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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC l"RARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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The DOth O. V. I. Colors, as brought Iroin tlie war. Taken at Camp Dennison, O., June 18(55. The center niai: is D. C. Goodwin ; the one on his left is Jacob S. Cockerill; the one on his rij^ht is Andrew Irvin. The latter has been dead some years. The others are living in 11H)2.
ONLY AN OLD TATTERED FLAG.
Only an old tattered flag,
But still heaven never smiled upon banner so brightly before.
'Tis the emblem of freedom, the hope of our nation,
The flag of our country and it we adore.
Only a weather-stained piece of bunting,
Only a rag I hold to view.
But by it's power I conquered the lion,
And bound him with threads of the red, white and blue.
Only a remnant of that once mighty army. Only a few now remaineth with you. Only a few more years at most and that army Will camp no more 'neath the red, white and blue.
From a photo by H. O. Harden, 1900.
The 90th O. V. I. Monument at Chickamauga, Ga. This marks the posi- ion of the regiment from the afternoon of Sept. 19, 1863, until its withdrawal rom the field, Sept. 20, 18f)3. On the opposite page is the inscription on the >rpnze plate in the base of the Monument,
INSCRIPTION ON THE 90th MONUMENT.
This Regiment, Col. Charles H. Rippey commanding, be- came engaged on the 19th of September, 1863, about 12:30 P. M., in the south side of the Brock field, about 1200 yards east of the Lafayette Road. The fight lasted about two hours and was very hot. There was a cessation of firing for nearly two hours, during which it replenished ammunition. About 4:30 P. M. , there was an assault on the right flank of the Brigade. The regiment changed front to the right, made a successful charge and took some prisoners. It was then with- drawn by orders to the Rossville road.
September 20, 1863, from daylight till about 11 o'clock A. M., it was in the second line, a short distance in the rear of this position. At that time it relieved the regiment in the first line, and occupied this position till about 5:30 P. M., when it withdrew under fire, by orders, for Rossville.
Loss. — Killed, 7; wounded, 62; missing, 15; total, 84.
From a photo by H. O. Harden, 1900.
Position of the 90th O. V. I. at the battle of Chickamauga. The farthest monument is the 90th. The battery is the 1st Ohio. The scars in the pine tree, 6 feet from the ground, were made by Confederate shot.
THi'SivrYORK PUBLIC!.' i-^AR^
HISTORY
90th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
WAR OF THE GREAT REBELLION IN THE UNITED STATES, 1861 TO 1565
BY
H. 0. HARDEN
STOUTSYILLE, OHIO
PRESS OF FAIRFIELD -PICKAWAY NEWS. APRIL 1902
THE i:za yc: X 61384B
DEDICATION.
THIS volume is dedicated to my comrades who died on the field of battle; in hospital and prison pens ; to those who have died since the war ; to those who are yet living ; to our brave and loyal fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, wives and sweethearts who so nobly stood by us and our flag
during the great Civil War.
H. O. Harden,
Pres. 90th O. V. I. Association. 3
OFFICERS
OF THE
90th O. V. I. ASSOCIATION — 1901-2.
H. O. Harden, President Stoutsville, O.
Thomas Parrish, Vice President Stella, O.
John W. Tritsch, Secretary-Treasurer Logan, O.
Capt. John S. Witherspoon , Chaplain Creola, O.
Mrs. S. M. Yeoman, Mother of the Regiment
Washington C. H. , O.
honorary members.
Mrs. a. R. Keller Lancaster, O.
Miss Helen Keller Lancaster, O.
Rev. E. Rose New Lexington, O.
David Jennings Atlanta . O.
Capt. U. R. Bending (Confederate).... Hallsville. O.
Dennis Piper Lancaster O.
M. J. DiLGER Colfax. O.
Mrs. Mary Flowers Columbus O.
Capt. Frank P. Muhlenberg, U. S. A. Galesburg. ^lich. Capt. E. R. Black, wife, and daughter,
Helen Leistville . O.
Capt. G. M. Eischelberger Jeffersonville, O.
Adam Brown (died) Starr, O.
Nathan Wilcox Jeffersonville, O.
R. S. Wilcox Hamdcn Junction , O.
General I. M. Kirby Upper Sandusky, O,
Dr. G. a. Harmon Lancaster, O.
Miss Mae Montgomery Logan, O.
J. E. Tritsch Logan . O.
George C. Angle Fulton, Kan.
Mrs. Jennie Ogle Washington C. H.,0.
Rev. Dr. C. B. Taylor Mc Arthur. O.
5
LIST OF BATTLEvS IN WHICH THE REGIMENT WAS ENGAGED.
Perryville, Ky Oct. 8, 1862.
Stone River, Tenn Dec. 31, 1862, Jan. 2, 1863.
Ringgold. Ga 1863.
Tullahoma Campaign Sept. 11, 1863.
Chickamauga, Ga Sept. 19 and 20, 1863.
Resaca, Ga May 14 and 15, 1864.
Kenesaw Mountain, Ga June 9-30, 1864.
Battle of Kenesaw Mountain June 27, 1864.
Nickajack Creek, Ga July 2-5, 1864.
Atlanta, Ga July 22, 1864.
Jonesboro, Ga August 31 to Sept. 1 , 1864.
Franklin, Tenn Nov. 30, 1864.
Nashville, Tenn Dec. 15-16, 1864.
Asheville, N. C April 6, 1865.
Besides the smaller engagements of Wild Cat, Ky, ; Burnt
Hickory, Ga. ; Bald Knob, Ga. ; Columbia Tenn., and al- most innumerable skirmishes.
A TRIBUTE TO THE 90th O. V. I.
BY GENERAIv I. M. KIKBY.
Upper Sandusky, O., December 26, ipoi. To the poth O.V.L:
I congratulate the "old boys" of the 90th Ohio, that at this late day there is to be printed their chap- ter in the history of our country. The historic era embraced in the years of 1861 and 1865 is more event- ful, fraught with impending consequences more im- portant to 'the well-being of our country, to the pro- tection of humanity, the advancement of civilization, than that contained in all the combined years preced- ing, save the seven eventful years that gave our coun- try existence. No men did more to make that his- tory glorious than did the men of the gallant old 90th. You made history as you trudged along on the weary march under the scorching rays of a southern sun, or through the rain and sleet and snow of winter, poorly clad, shelterless at night, with three days' rations of hard tack and bacon in the haversack to last five days. You made history as you stood alone in the silent mid- night watch of the lonely picket post. You made his- tory when you faced all day long the deadly storm of shot and shell, and with rigid muscles and undaunted spirit met the charging bayonet. You made history as you lay in the cheerless hospital suffering uncom- plainingly the torture of gaping wounds, the agony of burning fever without cooling drink or nourishing delicacy to soothe and strengthen the wasting body. You made history as you silently endured the horrors
7
8 General Kirhy's Tribute.
of rebel prison pens, indignantly refusing all offers of clemency that would break your allegiance. Glorious boys ! True to the last to country and flag !
When the marble shaft, commemorating the deeds of heroes shall have crumbled to dust, and the teeth of rust have eaten away the bronze tablet that tells of heroic deeds, your history will be told to the listening ears of children.
With fervent wish that your remaining years may be full of comfort, I am, with kindest regards,
Your comrade,
I. M. KiRBY.
From a war-time photo.
Col. Chas. H. Rippev. He IS now (1902) living in Los Angeles, Cal.
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS i
INTRODUCTION.
Dear Comrades :
The history of the grand old 90th O. V. I. has been talked of for years, and at our re-union at Stoutsville last September those in attendance were so enthusias- tic that action was taken, and by a unanimous vote the matter was left in my hands, with assurance of finan- cial aid. I have worked the enterprise through the Fairiield-Pickazvay Nezvs, the official organ of the 90th O. V. I. Association, of which I am the editor. I sent out return postal cards to all who do not take the paper, and to some who do. By this means, and by the assistance of many comrades, have succeeded in making it a success, and the history is a reality.
I have not asked financial aid, further than that subscribers pay for the book in advance. I assure you it was a difficult undertaking, after the lapse of forty years, to gather the material, and although I know it is not perfect, I believe it is as well done as possible by any one at this late date.
I have given the names of all who served in the regiment, with a brief note as to whether they were killed in battle ; were mortally wounded ; died of dis- ease ; were discharged for disability, and so far as pos- sible, whether captured or wounded ; and lastly, whether they were so fortunate as to serve their time, and were mustered out with the regiment, at Camp Harker, near Nashville, Tenn., June 13, i8'S5. These personal sketches had necessarily to be short.
9
10 Introduction.
As to the engravings, I have given war-time pic- tures, where they could be procured. I had intended to have a full page illustration for each, but so many of the boys did not respond for a book that I had to "cut the coat according to the cloth." I would have been glad to have given the picture of each subscriber, but that was out of the question, so have given those of the officers ; especially those who were killed ; some privates, to show how a "soldier boy" of 1861-5 looked ; also some who have been very prominently connected with the publishing of this book ; and the present officers of the 90th O. V. I. Association.
I give the names and postoffice addresses of all living members, so far as known.
A "roll of honor," containing the names of 234 of our dear comrades, who gave up their lives in de- fence of the flag; the place and date of death. This will recall to you sad memories.
The manner in which I have arranged the book I think the best. The history proper is in the form of a diary, interspersed with sketches and personal rec- ollections of the boys.
I have attempted to give only the history of the regiment. For the history of the war and its causes I refer you to other historians.
T have been aided very much by our Secretary, John W. Tritsch, of Logan, O.
In writing the diary, I am indebted to Comrades John Chilcote, of Sego, O., and W. G. IMauk, now dead, for their diaries kept while in the service.
I am indebted to so many of the comrades that I cannot name them all, but cannot refrain from men- tioning D. C. Goodwin, J. B. Rife, W. H. Strode, J. S. Cockerill, James Dobbins, Capt. William Felton,
Introduction. 11
Gen. I. M. Kirby, H. S. Brown — well, I must stop, but refer you to their sketches in the book. They speak for themselves, but I must mention Capt. F. P. Muhlenberg, who furnished me the original muster- in rolls.
I have verified dates as well as I could, and to some these may seem wrong, but I have placed the most reliance in records in writing, made at the time. No two persons saw the same thing alike.
I have put the book in a compact form, so as to bring the cost within the price. I could have written a thousand pages as well, and then not have told it all.
I now leave it for your perusal and criticism, but could you, or anyone else, have done better?
Now, comrades, I have done the best I could un- der the circumstances. I know you and your children will appreciate this little book, and that it will be read with interest long after its author and you have joined the comrades on the other shore.
God bless you all. God bless and protect the country for which you fought, and may *'01d Glory"^ never be lowered from a flag-staff in dishonor.
Your comrade,
H. O. Harden.
Stoutsville, O., January, 1902.
REGIMENTAL HISTORY.
The 90th Regiment, Ohio Vohinteer Infantry, was made up of 10 companies : Companies A and F, in Pickaway county ; Company B, in Vinton county ; Companies C and K, in Fayette county ; Companies D and I, in Fairfield county; Companies E and G, in Hocking county ; Company H, in Perry county.
August 29, 1862, the regiment was mustered into the United States service, by Capt. Frank P. Muhlen- berg (who is still living at Galesburg, Mich.), at Camp Circleville, Ohio. Its aggregate strength was 38 commissioned officers and 943 enlisted men, a to- tal of 981 men and officers; 126 recruits were after- ward assigned to the regiment, making a grand total of 1,107 ^^^^^ ^^^ officers. Of this number 236 were killed in battle, died of wounds and disease, while in the service. There were 468 men discharged from the service by reason of wounds and disease. There were mustered out June 13, 1865, 363 men who en- listed first, and with the 40 recruits mustered out at \^ictoria, Texas, the total mustered out was 403 out of 1,107, a loss of 64 per cent. About half of the men composing the regiment were 22 years of age; 16 per cent. 18 years and under. This is the age, on an aver- age.
There are now (Jan. i. 1902), living, as near as can be ascertained, 408. The longevity of so many is attributed to the fact that they were the flower of the land physically, and that since the war have lived tem- perate and moral lives, the most of the living members
12
pofh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. IB
being good Chiistian men, with several ministers among the number. The youngest of the men are now nearly 60 years old, while the oldest members are near 75, and the oldest one, we think, is Jacob Ulm, of Company F, who is nearly 80, having enlisted at the age of 44. He attended our reunion last fall at Stoutsville, Ohio, and is still living at Circleville, Ohio.
There is some misunderstanding as to the date when the regiment was mustered. The companies were mustered prior to the mustering of the regiment, and on dififerent dates, but the regiment, as a regiment, was mustered Friday, August 29, 1862.
Thirty-nine years — nearly forty — have elapsed since w^e assembled by companies at Camp Circleville, on the Evans farm, on the pike three miles southeast of Circleville. O., where quarters had 'been erected, 01 were being erected. Here all was hurry and excite- ment. Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, wives and sweethearts came to bid adieu to their loved ones, and, in many cases, here it was that they saw each other for the last time on earth. Can we, who are still liv- ing, ever forget those memorable scenes? They are printed on our memories with blood and tears, of hardships, privations and sorrow, and when we meet in our annual reunions is it any wonder that we dis- play a more than ordinary friendship for each other? And what led to these sacrifices? Was it money? No. There were none but could have made from three to ten times the pay of a soldier at home. Then you ask, again, was it the love of war, strife and blood- shed ? No. We were quiet, country lads, most of us, many of whom had never been fifty miles from home. It was the love of country which had been instilled in us, and we knew but one flag, one government and
14 History of the
one people — no North, no South, no East, no West. It was patriotism, pure and undefiled.
On the 29th day of -August, 1862, after the regi- ment had been mustered, or on the evening of that day, the regiment was formed in hne and marched three miles to the railroad depot at Circleville. What a long march it seemed, with our overcoats, extra clothing, guns and accoutrements. We boarded the cars about 9 o'clock p. m., our destination being the front. As we reached Washington C. H. bonfires were burning; the people, especially the ladies, loaded us with pies, cakes and other good things to eat. The train pulled out and we were again on our way to the front, ar- riving at Cincinnati on the morning of August 30, and disembarked. Many were strung along on Front street, on cellar doors, some sleeping, some already homesick, some having fun, until later, when we were ferried across the Ohio river to Covington, Ky., where it reported to Maj. Gen. Wright. Breakfast was served the regiment here. At 10 o'clock a. m. the regiment took up the march for the K. C. depot, and on its way passed the home of Jesse R. Grant, father of Gen. U. S. Grant, stopped and gave three cheers for the old gentleman, then resumed the march to the depot. Here we boarded the cars, box cars at that, with orders to report to Gen. Nelson at Lexington, Ky. It was the intention to send us to Gen. Nelson as a reinforcement, but the battle of Richmond. Ky., had been fought and lost; Gen. Nelson wounded. We went no farther than Lexington, where Col. Ross re- ported to Gen. Wright, who had assumed command. He ordered Maj. S. N. Yeoman to take four compa- nies and picket all approaches to tlie city of Lexing- ton. This duty was faithfully ])erf(>rmcd until 3
00th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 15
o'clock p. m. of September i, when the rumor of the advance of the rebel army from Richmond, Ky., under Gen. Kirby Smith became so strong that orders were issued to burn the army stores and prepare to move at once. By 7 o'clock p. m. the regiment was in line on the Versailles pike, detailed as guard for the wagon train, four companies in the rear under Maj. Yeoman, and six companies in advance under Cols. Ross and Rippey. When we started most of the men thought we were going out to have a fight, and were in high spirits. As we marched out to the pike, it being warm, the men cast their new government overcoats in a pile alongside of a hedge fence, intending to get them when they came back, but if any of them have been back since we have not heard of it.
At 4 o'clock next morning the army reached Ver- sailles, a distance of 12 miles, and was in full retreat. On the evening of September 2 we arrived at Frank- fort, the capital of Kentucky, crossed and guarded the bridge across the Kentucky river. Here we had plenty of river water.
September 3 we were again on the march, as also on the 4th. On the 5th we reached a camp in a grove, about four miles from Louisville, having marched 100 miles in 86 hours, with less than 16 hours' sleep. The men suffered terribly on this march from thirst and stifling dust. The fatigue was truly agonizing. This suffering was intensely aggravated by guarding wells and cisterns on the pike, which compelled the men to drink from stagnant pools. The army consisted most- ly of raw troops, consequently they were unused to such hardships, and many sank beneath the terrible strain. At Shelbyville, a beautiful town, the thirst of the men was alleviated by the clear, cold spring water,
16 History of the
kindly issued to each man by the citizens, as the col- umn passed by. This march so completely broke down many of the men that they were never able for duty again. Drinking the filthy water gave them dis- ease from which they never recovered. A stream of water ran by this camp, and its banks were soon lined with men washing and bathing their feet. Some, when they pulled off their socks, pulled their toe nails with them. Here we received our camp equipage, such as tents, cooking utensils, etc.
The regiment was assigned to Gen. Charles Cruft's brigade. Gen. Woodrufif's division. It was afterwards Gen. Cruft's brigade ; 5th division, Gen. W. S. Smith ; 2 1st army corps, Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden.
Here we first met the 31st Ohio, and visited many old acquaintances.
Just at this time Gen. Bragg with his army had moved north from Chattanooga, Tenn., followed by Gen. D. C. Buell, on a parallel line, but Buell reached Louisville first, and began to fortify. At one time matters looked so badly that the citizens were ordered across the river.
From this camp we were taken on a grand review through the narrow, hot streets of Louisville, at a double quick pace. A hotter set of men was never seen. Hot at the general who ordered it, and hot from the sun's rays in the narrow streets. Many dropped unconscious ; the cellar doors formed couches for the exhausted. This uncalled for march was more disas- trous to the men than a hard- fought battle would have been, and it was done for the purpose of giving a gen- eral a chance to show off. Who was directly respon- sible for it we never* knew.
■ M.' '.' ' '.'.'.'J.'.W,W.' W ■
From a photo ta)i.en about 1885.
Coi., S. N. Yeoman.
Col. Yeoman went out as Major, and remained with the Regiment
until the close of the war.
THE NEW YOKK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LE-NOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS^
^oth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 17
Fort Wayne^ Ind., March 12, 1894.
While we were camping near Louisville, Ky., from' Sept. 5 to the 20, we all surely remember the great re- view that took place under Gen. Nelson.
We camped four miles from the city. The first lieutenant of Company C, Comrade Black the name, but he was red-headed by nature, and red-hot when we got back from the review.
Well, it is vivid to my memory, and always will be, the ordeal we passed through on that march, that hot afternoon, from four to eight-story buildings on each side of the street, with knapsacks, canteens and accou- trements weighing 60 pounds, with arms at shoulder for about one-half mile and double quick time.
The end came at last. When we got near the river the command "halt" was given. The 90th sprawled out in all forms. Every one of us was too weary, and some completely exhausted, to stand. The most of us lay on our backs, using our knapsacks for pillows. In that attitude we remained for nearly one hour, the quietest repose I ever had in this life, because I was never so tired before nor since, nor never will be, I sincrely trust.
1 came to the conclusion then that those who sur- vived that ''Nelson Review" could endure all hard- ships in the future, let the war last five years — four miles to the city, four miles of parade in the city and four miles to camp after the great display of human endurance. No wonder Lieut. Black uttered those thrilling words that I'll never forget. When we reached the spot we left some five hours before the good lieutenant was completely used up. We all felt like fighting Gen. Nelson just then. Comrade Black's words are in my diary, taken down the same evening. They are: ''God forbid that I shall ever have to go through hell again. Capt. Caddy, I know you are my friend, and you don't blame me what I say in regard to Gen. Nelson, but let come what will, I'll receive it
2 90 O V I
18 History of the
cheerfully, let it be fighting battles with the enemy, or marching day after day on half rations, or death in prison pen or hospital or on the battlefield, but by the Eternal I'll never review again for Nelson, or the devil or any of his kin.
(Nelson was shot shortly afterward by Gen. Jeff. C. Davis. — Ed.)
The good lieutenant was freckle-faced, but when we got to camp that evening he took his sword, stuck it in the ground and then declared those thrilling words, mentioned already in my letter.
Well, we could not see a freckle on his face. He was red-hot all over, externally and internally. Wm. Beecher, of Company D (now dead), told us an anec- dote on Comrade Mumaugh.
On Sept. 20, 1862, we moved out in the suburbs of the city, and began to fortify, and the next day Mu- maugh began to crave for more to eat. He was always hungry, day and night. Beecher took Mumaugh to a bakery to appease his tremendous appetite, and pur- chased seven loaves of bread for him. Beecher de- clared that Mumaugh ate six loaves, and the seventh
to the bulge. o t^ o
S. D. Solid AY,
Company D.
