the stone sidewalks for an acceptable bed and gave ourselves
up to the sweetness of sleep till long after sunrise.
The midnight rumors followed close upon us in the morn
ing. The air was soon filled with the reports of people coming
in that a large force of rebels was within six miles of us and

104 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
pushing on for our capture. Col. Moore had too small a force
in an indefensible position to resist the rumored numbers of
the enemy, and concluded that a retreat would be more prudent
than a resistance, to be overpowered in a fight. So he gave
orders to have all the baggage we could most easily spare
stored up and started out on the Springfield road. After
getting out about two miles we stopped to water the animals.
Col. Moore was as good here as he was when Morgan moved
against him. He declared, that though on the retreat, that he
would fight the rebels all the way to Louisville before he would
surrender a single man. His apprehensions were soon to be
dispelled by the arrival of a courier with the information that
a brigade of federal troops had just arrived in Lebanon. They
were the troops reported as rebels and in pursuit of us the
night before. Their presence to the south of us was a mystery
and their sudden appearance could not be accounted for other
wise than as a sudden foray from the rebellion. It proved to
be the return of the expedition that had made a raid into East
Tennessee under Col. Sanders. So we faced about, took a
back track and settled down into camp east or northeast of
Lebanon. Here we remained in quietude for the rest of the month.
Some of Morgan's men had been rubbed off from the main
body; or detachments sent off, as I have related heretofore, as
he passed through Kentucky, and were picked up now and
then by squads of our cavalry roving about the state for that
purpose. A few of these at a time soon increased to a con
siderable number, which were given over to us for safe-keeping.
As we had no conveniences for taking care of them beyond
those of a common guard and in an ordinary guard room, they
were, as necessity required, from time to time sent off to the
military prison at Louisville, as an increase of numbers com
pelled such a disposition of them. 1 was sent in charge of a
party of eight at one time and of two at another.
Some of the rebel wounded, with a surgeon in charge, had
been transferred to this point, and from the surgeon and
prisoners I was able to learn the most of my statement of

KENTUCKY. 105
facts as I have set them forth on the rebel side of the battle at
Green River.
To keep the camp and surroundings properly picketed and
furnish the village guards also kept us pretty lively. I know
that I was placed upon guard duty as Officer of the Day quite
frequently. Camp life here was quite in contrast to camp life of the
winter before. I have tried to set forth in previous pages its
duties, trials and felicitations, if there were any. Now we had
the best part of the year with us and the advantages of a little
seasoning to the service. We had a plenty of all the army
supplies that the regulations gave us, and also an abundance
of the wild fruits close at hand, that could be had for the
picking. Blackberries were so plenty that I needed to go but
a short distance from camp over the abandoned fields that had
been surrendered to their growth, before I could pick at each
meal time all that were needed to relish up the army rations.
It took but a little time to luxuriate in them three times a day.
While not on duty the most of my time was spent in the
shady camp. An occasional stroll in the village was had,
where an acquaintanceship with some of the citizens was made.
I became quite a frequent visitor at the home of one Mr. Wm.
Milbuin. He had one slave and his thoughts and principles
on that subject were in full accord with those before related of
Dr. Mundy. He thought that the' country would be better off
without slavery and had told his household servant that she
might go whenever she wished. He cared so little about the
institution that he would not raise his hand for its preservation
or in its destruction. He had a son, though, who was a captain
in the 10th Kentucky cavalry.
The twelfth of July was Sunday and I attended one of the
churches of the village. Just one week before several shots
had been sent through the, building from Morgan's artillery,
and anyone would have thought that such an incident would
have furnished a topic for ministerial remarks. The incident
might have been used to illustrate points in a sermon shaped
for the occasion, but the clergyman was content to preach his

106 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
usual sermon adapted to ordinary times, with the additional
remarks -or advice, that it would be well to fix up the church
again as soon as convenient. AUGUST, J863.
On Sunday, the second day of August, Chaplain Payson
came on from Louisville, where he had preferred more leisure
times than to have exercised a little more activity, had he
been present with our part of the regiment and preached us a
sermon. These sermons were linked together with immense
intervals of time from the eruption of one to that of another.
Following the sermon he proposed to have a memorial made
up in pamphlet form as a remembrance of the late battle. The
price was fixed and enough subscriptions secured to irtsure its
publication. The pamphlets came in a few days, and were
about as disappointing as the chaplain's military record. Co.
I, in their disappointment, was a little more nice than wise, and
all at their own expense. They were noticed therein as having
been held in reserve during the battle, which, they inferred,
meant that they were not in the battle at all. This statement
they resented by tearing up every pamphlet, and sprinkling the
company ground with the pieces. They had taken part in the
battle just at the close, and saved the right flank of our posi
tion, hurling the rebels back at that point and turning the tide?
of battle. They thought that to be held in reserve was a dis
credit to them, forgetting or not being aware that it is a matter
of the best generalship to hold the strongest and best troops
in reserve, to turn the wavering chances, or give with them the
deadly blow that turns the uncertain tide to victory. This
honor was theirs in every phase of the affair and yet they did
not seem to comprehend it. They took a harmless vengeance
and I suppose were supremely satisfied. "Vengeance is mine
and I will repay," saith Co. I.
This was the chaplain's last appearance with us until near
the close of the war. "Many are called and few are chosen,"
the latter feature of which might possibly be fitted to his case
for some other post; if so, I do not know where, and do not

KENTUCKY. 107
know as I care. Before we get him out of the service, his
bombastic effort^ will appear upon the scene, so that I shall
have to pay him my respects in due time and hold a qualified
portion of them at my elbow for such a service.
When Gen. Burnside was placed in command of the
Department of the Ohio, the previous March, he contemplated
an expedition into East Tennessee, to cut off one line of the
rebel supplies into Virginia, and began organizing the troops
for that purpose. The cutting of this line would be a severe
blow to the rebellion, lying as it did, protected by a chain of
mountains, over which it was difficult to throw and maintain
an offensive force. It was the shortest route from the seat of
operations at Richmond to the greatest source of supplies in
the southwest, and being protected from the northern army by
the Cumberland mountains, required but a small guard.
The raid of Col. Sanders, in June and July, had satisfied
Burnside that plenty of subsistence for an invading force could
be relied Upon in East. Tennessee, while the unionists were
approaching to a permanent possession of the line at Chatta
nooga. Through this point, a safe line of communication could
be established to support his intended conquest. Until this
expectant line could be established, he must rely on the
mountain route.
He organized the troops throughout Kentucky for this
purpose and brought his old 9th Army Corps from the east
to aid in the expedition. The troops employed] for the security
of Kentucky, were organized into the 23d Army Corps and
placed under command of Maj. Gen Hartsuff. But unforeseen
and unavoidable delays occurred here as well as elsewhere.
At this time, Grant was making great progress in the Vicks
burg. campaign, with the prospect of a successful termination,
if properly supported. That siege had been so long delayed
by the topographical features of the country, that the adminis
tration was anxious that Grant should not again be baffled.
Wishing him a speedy success, Gen. Halleck ordered the 9th
Army Corps to his assistance. This was early in June, and
upset for a time the execution of the plans of Burnside.

108 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
The threatening position of the rebels to the south and
Morgan's raid through the state, so delayed operations that
summer had almost gone before the campaign could be opened.
Early in August we were announced in brigades, and on the
eighth were placed in the 1st Brigade, 2d Division of the 23d
Army Corps. The 25th Michigan remained in this brigade,
the only regiment out of fifteen, to the close of the war. The
brigade was composed of the 25th Michigan, 80th Indiana' .
16th Kentucky and 118th Ohio Infantry. Gen. Manson com
manded the division and-Col. Moore tthe brigade, taking Adjt.
Prutzman with him as assistant adjutant general. Lieut. Handy
was appointed acting quartermaster and Lieut. Finlay as
adjutant for. ^he 25th.
More active arrangements were now made for a forward
movement. The garrison part of our regiment had not yet .
joined us, on the sixteenth, when Col. Moore moved his
brigade and camped a few miles out of Lebanon. ' On the 18thJ
Gen. Boyle made a visit of inspection to Lebanon, and
telegraphed to Louisville for the balance of the regiment to
join us. It started by train immediately, and arrived at three
o'clock next morning. We left camp at dark on the nineteenth,
camping for the night at New Market, four miles out. We
had now entered upon the East Tennessee campaign.
Towards the last of July, the 25th suffered great depletion
in its numbers by many transfers to the Veteran Reserve Corps.
There were many posts to be maintained, fort"; to be manned
and held, prisoners to be guarded and transported from point
to point, with many other duties called for, that could be per
formed by men who were not able to withstand the hardships
in the fighting line, and yet could serve temporarily, as we shall
see, on campaigns in the face-of the enemy.
With a large number of men, Lieut. Chase, of Co. B, was
transferred to the 18th V. R. C, and resigned from the 25th on
November 15, to accept the same rank as adjutant in his new
assignment. We will follow his career to show that some of
his duties were no lighter than those left behind. The fielcf
and staff of the 18th, with picked men, were reorganized into

KENTUCKY. 109
the 10th V. R. C, and assigned to the Grant campaign of 1864,
in which he was twice wounded. Then doing duty in and
around Washington, including the last battle in Early's raid
into Maryland, in the summer of 1864. The V. R C. was
mustered out as fast as the men's time expired, while Lieut.
Chase, as an officer, was retained and sent to New Orleans,
serving on staff duty until September, 1868, when he resigned
and came home, after being promoted to captain and brevet
major. Capt. Demarest, of Co. B, was now the senior officer of the
25th and in command. Lieut. Col. Orcutt was still on a board
of court martial at Louisville, and Major Fitch succeeded in
holding his place there as provost marshal. The, absence of
the latter was no "more injurious to the regiment than the
absence of the chaplain was. Although Col. Moore was in
cammand of the brigade, he was with, us much of the time
during the next three months. Our line of march was down
to our recent, battle ground, where we camped over night, and
the whole regiment given an opportunity to inspect the scene
of our victory, a month and a half ago. The grave of the rebel
dead was undisturbed and no change of any note had occurred.
Thirty miles from Green River brought us to the Cumber
land, at a place called Creelsboro, if it could be called a, place.
I failed to see more than a few old buildings and one house;
not enough for an ordinary farmstead. We forded the river
before noon and marched through a valley and among the hills
for about two miles, where we entered the mountainous district.
The first- hill was so steep that each company was assigned to
a team, to assist in getting the loaded wagon to the top. It
was an hour before we gained the top of this rise; then hill
succeeded hill, up and down continuously, but none so steep
as to require help at the wagons. It is fearful to think of such
roads for the movement of troops and transportation of needed
supplies, where an empty wagon would be enough for a team.
None but a Scott could pen a description that would do justice
to the wildness of the country. After rising for a mile or
more, the top of the principal elevation was reached. The

110 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN,
road followed the crest of a ridge, the steep sides covered with
woods, and down which one might easily jump from the center
of the road, into eternity. The thunders seemed to roar beside
and below, rather than above us. I looked around, and back
across the Cumberland river, and as far as the eye could reach,
from these lofty heights, nothing but woods on hill and valley.
For more than four miles, we saw but one house. Indeed, this
vicinity was more the abode of wild beasts than the habitation
of man. The march on such a road was very tiresome, and
we were ready to stop anywhere. Towards night we reached
an old settlement in this lonely place, the age being clearly
shown by the size of the appletrees around the buildings.
While halted here, Chaplain Hobbs, of the 80th Indiana,
brought the mail. I found a few letters for myself; welcome
visitors, for this was the first mail since leaving Lebanon, about
two weeks before.
On the next day, August 25, we found better roads and
towards noon reached Albany, a village of about fifty dwellings,
near the Tennessee state line. I generally speak of the size
of a place by an estimate of the number of inhabitants, but
hardly any were to be be seen here. I judged that not more
than four houses in the town were inhabited. It was a scene
of extreme desolation. I thought I had seen a "deserted
village" before, but none could compare with this one. Perhaps
in this case it was a forced desertion, and all the worse for it,
as destruction would more naturally follow such an exodus.
The dilapidation was almost complete; the doors and windows
were smashed, and some houses had a whole side torn out.
The fences were gone, the streets overgrown with weeds, and
every thing showed that it had been deserted for a long time.
We were told that a portion of Morgan's forces had quartered
here the previous winter, and were the cause, to a great extent,
of the woeful appearance of the village. Veiy few slaves were
in this vicinity, and no white men. The men had joined the
opposing armies, and nearly all the women had been driven
across the Cumberland river.

KENTUCKY. Ill
After an hour for rest and dinner, we resumed the march,
crossing the state line, marked with a stone set in the ground,
about seven miles out. Five miles more made up the day's
march, and we halted for the night.
Occasionally we would meet a group, mostly women and
children. One group asked us to unfurl the flag, that they
might again see the stars and stripes, that had become almost
a stranger in these parts. They had heard of our coming and
wished to see the old flag once more.
In a march of sixteen miles on the twenty-sixth, we
reached Jamestown, the county seat of Fentress County, on
the top of the Cumberland mountains. The roads were poor,
but much better than the day before. About half way out, we
crossed a small stream called Wolf river, which was about the
only water we saw ihat day. I thought the country we had
passed was mountainous, but we had not, until to-day, come to
the mountain proper. The road followed a tortuous gorge,
which hid the view of the lower country, and led to a sandy
plain two miles away. Part way up was a house, so hidden by
trees that the sun could scarcely shine through. While resting
here a short time, an old man came around the turn of the road
below, astride a mule barely high enough to lift the rider's feet
from the ground. Another house was found at the top of the
mountains, though it was an old and deserted one. The age
of the orchard trees near it would indicate a settlement there
of more than thirty years. But three or four more houses were
passed thence onward to Jamestown, a distance of five miles.
The few houses at the county seat were all deserted, and the
roof of what they called the court house, an insignificant
apology of a building, had more than half fallen in from decay.
The place had a more forlorn and God-forsaken appearance
than that of Albany. It looked as if to say "Come over to
Mecedonia and help us." Things looked as if they had been
in this plight, for years and not as a sequence of the war.
Owing to the absence of part of the 25th Michigan, when
the brigade started out from Lebanon we did not get started
with it and were behind it until we arrived at Jamestown, where

112 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
we found it, together with the whole division. Instead of
Gen. Manson, who had led out in command of it, we found
here that Gen. Julius C. White was now commander of that
division. If there had ever been -a jail in this country town, I could
see nothing'that had the looks of one in it now. It might'be
that no jails were in requisition here. They must have been
such an honest and virtuous set of criminals that such a
structure would rather rus.t out in idleness than be worn out in
public usefulness. Their jail birds might have been like the
one tried a few years ago in Mississippi for murder, where he
sat on the fence outside the court house visiting with friends
and neighbors while the court went on with his trial inside.
But what better could be expected of a village, or, rather,
the representative of a village, situated in such a place as this?
It was in the midst of a level, sandy plain, quite appropriately
a desert, extending for forty miles across the top of the
Cumberland mountains. It could not grow pine trees more
than one foot in diameter, and of a scrubby growth at that.
The land was dear at 50 cents to $1.00 an acre, the figures at
which I was told that it could be had.
There was not a creek in the plain except where the Clear
Fork of the Cumberland courses it way to the northeast with
the trend of the mountains, through a deep valley about midway
across. The air was somewhat cooler than we found it on
either side of the mountains on the lower lands. I did not see
much show of fruit here, but should be inclined to think that it
could be raised to the best advantages. A few settlements
with woeful habitations .appeared here and there as we passed
along. At this place we made a three days' halt, but for what
reason I dp not know. The full 2nd division of the 23rd corps
was now here. The 9th army corps crossed the mountains
higher up or further to the northeast; I do not know if at
Cumberland Gap or at some other point between us and that
pass. I only conjecture that our halt was occasioned by waiting
for the other troops acting in conjunction with ours, to pass
down the mountains simultaneously with us.

KENTUCKY. 113
On the day after our arrival I was detailed as officer of the
guard on picket and enjoyed myself much better than in camp.
While there one of the men in Co. B went beyond the picket
line, found some fat sheep and brought one back in the shape
we call mutton. That there should be as much as a fat sheep
up here in this desolate region proved that there were some
redeeming virtues for the country. I did not deem it within
my line of duty at that time to call him to account for his
possession of the mutton, whether by way of purchase, or
taken for army supplies. I contented myself with an invitation
to a dinner on mutton stew as we returned from picket on the
morning of the next day.
Mules are said to be tough and hardy, but in the opinion
of Gen. White there was a point of cruelty towards them that
could not be passed without deserving a special notice. One
of the teamsters was found to be so abusive to his mules that
o
the general ordered him drummed out of camp and set adrift.
He was tied to a mule, face to the rear, with two followers
holding their bayonets near his head and two drums close up
with all the drumming that could be given them. . He was
paraded through every avenue of the division, much to the
amusement of all the beholders, then landed outside of the
lines and left to his own reflections.
We were now getting beyond the line of daily news, while
our interest in the progress of the war was no less than it had
been hitherto. On the 28th a copy of the Louisville fournal of
the 25th arrived, giving the news of the opening bombardment
of Charleston by Gen. Gilmore. The getting ready for the
event had been noticed for some time, and that it had at last
been begun was a source of satisfaction to those of the loyal
side. The war, after a period of two and one-third years, was
now being brought right into the doors of the very ones who
did their best to begin it, and witnessed the opening of hostili
ties. But few papers found their way to us,, and they were
seized by anyone and everyone who could get hold of them.
They were actually read to pieces instead of being torn up.
Dailies that did succeed in reaching us sold quickly at 25

114 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
cents which within their general circuit could be had for the
matter of 5 cents.
After a three days' halt we moved on again', crossing the
Clear Fork of the Cumberland, and making half the distance
or more across the table lands of the mountain range. The
descent and rise across this ^stream, up and down the steep
sides of the deep valley was a difficult one When once over
and two miles beyond the division went into camp en masse,
so that when the bugles blew the tattoo at night in unison
from all the regiments, they broke forth on the still night air
as if they had been the combined instruments of a band of music.
After a march of about 18 miles eastward down the
mountains we arrived at a place called Montgomery, then the
county seat of Morgan County. It had, in times of peace,
probably about one hundred inhabitants, but. now not more
than one-tenth of that number. The ravages and persecutions
of the war in this little out-of-the-way place had told their
story here as well as in many another one we had passed
through. The public records had been destroyed and other
wanton acts of destruction and vandalism presented themselves
for inspection. Nearly all the homes had been made tenantless.
There was a small one story structure made out of cut stone,
with a slit down one side called a doorway, built for a jail, and
strong enough to hold all the gorillas DuChaillu ever tpld of.
It was now out of service in these war times.
Here and on the road before our arrival we met with a
considerable addition to our numbers, that came in from the
direction of Lexington, Kentucky. These swelled our army
into pretty fair proportions. Gen. Burnside, as well as Gen.
Hartsuff, joined us here. We were getting into the enemy's
country, where there were more of our side ahead of us, and
reports that some of our most advanced troops were having to
skirmish their way along were returned to us.
The next morning, the thirty-first, the 25th was detailed
as rear guard to the division trains, and notwithstanding we
couldn't start until everything had moved ahead, we were
called at a very early hour. This was unnecessary, as we must

KENTUCKY. 115
be idle a long time before starting, and would not reach the
next camp until late at night. Until joining the brigade at
Jamestown, the regiment had marched alone, but since then,
the advance brigade of to-day would be in the rear to-morrow,
. and the second brigade takes the advance, and goes to the rear
the next day, and so on. The same system prevailed with the
divisions and regiments. The rear regiment of the army
becomes the rear guard, and must wait until the last wagon is
started. We rose early (the "last rose of summer"), and
waited until afternoon before the last wagon moved. As we
must march as far as the main body, anyone can imagine about
what hour of the night we reached camp.
As far as the 25th was concerned, it made a short but very
tedious march that day. The bad roads and hills delayed the
trains so much, that we were often compelled to halt for a time,
while battery after battery passed us. One of them, the 2nd
Illinois, had a small black bear which had been caught in the
region of the Big Sandy river, tied upon one of its caissons as
a pet and a part of its outfit.
About two miles from Montgomery, we passed through
the small but prosperous village of Wartburg, a Dutch settle
ment that had more show of civilization than any place we had
seen during the campaign. Vineyards and a thrifty husbandry
were the order of the day and presented a striking contrast to
the past hundred miles. Perhaps the character of the settlers
saved them from the molestation of those who drove almost
everyone into the rebellion or out of the country. .Everything
indicated that happiness dwelt supreme among these hills and
valleys. But again to the march. We made but five miles to-day,
and late into the night at that. Our regimental wagons were
in advance, of a train that was, seemingly, strung along the
road for six or ten miles. We had neither tents or provisions
with us. Dinner none, and the same fare awaited us for
supper, so when we turned into the woods for the night, we
took a suppcrless bed on the bare ground, with bushes for a
•canopy. Some officer of the regiment succeeded in getting a

116 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
box of crackers, and each man received one cracker. (Four
crackers of hard bread was a day's rations.) With that much
for supper, on top of a minus dinner, we retired for the night,
as Capt. Lansing once said, to a "virtuous couch," with the
leaves of the forest made up for a bed. We thought, when at
Montgomery, that we were out of the mountains, but to-day
they still showed their lofty swells about us, and the prospect
was that we should have to descend stilL farther before reach
ing the foot of them on the morrow.

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EAST TENNESSEE. 117'

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SEPTEMBER, 1863.
Notwithstanding the late hour at which we retired, we
awoke early the next morning, which was no wonder, consider
ing the condition in which we passed the night. Nor had our
dreams allowed us to catch up with the brigade, which was so
far ahead that we were kept as rear guards for another day.
Our breakfast, a slim affair, was quickly prepared, but it was
late before we started. Just before noon, and while going down
a long hill, we came to a place where coffee and refreshments
had been prepared by the cooks of the regimental train. This
hill brought us to the foot of the mountain. We had scarcely
taken our dinner when orders came to move forward as fast as
possible, especially the batteries, as a battle wa^s expected. A
mile or two brought us to the camp of the division, which had
orders to move at four o'clock.
This gave us a short resting spell, and when we started, it
was to the step of a full sheepskin band, whose martial music
put new 'life into our wilted frames and made us forget the
troubles of the night before. It was intended to go towards
Knoxville, but as that road was thought to be fortified, we
turned towards Kingston, and after .wading the Clinch river
two miles above the town, went into camp at ten o'clock.
Some of our marches were conducted in a singular and
unaccountable manner. Instead of starting early, making them*
in the forepart of the day and halting at an early hour for the
night, it was more often the case, that after preparing to start
early we were so delayed that we marched long after dark.

118 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
From this camp we did not move until two o'clock the next
day, when we passed in review before Gen. Burnside, through
Kingston and ten miles beyond, towards Loudon. The 2nd
Brigade was ahead of us and had its thousand fires blazing on
the side hills when we entered camp. They presented a grand
spectacle, bursting into view as we came around the hills.
Kingston was the largest place, except. Campbellsville,
that we had seen since leaving Lebanon. It is among the hills
two miles from the mouth of Clinch river, and could be made
a very pretty village. But signs of the rebel despotism are
everywhere apparent. Our arrival met with a hearty welcome,
the women appearing overjoyed at seeing such friends of the
Union in pursuit of the retiring minions of the rebellion.
At the last issue of rations, but one day's allowance was
given, with the notice that it must last four days. Something
musf be done to make up the deficiency, and as it was the
time of green corn and apples, the sight of them was a tempta
tion that could not, be resisted. The men helped themselves
and entirely stripped many fields of their roasting ears, in spite
of the orders issued by Gen. Burnside, at Montgomery, for
bidding, under heavy penalties, the pillage of property.
About the middle of the forenoon of the third, Gen. White
called the 1st Brigade together, to make a- speech to them.
The officers were afraid that they were to be reprimanded for
allowing their men to forage. He stated, however, that the
rebels had retired towards the land of cotton, had evacuated
East Tennessee and that we had gained it without striking a'
blow; he then facetiously added that he thought that the men,
as well as himself, had run a little too much to green corn, and
dismissed the brigade. This was enough. Seeing how smilingly
the general owned up the corn, the soldiers broke for the
neighboring fields, and unmolested, helped themselves, return
ing in time for a good dinner upon roasted green corn. After
dinner we resumed the march and camped ten miles nearer
Loudon and Knoxville.
East Tennessee is formed by the valleys of the Clinch and
Holston rivers, which run parallel, about twenty miles apart

' EAST TENNESSEE. „ 119
until (the Hojston changing to the Tennessee,) they are united
about two miles below Kingston. The Tennessee makes nearly
a right angle near Loudon, and then northwest for twenty miles,
where it unites with the Clinch. The Holston loses itself in
the Tennessee at its junction with th'e Little Tennessee, as it
comes from North Carolina and about thirty miles east of the
mouth of the Clinch river. Thence the valley continues to the
southwest with but one stream for about sixty miles farther
into Tennessee, until it passes Chattanooga. This division of
the valley continues across the entire state, with the Cumber
land mountains on the west and the Blue Ridge on the east.
The valley is about forty miles wide, and between the two rivers
first named consists of high ridges running parallel to the'
streams. The scenery in this part is so beautiful that it is
sometimes called the "Switzerland of America," and among the
slave states, the "cradle of liberty." It ought to be called so,
for there are enough rocks there to make the rockers for such
a cradle. During the day we passed many groups by the wayside,
mostly girls, and the spirit with which. they jumped and danced
at the sight of the unfurled flag, filled me with astonishment at
their patriotism. They had been cooped up so long within the
borders of the rebellion, that they could not refrain from this
outburt of enthusiasm when the old emblem of liberty was
suddenly thrown to the breeze before them. Eight miles
further, on the fourth, we reached the north side of the river
opposite Loudon, where the division was to camp, while Burn
side took his troops to Knoxville. The rebels had fired the
railroad bridge at this place on the second, and it was still.
burning on our arrival.
A few miles from Loudon lived a man, named Lackey,
too old to take part in the war, but nevertheless, was just as
good a rebel as his age would permit. Col. Moore, being in
advance, had been talking with him, and as the 25th passed
his house, ordered the flag to be unfurled, calling the old man
to take a look at it. Just before winter, the whole brigade paid
him a visit that he must have remembered for a time.

120 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
As we climbed the mountains, we had left the hot weather
behind, it being cool, temperate and comfortable on top of the
mountain; but now we were again on the level and the air as
hot as could be wished for.
The village of Loudbn, on the south side of the Tennessee
where it turns towards the Clinch, is a small one, but has the
appearance of having been of considerable importance at one
time, from the number of warehouses, now closed. It is
so placed among the hills as to form a natural military strong
hold, aided to greater strength by the fact that every hill of
any commanding position had been crowned with a fortification.
The rebels could have held it for a long time against our
forces, but they chose to retire and give up the post without a
struggle. Burnside had now obtained a foothold in the valley, open in
either direction to an enemy possessed with a sure and strong
base of operation, while in his rear lay nothing but mountains,
from beyond which, more than two hundred miles away, he
must look for his supplies. That a full supply for his mainte
nance could be transported over these mountain roads was
impossible; indeed, the army itself had been reduced to one-
half and one-third rations of bread, coffee, sugar and salt, ere
it reached the valley. As much beef was furnished as the
commissary could get; sometimes enough, but more often the
reverse. The expedition of Col. Sanders, the previous June, had
demonstrated that a large amount of forage had been produced
in this vicinity, which, if properly gathered and prudently
handled, would supply the army until a better channel for
transportation could be opened. The lack of provisions com
pelled early attention in the direction of gathering them up.
A grist mill in Loudon was seized, and started grinding all the
wheat that could be found.. I was detailed, with twenty men,
to handle the grain for a day, as early as the eighth. Being
an officer, I could get no provisions without paying for them.
Provisions, under the name of rations, were issued to soldiers
only, by the commissary. If any provisions remained, the

EAST TENNESSEE. 121
officers "could buy them. After the first day's labor at the
mill, it was with the greatest difficulty that I succeeded in
buying a few pounds of flour, even when scarcely nothing
else could be procured elsewhere.
The irregularity in eating and strange variety of food led
to what might be expected, an indisposition in the spirit of
health. Sometimes we had raw corn, often taken from the
mules, which we could roast, burn or pop if it would, or grind
it in coffee-mills, mix it with water and put it in our frying
pan in the shape of pancakes. I became acquainted with
Parson Johnson, of the village, who was of a social nature and
several times .invited me to partake of his hospitality. Rest
assured that I always accepted and felt gratified for the
refreshment afforded; the more so when he declined to take
any remuneration.
Another incident, which made the officer's situation still
worse, was Gen. White's order, forbidding all foraging, and
that, officers should not attempt to purchase food at any
private house. Public houses there were none, and to order
them not to buy provisions except from the division commis
sary, at the highest cash prices, was almost equivalent to
shutting them up for starvation. Most of them being without
money, it became a question with them, as to how they could
obtain an honest living. Their companions were on half
rations or less, and sometimes none at all, nothing could be
.had from that quarter for love or money. It seemed that they
would be driven to beggary or death by starvation, or violate
the order. The men too, had to grind corn in the coffee-mills
or on self-made graters. Although much wheat was ground at
the mill and an oven built for baking bread, but little of it found
its way to us. The quality ot the bread was such that it was
well for us that the supply was short, a point upon which I will
speak more fully, further on.
But in my case there was, once in a while, a spot of relief.
I was detailed with a party of foragers, to go out and dig
potatoes. The first trip was on the twelfth, taking us about
five miles out. I had a good dinner of peach pot pie, and on

122 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
returning to camp, took enough potatoes with me to last a day
or two. I had had so much trouble in getting a little flour,
after helping to make it, that this time I helped myself without
any right but that of possession, before turning them over for
the good of the army. I say for the good of the army, but I
do no not remember of a single potato being issued to us from
what I obtained with the forage train. The commissary wa.s
satisfied and asked me to go again. So I was allowed to go
without a requisition from the adjutant, selecting the men
myself. The men' knew on which .side their bread was
buttered, and asked to go again, usually going out with empty
haversacks and returning with them well filled.
The first outing was on Saturday, and on Monday we went
again to the same field. On the second trip, we found some
cavalrymen helping themselves to the best they could find.
Having enough wagons to take the whole crop, I requested
them to forage elsewhere, as they were well mounted and had
a roving commission, when they courteously acceded to my
request. This day I learned that a family named Furgeson, living
near the potato field, the head of which was in the rebel army,
had a quantity of wheat hidden in the woods near their dwell
ing. I told the division commissary and being directed to get
it, found the wheat hidden in the straw and in the woods. In
the barn I found a full nest of eggs, and taking them to the
house, asked the women to cook dinner for our party of four.,
By the time the wheat was loaded, dinner was ready. In the
case of rebel families, this was a forced contribution that was
always furnished when asked for. While eating the dinner that
was prepared as though for invited guests, my pity was aroused
for the family. I had not only taken the eggs and most of the
grain (being a Midianite just then), but also a hogshead and
such other vessels as I could find. In talking over the matter
with the wife, she burst into tears, saying that she feared not
enough grain would be left to last until the next crop. I
assured her that, although I had no orders to do so, enough
would be left for family use. At the same time, I reflected

EAST TENNESSEE. 123.
that a second visit might be made by some other foraging
party, and the remainder taken away. Such was the case,, as
was reported afterwards by one of the men who was with me.
The next place I was sent to by the commissary, was about
two miles west of the village, to the farm of Widow Lenoir,
where I was prevented from carrying out my mission by an
order from Gen. White, forbidding all foraging upon her lands*
without his permission. But, after reasoning with her, she
' thought I had better dig the potatoes, which, if done, by the
orders I was acting under, she would get a receipt for them .
She well knew that they would be taken anyway, artd if by
wandering parties, she would get nothing; of the two ways,
she preferred that I should take them under orders. So, not
withstanding Gen. White's forbidding order, we worked all
day and loaded the train.
She generously invited me to take dinner with herself and
two daughters, which I accepted, and felt quite at ease in her
stately mansion. Conversation had its full flow and the
unbridled sentiments of all were freely indulged in. Their
•sentiments differed as much from mine as secession did from
loyalty, but they were all accepted with the best of grace and
good will, considering the situation. They spoke of the death
of Albert Sydney Johnston as the loss of "their best general,"
and of Lee's advance into Pennsylvania, as "our army made
out to get into the northern states," and similar remarks which
left no doubt as to what side they belonged.
On returning with the train, I reported to Gen. White the
operations of the day, after meeting his order. He replied
that I had done right, as the potatoes should be taken anyway,
and that she had several other farms from which she could
manage to get along. The old lady also had a good cornfield,
which was stripped, after the rebels had appeared in the
neighborhood, by a hundred and fifty foragers, with the guard
of fifty men of the 25th, under my command.
I had almost forgotten to say that we had left a large
patch of potatoes on the first day, and on returning later, found
it guarded and orders given that neither officer or private be

124 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
allowed to dig, but I convinced the sergeant that I was sent by
the divison commissary and that the order did not apply in my
case. Although he consented > to the digging, he was not
satisfied, and sent to headquarters for further instructions.
We immediately began work, and soon the messenger returned
without any orders to stop me. -Quite a lot of potatoes had
been loaded, when another order came to discontinue and
return to camp. Before reaching the village, the wagons were
halted and the men dismissed. 'I left also, understanding, as"
did the men. the reason for dismissal. It is needless to say,
that as long as the men had empty haversacks, they relieved
the wagons of what they had, which went to their quarters
empty, the, widow getting no receipt for the potatoes that left
her farm that day.
Rebel that she was, she had Gen. White well on her side,
and could get a guard from him at any time, for the protection
of her property. So responsive was he to her calls, that I was
forced to believe that under his supervision it was as easy to
be a rebel as to be on the side of loyalty. She seemed to be
determined that if the soldiers got anything of her, it would be
at an exorbitant price. However, most of the produce of her
farm was taken for the army, and if she was ever paid anything
for it, I could not find out. Of all the potatoes which I was
instrumental in delivering to the commissary, I can not recall
one instance where they or any part of them found a way into
the rations of the soldiers.
Added to the necessity of active operations for a subsist
ence, there was also a necessity for military activity, if we
expected to maintain our occupancy of the Tennessee valley.
Being one of the inferiors, I am not supposed to know all the
reasons for every movement made, although a revelation of
them has since come to light. On the fifteenth, the 1st Brigade
marched twenty miles, halting five miles from Knoxville. It
was a hot and dusty day, and towards the end I was seized
with such a pain in one foot that I was compelled to rest awhile
before going farther; an unusual thing for me and the first time
I had ever come into camp behind my regiment, and had I

EAST TENNESSEE, 125
known that they were to halt so soon after for the night, I
would not have dropped out. A short rest sufficed and I
reached camp1 soon after, in good spirits.
The next day we passed through Knoxville, once a city of
seven thousand people, but now somewhat reduced by the war.
Similar to Loudon, it was set among the hills, but I do not
think it had such natural military strength as the latter place,
although its position was a very defensive one, as after events
proved.it to be. The city was on and among the hills, with the
Holston river skirting it on the southeast, the railroad on the
northwest, with a small stream'at each end of the city.
Parson Wm. G. Brownlow was considered one of the most
prominent leaders of the union element in East Tennessee,
and had been driven out of the country by the rebel authorities^
and remained away until soon after its occupation bythe union
troops, when he returned to his home in Knoxville. As we
marched through the city, we were halted in front of his
bouse, and unfurling the flag, gave him a cheer for his faith in
th.e union cause,, when all about him was rotten on the side of
the rebellion. We then passed up the hill and about ten miles
fo the northeast for the day's march. Somewhere above Knox
ville we forded the Holston, about knee deep, to the south side.
When the 25th left Kentucky, it had on the rolls, six
hundred men or more. Four hundred came over the mount
ains, many being left on detailed duty in hospitals and conva
lescent camps. Scanty, unwholesome and irregular diet had
crippled us somewhat before starting on this last march. At
Knoxville, we met with a further reduction for duty. Those
who were unable to undergo a forced march were ordered to
be left behind. At the first stacking of arms after the last
reduction, I counted but one hundred and fifty muskets, out of
nearly nine hundred but one year before. This was a frightful
reduction to a little over one-sixth of its strength for field
service, in a single year. It seemed as though another such
regiment could not be found. It was discouraging to the
officers and the one hundred and fifty men, to be obliged to
perform the duties of the regiment. Recruiting to fill the

126 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
ranks was a favor to the regiment that . might have been
expected, but hardly hoped for. While other regiments were
recruited to double their numbers, the 25th had an addition of
less than one-tenth to theirs, to the end of the service.
We started at four o'clock next morning, and marched
ten miles by eight o'clock, then halted for further orders.
We had supposed, while on the up country move, that we
were being sent "on to Richmond." about four hundred miles
distant. Contradictory rumors came to us; in some we were
to go forward, and in others, to go backward. I had no
choice and listened to both, concluding that the rumors were
promoted to suit a personal inclination. After remaining here
for a day, we took the backward track and passed through
Knoxville and five miles beyond, on the 20th. Then to Lou
don the next day, making twenty miles by three o'clock, which
was the best distance, for the hours engaged, that we had made
up to that time. Here we camped for a day or so, and that
was all, with -nothing to live upon.
On the twenty-fourth we moved toward Chattanooga,
going, as we thought, to swell the host already there. We had
just heard of the battle of Chickamauga, fought on the nine
teenth and twentieth, and though Chattanooga, Rosecrans'
objective point, had been won, the rebels were triumphant.
It was a sort of dualistic victory, producing a point to be
accorded to each side; a retreating victory for our own side in
gaining their objective point, and a blundering victory for the
rebels. - On the circuitous approach of Rosecrans, the rebels,
instead of coming out fairly to face him, got out of his way,
let him pass, and then whirled around and drove him into the
very place he was aiming for, and then laid siege to him. It
was then supposed that Burnside was on his way to join Rose
crans; a sort of military strategy with a ricochetted tail
attached; but the enemy had already enveloped Chattanooga
and advanced sufficiently up the Tennessee valley to convince
Burnside that he could not get through. We were halted at
eleven o'clock, after making twelve miles, and soon after were
ordered to start at seven o'clock on the backward track.

EAST TENNESSEE. 127
Moving promptly on time, we marched in the night through •
the heavy dust, until we reached the camp left that morning.
Shaking off the heavy coating of dust, I laid down just as I
was, and slept soundly until seven o'clock. Marching in the
night, often done to gain a strategic point, is to the soldier
both dull and wearisome at its best. To break the monotony,
some one would start a song that would be taken up all along
the line, that for the time being was quite a relief to the other
wise depressing fatigue of a midnight march. After making
the toilette and getting the breakfast dishes washed and put
away, we retired to the north side of the river, into the camp
occupied when first reaching Loudon.
The rebels were close upon us, and on the twenty-seventh,
cannonading was heard six miles to the southward, near the
village of Philadelphia. Col. Woolford's brigade of cavalry
were the outlying troops in that direction, as guards against
the rebel advance. The next day, crowds of citizens came to
our lines, fleeing from the rebel cavalry, who were so strong as
to push back Col. Woolford. I was officer of the guard at the
bridge, and during the forenoon heard some thirty shots, after
which all was quiet. All our troops had fallen back to Loudon.
All the 2d Division, except two regiments, crossed to the south
side of the river about three o'clock, and ranged in battle line
just outside the village. But the rebels made no attack,
although they had apparently planted their artillery for that
purpose. Our lines remained in that position all night, sleeping
on their arms. When morning came, it was found that the
rebels had withdrawn, and we were ordered back to camp.
OCTOBER, J 863.
October opened with a rain that continued for two days.
It was a great relief to us, who had tramped so much through
clouds of dust. We were glad to exchange it for a little mud,
if it was exchanging one evil for another.
During the first of the month, I was busy as usual, on
forage duty. On the sixth, I had a guard of twenty men to a
train of wagons, and went about nine miles southeast of Loudon

128 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
to get a quantity of wheat. On this expedition, I learned of a
kind that was called "sick wheat." I noticed that it had an
appearance of being diseased; shrunken and of an unhealthy,
reddish cast. I asked the farmer who raised it, why it was
called "sick wheat," and he said that .if anyone made use of it,
it made them sick. I now understood what caused the com
plaint among the men who had eaten soft bread made from
wheat, which was ground at the mill. As soon as it was
known that our living must, to a great extent, come from the
wheat and other productions of the country, the mills were
seized, the wheat ground into flour, a bakery built at Loudon,
and an experienced baker, William Gray, of Co. F, placed in
charge. The bread was apparently of good quality, but many of
the men complained that it made them sick, and would not
stay in the stomach. The matter became so usual with them,
that they began to time it with their watches, to learn how long
it would stay down. It did not affect me in that way. I was
accustomed to use my bread in coffee, as one does bread with
milk, and noticed that when broken into the coffee, it turned
into a paste and sank to the bottom, instead of floating like
healthy and well-made bread. I then thought but little more
of the matter until two months later, when I shall need to
revert to the subject again.
The rebels having withdrawn after a little threatening on
their first appearance, did not allow us to remain long in idle
security. In anticipation of having permanent winter quarters
for the division, we were moved to the south side of the river
again, just outside the village, on the thirteenth, and told to
put in for winter quarters. We immediately began work,
using every board and hail we could find, and soon had the
tents fixed so that we felt very much at home for the winter.
It was a source of satisfaction to think that, after so many
stir-ring times, there was a prospect of quiet ones. But the
expected does not always happen. The affairs, about this
time, were in a turmoil, and no orders of any commanding
general could settle them. Certainly not when the enemy was

EAST TENNESSEE. 129
in the vicinity and took a hand in directing some of our affairs.
Gen. White probably considered his division a permanent
fixture for the winter when he directed Capt. Carlin, of ( I think )
the 107th Illinois, to take charge of a steam sawmill and
provide lumber for the various camps. When the captain was
about to take charge, it was found that the mill was so torn
up, probably by the soldiers in their search for material to fix
the tents, that it was beyond repairs, so that plan for the com
fort of the men had to be abandoned. The destruction of the
mill having been reported to the general, and also that some
of the 25th were engaged in it, he was highly incensed and
called the officers to his headquarters, giving them a severe
lecture. He told them of the intended u^e of the mill and
lumber, and that we should not have permitted such a thing to
occur. None of us we're aware that the acts reported and
charged to our meh were committed by them. We stood in
silence until Lieut. Thorp, of Co. G, took in the situation, and
knowing more of the affair than the others, replied to the
charge, that the men who were found tearing the mill to pieces,
when remonstrated with, said they belonged, to the 25th Mich
igan to mislead the informer and screen themselves, and he
knew that not one man of our regiment was guilty of the
charge. This softened the temper of the irate general and he
dismissed us with an admonition instead of a reprimand.
On the twentieth I was sent out with a detachment of
twenty men on picket, about a mile south of the lines. About
the middle of the afternoon cannonading suddenly broke out
near Philadelphia, some five miles to the southwest of us. Col.
Woolford of the 1st Kentucky cavalry had his brigade out
there, and while quietly lying in camp, allowed the rebels to
surround and surprise him. Woolford himself barely made
his escape. The main body made out to cut its way through.
After losing his mountain howitzers, his wagon train and
several hundred prisoners, the rebels followed him into our
lines and took station in sight of where we were then on
picket. They occupied a small hill covered with trees but a
short distance in front of us. I think that Col. Byrd of the 1st

130 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN. . -
Tennessee cavalry was in Woolford's brigade, and the rebels
yelled over that they had. taken his tail feathers out of him.
If he lost his tail, Woolford must have lost more — his wings
also, though he had to fly in retreat.
A hill just back of our picket posts was crowned with a
fort wherein was a section of the Elgin (Illinois) battery,
which sighted the intruders and let fly a half dozen shells over
our heads, which cleaned the spot of their presence in short
order Excitement ran high back in camp. The troops were
aligned in readiness for battle a little in the rear of our picket
line. The rebels advanced to the hill again at dark, but by
ten o'clock I was satisfied that our men occupied the hill and
was ordered to, advance my picket line abreast of their position,
which I did accordingly.
The night was clear and moonlit, though flashes of light
ning could be seen and the thunder heard to the southwest.
Picket firing was also engaged in near the hill again and
to our front, in the latter part of the night. The rebels were
perhaps trying to regain the position on the hill.
During a heavy thunder shower next morning I was
relieved from picket, and on my way. to camp met with a
large force of cavalry outward bound. Soon after volleys of
small arms' were heard, when the enemy was pressed back
again. I had scarcely returned to camp when the forces were
ordered out, with ourselves to the right and in the woods, in
line bf battle. Here we rested in expectance the most of the
day, retiring to camp again at night. The cavalry did nothing
but skirmishing, and on retiring to within a mile and a half of
our lines, was followed by the rebels, but at a respectful
distance. Thus passed the twenty-first.
On the twenty-second the 25th was called out to aid in the
completion of the fort where the Elgin battery was stationed.
It was an elevated position and commanded a clear view of the
country for miles around. Towards the right and about four
miles to our front, we could see the cavalry lines of battle
slightly engaged in skirmishing with each other. The distance
was too far to hear the reports of the carbines, although the

EAST TENNESSEE. 131
puffs of smoke could be seen. The skirmishing appeared to
be a well understood affair between the fighting lines, for when
one line made ready to advance the other was ready to back
up; and so on, with alternate back-ups and follow-ups. With
the ending of the day we returned to camp, where we were
notified that the firing of a cannon at night would be a signal
to fall out in line of battle. Like Crusoe's preference, we were
"dwelling in the midst of alarms," though we reigned in a
horrible place. About this time we were re-enforced by the
first division of the 9tK Army corps, in which were the 2d, 8th,
17th and 20th Michigan regiments. ,
Another collision with the enemy on the twenty-fourth
. . by our cavalry, forces them back several miles while we, the
infantry, wait in suspense for an expectant fight or to march
out and begin one. We were not, however, fated for a fight
upon either condition and otherwise allowed to rest in quietude.
But as to quietude, there could be none while there was
nothing but excitement on all sides. We soon found ourselves
breaking up camp again where we had just provided ourselves
with good quarters against the worst of weather, to return to
the north side of the river, abandoning the south side to the
_ _ occupation of the rebellion. Orders are not always executed
immediately upon their being issued, as was the case in the
present instance. Unforeseen causes many times intervene for
delay, and it took several days for us to recross the river,
although we packed up and were ready for an immediate
move. The rebels must feel a little more of us before they could
hive free sway to the Tennessee river. On the twenty-sixth
eleven regiments of cavalry went out against them and drove
them a considerable distance beyond Philadelphia. This put
a quietus on the threats and alarms from them, for we had
none of them the next day. But, early on the morning of the
twenty-eighth, we were ourselves, bag and baggage, with one
exception, transferred- to the north side of the river. A pon
toon bridge had been laid soon after our occupation of Loudon.
This was now taken up and removed.

132 \ TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
When Knoxville was captured two months previously,
three engines and several cars were also taken. One of the
engines was run down to, Loudon, taken from the track and
run down the hill to the river, where a boat was built upon
which it was ferried over. It was then run up the opposite hill
and placed on the track again south of the burnt bridge. It
had been used somewhat in running Up and down the track as
far as it could be done safely. When placed there we hoped
that it could be used in carrying-on communications with the
army at Chattanooga. When a withdrawal of the army to the
north side of the river had been decided upon, this engine was
the exception. There was 'no time for its transfer to the north
of the bridge and the alternatives of war left nothing for it but
destruction. That is one of the barbarisms of war, to always
destroy what has to be abandoned and may be useful to the
enemy. It had as yet rendered!] no'great service to us since it
had been passed to the south side of the river. It could not
be saved to us and hence it must be destroyed. It was accord
ingly coupled to all the rolling stock, steam set on and sent
running towards the river where it soon tumbled off the abut
ment of the burned bridge and disappeared in the water sixty
feet below.
The 25th now settled in camp with only summer fixings,
though winter was not far away. The 16th Kentucky went to
work and put up a lot of snug little log shanties for winter
quarters, just over the hills to the north of the river. These
were the hu-ts referred to by Captain Hines in the Century,
Magazine of 1891, January number, page 429.
It did not take the enemy long to realize the situation and
close their lines as far to the front as the river would allow
them to go. But they became more friendly than belligerent.
The hostiles hailed each other from the opposite banks and
indulged in all kinds of conversation, which in no instance
was allowed to ruffle the good natured feelings of either
party. The river was between them and no advantage
could be gained by an exchange of shots, and none was
attempted.

EAST TENNESSEE. 133
At night I was placed on picket along, the river and my
line of command included the point of crossing above the
bridge. Curiosity for talking had gathered crowds of stragglers
on both sides of the river. As a natural sequence of such
familiarity a flag of truce was signalled from the south side,
which I answered in return and signalled them to advance.
As the boat approached the north side curiosity called a con
centration of the crowd towards the proposed landing place.
In this crowd, scattered a little here and there, was a group of
regimental commanders. I drew up my reserve picket force
in line near the banks to receive the. flag, which was about to
land, when a. young and boyish looking fellow with a rubber
overcoat on (the day had been lowery and a little drizzly)
stepped in between the men and myself and assumed to take
charge of the proceedings. He was then a stranger and
unkn'own to me, and whatever badge he wore to designate the
rank he held was hidden by his rubber overcoat. I wished to
know by what authority he unceremoniously made such an
intrusion. I told him that I should like to see some evidence
of His superior rank before he went any further. Whereupon
he pulled his overcoat far enough from his shoulders to show
that he wore the eagle there and held the rank of a colonel.
Upon the sight of this I stepped aside and requested him to
take full charge of the proceedings to follow, and excused my
ignorant opposition of the past. This modest request was
enough for his officious interference, for he lost no time in
declining the proffered charge, stepping back and out of my
notice. I think he must have been Col. Hobson of the 13th
Kentucky, whom I afterwards met with on the Atlanta Cam
paign. It was said that he had had something of a military
education, was about twenty years old, and was probably
another ambitious Napoleon seeking every chance that was
offered him to make a conspicuous show of himself. That
was also true of the Col. Hobson I knew the next summer.
Gen Hobson was said to be an uncle of his, and one would
naturally presume that his influence secured the appointment
of his nepotic relative to the rank he held. This affair did. not

\
134 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
cause any delay in the landing of the flag. I attended to the
object of the flagfwhich was of such trifling importance that I
have lost that part of my recollection, and did not even think
jt worth while to report it to the division commander. It
could not have been further than to cover, a visit to our lines.
NOVEMBER, 1863.
This month did not open very auspiciously upon my
military reputation, and under strict military discipline,
enforced under the forty-sixth article Of war, I might have been
sent to perdition, and perhaps to oblivion, also. As it was, I
was sent on picket on the first, in the bend of the river above
Loudon, with the enemy on the opposite side, to the eastward.
Everything went well until just after midnight, at the time of
the grand rounds for inspection. I was on the reserve post,
which, instead of being inthe rear of the line, as it should be,
was one of the four combined posts furnishing the sentinels
who were stationed a little farther to the front and near the
water's edge. It had been the custom with the officers in •
charge to alternate with the sergeant in attendance, so, being
sleepy, I asked the sergeant to relieve me for a while. He
consented and understood what was required of him. The
other men, except the outer guards, were all asleep, and I soon
joined them, expecting everything would move as usual, but I
had no sooner done so, when the sergeant lopped over asleep.
While in this interesting, and oblivious condition the officer of
the grand rounds came upon us. I was the first to waken, but
not until he had called several times. Although I did not
feel myself guilty of a wilful breach of discipline, yet the
situation was aggravating, as I was responsible for the picket
line under my charge. I might have been dealt with harshly,
had I been handled under the stern and exacting rules of
military law.
It seemed as if one misfortune lead to another. The
officer of the grand rounds passed on his way, but returned
soon after with two deserters from a Georgia regiment, who
had crossed the river just below my post, and failing to find it,

EAST TENNESSEE. 135
although moonlight, had passed to the next post and given
themselves up. To have allowed them to land unnoticed by
the sentinels along the water edge, showed a lack of watchful
ness; but that did not excuse me. My negligence proved how
easily we might have been surprised and captured. The ser
geant did not show any more anxiety about his responsibility,
than if he had been at home and in his own bed. This left me
in no doubt as to what- course to pursue; that, to go to brigade
headquarters, report the facts and submit to such an investiga
tion and decision as might be ordered.
I was relieved about sundown, and returned to camp feeling
sure that the report had reached there before mo. Nor was I
mistaken, for the first hailing I met was, "FouTid asleep on your
post?" and kindred remarks, but they did not disturb my mind
any. I had reasoned over the situation and drafted a line of
action, and went to brigade headquarters, reporting first to
Capt. Tennant, of Co. K, who was acting inspector general.
He had known me a long time, fully understood the situa
tion, and had explained my case in such a light that the matter
was dropped. I felt that I could not be too grateful to Capt. Tennant
for his unsolicited efforts in my behalf, which 'put aside the
official tarnish of character which was sure to follow the
enforcement of strict military discipline, and take this oppor
tunity to present him as a model of unselfish character. Nor
do I wish to say less of Lieut. Weaver, of the same company.
Both deserve to rank with Col. Moore in the liberal treatment
of others. Even the gods attested their love for them, as the
lives, of both flickered away a few months afterwards, in the
prime of manhood. With this departure of the flowers of the.
regiment, Co. K sustained a loss from which it never recovered,
and became a mere jetsam and flotsam during most of the time
it remained in the service.
Col. Mott, of the 1.18th Ohio, was now in command of the
brigade and held that post until the next spring, when a new
basis was made. Col.. Moore had recrossed the mountains and
was absent from us about a year. He made us a flying visit in .

136 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
the spring, but at that time was not one of us, a fact that I will
explain later. I regret that my journal does not follow his
career farther; what I shall say of him will be almost wholly
from recollection, and much I would like to say is sealed in
the silence of the grave.
Burnside had made an easy conquest of East Tennessee.
It was conjunctive with the eve of a desperate struggle between
the opposing forces on his right flank and below him. The
valley of the Tennessee was virtually open to him, for his left
was confronted with nothing serious short of several hundred
miles. These flanks were unprotected, but in his rear was a
mountain chain over which communication must be kept open.
The rebels had been victorious at Chickamauga. Our
defeat had a little better appeararce because the point had
been gained, only to be besieged therein. Time and advantage
of position strengthened the foe and weakened our side. So
much so that fifteen thousand, under Gen. Longstreet, could
be spared from the besieging of Chattanoqga and , sent in our
direction. Actions speak louder than words and must be
summed up as the conclusions of Gen. Bragg, commanding the
rebel army at Chattanooga. Longstreet came up the valley,
but events proved these actions and conclusions to be a
blunder. The maneuvering of his cavalry around Loudon had
been but the preliminaries to this move. So far, the cavalry
had only crowded us a little, but. during the first of the month
his infantry appeared, and we were drawn into performing a
part of the grand strategical movement that eventually brought
more peaceful times to this part of the land.
Gen. Grant had been victorious in the west and had just
#been called to a larger command, which covered that of the
army of Gen. Rosecrans, at Chattanooga. The Division ofthe
Mississippi, which included everything west of the Alleghenies,
was laid off and he was created commander of that division.
This arrangement brought us under his direction. Grant went
to Chattanooga the last of October, to assume command, and
soon after, Longstreet left for the purpose of crushing Burn
side. Grant grasped the advantage presented by the weakened

EAST TENNESSEE. 137
foe. Communications with Burnside could be kept up on the
west side of the river with couriers, if protection was given
from the upper end. From Loudon to Kingston, about twenty
miles, the Tennessee runs straight across the valley, until it
unites with the Clinch river, and then follows the valley toward
Chattanooga. If L6ngstreet advanced farther, he must cross
the Tennessee at some point where it crosses its own valley.
Grant directed Burnside, at his own suggestion, to withdraw to
Knoxville, and with that additional distance from Bragg,
he could prevent the sudden recall of Longstreet to reinforce
the army he had just left. Yet Burnside was to prevent the
rebels from crossing the Tennessee as long as consistent, and
then only make a forced retirement to Knoxville. This plan
was immediately entered upon.
On the ninth, the 1st Brigade, with the 1st Tennessee
Cavalry, Col. Byrd, and a seption of the Elgin Battery, Capt.
Wood, started for Kingston at three o'clock in the afternoon,
with orders to go through without halting. To make the
march, we swung about six miles out of the direct route, prob
ably to screen the movement. The weather was fine, but
towards night changed so that we had a pretty cold time,
although it was favorable for a rapid march. Night found us
making good progress, despite the muddy roads, but as it grew
later the line grew longer, and many men stopped by the road
side. Capt. Demarest began to think that he could not get the
25th through before morning, for on looking around, he could
find no regiment. Only about thirty out of the three hundred
that had started, could be rallied, and most of them were
officers, so he halted for the night, notwithstanding the orders.
He could not do anything else;, his horse could carry but one.
In our company but three were left; Sergts. Jenkins and Bristol
and myself. It took but one set of blankets to cover our
company that night. The night was too cold and the ground
too chilly for much sleep, but by keeping the fire bright, we
gained a little rest. Morning came, but no breakfast. It was
the exception rather than the rule, to get a good meal. We
were fortunate if we had anything at all. I recollect seeing

138 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
Richardson, of Co. F, boil a drink of coffee
in a tin fruit can, while Lieut. Finlay sat
on a stump in the warm sunshine, eating a
piece of raw bacon. I had nothing myself,
and thifs had plenty of time to look at the
others. The men began to straggle in with the
daylight, and at eight o'clock we started
Samuel l. Demarest. forward. A four mile march brought us to
(1863.) . &
Captain Co. b. the camp on the west side of Kingston, near
Now of Clinton, Iowa. ^ q;^ rjver an(j abou(; two mileS from
its mouth. A pontoon bridge had already been laid across.
>The 1st Brigade arrived none too soon, as the rebels would
undoubtedly have crossed at this point had it been unprotected.
While along the river with a picket force, on the thirteenth, I
could see the enemy on the other side. The next day we
learned that Longstreet had crossed the river above Loudon,
and was advancing against us with a strong foree. Returning
from picket, I found the brigade crossing the river to a more
defensive position. On the fifteenth, the 25th was put in a
strong picket line east of the village, and in line of battle, laid
over night. Towards dark the rebels began to brush up against
us, and coming on us unawares to themselves, a volley of
musketry sent them home immediately, and to bed also as far
as we know, for we heard nothing more of them that night.
On the sixteenth we were relieved by the 118th Ohio, and'
before night heard that Longstreet had been pushing on towards
Knoxville, meeting with considerable resistance at Lenoir's,
and afterwards at Campbell's station. In these battles as it
had been customary with Longstreet, the attack of the rebels
was so impetudus that several of our regiments lost all their
baggage, and were thus deprived of everything with which to
shelter themselves in camp.
It had been evident that he was moving his main force
against ^noxville and not against ourselves. He had probably
placed a small band out in front of us to make a show and
prevent a supposed union of ourselves with Burnside. They

EAST TENNESSEE. 139
made several attacks upon us but they were too weak to make
an impression of any consequence. However large or sm3.ll in
numbers, it hovered on our front, threatening attacks and then
withdrawing under compulsion for several days. This was
kept up till the morning of the twenty-fourth, when they again
pressed on to feel of us more severely. But, after considerable
moving around through the woods and underbrush, they got
felt of most severely themselves. I had no means of learning
their strength. They brought their artillery into play, the
sound of which no sooner disclosed its position in the woods
to us, than Captain Wood of the Elgin battery gained a range
upon them, sent a few shells over to their side and soon drove
them into silence. Their bullets flew among the 25th, which
was lying in support of the battery, but not with any aim, as
they came through the woods and to little purpose, as no one>
was hurt by them beyond two (of Company D, who were
wounded, and one killed in the 16th Kentucky. The rebels
were driven back a mile and a half and were content to stay
there the rest of the day. Thence they finally left, for this
was the last they were seen there during our stay at Kingston.
When two enemies confront each other, temptations exist
for one or the other to attempt captures or reprisals, lt was
decided by the brigade commander to try and capture some
of the rebel picket posts across the, Tennessee river. A detail
of seventy- five or more picked men was made out of the brigade
on the 17th and placed under the command of Capt. McCrary
of Company D. Among them was Patrick E. O'Brien of
Company C, whose life came near paying the penalty of his
pYesence with the brigade. It is from him that I learned the
facts of its going out, its operations and return.
The detachment made use of a small steamer used, as a
ferry boat at Kingston. The men were ordered to keep still in
order to create no alarm to the rebel pickets. But that order
in the case in question was needless, for the old boat made
such a creaking and squeaking in the working of the wheel at
its stern that it could be heard for more than half a mile. The
boat took the detail of adventurers about half a mile below the

14C

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

P. E. O'BRIEN. (1863.)
Co. C.
Now postmaster of Berrien Center.

rebel picket posts on the
Tennessee, which seemed to
show no signs of alarm from
the noise made by the work
ing of the boat, where a land
ing was effected alongside a
large cornfield and the boat
made fast, with a proper guard
assigned to it. The remainder
of the party, led on by the
captain, soon found the re
serve picket post of the rebels
in an old building and cap
tured it, with a number of
horses, without the firing of
a gun, though a good deal of noise was made and an alarm
must have been given to the pickets further up the river.
Eight rebels were thus secured as prisoners, over whom an
additional guard was left in charge.
Capt. McCrary then took twelve or fifteen men with him
and followed up the river bank with the intention of working
another capture, at the same time directing O'Brien and three
others to pass around to the rear of the rebel pickets and meet
him at a designated spot, and as a signal to their meeting to
hail each other with a shrill whistle.
The night was one of darkness and as the smaller party
was* coming stealthily upon the rebel picket post, they saw
men getting up on the opposite side of the fires, and upon the
impulse of the moment demanded a surrender. But there was
no enemy at the fire to capture. The men were those led by
Capt. McCrary, who, upon being called upon to surrender,
he, the captain, made a like demand and immediately fired his
pistol at the others, sending a bullet into and nearly through
the body of O'Brien. Had the captain hesitated a moment to
exercise a little presence of mind and given the signal agreed
upon, he would have known that pickets always call a halt to
anyone approaching instead of calling for a surrender. The

EAST TENNESSEE. 141
shot did not drop its victim though it sent a sting through
every nerve. Upon such a salute the smaller party fired in
return, but, fortunately, without results.
This happened in the road, down which a squad of rebel
cavalry, alarmed by the firing, came dashing, fired a volley at
our men, whirled their horses about and spurred to the rear.
The alarm having now spread to the rebel pickets, the
parties made for the boat again, each by the respective route
they had followed to this point. O'Brien was assisted in
walking by two of his comrades, while the third procured him
one of the captured horses, placed him thereon and soon took
him to the boat, suffering intense thirst and pain.
The captain was not so prompt With his own party.
Taking the prisoners and captured property he struck out
through the cornfield, but in the darkness he got so bewildered
that he came out two or three times at the point he entered it,
and it seemed an age to the wounded man before all were
aboard and ready to return. Half of the night was taken up
in the expedition.
As soon as could be Dr. Barnum attended to O'Brien's
wound, took the ball out from the muscle near the spine, and
informed him that if he had any word to send home or business
to settle he had better do it right away as his chances for life
were pretty slim. His reply was that he had set his house in
order before he left home, and that he didn't believe that the
shot would kill him. And it didn't, either, though it brought
him suffering enough with it to send almost any being into
eternity. Though he afterwards joined his company he was
found-unfit for the service, and was soon separated from it and
sent to the hospital again. He was then transferred to the V.
R. corps and finally discharged at the close of the war.
Though living at Berrien Center at the date of this writing, he
is yet a sufferer from the shot received.
Another episode woven in at this point will be of some
interest rather than detract from the narrative. Sergeant
Jennings of Company C was detailed to conduct an expedition
down the river to Chattanooga. One of the most interesting

142

TWENTY-FIFTH" MICHIGAN.

points in it, though related to
me, he would not consent
should be repeated here. It
is not for me to abuse the
courtesy of a friend, still I
regret that I must pass it
over. The story of the expedi
tion shows the variety and
dangers of the service we
were called upon to perform,
and how constantly and faith
fully matters of all kinds were
attended to.
Soon after we reached
Kingston, Sergeant Jennings
of Co. C was notified to report
at brigade headquarters for
service, whence he wasdirect-
ed to take charge of a boat
lying in the Clinch river, with
the water part complete but with unfinished decking, and
without its machinery for an intended steamer. It was about
120 feet long by 25 of beam.
To take charge of the boat appeared to be about all the
orders he had, and he had to digest the purpose of his assign
ment from information he gathered from those men who
reported to him from the questions they asked. Nor did he
gain a great deal in this , way as a guide for action as we will
see further on. Men to the number of 25 soon began to come
in from the brigade and report to him. They began to ask
him for orders and rations. Of both he had a supply that
would be best represented by the right hand figure in the
number 10. The commissary department outside was at the
bottom of its larder and there was no show of provisions from
that source. In a council of war together they adjudged
themselves an independent command and decided \o hunt

MARION W. JENNINGS. (1863.)
Sergeant Co. C.
Now of Benton Harbor.