We lay in and around Louisville, Ky., until Sep- tember 29, drilling, digging rifle pits, doing picket duty, etc., when we moved down the river about three miles and put up our tents in a potato patch. The same day Gen. Nelson was shot by Gen. Jefif. C. Davis in the Gait House, for an alleged insult by the former.
September 30 many of the boys went to the river and washed up, came back and went out on picket duty three miles out. Here we smoked our pipes — we were just learning — and some got quite sick.
Gen. Bragg had abandoned the idea of capturing the city and moved off south.
QOth Ohio I'dliintccr Infantry. 19
October ist. — We started in pursuit of Bragg, and marched about five miles out on the Bardstown pike, where we camped for the night. Our supper consisted of hard-tack and muddy water, nevertheless we slept soundly.
2nd. — The men were aroused at daylight, made some coffee, drank it, and marched 12 miles toward Bardstown. It rained very hard. The rebels had torn up the bridge and we had to wade the stream. We then lay down and slept in the rain until morning.
3rd. — Marched eight miles in pursuit of Bragg. Were drawn up in line of battle. There was heavy cannonading in front of us. Passed through Mt. Washington.
4th. — Moved seven miles and camped for the night in a rebel camp. Here some of the boys captured some hogs and some honey, and had quite a feast. Water is very scarce.
5th. — Passed through Bardstown and went on picket two miles east of the town. Before we got to this town we stopped and got over into a graveyard where we saw the graves of several of our soldiers.
6th. — The regiment again on the march after Bragg. We marched east from Bardstown, acros's Rating creek, over the worst roads we ever saw, where we camped near Springfield, having marched 15 miles. Provisions are very scarce.
/th. — Started from camp near Springfield, passed through the town, marched through a very rough country, across the Danville, Ky., pike, through below Lebanon, and camped 21 miles from Danville. Had some skirmishing today. Provisions still very scarce. Our camp was on Rolling Fork.
20 History of ihc
8th. — This morning we started from our camp on RolHng Fork, marched seven miles toward Danville, and camped two miles from the battlefield of Perry- ville. The musketry of the battle was distinctly heard, but for some unaccountable reason the regiment was not allowed to take part in the engagement. It is very hot, and water scarce.
9th. — We moved east three or four miles to the west of Danville, near where the battle was fought yes- terday. We rested very well and were much re- freshed.
loth. — Ate breakfast, marched three miles, passed through Perryville and camped on the Danville road. It began to rain, and rained all night. Water plenty at this camp. Cannonading heard in front all day.
nth. — This morning it turned cold. Got march- ing orders, formed in line of battle, but did not have to march today. Drew three days' rations, and the men ate nearly all of it today.
1 2th. — Again ordered to march. Marched past Danville, and within four miles of Camp Dick Robin- son to the left of the town, turned around and coun- termarched back to Danville, and went into camp.
13th. — Stayed in camp until evening. Had plenty to eat. In the evening marched back toward Camp Dick Robinson two miles, and went into camp. Got supper and lay down until 4 o'clock next morning.
14th. — Marched back to Danville, drew three days" rations, then moved seven miles toward Crab Orchard, near Stanford, in pursuit of Bragg. Stopped and got supper, lay down and slept until 10 o'clock p. m., when we got orders to be ready to march, and started at 2 o'clock a. m.
potli Ohio J^olnntccr Infantry. 21
15th. — AFarched 8 miles 1)cforc daylight. Stopped and got breakfast, and then moved 8 miles, over Copper Creek IMountain, through Mt. Vernon, and camped at the foot of a large hill, in the bushes.
MY COMPLIMENTS TO THE 65th O. V. I.
Columbus Grove, O.
]Mr. Editor : — In compliance with the request of the boys to give experiences of the service, I will relate a reminiscence in which S. S. Rogers, of Co. E, and myself were the principal actors, while on the drive after Bragg, in Kentucky.
^dy story begins at the foot of Wild Cat mountain, where I had my first ague chill. The regiment was ordered to the Salt Works the next morning, to destroy them. The orders were that ''all men not able to march forty miles and back, without rest, must go back to the wagon train, then in camp on Copper Creek, close at hand. Our good old Dr. Tipton gave me an excuse and two day's rations, and I went back, finding S. S. Rogers there on my arrival. He had nothing to eat but beans, coffee and salt. I divided up with him, and we went it three days on my two day's rations, and by that time we began to feel a vacancy in the re- gion where our stomachs used to be.
In those days the 90th was called a green regiment, but we got just as hungry, if there was nothing to eat, as a regiment that was ripe and ready to pull. So Rogers and I and' Our appetites held a council of war, and the council resulted in an order for fresh meat to season our coffee and beans with; I detailed myself to hunt for a porker which I knew to be close at hand. There was an old rebel lived in the big house on the hill near by, and the house had a porch in front. Green recruit though I was, I had noticed a fine lot of porkers "roosting" under that porch.
Marker's brigade of Wood's division was camped all around that house, and the tug of war lay in the how to get one of those pigs under the porch. I
22 History of the
finally went up near the porch, and began picking up some old boards, as if to make a fire, and by some means or other just at that time the hogs under the porch got scared, and started for the woods. I kept in sight of them with my kindlings until they got through the camp; then I dropped the wood and got ready for business. The pigs were driven up on the side of the mountain, and I got a fine one.
By some unexplainable coincidence Rogers was soon on hands with a mule and a couple of corn sacks, and we soon had our forage in camp.
We had unfortunately left head and hide on the spot, and some of the 65th Ohio coming along and observing the relics, reported the matter to the old rebel ; he in turn reported to Col. Young, of the 65th Ohio ; Col. Young sent out a guard to hunt for the hog, and the guard found the hog cooking in our camp kettle. Young wanted to take the hog, but Rogers said, "No, that is our meat, and when it is cooked we'll look after that part of the program."
"Who is we," asked Young.
"Rogers and I," said I.
"Then I have got you," said Young.
"And we've got the hog," said Rogers.
We were promptly marched to Harkcr's headquar- ters, where, for the first time, we came in contact with regular army officers. The General was standing in his tent door, the guard reported, and the General said, "Well, you have got a couple of hog thieves." Sitting down on a large stone in front of his tent, he turned to us and commanded "Attention!" When we failed to come to that position he repeated his command, when I simply said, "Talk away, we're listening." And when, in answer to his question we told him we be- longed to the 90th Ohio, he said, "You green troops it appears to me, came out for no other purpose than to plunder and steal. What did you come out for, any way?"
"We came out to fight for our country," said I, "and we're not going to starve while doing it if we can find plenty of hogs."
QOth Ohio I 'ohintccy Infantry. 23
''Don't you dare talk back to me," said he.
"Don't ask us questions if you don't want them answered," said we.
"They don't know anything-; take them to the guard house," said he.
"We know a fat hog- when we see it," we responded, as the guard took us out of .his presence.
We were taken to the guard house and chucked in with ten or a dozen of the 65th. We lay around until about noon, getting acquainted with the boys, when we were marched back to the wagon train to look after our pork, which the teamsters had finished cooking.
Our good old friend, Col. Young, came over from headquarters and made it his business to propose to divide the pork for us. But we respectfully informed him that as we were paying for that hog, we'd do the dividng ourselves.
The wagon train moved that afternoon, and we laid our plans to get away from the guards. Our plan was to get a guard to go with us to the creek to wash. To get to the creek we had to pass through the wagon train. I was to make the break, and wait for Rogers at the top of the mountain. I got away all right, and waited for Rogers at the proper place, but he failed to put in his appearance. After waiting a long while I made up my mind to go back to Rogers at the foot of the mountain, for I knew he had not got away from the guard.
Just then the officer of the guard passed me, and in reply to my question as to whether he had lost any- thing or not, he said, "Yes, one of those infernal 90th prisoners has run off, and I am looking for him."
"Did he look anything like me?" I asked.
He looked me over and remarked that he guessed I was the chap. I told him I would be glad to ride back with him, and got on behind, and we went back to the foot of the mountain. He then reported me to Col. Young, and the latter ordered me bucked and gagged for twelve hours.
But I kicked on that, saying, "No, T will not be bucked and gagged. No man can live in that shape
24 History of the
twelve hours and I won't die like a dog, with a root in my mouth."
' 1 have my orders," said the officer of the guard.
"And you have heard what I said to them," I re- plied.
He went to Young and got the order counter- manded by agreeing to stand good for my safe keeping. His name was Lieut. Tonnahill, 65th Ohio.
In a few days we were court-martialed. Gen. Woods, of the 3rd division, was judge advocate. This being our first experience in this direction we were a little anxious as to the outcome, and we did not have long to wait. I have just to remark that a court- martial is a short horse and soon curried.
"Guilty, or not guilty?" they asked us.
"Don't know what you'd call it,' was the reply, "but we certainly killed the hog."
Then the old judge spoke up and said, "They are guilty. Stop four months' pay, and give them 40 days hard labor of 8 hours each day." And we got it. I will just say that when the proceedings were sent up to our good old Colonel, he poked them in the fire, and we got our pay just the same.
I do not care to detail the hardships we endured the three weeks we were under guard, but I look back on them as the hardest part of my army life. I have omitted the bitterest parts of the story because I do not care "to live it all. over again," as we sometimes term it.
D. C. Goodwin.
These men both served their time, proved good soldiers, and were, mustered out with the regiment, Goodwin being color bearer. — Ed.
i6th. — Got breakfast, marched 7 miles across Wild Cat Mountain to within 4 miles of Wild Cat, and stopped for the night. The road is blockaded with trees, cut by the enemy to retard our march. Some skirmishinij on the route.
From a photo taken in middle life.
Gen. I. M. KiRBY.
1st Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps. Gen. Kirby first served as Captain in the 15h O. V. I., having enlisted in the ranks in April, 1861.
THE NEW YORK
PUgLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS'
R L
^oth Oliio Volunteer Infantry. 25
17th. — Marched 2 miles, crossed Rock Castle Ri- ver, to Wild Cat, where the regiment was sent out on picket on top of a large hill, where four companies of Indiana troops repulsed one whole brigade of rebels. This was a cool day.
1 8th. — Visited the graves of the rebels at Wild Cat. Ordered in off of picket, marched all day without any- thing to cat. Camped where the brigade had a skir- mish about 6 o'clock in the evening, The regiment surprised 1,200 of the enemy, and with a yell, swooped down on them, capturing 200 prisoners, and over 200 head of cattle. Three rebels were killed, and 8 wounded.
19th. — Remained in camp all day, where we had the fight yesterday.
20th. — Called up before daylight for a long march, without anything to eat. Marched 13 miles toward Cumberland Gap and back before sundown. The boys were about played out on reaching camp.
2ist. — Remained in camp all day and rested. It is 65 miles to Cumberland Gap, and about the same distance to Lexington, Ky.
22nd. — Got orders to march toward the Gap again. The regiment was on this raid during the 22, 23, 24 and 25, when it marched back toward Somerset, to Mershone's Cross Roads, where the disabled had been left, and then to Rock Castle River and camped for the night. On this raid it destroyed the Goose Creek Salt Works, a valuable depot from which the rebels had long been drawing their supply of salt. Be- gan to snow about dark and kept it up all night.
26th. — Snow six inches deep this morning. Started on the march at 7 o'clock, marched 17 miles and camped. Lay down in -the snow and slept soundly.
26 History of the
This was a gloomy Sabbath day. Snow all melted before night, making it quite muddy. The march through this country was of great hardship. Many of the men were without shoes, and marching over the snow, left their foot-prints marked, with blood. Some tied sacks around their feet, in place of shoes, otherwise they would have been barefooted, yet they did not mur- mur or complain.
A STEER COW
1862, about October 27th, the time of the big snow in the Wild Cat Alountains, Ky. Would like to know the name of the contractor who furnished beef for the brigade, as I wish to thank him for that roast pork and fine, big, corn pone that was in a grain sack, hanging on the limb of a tree at the side of the road. How considerate I was to leave the corn for the poor horses.
I cannot tell the color of Chilcote's cow, but James R. Vansickle's was a brindle steer. Jim and Ovid Coleman, one night, on picket, got a likely looking cow penned up in a fence corner, Jim patting Brindle on the back, "So, so, Brindle." Then passing his hand to the udder, when Brindle kicked, sending Jim about twenty feet to the rear. Getting up, Jim said, "Thun- der, Ove, its a steer cow."
Jonas H. Chenoweth, Co. H.
27th. — Very cold this morning. Got up and got breakfast and started for Somerset, Ky. Marched 17 miles through mud and snow shoe top deep. Camped 3 miles from Somerset.
28th. — Today was very nice and clear. The snow melted entirely away, and it was nice and warm. We stayed in camp, three miles from Somerset, and rested, without anything to eat until evening, when we drew rations.
^otli Ohio I 'oluntccr Iiifaiilry. 27
29th. — This morning- we started on our march again for Cokimbia, passing through Somerset, marched eight miles and camped on Fishing Creek, near the battlefield of Mill Springs, where Gen. Zolli- coffer, the rebel general, was killed.
Peekskill, N. Y.
The recent storms of clinging snows, in which a frosted foliage burdens the forests, and gives a really phenomenal appearance to the landscape, recall vividly to my mind one of the same character I encountered while wearing the blue away down in the wilds of Kentucky — wilds in fact differing from what they were in the days of Boone and Davy Crocket only in the absence of "bars," the coons and opossums were still there.
We had been down to Wild Cat, in the direction of Cumberland Gap, and while our command was pur^ suing a fleeing enemy, it became necessary to send to the rear many who had broken down under our dail> forced marches. I remember one of those days on which we pursued the enemy seventeen miles and re- turned to sleep in the bivouac, called camp, that night.
At this time our brigade was to go out and destroy a salt works. Of those who were thought unfit to travel 38 miles before night and back the next day, 1 was one. A few hours after the brigade had gone those of us in the rear were ordered farther back, a distance of 15 miles. We were given two days in which to make the distance. Arriving then at a branching stream called Rolling Fork, T was put in charge of a detachment of 13 men and ordered to proceed to Somerset, a distance of 30 miles, where we would arrive about the time our brigade would be due at the same place.
It was near the end of October. The weather was mostly fair and dry, with an occasional day that held a chill in the air that would penetrate to one's bones. Remember, we had not been under a tent for a month.
28 History of the
Had traveled a-foot over four hundred miles at that time, had smelled the smoke of battle and heard the whizzing of shells, had lived on half rations, most of us were without overcoats, our only protection at night being one single blanket.
The first day's march was without incident, save that we met our Maj. Gen. Smith and his staff, and his directions were to take things moderately, as our brigade would not be at Somerset until five days later.
The second day was raw and chilly, the sun never once showing himself. At noon we stopped by the roadside to prepare our cofifee and hard-tack for din- ner. A hundred yards or so down the road a squad from a Kentucky regiment followed our example. Before our meal was quite prepared the loth brigade of troops, belonging to our division, passed us. Af- ter the troops came their wagon train. It halted in front of us. At the time of the halt a major rode up and ordered me to move on with my squad. I ex- plained our situation and he turned to leave us. Just as he turned his horse, a man was removing a musket from one of the wagons and managed to let the ham- mer of the gun catch in a rope that secured the wagon cover. The gun went off, the bullet whistled past the major's ear, and his instant impression was that one of my squad had shot at him. Then there was fun. The situation was really an alarming one, for the ma- jor became as fierce as a madman, uttering impreca- tions and threats, and riding about giving orders and making frantic efforts to find the culprit who dared fire at an officer. I felt the gravity of the situation, for I saw that the major in his anger was likely to do some one an injury, but to this day I distinctly recall how I only stood there and admired the tableaux he was presenting to us. He was on a good horse ; for he was a Kentuckian. With one hand he kept the animal rearing now here, now there, his other hand gesticulated about his head, and between his own movements and the sweeping wind the red lining of his l)lue overcoat was all a flutter a])out his shoulders.
c)oth Ohio I 'oluntccr Infantry. 29
Talk about equestrian statues ! Ah, Kodakers, that was a subject to have made your camera smile !
I finally undertook to explain the firing of the gun to the major. He would listen to nothing. "V\\ see if you don't get out of this ! Move on !" he exclaimed, turned his horse once more and rode to the group of Kentuckians below us. Then he jumped from his steed, uttered a fierce blessing upon the men, seized a ram-rod one of them was using as a "broiler" to roast a ration of bacon, and with the rod the major gave one of the men a good drubbing.
Well, we concluded w^e would move on, and as a result we bivouaced that night near the loth brigade. They reaching camp first, gobbled up all the fence rails and loose firewood about, so we could find only a scant supply. We had likewise a scant supply of food, so our supper was soon prepared, and as it was dark be- fore we made our halt, and we w^ere very tired we soon disposed ourselves to rest. Our number had been increased by one, a straggler who had joined us from another company.
Reader, imagine a day's tramp through a chilling wind, a scant supper prepared by your own hands, a short supply of fire wood, a single worn blanket to wrap about you. I say imagine the discomfort of it. But you can't ! And no one can describe it so you can imagine it.
Winding my blanket around me I leaned against a slender tree, as near the fire as I could get without scorching, and went to sleep. It is the brief forgetful- ness in sleep that enables us to endure. I don't know how long I had slept, but I awoke and found I had rolled away from the tree, and was half covered with snow. That was a new experience, but I think I was only half awake, for I shook ofif the snow, crept back to my place, and repeated the same routine several times before morning.
In the morning the ground was hidden with six inches of soft snow.
30 History of the
I dread six inches of snow now because we have sidewalks — and an ordinance — but in our con- dition, and with our journey, it was simply too much to think of enduring. We waited before setting out on the march until the brig- ade ahead of us should break a path. While we wait- ed word came to us that the major of the day before was a major under arrest that morning, the Kentuck- ian whom he had beaten having reported the occur- rence to the general in command. We also received especial word that the rear guard of the brigade had instructions not to interfere with my squad. So we were at least free again to "go as we pleased" — but there is somehow a sort of understanding on the part of a soldier that "go as you please" does not mean to go home. Since we will not meet the major again, I will say that a few years ago I read an account in the New York papers of his getting into a fracas in Ken- tucky ; and since then I have read an account of his death. Peace to him ! He made a fine picture once in his time.
When we thought the roads had been well broken we set out on our march. They had indeed been well broken, churned, in fact, into a slush of snow and mud. Our march that day was barely more than five miles. I think the beauty of the forests was all that helped me over the journey. The great trees were bending beneath the masses that clung to them just as it has on two occasions here this winter, and every now and then a tremendous crash and roar would come out of the shadows, as some mighty branch gave way under the weight. The snow fall was a phenomenal one there, an old gray-haired darkey, whom we met, tell- ing me that in all his life he had never before seen such a storm. In comparison with the discomforts the day before, this day was terrible. Our dinner con- sisted of parched corn. We overtook numerous strag- glers from the brigade ahead of us, and some were not more than half clad, and might as well been with- out shoes. One poor fellow I saw, who coughed as
^oth Ohio I 'olimtccr Infantry. 81
though each paroxysm might be his last, had pieces of bagging tied about his feet in heu of shoes. When I met my regiment again, the boys told me that during their forced marches through the snow some of them left blood in their footprints. The snow disappeared rapidly that day, but the night set in freezing cold. We halted at dusk near a farm house, and spent the night in comparative luxury, sleeping in hay in what was actually called a barn, and although a mule was unhaltered in a corner of the place, and our blankets being wet were soon frozen stiff, we really slept com- fortably on a pile of hay. The next morning I pur- chased a big corn ''pone" which made us a sumptuous feast, and we resumed our march, once more ready ''to do or die." H. Anderson.
30th. — To-day we had a very hard march. Marched 22 miles and carried our knapsacks all day. We ate all our rations before night.
31st. — This morning we started again without any- thing to eat, except what we could pick up along the way, and arrived in camp at Columbia after dark, where we drew rations for two days, to last us four days. Marched over twenty miles to-day, making the 31st day of our march. We received mail to-day. It has been nice weather. Warm during the day, but cold at night. This ends one month of hard marching. The regiment has now marched about 400 miles since leav- ing Lexington, Ky., and about 600 miles since leaving home, two months ago. This surely is a great record for raw troops.
November 1-2. — We lay in camp and washed our clothes. Had plenty to eat. Drew some clothing, but not much. This is a nice place, but we will liave to travel on. This is Sunday, or would be if we were at home. Stayed here until 2 o'clock, got ready and
32 History of the
started on the march for Glasgow, Ky. Moved 8 miles and camped for the night. Here some of the boys got about 20 pounds of honey. It is said it was John Chil- cote and Ras Cooper.
3rd. — Again started on the march and marched 15 miles and camped, passing through Edmonton, a small town 22 miles from Columbia.
4th. — This morning we started on the march again, marched to within 2 miles of Glasgow, Ky., halted and got dinner. Rested one hour and resumed our march^ passing through Glasgow, and one mile beyond and went into camp.
5th. — This was a nice, clear day and we remained in camp all day, rested and washed and cleaned up ourselves. One of the boys traded a pair of old shoes for bread, and then sold the bread for 50 cents.
6th. — Cleaned up our tents this morning-. Drew some clothing. The regiment had dress parade at 4 o'clock. Began raining at dark and rained all night.
7th. — This was a very bad day. It rained and snowed, and was very cold. Drew rations to-day to last four days.
8th. — Left Columbia this morning and started for Tennessee. Marched 18 miles and crossed two rivers. The bridges were burned and we had to wade them.
9th. — Started again, marched 8 miles and camped at Scottsville. We had preaching here to-day, the first time since we left Louisville.
loth. — Left camp and started for Gallatin, Tenn. Marched across the line between Kentucky and Ten- nessee, at noon. Ate dinner and marched 8 miles and camped for tlie night.
nth. — Resumed our march this morning, marched 19 miles to Gallatin, passed through town and went 4
Henry O. Harden, Co. G.
President 90th O. V. I. Association, and Publisher of this Book. 1900.
poth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 33
miles to the Cumberland river and went into camp about sundown.
I2th. — Left our camp, crossed the Cumberland River on trestles, passed throuo^h Gallatin, and marched to the Nashville pike, about 7 miles, and camped.
13th. — Moved about 2 miles toward Nashville,, cleaned off the ground and went into camp at Silver Springs. There was a new rail fence in front of the regiment, and it was not five minutes until there was not a rail left, but before we got our fires started, an order came from the General to carry the rails back and lay them up, which we did, but the next morning there was not a rail in sight.
14th. — To-day we lay in camp, washed and cleaned up, and cleaned up the street in front of the General's tent. Had company drill, and then went on picket, about a mile from camp.
15th. — Stayed on picket till night, then went to camp and got supper, went to bed, but did not sleep much, as we were too much crowded in our bunks. Got mail to-day,
Lancaster, O., February 6, 1894.
If all the members of the 90th are as much inter- ested in the letters written by the comrades, as I am, they await with anxiety, the arrival of the mail that brings them your valuable paper. I hope all will give some of their personal experience while in the service.
''The old Blue Hen," by Johnny Moore, reminds me of an adventure in that line.
If my memory serves me right, it was near Gallatin, Tenn. As soon as we went into camp for the night, a comrade and I started out to see if the people of Tennessee had anything better to eat than we had.
3 90 O V I
34 History of the
The first house we came to, was a Union man. (All the inhabitants were Union when the Yankee army was near.)
We wanted to buy some chickens, (honest now) and he asked us 50 cents apiece. We thought this price a little too high, and parleyed with him for some time. In our interview, we found his love for the Union was not as ardent as it should have been.
But we started out for something, and something we must have.
It was now dark and we must see the chickens be- fore we would buy. He took us to the hen house and held up the light so we could take our choice. After careful inspection, we declined to buy, and bidding him good night, started for camp.
We did not go very far, when we stopped and held a council of war, and decided that 50 cents was too much to pay for chickens out of a salary of $13 per month, and we concluded to try a game of draw.
The house was a double cabin with a porch, or entry between them. The hen house was about 20 feet from the entry and a fence on the west and south joined up to it, so in coming from the rear, we had to climb ■ the fence to get to the door of the hen house. A little risky, we thought, but I told him I would try. When I reached the rear of the building I stopped to listen and I heard him express his love for the Union and the Yankees, (over the left).
Climbing the fence, I entered the hen roost. I knew just where to reach for my rooster, got him by the legs, pulling him quickly down, with the other hand caught him by the neck, but not until he had given one squawk, which aroused the man, who came out, hissing his dog and cursing the Yankees.
It is useless to say I made tracks, holding the rooster by the neck. When I got a safe distance, I stopped to rest, when, lo and behold! my rooster was dead ! Putting my foot on his head and pulling with all my might, off come his head.
^oth Ohio J^olunfccr Iiiftnitry. 35
That niq-ht. or should have said the next morning, for \vc cooked him nearly all night, and then we had tough chicken to eat. ' ^ ^y ^ Strode.
i6th. — This is Sunday. We lay in camp all day. Went to a burying in the morning. There was to have been preaching at 2 130, but it rained so hard there was none. Grand dress parade in the evening.
17th. — This was a wet, drizzly day. Had to stand camp guard in the rain all day and all night. One of the boys, David Crist, of Company I, was buried to- day. It was so rainy that we had no drill.
i8th. — One of the 31st Indiana boys was buried today. Very rainy, and our regiment had to go out on picket. Another rainy night.
19th. — Left camp at Silver Springs and moved to- wards Nashville, 10 miles. Left the pike one mile and camped for the night. A man in the 2nd Kentucky got into a fight and shot himself in the thigh and near- ly killed the other man.
20th. — Left camp, moved half a mile and camped in the woods. Cleaned off the ground and pitched our tents.
2 1 St. — Lay in camp. Cleaned off the ground and washed our clothes.
22nd. — Had company drill and dress parade. This was a nice^ warm day.
23rd. — General inspection this morning of guns and clothes. About noon 100 men were ordered to guard a train to Mitchellville and back, a distance of 40 miles. The detail started, moved to Nashville, crossed the river and camped for the night. This de- tail started next morning at 5 o'clock and arrived at Mitchellville after dark, got supper and then loaded
36 History of the
the wagons, ready to start back in the morning of the next day. It got back on the 26th. In the meantime the regiment had moved to within two miles of the city and camped in an open field.
27th. — Remained in camp today and drilled. This was a cloudy day and cjuite cold.
28th. — This was a cold day. Had company drill.
29th. — Still in camp near Nashville. Weather cold and windy.
30th. — This being the Sabbath, there was no drill- ing, but had inspection of arms this morning. Cold and rainy, with a very heavy storm.
December ist. — We are still in camp. The weather is cold and cloudy. Considerable sickness.
2nd. — Still in the same camp. Cloudy and cold. . 3rd. — This was a pleasant day, and the sun shone, making it quite warm. The regiment was called out on grand review today.
4th. — Another pleasant day overhead, but muddy under foot. The regiment had battalion drill today.
5th. — Cloudy this morning, and began snowing about daylight, and kept it up till evening. Conse- quently had no drilling.
6th. — A very bad, snowy day, and the weather cold. No drilling today.
7th. — This is Sunday, so there was general inspec- tion of clothes and guns. Dress parade in the even- ing. A very cold day.
8th. — A nice, clear day, but cold. Our brigade went out on a foraging expedition today.
9th. — The boys got back from their foraging ex- pedition of yesterday, and rested in camp, without any drill, except dress parade. Some of the boys received boxes of clothing, eatables, etc., from home, which
^oth Ohio J^oluntccr Infantry. 87
were highly appreciated. Although the eatables were stale, yet they were from home.
loth. — This was a nice, warm, clear day. Had company drill in the morning.
nth. — The regiment went out on picket duty to- day. \\'eather nice and clear.
1 2th. — Regiment came in off picket duty. John Chilcote, from whose diary we have been quoting, says : "Brother Henry died at 5 o'clock this evening. It was a sad night to me." And next day he says: ''We sent Henry to Nashville today to be sent home as soon as possible."
13th. — This was wash day. No drill, except dress parade. Henry Chilcote was taken to Nashville to- day to be sent to his home in Perry county, Ohio, for burial.
14th. — This is Sunday. We had general inspection in the morning, and preaching at 10 o'clock. Dress parade in the evening.
15th. — Company drill today. It commenced to rain at noon, and kept it up until midnight.
1 6th. — Company drill today. The wind is blow- ing, and it is quite cold, but the sun is shining. Still in the same camp.
17th. — The regiment went out to the front today on picket duty.
1 8th. — After the regiment came in off of picket and rested up we had dress parade.
19th. — Company drill today. This is a nice, warm day, and we enjoy it very much.
20th. — The division went out today on a scouting expedition, and the regiment did not get back until 11 o'clock at night.
38 History of the
2 1 St. — General inspection this morning. We lev- eled off the camp ground and had dress parade.
22nd. — The division went out on a foraging expe- dition, and did not get back to camp until 10 o'clock at night. These foraging expeditions were to gather feed for the horses and mules, and provisions for the men.
23rd. — We had until i o'clock to wash up, then had a company drill and dress parade.
24th. — The regiment went out on picket duty again today.
25th. — This is Christmas, and what a contrast be- tween our Christmas and those who are at home in good, comfortable houses, with plenty to eat and good beds to sleep in, and good nurses when sick. The regi- ment came in off picket and we afterward had dress parade.
We have been quoting from John Chilcote's diary, in connection with our personal knowledge, and that of others. Chilcote became sick and was sent to bar- racks No. I, Nashville. The measles, mumps, chicken pox, smallpox, and about everything else had broken loose and taken hold of the boys, and the death rate was alarming. There are 102 of the 90th buried in the National cemetery at Nashville, including those who were killed. As there is a gap in Chilcote's diary, we now quote from W. G. Mauk's diary, for a while.
26th. — Our brigade received marching orders this morning. This proved to be the advance on the ene- my at Stone River, or Murfreesboro. A large army was concentrated here, and moved out on different roads to meet the enemy. Gen. W. S. Rosecrans was the commander of the Union army, and Gen. Braxton Bragg of the Confederate army. Our division moved
poth Ohio I 'olimtccr Infantry. 39
towards Miirfreesboro and skirmished with the ene- my's outposts. The regiment passed through La- vergn, which is half way between Nashville and Mur- freesboro, on the 27th, and camped on Stewarts creek.
28th. — The army is still advancing on the enemy slowly, and a big battle is expected. What the out- come will be God only knows.
29th. — At 8 o'clock the forward movement was resumed, the regiments marching in divisions and in columns at half distance. We arrived near Murfrees- boro, w^here we remained in position.
30th. — At 7 o'clock p. m. the division was massed in a cotton field, badly mixed, and in no condition for offensive movements. This was within one mile of Stone River.
31st. — The morning of the 31st found the regiment in line. After standing thus for some hours, hearing the din of battle in the rear, its turn came to be placed face to face with the enemy, where it fought as coolly as if it had been on a hundred battlefields. The enemy was, however, in too great numbers, and the 90th be- ing without support, was compelled to fall back on the main force. At 12 o'clock m. the regiment was formed in line on the left of the pike and supported a battery the remainder of the day. The men having lost their blankets and knapsacks, suffered terribly that night from the cold.
January i, 1863. — The second day of the battle the regiment was in line all day, but most of the fighting was done by artillery. On the eve of January i the regiment, with the 31st Indiana, was ordered to charge across an open field. They obeyed, and drove the ene- my from its position.
40 History of the
1st. — The day was quiet on both sides, the two arm- ies resting for a death grapple, which was to take place the next day.
2nd. — On the morning of the 2nd the regiment oc- cupied a position on which 58 pieces of artillery had been massed which sent Gen. Breckenridge's rebel corps howling back over Stone River. At 5 o'clock p. m. Gen. Palmer ordered the 90th Ohio and the 31st Indiana to move across an open field. They obeyed, and charged the rebel position still on the national side of Stone River, and with but little loss became masters of it.
The best account we have ever seen of this part of the battle is given in an article in the Chicago Inter- Ocean, and which we give, although its author is un- known to us. The boys of the 90th will recognize the graphic scene described, as they were a part of it. Here is the article, as far as it relates to that memorable charge and counter-charge, turning the tide of battle and the defeat of the first day into a grand Union vic- tory.
"Breckinridge's charge at Stone River on the 2d of January, 1863, lias been described by hundreds of officers and military historians, and yet not one gives a picture of the battle on that day as I saw it. Noth- ing that appears in the official reports of Rosecrans, Crittenden or Palmer, or Bragg, or Breckinridge, shakes the impression or blurs the picture that holds possession of my mind. I read acquiescently the re- ports as to the situation on the morning of the 2d of January as to the position of the troops, as to what Rosecrans saw and surmised as to what new disposi- tions were made to meet the expected onslaught, as to what Maj. Mendenhall did in concentrating artillery, as to what happened before the rebels reached the river, and what followed. But another picture comes up in my mind.
W. D. Hudson, 1st Ivieut. Co. I.
Capt. S. D. Widener, Co. E.— 1863.
Capt. Robert D. Caddv.
Co. C. Killed Sept. 20, 1863, in the battle of Cliicka- niauga, Ga.
Capt. A. R. Keller.
From a war-time photo. Capt. Keller was the President of the 90th O. V. I. at the time of his death.
PUBLfC LIBRARY
ASTOR, lENOX AND
TItDEN FOUNBATIONS
" 1
gfOth Ohio Vohintccr Infantry. 41
*'We were in Palmer's division and our brigade occupied a point of high ground that seemed to ex- tend out tantahzing toward the enemy. We had spent the greater part of New Year's day and night in throw- ing up breastworks, and shortly after noon, on the 2d, we were lounging in line, arms stacked behind the works, gossiping over hardtack without coffee. There had been a good deal of noise, of course, but artillery firing didn't count with the boys, and just at that time there was a lull. It was so quiet that we distinctly heard the tramp of marching men, and, looking to our right, we saw a full division of our own troops massed in close battle order moving toward us. They came within a few hundred yards, and settled down like a great flock of blackbirds. Then another division settled down in the same way, a little to our left and rear.
"We noticed that there was no talking among the men, that orders were given in low tones, and that the brigades w^ere unaccompanied by batteries. We noticed also that there was a gathering of general offi- cers in our rear, and that there was no firing along the line. There was so little noise and confusion that we heard Col. Granville Moody, sitting on his horse some little distance from us, say, 'May God have mercy on those poor men.' Looking then to the front we saw in the distance great orderly masses of gray pressing forward. On they came, line after line, until there were five lines visible, and then, while we stood gawk- ing in amazement, there came down upon us a hail of bullets, knocking splinters of stone from our breast- works and splinters of wood from our guns, still stacked.
"We dropped to the ground, crept to the gun-stacks, took our rifles, and fell into line along the breast- works. On the instant it seemed to me the heavy masses of men in blue on our left and right spread out like great fans and came into line of battle. Away in the distance to the left we saw our advance brigades crumble to pieces and the men come trailing back. At a signal, sixty pieces of artillery massed near us
42 History of the
opened on the advancing Confederate column. We were in the midst of teriffic battle before we realized it.
''We could see then that there had been careful pre- paration for this attack. We knew that long line of belching cannon was not there by accident. We knew that the divisions that had come over so quietly to us had been sent by some one who anticipated the attack, but to us the storm came like the sudden bursting of a hurricane. Minute after minute passed and still the sixty canon roared and the ground in front of us was half hidden by smoke. Then suddenly all was still again, and looking forward we saw charging columns meet with a crash. We saw thin lines of our own men in blue plunge down into the smoky indistinctness of the conflict. Still we crouched with tense nerves, until the major general commanding the division said hoarsely, 'Go.' Then it seemed to me that the whole army -swept forward.
"When I read the accounts of the battle I know that this is not true, but the vision comes up of all the army in sight sweeping forward at a full run; of fleeing men in gray, of captured flags and artillery, until in the dusk we came squarely upon the intrenched lines of the rebel army and were recalled. Then I remember the elation with which the brigadier and major general spoke to us and with what a quick, elas- tic step we returned to our old intrenchments.
"The picture, as I see it, is that of the magnificent advance of Breckinridge's corps ; the silent gathering of our own divisions to meet the attack ; the mysterious, awesome silence that came just before the Confederates opened fire; the sheet of flame that came from the line of cannon, the magnificent countercharge of the Union troops, and the retreat of Breckinridge's men, shattered and broken. In no official report, in no letter of any correspondent is the battle described as I saw it, and no historian gives an adequate idea of the tre- mendous activities of those three hours in which victory came to the Union army."
(^oth Ohio I 'olitntccr Infantry. 43-
THE MEN SAVED THE GUN.
Tiffin, Ohio, January p.g, 1902. Comrade Harden :
In the official reports of our Regiment's engage- ment at Stone River, note that one of our commissioned officers, aided 1)y several ''men," drew off one of the abandoned brass field pieces. You will find the officer's name in the report, but not those of the men. I want to vindicate history, if not myself, by saying that I w.as one of the men — can't think now, of the name of another of Co. D Boy, who shared in the rescue. As I think of it, now, I seemed possessed of double, mule strength, and we marvel when we consider iho.' induce- ments we had to move on, about that time. Any way, we saved the handsome, brass guns, but when we had landed the troph}' on our ground, we experienced ''that tired feeling," which suggested that we "go way back and sit downi !"
This is our pleasant recollection of Stone River. Among our unpleasant recollections of that day, is the strong impression that when we fired our parting salute, before turning our backs on the Cowan House, some- body was hurt in that great crowd that rushed down on our then weak and abandoned lines. They shot to kill, and when I was detailed to assist in burying our regimental dead, we saw something of their deadly aim. They had both time and opportunity to study ours. Just what they found as fruits of our "careless shooting," we can't tell, and it is well.
S. C. Goss, Co. D.
THE BATTLE OF STONE RIVER.
We give the account of the battle of Stone River, as written by Lieut. Col. G. C. Kniffen, of General Crittenden's staff, who commanded the corps of which the 90th was a part, the account being the best and most accurate we can get, or have seen.
44 History of the
"On the 26th of December, 1862, General W. S. Rosecrans, who on the 20th of October had succeeded General D. C. Buell in command of the Army of the Cumberland, set out from Nashville, Tenn., with that army with the purpose of attacking the Confederate forces under General Braxton Bragg, then concen- trated in the neighborhood of Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Stone River.
"The three corps into which the army was organ- ized moved by the following routes : General Critten- den by the Murfreesboro turnpike, arriving within two miles of Murfreesboro on the night of December 29th ; General Thomas's corps by the Franklin and Wilkinson turnpikes, thence by cross roads to the Mur- freesboro pike, arriving a few hours later ; General McCook's corps, marching by the Nolensville pike to Triune, and bivouacking at Overall's creek on the same night. The forward movement had not been accom- plished without some sharp fighting. The advance of Crittenden had a spirited action at Lavergn, and again at the Stewart's Creek bridge. McCook fought at Nolensville, and the cavalry, under General Stanley, found the march a continuous skirmish ; but the Con- federate advance pickets had fallen back upon the main line, where they rejoined their division.
The armies were about equally matched. Bragg's efifective strength was about 37,712, and Rosecrans' 43,400.
Rosecrans' left wing, under Crittenden, bivouacked on the night of December 29th, within seven hundred yards of the Confederate lines in front of Murfrees- boro. His orders were to go into Murfreesboro, and he was inclined to obey them."
We wish our readers to bear in mind, Crittenden's corps, Palmer's division and Cruft's brigade, and by reference to the map, can readily see the position of the 90th regiment. — Ed.
"Riding forward, he found the two advance divi- sions arranged in line of battle, and, against the re- monstrance of General Wood, ordered a forward move- ment. Palmer united with Wood, however, in protest,
(^oth Ohio I 'oluntccr Infantry. 45
on the ground that an advance at night over unknown ground, in the face of a force of unknown strength, was too hazardous to be undertaken.
"General Crittenden finally suspended the execu- tion of the order an hour, and soon after it was counter- manded by General Rosecrans, who came up to Crit- tenden's headquarters at the toll-house on the Nashville pike.
"Crittenden's line of battle was the base of a tri- angle, of which Stone River on his left, and the line of a dense cedar thicket on his right formed the other two sides. General Wood's division occupied the left, with his flank resting on the river, General Palmer's the right, while General Van Cleve was in reserve near a ford of Stone River. Of Thomas' two divisions, Negley formed on the right of Palmer, with his right on the Wilkinson pike, while Rousseau was in reserve.
"The soldiers lay down on the wet ground with- out fires, under a drenching rain. The slumbers of the commanding general were disturbed at half-past three on the morning of tlte 30th by a call from General McCook, who had just come up, and who was in- structed to rest the left of his corps upon Negley's right. Of his divisions, Sheridan, therefore, preceded by Stan- ley's cavalry, moved on the Wilkinson pike, closely followed by R. W. Johnson and Davis. Skirmishing into position, the line was formed by resting the left of Sheridan's division on the Wilkinson pike, Davis tak- ing position on his right, and Johnson in reserve.