EAST TENNESSEE. 143
their own game. Sergeant Jennings applied to headquarters
for rations, where his application was met with the order for
himself and crew to forage for themselves.
On this no time was to be lost. On his return to the boat
a fat porker ran across his path. He immediately sent a squad
of men to confiscate it for the good of 'he service. No further
instructions were needed to make up the supper with a little
meal from the haversack contributions of the party. The next
day a small party was-sent up the river in a boat to gather in a
store of provisions. Luck stood in their favor in this move
when thay fell in with a lot of well-to-do farmers', obtained a
good supply, ' even to salt, and returned with a loaded
boat. After a few days Sergeant Jennings was ordered to drop
down the river a short distance and load on the boat two large
boilers that belonged to a saw mill in the edge of the town,
thence lower down to another saw mill, load on a lot of lumber
and pile it up around the edge of the boat to serve as barricades
in defense of themselves. This last order revealed to them
something of what they had been appointed to do. Reason
from the situation of things told them that they were expected
to take the boat down the river, as it was not fitted to go in
any other direction. It opened their eyes to the magnitude of
the task they were called upon to accomplish. One side of
the Tennessee was under the guard of an ever watchful enemy,
while the other was held by our friends, but who were ignorant
of the coming of the boat and did not know whether to treat
the party aboard as friend or foe.
Upon reporting the boat in readiness for a start Col. Byrd
ordered them to be ready to pull out for Chattanooga at a
moment's notice. Sergeant Jennings had some associations in
the family of Col. Clark of Kingston, where he was treated
upon the most friendly terms; and to confirm their friendship
Clark's daughter and a servant, the night before starting, sat up
and baked for the party more than a large sack full of corn
pones to provision them on the way, doing their best in actions
as well as wishes "for the adventurers.

144 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
The boat being unfinished and without machinery for pro
pulsion, must make its progress by aid of the current only; or,
with a little help from a large oar on either side, with one at
the stern for a rudder. It was at midnight on the night of
Nov. 23rd that the boat was pulled into mid-stream and sent
floating towards its destination. After about three .hours the
rebels took notice of the boat and fired upon it, but with so
slight an effect that no notice was taken of the event. But a
little further down bullets came from our own side and close
to the man at the helm. Col. Byrd had promised to send word
down on our side of the expedition that was. being made up,-
but had failed to do so. The only way to avoid the shots from
our own side was to pull in to the shore, explain matters and
have a herald sent ahead to proclaim the coming of the boat.
Before starting a well informed old river pilot was placed
on board, who, in addition to his knowledge of the Tennessee
river possessed a cool and determined bravery, and the party
believe that they owe it to him alone for their only chance of
getting through to the end.
The party had already tasted a little of the intentions of
the rebels, and soon after starting again learned what these
intentions were in dead earnest. The rebels had probably sent
word ahead, and a party of them had gathered in an old log
building near the shore, under cover of which they fired their
best upon the boat. Just at that time it seemed as if luck had
fated the capture of the boat. She struck on a snag and was
held fast. It was out of the question to loosen up the boat
while ilnder fire and start on again. The first thing to be done
was to silence the firing. The well directed shots from the
boat soon put an end to that business from the shore: The
party was then allowed to loosen the boat in peace and start
her out in the current again.
The band was engaged in fighting and working every day;
but more fighting than work, shooting whenever shot at. On
the fifth day out they drew near to a place called Pinhook, in
a bend of the river, where the boat had to pass near the rebel
, shore. Here the rebels had collected a squad of about five

EAST TENNESSEE. 145
hundred, with the intention of capturing the boat and party.
It was just about the time that nobody on our side cared to be
captured; would rather take the chances of battle without
regard to odds, hence the party determined to sell themselves
for all they were worth. Their musketry did them the best of
service, for they succeeded in beating off the attack with a
casualty of only three wounded, and' learned afterwards that
the rebs lost two or more killed. The rest of the way down
was more peaceful, though shots were exchanged from time to
time. The only additional care to look out for was that of
bread and meat.
It will be noticed from the dates that while the boat was
in progress, the. battle of Missionary Ridge took place, the
thundering of whose artillery was plainly heard on board of
the boat. They evidently knew what was taking place, and
hoped and prayed for victory to crown our arms in the
struggle. Their hopes and prayers after nine watchful days
and nights were found, on their arrival at Chattanooga, to be
more than realized. The enemy was not only beaten, but
badly so; and the stories of each equally surprised the other;
for it was believed in the victorious army that the boating
party had surely run the gauntlet of death that stared them in
the face at every stage of their progress.
To sum up, as evidence of the siege through which they
passed, Sergt. Jennings observes that the decking rafters in
places were so much cut away by the rebel bullets that they
needed to be replaced before being fit for use. This boat in
after years was heard of as a trader on the river under the
name of Kingston, plying between Knoxville and Chattanooga.
After a few days, Sergt. Jennings and party received trans
portation up the river, on a steamer loaded with provisions.
The river was so shallow for the overloaded boat, that the
party volunteered to march, the remaining distance. The
battle at Chattanooga had cleared the country of rebels, and
Starting with an abundance of rations, supplemented with
donations from the farmers, they lived well for the rest of the
journey. On the last day they suddenly came upon a body of

146 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
horsemen, who drew up in battle line when they saw the
infantry. Sergt. Jennings felt almost certain that they were
friends, and advanced alone and met one of the horsemen, who
told him it was the 1st Tennessee Cavalry, sent out to recon-
noiter. Sergt. Jennings told him that his party had already
done that duty in the vicinity, and nothing further was neces
sary. About the first of December the party joined the brigade
at Loudon. Events down the valley were rapidly approaching a focus.
On the twenty-third, we heard the thundering of cannon in
the direction of Chattanooga, sixty miles away, which continued
during the next two days. We had been well posted in
affairs in that direction and knew it could be no nearer. Then
we heard the welcome news of the great victory which so
signally crowned thei northern 'army. It -was here that Gen.
Grant encountered an exultant foe, "hit him on the forehead
and felled him on the spot."
The onset of the rebels on the twenty-seventh was their
last attack, and we now saw an opening for the relief of East
Tennessee. The victory would enable Grant to give immediate
relief to Burnside, who was now acting upon a very lively
defensive. His situation was such, that had the rebels sent a
force from toward Richmond, equal to the one sent from the
south, they would have taken Burnside in a cul du sac; in the
strong grip of the lion's paw and ground him between his
teeth. The force of Longstreet and the fury with which he
pressed forward after crossing the Tennessee, proved that he
alone was a match for Burnside, and had there been an equal
force on the other side, there would have been but little salva
tion for Burnside.
Promptness for the relief of Burnside followed on the
heels of the victory at Chattanooga. Gen. Sherman was
immediately dispatched with a large army and started up the
valley. Longstreet now realized his situation with the tables
turned, and became desperate. Determined to secure a victory
if possible before being driven away, he made his last expiring
effort on the morning of the 29th of November in an assault

EAST TENNESSEE. 147
on Fort Sanders. The fort had been skillfully fortified and
was well defended. Timber had been felled in front of the
fort and wires stretched from stump to stump, as well also
upon the brink of the ditch surrounding it. These unseen
impediments in the early light of the morning tripped the
assaulting party, and mixed the men composing it pretty well
together on the ground. The rebels, with fixed bayonets, were
sent into the ditch by the wire at the edge ot it .pell mell
together, which caused them to kill many of their own men.
From the fort the shells were only lighted to be tossed or
rolled over the top, to burst among the struggling mass in
the ditch, where a fearful slaughter took place. It was said
that eight hundred rebels lost their lives at this point.
The scene in the ditch presented a writhing, struggling
mass of life, battling with that everlasting, everpresent and
now omnipresent enemy — death itself, whose overwhelming
labors for once almost annihilated every living effort. One
rebel officer gained the parapet of the fort, and in front of the
cannon's mouth demanded a surrender. He was answered by
a pull of the lanyard, 'when the cannon sent him farther to the
rear, under the philosophy in proof of the divisibility of
matter, than he had advanced to the front that morning — and
in much less time also. The like fate attended him that
punished the Sepoys in 1857.
Sherman was so close upon the rear of Longstreet, that
the latter now passed around Knoxville, abandoned the siege
and left Burnside free again. The army of relief having
accomplished its purpose, turned to the south again, with the
exception of Sheridan's division, and left the country.
The operations of the First brigade formed but an episode
in the grand drama (rather tragedy) that rescued Eastern
Tennessee to the northern arms. It was a certain possession
now, though for a while not an undisturbed one. We had been
tucked away back in one corner — at one side of the theatre
ot operations, where we had accomplished some degree of
usefulness, but did nothing in the heavy movements of the
strife. We were virtually cut off from the main force, and

148 twentYtFifth Michigan.
had to maintain ourselves independently. With little or no
provisions to start with, it soon became a difficult matter to
obtain forage for men and teams, with a hostile foe in occupa
tion of the side that was to yield us the needful living. Corn
and provender for the teams could be had from the rear or
west side of the river. The men had to live the same as the
teams. We had to resort to the heaps of corn, help ourselves,
and either roast the corn by the fires on the cob, or grate it up
when we could make graters good enough to do it with, and
then cook the grated stuff as best we could. Company B had
a coffee-mill, which was kept in constant service, as it ground
the corn passably well, and this was mixed and baked up; the
mill, being a solitary one, had a great run of custom by being
borrowed through the regiment.
Just a year before, while we were lying idle in camp at
Louisville, we were supplied with full rations. These were
over-sufficient, but with them the men were never satisfied.
They would eat to their full capacity, or to what would be
deemed as such, and grumbled that they had no more. A
twenty-ounce loaf of the best of bread — a single day's ration —
would be eaten at one meal. Then, with a full complement of
the other articles of army rations besides, there would go up a
cry for more, and though the quality was also prime, the men
were not satisfied with that. The sick report was a heavy one
every morning, and Dr. Gregg said that nothing caused its rise
but over-eating, or the too full Supply of rations. But at
this time, a year later, it had come to the point that the men
must take up with what they could get, or with nothing at all.
They had met with a serious contrast in the condition of
things in the service of rations from what it was a year
before. They were now glad to get hold of the raw corn in
the ear, do the best they could with it, thinking they were doing
well at that and had no fault to find. The base of supplies
was too distant and transportation over mountain roads too
poor to expect much from that source— and the country too
poof from the ravages of war to get much from around us.

EAST TENNESSEE. 149
DECEMBER, J 863.
The weather had been quite cold, forming ice full four •
inches thick in the Clinch river at the beginning of this month.
But the morning of the 2d opened fair, fine and sun-shiny. I
was detailed this day with fifteen men to go up to the Big
Emery river, a few miles towards Montgomery, to where we
had forded it upon our entrance into this part of the country
three months previously, to get a couple of boats that were
there engaged for us, load them with what corn I could get,
and float them down to the brigade. I started at daylight and
easily reached the designated spot, found the boats, one of
which I had to load up with corn, and started on the return
journey down the stream of the Big Emery. It had the
name of "Big," but that was all there was of it. It was but
two or three rods wide where the road crossed it as a ford
instead of by bridge, and where the water was not oyer knee
deep. The return route by the river, I should judge, was about
fifteen miles. The current was not a very strong one, so we
floated at a leisurely speed, which took us till dark before we
reached the mouth of the river, where we tied up the boats and
left for camp — the empty one to remain there, while the loaded
one was the next day floated further down to the pontoon
bridge. Upon starting out in the morning, I fell in with a cavalry
officer while crossing the Clinch river ferry, who gave me
news from the siege of Knoxville. On the 29th of November
the rebels had made a desperate effort to break the line of
defences there by an attack on Fort Sanders. The assault had
failed, with a terrific loss of life to the assaulting party. In
the meantime, a detachment from the victorious army at
Chattanooga was moving close upon the besiegers, who after
the repulse drew off, moved around and beyond the city and
up the river. The siege so hardly pressed was raised, much to
the relief of a strong fighting but a poorly fed garrison.
We often speak of this river or that one as a beautiful
stream. If the waters are alike in themselves, they have no

150 twenty-fifth Michigan.
excellence the one over the other in beauty; they are leveled
in description upon an equality. But when the beauty of the
stream is proposed, look at the banks and the adjoining land
scape! Those scenes form the beauty of the stream itself;
they must be taken together to perfect the imaginative mind
with the idealities of attraction. The Big Emery was born and
brought up in the midst of wild mountain scenery and was
beset with hills of the wildest and most varied kind, along
the whole of its course for the. day we floated down its waters.
Lofty hills and rocks bind its sides much of the way, with here
and there a valley between, through which the little streamlets
hastened on to lose themselves in the waters, over and over
again, ere they travel the mighty distance before them and
eventually re-ach and lose themselves in the waters of the
ocean. Overtowering elevations crowned with woods, the
retiring valleys that scarcely found a break through those
highlands for a settlement, .furnished a scenery at once wild
and enchanting. The eye never tires of such matters in its
. communications to an imaginative mind for contemplation.
The slow but deep current of this deep mountain stream bore
us along at an easy rate for contemplating the attractive sights
and changes, with an ever varying view at every turn we made.
The same freaks of wildness in the scenes came up, but they
were not monotony. Such a journey as ours along this smooth
gliding stream builds a paradise for lovers, when, in their
natural love the heart of one absorbs the heart of the other so
fully that neither is conscious of the independent ownership of
the beating, palpitating bulbs within each other's breasts.
Alone, yet not alone, for the immediate and surrounding
presence of mute nature reminds them of the animate nature
of their race, and that every other department of their sur
roundings was created subordinate to their happiest desires.
Here the troubadours might have graced their songs with the
wildest sentiments of chivalry and ruled their thoughts in the
poesy of nature herself. To give this valley, so nearly hidden
from the busy world, its deserving praise it needs but to pass
beneath the eye of a Scott.

EAST TENNESSEE. 151
But the day wears along. The current, with its downward
flow, bears me towards my jouruey's end and reminds me that
not e'en such a spot is always attached to life, that it may
remain in possession till the days of eternity shall have taken
it up; that these things, like everything else of a tempore cast,
must, too, come to a close.
On my return to camp I learned more of the fullness of
the victory at Chattanooga and the raising of the siege of
Knoxville. As an additional confirmation of the news from
below the arrival of the 3rd, 5th and 6th Regiments of Tennessee
Infantry from that direction verified the same. These were
evidences of a warning that the 1st Brigade had no more call
for its occupation of this part of the theatre of war. The next
day we received marching orders, and left on the fourth about
noon, making about twenty-five miles or so eastward. We did
not make camp until late at night, nor until we had reached a
point to which we had marched so late in order to encamp on
the grounds of an old Mr Lacky, before alluded to. He was
of so strong rebellious proclivities that on his lands we could
feel no restrictions for a good rest and plenty of camp fires for
the night. Our destination was for Knoxville, and why we
were to make a deflection and take the Loudon road 1 never
knew. However, we got there on the north side of the
Tennessee, opposite Loudon, and went into the old camp again
the next day.
I cannot forbear to mention here that when nearing the
village we halted near the house of a Mr. Eldridge, a Union
man who had suffered considerably from the persecutions of
the rebels, notwithstanding his great age of one hundred and
one years. Even at this advanced age, he was blessed with
good health, possessed of a powerful frame, and walked out
with ease among us. He replied willingly to several questions
I asked him. His age was beyond that of any person I had
then or have since seen.
Our stay at Loudon this time was but a short one. In the
meantime I went across the river and reviewed the village
after a month's destructive occupation of it by the rebels. As

152

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

much as the place had
suffered before, it had
since, been made to feel
the heavy weight of its
more recent occupation
from the destruction of
property visible at every
turn. After the victory at
Chattanooga a detach
ment of that army under
Sherman had made such
a vigorous move for the
relief of Knoxville, that
but little time was given
the rebels to save what
they had on the south side
of the river there. Three
trains of cars, loaded with
supplies and munitions of war, were fired and run into the
river; about twenty-five to thirty pieces of artillery were spiked
and thrown into the river also. They probably had no means
to secure the removal of their artillery across the river on so
short a notice.
I also met with my old friend, Parson Johnson, once more,
who kindly invited me to dinner, which invitation I could not
refuse in these times of less than half and quarter rations, and
the acceptance was coupled with gratitude towards the vener
able preacher The commissary was unable to furnish any
thing to the army, and the men had to live on whatever they
could pick up. To illustrate: the day we next- took up the
march, which was the eighth, Hathaway of our Company,
sitting up against a stump by the roadside during a resting
spell, was eating a piece of bread. This being such an unusual
sight I asked him where he found so much. He said that he
had scraped up the stuff of which it was made from the floor
of the grist mill and baked the dough himself, at the same

L. C. LEEDS. (1863.)
Sergeant Co. C. Now of Dallas, Texas.

EAST TENNESSEE. 153
time offering me a piece of it. I took and tasted of it; but,
as it did not suit me, I broke it open and found it as well filled
with hairs as if it had been mixed to plaster the ceiling of
a dwelling house. It was enough to satisfy me, but with him
I do not know, as it was that or nothing at all.
It was not always and in all places that we found our
haversacks reduced to a vacuum. Occasionally there were
places where something good would open up. Soon after our
return to Loudon, Sergt. Leeds of Co. C cast a wistful eye
across the Tennessee, when a flock of sheep ran across his
sight, upon which he said to " Uncle Ben ":
" I wish we had some of that mutton over there."
" I wish we had, too," came the answer.
The times were such that nothing more needed to be said:
no permission granted, no prohibition ordered — though there
were standing orders against foraging except under direction
of the quartermaster. The sergeant at once understood the
words well enough to pick up a squad and "go for 'em." He
had no difficulty in finding a boat, which, with a little repairing
(soldiers always have a way of doing such things) bore them
right speedily to the other shore. Landing by a farm house
they stopped to get something to eat, and found a smoke
house well filled with hams, shoulders and the like, to which
they helped themselves and loaded their bayonets with all
they could carry. In this way the mutual wishes of " Uncle
Ben " and themselves were fully satisfied for the time being.
We soon found ourselves on the march again towards
Knoxville, which place we reached on the ninth, and on the
next day passed on ten miles above, where we enjoyed a halt
of five days and a visit from the paymaster, whom we had not
seen since leaving Lebanon over in Kentucky.
When the 1st Brigade was formed and Col. Moore placed
in command, in August over in Kentucky, he took Adjutant
Prutzman faith him as acting assistant adjutant general of the
brigade. This left a vacancy in the office of regimental
adjutant. To this vacancy Lt. Finlay of Co. I was appointed
and served up to the time of the payment of the regiment on

154

TWfcNTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

December nineteenth, at
which time he was sick and
unable to leave his bed.
A sick leave of absence
was granted him, and he
designed starting for home
as soon as he might be
able to do so.
The regiment having just
been paid off for four
months' service, many oj>
the officers and men were
anxious to improve the
chances of sending home
their surplus moneys above
their present needs up to
the time of another pay
ment. He was altogether
loaded down with about
$5,000.00— mostly from his old Co. H— to be landed in Kala
mazoo and vicinity. I placed a considerable sum of money
with him myself for the same purpose, thoughtless of the
dangerous route he would need to travel and of the uncer
tainty of his being able to go forward at all. His course lay
through Cumberland Gap, thence to Camp Nelson, over in
Kentucky, a distance of nearly two hundred miles, and badly
infested with guerrillas. He would be obliged to travel on
horseback and alone, unless he could chance to fall in with
companions going the same way. ,
We left him sick in bed in camp the day after the visit of
the paymaster. Weak as he was, he drew a horse and made
for home on horseback. It cost him nine days' time to reach
Camp Nelson. While going through the Gap he was unable
to ride continuously, and had to dismount for a rest by the
roadside. This brought him in a worse condition than before;
for, had it not been for the opportune appearance of a stranger,

G. W. FINI.AY.

EAST TENNESSEE. 155
he would have been unable to remount his horse to make
further progress on his journey.
Thinking that it would be more safe to travel in the dress
of a soldier, he discarded that of an officer for the dress of a
private. One day, after passing through a long stretch of
timber, he saw three men sitting on a log by the wayside,
whom he feared and had every reason to believe were the ever
dreaded guerrillas. He was helpless, sick and alone. His
situation increased rather than allayed his fears and he felt
that his time had come. Being of a sanguine temperament,
his presence of mind forced him to put on a bold front and
make the best of his case. Riding forward without hesitation,
he saluted them kindly as if they were friends, and was
permitted to pass on unmolested. He knew not if they were
friendly or inclined to be hostile; but they were suspiciously
in a very suspicious place, and could easily have captured him
and cut his throat in guerrilla style had it suited their purpose
to have done so.
I had no sooner parted with him beyond recall than I
bethought myself of his sickly condition and his inability to
proceed and liability to drop off at any time by the way; and
the further danger of his being robbed and murdered on the
route. It was then and for these reasons that I regretted
having used his kind offers in acceptance of the favors he
rendered me; I wished the money back again, since it only
added to his personal danger. As might be expected, I was in
suspense until due time brought news of its receipt at its
destination; and so it was with the entire lot. The good
fortune of a safe conveyance and the honor of a soldier carried
the whole of it safely through.
The small quantity and bad quality of the supplies picked
up and furnished by the commissary, alluded to in October,
and which did not directly affect me at the time so many were
complaining, now began to show pretty heavily upon me;
Many of the men threw up the " sick wheat " stuff, and thus
rid themselves of its evil effects, while with myself it was
retained as other food. Instead of getting rid of it as the

156 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
others did, it took a turn through my entire system, breaking
out in eruptive sores, festers and boils, which became very
annoying, and more particularly so when.over-exertiort started
the perspiration. I did not seem to weaken down under the
trouble, but kept my place along in the line of duty, though I
felt the want ot some remedy to remove the cause of
complaint. I was forced to believe that a great deal of impure
matter had been introduced through the system from the foul
condition of the food we had been obliged to live upon and
was thus making its way to the surface. The trouble had been
so deeply seated that it gave me a great deal of uneasiness.
It hung to me as long as I remained in the army, and for a
long time afterwards in that form. I believe that the results
of that affliction are still upon me, though in another form.
On the fifteenth we started out again and made Blaine's
Cross Roads, about ten miles to the northeast, where we halted
at or near sunset as we supposed for the night. It had been a
cold and chilly day and the roads were filled with mud. Well,
we had hardly made a stop and were casting about to provide
for the night, when we took up with orders to advance five
miles further, and of course slung on our traps and started.
We needed short time for supper, as we had little or nothing
to eat. A dreary night and heavy darkness settled over us.
We had about covered the five miles when we were suddenly
halted, and as mysteriously turned back to make the point we
had reached at sunset. As might well be supposed, when in
the darkness we could scarcely see the men on either side of
us, it was every man for himself. Each one sought the best
path he could find through the mud, lost his companions, and
became indefinitely mixed up with every one else in the
brigade. Sometimes a particular voice Would be recognized
that would enable some particular squads to keep together.
Lieut. Howe of Co. C succeeded in holding a few of his men
near him by this means. For want of a better guide, each man
made his way as best he could to the place we had left five
miles back. For that point we plodded patiently along till it
was gained about midnight, where beds were made on the cold
ground without a whimper.

EAST TENNESSEE. 157,
During this time a change to colder weather broke in
upon us. Imagine the discomforts in attendance at such a
time in the night, while trying to rest on the cold, muddy and
freezing ground, in a strange place and with covering scarcely
worth the name. It was simply impossible in this situation to
come near satisfying human nature. A fortunate mischance —
if the term may be used — came to the relief of the 25th. The
regiment hadn't much more than gathered itself together than
it was called out to go on picket. This kept us up and awake
with comfortable fires for the rest of the night. It saved the
torture of a disappointed sleep that was sure to follow the
labors of the day at such a time of misery.
The most of the army had been in advance of us, and
they, too, fell back the next day — or, rather, before daybreak —
to join us. It was reported that Longstreet had been so
heavily re-enforced that he felt himself able to take the
offensive again. In a day or so he pushed up and ..engaged
our advanced guards a mile or so to the front, and also over
on the right of our line, which rested on the Holston river,
where considerable cannonading was done. He did little or
no damage, however, and was himself repulsed. Meantime
heavy re-enforcements upon our side had arrived from the
army, of the Cumberland, and Longstreet soon found too much
strength for him to beat against with safety or hope" of success,
and so withdrew back again five or six miles.
Some changes took place about this time in command of
the army. Burnside, in chief command of the department, had
been exchanged for Gen. Foster. Hartsuff had come over the
mountains in command of the 23rd army corps, but I had not
heard a word of him since. Gen. Manson, who had been with
us several times previously, now took the place of Gen. White
at the head of the 2d division. But these, as we shall soon
learn, were but temporary changes.
The rebels, as I imagine, became somewhat restless, for
their offensive operations began to change further eastward
and across the Holston. Our army, since everything opposing
it had been cleaned from Chattanooga up the valley, had

158 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
but one front to guard against or defend. That front was to
the north and east of Knoxville and across the valley of the
Holston river. Whether it should be close in or far out from
the city of Knoxville was a matter of discretion with the
commander. It was of no object for the present; nor do I
think we were in a condition to advance for a conquest tor any
great distance out, while a stronger defensive line near by
could be more easily maintained and serve just as good a
purpose until the spring campaign should be opened. Our
own base of supplies was too far away to risk an advantage by
increasing the distance, the reverse to the enemy. The
further he followed our lines and from his base of supplies, the
further he placed himself from that source of dependence, and
consequently, the greater difficulty he must experience to
support himself there. The wants of the hour brought about
changes from time to time.
Christmas brought us back, to Strawberry Plains — the
plains, in name only, that perhaps never knew a strawberry or
land fit to be called a plain — where we crossed the river, and
by sunrise the next morning were at New Market, ten miles
northeast, where we took position in line of battle about a
mile eastward. In the afternoon fighting sprung up over at
our left, near Mossy Creek, on the railroad. I cannot recollect
that our commissary gave us anything to live upon, or how we
got our daily ekeings out of subsistence; but I do know that
Hathaway and Chambers of our company went out after we
settled in line of battle, found a good fat sheep, dressed,
brought it in and divided it around, which gave the company a
good mutton feast to supplement their empty haversacks.
Over at Blaine's Cross Roads, Snyder, the sergeant in the
quartermaster's department, laid out some pine boughs for his
horse to nibble on, remarking at the same time that these were
the only rations he could get for his horse.
On the twenty-seventh we were withdrawn and passed
over to the left at Mossy Creek, where we went into camp
after dark. Fighting had been going on in this direction, but
seemed to recede before us as we advanced. The next day

EAST TENNESSEE. 159
we threw up defensive works in preparation against an attack
from the enemy.
On the twenty-ninth the every-day fighting assumed
greater proportions, and came near being a battle in a true
sense. Early in the day a force of cavalry pressed our
advanced guards back to Mossy Creek, where a stand was
made and a lively time worked up. The 1st brigade was the
only infantry on the ground, with the Elgin and the 18th
Indiana batteries, and among the cavalry which took part in
the battle was the 2d Michigan. The 25th Michigan was
placed in support of the 18th Indiana battery, while the 118th
Ohio and 16th Kentucky were thrown out to the left, where
they had to do considerable fighting. I do not recollect now
the part taken by the 80th Indiana; but so gallant a regiment
as that could not have been idle during the contest. The
118th Ohio lost two killed and about forty wounded, the 16th
Kentucky one killed, and the 18th Indiana battery two killed
by the same shell, which struck ;ts victims while tandem
sighting their guns; the heads of both were struck from their
shoulders, though a part of the skull of one still dangled from
his neck — presenting a horrible sight to their comrades on the
field of battle. One of the dead men, I noticed, lay in his
stocking feet; the rebels had occupied the ground awhile after
his fall and carried off his boots.
The battle was very well contested on both sides until
afternoon, when the enemy was pressed back and flashed
pretty welL with our artillery. As fast as the 18th Indiana
battery gained a point and drove the enemy back over the
undulating ground, it would gallop its pieces from one knoll
to another, open up a while on the foe, drive him further on,
with our regiment in support. These operations kept us on
the double quick most of the time to hold a position close to
the guns. A good many of the shells from the enemy were
well directed and skimmed the ground close to us; but,
fortunately, none of them took effect. In this way, with
alternate halting and advancing, we drove the rebels back
about four miles. Darkness coming on, an end was put to the

160 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
fight, and we returned to the camp we had left in the morning.
This battle settled the fighting in these parts for some time,
and we were not annoyed again by the enemy for a long time
afterwards. JANUARY, J864.
The 1st, I suppose, was the celebrated "Cold New Year's
Day" that was so widely felt through the north. It was
somewhat the same with us down in this warmer clime. Just
before the old year expired, there came a sudden rush of wind
and rain, with a change to pretty cold weather. There was no
way for us to keep warm but to build up as good fires as we
could, around which we would huddle so close as if we were
there to keep the fires themselves from freezing out. We
could easily burn up on one side and freeze up on the other;
and. at the same time, smoke our eyes out, securing a sum total
of the joys and ills of the time. *
A period of cold weather now came on, with some snow in
the bargain, that put a quietus on everything in the military
line beyond the needs of camp life.
As to the want of army supplies, I have heretofore men
tioned the want of provisions only, and nothing as to the want
of clothing. The railroads were now open to us, except where
some of the bridges were still wanting for through connections,
around and below by the way of Chattanooga, back to the
basis of army supplies at Nashville. But I suppose the reha
bilitation of the army at Chattanooga had, for a long time,
required of the railroads all that they were able to perform,
and let us, who were farther on, look out for ourselves a]while
longer, as we had done ever since we had crossed the mountains
four months before. Sugar and coffee had been quite liberally
furnished us, under the circumstances, trom the commissary
department. Additional rations began to come along after a
while, though in homeopathic quantities.
The quartermaster's department was entirely behind. Of
clothing, I do not know as we had received anything in that
line up to this time, and the want of it in this cold snap began

EAST TENNESSEE. 161
to be severely felt — the more so because this cold snap hung
by us. Our tents were fixed up by banking and with fireplaces
at one side to keep us from freezing. The most of the men
were in rags at this crisis, and ,the clothing that would be
condemned and thrown away as unfit for use, had it been
possible to have it replaced, was the best that could be had for
protection from the cold. Some of the men were even bare
footed from the want of shoes. I recollect of having seen
Wallen of Co. H in that condition with deep snow on the
ground. He had a good excuse to keep within his tent, with
his companions to wait upon him. I took off part of my own
clothing and handed it over to one of our company to keep
him from freezing, though it left me in but little better plight
than were my companions. A few days afterwards I succeeded,
by paying an extra price, in replacing some of my clothing by
going over to a Pennsylvania Cavalry regiment that happened
to have some of the needfuls to spare.
Nor was the condition of the officers much better than
that of the men. Baggage transportation had been reduced so
low that few or no extras could be taken along by the officers.
When the clothing on hand had been worn out, or pretty well
strung to pieces, they had to give up their prescribed uniforms
and take up with that of a private soldier, if it could be had.
On the sixteenth the weather had moderated so far as to
admit of operations again. Cannonading was heard over to the
southeast near Dandridge, where our men captured a rebel
brigadier. Though our lines had been well maintained along
here, it was decided to withdraw towards Knoxville.
Towards morning of the seventeenth I was awakened by
the gallop of a horse through the camp, when I felt that
marching orders were in store for us and said so to my com
panions. It was from the beating of hoofs through the camp
at that unusual hour that I always seemed to realize the
reception of such orders. Nor was I often mistaken concerning
them. It was true at this time. So before daylight on the
eighteenth we were up and ready for a start.

162 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
The movement towards Knoxville was again begun by
drawing back to Strawberry Plains, where we stopped for a
few days. On the twentieth the brigade made an expedition
back to Beaver Creek, where five hundred bushels of wheat
and one hundred bushels of corn were taken from the front of
the rebels without any further fight than a little •skirmishing
with the 118th Ohio and without any loss to ourselves. In the
following night we were roused up at midnight and crossed
over the Holston river to the west side, burning the railroad
bridge we had crossed on. The rebels were too close on us to
allow them the use of the same structure to cross over also.
We then passed on to within six miles of Knoxville.
On the twenty-second the 1st brigade advanced to the
north again to assist in bringing, up the rear of the forces,
trains, etc. • On returning we found the division in line of
battle. After we, too, had joined in the line of battle, the
division began to retire towards Knoxville, followed up by the
rebel skirmishers. They were, however, held at proper distance.
In this way we made about three miles before stopping for the
night. Then our skirmishers advanced and cleared the rebels
from our front and presence. Notwithstanding this they
returned and fired upon one of our picket posts at night.
Being on the retreat the trains had gone on ahead, so that we
were without baggage and tents for several days. The weather
was mild and favorable to us, though the nights were cool,
which toned down the exposure to open air life.
On the twenty-fifth we were moved a few miles to a spot
called "Grassy Valley," about three miles north or northwest
of Knoxville, where we were told for the ten hundred and
sixtieth time that we were fettled at last in winter quarters.
The weather was fine and it foreboded better times for us.
They did, indeed, begin to dawn upon us here. Communications
had been sufficiently established with the army below, so that
we could be spared a few supplies from that direction.
Clothing was now furnished us for the' first time in five months,
and we were on our feet again in that line.

EAST TENNESSEE. 163
But, as yet, provisions seemed about as far away as ever.
The twentyJourth was Sunday, when a little wheat flour was
issued to the regiment. Nothing more was received up to the
twenty-seventh, when the regiment was suddenly called out
with forty men from the 80th Indiana, to go out as guards to a
forage train. No information was given us as to pur probable
destination, or as to the time we were expected to be gone.
Supposing that the expedition would return the same day,
nothing in the way of support was taken along. Indeed, we
had nothing to take along, for nothing had been received by
us since Sunday, three days before, and that was all used up.
So out we went, free from the burden of stocked up haversacks,
traps for cooking, and everything else but our guns.
The first sight we encountered, a few miles out, was a
murderous one, where a party of cut-throat guerrillas had
captured a small wagon train and left eight of the teamsters
dead in and around the wagons. The guerrillas were a lawless
set of cut-throats, made up of the rebel-stay-at-home element
of the country. Hanging around the outskirts of our army,
they were ever ready to pounce upon and murder every
straggler and every defenseless soldier they could find. No
quarter or mercy was ever granted to their captives by these
murderous outlaws. It was enough to seal a man's fate if he
wore the army blue, should he chance to fall in their way.
They were always skulking and ever to be found in all parts of
the country that cultured a sentiment in favor of the rebellion
and occupied by the union troops. It was by no means safe
for stragglers to wander far from the union lines without being
in danger of being picked up and slain by those merciless
murderers. Our own company 4iSd an experience towards the
close of the year from these bloody handed wretches, which is
related further on.
As we progressed on the expedition we met with a generous
people along the road who fed the hungry with the hand of
liberality. They handed out generously from their little stores,.
with greater credit to themselves than our own men retained
of virtue to adorn their good names. We were not entirely

164 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
free from a good many soldiers who, while their comrades
were being fed, did not scruple to help themselves to family
conveniences of the household, wherein charity was so well
displayed by the once persecuted people to the relief of our
needy wants. A limited line of latitude was allowed the
soldiers to satisfy the demands of hunger, that many took
advantage of, overstepped the bounds of gratitude and helped
themselves a little more freely from the good people on the
way than honesty could defend with an unblushing face. As
the march progressed and the day wore along, ' all our men
made out to get a good breakfast before it came to an end,
feeling just so much happier as we settled down for the night
after a twenty mile march, though it was one of the most
hilly lands I ever passed over.
At night a detail of men, I believe under Lieut. Howe of
Co. C, went to a neighboring grist-mill, where a quantity of
corn was found, ground up and brought to camp for supper.
It was of no great benefit to any of us, for, in the first place, I
suppose the men were all inexperienced in the work of grinding;
secondly, as a sequence, it was ground up as coarse and no
better than samp or hominy; while, to end up with, there was
scarcely a dish among the whole of us to cook it in if we
wished. There was, once in a while, a tin cup to be found in
the crowd, which had to go the rounds and served the purpose
of mixing up the feed with water, so that we could have the
chicken dough in shape for cooking. This cooking was done
after a queer sort of style. We had dropped down for the
night in a place where there was a supply of large, flat stones.
There was no trouble in getting enough of these upon which
to bake the mixture, after having heated them upon the fire
for that purpose. I got a stone heated for myself and began
to be filled with joy to see and know that I had supper -so near
at hand. As soon as I placed the cool dough upon the heated
stone, the contact of the two bodies, differing so widely in
temperature, burst the stone in pieces and threw the whole of
the stuff full into my face, as I was leaning directly over it.
While everyone else seemed to be more fortunate, it was thus

EAST TENNESSEE. 165
that I was supplied with a supper that night. It aimed to
come in the right direction, in a crude and confused sort of
style, and so prematurely that it took me rather unaware and
landed outside rather than inside the threshold. I had to be
content and get through the night the best I could, without the
shelter of a tent and with little of a supper that was hardly
eatable. It ought not to have been eaten at all, as it proved a
bad thing on me before I reached our camp again.
The next day, after a ten mile march, we reached the
Clinch river, where six of the teams were forded over and
loaded with corn, while the rest of them loaded up on the east
side. This, the aim of the journey being accomplished, we
turned back again for Knoxville and the home camp. We
made but three miles before night. I was fortunate enough
while serving out on picket that night to be stationed near a
house where some of our men got a batch of biscuits baked up;
so we succeeded, though at a late hour, in getting a pretty fair
kind of a supper to close up with.
It had been the usual custom of our men who were fond
of feasting on chicken stew — when marching through a strange
part of the country — to go out of camp after nightfall and set
up crowing so as to locate the victims of their wishes. The
custom was renewed that night soon after we went out on
picket, when a responsive answer was returned from a neigh
boring yard by the unsuspecting chap that was related to the
same family that reminded St. Peter of his tripple falsehood
about the time that his temper ran him into paroxysms of
profanity. The old fellow having answered the challenge sent
him, the challengers couldn't then back off— in fact, they
didn't wish to come down, so they moved immediately upon
his works, captured him and a portion of his crew, all of which
they brought away without any promise of exchange.
The third day out brought us back again into the home
camp near Knoxville a little before dark. It was a hard day's
march for me, though; for, living mostly upon such half cooked
or uncooked food as hominy, samp, coarse or cob-meal, as you
may be pleased to call it, was a little too much for me and

ll56 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
weakened me down to that degree, that I felt little like getting
along at all towards the end of the journey, and when I fbufld
myself near the end, I took a little more time and came in
with the stragglers. Had my food for the last two days been
highly seasoned with sand and gravel, it could not have ground
the mucous away from me more effectually than did this sharp,
unbolted corn diet. I realized something of What we have
since heard caused the death of so many of our men By
starvation while under confinement in rebel prisons. Such
food, even if sufficient in quantity — the more the worse for it,
as. it was conditioned so as to waste the powers of digestion —
could not furnish the necessary nourishment tp meet the
demands of nature and save the system in a wholesome and
sanitary condition. I dwell upon the subject thus much to
illustrate through my own experience a scene that came before
us more than a year later.
It was the usual custom, when the military situation would
permit, to locate our camps in reference to a convenience for
plenty of good water. This might be good or bad, but plenty
of water first, if it could be had; the quality, a secondary
consideration. The present camp in "Grassy Valley" was near
a good stream of water, where we helped ourselves ahd steeped
our beverage of coffee from it. It was not long, however,
after we began to use it, before a stroll up stream revealed the
fact that many a dead mule lay in the current and had been
washed over by the tide that was flowing down bythe point
where we had made use of it. Otherwise, to characterize our
drinkables with the proper term, we had the diluted extract of
the mulish carcasses with which to flavor up our coffee. We
had experienced similar conditions too many times before,
though, to be very much astonished at the situation in this
instance, and bettered the matter as well as we could.
The dead-rhuleism had become a familiar thing to us.
The severity of the mules' life in the East Tennessee campaign
had proved' to be too much for the hardy nature of the
animals, and a large number of them in the army service
succumbed to fHe hardships ahd severities of the war. They

EAST TENNESSEE. 167
were used up at a fearful percentage in supplying the army of
occupation with their needs and maintenance. What little could
be transported to the army had to come over a mountainous road
two hundred miles or more from its base. It was said that the
road was profusely strewn for its full length with the carcasses
of animals that had dropped to earth from exhaustion, had to
be abandoned and left to die by the wayside. If. I am not
mistaken, congress had forbidden the use of any army appro
priations to carry on the war to be expended in building of
new railroads with which to carry forward the military opera
tions. And right on this line out of Kentucky, over or through
the mountains into East Tennessee, it was of the greatest
importance that there should have been a railroad to supply
the northern forces there. As it was, the slower, more uncertain
and more expensive mode of mule transportation had to
answer the call. It was estimated that the loss of mules
-alone, could they have been saved, would have been, sufficient
to have built and equipped a railroad for the whole distance.
This was a dead loss to the government at the time and a
heavy item in the expense of warfare. But if the cost of the
railroad had been as much at the time, yet the property in the
road would have been left at the end of the war as a redemption
upon sale, so far as it would go for that cost or expense.
FEBRUARY, 1864.
Similar to the corresponding month of one year ago — that
being the shortest, month in the year — brings me likewise into
the relative one of my story. The times were correspondingly
quiet, so I have less to say. For the first full half of the month
nothing but several ¦ movements of 'camp occurred to vary the
usual routine of camp life, or to vary the monotony of its usual
routine of duties. Those movements were kept up from time
to time until the nineteenth, when we found ourselves located
on the river flats- east of the city and on the banks of the
Holston. In the meantime the weather had become pretty
cold, freezing the ground about eight inches deep.
More changes among the higher commanding officers also
took place about this time. Gen. Schofield had been given the

168 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
command of the department; Gen. Stoneman to the 23rd Army
corps, though he had charge of the department a few days,
previous to the arrival of Schofield; and Gen. Judah to the
division. The two former generals were both new to us, but
Gen. Judah .had been with us a year before at Bowling Green,
and we had also been under his command at Green river in the
previous month of June. He was of a stern military cast and
seemingly possessed of a good deal of ambition for a military
reputation. Nor was he a very agreeable officer for the volun
teers under his orders. Schofield was with the 23rd Army corps
from this time on till the end of the war, with but little
reduction for absence. The other two will be disposed of as
the time comes along to consider them and their services.
We had no sooner become settled in camp and were
consoling ourselves to have an opportunity to warm up from
the cold, when the higher authorities decided to build an
additional fort on the heights near by and called out our
brigade to do the work. It was not an agreeable matter for
contemplation, yet, at the same time, it proved to be an
agreeable item of industry to ourselves, as the weatheV had
become so cold that the exercise with pick and shovel was a
necessity to keep up the internal fires, supplied or fed within
by but a scanty force of rations from without.
It was on the nineteenth that the 25th fell in with the
whole brigade and nearly completed the fort on that day. It
was a hard and tiresome piece of work, but the men worked
with a good will all day from choice; as to slack up into
idleness was to freeze up, while steady work, interlarded with
the usual amount of story telling, was a necessity to keep up
the standard heat of the body.
The work had gone forward to the' satisfaction of the
engineer with such vigor and rapidity that the commissary
was called upon for a contribution of whiskey to keep up the1
spirits of the men. A barrel of the " spirits " was accordingly
rolled up for the benefit of the workers, and was hailed by
them with a spirit of joy as a fit companion of the times.
Lieut. Frisbie of Co. F had charge of the barrel of whiskey, to

EAST TENNESSEE. 169
dole or butler it around. He had the men pass up in line as
the most approved system for each to take his turn at the
stimulant. The most of them were satisfied with the snap a
single cup gave them, and when taken returned to the work
again; but in every crowd there is always a good percentage
of men who will, if they can, take a second or third draft of
the cheerful element when it can be had just as easy as not (if
not a little easier in such a case as this). This crowd had its
own good percentage for the occasion. The best lovers of the
good thing, when passing off at the head after having been
served, bethought themselves of old boyhood school days
when they left off head in the spelling class and took their
place at the foot to go up again. The simile came right in
here, when they fell in a second or third time at the foot of
the line, empty cup in hand, and passed up for another allow
ance. Of course, they got it; but the effect soon began to
,show on them in a lively style. I cautioned the lieutenant as
to the repeaters who were coming up — but he knew his
business, the better as he was in a parallel race neck and
neck with them himself, and knew too much for the truth of
his work. He replied that he knew every man who came up
and there was no man who could cheat him by a second
application. He thus went on doling out to every man who
came up in the line whose credential was an empty cup,
whether first, second, or third time. I don't know how long
the matter ran on in this style, not staying to see whether the
barrel, the line of men or the lieutenant was exhausted first,
as it seemed to be reduced to a question of the longest
endurance of one of the three. But I do know that on return
to camp late at night we were surrounded by a lively set of
fellows till worried down for the want of sleep.
Gen. Judah, to acquaint himself with his new command,
had a brigade inspection on the second day after, and on the
day following the inspection half of the 25th was called out to
help finish up the fortification. This, and even the whole, of it,
was "love's labor lost," for the work might as well have never
been done, as the fort never came into any use. We no sooner

170 TWF.NTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
came into camp at night after the last day's labor than we
received orders to start out again in the morning.
There was a general forward movement made again at
daylight on the morning of the twenty-fourth, and we went up
in the neighborhood of Strawberry Plains, together with the
Sth and part of the 4th Army Corps. The weather had begun
to moderate and became pleasant while we lay in camp till the
27th, when the army began to cross over the Holston and took
up that day and the twenty-eighth in doing so. Then, on the
twenty-ninth, we moved ten miles further up through the rain
and mud to New Market, which place we reached after dark.
Here Gen. Judah directed the adjutant of the 25th to send
a company as guards to the headquarters of Gen. Stoneman.
Capt. Childs was not up with his company, but somewhere
behind, I do not know where or how far back, while I was
selected with the company for the post and reported there
immediately. The general had taken up his headquarters in a
set of buildings, so that for the rainy time the appointment
was very acceptable for myself and company, instead of having
to shift as well as we could for a camp at such a time and after
dark. He also informed me that he should keep us with him
permanently as body guards.
The general was very courteous and gentlemanly and
insisted so urgently upon my taking supper with him that I
could not very well decline to do so. I had a seat by his side,
not only then but was continued in his mess thereafter. He
had the gift of an entertaining and intelligent conversation,
and his "table de hote" was of the most agreeable kind. His
two aids.Capts. Keogh and Wadsworth, were likewise gentlemen
of the first class.
MARCH, 1864.
March opened up with a rain which was kept up steadily
all day. It did not, however, prevent a forward movement of
twelve miles to Panther Springs before halting for the night.
If was not cold and my shoes and the lower part of my pants
had become so heavily saturated with mud and water that, to

EAST TENNESSEE. 171
cleanse myself before setting in for the night, I plunged knee
deep into a little stream close by our halting place and there
washed them without removal, waiting for them to dry uport
me as well as they would. Armies sometimes move in a
mysterious way their objects to perform, and so it happened at
this time with us. All, or nearly all of the army of occupation
was here in this advance when, on the next day, a retrograde
movement was begun. We moved back about three miles and
enqamped until after dark, then started on backward again.
As guards, myself ahd company attended the headquarter's
baggage train. In the rush, jam and confusion attendant upon
such moves in the dark, one of the wagons got lost among the
army wagon trains. I set out alone to find it, and after a long
time succeeded in my object, and so remained with this wagon
the rest of the night. An all night march with the army, as
might be expected, works up a good deal of confusion in the
absence of any intelligent orders directing the course of the
march. A considerable share of the trains krtew not where to
stop and so continued on to New Market, while the main body
of the army halted at Mossy Creek. The wagon in company
with myself Went forward to New Market, which took till
daylight. With daylight came a knowledge of the situation",
when we returned four miles to headquarters and settled down
in camp again.
Up to this time Capt. Childs, the head of the company,
had failed to join us, but remained with the regiment and left
me in command of the company at headquarters of the army
corps." He was uneasy and dissatisfied; however. I presume
that the regimental commander was not aware, whert I was
sent to headquarters of the army corps, that it was for any
other purpose than a temporary one, and upon finding out that
I did not return again after serving such a detail, centered his
feelings upon mej as afterwards appeared and soon to be
related. Well, Capt. Childs, instead of joining the company and
claiming his right of command, remained with the regiment,
and perhaps imbibed the regimental feelings for the absence oT"

172 , TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
his compay, which had been detailed, as he thought, away
from him. So, one morning, over he came from not far away,
sword in hand, and announced that he had a right to his
company and had come to take it back to the regiment. I
replied that as he was an officer superior to me, that it was not
in my authority to prevent him from doing so, if he was
determined upon such a course of action. But as I and the
company were there by orders of Gen. Stoneman, commanding
the army corps, such a move upon his part might place him in
a situation of a more serious nature than I should choose to
get into myself. Upon a little reflection his excitement cooled
down and he returned to the regiment without the company.
Had it been agreeable to his mind, his rights were to have
remained with his company. He did not choose to do so.
Being now in a sort of retirement, he was placed on a board of
court-martial and continued there until after the return ofthe.
company to its place in the regiment again.
In November last 1 mentioned the absence of Col. Moore.
He had been gone all winter and we knew not why. The
passage of time brought us no definite news until the fourth of
this month, when we learned that he had been discharged
from the army for disability to serve in the field. The regiment
regretted this, loss as a misfortune and would, with a complete
unanimity, have worked up his restoration to his command
again, had not his absence caused the matter to be laid aside
for a while.
Another forward movement, and the last one for the season,
was made up the valley on the twelfth. I suppose the enemy
was before us at the time, and was ready , to back up as we
advanced and follow us up again as we drew back. No
demonstration had been, made on either side for a long time
past other than forward and retrograde movements. It seemed'
as if, by a preconcerted movement for the two past months,
this had been the mysterious mode of conducting movements
on either side. When either side was ready to advance, the
other appeared to be ready to back up — something like a
sham battle where both sides were under the direction of one

EAST TENNESSEE. 173
head. The rebels were well up in front of us but no fighting
was offered. We marched 17 miles to Morristown and halted.
This was the farthest point we outed ourselves beyond
Knoxville while in East Tennessee. The enemy fronted us a
few miles above at Bull's Gap. I think that the whole army
of occupation moved up to Morristown. The weather began
to taper down from the winter blasts to the approach of
spring, so as to become somewhat oppressive for a' march
under pressure of heavy winter clothing. It was not yet late
enough in the season that anyone felt he could spare or leave
off any of his surplus clothing. Thus the overcoats and all
other camping equipage was carried along under the growing
heat of the sun at the expense of being overheated, and much
straggling was the "result.
It was on this march that I first met with what I should
say were professional stragglers. There were two of them and
were, I suppose, in one accord with each other. They had no
guns, and in lieu thereof had as much baggage as they both
wanted to carry, strung on poles and carried along ad tandem
between them. Their command was somewhere along ahead
of them; they knew not how far, neither did they care. If
they could only take care of themselves and not fall behind
the extreme rear, and then catch up by night, or some time in
the night, they would be satisfied just as well. If any of the
remains of forage escaped those in advance, they generally
improved the opportunity of picking up what they wanted of
the same free from molestation. Without their guns, these
professionals were tugging under all the loads they were able
to carry, and had a harder time of it than if they had been
marching in the ranks where they belonged. And this was
the way they played the "Old Soldier," much more agreeable
to them than the real one.
It was the practice of Gen. Stoneman and his two aids,
Capts. Keogh and Wadsworth, to tent or room by themselves
at headquarters, as the army was settled at rest or in camp,
while the remainder of the staff were grouped elsewhere — the
two sections being united only at mess. In the second group

174 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
was Lieut. Col. Hartsuff, Inspector General of the 23rd Army
corps, and who was, I believe, the ranking senior officer in the
group- — the others being of a lesser rank. He had been, and
probably was at that time, only a captain in the 10th Michigan
Infantry, (see Michigan in the war) but perhaps called tp his
present position by his brother, the general, who, at the
organization of the 23rd Army corps, was appointed to its
command, taking him from his own regiment to .fill the place.
But for the reason of his kinship he would not, in all probabil
ity, have been there. This is my inference only. Had the
authority been with me, it was just as natural to have done the
same thing, though his, regiment had never been in service in
that military department.
This much only to preface and show how officious anyone
can make himself in making a disturbance or inroad upon the
harmless amusement of others. Among those present one
evening were Dr. A. M. Wilder, of Boston, the medical directpr
of the army corps; Major Bascom, of Cincinnati, the adjutant
general; Lieut. Schofield, of Cleveland,, the engineer; and one
or two others, including Lieut. Miller of the 79th Illinois, the
commissary. A quartette of these were engaged in a game of
whist to pass away the time, as a relish to conversation; while,
as for myself, I was engaged in a perusal of the first number of
The United States Service Magazine. Col. Hartsuff sat tipped
back in his chair, in the full enjoyment of his pipe. * The game
had proceeded a little while with a satisfied good feeling among
the players, and a social good feeling reigned supreme all
around, when, all at once, Col. Hartsuff broke into the line
with an unwarranted interference, ordered the cards to be laid
aside, gave a lecture on the immorality of the game, and said
that he wouldn't have any more of it played in his presence.
It was probably in his nature to make himself over-officious,
for he was in a company where his office or rank gave him no
command at that particular hour; and, as it was a matter of
moral control and not one of discipline, he pushed himself
entirely beyond his sphere in the situation, as a paragon of
morality and good manners. Then, at the same time, he

EAST TENNESSEE. 175
turned to Dri Wilder and asked him questions on the nature of
anatomy and physiology too indecent to be proposed to the
gentlemanly person queried and for the exalted company that
honored his presence. The gentlemanly conduct of those who
were thus reproved was shown by quietly laying aside the
cards without a word, and thereby in concert giving a silent
rebuke to this overbearing intruder upon their harmless amuse
ment. He did not seem to appreciate the contempt that the
submission in silence gave to his action. In the time that I
was associated in the mess at headquarters, I cannot recall a
single instance of elevated or refined conversation that emanated
from him; but, on the contrary, much that was coarse and
vulgar. Morristown was the most advanced position that was held
by our forces and was destined to be of short duration. On
the eighteenth, a retrograde movement was made to Mossy
Creek, where we were settled down again as an army of
observation. We formed an outlying line for the preservation
of the base of operation at Knoxville from attack of Long-
street, who was still in force just above us. He was seemingly
content to present a front without any hostile demonstration.
Here we remained the rest of the month.
Col. Moore returned at this time. As I have previously
said, he had been .discharged from the service, but had become
tired of the enforced idleness and wished his old place again.
The 25th echoed his wish, and signed a petition for his restor
ation, the result of which will be mentioned hereafter.
Up to this time the war had been carried on in a desultory
manner, with the country divided in departments, each with a
commander who was to crush the rebellion in his own district,
without concerted action of his colleagues. In this business
there seemed to be but little concert or harmony of action.
As the war progressed, the business was becoming more and
more centralized, and now, after three years' duration, there
was a universal feeling that the year 1864 ought to bring the
war to a close. It was time, too, that there should be but one
head to the army at Washington in order to regulate the

176 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
various armies in the field for acting in unison. The Secretary
of War had with him there, Gen. Halleck, the senior major
general, acting as geheral-in-chief to direct the movements of
the union armies. He was an eminent military chieftain and
possessed of a high degree of capacity, besides being an
eminent writer and commentator on military law. Yet he had
a very serious drawback which neutralized a considerable share
of his usefulness in the execution of the duties of his office.
It was the hesitation with which he assumed the responsibilities
as commander-in-chief. It was known that often, when a
department commander would ask permission to make a
feasible move, Halleck shrank at" the responsibility and
denied the request. But another star had now risen, that
shrank from nothing. He had risen to a lofty eminence in
military affairs by the innate qualities he possessed to fit him
for such a place. There was a prevalent feeling that he alone
should have the entire guidance of the armies, directing all
movements against the enemy in unison. He had always been
victorious and steadily gained in territory wherever his arms
had been borne against the foe. Gen. U. S. Grant was how the
man of the hour and the nation claimed him as its redeemer.
On February 26, Congress had passed a law reviving the
grade of lieutenant general, and left .the appointment of that
office to the President. A fear arose that he would appoint
Gen. Halleck, but four days later he called Grant t,o Washing
ton and gave him the position. A wise selection had been
made of this great captain to restore and present for consol
idation the murdered liberties of an agonized but hopeful
nation. We now believed that a concentrated movement
would be made, and it was rumored that the troops in East
Tennessee would go further south for the summer operations,
though still confronted by Longstreet on the north and east,
but it was now well understood by men of good military judg
ment that he would not remain there much longer, as Lee
would soon be put to the test and recall him to aid in the
defense of Richmond. Then, a nominal force was all that
would be needed for the occupation of this part of the seat of

EAST TENNESSEE. 177
war. Nothing definite was known, but it was felt that the East
Tennessee campaign had been a success, and that if our section
of the army was to be of further use, it must be employed in
some other field.
Some brigade changes were made about this time. The
16th Kentucky had been sent home on a veteran furlough, and
the 13th Kentucky was taken from the 2d Brigade and
assigned to the 1st, to fill the vacancy. The transfer of the
13th was to give Col. Hobson, the senior officer, command of
the 1st Brigade. APRIL, 1864.
The initiation of the expected movements was begun on
April 3, by relieving Gen. Stoneman of the command of the
23rd Army Corps and assigning him to the command of all the
cavalry in the west. This was, perhaps, a very good appoint
ment, as his dashing , spirit found infantry too tame. His
nature was too wild and restless to be satisfied with anything
short of the cavalry dash, and was at that time major of the
4th U. S. Cavalry. Gen. Cox. of the 3d Division, was given
temporary command of the 23rd Army Corps. Thus the head
quarters was transferred from Mossy Creek to Knoxville, but
the army remained in the same position for some time. Several
days were occupied in moving headquarters, and on the elev
enth, after an absence of forty-two days, our company returned
to the 25th.
This absence formed a very agreeable episode in our term
of service. Though we might have served the cause more
effectually in the regiment, the only regret was that, the duty
had riot continued longer.
Conditions were improving. Communications had been
opened by railroad with the army below, so that our formerly
half-starved forces were now well fed and clothed. The cam
paign had passed with but little military movements beyond
the marching done for the security of Knoxville. Drilling by
company, regiment and brigade was now carried on each day.
From the time of leaving Kentucky the summer before,
until now, the regiment1 was commanded by Capt. Demarest.