"The general course of the Nashville and IMurfrees- boro pike, and the railroad where they crossed the line of battle, is southeast. On the left of the turnpike, and opposite the toll-house, was a grove of trees of about four acres in extent, crowning a slight elevation known as the "Round Forest," in which Wagner's brigade was posted. The line of battle trending irre- gularly southward, facing east and accommodating itself to the character of the ground, w^as much nearer the Confederate line in front of McCook than on the left, where the flanks of the contending armies were separated by Stone River. At 4 o'clock General Mc-
46 History of the
Cook reported the alignment of the right wing, toge- ther with the fact that two divisions of Polk's corps and two of Hardee's were in his front, extending far to his right out on the Salem pike. General Rosecrans objected to the direction of McCook's line, and said it should face strongly south, and that Johnson's division, in column of regiments at half distance, should be held in reserve in rear of Davis' right at close musket range ; but he left the arrangement of his right wing with the corps commander, who had been over the ground. The right wing, generally occupying a wooded ridge with open ground in front, was further protected from surprise by an outlook over a narrow cultivated valley, widening from left to right from 200 to 500 yards, beyond which, in a dense cedar thicket, the enemy's lines v/ere dimly visible. Confidence in the strength and staying qualities of his troops, and reluctance to yield a favorable position without a strug-gle, together with the fact that the retirement of his line must be executed in the night, induced McCook to make the fatal mistake of leaving his position unchanged.
"The plan of battle was as follows : General Mc- Cook was to occupy the most advantageous position, refusing his right as much as practicable and necessary to secure it ; to receive the attack of the enemy, or, if that did not come, to attack sufficiently to hold all forces in his front. General Thomas and General Palmer were to open with skirmishing and engage the enemy's center and left as far as the river. Critten- den was to cross Van Cleve's division at the lower ford and to advance on Breckinridge. Wood's division was to cross by brigades at the upper ford, and, moving on \^an Cleve's right, was to carry everything before it to Murfreesboro. This move was intended to dis- lodge P>reckinridge, and to gain the high ground east of Stone River, so that Wood's batteries could enfilade the heavy body of troops massed in front of Negley and Palmer. The center and left, using Negley's right as a pivot, were to swing around through Murfrees- boro and take the force confronting McCook in rear, driving it into the country toward Salem. The sue-
po/Zz Ohio I 'ohintccr Infantry. 47
cessful execution of General Rosecrans' design de- pended not more upon the spirit and gallantry of the assaulting column that upon the courage and obstinacy with which the position held by the right wing should be maintained. Having explained this fact to General McCook, the commanding- general asked him if, with a full knowledge of the ground, he could, if attacked, hold his position three hours, — again alluding to his dissatisfaction with the direction which his line as- sumed, but, as before, leavng that to the corps com- mander,— to which McCook replied, "I think I can."
''Swift witnesses had borne to the ears of General Bragg the movements of General Rosecrans. He had in his army about the same proportion of raw troops to veterans as General Rosecrans, and the armies were equally well armed. By a singular coincidence Bragg had formed a plan identical with that of his antagonist. If both could have been carried out simultaneously the spectacle would have been presented of two armies turning upon an axis from left to right. Lt. General Hardee was put in command of the Confederate left wing, consisting of McCown's and Cleburne's divi- sions, and received orders to attack at daylight. Har- dee's attack was to be taken up by Polk with the division of Cheatham and Withers, in succession to the right flank, the move to be made by a constant wheel to the right, on Polk's right flank as a pivot. — The object of General Bragg was by an early and impetu- ous attack to force the Union army back upon Stone River, and, if practicable, by the aid of the cavalry, to cut it ofT from the base of operations and supplies by the Nashville pike.
"As has been shown, the Union and Confederate lines were much nearer together on the Union right than on the left. In point of fact, the distance to be marched by Van Cleve to strike Breckinridge's right, crossing Stone River by the lower ford, was a mile and a half. To carry out the order of General Bragg to charge General Rosecrans' right, the Confederate left wing, doubled, with McCown in the first line and Cle- burn in support, had only to follow at double-quick the
48 History of the
advance of the skirmish hne a few hundred paces, to find themselves in close conflict with McCook.
"The Confederate movement began at daybreak. General Hardee moved his two divisions with the preci- sion that characterized that able commander. Mc- Cown, deflecting to the west, as he advanced to the attack left an opening between his right and Withers' left, into which Cleburne's division fell, and together the two divisions charged upon R. W. Johnson and Davis, while yet the men of those divisions were prepar- ing breakfast. There was no surprise. The firsti movement in their front was observed by the Union skirmish line, but that first movement was a rush as of a tornado. The skirmishers fell back steadily, fight- ing upon the main line, but the main line was overborne by the fury of the assault. Far to the right, over- lapping R. W. Johnson, the Confederate line came sweeping on like the resistless tide, driving artillerists from their guns and infantry from their encampments. Slowly the extreme right fell back, at first contest- ing every inch of ground. In Kirk's, brigade 500 men were killed or wounded in a few minutes. Willich lost nearly as many. Goodspeed's battery, on WilHch's right, lost three guns. The swing of Eragg's left flank toward the right brought McCown's brigade upon the right of Davis' division. Leaving the detachments in R. W. Johnson's division to the attention of two of his brigades and Wheeler's cavalry. McCown turned McNair to the right, where Cleburne was al- ready heavily engaged. Driving Davis' skirmishers before him, Cleburne advanced with difliculty in line of battle, bearing to the right over rough ground cut up with numerous fences and thickets, and came upon the main line at a distance of three-fourths of a mile from his place of bivouac. It was not yet daylight when he began his march, and he struck the Union line at 6 o'clock. General Davis now charged the front of Col. Post's brigade nearly perpendicular to the rear. Finney's battery was moved to the right, and the 59th Illinois assigned to its support. One-fourth of a mile to the right of Post, Baldwin's brigade, with
Color iJcarer David C. Goodwin, Co. E.
Severely wounded at the battle of Chickaiiiauga, Ga., Sept. 19, 18(33, being the ninth color guard to fall on the first day. lie served as Color Sergeant without promotion.
THE NEW YOrK
PUBLie: LIBRARY
ASTOR, LE^^OX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
goth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 49
Simonson's batter}^ on its right, took position behind a rail fence on the margin of a wood. CarHn's, Wood- ruff's, and Sill's brigades were on the main line of battle. Against this force, about 7,000 strong, with- out works of any kind, Hardee hurled the seven bri- gades commanded by Manigault, Loomis, Polk, Bush- rod Johnson, Wood, Liddell and McNair — 10,000 men. The engagement which followed was one of the fiercest of the day. Baldwin was the first to give way. After half an hour's spirited resistance, finding the left of McCown's division in pursuit of the remnants of Willich's and Kirk's brigades, advancing far be- yond his right, Baldwin withdrew to the edge of the woods in rear of the front line, and tried to make a stand, but was driven back. The salient angle formed by the junction of Post's brigade with Carlin's, which at this time formed the right of the extreme Union line of battle, was in the mean time fiercely assailed. In front of Post, the Confederates under McCown, in command of AlcNair's brigade of his own division, and Liddell of Cleburne's division, received a decided repulse ; and Cleburne was for a time equally unsuc- cessful in pushing back the main Union line. Three successive assaults were made upon this position. In the second, Vaughan's and Maney's brigades of Chea- tham's division relieved Loomis' and Manigault's. In the third attack Post's brigade was enveloped by Hardee's left, which sweeping toward his rear, made withdrawal a necessity. Sill had been killed in the first assault. Schaefer's Union brigade was brought forward to the support of the front line. The dying order from General Sill to charge, was obeyed, and Loomis was driven back to his first position. Mani- gault advanced at about 8 o'clock and attacked directly in his front, but meeting with the same reception, was compelled to retire. A second attack resulted like the first. Maney's brigade now came up and advanced in line with Manigault's supported by Vaughan's. Tur- ner's Confederate battery took position near the brick kiln and opened fire, under cover of which Manigault.
4 90 o v I
50 History of the
made an unsuccessful dash upon Houghtaling's Union battery. Colonel Roberts was killed, and Colonel Bradley of the 52nd Illinois, succeeded to the com- mand of the brigade. Having completed the forma- tion of his line, Hardee gave the order for a general advance, and that portion of the right wing, which, up to this time had resisted every assault made upon it, retreated in perfect order toward the left and rear, with empty cartridge boxes, but with courage undaunted. Schaefer's brigade, being- entirely out of ammunition, obeyed Sheridan's orders to fix bayonets and await the charge. Roberts' brigade, having a few cartridges left, fell back, resisting the enemy. With the country to the right and rear overrun by McCown's infantry and Wheeler's cavalry in pursuit of R. W. Johnson's routed division, one-half of which were either killed, wounded, or captured, and with a strong, determined enemy pressing them upon front and flank, Davis and Sheridan now found themselves menaced by another powerful auxiliary to defeat. Their ammunition was nearly exhausted, and there was none nearer than the Nashville pike in rear of Crittenden. On the other hand, AlcCown, in his report, refers to the necessity of replenishing his ammunition at this juncture, Lid- dell's brigade having exhausted forty rounds per man. "Carlin's brigade retired and reformed on the Mur- freesboro pike. Woodruff held out some time longer, b)ut finally followed Carlin toward the left, taking all the artillery with him, with the exception of one gun from Finney's battery. Captain Pinney, dangerously wounded, was left upon the field. The withdrawal of the artillery was a matter of greater difficulty. Nearly all the horses having been killed, the attempt was made to withdraw the pieces by the use of prolonges. Lieut. Taliaferro, commanding a section of Hescock's battery, was killed, and his sergeant brought off his two guns by hand. The ground was, however, too rough, and the road to safety too long, and in consequence the six guns of Houghtaling's battery were abandoned. Dragging the remaining pieces of artillery with them, Sheridan's division at 11 o'clock emerged from the
poth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 61
cedars on Palmer's right, passing- Rousseau on his way to the front. Cheatham's Confederates advanced in Hne of battle over the ground vacated by the Union right wing, and came up with Stewart's brigade hotly engaged with Negley, while Cle])urne and McCown, sweeping toward the Nashville pike driving hundreds of fugitives before them, encountered a new line im- provised by Rosecrans to meet the emergency.
"Thus far the plan of l^attle formed by Bragg, had been carried out in strict conformity, with its require- ments. It now remained for Withers and Cheatham to drive the Union center back upon the Union left. The retirement of Sheridan's division precipitated the entire command of Cheatham and a portion of Wither's upon Negley's two brigades and two brigades of Rous- seau, on the left of the Wilkinson pike, taking them in front, left flank and rear. The roar of artillery and the sharp rattle of musketry had aroused these brigades early, and they stood in line for hours, in momentary expectation of an attack upon their front. This, it is possible, would have been repulsed ; bat when it came in such a questionable shape, preceded by a cloud of re- treating troops, but one course appeared to present itself to the commander, and that was to fall back. Nevertheless, he faced Colonel T. R. Stanley's bri- gade to the right, and ordered Col. John F. Miller to hold his position to the last extremity. Miller ar- ranged his brigade in convex order, with Schultz's battery on his right and Ellsworth's battery on the left. Simultaneously with Cheatham's advance upon his rieht, Stewart's and Anderson's brigades attacked Miller in front. T^Iiller's lines were barely formed when a heavy musketry and artillery fire opened upon his men, who met the charge with a well directed fire. On his right was Stanley, and the rapid discharge of Schultz's and Ellsworth's guns told with terrible pre- cision upon the ranks of the advancing Confederates who soon halted, but did not abate theJr fire. The 29th and 30th Mississippi, of Anderson's brigade, made a dash upon Schultz's battery, but were hurled back behind the friendlv cover of a stone wall, where Stewart
62 History of the
passed them in his charge upon Miller. A bayonet charge was met by the 21st Ohio, and repulsed with great gallantry. The fighting at this ponit was ter- rific. All along the front the dead and wounded lay in heaps, and over their bodies came the assaulting host, seemingly strong and brave as when the first charge was made in the morning. But the inevitable result of a successful flank movement, by which the ammuni- tion trains had been captured, came to Negley's strong fighting brigade as it had come to those of Sheridan and Davis. Ammunition was nearly exhausted, and it could only be replenished in rear of Crittenden, whose lines still stood intact. Negley ordered Stan- ley to retire, which he did in perfect order ; and Mil- ler's brigade, after holding its position until the ammu- nition on the persons of the killed and wounded was all used, slowly fell back to reform in Palmer's rear.
''Rosecrans, having arranged his plan of battle, had risen early to superintend its execution. Crittenden, whose headquarters were a few paces distant, mounted at 6 A. M., and with his staff rode to an eminence, where Rosecrans, surrounded by his staff-officers, was listening to the opening guns on the right. The plan of Bragg was instantly divined, but no apprehension of danger was felt. Suddenly the woods on the right in rear of Negley appeared to be alive with men wander- ing aimlessly in the direction of the rear. The roar of artillery grew more distinct, mingled with the continu- ous volleys of musketry. The rear of a line of battle always presents a pitiable spectacle of a horde of skulk- ers, men who. when tried in the fierce flame of battle, find, often to their own disgust, that they are lacking in the element of courage. But the spectacle of whole regiments of soldiers flying in panic to the rear was a sight never seen by the Army of the Cumberland ex- cept on that occasion. Captain Otis, from his position on the extreme right, dispatched a messenger, who arrived breathless, to inform General Rosecrans that the right wing was in rapid retreat. The astounding intelligence was confirmed a moment later by a staflf- officer from McCook, calling for re-enforcements.
^oth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 53
'Tell General AlcCook," said Rosecrans, "to contest every inch of ground. If he holds them we will swing- into Alurfreesboro and cut them of¥." Then Rousseau with his reserves was sent into the fight, and Van Cleve, who, in the execution of the initial move- ment on the left, had crossed Stone River at 6 A. j\L, at the lower ford, and was marching in close column up the hill beyond the river, was arrested by an order to return and take position on the pike facing toward the woods on the right. A few moments later this gal- lant division came dashing across the fields, with water dripping from their clothing, to take a hand in the fray. Harker's brigade v^'as withdrawn from the left and sent in on Rousseau's right, and ]\Iaston's Pioneers, relieved at the ford by Price's brigade, were posted on Marker's right. The remaining brigades of Van Cleve's division formed on the extreme right, and thus an improvised line half a mile in extent presented a new and unexpected front to the approaching enemy. It was a trying position to those men to stand in line Vvhile the panic-stricken soldiers of AlcCook's beaten regiments flying in terror through the woods, rushed past them. The Union lines could not fire, for their comrades were between them and the enemy. Rose- crans seemed ubiquitous. All these dispositions had been made under his personal supervision. While rid- ing rapidly to the front. Col. Garesche, his chief-of- stafif, was killed by his side by a cannon-ball: Finding Sheridan coming out of the cedars into which Rous- seau had just entered, Rosecrans directed Sheridan to the ammunition train, with orders to fill his cartridge- boxes and march to the support of Hazen's brigade, now hotly engaged on the edge of the Round Forest. The left was now exposed to attack by Breckinridge, and riding rapidly to the ford, Rosecrans inquired who was in command. "I am, sir," said Colonel Price. "\^^ill you hold this ford?" 'T will try, sir." "Will you hold this ford?' *T will die right here." "Will you hold this ford?" for the third time thundered the general. "Yes, sir," said the Colonel. "That will do,"
54 History of the
and away he galloped to Palmer who was contending against long odds for the possession of the Round Forest.
"At half past lo o'clock Rousseau's reserve division, shorn of one brigade, under command of Major Gen- eral Lovell H. Rousseau, was ordered into action on the right of General Negley. The two brigades com- manded by Colonels John Beatty and B. F. Scribner, known as the 17th and 9th of the old army of the Ohio, were the same that only three months before had hurled back the strong fighting brigades of Har- dee on the bloody slopes of Chaplin Hills at Perrys- ville. The regular brigade, composed of five battalions of the 15th, i6th, i8th and 19th United States Infantry, commanded by Col. Oliver L. Shepherd, under perfect discipline, was placed on the extreme right. The line was formed in a dense cedar thicket, through which Cleburne's and AlcCown's victorious columns were ad- vancing, sweeping everything before them. On the left the roar of battle in Negley's front showed that all was not lost, and to his right Col. John Beatty 's brigade was formed. Scribner was held in reserve. The shock of battle fell heaviest upon the regulars ; over one-third of the command fell either killed or wounded. Major Slemmer, of Fort Pickens fame, was wounded early. Steadily, as if on drill, the trained battalions fired by file, mowing down the advancing Confederate lines. Guenther's battery could not long check the fury of the charge that bore down upon the flanks and was fast enveloping the entire command.
"Lt. Col. Kell, the commander of the 2nd Ohio was killed; Col. Forman, the boy Colonel of the 15th Kentucky, and Major Carpenter of the 19th Infantry, fell mortally wounded. There was no resource but to retreat upon support. At this moment Negley's division, with empty cartridge boxes, fell back, and Rousseau, finding his flanks exposed, after a heroic fight of over two hours, fell back slowly and stub- bornly to the open field, where his flanks were more secure. Captain Morton, with the Pioneers and the Chicago Board of Trade battery, pushed into the
^oth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 55
cedars, and disappeared from view on their way to the front simultaneously with Marker. The general course of the tide of the stragglers toward the rear struck the Nashville pike at the point where Van Cleve stood impatiently awaiting the order to advance. All along the line men were falling, struck by the bullets of the enemy, who soon appeared at the edge of the woods on Morton's flank. At the order to charge, given by General Rosecrans in person. Van Cleve's division sprang forward, reserving their fire for close quarters. It was the crisis in the battle. If this line should be broken all would be lost. Steadily the line moved forward, sending a shower of bullets to the front.
"The brigades of Stanley and Miller having fallen back, as previously described, and the entire strength of Cheatham and the brigades of INIithus and Cleburn having come upon Rousseau, the latter had fallen back into the open field,where he found Van Cleve. Loomis' and Guenther's batteries, double shotted with canister, were posted on a ridge, and as the Confederate line ad- vanced, opened upon it with terrific force. Men fell all along the line, but it moved straight ahead. The field was covered with dead and wounded men. The deep bass of the artillery was mingled with the higher notes of the minie-rifles, while in the brief pauses could be distinguished the quickly spoken orders of the com- manding officers and the groans of the wounded. It was the full orchestra of battle. But there is a limit to human endurance. The Confederate brigades, now melted to three-fourths of their original strength, wavered and fell back ; again and again they re-formed in the woods and advanced to the charge, only to meet with a bloody repulse. All along the line from Marker's right to Wood's left the space gradually narrowed be- tween the contending hosts. The weak had gone to the rear ; there was no room now for any but brave men, and no time for new dispositions ; every man who had a stomach for fighting was engaged on the front line. From a right angle the Confederates left had been pressed back by Van Cleve and Marker and the Pio-
56 History of the
iieers to an angle of 45 degrees. This advance brought Van Cleve within view of Rousseau, who at once re- quested him to form on his right.
''General Harker, entering the woods on the left of Van Cleve, passed to his right, and now closed up on his flank. The enemy had fallen back, stubbornly fight- ing, and made a stand on the left of Cheatham. Brave old Van Cleve, his white hair streaming in the wind, the blood flowing from a wound in his foot, rode gal- lantly along the line where Harker was stiffly holding his position, with the right "in the air." Bidding him hold fast to every inch of ground, he rode on to Swal- low's battery, which was working with great rapidity. He then passed to the left, where Gen. Samuel Beatty's brigade were firing with their minie-rifles at a line of men which seemed to be always on the point of ad- vancing.
"The advance of Bragg's left wing had brought it into a position at right angles with the original line. The entire strength of the center, and most of the left, was concentrated upon the angle formed by Rousseau and the right of Palmer's division. Chalmer's Con- federate brigade, which up to 10 o'clock had lain con- cealed in the rifle pits on the right of Wither's line, arose at the order, and under a terific fire, dashed for- ward across an open field upon Palmer's front. Find- ing that the time had come for a decisive blow. General Bragg now directed General Breckinridge to send two brigades to the left to re-enforce Polk. General Pe- gram, who, with the cavalry, was posted on the Leba- non pike in advance of Breckinridge's right, had ob- served Van Cleve's movement and notified General Breckinridge that a heavy column of infantry and ar- tillery had crossed Stone River and was advancing along the river bank upon his position occupied by Hanson's brigade. Interpreting this as the initial movement in a plan which was intended to strike his division, Breckinridge declined to obey Bragg's order, which in his report he terms a "suggestion." At ten minutes after ten he rephed, "The enemy is undoubt- edly advancing upon me." Soon after he wrote to
|
John D. Nicelv. |
INlAj. George Angle. |
|
1st Lieut. Co. D. |
1864. |
|
Killed in action near Atlanta |
|
|
Ga., July 2, 1864. |
Surgeon R. H. Tipton.
18(iL\
Capt. J. S. McDowell. Co. B — 1862.