178

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

HENRY NEWTON. (1863.)
Sergeant Co. B.
Now of Centralia, Washington.

Col. Orcutt had been on board
of court martial most of that
time, and now rejoined us, taking
the command. Having been
absent so long, he was unused
to the field movements and
required a little assistance dur
ing battalion drill. However,
when a regiment is in a brigade,
or a brigade in a division, it
is but a small item to keep it in
line under superior orders.
Many others returned during
April, who had been on detached
service, as convalescents, or
for other reasons. Among the
former were Lieut, Slayton and brother, Chester M., of Co.
B, having been in the engineer's department in the District
of Kentucky. Capt. McAllister, assistant engineer in the
Department of the Ohio, had inspected the fortifications
around Munfordsville and decided to level the old ones on the
south side, and erect a new system of works on the north side
of Green River. He applied to Gen. Hobson, commander of
the post, and he to Col. Moore, for some one to take charge of
the erection of the new fortifications. Lieut. A. W. Slayton,.
of Co. B, was selected and reported to Gen. Hobson. Going
over the grounds with the assistant engineer, the works - were
soon planned and the labor began without delay, details of
men being furnished from the garrison.
The 25th left Munfordsville on January 10, 1863, when
Lieut. Slayton made an application for relief, that he might
go with it, but neither that nor the intercession of Col. Moore
could induce Gen. Boyle, the district commander, to permit
his return to the regiment. He remained there until the com
pletion of the works in November, much of the time being too
blind to determine slopes and measurements, except by feeling.
In May, his brother, Chester M. Slayton, was detailed to assist

EAST TENNESSEE. 179
him as topographical surveyor and draughtsman. The result
of their labors was: Fort Terrible, 7 guns; Fort Willrich, 11
guns and one barbette; Battery Hale, 4 guns; Battery Slayton,
5 guns, with a magazine in each and a large storage magazine.
In addition to these, there was thrown up three hundred yards
of. infantry parapet, with the construction of two thousand
yards of rifle trenches, when topographical maps of all were
made for the War Department. In 1885, these fortifications
were the only ones mentioned by the railroads, between the
Ohio and the mouth of the Mississippi, as being preserved and
worthy of a visit. The old works of the previous battle in
September were then leveled down, that no shelter would be
afforded the enemy in case of another attack. His duties accom
plished here, he was transferred to Camp Nelson, Kentucky,
in December, 1863, as assistant engineer and acting quarter
master of the engineer's department. His brother was detailed
to survey and map out the surrounding cduntry.
Gen. Judah was a strict military man and with fair calcula
tions, but an order issued by him at this time seemed a little
unfair. It had no serious consequences, more than an extra
expense to the soldier. The warm weather was now approaching.
The men had been recently supplied with enough clothing to
satisfy all their needs. The prospect of hot weather and a
march before them, made them anxious to dispose of a part of
what they had, rather than draw an additional supply, but the
general did not seem to be so well satisfied as they with the
prospective situation. He probably had been informed as to
the destination of his division, and if communications should
be disturbed, it might not be possible to replace the worn-puts
as the campaign advanced. He therefore, on April 21, issued
orders for every man to be supplied with extras; to be doubly
clothed except overcoats. This was felt to be too much for
the men, and in most cases they refused to receipt for the
surplus. In our company the captain allowed the men to take
only what they pleased, but the captain of Co. D enforced the
order as far as possible. It was wrong to make the men take
and pay for clothing they were unable to carry, with the heavy

180

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

loads they already had on
their shoulders. Some was
cast by the wayside a few
days after, as a measure of
relief. Preparations for greater
activity were hastening to
completion. The brigade
was being reorganized by the
consignment of the 3d and
6th Tennessee and 99th Ohio
regiments, in place of the
13th Kentucky and those
that had been with us. Jos
eph A. Cooper, of the 6th
Tennessee, being the senior
colonel, now took charge of
the brigade.
The war notes were now
sounded for what proved to be
the year of battles, and the march to the southward was started
on the twenty-sixth. The division made about a hundred
miles in five days, camping on the thirtieth near Charleston,
on the banks of the Hiawassee river. The weather was very
warm and the long march told severely on the overloaded and
unseasoned men. I kept in the line, but my feet were very sore
at the end of the march. Fully half the men would straggle
behind during the day and regain their place at night. It was
reported that not less than four men had dropped dead on
the road in their efforts to keep in line.
Although it was a matter of discipline to keep the men
well together while on the march, it was not the custom to
keep the ranks very well closed up. The men were allowed to
march at will, take to the sides of the road and even over the
fences and into the fields to avoid the stifling dust of the beaten
track. In fact, on a forced march many would straggle, in
spite of all that could be done.

ASA W. SLAYTON. (181
Lieutentant Co. B.
Now of Grand Rapids.

EAST TENNESSEE.

181

Gen. Schofield was in command of the Department of the
Ohio, all the troops being in the 23d Army Corps. Two
divisions, the 2d and 3d, were all the visibly assembled troops
making for the campaign. The 1st Division and what other
troops might be in. the army corps were on garrison duty,
scattered through the department. The 2d and 3d Divisions
were about to leave the department with Gen. Schofield per
sonally in charge for the summer's campaign. Gen. Judah was
in command of the 2d Division and Gen. Cox of the 3d. The
25th Michigan was in the 1st Brigade of the 2d Division.

WILLIAM T. SHERMAN.
Colonel. 13th U. S. Infantry, 1861; Brigadier Gen
eral, August, 1861; Major General, May 5,
1862. Lieutenant General, March,
1869, and later, General of the
United States Armies.
Died February 14, 1891.

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SHERMAN'S ROUTE TO ATLANTA.

Drawn and executed for The Story of the Twenty-fifth Michigan, by C. A. Williams, Ealamazoo, Michigan.

ATLANTA. 183

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MAY, 1864.
The year 1864 was the year of battles — battles of heavy
blows, and many of them of the most sanguinary nature. Up
to this time the war had raged for three years with varying
success; but, on the whole, in favor of the union arms in the
west, and, as it might be said, "which and 'tother" in the east.
Vast gains of territory had been made by the union arms, and
yet the vital partsnof the rebellion still reposed in gigantic
strength. That great monster of slave power, clothed in its
armed mail of rebellion, showed a massive and defiant front.
It was comparable with one of those huge creatures of the
¦ reptilian period in the earth's history, which geological writers
are pleased to describe as brutes of immense proportions,
fiercely armed with teeth and claws for aggressive warfare
upon their saurian companions. Its front was still at Richmond,
with head sufficiently erect to overlook and threaten the city
of Washington, while its body extended south and west,- with
its tail in Texas and Arkansas.
The campaign of the previous year had not been successful
enough to dislodge the head of this infernal brute from the
first position taken. But its body had been rolled over and off
the Apalachian Chain to the eastward and southward, where it
lay in safety under shelter of that natural and topographical
defense. It is true that its tail had been severed from its body
at the Mississippi by the capture of Vicksburg the summer
before. Yet, like the most of its half sensible confrere brutes,

184 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
it seemed to preserve enough vitality in its tail to survive the
death of the body. To capture and annihilate the monster
demanded efforts • of the greatest proportions. Two points
were offered upon which to concentrate the chief weights of
attack. All other movements were only feints or notions to
attract the attention of the beast. Gen. Grant had assigned
himself the part to confront this mighty creature at its very
jaws, snatch out its teeth and cut off its head, while he had ,
imposed upon Sherman the task of moving against its body,
scratch the scales from its back, disembowel it, and thus
neutralize the strength therein necessary to support an active
head. Richmond and Atlanta were now the two great strongholds
of the rebellion. The former was the seat of the confederate
'power; the other was the central position from which the
rebellion was able to marshal its forces with a large- share of
the munitions of war. It was a great base for operations,
midway in the rebellious territory. They were both chief
centers for the manufacture of war material, in support of the
rebel armies. Hence, to capture these two points was to
capture the rebellion itself. While the army of the Potomac
was to move on to Richmond, Sherman was likewise to make
the assault on Atlanta at the same time.
After Grant's appoirtment to the Lieutenant-Generalship,
he took his station in the field with the army of the Potomac.
He placed Sherman in charge of the Division of the Mississippi,
necessarily vacated by him on assuming command of the
entire union armies. He busied himself immediately to perfect
a plan of campaign for the summer. Preparations on a grander
scale than in any previous year were now made to bring the
rebellion to a close and an end to the war. Sherman was
directed to make use of all his available troops and have them
concentrated for action by the fifth of May.
That portion of the enemy against which Sherman was
assigned to move was commanded by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston,
and lay in strong force among the rough and broken lands of
northern Georgia. It had a strong position just in advance of

ATLANTA. 185
Dalton, commanding the gateway on the route leading from
Chattanooga to Atlanta. It was directly in his front that
Sherman marshalled his hosts for the coming struggle. It was
made up of three grand armies; that of the Cumberland, com
manded by Gen. Thomas; that of the Tennessee, commanded
by Gen. McPherson, and that of the Ohio, commanded by
Gen. Schofield. The nominal and actual strength of all these
armies is here given.
Since writing the first draft of the text I have had a sight
of "Chase's Life of Sherman," from which I have obtained the
following figures, and am enabled to give them here, which I
do to illustrate a point to be called up hereafter.
At this time the strength of the army of the Cumberland
was as follows : —
Present and absent  171,450
Present for duty  88,885
Of the Tennessee —
Present and absent  134,7.65
Present for duty  64,957
Of the Ohio— •
Present and absent  46,052
Present for duty.  26,242
Tcital present and absent  352,265
Total present for duty   180,082
A large portion of the country that had been under the
dominion of the rebel arms at the outset of the war had been
captured by those armies, and to hold the captured territory
and maintain the long lines of communications of the advancing
forces, required of itself a very large percentage of them.
Consequently the force to be marshalled for the advance and
battle back the foe was very inferior in numbers to the totals
in comparison; less than one-third for the fighting line.
The grand army of the campaign was made up by the
Army of the Cumberland  60,775
" " Tennessee  24,465
Ohio  13,559.
Or, in whole numbers  98,797

186 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
men, with 254 pieces of artillery. Fully 10,000 men of this
number were absent at the beginning, being at their homes on
veteran furlough, but returned soon after the opening of the
campaign. The 17th Army Corps was also absent at the
beginning of active operations. Three divisions of cavalry,
under Generals Stoneman, Garrard and McCook, added 10,000
to 12,000 men more.
The army of the Cumberland was* made up of the 4th
Army Corps, commanded by Gen. Howard; the 14th Army
Corps, commanded by Gen. Palmer, and the 20th Army Corps,
commanded by Gen. Hooker.
The army of the Tennessee was made up of the 15th
Army Corps, commanded by Gen. Logan; the 16th Army
Corps, two divisions only, commanded by Gen. Dodge, and
the 17th Army Corps, commanded by Gen. Blair.
The army of the Ohio was made up of the 23rd Army
Corps, commanded by Gen. Schofield. The 1st division of
the army of the Ohio did not join it until near, or at the end
of the campaign, and several divisions of the army of the
Tennessee were not with it at all. This grand army was
organized, first, by brigades; second, by divisions; third, by
army corps; fourth, by grand divisions, and fifth and last, into
one grand army of itself — thus giving five general grades of
command. It is not so easy to give the strength of the rebel army.
I have learned from several statements that it was the custom
of those in authority to report the-strength of their armies only
by the number of guns carried by the men, leaving out officers
and others not in the fighting line, but whose services were
just as essential in making up the totals of a perfect army.
Gen. Lee had directed his subordinates to make no report of
their strength when about to go into battle,, that their oppo
nents might not gain information as to their numbers. But
there is one fact apparently certain; in most of the rebel
statements concerning the battles of the war there has been a
tendency to magnify the deeds of their own side and belittle
those upon ours. They think they win their victories with

ATLANTA. 187
inferior numbers, while in many battles they appeared in over
whelming force. I am inclined to believe, from a statement in
the Century magazine of March, 1892, page 792, and from other
information, that almost always they had a larger force than
they admitted. I find another feature that has characterized
the reports of subordinate rebel generals, that gives them a
tendency of fighting at smaller odds, wherein some of them
have delayed their reports of action until after the report of
the commanding general was sent to the higher authorities.
Thus their reports in such cases could not include all the
losses. This was the case with a rebel brigadier engaged in
the battle of Gettysburg, who said he did not make out his
report until November, four months after the battle.
Facts are stubborn things and when supported by histori
cal evidence, furnish proofs that are not to be trifled with.
Before the narrative of the Atlanta campaign is finished, I
hope to present enough historical facts, besides my own obser
vations, to convince the reader that bravery, valor, patriotism
arid endurance were not altogether on the side of the rebellion.
The rebel writer, Pollard, claims all the chivalry for their side,
which we might be generous enough to concede, seeing that
such a qualification is an insignificant factor in gaining a victory.
Gen. Johnston says that he had with him on the morning
of April 30, 42,856 men and 112 pieces of artillery. This was
at Dalton. But he does not make a further statement, that a
few days afterwards and before the first great battle of the
campaign at Resaca, May 14 and 15, he was joined by an addi
tional army corps which, reports show, swelled his army to
71,235 men. He also says that he had but 2,392 cavalry.
However true that may be, he must have had large accessions
soon after, for he was able to send Gen. Wheeler, with 6,000
men, on a raid before the summer was over.
Everything considered, the rebels had the advantage, for
they were at home with a base of supplies at hand, while the
union army was five hundred miles from its base, and required
a large force to keep communications open. These were factors
to be considered in pushing aggressive military operations into

188 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
an enemy's country, these factors adding just as much to the
safety of the foe. Scouts and spies in their own country could
operate safely on the rebel side, but the union spies c<3uld only
gain information at the risk of their life. If the foe should be
crowded back, the guards of communication would repair the
losses, while the victorious army would be weakened as it made
progress, in supplying guards for the same purpose.
Gen. Sherman now proposed to conquer one hundred
miles more into the very heart of the rebellion, more beset
with natural difficulties than the country just passed. Battle
and disease weakened his army considerably. Being in the
enemy's country, he had to keep the men well together to
save the constant picking off and the capture of small squads
or individual soldiers by the ever watchful enemy. The hills
and mountains coveted the movements of the rebels, who
could easily throw a large force of cavalry across Sherman's
line of communications and destroy them indefinitely if not too
closely engaged in their immediate front. The one very
important advantage in favor of the rebels was that their
country was mostly covered with woods and thinly settled, a
fact which helped them greatly in maneuvering for a victory.
Gen. Johnston underrated these advantages when he said
that he would have gladly exchanged them for an equality of
numbers, so that he could meet the foe upon an equal footing.
Though he was a careful, considerate and consummate general,
inferior to none in the service of the confederacy, yet I do not
think he employed these advantages as well as he could have
done. He might have. placed one offset against that branch of
inaction, in that he had a force in his front who continually
pressed him so hard that he had but little time to plan and
execute a movement that would check its advance. With
such natural and. artificial odds to contend with, it required a
man of superior generalship to successfully conduct the
proposed Atlanta campaign.
But there was a combination of elements entering into the
make-up and outfit of the army of loyal soldiers that gave con
fidence and assurance to its commander. It was a well tried

ATLANTA. 189
well disciplined, well seasoned and a well officered army. It
was more accustomed to victory than to defeat. It was well
supplied- with the most powerful equipments and improved
appliances of modern warfare. Patriotism and bravery added
to the momentum of its strength. Nor was anything less to be
said of the other side. It was a case of Greek against Greek
with no discount for the tug of war. Each proved to be
worthy of the other's steel.
Grant and Sherman had consulted together and formed
the plans of the Richmond and Atlanta campaigns with each
other. They were determined to keep the main bodies of the
rebels so far on the defensive that neither. could give tem
porary relief to the other, nor have time for any false demon
stration in any other part of the field of warfare, except at the
cost of a ruinous defeat. Grant had set the fifth of May for a
forward and a simultaneous movement. . Each was ready and
started promptly at the appointed time.
Our line of march was taken up again on the third of May,
when we passed through Cleveland and on towards Dalton,
making about seventeen miles, when, on the day following, we
reached Red Clay station just over the Georgia line. It was
here that we began to feel the presence of the enemy we were
soon destined to meet. General McLean took command of
the brigade on the fifth. After a halt of three days we were
moved about twelve miles toward Ringgold, and were now
finally joined .n and swallowed up in that vast army that was
now ready for action, and had pushed itself up against the
front of the foe. It was at this halting place that. an impressive
incident in the service occurred. Going by Co. B on the fifth
I saw a man lying on the ground in the hot sun in the agonies
of the death struggle. There was just then no hospital help
for him near at hand, and how long he had to lay there without
help I do not know. Mr. Slayton's diary of May 6 says:
"Edward McLain got to the Co. from a visit home on furlough
on Monday last and marched with us Tuesday and Wednesday,
was taken sick at night; was pretty sick yesterday, and at
midnight died of congestive fever." Such a case as this bids us
commiserate with him who yields his life to patriotic duty.

190 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN. .
At this position we were about nine miles from Dalton,
• but on the eighth we of the 23d Corps were moved to within
six miles of Dalton and near the north end of Rocky Face
Ridge. This was a ridge of land running north and south of
an elevation of probably six hundred feet, and perhaps more
where it found its highest point at "Buzzard Roost," as seen
from the northern end. It was easy of ascent from the north,
and though it was. covered' With small trees and bushes along
its sides to the top, there was a good path wide enough for the
troops to file along its narrow crest. The path took up the
whole width of the ridge at the top, which was so peaked that
one might stand in the center of the road and jump either way
far down its sides.
Behind or east of the ridge the rebel army had lain a long
time in secure repose. It was a safe position to hold against a
very superior force. Here the campaign was to be opened
and a trial of strength and tactics to be had.. The advance
towards the rebel lines was made on Sunday, the eighth day of
May, slowly and continuously, by skirmishing and taking up
of new positions. At times the artillery was brought into
requisition to secure ourselves a place. A short time before
night we had gained the north end or foot of the ridge, began
the ascent and moved a considerable distance along its top
towards Buzzard Roost. I do not know how much of the
division was up ahead of us, but the 25th had a position in line
that took it fully half a mile on the ridge from the north and
where it set down fof the night. Knowing that the hostile
armies were on either side of us, it was not safe to venture
from our place excepting to the westward. To get supper,
water had to be sought in that direction if had at all. So, as
soon as we halted, I set out after water, and had a long and
steep journey to get it. But I had the satisfaction of enjoying
the usual supper in this forbidding place, after which we lay
down as best we could for the night, with the blazing camp
fires of both armies in full view on either side of us.
.Frqm this elevated position an excellent view of the
country below, upon either side, was before us, the rebels on

ATLANTA. 191
one side and the Unions on the other, whose fires in both
directions revealed at night the. location of their respective
camping grounds.
At about noon of the eighth, General McLean massed his
brigade and read a dispatch announcing the successful move
ment of the Army of the Potomac against the rebel army in
the east, on the fourth and fifth, in a heavy battle in which our
side was the victor. This was an item of good cheer in sup
port of the movements we were then just entering upon. The
two great campaigns for the summer had actually and simul
taneously begun. The one had experienced a heavy clash of
arms at the Wilderness in Virginia, while ours, in a distant
part of the country, was up and against the foe and maneuver
ing to the same end. The two movements were in conjunction
with each other and were, happily, in communication with
each other as to events soon after their occurrence, by means
of the ready telegraph.
Silence ruled the night in the presence of these hostile
armies. The sun rose brightly, lighting up a fine view of the
valley to the eastward, at the foot of the ridge, which was to
be the seat of our division operations that day. Dalton was to
the southeast but not in sight. The outer defenses of the town
could be seen stretching across the valley, not more than a
mile away. It was here as in all northern Georgia; the open
fields were in the valleys and' the hills covered with woods.
The rebel defenses, extending across the valley, commanded
the open approaches.
While amusing ourselves in the morning, by rolling stones
down the ridge-side, the contest began on the ridge to the
south, called Buzzard Roost. Our men had succeeded, in
dragging cannon to the top the day before, which was brought
into action. The artillery, thundering at a height where the
lightnings alone had sent forth its peals before, created a sen
sation. As the rebels had a position on the ridge, their lines
extended into the valley, in connection with the works towards
Dalton. Our lines, to fight them out, had to be formed to
meet them, so the line of contest was waged from near

192 . , TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
Buzzard Roost down the eastern slope of the ridge. The
rebels, being first on the ground, had the choice of position,
which was well selected and proved to be a most formidable
one for defense among the rocks. This advantage brought
the battle to an end before night, for at this point they beat
back our men in every advance they made.
Towards noon the 4th Army Corps began to come up the
ridge, pass by us southward and take our places. All of thei
23rd Corps up there descended and formed across the valley
to the eastward, and into the woods east and west of its
borders, moving forward to connect with the lines already
engaged. Our own brigade took the open valley, while the
25th Michigan almost swept the entire open space. The
skirmishers cleared the way ahead of us as we slowly followed
on until about four p. m., when we came within range of the
rebel guns about half a mile distant, where we mounted a
slight swell of ground. They opened on us with artillery. We
halted, and not being within effective range of musketry, were
ordered to lie down so as to give the least exposure to their
guns. The shells came quite lively for awhile, and were aimed
mostly at the flag at the right of our company and to the left
of and carried by Company F. The shells were well aimed,
for as we lay on the ground they just grazed it and passed
over us, while several of them struck the ground in front,
bounded over arid burst after passing by. Fortunately none
of them burst in front of us. A bursting shell, while on the
fly, cannot send its fragments or splinters to the rear of its
point of explosion, from the fact that it is moving with as
great a velocity as it sends the fragments from its body; hence
they fly only to either side and forward, and when a shell has
once passed, you are safe from its explosion. One of the
shells that had struck the ground and bounded two or three
times, rolled within a few steps to the right of me, struck upon
the arm of Sergeant Clark, of Company F, who caught it and
threw it to the rear. As he rose with it he tossed it two or
three times, as if to balance it better in his hand, but at that
moment, as I thought he was holding it unnecessarily, I

ATLANTA. 193
instantly called on him to throw it back, which he did as soon
as he could, and with safety, too, for it failed to burst. This
incident has furnished me with a matcher, when, on hearing
old soldiers telling over extravagant stories of adventure, I
could say I had seen a man catch a shell as it came from the
cannon's mouth, and throw it further on its way without any
harm to himself. Some twenty-five or thirty shots were
received by us as we lay there, and not all harmless, either. I
watched the rebel guns as they flashed forth their shots, and
by some unaccountable intuition I could tell, from the flash of
the cannon upon which side of me the shot was to pass, or if it
was to come directly towards me. I often watched them after
wards, but could never account for that instant knowledge. It
is a fact as singular and unexplainable to myself as it may
seem to others who have lived without such an experience.
And here permit me to say, as to the visible flying of balls and
shells, there are some who assert that they can see them as
they fly. I don't know as I ought to say they cannot, for it is
easier to assert than it is to prove a negative; but I don't
believe they can, unless it has struck the ground or some
object in its course or crossed one's line of vision. The reason
that I allege this is, for the want of celerity in the eye for
catching a view of its flight as its presence at any one point is
only revealed by its passage. This sound, as it reaches you,
directs your visiori to the point from which it emanates. Time
is required for the sound to reach you, during the lapse of
which the shell has passed swiftly from that point in its course,
and it is impossible for the mind to comprehend the fact, leave
the guiding sound and send its vision to the flying body. The
sound retains the eye to the rear of its flight and it cannot gain
a view in advance of the flying ball from the sound it leaves
behind. I said that all the shells had not passed harmlessly by.
While watching to see the effect of their flight, as one was
passing over the right of the regiment, I saw a knapsack giving
a bound. It struck Evart Wirt, of Co. K, tore his left hip
completely out and ripped his pants to the bottom without

194 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
tearing the cloth. A few. minutes after, we were ordered to
withdraw to the woods on the right, a few at a time. As we
passed the poor victim he was in such agony that he begged
to be killed, and also asked for a drink of water, but I had none
to give him. He lingered until the following- night, when
death relieved his terrible sufferings.
lt was nearly night when we were again formed in line and
marched a short distance through the woods at the foot of
the ridge, towards the enemy, where we halted and lay upon
our arms for the night. After we gained the shelter of the
woods, our artillery opened fire, but with what effect I do not
know. Towards sundown, in the woods across the valley and up
the ridge to our right, where the rattle of small arms had been
going on the most of the day, the fighting waxed warm and
became very active and significant, especially on the face of
the ridge and up at the Roost. It proved to be a determined
attempt to drive the rebels out, but they were too well posted
behind the rocks, and night put an end to the futile attempts,
our lines being withdrawn with a loss of five hundred killed
and wounded, including two colonels. Thus the battle of
Rocky Face Ridge, or Buzzard Roost, came to be an ineffect
ual attempt to crowd the enemy back to Dalton, and had to be
abandoned. Rocky Face Ridge is a low spur of mountains extending
north and south for a number of miles and forms a complete
defense to Dalton, which lies just under the east side, from an
enemy from the west. The movement across the north end
had to be given up and a better route selected. About fifteen
miles southwest of Dalton was Snake Creek Gap, a pass which
opened up the way. The 23d Corps was accordingly with
drawn from the advance down the valley towards Dalton, back
past the north end of the ridge where it was rested and swung
around into line with the rest of the army on the tenth. Artil
lery, firing was kept up in several directions during the day,
mostly to the southwest. At evening we heard of the capture
of Buzzard Roost, which, being the highest point, gave us

ATLANTA. 195
the key to the position and command of the ridge. At night
the heavens loosened terrific volumes of artillery, accompanied
by such a heavy wind and pouring rain as to loosen our tents,
and force us to spend the remainder of the night in the mud.
Perhaps the gases engendered by the smoke of battle formed
the base of the electric battery from which the thunder and
lightning belched forth in nature the fulfillment of a part in the
grand affair, more fearfully threatening than destructive.
We remained in the same position on the eleventh, being
called once into battle line to resist an attack which was not
made. In a drizzling rain we prepared to get a better rest
than we had the previous night. Before night we heard that
the rebels" were retreating, but this was premature. At the
same time we received orders to march the next day. On the
twelfth we marched about fifteen miles to the entrance of the
gap, left undefended by Johnston, where the Army of the
Tennessee had passed through two or three days before. The
possession of this pass created an opening to the railroad at
Resaca. The firing of artillery was heard occasionally during
the day. At the dinner halt, Adjutant Prutzman and party, who had
been in Michigan since October on recruiting service, joined
us. The adjutant, who was a model of devotion to duty, was
in the most hopeful spirits. He was ahead of his baggage and
rested with me the two following nights. The next night he
was in want of no covering except such as the heavens spread
over the field of battle. He dreamed not of the fearful fate so
soon awaiting him.
On the thirteenth we, that is, the 23d Army Corps or Army
of the Ohio, which will be synonymous with this plural pro
noun hereafter, moved through the gap. For several miles it
was nearly all woods, then we came out about four or five miles
west of Resaca. We found thousands of troops ahead of us;
every field crowded with army trains or artillery, and in some
places well fortified. Regiments and brigades were taking up
lines here and there, facing in as many directions as there are
cardinal points to the compass, the lines of some brigades
crossing diagonally or parallel with the lines of others.

196 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
We were formed in battle line during the afternoon and
moved forward, a difficult move through the thick woods and
* underbrush, which was so dense that it was impossible to keep
properly guided and a greater part ot the. time were massed in
an almost unmanageable crowd. We succeeded in making
about two miles before darkness compelled us to halt for the
night. The rebels were near us and cannon were heard on our
right and front. Early in the evening a dash of rebel cavalry
in our front, not far away, created a little excitement, the firing
arousing us from such beds as we had. It lasted but a short
time, being the precursor of the events that stood awaiting us
on the morrow.
The rebel army had been re-enforced at this time, at Resaca
by a whole army corps, commanded by the Bishop-General
Polk. The two armies rested now almost face to face, the one
moving to the assault, and the other strongly fortified and
defying it. On the morning of the fourteenth the forward
move was again begun in line of battle, and about two miles
made in this manner, when we came to an open field, along
the nearest edge of which a highway ran, dividing it from the
woods. Here we were halted again and rested till noon. Dur
ing this time of waiting a considerable part of the army of the
Cumberland passed along the road to the left to take position
in the line, for the struggle was now at hand. I improved a
part of this resting-spell by getting a good sleep in the warm
sunshine. We were now in close proximity to the enemy and.realized
that a battle was close upon us. As for my part, there seemed
to be a presentiment that I should not survive the day. The
hour of midday had scarcely come when we were up arid on
the move eastward again, and were soon across the field and
in the woods once more. After going through the brush, up
and down hill two or three times, we came to another open
field and in sight of the enemy, who was well fortified on the
opposite side. The field was a triangular one with the longest
side next to us, running northwest and southeast, with short,
steep hills descending into the field, both on our own and on

ATLANTA. 197
the rebel side — should say about 50 feet above the level of the
field. The position of the enemy was such that he had a full
sweep of the field, both with small arms and his batteries.
Close to our own side ran a small stream, and, also, about
midway and parallel with the first, ran Sugar Creek, which was
a rod or so wide and well filled with water. The field between
the creeks was low, muddy and marshy.
The division was in two lines of battle and they were
aligned about parallel with that of the enemy. The 25th Mich-
.igan and the 80th Indiana held the first brigade line of battle,
the former on the left and the latter on the right. Co. F
carried the colors, with the right of our company next to them.
As we descended the hill out of the woods, the left of the
line was the first to open up a sight to the enemy, and, of
course, was the first to draw its attention, at the distance of
about a quarter of a mile. We very soon got it too, in dead
earnest. They sent their shot, shells and bullets at us at a
fearful rate. We kept ourselves steadily and well in line for a
short distance after striking the low land and marsh, notwith
standing the spattering of bullets in the mud at our feet and
the bursting of shells near by. They seemed to be aimed
mostly at the flag, so that I had them as near me as I coijld
wish. One shell in particular struck the ground just in front
of the colors and sent the mud full twenty feet high. The
advancing line now become broken. Some of the men turned
back, but the most of them gave a yell and started on the
double-quick forward in the charge, without any ofeher orders
than those we Were moving on at common time. It was but
the natural impulse of the moment to rush forward under the
excitement of the situation. We soon came to the larger
stream, before then unknown to us. Little or no firing in
return was carried on from our own side. It woula. have been
useless at our distance against a well intrenched enemy. The
near side of Sugar Creek had been lined with bushes, which
were now cut away. Over these we went, through the water
and up the opposite bank, which was highest near the rebel
side. There were a few who were ahead of me in gaining the

198 , TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
opposite bank. Sergt. Whipple of Co. H was a little to my
left and ahead of me; Wilson, of the same company, was still
ahead of him. A glance to my right, and the 80th Indiana,
with flying colors and well preserved in line, was just crossing
the creek. A few steps further and a bullet struck Wilson in
the head and keeled him over without a struggle. A cannon
shot struck the ground almost between Whipple's feet. I
looked again to the right and the lines with their colors were
flying in retreat. I also swung my vision to the rear and
couldn't see more than a dozen men, and they were also on the
retreat. To go further would be nothing short of madness, so
I called to Whipple, for he and myself were now alone and
well up towards the foot of the hills that were crowned with
the rebel works, and told him that we might as well go back too.
The course of the creek was somewhat angular to our lines
— the left first struck and crossed it, so that the nearest point
for regaining its protection was to the right of where I crossed
it. We were then a considerable distance beyond the creek,
when I settled down to a walk, turned to the right, and
returned my sword to its scabbard with as much coolness amid
the flying bullets as if I had only been upon a dress-parade.
The excitement of the morirent had removed all fear from my
mind. I circled far enough to the right to bring me into the
left of the 80th Indiana, where I met with Capt. Mosher of
that regiment, with his men huddled together in the water and
against the bank for protection. I passed on up the creek
towards where I crossed it, and there found a higher bank
with a shelf under it where I could safely stay out of danger
and out of the water also.
While going up-stream I passed by a man of Co. C, who,
in his terror, laid low in the wafer, hugging the bank for
safety. I mention this to illustrate an occurrence that, even in
such a murderous situation, incidents of a ridiculous character
will sometimes press themselves upon one's attention strong
enough to provoke a laugh in spite of all opposing influences.
The affrighted fellow— and well he might be half dead with
fear just then— was as still as a mouse, while up his back and

ATLANTA. 199
outside of his coat an overgrown grayback was crawling
upward, with as much leisure as if on a holiday excursion. I
couldn't help but stop and laugh at the scene, as I brushed the
pediculous parasite off into the water.
It was now half past twelve o'clock and no second line of
battle, that was following us but a few rods to the rear, came
up to the creek. It must have been driven back soon after
descending into the open field. Showers of bullets flew close
over our heads and struck the ground just beyond the opposite
bank. To get out of here in safety was out of the question.
No alternative was left but to settle down for the rest of the day.
Our own artillery had not yet come into position, though
it soon spoke up from the brow of the hill in the woods to the
rear. Here the batteries had planted themselves for an exchange
of shots with the enemy. The cannonading was not very fierce,
however, until other lines of battle could be seen coming down
the hill and in full view of ourselves. Then those black rriouthed
dogs of war would thunder forth again more fiercely than
before, as if the taste of human blood already had but served
to increase their thirst for more. In this way three or four
lines of battle had been seen coming down the hill, and at each
time the savage wildness of the furious artillery seemed insatiate
for more and deeper draughts of blood to satisfy its vengeance.
Its vengeance must have been satisfied, for no other line of
battle succeeded in reaching us.
We had thus far accomplished nothing, and there was no
better prospect but to remain just where we were for the rest
ofthe day, before we could escape under cover ofthe night
It was with fear and trembling that I entered into the charge.
The flying shells and bullets soon put an end to that. But
now that I had time for reflection I became somewhat anxious
for a survival of the day, though I had nothing to fear while
under protection of the bank of the creek, where I felt myself
entirely safe from danger.
In the meantime the artillery kept up its roar, with the
rattle of musketry on either side, and became grandly awful as
it would surge here and there — increasing and diminishing, and

200 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
sometimes ceasing altogether. It seemed as if the elements
had been suddenly put in motion by some grand upheaval of
nature in her agonizing struggles, and were endeavoring to
commingle their various parts into one. The shots must have
been thrown away and to no effect all the afternoon while
exchanging them against each other. Either side was as able
to continue at the end as when they first opened upon each
other. Neither side had -been silenced in the least. Both
sides conducted the job as a matter of business and gave their
whole attention to it.
As the several lines were driven back from the flat, a good
many stragglers were left, who found shelter behind the logs
and old trees that were scattered in the field, keeping up a
randorri fire at the rebel works. They gradually became
bolder and exposed themselves with impunity. A scattered
gathering (if I may be allowed the phrase,) of these, had
centered near the further side of the field and were having a
right good time by annoying the rebel gunners. This finally
attracted the attention of one of the rebel guns, which sent a
charge of canister among them. It did not find a single
victim, however, and no sooner had the shot landed than the
fellows slapped themselves and sent back a yell of defiance.
The answer of the old guard at the close of the battle of
Waterloo when called upon to surrender, was not more grandly
.sublime than the defiant yells sent back to the rebel foe. It,
was enough, and they were allowed to go on with their amuse
ment without further disturbance.
Through the excitement of the flying and shrieking shells,
sbunding like steam whistles in the air, time seemed to be lost
and passed almost as rapidly as the missiles themselves. It
seemed as if I had been in the creek but a few minutes, when
on looking at my watch, I found that it was half-past two, and
seemingly but a shor-t time after, it was five o'clock. I ven
tured out at this time to find some of the wounded and give
them what help I could. I soon came upon young Weaver, of
Co. K, who had been shot through the body and was lying
helpless at the foot of a tree. He realized that his death was

-ATLANTA. 201
near and spoke with a hopeful resignation to his fate. I told
him I would try to bring Dr. Gregg to him, but he thought it
would be of no use. And it was not. I soon found the doctor,
who, after examining him, expressed the same opinion. We
had to leave the poor fellow there, where he died the same
night. This victim of the battle added one more to that long
and glorious list whose lives had ebbed away for the preserva
tion of the nation.
The dead, and the wounded who were too helpless to get
away from the field of battle, still lay as they fell, and I went
back to the creek where the regiment, or what was left of it,
still lay in its position of the afternoon. Night soon came on
and the. men began to steal away to the rear, one at a time. In
our company, only four beside the captain and myself, were
together, that night. The losses sustained by the division were
heavy. There was not, probably, in the whole line of battle
another part so much exposed to such a well executed fire as
that through which the 2d Division of the 23d Army Corps
made its charge. In our regiment, one in five were struck
down. In the 80th Indiana the percentage of loss was said to
be still greater. Those losses were sustained in less than five
minutes, during the charge from our side.
Adjutant Prutzman had arrived from the north but two
days before, after an absence of seven months. He returned
just in time to-be killed, a grape shot passing through his
body, taking his spirit with it. He was a perfect gentleman,
hardly out of his youth, having the good will of all who knew
him, and his untimely death caused universal regret. He was
the only officer of the 25th Michigan who lost his life in battle
during the war. It is said to be "sweet to die for one's
country," but the sweetness must be rather to the mournful
living than to the unfortunate dead, if it be possible that there
-is a sweetness in such a sorrow.
Extracts from the diary of Sergt. Whipple, of Co. H, may
add somewhat to the interest in setting forth an account of the
battle of Resaca.

202

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

CHARLES WOODRUFF. (1865.)
Adjutant from May 14, 1865.

"At half-past eight we started
through the woods and brush,
over. logs, stumps, fallen trees,
stones and fences. After march
ing in this kind of style for
about two hours, we halted in
a kind of a road that ran along
side a field and just behind a
fence, which we threw down and
then laid down until twelve
o'clock, when we were ordered
to fix bayonets and forward
march, I knew then that some
thing uncommon was coming,
for we hardly ever fixed bayonets while on- the march. We
crossed the ¦ field, went down a hill, crossed a little stream,
entered a piece of woods, up and over another hill and then
we could see what we had to do.
"There was a long line of breastworks and a fort of the
enemy, that had to be charged upon and taken if possible.
All was as silent as death, except the firing of a piece of
our artillery at our left and rear. But how different in a few
moments! We descended the hill to a flat piece of land that
was somewhat marshy, about eighty to one hundred rods wide
up to the enemy's works, and within such a nice and splendid
range. All at once it seemed as if the earthworks of the
enemy were ablaze with fire. Then came such a deafening
report, accompanied with so many death dealing missiles to our
noble boys. But it did not stop at the first outburst; it was a
continual roar of artillery and musketry.
"We started double quick, yelling as loud as we could,
with bayonets extended. As I said before, it was about eighty
or one hundred rods to the enemy's works. Well, about three-
fourths of the distance there was a little creek about two rods
wide and quite deep. On we went; those who didn't fall.
But many were killed or wounded before they went many rods,
and our ranks were somewhat broken when we reached the

ATLANTA. '203
creek; I looked around to see where our company was, but
none could I see but Charlie Wilson, who was at my side; I
being at the head of my company and he next to me. Lieut.
Travis, of Co. E, was on my right and we all entered the creek
together. "The rebels had cut down the willows and brush along the
creek and thrown them in the water. The opposite bank was
from four to six feet high; in some places lower. By the time
I reached it my knapsack had become unhooked and hung
on my left shoulder, and as I was nearly exhausted, threw it
off at the side of the creek, Wilson following my example.
We then sprang up the bank, yelled again and started on a run
for the enemy. We had not gone over five or six rods from
the creek, when Wilson fell dead, shot through the head with
minie bullet or canister shot. I halted but an instant to look
at him. The ball had entered the forehead and came out lower
down in the back part, producing instant death.
"I rushed on again and soon reached the side of Lieut.
Travis, who stopped and turned to go back. I went on a few
steps, when, turning to look for our colors, found that I was
alone. Hardly knowing what I did, I turned square to the
right and run a couple of rods when a six pound shell passed
directly between my legs and struck the ground about two
feet to my right. A charge of canister tore up the ground in
front of me, when I turned again, running to the creek, and
was soon below the bank, apparently out of danger. But such
a storm of bullets; it seemed as if the air was completely filled
with them, I never saw hail fall faster than lead bullets did
here. Shells shrieked above us, some bursting directly over
head. Some of our men were wounded while they lay in the
creek. It was then about ,two o'clock, and not until after dark
did we leave, one or two at a time, carrying as many wounded
as we could with us.
"After I got into the creek, I looked around to find some
of my company. In about two hours the firing held up a little
and I started up the creek, where I found Capt. Wells, Lieut.
Wager and several more of the boys, who greeted me with

204

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.'

CHARLES S. WHIPPLE
Sergeant Co. H.
Now of Deer Lodge, Tenn

(1865).

cheers, supposing that I had
been killed as soon as I gained
the farther bank. I learned
that Booth was wounded in the
thigh, Phillips and Williams
each in the arm, and that Charlie
Cronk had part of his jaw shot
away. "There was heavy fighting
all along the line to the right
and left of us all the afternoon,
and three times attempts were
made to charge over the same
ground that we did, but the
men did not advance one-fourth
as far as we did."
But the battle was not ended, though it ceased for the
night. The rebels still held the most of their lines with a
sullen determination and but little had been gained from them.
They had been crowded back a little on our immediate left-
Tuesday morning, the fifteenth, the battle was renewed by the
Army of the Cumberland and continued throughout the day
with success and a good portion of the rebel works captured.
In the afternoon we were moved to the extreme left,
getting into line just before night. The roaring of artillery
and rattle of musketry was going on at a heavy rate as we
passed in rear of the 20th Corps. The wounded were being
removed in a long line of ambulances which were so numerous
.that one might think the whole army was being placed hors de
combat. It was a sad sight to see the brave but unfortunate
soldiers taken to the rear, with a (head, hand or other part
wrapped in a handkerchief, white where not covered with
blood. And while these were being cared for, the bloody strife
continued, a half mile away, where the clash of arms was'
raging for the mastery.
Like the rainbow, the sound of battle seemed to recede as
we advanced to take our place in line of battle. When night

ATLANTA. 205
came on we had not yet met with the enemy. Darkness aided
the sound of battle, though the battle itself was not done with
by the oncoming of the night. Our men lay down late at
night with arms stacked at their feet, and had but fairly got to
sleeping when the-sudden booming of cannon, less than half a
mile to our right, broke the quietude of the night and started
us to our feet again at about the midnight hour, and also to
our guns. In the last expiring throes of battle the rebels had
charged upon and attempted to retake the principal fort they
had lost during the day. The action was short, sharp and
decisive. The cannon and musketry played lively for a few
minutes, when the rebels were beaten back with a loss, it was
said, of full two hundred men. Then up went a yell'of triumph
from the victors. This charge must have been made to cover
the retreat the rebels were then making from the field of battle.
THE MIDNIGHT CHARGE.
The day had now passed and the battle had ceased,
When we'd fairly laid down and were sleeping;
The noise that had come from the rattle and hum,
Into silence near midnight was creeping.
When the cannon so suddenly thundered,
That through these alarms we sprang to our arms,
And, falling in line, thoughtfully wondered;
While the musketry rattled and the hosts again Wattled,
Who it was now that could have so blundered, —
Who tried at midnight to win in the fight,
And were losing their men by the hundred.
The charge it was short, as 'twas made on the fort,
For we soon were the rebels repelling.
It now grew too hot, with the volleys of shot,
For the rebs, who their life-blood were selling;
And the cannon more slowly now thundered.
Our shot and our shells, — the victors' loud yells,
Were the sequence at which we had wondered;
They told us of the battle, as the guns ceased to rattle, —
' That the rebs were the ones who had blundered.
For at midnight, in ten minutes' fight,
They had lost their brave men by the hundred.

206 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
The foe had been whipped, but thought as he skipped,
Though he was on his road a retreating, —
He'd turn on his heel, and give us more steel,
As a token to close up the meeting.
So he sent his troops back 'ere he pondered,
Renewing the, fight again at midnight,
Seeking to find the hope that had wandered.
We met them in battle — made our guns rattle,
With the help of the cannon that thundered;
Sent back what remained, begrimmed and blood-stained,
Of the foe, with the lives that he squandered.
Thus ended the battle of Resaca, where the first great
trial of these powerful armies, was had, and where the grand
halo of victory flitted around our banners. The enemy had
been fairly beaten out of his own chosen position and sought
his safety in retreat.
It is true that Sherman had made a flank movement
towards Rome, but that was so distant from the strife that it
did not necessitate Johnston's retreat at the time it was made.
I had understood at the time that the 17th Army Corps came
in from the west to join the army of the Tennessee, of which it
formed a part. He retreated because he had been beaten out
of his position — crowded against the river and could not
safely remain where he was any longer.
Johnston had no sooner begun to leave than it was known
in our lines and pursuit began in the early morning. We did'
not move, however, until near the hour of midday, when we
passed down along the railroad, on the south side of which lay
many of the rebel wounded, whom their friends had gathered
up, but only to leave behind. On the opposite side the ground
was covered with bushes and low shrubbery, where my attention
was called to the deadly, if not murderous, determination of the
rebels in carrying on .the battle- at this point. They had
trimmed these bushes completely, two or three feet from the
ground, while they were densely covered with branches above
that mark and stood as thick together as they could grow, so
that anyone advancing through this thicket might be seen by
a hidden and crouching foe. At the same time, whoever

ATLANTA. 207
might be advancing would be unable to see what was awaiting
him ahead without crawling upon his hands and knees, with
his sight below the thick set branches. At the edge of the
bushes, in the open ground on the rebel side, railroad ties had
been laid up just high enough to screen and protect a man
while lying behind for defense, with his head just high enough
to see over the ties and under the thicket tops, and at the same
time get. a view of the lower part of the soldiers, should they
move forward through this prepared ground. I do not know
that a charge or assault was made through this place, but had
it been made, it could not have been much short of murder to
shoot down a military foe at such superior advantage. Even
when such a prepared condition of things might be a warning
to the approaching party, nothing- less than death, or the next
Jthing to it, might be expected. It would not do to make a
local halt with the lines of battle to escape the fatalities of such
a place. Military orders are imperative, and nothing short of
a full execution of them can be tolerated.
, I could now see why the Chevalier Bayard should be
justified in his protest against the use of gunpowder in fighting
battles, instead of fighting them with the sword. With powder
it brought nearer to the same level the weak and the strong,
the skillful and the clumsy — making no allowance for the
gifted ones, or for those who excelled in the skilful use of the
sword. These gunpowder engines gave, the advantage of
victory to him who secured the first shot.
The larger part of Sherman's army pressed directly after
the retreating rebels, while I should judge that the 23rd Army
Corps moved out to the eastward and to the left, as we marched
about twelve miles and only crossed the Connasauga River
just before night. On the -seventeenth we made no move until
five o'clock in the afternoon, when we crossed the Coosawattie
River and were kept on the march till midnight, making about
fifteen miles before stopping to lay down. This carried the
supper till a late hour, which was soon gotten and disposed of
without a great deal of style or ceremony, when a little interest
was paid to nature's demands in the way of immediate sleep.

208

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

C. C. PHILLIPS.
Co. H. Wounded in the battle of
Resaca. Now of Bangor. Serving in
the Michigan House of Representa
tives, 1897.

ALBERT WAGER.
Lieutenant Co. H. Now of Schoolcraft.

Ten miles more" were made on the eighteenth and about the
same on the. nineteenth, when we found ourselves near the
village of Cassville. In these few days we must have marched
near to fifty miles, and probably could not have advanced more
than twenty-five miles below Resaca. A wide detour to the
east must have been made by the 23rd Army Corps to have
made this distance.. We heard some cannonading at our front
and right on the last day, where I concluded that, the enemy
had made some show of resistance. We had none of it ourselves,
though at a little after midday we were drawn ,up and formed
in preparation for battle. That part blew over. We were too
far out on the right of the enemy, and, probably, out of reach
on a flank movement. The country, too, along this march was
quite open and not at all favorable so as to induce a retreating
foe to njake a stand with any hope of success. It was the
least hilly and wooded of all the country passed over from
Rocky Face to Atlanta.
The 2nd division had been under the command of Gen.
Judah from February last until this time, when he was removed

ATLANTA. 209
and Gen. Hascall given in charge as his successor. The cause
of this removal was, the story ran, that he was over-ambitious
to have a second star placed upon his shoulder and said that
the battle of Resaca should give it to him. Consequently he
rushed his division headlong into the battle, unsupported by
his batteries, as before described. The fighting on the fourteenth
was done mainly along and near his division, and it was credited
with a heavy loss. I cannot join in the heaviest criticism upon
his management, though the artillery ought to have been up
with our lines and ready for, or, rather, opened the action as
the division descended to the open field and out of the woods
in view of the rebel guns.
Now if the artillery was following us and passing over the
same ground that we did, it was impossible for it to have kept
an even pace with us, as we had to pass up and down hill, over
logs and fallen trees, in climbing through the tops of which
our lines were thrown into some disorder. There was no
possibility for driving horses with their gun-carriages over
such a ground, without' first halting to clear out a road for
their passage. This would necessarily create a considerable
delay, and hence the absence of the artillery at the opening of
the charge. I was not in a position, at the time, to know
whether it would have been prudent to have halted the charging
lines until the artillery had gained its place or not. I did not
know that the line upon the right of our division came in sight
of and attracted the rebel fire before our own was there.
It is doubtful if we should have fared any better than we
did had it been in position at a timely hour and given support
to the charge we made. It was on hand perhaps within an
hour of the time it should have been there, for when I looked
at the time of half past two, it had then been in operation for
a considerable time. After it began to open on the rebel
works a furious cannonade was kept up for the rest of ,the
day, and, seemingly, without the effect of reducing that upon
the other side. The rebels were too well fortified to be beaten
out of a commanding position at this point. As further proof,
in addition to what I have before stated, referring to the

210 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
Slayton diary I find these words: "There were three other
attempts to charge the (rebel) works, but with no better
success." In so large an army a single division counts up as but a
small part of its extensive, lines. Sherman's army' did not
confront the whole of the rebel lines the first day. They
suffered no attack upon their extreme right frum our troops.
As each division and sub-division had its allotted place in the
advancing lines, it must conform its movements v.ith those on
its right and left if connections are to be maintained and
alignments preserved, so long as it is possible to do so,
notwithstanding the features of position or battle may throw
it into a most deadly encounter. Such was the fact with
us on the afternoon of the fourteenth day of May. I believe
that Gen. Judah regretted the misfortunes of the day fully as
much as any other person connected with them. If he was
removed for such a reason, his case did not meet with a fair
and just treatment. There are, however, extreme views in the
opposite direction.
Johnston had selected a position and offered battle to
Sherman again, just south of Cassville, but on the morning of
the nineteenth, having stood long enough for Sherman to
arrange his army for a contest, after the exchange of a few
shots he suddenly decamped and got out of his way. We had
a chance to take but very little part in the affair, through the
skirmishers and a few shots from the cannon. The Army of
the Cumberland was in the advance and we followed at our
leisure. It was a glorious summer morning as we passed through
the beautiful village of Cassville, probably a village of about
fifteen hundred people when all at home. But such a scene to
behold. Vandalism had ruled high on every hand. The
rebels had told the people to leave before the Yankees could
enter the village, as they would enslave or kill them. Conse
quently nearly every house was deserted, and the village com
pletely sacked before the 23d Corps passed through. The
deserted houses were entered by our soldiers and everything

ATLANTA. , 211
movable was seized. What could not be carried away was
destroyed. Scenes of destruction were on every hand. Elegant
furniture, including pianos and the like, had been broken in
pieces and scattered in every direction, through the streets.
From the amount to be seen, it looked as if the stragglers had
made a clean sweep of everything they could lay their hands
upon. What good sense I had revolted at this spectacle, and I
'could not help but commiserate the absent owners. It justified
the rebels in some degree in telling the people as they did, to
fly before the Yankees. Such a sacking as this of the village
of Cassville, was the only one I saw during my term of service.
before the end of the season, however, my feelings in behalf
of those fleeing rebels experienced something of a change.
They were continually losing ground and hope was against
them. Their case was apparently against them and lost, yet
they were as defiant and ready to keep up the fight as at the
opening of the war. It is usual with warring nations to settle
their differences as soon as the weaker side is convinced that
its failure will follow a continuance. Not so with the rebellion.
It had all for its gain if it succeeded and but little besides the
lives of its people to lose if it failed. It had staked itself
with a desperate determination to win at all hazards. Even
when hope was leaving it in the distance, it was as defiant as
ever and would hear nothing of surrender until its strength
was crushed out by main force. It seemed as if the women
became more and more vituperative as their defeat became
more certain. I could no longer pity the misfortunes of a
people who, acknowledging themselves beaten, claimed they
were not conquered, and were as ready as ever to shoot me
down. They kept up the fight with the expectation that
something might turn up, Micawber like, to give them a final
victory. We had gone but a short distance beyond Cassville when
we met the fleeing inhabitants on their return. I noticed one
lady in particular, who was dressed in black and walked with a
haughty step (they were all on foot). I said to her as she
¦passed by, that "after getting home again, you will wish you

212 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
hadn't left it." She turned her head in silent contempt and
passed on. We went about six miles before going into camp
near Cartersville, not far from Etowah river, where we remained
until Monday, the twenty-third.
We had now come abreast of the hills and mountains
around AUatoona, which signifies mountain tops. It was
strongly iortified'by nature and capable of the greatest resist
ance. With two armies whose strength was so nearly, equal as
in this case, it would be poor generalship to attempt to oust
the one in possession. Both armies, to handle their supplies
and repair the losses, must keep pear the railroad that coursed
its way through this rough country. Sherman knew that the
place could not be taken by a direct assault, and that the cost
of forcing his way along the railroad at this point was more
than he could bear. He halted here for two days, to repair
the railroads at the rear, study the situation and settle the
capture of AUatoona by strategy.
Johnston asserts, in his version of the Atlanta campaign,
that from Dalton to Atlanta there is not a mountain to be seen
from the railroad, and that he would have gladly exchanged
all his advantages of mountains, ravines, streams and woods,
for such a supply of war material as Sherman had. This is
no less than a perversion, for Kenesaw, Lost and Pine mount
ains, besides the AUatoona tops, are all near the railroad. He
did not consider those advantages equal to the numerical
difference of the armies. Whether such natural defenses were
of any service to an inferior defensive force, .will be seen later
at this very place, when the tables were turned and the differ
ence was far greater than at present.
Of necessity leaving a force on the railroad, Sherman
perhaps saw that he must cut loose from his communications
for a time and with the main army, slide around to the west,
south and east of the rebel position until he could reach the
railroad again on the AUatoona side of this great snubbing
post. Otherwise, flank the rebel general out of his chosen
stronghold. Johnston must have clearly foreseen such a move,
for while he maintained his post at AUatoona, he had placed a

ATLANTA. 213
heavy force near Dallas and. New Hope Church, ten or fifteen
miles out, to confront the invaders as they were moving on his
left flank. I judge that such were the plans entertained by
both commanders at the time, by comparing my notes of the
day with the events recorded in history. We had orders to
move on the twenty-third for a twenty days' march. Being
confined to my own company, I could not learn of all the
movements of the different divisions and parts of so great an
army, in such a rough country, so my notes of the time are
circumscribed to events of the day as they fell under my notice.
I availed myself, though, of as much information as possible,
of the daily happenings of interest in which we were engaged.
Indeed, it was difficult to be certain of the directions, courses
and distances we were then moving most of the time. One
item that increased the difficulty of gaining a knowledge of
our surroundings was the excessive rainy and cloudy weather,
that confined my knowledge to only what I could see. Cannon
ading could be heard and an inquiry generally brought a correct
accojint of the numerous actions along the lines, as when
compared with the reports of the actors therein.
As we moved forward on the twenty-third, I knew that
other troops were ahead. We went to the southwest about six
miles, to the banks of the Etowah river. We had seen several
columns of smoke rising during the day, and found that one of
•them ascended from the bridge just ahead of us. Sherman
was prepared for the occasion, having pontoon boats with him.
They were made of canvas tarpaulin stretched over frames,
four or five feet wide and about sixteen feet long, which, when
anchored a few feet apart, supported the stringers and plank
ing, whereby a bridge was laid. in a very short time. The task
was so easy and the river so narrow at this point, that two
bridges were laid, which enabled the army to cross quickly.
On the twenty-fifth, our regiment was placed as guards to
the ammunition train, making some eight or nine miles to the
right and arrived at Pumpkin Vine Creek at six o'clock. Just
at that time we heard a furious cannonade, perhaps two or
three miles away, on the other side of the stream, with all the

214 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
accompaniments of a heavy battle. It seems that while Gen.
Hooker was moving forward with the 20th Corps, he suddenly
came into an ambuscade of rebel batteries, which opened so
heavily upon him as to inflict a heavy loss and bloody repulse.
This was the version I heard at the time, but the published
accounts say, that though he found their lines drawn up in the
woods, he charged them several times, but they were so
Strongly fortified that he was unable to carry the works and
retired, during a heavy rain. If the rebels maintained their
ground then, they soon got out of our way, for the road was
clear the next morning.
Much fighting was done in this vicinity for the next four
or five days, and the life of a soldier was exemplified in an
extreme degree. I cannot attempt to give much more than
my own experience. At two o'clock on the morning of the
twenty-sixth, we were aroused and crossed the creek. We had
not gone more than a mile ere a lot of the rebel wounded were
seen lying near the road, while our wounded were in the hos
pital of the 20th Army Corps, undergoing operations. We
were kept maneuvering most of the day, and could see or
learn but little. A good deal of artillery firing was heard on
the right and left. The 25th Michigan was in the second line
of battle all day. We got into one small engagement which
was carried on mostly by heavy lines of skirmishers, which
was the way a great deal of the fighting was done in the
Atlanta campaign. It must not be supposed, however, that
where so much fighting was done by the skirmish lines, that
the main lines had nothing to suffer. The skirmish line was
made up of a single line of men about five paces apart. A
heavy skirmish line» would be a single one doubled up. They
always advanced ahead of the main lines from twenty to fifty
rods or more, according to the nature of the ground, as a cau
tionary move and a protection to the main line. It prevents
being drawn into an ambush without warning. Artillery was
almost always aimed at the main body; seldom at the skir
mishers. It was the province of the skirmishers to develop
the position of the enemy and give warning of it, before the
main lines could be placed at a disadvantage.

ATLANTA. 215
When the enemy is at rest or lying in camp, the skirmish
line is drawn together in groups of four or five, and is called
the picket line. When the main lines become engaged, it is
the duty of the skirmishers to retire behind the main line or
join them, so as not to interfere with the line.
The main lines follow as the skirmishers lead the way.
As the opposing skirmishers meet, the ball is opened and the
bullets fly thick and fast. Nor dp the bullets always stop at
the point designed, but fly over and amid those following on.
The rear line is just as much subjected to their deadly missiles
as the skirmish line itself, and what is worse, have no chance
to reply, which has a demoralizing effect upon the courage of
the bravest of men. Our advance was kept up steadily, feeling
the way over hills, through woods and bushes, until darkness
came. So much of this was going on all through the day and
so steadily did the enemy keep close in front of our lines in
heavy force, that we settled down at night with the expectation
of a heavy battle for the morrow. As the morning came, we
were up to meet it at three o'clock. The 1st Brigade lay still
until near noon, then maneuvered around for the rest of the
day with no important results. At one time in the afternoon,
Gen. Howard passed us on the right of his advancing line. At
the moment he was giving directions to a staff officer to carry
information to some other general, that he had now connected
his line with some other part ot the army. We could hear
a good deal of fighting going on that day and I should judge
that Howard had some pretty warm times. This was what I
believe Howard calls the battle of Pickett's Mill, as it was
fought on that day and by his forces of the 4th Army Corps.
The brigade was moved about four miles in its maneuvers that
day. It was so cloudy that I could not tell the directions in
which we had moved, but the enerhy was made to draw back.
Near nightfall, the 25th Michigan was divided into two
lines on a sidehill sloping to the front, and as it proved, with
the, rebels close on our right, with the ground also grading
down from our left. Below us and in the woods to the left, lay
a wagon train. After we had become quiet for a few moments,

216 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
some one near the wagon train fired a musket; in a few
moments it was repeated. Capt. Lansing, of Co. F, spoke up
and said that such a fellow ought to-be taken care of, or else
he would draw the enemy's attention. The words were hardly
spoken ere the shells came flying through the woods. They
could not have held their course better had' they been fifed by
sight, instead of by the sound of that gun The first one passed
close by and directly over the hill to that wagon train. Several
others followed in quick succession, stopped and bursted
among us. No damage was done further than the wounding of
one man in Co. I. The shells struck mostly near the upper
line, while I was in the lower line. After two or three well-
directed shells had burst, Capt. Ewalt, of Co. C, picked up his
sword (we were all lying down), got up and came down to us
in the lower line, with a countenance that said: "I don't stay
up there any longer."
The soldiers of the 4th Army Cprps were still further
down the hill ahead of us. They were securing positions, for
we could hear their axes going while their guns were firing —
building works and fighting the rebels at the same time. They
meant to stay there, and did. so, too. The sharper the battle,
the more vigorous was the application of the axes, and at the,
same time they were shouting, hooting and yelling at, the
fighting rebels. We were marched back at night to the
camping ground of the previous night and got ready for sleep
by eleven o'clock, closing up a day of twenty hours' duration.
The twenty-eighth day of May soon came, and before it
was closed out into eternity, worked off the battle of Dallas.
As Friday had been a long day, so the night succeeding was,
to us, a much shorter one than the want of sunlight allowed
for us. We served a night of one hour and a day of twenty-
three. We had lain down at eleven o'clock and 'at twelve the
rebels opened a heavy fire upon us from their lines as they
held them and without advancing upon us. This called us up
to take place in line of battle and kept us upon the alert till
daylight. It was probably a threat and a ruse upon us to
confine ourselves in place, while the rebels in the forenoon

ATLANTA. 217
opened up the battle of Dallas on our right by assaulting the
position held by McPherson with the Army of the Tennessee.
Unlike the business of the 25th, that resulted in the repulse of
Hooker, the rebels this time made the dash and met with a
more bloody set-back than they inflicted upon Hooker three
days before. The most continued rattle of musketry I had
ever heard up to that time floated through the air from the
field of slaughter. That time it was the battle of Dallas and
scored a victory for our side.
On the twenty-eighth the 25th Michigan furnished Co. H
for the skirmish line and advanced itself to within a few rods
of the line held by the rebels, where a continuous and a heavy
firing' was kept up, thbugh neither party could see the other.
To learn the position of the rebels, if possible, Sergt Whipple
proposed to his companions next him to go forward and see
if he could locate any of the rebel sharp-shooters, at the same
time telling them not to mistake and fire on him. The rebels,
if they could not see or be seen through the trees a>nd bushes,
appeared to have a pretty good range upon our men and gave
them a good deal of trouble, as they shielded themselves
behind the trees. He filled his clothing outside with green
twigs and crawled along on the ground for some rods in front
of the lines till he came to some large trees, where, at the foot
of one, he found a man's hat, his haversack, partly filled with
fresh cornmeal, with a gun leaning against the root and several
cartridges scattered around. He found nobody there and
turned over on his back and looked the trees through and
through, but could see nothing of the Johnnies. The firing of
their guns was so frequent that it was impossible to locate
them — whether the firing came from the trees or from the
ground — sharp and loud enough to be almost at his head. He
seized what he found and carried them off as trophies as he
crawled back to his own line. Co. H lost that day Sergt.
Crooks, shot through the body, dying that night, and Coleman
and Odell, wounded.
These days brought such lively times that we very naturally
turned a part of our time into providing good defenses for the

218 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
safety of ourselves when at rest. We were no sooner halted
in line than our guns were stacked and everyone fell to in
putting up defensive works of some kind. First, all the old
logs that were within reach and could be handled were rolled
up, and then the earth was thrown up to cover what the logs
failed to provide in making a complete defense against an
onset in battle. Every company carried several shovels, spades,
axes and pick axes, and were always ready for such an emerg
ency. Many times a good, defensive breastwork was put up
in less than half an hour. Fighting had become such a daily
piece of business that the putting up of defenses became a
necessary companion of industry in the profession. Our busi
ness in that line began right here and was well followed up
thereafter, whenever any fighting was in prospect, until the
close of the war. If I remember rightly we threw up more
than forty lines of defenses from first to last. We> had
occasionally found it necessary to put up slight or temporary
field works before, but now, as we were always pressed close
up to the enemy, it. was a matter pf the first importance to
provide for self-protection immediately upon coming to a halt.
Every man, instinctively, and without orders, would lay hold
and help put up the breastworks before attending to any other
cares, unless it was that of immediate fighting.
At dark the 25th was placed in the front line of battle,
where the rebels were about one hundred rods distant. We
were each in the edge of the woods, with an open field
intervening. Across this field the skirmishers, taking the most
advanced trees for shelter, were hotly engaged with each
other. We were on a ridge, so that we had to lie close to the
ground to screen ourselves from danger. We had always
trusted the pickets to keep us guarded in safety, so that we
had no difficulty in going to sleep in the worst of alarms.
Some time in the night a false alarm sprung up and the cry
was, "The rebels are upon us!" A heavy fire was opened in
the darkness and at random on the rebels, which they returned
in good earnest along their whole front, and the bullets came
like a swarm of bees against the trees but a few feet above
our heads.

ATLANTA. 219
The 14th Kentucky had, but a few days before, joined our
brigade from the country above and were in the second line,
about thirty rods to the rear of ours. The alarm took that
regiment also, upon which it opened fire, but from its situation
more directly upon us than upon the enemy. It was too green
in battle tactics to understand that while our men were in
front of their own, that its fire should be withheld and trust the
battle to those in front. About a month later that regiment
found out. what it was to be placed between two fires.
Through this excitement the picket line had faded away
and left no trace of their existence for warning or protection.
Capt. Demarest, commanding the regiment, called upon me
with my company to take the place of the lost ones. I had
but eight men with me. The captain and the rest of the
company were somewhere then unknown to me. So with them
and enough from Co. F to fill the post assigned to me, we
went over the works and took our places as well as we could
on such a dark night. We had been there but a short time
when a panic for firing again seized -someone somewhere, when
the firing along the whole front was once more opened up. I
had satisfied myself that there were no rebels nearer than their
distant works, as the bullets from that direction came from
long range. But the worst and most dangerous part in the
melee, if it can be designated as such, was from the shots that
came from the rear line. We were compelled, for safety's
sake, to lodge ourselves in front of our own works and on. the
side of the trees towards the enemy.. Thus passed the time
till daylight gave us a better view of things.
A heavy firing was kept up all the following day— Sunday,
the 29th, by the pickets. One man in my company fired away
forty rounds before he took his breakfast. When asked why
he made so many shots without being able to see his enemy,
he replied that the rebels were firing at him; he should give
them as good as they sent, and meant to let them have it back.
The rebels had good marksmen, for they hit a good many of
the trees which we used for shelter. One ball touched the
ground just in front of me, bounded, and rubbed my leg just

220 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
above the foot, which, if it had passed one inch further to the
right, would have broken it, as it was still coming with force
enough to have done so.
As an incident of the day, a gray squirrel came up and
ran over my legs as I was lying down. At night we were
relieved and the brigade taken back as guards to the ammuni
tion train, where We lay quietly in camp the rest of the month,
the thirtieth and thirty-first, and where we were enabled to get
a good, sound sleep once more. Heavy firing was continuously
going on during the nights as well as in the daytime — probably
on and by the picket lines. TUNE, 1864.
With the forepart of June came reinforcements; two divi
sions ofthe 17th Army Corps and other troops; which nearly
brought the army to its original numbers, or was an offset for
its losses. We were quietly in camp all day on the first. At
sundown the firing in front was pretty sharp for a few minutes.
On the second, our brigade was with the trains until four
o'clock, when we began a movement to the left, but were
stopped for the rest of the day by a swollen creek, not more
than a mile and a half out. On the third, we moved again to
the left about three miles, when we struck the railroad in the
rear of AUatoona, which completed the movement begun on
May 23. Johnston had been gradually beaten back from point
to point until he had been flanked out of that stronghold and
, compelled to abandon it. This was done in ten days of equal
fighting, and strategical and tactical movements. Sherman
had pressed his adversary so hard at every facing, that this
stronghold of the mountains was captured without a blow
against it.
All this time, Sherman kept up his pressure on the rebel
front, and gave them no time to do anything but fight hard,
which they seemed willing to do; but they now began to
gradually give way. We moved a little further up on the
fourth, while the band of the 104th Ohio, 3d Division, went to,
the front lines and gave them a few-farewell tunes to back out with.

ATLANTA. ' 221
The following night we could see strong lights over the
rebel lines, which led us to believe that they were on the
retreat, and morning confirmed the belief. Johnston had been
driven from his stronghold among the AUatoona mountain
tops, and had, fallen back where he had another line of
mountains for his fortress, with the village of Marietta for his
base. It was said at the time, that Johnston always had works
provided for his army to drop into every time he anticipated a
retreat, so he was immediately fortified at every stand he made.
The heavy rains and mud somewhat hindered the move
ments of the army, but Sherman at once pushed right up to
the foe with his whole force. I think that if such a job had
been let by contract, no better person could have been engaged
to carry it into execution. Not only his troops, but his
railroad trains too, loaded with supplies, were pushed right up
to the front and in sight of the enemy. Once, about this time,.
an engine was run within range of the rebel guns, whistling
defiance in their very faces. Had it been provided with hands,
thumbs and fingers, it might have signaled the pantomimic
message conveyed by Anthony, the trumpeter, to the Knick
erbockers of New Amsterdam.
On June 5, a radical change was made in the brigade. We
entered the Atlanta campaign with the 3d and 6th Tennessee,
13th Kentucky, 25th Michigan and 80th Indiana, with a fair
strength of numbers for a brigadier's command. The 13th
Kentucky and 80th Indiana were passed over to the 2d Brigade
and replaced by the 45th Ohio and 91st Indiana. With the
latter came a small band of music which often favored us with
cheerful tunes. Through the wear and tear of fighting and of
disease, our numbers had been greatly reduced, and Gen.
McLean, who had been in command of the brigade for a month
past, thought the reduction too great for the dignity of his
rank, so he called it up for a count and found it could make a
show of only a little over eleven hundred guns. This was too
low to suit his official ideas, so he asked to be relieved. If I
remember right, the general, at his own request was sent to
take charge of the District of Indiana, which might have been

222 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
filled at less expense, by an officer of lower grade. Col.
Cooper, of the 6th Tennessee, was senior colonel and took
command, holding it almost continuously until the close of
the war. There was no discount upon his bravery or fighting
abilities, but for his military genius, I can not say that he
would have been my first choice. Rank only placed him
accidentally in command of the brigade.
As Johnston had again chosen an unusually strong position
and extended his lines as far as possible, Sherman took several
days to crowd up and adjust his forces to the new order of
things. He settled down with the Army of the Tennessee
on the left, that of the Cumberland in the center and that of
the Ohio on the right. Schofield, with the Army of the Ohio,
was moved on the tenth^ about four miles to the right, and
became the flanking fighters for the next three weeks, before
the rebels could be routed from this, their second stronghold.
We were brought up to the rebel lines near Lost Mountain.
The top of this mountain was crowned with woods, through
which a notch had been cut for a signal station. Our brigade
was aligned with a low, open field just in front of us, about a
quarter-mile wide. Just beyond, on the rising ground in the
edge of the woods, the rebel works could be seen through the
scattered trees, while at the foot of the rise, in the open field,
was a line of rifle pits for their pickets. As soon as we halted
and were formed in line, we began building our works, using
rails and whatever we could find for the purpose. To get
these we went down in sight of the rebels, but instead of
molesting us, they stood on the works and watched us. If
they were the host and we the guests, they were the most
gentlemanly this time. A battery was planted immediately
upon the right of the 25th Michigan, which, when well prepared
for protection, let fly their missiles and failed not in receiving a
reply in kind. For several days it was tit for tat, and some
times the bursting shells made it so lively that we had to leave
the tents and get close to the works or behind trees to save
our lives. But they did not disturb Co. D's barber, so long as
he could get his customers to retain their seats amid the flying

ATLANTA. 223
shells and bullets. The picket lines did their share in the
exchanges, also. And the rains, too; almost every day and all
day long. It was necessary for us to be as well satisfied with
such weather as was the shepherd of Salisbury Plain. Notwith
standing the downpours of rain, we carried on the business of
the firm with just as much diligence as ever, taking Cromwell's
advice to "trust in God and keep our powder dry." Amid
these warlike greetings, four of the rebels were bold enough to
cross the open field, on the thirteenth, in the presence of both
armies and surrender to our regiment. On the fourteenth we
held the same position, but could hear a good deal of artillery
firing to the left.
By noon of the fifteenth the weather had begun to be
more favorable for another forward move. Hooker was imme
diately on the left of the 23d Corps and began to fight his way
forward and at noon we followed suit. Our artillery opened
on their rifle pits just as our skirmishers moved forward to
capture them. Between the shells from the cannon 'and the
bullets of the skirmishers, the rebs were soon routed from the
pits; not to retreat or fly up the hills, but to swing their white
handkerchiefs for a truce and run towards our line as prisoners.
Their own main line must have fallen back before them and
their pickets left to cover their retreat. If the mairi line was
there, they gave us no suitable reception. Our skirrnishers
were soon across the field and into their works. Then the
main line moved forward, fighting by the skirmish lines,
through the woods and bushes for about a mile, and until dark.
Our lines conformed with Hooker's right, which had to fight
its way by plenty of hard work. We came to the rebel works
i just at dark. Our main line came to the crest of rising ground
as the skirmishers reached their front. This drew the fire of
their main lines, sending the bullets in a terrific volume just
above our heads. Night had set in and we were retired to the
rebel works captured at noon, about a mile back, where we
fortified ourselves and spent the night.
We were fighting and flanking every day, and always with
a gain of ground. The movements might be compared to

224 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
those of a sloth, that reaches its claws forward to gain a hold
upon some object, and then, after making fast, drags its body
along. So, also, we had to fight and flank the rebels out of
one position after another — they tailing back into works already
prepared, while we, ourselves, drag our bodies up, fortify in
return, and close up everything with our main lines. The
rebels had their main, or, rather, their strongest lines, along
the mountain front and made a strong show along and away
out on their left flank in front of us. To maintain themselves
in this direction was of vital interest to them, in order to delay
our advance as long as possible against the railroad to their
rear. Else, when likely to lose that artery of supplies, they
must abandon another stronghold of defense. They were
holding to it with a determined grip, as if it was a matter of
life and death.
On the sixteenth we finished up the job we retired frorn
the night before, by pushing up to the rebel works. Here we
found them empty, which tallied' well with my good wishes on
the subject, for they were defended by a great entanglement of
bushes and small trees that had been cut down and spread out
before them. They lay so thick and heavy that they would
have brought an assaulting party to a deadly halt. Had it
been our lot to make a charge against this part of the rebel
works, as we did a month before at Resaca, we would have
fared much worse, as we would have become entangled in
the brush and held at the murdering mercy of their deadly
missiles. They must have been flanked out of this part of
their line, as they were too well fortified to have given up
without a struggle or a tactic move. After dark our cannon
opened on a rebel fort, which replied in the best of spirits.
But the firing being at guess-work and random, we suffered
nothing from it.
Much the same thing was repeated on the seventeenth,
when the rebels backed out of their works again as we made
the approach upon them. Our brigade was on the reserve
and followed in, columns as a support to the main lines, while
they, were fighting their way ahead of us. We made a gain of

ATLANTA. 225
about three miles in fighting a flank movement to the right
before the day came to an end. Towards night the artillery
did heavy work upon the rebels, which they took in sullen
silence, hardly deigning to make a reply. About the same
thing took place on the eighteenth and nineteenth, also saying
that we had in addition, on these days, heavy rain and mud to
suit them. The rains were so nice and warm that we stood
and took them, and when we came to a creek swollen by them
to more than waist deep, we dashed right through without any
more saturation from the act than we had already received
from the rain. Gen. Cox, with the 3rd division, fought his way
along on our right and at night we settled down in line with
each other.
The twentieth was by no irieans clear of rain and mud, but
brought us a quiet time with a little rest, though we could hear
the armies pounding away at each other off to the left,
continuously from morning till night. At night I was detailed
for picket. Capt. Ewalt, of Co. C, was in charge of the line
and in front of the brigade. We were posted in a swamp not
far in front, where the water was so plenty that we had to
stand up to and hold fast to the trees to keep ourselves on dry
land. Of course there was no sleeping for the off reliefs that
night. But that condition was not the only one that kept us
on the alert all night long. After we had been in place a
while, -and towards midnight, the sound of wagons moving
along our front and to the right began to be heard, and was
kept up till morning. The supposition with us was* that the
rebels — known to be not far away — were on the move and for
some purpose. Capt. Ewalt apprehended that they were
getting ahead of us with the intention of pushing through here,
though in a swamp, and sent back to camp for re-enforcemerits
to double up his picket line.
In the morning we learned that tne noise of moving
wagons was caused by a move made by Hooker, who edged to
the right, just in front of us, crowding up the retreating rebels.
This move was the basis 8f Sherman's reproof, two day's later,
for cutting loose from the main body that he might have an

226 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
independent command, for the time being. This had happened
several times with that general, much to the annoyance of
junior officers who were not at all under his charge, but were
present with their commands, where the Regulations gave full
authority over all to the senior officer present. He was
charged with having taken this course several times, in order
to carry on business for awhile on his own hook.
Though Hooker had pushed himself along our front the
night before, the 23d Corps made no move on the twenty-first.
I was still on the same picket line the most of- the day, and
it was a novelty to stand picket between two of our own lines.
It was raining, but the lines kept up the pounding business to
the left with but little cessation. ?
Hooker, by pushing in front of us had formed a screen for
us, an act which I found no fault with. To close in again for
extending the lines, we had to move to the right on the twenty-
second. Two miles in a roundabout course brought us to the
right of Hooker's line about four o'clock. While on this
road, I observed a board nailed to a tree by the wayside, on
which was inscribed: "Hell's hottest furnace, three-quarters
of a mile." Whether this was put up by guess work or pro
phetic knowledge, I cannot divine, but it soon proved a fact.
We had not gone more than that distance and began to swing
on Hooker's right, where he had just set his lines and began
throwing up defenses, when the battle began. A rebel division
had formed diagonally across Hooker's right so as to strike
the end first, designing to roll it up in confusion, if they could.
But as it happened, they couldn't. We had so sooner gained
a place and began putting up breastworks, , than the rebels
came firing and yelling through the bushes across our front,
but not in sight. The 6th Michigan Battery came up at that
moment and wheeled into position on the right of the 25th,
just in the nick of tifne. This timely appearance of the 1st
Brigade was something the rebels had not foreseen. The yells
of an expected triumph exposed their whereabouts so that the
artillery was able to fire their shots at the same angle as the
approaching line. Nothing daunted, on they came with a

ATLANTA. 227
furious rush and yells, until in sight of Hooker's line, where a
withering fire turned them back with a considerable loss. It
took but a few minutes to get rid of them; they melted away
in the bushes as fast as they had come forward, but without
the yells. The 14th Kentucky was nearly a full regiment and had
been in the fighting line but a short time. It had led this
movement, and as it came to the place for halting, was imme
diately thrown out in full force as a skirmish line, and just in
time to receive the rebel onset. Down upon and over the 14th
Kentucky the rebels came like an avalanche. They gave no
heed to the Kentuckians, but ran right over them, nor stopped
to""take a prisoner. These fellows, after the storm had passed
over them, picked themselves up and got out of there about
as fast as they could. I met Capt. Wood of the 14th a short
time after, who was covered with mud, when he related how
they were run over by a. heavy body of the rebels, who were so
intent on bigger game that they paid no attention to them.
He thought they had been blessed by a very lucky escape.
The Kentuckians should have retired before the heavy fighting
lines of the enemy and given their own side a better. chance in
the contest. It was just as well, though, for they suffered no
casualties as I could learn from the captain during the few
minutes of exposure between the shots of friend and foe.
This was set down as the battle of Culp's Farm. Hooker
was the victor and seemed pleased at its outcome. Our brigade
took no live part in the battle. The rebels passed close along
our front, but were obscured from view by the woods and
underbrush: Our musket shofs could. easily have reached
them, and, had we been ordered forward in a counter charge,
we should have made, a good deal more havoc in their ranks.
In this battle the rebels found it was a very easy, though an
expensive thing, tp "catch a tartar."
This move landed us about six miles or so south of and in
sight pf the. Kenesaw mountains, whence we could hear an
almost continuous cannonade, as if the one side was determined
on crowding forward and the other on holding its ground. It

228 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
was reported at this time that our lines were twenty-five miles
long, which I thought a little doubtful. Their linear strength
was a good one, tor they formed the outer circle, continually
flanking and lapping around the inner circle held by the
rebels. Our army might be compared with that automatic
image we read of in ancient history, that seized its admiring
victim in its arms to hug him to death. So Sherman was
striving to seize his opponent to hug him out of existence.
But Johnston was too wily to be caught in that manner and
would slip out of the grasp before it could be too far enclosed
upon him.
The twenty-third of June was used up in making a further
flanking move to the right, in which we built two lines of
works that day. Heavy skirmishing was followed up on the
tWenty-fifth, when just at night the rebel skirmishers were
driven back and we made a direct advance a short distance,
took up a new line amid the flying bullets, and after throwing
up our works in the first half of the night, forgot the rest of
our cares in sleep till next morning.
In taking up our new position an amusing incident occurred.
We were filing past a leading regiment just as the bullets were
showered against us at thdr best, when I noticed a white
haired captain of one of its companies get his head down
behind a stone, as a tired-out chicken runs its head in the
grass. He lay there waving his hand to his men, telling them
to go on with the rest of them.
A few more finishing touches were put to the works the
next morning, after which a little leisure was allowed us for
inspecting the situation. It was not a very comfortable one
on the first discovery. Our lines had angled through the
picket line and in front of the 6th Michigan battery, which
would, in the case of an alarm during the night, have fired
into us. And then, on looking up through an opening in the
woods along on the line to the left, I saw a rebel fort frowning
down Upon us, directly in line where it could have given an
enfilading fire and held our new position at its mercy. Gen.
Hascall coming along a few minutes after its discovery, I

ATLANTA. 229
called his attention to its threatening appearance. Upon
examination it was found to have been abandoned by the
rebels the night before, and was now in occupation by our men
on the picket line.
The pressure all along the lines was kept up at par every
day. Picket firing was carried on at a lively rate, with the
bullets flying — mostly over our heads — but some among us.
Several of our men were wounded, while several more made
very narrow escapes. They had become so much accustomed
to such a condition of things that they sauntered about with
perfect indifference to the contest — dangers to which they
were constantly exposed. They did cooking, eating, and even
letter writing under the guns of the enemy. I observed Sergt.
Leeds of Co. C, who had just returned from the north, to sit
with perfect indifference under such fire while engaged in
writing his letters home.
On the morning of the twenty-seventh the 25th Michigan
was placed in reserve and relieved from duty in the works.
This was giving us a rear seat. We were placed but a few rods
in the rear of the main line- — under the random fire of the
pickets and without the advantage of protective works. Then,
top, orders had been issued to keep up a heavy firing all along
the line that day, so as to hold the enemy in his place. Thi?
was done to the order, and quite a number of the 25th were
wounded. We were aware that we were located as we were as
a matter of temporary convenience, yet we put up such slight
protections as our necessities demanded for the occasion.
Several in the front line were killed and carried to the rear,
among whom was Capt. Butler of the 13th Kentucky.
This was the day of the battle of Kenesaw Mountain,
fought mostly in an assault upon it, by the army of the
Cumberland. The heavy firing kept up all along the lines was
for the purpose of taking up the attention <of the enemy to
what, was going on in their front, and tp so much employ them
with the threats of an impending battle, as to prevent the
mo.ving.of- any assistance against the operations of Gen. Thomas.
The rebels returned the fire as fiercely as it was given to them.

230 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
There have been but few successful generals who have
not, at times, made mistakes. The assault upon Kenesaw
seems to have been a mistake of Sherman's, though he appears
to have had good reasons for making it when everything is
taken into consideration. The rebels having all the advantage
of an elevated position, and behind works with an open front
under full command of their 'artillery, could have lost only in
small proportion to that of the assaulting party. One of the
actors in the charge told mq soon afterwards that our men
gained the rebel works and were unable to hold them, or,
rather, that they reached the works but were not in sufficient
force to cross over and take them. They rested in front of
and against them, while the defenders would reach their guns
over and fire down on them. Their numbers were unequal to
make a rally and cross over. Nothing better to save their
lives was left them but to retreat as best they could and resign
what they had gained to nothingness. It was a huge, a great
loss, and nothing accomplished, unless it convinced the rebels
that the northern army was determined to carry the position in
some way or another.
The assault on Kenesaw having failed, there was less
fighting the next day. Towards night the 1st brigade was
moved up front in the works again, and I was detailed in
charge of the regimental picket line at dark, which was located
about ten rods farther to the front. A great deal of picket
firing was kept up both day and night during these days, and
all at random, too, at an unseen foe through the thickets.
Much of it was to no purpose whatever. I was directed to
suppress it as much as I could, and prevent it entirely if
possible. It was just as darkness came on that I got my pickets
posted in their rifle pits. These pits were about twenty paces
apart, large enough to hold four or five men, and, by the way,
were deemed just as essential for the defense of the pickets as
the breastworks were for the protection of the main lines.
They were always dug out just as soon as the picket line was
established.

ATLANTA. 231
While posting the pickets I could hear the rebels singing
and praying — but a short distance through the woods in front
of us. I presume that they had a live camp meeting, as the
stirring tunes about them would seem to carry the thoughts of
many a person in that direction. I was passing along the line
and giving orders to each post to engage in no firing unless the
rebels could be seen approaching against them. But what
were such orders worth in the face of a panic? Somewhere,
away off to the left, a panic seized the picket line and came
down along the line by the rattling of guns towards us, with
the fury of a whirlwind and the speed of a hurricane. It was
impossible to stop it. Each post tpok it up as the panic or
insanity wave came rolling towards them. I could do nothing
but let it pass by and through my own command, to be taken
up and carried on by the next. Finding that nothing was
elicited from the rebels the fury of the panic spent its force in
a single volley. But it had one effect. There was no more
singing and praying over in front of us that night. I suppose.
we could all of us have been fined by the civil law for
disturbing a religious meeting. Yet it might have set the
prosecutors at their wit's end to collect the fines just about
that time.
Sergt. Leeds of Co. C was on picket with me that night
and had charge of one of the rifle pits. In a recent letter he
says: "I well remember that fusilade that commenced wayon
the left and ran the whole length of the line. An amusing
thing occurred. In the pit or hole I had charge of was a boy
named Jim. And poor Jim, he is dead now. He had a
weakness, when the opening shot was fired on any occasion, to
let his head lose control of his legs, and let his legs run away
with his body. But this time Jim couldn't get away. I was
standing up when a musket went off near my head, having
been fired off straight up in the air. I at once asked who was
shooting in that way and someone said Jim. And Jim was on
his back in the pit, holding his musket straight up and letting
her loose."

232 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
I was relieved from picket by Lieut. Finlay of Co. I.
There was a point in the breastworks where they had been
partly thrown down, and something like a sheep-path made
over them, or, built from opposite directions, they had not been
joined together. I had found that some rebel sharpshooters
had gained command of this spot, and it behooved everyone
for his safety to avoid it. Whether the sharpshooters could
see it from a station in some tree, or through an open line on
the ground, I could not tell. There was such incessant firing
that the sound would fail to give direction to the spot whence
it came. Nor was it safe to pursue an investigation.
Knowing that I was soon to be relieved, I retired to the
main line to prevent the picket relief from passing through
this opening. But some of the relieving guards were too
headstrong, and, rather than climb the breastworks, took to
the path. The first one made out to get through, and to one
side, but the sight of him gave the alarm to the watchful sharp
shooter, who was ready for the next. He was young Granger,
of Company C. a mere lad or stripling. He was a victim, for
he no sooner appeared in the gap than a bullet hit his head
and he fell forward in instant death. What added a more sym
pathetic sorrow to the death of the lad was the presence of his
father to witness the untimely loss of his son. He became a
sacrifice to an imprudent notion that he could battle against
the warning of danger. The soul of this young fellow had
entered the world from the eternity of the past, his mission on
earth being a short one. As a comet comes suddenly in view
from unknown space, flashes around the sun, and as suddenly
disappears into the boundless beyond, so this unfortunate lad
comes from and disappears -into eternity, thus paying the pen
alty of existence. A stretcher was soon procured, and, by
creeping close to the ground, we pulled the dead body of
young Granger one side, placed it upon the stretcher, and were
ready to carry him back. There were two carriers in front,
while I took the rear handles alone. We had to cross the line
of fire where he fell. I told the leaders that they must do that
part of their work with quick movements. They did so, but

ATLANTA. 233
not without a bullet following close after me as we carried the
body across the dangerous pathway toward the rear.
At the time he was detailed young Granger felt a present
iment of his fatality. He did not wish to go on detail; was
sick but would not report upon the sick list. But it came as
his allotted turn for one of the picket guards, and his own
father, whose duty it was to make the detail, could not excuse
him. He says: "If I get killed, tell mother that I died while
doing my duty." These were the last words he was known to
speak, and enough to commiserate with a sympathetic tear
the fate of one so little used to life. I had given the warning
against crossing the works at the point where he fell, but some
of the guards thought they could not be shot under any cir
cumstances, and led the way, he following at the expense of
his life. We had flanked the rebel army so far from their strong
hold of Kenesaw that they must have realized that their posi
tion was becoming more and more untenable, but resolved to
hold on till the last moment. On the thirtieth they began a
parallel movement to our right, also, to head us off as long as
possible from getting upon the railroad to their rear. It was
AUatoona ^ver again, though we were a little longer at it this
time. They always appeared to be in fighting force when
ever or wherever we began a flanking move, and just as ready
to fight us as we were to fight them. It was evident that
Sherman, while holding them in front, as they held him, also,
in the line ot Kenesaw and Lost mountains, was, at the1 same
time, outreaching them by his flanking marches and fights.
He was constantly getting nearer and nearer to their line of
supplies, which must, in the end, close them out from their
mountain defenses. They must maintain their control of the
railroad to the rear or retreat. Sherman was now well upon
the railroad, and Johnston was moving as large a force as he
could spare to head him off . From the direct assault on the
twenty-seventh, the more active operations were now changing
to our right.

234 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
JULY, J864.
The last move that resulted in the dispossession of the
rebel army from their settlements on the Kenesaws was made
by the Army of the Ohio, under General Schofield, on the first
day of July. It was an intensely hot day, and the heat began
as soon as the sun was high enough to pour his rays down
upon us. We began the flanking movement in the morning at
a seasonable hour, and soon began to find the roadside filled
with stragglers, the color of whose faces gave evidence that
the heat within began to boil over in the shape of sweat and
short breath. The shade of every bush and tree was called in
service for relief. About ten o'clock the brigade found itself
in an open field, forming in line of battle for a fight.
As we were just entering the woods again Gen. Haskell
met Col. Cooper near me, and directed him to advance his
brigade into the woods till he should find something ahead of
him. Cooper had not advanced many minutes when the first
bullets from the disturbed rebels were shot at the skirmishers,
and they came back hunting for the main lines also. They
produced no casualties, but were fated bullets. They brought
along with them the microbes, bacteria, bacilli or the germs of
disease in some other form, for the instant they were heard to
approach us, Thompson turned round and said to Capt. Childs:
"I'm sick." Capt. Childs instantly diagnosed his, disease, took
the surgeon's responsibility on the spot, and fearful that his
peculiar , disease might take the form of an epidemic,
administered a dose of soothing syrup by saying, "You can go
to the rear," and thus checked the spread of the disease.
Thompson was temporarily cured, but not by the Thompsonian
system of medicine. It was for the rest of us to have that
system given us through its next of kin — by the sweat we took
from the heat of the day. The Captain served his patient in
the twinkling of an eye, for it did not stop our advance in the
least. The skirmishers fought their way forward steadily, allow
ing the rebel bullets, and occasionally a cannon shot, to pass

ATLANTA. 235
over them, and to visit and even pass beyond our main lines.
They tame, however, with few or no casualties to our brigade
that I was able to learn of, beyond the bursting of a shell over
"the head of Maj. Dunn, of the 3d Tennessee, which served
only to stun him for awhile.
Toward noon we came out of the woods into an open
field that was just wide enough to cover the front of the
brigade. Heavy opposition was made to the further advance
of our lines, from the woods bordering the farther side arid
from some farm buildings there. We were halted in the middle
of the field, which was surrounded by woods close by on every
side, converting the place into a fearful hot-bed. To save our
selves from the danger of flying bullets as much as possible,
we had to lie flat on the ground. In this way we were more
exposed to the scorching heat of the sun, though less to the
bullets of the enemy. We were there probably for nearly an
hour, in the middle of that hot day. The heat began to tell
heavily upon us, several being sunstruck and, carried on
stretchers to the rear. One man of Co. A was overcome with
the heat, who, by the assistance of cold water from the well at
the farm buildings ahead of us, and a little whiskey, that Capt.
Wells had with him, was soon restored from his prostration.
The 22d Indiana battery had just arrived and taken its
place in line for the first time that morning. Its captain was a
fine-looking man, and dressed as if he had just stepped from a
band-box. Fighting was probably new to him, and soon
after fighting commenced he was carried back a corpse. He
had rashly exposed himself on horseback, and paid the penalty
in death. Our delay in the field was caused by the trouble the skir
mishers had in going forward again. The opposition, for
awhile, was too strong for them. They needed help and it
came in a novel way. Orders were passed along that, at the
sound of a cannon, all of us should sit up and yell with all our
might, when the skirmishers would go forward again and clear
the way. The signal came and up we sat and yelled as if we
would like to tear the whole of creation in pieces. The yell

236 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
was what won the victory. The skirmishers advanced, the
rebels left, and that, too, without returning a shot. -It is said
that the Chinese fight a great deal with gongs. We did better
at that time. We put in that style of fighting by noise, but
with natural instead of artificial attachments.
Thus we moved slowly forward the rest of the day, beating
the rebels before us until near sundown, when we stopped for
the night just behind a gentle swell ot ground in an open field.
There was, perhaps, fifty to eighty rods of it left in front of us
before it bordered on the woods again. This line of woods
gave shelter to the rebel skirmishers, who, finding themselves
pursued no further, made a stand and began shooting their
balls at us — though we were not really in their sight. But the
balls shaped their flight to the make of the ground, and came
on so thickly among us as to threaten our situation. It was
found necessary to drive them on further and out of shooting
distance. Before going any further I wish to say that the line settled
upon for the erection of works was the crown of a slight swell
of ground, behind which we were resting while small details
from each company were sent forward to begin the work, and
within range of the deadly bullets from the rebels beyond the
field. It was here that one of those incidents, that bring with
them the deepest sorrow, occurred, that are likely to take place
under such circumstances. I can set it forth no better than by
a quotation from, the diary of Sergt. Slayton of Co. B. He
says: "We were now to fortify and hold this place at all
hazards, but the enemy were so close that we could not work
on the ridge where we wished to, and there was a large open
field in front, some 60 rods across. They concluded to try the
breastworks and four of our company, myself among them,
were sent forward to commence the work for our company.
Two of us were shoveling and two bringing rails. Joseph
Antcliff and I were using the spades to the best of o,ur ability,
but had not been at it more than five minutes when Joseph
threw up his hands, exclaiming, 'Oh, boys, I'm shot!' and fell.
A minnie ball had broken his left arm and leg, the latter close

ATLANTA.* 237
up to his body. A stretcher was brought and he was taken to
the rear." This unfortunate yielded up his life in the cause
the 15th of the following October.
The regiment was ordered to fall in for the charge. We
were facing to the north. On the right, or east side, and to
the north, were some farm buildings. A portion of the field
was new land and full of stumps and old tree stubs. While
forming in line I was in front of my company, and told the
men as they fell in, to keep themselves pretty well scattered
and take every advantage of shelter they could behind the
stumps and old tree stubs, to load and fire as fast as they could,
and then, in the quickest time, to advance to the next shelter.
Col. Orcutt took up and gave the same directions along the
whole regiment. He felt the heat too much for one of his full
form, and was too much tired out to go forward, and told his
men that he proposed to let them make the charge without
him. When all was ready he gave the order and we moved
forward. As soon as the crest of the ground was gained
business began and every man went at it on his own hook.
Every one, through the excitement, forgot how tired he was
from the severity of the day's service, ran for the first shelter,
fired his gun, loaded again, and then with a yell started for the
next shelter, to repeat the same over again. It took but a few
minutes to silence the rebel pickets. They soon faded away
from before us and the line of the woods was ours. The
protection afforded by the stumps did not spread out for the
whole regimental front. Co. I was on the left and without this
advantage. They could not stop for shelter, but kept themselves
aligned and on the move. Lieut. Finlay was in command, and
with sword in hand led his company, waving them forward and
was the first to gain the woods where the rebels had been
posted. The rest of us came up soon after. ,The charge in
this case was so exciting that it seemed as if it was nothing but
a piece of sport. The success gained us a new picket line,
which, of course, had to be manned. Co. I was the largest
company present and the adjutant chose this company to
remain there for the night. As soon as the announcement had

238 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
been made, being too tired for any curiosity, I started b^ack to our
stopping place for the night. The rest of the chargers, went
back in about the same style — ad tandem— at will and on their
time. We had no sooner reached our camping place than we
had to set to and build works, which were completed a little
before midnight.
There were several in the same mess with myself, among
whom was Seaman Bristol, who usually did the cooking and
looked out for the extras in that direction when they could be
had. In the charge he had moved off to the right, where he
passed through and among the farm buildings that stood in
our way. On passing through one of the buildings a barnyard
fowl came in his way, that had to surrender itself a prisoner.
In such cases captures, of course, had to be attended to. He
seized it, ran one foot up through or under his belt, took a
tighter hitch in it and kept his place in the charge without loss
of time. In this case his prize was a lawful one, that had been
covered by the guns of the enemy. He returned with a chicken
that he had carried to the end of the charge. As we set to
work on our defenses, he set to work fixing up his chicken for
supper, which he had duly prepared in time for us to sup on
the stew as soon as we had done with our work for the night.
The sun had scarcely begun to open the day in the east
on the morning of the second of July, when, away off about
six miles to the northwest, a furious cannonade was seen to be
going on against and over the top of the Kenesaws. The
mountain top was full in sight and I had not to raise my sleepy
head from the spot whereon I had spent the night, to see the
shells bursting over it. The roaring of the artillery was so
great that I was awakened at daylight by it. It was kept up
for an hour or so, when our men, getting no reply, found that
the rebels had made good their retreat to the Chattahoochee.
The sunset charge of the day before was the last straw that
broke the camel's back. We had so nearly gained the railroad
that Johnston could not maintain himself any longer on the
mountain top where he had bid defiance to Sherman's army.
The army of the Ohio had been the flanking fighters for nearly

ATLANTA. 239
the whole of the past month, and now succeeded in flanking
him out of the position that he had so long and so easily held
in front of the armies of the Cumberland and Tennessee.
The retreat from the Kenesaws took place on the night
following the first of July. Our men took possession on the
morning of the second, the news of which came down along
the lines before the end of the day. I mention this circum
stance of my own knowledge, because all the writers upon that
historical point, that I have read, place it on the third of July.
As a further proof that we gained the mountain on the second,
I will quote again from Sergt. Slayton's diary, written at the
time. On July third he makes the entry: "We hear that Ken
esaw Mountain was occupied by our troops yesterday morning,
the enemy having left."
Sherman had now virtually gained the line of the Chatta
hoochee. Johnston had been so hard pressed that he had
retreated to that river. As he had no strength with which to
hold his place there by natural formations, he could hold it by
no better title than that of squatter sovereignty. With a
stronger claimant close on his heels, his residence there was
only a question of short duration. Sherman followed close on
and gave him no chance for a fourth of July holiday. Perhaps
he didn't care for that particular part of the calendar, seeing
that he was trying to strike down the country that had adopted
it. The Army of the Tennessee had begun to occupy our
places on the second of July, and also to move further down
to the right. It also kept on the same move all the following
day. Thomas had probably followed directly after the retreat
ing rebels, while McPherson, with the Army of the Tennessee,
we were told, was going further down the river to cross below
the rebel position.
Among ourselves in the Army of the Ohio the fourth of
July was a quiet day, but* down the railroad toward the river
the roar of artillery was kept up from morning till night. The
hostile armies were again face to face, and pounding away at
each other. Enough powder was used here for the celebration
of the day throughout most of the northern cities, together
with a large amount of substantials besides.

240 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
The 23d Corps was moved up to the railroad on the sixth
and within three miles of the Chattahoochee 'river, where the
railroad trains, having followed closely the grand army of
Sherman, put in their appearance at the same time. This was
a satisfactory voucher that our communications were sure and
certain to the distant north. All the time that we were here
quietly in camp for a couple of days, we could hear the armies
pounding away at each other, betokening a struggle of aggres
siveness on the part of one, and of resistance on the other.
From the beginning of the campaign up to this time the
Army of the Ohio had been upon the extreme right flank
nearly all the way to this point. It now took a place on the
left, while those of the Cumberland and Tennessee passed over
to the right. As we had been the flanking fighters heretofore,
we were now the leading flankers in another direction. Thus
it was assigned to the 23d Corps to lead a flanking move across
the river. The weather about this time was very hot.
On the eighth we marched about six miles up the river.
While stopping about noon a division staff officer rode along
the lines, or, rather, along the road, for we were strung along
the river and had stopped to rest, asking for volunteers who
could manage boats, and who would be willing to assist at the
first crossing of the river. I had had some experience rowing
a boat, and stepped out as a volunteer for the service. About-
two hundred from the division did the sarrie. When assembled,
the inspector-general, upon inquiry, found that I was the
senior officer and gave over the command to me. I received
his instructions and repaired with the men down the bluffs to
Soap Creek, near where it joins the river. This point was said
to be about ten miles above the railroad bridge. The bushes
and trees concealed all our movements, as well as a battery
that was posted for action just where we began to descend
from the bluffs. Down on the river flats we found the 58th
Indiana, serving as a pontoon regiment in the 4th Army Corps,.
already there with their canvass boats, a description of which
I have before given,' set together and ready for service. Col.
Byrd's brigade, of the 3d division, soon appeared upon the

ATLANTA. 241
ground also. The boats were placed in the creek, each one
manned by a small detachment from my charge for rowing or
propelling them across the river, and filled with men from the
12th Kentucky for crossing over. In the meanwhile the
remainder of Col. Byrd's brigade filed along the river bank
under, cover of the willows that lined its banks. The creek
was filled with the loaded boats to within about five rods of
its mouth or junction with the river. Everything was in per
fect organization and ready for action. It was supposed that
the rebels were posted in the woods that crowned the opposite
bluffs to contest the crossing of the river. To the opposite bluffs
the land was clear, and with a narrow intervale it was within
easy musket range. The supposition was correct. A small
and ineffective detachment of the enemy was posted there and
with a single piece of artillery. Perhaps it was a party of
observation more than one for defensive operations. The sig
nal was given, and the musketry opened from the river banks
upon the spot where the rebels were supposed to be posted.
The battery on the hills behind us joined in the chorus, while
the loaded boats dropped down and out of the creek, pushed
across the river and landed their men without a single casualty.
The first boat over was manned by Sergts. Leeds, of Co. C, and
Cronk, of Co. G. Our side was too much for the contestants.
The bullets and shells flew at them so thick and fast that the
rebels managed to get in but one or two shots from their can
non at the boats, and they dropped in the water without
injury to any one. They were whipped so quickly that they
could nbt even draw off their cannon, and had to leave it on
the spot. As soon as the boats had delivered their living freight
upon the opposite shore, they returned again to repeat the
same operation. It took but a short time to place enough of
the brigade across the river to take possession of the heights
beyond. As soon as the crossing was begun, the laying of the
bridge was begun also. An empty boat was pushed out a
short distance from shore with the ends up and down stream,

242 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
and anchored frpm the shore above; then stringers were laid
from the. shore to the boat and covered with planks. Another
boat was dropped in from above, anchored the same, con
nected by stringers to the first one, and likewise covered with
planks. The placing of all the. successive boats was a repetition
of the others until the river was spanned and the bridge com
pleted, While the boats were being placed in position, each
by itself, men were carrying stringers, with which to connect
them, and, planks to cover the stringers, so that when a boat
was let down and anchored in. its place the bridge was soon
completed to that point. The work was done so rapidly that
the bridge actually grew across the river in a little, over an
hour. I might have counted the boats at the time and
measured the distance they were set apart from each other,
and thus have known the width of the river, but I did not. I
should say, however, that it was fully four hundred feet from
bank to bank, covered by nineteen boats.
While the bridge building was going forward I looked up
stream and saw other troops fording the river. It was a
brigade of the 3d division. It was near nightfall, before the
bridge was ready for use, though it had been laid in a very
short time after the first boat was anchored. I think that no
other troops besides the 3d division crossed over that day.
This was the first footing that Sherman secured , beyond the
Chattahoochee, and was on the 8th day of July. With the
completion of the, bridge my volunteered service was at an
end. For a like reason I dismissed those with me and they
returned to their respective commands. Knowing that the
25th would have to pass by us to cross the river, those with me
from my own regiment remained at the foot of the hills for the
night, to wait and rejoin it as they came along, which they did
the next day.
The 2d division crossed over on the ninth, and the next
day after moved to the crest of a lofty ridge, about two or
three miles from the river, to the south-east, and were placed
in line of battle, where we remained for several days. Here I
climbed a tree to view the surroundings. The first that com-

ATLANTA. 243
manded attention was a seemingly interminable forest in all
directions for' a long distance. Kenesaw, with its company of
mountains, was in sight, as well as the toning down of the
Blue Ridge away off to the north. Stony Mountain, far east
of Decatur, was seen to raise its single rock toward the
heavens, while to the southward, and among forests in the dis
tance, the roofs of buildings could be seen, showihg something
of Atlanta. Upon the ridge, and in our regimental lines, a signal' was
planted, whence it opened communications with other stations
along the line of the army. These gave the general command
ing quick and immediate information of transpiring events
from one end of his army to the other. Where it was possible
to establish signal stations in view of each other, it was done,
and Sherrtian was enabled to call up reports at any moment
from any part of his command. This was, indeed, a help of
the highest value, and thus the signal corps was made an arm
ofthe service that could not very well be dispensed with. The
practice of the signals was so immediately before me that I
could not help noticing their operations. Two or three men
were at the station and in communication with some other
station below, near the river and toward the railroad bridge. I
was permitted to look through the powerful glass and get a
view of the distant signal station. I thought it was on the
south side of the river, like" ourselves, but was told it was not,
and that Johnston was still on the north side when his move-
mentsWere watched arid reported through these signals.
To operate or conduct the signals, a flag was used by day
and a light at night. The chief held a small disc, upon which
was tabulated letters and figures, which he used in calling off
the numbers to the flagman, according to the names or mes
sage he wished to send. The table was a secret known only to
himself. He called his figures and the flag was moved accord
ingly. There seemed to be but three moves of the flag from
an upright position, which was the base of its operations.
There was a swing to the front (which, at a distance, would
seem like lowering it to the ground) and up again; then a

244 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
swing to the right or left. These three motions were all the
flag could make, but, with repetitions and various combina
tions of the motions, the message was soon telegraphed to the
distant observer, whose eye caught what the ear could not,
thus silently transmitting the orders of the commander to the
most distant parts of the command, or securing any informa
tion of importance for his action.
Each army had its own code of signals unknown to the
other, yet our side had studied out the rebel code so that it
could be read. It was thus that the death of Gen. Polk was
known immediately in our lines. The rebels signalled the
occurrence, which was picked up and read by an expert on our
side. The signal system for conveying news came down from
quite an ancient period, being in use hundreds of years before
the Christian era, when torches were the only means of giving
the signals. Hence it was then of no use only at night. The sys
tem grew more and more into perfection till it settled down
into the high order it now holds in the army. One man only —
the chief at each station — can read or receive a message. The
flagman simply does his bidding. Savage tribes or clans have
their modes or codes of signals by which an assemblage is
called. The most notable series of signals performed in recent
times was in 1825. It was done by the use of cannon along
the Erie canal and Hudson river, from Buffalo to New York.
It was before the days of the telegraph, and completed a dis
tance of four hundred and fifty miles. It was at the opening
of navigation of the canal. The entrance of the first boat into
the waterway at Buffalo was signalled to New York in an hour
and twenty-one minutes and returned in an hour and eighteen
minutes. The circuit of nine hundred miles was made in less
than three hours. Upon this occasion the event was signaled
by the use of cannon stationed so that the report of the first
was sent on to the next until the circuit was completed.
By the secure crossing of the Chattahoochee, Sherman
had now scratched the scales from the great Saurian monster,
and was ready to dig away at his sides and open him up.

ATLANTA. 245
About the middle of July Johnston withdrew to the south,
or rather south-east, side of the Chattahoochee, burning the
railroad bridge after him. The reconstruction of it was a
necessity for insuring a full supply for the northern troops
after they should have laid siege to the city of Atlanta. So
Sherman called upon his regiment of mechanics and engineers
and demanded of its commander how long before he could
rebuild the bridge. He answered, "Four days." The general
replied, "I will give you only tWo days to put it in order for
the cars to run over it." And it was done in that time.
A few days were taken up by Sherman in getting his army
over the river and well closed up before following the rebels
towards the city. The rebels had already withdrawn thither
ward, which was but seven or eight miles from the river.
Schofield, with the Army of the Ohio, moved a short distance
on the fourteenth and fortified, though there was no enemy in
front of us. But we were now so accustomed to the throwing
up of works at every halting place that it would be a strange
circumstance to range ourselves in line of battle without
the proper defenses, and not allow ourselves to be caught
napping. I pitched my tent over in front of the breastworks.
It was a dog tent, large enough for three to sleep in. Sergts.
Elwell and Bristol were my associates and companions. If we
were fortunate enough to have reading material, we would,
while idle in camp, spend much of the time lying in the shade
of the tent, which was open at each end, and do our reading
there. One day Elwell and myself were lying in the tent, he
in the middle and myself upon his right. We were reading —
both were lying upon our backs, when I thought I caught a
glimpse of something moving towards my left eye. On rolling
my head to learn what was approaching I frightened a huge
blacksnake, which, upon dodging back, brushed himself so
roughly against the top of my companion's head that. he lost
no time in rolling out of his end of the tent, while I rolled out
of the other end, and left the tent for the moment to his
snakeship. I called on Elwell to drive hifn towards me so
that I could dispose of him. I usually kept my sword standing

,..j*.

246

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

H. N. ELWELL, (1897.)
Company E.

by the side of the tent pole;
it had an iron scabbard and
I took it for a weapon, and
as the snake was driven out
at my side I soon despatched
him. This reptile was a feeble
representative of Gen. Scott's
great anaconda that failed to
make its ends meet, and, as
promised, to constrict the
rebellion with it. Had the
general, instead, have bor
rowed the huge serpent slain
by the Romans in one of
their Punic wars with their
battering rams and ballista, he might, by anchoring one end
of it with the stones they threw down its throat, and then
glided the other end around the rebellious crew, have quite
easily choked the rebellion down to its last gasp.
Nor was this all, nor the worst, in the reptilian line of
brutes. The weather was very warm and pleasant, with evenings
in which an hour or so might be well used up in a social time
among our soldier companions before lying down for the night.
The evening of this day was- spent by most of us in sitting on
the breastworks till eight or nine o'clock, before taking to our
tents for sleep. My tentmates had already laid themselves
away for the night. On going tp the tent for the same pur
pose, I saw, by the light of the moon, shining dimly through
the trees, some object moving on my part of the bed. I could
not have seen the object had not my side of the tent been on
the side towards the moon. I scratched it out on the ground
and found it to be another snake about two feet long. This
time it was the deadly copperhead — a very dangerous companion
for a bed-fellow. Its actions indicated its nature to be that of
a venomous reptile, and it was despatched, also, in short order.
Notwithstanding these adventures we kept our beds for the

ATLANTA. 247
night, while others to the right and left of us raised their beds
a foot or so above the ground to ease their anxious minds.
But a short distance from this spot, and a day or so before, I
found the largest rattlesnake that I had ever beheld — though
it was then dead — showing that we had deadly enemies in
these parts other than rebel bullets. This rattlesnake must
have been a missionary sent from the secession flag of the
palmetto state to rattle A. H. Stephens into the confederacy,
with the black-chief cornerstone under his arm, and had died
at the foot of his work.
A real live and genuine copperhead in the south was a
reminder as a set-off to balance the practical copperhead in the
north, who was now more active than ever before in secret
conspiracies to close the rebellion in favor of the south. The
rattlesnake now being dead, had probably crawled forth from
the secession flag of the palmetto state as a harbinger of the
fate soon to follow the worshippers of that flag. The hooded
serpent still remained for the combat, but we were fast tearing
the fangs from his venomous jaws.
In arranging his lines Sherman seems to have taken several
days to perfect them in all their great length, so as to have
them move in unison again upon the enemy. The army was
formed to move in one grand wheel to the right, wheeling the
left of it around, upon and beyond Decatur — on the railroad
seven miles east of Atlanta, while the right advanced directly
against the city itself. The army of the Ohio went directly
for Decatur, meeting with little or no opposition. The rebels
let us know that they were in front of us and that was all.
They kept themselves well out of the way as we advanced.
Their force was probably one of observation only. The sequel
shows that they had their chief force in and north of -the city.
On the nineteenth we reached Decatur, where, after a small
engagement, the place was captured by the 2d and 4th, brigades
of the 2d division. The capture of this place gave into our
possession one of the arteries for the supply of the rebel army
we were about to besiege. It was tapped by the destruction
of the railroad eastward.

248 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
Sherman was with the army of the Ohio at Decatur. After
having gained this much there was no halting. The puckering
strings were drawn up and the twentieth of July was used up
in closing in on the doomed city. The falling confederacy
was sorely in need of all the ability possessed by Johnston,
one of its ablest generals. But it was not satisfied with him,
and decided upon a policy of more vigorous, and, I might say,
reckless action, by removing him and putting Gen. Hood in
his place. This was on the seventeenth. It stopped to swap
horses while crossing the stream, and confirmed a proverbial,
as well as perforriied a literal, truth. Hood was known to be a
desperate fighter and ready to stake everything, with or without
reason or hope for success. He was very much wanting in the
ability of his predecessor. Some of his moves partpok somewhat
of the Napoleonic order, "that God is on the side of the heaviest
battalions." That is, when he does his fighting, to do it with a
heavy and a crushing force — concentrating his whole force
against a single point on the lines of his enemy. His style and
his policy was, where he should have acted on the defensive
and under cover of works, to mass his men together and hurl
them, if he could, with the force of a thunderbolt against his
antagonist. This mode of fighting might be the best where a
general has enough men in reserve to follow up a successful
onset, but a miserable one where he can only send his men to
destruction and accomplish nothing. The generals opposed to
him understood his character and were usually prepared to
meet him, or, if taken unawares, were able to soon recover
themselves and turn the tide of battle against him,
The Army of the Cumberland being on the right, confronted
the city of Atlanta, and thus, also, the main army of the rebels.
It had just made a crossing of Peach Tree Creek and was
resting at the dinner hour in the intervale, when Hood was
seen emerging from the woods and advancing for battle, by,a
portion of the army that had halted on the hills on the north
side of the creek, and where there was a good show of artillery
also. As Hood's army was seen to come surging over the hills
at the south, the artillery was instantly opened upon him.