PUBLL LIBRA :;Y
ASrOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS'
^oth Ohio l^uluntccr Infantry. 67
Bragg, ''The Le1)anon road is unprotected, and I have no troops to fill out my line to it." At half-past eleven, upon Bragg ordering him to move forward and attack the Union left, l>reckinridge replied, '*I am oheying your order, but my left is now engaged with the enemy, and if I advance my whole line farther forward and still retain communicaton with my left, it will take me clear away from the Lebanon road and expose my right and that road to a heavy force of the enemy ad- vancing from Black's." The withdrawal of Van Cleve appears to have passed unnoticed Iw Breckinridge, and was undiscovered until too late to accomplish any good by complying with Bragg's order. Thus, by simply thrusting forward the left flank of his army and at once withdrawing it, General Rosecrans had held four Confederate brigades inactive at a time when their presence in support of Chalmers might have admin- istered the coup de grace to the center of the Union line. "The movement of Crittenden's left and center di- visions upon Bragg's right wing having been arested. Wood's division was in position to cross at the upper ford. Wayne's brigade was at the river bank. Hascall was in reserve some distance to the rear of the opening between Wagner's right and Hazen's left. The with- drawal of Negley from Palmer's right precipitated the attack of Donelson's and Chalmer's brigades against the right, and Adams and Jackson against the left. Chalmer's attack was made in great fury. His men had been confined, without fires, in their rifle-pits for forty-eight hours, and when finally the order came at ten o'clock to "up and at 'em, "they came forward like a pack of hounds in full cry. Cruft recoiled from the attack in the open field between the Round Forest and the wood in which Negley was engaged, and falling back, met the charge at the time that Negley moved to the rear. Now Cruft's right was in the air and ex- posed to attack by Donelson following Negley. Cruft repulsed Chalmer's in his front, but Donelson's brigade, pouring to his rear threatened to envelop him. Grose, from his postion reserve, faced to the right, and soon
58 History of the
after to the rear, and bore back the charging columns, enabHng Cruft to withdraw.
Cruft's brigade was composed of the 90th Ohio, 31st Indiana, ist and 2nd Ky. — Ed.
"When Chahner's assault first fell upon Palmer's right, Hazen faced his two right regiments, the 6th Ky. and 9th Ind., to the rear, where the impetus of Chal- mers' assault on Cruft had borne him, at the same time retiring the two left regiments, the 41st Ohio and iioth Illinois, some fifty yards to the left £)i the pike and engaged to the front, the 40th Indiana having fallen back. A burnt brick house ( Cowan's ) in the immedi- ate front of the Round Forest afiforded cover for the enemy, and in the steady, persistent effort to force back the front of Hazen 's line the action became terrific. All of Hascall's brigade, and two regiments of Wagner's being engaged on the right of the 6th Kentucky, and Wagner's remaining regiments being in position at the ford some distance to the left, the assault on the left was borne by Hazen, whose brigade was thought by Folk to be the extreme left of the Union line. Upon this point, as on a pivot, the entire army oscillated from front to rear for hours. Hazen's horse fell, shot square in the forehead. Word came that the ammunition of the 41st Ohio was nearly exhausted. 'Tix bayonets and hold your ground!" was the order. To the iioth Illinos, who had no bayonets, and whose cartridges were expended, the order was given to club their muskets, but to hold the ground. The 9th Ind. now dashed across the line of fire, from a battery in front, to the left, to relieve the 41st Ohio. Cannon-balls tore through their ranks, but they were rapidly closed up, and the men took their place in the front line, the 41st retiring with thinned ranks, but in excellent order, to re-fill their empty cartridge boxes. An ominous silence succeeded, soon followed by the charge of Don- elson's fresh Confederate brigade and the remains of Chalmer's. The time had been occupied in the re- adjustment of Palmer's line. The 24th Ohio com- manded by Col. Fred Jones, and the 36th Indiana, shorn of half its strength in the previous assault, were
^oth Ohio I 'oluntccr Infantry. 69
sent to Hazen's support. Parsons' battery was posted on the left. The 3rd Kentucky, led by McKee, dashed forward and took position on the right of the 9th In- diana across the pike. The terrible slaughter in the regi- ment attests its courage.
"While Hazen and Wagner were thus gallantly de- fending the left of the line from 9 o'clock in the morn- ing until 2 in the afternoon, the fight raged not less furiously on their immediate right. Here a line was formed, composed of two brigades of Palmer's division and Hascall of Wood's, filled out by the remains of Sheridan's and Negley's divisions, who, after they had replenished their ammunition, formed behind the railroad embankment at right angles with Hazen's brigade, which alone retained its position upon the original line. Farther to the right was Rousseau, with Van Cleve, Harker, and Morton on his right. At the supreme moment the chances of victory were evenly balanced. The undaunted soldiers of the left and cen- ter had swept past the crowd of fugitives from the right wing, and now in strong array they stood like a rock- bound coast beating back the tide which threatened to engulf the rear.
"Along this line rode Rosecrans ; Thomas, calm, in- flexible, from whose gaze skulkers shrank abashed ; Crittenden, cheerful and full of hope, complimenting his men as he rode along the lines ; Rousseau, whose impetuosity no disaster could quell ; Palmer, with a stock of cool courage and presence of mind equal to any emergency; Wood, suffering from a wound in his heel, stayed in the saddle, but had lost that jocularity which usually characterized him. "Good-bye, General, we'll all meet at the hatter's, as one coon said to another when the dogs were after them," he had said to Crittenden early in the action. "Are we doing it about right, now, General?" asked Morton as he glanced along the blazing line of muskets to where the Chicago battery was hard at work. "All right, fire low," said Rosecrans as he dashed by. Colonel Grose, always in his place, had command of the Ammen brigade, of Shiloh memorv, which, with Hazen's and Cruft's bri-
60 History of the
gades, had driven the right of Beauregard's victorious army off that field. After the formation of this Hne at noon, it never receded; the right swung around until, at 2 o'clock, considerable of the lost ground had been retaken. The artillery, more than fifty guns, was massed in the open ground behind the angles in the line ( 28 Union guns had been captured ), where they poured iron missiles continuously upon the Confederate line. They could not fire amiss. The fire from Cox's battery was directed upon Hanson's brigade across the river, whence Cobb, with Napoleons, returned the com- pliment with zeal and precision. Schaefer's brigade, having received a new stock of cartridges, formed on Palmer's right, where later its commander received his death wound, the last of Sheridan's commanders to fall during the day. At 4 o'clock it became evident to the Confederate commander that the only hope of suc- cess lay in a charge upon the Union left, which, by its overpowering weight, should carry everything before it. The movement of Cleburne to the left in support of McCown had deprived him of reserves ; but Breckin- ridge had two brigades unemployed on the right, and these were peremptorily ordered across the river to support General Polk.
''The charge of Adams and Jackson, and the subse- quent attack of Preston's and IP'almer's brigades have been described. The errors made by General Polk in making an attack with the two brigades that first ar- rived upon the field, instead of waiting the arrival of General Breckinridge with the remaining brigades, was so palpable as to render an excuse for failure nec- essary. This was easily found in the tardy execution of Bragg's order by Beckinridge, and resulted in sharp criticism of the latter. The Union 3rd Kentucky, now nearly anniliilated. was relieved by the 58th Indiana. The 6th Ohio took position on the right of the 26th Ohio, with its right advanced so that its line of fire would sweep the front of the regiments on the left. The 97th Ohio and looth Illinois came up and still strengthened the position. They had not long to wait for the Confederate attack. These dispositions had
^otli Ohio I 'oluntcer Infantry. 61
hardly been made when a long line of infantry emerged from behind the hill. Adams' and Jackson's brigades were on the right, and Donelson's and Chalmers' badly cut up but stout of heart, were on the left. On they came in splendid style, full six thousand strong. Es- tep's case-shot tore through their ranks, but the gaps closed up. Parsons sent volley after volley of grape- shot against them, and the 6th and the 26th Ohio, tak- ing up the refrain, added the sharp rattle of minie- rities to the unearthly din. Still the line pressed for- ward, firing as they came, until met by a simultaneous and destructive volley of musketry. They staggered, but quickly re-formed and re-enforced by Preston and the Confederate Palmer, advanced again to the charge. The battle had hushed on the extreme right, and the gallantry of this advance is indescribable. The right was even with the left of the Union line, and the left stretched far past the point of woods from which Neg- ley had retired. It was such a charge as this that at Shiloh broke the strong lines of W,. H. L. Wallace and Hurlbut, and enveloped Prentiss. The Confeder- ates had no sooner moved into the open field from the cover of the river bank than they were received with a blast from the artillery. Men plucked the cotton from the bolls at their feet and stufifed it in their ears. Huge gaps were torn in the Confederate line at every dis- charge. The Confederate line staggered forward half the distance across the fields, when the Union infantry lines added minie-balls to the fury of the storm. Then the Confederates wavered and fell back, and the first day's fight was over.
''New Year's was a day of fair weather. During the night Rosecrans retired his left to a more advan- tageous position, the left resting on Stone River at the lower ford, where Van Cleve had crossed on the previous morning, the line of battle extending to Stoke's battery, posted on a knoll on Rosecrans' right. Walker's and Starkweather's brigades having come up, the former bivouacked in close column in reserve in rear of McCook's left, and the latter posted on^ Sheri- dan's left, next morning relieved Van Cleve's division,
62 History of the
now commanded by Colonel Beatty, which crossed the river and took position on the margin of a woodland that covered a gentle slope extending from the river to an open field in its front.
"Across this field the Lebanon road running nearly at right angles with Beatty's line, was nearly in sight. In his front and right, an elevation still held by Han- son's brigade of Breckinridge's division was crowned by Cobb's battery of artillery. On the left and rear, Grose's brigade of Palmer's division occupied a knoll in support of Livingston's battery on the following day.
"The Confederate line, formed by Polk and Breck- inridge on the right and Hardee on the left, extended from the point of Stone River where Chalmer's brigade had bivouacked since the 25th, in a direction almost at right angles with its original line.
''At dawn on January ist, the right flank of General Polk was advanced to occupy the ground vacated by the Union army on the west bank of the river. Neither commander deemed it advisable to attack, but each was watchful of every movement of the other. The picket lines on either side were thrust forward within sight of the main lines of the opposing force, on the alert to •notify their commander of any movement in their front. Weaker in numbers, but more compact, and decidedly stronger in morals, each awaited the order to advance and close in final struggle.
''General Bragg confidently expected to find the Union troops gone from his front on the morning of January 2nd. His cavalry had reported the pike full of troops and wagons moving towards Nashville, but the force east of Stone River soon attracted his atten- tion. Reconoissance by staff-officers revealed Beatty 's line, enfilading Polk in his new position. It was evident that Folk must be withdrawn or Beatty dislodged. Bragg chose the latter alternative and Breckinridge, against his earnest protest, was directed to concentrate his division and assault Beatty. Ten Napoleon guns were added to his command, and the cavalry was or- dered to cover his right. The line was formed by plac- ing Hanson's brigade of Kentuckians, who had thus far
^oth Ohio I 'olitnlccr Iiifcuitry. 63
borne no part in the engagement, on the extreme left, supported by Adam's brigade, now commanded by Col. Gibson. The Confederate Palmer's brigade, com- manded by Gen. Pillow, took the right of the line, with Preston in reserve. The artillery was ordered to follow the attack and go into position on the summit of the slope when Beatty should be driven from it. The total strength of the asaulting column was estimated by Bragg at six thousand men. His cavalry took no part in the action.
"In the assault that followed a brief cannonade, Hanson's left was thrown forward close to the river bank, with orders to fire once, then charge with the bay- onet. On the right of Beatty was Col. S. W. Price's brigade, and the charge made by Hanson's 6th Ky., was met by Price's 8th Ky., followed by Hanson and Pillow in successive strokes from right to left of Beat- ty's lines. Overborne by numerical strength, the Union l^rigades of Price and Fyffe were forced back upon Grider, in reserve, the right of whose brigade was rap- idly being turned by Hanson, threatening to cut the division off from the river. The space between the river bank and the ridge occupied by Grose, now pre- sented a scene of the wildest confusion. The pursuit led the Confederate column to the right of Grose, and Lieut. Livingston opened upon it with artillery, but he was quickly ordered across the river. Crittenden, turn- ing to his chief-of-artillery,. said, "Mendenhall, you must cover my men with your guns." Never was there a more effective response to such a request ; the bat- teries of Swallow, Parsons, Estep, Stokes, Stevens, Standart, Bradley, and Livingston dashed forward, wheeled into position, and opened fire. In all, fifty- eight pieces of artillery played upon the enemy. Not less than one hundred shots per minute were fired. As the mass of men swarmed down the slope they were mowed down by the score. Confederates were pinioned to the earth by falling branches. For a few minutes the brave fellows held their ground, hoping to advance, but the west bank bristled with bavonets.
64 History of the
"Hanson was mortally wounded, and his brigade- lost over four hundred men ; the loss in the division was 14 1 o. There was no thought now of attacking Grose, but one general impulse to get out of the jaws of death. The Union infantry was soon ordered to charge. Col. John F. Miller with his brigade and two regiments of Stanley's was the first to cross the river, on the ex- treme left. He was quickly followed on the right by Davis and Morton and by Hazen in the center. Beatty quickly reformed his division and recrossed the river and joined in the pursuit. The artillery ceased firing, and the Union line with loud cheers dashed forward, firing volley after volley upon the fugitives who rallied behind Robertson's battery and Anderson's brigade in the narrow skirt of timber from which they had emerged to the assault. The Union line advanced and took possession of the ground from which Beatty had been driven an hour before, and both armies bivouacked upon the battle-field. General Spears, with a brigade guarding a much-needed supply train, came up and took position on the right, relieving Rousseau on the follow- ing morning.
"General Bragg had been promptly notified by Gen- eral Joe Wheeler of the arrival of this re-enforcement to his antagonist, and says in his report : 'Common prudence and the safety of my army, upon which the safety of our cause depends, left no doubt on my mind as to the necessity of my withdrawal from so unequal a contest.
"Bragg acknowledged a loss of over 10,000 men, over 9,000 of whom were killed or wounded, — nearly 25 per cent of the total force engaged. The loss in the Union army was, in killed, 1,533; wounded, 7245= 8778; and in prisoners, 3489. Total 10,734.
"Apprehending the possible success of a flank move- ment against his left. General Bragg had caused all tents and baggage to be loaded on wagons and sent to the rear. On the night of the 3rd he began his retreat, and continued it south of Elk River, whence he was ordered back to Tallahoma, Tenn., by General Johnston.
From a recent photo.
Capt. William Felton, Co. A. Capt. Felton is now (I'JOli) living in Columbus, O.
T^IE NEW YO"K
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
R L
^oth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 65
OUR REGIMENT'S FIELD HOSPITAL AT STONE RIVER,
While it was the fate of some other regiments to do more actual battling than the 90th, the history proves that it was always alive to its position and duties, always prompt and faithful to its orders, aim- ing in every instance in camp, march, or field, to do everything that might be required of a regiment, and to this end its faithful officers carefully watched over the welfare of its men, and the completeness of its equipments.
As illustrative of these truths, I recall circum- stances that led me across the Stone River battlefield, about two weeks after the engagement. I spent the night in Murfreesboro, sleeping in a store that had been a temporary hospital, and on a counter upon which I was told that a wounded soldier had died the previous night with vermin in his wounds. I mention this incident to show how deficient the medi- cal staff of the army was in needed surgical supplies and attendants, and to indicate by contrast how far ahead the 90th was in its provisions for emergencies.
The next morning I crossed Stone River, and walked across the battlefield, almost over the route taken by our regiment, even looking inside of the brick house that was an object of interest to our boys during the fierce struggle. Arriving 'at the rear of the field, I came to a large, square hospital tent; and my heart gave a bound as I read upon the flag above it : ''90 O. V. I." About the hospi- tal were some smaller tents for the diet work and the attendants.
A corporal of the 6th Ohio, wounded in that battle, and taken to our hospital, thus refers to it in a story in Harper's Magazine of 1863 :
'There was scarcely more than an hour of sun- shine left on that Wednesday, the fearful first day at Stone River, when the driver assisted me out of the ambulance and gave me in charge of the attend-
5 90 O V I
66 History of the
ants at the field hospital of the 90th Ohio. The large, square-made hospital tent was already becom- ing crowded, some of its inmates evidently newcom- ers, like myself. x\t the further end one of the sur- geons was busily at work bandaging a ghastly wound in the arm of a poor wretch, the sleeve of whose blouse, cut away at the shoulder and all matted and stiff with gore, was lying on the ground beside him. One of the attendants, with both sleeves rolled up to the elbows, had just set down a basin of water and was assisting the surgeon in securing the bandage. Another of the wounded sat on the ground, a little behind the group, waiting with mute patience for his turn to come next. Close by, and down upon one knee, was the chaplain, with a memorandum book and pencil, taking the sufferers' names, with the commands to which they severally belonged, and the home address of the friends of each. Not in vain, I thought, was even this last care, for it could scarcely be very long before sad occasion to improve it would be given by some of our number.
''The surgeon was soon ready for me, and pro- ceeded to examine the wound with evident care and interest. * * *
"In kind, skillful, tenderest hands, reader, though strangers all, I felt that I was among friends at once. Perhaps, though, you cannot have portion in the grati- tude that wells up in my soul while I recall their un- wearied ministrations, you will yet share in my con- fidence as I end here the story on my part in the ranks at Stone River."
I think that nothing in all its arduous campaign- ing gave me more pride in "ours" than this illustra- tion of the readiness of the 90th to l)c and do the utmost that was possible for a regiment. Later, I was identified with some of the hospital work of our eastern army, and I came to realize nearly all it meant for a regiment to be prepared to care for its men when the enemy's bullets put them out of service. After all these vears there comes to me a
potli Ohio l^olnntccr infantry. 67
thrill of satisfaction with every recollection of that 90th Regiment O. V. I. field hospital at Stone River. Corporal H. Anderson^ Co. I.
CONNECTED WITH GEN. PALMER'S STAFF.
"It was after the battle of Stone River, and be- fore going to Camp Cripple Creek, while temporarily camped in the timber, with a farm house near by, in whose yard Gen. Palmer was kindly (?) asked to make his headquarters. Jacob Bibler and James Rittenhouse caught a pig, and were in the act of skinning it. Percival Stuter and I were gathering 'broom sage' for our bed, but came up as the slaugh- tering was going on, and looking on wishfully, when an orderly, John by name, came riding up and took all four of us to headquarters. Stuter and I proved an alibi, while the other two had every circumstance against them. We were dismissed to our quarters, while they were put under guard. They bore the disgrace (?) of being guarded in camp, while the very next day we bore the fatigue of guarding a wagon train up to Nashville, walking back to camp the second and third days afterward, about thirty miles. When our division commander came to be ''Senator John M. Palmer," of Illinois, I wrote to him for a favor, reminding him of my connection with his staff, which he still remembered. He was prompt to grant my request, and ever since I have a cabinet photo of our venerable "Pap" Palmer. It is more than likely the General got the hog.
S. C. Goss, Co. D.
SNAP SHOT PICTURES TAKEN AFTER MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS.
When a boy we amused ourselves by setting on end a row of brick and then pushing over one at the end, which, by turns, caused the whole line to be prostrate. Here's something like it : Wlien on our forced march from Lexington to Louisville, in
68 History of the
September, '62, we ''tuckered out" under our load, and Captain (then first lieutenant) Sutphen came to our relief by carrying our gun. Next came Majar Yeoman, on his sorrel horse, and relieved the lieu- tenant by carrying the gun; then came some un- known comrade, who feigned to be the owner of the gun, and said he'd "take it now," and did. Then we had no gun to carry, until we came to camp in the timber, near Louisville. Then, from that on, we had !
Who took our gun; and whose was the last brick to fall? Honest, now, and no arrests or court martial shall follow. Our next view was taken at Stone River, in the edge of the cedars, before the brick (Cowan) house.