ATLANTA. 249
This was the first notice of the coming storm given to those
below in the valley of the creek, who were quietly taking their
dinner, However, they were ready for the enemy as it came
over the last hill in sight. Our artillery had a good position,
and, after a hard fought battle, drove the rebels back with a
heavy loss. This was the battle known as that of' Peach
Tree Creek.
I do not know what the disposition of Hood's army was
after its defeat, but towards night, as we approached Atlanta,
we had to form in line of battle and fight our way up to within
two miles of the city, and to the outer line of the rebel works,
which we reached just before dark. The rebel foices opposed
to the Army of the Ohio at the latter part of the day, I am
forced to believe, formed the extreme right of Hood's afmy.
The first thing to be done as we halted was to fortify, which
took us till the midnight hour.
The next day I climbed to the top of a tall pine tree, where
I could overlook the woods and see a considerable portion of
Atlanta. I could also see through the trees and bushes where
the rebels were strengthening their works. A little while
afterwards, while going back to the wagon train, I met Gen.
Schofield, to whom I related my discovery. He expressed, a
wish that on my return I should ask Capt. Shields — Chief of
Artillery of the 2d division — to climb the tree and make what
observations he could that would enable him to open his
artillery on the city. Carrying the directions to the captain,
he climbed up and soon satisfied himself that he could reach the
city with his shells and began to work them over in that
direction. This was some time during the forenoon of the
twenty-first and was probably the first introduction of the
hostile shells into the city. No more than this was done that
day from our part of the lines.
But early the next morning we were routed up and started
off immediately, as it was found that this outer line of the
rebel works had been abandoned, and, as we thought, the city
also. In this thought, however, we soon found ourselves labor
ing under a great mistake — that we were going to march right

250 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
into the city. It couldn't be" done just at this time, except
under a flag of truce, or without arms in our hands. To cool
off a little, we stopped and took our breakfast just inside the
outer rebel works, and then arose and made our progress. We
had not gone far before descending a hill and emerging in the
road from the woods in sight of the city, and perhaps a mile
distant, we received summary orders from the other side to
halt. Th,e inner line of the rebel works were withiri sight.
The orders came directly from them in tones of thunder that
left no doubt as to their purport, and were such as to command
immediate obedience. It was enough. There was no safety
in a further advance across the valley that day. Our lines
were immediately formed to the right and left of the road and
two lines of works thrown up. Picket lines were put out and
stationed just in the edge of the woods, forty rods or so down
the incline towards the city. Capt. Wells, of Company H, was
in command of our part of the line's, the brigade front, and
myself the second. The 25th Michigan furnished one hundred
men for these pickets. In front of the woods the land still
descended, forming an open valley, rising gradually toward
the city and open to the opposite heights and to the city's
edge, along which ran the inner works of the defenders. They
were plainly in view, and the rebels were conscious that we
had stationed ourselves somewhere in the woods. Their artil
lery gave us their compliments, as if they could not give us
too much of their best respects. Their shots were at random,
but some of them were pretty well directed, and there was but
little mistake in some of their guessing. As soon as our bat
teries got ready and into position, like "Jura from her misty
shrouds" answered aloud to the live thunder of the hostile
cannon. What was left of Company K in the main line, after
supplying the pickets, was nearly covered up with earth thrown
up by a shell that struck in the ground in front of it. This
business was kept up most of the remainder of the day, the
shells shrieking and bursting over and among us. Fortunately
but little damage to us followed them.
The defeat at Peach Tree Creek was not enough to give
the Least set-back to the energy of Hood. He had, probably,

ATLANTA. 251
learned the position of our lines when they were closing in
upon his works, and thought he might take them on the fly or
unawares, and redeem the defeat of the twentieth. He had
again, on the twenty-second, massed his army, except enough
to man the inner works of the city, by having marched the
night before beyond the left of our own advancing forces.
This was held by the army of the Tennessee, Gen. McPherson
commanding, which was closing in on the city from the east.
It was in marching order and not in line of battle, prepared for
a contest, when Hood suddenly threw the might of his forces
against it. At first considerable confusion followed. Nothing
had foreshadowed the .storm of battle. It broke suddenly and
unexpectedly upon our men. McPherson's army was too well
officered and disciplined to be routed^ even under such cir
cumstances, and soon regained itself and stood its ground.
While connecting and adjusting the three different army corps
of his command, McPherson, while riding down a roadway,
imknowingly passed through a gap in our lines into the pres
ence of the rebels. He was called upon to halt and surrender.
He halted, wheeled his horse and started back, but a rebel
bullet was too quick for him, as he was shot dead and fell
from his horse, which galloped back to our lines riderless, thus
telling the story of McPherson's end. In his death there was
more than one similitude with that of the great Gustavus in
1632. They were nearly of the same age, possessed of like
abilities, well beloved by their men, and ventured alike too far
into the presence of the enemy, where lives of the greatest
yalue were lost to the world.
The battle that followed was a heavy, fierce and bloody
one. Hood fought with his usual desperation and fury, cap
turing several pieces of artillery and some prisoners. After
ovu' men recovered themselves they recaptured all this artillery,
eighteen stand of colors and five thousand stand of small arms.
The enemy's loss was heavy and seemed out of proportion' to
the advantages of the surprise they had against, our side at the
beginning. Sherman reported the burial of 2800 rebel dead
within our lines, while we lost, as Logan says, but 1732. When

252 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
McPherson fell, Logan took command and raised the cry,
"McPherson and revenge!" which acted like magic upon our
troops, the rebels being unable to stem the tide that this watch
word raised against them. The battle lasted till night, but the
rebels were finally routed and driven from the field. This
battle was immediately on the left of our division. 'The 3d
Brigade was sent over to take a part in it. The picket lines
were, at the same time, engaged in firing at each other. I was
on the reserve post, a few rods in the rear of, the main, picket
line. About the middle of the afternopn matters were a little
quiet in front of me, and as there was such a wide open space
between us, the enemy could make no advance upon us without
a timely warning from the pickets. My place was so far from
the edge of the woods as to be out of sight of the field. In
those days myself and every one else were continually annoyed
by the parasitic gfaybacks, and were compelled, for comfort's
sake, to keep up a skirmish with them at every convenient
opportunity. I thought at this time that I would go skirmish
ing among them. I had to take off my sword and belt; had
skirmished over a good part of my clothing, and had but very,
little left upon me, when all at once Hood made his most
furious charge of the whole battle. The opening and distant
sound of musketry rolled swiftly towards me like an over
whelming wave. It was the heaviest and most incessant rattle
of small arms I had ever heard. It seemed, by the rapidity of
its approach, as if I should soon be swallowed up. in its fury,
yet I knew there was no advance against us from our immedi
ate front. My first care was to straighten up and get my traps
on again as soon as possible, but, as usual in such cases of
excitement, everything went wrong. It seemed to take an age
to untangle my clothing and get it on again. It was done in
quick time, though the thought that the rebels were right
upon me stretched that little space of time to its most elastic
extent. By the time I had become rehabilitated the fury of
the onset had nearly died away, and a second sober thought
assured me that I was in no immediate danger from that
direction. Yet I look backward now with curiosity upon the

ATLANTA. 253
excitement of the moment and wonder how, with my usually
cool self-possession, it could have happened.
This action fought by the Army of the Tennessee was set
down -as the battle of Atlanta. It was the commencement of
the siege of Atlanta, which lasted for forty days, and was pro
ductive of a good deal of fighting before it was done with.
Shots were now being exchanged between the besiegers and
the besieged, which were, at times, ,so numerous as to raise the
continued contest to the dignity of a battle. Nor did they
cease altogether at night. From some parts of the line shots
were poured over into the doomed city day and night without
cessation., While lying at night in my tent I could hear the
distant reports of heavy guns, and see the bursting of shells in
the air, the report of the latter coming, as it were, upon rever
berating waves, from which I concluded that the city was
built among the hills. Then, after the report of the shell had
expended itself, followed that of the monster that sent it forth.
From this I concluded it was fired from the opposite side of
the city and a long distance from me. The city was too large
to be at once enveloped by the besiegers. It was probably a
place of 20,000 people and not very closely built, occupying a
wide extent of territory, and as it was the policy of the rebels
to keep us pushed back as far as their forces were able to, we
hadn't sufficient force to completely surround it at any time.
There were two lines of supply to the city. We had already
taken possession of the one to the eastward and destroyed it.
As soon as the other from the south could be reached, the city
was as good as captured.
Sherman began immediately to move for that line by with
drawing the Army of the Tennessee, on the twenty-sixth, from
the left and edging it by the rear around to the right. The next
day Gen. Howard was taken from the 4th Corps in the Army
of the Cumberland and placed in command of the Army of the
Tennessee to succeed McPherson, which command he held
till the close of the war. While Howard was getting into
position on the twenty-eighth, and connecting his lines with
the right of Thomas, Hood came out again with a heavy force

254 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
and dashed himself against Logan's corps; which was the last
to come into position on the right. Logan had scarcely aligned1'
himself, and had just begun to throw up his defenses, when the
rebels forced themselves against him. What works they had
been able to put up were formed of old logs and other material
that came soonest to hand, and were of the rudest kind. The
charge was fiercely conducted on the part of the rebels, but
Logan was ever present all along his lines, and was just the old
war-horse for the occasion. The rebels are said to have
assaulted him six different times, and were repulsed' with a
bloody loss each time before they were satisfied With the drift
of affairs against them.
This was on the twenty-eighth, and was set down as the
Battle of Ezra Church, and had the same outcome as the two
previous battles of the twentieth and twenty-second,.
Hood had now been actually in the lead of the rebel arfny
ten days, and within this time had dashed himself against the
northern army in three heavy battles, with the same result
each time. The surprise in the second battle threw our lines
into temporary confusion, but, aside from this, his maddened
onsets made no more impression in their work than to send
him back, with heavy and disproportionate losses, to his own
reflections. It was three times and out, and the gentleman
must have been pretty well satisfied at last. He acted only on
the defensive for the rest of the siege, but he kept Sherman
pushed out from' the city as far as he could, while the latter
crowded his right around to the- southward for the purpose of
cutting off the railroad from that direction.
Hood contested every step of Sherman's advance to the
right with all the force left him to fight with. He could not, in
these three battles, have lost less than 20,000 men in 'killed,
wounded and prisoners— a sad depletion of his overtaxed army
for the work still before it. Johnston reports that, on the
tenth, he had a little over 40,000 men besides 10,000 cavalry, so
that Hood received, on the seventeenth, about 51,000 men. He
must have been dissatisfied with the possession of so many
men, seeing that he made such a fearful reduction of them in

ATLANTA. 255
so short a time. But it is said that he recruited up somewhat
from the Georgia militia, probably a good share from those
under and over the fighting age.
By the withdrawal of the Army of the Tennessee from the
left and placing it upon the right, the Army of the Ohio was
left in formation of that end of the line. It necessarily took a
new position, or a flanking defense, by refusing its extreme
left to the rear. This set us to building new works again.; and
took another all night of labor. This was the nineteenth time
we had built since the first of June or last of May. We had
good need of such covers, for the rebels had obtained a good
range on us through the woods, and planted their shells just
about where they wanted to send them. Whenever they set
the business going it sent us to the trenches without stopping
to ask questions. One shell passed through my tent and burst
but a few feet beyond. This, coming about a mile, was pretty
well timed for serving its destination. Another shell cut off
the leg of a sleeping Tennessean who was lying in his tent and
was camped but a short distance behind us. It awoke him but
he did not know he had lost his leg until he undertook to get
up. His life flowed away with his blood shortly after.
A good share of the time since starting on the Atlanta
campaign Col. Cooper, of the 6th Tennessee, had been in com
mand of the 1st Brigade, 2d division of the 23d Army Corps.
About this time he was made a brigadier general, and, of
course, loaded each of hisshDulders with a star. This was the
chip that the rebels were challenged. to knock off. He was not
a man who would stand quietly and allow such a thing to be
done. There was no discount on his bravery or fighting qual
ities. His promotion was merely the fortunes of an accident.
He simply stood in a path that was fenced in on either side,
and required no balance, pole to hold him. there.
AUGUST, 1864.
The naturally active mind of Sherman was all the time at
work. No sooner was the army ot Howard well settled in
place than it was rushed on. further. Schofield was withdrawn

256 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
from the extreme left and edged around to the extreme right.
The movement was begun on the first of August, when we
were marched about five miles and laid down by the roadside,
over night. The next day ten miles were made before we
could swing into line and face up to the enemy. This probably
represented the length of line Sherman held against the city,
The city was too large, and the rebel fortifications outside-
formed a still greater circle, so that Sherman was unable to
circumvallate it with his works, and, therefore, to capture the
city, he had to content himself with the capture of the lines of
feed and munition supplies that furnished the army of occupa
tion with the means of defense. When these lines should be
captured the city might as well be considered as captured also.
He had destroyed the rebel lines to the eastward and
needed to hold out on the left just far enough to protect his
own line of supplies back across the Chattahoochee. With his
right he kept pushing on southward and threateningly towards
the only line of supplies now left for Hood and his army.
Sherman was gaining ground nearly every day in that direction.
As in the month of June, the 23d corps became the flanking
fighters again and held that position till the close of the siege.
We pushed up on the third close to the line of the enemy,
where they could be seen about a fourth of a mile distant
across an open field and just in the edge 'of the woods beyond.
Their lines were located and works already built when we
came in sight. They had probably expected us and were
ready, in their style of doing it, to order a halt, which we did
on reaching a crest of a low swell or- ridge, where we put up
works immediately and within the fire of the rebel guns. We
were not molested a great deal until after the works were
completed, after which it would not do to show one's self
above them without getting peppered from the other side.
Where the works extended through open fields in the hot days
of summer, and we were confined close to them, we usually
put up shades to screen us from the hot rays of the sun.
They were made of uprights in the ground and poles laid
across high enough to walk under, with green branches to

ATLANTA. 257
cover. These shades at this point were put up on the morning
of the fourth. I got up on the breastworks, exposed to a plain
and easy shot for the rebels, to lay the branches over the poles
and finished the work without attracting a. shot. But, as the
sequel shows, it was an accidental piece of good fortune for
me. Soon afterwards Newton Shaw of Co. D undertook to
show a friend the location of the rebel works over in the
woods, and had no sooner put his hand up to point them out
than a bullet struck his thumb, and passing under the joint
without breaking a bone or the inside skin, caused him to jerk
his hand down about as soon as his nervous system could give
the orders. Though it was a misfortune, yet it was a little
amusing to myself and companions as we sat in the works
looking at him when the affair happened. The sharpshooter
had probably seen and aimed at his head and only hit his thumb.
The picket line was established and rifle pits dug only a
few rods in front of the works. In fact, they were so close by
that the officer in command of the line remained behind the
works, for the pits were fully exposed on a slope towards the
rebels and he would have been confined to one of them alone
during the hours of daylight. The pickets in the pits could
only be relieved under cover of darkness.
On the evening of the fifth I had my turn on picket.
During the night the division was relieved and was to move
further to the right. The 18th regulars were to take the part
of the line where the 25th lay. It did not arrive until after
daylight on the morning of the fifth. Their pickets were
detailed, counted off, and their officer offered to set them over
the works and into the pits. But the time was too late to do
so with any degree of safety. I objected to such a move at
¦ that time on the ground that his men would have to gain the
pits before mine could leave them, which, besides crowding
the pits with more than they could hold, would give the alarm
and call down a shower of bullets from the ever watchful
foe as the men would leave the pits to gain the works.
I had seen the shooting of young Granger, as before
related, on the twenty-ninth of June, under similar circumstances,

258 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
and was unwilling to give or consent to any order that might
repeat that tragedy five to ten fold and no advantage gained
thereby for such a sacrifice of life. So myself and picket
charge were left behind as the division moved off. The
pickets fared about as well as if they had gone with the
division, though they had to lay all day in their. holes beneath
a scorching sun, with nothing more for consolation than they
carried over with them in their haversacks and canteens; the
latter furnishing but very little for the relief of thirst.
I spent the day as best I could with nothing to do to while
away the time. I wandered once along the line to the right,
which soon entered the wopds, and visited here and there with
the officers and soldiers. It seemed as if down here the
opposing lines were much closer together than they were
where our brigade was stationed. The opposing pickets were
all in the" woods, talked together and made exchanges of
papers, coffee and tobacco. The gunnery was also close by.
If a cannon ball flies for any great distance, it can be heard in
advance of its flight, particularly if it is a round shot, as the
. sound travels faster than the shot itself. Not so with a conical
shot from a rifled cannon; the shot outstrips the report. While
standing by.the side of the works, and exposed, perhaps half
way above them, a ball came without warning within a few
feet of me. I was where I did not need to be and got out of
there straightway.
As darkness came on a change of pickets was fnade and
we started for the regiment again. It was dark and rainy and
we could learn nothing as to its whereabouts and settled down
till morning in an old mill we were passing by on our way.
We soon found out in the morning that the division had moved
away about .three miles further to the right. It had been
engaged on the sixth in the battle of Utoy Creek, which
resulted in an effort of Sherman to reach the railroad near
East Point. This effort was a failure; it is said for 'the reason
that Palmer, (the same who was Democratic candidate for
president in 1896), with the 14th corps, declined to operate'
as requested under command of Schofield, claiming seniority

ATLANTA. 259
as an excuse. This, if true, was not only deserving of the
highest rebuke, but placed his patriotism in a very flimsy
condition. However, when called upon to account he resigned
and Gen. Jefferson C. Davis took his place.
Another case of offended dignity, because of seniority and
lack of promotion to command, had taken place a few days
before. On the death of McPherson, Gen. Howard was placed
in command of the Army of the Tennessee. Hooker, of the
20th corps had, I think, a senior commission, and claimed that
he ought to have the place given him. Finding that he had
not been considered in the appointment, his dignity overstepped
patriotism, and he, too, resigned. Gen. Slocum was sent for
and succeeded to Hooker's charge. Thus matters were re-ad
justed and things went on just as well as before. The army
lost only two men by the changes (unless some staff officers
might have been counted in). If the Utoy Creek affair was to
happen over again, the army gained by the change.
The battle of Utoy Creek was a pretty severe one and the
loss fell heavily on the 3d division. The 25th was reduced to
pretty small numbers by details and skirmish lines as it took
part in that battle, but, as it was, had two killed and twelve
wounded; two officers among the latter. The rebels were well
fortified and fought safely on the defense. Our color bearers
were shot down four times; one killed and three wounded, and
at dark the colors were left on the field. The next morning
Moses Seeber of Co. H went out, recovered and brought them
in. I arrived in camp with my picket charge of th,e two
previous days just before he returned with them, and was at
the time listening to the story of their loss. The freedom
with which he pursued the search for them proyed that the
field had been abandoned by both parties after the battle.
This was the essence of the story told me as to the loss
and recovery of the colors when I rejoined the regiment the
next day after the battle. As there are several different versions
of the story it will bear a little further relation in detail for
comparative conclusions to be settled upon by the reader. In
a letter twenty-eight years afterwards Moses Seeber says:

260 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
"In the first place, I cannot give the names of all the color
bearers we had shot that day; but, six were killed. Ed. Hill ,
of Co. H was the last one killed, for I found the flag by his
side with one hand hold of the staff; * * * Before it was:
fairly light next morning I started * * * went cautiously
for about three quarters of a mile to where we fought the day
before, searched and found the colors as above stated." He
says: "I have written this down just as near as I can recollect."
A few selections from the diary of Sergt. Slayton of Co. B
will give a better and an additional account of the battle of
Utoy Creek, as well as further material in regard to the loss of
the colors. He says: "About 2 P. M. we passed through the
front line of works and started off to flank a rebel battery that
they had stationed off alone, and take it if we could. At 2:30
we took off our knapsacks and left them in charge of our sick.
We then went on, stooping down and trailing arms when we
were likely to be exposed. We went thus nearly a mile, then
formed in line in the woods — the 25th in front. There were
two brigades of us. The skirmishers were sent out, who soon
found the rebs, and we followed close behind them. We
marched about a hundred rods, then, just before we came to
the open field, got orders 'to go for them,' and, with a yell, we
started. It was about half a mile to the rebel battery, through
an open field, but there was quite a hill between us and them,
where we lay down and rested a moment. They fired on us
pretty severely, but the distance was so great that they could
not do us much damage. When we went over the hill we were
in full view, and the way the balls flew around us and the
quick time we made for the foot of the hills, could hardly be
exceeded by men. At the foot of the hill was a deep gully,
washed out by the rain and five or six feet deep. I came over
the hill about the first of any, ran about half way down the hill
and dropped down behind a stump, lay a few moments, then
jumped up, ran on and filed into the gully, which was about
full of men already. They fired but four shots from their
cannon. The men soon started on and in the next ten rods
the execution was quite severe, many falling to rise no more.

ATLANTA. 261
After going about twenty rods further the rebel firing ceased,
they having left, and we walked on up at our leisure — being
tired and unable to run. When we got to where the battery
was, it and all the rebs had left. We only found one dead
one left. "We immediately went to piling up rails to better shield
us from the rebel bullets, as they kept whistling over occasion
ally. Isaac Lovell (of Co. B) was shot through or near the
heart, the ball passing in through his left side and going out
on his right side, passing through his right arm. He fell way
in advance and must have been shot just as the rebels left.
He was a good soldier and a brave man. Few were his equals.
James A. Sage (Lieut, of Co. B) was wounded through the leg
in the fore part of the engagement and was taken from the
field. Our regiment went in about 100 strong, and had two
killed, two mortally and eleven slightly wounded. Two other
regiments of our brigade lost about the same. * * *
"Gen. Cooper now sent back to know what should be done
next, and got orders to fall back as soon as it was dark, as we
were too far away to have connection with the main line, and
it was feared that the rebels would cut us off.
"Sunday, August 7th. * * * Yesterday our color bearer
was shot; he gave the colors to another man who had no gun,
(this was to Darwin C. Huff, fifer of Co. I.) and he took them
up to where we built the rail breastworks, done them up and
put the case on them, and set them up by the works. He was
soon wounded and taken to the rear, and no one was left in
charge of the flag; so, when we fell back, the flag was left
behind. To-day it was ascertained that some of the skirmishers
still held the position and a man went out and recovered
the flag. "The 3d Division charged at our left yesterday, but had
to fall back, leaving their dead and wounded in possession of
the rebels. The enemy, probably thinking that we were in
force where our skirmishers staid and that we would flank
them, evacuated the whole line during the night. * * * *
We advanced about a mile. * * * We were now on the

262

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

JAMES A. SAGE. (1862.)
Lieutenant Co. B.
Wounded at battle of Utoy Creek, Ga.
August 6. 186 k
Now of Ionia, Mich.

1 ground where the rebels repulsed
the 3d Division yesterday and saw
many dead, some of which were
stripped of nearly all their clothing.
The timber was quite thick and
the smali timber very thick, nearly
every bush of which showed the
marks of bullets, leaving a record
of the deadly and severe shower
through which our men passed.
In some of the frees were counted
over twenty bullet marks each."
DariUs Gilbert, of Co. D, relates
twenty eight years afterwards: "I
was among those who passed over
the breastwork of rails and when
we were called on to fall back,
saw the men all around me leaving and also saw the colors
standing against the rails, which I supposed were in charge
of some one and paid no attention to them, but fell back with
the rest of the men and left them as did the rest." A sequel
to the color business comes up on our way home.
As I have related, our regiment was reduced to small
numbers when engaged in the main line of this battle. Lieujb.
Howe had a considerable number of the men with him, fighting
upon the brigade skirmish line of which he was in command.
He drove the rebs back to their rifle pits, when he saw another
party of them gaining his right flank. He immediately took
the right wing of his line and by making good time on the run
headed them off, doubled up their line and cleared the field of
them, thus preventing a rebel flank movement to the right of
our fighting forces. Sergt. Elwell commanded Co. E.
Two as good and brave men asi ever carried guns, were
killed in the front of this battle; Lovell, of Co. B, and Hill, of
Co. H, the latter with the colors in his hands, Lieut. Sage, in
command of Co. B, received an ugly wound in his thigh, early
in the action, that so disabled him as to eventually send him

ATLANTA. 263
home and out of the service. Sergt. Cole (afterwards lieuten
ant), in command of Co. G, was shot through the right lung,
after being in every battle with his company until this time.
He recovered so as to join his company six months later, and
served until the e*nd of the war. Near the close of the action,
Lieut. Merrill, in command of Co. K, had his left hand nearly
torn off by a shell, which caused his arm to be amputated just
below the elbow, the next day.
In the battle of Utoy Creek, our company was without any
other than non-commissioned officers. Capt. Childs was on
detail at Chattanooga, and I was detailed back at our previous
place in the line. Discipline cannot be enforced as well by a
non-commissioned officer as it can by one having the authority
of a commission. We had a corporal who had always, by
some hook or crook, succeeded in getting out of a fight, and
did this time. On being informed of it when I came up next
morning, I called him to account for his cowardice. I learned
that he had fixed the bayonet on his musket, then claiming to
be a guard to pick up stragglers, thereby made himself one
and passed back to the rear. He did not deny it I took the
affair into my own hands and reduced him to the ranks on the
spot, thus administering a penalty for cowardice in the face of
the enemy, as an example for corrective influence.
It is natural for nearly every one to have some fear of a
battle. The mind is impressed that lives are to be lost and
when a person realizes that a battle is at hand, he usually fears
the well known dangers of it. I think that the same-man with
a commission is possessed of more bravery than one fighting
without it. He feels a responsibility resting upon him that
somewhat places a check upon his being the first to shrink
away. That success depends more upon his conduct than
upon any man under his command. I never went into a
battle, but I would have a fear in the threatening presence of
death; natural to human existence. After the excitement of
battle came on, that feeling passed away. But there are some
who are overruled by their passions or emotions and allow the
shame of cowardice to cloud itself over every other feeling.

264

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

C. M. HOWE, 1865.
Captain Co. C.

I have recited the case of Thomp
son and here is another; that of
the corporal. If not one of cow
ardice, the distinction is so close
upon it that it is difficult to draw
the line of difference, although
there are "some who can divide
a hair between the south and
southwest side."
We had another case, in which
we have an illustration of what
was really a coward. He has
authorized me to use his name
in this narrative, but I do not
need to do it. It is hard to analyze just what is or what
is not cowardice and correctly judge of every movement
that goes to balance up the account and turn the scale
between that and bravery. What it appears to be in one
situation, fails sometimes to take on the same character
in another. A certain member of our company seemed
to have an uncontrollable fear of bullets, and would dodge
every way to escape their whiz, it being difficult to keep
him in the ranks if a flying ball should whiz through the air in
his hearing. When going into the battle of Resaca, before
sighting the enemy, he gave me a great deal of trouble to keep
him in the ranks. My place was then among the file closers,
and he turned to watch me more than he did to see what was
in front of him. He was .consequently breaking the line and
setting the company in confusion. Tired of trying to keep
him in his proper place by command, I had to resort to harsher
means. I drew my sword and threatened to run it through
him if he did not keep his place. I did not intend to execute
the threat, but it had the desired effect, and soon after the
advancing line was broken by the shots of the enemy. He
feared the most immediate danger and went forward to a
greater one. I presented his case to Dr. Gregg, who pro
nounced him to be a constitutional coward and that he was

ATLANTA. 265
possessed with a fear that he could not overcome. The doctor
said that it was no use to take such a man into battle, for he
could not help himself to overcome such an involuntary
emotion. I came to such a conclusion also and never took
him into battle thereafter. But, after all this, he was not a
coward. He was small in stature and not a fighting character,
but was always ready to face the strongest bully among us.
He seemed to feai nothing from fists or blows, nor even of
authority, for he once turned upon the captain and would have
handled him had it not been for the interference of others and
the disinclination of the captain to close in with him. He is
at this writing and has been for a long time, a trusted engineer
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which is truly a post
of great danger, requiring more bravery than I possess.
Lieut. Wager of Co. H gives a similar case of cowardice
that occurred at the battle of Resaca and at almost the same
¦ instant as the one just related. He found a man who met a
tree standing square in his way, and who meant to be just as
obstinate as the tree. So, when he came up to the tree, his
arms encircled it with the strength of an octopus. The lieutenant
tried to get him forward, but to no purpose until he put all his
strength upon him, before he could loosen his grip and walk
him around the tree.
One more sample ot cowardice, and that is where the
mantle falls upon myself, if I may be allowed the intrusion at
this time. While seeking to rejoin the regiment on the morning
after the battle of Utoy Creek, I passed by the field hospital,
where the wounded had been gathered in and were undergoing
operations. One poor fellow had suffered the loss of both legs
across the thighs, and lay in an unconscious state upon the
table. Another, with a bullet through his head, lay in no
better condition on the ground. The surgeons were at work
and had a subject for operation' upon the table, where they
were administering anesthetics in preparation for the knife. I
had had a great desire to witness some of these surgical
operations, and now was my opportunity. But my cowardice
overruled the desire and I had to leave the place. I could not

266 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN. brave' up enough courage
to witness such an opera
tion while I was in a situa
tion where I was li,kely to
become a subject for such
an operation myself. The
thoughts and sights of the
work would work so
strongly on my mind as
to unnerve me for duty.
A prudent sense to save
my future feelings forbid
me the sight and compelled
me to turn and leave the
place. Since making the
first draft of the above, I
have read in Grant's per
sonal memoirs, where he
expressed similar feelings
in a hospital on the night intervening the battles of Pittsburg
Landing. Just as busy days followed the battle of Utoy Creek as the
previous ones. Neither side occupied the contested ground
the night after the battle. Each day we were crowded up to
the lines of the enemy — provided it had retired from our front
or been driven back; and, usually, to the right — gradually
edging nearer to the railroad. Of, course works were built at,
every move we made, and the ground thereby secured. The
3d division was aligned upon our right. That was sent out on
a reconnoitering expedition on the twelfth, and returned. But,
a few days after, it moved further to the right, and the 2d
division took its place in the works. On the seventeenth Capt.
Demarest, being temporarily unfit for duty, gave up the com
mand of the regiment to Capt. Childs, which left me in
command of Co. E. I had been appointed to the command of
Co. F the day before, which now gave two companies in my
charge. But they, forming the center of the regiment, could

WM. L. COLE.
Sergeant Co. G.
Now of Glasco, Kansas

ATLANTA. 267
both be attended to without any inconvenience. I had charge
of Co. F the rest of the year, two of its officers having been
discharged for disability and the other resigned.
About this time indications began to show themselves that
some grand move was about to take place. Nothing positive
was communicated that such a thing was budding out, but the
strange manner of locating new lines of works and forts which
were being built, facing in other directions than we were
operating in, carried unmistakable signs of something new in
the progress of the siege. This kind of work, after getting
fairly under way, slackened up for a few days for the reason
that the rebel cavalry had succeeded in breaking the railroad
towards Chattanooga, which weakened the cracker supply and
cut us down for a while to two-fifths' rations. It did not last
long, however, as the rebel raiders were very promptly attended
to and driven off.
On the nineteenth and twentieth the 2d division went out
in support of and to cover an expedition of the 14th corps,
that struck and destroyed a portion of the railroad near East
Point. On the last of these days we stopped at a house, where
we found four women and some little trash of slavery. It was
here that we saw, for the first time, what were called "gopher
holes." Those women had expected fighting to take place
around their home, and had caused a hole to be dug in the
ground, large enough to retire within and secure them from
danger. We found, afterwards, many of them in the city of
Atlanta. In our own division we had a rest of a few days, while, as
I have just stated that, a short time before, indications for a
grand move of some kind had begun to open up. It took on a
more decided form by the twenty-fifth of August, as the
headquarters train of the army passed to the right, and all our
baggage was sent back to the rear. We were set to build new
works off considerably to the rear of the line, leaving them
vacant and returning to hold the line of works we were already
settled in. This work was a piece of strategy I did not then
understand, nor do I now know the meaning of it. We built

268 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
forts and breastworks facing to the right and to the rear. It
was said at the time that they were built to deceive the rebels;
but just how that was to be brought about was then, and is
now, beyond my comprehension, as these works were built
entirely out of sight of the rebels. The whole part of the line
where we were was to be abandoned in a few days, and it might
be that, if the rebels were to reconnoiter there, the works would
bewilder their ideas and confuse their imaginations.
While *ve were still at work on these fortifications the
grand work of outflanking the city of Atlanta begun on the
evening ot the twenty-sixth of August. The next day the
movement of troops to the right had pretty freely gone forward.
Sherman had resolved to cut loose from his long line of siege
works and swing the main part of his army around the city and
upon Hood's communications. To save his own line of com
munications to the rear and to the north, it was necessary to
draw back a sufficient force to the Chattahoochee and there
fortify; and, as the main body drew back and pushed to the
right, Gen. Slocum, with the 20th corps, drew back to the
north and destroyed some property, as if to induce the belief
with the rebels that he had abandoned it in a precipitate
retreat. Sherman, with his main forces, drew out to the south
west, and then wheeled in one grand line to the left. Schofield,
with the Army of the Ohio, formed the pivotal point. The
Army of the Cumberland formed the center, while the Army
of the Tennessee was on the right, swinging upon the outer
circle. The troops moved heavily on the twenty-seventh, and
soon after struck the railroad, which they there tore up and
destroyed. The Army of the Cumberland were the main
workers. Schofield moved and held the Army of the Ohio
mainly as guards between the workers and the enemy. On
the thirtieth we struck and crossed the railroad south of the
city, but the workers had been ahead of us. The track had
been torn up for a long distance, and most effectually, too.
The rails were loosened from the ties, which were taken up
and placed in piles, nearly the length of a rail from each other
— the rails laid upon them, while another pile of ties was placed

ATLANTA. 269
upon the unsupported middle of the rails and set on fire,
which so heated the rails that they bent and settled to the
ground. Sometimes, when the middle of the rails had attained
a red heat, the ends would be seized by the men and bent and
twisted beyond repair. Nothing but the road bed was left fit
for any service whatever. The end of August had come.
Sherman had fastened his grip on the southern railroad without
any serious opposition from Hood, and before Hood had found
out what Sherman was about. Hood, by night marches, and
by the last day of August, after finding what Sherman had
done, moved his army, around and seated it on the railroad
at Jonesboro, first and ahead of Thomas and Howard. The
latter was approaching the railroad rather to the south of
Jonesboro. The 23d corps moved slowly, as it was only
needed to keep the left flank in safety. We had not, for the
last two or three days, put up the usual fortifications as we
halted for the night. But, on the thirty-first, we put up two
lines of works, which summed up 29 lines of works we had put
up since we began that part of our business in the latter part
of May, near Dallas. Sergt. Slayton's diary says 34 lines of
works. During these movements Lieut. Howe of Co. C was
so shocked by the concussion of a shell that he had to be-sent
to Decatur, being placed hors de combat as far as service was
concerned. SEPTEMBER, 1864.
The final struggle for the capture of the doomed city came
on September 1, and quick and short was the work made of it.
Gen. Jefferson C. Davis was in command of the Wth Army
Corps and did the principal part of the fighting. The rebels
fought mostly from behind their works and were driven out
with considerable loss-, estimated at the time, at nearly five
thousand men, of whom over two thousand were made pris
oners. At first the rebels came out and fought with their
accustomed, fury, but were driven back into their works,
followed and driven still farther. It was said by some reporter
of the battle that "our men went handsomely over the rebel

270 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
works." This was the last straw that broke the camel's back,
and he sank beneath the burden.
The night following I was on picket on the side away from
the city, eighteen or twenty miles out. I was the senior officer
on my part of the line. I had watched until midnight, when
the junior took charge and I went to sleep. About two o'clock
he awakened me, to listen to the sounds of battle towards the
north. They were the sounds of artillery as rapid and inces
sant as those of musketry. We could not make out what they
meant — only conjectured that one of the armies left behind
was making a fierce charge upon the other, and was using all
the artillery that could be brought to bear against it. At the
same time the heavens were lightened up by a huge fire that
was seen to loom up in that direction. This midnight racket
and fire proved to be the last death throe for the possession of
the city — the last struggle of the dying beast. The rebels
found that they could hold Jthe place no longer, and com
menced destroying what they could not move out with them.
Ninety car-loads of ammunition were exploded and destroyed
by fire, besides much other property, including their shops of
ordnance and ordnance stores. It was just as pleasing to us
that their ammunition should be fired off in bulk as that it
should have been fired, as designed, in retail or detail, from
the cannon at ourselves.
Sherman did not halt at this point, but pushed Hood still
further to the south about six miles, where he allowed him to
halt, each taking up their lines with a valley between them.
Our brigade came up about dark and was posted in this valley
for the night. Capt. Gallup, of the 13th Kentucky, inspector
general of the division, while posting the lines, was struck in
the hip or thigh by a splinter from an exploding shell and
mortally wounded. He was being adjusted on a stretcher as I
passed him, and died during the night.
This was the extreme point to which Hood was driven,
where he stood before us a defeated but sullen foe. He still
gave the challenge of battle by the use of artillery upon us.
While in the valley, near and in front of him, we were, by the

ATLANTA. 271
conformation of the ground, out of the bearing of his guns;
but in the morning, after drawing back upon the hills again to
his own level, he continued his complaints toward us, speaking
from the mouths of his cannon. One ball that struck the
ground near me made a prodigious bound and passed as far as
I could see, as much as half a mile, till lost sight of over the
woods beyond.
On the morning of the second of September the 20th
Army Corps entered and took possession of Atlanta. Sherman
reported the capture thus: "Atlanta is ours and fairly won."
It required a campaign of 120 days to complete the work and
an advance into the heart of the rebellion of fully 125 miles.
It took six heavy battles, with many lighter ones, besides much
other fighting by picket lines nearly every day for that period
of four months. Some one remarked, and I think truthfully,
that we were not out of hearing of cannon shot any day for the
whole of that time. It was one continued engagement from
beginning to end, and for about the whole distance of territory
we passed over, which might be set down as a single battle
field. I have no means at hand by which to give the losses
and cost of the campaign on either side, nor the strength of
the respective armies at the close of this remarkable campaign.
Johnston claims that he started in with only about forty-three
thousand, but he leaves out one whole army corps, and a
division also that united with him soon after, which probably
as has been estimated, brought his forces up to seventy-one
thousand in his first heavy battle. He reports that he turned
over to Hood about fifty-one thousand men on the seventeenth
of July. Sherman had about 98,000 men to begin with and
ended with about 80,000. Losses were made up on both sides
by supplies of re-enforcements, proportionately less, probably,
on the northern than on the rebel side in the percentage of
numbers. But after Hood took command of the rebel side his
losses were comparatively tremendous, and could not have
been less than 20,000 or more before he was forced out of the
city. They were probably not very well made up or restored
to him before that time. If, out of an army of 50,000,* he

272 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
received on the seventeenth of July, after having fought the
three heavy battles he did, and escaped with 30,000, he did well.
The hospital department of the northern army was very
well conducted and the lives of the sick and wounded were
well cared for and as many saved as could be expected. The
medical and sanitary forces were well organized, well provided
in all their departments and acted with commendable prompt
ness in the field service. The wounded were immediately
cared for from the field of battle, while the sick had every
attention given them at that distant point in the enemy's
country. I think it was Chaplain Bayless, of the 16th Kentucky,
who told me that the hospital records registered 90,000 cases
during the campaign. Many cases of sickness might have
been repetitions. It was a wonder that there was not more.
In many places the water was quite bad and had it not been
for an abundant supply of coffee, the debilitation of the men
would have been much greater. Coffee seemed to have the
saving of the army in its sanitary effects. The water was
somewhat purified by boiling and the coffee, itself, possessed
virtues preservative of health. Many places where we camped
furnished no other water than what could be had by digging a
few inches or feet and wait for it to settle from the soft soil or
semi-quicksand, which overlaid much of the country. As for
myself, I seldom partook of any other drink than that of water
after it was boiled into coffee. I think that my general good
health was mostly due to that satisfaction of thirst, and by
providing, whenever possible, a good bed to sleep upon. The
beds were usually made of the best material obtainable, down
to brush, rails, poles or anything sufficient to keep me from
lying on the naked ground.
By the time that Sherman had crossed the Chattahoochee,
it might have been said that he had scratched the scales from
the back of the great saurian monster that lay across his path
and then begun to dig into its sides. He had now severed it
in twain. There was but one more move for Sherman to make,
and that was to disembowel it and complete the destruction.

ATLANTA. 273
How perfectly he closed up the job he had set himself to
perform, we shall see before this narrative is finished.
> Grant, who had been fronting it towards Richmond and
had undertaken to jerk the teeth from its head, had not, up to
this time, much more than knocked the points off its teeth,
forced it to otherwise haul in its horns and look well to its
own nest. The brute still held its head defiantly aloft, but
keenly felt the pain and floundered about as far as the bounds
would permit. Once in a while, through desperate struggles,
it would get a paw temporarily released, but after a little
insignificant damage done, would soon be closed up again in
its siege-bound quarters.
In the capture of Atlanta, Sherman had secured a victory
in beh'alf of the union, of no small importance; a military
victory. To secure and perpetuate this victory, there yet
remained another and much more important one to be fought
by other hands. There must also be a political victory. It
was the year of the presidential election. That the ends should
be accomplished for which the war was undertaken, it was the
sine qua non and a most vitally essential one, too, that the
party by which the, war had been supported and carried
forward should continue in authority until a successful termi
nation should be reached. The two parties in the north had
been made up with the war elements on one side and the peace
elements on the other. The latter was made up from every
shade of feeling and action; from the democratic soldier
serving in the ranks, to the most violent conspirator in the
Knights cf the Golden Circle. The former was made up from
those who wished to place the nation on the most solid footing
of strength and durability, including not a few war democrats.
The latter were howling to make peace with the rebellion at
any price and give up. if need be, all we had of nationality and
permit the rebellion to march forth triumphant. Mr. Lincoln,
representing the former, had already been renominated to
continue the pblicy which had carried us forward to this time
and to continue the same to its final issue. Gen. McClellan,
who had, at one time, been at the head of the armies of

274 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
the United States, and was still in the service, though,
for the want of decisive energy toward a vigorous prosecution
of his duties, had, for nearly two years past, been retired into
idleness. He was now nominated by the peace party to carry
out the policy mapped out for him, and was thereby made
chief of the Copperheads. Both his words and actions for the
last three years braced up the belief that of the leaders in the i
Copperhead party of that day he was the individual to be
chosen for a leader who could best unite the various elements
of the "peace at any price" party into one force. He had sig
nified an obscure sympathy for the rebellion that could not be
misunderstood, even while in active service. By resigning his
commission as the leading or senior major-general in the army
he was left untrammeled in his work, and convinced his follow-
. ers that he was in earnest in the cause of their side. It was at
this place that we first heard of the Copperhead nominations,
and knew then that there were political battles of the war rag
ing as fiercely in the north as the military ones in the south.
It was a fierce contest to be decided two months later by the
election of November.
Every element in the north opposed to the war combined
and rallied for his support. He was a man of signal ability —
an accomplished but very weak general. As may be supposed,
his nomination was very satifactory to his own peace party,
and was hailed with the same spirit by the rebellion generally,
where he would have received its solid vote, could his .nomin
ation have been submitted to that section for approval. Secret
societies, uniting every rebel proclivity in the north, culminated
their principles in a conspiracy against the government for its
overthrow, and had almost reached the point for open action
in the city of Chicago. It was virtually in the heart of this
conspiracy that McClellan received his nomination.
But to the work again. Hood had been crowded to the
south as far as Sherman had deemed it necessary for the safe
occupation of the city, where he proposed to settle down until,
his army could be recuperated from the labors and losses of
the summer's campaign. He therefore soon began to move on

ATLANTA. 275
his return toward the city. It had been raining pretty hard on
the fifth, and the roads were heavy with mud. The darkness
was just as heavy as the mud when we started on the backward
track after nightfall of that day. While the rebel pickets had
kept up their usual random firing at night, our own pickets had
kept silence, so that when our lines had been withdrawn it left
the rebels firing at nothingness, which was well kept up until
we had passed beyond their hearing. Fires were lighted
1 through the woods to pilot us out on the roads, and we made
about ten miles during the night, when we were halted and lay
in camp all the next day. The day following we moved for
ward east of the city, and reached Decatur on the eighth,
where we were settled down in camp for awhile. This village
was large enough to accommodate about seven hundred people
providing they were all at home, but they were not, as hardly
a person could be seen on the streets. The most of them were
in the rebel service, consequently the village appeared very
dilapidated. The main army had marched back to Atlanta, while we of
the Army of the Ohio found an outpost at Decatur. The time
now, I suppose, was to be taken up for respite from labors and
for recuperation. We had become settled, as we then thought
through innocent ignorance of the situation, like children the
night before Christmas, "for a long winter's nap."
The successful issue of the Atlanta campaign developed a
grade or quality in generalship seldom equalled in the annals
of the past. The conduct of the affair, from the beginning to
Johnston's removal, showed a skill of the highest order on
both sides. Every artificial obstruction that could be devised
to oppose and delay Sherman's, progress in the struggle for
Atlanta was brought to bear against him. Besides these the
natural difficulties were enough to discourage the most deter
mined minds. With the assistance of these advantages the
rebel armies, so well disciplined, well seasoned and sufficient
in numbers as they were, considering their position at home,
ought to have been more than a match for Sherman, even with

276 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
his superior odds.- The rebel generalship was of the best kind,
and, it would seem, ought to have succeeded.
I had often read of this, that and other qualities peculiar
to certain generals, whereby they gained their victories, and
that many of Sherman's successes were due to the celerity of
his movements, but I had never been able to see where that
part came in until after re-reading my journal of the Atlanta
campaign half through. A little attentive thought upon the
subject, even as I had made a record of it, brushed away my
want of understanding and illumined the matter at once. His
strategy was equal to the emergency, while his celerity gave a
constant pressure upon the enemy at every point and upon
every turn he made. He had no sooner withdrawn a part or
the whole of his lines, in movements to the rear, than Sherman
was pressing right upon his heels. Thus no opportunity was
permitted his antagonist for a false or deceptive piece of
tactics. His attention was hound right down to the work his
foeman offered him. I find I have related, day after day, that
we were constantly moving up to the vacated lines of the
enemy, or moving around their flanks, while at the same time
the artillery of the two opposing armies was driving away at
each other almost all day and a good deal of the night, along
the whole face of their lines.
History need only to relate the facts. Conclusions prove
that Sherman's army was well officered and worked up to the
highest state of efficiency. Though sometimes repulsed, yet,
in nearly every assault upon the rebel works, they were carried
by our men. Where the rebels had undue advantages, as they
had before the 2d division at Resaca, at Pumpkin Vine Creek
and at Kenesaw Mountain, the assaults were repulsed, but not
until after a heavy loss, and nowhere else in the whole cam
paign. At every other point or place when we came in contact
the rebels were pushed back, whether fighting within or out of
their works. Neither did they make any assault upon Sher
man and gain any permanent success. It is true they came in
on a surprise on the twenty-second of July, and temporarily
gained grourid, but after the Army Qf the Tennessee recovered.

> ATLANTA. 277
itself and rallied, the rebels lost all they gained and more too.
In the other two great battles of July twentieth and twenty-,
eighth, they made the assault and gained nothing but a heavy
loss in each case.
Aftfer the return of the 23d Corps to the village of Decatur
it was encamped and remained there until after September,
but nothing of significance occurred. Though we had been so
long trying to get into Atlanta, still we had not been there. A
visit, therefore, to that place was in order for all who wished to
go. The 13th was assigned to our brigade to go out and look
over the prize for which we had worked so long and hard to
capture. The city lay at a distance of seven miles. Accus
tomed as we were to the fatigue of army life, the journey was
.easily made there and back, with a good long day to look
around and note a recollection of the place. Everything, of
course, was" an exhibition of a military camp. The city was
governed and garnished by the military authorities. It was
then a city of about 20,000 people, had they all answered to
roll call in their places. Like most of the south at this time,
nearly all the men had been conscripted into the rebellion and
were absent. As it was, a good many of the female population
were there. But Sherman, I suppose, at that time dreamed of
or had decided upon a permanent occupation of the city, and
had begun to consolidate his affairs to secure permanent safety
of it to the victorious side. He ordered the rebel element
away. He had said: "Atlanta is ours and fairly won." So, if
it was gained by a contest, and he had no use for the house
hold he found to man his business with, he claimed the right
to dispose of it according to his own judgment. He was able
to meet his own wants with the servants he brought along and
in attendance upon him. The kith and kin of the rebellion,
which Hood had forgotten, in his hurried departure, to take
along with him, Sherman was generous enough to give the
ward and keeping of to that gentleman, considering, with the
.most friendly intentions, that he was doing him a favor. He
soon found out to the contrary, however, for Hood did not
want any of the trash he had left behind. The affair led to

278 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
considerable acrimonious correspondence between these two
commanding persons. Sherman had, before taking any steps
in the matter, made up his mind as to his course of action and
accepted no influence from the other side, but disgorged a
large host of Hoodites that he found in the city to hunt for their
congenial friends within the lines of their retreating master:
The evidences of a military occupation and that of a
besieged city presented themselves on every hand. There
were the ruins of burnt up houses; houses with eyelet holes
through them, made by the bombarding shells; gopher holes
as places of refuge from the shot and shells of the besiegers.
And, though many of the machine shops of the confederacy
were still standing, many of them had been destroyed on the
night of the evacuation. The burning of these had produced
the great lights that had loomed up in the heavens in that
direction, and had been seen at the time from my place on
picket. One immense balance or fly wheel lay in the ruins to
attest the magnitude of the machinery used by the rebellion in
the manufacture of its ordnance stores, while the ground all
about was covered with ruins of cars and shells destroyed on
that eventful night. Even to gaze over the sights of such a
destruction of property, could but produce only a happy
feeling, when one contemplates that its elaboration was for the
purposes of destruction— even of life itself.
The month was passing carelessly away, with us at Decatur,
and we felt somewhat that the war1 was near its close, though
the armies at Richmond were still holding each other close at
bay, and neither seeming to hold an advantage over the other.
Yet, a portion of Grant's army, under Sheridan, had gained
some signal points over the rebellion in the valley of the
Shenandoah, that began to awaken a dawn of hope in the
north. A victorious army cannot remain long in idleness upon
conquered territory while another and a hostile one is in its
neighborhood — though that army may be a beaten and an
inferior one. Sherman soon became aware of the fact that,
though Hood had been badly beaten, he did not intend to give
up without a further struggle. And this struggle, as we shall

ATLANTA. 279
see, was as reckless and daring as were his military battles in
the siege of Atlanta. He was in his own country and did not
need to confine himself -to any special line of communications.
He could break loose from them and would probably be at
home anywhere; while, if Sherman chose to remain quietly in
the city, Hood was at liberty to circulate about upon his
communications and isolate him from his base of operations.
OCTOBER, 1864.
The rebels had, after taking a resting spell like ourselves,
begun to evince a considerable activity in our neighborhood.
The 2d division, on its return from a foraging expedition on
the second, was closely followed up by some of the rebels, who
did nothing further, however, than to slightly annoy the rear
guard. But, with the next day, came marching orders for the
rear or to the north again. Hood had thrown a considerable
force on the railroad between us and Chattanooga, and destroyed
a considerable portion of it. Sherman was prompt in pursuit
and^took a good share of his army to give chase. The Army
of the Ohio, being the farthest away, could not take the advance.
The matter was cleaned up ahead of us. A division of the
rebel army, said to have been about 12,000, commanded by
Gen. French, after reaching AUatoona, engaged in a sanguinary
battle, was badly repulsed and driven from the railroad; or,
rather, was headed off from it at Resaca. After the capture of
this post or station in June last, Sherman, because of the
natural strength and safety of the position, had converted it
into a depot of supplies, and had a large quantity of provisions
stored up there. These the rebels wanted, and risked a bloody
battle for their capture, and were beaten off with a loss of 2,200
men. The place was defended by three forts and 1,800 men,
under the command of the Union General, J. M. Corse, who
"held the fort," although at the fearful cost of more than one-
third of his men — 700 in killed and wounded. One singular
incident of the battle was the capture of 500 rebels by the
northern fort, they were advancing upon to take. They had
to pass through a sink hole or depression of the earth, in the

280' TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
bottom of which they were safe from the guns of the fort. The
close of the battle found them in there, where they could not
get out without having special attention paid to them. It was
too much for them to climb the hills, on retreat, down which
they came info the place. So the discretion to surrender this
time was the better part of valor. It was ci ackers that the
rebels were after at this place, and these prisoners probably
got a share of them so long as they were kept there.
The inducements for the rebels to make an attack upon
the stronghold of AUatoona was to capture the provisions in .
store thefe. They had been flanked out of there four months
before and well knew the strength of the position. They could
have more easily and effectually destroyed the railroad at
other points, but they were after the hard crackers. A full
belly makes a strong back, and so they fought a desperate,
battle at this point with the expectancy of bringing about
these conditions^ This might well be termed the cracker fight.
There were three forts in defense of the place, one on the
south or southwest, one on the east, and one on the north.
Against the one on the southwest the approaches were on. a
level with the fort. But the defense had been so well managed
in placing of the obstructions, and the chargirig foe had beeri
so well caught and detained in them, that he was completely
overpowered and repulsed, with heavy slaughter, though he
came nigh capturing- the fort itself. As it was, the rebels had
almost gained the fort before they were beaten back.
Hood's army was yet, evidently, ahead of us and near the
railroad. Events proved, however, that it was being headed
off near Resaca and turned to the southwest. We were marched!
to Kingston, and thence to Rome on the twelfth. The next
day we crossed over the Coosa river to the southwest, in
support of some cavalry that was then driving back a detachment
of rebels, and captured a number of prisoners, also two pieces
of artillery, returning to Rome again at night.
Having driven away this small barid of rebels, we started
for Calhoun on the fourteenth, passing through there the next
day, and encamped near Resaca for the night — about three

ATLANTA. 281
miles from the battle ground of May fourteenth and fifteenth
— just five months after the battle at that place.
To have come this distance from AUatoona, in the presence
of and against a victorious army, showed that Hood was still
as active as a bulldog — had blood in his eye and meant
mischief. We were just as actively in pursuit of him — while
he was just as careful to avoid battle and keep out of our way,
arid intent on doing us the mischief in some other form if he
could. He had passed through Snake Creek Gap, arid so did
we also after him on the sixteenth, and got as far as Villanow
that day. For some reasons unknown to me, we lay still on
the seventeenth, and then followed forward on the eighteenth,
through Subligna to Mt. Hickory, passing through the low
run of mountains of Taylor's Ridge just as nightfall came on,
and over into the valley of the Chatooga river.
I do not know what there was about here to give names td
these places, unless it was that a post-office, in some time of
the past, had been established at each of them. I do not
remember of seeing anything more than a single farmhouse at
any of them. Halting a few minutes at Villanow, I saw a man
by the barnyard fence and, suspecting that the place might be
burdened with a name, asked him, "What place is this?" He
answered, "Villanow." And yet, with this insignificant shPw,
I have seen this place mentioned quite a number of times in
connection with the movements of the army. If this and many
other places like it in the south had been named for the sake
of having a post-office established in such sparsely settled
regions, it shows a favored generosity on the part of the U. S.
in the ante bellum days, to supply the southern communities
With the advantages of the mail system, where ignorance was
in a heavy majprity over intelligence, and at the expense of
the better paying post-office routes of the north.
We were now in close pursuit of a small party of rebels
just ahead of us, who took good care to keep out of our way.
We made 23 miles after them on the eighteenth, though they
had obstructed the roads ahead of us to retard our progress as
much as possible. We passed several fortifications on the

282 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
route, and, in the pass of Taylor's Ridge, a small party of them
might have held us at bay for some time had they decided on
such a course. As it was, we only made the pass to the west
side at the close of the day.
In these parts, and out of the mountains, the face and,
make-up of the country had a charming appearance. Some.
handsome plantations, well provided with handsome and
commodious buildings, ornamented a landscape that was
already luxuriantly rich at the hands of nature. It might not
be a paradise here, but it seemed that I might, in case of good
society for companionship, be willing to take up my abode, in
these parts. The climate, at this time of the year, was all that
could be asked for, and it seemed that good health might
abound at the highest grade.
We were continued on in chase of the rebels, moving to
the southwest across the Georgia and Alabama line, through
and beyond the small and insignificant town or village of
Gaylesville, where Sherman, finding that Hood was sliding off
a considerable distance from him, came to a halt and allowed
Hood to run alone if he had anything more of that kind of
work to do.
A few days were now allowed to pass away in a halt in
this place and vicinity, with the time taken up in foraging for
a convenient distance through the surrounding country, and
watching the movements of the enemy. We were not troubled,
however, with any attack or threats >of one, though they
hovered around us. One day the 25th Michigan and 3d
Tennessee went out foraging and didn't get enough, after
traveling twenty-five miles, to pay for a march of one-tenth of
that distance. Several such expeditions proved that the
country had already been pretty well stripped; or, that little
or nothing had been there, at the best. In the vicinity of
Summerville and above, we had passed through a handsome
region, but here nothing offered itself as an inducement for
any longer stay than obligations to the service rendered
necessary. Everything appeared to be pretty barren, except
that the poor, sandy soil produced aheavy growth of yellow pines.

ATLANTA. 283
After a few days used up in camping and foraging in and
about Gaylesville, the 1st brigade was moved off eastward to
Cedar Bluffs and beyond; but, soon returning, was crossed over
the Coosa river, where we sat down in line of battle, and of
cdurse fortified the position.
The rebels were close up to us and were reported, soon
after we had settled ourselves in line, as just missing the
¦ capture of Gen. Schofield, who advanced out beyond the
picket lines on a reconnoitering expedition. The 3d Tennessee
and the 25th Michigan went out again on the twenty-seventh
on a foraging expedition. It was just what was wanted to tide
over the commissary department, and some of the non-com
batants, who were at liberty to range about on such expeditions
as they chose, without being confined to guard or defensive
duty, mounted themselves and took the lead, so they could
secure for themselves the choicest pickings of what could be
found. They trotted on ahead in the best of spirits, while we
of the main body trudged on foot. But this leading party, on
going around a turn or over a rise in the road, met a bullet
which halted, turned them around and sent them to the rear
right speedily. The presence of the enemy was there. Our
own regiment was in the lead. A halt was made and a skirmish
line was formed across the road; 1 was placed in charge. I had
not advanced the line but a short distance before we emerged
from the woods and came upon a farmhouse, where we found a
breakfast or forenoon's lunch, finely cooked and just ready to
be served up. It was still in the bake-kettles over .the coals,
and sent up such a savory smell that a party of us naturally
took to the spot. The, rebels, had to get out in such quick
time that they were unable to provide transportation for it, and
consequently abandoned these spoils of war on the ground.
The captors viewed it as a lawful prize, condemned it as such
without any formal ceremony, and proceeded to dispose of it
just exactly as you might guess they would.
We made considerable of a circuit that day, but with not
much better luck than we met, with on a similar expedition
near Gaylesville, Women and children were the only people

284 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
to be met with. The soldiers acted boldly in pillaging and
destroying many things that could not be of any value to
them, or of aid to the enemy.
In front of one house we halted for some time. Out of
curiosity I, as well as a good many others who had gone up
before me, thought I would walk up and see what was to
be seen. In a back kitchen I found a crowd of soldiers around
a barrel of molasses filling their canteens. There was more
molasses wasted by running over on the floor than the soldiers
caught and'saved. The head of the barrel had been knocked
in and an old man stood holding it partly tipped over for the
soldiers as they helped themselves. In this business the old
man expected to lose all he had, and perhaps cared nothing as
to how he was to lose it, whether it run to waste or was carried
off by the soldiers, for he made no protest as he quietly and
submissively served the men and saw it divided equally
between the canteens and the floor. The sight of such a
slbveriish waste was too much for my sympathy, so I
ordered him to straighten up his barrel and deal out no more,
telling the men if they could not take anything so useful with
out wasting more than they took, it would look better for them
to let it alone.
At another house we passed, in a small clearing of about
an acre of land set in from the road, a woman sat in a rocking-
chair on the veranda, with a child on each knee, and bitterly
crying. It looked as if the potato patch in front of the house
(which, I- suppose, the land in front of the house had been
used for) had been robbed of its production, and she left with
out any means of subsistence. We made no halt there, and I
could only guess at the situation. Desolation and poverty
marked the whole of the route that day, and we returned at
night about as empty handed as when we set out in the morn
ing. Everybody was pretty well satisfied that we could not
long subsist on the country in those parts.
Hood had made an attempt to penetrate far into the north-
on a gfat\d raid of destruction. In this he had -been foiled and
headed off. He had been driven so far hack to the south-iwest

ATLANTA. 285
that he could not Wish to repeat the attempt at this point. He
must make his base and line of action farther to the westward.
So there was no need for Sherman and his army in these parts
any longer. We were about forty miles west of Rome, for
which place we (23d Corps) started out early in the morning
of the twenty-eighth, but our brigade did not move out until
one day later, because it was scattered in different places and
could not be brought together'sooner.
Sherman now had a greater move before him, and began
preparations for putting it into execution. It was the famous
"march to the sea." Correspondence shows that it already
had been planned and settled on the twelfth of October. It
would seem that such designed expeditions would be kept a
secret, but in this case it was not. It must have leaked out
through some member of his staff, or other favorite who had
access to his plans. In the morning after we had made ready
for the march toward Rome, I accidentally fell in with Maj.
Thomas, then temporarily i.n command of the fourteenth Ken-.
tucky, who told me the substance of the projected grand move.
"That Sherman was going, with the most of his army, back to
Atlanta, furnish it up with provisions, destroy the railroad
back to Chattanooga, and then sail out into the country at
large, and the 23d Army Corps would go back to Chattanooga."
It was because of the custom of Madam Rumor to make her
self ever present in the army whenever an opportunity allowed
her to do so, that I set this assertion down to her credit, and
dismissed it from consideration. I would not even repeat it
now had not subsequent history confirmed this story of Maj.
Thomas, It goes to prove how easily the secret plans of a
general may be spread abroad and float over into the ears of
his enemy. After two days' marching we camped within two miles of
Rome, and the next day passed over the river, through the
city and towards Chattanooga again. It was here, while pass
ing along the streets, that we were joined by Col. Moore, who
had been restored to the command of the 25th Michigan again
after his discharge from the service in the early part of the

286 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
previous winter. As a private citizen he had made us a visit
while we were in East Tennessee. He had now been restored
to command and was one of us again. That was about all!
Our brigade was commanded by an accidental brigadier.
Should he remain in command of his own regiment, he must
serve under a person commanding the brigade by the conven
tional chance of appointed authority, when his superior intelli
gence ought to have placed him in the full command. If
bravery alone was the qualification, either was fitted for the
command. His case was quickly disposed of, however, when
he was placed in command of the 2d Brigade, and I do not
recollect, even to the end of the service, that he was again in
command of the regiment while this brigadier was in command
of the brigade.
This ended the Month of October, 1864. It was a month
of almost continuous marching and moving. We started out
from Decatur on the fourth, and at the end of the month had
made in all, as I estimated the distance at the end of each day,
332 miles. It was an average of over ten miles a day. , We,
also made a good record for ourselves in hunting after the
enemy in a difficult country, from which we scared him out.
After the cracker fight at AUatoona, he would not stand and
show his teeth for a fight. Sherman now departed for Atlanta
and we were moving for the north. '

NASHVILLE. 287

DIVISION V.

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NOVEMBER, 1864.
The last day of October found us in Rome, on which day
we made seventeen miles towards Resaca. We now, on the
first of November, took up the line of march and made the
place after twelve miles and camped before night. We under
stood that our destination was Nashville, or by the way of that
city to the southward, to confront Hood again, as it was now
well settled in the opinion of good military authorities that he
was on the point of making a grand military raid to the north
with what forces had been left out of his defeats and defenses
of Atlanta. He had been headed off in his attempt with, the
same purpose in view on the route towards Chattanooga, and
now sought another one farther to the westward. He probably
had made enough pickings through the country to swell his
army to 40,000 men.
As referred to in October, Sherman had turned back to
Atlanta and by that move had severed his army in twain,
commanding one part of it himself, and comrriitting the com
mand of the part consisting of the 4th and 23d Corps to
Gen. Thomas. To him he also committed the care and keeping
of Gen. Hood and his horde of rebel raiders. Sherman was
possessed with that keen military foresight that divined the
scheme Hood had mapped out for himself and instructed
Thomas accordingly. Of course, as Thomas was left alone and
second in command of the Division of the Mississippi, he
found it necessary to gather in a sufficient force with which to
handle this bold raider.

288 twentytFifth Michigan.
Raider was all that he could be designated by now; not a
leader of an army of invasion. Though the season was now
at the approach of winter, yet H6od was preparing to advance
into a country upon which he expected to subsist his whole
army.- He knew that Nashville was a great military store
house .and for the capture of this place he wpuld make a bold
strike. He would have no necessity for keeping open com
munications with a base of supplies. That was not in the
nature of a raider. Capture what he could from the foe, and
the country must furnish the deficiency. Nor was he hampered,
as we afterwards learned, with a surplus of impedimenta. Bold
ness, even to rashness, was in the nature of the man. Desperate
calculations were required to head him off and hurl him back.
We were endeavoring nearly all day of the second, to take
tlie cars for Nashville. There appeared to be enough cars that
were moving to and fro, but they seemed to be busy in mixing
up parts of regiments that had been loaded in them, and it was
not until just before night that, the first train was ready to
move out. I climbed into a car and found myself with the
14th Kentucky. As we were all to move in the same direction
I remained where I was, in a well crowded box car. It was
very closely crowded, as the orders were to have sixty men
filled into each car, which would fill it inside and on the top
also. These orders were not very comforting for the on-toppers
or outside riders in the rain that followed soon after.
I was on the advance train that pulled out of Resaca just
before dark and thought to have reached Chattanooga in the
night, but unaccountable delays occurred and we did not reach
there until towards noon of a foggy, drizzly and very disagree^
able day. ,
I was in advance of my own regiment and had hoped that
while waiting for it, I might have an opportunity to view the
historic battlefields of the year before. With the uncertainty
as to the time that the 25th would be along, I had to remain
near the railroad. As a heavy fog rested over the place, but
little could be seen, not even Lookout Mountain, which we
passed on our way to Nashville.

NASHVILLE. 289
It was towards night when the first installment of the 25th
appeared, and if I remember right, not an officer was with them.
I do not remember how long it had been since rations had been
issued to the men; their haversacks were empty the day we
were at Resaca. As it was, the men appeared to be on the
verge of starvation and appealed to me for help. Officers were
allowed to buy of the commissary department, but not the men.
I did what little I could to help them. A government bakery
was close at hand, to which we repaired and every soldier laid
his money before me to take it and buy him some bread. For
the limited time at our command, no place could be found at
which I could draw rations and as the bakery commissary
would sell me but one card of bread, a dozen loaves, I could
get but a meager supply in satisfaction of their wants. I think
I took the purchase money from a man in Co. K, handed the
most of them over to him and the rest to a part of another
company, so that it could be divided among the starving ones
as far as possible.
Other trains began to arrive before night and passed on
with the various regiments of the brigade all mixed up on
them. As they all had the same destination, I did not think
that it would advance matters much by taking passage on
them, so concluded to wait until regimental headquarters
should come along and take passage with that part of the
crowd. I did not have to wait until dark before I was on the
move again, and owing, as I have said, to a heavy fog, had to
lose sight of Lookout Mountain, though we ran along the base
of it. Willing and expecting to go anywhere that the authorities
might order, I had no cares with which to give myself any
troubles and so resigned myself to as much ease as was consis
tent with a ride inside of a box car, to be shut in from the
gloomiest of weather. I felt myself on "flowery beds of ease"
when comparing my situation with that of the soldiers who
were so unfortunate as to have to ride on the top of the cars
throughout the long, dreary, dismal and rainy night that
followed. As it was, we entered Nashville about midnight on

290 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
the second night out of Chattanooga. Here we were met with
orders changing the intended course of the whole brigade
from the south to the west.
It seems that at Johnsonville, a landing on the Tennessee
river, the terminus of a railroad running west and about seventy
miles from Nashville, the government had deposited a consid
erable quantity of army stores, with little or no protection.
This must have been known to the rebels, as Forrest, who was
then raiding through West Tennessee as a diversion in favor of
Hood's advance from the south, brought up on the west side
of the river, opposite Johnsonville, bombarded the warehouses
and burned nearly everything there. Whether he expected to
cross over or not, I do not know. The news of this destruction
of government property reached Nashville just ahead of us.
Our brigade being aboard the cars then and there, we were
ready for the run and got the orders for it. We were soon
moving in that direction, arriving about three p. m., too late to
save anything. Everything had been burned and was still
smoking. It was reported that three gunboats and a number
of transports had been burned by our own men to prevent
them from falling intp rebel hands, which destroyed the means
of crossing' the river, had they so designed. But one warehouse
was left standing, while the fires had not entirely gone out on
the sixth. A number of others, with myself, went to look at
them. While looking at this waste of ruins, where nothing could
be stolen or saved, a trifling incident occurred that made a
slight impression on me. While stepping about among the
smoking heaps and listening to the remarks of each other, an
officer came along and asked us to leave, supporting his request
with the statement that he was responsible for the property
there and did not want us to interfere with it. As there was
nothing more of property there than the ' coals and ashes
represented, that one could steal or capture, we did not very
hurriedly comply with his request and moved with unconcerned
leisure in our survey of the scene. I thought the officer's
delicate care for such a trust was a fair sample of over-nicety

NASHVILLE. 291
in trifles to the neglect of matters I had seen, of greater
magnitude. We arrived at Johnsonville on the fifth. By the seventh,
the rest of the 1st Brigade and part of the 2nd had arrived,
and we then took up a strong position on the hills that rise but
a short distance from the river at this point and command the
navigation of it. We found the 12th Colored Infantry ahead
of us and from that regiment I was hunted up and found by a
Lieut. Aldrich, whom I had formerly met in the 123d New
York, of the 20th Corps, the next day after the battle of Culp's
Farm. His early days, like mine, were spent in the neighbor
hood of old Saratoga.
Before us, and but a short distance from the foot of the
hills in our front, ran the Tennessee river, with much greater
majesty than were the same waters we had camped by the side
of in East Tennessee the year before. The accession of tributary
waters between the two points of East and West Tennessee
had more than doubled its volume.
But, beyond the river! How shall I describe it? One
long and everlasting waste of wilderness — an unbroken forest,
leveled out as far as the eye could reach, up and down the
river as well, and in every direction beyond. If there were any
plantations or settlements interspersed through the forest, they
were of much insignificance, and too small or insufficient to
break the monotony of the scene. It was but one wild and
unbroken view of a gigantic forest. I had read, in my boyhood
days, in a Davy Crockett Almanac, of bear hunting in Tennes
see. I could only consider this grand outspread of sylvan
nature, that I have swept with my eyes, but as a place fit to
meet with and satisfy, the most extreme hopes and desires of
the hunter. A country that could produce such an immense
growth of forest, must be grandly endowed with a soil rich in
agriculture, and capable of sustaining a vast population from
its productions.
s November eighth was now at hand, and with it a general
election through the union; that is, through the loyal states,
for President. Mr. Lincoln's election was felt to be a necessity

292 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
for a successful termination of the war. A change in the
managing authorities meant a change of policy in the conduct
of the war. Hence the great body of the loyal people were
anxious for a continuance of the same administration to direct
the operations till the close of the struggle. • Especially was
this the case in the army in an eminent degree. To accommodate
the sentiment and desires as far as practicable, many of the
men who were absent from active operations, or upon detached
duty, were furloughed home to vote.
Several of the states had also provided by law, for a vote
of the soldiers in the field. Michigan had passed an enabling
act to that effect, and Governor Blair appointed Commissioners
under that law to visit its various military organizations and
supply them with forms, blanks, tickets and instructions, to
enable the soldiers to exercise the elective franchise and make
due returns thereof. Inspectors of election were duly chosen
in our own regiment by the soldiers from among their own
members, who conducted the polling and counting of the votes
with a due return thereof. There were only 157 votes cast, of
which 124 were for Lincoln and 33 for McClellan— a proportion
of nearly 4 to 1 in favor of the war and to the honor of the
nation. The law detailed a tedious operation in counting up and
making the returns, separate for each county entitled to a credit
upon the vote. This was not so objectionable where the body,
or, rather, a large number of votes, were to be given to a single
county. But, where a few votes only were to be given, or even
a single one, the same routine of counting and reporting was
necessary to give credit for the single vote to its proper
locality, as would be required to report the votes of a whole
regiment to the credit of a single county.
Now it did so happen, that after 157 votes had been finally
disposed of for the home report, the hour of midnight was
close at hand, and the steady attention of the inspectors from
an early hour in the morning, had naturally brought on a state
of weariness that made them wish the end had come. Yet one
vote more remained to be reported to the credit of some countv

NASHVILLE. 293
towards the northeastern part of the state. One of the board
expressed a wish that that vote might be disposed of in some
other way, rather than to take up their time for another half
hour in giving it over to the state of Michigan. During all the
time of their labors, and up to this time, I had been sitting by
the side of the table engaged in reading. When the wish was
made, they had my full measure of sympathy, and I responded
to the wish, saying that if they would all turnaround in their
seats for a few minutes, or get up and help themselves to a
drink of water, they might return to find themselves relieved
and their labors at an end. Of course they were all dry, and
by the time their thirst had been satisfied they found themselves
ready for sleep.
It was a source of satisfaction at the time for the soldjers
to know and feel that absence from home did not work a
disfranchisement of their electoral rights. Yet, in the end,
the law- secured them nothing of the kind.
Contested elections in the state brought it into review
before the highest tribunal, where it was declared unconstitu
tional and the elections, so far as they came under its operation,
were pronounced void. It was for reasons, I think, that the
elector must offer his vote in the precinct or district in which
he resided, which he could not do if out of the state. Never
theless, if my memory serves me right at this distant day, a
contested case in the House of Representatives of the United
States, involved a consideration of the law before that body,
where it was held valid and the member seated therein by virtue
of a majority given through the counting of the soldier's vote.
There was no appeal from that decision, were it right or
wrong, upon the ground that that legislative body was invested
with the power to judge of the qualifications of its own
members. The law itself could not have survived that one
election or its operations could not have been repeated at a
subsequent election, on the grounds that the reasons for its
passage had ceased with the war, going the fate of all other
laws. Where the reasons fail, so also the law itself fails or falls
with them.

294 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
The term of enlistment of the 14th Kentucky was about to
expire and so, on the eleventh, they left our brigade and
started for home. We had been brigaded with these Kentuck
ians for a long time and such an attachment had grown up
between us that it was with feelings of regret that we saw them
take, to them, their welcome line of march towards home.
It was about November 20 that a sort of desire seized
upon some of the officers, Capt. Wells in particular, to have
the regiment present a horse, saddle and bridle to Col. Orcutt.
Such an outfit had been offered for three hundred dollars.
By, dint of perseverance, Capt. Wells succeeded in raising this
sum, by contributions, of ten dollars from each officer and one
dollar from each man.
' The horse and trappings were purchased, when the question
of presentation was the next item for consideration. Tom
Murray, of Co. B, who always had a surplus in his budget of
fun, was of course selected to give the horse away, with the
expectation that his speech would be accompanied with a little
Irish wit to spice up with. The crowd assembled on one of
the hills, all intent to see Tom come on the scene, filled with
high expectations of an amusing entertainment.
Well, he did come, hobbling along on his lame foot,
through the crowd, dragging the gift behind him, right up to
the colonel, who had taken a commanding position, when Tom
said: "Here, colonel, these men here have wanted to give you
something and didn't know what else to do but give you this
horse, so here it is; take it." Tom had either lost his budget
or mislaid it somewhere, and so perhaps made an unexpected
halt and brought his speech to an end. Col. Orcutt accepted
the gift with appropriate and fitting remarks, expressive of
gratitude and respect to the donors who had honored him with
this benefaction.
Winter was close at hand and the season's campaign with
us was thought to be over. Such a condition of things was at
least forshadowed, through orders to prepare winter quarters,
which were received with a hearty approval by the men, who
immediately set themselves with much diligence to build their

NASHVILLE. 295
log shanties in which to house themselves for the approaching
winter. By November 23, most of the huts were ready for
occupation and the next day would have found us well settled
for a snug winter's nap, had not orders come on that day to
march on the morrow. These orders were received with
obedience, but not without some tall talking on the part of the
men because of the loss of their labors and the fleeting joys,
expectant in their winter's camp. It was a clear case of
ejectment out of squatter sovereignty without the liberty of an
appeal. Going into winter quarters rested more upon the
good will of the rebels than upon the orders of our generals.
They decided to keep us on the move the year before and as
we shall see, were about to repeat the game the coming winter.
Last year it was Longstreet, this year it was Hood who
ordered us about; both very similar characters.
Much of the time since we had been in Johnsonville, the
weather had been overcast, gloomy and rainy. As might be
expected, there could be no estimate put upon the condition
of the roads. In many places they were only lines of mud,
without a bottom. We had to pick our way as best we could,
outside the track, but the poor mules in the transportation
train had to wallow in mud most of the time, and could do but
little more than flounder from side to side. They were ofteri
nearly out of sight, and then, as train guards, we had the pleasant
duty of getting into the mud to help in starting the wagons.
Had the mules been endowed with the gift of speech possessed
by their progenitor under the operation of Balaam's club, they
might, with equal reason, have rebuked their merciless drivers
and thanked us for the help rendered in passing the mud and
mire. This was the duty of the 25th the first day out, and we
had made but little progress when night came.
Our course lay towards Centerville on Duck river, where
we were to be stationed along the fords of that river to contest
the crossing of that stream by Hood and his rebel forces,
whose movements indicated a raid on Nashville for the capture
of that city. We made about 16 miles on the twenty-fifth, and,
also, about 20 miles through the rain on the twenty-sixth,

296 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
fording several streams of considerable size during the day —
the last and largest just before dark, when we stopped with
plenty of mud to make up a bed to lay in for the night.
Considering the rain, the condition of the roads, and 20
miles for the day, the march was a severe one, and was not
made without a good deal of straggling by a good many who
were not able to keep up. As far as we knew the stragglers
were generally gathered in at night. We felt that we were in
the enemy's country and followed by guerrillas on the march.
Sure proof of it came at about 3 A. M. of that night, as our
pickets were fired upon by them, which soon roused the brigade
to arms and in readiness for battle. After the exchange of a
few shots, however, things settled down again in quietude till
morning. Foraging had been indulged in pretty' freely along the
road and considerable honey brought in. The use of that kind
of nourishment with me is a weakness that I could never
overcome, and I consequently suffered much pain whenever I
allowed myself to partake of it. I however dropped aside this
day the caution I ought to have exercised in regard to the use
of it, and tasted a little out of the abundance that was thrust
before me. The penalty soon followed the mistake of yielding
to the temptation. I had the aches, pains and retchings, con
sequent upon the use of the honey, all the night up to the time
of the alarm raised by the firing from the guerrillas. The
excitement of the time, and the difficulty of getting fny over-
soaked shoes and clothing arranged to get in line, gave instant
relief, so that I was shortly sound and free from internal
disturbances and ready for action.
On the twenty-seventh we made but about 7 miles through
the rain, to within a short distance of Centerville. Straggling^
continued; several of the men were captured and shoj by the
blood-thirsty guerrillas, who followed close on our tracks!
This we had evidence of the next day, as a man by the name
of Grandstaff, of the 130th Indiana, who had been one of the
captured ones and made his escape, regained the brigade again
and made his report. He reported that 5 of our regiment had

NASHVILLE. 297
been captured and shot, two of whom had revived and escaped.
A man from Co. I had been captured and mpunted on a horse
behind one of the blood-thirsty rascals, when the party came
suddenly upon a lot of stragglers at a bend in the road, who
gave them a volley that as quickly turned them aside in the
bushes and the Co. I man slipped off the horse and made well
his chances. Sergt. Blanchard of our own company was now
missing among the stragglers, and, from Grandstaff's relation
of the affair, we were pretty well satisfied that Blanchard was
among the slain. But, of him more hereafter, in January.
We moved on eastward again on the twenty-eighth, about
15 miles, stopped near the river and about 8 miles east of
Centerville Many times we had difficulty in getting good
material for a bed on going into camp. I had succeeded here
in getting a good lot of straw, and as we were told to move
camp a short distance the next day, I carried my bed of straw
along for several miles before we were halted again for camp.
By the time I had just got my tent settled for occupation and
my nest nicely made up, I was detailed for picket, and had to
abandon, much to my regret, my far-fetched bed to someone
else — whoever chose to make use of it. I felt the loss of it,
considering the trouble I had been put to to get it all ready
for use as a comfort in this foul weather.
With my detail of men I went forward out of the camp,
and must say that it was the first and only time I ever performed
picket duty under fear. The recent news of the capture and
shooting of a number of our men by the guerrillas, led me to
fear that they might slip up in the darkness and take a shot at
us also. The night passed heavily along and the morning came at
last, much to the relief of my fears, and everything around
appeared to be as quiet and serene as if Dame Nature had
never met with any disturbing forces. The brigade was appor
tioned for a considerable distance along Duck river, watching
its several fords to prevent Hood from crossing that stream to
the northward. But he had now already done so at Columbia,
on the river to the east and above us. At this point we were

298 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
about 50 miles to the southwest of Nashville, and 30 west of
Franklin. Soon after our picket post had made way with
breakfast, a squad of men came into the lines at my post with
orders for the brigade to move at once for Franklin. Being
on the route from camp for that destination, I did not return
to' camp on being relieved, but waited for the command to
come along and take us in on the way. While the brigade
was being gathered up the 25th came along in the afternoon
and we made about 3 miles before stopping for the night.
DECEMBER, 1864.
On the first of December we marched about 18 miles,
where the whole brigade was all united together again at
night. Some time during the day we received news of the
battle of Franklin of the day before (Nov. 30), and that the
rebels were in possession of that village, while our forces had
retired towards Nashville. So, also, simultaneously at the same
hands, orders were received bidding us to make directly for
' Nashville. Hood was already on his way there, and it was a
race for us to get there ahead of him, else to be cut off from
doing so, while he was more than abreast of us, had many
miles the start, and on a shorter route.
At the time of the battle of Franklin we must have been
twenty-five miles distant, but knew nothing of it till the orders
were received directing us to march for Nashville. As it
(the battle) had a serious bearing upon the 1st brigade, which
was now all alone — except a section of the 6th Michigan
battery in company with it-r-I cannot pass the matter of the
battle by without a little notice of its occurrence. My remarks
are based upon information given me by Col. Moore, who
commanded the 2d brigade of the 2d division in that battle;
also by what was told me by Sergt. A. W. Jenkins of my own
company, who was on his way to join us after a long absence,
and was just then detained in that part of the army, waiting for
us to come up.
Our advanced forces under Schofield had been stationed
as far south as Pulaski, to observe and check Hood's advance,

NASHVILLE. 299
but were not in sufficient numbers to beat him back. Conse
quently, on Hood's appearance, Schofield drew back towards
Nashville. He was very closely, pressed by the rebels and had
a .brush with them at Spring Hill on the twenty-ninth, as a
matter of necessity to make time for the retreat of the wagon
trains, which were making their very best to get out of the way
and across the Big Harpeth at Franklin.
On an elevated position on the north side of the river was
a fort well provided with artillery, while on the south side of
the river was a long stretch of level land under command of
the guns of the fort. It was late in the afternoon of the
thirtieth of November, when a large number of the wagons
were still south of the river, with a prospect of being dark
before they could all be passed over, though they were crowded
along as fast as possible. Here was a bend in the river, with
the bridge at the north side of the bend, and the inner side of
the bend at the south. The wagons in waiting were massed in
this bend. Across this bend, with either flank resting on the
river, the army lines were drawn up to protect the trains until
they had made themselves secure across to the north side of
the river. Schofield had no intention of fighting a battle there
unless it should be forced upon him, though he had a line of
works thrown up for his protection.
It was at this crisis, about four o'clock in the afternoon,
that Hood made his appearance with six battle lines and bore'
down immediately to the attack. Our side had a brigade
advanced as skirmishers and gave no orders for it to retire
within the line as the rebels came on them. This greatly
hindered the free use of our artillery against the rebel onset.
The fort was more elevated and could use the cannon over the
heads of the men, but no other guns could be used until the
brigade had been driven in. The rebels used no artillery in
the battle. What we did use from the fort made fearful havoc
in the enemy's ranks, which were broken and then rallied, at
least six times before darkness set in and ended the battle. Pat
Cleburne's rebel division captured a part of the breastworks,
and was himself killed while jumping his horse over them.

300 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
Col. Moore, having a battery in the rear awaiting orders-
galloped off to it, ordered it to open on the foe and soon
restored our lines from the break made in them. Hood's
forces were finally driven back and held at bay after a hard
fought battle, in which Hood had borne down with his usual
determination and recklessness. The battle secured time
enough to cross the wagon trains safely over the river and
gave a severe check to the enemy, who was intent on the
capture of everything on the south side of the river — and
didn't come much short of doing so, either. The loss of the
enemy was very severe and considered as high as six thousand
in killed and wounded, while, in consideration of the advantages
of position and the uses of artillery on our side alone, we
sustained a loss of not more than one- fourth as many men.
But, to ourselves again. Knowing the situation of affairs,
we began to realize that we must make a desperate march if
we should reach Nashville without being headed off by the
rebels. They had a good start of us but were probably
ignorant of our location, while we knew theirs. For the
convenience of the thing, we had some rain during the day to
help us along and so kept steadily on our course. Just before
night we crossed the Big Harpeth river and captured three
prisoners. We were fired upon from the woods at the right,
receiving three or four shots which indicated a knowledge of
our presence; if not by the enemy in advance, then by his
spies. We kept steadily on, however, hoping to reach
Nashville in safety, but just after dark, when about eight miles
from the city and within three or four miles of the lines of our
own army, we rounded a curve in the road, bordered by woods,
arid saw a few lights oi fires ahead of us. The 25th Michigan
was that day in the lead, with Gen. Cooper and his staff at the
head of the column. We were halted while the general and
his staff rode back. We had stopped there only a few
minutes, in which time the whole country ahead of us was
covered with the camp-fires of the rebel army.
We had not waited long ere we were started back on the
countermarch. This found us making a forward movement to

NASHVILLE. 301
the rear and I had to remark that all the baggage wagons,
together with the section of the 6th Michigan Battery that was
with us, had been so .silently turned around that we knew
nothing of it until we had passed them, to take the lead in the
new turn of marching on. The night was now before us and
so was a long prospective march to clear ourselves of the rear
of the rebel army. It was extremely dark, though we had a
drizzly rain the most of the time.
Almost in Nashville and still a long ways off; so near and
yet so far. No other alternative was now before us but to
cross the Cumberland river at Clarksville, fifty miles below
Nashville, and to reach the latter city would cost us a journey
of fully one hundred and twenty-five miles or more. A guide
had been pressed in for the occasion, who led us back to the
Big Harpeth where a narrow road led down the right bank to
the turnpike that lay between Nashville and Charlotte, south
of Clarksville. It was afterwards reported that a division of the rebel
army had followed us, going into camp just south of the river
where we had crossed, and waited for the following day, when
our capture was confidently counted on. We kept right on,
however. It was about midnight when we reached the turn
pike, then made westward on it until about nine o'clock next
morning, December 3, when we reached the ford where the
turnpike crossed the river.
I could usually stand up under as much marching as any
member of the regiment, but a steady march of over twenty-
four hours with scarcely a halt for rest, made me feel like
sitting down for awhile before rolling up my pants and wading
through the cold waters of the stream. Once across,- we felt
safe and took a long halt for breakfast and rest, and dinner
also. I could not estimate this march at less than forty-five
miles, and we then made a leisurely one of Seventeen more
to reach Charlotte the following night. Over sixty miles in
two days and one night wearied us down to a good, sound
sleep at night and the end of the next two days found us
across the Cumberland at Clarksville.

302 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHtGAN.
It was here that we were halted one day for resting up
before making further progress. A change of weather now
came on, cool and windy. The cold wind took us at our backs
and we easily made fifty miles in two days, coming up at
Edgefield before night of the second day.
On the morning of the ninth we crossed the river, through
and to the south of Nashville, joining the rest of the division
near Fort Negley. The morning opened pretty cold, with
rain that soon changed to snow, hail and ice. We were placed
in line on the rocks, where we could hardly find a place to
plant our tent stakes, which was of little consequence, as
neither poles or firewood were at hand. Poles were afterwards
found at a considerable distance and the tents set up. We
now found some brigade and division changes to have been
made, among which was that of Gen. Couch to command the
division and I think (for I have no note of it) that the 26th
Kentucky entered the brigade to supply the loss of the 14th
Kentucky, which retired out of the brigade at Johnsonville.
The weather had become a good deal colder and as wood
was hardly to be had sufficient to cook our rations with, we
felt it in our unprotected tents quite severely. The ground was
covered with snow and ice and it was out of the question that
any army movements could be made until after a thaw. Of
course the rebels were besieging us, but just now they couldn't
press the siege any more than we could press them. Here
were two hostile armies confronting each other for battle.
Thomas in command of the union, and Hood at the head of
the rebel armies. Thomas had been calling in and gathering
up the scattered troops of the military division of the Mississippi,
until he . probably had 70,000 men there and ready for battle.
With this number he was besieged by the over-confident Hood,
who could not have had over half that many. Thomas was
only waiting now for the weather to soften up to let him out,
for breaking the besieging line of rebels that extended from
river bank to river bank, above and below the city. Hood had
the impudence to lay siege to this force of northerners (though
a good share of it had been gathered in after he appeared

NASHVILLE. 303
before the place) with an army of about 35,000 men. Each of
the armies was, for a while, weather bound, and nothing could
be done till the cold was broken up. It did not take place
till the thirteenth, when there was plenty of mud, while the
frost was all out of the ground by the fourteenth.
With this break-up the armies were no longer weather
bound. Thomas had been waiting for it for several days, and
found that his time for action was now at hand, when he could
move out to assail his impudent foe. A prudent general in
command of the besieging force, knowing the situation, would
have fallen back without a battle. But not so in this case.
Hood was possessed with no such quality, but was filled with
an over self-reliance. He was rashly bold, with a determination
that once having entered upon a certain course or policy of
action, never to abandon it till circumstances compelled him
to do so. The weather had compelled him to lay quietly
within his besieging lines. Not only was he besieging an army
of double his numbers, but the city itself, which was strongly
fortified and sufficiently garrisoned to save it from capture by
any force at his command.
It was on the foggy morning of the fifteenth of December
that Thomas began to open up the battle. Steedman, with
the colored troops, was on the left; Schofield, with the 23d
corps, was on the right, with the 4th and 16th corps somewhere
as a connecting link on the center, between the extremes. It
was the design of the right to gain the rear of the rebel left,
and put in the best and most effectual of its work there. The
colored troops were expected to make a strong enough demon
stration on their part of the line, so as to retain the full force
of the rebels in their front, but not to press the battle. This
was to prevent the rebels from drawing off any part of their
force there to re-enforce other parts of the line. The center
would, at the same time, do its share in the battle. Contrary
to expectations, after the colored troops had become engaged,
they become somewhat excited, put forth their valor and
drove the rebels out of their works before them. The center
pressed heavily against them also, while the right, towards the

304 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
close of the afternoon, had gained the rebel left and swung in
upon it. The country was very hilly and the rebels were well
posted upon them.
Gen. Couch was an eastern officer, and expected perfect
alignment and orderly movements, under the style of the
McClellan drill and review. He formed his division into line
of battle, but not in very good shape to suit the temper of the
western troops. He was too slow and his line became too
crowded. The regiments on either side or flank of the 25th
neared each other, so that the latter was crowded into and
mingled in a mob-like confusion among them. It was near
night, and then the various commands were being advanced,
halted, edging to the right and to the left for extrication, when
Sergt. Webb, of Co. F, noticed that the rebels on the hill in
our front had shown some horses suddenly in view, and then,
as suddenly to whirl around and disappear. He remarked to
me that unless we could move forward pretty soon we should
have to stand the cannon shot from the hill above us. He had
seen the horses, and from their movements concluded that
they had drawn the artillery there . to bear upon us. He was
correct in his conclusions, for he had not much sooner said the
same, than a shot was sent down, plunging into our lines. It
struck no one, but it had the effect to set the line in motion.
Before a second shot could be sent down the whole line moved
forward, without further orders, for the hill before us. Orders
and discipline were lost sight of. Every man was bent on
getting along as fast as he could to capture the hill in front.
I was pretty well at the left of the brigade, or, rather,
crowd, and as the ground was very soft and miry, and all of us
going on the double-quick up the hill, my breath was soon
brought to short puffs. There were gullies or washes running
down the hill, and in one of these I had to stop and rest a
while for breath, before I could go forward. On my left was a
ridge occupied by the enemy, hidden behind a stone wall.
Near where I rested was a rail fence, running parallel with the
gullies, and along which was a confused hedge of wild plum
bushes. -Beyond the fence from where I was our men were

NASHVILLE. 3Q5
streaming up the hill. And now came a shower of bullets
from this ridge on the left flank of our men, who were rushing
up the hill, and directed towards them. Against the fence and
bushes the bullets spattered like hail. After resting a minute
or so I left the protection of the gully, where Capt. Demarest
and others were resting as I had done, and crossed over the -
fence amidst the flying balls and went on up the hill with the
main body of the soldiers, who were nearly all on that side of
the fence. The bullets suddenly ceased striking at us from the
left, and of all that shooting I did not see but one or two who
were disabled from it in going up the hill.
Col. Owen, of the 80th Indiana, afterwards told me that,
on seeing the rebel demonstration at our left, he wheeled his
regiment to face it, and captured that line of rebels that was so
vigorously engaged in firing at us. It was this move of Col.
Owen's that quelled the shots so suddenly from that direction.
My escape from a touch of the bullets was nothing short
of a miracle. But that miracle had a very short existence, for,
not three minutes afterwards, a bullet found me, got itself
bagged, and had to submit to being taken. As we gained the
crest of the hill we were ascending, we saw another hill before
us, about 50 rods further on, which served as a standing point
for the enemy again. In their flight away from us they halted
there, turned and gave us a volley of shots as we appeared and
gave them a mark to shoot at. Shots were flying pretty freely
as I came up where men from the several regiments of the
brigade were all mixed up. Seeing several men of the 25th
gathered together, and others still coming up the hill, I turned
around and beckoned with my sword for them to come where
we were. I had no sooner turned than a bullet struck me in
the back, passed through 28 thicknesses of tent and blankets
that were in a roll hanging over my shoulder, passed into a
pocket of my blouse, tore a small paper in two, and dropped
harmlessly to the bottom. I just felt the touch of the bullet
and that was all. Lieut. Carlisle, of Co. C, coming up just
then, I told him what had happened, upon which he put his
hand in my pocket and took it out. I have that bullet at this

306

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

JOSEPH L. CARLISLE, 1865.
First Lieutenant Co. C.

present writing. Had it not been
for the roll of blankets I always
carried, the bullet would have
passed through me and I probably
would not be writing about it at
this time. As it was, by the pro
tection of the blankets, I escaped
by the "skin of my teeth," but
what that means I cannot tell, and
will have to refer my readers to
our venerable friend, Job, for an
explanation. I, like that patriarch
of old, barely came off with my
life in my hand.
It would not do to stand still and take what the enemy
was pouring in upon us, nor could we effectually return the
compliments, as they were more shielded from us than we
from them. So it needed but a word to "go for them" again.
Every one, with a unisori of mind, made a rush down into the
valley and over for the next hill, with Maj. Dunn of the 3d
Tennessee leading. His color bearer had been shot down.
The colors had been handed to him while on his horse, to
which he set spurs and galloped ahead in the race, with the
flag to the wind, and was the first to gain the top of the next
hill. He must have scared the rebels away, for we were close
on his heels and failed to find a single rebel there. In their
first flight they tried to drag away their cannon, but had to
leave it at the bottom of the hill.
The rebels had left a cannon part way down the hill,
against which Bishop E. Andrews, of Co. H, came. He
stopped, and with the assistance of a cavalryman who had
just come up, turned and loaded the gun— when he sent a shot
at the fleeing rebels. He learned soon after that his assistant
was Gen. Hatch of the cavalry.
It was now growing dark, but was still light enough to
discover a considerable stretch of level land before us. Out
on this level, and about a half a mile away, a wagon train

NASHVILLE. . 307
could be seen. Soon a brigade staff officer came along and
tried to rally a force to go down and capture it. But the time
was so late, and the men so wearied with the quick work they
had made up and down the hills and through the soft ground,
that he had but little influence. So the wagons were allowed
to get away under cover of the night.
The brigade was now formed in line of battle, giving an
oblique, -instead of a direct front, to what was found the next
day to be the line held by the rebels. We now threw up a line
of works and lay down to sleep. We were also visited by a
foggy, drizzling dampness, running into the next day.
Our army had pressed the battle heavily along the whole
line all day and crowded the rebels back at all points, captur
ing about seventy pieces of artillery and many prisoners. This
was the sum and substance of the news that came to us that
night. Hood ought to have been aware of the comparative
situation of the two armies, and that his own was far inferior
after having lain before the city for two weeks without having
been able to detect an opening for a successful attack. He
very impudently offered battle and was beaten back along his
whole line. This ought to have, more than ever, convinced
him that his only safety lay in a speedy withdrawal and retreat.
He now made a further mistake by holding to his lines for the
next day's onset.
He had advanced against Nashville, which held a vast
storehouse of army supplies, with the expectation of taking in
everything there. Having no base of supplies, he needed to
preserve no communications to the rearward, and was, as might
be said, upon a magnificent raid. It was expected that, if
foiled in his expectations at Nashville, he would cross the
Cumberland, move on northward, and even into Kentucky. It
seems it was feared this was his purpose by the authorities at
Washington. Had he done so he was in a situation to have
done a vast amount of injury before being captured and his
army broken up. But it was the wrong time of year for him
to go into the raiding business victoriously, with a superior
force close on his heels.

308 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN. *
It required two days to complete the battle of Nashville.
The first day had been used up, the battle more than half
fought, and so far victory had crowned the northern arms.
This was on the fifteenth of December. As did the sixteenth
operi, so did the battle open again early in the morning. The
first brigade was a silent witness of the battle on the sixteenth
nearly all day. The artillery on the level in front began
pounding away at daylight, and kept advancing of gaining,
ground all the forenoon. The rebel lines seemed to extend
east and west, while we fronted to the south-east. At about
noon a brigade of the 16th Corps (Gen. A. J. Smith's) made
an advance against the rebel lines about one hundred rods in
front of us, and approached within about fifty rods of them,
halting and laying down. Occasional shots were exchanged,
but without anything like what might be called fighting. After
an hour or so was used up, and nothing particular done, the
brigade withdrew and filed up along in front of our works,
halted and lay down. At the same time the 6th Michigan bat
tery took a position in front of our left. They might have
remained there in silence for a half or perhaps a whole hour.
I had to pity one poor young fellow in this new lot of
soldiers, who seemed to be overcome with a fear. His blankets
were rolled up in a solid bundle, which he carried above his
shoulder and by the side of his head. I do not know which
side he was to the enemy when he first raised his blanket roll
to his head as a shield, but while he was filing by us he seemed
to be unconsciously holding his roll on the side opposite from
where the danger lay, and did not seem to realize but what it
was a protection on one side as well as on the other, his fears'
seeming to engross his whole attention.
At or nearly in front of our right, about forty rods away,
was a hill similar to those we had captured the day before. It
was of a knobby form and more elevated than the one we
were on. Up from the flat below, and from the east to the
crown of the hill, and in plain view of us, ran a stone wall, end
ing at the top and disappearing at a right angle to the south
ward. This stone wall formed the works that concealed what

NASHVILLE. 309
afterwards proved to be the extreme left of the rebel army.
Though this hill was somewhat higher, and commanded the
one we had taken a position on the night before, yet such
silence reigned over there that I did not realize it was being
held in force by the enemy until a charge was afterward made
for its capture.
The halt of the brigade in front of us was made for the
purpose of giving the 3d Division time to gain the rear of the
rebel left and cut off retreat, as it was* the purpose of this
brigade to charge, break and rout the rebel left.
At about 3:30 p. m. the battery opened fire across our
front upon the stone wall, and fired with such rapidity that it
seemed as if nothing could stand before it. No response was
elicited from behind the wall until after the brigade of the 16th
Corps had moved on the charge, gained more than half the
distance and began to ascend the opposite hill. The rebels
then showed themselves for the first time, opened fire with
their musketry and killed a few of our men as they moved up
the hill. The capture of the works was done in fine style and
quick time. It took but a few minutes for the color-bearer of
one of the regiments, who was a strong, powerful man, and
who rushed ahead of all his comrades, to mount the works and
wave the flag of victory. The charging party was right on the
wall after him. The battery was so intent on its work that it
fired on the rebel line among our men after they had captured
it, and had to be signalled for silence by a man who turned,
ran back and waved his hand for the battery to cease firing,
and then what a sight followed!
Instantly our men had passed over the works, and a line
of rebels, as prisoners, poured over to the front like a lot of
dirty sheep. Our own brigade was now set in motion to follow
up the captors. We met the file of prisoners about half-way
over. A few words exchanged with an officer of the lot
informed me that they had withstood all the 'bad stormy
weather of the past few days, in the open air, and without the
shelter of a tent, or any of the conveniences of camp life. I
could not wonder then that they looked so dirty and showed

310 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
so little spirit for a fight. Perhaps the battle of November
thirtieth took the spirit out of them.
This haul of rebel prisoners was the brigade of the rebel
General Jackson, who was, by his own side, accused of giving
up without a fight. He himself said that our men were upon
him and he was captured before he knew it.
I was an eye-witness to the whole of this move, and saw
the break that brought the battle to an end and put the rebels
to flight. Referring to the "Red Book of Michigan," in the
part assigned to the 23d Michigan, the correspondent says that
the 25th Michigan was the first to plant its flag on the rebel
works, but that is a mistake. It was there but took no hand in
the charge. I was in command of the color company at the
time and had the colors with me. It is hard enough for the
gallant men who bear and support the colors at such times of
trial without being robbed, also, of the glory they have earned
on top of the duty they have performed. It is, therefore, but
an act of justice due the victors for me to correct the mistake,
found in "Michigan in the War," and give credit to those who
earned it at the peril of their lives.
Not far in the rear of the rebel lines was a line of hills. I
have heard somewhere since that they were called the "Pent-
land Hills," their sides being covered with woods. As soon as
the rebel left had been broken, everything on their side seemed
to melt away. All the firing that followed seemed to be trans
ferred to these hills and woods. The sounds of musketry ran
through these woods very faintly as the random shots of the
skirmish line were heard in pursuit of the vanquished rebels.
These were kept up till after dark, which was close at hand.
Thus ended the battle of Nashville. It was one of the
most complete victories of the war. It only had one parallel,
about two months before, when Sheridan met and destroyed a
rebel army with such a signal victory that it was never reorgan
ized. It was the same with the fruits that crowned the arms of
the nation at Nashville. Hood's army was driven to such a
disorganization that it never recovered again.

NASHVILLE. 3.11
The battle-line, I should- judge, had an extent of three
miles or more, and was about as long as the rebels had men to
cover it with and keep up the fight. It -was a matter of heavy
blows well delivered, that gave the victory where it was due.
They were kept up so steadily, from beginning to end, that
Hood had no chance left him for the practice of battle tactics,
but must stand and take them and their consequences. I was
so far out on the extreme right that but little was left for
me to see beyond what I have stated, and that was but a small
part of the battle. The rest and main part has already passed
into history by the help of abler hands.
I do not know how it fared all along the line just at the
moment the battle closed with us, but the sounds of battle
ceased as the shades of night began to approach, save the few
shots to be heard here and there in the woods. The enemy
had disappeared from before us and we camped on the field of
victory for the night. Gen. Thomas had been one of the fore
most heroes of the war, and this victory made him still more
so. His headquarters were in the city, and there he remained
td fight the battle. His orders as well as the news he received
were communicated all along his line, largely by the military
telegraph. As we passed out on the morning of the fifteenth
the lines of telegraph were already up ahead of us. By this
means he was continually in receipt of information all along a
line of three or four miles in length, and issued his orders
accordingly through the same medium much better than if he
had been out on the field of battle without such assistance.
The use of the telegraph virtually placed him on all parts of
the field at the same time.
The morning of the day after the battle opened with rain,
which had begun about midnight. The rebels had been
thoroughly beaten, routed and put to flight, what was left
of them, as they had lost nearly everything, and were in the
lightest marching order. They were not hampered or em
barrassed with any trains of impedimenta, and well they needed
to be free from such, for the roads were heavy with the rains
that came pouring down on us day after day. It was not

312 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
strange, then, that the pursued could outstrip their pursuers
and make good their escape. It was a case where the victory
was to the strong and the race to the swift, these matters being
divided between the two parties. To keep the supplies up, the
trains had to wallow through the mud at a slow pace, so we
made slow progress in pursuit. The beaten, for having been
stripped of everything, would naturally be the swiftest in the
race. Yet I thought, at the time, that we ought to have done
better than we did and taken the Johnnies in out. of the wet.
But Thomas was a heavy mover. Everything in detail must
be closed up, and every emergency prepared for. This is an
attribute of the best generalship, yet there are occasions where
the exception is better than the main rule. Though Gen.'
Grant accords to him the highest rank among our generals, he
complains. that he was one of the slowest and poorest to follow
in pursuit after victory. It took two days and about sixteen
miles to get us out as far as Franklin. The next day we only
crossed over Duck river through the deepest mud we had yet
experienced. Hence this accounts somewhat for our seem
ingly slow progress.
Columbia was ahead of us about twenty-seven miles. The
whole army of^ pursuit was in advance of us, and we did not
reach that place until the twenty-sixth, where we halted, and,
as far as the 2d Division was concerned, the pursuit was at an
end. I think that Hood, with the remnants ur fragments of
the army left him, had by this time made his escape across the
Tennessee river, again in his undisputed country and out of
reach. The weather became more wintry and did not soften
up until the end of the year 1864, which found us still in camp
at Columbia, Tenn.

NOKTH CAROLINA. 313

DIVISION VI.
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JANUARY, 1865.
. And now comes the story of Sergt. Blanchard, the capture
of whom, with otheirs, by guerrillas, was related in November.
I feel at liberty to insert the story at this point because he was
a member of the same company as myself. Besides, a part of
his story will apply to several others who were captured with
him. Soon after reaching Columbia, news came to us that,
though captured and shot, he was over the river in one of the
rebel hospitals. That he had been captured and shot was true,
but he had revived and made his escape. I had been over the
river and searched through the several hospitals of the village,
but could learn nothing of his whereabouts. Others had done
the same and succeeded in finding him. Among the latter was
Lieut. L. C. Hill, who wrote down his statement for publica
tion. As it gives a pretty full exposure of the devilish bru
tality of the guerrilla mode of warfare, I can do no better than
to give the statement in full as given by Lieut. Hill.
Sergt. Blanchard relates the story as follows to Lieut. Hill:
"November 26, I was unable to keep up with the regiment
and in company with several others, fell some distance^ to the
rear. The next day, Sunday, we crossed Piney Creek in the
forenoon. I was in company with Moses Buck, Co. B, William
Dewey, Co. D, Corp. George Westover, Co. G, Sergt. Otto
Bdote, Co. I, and a man from the 99th Ohio. When about a
quarter of a mile from the creek, twenty-five or thirty guer
rillas suddenly dashed upon us from behind in the road. They

314 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
fired upon us and demanded our surrender. No one was hit
by the firing.
"I had a watch and two pocketbooks, one containing three
dollars in my righthand pocket, and one containing forty
dollars in the other. They asked for my watch and pocket-
book. I gave them the watch and the pocketbook containing
the three dollars. Four guerrillas now took six of us and went
round by a creek and halted until another squad came up.
Then we were counted off and formed into small squads. I
was in the first squad and we were marched over a hill, into a
deep ravine. Here we were halted and they ordered me to
turn my back. I said, 'for God's sake, don't shoot us so.' The
words were hardly out of my mouth when they fired. Ope
ball went through my memorandum book, entered a little
below the center of my right breast, glanced around and lodged
near my backbone, just below the skin, where it still remains.
A second shot struck the top button of my coat, shivered it
in pieces, glanced and passed into my left breast, inflicting
only a slight wound.
"When I was shot, I fell forward and fainted. I soon
came to myself and found the guerrillas' cutting the buttons
from my coat and searching my pockets, but >as I laid on my
left side, they did not find my pocketbook containing forty
dollars. They took my boots, pants and hat, and left an old
pair of shoes. I have Moses Buck's hat, which has a ball hole
made when I was shot. The man that was searching me says to
another, "John, this d  d rascal aint dead; he's playing off."
The other came up, but having no load in his pistol, said:
"D  n him, he's shot clean through; he's dead enough."
They seemed to be in a great hurry and left me without waiting
to see that their work was well done.
"I lay there until the next morning. Before daylight I
crawled down where William Dewey, Co. D, was and lay there
until daylight. With the help of a stick I got up, but hearing
someone talking, I lay down on Dewey's arm. Two men came
along and searched around for some time. I did not dare to
speak for fear they would shoot me and they did not discover

NORTH CAROLINA, 315
that I was alive. The persons proved to be Mr. Hammond
and his son. After they had gone, I got out of the ravine and
crawled into another, then up a sidehill and into the top of a
fallen chestnut tree. I was not hungry, but suffered intensely
from thirst. The roof my mouth became dry and parched,
and I was in constant pain from my wounds. While I lay
there, I saw several citizens come and bury my companions.
"I lay there until after dark andduring the night crawled
up the hill, crossed the road into a cornfield, then into a field
grown up with weeds. I lay in the weeds all night and the
next day until almost night. All this time I was without a
drink. My wounds were very painful and my suffering very
great. When the sun was about two hours high, a man who
was picking cotton near by heard me cough and came to me.
He said that he had heard me cough the day before, but
supposed that it was some of the negroes. I was carried to
the house of Joseph Hassell, where I remained until the sixth
of December. The people were very kind to me and I had
everything I could wish. Several guerrillas came to see me
and tried to persuade me to go with them to Forrest's scouts
to be paroled, but I refused. They asked if the bushwhackers
took my money. I told them that they did. They asked me
how much and when I told them three dollars, one gave me
three and another ten dollars, but this I considered only a ruse
to deceive me.
"Two days before leaving this place, I learned that they
intended to wait until Christmas, when they were going to kill
me, arriid great carnival. Not liking the shape matters were
taking, I paid a negro to run me off and take me across Duck
river. He took me within a quarter of a mile of Centerville,
and I walked into town. Here I fell in with Mr. James Carr,
who was taking with him a led horse. He let me ride this
horse and I came within fourteen miles of Columbia, to Andrew
Crawford's, a union man.
"I now thought it better to make my way to Columbia and
give myself up to the rebels as a prisoner of war, than to risk
myself with the bushwhackers. But Mr. Crawford persuaded

316

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

PHILIP D. MILLER. (1861.)
Hospital Steward, Sept. 11, 1862; 2d Lieu
tenant, Nov. 1, 1861; Surgeon, Jan. 1, 1865.
Now of Grand Rapids.

me to stay, saying that the
rebels would never take Nash
ville, but would soon fall back
and I could join our troops. I
staid with him one week. While
there, a Vebel officer came and
staid all night. He was going to
| Johnsonville to order a brigade
that was there, to go to Florence
as soon as possible. I saw him
comingahd hid myself in aback
room under a quantity of cotton,
where I staid until he was gone,
the next morning. From Craw
ford's I went ,to Daniel Mc
Kenon's, six miles from Colum
bia, to which place I was taken
on Tuesday, December 27, by his two sons."
I met Blanchard January 2 and heard his story, which was
similar to the foregoing, and adopted Lieut. Hill's version of
it as covering all that I heard and is set forth in as brief,, yet
complete manner, as I could have done myself. He seemed
very much elated at his convalescence and thought it a joke
that a funeral had been held to his memory at home. This,
he concluded, would have to be cancelled when he should
return home. But the poor fellow's expectations were not to
be realized. The time for the second and real funeral soon
came. Not long afterward, he sickened with the smallpox and
died on January 23d.
Hood had now been so effectually disposed of that no
more trouble might be expected from him. There was need
of us in other quarters and as we had become old and well
seasoned soldiers, it was considered that we could make a
campaign just as well in the winter as at any other time in the
year. So the stone was kept rolling that started us out again.
It was understood that our first destination' was for Eastport,
up the Tennessee river and in Mississippi, for a campaign to

NORTH CAROLINA. 317
the southward. On January 2 we moved from Columbia
towards Cliffton, about seventy miles to the southwest, on the
Tennessee river, reaching there on the tenth. Here we stopped
for six days, waiting for steamboat transportation, during
which time troops were being sent up the river. Either our
destination was changed or it was not intended that we should
go up the river at all. On the evening of the sixteenth we
embarked on the steamer "A. Baker," and steamed down the
river. We soon learned that our course lay for a junction with
the armies of the east.
The 4th army corps had passed to the southward, and,
with the now weakened condition of the rebellion, was con
sidered sufficient to look after that quarter, in addition to the
troops already operating in that southern clime. We started
on our move for the east on Monday night and steamed away
until Saturday — down the Tennessee and up the Ohio. It was
not until the next Saturday that we arrived at Louisville. A
change of weather now came on. A heavy fog struck us, so
that, navigation became unsafe and compelled us to lay by
until noon of the next day, before we could go on up the river.
As we reached the mouth of the Kentucky river a snow storm
struck us with such blinding effect that we were obliged to lay
over again until the next day before we could go on again.
We reached Cincinnati at about 9 P. M. of the twenty-third.
When daylight came on the morning of the twenty-fourth
of January, it brought with it and revealed a mid-winter exper
ience. Snow lay deep in the city, with enough of cold weather'
to bid fair for the snow to stay for a while. A train of box
cars was run into the depot for us to board, which we accom
plished by noon — men arid baggage — when we pulled out for
the east by way of Columbus. We reached Bellaire on the
Ohio on the evening of the twenty-sixth, connecting there
with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. It was a cold and
tedious ride of two and a half days, (the nights also) that
were taken up in pulling through the state of Ohio. The
bottom of the cars, for convenience sake, was well lined with
straw, in which we could nestle down in our blankets and get

318 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
all the comfort allowable under the circumstances. To keep
my feet warm I had to take my shoes from them, when they
suffered less from the cold in my stockings alone than when
the shoes were on and over them. In the passage of the 23d
army corps through Ohio, it was reported that two or three
soldiers were frozen to death. Midnight of the first day's ride
brought us to Columbus, where the citizens had in readiness a
very acceptable offering of good, hot coffee, in return for
which we not only felt very grateful to them, but much better
towards ourselves.
Capt. Childs had been in command, of the regiment ever
since the fifth, and I think as we halted at Newark just after
dark, he came around and wanted to know if we had a barrel
of butter on board of our car. We returned an answer by
asking if he thought we carried a traveling grocery with us,
and if he was in speculation to buy a lot, seeing that he wanted
it by the wholesale. This called for an explanation. It seems
that somehow, to beat the dickens, and nobody can say when
or how, while soldiers are in the vicinity of lots of goodies,
many of these frequently disappear in such a mysterious way
that the owner seldom gets a clue to their whereabouts. In
this case it was a barrel of butter. Of course the loser of it
felt very anxious to have it back again. He sent out his
skirmishers to detect its whereabouts, but we never learned if
the owner made a recapture of his animal again or set it down
to the "lost cause." Should conclude, however, that if it did
get into the hands or guardianship of the soldier, it reached
its final destination under his protection in safety.
In the 23d corps there were many men from the state of
Ohio. It may be imagined what temptations overtook these
men as they were being taken through their own state and
near their own homes, after an absence of several years. No
furloughs were asked for, and none would have been granted
had they been applied for. But it might be well known what
might be expected under such circumstances did take place.
Many of the soldiers slipped out of line and made for home.
For the time being they might have been called deserters, but

NORTH CAROLINA. 319
their case was put in a milder form and they were only called
stragglers. Consequently the returning visitors and stragglers
were of one and the same lot, and it became a necessity to
have some one at Bellaire to gather them in as they returned
from their homes and forward them to the east. Gen. Conch
sent to the 25th Michigan to have two companies detailed for
that purpose. Companies E and F, with myself in command,
were selected. On reporting to the general I received instruc
tions to remain until the whole army had passed, and see that
all the stragglers were sent right along. The charge was an
active one — to see that, as soon as the delinquents came into
the village, they should be sent right along; instead of being
permitted to hang around town in charge of any one officer in
particular and running at large, they should go right on and
join their commands that had passed on ahead of them. Four
days were taken up in this business before I was informed by
Col. Parsons, (an officer stationed there), that the army had
completed its passage at that point; that my appointment or
detail was at an end and that I could proceed to my destination
also. On the thirtieth I detached Co. F and sent it forward.
But it only succeeded in getting across the river to Benwood
and loading a car, where it remained on the track until nearly
up to the time of starting with my own company next day.
Itwas at this point that a well-known character, who had
made us a visit more than a year and a half before, appeared
again. She had probably been floating around with the army
all the intervening time, and seemed to have cast anchor for a
temporary stoppage here. It was "Frank Martin," the girl
soldier, of whom I have previously taken note and promised to
treat of again. When I first saw her she wore the uniform of
a soldier. Now, as I stepped into the passenger room of the
depot on the Bellaire side of the Ohio, I saw what I supposed
to be a lady seated there. She seemed to recognize me by
some means, how I do not know, for though I had seen her
many times had never spoken to her but once. But, having
cuddled in awhile with the 25th Michigan, as will be seen by
reference to the Red Book, and probably on inquiry after me

320 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN. *
she appeared to be ready for me, while I, in return, out of
respect for the dress she wore as a badge of her sex, was
obliged to return the recognition. This brought us into con
versation, which had lasted only a short time when in came the
station agent and ordered her out and away from the depot.
This satisfied -me that she was pretty well known at this post;
The agent remarked that he would have no character with her
reputation hanging around the station at this time. It was at
night, and she did not wish to go out alone through the snow.
She turned and seemed to appeal to me for sympathy. I
answered the appeal so far as I thought prudent, and asked
the soldiers with me if any of them would volunteer to escort
her. Bill Trimble, of Co. C, happened to be present. He ,
stepped forward and offered his politeness for the safety of her
ladyship. I judge that everything went well and he acquitted
himself properly, as he returned after awhile and made no
report to the contrary. Hardly a sPldier of the 25th, who
knew the two characters, but would join in approval of Bill
Trimble's appointment to the charge and the responsibility he
volunteered upon himself. What the career of this "Frank
Martin" had been during the period of twenty months inter
vening her first and last appearance with the 25th Michigan I
never was informed, but had my opinions, however, based
upon rumors of her reputation after our half of the regiment
left Louisville for Green river in 1863. She probably had a
love for army life, or, more. likely, for the soldiers, and floated
around as she pleased with various detachments of the army in
blue, made herself at home anywhere and undoubtedly main
tained herself very well at her vocation. She seemed to be
pretty well known here in Bellaire, and had also been pretty
well known in Louisville, hundreds of miles away. She had
been discovered as a girl soldier while we were at LouisVille
and discharged from the service. She had made herself a real
Minerva (on the warlike side) at that time. A heroine of the
war was the subject of much comment by the newspapers of
the day in behalf of her exalted patriotism. She made fre-
quent visits to our regiment while at the prison barracks in

NORTH CAROLINA. 321
Louisville, and thus gained a name and place, as I have related
before, in the Red Book of Michigan.
Another parallel case and I am done with this peculiar
class of characters. In June, 1863, a few hours after we had
taken up the line of march from Lebanon, Ky., to# Green River
Bridge, a citizen boy, as I supposed, came along side of me as
I was walking behind my company, at the extreme rear of the
battalion, and opened conversation. After exchanging a few
words, the boy said: "I'm a girl and have come along as the
doctor's waiter." This brought me to such observations that
satisfied me she told the truth. On mingling with the com
pany shortly after, I heard one of the men say, who had
shaped out the fact by guess work, that the fellow who was
following us was a girl. I said nothing of what I knew of him,
but on halting for dinner I told the colonel what I had learned.
He seemed to feel that I was not reporting the truth, and
thought I had better know it for a certainty before saying
anything of the kind. However, before picking up for the
march again he rode up to me and, in a gentlemanly manner,
acknowledged that I was correct. She said her name was
Elizabeth  (the rest' of her name I never learned), and
that she lived somewhere in Tennessee. She followed us and
hung around camp and never attended or waited on the doctor
while we were at Green River. She tented with two of the
soldiers there, with whom she frequently went in swimming in
the river, after the manner customary with them. At last the
Colonel himself wished to get rid of her, and have her started
out of camp. He was too tenderly imbued with the feelings
of chivalry to send her adrift upon his own orders. But Adjt.
Prutzman would have been more than pleased for permission to
have done that job himself. The Colonel wished for an excuse
to give her a start. She gave occasion for a sham court mar
tial by stealing a pistol. The court was formally organized
with Capt. Lansing at its head. She was duly tried, found
guilty, convicted and sentenced to leave camp. She didn't do
so, but continued to hang around camp until after the battle
that came on a few days later. After that was over she was

322 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
found to be robbing the dead. ' When we moved out two days
later she hid herself in one of the baggage wagons, to be
carried along with us. On information of this by the teamster
it was too much for the adjutant to stand. He asked for no
orders, but rode back to the wagon, hunted out the object of
his wrath, drew his pistol and ordered her out of the wagon
immediately, with the assurance that if she did not get out in
quick time he would shoot her on the spot. She complied,
and thus we were rid of her once and forever.
It is thought by many where "distance lends enchantment
to the view" that a woman makes a great sacrifice of herself to
be With or serve in the army. Nothing to them is like a mili
tary heroine — a veritable Molly Pitcher or a Deborah Sampson.
But to the immediate on-lookers the matter takes a little differ
ent phase or shade of light. Actual experience teaches the
latter that womanly modesty is much out of place among that
class of men that are called together in the composition of an
army. The European armies seem to recognize the fact of
their presence, for I have been told by old German soldiers
that special regulations exist there in regard to women who
ply their vocation in the army. . An outburst of Quixotic
chivalry might hurrah for the Amazonian volunteer, and wave
her on to the fortune of praise, but a prudent and considerate
judgment would denounce this phase of womanhood as nothing
less than the rotten romance of chivalry.
My duties at Bellaire and Benwood, for the few days of
our halt, were not onerous, but of a pleasing nature. Col. Par
sons, in charge of the post, had considered that the army had
nearly all passed there to the east on the thirtieth, and gave
me directions accordingly to move forward to my command on
the following day. I had embarked my company on the cars
to start in the afternoon, and was just about to move off when
some railroad officer came running*towards our car and called
for help to remove some straggling soldiers from a passenger
train. They had boarded a passenger car, and as the United
States was bound to take them through by railroad, they were
determined to bave a first-class ride, and hence refused after

. NORTH CAROLINA. 323
seating themselves in a comfortable- way, to either pay passage
or leave the train. The conductor couldn't comply with the
railroad regulations in collecting fare of his passengers, nor
could he rid his train of them, I took a few men with me as
guards to enforce his request, and remove the Stragglers to the
train provided for them, and soon had the determined obsti
nates outside on the platform when the train quickly moved
off. In addition to the few removed, there was a considerable
crowd of stragglers in waiting besides. They all seemed pos
sessed of a riotous nature but had no leader. A few words of
resentment towards me by some one were caught by others
and soon waxed warm with the crowd. , Like a virulent dis
ease, they grew more and more malignant as they progressed,
and permeated the whole assemblage. Their fury towards me
was working up to the highest pitch. I began to realize that
unless instant action was taken, myself and men would soon be
overwhelmed by the rioters, who were many to one with me.
George Bass, of Co. D, happening to be at hand, and not a
guard, I sent him for my own company and also to call up Co.
F, which, although it had taken the cars the day before, was
still lying in waiting about forty rods away. Some of the
rioters had guns with them and began to load, threatening to
use them, and demanded of me a show of authority. I told
them I had men enough with me to enforce my orders and
should do it, too; that carrying a sword and having men and
guns at my command was a sufficient badge of authority; that
they were a set of stragglers and were out of place; that they
had no right to make any demand whatever in question of the
authority I had exercised in clearing them out of the regular
passenger train.
It had been the custom with many of the officers, under
the limited facilities of transportation in the Atlanta campaign,
to don themselves, in whole or in part, in the suit of a private
and it was at this time much the same with myself, having on
the overcoat and pants of a private, but my hat and coat were
those of an officer. They could also see that I had two
companies at my command. These did not satisfy them.