We stopped behind a tree, a rod or so from the fence, when our regiment took position, relieving the 2nd Kentucky Regiment, intending, by our more ad- vantageous point of view (?) to silence the rebel cannon, playing on us in front ! Capt. Perry said some words, and we moved forward, and laid down behind the fence. Rebels seemed to take advantage of the fact of my being down, like the rest, with my face to the ground, and fired more vigorously
now. Captain vehemently commanded : ''Why •
— don't you shoot?" I couldn't see anything, and
Rosencranz had said in General order: "Don't shoot till you see something" ; and I didn't. At last we saw something. It seems to me now as if the rebels were six or eight lines deep as they moved down on us. It was the first shot I ever made at a human being, and it seemed like firing at the broad side of a Pennsylvania barn. I can't tell how far away they were at the time, but, putting several things together, I concluded that my shot must have done terrible exe- cution in those advancing lines. While the enemy was rallying from the effects of my shot, our regi- ment withdrew, without one of our boys being shot in the back, a thing which could hardly have hap- pened if those Johnnies had not been in great trepi- dation — from my volley. The evil which came out
c)Oth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 69
of it, to our side, was that several of our company — includinjT^ Capt. Perry and Mahlon Harps — were so deafened by the noise of my gun, and so shrouded in the smoke of it, as to either not hear the command to fall back, or else failed to find their way out of the smoke, and were, accordingly, taken prisoners. We apologize, at this late day, for the disaster which our heroism brought these comrades. When we came to consider the situation, the rebels seemed to be farther away when we fired, although they were all the while moving in our direction. As we think of it now, every tree seemed to have a Confederate be- hind it, and w^e wonder how that, between two armies, those trees ever escaped alive !
Our next view follows close on the one preceding : We came up to the 31st Indiana, who were being formed, or held in line, with difficulty. General Cruft himself at their head, like a true hero, by word and action, giving inspiration to the boys. We remem- ber distinctly his words and more earnest appearance : "Now, men, for God's sake, remember you are from my own native state" !
They doubtless remembered it, but, like ourselves, they carried that sweet memory hastily out of those woods, and over that open country, to our new posi- tion, whose memory to us to day, is sweeter than that of the Cedars.
The picture w^hich we now give is located in the edge of that timber and on the open ground beyond. Noah Lutz belonged to my *'mess," just then, and we were making observations about its being ''an in- glorious morning," when, in our retrograde move- ment, we fell in w^ith — Lieuts. Rains and Crow, who hitched us to one of our abandoned brass cannon, and together we hauled the thing rearward, and turned it over to those who presently put it to use again. This is the second instance where we appear as an important factor in turning the tide of battle, and saving our army from defeat and capture !
In his report the Colonel (Ross) mentioned only the commissioned officers as deserving special mention
70 History of the
for meritorious conduct. But then Ross wasn't to blame, for "no one sees a battle," and at the time, he didn't see us, and we were too modest to let him know^ we did it !
If Lutz wasn't the man, we are mistaken. Others were there, but they were not officers, but simply "men," and so we can't remember their names !
We have more pictures, but we must draw the curtain and say good-night.
S. C. Goss, Co. D.
Sheridan, Mo., March 31, 1901.
Friend and Comrade Harden :
You appear to have made quite a stir among the "dry bones." They appear from all directions. Among others, I see the names of J. C. Shaw and William. Switzer, Company G. Why ! Bless my body ! I have not seen Shaw since he and Switzer stopped to camp on a field, the last afternoon of the Chickamauga bat- tle, when we were changing our lines in somewhat of a hurry, just after General Tom Wood had made room for Longstreet, in the Union lines.
And Lafe Gaston, Kerr, O., I think the highest point he ever touched, was on the Stone River battle- field, a. m., December 31, 1862, when the right of our army was being thrashed like a school boy, and when our regiment changed position to the rear, and to the cedar woods. On the field between the lines lay a wounded comrade, exposed to a galling fire from both lines, raised partly up on hands and knees, was begging for some one to come and rescue him from the hands of the rebels. Gaston cast his cartridge box and gun on the ground, rushed between the lines and rescued the poor fellow, carried him through our lines and laid him on the ground, and when Lt. Wither- spoon remarked to Gaston that he might carry the wounded man back to the hospital if he wished, ("laston requested that some one else take him, as for himself he wanted to stay in the battle. Let's hear from the next. I wonder if this would not ornament a short history.
^oth Oliio I'ohintccr Infantry. 71
Were I a poet, I would try my hand right here. But let it go. I can't poetize. But I always cultivated Gaston's acquaintance after that. I do not know but that some time I may need him.
I hereby enclose a remittance for the History of the Regiment which you propose publishing.
We looked forward in those early years of '6i and '5. But now we are more inclined to be reminiscent, and then we will see how our backward view at this dis- tance will correspond.
It will be worth the money.
Wishing you and all the Boys Good Luck and lots of it. Capt. Jas. K. Jones.
REMINISCENCES.
BY SYIvVESTER RADER.
While camped in the open field, near Nashville, Tenn., in 1862, the ambulance came around, gathering up the sick, among whom was myself. We were taken to Hospital No. i, Nashville, and dumped. Here we found three of the 90th Boys, four of us in all. I am the only one that lived to get away. The boys were : William Downs, John Westenberger, and a young man from Co. I, whose name I do not recollect. I saw Downs and the Co. I man die. John Westenberger died in the night while I was asleep. No one knew he was dead, until morning. Finding men dead in their bunks in the morning occurred several times while I was there.
I heard Dr. Duff, the assitant surgeon, curse a sick man, accusing him of "playing off," and call him names that were a disgrace to his mother, and in less than a week that same man was in the dead house. Here I heard sick men complaining of being hungry, who were unable to walk the length of the room, yet,the govern- ment was furnishing plenty of provisions for us, but the hospital steward, whose name I think was Snel- grove, was selling our provisions to a citizen grocery- man near by, and blowing in the money for drinks, theaters, and on the inhabitants of "Smokv Row." He
72 History of the
was detected, courtmartialed and sent to a military prison for two years. The Boys were going to lynch him the night before he got his sentence, but the authorities heard of it and hustled him off to prison early in the evening. Talk about absence of humanity, when a man will starve his sick comrades.
After the Stone River battle we received thirty wounded men, and I spent many hours pouring cold water on their wounds to keep down inflamation. Had they known the virtue of a small amount of carbolic acid, added to the water, thousands of men would be living to-day, who are under the sod.
I wish to speak of two incidents of our march from Lexington to Louisville. The Yankee trick we played on the Johnnies by hauling saw logs along, represent- ing artillery; and the 90th being drawn up in line of battle on the south side of the pike to lock horns with the Johnnies.
On the 4th the enemy was nowhere to be seen, and the day was spent in burying the dead of the regiment, who were found stripped of all their clothing, except their drawers. Those seriously wounded were found with their wounds undressed.
The regiment lost in this battle 137 men killed, wounded, captured and missing. Six officers were wounded: Capt. M. B. Rowe, Lt. L. W. Reahard, Lt. Geo. W. Welsh, Lt. T. E. Baker, Lt. J. N. Selby, Capt. Thomas Rains, Capt. Alva Perry and Lt. J. F. Cook were captured. The names of the killed, wounded and captured, will be found in the regular roster, in another part of this work.
Col. Isaac N. Ross, who led the regiment in this battle, and who proved himself a brave and efficient officer, was immediately after sent to the rear in serious health. He afterward resigned, and Lt. Col. C. H. Rippy promoted to Colonel, and Maj. S. N. Yeoman to Lt. Colonel.
The dead were buried on the west side of the rail- road and pike, in a low piece of ground, but were taken
Adj. Dan. S. Kingery. Thomas Parish, Co. D.
Killed at Chickamauga, Ga., "The Old Blacksmith." Taken? Sept. 20, 18G3. at Cripple Creek, Teim., 1863.
Sergt. S. C. Goss.
Co. D.
From a war-time photo.
Lt. J. L. Hatfield.
Co. H.
From a war-lime photo*.
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poth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 73
up and afterward interred in the Stone River National Cemetery near by. There are 34 of the 90th Boys sleeping the sleep of death in this cemetry, which is kept in fine style by the government they died to save. We quote from an article appearing in the Fairfield- Fickazmy News, some ten years ago:
"The writer was over a great part of this battle- field in the latter part of 1864, and it was no uncommon thing to find the remains of men in the thick cedars, who had been covered with a little earth where they lay, heads and feet exposed as the dirt had washed off. Many of the fields where so much blood was shed, and where cannons thundered death and destruction on those memorable days, were planted in corn and cot- ton and men peacefully following the plow. Old Fort- ress Rosecrans is the best preserved fortification we have seen. Except the natural erosion, most of it is about as it was at the close of the war. The fortress is about half a mile north of Murfreesboro, and is about one mile long by half a mile wide, with the pike, rail- road and Stone River running through it.
This was a memorable time, the men lying in mud and snow, suffered terribly from cold and exposure."
Bragg evacuated Murfreesboro and took up posi- tion at Tullahoma, Tenn., farther south on the L. & N. railroad. We lay at or near Murfreesboro, burying the dead and resting up, until January 7, 1863, when we moved on to Cripple Creek, about 6 miles farther, and went into camp. Here the regiment performed picket duty, drilled, etc., for some time.
Here is a blank in the diaries, which we are unable to get from any one, but the daily routine was camp and picket duty. We now come to where John Chil- cote's diary gives us some information. We quote from it. Feb. 9th — Having been discharged from the hos- pital, we started on our way to join the regiment at Camp Cripple Creek. Passed through Lavergn and camped 20 miles from Nashville.
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8th. — Started again, marched over the battlefield of Stone River, through the town of Murfreesboro and 2 miles beyond and camped.
9th. — Started again this morning and got to the regiment at Cripple Creek in the evening, and went on picket at night.
loth. — Was a rainy day. Were relieved and went to camp.
I ith. — This is a very warm, nice day. Went down to the creek and washed some clothes. The regiment had dress parade this evening.
1 2th. — Cloudy and raining. It has been a very disagreeable day. Our camp is very muddy and dis- agreeable.
13th. — Turned cold. Went on picket to-day Traded for some corn bread out on the picket-line. It tasted good, and was a change from hard-tack.
14th. — The regiment drew two day's rations to- day. It began raining in the evening and rained all night.
15th. — Still cloudy, but did not rain much. Very muddy in camp. Our regiment drew some clothing to-day. I got a blouse.
1 6th. — The regiment worked on the intrenchments to-day in the rain and mud. It was very disagreeable work, but we had to do it.
17th. — The regiment went on picket to-day. We had a rainy time of it. Rained all day and night.
i8th. — The regiment came in off of picket duty, V two day's rations.
19th. — Cleared off aliout 9 o'clock. Stood guard in another man's place.
20th. — This was a very nice day. Got breakfast and did a big washing. Everything quiet in camp.
^oth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 75
2 1 St. — Began to rain about noon, but we had to go on picket, all the same. It seems it can rain down in this country any time. It makes it very disagreeable for us who are living in tents and have to stand out on duty.
22nd. — This is a cold, cloudy day. Wrote a letter while out on picket, and another after I came in. We have to put in the time, some how, to keep from getting homesick.
23rd. — Company's H and E went out foraging to-day for mule feed. We also concluded we wanted some feed for ourselves, and finding some hogs, killed four of them while the wagons were being loaded.
24th. — Stayed in camp and rested from our for- aging trip yesterday, and enjoyed eating some of our fresh pork. It tasted very good.
25th. — Ordered to be ready to go on picket at 7 o'clock, to relieve those on duty so they could go to camp and draw their pay. It began raining, as usual, when we got there.
26th. — Came in off picket, drew three day's ra- tions, and got orders to go on a foraging expedition to-morrow. We may get some more fresh pork, or something else good to eat.
27th. — After scouring the country for forage, started back for camp, arriving about 3 o'clock.
28th. — The regiment cleaned up guns and accou- trements for inspection. Also policed our quarters. It was so wet we had a hard time of it. Drew five day's rations. The regiment was paid off to-day. It was a busy day, and we were mustered for our next two months' pay.
March i, 1863. — This is Sunday. Went on picket.
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It was a beautiful day. The res^iment got mail to-day, which the boys highly appreciated.
2nd. — This was another nice day. Nothing out of the general routine.
3rd. — This was a cold, cloudy day. The regi- ment worked on the fortifications to-day.
4th. — A nice day, but cold. There was nothing to-day, beyond the regular duties.
5th. — Cannonading all day, in the direction of the rebel army. Quite cold in the evening. Some of the men were on picket.
6th. — Began raining this morning. The forage wagons went to Murfreesboro, and a part of the regi- ment went as guards.
7th. — Worked on a road in front of headquarters, in mud up to our knees. There was cannonading in front all day.
8th. — This is another Sunday, and a cold, wet, •drizzly day. Received mail to-day.
9th. — Went on picket, but were ordered back to get ready to move. Took down our tents, but did not move, but went back to the picket line.
loth. — It rained all day. Came in ofif picket and went to work putting up our tents again.
nth. — Order to move countermanded. A nice .warm day, and the mud dried up.
1 2th. — Drew five days' rations to-day.
13th. This was our picket day again. A woman came to our post with some eggs, and sold them at 40 cents a dozen,
14th. — After coming in off picket, policed our quarters and cleaned up the camp.
15th. — There was general inspection this morning, and grand review in the evening.
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i6th. Policed camp in the forenoon, and in the afternoon had regimental and company drill.
17th. Our picket day again. It comes quite often. General Cruft and staff visited our lines to-day.
18th. — Came in off picket, took down our tents to "air them/' then had hattalion and brigade drill, and dress parade. Then put up our tents.
19th. — Had battalion drill in the forenoon, and brigade drill and dress parade in the afternoon.
20th. — This forenoon was wash day for many of the boys. In the afternoon we had brigade drill.
2ist. — Picket day again. Also got mail. This was a nice day.
22nd. — Chaplain W. C. Holliday preached to-day, after which we had a brigade drill and dress parade. It might have done more good to have had the preach- ing afterwards.
23rd. — Company H went out on picket to relieve one of the 31st Indiana companies, in place of a com- pany of the 1st Kentucky, which is out on Pilot Knob on guard.
24th. — Cleaned up our guns and accoutrements, and were inspected by the brigade inspectors ; then went out to drill, but it rained and we did not drill.
25th. — Went out on picket. It was quite cold, but we were not allowed to have fires. Got mail again to-day.
26th. — Company drill in the forenoon, and in the afternoon battalion drill and dress parade.
27th. — Policed our quarters. John Haines, of Co. D, died to-day, and was buried same day.
28th. — No drilling to-day, as it was a wet day.
29th. — Went on picket again to-day, and although it was cold, we were not allowed to have fires.
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30th. — Battalion drill and dress parade to-day.
31st. — Battalion drill again to-day. Dress parade in the evening.
April 1st. — Had company drill in the forenoon, and battalion drill in the afternoon. In the evening we got orders to pack up and be ready to move at a moment's warning.
2nd. — Started about i o'clock this morning, with two day's rations in our havresacks, in pursuit of the Rebels, towards Woodbury. Got there about day- light. The Rebels heard of our coming and left be- fore we could head them off. We captured 30 prison- ers and all of their provisions and many mules. We then turned about and marched back to our old camp, marching in all, about 30 miles, reaching camp about sundown.
3rd. — Went on picket, and had a nice day of it. Found a guinea's nest with five eggs in it.
4th. — Drew five days' rations, and policed our quarters. Alany of the boys amused themselves by pitching horse-shoes. Others did their washing.
5th. — Relieved the 31st Indiana on picket, they going out on a scout. Milked Chilcote's cow again.
6th. — Remained on picket in place of the two companies out on Pilot Knob.
7th. — Came in off picket, signed the pay-roll, and took down our tents again.
8th. — Did not get paid off to-day. Drew two days' rations of beef. In the evening had dress parade.
9th. — Drew four months' pay, which was $52 each, for the privates.
loth. — Had inspection in order to find the number of able-bodied men in the regiment. Had dress parade in the evening.
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nth. — Went on picket. At night there came a heavy thundershower, which lasted nearly all night.
1 2th. — John Chilcote milked the old lady's cow again, this morning. He was afraid the cow might go dry, if not attended to regularly. Went to camp and got ready to march, but did not move.
13th. — This was a very warm morning. Some of our men were detailed to go on picket, some on guard at headquarters.
14th. — Took down our tents agam, to "air them," but about noon it began to rain and we put them- up again.
15th. — A drizzly day, and we are on picket again. Rained all day.
i6th. — Cleared off and was a nice day. Had dress parade in the evening.
17th. — Everything quiet in camp, and nothing worthy of note occurred.
1 8th. — Still quiet in camp. Chilcote says he was detailed to help fix up the surgeon's tent, but "played off" sick.
19th. — This was our picket day again, and was a damp, drizzly day.
20th. — General Rousseau's division * marched through here to-day on its way to the front.
2ist. — Most of the boys wxre detailed to work in camp. Dress parade in the evening.
22nd. — Dress parade, as usual. Not much going on. Some are working about camp.
23rd. Chilcote says he and Bradford Lott worked nearly all day, putting up a ''pup" tent. When we went out we had large tents which would accommodate a number of men. These tents were hauled in wagons, and when the wagon train did not get up, we had to
80 History of the
sleep on the ground without any covering. In order that we might save the mules, and have shelter for our- selves, at all times, these tents were dispensed with, so far as the privates were concerned, and a square piece of heavy muslin or duck, about 5 feet square, with buttons on one edge, and button holes on the other, were issued to the men. If the men divided off, which they did, two or three messing together, and each with a piece of "pup" tent, as they were called, a shelter could soon be made by buttoning two pieces together and putting up a ridge pole and staking the edges to the ground, making a shed like the comb of a house roof. The third piece was used to shut up one end, or if a fourth piece, both ends. By this arrange- ment the men carried their own tents, and the teams- were used for other purposes.
24th. — On picket again. It is a nice warm day, and the people are planting corn close to us.
25th. — Were to have been inspected by the brigade inspector, but were not.
26th. — This is Sunday. Had preaching at 4. o'clock by Corporal James J. Holliday, of Co. H. Dress parade after preaching.
27th. — On picket again to-day. Rained all night,, and was very disagreeable.
28th. — Cleared off and was a very nice day. The regiment had dress parade in the evening.
29th. — Received orders this morning to pack up, have two days' rations in our havresacks, and be ready to move any moment, but did not move.
30th. — Mustered for our next pay. Had brigade drill and dress parade.
Ma> 1st. — Chilcote says he is on picket again, but
From a lecent photo.
Color Bearer J. S. CockeriIvIv, Co. C.
He planted the first colors on the Confederate works at Nashville, Tenn.
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moved from his old post, down to the woods. Does, not say whether he took the cow along- or not.
2nd. — Came in off picket, washed up, and cleaned up our quarters. Battalion drill and dress parade in the afternoon.
3rd. — We had inspection in the forenoon, and general review in the afternoon.
4th. — Regimental drill and dress parade to-day.
5th. — Very quiet in camp. Some of the boys are out on picket.
6th. — Got mail to-day. It began raining this morning and rained all day.
7th. — A damp, drizzly day. We drew rations to-day.
8th. — Company drill in the forenoon, and brigade drill in the afternoon.
9th. — The camp quiet, as usual.
loth. — General review this evening. Lieut. Gea Richey returned to the regiment to-day, from a fur- lough home.
nth. — A very warm day, and everything quiet.
I2th. — The regiment had battalion drill to-day. General Palmer moved his quarters to this place, to- day. He is our division commander.
13th. — Nothing unusual to-day. It rained, but that is no unusual occurrence.
14th. — Had brigade drill. Everything very quiet in camp.
15th. — We began doing picket duty to-day, by detail, that is so many from each company, each day.
i6th. — This is Saturday, and wash-day. We had dress parade in the evening.
17th. — This is Sunday. Had inspection this morh-
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82 History of the
ing, and review in the evening. A Kentucky chaplain preached to our regiment at lo o'clock.
i8th. — The men are putting in the time drilling, except those on picket.
19th. — Brigade drill to-day. Squad and company drill were going on almost every day, in addition to battalion and brigade drills.
20th. — Started on a scout at daylight. Went about four miles, and as we found no enemy, came back to camp, and drilled in the evening.
2 1 St. — All quiet, except drill. A nice warm day.
22nd. — The mail was distributed to-day. Had brigade drill.
23rd. — Did not drill to-day, but did our washing, policed our quarters, and had dress parade in the evening.
24th. — General inspection and grand review.
25th. — Nothing unusual. Details made for picket, guard duty, etc.
26th. — This was a very hot day. We had battalion drill in the evening.
27th. — We got mail again, to-day. A detail worked on a well.
28th. — Company and battalion drill.
29th. — A fine banner was brought to our regiment to-day. A detail went to Murfreesboro.
30th. — Inspection at i o'clock. No drill on ac- count of rain.
31st. — General review to-day. The fine banner was presented to the regiment to-day, while on review. This banner is one of the two tattered remnants seen at .the annual reunions of the regiment.
June 1st. — Brigade drill to-day.
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2nd. — Rainy, as usual, but as it is warm does not make us feel so disagreeable.
3rd. — Received orders this evening to pack up and be ready to move at any time.
4th. — A detail was made to go to Murfreesboro, with a wagon train.