324 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
Their fury had reached such a point that it appeared very
much as if a fight was necessary to the settlement of matters,
which might result in the kilHng of a few of the crowd to quell
their turbulent spirits. The companies were well on their way
for action and in sight of the rioters, when some of the boldest
of the talkers intimated that it would be enough if I was able
to show my straps. I thought if a little exercise of reason and
prudence of action would serve to quell the commotion and
bring it-dOwn to an undisturbed quiet, it would be much better
to bring about such conditions than by the use of brute force
and the production of bloodshed- Besides, it was so easy to
do it on my part, that I threw my overcoat back from ray-
shoulders, far enough that the angry soldiers might have a view
of my straps. The effect was like that of magic. The habit
of discipline in obedience to proper rank and authority, had
been so well drilled into these maddened men that they
became as submissive and harmless as kittens. I suddenly had
no need for the apprpaching troops and immediately counter
marched and re-embarked them again on board the train for
the journey eastward. I felt very well gratified with myself to
have so easily quelled a riot by the prudent exercise of reason
rather than by the force of arms.
The weather was still as bitterly cold as it had been for a
week or more past, and the Ohio river was running heavy with
ice. Our whole journey by rail was to be made in box cars.
The railroads in Ohio had only furnished us with cars lined or
bedded down with straw, which was as far as they deemed
sufficient for our comfort. The B. & O. railroad had, in
addition, a little tunnel-shaped sheet-iron stove, set on a brick
foundation for its bottom, with which to warm the car. This
put matters with the crowd in a very cozy shape. Besides
furnishing a good temperature, it enabled us, by raking out a
few coals on the brickwork, to make up our coffee at leisure.
Thus, after a halt of four days at Bellaire and Benwood,
we moved otit a little before dark, on the B. & O. railroad for
Washington. There was enough daylight left to give a slight
view of this rough and rugged land of West Virginia, where

NORTH CAROLINA. 325
the hills were so steep that it seemed as if they were turned
sidewise toward us; would require but little more to upset their
balance and turn them bottom side up. By the side of those
huge and almost perpendicular uprisings, and through many a
tunnel, we sped onward and ended the month of January in the
darkness of a cloudy midnight and on board of a moving train
of freight cars speeding through the mountains of West Virginia;
thoughtless, careless and indifferent to all our surroundings, so
far as they had no tendency to disturb the comforts of the ride.
FEBRUARY, 1865.
As the month of January flickered out in the darkness, so
also the succeeding month took up the march of time without
a moment's loss, and carried the world, with ourselves, right
along without a rupture. We, ourselves, were marching right
along with every event of interest. We couldn't do otherwise.
Our lot was a passive one just at this time, preparatory for a
future active movement again, but to a less degree than in the
past. We were a little over two days in getting to the city of
Washington, where we arrived at a little after 7 o'clock P. M.
It was too late to hunt up any new quarters for the night, so
we remained on board till the morning of the third.
As I was under no special orders for a forced march, we
took our breakfast at leisure and then proceeded to investigate
our whereabouts by visits to various parts of the city, and to
the capitol in particular. I took a long time to range through
its every' part, and all to myself. It was , in the forenoon and
empty of all business, so I was not in the least hampered in
my wanderings through that spacious building. Many years
before I had read of the two bronze doors which swung there,
one of which was ornamented in bass-relief with figures illus
trating scenes in the life of Columbus. The other I do not
recollect at off-hand what the figures upon it represented or
had allusion to.
Another object of interest, and not to be passed oyer, was
a visit to the Washington navy yard and arsenal, wherein were
stored the two historic guns captured by Commodore Decatur

326 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
from the Algerines in 1815. I had read of them in the Sunday
School Advocate when a boy, and felt an interest in hunting
them out, now that they were almost before me. I had, npt
long to look for them either. They were but a few steps from
the entrance, where they had been lying for fifty years. They
were not sp large as I had expected to find them, yet large
enough to demand a good deal of attention, and would make
a mark for themselves when put to use.
Having seen enough of the sights to satisfy us, and the
men having mostly returned by noon to our .last night's
station, we took up our march for the camp of the division at
Camp Stoneman, east and southeast- of the city, near fort
Carroll, and rejoined the regiment again.
Our destination was unknown to us until the lapse of
several days more. We now began to feel that the rebellion
was drawing its last breath. Two considerable and troublesome
armies of it had been. crushed beyond the chance of re-organ
ization. They were that of Early in the Shenandoah valley and
that of Hood in Tennessee. Besides these was the capture
and destruction of vast amounts of military stores. Sherman
had also demonstrated by his march to the sea that the remains
of the rebellion had been reduced to a mere outside show, and
had little or no vitality within. We had learned on our way,
at Louisville, of the capture of Fort Fisher a few days pre
viously, and, on arriving at Washington, of the passage by
congress that very day of the proposed new amendment to
the constitution for the complete abolition of slavery; also, by
the hawking newsboys, that Sherman had started out from
Savannah, was making free with the rebel country to the rear
of Charleston, and by so doing, had caused a rebel retreat
from that cradle pf secession — the defiant birthplace and strong
hold of treason. The ball of the rebellion had opened there
four years previously and had maintained itself against a long
siege and every effort on the part of the north to effect, its
capture. The ravaging of the country, or, rather, the presence
of a hostile foe in the rear of the city, effected its downfall
without the firing of a gun. The meeting of the peace confer-

NORTH CAROLINA. 327
ence, too, was held at about this time. Though that came to
nothing, it had its salutary influence upon the minds of the
people — confidence in the loyal cause and that the final end
was not far away. The prospect of a speedy peace was taking
a firm hold upon the northern mind.
It was our lot to remain in camp as. we were until Sunday,
the twelfth. During that time the most of us made occasional
visits to see the city sights. I took advantage of the chance
for once, but the weather was so stinging cold, with snow, that
it was too disagreeable to enjoy one's self and call it a pleasure
trip. The most of us hung pretty close to camp, where visits
were made in state by a good many of the Washington charac
ters — ladies, I suppose I might call them; at least their appear
ance indicated, at first .sight, that exalted view of womanhood —
drove through the camp with elegant and richly furnished
turnouts. They distributed their cards very freely among the
soldiers, bearing the inscription something similar to this,
"Miss Jocelyn, at 6179 D. Street." It was a sort of cypher
signal or communication, but fo those who had a sort of
sympathy in ideas and feelings, it required no interpreter to
render its significance. These visitors belonged to a genteel
and accommodating profession that had taken root and had
made a healthy growth in Washington as well as in other
border cities that harbored the soldier in idleness. It was a
vocation that seemed to have a numerous following there and.
supported, too, by as numerous a patronage, if material evidence
was not deceptive in dealing with that peculiar phase of life.
And what do you call it, but the Amazonian guerrillas arrayed
on one side, against the goddess of virtue on the other?
It was here that we came in contact with something new
in the conduct of the war. Gen. Hancock was reported to be
a fighter of the highest grade. He was then in command of
the 2d Army Corps, and that corps had gone through so many
hard knocks that it had been dubbed "the fighting corps," so
that if any particularly hard job was on the docket to be
carried through, that corps could always be relied upon for
success. Its reputation was an inheritance from its commander,

328 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
who was equally reliable. Though we all felt that the war was
soon to be over, yet there was an organization getting up for a
special service — some great scheme requiring an army corps of
picked men, tried and true in the service, to enlist under the
banners of Gen. Hancock. Officers were here busily engaged
in enlisting old soldiers out of their commands into the newly
proposed expedition, and had a few of the advanced enlistments
at the barracks of this camp. They were here as a nucleus of
the promised valor that was hereafter to shed a luster; that
might, perhaps, eclipse all the deeds of arms that had up to
this time laid themselves down for historic record. A large
bounty, I think some gl,100 or more, was offered for every
enlistment. I did not observe any increase in the Hancock
corps for the few days I was at that camp. None were obtained
from any of the organizations of which I had a knowledge-
And I guess, from the sight that came before me, very few,
notwithstanding the magnificent bounty offered, wanted to
join in the special expedition. The sight of one punishment
there .convinced me that the special was being made up of
either a tough set of officers or the same of the men; and, more
likely, of both. A large wagon wheel was placed upon an
inclined post, about four feet from the ground, and, tied to the
top of and astride of the hub, was a recruit to the specials,
enjoying all the ease and comfort he could conveniently out of
his peculiar situation. He, of course, occupied his seat or
incline undisturbed — save by the inspection and remarks of
spectators — for several hours in the open air. As to his offense,
I never inquired, nor have I ever been able to learn that such
a penalty is prescribed for offenses in the Army Regulations.
The Hancock corps was a living existence while we were
there, but I never heard of it afterwards.
We had been waiting in this camp several days for trans
portation somewhere; to us unknown. One evening, as I was
engaged with Col. Moore at a few games of chess, the Adjutant
General of the division came in with orders for the colonel to
embark his brigade (the 2d brigade) for Fort Fisher. That

NORTH CAROLINA. 329
order was a revelation of our destination. The colonel sug
gested that other brigades that had preceded him there should
be the first to start out. The Adjutant General would hear
nothing, of his suggestions, but directed an immediate move.
I think that Gen. Cox was then temporarily in command of
the 23d Army Corps and reported to have harbored an ill-will
against Col. Moore, and meant that he should feel it, too. I
had heard that the colonel had been appointed a brigadier and
his commission made out, but upon the information coming
to Gen. Cox, he threw his influence against it and had it
cancelled. I had seen considerable of him for nearly a year,
while he was in command of the 3d division, and must say that
my estimate of him was much less than that of some others,,
who perhaps were better judges of military ability than myself.
At the best he was only a political general, and his subsequent
career as Secretary of the Interior in Gen. Grant's cabinet
would seem to prove it.
Sunday, February 12, was a stormy day with snow squalls
and biting winds. Notwithstanding this little disagreeableness,
we marched four or five miles, mounted on platform cars, were
taken to Alexandria and lodged in the "Soldier's Rest," a
building put up with the conveniences for convalescents. In
this place we awaited, transportation for Fort Fisher. It was
too cold to get out for the few days that we were there and .
but two objects of interest came under my observation. One
of them was the low and dingy Marshall House, the scene of
the Ellsworth tragedy; the other was the slave pen of
Burch & Co., given a notoriety about twelve years before by
the kidnapping of Sol Northup into slavery. Northup was a
colored man of Sandy Hill, N. Y., and was wheedled from
Saratoga Springs to Alexandria,, about 1845, thrust into this
slave pen and then, when powerless to save himself, sold to
the south in slavery. After serving until 1852, he was rescued
and returned to freedom, when his story and that of the
Burch & Co. slave pen became known to the world.
On the evening of the seventeenth, the 25th Michigan and
the 6th Tennessee embarked on the iron steamer "Matansas,'

330 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
a vessel of about twelve hundred tons. It was expected that
about three days would be required to reach Fort Fisher, the
end of the voyage, so most of the, officers engaged board at the
cabin table for that period, paying ten dollars each. That was
all very well, but I chose a different basis for supplies. I had
my. company mess and chose to lay in store of such provisions
as could be had in the city for the mess, and enjoy the times
and opportunities of our own choice to use them -up. As
events proved, my course was the mostlucky one; I laid in an
abundance and our mess lived in fine style to the end of the
voyage. On the morning of the eighteenth, the Matansas was
loosened and moved down the Potomac, through heavy bodies
of floating ice. The weather had become more mild and
pleasant and gave us a view of Mount Vernon, that shrine ever
dear to lovers of American liberty, in passing along, as could
be expected from a floating sight, en passant. We made the
mouth of the river at about dark, where the ship was too much
for the channel, or the channel was too much for the ship.
We ran aground and stopped for a while.. Steamers and
barges were sentto our relief the next day, steering about and
pulling at us in turn from all directions. In that manner they
used up about three days before getting us afloat. We passed
Fortress Monroe just -before dark and out between the capes
on the ocean about nine o'clock.
The detention on the. bar used up the time the officers had
paid their ten dollars for board and they had the alternative to
go without any further provision from the ship or. pay again.
Lieut. Carlisle thought, as a sanitary precaution to guard
against seasickness, that he would refrain a part or all the time
from his purchased meals until we should strike the ocean
waves and that by so doing he would have a better chance to
withstand the expected seasickness. He had scarcely tasted
into his ten dollar lunch at the expiration ofthe time paid for,
when, on seating himself for his dues after the end of three
days, he was invited to pay over again. -He protested that he
ought not to pay for what he had not- received. He had, as

NORTH CAROLINA. 331
yet, received nothing for which he had previously paid and
was now about to assume the offensive campaign on his paid-up
account. He was informed that the provisions were on the
fable for him at the stated time in the agreement and that if
he had made no use of them, it was the fault of nobody but
himself. Thus cheaply his case was disposed of, and other
officers, through a like mistaken policy, fared but little better.
Greed and selfishness are concomitant companions and go
hand in hand together. They could have had no better illus
tration in an' exhibit of their qualifications than was shown in
the character of the cook of the vessel, while she lay fast on
the bar at the mouth of the Potomac. The s'oldiers were
without the means of getting their accustomed coffee, except
through the cook-house, where a large boiler was always filled
with hot water and most of the time in idleness. To this
boiler the soldier's cast a longing eye for the means of making
up their favorite beverage. When applied to, the cook charged
each one twenty-five cents for a pint cup of boiling water for
their coffee. It was too much for the most of them arid few
could afford what had now become a luxury, though before
this time it was a common affair to have plenty of coffee at
meal time. The men were justly indignant at such an out
rageous demand and made bitter complaints. Our company
felt the affront as much as any and complaint was made to me
and relief asked for. They justly considered that as their
passage was paid for, they had a right to the conveniences of
the ship, when necessary for their comfort. As the hot water
cost nothing, they thought they ought to hdve the free use of
it, or the privilege of making up their coffee with the help of
its contents at a reasonable compensation. Finally, on hearing
of the heavy exactions of the cook, I was determined that they
should have the use of the boiler if it did not involve too
great a breach of military discipline. I was willing to risk the
responsibility of taking possession of the hot waterworks for
the use of the soldiers, but thought it prudent to first consult
with Col. Orcutt on the subject. I laid the situation of affairs
before him and had, for reply, to go ahead and do as I thought

332 TWF.NTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
best. That support was enough. I brought my company up
to the cook room and informed his worship, the presiding
official of the hot Waterworks, that he could allow the use of
the boiler for the company, else he would be set aside in less
than no time and a forcible, if not a peaceable, possession be
taken. He might either surrender or submit to a capture. He
at once took in the situation, offered no resistance to the show
of force, when the men of Company E quietly satisfied them
selves with their favorite beverage, and ditto followed with
every company of both regiments on board. The coffee
difficulty was then settled once and for all until the end of the
voyage. A goodly company was at the height of social enjoyment
in the early evening, as the vessel was passing from the bay
between the capes, into the outside waters of the ocean. I had
heard of Enoch Arden and was reading that singular and
attractive story for the first time, when the ship struck the
ocean swells and began to roll to and fro with such an
uncertain movement that we failed to hold our reckoning in
respect to the exact position of the zenith and nadir. Those
whowere standing soon found the perpendicular exchanging
for the horizontal and vice versa. Those in chairs found the
puzzle but' one degree nearer solution. Scarcely one of the
crowd had a hesitation in deciding what to do. The party
broke up and a major general scamper took place. My story,
with all its attractions, was not enough to hold me and I too,
like my, fellow companions, left for my horizontal quarters,
where I could retain my position without being thrown over,
involuntarily, first one way and then the other. The only
difficulty I had after reaching my berth room was to keep
myself from slamming first against one side and then the
other; a condition of more interest, perhaps, to myself than to
the most of my readers. It took a little while to settle myself
as you may say, for a "long winter's nap." To avoid sea
sickness, I held to my bed until late the next day. I knew
that I should not be as good as the sailor if I attempted to get
out at the, usual hour and so was loth to make a move. I

NORTH CAROLINA. 333
could hear the tread of feet and the sound of voices overhead,
and had seen daylight through the bullseye window for a long
time, but lingered in my bunk in fear of sea-sickness, should I
get up. At last, someone in a pretty full voice was talking
about the big fish that were playing around the ship. This
would be a sight to me and I could hold to my room no
longer. After getting a few knocks on either side alternately,
of the narrow room, I made out to gain the deck and a sight
of the porpoises that were plying around the ship.
It was a lovely day on February 22, as we moved south
ward in an undisturbed course over the great, gentle swells of
the Atlantic. But my fortunate freedom from sea-sickness
was not the same with all. The soldiers were accommodated
in the hold of the ship with bunks put up for the occasion; as
many as could be put up, one above the other, with a narrow
passage between the rows. This day I took a view, for the
first time, of things below. Everything looked very well for
the comfort of the soldier, until my sight had passed the bunks
and reached the floor beneath. Those of the men who had
been taken with sea-sickness merely thrust their heads outside
the beds, over the passageway, to let go their used-up rations,
as far down as the laws of gravitation were able to land them
below, there to be mixed or thrown into one common mass.
They lay where the first possessor had no desire to choose or
claim his own and voluntarily abandoned their claims to the
scavengers of the ship when the voyage should come to an end.
The flavor, odor, effluvia or whatever you may wish to
designate it, reminded me that a hasty inspection of the
situation was sufficient to satisfy my curiosity and I withdrew
to the upper deck.
As the vessel moved smoothly over the gentle ocean
Swells, undisturbed by a ripple, so did the day pass into the
night, ihaking a day and two nights oa the ocean. On the
tWenty-third we came in sight of land for the first time since
leaving Chesapeake Bay. It was the North Carolina coast to
the westward, whereon Fort Fisher had been built for the rebel
defenses, commanding the inlets at the mouth of Cape Fear

334 TWENTY.-F1FTH MICHIGAN.
River. The fortifications consisted of a heavy line of sand,
nearly five-sixths of a mile long from north to south, situated
on a point forming the norfh bank at the river's mouth, facing
the ocean, with traverses or cross-sections, sufficiently apart
from each other to allow the working of two guns between.
Those cross-sections presented to us an end view to our
approaching inspection and were elevated considerably above
the main works, so that they had the appearance of little
mounds at first sight in the distance. They grew larger as we
came nearer, until, as anchor was dropped near the fort, they
assumed huge proportions for artificial works. One would
cease to wonder that a whole day and part of the night was
required to capture this well defended fort. It proved to be,
on both sides, one of the most determined battles of the war.
A lighter vessel came out to meet us as we were feeling
around for an anchorage. Gen. Schofield had arrived before
us and was on the upper deck of the visiting vessel, and as it
came near, he hailed us with the news of the capture of
Wilmington a day or so before. With it had fallen the
greatest of the blockade running ports of the rebellion and the
last one to be captured; first by the storming of Fort Fisher
and about five weeks later by the capture of the port itself. It
had been the most extensive blockade running port of the
rebellion from the fact that the guard entrances of Cape Fear
River, where a line of armed vessels of more than five miles in
extent, which, to keep themselves out of range of the guns in
the fort, had to anchor out in the open sea, so far apart that
blockade runners could slip by them with the slightest
difficulty. This section of the seat of war had received its
final seal by the fall of Fort Fisher and Wilmington and the
rebellion was now closed in from all outside help.
It was ten o'clock when we came to anchor and in the
afternoon we were transferred to a lighter vessel to proceed up
the river. As we rounded, the point on the north side and
passed behind the fort, the low, sandy ground was seen to be
dotted with many head boards to mark the consignment of the
dead. I had no chance to learn, but supposed that it was the

NORTH CAROLINA. 335
burial place of those lost on both sides. We soon passed ten
miles up the river to Fort Anderson, landing near there on the
south side of the river and went into camp for the night. The
most of the 2d Division that had preceded us, had landed here
while Fort Anderson was held by the rebels.
This fort had not then been captured. It was merely
abandoned by the rebels after our troops had formed and pre
pared to take it by storm. The 3d and part of the 2d division
were there, Gen. Cox commanding. Col. Moore told me that
he had six regiments in his brigade, and to handle it more
easily he divided it into two sections, himself taking charge of
one, and overseeing the whole he placed Col. Owen, of the
80th Indiana, in charge of the other. As the story came to me
at the time, Gen. Cox had his division in line and out of range
of the fort, lying still, no one knew why, while Col. Moore
formed his lines and advanced over Cox's lines and was
moving to the onset. When well on his way, the general com
manding observed and halted him also, and took offense at his
, moving without orders. But Col. Moore had already gained
so much ground in the rear of the fort as to threaten the rebel
communications and caused them to abandon the fort with all
its armament. And thus the fort had fallen without a blow.
In front of the fort lay one of our ironclad monitors, which
had evidently taken part in a fight somewhere. Its enormous
cheese-box of a turret had several huge dents in its sides, bear
ing proof that a heavy weight of metal had been thrown
against it.
We stopped at this point just two days, and I improved
my time the best I was enabled to do, consistent with my duties
and the weather, to look about and pick up what I could by
observation. There were few or no people about this part of
the land to ask questions of and get posted in that wise. This
must have been an ancient location of some importance in
pre-revolutionary times — Port Brunswick. I judge it to have
been such from an inspection of the tombstone inscriptions in
a yard near by. The first object, and of considerable interest,
was the ruins of an old church, which consisted of massive

336 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
brick walls standing, apparently, about twenty feet high, and
probably about two feet thick. There were openings — perhaps
where the doors were — in the ends from top to bottom;
otherwise the walls were entire. It was said that the church
was destroyed by Cornwallis of the British army in the days of
the revolution. It must have been of a period of long ago, for
there were up and growing out of the top of those dry walls
several cedar trees of considerable size. Also, within the
enclosure of the ruined walls, were stumps of other cedars of
large size. Besides a rice plantation near by, and the fort,
there was nothing else of any interest save the quaint inscriptions
borne upon the tombstones. These, to our northern and more
modern minds, seemed so odd that I copied several of the
inscriptions together with the epitaphs.
We were here about twenty miles below Wilmington, and
had the favor, instead of by the more tedious land transporta
tion, to have our baggage sent by water to that city. I don't
see why we couldn't have been sent there by water also, as
well as to have been debarked at this point. However, to
Wilmington we must go, and that by land, which meant on
foot in the bargain. We moved out about three miles just
before night on the twenty-fifth. The soil, if it could be called
such, was low and swampy, consisting mostly of white sand.
It looked as if it was good for nothing, but must have been
worth something, as a fair and average size cornstubble was to
be seen here and there. The next day we reached the Cape"
Fear river opposite the city and camped on the south side of
it, in the depot, for the night.
Our journey this day was through low, swampy ground
much of the way, and covered with turpentine forests. The
turpentine business had been pretty well driven in these parts,
for there was hardly a tree along the route but what bore proof
by its scarified trunk that it had been compelled to yield
tribute of its kind.
During the cold weather that we met with at Washington,
clothing was plenty and in good demand. The men drew
liberally for the weather at the time and were supplied to

NORTH CAROLINA. 337
repletion, even for the cold times. But this day a change
came over their needs. Much of what they drew then they
found no use for in this southern and warmer clime. Their
. overloaded knapsacks were too cumbersome to be endured and
heated to a tiresome degree those who carried them. The
only relief they found was to throw off the surplus and leave
it by the roadside. Many a new overcoat and other articles of
clothing were thrown away and left for the colored natives to
gather up. As we passed along one darkey stood over a pile
of overcoats that seemed too large for him to manage, but as
he had his time to do it in he probably took care of them
all right. As tb^the white natives, I do not recollect of having seen
one on my whole route from Fort Anderson to Wilmington.
There were but few- houses, and these mostly of wood. The
everlasting tar plantations that lined the route, if such is
properly the name of these pine forests, were about all the
kind of woods to be seen. If the whites had all left, the darkies
remained. Crushed down in ignorance by their- darkened life
of slavery, they seemed to realize that we had come as their
redeemers out of bondage. They were overjoyed at our pres
ence. An old woman along the route could hardly contain
herself. As we passed along she jumped, bounded about,
slapping her hands and shouting, "I'se so glad! Oh massa!
I'se so glad you come!" and kept up her demonstrations of
joy till we had passed out of sight. Up to this hour a hopeless
slave, the shackles were instantly melted out of sight forever
as the blue coated army came along, and the inalienable heritage
of freedom was restored and placed upon a solid foundation.
The great corner-stone of Alexander H. Stephens was now
nearly sunken in the quick-sand. It required but a span more
of time to sink it away into what ought to be called oblivion.
On the morning of the twenty-eighth we retraced our
steps to the south side of the Brunswick river and there settled
into camp with the 6th Tennessee; about two miles south of
the city. The land between the two rivers was no better than
a marsh and had a narrow track of a roadway made across it

338 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
from dirt drawn upon it from higher land. The tall swamp
grass stood close up to the road on either side. The low lands
formed a good defense against the approach of an enemy" upon
the city. Yet but little stand was made from this direction for
the preservation of the rebel authority there — a little skirmish
ing and nothing more. A couple of headboards marked to the
16th Kentucky rested near the roadside. In setting up the
brigade Capt. Howe of Co. C was made brigade commissary,
holding that post till the army was disbanded in June following.
MARCH, 1865.
It is at this point that I, come to one of the saddest views
of the war. It is in, relation to the treatment of the northern
prisoners held by the rebels in the south. In treating of the
subject I feel myself badly qualified to do justice to the
situation. Fair treatment is due both by humanity and the
laws of war to a captured foe from his captors. Prisoners
are subject at the best to much exposure and suffering. But
there are many cases of studied cruelty that the poor and
helpless prisoners are compelled to undergo, that are wholly
inexcusable in a civilized community and worthy only of a
barbarous and savage warfare, where nothing of the elements
or refinements of civilization might be expected. The instance
of the Old Jersey prison ship of the revolution, and the Black
Hole of Calcutta, were samples of the kind in hand.
These cases, however, pale into insignificance when we
come to consider the situation in comparison with the northern
prisoners held in the various rebel prisons during the rebellion.
Out of such vast armies continually fighting on either side, it
is but a natural or logical sequence that there shall be a large
number of prisoners. It was very natural, also, that where the
seat of war covered a large extent of territory there should be
many places set apart, fitted up, or, in the land of the rebellion,
rather not fitted up, wherein -to keep and guard them. Among
these southern prisons one of them loomed conspicuously
above all others as a synonym for all that was horrible in the
treatment of imprisoned human nature. I doubt, though, if it

NORTH CAROLINA. 339
was any worse than many others of the rebel prisons. They
were all conducted in an extremely wariton disregard for the
value of human life.
Andersonville prison was the largest of them all, and at
one time contained more than 30,000 prisoners within its stock
ade enclosures. Its guards were made up mostly of boys who
were too young to serve in the rebel armies, and were just at
that age when a youth takes the greatest pride in boasting of
his exploits. As the Indian savage counts his captured scalps
to prove his bravery, so these boy soldiers took a pride in
boasting of the lives they had taken from the prisoners they
held in charge, and were ever on the alert to find a victim to
satisfy their vicious ambitions. Besides, a man' of no better
than brutal insensibilities was in charge of the prison. The
severity of his orders was inexcusable to hold the prisoners in
safe keeping; while, in addition to such superior directions, the
guards were just as much wanting in the feelings of humanity
as their chief, and inclined to carry them into execution to the
full extent of the letter. Hence many a helpless prisoner fell
a victim to the deadly bullet of these youthful soldiers. This,
perhaps, though to be mournfully said, was just as well with
some of the prisoners, for they were already far on the road to
the same destination by a more lingering and frightful passage.
It was by the route of starvation. In such cases the bullet
was but the angel of mercy sent to relieve the unfortunate
sufferers. It was not only by starvation, but their sufferings
were increased in that their scanty allowances were issued in
such a form, and for the want of sufficient means for the
cookery of them, that their digestive organs were paralyzed
and ground into a neutralized condition within their bodies.
Thus what little food was allowed them became worse than
none at all, for it destroyed the organized means of the body
that nature had placed there for its proper transformation to a
beneficial use. The death rates that followed this inhuman
treatment of the prisoners was a fearful one. Starvation Was
the chief of all the ills — and there were many of them — endured
by the suffering prisoners. It drove many a man across the

340 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
dead line to meet the welcome bullet from the gun of a willing
guard. They hailed the hastened means to bring their miserable
sufferings to an end.
In addition to the guilt of starvation truly charged against
the rebel keepers, that of neglect also joins in and counts a
heavy percentage in the death-roll. In a country covered
heavily with woods,Hhe prisoners were allowed but a trifling
amount of wood with which tp do their cooking and keep
themselves warm. Half naked for the want of clothing, cap
tives, some of them for a long time, without a renewal of
clothing in place of what they had on at the time of capture,
which had now become so badly worn and, reduced to rags
that they would scarcely hold together, yet receiving nothing
new to supplant the dropping rags; and, what was still worse,
the rebel keepers would not permit the union authorities to
furnish the needed supply. Prisoners confined in exposed and
malarious situations that courted disease, having no medicines
furnished as preventatives or curatives, were transferred to the
death-roll by the thousands.
It seemed as if the rebel authorities gloried themselves in
the barbarous means they practiced to take the lives of their
prisoners, who until now had been spared out of the rage of
battle. Deliberate murder under a martial form, or, rather,
without that form, at the "dead line," starvation and wilful
deprivation of hospital attention, formed a cloud of witnesses
that should relegate the prison phase of the rebellion away
back into the distant ages of barbarism, when it was policy to
either take no prisoners at all, or, if taken, then for the purposes
of "slavery or torture. The prison part of the rebellion fares ill
in comparison even with the "Black Hole" of Calcutta. This
occurred in a land of enlightened civilization, with the use of
studied means to accomplish the very ends obtained, while
that frightful holacaust was brought about from cause to, effect
by the laws of nature alone, at the command of a savage
tyrant from whom nothing better could be expected. Also,
that was in a century before tbe brutal use of power had given
way to a more humane and civilized system of warfare. In the

NORTH CAROLINA. 341
one case by man educated well up into the ideas of refinement,,
while in the other it was ordered by the tyrant of a semi-bar
baric people.
But, to the narrative, after this necessary prelude as a
basis to the scene to be presented. It was on the first of
March that we learned that the rebels were running in a train
of prisoners of about 1,200 from Florence, S. C. to our cr.mp,
to be given over for exchange. The bridges over the Bruns
wick and Cape Fear rivers had been destroyed, so the train of
cars necessarily halted at our camping ground. It arrived
early in the afternoon, and such a sight! I never had seen the
like before, and never wish to see it again. Language fails in
strength for a just description. Ghastly faces! Human ghosts!
Skeletons of human outline, with skin shrunken and drawn
close to the very bones themselves! Fleshless lips to cover
the scurvied teeth! And the hands, with no more form than
the bones that gave them shape. These are statements with
scarce enough of severity to give a picture of the situation.
The scene took in every stage or phase of the human body,
from death itself to that of the robust man. Dead! My journal
recounts that several died on board the train in its journey
from Florence, while a writer — one of the 1,200 — in Vol. 40 of
the Century Magazine, on page 622, says that more than twenty-
five died on the route to Wilmington. Sixteen more died
before they could be transferred over to the city, a distance of
only two miles. Insanity had its presence among the prison
ers also. The prisoners could hardly be made to believe that they
had, at last, been delivered from captivity. Many of them had
previously been changed about from prison to prison, and in
the change were told that they were on the route for exchange.
They just as many times had found themselves deceived, till at
last they had given over all credence to such reports. So,
when the delivery did come as a finality, they were unable to
believe; even as a doubting Thomas, who could not believe
until he had thrust his fingers into the nail-holes and his fist
into the side of his Saviour. So these men doubted until they

342 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
came into the very contact with their former companions.
One man was restored to Co. I from this very lot of prisoners.
One man — from Indiana, I think — with a clean, fresh-
looking suit on, said he had been a prisoner just eight days. It
was not long enough for the rebel prison discipline to have
effect on him. With his small bundle of traps in his hand, and
before jumping down from the car, he exclaimed that "as short
a time as I have been a prisoner I have seen the worst hell
that could exist."
For awhile after their delivery, the prisoners would cling
with great tenacity to their culinary implements, which were .
rudely constructed, but had been of the readiest help in the
hour of need. Some of them were but a single piece of sheet
"iron or tin — part of a canteen or the like — bent in the form of
a dish to serve, at once, for baking pan, frying pan, drinking
cup or whatever else might be required of it. Some of their
haversacks, or such a bag substitute as they could muster with
the scanty supply of rations they had on hand, they held fastv
as if therein was centered the last of their earthly hopes.
Then, too, to look at that stout rebel officer in charge of
the lot for exchange! Of full form and well dressed, with head
erect, Maj. Hardee, in strong contrast to the misery with which
he was surrounded! See him tally off the prisoners, and
counting, off the dead with the living for exchange. He
seemed as if lost to the least spark of sympathy for those
dying ones around him. He did his part of the exchange in
the delivery, and taking receipts for the dead in just that
business-like style he would have done in taking carcasses of
dressed meat to market and getting paid therefor.
These prisoners had no sooner been landed from the train,
and began to mingle with our own soldiers, who had stepped
out of camp to see them as they came in, than they realized
their changed situation and gave way to the gnawings of hun
ger by asking for something to eat. The poor weak starve
lings would follow our soldiers and cry out "Give me hardtack,
give me coffee," and the like. These fellows, who had once
been possessed with the full force of strength and health, now

NORTH CAROLINA. 343
reduced by starvation to infantile weakness and simplicity
begged like little children for something tp supply the demands
of wasted human nature.
Our own men not only responded by giving of their own
rations, but worked with a great deal of zeal in preparing food
and making coffee until the late hours of the night brought an
end to their labors, and most if not all of the released captives
had been provided for.
One more phase of prison life and I am done. I have
referred to the want of clothing. Some of the prisoners had
been in captivity for a long time, and the only clothing they
possessed during that time was what they had when captured.
They had no means to renew or mend it. As a consequence,
after a year's wear and tear they had but very little left to
cover and protect themselves comfortably or decently. This,
too, was covered with parasitic vermin. One fellow, to show
me, turned up the inside of his inner garment, and on an area
not larger than the inside of my nand I counted more than a
dozen of the graybacks. It looked as if they could eat the life
out of his body from the outside faster than it could be sup
plied out of their scanty rations from the inside. All things
reckoned in and footed up in the consideration, there is no
wonder that starvation and other endless woes of rebel prison
life worked such fearful mortality upon its unhappy and ill
fated inmates. No language can be used with too much force
to depict the barbarous sufferings to which these unfortunate
captives from the northern armies were subjected* to and
endured from the rebel authorities.
I have seen pictures representing ghosts or spooks where
the artist has drawn the figure clad in a shroud covering all
bnt the face and skinny hands. If spooks or specters could be
seen I could imagine them to be the truest representatives of
many of the returning prisoners. They were the material
delineations of the phantom pictures. The sight of them
settled all doubt of any former imaginations in that line. It
brought the immaterial right down to the living reality. Such
pictures were truly the abstract representations of what human
beings could be reduced to by starvation.

344 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
A few days were spared to us for rest or some other pur
pose of waiting in our presejit camp. Yet we were engaged
here in throwing Up fortifications when we knew positively
there was no enemy within a long distance of us. It was the
last work of the kind we did while in the service. In the
meanwhile I visited the city, but was not very much impressed
with what I saw there. The only thing remarkable was the
condition of the streets. I saw no pavements, arid there was
greater need of them than in any other city I had ever visited.
The sand was so coarse and deep that it seemed as if a team
could scarcely draw an empty vehicle through it. In fact, the
whole country was made up of sand where it was not covered
with water. That answered for the absence of pavements— no
cobble stones to make them with. Not a stone to be seen—
that is, wild ones — on the eastern coast of North Carolina. It
is all sand, low, swampy sand, for perhaps an hundred miles
from the sea. On the fifth of March the brigade went over and
beyond the city to the northward for another forward move
ment. We had heard that Sherman had arisen and progressed
again. He was in the country back of us and moving north
just as if he owned the whole thing. He was making for
Goldsboro and we must keep abreast with and meet him at
that point. So we swept up the coast toward Kinston. Start
ing on the sixth, about twelve or thirteen miles out we passed
through some strong rebel fortifications which constituted the
outer defenses of Wilmington. The next day we passed
through more works of the same kind.
Save for these and an occasional fine plantation, there was
nothing to be remarked but the low, swampy ground, covered
mostly with turpentine woods. It was too monotonous for one
to take much notice of what could be seen along the line of
march. In fact, it all consisted of nfonotony, and for a change
of scene to that of monotony over again. Then, again, nothing
but monotony. I had a Beadle dime novel with me, and read it
as I was walking along in want of something better to take up
my attention. Chaplain Payson coming along, and finding
how I was engaged made some wandering remarks to me. To

NORTHt CAROLINA. 345
whom I replied that I had seen, in the march of a single mile,
all that could be seen this side of Wilmington, and had to turn
my intellect into some other channel for amusement's sake.
Sergt. Jennings, of Co. C, remarked that had Columbus made
the coast of North Carolina the first point of his American
discoveries, he would certainly have returned to Spain and
reported "Nothing found." Non est inventus. In this way we
managed to worry along for several days toward Kinston,
making somewhat higher ground as we diverged from the
coast, though it retained many of its swampy features. On
the tenth it seemed as if we marched through the swamps and
water nearly all day. The 6th Tennessee and 25th Michigan
brought up the rear as train guards, and were late at night get
ting into camp. I had, many times during the day, jumped
from bog to bog to avoid wet feet, but just before we came to
a hah the road was covered with water for a long distance, and
being in the forest on a dark night I found no way to avoid the
water any longer, and had to wade it at last, bringing down
upon myself the laughing ridicule from those who had walked
indifferently through the water all day. After passing this
last water-hole, we were soon in camp in a forest of stately pines.
These pines had been scarified on two or three sides, high
up where the exudations of pitch had dried fast and formed a
fine temptation for the flames. It was not long either, before
the flames found them and made a fine sight in contrast with
the pitchy darkness of the night, as they quickly'climbed the
trees all through the camp. Though the sight was a fine one,
it brought its dangers with it. The fires took a strong hold on the
trees through the pitch cups at the bottom, burning off quite a
number of the trees to fall among us to the ground. We were
fortunate enough that nobody was hurt by them.
We were now about ten miles from Kinston. In the
afternoon and until night, we heard artillery ahead of us. As
our forces had advanced from Newberne, the rebels had retired
from before them until they reached Kinston, where they made
a stand and an engagement took place, which was without any
direct results except that they chose to retire again.

346 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
Forty rounds of ammunition are considered sufficient for
any soldier to carry for the emergency of battle and that is the
capacity of his accoutrements. A greater amount of cartridges
is an overload, when added to his gun, knapsack, haversack,
et cetera. But one day about this time, when we had a clear
road before us, some of our superior commanders became a
little more scary than ever before, even during the rage of
battle, and orders came for every man to load himself with a
hundred rounds of ammunition and that amount was issued to
every man accordingly. How long did it last? Not one day.
No sooner had the day's march begun, than the road was being
strewn with surplus cartridges and I can safely say that nine-
tenths of the surplus was thrown away before night. This
waste of cartridges was committed in such an open manner,
without any attempt at concealment, that within two days an
order was issued to have every man's ammunition inspected,
and the number of rounds reported. This was done and but
one man in our company was found to have the number
recently issued. All others had less rather than above the
forty rounds. I am constrained to mention this affair as a
voucher why it takes so many, pounds of lead to kill a man in
warfare. This kind of waste is charged up to the single bullet
that kills the man. All the waste is counted in, while a ,
comparatively small amount of it is expended in battle. In
the Crimean war, it was alleged that it took two hundred and
seventy pounds of lead to kill one of the enemy. Much of it
must have gone as I have just related.
We did not reach the neighborhood of Kinston until the
twelfth, when we camped near the battle ground of the tenth.
When the rebels retired from the coast before our troops, they
destroyed the railroad behind them. Our troops found need
of it to maintain a line for supplies and so had to repair it.
I was detailed with a squad of men and set about getting out
ties for several days. The railroad was soon in running order
and the cars followed us as we moved farther from the coast.
On Sunday, the nineteenth, we heard sounds of artillery to
the southwest, nearly all day. It was the' battle of Bentonville,

NORTH -CAROLINA. 347
distant fifty miles or more. Gen. Johnston had gathered
enough of the rebel forces to make a show in Sherman's front
and crossed his path for battle. It seems that neither knew
the other's exact position and used up most of the day in
getting down to business. But this ended as usual, when
Sherman brushed his old antagonist out of the road, which left
him a free and open way to Goldsboro.
The next two days were used up in a roundabout course
of forty miles in reaching Goldsboro. Two days afterward,
Sherman made his appearance there also, with a triumphant
and victorious army. It was the union of his army with that
part which had, except the 4th Corps, been sent to Nashville
when he started on the march to the sea, in November, 1864.
The 10th Army Corps was also added, so that he was recruited
upon his arrival at Goldsboro, by an addition of thirty or forty
thousand men. All together, he found himself at the head of
an army of pretty fair proportions, large enough to cope with
anything the rebels could bring against him.
But such a nondescript host was a sight to see and
perhaps such an army as had not been seen since the ancient
days, when armies subsisted upon their enemies and ravaged
their fated countries without a commissary. Anything that
could be called a chattel was a contraband and subject to
seizure for individual use. Abundance reigned in camp and it
mattered not if it was fitted for the fancy, the luxury or the
needful. The army came in on foot, on jacks, mules and
horses, and in vehicles of every description. It was said that
some soldiers brought in several school teachers who had been
unable to escape from the secession shut-off. A good share
of the men had constituted themselves their own quarter
masters and furnished themselves with clothing by forage and
confiscation. Many of them had the hat and homespun of
the rebellion. I visited the camp of the 15th Indiana just after
it had halted. The camp was among the bushes and in
disrobing themselves of their baggage, they filled the bushes
with every kind of parrot. These pets were legitimate prizes
of forage, if not contraband, and were seized upon with

348 * TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
justification. It might be that as those birds were prone to
garrulity, they were taken as incipient spies. The drollest
sights of all were the moving commissaries of bacon, Carried
by mules that were almost hidden by the huge sides of meat.
You would think them laden with huge Mexican saddles,
overlapping each other. The .whole army came in as if
from some holiday excursion. As will be noted, we had been
parted, from Sherman" for five months. Ad interim, he had made
his march from Atlanta to the sea and Up through the Carolinas
to Goldsboro, where we were together once more. It might
not be amiss to treat his career from Atlanta to the sea and
back to this point.
Sherman had staked himself in the game for Atlanta and
after coming out" ahead, said: "It is ours and fairly won."
That designates ownership. He had resolved upon a grand
excursion down the country, but could not take the city with
him, and as he did not expect to return his own household to
it, it became incumbent upon him to make some disposition of
it to prevent it from becoming a prize to the rebellion again.
Seeing that he was a soldier, he made a sort of nuncupative
will for certain purposes, which partook neither of a sordid nor
a charitable nature. That portion of the city which might
enable the rebellion to regain its feet, he burnt. The remainder
was left for those who might choose to occupy it, free of rent.
I would not be more extravagant in my description than
was Marco Polo, five hundred years before, if I should say that
he had a large household of fully sixty-five thousand servants.
These would make quite a show, require many roads and a
wide strip of country to travel in. Such a large body of
servants, if properly caparisoned and equipped, would command
much respect from the people among whom he traveled.
They would naturally consider him a person of much conse
quence and hasten, as people have on similar occasions in all
ages of the world, to place their all at his disposal. But theilr
submissive willingness made no difference. It was then and
there all the same, nolens volens.

NORTH CAROLINA. 349
He spread his servants like a peacock's tail. They covered
a vast width of land, with their wings well extended Gen.
Howard held the tip of the right, while Slocum rode upon the
left. With the utmost politeness, they accepted everything
offered them and made no bones of living upon the best the
land afforded. Everywhere with the people it was: "I and
mine are all at your service, sir," which was a matter of
"Hobson's choice." This part played well in the grand roll of
events, just as if it had been made and fitted by nature for the
place. Thus his journey through the country was one
unbroken series of triumphs and rejoicings. He wandered
about at pleasure, traveling and halting at his ease. In this
way he took thirty days to make his trip from Atlanta to
Savannah and the sea.
Savannah, like every other place on his route, yielded as
Atlanta had yielded three and a half months before. But
Sherman had become gorged with that kind of property and
did not want it. He had already left many cities behind and
as he did not think it worth while to leave a body of his
servants to care for its safety, he made a Christmas present of
it to the President of the United States.
After a few weeks of entertainment at Savannah, giving
his servants time to rest and replace their tattered clothing, he
set out on another journey, up-country and in another direction.
He was a gentlemaa of travel and wanted to see other parts,
wished to possess the city of Charleston, but thought the best
way to get it was to outflank it and first take what was in the
rear. He already had Savannah on one side and expected his
confederates in the service would soon have Wilmington on
the other, while the navy squared up in front of it. So he
struck out for Columbia. His progress thitherward acted like
the reputed magic of ash leaves around a rattlesnake and the
rebels left the city to its fate, after four years of such defiance
to the union as Nicholas Koorn bewildered the Manhattan
burgomasters with. This was the way Sherman knocked out
the rockers from the cradle of secession and sent it, a ruined
monument, down to the care of the future historians.

350 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
I said that he started for Columbia. He reached there,
too, but the exalted qualities of his personage ran as a messenger
ahead of him. The people gave up their city as a token of
respect for him, but he did not want it. He made a mild
protest that the people should offer such extravagant devotion
to the old flag through his personality. But as they insisted1
on that form of respect, he thought he could stand it if they
could. They made a bonfire of the city in honor of his
presence. He soon appreciated the respect shown him, but
had no reason or inclination to remain and arose and made his
progress. He waded through so much water that he must
have traveled with clean feet, besides the opportunity of
washing his hands and face often, while so frequently engaged
in laying boat bridges for the special convenience of himself
and servants. He moved with such majestic dignity, that if
there was any sullen feeling with the people among whom he
traveled, against his presence, it made but a slight revelation
of itself. He took up his spectacles, surveyed the country in his
front and saw the signpost stuck up at Goldsboro, as the
hostlery for his next point of entertainment. He immediately
struck out for that place and was coming well nigh in sight,
when suddenly his old foe, who had been silent since July,
thought that an accidental opportunity might be ambushed
upon him and so, like a bantam rooster, swung himself across
Sherman's front and says, "who's afraid?" Sherman might
have been a little astonished at such a' blustering threat, but
only needed to draw himself up in peacock style, erect his
head and make a single dash at the little whelp to send him
out of reach. This affair left him undisturbed from outside
annoyance for the remainder of the journey to Goldsboro.
During his inland marches, Sherman had been isolated
from the rest of mankind, outside of the rebellion. His
arrival at Goldsboro brought him in contact with the north
again. Two months of inside marching forced him to halt for •
a short time and renew his supplies before starting out again.
The railroad had been repaired to the coast and as his destined

NORTH CAROLINA. 351
march was outlined further inland, Goldsboro offered the most
convenient point for refitting the army. He settled the main
body here for a few days, while the 23d Corps was scattered
along the railroad to the eastward. It was the lot of the 1st
Brigade of the 2d Division to be placed in camp about midway
between Goldsboro and Kinston, near a place called Mosely
Hall. While, halting for a rest on the march there, a train
passed us, on the way to Newberne, with Gen. Sherman
seated on the tender. He had set out immediately on his
arrival, to consult with the head of the army and was then on
the way to City Point for that purpose.
In the meantime, supplies came up with the utmost
rapidity. The army was being newly clothed and was furnished
with enough for nearly one hundred thousand men. Its
discipline and experience, when fully furnished with the
munitions of war, rendered it one of the most powerful armies,
for its numbers, in existence. Its intended route lay toward
Richmond, bringing up to that place in the rear. Johnston
had again been appointed to the command of wha^. forces the
rebels could muster in this region and had crossed Sherman's
path on his way to Goldsboro, resulting in the battle of
Bentonville. He still lay sullenly off towards Raleigh, too
weak to offer battle to his powerful antagonist, yet of sufficient
strength to need attention and to be put out of the way.
APRIL, 1865.
Everything being in readiness, after a halt of eighteen
days, forward again and for the last time with a hostile purpose
was the program for the time. On April 9th everything was
in motion. The main army had started on and the 23d Corps
was concentrated at Goldsboro. Our brigade had just under
gone a transformation, the last before its dissolution. The 6th
Tennessee, though near the expiration of its term of service,
had, it was said by mistake, been transported needlessly over
the long and circuitous route from , Tennessee to North
Carolina, when it had but about one month's service yet to
perform. That regiment had left the brigade on the last day

352 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
of March. At Goldsboro it was replaced by the 52d Pennsyl
vania and the 132d New York, which, with the 26th Kentucky
taken in at Nashville in the previous December, made up the
brigade of four regiments, standing to this without further
change to the end.
In August, 1863, the brigade was organized with the 16th
Kentucky, 25th Michigan, 80th Indiana and 118th Ohio The
25th Michigan was the only regiment remaining in the brigade
from first to last. Others had been taken in, transferred and
exchanged, until fifteen regiments had been members of it.
The others were the 3d and 6th Tennessee, the 13th, 14th and
26th Kentucky, 99th Ohio, 130th Indiana, 52d Pennsylvania,
132d New York, 45th Ohio and 91st Indiana.
We felt this to be the last grand move of the war. Lee's-
army at Richmond had been the head and front of the rebellion.
It had maintained itself equally with the union armies the three
first years of the war. The next year it had only been crowded
back and held in Richmond, where, with its grand system of
fortification and defenses, it had bid defiance to its besiegers
for almost another year. But time works an end to all things,
at least of a murderous nature. The rebels had exhausted all
their resources for recruits to their armies. The natural sequence
to them was, that the loss of every man out of their army was
a dead loss. Their conscription had swept the country and
there was not a man left to replace a single loss; while, on the
other hand, the union armies were being re-enforced till they
more than outmatched the rebel army and its fortifications that
held them at bay. The strength of the rebel army and its
fortifications had been considered by Gen. Grant as five to pne
in favor of the rebels.
The obdurate and self-confident Lee was about to learn
from Grant that what he purposed, that he was about to
perform; that he held in his hands the instruments for its
execution, and that, er.e long, him he could not escape. The
spring of 1865 opened, and with it Grant moved against the
enemy at the first opportunity. He outflanked Lee around
and south of Petersburg, and thereby drove him out of Rich-

NORTH CAROLINA. 353
mond on the night of the second of April. The news of the
fall of Richmond reached us on the sixth. That great plesiosaur-
ian monster Sherman had so completely severed in twain at
Atlanta, disemboweled in his march to the sea and through the
Carolinas, with his defiant head at Richmond, had now lost his^
ferocious teeth and was beating a hasty retreat to the rear, with
Grant bearing down heavily upon him on all sides. He soon
lost his strength and breath, lay down and gave up the ghost.
Thus it was, on the ninth of April, that Grant captured Lee
and his whole army, virtually bringing the rebellion to a close.
The 23d corps left Goldsboro behind it on the tenth.
Several roads were filled abreast with troops and trains as the
army moved forward towards the city of Raleigh. The rebels
were too weak to resist and were careful to keep at a safe
distance, backing up as Sherman moved ahead.
It is said that coming- events cast their shadows before.
We had risen and were getting ready for breakfast by the light
of our fires on the morning of the twelfth, when one of the
men, talking of the armies at Richmond and the capture of
that city, said he had heard that Grant had the command of
both armies, signifying or meaning that of his own and of
•Lee's also. I thought it a little singular that such an
expression should be used, and do not think he knew what a
meaning his words had when he uttered them. But we all had
occasion to realize something of the truth of his expression
later in the day. Many hours are required every day for a
large army to get on the move. It was no exception to that
rule this day. We had gotten fairly started, and were crowd
ing the roads, when, about the middle of the forenoon, on the
road ahead of us and just out of sight over a rise of ground,
there came a sound of yells, hurrahs and every noise that men
could make of an excitable nature. The commotion .seemed
to be coming nearer to us, though we were approaching it also.
At first I thought there must have been a mud slough-hole
where, in crossing, some of the slip-downers or unfortunates
would call down the merry ridicule of those who had passed
over in safety. But the noise kept up in one unceasing roll of

354 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
shouts and yells. It was one continual proldngation — too
much so to emanate and be supported by such a cause alone,
as I supposed, for its origin. However, we soon passed over
the rise in the road, and could look some distance ahead, where
we saw an officer coming on the roadside at full gallop, with
an arm aloft and extended toward the soldiers who filled the
road, waving it like an orator. The shoutings waved along
also at an even pace with his gallop. As he carrie abreast of
us he, too, was shouting that Lee had surrendered, and that
Grant had captured him and his whole army. There seemed
to be no limit to the good tidings and rejoicings in regard to
the event. This solved the curiosity that drew our attention
ahead. It was the verbal information of a great achievement.
It was the end of a convulsive struggle that had seized upon a
great nation and held it in a firm grip for four long years. But
more positive information soon followed. We were turned
inside the fields and massed to hear, by written information,
from the general himself, that the great rebel army had at last
been conquered, after having baffled every effort of the nation
for four long years. The wildest scenes of rejoicings that it
was ever my lot to witness followed. Hats, caps and every
thing that could be seized upon flew high in the air. Every
one shouted as if it was the last chance left him and he was
going to make the most of it. Every one congratulated his
comrades on the prospect of soon going home, and that the
toils of war were now at an end. In the midst of this the
bands struck up "The Star Spangled Banner," "Yankee Doodle,"
"Hail, Columbia" and "Home, Sweet Home;" and I might
say, pari passu, that ever after that, and until the dissolution of
the army, while the bands were with it, the tune of "Home,
Sweet Home," was always sure to find the most favored place
in the music. The responsive cord was echoed back from the
masses of the soldiers with even more vigor than its trembling
tones were wafted to their ears. It exactly struck the sym
pathy of every man who rested within the sound of its glad
some notes. The homes that were given up three years before
for the toils and dangers of war stood boldly in the foreground

NORTH CAROLINA. 355
of every soldier's vision, and he could, even now in this wild
uprising, see himself there.
After the rejoicings and excitefnents had subsided, the
march was resumed, and it took that day and the next to reach
the city of Raleigh, where the rebels barely showed themselves
and made a slight resistance. They retired as our troops
entered the place. A skirmish beyond the city gave us a few
prisoners. Though our forces were so numerous and the rebels were
so weak, yet they hovered around the outskirts of our army to
pick up anything that might drop in their way as subjects of
capture. The line of communications had been drawn out to a
considerable distance, and was open at many places to rebel
raids. The 25th was sent back on the fifteenth to assist in
helping up a wagon train. A portion of the train just ahead of
it had been captured by a raiding band of rebels. It seems
that the rebels had secreted themselves near a branch road by
which the wagon train was to pass along. The train was a long
one, and as the head of it passed the branch, a man, clad in
the uniform of a northern officer, came riding back to the
guards in the rear and ordered them to double-quick to the
head of the train to repel an attack. There were so many
officers on such occasions that the guards hardly knew but
what they were on genuine duty, and were ready to obey in
case of alarm. As soon as the guards were well beyond the
branch road, the officer became a rebel, sprung his ambush and
ordered all, the train at the rear to turn in upon it. He then
ordered all the muleteers to whip up their teams for dear life.
This was a clever stratagem, ifldeed, and it came to a success
ful issue. I met one of the drivers afterwards, who said that
they had to give the mules "a hell of a drive, or they would
have gotten the same themselves."
I do not know that we were expected to recapture the
lost train, for they had too fciuch the start of us in their own
country. Col. Orcutt, with the 25th, went back twelve miles
near to the scene of action, and returned again four miles the
same day with other trains enroute for the army. This was

356 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
the last affair of the kind that took place while we were in the
service. The end was now in view and the army settled itself in a
circle entirely around the city. A truce Was proposed on the
seventeenth and Sherman met Johnston at the railroad station
above the city, where terms of surrender were agreed upon
after a day or two had been used up in conference. Though
these terms were not ratified by the authorities at Washington,
yet, after some modifications, the surrender was accomplished,
which brought the war to a close through the whole country
except in the state of Texas, which was held by Kirby Smith,
where an insignificant battle was fought on May 13, ending in
a victory for the rebellion. There were afterwards a few
skirmishes, however, encountered by our cavalry in various
parts of the south, where they were scouring about the country,
and just about as they pleased, in pursuit of scattering bands
of rebels, until the news of the two eventful surrenders spread
over the whole south and disarmed all opposition.
If the war could have been closed up at this stage of the
proceedings, it would have been a grand cause for rejoicing
throughout the country. But, many times when hopes appear
the brightest, a dark spot is destined to appear. At the very
time a truce was being arranged for the surrender of Johnston,
the fact of the assassination of President Lincoln was conveyed
to us, which brought a sorrow that neutralized the rejoicings
of a few days before. It cast a gloom of sadness over the
whole country, the more so that it should have occurred after
the war had been brought to an end. He seemed to have had
a destined work to accomplish, and died at the foot of his work.
Johnston's surrender was finally perfected on the twenty-
seventh and arrangements were immediately begun for the
dissolution of the armies and sending the men to their respect
ive homes. The 23d corps, with its commander, Schofield, was
to be retained in North Carolina ujrtil there could be. a restora
tion of the civil law to be administered by the people themselves.
Gen. Cooper was still with the 1st brigade and had con
tinued about one year in its command. He was now about to

NORTH CAROLINA. 357
retire finally from his companions' in arms. He very naturally
had a desire to make ' a farewell speech ere he left. He
accordingly called out the 25th Michigan, to either shower
down his blessings upon it or show his affection in a farewell
speech. One regiment at a time was enough for his still,
small voice, so he called on no others at that time Should he
take each regiment separately, et seriatim he might be able
to improve his grandiloquence at each repeated effort; a stroke
of oratorical policy where it was most needed. The regiment
was massed in column with Companies E and F in front. I
happened to be the senior officer present in the front division,
so my position was the most advanced and in front of the
center. The g'erieral, who had been one of the heroes of the
Mexican war, rode his horse up to me, and, after a little
faltering hesitation, aheming and stammering, made out to
proceed with his speech, and said about in substance: "Boys,
we've been together a good while and done well; we are about
to go home now, and I hope you will do well there, too.
Improve your chances. I began at $8.00 a month and carried
a musket. Now see where I am!" At this point his former
difficulties of speech returned, he lost his eloquence and his
oration was brought to an end. This was the whole thing in a
nut-shell; in fact, it wasn't big enough to get into anything
else. Out of all his most matured thoughts we got the cream,
and solid Jersey cream in the bargain.
Being the nearest to the general, I suppose I received the
greatest value of his speech, though I never compared notes
with any one but Sergt. Jenkins to find out. He claimed he
1 was perfectly conterited with the speech, and that the advice
was satisfactory. Roll it over on every side to find a flaw and
still you will find it was the genuine article. As for my part,
I. thought at the time that it couldn't be sneezed at, but should
certainly have given the sneeze had I been possessed with a
. peppered handkerchief to coyer up the action. The point of
the speech was so small that I think I should have failed to
hit the mark had I thrown a sneeze in that direction.
This, I believe, was the last collision between the general
and his devoted command.

358 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
As the 23d Corps was to/ be retained here until the restor
ation of law and order, and perhaps indefinitely, with a pros
pect of idleness, and having been continually with my company
from the beginning, I began to feel that I should like to have
a leave of absence for a visit to the north. I made application
for one, which was granted and handed me on the thirtieth, and
I was how at liberty to leave at any time I chose.
MAY, 1865.
In the way of a soldier's life there is now but little more to
say. I took advantage of my leave of absence and left on the
second of May for the north. The railroad took me to New
berne, to which place I rode on platform cars. , We started out
from Raleigh with but few passengers,, but received additions
at every station or halting-place, which additions were made
up mostly of contrabands. They got aboard without any
questions being asked and went to Newberne. I could see no
intelligent purpose in this movement. They must have had an •
idea that they were free and more than a day of jubilee for
them had come; that tHe future was to be a paradise for them,
and that they should want for nothing in the time to come. I
came to that conclusion from a sight of them around the Post
Commissary quarters the next morning. There was a perfect
jammed-up crowd of them around' the building for a consider
able distance out, where that official held forth, struggling like
a lot of yarded-up beasts to get their daily rations. They were
a poof, ignorant and deluded set of people, who had been sud
denly transferred from a state of slavery to that of freedom
without a knowledge of its responsibilities, else this exhibition
of themselves would not have been made.
As for myself I succeeded in securing passage on a barge
in tow along the inner waters of the coast and through the
sound by Roanoke Island into the Elizabeth River and Dismal
Swamp canal to within ten miles of Norfolk, when, the tide
being out, the boat rested on its bottom and came to a stand.
Instead of waiting for the return tide, a number of us passen
gers chose to busy ourselves by going on foot to Norfolk and

NORTH CAROLINA. 359
reach the steamer for Baltimore, hjit arrived there just after
the boat had left, so we were left also. However, the next day
we secured passage to Baltimore, arriving on Sunday morning
and halting. In due time I reached New York. city on the
morning of the eighth, and thence up the Hudson to the
neighborhood of my younger days.
Half pf my leave of absence was spent at Kingston, R. I.,
on a mission whose delicacy need not be mentioned here. I
was at that place when the news of the capture of Jeff. Davis,
the chief of the southern rebellion, was spread through the
country and the final stroke of the conquest was effected.
I returned by way of New York and the steamer Yazoo to
Richmond, and in due time gained the regiment at Salisbury,
N. C. I am unable to give an account of the 25th as a partaker
in its moves for the month of May, which covered the period
of my absence, yet learned on my return that early in the
month it was marched up to Greensboro, thence was taken by
railroad to Salisbury, where it was stationed on my return,
although then temporarily absent, engaged in building* a
railroad bridge about twenty miles west of that place.
JUNE, 1865.
I once made a journey on the first day of May, from the
Mohawk Valley to northern New York, at the time when
vegetation had failed to sweep away the nakedness of winter.
The buds of the trees had just begun to swell. The distant
mountain tops of the Adirondacks, as seen from Lake
Champlain, were covered with snow and the air was tempered
with an icy chill. I was absent about two weeks. The weather
had become warm and on my return the trees were in full
foliation, I could not help but notice what a, change had taken
place while I was gone. It seemed as if the change had
sprung into sight instantaneously, which enabled me to realize
it much better than if I had been present while the change
was going forward. Just so, on my return to the 25th Michigan
after the absence of a mpnth in the north, with peace follpwing
a state of warfare. The conditions of army life were changed

360 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
in a remarkable degree. Buring the tifne of active hostilities'
it was unsafe for a soldier to stroll outside of the army lines
anywhere in the seat of war, even when fully armed. Now, ori
my return, every man wandered about as if at home, without
fear. The system of pickets was still kept up. It always
should be as a matter of discipline in every army, in times of
peace as well as in war. But now, as I went out to the picket
line, the guard sat in the shade of a tree with his gun lying
across the branches above his head and pointed towards the
camp. Tasked him if that was the direction he looked for
danger. He said: "Yes, sir; there is more danger from that
direction than from any other." There were no more rebels,
no more cut-throat guerrillas. Gen. Lee said to Grant, as soon
as he had signed the terrris of surrender, that he could now go
safely anywhere through the south. We could now go arid
come as freely as if we were at home. Yet it took me some
time to realize such a change, even afterwards, when I had
returned to the north, So strongly had I been impressed by a
three year's military life in a hostile larid.
Nor were these all the signs" of the restoration. The trains
on which I returned were crowded with ex-confederates,
paroled prisoners, returning to their homes. Among the men
who, but a' few weeks previous, had been enrolled as enemies,
under military discipline and were intent on taking our lives,
we could mingle and talk as freely together as if there had
never been' a thought of warfare between us. The contents of
the hospitals made up, by far, the greater number of the
returning prisoners. Many on the train were maimed for life,
with the loss of a hand, foot, arm or leg, and what was seem
ingly worse, not a vestige of the government was left that they
had been. fighting for and for which they had incurred their
disabilities, to nurse and care for them the rest of their lives.
They were hericeforth alone in the world, unless they had
friends who were able to carry thern through. Otherwise they
were paupers, living on public charity. My sympathy went
out for these poor fellows arid I could perforce but decide that
every Secession state ought to make provision for the support

NORTH CAROLINA. 361
of these disabled ones, seeing that their states impressed them
into the rebel service. How they have fared or been cared
for during the past thirty years, I have never been able to learn.
There was a prison pen at Salisbury, as well as at several
other points in the south. I have never read much of this
prison, but judged that the same system prevailed here that
ruled at Andersoriville and Florence, though the keepers of it
might not have been so brutal. We have evidence, though,
that the system of management and discipline was as bad here
as eveiy sense of the word might imply. The first words of
Richardson, the correspondent of the New York Tribune, who
escaped from there in 1864, when reporting to his paper, were:
"CJut of the jaws of death; out of the mouth of hell." These
are sufficient to convince one of his experienced impressions
of the place.
I made a visit to the inclosure, which was then in ruins.
The grourid had been pretty well dug over in construction of
the mud hovels in which the prisoners had sheltered them
selves from the weather. If their allowances were no better
than was related for the inmates of the other prisons, which I
have reason to believe, the prisoners must have withstood a
great deal of suffering from the cold of the previous winter.
I judge so from the thickness of the ice that formed there and
was stored in neighbbring'icehouses. I could not conceive how
many of them were saved from freezing to death. I do not
recollect of having seen any comfortable buildings on the
grounds that were provided by the rebel authorities for the
shelter of the prisoners. They had to do that by digging
holes in "the ground, arching them over as best they could.
They were like woodchuck holes, into which they might crawl
and while away' their time when unable to while it away
outside. ' The arches had fallen in at the time of my visit, so I
saw but the ruins of the rude homes of the prisoners.
By the middle of June, the armies all through the country
were being mustered out of the service and returned to their
homes. * A stir in that direction was taking place among
ourselves. Some of the regiments near us were being sent

362 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
home. Our muster-out rolls were completed and signed on the
twenty-foiirth, including* our individual discharges. We were
then ready for the journey home, as soon as transportation
could be provided.
The time was now at hand. On the twenty-sixth, we
packed up our traps and boarded the platform cars, passing
through Greensboro and arriving in Danville at ten o'clock at
night, laying over until morning. There had been a rebel
prison here, but I think that . buildings and not a single
stockade inclosure, were used and probably not filled with so
many horrors as those that were made with stockades only,
open to the sky above.
In the morning, I took a stroll through the town. Going
along the street, a block distant from the jail, I heard one of
the inmates singing. I learned that he was a lunatic and was
Singing hymns for amusement. It is the style in the south,
which I suppose arose through the inability of so many of the
people to read, for the minister to read orte or two lines of the
hymn at a time, which were then taken up by. the congregation,
whether its members could read or not, then sing This would
be repeated, the reading of the lines by the minister and then
the singing by the congregation, alternately, until the hymn
was finished. This was called "lining it off" and done for the
benefit of those who were unable to read or were without books,.
It was amusing, and I was constrained to stop and listen to this
lunatic, while he performed the part of minister and congrega
tion. First to line the hymn, then to sing it. He appeared to
be well skilled and carried the parts through withput a mistake.
We did not move rapidly for railroad travel. The second
day took us to Burkesville only, where we had to lay over for
the night, waiting for cars until the next afternoon, when we
made good time, stopping for the night about four mjjes
from City Point. On the twenty-ninth, we ran down to City
Point on the cars and were transferred to the steamer "Ellie
Knight," for Baltimore, reaching that city by passing down the
James River, by Fort Monroe and up Chesapeake Bay at noon
of the thirtieth.

NORTH CAROLINA. 363
It will be recalled that in part of my narrative, relating to
the loss of the colors, I mentioned that a sequel to the affair
would come up while on our journey "home. While on the
steamer and passing up Chesapeake Bay, in talking with Col.
Moore, reference was made to the colors and that so many
changes had been made as to the seniority of the captains
that the colors were not in the hands of the proper company;
also of the loss and recovery of them by Moses Seeber of Co.
H. I suggested that as he had ventured out and recovered
therii, that it would be but a just'reward for that service to give
him the honor of carrying them home. I thought the regimental
line of battle could be so rearranged as to place them in his
hands. Col. Moore accepted of the suggestion and told me
that, as I had been with the regiment through all its changes,
to rearrange the lines accordingly.
Now we were organized under the Hardee system of
tactics, wherein the battle line of the regiment is laid out in
the following order of the companies:
1st, 6th, 4th, 9th, 3d, 8th, 5th, 10th, ' 7th, 2d,
A, F, D. I. C. H. E. K. G. B.
The 1st and 2d companies on the right and left respectively,
with the 3d, C, for the colors on the right of the center, with
its left resting at that point, carrying the colors at the" center
of the regiment.
Whenever any pf the first three companies lose their
captains, the colors pass over to the third company left by
seniPrity. At the first order for promotions the captains of
Companies C, D and E passed out, which brought Co. F to
the third in order, and the colors were assigned to that
company. Though other changes occurred that would have
given the colors to Companies G and I, yet they had not, up
to this time, been transferred out of Co. F.
I looked the matter over and rearranged the line by giving
the colors to Co. H, though I had to pass over the seniority of
Companies I, E and D to do it. Col. Moore approved 'of the
arrangement and issued an order for the same, so that when
we fell in line again at Baltimore, the colors were passed over

364 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
to Co. H and placed in the hands of Moses Seeber, who
carried them home to Michigan.
At Baltimore we were immediately transferred to the
Northern Central Railroad, passed up through Maryland and
on the west side of the Susquehannah and found ourselves in
sight of Harrisburg as we waked up on the cars at su'ririse.
The Pennsylvania Central then took us aboard and sped us
away for Pittsburg. JULY, 1865.
It took all day and late into the night ere we found
ourselves at Pittsburg. Our arrival there had been anticipated.
Here we had a fine entertainment at the midnight hour, given
by the citizens arid headed by Mayor Lowry, after which we
moved out for the city of Cleveland, to which we came just
before noon on the second. Here, also, a dinner was prepared
and in waiting for us by the Ladies' Union Aid Society,
that nicely whiled away the tirrie at the noontide hour. At 2
P. M. we were all aboard the steamer "Morning' Star," and
soon steamed out and over the lbrig, heavy swells of western
Lake Erie and up the Detroit River, landing at the docks in
Detroit seven hours afterwards." Here was "Michigan, my
Michigan," and happy were we indeed to reach the common
wealth again that we had left nearly three years before.
Likewise here, as well as at Pittsburg and Cleveland, the
people had gathered in with an entertainriient for us. But
firstly speeches of welcome had to be made— congratulations
of welcome from those who' received us. A response was in
order) and chaplain Payson was the oratorical organ' of the
25'th for the occasion. I promised a long time ago to pay my
respects to his worship at this stage of our career, and here
they are. After the appropriate words of welcome were
uttered, the chaplain sailed right in at his very best. " I cannot
recall in my journal of but two sermons from him since the
battle of Green River — just two years before. This at a salary
of $100 a month and a bonus of $300 at the close of the war.
Here was the opportunity in waiting to balance deficiences.
He recounted at tifs very best and up to the top of his oratory,

NORTH CAROLINA. 365
the deeds of valor performed by the 25th in the suppression of
the rebellion. It was more particularly of the deeds of valor
performed by the regiment in his absence from his post of
duty. I cannot recall the time that he was at his post at any
time the regiment was in the fighting line. Nevertheless, the
auditors of his response — if they didn't know any better, were
forced to the impression that he was one of the chief heroes of
the regiment and that the 25th was the very foremost one of'
the state. Their brilliant deeds of valor, loyaky and devotion
to the country were scarcely equalled and never excelled by
any similar organization in the armies of the Union. The
words of laudation were superbly grand and slipped from his
tongue as if he had only to shake them from between his teeth
and let them fall away upon a spell-bound crowd of hearers.
The cheapest and the most direct way in which I can sum up
the chaplain's gifted speech is to say bombast. I presume that
he produced a profound conviction upon the good people of
Detroit in favor of the soldiers before them. As a logical
sequence we believed ourselves to be the heroes of the hour,
and with less qualms of conscience felt that we could accept of
the sincere and generous welcome the good citizens of Detroit
had spread upon the tables before us, and to which we speedily
paid our best attentions.
The next day we proceeded to the city of Jackson as the
place assigned for us to finally disband and disperse for our
homes. Waiting the will and pleasure of the auditing officer
and paymaster, the men were paid off on the thirteenth and
the officers on the fourteenth of July, when the last deed was
enacted that closed our term of military service and trans
formed the soldier into the citizen again.

366

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

The author— A soldier in 1863,

A citizen in 1881.

north carolina. 367
General Orders, ) Headquarters 25th Michigan Infantry, )
No. 17. S Jackson, Mich., July 10, 1865. ii
Officers and Soldiers, 25th Michigan Infantry :
When I was honored with the command of the regiment, I felt keenly
the great responsibility of such a noble trust, and I am now proud to return
with you to your happy homes, and enjoy the consciousness that your record
is an honor to the State of Michigan, and to our country. I cannot but
express my gratitude, not only to the State, but to you, my noble comrades,
for the glorious privilege and honor of being one of your number; for your
record will go down to posterity, in some respects, the most glorious which
has ever been recorded in the history of war. Commencing with the battle
of Tebb's Bend, July 4th, 1863, when the enemy, over ten times your own
number, were defeated, with a loss numbering greater than the force which
engaged them — you have participated in the battles of Kingston, Knoxville,
Mossy Creek, Rocky Face, Resaca, Dallas, AUatoona, Culp's Farm, Lost
Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Nick-a-jack Creek, Utoy Creek, Decatur,
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Duck River, Nashville, and many less important engage
ments, without ever having been driven an inch by the enemy. You have
gallantly participated in the great struggle which involved the very life and
integrity of our free government; you have vindicated the great principle of
the capacity of a free people to govern themselves; you have demonstrated
the great power of truth over error, and the integrity 6f the masses of a free
people, and you have learned crowned heads, tyrants and monarchists to
respect with submissive deference the great principle of freedom.
Bear in mind that, while this noble army of ours is enjoying the peaceful
pursuits of civil life, they are still experienced soldiers, who can be called
into the field for any emergency, at the tap of the drum, for the next twenty
years — a formidable standing army of the right kind, whose interests will
be the welfare of a free people.
As citizens, guard well our political future. Let truth and honor be the
crowning qualifications of those who represent you; and when corruption
shows itself in high places do not indulge in the delusion that our principle
of government is at fault, and that the remedy is to restrict the liberties of
the people; but bear in mind that the fault is in corrupt and designing
men,. and that the proper and legitimate remedy is to strike a blow at
designing, dishonest and mercenary politicians.
The memory of our fallen comrades will sadden our hearts, and we can
but drop a tear for their loved ones at home. Soldiers, farewell; and may
the blessings of a kind Providence ever attend you.
ORLANDO H. MOORE,
Colonel 25th Michigan Infantry.
And now but little more remains to be told of the 25th
before its story, is done. It returned to the state with 353
officers and men, out of the 896 that made up the regiment
when it left the state nearly three years before. One of o.ur
men remarked that the regiment was a stronger one on its

368 TWENTY -FIFTH MICHIGAN.
return than when it left the state, despite the fearful depletion
of its numbers. It was, when it came back, an efficient force,
well seasoned and well hardened to the usages of war; while,
at the beginning, as raw recruits, through exposure and troubles
incident to the service, which prevailed for nearly a year, it
not only suffered heavy losses, but was hampered in the
usefulness of those able to do duty.
The 25th Michigan has a list of twenty-two battles inscribed
upon its battle flag. In some of them the position assigned to
it was such that it did but Httle more than maneuver its part
towards a victory. I say a victory, for it never was in a lost
battle or on the defeated side. With less than one-half of its
number it fought one battle alone, in which, if it did not win a
decisive victory, it punished its enemy, with a damaging repulse
after meeting him with the odds in battle of more than ten to
one. It did its share in three heavy battles and rriet with tis
rough usage as the whole army did that was at the same time
engaged. For more than one hundred days it served on the
Atlanta campaign, where fighting by heavy skirmish lines was
of almost daily occurrence, and where seldom a day passed by
but what it was under fire of the guns of the enemy; and the
thunder of artillery was ever going on during that period.
The advance on Atlanta was almost a continual battle from
beginning to end, as will be noted in the story.
Yet the 25th was counted as a lucky regiment. Its losses
in battle, or of wounds received there, were one officer and
thirty-seven men. Much heavier by disease — two officers and
one hundred and twenty men. In all one hundred and sixty
lives paid the debt due to patriotism.
In its wanderings from the time it left the state till its
return, it moved about 6,750 miles, according to the best
estimates I could make at the time. As to the marchings, I
noted each day as it was done at the time, and based my
estimates upon my own calculations and the opinions of others
who were along with me. I was with the regiment upon every
march it made, except the last one after the close of the war,
of- eighty miles. These figures must be divided up, with credit
to the marching, 2,250 miles; transported on the cars, 3,000,
and upon the water, 1,500, according to the best estimates I
could make at the time.

COL. ORLANDO H. MOORE.

369

COL. ORLANDO H. MOORE.

Orlando Hurley Moore
was born at Wilkesbarre, Pa.,
July 13, 1827, coming with
his parents to Schoolcraft,
Mich., when a boy and later
to Kalamazoo. His educa
tion was mainly in the art of
drawing and painting, in
which he developed a con
siderable talent, but his mind
was of too active a nature to
be confined to the studio
alone. By the time he reached
the maturity of manhood, the nation was fast approaching a
crisis in its history under the operations of the fugitive slave
law of 1850, which was made a handle in support of the fierce
demands of the slave power as a compromise. The enforce
ment of this law, together with the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise in 1854, was instrumental in exciting the military
inclinations of the subject of this sketch to enter the service.
He was given a second lieutenant's commission in the
6th United States Infantry, July 27, 1856; promoted to first
lieutenant, March 2, 1861 and to captain on May 26 following.
After his entry into the army, he was marched with his
troops across the plains and through the mountains' to the
Pacific coast, and placed in charge of the arsenal at Benicia,
wherein Was stored the military property of the United States,
including 60,000 stands of arms. This was in the days previous
to the Pacific railroads, when communications and transfers
across the plains and mo'untains were made at great expense
of time and labor.

370 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
i
' At the time of the breaking out of the war, Gen. Albert
Sydney Johnston was in command of the military department
of the Pacific, and was known to be in sympathy with the
rebellion. He found hirriself in the midst of a large body of
men of congenial feelings, who wished to cut themselves loose
from the union and form an independent republic of their own.
They had plotted and were arranging to carry their plans into
execution by seizing the arsenal with all its sinews of war, and
in fact, were practically in possession, when Capt. Moore
organized his command, together with the assistance of
private citizens, in a counterplot and saved the public property
from the hands of the would be disunionists.
Feeling that his services would be of greater value in the
activd operations of the east than on mere post duty on the
Pacific coast, he asked to be transferred to the seat of war.
His request was granted and he was appointed lieutenant
colonel of the 13th Michigan, December 28, 1862, but retained
his captaincy in the 6th Infantry. He resigned from the 13th
Michigan on July 4, 1862, and was commissioned to the
command of the 25th Michigan, August 18 following. His
military history to the close of the war has been told in the
preceding pages.
At the close of the war, he returned to his captaincy in
the regular army and was stationed for awhile in the south,
during the troublesome times of reconstruction. His regiment
was assigned to service on the frontier, to quell the continuous
outbreaks of the Indians, who had become very troublesome
along the border. They were kept in check most of the time
by the force of arms, though in many cases arguments and
persuasions were fully as effective in the prevention of
hostilities. In the latter course Capt. Moore, out of the kind
ness of his nature, entered with a greater zeal to prevent the
Indian outbreaks, than to suppress them by the brute force of
military power, and was successful many a time in keeping the
savages upon peaceful terms. He was possessed with such
honesty and keenness of skill in the arguments he made use
of, as to not only convince the redmen of the foolishness of
their purposes when restive for the war-path, but at the same
time gaining their friendship and confidence., Through all the

COL. ORLANDO H. MOORE. 371
trials consequent upon his dealings with the restless savages,
they never found him deceptive in his management of them,
and they in return met him with veneration and respect.
His perception of military affairs was at once keen and
comprehensive; he was quick to take in the situation and often
chafed under the inferior abilities of his superior officers.
There were times when his patriotism and devotion to duty
would gain the mastery over him so far that he would allow
himself to indulge in the forbidden criticism of those in com
mand over him. These mistakes came with a rebound against
him, else he would have received deserving promotion to
higher grades in the volunteer service. He was kept down
only by the envy and ill-conceited displeasure of officers who
had greater access and influence with the appointing power.
In his family relations he was a model of kindness and
affection, and always had his family with him whenever his
duties to the service did not forbid the enjoyment of its
companionship. Hence the death of his wife (to whom he
was married in 1855) at Tulare, California, in 1878, and later, in
1887, of his only son. Allen G, who held the chair of Microscopy
in the Cleveland Medical College — an eminent position for one
not more than twenty-six years of age — was a crushing blow
to him. In 1872 he was commissioned to the rank of Major, and in
1882 to that of Lieutenant Colonel, being transferred to the
17th Infantry. In the summer of 1880, while on an Indian
campaign in the Rocky Mountains, he received a sunstroke
that felled him from his horse, and, when taken up, remained
unconscious for eleven days. His life was despaired of, but
with tender care and treatment he recovered, though not fully
in his mind. This trouble was but slightly felt at first, but
gradually growing worse, he felt himself unfitted to perform
the duties of his command and asked to be retired from the
arfny, which was granted him in 1884.
His health still failing, he was taken to the home of his
daughter in Coldwater, until it reached a point in mental
disability that his relatives were obliged to plaice him in the
quiet retreat of St. Joseph, at Dearborn, near Detroit, where he
expired Oct. 31st, 1890. He was taken to California for burial
and rests by the side of his wife, in Tulare.

372

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

LIEUT. COL. BENJAMIN F. ORCUTT.

Having been closely
associated with the subject
of this sketch for a consider
able period of his service in
the 25th Michigan during the
late war, it is but a fitting
tribute of respect to his mem
ory that the following state
ment is given.
Benjamin F. Orcutt was
born at Roxbury, Vt, Feb. 9,
1815, where he obtained such
an education as the common
schools of the country afforded, supplemented by a few terms
in the academy at Randolph.
At the age of nineteen his enterprising -nature started him
westward, bringing up for a few months in Detroit, thence a
year in Chicago in its early days. From there he returned to
Michigan, spending a year at Allegan; then, in 1837, came to
Kalamazoo, which place he ever after made his home.
Being of .an active and industrious nature, he turned his
attention to house building, which business he followed with
success for many years. While pursuing this occupaiion he
was elected in 1841 to the office of Constable. In his election
to this office he not only struck the natural bent of his
inclination, but the profession also that he was so highly fitted
by nature to execute — the mandates of the civil law. His
services were so highly appreciated in the execution of his
duties that he was kept in the public service, civil and military,
for nearly the whole of his life thereafter.
Michigan sent one regiment to the Mexican war, in which
he went, serving as 1st Sergt. in the company of Capt. Curten-

LIEUT. COL. BENJAMIN F. ORCUTT. 373
ius. This was the beginning of an after military record that
might well be envied by anyone. He was appointed and
served as Deputy U. S. Marshall for a number, of years, until in
1854 he was elected to the office of Sheriff of Kalamazoo
County, securing two continuous terms in that office. He had
become such a favorite for public honors that people of all
parties dropped their partisanship and united in voting him
into office at every appearance he made as a candidate, though
he cast his principles in unison with those of the republican
party from its first beginning.
Having seen service in the Mexican war he was, anxious
to engage in the Union cause and against the rebellion. From
the military experience he had already passed through he
. thought himself qualified for a leader in some capacity, and to
that end made an application for one in the 25th Michigan
Infantry, wherein, as we have noted in the preceding pages of
this work, he was duly commissioned to the office of Lieutenant
Colonel, and remained in that capacity during its full term of
service. His services were connected and interwoven with the i
duties performed by that regiment when present with it. The
war records of that regiment are the records of his own war
services. At one time the regiment was divided, the one half
rendering services in the field from the eleventh of June to the
eighteenth of August, 1863, the other half doing garrison,
guard and provost duty at Louisville, Ky. He served with the
latter half, during which time he was appointed as president
upon a board of court martial, which continued its sittings at
Louisville until the following April, when he returned to his
regimental charge again. It was then in East Tennessee, in
preparation for the Atlanta Campaign. This was in the year
1864, and was truly a year of heavy battles.
These began in the fore part of May. On the fourteenth
and fifteenth, days of May came the battle of Resaca, wherein
the lines of battle placed the 25th Michigan in such a position
that it was badly worsted, and with a heavy loss. Col. Orcutt
* commanded his regiment in its charge upon the works of the

374 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
enemy and was with it till it was broken up- and could go no
further. He was in the front lirie of battle and was the only
field officer known to me who reached the creek, as related in
the foregoing story, and well up under the rebel works.
The campaign against Atlanta was a trying and tedious
one, through the hottest- part of the year. He did his duty
earnestly and faithfully until after the crossing of the Chatta
hoochee, when his labors proved too much for him and he had
to retire, not being able to rejoin his regiment again till after
the fall of Atlanta. He was then in command of the 25th and
present with it again till the day before the army moved out
from Nashville against the rebel forces that lay before that
city, when he was granted a sick leave of absence and had left,
much to his regret, that he had been unable to take a share in
that great battle. Soon afterwards the 25th Michigan was
transferred from its operations in Tennessee to North Carolina,
by the way of Washington, where he again rejoined the regiment
about the first of February, 1865, and continued in command
of it until the close of the war.
Of his post bellum career but little need be said. It forms
but a short chapter, ending in a shocking tragedy, while
earnestly engaged in the public service. It is now nearly a
generation since that sad occurrence transpired, and it is still
fresh in the minds of many of the citizens of Kalamazoo.
He was again elected to the office of Sheriff in the county
in 1866, and on the following January took in charge the then
county jail — an old, dilapidated and very insecure structure,
requiring constant guarding to safely keep the prisoners con
fined there from breaking out.
Towards the latter part of 1867 several desperate characters
were confined in the jail, and were members of a gang that
were still at large and bent on the release of their confederates
in prison. An attempt was made by the gang early on the
morning of December 3. The noise of the outsiders in their
work aroused Col. Orcutt, who, as always, prompt in the line
of duty, was immediately out and after those whom he supposed
were escaping prisoners. In the darkness he followed closely

LIEUT. COL. BENJAMIN F. ORCUTT. 375
upon two persons, whom he ordered to halt. But they soon
separated, leaving but one for him to follow up. After firing
two ineffectual shots at him, the criminal turned at the head of
the alley near the jail, shot the colonel with deadly effect, and
made his escape. He got up, walked back to the jail, and
when his wife asked him if he had killed the prisoner, said,
"No, but I think he has killed me." And so it was, for after a
few days of intense suffering he ceased to breathe on the 12th
of December, 1867.
Thus ended the life of a useful and patriotic citizen in his
devotion to duty, and as a war-horse, died in the harness. The
public fully appreciated his value as a citizen and an officer by
closing up and draping in mourning all places of business and
turning out in an immense concourse in attendance to pay
their respects in the last sad rites at the funeral and burial
services. He was married in 1855 to Miss E. A. Swaddle of
Charleston, who, with his three sons, still survive him.

376 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

ERRATA.
On page 79 the word "Glasco" should read "Glasgow."
On page 95 the same correction. '
On page 83, 12th line from the top, the word "enemy"
should read "advance." i
On page 179 the word "Terrible" should read "Terrill,"
and "Willrich" should read "Willich."
On page 153 the words "Uncle Ben" should read, "Capt.
Demarest." On page 204 the word "Tuesday," should read "Sunday."
On page 257 the word "fifth" should read "sixth."

APPENDIX.

377

l^* tt?^ t&* t£* t£* t£™* t£* tip* %&* 1£* &* X^* W^* K&* Id?*1 1^* ^*
J APPENDIX, i

The following is the Roster of the 25th Michigan Infantry,
compiled from the various reports of the Adjutant General of
the State, which I have followed for the reason that nothing
better was within my reach. Although aware that the list is
far from perfect, I give it as I find it. I have, been able to get
corrections made only upon Companies A, B, E and H; the
others stand as reported.
NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.

SERGEANT MAJORS.

Edward M. Prutzman,
George W. Finlay,
Abner Vandyke,
Charles Woodruff,
Loren C. Hill,
Louis D. Roberts,

September 11, 1862
February 6, 1863
June 17, 1863
January 14, 1864
April 2, 1864
January 1, 1865

HOSPITAL STEWARDS.

Philip D. Miller,
Dirk Van Raalte,
Charles W. Bassitt,

September 11, 1862
November 1, 1864
April 13, 1865

QUARTERMASTER SERGEANTS
Edwin R. Wilbur,
Ashbel W. Snyder, 1 COMMISSARY SERGEANTS

September 11, 1862
November 1, 1864

John S. Conant,
Wm. C. Wooley,.

September 11, 1862
April 7, 1863

378 TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.
COMPANY A.
KILLED IN BATTLE OR DIED FROM WOUNDS. 1864

VV . X. VV dlllll^LUll,
W. O. Van Wie,

J U11C LA., J.UVJ1:
July 16, 1864

Abraham Kelly,

August 20, 1864

DIED OF DISEASE

Orlando Crocker,

November 21, 1862

E. H. Collins,

December 8, 1862

Charles H. Beardsley,

December 22, 1862

Perry Acker,

January 8, 1863

Jeremiah Brand, -

January 16, 1863

Win, H. Hurd,

January 18, 1863

Wm. H. Tower,

January 19, 1863

Qscar Terry,

- January 21, 1863

Silas Perkins,

January 24, 1863

Richard Martin,

February 1, 1863

E. B. Kennedy,

February 1, 1863

Elias E. Curtis,

- February 11, 1863

Gilbert S. Clark,

February 19, 1863

John Hess,

March 19, 1863

S. S. Chapin,

January 7, 1864

John A. Quick,

January 14, 1864

DISCHARGED.

Nelson Rogers,

October 16, 1862

James D. Wicks,

November 16, 1862

Geoge H. Rose,

February 19, 1863

Gabriel Sanders,

February 21, 1863

Cornelius Segur, -

February 21, 1863

Alexander Cummings,

February 21, 1863

Bela F. Putnam,

May 5, 1863

V. R. Whittaker,

May 8, 1863

Mayhlon Probasco,

May 9, 1863

Mortimer McKinney,

May 13, 1863

Eliot Headington,

May 14, 1863

Henry Griffin,

June 13, 1863

Abner Van Dyke (promoted to Sergt.

Major), January 14, 1864

APPENDIX.

379

Amos B. Taylor,
Charles Storey,
Silas H. Lynn,
David Burger,
Charles A. Norris,
Benjamin F. Brown,
Wm. Allen,
Wm. Ryan,

August 25, 1864
December 2, 1864
May 11, 1865
May 27, 1865
June 3, 1865
July 3, 1865
July 18, 1865
July 19, 1865

TRANSFERRED TO VETERAN RESERVE CORPS.
J. C. Clemons, July 20, 1863
Orville S. Ely, July 20, 1863
Seneca North, - July 20, 1863
Orville Pike, July 20, 1863
Charles D. Burt. December 15, 1863
J.F. Blodgett, February 15, 1864
MUSTERED* OUT AT THE CLOSE OF WAR.

Josiah Alley,
Hiram Blake,
John Brainard,
Benjamin Brand,
John Brewer,
Orlando Brown,
Henry S. Bums,
Charles D. Burt,
Andrew Bush,
James Carr,
Frank W. Chase,

Geo. Chushman,
Geo. Eliston,
Uriah Fairchilds,
Silas Fry,
Newton V. Gregory,
Wm. Harrington,
James Kelly,
Lewis C. Killam,
James Kincaid,
Thomas Morey,

Arby D. Ogden,
Dennis Reardon,
Daniel Spotts,
Henry J. Sykes,
J. O. F. Warner,
Reason Watts,
Charles W. Wells,
Wm. O. Wells,
Chauncey C. Wicks,
Wm. J. Yourex.

COMPAIMY B. *
KILLED IN BATTLE OR DIED FROM WOUNDS.

George W. White,
Isaac J. Lovell,
Joseph Antcliff,
Moses Buck (killed by guerrillas),
"Wfn. A. Francisco,

- May 14, 1864
August 6, 1864
October 15, 1864
November 27, 1864
December 16, 1864

380

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

DIED OF DISEASE.
Amerie Joslyn,
Charles M. Benton,
Wm. L. Caper,
John A. Wright,
John P. Ingalls,
Silas Aldrich (accidental wounds),
Ezra E. Dibble,
Mortimer L. Green,
Wm. J. Slayton,
George Houser (drowned),
Edward McLain,
Marshall King,
Joel Rennells, Jr.,
Harmon W. More,
Joseph Berry,

DISCHARGED.

Elijah Purdy,
Solomon W. Copper,
Wm. H. Currier,
Wm. J. Just,
Irving W. Moe,
James R. Davis,
Warren F. Houghton,
Joseph Blatt, .
Wm. J. Murray,
Albert Moore,
Calvin Winchell,
Charles Hart,
Anson H. Northway,
Frank Demion,
Ammi Jaquay,
Zadock S. Howe,
George Hart,

November 14, 1862
December 1, 1862
- January 3, 1863
March 5, 1863
March 19, 1863
April 8, 1863
April 13, 1863
May 15, 1863
July 22, 1863
October 27, 1863
May 6, 1864
May 30, 1864
July 8, 1864
August 1 , 1864
December 8, 1864
November 26, 1862
November 30, 1862
January 1, 1863
January 16, 1863
March 9, 1863
March 24, 1863
May 14, 1863
.August 25, 1864
May 3, 1865
May 13, 1865
May 13, 1865
May 30, 1865
May 31, 1865
June 7, 1865
- June 17, 1865
June 19, 1865
June 30, 1865

APPENDIX. 381
TRANSFERRED TO VETERAN RESERVE CORPS.
H. G. Bentley, July 19, 1863
Seth M. Moore, July 19, 1863
Charles W. Haight, - ' July 19, 1863
Levi Burrows, - July 19, 1863
Phineas M. Brooks, -» - July 19, 1863
M. A. Eldridge, July 19, 1863
Orin Ford, July 19, 1863
F. G. Haight, July 19, 1863
Henry Helmer, July 19, 1863
George D. Thornton, July 19, 1863
Judson C. Bentley, July 19, 1863
Jacob A. Ford, - July 22, 1863
Wesley H. Knee, July 22, 1863
James H. Andrews, - v - July 22, 1863
Gieorge E. Williams, - July 22, 1863
George W. Cooper, February 15, 1864
Halbeck G. Bentley, February 15, 1864
MUSTERED OUT AT THE CLOSE OF WAR.
Malone Abbey, Wm. Demoran, Alvin D. Porter,
Frank C. Antcliff, Sanford Fish, George W. Purdy,
Jonathan C. Baker, Lagee M. Fish, David F. Randall,
George C. Bennett, George A. Hanks, Nelson B. Rich,
George Benton, George Hart, Armon J. Ring,
Obed W. Bernard, i£adoc.S. Howe, Charles W. Slayton,
Edgar Berry, Hiram H. Joles, Chester M. Slayton,
Edwin R. Berry, Frederick Louds, Newton N. Siriith,
Leander Berry, Thomas Murray, Thos. VanHoughtdn,
EdwinW.Blanchard, Henry Newton, Thomas Watson,
George W. Choate, Daru Northway, John R. White,
Henry M. Cutter, Warren Pond, Wm. H. Wood.
Oscar A. Day, COMPANY C.
KILLED IN BATTLE OR DIED FROM WOUNDS.
Stephen E. Gilbert (see page 71),
Geo. D. Mathers, May 14, 1864
Wm. Spink, May 14, 1864
Hart Granger, June 29, 1864

382

TWENTYLFIFTH MICHIGAN.

DIED OF DISEASE.
Wm. H. Dennison (a 12 year old drummer boy), January 15, 1863
John P. Roonee, February 16, 1863
Galen R. Rogers, February 17, 1863
Peter Humphrey, March 9, 1863
Ezra E. Dunn, March 20, 1863
Stephen Simons, - March 29, 1863
Elliot Chamberlin, - July 27, 1863
J. Shunkwiler, - April 21, 1864

DISCHARGED.

Richard Lawrence,

January 9, 1863

S. Phason,

February 24

1863

Michael Vanhusen,

March 10

1863

Wm. E. Patterson,

May 8

1863

Johnathan Mosier,

May 9

1863

Nottis Locknon,

June 16

1863

Abel Goddard,

June 16

1863

Noah St. John,

- June 16

1863

L. Perrin,

July 15

1863

Francis M. Dougherty,

September 21

1863

Solomon Wirrick,

December 21

1863

John A. Scheriner,

July 21

1864

Benjamin Wirrick,

May 22

1865

Simeon McUmber,

May 26

1865

Alfred 0. French,

May 29

1865

Geo. H. Kimmel,

May 31

1865

Milo G. Jennings,

June 2

1865

Francis Gano,

June 10

1865

Wm. B. Hartman,

June 23

1865

Samuel Kimmel,

June 29

1865

Wm. F. Olds,

July 2

1865

Milton Conley,

July 4

1865

Patrick E. O'Brien,

July 7

1865

John A. Kibler,

July 10

1865

Myron H. Roberts,

August 11

1865

APPENDIX.

383

TRANSFERRED TO
Benjamin F. Teather,
J. M. Daniel,
John Williams,
Delbs Reed,
Peter Bovee,
Wm. P. Richardson,
Isaac DeForest,
Ransom L. Butler,
Thaddeus Cady,
George Detwiler,
Abraham Long,
Andrew J. Tebbs,
John L. Gorham,
Wm. Dester,
Lester Taggert,
Nicholas Merritt,

VETERAN RESERVE CORPS. July 18, 1863
- July 18, 1863
July 18, 1863
July 18, 1863*
July 18, 1863
July 18, 1863
July 26, 1863
July 26, 1863
July 26, 1863
July 26, 1863
December 15, 1863
January 19, 1864
April 10, 1864
August 10, 1864
- June 12, 1865

MUSTERED OUT AT CLOSE OF WAR.
James B. Alden, Jesse Fisher, Henry P. Movier,
Orange L. Blake, Bethuel H. Friley, George W. Myers,
Levinius Bratt, James W. Granger, Philo Norton,
Josephus Brownell, Nathan Gilbert, Joel Pangburn,
Porter H. Buckley* Thomas J. Gilbert, Benjamin F. Potter,
Samuel C. Burke, Edwin S. Hadlock, Aaron Printivers,
Eli Helmick, Jonathan H. Ressler,
Wm. Hunter, R. H. Richardson,
Frank Jern, Wm. H. Shunkwiler,
Marion W. Jennings, Frederick Simons,
Albert Kniles, Samuel Statler,
Stephen E. Lappan, James M. Taylor,
Ambrose Dickerson, Lodowick C. Leeds, Charles E. Terriere,
Alanson Dickerson, Isaac P. Long, Wm. Trimble,
Renneslaer P. Ferris,Isaac Maddox, Peter M. VanHusen.

John A. Burke,
Reuben Calbetsor,
Eli N. Crabb,
Domain Curtis,
Thomas Daker,
Ralph Derin,

384

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

COMPANY D.

'. .

, KILLED IN

BATTLE OR DIED OF

WOUNDS.

Roswell Beebe,

July 4, 1863

Morgan Wallace,

July 4, 1863

Southard Perrin,

July 4, 1863
Henry Beebe,
August 22, 1863
Wm. Young,
May 14, 1864
Henry Hapman, ' -
May 25, 1864
Wm. H. Boughner,
July 16, 1864
Wm. Dewey (killed by
guerrillas),,
DIED OF DISEASE.
November 27, 1864
Samuel Fease,
-
December 3, 1862
Wm. Roberts,
January 16, 1863
Burton H. Wright,
t.
January 19,. 1863
Henry Liddle,
March 1, 1863
Wesley M. House,
March 5, 1863
Oscar H. Nottingham,
March 14, 1863
Benjamin S. Burritt,
-
March 28, 1863
J. S. Manning,
-
April 1, 1864
Amos W. Poorman,
-
June 13, 1864
Israel Palmer,
-
July 27, 1864
Wm. C. Hale,
August 7, 1864
Charles A. Parsons,
-
November 26, 1864
John L. Hard,
DISCHARGED.
November 28, 1864
David Early,
-
December 12, 1862
Joseph Detwiler,
December 18, 1862
Samuel P. Beck,
January 6, 1863
Hiram Lemon,
January 27, 1863
Edward Messenger,
-
February 5, 1863
Thomas Crossman,
February 16, 1863
Warren E. Green,
March 7, 1863
Jason B. Saylor,
March 12, 1863
Henry Tappan,
March 12, 1863
Daniel Kent,
March 19, 1863
Edward P. Whitmore,
March 25, 1863
APPENDIX. 385
J. Stecker, - March 24, 1864
Anson Lamport, August 1, 1864
Lafayette Cady, October 6, 1864
Gideon Beebe, - March 4, 1865
Orson Nelson, - May 4, 1865
Isaac Kline, May 15, 1865
Th.addeus Ralison, May 16, 1865
Henry Hale, May 31, 1865
Gillespie M. Parsons, June 10, 1865
Smith Jones, June 15, 1865
Stephen H. Kennedy, June 15, 1865
Samuel Shoemaker, June 28, 1865
Jonathan Walbert,
Jasper N. Shaw,
Walter Christian, June 30, 1865
TRANSFERRED TO VETERAN RESERVE CORPS.
Isaac DeForest, July 26, 1863
Ransom L. Butler, July 26, 1863
Thaddeus Cady, July 26, 1863
George W. Detwiler, July 26, 1863
Geo. A. Garrison, . December 15, 1863
Wm. Meess, . February 15, 1864
Simon Young, - February 15, 1864
Lester Taggart, August 10, 1864
Wm. L. Thomas, January 8, 1865
MUSTERED .OUT AT CLOSE OF WAR.
George N. Bass, Charles W. Hicks, Jacob Roote,
Joseph Beck, Erastus H. Hicks, Colvin J. Roote,
Emery Blossom, Horace Keyes, Ebenezer W. Rich,
Charles Buck, Charles M. Liddle, Martin V. Shears.
Thomas Cornwell, Clarence Lomison, Jacob N. Shoecraft,
Charles Clement, Sylvest'r McDonald, John C. Sigler,
David H. Dunham, David McKibby, Charles A. Taylor,
Levi Eneig, James McClane, Jubel W. Thomas,
Daniel W. Fease, H. M. Nottingham, Bruce C. Wilcox,
Darius H. Gilbert, Johri A, Poorman, Lemuel B; Welch,
Andrew Gorigwer, Andrew Pringle, Frank Youngs.

386

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

- DIED OF DISEASE.

DISCHARGED.

COMPANY E.
KILLED IN BATTLE OR DIED FROM WOUtfDS.
Geo. W. Hicks, July 22, 1863
Moses E. Kellet (killed in railroad accident), November 5, 1864
18621862
1863186318631863
1863
1863186418641865
18621863
1863
1863186.3- 1863 1863 1863
18631863 1863
18631863
1863 1864
18641865
18651865
1865

John Fenn,
George W. Allen,
Samuel Dupee,
Henry H. Hathaway,
Walter Parish,
Jno. W,heatoni
Henry Upton,
Barton Bailey,
George F. Martin,
Wm. L. Hoag,
Oliver H. Blanchard,
Philander Delano,
John Galligan,
George S. Wilson,
Charles Garlock, <
Russell S. Rice,
Alonzo Johnson,
Parks Heath,
Francis Woodworth,
Ulysses. D. Wheaton,
Aaron Button, -
Martin Bailey,
Henry G. Phillips,
Charles Bradley,
Joseph Gault,
Paul R. Baldy,
Robert Hopkins,
Charles Hicks,
Solon Pierce,
Frederick Dinstitt,
Wm. S. Rosecrans,
Wm. O. Sible,

November 23
December 2
January 25
January 27
March 16
April' 16
November 12
December 6
February 3
September 17
January 23
November 14
January 12
•January 20
February 3
February 5
February 9
April 13
April 13
April 26
- April 26
April 26
September 14
November 1
December 7
October 27
December 11
May 20
June 27
June 28
July 12

' ¦ APPENDIX, 387
TRANSFERRED TO VETERAN RESERVE CORPS.
Daniel W. Billings, July 20, 1863
Guy A. Culver, July 20, 186.3
Emmet Fulton, July 20, 1863
Ashbel W. Tyler, December 'it, 1863
Orin D. White, February 15, 1864
Alanson Young, February 15, 1864
Wilson Bradley, ..,,, April 10, 1864
Henry, Billings, April 10, 1864
, MUSTERED OUT AT CLOSE OF WAR. ¦
Richard Adams, Aaron W. Jenkins, Henry Schroder,
Eli Anders, Harry King, Charles Shook,
Edward Ashton, John G. Milliman, Abram L. Smith,
Richard W.Baxter, John H. Payne, James O. Smith, •
Luther Bristol, Cyrus A. Pierce, Haden Strong,
Seaman S. Bristol, Washington Pierce, L. W. Thompson,
Ed. B. Dewey, Joshua Potter, Philip Titus,
Homer N. Elwell, Thomas W. Preston, George Ward,
John V. Hardy, Reuben A. Roundy, Wm. Ward. »
E. C. Hathaway, Nathan Scholfield,
COMPANY F.
KILLED IN BATTLE OR DIED FROM WOUNDS.
Peter G. Cuddeback, July 4, 1863
Perry Day, - ' May 12, 1864
John, Wright, May 14, 1864
Don. A. Clark, December 25, 1864
Lpuis Lushbaugh, (blown up on the steamer "Sultana," while
returning home from prison, after the close of the war).
, , DIED OF DISEASE.
Ira O. Colby, - January 1, 1863
Isaac McDaniels, January 16, 1863
Aaron Miller, - January 19, 1863
Lewis -Quick, February 8, 1863
Jesse Sheridan, February 18, 1863
Joshua. C. Ro^elle, February 25, 1863
Wm. Slater, March 16, 1863
Benjamin F. Bradley, - June 7, 1863
H. B. M. Adams, February 20, 1864
Cyrus Wright, June 24, 1864

388

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

DISCHARGED.

James Fallon,

February 4, 1863

Franklin C. Snow,

February 5, 1863

Levi Hoover,

April 4, 1863

Frederic W. Doane,

April 23, 1863

Kellison Collins,

April 24, 1863

Henry F. Kimmel (forjfpromotion),

James McQuirk,

August 28, 1863

Arbuth M. Nott,

Sep'tember 4, 1863

Michael Wood (insane),

October 28, 1863

Thomas E. Sheridan,

November 21, -1863

Henry Gorman,

December 7, 1863

Frederick Thaldorf,

December 22, 1864

Thomas Quigley,

January 26, 1865

Henry King,

May 16, 1865

John J. Garrison,

June 6, 1865

Nathaniel 'Meridith,

June 14, 1865

George Bement,

June 26, 1865

James Edgin, <-

July 5, 1865

TRANSFERRED TO VETERAN RESERVE CORPS.
Nathan Williams, - March 20, 1863
John G. McClary, Jiily 20, 1863
Emery Olwell, July 20, 1863
J. Sharp, July 20, 1863
Ephraim Wellwood, July 20, 1863
Marens Tuttle, January 15, 1864
Byron W. Earle, February 15, 1864
Geo. C. Inman, - February 15, 1864
John Mears, February 15, 1864
Isaac Smith, February 15, 1864
Jerry Doolin, April 10, 1864
David Bachelor, May 1, 1864
Thomas Woods,

APPENDIX.

389

MUSTERED OUT AT CLOSE

Thomas D. Bimes,
John Bourke,
Henry Brennan,
Chas. H. Burbank,
John Davis,
Morris B. Frisbie,
Levi C. Goodrich,
Wm. Gray,
J. M. Hastings,

John W. Inman,
Wm. Lakey,
Edwin G. Loucks,
Leroy LaMunion,
John W. McKie,
Henry McFarren,
Wm. L. Otwell,
Thos, O'Callahan,
Andrew J. Painter,
COMPANY G.

OF WAR.
H. M. Richardson,
James P. Starr,
Charles F. Serviss,
John P. Titsworth,
Orson W. Warner,
Joel F. Warner,
Julius C. Webb,
Joseph Webb,
John Wing.

KILLED IN BATTLE OR DIED FROM WOUNDS.
None.

DIED OF DISEASE.

Sidney M. Stickney,
John Forste, -
Edward T- Bolton,
Samuel Fitch,
Augustus Kaiser,
Francis C. Koch,
R. J. E. Bailey,
J. K. Van Sickle,
Wm. Cramp,
Hugh Wallace,
Edwin O'Harrow,
Charles Smith,
Wm. Scott,
James M. Snyder,
Cyrus Judson,
Allen Wescott,
James M. Walton.
Orlan P. Cook,
W. C. Porter,
Charles F. Johnson,

DISCHARGED.

October 30, 1862
November 14, 1862
December 17, 1862
March 8, 186,3
March 12, 1863
April 7, 1863
April 18, 1863
April 23, 1863
April 24, 1863
May 10, 1863
September 7, 1863
October 19, 1863
July 18, 1864
August 8, 1864
January 30, 1863
January 30, 1863
February 3, 1863
September 23, 1863
October 9, 1863
May 19, 18^5

390

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

John H. Cole,

...

May 24, 1865

George L. Wheeler,

¦ •

. • May 31, 1865

Wm. H. LeSeur, —

-

June 14; 1865

Joseph Colisi, ..•-

June 20, 1865

Francis Bell.

-

June 27, 1865

Augustavius Kuser,

.-.,..

July.8, 1865

Charles H. Howe,

-  -

- July 10, 1865

George Garth,

- -

July 12, 1865

TRANSFERRED TO VETERAN RESERVE CORPS.

Frank Hendricksori

.'

July 19, 1863

Joseph Fager,

*¦ ^~ * -

July 19, 1863

Richard Catherman

»

- July 19, 1863

George J. Heckelman,

September 3, 1863

Daniel 0. Thorpe,

,:-.

November 15, 1863

H. L. Styman,

December 15, 1863

Henry L. Cooper,

December. 15, 1863

MUSTERED OUT AT CLOSE

OF WAR.

Jacob Appleman,

Wenal Dupuis,

Edward-Millard,

George Barks,

Barnard Eckard,

Chas. S. Newell,

Lovinski< Beefs,

Wm. Ferry,

Lewis •Nieman, „.

Whi. H. Benman,

James K. Franklin,

Wesley Noe,1 ¦

John J. Bennett,

George B. Harker,

Benj. Oswaldt,

Peter Biglev

Eli Hartman,

Wm. T. Paul,

John Bigle,

Charles W. Hiles,

Wellington- Smith, ,

Wm. Bird,

Henry J. Horn,

Welton Smith, •

Robert H. Buck, '

Eli Houts,

Stephen P. Snyder,

Benj. B. Cronk,

Fernando Kenny,

John Steele,

Wm. H. Gummings,

Edward Laritz,

I. M. Vannorstrand,

Amos Dean,

Geo. H. Mahoney,

Franklin Wenchill,

Joseph Dean,

Jeff. P. McKay,

Abram V. Youles,

Isiah Doxie,

COMPANY H.
KILLED IN BATTLE OR DIED FROM WOUNDS.
Charles B. Wilson, May 14, 1864
Samuel B. Crooks, May 28, 1864
Edwin E. Hill, August.a, 1864
APPENDIX.

391

DIED OF DISEASE.

Charles Burdick,
George W. Walker,
Wm. H. Merrill,
E. B. McElhenny,
John W. Lee,
J. E. Sperry,

March 11
November 23
November 24
February 4
April 8
May 21

Alanson Billings (starved to death in prison), Sept. 26
Allen Rickhart, December 17
Timothy Riley, December 18
Leander Vining, March 9

DISCHARGED.

Smith Garry,
Leverett Crooks,
George W. Owen,
Albert S. Kellogg,
Joseph Fish,
Robert L. Campbell,
G. W. Biddlecome,
Warren Vandenbefg,
Levi Drummond,
Billings Odell,
Sylvester R: Bently,
Job S. Sheldon,
Henry Passage,
W. P. Biddlecome,
James A. Bryant,
Wm. H. Cook;
Henry B, Crooks,
Charles K. Cronk,
Charles Odell,
Wm. Fanckboner,
Wm. H. Perrin,
Wm. Bennett,
James D. Abbott,
Julius D. Pulcipher,
Asa Bushnell, -
Elmer Wells,
Floyd W, Kingsley,

December 5
January 1
- January 1
January 17
January 20
January 30
February 8
February 10
February 14
- March 2
March 2
March 11
April .18
April 25
September 10
March 4
April 23
November 17
November 1,8
May 13
May 15
- May 18
May 22
June 8
June 20
. - June 27
June 29

1863
1863 1863 1864
1864 18641864 1864
1864
1865 18621863
1863 18631863 1863
1863 1863
1863 1863
1863
1863 1863
186318631864
1864.1864186418651865
1865186518651865 1865
1865

392

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

TRANSFERRED TO VETERAN RESERVE CORPS.

Anson Bonfoey,
Peter E. Deal,
Francis M. Forbes,
Charles C. Hill,
Theodore Worthington,
Hugh McDonald,
A. L. Bush,
J. Prentice,
James McDonald, -
Ezra C! Johnson,
Franklin Forbes,
Wm. H. Cook,

July 31, 1863
July 31, 1863
- July 31, 1863
July 31, 1863
July 31, 1863
August 15, 1863

January 15, 1864
February 15, 1864
September 2, 1864
January 23, 1865

MUSTERED OUT AT CLOSE OF WAR.

Bishop E. Andrews,
Joseph Belonger,
Ammi M. Bennett,
Jonas Booth,
Evelyn M. Bramble,
David O. Coleman,
Joseph Cook,
Joseph Crow,
C. W. Devenport,

Charies Forbes,
James H. Hope,
John Isanhart,
Jabe W. Kendall,
John C. Latham,
Eugene A. Latta,
Hector. Nicholson,
Nathaniel Reed,
Mark Reynolds,
COMPANY I.

Ebenezer Root,
Moses Seeber,
Jared A Stevens,
Charles E. Walker,
Wm. H. Ware,
Wm. Williams,
Jerome Williams,
Charles Whipple,
Robert Wright,

KILLED IN BATTLE OR DIED FROM WOUNDS
Peter Versure (first man killed),
Cornelius VanDam,
A. Jonker,
Otto Boote (killed by guerrillas),

July 4, 1863
May 14, 1864
August 7, 1864
November 27, 1864

DIED OF DISEASE.

Airie Rot,
W. W. Hoslings,
George W. Alleyn,
S. H. Harmon,

November 22, 1862
December 28, 1862-,
February 25, 1863
March 24, 1863

APPENDIX.

Isiah Crofoot,
Wm. Ledabaer,
Wulf VanAppledorn,
M. Jansen, r
J. H. Crofoot,
Robert F. Thompson,
James M. Haadley,
Richard M. Andrews,
Thomas Haner,
Franklin Devereaux,
Wm. VanPatten,
A. VanWalsen,
Charles T. Post (promoted
Ulke Devies,
Cornelius Christian,
Henry Evertz,
Peter D. York,
C. Kamhout,
John Heizinga,
Dirk Stegenga,
Hendrek Donker,
Roelof Veen,
Gerrit VanSchelevan,
Reuke DeVrees,
Jan P. Oggle,

393
May 10, 1863
May 12, 1863
November 2, 1863
March 23, 1864
June 26, 1864
October 3, 1864

DISCHARGED.

January 1, 1863
April 11, 1863
September 30, 1863
October 12, 1863
December 11, 1863
December 26, 1863
to commission in 35th Kentnckj), February 9, 1964
April 25, 1864
March 1, 1865
May 23, 1865
May 24, 1865 •
May 31, 1865
May 31, 1865
June 5, 1865
June 12, 1865
- June 21, 1865
June 23, 1865
July 1, 1865
July 24, 1865

TRANSFERRED TO VETERAN RESERVE CORPS.
Joseph Crowfoot, July 26, 1863
Wm. McFall, August 10, 1863
Frederick Walter, August 10, 1863
John Kreiger, - November 1, 1863
Adrian Verhage, February 15, 1864
Peter Ellen, - January 10, 1865
Peter VanLenevan, February 10, 1865

394

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

MUSTERED OUT AT CLOSE OF WAR.

John Abrams,
Benjamin Adams,
John G. Albers,
H. Barrendredt,
Marinus Blom,
Wm. Blom,
Jan Bonoer,
Arend Browef,
Peter DeFuyter,
C. DeKruif,
Pieter DeVries,
Klaas DyKhuis,
John D. Everhart,
Wm. Frick,

John Grotenhuis,
Darwin C. Huff,
Ari Konig,
Jan Nabor,
Nelson W. Ogden,
Jan Pelon,
Abraham Peltion,
Allen Reenders,
Thomas Revel,
Louis P. Seeley,
James Sherman,
Jan Steketee,
H. Tersleighter,
J. Thompson,

C. VanDenHerder,
Fred., Vanderbett,
M. VanDerluster,
H. VanDyk,
J. VanLente, ,
B. VanRaalte,
M. VanRegenmerter,
Pieter Vee.nekblaser,
Jost Verplank,
Gustavus Vining,
Wm. Walker,
Geert Wesseling,
John Wilterdink.

COMPANY K.
KILLED IN BATTLE OR DIED FROM WOUNDS. ,
James L. Slater, July 4, 1863
Evart Wirt, May. 9, 1864
John Weaver, May 14, 1864
Alvertus Wray, March 10, 1865

DIED OF DISEASE.
John C. Spinrietta (first death),
Andrew Juda,
Casper .Beechnor,
Volney O. Vandenburg, >-
W. C. DeArmand,
James Penwell,
O. J. Chinn,
Wm. J. Henderson,
Frank Watson,
George Pierce,
Charles. R. Carr (died in rebel prison),
Rodney Knight, -

- October 7, 1862
October, 8, 1862
November 22, 1862
February 11, 1863
- February 20, 1863
March. 11, 1863
March 31, 1863
September, 11, 1863
May 11, 1864
May ,25, 186.4
August 16, 1864
January 4, 1865

•APPENDIX. 395

DISCHARGED.

David Bonner,

November 11, 1862

Peter Quinn,

January 1, 1863

Jacob Shruler,

Date unknown

Philip Walworth,

Date unknown

Joseph Fuller,

Date unknown

Zenith Strong,.

-.Date unknown

F. G. M. Holmes,

Date unknown

Charles Cochren,:

Date unknown

Joseph C. Harris;

January 3, 1863

Aaron P. Beck,

January 6, 1863

Ambrose Dickinson,

January 6, 1863

F. B. Fancher,

January 15, 1863

Oscar Woodwortb,

-' January 15, 1863

John A. Sperry,

January 15, 1863

James S. Lee,

January 15, 1863

W. P. Wood,

February 6, 1863

Hiram Walcott,

February 10, 1863

Henry Beecham,

March 2, 1863

Wm. H. Hanover,

March 3, 1863

H. Wells,

September 1, 1863

E. Terry,

Emery F. Ferry,

February, 1864

George Furray,

May 7, 1865

Noah M. Wilter,

May 18,. 1865

George H. Watson,

, May 26, 1865

James M. Rose,

May 30, 1865

Emmet D. Fotten,

May 31, 1865

Geo. W. Calvin, -

June 15, 1865

Noah Weaver,

June 23, 1865

Nathan Pratt,

June 29, 1865

John Boyce, -

July 7, 1865

TRANSFERRED

TO VETERAN, RESERVE CORPS.

Andrew Graham,

July 21, 1863

John S. Gordon,

July 21, 1863

A. Ewerts,

. July 21, 1863

396

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

Emereth Wray,
Samuel Washburn,
Lewis B. Force,
Charles W. Fancher,
Oliver Greenel,
Jacob Garlinger,
Wm. Inglewright,
Andrew Conradt,
Harvey C. Judson,
A. Randall,
Hiram Dunham,
Nathan Pratt,

- July 21,

1863

July 21,

186.3

July 26,

1803

July 26,

1863

December 15,

1863

January 15,

1864

January 15,

1864

January 15,

1864

February 15,

1864

February 15,

1864

April 10,

1864

July 29,

1864

MUSTERED OUT AT CLOSE OF WAR.

Simon P. Aldrich,
Wm. Conradt,
James A Cook,
Nathan Dodds,
Wm. R. Gonder,
Warren J. Harris,

Charles W. Strong,
John Z. Swanger,
John Taylor,
Timothy J. Wade,
Wm. H. Walworth,
David Washburn,
John Washburn,

David Hill,
Henry Homer,
Wm. W. Kompton,
Wm. McDaniei,
James Meeker,
Robert Norris,
Harvey H. Haskins, Ben. N. Redding,
Martin N. Helmes, Henry Rundell,
324 men returned home, besides four of non-commissioned
staff. Total, 328.
The following list, (mostly.recruits), who had an unexpired
time to serve, were transferred to the 25th Michigan Infantry
on the twenty-fourth of June, 1865:
COMPANY A.
George Hadcock, James D. Wicks.
COMPANY C.
Geo. Mallison, Charles S. Mead, Nathan Smith,
Wm. R. Place, Jarmin H. Whipple.
COMPANY D.
Fox Albert, Wm. H. Jones, Jonathan Stuck-
COMPANY E.
1 Horace Wheaton (original soldier).

APPENDIX.

397

COMPANY F.
John Flinn, Levi Hoover.
COMPANY H.
Jackson C. Allen, Hiram Glassbrook, 'Charles C. Philips.
COMPANY I.

Stephen Beebe,
Hendrick Bos,
» Cornelius Bowman,
Abe Burrema,
Samuel L. Collier,
Mafinus DeFuyter,
Garret S. Doesbyrg,
John Dunnink,
John P. Dykemar
Albert Edding,
Hendrick Foren,

Edward Freetze,
Jacob Grabbel,
Garrit J. Hesseling,
Peter Hoozer,
Bunnard Klaies,
Johannes Lamois,
Donald McRae,
Marinus Moulder,
Roelof Ostemo,
John Rodgers,
Peter Rookes,
COMPANY K.
James H. Snodgrass.
OFFICERS MUSTERED OUT JUNE 24, 1865, AND WHO RETURNED
WITH THE REGIMENT.
Col. Orlando H. Moore, Lieut. Col. Benjamin F. Orcutt,
Asst. Surgeon Philip D. Miller, Chaplain Albert L. Payson,
Surgeon Bdliver Barnum, Quartermaster John M. Ridlon,
Adjritant Charles Woodruff,

John R-uppel,
Jacob Smets,
Henry Vanderbilt,
Tanne Vanderbosh,
Martin Vanderbride,
B. Vanderzwaang,
H. VanLester,
G. P. VonTongern,
John D. Vork,
Gerret Walker,
Jarren Woltman.

Captain Edwin Childs,
Captain Martin DeBoe,
Captain Samuel L, Demarest,
Captain John Gilchrist,
Captain John B. Haiidy,
Captain Clarence M. Howe,
Captain Henry McCreary,
Captain Irving Paddock,
Captain John Henry Wells,

1st Lieut. Henry Bond,
1st Lieut. Velorus A. Bryant,
1st Lieut. Joseph L. Carlisle,
1st Lieut. Wm. Cole,
1st Lieut. Henry Hill,
1st Lieut. Lorin C. Hill,
1st Lieut. John Kramer,
1st Lieut. Harvey C. Lambert,
1st Lieut. Benjamin F. Travis,

1st Lieut. Edwin R. Wilbur.

B98

TWENTY-FIFTH MICHIGAN.

OFFICERS RESIGNED.
Major DeWitt C. Fitch,
Capt. Frank T. Sutton,
Capt. Charles E. McCallisfer,
Capt. Julius C. Cross, - • ¦ -j ¦ ¦¦ - •
Capt. Hiram Cook,
Capt. Wm. Fulkerson,
1st Lieut. Edwin F. Kimriel,
1st Lieut. Frank R. Chase,
2d Lieut. Jacob O. Doesburg,
2d Lieut. Samuel Fisher,
3d Lieut. Morris J. Frink,
2d Lieut. John Gilbert,
2d Lieut. Asa W. Slayton,
2d Lieut, Arthur M. Twombly, OFFICERS DIED,
Capt. Wm. E. Dowd,
1st Lieut. Franklin D. Weaver,
OFFICERS KILLED.
Adjt. Edwin M. Prutzihan,

- April 12, 1864
March 4, 1863
March 11, 1863
April 7, 1863
December 9, 1863
April 17, 1865
September 23, 1864
November 14, 1863
February 6^ 1863
February 16, 1863
- October 29, 1863
April 25, 1864
' June .19, 1864
September 18, 1864
February 17, 1863
April 2, 1864
May 14, 1864

OFFICERS TRANSFERRED INTO INVALID CORPS.
Capt. Martin V. McKinney, - July 26, 1863
OFFICERS HONORABLY DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY.
Chaplain Albert L.. Payson (must have been restored again as
he was mustered out with the regiment), February 23, 1864
Asst. Surgeon Francis M.. Oakley, February 23, 1864
Asst. Surgeon John N. Gregg, October 23, 1864
Capt. Jacob Ewalt, : - - October 28, 1864
Capt. Spencer L.. Lansing, , October 28, 1864
Capt. John Tennant, , ¦» - - June 14, 1864
1st Lieut. John Gilchrist (re-enlisted, promoted and mustered
out as Captain of Co, K), - - June 24, 1864
1st Lieut. Orange Bugbee, - ¦ April 21, 1864
1st Lieut. Gideon Frisbee, . - September 24, 1864
1st Lieut. Albert Wager, , . - - October 28, 1864
2d Lieut. John Conant, - - February 23, 1864

' APPENDIX. ' 399
2d Lieut. Alvin V. Cook, January 4, 1864
2d Lieut. Darius D. Thorp, October 28, 1864
2d Lieut. Geo. W. Finlay (commissioned as 1st Lieutenant in
30th Michigan Infantry), December 31, 1864
2d Lieut. James A. Sage (of wounds received in battle of Utoy
Creek), November 30, 1864
2d Lieut. Norris H. Merrill (disabled by loss of hand in battle
of Utoy Creek), August 6, 1864
Charles B. Pratt, captain of Co. A, was placed upon
detached duty in July or August, 1863, and was absent thence
forward until after the close of the war. Discharged August
6, 1864. I have no means of getting at the accurate number in the
Black List, but can figure up 39 — and, as but few of their names
are within my reachj I '"forbear to give any of them. They
were made up of men who had a vast amount of courage in
their knees, and were, correspondingly weak in the heart, —
couldn't serve two masters at the same time, and, in the
question of their country and themselves, preferred the latter
and served their cause accordingly.

400

TWENTY-FIFTH MI'CHIGAN.

"Old Glory" in triumph still waves.