5th. — Division drill this evening. There was a man hung at Murfreesboro to-day, for murdering one of our soldiers last summer.
6th. — Nothing more than usual in camp to-day.
7th. — We had division drill again to-day.
8th. — Weather very nice and warm. Division drill.
9th. — Drilling is all that is going to-day.
loth. — This was a wet day. Had drill in the evening.
nth. — Still rainy. Battalion drill this evening.
I2th. — One of the 31st Indiana boys w^as buried to-day. The 31st is in our brigade.
13th. — A 2nd Kentucky man was buried to-day. He purposely shot himself last night.
14th. — Company drill and inspection.
15th. — Drilling is now the order of the day.
1 6th. — Chilcote says he was on picket, and sold two pounds of coffee to a woman for a silver dollar.
17th. — Drill and dress parade.
1 8th. — Not much doing, as it is a rainy day.
19th. — There are 15 regiments of cavalry reported near this place. Our regiment was held in camp as a reserve to re-enforce the pickets, in case they were attacked.
20th. — This is Saturday. Did our washing and cleaned up our quarters.
2ist. — Our guns and clothing were inspected this
84 History of the
morning. In the evening we had review and dress parade.
22nd. — Rebels reported near here, in considerable numbers.
23rd. — To-day a man from the ist Kentucky was shot for "bounty jumping" and desertion. The bri- gade was drawn up on the parade ground, and the man marched out, blindfolded, when a detail of men whose guns had been, part of them loaded with ball, and part with blank cartridges, fired at him, standing, when he dropped dead. This created more gloom that a hun- dred natural deaths, or deaths in battle.
24th. — Ordered to be ready to march at 7 o'clock this morning, but did not leave until 10 o'clock. Marched out through Bradyville toward Dug Hollow, through the rain.
25th. — Started on our march again. It rained very hard all the forenoon. Camped about noon. The cavalry brought in some Johnnies this evening.
26th. — A very bad, rainy day. Stayed in camp at Olive, or Hollow Springs, waiting for our wagon train to come up.
27th. — About noon we started and marched 7 or 8 miles and camped.
28th. — Marched to within two miles of Manches- ter, Tenn., and camped on Duck River, a nice stream. We camped in Breckinridge's old camp, where he camped after the battle of Stone River. Got some mail to-day.
29th. — Remained in camp until late in the evening, when we moved through Mancliester and camped in another Rebel camp.
30th. — Remained in camp at Manchester. We cleaned up an old church for a hospital.
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July 1st. — This was a very hot day. Marched out toward Tullahoma, six or seven miles and camped for the nio-ht. We traveled all the way throuoh the woods.
2nd. — Moved ahout five miles and camped. Got some potatoes and beef, and had a very i^ood supper. Got plenty of huckleberries.
3rd. — IMoved to within one mile of Elk River ; and as the water was so hioh we could not cross, we moved back about a mile and camped.
4th. — Lay in camp to-day. Got some potatoes and chickens, but not. issued by the commissary, and had very good living.
5th. — Still in camp. Still rainy. Drew three day's rations this morning. Had inspection to-day.
6th. — Still in the same camp. A detail of 30 men went out to gather berries.
7th. — Got word this eveninsf that Vicksbursr had
surrendered to General Grant.
8th. — Got orders this morning to move back to Manchester, and started at half past 6 o'clock, marched through mud and water all the way. Crossed streams by wading them all.
9th. — Stayed in camp at Manchester, and fixed up to stay awhile.
loth. — The day was spent in fixing up our camp again.
nth. — Received mail again. Cleaned up the camp.
1 2th. — Dress parade to-day. It rained this eve- ning for a change.
13th. — A detail went out to gather berries. Some of the boys got dinner at a house, also apples. They were about 3 miles out from camp.
86 History of the
14th. — The men are on half rations, and a very small half at that.
15th. — Nothmg unusual to-day. A detail dug a ditch in front of the Colonel's quarters.
i6th. — Still on half rations, and a great deal of grumbling about it.
17th. — Some of the boys gathered blackberries, and Chilcote says he made some pies.
1 8th. — A very warm day. Had dress parade.
19th. — Had review to-day, at 5 o'clock .
20th. — Drew rations to-day, and are feeling better.
2 1 St. — A detail was made to go out about three miles to help haul railroad ties.
22nd. — The wagons went out this morning, with a detail, for forage. They went to the foot of the Cumberland Mountains, got the forage, but did not get back.
23rd. — The forage train got back about 8 o'clock. While out the boys got apples, potatoes, chickens, pork, etc., but bought them, of course.
24th. — Signed the pay-rolls to-day, to be paid off to-morrow.
25th. — Did not get our pay to-day. Very warm.
26th. — No drill, so we have pretty good times. Dress parade. Morgan reported captured in Ohio.
27th. — Still in the old camp, and nothing of im- portance going on.
28th. — Dress parade. Some country people came in to-day, with wagons, with eatables to sell.
29th. — We were paid four months' pay to-day. The Colonel gave an order to some of the boys to get whiskey at the Commissary, and some of them got full and had quite a time.
poth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 87
30th. — Everything quiet. Except the details for picket, the boys have not much to do.
31st. — We had a very hard rain yesterday, and it was cool and nice last night. Colonel Rippey's wife is here. She came yesterday, on a visit.
August 1st. — Inspection and dress parade.
2nd. — This is Sunday, and a very nice day. In- spection this morning and review in the evening, and after that a funeral was preached in our regiment.
3rd. — Dress parade this evening. Colonel Rip- pey's wife was present.
4th. — Captain N. F. Hitchcock started home to- day, on a leave of absence.
5th. — Dress parade, as usual. Everything seems quiet.
6th. — Went with a detail on picket this morning. Plenty of trade with the citizens, on the picket line. Got some pies.
7th. — Back in camp. All quiet.
8th. — On picket again. Nothing going on in camp more than usual. Got some cucumbers at 25 cents a dozen.
9th. — Review this morning. Made some biscuits to-day.
loth. — All quiet. Went out a mile and a half to
guard cattle. Got some roasting ears and peaches.
I ith. — Still on guard. Have plenty of green corn.
It is one year to-day since I volunteered. — We are
quoting from John Chilcote's diary. — Ed.
Logan, O., February 14, 1894.
Comrade Harden :
I have been a reader of the history of the 90th O. V. I., of which I was an honored member. I
88 History of the
enlisted August 2d, 1862, and was assigned to Co. I, and as the history has already stated, was in camp at Circleville, and my first experience was to get left when we got to Covington, Ky. It was understood that we would lay there over night, and I got per- mission to go up the river to Dayton, Ky., as I was somewhat, at that time interested in a young lady, and of course, I wanted to bid her good bye. I went up, and about 9 o'clock that night I was sent for by R. R. Pierce and Wm. Mason. After bidding the lady good bye, we started for Covington, but the regiment had left for Lexington, so we had to remain until Sunday morning, then took the train with the 99th, and got as far as Paris, where we had to stay over night. Monday morning we got on another train and got to the regiment just in time to start on that memorable march to Louisville.
I might give my entire experience as a soldier, but it would take too long, but will start in at Nashville. December 26, 1862, we started for the front but made slow progress on account of rain and the rebels in our front, but on the 31st day of December we got a good taste of what war is. It is useless to give you anything concerning that, as it has all been told, but will make mention that we lost two killed on that morning. One was VVm. Mason and the other Clay Leist, both good soldiers, and for Clay he was not only a good soldier but also a good Christian in every sense of the word. That brings in a notice in Circleville Union, of November 4, 1864, of the death of Sergt. Amos Leist of Co. F, killed in action at Kennesaw Mountain. After the battle of Stone River we were detailed to go back to Nashville with a supply train. When we got to Nashville a wagon drove up with pies for sale, which went fast. There was a basket full that the old man and his wife were reserving, and in order to make them safe, sat on the basket. P>ut it was no use, when we had no money but an empty stomach, there was some way to get it filled. So, when the old man pulled out the other basket, lo, and behold ! it was empty, — must have lost them.
Capt. Alvah Perry. Lieut. Geo. W. Welsh. Lieut. J. M. Sutphen.
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goth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 89
From Stone River we went to Camp Cripple Creek, where we were quite a while and had, what I thought, a good time, in our own way. We were there until about the last of June, and started on the march.
I took sick and was left at Manchester, and was taken to Tullahoma, where it was thought by every ■one, I would die. but I was not ready for that, but had a close shave. From there I was dragged around from one hospital to another, until I wound up at Camp Den- nison, where I got able to be around, and in November, 1863, I was transferred to the Invalids Corps. That ended me with the 90th, but I was with them through all the war in mind and soul. I was sent to Cincinnati, then to Washington, D. C, where I did duty until the war closed. Was in Washington during the closing of the war, the assassination of Lincoln, review of the armies, Early's raid on the city, and all the excite- ment of the war ; was discharged after the regiment was mustered out.
So this is about all I will say of my history with the Grand old 90th, whose surviving members I am at all times glad to meet. While I was not with the boys, I was with them in spirit just as though I had been with them in the field, and if any of the old boys come around, the latch string hangs on the outside for any of them. I must close. Hope this will interest some one.
I have been very much interested in the letters written by the boys. Hope they will continue. Yours in F. C. L.
J. W. Strentz.
Late Sergt. Co. I, 90th O. V. L
I2th. — Everything quiet, as usual.
13th. — My partner and I made some first-rate peach pies to-day. Our sutler, Sam Campbell, started for home this morning.
14th. — A very hot day until about two o'clock, when it rained.
90 History of the
15th. — We drew rations to-day.
i6th. — Left camp at Manchester, Tenn., for parts unknown to us. Had a rough time of it, for it rained for about four hours as hard as it could pour down. We marched 15 miles.
17th. — Got out at dayHght and went back 9 miles to help the wagons out of the mud, and then started on the march. Did not get up with the brigade to-day.
1 8th. — Started at daylight, but did not come up with the brigade until night.
19th. — Moved out at daylight for Dunlap, Tenn., 18 miles from where we camped, and arrived there about 5 o'clock in the evening. Went down the mountains.
20th. — Remained in camp to-day. Got a lot of peaches and sold a lot of them for $1.25. This is the county seat of Sequatchie county, Tenn., 46 miles from Manchester.
2 1 St. — Lay in camp to-day, and rested.
22nd. — Remained in camp. Skirmishing reported near Chattanooga, Tenn.
23rd. — A great many stragglers from the country, came in to take the oath of allegiance. Dress parade this evening.
24th. — Got mail to-day, the first since we left Man- chester. Expected orders to move, but did not get them.
25th. — A detail of 40 men was made to go out 5 miles and fix up a road up the mountains.
26th. — This was a nice day. E. M. Cooper, J. W. Smittley and T. Spicer of Co. H, came up to-day.
27th. — Captain Hitchcock came back to-day ; from leave of absence, home.
goth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 91
28th. — Nothing- goiiiiT on worthy of note.
29th. — Still in camp at Dunlap. No sign of a move.
30th. — Had preaching this morning in the grove.
31st. — Drew 5 days rations. Got orders at night to be ready to march very early, if not before day- light. We were mustered this morning for our next two months' pay.
September ist. — Started on the march towards Jasper, Tenn. Marched about 23 miles. It was a hard march, so dry and dusty.
2nd. — Lay in camp to-day. Saw and explored a large cave near. It was a grand sight.
3rd. — Moved out of camp this morning and marched to the Tennessee River and went into camp a few hours, then went down to the edge of the river.
4th. — Waited until 2 o'clock before we could cross the river. Crossed over on some rafts, halted and re- mained for the day. Here we met the 31st Ohio. This place is called Shellmound.
5th. — Lay in camp at Shellmound, w^here we crossed the river, until 2 o'clock in the afternoon, then marched 8 miles nearer Chattanooga, Tenn. We camped in Georgia.
6th. — Marched 7 miles and camped again close to- the 31st Ohio. We are still in Georgia, 16 miles from Chattanooga. Had preaching this evening.
7th. — Remained in camp near Trenton. Our regi- ment went out about 3 miles on a scout, but did not see any rebels. Got orders to move at 3 o'clock in the morning.
8th. — Left camp at Trenton, at 3 o'clock this morning, moved 4 miles and camped. A part of the regiment, three companies, went out on picket to-night.
92 History of the
gth. — Moved again this morning, moved past Chattanooga, which the rebels have evacuated, and camped in an old rebel camp.
loth. — Moved out in pursuit of the rebels. Came up with them about noon and skirmished wnth them all the evening. They made a dash on the skirmish line and took about 50 prisoners. We then went into camp for the night.
nth. — Marched on again in pursuit of the rebels. Began skirmishing with them about noon, and kept it tip until we got to Ringgold, Ga.. where we camped.
1 2th. — Still following up the enemy and skirmish- ing with them. We got to Lee & Gordon's Mills, on the Chickamauga River, where we camped for the night.
13th. — Our brigade went out on a reconnoisance. Our regiment had a skirmish and killed two rebels. None of our boys got hurt. Camped again at Lee & Gordon's Mills.
14th. — Lay in camp at Lee & Gordon's Mills to guard the wagon train. Skirmishing out in front of us. Rations getting very scacce.
15th. — Moved about 4 miles to-day and went into camp.
i6th. — Lay in camp to-day, ti miles from La- fayette, Ga., until late in the evening. We then went on picket. Heard cannonading and skirmishing all day.
17th. — Remained on picket until evening. We then moved back toward Lee & Gordon's Mills, about 12 miles, and camped for the night.
18th. — Lay in camp until evening. We then marched towards Lee & Gordon's Mills. Did not go in- to camp till late in the night. Had hard fighting here to-day. The past few days were spent Iry both our army
^oth Ohio i 'oluntcer Infantry. 93
and the enemy, in maneuvering for position, and in consolidating the troops for a final struggle on the banks of the Chickamauga River, for the final posses- sion of Chattanooga, now held by the Union army.
19th. — This was the first day of the great battle of Chickamauga, Ga. We moved out from Lee & Gor- don's Mills, on the Lafayette road, toward Chattanooga, some distance ; then obliqued to the right in the woods, and got into the fight about 10 o'clock, and fought all day. Our brigade was in the hottest of the battle. A large number were killed and wounded. Among the wounded was Colorbearer D. C. Goodwin, who was severely wounded in the neck and shoulder by the ex- plosion of a shell from the enemy's guns. He was carried to the rear, and thought to be mortally wounded^ but is living yet. He was wounded near a scrub oak, just as he was passing the colors under a limb; and when at the battle ground in 1895, he found the tree and cut a limb from it.
Of this day's battle, Captain Felton says : "On the 19th we were ordered to move with the brigade, by the left flank to the support of Gen. Thomas. The line of battle passed quickly over a cornfield and through a strip of timber, and on emerging from it, discovered the enemy at close range, in the act of completing their movement of turning and enveloping Gen. Thomas' right flank. This line was established at i o'clock P. M. and notwithstanding the repeated efforts of the enemy, was held until 2 130 P. M. when the supply of ammunition being exhausted, Colonel Rippey received orders to retire his regiment to a strip of timber 150 yards to the rear. In his new position Colonel Rippey made application for, and obtained a section of Battery B, 1st Ohio Artillery, and with it, held the enemy in check until a supply of ammunition was obtained. It now became evident, from the advancing roar of mus-
94 History of the
ketry upon the front and right, that the position was again being flanked. To meet this new movement the regiment made a right half-wheel, about faced, and and was in a position to meet the impending charge of the enemy. To save the right it was plain, that a counter charge must be made. Gen. Turchin gave the order, and the 90th Ohio led the charge in gallant style, causing the enemy to retreat in confusion. The rebels were followed some 400 yards when Gen. Turchin called out, ''Boys, we go far enough, we know not what is on our right, or what is on our left." The 90th Ohio was then ordered to the support of Gen. Johnson's division, now being hard pressed.
"In the evening the regiment took position a little to the rear and left of the position occupied during the day, and erected works from old logs, and held this position until the defeat of the army on the evening of the 20th. At these works a brave officer, a noble gentleman and a patriotic soldier was killed — Adju- tant Daniel N. Kingery, of McArthur, Ohio. During the battle of the 20th, the breastworks caught fire on the outside, but the fire was extinguished, and the works saved by officers and men leaping the works and beating out the fire with their hands and sticks. The enemy concentrated their fire on these brave men, but not a single one was hit while so exposed. These men were a part of Co. A, and were commanded by a 2nd Lieutenant, modesty forbids the mention of his name. They were ordered to this work by Colonel Rippey, who commanded the regiment. The enemy again pressed the right flank of the position and suc- ceeded in turning it, which compelled the abandonment of the works.
''Retreating under fire across the strip of woods and the Kelley field to the Dry Valley road, which con- nects with the Rossville road near that place, the com- mand was again placed in position on a high ridge running parallel with the Dry Valley road. From this position the regiment was ordered to Rossville, near Chattanooga, which it reached at 10 P. M. and bi- vouacked in line of battle.
goth Ohio J'olunteer Infantry. 95
"The loss of the regiment on the 19th and 20th, was 3 officers killed: Adjutant Daniel Kingery, Cap- tain Robert D. Caddy, and Lt. N. A. Patterson who was mortally wounded ; and 83 men killed, wounded and captured."
The army fell back to Chatanooga and entrenched itself. Here the regiment remained in defence un- til October 24, receiving and returning assaults of the enemy on Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. At this time for a period of nearly thirty days, all the troops at Chattanooga were on short rations and had to subsist on a few crackers, a little coffee, and corn stolen from the mules and parched.
We here give an account of the capture and im- prisonment of one of the boys who was captured Sun- day evening, September 20, written by himself, and which is a fair sample of the experiences of the others. It is as follows :
Crossenville, O., October 15, 1893.
'T was captured at Chickamauga, Sunday evening, September 20, 1863. The next day after the battle we were taken to Dalton, Ga., where we were marched up, one at a time, stripped and searched, and then put on a train and sent to Atlanta, Ga., and put in the "bull pen" for the night, after which the jug was passed around to the guards. When dusk came we were ordered to lie down on the ground and lay there until morning. The boys would forget and get up in the night, and then the bullets would whistle among us. The next morning we were marched out, and left 9 of our old comrades dead or severely wounded by the guards' fire.
We boarded the train for Raleigh, N. C. The women cursed us and called us everything they could think of. One woman waved a rebel flag over us. Jesse Grubs, of the 65th Ohio, tore it off and swore no rebel flag should wave over him. We left Raleigh
96 History of the
for Richmond, Va., went via of Petersburg. It was night when we went through Petersburg, but we could see terrible works there along the road. We went from Richmond to Libby Prison, where we stayed a while, and then were sent to Castle Thunder. We were in the two places about three months. Col. Strait was with us. From here they moved us to Danville, Va. Rations got very short and the boys got awfully dis- heartened and began to plan some way of escape and dug tunnels, and did nearly escape, but were caught. Then times were harder than ever. We could hardly subsist on what we got. They only allowed us a little water. Sometimes they would cut the rations off for three days for digging, and' when we would give him over to them, they would give us rations. The small- pox broke out among us, and the boys died by the dozen. It raged for a long time. In the morning they would call for the dead, and we had to carry them out. We would rush around to get to carry one out just to get some fresh air. They kept bloodhounds there to catch the boys who would get out, and sometimes they would catch and kill them.
''The rations consisted of a little corn bread, once a day, and a little rice, once in a while. The meal for the corn bread was not sifted, and was stirred up with a shovel and then dried.
'T was there 8 months. A squad was sent through the lines and exchanged. I was one of them. Out of our regiment was John C. Shaw, John K. Hill, Philip M. Brunner, Dr. O'Hanlon, Joseph Wyatt. Out of that squad I was the only one who got back to the regiment. I reached the regiment near Resaca, Ga."
John Switzer, Co. G.
We think there is a mistake as to Hill being a mem- ber of the 90th, as we cannot find his name on the rolls. — Ed.
We now go back to Septem1)er 3, 1863, and quote from S. D. Soliday's diary. — Ed.
From a recent photo.
John W. Tritsch, Co. E. Sec'y 90th O. V. I. Association.
THE NEW YOr.K PUBLIC LIBRARY
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TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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^oth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 97
September 3rd. — Marched through Jasper, Tenn.,. the band playing "Yankee Doodle." We took the town by storm. Groceries, drug stores, etc., had to. suffer. I got five bottle of Jaynes' Alterative and sev- eral books. I used all the medicine. I was healthy; never was sick while in the service ; never was away from the company or regiment. Where the command was, I was present. I was contented and at home.
6th. — Sunday. Got within four miles of Tren- ton, Ga. Here we met the 17th Ohio for the first time.
15th. — iNIoved down to Pea Vine church on picket. Had goose for slipper.
i6th. — Relieved from picket. We were in a dan- gerous place, but did not know it while there, if we did kill geese, with the rebels not far off.
This must have been about the time Joe Rife and Isaac George captured the sheep. The story is so good we must tell it, and it is true, too, for George and Rife both acknowledge it.
As the regiment was marching across a field, about this time, or, perhaps, the next day, a flock of sheep — George says it was a patch of sheep — was discovered. George, after them, cornered them in a fence corner,, when the sheep began jumping over. George caught one by the hind legs as it went over the fence, and caught another between his legs. In this condition he was discovered by one of the boys who offered to lend assistance, but George said : **'No, this is Company F's sheep." Just then Joe Rife of Company F, came on the scene and helped Isaac George out. Rife says the sheep George had by the hind legs was jerking him forward, and the one he had between his legs was jerking him backward. Rife
7 90 O V I
98 History of the
can go through the motions exactly, and if you don't think so, attend a reunion when he is present. But Rife says Co. F had mutton, and plenty of it, too.
September 19th. — This is the first day of the battle of Chickamauga. While our regiment was fighting in the clearing, John Emick, John C. Strayer, Elijah Howard, and Jacob McDaniel of Co. D, were wounded. (John C. Strayer died from the effects of this wound December 16, 1863. — Ed.) Afterwards we were driven back into the woods, and at intervals we would drive the enemy a few hundred yards, then they would drive us. The last time we were ordered to fall back. A great many guns were left on the field by our dead and wounded. I thought it prudent to smash them around the trees and make them useless to the enemy. Sergt. S. A. Parsons, of my company, said: "Soliday, what are you doing?" I answered that the d — d rebels can not use those guns on us. Every time Parsons sees me, he says : 'T never saw a person so mad and impatient as you were on that Sun- day afternoon. Growled like a lion."
20th. — The second day of the battle, and never to be forgotten, Sergt. S. C. Cross was wounded in the hand. While we were supporting the battery, we were lying on our l)ellies. I went so far as to make a hole in the ground for my nose. I should have liked to creep in a hole my self just then. One of the cannoniers was horrible mutilated by a premature discharge of a gun. The suffering among the boys was most intense throughout tlie day for want of water, fighting for two days without water, was fear- ful. On Sunday evening, on our retreat to Ross- ville, we came to a small stream of water issuing from Missionary Ridge. Well, we drank water sand
goth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 99
and anything that got into our cups. I know I drank two quarts of water and sand, the best water, I thought, I ever drank in my Hfe.
CHICKAMAUGA.
BY W. G. MAUK, OF CO. E. (Written soon after the War closed.)
Through the plains of Chickamauga, where verdure
ever grows, Copiously and peacefully a gentle river flows. At a very noted spring, the river has its source ; Whence its waters issue and flow a northern course.
The warriors often speak, the poets likewise sing
Of the times they slaked their thirst at the limped
Crawfish spring. For those who drink there once and bathe their fevered
brain, Would fain return there oft to quaff and bathe again.
Along that peaceful river the savage made his home, And for its cooling waters the wild herds used to roam. The weary traveler pauses upon its flowery brink, And seeks a cool retreat where he may rest and drink.
The Chickamauga river, its vale and noted spring, Are names that dear and sacred will to our memory
cling. The mother drops a tear; the maiden heaves a moan; The widow heaves a sigh, and sits bereft alone.
For heroes, dear and true, who there so nobly stood, And for their country's cause poured out their precious blood.
61384B
100 History of the
Heroes ! from dear embrace went forth their homes to
save, And fell upon the plains and filled the soldier's grave.
On the 20th of September, the holy Sabbath day, Two hostile armies met and fought a bloody fray. The Rebel General Bragg, with his belligerant bands. Attacked a force of Union troops under General Ros- ecrans.
On that awful morning the sun rose bright and clear, And all was hushed and quiet — no din disturbed our
ear. But, 'ere the sun had o'er the trees poured forth his
golden light, Columns of "blue and gray" were stirring where they
had passed the night.
In a dense and dreary wood of stately pine and oak, Through the broad spread branches up curled the slug- gish smoke^ From campfires far extended by every log and nook. As the soldiers all in silence of their scanty meals partook.
No ominous sound was heard to cause alarm or fear, And one could half believe no deadly foe lurked near. But such was not the case. Within a gunshot lay, Concealed, the Rebel forces preparing for the fray.
When Old Sol had risen high and poured a scorching
flood Upon the soldiers' heads who, all waiting, stood, The enemy advanced in columns long and gray, And pounced upon the Federal lines like a lion on his
prey.
QotJi Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 101
"To arms ! to arms !" the cry burst forth ; "be steady,
true and brave," "You'll share a conqueror's fame this day, or fill a
hero's grave." The foe, in force, approach us near, but we will make
them feel The force of Northern arguments in Northern lead
and steel."
Each soldier grasped his piece and in heroic pride Stood firm as adamant, to check the sweeping tide. XMien the Rebel legions rushed with hideous cheer
and yell, They met a sheet of fire and hail, and in confusion fell.
But, backed by columns long and deep, they onward madly rushed,
And to the cannon's fiery mouth their mangled col- umns pushed.
Hand-to-hand the conflict raged, and still more fierce- ly grew,
The belching cannons roared more loud, and thicker missiles flew.
From north to south in thunder tones the battle fiercely raged.
As all the forces on the plains became at once en- gaged.
With deafening roar the forests rang and groans arose on high.
While clouds of smoke enshroud the scene and fill a burning sky.
Tho' hours thus the battle raged without a turn of tide, Before a single change occurred the conflict to decide.
102 History of the
A desperate effort being made, the foe was forced to
yield. And with one loud prolonged huzza, the Federals won
the field.
The din of battle then was hushed, the cannons ceased
to roar. The tramp of horsemen died away, and all was still
once more. Except the piteous cries and groans of those, who
in their gore Lay sweltering 'neath the scorching sun, where some
were doomed to rise no more.
Rebel trains were rolling in from east and south be- times,
Which brought, in haste, fresh troops to fill their broken lines.
Again the battle raged that day more fiercely than before,
More bloody were the charges, more loud the can- non's roar.
For a time the Federals stood as lines of sharpened
steel, Although the Rebs, three to one, with whom they had
to deal. The Union forces held them long, but, alas ! w.Te
forced to yield, And overwhelmed by outnumbered host, in tears, gave
up the field.
po/A Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 103
WHERE IS THE 90th?
Comrade Joseph T. Barron calls our attention to the time of the evening of the last day's battle at Chick- amauga, when leaving the field. General Cm ft rode along the line and called out, "My God, where is the 90th?" and when he rode up, how the boys cheered him, and the whole army took it up. The Johnnies fell back and left us without firing a gun. This inci- dent probably had much to do in saving Gen. Thomas' army.
A LETTER FROM CHICKAMAUGA.
We are not in the habit of publishing OUr private correspondence, especially from our lady friends, but we can not refrain from printing the one below, as showing the hospitality of the Southern people, and written on the bloody battlefield of Chickamauga. We know it will interest our old soldier comrades. We appreciate the letter very highly, and hope the lady will not take offense. We more more than admire her faith in the preservation of her little ones, and is a good and impressive lesson, and we trust her prayer has been answered. If we ever visit Chickamauga again, and we may, we shall certainly call to see this hospitable family, as well as others whose acquaint- ance we have made in our several trips there.
The picture referred to, was the old Brotherton house. If any of our people wish to see that picture, we will be pleased to have them call.
Lytle, Ga., Dec. 17, 1900. Mr. H. O. Harden,
Kind Sir and Lady:
I will try to drop you a few lines in answer to the little groupe and log cabin, with many thanks I give you for it, so now I ask you and the beautiful lady to come again, but we do not live in the little log hut now. We live on the Alexander road just a mile from
104 History of the
the Alexander bridge, but if you ever come back to the Old Park I ask you to call and see us. We will treat you with all kindness we can. The little girl says she will look now for Santa Clans to bring her an Album to put her pictures in. She knew the lady as soon as she saw her. I thank you very much for them both ; thank you for thinking that much of the little crowd of dirty ones. The little girl received a few papers from Stoutsville, O., and I knew in reason it must to come from you. The little ones are well, only bad colds, and anxiously looking for Xmas to come. I trust the good Lord to spare them all to me to enjoy a happy Xmas, and me with them.
So I will close for the first. Hope we will hear from you and the kind lady that was with you. So good-by for all the little ones to you.
Mrs. R. L. McDaniel, Mother of the little ones.
September 21st, 1863. Threw up breastworks to- day and remained in them until dark, and then fell back to Chattanooga.
22nd. — Commenced building breastworks, and worked all day without the enemy coming near enough to bother us. We burned several houses to get them out of the way.
23rd. — Still fortifying, and expecting an attack at any time.
24th. — Our pickets were attacked at night, but the enemy lost several men in the attack.
5th. — Still in our breastworks. A brigade went out to see what the enemy were doing, and had some heavy skirmishing.
26th. — Our pickets were attacked about daylight this morning and driven nearly back to the breast- works, when they were reinforced and drove the rebels back to their old position.
Capt. J. B. Orman. R. Q. M.— 1863.
Capt. J. S. Witherspoon. Co. I.— 1863.
Capt. James K. Jones. " Kim Jones."— 1864.
D. C. Goodwin. Co. K.— 1862.
rm NEW YOnK PUBLI^ LIBRARY
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TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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^oth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 105
27th. — Still fortifying and getting ready for an attack.
28th. — In the field in front of Chattanooga, watch- ing the enemy.
29th. — All quiet, and the boys are fixing up their tents.
30th. — Drew five days' rations to-day, about enough to last one day. It commenced to rain this evening.
October ist, 1863. — Still raining. Our boys worked all day on the fortifications.
2nd. — Still fortifying. Worked on Fort Palmer to-day. We could see the rebels all day. They occupy Missionary Ridge and the valley between us and the ridge, across to Lookout Mountain ; the Mountain and the river below us, their right resting on the river above us at the north end of Missionary Ridge ; their left on the river below us, forming a semi-circle around us, with the Tennessee river at our backs, and the Cumber- land mountains beyond. What provisions we did get, were hauled over the mountains, from Stevenson, Ala., a distance of 60 miles.
3rd. — Not much news, but plenty of work.
4th. — This is Sunday, but we work all the same as any other day. It is just two weeks since we left the battlefield of Chickamauga. What a change, and what experiences since we passed through this town the 9th day of last month.
5th. — The enemy began shelling us about noon and kept it up until night, doing no harm, the shells pass- ing over us.
6th. — Evervthing quiet, each army watching the other.
7th. — Began to rain last night, and to-day is a wet,
106 History of the
disagreeable day. We are on what is said to half ra- tions, but it is a very small half.
8th. — Some clothing was issued to the men to-day.
9th. — The left wing of our regiment worked on the breastworks to-day.
loth. — Still on short rations, and there is consider- able grumbling.
nth. — All quiet. Some of the boys visited the 31st Ohio to-day.
1 2th. — Company H, went out on picket. Nothing of importance occurred to-day.
13th. — This election day, and the Ohio regiments held their election for state officers, giving Brough a big lift. It being election day, of course it rained.
14th. — Rain ! Rain ! !
15th. — x\nd still it rains. A detail was sent out to- day to cut wood. It is very disagreeable ; scarce of wood, short on grub, and scant of clothing, and having to work in the mud and rain. Still we do it, not for pay, but that our flag may float over every state in the Union, and treason be buried beneath our suffer- ings.
i6th. — Drew full rations of bread, but only half of sugar and coffee. There was no forage for the mules and horses, and those that did not die, became so poor and were too weak to have drawn the wagons and artillery, in case of retreat. All of our provisions were hauled by wagons from Stevenson and Bridgeport, over a circuitous route up the Sequatchie valley and over Waldron's Ridge, a distance of 60 miles. A train of several hundred wagons was captured and burned by the enemy. I paid $t.oo for three ears of corn, then parched it, and I and my mess ate it for supper, one evening. — Ed.
goth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 107
17th. — Worked on the fortifications to-day.
1 8th. — Still cooped up in Chattanooga.
19th. — This was a nice warm day, for a change, nothing unusual.
20th. — Everything quiet, and still in camp.
2 1 St. — The same old thing — mud and starvation.
22nd. — Went out on picket with Co. G. This was out toward Missionary Ridge, near where the electric railway now runs. We traded with the Johnnies, meeting them half way between the lines. — Ed.
23rd. — Rained nearly all day.
24th. — Colonel C. H. Ripley resigned, and Lt. Colonel S. N. Yeoman assumed command of the regi- ment.
Got orders to move. We left about 9 o'clock at nip-ht, and were ordered to leave our tents stand and fires burning, as the army was in a critical position, and the object was to get out without the rebels know- ing: that any troops had been taken away. We silently and cautiously left our camp, crossed the Tennessee river, and "took to the woods." It was dark, and we groped our way through brush, through the mountains on the north side of the river, and at daylight ran the gauntlet of the rebel sharp-shooters posted at the nar- rows near Lookout Mountain. The reason for this line of march was the enemy was in possession of Lookout Mountain, and the river for some distance below, and it was not healthy to march so close to the river. Ed.
25th. — The regiment moved on in the direction of Bridgeport, Ala., 26 miles below Chattanooga, along the crest of Waldron's Ridge, a spur of the Cumber- land Mountains, until evening, when we camped for the night.
108 History of the
26th. — Marched back about six miles, a part of us, to help get the wagons out of the mud, and then turned and marched until night, camping on the mountain overlooking the Sequatchie valley.
27th. — Moved on again and reached the foot of the mountain in the direction of Jasper, Tenn. Camped in the Sequatchie valley. \Miile the detail was back help- ing out the wagons, the regiment moved on, crossing the Tennessee River at Shellmound, Oct. 25th, on a pontoon bridge. Here we gathered material for tents, having left ours at Chattanooga, expecting to stay awhile. Shellmound was a station on the railroad and half a mile or so from the great Nickajack Cave. From this cave the rebels secured saltpetre in great quanti- ties, which was boiled outside in great iron kettles, and used in the manufacture of powder to shoot us fellows. The whole valley at this point seems to be composed of shells, hence the name. We remained in camp at this place several days, doing picket duty, and fixing up tents.
31st. — The pontoon bridge across the river at Shell- mound was taken up.
November i, 1863. — Still at Shellmound. This is Sunday. Got orders this evening to be ready to move.
2nd. — Did not move to-day, as ordered, but re- mained here.
3rd. — Started this morning for Bridgeport, Ala., and got there in the afternoon. The boys went to work at once fixing up tents. We are here for the purpose of guarding two railroad bridges across the Tennessee river, while being rebuilt, and also to guard the stores at this place, as this is as far as the rail- road is in running order.
4th. — A part of the regiment went out on the
(}Oth Ohio I'oliiHteer Infantry. 109
mountain to blockade the road. While here a part of the regiment was sent up on top of a spur of the mountain, about three miles, to guard an old Presby- terian minister and his family, who were loyal ; also to protect some rebel deserters who had left and come home. The old minister had a piano, and a handsome daughter who played on it. The boys said she could play euchre, too. Here was the nucleus of a college, a frame building about the size of one of our country school houses, and was started by this minister and a man by the name of Gordon. It was afterward Gen- eral J. B. Gordon, of the Confederate Army. — Ed.
5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. — Worked at our tents, which we understood were to be and were our winter quar- ters. On the eighth we drew full rations.
9th. — We commenced throwing up breastworks in front of the regiment. The works were built more to give the men exercise than anything else.
loth, nth, I2th and 13th. — We spent in putting the finishing touches on our tents, reading and writing letters.
14th. — Began to rain. General Sherman's army from Mississippi is passing through here, on its way to Chattanooga to re-enforce Gen. Grant. The men look tired, but they tramp, tramp on.
15th. — This is Sunday. Had inspection this morn- ing, and review in the afternoon.
1 6th, 17th and i8th. — Were spent in working on the breastworks, doing picket duty, etc.
19th. — To-day we were paid three months' pay.
20th. — Cloudy, and rained some.
2 1 St. — Still raining. A detail was made to fix up the road at the river bank on the Bridgeport side, where the pontoon bridge is laid.
110 History of the
22nd. — This is Sunday. Had inspection and got mail.
23rd, 24th, 25th — the time was spent in regular camp routine, picket duty, etc.
26th. — This is Thursday, and the day set apart in Ohio, and the Union, as Thanksgiving Day. We kept it, too, and did no duty except picket duty.
27th. — This was a quiet day in camp.
28th. — Wet and disagreeable. A detail ditched a pond at the right of the regiment.
29th. — Got orders this morning to have three days' rations in our haversacks and be ready to start at two o'clock for Nashville with a lot of prisoners captured at Missionary Ridge, but they did not arrive, and we did not go.
30th. — Same orders to-day. The prisoners arrived about two o'clock, and our regiment took them on the island and guarded them during the night. And a sorry lot they were. Ragged, nearly bare-footed, and no tents, and the ground frozen hard. They managed to keep from freezing by building fires of logs and wood, of which there was plenty. They were sick of the job they had undertaken, and when asked how many men Bragg had left, one of them replied, "Well, about another killing." — Ed.
December ist. — Still guarding the prisoners. Re- mained here all day, and drew rations for the prisoners. About 3,000 in this lot, and were sent north, in all, 6,100. The battles of Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge were fought November 23-27. —Ed.
poth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Ill
Lancaster, O., August 5, 1894.
Dear Comrade: — While we lay at Bridgeport, Ala., I, with a company of 16 others were detailed as teamsters to take an ammunition train through to Chattanooga. As the enemy was in possession of a part of the river road, we went via of Jasper and Whitesides, guarded by a small detachment of cavalry. We arrived near the town of Chattanooga, just as Hooker was opening the battle of Lookout Mountain, and leaving our teams in a sheltered place, we ascended Cameron Hill, from which we witnessed the great bat- tle above the clouds.
Wlien the fighting commenced on the north end of Mission Ridge, we were ordered up through the town, to a sheltered place in rear of Orchard Knob. We witnissed the Army of the Cumberland charge the works and take the Knob. From our position we saw the storming of Mission Ridge, and we became so excited that we forgot we had wagons loaded with ammunition. It was one of the grandest sights I ever witnessed. After the fight we reported to our com- mand at Bridgeport.
I remember an incident of the battle of Chickamauga. About 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, I was detailed to go into the gap and assist in carrying off the wounded. We got them in the ambulances, and the way we went for Stevenson, Ala., was a caution. At Shellmound we stopped for a little rest. When I ex- amined I found I had one dead man, whose name we learned from some papers on his person, to be Wilson, of an Illinois regiment. When we left the field of Chickamauga, that Sunday afternoon, it looked as if the devil had brooken loose, and was in control of the whole field.
I do not think General Rosecrans was fairly treated, in being relieved. If they had furnished him the men that they afterwards furnished General Grant, things would have been different. We all have a warm spot in our hearts for "Old Rosy."
S. E. Wright, Co. L
112 History of the
2nd. — Took our prisoners across the river to Bridgeport about 2 o'clock P. M., and put them on cars, (box cars), and ran to Stevenson, Ala.
3rd. — Started at 3 o'clock this morning for Nash- ville, and arrived there about dark. Took the pris- oners to the barracks. Here we met some of the 90th boys on their way up to the regiment.
4th. — Remained at the barracks till evening, then went out near the state prison and went into camp.
5th. — Lay in camp. The balance of the regiment came up this evening with more prisoners. — All of the regiment was not on one train, and this explains seeming confliction of dates. — Ed.
6th. — Lay in camp, with orders to move at 3 o'clock in the morning.
7th. — Started back to Bridgeport, Ala., at 3 o'clock this morning, and arrived there about 8 o'clock in the evening. Part of the regiment did not leave until the 8th. They were delayed on account of a wreck, and did not get back until the nth.
8th, 9th and loth. — Lay in camp, drew rations, and read our mail.
nth. — The balance of the regiment got back from Nashville to-day.
I2th, 13th and 14th. — Lay quiet in camp. Not much doing.
15th. — A detail was sent out to clear the road we blockaded when we first came here.
1 6th. — A detail from the regiment was sent out on a foraging expedition.
17th. — This was a cold, windy day.
i8th, T9th. — Still cold. Nothing going on in camp more than usual.
I
From a recent photo.
Thomas Parrish, Co. B. "The Old Blacksmith."
THE NEW YO^K PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOI^, LENOX AND
TILDJEN FOUNDATIONS
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goth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 113
20th. — This is Sunday. Inspection as usual, on Sunday.
2ist. — A detail was made to-day to go to Jasper, Tenn., as guard at General Stoneman's headquarters,, over in the Sequatchie Valley.
22nd, 23rd and 24th. — Lay quiet in